INS

IDE

INS

IDE

INS

IDE

INS

IDE

INS

IDE VVVVVOLUME XXIVOLUME XXIVOLUME XXIVOLUME XXIVOLUME XXIV

NUMBER 6NUMBER 6NUMBER 6NUMBER 6NUMBER 6

JUNEJUNEJUNEJUNEJUNE20032003200320032003

NEWSPNEWSPNEWSPNEWSPNEWSPAPER OF APER OF APER OF APER OF APER OF THE DIOCESE OF SAN ANGELOTHE DIOCESE OF SAN ANGELOTHE DIOCESE OF SAN ANGELOTHE DIOCESE OF SAN ANGELOTHE DIOCESE OF SAN ANGELO PMangelus@aol.com • wwwPMangelus@aol.com • wwwPMangelus@aol.com • wwwPMangelus@aol.com • wwwPMangelus@aol.com • www.san-angelo-diocese.san-angelo-diocese.san-angelo-diocese.san-angelo-diocese.san-angelo-diocese.org.org.org.org.org

THETHETHETHETHEWESTWESTWESTWESTWESTTEXASTEXASTEXASTEXASTEXAS

NO

NP

RO

FIT

OR

G.

US

PO

STA

GE

PA

IDS

AN

AN

GE

LO

, TX

PE

RM

IT N

O.

44

DIO

CE

SE

OF

SA

N A

NG

ELO

PO

BO

X 1

829

SA

N A

NG

ELO

TX

769

02-1

829

AD

DR

ES

S S

ER

AD

DR

ES

S S

ER

AD

DR

ES

S S

ER

AD

DR

ES

S S

ER

AD

DR

ES

S S

ER

VIC

E R

EQ

VIC

E R

EQ

VIC

E R

EQ

VIC

E R

EQ

VIC

E R

EQ

UE

ST

ED

UE

ST

ED

UE

ST

ED

UE

ST

ED

UE

ST

ED

VVVVVocation Circleocation Circleocation Circleocation Circleocation Circle, p, p, p, p, p..... 3 3 3 3 3

CTKRC CelebrCTKRC CelebrCTKRC CelebrCTKRC CelebrCTKRC Celebrates 20 ates 20 ates 20 ates 20 ates 20 YYYYYearsearsearsearsears, p, p, p, p, p..... 4 4 4 4 4

The Good Guys The Good Guys The Good Guys The Good Guys The Good Guys Win, pWin, pWin, pWin, pWin, p..... 4 4 4 4 4

PPPPPeter’eter’eter’eter’eter’s Ps Ps Ps Ps Pence Collection, pence Collection, pence Collection, pence Collection, pence Collection, p..... 5 5 5 5 5

see see see see see “““““PRIESTSPRIESTSPRIESTSPRIESTSPRIESTS””””” page six page six page six page six page six

Two New Priests ForThe Dioceseby Fr. Tom Barley

On Saturday, May 31, Rev. Mr.Rodney White and Rev. Mr. JoeyFaylona were ordained to the Priest-hood by Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer,OMI at the Cathedral Church of theSacred Heart in San Angelo. Fr.White and Fr. Faylona had beenstudying for the priesthood for thepast several years. Fr. White hadstudied at Holy Trinity CollegeSeminary in Irving and St. MarySeminary in Houston. His PastoralYear was at the parishes in FortStockton and Sanderson with Fr.David Herrera supervising his min-istry. Fr. Faylona had studied at As-sumption Seminary and the OblateSchool of Theology in San Anto-nio. His Pastoral Year was at SacredHeart Parish in Abilene with Fr. BobBush. After the ordination rite, Fr.White and Fr. Faylona

concelebrated their first Mass withBishop Pfeifer and all of the priestsof the Diocese who were in atten-dance. Bishop Joe Vasquez, auxil-iary bishop of Galveston-Houston,also concelebrated. A large honorguard of 4th Degree Knights of Co-lumbus from Councils and Assem-blies in San Angelo, Abilene, andOdessa were present for the Mass.The Cathedral was filled withpeople from all over the Diocesewho had come for this great cel-ebration. Music for the ordinationwas provided by a combinationchoir from all of the parishes of SanAngelo and members from the sur-rounding area conducted by FrankDiaz. The liturgical music was inEnglish, Spanish, and Latin.

Fr. Rodney White is the son ofRon and Patty White of Odessa. Hisparents, grandmother, sister, brother

Pope John Paul II waves tosome 50,000 people gatheredin St. Peter’s Square May 18 forthe canonization of four saintsand the celebration of his 83rdbirthday. The pontiff canonizedthe founders of four religiousorders. (CNS photo fromReuters)

and sister-in-law,nephew andniece, and twoaunts and anuncle fromOdessa attendedthe ordinationMass. Facultymembers from St.Mary Seminarywere present. Pa-rishioners fromhis home parishof St. Mary inOdessa and theparishes in FortStockton andSanderson cameto see their friendbecome a priest.

Fr. Joey Faylona is the son ofRomeo and Lourdes Faylona ofMetropolitan Manila in the Philip-pines. His parents, grandmother,and one brother came from the Phil-ippines. An aunt and an uncle andtwo cousins came from Australia.

(Above) TheO r d i n a t i o nceremony waspacked withonlookers at theC a t h e d r a lChurch of theSacred Heart.(Photo by SteveTalley.)

Two new priests and the Bishop smile afterthe ordination. (l to r) Fr. Joey Faylona, BishopMichael D. Pfeifer, OMI and Fr. Rodney White.(Photo by Van VanDeCapelle.)

see “POPE,” page nine

PPPPPope Celebrope Celebrope Celebrope Celebrope Celebrates 83rd Birates 83rd Birates 83rd Birates 83rd Birates 83rd Birthdathdathdathdathdayyyyyby John ThavisCatholic News Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Sur-rounded by tens of thousands of well-wishers, Pope John Paul II celebrated

his 83rd birthday by proclaimingfour new saints during a festive lit-urgy in St. Peter’s Square.

The pope downplayed his owncelebration and focused on thesaints, saying they demonstratedhow living the Gospel can produce“abundant fruits of justice and holi-ness” in this world.

But he smiled afterward as thecrowd broke into “Happy Birthday”and his Polish compatriots sang “StoLat,” wishing the pope 100 years oflife.

For the first time, the Vatican pub-lished the pope’s e-mail address sopeople around the world could sendhim birthday wishes. Thousandswrote to the pontiff atJohn_Paul_II@vatican.va, whichwas accessed by a button on theVatican’s home page,www.vatican.va.

The pope thanked everyone whosent him birthday greetings, in what-ever form.

”I ask everyone to keep prayingso that God helps me to faithfully

carry out the mission he entrusted tome,” he said at the end of the canoni-zation Mass.

Dressed in resplendent gold vest-ments, the pope’s voice was strongas he pronounced a solemn canoni-zation decree for the new saints andpresided over a two-hour liturgy.

He looked better than he did ayear ago, when he had difficultyspeaking and breathing during pub-lic events. But his leg strength hasdeclined; he celebrated the canoni-zation Mass seated on a wheeledchair with a hydraulic lift, which,

Ordination Photos, p. 6-7Ordination Photos, p. 6-7Ordination Photos, p. 6-7Ordination Photos, p. 6-7Ordination Photos, p. 6-7

Norms for Communion, p. 8Norms for Communion, p. 8Norms for Communion, p. 8Norms for Communion, p. 8Norms for Communion, p. 8

Diocesan Budget, p. 10Diocesan Budget, p. 10Diocesan Budget, p. 10Diocesan Budget, p. 10Diocesan Budget, p. 10

San Pedro Sula, p. 12San Pedro Sula, p. 12San Pedro Sula, p. 12San Pedro Sula, p. 12San Pedro Sula, p. 12

PAGE 2 JUNE 2003

Human Cloning Human Cloning Human Cloning Human Cloning Human Cloning Threatens theThreatens theThreatens theThreatens theThreatens theDignity of Human ProcreationDignity of Human ProcreationDignity of Human ProcreationDignity of Human ProcreationDignity of Human Procreation

By Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer, OMI

La Clonación Humana Amenaza la DignidadLa Clonación Humana Amenaza la DignidadLa Clonación Humana Amenaza la DignidadLa Clonación Humana Amenaza la DignidadLa Clonación Humana Amenaza la Dignidadde la Procreación Humanade la Procreación Humanade la Procreación Humanade la Procreación Humanade la Procreación Humana

Por el Obispo Miguel D. Pfeifer, OMI

June 2003June 1: Sanderson, St. James -

Confirmation at 11:00 a.m.June 2-3: Dallas, Meeting of

Bishops of Region XJune 3: San Angelo, St. Joseph

at Cathedral Church of the Sacred

Heart - Confirmation at 7:00 p.m.June 4: San Angelo, Diocesan

Pastoral Center - Staff Meeting at11:00 am. St. Mary - Home Mass at6:30 p.m.

June 5: Colorado City, St. Ann -Confirmation at 6:30 p.m.

June 6: San Angelo, St. Mary -Confirmation at 6:30 p.m.

June 7: Big Spring, ImmaculateHeart - Confirmation at 5:00 p.m.

Published monthly with automatic circulation to parishioners in the Diocese of San AngeloSubscription rate for all others: $10.00 per year

THIRD CLASS POSTAGE PAID AT SAN ANGELO, TEXASPrinted by the San Angelo Standard-Times

A Scripps-Howard Company

Publisher Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer, OMIEditor Peter N. Micale (PMangelus@aol.com)Layout The Talley PressProduction Kenneth Grimm

The West Texas AngelusOfficial Newspaper of the Diocese of San Angelo

POSTMASTER: Send all Changes of Address to:WEST TEXAS ANGELUS

P.O. BOX 1829SAN ANGELO, TX 76902-1829

BISHOP PFEIFER

The Bishop’The Bishop’The Bishop’The Bishop’The Bishop’sssssScheduleScheduleScheduleScheduleSchedule

June 8: San Angelo, CathedralChurch of the Sacred Heart - Gen-eral Confirmation for Adults at 1:30p.m.

June 9: San Angelo, DiocesanPastoral Center - Mass for Staff at8:30 a.m. Bishop’s Residence - Din-ner for all Priests and Sisters andBishop’s Staff at 6:00 p.m.

June 13-14: San Antonio -Priestly Ordination

June 15: San Angelo, CathedralChurch of the Sacred Heart - Mar-riage Jubilee Mass at 2:30 p.m.

June 18: San Angelo, DiocesanPastoral Center Presbyteral Coun-cil at 11:00 a.m.

June 19-21: St. Louis - Meetingof the United States Conference ofCatholic Bishops

June 22: San Angelo, Christ theKing Retreat Center - 20th anni-versary of Retreat Center, Mass andreception at 6:30 p.m.

June 23: Mertzon (near) on Hwy

see see see see see “““““CLONINGCLONINGCLONINGCLONINGCLONING””””” page ele page ele page ele page ele page elevvvvvenenenenen see see see see see “CLONA“CLONA“CLONA“CLONA“CLONACIÓN”CIÓN”CIÓN”CIÓN”CIÓN” page ele page ele page ele page ele page elevvvvvenenenenen

A Word to the Wise . . .Annual Church Festival Information Must Be Sent to WT

Angelus Office at Least Two (2) Months Ahead of Festival

Date to Guarantee Advertisement Insertion!

Don’t Miss Out!

Sadly, there are many elected officials at a federal and state level whoare sponsoring legislation that would permit human cloning, especiallytherapeutic cloning. Both reproductive and therapeutic cloning threatenthe sanctity of human life and the dignity of human procreation. Bothtypes of cloning show a deep disrespect for a fundamental Biblical beliefin the first book of the Bible, Genesis, that humans are made in the veryimage and likeness of God. Some wrongly say that therapeutic cloning ispermissible as the cells of the produced embryos that are destroyed areused to possibly cure disease. However, this cloning also violates a basicmoral principle. A good end does not justify immoral means. Creating ahuman embryo just so it can be used and then destroyed undermines thevery foundation of morality. Both reproductive and therapeutic cloninghave been condemned by Pope John Paul II and the U.S. Catholic Bish-ops.

To help us understand the evil of human cloning, I share with you in this article twobrief excerpts that were given in testimony before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee byLeon R. Kass, MD, Chairman, President’s Council on Bioethics.

“Human cloning constitutes unethical experimentation on the cloned child-to-be. Itconfounds his genetic and social identity; it would threaten his sense of individuality. Itrepresents a giant step toward turning procreation into manufacture. And it is a despoticattempt of parents to select and control the genetic make-up of their children. . . . Humancloning threatens the dignity of human procreation, giving one generation unprecedentedcontrol over the next . . .”

Allowing cloned human embryos to be produced for biomedical research and/or stemcell extraction is morally highly problematic. It crosses several important moral boundaries,accelerating our slide down a slippery slope (or, more accurately, jumping us off an ethicalcliff) into a dehumanizing world of genetic control of offspring and the routine use ofnascent human life as a mere natural resource. . . . In addition to the harm done to embryos,there is amoral harm done to a society that comes to accept as normal the routinized

915, Mass for Ranchers and Farm-ers on Case Ranch at 6:30 p.m.

June 24: San Angelo, DiocesanPastoral Center - Staff Luncheon inhonor of Sister Joan Markus, SSNDat 11:30 a.m.

June 26: San Angelo, Christ theKing Retreat Center - Speak atWomens’ Cursillo at 9:30 p.m.

June 27-29: San Angelo, Cathe-dral Church of the Sacred Heart -Youth 2000

July 2003July 3: San Angelo, Diocesan

Pastoral Center - Mass for Staff at8:30 am. Staff meeting at 11:00 a.m.

July 4: San Angelo, CathedralChurch of the Sacred Heart - July4th Mass at 9:00 a.m.

July 6-20: VacationJuly 24: San Angelo, Christ the

King Retreat Center - Give talk atMens’ Cursillo.

July 26-27: San Antonio - Wed-ding.

Lamentablemente, hay muchos oficiales elegidos al nivel federal yestatal quienes están patrocinando legislación que permitiría la clonaciónhumana, especialmente la clonación terapéutica. Ambas, colonaciónreproductiva y terapéutica, muestran una gran falta de respeto para unafundamental creencia Bíblica en el primer libro de la Biblia, Génesis, quelos humanos son hechos en la imagen y semejanza de Dios. Unos dicenequivocadamente que la clonación terapéutica es permisible como lascélulas producidas del embrión que es destruido son usadas posiblemen-te para curar enfermedades. Sin embargo, esta clonación viola un princi-pio moral y básico. Un buen fin no justifica un medio inmoral. Creandoun embrión para que pueda ser usado y lluego destruido amenaza la merafundación de la moralidad. La clonación reproductiva y terapéutica hasido condenado por el Papa Juan Pablo II y los Obispos Catolicos de los

E.U.Para ayudarnos a entender el mal de la clonación humana, comparto con ustedes en este

artículo dos breves extractos presentados en testimonio antes del Comité Judicial delSenado de los E.U. por Leon R. Kass, MD, Presidente del Concilio de Bioéticas.

“La clonación humana constituye un experimento contra la ética del niño que va a serclonado. Confunde su genética y su identidad social; amenaza su sentido de individuali-dad. Representa un paso gigante para convertir la procreación en una fábrica, y es unintento despótico de los padres para seleccionar y controlar el sexo de sus hijos. La clonaciónhumana amenaza la dignidad de la procreación humana dando a una generación el controlsin precedente sobre la próxima generación.”

“Permitir la clonación de embriones humanos para ser producidos para investigacionesbiomédicas y/o la extracción de células embrionarias es moralmente altamente problemá-tico. Cruza varias barreras morales importantes, acelerando nuestro declive a una vertienteresbalosa (o, mas claramente, haciéndonos saltar a un abismo ético) en un mundodeshumanizado de control genético de recién nacidos y del uso rutinario de la vida huma-na como un mero recurso natural. . . . Además del daño hecho a los embriones, existe un

JUNE 2003 PAGE 3

VOCATIONS

VVVVVocation Circleocation Circleocation Circleocation Circleocation Circle

Seminarian SummerAssignments 2003by Fr. Tom Barley

The seminarians have the following summer assignments for 2003.Emilio Sosa – Institute for Priestly Formation (IPF) in Creighton in

Omaha, Nebraska.Ariel Lagunilla – Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) in a hospital

in Lubbock.Ruben Covos – Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) in a hospital

near Miami, Florida.IPF is a program at Creighton University concentrating on the

development of the spirituality of diocesan priesthood.CPE is a hospital-based program where the participants minister

as chaplains and go through intensive evaluative processes to helpthem improve their personal and ministerial skills.

Clergy Assignmentsby Msgr. Larry J. Droll

Effective July 1, 2003 (unless otherwise noted) the following areassigned to these parishes with their missions:

Rev. Serafin Avenido, parochial administrator of Our Lady of Per-petual Help, Ozona.

Rev. Joseph Vathaloor, CMI, pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe,Eldorado.

Rev. George Varakukala, HGN, pastor of St. Ann, Colorado City.Rev. David Espitia, pastor of St. Joseph and St. Anthony, Odessa.Rev. Gilbert Rodriguez, parochial vicar of Our Lady of Guadalupe,

Midland.Rev. Terrence Brenon, canonical pastor of St. Margaret, San Angelo.Rev. Joseph Choutapalli, HGN, parochial vicar of St. Mary, San

Angelo and Sacramental Minister of St. Margaret, San Angelo (June 1,2003).

Rev. Joey Faylona, parochial vicar of St. Mary, San Angelo, andSacramental Minister for St. Therese, Carlsbad; deanery hospital chap-lain in San Angelo.

Rev. Rodney White, parochial vicar of St. Ann, Midland.

Seminary GatheringSeminary GatheringSeminary GatheringSeminary GatheringSeminary Gathering

Vocation luncheon in Wall, Texas. Left to Right: Fr. Hugh Wade, Matthew Fenner, Msgr.Larry Droll, Fr. Tom Barley, Deacon Joey Faylona, Deacon Rodney White, Sem. EmilioSosa, Tony Schillo, Sem. Ariel Lagunilla, Gilbert Martinez. (Photo by Margie Schillo.)

by Fr. Tom BarleyOn Saturday, May 17, the semi-

narians of the Diocese and two ap-plicants for college seminary cameto the Seminarian Gathering at thePastoral Center in San Angelo. Theymet with Fr. Tom Barley, Directorof Vocations and Seminarians andmembers of the Commission forOrders and Ministries. BishopMichael Pfeifer, OMI stopped byfor a minute to visit with them. A

few weeks later, Rev. Mr. JoeyFaylona and Rev. Mr. RodneyWhite were ordained to the priest-hood. The two applicants wereMatthew Fenner of Holy FamilyChurch in Midland and GilbertMartinez of Our Lady of San JuanChurch in Midland. After the meet-ing the group went to the Ole GinSteakhouse in Wall. At this time thethree remaining seminarians havegone to their summer assignments.

The two appli-cants are busywith summer ac-tivities. Mat-thew Fenner is atscout camp.G a b r i e lMartinez is on atrip to Bosnia.Please keep allof them in yourprayers.

Leading the Lord’s Prayer for the first time. Fr. Joey Faylona presides at his first Mass at St. Mary Churchin San Angelo on June 1, the day after his ordination. (Photo by Pat VanDeCapelle.)

Local Resident AttendsLocal Resident AttendsLocal Resident AttendsLocal Resident AttendsLocal Resident AttendsChrChrChrChrChristian Unity istian Unity istian Unity istian Unity istian Unity WWWWWorororororkshopkshopkshopkshopkshop

see see see see see “UNITY”“UNITY”“UNITY”“UNITY”“UNITY” page ele page ele page ele page ele page elevvvvvenenenenen

by Barbara D. KingAlong with over 300 other del-

egates, S. Mary Kay Bailey, O.P.,ecumenical officer for the SanAngelo Diocese, attended the Na-tional Workshop for ChristianUnity, which was held May 12-15at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Sa-

vannah, Georgia.“We hold these truths in clay

jars” was the theme of the 40th an-nual national gathering of leadersof Christian communities, whichcelebrates the successes of and chal-lenges remaining in the ecumeni-cal movement.

Dr. Robert Franklin, PresidentialDistinguished Professor of SocialEthics at Emory University inAtlanta, gave a plenary address.The former president of theInterdenominational TheologicalCenter, the nation’s foremost center

PAGE 4 JUNE 2003

DIOCESE

ChrChrChrChrChrist ist ist ist ist The King RetreatThe King RetreatThe King RetreatThe King RetreatThe King RetreatCenter CelebratesCenter CelebratesCenter CelebratesCenter CelebratesCenter CelebratesTTTTTwwwwwenty enty enty enty enty YYYYYears Of Serears Of Serears Of Serears Of Serears Of Serviceviceviceviceviceby Father John Gonzales Castro, O.M.I.

Encircled by the picturesque Concho River on the southeast side ofSan Angelo, Christ the King Retreat Center will celebrate 20 years ofservice to the people of God in West Texas on Sunday, June 22, 2003with a Eucharistic Concelebration of Thanksgiving at 6:30 P.M. MostRev. Michael D. Pfeifer, O.M.I. will be the main concelebrant and FatherJohn Gonzales Castro, O.M.I., director of the Center, will be the homilist.

Dedicated to Jesus Christ, the King, on June 4, 1983, the facilityconsists of fifty-one private rooms that can house double occupancy. Apermanent staff of five and a part-time team of twenty persons also main-tain a chapel, a library, a large conference room that can be divided intotwo meeting rooms, a dining area and a kitchen.

Adhering to its mission to proclaim Christ to all in an environmentthat offers hospitality and fosters human growth and authentic spiritual-ity, the Retreat Center underscores retreats for priests, men and womenreligious, laity, youth and parish organizations. Its service to a multi-variate clientele includes both Catholic and non-Catholic groups.

The complex also hosts Engaged Encounter, Marriage Encounter,The Cursillo Movement, The Walk To Emmaus, The Chrysalis Journeys,The Permanent Diaconate Program, The Beginning Experience, Rachel’sVineyard, and RCIA. Non-profit organizations such as Hospice, hospitalauxiliaries, the Texas Commission for the Blind and The United Wayalso utilize the facility periodically.

Retreatants vary in numbers from one person engaged with the direc-tor in sharing a spiritual journey or a privately directed endeavor to 150persons following an established program, such as the Pre-DiaconateFormation held monthly with all lodging, meals and classes providedon site. A full time chef is available to prepare meals that are servedcafeteria or banquet style to the participants.

Parish Provides Shelter AfterTornado

Christ the King Retreat CenterChrist the King Retreat CenterChrist the King Retreat CenterChrist the King Retreat CenterChrist the King Retreat Center20th Anniversary Celebration!20th Anniversary Celebration!20th Anniversary Celebration!20th Anniversary Celebration!20th Anniversary Celebration!

June 22, 2003June 22, 2003June 22, 2003June 22, 2003June 22, 2003EvEvEvEvEverererereryyyyyone Inone Inone Inone Inone InvitedvitedvitedvitedvitedEucharist - 6:30 pmEucharist - 6:30 pmEucharist - 6:30 pmEucharist - 6:30 pmEucharist - 6:30 pm

PresiderPresiderPresiderPresiderPresider::::: Bishop Michael D Bishop Michael D Bishop Michael D Bishop Michael D Bishop Michael D..... Pf Pf Pf Pf Pfeifeifeifeifeifererererer, OMI, OMI, OMI, OMI, OMIHomilist:Homilist:Homilist:Homilist:Homilist: F F F F Frrrrr..... John Gonzales Castro John Gonzales Castro John Gonzales Castro John Gonzales Castro John Gonzales Castro, OMI, OMI, OMI, OMI, OMI

Reception - 7:30 pmReception - 7:30 pmReception - 7:30 pmReception - 7:30 pmReception - 7:30 pm

The Good Guys The Good Guys The Good Guys The Good Guys The Good Guys WinWinWinWinWinthe Big One!the Big One!the Big One!the Big One!the Big One!

Parish Honors Catechists of the Year

Catechists of the Year. (l to r) Robert Valencia, Fr. Quirino Cornejo, Rebecca Gourley,Margie Morales, Gloria Perez, Dee Ann Equivel, Abel Fernandez. (Photo courtesyMichael Wyse.)

by MichaelWyse, DRE, St.Joseph Parish,San Angelo,Texas

With 500 stu-dents in its PSR,St. Joseph Parishin San Angelo hasover 70 catechistswho work with theelementary andhigh school stu-dents as teachersand classroom as-sistants. Eachyear, for the pasteleven years, theparish honorsthem with a Cat-echist Apprecia-tion Dinner, and gives special rec-ognition to those who have done aparticularly outstanding job in theirministry by selecting Teachers andClassroom Assistants of the Year atboth the elementary and highschool levels. Each catechist isevaluated on weekly classroom at-tendance; punctuality; preparationof lesson plans; periodic classroomevaluations, participation in cat-echist development sessions, andparticipation in other ministry de-velopment opportunities provided

by the parish and diocese.This year, for the first time in the

eleven year tradition of the awards,there was a tie at both the elemen-tary and high school levels forTeacher of the Year. Sharing thehonor of Elementary Teacher of theYear are Margie Morales (1st grade)and Claudia Ponce (3rd grade).High School Teachers of the Yearare Rebecca Gourley (7th grade)and Robert Valencia (10th grade).The Classroom Assistants of theYear are Gloria Perez (1st grade),

and Dee Ann Esquivel (9th grade).Dee Ann also is the first person tobe selected twice for her award. Alsohonored was Abel Fernandez for hismany years of service as Coordina-tor of the Rite of Christian Initia-tion at St. Joseph. Abel is also study-ing in the diocesan PermanentDiaconate Program. We would liketo congratulate these catechists andpray that God will continue to blessthem in their ministry.

by James J. Graham,Executive DirectorTexas Right to Life

Austin – On May 20, the TexasState Senate passed (21 - 10) theWoman’s Right to Know Act: thegreatest legislative victory in thehistory of the Texas Pro-Life move-ment! The approval was the culmi-nation of the efforts of grassrootsactivists, bi-partisan House andSenate support, strong leadershipfrom Governor Perry, LieutenantGovernor Dewhurst, House SpeakerCraddick, and YOU. You providedthe desperately needed prayer, rev-enue, and activism for this victory.

We are discovering that the le-gal protection of all innocent hu-man life can be established in ourland by working in and through the

existing laws, systems, and organi-zations. We estimate that this onebill, the Woman’s Right to KnowAct, will save the lives of thousandsof tiny Texans every year, preventthousands of women from beingemotionally or physically maimedfor life by the abortion experience,and empower women to make lifeaffirming and life saving informedchoices. New hope and triumph isto be shared by all. There literallyare no words to thank you for allyou have done for Texas Right toLife. You will be thanked properlyone day, and He will reward youeternally for all you have done forHis little ones.

On behalf of our Board, affili-ated organizations, members, andstaff, Thank You!!!

by Fr. Mark Woodruff, PastorODESSA, TX – After a supercell

thunderstorm packing gale-forcewinds left much of Odessa in tattersTuesday evening, June 3, Odessa’sSt. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parishbecame the city’s emergencyshelter. The parish hall provided forsome of 60+ families left homelessfor several days.

James Parks, director ofemergency services for theAmerican Red Cross, headed theoperation. Within a hour after thestorm hit, Deacon Alan Neff, parishdisaster coordinator, was on handin the hall, along with parishionersJoe and Vickie Detiveaux, to makecoffee and juice and welcome thestorm’s victims. Residents of awestside apartment complex

seriously damaged in the stormwere the first to arrive.

The storm passed just south ofthe church complex, leaving it

undamaged. Parishioners werehappy to provide a safe haven forthose affected by the storm.

JUNE 2003 PAGE 5

OF INTEREST

PPPPPeter’eter’eter’eter’eter’s Ps Ps Ps Ps Pence Collectionence Collectionence Collectionence Collectionence Collectionby Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer,OMI

My dear sisters and brothers inChrist, “No one has greater lovethan this” (Jn 15:13). This themeof the 2003 Peter’s Pence Collec-tion for the Works of the Holy Fa-ther invites us to join Pope JohnPaul II in providing emergency as-sistance to those most in need –those who suffer as a result of war,oppression, and natural disasters.

The media bring to our atten-tion vivid accounts of the victimsof floods in Europe, epidemics inAfrica, earthquakes in LatinAmerica, and volcanic eruptions inthe Philippines. We are all too fa-miliar with other areas of the worldravaged by hatred, war, and vio-lence. Through this Peter’s Pence

Collection, we in the United Statesjoin the many faithful throughoutthe world who contribute gener-ously as a testimony of their frater-nal solidarity with our Holy Father,Pope John Paul II, in his efforts tohelp alleviate the tragic conse-quences of such events for thesevulnerable people.

The challenge is daunting. Howcan we help the poorest of theworld, a world in which half thepeople live on less than $2 per day?In January 2003 Pope John Paul II’sLenten address made reference tothe role played by the media in al-lowing us to identify with and of-fer ready help to the suffering anddistressed.

“At times it is not the Christiancommand of love, but rather an in-

nate sense of compassion whichmotivates our efforts to assist oth-ers. Even so, anyone who helpsthose in need always enjoys God ‘sfavor . . . For those who are `far-off’, service to the needy can be aprovidential path leading to anencounter with Christ, since theLord abundantly repays the gooddeeds done to one’s neighbor.”

I ask you to give generously tothis special collection on June 29,2003 for the charitable works of ourHoly Father, Pope John Paul II. TheHoly Father depends on our sup-port. I thank you for your past gen-erosity and please pray for our HolyFather and for our poor and needybrothers and sisters.

PPPPPeter’eter’eter’eter’eter’s Ps Ps Ps Ps Pence Collection Fence Collection Fence Collection Fence Collection Fence Collection ForororororThe The The The The WWWWWorororororks Of ks Of ks Of ks Of ks Of The Holy FThe Holy FThe Holy FThe Holy FThe Holy Fatheratheratheratherather

No one has greater love than this (Jn 15:13) is the theme for theyear 2003 Peter’s Pence Collection. Pope John Paul II calls for allCatholics to join with him in a tangible expression of faith byimparting hope through their generosity to those most in needthroughout the world. Contributions enable the Holy Father to assistthe most vulnerable victims who suffer because of war, oppression,and natural disasters. (Photo by L’Osservatore Romano.)

by United States Conference ofCatholic Bishops

The annual Peter’s Pence Col-lection for the Works of the HolyFather will be taken up in most par-ishes throughout the United Stateson June 29, 2003. This collectionis an opportunity for Catholics inthe United States to join the HolyFather to help relieve the sufferingof the world’s most vulnerable –those who suffer the devastatingimpact of war, oppression, and natu-ral disasters.

The United States is first on thelist of countries contributing to thisPeter’s Pence collection, providing

nearly 50% of the total income. Outof 193 United States ecclesiasticalcircumscriptions – including St.Thomas in the Virgin Islands andthe Eastern Rite Dioceses – 102dioceses showed an increase in con-tributions compared with the pre-ceding year. Included in this num-ber are 54 dioceses whose offeringstotaled over $100,000. In the lastten years, the dioceses of the UnitedStates contributed more than $180million to the charitable works ofthe Holy Father.

The annual Peter’s Pence Col-lection for the Works of the HolyFather has as its theme “No one has

greater love than this” (Jn 15:13).The theme incarnates the spirit ofVatican II’s preferential option forthe poor – to give to others, to em-power the weak and voiceless, andto sustain those who suffer. Thus,in extolling the dignity of the hu-man person, the Holy See is able torelieve instances of human suffer-ing with the help of this collection.

The origins of the worldwidePeter’s Pence Collection are foundin ninth-century England, whenKing Alfred the Great collected a“pence” from English landownersas financial support for the Pontiff.Pope Plus IX instituted the modern

Peter’s Pence Collection in the1860s. Since then, special appealshave been held in many countrieson the Sunday closest to June 29,the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul. The

tradition of this annual collectioncontinues today and the proceedsgo to support the charitable worksof the Holy Father.

St. Joseph’s Catholic ChurchAnnual Festival

402 Hinson St., Loraine, TXSat/Sun, July 26-27

Family Oriented • Games • Train RidesAir Castle • Food Booths • Live Music

Come Join Us!

PPPPParararararishoner Named Pishoner Named Pishoner Named Pishoner Named Pishoner Named Parararararamedicamedicamedicamedicamedicof of of of of YYYYYearearearearearby Fr. Mark Woodruff

Firefighter-paramedic SteveSchwab, a parishioner of St. Eliza-beth Ann Seton in Odessa, was re-cently named Odessa Fire Depart-ment Paramedic of the Year. Peersof the 49-year-old Schwab selectedhim in a recent election.

The Illinois native has lived in

Odessa permanently since 1978and has worked for the OFD sincethat time. In addition, he is a regis-tered nurse and works at OdessaRegional Hospital’s emergencyroom on his 48 hours off.

He and his wiife Karen havethree children and two grandchil-dren. One of his sons is a firefighter

in the US Air Force in Anchorage,Alaska.

Charlie Smith, assistant firstchief for EMS, says Steve is equallyadept as a firfighter and paramedicand also serves as a mentor toyounger paramedics. He has evendelivered babies on occasion.

PAGE 6 JUNE 2003

ORDINATION

PRIESTSPRIESTSPRIESTSPRIESTSPRIESTSfrom page onefrom page onefrom page onefrom page onefrom page one

Another aunt and a great aunt camefrom New Orleans. Faculty mem-bers and staff came from Assump-tion Seminary and Oblate Schoolof Theology. Parishioners camefrom Sacred Heart Parish in Abileneand other parishes where Fr.Faylona had lived.

Bishop Pfeifer’s homily was

based on the feast of the day, theVisitation of Mary. He focused onMary’s words to Elizabeth in Luke1:46-48: “My soul proclaims thegreatness of the Lord, my spirit re-joices in God my Savior, for he haslooked with favor on his lowly ser-vant.” He asked Fr. White and Fr.Faylona to keep Mary as a modelof how to reach out to others, amodel of humble service, caring forothers, especially the poor and theneedy with their many faces. The

way to keep this model alive intheir hearts is to live by her spirit oftrust and faith. A priest is to be afaithful disciple of the great highpriest, Jesus Christ, the Good Shep-herd. Bishop Pfeifer reminded themto set aside time each day for prayer,meditation, and the Eucharist.

Bishop Pfeifer extolled all of thefaithful of the Diocese to work andpray for more vocations for priest-hood and religious life. He statedthat he wished that we had ordina-

tions to priesthood each year. Thesewere the first priestly ordinationsfor the Diocese in nine years whenFr. David Espitia was ordained.Native vocations can only comefrom our families – a family likeyours. As Bishop Pfeifer statedwhen the Lord selects a person fora mission, the Lord gives that per-son the power, inspiration, andgrace to carry out that mission.

One of our remaining seminar-ians, Ariel Lagunilla, and one of our

candidates for the seminary, GilbertMartinez, were among the altar serv-ers and lectors for this ordinationMass. Other servers were seminar-ians from St. Mary Seminary. Theother lector was a sister-in-law ofFr. White. Readings were in En-glish, Spanish, and Tagalog (thenational language of the Philip-pines).

After the ordination Mass, ev-eryone was invited to a receptionin the Cathedral gym. The newly

Sem. Ariel Lagunilla proclaimsthe Second Reading in theTagalog dialect.

Deacons Joey Faylona (l) and Rodney White (r) practice theirsmiles just prior to the Ordination ceremony.

The two deacons and their families listen to the Readings.

(Above and right) The two deaconsprostrate themselves in front of BishopPfeifer before being ordained. (Abovephoto by Van VanDeCapelle.)

(Right and far right below) FrankDias and a choir made up ofmembers from throughout theDiocese provide the liturgicalmusic.

The Faylona and White familiesbring the gifts to the altar.

JUNE 2003 PAGE 7

ORDINATIONordained priests blessed everyonewho asked for their blessing.

Fr. White has been assigned asAssociate Pastor at St. Ann Parishin Midland. Msgr. Timothy Murphywill be his pastor. Fr. Faylona hasbeen assigned as Associate Pastorat St. Therese Parish in Carlsbad andSt. Paschal Mission in Sterling Cityas well as Chaplain to the HospitalMinistry in San Angelo. Fr. TerryBrenon will be his pastor. You areasked to keep Fr. Rodney White and

Fr. Joey Faylona in your prayerseach day as they continue their for-mation of priesthood and as theyenter priestly ministry in their newassignments. Also, pray for our re-maining three seminarians and forthe men applying to the Diocese tobe accepted as new seminarians fornext semester.

We offer a special thanks to theWhite and Faylona families for theirsupport of Fr. Rodney and Fr. Joeyin their choice to become priests

for the Diocese of San Angelo. Thissupport is a life-giving gift to theDiocese by the families’ sharing ofsons for ministry in the Church. Wealso offer thanks to the local Knightsof Columbus Councils and the SanAngelo Catholic Daughters’ Courtfor a meal on Friday after the re-hearsal for the families, seminaryfriends and faculty, clergy, and re-ligious.

(Above two photos) Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer, OMI lays his hands onDeacon Joey (l) and Deacon Rodney (r) and ordains them priests.

(Above and right) Priests fromthroughout the Dioceseconcelebrate the Mass withthe Bishop and new priests.

(Above) Priests from throughout theDiocese confer their personalblessing on the Diocese’s two newpriests.

(Right) The new priests confer theirfirst blessings upon the Bishop, hereFr. Rodney White lays his hands onthe Bishop’s head as Fr. Faylonalooks on. (All ordination photos nototherwise credited are by SteveTalley.)

Frs. Faylona and White celebrate the Consecration ofthe Mass for the first time with Bishop Pfeifer.

(Below) Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer, OMI, Fr. Joey Faylona and Fr. RodneyWhite pose with the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus from throughoutthe Diocese who serve as the Bishop’s honor guard.

PAGE 8 JUNE 2003

NATIONAL

Norms For Distributing And ReceivingCommunion Under Both Kinds

see see see see see “““““NORMSNORMSNORMSNORMSNORMS””””” page ele page ele page ele page ele page elevvvvvenenenenen

[U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops]by Bishop Michael Pfeifer, OMI

Now that the new General In-struction of the Roman Missal hasbeen officially approved by theVatican, I share with you in this ar-ticle the norms for distributing andreceiving Communion under bothkinds as approved by the U.S. Con-ference of Catholic Bishops. I askthat all priest, deacons, and eucha-ristic ministers be very familiar withthese norms.

Purpose of these NormsIn response to a provision of the

General Instruction of the RomanMissal, the U.S. Conference ofCatholic Bishops herein describes“the methods of distributing holycommunion to the faithful underboth kinds” and approves the fol-lowing “norms, with the properrecognitio of the Apostolic See.”The purpose of these norms is toensure the reverent and careful dis-tribution of holy communion un-der both kinds.

In every celebration of theeucharist there should be a suffi-cient number of ministers for holycommunion so that it can be dis-tributed in an orderly and reverentmanner. Bishops, priests and dea-cons distribute holy communion byvirtue of their office as ordinaryministers of the body and blood ofthe Lord.

Extraordinary Ministers of HolyCommunion

When the size of the congrega-tion or the incapacity of the bishop,priest or deacon requires it, the cel-ebrant may be assisted by otherbishops, priests or deacons. If suchordinary ministers of holy com-munion are not present, “the priestmay call upon extraordinary min-isters to assist him, i.e., formally in-stituted acolytes or even some ofthe faithful who have been com-missioned according to the pre-scribed rite (and approved by theBishop). In case of necessity thepriest may also commission suit-able members of the faithful for theoccasion.” Extraordinary ministersof holy communion should receive

sufficient spiritual, theological andpractical preparation to fulfill theirrole with knowledge and reverence.When recourse is had to extraordi-nary ministers of holy communion,especially in the distribution of holycommunion under both kinds, theirnumber should not be increasedbeyond what is required for the or-derly and reverent distribution ofthe body and blood of the Lord. Inall matters such extraordinary min-isters of holy communion shouldfollow the guidance of the diocesanbishop.

ReverenceAll ministers of holy commun-

ion should show the greatest rever-ence for the most holy eucharist bytheir demeanor, their attire and themanner in which they handle theconsecrated bread or wine. Shouldthere be any mishap – as when, forexample, the consecrated wine isspilled from the chalice – then theaffected “area . . . should be washedand the water poured into thesacrarium.”

PlanningWhen holy communion is to be

distributed under both species, care-ful planning should be undertakenso that:

• Enough bread and wine aremade ready for the communicationof the faithful at each Mass. As ageneral rule, holy communion isgiven from hosts consecrated at thesame Mass and not from those re-served in the tabernacle. Preciousblood may not be reserved at oneMass for use at another; and

• A suitable number of ministersof holy communion are providedat each Mass. For communion fromthe chalice, it is desirable that therebe generally two ministers of theprecious blood for each minister ofthe body of Christ, lest the liturgi-cal celebration be unduly pro-longed.

Even when communion will beministered in the form of breadalone to the congregation, careshould be taken that sufficientamounts of the elements are conse-

crated so that the precious bloodmay be distributed to allconcelebrating priests.

At the Breaking of the BreadAs the “Agnus Dei,” or “Lamb

of God,” is begun, the bishop orpriest alone, or with the assistanceof the deacon and if necessary ofconcelebrating priests, breaks theeucharistic bread.

Other empty chalices and ciboriaor patens are then brought to thealtar if this is necessary. The dea-con or priest places the consecratedbread in several ciboria or patensand, if necessary, pours the preciousblood into enough additional chal-ices as are required for the distribu-tion of holy communion. If it is notpossible to accomplish this distri-bution in a reasonable time, thecelebrant may call upon the assis-tance of other deacons orconcelebrating priests. This actionis usually carried out at the altar, sothat the sharing of all from the onecup is signified; in the case of largeassemblies it may be done at theside table within the sanctuary(presbyterium).

If extraordinary ministers ofholy communion are required bypastoral need, they approach thealtar as the priest receives commun-ion. After the priest has concludedhis own communion, he distributescommunion to the extraordinaryministers, assisted by the deacon,and then hands the sacred vesselsto them for distribution of holycommunion to the people.

Neither deacons nor lay minis-ters may ever receive holy commun-ion in the manner of aconcelebrating priest. The practiceof extraordinary ministers of holycommunion waiting to receive holycommunion until after the distri-bution of holy communion is notin accord with liturgical law.

After all eucharistic ministershave received communion, thebishop or priest celebrant rever-ently hands vessels containing thebody or the blood of the Lord tothe deacons or extraordinary min-

isters who will assist with the dis-tribution of holy communion. Thedeacon may assist the priest in hand-ing the vessels containing the bodyand blood of the Lord to the ex-traordinary ministers of holy com-munion.

Distribution of the Body andBlood of the Lord

Holy communion under the formof bread is offered to the communi-cant with the words “The body ofChrist.” The communicant maychoose whether to receive the bodyof Christ in the hand or on thetongue. When receiving in thehand, the communicant should beguided by the words of St. Cyril ofJerusalem: “When you approach,take care not to do so with yourhand stretched out and your fingersopen or apart, but rather place yourleft hand as a throne beneath yourright, as befits one who is about toreceive the king. Then receive him,taking care that nothing is lost.”

Among the ways of ministeringthe precious blood as prescribed bythe General Instruction of the Ro-man Missal, communion from thechalice is generally the preferredform in the Latin church, providedthat it can be carried out properlyaccording to the norms and with-out any risk of even apparent irrev-erence toward the body of Christ.

The chalice is offered to thecommunicant with the words “Theblood of Christ,” to which the com-municant responds “Amen.”

The chalice may never be lefton the altar or another place to bepicked up by the communicant forself-communication (except in thecase of concelebrating bishops orpriests) nor may the chalice bepassed from one communicant toanother. There shall always be aminister of the chalice.

After each communicant has re-ceived the blood of Christ, the min-ister carefully wipes both sides ofthe rim of the chalice with apurificator. This action is a matterof both reverence and hygiene. Forthe same reason, the minister turns

the chalice slightly after each com-municant has received the preciousblood.

It is the choice of the communi-cant, not the minister, to receivefrom the chalice.

Children are encouraged to re-ceive communion under both kindsprovided that they are properly in-structed and that they are oldenough to receive from the chal-ice.

Other Forms of Distribution ofthe Precious Blood

Distribution of the preciousblood by a spoon or through a strawis not customary in the Latin dio-ceses of the United States ofAmerica.

Holy communion may be dis-tributed by intinction in the follow-ing manner: “The communicant (oraltar server), while holding thepaten under the chin, approachesthe priest who holds the chalice andat whose side stands the ministerholding the vessel with the hosts.The priest takes the host, intinctsthe particle into the chalice and,showing it, says: `The body andblood of Christ.’ The communicantresponds, `Amen,’ and receives thesacrament on the tongue from thepriest. Afterward, the communicantreturns to his or her place.”

The communicant, includingthe extraordinary minister, is neverallowed to selfcommunicate, evenby means of intinction. Commun-ion under either form, bread orwine, must always be given by anordinary or extraordinary ministerof holy communion.

Purification of Sacred VesselsAfter communion the conse-

crated bread that remains is to bereserved in the tabernacle. Careshould be taken with any fragmentsremaining on the corporal or in thesacred vessels. The deacon returnsto the altar with the priest and col-lects and consumes any remainingfragments.

When more of the preciousblood remains than was necessaryfor communion and if notconsumed by the bishop or priestcelebrant, “the deacon immediatelyand reverently consumes at thealtar all of the blood of Christwhich remains; he may be assisted,if needs dictate, by other deaconsand priests.” When there are

JUNE 2003 PAGE 9

STATE

Procession And Coronation

En Una Cárcel De En Una Cárcel De En Una Cárcel De En Una Cárcel De En Una Cárcel De TTTTTeeeeexasxasxasxasxaspor José Antonio Canales Pbro.

Las historias son interminables,los emigrantes centroamericanos,mexicanos y de otras nacionalida-des en su paso por el territorio deMéxico para llegar a los EstadosUnidos, e incluso ya en territorio deeste último país, viven un cúmulode experiencias que no olvidarán porel resto de sus días.

El bien y el mal aparecen en sucamino. Personas e instituciones quequieren hacer menos doloroso el víacrucis, están listas para prestar elauxilio espiritual, moral y material aestos hombres y mujeres que handejado la miseria y la falta de opor-tunidades en sus países al sur del ríoBravo. Lamentablemente tambiénaparecen los que trafican cruelmen-te con la tragedia de estos hermanosy hermanas, aquellos que por unpuñado de dólares violentan los más

sagrados y elementales derechos queha de gozar toda persona humana.

Muchos de estos emigrantes, máspor hambre, ignorancia y miedo, lle-gan a cometer delitos en su travesía.De acuerdo a la gravedad de la faltacometida, la esperanza de conseguirun trabajo, ubicarse en este nuevomundo y comenzar a enviar algo asus familiares, se convierte en unapesadilla de meses o años de cárcel,en la mayoría de los casos, sin reci-bir en todo ese tiempo, la visita desus más cercanos seres queridos.

En el marco de la Asamblea Anualdel Hermanamiento de las diócesisde San Angelo y Tyler, Texas, con ladiócesis de San Pedro Sula, en Hon-duras, celebrada del 5 al 9 de mayoen San Angelo, y a petición nuestra,Monseñor Larry Droll, canciller dela diócesis de San Angelo, preparótodo para que uno de los puntos del

programa a desarrollar, fuera preci-samente, la visita al Eden DetentionCenter, conocedores de antemanoque estas cárceles en Texas, tiene unafuerte población hispana, entre elloshermanos hondureños y centroame-ricanos.

A la una de la tarde, del jueves 8de mayo salimos con MonseñorDroll, acompañados del LicenciadoCarlos Paz de Cáritas Sampedrana yel Padre Nicolás Delgado miembrodel equipo del intercambio por SanPedro Sula. Llegamos a la pequeñacomunidad de Eden, y pasado unpoco estábamos ya en el DetentionCenter.

Nos impresionó la seguridad anti-escapes que tiene el edificio, con-trastando con la sencillez de los con-troles por los que tuvimos que pasarpara ingresar en la prisión, “sólo vo-lando” podría alguien escaparse de

aquí, comentábamos entre nosotros.Al llegar al sitio que llaman capi-

lla un cartel anunciaba que “El pa-dre José Canales de Honduras, esta-rá a las 2:00 p.m. para reunirse conlos reclusos centroamericanos.” Elcapellán, un amable pastor protes-tante, estuvo atento en todo momen-to para ayudarnos. Cuando llegamosal sitio ya un buen grupo nos espera-ba, para sorpresa nuestra la mayoríaeran mexicanos, el resto, un alto por-centaje eran salvadoreños y se re-portaron dos hondureños, unprogreseño y un sampedrano.

Logramos tener un ambiente dis-tendido, a la vez que alegre yparticipativo. Desde el inicio les di-jimos que más que venir a darles dis-cursos queríamos escuchar sus in-quietudes, y la forma en que la Iglesiade Texas en unión con la de Hondu-ras podía ayudarles en sus múltiplesdificultades personales y de grupo.

El punto central de la visita loconstituyó la celebración de la Pala-

POPEPOPEPOPEPOPEPOPEfrom page onefrom page onefrom page onefrom page onefrom page one

when raised, allowed him to be vis-ible behind the altar.

On the eve of his birthday, a lead-ing Vatican official acknowledgedpublicly what many have long as-sumed: that the pope suffers from

Parkinson’s disease.“If we want to look for the secret

weapon that has allowed him to beatthe years and Parkinson’s, we mustlook to prayer,” Cardinal GiovanniBattista Re told the Italian newspa-per Corriere della Sera.

“He places himself in the handsof God and feels God and the Ma-donna by his side on the path of life,”the cardinal said.

The new saints, one man andthree women, all founded religiousorders:

• St. Jozef Sebastian Pelczar, aPolish bishop, founded the Congre-gation of the Handmaids of the Sa-cred Heart of Jesus in the pope’s homeArchdiocese of Krakow. Known forhis deep piety, academic talents andpastoral zeal, he aided the woundedon the front lines of World War I dur-ing a Russian invasion. He died in1924.

In his sermon, the pope quotedfrom the saint’s writings, saying thepath to perfection is open to allpeople regardless of their conditionof life or their age.

“God considers not externalthings but the soul and demandsonly that which we can give,” thesaint wrote.

• St. Urszula Ledochowska, thePolish founder of the Ursuline Sis-ters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus inAgony, who ministered in Russia inthe early 20th century until she was

expelled by the communists. Herbranch of the Ursuline Sisters fo-cused on educational services to thelonely and abandoned, and the popecalled her “an apostle of new evan-gelization” in her own age. She diedin Rome in 1939.

• St. Maria de Mattias, the Italianfounder of the Adorers of the Bloodof Christ, began at a young age topreach Gospel lessons to localwomen and children in southern Italyin the early 1800s. Her simple mes-sage was that social reform begins inthe human heart and that the humanbeing is transformed by the encoun-ter with Christ. She died in Rome in1866.

• St. Virginia Centurione Bracelli,the 17th-century Italian founder ofthe Sisters of Our Lady of the Ref-uge on Mount Calvary, took up thereligious life at age 20 after the deathof her husband, a gambler who led adissolute life. She shared her family’swealth with the poor and formed anetwork of programs aimed at help-ing the sick, the disadvantaged andthe unemployed. She died in 1651.

The Mass began with a birthdaygreeting by Cardinal JosephRatzinger, dean of the College ofCardinals. He said that on behalf ofpeople inside and outside the churchhe wanted to express gratitude forall the pope does and to wish himmany more years.

In proclaiming four saints, Car-

bra de Dios, para la cual escogimosla exhortación Apostólica de SanPablo a los Efesios (4,17-32) invi-tándoles a ser hombres nuevos. ElSalmo 146 sirvió de alabanza, y lareflexión principal fue del Evange-lio según San Lucas (6,27-35) queinvita a amar a sus enemigos, sobretodo escogimos este pasaje, pues fui-mos informados que en días pasa-dos había existido una fuerte peleaentre los reclusos, tan seria, que sesuspendieron por unos días las visi-tas al centro.

Seguidamente tuvimos un inter-cambio de reflexiones sobre estaslecturas y la situación real de ellosen esta prisión. El ambiente se tornólleno de fraternidad en medio de loscantos, de las guitarras y las mutuasexpresiones de gratitud de los inter-nos por nuestra visita, y de nosotrosa ellos por haber acudido a la convo-catoria. Les recordamos que Jesús undía estuvo preso, sencillamante, pornuestra salvación.

by Joseph Gerald LightThe Queen of Heaven, our

Blessed Mother Mary, was crownedafter honoring Her Son, JesusChrist, in a Corpus Christi Proces-sion at Sacred Heart Church inAbilene, Texas on Mother’s Day,May 11, 2003. This fourth annualcity-wide event that honored JesusChrist in the Blessed Sacrament,was led by Rev. Robert Bush, Pas-tor of Sacred Heart Church,Abilene. Parishioners from St.Francis of Assisi Church, Holy Fam-ily and Sacred Heart each decorateda different altar at three differentlocations, where singing devotionalhymns, adoration, Scripture read-ing followed by a short homily andthe Benediction took place as theBlessed Sacrament was presented.A specially designed canopyshaded the Blessed Sacrament,which was carried by Rev. RobertBush and escorted by FatherSantiago, Father Obi, Deacons PeteBallaro and Art Casaras, Altar serv-ers and the Knights of Columbusof Abilene. The combined choirsof the Abilene parishes, singinghymns both in Spanish and English,followed along with the over 400participants, including the FirstCommunicants, Confirmation can-didates, members of Our Lady of

Guadalupanas, Our Lady of Fatima,the Legion of Mary and the faith-fuls from Abilene, Clyde, Merkel,Winters and Coleman.

The procession which began atthe Adoration Chapel, traveledthrough the streets from altar to al-tar and concluded in the mainchurch, where the First Communi-cants and the Queen’s Court per-formed a liturgical dance. Severalhundred flowers were laid at OurLady’s feet by the faithfuls. TheConfirmation candidates who werealso part of the Queen’s Court, pro-cessed in ceremony, presented acolorful robe to Our BlessedMother and crowned her as “OurQueen” with a golden crown.

After the event, all present gath-ered for a covered dish dinner inthe parish hall. A large picture ofthe procession appeared on thefront page of the Abilene ReporterNews on the following day.

dinal Ratzinger said, the pope gavethe world a gift on his birthday. Hesaid the lives of those canonized re-flect what could be called the themeof this pontificate: believing andloving.

“Tirelessly, you show us the faceof Christ, the face of the merciful God.Tirelessly, you help us overcome theforces of hatred and the prejudiceswhich separate and help us tear downthe walls intended to separate us,”Cardinal Ratzinger said.

The cardinal’s words drew ap-plause from the estimated 50,000people in the square, many of whombrought homemade signs or bannersbearing birthday greetings for thepope.

Among the crowd was PolishPresident Aleksander Kwasniewski,whom the pope greeted afterward.

The pontiff also gave warm indi-vidual greetings to the five nuns whodo the housecleaning, cooking andother work in his apartment at theVatican. Members of the religiousorder founded by St. Pelczar, theywere celebrating the day in a specialway.

Before leaving the square, thepope offered a prayer to Mary, say-ing that on his birthday he wantedto entrust to her “my existence andthe ministry which providence hascalled me to carry out.”

PAGE 10 JUNE 2003

DIOCESE

Passing Along The Keysby S. Joan Markus, SSND

The psalmist says: “A thousand years in your eyes are merely a yester-day”. (Ps. 90:4) That’s the feeling I have. After sixteen years in diocesanministry, eleven years in the Diocese of San Angelo, I will terminate myministry at the end of the contract year, June 30, 2003.

My years here have been happy ones. My supervisors, Bishop MichaelPfeifer and Msgr. Droll, have been most supportive and affirming. TheAdvisory Committee to the Office has been helpful with direction-set-ting. I have had an excellent staff that worked with me in implementingmany educational and formational opportunities. I have worked closelywith many of you catechetical leaders at the parish level. Some wordsfrom the Book of Ecclesiastes that describe these years for me are birthing,planting, building, gathering, seeking, keeping, sewing, speaking, lov-ing and peace. They are and will be memorable years. You are and willremain my blessings. “God has made everything appropriate to its time,and has put the timeless into their hearts, without humans ever discover-ing, from beginning to end, the work which God has done.” (Eccl 3:11)Yes, it is the work that God has done.

“There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affairunder the heavens.” (Eccl 3:1) At this time of my life, I would like totransition into other ministry. Other words from the Book of Ecclesiastesspeak to me now. They are uproot, tear down, weep, mourn, scatter, lose,cast away, rend and be silent.

I am looking at retreat/renewal work or pastoral care ministry of somekind in the future. Time will unfold what and where that will be. Toprepare for this ministry, I have been granted a sabbatical year by mySSND community. I will participate in the Eighteen Graduate Hour Cer-tificate Pastoral Care Program at Aquinas Institute on St. Louis Univer-sity Campus in St. Louis, MO. I will live at the Cathedral convent inBelleville, IL.

I now pass the keys of the Office of Education and Formation to SisterHilda Marotta who has worked with me as the Associate Director forseven years. I have great confidence in her ability to assume the positionof Director on July 1, 2003. She will continue implementing the goalsthat have been set. Vaya con Dios.

Diocesan Budget 2003-2004My dear sisters and brothers in Christ:I present to you the budget of our Diocese for fiscal year 2003-2004. I have officially approved and

accepted this budget which has been prepared by the Diocesan Finance Officer and presented to me aftercareful review by the Diocesan Finance Council and the Presbyteral Council.

I am extremely happy to be able to report to you that due to your generosity, we have now totally rebuiltthe Seminarian Burse, Parish Savings & Loan Pool, and all other designated funds which were lost due to thefraud and theft debacle in 1999. Indeed what was expected to take eleven years to restore has been fullyachieved in only four years due to your gracious support and the financial managerial efforts of our diocesanleadership.

Periodically I am asked by the media what effect the recent national scandal has had on the spirit of givingof the people of our diocese. Happily and gratefully, financial reports show that the Catholics of our diocesehave increased their giving in the past two years.

I am most grateful for your support of our diocesan-level ministries as reflected in this budget, but alsowish to commend and express my most sincere appreciation for your support of your individual parishes andmissions. Indeed, despite these troubling economic times, you have generously increased the aggregateSunday income of your parishes and missions.

May God Bless all of us during this new year of ministry.Your Servant in Christ and Mary,Most Rev. Michael D. Pfeifer, OMI,Bishop of San Angelo.

NET % ofProgram Budgeted Grants Own FEEs Assessment Budget

Clergy Medical & Assistance $203,792 – $4,375 $199,417Clergy Education $53,213 – – $53,213Vocations $74,533 $35,000 – $39,533Seminarian Education $146,619 $50,000 $96,315 $304Women Religious $4,300 – – $4,300Permanent Diaconate $117,090 $20,000 $12,501 $84,589

Ministerial Personnel $599,548 $105,000 $113,191 $381,356 22.6%

CKRC Ministries $372,728 $5,000 $242,666 $125,062Religious Education & Formation $295,774 $155,000 $48,690 $92,084Contributions & Assessments $123,625 – $38,108 $85,517Communications & Paper $120,605 – $102,346 $18,259Victims’ Assistance Coordinator $101,527 – – $101,527Tribunal $78,959 – $9,742 $69,218University Apostolate $77,361 $35,000 $18,167 $24,194Liturgy Office $10,268 – $1,000 $9,268Superintendent of Schools $13,237 – $3,500 $9,737Prison Ministry $5,217 – – $5,217LIMEX $10,800 – $10,800 –

Ministries & Programs $1,210,100 $195,000 $475,019 $540,081 45.6%

Administrative Office $299,920 – – $299,920Business Services $463,708 – – $463,708Bishop’s Residence $25,254 – – $25,254Obligations Renewal / Repairs $52,986 – – $52,986

Administrative & Fiscal $841,868 – – $841,868 31.8%

** TOTAL ** $2,651,516 $300,000 $588,211 $1,763,305 100.0%

S. Joan Markus, SSND hands over the office keys to S. HildaMarotta, OSF as Gloria Trevino and Vivian Book look on. (Photocourtesy Diocese Office of Education and Formation.)

Intentions Of The Holy FatherFor June

General – Respect of human values. That the faithful in public life may be guided by the Gospel and theChurch’s social teaching to promote respect for human values.

Mission – Testimony of full unity in the various Christians traditions of India. That those who belongto various traditions may be drawn together to offer a testimony to full unity and communion in the oneSpirit.

JUNE 2003 PAGE 11

SCHOOLS

CLONINGCLONINGCLONINGCLONINGCLONINGfrom page twofrom page twofrom page twofrom page twofrom page two

NORMSNORMSNORMSNORMSNORMSfrom page eightfrom page eightfrom page eightfrom page eightfrom page eight

production and use of early humanlife as a natural resource for our ownbenefit: we risk becomingdesensitized, indifferent, callous;we lose our awe and respect for themystery and wonder of emergingnew human life.”

daño moral a la sociedad que resul-ta de aceptar como algo normal laproducción y uso de la prematuravida humana como recurso naturalpara nuestro propio benéfico. Co-rremos el riesgo de ser insensibles,indiferentes, encallecidos; perde-mos nuestra admiración y respetopor el misterio y maravilla de unanueva vida.”

CLONACLONACLONACLONACLONACIÓNCIÓNCIÓNCIÓNCIÓNfrom page twofrom page twofrom page twofrom page twofrom page two

extraordinary ministers of holycommunion, they may consumewhat remains of the precious bloodfrom their chalice of distributionwith permission of the diocesanbishop. (Bishop Pfeifer: I grant thispermission when it is needed.)

The chalice and other vesselsmay be taken to a side table wherethey are cleansed and arranged inthe usual way. Other sacred vesselsthat held the precious blood arepurified in the same way as chal-ices. Provided the remaining con-secrated bread has been consumedor reserved and the remaining pre-cious blood has been consumed, “itis permissible to leave the vessels. . . suitably covered and at a sidetable on a corporal, to be cleansedimmediately after Mass followingthe dismissal of the people.”

The precious blood may not bereserved, except for giving com-munion to someone who is sick.Only sick people who are unableto receive communion under theform of bread may receive it underthe form of wine alone at the dis-cretion of the priest. If not conse-crated at a Mass in the presence ofthe sick person, the blood of theLord is kept in a properly coveredvessel and is placed in the taber-nacle after communion. The pre-

St.St.St.St.St. Ann’ Ann’ Ann’ Ann’ Ann’s School Nes School Nes School Nes School Nes School Newswswswsws

EDICTALSUMMONS

The Tribunal of the CatholicDiocese of San Angelo to RandallWayne Foust, whereabouts un-known.

You are hereby summoned toappear before the Tribunal of theCatholic Diocese of San Angelo,at 804 Ford Street, San Angelo,Texas 76905, on or before, June24, 2003, to answer to the Petitionof Loretta Ann Shelly (Tarango),now introduced before theDiocesan Tribunal in an actionstyled, “Loretta Ann Shelley VsRandall Wayne Foust, Petition forDeclaration of Invalidity ofMarriage,” said Petition beingidentified as SHELLEY– FOUST,Protocol No.: SO 02/80, on theTribunal Docket of the Dioceseof San Angelo.

You may communicate with theTribunal in person or in writing.Failure to communicate withinthe prescribed period of time willbe considered your consent for theTribunal to continue its proceed-ings in the above-named case.

Given at the Tribunal of theDiocese of San Angelo on the 2ndday of June 2003.

Rev. Tom Barley, J.C.L., Judge

PPPPPARRARRARRARRARROQOQOQOQOQUIAUIAUIAUIAUIAfrom page twelvefrom page twelvefrom page twelvefrom page twelvefrom page twelve

Carlsbad will twin with the chapelcalled San Miguel Arcangel in SanMiguel Colonia (part of PadreCanales’ larger parish). St. Vincentin Abilene will partner with the par-ish called Nuestra Señora delCarmen in Cofradía.

Nuestra Señora del Carmen is atypical example of a parish in theDiocese of San Pedro Sula. There isone priest, Padre FranciscoSanchez. The parish center is inCofradía. A neighboring town(Naco) also has a chapel. There areten communities which are called“urban.” And there are 32 commu-nities in the mountains, which in-clude the Parque Nacional ElCusuco.

The priest may get to each ofthese places once a month. In themeantime, leadership comes fromthe community: trained “delegatesof the word” lead prayer serviceson Sunday and “catechists” do agreat deal of teaching. There is apastoral program for youth and so-cial services.

The social-economic situationof the parish is very complex. Prob-lems include poverty, migrationfrom the country to the city, pooreducation, and inaccessible roadsduring the rainy season. CaritasSampedrana is assisting people inmany projects of agricultural andcommunity development. Makingthe water safe to drink is a top pri-ority.

Parish projects include a medi-cal dispensary, food for the elderly,child care, an educational programcalled “Maestra en Casa,” and helpfor students.

The parishes of St. Vincent in

Congratulations to St. Ann’s 7thgrader Veronica Richter for heroutstanding performance in the2003 Duke University TalentSearch. Veronica has beeninvited to attend the Texas StateRecognition Ceremony in SanAntonio in June. She is amongthe 18% of Texas 7th graderswho sat for the SAT this winterand scored 500 or above on theverbal or math portion of theexam. We are extremely proudof Veronica’s performance on theSAT test. (Photo courtesy AudreyL. Curry Principal)

by Audrey Curry, Principal, St.Ann’s School

On behalf of St. Ann’s School, Ithank you for providing support toour School through scholarships forstudents to receive a Catholic edu-cation. We appreciate your help andkeep you in our prayers. May Godbless you richly for your generos-ity.

St. Ann’s School offers a richhistory of quality education com-

bining a strong spiritual foundationand academic excellence in a fam-ily atmosphere. The school is en-rolling now for fall and has spacesopen in all grade levels except 7thgrade, Please call Audrey Curry,Principal, at 684-4563, if you haveany questions.

The preschool of St, Ann’sSchool is expanding its programand offering a 5-day a week classfor 4 year-old preschool students.

The will begin at 8:15 a.m. and endat 3:00 p.m. Before school care be-gins at 7:45 a.m. After school careis available until 5:30 p.m. The dayincludes religion, center time, di-rected craft activities, small groupconcept time, King and Queenprivileges, outside play and storytime. If you are interested in know-ing more about the program, pleasecall Audrey Curry, the Principal, at684-4563.

Abilene and Nuestra Señora delCarmen in Cofradía have sharedinformation about their statisticsand programs. Now it is time for avisit. In August of 2003, four pa-rishioners from St. Vincent willtravel to Honduras to meet theirnew partners.

cious blood should be carried tothe sick in a vessel that is closed insuch a way as to eliminate all dan-ger of spilling. If some of the pre-cious blood remains after the sickperson has received communion, itshould be consumed by the minis-ter, who should also see to it thatthe vessel is properly purified.

The reverence due to the pre-cious blood of the Lord demandsthat it be fully consumed after com-munion is completed and never bepoured into the ground or thesacrarium.

the other half to help with the ex-penses of a Grape Creek familywhose high school daughter hadundergone a liver transplant in SanAntonio. An added treat for theyouth was when they discovered adelegation from Honduras just hap-pened to be in town, giving themthe opportunity to personallypresent them with the fruits of their

TTTTTALENTSALENTSALENTSALENTSALENTSfrom page twelvefrom page twelvefrom page twelvefrom page twelvefrom page twelve

of historically African Americangraduate theological education, Dr.

UNITYUNITYUNITYUNITYUNITYfrom page twofrom page twofrom page twofrom page twofrom page two

Franklin provides commentary forNational Public Radio and CNN-TV.

Dr. Timothy George, foundingDean of Beeson Divinity School ofSamford University and Senior Edi-tor of Christianity Today, preachedat the opening worship, which washeld at the Catholic Cathedral ofSt. John the Baptist.

Bishop Mark Hanson, presidingBishop of the EvangelicalLutheran Church in America, gavethe closing address.

Seminars addressed topics rang-ing from African AmericanChurches and Ecumenism to Inter-faith Families to the Status of Cur-rent Ecumenical Dialogues.

A special plenary session, led byCarmelo Alvarez, Anthea Butler,David Daniels and Cheryl Bridges-Johns, addressed the topic of Pen-tecostals and the ecumenical move-ment. Bridging the differencesbetween and among the manyChristian denominations was oneof the founding principles of Pen-tecostal Christians early in the 20thcentury.

In 2004 the National Workshopon Christian Unity will be held inOmaha, Nebraska.

labors.Some of the youth commented

that up to now the Parable of theTalents had been an interestingstory with a good moral to it. Now,they said, they will never feel thesame when they read the story butwill always be reminded of whatthey did and the call to continueusing our time, talents, and treasurefor the People of God.

PAGE 12 JUNE 2003

SAN PEDRO SULA

Partnership Teams Meetby Msgr. Larry Droll

The partnership teams from theDioceses of San Pedro Sula in Hon-duras, and San Angelo and Tyler inTexas, met at Christ the King Re-treat Center, May 5-9, 2003, to con-tinue the development of the part-nership among the dioceses.

One morning was spent on a pre-sentation and discussion ofEcclesia in America, the documentby Pope John Paul II upon whichthe partnership is based. Pope JohnPaul II speaks of encountering theLiving Christ in conversion, com-munion, and solidarity, as we en-counter one another. The partner-ship initiative is an effort to makeconcrete the idea that we are oneChurch in America – North, Cen-tral and South.

One dimension of the partner-ship is parish to parish twinning.Definitive steps were taken in thisregard, as mentioned in the articlewhich accompanies this one.(Editor’s Note: See below right.)

Another effort is school to schooltwinning. Students and teachersfrom St. Ann’s Catholic School inMidland presented informationabout their school and ideas forpartnering; they will be paired withLa Milagrosa Catholic School inTela, on the north coast of Hondu-

ras. Students and their teachers andPrincipal of Angelo CatholicSchool also presented their inter-est in partnering with an elemen-tary school in Honduras. The part-nership team will be looking intothe possibility of their twinningwith the Instituto Guadalupano inLa Lima.

In the Diocese of Tyler, St. Mary’sParish in Longview is establishinga partnership relationship withSanta Cruz in Yojoa. GormanCatholic High School will bepartnering with the high school di-vision of the Instituto Guada-lupana in La Lima.

From the beginning of this rela-tionship, there has been a concernfor immigration and people inprison. Several members of the del-egation from Honduras visited theEden Detention Center to meet withand pray with prisoners from Hon-duras and Central America. Manyother Spanish-speaking inmatesalso joined in the time of prayer.The inmates expressed their appre-ciation for the visit and the encour-agement that it brought to them.

The partnership teams discussedother topics and met with BishopMichael Pfeifer, OMI, and his staffat the Diocesan Pastoral Center.They also visited the Catholic

Newman Center at Angelo StateUniversity, St. Thomas Parish inMiles, and the Denis Ranch inVancourt. The partnership teamsfrom the three dioceses plan to meetagain in the Diocese of Tyler inMay, 2004.

Left to Right, Fr. Oscar Valderama, OP, Msgr. Larry Droll, WaldinaMonday, Fr. Nicolas Delgado, Bishop Michael Pfeifer, Leticia deVelasquez, Father Jose Canales, Sr. Malachy Griffin, OP, Sr. HildaMarotta, OSF, Carlos Paz, Virginia Medrano (not pictured are Lupeand Deacon Ruben Natera).

(Right) St. Ann’sSchool in Mid-land begins thepartnership withL a M I l a g r o s aSchool of Tela.S t u d e n t sVeronica Richter(l) and FrancesBehrmann (c)share a bag withthe pastor, FatherNicolas Delgado(r). (Photos cour-tesy Msgr. Droll.)

Fr. Joe Uecker, CPPS, Pastorof St. Vincent Parish inAbilene, shares his parishprofile. Tony and WandaGutierrez, also of the parish,follow with interest.

St. Joseph’s Youth donate funds to San Pedro Sula needy. (Left toRight) Father Nicolas Delgado and Father Jose Canales from SanPedro Sula; Mike Wyse, Zaidy Jimenez, and Jesiah Gamboa fromSt. Joseph’s in San Angelo. (Photo courtesy Michael Wyse.)

Youth Experience Parable of the Talents

see see see see see “T“T“T“T“TALENTS”ALENTS”ALENTS”ALENTS”ALENTS” page ele page ele page ele page ele page elevvvvvenenenenen

HermanamientoHermanamientoHermanamientoHermanamientoHermanamientoPPPPParroquia a Parroquia a Parroquia a Parroquia a Parroquia a Parroquiaarroquiaarroquiaarroquiaarroquiaby Msgr. Larry Droll

In the partnership between theDiocese of San Pedro Sula and SanAngelo, parishes are urged to twinwith one another.

The purpose of partnering is tomake concrete the vision ofEcclesia in America, that the Catho-lic Church is one Church in America(North, Central and South). We wantto see and get to know one another,to share our experiences anddreams, and to work together tomake the world a better place. Weencounter the living Christ as weencounter one another in conver-sion, communion and solidarity.

One of the strategies and actionsteps of the pastoral plan of the Dio-cese of San Angelo, “Into God’sMarvelous Light,” is precisely todevelop partnerships between par-ishes of the Dioceses of San Angeloand San Pedro Sula. We begin thisyear and we’ve set a goal of one

new parish in each deanery of theSan Angelo Diocese entering intosuch partnerships this year. Our goalis to have five parishes involvedby 2008.

Following presentations in Feb-ruary by Padre Jose Canales of SanPedro Sula and Msgr. Larry Drollof San Angelo, the parishes of St.Joseph and St. Agnes in Fort Stock-ton, along with St. James inSanderson, have decided to enterinto partnership. St. Therese inCarlsbad desires to twin with onechapel in a larger parish of manychapels. And St. Vincent’s Parish ofAbilene will partner with a parish.

On May 7, 2003, during the an-nual meeting for the Texas-Hondu-ras Partnership, Padre Canales an-nounced that the Fort Stocktoncluster would partner with the par-ish called La Natividad de NuestroSeñor in La Ceiba. St. Therese in

by Michael Wyse, DRE, St.Joseph Parish, San Angelo,Texas.

“A man who was going on ajourney called in his servants andentrusted his possessions to them.To one he gave five talents; to an-other, two; to a third, one – to each

according to his ability. Then hewent away. Immediately the onewho received five talents went andtraded with them, and made anotherfive.” Who of us is not familiar withthe Parable of the Talents from theGospel of Matthew? At St. JosephParish in San Angelo, the parish

DRE decided to give the highschool youth a personal opportu-nity to experience this parable. Heentrusted the 9th through 12thgrade classes with $15 each, toldthem the story from the Gospel,and gave them two months to in-crease the funds for charity. Eachclass developed its own project,and together the youth raised aprofit of $720, holding garagesales, selling brisket plates, creat-ing youth group T-shirts, makingjewelry, and selling St. JosephYouth Booster Certificates.

Once the money was raised theyouth then got together to decidehow to put the funds to good use.After lengthy discussion theyouth decided to give half theproceeds to our sister diocese inSan Pedro Sula, Honduras; and

see see see see see “P“P“P“P“PARRARRARRARRARROQOQOQOQOQUIA”UIA”UIA”UIA”UIA” page ele page ele page ele page ele page elevvvvvenenenenen