Volume 6, Issue 10

Sister Pimentel speaks at United Nations

Humanitarian response on the border focus of talk By DEBORAH S. BOYCE The Valley Catholic

“There is still much to do,” Sister Norma Pimentel, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, recently told United Nations representatives from across the globe. “We all have a responsibility to continue to bring solutions to this immigration crisis. And it all starts with us: the women who provide the core of the family, and the families who provide the strength to endure.” Sister Pimentel, of the Missionaries of Jesus, was invited to speak at the UN Headquarters in New York on March 18 by Archbishop Bernardito Auza, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations. He cited her outstanding leadership in defending human dignity, fight-

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Serving More Than A Million Catholics in the Diocese of Brownsville

ing the trafficking of women and girls, and most recently, providing humanitarian assistance to thousands of immigrants along the U.S. – Mexico border. “Women have a special brilliance in fostering the intrinsic dignity of everyone, especially the most vulnerable, and for nurturing the gifts of others,” Archbishop Auza said. “They have a particular wisdom for making even the most chaotic situations orderly and for breaking through the ice of the world’s most alienating and dehumanizing situations with the warmth of a home.” This past summer, the Rio Grande Valley became the point of entry for thousands of refugees fleeing violence in their homeland and seeking asylum in the United States. Sister Pimentel organized community resources and set up humanitarian respite centers in Brownsville and McAllen. While the majority of immigrants hail from the Central American countries of El Salva-

APRIL 2015

PEACE, JUSTICE for

» Please see UN Talk p.15

Women’s Conference to address Joy of the Gospel, feminine genius Valley-wide gathering set for May 2 in the Month of Mary The Valley Catholic McALLEN — Women are invited to a Catholic Women’s Conference, scheduled during the Month of Mary on Saturday, May 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in McAllen. The event is being organized by different ministries of the Diocese of Brownsville, the Catholic Daughters of the Americas and other women’s groups. Approximately 500 women are expected to attend the event. Keynote speakers include the Most Rev. Daniel E. Flores, bishop of the Diocese of Brownsville, and Dr. Carolyn Y. Woo, president and CEO of Catholic Relief Services (CRS). CRS is the official international humani-

tarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Since it’s founding in 1943, it has become one of the world’s largest and most respected international relief and development agencies, each year reaching more than 130 million people in nearly 100 countries. Dr. Woo, representing CRS, was featured in Foreign Policy (May/June 2013) as one of the 500 Most Powerful People on the Planet and one of only 33 in the category of “a force for good.” The conference will include sessions in English and Spanish. Sessions will reflect the theme: “Living the Joy of the Gospel & Celebrating the Feminine Genius.” The first part of the theme is inspired by Pope Francis’ first Apostolic Exhortation, “Evengelii Gaudium.” The second comes from St. John Paul II’s writings on women, including his apostolic letter “Mulieris Dignitatem” (“Dignity of Women”). Also on the program, Sister » Please see Women, p.7

YOUTH JAM

Photos by Cesar Riojas, Jr./ The Valley Catholic

Bishops from the frontera of Texas and Mexico consecrated the border to the Immaculate Heart of Mary during a Mass on March 17 at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Brownsville.

The Valley Catholic BROWNSVILLE — Ten bishops from along the Texas-Mexico border celebrated a Mass for peace and justice on March 17 at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Brownsville and consecrated the border to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. “This is a significant moment here in this Church dedicated to the Immaculate Conception. We are here together and united, praying for the grace that only God can give From the prayer: “We commend to your maternal us to lift up our communities,” said the Most Rev. Daniel E. protection our families, our children, those born Flores, bishop of the Diocese of and those still in the womb; protect also those Brownsville. threatened by violence and victims of violence along the border, both in the United States and in “We join together as bishMexico; be ever the protectress of the undocument- ops along the border to pray ed, the elderly and the sick among us.”

INTERFAITH TALK

THOSE WHO SERVE

together, to manifest that we too, especially we as shepherds of our Churches, kneel before the Lord and his glory to ask for what we need,” he said. He said the bishops are aware families are living through some difficult challenges on both sides of the border. “God is always present,” he added. Bishop Flores pointed out that strong families, families of faith who instill values in their children, can overcome the difficulties and dangers that exist in this world. “As shepherds we want to make sure people don’t lose hope.” “We walk together,” he said, “each bishop with his » Please see Mass for Peace p.7

EN ENESPAÑOL ESPAÑOL Articulos sobre la Hermana Pimentel en el U.N., la Divina Misericordia y los sueños de Dios para su pueblo

“VERBUM MITTITUR SPIRANS AMOREM”

(“The WORD is sent breathing love.”)

Middle school students invited to encounter Christ Page 3

Dialogues help build understanding Page 6

Father Ignacio Luna Page 9

Páginas 11-13

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Bishop Flores frames theological call to be ‘with the immigrant’ By PATRICIA ZAPOR Catholic News Service

CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn

WASHINGTON — The faith and social justice considerations of immigration might be viewed theologically with an eye not just toward how migrants change “by being with us,” said Bishop Daniel E. Flores of Brownsville, Texas, but also “are we willing to change by being with the immigrant?” In a lecture Feb. 24 at The Catholic University of America in Washington, Bishop Flores wove together theology, personal stories from people at various stages of the immigration continuum and philosophical perspectives of several novelists. Drawing from material by novelist Walker Percy, Pope Francis, Pope Benedict XVI and other writers, Bishop Flores also sprinkled his remarks with references to the play and movie “Into the Woods.” He drew a comparison between the comparatively ordinary lives of Hobbits and the more exotic existence of other magical creatures of the “Lord of the Rings” books and put his thoughts in context of the work of St. Thomas Aquinas. Bishop Flores framed a challenge to the church and to all who believe in Christ’s model of justice, saying they are called to break free of “paralysis ... the human affliction of our time,” that keeps people from acting to protect those most in need. Bishop Flores’ talk was the third annual Hispanic Innovators of the Faith Lecture at the university. A native of the Mexican border region of Texas, he heads a diocese that was in the apex of the surge last summer of unaccompanied minors and family immigrants from Central America that overwhelmed governmental and social service resources. He illustrated his more theological and philosophical points with stories of individuals he met in immigrant detention centers in the United States, in a shelter for repatriated youths in Honduras and in a Guatemalan community of people determined to make a better life for themselves amid poverty and violence in their country. Bishop Flores distinguished between the “economically and technologically advanced West,” or ETA West as he called it, that defines the lives of most North Americans, and the more struggling version of the West experienced by the poor of Central America. A feature defining the ETA West is a sort of inertia brought on by the many distrac-

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Immigration as a Theological Paradigm for Faith and Social Justice

Bishop Daniel E. Flores delivered a lecture on immigration Feb. 24 on the campus of The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., urging the country to breakout of social “paralysis” on the issue and approach it with faith.

tions of society. “As a novelist, Walker Percy (shows) us modern persons in motion, or at least attempting to move. His characters are individuals, flawed, self-consumed at times, anxious, yet longing to get over some kind of internal paralysis. Paralysis is for Walker Percy, the human affliction of our time,” Bishop Flores said. Some of Percy’s characters are severely paralyzed, he observed, while others are “more or less paralyzed, depending on how successful they are in regaining selfpossession of themselves as selves.” He compared such characters to the opening chapters of Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation “Evangelii Gaudium,” “as a call to the church to overcome a kind of sweet paralysis not unlike what Walker Percy elucidates. The Holy Father, writing 30 years later, describes the way the general ailment diagnosed by Percy as epidemic in the modern West shows itself in the particular context of the church’s members.” The human mind, particularly the theological mind, is involved in an immigrant journey, a kind of itinerant trek in search of something better, Bishop Flores said. “When we are honest with ourselves, in moments of lucid self-awareness, we know that this is an urgent journey. It is not a vacation journey, it is more like a hike wherein we seek signposts in a strange land, in search for real food. Intelligibility is the food of the mind, and without it we wither to listless foraging on ideas that do not nourish, they only anesthetize.” He said that people on a pilgrim journey of faith and immigrants – while on distinctly different types of journeys – both depend upon God and the people they meet along the road, he said.

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Bishop Flores described talking with many immigrants who told of having been helped on the road by someone they believed God put in their path. Some credit St. Toribio Romo, considered a patron and protector of immigrants crossing into the United States from Mexico. “A third of the boys I confirmed in Detroit in the Mexican neighborhoods during my time as an auxiliary bishop there chose the name Toribio for their confirmation,” he said. St. Toribio “has appeared to many, assisting them in small but decisive ways, often saving their lives. Word spreads. People have faith. From the perspective of faith, heaven is not so far from earth, and sometimes it is a lot closer than the United States.” Yet, he added, “sometimes we in the church in the ETA West can smugly ask the immigrant church to assimilate to the customs and habits that are our own. We ought to pause before facilely insisting upon such a demand. For in doing so, we may in some way be asking them to abandon a Christ of flesh and blood for a gray pragmatism of indecisive small-mindedness. “Perhaps we have become too accustomed to our five-story office buildings, our myriads of forms to fill out, our recorded messages on phone lines and our endless meetings to discuss whether we will actually do something,” he said. “No, we must take seriously what the Holy Father says when he urges us to let ourselves as a Church be evangelized by those whom we are asked by God to receive hospitably. The immigrant changes by being with us. The question is, are we willing to change because we are with the immigrant?

APRIL 2015

MOST REVEREND DANIEL E. FLORES BISHOP OF BROWNSVILLE

Editor’s Note: The following closing remarks are from a presentation Bishop Flores gave for the Hispanic Innovators of the Faith Lecture Series at Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 24. To read the full presentation with complete footnotes visit http://bishopflores. blogspot.com.

Seeking the Forward Path

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ilgrims and the immigrant depend on God and the people they meet on the road. They have nothing else. I hear a lot of young men and women in the immigration detention centers I have visited use phrases like Dios y la Virgen me estaban cuidando. I have heard 14-year-old girls tell me that it was through the kindness of a man she did not know, but whom God put in her path, that a gang of youths outside a city in Mexico did not assault, rape and kill her. And a third of the boys I confirmed in Detroit in the Mexican neighborhoods, during my time as an auxiliary bishop there, chose the name Toribio for their confirmation. Santo Toribio Romo has, by popular acclaim, become the patron and protector of immigrants crossing from Mexico. The saint has appeared to many, assisting them in small but decisive ways, often saving their lives. Word spreads. People have faith. From the

perspective of faith, heaven is not so far from earth, and sometimes it is a lot closer than the United States. And yet, sometimes we in the Church in the ETA West can smugly ask the immigrant Church to assimilate to the customs and habits that are our own. We ought to pause before facilely insisting upon such a demand. For in doing so, we may in some way be asking them to abandon a Christ of flesh and blood for a gray pragmatism of indecisive smallmindedness. Perhaps we have become too accustomed to our five story office buildings, our myriads of forms to fill out, our recorded messages on phone lines and our endless meetings to discuss whether we will actually do something. No, we must take seriously what the Holy Father says when he urges us to let ourselves as a Church be evangelized by those whom we are asked by God to receive hospitably. The immigrant changes by being with us. The question is, are we willing to change because we are with the immigrant? This change can happen when we humbly recover the evangelical primacy of the personal encounter with the person who walks along our path, be they on a mountainside in Guatemala, or seated at a bus station while we are driving by, or waiting in a detention center. This is what it means to be evangelized by the poor. Any of these would be good places for you and me to stop, listen, see and respond. We might learn something by lingering in such places. And if we ask for it, we might be given the grace that opens up for us the path of life, a path we might otherwise never have the courage to take.

Bishop Flores’ Schedule - April 2015 Apr. 2 7 p.m. Brownsville Mass of the Lord’s Supper at Cathedral Apr. 3 Noon San Juan Stations of the Cross at Basilica Apr. 3 7 p.m. Brownsville Liturgical Service at Cathedral Apr. 4 9 p.m. Brownsville Easter Vigil Mass at Cathedral Apr. 5 11 a.m. San Juan Easter Sunday Mass at Basilica Apr. 7 7 p.m. Peñitas Confirmations at St. Anne Apr. 8 7 p.m. Mission Confirmations at Our Lady of St. John of the Fields Apr. 9 6 p.m. San Benito Confirmations at St. Benedict Apr. 11 8:30 a.m. Brownsville Blessing, Rosary and Procession - Hike for Life Campaign Apr. 11 5 p.m. Mission Confirmations at St. Paul Apr. 12 10 a.m. San Isidro Confirmations at St. Isidore Apr. 12 5:30 p.m. Brownsville Confirmations at Mary, Mother of the Church Apr. 13 7 p.m. Brownsville Confirmations at Immaculate Conception Cathedral

Apr. 14 6 p.m. Santa Rosa Confirmations at St. Mary Apr. 16 7 p.m. Brownsville Confirmations at St. Joseph Apr. 18 5 p.m. Weslaco Mass for 2015 Youth Jam Apr. 19 10 a.m. Pharr Mass & Blessing of the New Altar at St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Apr. 19 4 p.m. McAllen Confirmations at Holy Spirit Apr. 20 7 p.m. Harlingen Confirmations at St. Anthony Apr. 21 6 p.m. Pharr Confirmations at St. Anne, Mother of Mary Apr. 22 6 p.m. Roma Confirmations at Our Lady of Refuge Apr. 23 7 p.m. San Benito Confirmations at St. Theresa Apr. 25 11 a.m. Rio Hondo Confirmations at St. Helen Apr. 25 2 p.m. Alamo Talk for Día del Niño Apr. 26 11 a.m. McAllen Confirmations at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Apr. 30 7 p.m. San Benito Confirmations at Our Lady, Queen of the Universe

APRIL 2015

DIOCESE

- The Valley Catholic

Editor’s note: Join us each month as we take a glimpse back in time and review the history of the Diocese of Brownsville.

»Fourth Bishop of Brownsville

Bishop Enrique San Pedro His motto:“Most gladly I will spend myself and be spent for your sakes.” – 2 Corinthians 12:15

Jesuit remembered as an educator ‘par excellence’ By TERRY DE LEON The Valley Catholic A native of Cuba and a former missionary, Bishop Enrique San Pedro, S.J. became the fourth bishop of the Brownsville Diocese, upon Bishop John J. Fitzpatrick’s retirement. He had been installed as Coadjutor of the Diocese on Sept. 26, 1991. He was born in Havana, Cuba, on March 9, 1926, where he lived until he left in 1946. He entered the Society of Jesus on Dec. 7, 1941 and was ordained a priest on March 18, 1957. Bishop San Pedro was appointed the first Hispanic auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Galveston-Houston on April 1, 1986. Consecrated as bishop on June 29, 1986, he served as auxiliary bishop of GalvestonHouston until 1991. At the time of his ordination as bishop, he was only the third Jesuit to be named a bishop in the United States. Prior to his ordination as a priest in 1957, he received a master’s degree in Classical Literature from St. Stanislaus College,

Salamanca, Spain in 1947; and a Licentiate in philosophy from the Pontifical University of Comillas, Santander, Spain in 1950. Bishop San Pedro continued his studies earning a Licentiate in Theology from the LeopoldFranzens University, Innsbruck, Austria in 1958 and a doctorate in Sacred Theology from the same university in 1965. He also did postgraduate work at the FranzJoseph University in Vienna, Austria from 1958-1959. From 1960 to 1964 he attended the Pontifical Biblical Institute where he obtained the Licentiate in Holy Scripture in 1962 and finished the following year as a candidate for the doctorate in Rome. Bishop San Pedro spoke seven languages and served as a missionary in the Philippines and China. Following his studies, San Pedro taught at various universities until this appointment as auxiliary bishop of the Galveston-Houston Diocese. He was in Vietnam from 1963 to 1975 but left because of the Communist takeover. He also served in Suva, Fiji, 1978-1980; and Boynton Beach, Florida, 1981-1985. At the age of 65 he was installed as Bishop of the Diocese of Brownsville on Nov. 30, 1991. Lydia Pesina, director of the Family Life Office, said Bishop

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The Most Rev. Enrique San Pedro served as bishop of the Diocese of Brownsville for from 1991 to 1994.

San Pedro “was an educator ‘par excellence.’ In the tradition of the Jesuits, he believed in education and formation for all involved in parish ministries.” In the 1990s, Pesina, with the Office of Catechesis, recalls that he asked them to develop a catechist formation program locally since the national “Echoes of Faith” program was just in the initial stages. Pesina remembers on one occasion she and Bishop San Pedro drove from Alamo to Brownsville and he shared that his first teaching experience was at the age of twelve, when he was in the minor

seminary and was asked to assist in teaching Latin to some seminarians older than him. “I believe this exemplifies his life’s work and service to the Church,” she said. Bishop San Pedro had few possessions other than his books as he was an avid reader, learner, and teacher. He said that he read whenever he had a chance such as waiting at airports. He quipped that he gave his day to service to the Lord, but after his night-time prayers he would say something like “ I did what I could today for your » Please Bishop San Pedro, see p.6

Youth Jam organized for middle schoolers

Franciscan Friar to keynote event April 18 in Weslaco

Onydia Garza/Special toThe Valley Catholic

Annual event organized for middle school youth set for Saturday, April 18. To register call (956) 784-5037.

The Valley Catholic WESLACO — Hundreds of middle school youth from across the Rio Grande Valley will gather for the annual Youth JAM on Saturday, April 18 at B. Garza Middle School, 1111 W. Sugar Cane Dr. in Weslaco. All sixth-, seventh- and eighthgraders from the diocese are invited to attend the event, which begins at 8 a.m. and ends with a Vigil Mass celebrated by Bishop Daniel E. Flores. The cost is $20 and scholarships are available. The theme of this year’s Youth JAM is derived from Matthew 5:8, which reads, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Alamo native Father Agustino Torres of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal will serve as the keynote speaker. Father Torres now serves in the metro New York City area. Growing up in the Rio Grande Valley, Father Torres admits he lived “a party lifestyle” until the Lord helped him to see the emptiness of the life he was living. He saw friends die in auto accidents, gang and drug-related violence and he himself experienced a couple of brushes with death. The second of five children, Father Torres is the son of Ana Ortiz

Hundreds of Valley youth join together each year to celebrate their faith.

and Juan Torres. He graduated from Pharr-San Juan-Alamo High School where he was a football player and a member of the drama club. Father Torres was ordained to the priesthood in 2008 and has dedicated much of his ministry to the youth, young adults and the homeless. Monica Benitez, associate di-

rector of the Office of Youth Ministry, said, “Youth JAM is going to be such a great experience for our middle schoolers of the Rio Grande Valley. “Youth JAM actually may be their first encounter with Christ, so we want them to feel welcomed and to embrace the larger Catholic community. We are going to

have music, games, small group sessions and a fantastic keynote speaker,” she added. Father Agustino Torres, CFR will be the keynote for the day. For more information on Youth JAM, email Benitez at mbenitez@cdob. org or Dora Rodriguez-Rosa at [email protected] or call (956) 784-5037.

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Women upholding human dignity

Sister Norma Pimentel, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, presented the following excerpted talk at the United Nations on March 18.

I am a Religious woman, a Missionary of Jesus, who has been chosen to be a voice for those in our midst who find themselves dehumanized, suffering atrocities, and hardships, as they flee their violent countries in search of a better life for their children, free of violence. I am a woman who is representing Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, part of the network of Catholic Charities USA, a group of compassionate, caring people dedicated to serving those on the margins and those most in need. Today, I come to share the stories of the border. It saddens me to see the human dignity of many among us, in particular immigrants, who find themselves forced to leave their own country due to the violence and fear they face day after day. What I find heartbreaking are the thousands of children we saw this past summer and continue to see coming to our borders in much lesser numbers today. Every person matters, and children require special consideration. Last summer, when a tsunami of immigrant families and children hit the Rio Grande Valley, the U.S. Border Patrol facility in McAllen, Texas, was not equipped to handle so many people. The children were classified as unaccompanied because they came with an uncle, a grandparent, or an older sibling, and were separated from them. So

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Sister Norma Pimentel spoke on a panel addressing “Women Upholding Human Dignity,” which ran concurrently with the 59th session of the Commission on the Status of Women.

the children could not be released until they could be transferred to a children’s facility, under the responsibility of the Office of Refugee Resettlement. The Border Patrol facility, built to hold about 300 people, was forced to hold more than a thousand children. And they were seeing thousands of new arrivals every day. It became clear, very quickly, the United States was not prepared to respond appropriately and humanely to the wave of immigrants, especially the children. When I visited the facility for the first time last summer, something tragically ripped within me. A profound pain, as if my insides were being ripped out of me! I saw mostly children and mothers crying. They were all totally dirty, hungry, and scared! They looked exhausted and frightened. When I walked into a cell, the children were packed like little sardines. They surrounded me, their faces full of tears. Telling me, “Saceme de aqui!” Take me out of here! “No puedo respirar!” I can’t breath! We prayed together, as we cried together.

I could see the faces of the Border Patrol officers through the large glass windows, and I could see their hearts were touched by what they were seeing. As I walked out, one officer said to me, “Sister, thank you for helping me to see they are human! We have become hardened with the thousands of children that keep coming.” After what I saw and experienced in my visit to these facilities, it is my belief we failed the children. I say “we” because we live in the United States and as the people of this country, we have the responsibility to uphold the human dignity of ALL! Especially the human dignity of a child. I know we are a country of laws. However, those laws failed to respond to these children in a humane way. I am certain it must not have been easy for the Border Patrol agents who went home every day after experiencing what I experienced. I have met officers like John Lopez who demonstrate great respect toward the immigrant families in the call of duty of doing their job. We need to pray for them! Pray

for the Border Patrol officers that they be strengthened in their faith! So they stay strong in their efforts to uphold human dignity as they do their jobs. It is important they know we care about them. Through this response to the humanitarian crisis, I can say I am honored to be among the woman of the border, and truly among women from all over the United States. These volunteers have so generously given of themselves to uphold the human dignity of the thousands of immigrant families passing through the Rio Grande Valley. All of these women have been true champions in responding with love and compassion. They are the faces of women upholding human dignity today, in our time. These are the women from the border who lift me up each day with their example of truly witnessing God’s presence in their lives! These women, and thousands more like them, respond with generosity, not expecting any credit for their service, only the pleasure of knowing the families, the children, are safe and are now in a better place. Let me not forget the thousands of youth who took part and continue to take part in the humanitarian relief effort. Today’s youth are getting involved in noble causes upholding human dignity. Let us not feel threatened by their presence and their fresh ideas. They have so much to offer. Let us not forget to pray for them, so they stay strong in living out their faith values in the midst of peer pressure to do otherwise. » Please see UN Talk p.14

»Women speak for themselves en la Frontera

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Behind the scenes, lessons on humility

don’t know why I said yes. I think fear prompted me to accept an invitation to turn some of my poems about my mother into a short play. The fear pushed me to try something new. Panic, however, set in as the date approached. Seven months ago when Rita Conde, one of the members of the Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center in San Benito, proposed the idea, I was flattered to be asked and intrigued with the challenge. I am not sure what lesson the Holy Spirit intended from this experience, but the invitation turned into a lesson in humility and helped me gain a greater appreciation for what happens behind the scenes. Pope Francis in his apostolic exhortation, “Evangelii Gaudium,” The Joy of the Gospel, speaks about the face-to-face encounter with others and about living in community. He also said, “Being a disciple means being constantly ready to bring the love of Jesus to others, and this can happen unexpectedly and in any place: on the street, in a city square, during work, on a journey.” It was a blessing to witness this in the art world. First, the experience helped me surrender myself to trying something that scares me. It made me vulnerable to the possibility that my attempt in this form of storytelling on stage might fail before a large crowd. I am thankful for the generosity of the women who nudged me gently forward. I was blessed

Brenda Nettles Riojas Editor of The Valley Catholic

with friends and strangers, now new found friends, who shared their knowledge and coached me. Dolores Perez was most generous with her time. She drove from Brownsville on several occasions to help me prepare. There is a grace in allowing others to help us, and a humility to recognizing our weaknesses. I have observed over the past five years how Rita encourages women to share their work. But not everyone sees the attention she gives to preparing the space where these women come to display their paintings and sculptures or share their story on stage. As I rehearsed, or in my case, paced and prayed, I saw Rita paint, sweep, mop, dust, arrange chairs, each task undertaken with such peace and joy. It was inspiring to glimpse her work from behind the scenes and to witness how she helps others shine. I was reminded of the women who take care of the altar at the parish. They pay attention to the smallest of the details in which most people never take notice. In the same way it was a handful of women who first noticed the

need of the immigrants this past summer and responded by offering food and water to the refugees from Central America who were being dropped off by immigration officials at the bus station in McAllen. There are countless numbers of women who daily give of themselves helping others – raising children, taking care of family, and making other contributions at work and in the community. They are women who serve with generous hearts, women who do not look for recognition. These women radiate the joy that comes from sharing their talents in unassuming ways. Without words, they bring the love of Jesus to others. For almost a year now, a diverse group of women started meeting for roundtable discussions to share their talents, their stories, their faith. They are now organizing a women’s conference for May 2 so that other women can join in the conversation. The theme, “Living the Joy of the Gospel and Celebrating the Feminine Genius,” encapsulates the goal of highlighting the varied ways in which women “bring the love of Jesus to others.” The first part of the theme is inspired by Pope Francis’ first Apostolic Exhortation, “Evengelii Gaudium.” The second comes from Saint John Paul II’s writings on women, including his apostolic letter “Mulieris Dignitatem” (“The Dignity of Women”). In “Evangelii Gaudium,” Pope

Francis writes, “The Church acknowledges the indispensable contribution which women make to society through the sensitivity, intuition and other distinctive skill sets which they, more than men, tend to possess.” Saint John Paul II reminded us of our unique calling more than 25 years ago when he talked about the “feminine genius” in “Mulieris Dignitatem.” He continued his reflection in his Letter to Women in 1995. What is the feminine genius? It is tied to our innate capacity for self-giving love. Thanks to the self-giving love of women like Rita and Dolores, and lots of prayers, not only did I have an opportunity to honor my mother’s memory, I managed to surprise even myself by performing on stage. They are women who “seek the good of others,” women who help others realize their potential. They remind me, as does the Holy Father, as we share the joy of the Gospel, “the important thing is to not walk alone, but to rely on each other.” Attentive to the words of Pope Francis, “May we never remain on the sidelines of this march of living hope!” confident “that the kingdom of God is already present in the world and is growing, here and there, and in different ways…” And may we too find ways to bring the love of Jesus to others. (For those who are curious, a review of the performance is available online, http://www.theravingpress.

APRIL 2015

What the Church says about blessings? The Valley Catholic First of all, what is a blessing? According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, among sacramentals, blessings (of persons, meals, objects, and places) come first. Every blessing praises God and prays for his gifts. In Christ, Christians are blessed by God the Father “with every spiritual blessing.” (Eph. 1:3) This is why the Church imparts blessings by invoking the name of Jesus, usually while making the holy sign of the cross of Christ. (CCC 1671) When it comes to blessings, who can bless what? “It depends on what kind of blessing,” said Father Michael Montoya of the Missionaries of Jesus, pastor of St. Anne Parish in Peñitas and its missions Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Sullivan City, St. Michael the Archangel Church in Los Ebanos and San Juan Diego Church in El Flaco. “If it is a sacramental blessing, it is administered by one in Holy Orders — a priest or deacon.” A sacramental blessing is a ritual act with prayer in the name and authority of the Church, such as the blessing of rosaries, religious medals, holy water and crucifixes. The general principle regarding blessings, according to the Catechism, “Every baptized person is called to be a ‘blessing’ and to bless. Hence lay people may preside at certain blessings; the more a blessing concerns ecclesial and sacramental life, the more its administration is reserved to the ordained ministry (bishops, priests, or deacons.)” (CCC 1669) There are certain blessings that all the lay faithful, including children, can perform. These include blessing oneself with holy water upon entering or leaving a church and blessing a meal. A personal blessing is not sacramental or administered in the Church’s name but rather it is a prayer to invoke God’s protection and blessing. Father Montoya encourages his flock – especially those who are parents and grandparents – to bless their loved ones. “We’re encouraging families, at least in my parish and especially during Baptism time, to keep that tradition of blessing their children as they grow older – the first time they walk, the first time they go out and play outside, the first time they go to school, the first time they go out on a date … to keep reminding them of their identity, that they belong to Christ as well,” he said. “So that’s what blessing is and in the Mexican-American tradition, that is a very important aspect of our religiosity as a people.”

APRIL 2015

FAITH

- The Valley Catholic

»Sunday Readings The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church APRIL 5

( Second Sunday of Easter Sunday of Divine Mercy)

Reading 1 ACTS 10:34A, 37-43 Responsorial Psalm PS 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23 Reading 2 COL 3:1-4 OR 1 COR 5:6B-8 Alleluia CF. 1 COR 5:7 Gospel JN 20:1-9 APRIL 12 (The Resurrection of the Lord The Mass of Easter Day) Reading 1 ACTS 4:32-35 Responsorial Psalm PS 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24 Reading 2 1 JN 5:1-6 Alleluia JN 20:29 Gospel JN 20:1-31 APRIL 19

(Third Sunday of Easter)

Reading 1 ACTS 3:13-15, 17-19 Responsorial Psalm PS 4:2, 4, 7-8, 9 Reading 2 1 JN 2:1-5A Alleluia CF. LK 24:32 Gospel LK 24:35-48 APRIL 26

»Making Sense of Bioethics

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Undoing a chemical abortion

n 1978, Charles E. Rice, a former Professor of Law at Notre Dame Law School made this prediction in his book Beyond Abortion: The Theory and Practice: “The abortion of the future will be by pill, suppository, or some other do-it-yourself method. At that point the killing of a baby will be wholly elective and private. We have, finally, caught up with the pagan Romans who endowed the father, the pater familias, with the right to kill his child at his discretion. We give that right to the mother. But it is all the same to the victim.” His prediction was prescient, given that “chemical abortions” are now widely available in the form of the French abortion pill, RU-486. The abortion pill has been available in the U.S. since 2000. By 2008, approximately 25 percent of abortions prior to 9 weeks relied on RU-486, also known as mifepristone. A 2010 scientific review on RU-486 noted that chemical abortion “has been used successfully in the medical termination of pregnancy for over 25 years, and the method is registered in 35 countries.” In recent years, there has been a small but important glimmer of light piercing through this dark backdrop of widespread RU486 utilization, namely, that it is sometimes possible to reverse a chemical abortion if a woman comes to regret her decision soon after taking the abortion pill. Carrying out a chemical abortion actually requires two different pills to be taken sequentially. RU-486 is administered prior to reaching the 10th week of pregnancy, and about two days later, a hormone called misoprostol is given that causes contractions and expels the unborn child. Reversal may be possible when the second pill has not yet been taken. RU-486 itself is often described as a “progesterone antago-

Tadeusz Pacholczyk

Priest of the Diocese of Fall River

nist” or as an “antiprogesterone.” These names indicate the extent of its hostility towards the vital hormone, progesterone. What this means is that RU-486 blocks progesterone, a hormone needed to build and maintain the uterine wall during pregnancy. Thus, RU486 can either prevent a developing human embryo from implanting in the uterus, or it can kill an implanted embryo by essentially starving her or him to death. The reversal technique relies on using progesterone itself to counteract the effects of the abortion pill. In a study published in the Annals of Pharmacotherapy in December, 2012, successful reversal was reported for four of six women who took RU-486; these women were able to carry their pregnancies to term after receiving an intramuscular injection of progesterone. Since 2012, dozens of other women have successfully reversed their chemical abortions. Thus far, no side effects or complications associated with reversal of the abortion pill have been reported. On the other hand, the abortion pill itself has notable side effects and risks associated with its use. Common side effects include: uterine cramps, high blood pressure, bleeding not related to the menstrual period, overgrowth of the uterine lining, stomach cramps, dizziness, reduced blood potassium, and nausea. Some women also experience fever, chills and infection. Among the more serious possible side effects would be death of

both mother and child arising from endomyometritis (infection of the uterine lining) and septic shock. A December, 2005 article in the New England Journal of Medicine indicated that women are about ten times more likely to die from RU-486 abortions than surgical abortions in early pregnancy, partly because of the risk of infection. Another complication of using RU-486 is incomplete abortion, with embryonic/fetal parts remaining. In the first six years of RU-486 availability in Australia, for example, there were 792 reports of adverse effects, 579 of which pertained to parts of the embryo/fetus remaining, and 126 of these required follow-up surgical abortion. Time is clearly of the essence: the longer a woman waits after taking RU-486 before attempting a reversal, the lower the likelihood of success. Health care professionals should become informed about the possibility of using progesterone to reverse the effects of RU-486 in women who have begun the chemical abortion process and then changed their minds. The website for the Abortion Pill Reversal Program, a national effort to encourage and support abortion pill reversal, can be found at: http://abortionpillreversal.com/. As noted on the site, “The Abortion Pill Reversal Program has a network of over 200 physicians worldwide that assist the women that call our hot line. This hotline is manned 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by one of our Registered Nurses... if you’ve taken the abortion pill, it may not be too late. Call 877-558-0333 right away.” This remarkable initiative has already saved the lives of many children, and has brought the blessing of motherhood to fruition for many women who recognized the mistake they had made in taking the abortion pill.

(Fourth Sunday of Easter)

Reading 1 ACTS 4:8-12 Responsorial Psalm PS 118:1, 8-9, 21-23, 26, 28, 29 Reading 2 1 JN 3:1-2 Alleluia JN 10:14 Gospel JN 10:11-18 The word of the Lord abides forever. This word is the Gospel which was preached to you” (1 Pet 1:25; cf. Is 40:8).

Marian Conference is set for April 25 The Valley Catholic A Marian Conference is scheduled for Saturday, April 25, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 2201 Martin Ave., McAllen, Texas. The conference is for everyone. It starts at 8:30 a.m. for registration and continental breakfast. Conference includes speakers from the Diocese of Brownsville, silent auctions, vendors and candles. A $10 donation will include lunch. For information call Holy Spirit Church at (956) 6315295 or Chair Nellie Guerra at (956) 971-9872.

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»Family Life

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Two become One

he fourth of 10 themes of the Preparatory Catechesis for the World Meeting of Families which will take place in Philadelphia Sept. 22-25, is “Two Become One.” In this document titled “Love is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive”, the authors remind us “We are not made to be alone. Human beings need and complete each other. Friendship and community satisfy that longing with bonds of common interest and love. Marriage is a uniquely intimate form of friendship that calls a man and a woman to love each other in the manner of God’s covenant. Marriage is a Sacrament. Married love is fruitful and offered without reservation. This love is in the image of Jesus’ faithfulness to the Church.” St. Paul in his epistles often compared the relationship of man and wife to the relationship of Jesus as the bridegroom with his bride, the Church (all of humanity; all made in the image and likeness of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit). I often refer to the text in one of his letters to the Ephesians as the “elbow scripture” because whenever it is proclaimed in the Sunday liturgy, inevitably I see someone elbow their wife or fiancé.” Ephesians 5:22 “Wives should

Lydia Pesina

Director, Family Life Office

be subordinate to their husbands as to the Lord.” However, they don’t wait for the coming verse which states, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the church.” And we know Christ died for us, so I facetiously quip, we wives just have to be subordinate, but our husbands have to die for us! In reality, we know Jesus teaches us “self-emptying love” which we are all called to, especially in marriage where we need to give one another all of who we are: 100/100 not 50/50. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 1603, “The intimate community of life and love which constitutes the married state has been established by the Creator and endowed by him with its own proper laws … God himself is the author of marriage.” If God is the author of marriage, then as a society it is important to keep the author’s definition of marriage as the union of one

man and one woman. Paragraph 1605 affirms man and woman were created for one another: “It is not good that the man should be alone.” The woman, “flesh of his flesh,” his equal, his nearest in all things, is given to him by God as a “helpmate;” she thus represents God from whom comes our help.” There is a humorous story of this Genesis account in which Adam is portrayed as being alone and sad but God tells him he is creating for him a helpmate that shall be called “woman” and she will be beautiful, helpful, always the first to say she’s sorry, never ask him to tend to the children at night, and so on but that it will be costly; an arm and a leg. So Adam asks him, “What can I get for one rib?” and thus man got what he paid for! Matrimony is a beautiful covenantal relationship where a man and a woman vow to work on building their marriage throughout every life cycle stage keeping this three-sided (like a triangle) relationship growing in (1) emotional and spiritual intimacy, (2) physical intimacy, and (3) lifelong commitment with God at the center of that triangle granting them the grace to grow through the ups » Please see Two Become One, p.7

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Saint Anselm, the 11th and 12th Century Benedictine monk and archbishop best known for his writings on Christ’s atonement and the existence of God.

»Feast Day April 21

Spotlight on St. Anselm The Valley Catholic In a general audience given on Sept. 23, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI remembered St. Anselm as “a monk with an intense spiritual life, an excellent teacher of the young, a theologian with an extraordinary capacity for speculation, a wise man of governance and an intransigent defender of the Church’s freedom.” Anselm was born in Aosta, part of the Piedmont region of present-day Italy, around 1033. He felt a profound religious calling during his school years, spurred in part by a dream in which he met and conversed with God. His father, however, prevented him from becoming a monk at age 15. This disappointment was followed by a period of severe illness, as well as his mother’s early death. Unable to join the monks, and tired of mistreatment by his father, Anselm left home and wandered throughout parts of France and Italy for three years. His life regained its direction in Normandy, where he met the Benedictine prior Lanfranc of Pavia and became his disciple. Lanfranc recognized his pupil’s intellectual gifts and encouraged his vocation to religious life. Accepted into the order and ordained a priest at age 27, Anselm succeeded his teacher as prior in 1063 when Lanfranc was called to become abbot of another monastery. Anselm became abbot of his own monastery in 1079. Lanfranc became Archbishop of Canterbury and asked Anselm to come and assist him. In 1093, the king allowed Anselm to become Archbishop of Canterbury. But the monk was extremely reluctant to accept the charge, which would involve him in further struggles with the English crown in subsequent years. In his last years, Anselm worked to reform the Church and continued his theological investigations, following the motto of “faith seeking understanding.” After his death in 1109, his influence on the subsequent course of theology led Pope Clement XI to name him a Doctor of the Church in 1720.

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The Valley Catholic -

APRIL 2015

Coming together to dialogue, learn Bishop, imams, rabbi participate in interfaith gathering

The Valley Catholic

Left, a group of 19 people gathered for an interfaith dialogue and luncheon on Feb. 19 in McAllen. Bottom left, Bishop Daniel E. Flores and Imam Noor Ahmad serve plates of dessert.

By BRENDA NETTLES RIOJAS The Valley Catholic MCALLEN – At a time when conflicts have been associated with religious tensions in different corners of the world, religious leaders in the Rio Grande Valley are engaging in interfaith dialogues for peace and creating opportunities to listen and understand each other’s faiths and cultures. “I have my hopes these dialogues can be of great good for the local community,” said Bishop Daniel E. Flores during an interfaith luncheon with the imams and the rabbi from McAllen, and other representatives on Feb. 19. “There is no substitute for getting to know and appreciate each other as individuals. And that takes time,” he said. Bishop Flores said one of the challenges faced in today’s “microwave culture” is the tendency to want fast solutions for everything. He added to that challenge, the reality that religion is a subject rarely talked about in today’s culture. “We need to be aware of a secular agenda that does not view religion as important to people’s lives,” he said. Adding, “I would hope we can give witness to the fact religion is very important to people’s lives. It continues to be one of the most fundamental ways by which people orient their whole understanding of themselves, their community, and their families, and we can be true to one’s vision without being a source of contention about it.” Bishop Flores said, “We need to better understand what it means to have an interpersonal conversation. It’s not about who wins and who loses. It’s about the good of a common understanding, the good of religion in public life, the good of religion in culture, the good of a dialogue that’s not about who

Bottom middle, Imam Osama Saad, Bishop Daniel E. Flores, Imam Noor Ahmad and Rabbi Claudio Kogan.

wins and who loses. Everyone wins when we understand each other better.” Sister Fatima Santiago, a Missionary sister of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, helped organize the initial meeting on Feb. 19. Her interest in interfaith dialogues for peace grew during a year sabbatical in which she studied the subject. “We know what is happening in the world,” she said, and “dialogues help build understanding.” Inspired by dialogues a year ago between Bishop Flores and Rabbi Claudio Kogan from Temple Emanuel in McAllen, Sister Santiago wanted to reach out to other faith communities. With the Bishop’s blessing, she began to meet

informally with different religious leaders and community members. “There is a lot of interest,” she said, to come together to dialogue and learn. “We are not here to convert one another,” she added. “We are here to acknowledge the different faiths in our community. What motivates us to come together? We want our children and our youth and young adults to be aware we are all God’s children, and we want to live in harmony and peace.” Imam Osama Saad said working with young adults and youth are of utmost importance in today’s culture to build understanding and for them to know they are valued in their families and communities.

Imam Noor Ahmad added, “What we need is space in the heart.” Prior to the first meeting, young adults from the Catholic and the Muslim community started meeting as well. Since the initial meeting, some of the participants have formed a committee to organize an interfaith field day on May 17 in McAllen for children between the ages of five to 12, with the theme, “We Are All God’s Children.” Sister Santiago is also working with the Hindu community which will be participating in future gatherings. Prior to the luncheon, Bishop Flores hosted a private meeting for coffee and tea with Imam Osama Saad and Imam Noor Ahmad.

Bishop San Pedro,

continued from pg. 3

people, but now I leave them in your hands, Lord; I am going to bed.” In March 1993, Bishop San Pedro was part of a bishop’s delegation to address the United Nations on the plight of refugees, many of whom had been sent from south Florida to his diocese. Bishop San Pedro, age 68, died of cancer on July 17, 1994, in Miami Beach, Fla. He was buried in a section reserved for bishops and priests in the Catholic cemetery “Our Lady of Mercy” in Miami.

Pilgrimage tour visits historical sites in RGV Organized in honor of the diocese’s 50th anniversary

Courtesy Photos

To mark the 50th anniversary of the Diocese of Brownsville, pilgrimage tours to different historical churches in the Rio Grande Valley are scheduled. The next tour is set for Saturday, June 13.

The Valley Catholic “Just as we are called to go out and share the Gospel, I feel called to tell others about this pilgrimage,” said Diana Enriquez, secretary of Our Lady of Mercy Church in Mercedes and a retired director of religious education. “It is something every Catholic in the Valley needs to experience. After this pilgrimage, you will be more knowledgeable and appreciative of our faith.” Enriquez is one of 50 people who attended the first of four pilgrimages of the historic sites of the Diocese of Brownsville, including the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Brownsville, La Lomita in Mission and Our Lady of Refuge Church in Roma. The one-day pilgrimages are being held in honor of the diocese’s 50th anniversary. The diocese was established on July 10, 1965 by

Pope Paul VI. Although the diocese is young, a rich and deep tradition of the Catholic faith has endured in the Valley for almost 500 years. Pilgrimages are scheduled for June 13, Aug. 1 and Oct. 24. The tours are led by either Father Amador Garza, rector of the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle-National Shrine or Father Roy Snipes of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Mission. “We come from a long line of

love and those who have gone before us are still praying for us and with us,” Father Snipes said. “We share the journey with those who have gone before us, even though we might not be aware of it – and it’s important to stay aware of it. Their memories live in our hearts and in our minds and in our stories.” The motor coach tours, which are bilingual, begin at 8 a.m. and end at 6 p.m. The cost to attend is $35 and includes meals and snacks. Enriquez has long been inter-

ested in the history of the diocese, thanks to her late mother, Socorro. “My mother always liked to visit the churches in the Valley, especially the historical ones,” Enriquez recalled. “After Mass on Sundays, she would pack an ice chest with sodas and sandwiches and we would take a drive and stop at different churches. “Although I had visited many of them already, I didn’t know a lot of the history until the pilgrimage.” Enriquez said she noticed many

of the altars from the churches built in the 1800s were strikingly similar in design and style. She learned through the pilgrimage that many of the early churches in the Valley were planned by Father Peter Keralum of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, a French architect and missionary priest. Sister Maureen Crosby of the Sisters of St. Dorothy, coordinator of the diocese’s Media Resource Center, also attended the pilgrimage, along with the other sisters from her convent. “It’s well worth it to find out what is in the diocese,” she said. “I had an idea of the history, but I learned a lot of new information, a lot of things you don’t find in the history books, a lot of interesting trivia. “Our history is very rich.” For more information or to register for an upcoming pilgrimage, contact Lydia Pesina at (956) 784-5012 or [email protected] or Miguel Santos at (956) 784-5093 or [email protected].

APRIL 2015

DIOCESE

- The Valley Catholic

Young Life invites teens to conversion

7

State Champions

Bridge builders needed for movement that helps youth find their way to Jesus Special to The Valley Catholic What do you get when you combine over 300 middle school students, 80 volunteers, water balloon launchers, costumes, crazy fun and Jesus? We call it the Young Life “Wyldebeast Weekend!” On Valentine’s Day weekend, a group of laity and clergy, youth and adults, journeyed from the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle – National Shrine to Camp Buckner in Burnet, Texas to experience a weekend of spiritual renewal with several hundred middle school students from the State of Texas. Organizers said adolescents, especially those of middle school age, are most open to accepting a personal relationship with God than those who have reached adulthood. Hence, they see the wisdom to get the message of Christ to all especially when they are young. Bishop Daniel E. Flores shares this view when he shares how those early teens share a special place in his heart. The mandate to evangelize all teens, especially adolescents who seem furthest from the Church, is a prime concentration of Pope Francis, Bishop Flores, and Young Life. Young Life is an ecumenical organization founded by Jim Rayburn in the 1940s in Gainesville, Texas whose goal is to give every kid the opportunity to hear the good news of Jesus and have the right to freely respond to our Lord’s invitation to a personal

Courtesy Photo

Campus and Young Adult Ministry is collaborating with Young Life, an ecumenical organization, to invite teens to know Jesus Christ.

relationship with their Creator. Since Young Life is not a church, there is a great need for a bridge to be created which allows teens who have responded to the Kerygma to enter fully into communion with the Church and continue to grow in their relationship with God. After conversion, they need a place which then introduces formal catechesis and an introduction to the sacramental life. This is where the Catholic Church and Young Life intersect. Young Life has a particular charism for reaching the disconnected, the disinterested, and helping them walk personally and passionately with Jesus. Yet the need is great to lead these teens back into their local parish. Teens learn about Jesus and follow him most effectively in the context of relationships. Organizers explain the most

effective bridge to the Church is one of meaningful relationships. “Are you a bridge-builder? Are you passionate about Christ, teenagers and the Catholic Church? The local Young Life movement in Harlingen, in partnership with the Diocese of Brownsville, needs you!” said Miguel Santos with the Diocesan Office for Campus and Young Adult Ministry. He added, “While 90 percent of our youth come from a Catholic background, less than 20 percent of these teens are actively engaged in their faith and the Church.” To join this collaborative effort between Young Life and the diocese and help youth find their way to Jesus, please contact Miguel Santos at (956) 784-5093 or Stephen Robinson, Coordinator for Young Life in the RGV at (956) 536-6000.

Hike, retreat promote culture of life

People of all ages prepare to walk from park to courthouse

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Dulce Payan and her son Matias received help at the Gift of Life Pregnancy Center in Brownsville.

The Valley Catholic BROWNSVILLE — The third annual Pro-Life Youth Retreat is set for Friday, April 10 at Dean Porter Park in Brownsville. The free, all-night event, which promotes chastity and pro-life values, is designed for middle school and high school students. The event begins at 6 p.m. and ends the following day at the conclusion of the Hike for Like. Those interested in attending must register through their parish or Catholic school. For more information, call Alejandro Solis at (956) 466-6865. The fifth annual Brownsville Hike for Life is set for Saturday,

Mass for peace, continued from pg. 1

responsibilities and worries, but each proclaiming and professing the same faith. We walk with Jesus Christ, who always accompanies his people; and we are always accompanied by the Virgin Mary who intercedes on our behalf before her son.” The bishops meet twice a year,

April 11 at Dean Porter Park in Brownsville. Registration will start at 7:30 a.m. and the opening ceremonies will begin at 8:15 a.m. Bishop Daniel E. Flores will serve as the keynote speaker. Hikers will walk from the park to the Federal Courthouse. The purpose of the hike is to create awareness of the dignity and value of human

life and to raise funds for the Gift of Life Pregnancy Center, a prolife facility in Brownsville that primarily serves women in crisis pregnancy. Church groups and organizations are invited and encouraged to participate in this event. For more information, contact Martin Leal at (956) 459-2926.

alternating locations between the two sides of the border, to continue their work centered on the pastoral realities affecting the dioceses in Texas and northern Mexico, including immigration and migration issues. Bishops in attendance include: Most Rev. Daniel E. Flores, Bishop of Brownsville; Most Rev. Raymundo J. Peña, Bishop Emeritus of Brownsville; Most Rev. Mark J. Seitz, Bishop of El Paso; Most Rev. James A. Tamayo, Bishop of

Laredo; Most Rev. Michael J. Sis, Bishop of San Angelo; Most Rev. Michael D. Pfeifer, OMI, Bishop Emeritus of San Angelo; Most Rev. Gustavo Garcia-Siller, MSpS, Archbishop of San Antonio; Mons. Gustavo Rodriguez Vega, Bishop of Nuevo Laredo; Mons. Ruy Rendon Leal, Bishop of Matamoros; Mons. Rogelio Cabrera Lopez, Arzobispo De Monterrey; and Mons. Alonso Gerardo Garza Treviño, Bishop of Piedras Negras.

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The Pharr Oratory Athenaeum for University Preparation soccer team earned the state championship after playing their final game on Feb. 28 in Waco against the then undefeated Austin Hill Country Christian Academy under cold conditions. The final score was 2-0. The team was one of the 538 registered members of the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) in Division III. The administration, teacher and staff, parents and alumni all attended the game. It was also televised on Time Warner Cable and can be seen on Video on Demand under sports. In an interview with News Channel 5, the coaches and headmaster expressed their joy and appreciation for the team’s victory and the support they received from all involved.

Protecting God’s people; report suspected misconduct As God’s people, we are called to celebrate, promote, and when necessary, to defend the life and dignity of every person. We must treat everyone with respect, and do what we can to protect others from harm. Suspected misconduct with minors by lay church personnel should be reported to the pastor of the parish, the principal of the school, or the head of the Catholic institution involved. Suspected misconduct with minors by a priest, deacon, or religious should be reported directly to the Bishop or Vicar General (P. O. Box 2279, Brownsville, TX 78522-2279; 956-542-2501). A form for a Confidential No-

tice of Concern, may be used, and obtained on request from the local pastor, school principal, institution head, or Diocese, or it may be downloaded from the Brownsville Diocese website (www.cdob.org) Please be aware it is state law that anyone who suspects abuse or neglect of a minor must report it to local law enforcement officials or to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services at 1(800) 252-5400. Our faith assures us, we will not be overcome by evil but will overcome evil with good (cf. Rm 12:21). Contact: Walter Lukaszek, LMSW-IP Victim Assistance and Safe Environment Coordinator at (956) 457-0010.

Women,

personal healing and the resurrection. A panel discussion on Saint John Paul II’s Letter to Women and Theology of the Body will include Lydia Pesina, director for the Family Life Office and Olga Lydia Mendez with Natural Family Planning. The $30 registration fee includes breakfast and lunch. For additional information call (956) 536-4866. To register to be an exhibitor or vendor at the conference, contact Maria Luisa Guerra at (956) 648-0233.

continued from pg. 1

Norma Pimentel, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, will talk about saying “yes” to God’s call; Father Andy Gutierrez, associate pastor at St. Luke Parish in Brownsville will give a reflection on the Blessed Mother Mary; and Ofelia de los Santos, director for Immigration and Jail Ministry, will lead a session about

Two become One continued from pg. 5

and downs of married life. They are each called to help one another become a saint by helping their spouse grow to be the person God has uniquely created them to be. Recently, at our Diocesan World Marriage Day Celebration Mass, we had the honor to have eight couples attending married 70 or more years. Mr. and Mrs. Clemente Cuellar, celebrating their 76th wedding anniversary, were asked by the TV news reporter what the secret was for a long and strong marriage and they responded “Respeto”- Respect. They are a great witness that long lasting marriages can be “alive”/ not dead marriages. When asked by the reporter what

he would say to married couples, Bishop Flores responded: “Take care of each other.” Pope Francis in his address to engaged couples on Feb. 14, 2014, stated “We must not allow ourselves to be conquered by a ‘throwaway culture.’ This fear of ‘forever’ is cured by entrusting oneself day by day to the Lord Jesus in a life that becomes a daily spiritual path of common growth, step by step.” May we remember the 5 F’s of Marriage: Free, Faithful, Fruitful, Forever, and Fun! I invite married couples to consider blessing one another daily by facing each other and saying: “I love you; I accept you. If I have hurt you in any way, please forgive me. Lord Jesus, guide us with your Spirit and bless our marriage now and always.” Amen.

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»Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley

50 years of providing help, creating hope The Valley Catholic

Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley (CCRGV) hosted its 5th Annual Gala, “Celebrating 50 Years of Providing Help, Creating Hope,” on March 14 at the Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance. Sister Norma Pimentel, executive director of CCRGV, presented Herminia Forshage with the 2015 Hope Award for her service as a dedicated volunteer and philanthropist. Sister Pimentel also recognized key volunteers who have assisted at the Humanitarian Respite Center at Sacred Heart Church in McAllen. To date, volunteers have helped more than 16,000 refugees from Central America and 10 other countries. Father Larry Snyder, former president of Catholic Charities USA, delivered the keynote address. Each year, more than 100,000 Valley residents receive assistance from Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley. All proceeds from the gala support Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley in its mission to assist individuals and families experiencing a crisis in their lives, regardless of religion.

Year of Consecrated Life Religious communities serving in our diocese

Congregation of St. Basil Founder: Father Joseph Lapierre Community founded: In 1822 in SaintSymphorien-de-Mahun, France How long has your community served the diocese? Since July 2012. Charism(s): Teaching and preaching. The community’s motto is derived from Psalm 119: “Teach me goodness, discipline and knowledge.” Apostolate(s): Immaculate Conception Parish and School in Rio Grande City. The The Valley Catholic community serves in Colombia, Canada, Mexico and in several cities in the United Father Thomas Sepulveda States. celebrates Mass at Immaculate Conception parish in Rio Grande City Contact information: Vocations Director, Father Norm Tanck, CSB (416) 925-4368 ext. 237; Father Thomas Sepulveda (956) 4872317 Email: [email protected]; Website: www.basilian.org

School Sisters of Notre Dame The Valley Catholic

From left to right, Sister Gayle Hurban and Sister Colette Kraus from the School Sisters of Notre Dame. Founder: Blessed Theresa Gerhardinger When and where was the community founded? October 24, 1833, in Neunburg vorm Wald, Bavaria How long has your community served the diocese? The School Sisters of Notre Dame arrived in 1985 Charism(s): Transforming the world through education Apostolate (s): Sister Gayle Hurban teaches pre-kindergarten at Immaculate Conception School, Rio Grande City and Sister Colette Kraus teaches third grade at Our Lady of Guadalupe School, Mission Contact information: Email: [email protected] ; Website: www.ssnd.org

We will feature religious communities serving in our diocese every month throughout the Year of Consecrated Life.

APRIL 2015

DIOCESE

- The Valley Catholic

Those Who Serve:

Father Ignacio Luna

Priest, poet, missionary

San Benito pastor to celebrate golden anniversary

Courtesy photo

Father Ignacio Luna, pastor of St. Benedict Church in San Benito, is celebrating his 50th anniversary as a priest on Aug. 28.

By ROSE YBARRA The Valley Catholic SAN BENITO — When Father Ignacio Luna was so young he could barely talk, he already knew what he wanted to be when he grew up. I used to tell everyone, “voy a ser pale (padre),” (I’m going to be a priest),” said Father Luna, who has served as pastor of St. Benedict Church in San Benito for more than 16 years. “I believe my vocation has been a gift from God. It was in my heart since I was a very small child.” Father Luna was born on Christmas Day 1939 in Celaya in the Mexican state of Guanajuato. He was the third of 12 children born to Jose Luna Reyes and Margarita Trujillo Lopez. “We were a deeply religious family,” Father Luna said. “We attended Mass daily.” He attended a high school seminary in Puebla, Mexico. It was there that he discovered a new talent – writing poetry. “I kept a notebook of my work from that time in my life, but I thought it was silly and I destroyed it,” said Father Luna, who refuses to call himself a poet, even though he has composed hundreds of po-

Manos Consagradas By Father Ignacio Luna T. 50 años ha me llamaste, y yo te respondí: aquí estoy Señor! 50 años ejerciendo el poder que me diste de hacerte presente entre nosotros por medio de tus palabras y mis manos consagradas. 50 años de acariciarte y tenerte entre mis manos mi amado Señor.

ems. “All but one is gone. I found the one piece that survived in a canon law book. “I consider myself an informal writer who puts his thoughts on paper.” Father Luna joined the religious community Orden de la Merced (Our Lady of Mercy Order) in 1953 and was ordained to the priesthood on Sept. 1, 1965. “I envisioned a life as a missionary in Africa,” Father Luna said. “God had other plans for me and that was fine with me. I have been blessed with the gift of adaptability, which has opened new horizons for me.” For 10 years, he served in the field of education at schools in Puebla and Guanajuato before being sent to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, to serve as an educator and pastor for eight-anda-half years. “I was finally a missionary priest,” Father Luna said. “God

called me to be his hands, his feet and his messenger in the Third World. It was there that I really understood what poverty and misery was.” On March 30, 1984, he began an assignment as pastor of St. Theresa of the Infant Jesus Church in Edcouch and has served in the Diocese of Brownsville since then. “I did not want to come to the United States,” he said. “I was used to serving in the Third World and I enjoyed it. I was obedient, but there was some discussion with my superiors. My plan was to stay in the Valley for one year and then move back to Mexico. “But I liked it here. I love the people and the culture.” Deacon Hugo De la Cruz, who was recently assigned to St. Joseph Parish in Donna, has been friends with Father Luna for 30 years. “Father Luna is a great priest in every sense of the word: he’s humble, he’s obedient, dedicated to his

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50 años de llevarte al sano y al enfermo por igual, sin distinción social. 50 años dando consuelo al necesitado como palabras de aliento al desalentado. 50 años bendiciendo en tu nombre, tanto al pobre como al rico necesitados de Ti. flock and committed to God and His service everywhere he goes.” Father Luna is also a regular guest on Deacon De la Cruz’s popular radio show, “The Football Scoreboard,” which airs every Friday night during the high school football season on the radio station Super Tejano 102.1 FM. He was pastor of St. Theresa of the Infant Jesus Parish in Edcouch and its mission Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in La Villa.

50 años caminando a tu lado entre días amargos como felices por igual. 50 años hablando en tu nombre, a veces aceptado y otras rechazado por este mundo material. 50 años realizando el milagro de transformar el vino y el pan en tu Cuerpo y Sangre real. Acaso habrá dicha más grande, Señor? Gracias mi Cristo por compartir tu poder con el poder de mis manos consagradas en mi Orden Sacerdotal. Por último te pido mi Buen Dios, que no dejes que me envanezca de ser lo que soy, pues sin tu bondad de consagrarme a ti. Nada sería sin Ti. 50 años, Señor . . . ¡ “High school football fans in the Valley know Father Nacho and love him,” Deacon De la Cruz said. “For him, being on the show is a form of evangelization.” Father Luna will celebrate 50 years as a priest at a celebration on Aug. 28 with a Mass at St. Benedict Church in San Benito, followed by a reception at the Knights of Columbus Hall. He plans to release a book of his poetry in honor of his Golden Jubilee.

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IN THE NEWS

The Valley Catholic -

‘Who, me? Yes, you.’ Fess up to sins, stop judging others, pope says

»Birthday & Anniversary Wishes The list of birthdays and ordination anniversaries is provided so that parishioners may remember the priests, deacons and religious in their prayers and send them a note or a card.

Christians should recognize own faults, failings

April

» Birthdays

1 Rev. Francois Tsanga, SCJ 2 Rev. Kumar Nayak, ss.cc. 5 Rev. Jaime Torres 15 Rev. Carlos Zuniga 20 Msgr. Arturo Cardenas 23 Rev. Michael Montoya, MJ 25 Rev. Samuel Arizpe

By CAROL GLATZ Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Drop the innocent look and the habit of judging others, Pope Francis said; recognizing one’s own faults and failings is the first requirement of being a good Christian. In fact, paradoxically, one finds peace and relief in judging one’s own sins, being merciful toward others and saying, “Who am I to judge?” he said March 2 during his homily at a morning Mass celebrated in the chapel of the Domus Sanctae Marthae, where he lives. The pope’s homily was based on the day’s reading from the Book of Daniel, which laments, “We have sinned, been wicked and done evil,” and expresses the shame of having rebelled against God who is so full of compassion and mercy. It also focused on the Gospel reading according to St. Luke, in which Jesus tells his disciples to stop judging and condemning, but to “be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Pope Francis said it is so easy to shift the blame. “We are all experts, we have Ph.D.s in justifying ourselves: ‘But it wasn’t me, no, it’s not my fault. Well, OK, but it wasn’t that bad, you know. That’s not how it went.’ We all have an alibi to explain away our failings, our sins,” he said. “So often we are able to make that face that says, ‘Who, me?’ that face that says, ‘Well, I didn’t do it, maybe it was someone else,’ play-

Paul Haring/Catholic News Service

Pope Francis speaks during his general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican.

ing innocent,” he said. “But one doesn’t progress in Christian life this way.” While it is easier to blame others, “when we begin to look at the things we are capable of,” the evil that one is tempted to commit, he said at first “we feel bad, we feel disgust,” but then “something a bit strange happens,” the self-critical approach then “gives us peace and well-being.” By directly, honestly and quietly confronting the evil within, such as feeling envy and knowing how it can lead to putting people down and “killing them morally,” he said, one discovers “the wisdom of accusing oneself.” “If we do not learn this first step in life, we will never, ever make progress on the path of Christian life, spiritual life,” he said, according to Vatican Radio. Another Christian virtue is being able to feel ashamed before God, he said. Christians should engage in a kind of dialogue with the Lord, not being afraid to feel that shame expressed in the Book of Daniel. When people can see their

own faults, he said, it is easier to ask God for mercy and to be merciful toward others. “When someone learns to accuse oneself, one is merciful toward others: ‘Yes, but who am I to judge if I am capable of doing worse things?’” The phrase, “Who am I to judge,” he said, comes from listening to Jesus telling his disciples to “Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven.” The day before, after praying the Angelus with visitors gathered in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis urged people to listen to Jesus and follow him because only he brings true happiness. “Jesus’ path always brings us happiness, don’t forget it,” he said March 1. While following Jesus will always mean carrying some kind of cross and enduring some hardship, the pope said, “in the end he always brings us happiness. Jesus does not deceive, he promised happiness and he will give it if we follow his ways.”

Holy Father focuses on care of the elderly

Biblical exhortations to respect the old are being ignored

Paul Haring/Catholic News Service

Pope Francis listens to a woman while greeting the disabled during his general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican March 11.

By CINDY WOODEN Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Seeing the elderly only as a burden “is ugly. It’s a sin,” Pope Francis said at his weekly general audience. “We must reawaken our collective sense of gratitude, appreciation and hospitality, helping the elderly know they are a living part of their communities” and sources of wisdom for the younger generations, the 78-year-old pope said March 4 at his weekly general audience. Continuing a series of audience talks about the family, Pope Francis said he would dedicate two talks to the elderly, looking at how they are treated in modern societies and at their vocation within the family. “An elderly person is not an alien,” he said. “The elderly person is us. Soon, or many years from now — inevitably anyway — we will be old, even if we don’t think about it.” “If we do not learn to treat the elderly well,” the pope said, “we won’t be treated well either” when the time comes. In a talk punctuated with references to his own family life, his grandmother and his experience

visiting homes for the elderly in Buenos Aires, Pope Francis said even Christians are being influenced by cultures so focused on production and profit, that the biblical exhortations to respect the aged and draw upon their wisdom are being ignored. “We elderly are all a bit fragile,” the pope said, changing his prepared text to include himself among the aged. The elderly he visited in Buenos Aires, he said, would often tell him that they had many children and that their children visited them. “And when was the last time they came?” the pope said he asked one woman. “She said,‘Well, at Christmas.’ It was August. Eight months without a visit from her children. Eight months of being abandoned. This is called a mortal sin. Understand?” “It is so easy to put our consciences to sleep when there is no love,” he said. “While we are young we are tempted to ignore old age as if it were an illness to hold at bay,” he

APRIL 2015

said. “But when we become old, especially if we are poor, sick and alone, we experience the failures of a society programmed for efficiency, which consequently ignores the elderly.” “We want to remove our growing fear of weakness and vulnerability, but doing so we increase the anguish of the elderly,” Pope Francis said. The aged are the “reserve of the wisdom of our people,” they have experienced and survived the struggles to raise a family and provide them with a dignified life, he said. Tossing them aside means tossing aside their experience and the way that experience can contribute to making life better today. A society that cannot show gratitude and affection to the elderly “is a perverse society,” the pope said. “The church, faithful to the word of God, cannot tolerate such degeneration.” “Where the elderly are not honred,” he said, “there is no future for the young.”

4 Sister Tuila Giraldo, OP 5 Sister Irma Gonzalez, IWBS 8 Sister Francisca Okwara, DDL 3 Deacon Benito Flores 6 Deacon Javier A. Garcia 12 Deacon Julio Castilleja 12 Deacon Irineo Gonzalez Jr. 15 Deacon Luis Zuñiga 18 Deacon Louis Oden 20 Deacon Jose A. Solis 21 Deacon Jose Guerra 24 Deacon Alejandro Gamboa

» Anniversaries

20 Rev. Roche Thiruchiluvai, ss.cc. 22 Rev. George Kerketta 26 Rev. Jose R. Torres III, OMI 28 Rev. Lee Dacosta 30 Rev. Jaime Torres 12 Deacon Inocencio Diaz 27 Deacon Antonio Osorio

May

» Birthdays

2 Rev. Msgr. Luis J. Garcia, JCL 5 Rev. Jose Villalon, Jr. 7 Rev. Hector Cruz, SM 7 Rev. Juan Manuel Salazar 14 Rev. Jorge A. Gomez 23 Rev. Roy Lee Snipes, OMI 24 Rev. Gregory Kuczmanski 25 Rev. Michael Amesse, OMI 27 Rev. Francisco J. Solis 7 Deacon Antonio Osorio 10 Deacon Juan Pablo Navarro 14 Deacon Roberto Cantu 21 Deacon Juan M. Delgado 5 Brother Orlando Rivera, MSC 7 Sister Therese Cunnigham, SHSp 8 Brother Mario Nagg,OFM 10 Sister Emily Perez, O.P 21 Sister Juliana Garcia, MJ

» Anniversaries

2 Rev. Carlos Zuniga 5 Rev. Msgr. Gustavo Barrera 7 Rev. Francois Tsanga, SCJ 10 Rev. Michael Amesse, OMI 10 Rev. Timothy Paulsen, OMI 11 Rev. Msgr. Louis Brum 11 Rev. Tomas Sepulveda, CSB 12 Rev. Raju Antonisamy, OMI 15 Rev. Paul Roman, FSSP 16 Rev. Thomas Luczak, OFM 17 Rev. Porfirio Garcia, OMI 23 Rev. Alejandro Flores

23 Rev. George Gonzalez 23 Rev. Miguel Angel Ortega 24 Rev. Gregory Kuczmanski 25 Rev. Arturo Castillo 25 Rev. Eduardo Gomez 25 Rev. Juan Manuel Salazar 25 Rev. Juan Pablo Davalos 25 Rev. Juan Rogelio Gutierrez 25 Bishop Emertius Raymundo J. Peña - retired 26 Rev. Andres Gutierrez 26 Rev. A. Oliver Angel, JCL 26 Rev. Jesus Paredes 26 Rev. Luis Roberto Tinajero 26 Rev. Martin De La Cruz 26 Rev. Ruben Delgado 26 Rev. Tomas Mateos – Retired 27 Rev. Aglayde Rafael Vega 27 Rev. Eduardo Ortega 27 Rev. Francisco J. Solis 27 Rev. Gerald Frank 27 Rev. Gregory Labus 27 Rev. Mario A. Castro 27 Rev. Oscar O. Siordia 28 Rev. Alfonso Guevara 29 Rev. Ignacio Tapia 29 Rev. Jorge A. Gomez 29 Rev. Luis Fernando Sanchez 29 Rev. Salvador Ramirez 31 Rev. Amador Garza 31 Rev. Ernesto Magallon 31 Rev. Mishael Koday 31 Rev. Terrence Gorski, OFM 5 Dcn. Roberto V. Cano 5 Dcn. Bruno Cedillo 5 Dcn. Juan M. Delgado 5 Dcn. John P. Kinch 5 Dcn. Alvino Olvera 12 Dcn. Agapito Cantu 12 Dcn. Roberto Cantu 12 Dcn. Julio Castilleja 12 Dcn. Alberto X. Chapa 12 Dcn. Augusto Chapa Jr. 12 Dcn. Hugo De la Cruz 12 Dcn. Jesus P. Galvan 12 Dcn. Alejandro Gamboa 12 Dcn. Jose G. Garza 12 Dcn. Irineo Gonzalez Jr. 12 Dcn. Roberto Ledesma 12 Dcn. Gilberto Lopez 12 Dcn. Ruben Lopez 12 Dcn. Juan P. Navarro 12 Dcn. Hector Perez 12 Dcn. Peter Requeñez 12 Dcn. Eduardo Reyna 12 Dcn. Salvador Rojas 12 Dcn. Manuel Sanchez 12 Dcn. Pedro F. Sanchez 12 Dcn. Carlos Treviño 12 Dcn. Rene Villalon 12 Dcn. Daniel Zamora 17 Dcn. Jesus E. Aguayo 17 Dcn. Benito Flores 17 Dcn. Alvin H. Gerbermann 17 Dcn. Juan Francisco Gonzalez 17 Dcn. Jose Guerra 17 Dcn. Benito Saenz Jr. 17 Dcn. Israel Sagredo 17 Dcn. Rodolfo C. Salinas 17 Dcn. Jose A. Solis 18 Dcn. Genaro Ibarra 21 Dcn. Eduardo Ovalle

Abril 2015

NOTICIAS EN ESPAÑOL 11

- The Valley Catholic

»Hermana Pimentel en el U.N.

Comparte historias de la frontera Arzobispo señaló liderazgo por defender la dignidad humana Por DEBORAH S. BOYCE The Valley Catholic “Todavía hay mucho que hacer,” dijo recientemente la Hermana Norma Pimentel, directora ejecutiva de Caridades Católicas del Valle del Río Grande, a los representantes de las Naciones Unidas de alrededor del mundo. “Tenemos la responsabilidad de continuar aportando soluciones a la crisis de inmigración. Y todo empieza con nosotras: las mujeres que somos el centro de la familia, y las familias proporcionan la fuerza para seguir adelante.” La Hermana Pimentel, de las Misioneras de Jesús, fue invitada a hablar en las Naciones Unidas en Nueva York por el Arzobispo Bernardito Auza, Observador Permanente de la Santa Sede en los Estados Unidos. El arzobispo señaló su liderazgo excepcional por defender la dignidad humana, su lucha contra el tráfico de mujeres y niñas, y más reciente aún, proveyendo asistencia humanitaria a miles de inmigrantes en la frontera de Estados Unidos y México. “Las mujeres tienen un don especial para fomentar la dignidad intrínseca de todos, especialmente de los más vulnerables, y para desarrollar los dones de otros,” dijo el Arzobispo Auza. Ellas tienen una sabiduría particular para dar orden a las situaciones más caóticas y para quebrar el hielo en las situaciones más marginales y deshumanizantes con el calor de un hogar.” Este verano pasado, el Valle del Río Grande se convirtió en un punto de entrada para miles de refugiados huyendo de la violencia en su país y buscando asilo en Estados Unidos. La Hermana Pimentel organizó recursos de la comunidad y formó centros humanitarios en Brownsville y McAllen. Mientras que la mayoría de inmigrantes proceden de los países centroamericanos como El Salvador, Honduras y Guatemala, la patrulla fronteriza de los Estados

The Valley Catholic

La Hermana Pimentel, de las Misioneras de Jesús, fue invitada a hablar en las Naciones Unidas en Nueva York el 18 de marzo por el Arzobispo Bernardito Auza, Observador Permanente de la Santa Sede en los Estados Unidos.

Unidos informa que se han procesado inmigrantes de 69 países, algunos tan lejanos como China y Ucrania. “La Hermana Norma y su agencia estuvieron al frente proveyendo una respuesta compasiva en plena crisis humanitaria,” dijo María J. Vorel, Vice Presidenta de Operaciones de Desastres para Caridades Católicas en Estados Unidos. “Varios expertos han dicho que este verano podría llegar nuevamente un influjo de niños y familias buscando una mejor vida.” Durante su discurso, la Hermana Pimentel compartió historias horrorosas sobre la violencia que pasan los refugiados en su jornada a los Estados Unidos y las condiciones abismales en las que se encuentran al ser detenidos al principio de la crisis humanitaria. “Cuando visité el centro de detención por primera vez el verano pasado, algo trágico se rompió

dentro de mí,” comentó, describiendo las condiciones de aglomeración de personas en el centro de detención fronterizo. “Estos niños, quienes habían viajado por semanas o meses, estaban apachurrados en las celdas como sardinas, con muy poco espacio para sentarse, mucho menos para acostarse. ¡No podía creer mis ojos! ¡Estos eran niños! ¡Chiquititos! “Oramos juntos, y lloramos juntos.” La Hermana Pimentel expresó su profunda apreciación y gratitud a los miles de voluntarios que llegaron de todo alrededor del país, representando comunidades de distintas creencias, y que siguen viajando a McAllen para servir a las familias de refugiados en el Centro Humanitario de Caridades Católicas en la Iglesia del Sagrado Corazón. “Se ofrecen de manera generosa, con amor y compasión, a

dar la bienvenida extraños,” ella comentó. “Me han conmovido profundamente.” Varias mujeres del Valle fueron elogiadas por la Hermana Pimentel por ser “verdaderas campeonas” al responder a las necesidades de las familias de refugiados: Esperanza Gelman, Alma Revesz, Bárbara Valdez y su hija Mónica Valdez Freeman, Carmen Garza, Sylvia Cárdenas, Vanessa Quintanilla, Herminia Forshage y Galilea González. “¡Estas mujeres fronterizas me animan cada día con su ejemplo al ver verdaderamente la presencia de Dios en sus vidas!” dijo la Hermana Pimentel. “Estas mujeres, y miles como ellas, respondieron con generosidad, sin esperar algún tipo de crédito por su servicio, sólo el placer de saber que los niños y familias están a salvo, y ahora están en un lugar mejor.” Sus esfuerzos humanitarios recibieron atención de los medios nacionales e internacionales, y su liderazgo compasivo es elogiado por figuras como el Senador Ted Cruz y la representante Nancy Pelosi. Nombrada una “líder indispensable” por la revista Texas Monthly, la Hermana Pimentel fue nominada “Texana del Año” y recibió el premio “Mantén el Sueño Vivo 2015” de las Caridades Católicas en Estados Unidos. El panel del 18 de marzo, con el tema “Las Mujeres Sosteniendo la Dignidad Humana,” se llevó a cabo se simultáneamente con la sesión número 59 de la Comisión del Estatus de la Mujer (CSW), una organización global intergubernamental exclusivamente dedicada a la promoción de la igualdad de género y fortalecimiento de la mujer. Otras ponentes incluidas fueron la Profesora Carolyn Woo de la Universidad de Notre Dame, la Presidenta los Servicios Católicos de asistencia; la profesora Michele Pierre-Louis de Harvard, la ex primer ministra de Haití; y la Sra. Magalie Dresse una empresaria Haitiana galardonada. La Hermana Pimentel y la profesora Woo estarán presentándose en la Conferencia de Mujeres Católicas que se llevará a cabo el sábado, 2º de mayo en la Iglesia Católica Nuestra Sra. de los Dolores en McAllen.

»Noticias Breves Conferencia de Mujeres organizada para el 2 de mayo Se invita a las mujeres a la Conferencia de Mujeres Católicas, programada durante el Mes de María el sábado 2 de mayo, de 8:30 a.m. a 4:30 p.m. en la Iglesia Nuestra Sra. de los Dolores en McAllen. El evento es organizado por diferentes ministerios de la Diócesis de Brownsville, las Hijas Católicas de las Américas y otros grupos de mujeres. Se espera que asistan al evento aproximadamente 500 mujeres. Los oradores principales incluyen el Monseñor Daniel E. Flores, Obispo de la Diócesis de Brownsville, y la Dra. Carolyn Y. Woo, presidenta y CEO de los Servicios Católicos de Ayuda. La conferencia incluirá sesiones en inglés y en español. Sesiones que reflejarán el tema: “Viviendo la Dicha del Evangelio y Celebrando al Genio Femenino.” La primer parte del tema es inspirado por la Exhortación Apostólica del Papa Francisco, “Evengelii Gaudium.” El segundo tema viene de los escritos de San Juan Pablo II sobre las mujeres, incluyendo su carta apostólica “Mulieris Dignitatem” sobre la dignidad y vocación de las mujeres. Para mayor información llame al (956) 536-4866 o para registrarse para ser un(a) expositor o vendedor(a) en la conferencia, contacte a María Luisa Guerra al (956) 648-0233.

Youth Jam: Evento de jovenes el 18 de abril Cientos de jóvenes de secundaria en todo el Valle del Río Grande se reunirán para la sesión anual de jóvenes el sábado, 18 de abril en la B. Garza Middle School, 1111 W. Sugar Cane Dr. en Weslaco. Todos los estudiantes de sexto, séptimo y octavo grado de la diócesis están invitados al evento, el cual empieza a las 8 a.m. y termina con una Misa de Vigilia celebrada por el Obispo Daniel E. Flores. El costo es de $20 y hay becas disponibles. Para más información sobre la sesión de jóvenes, envíe un correo electrónico a Monica Benítez a [email protected] o a Dora Rodríguez-Rosa a drodriguez@cdob. org o llame al (956) 784-5037.

12

NOTICIAS EN ESPAÑOL

The Valley Catholic -

Abril 2015

Un laico comprometido con la fe La Divina Misericordia

Hace casi 39 años de le dijo ‘Si’ al Señor

The Valley Catholic

Pedro Hugo comparte su tiempo ayudando en La Misión Holy Trinity en Falcon Heights y en Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Refugio en Roma.

Por JOSE S. CUESTAS The Valley Catholic ROMA — “Cuando tomes las manceras del arado no voltees para atrás.” Estas son las palabras con que Pedro Hugo Castillo quiso definir su ministerio de compromiso con la iglesia, con la fe y con los Católicos de La Misión Holy Trinity en Falcon Heights, donde por nueve años consecutivos ha desempeñado la labor del “Servicio de la Palabra” en apoyo a los sacerdotes Oblatos que han estado al frente de la Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Refugio en Roma, Texas. Hoy da su apoyo al personal religioso asignado a ese templo. “Fueron los primeros años de estancia en la Iglesia de Roma Texas del Padre Ricardo Philion,” dijo Castillo. “Domingo a domingo yo acudía a la Iglesia San Jose y San Judas en Salineño, Texas sirviendo en el ministerio de catequesis. Dieciséis años pasé realizando esta labor que me gustaba mucho y me sigue gustando porque es ahí donde tienes ese encuentro de enseñanza en tu fe; en la fe de la niñez y la juventud de tu comunidad.” Ahí fue donde el Padre Philion en su necesidad de tener atendida a la comunidad católica de Falcon Heights (un sector pequeño al norte del Condado Starr, en donde termina la Diócesis de Brownsville) y ante lo difícil de dar cumplimiento por el número de misiones que tenía que pastorear y aparte su iglesia, le dio la oportunidad a Castillo. Dijo, esta era la oportunidad “para la cual

años antes me había estado preparando el Señor la de dominicalmente convivir con mis hermanos en la fe, atender el servicio de la palabra”. Su fe comenzó a crecer cuando Castillo estaba viviendo en Ohio y trabajando en una fundidora. Dice Castillo, “que fue en esos años cuando el Papa Juan Pablo II recién había tomado su pontificado cuando comencé a involucrarme más profundamente en la fe y en la iglesia y comencé a prepararme en la renovación carismática. Tenía 40 años de edad y nunca creí que fuera tarde para empezar a reforzar mi fe Católica.” “Nueve años de estudio consecutivo, tres horas a la semana, después de mi trabajo en la fundidora en Ohio, me estaban forjando para el compromiso que me tenía preparado el Señor para después de mi jubilación y regreso a Texas.” “Ya en mi ‘terruño,’ dice Castillo, quise continuar recibiendo más y más instrucción religiosa y carismática y atendí un curso de Estudio Bíblico con unas hermanas religiosas; quienes bajo el auspicio del Padre Roy nos instruían en la religión en nuestra Iglesia de Salineño, Texas.” “El Padre Roy y el Padre

Hugo me tuvieron la confianza para catequizar los niños, instruirlos en la fe. Y fue en el periódo de trabajo del Padre Ricardo Philion cuando mi ministerio como laico comprometido, se definió para apoyo de mis hermanos en la fe de Falcon Heights.” Entre la comunidad, algunos feligreses están muy apegados y allegados a la acción de esta misión de la Iglesia Nuestra Señora del Refugio de Roma, Texas. Confirmaron el arduo trabajo que ha realizado Castillo para que no decayera la fe de los feligreses de este sector. Entré ellos se encuentran Aracely Talamantes, Eufemia Maldonado, Olga Barrera y su esposo Juan Isidro Barrera. Dijeron, “Somos una comunidad católica no muy numerosa quienes acudimos domingo a domingo al servicio religiosa y quienes estamos involucrados con la promulgación de nuestra fe. Castillo ha sido una parte esencial en esta labor, ha desempeñado su trabajo con acierto, con rectitud, con humildad, y aun cuando es un laico como nosotros, le damos respeto y él nos devuelve respeto y enseñanza. Estamos contentos de que Dios le haya encomendado esta tarea, a nosotros nos ha servido de mucho.”

El Papa anuncia un Año Santo de Misericordia

By CINDY WOODEN Catholic News Service

CIUDAD DEL VATICANO — El papa Francisco ha anunciado un extraordinario jubileo, un Año Santo de Misericordia, para enfatizar “la misión de la Iglesia católica de ser testiga de misericordia”. “Nadie puede ser excluído de la misericordia de Dios”, dijo el papa el 13 de marzo, al celebrar su segundo año de pontificado presidiendo un servicio de penitencia de Cuaresma en la basílica de San Pedro. “Con frecuencia he meditado cómo la iglesia puede hacer más evidente su misión de ser testiga de misericordia”, dijo durante su homilía. Es por eso que decidió declarar un Año Santo especial, que será celebrado a partir del 8 de diciembre del 2015 hasta el 20 de noviembre del 2016. El tema bíblico del año será, dijo, “Sean ustedes misericordiosos, como su Padre (Celestial) es misericordioso”, advertencia que se aplica “especialmente a los confesores”, dijo el Papa, acompañado de una sonrisa. Tradicionalmente, cada 25 años los papas han proclamado un año santo, que se distingue por celebraciones especiales y peregrinaciones, firmes llamados hacia

Stefano Spaziani/Catholic News Service

El papa Francisco se confiesa durante un servicio de la penitencia cuaresmal en la Basílica de San Pedro en el Vaticano marzo 13. Durante el servicio, el Papa anunció un jubileo extraordinario, un Año Santo de la Misericordia, a celebrarse del 08 de diciembre 2015 , hasta noviembre 20, 2016.

la conversión y arrepentimiento y el ofrecimiento de oportunidades especiales para sentir la gracia de Dios por medio de los sacramentos, especialmente la confesión. Los años santos extraordinarios, como este Año Santo de Misericordia, son menos frecuentes, pero en ellos se ofrecen las mismas oportunidades de crecimiento espiritual. Las puertas de la iglesia “están abiertas de par en par para que las personas que son tocadas por la gracia puedan encontrar la certidumbre del perdón”, dijo el papa Francisco en el servicio de penitencia, en el que hubo confesiones individuales. Y eso fue parte de una celebración mundial de “24 horas del Señor”, durante las cuales los templos católicos permanecieron abiertos para que los fieles pudieran orar, hacer adoración eucarística y confesarse.

En cada uno de los confesonarios de la basílica de San Pedro, como también en simples sillas distribuidas a lo largo de los muros, los sacerdotes les daban la bienvenida a los fieles que se acercaban a confesarse, y el papa, después de despojarse de las vestiduras sacramentales se presentó para confesarse él primero con otro ministro y para después, portando una estola de color morado, se ofreció para confesar a otras personas que se acercaban al sacramento de la penitencia. “Dios nunca cesa de demostrar la riqueza de su misericordia a través de los siglos”, dijo el Papa en su homilía, la cual pronunció antes de las confesiones. Dios toca el corazón de las personas con su gracia, llenándolas de arrepentimiento y de un deseo de “sentir su amor”.

CNS photo/Nancy Wiechec

La Fiesta de la Divina Misericordia tiene como fin principal hacer llegar a los corazones de cada persona el siguiente mensaje: Dios es Misericordioso y nos ama a todos ... “y cuanto más grande es el pecador, tanto más grande es el derecho que tiene a Mi misericordia” (Diario, 723). En este mensaje, que Nuestro Señor nos ha hecho llegar por medio de Santa Faustina, se nos pide que tengamos plena confianza en la Misericordia de Dios, y que seamos siempre misericordiosos con el prójimo a través de nuestras palabras, acciones y oraciones... “porque la fe sin obras, por fuerte que sea, es inútil” (Diario, 742). Con el fin de celebrar apropiadamente esta festividad, se recomienda rezar la Coronilla y la Novena a la Divina Misericordia; confesarse -para la cual es indispensable realizar primero un buen examen de conciencia-, y recibir la Santa Comunión el día de la Fiesta de la Divina Misericordia.

Dios nos ama, tiene sueños para nosotros, dice el papa By CINDY WOODEN Catholic News Service CIUDAD DEL VATICANO Los sueños de Dios para su pueblo son los sueños de un amante para su amada; son sueños de edificar un futuro juntos que esté lleno de alegría, dijo el papa Francisco. “¿Alguna vez han pensado esto?” ‘El Señor sueña conmigo. Él piensa en mí. Estoy en la mente y el corazón del Señor’”, dijo el papa el 16 de marzo durante su Misa matutina en la capilla de la Casa Santa Marta, donde vive. El Señor no solamente sueña con sus criaturas, dijo el papa. “Él hace planes:” Vamos a construir casas, plantar viñas, comer juntos’”. Enfocándose en la primera lectura del día -- un relato de Isaías sobre Dios prometiéndole a su pueblo que haría un nuevo cielo y una nueva tierra, un lugar donde siempre habría regocijo y felicidad -- el papa dijo que la lectura muestra cómo “el Señor sueña. Él tiene sus sueños, sus sueños para nosotros”. El lenguaje es marcadamente similar a cómo una pareja comprometida sueña su futuro: “Cuando estemos juntos, cuando seamos casados ...”, dijo el papa Francisco. Los planes de Dios, él dijo, son aquellos que “solamente un enamorado haría”. El hecho de que Dios “esté enamorado de nosotros”, él dijo, es algo que “creo que ningún teólogo podría explicar. No se puede explicar. Uno solamente puede pensarlo, escucharlo y llorar de alegría”. Creer en Dios, tener fe, “es hac-

er espacio para el amor y el poder de Dios”, él dijo. El poder de Dios no es un poder destructivo, sino “el poder de alguien que me ama, que está enamorado de mí y quiere alegrarse conmigo. Esto es fe. Esto es lo que significa creer: hacer espacio para que el Señor venga y me cambie”. El Papa Francisco también habló sobre el amor de Dios el 15 de marzo, cuando lideró la recitación del Ángelus de mediodía con los visitantes en la Plaza de San Pedro. Él se enfocó en el pasaje del Evangelio de Juan 3:16: “Sí, Dios amó tanto al mundo, que entregó a su Hijo único para que todo el que cree en él no muera, sino que tenga vida eterna”. “Esta es la expresión más simple que resume el Evangelio completo, toda la fe (y) toda la teología”, dijo el papa. “Dios nos ama con un amor libre y sin límites”. La cruz de Cristo, él dijo, es la prueba suprema del amor de Dios, un amor que abarca la misericordia y se la ofrece a todos. En la lectura dominical de la Carta de San Pablo a los Efesios, el papa señaló, el apóstol le dice al pueblo que Dios “es ‘rico en misericordia’”, nunca olviden esto, él es rico en misericordia”. “En la pasión y muerte de su hijo, él nos ha dado la comprobación de todas las comprobaciones: él vino a sufrir y morir por nosotros. ¡Tan grande es la misericordia de Dios! Él nos ama, él nos perdona. Dios perdona a todos y perdona siempre”.

Abril 2015

NOTICIAS EN ESPAÑOL 13

- The Valley Catholic

»La Alegría de Vivir

E

Morir por Cristo

l trágico evento que sucedió hace unas semanas, las imágenes de 20 cristianos cópticos de Egipto siendo decapitados por unos barbaros radicales que tratan de imponer un estado islámico (ISIS por sus siglas en ingles) en ciertas regiones de Irak, Libia y otros estados vecinos en medio oriente, nos deja muy claro que la persecución de cristianos que llevaba a cabo el emperador romano Nerón, cuando seguidores de Marcos el Evangelista formaron esta comunidad cóptica de egipcios cristianos en el siglo primero de la existencia de nuestra fe, sigue sucediendo ¡veinte siglos después! La muerte de las víctimas anteriores recientes, una de ellas inmolada en una jaula, fueron eventos chocantes y devastadores, pero hacerlo de una forma masiva, y por el simple hecho de que estas personas no renunciaron a su fe y hasta el último momento lo único que dijeron fue: “Jesús ayúdame!” nos deja claro lo desquiciado que están estos individuos que tratan de convencerse que estas atrocidades las llevan a cabo en nombre de Ala, los mismos líderes musulmanes los han denunciado, pues desacreditan al Islam como religión, al tratar de imponerlo como

»Vida Familiar

Msgr. Juan Nicolau

Sacerdote jubilado de la Diócesis de Brownsville

un estado político y barbárico. El Papa Francisco expresó que todos los cristianos, sin importar su denominación, ya sean católicos, ortodoxos, o reformistas protestantes, debemos sentirnos agredidos por este horrible suceso, y pidió oración por que la persecución de cristianos termine. Ahora que con el miércoles de ceniza, iniciamos los cuarenta días de preparación antes de conmemorar el calvario, muerte y resurrección de Jesús, practiquemos la cuaresma como un tiempo de verdadero cambio y renovación, para restablecer diálogos rotos con nuestros semejantes, y sobre todo, con Dios. Prestemos oídos atentos a la palabra de Dios en estos cuarenta días, en intensa oración y ayuno. La práctica del ayuno, para todo católico entre 17 y 59 años de edad es obligatoria cada uno de los viernes de cuaresma, además de la

semana mayor. Una persona que ayuna puede tener una comida completa al día y dos pequeñas raciones de alimento que le permitan continuar sus actividades diarias. El abstenerse de carne de res, pollo, puerco, y cordero es lo más común, pero cada individuo puede abstenerse además de aquello que más le causa tentación, como una forma de penitencia para abandonar los malos pasos y empezar a seguir los pasos de Jesús. ¿Serias tu capaz de morir por Cristo como el murió por nosotros y nuestra salvación? Y me refiero aquí no a una muerte física y en martirio como la padecieron nuestros hermanos cópticos cristianos de Egipto, sino a tomar la decisión de entregar a Jesucristo tu vida de ahora en adelante, dejando al pecador atrás, como muerto por sus pecados y en un pasado enterrado. Practicar la oración, la caridad y el ayuno nos ayudaran a lograr una verdadera conversión durante esta cuaresma. Todos necesitamos reflexionar sobre nuestros actos y tomar la decisión de cambiar para bien, podemos con humildad reconocer nuestras fallas y comenzar a enmendarlas... Y recuerda que Dios te ama y yo también.

Dos se vuelven uno

El cuarto de diez temas para la Catequesis Preparatoria para la Reunión Mundial de Familias, la cual tendrá lugar en Philadelphia del 22-25 de sept. es “Dos se vuelven uno.” En este documento titulado “El amor es nuestra misión: La familia totalmente viva”, los autores nos recuerdan que “No fuimos hechos para estar solos. Los seres humanos necesitan complementarse. Las amistades y comunidad satisfacen ese anhelo con lazos de intereses en común y amor. El matrimonio es una forma única e íntima de la amistad que llama a un hombre y una mujer a amarse en la manera del Pacto de Dios. El matrimonio es un Sacramento. El amor matrimonial es fructuoso y se ofrece sin reserva. Este amor es a imagen de la fidelidad de Jesús hacia la Iglesia.” San Pablo en sus epístolas comparó a menudo la relación entre hombre y esposa a la relación de Jesús como esposo con su esposa, la Iglesia (toda la humanidad; todos hechos a imagen y semejanza de Dios, Padre, Hijo y Espíritu Santo). A menudo me refiero al texto en una de las cartas de los Efesios como “la escritura del codo” porque cuando es proclamada en la liturgia del Domingo, inevitablemente veo a alguien codeando a su esposa o prometida. Efesios 5:22 “Las mujeres deben de respetar a su marido como al Señor.” Sin embargo, no esperan el siguiente verso en donde dice, “Esposos, amen a sus esposas, como Cristo amó a la Iglesia…” Y sabemos que Cristo murió por nosotros, la Iglesia, así que bromeo diciendo que las esposas tenemos que subordinarnos, ¡pero nuestros esposos tienen que morir por nosotras! En realidad, sabemos que Jesús nos enseña “el amor sacrificado” al cual somos llamados, especialmente en el matrimonio en donde necesitamos dar al otro todo lo que somos: 100/100 no

Lydia Pesina

Directora, Oficina de Vida Familiar

50/50. El Catecismo de la Iglesia Católica, párrafo1603 “La comunión íntima de vida y amor que constituye el matrimonio ha sido establecido por el creador y dotado por él con sus propias leyes… Dios mismo es el autor del matrimonio.” Si Dios es el autor del matrimonio, entonces como sociedad es importante mantener la definición del autor como la unión entre un hombre y una mujer. El párrafo 1605 de la Sagrada Escritura afirma que el hombre y la mujer fueron creados el uno para el otro: “No es bueno que el hombre esté solo.” La mujer, “carne de su carne,” su igual, su más cercana en todas las cosas, es dada al él por Dios como una “ayudante,” ella, entonces, representa a Dios de quien viene nuestra ayuda.” Hay una simpática historia de lo ocurrido en Génesis en la cual Adán se encuentra solo y triste pero Dios le dice que Él está creando una ayudante para él y que se llamará “mujer” y ella será hermosa, servicial, siempre la primera en pedir perdón, nunca le pedirá cuidar a los niños en la noche, y demás pero que será costoso: un brazo y una pierna. Así que Adán le pregunta “¿Qué puedo obtener por una costilla?” ¡y así que el hombre recibió por lo que pagó! El matrimonio es una hermosa relación de convenio en la cual un hombre y una mujer juran trabajar para construir su matrimonio a través de cada etapa y ciclo de la vida, manteniendo estos tres lados (como un triángulo) creciendo en

la relación (1) intimidad emocional y espiritual (2) intimidad física, y (3) compromiso de vida con Dios en el centro de este triángulo dotándolos de la gracia para crecer a través de las altas y bajas de la vida matrimonial. Ambos son llamados a ayudarse mutuamente para convertirse en un santo al ayudar a su cónyugue a crecer para ser la persona que Dios ha creado. Recientemente, en la Misa de la Celebración Diocesana del Día Mundial del Matrimonio, tuvimos el honor de tener a ocho parejas asistentes casadas por 70 años o más. Sr. and Sra. Clemente Cuellar, celebraban su aniversario matrimonial 76, un reportero de noticias en TV les preguntó cuál era el secreto para un matrimonio largo y fuerte, y ellos respondieron “Respeto”. Ellos son grandes testigos de que los matrimonios duraderos pueden ser matrimonios “vivos” no muertos. Cuando el reportero preguntó qué le diría a parejas casadas, el Obispo Flores respondió: “Cuídense mutuamente.” El Papa Francisco en su discurso a las personas comprometidas el 14 de feb. del 2014, señaló “No debemos permitirnos ser conquistados por la “cultura desechable.” Este miedo al “por siempre” se cura al confiar nuestro ser día a día al Señor Jesús en una vida que se convierte en un camino espiritual diario de crecimiento en común, paso a paso.” Que podamos recordar las 5 F’s del matrimonio “Free, Faithful, Fruitful, Forever, and Fun” (Libres, fieles, fructuosos, por siempre y divertidos) Invito a las parejas casadas a considerar la bendición de uno con el otro diariamente al mirarse y decirse: “Te amo; te acepto. Si te he lastimado, por favor perdóname. Señor Jesús guíanos con tu espíritu y bendice nuestro matrimonio hoy y siempre. Amén.

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The Valley Catholic -

APRIL 2015

Priest, sisters among community heroes honored Trading cards highlight work of local leaders By ROSE YBARRA The Valley Catholic Three of the eight individuals from the Rio Grande Valley honored by a secular nonprofit organization are Catholic, religious figures. The Dallas-based Building Community Workshop recognized Sister Phyllis Peters of the Daughters of Charity, the late Father Armand Mathew of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate and the late Sister Gerrie Naughton of the Sisters of Mercy with trading cards featuring their photographs on one side and a summary of their achievements on the other. The Building Community Heroes trading cards, which are released annually, “recognize the people working tirelessly, but often without acknowledgment, to make Dallas, Houston, and the Rio Grande Valley better and more just places for all,” according to the organization’s website. Proyecto Juan Diego, a nonprofit organization based in Cameron Park, was established in 2003 by Sister Peters. She came to the Brownsville area after spending

UN Talk,

continued from pg. 4

It is this response that upholds the dignity of humanity. And the world needs to be challenged to come forward and do likewise! Through it all, I am not sure what has touched me the most. The many families who were totally dehumanized when they arrived at our center, yet left refreshed, empowered, and feeling wonderful. Or maybe their arrival. As soon as they walk through the doors of the Humanitarian Respite Center at Sacred Heart Church, volunteers greet them with applause, saying, “Bienvenidos!” Welcome! And those mom’s faces break into tears of joy. In that moment I capture a glimpse of all they suffered in their journey. And then experience the loving presence of a merciful and loving God through volunteers’ responses. Or maybe the thousands of volunteers who so generously give of themselves, with love and compassion, to welcome the strangers in our midst. They have touched me so profoundly. That it is possible to unite with others of different faiths, ethnicities, and backgrounds, in a spirit of sisterhood, caring for others and upholding human dignity of those who need our help, brings great hope and enthusiasm in our efforts to bring about change in our countries. Early on in my religious life a dear woman took me under her wing, mentored me, and led me close to Jesus. A woman, who before she left us this past Nov. 17 to

Courtesy

The Building Community Heroes trading cards, released annually, featured Sister Phyllis Peters of the Daughters of Charity, the late Father Armand Mathew of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate and the late Sister Gerrie Naughton of the Sisters of Mercy.

10 years in ministry in Ethiopia. The mission of Proyecto Juan Diego is to educate and empower low-income families to make healthy choices and become socially responsible members of society. More than 500 have received U.S. citizenship through Proyecto Juan Diego, just to name one of the organization’s many programs. Sister Peters credited the staff at Proyecto Juan Diego for her success. “I don’t think it’s me,” said Sister Peters, a native of West Bend, Wisc. “I think it’s all the staff here. They have been doing a wonderful job and I think that is the most important thing. We go back to her Father in Heaven, blessed me and said, “Stay close to Jesus! Always turn to him for everything!” Sister Juliana Garcia told me, “We should always stand for what we say we believe.” Especially when it becomes challenging and difficult to understand others who disagree with what we do. Responding and keeping ourselves true to what we believe, as we carry out our work, is morally the right thing to do. Never did I imagine that responding to the immigration humanitarian crisis would bring me to the United Nations! I pray this opportunity makes present the hundreds of thousands of families who have migrated to the United States and other places in the world. And the thousands of volunteers who responded and are responding throughout the world, united with a single purpose: To uphold the dignity and respect of ALL! And to make known what has been done is not enough. There is still much to do. We all have a responsibility to continue to bring solutions to this immigration crisis. We must go back to our communities, our governments, our churches, our families and challenge them to say yes to a response that upholds the dignity of ALL! This is what we are called upon to do. To find those families, women, children who need us. And let us continue to respond with compassionate hearts and move others to do the same! Remember, “We should always stand for what we say we believe!”

Courage Ministry

Homosexuality and Hope Llame al (956) 455-8286, en confianza Please call (956) 686-7711, confidentiality assured www.couragerc.net

are only successful because of our staff.” Sister Peter said she was honored to be recognized along with Sister Naughton and Father Mathew. “That’s kind of awesome, because I think that Sister Gerrie and Father Armand are really both saints in my opinion,” she said. A champion for social justice causes, Father Mathew cofounded Center for Civic Engagement at the University of Texas at Brownsville in 2001 and was one of the founders of the Kids Voting Brownsville initiative, which educates children and young adults on the importance of voting.

In an interview with The Valley Catholic (Oct. 2010), Father Mathew said many didn’t understand how his work encouraging citizens to vote tied in to his priestly ministry. “It may seem like a secular activity, but the poor will never be lifted out of poverty until their voices are heard at the polls,” said Father Mathew, a native of Wolcott, Ind., who was in ministry in the Rio Grande Valley for more than 36 years. Father Mathew died in Brownsville on June 22, 2013 at the age of 90. A native of Ireland, Sister Naughton began her ministry in the community of Las Milpas in

South Pharr in 1987. At that time, the community was comprised mostly of undocumented immigrants and lacked basic services and infrastructure. Sister Naughton founded Project ARISE (A Resource in Serving Equality), providing English as a Second Language classes in Las Milpas. From there, the project expanded, providing programs and resources to give immigrants, especially women, the tools to successfully navigate life in the United States. Today, there are four Project ARISE centers, with two locations in Alamo, one in Edinburg and the original site in Las Milpas. Sister Naughton died of cancer on Oct. 29, 2009 at the age of 67, spending the vast majority of her life – 50 years – in religious life. “I think it is a beautiful tribute to Sister Gerrie and all the wonderful people who were recognized,” said Sister Rose Weidenbenner of the Sisters of Mercy, who is in ministry at Project ARISE in Alamo. Other individuals from the Rio Grande Valley honored by the Building Community Workshop included Narciso Martinez, who is regarded as the father of conjunto music and Dr. Juliet V. Garcia, who served as president of Texas Southmost College and the University of Texas at Brownsville from 1986 to 2014.

APRIL 2015

DIOCESE 15

- The Valley Catholic

»Media Resource Center

Good Friday focus: passion, death

» Calendar of Events April

Recommended by SISTER MAUREEN CROSBY, SSD Coordinator of the Media Resource Center - Diocese of Brownsville

»From the Bookshelf An Arkful of Animal Stories

2

Holy Thursday Diocesan Offices close at noon

3

Good Friday Diocesan Offices Closed

5

Easter Sunday

5

Mass for Children with Special Needs (Holy Family, Brownsville)

12 Divine Mercy Sunday Format: Paperback Length: 29 pgs Audience: Ages 3-7 Author: John Goodwin & Tina MacNaughton Publication: 2006 Pauline Books and Media What must it have been like for the animals on board the ark? Here are 10 stories – filled with mischief and humor – that prove a little cooperation goes a long way.

The Lectionary: A Treasure for Liturgy and Prayer

Format: Audio Books Length: 7 cds Audience: Adults Author: Father Felix Just, S.J. Ph.D Publication: Now You Know Me Media2010 This 18-lecture program will not only deepen your understanding and appreciation for the Catholic Lectionary for Mass, but also greatly increase your ability to use it more regularly and more fully throughout the liturgical year.

»Worth Watching Kids and The Sacraments: Baptism, Reconciliation, Communion & Confirmation

Format: DVD Length: 50 mins Audience: Ages 5-10 Author: Reverend Kenneth C. Overbeck Director: Paraclete Press - 2013 Father Ken uses interviews with kids, on-screen storyboard Bible teaching, images from around the world, and “on the road” field trips to explore in depth where certain things come from, like Baptism’s water, the altar bread of Communion, and the oil used at Confirmation.

San Agustin / San Pedro

Format: DVD Length: 200 minutes Audience: Adults Espanol, Italiano/ subtitlulos: Espanol Production: Clasification B Una tropa del ejercito romano logra atravesar las lineas enemigas y llega hasta Hipona. El joven jefe de la tropa, Fabius, se queda prendada de Lucilla, la sobrina de Augustin. El Tribuno Imperial, Valerius, decide enfrentarse a los vandalos, en contra de la opinion de Augustin…su conversion al cristianismo y su actividad episcopal hasta su retorno a Hiponia.

13 Theology Class (Office of Catechesis)

Mobile Journalist Rigoberto Ramirez/The Valley Catholic

14 Clase de Teologia (Office of Catechesis)

On Good Friday, the Church focuses on Jesus’ passion and death. It is the anniversary of the death of Jesus on the cross. As a sign of mourning, no Masses are celebrated on Good Friday. Instead, Catholics gather for a special service. The cross, the most powerful of all signs of Jesus’ love for humanity and of salvation, dominates this liturgy.

16 In-Service Program Statistic (Office of Catechesis)

Many parishes also lead a prayer of the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday. Also known as the Way of the Cross, Via Crucis, and Via Dolorosa, the 14 stations draw the faithful into prayerful reflection on Jesus’ journey though the streets of Jerusalem, weighed down by his cross, to the mount of Calvary outside the city gates, where he was crucified.

18-19 ForBetter ForEver (Family Life Office)

UN Talk,

continued from pg. 1

dor, Honduras and Guatemala, the U.S. Border Patrol reports immigrants from 69 countries have been processed, from as far away as China and the Ukraine. “Sister Norma and her agency were on the front lines providing a compassionate response in the midst of a humanitarian crisis,” said Maria J. Vorel, Catholic Charities USA’s Sr. Vice President of Disaster Operations. “Multiple experts have said this summer may bring another influx of children and families seeking a better life.” In her address, Sister Pimentel shared harrowing stories of the violence refugees face on their journey to the United States and the abysmal conditions they initially faced as detainees early on in the humanitarian crisis. “When I visited the facility for the first time last summer, something tragically ripped within me,” she said, describing the overcrowded conditions of the Border Patrol processing center. “These children, who had traveled for weeks or months, were packed into little cells like sardines, with very little space to sit, much less lie down. I could not believe my eyes! These were children! Tiny

little ones! “We prayed together, as we cried together.” Sister Pimentel expressed deep appreciation and gratitude for the thousands of volunteers who came from across the country, representing all faith communities, and who continue to travel to McAllen to serve the refugee families at Catholic Charities’ Humanitarian Respite Center at Sacred Heart Church. “They generously give of themselves, with love and compassion, to welcome the strangers in our midst,” she said. “They have touched me so profoundly.” Several women from the Valley were lauded by Sister Pimentel for being “true champions” in responding to refugee families’ needs: Esperanza Gelman, Alma Revesz, Barbara Valdez and her daughter Monica Valdez Freeman, Carmen Garza, Sylvia Cardenas, Vanessa Quintanilla, Herminia Forshage and Galilea Gonzalez. “These women from the border lift me up each day with their example of truly witnessing God’s presence in their lives!” Sister Pimentel said. “These women, and thousands more like them, respond with generosity, not expecting any credit for their service, only the pleasure of knowing the families, the children, are safe and are now in a better place.”

Her humanitarian efforts received national and international media attention, and her compassionate leadership is praised by figures ranging from Senator Ted Cruz to Representative Nancy Pelosi. Named an “indispensable leader” by Texas Monthly magazine, Sister Pimentel was nominated for “Texan of the Year” and received the “2015 Keep the Dream Alive” award from Catholic Charities USA. The March 18th panel, addressing “Women Upholding Human Dignity,” ran concurrently with the 59th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), the principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women. Other panel speakers included University of Notre Dame Professor Carolyn Woo, President of Catholic Relief Services; Harvard Professor Michele Pierre-Louis, the former Prime Minister of Haiti; and Mrs. Magalie Dresse an award-winning Haitian entrepreneur. Both Sister Pimentel and Professor Woo will be speaking at the Catholic Women’s Conference to be held Saturday, May 2 at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in McAllen.

Bishop Emeritus Raymundo J. Peña’s Calendar April 2 7 p.m. April 3 3 p.m. April 11 9 a.m. 10 a.m. April 17-19 April 22 6:30 p.m. April 25 10 a.m.

Mass of the Lord’s Supper Liturgy of the Passion Staff Retreat Sacraments @ Evins All Day-Bronc Awakening 22 @ Camp Loma de Vida Evins Ministry Mass @ Marian Conference @ Holy Spirit Confirmations @ St. Francis Xavier

Alamo Alamo Edinburg Edinburg Edinburg Edinburg McAllen La Feria

On going: 8 a.m. Mass Monday - Saturday at St. Joseph Chapel of Perpetual Adoration, 727 Bowie St., Alamo

2nd: Intention to the Permanent Diaconate the deacons (permanent and transitional) of the diocese and their families

3 p.m. Mass at St. Joseph Chapel of Perpetual Adoration, 727 Bowie St., Alamo

3rd : Intention to Married Life: for the welfare and sanctification of all the families in the diocese and for building up the Kingdom in our domestic churches

7 p.m. Holy Hour Weekly every Thursday at 727 Bowie St., Alamo 1st: Intention to the Consecrated Life (active and contemplative) and for the Sisters and Brothers in our diocese and the success of their mission

4th: Intention to the priesthood and the priests of the diocese for the success of their ministry 5th: Intention to Pope Francis

18 YouthJam (Youth Ministry)

30-3 Cursillo in Christianty of the Diocese of Brownsville (Holy Family, Edinburg)

May 1-3 Catholic Engaged Encounter (Family Life Office) 2

Convalidation Conference (Family Life Office)

2

Women’s Conference (Diocese of Brownsville)

10 Mother’s Day 11 Theology Class (Office of Catechesis) 12 Clase de Teologia (Office of Catechesis) 16-17 Retiro Pre-Matrimonial (Family Life Office) 17 Solemnity of the Ascension 21-24 Cursillo in Christianty of the Diocese of Brownsville (St. Eugene de Mazenod Renewal Center) 24 Pentecost 25 Memorial Day (Diocesan Offices Closed) 28-31 Cursillo in Christianty of the Diocese of Brownsville (Holy Family, Edinburg) Please submit your schedule to be published in The Valley Catholic by the first Friday of each month by email at [email protected] or fax: (956) 784-5082.

Divine Mercy Novena The Divine Mercy Novena begins on Good Friday and goes until Divine Mercy Saturday. The Divine Mercy Novena prayers were given to St. Faustina through an apparition of our Lord Jesus. Each day has a new petition that seeks God’s mercy for different purposes. The message of Divine Mercy is a powerful and moving way to grow closer to Christ. His Mercy is central to our lives, and we must continually depend on it and ask for it daily.

16

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Our Catholic Family

The Valley Catholic -

Volunteer committed to his faith Nearly 39 years ago, He said ‘Yes’ to God By JOSE S. CUESTAS The Valley Catholic ROMA — “When you take the plow by the handles don’t look back.” Pedro Hugo Castillo used these words to define his ministry in commitment to the Church, his faith, and all Catholics from Holy Trinity Mission in Falcon Heights, the place where for nine consecutive years he has carried out the work of “Servicio de la Palabra” in support of the Oblate priests who have been at the head of Our Lady of Refuge Church in Roma, Texas. “They were the first years of Father Ricardo Philion’s stay,” Castillo said. “Sunday after Sunday I would visit the Church of St. Joseph and St. Jude in Salinero, Texas, serving in the ministry of catechesis. I

The Valley Catholic

Pedro Hugo Castillo has volunteered in parish work for 39 years.

spent 16 years doing this work, which I enjoyed very much and continue to enjoy because you have an educational encounter with your faith, with the faith of children and the youth of your community.”

It was there Father Philion, in his need to attend to the Catholic community of Falcon Heights (a small sector north of Starr County where the Diocese of Brownsville ends) and the number of missions he had

to minister aside from his parish, gave Castillo the opportunity to serve. “This was the opportunity which God had been preparing me for years before,” Castillo said, “the opportunity to live every Sunday with my brothers in the faith, sharing the Gospel.” Castillo was living in Ohio, working in a steel foundry, when his Catholic faith began to deepen. “It was in those years when Pope John Paul II had just begun his pontificate, when I began to become deeply involved in my faith and in the Church. I began to prepare myself through the charismatic renewal movement. I was 40 years old and I never believed it was too late to begin to strengthen my Catholic faith. “After my retirement and my return to Texas, I attended a Bible study with religious sisters who, under Father Roy’s guidance, instructed us in religion at our church in Salineño, Texas.

APRIL 2015

“Father Roy and Father Hugo put their trust in me to catechize the children, to instruct them in the faith. It was during Father Ricardo Philion’s tenure that my ministry as a committed lay person was established as support for my brothers in faith at Falcon Heights.” Parishioners confirm the hard work Castillo put in so the faith of parishioners would not decline. Among them are Aracely Talamantes, Eufemia Maldonado, and Olga Barrera and her husband Juan Isidro Barrera who said, “We are a small Catholic community who come Sunday after Sunday and are involved in sharing our faith. Castillo has fulfilled his duties with wisdom, honesty and humility. Even though he is a lay person just like us, we treat him with much respect, and he shares with us that same respect and teaching. We are delighted that God has entrusted him with this task. He has helped us very much.”