INSI

DE Vocation Circle, p. 3

Texas Mission Conf., p. 4

Catholics Consider Bush’sFaith Based Plans, p. 5

Cardinal Consistory Photos,p. 6-7

Bush Restores MexicoCity Pro-Life Policy, p. 8

50th Anniversary of St.Ann’s School, p. 9

A Home for CatholicOutreach Services, p. 11

VOLUME XXIINUMBER 3

MAR2001

NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF SAN ANGELO PMangelus@aol.com • www.san-angelo-diocese.org

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Cardinals – ConsistoryCardinals To Hold ‘Extraordinary’Meeting On Church’s Future

see “CONSISTORY” page six

By John ThavisCatholic News Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) –Only days after creating 44 newcardinals, Pope John Paul II hasconvened a meeting in May of theentire College of Cardinals for awide-ranging discussion on thechurch in the third millennium.

The encounter, called an “ex-traordinary consistory,” will coverissues raised in the pope’s post-jubilee document, “NovoMillennio Ineunte” (“At the Be-ginning of the New Millennium”),which outlined the church’s pathin the 21st century, the Vatican an-nounced Feb. 26.

The meeting, the sixth consul-tative session of the College ofCardinals during Pope John Paul’spontificate, will take place May21-24. The last such meeting washeld in 1994 and dealt with thechurch’s strategy on abortion andplanning for the jubilee year.

Honduran Cardinal OscarRodriguez Maradiaga said the en-counter would no doubt touchupon internal church issues andbroader social justice questions.

In recent years, some cardinalshave suggested that the time wasright for a council or internationalgathering of bishops to discusspersistent pastoral problems in thechurch, like the shortage of priests,

the role of women and laity in thechurch, and care for divorced andremarried Catholics.

In an interview with a smallgroup of reporters Feb. 24, Cardi-nal Rodriguez said the May meet-ing of cardinals would addressecclesial problems, but would alsolook at the church’s role in fight-ing poverty, social injustice andcorruption — all of which posemajor obstacles in Latin America.

“The church has to think notonly of the problems inside, buthow to be what the pope is sayingin ‘Novo Millennio Ineunte,’ howto sail to the deep sea and not onlybe in your port,” CardinalRodriguez said.

Cardinal Rodriguez, the 58-year-old archbishop ofTegucigalpa and a member of theSalesian religious order, said hethought the pope was particularlyinterested in increasing collegial-ity in the church and in wideningforms of participation for all itsmembers. This was a theme of thepope’s sermon to the cardinalsFeb. 22.

Cardinal Rodriguez said suchmatters were important. But inLatin America, he said, many ofthe church’s biggest challengesare those created by social in-equalities.

“It is quite clear that justice isthe agenda for the 21st century inall our countries of Latin America.Many times justice comes only forpeople who arerich; the poor haveno right to havejustice,” he said.

He identifiedseveral crucialchallenges for thechurch as it entersthe third millen-nium:

— Increasingpoverty, whichhas reached thepoint in someplaces that“people becomeviolent to sur-vive.” He spoke oframpant violencein cities, includinga widespread kid-napping industryin which victims’families areforced to pay atdifferent “rates,”depending onwhere they fit inthe economicscale.

— Politicalcorruption, which

By John ThavisCatholic News Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Presiding over the largest consistory inhistory, Pope John Paul II created 44 new cardinals and asked them to“shine in wisdom and holiness” as they guide the church around theworld.

Gazing over a panorama of red vestments and pilgrims’ flags in St.Peter’s Square Feb. 21, the popesaid that, in elevating the new car-dinals, the church was not cel-ebrating earthly power but a senseof service and humility.

“Whoever wants to be greatamong you will be your servant,”the pope said at the start of hissermon, quoting Christ’s words tohis apostles.

The new cardinals includedthe heads of major archdioceses,Vatican officials, eminent theolo-gians and one longtime personalfriend of the pontiff, as well asseveral church leaders who werepersecuted or hindered by au-thorities during their pastoral ca-reers.

They came from 27 countriesand five continents — a geo-graphical mix that the pope saidhighlighted the church’s globalpresence in the 21st century.

Three Americans were amongthose cheered by friends, familyand faithful as they knelt beforethe pope and received thecardinal’s traditional “red hat”:Cardinals Edward M. Egan ofNew York, Theodore E.McCarrick of Washington and

A cardinal displays his pectoral cross and ring.In presenting the rings to 44 new cardinals Feb.22, Pope John Paul II said it is a “sign of dignity,of pastoral concern and of an even greatercommunion with the See of Peter.” (CNS photofrom Catholic Press Photo.)see “MEETING” page eight

PAGE 2 MARCH 2001

BISHOP PFEIFER

Lent is a Time toFast and Feast

By Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer, OMI

La Cuaresma es un Tiempopara Ayunar y Festijar

Por Obispo Miguel D. Pfeifer, OMI

March 2001Mar. 1-2: Rest and PrayerMar. 4: San Angelo, Cathe-

dral Church of the SacredHeart, 1:30 p.m. Rite of Elec-tions, 4:00 p.m. Rite of Elec-tions

Mar. 6: San Angelo, Dioc-esan Pastoral Center, Mass forStaff at 8:30 a.m., Diocesan Lit-urgy Commission meeting at10:00 a.m., Staff Meeting at11:00 a.m.

Mar. 7: San Angelo, Christthe King Retreat Center , Work-shop on Prison Ministry 10:00a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Mar. 8: St. Lawrence, St.Lawrence Church, Meet withPastor and Pastoral Councils of

St. Lawrence and Midkiff at 7:00p.m.

Mar. 9: Coleman, SacredHeart, Lunch with Priests ofAbilene Deanery at 11:30 a.m.

Mar. 11-12: San Antonio,Meeting of Texas Bishops

Mar. 13: Midland, Our Ladyof Guadalupe, Lenten Night ofPrayer for Priests, Sisters, Dea-cons and Wives of the Midland/Odessa Deanery at 7:00 p.m.

Mar. 14: San Angelo, St.Mary, Sermon and Soup atnoon

Mar. 15: San Angelo, Christthe King Retreat Center, StaffRetreat 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.,St. Margaret, Lenten Night ofPrayer for Priests, Sisters, Dea-cons and Wives of the SanAngelo Deanery at 7:00 p.m.

Mar. 17: Big Spring, St. Tho-

mas, Mass at 6:30 p.m.Mar. 18: Odessa, Our Lady

of San Juan, Mass at 8:30 a.m.and meet with Pastoral Councilafter Mass

Mar. 24: Brownwood, Sanc-tion Center, Mass at 2:00 p.m.

Mar. 25: Merkel, Our Lady ofMercy, Mass at 11:00 a.m.

Mar. 27-30: Private LentenRetreat

April 2001April 1: Rowena, St. Joseph

- 9:30 a.m. Confirmation (Con-firmation for Rowena, Olfen andMiles.)

April 3: Big Spring, SpanishInn - Lunch with Priests of theMidland/Odessa Deanery at11:45 a.m. San Angelo, St. Mar-garet - Lenten Penance Serviceat 7:00 p.m.

April 4: San Angelo, Dioc-esan Pastoral Center - Person-nel Board Meeting at 1:00 p.m.Eden, St. Charles - Lenten Pen-ance Service at 7:00 p.m.

April 5: San Angelo, Cathe-dral Church of the Sacred Heart- Chrism Mass at 11:00 a.m.Presbyterial Council meeting at1:30 p.m. Holy Angels PenanceService at 7:00 p.m.

April 6: San Angelo,Albertson’s - Go to Jail for theAmerican Cancer Society at11:00 a.m.

April 7: Odessa, St. Mary

The Bishop’sSchedule

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

A Scripps-Howard Company

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

The West Texas AngelusOfficial Newspaper of the Diocese of San Angelo

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

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

Lent is a time to fast and to feast. There are many ways to dothis. Lent is a reminder that we are on a journey, and the impor-tant thing is to know where we are going. It is a time to reflect onthe things that we can live with or without. Lent is a time to takestock of what we need or do not need on life’s journey. There isone thing that we cannot live without and that is God’s love.

During Lent we look at those areas where we need to fast inorder to improve our spiritual life. We need to identify how to fastfrom those anxieties and fears that keep us from being all thatGod wants us to be. Our fasting makes us look at the little thingsof daily living that give a hard edge to life. We need to fast fromgossip that attempts to put others down, from jealousy and envythat evoke sharp remarks, and from anger that deliberately keeps others out ofour life, and from arrogance that leads to disdain and harsh judgments, andself-centeredness that easily forgets about the needs of others.

Lent is also a time to feast – not in a physical way, but in a spiritual sense.Our feasting should be centered on God’s great love for us, and to see how wecan invite others into the great feast of God’s love for all. Our feasting should becentered on bringing joy and harmony to our world, to offering a kind word andwithholding critical remarks, to lending a hand or heart without being asked or

see “LENT” page eleven

La Cuaresma es un tiempo para ayunar y festejar. Hay variasmaneras para hacer esto. La cuaresma es un recuerdo que es-tamos en un viaje, y la cosa importante es saber a donde va-mos. Es un tiempo para examinar las cosas que podemos vivircon o sin. La Cuaresma es un tiempo para reflexionar sobre loque necesitamos o no necesitamos en el viaje de la vida. Hayuna cosa que sin la cual no podemos vivir y eso es el amor deDios.

Durante la Cuaresma estudiamos las áreas donde necesita-mos ayunar para mejorar nuestra vida espiritual. Necesitamosidentificar como ayunar de esos ansiedades y temores que nosprohiben ser todo lo que Dios quiere que seamos. Nuestro ayu-

no nos hace superar las cosas pequeñas de cada día que presentan un obstá-culo a la vida. Necesitamos ayunar del chisme que pone otros abajo, del celo yla envidia que producen comentarios cortantes, y del enojo que deliberada-mente no deja que entre otra gente en nuestras vidas, y de la arrogancia queproduce desdén y mal juicio, y del egocentrismo que fácilmente olvida las ne-cesidades de otros.

La Cuaresma es un tiempo para festejar – no en una manera física, pero enun senso espiritual. Nuestro festejar debe ser centrado en el gran amor de Dios

see “CUARESMA” page eleven

School - Diocesan SchoolsCommission Meeting - 9:00a.m. to 12:00 noon.

April 8: San Angelo, Cathe-dral Church of the Sacred Heart- Palm Sunday Mass at 9:45a.m. Holy Angels - Seder Mealat 6:30 p.m.

April 9: Wall, St. Ambrose -Lenten Penance Service at 7:00p.m.

April 10: San Angelo, Cathe-dral Church of the Sacred Heart- Lenten Penance Service at7:00 p.m.

April 11: Odessa, St. Eliza-beth - Lenten Penance Serviceat 7:00 p.m.

April 12: San Angelo, Cathe-dral Church of the Sacred Heart- Holy Thursday Mass at 7:00p.m.

April 13: San Angelo, St.Margaret - Good Friday - Pro-cession of the Cross from St.Margaret’s at 1:00 p.m. andStations of the Cross at Christthe King Retreat Center. St.Joseph, San Angelo - Good Fri-day Service at 7:00 p.m.

April 14: San Angelo, Cathe-dral Church of the Sacred Heart- Easter Vigil Mass at 8:00 p.m.

April 15: San Angelo, St.Mary - Easter Sunday Mass at11:00 a.m.

April 16: San Angelo,Bishop’s Residence - Easter

Dinner for Staff at 6:00 p.m.April 17-18: Rest and Prayer.April 19: Rankin, St. Thomas

- Confirmation at 6:30 p.m.(Confirmation for Rankin,Crane, Big Lake, McCamey andIraan.)

April 20: San Angelo, Dioc-esan Pastoral Center - Mass forstaff at 8:30 a.m. Angelo Catho-lic School - Earth Day PrayerService at 11:00 a.m. Apprecia-tion Dinner at Newman Centerat 7:00 p.m.

April 21: Sonora, St. Ann -Confirmation at 7:00 p.m.

April 22-23: San Antonio,MACC Board meeting.

April 25: Abilene, Holy Fam-ily/Sacred Heart - Confirmationat 6:30 p.m.

April 26: Wall, St. Ambrose,Confirmation at 7:00 p.m.

April 27: San Angelo, Dioc-esan Pastoral Center - StaffMeeting at 11:00 a.m. CathedralChurch of the Sacred Heart -Confirmation at 6:30 p.m.

April 28: San Angelo, Con-vention Center for St. Josephat 5:00 p.m.

April 29: Brownwood, St.Mary - Confirmation at 1:30p.m.

April 30: San Angelo, SacredHeart - First Eucharist and Con-firmation at 6:30 p.m.

MARCH 2001 PAGE 3

VOCATIONS

Vocation Circle

Could you be in this picture?

To find out, come and meet the Incarnate Wordand Blessed Sacrament Sisters who are called ...

... to adore the Incarnate Word and to become reminders of His love through our lives,

our prayers, and our ministry in the Church.

For information contact: IWBS Vocation OfficeIncarnate Word Convent, 1101 N. E. Water St., Victoria, TX 77901

(361) 575-7300 or 575-7111; iwbsvoc@yahoo.comcatholic-forum.com/iwbsvictoria or (shared) rsbp.org.

see “VOCATION”, page four

Catholic VolunteerismOur Vocation Of Holiness

by Fr. Tom Barley, JCLDirector of Vocations andSeminarians

Have you ever come to the endof a day, a weekend, a week, amonth or maybe a summer andrealized that you did less than youcould have done or wanted to do?Although we can be very busy attimes, sometimes, on reflection,we realize that we missed oppor-tunities. It’s not that we don’t doanything worthwhile; it’s just thatthere are so many opportunitiesand ways to serve God’s people.These opportunities can be regu-lar or occasional activities. Theycan last a few hours or they canlast several years. They can leadus to use our best talents or to de-velop new gifts and skills.

Every Catholic has the voca-tion to holiness that begins at Bap-tism. This has been our call to ac-tion from the earliest time in theChurch. Jesus didn’t do too muchtalking about service or loving. Hejust went out and forgave, healed,and loved when the situationcalled for it. Instead of doing whatwould have been easier, Jesus re-sponded to the need of others, allthe way to the Cross. St. Paul of-ten calls the Christian Communityto live their faith by reaching outto people in need. In 1Cor. 13:1-13he describes the compassionatenature of love – the greatest giftof the Holy Spirit. The secondchapter in the Letter of St. Jamescalls us to make our faith comealive by our works. At the recentDiocesan Conference Day welearned that one of the elementsof Catholic social teaching is ser-vice. Our covenantal relationshipwith God, all people, and creationcalls us to holiness by a faith thatis lived out in Christian service.Therefore, this article is aboutvocation as well as exciting andeye-opening opportunities andexperiences. As Catholics, theSacraments nourish our lives sothat we will share Christ’s lovewith others without counting thecost. The combination of the Sa-cred Scriptures and the Eucharistenables us to do things we wouldnever otherwise believe would be

possible for us. For God, all thingsare possible.

There are many opportunitiesfor works of charity and ministry.A few months ago I mailed a copyof Connections 2001 to every par-ish. This is a listing of manyCatholic ministry experiences allover the U.S. or overseas that lastfrom a summer to several years.They are for people ages 18 andabove. Some require professionaldegrees or special skills. Othersrequire the desire to minister toothers. These are under the super-vision of well-established Catho-lic organizations. The descriptionsof the ministries are varied andinclude education, social work,medical services, pastoral minis-try, and care of children, youth,and the elderly.

Some parishes organize briefmissionary experiences overseasor in poor and needy areas withinthe Southwest. As Pope John PaulII said in The Church in America,“Parishes in America should bedistinguished by their missionaryspirit, which leads them to reachout to those who are far away.” Forexample, a group of eighteenmembers from St. Ambrose Par-ish in Wall will make a mission-ary trip to Honduras this summerto work in the Chamelecon barrioof San Pedro Sula. They will builda home and engage in other workto share faith with Catholics there.Their missionary efforts will besupported by the parishioners,through prayers and financial sup-port.

Last summer one of our semi-narians, Ruben Covos from HolyRedeemer Parish, went on aseminary-sponsored trip toLithuania and Rome. Ruben andseveral other seminarians fromConception College Seminary inConception Missouri left from theseminary on their journey toLithuania. The experience was tohelp them to see the strength ofthe Church after 50 years of sup-pression and persecution. On ar-riving in Vilnius, the capital ofLithuania, the group visited sev-eral churches where there werealways people – in contrast withwhat they experience at home –young and old, coming to pray.This impressed the seminarians

that faith and prayer were suchstrong values to a people who hadsuffered for their faith when itwould have been easier for themto abandon the Faith. Sufferingand deprivation often result in acontinuing living faith rather than“Just on Sunday.” After a few daysin Vilnius, the group went to theirassignment. The seminariansworked to repair a Church-runcamp for youths. During their timeat the camp the seminarians slepton the floor, did manual labor,washed in cold water or a river,ate the meager local diet, experi-enced the rains and the cold of thearea, met the local people, andgathered to pray. They engaged intheir manual labor with much en-thusiasm, finding strength in theirown company and meaning in thework and the harsh circumstances.Their spirits were lifted in know-ing that their efforts were for thesake of others. They worked withthe youths at the camp findingthem to be very spontaneous andcreative. While language was a bigbarrier, they found ways to com-municate, to share the specialmoments, and to develop goodrelationships. At the end of theirwork in the camp, the seminariansspent time at the Baltic Sea relax-ing and trying to swim in the freez-ing waters. The next part of theirjourney was a pilgrimage to Romewith Lithuanian youth for theWorld Youth Day. In LithuaniaRuben saw how universal (catho-lic) our Church is. In Rome, withthe millions of youth from all overthe world, he had a better sense ofhow vast, diverse, and rich in en-thusiasm and culture the Body ofChrist is. The beauty of it all wasseeing that the common thread ofeveryone there was their unity toChrist and how they made up HisMystical Body. After returning tothe seminary, Ruben realized thatthe experience had opened hiseyes and changed his life in manyways. He is more conscious of andgrateful for the many blessingsthat surround him. He is moreaware of the universality of thefamily of the Church that stretchesacross the globe and shares thesame beliefs and faith. Ruben alsohas an appreciation for the sacri-fice and suffering that have beenendured by many of the faithfularound the world to preserve theCatholic faith for generations to

come. He asks that we rememberto pray for all the missions andmissionaries.

There are many local opportu-nities for Christian service andacts of charity. Many studentsneed tutoring in various subjectsat schools and literacy councils.Hospitals, nursing homes, andother health agencies welcomevolunteers. Youth facilities andorganizations often need rolemodels for the youths they serve.Libraries have reading programsto the young or to the elderly.Groups like soup kitchens, “Mealson Wheels,” Catholic Charities, St.Vincent de Paul and other charitystores; “Habitat for Humanity”and “Christmas in April” can al-ways use a helping hand. Thereare many service groups in manyof the cities and towns of the Dio-cese. Ministry to the incarceratedneeds workers and support – start-ing with prayer groups. Your par-ish may need religious educationteachers, ministers to shut-ins,youth workers, choir members,etc. There are many opportunitiesthat are available to us in our own

towns if we only make the effortto seek them out.

It helps if we become aware ofthe opportunities that are availablefor us or if we learn that we canreach out and develop new oppor-tunities ourselves. A few years agoI began taking girls from my par-ish to a convent in San Antonio.On one of these “Nun-Runs” theSisters took the girls and theirchaperones out to places wherethey ministered, to places whereother women ministered in vari-ous professional settings, to areaswhere potential ministry could bestarted by other people, and tohear the stories of other Sisterswho ministered in other parts ofthe world. A visit or a call to yourpastor or an existing agency maygive you a new insight into a newway to reach out to people in need.

In reality, there are many op-portunities and there are excusesthat stop us from finding the timeto do any of them. Yet, maybe atsome point in our busy and re-sponsible lives we can find a littletime to share with others in need

PAGE 4 MARCH 2001

DIOCESE

Bendción De NuevasViviendas EnChamelecón

Editor’s Note: This article is from the Nov. 26, 2000 issue of Fides,the national Catholic newspaper of Honduras.

Producto del trabajo de la comunidad, y el apoyo de la iglesia, enel sector de Chamelecón se bendijo un total de cincuenta y siete casasnuevas para familias que fueron afectadas por el huracán Mitch.

Las casas pertenecen a las comunidades de San José, San Jorge,San Juan, Morales II, III y IV, beneficiando alrededor de cien familiasy fueron construidas por los mismos beneficiarios y el apoyo de jóve-nes pertenecientes a las maras.

El obispo de San Pedro Sula, Monseñor Ángel Garachana fue invi-tado por las comunidades y por el padre Thomas Goeckler, párroco,para que recorriera las diferentes colonias y diera la bendición a lascasas.

Monseñor Garachana acompañó a toda la comunidad en un cami-nata de tres horas por las colonias beneficiadas. Al finalizar la bendi-ción de las casas, se celebró la Sagrada Eucaristía con los sacerdotesinvitados y el padre Thomas, como acción de gracias de parte de lacomunidad en el año jubilar.

Honestidad Y Trabajo ComunitarioSegún declaró el padre Thomas, Con menos de cien mil dólares y

el trabajo de toda la comunidad construimos casi sesenta viviendaspara personas afectadas por el huracán Mitch, sin intereses ni nada.Eso demuestra que el dinero rinde si se utiliza bien. ¿Qué ha pasadocon los billones de dólares que vinieron para reconstruir después delHuracán Mitch? Es muy diferente trabajar con la comunidad, desdeabajo, en una situación verdadera y real.

Yo estoy muy impresionado con la colaboración de todas las fami-lias y de los hombres de la mara, porque quieren trabajar y mejorarsus vidas y no tienen oportunidad ni esperanzas. En este programanunca tuvimos ningún problema con ellos. Este ejemplo nos puedeservir para darles una esperanza para el futuro, y ofrecerles oportuni-dades para trabajar.

Tal vez la población pueda empezar a considerarnos como perso-nas y no como basura de la sociedad. Muchas personas e institucionesa quienes se les solicitó ayuda para la construcción de las casas senegaron por temor a la población de Chamelecón, pero tal como lohemos compartido, somos personas que seguimos a Cristo. Nuestromensaje jubilar es que los recursos que tenemos debemos compartir-los con los más necesitados, con los marginados, de una manera res-ponsable, de manera que los pobres reciban el dinero, y no con lacorrupción que ha existido hasta ahora en el país finalizó.

Según declara el padre Thomas, el proyecto asciende a unos ochentay cinco mil dólares obtenidos de dos donaciones de la congregaciónde Maryknoll y una donación de la diócesis de San Angelo en Texas.

In observance of the 50th Anniversary of ordination to the Priest-hood of Rev. Louis B. Moeller his family is compiling a memorybook.

We know he would enjoy your sharing with him – a greeting, aletter, a favorite memory, photos (will not be returned) – anythingyou’d like to address to him.

The pages will measure 8 1/2” x 11“ and original works will beused. If possible, please do not fold.

Submit all correspondence by April 15, 2001 to:Juanita (Moeller) Casarez5307 47th St.Lubbock, Texas 79414

50th Anniversary ofOrdination for Fr.Moeller

Texas MissionConferenceby Msgr. Larry Droll

Father Gallela Prasad from In-dia, currently stationed at St.Joseph’s Church in Rowena,spoke on February 13, 2001 at theTexas Mission Conference inHouston. The Texas Mission Con-ference is composed of people inthe Dioceses of Texas who are incharge of local efforts in promot-ing foreign missionary activity.Many of them also are in chargeof the Office of the Congregationof the Faith, which arranges formission appeals to be given in lo-cal parishes. Representatives ofMaryknoll and other missionarysocieties were also in attendance.

Father Prasad spoke about hisexperience as a Catholic priest inIndia. He noted that although thereis no official persecution of peoplewho become Catholics in India, inmany of the villages, those whoconvert will not receive scholar-ships for their children to attendschool, nor will they be given theopportunity for jobs. Therefore,once families convert to Catholi-cism, the Church must set upboarding schools for the children,if they are to have an opportunityto survive.

Also serving on the same panelwas Father Tom Goekler, MM,Maryknoll missionary in the slumarea of Chamelecon in San PedroSula, Honduras. He spoke abouthis work among the Mara, theyouth gangs, and also his effortsin providing housing for peoplewhose homes were damaged inHurricane Mitch. The Diocese ofSan Angelo has helped to financeapproximately 1/3 of the 72houses that he has already con-structed, through donations fromthe annual collections for the Dio-

cese of SanPedro Sula inHonduras.

The effortsof the Diocesesof Texas andOklahoma to es-tablish partner-ships with theDioceses ofHonduras hascome to becalled the “Hon-duras Initiative.”Representativesfrom the Dioceses in Hondurasand the Dioceses of Texas andOklahoma met with the staff ofCatholic Relief Services, which isorganizing the partnership meet-ings. Msgr. Larry Droll, Chancel-lor of the Diocese of San Angelo,attended on behalf of the SanAngelo participants.

Later this year, Father TomBarley, Vocation Director, SisterHilda Marotta, Coordinator forYouth Ministry, and SisterMalachy Griffin, Coordinator forCampus Ministry, will travel toHonduras to meet with their coun-terparts in the Diocese of SanPedro Sula. In September, the Dio-cese of San Angelo will receive areturn visit from officials in theSan Pedro Sula Diocese.

The keynote address at theTexas Mission Conference was

given by Cardinal-elect OscarRodriguez, Archbishop ofTegucigalpa in Honduras. On be-half of all of the Bishops andpeople of the Dioceses of Hondu-ras, Cardinal Rodriguez expresseshis gratitude for all the help re-ceived in the wake of HurricaneMitch. There have been many do-nations and visits from people inthe Dioceses of Texas and Okla-homa. He noted that, althoughHurricane Mitch was disastrous,“at least since Mitch, we know weare not alone.” His talk was basedon the document of Pope JohnPaul II, “The Church in America,”which notes that all Catholics inNorth, Central and South Americabelong to one Church. Our com-munion with one another mustcome to be expressed in relation-ships and structures of solidarity.

Fr.Gallela Prasad

VOCATIONfrom page threeas Christ has shared with us some-time in our lives. Don’t wait forthe opportunity to come your way.Take a while to pray over this in-vitation. Make a decision, makeplans, and then take action. Enterinto an act of sharing Christ’s loveby serving and loving others.

St. Stephen’s Parish, Midland, Texas is searching for a youth min-ister. Music skills and youth charisma are needed. Salary will dependon experience and education. St. Stephen’s is a small, happy parishof about 600 families. Please send resume to: Father James Bridges,4601 Neely Avenue, Midland, TX 79707, Ph. (915) 520-2659.

Youth MinisterNeeded

MARCH 2001 PAGE 5

NATIONAL

see “FAITH-BASED”, page eleven

Catholic Leaders EncouragedBy Bush’s Faith-Based Plansby Patricia ZaporCatholic News Service

WASHINGTON (CNS) —Two cardinals and the president ofCatholic Charities USA haveweighed in on President Bush’splan for faith-based initiatives,saying they’re encouraged by thetone of the proposals.

In a Feb 12 statement issued aschairman of the U.S. bishops’ Do-mestic Policy Committee, LosAngeles Cardinal Roger M.Mahony said the bishops welcomethe administration’s attention tothe battle against poverty and therole faith-based groups have infighting it.

He also raised a handful of is-sues about how the initiative willbe implemented, from protectingthe dignity of social service recipi-ents to respecting the religiousintegrity of the providers.

Philadelphia Cardinal AnthonyJ. Bevilacqua and Jesuit FatherFred Kammer, Catholic CharitiesUSA president, also discussedtheir concerns for how the initia-tive will work in op-ed pieces pub-lished in major newspapers Feb.10 and 11.

In his statement, CardinalMahony said that “the Bush ad-ministration has made clear thatthis initiative is about building upcommunity, not tearing down gov-ernment.”

The initiative appears to recog-nize the pluralism of Americanreligious life and the contributionsof nonreligious community insti-tutions, he added. “They appear totake seriously the concerns andfears of those who have doubtsabout stronger ties between reli-gious groups and the govern-ment.”

Cardinal Mahony said the bish-ops are encouraged by the choiceof Indianapolis Mayor StephenGoldsmith to head thegovernment’s volunteer programsand of University of Pennsylvaniaprofessor John DiIulio to head theWhite House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.

He said the bishops particularlywelcome “the clear recognition by

the president that faith-based andcommunity efforts cannot substi-tute for just public policy and theresponsibilities of the larger soci-ety, including the federal govern-ment.”

The efforts of the churchthrough organizations includingCatholic Charities, the CatholicCampaign for Human Develop-ment, the Catholic Health Asso-ciation and Catholic schools andparishes already serve millions ofpeople a year, touching hearts andchanging lives in the process, Car-dinal Mahony noted.

“But our efforts cannot replacethe needed government action toaddress the more than 40 millionAmericans without health care,the many children who go to bedhungry and the millions of fami-lies who work every day but can-not provide a decent future fortheir children,” he wrote.

“Our nation still needs signifi-cant public investments in healthcare, nutrition, child care andhousing. Faith-based and commu-nity initiatives are essential, butgovernment still has an indispens-able role in assuring that the basicneeds of the American people aremet,” he said.

In an op-ed column that ranFeb. 11 in the Philadelphia In-quirer daily newspaper, CardinalBevilacqua noted that the Arch-diocese of Philadelphia is alreadythe largest provider of social ser-vices in Pennsylvania.

Working with the state and fed-eral governments, he said, thearchdiocese is involved in pro-grams that assist homeless peoplewith AIDS, dependent and delin-quent children, mentally andphysically disabled adults andchildren, and the elderly.

The cardinal said althoughsome people have voiced fearsabout expanded church-govern-ment partnerships jeopardizingthe separation of church and state,“the men who wrote the U.S. Con-stitution never intended to erect ahigh and impenetrable wall ofseparation between church andstate, especially in areas where the

goal is the same — the improve-ment of society.”

In a column that ran Feb. 10 inThe Washington Post daily news-paper, Catholic Charities’ FatherKammer said recent discussionabout whether the faith-based ini-tiative is appropriate has over-looked what already exists.

“The current debate is mostfrustrating in that it has effectivelyignored how we and other reli-giously sponsored social serviceagencies have had such partner-ships with governments for morethan a century,” he wrote. Not onlydid those partnerships help Catho-lic Charities’ affiliates serve morethan 9.5 million people at 1,400locations in 1999, they also havepassed muster with the U.S. Su-preme Court, he noted.

Father Kammer said CatholicCharities supports various safe-guards to ensure that services pro-vided through church and commu-nity groups are credible and pro-fessional.

He said he applauds theadministration’s declarations thatthe program is meant to supple-ment what government does, notreplace it. But, he added, “the testof any new policy should bewhether the total help to the poorand vulnerable will be increasedand by how much.”

Father Kammer said affordablefamily housing and quality daycare for children with workingparents are the areas of greatestneed for public-private partner-ship.

He lauded President Bush’sannouncement of new federal taxdeductions for charitable contri-butions by taxpayers who do notitemize deductions, but added:“Such deductions should not befunded by cuts in direct aid to thepoor for day care, job training andcash assistance.”

Civil Rights LeadersSpeak Out On Bush'sFaith-Based PlanBy Michael D. WambleCatholic News Service

CHICAGO (CNS) -- "The church is higher than government. Thecross is higher than the flag," proclaimed Kweisi Mfume to a stand-ing-room-only congregation at St. Sabina Catholic Church on the SouthSide of Chicago Feb. 11.

Mfume, president of the National Association for the Advance-ment of Colored People, addressed members of the predominantlyAfrican-American parish in a speech interwoven with religious imag-ery and political jabs at President Bush's recent establishment of theWhite House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.

The former five-term Maryland congressman and past head of theCongressional Black Caucus was joined by the Rev. Jesse Jackson ata special Mass celebrating Black History Month.

Mfume, a Baptist who attended Catholic schools in Baltimore, criti-cized the president's proposal as taking away funds from "an alreadyshrinking pot of public money for education" and other governmentprograms to create what he called murky relationships with churchesand faith-based organizations providing social services.

Before Mfume spoke, Rev. Jackson, previously unscheduled forthe program, moved toward the dais to detail his history in the moderncivil rights movement.

As he rose, Father Michael Pfleger, pastor of St. Sabina, broughtthe parishioners to their feet in support of Rev. Jackson and his fourdecades of activism, despite his recent public admission of fathering achild out of wedlock.

Father Pfleger said of Rev. Jackson's critics, "You will not hangthis man out to dry. We will not let you hang this man out to dry."

While Rev. Jackson praised the NAACP, likening the oldest his-toric civil rights organization to Noah's Ark, he pummeled thepresident's plan to provide financial support for faith-based programsas short-sighted.

"Faith-based programs? This is a faith-based program," Rev. Jack-son said of the black history celebration that was part of the Mass."Churches must not have to choose short-term pleasure for long-termpain."

In a interview following the Mass, Mfume told The Catholic NewWorld, newspaper for the Archdiocese of Chicago, that the Bush ad-ministration would be better served finding other means of support-ing faith-based groups.

"There have always been faith-based initiatives. This didn't developwith the advent of George Bush," said Mfume.

"It is to be commended that the administration wants to do some-thing," he said. "I think this administration would be better off takingthat kind of money and putting those kind of initiatives toward organi-zations that work with the church so that you don't co-opt the church."

The NAACP leader also said he felt churches could lose their pro-phetic voice if they become further entangled in government regula-tions and dependent on government money.

"The one thing about the church that is singularly significant isthat it is the moral consciousness of our nation," he said.

Mfume added, "If government wants to do something, then its firststep should be in helping to carry out the mission of the church to feedthe hungry, to clothe the naked, house the homeless, teach the illiter-ate, provide guidance for our young people and security for our se-niors.

Pray forPeace

PAGE 6 MARCH 2001

VATICANCONSISTORYfrom page one

Washington Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick receives thecardinal’s ring from Pope John Paul II Feb. 22 in St. Peter’sSquare. (CNS photo from Catholic Press Photo.)

A procession with the new members of the College of Cardinalsmakes its way across St. Peter’s Square at the start of theconsistory Feb. 21. (CNS photo from Reuters.)

A view from the top of Bernini’s Colonnade shows the consistory gathering in St. Peter’s Square Feb.21. Pope John Paul II elevated 44 church leaders to the rank of cardinal during the service. (CNSphoto from Reuters.)

Avery Dulles, a Jesuit theologian.The pope, dressed in gold vest-

ments that glimmered in the sun-shine, read the formula of creationand the names of all 44 cardinalsat the start of a Liturgy of theWord. He asked them to be “fear-less witnesses” of the Gospel inevery corner of the earth.

Later, the new cardinals kneltone by one before the pope andaccepted the red biretta and awarm embrace from the pontiff.Three Eastern-rite prelates, how-ever, declined the red hat becausethey felt it was inconsistent withtheir own traditions. It was the firsttime such an exemption had beengranted, and the Vatican said itshowed the pope’s respect for theEastern churches.

Most of the cardinals were as-signed honorary care of a churchin Rome, marking their new mem-bership in the clergy of Rome. Buttwo Eastern church patriarchs alsodeclined that honor.

The ceremony marked the in-duction of the largest group of car-dinals ever named, bringing totalmembership in the College of Car-dinals to 184. Of these, 135 werebelow age 80 and therefore eli-gible to vote in a papal conclave.

The newcomers included twoprelates whom the pope namedcardinals secretly, or “in pectore,”in 1998, revealing their namesonly in January. One was an oldpersonal friend of the Polish-bornpontiff, Cardinal Marian Jaworski,the Latin-rite archbishop of Lvivin Ukraine. The other was Cardi-nal Janis Pujats of Riga, Latvia.

The theme of the liturgy ech-oed from the first reading, inwhich St. Peter counseled pastorsto tend their flocks with humilityand told them: “Do not lord it overthose assigned to you, but be ex-amples to the flock.”

The pope developed that pointin his sermon, saying the churchwas not based on “earthly powerand calculation” but on Jesus’spirit of service. He said he wascounting on the new cardinals tobe trusted advisors who could helpease the burden of his own minis-try.

“Together with (the pope) youshould be vigorous defenders of

the truth and custodians of thepatrimony of faith and customsthat have their origin in the Gos-pel. In this way you will be sureguides for all,” he said.

The pope said the special bondthat links each cardinal to Romeand the pope should be used aboveall to foster church unity.

“If you are promoters of com-munion, the entire church will bebeneficiaries,” he said.

He said the Second VaticanCouncil had widened participationin positions of responsibility in thechurch, and that more could bedone in that direction.

The ceremony was punctuatedby applause from various sectorsof a crowd of about 40,000 well-wishers who had traveled to bewith the new cardinals on their bigday. The pope said the interna-tional diversity of the new induct-ees was significant.

“Is this not a sign that thechurch, which has reached everycorner of the planet, is capable ofunderstanding peoples of differenttraditions and languages, in orderto bring Christ’s message to ev-eryone?” he said.

“In him and in him alone is itpossible to find salvation. This isthe truth we reaffirm today,” hesaid.

The pope also underlined thatthe red color of the cardinals’ vest-ments symbolizes their commit-ment to defend the church’sgrowth and freedom and to sacri-fice even to the point of sheddingtheir own blood. Among the newgroup was Vietnamese CardinalFrancois Xavier Nguyen VanThuan, now a Vatican official, whowas jailed for many years by com-munist authorities in his nativecountry.

The two-hour-long ceremonyincluded a profession of faith andan oath of fidelity recited by thecardinals, who promised to be“constantly obedient” to the pope,to promote church unity and tomaintain the confidentiality of in-formation that could do “damageor dishonor” to the church if re-vealed.

As the pope handed out the redhats and a scroll attesting to thecardinals’ new dignity, he smiledand spoke a few words to each.The first was Cardinal GiovanniBattista Re, head of the Vatican’sCongregation for Bishops.

The last was 82-year-old Car-dinal Dulles, who used a canewhen he walked slowly up thesteps toward the pope’s throne.His red biretta slipped off as hestood up, so he adjusted it, leanedover to embrace the pope, and itfell again into the pope’s lap.

In a short speech to the pope,Cardinal Re praised the pope forevery aspect of his pastoral lead-ership over the last 22 years. Healso raised the sensitive issue ofpapal health — an unusual topicat a ceremony like this one —praying that “the Lord will keepyou a long time as head of thechurch.”

“The people of God still needthe example of Your Holiness’dedication, even when physicalpowers lessen, because there is asimultaneous increase in the signof paternity, the witness of prayerand suffering for the church’s ben-efit. This underscores that, whileit is important to act, it is moreimportant to be, and that, in theend, it is Christ who guides hischurch,” Cardinal Re said.

The 80-year-old pope satthroughout the ceremony, and hisvoice sounded like he had a cold.

MARCH 2001 PAGE 7

VATICAN

U.S. Jesuit theologian Cardinal Avery Dulles kisses the hand ofPope John Paul II after receiving the red biretta Feb. 21 in St.Peter’s Square. The pope elevated 44 church leaders to the rankof cardinal. (CNS photo from Reuters.)

Pope John Paul II watches as the 44 new cardinals he created congratulate each other during theconsistory ceremony Feb. 21 in St. Peter’s Square. (CNS photo from Catholic Press Photos.)

New York Cardinal Edward M. Egan arrives to celebrate Mass athis titular church, the Church of St. John and Paul at Aventino, inRome, Feb. 23. New cardinals are assigned a titular church inthe Diocese of Rome. (CNS photo from Catholic Press Photo)

In Christ, God’s Plan For CreationIs Being Restored, Says PopeBy Cindy WoodenCatholic News Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS)– In Christ, God’s originalplan for creation is beingrestored and will be markedat the end of time by peaceand harmony, Pope JohnPaul II said.

“In fact, nature itself,subject to the nonsense,degradation and devasta-tion provoked by sin, willparticipate in the joy of theliberation worked by Christin the Holy Spirit,” the popesaid Feb. 14 at his weeklygeneral audience.

Speaking to about 4,000visitors in the Vatican’sPaul VI Audience Hall, thepope said that when theBible says all things will besummed up in Christ, itmeans all of creation, notjust men and women.

Christ is the “new Adam” whocancels “the work of devastation,the horrible idolatries, the vio-lence and every sin which the

rebel Adam has sown in humanhistory and on the horizon of cre-ation,” the pope said.

“With his full obedience to the

Father, Christ opens theera of peace with Godand among people,” hesaid.

Through his incarna-tion, Christ binds to him-self “the whole historyof salvation, humanityand all creation,” thepope said.

The process of join-ing all things to Christand restoring the origi-nal peace, justice andharmony of creation “isoccurring progressively,overcoming the ob-stacles and resistance ofsin and the evil one,” thepope said.

The completion ofthe process with the fullestablishment of thekingdom of God will bemarked by “a creation inwhich God and people,

men and women, humanity andnature are in harmony, in dia-logue and in communion,” hesaid.

U.S. Jesuit theologian Father Avery Dulles celebrates his lastMass as a priest with Jesuit Father Joseph O’Hare (left) at GesuChurch in Rome Feb. 20, the day before the theologian waselevated to cardinal. Fellow Jesuits, friends and a group fromFordham University attended the service. (CNS photo fromCatholic Press Photo.)

Pope reflects during general audience. PopeJohn Paul II bows his head during his weeklygeneral audience at the Vatican Feb. 14. Thepope elevated 44 new cardinals Feb. 21 duringa consistory. (CNS photo from Reuters)

PAGE 8 MARCH 2001

WORLD

Support the American Bishops’Overseas Appeal

President Bush Restores TheMexico City Pro-Life PolicyBy Bishop Michael Pfeifer,OMI

On January 22, 2001, for thefirst time in eight very long years,the President of the United Statessent a message of gratitude and en-couragement to the 100,000 - pluspeople gathered for the March forLife in Washington. Fittingly,President Bush also commemo-rated the day by reinstating thepro-life Mexico City policy whichhis predecessor had rescindedeight years ago to the day. I sharewith you more about ourPresident’s pro-life action takenfrom Life Insights of the NCCBSecretariat for Pro-Life Activities.

On the 28th anniversary of Roev. Wade, President George W.Bush took a significant first stepin support of life by restoring theMexico City Policy. This U.S.policy, in effect from 1984 untilPresident Clinton rescinded it onJanuary 22, 1993, was designed to

stop nongovernmental organiza-tions (NGOs) receiving U.S. fundsfrom circumventing Congress’sintent under the 1973 HelmsAmendment.

Under the Helms Amendment,NGOs active in “family planning”could not use U.S. funds to per-form or promote abortion as amethod of family planning over-seas. Some NGOs eviscerated thelaw through simple bookkeepingentries. For example, if the U. S.gives the hypothetical FamPlan,Inc. $5 million, FamPlan mightuse that money in mass steriliza-tion programs, and then divert $5million acquired from othersources into promoting and per-forming abortions. And in fact,notwithstanding the HelmsAmendment, between 1973 and1984 the International PlannedParenthood Federation (IPPF)continued its barrage against othernation’s laws protecting unborn

children, and even distributedabortion equipment in some coun-tries where abortion was illegal.

At the 1984 U. N. conferenceon population in Mexico City, theReagan administration announceda corrective policy: as a conditionof receiving U.S. funds, NGOsinvolved in family planning mustagree not to perform abortions oractively promote abortion as amethod of family planning inother countries.

So, while we welcome the re-instated Mexico City Policy as apositive first step, we look forwardto the day when U.S. foreign as-sistance will go to those groupswhich provide education, nutritionand primary health care for theworld’s children and not to NGOswhose goal is to prevent themfrom ever being born.

by Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer,OMI

My dear Sisters and Brothersin Christ,

During His brief buthumanity-transforming ministryon earth, Jesus embodied a pref-erence for the poor and suffering.From His humble beginnings toHis simple lifestyle, the companyHe kept, and the people He healed,He was one with them. In our re-cent statement on immigration,Welcoming the Stranger AmongUs: Unity in Diversity, the U. S.bishops wrote that the encounterwith the living Christ through thenew evangelization “leads to adaily vision of the risen Lord,present and active in the world,especially in the poor, in thestranger, and in the migrant andrefugee.” When we encounter suchpersons„ we truly see “Jesus indisguise,” the theme of the 2001American Bishops’ Overseas

Appeal (ABOA).This annual appeal, which sup-

ports agencies that build the inter-national social ministry of theCatholic Church, will be held inyour parish on March 25, 2001.Your gift to the American Bish-ops’ Overseas Appeal funds thework of four agencies of theChurch, improving the lives ofcountless people the world over:

• Catholic Relief Services, theU.S. bishops’ overseas relief anddevelopment agency, works insolidarity with poor people inmore than eighty countries. CRSprovides emergency relief andsupports long-term sustainabledevelopment projects.

• Migration and Refugee Ser-vices of the U. S. Catholic Con-ference annually resettles approxi-mately one-fourth of the refugeesadmitted to the United States andprovides advocacy and pastoralcare to many newcomers.

• Holy Father’s Relief Fundassists victims of natural disastersand other emergencies around theworld.

• Department of Social Devel-opment and World Peace of theU.S. Catholic Conference advo-cates for poor and vulnerablepeople and for peace and justice.It works to build the capacity ofthe Church to respond to globalconcerns such as debt relief topoor countries and religious free-dom.

In giving to the American Bish-ops’ Overseas Appeal you ac-knowledge the universal need forbread, dignity and peace; the unityof the human family; and our com-mon desire to know Jesus Christ.I thank you for your past finan-cial generosity for this appeal andcontinue to pray for our less for-tunate sisters and brothers.

he likened to a cancer. Manypeople enter politics today in or-der to exploit the power of officeand the riches of the state, not toserve the common good, he said.

“This political culture is ill, andwe need something different,” hesaid. The solution will come whenpeople are educated in democracy,which can be a church task, too,he added.

— Ongoing religious educa-tion. The cardinal said many LatinAmericans stop learning abouttheir faith at the time of their firstCommunion or confirmation. But“the faith of an infant cannot sup-port the life of an adult”; whentheir religious beliefs are chal-lenged, Catholics often leave thefaith behind as something that be-longs to childhood, he said.

— Ecumenism and relationswith church movements. CardinalRodriguez said the main problemin Latin America was with home-grown religious movements thathave their own doctrine, easy rulesand no financial accountability.It’s become a small industry inHonduras, he said.

“I know a dentist who is nowhimself a pastor. He is looking atthe videotapes of Jimmy Swaggartand is imitating his style,” he said.The church should persist in build-ing bridges, he added, becauseecumenism is the way of the fu-ture.

Cardinal Rodriguez said theshortage of priests poses problemsin his country, where fewer than400 ordained clergy minister tomore than 5 million Catholics. Theresulting pastoral strain has beenalleviated by some 15,000 “del-egates of the Word,” lay men andwomen who minister in parishes,he said.

The priest remains essential,however, just like the engine of a

MEETINGfrom page one

car, to “animate the rest of theparts to form unity,” CardinalRodriguez said. He said he wasencouraged that the country nowhas 110 seminarians.

The cardinal said liberationtheology had left “many goodthings” in Latin America, includ-ing the promotion of laity, the op-tion for the poor and concern formany social issues. He said it wasclear by looking at the church’ssocial doctrine that the greatthemes of liberation theology nowhave “right of citizenship” in thechurch.

As an example of how thingshave changed, he recalled that,when a Latin American churchcommission issued a document in1986 on foreign debt, everybodywas saying, “What do priestsknow about the economy?” Butlast year, when he delivered 70million signatures asking worldleaders to alleviate the debt, thechurch’s input was taken very se-riously.

“That’s coming a long way,” hesaid.

Cardinal Rodriguez, who wasamong the new cardinals elevatedby Pope John Paul Feb. 21, hasbeen cited as a potential futurepope in many media reports. Dur-ing his days in Rome, his own exu-berant faithful sometimes chanted“Juan Pablo III” at his arrival.

“It makes me laugh, because Iknow this is only a good wish,”the cardinal said with a broadsmile. “I know that when the timecomes, the Holy Spirit is the onewho is going to act. I’m not con-cerned about that.”

He said he thought his ownpeople would understand that hisnew status as cardinal had notchanged him at all.

“I have this uniform because itis necessary to wear it, but don’tsay that it will be a wall betweenthe people and myself. No, I amthe same,” he said.

FRIENDS“A healthy state of being is to be a friend

to yourself. If you have few friends, if youdon’t like friends, you won’t like yourself

either.” L. Ron HubbardOne of the most acclaimed and widely read authors of all time.

© 2001 L. Ron Hubbard Library. All Rights Reserved.

MARCH 2001 PAGE 9

DIOCESE

50th Anniversary of St. Ann’s School Celebrated

On 31 January 2001, St. Ann’s School had a general convocation to celebrate the 50th anniversaryof the establishment of the school. Presented Distinguished Graduate Awards were, from left to right,Representative Tom Craddick, Dan Nelson, M.D., Mr. Michael Williams, Chairman of the Texas RailroadCommission and Ms. Donna Reker, a teacher at St. Ann’s School. All graduated from St. Ann’s intimes past.

by Msgr. Timothy J. MurphyThe 50th anniversary of St.

Ann’s School was celebrated dur-ing the January 28 – February 2,2001 observance of NationalCatholic Schools Week. The na-tional theme, “Celebrate CatholicSchools”, was followed as the St.Ann’s School community cametogether to thank God for theblessings the school has enjoyedover the past 50 years.

We Celebrated our Students onMonday with a free dress day, icecream sundae party, skating partyat Power Play and a gift of nohomework. We Celebrated ourCommunity on Tuesday by pray-ing for different community agen-cies and making cards, signs andbanners to express our gratitudefor the work they do in our area.We Celebrated our Families andour School on Wednesday with anOpen House from 10 AM - 2 PM.Student Council representativesserved as tourguides during theday. We presented St. Ann’sSchool Distinguished GraduateAwards to Texas State Represen-tative Tom Craddick, Texas Rail-road Commission ChairmanMichael Williams, Dr. DanielNelson and Mrs. Donna RepmanReker. Bishop Michael Pfeifer cel-ebrated a 50th Anniversary Mass,which was followed by a recep-tion in the parlor where guestswere able to view school memo-rabilia and historical records. OnThursday, the school staff Cel- see “ANNIVERSARY”, page eleven

Diocesan Policy: Alcohol on Parish Property

ebrated our Volunteers by treatingthem to lunch and on Friday, weCelebrated our Teachers by hav-ing them enjoy brunch and giftbaskets from the PTO and schoolstudents. Mardi Gras Celebration2001 finished off the week on Sat-urday evening at Midland Coun-try Club.

In 1949, Father Francis Taylor,O.M.I., became Pastor of St. Ann’sChurch. Father Taylor and his pa-rishioners prepared plans for aschool. The construction could notbe started until Sisters were avail-able. This was a real problem andthe people began a Novena to OurLady of Perpetual Help. On thelast day of the Novena, MotherPacifica, then General of the Mis-sionary Sisters of the ImmaculateConception, Patterson, NJ, ac-cepted the undertaking of teach-ing the pupils of St. Ann’s in Mid-land.

In less than a year a modern,one story school and convent wereerected. In August 1950, fiveFranciscan Missionary Sisters ofthe Immaculate Conception ar-rived to staff the school. TheseSisters were: Sister M. Bonfilia,Sister M. Stephana, Sister ClaireMarie, Sister Mary Grace and Sis-ter M. Emerita. Bishop FitzSimondedicated the school.

In the first year of operation theschool had a kindergarten and thefirst six grades with an enrollmentof 175 pupils. Our first eighthgrade Graduation Class of 1953

consisted of nine students.In 1956 Mr. and Mrs. C.A.

McClintic donated to St. Ann’s ahalf block of land West of St.Ann’s School now known as“McClintic Field” and used for aplayground for the school chil-dren.

Most Reverend John L.Morkovsky, Bishop of Amarillo,at the occasion of the dedicationof St. Ann’s School in 1950 said:

“This school is a monument tothe Catholic faith in Midland. It

reveals a high state of develop-ment. Congratulations are due forthe sacrifices that have been madeand have to be made for this con-tribution to Catholic Christiancivilization. This school is yourgift - a legacy to this generationand the generations to come. It isa monument to your faith, andAlmighty God will bless you foryour efforts. I pray that this schoolmay be a bulwark for your chil-dren - an institution wherein theymay seek the Good, the True and

the Beautiful in Almighty God -wherein they may learn to loveGod, His Church and the Sacra-ments. May this school be a bless-ing for generations to come.”

1960 - gymnasium was built1965 - school cafeteria was

built for $60,000

1950 - 700 parishioners1966 - 3,371 parishioners

Cost per year to educate onestudent:

Over a year ago the issue con-cerning the presence of alcohol onchurch property was brought be-fore the Presbyteral Council andthe Bishop for review and discus-sion. Since that time and after re-ceiving input from the Deaneriesof the Diocese, the Bishop and theCouncil have developed the fol-lowing diocesan policy in light ofseveral factors. While one cannotturn a blind eye to the devastatingresults of the misuse and abuse ofalcohol by some people, the ma-ture, moderate, responsible, andlegal consumption of alcohol andthe activities accompanying its useare not to be condemned.

Our Catholic tradition rooted inSacred Scripture does not consideralcohol as evil in itself. The Catho-lic Church teaches that like all ofGod’s gifts, alcohol must be usedin moderation and never beabused. Hence, out of this context,the Presbyteral Council of theDiocese of San Angelo recom-mended to the Bishop Pfeifer,OMI the following diocesanpolicy as regards the use of alco-hol on Church premises. BishopPfeifer accepted the recommenda-tion and now issues the followingPolicy Statement.

Regarding the presence of al-cohol, we are caught amid three

realities.1. The first reality is that alco-

hol is present in the general pub-lic regardless of religious or so-cial feelings about this substance.There are a variety of views con-cerning the existence, presence orconsumption of alcohol depend-ing on religious, cultural, and so-cial backgrounds.

2. The second reality is thatthere are many different customsand tolerances in the communitiesand parishes in the Diocese re-garding the public presence of al-cohol on Church parish property.Some parishes have chosen not toallow any alcohol on parish prop-

erty or at parish functions. Otherparishes have developed guide-lines that allow the presence and/or the use of alcohol under certainconditions or situations.

3. The third reality is that, re-gardless of whatever choices aremade by the parish, we must actwith maturity and in a responsiblemanner regarding this issue. Inthis regard, we must obey allCIVIL LAWS concerning alcohol.We must also give an adult Chris-tian example to our youth and tothe community in general regard-ing the presence and consumptionof alcohol.

If alcohol is to be sold on par-

ish property, the parish must fol-low the guidelines concerningTaxation and Licensing Require-ments - Sale of Alcohol Beveragesby Churches - on page F-8 in thePastoral Manual of the Diocese ofSan Angelo.

Each parish should review itspractice of requiring insurancewhen alcohol is allowed on par-ish property.

This policy is in effect as ofFebruary 1, 2001 for the entireRoman Catholic Diocese of SanAngelo.

PAGE 10 MARCH 2001

OPINION / COLUMNS

CCCLaunchesInnovativeChallenge

Alise Krueger, 19, peruses music CDs at a store in Waukesha,Wis. Young people today are enjoying more disposable incomethan any past generation did at their age. (CNS photo by AllenFredrickson, Catholic Herald)

Going to Churchby Msgr. Jim LisanteDirector, The Christophers

I was heading over to churchone Sunday morning to help withCommunion. When I got to thesacristy, I realized that the priestcelebrating Mass was just com-pleting his homily. So I decidedto take a step outside to enjoy thepleasant weather.

As I went out a side door Ibumped into two sheepish teenageguys who were leaving. Theyclutched in their hands copies ofthe parish bulletin: parental noti-fication of the fact that they hadbeen to church. “Busy day?” Iasked them. “No,” said the olderboy, “we’re just bored.” Theymumbled good-bye and took off.

Watching the two of them re-treat, I started thinking about someof my own friendships over theyears and the elements that makethose relationships work. It cer-tainly isn’t excitement: friendssometimes bore each other. It isn’tintellectual: sometimes our con-versations are dull beyond belief.It isn’t the richness of our person-alities: we can be annoying, ob-noxious and difficult to be around.It isn’t power or money: wehaven’t got much. In fact, it’s lessa “feeling” of friendship than acommitment to be friends: ourdesire to be loyal and our decisionto be there for each other.

And friendship, I think, is at theheart of our spiritual lives, too.Sometimes going to church can beboring, dull and intellectually va-cant. And if we’re expecting ex-citing entertainment, we willsurely be disappointed. Rather, weare there because our friend Godhas invited us to be there. If weare true friends, we take that invi-tation seriously. That means wereject all the nonsense we use asexcuses for staying away, like:

“I’m really busy.” There are168 hours in every week. Wesomehow find the time to eat, tosleep, to go to school or work, toplay sports or pursue hobbies, tobe with people we care about, to

take care of a great number of per-sonal obligations and preferences.In fact, we find the time for ev-erything we really believe is im-portant. If our God and His peopleare important to us, we will alsomake the time to be there.

“But the sermons are so bor-ing.” Give me a break. If weswitched off everyone and every-thing that’s boring in life, wewould stay home in bed. Assumethe speaker is trying hard.Shouldn’t we try to listen? Andmore to the point: we are not justthere for the homily. We go to bepart of a community that needs us.We go to get closer to God, whonever bores us or gives up on us.

“I can find God in many places.I don’t need a church to pray.”That’s true. But let’s be honest: ifwe don’t go to church, how muchserious praying do we really do?And further, where else can yougo to receive Communion? Arethey giving It out someplace else?More importantly, Jesus told us inno uncertain terms: I want you togather with other believers to cel-ebrate My life.

“I used to go, but I had a reallybad experience at church.” Wehave all had some bad experienceat church. But again, let’s compareour experience of God’s friendshipwith the rest of our lives. If everytime we had a poor experiencewith our parents, siblings orfriends, we said, “That’s it, thisrelationship’s over,” we wouldhave none at all. But we keepworking at relationships that mat-ter. We forgive, we compromiseand we try to love again.

If we give the same energy toour love of God and His people aswe give to our friends and family,maybe we would find that theboredom that put us off wasn’treally inside the church, but insideus. And that’s something we canchange if we are willing. After all,it’s for a Friend.

The Catholic CommunicationCampaign is launching for 2001an innovative, thought provokingcampaign entitled, “ChoosingYour Moral Compass” in responseto the moral dilemma facing fami-lies today.

“We encourage conscientiousmedia and entertainment industryleaders, especially our fellowCatholics among them, to workwithin their own arts to turn theirresources away from unworthyuses and toward the good theyhave to offer.” (Overview of U.S.Bishops statement on Renewingthe Mind of the Media.)

Each year, the Catholic Com-munication Campaign reachesmillions of the faithful bringingvideos, public service campaigns,documentaries, a web site and ahost of other value-driven pro-grams to individuals and families.Providing spiritual tools for direc-tion and guidance, the 2001 cam-paign “Choosing Your MoralCompass” challenges families tomake moral choices for their chil-dren every time they turn on thetelevision set, rent a video, go tothe movies, listen to radio or usethe Internet.

According to Ramón E.Rodrígues, Director of Develop-ment, “We’re excited about thecampaign since we are soundinga wake-up call for people of allages to make educated choices intheir selection of entertainment.”

The new campaign launched inJanuary, 2001 will continuethroughout the year in various dio-ceses.

Pray For Peace

MARCH 2001 PAGE 11

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LENTfrom page two

expected to do so, to thinkingand speaking with respectabout all people, especiallypeople from other lands andcultures, and taking time to re-ally listen to others.

In the Lenten season, weneed to dedicate ourselves tomore prayer, to more readingof the Scriptures, more medi-tation, to works of service andoutreach. With open hearts wesurrender totally to our Godwho will help us to grow in loveand goodness ever more fully.In this manner we can truly de-velop the program of fastingand feasting that Christ wantsfor each one of us as we walkthrough the Lenten season. Weremember how much Christ

por nosotros, y para ver comopodemos invitar a otros al granfestín del amor de Dios paratodos. Nuestro festejar debeser centrado en traer alegría yarmonía a nuestro mundo,ofrecer una palabra amable ydetener comentarios críticos, adar una mano o corazón sinque se lo pida o esperar que lohaga, a pensar y hablar conrespeto de toda la gente, es-pecialmente la gente de otrastierras y culturas, y tomar tiem-po para realmente oír a otros.

En la temporada de la Cua-resma, necesitamos dedicar-nos a mas oración, a leer masla Escritura, a mas meditación,a obras de servicio y ayudar.Con corazones abiertos nosentregamos totalmente a nues-tro Dios que nos ayudará a cre-cer mas completamente enamor y bondad. En esta ma-nera podemos verdaderamen-te desarrollar el programa deayunar y festejar que Cristoquiere para cada uno de no-sotros mientras caminemos

CUARESMAfrom page two

"When government is ready tostep up to the plate in those areas,it becomes easier to talk abouthow it should interact withchurches," he said. "But you can'tsimply throw money at a churchand believe that it somehow ab-solves you from the mission of thechurch that is ongoing, adminis-tration to administration."

FAITH-BASEDfrom page five

Heartfelt GratitudeFor AbundantGenerosityby Bishop Michael Pfeifer, OMI

Over and above the constant generous contributions, you,the kind people of the Diocese of San Angelo, make to maintainthe ministries and programs of our Diocese, you have also re-sponded in a most generous way to the various special collec-tions and appeals that assist needy members of the Body ofChrist in other parts of our state, country, and world.

I am very happy to share with you the impressive results ofyour generosity for special collections and urgent appeals forfunds that have taken place in our Diocese from March 1, 2000to March 1, 2001

Collection for: AmountRetirement Fund for Religious $55,078.31Catholic Home Missions Appeal 17,425.15Peter’s Pence (Collection for the Holy Father) 19,271.91Catholic Campaign for Human Development 22,119.23Operation Rice Bowl 10,438.04Catholic Communication Campaign 8,012.77Aid to the Church in Central and Eastern Europe 27,271.47Holy Land 18,965.19World Mission Sunday

(Society for the Propagation of Faith) 24,401.22American Bishops Overseas Appeal 24,151.97Support for our sister Diocese in Honduras 44,467.09Victims of El Salvador earthquake 21,391.79Victims of India earthquake 10,093.70Victims of various other disasters 7,321.81TOTAL $310,409.65As I express my gratitude to all of you, the generous people

of our Diocese, I ask God’s abundant blessings upon you. Youwill be blessed one hundred-fold for your generosity toward ourbrothers and sisters who are in special need. Thank you.

ANNIVERSARYfrom page nine

1965 - $104 per student1966 - $126 per student1967 - $172 per student1968 - $225 per student1969 - $300 per student2000 - Approximately $3000

per student

2001 - Enrollment 410 stu-dents 3K-8

Men’s EnglishSpeaking Cursillo

UltreyaThursday, February 22, 2001

Fourteen men met at Holy Angels Church Youth Center, SanAngelo, for the first Men’s English Speaking Ultreya on Thursday,February 22, 2001 at 7:00 P.M. The Ultreya or group reunion ofthose who have attended a Cursillo, is considered the Fourth Day ofthe Cursillo program and is vital for the success of the movement.Mr. Ray Zapata and Mr. Max Parker hosted the gathering. Rev. Dr.John Gonzales Castro, O.M.I., director of Christ the King RetreatCenter, presented a “History of the Ultreya” to the group. The fol-lowing English Speaking Ultreya will be held on Thursday, March29, 2001 at Holy Angels Youth Center at 7:00 P.M. All men whohave attended a Cursillo are invited to attend.

Thanks to God, Catholic Out-reach Services, established in1996, has become a thriving busi-ness and social service agencywhich is bursting at the seams!The generosity of all area Catho-lics and members of other denomi-nations in the form of food, cloth-ing, supplies, and volunteer time,has been the major reason for thissuccess. Thousands have beenhelped since COS opened its

doors, never turning anyone awaywho was in need. The largeamount of food, clothing and aidgiven out is the testament of agreat need being met (5,857 fami-lies from July 1996 to June 2000).

The board of COS, comprisedof Bishop Michael Pfeifer, the 5local priests, representatives fromthe 5 parishes, and the priest andrepresentatives of Our Lady ofPeace Mission at Goodfellow,

A Home For CatholicOutreach Services

“I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gaveme drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked andyou clothed me, I was ill and you comforted me, in prison and youcame to visit me. I assure you, as often as you did it for one of my leastones you did it for me.”

AFB, has established a new build-ing initiative to raise funds to con-struct a permanent COS home atthe corner of 4th and ChadbourneStreets. The land was purchasedfor COS by Mrs. Eva CamuñezTucker.

The board decided to designthe new home using a facade simi-lar to the Santa Fe Depot once lo-cated at the site. COS BoardChairman, Rosa Perez, said, “Wethought following theSpanish-mission design of the olddepot would fit in well with ourCatholic goals, as well as give anod to its historic location.”

The new building will be 6,300square feet plus and allows roomfor expansion. Cost of the projectis estimated at $450,000. COShopes to be it its new location inone year. Grants have been appliedfor and now an appeal is beingmade directly to all parishes tocontribute to this building fund.For more information call:658-4124 or 949-3920. Pleasesend donations to: COS BuildingFund, 102 N. Chadbourne, SanAngelo, TX 76903.

Thank you and God Bless.

por la temporada de la Cuares-ma. Nos acordamos como su-frió Cristo por nosotros y nosrecordamos que Él murió en lacruz para salvarnos de nues-tros pecados y debilidades ypara darnos la plenitud delamor de Dios.

suffered for us and recall thatHe died on the cross to saveus from our sins and weaknessand to give us the fullness ofGod’s love.

PAGE 12 MARCH 2001

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Diocesan Jr. High Event Fills St. Marys Parish Hall

Diocesan Conference Day – 2001

by Sr. Joan Markus, S.S.N.D.More than 400 people from

around the diocese participated inthe annual Diocesan ConferenceDay. Dr. James McGinnis told sto-ries of people who live the mes-sage of the gospel in their lives,illustrating for us that Catholic So-cial Teaching is scripturally based.

The seven themes of Catholic So-cial Teaching were addressed byDr. Kathleen McGinnis again bytelling stories of people who are

By Sr. Hilda Marotta, O.S.F.Youth attending the Diocesan

Jr. High Event filled St. Mary’sParish Hall on February 11, 2001.Seventh and eighth grade youthand their adult chaperones fromparishes and missions across thediocese participated in this event.A resounding round of applauseand enthusiasm were generated asBishop Michael Pfeifer ap-proached the microphone to wel-

come the participants and showhis support to the youth of the dio-cese.

The day included prayer andopening activities led by LucieValles and Peer Ministers of St.Ann’s Parish in Midland and mu-

sic provided by John Lopes andThe Praise Team of Abilene. ScottLawson, key presenter for the dayfocused on the meaning of dis-cipleship. Participants were led

Photos by Sr. Hilda Marotta, O.S.F.

Photos by Pete Micale,WTA.

living examples of thesethemes. The afternoonworkshop sessions werefilled with many practical

ways in which families, schoolsand parishes can become modelsof living Catholic Social Teaching.Bishop Michael Pfeifer presided

at a spirit-filled liturgy. A deliciousmeal was prepared and served bythe Knights of Columbus. Thefollowup of the day is a call foreach of us to be living documentsof Catholic Social Teaching sothose who never read them mayknow the message contained ineach.

through a variety of activities thatfocused on the meaning of beinga disciple of Jesus today. Pam Gra-ham, coordinator of youth minis-try at St. Therese, Junction was theemcee for the day. The day con-cluded at 6:00 P.M. after a pizzameal for all present.