Freedom to Follow Jesus Christ

Two religious, one catholic priest and one sister, both leaders of prominent Catholic institutions, are making their voices known to the Department of Health and Human Services after it solicited feedback regarding the proposed exemption for religious employers from a new mandate that follows in the footsteps of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and is being presented as part of a more general promotion of health and well being for both individuals and American society as a whole. One mandate proposed by Health and Human Services requires that all private health insurance providers offer coverage of contraceptives at no cost to patients. Bracketing for a moment the larger question of the events surrounding the passage of the Act into Law, I submit, that as contentious as it is, the Law promotes elements of health that all Catholics can support, like screenings for cervical cancer and prenatal care. However, there are also elements of the Law that every Catholic should oppose since they violate Catholic sensibility and conscience protection. It is for this reason ostensibly, that HHS has proposed an exemption for religious employers from the mandate. The exemption reads as follows:

** Group health plans sponsored by certain religious employers, and group health insurance coverage in connection with such plans, are exempt from the requirement to cover contraceptive services.  A religious employer is one that:  (1) has the inculcation of religious values as its purpose; (2) primarily employs persons who share its religious tenets; (3) primarily serves persons who share its religious tenets; and (4) is a non-profit organization under Internal Revenue Code section 6033(a)(1) and section 6033(a)(3)(A)(i) or (iii).  45 C.F.R. §147.130(a)(1)(iv)(B). 

In response to the parameters of the proposed exemption for religious employers, Sister Carol Keehan, President and CEO of the Catholic Health Association, writes: "CHA is very concerned about the inadequacy of the conscience protections with respect to the coverage of contraception. As it stands, the language is not broad enough to protect our Catholic health providers. Catholic hospitals are a significant part of this nation’s health care, especially in the care of the most vulnerable. It is critical that we be allowed to serve our nation without compromising our conscience." According to Sr. Keehan the exemption is not broad enough. Along with Sr. Keehan, Rev. John Jenkins, President of arguably the most well known Catholic University, Notre Dame, writes that the new mandate would, "compel Notre Dame to either pay for contraception and sterilization in violation of the church's moral teaching, or to discontinue our employee and student health care plans in violation of the church's social teaching. It is an impossible position." As a Catholic Bishop I join both Fr. Jenkins and Sr. Keehan and other religious leaders who oppose the conundrum in which such a mandate places Catholics. Tomorrow is the last day that you can join me in voicing your opposition to the new mandates. CLICK HERE to support religious freedom. 

Get Involved

Towards the Anglican Ordinariate

Joshua Whitfield stands next to Timothy, Spencer and Jody Perkins who along with

others entered into full communion with the Catholic Church on Sunday.              

                                                                                                  Photo Credit: Juan Guajardo

On Sunday September 25, 2011 at 2 o'clock in the afternoon at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Fort Worth, I had the privilege of fully innitiating a first wave of former Episcopalians into the Catholic Church. This community, now called St. Peter the Rock, currently meets at the Diocese of Fort Worth Catholic Center and is headed by former Episcopalian priests, Timothy Perkins and Charles Hough. Along with the other lay faithful, Timothy and Charles made their Profession of Faith so that they can join the Anglican Ordinariate when it is erected in the United States. The Anglican Ordinariate, which has already been establish in both England and Australia, will come to the United States at some point in the future. It will be called Anglican, because it is intended for those Christians who trace their identity back to the Church of England (ecclesia anglicana) and Ordinariate for the canonical super structure that will be led by an Ordinary (ordinarius), who will pastor the flock and excercise legal juristiction over this part of the Body of Christ. In the Roman Empire the word ordinarius was attached in a generic way to various political, military, medical and scholarly (among others) positions of leadership.

This historic unfolding follows from the Pastoral Provision, in which a dispensation was given by Blessed Pope John Paul II in 1980 to former Episcopalian priests who sought full communion into the Catholic Church and desired to pursue the Sacrament of Holy Orders. The Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth, since that time, has maintained an ongoing relationship with members of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth to faciliate and enact the pastoral aspects of the Provision. In fact, in a rare move, the Holy See has granted rescripts for two of those priest to hold the canonical title of Pastor, a privilege not normally extended to those priests accepted under the Provision. They currently serve key parishes, one in Fort Worth and another in Keller.

                                                                                   Photo Credit: Juan Guajardo

Once the Holy Father declared in 2009 a widening of the Pastoral Provision to include not only the incorporation of former Episcopalian priests but of entire groups of Anglicans who desired to enter into full Communion with the Catholic Church, a new provision was made. It was called Anglicanorum coetibus. In this Apostolic Constitution, Pope Benedict XVI outlined a roadmap for what is commonly referred to as the Anglican Ordinariate.

Due to unprecidented nature of this reciprocal movement by both Anglicans and Catholics toward each other, practical questions about property, catechesis, and the relationship between the Anglican Ordinariate and Catholic Dioceses in the United States have arisen and are being answered. First, it is important to recognize that a more precise way to describe what is emerging is a Personal Ordinariate for Anglicans entering into full Communion with the Catholic Church. This is because although there is no opposition or necessary contradiction in the terms Anglican Ordinariate and Catholic Diocese, the temptation to turn the juxtaposition into opposition exists. What we are witnessing is the authentic adaptation of the Catholic Church to the times.

                                                                                           Photo Credit: Juan Guajardo

On a local level, there are many who have been instrumental in the Sunday celebration that took place here in Fort Worth. Along with Timothy Perkins and Charles Hough, Lucas Pollice and Burt and Rosary Guidry have worked to help prepare catechesis for those who were just received into the Church. They worked to design and carry out the behind the scenes connections that personalize such a transition. This process has been carried out in cooperation with Cardinal Wuerl of the Archdiocese of Washington, liaison between the Holy See and the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops, and Fr. Scott Hurd, a priest of the archdiocese who assists the cardinal with the day to day organization and preparation for implementation of the Ordinariate. 

HOMILY FOR THE RECEPTION OF THE MEMBERS OF

ST. PETER THE ROCK

September 25, 2011

ST. PATRICK CATHEDRAL

FORT WORTH, TEXAS

Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

            As I awoke this morning reflecting on the new day “that the Lord has made” and furthermore on his command to “rejoice and be glad in it”, I was struck by the beauty of the sunrise. From the porch of the Cathedral rectory I could see just beyond the Texas and Pacific Building to the rose hues announcing the sun for the new day.  As the sun rose I could see light reflecting on the clouds in the sky and all around. The scene was both bright and soft.  It seemed to me that at the beginning of this new day the Lord was also calling us to rejoice in Him and walk in his light today and always.

            In preparation for this mass, I wanted to reflect on an image that would bring together several aspects of Faith.  In doing so I was led back to my father, who in his earlier years would often keep a jigsaw puzzle going at home. He would work on it a little at a time.  We [the kids] would often try and help him, and I remember the hours and hours we spent trying to put the pieces together to see what would fit. We wondered how long it would take to get this done and at least early on, what the picture dad was actually working on.  Gradually,  a little at a time, the pieces would fit together and I would notice how each piece, when it went into place, would “fit” perfectly with the piece next to it, and in fact, hold it into place.  These endeavors took a lot of patience, time and effort, yet I also knew that I was not the one coordinating the work. It was my Dad.  When would it be done, I would ask, and what is it going to look like?  And, when it was finally done, well we would step back and see the colorful picture or work that had been created.  Several of these we would save and frame.

            And so I offer that image to all of you here since, although you are not a puzzle, the step you are taking today, along with your profession, ultimately fits together to form a portrait of this journey of Faith.  It is a portrait that is being put together one piece at a time, each piece being part of the work of God, each piece supporting the other, just as you each have supported each other and will continue to do so in the days and weeks ahead.  Ultimately, it is not us who are putting the pieces together, but the Lord Himself, the same one who in the Gospel of St. John prayed that His disciples “might all be one.”! 

          To carry the images of a sunrise and my dad’s puzzle even further, it would be worth asking, “What are each of the pieces of the picture that we are looking at today, the Lord’s day?” I would answer that the work on this portrait of yours began years ago, when in God’s providence someone who loved you, led you to the baptismal font and to the life and light of Christ.  For many of you here, today, this was the baptismal font of the Anglican churches where you grew up and knew the Lord.  The portrait of your life began there, at that moment, with the hand of God.  For those of you who are returning to the Catholic Church, it was the font of baptism in your local parish where your parents worshipped.  And for others still, it was a decision you made as an adult.  Whatever the case may be, your baptism formed the foundational part of the picture that we now build on today, without which none of this would be possible.  We give thanks for that gift of grace and for the multifaceted relationship between the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth and the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth, which is marked by a shared geographic, spiritual and ecclesial closeness.  These are certainly parts of the portrait that fit together in the hand of God!

            As you grew in Faith, another part of this portrait, which certainly fits together with the above, is the example of Faith that inspired you as you matured into adulthood, along with the working of the Holy Spirit in those individuals who led you into full communion with the Church.  This truly  reflects, I believe, what are said to be the words of St. Francis, present in this House of God today [in one of the windows and in his statue at the back of the Church], “Preach the Gospel, and if necessary use words.”  This is fitting because for many years early on in the last century it was the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement and the Franciscan Sisters of the Atonement, who in England and this country, worked and prayer for Christian Unity.
            Another part to complete the portrait being formed is the reality of the Communion of Saints both here and in eternity: those who have been praying for you today, and among those who, as in the Book of Revelation, sing the praises of the Lamb of God.  They surround us today in St. Patrick’s Cathedral.  Each of those parts have something to teach you because as you stand here at the Chair of the Diocese, in union with the Chair of Peter, their prayer lead you before the throne of God. Many of those saints, whether they be St. Francis, St. Clare, St. Margaret Mary, St. Pius X (who began the Liturgical restoration and First Holy Communion) or St. Oliver Plunkett (who died a martyrs death in Ireland), seem to come alive in the light of this day and are now part of the hand of God.  They are part of your story and your journey of Faith. 

            In communion with the Church we have Sacred Scripture – the Word of God – which is proclaimed in the same manner throughout the world. And again, providentially, we can find that this Sunday’s readings speak directly to us.  They touch upon the mystery and reality of conversion, a change of heart, which does not always happen when we would want it, or in the manner in which we would wish it. Conversion doesn’t always happen immediately but it always happens with the providential hand of God.  St. Paul for example, in his Letter to the Philippians, urges the people of Philippi – and us – to be united in one mind and one heart in Christ, and to encourage one another.  You certainly have been doing this and will continue to do so in union with the work of the Holy Spirit to foster unity in the Church.  This is how Anglicanorum coetibus has unfolded before us. You are a part of that unfolding and this portrait, as it were!

           This unfolding, which is the mystery of the communion of the Church, continues to take shape.  It seems to me that the vision of Anglicanorum coetibus is a visible expression of unity and communion that all of the dialogue and prayer in recent years has brought us to.  For that, especially we thank Pope Benedict XVI, and the foundation laid by his predecessor Blessed John Paul II and the Pastoral Provision, and all who came before.  In the words of Fr. Perkins, who has cared for you these months and who is being received this day: “We, too, who walk by faith in Christ have entered into God’s kingdom.  By our baptism we have been made citizens.  Within the life of the Church, which is the Mystical Body of Christ, we are called to be intimately joined with the purpose of Jesus Christ to make known His Kingdom, to live as servants of the King.  This joining with Christ is the result of our having repented, turning from our seemingly innate selfishness to live our lives for Him; and we find that this living for and in Him leads to a profound unity among us.  This is the unity into which those being received into the full communion of the Church are being more deeply drawn.  It is the unity noted in the first mark of the Church. “We believe in one Church.”

            Can we not say that this day – and what lies ahead - reflects the process of conversion, even in the various and sometimes halting stages? And that the uncertainty through which we must first go (as did the first brother in today’s Gospel) reflects the lived reality of the words of St. Paul today?  “Complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking of one thing…”  That continues to be your call in the days ahead in full communion with the Catholic Church, and thus the See of Peter. 

           St. Paul continues his letter by saying to look not for one’s own interests, but that of others.  Does not that lead us directly to the life of Blessed John Henry Newman, whose life not only laid the foundation for the Oxford movement and then for this day in history, but as well laid a foundation for pastoral ministry and care for those entrusted to him, as your pastors had for you, and as you and your community now do for one another and those who are leading you?  Pope Benedict XVI said, “He lived out his profoundly human vision of priestly ministry in his devoted care for the people of Birmingham during the years that he spent at the Oratory he founded, visiting the sick and the poor, comforting the bereaved, caring for those in prison….What better way to express the joy of this moment that turning to our heavenly Father in heartfelt thanksgiving, praying in the words that Blessed John Henry Newman placed on the lips of the choirs of angels in heaven:

                                                “Praise to the Holiest in the height

                                                 And in the depth by praise;

                                                 In all his words most wonderful

                                                Most sure in all his ways!

            That may be the last piece of this portrait for the moment, but there is indeed more to come. We can now see the first rendering of this work of divine art, just as the Vann children would get a glimpse of Dad’s completed jigsaw puzzles.  But more followed and this certainly is the case here.  The next rendering may have a similar theme, but it will be more complete, more beautiful and for that reason we will be more in awe.  May we, as history under the providential guidance of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, continue to unfold as God beckons us to follow just as the opening prayer says, “hurry toward the eternal life you promise and come to share the joys of your kingdom.”! 

AMEN!

The Fort Worth Stockyards and Human Development

This week a grants specialist for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, an instrument of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, visited Dallas-Fort Worth for business and made a special request to see the cattle move through the street at the Stockyards. This is one of the more easily accomplished tasks.

Longhorns and other cattle parade through the Fort Worth Stockyards

The Piano Men

A Summit on Poverty

www.catholiccharitiesusa.org

Sunday afternoon saw the opening of the annual meeting of Catholic Charities USA held at the OMNI hotel in Fort Worth right across the street from St. Patrick's Cathedral. The opening was a Mass at St. Patrick's celebrated by myself, Bishops Michael Driscoll of Boise Idaho, and Bishop Joseph Sullivan of Brooklyn, and a number of priests. The music and Liturgy was prayerfully led by the choir from St. Andrew's parish in Fort Worth. St. Patrick's was filled to capacity with Catholic Charities directors from all over the United States, and many religious and laity and priests involved in Catholic Charities ministry. Special thanks to Heather Reynolds and the staff of Catholic Charities who helped to host and plan this important meeting, whose theme was "Summit on Poverty." Special thanks as well to Father Larry Snyder, Director of Catholic Charities USA for his presence and words. After the Mass, the formal opening banquet was held at the OMNI, and at the end of the Banquet, Father Snyder and I played two pianos, four hands, to be joined by Heather Reynolds, director, as well!

Mass for Catholic Charities USA at St. Patrick's Cathedral

                                     HOMILY FOR CATHOLIC CHARITIES USA MASS

 ST. PATRICK'S CATHEDRAL 

 SEPTEMBER 18, 2011

Dear friends,

   I would like to welcome all of you to St. Patrick's Cathedral this Sunday as you gather for your national meeting and summit.  Catholic Charities has a wonderful reputation here in Fort Worth, thanks to Heather and her staff and Board.  We repeatedly emphasize that our mission to serve all in needs comes from the fact that we are Catholic, and that since one of the marks of the Church is "Universal" that applies to our call to ministry and mission here. We are who we are - we serve all who come our way  because we are Catholic. The presence of Father Snyder, the Bishops here and all of you from Catholic Charities USA is a blessing to our Diocese. Thank you for being here. You may not be from here but like it is said it Texas "You got here as soon as you could!"  

May I give you just a little history to understand where we are today before I reflect on the Sunday readings? It might give you a context for your presence here these days - both historically and related to the mission of Catholic Charities. If you look around outside of the Cathedral you see a lot going on in downtown Fort Worth and this part of the city: business, new buildings, both in the city and in the parish, the Water Gardens, city headquarters and such. However, it wasn't always the case. When the first Catholics came to this area, it was around 1870 and this was an outpost for the Diocese of Galveston. When Mass was possible it was offered in people's homes by traveling priests from the south of Texas. The first parish was established here in 1878, and was the parish of St. Stanislaus. It stood on the sight where the Cathedral Rectory is now. However, as the Catholic population began to grow, there was need for a larger and more permanent structure. At this same time, the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur arrived and established an academy here - the building of which is still used by the Cathedral. In about 1882 Father Jean Marie Guyot, a French missionary, was sent by BIshop DuBois of Galveston to minister here. He lies buried in the Cathedral and his clock still keeps time and sentinel in the Cathedral rectory. Father Guyot built Saint Patrick's Church which was completed in 1892.

However, at the time this was built, Fort Worth was still a frontier area, and life was a challenge to Catholics here. There was much nativism and anti-Catholicism and even though theoretically free to worship, competing voices were a daily challenge for our people here - just as the hardships of frontier life were. Saint Stanislaus, and St. Patrick's here stood right on the edge of the "red light" district known as Hell's Half Acre. There were saloons and gambling houses of all kinds. The names of some of these establishments were "The Emerald Saloon, The Cowboy Saloon, The Red Light Saloon and the Local Option Saloon" for example! A rather infamous house of prostitution stood directly down 11th street from the front door of St. Patrick's. And, part of Fort Worth lore is that the famous "12th Street Rag" by Fort Worth Musician Euday Bowman was written about 12th street - right over here - which ran right down into the heart of the Acre [Although Kansas City claims that as well!] Naturally  with all of these establishments and attendant environment came the accompanying  social and family problems and challenges - poverty, crime, family challenges, neglect of children, etc. as the district deteriorated over the years into more of a slum section.  

In the midst of all of these challenges, however the community of St. Patrick's stayed fast and showed to the city the light of the Gospel and the love of Christ.  Father Guyot, for example, in 1905 - officiated at the funeral of a rather well known individual, Mary Porter, whose burial from the church was seen as a scandal. However, Fr. Guyot he saw it as an act of the mercy of the Lord. And it was in this very location and a little over 100 years ago at a parish garden party that some parishioners from St.Patrick's asked then Bishop Joseph Edward Dunne of the Diocese of Dallas (this was Dallas then), could not some sort of charity work be done for the poor? It was then that Catholic Charities of North Texas was born. 

The Gospel for this Sunday is the parable of the Workers in the Vineyard - it is "matched" with a reading from Isaiah. The Word of God, proclaimed in the Church - in this Eucharist - orders our lives each and every Lord's day and greets all of you gathered here as you being your days together. A commentary for the Gospel this Sunday says that this story of the workers - who is called and when - and what they receive - are the Lord's words concerning the call of the Gentiles to the Kingdom of God - being called at a late hour in the history of salvation. Although He calls at different times and in different ways, all are called to the Kingdom of God and eternal life in heaven.  

One could say, given the history here, that Mary Porter may have been one of the last called in her life. Undoubtedly, Father Guyot visited her and gave her the last Sacraments. This story was probably repeated many times in the "Acre" over the years. We can ask ourselves today - the mission of Catholic Charities - who are the "last called" and sometimes forgotten to whom we must minister to?  I could give a partial response to that in these days - the immigrant - the unborn - and the dying.  There are others, but all of these have multiple connections and relations who are certainly are affected and blessed by the work of Catholic Charities.  

The parishioners of St. Patrick's years ago articulated and gave voice to a need at a difficult time. It was probably a little easier then the years before, but nonetheless it was an act of courage and love. Just as then, our collective voice needs to be raised today for those who cannot speak - and for whom - and that includes us - have now to confront and deal with threats of religious liberty and against conscience that now seem to be omnipresent.  A failures to do so will make our mission - to press forward with the love of Christ - very very difficult. A lack of religious liberty and freedom means that mission then is seriously hampered.  

The mission for us all, as a part of the Catholic Charities family, carries with it a sense of urgency,  "Seek the Lord while he may be found and call him while he is near", and a sense that it must come from the fruit of our prayer and communion with the Body of Christ. The Social ministry of Catholic Charities is what is is because of being the life of the Church - as at St. Patrick's here - and not just a separate tract of social work. The articles in your latest magazine - "Building a delivery System around People" and the "Family Strengthening Awards and recognitions - Family Service Center in St. Paul and Minneapolis - Our Place - the Omaha Family Enrichment Program - the Refugee Match Grant Program - Regina Maternity Services - and others - bear witness to the fact that their origin and purpose comes from call and Mission and a relationship to the Lord and His people. These efforts and initiatives are great witness of Faith, Hope and Love, and that as the Hispanics say - "El Señor esta presente!

This day we are surrounded by a cloud of witness who in the communion of Saints who are indeed with us: St. Charles Borromeo - with his penitential rope who took care of plague victims - St. Elizabeth of Hungary - wife and mother who cared for the poor - St. Margaret Mary - who in a time of Jansenism received the revelation of the love of Christ for humanity in his Sacred Heart - and now St. Oliver Plunkett - who's witness to the truth, and love of the priesthood and his people cost him his life.  There are others too, - the women from St. Patrick's whose witness and concern gave birth to Catholic Charities here in North Texas - and all of those people whose witness called us to consider Catholic social service. They were all people of great love and concern for others, and people of ecclesial communion. Each in their own time and place are a part of our vocation and calling - they were urged on by the love of Christ in their time and their place, and so have we been.

We are now in a different age time and place, far different from the time many of us had our training in the 60's and the 70's. The needs and challenges of the present time are critical and different than 40 years ago.  With the love of Christ, in communion with His Church, we respond now to where we are and go forward - with that "love of Christ urging us on."

The closing prayer for the Liturgy this day should send us on:


   "Lord, help us with your kindness.
   Make us strong through the Eucharist.
   May we put into action the saving
   mystery we celebrate.
   We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord."

September 16th

This summer, during a visit to San Felipe Guanajuato, Mexico, I had the chance to visit the parish of Dolores Hidalgo, which had been the parish where Father Miguel Hidalgo had been pastor when he declared independence from Spain on September 16, 1810. I also visited the parish where Father Hidalgo had been pastor in San Felipe, Guanajuato.

Outdoor Celebration at All Saints

On this evening, I stood with Father Stephen Jasso TOR, pastor of All Saints Parish, Mr. Sal Espino, parishioner of All Saints and City Councilman, and other dignitaries in front of a crow of nearly 1000 on the parish grounds for the celebration of Mexican independence from Spain. The ceremony was preceded by the American Flag, followed by the Mexican Flag, then the Texas Flag, and finally the Vatican Flag. Each of us spoke and at the end, I spoke in Spanish and English and gave the blessing to all present. This is a major parish fiesta, and is an important event for the parish, the city and the Diocese. After All Saints parish, I attended a similar (but much smaller) celebration at San Mateo, which is a mission of Saint Patrick's Cathedral in Fort Worth.

On Sunday morning, there was a crowd of around 900 people at St. Francis parish in Granbury, Texas, for a bilingual Mass, after which I blessed the new parish hall and family life center. Granbury is a growing rural town south of Fort Worth, surrounded by hills and mesas, and one hill named "Comanche Peak." The pastor of the parish is Fr. Juan Rivero, assisted by Deacon Craig McCalister and a very able parish staff. 

New Parish Center for St. Francis Cabrini Church in Granbury

Parable of the Vineyard

Parable of the Vineyard by Domenico Feti

"The Ordination" is now in Fort Worth

 The Ordination by Nicolas Puossin

Fort Worth's Kimbell museum has just acquired one of its most important pieces, The Ordination. According to reports, there was not a single bidder at Christie's auction in London last December for the piece. Others however, were quietly watching. Kay Fortson, president of the Kimbell Art Foundation's board of directors, couldn't be prouder to welcome it to Fort Worth, Texas. It was reportedly purchased for $24.3 million. Just before the official news of the acquisition, Kay invited me to lunch and a surprise private showing. The Ordination, one in a series of seven pieces, each depicting one of the seven sacraments, was painted in the 17th century by french master Nicolas Poussin. Along with The Torment of Saint Anthony by Michelangelo, it is one of the most important religious pieces at the Kimbell. For Catholics in the area, it is a must see since it depicts in a preeminent way the importance of the priesthood. Its acquisition and valued display reflects the vital and continued expanse of the Catholic cultural patrimony throughout North Texas. Whereas in other places in the United States and the world, such a piece might be just one of many, in Texas it expresses a dogma of Faith in an important aesthetic manner, reminding us in a not so subtle way of the importance of the priesthood not just for the Church but for all.

The Ordination being handled before finding its permanent home in Fort Worth.

God is Here

Just at about the time the Diocese of Dallas was formed from Galveston (about 1890 or so) German families were immigrating to North Texas along the railroad lines. A series of families (among them the Flusche brothers) settled along this area to form a number of communities:  Muenster, Lindsay, Gainesville, Pilot Point, Windthorst and Rhineland. They brought with them the importance of their Catholic Faith, and the Benedictine monks from Subiaco in Arkansas came to these communities (at the invitation first of Bishop Brennan and then Bishop Dunne) to establish parishes in these communities, to care for the spiritual needs of the families and to evangelize the highly Protestant frontier culture of North Texas at the time. In many of these communities orders of Women Religious also came: The Benedictine Sisters from Jonesboro, Arkansas and the Sisters of Divine Providence from San Antonio, for example.

 Interior of the St. Peter's Church in Lindsay                                 Credit: David

These pioneer families endured all kinds of conditions: fire, flood, drought, heat, tornadoes, and more. Yet, there faith sustained them. They gathered on Sundays and other days in their parish churches to pray, to meet the Lord, and to be strengthened for their daily life. One of these parishes, St. Peter's in Lindsay, just completed a two year restoration project that brought to parish Church back to its original beauty, if not even better. This year, on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, I reblessed the Church and blessed the new organ. The Church overflowing with families, visitors and guests on this most appropriate feast day, among whom were a number of Sisters of Divine Providence, and Diocesan, Augustinian, Franciscan and Benedictine priests. It was a joyful and grace filled evening for all present.  

BLESSING OF CHURCH AND ALTAR AT NEWLY RESTORED
ST. PETER’S CHURCH — LINDSAY, TEXAS

THE TRIUMPH OF THE CROSS

  September 14, 2011

Picture of the Old St. Peter's

There is a saying for travelers to Rome, that comes from the time of the Roman Empire – OMNES VIAE PORTANT ROMAE – that is to say, ‘ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME”! I think this would be an appropriate saying for us this evening, that is – all roads lead to Lindsay – to another St. Peter’s Church. One could think this might mean all the number of the highways and rural roads that have led us here this evening – 820/35/82 – and all numbers of the rural roads that converge here this evening on this historic and joyous occasion for all of us. But, I wonder if we might say that “ALL ROADS” that lead us here this evening are rather the roads of Faith and life and journey that converge here this evening. What might these roads be? The first road traveled is the road of the Church’s Liturgy and the great feast day that is today. In communion with the Universal Church we celebrate the Triumph of the Cross, or the Exaltation of the Holy Cross as it is sometimes called. This day not only commemorates the discovery of the true Cross by St. Helena but the time when Constantine erected the Anastasis, the Martyrium, and the Calvarium over the place of the Holy Sepulcher and Calvary, clearing and marking out the place where the Lord suffered, died, and was entombed. Centuries after the destruction of Jerusalem first by Titus, then by Vespasian, and even Hadrian, once more the clear sign of the Lord’s victory over death is visible. As St. John reminds us, the Son of Man is lifted up, so that we might see him, and bring the daily cares and sufferings of life to him – not run from him – so that the power of the Cross and Resurrection might, too, lift us up.

The truth proclaimed by the Sacred Liturgy certainly has been seen time and time again in another one of the roads of that leads here today: The Faith and determination of those German pioneer families who came to this part of the world in the 1890’s  -  whose names we see in the windows of the Church -  and the Corpus Christi Chapels - and through fire, flood, drought and tornadoes laid the foundation for the Faith that was to stand, even amidst the destruction of the first church here. This church and its steeple stands out – and says that “God is here” – stands out like the Cross whose triumph we celebrate today – like the Cross that even in this year’s world youth day – was put back up after the wind blew it down.  

St. Peter's in Lindsay, Texas

Another road that converges on this day with the others is the witness of religious life of the Benedictines from Subiaco who came in 1893, the Sisters of Divine Providence, then later the Augustinians and now Diocesan clergy – whose vowed lives bear witness to a reality that cannot be seen. Nevertheless, it is a reality that forms, guides and orders the events of all who came here. It is Christ's love, the same love we see in the Cross! This road is a lane situated in the road of Faith that first came via the Diocese of Galveston, then Dallas, and Fort Worth. All of these roads lead here today – and we all are joined  together in a family – a communion of Faith – taken out of our present moment into a sort of timelessness. We set out on the road of Faith again, strengthened Sunday after Sunday – day after day in this glorious House of God. Each time we gather we live what is called LEX ORANDI – LEX CREDENDI. What we pray, we believe. Each time we gather we also bring to the Lord our cares, worries, and concerns so that we can be lifted up and set forth once more renewed on the Road of Life into Eternal Life. Pope Benedict XVI said on April 15, 2006 that, “Life comes to us from being loved by him who is Life;  it comes to us from living-with and loving-with him. I, but no longer I: this is the way of the Cross, the way that “crosses over” a life simply closed in on the I, thereby opening up the road towards true and lasting joy.”

As we bless this Church anew today we think of all of the roads that have led us here. And as we look around at each other, all of the young families, all of the priests and religious and laity here today, we set out on the road anew in joy and hope for what the Lord asks of us. Our time of worship in this newly restored St. Peter’s Church will strengthen us to take up that road again and proclaim the Cross of Christ as victory over death and suffering – that indeed we will be lifted up and sent forth in all moments of our lives by our Faith, and the steeple of this Church, seen from all around here, will proclaim indeed that “God is here”, and that “We adore Thee O Christ and We Praise Thee, because by thy Holy Cross thou has Redeemed the World."  

The Third Mark of the Church: Catholic

Entire villages in Myanmar have been displaced.

The ethnic make up of the Diocese of Fort Worth has for years reflected the Faith and richness of the universal Church. As the Body of Christ that makes up the 28 counties of the Diocese of Fort Worth we live that third mark of the Church in a way that some may not know. That universality is being ever more noticed and appreciated. It was almost a year ago that Janie Hermosillo and Ah Ling, two employees with Refugee Services of Texas, contacted my office to make an appointment for Bishop Raymond Sumlut Gam of the Diocese of Banmaw, Myanmar. In that meeting he brought to my attention the presence and spiritual needs of almost 300 hundred Myanmar refugees that has been resettled right here in Fort Worth. To my surprise I learned that these refugees were mostly catholic and attending Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. Thanks to the collaboration of Catholic Charities, Inc. of Fort Worth, their refugee program has brought many, many people from all different countries to our diocese. Quite providentially Catholic Charities of Fort Worth is now located in South Fort Worth right next to Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. Further proof of living that third mark of the Church is found in the fact that it is also my privilege to welcome the Confraternidad Sacerdotal de Operarios del Reino de Cristo, who in the absence and departure of the Capuchin Fathers (who for so many years served IHM), have now arrived to administer the parish and to minister in our Diocese. 

Bishop Stephen Tjephe greets local Catholics.

Yesterday, I met with another Myanmar prelate, Bishop Stephen Tjephe, auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Loikaw in Myanmar. He, along with Fr. Anastasio and representatives of the local Myanmar Catholics, visited me at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Fort Worth. Bishop Stephen is visiting the various Myanmar Catholics in United States as Bishop Raymond did a year ago. It is my hope that the dialogue about the possibility of a priest from his Diocese to minister to the people from the Diocese of Loikaw who are here and elsewhere in Texas might come to fruition. While he was here, Bishop Stephen, along with Father Anastasio, witnessed marriages, baptized, confirmed and administered First Holy Communions to numerous Myanmar Catholics who hoped to be drawn further into the practice of their faith, even if at times stretched by their general trauma and disorientation resulting from the violence in Myanmar. I was able to be present for the initial part of thits great celebration and to greet those who were preparing for their sacraments. Also present was Father Gildardo, the new Pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary. The pictures show the native dress of the people and festive spirit of the day, and the celebrations of the Sacraments. 

Local Catholics from Myanmar just before mass.

The appreciation that the Myanmar Catholics demonstrated for the opportunity to receive the Sacraments by a priest and bishop from their country is a point of reflection and meditation for all of us who might take our Faith for granted. Their mere presence, a reminder of both the damage of war and the grace of perseverance reminds us of the corporal works of mercy to which we are all called and to the active practice of Faith here in Fort Worth. 

Bishop Vann extends his hand so some of the children at IHM.          

Bishop Vann leads the Solemn Stations of the Cross

It seems that each of the recent generations in our country have had national tragedies that have marked them for the rest of their lives, and the details of which are always remembered. Having just turned 60 years old, and thirty years a priest, I certainly remember clearly three of these, as they marked significant moments in my own life. 

On November 22, 1963, in the early afternoon, I was in 7th grade at St. Agnes School in Springfield, Illinois when Sister Marita OP, our seventh grade teacher, returned to our classroom to tell us that President Kennedy had been assassinated.  Her words are still clear to me: "We just heard that some fanatic has shot the President." At that point we all prayed the Rosary. In  January of 1986, in my first year of ministry in Springfield after having returned from Rome, I was teaching 8th grade religion at Blessed Sacrament grade school when we got word of the Challenger disaster; and 10 years ago, I was at the YMCA in Springfield for my early morning exercise just having returned to Blessed Sacrament as Pastor [having been away for 11 years], when I saw on TV the first the second plane hit the World Trade Center Towers. Returning to the parish immediately, I heard on the radio when the third plan hit the Pentagon. As with the other two events, our lives were never the same after that day. Both in practical and spiritual ways, as we came face to face once again with violence, we turned to our Faith for strength, consolation and understanding. The Mass we had at Blessed Sacrament the day after was

As I prayed for the victims, families, and our country at 8:00AM Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Fort Worth this Sunday on the 10th Anniversary of this day, and as we prayed around the Diocese, the words of the Sunday readings for Mass spoken once again powerfully to all of us, just as they did the day after the tragedy ten years ago. The First Reading with its admonition that "wrath and anger are hateful things", the Lord's command on forgiveness to St. Peter, and the words of the Psalmist to always "Bless the Lord O my Soul" and "The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger and rich in compassion" certainly form a framework as we commemorate this day of great tragedy, and what could happen to us in return, if we let vengeance and anger take root in our lives as a response to hatred. The words of Sacred Scripture clearly call forth from us a response of reconciliation and of turning toward God for healing and forgiveness for all concerned, so that we do not become consumed. The personal letter of Pope Benedict XVI to Archbishop Dolan (where he says that every human life is precious is God's sight and speaks further of the resilience of the American people) on this anniversary  and his words at a Eucharistic Congress in Ancona Italy  ("to always refuse violence as a solution to problems") speak powerfully to this day.   

This afternoon, as I listened to the radio on my way to Holy Cross Parish in the Colony,  all of the music was meditative or religious. At Holy Cross, as part of the observance of the parish Feast Day and their ongoing prayer and plan for their growth, Fr. Michael Holmberg and I, with other priests and deacons, prayed the Stations of the Cross with a Church of nearly 300 people. The singing was led by the Parish Choir under the direction of Kevin Keil, and the prayers and responses were in Latin, English, and Spanish. Again, it is providential that the Stations of the Cross were an occasion to reflect on the Death and the Resurrection of Christ - the Paschal Mystery - on the 10th anniversary of September 11, 2001.  

The Final Prayer was quite appropriate today: 

           

 "Christ Jesus, you call us all to look beyond sadness; 

  to not look for the living among the day,                       

  but to recognize all that is vibrant and alive in us,                

  your Body of Christ. You call us to rejoice in the presence of your Spirit                        

  as it moves around and within us. You call us to always move forward,            

  to not look back. 

 Be with us now, and help us as we strive daily to take up our Cross,           

 to proclaim your new life to the world. For we believe that by your Cross 

 and Resurrection you have set us free. You are the Savior of the World."

Bienvenidas Hermanas!!

On October 15, 2006 Pope Benedict, when preaching about mission on the canonization of Mother Theodore Guerin said, "'Go, sell everything you own, and give the money to the poor...then come, follow me.' These words have inspired countless Christians throughout the history of the Church to follow Christ in a life of radical poverty, trusting in Divine Providence…(Mother Theodore Guerin) was always open for the missions the Church entrusted to her, and she found the strength and boldness to put them into practice in the Eucharist, in prayer, and in an infinite trust in Divine Providence."

These words, which describe beautifully the vocation to the consecrated life, were certainly reflected in the lives of the pioneer women and men religious who came on mission to the Church in North Texas to lay the foundation for the life of the Church today. We are blessed in our Diocese that communities of women and men religious are arriving in these days, still on the same mission.

In the last entry I spoke about the community of the Vietnamese Dominican Sisters. In recent weeks, two communities of women religious have arrived in our Diocese to take up the mission entrusted to them by the Lord and their founders and foundresses.



The Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart with Bishop Vann



The Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart "Ad Gentes" from Tlaxcala, Mexico just arrived in the Diocese to begin ministering in the parishes of Holy Name of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary in Fort Worth. The first two Sisters, Sister Delfina and Sister Maria Pilar, arrived accompanied by their Superior General, Mother Beatriz. I was blessed to work with them in Springfield, Illinois, and they are now coming to Fort Worth. Their calling and mission is to work with the Hispanic peoples who live out of Mexico, to be sent "to the nations" to help them to live and to preserve their faith and culture in new surroundings.

The Missionary Catechists of the Sacred Hearts
of Jesus and Mary with Bishop Vann

The Victoria, Texas, province of the Missionary Catechists of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary from Tlalpan, Mexico (affectionately called "Las Violetas") just returned to the Diocese and will be ministering at St. Bartholomew parish, in both the English and Hispanic communities, with faith formation, small faith communities, "Why Catholic?," and other ministries. They were in the Diocese for many years and left several years ago, but now are thankfully returning.

...and, Bienvenidos, Tambien, to the
Society of St. Vincent de Paul!

The Council of the United States Society of St. Vincent de Paul recently held their National Convention in Grapevine, Texas. They are of the spirituality and heritage of St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louis De Marillac, and were founded by Blessed Frederick Ozanam in the 1800's at the Sorbonne in Paris, France. "No act of Charity" is foreign to them. The many men and women present for this important week were accompanied by their National Episcopal Advisor, Bishop John Quinn of Winona, Minnesota, and many Vincentian and Diocesan Priests and Daughters of Charity and others who serve as their spiritual advisers. What follows is the homily I preached at St. Francis Parish in Grapevine, Texas, for the close of their convention and the installation of their new officers:

Bishop Vann celebrating Mass with Bishop John Quinn (right)
and Deacon Don Warner (left)    Photo: Donna Ryckaert

Installation of the new officers
Photo: Donna Ryckaert

TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
St. Francis of Assisi - Grapevine, Texas
The National Convention of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul

Dear brothers and sisters here, parishioners of St. Francis of Assisi, and those here for the National Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul:

Welcome all of you to North Texas for your National gathering. You come at the end of a summer heat wave and the beginning, hopefully, of a cooler autumn. I am very grateful that all of you are here, as I know the bishops of the area are as well: Bishop Kevin Farrell of Dallas, Bishops Mark Seitz and Douglas Deshotel, and especially Bishop John Quinn, national moderator. I know that the parishioners of St. Francis welcome all of you today as well.

The opening prayer for this Mass, which sets the tone of the Liturgy for the Lord's day, gives us a clue of what we are to hear in the word of God, and what we are to pray for when we meet the Lord in this Liturgy: "Lord our God, in you justice and mercy meet, with unparalleled love you have saved us from death and drawn us into the circle of your life."

That unparalleled love of God is given to us at the moment of our baptism, and then becomes not only the foundation of our lives, but then becomes the standard by which we are to live. All of us have had experiences of this love from families, friends and community. All of this points us to the God who loves us and whom we must make known in this world. Sometimes making the love of God known is a joyful task, sometimes it is a challenging task, but it is something that we can never walk away from. Sometimes making the love of God known amounts to what is sometimes called "tough love" when we have to point to others that they are walking away from God, or perhaps it has been pointed out to us as well. In painful moments like this, we are all being called back to love, back to God, and away from danger...away from eternal danger. How many of us have often said to ourselves "If only I had said or done this or that...regrets are indeed hard to live with. Both the first reading and the Gospel this Sunday are admonitions about what can be called "fraternal correction" that Jesus gave to his disciples, and which finds its way at times into our sacramental rituals, or juridical practice. But it is all about the great commandment of love, as St. Paul would say, and this duty must be rooted in our personal daily conversion to Christ, and knowing his love for us.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul are with us this weekend. They certainly owe their story and existence first to the Gospel, then to St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louis de Marillac, whose motto was "The Love of Christ urges us." Later on, Blessed Frederic Ozanam, as a practicing Catholic being taunted by anti-clerics/anti-Catholics at the Sorbonne in Paris, took on the task once more of St. Vincent and St. Louise in making the Catholic faith real and visible. We could say that his response in founding the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a reflection of the second reading of today, and perhaps even, a response to someone pointing out a weakness in living out the Catholic Faith. In the life of Frederick Ozanam, certainly "justice and mercy meet."

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is "more than charity." It is a response of love, rooted in faith and going forth in mission. It comes from, and is in communion with, the Church. If you do not know much about them, I would certainly recommend them to you. Their work and ministry continues to grow here in North Texas, and I know many of their members personally and count them friends. They are everywhere and often the "first responders" and unsung heroes on the front lines of disaster. This is true here, and was certainly true in South Texas in recent years. I would offer you this reflection from Bishop John Quinn, which should reflect all of our commitment to live the Faith as the "Vincentians" do:

"In the Society's rule, it is stated that no work of charity is foreign to the Society. That truly is a powerful statement. It leaves the gates open to all possibilities. And, the Society's activities in fiscal year 2010 reflect a wide assortment of works that helped people in need. But, works alone are of no true benefit to the Vincentians. This last statement may sound strange, but the truth is that the Society's ultimate purpose is the growth in holiness of its members. The works of charity that are performed by the members of the Society are means toward that end. Blessed Frederic Ozanam, Society's founder, stated that clearly."

+ Most Reverend Bishop Kevin Vann