Ordination of Deacons for the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter

On May 29, 2012, the venerable and historic Church of St. Mary of the Assumption, near downtown Fort Worth, was filled to near capacity for the ordination to the diaconate of Charles Hough III, Charles Hough IV, Mark Cannady, Joshua Whitfield, Timothy Perkins, and Christopher Stainbrook. Present were many Catholics, and members of other faith communities, from all over the "Metroplex," from Houston, and other parts of Texas and beyond. Thanks to Fr. David Bristow and his parish for hosting this historic and beautiful liturgy.

Photo by Donna Ryckaert

Photo by Donna Ryckaert

Homily for the Ordination of Deacons for the
Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter

St. Mary of the Assumption in Fort Worth

May 29, 2012

To our brothers Chuck, Chuck, Tim, Josh, Mark, and Christopher, and all of you gathered here at this historic Church of St. Mary of the Assumption in Fort Worth, on what is certainly a historic evening, welcome and may the grace of this occasion and the feast of Pentecost be yours. It is a blessing for all to gather here in this time of celebration and faith. Msgr. Jeffrey Steenson, the Ordinary of the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter could not be with us this evening, and sends his prayers and greetings. He texted me earlier this day, and said to me that he "Will be keeping you and our noble lads in prayer today from somewhere in Nebraska!"

The words of the Apostolic Constitution "Anglicanorum Coetibus" speak in several places of what is spoken of as II “Anglican Patrimony", and the sharing of this gift and reality with the entire Body of Christ. Certainly for me, as a musician, part of this patrimony is the choral heritage and hymnody, and the singing therefore, that is a gift and blessing. It is fitting, then, that as we gather here this evening, we are under the watchful gaze of St. Cecelia, in the rose window in the choir loft here at St. Mary's. For as the patroness of music, as one who “Sang to the Lord from her heart," she will certainly pray for us and guide us in our worship this evening, not only from the choir loft, but from eternity. For certainly, here this evening, this celebration is on every level a chorus of praise to God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit for what has been and what will be. My brothers, I wonder if we can reflect this evening on this chorus of praise to God. What would be the voices that sing to you; to us this evening; and to what surround us? They may not be SATB, but they are the voices of the song that the Lord has sung with the lives of many individuals, and many events.

You will hear shortly the official instruction of the Roman Ritual for you, as you are ordained deacons, ministers of the Word and Charity, for the whole people of God—for your ordinariate communities and those whom God's Providence sends your way. That is one voice - perhaps the voice that may stand out over the others. The theme, we might say, is the living Word of God in the readings for this day: St. Mark records the voice of St. Peter who seems to say, perhaps in frustration, that "we have given up all to follow you.” By giving yourself over completely to the Lord, one commentary on this Gospel would say "to shed selfishness," you have nothing and yet possess everything. The ministry of the deacon in word and charity will show you that again and again. In the first reading Peter, the first of the Apostles and Vicar for Christ, speaks again to you. Pope Benedict teaches [in Jesus: The Apostles and the early Church, Ignatius Press 2007] that "Peter succeeded in entrusting himself to that Jesus who adapted himself to his poor capacity of love. And, in this way, He shows us the way, notwithstanding all of our weakness. We know that Jesus adapts himself to this weakness of ours…It was a long journey for Peter that made him a trustworthy witness, a 'rock' of the Church, because he was constantly open to the action of the Spirit of Jesus."

Having had the blessing to journey with you in these years, my brothers in the Lord, I have some insight into the fact that this has been indeed a long journey for you. But I do know that the Lord has been working with you in your lives so that like Peter, you may truly be a trustworthy witness to the Lord. I pray that you will always be open to the action of the Spirit of Jesus, like Peter. Some of the chorus of voices that sing to us in harmony this day are those who gave you the gift of Faith, and the communities of Faith in the Anglican Communion - Bishops, Priests and lay faithful – who helped nourish that Faith so you could hear His call to "come and follow" through all of the events of your lives. Someone, for example, like Father Acker of St. Timothy's, who in reflecting on what could be called "four things" for the life of a Christian says that in the face of life's challenges, "talk about it to the Lord. As you have waited upon him, you are more than likely to find that you will not only have strength to run, but to walk step-by-step, day-by-day, and not faint." I know that you will not faint as you assume the order of deacon but I exhort you to find indeed [the strength] to walk step-by-step, day by day, in your new life and ministry. There are people whom the Lord will have waiting for you so that they may hear that good advice. Having lived that reality yourself in many ways in these last years toward full communion and diaconal/priestly ministry in the Catholic Church you are now in a blessed place to live that as Deacons.

You also have in this chorus the voices of those who surround you here, and you have your families as well, who have surrounded you with their love, prayer and faith. The chorus of praise over which Saint Cecelia presides, in a way, also includes Mary the Mother of God, in the windows here in the joyful and glorious events of her life, which are also the events of our salvation history. The chorus includes the voices of all of the apostles here, and may I add, the saints and martyrs of the Vincentian family: St. Vincent, St. Louise de Marillac, St. Francis Regis Clet, and St. John Gabriel Perboye. How appropriate for deacons, whose lives and ministry must always revolve around charity and service, and for all of us whose lives must be an uncompromising witness to truth and the freedom to speak and teach the truth always as witnesses of Jesus Christ.

Perhaps one more recent set of voices joining this chorus are the voices of the Oxford Movement and their impetus toward Christian unity, and the healing of the wounds to communion in the Body of Christ. We are all part of this living history here this evening, and must listen to one more voice in this chorus: Blessed John Henry Newman. As Pope Benedict said in England, "Newman teaches us that if we have accepted the truth of Christ and committed our lives to him, there can be no separation between what we believe and the way we live our lives. Our every thought, word, and action must be directed to the glory of God and the spread of His Kingdom."

We need to thank the Lord for the successor of St. Peter, Pope Benedict XVI. Because it was indeed his voice, his words, that have brought to birth the Apostolic Constitution "Anglicanorum Coetibus". Tim, do you remember at one of our meetings of priests of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth and some of the priests of the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth, you said that "We are just waiting for someone to extend their hand?” I remember that well, and Msgr. Hart was present at that time also. Well, Tim and all gathered here, that hand has been extended, and indeed it is the hand of the successor of St. Peter - the same whom we heard about in the readings for this ordination Mass - who extended his hand to you and all gathered here with "Anglicanorum Coetibus."

As we turn once more to Newman's thoughts, then, indeed as Deacons, in the service of Word and Charity, remember always that every thought, word, and action of yours must be directed to “the glory of God and the spreading of His Kingdom,” because in the final analysis, as St. Paul tells us this evening, earthen vessels that we are, all we do is "Concerning the salvation of souls."

The Ordination of Two Transitional Deacons

Vietnamese Martyrs Catholic Church in Arlington

On May 22, 2012, a crowd of around 1200 people gathered from all over the Diocese and beyond for the ordination of two of our transitional deacons: Khoi Tran and James Wilcox. This will be the first of five transitional diaconate ordinations in the coming twelve months for us. The Liturgy was celebrated in Vietnamese, English, Spanish, and Latin. It was a wonderful gathering of our local Church that not only expressed the prayers, appreciation, and support for "Vocations" to those in priestly formation, but it was also reflected the ethnic diversity of our local Church, and therefore the Universal Church! What follows are some pictures and the ordination homily.

Photo by Juan Guajardo

Photo by Juan Guajardo

Ordination of Deacon James Wilcox and Deacon Khoi Tran
Vietnamese Martyrs Catholic Church
Arlington, Texas

Dear Khoi and James, and all gathered here today,

As we gather in this joyful occasion at the ordination to the Diaconate of our brothers here, we are also gathered between the Ascension and Pentecost. This is the time when the apostles went back to Jerusalem to wait for the Holy Spirit, and from there they were sent to preach the Gospel to all the world and build up the Church. In this time of waiting, they were not quite sure what lay ahead, other than the admonishment of the angels to go, and even in their uncertainty about the future they trusted in the one who loved them. And in today's Gospel He tells them that "they belonged to Him, and that He prayed for them" -- the One who said that He would send them a helper. Indeed, He did, and He sent them the Holy Spirit. It is the same Holy Spirit who sends Saint Paul forth to a world that did not know Jesus, and whose chronicles we hear in these days. The same St. Paul, in the midst of his trails in Ephesus, says that he only wants to "finish his course" which is the ministry that he received from the Lord Jesus, to "bear witness to the Gospel of God's grace." If we believe that the living word of God is not just words on a page, then these are the living word of God for all of us today, but especially for you, James and Khoi.

In these days, as you finished this academic year in your seminaries, you have been, as it were, between the Ascension and Pentecost. You know you are being sent to a future proclaiming the word and charity that is yet to be revealed. It is as if the same angels of the Ascension are saying to you “why are you waiting: go, now, and live what you have learned, the Holy Spirit will be with you."

We here all come from various parts of the United States and the World, such as Vietnam and Mexico. Khoi…the faith nurtured by your family in Vietnam, and your life as a religious, accompany you to this day. James…your journey of faith in the Diocese of Dallas, the business world and in Carrollton, all came together here today as well. They are all directed by the Providential Hand of the Lord to this very moment. You have born witness, not to the Jews and Gentiles of Saint Paul's world, but to all of the people who have formed your lives. And know as St. Paul says [you are] "compelled by the Spirit” not to Jerusalem but to Arlington, Fort Worth and beyond!

Khoi, in your reflection, you wondered why the Lord chose you. You now know the answer. The Lord Himself says it when he says today that "you belong to Him." Believe now indeed that He sends you forth. James, as you reflect on the high priestly prayer of Jesus for today, you speak in much the same way as Khoi: This ministry of the Diaconate is about being a servant for those whom the Lord gives you, and to give glory to God by your ministry of word and charity.

Between the Saints of this parish Church and the saint of the day, Saint Rita, we are surrounded by people who will intercede for you and help you from this day forward. The Martyrs of Vietnam remind you, as well as all of us, of the necessity of a courageous witness of faith with one's life at all costs – a significant reminder for our world and culture today. Saint Rita, known as a Saint of the Impossible, always kept her eyes on Christ in some difficult situations, and she teaches us from eternity, that with the Lord, there are no "impossible situations" only countless occasions where we all find strength and grace in the midst of weakness; the gift of "Wonder and Awe" that our confirmation candidates have learned, and we need to learn again and again. Your ordinations, James and Khoi, are an occasion for you, and all of us, to experience that again and again.

As Deacons now, you are being sent to be icons of Charity and the Word, that in these moments of ministry, and in all of your lives: “BELIEVE WHAT YOU READ, TEACH WHAT YOU BELIEVE AND PRACTICE WHAT YOU TEACH."

Solemnity of Pentecost and St. Timothy's Church

60 members of St. Timothy Church were received into the Ordinariate of
the Chair of St. Peter at St. Mary the Assumption Church on May 27.
St. Timothy was a former Episcopalian Church which announced its
desire to enter the US Ordinariate on January 1.
Photo by Donna Ryckaert

Today was a truly blessed and historic day, as on this great feast of Pentecost, about 60 members of St. Timothy Church were received into the Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter at St. Mary the Assumption Church in Fort Worth. The members of St. Timothy Church through the leadership of their Pastor, Rev. Christopher Stainbrook, officially announced their desire to enter the US Ordinariate on January 1, 2012, on the same day that the Holy See announced the erection of the Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter in the United States with Msgr. Jeffery Steenson named as the Ordinary. Since that time, the members of St. Timothy had been involved in several weeks of formation and catechesis in preparation for the reception into the Church. Today about 60 of their members, along with their pastor were received into the Church by Fr. David Bristow, pastor of St. Mary the Assumption.

I was able to address the congregation at the beginning of Mass to welcome them and affirm their decision to come into the Ordinariate in what is truly a historic occasion and give them my blessing before I headed over to the Cathedral for Adult Confirmation of about 65 adult Catholics from across the Diocese. After his homily, Fr. Bristow received and confirmed about 60 of their members, beginning with their pastor Christopher Stainbrook who then proudly stood and sponsored each member as they came forward for Confirmation. After Confirmation, Fr. Bristow then presided over a brief Rite of Welcome for about 15 members of St. Timothy’s who were still in preparation for full reception and Confirmation, and who will be received into the Church on a later date. Christopher Stainbrook then addressed his congregation and thanked them for their perseverance in this journey of faith and stated that in his 22 years of ministry this was the most emotional moment he has ever experienced.

The community of St. Timothy is the largest community to join the Anglican Ordinariate so far in the Diocese of Fort Worth. They will continue to have their home at St. Mary the Assumption in Fort Worth and will celebrate their Mass at 2:00 p.m. on Sundays. They also look forward to this coming Tuesday evening when Christopher Stainbrook along with 4 other former Episcopalian priests will be ordained to the transitional Diaconate at 7:00 p.m. at St. Mary the Assumption. They will all then be ordained to the priesthood on June 30th at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Keller.

I want to especially thank in a special way Bert and Rosary Guidry, Jim and Mary Pat Black, and Julia Smead for their excellent work with the community of St. Timothy in their formation and catechesis over the past couple of months in preparation for this day. This is truly a historic day for St. Timothy’s, the Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter, and the Diocese of Fort Worth with many more historic days to come in the months ahead.

Fr. David Bristow confirms Christopher Stainbrook of St. Timothy Church.
Photo by Donna Ryckaert

Fr. David Bristow confirms the members of St. Timothy's Church as Rev.
Christopher Stainbrook proudly stands and sponsored each of them.
Photo by Donna Ryckaert

Below is the homily given by Fr. David Bristow, pastor of St. Mary the Assumption, for the reception of St. Timothy’s on Pentecost Sunday.

Homily for the Solemnity of Pentecost
St. Mary the Assumption Church, Fort Worth
May 27, 2012

Lections Acts:  "Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans…yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God."
1 Cor. 3-13:  No one can say "Jesus is Lord" except by the Holy Spirit.
Jn. 20:19-23:  Jesus said…"Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." And when he had said this, be breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit."
Theme: Peace of Christ "the peace which passeth all understanding."
Illustration:  I expect that all of us have experienced the satisfaction of completing a difficult task. It is a kind of peace, isn't it? I think so. I expect that our Lord was enjoying that sort of peace when he entered that room full of very surprised disciples!

A. "Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans…yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts or God."

“Peace be with you." Christ's greeting to his disciples was typical to the Jewish culture of that time, and it was an old greeting even then. Calling down peace or a blessing on others is an ancient practice and a good one. Just think of the old traditional greeting in Ireland: "God bless all here!" Our Lord greeted his beloved disciples by calling down peace on them. It was a moment filled with beauty and warmth.

To bless someone with peace we have to have peace to give them in the first place. Christ had plenty of peace to give. He had accomplished all that the Father had sent him to do. He was sharing his peace with his friends. But, there was business to do, too. In only a few words, Christ commissions the disciples to carry on his work in the world: "As the Father has sent me, so I send you." Then he equipped them for that work: "Receive the Holy Spirit." This is how Pope Leo, XIII explains it: "What did He wish in regards to the Church founded…This: to transmit to it the same mission and the same mandate which He received from the Father, that it should be perpetuated. This He actually did." (Satis Cognitum)

B. No one can say "Jesus is Lord" except by the Holy Spirit.

To proclaim the Good News is to proclaim the name of Jesus to all and to teach what that name means. Christ commissioned his disciples for that purpose, endowing them with the gift of the Holy Spirit. From that moment on, they were disciples no longer. They were Apostles, Ambassadors of the Kingdom of God to all the world. (Divine Commission-St. Mattew) "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations…and behold, I am with you always”…"Go...make disciples of all nations." And so the Apostles did. And in less than one hundred years the Good News of Jesus Christ had spread all across the Mediterranean world, and had moved out beyond it.

C. "Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans…yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God!"

By Word and sacrament, Christ has equipped his entire Church for the work of ministry. The Church starts with the Rites of Initiation: first, Baptism, admission to the Body of Christ and the first promised gift of the Holy Spirit; and, Confirmation. He gives that same Spirit to bless his Church with, not one but two priesthoods-first, the Ministerial Priesthood of bishops, priests and deacons, the Church's pastors and leaders. Next, the Royal Priesthood of all the laity everywhere whose task is to bear the mark of Christ on their foreheads, and to say to the world, "Jesus is Lord."

D. “Peace be with you.”

Today is the Solemnity of Pentecost. We celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit as we always do at this time every year. But today our celebration carries with it a special meaning. Today, here at St. Mary's, we will welcome an entire Christian community into the full communion of the Roman Catholic Church. Theirs has been a long pilgrimage, and sometimes not easy but that's all done. Today they come, asking to share our life as we worship and serve our Lord in the faith once handed down to the Apostles. The answer is “YES!” Come…share our life, our work, our rewards and our consolations.

The Rite of Confirmation of the Roman Catholic Church is brief and to the point. The point is the doors of the Church are open wide to all who will come. The Rite ends where we began a few minutes ago. It ends with the words of our Lord, "Peace be with you." It is also the kiss of peace from this church who welcomes you. Come…share with us the peace of the resurrected Christ…the peace which passeth all understanding!

AMEN.

Mass, Welcome and Appreciation Lunch

At the Catholic Center, Friday, May 25, 2012, we welcomed some of many dedicated women religious currently and newly serving in the Diocese of Fort Worth this year, with a Mass and appreciation lunch. To their dedication and faithful service which truly enriches our diocese we say "Thank you." Below are pictures from the lunch.

Religious Freedom

Dear Parishioners of the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth:

The Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth on Monday, May 21, 2012 filed a lawsuit in Fort Worth federal court seeking to halt unprecedented attacks by various federal agencies on religious freedom.

The suit is against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, the U.S. Department of Labor and Secretary Hilda Solis and the U.S. Department of Treasury and Secretary Timothy Geithner. Despite long and continuing objections by the Catholic Church of the United States and various religious organizations, federal agencies continue to insist on interfering with internal affairs of a church, contrary to what the Founding Fathers had in mind. The purpose of the lawsuit is to prevent the federal government from forcing its views on the Church.

The Diocese is asking a federal judge to bar federal agencies from formulating and enforcing the nationwide mandate that requires religious institutions to facilitate and fund activities that their religious and moral convictions forbid.

The issue is the attack on religious freedom in the form of a Department of Health and Human Service (HHS) mandate that requires all employers provide and pay for abortion-inducing drugs, sterilization and contraceptives, with only a very narrow exception for certain organizations that the government deems sufficiently "religious."

The Diocese’s lawsuit is in keeping with the longstanding rights of freedom of religion. In addition to our forefathers’ conviction on this, the Second Vatican Council issued a decree Dignitatis Humanae on religious freedom. In this decree, the Council states:

This Vatican Council declares that the human person has a right to religious freedom. This freedom means that all men are to be immune from coercion on the part of individuals or of social groups and of any human power, in such wise that no one is to be forced to act in a manner contrary to his own beliefs, whether privately or publicly, whether alone or in association with others, within due limits. The council further declares that the right to religious freedom has its foundation in the very dignity of the human person as this dignity is known through the revealed word of God and by reason itself. This right of the human person to religious freedom is to be recognized in the constitutional law whereby society is governed and thus it is to become a civil right. (2)

In effect, the mandate prohibits Catholics in the Diocese of Fort Worth from only asking what we have asked since the first Catholic institution was created in the Fort Worth area in 1876 “Are you poor?” “Are you hungry?” Now the definition of religion used in the mandate would require us to ask, ‘Are you Catholic?’ To remain a religious institution under this definition, we could only help if you are Catholic.

Dearly Beloved, many of you have expressed to me your concerns that the mandates are an attack on religious freedom. My fellow Bishops and I agree. We cannot allow mandates to stand that narrowly extend religious freedom only to houses of worship, which reduces religious freedom to only the freedom to worship.

Your continued prayers and support of religious freedom are essential. Your continued communications with members of Congress is also essential. For more information and how to contact members of Congress, visit the diocesan web site at www.fwdioc.org.

May the Lord continue to be with us on this journey and may He bless each of you.

Gratefully yours in the Lord,

Most Rev. Kevin W. Vann, JCD, DD
Bishop of Fort Worth

The Confirmation Season Continues

Setting: The Church in mid morning.

Season: Spring, the season of rebirth.

Tree: Pecan, symbolizing strength. It is also the official state tree of Texas.

Vestments: Red, the color for Pentecost and the fire of the Holy Spirit.

The Lower Panel: The dove and seven tongues of fire are symbolic of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost giving the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, knowledge, counsel, fortitude, piety, and fear of the Lord.

Flower: The Indian Paintbrush is a favorite Texas wildflower. The color red represents the tongues of fire of the Holy Spirit.

Notes: The candidate, who is oriented towards the Blessed Sacrament in our tabernacle, is seeking spiritual strength through the fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit.

A Sacramental Window from Holy Redeemer Catholic Parish in Aledo, Texas.

Congratulations All Saints Catholic School

Congratulations to Fr. Stephen Jasso, TOR, and the staff at All Saints Catholic School for receiving the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History's Presidents’ Achievement Award on May 18th. The school has a long and proud history, and it is wonderful to see enrollment increasing! All Saints holds much promise for the Hispanic Community in the north side of Fort Worth.

Religious freedom; Our Church is a Church of immigrants

Official poster from New Land Films 2012
Poster available on website

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Recently, I had the privilege with several of my brother bishops of previewing the soon to be released movie For Greater Glory: The True Story of the Mexican Cristada which tells the often untold story of the Cristero War in Mexico and the fight for religious liberty that seized that nation not all that long ago. I was deeply impressed and moved by this movie, and I believe that its release is quite timely given our own recent growing concerns and struggles for religious liberty in our own country. This dark era in the history of Church of the Americas is widely unknown, certainly to most of us here in the United States and even to many Mexicans. I do know, however, from talking to many in the Diocese, especially Mexican Americans who came from Guanajuato, Guadalajara, Zacatecas, and other areas of Mexico are all too familiar with this sad and difficult time in Mexican history and the life of the Church. The parents and grandparents of many of our parishioners knew this trial and suffering personally, yet remained strong as great witnesses of the Faith.

The story of the Mexican Cristada is one that needs to be told and known not only to remember the many Mexican Catholics who gave their lives for their faith and religious freedom, but to also remind all of us here in the United States that our faith and religious liberty is our most precious gift and it needs to be cherished and protected with courage and vigilance.

The story of the Mexican Cristada begins with the Mexican Revolution in 1910. What began as a fight for freedom against an aristocratic order and authority soon turned into a multi-sided civil war which turned against the Church, who was perceived as being opposed to the revolution. In 1917, a new constitution was drafted which included several anti-clerical articles which set the stage for almost 20 years of religious persecution against Catholics in Mexico. In 1926, Mexican President Plutarco Elias Calles, a Mason, passed the so-called “Calles Law” which included much stronger and wide sweeping persecutory laws against Catholics. Resistance to these laws began peacefully, with prayer, peaceful demonstrations, signed petitions, and boycotts. However, in August of 1926, several uprisings took place which began the Cristero War or the Cristada deriving from the battle cry Viva Cristo Rey! (Long live Christ the King!).

The Mexican government retaliated swiftly and violently against the Church. The government seized Catholic schools, seminaries, and properties, closed Catholic hospitals, banned monastic orders, barred public worship, and priests and nuns were forbidden to wear religious garments. In addition, Mexico’s bishops were expelled along with most of Mexico’s clergy. Many Catholics of all states of life: clergy, religious, and lay were also martyred — over 200,000 between 1926 and 1930, in what came to be one of the most brutal Catholic persecutions of the 20th century.

However, like many persecutions of the Church over the centuries, the persecution of the Church in Mexico brought about the rise of many saints and blesseds, and through the blood of these brave and holy martyrs the Church in Mexico not only survived, but flourished. The Catholics in Mexico did not cower before the government, but bravely and courageously continued to live their faith and refused to renounce and sacrifice their love for Christ and his Church. As a result of this persecution we now hail such saints and blesseds as St. Rafael Guizar Valencia, the Bishop of Veracruz, who operated a clandestine seminary and was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI in 2006. Another was Blessed Miguel Pro, a Mexican Jesuit priest who was executed without trial under President Calles. His last request before being shot by a firing squad was to kneel down and pray. His martyrdom was one of the most publicized and photographed martyrdoms of the 20th century, and his execution was splashed on the front page of Mexican newspapers the following day. On May 21, 2000, Blessed Pope John Paul II also canonized 25 martyrs who were also executed during the Cristada. These brave Catholics stood up not only for their Catholic faith, but also fought to the end for their religious liberty.

Another unknown but important twist to the Mexican Cristada was that the Mexican government was encouraged in its persecution against Catholics by some elements in our own country. The Klu Klux Klan offered all of its 4 million members to fight with the Calles regime against the Catholics, should any other government intervene militarily. Also, Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood, supported Calles in his war against the Church and her “intolerance,” so that Sanger’s own work of birth control and population control could be rid of the opposition and influence of the Church. Sanger stated, “With the yoke of medievalism thus thrown off, we can anticipate a splendid development of the government work for birth control already begun in Mexico.” Even the U.S. government under the Coolidge Administration showed a tepid response to the crisis in Mexico. History shows and teaches us that there was and still are many anti-Catholic influences in our country that are at work, slowly eroding religious liberty and which readily support the suppression of the Church even in our own country.

As I said earlier, the timing of the release of For Greater Glory is providential as the truth of this dark side of Mexico’s past and this sad chapter in the life of the Church in America teaches us from history the great gift of our faith and our religious liberty — and that this gift is not one that we can take lightly or for granted. This terrible persecution of the Church happened less than 100 years ago and in our neighboring country of Mexico with the assistance of some influences in our own country which are still very much alive and well today! I encourage all of you to take some time to see this great movie and to reflect upon the gift of our faith and our religious liberty that we have been given in this great country of ours. But also recognize that this gift of religious liberty is under attack in an unprecedented way in the history of our nation and that we need to respond with courage, diligence, and faith.

There is also another side of this story that is relevant for our time that Archbishop Jose Gomez of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles pointed out in a recent column in the Archdiocesan newspaper The Tidings. Blessed Maria Ines Therese Arias was beatified last month in Mexico City. Born in Mexico in 1904, she joined the Poor Clare sisters in Mexico City. In 1929 she fled the violence of the Cristero Wars, immigrated to the United States and arrived in Los Angeles. She then became the foundress of the Poor Clare Missionary Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. This immigrant from Mexico, fleeing the violence of the Cristero Wars has contributed much to the Church of the United States. As Archbishop Gomez points out, the story of Blessed Maria Arias calls us to reflect upon how our country welcomes immigrants, especially as the U.S. Supreme Court recently heard arguments regarding Arizona’s immigration law. Archbishop Gomez states:

Our Church is a Church of immigrants. It always has been. Just as America has always been a nation of immigrants. Except for a few, all of our saints, blesseds, and venerables were immigrants. Some, like St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, were canonized for their service to our immigrant communities.

Today we seem to be losing this sense of America’s heritage — as a land of missionaries, immigrants and saints. A land where men and women from every race, creed and nation can live as brothers and sisters.

That’s why this Arizona case is important. Every year, state governments keep passing new anti-immigrant laws. There were 197 new laws in 2011 and 208 the year before that, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

These laws express people’s anger and frustration. Everyone knows our national immigration system is broken. So far Congress and the President have not found a way to fix it. There has been no real movement at the national level since comprehensive immigration reform failed in Congress in 2007.

Our national "policy" right now is to arrest and deport as many illegal immigrants as we can. Last year alone, our government deported nearly 400,000 people, a record number.

Of course, we’re not just talking about statistics. Each of these "numbers" is a person, many of them Catholics. Many are mothers or fathers who, without warning, won’t be coming home for dinner tonight. Many may never see their children grow up.

This is not a "solution" worthy of a great nation. In the name of enforcing our laws, we are now breaking up families. We’re punishing innocent children for the crimes of their parents.

We are a better people than this.

America has always been a nation of justice and law. But we are also a people of compassion. We can find a better way. It begins by remembering the promise of America — as a land where poor immigrants can become great saints.

I join Archbishop Gomez and my other brother Bishops in asking that we find a solution to our broken immigration system, one that both secures our borders and also allows immigrants to come into our country with their gifts, talents, and great faith to help our country to flourish and prosper with the blessings that they bring. This is one of the more important issues that face our country today, especially here in Texas and the Southwest and a just and reasonable solution needs to be found soon.

As we approach the great feast of Pentecost, I pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to lead and guide our great country, especially with the gift of fortitude as we continue as Catholics to defend and stand up for our religious freedom and also work to ensure that the immigrant can be safely and justly welcomed into our country to continue to enrich us all with their gifts and presence. May God bless you and your families.

+ Most Reverend Bishop Kevin Vann

The University of Dallas

Public domain

The Church in North Texas is blessed by the University of Dallas, which was founded by Bishop Thomas Gorman, the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur, and a group of dedicated lay men and women, to prepare young people for service to the Church in Texas and beyond. The Saturday morning before the commencement is usually the graduation for the Biblical School of the School of Pastoral Ministry. I was privileged once again to be asked to celebrate the graduation Mass. I would like to share my homily.

HOMILY FOR THE CATHOLIC BIBLICAL SCHOOL
COMMENCEMENT LITURGY

Most Rev. Kevin W. Vann, JCD, DD

Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth

Sunday, MAY 13, 2012

The University of Dallas

Dear graduates, friends, brothers and sisters all,

Estimados graduados amigos, hermanos y hermanas todos,

Thanks to President Thomas Keefe, Dr. Brian Schmisek and all of you for your invitation to return again this year. This day with you has become part of my regular life and prayer in May here in North Texas, and I am grateful to be back here again with you.

Gracias Presidente Keefe, Dr. Brian Scbimsek y a todos Ustedes por invitarme de nuevo este ano. Este día con Ustedes se ha convertido en parte de mi vida y oración en el mes de Mayo en el Norte de Texas, y estoy agradecido de estar aquí otra vez con Ustedes.

This year, prior to the Region X Bishops' to the Holy See and Pope Benedict XVI in March, I had a chance to spend a week of study, prayer, fraternal life and retreat with about 75 Bishops from around the world. This was the 36th annual meeting of Bishop Friends of the Focolare movement, and the theme was "The Word of God and its Transforming Power." I have always been an admirer of Chiara Lubich over the years, and as I get to know Focolare better, hear some of Chiara's conferences, I can understand better how the Word of God is not just a historical reality or course of study, but how it can indeed transform and change lives: it is a meeting of the living Word of God - Christ the Lord - and each and every one of us. Chiara would refer to the Word of God as a type of cloud which should surround us each day as we go about our daily lives. The opening session of us, was in fact entitled, "Let the Word of God live in us and surround us." We surely say "The Word of the Lord" at Mass, but often like much of our prayer it becomes a rote exercise, and we do not let its power to heal, transform, and change become part of the fabric of our lives.

I guess, today, I would ask and encourage all of you, who have spent these years of study and reflection, not to let this become only one accomplishment or a diploma which hangs on your wall or your parish office. After all, Pope Benedict XVI said in 2006 to a group of Bishops from the Congo that "Only if each one of the faithful allows his or her personal and community life to be joined to the Word of Christ, who asks for a personal and adult response of Faith through authentic and lasting conversion with a view to social fruitfulness and brotherhood among all, can the Gospel profoundly illumine their consciences and transform cultures from within."

Hoy, les pido y los animo a todos que han pasado estos años de estudio y reflexión, que no permitan que esto se convierta solamente en un logro o un diploma que se cuelga en su pared o en la oficina de su parroquia. Después de todo el Papa Benedicto XVI dijo en 2006 a un grupo de Obispos del Congo que “Únicamente si uno de los fieles permite su vida personal o comunitaria se adhiera a la Palabra de Cristo, quien pide una respuesta de Fe personal y madura a través de una conversión autentica y duradera con traza de fruto social y hermandad entre todos, que logra el Evangelio iluminar profundamente sus conciencias y transformar culturas desde el interior.”

You have been, and are students of Sacred Scripture, of the Word of God. How has this transformed your life, and how will it transform the lives of those whom God's providence sends your way in these very challenging times to Faith and authentic culture? St. Paul, in another place speaks of being "Bearers of the Word of God and stewards of mysteries of Faith." Will this be part of your daily life and routine? How does the Word of God from the Acts of the Apostles inspire us to be faithful and persevering each day as St. Paul and the disciples, such as St. Timothy, who lived the faith and persevered in the face of obstacles much stronger than we face at times?

How does the Gospel that you picked for today - the Word of God in St. John - remind us that being followers of Christ is not a matter of comfort or good feelings, but in fact a real challenge of living a way of life that is less and less accepted and often disdained? Can we let the Word of God strengthen us for those daily challenges today - challenges to Faith and freedom?

En qué manera la escritura que seleccionaron este día, la Palabra de Dios en San Juan, nos recuerda que ser discípulos de Cristo no es solo cuestión de confort o de buenos sentimientos, sino de hecho es un reto real a llevar un modo de vida que menos y menos es aceptado y muchas veces es despreciado? ¿Podremos permitir que la Palabra de Dios nos fortifique para los retos que enfrentamos día con día, retos a nuestra Fe y libertad?

Yet, even with that, can the Word of God in the Psalms transform our lives so that even with the daily challenges and problems, we serve the Lord in gladness, and give thanks, for God is always , always faithful. Do the Sacred Scriptures which you have studied teach you each day of God's faithfulness and that truly God is good, in moments of joy and sorrow.

I have tried each day to take one word from the Liturgy of the Hours of the Focolare "Word of Life" with me to the Catholic Center each day, or to wherever I am going. It indeed then becomes a cloud, a shield, a place of refuge for me, and a place of reflection and decision. As you set forth from here today, in the ministry and future the Lord has in mind for you, make that your practice and prayer. Not only will your study here bear fruit, and your own personal lives reflect the presence of the living Christ, the communion of the Church will be strengthened in her witness to what it means to be the "Flock of the Lord." What you have learned will be what indeed you will live!

God bless you always.

He tratado diario de llevar una palabra de la Liturgia de las horas de Focolare “Palabra de Vida” conmigo al Centro Católico o a cualquier lugar al que voy. Entonces se convierte como una nube que me envuelve, un escudo, un refugio para mí, un lugar de reflexión y decisión. Al partir de aquí este día, hacia el ministerio y al futuro que el Señor tiene en mente para ti, haz esa tu practica y oración. No solo dará tu estudio fruto, tu vida personal reflejaran la presencia de Cristo vivo, sino que la comunión de la Iglesia será fortificada en su testimonio de lo que significa ser el “El Rebano del Señor.” ¡Lo que has aprendido será en verdad lo que vivirás!

Dios los bendiga siempre.

May

The month of May began here at St. Patrick's Cathedral with a concert of solemn evening prayer dedicated to Our Lady. St. Patrick's choir, under the able leadership of director Phil Bordeleau, were joined by members from other choirs around the Diocese, and prayed with a near capacity crowd at the Cathedral. This was a fitting way to begin a month dedicated to the Mother of God, for her intercession and guidance in our lives to her Son. How many of us remember May Altars, crownings, and "Bring Flowers of the Fairest?" Again, we look to the Roman Missal;

"Having received the pledge of redemption and of life,
we humbly pray, O Lord,
that with the Blessed Virgin's motherly help,
your Church may teach all nations
by proclaiming the Gospel
and, through the grace of the outpouring of the Spirit,
fill the whole earth.
Through Christ our Lord"

Congratulations Bishop Sheltz

Auxiliary Bishop Sheltz
Photo from the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston

Congratulations to Bishop George Sheltz, the new Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. There was a wonderful group of priests at the Evening prayer prior to his ordination, all rejoicing with this native son of the Archdiocese who has already faithfully served parishes of the Archdiocese, and has assisted Cardinal DiNardo in the administration of this vibrant Archdiocese. The love and gratitude of the people was very evident for all the years of Bishop elect Sheltz's ministry and the promise of prayers in the years to come. The stained glass window on the front of the beautiful Co-Cathedral looked down over all of us present.

Ad multos annos, Bishop Sheltz!

Sacred Heart Co-Cathedral

The Risen Christ over Houston!

A time of thanks for the parish "front line" folks

Heroes of Youth Ministry and Confirmation preparation
John and Virginia Webb of Sacred Heart Parish,
Comanche, Texas

In these days of Paschal tide, there are many Sacramental celebrations and encounters with the Risen Lord (Confirmations, First Holy Communions) that are the same encounters that the disciples had on the Road to Emmaus with the Risen Lord. The hearts of our young people are prepared to meet the Lord by the dedication and faithful example of their parents and godparents, their parish priests, and their catechists. Like most Bishops, I am on the road most evenings to celebrate Confirmation, and have found our young people prepared, and open to the gifts of the Holy Spirit! Their catechists, youth ministers, and pastors have spent countless hours to prepare them to receive the Holy Spirit and his gifts. We should return to them all of our gratitude and prayers.

I would like to introduce one such couple. Several weeks ago, I celebrated Confirmation for the parishes of St. Brendan in Stephenville, St. Mary in Dublin, Our Lady of Guadalupe in De Leon, and Sacred Heart in Comanche, Texas. There were over 100 students confirmed in this celebration. All four parishes are under the leadership of Fr. Phil McNamara, SAC. I would like to acknowledge the loving, faith filled, and heroic witness of John and Virginia Webb of Sacred Heart Parish in Comanche, Texas, who for the last 22 years have prayed with, taught, and ministered to so many young people at Sacred Heart Parish. This summer, John and Virginia will be honored for their work and dedication at the annual Diocesan gathering of all of your youth on July 13-15, at what we call "DCYC” (Diocesan Catholic Youth Conference). The closing prayer of the Confirmation Liturgy exemplifies their lives and their prayer for all of the young people they prepare:

"Accompany with your blessing
from this day forward, O Lord,
those who have been anointed with the Holy Spirit
and nourished by the Sacrament of your Son,
so that, with all trials overcome,
they may gladden your Church by their holiness
and, through their worlds and their charity,
foster her growth in the world.
Through Christ our Lord."

(From the Roman Missal, English translation according to the third typical edition)