Shepherd of Fort Worth

Quadragesima

2012-02-23T06:25:00.002-06:00

Bishop DD Hayes and Bishop Vann exit DFW Airport after Ash Wednesday Services

A New Parish and New School

2012-02-21T11:39:00.001-06:00

It was announced earlier this week, and in the month of January, that the Diocese of Fort Worth will be opening a new Catholic grade school this coming Fall, as part of Holy Cross parish. This will be grades K-1-2 to start with. In this same year, about one month earlier, we will open the Parish of Blessed John Paul II at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas. Fr Kyle Walterscheid, currently our vocation director, will be the founding pastor. Fr. Isaac Orozco, currently my priest secretary will assume the ministry of the diocesan vocation director. The Diocese is grateful to both priests for their dedication, zeal, and priestly example. The demographic studies of the Diocese of Fort Worth, including one by the Meitler firm, both clearly indicated what we knew:the expanding population presents both challenges and blessings to the Diocese. The new Holy Cross parish school, and the new parish, are the first steps to implement the recommendations of the study.

The Diocese has had for many years a dedicated campus ministry staff in our colleges. The local priests have worked very diligently to provide Mass and the Sacraments for the students, and the campus ministry directors have been overseeing the entire pastoral care plan for college students. Thanks especially to all of them, and to Kevin Prevou, our director of youth and young adult ministry in strengthening and supporting the ministry on all of our college campuses.

The establishment of this parish builds on that strong foundation and gives us a chance to begin to establish a model of parish life similar to St. Mary’s at College Station, and St. John’s University Parish on the campus of the University of Illinois. The director of Campus Ministry at the University of North Texas and Fr. Kyle as the Pastor of Blessed John Paul II Parish will be joined by FOCUS missionaries, who, as missionaries, will extend the presence of Christ and His Church more fully into the lives of the Catholic students on campus, who represent the largest religious denomination on campus.

The Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter

2012-02-21T11:28:00.001-06:00

Msgr. Steenson and Bishop Vann with candidates for the Ordinariate

Sunday, February 12th, saw the liturgical establishment of the Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter at Sacred Heart Co-Cathedral in Houston. Donald Cardinal Wuerl and Daniel Cardinal DiNardo presided, along with a number of other Bishops and Archbishops, when Msgr. Jeffrey Steenson PA, celebrated the Mass that inaugurated the Ordinariate. There were approximately 800 people in attendance at the beautiful new Sacred Heart Co-Cathedral in Houston. Anglicans that had already been received in the Church, or were part of Anglican use personal parishes were present, along with many priests, deacons, and religious. There was a very good sized group from the Diocese of Fort Worth, along with Lucas Pollice, our Director of Catechesis, and Bert and Rosary Guidry of St. Michael’s parish in Bedford who assist in the catechesis for all of those seeking full communion.

In his homily, Msgr. Steenson relied on the Fathers of the Church to show that Church’s ancient concern for reconciliation and full communion. He especially saluted the priests present who came into the Church years ago as “pioneers’ in the Pastoral Provision. I would especially mention here Fr. Allan Hawkins who was present, and he, along with his congregation of St. Mary the Virgin in Arlington, made careful preparation, study and prayer in their journey to full communion years ago. Their pioneer journey of Faith years ago has now begun to bear fruit in a significant way. An Anglican priest friend of mine mentioned years ago, at a meeting, “we are just looking for someone to reach out to us with a hand.” And, so it has been done in the person of Pope Benedict XVI. As another priest said, this is not just about “swimming the Tiber”, but the Pope has built us a bridge.” All of this is certainly the fruit of the ecumenical movement which predated the Second Vatican Council, but as well is found in the documents of the Council.

E Pluribus Unum

2012-02-20T08:04:00.007-06:00

I am somewhat behind in my postings, although I have been able to get some recent pictures posted. This is in part due to the finishing the 2004-2011 “Quinquennial Report” in preparation for the Region X ad limina visit which will occur from March 14 - March 21. I would like to offer some of the following reflections. These are being written a block over from the Trevi fountain in Rome, at the Casa Santa Maria of the North American College, where I lived as a graduate student from 1981-1985. I am here for brief time for the Consistory in which Timothy Cardinal Dolan and Edwin Cardinal O’Brien have received the “red hat.”

The Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes in Mineral Wells, which I have already written about, on the February 10 Vigil Mass, which is the patronal feast day of this parish, would be an important day to reflect on the healing presence of Christ in the Sacraments, and especially how this gift was manifested at Lourdes in France, and how it continues in the at the grotto and in the Church’s healing ministries. The message of Our Lady of Lourdes was connected with repentance and conversion. Christ is always present in His Church and His healing love is made known through the intercession of His mother, and His presence in the Sacraments, especially Penance and Anointing of the Sick. On a wider scale, and especially in our country, His healing presence has been known through the many and varied ministries of Catholic Health Care. For example, the cornerstone of the 1938 patient tower of St. John’s Hospital in Springfield (sponsored by the Hospital Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis..now part of the Hospital Sisters Health System), reads “To suffering humanity, for His sake.’ The message could not be clearer, and the Church must be continually free to proclaim and live that message.

In the broader context of religious liberty, the freedom of that mission is being challenged and potentially hampered by Health and Services regulations, even in its accommodation. At the heart of the controversy is a proposed violation of our freedom of religious liberty. In this one violation we find many. The Gospel of Life and Catholic values do not square with providing abortifacients. Furthermore, I cannot envision a scenario in which creating an unconditional contraception on demand approach to healthcare would advance the mission of Jesus Christ. Certainly, in place of this approach, society can find consensus on promoting healthy lifestyles that validate mutual respect and honor among couples, families and individuals. Jesus came to restore to health the damaged souls of the many. It is our obligation to live out that mission in a way that looks tenderly and responsibly at men, women and children who come to us for care.

The recent accommodation proposed by the Administration, after a combined effort by many Catholic groups and individuals in protest, has been the subject of scrutiny and with good reason. It is a matter of justice to take into consideration the religious freedom of dioceses and Catholic entities that are self-insured. My brother bishop, Most Reverend Robert Lynch, of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, recently called into question this proposal, and called for all Catholics to keep “beating the drums.” Cardinal Roger Mahony did the same. Be assured that the Bishops of the United States will work diligently in the months ahead with other Catholic groups to study the accommodation and it's implications. In the meantime we must keep our voices heard and participate in the public square.

The Consistory

2012-02-18T18:13:00.009-06:00

I was able to get away to be in Rome to be present for this year's consistory in which the United States has received two new cardinals. The now Cardinal Timothy Dolan and I have been friends for many years, so I am grateful that I was able to be present at the Consistory where he received the “Red Hat”. The Consistory took place on Saturday February 18 and the Mass of Thanksgiving on Sunday February 19. This has also given me a chance to visit with one of our priests studying in Rome, Rev. Jonathon Wallis, and our two seminarians, Matthew Tatyrek of Holy Family parish in Vernon, Texas, and Joe Keating, of St. Mark’s parish in Denton, Texas. I have known Cardinal O’Brien for a number of years as well. The Church in the United States is blessed with the vocation and the courageous leadership of both, especially in these times. Ad multos annos to both!

Cardinal Dolan and Bishop Vann converse with another prelate.AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito

St. Peter's Basilica as the sun sets

Awaiting the entrance of the Holy Father

The Consistory has begun

Our Lady of Lourdes in Mineral Wells

2012-02-16T17:32:00.002-06:00

Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Mineral Wells, Texas

The past few days have been filled with blessings and challenges for the life of the Church in the United States. On February 10th I was able to celebrate a special Mass for the parish of Our Lady of Lourdes in Mineral Wells, Texas. This was on the vigil of the Feast Day of Our Lady of Lourdes. The Mass was in English and Spanish in the new Church, but the accompanying pictures (although a little dark) show the older Church in the late afternoon. Many people attended the Mass, and a dinner was held afterwards. A special thanks to Fr. Balaji Boyalla, SAC, who is the Pastor of this parish. The celebration was held to strengthen parish life, and increase the parishioner’s knowledge of and connection to Mary the Mother of God, whom we know as Our Lady of Lourdes from the apparitions in Lourdes France in 1858. Fr. Balaji is a member of the Society of the Catholic Apostolate, better known as the Pallotine Fathers, because the religious community was founded by St. Vincent Palloti. The Irish Pallotine Fathers evangelized much of north Texas, and through their ministry and pastoral care, truly enhanced the formation of the laity in their Catholic Faith. The majority of the Pallotines who came to Texas were Irish. We are grateful for the presence of Fr. John Casey and Fr. Philip MacNamara who continue to pastor and help so many people in their Catholic faith. We are also blessed now with the arrival of the Pallotines from India who are assisting us in carrying on the work of the Irish fathers. Present in our Diocese are Fr. Jacob Alvares and Fr. Balaji Boyalla. We are grateful for all.

St. John’s Chapel

2012-02-08T16:18:00.000-06:00

On Monday, February 6, at St. Mary’s parish in Gainesville, the former convent chapel (once the chapel of the School Sisters of Notre Dame) was blessed and dedicated as St. John’s Chapel. The sacred furnishings that had been once in the small church of St. John’s in Valley View, Texas had been refurbished and installed in the former convent chapel. This chapel, which will be used for daily Mass and Eucharistic adoration, will be a reminder to the people of St. John’s in Valley View that the liturgical life and worship once in their parish Church (now closed) will continue in this new chapel dedicated as well to St. John.

A special thanks to Fr. Victor Cruz, pastor of St. Mary’s, the parish leadership, and the former parishioners of St. John’s for their work and dedication in accomplishing this work. This chapel furnishes, then, a sacred space for contemplative prayer, and a time to spend in conversation with the Eucharistic Lord amidst the challenges of daily life. Photos by Julie Rauschuber.

The procession into St. John's Chapel
for the start of Mass

Bishop Vann leads the procession during
Eucharistic Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

Bishop Vann blesses the altar with incense

World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life

2012-02-07T14:46:00.002-06:00

On February 1, 2012, the Diocese celebrated for the first time at St. Patrick’s Cathedral the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life. It was celebrated in the context of Vespers for the Presentation, and there was a special blessing for all religious present. Vespers were in English, Spanish and Vietnamese. There was a reception afterward in the Cathedral annex.

Present were many religious women and men, including the new communities who have recently come to the Diocese. It was an evening to reflect on the witness of vowed religious, and the blessings that religious life has been to North Texas and the Diocese of Fort Worth. The new communities that were present also brought to the event a great hope for the future. What follows is the text of my homily in English and Spanish.
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Image: Stained glass window from
St. Mary of the Assumption, Fort Worth

Homily for Vespers of the Presentation of the Lord
Most Rev. Kevin W. Vann, J.C.D., D.D.
St. Patrick Cathedral – Fort Worth, Texas
February 1, 2012

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Queridos Hermanos y Hermanas,

Welcome to St. Patrick’s for the First Vespers of the Presentation of the Lord. It is my hope that since this beloved day in the Church's calendar, which since the time of Pope John Paul II has been set aside for the recognition of the vocation of the consecrated life, will become a regular part of the liturgical life of our Diocese, here at St. Patrick's, which since 1888, has been a location of prayer, praise and apostolic life for the Church in North Texas.

Bienvenidos a la Catedral de St. Patrick para Víspera de la Presentación del Señor. Tengo la esperanza que ya que este es un día tan apreciado y especial en el calendario de la Iglesia, y que desde el tiempo del Papa Juan Paulo II ha sido designado para el reconocimiento de la vocación a la Vida Consagrada. Espero llegue a ser parte de la vida litúrgica de nuestra Diócesis, aquí en St. Patrick’s, que desde 1888, ha sido un sitio de oración, alabanza y vida apostólica para la Iglesia en el Norte de Texas.

A little history of this day! My daily Roman Missal reminds us that "this was originally celebrated in the Eastern Churches as "The Meeting"; in the sixth century it began to be celebrated in the West, where the focus became the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary and was accompanied by solemn blessings and processions with candles; hence, it is popularly called "Candlemas." By the offerings of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph, and the prophecy of St. Simeon, the life of Christ here begins to point toward His Resurrection."

¡Un poco de historia de este día! Mi misal Romano nos recuerda que “esto fue originalmente celebrado en las Iglesias en el Este como, “La Presentacion”, en el siglo sexto comenzó a ser celebrado en el Oeste, donde el enfoque fue puesto en la Purificación de la Santa Virgen María y fue acompañado por bendiciones solemnes y procesiones con velas; llegando a ser conocido como Día de la Candelaria. Por las ofrendas de la Santa Virgen María y San José, y por la profecía de San Simeón, entonces es aquí donde comienza la vida de Cristo a dirigirse hacia la Resurrección.”

It is a day, since it is 40 days after Christmas, that still echoes the glory of that season, even as we now begin to turn to Lent. The Gospel for Mass for this day, from St. Luke, proclaims the beautiful "Canticle of Simeon" which we pray every night, and this story, in its entirety, proclaims not only on the faithful waiting of Simeon, but also Anna as well. Their words proclaim to us that God is Faithful, that in the Incarnation, God is here... here and now, among us!

Reflecting on all of this, and on some of my own personal experience (some of which you have already heard), I believe this is a fitting day to celebrate the gift of consecrated life, because it is eloquent witness to God's faithfulness that God is here. That is the message that you carry with you, woven into the fabric of your lives, through your profession of vows in the Church.

Pienso que es un día indicado para celebrar el don de la vida consagrada. Puesto que es elocuente testimonio de la fidelidad de Dios, que Dios está aquí... este es el mensaje que llevas contigo, tejido en la tela de tu vida, por medio de tu profesión de votos en la Iglesia.

I think of my own life and how again and again, religious life said that God is here!

Growing up, as August 4th drew near, we would always get ready for the great family days of my Aunt's home visit. She had the same companion for years, Sister Mary Martin. Their joyful witness told us that "God is here" in the midst of our family life!

!Recuerdo como en mi propia vida, la vida religiosa me mostraba, una y otra vez, que Dios está aquí!

Recuerdo que durante mi niñez al acercase el 4 de Agosto, siempre nos preparábamos para nuestra reunión de familia cuando visitaba mi Tía en casa. Ella viajaba con la misma compañera por años, la Hermana Mary Martin. Su testimonio fue siempre lleno de gozo y nos mostraba que “Dios está aquí” en medio de nuestra vida en familia.

My grandfather's and father's faithfulness to assisting the Sisters, particularly in the days before driving, taught us that "God is here" in the midst of daily life and daily obligations. These may be tough at times, but religious reminded us that "God is here."

Sophomore biology, especially the labs and the dissection was challenging, but Brother Schoffman's vocation reminded me that "God is here" in the midst of my studies!

In my early days of hospital work, the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis said by their very presence that "God is here." Yes, even in the midst of suffering and pain.

En mi trabajo en el hospital, las Hermanas de San Francisco mostraban con su presencia eficaz que "Dios está aquí." Si, aquí en medio del sufrimiento y el dolor.

And in two conversations that were pivotal in finding the life the Lord wished me to lead, one with an Ursuline Sister and another with a Dominican Sister, reminded me that in the midst of decisions and uncertainty, "God is here" to show us the way.

Conversaciones claves que me ayudaron encontrar el camino de vida que el Señor me indicaba a seguir, una fue con una Hermana Ursulina y otra con una Hermana Dominicana, me recordaban que en medio de la decisión e incertidumbre, "Dios está aquí" para mostrarnos el camino.

I know well that this is a different time and place, which in some ways is much more challenging. The witness of consecrated life is certainly not as omnipresent as it once was, but there is hope for the future! Yet, you are here, and your lives, ministry, and witness teach all of us again on this Candlemas Day, that yes, God “that light for revelation to the Gentiles” as St. Luke says, still truly is here!

Yo sé bien que esta es una época y un lugar muy diferente, que de muchas maneras se presenta con grandes retos. ¡El testigo de la vida consagrada ciertamente no es tan omnipresente como antes lo fue, pero si hay esperanza para el futuro! Aun así, están Ustedes aquí – y con sus vidas, su ministerio y testimonio- nos ensenan a todos de nuevo en este Día de la Candelaria, que si, Dios "quien es la luz para la revelación a los gentiles" como dice San Lucas, aun verdaderamente esta aquí!

Southwest Liturgical Conference

2012-01-28T17:43:00.003-06:00

The Dallas Fort Worth area is blessed to be able to host a number of ecclesial gatherings of study and prayer for those in ministry from all over the United States. Last we year the National Society of St. Vincent de Paul met here, followed not long after by Catholic Charities USA. And we have each year now the annual Dallas Fort Worth Ministry Conference which is sponsored by the Dioceses of Dallas and Fort Worth and the University of Dallas, at which last year over 5000 people were in attendance. Just this past week, the Southwestern Liturgical Conference hosted its annual meeting here to commemorate the 50th anniversary of its establishment. The gathering was blessed with a presentation by Donald Cardinal Wuerl of Washington and Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Atlanta. There were many well presented workshops on that related to worship, prayer, and the Sacred Liturgy. Bishop Farrell presided at the opening Mass and I presided at the closing Mass. What follows is my homily, based on the readings of the day (Friday of the third week in Ordinary Time, and the feast day of St. Angela Merici), and the theme of the Conference.

SOUTHWEST LITURGICAL CONFERENCE
CLOSING MASS HOMILY

Most Rev. Kevin W. Vann, J.C.D., D.D.

Bishop of Fort Worth

Dear friends, brothers and sisters, and all involved in the Church's Liturgy,

Queridos amigos, hermanos y hermanas, y todos involucrados en la Liturgia de la Iglesia.

Thank you for being here these days in North Texas. I think that you brought us the blessing of being here without ice, which is normal for us in this month. You have brought to us the blessing of rain, and your presence and commitment to liturgical life of the Lord's people. And, like so many others present in our State, I know that you got here as quickly as you could! I certainly did. I guess that I am a reformed Midwesterner or Yankee - and a reformed St. Louis Cardinal's fan....if you followed any of that nationally this year!

At any rate, welcome - y'all - thanks for being here with us, and more importantly, for praying with us.

Gracias por estar aquí estos días en el Norte de Texas. Yo creo que nos trajeron la bendición de estar aquí sin el hielo, que es lo normal para nosotros en este mes. Nos trajeron la bendición de la lluvia, como también su presencia y compromiso a la vida litúrgica del pueblo del Señor. ¡Y, como muchos otros aquí presentes en nuestro estado, yo se que llegaron aquí lo más pronto que pudieron! Seguramente eso hice yo. ¡Creo que soy un Yankee reformado – y, de los St. Louis Cardinals un fanático reformado también… por si siguieron algo de esto a nivel nacional este ano!

De cualquier manera bienvenidos “ya’ll” y gracias por estar aquí con nosotros y aun más importante por orar con nosotros.

Your theme of reflection in these days - keeping the flame alive - can certainly be a reflection of the Latin liturgical saying of "Lex Credendi, Lex Orandi". Because what you believe, you pray, and what you pray you believe, and thus bring the warmth of the love of Christ to all whom you help to pray, sing, and participate in the Liturgy. I think that your theme for these days is more than a theme - it is a proclamation of mission and the witness of your lives.

El tema de reflexión estos días – conservando la llama viva – puede ciertamente ser una reflexión del verso litúrgico en latín “Lex Credendi, Lex Orandi”. Porque lo que crees, eso rezas, y lo que rezas crees, para así acercar el calor del amor de Cristo a todos a quienes ayudan a orar, a cantar, y participar en la liturgia. Pienso que su tema estos días es más que un tema – es una proclamación de misión y de testimonio de sus vidas.

Because also a flame not only gives warmth, it gives light, and light will show us the path to walk in the years ahead, in love with the Liturgy of the Church. I might suggest these ways:

1) By your Faith, worship, and ministry, you bring the light of Christ to the present time and in the days and years to come. Keeping the flame alive is not a matter of nostalgia for the 1960's, but rather a light to proclaim the Gospel anew to the present age, whose needs and searching for God are not those of 50 years ago. It is the challenge of the new Evangelization to a far different time and place from where we came. But is not the Sacred Liturgy one of the best teachers and witnesses to the truth and love of Christ to every age? Thus it has been, and thus it will be: what you pray, you believe.

2) The Readings for this day may at first seem a little different for this gathering, but in fact that are the Church's readings - in her public prayer - for the Liturgy. They, too, are a flame that lights the path for living of the Faith in our age - for believing and for praying:

Las lecturas para este día a primer vista pueden parecer algo diferentes para esta convocación, pero de hecho son las lecturas de la Iglesia—en su oración pública- para Liturgia. Son también una llama que ilumina el camino para vivir nuestra Fe en nuestra epoca - para creer y para orar:

A. David and the Responsorial Psalm: May keeping the flame of authentic liturgical renewal prayer, shine the light of penance, reconciliation, mercy and the necessity of living lives of integrity to those who come to believe and to pray with us!

B. The Gospel: May the light of this Gospel proclaimed in this Liturgy help humanity to see that even the smallest efforts, or the ministry of one person in a tiny parish church or one person in the biggest of our congregations - can lead to greatness, magnificence and new life to someone who may stop by to pray with us, or who are routinely present at Sunday Mass. The great moments in our encounters with the Lord at times begin with the smallest efforts: because we pray, and we believe!

El Evangelio: Que la luz del Evangelio proclamado en esta Liturgia ayude a la humanidad para ver que aun en los mas pequeños esfuerzos, o en el ministerio de una sola persona en una pequeña parroquia o una sola persona en la más grande de nuestras congregaciones – puede llegar a grandeza, magnificencia y nueva vida para alguien quien se detuviera a orar con nosotros, o que rutina mente esté presente en Misa dominical. ¡Los momentos grandes comienzan con los más pequeños esfuerzos: porque oramos y creemos!

C. The Saint of the Day: A part of the Liturgical calendar that I love is the calendar of the Saints. Sometimes, - I know that it is not preferred (!) but I do change from the weekday cycle so that the life of the Saint can shine Forth. Today is St. Angela Merici. She may not mean much to us, unless somewhere in our educational background is the heritage of her daughters, the Ursuline Sisters. In a time when the world as she knew it seemed to be falling apart, St. Angela said that "I also beg to be concerned about every one of your daughters. Bear them, so to speak, engraved upon your heart---This will not be difficult for you if you embrace them with a living love." St. Angela's vision and love for the Body of Christ, and her new community, was, without doubt nourished by the Church's liturgy - where she found the flame and light of Faith to show her the way. May the flame of faith which is strengthened and nourished at the Table of the Lord - through your efforts and lives - help all have that living love. Angela could love because she prayed, she believed.

The Church's year is still new, as the Liturgical Calendar reminds us. The counting or ordering of the Sundays is not even five yet! Having then, begun a new year, we also recently began historic new time in the life, teaching and worship of the Church, in which I believe everyone here played an important role. I know firsthand the work of parish priests, deacons, liturgists, cantors and musicians and others here in Fort Worth. It is a new day, and a new song, a time to believe and to pray: the path for which is illuminated by the fire of the love of Christ in worship and song. It is your and our song; it is song of the entire Body of Christ.

El ano de la Iglesia aun es nuevo, así nos lo recuerda el calendario Litúrgico. ¡El conteo u orden de domingos aun no llega ni a cinco! Siendo así pues, comenzado un ano nuevo también comenzamos un tiempo histórico en la vida, enseñanza y alabanza de la Iglesia, en cual yo creo todos aquí ya han tomado un rollo importante. Soy testigo del trabajo de los sacerdotes en sus parroquias, los diáconos, de los liturgistas, cantores, y músicos y otros más aquí en Fort Worth. Es un nuevo día, y un nuevo canto, un tiempo para creer y para orar: el camino el cual es iluminado por el fulgor del amor de Cristo en alabanza y canto. Es tu canto y el mío, es nuestro canto, el canto de todo el Cuerpo de Cristo.
The Lord be with you - And with your Spirit –

¡El Señor sea contigo – Y con tu Espíritu! AMEN, ALLELUIA!

"Chaminade Day" at Nolan Catholic High School

2012-01-27T17:56:00.000-06:00

On January 19, I celebrated Mass for what is called "Chaminade Day" at Nolan Catholic High School. This co-educational Catholic High School is celebrating the 50th year of its foundation. The school was founded by then Bishop Thomas Gorman of Dallas-Fort Worth, and was a coming together of Laneri High School for boys (staffed by the Benedictine Monks of Subiaco Arkansas), and Our Lady of Victory Academy which was sponsored by the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur. The new school, Nolan Catholic, was then staffed and administered by the Marianists and the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur. Today it has an enrollment of nearly 1100 students. Chaminade Day is named after the founder of the Marianists, Blessed William Joseph Chaminade, and a medal is awarded to a student who most exemplifies the life and faith of Blessed Chaminade. All of the recipients of this honor since 1972 were present for the all school Mass and a celebration afterward. What follows is my homily for the all school Mass. Thank you to all who together are dedicated to the mission of Nolan Catholic, which has made such an impact in the life of the Church here in Fort Worth and beyond over many years. Special thanks to Fr. Richard Villa SM, President, and Mrs. Cathy Buckingham, Principal.

HOMILY FOR THE 50TH ANNIVESARY OF
NOLAN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

GOD'S FACEBOOK PAGE
January 19, 2012

There are certainly a lot of celebrations for this wonderful 50th anniversary of Nolan Catholic this year. As we pray here in the gym, and as we attend classes or walk the halls, or come to all the events and games, we are blessed. But you know… like all good things, this wasn't always so, and we can take what we have for granted. I wonder if we could get a perspective on this day, by imagining a conversation for this day, and this year. And, seeing this conversation take place for this year on what we could call God's “Facebook” page! Although the Diocese has a Facebook page (I don't!), I do know that conversations take place on these pages, sometimes with a picture of the person and his or her thoughts. We believe, certainly, in the communion of Saints, and therefore, that is a type of Facebook page where the "Friends" of God are conversing, and I do believe that many of the principals involved in the history of Nolan Catholic today are indeed visiting and conversing on God's Facebook page. And, this conversation is for us, and our thoughts and our prayer today in this Eucharist, now part of that same Facebook page.

The first person to speak on the Facebook page is St. John, and beside his picture are his words today in the Gospel, with the story of the water being changed into wine at Cana in Galilee. Mary the mother of Jesus says to the servants, when there is no wine, "Do whatever He [Jesus] tells you." And, so the day and the wedding are saved. We know that this is the first miracle of Jesus in his public ministry, and St. John's tells us that “God's glory is revealed, and so people began to believe in Him."

At that point there is another entry on the Facebook page from centuries later, Blessed William Joseph Chaminade, trying to live his priesthood after the reign of terror of the French Revolution. He refused to take the oath of allegiance to the State of France, and thus risked his life. He would tell us to believe in the guidance and prayers of the Mother of God, as well, and for people to become Saints to show that even in the midst of the terrible effects of the French Revolution, people could be saints, and that God's glory could be shown. He would say "I want to show the people of France the ‘spectacle of a people of saints.’

Another entry on face book might come about now, and challenge us not only to become saints, but see the glory of God in our lives, and know that the miracle in the Gospel can find a place in the miracles that faith can show to us on a daily basis. This person might say "Father Chaminade, you show us the way, because your life and your prayers have paved the way for miracles in the lives of the followers of Christ."

The next entry on God's Facebook page might indeed remind us of miracles, because maybe we are living one here and now. All of those involved in the history of Nolan over fifty years ago - Bishop Gorman, The Sisters of St. Mary - and He would post their entries from eternity for us to see. And they might be something like: We had to leave the security of our schools, Our Lady of Victory and Lanari High. What would be of our identity? Bishop Thomas Gorman might say that “I was being pushed by the business community of Dallas and Fort Worth… that 'if I wanted vocations to the priesthood and religious life' I had to start new high schools. It meant we had to leave the comfort of our schools, but we had to set out on a journey to do it. And so we did and so you are here today.” And, the Provincial Superior of the Sisters of St. Mary at that time, might have said in her post "We loved our Academy and all it stood for. It is not easy for us to leave it behind, but a new time, and these 1960s which are upon us, call us to make sure that our mission and heritage is transmitted in this new school, which will bring so many more the Gospel. And, so, let us go forth!”

St. Peter, the often companion with John and James, the one to whom the Lord gave the keys, would have his turn and post his entry saying "Remember friends, I told you this could be done….didn't I write to all of you and say that what you are doing, I said long ago? 'Whoever preaches let it be with the words of God; whoever serves, let it be with the strength that God supplies, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ…' My friend St. John speaks of the glory of God today for you. Thus, the history of these fifty years - the miracles of these fifty years and your presence now - are a living testimony to the words that I wrote years ago.”

One more entry might come from Blessed William Chaminade, and he might say "Do not forget the Mother of God. My friend, St. John, reminds us how she intercedes for us and shows us the way to her Son. She helped me as ‘Our Lady of the Pilar’, and I know that she will help you see the miracles of my son in your life daily."

You would have entries on God's Facebook for today, as would all of the alums and faculty and families who have walked these halls all of these years. The men and women of faith who made this time possible for us: faculty, parents, The Sisters of St. Mary, The Marianists, and all who have formed and continue to form this community of faith.

For the last post for this moment, St. John would come back again for us: "During these celebrations of the fiftieth anniversary of Nolan Catholic, I take my quill and parchment in hand, and point to the words which I wrote so long ago, and which are still the living word of the Lord: ‘Do whatever He tells you….Jesus did this at the beginning of his signs in Cana in Galilee and so revealed His glory, and his disciples began to believe in him.’ Those who together began the journey of faith for Nolan Catholic did, and you, go and do likewise: Continue to be people of Faith and Courage!”

AMEN!

North Texas Catholic Bishops Call for First Amendment to be Upheld in Latest HHS Ruling

2012-01-27T06:42:00.007-06:00

Bishops Kevin Vann and Kevin Farrell, bishops of the Catholic Dioceses of Fort Worth and Dallas, respectively, as well as Dallas Auxiliary Bishops Douglas Deshotel and Mark Seitz, join Catholic bishops from throughout the United States in strongly calling for Congress to uphold the First Amendment of the U. S. Constitution in regard to the latest U.S. Department of Health and Human Services rule that would force religious organizations to provide sterilizations, contraceptives and abortion-inducing drugs as part of their health plans.

The Dioceses of Fort Worth and Dallas are among the fastest growing Catholic dioceses in the country, with a current population of 710,000 Catholics in the Fort Worth Diocese alone.

The joint statement of Bishops Vann, Farrell, Deshotel and Seitz is:

The United States is a nation founded on the principle of life, liberty and justice for all and throughout the history of this great nation, the religious communities and those in posts of civil authority have recognized that free practice of religious beliefs are foundational to our country. The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." But in recent days the latest salvo in the attack on religious freedom was fired by the Obama Administration and, sadly, by Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, a Catholic. On Friday, Secretary Sebelius announced the Administration’s decision to mandate the inclusion of particular health services in insurance coverage which would result in Catholic institutions having to provide coverage that violates Catholic Church teaching and, therefore, Catholic conscience.

The HHS ruling requires that sterilization and contraception, including controversial abortifacients, be among the "preventive services" coverage in almost every healthcare plan available to Americans, including health plans offered by religious organizations.

The one-year concession allowed to implement these provisions is, as Cardinal-designate Timothy M. Dolan, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops said, "a one-year period to violate our consciences." Cardinal Roger Mahony, retired archbishop of Los Angeles, says this is a "full frontal attack" on religious freedom.

As the shepherds for nearly 2 million Catholics in North Texas, we cannot stand by silently.

This decision is outrageous. It is an unprecedented and untenable abrogation of religious freedom in the United States. This ruling, upon its implementation, would force Catholic institutions--hospitals, schools, social service agencies--to either violate the fundamental tenets of their faith or stop offering health insurance coverage to their employees, students, and clients.

This is part of a pattern in the United States that has degenerated from the recognition of religion as good and salutary in our society to religion being subjected to punitive discrimination.

We ask that the Catholics of North Texas, and other people of good will, join us by speaking out for the protection of conscience rights and religious liberty that are essential to the common good of our nation and in keeping with the basic human rights enshrined in our American way of life. We ask our civil authorities at all levels of government to "reform the law and change this unjust regulation," as Cardinal-designate Dolan said after the ruling.

The Catholic Dioceses of Dallas and Fort Worth, just as every religious organization in the United States, must be allowed to follow the fundamental tenets of their faith in all aspects of life without unwarranted government interference as is guaranteed by the United States Constitution.

I am asking members of the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth to contact their members of Congress regarding this deplorable federal ruling.

Dallas Roe Memorial Mass and Prayer Vigil for Life at the National Shrine in Washington, D.C.

2012-01-25T11:39:00.012-06:00

Some of the crowd in attendance. Photo: Juan Guajardo

Bishop Kevin Vann (center) with Bishop Kevin Farrell (right),
Auxiliary Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel (left) and Auxiliary Bishop Mark Seitz (far left)
Photo: Juan Guajardo

Two pictures from the Dallas Roe Memorial Mass on January 21. The gathering numbered well over 2,000 people who attended Mass at the Cathedral of Guadalupe in Dallas and then walked peacefully to the Dallas County Courthouse where Roe v. Wade was decided.

Young people at the Prayer Vigil for Life

Only a small part of the many young people who were present at the Prayer Vigil for Life at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. on January 23.

Young people from the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth

A group of young people from the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth. This group prayed night prayer after the Prayer Vigil for Life at the National Shrine. Seminarians Thomas Jones and Justin Conover were also present. Fr. John Robert Skeldon, who is studying at Catholic University of America, is on the right.

Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Fort Worth

2012-01-25T11:36:00.002-06:00

On Sunday morning, January 22, I celebrated Mass at Our Lady of Fatima parish in Fort Worth. This is one of the four Vietnamese parishes in our Diocese. The Church was filled to capacity. The pastor is Fr. Jim Khoi CMC, assisted by Deacon Michael Huong. The Mass was to celebrate the Lunar New Year - and this year is the "Year of the Dragon." After the Mass, there were great festivities in the parish hall, with the children receiving the famous "lucky money" and being entertained by dragons!

Homily at Our Lady of Fatima

Fort Worth, Texas

January 22, 2012

Dear Brothers and Sisters at Our Lady of Fatima,

Happy New Year! I am thankful to be with you and Father Jim once again. I really appreciate being with you on New Year's Day... for the “Year of the Dragon.”

I understand that the Dragon stands for: Luck, Wealth, Strength and Power. These are important for us in the New Year, and I believe that if we search the Scriptures from this Sunday's Mass, we can find these gifts for us in the light of Faith.

Luck can be better understood as what we call "God's Providence." That is to say that the events of our lives are understood in the presence of God guiding us and directing us. Peter and Andrew, James and John were fishing when the Lord passed by and he called them, and they followed. So, too, in the events of our lives, the Lord passes by and calls us. He makes His presence known through the events of our lives. This is better than luck... it is grace! So, when the Lord passes by us and calls us in the daily events of our lives, let us follow right away, like the Apostles and do not delay.

Strength and power come from God - to do the right thing and to always be faithful. Jonah was called by God to speak His word. He didn't want to do it, and it was difficult, and he at first ran away. Yet, in the end, he did what God wanted him to do. Let us pray this year to have the strength and power to always do what is right, even if it is not easy: in our work, with our family, and in the decisions of daily life. There we will have real power and strength!

Wealth - let us remember that even with the material resources that we all need, our real wealth and resource is in God: the gift of Faith. Let us pray for this gift to be stronger for us this year, to teach us gratitude for all God has given us!

We have many blessings to thank God for in this New Year. I thank God for the gift of your parish and your faith in my life!

God bless you in 2012, in this Year of the Dragon!

Parishioners prepare for the celebration.

Respect Life Mass

2012-01-24T16:29:00.004-06:00

Dear friends,

I will be posting a series of pictures and reflections about recent happenings around North Texas and the Diocese of Fort Worth. I wish to begin these reflections, however, with my homily from the Respect Life Mass held at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Fort Worth on Friday evening, January 20. This was the evening of the very day that the department of Health and Human Services issued the most unfortunate ruling that health insurance coverage must include mandatory contraceptive and Plan B (abortifacients are included in this one), and that this includes Catholic Institutions such as Catholic schools, universities and hospitals. Such mandates are in absolute contradiction to the freedom to practice our Faith that our country was founded upon. There is evidently no longer such a thing as freedom of conscience, and free practice of religion in our country. More commentary to follow later...

Respect Life Mass

St. Patrick's Cathedral

January 20, 2012

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Thank you for coming here this evening to St. Patrick's Cathedral and gathering on the evening of the weekend of Respect Life. Even as we hear today the discouraging news that the HHS health insurance regulations have been published, and that there is no protection of conscience, we gather as a people of faith, strength, and conviction. We do not ever give into the negative spirits of anger and discouragement, but rather walk by Faith.

We hear this evening from St. Matthew's Gospel, and we need to always remember that by the time this Gospel, and the others, had been written, the early Church (the early followers of Christ) had been seemingly dispersed in the persecutions of Emperor Nero and the other despotic emperors that immediately followed. Yet, in all of this the Gospels are considered to be "Good News," and "Good News" is what is preached! "Good News" in the face of seeming destruction. But, the Paschal Mystery, the power of God, is always at work.

I remember Cardinal Francis George of Chicago reflecting on the election of Pope Benedict XVI; as he was looking out from the loggia of St. Peter's, from the Vatican Hill over where St. Peter was buried, while the Holy Father was giving his first blessing, he knew that in the distance were the ruins of the Roman Emperor's palace on the Palatine Hill. This hill was where Nero had lived, and it was looking back! What was in the ruins? Nero - he was gone as well as his palace. What remains? What endures? The Faith - the proclamation of the Gospel, the Body of Christ the Church; clearly illustrated by the successor of St. Peter, blessing the city and the world from the Vatican Hill, the same hill where St. Peter was crucified and martyred. The Gospel and the Faith remain, which proclaim the great gift of life from God!

This year, we are also blessed in the new Roman Missal to have actual prayers for this day inserted just for the Church in the United States: A “Mass for Giving Thanks to God for the Gift of Human Life!” We walk by Faith, we pray together -- where two or three are gathered, there am I in your midst!

We remember that the prayer this evening (our prayer this evening) acknowledged that God alone has the power to impart the breath of life, and that gift of life is formed in our mother's womb. We pray as well that moment to moment, day to day, we may remain faithful to the sacred trust and constant in safeguarding the dignity of every human life!

The first reading of prophet Isaiah speaks of the desert. There are certainly times these days that we seem like we are walking in a desert where this gift of life has little or no protection. This can seem to be the reality after the announcement of the new HHS regulations with no conscience protection. Yet, if any of us have seen the barren deserts of the Southwest in the spring we know very well that those deserts do bring forth life where there was seemingly none before. When this same first reading tells us that the Spirit from on high will be poured out, we do know that the Holy Spirit will be poured out upon us to bring to life those seven gifts, so that, walking by Faith, we will know courage, wisdom, wonder and awe, and all of the rest in our efforts to work, live, preach and proclaim the Gospel of Life. This is so that those preborn who are waiting to come into the world may do so because we walk by Faith and are not, and never will be afraid.

We pray, we walk by Faith, and we commit ourselves to making our voices heard in this country that once guaranteed religious freedom, and which now has seemingly allowed it to fall by the wayside. We pray and commit ourselves to a clear witness of the value of human life, not only this weekend, but every day in the year ahead, so that our religious freedoms and our consciences may never be silenced. We remember the words of the Polish Bishops before the Second World War, especially the late heroic Cardinal Stefan Wysinsky of Warsaw that "Caesar may never sit on the altar." Never! Then, and now!

We pray this evening for all in our Respect Life Ministries, we pray for mothers, fathers, families and preborn children. Thanks to all of you for being here this evening, and joining together.

When we celebrate and then finish Mass, the words in Latin are always "Ite, Missa est!" This exhortation tells us, then, that our prayer and Mass together is not a matter of staying back and saying nothing, but taking the Gospel and going forth so that society and culture are transformed. In the new Roman Missal, one of the formulas for the end of Mass is "Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life."

That is what we do this evening. We go forth, and glorifying God by the commitment we have in our lives to live our prayer and commitment to our respect life ministries in every way, and by bringing our convictions about what we have received from God, and what our country was founded on - and is now seemingly lost - in the public square.

As St. Paul says we are never discouraged, because “We walk by Faith, not by sight!” (2Cor. 6-7)

AMEN.

Onward to DC

2012-01-21T20:01:00.003-06:00

Today I attended Mass in Dallas and then headed to Weatherford for the Hike for Life. Tonight I will celebrate another special Mass. I will post more on this very important weekend soon.

Bishop Vann and Fr. Casey SAC in Weatherford

Young people prepare to Hike for Life in Weatherford, Texas.

Why I Love Religion

2012-01-20T22:30:00.002-06:00

Here We Come

2012-01-16T10:44:00.002-06:00

I just heard that Region X's ad limina dates have been released.

Auguri

2012-01-14T16:45:00.005-06:00

Coat of Arms for "Cardinal Dolan"

Congratulations to Cardinals Elect Dolan and O'Brien!

In one of the previous posts, you saw two cardinals in a tree in the winter. This was an allusion to Cardinals Elect Dolan and O'Brien and their forthcoming elevation next month. This is a personal blessing for me. I have known Cardinal designate Dolan for many years now, and I wish to publicly congratulate him and thank him for the years of friendship and support in many moments of priestly ministry. Since I had studied at Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis, and then right after that, the North American College in Rome, we have had many chances to visit and be together these past years, and have many common friends and relationships. He gave our Diocesan priests' retreat three years ago and his words were very much appreciated by our priests. As he himself mentioned, his nomination to the College of Cardinals is a reflection of his years of ministry in the Archdiocese of St. Louis, Milwaukee, and New York, the North American College and many other places and people. A priest would say, like Cardinal Dolan, that an honor or recognition to the priesthood or episcopacy is connected with the lives and faith journeys of the people whom the Lord sends our way. Such it is with Cardinal Timothy Dolan. I know that the bishop who ordained me a priest in 1981, Bishop Joseph McNicholas of Springfield (native of St. Louis) would be - and undoubtedly is - proud of Cardinal elect Dolan.

Cardinal elect O'Brien Credit:CNS/Paul Haring

Congratulations, as well to Cardinal Elect Edwin O'Brien. His service in the Archdiocese of New York as Rector of both St. Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers and the North American College in Rome, his years as Archbishop of the Military Services and Archbishop of Baltimore, and now as Grand Master of the Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulchre have been a source of untold blessings and the building up and strengthening of ecclesial relationships throughout the Body of Christ in the entire world. I wish to add a special note of thanks to Cardinal designate O'Brien for his encouragement to me in my work and ministry with the Pastoral Provision.

AD MULTOS ANNOS GLORIOSQUE ANNOS TO BOTH!!!

ACE

2012-01-14T16:40:00.003-06:00

After the announcement of the establishment of the Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter at Our Lady of Walsingham in Houston, the Bishops of Region X were on retreat at the Oblate Center in San Antonio. Following a weekend back in the Diocese, where among other duties, I installed the new Pastor of St. Mary's in Gainesville, Texas, Father Victor Cruz. I returned to San Antonio with the Bishops of Texas for a meeting with faculty from the University of Notre Dame concerning the mission of Catholic schools and how to maintain, strengthen, and how to establish new schools with an unmistakable Catholic identity.

Many of the Dioceses in Texas are already blessed with the presence of the ACE students of the University of Notre Dame, whose vocation is that of being Catholic educators. The faculty of the University of Notre Dame were especially interested in how they can assist the Bishops of Texas in expanding the presence of Catholic schools for immigrant groups, such as the Hispanic population. The Church in the United States has a long and blessed history of educating immigrant populations in Faith and life through Catholic schools. Many dioceses in Texas, including Fort Worth, are planning new Catholic schools to meet this need.

Varia

2012-01-14T12:59:00.002-06:00

Sorry for the delay in posts. There has been plenty of New Year work to take care. But in the meantime...

Did you know that there is a ship called the USS Fort Worth that is scheduled to be commissioned on September 22, 2012 when she sails into Galveston, Texas? It is a Freedom class littoral combat ship. Littoral, from the Latin litus means "seashore" and so it is designed to be agile and stealthy "in the littorals". In the video, which I won't post here, it defines Fort Worth as "a pioneering city in the State of Texas known for its grit and tenacity".

The USS Fort Worth Photo Credit: Lockheed Martin

And speaking of grit and tenacity, tonight's match up should be full of that. There has been a lot in the news regarding the purposeful display of Faith for Denver's Tim Tebow. It will be interesting to see how things play out.

Photo Credit: Jack Dempsey

Congratulations Archbishop O'Brien and Archbishop Dolan!

2012-01-06T12:57:00.000-06:00

Pics

2012-01-06T07:27:00.000-06:00

Here are some pics from the campus of the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, where the Texas Bishops are finishing up their retreat.

Grotto

Modeled after Tepeyac

The Nativity

A New Year

2012-01-05T15:07:00.008-06:00

St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna, Austria Credit: Lisi Niesner

A bit delayed but here is my prepared statement on the recent announcement of the Personal Ordinariate. Right now, I am on retreat with the other Bishops of Texas in San Antonio.

Good morning all, dear brothers and sisters and friends present here today.

Happy New Year!

I'm very grateful to be present here at Our Lady of Walsingham today, at this historical moment for the announcement of the establishment of the Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter under the Patronage of Our Lady of Walsingham. I wish to offer my personal word of congratulations and fraternal support to Fr. Steenson, whom I came to know not long after I became the Bishop of Fort Worth nearly seven years ago, and I now consider a good friend. He will be a faith filled shepherd for the Ordinariate, and is also a scholar of the Fathers of the Church, whose writings are so key to understanding the nature of the Church, and the call to communion. I might add here that Father Steenson gave the Texas Bishops' retreat just two years ago at this time in San Antonio, on the theme of "Episcopal Ministry in the Fathers of the Church", and it was well received by all of the Bishops present.

I also acknowledge the presence of my friend Cardinal DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, and also thank Cardinal Donal Wuerl of Washington, D.C., Bishop Robert McManus of Worcester, MA, and Fr. Scott Hurd of Washington, D.C., with whom I have worked very closely in these past two years.

I have been a member of the Anglicanorum coetibus commission, and am now the Ecclesiastical Delegate for the Pastoral Provision. Both of these are distinct, yet complementary expressions in the contemporary life of the Church of the will of the Lord himself when he prayed that all may be one (John 17). They reflect the quest and call for Full Communion with the Catholic Church, and I also believe, the opportunity to give a witness of the joy and peace that come from the journey to full communion with the Church. As a canon lawyer, I also know that the last canon in the Code of Canon Law states that the supreme law is the "salvation of souls", and that is, in the end, this is the reason for this journey of Faith into the Ordinariate.

Bishop Vann and Rev. Steenson
Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston

When I was appointed to Fort Worth in 2005, I found that the some of the foundation for this historic day had been already laid in Fort Worth by these individuals and groups: the mutual work and ministry of the late Bishop Delaney, my predecessor in the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth and Bishop Clarence Pope, then Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth; together with a community of Anglo-Catholics in the Diocese of Fort Worth who now make up the parish of St. Mary the Virgin in Arlington, Texas. There were also other Episcopalian priests and laity as well who were seeking full communion with the Catholic Church in the years before I was sent to forth worth. These individuals had been brought to Christ and their Faith nourished in Baptism in their respective Anglican communities and the prayer and liturgical traditions of those communities.

I need also here to mention here the friendships, good will and ecclesial relationships, within and among the Catholic and Episcopalian Diocese: especially my friendship with the members of the Society of the Holy Cross and Bishop Jack Iker that I believe are part of this providential history.

Not many years after the establishment of the Pastoral Provision by Pope John Paul II in 1981, its lived reality proved to be a blessing and a part of the life of the local Church of Fort Worth - where life long Catholics and priests, and priests and individuals and communities who came through the Pastoral Provision have lived and worked together to proclaim the Kingdom of God and built up the Body of Christ.

Not long after my appointment to Fort Worth, I was appointed as Vice Delegate for the Pastoral Provision with special responsibility for Texas. Now, as the Delegate of the Holy See for the Pastoral Provision, I am here to offer my personal support to Fr. Steenson and the Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter; and my promise to continue to work together, and pray with and for the Ordinariate and Father Steenson: in the calling to help build up and strengthen the life of the this new Ordinariate. At the same time, I will continue the work of the Pastoral Provision for those Episcopalian priests who wish to become members of a Latin Rite Diocese.

Anglicanorum coetibus brings to the entire Church the reality of Faith that has been the lived experience of the Pastoral Provision in the Diocese of Fort Worth. Today is a day of rejoicing as we begin in this new year, and a new chapter in the life of the Church in the United States.

Thank you and God bless you.

St. Timothy's at St. Mary's

2012-01-02T08:23:00.001-06:00

Members of St. Timothy's

On January 1, 2012, the solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God, and the same day as the announcement of the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter, the community of St. Timothy's Episcopal Church made their first step into the journey of Full Communion with the Catholic Church. The community of St. Timothy were welcomed to classic and beautiful St. Mary of the Assumption Church near downtown Fort Worth by Fr. David Bristow, Pastor, Bishop Kevin Vann, and Lucas Pollice, Director of Catechesis for the Diocese of Fort Worth. Fr. Christopher Stainbrook, who had been their pastor at St. Timothy's, celebrated the Anglican Liturgy for them at 2:00 PM. They were also joined by some members of the community of St. Peter the Rock, who had been received in September of 2011.

With the establishment of the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter the same day, it was a day of thanksgiving for what had been, and rejoicing in the Providence of God that had brought them to this next step into their journey of Full Communion. St. The readings for that day called them, and all of us in this journey of Faith, to bless God at this moment, to give glory and praise to God by their lives, and like Mary, to reflect on these events in their hearts.

The Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter

2012-01-01T09:40:00.010-06:00

Catholic leaders on the establishment of the new ordinariate

Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington
Cardinal Wuerl was the Vatican’s representative for the implementation of Anglicanorum coetibus in the United States

Reverend Jeffrey Steenson
Ordinary of
the Chair of St. Peter

It is with great joy that I welcome the establishment of the Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter, and the announcement that Reverend Jeffrey N. Steenson, DPhil, has been appointed its first Ordinary.

Today’s events are the fulfillment of the hopes of many Anglicans in the United States who have longed and prayed for reconciliation with the Catholic Church while retaining cherished elements of the Anglican patrimony. The establishment of the Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter is the culmination of careful preparation and much consultation with Vatican officials and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

I am especially grateful for the generous assistance and fraternal welcome that many local bishops have extended to those Anglican clergy and groups seeking to join the Ordinariate. As the former Episcopal Bishop of the Rio Grande, Father Steenson brings to the position of Ordinary great pastoral and administrative experience, along with his gifts as a theologian. Under his leadership, and through the intercession of Our Lady of Walsingham, the Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter will both flourish and be a rich blessing to the Catholic Church in the United States.

Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston
Cardinal DiNardo has been very supportive of the ordinariate, which will be based at Our Lady of Walsingham parish in Houston.

Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham

I welcome the establishment of the ordinariate and the appointment of Father Steenson, whom I have known since 2009.

He is a wise and prudent administrator who will bring a vibrant intellect and humility to his role as head of the ordinariate. He has a very deep sense of the meaning of Church. Father Steenson is not only an outstanding patristic scholar, but a priest with a strong pastoral sense and an abiding respect for all people. He will surely be an effective, kind and joyful leader who will love and guide God’s people with the attitude of Christ.

Octave Reflections

2011-12-30T08:19:00.009-06:00

St. Thomas Becket

Yesterday was the sixth day of Christmas and the feast day of St. Thomas Becket. This morning, like every morning, the Church prays, "The Dawn from on High Shall break upon us" in the Benedictus (The Canticle of Morning Prayer) of Morning Prayer. Indeed the Dawn of the light of another day breaks upon us. So does the light of Christ again in this octave of His Birth. The dawn from on high is about to break upon us in a new year of grace and it is also about to break upon us in a new chapter of the life of the Church in the United States. As with the New Year, there is anticipation of the dawn of the Anglican Ordinariate. For those who have been waiting in hope, this is much like another Advent. As we await the dawn, it would be well to have some words from St. Thomas Becket (1118-1170) for us. His life and witness is not at all unconnected (although more remotely) with the heritage of Faith of the English Church in the United States which will find itself in ecclesial communion again with the See of Peter at the dawn of a new year. I believe his words are words for those in waiting:

"Remember then how our Fathers worked out their salvation; remember the sufferings through which the Church has grown, and the storms the ship of Peter has weathered because it has Christ on board. Remember how the crown was attained by those whose sufferings gave new radiance to their faith. The whole company of saints bears witness to the unfailing truth that without real effort no one wins the crown."

(From the Office of Readings, December 29th, a letter by St.Thomas Becket, bishop)

Words of Faith for those in anticipation, and words of Faith for the new year, the new dawn, and the new day of ecclesial communion for the Church in the United States.

As we pray, watch and wait, more to come!

Venite, Adoremus Dominum!

Venite Adoremus

2011-12-29T11:42:00.003-06:00

Midnight Mass
St. Patrick's Cathedral
December 25th, 2011

It is part of the human experience to always go in search of something. In my case, I find myself searching for my cell phone, or my keys, or other things. People go in search frequently of loss items, employment, loved ones, meaning in life and so on. It should be no surprise, then, that the theme of journey for something, looking for something, is found in the pages of Sacred Scripture. That is surely the case with the narrations of the Birth of the Lord found in the inspired pages of St. Luke and St. Matthew: Joseph journeys to Bethlehem to try to find a place to stay with Mary; The Angels go in search of the Shepherds to proclaim to them the birth of the Savior, and the Shepherds go in search, then of the Christ Child. The Magi search for the Star, and then search for the new born King. Herod, too, does his search for his own motives and his own reasons. The Son of God who is born this day, then, as an adult, will tell of other searches; the woman searching for the lost coin, and the man searching for the treasure in the field.

Can we not, this holy night, then reflect on these passages of searching in the Gospels, the searches in our own lives, and find a mirror image? Not of our searching in the first place, but of God's seeking us out, searching for us? Does not the Nativity of the Lord, the Birth of Christ, the Incarnation, teach us of the reality that God is searching for and has come to live among us? Through the centuries of salvation history, he comes looking for us, and now stops and stays: "Emmanuel - God with us" God is not "watching us from a distance" as that silly song sang years ago, but is here now, with us, knowing our sorrows, joys, ups and downs. He is here among us! And, now that He has come searching us out, are we going to run from Him? Are we going to keep on our search, when in truth, we have been searched out, and found by the God in the person of His Son who loves us. Let us look no farther, but rather stop, and let us be loved by Him, and in turn, as St. Paul says, live holy lives. God is indeed Faithful to us each, and every day, so we do not fear, and rather by our lives, are called to sing the same gloria that the Angels sing tonight and always.

O COME LET US ADORE HIM, CHRIST THE LORD.

VENITE ADOREMUS.

Federal Corrections Institute

2011-12-29T10:20:00.005-06:00

HOMILY FOR CHRISTMAS EVE - 6:00 PM

MEN'S FEDERAL PRISON

Dear brothers in the Lord, staff and friends all,

Once more we are here on Christmas Eve, the evening before the celebration of the birth of Christ. I am truly grateful to be with you as brother, friend, priest, bishop and above all Pastor. I want to let you know that you are thought of and prayed for by me and many people, and are never forgotten.

The Mass we are celebrating now is the Mass at Midnight. The Word of God speaks to us in a powerful, yet most personal way. The title given to Christ by the Angel Gabriel is "Emmanuel" - "God with Us."

It is important to remember on this night that truly God is with us. The Birth of Christ the means that God is not far away, but has taken on our human condition...like us in all things but sin. It means that God truly does not our concerns, our troubles and worries. He knows our loneliness, our regrets, our wishes to be without families. His love for us in His Son, means truly He is present to us now. And in His presence in our lives, we are truly free, and this is a freedom that is with us no matter where we are!

The celebration of the Birth of Christ also teaches us again and again that God is Faithful. God promised a Redeemer to Adam and Eve, the Prophets said that He would come, and so He has. So, is God no less faithful to us in our lives?

The words of the angels to the shepherds are their words to us also: “Do not be Afraid." Do not be afraid because God is Faithful and because He has come among us. There is no reason to fear or be afraid. His love for us, given on this night in the Birth of His Son to Mary, means that we must not fear.

As St. Paul tells us tonight, the grace of God is given to us to live justly and devoutly wherever we are. That applies to us right here, right now, and in the future.

The new born Christ child is present to us, and this night he is present to those whom we love and who seem far from us: parents, wives, and children, and friends. Yet, in our Faith, on this holy night, they are near and with us now.

Let us commit ourselves to live lives of adoration like the shepherds, and giving glory to God, like the Angels tonight. There, we will find strength and peace.

O COME LET US ADORE HIM, CHRIST THE LORD!

Christmas at Vietnamese Martyrs Parish

2011-12-28T08:39:00.001-06:00

HOMILY FOR 9:00 PM MASS

VIETNAMESE MARTYRS PARISH

ARLINGTON, TEXAS

The readings for us this night, the account of the Birth of Christ the Lord, in the Gospels, is a story of a journey, and a story of firsts: Jesus is Mary and Joseph's first born; Joseph's first journey to Bethlehem for the census; probably Caesar Augustus' first census; the shepherds first experience - and a startling experience - of the presence of God in His Angels

We have a lot of firsts in our own lives: the first Christmas of a married couple; the first Christmas away from home; perhaps the first Christmas without a loved one in the year of their death; the first Christmas is a new city, a new country, or maybe a new job. "Firsts" can be moments of challenge, but they also can be moments of Faith, because that is where our Faith can be tested, and where the presence of the Lord can be found when we need Him, and when we least expect!

The is a "first" for all here tonight...this is the first Christmas in this beautiful new House of God, and just like the shepherds, we have made a journey here to meet the new born Christ Child. Because of this, all of the other firsts in our lives this year will have a new perspective: that of Faith.

The beauty of this Holy Night is shown in the beauty of this new Church, which reflects the faith and love whose generosity who made this possible: and it also reflects the Faith of those whose witness of Faith , in the presence of so many difficulties and challenges, stood firm for all to see.

The birth of Christ, the Son of God, the Incarnation, teaches us clearly that God is Faithful to us. He sent our Redeemer, just as He said, and just as the prophets promised. God is not distant, and far away, but dwells in our midst, and we, like the Shepherds, "have seen his glory."

A very blessed celebration of the Birth of Christ to all here on this holy night. Let us be like the Shepherds, and always adore and praise God, and may our lives reflect the Song of the Angels, and always give Glory to God, in all moments.

We have journey here this evening together to hear the Song of the Angels, and to meet the Shepherds, and hurry with them to see the newborn Christ Child.

O COME LET US ADORE HIM, CHRIST THE LORD!

Wishing all a very Merry Christmas!

2011-12-23T23:09:00.011-06:00

QRS Player Piano Music Word Roll #7742, White Christmas
QRS Player Piano Music Word Roll, Christmas 2011: A Jim Brickman Christmas

Adventus

2011-12-22T19:18:00.001-06:00

In this season every hope of the human heart is exquisitely articulated as it seeks out the reciprocity for which love was first given. And in the soul of each human being the Creator calls to us to remember our home. In a couple of days we will join the Holy Family, hopefully, with a certain impoverished spirit. Like Mary and Joseph, Advent is a time to face the natural world and civilization as outsiders. It is a time to be a pilgrim with expectation and faith in the Almighty's promise.

Hopefully, over the last days we have taken time to reflect and pray with those sacred names of Jesus.

Journey of St. Patrick

2011-12-21T08:12:00.001-06:00

The new Saint Patrick Statue for our Cathedral Pastoral Center arrived.

Following Our Lady of Guadalupe....The Evangelization continues!

2011-12-16T15:36:00.000-06:00

Following the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Hispanic communities gather throughout the Diocese for a "Pastorella" and "Las Posadas." A "Pastorella" is a drama of faith that always teaches about the birth of Christ, and the drama between good and evil, where good, in the person of the Christ Child, always has the "final word." These plays are a combination of drama, mystery, and even humor at times. The "Posadas" are another type of Novena that reenacts the journey of the Holy Family to Bethlehem for the Birth of Christ, and the response of all who meet them. Both the Pastorella and the Posadas are actually live tools of evangelization that were brought to the new world centuries ago by the Franciscan Friars. It is a tribute to their labors that these live moments of Faith are still lived and taught, and handed down each year to this day by the Hispanic peoples. This is another example of how the presence of the Hispanic people is renewing our Catholic Faith in "El Norte." The pictures that follow are from the Pastorella which was held at Assumption Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Decatur, Texas on December 15th, just last night!

Solemn Vespers with the Conferral of Pontifical Honors

2011-12-16T15:24:00.001-06:00

The recipients of the Pontifical Honors with Bishop Vann.

HOMILY AT EVENING PRAYER FOR THE FEAST OF ST. LUCY
St. Patrick's Cathedral
Fort Worth, Texas

This evening we pray together the Evening prayer for the Feast of St. Lucy and we also give thanks for those who have been recognized by the Holy Father...

The Feast of St. Lucy

There is not a lot known about St. Lucy other than she was from Sicily, and martyred during the last great persecution of the Church by Diocletian in about 304 BC. Part of her suffering, we are told, was that she was blinded. That is why her hagiography shows her with wreaths, candles and light, and refers to the loss of her sight. However, there is another matter to consider here about St. Lucy.

The Church, in her wisdom, teaches that Sacred Liturgy and song in praise to God, which in the Liturgy can complement or enhance the regular calendar, can offer a different vision of life. This is what I believe it does this evening.

It is not by happenstance that St. Lucy's day is today. In the Western Hemisphere, as the days grow shorter, and the darkness is longer, the Church places her feast day today, December 13th. Her name comes from the Latin, "Lux" or light. Thus, in times of increasing darkness we have an image of light, born from the love of Christ. After all, in the responsory to the Word of God this evening we pray "Let your face shine upon us and we shall be saved!"

Our brothers and sisters this evening, whom Pope Benedict has recognized, in these honors with a history of many years, have been , as it were, channels for the light of Christ in so many ways. Just as the light comes through the windows of St. Patrick's on a bright day, so too, in many ways, in the years of our history of our local Church, the light of Christ has been present in their ministry and apostolic witness, and hard work and dedication. Their witness has helped, and continues to help, to weave together the strands of life in our local Church, and hold it together in a vibrant and bright faith: much like the colors in this woven cloth of many strands and colors from Ghana. It is a tapestry of faith woven together by the hand of God. And, when one is honored, all are honored, and the communion of our local Church becomes strong.

The communion of Faith of our local Church is also strengthened this evening, as we pray the psalms and canticles of Advent, with the awareness of the presence of Pope Benedict XVI, the successor of St. Peter. In a special way, the Universal Church, which is also present in the local Church, is very evident this evening.

Pope Benedict XVI himself said in 2006 that "Communion is also a gift with very real consequences. It lifts us from our loneliness, from being closed in on ourselves, and makes us sharers in the love that unites us to God and to one another....Communion is truly the Good News, the remedy given to us by the Lord to fight the loneliness that threatens everyone today, the precious gift that makes us feel welcomed and beloved by God, in the unity of his People gathered in the name of the Trinity."

As we acknowledge our brothers and sisters this evening for their recognitions that have helped all of us realize that we are indeed “sharers in the love that unites us to God and to one another.”

The Pontifical Equestrian Order of St. Gregory the Great was established in 1831 by Pope Gregory XVI and is bestowed on men and women in recognition of services to the Holy See and the Church, unusual laborers and the good example set in their community and country.

Patricia and Arthur Dickerson are receiving the St. Gregory Award for their well-known, legendary and appreciated commitment to faith, the Diocese and St. Patrick Cathedral. The Dickersons continue to be actively involved in various aspects of the Diocese and St. Patrick. Art is involved in a range of St. Patrick parish life, including overseeing renovation of the Cathedral and the construction of the pastoral center. Pat also is deeply involved at St. Patrick’s, she is a member of the Catholic Daughters, the Altar Society and works to promote devotional life at St. Patrick.

The Pro-Ecclesia et Pontifice Cross was established in 1888 by Pope Leo XIII and has evolved to recognize distinguished service to the Church by laity and clergy and is the highest award to laity by the Papacy.

Sister M. Devota Sweeney, SSMN, a Wichita Falls native, is recognized for a lifetime of work as a member of the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur serving as a school principal in the Diocese as well as in England. She also served as the order’s provincial superior and the order’s General Council in Belgium. Most recently, she was missioned at Notre Dame High School in Wichita Falls. At 90-years-old, Sister M. Devota is at Our Lady of Victory Center in Fort Worth.

Brother Al Kuntemeier, SM is recognized for his service to Nolan Catholic High School where he has been a faculty member for the last 30 years. Brother Al has served as a role model and touched the lives of thousands of students as a guidance and academic counselor while living out his faith during his 60 years as a religious.

Brother Paul McMullen, TOR is recognized for his respected work throughout the Diocese particularly for his recent service as the pastoral administrator of St. Bartholomew Catholic Church. He is also recognized for his work on various diocesan boards, Sacramental assignments, and his work with the Franciscan Friars of the Third Order Regular of Saint Francis within the Diocese, nationally and internationally. He served as the vocations director for his province as well as a member of the General Curia staff of the TOR at SS. Cosmas and Damian Church in Rome.

Sister Juliana Tran, CSFN is recognized for her dedicated work with the diocesan Vietnamese community, from catechesis in the largest Vietnamese church in the Diocese, Vietnamese Martyrs, to assisting the diocesan Tribunal Office. Sister Juliana, whose faith is exemplary, is well-respected in her religious community. Sister Juliana is currently in graduate school in Philadelphia.

The Benemerenti Medal was created by Pope Pius VI in the late 1700s. In 1832 Pope Gregory XVI instituted the medal to recognize individuals who have exhibited long and exceptional service to the Catholic Church, their families and community. In 1925, the medal was expanded to recognize persons in service of the Church from both civil and military as well as the laity and the clergy.

Michael D. Barks is recognized for his work as a member of the Our Mother of Mercy School advisory council. Not only is he a strong proponent of Catholic education to help African-American students to overcome barriers and to advance in life, but he also was instrumental in the construction of a new school. He lives out his faith by serving as a role model for young African-American men as an instructor and mentor for Junior Knights of St. Peter Claver, as a JROTC instructor, and through his many parish works. Mr. Barks and his wife Marie are members of Our Mother of Mercy Parish.

Peter M. Flynn is recognized for 26 years of dedicated work to the Diocese and to Bishops Joseph Delaney and Vann. He began as director of stewardship and development and now is vice chancellor for administrative services and finance director which requires him to be deeply involved in all aspects of one of the fastest growing dioceses in the United States. He is deeply committed to his faith and his family. Mr. Flynn and his wife Shirley are members of St. Bartholomew Parish.

Guadalupe (Lupe) and Deacon Emilio (Popo) Gonzalez are recognized for being “bridge builders” between Hispanic and Anglo communities at their parish, Immaculate Conception of Denton, as well as mentors to newly arriving seminarians from Mexico. They live out their faith, as well as their commitment to family, by welcoming immigrants to the parish and community. Both Deacon Popo and Lupe are on staff at Immaculate Conception.

Ann R. Healey is recognized for her dedicated and relentless work to first form the diocesan Permanent Diaconate Formation program and then to serve as its director for 26 years before retiring. She is recognized nationally for her work on behalf of permanent deacons including serving as president of the National Association of Deacon Directors. Her tenure and her life are marked by her dedication, pastoral skills, and loyalty to the Church. Ms. Healey is a member of St. Andrews Parish.

Lucas R. Pollice is recognized for dedicated work as director of the diocesan Catechetical Department. He has worked diligently to ground the catechetical and formation programs of the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth in foundational pastoral and Catholic teaching, ensuring that the tenets of the Catholic faith reach the faithful, while maintaining a deep commitment to his family and community. He has been very much involved in the planning of the University of Dallas Ministry Conference which is jointly sponsored by the Catholic Dioceses of Fort Worth and Dallas. Mr. Pollice and his wife Mary and their family are members of St. Maria Goretti Parish.

Heather Reynolds is recognized for bringing Catholic Charities of Fort Worth, Inc. into closer concert with the Diocese by preserving the Catholic identity of both the board and staff while reaching out to all in need throughout the Diocese, regardless of religious affiliation. She is recognized for spearheading a $16 million capital campaign to relocate and construct a new center for Catholic Charities. Ms Reynolds and her husband John are members of Holy Family Parish.

Jean Riley is recognized for her tireless work as the diocesan representative for persons with special needs. Wheelchair-bound herself, Riley is a respected advocate for the disabled both with the Church and the local Fort Worth community. She demonstrates her commitment to her faith through religious painting and her parish life. Ms. Riley is a member of St. Rita Parish.

Daniel Shine is recognized for 50 years of dedicated services to Our Lady of Queen Peace Parish and to the Diocese in an array of areas, from chairing the parish building committee that guided construction of its new church, to serving on the diocesan capital campaign committee, and various diocesan boards and projects. He demonstrates his deep faith in many ways, including serving as an Extra-Ordinary Minister of Holy Communion, as a Knight of Columbus, and leading the annual benefit for the diocesan seminary burse. Mr. Shine and his wife Sue are members of Our Lady of Queen Peace Parish.

Ann Louise Smith is recognized for dedicated pastoral work with young people and college students as a campus minister both in Fort Worth and Wichita Falls. She also uses her nursing and pastoral skills to serve children and those in hospitals. As an Oblate of the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur, she has continually demonstrated her great faith, care, and love for all people and particularly the members of her community. She also serves on the diocesan Conduct Review Board. Ms. Smith is a member of the TCU Catholic community.

More Media from Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebrations Last Night

2011-12-13T08:42:00.000-06:00

View from the Sanctuary at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Fort Worth

Our Lady of Guadalupe

2011-12-12T07:01:00.012-06:00

HOMILY FOR OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE

Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish

Fort Worth, Texas

December 12, 2011

The Cufflinks/Las Mancuernillas

Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord,

Mis queridos hermanos y hermanas en el Señor,

I know that at times, on this great day, I have used this image to speak about Our Lady of Guadalupe, but I thought that I would reflect on it again this year, as we meet once more the Mother of God.

Sé que algunas veces, en este gran día, Yo he usado esta imagen para hablar acerca de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, pero pensé reflexionar sobre esto de nuevo este ano, al encontrarnos una vez más con la Madre de Dios.

As a newly ordained priest, I was sent to Rome to study Canon Law thirty years ago. During those years, when I was in residence at the North American College, I began to wear cufflinks on formal feast days and Sundays, and it is a manner of dress that I keep to this day. I always found that cufflinks added a certain amount of style or order to the suit and Roman Collar, and help certainly to keep the shirt sleeves in good order...holding the sleeves together in place! Over the years I have acquired a number of pairs of cufflinks, and when I came to Fort Worth, I found another: this set of cufflinks of Our Lady of Guadalupe!

Cuando recién ordenado como sacerdote, fui enviado a Roma para estudiar ley Canoníca, ya hace treinta años. Durante esos años, cuando residía en el Colegio Norteamericano, yo comencé a llevar mancuernillas en días de fiestas formales y los domingos, y es una manera de vestir que mantengo hasta este día. Me daba cuenta que las mancuernillas añadían un cierto estilo o orden al traje y al Cuello Romano, y ayuda a mantener las mangas en buena condición, sosteniendo las mangas juntas en su lugar! A través de los años he adquirido un numero de pares de mancuernillas, y cuando vine a Fort Worth, me encontré otro par, este par de mancuernillas de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe!

Our Lady of Guadalupe cuff links

I found them in a store in downtown Fort Worth, and right away they caught my eye! I found them at a time when I was walking downtown, reflecting on some of the challenges that I had to face at the time. They caught my eye, or now, I should say rather, they were a manifestation to me of Our Lady’s word to Juan Diego when his uncle, Juan Bernardino was seriously ill: "Do not be distressed, my littlest son. Am I not here with you who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Those cufflinks began a series of instances in whenever there were concerns or worries for me, I would almost at the same time, turn around and find an image of her waiting for me…again and again.

¡Las encontré en una tienda en el centro de Fort Worth, y enseguida las vi! Las encontré una ocasión en que caminaba por el centro, reflexionando en algunos retos que tenía que enfrentar en esos días. Las vi luego, luego, o ahora mejor dicho, fueron una manifestación para mí de las palabras de Nuestra Señora para Juan Diego cuando su tío, Juan Bernardino estaba gravemente enfermo: «No se turbe tu corazón ni te inquiete cosa alguna. ¿No estoy yo aquí que soy tu Madre? ¿No estás bajo mi sombra? ¿No estas por ventura en mi regazo? ». Esas mancuernillas fueron el comienzo de una serie de instantes en los que había preocupaciones que me esperaban para resolver, en esos momentos casi al mismo tiempo volteaba y me encontraba con la imagen de ella esperándome, una y otra vez.

Mass for Our Lady of Guadalupe in Morgan, Texas

Is that not always our experience of the Mother of God for each one of us…the Mother of God who Juan Diego, and now all of the Americas, and beyond that all of the world now know? The Gospel for this day is that of the Visitation of Mary. The words of St. are “How is this that the mother of my Lord comes to me?” This day, and always, she comes to us as the Mother of Jesus – the Mother of God to say indeed that “God is with us.” She comes as an icon to show how Faith can both embrace and transform a culture. She comes to us as an Icon of her Son’s constant and faithful presence in our daily lives…God is indeed faithful. She comes to us in our travels in our daily lives and in our travels in and out of borders to remind us that she travels with us, and enfolds us in her mantel. Because she is everywhere, she teaches us again and again that our Faith knows no frontiers. With the stars and the flowers, she sings the power and beauty of God’s creation. And, just as in the Gospel, the image tells us that she is expecting her Son, the image of her on the tilma powerfully proclaims that human life is sacred and that God is the author of life.

¿Que no esa nuestra experiencia con la Madre de Dios para con cada uno de nosotros?…la Madre de Dios, quien Juan Diego, y ahora todas las Américas, y mas allá en el mundo conoce ahora. El Evangelio de este día es el de La Visitación de María. Las palabras de Santa Isabel fueron: Como es que la Madre de mi Señor viene a mí? Hoy, y siempre, ella viene a nosotros como la Madre de Jesús—la Madre de Dios para decirnos que en verdad “Dios es con nosotros”. Ella llega como icono, como imagen para mostrar como la fe envuelve y a la vez transforma una cultura. Llega a nosotros como icono de la constante y fiel presencia de su Hijo en nuestras vidas…Dios en realidad es fiel. Ella viene a nosotros en nuestras jornadas cotidianas en nuestros viajes atravesando fronteras para recordarnos que ella viaja con nosotros, y nos envuelve en su manto. Porque está en todo lugar, ella nos enseña una y otra vez que nuestra Fe no tiene, ni conoce fronteras. Con las estrellas y las flores, ella canta del poder y de la belleza de la creación de Dios. Y al igual que el evangelio, la imagen nos habla que ella está en cinta, esperando su Hijo, la imagen de ella en la tilma poderosamente proclama que la vida humana es sagrada y que Dios es el autor de la vida.

Her appearance to Juan Diego during his walk and journey also reminds us that it can be in the most unexpected moments of life that the presence of God can come to us. And, just as my cufflinks keep my shirt sleeves in good order, so to, does she, by her love, protection and care, help keep our lives in good order by redirecting us always back to her Son.

La aparición de María a Juan Diego durante su caminar y su jornada al igual nos recuerda que puede ser en los momentos más inesperados que la presencia de Dios puede llegar a nosotros. Y, así como las mancuernillas conserva las mangas de mi camisa en buen orden, así ella con su amor, protección y cuidado, nos ayuda a conservar nuestra vida en buen orden al dirigirnos de nuevo a su Hijo.

I recently had the occasion to be in Queretaro, Mexico last week. One of the priests that I met, Fr. Prisciliano Hernandez Chavez CORC, shared with me these words of Our Lady of Guadalupe from his 34^th Ordination Anniversary. I think that they are fitting for us tonight:

La semana pasada tuve la ocasión de estar en Querétaro, México. Uno de los sacerdotes que conocí alla, el Padre Prisciliano Hernández Chávez, CORC, compartió conmigo estas palabras de una poesía que uso para su 34 aniversario de sacerdocio. Son palabras de alabanza para Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. Creo que nos quedan bien esta noche.

“A Santa María de Guadalupe”

Flores de milenarias primaveras

Flowers of a million springs

Se hermana en la pascua Mexicana

Sister with the Mexican resurrection

Para morir y dar la vida

To die and bear life.

A la perenne imagen de María.

To the perennial image of Mary.

Canto y flor, flor y canto

Song and flower, flower and song

Vuelo policromo de pinceles

Polychrome flight of pencils

Roban la belleza al cielo

Steal the sky’s beauty

Para vestirla de soles y luceros.

To dress her with suns and stars.

La noche y el día

The night and the day

La aurora y el ocaso

Aurora and sunset

Enmarcan el Pentecostés de antaño,

Frame the ancient Pentecost,

Rostro bruñido en suavidad alada.

Brilliantly profiled in soft swiftness.

Su belleza se escucha

Her beauty is heard

Su voz se contempla

Her voice is contemplated

Su ternura aprisiona

Her tenderness imprisons

Cual Madre que arrulla

As a Mother lullibys

Con su candor silente.

With tranquil candor.

Lagrimas y lagrimas

Tears and more tears

Forzan su presencia,

Her presence force,

De niños en orfandad hundidos

Of children buried in orphanhood

Sin sus caricias

Without her caresses

La desesperanza abruma

Desperation overwhelms

Ante una vida de falsos esplendores.

Before a life of false splendors.

Imagen sonora

Harmonious icon

Voz que se toca

Palpable voice

Ojos de misterio

Misterious eyes

Del acto de ser

Of the act of being

En ti siendo.

Being in you.

Matachines in Morgan, Texas

Vietnamese Martyrs

2011-12-10T13:51:00.002-06:00

Participant in a procession for the new church building wait outside.

HOMILY FOR THE DEDICATION OF VIETNAMESE MARTYRS CHURCH

DECEMBER 10, 2011

Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, all a part of this great family of God here today.

I wish to thank all of you for the invitation to be with you today. This is a great day of rejoicing for all of us, as the word of God tells us: Welcome to My friend and our friend, Bishop Dominic, Father Louis, the CMC Provincial, Father Polycarp and all here present. This is a day of blessing, and a day of rejoicing in God’s faithfulness to us, to bring us to this day.

Let us listen to the Word of God from the Old Testament which says that, “Today is Holy to our Lord….for rejoicing in the Lord must be our strength.”

The new Vietnamese Martyrs Church in Arlington, Texas

We rejoice in the Lord today for the gift of our Faith, that has come down to us from the Word of God in the Old Testament, and through the Apostles, from the Lord Himself. Just as in the Gospel of St. John, we have a personal encounter with the Lord Himself this very day, who calls us to live lives of worship and love. The encounter with the Samaritan woman changed her life. May the encounter with the same Lord, on this day of the dedication of your Church, change our lives, to always be witnesses of His love, which will be given to us Sunday after Sunday, day after day in this parish Church.

A photo just before mass

We rejoice in the Lord today to hear St. Paul’s words. St. Paul speaks of the living temple of God. In this temple of God, we lay a foundation for our lives for now and into the future. And, each stone, each statue, each sacred object is a reminder of each of you here today: your love, your sacrifice, and your generosity, without which this would not be possible.

Bishop Vann practices for mass

We rejoice in the Lord today in the example of the Saints of your parish, the Vietnamese Martyrs, who in the 1800’s gave the greatest witness of their love by their lives. We are called today to give heroic witness of our love for Jesus Christ in our daily lives. That love is strengthened here by the celebration of the Sacraments here each and every Sunday.

We rejoice in the Lord today at the vision and generosity of the Vietnamese families who came here to Arlington to begin this parish family, and whose faith, love, and vision have made this House of God possible.

We rejoice in the Lord today for the gift of family: Our own families and our parish families. Every family, every parish family has its own history, full of blessings and challenges. But in the midst of it all we know that the Lord is present, guiding us on with His love, just He did the Samaritan woman so long ago. We may not understand everything all of the time, but we do understand the love of Jesus Christ for everyone here today, everyone in the history and story of every family here, of every person in the history of this parish. It is because of that great love that you – that all of us - are here today.

We rejoice in the Lord today for the gift of time. We are now in the time of Advent, which means “coming.” The Lord is coming to meet us at His Birth, yet truly He comes to meet us today.

Like the words of Nehemiah, we celebrate with great joy all that has been accomplished in Faith. Yet, the Lord is not done with us. He still comes to us and has more work for us to do, everyone here, to take the presence of Christ here today, out into the world that awaits Him and needs him. We are called to build up the Body of Christ here on earth the Church – wherever we may be - , to make the living House of God reflect this same beauty that is here. I thank you personally for your friendship and love for all that you have done and been for me in these past years. Because of all of you, and the faith of the Vietnamese people, I have seen the presence of God in a way that I never could have imagined. With all of my heart, I thank you.

For today is holy to the Lord our God, rejoicing in the Lord must be our strength.

As the Word of God says, AMEN , AMEN!

Pics from the OLG Novena

2011-12-09T16:53:00.001-06:00

The Immaculate Conception

2011-12-08T12:49:00.001-06:00

Let every heart, that is devout, now raise itself and devoutly celebrate the Conception of the Virgin ever blessed.

Progress

2011-12-05T08:46:00.009-06:00

A view of the new Cathedral Pastoral Center from Throckmorton Street.

On a rainy Sunday afternoon several hundred people gathered in downtown Fort Worth to witness the historic blessing of the St. Patrick's Cathedral Pastoral Center. Parishioners, who are finishing a successful fundraising effort, gathered and welcomed guests. Since St. Patrick's itself was dedicated on July 10, 1892, the new Pastoral Center is about 120 years overdue. Until recently, the primary meeting space for the Cathedral was the basement of the neighboring St. Ignatius building, a former location for an Academy run by the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur. In keeping with the architectural style of the Cathedral itself, the new building makes use of Neo-Gothic references and expresses a theological continuity that reinforces the centrality of Fort Worth's mother church.

People begin to gather for the blessing of the new Cathedral Pastoral Center.

Bishop Vann says the prayer of blessing.

Bishop Farrell and Msgr. Weinzapfel of Dallas were present.

Being "missioned" at "home"

2011-12-05T08:26:00.001-06:00

Associates of the CFRs gather

Saturday, December 3rd, the feast day of the great Jesuit missionary, St. Francis Xavier, saw a full house at Sacred Heart Friary of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal in Fort Worth. The day began with morning prayer, followed by Mass, in turn followed by a day of formation and reflection for the associates of the CFRs. This day of reflection also included an afternoon at St. Benedict's mission in Fort Worth and time spent ministering to the homeless with the Friars. On this day of a great missionary, the CFR associates were truly being sent into mission in their own city, to live their Faith and extend the love of Christ to the homeless and the abandoned.

Novena

2011-12-03T16:10:00.003-06:00

The word novena in the Catholic vocabulary comes from the Latin root word meaning "nine" and refers to either nine days of public or private prayers, either private or liturgical. One class of novenas are what are called novenas of preparation, usually preparation for a major feast. In recent years, for example, novenas in preparation for the celebration of the Solemnity of Pentecost, or Divine Mercy Sunday have become well known. In these days, we are beginning nine days of preparation for the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. I began the novena with the faith community at San Mateo mission in Fort Worth, on Friday evening, December 2. It was a very foggy night, evidenced in the street, where lights shown through in the area surrounding the mission. In contrast, at the mission itself, there was a spirit of joy as Hermana Soledad explained the symbolism in the image of Our Lady on the tilma of Juan Diego. In this mission, which is small, but nearly full, the rosary, singing and other prayers to Our Lady, and the matachines, filled this house of God with great joy, as we began the nine days journey to December 12th. On Monday evening, December 5, I will be with the parish family of Our Lady of Guadalupe on the north side of Fort Worth for one of their evenings of the novena.

More Light

2011-12-02T12:21:00.002-06:00

Main Street

Sundance Square in Fort Worth

Catholic Charities' 10th Annual Creating Hope For Our Community Fundraising Luncheon

2011-11-30T15:08:00.003-06:00

This was the 10th annual "Creating Hope" luncheon sponsored by Catholic Charities Fort Worth, Inc. on November 30, 2011. This was the biggest crowd ever, around 800 people present. This is not only a major fund raising event for Catholic Charities, but it is also a time when the community at large is made aware of, once again, the ministry and mission of Catholic Charities in our Diocese and community. In this time of economic challenge, they are able to assist many people of various ethnic backgrounds in our community with their basic necessities. They assist many refugees in resettlement as well. Catholic Charities, whose mission is situated in relationship with the Diocese of Fort Worth, is a clear sign of the Church's concern for the welfare of those in time of need and challenge. Thanks to Heather Reynolds, Jim Wilkes and the Board of Directors, the Members Board, and all the staff for all they do. The mission of Catholic Charities reflects a phrase in the history of St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac which says "The love of Christ urges us on."

The following is a brief overview of the work of Catholic Charities Fort Worth, Inc. and is taken from the informative brochure provided to everyone in attendance.

Our Mission

To provide service to those in need, to advocate compassion and justice in the structures of society, and to call all people of good will to do the same.

Our Work

Founded in 1910, Catholic Charities Fort Worth (CCFW) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a zealous goal to end poverty in our 28 county diocese. By meeting the needs of children, families, elderly, refugees, and immigrants regardless of creed, ethnicity or culture, we are able to serve and give hope to over 110,000 individuals and families in need each year. More that 90 cents out of every dollar donated goes directly to provide services through over 40 innovative programs, empowering clients to become self-sufficient.

Quick Facts

Catholic Charities Fort Worth is a member and affiliate organization of Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA), one of the largest private networks of social service providers in the country.
We serve everyone, regardless of faith traditions. We like to say that we serve people because of our faith, not theirs. Out staff reports over 20 different religious affiliates.
We are one of only seven nationally accredited organizations in North Texas through the Council on Accreditation; we are one of only three in Tarrant County.
We receive over 250 calls a day from people in need and assist them through over 40 programs designed to combat poverty.

Our Highlights

In the last six years of our one hundred year history, we have doubled our capacity to serve, growing from 55,000 clients to over 110,000 clients.
Last year, we resettled 633 refugees and helped 89% find their first job within six months.
Through our partnership with local agencies, we have helped to reduce the number of chronically homeless unsheltered persons in Fort Worth by 40%.
Our Healthy Start program had a 100% success rate in 2010 of helping to eradicate infant mortality.
We housed 125 children last year who were removed from their homes due to abuse/neglect and doubled our Assessment Center capacity from 20 to 40 beds.

Fiat Lux!

2011-11-29T10:37:00.002-06:00

The opening hymn for Vespers of Monday of the first week of Advent reads:

"Lord Jesus Christ, abide with us,
Now that the sun has run its course;
Let hope not be obscured by night,
But may faith's darkness be as night..."

On this evening of the first week of Advent, a walk around downtown Fort Worth can reflect the words of the hymn. So much of Advent imagery is that of light in the darkness (the Advent candles, the Feast of St. Lucy in a few weeks, and so many others as well) that points to the true Light of the World who casts out our own darkness, and now is the time to prepare once more to celebrate the Light of the World, that "Love that came down at Christmas" to show us the way.

These images are the display of lights at the Chesapeake Energy building, one of which frames the buildings of downtown Fort Worth! We also find St. Patrick's Cathedral illuminated at night which frames the way the new soon-to-be dedicated parish pastoral center, and the Texas and Pacific Railroad lofts in the background. High over all of this is the billboard with a Nativity Scene, and nearby is St. Ignatius School also lit at night.

Maranatha, Come Lord Jesus, Come, O Light of the World!

Chesapeake Energy Building

St. Patrick's Cathedral

Billboard with a Nativity Scene

St. Ignatius School

The First Sunday of Advent: “And with your Spirit!”

2011-11-28T17:15:00.009-06:00

The much anticipated introduction of the Third Edition of the Roman Missal took place on the First Sunday of Advent and was welcomed by all in attendance at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Fort Worth. The attention to the worship aids, and the use of the new hymnals helped all to listen and learn the new English vocabulary of the Sacred Liturgy. Special thanks to all at St. Patrick’s who helped prepare for this day: Fr. Joe Pemberton (Rector), Fr. Joy Joseph, TOR (Parochial Vicar), parish staff and catechists, and the Cathedral choir under the direction of Phil Bordeleau. Only a few slipped in to the familiar phrasing of “and also with you.” With time and patience we all together will grow into the new and more beautiful language of the Sacred Liturgy. Comments were positive and good humored by parishioners on the way out! What follows is my homily for 11:00 AM Mass on November 27, 2011.

THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
November 27, 2011
St. Patrick's Cathedral
Fort Worth, Texas

Dear Friends here this morning,

Again, another time, the journey of our lives, in God's Providence, has brought us to Advent. For many of us, this brings with it memories of the Advent wreaths of our early years at home, or the Advent calendar, and the promise of the beauty and joy of the season of the Lord's birth.

As another Advent is upon us, we would do well to remember the words of Pope John Paul II on December 18, 2002, when he said that "It is necessary to understand that the whole of our life must be an 'advent', a vigilant awaiting of the final coming of Christ. To predispose our mind to welcome the Lord who, as we say in the Creed, one day will come again to judge the living and the dead, we must learn to recognize him as present in the daily events of life. Therefore, Advent is, so to speak, an intense training that directs us decisively toward Him who already came, who will come, and who comes continuously."

The first days of Advent are not immediately about the prophecies of the birth of Christ, but are rather a continuation of the last days of Ordinary Time when we heard about the second coming of Christ, and to prepare ourselves for that. Advent is about continuing the preparation for the return of the Lord and the end of time, and living our lives in that light, then hearing the call to repentance of John the Baptist, and then finally, preparing ourselves to celebrate once more His first coming at His birth with the YES of the Blessed Mother to the will of God, which must be our yes in our daily lives.

So, the Gospel for this Sunday, from St. Mark, uses the word "WATCH" three times. "Be watchful! Be alert!” (13:33), “Watch, therefore…” (13:35) and “I say to all: ‘Watch!’” (13:37) Therefore, we too must continually be vigilant and watchful for the presence of the Lord in our lives as this new year begins with the exhortation to always be vigilant!

I would reflect then, in this new Church year--this year of grace, to be watchful as well, in other ways as we begin to pray the new translation of the Roman Missal:

Be watchful and be vigilant - recognize that we are in the making of history, truly, today. A history that is the continual and unfolding of the renewal and restoration of the Sacred Liturgy as called for, and envisioned by the Second Vatican Council's decree on the Liturgy - now nearly fifty years ago.
Be watchful and be vigilant of how we pray! How often does our prayer become rote and routine? Now, we have to pay attention to what we say, and we will find that we are speaking and praying in a way that draws us out of our daily lives to the presence of God. After we are a little more used to them, I believe that we will find a language to speak to God, and let God in turn speak back to us of his love for us. Years ago, when I was studying in Rome, and thanks to Father Reginald Foster, OCD of the Gregorian University in Rome, I found that I was building on the foundation of my high school Latin of years ago. And to practice, I read the Roman Missal in its official Latin text, and I began to find that the beauty of the Latin words was in no way reflected in the English of our Sacramentary, and in fact was quite hidden. For example, I read in the third Eucharistic prayer that instead of "From east to west" there was "From the rising of the sun to its setting." And there were plenty of other examples of this as well. I am thankful that the translation has forced me to slow down, and to pray the text each day. It has helped me to pray, and I believe it will do the same for all of you here, if you let it!
Be watchful and vigilant, and thankful for all who have brought us to this day: all of the consultation, the catechesis, the music, and all of the dedication of the people behind this massive undertaking so that we might pray in harmony and in closer union with the rest of the Church. Be thankful, for example, of the youth group from one of our parishes [St. Francis in Grapevine] who put together a catechesis so that they could be part of the catechesis and preparation in this historical time as well. For the musicians and choir members all over the Diocese and our country, and beyond, who have composed new Mass settings so we could learn anew that "Music is a fair and glorious gift of God." And a “thanks” to the many young people who have said to me at Diocesan youth gatherings, Theology on Tap, the University of Dallas, or anywhere… “Bishop it is time, we don't want to wait any longer for this!"
Be watchful and vigilant, and I might say, remember the contrast between now and 1964/65. I remember those days well, and the difference in the preparation now and then. For many of us in grade school at the time, the preparation was an invitation to come and practice serving Mass a week ahead, because the altars were going to be "turned around" and the prayers of the foot of the altar were going to be in English. Or it meant for the grade school choir to practice ahead of time, or maybe the Confraternity groups, perhaps. But, without faulting the times, the extensive preparation was not like what we have been doing these years.

Be watchful and vigilant and remember all of those who have given their time and their talent and their God given gifts so that we could all be prepared better, so that we could pray better, and then, take that Faith into our daily lives.

Since not only our spoken words, but our hymns and sung words will be different, I would like to conclude with some words of St. Augustine, who always concludes Ordinary Time on Saturday morning on these words:

"So, then, my brothers, let us sing now, not in order to enjoy a life of leisure, but in order to lighten our labors. You should sing as wayfarers so--sing, but continue your journey. Do not be lazy, but sing to make your journey more enjoyable. Sing, but keep going. What do I mean by keep going? Keep on making progress. This progress, however, must be in virtue; for there are some, the Apostle warns, whose only progress is in vice. If you make progress, you will be continuing your journey, but be sure that your progress is in virtue, true faith and right living. Sing then but keep going." [From a sermon by St. Augustine, bishop, p. 608 in the Liturgy of the Hours, Volume IV].

We have not only begun a new season, a new year, but a new time in our journey of Faith, prayer, and worship. It will have a profound impact in our lives, if we open our hearts to this.

"Let us continue our journey, let us sing, then, and keep going!" AMEN.

+ Most Reverend Bishop Kevin Vann

The El Paso Mission Trail

2011-11-28T16:46:00.008-06:00

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2011

While I was in El Paso for Thanksgiving, I had the blessing and the chance to visit two of the Missions of El Paso, on what is called the “Mission Trail.” There are three missions on the “Trail”: Ysleta del Sur, Soccoro, and San Elizario. I was able to visit two of the three: Ysleta and San Elizario. These missions, which are still active places of worship, are historical focal points of Faith, and the history of the Church in the Southwest. Thanks especially to Mrs. Transito Macias and Judge Patricia Macias for their welcome, and their time and explanations of the local cultural and religious history. Within the walls of the missions, one could sense the lives and the Faith of all of those who had worshipped there over the many years.

Mission of San Elizario, El Paso

The front of San Elizario, El Paso

Mission of Ysleta del Sur, El Paso

Retablo of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Ysleta del Sur, El Paso

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-23T17:37:00.000-06:00

Thanksgiving 2011 in West Texas

On the way to El Paso

This is the landscape, from the car, of Interstate 10, which leads to El Paso and then on to California. The landscape here brings with it this reflection:

The blessings of plenty in our time, but the necessity of reaching out to others in need; We are a nation that has been historically built and blessed by immigrant families, and the call to respond in Faith to those new generations of such families in our midst, especially those of the Household of Faith; We are a country blessed by freedom of worship, but challenged by the specter of restriction of the freedom of religious expression; We are mindful of the heritage of the events of Plymouth Rock; but this Highway and its scenery speaks of the heritage of the Catholic Faith planted across the South, Southwest. And the West, which predate the events of Plymouth Rock by 100 years.

A blessed Thanksgiving and safe travels to all.

+ Most Reverend Bishop Kevin Vann

The Sentinel between the Past and Present

2011-11-23T11:04:00.000-06:00

Our Lady of Victory continues to be the sentinel between the past (St. Ignatius Academy - 1883) and the new St. Patrick Cathedral Pastoral Center... to be dedicated and blessed December 4, 2011).

CATHOLICISM

2011-11-22T11:51:00.002-06:00

Christian, Remember your Dignity

2011-11-22T11:50:00.005-06:00

"For God does not command impossibilities, but by commanding admonishes you both to do what you can do, and to pray for what you cannot do, and assists you that you may be able."

- The Council of Trent

Enchiridion Symbolorum et Definitionum, 804

Thanksgiving is a time for us to reflect seriously and joyfully on God's grace. Quite often, having seen the warts and wrinkles of life, our fallen human natures tend downwards so that we hang our heads low, almost giving in to the heavy yoke of sin. As good as it is to sustain action, observing a Gospel based zeal, it is equally important to remember that God first loved us, even before we did anything good for Him. His love, which lifts us up from the mire and muck, indeed puts a new song into our mouths so that we might sing the songs of His glory.

The Ecstasy of St. Cecilia

Only the one who is keenly aware of the breadth and length, height and depth of God's love can see how divine providence undergirds the uncertain and ambiguous. As we journey towards the celebration of the Incarnation of God's providence how can we demonstrate our gratitude for the gracious gift of Jesus Christ for our sake? Certainly, a persistent tearing down of the fabric of life cannot render to God what He deserves. Thanksgiving is a time to reach upwards toward God with gratitude, especially from the depths. As the days draw short, the cold creeps in and the ever so apparent failures of human activity, institutions and ideals reveal their vanity, we do well to allow the grace of God to turn our hearts and minds to Him, and to put down the attitudes that work against what grace is quietly yet ever so steadily restoring.

In these days we Catholics have a responsibility to recognize the evil in the world but are even more responsible for being leaven. As people of the Eucharist, we celebrate the passion, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus. By entering into suffering and embracing small deaths we learn the value of resurrection. But if we linger and allow darkness a place of honor, idolizing its infamy and freeze as if mesmerized by it, we can only bring misery.

If I could offer words of encouragement I would refer you to St. Leo the Great who says:

Christian, remember your dignity, and now that you share in God’s own nature, do not return by sin to your former base condition. Bear in mind who is your head and of whose body you are a member. Do not forget that you have been rescued from the power of darkness and brought into the light of God’s kingdom.

Thanksgiving is a time of Eucharistic living. It is a time of joy, not to be confused with a superficial face saving mirth that masks the work yet to be done. Rather, it is a time to look into the mirror and see the face that God loved so much, the one for whom He gladly sent his only Son into the world. Christian, remember your dignity.

Munus Docendi

2011-11-21T17:51:00.004-06:00

Today I had the opportunity to visit the impressive Trinity River East Campus Center for Health Care Professionals. It is part of Tarrant County College. Along with the Chancellor of TCU, I had an opportunity to see their state of the art facilities.

A stream runs through it.

The Campus sits next to the Trinity River.

Deo Gratias

2011-11-20T17:02:00.007-06:00

Today I return to Fort Worth (Deo Gratias!) and to an evening celebration of Confirmation at St. Patrick's Cathedral, followed by a blessing of mariachi and other musical groups at La Gran Plaza in south Fort Worth, in honor of the feast day of St. Cecilia, patroness of music, whose feast day is November 22. Thanks to Deacon Don Warner, and Fr. Esteban Jasso TOR, who will accompany me!

Fr. Jasso, Bishop Vann, Deacon Alfonso Ramirez, and
a group from All Saints parish.

Diaconate at Sacred Heart Seminary in Hales Corner, WI

2011-11-19T15:41:00.003-06:00

Fr. Jan de Jong SCJ ( Rector);Deacon Louis Shea (Cheyenne) Bishop Vann;

Deacon Michael Moloney (Fort Worth) Deacon Justus Alaeto (Portland Oregon)

On the way back from the US Bishops' Meeting, I stopped at Sacred Heart Seminary in Hales Corners, Wisconsin to ordain three men to the diaconate. These three men will be ordained to the priesthood next year. They were: Matthew Gerard Moloney, originally from Waterford, Ireland, and now from our own Diocese of Fort Worth; Louis Matthew Shea. His family was originally from Decatur, Illinois, where I had been a pastor for nine years. His a deacon from the Archdiocese of Portland, Oregon, and finally Justus Odira Alaeto, originally from Nigeria and now from the Diocese of Cheyenne, Wyoming. The three men have been studying at Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corners, Wisconsin, long known for its formation of mature candidates for the priesthood from a variety of backgrounds.

Bishop Vann, Fr. Pemberton, Deacon Moloney and Fort Worth Seminarians

In the 2011-2012 Seminary Catalog it is noted that "The Priestly Formation Program at Sacred Heart, as presented on the following pages, is the product of more than 35 years of experience in preparing those with significant life experience for the priesthood...Inspired by the charism of Father Leo John Dehon, founder of the Priests of the Sacred Heart, we are committed to academic excellence, authentic human and spiritual formation with an emphasis on the Eucharist and social justice, and formation of effective Church leaders with pastoral hearts." Further, Fr. Jan de Jong, the Rector states in his "Welcome" to the catalog, that "Our fundamental task is best expressed with the words of Pope Benedict at his Christmas address to the Roman Curia in 2006: 'This is the central task of the priest, to bring God to men and women. Of course, he can only do this if he himself comes from God, if he lives with God and by God."

Making Good on a Bet

2011-11-15T19:42:00.003-06:00

(CNS photo/Nancy Phelan Wiechec)

This year's meeting of the Bishops furnished an occasion, as it normally does, for many of us who were in school together in Rome as young priests to renew our friendships and pray and have fraternal time together. We visited and reflected on many things together in time between the sessions. The Bishops with whom I spoke are all dedicated pastors, and concerned about their people in the respective local church in these challenging times. One of the many topics we did speak about was the fact that many of the seminaries which we use are at near capacity enrollment, and that the age of the candidates is younger, and the quality is very impressive. This is a blessing for all of us and a sign of hope for the future.

At Long Last

2011-11-15T14:03:00.013-06:00

Mary, Mother of God

For the Catholic Church in the United States, today marks an important movement towards greater diversity and at the same time a reaffirmation of the universality of what Jesus Christ established. On the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, which falls on Sunday January 1, 2012, a Personal Ordinariate for former Anglicans (Episcopalians) who wish to be fully initiated into the Catholic Church will be erected. This follows the January 15, 2011 establishment of a Personal Ordinariate in England and comes just before an official announcement about progress towards the erection of a Personal Ordinariate in Australia.

Donald Cardinal Wuerl, Ecclesiastical Delegate for the establishment of a Personal Ordinariate in the United States, prepared remarks for the full body of Bishops at the USCCB meeting in Baltimore. Many questions remain to be answered and there is no rush to frenetically and prematurely answer questions to hypothetical situations which may or may not bear out. For the moment, what we know is that the Holy Father, in an audience granted to His Eminence William Cardinal Levada, approved the erection of an Ordinariate in the United States. As things fall into place the Catholic Church in the United States will figure out what needs to be done. Under Cardinal Wuerl's able leadership and with the collaboration of Fr. Steenson and Fr. Hurd, the first steps towards making this a practical reality are being put into place. FAQs can be seen here.

Along with the announcement of an Ordinariate, Cardinal Wuerl also announced that I have been appointed the new Ecclesiastical Delegate for the Pastoral Provision by the CDF. I succeed Archbishop John J. Myers of Newark and am grateful for the trust placed in me to participate in this historic fraternal embrace of those Anglicans who seek the same. Thank you to Cardinal Levada, Cardinal Wuerl and Archbishop Myers and so many others for their support and friendship as I move forward on this journey.

Here are the remarks that I shared with the Conference today:

PASTORAL PROVISION REMARKS

        Thank you Cardinal Wuerl, for this time in the presentation, and for your personal encouragement.

        As Cardinal Wuerl mentioned, I have been appointed by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith as the new Ecclesiastical Delegate for the Pastoral Provision. Not long after my appointment to Fort Worth, I was appointed the Vice Delegate for the Pastoral Provision with special responsibility for Texas. So, in these years, I have learned much about the history of the Pastoral Provision since its establishment in 1981. Being the Bishop of a Diocese where the Pastoral Provision has been a part of life for nearly twenty years, and as well, where in the ecclesial landscape there are good and fraternal relationships between the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth and the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth [clergy, lay and episcopal] I can personally testify to the blessings that the Pastoral Provision has brought to the Diocese of Fort Worth and how the life of the Pastoral Provision and the priests ordained through it [and in that context a parish community] can truly be a blessing in building up the communion of Faith in a Diocese. Both are integral to the life of our local Church.

        I want to especially thank my long time friend Archbishop Myers for his personal encouragement and help and his dedication as Ecclesiastical Delegate these past six years. I want to make special mention of Msgr. James Sheehan, the secretary of the Pastoral Provision who went home to the Lord earlier this year.

        The Pastoral Provision is set up so that an Episcopal Priest can undertake a journey of discernment, formation, and theological assessment so that he can ordained as a diocesan priest, incarndinated in a Diocese. Its focus and purpose is in some ways complementary, but different from the Personal Ordinariate.

        I am grateful that the theological faculty which assists in this vital work will remain at Seton Hall in Newark. As I work in these next weeks and months ahead to organize the ongoing work for this, I appreciate also the chance to continue the communication with those involved in the new Ordinariate. In this same vein, I will certainly do whatever I can to continue to build on all that has been to assist any of you in your questions about the Pastoral Provision, or in your assistance to any Episcopalian priest who may approach you about priestly ministry. I ask you also for your patience and understanding as the administrative staff that will process these requests is set up in Fort Worth.

        I wish to thank Cardinal Levada for his confidence, and to thank all of your for your encouragement and support in the work of the Pastoral Provision. I believe it is a concrete expression of the unity of Christ and His Church, and of the will of that same Lord that "all may be one."

God bless you and thank you.

The English Martyrs and Cardinal John Henry Newman

2011-11-15T10:52:00.005-06:00

"And as that suffering of the Martyrs is not yet recompensed, so, perchance, it is not yet exhausted. Something, for what we know, remains to be undergone, to complete the necessary sacrifice. May God forbid it, for this poor nation's sake! But still could we be surprised, my Fathers and my Brothers, if the winter even now should not yet be quite over? Have we any right to take it strange, if, in this English land, the spring-time of the Church should turn out to be an English spring, an uncertain, anxious time of hope and fear, of joy and suffering,—of bright promise and budding hopes, yet withal, of keen blasts, and cold showers, and sudden storms?

One thing alone I know,—that according to our need, so will be our strength."

John Henry Newman
Preached July 13, 1852, in St. Mary's, Oscott, in the first Provincial Synod of Westminster

USCCB

2011-11-14T09:55:00.004-06:00

Greetings from Baltimore! I arrived Sunday morning. On Friday I spent time at The Catholic University of American with Fr. John Robert Skeldon and Saturday, with Tom Flynn, a long time friend and now president of Alvernia University in Reading, Pennsylvania. I have spent most of Sunday in two committee meetings for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: 1) The Committee on Migration which is chaired by Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles, and 2) The Committee on Canonical Affairs, which is chaired by Bishop Thomas Paprocki of Springfield, Illinois.

The Fall 2011 meeting of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops begins Monday morning, November 14.

Mission Partnerships

2011-11-14T09:14:00.005-06:00

Welcome Bishop Bonello to Fort Worth!

In the aftermath of Hurricane Mitch years ago, the Dioceses of Texas and the Dioceses of Honduras formed various sorts of mission partnerships. These mission relationships not only were to help the Church in Honduras recover from the devastation of Hurricane Mitch, but also to help build relationships of mission and Faith between the respective Dioceses in Honduras and Texas, which would ultimately result in a lived experience of Ecclesia in America.

A statue of Hermano Pedro Betancort in Catacamas, Honduras

The Diocese of Fort Worth partnered with the Diocese of Juticalpa, Honduras in the state of Olancho. Over the years many of our parishes, such as St. Vincent de Paul in Arlington, Holy Family in Fort Worth, Holy Redeemer in Aledo, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Keller, Good Shepherd in Colleyville and others, sponsored mission trips which were exchanges of Faith, friendship, prayer, and material help to progress in the parishes and towns and rural areas of Honduras. Bishop Delaney and Bishop Maurus Muldoon OFM, and the priests, religious and laity of the Diocese made many trips to build up the relationship of the two Dioceses. I have been privileged to be a part of that mission outreach and to continue it. With the Diocesan Mission Council, which is chaired by Father Tom Craig of St. Vincent de Paul, we work to sustain and build up mission relationships not only in Honduras, but many other countries as well. One of our most recent mission outreach has been in the construction of a Catholic Hospital near Catacamas which is called Hermano Pedro Hospital. This is in an area which up to now has had little or no access to medical care.

Bishop Bonello meets the Holy Father Credit:Malta Times

Just this past weekend, we were visited by Bishop Joseph Bonello OFM, who is the recently ordained coadjutor BIshop of Juticalpa. He came to us to visit the parishes that have mission outreach in his Diocese, to visit with out Diocesan Mission Council and the priests whose parishes have relationships with parishes in the Diocese of Juticalpa. I was especially grateful to have the time to visit with him personally and get to know him. Over this past weekend he celebrated Mass, and visited at Holy Redeemer in Aledo, Good Shepherd in Colleyville, and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Keller. We are grateful for his visit, and the deep sense of spirituality, prayer, and Faith which he brings with him, and then to us! His visit reminds us that every one of us, in virtue of being a part of the Body of Christ, is called to live mission.

Welcome, Bishop Bonello! Bienvenido!

Finally, Pics from Ghana

2011-11-12T09:30:00.006-06:00

Perpetual Light

2011-11-09T08:55:00.000-06:00

The month of November, since the ninth century, has been dedicated to all of the Faithful departed. Since that time, November begins with All Saints Day and then All Souls Day. As the calendar year nears its end, and as the Church year is certainly "hastening" to Christ the King Sunday, the month is a providential opportunity to reflect on the communion of Saints, and our eternal life in Christ as well. Together with all of this, it is also a time to remember again the Church's teaching on purgatory, the Communion of Saints and all of our loved ones and friends who have "gone before us marked with the Sign of Faith." These past several days here in the Diocese of Fort Worth were a personal opportunity for me to do that as well. As previously noted, St. Boniface parish in Scotland, Texas celebrated its 100th anniversary. Prior to the Mass, I was able to visit the parish cemetery, right behind the Church, where the parishioners are still able to walk to burials. The cemetery is beautifully kept up, and is visited often by parishioners. This parish cemetery is a reminder of the custom, once so prevalent, of visiting cemeteries on All Souls day, and marking them with candles and flowers. This is still true in Italy and in Mexico, with the Dia de los Muertos.

Theology on Tap in Fort Worth

On Tuesday evening I had the occasion to spend time with young adults at Theology on Tap. To a packed room we were able to speak of, and reflect on the importance of the Saints and devotion to them, and the process of canonization. In part of the presentation, I was able to show them the new Roman Missal, which will go into effect on November 27, and all of the Saints days there. Part of their response to this was a genuine welcome of the Missal and as one young adult expressed to me, "We are looking forward to the new translation, and know that it will be a a great improvement over the other."

"All You Saints of God, Pray for Us"

And,

"Eternal Rest Grant unto Them O Lord, and Let Perpetual Light Shine upon them."

AMEN

Happy 100th

2011-11-07T08:38:00.003-06:00

Sanctuary of St. Boniface in Scotland, Texas

This fall we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the parish of St. Boniface in Scotland, Texas. In addition to Father David Krager TOR, the pastor, Fr. Jerry Ward of Fort Worth, and Msgr. Thomas Weinzapfel were present. The Church was completely full, infants, young families and long term and former parishioners were present and Mass was preceded by a presentation in song of the Youth Group. The vibrant life of this rural parish, and its history, is a reflection and meditation on the "spirituality of communion" of the parish with the Diocese, and the Diocese with the Universal Church. Here is what I shared with them:

Parishioners gather to celebrate St. Boniface Parish's 100th anniversary.

"Dear brothers and sisters,

Thank you and Father David for the invitation to be with you on your 100th anniversary. St. Boniface figured prominently early on in ministry for me, as the parish where I served as a transitional deacon in 1980-1981, and a stained glass window of St. Boniface greets me in the sacristy of St. Patrick's Cathedral each time I celebrate Mass. The oak tree, which figures prominently in the "hagiography" of St. Boniface represents to me the strength of the Faith of the German pioneers who came to this part of Texas, when the need became apparent to Bishop Dunne of Dallas that a Catholic parish was needed in Archer county. The first years of the parish is the story of Mr. Henry Scott who provided the land, his agent J. H. Muerer, the first settlers who came to Scotland by train and wagon train. Mr. Muerer is, by the way, the maternal grandmother of Msgr. Weinzapfel who is with us today. So, Tom, you are our link with the past today, but you are very much the present as well!! It is a journey which continues through all of you. The journey of this parish family began 100 years ago when there was great rejoicing upon the arrival of the first pastor. We read: On September 22 the members of St. Boniface Congregation of Scotland, Texas, manifested great joy at the arrival of their new pastor, Rev. Father F. J. Schissel, by meeting him at the train with a band and conducting him to the new church. The latter is certainly a beautiful edifice, erected as the result of a great self-sacrifice by the people, to be the home of our great King, our dear Lord Himself; nothing is too good or beautiful for Him, and the people here surely realize it.

The importance of this day is highlighted by the Liturgy for this Sunday, because instead of the Sunday Mass for the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, the prayers and readings for the Mass are for the anniversary of the dedication of a Church. It is not very often that this can done, but the dedication of a "House of God" where the "People of God" are formed has such importance, that the Church' s Liturgy reflects this, even on Sunday! As we come together to give thanks to the Lord on this His day, we do so in the month of November and the last days if the Liturgical Year. The theme of the last days of the Liturgical Year is that of being prepared to meet the Lord when he comes to us: at His birth, at the end of time, and when He comes to meet us in our daily life. The vision of the pioneer families, their Faith, the ministry of Bishop Dunne and all involved from 100 years on, has certainly prepared, and prepared well, generations of Catholics to be disciples and friends of the Lord: To "know, love, and serve Him, and be happy with him forever in heaven." The role of Bishop Dunne in establishing your parish is also a moment of reflection on what I mean to be truly Catholic, that the strength of the witness of a parish family is such because it is part of the family of Faith of the local Church, in union with Universal Church and the successor of Peter. The month of November is also the month of the Faithful Departed. Our communion with all of those who "have gone before us marked with the Sign of Faith" is exemplified in the care for your cemetery, especially in this month, where your loved ones who built this community of Faith await the Resurrection.

St. Boniface is called the "Jewel of the Prairie". A jewel is something that can reflect light to all around. Its beauty is not unlike the beauty of the stained glass windows in the Church, through the sun pours on this beautiful Fall morning. This family of Faith has reflected the light of Christ to all here for these years. Your calling is to continue to do that here in this time and place and beyond. The presence of Christ must be reflected from here to an often disinterested and hostile Western culture. The light of Christ, the beauty and truth of our Catholic Faith, is reflected in your committed lives, your ministries, in the support of your pastor, in the support and promotion of vocations to the consecrated life and priesthood, the sacredness of life at its most vulnerable moments, family life and marriage shows that the it is the Lord Himself is the measure of all, and who shows us the way, because truly He is the Way, Truth, and the Life. God bless you always."

In Just a Few Short Weeks

2011-11-03T06:30:00.005-05:00

In just a few short weeks, on the First Sunday of Advent, parishes all across the United States of America will begin using the new English translation of the Third Edition of the Roman Missal. From that date forward, no other edition of the Roman Missal may be used in the dioceses of the United States. As we pray with this new translation, it is an opportunity for Catholics, both lay and clergy, to encounter Christ anew in the Sacred Liturgy. The words of the Sacred Liturgy are sacramental signs of Christ, the Word. As we speak, hear, sing, and pray the words of the Mass, we encounter the Word, Jesus Christ. As the Second Vatican Council teaches, through the liturgy, the work of our redemption is accomplished, most of all in the divine sacrifice of the Eucharist. It is the outstanding means whereby the faithful may express in their lives, and manifest to others, the mystery of Christ and the real nature of the true Church. (Sacrosanctum Concilium #2)

When the Second Vatican Council provided for wider usage of the vernacular in the Sacred Liturgy, it also envisioned that the initial translations would be reviewed and changed after a time of practical experience using it in the Liturgy. The publication of the Third Edition of the Roman Missal in Latin in 2000 was seen by the Church as the time for this review. Also, in March of 2001, the 5^th instruction on vernacular translation of the Roman Liturgy, Liturgiam Authenticam, was issued by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. This new instruction on translation recognized that various vernacular translations of liturgical texts were in need of improvement through correction or a new draft. This is when the new English translation of the Roman Missal began.

Liturgiam Authenticam mandated a method of translation called ‘formal equivalency’. This method of translation requires that the texts be translated without omissions, as close to the original Latin syntax as possible and doctrinally precise, using language that preserves the dignity and beauty of the original text. This method of translation is very different from the method used by the translators of the current Missal. The translators of the 1970 Missal following the 1969 instruction Comme le Prevoit used a method called ‘dynamic equivalency’ for their translation which allowed translators to render the text more freely, in a sense to re-imagine the text in the common language of the people. This method allowed for the paraphrasing of texts and removing those parts of the text that were considered to be superfluous. In many instances, with this method of translation, much of the richness of the language present in the Latin liturgy was literally lost in translation.

However, using Liturgiam Authenticam as the basis for this new translation of the texts we pray in the Mass, we will be praying in English, in some ways for the first time, the ancient texts that Church has prayed for hundreds of years. This new translation reflects the dignity and noble simplicity of the original Latin. The English used in the translation is not the language of everyday speech, but the elevated language of great poetry and prose, language that is worthy of the worship of Almighty God. The translation, because of its closeness to the original Latin, reflects more precisely the doctrine of the Church, sometimes using words which, while part of the patrimony of the Church, are unfamiliar to our ears. The new translation of the Roman Missal will also more closely connect the English used in the Roman Missal to what is already being prayed in the majority of European languages, including Spanish.

Over the past 10 years the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, along with the Episcopal conferences of English speaking countries throughout the world, has gone through a lengthy process to gain the approval of the Holy See of the English translation of the Third Edition of the Roman Missal. The amount of consultation involved in the creation of this new English translation is unprecedented in the history of the English translation of liturgical texts.

Many of you may be curious as to what will be different when we begin using the new English translation. First, there will be no changes in what we do at Mass, as those changes were implemented a number of years ago when the General Instruction of the Roman Missal was published. The changes will be in the words we pray. The lay faithful will notice changes in the Gloria, the Creed, and in some of the responses they make. The changes are actually much more extensive for the priests who will be celebrating Mass. All of the Eucharistic prayers are newly translated as are the collects (opening prayers), the prayers over the gifts, and the prayers after communion.

This will certainly be a time of adjustment for all of us, but as we pray with the newly translated texts, they will help us to come to a better understanding of the doctrinal teachings of the Church and how richly and beautifully our faith is expressed in the liturgy. Many of us might be familiar with the Latin phrase lex orandi, lex credendi – the way of prayer is the way of belief. The words that we speak, hear, sing, and pray in the Sacred Liturgy express our belief in Christ the Word as well as that faith of the Church that Christ revealed to the Apostles and that has been the lived tradition of the Church through her 2000 years of history.

As together we make this liturgical transition and adjustment, we need to remember how fortunate we are to be alive in this historic moment in the Church as the vision of the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council comes to a new maturity with the approval of the English translation of the Roman Missal. Rather than a break with the Council, as some have suggested, the new English translation of the Roman Missal is actually the fulfillment of the vision of Vatican II in more fully leading the faithful to that fully conscious, and active participation in the liturgy that is presented in the documents of the Council. It is also a new occasion for us to understand the Liturgy as “the source and font of the Christian life.” This is truly a blessed time for the English speaking Church to be transformed by the holy and living sacrifice we celebrate in the liturgy.

Furthermore, the implementation of the English translation of the Roman Missal presents the Church in the United States, especially the local Church in the Diocese of Fort Worth, with a unique opportunity to spend some time reacquainting ourselves with the beauty and dignity of the Holy Mass. This past year has been a time of catechesis throughout the Diocese of Fort Worth as we prepare for the new translation. The diocesan Offices of Worship and Adult Catechesis have sponsored workshops for priests and deacons, lay liturgical and catechetical leaders, and Catholic school principals and teachers. The Fort Worth Chapter of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians has sponsored listening sessions for musicians in various places throughout the diocese. Many parishes have held workshops on the new translation, provided information through bulletin inserts, and through homilies. This has been a wonderful opportunity for us as a diocese to work together, in true communio, to accomplish this great task. As we pray with the new translation there will be continued opportunities to reflect on and deepen our encounter with Christ in the Sacred Liturgy through or own prayer and reflection and by taking advantage of opportunities to deepen our understanding of the Mass. It will not be easy, change never comes easy, but with patience, cooperation, and above all with prayer, together we can accomplish this great work of renewal in the liturgy we celebrate.

When presented with the new English translation of the Roman Missal, our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI had this to say: “Many will find it hard to adjust to unfamiliar texts after nearly forty years of continuous use of the previous translation. The change will need to be introduced with due sensitivity and the opportunity for catechesis that it presents will need to be firmly grasped. I pray that in this way any risk of confusion or bewilderment will be averted, and the change will serve instead as a springboard for a renewal and a deepening of Eucharistic devotion all over the English speaking world.”

I want to thank all of you in advance for your cooperation, patience, and openness as we make this important liturgical transition. It is my sincere hope that, as we begin praying with the new English translation of the Roman Missal, we may all come to a deeper love and appreciation for the great gift of the Mass where, in the words of Blessed Pope John Paul II, “the Eucharist is truly a glimpse of heaven appearing on earth.” (Ecclesia de Eucharistia, 19) During this time of change I am also reminded of this statement from the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy: “Zeal for the promotion and restoration of the liturgy is rightly held to be a sign of the providential dispositions of God in our time, as a movement of the Holy Spirit in His Church.” (Sacrosanctum Concilium #43)

O God, who in your wonderful providence decreed that Christ’s Kingdom should be extended throughout the earth and that all should become partakers of his saving redemption; grant, we pray that your Church may be the universal sacrament of salvation, and that Christ may be revealed to all as the hope of the nations and their Savior. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

-(Collect ‘For the Church’ from the Roman Missal prayed at the end of the presentation of the Missal to Pope Benedict XVI on April 28, 2010)

The Medical Profession

2011-11-02T12:27:00.000-05:00

This entry is a little late but I did want to say something about our annual White Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral, which took place exactly on St. Luke's Feast Day, October 18th. This follows on the heals of the September 29th Red Mass, held for those in the legal profession. We were blessed with the presence of many new faces of medical students, nurses, nursing students, doctors and other medical professionals. With the growing number of attendance each year, and with the help of Diocesan staff, we are able to strengthen the relationship between the local Church and the Catholic medical community, strengthening the Catholic identity in our medical professionals in the area: an undertaking extremely critical in the days of challenge to religious liberty, freedom of conscience and teaching.

Towards the 3rd Typical Edition

2011-10-31T10:05:00.001-05:00

It's a good explanation for young people and really, for all of us.

Kumasi

2011-10-29T11:56:00.005-05:00

A JOURNEY TO THE ARCHDIOCESE OF KUMASI GHANA

In recent weeks, my entries have been somewhat behind. This is due in part to my trip to the Archdiocese of Kumasi in Ghana, of which I made an initial note earlier. Part of the challenge for this entry is that many of the photos which were taken have not yet arrived. However, to return to the regular rhythm of the entries in this weblog, I wish to make some reflections on the trip to Kumasi.

In our Diocese, and in the city of Arlington in particular, in what is known as the "Midcities" are significant number of Catholics from the area around Kumasi in Ghana. Many of these are the Asante people. They now have a regular Mass at St. Joseph's in Arlington on Sunday at 1:00 PM and thanks first to Archbishop Emeritus Peter Sarpong, and his successor Archbishop Thomas Mensah, they now have priests to celebrate Mass and minister to them. Archbishop Sarpong visited me one time when we was visiting the community in Arlington. Another time I had the good fortune to visit with him when I met him in Rome at the North American College, when he was in Rome for a meeting of Vox Clara. We have become good friends, and through his invitation and that of Archbishop Mensah, I was welcomed to Kumasi recently. I had the blessing to experience the welcome and life of the vibrant local Church. I was accompanied many places by Fr. Louis Touffour, who recently celebrated his 25th anniversary of his priestly ordination.

During that journey of nine days, I was able to celebrate Mass at a number of Catholic high schools, three seminarians, pray with Religious, celebrate Sunday Mass at a vibrant local parish administered by the Holy Ghost Fathers, speak at Spiritan University, attend a funeral, pray with and have meetings with both the lay leaders and youth at St. Peter's Cathedral Basilica, and meet many local religious and civic leaders. This visit, I believe, helped to strengthen the bonds of communion between our local Churches. For me personally, this was my first visit to Africa, and in that was both a blessing and adventure! And I am grateful for the Lord for that. I truly thank, from the heart, all who welcomed me in Kumasi. This was a trip of reflecting on the nature of both the Universal and local Body of Christ, and how are Catholic Faith is truly universal. This was a living experience for me of the mark of the Church of "Catholic." I would like to add to this reflection some words of Archbishop Sarpong himself reflecting on the Asante people and the Catholic Liturgy:

"When I became a major seminarian and began to study theology, discovered that apart from a few things - albeit of critical import - the religious and moral ideas and practices of my people were at least similar to those of Catholicism. I therefore realized the need for using some traditional and moral concepts in my Christian theological liturgical studies and practices. The Liturgy must be part and parcel of a Catholic. Hence, Catholic liturgical tradition as contained in the Roman Missal, it seemed to me, had to take into account the personality and ethos the Asante."

From An Asante Liturgy by Archbishop Sarpong, Good Shepherd Publishers, Kumasi, 2011

Well Deserved Honors

2011-10-27T09:57:00.004-05:00

On Monday morning I invited sixteen lay people, who over the years have made significant contributions to the Diocese of Fort Worth, to have lunch with me at the Catholic Center. I wanted to surprise them and let them know that at least six months ago I worked with several staff members to put together recommendations to the Holy See that they be recognized for their service and ministry to so many people.

The pontifical honors include the Benemerenti, the Pro Eccelsia et Pontifice, and membership to the Equestrian Order of St. Gregory the Great. The honorees are:

Equestrian Order of St. Gregory the Great

Art and Pat Dickerson - St. Patrick Cathedral

Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice

Sister Devota Sweeney SSMN

Brother Al Kuntemeier SM

Brother Paul McMullen TOR

Sister Juliana Tran CSFN

Benemerenti

Michael Barks
Our Mother of Mercy Parish

Peter Flynn
Vice Chancellor for Administrative Services

Popo and Lupe Gonzalez
Immaculate Conception Parish

Lucas Pollice
Diocesan Director of Catechesis

Heather Reynolds
President/CEO Catholic Charities Fort Worth

Jean Riley
St. Rita Parish

Ann Healey
St. Andrew Parish

Daniel Shine
Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish

Ann Smith
TCU Catholic Community

Lights On After School

2011-10-22T09:42:00.006-05:00

On Thursday I stopped by the Fort Worth Intermodal Station just up the street from the Cathedral to see some sidewalk art and join Miguel Garcia, parishioner at Holy Family and former Nolan Catholic High School graduate, as they showcased the best artwork from elementary and 6th graders who participated in after school programs in the Fort Worth Independent School District. The purpose of Lights On After School is a yearly event that draws attention to the positive contribution of kids and administrators, who realize the importance of helping kids love school. During the formal part of the presentation, to my surprise, I was asked about a certain wager between the Archdiocese of St. Louis and the Diocese of Fort Worth mentioned in a press release.

Bishop Vann looks on as Miguel Garcia presents on FWISD's "Lights On After School"

Ghana

2011-10-10T09:06:00.005-05:00

I have the opportunity to be on a mission trip in Ghana this week with
Fr. Philip Brembah.

Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Accra, Ghana

Cathedral of the Holy Spirit

De techne

2011-10-07T16:57:00.008-05:00

The World has just lost a pioneer. The passing of Steve Jobs, the creative genius and motivational force behind Apple, has given us all something to think about. He, and his cohort of business associates, have challenged us all to rethink how technology should impact our world. This didn't result in a production of gadgets. What Mr. Jobs produced was a lifestyle. One could even say that he created a surrogate family. The iMac, Macbook, iPod, iPhone and iPad, along with many others, make up a family of technology that compliment and strengthen each other though an aesthetic leitmotif. Just think about how many of us feel a bit lost when we aren't "connected" to this family. It's a slightly embarrassing admission for some. Nevertheless, that feeling of nakedness that overcomes us when we don't have our phone or boredom when we can't connect, is a result of the deliberate attempt to make technology more natural and intuitive. Steve Jobs helped do that. Now, this isn't a eulogy for Jobs, but one cannot think about the where technology is taking us without giving Apple it's due.

Where is technology taking us? The answer to that question is open ended because technology is only a reflection of ourselves. We ultimately decide where it takes us. The avenues that it opens up are avenues that we open up and its failures reflect the limitation of our own mind and manipulation. Technology, in its essence, is found in the human heart and finds its expression through what we fabricate. Technology, it could be said, is a part of our human nature, our fallen human nature. You see, because humans have the ability to appreciate the natural world, to see abstract connections between objects and manipulate them for our own purposes, we humans also have the ability to bricolage. This is an advantage that we have over all the other animals. We are made in the image and likeness of God. Because of this, human activity always reflects that difference. Unlike other creatures in the natural world, we can participate in creation even if clumsily so. And so, the iFamily on its own, as intuitive and natural as it is, can really only mimic God's creative activity.

Graphic tribute designed by Jonathan Mak

What Steve Jobs did was link science and art. He took the empirical and made it beautiful. He did what even our fallen human natures can do. With concupiscence and all, and perhaps unawares of it, Jobs valued the natural and intuitive potential of technology. He knew that technology was the art of expressing what is already embedded within us. For the Christian however, we must ask, What is embedded within? What do we find in the human heart, in the human mind and ultimately in human nature? Well, this question is already answered, sort of. Christian anthropology tells us that as creatures, we are made in the image and likeness of God, but through the Fall, lost our original innocence. And so if technology is only an expression of our choosing, then as amazed as we are by our tinkering, we must know that the direction in which technology leads us, isn't going to be a surprise. It will lead us where we chose.

Like human nature then, technology needs grace.

St. Michael's Day

2011-10-03T10:53:00.001-05:00

The Red Mass was celebrated on what used to be known as St. Michael's Day.

The legal community of Fort Worth was fortunate to have Fr. Joseph Fessio SJ as their guest speaker this year. The Red Mass was able to occur exactly on the feast day of St. Michael (and Gabriel and Raphael as well!). There were a good number of Catholic legal professionals present, as well as members of other Faith communities. Fr. Fessio, who had been a doctoral student of then Fr. Joseph Ratzinger, gave a thorough and concise summary of the Holy Father's address to the German parliament, and applied the main points of the address to the United States, especially as it concerns our current challenges. This was the fifth year for the Red Mass in the Diocese of Fort Worth.

Fr. Fessio SJ speaks with members of the Fort Worth legal community.

Freedom to Follow Jesus Christ

2011-09-29T14:50:00.007-05:00

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

2011-09-29T07:06:00.000-05:00