Supreme Court decision does not address fundamental flaws in the law
Legislation still needed to fix conscience, abortion funding, immigration problems 



WASHINGTON—Today the United States Supreme Court issued a decision upholding as a tax the provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that requires individuals to purchase a health plan—the so-called "individual mandate."

For nearly a century, the Catholic bishops of the United States have been and continue to be consistent advocates for comprehensive health care reform to ensure access to life-affirming health care for all, especially the poorest and the most vulnerable.Although the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) did not participate in these cases and took no position on the specific questions presented to the Court, USCCB's position on health care reform generally and on ACA particularly is a matter of public record.The bishops ultimately opposed final passage of ACA for several reasons.

First, ACA allows use of federal funds to pay for elective abortions and for plans that cover such abortions, contradicting longstanding federal policy.The risk we identified in this area has already materialized, particularly in the initial approval by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) of "high risk" insurance pools that would have covered abortion.

Second, the Act fails to include necessary language to provide essential conscience protection, both within and beyond the abortion context.We have provided extensive analyses of ACA's defects with respect to both abortion and conscience.The lack of statutory conscience protections applicable to ACA's new mandates has been illustrated in dramatic fashion by HHS's "preventive services" mandate, which forces religious and other employers to cover sterilization and contraception, including abortifacient drugs.

Third, ACA fails to treat immigrant workers and their families fairly.ACA leaves them worse off by not allowing them to purchase health coverage in the new exchanges created under the law, even if they use their own money.This undermines the Act's stated goal of promoting access to basic life-affirming health care for everyone, especially for those most in need.

Following enactment of ACA, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has not joined in efforts to repeal the law in its entirety, and we do not do so today.The decision of the Supreme Court neither diminishes the moral imperative to ensure decent health care for all, nor eliminates the need to correct the fundamental flaws described above.We therefore continue to urge Congress to pass, and the Administration to sign, legislation to fix those flaws.

O God Our Creator from your provident hand
we have received our right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
You have called us as your people and given us the right and the duty to
worship you, the only true God, and your son, Jesus Christ.
Through the power and working of your Holy Spirit,
you call us to live out our faith in the midst of the world,
bringing the light and the saving truth of the Gospel to every corner of society.

We ask you to bless us in our vigilance for the gift of religious liberty.
Give us the strength of mind and heart to readily defend our freedoms
when they are threatened;
give us courage in making our voices heard on behalf of the rights of
your Church and the freedom of conscience of all people of faith.

Grant, we pray, O heavenly Father, a clear and united voice to all your
sons and daughters gathered in your Church in this decisive hour in the
history of our nation, so that, with every trial withstood and every
danger overcome – for the sake of our children, our grandchildren, and
all who come after us – this great land will always be -
“one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Obituary
Rev. Barry McLean 

Father Barry McLean, passed away suddenly in  San Angelo on June 17, 2012 at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in San Angelo
where he was concelebrating at the Marriage Jubilee Mass with Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer, OMI.

Fr. Barry McLean was born to Nena and Barry McLean at Vandenburg AFB, California on March 13, 1961. He is survived by his
mother, Nena Grenon and two sisters; Joanna Dykes, her husband Charles of Big Spring; and Larhesa Gallion of Williston, Florida. 
He has two nephews, Charlie Dykes and Kenny Gallion and one niece Chaneel Dykes. He also has an aunt, Raynell Best of Coahoma, and an aunt and  uncle, Carol and Martina Best of Noodle, Texas.

Fr. Barry was ordained a Roman Catholic Priest by Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer, on August 4, 1990 at Sacred Heart Cathedral
in San Angelo, Texas. Following his ordination he served at the following parishes in the Diocese of San Angelo: Sacred Heart Cathedral in San Angelo, St. Mary’s Church in Odessa, Good Shepherd Church in Crane, Sacred Heart Church in McCamey, St. Francis Mission in Iraan, St. Margaret of Cortona Church in Big Lake and St. Mary Queen of Peace Church in Brownwood and for the last five years he was Director of Vocations for the Diocese of San Angelo. 
 
In addition to his parish assignments he served in numerous diocesan positions on various councils and boards: Director
of Clergy Continuing Education, member of the Diocesan College of Consultors, President of the Deacon Council, member of the Diocesan Liturgy Commission, member of the Office of Education Advisory Committee, member of the Diocesan Presbyteral Council, member of the Priest Pension Board, Chaplain for the 3rd Degree Knights of Columbus Council # 2136 in San Angelo,  Chaplain for the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus Council #2986 in Brownwood, a member of Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, and a spiritual director for the Carmelite Sisters of Eldorado. Fr. Barry was also active in the Cursillo Movement, Engaged Encounter, SEARCH, and ACTS.

Visitation will be held at Johnson’s Funeral Home in San Angelo through the afternoon of Thursday, June 21st. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Fr. Barry, may be made to the Diocesan Seminarian Burse, Catholic Diocese of San Angelo, P.O. Box 1829, San Angelo, Texas 76902 to support the education of seminarians.


 



The Rosary and Funeral Wake Service will be at the Cathedral of the
Sacred Heart in San Angelo at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 14th.
  Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, June 22 at Holy Trinity
  Parish (Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 1009 Hearn) in Big Spring, with the
  Most Rev. Michael D. Pfeifer, OMI presiding. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery in
San Angelo at approximately 1:30 pm on Friday.

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR FATHER BARRY
McLEAN. Visitation is at Johnson's Funeral Home, 435 W. Beauregard Ave., San
Angelo from Monday evening, June 18 through Thursday afternoon, June 21. Rosary
and Wake will be held at Sacred Heart Cathedral in San Angelo on Thursday, June
21, 7 pm.  The Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Pfeifer at Holy Trinity
Parish (Immaculate Heart Church, 1009 Hearn ...St.), Big
Spring on Friday, June 22, 10:00 am. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery in
San Angelo on Friday, June 22, at approximately 1:30 pm. In lieu of flowers,
donations in memory of Fr. Barry may be made to the Diocesan Seminarian Burse,
Catholic Diocese of San Angelo, P.O. Box 1829, San Angelo, Texas 76902.


Please keep Fr. Barry and his family in your prayers.

By Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer, OMI

   Along with my brother bishops of the United States, I am asking the people of our diocese to join in a “Fortnight for Freedom,” a 14-day period of prayer, education and action in support of religious freedom, June 21-July 4.
   I encourage the priests and all the people of our parishes to offer special prayers, organize events, especially ecumenical events with other Christians and all who wish to defend our most cherished freedom, our religious freedom.
   The fourteen days from June 21—the vigil of the Feasts of St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More—to July 4, Independence Day, are dedicated to this “Fortnight for Freedom”—a great hymn of prayer for our country. Our liturgical calendar celebrates a series of great martyrs who remained faithful in the face of persecution by political power—St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More, St. John the Baptist, SS. Peter and Paul, and the First Martyrs of the Church of Rome. Culminating on Independence Day, this special period of prayer, study, catechesis, and public action would emphasize both our Christian and American heritage of liberty.
   For more information one can go to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) website and bring up the document, “Our First, Most Cherished Liberty,” outlining the bishops’ concern for freedom as we deal with the insurance mandate of the Health and Human Services Department of our country. I am publishing here a prayer in English and Spanish (at left) that I would ask to be prayed at the end of each mass during these fourteen (14) days of prayer. Several weeks ago you received these prayers, and you can make copies of these prayers for our people. Thank you for your cooperation. God’s peace.

Bishop’s Calendar

JUNE
   10 — COLORADO CITY, St. Ann – Confirmation at 10:30 a.m.
   11 — BRADY, St. Patrick – Confirmation at 6:30 p.m.
   12-15 —  ATLANTA, USCCB Meeting
   17 — SAN ANGELO, Sacred Heart Cathedral – Marriage Jubilee Day Mass at 2:00 p.m.
   19 — WALL, Rural Life Mass at 6:00 p.m.
   20-21 — Rest and Prayer
   24 — EDEN, St. Charles – Confirmation at 11:00 a.m.
   30 — SAN ANGELO, St. Mary – Confirmation at 5:00 p.m.

JULY
   2 — SAN ANGELO, Diocesan Pastoral Center – Staff Mass at 8:30 am. and Staff Meeting at 11:00 a.m.
   3 — SAN ANGELO, Diocesan Pastoral Center – Personnel Board Meeting at 11 a.m.
   4 — SAN ANGELO, Sacred Heart Cathedral –July 4th Mass at 9 a.m.
   8-14 — Vacation
   17 — SAN ANGELO, Lunch with Honduras Group
   17-24 — ZAMBIA, Oblate Ordinations
   25-29 — Vacation


Christ the King
Retreat Center
JUNE
   11 -- Heart of Mercy Prayer Grp
   12 -- Adoration
   14-17 -- Girl’s Chrysalis Flight
   18 -- Heart of Mercy Prayer Grp
   19 -- Adoration
   21-24 -- Men’s Catholic Cursillo
   25 -- Heart of Mercy Prayer Grp
   26 -- Adoration

JULY
   2 — Heart of Mercy Prayer Grp
   3 — Adoration
   4 — Office Closed – 4th of July     Weekend
   5-8 — Boy’s Chrysalis Flight
   9 — Heart of Mercy Prayer Grp
   10 — Adoration
   12-15 — Small Town Teen ACTS
   16 — Heart of Mercy Prayer Grp
   17 — Dcn. Quarterly Meeting
   17 — Adoration
   17-19 — Honduras Partnership Team
   19-22 — Women’s Walk to Emmaus
   23 — Heart of Mercy Prayer Grp
   24 — Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
   26-29 — Women’s Catholic Cursillo
   30 — Heart of Mercy Prayer Grp
   31 — Adoration

AUGUST
   1-5 — Lubbock Diocese Deacons Ordination Retreat
   6 — Heart of Mercy Prayer Grp
   7 — Adoration
   7-10 — Region X
   10-12 — DOSA Deacons Annual Retreat
   13 — Heart of Mercy Prayer Grp
   14 — Adoration
   18-19 — CRE & CYM Weekend Training
   20 — Heart of Mercy Prayer Grp
   21 — Adoration
   23-26 — Men’s Walk to Emmaus
   27 — Heart of Mercy Prayer Grp
   28 — Adoration
   28-30 — DOSA Good Leaders, Good  Shepherds

SEPTEMBER
   3 — Labor Day
   3 — Heart of Mercy Prayer Grp
   4 — Adoration
   7-9 — Engaged Encounter
   9 — Natural Family Planning Class
   10 — Heart of Mercy Prayer Grp
   11 — Adoration
   14-16 — Lubbock Deacon’s Annual Retreat
   17 — Heart of Mercy Prayer Grp
   18 — Adoration
   20-23 — San Angelo Men’s ACTS Retreat
   24 — Heart of Mercy Prayer Grp
   25 — Adoration


Ethics Workshops
None currently scheduled


NECROLOGY
JULY
   2 -- Rev. Bernard Degan, CM (2001)
   2 -- Deacon Floyd Frankson (1992)
   4 -- Rev. Msgr. Charles Dvorak (1963)
   5 -- Rev. Ray Wilhelm, OMI (2006)
   10 -- Rev. Emil J. Gerlich (1969)
   19 -- Rev. Msgr. Andrew Marthaler (1984)
   22 -- Bishop Thomas J. Drury (1992)
   26 -- Deacon Jose Rosales (2000)
   26 -- Deacon Abel Campos (2002)

By Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer, OMI

The feast of the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is celebrated this year by the universal Catholic Church on Friday, June 15. This beautiful feast celebrated throughout the Catholic world has a very special meaning for the Church of the Diocese of San Angelo as the Sacred Heart of Jesus is the main patron of our diocese, and our own beautiful cathedral is named to honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
   The feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus reminds us of the immense love that our God has for each one and all of us as manifested in the open loving heart of Jesus Christ.  As we reflect on the immense love that our God has for us we ask the Sacred Heart of Jesus to deepen our love for our God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit as we honor the human manifestation of God’s love in the heart of Jesus Christ—God-man.
   The devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus flows from the Word of God. In the Old Testament, this love is described as a father’s love for his children, and of God’s desire to give His people a new heart. In the New Testament, the promise of the living water, the Holy Spirit, is fulfilled in the pierced heart of Jesus Christ as he hung on the cross.
   By the middle ages, the Sacred Heart of Jesus was an object of personal devotion, and in the late 17th century the devotion became a liturgical celebration. In modern times the image of the Sacred Heart in the home is a sign that the love of Jesus rules over the family.
  Back in 1899, Pope Leo XIII consecrated the world to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and approved the use of the Litany of the Sacred Heart. As we celebrate this feast honoring the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, it is a time for all of us to renew our devotion of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus by first asking forgiveness for the times we offended the Sacred Heart by our sins, by thanking our God for the immense love that is shown to us in the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and by asking the Sacred Heart to teach us how to share God’s love with others.
   The Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus calls us to fix our eyes on Jesus’ immense love—his love for God, the Father and, even more miraculously, his love for us. This feast is the time for us to focus our gaze upon the cross where Jesus’ heart was pierced and died for us. As we reflect on this, we remember the many ways that Jesus taught love and healed people when he walked this earth. He did all of this to show God’s immense love for us, and to teach us how we are to love one another.
   Even today, Jesus’ love burns for us with great passion. He continues to reach out to us in our loneliness and helplessness. He heals our wounds, and invites us to reach out to those who need healing and to care for all those who have been wounded in any way.

Marriage Jubilee 2012

   All couples who are celebrating their 25, 30, 35, 40, 50, and above sacramental wedding anniversaries in the calendar year of 2012 are invited to the Diocesan Marriage Jubilee celebration on June 17, 2012, at 2 p.m. in the Sacred Heart Cathedral, San Angelo.  Families and friends are invited to accompany our jubilarians to this celebration.  Renewal of vows will take place within of the Mass.  This celebration will conclude with a reception in the Cathedral gymnasium to which all are invited.  For registration information, please contact your pastor.

Rural Life Mass — June 19, 2012

   The Diocese will have its annual Rural Life Mass, “Sowing Seeds of Hope,” this year on Tuesday June 19, at 6:30 p.m., celebrated by Most Rev. Michael D. Pfeifer, O.M.I. The Mass will be hosted by St. Ambrose Church with Fr. Chinnapureddy Pagidela of  Wall. Mass Celebration will be held at the Daryl and Jeanie Schniers Ranch, at 6910 FM 765, San Angelo. There will be ribbons and signs posted for all to see. A meal will be served immediately following Mass. For additional information, contact Deacon Charlie Evans, 325-357-4520 or deacon65@centex.net

‘When the Wolves Came’   

   The documentary featuring the missionary life of my brother, Father Ted Pfeifer, OMI who served some 44 years in Mexico is captured in the documentary, “When the Wolves Came” This documentary features the service of my brother to the indigenous people of Oaxaca, whom the world treated as nobodies. In his years of serving these poor, my brother courageously stood with them against the drug cartels and the drug lords to the point that there was an assassination attempt on his life.  If you are interested in obtaining a copy of this documentary, you can order it by mailing your check with your name and address to: Father Francis Theodore Pfeifer, OMI, When the Wolves Came: A Documentary, P.O. Box 160803, San Antonio, Texas 78280. or see the website:whenthewolvescame.com/documentary. html   The cost for each DVD is $15.  -- Bishop Michael Pfeifer, OMI

Cathedral’s annual pilgrimage set

    Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish in San Angelo has announced the dates for its annual Pilgrimage to Italy. The trip has been set for January 2-11, 2013. Pilgrims will visit Assisi, the town of St. Francis and St. Clare, where they will spend two nights in a first class hotel near the city square of the medieval city. Also on the itinerary is two days in Florence, a trip to Pisa, four days in Rome and the Vatican, including Mass at St. Peter's and participation in a Papal Audience. This year a limited number of seats flying from Midland and Abilene will be available. The pilgrimage will be led by Msgr. Maurice Voity, rector of the Cathedral, a Rome and Vatican expert. The trip includes airfare, first class hotels, breakfast daily, 5 dinners, and a special festive dinner in Tuscany. Also included are sightseeing and English-speaking guides. Current cost of the trip is $2,895 per person plus $500 per person in air taxes and fuel surcharges (subject to change). These prices are for double occupancy rooms. Reservations are first-come, first-served. Limited seating. Deadline for reservations is July 27, 2012. For more information, contact Msgr. Voity at Sacred Heart Cathedral, 325-658-6567, or email to mjvoity@hotmail.com.

 
MOTC talk about ‘The Joint’

   On Friday and Saturday, May 4-5, 2012 there was a meeting of members 22 of the San Angelo and San Antonio Ministry of the Third Cross Criminal Justice Ministry Teams at Tecaboca (Texas Catholic Boys Camp) near Mountain Home, Texas.  Attendees included San Antonio Ministry Board Members and San Angelo Core Team members.  
   It was a time of prayer, fellowship, and sharing of concerns and accomplishments – including ministry opportunities for combined teams from both dioceses, outside retreats for people on parole or probation, reintegration into a parish community after release, spiritual warfare, RCIA programs inside the facilities, and criminal justice ministry spirituality.  
   A decision was made to have the same kind of meeting yearly inviting all MOTC members to participate.
 
Catholic Life Insurance

   Catholic Life Insurance is currently offering two seminarian scholarships to college graduates enrolled or who will enroll in the fall in a Catholic Seminary. The application deadline for the Msgr. Albert G. Henkes and the Msgr. Lawrence J. Stuebben Seminarian Scholarships is June 15, 2012.
    Rev. Msgr. Stuebben Scholarship Fund
Students attending Assumption Seminary in San Antonio, Texas, may apply for the Rev. Msgr. Lawrence J. Stuebben Seminarian Scholarship.  This scholarship fund was founded in 1994 and has awarded 38 scholarships totaling $116,650. Approximately 22 dioceses throughout the United States send seminarians to study at Assumption Seminary.
    Rev. Msgr. Henkes Scholarship Fund
Any seminarian studying for a diocese located in Texas, Arizona, Florida, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico or Mississippi may apply for the Rev. Msgr. Albert George Henkes Seminarian Scholarship.  Since its establishment in 1987, the Msgr. Henkes Seminarian Scholarship has awarded 67 scholarships, totaling $161,602.
    A list of criteria and application for both of these scholarships can be found online at www.cliu.com under “Living Benefits.” Applicants who meet the criteria of each scholarship may apply to both.

Msgr. Larry Droll Scholarship awarded

    SAN ANTONIO — Lora Balusik of San Antonio and Deborah Greene of La Grange, Texas were selected to receive the 2012 Rev. Msgr. Larry J. Droll Scholarship for Catholic Laity sponsored by Catholic Life Insurance, the nation’s eighth largest fraternal life insurer. This renewable $2,000 scholarship is for Catholic laymen and women pursuing a graduate degree in theology or religious studies, in order to serve their church in a professional capacity.
    Balusik is studying for her Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry for Catholic Leadership at the Mexican American Catholic College. She currently works as Grant Coordinator for the Archdiocese of San Antonio, where she plans to continue serving after graduation.
    Greene resides in the Diocese of Austin and is studying for her Masters in Theological Studies at the University Of Dallas School Of Ministry. She is currently employed as the Coordinator of Religious Education for Sacred Heart Catholic Church in La Grange, and plans to continue serving in the Diocese of Austin after graduation.
    The scholarship fund was established by Msgr. Droll, who serves as the Vicar General of the Diocese of San Angelo. This scholarship is awarded to two candidates each year who are in need of tuition assistance for additional education who serve or want to serve his or her parish as an Administrator, Youth Minister, Parish Coordinator or other similar role.
    This scholarship is for those who have already obtained their bachelor’s degree and who are either enrolled or wanting to enroll into any Catholic graduate school in Texas, Arizona, Florida, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, or Mississippi. Applicants may also be enrolled in an extension program or in the Catholic University of America School of Canon Law.
   To apply for the 2013 Rev. Msgr. Larry J. Droll Scholarship for Catholic Laity, please view the criteria and application online at www.cliu.com or contact the Communications Department at (800) 292-2548. The deadline for the upcoming academic year is February 15, 2013
   
Scheduled Executions
 
   The Angelus publishes the execution dates of Texas offenders on death row each month so that the faithful in the Diocese of San Angelo can pray for them. The following offenders face upcoming execution dates. Please pray for them as well as the victims, families and all who are affected by violence:
Offender/Scheduled Execution Day
Marcus Druery / August 1
Ramon Hernandez / November 14
.