Photo by Alan P. Torre/aptorre.com

   Spanish Men’s Cursillo # 350, Nov 17-20, Sacred Heart, Coleman
   For more information, call Oscar Hinojos (432-559-7695) for English Cursillos or Elio Gaytan (432-528-1670) for Spanish Cursillos.

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By Jimmy Patterson
   By virtue of our very nature, we like to be with other people. We were not meant to be alone. And so the faithful among us often tend to flock together with others in either small, intimate faith communities or at their neighborhood church or parish. This coming together with others is such an important thing to us that we even call it "our church family."

   Next to our kin, these friends together make up the group we often value most. We share much in common with our church family, most of all our faith and devotion to Jesus Christ. Instinctively we often cling to this family, but the relationships we forge at the local church level is usually as far as we go. 

   Catholics, though, are part of a much larger church body: the diocese, which can be thought of as an extended family. This extended family is made up of the people you rarely see and sometimes just hear about at the dinner table or when sitting in the back seat of the car listening to your mom and dad talk.

   Rarely does a diocese collectively gather. While we share many commonalities, we adhere mostly to the comfort of the smaller family unit, much like the Protestants adhere to their congregations or house churches. Dioceses seldom have occasion to hold an event that everyone throughout the geographic area attends. Sunday is one of those notable exceptions.

    At 11 a.m., Sunday, October 16, 82,000 Catholics from the 73 churches and missions in the Diocese of San Angelo have been invited and encouraged to attend a Mass in honor of the diocese's 50 years of spreading the faith in West Texas.

   Just think of it as a family reunion. You'll get to see your long-lost cousin, the car salesman who talks a lot about his golf game; an uncle who has always kept to himself but who you remember as being very kind, and the great aunt who has that funny laugh. The last time you got together with them you thought it might be boring, but it turned out to be a fun an interesting day. Very much worth the trip after all.

   Worth the trip: That's the case with this Sunday's 50th anniversary jubilee Mass. The Church will celebrate in the San Angelo Coliseum, 50 E. 43rd, in San Angelo. Along with 23 visiting bishops from throughout Texas and as far away as Honduras and India, the principal homilist for the Mass will be Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, archbishop of Galveston-Houston and the first man ever named a cardinal from the state of Texas. In the family reunion model, Cardinal DiNardo would be the wise and universally respected grandfather around whom people gather for memorable stories and nuggets of wisdom.

   Individual parishes in the diocese will not have Masses this Sunday, although most will have Saturday Masses as scheduled. Don't view the absence of the Mass as an inconvenience, view it as an opportunity to come together for a grand occasion. Fifty years won't come around again until 2061, and many of us may not be able to make that celebration. Many likely hope they'll be busy in higher places.

    So look at Sunday's anniversary Mass as an event at which we can pay tribute and give honor to our faith tradition. While the larger church, like all larger churches, has had its share of issues through the years, this is an occasion for which we can all come together to visit and trade memorable experiences we've had at our parishes. We should take advantage of the opportunity we have been given to celebrate the goodness that flows from who we are as Christians. This Church, after all, is about us.

   In addition to Cardinal DiNardo and the visiting bishops, the Mass will feature unique banners made by volunteers and workers at each of the 73 parishes and missions, and gifts will be presented at the altar by parishioners who represent the different cultures represented in our diocese.

   The foundation of the Church that has been laid in West Texas -- in the form of a diocese that is geographically as large as the state of Ohio -- has also been perpetuated in the form of a commemorative book.

   "50 Years: The Story of the Diocese of San Angelo" is three years in the making, and can be purchased for $20 at the anniversary Mass. It features stories on the significant individuals and events in the history of our diocese as well as stories from all our parishes and missions. It also features the beautiful art of Odessa photographer Alan P. Torre, who captured each of the parishes and missions. The stories of the individuals and the events in our history effectively paint a picture of who we are as Catholics. Think of it as our family album.

   Jesus Christ called us to form a church. St. Peter was the rock upon which the Church was built, and we are all an important piece of that rock. Taking a Sunday afternoon to spend with others at parishes just like yours can only be something that Jesus would smile upon. Think about making the trip. If we regularly set aside Sunday afternoons for football, we can just as easily set aside one for a trip to San Angelo to share our faith.

   Travel safely. I hope to see you Sunday.

   Jimmy Patterson is Director of Communications for the Catholic Diocese of San Angelo. His book "50 Years: The Story of the Diocese of San Angelo" will be available at the anniversary Mass, at Trudo's Religious Store in San Angelo and by email, at jimmyleepatterson@gmail.com. Patterson's book "A History of Character: The Story of Midland, Texas," will be published in 2012.

   SAN ANGELO -- The Catholic Diocese of San Angelo is in the final days of planning for its 50th anniversary celebration, this weekend, October 15-16, 2011, and we wanted to advise you of some news opportunities leading up to our 50th. Included below:

Calendar for the week’s events

Bishops attending anniversary Mass

Pioneer families to be honored at Saturday night dinner

Visit by Cardinal historic

Comments on weekend by Bishop Michael Pfeifer, of San Angelo

Commemorative book released, history presentations scheduled

 

THIS WEEK’S CALENDAR OVERVIEW

PRESS CONFERENCE WITH CARDINAL DINARDO, ARCHBISHOP FIORENZA, BISHOP JOE VASQUEZ, BISHOP MICHAEL PFEIFER.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2011, 4:30 p.m., San Angelo Fairfield Inn, 1459 Knickerbocker Road -- Press conference with Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, of the Archbishop of Galveston-Houston; Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza, Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and fourth Bishop of San Angelo, Austin Bishop Joe Vasquez, and the Most Rev. Michael D. Pfeifer, 5th and current bishop of the Diocese of San Angelo. The press conference

PIONEER FAMILIES OF DIOCESE HONORED AT DINNER

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2011, 7 p.m. -- River Terrace Restaurant, San Angelo. Private dinner and reception for bishops, diocesan pioneer families (Closed event).


ANNIVERSARY MASS AT SAN ANGELO COLISEUM

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2011, 11 a.m. -- San Angelo Coliseum, San Angelo, 50th

Anniversary Mass of Celebration.


BOOK SIGNINGS and HISTORY PRESENTATION

4SAN ANGELO, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2011 -- History presentation, "50 Years:" The Story of the Diocese of San Angelo, Christ the King Retreat Center, 7 p.m.

4ABILENE, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2011 -- History presentation, "50 Years: The Story of the Diocese of San Angelo, Abilene’s Holy Family Church, 7 p.m.

 
23 BISHOPS TO ATTEND 50TH WEEKEND

   The anniversary celebration and Jubilee Mass, at 11 a.m., Sunday, October 16, 2011, at the San Angelo Coliseum, will feature visiting bishops from 19 dioceses.

   Those bishops who have confirmed they will attend include:

Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, Diocese of Galveston-Houston

Archbishop Paul Coakley Archdiocese of Oklahoma City

Bishop Douglas Deshotel, Diocese of Dallas

Bishop Kevin Farrell, Diocese of Dallas

Bishop Prasa Gallela, India

Bishop Angel Garachana, Honduras

Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller, M.Sp.S., Archdiocese of San Antonio

Bishop Curtis Guillory, SVD, Diocese of Beaumont

Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza, Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston (4th Bishop of San Angelo)

Bishop Charles Grahmann, Diocese of Dallas

Bishop Ronald Herzog, Diocese of Alexandria, La.

Bishop W. Michael Mulvey, Corpus Christi

Bishop Armando Ochoa, Diocese of El Paso

Bishop Raymond Pena, Diocese of Brownsville

Abbot Gregory Polan, OSB, Conception, Missouri

Bishop Anthony Poola, Bishop of Kurnool, India

Bishop Placido Rodriguez, Diocese of Lubbock

Bishop Mark Seitz, Diocese of Dallas

Bishop James Tamayo, Diocese of Laredo

Bishop Kevin Vann, Diocese of Fort Worth

Bishop Joe Vasquez, Diocese of Austin (former priest, Diocese of San Angelo)

Bishop John Yanta, Diocese of Amarillo (retired)

Bishop Patrick Zurek, Diocese of Amarillo


PIONEERS FAMILIES HONORED SATURDAY NIGHT

   Twenty-four longtime Catholics and Catholic families will be honored at a dinner Saturday, October 15, 2011 at San Angelo’s River Terrace Restaurant. (Closed to public, media). Honorees are listed below:

Mary and A.C. Diaz

Midland, Our Lady of Guadalupe

Maria Carrasco and Joyce Jimenez

 St. Ann, Sonora

Olivia Chapa and Toni Moya

San Angelo, St. Mary

Petra Chavez and Elidia Rodriguez

Fort Stockton, St. Joseph

June and Francois Boutin

Odessa, St. Mary

Ethel and Eugene Berger

San Angelo, Holy Angels

Jeanette and Daniel Holmann

Odessa, St. Elizabeth

Earl and Mary Ann Halfmann

Wall, St. Ambrose

Donna Repman and Diann Dow

Midland, St. Ann

Tina and Alfred Ortegon

Eden, St. Charles

Anita and Jesse Jacques

Abilene, Sacred Heart

Cruz and Arthur Olasue,

Big Spring, Holy Trinity

 

 

FIRST VISIT BY CARDINAL

 

   The special weekend for West Texas Catholics will mark the first time a cardinal has ever visited the Diocese of San Angelo. Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, of the Diocese of Galveston-Houston, who is also the first-ever cardinal from the state of Texas, will be the principal celebrant of the 50th Anniversary Mass.

   Cardinal DiNardo will be joined by Most Rev. Joseph Fiorenza, Archbishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Galveston-Houston and the fourth Bishop of San Angelo, and the Most Rev. Michael D. Pfeifer, OMI, current Bishop of San Angelo, for a press conference, at 4:30 p.m., SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2011, at the San Angelo Fairfield Inn, 1459 Knickerbocker Road. (Note: The press conference will be the only occasion where Cardinal DiNardo will be available to speak with the media.)

 

BISHOP PFEIFER COMMENTS ON ANNIVERSARY

 

On the diocese’s 50th anniversary: “This is a moment to express our gratitude to our loving God for all the many blessings that have come to us down through these years. We thank Jesus, our Good Shepherd, for leading us and guiding us during these past 50 years, and for the constant protection of our Blessed Mother. Our Diocese has been placed under the main patronage of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and we have indeed experienced the love of the Sacred Heart in countless ways during our 50 years of being a Diocese. First, this is a moment to express our gratitude and appreciation to our God for the many blessings we have received, and a moment to deepen our spirit of faith, hope and love as we launch out into the future. God, who has been good in the past, will be good to us in the future—and the main thing is that we be faithful to our Lord and follow Him, who is our way, truth and life.”

 

On hosting Cardinal DiNardo and 22 bishops for the anniversary celebration: “We are so pleased that we are having a Cardinal and 23 other bishops with us for this beautiful celebration.  In the history of our Diocese, we never have had a visit of a Cardinal, nor have we ever had so many bishops come together for any celebration. I have asked priests who have been here for many years longer that I have, and none can recall ever having the large number of bishops that will be present for our celebration.  It is wonderful to have our Cardinal and brother bishops here to thank God with us for the wonderful blessings we have received as the Body of Christ in the Diocese of San Angelo, and I am sure they will be praying for all of our people, as I will be doing on that day. And, having so many bishops here from other dioceses from within the state of Texas and outside the state of Texas and outside the country will give them the opportunity to experience the life of the Church here in West Texas. In a special way, I owe much gratitude for the wonderful service of the bishops who have preceded me, the present and past generous priests, women religious and deacons and wives and countless generous lay ministers.”

 

On honoring the Pioneers of the Faith at Saturday’s dinner: “We especially are privileged to honor the pioneer families of the different parishes and missions of our Diocese because these are the good people, with their deep spirit of faith and great generosity, have helped us to be the people of God we are today. While we all owe our gratitude to God for the many blessings we have received, we also recognize these great servants of the Lord who have done so much to make us to be a strong, lively faith community today.”

 

COMMEMORATIVE BOOK PUBLISHED

 

   The anniversary will also be commemorated with the publication of "50 Years: The Story of the Diocese of San Angelo." Three years in the making, the book is written and edited by Jimmy Patterson, Director of Communications for the Diocese of San Angelo and editor of the diocesan newspaper, The West Texas Angelus, since 2005.

   Patterson will present at Christ the King Retreat Center in San Angelo, Wednesday, October 12, and at Holy Family Church in Abilene, Thursday, October 13.

   Presentations will begin at 7 p.m. Books will be available for purchase at each presentation.

 

   MASS NOTE: The anniversary Mass in San Angelo will be the ONLY Mass celebrated in the Diocese of San Angelo on October 16, 2011. Masses have been dispensed at all parishes for the occasion.

   FMI: www.sanangelodiocese.org, or friend us on Facebook.

 

THE DIOCESE OF SAN ANGELO will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a Mass at the San Angelo Coliseum, 50 E. 43rd St., in San Angelo, at 11 a.m., Sunday, October 16, 2011

By Jimmy Patterson
Editor / The Angelus

   For the first time in the 50-year history of the Diocese of San Angelo, West Texans will be visited by a cardinal.
   Archbishop Daniel DiNardo, of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and the first Texas prelate to ever be elevated to the position of cardinal, will be the homilist for the diocese’s 50th Anniversary Mass, at 11 a.m., Sunday, October 16, 2011, at the San Angelo Coliseum, 50 E. 43rd St.
   The venue is expected to be full; early arrival is recommended. The Mass will also be attended by more than 20 bishops from Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Honduras and India (partial list at left).
   “This is indeed the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice, let us be grateful and let us reach out in loving service to one another,” Bishop Michael Pfeifer wrote about the day of celebration.
   Added Cardinal DiNardo,  “It is a joyful time for your diocese, an occasion to celebrate your growth in faith and in numbers, growth in sacramental ministry and outreach,”
   Some parishes are providing transportation to the Mass. please check with your church’s office.
   The Mass will also feature a choir that has been assembled just for the jubilee event, and banners from all parishes in the diocese.  

Bishop’s Calendar

OCTOBER
    9 -- ST. LAWRENCE, Mass at 11:30 a.m.
   11 -- SAN ANGELO, Christ the King Retreat Center – Regional Reflection Workshop on International Priests Orientation – 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
   11-- ABILENE, Holy Family – Presentation to RCIA at 6:30 p.m.
   12-14 -- SAN ANTONIO, MACC Board Meeting
   15 -- SAN ANGELO, Dinner at 7 p.m. - 50th Anniversary of Diocese
   16 -- SAN ANGELO, San Angelo Coliseum – Mass, 11 am, Diocese of San Angelo 50th Anniversary
   19 -- MIDLAND, St. Ann – Presentation to RCIA at 6:30 p.m.
   22-23 --  SAN ANTONIO, Meeting of the Holy Sepulchre
   25 -- BIG SPRING, Holy Trinity – Confirmation at 6:30 p.m.
   27 -- ABILENE, Sacred Heart – Confirmation at 6:30 p.m.
   28 -- SAN ANGELO, Sacred Heart Cathedral – Clergy Teaching on Marriage
   30 -- EDEN, St. Charles – Confirmation at 11 am.

NOVEMBER
   1 — SAN ANGELO, Sacred Heart Cathedral – All Saints Day Mass at Noon
   2 — SAN ANGELO, Calvary Cemetery – All Souls Day Mass at 11:00 a.m.
   4 — ODESSA, St. Mary – Confirmation at 6:30 p.m.
   6 — SAN ANGELO, HEB Feast of Sharing 11:00 a.m. Wells Fargo Pavillion
   8-9 — CORPUS CHRISTI, Kenedy Foundation Board Meeting
   9 — CRANE, Good Shepherd – Confirmation at 6:30 p.m.
   13-17 — WASHINGTON, DC, Meeting of USCCB
   20 — EDEN, St. Charles – Confirmation at 11:00 a.m.
   21 — SAN ANGELO, St. Joseph – Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service at 6:30 p.m.
   22 — ODESSA, St. Elizabeth – Mass for 18th Anniversary of Adoration Chapel at 6:30 .m.
   24 — SAN ANGELO, Sacred Heart Cathedral – Thanksgiving Day Mass at 9:00 am
   25-27 — Rest and Prayer

Christ the King
Retreat Center

OCTOBER
   10 -- Heart of Mercy Prayer Grp
   11 -- International Priest’s Study
   11 -- Deacon’s Quarterly Mtg.
   11 -- Adoration 5-6pm
   12 -- 50th Anniversary History Book Presentation, Signing.
   14-16 -- DOSA 50th Anniversary Celebration
   17 -- Heart of Mercy Prayer Grp
   18 -- Adoration 5-6pm
   20-23 -- Women’s Walk to Emmaus
   24 -- Heart of Mercy Prayer Grp
   25 -- Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament 5-6pm
   28-29 -- First United Methodist Church
   30 -- CKRC Confirmation Retreat
   31 -- Heart of Mercy Prayer Grp

NOVEMBER
   1 — CLOSED – All Saints Day     
   3-6 — San Angelo Women’s ACTS Retreat
   6 — San Angelo ACTS Chapter Meeting
   7 — Heart of Mercy Prayer Group
   8 — Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
   8-9 — DOSA Priests Updating
   10 — Beta Sigma Phi
   12 — DOSA Deacons Continuing  Education of Clergy Church History #1
   13 — CKRC Confirmation Retreat
   14 — Heart of Mercy Prayer Group
   15-18 — DOSA Good Leaders, Good Shepherds
   21 — Heart of Mercy Prayer Group
   22 —Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament    
   24-27  — CLOSED Thanksgiving Holiday
   28 — Heart of Mercy Prayer Grp
   29 — Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

DECEMBER
   1-2 — The Incarnation - Advent CKRC Mini Mission
   5 — Heart of Mercy Prayer Group
   6 — Bishop’s Christmas Party for Clergy
   6 — Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
   9 — Catholic Daughters Christian’s Party
   10 — DOSA Continuing Ed. Of Dcns. Church History #2

Ethics Workshops
San Angelo Deanery
   Tue, Oct 13, 6:30-9:30 pm, Pastoral Center  (Date changed from October 11)
Abilene Deanery
   October 8, Saturday, 10 am - 1 pm, Sacred Heart, Abilene

NECROLOGY

November
   10-Rev. James Coleman (2002)
   19-Rev. Frank Zimmermann, C.M. (1999)
   23-Rev. Colm Mulligan MSC (2003)
   27-Rev. Michael Dwyer MSC (1997)

History book presentations
   West Texas Angelus editor Jimmy Patterson, author of the book, “50 Years: The Story of the Diocese of San Angelo,” will sign copies and give a presentation on the diocese’s history in a series of three appearances the week before the diocese’s 50th anniversary Mass.
   Patterson’s appearance schedule is:
   MIDLAND, Tuesday, October 11, 7 p.m., St. Ann’s Church, 1208 W. Texas Ave.
   SAN ANGELO, Wednesday, October 12, 7 p.m., Christ The King Retreat Center, 806 Ford.
   ABILENE, Thursday, October 13, 7 p.m. Holy Family Church, 5410 Buffalo Gap Rd., Abilene.
  
Bioethics Web Site en Espanol
    The National Catholic Bioethics Center, the organization responsible for Father Tad Pacholczyk’s monthly “Making Sense out of Bioethics” Column, featured every month in the Angelus, now has a web site where Father Tad’s columns can be accessed. The site also features many resources available in both English and Spanish language. Over 1,000 requests a month en espanol are fielded by the NCBC. For more information in either language, visit www.ncbcenter.org.

San Pedro Sula Collection
   The second collection in all churches of the Diocese of San Angelo on the first weekend of November (Nov. 5 and 6), will be for the Diocese of San Pedro Sula and its parishes.  This Honduran diocese has been a partner of the Diocese of San Angelo since 2001, in response to the call of Pope John Paul II to seek unity in The Church in America.  Recently the Tenth Anniversary of this partnership was celebrated in Honduras.
   Several parishes in the Diocese of San Angelo are partners with parishes in the Diocese of San Pedro Sula.  St. Ann’s in Midland is associated with Most Holy Trinity Parish in Chamelecon.  St. Joseph/St. Anthony Parishes in Odessa are paired with Exaltation of the Holy Cross Parish in Baracoa.  Holy Redeemer Parish in Odessa is partnering with St. Isidore the Worker in La Ceiba.  These associations have enriched the appreciation of Catholics in each other’s cultures and led to prayer, communication and shared projects with each other.
   As we grow in relationship with each other, many opportunities for mutual affection, prayer and solidarity will present themselves.  A Diocesan Partnership Team promotes the partnership, meeting with counterparts of the Dioceses of San Pedro Sula and Tyler, Texas. 
   Each year, a collection is taken up on the first weekend of November in parishes and missions of the Diocese of San Angelo, to assist the Diocese of San Pedro Sula and its parishes.

‘The Footprints of God’
   Stephen Ray, world-renowned author, speaker, pilgrimage guide and expert on the Holy Land, has authored, produced and filmed on location in the Holy Land, a set of videos entit-
led collectively, “The Footprints of God.” These videos demonstrate and discuss the development of our Catholic faith from Abraham through the Doctors of the Church.  The films in the series completed to date include:
   Moses:  Signs, Sacraments and Salvation
   David and Solomon: Expanding the Kingdom
   Mary: The Mother of God
   Jesus: The Word Became Flesh
   Peter: Keeper of the Keys
   Paul: Contending for the Faith,
   The Apostolic Fathers: Handing on the Faith
   A new class will be offered beginning Wednesday, October 19, 2011, at St. Ann’s using these videos.
   Each class will show 1-hour of video followed by a short discussion, starting in chronological order until all seven films have been viewed and discussed. The class will be approximately 1½ hours long, beginning at 6:30 p.m. on October 19, and each following Wednesday for approximately 12 weeks.
   No classes will be held during the holidays. 
   This series is open to all Midland Catholics and will be held in the St. Ann’s parish parlor.  Please call St. Ann’s office (682-6303) if you would like to attend, so that sufficient space can be provided for the class.
   Beginning Jan. 15, 2012, Steve Ray will lead a four-day mission for all four Catholic parishes in Midland. More information will be forthcoming,

40 Days For Life-Midland Begins
   “40 Days for Life” is a focused pro-life campaign with a vision to entreat God’s power through prayer, fasting and peaceful vigils outside abortion facilities all across America for 40 days. The mission of the campaign is to bring together the body of Christ in a spirit of unity during a focused 40 day campaign of prayer, fasting and peaceful activism, with the purpose of repentance and seeking God’s favor to turn hearts and minds from a culture of death to a culture of life, thus bringing an end to abortion in America.  This is a national effort and we here in Midland have registered with the national group and therefore have our own web address: www.40daysforlife.com/midland. Also visit http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2224 for additional information.
  While the national campaign is 24-7 coverage outside abortion facilities for 40 consecutive days (which began Sept. 28), locally we will maintain a presence from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday outside Planned Parenthood’s new location, 314/316 Secor (near the intersection of Ohio and Andrews Highway).
   Make a one-hour commitment one weekday each week during this period to pray outside this abortion facility. 
    You may sign up for a one-hour time slot via the website or by calling Michael Banschbach, Coordinator, ProLife Midland, 432-686-7709 or 432-686-7097  If you can make most but not all of your time slots, still sign up and there will be a list of roving substitutes that can fill in when needed.  If you cannot commit to a certain time, but would like to be a substitute, let me know, or just show up when you can!

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 Date
Frank Garcia / October 27