SAN ANGELO — The Catholic Diocese of San Angelo is sponsoring a conference from 2-4 p.m. this Saturday, March 24, to promote respect for human life at all stages. 

The “Gospel of Life Conference,” will be at the Sacred Heart Cathedral School, 20 E. Beauregard, San Angelo. Admission is free. The event is open to the public.



The event will be led by Bishop Michael Pfeifer, OMI, of the Diocese of San Angelo, in what will be his first public appearance since his regularly-scheduled ad limina visit with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican last week. The conference will also include presentations by Vicki Thorn, founder of Project Rachel, and members of the Sisters of Life. The invocation will be delivered by Rev. John Pope, pastor of Galilee Missionary Baptist Church in San Angelo.



Mrs. Thorn, of Milwaukee, Wisc., holds a degree in psychology from the University of Minnesota. She is an international speaker and author on the topics of abortion’s aftermath in women, men and others, as well as the process of post-abortion healing. She has also written about the role of stress in making abortion decisions, and ways to help women in crisis pregnancies. She and her husband are the parents of six children.



Project Rachel is a post-abortion healing ministry founded in 1984. It offers a network of specially trained clergy, spiritual directors and therapists who provide one-on-one care to those struggling with the aftermath of abortion. Project Rachel provides confidential and skilled help to anyone who is struggling after an abortion loss, women and men; parents, grandparents, siblings, friends and others whose lives have been impacted. 

In her presentation, “Abortion: Soul Wound of the World,” Mrs. Thorn will discuss the harmful effects of abortion on individuals and society at-large.



“Living the Gospel of Life” will be the topic of a presentation by members of the Sisters of Life, a religious community was founded in 1991 by Cardinal John O’Connor, Archbishop of New York. Like members of all religious orders, the Sisters of Life make traditional vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. They also profess a fourth vow, to protect and enhance the sacredness of human life.

 The Gospel of Life is the English translation of the 1995 encyclical “Evangelium Vitae,” written by Pope John Paul II, which defines and defends the sacredness of human life from conception until natural death. In his preamble, the pope wrote: “Even in the midst of difficulties and uncertainties, every person sincerely open to truth and goodness can, by the light of reason and the hidden action of grace, come to recognize in the natural law written in the heart (Rom 2:14-15) the sacred value of human life from its very beginning until its end, and can affirm the right of every human being to have this primary good respected to the highest degree” (E.V. 2).



Speakers at the Gospel of Life Conference will promote respect for human life as well as address the harm inflicted on persons and society when it is disregarded.



“Acting with and promoting respect for human life is the responsibility of everyone,” said Bishop Pfeifer. 
“Each one of us has a moral duty to recognize that life comes from God. We must be caretakers and nurturers, not arbiters, of life.”



At the invitation of the bishop, the conference is cosponsored by the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal organization founded in 1882 by Father Michael McGivney, a parish priest, in New Haven, Conn. The organization has grown to 1.8 million members and has affiliates in every U.S. state as well as in Mexico, Canada, Poland and the Philippines. Last year Knights donated more than $154 million to charity and volunteered nearly 71 million hours of service to charitable causes. 

For additional information about the Gospel of Life Conference, visit sanangelodiocese.org. 


   For questions or interview requests, please contact Jimmy Patterson, Director of Communications, Diocese of San Angelo, at 432-889-6640.

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Forcing Planned Parenthood as Participant Risks Funding for All Women’s Health Programs and 130,000 Texas Women
 
   The Catholic Church has always believed in and advocated for access to health care as a fundamental safeguard of human life.  In particular, the Church vocally supports women’s access to preventive medical services--such as screening and treatment for breast and ovarian cancer, heart disease, and osteoporosis--as essential to comprehensive, affordable, and quality health care. Unfortunately, many abortion proponents insist on forcibly grafting contraception, sterilization, and abortion into our basic definitions of medical care, then criticizing anyone who objects as being an “opponent of women’s health care.”  
    While the Texas Catholic bishops do not support all of the services offered through the Women’s Health Program, they did support the provisions of Senate Bill 7, which prohibited Medicaid funds going to abortion providers or their affiliates.  There are currently more than 2,500 certified Women’s Health Providers in Texas, many of which offer comprehensive primary and preventative care to low income women and are not abortion providers or affiliated with abortion providers.
   There are only 44 Planned Parenthood locations in the Women’s Health Program and many do not provide comprehensive health care--say, for example, mammograms or many common gynecological services--which are critical for women’s health.  It is the Texas bishops’ position that true women’s health services should be separated from services that are not health care: namely, contraception, sterilization, and abortion.
   By insisting that the state of Texas cannot direct funds to thousands of providers statewide who offer true, comprehensive, women’s healthcare--and instead require Medicaid funds go to prop up 44 Planned Parenthood clinics--the federal government risks removing preventative health care from hundreds of thousands of women in Texas.
    The Texas Catholic Conference is the association of the 15 Roman Catholic dioceses of the State of Texas and is the official public policy voice of the Bishops of Texas. For more information on the Texas Catholic Conference, visit www.TXCatholic.org.
 

The Angelus

   SAN ANGELO — After many years of planning, saving, and praying, St. Joseph the Worker Church in San Angelo has received a much needed facelift.  
   Since its dedication in 1983, the church had been lovingly maintained but had not received any major renovations — until now. With permission and blessing from Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer, OMI, the project began with enthusiasm.  The work took four weeks to complete thanks to dedicated volunteers who worked long hours into the days and nights. The task began with the careful removal of old pews.
   During the renovation, Masses were held in the old mission building, which brought back a flood of memories for many of the long-time parishioners who had worshiped there from 1957 until the move to the current building.    
   In the main church, flooring was replaced by shiny new marble and a new layout was created which allowed better access in all areas.  Attention to detail was paid as special areas were designated for wheelchair seating.
    In addition, niches were carved into the walls to give a special setting for the antique statues to allow parishioners to worship with the Communion of Saints.  
   Fr. Emilio Sosa took on a special project as he hand-painted a glass door with the images of the old San Jose Mission along with the new St. Joseph the Worker Church logo and other art including lilies (the symbol of St. Joseph) and the crest of the Diocese of San Angelo.  
   A special blessing was given by Bishop Pfeifer during the dedication of the newly remodeled church on the weekend of February 11-12. Many thanks and blessings go out to all who dedicated their services, time, efforts, financial pledges, and prayers towards this undertaking. If you wish to view the “new” church, St. Joseph the Worker Church is located at 301 W. 17th Street (on the corner of Bryant and 17th Street) in San Angelo.  All are welcome.

Pro-Life Rosary scheduled in Midland

   MIDLAND —  Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer will preside over a pro-life Rosary in front of the Midland Planned Parenthood at 9:30 a.m., Friday, June 8, 2012, a day when abortions are done at Planned Parenthood. The date also closely coincides with the Feast of the MNost Holy Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, which is Sunday, June 10.
   “The beautiful Feast of Corpus Christi, which has a long tradition in our Church, reminds us of the greatest gift Christ has left His Church, which is His own Body and Blood, and that by receiving His Body and Blood, we enrich our membership in the precious Body of Christ, linking us to all who are members of the Body of Christ, even to the precious little ones in the wombs of their mothers who are part of the sacred Body of Christ.'


Deacon to speak in Midland

    Greg Hall, a deacon with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, an engineering technology graduate of Texas A&M is this year’s featured presenter at the “An Evening With ...” fundraiser series, July 20, 2012, at the Midland County Horseshoe. The event is for the Midland non-profit Centers for Children and Families.
   Hall’s drilling technique was instrumental in the October 2010 rescue of 33 Chilean miners who had trapped underground for over two months.
   Hall received a diploma in pastoral studies from St. Mary’s Seminary in December 2010 and was ordained a permanent deacon in February 2011.
   Watch for additional details in upcoming issues of the Angelus.

An Encounter with God’s Call

   Conception Seminary College invites you to experience its seminary, community and a personal sense of the unique vocation to the priesthood. TODAY, Christ is still calling courageous young men to pick their cross and follow Him.
   Conception Seminary College is hosting Encounter with God's Call, a weekend opportunity to spend time with men your own age who, like you, are seeing God's will in their lives.  You will be immersed in the daily life of the seminarian. To find out more information or to register, please call Fr. Barry McLean at the Office of Vocations for the Diocese of San Angelo at (325) 651-7500 or email him at frbarrymclean@aol.com.

Come & See Weekend

   The Sisters of the Holy Spirit and Mary Immaculate will provide an inside view of life in a convent setting during “Come and See” weekend at their Motherhouse, 201 Yucca, San Antonio, on March 23-25, 2012. The weekend will give women, between the ages of 18 and 45 an opportunity to prayerfully reflect on religious life and vocation discernment, look at their gifts and talents and decide if God is calling them to be of service to the Church and its people. The Holy Spirit Sisters minister in the United States, Mexico and Africa.
   Registration for the Come and See Weekend is available online at www.shsp.org or by contacting Sister Gabriel Hession, 210-533-5149; 817-360-9316 or by emailing sghession@hotmail.com.

Religious Archivist Workshop

   SAN ANTONIO — The Catholic Library Association is pleased to announce the fifth Introductory Archives Workshop for Religious Communities to be held at the Oblate Renewal Center, San Antonio, from June 24-29, 2012. The 5-day intensive program is directed toward individuals who are interested in learning about archival theory and practice or who wish to update their archival training.
   Unlike other archival workshops, the sessions will focus on the unique types of records found in the archives of men’s and women’s religious communities. The program, directed by professional religious archivists, will include lectures, tours, and opportunities for sharing experiences.
    Complete program and registration information and a registration form are posted at www.cathla.org/preservation.php, or contact the CLA office toll free at (855) 739-1776.     

Help Wanted: Accountant, Midland

   MIDLAND — St. Ann’s Parish announces an opening for the position of Parish Accountant/ Financial Manager, which involves supervision of parish and school finances, budgeting and record keeping.  The accountant also maintains the software that affects the finances.
   The applicant must have a BA degree in accounting or business with accounting experience, as well as be skilled at the use of computer technologies.  The applicant must be an active member of the Catholic Church, familiar with the structure and practices of the Catholic Church.  The applicant will be working at times with volunteers.
   Salary ranges depend on education, experience and degree of responsibility in a parish the size of St. Ann’s.  There may be occasional evening meetings.
   Please contact the Parish Business Manager, Steve Pepper, at St. Ann’s Parish, 432-682-6303.  Send resume to St. Ann’s Parish, 1906 W. Texas, Midland, TX 79701 or to spepper@stanns.us.


Catholic Texans 2nd Edition

    Catholic Texans: Our Family Album” by Steve Landregan, has just been released by the Diocese of Dallas. The book tells the story of Catholicism in Texas, and details each of the 13 dioceses in our state. To purchase a copy for $25, email archives@ cathdal.org, or phone Steve Landregan at 214-379-2870.


Consider becoming a FOCUS Missionary

   Two parishioners in the Diocese of San Angelo, Jerome Ibarra, of San Angelo, and Perla Garcia, of Midland, became FOCUS Missionaries last summer. FOCUS (www.focus.org) bring Christ and the Catholic faith to college campuses all over the United States. FOCUS is on close to 60 campuses with 250 missionaries in the U.S. FOCUS missionaries meet college students where they are and invites them into a growing relationship with Christ and the Catholic faith. To contact Jerome Ibarra, write in his guestbook at www.focus.org/goto/46127; to contact Perla Garcia, go to www.focus.org/goto/perlagarcia.


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
Keith Thurmond/March 7, 2012
Jesse Hernandez / March 28
Beunka Adams / April 26
Bobby Hines / June 6

AUSTIN - Texas' Roman Catholic Bishops Tuesday urged the state's Congressional delegation to strongly oppose new governmental mandates requiring religious employers to provide contraceptive, abortifacient, and sterilization services as part of their health care plans.
 
In a letter sent to all members of Congress from Texas, the bishops called “unconscionable and unnecessary” the new U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) requirement that is being attached as part of the Affordable Care Act of 2011.  The mandate has provoked a groundswell of controversy since its announcement two weeks ago.
 
"For religiously based social service agencies, health care providers, and educational institutions, this mandate abrogates our country’s foremost right to religious freedom," wrote Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, and Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller, of the Archdiocese of San Antonio, on behalf of the Texas bishops.
 
The HHS mandate ". . .forces religious employers into bitter choices: to violate their religious convictions and consciences, to stop providing health coverage for their employees, or to end the charitable, medical, and educational services that for centuries have provided a crucial safety net to the poor and vulnerable of our society," the Cardinal and Archbishop wrote.
 
The letter urges members of the Texas congressional delegation to co-sponsor the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act--co-sponsored by U.S. Reps. Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) and Dan Boren (D-OK) in the U.S. House and U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO) in the U.S. Senate--that preserves freedom of conscience for those who provide or purchase health care coverage.
 
“These bills will prevent any mandates under the Affordable Care Act from effectively disregarding the freedom of conscience and brings law into line with the federal government’s long tradition of respect for those rights,” said the bishops. “Institutions that sponsor, purchase, or issue health plans should not be forced to contravene their religious principles just to provide insurance to their employees; nor should families be forced to violate their religious convictions to care for their children.”
 
The bishops have also asked Catholics across the state to contact their members of Congress  to voice their concerns.  The Texas Catholic Conference, the public policy voice of the Texas Bishops, has created a web site, www.TXcatholic.org/HHSMandate.asp, to assist in contacting members of Congress and the Obama Administration regarding protecting religious freedoms and supporting the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act.  The Conference web site also includes links to the Bishops’ letters, blog posts, and news coverage on the issue.
 
The Texas Catholic Conference is the association of the 15 Roman Catholic dioceses of the State of Texas and is the official public policy voice of the Bishops of Texas. For more information on the Texas Catholic Conference, visit www.TXCatholic.org.

_House, Senate Contact  information

-- U.S. Congressman K. Michael Conaway (District 11-- San Angelo, Midland-Odessa, Andrews, Stanton, Crane, Rankin, Big Lake, Colorado City, Sterling City, Robert Lee, Bronte, Ballinger, Winters, Miles, Christoval, Eldorado, Junction, Menard, Eden, Melvin, Brady, Coleman, Brownwood, Sonora, McCamey, Mertzon, Sweetwater )
   Phone: 202-225-3605
   Mailing Address: 511 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515
   Email (via Web): https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml:
   Web: http://conaway.house.gov/

-- Rep. Randy Neugebauer (District 19 -- Big Spring, Abilene, Clyde)
   Phone: 202-225-4005
   Mailing Address: 1424 Longworth HOB
Washington, DC 20515
   Email (via Web): https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml
   Web: http://randy.house.gov/

-- Rep. Francisco Canseco (District 23 -- Fort Stockton, Iraan, Ozona)
   Phone: 202-225-4511
   Mailing Address: 1339 Longworth HOB
Washington, DC 20515
   Email (via Web): https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml
   Web: http://canseco.house.gov/


-- U.S. Senator John Cornyn
   Phone: 202-224-2934
   Mailing Address: 517 Hart Senate Office Bldg., Washington, DC 20510
   Web: http://www.cornyn.senate.gov/public/

-- U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison
   Phone: 202-224-5922
   Mailing Address: 284 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510
   Email: http://hutchison.senate.gov/?p=email_kay

Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer, of the Diocese of San Angelo, second from left, and Monsignor James Bridges, pastor of Midland's St. Stephen's, address pro-life supporters at a praying of the Rosary outside of Planned Parenthood, January 20, 2012.

(Photo by Alan P. Torre / aptorre.com)

_ Bishop addresses Pro-Life crowd on 39th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, restates urgency of acting now.

By Jimmy Patterson
Editor

   MIDLAND -- Using some of his strongest language in recent memory, Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer, of the Diocese of San Angelo, recalled the words of noted early feminists in deriding the horror that is abortion. Bishop Pfeifer made his remarks on the weekend that marks the 39th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision which legalized abortion in 1973.
   "Alice Paul, one of the original feminists, called abortion 'the ultimate exploitation of women,’ " the bishop said. Paul, along with Susan B. Anthony, were both staunch opponents of abortion, with Anthony referring to the deadly procedure as "child murder."
   Increasingly strong in his opposition in recent years on the subject, Bishop Pfeifer used the occasion of the rosary in the three deanery headquarter cities of Midland-Odessa, Abilene and San Angelo, to appeal to Catholics and others for even more action to stop the spread of abortion that has accounted for the taking of more than 56 million lives since it was legalized by the Supreme Court's infamous decision that has changed and divided America.
   "I put out many articles and letters to pro-life people in the diocese pleading for you to speak out, to send letters to legislators," Bishop Pfeifer said. "The campaign didn't get much support. What happened?  Some of you are very upset with me I know, but I insist that we must take a very proactive stance for the unborn.
   "When we pray at mass for something, after we pray to God, who tells us that anything we ask will be granted in the name of Jesus, if we walk out and do nothing about it, God says, 'You fools.' You’ve heard me talk before about God's graces, but we have failed to use God's graces the way we should. I'm not here today to scold but to face facts and to become more involved in the political and legal process. We have to work against evil abortion at every level."
   Pfeifer notes that more than 1,000 lives are destroyed at the Midland Planned Parenthood clinic alone every year and called for prayers that government leaders promote laws that promote life. The bishop also ask the assembled to pray for the people who work at the clinic, saying Jesus calls us to love them just as we love others affected by abortion.
   Bishop Pfeifer presides over a number of Pro-Life events throughout the diocese. His schedule during the weekend of the Roe v. Wade anniversary took him from Midland to Abilene and San Angelo to celebrate Masses and pray rosaries in remembrance of the unborn.

_DAY OF PENANCE. Today is a day of penance and reparation designated by the U.S. Catholic Bishops for the violence committed against the dignity of human persons, especially against the unborn through acts of abortion. Please pray for an end to the massacre which has taken the lives of more than 54 million unborn.

   SAN ANGELO -- Sunday, January 22, 2012, marks the 39th anniversary of the deadly Roe V. Wade decision of our Supreme Court, which gave the right to destroy the precious unborn at any stage of development. Bishop Michael Pfeifer, OMI, of the Diocese of San Angelo is asking that on this day all priests pray a Mass for the precious unborn and to beg our God to bring an end to abortion. Bishop Pfeifer encourages all pro-life people of West Texas to become much more involved in promoting the Diocesan Pro-Life Plan for the Unborn.

   To remember this deadly decision of the Supreme Court, Bishop Pfeifer will have a special Pro-Life Mass and will be offering prayers in the Diocese of San Angelo, which makes up 29 counties in West Texas. Bishop Pfeifer will lead special prayers in front of the three Planned Parenthood centers in West Texas where abortions are performed. The bishop’s schedule:

 

  FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, at 12:00 noon, Bishop Pfeifer will lead the Rosary in front of Planned Parenthood, at 316 Secor, in MIDLAND. Bishop Pfeifer will give apro-life reflection as the Rosary is prayed. Bishop Pfeifer is inviting all Catholics, especially the Knights of Columbus and people of goodwill to join him in front of this center that does surgical abortions each week.

  SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 2012, at 11:00 a.m., at Sacred Heart Cathedral in SAN ANGELO, Bishop Pfeifer will celebrate the annual Pro-Life Mass. As the date of the decision of the Supreme Court falls on a Sunday, Bishop Pfeifer is offering a special Mass the day before for the unborn. The Bishop encourages all Catholic people and people of goodwill to be present for this special Pro-Life Mass at the Cathedral.

  SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, 2012, at 2:30 p.m. Bishop Pfeifer will pray the Rosary in front of Planned Parenthood in ABILENE, located at 3449 North 10th,which does medical abortions.  Bishop Pfeifer is inviting all Catholics, especially the Knights of Columbus and people of goodwill of Abilene to join him in front of this center that does medical abortions each week.

  MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2012, at 12:00 noon, Bishop Pfeifer will pray the Rosary and give a pro-life reflection in front of Planned Parenthood in SAN ANGELO located at 2010 Pecos St. Bishop Pfeifer is inviting all Catholics, especially the Knights of Columbus and people of good will to join him in front of this center in San Angelo that does medical abortions each week.

 

Bishop Pfeifer reminds all Catholics that Monday, January 23, 2012 has been designated as a day of penance and reparation by the U.S. Catholic Bishops for the violence committed against the dignity of human persons, especially against the unborn through acts of abortion, and to pray for an end to the massacre which has taken the lives of more than 54 million unborn.

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