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VOL. 53 NO. 8 OCTOBER 14, 2016 DIOCESE OF BEAUMONT 32 PAGES, 1 SECTIONS

More on page 15
 2 easttexascatholic.com october 14, 2016

Bishop Guillory calls for end to death penalty

Bishop Curtis Guillory, S.V.D.,
joined with his brother bishops in
Texas Oct. 10 calling for the abo-
lition of the death penalty saying
that it does not correspond to the
common good but actually does
great harm to it.
In a joint statement, the Texas
Catholic Conference of Bishops
denounced the effects of capital
punishment not only on victims
and others immediately affected
by crime but also on society.
In their statement the Roman
Catholic bishops cited several ways
that harm is inflicted: 1) Capital
punishment is used dispropor-
tionally on the poor, people with
mental disabilities and minori-
ties; 2) Costs for capital punish-
ment cases are three times that of
a prisoner with life imprisonment
with no parole; 3) The finality of
death does not allow for rehabili-
tation or for consolation for vic-
tims families; and 4) Studies have
shown that innocent people have
been executed by the state and
that crime rates are not affected by
a states use of the death penalty.
The death penalty lessens our
hearts capacity for mercy and
negatively affects our childrens
formation in the Christian teach-
Bishop Guillory discusses issues on the next legislative agenda with Fr. Luong of the Tribunal Office ing of mercy and redemption. It
hardens our culture as it fails to al-
low for redemption. It is also un-
deniably a pro-life issue, Bishop
Guillory said.
I am also asking not only
Catholics but all Southeast Tex-
ans to reflect more deeply on the
precious gift of life during Respect
Life Month, said Bishop Guil-
lory.
This joint statement by the
Texas bishops was released on the
World Day Against the Death
Penalty and at a time when Amer-
icans including Texans sup-
port of the death penalty is declin-
ing. Fewer Texas juries are giving
death sentences than at any time
in the last two decades, and Texas
highest criminal court has granted
an unusually high number of re-
prieves over the last two years due
to concerns about the fairness and
accuracy of death penalty convic-
tions. This year, the state will see
the lowest number of executions
since 1996.
The Texas Catholic Conference
of Bishops is the association of the
Roman Catholic bishops of Texas
that provides a moral and social
public policy voice that includes
monitoring all legislation pertain-
ing to Catholic moral and social
teaching.

Monseor Guillory pide por el fin de la pena de muerte

El Monseor Curtis Guillo-
ry, SVD, obispo de la Dice-
sis de Beaumont, junto a los
otros obispos del estado de
Texas el 10 de octubre piden
por la abolicin de la pena de
muerte, diciendo que no cor-
responde con el bien comn
sino le causa ms dao.
En una declaracin con-
junta, la Conferencia Catlica
de los Obispos de Texas (TCC
por sus cifras en ingls) denun-
cia los efectos de la pena de
muerte no solamente para las
vctimas y otros directamente
afectados por el crimen, pero
tambin para la sociedad.
En su declaracin, los obis-
pos catlicos citaron varias
maneras de que el dao es in-
fligido: 1) la pena de muerte
se usa desproporcionadamente
en los pobres, personas con
discapacidad mental y las mi-
noras; 2) los costos para los
casos de pena capital son tres
veces que de un preso con en-
carcelamiento de por vida sin
libertad condicional; 3) la fi-
nalidad de la muerte no per-
mite la rehabilitacin o con-
suelo para las familias de las
vctimas; y 4) los estudios han
demostrado que personas ino-
centes han sido ejecutadas por
el estado y que la cantidad de
delincuencias no son afecta-
dos por el uso de un estado de
la pena de muerte.
La pena de muerte dis-
minuye la capacidad de
nuestros corazones poder ser
misericordiosos y afecta nega-
tivamente la formacin de
nuestros hijos en la enseanza
cristiana de misericordia y
redencin. Endurece nuestra
cultura al no permitir la re-
dencin. Es tambin sin lugar
a dudas un tema pro vida,
dijo el Monseor Guillory.
Tambin le estoy pidiendo
no slo a catlicos sino a todos
en el Sureste de Texas a reflex-
ionar ms profundamente so-
bre el precioso don de la vida
durante el mes de Respeto a la
Vida, dijo el obispo Guillory.
La declaracin conjunta de
hoy de los obispos de Texas
fue lanzada en Da Mun-
dial en Contra de la Pena de
Muerte y en un momento
cuando est disminuyendo el
apoyo de los estadounidenses
incluyendo los Tejanos ha-
cia la pena de muerte. Menos
jurados en Texas estn dando
sentencias de muerte que en
cualquier momento en las
ltimas dos dcadas, y la corte moral y social catlica.
ms alta de Texas ha otorgado
un nmero inusualmente alto
de indultos en los ltimos dos
aos debido a las preocupacio-
nes acerca de la imparcialidad
y la exactitud de condenas de
pena de muerte. Este ao, el
estado ver el menor nmero
de ejecuciones desde 1996.
La Conferencia de Obispos
Catlicos de Texas es la asoci-
acin de los obispos catlicos
romanos de Texas que ofrece
una voz moral y social para las
polticas pblicas que incluye
el monitoreo de toda la legis-
lacin referente a la enseanza
 october 14, 2016 easttexascatholic.com 3
Before you vote Bishops Calendar
Working Together
For Good In His Name
Bishop Curtis J. Guillory, SVD Oct. 16-17 Equestrian Order of the Holy
Sepulchre, meeting
forming her or his conscience social teachings of the Church Oct. 21 Red Mass, St. Anthony Cathedral
on the issues and make a good so we can evaluate which can- Basilica, Beaumont
moral decision in voting. didate can best carry them
Oct. 23 Installation of Rev. Donatus
For a minute, let us look out. No one candidate meets
at what conscience is and these high standards on every Mgbeajuo, MSP, pastor of
how we form our conscience. issue. In the formation of our St. Therese, Orange
Deep within his conscience conscience, we may find that Oct. 29 Youth Day of Reflection, sponsored
Every four years our coun- man discovers a law which he one party best addresses some by African American Ministry
try has an opportunity to has not laid upon himself but issues that we are concerned and Youth Ministry
study important issues, as well which he must obey. Its voice, about, while another party
Oct. 29 Blessing of the Altar Servers
as the candidates platforms, ever calling him to love and to upholds other important is-
in order to choose the one do what is good and to avoid sues. Oftentimes, there is a Oct. 30 Jubilee Mass for wedding
who will best lead our coun- evil, sounds in his heart at lot of grey in between. Before anniversaries of 25 years, 50
try as president. This should the right moment (CCC casting our vote, we have to years and more, St. Anthony
be a time of excitement and 1776) A persons conscience decide which candidate least Cathedral Basilica, Beaumont
opportunity, because we is given by God, and Gods supports actions that are ex-
Nov. 6 Feast Day celebration of St. Martin
have the freedom to express voice echoes in the depths of trinsically evil.
de Porres, at St. Martin de Porres, Cheek
through our vote the direc- his heart. There are many political
tion we want our country to How is the conscience and social issues before us. Nov. 10 Harvest of Hope, benefitting
take. formed? We form our con- The Gospels and social teach- Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas
U n f o r t u n a t e l y, ing of the Church Nov. 14-16 U.S. Conference of Catholic
this current cam-
paign has become an Forming our always promote the
foundation principle
Nov. 20
Bishops, general meeting
Mass for Region X Catholic
exhibition of name-
calling, mudsling-
conscience of the dignity of the
human person, for Youth Conference
ing, the absence of requires study all the issues ulti-
civility, and even
demonization oF the issues in
of
mately affect human
life in one way or Official Appointments
the other candidate.
One hears from oth- light oF gospel another. Human life
must be protected Rev. Joseph Benjamin, reappointed pastor,
ers, I will be glad
when the election is
values and the and nurtured from
the womb to the
Blessed Sacrament, Beaumont
Rev. Lowell D. Case, SSJ, reappointed pastor, Our
over, I am sick of
it, etc. This is be-
social teachings tomb. Of primary
importance is the
Mother of Mercy, Beaumont
cause people do not oF the church so life of the unborn,
the issues in depth (not just sources and videos to help
think the candidates
can fulfill what is re- we can evaluate but we must also be
concerned with all listening to sound bites), as you form your conscience in
quired for the next
president, nor are
which candidate means necessary for
living life with dig-
well as the teachings of the
Church regarding these is-
accord with human reason,
enlightened by the teaching
they exhibiting the
behavior worthy of
can best carry nity, such as concern
for the poor, care
sues, being silent so as to hear
the echo of the Lords voice.
of Christ as it comes to us
through the Church. Each
such an office. The them out. for the elderly, the It is also important to engage person is responsible to make
real issues facing our terminally ill, im- in constructive dialogue with political choices based on a
country are muddled by the science through prayer, silence migrants and refugees, as well others about the issues, but in properly formed conscience,
candidates. and studying the issues that as challenges, such as eutha- a respectful and civil manner. aided by prudence.
To assist Catholics in form- are before us in this case, nasia, human cloning, terror- One is seriously misguided if Hopefully, by following the
ing their conscience on po- the political and social issues. ism, torture. Peoples lives are she or he thinks that forming direction and wisdom found
litical, social and moral issues, This process is not about ad- affected by all of these issues. ones conscience is the same as in Forming Consciences for
the Catholic Bishops pub- justing our moral teaching So, you can see that form- forming an opinion. Faithful Citizenship you will
lished a letter: Forming Con- to conform with politics but ing a right conscience before The following link on the be freed from fear, selfishness,
sciences for Faithful Citizen- rather adjusting politics to our casting a vote is complex and U.S. Bishops website (www. pride, resentment and experi-
ship. The letter attempts to faith. Forming our conscience not clear cut. That is why it usccb.org/issues-and-action/ ence a freedom that engenders
set moral principles by which requires study of the issues in takes prayer, asking the Holy faithful-citizenship/index. peace of heart and fosters the
a Catholic can be guided in light of Gospel values and the Spirit for guidance, studying cfm) provides numerous re- common good.
4 easttexascatholic.com october 14, 2016
 october 14, 2016 easttexascatholic.com 5
Diocesan Calendar

Life Chain
In Defense of Human Life
Oct. 15
Oct. 16
Oct. 17
CEMI: Psychological & Faith Development
Second Collection for World Mission Sunday
CEMI: The Social Justice Teachings of the Church
Oct. 18 School Budget Workshop
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops states Prayer is the foundation
Oct. 20 PCL Meeting
of all that we do in defense of human life. Right for Life of Southeast Texas is asking
you to join the Oct. 30 Life Chain and pray for the sanctity of all life. You should Oct. 21 Red Mass
arrive at one of the 14 Life Chain locations by 2:15 p.m. and commit to one hour Oct. 22 To Marry For Life
of silent prayer to end abortion, euthanasia and assisted suicide in our country. You Oct. 24 CEMI: The Social Justice Teachings of the Church -
may want to bring a lawn chair, umbrella and bottled water as you become a voice St. Mary Church, Fannett
for those who cannot speak. The 14 locations are listed below.
Oct. 26 CEMI: The Gospel of Matthew - St. Anne Church,
LIFE CHAIN LOCATIONS: Beaumont (Parish Hall)
Oct. 27 Planned Giving Meeting - Catholic Pastoral Center
Oct. 29 Youth Day of Reflection for Vocations
Beaumont
Oct. 30 25 & 50 Wedding Anniversary Mass & Reception -
Calvary Baptist Church parking lot, Dowlen Near Folsom
St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica
Bridge City / Orangefield Oct. 31 CEMI: The Social Justice Teachings of the Church -
First Baptist Church Parking lot, 9788 FM 105, or St. Henry Catholic Church St. Mary Church, Fannett
parking lot, 475 W. Round Bunch Road, Bridge City
Nov. 2 CEMI: The Gospel of Matthew - St. Anne Church,
Dayton Beaumont
Walgreens, 101 S. Washington Avenue in Cleveland Nov. 5-6 To Marry For Life - Holy Family Retreat Center
Nov. 5 Unity of S.E. Texas - Holy Family Retreat Center
Jasper Nov. 6 2nd Collection for Archdiocese of military Services
Lone Star Buffet Restaurant Parking Lot on US 96
Nov. 6 DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME ENDS
Kountze Nov. 6 St. Martin de Porres Evening Prayer - St. Martin de
First Baptist Church of Kountze, 100 Monroe Street Porres Mission, Cheek, TX

Nederland / Port Arthur

Central Mall, FM 365 to 9th Ave.
Holy Family Retreat Center
Silsbee 9920 N. Major Drive, Beaumont
Calvary Mission Baptist Church, 1316 FM 327 East(Across from High School) (409) 899-5617
Winnie - Stowell October
First Baptist Church Gym, 120 E. St. Pear Avenue
21-22 Community of Hope International Retreat
Hampshire Fannett, 22-23 To Marry For Life
4-way stop at Texas 124 & FM 365 27-30 A.C.T.S. Womens Retreat, St. Elizabeth Parish

Kirbyville
First Baptist Church Auditorium, 105 N. Barrow Avenue November
5 Unity of S.E. Texas
Lumberton 5-6 To Marry For Life
Infant Jesus Church, 243 LHS Drive 10-13 A.C.T.S. Womens Retreat, St. Jude Parish
13-16 Community of Hope International
Orange
16th Street @ Burton Avenue
A donation to the endowment for Holy Family Retreat Center is a perfect
Vidor way to honor a marriage, a baptism, an anniversary or other special
Market Basket on Main Street events as well as a method to remember deceased family and friends. A
card is sent in your name. Gift certificates for retreats and programs are
Woodville available. Call (409) 899-5617 for information.
Side walk of Tyler County Courthouse, 100 W. Bluff.
 6 easttexascatholic.com october 14, 2016

Parish community and the spiritual life

Spirituality for Today
By Father John Catoir
Catholic News Service
There are two things to re-
member about your spiritual
life: 1) It extends way beyond
your prayer life to the way
you treat others, the way you
spend your money, the way
you maintain your self-respect
and even to your politics; 2) It
also includes the way you re-
late to God through your local
parish.
The parish Mass on Sun-
day is an act of worship, and
participating joyfully in this
primary duty of the people of
God is essential for achieving
holiness. How any particular
parish or individual builds the
spiritual life will vary of course,
but the goal is clear: We are all
called to love God with our
whole heart, mind and soul.
For Catholics, the parish ex-
ists to help individuals carry
out the mission that Jesus pro-
claimed for his people; namely,
to proclaim the kingdom of
God and to become living ex-
amples of Christ in service to
God and to one another.
As a community of faith,
hope and love, the parish com-
munity teaches the parishio-
ners how to live in the Holy
Spirit. It exists as a sign of the
kingdom of God in the world.
The parish also points to and
anticipates the kingdom of
heaven by realizing and ex-
tending the reign of God
through our worship and ser-
vice in all areas of life.
Granted, Im talking about
an ideal here; we all know
some terrible, discourag-
ing stories from parish life or
ministry, but still, parishes are
called to strive for holiness.
One way we do this is by cre-
ating community subgroups,
which serve the common good
and the special personal needs
of its members.
Prayer groups, senior citi-
zen gatherings, hobby clubs,
scouting groups, grief minis-
tries and the like: All of these
activities have their own dis-
tinctive way of serving the
diverse needs of the body of
Christ. We use the various tal-
ents of our volunteers to form
special group ministries.
I grew up in the parish of St.
Joan of Arc in Jackson Heights
in Queens, New York. The di-
ocesan Catholic Guild for the
Blind held regional meetings
there for members. As a teen,
I watched blind people being
brought to the parish hall, and
I was curious.
I volunteered to help and
spent many enjoyable years
working with the blind. We
even took them bowling. A
guide rail was all they needed
to enjoy the sound of their ball
crashing into the pins.
Because they met in our par-
ish every week, a whole world
opened up to me. I discovered
how brave a human being
could be despite suffering a se-
rious disability.
In summary, a persons spiri-
tuality, far from being simply
his or her private prayer life, is
basically ones whole life in and
with God. The parish commu-
nity is there to offer support
and aid us on our journey.
We need to face lifes chal-
lenges by trusting God in all
circumstances and helping
one another make this a better
world.

The heart of leadership

The Human Side
By Father Eugene Hemrick
Catholic News Service
How I wish those desiring
to lead our country could take
to heart the message Archbish-
op Bernard A. Hebda of St.
Paul and Minneapolis gave in
his address at the August J.S.
Paluch vocations seminar.
Archbishop Hebda listed
three qualities of leadership
Pope Francis exemplifies best:
humility, consistency in values
and leading with the heart as
well as mind.
"Pope Francis isn't afraid to
admit his limitations," Arch-
bishop Hebda pointed out.
Often the pope has said, "I am
a sinner," a humble admission
that is so contrary to leaders
who feel the need to appear
strong and faultless.
St. Bonaventure gives us a
unique insight into humility.
For St. Bonaventure, poverty
and humility were the source
of Christian perfection that
need to be brought forth in
acts of charity and love. Christ,
the ultimate leader, embodied
all of these virtues -- clearly
seen in his haumble and lov-
ing submission to death on the
cross.
Connecting virtues to lead-
ership is crucial and leads to
other valuable insights. For
example, it teaches us to ac-
knowledge that without God's
support we wouldn't exist. It
exhorts leaders to get off their
high horse and to drop to their
knees in gratitude to God be-
cause without thankfulness,
there's no humility, and with-
out humility, a vital leadership
quality is missing.
Often leadership is pictured
in terms of people possessing
special talents, strong character
and inspiring ideas. But from
whom did these gifts come ul-
timately? Is it not from God?
To admit everyone is poor
and dependent on God is by
no means a sign of weakness.
Rather it is a humble way of
living the truth. This is difficult
because we live in an atmo-
sphere immersed in half-truths,
twisted truths and outright lies
that weaken our resolve to live
the truth constantly no matter
the cost. character reveals a man who extremely difficult, needing
One look at Pope Francis' leads with his heart as well as herculean strength to practice
leadership teaches us he is his mind. In Latin, "mercy" it. Conducting it humbly, bal-
persistent in reaching out to contains the word "heart," the ancing heart with mind and
the poor and encouraging the heartfelt love that Pope Francis consistently following Christ's
church to be more merciful. desires in the church. model of leadership is the crux
Further examination of his Leadership has always been of that needed strength.

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Contemplative Prayer
By Father Ron Rolheiser
Contemplative prayer, as it
is classically defined and popu-
larly practiced, is subject today
to considerable skepticism in
a number of circles. For ex-
ample, the method of prayer,
commonly called Centering
Prayer, popularized by persons
like Thomas Keating, Basil
Bennington, John Main, and
Laurence Freeman is viewed
with suspicion by many people
who identify it with anything
from New Age, to Bud-
dhism, to Self-Seeking, to
atheism.
Admittedly not all of its ad-
herents and practitioners are
free from those charges, but
certainly its true practitioners
are. Understood and prac-
ticed correctly this method of
prayer, which allows for some
variations in its practice, is in
fact the form of prayer which
the Desert Fathers, John of the
Cross, and the author of The
Cloud of Unknowing called-
Contemplation.
What is contemplation,
as defined within this classi-
cal Christian tradition? With
apologies to the tradition of
Ignatius of Loyola, who for-
mats things differently, but is
very much in agreement with
this definition, contempla-
tion is prayer without im-
ages and imagination, that is,
prayer without the attempt
to concentrate ones thoughts
and feelings on God and holy
things. It is a prayer so singular
in its intention to be present
to God alone that it refuses ev-
erything, even pious thoughts
and holy feelings so as to sim-
ply sit in darkness, in a de-
liberate unknowing, within
which all thoughts, imagina-
tions, and feelings about God
are not fostered or entertained,
as is true for all other thoughts
and feelings. In the words of
The Cloud of Unknowing, it is
a simple reaching out directly
toward God.
In contemplative prayer,
classically understood, after a
brief, initial act of centering
oneself in prayer, one simply
sits, but sits inside the inten-
tion of reaching out directly
toward God in a place beyond
feeling and imagination where
one waits to let the unimagi-
nable reality of God break-
through in a way that subjec-
tive feelings, thoughts, and
imaginations cannot manipu-
late.
And it is precisely on this
point where contemplative
prayer is most often misunder-
stood and criticized. The ques-
tions are: Why shouldnt we
try to foster and entertain holy
thoughts and pious feelings
during prayer, isnt that what
were trying to do in prayer?
How can we be praying when
we arent doing anything, just
sitting? Isnt this some form of
agnosticism? How do we meet
a loving, personal God in this?
Isnt this simply some form
of transcendental meditation
which can be used as a form
of self-seeking, a mental yoga?
Wheres Jesus in this?
I will let the author of The
Cloud of Unknowing reply to
this: It would be very inappro-
priate and a great hindrance to
a man who ought to be work-
ing in this darkness and in this
cloud of unknowing, with an
affective impulse of love to
God himself alone, to permit
any thought or any meditation
october 14, 2016 easttexascatholic.com
of Gods wonderful gifts, kind-
ness or his work in any of his
creatures, bodily or spiritual,
to rise up in his mind so as
to press between him and his
God, even if they be very holy
thoughts, and give him great
happiness and consolation.
For as long as the soul dwells
in this mortal body, the clar-
ity of our understanding in the
contemplation of all spiritual
things, and especially of God,
is always mixed up with some
sort of imagination. We can-
not imagine God, we can only
know God.
In essence, the idea is that
we may never mistake the icon
for the reality. God is ineffable
and consequently everything
7
we think or imagine about
God is, in effect, an icon, even
the words of scripture itself
are words about God and not
the reality of God. Admittedly
icons can be good, so long as
they are understood precisely
as icons, as pointing to a real-
ity beyond themselves; but as
soon as we take them for the
reality, our perennial tempta-
tion, the icon becomes an idol.
The difference between
meditation and contempla-
tion is predicated on this: In
meditation we focus on icons,
on God as God appears in our
thoughts, imagination, and
feelings. In contemplation,
icons are treated as idols, and
the discipline then is to sit in
a seeming darkness, beneath
a cloud of unknowing, to try
to be face to face with a reality
which is too big to grasp with-
in our imagination. Medita-
tion, like an icon, is something
that is useful for a time, but
ultimately we are all called to
contemplation. As the Cloud
of Unknowing puts it: For
certainly, he who seeks to have
God perfectly will not take his
rest in the consciousness of
any angel or any saint that is
in heaven.
Karl Rahner agrees: Have
we tried to love God in those
places where one is not car-
ried on a wave of emotional
rapture, where it is impossible
to mistake oneself and ones
life-force for God, where one
accepts to die from a love that
seems like death and absolute
negation, where one cries out
in an apparent emptiness and
an utter unknown?
That, in short, is contempla-
tive prayer, authentic center-
ing prayer, as a discipline.
Oblate Father Ron Rolheiser,
theologian, teacher, and award-
winning author, is president of
the Oblate School of Theology in
San Antonio. He can be contacted
through his website www.ronrol-
heiser.com. Now on Facebook
www.facebook.com/ronrolheiser.
 8 easttexascatholic.com october 14, 2016
Pope: Churchs mission is to attract people to Christ, not proselytize
Pope Francis embraces a man as he meets the disabled during his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Oct. 5. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
VATICAN CITY (CNS) --
Christians are called to follow the
example of St. Therese of Lisieux,
who helped draw people to Jesus
by way of attraction, not by pros-
elytizing, Pope Francis said.
She was a reminder that an
authentic witness is proclaimed
through a union with Christ in
prayer, adoration and in con-
crete charity, which is serving Je-
sus, who is present in the least of
our brothers and sisters, he said
Oct. 5 during his weekly general
audience.
Among the estimated 25,000
in St. Peters Square were 33 for-
mer prisoners of the Auschwitz
concentration camp, whom he
greeted after the audience and
posed for pictures.
Addressing the former prison-
ers and Polish pilgrims present,
he said the days feast of St. Faus-
tina Kowalska reminded the
world that God is rich in mercy
and that his love is more power-
ful than death, than sin and ev-
ery evil.
In his main audience talk,
Pope Francis reflected on his
Sept. 30-Oct. 2 visit to Georgia
and Azerbaijan, which, along
with his visit in June to Arme-
nia, fulfilled his desire to encour-
age the Catholic communities in meeting at Svetitskhoveli Cathe- ty given by religious men and lationship between different
the Caucasus region, he said. dral, which houses the seamless women as well as Christian faiths and expressed his hope
Recalling the Oct. 1 Mass in tunic of Jesus, a garment the families in Georgia was also wit- that through this unity, the peo-
Tbilisi celebrating the feast of pope described as a symbol of nessed in Azerbaijan. Although ple of the Caucasus may live in
St. Therese, the patroness of the unity of the church. the majority of the population peace and mutual respect.
missions, the pope said, This This unity is supported by is Muslim, he said, they share a The Eucharist is where the
is what the religious men and the blood of so many martyrs of good relationship with the small spirit harmonizes different lan-
women I met in Tbilisi do, as different Christian confessions. Catholic community there and guages and gives the strength of
well as in Baku: They do it with Among the most tested are the maintain fraternal ties with Or- witness which creates commu-
prayer and charitable works. I Assyrian-Chaldeans in Tbilisi thodox Christians. nion in Christ and drives Chris-
encouraged them to be steadfast with whom I lived an intense Pope Francis said the celebra- tians to seek an encounter and
in the faith with memory, cour- moment of prayer for peace tion of the Eucharist and the dialogue with all who believe in
age and hope. in Syria, Iraq and in the whole interreligious meeting in Baku God, to build together a more
Although both countries cel- Middle East, the pope said. were proof that faith knows just and fraternal world, the
ebrated the 25th anniversary The witness of love and uni- how to maintain the right re- pope said.
of their independence from the
Soviet regime, they still face
numerous difficulties in differ-
ent aspects of social life and
the Catholic Church, in col-
laboration with other churches
and Christian communities are
called to be a sign of charity and
human development, he said.
In Georgia, this mission
naturally passes through the col-
laboration with our Orthodox
brothers and sisters, who form
the vast majority of the popula-
tions, the pope said.
Pope Francis said a very im-
portant sign of this collabora-
tion was the presence of Ortho-
dox Patriarch Ilia II at the airport
upon his arrival as well as their

Varied Graces:
Home in Him in varied ways
Going home. Thats what
I keep telling them. In a cou-
ple of days Ill board a South-
west plane and head north
and east. Going home for a
few days.
Going home to see cousins
and friends and a very special
aunt.
Going home to Steeler and
Browns country. Going
home to pierogi and
polkas and the reds and
golds of a true autumn.
Going home to good
black earth that grows
sweet corn and apple
trees. Going home to
Amish and Mennonite
farms. Going home
to places with names
like Monongahela and
Aliquippa.
So I tell them, Im
going home. And this time
as I say those words, I hear
them. Hear them in my heart.
Ive been in Texas nearly
40 years. Reared my children
here. Watched my daughter
graduate from UT. Fell in
love with fresh shrimp and
seawalls and piney woods.
Bonded with neighbors as
we ran from hurricanes and
cleaned up after the storms of
Rita and Ike.
Ive been in Texas so long
that I can remember a time
when the refineries were
named Gulf and Texaco and
the Rainbow Bridge was a
solo act over the Neches in
Port Arthur. Ive been in Tex-
as so long that Ive found my
way to Luckenbach and Cut
n Shoot several times.
Yet, I tell them, Im going
home as though the past 40
years have been an extended
vacation.
But when I get there I know
my thoughts and words will
be peppered with Texas. I
traded yall for yinz, coke for
pop a long time ago. Ill look
at the constant grey skies of
Pittsburgh and Youngstown
and wonder how anyone can
live with so many overcast
days.
Ill greet and smile at strang-
visit us
follow us
and
friend us
ers on the street and shake my
head as they suspiciously avert
their eyes. Ill listen to cousins
and friends talk about people
I barely remember. And Ill
wonder where home really is.
But sometime during
that visit, Ill walk to morn-
ing Mass. Ill sit in a middle
pew at Blessed Virgin Mary
Church. Ill listen to the
young priest speak the words
of consecration with a Pitts-
burghese accent. Ill offer my
hand in peace to someone
Ive never met just like I have
done thousands of times be-
fore. And I will know where
home is.
Our recent 50th anniver-
sary celebration reflected
the wonderful diversity of
our diocese. Our celebration
made it obvious that we come
setxcatholic.org
easttexascatholic.com
@bishopguillory
@etc_online
facebook.com/dioceseofbeaumont
OCTOBER 14, 2016 EASTTEXASCATHOLIC.COM
from many different cultures.
Some of us have been born in
places as far away as India or
the Philippines. Others of us
may have been transplanted
from the Midwest or the New
England states. And even if
we were born in Southeast
Texas, when we come to the
Eucharistic table we bring the
culture and the native
lands of our families
with us.
When we come to
the Eucharistic table,
we bring the memory
and the gift of those
first homes. Our
uniqueness is never
ours to hold on to it. It
is meant to be shared.
In that moment of
communion, we are
one in Christ. We are
catholic. We are Catholic.
Stewardship Reflection:
This weekend during com-
munion, watch those who are
in the receiving line. Notice
their uniqueness. Notice the
beauty of the diversity of our
community. Then reflect for a
moment on this thought: not
one of these individuals has
the same memories as you or
the same thought pattern or
the exact same perspective.
Yet, each of them struggles
9
with the same broken human-
ity. Each of them believes in
the same saving presence of
Jesus. And each of them longs
for the same Home in Him.
Stewardship Challenge:
As each communicant passes
by you, ask our Lord to help
them with their individual
struggles. Then ask Him what
you could do to make them
feel more at home with you.
Stewardship Scripture:
Whoever loves me will keep
my word and my Father will
love him and we will come to
him and make our home with
him. John 14:23
RADIO MARIA
A Christian Voice in
Your Home
1250-AM KDEI Port Arthur, TX,
or on the Internet
www.radiomaria.us
Call toll free 1-888-408-0201
10 easttexascatholic.com october 14, 2016
Carta Pastoral de la Conferencia Catlica de Obispos de Texas
Cada ao durante el mes de
octubre, la Iglesia celebra el Mes
del Respeto a la Vida. Durante
este tiempo, oramos y reflex-
ionamos sobre el don precioso
de la vida y volvemos a com-
prometernos a trabajar por una
cultura que verdaderamente
acoja y proteja la vida humana
en nuestra sociedad, desde la
concepcin hasta la muerte
natural. La enseanza catlica
sobre el aborto y la eutanasia es
muy clara, como lo es nuestro
compromiso de continuar tra-
bajando por el mejoramiento
de las condiciones de vida, de la
educacin, del acceso a cuidado
sanitario para todos, especial-
mente los pobres y aquellos que
no cuentan con recursos. Este
ao los obispos estamos atray-
endo especial atencin a nuestro
constante llamado a abolir la
pena de muerte en Texas, al
reconocer que indudablemente
este es un tema pro vida.
La Enseanza Social de la
Iglesia es un cuerpo espec-
fico de doctrina catlica y una
parte esencial de la fe (Sharing
Catholic Social Teaching, Chal-
lenges & Directions, Confer-
encia de Obispos Catlicos de
Estados Unidos). Enraizada en
las Escrituras, la enseanza de la
Iglesia se desarrolla a lo largo de
siglos, al irse encontrando con
nuevas realidades y desafos so-
ciales. El mismo Espritu Santo
que inspir las Sagradas Escritu-
ras est con la Iglesia cuando
interpretamos los signos de los
tiempos en cada nueva cultura
y poca (Gaudium et Spes, no.
4). Hoy en da, el Catecismo de
la Iglesia Catlica ofrece un re-
sumen integral de la doctrina de
la Iglesia. De manera inequvo-
ca, la enseanza catlica dice que
si los medios incruentos bastan
para proteger y defender del
La ConferenCia CatLiCa de obispos de texas
QUERIDOS HERMANOS EN EL SEOR
agresor la seguridad de las per-
sonas, la autoridad se limitar a
esos medios (Catecismo de
la Iglesia Catlica, No. 2267).
Esto significa sencillamente
que si existen las alternativas a
la pena de muerte, suficientes
para proteger a la sociedad de
criminales violentos, la sociedad
se limitar a esos otros medios.
No puede haber duda de que
tales medios existen hoy en da
en Estados Unidos, incluido el
Estado de Texas.
El Papa San Juan Pablo II es-
cribi que las condiciones que
haran recomendable el leg-
timo uso de la pena capital son
muy raros, por no decir prc-
ticamente inexistentes (Evan-
gelium Vitae, no. 56). El Papa
Francisco ha declara-
do que es imposible
imaginar que hoy los
Estados no puedan
disponer de otro me-
dio que no sea la pena
capital para defender
la vida de otras per-
sonas del agresor in-
justo (Discurso a una
delegacin de la Asociacin In-
ternacional de Derecho Penal,
23 de octubre de 2014).
En el Catecismo de la Iglesia
Catlica, la Iglesia ensea que
estos caminos no violentos para
preservar el orden pblico cor-
responden mejor a las condicio-
nes concretas del bien comn
y son ms conformes con la
dignidad de la persona huma-
na (No. 2267). De hecho, en
nuestro pas y en el Estado de
Texas la pena de muerte no slo
no corresponde al bien comn,
sino que le hace un gran dao.
En primer lugar, la pena de
muerte se aplica desproporcion-
adamente a los pobres, minoras
raciales y los vulnerables. La
pena de muerte perpeta por s
misma la nocin de que la vida
en algunos casos es desechable,
o que se puede decidir que no
tiene valor. Est bien documen-
tado que aquellos que menos
pueden costear una defensa,
tienen mayor probabilidad de
recibir la pena de muerte; ms
del 90% de los condenados a
muerte no pueden pagar un
abogado. En 1990, la Oficina
de Rendicin de Cuentas de
Estados Unidos (U.S. General
Accounting Office) report
un patrn de evidencia que
indica disparidades raciales en
la acusacin, sentencia e im-
posicin de la pena de muerte.
Ms an, la pena de muerte ha
sido aplicada a personas con
capacidad mental limitada. Es-
tas realidades contribuyen al
cruel desprecio de la dignidad
de la vida humana. La pena de
muerte influye negativamente
en la formacin moral de los
nios y de nuestra cultura, pues
no da cabida a la misericordia y
a la redencin.
En segundo lugar, se dedican
escasos recursos pblicos a la
pena de muerte, menoscabando
as el bien comn. El costo de
dar alojamiento y alimento a
un preso sentenciado a cadena
perpetua es tres veces ms bajo
que los costos en los que incurre
la corte por el prolongado pro-
ceso de apelacin de un recluso
condenado a muerte. (Death
Penalty Information Center,
deathpenaltyinfo.org)
En tercer lugar, el gobierno ciliacin. Nuestro ministerio
mata a personas inocentes de de reconciliacin y perdn est
parte nuestra. Hay al menos 23 cimentado en el mandamiento
casos documentados de perso- de Jess de ser misericordiosos
nas inocentes que fueron eje- como su Padre es misericordio-
cutadas en Estados Unidos en so (Lucas 6: 36).
este siglo por delitos penados Nuestro llamado a abolir la
con la muerte. El Colegio de pena de muerte no es un llama-
Abogados de Estados Unidos do para negar la justicia. Por el
(American Bar Association) ha contrario, es un llamado a toda
llegado a la conclusin de que la comunidad a reconocer que
la administracin de la pena de la pena de muerte no hace jus-
muerte es un laberinto desor- ticia, ni tampoco consuela a los
denado de prcticas injustas, que no pueden ser consolados.
sin coherencia interna y han En lugar de buscar la venganza,
instado a que se suspendan las el perdn ofrece a la familia de
ejecuciones. la vctima y del acusado el ver-
El Catecismo no reconoce dadero consuelo que viene de la
la prospectiva de la disuasin justicia reparadora.
como justificacin para la pena La pena capital vicia la ca-
de muerte. Pero an si lo hiciera, pacidad de nuestros corazones
los estados sin pena de para practicar la misericordia y
muerte tienen ndices el amor. El debido proceso para
de criminalidad simi- el acusado, el encarcelamiento
lares o menores que del culpable y la proteccin de
Texas (Death Penalty la comunidad sirven a la justica
Information Center, y a la misericordia. Como Igle-
deathpenaltyinfo. sia, nos esforzamos por cami-
org). La nocin de nar con los que tienen tiempo
que la pena de muerte para arrepentirse. Como dice la
disuade del crimen es Escritura, Dios no se complace
falsa. Tambin alimenta la falsa en la muerte del malvado, sino
creencia de que la violencia es el en que se convierta y viva (Eze-
nico remedio a la violencia. quiel 33: 11). Nuestros ministe-
Como Iglesia, acompaamos rios penitenciarios estn basados
a nuestros hermanos, hijos, pa- en la misin que el Seor nos ha
dres y personas amadas al verlos dado de ofrecer una llamada al
sufrir a causa de las acciones in- arrepentimiento a aquellos que
humanas y violentas de otros. han perdido la esperanza, o a
Slo Dios puede consolarlos, quienes el mundo ha dado por
pero nosotros les ofrecemos perdidos.
tanto consuelo como podemos Que Dios nos de la gracia de
con nuestra presencia y oracin. dar testimonio de la dignidad
La sanacin que proviene del de la vida humana. Que el Se-
perdn ha sido una fuerza pon- or consuele a los que sufren,
derosa en las vidas de muchas proteja a nuestra comunidad y
familias que han experimentado conceda la conversin a los re-
la violencia. A travs de nuestros sponsables de infligir la muerte
diversos ministerios, ofrecemos y la violencia a otros. Que en
consejera, apoyo personal y la este Ao de la Misericordia sea-
gracia de los sacramentos para mos administradores de miseri-
asistir en el proceso de recon- cordia para con todos.

Pastoral Letter from the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops
Each year during October
the Church observes Respect
Life Month. During this
time, we pray and reflect on
the precious gift of life and
recommit ourselves to work-
ing toward a culture that
truly welcomes and protects
human life in our society,
from conception to natural
death. Catholic teaching on
abortion and euthanasia is
very clear, as is our commit-
ment to the ongoing work of
improving living conditions,
education, and health-care
access for all, especially the
poor and those without re-
sources.
This year we bishops draw
particular attention to our
consistent call for the aboli-
tion of the death penalty in
Texas, as we recognize this is
undeniably a pro-life issue.
Catholic Social Teach-
ing is a distinct body of
Church doctrine and an es-
sential part of Catholic faith
(Sharing Catholic Social
Teaching, Challenges & Di-
rections, United States Con-
ference of Catholic Bishops).
Rooted in the Scriptures,
our Churchs teaching de-
velops over centuries as the
Church encounters new so-
cial realities and challenges.
The same Holy Spirit who
inspired the Scriptures is
with the Church as we read
the signs of the times in
each new culture and age
(Gaudium et Spes, no. 4).
Today, the Catechism of the
Catholic Church provides a
comprehensive summary of
Catholic doctrine.
Catholic teaching un-
equivocally states that if
non-lethal means are suf-
ficient to defend and pro-
T e x a s
OUR DEAR BROTHERS AnD SISTERS In CHRIST
tect peoples safety from
the aggressor, authority will
limit itself to such means ...
(Catechism of the Catho-
lic Church, no. 2267). This
simply means if alternatives
to the death penalty exist
that serve to protect society
from violent criminals, so-
ciety must limit itself to
these other means. There
can be no doubt such means
exist today in the United
States, including in the State
of Texas.
Pope Saint John Paul II
wrote that conditions sug-
gesting the legitimate use of
capital punishment are very
rare, if not practically non-
existent (Evangelium Vi-
tae, no. 56). Pope
Francis has stated
that it is impos-
sible to imagine
that states today
cannot make use
of another means
than capital pun-
ishment to de-
fend peoples lives
from an unjust aggressor
(Address to Delegates of the
International Association of
Penal Law, Vatican City, Oc-
tober 24, 2014).
In the Catechism of
the Catholic Church, the
Church teaches that these
non-violent ways of preserv-
ing public order are more
in keeping with the concrete
conditions of the common
good and more in conformi-
ty with the dignity of the hu-
man person (no. 2267). In
fact, in our country and in
the State of Texas the death
penalty not only does not
correspond to the common
good, it actually does great
harm to it.
C aT h o l i C
First, the death penalty
is disproportionately used
on the poor, racial minori-
ties and the vulnerable. The
death penalty in and of it-
self perpetuates the notion
that life is in some instances
disposable, or can be judged
of no worth. It is well docu-
mented that those who can
least afford a defense are
most likely to receive a death
penalty; more than 90% of
those on death row cannot
afford an attorney. In 1990,
the U.S. General Account-
ing Office reported a pat-
tern of evidence indicating
racial disparities in charging,
sentencing and imposition
of the death penalty. Fur-
thermore, the death penalty
has been applied to persons
of limited mental capacity.
These realities contribute to
a callous disregard for the
dignity of human life. The
death penalty negatively in-
fluences our childrens moral
formation and our culture as
it fails to allow for mercy and
redemption.
Secondly, scarce public
resources are devoted to the
death penalty, thus injur-
ing the common good. The
cost of housing and feeding
a prisoner for a life sentence
is three times lower than
the court costs incurred by
a lengthy appeals process
for a prisoner on death row
Co n f e r e n C e
october 14, 2016 easttexascatholic.com
(Death Penalty Information
Center, deathpenaltyinfo.
org).
Thirdly, innocent people
are killed by the government
on our behalf. There are at
least 23 documented cases
of innocent people who were
executed in the United States
in this century for capital
crimes. The American Bar
Association has concluded
that administration of the
death penalty is a haphazard
maze of unfair practices with
no internal consistency and
has called for a moratorium
on executions.
The Catechism does not
recognize the prospect of de-
terrence as justification for
the death penalty.
But even if it did,
states without
the death penalty
have either simi-
lar or lower crime
rates than Texas
(Death Penalty
Information Cen-
ter). The notion
that the death penalty deters
crime is false. It also feeds
into the false belief that vio-
lence is the only remedy for
violence.
As a Church we accompa-
ny our brothers and sisters,
children, parents and loved
ones as we see them suffer
from the heinous and vio-
lent actions of others. Only
God can console them, yet
we offer what comfort we
can with our presence and
prayer. The healing that
comes from forgiveness has
been a powerful force in the
lives of many families who
have experienced violence.
Through our varied minis-
tries, we offer counseling,
o f B i s h o p s
11
personal support, and the
grace of the sacraments to
assist in the healing process.
Our ministry of healing and
forgiveness is rooted in Jesus
command to be merciful,
just as your Father is merci-
ful (Luke 6:36).
Our call to abolish the
death penalty is not a call
to deny justice. On the con-
trary, it is a call to the whole
community to recognize that
the death penalty does not
fulfill justice, nor does it con-
sole the inconsolable. Rather
than seeking vengeance,
forgiveness offers a victims
family and the accused true
healing that comes through
restorative justice.
Capital punishment viti-
ates our hearts capacity for
mercy and love. Due process
for the accused, the incarcer-
ation of the guilty, and the
protection of the communi-
ty serve justice and mercy. As
a Church, we strive to walk
with those who have time
to repent. As Scripture says,
God takes no pleasure in
the death of the wicked, but
rather that they turn from
their ways and live (Ezekiel
33:11). Our prison minis-
tries are founded on the mis-
sion given to us by the Lord
to offer a call to repentance
to those who have lost hope,
or whom the world has given
up for lost.
May God give us the grace
to witness to the dignity of
human life. May the Lord
console the suffering, protect
our community, and grant
conversion to those responsi-
ble for the inflicting of death
and violence upon others. In
this Year of Mercy, may we
be stewards of mercy to all.
12 easttexascatholic.com october 14, 2016

Dreaming of the Caribbean: bold adventures, surprise homecomings

By Christina Capecchi
Twenty Something
The phone call came when I
was boiling sweet corn sup-
pertime on a hum-drum Sun-
day whose excitement peaked
with a trip to the grocery store.
It had been months since Id
spoken with my college friend
Wendy, but she skipped right
over the small talk: Shes mov-
ing to St. Croix.
When I heard St. Croix, I
thought Wisconsin and the
river Ive fished with my broth-
er. But Wendy had been think-
ing much bigger, she clarified:
the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The life she had planned for
herself a comfortable one in
a quiet Iowa suburb lined with
sidewalks, strollers and swing
sets no longer fit. Mother-
hood, she had come to discern,
is not her vocation. This was a
startling realization, one she
had arrived at with frequent
prayer and utter honesty.
A series of events that seemed
divinely orchestrated led to
her this juncture, beginning
Memorial Weekend when she
was laid up with a broken arm.
Restlessness made her heart
throb and her fingers tingle,
sending them to the keyboard
and a Google search for job
openings in of all places St.
Croix, some 2,500 miles from
her current residence.
I Googled it too to
brush up on my ge-
ography. The map
showed a tiny is-
land surrounded
by blue. Puerto
Rico. Images of
scuba diving, horse-
back riding and
white beaches. An
hours flight from
Caracas, Venezuela.
It was time to take
a leap of faith, Wen-
dy told me. Time for
an adventure.
Sunday night rolled
around dishwasher
loading, Netflix, Etsy
and I couldnt stop
thinking of St. Croix.
I felt a jolt of inspira-
tion, and somewhere folded
in Wendys news, should I ac-
knowledge it, a challenge.
Couldnt we all use the push
to finally do the thing weve
always wanted to do? Couldnt
we all use the audacity that
place in the heart where blood
pumps in equal measures of
courage and impatience to
go ahead and do it?
My early 20s brought me
across the globe with
friends, with family and for
journalism from Kilken-
ny, Ireland, to Ketchikan,
Alaska. Praying in the Gar-
den of Gethsemane. Stroll-
ing through Venice on a wet, married, was given a new shot
ethereal night. Embracing the in 1997, when, at 72, she won
pope in St. Peters Basilica. the lottery. Immediately she
But part of young adult- knew how to spend her $11.8
hood is letting the slow tilt million winnings: She gave it
of maturity carry your feet to away half to her parish, half
the ground, like a teeter to her hometown.
totter nearing the grass. No new car, no vacation,
Its figuring out where to Eleanor told The New York
put roots. Holding onto Times. My life is no different.
your adventurers heart Ive given it up to God. I live
while making room for in his presence and do his will,
responsibility. and I did that from the start.
Ive been thinking My commitments mean I
about new begin- wont be adding a stamp to
nings, which you the passport this year, so Im
can almost smell in contemplating adventure in
September, with all the broadest sense from the
the back-to-school life of the mind to the spiritual
possibilities life, exploring new corners of
sharp-tipped my God-given talents and em-
crayons, blank bracing glimpses of grace.
notebooks and Im pushing myself to find
mighty resolu- compelling ways to tell other
tions. peoples stories, all while writ-
New begin- ing my own story. One day
nings can come I will appreciate how God
in surprising forms brought each chapter together,
and sometimes they marked by a generosity that
lead you back home, allowing knows no bounds.
you to recognize the beauty Christina Capecchi is a free-
that was always in your midst. lance writer from Inver Grove
The late Eleanor Boyer, a New Heights, Minn., and the editor
Jersey Catholic who never of SisterStory.org.

The Diocese of Beaumont and DIOCESE OF BEAUMONT

Catholic Charities of Southeast
Texas are looking for qualified
individuals to join their workforce
in the following areas listed below.
Full-time Multi-Parish Evangelization/Catechetical Coordinator
Full-time Secretary Office of Catholic Schools
Full-time Multi-Parish/School Accountant

For detailed information about

a specific position, please refer ST ANTHONY CATHOLIC SCHOOL, BEAUMONT
to the diocesan website at Full-time 6-8 Grade Language Arts Teacher
www.dioceseofbmt.org under
the Careers tab. Or contact the
ST MARY CHURCH, FANNETT
Diocesan Human Resources
Department at (409) 924-4364. Part-time Assistant Bookkeeper
 october 14, 2016 easttexascatholic.com 13
Octoberfest at Blessed Sacrament

Katherine Babino serves shrimp on a stick.

Kendal Fobish enjoys the slide. Markell Byrd patiently waits for the train ride.

Joyce Lombard dancing to the Zydeco music. Cook Eric Roberts, Kendall Border and Judge Duce Jones cooking pigs feet.
14 EASTTEXASCATHOLIC.COM OCTOBER 14, 2016

Msgr. Kelly High School Teacher Wins A&M Award

Msgr. Kelly Catholic High School
teacher Jerrilynn Miller was honored
with the Beaumont A&M Club Out-
standing Classroom Teacher Award
at a dinner at the St. Jude Thaddeus
Family Life Center on Sept. 27. The
award is intended to recognize inno-
vative and results-oriented teachers
and to raise public awareness of the
importance of effective and commit-
ted teachers.
Miller said her inspiration came
from her grandmother, who was not
only a teacher but actually Millers
first-grade teacher. Miller said her fa-
vorite part about teaching is the stu-
dents, and she feels especially proud
to be teaching exceptional students at
Msgr. Kelly Catholic High School.
Miller said she is proudest of her
students when she sees them par-
ticipating in Mass. She said she loves
seeing them being active in the Mass
and singing. Miller said she admires
Michael Wolf, chair of the Beaumont A&M Clubs Classroom Teacher Awards, and Vernice Murray her students strong faith and values.
Monroe, Beaumont Independent School District Board of Managers member and the awards dinner
featured speaker, present Msgr. Kelly Catholic High School teacher Jerrilynn Miller with her com-
Miller teaches English I College
memorative silver tray, certicate of appreciation and check. Prep, Pre-AP and Holocaust Litera-
ture. Miller serves as advisor for An-
chor Club, Mural Club and the Gnip
Gnop (Ping Pong) Club. Miller has
three children and five grandchildren.
Six other Beaumont teachers were
also honored including Yvette Drake
from Charlton Pollard Elementary
School, Becky Diane Simmons from
Odom Middle School, Melissa A.
Fontenot from Central Medical
Magnet High School, Shonte Leon-
ard from Ozen Magnet High School,
Vickie McCown from West Brook
High School and Jola Kay Waggener
from the Paul Brown Center. Teach-
ers are nominated for the award by
other teachers at their respective
schools.
Each recipient received a special
engraved silver tray, a certificate of
appreciation and a check from the
John K. Mattingly Memorial Fund.
John K. Mattingly was a West Brook
High School student who had been
accepted to Texas A&M but died in
a car wreck his senior year in high
school. The Mattingly family do-
nates the money for the awards in his
memory.

Blessing of the Pets

A MISSION OF HEALING AND HOPE.
A culture of excellence and quality.

CHRISTUS Southeast Texas

Health System has a heritage of
compassionate and innovative
care dating back more than 110
years to its founding by the
Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate
Word. Today, were transforming
healthcare in Southeast Texas.
One patient at a time. As part
of a Catholic, not-for-profit
health system,we are here to
extend the healing ministry of
Jesus Christ.

Hannah Nietos ferret draws lots of attention at the St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica pet bless-
ings in observance of the Feast Day of St. Fancis of Assisi.

CHRISTUS
SOUTHEAST TEXAS
Health System
christussetx.org

15-SET-0831-Quality Mission Print Ad_East Texas Catholic Newspaper_REVISED.indd 1 8/6/15 3:23 PM


One repair leads to a complete remodel at St. Elizabeth
It started with noticing that a few pews
needed repair at St. Elizabeth Church,
Port Neches. Then it became evident
more repairs were needed than originally
thought so it was more cost effective to
replace them.
When the old carpeting was then in-
spected, the flooring really needed to be
replaced as well.
As the baptismal font was moved for
the new floor, it fell apart which resulted
in a new one. This led to new artwork in
the wall niche above it. A matching wall
niche is on the other side of the altar
so, of course, new artwork was needed
there as well.
Much of the repairs was completed for
Oct. 9 when Bishop Curtis J Guillory,
S.V.D., celebrated the Rite of Blessings
in the remodeled church. He deposited a
relic of St. Eugene I and blessed the new
pews and choir organ.
As parishioners gathered for Mass,
they saw the new artwork that has re-
cently been placed. Paul Oliver, a pa-
rishioner at Immaculate Conception
in Groves, built the new statues of the
Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Elizabeth of
Hungary filling the wall niches.
The wall niches originally contained
smaller statues when the church was first
built in 1957. These were replaced in
1990 with two painted wood art pieces,
one featuring the Holy Spirit and one
october 14, 2016 easttexascatholic.com
featuring the chalice.
Father Baxter decided the new artwork
should reflect the churchs namesake, St.
Elizabeth of Hungary and contracted
with Oliver.
Oliver said that his work has kept him
busy and that he has been working seven
days a week for the past seven months.
The work demands attention to detail
and requires a lot of patience.
Im not a volume shop, he said.
This is not the first time Oliver has
worked with a church in the Diocese of
Beaumont.
Oliver did some of the repair work on
St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica in Beau-
mont after Hurricane Rita. That is where
15
he met Rolf Rohn, whose company has
done design work for churches all over
the country. Rohn did a lot of the design
work on St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica.
Since Oliver began lending his ex-
pertise to churches, he has built a new
altar table and tabernacle throne for
the 200-year-old St. Patrick Cathedral
in New York; the steeple for St. Paul
in NASA Bay; the arches in Incarnate
Word in San Antonio; and is now build-
ing massive 30-inch-wide stations of
the cross for St. John Vianney Church
in Houston. All this from someone who
began by building fiberglass duck blinds,
Mardi Gras floats and doing auto body
repair.

Bishop Curtis J. Guillory, SVD, blesses the new statue of the Blessed Mother that is featured Paul Oliver explains the process of building the new St. Elizabeth baptismal font . Olivers
in the wall niche above where the new baptismal font will be placed. completed statues of the Blessed Mother and St. Elizabeth of Hungary already fill the
churches wall niches.

Bishop Curtis J. Guillory, SVD, blesses the new St. Elizabeth of Hungary statue that fills the
Bishop Curtis J. Guillory, SVD, places the relic in the altar.
wall niche above where the new ambo will be located.
16 easttexascatholic.com october 14, 2016

Stewardship in several Big Easy lessons

Nearly 1,000 Catholics from mont, along with other attend- at the way I make my ask a little
all over the world - including 17 ing priests, had an opportunity differently in the future. Want to learn more about Stewardship?
from the Diocese of Beaumont to concelebrate. Clergy have to be the lead- Talk to these local attendees of the
- recently converged on the Big The spirituality of Steward- ership. Dont be afraid to talk International Catholic Stewardship Conference
Easy to learn more about and ship was evident everywhere. about Stewardship because it is
recommit themselves to the bib- I learned some practical never about money. It is about Father Kevin Badeaux, St. Joseph, Port Arthur
lical teaching of Stewardship. ideas in the clergy to clergy ses- discipleship. Dont be afraid. Father Reji George, C.M.I., St. Therese of the Little Flower
The 17 from Beaumont, sion which flowed out of an ini- Unlock the door to the Upper Father Khanh Ho, Holy Trinity
Father Donatus Mgbeajuo, M.S.P., St. Therese, Orange
which included six pastors and tial focus on the spirituality of Room. That was the message
Father Michael Strother, Our Lady of the Pines
represented 15 different par- Stewardship, said Father Gus Father Khanh Ho, pastor of
Father Gus Wall, S.V.D., St. Pius X
ishes, spent three and half days Wall, S.V.D., pastor of St. Pius Holy Trinity, took away from
Bill Gier, Stewardship Committee, St. Anthony Cathedral
gathering information and ideas X, Beaumont. the conference.
Basilica
about everything from womens Father Wall said clergy en- Information was not the only Effie Sharp, Stewardship Committee, Sacred Heart
giving patterns to tips on how couraged using terms that re- thing the Diocese of Beaumont Cathy Favre, director of Multi Parish/School Accounting
to mine for parishioners tal- flect commitments that flow group brought home. The Dio- and a member of Our Lady of Sorrows
ents. from baptism rather than terms cese received two awards: Award Linda LaCour, director of African American Ministry and a
Those opportunities for for- that speak to volunteering. for Excellence for Total Planned member of Sacred Heart-St. Mary
mation came from the more A commitment that flows Giving Effort and Honorable Ivette Ramirez a member of the Stewardship Committee at
than 80 workshops and plenary from baptism is different, he Mention for Total Annual Ap- St. Mary in Cleveland
sessions held at the Internation- said, and there is an account- peal Effort. Marcia Stevens, superintendent of Catholic schools and a
al Catholic Stewardship Con- ability, while with volunteering The Beaumont group mem- member of St. Jude Thaddeus
ference in New Orleans Oct. not so much. bers were not just takers. Rich- Richard Rosario, assistant director of Community
2-5. Catholic school superinten- ard Rosario, assistant director Development and a member of Cristo Rey
The local group found the vi- dent Marcia Stevens was in- of New Community Develop- Marilyn Tennissen, coordinator of Development and a
brancy of the music at each of trigued by data that spoke to ment gave one of the presen- member of St. Anne, Beaumont
the liturgies and the exuberant giving patterns. tations in a workshop sponsored Karen Gilman, associate director of Communications and a
participation of attendees up- The first gift will be the last if by Catholic Extension. Rosario member of St. Jude Thaddeus
lifting. At evening Mass Tues- it is not handled well, said Ste- talked about his efforts to build Morline Guillory, associate director of Philanthropic
day New Orleans Auxiliary vens. bridges between parishioners Services and a member of Stewardship Committee at
Bishop Fernand Cheri, O.S.M., Stevens also learned that from different cultures. Our Mother of Mercy, Beaumont
who was still recovering from women donors are much more A grant from the Catholic Letty Lanza, director of Stewardship and Communications
bypass surgery, sang part of his concerned about the impact Extension Society assisted with and a Stewardship committee member at St. Anthony
homily. The pastors from Beau- their gift will have. I may look this formation opportunity. Cathedral Basilica
 october 14, 2016 easttexascatholic.com 17
Corresponsabilidad en Luisiana

Ivette Ramirez de Santa Maria, Cleveland le ensea al Padre Kevin Badeaux de San Jose, Puerto Arturo y al Padre Richard Rosario, director asociado del desarrollo comunitario, presenta
Donatus Mgbeajuo, MSP de Santa Teresa, Orange como usar Snapchat en la Conferencia Internacional Catlica sobre los retos de la corresponsabilidad en dicesis de misin durante la
de Corresponsabilidad. conferencia.

La Corresponsabilidad no es conferencia.
algo nico en nuestra dicesis, Richard Rosario, el director
sino algo que se vive en todo el asociado del desarrollo comu-
mundo. Y para poder compar- nitario, fue invitado a ser parte
tir ideas e iniciativas para crec- de un panel de Catholic Ex-
er la conciencia de lo que es tension, la organizacin que
vivir corresponsablemente, el ayuda a iniciativas catlicas en
Consejo Internacional Catli- dicesis de misin en los Es-
co de Corresponsabilidad tiene tados Unidos a travs de sub-
una conferencia donde ms de venciones. Catholic Extension
1,000 representantes de var- ayudo a la dicesis a mandar
ias dicesis de todo el mundo varios representantes a la con-
asisten cada ao. ferencia.
Ivette Ramirez, directora del Por mi trabajo en corre-
ministerio de jvenes en Santa sponsabilidad y creando pu-
Maria en Cleveland, fue una de entes en las parroquias, fui a la
las representantes de la dicesis conferencia para hablar sobre
quien asisti a la conferencia. que ha funcionado en nuestra
Elle fue nombrada por su pr- dicesis, y que puede funcio-
roco por su trabajo con los nar en otras dicesis que se
jvenes, pero mayormente por clasifican misin, sea dicesis
su trabajo en el comit de cor- con bajos recursos. Me alegra
responsabilidad y en la Cam- que se est reconociendo el
paa de Fe del Obispo. trabajo que estamos haciendo
Aprend que necesitamos aqu en nuestra dicesis, dijo
mejores formas de comuni- Richard Rosario. Morline Guillory, directora asociada de servicios filantrpicos, y Letty Lanza, directora de corresponsabilidad
cacin entre los ministerios Varios de los representantes y comunicaciones, reciben el premio de Mejor Esfuerzo en una Campaa Anual en nombre de la Dicesis de
parroquiales, los feligreses y eran prrocos de diferen- Beaumont por el trabajo de la Campaa de Fe del Obispo 2015 y por tener todo el material de la campaa en tres
idiomas: ingls, espaol y vietnamita.
los prrocos. Hay que apreciar tes parroquias de la dicesis,
nuestros prrocos, actuar en incluyendo al Padre Kevin se est llegando a los jvenes aprendi en la conferencia de dicesis de Beaumont. Al ser
lo que planeamos, enfocarnos Badeaux de la parroquia San adultos. corresponsabilidad. una conferencia grande e in-
en Dios, evaluarnos a nosotros Jos en Puerto Arturo. Algunas Es importante que los que La Conferencia Interna- ternacional, los temas variaban
mismos, estar conscientes del de las cosas que aprendi fue trabajan en la parroquia se cional Catlica de la Corre- de cmo manejar un comit a
trabajo de Dios en nuestras como reconoce los que estn reconozcan como ministros sponsabilidad fue en Nuevo nivel parroquial, a como for-
vidas diarias, pero, sobre todo, trabajando duro en realizar y personas corresponsables, Orleans en Luisiana este ao. mar un plan estratgico para
hay que empezar con nosotros una vida corresponsable en la en vez de voluntarios, dijo el Por su proximidad, pudieron una campaa capital a nivel
mismos, dijo Ramirez sobre la parroquia, mientras tambin Padre Badeaux sobre lo que asistir 17 representantes de la diocesano.
18 easttexascatholic.com october 14, 2016

Harvesting a Season of Hope

The work Catholic Charities of South- cant annual fundraiser for Catholic
east Texas does to support people in Charities, allowing the agency to con-
need around the region is serious busi- tinue its programs to assist the poor and
ness. But that doesnt mean supporting the vulnerable. The seven programs of
its mission cant be fun. And the plan is Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas
for everyone to have a great deal of fun that are detailed below bring child and
at the 14th Annual Harvest of Hope. family services, emergency assistance,
The event will be held Thursday, Nov. asset building case management, daily
10, at the MCM Elegant Hotel in food service, immigration legal advo-
Beaumont and will unite great food and cacy, grief support and counseling ser-
fellowship with the worthy purpose of vices to the community.
raising funds to support all the programs In keeping with the mission of
of Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas. Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas
Each year, Harvest of Hope celebrates People of faith responding to needs
the servant leadership of Southeast Tex- by serving, teaching, building com-
ans by honoring those who are exempla- munity, and preserving the dignity of
ry leaders and this years honorees are Pat individuals and families in Southeast
and Tommy Frank. Texas, these services emphasize assis-
tance to low-to-moderate income resi-
For many years Pat and Tommy dents of a nine-county territory that
Frank have quietly ministered includes Chambers, Hardin, Jasper,
to the needs of others through Jefferson, Liberty, Newton, Orange,
their involvement in housing Polk and Tyler Counties.
programs, health, religious and Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas
educational services that bene- makes its services available to all with-
fit people in our local communi- out regard to race, gender, religion, age
ty, around our state and in other or national origin.
countries. The work of Catholic Charities is
We want to express our ap- primarily funded through local com-
preciation to Pat and Tommy for munity supporters but the agency also
the many contributions theyve benefits from government, corporate
made to help Catholic Charities and foundation grants. The money the
and help improve the lives of agency receives stays here in Southeast
others said Carolyn Fernandez, Texas to serve local residents.
President/CEO of the agency.
Asset Building Case Man-
The event chairpersons are Carolyn agement combines financial
and Mark Fertitta and Lisa and Sam education with long-term case
Parigi. The work of the event chairs is management, helping families
Elijahs Place gives peer and Parish Social Ministry lends
supported by a team of hardworking, develop spending plans, repair
adult support to children ages support and training resourc-
long-time friends of Catholic Charities. their credit, increase their sav-
5-18 who are grieving the es to local church leaders and
Martin Broussard, Craig Sherlock and ings and make progress toward
death of a parent or sibling. members working to organize
Gay Scott are working to secure event home ownership or continued
Hospitality Center provides a social justice advocacy teams
sponsors; Tom Broussard is coordinat- education. Free income tax
clean, safe and dignified envi- and social ministry services.
ing the live auction; Camille Mouton preparation and matched sav-
ronment where those with lim-
and Regina Winegar will be responsible ings accounts are also services
ited resources have access to a Harvest of Hope will begin with
for reservations and seating, and Linda available to eligible clients.
hearty, midday meal every day cocktails at 6 p.m., followed by dinner
Domino is managing event publicity. Counseling Services provides
of the year. and a tribute to the honorees at 7 p.m.
Stephanie Daleo and Gillian Jenkins will professional individual, family,
Immigration Services is the Individual tickets or a table for eight
once again lend their artistic talents to and group counseling via a slid-
only regional nonprofit recog- people can be reserved by contacting
create a delightfully elegant dcor for the ing fee scale.
nized by the Board of Immigra- Catholic Charities at (409) 924-4411
grand ballroom while Nikki Ramey and Disaster Response provides
tion Appeals and U.S. Citizen- or by visiting the agencys website at
Connie Prewitt have the difficult task financial assistance and long-
ship and Immigration Service www.catholiccharitiesbmt.org. Indi-
of selecting scrumptious hors doeuvres term case management to help
as a provider of immigration le- vidual tickets begin at $125 per ticket
to tempt the palate during the cocktail families rebuild their lives after
gal services such as family visa and table reservations begin at $1,000.
party before the wonderful dinner meal major disasters. Emergency
petitions, naturalization appli- Sponsorship opportunities can also be
that is being prepared by the chefs at the assistance is also provided for
cations, and self-petitions for arranged by contacting the agency.
MCM Elegante. families facing a temporary fi-
battered immigrants.
Harvest of Hope is the most signifi- nancial crisis.
 OCTOBER 14, 2016 EASTTEXASCATHOLIC.COM 19
Monsignor Kelly Catholic High School Happenings
Homecoming Queen during the Kelly vs. Hamshire-Fannett game on Friday, Sept. 30. Presenting Olivia Austin with her
crown was Kellys 2015 Homecoming Queen, Chloe Bergeron. Participating in the coronation were Bishop Curtis J. Guillory,
SVD, Catholic schools superintendent Marcia Stevens, Kelly principal Roger Bemis and 2016 distinguished alumni Janey
Phelan and Joan Steinman.

Austin was escorted by her father, Gregory Austin. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, co-
president of the Pink Club and a student ambassador for MKCHS.

GARAGE
Hairspray coming to
MKCHS
The Monsignor Kelly Catholic High School Drama Club pres-
ents the Broadway musical Hairspray on Oct. 14 and 15, at Kel-
lys Randy Roane Theater. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets

SALE
are $7 for students and $10 for adults and can be purchased at
the door.

Hairspray promises to be a family-friendly musical, piled bouf-

fant-high with laughter, romance and tuneful songs. Taking place
in 1962, big-haired teenaged Tracy Turnblad dreams of dancing
on the local teenage TV dance program, only to see it come true.
Using her new-found fame, Turnblad becomes an advocate for
racial integration on the show and has every intention of win-
ning. Hairspray is based on the 1988 John Waters film and book
by Mark ODonnell and Thomas Meehan.

Mission Trip To Toppa Joppa

Ten students from Monsignor Kelly Catholic High School will
be going on a mission trip Dec. 15-20, and traveling to Toppa
Joppa Mountain, one of the poorest areas of the country, locat-
ed in Appalachia approximately 45 minutes north of Knoxville,
Tennessee. Students and their sponsor will be living simply and
helping the poor by repairing and building homes, working at
a food pantry and assisting at a childrens center and nursing
home.

A garage sale will take place to raise funds for their mission trip.
Donated items will be accepted at the school office before the
sale, and during the garage sale onFriday, Oct. 21, from 3-9
p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 22 from 8 a.m.-noon in Kellys Old
Gym. Both large and small items are accepted. For more in-
formation, please contact Teresa Gould at tgould@mkchs.com.
20 easttexascatholic.com october 14, 2016
Teens asked to reach out to marginalized students
Students worship at XLT at St. Elizabeth in Port Neches.
Have your own memento
of the 50th anniversary
Order your DVD of the Mass today!
Includes bonus flash drive with photos from
the past 50 years and photos of the event.
$15 donation
includes shipping and handling
Go to www.setxcatholic.org to reserve your copy.
For marginalized students, said thats what Jesus did.
high school can be very tough. Father Jamail told the con-
Father Michael Jamail encour- gregation that Jesus went to the
aged the teens at XLT to reach poor and marginalized because
out to these students just as Jesus that is where God is. He told
reached out to the marginalized. the teens that when they go
Father Jamail was speaking to over and talk to the marginal-
a mostly teen crowd at Glorify ized student, that they may be
XLT, Worship + Message + Ad- going to the very place where
oration at St. Elizabeth Church God is waiting for them. Father
in Port Neches on Oct. 9. Jamail also spoke of being wor-
High school is very painful ried about appearance.
for a large percentage of the kids Father Jamail pointed out
according to Father Jamail who that some people fix themselves
said some of the treatment that up for church. He said God
kids receive in high school is doesnt care how you look, God
pretty discouraging. knows what you looked like be-
Father Jamail said those dis- fore. Father Jamail concluded
couraged kids are waiting for by asking the congregation to
someone to say hello and reach thank God during Adoration.
out to them. He said these stu- Father Jamail ask all attend-
dents might consider them- ing to thank God for creation,
selves cultural lepers. baptism, the Holy Eucharist,
Encouraging the teens at XLT and the gift of grace. The rest
to go over and sit down with of the evening included wor-
the cultural leper and have ship music, silent adoration and
lunch with them. Father Jamail prayer.
Tenga su recuerdo del 50
aniversario de la dicesis
Ordene su DVD de la misa hoy mismo!
Incluye un USB como bono con fotos del
evento y de los ltimos 50 aos.
Una donacin de $15
incluye manejo y envo
Vaya a www.setxcatholic.org para reservar su copia.
 october 14, 2016 easttexascatholic.com 21
Catholic Charities agencies assess The statement of ownership is required by the USPS to be printed
annually in the paper.
damage, begins helping storm victims
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Catholic storm. Trees were reported down on some
Charities agencies joined emergency re- parish properties, but no major damage was
sponse efforts in coastal communities in reported, said Barbara King, diocesan direc-
four Southeastern states as residents and tor of communication.
parish staffers began returning to assess the Some South Carolina communities in
damage Hurricane Matthew left behind. in Horry, Georgetown and Williamsburg
Some evacuation orders remained in effect counties faced the possibility of flooding,
in South Carolina, where the storm came even though the storm's initial fury bypassed
ashore Oct. 7, dumping up to 18 inches of them. Kelly Kaminski, a regional coordina-
rain in communities near Charleston. High tor for Catholic Charities of Charleston,
water blocked some roads, preventing peo- said Oct. 10 that authorities were keeping
ple from returning to their homes in South an eye on rivers that continued to rise from
Carolina and North Carolina and others runoff from Matthew's torrential rains.
were prevented from leaving their homes as Many of the same people affected by the
they awaited the delivery of food and water. storm or worried about potential flood-
In Florida, churches sustained serious ing continue to recover from the historical
damage and the historic Cathedral Basilica floods that swamped the state a year ago, she
of St. Augustine in St. Augustine experi- said.
enced flooding, preventing Mass from being "We're working with over 2,000 clients
celebrated indoors the weekend of Oct. 8-9. just on the flood stuff. Now in addition we
One Catholic Charities official in North have to handle everything from Hurricane
Carolina said that in discussions with some Matthew," Kaminski told Catholic News
residents he learned that the damage and Service.
flooding caused by Matthew exceeded that Kaminski had no word on damage to
of the powerful Hurricane Floyd in 1999. churches and schools because evacuation
Parishes and schools in the Diocese of Sa- orders in some communities remained in
vannah, Georgia, escaped the brunt of the effect.
22 easttexascatholic.com october 14, 2016
Caring For Loved Ones At Lifes End
An old Irish proverb says, It is in the shelter of each other that the people live. Indeed, we are created to depend upon one another
and walk together in suffering. But when family members or friends approach lifes end, we may not know how best to shelter
them. Here are some concrete ways we can compassionately care for them.
Invite God In: Pope Francis has said
that praying in difficult situations is
like opening the door to the Lord, in
order that he might enter. The dying
process is a sacred timea final season
to seek closure in this life and prepare
for the next in the hope of sharing in
Christs Resurrection. As you enter into
this season with your friend or family
member, ask God to accompany both
of you.
Listen: Try to discover your
loved ones values and how best to
honor his or her wishes. This re-
quires true empathy. It can be hard
not to assume he or she wants the
same thing you think you would
want if you were in the same situ-
ation. Listen with a non-judgmen-
tal ear so your loved one feels free
to speak openly.
Inform Yourself: Be aware that
wishes for refusing ordinary or
proportionate treatmentor for
pursuing assisted suicideare usu-
ally rooted in fears of dependency,
helplessness, or pain. Make your-
self available to discuss these or
any concerns. Know that hospice
care focuses on alleviating pain
and other symptoms, meeting ba-
sic needs, and providing comfort.
Seek to understand the Catholic
Churchs teaching on end-of-life
care, which can help you provide
authentically loving support that
respects life.*
Be Steadfast in Compassion: As
Pope Francis reminds us, Com-
passion means suffer with. Your
friend or family member will likely
face ups and downs. Recognize
these as part of a natural process.
Surround him or her with love, support,
and companionship that are anchored
in unconditional respect for their hu-
man dignity, beginning with respect for
the inherent value of their lives. The
patients suffering can be alleviated by
your empathy, as well as by quality hos-
pice care by medical personnel.
Help Them Achieve Closure: Help
your family member or friend define
the unfinished personal projects, finan-
cial concerns, unresolved relationships,
or other matters that occupy his or her
mind. Due to changing circumstances,
some goals may need to be reframed.
Creating and accomplishing this list of
unfinished business can help the per-
son discover a sense of purpose and feel
more at peace.
Provide Opportunities for Resolu-
tion: Ira Byock, a hospice medical di-
rector, illustrates in his book The 4
Most Important Things** how saying
I love you, Im sorry, I forgive they evoke.
you, and Thank you can promote
much-needed healing during the dying
process. You can help ensure a peaceful
transition for your loved one by facili-
tating opportunities for reconciliation
with others and for mutual expressions
of love and gratitude. Consider offering
to invite a priest to hear his or her con-
fession and to administer the Eucha-
rist as viaticum and the Sacrament of
the Anointing of the Sick, all of which
heal the soul and prepare us to meet the
Lord.
Reminisce: Our appetites diminish
as our bodies experience a decreased
need for food and fluids when we near
lifes end. Provide smaller amounts of
your family member or friends favorite
foods. Even if unable to eat them, he or
she may still enjoy the aromas and rem-
inisce with you about special memories
life does not demand that we attempt
Provide a Peaceful Presence: There
comes a time of natural withdrawal
from surroundings when dying persons
may lose interest in many activities that
used to be enjoyable. Your own quiet,
patient presence can provide impor-
tant support as your loved one prepares
emotionally and spiritually for his or
her passing. Hearing can become very
acute, so placing the phone in another
room, playing favorite music, reading
a favorite passage, praying together, or
simply sitting quietly with him or her
can all be very soothing.
Show Tenderness: Those who are dy-
ing remain in need of the tenderness
of personal human contact. Ask if you
might gently brush your loved ones
hair, apply lotion to her hands or feet,
or simply hold his hand. Tell stories,
laugh, and share memories to reas-
sure the person he or she is a cher-
ished gift, not a burden in any way.
Bear Their Transition Pa-
tiently: Transition, the time im-
mediately preceding death, may
bring rapid physical changes, such
as in breathing patterns, as well as
changes in mental or emotional
states. Try to be patient, and allow
the how and when of death to
be between God and your loved
one. Ask God for the wisdom to
know what final words to sayif
anyand when. As you are able,
give your loved one permission to
make the transition. For example,
you might say, I love you. Its okay
to go home now.
Accompanying a loved one in his
or her last days is enormously im-
portant work, but we do not need
to fear our own limitations. Pope
Francis tells us, [God] comes to
assist us in our weakness. And his
help consists in helping us accept
his presence and closeness to us.
Day after day, touched by his com-
passion, we also can become com-
passionate towards others.
*As our bishops teach, Respect for
to prolong life by using medical treat-
ments that are ineffective or unduly
burdensome. At the same time, in-
tentionally hastening deathwhether
through drugs or deliberate neglect of
basic careoffends our God-given dig-
nity and is never morally permissible.
More information: www.usccb.org/To-
LiveEachDay

Cuidado De Los Seres Queridos Al Final De La Vida
Un proverbio irlands dice: En el refugio del otro vive cada uno. Hemos sido creados para depender unos de otros y caminar juntos
en el sufrimiento. Pero cuando familiares o amigos se acercan al final de la vida, puede que no sepamos la mejor manera de darles
refugio. He aqu algunas maneras concretas en que podemos cuidar compasivamente de ellos.
Invita a Dios a entrar: El Papa Fran-
cisco ha dicho que orar significa abrir
la puerta al Seor a fin de que pueda
hacer algo para reorganizar nuestras
cosas. El proceso de la muerte es un
tiempo sagrado, una estacin final para
buscar el cierre de esta vida y prepararse
para la siguiente en la esperanza de par-
ticipar en la Resurreccin de Cristo. Al
entrar a esta estacin con su familiar o
amigo, pida a Dios que los acompae a
los dos.
Escuche: Trate de descubrir los
valores de su ser querido y la mejor
manera de honrar sus deseos. Esto re-
quiere verdadera empata. Puede ser
difcil asumir que la persona no quiere
lo mismo que usted piensa que usted
querra en la misma situacin. Es-
cuche sin juzgar para que su ser queri-
do se sienta con la libertad de hablar
abiertamente.
Infrmese: Sea consciente de que
los deseos de rechazar el tratamiento
ordinario o proporcional o buscar
el suicidio asistido suelen originarse
en el temor a la dependencia, impo-
tencia o dolor. Ofrzcase a hablar so-
bre esta preocupacin u otras. Sepa
que los cuidados paliativos se centran
en aliviar el dolor y otros sntomas,
satisfacer necesidades bsicas y procu-
rar comodidad. Trate de entender la
enseanza de la Iglesia Catlica sobre
los cuidados al final de la vida, que
puede ayudarle a brindar un apoyo
autnticamente amoroso que respete
la vida.*
Sea constante en la compasin:
Como nos recuerda el Papa Francisco:
Compasin significa padecer con.
Su familiar o amigo tendr altibajos.
Reconozca esto como algo natural. Ro-
dele de amor, apoyo y compaa, ba-
sados en el respeto incondicional de la
dignidad humana, comenzando por el
respeto al valor inherente de sus vidas.
El sufrimiento del paciente puede alivi-
arse con la empata que usted le brinde,
y con cuidados paliativos de calidad por
personal mdico.
Aydeles a cerrar sus asuntos:
Ayude a su familiar o amigo a definir
proyectos personales sin terminar, preo-
cupaciones financieras, relaciones irre-
sueltas u otros asuntos que ocupen su
mente. Segn cambien las circunstan-
cias, algunos objetivos tendrn que re-
plantearse. Elaborar y llevar a cabo esta
lista de asuntos pendientes puede ayu-
dar a la persona a encontrar un propsi-
to y sentirse ms en paz.
Brinde oportunidades para la reso-
lucin: Ira Byock, director mdico de
cuidados paliativos, ensea en su libro
Las 4 cosas ms importantes** cmo el
decir te amo, lo siento, te perdono Sea una presencia serena: Las perso-
y gracias puede promover la tan nec- nas que se acercan a la muerte pueden
esaria sanacin durante el proceso de la
muerte. Usted puede ayudar a procurar
una transicin pacfica a su ser querido
facilitando oportunidades para la rec-
onciliacin con otros y para expresiones
mutuas de amor y gratitud. Ofrzcale el
invitar a un sacerdote para que escuche
su confesin y administre la Eucarista
como vitico y el Sacramento de la Un-
cin de los enfermos, todo lo cual sana
october 14, 2016 easttexascatholic.com
el alma y nos prepara para reunirnos
con el Seor.
Anime a recordar lo bueno del pas-
ado: Nuestro apetito disminuye a me-
dida que nuestro cuerpo necesita menos
alimentos y lquidos al acercarnos al fi-
nal. Proporcione a su familiar o amigo
porciones pequeas de sus alimentos
favoritos. Incluso si no puede comerlos,
puede disfrutar su aroma y compartir
con usted los recuerdos especiales que
evocan.
tentemos prolongar la vida mediante
el uso de tratamientos mdicos que no
perder inters en muchas actividades
que les eran agradables y preferir reti-
rarse de su entorno. Su propia presencia
tranquila y paciente puede ser un apoyo
importante mientras su ser querido se
prepara emocional y espiritualmente
para la partida. La audicin puede
agudizarse, y colocar el telfono en otra www.usccb.org/ToLiveEachDay
habitacin, poner su msica favorita,
leerle un pasaje favorito, rezar juntos o
23
simplemente sentarse en silencio a su
lado pueden ser reconfortantes.
Muestre ternura: Los moribundos
necesitan la ternura del contacto huma-
no personal. Pregunte a su ser querido
si podra cepillarle suavemente el pelo,
aplicar locin a sus manos o pies, o
simplemente tomar su mano. Cuente
historias, ra y comparta recuerdos para
asegurarle que es un don preciado, no
una carga en absoluto.
Lleve su transicin pacientemente:
La transicin, el momento inmedi-
atamente anterior a la muerte, puede
traer cambios fsicos rpidos en los
patrones de respiracin, o en el estado
mental o emocional. Trate de ser paci-
ente y deje que el cmo y el cun-
do de la muerte sea entre Dios y su
ser querido. Pida a Dios la sabidura
para saber qu palabras finales decir
y cundo. En la medida que pueda,
permita a su ser querido hacer la tran-
sicin. Por ejemplo, podra decirle:
Te quiero. Est bien que te vayas a tu
mansin final ahora.
Acompaar a un ser querido en sus l-
timos das es una labor de enorme im-
portancia, pero no tenemos por qu
temer nuestras propias limitaciones.
El Papa Francisco nos dice: [Dios]
viene a salvarnos de la condicin de
debilidad en la que vivimos. Y su aux-
ilio consiste en permitirnos captar
su presencia y cercana. Da tras da,
tocados por su compasin, tambin
nosotros llegaremos a ser compasivos
con todos.
* Como ensean nuestros obispos,
El respeto a la vida no exige que in-
son efectivos ni una carga indebida. Al
mismo tiempo, acelerar intencionada-
mente la muerte ya sea por medio de
frmacos o el abandono deliberado de
la atencin bsica ofende la dignidad
que nos ha dado Dios y nunca es moral-
mente permisible. Ms informacin:
(El
sitio est en ingls, pero tiene algunos
materiales en espaol.)
24 EASTTEXASCATHOLIC.COM OCTOBER 14, 2016
El reto de formar la conciencia para ser ciudadanos eles
Parte I de II: Nuestro llamado como ciudadanos catlicos
Este breve documento es la Primera parte de un resumen de la reflexin de los obispos de los Estados Unidos, Formando la conciencia para ser ciudadanos fieles, que comple-
menta la enseanza de los obispos en las dicesis y las conferencias estatales de obispos catlicos.
Si bien el orden justo de la sociedad
y del Estado es una tarea principal de
la poltica, la Iglesia no puede ni debe
quedarse al margen en la lucha por la
justicia. As escribe el papa Francisco,
citando al papa Benedicto XVI.
Nuestra nacin enfrenta muchos retos
polticos que exigen decisiones morales
bien informadas:
La destruccin continua de un milln
de vidas humanas inocentes cada ao
por el aborto provocado
El suicidio asistido por mdicos
La redefinicin del matrimonio
El consumo excesivo de bienes ma-
teriales y la destruccin de los recursos
naturales, que daan tanto el medio am-
biente como a los pobres
Ataques mortales contra los cristia-
nos y otras minoras religiosas en todo el
mundo
Esfuerzos para restringir la redefin-
icin y el ejercicio de la libertad religiosa
Polticas econmicas que omiten dar
prioridad a las necesidades de los pobres,
en nuestro pas y en otros
Un sistema de inmigracin defectu-
oso y una crisis de refugiados en todo el
mundo
Guerras, terror y violencia que amen-
azan todos los aspectos de la vida y dig-
nidad humanas.
Como catlicos, somos parte de una
comunidad con profundas enseanzas
que nos ayudan a considerar los retos en
la vida pblica, contribuir a una mayor
justicia y paz para todas las personas, y
evaluar las posturas polticas, los pro-
gramas de los partidos polticos y las
promesas y acciones de los candidatos a
la luz del Evangelio para ayudar a con-
struir un mundo mejor.
Por qu ensea la iglesia sobre cuestio-
nes que afectan a la poltica pblica?
La obligacin de la Iglesia de partici-
par en la formacin del carcter moral
de la sociedad es un requisito de nuestra
fe, una parte de la misin que hemos re-
cibido de Jesucristo. Como personas de
fe y como seres racionales, los catlicos
estamos llamados a llevar la verdad a la
vida poltica y practicar el mandamiento
de Cristo de que se amen los unos a los
otros (Jn 13:34).
La Constitucin de los Estados Uni-
dos protege el derecho de cada creyente
y de cada institucin religiosa a anunciar
y vivir su fe sin interferencias guberna-
mentales, favoritismos o discriminacin.
La ley civil debera reconocer y prote-
ger el derecho y la responsabilidad de la
Iglesia de participar en la sociedad sin
abandonar sus convicciones morales. La
tradicin pluralista de nuestra nacin se damental parmetro de referencia para
ve reforzada, y no amenazada, cuando
los grupos religiosos y las personas de fe
llevan sus convicciones a la vida pblica.
La comunidad catlica aporta al dilo-
go poltico un marco moral coherente
y amplia experiencia de servicio a los
necesitados.
Quin en la iglesia debera participar
en la vida poltica
En la tradicin catlica, ser ciudada-
nos responsables es una virtud, y la par-
ticipacin en la
vida poltica es
una obligacin
moral. Como
ciudadanos de-
beramos ser
guiados ms
por nuestras convicciones morales que
por nuestro apego a un partido poltico
o grupo con intereses especiales. En el
ambiente de hoy en da, los catlicos
pueden sentirse desamparados poltica-
mente, percibiendo que ningn partido
poltico y muy pocos candidatos com-
parten plenamente nuestro compromiso
integral con la vida y dignidad huma-
nas. Esto no debe desanimarnos. Por
el contrario, hace ms urgente nuestra
obligacin de actuar. Los laicos catli-
cos necesitan actuar segn los principios
morales de la Iglesia e involucrarse ms:
presentndose como candidatos, traba-
jando dentro de los partidos polticos
y transmitiendo sus preocupaciones a
quienes ocupan funciones pblicas. In-
cluso quienes no pueden votar deben
hacer or sus voces respecto a cuestiones
que afectan su vida y el bien comn. Ser
ciudadanos fieles es una responsabilidad
permanente, no un deber slo durante
los aos de elecciones.
Cmo puede la doctrina social catlica
ayudar a guiar nuestra participacin? La dignidad de la persona humana
En palabras del papa Francisco, para La vida humana es sagrada porque
avanzar en esta construccin de un cada persona es creada a imagen y
pueblo en paz, justicia y fraternidad, hay semejanza de Dios. Hay una rica y
cuatro principios relacionados con ten- multifactica doctrina catlica sobre
siones bipolares propias de toda realidad la dignidad humana que se resume
social. Brotan de los grandes postula- en el Compendio de la doctrina so-
dos de la Doctrina Social de la Iglesia, cial de la Iglesia. Cada persona debe
los cuales constituyen el primer y fun- ser comprendida siempre en su ir-
repetible e insuprimible singulari-
la interpretacin y la valoracin de los dad. . . . Esto impone, ante todo, no
fenmenos sociales. Los cuatro prin- slo la exigencia del simple respeto
cipios son la dignidad de la persona hu- por parte de todos, y especialmente
mana, el bien comn, la subsidiariedad de las instituciones polticas y socia-
y la solidaridad. Tomados en conjunto, les y de sus responsables, en relacin
estos principios proporcionan un marco a cada hombre de este mundo, sino
moral para la participacin catlica en el que adems, y en mayor medida, com-
fomento de lo que hemos denominado porta que el primer compromiso de
una tica uniforme hacia la vida (Vivir cada uno hacia el otro, y sobre todo de
el Evangelio de la Vida, no. 23). estas mismas instituciones, se debe
Entendida correctamente, esta tica ni situar en la promocin del desarrollo
trata todas las cuestiones como equiva- integral de la persona (no. 131). Con-
lentes moral- tina el Compendio, El respeto de la
mente ni re- dignidad humana no puede absolu-
duce la doctrina tamente prescindir de la obediencia
catlica a una o al principio de considerar al prjimo
dos cuestiones. como otro yo, cuidando en primer
Ancla el com- lugar de su vida y de los medios nece-
promiso catli- sarios para vivirla dignamente (Gaud-
co de defender la vida humana y otros ium et Spes, no. 27). Es preciso que
derechos humanos, desde la concepcin todos los programas sociales, cient-
hasta la muerte natural, a la obligacin ficos y culturales, estn presididos por
moral fundamental de respetar la dignidad la conciencia del primado de cada ser
de cada persona como hijo o hija de Dios. humano.
Los votantes catlicos deberan usar
la doctrina catlica para examinar las Subsidiariedad
posiciones de los candidatos respecto a Es imposible promover la dignidad de
las cuestiones, y deberan considerar la la persona si no se cuidan la familia, los
integridad, filosofa y desempeo de los grupos, las asociaciones, las realidades
candidatos. Es importante que todos los territoriales locales, en suma, aquellas
ciudadanos vayan ms all de la poltica comunidades de tipo econmico, social,
partidista, que analicen las promesas de cultural, recreativo, profesional, poltico
la campaas con un ojo crtico y que a las que las personas dan vida espon-
escojan sus dirigentes polticos segn tneamente y que hacen posible su efec-
su principio, no su afiliacin poltica o tivo crecimiento social. La familia, fun-
el inters propio (Vivir el Evangelio de dada en el matrimonio entre un hombre
la Vida, no. 34). El siguiente resumen y una mujer, es la unidad fundamental
de los cuatro principios resalta varios de la sociedad. Este santuario para la
temas de la doctrina social catlica para creacin y crianza de los nios no debe
una consideracin especial: derechos hu- ser redefinido, socavado o descuidado.
manos y responsabilidades, respeto por Apoyar a las familias debe ser una priori-
el trabajo y los derechos de los traba- dad de las polticas econmicas y socia-
jadores, cuidado de la creacin de Dios les. La forma en que nuestra sociedad se
y la opcin preferencial por los pobres y organiza en la economa y la poltica,
vulnerables. Continuado en la pagina 26

The challenge of forming consciences for faithful citizenship
Part I of II: Our Call as Catholic Citizens
This brief document is Part I of a summary of the U.S. bishops reflection, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, which complements the teaching of bishops in dioceses and states.
Part II will be in the Oct. 28 issue.
If indeed the just ordering of society
and of the state is a central responsibil-
ity of politics, the Church cannot and
must not remain on the sidelines in the
fight for justice. So writes Pope Francis,
quoting Pope Benedict XVI.
Our nation faces many political chal-
lenges that demand well-informed moral
choices:
The ongoing destruction of a million
innocent human lives each year by abor-
tion
Physician-assisted suicide
The redefinition of marriage
The excessive consumption of mate-
rial goods and the destruction of natural
resources, harming the environment as
well as the poor
Deadly attacks on Christians and
other religious minorities throughout
the world
Efforts to narrow the definition and
exercise of religious freedom
Economic policies that fail to priori-
tize the needs of poor people, at home
and abroad
A broken immigration system and a
worldwide refugee crisis
Wars, terror, and violence that threat-
en every aspect of human life and dig-
nity.
As Catholics, we are part of a commu-
nity with profound teachings that help
us consider challenges in public life, con-
tribute to greater justice and peace for all
people, and evaluate policy positions,
party platforms, and candidates prom-
ises and actions in light of the Gospel in
order to help build a better world.
Why Does the Church Teach About
Issues Affecting Public Policy?
The Churchs obligation to partici-
pate in shaping the moral character of
society is a requirement of our faith, a
part of the mission given to us by Jesus
Christ. As people of both faith and rea-
son, Catholics are called to bring truth
to political life and to practice Christs
commandment to love one another
(Jn 13:34).
The US Constitution protects the
right of individual believers and reli-
gious bodies to proclaim and live out
their faith without government inter-
ference, favoritism, or discrimination.
Civil law should recognize and protect
the Churchs right and responsibility to
participate in society without abandon-
ing its moral convictions. Our nations
tradition of pluralism is enhanced, not
threatened, when religious groups and
people of faith bring their convictions
into public life. The Catholic commu-
nity brings to political dialogue a consis-
tent moral framework and broad experi-
ence serving those in need.
Who in the Church Should Partici-
pate in Political Life?
In the Catholic tradition, responsible
citizenship is a virtue, and participation
in political life is a moral obligation. As
Catholics, we should be guided more by
our moral convictions than by our at-
tachment to any political party or inter-
est group. In todays environment, Cath-
olics may feel politically disenfranchised,
sensing that no party and few candidates
fully share our
comprehensive
commitment
to human life
and dignity.
This should not
discourage us.
On the contrary, it makes our obliga-
tion to act all the more urgent. Catholic
lay women and men need to act on the
Churchs moral principles and become
more involved: running for office, work-
ing within political parties, and com-
municating concerns to elected officials.
Even those who cannot vote should raise
their voices on matters that affect their
lives and the common good. Faithful
citizenship is an ongoing responsibility,
not just an election year duty.
How Can Catholic Social Teaching
Help Guide Our Participation?
In the words of Pope Francis, prog-
ress in building a people in peace, justice
and fraternity depends on four prin-
ciples related to constant tensions pres-
ent in every social reality. These derive
from the pillars of the Churchs social
doctrine, which serve as primary and
fundamental parameters of reference for
interpreting and evaluating social phe-
OCTOBER 14, 2016 EASTTEXASCATHOLIC.COM
nomena. The four principles include
the dignity of the human person, the
common good, subsidiarity, and soli-
darity. Taken together, these principles
provide a moral framework for Catholic
engagement in advancing what we have
called a consistent ethic of life (Living
the Gospel of Life, no. 22).
Rightly understood, this ethic does
not treat all issues as morally equivalent;
nor does it reduce Catholic teaching to
one or two issues. It anchors the Catho-
lic commitment to defend human life
and other human rights, from concep-
tion until natural death, in the funda-
mental obligation to respect the dignity
of every human being as a child of God.
Catholic voters should use Catholic
teaching to examine candidates posi-
tions on issues and should consider
candidates integrity, philosophy, and
performance. It is important for all citi-
zens to see beyond party politics, to
analyze campaign rhetoric critically, and
to choose their
political lead-
ers according
to principle,
not party af-
filiation or mere
self-interest
(USCCB, Living the Gospel of Life, no.
33). The following summary of the four
principles highlights several themes of
Catholic social teaching for special con-
sideration: these include human rights
and responsibilities, respect for work
and the rights of workers, care for Gods
creation, and the preferential option for
the poor and vulnerable.
The Dignity of the Human Person
Human life is sacred because every per-
son is created in the image and likeness
of God. There is a rich and multifaceted
Catholic teaching on human dignity
summarized in the Compendium of the
Social Doctrine of the Church. Every
human being must always be under-
stood in his unrepeatable and inviolable
uniqueness ... This entails above all the
requirement not only of simple respect
on the part of others, especially political
and social institutions and their leaders
with regard to every man and woman on
25
the earth, but even more, this means that
the primary commitment of each per-
son towards others, and particularly of
these same institutions, must be for the
promotion and integral development of
the person (no. 131). The Compen-
dium continues, It is necessary to con-
sider every neighbor without exception
as another self, taking into account first
of all his life and the means necessary
for living it with dignity (Gaudium et
Spes, no. 27). Every political, economic,
social, scientific and cultural program
must be inspired by the awareness of the
primacy of each human being over so-
ciety.
Subsidiarity
It is impossible to promote the dignity
of the person without showing concern
for the family, groups, associations, and
local realitiesin short, for those eco-
nomic, social, cultural, recreational,
professional, and political communities
to which people spontaneously give life
and which make it possible for them to
achieve effective social growth.
The family, based on marriage be-
tween a man and a woman, is the funda-
mental unit of society. This sanctuary for
the creation and nurturing of children
must not be redefined, undermined, or
neglected. Supporting families should be
a priority for economic and social poli-
cies. How our society is organizedin
economics and politics, in law and pub-
lic policyaffects the well-being of in-
dividuals and of society. Every person
and association has a right and a duty
to participate in shaping society to pro-
mote the well-being of individuals and
the common good. The principle of sub-
sidiarity reminds us that larger institu-
tions in society should not overwhelm
or interfere with smaller or local institu-
tions; yet larger institutions have essen-
tial responsibilities when the more local
institutions cannot adequately protect
human dignity, meet human needs, and
advance the common good.
The Common Good
The common good is comprised of
the sum total of social conditions which
Continued on page 26
26 easttexascatholic.com october 14, 2016
Continuado de la pagina 24
en la legislacin y en las polticas pbli-
cas afecta el bienestar de los individu-
os y de la sociedad. Cada persona y cada
asociacin tienen el derecho y el deber
de participar en la formacin de la so-
ciedad para promover el bienestar de los
individuos y el bien comn.
El principio de subsidiariedad nos re-
cuerda que las instituciones ms grandes
de la sociedad no deberan abrumar o in-
terferir con las instituciones ms peque-
as o de carcter local; sin embargo, las
instituciones ms grandes tienen respon-
sabilidades esenciales cuando las institu-
ciones ms locales no pueden adecua-
damente proteger la dignidad humana,
responder a las necesidades humanas y
promover el bien comn.
El bien comn
El bien comn est compuesto por el
conjunto de condiciones de la vida social
que hacen posible a las asociaciones y a
cada uno de sus miembros el logro ms
pleno y ms fcil de la propia perfec-
cin.
La dignidad humana es respetada y el
bien comn promovido slo si se prote-
gen los derechos humanos y se cumplen
las responsabilidades bsicas. Cada ser
humano tiene el derecho a la vida, el
derecho a la libertad religiosa y el dere-
cho a tener acceso a aquellas cosas que
requiere la decencia humana: alimento
Continued from page 25
allow people, either as groups or as in-
dividuals, to reach their fulfilment more
fully and more easily.
Human dignity is respected and the
common good is fostered only if human
rights are protected and basic responsi-
bilities are met. Every human being has a
right to life, a right to religious freedom,
and a right to have access to those things
required for human decency food
and shelter, education and employment,
health care and housing. Corresponding
to these rights are duties and responsi-
bilities to ourselves, to our families,
and to the larger society.
The economy must serve people, not
the other way around. An economic
system must serve the dignity of the hu-
man person and the common good by
respecting the dignity of work and pro-
tecting the rights of workers. Economic
justice calls for decent work at fair, liv-
ing wages, a broad and fair legalization
program with a path to citizenship for
immigrant workers, and the opportu-
y albergue, educacin y trabajo, cuidado
mdico y vivienda. A estos derechos les casa comn. Todos estamos llamados a
corresponden obligaciones y responsabi-
lidades, para con los dems, nuestras fa-
milias y la sociedad en general.
La economa debe estar al servicio de
la gente y no al contrario. Un sistema
econmico debe servir a la dignidad de la
persona humana y al bien comn medi-
ante el respeto de la dignidad del trabajo
y la proteccin de los derechos de los
trabajadores. La justicia econmica ex-
ige un trabajo decente con salarios justos
y dignos, un programa de legalizacin
amplio y justo que ofrezca un camino
a la ciudadana a los trabajadores inmi-
grantes, y la oportunidad para que todas
las personas trabajen juntas por el bien
comn a travs de su trabajo, propie-
dad, iniciativa, inversin, participacin
en sindicatos y otras formas de actividad
econmica. Los trabajadores tambin que [nos] rodea. De hecho, esta preocu-
tienen responsabilidades: realizar el tra-
bajo que corresponde a un salario justo,
tratar con respeto a los empleadores y
compaeros de trabajo y llevar a cabo su
trabajo de tal manera que contribuya al
bien comn. Los trabajadores, los em-
pleadores y los sindicatos deberan no
slo promover sus propios intereses, sino
tambin trabajar juntos para promover
la justicia econmica y el bienestar de
todos.
Tenemos el deber de cuidar la cre-
acin de Dios, o como el papa Francisco
nity for all people to work together for
the common good through their work,
ownership, enterprise, investment, par-
ticipation in unions, and other forms
of economic activity. Workers also have
responsibilitiesto provide a fair days
work for a fair days pay, to treat employ-
ers and coworkers with respect, and to
carry out their work in ways that con-
tribute to the common good. Workers,
employers, and unions should not only
advance their own interests but also
work together to advance economic jus-
tice and the well-being of all.
We have a duty to care for Gods cre-
ation, which Pope Francis refers to in
Laudato Si as our common home. We
all are called to be careful stewards of
Gods creation and to ensure a safe and
hospitable environment for vulnerable
human beings now and in the future.
Pope Francis, consistent with St. John
Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI (World
Day of Peace Message, 1990 and 2010),
has lifted up pollution, climate change,
lack of access to clean water, and the loss
se refiere a ella en Laudato Si, nuestra
perderse, en sentido evanglico, por el
cuidar responsablemente de la creacin
de Dios y asegurar un ambiente seguro
y hospitalario para los seres humanos
vulnerables ahora y en el futuro. El papa
Francisco, en coherencia con San Juan
Pablo II y con el papa Benedicto XVI
(Mensajes para la Jornada Mundial de
la Paz en 1990 y 2010), ha destacado la
contaminacin, el cambio climtico, la
falta de acceso al agua potable y la pr-
dida de biodiversidad como retos par-
ticulares. El papa Francisco habla de una
deuda ecolgica (no. 51) contrada por
los pases ms ricos con las naciones en
desarrollo. Y nos llama a todos a una
conversin ecolgica (no. 219), que
implica dejar brotar todas las conse-
cuencias de [nuestro] encuentro con Je-
sucristo en las relaciones con el mundo
ian con discapacidades o enfermedades
pacin por la ecologa natural es una
parte indispensable de la ecologa hu-
mana ms amplia, que abarca no slo
las dimensiones materiales, sino tambin
las morales y sociales.
Solidaridad
La solidaridad es la determinacin
firme y perseverante de empearse por
el bien comn; es decir, por el bien de
todos y cada uno, para que todos sea-
mos verdaderamente responsables de
todos. Se encuentra en la entrega por
of biodiversity as particular challenges.
Pope Francis speaks of an ecological
debt (no. 51) owed by wealthier nations
to developing nations. And he calls all
of us to an ecological conversion (no.
219), by which the effects of [our] en-
counter with Jesus Christ become evi-
dent in [our] relationship with the world
around [us]. Indeed, this concern with
natural ecology is an indispensable part
of the broader human ecology, which
encompasses not only material but mor-
al and social dimensions as well.
Solidarity
Solidarity is a firm and persevering
determination to commit oneself to ...
the good of all and of each individual,
because we are all really responsible for
all. It is found in a commitment to the
good of ones neighbor with the readi-
ness, in the Gospel sense, to lose oneself
for the sake of the other instead of ex-
ploiting him, and to serve him instead
of oppressing him for ones own advan-
tage.
el bien del prjimo, que est dispuesto a
otro en lugar de explotarlo, y a servirlo
en lugar de oprimirlo para el propio pr-
ovecho.
Somos una sola familia humana, inde-
pendientemente de nuestras diferencias
nacionales, raciales, tnicas, econmi-
cas e ideolgicas. Nuestro compromiso
catlico con la solidaridad requiere de
nosotros buscar la justicia, eliminar el
racismo, poner fin a la trata de personas,
proteger los derechos humanos, buscar
la paz y evitar el uso de la fuerza excepto
como un ltimo recurso necesario.
De manera especial nuestra solidari-
dad debe expresarse en la opcin prefer-
encial por los pobres y vulnerables. Una
prueba moral para la sociedad es la for-
ma en que tratamos a los ms dbiles en-
tre nosotros: los no nacidos, los que lid-
terminales, los pobres y los marginados.
Conclusin
A la luz de la doctrina catlica, los
obispos repiten vigorosamente su lla-
mado a un tipo renovado de poltica que
se enfoque en los principios morales, la
promocin de la vida y dignidad huma-
nas y la bsqueda del bien comn. La
participacin poltica en este espritu re-
fleja no slo la doctrina social de nuestra
Iglesia, sino las mejores tradiciones de
nuestra nacin.
We are one human family, whatever
our national, racial, ethnic, economic,
and ideological differences. Our Catho-
lic commitment to solidarity requires
that we pursue justice, eliminate racism,
end human trafficking, protect human
rights, seek peace, and avoid the use of
force except as a necessary last resort.
In a special way, our solidarity must find
expression in the preferential option for
the poor and vulnerable. A moral test
for society is how we treat the weakest
among usthe unborn, those dealing
with disabilities or terminal illness, the
poor, and the marginalized.
Conclusion
In light of Catholic teaching, the
bishops vigorously repeat their call for
a renewed politics that focuses on moral
principles, the promotion of human life
and dignity, and the pursuit of the com-
mon good. Political participation in this
spirit reflects not only the social teaching
of our Church but the best traditions of
our nation.

Title
** Places to go, things to do **
HOW BAZAAR
The Sacred Heart St. Mary Church Bazaar is Oct.
15, from noon until 8 p.m. at the Sacred Heart
St. Mary Church hall and grounds at 911 Lincoln
Ave. in Port Arthur. The bazaar will feature food,
fun, games and entertainment. For more details,
call (409) 985-5104.
AND THIS LIL PIGGY WAS SMOTHERED!
Knights of Peter Claver Council & Court 182 are
selling Smothered Pork Chop Dinners on Sunday,
Oct. 16, at the KPC Hall located at 515 Savannah
Ave., Port Arthur, from 10 a.m. until sold out.
Menu is smothered pork chops, rice, gravy, potato
salad, sweet peas, roll and soda. Cost is $10 per
meal to dine in or carry out. Hall phone is (409)
983-9132 or for more details call (409) 985-8419.
RED RED WINE
The St. Charles Wine Tasting Social is Friday,
Oct. 21, from 6:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. at St. Charles
Borromeo Parish Center Hall B in Nederland.
Bring a bottle of wine and an appetizer for
sharing. Not a wine lover? Just come for food
and fellowship. For more information, call Angie
Wyble at (409) 781-1781.
GOLFING AND DANCING
St. James will be having a Golf Tournament
and Homecoming Dance as special fundraisers.
The Golf Tournament will be Saturday, Oct.
22, at Babe Zaharias Golf Course, 3500 Jimmy
Johnson Blvd., Port Arthur, with registration
starting at 8 a.m. and shotgun start at 9 a.m.
The Homecoming Dance will be the same day
at Kirwin Hall, adjacent to St. James Church,
3617 Gulfway Drive, Port Arthur, starting at 7
p.m. and ending at 11 p.m. For information, to
register or get tickets for the dance, call Donna
Byars at (409) 540-9328 or email her at dbyars@
nederlandisd.org.
FALL FEST
St. Marys Annual Fall Festival (Auction and Bake
Sale) will be held Sunday, Oct. 23, from 10:30
a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 9894 Gilbert Road in Fannett.
Dinner includes BBQ beef, rice dressing, pinto
beans and trimmings for $10 a plate. Dinners
can be purchased at the door. There will be an
auction and sweet shop. For more information,
call the St. Mary office at (409) 794-2548.
october 14, 2016 easttexascatholic.com
WINNER, WINNER, CHICKEN DINNER
St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica School, 850
Forsythe, Beaumont, will be selling chicken and
link dinners on Friday, Oct. 28, from 10:30 a.m.
until 3:30 p.m. Dine in and take out are available.
Delivery is available in Beaumont for orders
of 15 or more. Orders for delivery will be taken
until 5 p.m. on Oct. 27. Dinners are only $10 and
include smoked chicken quarter, link, potato
salad, beans and dessert. Funds raised benefit
St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica School. For more
information, call (409) 833-9969, extension 106.
Fax: (409)813-3337
SAFE HALLOWEEN FUN
The St. Anne Halloween Carnival is Saturday,
Oct. 29, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. at St. Anne
Catholic School at 375 N. 11th St. in Beaumont.
The carnival is fun for the whole family and will
include a haunted house, a cakewalk, confetti
eggs, a petting zoo, inflatables, a mechanical
bull, a dunking booth, a zip line, a photo booth, a
costume contest beginning at noon, bands and
a DJ, face painting, spin art, and sand art. Food
available for purchase will include Zummos
links, homemade tamales, gumbo, pork kabobs,
Frito pies, pizza, Raos cupcakes, cotton candy,
snow cones and desserts from local businesses.
Admission is free, but attendees are requested
to bring canned goods to be donated to Some
Other Place. Unlimited ride wristbands will be
$30 or tickets can be purchased for $1 each. The
theme for this years carnival is There is no place
like St. Anne. For more information, call (409)
832-5939.
GOSPEL EXTRAVAGANZA!
St. Therese Church, 1409 N. 6th St. in Orange,
is having a Gospel Extravaganza in the church
on Oct. 29 at 6:30 p.m. Music will be provided
by the Sacred Heart-St. Mary, Port Arthur, Mens
Contemporary Choir and Mens Gospel Choir; the
Our Mother of Mercy, Beaumont, Gospel Choir; the
St. John the Evangelist, Port Arthur, Gospel Choir;
the Salem United Methodist Church, Orange,
Gospel Choir; and Gods Mercy Choir which is
made up of a mixture of members from the choirs
at St. Therese Church, Salem United Methodist
Church and the New Temple Baptist Church in
Port Arthur. No admission will be charged but love
offerings will be accepted. Then Oct. 30 is Family
and Friends day with a 9 a.m. Mass at St. Therese
Church followed by lunch in the Church hall at
noon. For more information, call the St. Therese
Parish office at (409) 883-3783 or (409) 882-1768.
27
AUTUMN FEST
The Women of Infant Jesus Altar Society, 243 LHS
Drive, Lumberton, invite you to the 10th Annual
Autumn Fest and Silent Auction on Friday Nov. 4,
from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. and on Saturday, Nov. 5,
from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Handmade crafts, wood
items, homemade cakes, cookies, pies, candy,
frozen entrees, jellies, pickles, preserves, books,
jewelry and homemade Rosaries will be on sale.
Chili will be served for lunch on Friday from 11
a.m. to 1 p.m. The silent auction ends Saturday
at 3 p.m. For details call Sheila Kane at (409) 755-
3073.
LOOKING FOR ACTS LEADERS
An ACTS Leadership workshop will be held
Nov. 12, from 9 a.m. until approximately 3 p.m.,
at St. Anne Church, 2715 Calder in Beaumont.
Check in will begin at 8:30 a.m. This workshop
is for all who have attended an ACTS retreat
and are currently serving on, or are interested
in serving on a retreat team. A $15 fee is due at
registration and lunch will be provided. Register
at beaumontacts.org. For information contact
Bill Gier at (409) 833-6433.
TRIP TO SPAIN AND PORTUGAL
A 12-day Marian Shrines Pilgrimage to Portugal,
France and Spain, Barcelona, Lourdes, Burgops,
Santiago De Compostela, Fatima and Avila.
Spiritual Director: Father Sinclair Oubre, pastor
St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Orange. the trip is
June 5-16, 2017. The cost is $3,490 per person
from Houston . . For further information, please
contact (409) 883-9153.
Helping Sailors
The Apostleship of the Sea-Diocese of
Beaumont and the Port Arthur International
Seafarers Center collect ditty bags for seafarers
throughout the year. During December, these
bags are delivered to the many ships and tugs
that visit the docks of Port Arthur, Port Neches,
Orange, Sabine Pass, and as far out as Cheniere
LNG in Johnsons Bayou, La. If you wish to
donate gift boxes or filler items, contact:
Tammy Domingue 409-982-4504, or Doreen
M. Badeaux at (409) 985-4545.
28 easttexascatholic.com october 14, 2016

Pope St. John Paul II: His feast is celebrated on Oct. 22

By Carolyn Martinez
pope John paul ii was born May
18, 1920, in Wadowice, poland, as
karol Jozef Wojtyla. Wadowice is
about 35 miles from krakow, po-
land.
he was the second son of
his parents, karol Wojtyla and
emilia kaczorowska. his father
was a non-commissioned officer
in the polish army. karol Jozef
received his first communion
when he was 9 and was con-
firmed at age 18. after finish-
ing high school in 1938, karol
Jozef entered the krakows Jagi-
ellonian university and a drama
school.
The nazi forces of germany
mer vacations, he traveled to france,
belgium and holland to minister to
polish immigrants there.
after completing his studies in
rome, he returned to poland and
Jozef Wojtyla was made a bishop
and on Jan. 13, 1964, consecrated
as archbishop of krakow. on June
6, 1967, he was elevated to the col-
lege of cardinals.
he dedicated himself, his papacy
and the world to Mary.
karol Jozef Wojtyla was the first
polish pope and the first non-italian
pope in 400 years.
he accomplished many
groundbreaking events while
pope. he traveled around the
world, visiting places where
no pope had gone before. he
made 95 pastoral visits outside
of italy including his 1988 visit
to the united states which in-
cluded stops in new orleans,
san antonio and san francisco.
he opened talks with prot-
estant and orthodox denomi-
nations trying to bring about

invaded poland in 1939 and
closed the university. karol
Jozef went to work in a quarry
from 1940 to 1944. he then
worked in a chemical plant to
avoid being deported to ger-
many.
in 1942, aware of his call to
the priesthood, he entered a se-
cret seminary in krakow run by
cardinal adam stefan sapieha,
archbishop of krakow. he was
also a pioneer of the rhapsod-
ic Theatre in that city. once
the seminary reopened, he
continued his studies and was
ordained to the priesthood on
nov. 1, 1946.
cardinal sapieha sent him to
rome to complete his studies in
theology, where karol Jozef earned a
doctorate in 1948. during his sum-
began teaching at the Jagiellonian
university until the communists
closed it. he then taught at the
catholic university at lubin.
on July 4, 1958, father karol
on oct. 16, 1978, he was elected
pope and took the name John paul
ii. his motto as pope was totus tuus
(totally yours), showing his devo-
tion to the Most holy Madonna.
Childrens Corner
christian unity.
While pope he worked to
improve the lives of the poor
and powerless. he spoke out
against war, economic injustice
and political oppression.
an inspired author he wrote
14 encyclicals (letters from a
pope on matters concerning
the church) and scores of other
documents. he also wrote three
books including one volume of
poems. he beatified and can-
onized more than a 1,000 men
and women of all walks of life.
pope st. John paul ii died
april 2, 2005. pope emeritus
benedict xvi beatified him on
May 1, 2011. pope francis added
his name to the list of saints in cer-
emonies on april 27, 2014.
We celebrate the feast of pope st.
John paul ii on oct. 22.

Mission P r a y e r
of the W eek
Jesus, i dont really understand about taxes and
governMent, but i do knoW about people Who
try to seeM better than they really are! help Me
to be More like the tax collector, focusing on
being good Myself and not Worrying too Much
for your mission this week, pray about What other people are doing. aMen.

the our father. Then, on a sheet

DID when we adore God, we acknowledge that we owe our
of paper, write a few sentences YOU existence to Him? He is the purpose of our existence and
about what the words forgive us KNOW? joining Him in Heaven for eternity is our ultimate goal.
our sins as we forgive those who Only the simple appeal Of the cOmmandment Of lOve cOnstant,
humble and unpretentiOus, free Of vanity but firm in its cOnvictiOn
have sinned against us mean. and dedicatiOn tO Others can save us.
-PoPe Francis

New Principals both attended Catholic school
New St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica school principal Felicia Andrews Runnels.
A former student told, then St. An-
thony Cathedral Basilica School teacher,
Felicia Andrews Runnels, I saw Christ
in you. (Runnels was holding back the
tears as she told the story.)
Runnels former student told her that
to explain why he wanted her to be his
confirmation sponsor. This student also
thanked Runnels for having high ex-
pectations for her students. As a teacher
Runnels always set the example for her
students and now is influencing even
more students as the new principal at St.
Anthony Cathedral Basilica School in
Beaumont.
Runnels said she loves the St Anthony
Cathedral Basilica School because St.
Anthony has a wonderful spirit; you feel
the love of God here.
Runnels spends each morning walking
through the school because she wants to
be visible and get a pulse of whats going
on so she can put out small fires before
they grow, and because she wants to get
to know the students. Runnels instituted
Teachers Morning Prayers at 7:35 a.m.
each school day. The teachers attending
say a prayer and sing a song together.
Runnels feels this helps start the day on
a positive note and that this positivity
flows down to the students.
Runnels has been affecting students at
St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica School
for a long time. Runnels started teaching
computer class at St. Anthony Cathedral
Basilica School 18 years ago. Runnels
feels that love for students is shown by
making sure each student reaches his full
potential.
Runnels said its like the kids are wait-
ing for someone to hold them account-
able. Runnels said that as a teacher she
felt she was fair, firm and consistent.
Former students have commented that
they appreciated her for the way she
taught. Her job as a principal has not
changed her focus; but the methods of
reaching the students are a little differ-
ent from the principal level. Long before
Runnels was a principal, she was a Cath-
olic school student.
Runnels grew up attending Catho-
lic schools in Lafayette, La. After Run-
nels graduated from Holy Rosary High
School, in Lafayette, she went on to
graduate from Louisiana State Univer-
sity in Baton Rouge. Her first teaching
job was at the now closed Corpus Chris-
ti Catholic School in New Orleans. She
would later follow family to Beaumont
and start teaching at St. Anthony Cathe-
dral Basilica School. The principals she
worked under had a profound effect on
Runnels.
Sister Jenny Jones, from Corpus Chris-
ty Catholic School in New Orleans, and
former St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica
School principals Sister Anne Middle-
brook, Mary Ann Mechura and Phyl-
lis Walters saw something in the young
Runnels, and pushed her to further her
education. Last May, Runnels obtained
her masters degree from Lamar Univer-
sity.
Runnels attends Our Lady of Victory
Church in Sour Lake where she sings in
the choir for 5 p.m. Mass on Saturday
and 8:30 a.m. on Sundays.
october 14, 2016 easttexascatholic.com
New St. Mary school principal Dr. Cynthia Jackson.
Dr. Cynthia Jackson is excited to be
the new principal at St. Mary School in
Orange. She has gone full circle in re-
turning to a Catholic school.
Born and raised in Opelousas, La., she
attended Holy Ghost Catholic School
and graduated from Opelousas Catholic
High School.
She would soon leave the small Loui-
siana community behind. After getting
married Jackson began bouncing around
the globe with her husband, who was in
the U.S. Navy. She found herself living
in Japan and Guam. She visited Thai-
land and Australia. She even asked her
husband to reenlist one more time so
that they could possibly be stationed in
Europe, but he decided to retire.
Dr. Jackson moved with her husband
when he was stationed in Norfolk, Va.,
New Orleans, La., then Beaumont,
Texas where they bought a home. Dr.
Jackson said she is in a place in her ca-
reer where doing what she loves is im-
portant, and her heart guided her back
to Catholic Schools, where she truly
believes students get a better education.
She is very excited about being at St.
Mary.
Dr. Jackson said she loves the fact that
St. Mary is a generational school.
Many of the students grandparents and
parents also went to St. Mary. Many
of the schools employees also went to
school there.
Dr. Jackson noticed immediately that
the teachers at St Mary are so positive
and take initiative before even being
ask or assigned a task. She also likes St.
Mary because the overall climate is very
peaceful.
29
Dr. Jackson started her teaching career
in a very different environment in New
Orleans at Greggory Middle School.
She said that this experience moved her
the most as she worked with economi-
cally disadvantaged kids.
She also taught at Austin Middle
School and Vincent Middle School in
Beaumont, Sam Houston Elementary
and Booker T Washington Elementary
in Port Arthur before returning to a
Catholic school.
When Dr. Jackson was asked why she
would leave the public school system
she said public education moved more
toward teaching test preparation. She
feels students taught under this system
may not be gaining the knowledge they
will need later in life.
Dr. Jackson obtained her masters de-
gree in secondary education and a mas-
ters degree in human relations from
Southern University in Baton Rouge,
La. Later she would add a certificate in
administration and a doctorate in edu-
cation leadership from Lamar Univer-
sity in Beaumont.
Dr. Jackson is a member of the Na-
tional Association of University Women
and the Texas Association of Elementary
Principals. She serves as a greeter at Our
Mother of Mercy Church in Beaumont.
She has volunteered at Elijahs Place and
has been a CASA (Court Appointed
Special Advocate) volunteer.
Dr. Jacksons son-in-law also retired
from the U.S. Navy. She has one daugh-
ter and one 11-year-old granddaughter.
Her favorite hobby is reading and a
couple of authors she likes are Sydney
Sheldon and Maeve Binchy.
30 EASTTEXASCATHOLIC.COM OCTOBER 14, 2016
YOUTH EVENTS
On Sept. 28, the entire St. Mary Catholic School gathered around the agpole for See You
at the Pole. The Student Council president, Jagger McCollum, lead the prayers, the pledges
and also talked about how fortunate St. Mary Catholic School students are to be able to pray
every day at school.
Day of reection
The African American Youth and Youth Ministry Teams Day of Reflection is Oct.
29 at St. Pius X Church at 5076 Bigner Road in Beaumont. Activities begin at 8 a.m.
and continue until 4:30 p.m. with Bishop Curtis J. Guillory, SVD, as the keynote
speaker. Brian Johnson, director of Adolescent Cathechesis and Evangilization for
the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, and Valerie Harrison, who ministers with
him, will be the speakers. A continental breakfast and light lunch will be served.
For more information contact African American Ministries director Linda Duhon-
LaCour at (409) 924-4306.
The National Junior Honor Society of St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica School, Beaumont, along
with students, teachers, staff and parents, collected money for the Help Our Neighbors
project to aid those affected by the recent Louisiana oods. A check was presented to Carolyn
Fernandez, president and CEO of Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas. Front row from left
are Jamie Tran, Mollie McLeod, Clare Coker, president of the National Junior Honor Society,
Carolyn Fernandez, Gabrielle Augustine and Kimberly Nguyen. Back row from left are Bryce
Tolin, Jasmine Martin, Ike Nwaobi, Mathew Haynie and Eric Renfro.
The St. Anne Halloween Carnival is Saturday, Oct. 29, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.
at St. Anne Catholic School at 375 N. 11th St. in Beaumont. The carnival is fun for
the whole family and will include a haunted house, a cakewalk, confetti eggs, a pet-
ting zoo, inflatables, a mechanical bull, a dunking booth, a zip line, a photo booth,
a costume contest beginning at noon, bands and a DJ, face painting, spin art, and
sand art. Available food will include Zummos links, homemade tamales, gumbo,
pork kabobs, Frito pies, pizza, Raos cupcakes, cotton candy, snow cones and desserts
from local businesses. Admission is free, but attendees are requested to bring canned
goods to be donated to Some Other Place. Unlimited ride wristbands will be $30 or
tickets can be purchased for $1 each. The theme for this years carnival is There is
no place like St. Anne. For more information, call (409) 832-5939.
Junior High Spectacular
On Saturday, Nov. 12, the Office of Youth Ministry will be offering its annual Jr
High Spectacular event, hosted this year at Infant Jesus Catholic Church in Lumber-
ton at 243 S. LHS Drive. Registration and sign-in for the event will begin around
9 a.m. with the activities for the day kicking off around 9:30 a.m. This years Spec-
tacular will include various clergy, seminarians, and lay ministers from around the
diocese for the two rounds of workshops and will feature Tommy McGrady, the
campus minister from St. Louis Catholic High School in Lake Charles, LA, as the
events keynote presenter. The theme for this event, and many others during the
2016-2017 year of ministry, is Rise Up. Topics covered will include: advocacy,
vocations, prayer, being a witness, and chastity. Advanced registration for the event is
$15 per attendee before Nov. 4, after that registration will be $25 per attendee. Reg-
istration is available at the Office of Youth Ministry at the Diocese Pastoral center at
710 Archie St. in Beaumont. Registration at the door will be $25 per attendee. For
more information, call (409) 924-4362.
 october 14, 2016 easttexascatholic.com 31
Diocese youth annual Kickball tournament

Bottom from left, Demi Gonzalez, Jose Gonzalez, Cynthia Gonzalez. Top from left, Erika Orne-
las, Cesar Ortiz, all from St. Joseph in Port Arthur.

Father Jerry McGrath with youth from many parishes including St. Anne in Beaumont, St.
Peter the Apostle in Groves, Our Lady of Guadalupe in Port Arthur and Holy Trinity in Mont
Belvieu.

Brock Roedahl from St. Anne, in Beaumont, is pumped about his team.

Catie Leblanc from St. Mary, in Fannett, sprints toward home. Maddie Morgan from St. Louis, in Winnie, prepares to record an out at first base.
32 EASTTEXASCATHOLIC.COM OCTOBER 14, 2016

Please Save the Date Thursday, November 10, 2016

honoring
Pat & Tommy Frank

Is this address correct?

If not, cut out label, correct and send to:
East Texas Catholic
P.O. Box 3948
Beaumont, TX 77704-3948