It is June not quite into the heart of the summer, but

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1 \ Volume 15, Issue 1 Inside 2 Stewardship Keeping Our Stewardship Commitments in the Summertime 3 Congratulations to Our 2018 Graduates! 4 Congratulations to Fr. Stephen Ingram 6 Called to Serve: Celebrating Ordinations to the Permanent Diaconate Our Parish Newsletter: Spreading the news of Christ at work in our community. A Stewardship Parish A Letter from Our Pastoral Administrator Surrounded by and Good Stewards June 2018 Dear, It is June not quite into the heart of the summer, but certainly a time when everything seems to be wrapping up. From school and religious education, to many of our ministries, much is winding down and going on hiatus. Last month, we celebrated the month of our Blessed Mother Mary. This month, I would like to turn our attention to the idea of stewardship, although that concept is important every month and every day throughout the year. We do not have to look far to find good stewards. They are all around us. They may be sitting near us at Mass. They may be part of our own families and households. Pay attention at our liturgies as they are always there, serving in a variety of ways. I suppose the big question is, Do people look at us and see a good steward? We are talking about more than our parish and the Church here. There are people in our communities and neighborhoods who show us what it means to be a good steward, and they do not have to be Catholic. In June, we celebrate Father s Day. St. Joseph, the earthly father of our Lord Jesus Christ, may seem to be overlooked, but we do need to look at him always and especially on Father s Day. He humbly accepted his role much in the same way that St. Mary did. He does not have much to say in the Bible, indicative of his humility and understanding. Yet he, like Mary, was obedient. He was selfless. He was a worker, and in his own quiet way he was a leader an example to all of us. St. Joseph is, as you know, the patron saint of fathers, workers and the universal Church. If we could all emulate Joseph in some small part each day, we would be closer to being the disciples Christ has called us to be. Sometimes, we Catholics are criticized for using statues, and some may be under the misguided impression that we worship statues. Our country and our lives continued on back cover

2 page 2 Stewardship Keeping Our Stewardship Commitments in the Summertime T he kids are out of school and our fast-paced lives centered on school and youth sports activities have slowed down. Our own internal clocks are now on summer time. We re ready for a break from our hectic lives. And while we take vacations and enjoy the leisurely pace of the season, we need to remember that summer is not the time to take a vacation from God. In fact, summer can serve as the perfect opportunity to grow in our relationship with God, especially since most of us have considerably more free time. So, instead of neglecting our faith due to busy days and late nights, try these simple steps to embrace God during the quieter summer months and during your vacation. Get More Active in a Parish Ministry The summer is actually a perfect time to get more involved in a parish ministry. Because we no longer have to get the kids to and from school, or get them to sporting events or other activities that normally occur during the school year, our schedules are a bit less cluttered. Summer is indeed a perfect time to fill some downtime with service to God through ministry and giving of your talents. Take a look through the parish ministries to find something that suits your particular interest or talent. Vacation Bible School, for Kids and Adults Vacation Bible School is a great way for younger children to learn about God through songs, activities and fellowship. The fun-filled lessons build upon Gospel teachings while keeping kids attention. For older children, it is a great opportunity to offer service by being a team leader or assistant. Adults can also help plan, decorate, organize and teach during the week. It s a wonderful activity for the entire family! Give Thanks for the Sun Praise God for the sun, time off from school and easygoing days by visiting the adoration chapel to say a quick prayer. Bring a journal or rosary along to help stay focused. Little children can even bring a religious coloring book to give thanks to God on their terms. Or, before heading to the pool, why not attend daily Mass with the kids? It s a perfect way to start the day and set the tone that vacation or not God is still an important part of your family life. Don t Take a Vacation from Mass Often while on a vacation away from our parish family, we are not familiar with where to attend Mass. Don t let that be an obstacle for you. Check out masstimes.org in order to find out where and when to go to Mass. In addition, if you are lodging at a hotel, the concierge will assist you with directions to the nearest Catholic Church. Summertime Stewardship of Treasure The prime reason for keeping up our pledge all summer is that God doesn t go on vacation. He continues to sustain us throughout the summer months. He persists in pouring out blessings on us, even during the hottest weather. He keeps on meeting us in His sacramental presence when we go to Mass wherever we travel. As God remains faithful to us during the summer, we are called to be faithful in our commitments to Him and our parish family, even during our vacation time. So, enjoy the warmer temperatures and the relaxed atmosphere. Just don t forget Who provides the sun and the sand! And most importantly, remember to take God with you wherever you go on vacation!

3 page 3 Congratulations to Our 2018 Graduates! Congratulations to the Catholic School graduating class of 2018! As a class, students received over $160,000 in cumulative grants and scholarships over four years. Although the 46 graduates will be moving on to various high schools, will always be a home for them. Mariska Suwanda received the Pastor s Award. Lucy Simon received the Guy Delaney Memorial Award: Profile of Excellence Student Council President Sydney Lewis addresses the graduating class.

4 page 4 CONGRATULATIONS TO Bishop Burns with the five newly ordained (from left) Fr. Michal Markiewicz, Fr. Stephen Ingram, Fr. Giuseppe Spoto, Bishop Burns, Fr. James Dorman and Fr. Wade Bass. Fr. Stephen with Most Reverend Edward Burns, Bishop of Dallas. We offer our congratulations to Fr. Stephen Ingram, who was ordained on May 26, and celebrated the Mass of Thanksgiving on May 27. Fr. Stephen displays a gift from the parish.

5 page 5 FR. STEPHEN INGRAM Fr. Stephen imparts a blessing on Fr. Alfonse. Fr. Stephen Ingram with Fr. Tom Cloherty, Pastor of Prince of Peace Catholic Church, where Fr. Stephen will be assigned effective July 1.

6 page 6 CALLED TO SERVE: On June 2, over 2,000 people gathered at St. Francis of Assisi in Frisco to celebrate ordinations to the permanent diaconate. Among the candidates were three parishioners Alex Barbieri, John Gorman and Bob McDermott. You hear people say, the Church is dying, but not on this Saturday in that full church with hundreds of people standing in the aisles, Deacon Alex says. They were all there to witness the ordination of these men. Deacon John describes the overwhelming display of community support as amazing, likening the ordinations to a grand wedding. The response of the community to not only fill but overflow the seating capacity of St. Francis of Assisi was a display of the love and charity of God, Deacon John says. It speaks to the recognition and desire that people have for the love of God, His Church and the clerical ministry that seeks to serve the people of God. Before their ordination, each candidate to the permanent diaconate participated in six years of formation. Their families are particularly involved in the formation process. Without the support of our wives, none of us would be here, Deacon Alex says. They offer spiritual, mental and practical support, tying all those together with love. I try to find words adequate to thank my wife, Heather, and I fall short. For Deacon Bob and his wife, Kathy, participating in the formation process together meant planning ahead and making tough decisions about balancing everything in their lives. I don t think we could ever show enough appreciation for what all the deacons wives have done, Deacon Bob says. I really would like to thank the faith community, too, because I don t think I could ve made it through formation without their prayers and support. Deacon John would also like to thank the whole family that supported the deacons during their process of formation, including all those in the Diocese of Dallas and at. In recent years, every time we have prayed for vocations to the priesthood and religious life, it spoke to me, Deacon John says. Every time a family would come forward to receive the chalice for vocations, it spoke to me. Someone was praying for me. During the ordination ceremony, the men went before Bishop Burns three different times to pledge their obedience, to be ordained and to receive the book of the Gospels. Among the candidates ordained on June 2 at St. Francis of Assisi in Frisco were three parishioners Alex Barbieri, John Gorman and Bob McDermott. Deacon Alex Barbieri, who has been assigned to St. Francis of Assisi in Frisco, with wife Heather and children Grace, Brogan and Lillian.

7 page 7 Celebrating Ordinations to the Permanent Diaconate When he places his hands on your head, you think of that ancient line of apostolic succession, and it is humbling and profound, Deacon Alex says. Deacon John remembers a moment during the ceremony, when his wife, Terri, escorted him to the altar. My wife was selflessly giving me to the ministry, Deacon John says. I would like to thank her for her gift of allowing me to commit the many hours, days, weeks of study, prayer and service during this formation. Although I am ordained, it truly is a ministry of a couple. In late June, the ordained deacons will begin serving at their new assignments. Deacon Alex has been assigned to St. Francis of Assisi in Frisco, which is close to where the Barbieri family now live and Deacon John has been assigned to Prince of Peace in Plano. I am most excited to encounter those who have questions about our Catholic faith, says Deacon John. There is a depth, wisdom and harmony within our Catholic faith, and I want people to see how nurturing the Catholic Church is to the people of God. Deacon Bob has been assigned to St. Rita Catholic Church, the parish where he assisted with the RCIA process during his formation. I am open to serving the community in whatever way they might need me, Deacon Bob says. I want to be out doing ministry and helping people, working one-on-one with the people of God. I felt called to be a deacon in order to serve, Deacon Alex says. I most want to work with people and to help spread the joy and hope of the Gospel. As our newly ordained deacons begin their assignments and serving our larger faith community here in the Dallas area, let us continue to keep them in our prayers! As a Parish Community, has been blessed with many recent vocations to serve the Lord. The men on the previous four pages have thanked our community for our prayers and support. If you would like to find out more information about our Chalice for Vocations Program which encourages individuals, families/ households to pray, discuss and, hopefully, promote religious and priestly vocations, please visit Deacon John Gorman, who has been assigned to Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Plano, with wife Terri, mother Linda and daughter Jessica. Deacon Bob McDermott, who has been assigned to St. Rita s Church in Dallas, with wife Kathy, mother Christine and three of five children Kristin, Stephen and Kelly.

8 NON PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID DALLAS, TX PERMIT Meadowcreek Drive Dallas, TX (972) Weekend Liturgy: Saturday, 5:00 p.m. Sunday, 7:45 a.m., 9:15 a.m., 11:00 a.m. LifeTeen Mass, 5:00 p.m. Beginning July 1 Saturday, 5:00 p.m. Sunday, 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., Teen Mass, 5:00 p.m. Weekday Liturgy: Monday - Friday, 6:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m. Saturday, 9:00 a.m. Address Service Requested Surrounded by and Good Stewards continued from front cover are filled with statues for instance, look at Washington, D.C. and its various monuments. Think of Mount Rushmore. People go to see these statues and stand in front of them, sometimes bowing their heads in prayer, or looking at the statue or piece of marble in awe. Does this mean these people are worshipping these statues? Absolutely not. Let us be proud of our Catholic heritage and let us not be afraid to honor and respect our saints and the saints in our midst, the good stewards all around us. In fact, we must each try to be more like them. God bless you in all you do. Yours in Christ, Fr. Alfonse Nazzaro Pastoral Administrator We do not have to look far to find good stewards. They are all around us. They may be sitting near us at Mass. They may be part of our own families and households. Pay attention at our liturgies as they are always there, serving in a variety of ways. I suppose the big question is, Do people look at us and see a good steward?