Catholic Diocese of Brownsville. Weekly Update

Transcription

1 Catholic Diocese of Brownsville Weekly Update VERBUM MITTITUR SPIRANS AMOREM November 20, 2015 Local Delegation Attending National Catholic Youth Conference Brother Giovanni Ada, CICM, director for the diocesan Office of Youth Ministry, asks for prayers as he leads a delegation of 58 youth and adults from across the Rio Grande Valley to the biennial National Catholic Youth Conference on Nov at Lucas Oil Stadium and the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. More than 23,000 youth and youth ministers are expected at the three-day conference, which will include prayer, community and empowerment for Catholic teenagers and their adult chaperones. The theme of the event is Here I am, Lord. Looking for TVC Ambassadors The communications team for the Diocese of Brownsville is exploring ways to expand The Valley Catholic newspaper s reach and include more parish stories. To do this, the team is looking for volunteers from each parish or deanery to serve as a Communications Ambassador for their parish. The Valley Catholic, the diocese s newspaper, is an award-winning publication that provides stories each month, many of which are not covered by the secular media. Here is a volunteer opportunity to help spread the Good News. Please call (956) if you are interested in joining this ministry. Bishop s Annual Dinner Set for Dec. 4 The 2015 Bishop s Annual Dinner is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 4 at St. Joan of Arc Parish Hall, 109 S. Illinois Ave, in Weslaco. The event will begin with live music, drinks, hors d oeuvres and silent auction 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m. and dance with entertainment by Sunny Ozuna and the Sunliners. Parishes and individuals may help by contributing an item or service to the silent auction, by planning to attend on Dec. 4, and by purchasing/selling tickets to the event. As in previous years, the proceeds from the Bishop s Annual Dinner will benefit the bishop s charities. For donation or sponsorship information contact Jesse Salinas at (956) ; jsalinas@cdob.org or Baldemar Garcia (956) ; bgarza@cdob.org Christ the King Parish in Brownsville Invites Public to Fiesta Patronal Christ the King Parish in Brownsville is celebrating the feast of Christ the King with a festival on Sunday, Nov. 22. The festivities will begin with a procession at 3 p.m. from Christ the King and back to the church, followed by a Mass celebrated by Bishop Daniel E. Flores at 4 p.m. The

2 festival will run from 5:30 p.m. to midnight and will include food, games, a raffle and entertainment provided by Los Tigrillos, Risueño and Amos de la Noche. For additional information, contact the parish office (956) Riviera Parish Extends Invitation for Annual Thanksgiving Day Picnic Our Lady of Consolation Parish in Vattmann (Riviera) is hosting the 101st Annual Thanksgiving Day Picnic on Thursday, Nov. 26. Turkey dinners will be served from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will feature games and fun all day. Trap and skeet shoots, bingo, lots of kids games, raffles, and a silent auction and country store. Country western dance from 8 p.m. to midnight. For more information, call (361) Juan Diego Academy to Stage The Education of Angels Juan Diego Academy, located at 5208 S FM 494 in Mission, is staging two performances of The Education of Angels by Matthew Carlin at 7 p.m. on Dec. 4 and 5. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for students. In the play Nick and Jenna are two angels-in-training, who are about to be sent back to Earth for their final exam. The problem is, these two can t seem to get along, which leads to a pretty competitive situation. When they return to Earth, they find Dave, a guy who is even more mixed up than they are. He is at the church, long before he should be on his wedding day, trying to decide whether or not to go forward with the wedding. Throw in a domineering ex-wife and the fact that Dave is the only one who can see one of the angels multiple comic situations ensue. There is a serious side to this play, as we see Nick struggling to understand why he s back on Earth, and perhaps, indeed, why he is an angel in the first place. For more information, contact Dr. Kathleen Carroll at (956) NOTICE FROM THE INSURANCE DEPARTMENT: It is that time of the year for our annual Health Insurance Open Enrollment. Representative from our health insurance carrier, BlueCross BlueShield of Texas and our broker, Gallagher Benefits, will be available to answer any questions. A representative of AFLAC will also be present for any questions and concerns. The following is the schedule for the Open Enrollment Session: Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015 Our Lady of Assumption Church (Parish Hall): 1313 W. Buchanan St. Harlingen, TX From 9 10:30 a.m. Open Enrollment Session by BCBS and Gallagher Benefits Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015 Bishop Adolph Marx Conference Center; 700 North Virgen de San Juan Blvd.; San Juan, TX, From 1:30 3:00 p.m. Open Enrollment Session by BCBS and Gallagher Benefits

3 This invitation is for all full-time employees that are presently covered or are eligible and considering coverage under the Diocese Health Plan. If you have any questions, please call the Insurance Department at (956) or (956) Health Insurance Open Enrollment is coming Open Enrollment period for Blue Cross BlueShield of Texas is from December 3, 2015 to December 16, This is the time to make changes to your current elections. These changes will take effect on January 1, The open enrollment packages will be sent directly to your work locations and will arrive between November 30th and December 1st. If you do not receive your package by December 2nd, please let us know. Please note that any new enrollment, cancellation or change in the membership can be ed to or sent by mail or fax (originals need to be in our office). If you have any questions, please call the Insurance Department at (956) or (956) Protecting God s Children Announcement Our diocesan plan is for all people who work with children to have viewed the safety awareness DVD: Protecting God s Children, to submit to a DPS background check, and sign the code of ethics. This now needs to be refreshed/redone every five years. Second, religious education leaders are to plan and present a Touching Safety lesson during both the fall and spring to all children from kindergarten to 12th grade. Finally, parishes will present safety awareness material to all parents who have their children in either the First Communion or Confirmation classes. If you have questions or need material, please contact Walter Lukaszek at (956) or at wlukaszek@cdob.org CRS Rice Bowl Trainings Mark Your Calendars Where will Lent take us this year? Last year many parishes prayed, learned, acted in solidarity and contributed to help the poorest of the poor around the world thank you for changing so many lives! Join us this year to hear those stories of hope and prepare to embark on a new Lenten Journey. Three Rice Bowl Trainings are scheduled for parish volunteers, coordinators, and anyone interested: Wednesday, Dec. 9 Diocesan Pastoral Center in San Juan (Marx Conference Room) 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10 Christ the King Parish in Brownsville (adjacent to Parish Hall) 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16 Diocesan Pastoral Center in San Juan (Marx Conference Room) 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. For more information and to register, please contact Miguel Santos: msantos@cdob.org

4 Knowing Our Catholic Faith St. Joseph the Worker Parish in McAllen presents Knowing Our Faith: Why I m Catholic from 3 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 29. The event is open to the public and all parishes are invited to send prayer and charismatic renewal groups to share their experiences with the community. Presenters include Los Galileos and Deacon Armandin Villarreal of San Martin de Porres Church in Alton. For more information, call Deacon Alex Gamboa at (956) Is Jesus calling you to live your Cursillo? Will you say YES to Jesus? Come and be blessed. Cursillo is a movement within the Catholic Church, which makes it possible for people to live what is fundamental for being a Christian and to live it together. The Cursillo Movement helps people discover and fulfill their personal vocations. It promotes the creation of core groups of Christians who leaven their environments with the Gospel. It focuses on helping each person to discover themselves, their relationship with Christ and with others. In Spanish, Cursillo means a little course. It starts on a Thursday evening and ends on Sunday evening. During those three days, participants listen to talks given by priests, deacons and lay persons and join in small group discussions. The topics deal with life, the Christian ideal, the Catholic Faith and the Christian approach to the world. Daily Mass and visits to the Blessed Sacrament. Cursillo continues with a method to work together, bringing other men and women to know and love Christ. An invitation is given to form a small group which is joined to a larger Christ-centered community in the Diocese of Brownsville and around the world. The community spirit of the weekend is continued through reunions of these small groups of Christians and through Ultreyas, or the gathering of the larger community. For more information, contact Oscar Tamez (956) (English) or Gerardo Vaca (956) (Spanish). A Men s Spanish Cursillo is scheduled for Nov at the St. Eugene de Mazenod Renewal Center in San Juan. Divine Mercy Parish in Brownsville Organizes New Year's Eve Gala The Parish of the Lord of Divine Mercy in Brownsville is hosting its annual New Year's Eve Gala from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 31 at the Brownsville Events Center. Dinner will be served at 9 p.m. The cost is $50 Adults and $25 Children (2-10 years of age). The gala is a family event. All ages are welcome. Music will be provided by Choco Band. For more information, contact the parish office at (956) or (956) Pilgrimage Planned for World Youth Day Krakow, Poland The Diocese of Brownsville is leading a pilgrimage to World Youth Day 2016 on July 25-31, Space is limited. The cost for the pilgrimage is $3,449 per person and includes airfare from McAllen, WYD registration fees, and budget accommodations at hostels (or university dorms).

5 Quarterly meetings are currently underway to discuss travel plans, fundraising as well as preparation (both physical and spiritual) for the pilgrimage. Anyone interested should contact Miguel Santos at or Angel Barrera at For more general information, please visit: Job Openings 10 hour a week assistant campus minister - The Diocese of Brownsville Newman Center in Brownsville. Interested qualified candidates may be referred to Human Resources (956) and/or Karla Rodriguez (956) Full time Foreman - El Rosario Homes. Interested qualified candidates may be referred to Raquel Turrubiates and/or Roberto Medrano at (956) or rturrubiates@cdob.org, or fax: (956) Full time non-exempt intake specialist - Catholic Charities - interested qualified candidates may be referred to Catholic Charities in San Juan (956) and/or Human Resources (956) Juan Diego Academy Has Opening for Fine Arts Teacher Juan Diego Academy, a Catholic regional high school in Mission, has an immediate opening for a part time fine arts teacher (music and/or drama). Interested candidates should complete and submit the application for professional employment found on the school s website: JuanDiegoAcademy.org, as well as a resume and unofficial transcripts. Applications may be sent to the school by mail, fax, or Bob Schmidt, Principal Juan Diego Academy P.O. Box 3888 Mission, TX office fax bschmidt@cdobcs.org Position is open until filled. Director of Religious Education DRE St. Pius X in Weslaco, Texas seeks an individual for the position of director of religious education. The director will be responsible for the religious education program for 1300 students. This position is full-time with medical insurance benefits, life insurance and a 403(b) retirement plan. Qualifications: Graduate or undergraduate degree or certificate in Religious Education or comparable field. An understanding of religious education as a ministry devoted to quality, life-long continuing education. A commitment to personal continuing education in theology and catechetic familiarity with an ability to use professional management skills a sensitivity to the culture of the area and an openness to the process of enculturation Bilingual: English/Spanish or fluent in one and a commitment to developing the other.

6 To apply, please forward your cover letter, résumé, and references: St. Pius X Catholic Church 600 S. Oklahoma Weslaco, Texas McAllen Pregnancy Center seeks executive director The McAllen Pregnancy Center, a Catholic, pro-life facility, is searching for an executive director. The position requires a dynamic and visionary Catholic leader who embraces the McAllen Pregnancy Center s mission. The center has been serving the Rio Grande Valley since May 2008 and provides free resources which support life affirming choices. This is accomplished through a loving and non-judgmental approach with peer counseling, education and practical services. Qualifications: Preferably, Bachelor s Degree in business or nonprofit administration or related fields Excellent oral and written communication, verbal and written skills with the ability to articulate the mission to various audiences in English and Spanish Experience and skill in leading people, recruiting, hiring, training, organizing and overseeing the work of paid staff and volunteers in a manner that motivates and encourages performance. A vibrant, Spirit-filled personal relationship with God that expresses the love of Jesus in practical ways Computer literate in Microsoft Office, Quick Books, and social media strongly preferred and familiar with technological tools Interested candidates, please fax résumé to (956) or mail to McAllen Pregnancy Center Attn: Y. Chapa, 717 S. 12th St., Suite A, McAllen, TX Calendar of Events Nov. 21 Family Life Office Convalidation Conference Nov Men s Cursillo Retreat Nov Thanksgiving Holiday - Diocesan Offices Closed Save the Dates for the Conference on January 23 and encore dramatization of Saint Faustina s life on January 24 Please submit information to be included in the Weekly Update to Brenda Nettles Riojas, Director of Diocesan Relations by at bnrpr@cdob.org or by fax to (956)