Weekly Update. Catholic Diocese of Brownsville. November 5, 2015 VERBUM MITTITUR SPIRANS AMOREM

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1 Catholic Diocese of Brownsville Weekly Update November 5, 2015 VERBUM MITTITUR SPIRANS AMOREM Bishop Flores to Deliver Opening Address at Notre Dame Symposium The Notre Dame Law Review will host its annual Symposium on Nov. 4-5 in the McCartan Courtroom, Eck Hall of Law. The Symposium will begin at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5 with an address from Bishop Daniel E. Flores. This year s Symposium is titled Religious Liberty and the Free Society: Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Dignitatis Humanae. The event celebrates and examines the 50th Anniversary of the Second Vatican Council s Declaration on Religious Freedom and is part of the Notre Dame Forum. Liturgical Leaders Gather to Discuss the State of Commissions Nearly 200 leaders from dioceses across the United States gathered in Dallas on Oct. 7-9, for the 46th annual meeting of the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions (FDLC). Their focus was Liturgy and Ecclesiology, specifically the central role of the Eucharist and the role of diocesan liturgical commissions as advisors to diocesan bishops. At the heart of the national meeting discussions were the results of a recent study conducted by the FDLC, on the state of Offices of Worship and Diocesan Liturgical Commissions in diocesan structures. It found that: 88% of dioceses in the USA have an Office of Worship 54% have an active diocesan liturgical commission 49% have both an office and a commission. 46% of offices are directed by lay persons with advanced degrees in theology and liturgy 45% of offices are directed by clergy (who often have other pastoral duties) 9% are directed by religious women or men Some commissions have been active in their dioceses for over fifty years, while some were only recently reestablished. Offices and commissions are active in the preparation of diocesan liturgies, the development of diocesan policies, the formation of liturgical ministers, and leadership in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Nearly all of them (95%) act as resources for parish ministers while at the same time serving as advisors to their bishops. The FDLC was founded by the then Bishops Committee on the Liturgy in 1969 as a grass-roots network to provide formation on the liturgical reforms after the Council. Still today, the USCCB s Bishops Committee on Divine Worship cosponsors the annual meeting. The Committee was represented by Bishop Edward Braxton (Diocese of Belleville) and Bishop Mark

2 Seitz (Diocese of El Paso). Bishop Braxton praised the attendees for invaluable assistance to their bishops and for their impact on the liturgical life of the country. He offered updates on the progress of the translation of liturgical books and gave an impassioned talk on the need to prepare liturgies which engage assemblies in God s sacred action. MetLife Announcement Effective Oct. 30, Michael Gonzalez will be assigned to the Diocese of Brownsville as our representative. Any questions or concerns you may have regarding your MetLife account may be directed to him at (210) or you may still call the Customer Service line at 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. 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 walukaszek@gmail.com. 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).

3 A Men s Spanish Cursillo is scheduled for Nov at the St. Eugene de Mazenod Renewal Center in San Juan. Fifth Annual Juan Diego Academy Gala Scheduled for Nov. 7 Juan Diego Academy will hold its Fifth Annual Gala on Saturday, Nov. 7, at the campus located at 5208 South FM 494 in Mission. The festivities begin at 6 p.m. with a reception featuring live music, followed by dinner, and a silent and live auction. This year s theme, Gold Rush, celebrates the prosperity of our forefathers. As with previous Galas, JDA students will feature prominently in the evening s proceedings, serving as greeters and table escorts. Live auction items include: a diamond ring, a mink coat, Gucci bag, a dove hunt and gun package, a Dallas Cowboys travel package, San Antonio Spurs travel package, Taco Palenque Dinner with River Rock Band, amazing art, and much more. The silent auction will include items from Tory Burch, Michael Kors, Tommy Bahama, and Lily Pulitzer. Also featured will be jewelry, western wear, silver punchbowl and serving ware, goose gun, fishing accessories, tech devices, fine art, one-of-a-kind crafts, and featured items from many local vendors. Proceeds from this year s Gala will be used to help with construction of additional classrooms for the school. Sponsorships and individual tickets are available. Please call the school office for more information: (956) Annual All Saints Fall Festival set for Nov. 7 in Brownsville St. Mary, Mother of the Church Parish, located at 1914 Barnard Road in Brownsville, is hosting its annual All Saints Fall Festival and Raffle from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7. We invite you to an evening with prizes, food, and live music. Raffle tickets are $5 with more than 20 chances to win. Drawing will be held hourly until 10 p.m. need not be present to win. For additional information, please contact the parish office at (956) St. Francis Xavier Parish in La Feria Hosts Fall Festival St Francis Xavier Parish in La Feria is hosting its annual fall festival from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7. Breakfast will begin at 8 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 8. The festival will include a variety of entertainment with music rides, food, and games. Raffle tickets are available for $5. First prize is a $2,000 gift card. For additional information, please contact the parish office at (956) San Martin de Porres Church and School Fall Festival Set for Nov. 14 San Martin de Porres Church and School in Weslaco are hosting their annual fall festival from 6-11 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14. Raffle tickets are $5 for a chance to win a $15, Visa Gift Card and nine other prizes. The event will feature family fun with DJ music, food and games. For additional information, contact the parish office at (956)

4 St. Frances X. Cabrini Parish to Host Fiesta Patronal St. Frances X. Cabrini Catholic Church in Pharr is hosting its annual fall festival from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 15. The all-day family event will feature music, games, food and much more. For more information, contact the parish office at (956) Catholic Daughters Host Market Square Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court #2540 will sponsor a vendor's market at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 2201 Martin Ave. in McAllen on Sunday, Nov. 15 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. More than 60 local businesses and retailers will display a variety of goods for purchase. Bring the kids to meet St. Nick and for cookie decorating. A concession stand will be available serving a variety of food for shoppers. Proceeds will benefit CDA charities. Businesses interested in participating, please contact Maria Luisa Guerra at (956) or Rose Ann Ramon at (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). 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 msantos@cdob.org or Angel Barrera at abarrera12@gmail.com. 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 non-exempt intake specialist - Catholic Charities - interested qualified candidates may be referred to Catholic Charities in San Juan (956) and/or Human Resources (956) 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

5 openness to the process of enculturation Bilingual: English/Spanish or fluent in one and a commitment to developing the other. To apply, please forward your cover letter, résumé, and references: saint-pius-x@gmail.com St. Pius X Catholic Church 600 S. Oklahoma Weslaco, Texas Calendar of Events Nov. 6-8 Family Life Office Catholic Engaged Encounter Nov. 7 Juan Diego Academy Gala, Mission Nov. 7 All Saints Festival, Brownsville Nov. 7 Annual Fall Festival, La Feria Nov. 10 Office of Catechesis Clase para Certificado come DER Nov. 11 Veterans Day Nov. 12 Office of Catechesis DRE Certification Class Nov Family Life Office Retiro Pre-Matrimonial Nov. 15 Market Days, McAllen Nov Office of Catechesis ProDay Nov. 21 Family Life Office Convalidation Conference Nov Men s Cursillo 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)