Because Pope Francis is known

Transcripción

1 DEACONS ORDAINED Newly ordained deacons serving in our diocese pages Vol. 2, No. 4 July/August 2015 JESUS, THE FACE OF THE FATHER S MERCY Pope Francis Announces the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy By Bishop Emeritus Ricardo Ramírez, C.S.B. Because Pope Francis is known for his merciful love and care for the sick, the poor, the people on the margins, and the forgotten, it is not surprising that he would declare the next year to be an Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy. Soon after his election as Pope, Cardinal Walter Casper of Germany gave him a copy of his book, Mercy, The Essence of the Gospel and the Key to Christian Life. The title of this book describes the place that mercy holds in the scriptures and in the life of all Christians. Saint John XXIII opened the Second Vatican Council with these words: now the Bride of Christ wishes to use the medicine of mercy rather than taking up arms of severity the Catholic Church wants to show herself a loving mother to all; patient, kind, moved by compassion and goodness towards her separated children. Blessed Paul VI also spoke in a similar vein at the end of the Council with the words, all this rich teaching (in Vatican II) is channeled in one direction, the service of mankind, of every condition, in every weakness and need. Pope Francis, in his announcement for the Jubilee Year, uses the Bible extensively. Whoever sees Jesus sees the Father (Jn. 14:9). Jesus of Nazareth, by his words, his actions and his entire person, reveal the mercy of God. The Pope explains the rich theme of mercy throughout the Psalms. He quotes Psalm 103: he forgives all your iniquity, he heals all your diseases, he redeems your life from the pit, he crowns you with steadfast love and mercy. He also quotes Psalm 146: he secures justice for the oppressed; he gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the sojourners, he upholds the widow and the fatherless. The Pope also reminds us that Jesus, on his way to the garden of Gethsemane, sang psalms , which include the repeated refrain, for his mercy endures forever. It is interesting that the Sunday Gospels during the Jubilee Year happen to be those of Cycle C, with the Gospel of Luke used almost every Sunday. Luke is regarded as the Gospel of Mercy because of so many instances in which Jesus reveals God s mercy, such as in the three parables of the lost coin, the lost sheep, and the prodigal son (Lk. 15). It is in the Gospel of Luke that we read, be merciful, as your heavenly father is merciful, and Jesus on the cross saying Father forgive them, they known not what they do, and to the good thief, today you will be with me in paradise. We are called to be more vigilant in the coming Jubilee Year of Mercy to be merciful ourselves as individuals and as Church. PARA ESPAÑOL PÁGINA 9 The Pope reminds us how we are called to show mercy because mercy has first been shown to us. Pardoning offenses becomes the clearest expression of merciful love, and for us Christians it is an imperative from which we cannot excuse ourselves. The Church is credible insofar as she shows mercy and compassionate love. We are therefore challenged to open our hearts to those living on the outermost fringes of society. How many uncertain and painful situations there are in the world today! How many are the wounds borne by the flesh of those who have no voice because their cry is muffled and drowned out by the indifference of the rich. The Church is called to heal those wounds and to relieve them with the oil of consolation. Pope Francis says that his desire is that Christian people reflect during this Jubilee on the corporal and spiritual works of mercy to re-awaken our conscience, too often grown dull in the face of poverty, for in the Gospel the poor have a special experience of God s mercy. In his announcement the Pope asks that we receive the sacrament of Reconciliation as a source of true interior peace. He calls priest confessors to be authentic signs of the Father s SEE MERCY PAGE 30

2 2 Agua Viva July/August 2015 EDITOR S MESSAGE A Message from the Editor PARA ESPAÑOL PÁGINA 5 The official newspaper of the Diocese of Las Cruces MISSION STATEMENT: As the official newspaper of the Diocese of Las Cruces, Agua Viva maintains as its primary goal the dissemination of local, diocesan, regional, national and international church news. Agua Viva attempts to emphasize the role of local parishioners and their activities as they relate to their own parish faith communities and to the diocese as a whole. At the same time, Agua Viva hopes to challenge its readers to reach a deeper understanding of Catholic Church teaching as well as to offer accurate and objective reporting of information having to do with the Roman Catholic Church. PUBLISHER Most Rev. Oscar Cantú, S.T.D. EDITOR Rev. Enrique Lopez-Escalera MANAGING EDITOR/GRAPHIC DESIGNER Christina Anchondo TRANSLATORS Margarita Hayes Faviola Ornelas EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Christina Anchondo Alejandro Barraza Mary Carter Rev. Enrique Lopez-Escalera Joanna Haston Sal Melendrez Lourdes Ramos Delia Regalado Rev. Enrique López-Escalera Vicar for the New Evangelization Summer is upon us. This season is most appropriate for slowing down and enjoying good literature. Pope Emeritus Benedict would always highlight this aspect of the summer months, especially of vacation days. He would recommend reading certain books of the Bible, those who were short enough that could be read in one seating. Reading and meditating on the holy word of God is always a fruitful spiritual exercise. I encourage you to put into practice the Pope s advice. With good reading in mind, I want to highlight some of the articles in this issue of Agua Viva. The cover story is written by Bishop Emeritus Ricardo Ramírez, C.S.B. and it is a reflection on the Holy Father s call to for an Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy. As it was mentioned in the last issue of Agua Viva, we will be observing the Jubilee Year by featuring the various aspects of divine mercy. Bishop Ramírez points out that mercy is the key to understanding the current pontificate. Mercy, as the highest degree of love, is based on justice for love without justice is mere sentimentality but it also allows justice to expand into compassion, and forgiveness. Ubi Petrus ibi Ecclesia. This ancient axiom attributed to St. Ambrose (Fourth Century Father and Doctor of the Church) tells us that where Peter is there is the Church. Fr. Michael Cotone masterfully recounts the presence of St. Peter in Rome through a historical and archeological voyage through time. I hope this article whets your appetite to follow up with more reading on the holy apostles, Sts. Peter and Paul, and their martyrdom in Rome. We thank God almighty for calling us into his holy Church and we confess, along with St. Peter, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God! The current Successor of St. Peter Pope Francis has written an Encyclical Letter on the environment. By the time you receive this edition, the encyclical will have been published. Bishop Cantú shares with us a reflection on what we can expect the Pope to cover in his encyclical. The question first asked by Cain, Am I my brother s keeper? continues to challenge us to care not only for the natural environment, but most importantly to honor and respect the human dignity of every person, especially the most vulnerable among us. Fr. Richard Catanach, the diocesan Vicar General, expands the topic of social justice by highlighting the principles of Catholic doctrine regarding this often-forgotten and neglected of virtues. The evangelical message of Jesus continues to pierce our hearts: I tell you, whenever you did this for one of the least important of these followers of mine, you did it for me! (Mt. 25:40) During the month of June we celebrate the liturgical feasts of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. With references to Scriptures, the Fathers of the Church, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Dan Schneider offers an inspiring reflection on the SEE EDITOR PAGE 21 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Anonymous letters will not be accepted. Please limit to 300 words. Letters must be received by the first Tuesday of the month prior to publication. Please send correspondence to: Agua Viva, Letters to the Editor, 1280 Med Park Drive, Las Cruces NM or aguaviva@dioceseoflascruces.org, tel. (575) , fax (575) Agua Viva ADVERTISE with us! For information on advertising rates, schedule and sizes call or aguaviva@dioceseoflascruces.org or visit our website at July 1-2 San Antonio, Porticus Foundation Mtg 5-14 Africa, South Sudan, Juba 15 Las Cruces, The Pastoral Center, Meetings and Office Appointments 17 Las Cruces, The Pastoral Center, Meetings and Office Appointments Vacation 31 Las Cruces, Parish Leadership Training Day August 1 Las Cruces, Parish Leadership Training Day Deming, St. Ann Parish, Feast Mass at 10:00am 3-19 Japan BISHOP S SCHEDULE 21 Las Cruces, The Pastoral Center, Meetings and Office Appointments 22 Las Cruces, Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Diaconate Ordination 10:00am 23 Las Cruces, Sta. Rosa de Lima, Feast Mass at 10:00am Las Cruces, The Pastoral Center, Meetings and Office Appointments Gallup, NM, Province Meeting 28 Las Cruces, The Pastoral Center, Meetings and Office Appointments 29 Las Cruces, Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Grief Support Group sit-in at 10:00am 31 Las Cruces, The Pastoral Center, Meetings and Office Appointments

3 July/August 2015 Agua Viva 3 Un Mensaje de Nuestro Obispo A Message from Our Bishop Most Reverend Oscar Cantú PARA ESPAÑOL PÁGINA 4 Pope Francis Upcoming Encyclical on Ecology: An International Perspective Remarks to the U.S. Bishops by Bishop Oscar Cantú, Chairman, Committee on International Justice and Peace [This address was given before the publication of the encyclical] My responsibilities as your International Chairman have widened my circle of concern far beyond the confines of the Diocese of Las Cruces. I know that as leaders of local Churches, we all understand that the welfare of our people is intimately linked to the welfare of our nation. And in this age of globalization, we all know that the welfare of our nation, and of every one of our citizens, is linked to the health of our world. We can expect Pope Francis to champion this global perspective in his encyclical on ecology. In his Apostolic Exhortation, The Joy of the Gospel, Pope Francis lamented the development of a globalization of indifference. He called for it to be replaced with global solidarity. The principle of solidarity was taught powerfully by Saint John Paul II. The Church has come to understand that the health of the global human family is dependent on the welfare of its weakest members. This insight is not new, but it has new implications in this age of globalization. As Saint Paul wrote of the Church: [A]ll the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. If [one] part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy (1 Corinthians 12). The same is true of God s human family. The good news is that there is a deep synergy between local and global needs. The Holy Father in his encyclical will certainly strive to help us to see these connections and to act on them. Let me offer a few examples of linkages he is likely to explore. First, of course, there is the obvious connection between environmental degradation and human health. As I wrote recently in a letter of support to the Latin American Bishops Conference: We have long been concerned about the implications of extractives and mining operations throughout the world, especially in Latin America.... [O]ur Committee is aware of the often calamitous public health and environmental consequences of poorly regulated mining operations. We have heard heartbreaking stories of birth deformities terrible illnesses and premature deaths linked to poor environmental practices, sadly sometimes by U.S.-owned industries. The tragedy is that mining, which respects the environment and public health, could be a boon to Central American countries, generating employment and stability. But when poorly done, it contributes to violence, poor health and pressures to migrate north. This brings us to a second linkage. Ecology and human security are profoundly related. For many years, our Conference of Bishops has followed the tragedy in Darfur, Sudan. What many people overlook is that a major driver of the conflict is ecology. Climate shifts exacerbated droughts in the 1980s, and more and more land became desertified. The land could no longer support both herders and farmers. Largely Arab Muslim herders came into conflict with largely African Muslim farmers. Today, the desertification of whole regions of the Sahel is driving violent conflict in a number of countries. Ominously, this conflict leads to a breakdown of the rule of law, and to social and economic exclusion, conditions often exploited by extremists. The U.S. military agrees that climate change is a significant driver of instability and a major national security concern. Third, Pope Francis will most certainly explore the linkage between ecology and the poor. It is no secret that poor countries have contributed least to the human drivers of environmental degradation and climate change. More highly advanced societies and their patterns of consumption and waste are much larger factors. But ironically, those who contributed least to the problem suffer its worst impacts. The range of tropical diseases is spreading. Low-lying countries, such as Bangladesh, are suffering from sea level rise. Island nations are at risk from intensified storms as the Philippines knows too well. Agriculture is suffering. Our relief and development agency, Catholic Relief Services, is engaging these ecological challenges every day throughout the world. Even our own nation has not been immune to the intensification of storms, but there is a difference. Our nation and the rest of the developed world have the resources both to mitigate and adapt to climate impacts. Poorer nations largely lack such resources. Here again we encounter the need for solidarity. Not only is it important for humanitarian reasons that the United States assist poorer countries through mechanisms such as the Green Climate Fund, an initiative to help poorer nations adapt to and mitigate climate change, it is also important for our own people that we do so. Poor nations need to develop in order to reduce poverty, but we must help them to follow a more SEE ENCYCLICAL PAGE 28

4 4 Agua Viva July/August 2015 Un Mensaje de Nuestro Obispo A Message from Our Bishop Most Reverend Oscar Cantú Próxima Encíclica sobre Ecología del Papa Francisco: Una perspectiva Internacional Declaraciones hechas por Monseñor Oscar Cantú, Presidente del Comité de la Justicia y la Paz Internacional a todos los Obispos de los Estados Unidos. [Esta declaración se hizo antes de la publicación de la encíclica.] Mis responsabilidades como su Presidente Internacional han hecho que mis parámetros de preocupación se hayan ampliado más allá de los confines de la Diócesis de Las Cruces. Sé que como líderes de Iglesias locales, todos entendemos que el bienestar de nuestra gente está íntimamente vinculado al bienestar de nuestra nación. Y en esta era de globalización, todos sabemos que el bienestar de nuestra nación y de cada uno de nuestros ciudadanos está vinculada a la salud de nuestro mundo. Podemos esperar que el Papa Francisco apoye esta perspectiva global en su encíclica sobre ecología. En su Exhortación Apostólica, El Gozo del Evangelio, el Papa Francisco lamentó el desarrollo de globalización de la indiferencia. Hizo un llamado a que se reemplazara con solidaridad global. San Juan Pablo II, eficazmente, nos enseñó el valor de la solidaridad. La Iglesia ha llegado a comprender que la salud de la familia humana a nivel global depende del bienestar de sus miembros más débiles. Esta visión no es algo nuevo, pero si tiene implicaciones nuevas en esta era de globalización. Como San Pablo escribió sobre la Iglesia: Porque así como el cuerpo es uno, y tiene muchos miembros, pero todos los miembros del cuerpo, siendo muchos, son un solo cuerpo, así también Cristo De manera que si un miembro padece, todos los miembros se duelen con él, y si un miembro recibe honra, todos los miembros con él se gozan. (1 Corintios 12) Lo mismo les aplica a Dios y la familia humana. La buena noticia es que existe una correlación profunda entre las necesidades locales y globales. El Santo Padre, en su encíclica seguramente se empeñara en ayudarnos a ver necesidades y actuar sobre ellas. Permítanme ofrecerles algunos ejemplos de conexiones que seguramente explorará. En primer lugar, y desde luego, existe una obvia conexión entre la degradación ambiental y la salud humana. Así lo declaré recientemente en una carta de apoyo a la Conferencia de Obispos Latinoamericanos: Por mucho tiempo hemos estado preocupados sobre las implicaciones de extractivos y operaciones mineras a través del mundo, en especial en Latino América. Nuestro comité está al tanto de las consecuencias, a menudo nefastas de la salud pública y ambiental de los reglamentos mediocres de los operativos mineros. Hemos escuchado relatos angustiosos de las deformidades de nacimiento, enfermedades terribles y muertes prematuras vinculadas a las prácticas ambientales mediocres, tristemente a veces por industrias que le pertenecen a los Estados Unidos. La tragedia es que la minería, la cual respeta el ambiente y la salud pública puede ser una bendición para los países de Centro América, generando empleo y estabilidad. Pero cuando se realiza tan mediocremente, contribuye a la violencia, a las enfermedades y a las presiones de inmigrar hacia el norte. Esto nos lleva a la segunda conexión. La ecología y la seguridad humana están profundamente relacionadas. Por muchos años, nuestra Conferencia de Obispos ha estado siguiendo muy de cerca la tragedia en Darfur, Sudan. Lo que mucha gente suele ignorar es que un gran conductor al conflicto es la ecología. Los cambios del clima empeoraron las sequías durante la década de 1980 y aún más terrenos se convirtieron en desierto. Los pastores y los agricultores ya no podían sostener la tierra. Los pastores árabes musulmanes en su mayoría se vieron en conflicto con los agricultores africanos musulmanes. Hoy día, la desertificación de regiones del Sahel ha causado un conflicto violento en algunos países. La amenaza de este conflicto conlleva a una ruptura de la ley, a una exclusión social y económica, y a condiciones que suelen ser explotadas por extremistas. La fuerza militar de los Estados Unidos coincide que el cambio del clima es un factor importante en la inestabilidad y una intranquilidad crucial para la seguridad nacional. En tercer lugar, el Papa Francisco seguramente explorará la conexión entre la ecología y el pobre. No es un secreto que los países pobres no han contribuido a las fuerzas de la degradación ambiental y al cambio del clima. Las sociedades más avanzadas y sus prácticas de consumo y de descomposición han sido factores mucho más grandes. Pero irónicamente, aquellos que han tenido que ver muy poco con este problema son los que más están sufriendo los peores impactos. La ramificación de las enfermedades tropicales se está extendiendo. Los países a nivel del mar como Bangladesh están sufriendo alzas del nivel del mar. Las naciones islas ahora corren más riesgo durante las tormentas, tal como las Filipinas. La agricultura VEA ENCÍCLICA PÁGINA 28

5 July/August 2015 Bishop Ricardo Ramírez has emergency surgery From the Office of the Chancellor Diocese of Las Cruces Priest appointments Deacon assignments Effective June/July 2015 Rev. Carlos A. Espinoza, Pastor of Santa Rosa de Lima, Las Cruces effective, June 1, 2015 Rev. Christopher Williams, Pastor of Nuestra Señora de La Luz, La Luz and its missions and St. Francis de Paula, Tularosa and its missions effective, June 1, 2015 Rev. Alejandro Ureña, Parochial Vicar of St. Albert Newman, Las Cruces effective, June 1, 2015 Rev. Alonso Quiñonez, Parochial Vicar of St. Genevieve, Las Cruces, effective June 14, 2015 Recently ordained Deacons, assignments effective July 1, 2015: Deacon Leonel Briseño Deacon Gilbert Chavez Deacon Tim Flynn Deacon Arthur Gutierrez Deacon Rubén Gutiérrez Deacon Manny Madrid Deacon Jerry Pierce Deacon Kenneth Quade Deacon Richard Rodriguez Deacon Andy Weiss Deacon Jim Winder PARA ESPAÑOL PÁGINA 6 Bishop Ramírez returned home from El Salvador where he attended the beatification of Blessed Oscar Romero in early June. Shortly after his arrival in Las Cruces, he suffered intense abdominal pain and was seen first at an outpatient health clinic which referred him to Mountain View Hospital. At approximately 8:30 that night he had emergency surgery to remove an obstruction. After about five days in the hospital, he returned home where he is resting and recuperating. We were all relieved to learn that the obstruction is benign, that is, not cancerous. Please keep Bishop Ramírez in your prayers. He needs a lot of rest and is, therefore, not accepting visitors or calls at this time. If anyone wishes to drop him a note, please send it to him at the Pastoral Center, 1280 Medpark Drive, Las Cruces, NM Bishop Ricardo thanks everyone for their love, prayers, and good wishes. Santa Rosa de Lima, Las Cruces Santa Rita, Carrizozo Our Lord of Mercy, Hatch Infant Jesus Shrine, Hurley Cathedral of IHM, Las Cruces San Isidro, Garfield St. Edward, Carlsbad St. Joseph, Holloman AFB Our Lady of Grace, Artesia Nuestra Señora de La Luz, La Luz Our Lady of Perpetual Help, T or C Deacon Antonio Dominguez transferred to San Jose, Carlsbad Rev. Enrique López-Escalera Vicario de la Nueva Evangelización Agua Viva 5 Un Mensaje del Editor El verano ha llegado. Esta estación es muy propicia para detenernos un poco y disfrutar de buena literatura. El Papa emérito Benedicto siempre enfatizaba este aspecto del verano, sobre todo el tiempo de vacaciones.el Papa recomendaba leer ciertos libros de la Biblia, los más cortos, para poderlos leer de principio a fin en una sola sentada. El leer y meditar la Palabra de Dios es siempre un ejercicio espiritual muy fructífero. Los animo a poner en práctica el consejo del Papa. Teniendo en mente la buena literatura, me gustaría poner de relieve ciertos artículos de esta edición de Agua Viva. El articulo principal está escrito por nuestro Obispo emerito, don Ricardo Ramírez. Es una reflexión sobre el Año Extraordinario del Jubileo de la Misericordia convocado por el Papa Francisco. Como lo mencionábamos en la edición pasada, vamos a celebrar este jubileo recalcando los diferentes aspectos de la divina misericordia. El Sr. Obispo Ramírez señala que la misericordia es la clave para entender el presente pontificado. La misericordia, que es la expresión más elevada del amor está basada en la justicia amor sin justica es puro sentimentalismo pero la eleva para alcanzar la grandeza de la compasión y del perdón. Ubi Petrus ibi Ecclesia. Este axioma atribuido a san Ambrosio (Padre y Doctor de la Iglesia del IV siglo) nos dice que en donde esta Pedro esta la Iglesia. El P. Cotone de manera magistral prueba la presencia de san Pedro en Roma a través de un viaje histórico y arqueológico. Espero que este artículo estimule en ustedes el interés de leer más sobre los santos apóstoles Pedro y Pablo y su martirio en Roma. Le damos gracias a Dios por habernos llamado a ser parte de su Santa Iglesia y, con san Pedro, confesamos que Jesús es el Cristo, el Hijo de Dios vivo! El actual Sucesor de san Pedro el Papa Francisco ha escrito una Carta Encíclica sobre el medio ambiente. Para cuando usted tenga este periódico en sus manos la encíclica ya estará publicada. El Señor Obispo Cantú nos ofrece una reflexión sobre los que podemos esperar que el Papa cubra en su encíclica. El perene interrogante, primero expresado por Caín, Acaso soy responsable por mi hermano? nos sigue retando a que cuidemos no solo del medio ambiente natural, sino mas importantemente de cada ser humano creado a imagen y semejanza de Dios. El Padre Richard Catanach, Vicario General, continúa la temática presentándonos los principios de la Doctrina Católica sobre la justicia social. Esta doctrina vigente pero que a veces es mal entendida y fácilmente olvidada se basa en la doctrina de Jesús: Les aseguro que todo lo que hicieron por uno de estos hermanos míos más humildes, por mi lo hicieron. (Mt. 25:40) Durante el mes de junio celebramos las fiestas litúrgicas del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús y del Inmaculado Corazón de María. Con referencias a las Sagradas Escrituras, a los Padres de la Iglesia, y al Catecismo de la Iglesia Católica, Dan Schneider nos VEA MENSAJE PÁGINA 27

6 6 Agua Viva July/August 2015 UNITED IN MINISTRY 2015 Where will you take your place in proclaiming the Good News Progress Report The Two Hearts of Jesus and Mary Dan Schneider PARA ESPAÑOL PÁGINA 11 Guest Columnist Appeal Goal....$1,295,000 Amount Pledged...$1,465,046 Applicable to Goal....$1,073,260 (82.9%) Parishes Pledged Overgoal...27 of 58 Amount Paid...$951,412 Applicable to Goal....$809,649 (62.5%) Parishes Paid Goal Earned Rebates to Date...$136,621 Data current as of 6/8/2015 Monseñor Ricardo Ramírez tuvo cirugía de emergencia De la oficina del Canciller A principios de junio Monseñor Ramírez regresó a su casa de El Salvador, donde asistió a la beatificación del Beato Oscar Romero. Poco después de su llegada a Las Cruces, sufrió un intenso dolor abdominal y fue visto primero en una clínica para pacientes ambulatorios donde lo refirieron a Mountain View Hospital. Aproximadamente a 8:30 PM, esa noche ingresó de emergencia a cirugía para removerle una obstrucción. Después de cinco días en el hospital, regresó a casa donde está descansando y recuperándose. Nos tranquiliza saber que la obstrucción es benigna, es decir, no cancerosa. Por favor tengan a Monseñor Ramirez presente en sus oraciones. El necesita mucho descanso, y por lo tanto, no acepta llamadas o visitas en este momento. Si alguien desea enviarle una nota, envíenla al Centro Pastoral, 1280 Medpark Drive, Las Cruces, NM Monseñor Ricardo les agradece a todos ustedes sus demostraciones de cariño, oraciones y buenos deseos. Give a Gift That Keeps on Giving The Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces Foundation offers an in lieu of flowers program where a monetary contribution can be made to the foundation to honor the memory of a departed person. Once a donation is made to the foundation, an Our Lady of Guadalupe Card will be mailed, to whom you designate, to inform them of the donation. The names of persons memorialized are inscribed in the Catholic Diocese Foundation s Book of Memory and placed in the Chapel located at the Pastoral Center in Las Cruces. For more information, please call the foundation office at (575) The Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces Foundation was incorporated in 1988 with the sole purpose to enhance and assist the religious, educational and charitable work of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces. Nothing highlights the intimacy between mother and child more than the new 3D and 4D ultrasounds. With this technology, sound waves are used to create both an image of the baby and live video so that the parents can watch the baby smile or yawn. Perhaps most interesting is hearing two heartbeats superimposed upon each other the primary, life-giving, supporting rhythm of the mother s heart, and the secondary, dependent beat of the child s. The sound of two heartbeats coming from the body of the pregnant mother bespeaks the glory and mystery of God, and the very sanctity of life itself. By glimpsing at the natural order, however, we receive insight into the supernatural. We remember also Christ who said, Behold, I make all things new (Rev. 21.5). In the new creative order wrought by His incarnation, whereby God took on human flesh, that mystery is made manifest in Jesus through the Virgin Mary. She is, one might say, a living ultrasound of the mercy of God. Popular devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, therefore, reminds us of the mercy of Jesus, of that Heart which was pierced by our sins and for our salvation the chief sign and symbol of that love which the divine Redeemer continually loves the eternal Father and all human beings (CCC 478). But what of the Immaculate Heart of Mary? Scripture tells that Mary s heart would be spiritually pierced as well (Lk. 2.35). The two hearts Of Jesus and Mary are therefore united the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus and beat in two-but-one, rhythmic, merciful pulse. The Blessed Virgin Mary is, therefore, more than a mere model for Christian living as some would contend. The Church fathers rightly called her the New Covenant Ark, for the Presence of God overshadowed and came upon her the same way the Shekinah glory cloud of the Lord s Presence overshadowed and fell upon the Tabernacle before Moses and all of Israel (Lk. 1.35; Ex ). She was filled with the same Shekinah that appeared over Israel in their Exodus, a phenomenon Scripture describes as a cloud, that was dark and illuminated the night (Ex ) So, too, can we say humanity was darkened by sin and the Most Pure Virgin illuminated the night by the Light of the World she held within her. The glory of the Lord so completely preserved her from sin so as to fill her with His Incarnate Word that she has been referred to as Panagia: The Fathers of the Eastern tradition call the Mother of God the All-Holy (Panagia), and celebrate her as free from any stain of sin, as though fashioned by the Holy Spirit and formed as a new creature. By the grace of God Mary remained free of every personal sin her whole life long (CCC 493). Some fathers of the Church thusly saw in her also a type of the Burning Bush, for she, like the bush, was filled with the divine Presence and, though on fire, was not consumed (Ex. 3.2). In the popular image of the Immaculate Heart, therefore, SEE HEARTS PAGE 30

7 July/August 2015 Agua Viva 7 Social Teachings of the Catholic Church By Very Rev. Richard Catanach, Vicar General, Diocese of Las Cruces One of the rich traditions of the Catholic Church is her social teaching. Sadly, however, The Social Teachings of the Catholic Church are unknown by many, misunderstood by some, and ignored by others. Some people might incorrectly connect the word social with socialism, and therefore don t even find out what these teachings are. However, the word social is actually understood as in the term social studies. Recall that subject we learned in school about other people around us, both near and far, and their cultures and our relationship with them. The Social Teachings of the Catholic Church are about our relationship with each other in light of the fact that God created everything good and He has made us stewards or caretakers of His creation. The Catholic Church speaks about seven elements in its social teaching. Below, each element is expounded upon with quotations from the Catholic Bishops of the United States as well as thoughts from yours truly. The most fundamental of the seven social teachings is the Life and Dignity of the Human Person. Without this first teaching, none of the others make sense. God has revealed to us in Sacred Scripture that we are created in His image and likeness. We Christians, and specifically Catholics, therefore hold human life sacred from the womb to the tomb. No abortions, no assisted suicide, and no disregard of human life from the beginning to the end of natural life. To quote the prophet Jeremiah: Before I formed you in the womb I knew, before you were born I set you apart. The US Bishops state: The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. We believe that every person is precious, that people are more important than things, and that the measure of every institution is whether it threatens or enhances the life and dignity of the human person. A second teaching is the Call to Family, Community, and Participation. In other words: the person is not only sacred (as understood in the first and fundamental teaching) but also social. How we organize our society in economics and politics, in law and policy directly affects human dignity and the capacity of individuals to grow in community. Marriage and family are the central social institutions that must be supported and strengthened, not undermined. We believe people have a right and a duty to participate in society, seeking together the common good and well-being of all. The Church recognizes the importance of the relationship between everyone and the purpose of relationship is to produce good and healthy outcomes for both individuals and all of humankind. Accomplishing this requires the grace for sacrifice, perseverance, dedication, and love. Regarding the Rights and Responsibilities of the human person, The Catholic tradition teaches that human dignity can be protected and a healthy community can be achieved ONLY if human rights are protected and responsibilities are met. Therefore, every person has a fundamental right to life and a right to those things required for human decency. Corresponding to these rights are duties and responsibilities to one another, to our families, and to the larger society. One obvious shortcoming in today s modern world is that it seems that everyone wants their rights protected and extended but many neglect responsibilities that come with those rights. This is problematic because without responsibility, human dignity is not protected and the community becomes sick. We can see this happening in our world more and more as abortion, mercy killing, embryonic stem cell research, and other intrinsic evils become more common and acceptable. A culture of death is in our midst. An Option for the Poor is a basic moral test is how our most vulnerable members are faring The Last Judgment (Mt 25:31-46) instructs us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first. In the above-mentioned Gospel passage, Jesus spoke so eloquently about feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, visiting the sick and the imprisoned. We call these actions the Corporal Works PARA ESPAÑOL PÁGINA 20 of Mercy and they are meant for us, the faithful to do. Because the poor have little or no voice, they can and have been easily ignored and forgotten throughout time. An important aspect that Jesus pointed out is that we do not ignore, but include the poor and vulnerable. Concerning the Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers, The economy must serve people, not the other way around. Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God s creation. If the dignity of work is to be protected, then the basic rights of workers must be respected-the right to productive work, to decent and fair wages, to organize and join unions, to private property, and to economic initiative. Governments have a responsibility to promote an environment that creates opportunities for people to find decent work. Governments and employers must provide protections for SEE TEACHINGS PAGE 30 CHURCH FUNNIES

8 8 Agua Viva July/August 2015 Growth and Change at the Department of Ministries By Grace Cassetta, Director Over the past several months the Department of Ministries of the diocese has been evaluating its structure, purpose and name. Since the early days of the diocese, the offices of the Pastoral Center were delineated into two areas according to function administration and ministries. In fact, for the first ten years of the diocese, ministries and administration were housed in two separate buildings. This designation of ministries meant the offices served a pastoral need of the diocese and the parish such as Liturgy, catechesis, ministry formation, youth ministry, social justice and outreach. The designation of administration meant the office dealt with the organizational and business aspects of the diocese such as finance, insurance, buildings and construction, financial development. These labels have helped with understanding the internal workings of the Pastoral Center but were not truly accurate. The function of all the offices of the diocesan Pastoral Center is to build the reign of God. None of the offices would exist if not for the mission of the Church to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. Thus, even though the function of an office may be administrative or pastoral, the foundation of all are living out the teachings of Jesus, thus all offices serve a ministry role. In order to support the view that all the work of the pastoral center is ministry, the Department of Ministries began to explore what was its underlining purpose and function. Examining the work of the offices determined that the basis for all was both evangelization and formation bringing people to PARA ESPAÑOL PÁGINA 10 a deeper relationship with Jesus and forming them both in the faith and for parish ministry. Therefore, beginning with the new fiscal year the Department of Ministries will now be known as the Department of Evangelization and Formation under the support of the Vicar for Evangelization and Formation (previously the Vicar for the New Evangelization). More information will be shared in upcoming issues once the structure of the Department of Evangelization and Formation is formalized. Former Planned Parenthood employee is Redeemed by Grace PARA ESPAÑOL PÁGINA 22 SAN FRANCISCO -- Since the Supreme Court s landmark Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion throughout the United States, an astounding 56 million lives have been aborted, many of which occurred at Planned Parenthood clinics. Countless women have been deceived by Planned Parenthood s helping women mantra, including Ramona Trevino, a devout Catholic who chronicles her compelling story of involvement in the grisly abortion industry and how and why she courageously left the gruesome business in her book, Redeemed by Grace: A Catholic Women s Journey to Planned Parenthood and Back. Trevino has experienced numerous trials and tribulations throughout her life, including an unexpected pregnancy at 16 years old, which led to her decision to drop out of high school, and an abusive marriage, which ended in divorce, and her arduous time as manager of a Planned Parenthood facility in Sherman, Texas. Her experience of having worked at Planned Parenthood was life-altering; it opened her eyes to the destructive culture and adverse effects of the abortion industry, and led to her eventual reversion to the Catholic Church. Redeemed by Grace tells of Trevino s struggles to reconcile her identity as a daughter ofgod with a world that sends conflicting messages concerning the source of our dignity and happiness. It is the honest and heartfelt account of a woman who, with the help of grace (and Catholic radio), strove to overcome the Wounds of her own past while becoming an agent of healing for others. I m done! Those were the words an overjoyed Ramona Trevino said to me after turning in her resignation to the largest abortion provider in America, Planned Parenthood, says Shawn Carney, director and co-founder of 40 Days for Life. She now courageously shares her inspiring journey in this must-read book. Ramona s beautiful story shows us that the Church is our true home, and no matter how far we may stray from it, God s infinite mercy can always bring us back. Trevino feels especially compelled to spread the pro-life message to the Hispanic community, given her heritage and that Hispanic women account for 25 percent of all abortions, according to the Guttmacher Institute. Redeemed by Grace is published by Ignatius Press and is available at amazon.com. Visit the USCCB website to view the encyclical: leadership/holy-see/francis/popefrancis-encyclical-laudato-si-onenvironment.cfm Laudato Si: On Care for our Common Home On Care for Our Common Home (Laudato Si ) is the new appeal from Pope Francis addressed to every person living on this planet for an inclusive dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet. Pope Francis calls the Church and the world to acknowledge the urgency of our environmental challenges and to join him in embarking on a new path. This encyclical is written with both hope and resolve, looking to our common future with candor and humility.

9 July/August 2015 Agua Viva 9 JESUS, LA CARA DE LA MISERICORDIA DEL PADRE El Papa Francisco anuncia El Jubileo Extraordinario de la Misericordia Por el Obispo Emérito Ricardo Ramirez, C.S.B. El Papa Francisco conocido por su amor misericordioso por el cuidado del enfermo, del pobre, del marginado, y del olvidado, no es sorprendente que declare al próximo año como el Jubileo Extraordinario de la Misericordia. Casi después de su elección como Papa, el Cardenal Walter Casper de Alemania le dio una copia de su libro, Misericordia, Clave del Evangelio y de la Vida Cristiana. El título de este libro describe la postura que la misericordia tiene en la escrituras y en la vida de todo cristiano. San Juan XXIII abrió el Concilio Vaticano Segundo con estas palabras: ahora la novia de Cristo desea utilizar la medicina de la misericordia en vez de utilizar la severidad la Iglesia Católica quiere mostrarse como una madre amorosa para todos; paciente, tierna, conmovida por la compasión y la bondad hacia sus hijos separados. El Beato Pablo VI también habló de manera similar al final de Concilio con las palabras toda riqueza de esta enseñanza (en Vaticano II) se debe canalizar en una dirección, en el servicio del ser humano, de toda condición, en cada debilidad y en cada necesidad. En su anuncio para el Año Jubilar, el Papa Francisco hace referencia a la Biblia extensamente. Quien ve a Jesús ve al Padre (Jn 14:9). Jesús de Nazaret en sus propias palabras, en sus acciones y en su persona entera, reveló la misericordia de Dios. El Papa explica la riqueza del tema de la misericordia en los Salmos. Cita el salmo 103: Él perdona todos tus pecados y sana todas tus dolencias; él rescata tu vida del sepulcro y te cubre de amor y compasión. También cita al salmo 146: Que hace justicia a los agraviados, Que da pan a los hambrientos. El Señor liberta a los cautivos; El Señor abre los ojos a los ciegos; El Señor levanta a los caídos; El Señor ama a los justos. El Señor guarda a los extranjeros; Al huérfano y a la viuda sostiene El Papa también nos recuerda que Jesús en camino al huerto de Getsemaní cantó el salmo , en cual incluye la repetición del refrán: su misericordia perdura por siempre. Es interesante que los evangelios dominicales durante el Año Jubilar provienen del ciclo C, con el evangelio de Lucas, el que más se utilizará cada domingo. Lucas es reconocido como el evangelio de la misericordia por qué en muchas ocasiones es en donde Jesús revela la misericordia de Dios, como en las tres parábolas de la moneda perdida, la oveja perdida y el hijo pródigo (Lc 15). Es en el evangelio de Lucas en donde leemos, se tan misericordioso como lo es tu Padre celestial, y Jesús en la cruz dijo: Padre perdónalos porque no saben lo que hacen, y al buen ladrón le dijo, a partir de hoy estarás conmigo en el paraíso. Estamos llamados a ser más alertas en el próximo Año Jubilar, a ser misericordiosos con nosotros mismos como individuos y como Iglesia. El Papa nos recuerda que estamos llamados a mostrar misericordia porque la misericordia se nos mostró a nosotros primer. El perdonar las ofensas se convierte en la expresión más clara del amor misericordioso, y para nosotros los cristianos es una forma esencial de la cual no nos podemos excluir. La Iglesia se mantiene creíble siempre y cuando muestre misericordia y amor compasivo. Por lo tanto, estamos retados a abrir nuestros corazones a aquellos que viven en las áreas más periféricas de nuestra sociedad. Cuantas situaciones inseguras y dolorosas están sucediendo en nuestro mundo el día de hoy! Cuantas son heridas sufridas por la carne de aquellos que no tienen voz, porque su llanto lo ensordece y lo ahoga la indiferencia del rico. La Iglesia está llamada a sanar las heridas y a aliviarlas con el aceite de la consolación. El Papa Francisco dice que su deseo es que el pueblo cristiano reflexione durante este Jubileo en las labores de misericordia corporales y espirituales para despertar nuestras conciencias, que suelen apagarse cuando se trata de la pobreza, porque en el evangelio el pobre vive una experiencia especial de la misericordia de Dios. En su informe el Papa nos pide que recibamos el sacramento de la reconciliación como fuente de verdadera paz interior. Les hace un llamado a los sacerdotes confesores a ser auténticos signos de la misericordia del Padre. Nosotros los sacerdotes tenemos que ser como el Padre de la parábola del hijo prodigo: un padre que corre a recibir a su hijo a pesar de sus pecados. Nosotros como confesores tenemos que ser un signo de la primacía de la misericordia y misioneros de la misericordia, y de esta manera podremos ser heraldos de gozo y de perdón. El Papa Francisco termina su anuncio del Jubileo con la relación entre la Santísima Virgen María y la misericordia. Ella atesoraba la misericordia divina en su corazón y en su canto del Magnificat, ella canta sobre la misericordia de Dios, la cual se extiende de una generación a otra (Lc. 1:50). En la creación de Salve Regina, oramos para que vuelva sus ojos misericordiosos hacia nosotros y nos haga dignos de contemplar el rostro misericordioso de su hijo Jesús. Como María, que la Iglesia nunca se canse de extender misericordia y que ofrezca incansablemente la compasión y consuelo. El Jubileo Extraordinario de Misericordia comenzará con la fiesta de la Inmaculada Concepción, el día 8 de diciembre de este año, el cual también es el 50 aniversario de la clausura del Concilio Vaticano Segundo. Finalizará con la Solemnidad de Cristo Rey el 20 de noviembre del 2016.

10 10 Agua Viva July/August 2015 Desarollo y Cambios en el Departmento de Ministerios Por Grace Cassetta, Director En los últimos meses el Departamento de Ministerios de la diócesis ha estado evaluando su estructura, finalidad y nombre. Desde los primeros días de la diócesis, se delinearon las oficinas del Centro de Pastoral en dos zonas según la función, la administración y los ministerios. De hecho, durante los primeros diez años de la diócesis, ministerios y administración fueron alojados en dos edificios separados. La designación de ministerios significó que las oficinas servían la necesidad pastoral de la diócesis y de la parroquia tales como liturgia, catequesis, formación de ministerios, ministerio juvenil, justicia social y servicios. La designación de la administración significó que la oficina aborda los aspectos organizativos y empresariales de la diócesis como finanzas, seguros, edificios y construcción, desarrollo financiero. Estas categorías han ayudado a comprender el funcionamiento interno del Centro de Pastoral pero no eran realmente precisas. La función de todas las oficinas del Centro Pastoral Diocesano es construir el Reino de Dios. Ninguna de las oficinas existiría si no fuera por la misión de la Iglesia para difundir la Buena Nueva de Jesucristo. Así, a pesar de que la función de una oficina puede ser administrativa o pastoral, la fundación de todas es vivir las enseñanzas de Jesús, consecuentemente todas las oficinas tienen una función ministerial. Para apoyar la opinión de que todo el trabajo del Centro Pastoral es Ministerial, el Departamento de Ministerios comenzó a explorar cuál era el énfasis de su función y propósito. Examinando el trabajo de las oficinas se determinó que la base de todo era evangelización y formación acercar a las personas a una relación más profunda con Jesús y formarlos en la fe y para el ministerio parroquial. Por lo tanto, comenzando con el nuevo año fiscal el Departamento de Ministerios será ahora conocido como el Departamento de Evangelización y Formación bajo el apoyo del Vicario de Evangelización y Formación (anteriormente el Vicario para la Nueva Evangelización). Más información será compartida en próximas ediciones una vez que se formalice la estructura del Departamento de Evangelización y Formación. OUR CATHOLIC CHURCH HISTORY Foundations Rev. Michael Cotone, O.S.C. Guest Columnist On a spring morning, the Emperor Constantine and Pope Sylvester walked along the Via Cornelia, the road from Rome to Caere. To their left stood the ramshackle, 280-yearold Racetrack of Gaius and Nero. To their right rose Vatican Hill. At its foot, stood a cemetery. Pope Sylvester was explaining to Constantine, who d hardly ever visited Rome before, that, 260 years earlier, Nero had executed many of the early Roman Christians in his Racetrack, including Simon Peter, whose body had had been buried in the cemetery just across the road, at the foot of Vatican Hill. Constantine wanted to build a church over St Peter s tomb, but the hill made that impossible and Roman law strictly forbade moving a tomb. After considering the problem, he told his engineers to knock down the old racetrack, level the hill out over the cemetery and the racetrack, and build the church on that, but to save the obelisk in the middle of the racetrack. His workers did as he d told them, and the first Basilica of St Peter stood for about 1200 years, with the saint s tomb lying deep beneath its main altar. At the direction of Pope Pius XII, archeologists began to investigate below the altar of the present Basilica of St Peter in The story of their investigations and findings is long and complex, PARA ESPAÑOL PÁGINA 14 and the subject of several books. Because of their work, however, we have every reason to believe, as Pope Paul VI announced in 1968, that they found the bones of St Peter. These are the skeletal remains of a robust man, aged 60-70, minus the feet and most of the skull. Why those parts? Because cutting the legs free from the feet would be the easiest way to take down the body of a man crucified upside-down, and because a very old tradition claims that the skulls of Saints Peter and Paul rest in a reliquary above the altar of the church of St John Lateran, Rome s cathedral, still watching over their flock. Today one can arrange a visit to the excavations beneath the Basilica of St Peter. There, about forty feet below its main altar, you can stand on a small, paved street in that ancient cemetery, where the bones of St Peter lie buried only a few yards in front of you. About eighty yards behind you lie buried the remains of the ancient racetrack where he and other Roman Christians were martyred. Standing there, you cannot help but wonder what brought a small-time commercial fisherman from the outskirts of Rome s empire to the City itself, and what it was he d heard and seen thirty-some years earlier that made him so ready, in his sixties, to suffer an extremely painful death for the sake of the man he d known then. And that obelisk that didn t get buried with the racetrack? It now stands in the middle of St Peter s Square. It witnessed his crucifixion and has seen everything which has grown up since. If only stone could talk.

11 July/August 2015 Agua Viva 11 Los dos corazones de Jesús y María Dan Schneider Autor Invitado No hay nada más destacable en la intimidad de una madre y su hijo que los ultrasonidos modernos tridimensionales. Con esta tecnología, se utilizan las ondas de sonido para crear tanto una imagen del bebé y un video para que los padres puedan ver a su bebé sonreír o bostezar. Quizá lo más interesante sea el escuchar dos corazones latiendo sobreimpuestos el uno sobre el otro el primordial, el que da la vida, el ritmo que sostiene es el corazón de la madre; el secundario, el latido dependiente es del bebé. El sonido de los dos latidos provenientes del cuerpo de la madre embarazada demuestra la gloria y el misterio de Dios y la verdadera santidad de la vida misma. Con el vislumbramiento de la orden natural recibimos una perspectiva a lo sobrenatural. También recordamos a Cristo quien dijo: He aquí, yo hago nuevas todas las cosas. (Ap. Rev. 21:5). En la nueva orden creadora forjada por su encarnación, en donde Dios se hizo hombre, ese misterio se manifiesta en Jesús por medio de la Virgen María. Uno puede decir que ella es, un ultrasonido vivo de la misericordia de Dios. La devoción popular del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús por consiguiente, nos recuerda de la misericordia de Jesús, aquel corazón traspasado por nuestros pecados y para nuestra salvación es considerado como el principal indicador y símbolo de aquel amor con que el divino Redentor ama continuamente al eterno Padre y a todos los hombres (CIC 478). Pero qué del Corazón Inmaculado de June 28, 2015 Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Wis 1: 13-15; 2: 23-24; Ps 30: 2, 4, 5-6, 11-13; 2 Cor 8: 7, 9, 13-15; Mk 5: In today s Second Reading, St. Paul quotes Exodus 16:18: Whoever had much did not have more, and whoever had little did not have less. On the surface this may seem confusing, but it bears a strong stewardship message for us. One of the challenges of our society is the tendency to gather and to keep and to measure our success by possessions. Jesus told us over and over in a variety of ways that possessions are a major stumbling block in our journey toward holiness. Stewardship was once defined by a bishop as: Following faithfully Living responsibly Sharing gratefully Possessing loosely This, in a nutshell, is what it means to be a good steward. That is the message from St. Paul, as well. As difficult as it may be for us, we need to focus on others in service more than we should try to glorify ourselves through what we may seem to have. In particular we need to focus on the possess loosely aspect. That is more than material items, of course. We have a tendency to hang on to traditions, people, and other things that we view as ours. Pope Francis cautions us, A heart occupied with the desire to possess is a heart full of this desire, but without God. siguiente, se ve un fuego ardiente al frente de su corazón. No tan sólo exhibe amor y la misericordia de Dios para el hombre, si no que también modela la llama de la unión transformadora que Dios quiso para nosotros, un María? Las Escrituras indican que el corazón de María también sería traspasado espiritualmente (Lc. 2:35). Los dos corazones de Jesús y María por lo tanto están unidos el Inmaculado Corazón de María y el Sagrado Corazón de Jesús laten a un ritmo de dos pero en uno, con un pulso misericordioso. La Santa Virgen María es, por consiguiente, más que una simple modelo de la vida cristiana, como algunos suelen sostener. Los padres de la Iglesia debidamente la llaman el Arca de la Nueva Alianza para la presencia de Dios obscurecido vino sobre ella en la misma manera que la nube de gloria de Shekinah de la presencia del Señor eclipso y callo sobre el Tabernáculo de Israel en su Éxodo, un fenómeno que las escrituras describen como una nube, obscura que iluminaba la noche (Ex ). Así pues podemos decir que la humanidad se oscureció por el pecado y la Virgen más pura iluminó la noche con la luz del mundo que poseía en sí misma. La gloria del Señor la preservó completamente del pecado para así llenarla del Verbo encarnado se la ha referido como Panaghia: Los Padres de la tradición oriental llaman a la Madre de Dios la Toda Santa (Panaghia), la celebran como inmune de toda mancha de pecado y como plasmada y hecha una nueva criatura por el Espíritu Santo (LG 56). Por la gracia de Dios, María ha permanecido pura de todo pecado personal a lo largo de toda su vida (CIC 493). Algunos padres de la Iglesia por lo tanto la vieron como un arbusto ardiente, porque ella, como el arbusto, estaba llena de la presencia divina y aunque ardiendo no se consumía (Ex 3.2). En la imagen popular del Corazón Inmaculado, por confuego que purifica y refina pero que no destruya. Esto lo vemos al contemplar la imagen de su corazón; nos asomamos más de lleno al verdadero misterio de Dios, como por medio de un ultrasonido.

12 12 Agua Viva July/August 2015 A CALL TO SERVE OTHERS Deacon receives 2014 Sin Fronteras Award for his work on immigrant rights By Timothy P. Howsare, Roswell Daily Record Roswell resident Jesus Herrera came to the United States as an immigrant from Durango, Mexico, in He soon met the love of his life, Emma, in Farmington and the two were soon married. His wife, an American citizen, filed a request for a Green Card on behalf of her husband and he got it. He learned to work in the roofing business, and still does today as the owner of his own business. In 1978, Herrera s dream of U.S. citizenship became a reality. Herrera said he was grateful to become an American citizen, because it led to the opportunity for him to start his company, Herrera Roofing, which has employed many people over the past 20 years. I m more free now because I have realized my dream to be in this country, he said. The couple has three children: Jaime, Christina and Juan. In the 1980s, Herrera and a group of friends started an organization that has helped the less fortunate in Roswell with home repairs, at times repairing the entire house. But Herrera s desire to help others did not stop there. In 1996, Herrera said he got a calling from God and enrolled in the Deacon Formation Program. Three years later, he was ordained a deacon for the Diocese of Las Cruces, where he serves the less fortunate, visits the sick and extends a hand to help the foreigner. After his ordination, Bishop Ricardo Ramírez, now Bishop Emeritus of the Las Cruces Diocese, asked Herrera and his wife to administer three parishes in the dioceses, Our Lady of Guadalupe in Lake Arthur, St. Catherine Church in Hagerman and Immaculate Conception Parish in Dexter, for which they have served for the past 15 years. Eight years ago, Herrera said he met some people from a human rights group called Somos Un Pueblo Unido and decided to join forces. Somos Un Pueblo Unido is the only immigrant-led human rights group in New Mexico with about 1,500 members. They have marched on behalf of immigration reform, asking Gov. Susana Martinez not to cancel the issuing of driver s licenses to undocumented immigrants. Herrera said he has participated Deacon Jesus Herrera. in many of those marches and events, guiding them through prayer in search of peace and a better world. I participated twice in Santa Fe at the Statehouse, he said. I ve talked to representatives. I ve talked to the ones from Chaves County and some of the senators. In December, Herrera received the 2014 Sin Fronteras award on behalf of Somos. Based in Mexico City, Mexico, Sin Fronteras works to support human rights in Mexico, provide legal services and protection to migrants, and advances improvements in migration policy. Herrera said he understands his opinion on issuing driver s licenses to undocumented immigrants is not shared by most of his fellow New Mexicans. I understand the other side of the issue, but there is more security when everyone has a driver s license because you know who they are, he said. These people already have children and need to work. Herrera does agree that undocumented immigrants who break the law in the United States should be deported. If they do something wrong, send them back, he said. If they are caught selling drugs or seriously breaking the law, send them back, but not for running a red light or speeding. Herrera said he hopes we all can lend a hand to everyone who is in need. Herrera concluded he is proud to contribute to society and pays his taxes. I am very happy to serve this country with dignity and respect, he said. Reprinted with permission from Timothy P. Howsare, Roswell Daily Record. Diácono recibe el premio Sin Fronteras 2014 por sus obras con los derechos del inmigrante Por Timothy P. Howsare, Roswell Daily Record En 1968 Jesus Herrera, residente de Roswell, llegó a los Estados Unidos como inmigrante proveniente de Durango, México. Recién llegado conoció al amor de su vida, Emma, de Farmington y los dos pronto se casaron. Su esposa, ciudadana americana, aplicó para su esposo recibiera una Green Card, y la recibió. Trabajó en un negocio de techos, y hasta la fecha aún trabaja en lo mismo, pero como propietario del negocio. En 1978, el sueño de Herrera se realizó cuando se hizo ciudadano Americano. Herrera dice estar muy agradecido por haberse hecho ciudadano americano, porque le permitió la oportunidad de abrir su propio negocio, Herrera Roofing, el cual ha empleado a mucha gente en los últimos 20 años. Ahora soy más libre, porque he realizado mis sueño de estar en este país, dijo Herrera. La pareja tiene tres hijos: Jaime, Christina y Juan. En los años de 1980 Herrera y un grupo de amigos emprendió una organización que ha ayudado a los menos afortunados en Roswell con reparaciones de casa, a veces reparando casas en su totalidad. Pero el deseo de Herrera no terminó ahí. En 1996 Herrera dijo sentir el llamado de Dios y se enlistó VEA DIÁCONO PÁGINA 26

13 July/August 2015 Agua Viva 13 Echoes from the Cloister An Undaunted Heart Saint Clare of Assisi By Mother Angela Kelly, P.P.C., Poor Clare Monastery of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Roswell PARA ESPAÑOL PÁGINA 15 The celebration of the July 16th birthday of our foundress, Saint Clare of Assisi, heralds the beginning of the Clare season each summer, with the novena in her honor following in early August, preparing us to celebrate with fitting solemnity the August 11th feastday of this valiant daughter of the Church. Those who are not acquainted with Saint Clare may envision her life as one spent in the peaceful tranquility of the cloister, with little to trouble her except decisions as to which embroidery thread should be used on the altar linens. The reality was quite different, since Saint Clare lived in times at least as turbulent as our own. She was a person of great courage; this courage was perfected by the Holy Spirit s gift of fortitude, which enabled her to overcome difficulties and dangers, all the while maintaining a wonderful confidence in God. Her courage first shone out in March of 1212 when she took flight from her family home in the dark of night to be received by Saint Francis at the little chapel of Our Lady of the Angels just outside Assisi. That night she became the first (and only) member of the Second Order of Saint Francis, later known as the Poor Clares. Her courage was further put to the test when her furious relatives descended upon the Benedictine monastery where she was staying temporarily, and made it clear to her that she was to give up this nonsense and return to her elegant home immediately. Her first biographer tells us that she faced the assault of her relatives with firm perseverance. They employed force, and what did she do? We are told that she clung to the altar and she endured, because this went on for many days. It was not just one single attack. Her biographer, Friar Thomas of Celano, tells us that amid words and deeds of hatred, she molded her spirit anew in hope. She simply remained where God had asked her to be. She did outwardly what she was doing in spirit clinging to the altar of God. That s how Saint Clare did combat: she was simply faithful to the vocation that the Holy Spirit had given her, and entrusted her life to God s protection. Later, when those same angry relatives came to drag away her younger sister Agnes, who had come to join her in her life of prayer and penance, Celano tells us that Clare prostrated herself in prayer with tears, begging that Agnes would be given constancy of mind and that divine power would overcome human strength. Here is another real crisis in her life! Her fortitude was expressed by the confidence with which she cried to God. She prostrated herself in prayer. She prayed with her whole heart, totally reliant on God, with no other resources of her own. She didn t have the police on call, a security guard, or anybody else to help. She simply relied on God and did what she was called to do in the Church she prayed. And God answered with miracles that persuaded her enraged uncles to depart, empty-handed and defeated, never to return. Years later came the attack of the Saracens, who were about to overrun the city of Assisi, and the cloister of San Damiano, as well. Clare was sick and unable to walk, but with undaunted heart she ordered that she be brought to the door and placed there before the invaders, while the Blessed Sacrament was carried before her. Celano says, She thoroughly prostrated herself before the Lord in prayer. She prayed; she trusted; she put all in God s hands, just as she always did, and Jesus rescued her and her sisters. In this miracle, especially, her confidence shines forth. She expected with full assurance that God would act to save her. The sisters who were with her heard the voice of a Child speaking to Clare: I will always take care of you. And He did. Later on came the dreaded Vitale d Aversa and his ferocious attack against the city of Assisi. What did she do? Did she call the city council together, or sue for peace, or rouse the Assisians to action? No, she took penitential action, placing her whole confidence in penance and prayer. She scattered ashes on the sisters heads and begged the Lord to liberate the city. And Vitale d Aversa turned around and left for no apparent reason. To this day the city of Assisi credits her with its liberation through her trusting prayer and penance. Because Jesus was the daily solution to daily difficulties in her life, he was also the dramatic solution to her epic difficulties. She solved her big problems, she met her grave challenges, by doing what she always did. She remained with Jesus in prayer, and she always expected help from him. She was always totally dependent and trusting and abandoned, with no alternate plan. He was the solution, and she depended entirely on him. Saint Clare could be fearless and confident because she did not look to herself for solutions. She didn t attempt to solve these problems herself on the natural plane. She looked to God, to the Spirit of the Lord, for help with confidence and trust. We know our need of fortitude in daily life. We also live in difficult times, when respect for human life, the practice of our Faith, the family, virtue, are all under attack. We see evil apparently getting the upper hand in the media, in education, in the coarsening of contemporary culture and in so many other ways. What would Saint Clare do? She would have confidence in God! And she would turn to Him in trusting prayer and penance, imploring His mercy upon our suffering world. We look to her example and ask her to help us to correspond faithfully with the grace of God in our own lives; we ask her to obtain the grace of an undaunted heart, filled with the fortitude of the Holy Spirit, the strength of God, for each one of us.

14 14 Agua Viva July/August 2015 Cimientos Rev. Michael Cotone, O.S.C. Autor Invitado En una mañana de primavera, el emperador Constantino y el Papa Sylvestre caminaban a lo largo de la vía Cornelia, la carretera de Roma a Caere. A su izquierda estaba el desvencijado, -280 años-viejo hipódromo de Gaius y Nerón. A su derecha se levantaba la Colina Vaticana. A sus pies, estaba un cementerio. El Papa Sylvestre explicaba a Constantino, que casi nunca visito Roma, antes de eso, 260 años antes, que Nerón había ejecutado a muchos de los primeros romanos cristianos en su hipódromo, incluyendo a Simón Pedro, cuyo cuerpo había sido enterrado en el cementerio al otro lado de la carretera, a los pies de la Colina Vaticana. Constantino quería construir una iglesia sobre la tumba de San Pedro, pero el Cerro hizo eso imposible y las leyes romanas prohibían terminantemente mover la tumba. Después de considerar el problema, le dijo a sus ingenieros que derribaran el viejo hipódromo, nivelaran la colina hacia fuera sobre el cementerio y el hipódromo y construyeran allí la iglesia, pero que salvaran el Obelisco en el centro de la pista. Sus trabajadores hicieron como se les había dicho, y la primera Basílica de San Pedro permanece por unos 1200 años, y la tumba del Santo sepultada muy por debajo de su altar principal. En 1939 bajo la dirección del Papa Pio XII, los arqueólogos comenzaron a investigar abajo del altar de la actual Basílica de San Pedro. La historia de sus investigaciones y descubrimientos es larga y compleja y el tema de varios libros. Debido a su trabajo, sin embargo, tenemos razones para creer que, como el Papa Pablo VI anunció en 1968, que ellos encontraron los huesos de San Pedro. Estos son los restos óseos de un hombre robusto, de años de edad, menos los pies y la mayor parte del cráneo. Por qué esas partes? Porque cortando los pies sería la manera más fácil de bajar el cuerpo de un hombre crucificado boca abajo, y porque una tradición muy antigua dice que los cráneos de los Santos Pedro y Pablo descansan en un relicario sobre el altar de la iglesia de San Juan de Letran, Catedral de Roma, todavía velando por su rebaño. Hoy en día uno puede organizar una visita a las excavaciones debajo de la Basílica de San Pedro. Allí, a unos cuarenta pies debajo de su altar principal, puedes pararte en una pequeña calle pavimentada en el antiguo cementerio, donde los huesos de San Pedro están enterrados a pocos metros al frente tuyo. Unas ochenta yardas detrás de ti yacen enterrados los restos del antiguo hipódromo donde él y otros cristianos romanos fueron martirizados. Parado allí, no puede dejar de preguntarme qué llevó a un modesto pescador de las afueras del imperio a la ciudad de Roma, y qué fue lo que oyó y vio unos treinta años antes que lo preparó, en sus sesenta años, a sufrir una muerte muy dolorosa por amor al hombre que había conocido entonces. Y el Obelisco que no se enterró con el hipódromo? Ahora está en medio de la Plaza de San Pedro. Fue testigo de su crucifixión y ha visto todo lo que ha crecido desde entonces. Si tan sólo pudiera hablar la piedra. Saint of the Month YEAR OF CONSECRATED LIFE The Franciscans of Our Lady of Guadalupe Province By Very Rev. Charlie Martinez, O.F.M., St. Peter Parish, Roswell PARA ESPAÑOL PÁGINA 22 The Franciscan charism began in 1209 when Pope Innocent III approved the Rule of Life of Francis of Assisi. This was the birth of the Order of Friars Minor, or as commonly known, the Franciscans. The intention of St. Francis was that the friars (brothers) live simple lives in community, pray together and preach the gospel on the road. The (OFM) Franciscan presence in the southwest United States dates back to 1539 when the first Franciscan, Fray Marcos de Niza (ca ), accompanied the Spanish settlers on their expedition to the New World. More friars arrived as expeditions continued and remained uninterruptedly in what is now the area of New Mexico until the 1850s when New Mexico became a territory of the United States. At that point the missionary flow of friars diminished because of the disappearance of the Spanish and Mexican rule over New Mexico. But in 1898, the Cincinnati Province of St. John the Baptist began sending missionary friars to the Southwest, and in 1985 when the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe was established, the commitment to continue helping the Diocese of Las Cruces was renewed. The Franciscans have been present at St. Peter and St. John Parishes in Roswell since the early 1900s and previously SEE FRANCISCANS PAGE 27

15 July/August 2015 Agua Viva 15 Ecos desde el Claustro Un Corazón Intrépido Santa Clara de Asís Por Madre Angela Kelly, P.C.C., Monasterio de Clarisas de Nuestra Señora de Gudalupe, Roswell La celebración del cumpleaños de nuestra fundadora, Santa Clara de Asís, el 16 de Julio, anuncia cada verano el principio de la temporada Clariana, con la novena en su honor a principios de Agosto, para prepararnos para celebrar el día 11 la fiesta de esta valiente hija de la Iglesia con debida solemnidad. Aquellos que no están familiarizados con Santa Clara quizás imaginan que su vida fue una de paz y tranquilidad dentro de su clausura, con apenas alguna preocupación más allá de tener que decidir qué hilo usar para los lienzos del altar. En realidad no fue así, ya que Santa Clara vivió en tiempos por lo menos tan turbulentos como los nuestros. Fue una persona de gran coraje. Perfeccionado éste por el Espíritu Santo con Su don de fortaleza habilitándola así a superar las dificultades y peligros, supo mantener siempre una maravillosa confianza en Dios. Su valor salió a la luz por vez primera en Marzo de 1212, cuando se escapó de su vivienda familiar en la oscuridad de la noche para ser recibida por San Francisco en la pequeña capilla de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles, a las afueras de Asís. Esa noche, Santa Clara se convirtió en el primer (y único) miembro de la Segunda Orden de San Francisco, más tarde conocida como Clarisas Pobres. Su valor fue probado todavía más cuando sus familiares, furiosos, se presentaron en el monasterio Benedictino donde se encontraba temporalmente, expresando claramente su deseo de que la santa se olvidara de esta tontería y volviera inmediatamente a su elegante hogar. Su primer biógrafo nos dice que hizo frente al asalto de sus familiares con firme perseverancia. Hicieron uso de la fuerza, y qué hizo ella? Se dice que se agarró al altar y aguantó, porque esto siguió durante varios días. No fue un solo ataque. Su biógrafo, el Fraile Tomás de Celano, nos cuenta que entre palabras y acciones llenas de odio, ella re-moldeó en esperanza su corazón. Simplemente permaneció donde Dios la quería. Hizo exteriormente lo que ya hacía con su espíritu agarrarse al altar de Dios. Así es como Santa Clara combatió: simplemente fue fiel a la vocación que el Espíritu Santo la había dado, poniendo su vida bajo la protección de Dios. Más adelante, cuando esos mismos familiares furiosos vinieron para llevarse a su hermana pequeña, Inés, la cual se había unido a la santa en su vida de oración y penitencia, Celano nos dice que Clara, llorando, se postró en oración, rogando al cielo por la perseverancia de Inés y la victoria del poder divino sobre la fuerza humana. He aquí otra gran crisis en su vida! Su fortaleza se hizo manifiesta en la confianza con la que clamó a Dios. Se postró en oración. Oró con todo su corazón, confiando completamente en Dios, sin ningún otro recurso. No tenía a la policía a toque de teléfono, ni guardia de seguridad, ni nadie a quien acudir. Simplemente confió en Dios e hizo lo que estaba llamada a hacer en la Iglesia rezó. Y Dios respondió con milagros que persuadieron a sus enfuriados tíos, los cuales se marcharon con las manos vacías y derrotados, para no volver jamás. Años más tarde, fueron los Sarracenos los que estuvieron a punto de conquistar la ciudad de Asís, así como el claustro de San Damiano. Clara estaba enferma y no podía caminar, pero con corazón intrépido ordenó ser traída a la puerta frente a frente con los invasores, y el Santísimo Sacramento delante suyo. Celano dice, Se postró profundamente en oración ante el Señor. Rezó; confió; y, como siempre hacía, puso todo en manos de Dios, y Jesús las rescató, a ella y a sus hermanas. En este milagro, su confianza se pone de manifiesto de manera especial. Estaba segura de que Dios actuaría para salvarla. Las hermanas que estaban con ella oyeron la voz de un Niño que decía a Clara: Siempre cuidaré de ti. Y así lo hizo. Más adelante vino el temido Vitale d Aversa y su ataque feroz a la ciudad de Asís. Qué hizo la santa? Llamó al consejo de la ciudad, hizo pleito de paz, llamó a los habitantes de Asís a la acción? No, simplemente hizo penitencia y confió por entero en la penitencia y en la oración. Puso cenizas en las cabezas de las hermanas y rogó al Señor que liberara la ciudad. Y Vitale d Aversa dio media vuelta y se fue sin motivo aparente. Todavía hoy, la ciudad de Asís acredita su liberación a santa Clara y su confianza en la oración y la penitencia. Porque a lo largo de su vida Jesús era la solución diaria a sus dificultades diarias, también fue la solución dramática de sus problemas épicos. Resolvió sus problemas grandes y sus exigencias graves haciendo lo que siempre hacía. Permanecía con Jesús en oración, y siempre confiaba en que la ayudaría. Dependía, confiaba y se abandonaba siempre y completamente, no tenía un plan alternativo. Él era la solución, y ella dependía completamente de Él. Santa Clara podía ser intrépida y atrevida porque no buscaba las soluciones en ella. No intentó solucionar estos problemas de manera natural. Acudió a Dios, al Espíritu del Señor con confianza y seguridad. Sabemos de nuestra necesidad de fortaleza en nuestra vida diaria. Nosotros también vivimos en tiempos difíciles en los que el respeto por la vida humana, la vivencia de nuestra Fe, la familia, la virtud, están siendo atacados. Vemos cómo el mal parece llevar la mano ganadora en los medios de información, el sistema de educación, la cultura contemporánea cada vez más ordinaria, y tantas cosas más. Qué haría Santa Clara? Confiaría en Dios! Y acudiría a Él en confiada oración y penitencia, implorando misericordia para nuestro mundo sufriente. Vemos su ejemplo y le pedimos que nos ayude a corresponder fielmente a la gracia de Dios en nuestras propias vidas; le pedimos que nos obtenga la gracia de un corazón intrépido, lleno de la fortaleza del Espíritu Santo, la fuerza de Dios, para cada uno de nosotros.

16 16 Agua Viva July/August 2015 Newly ordained deacons serving in our diocese PARA ESPAÑOL PÁGINA 21 Leonel Fabian Briseño Santa Rosa de Lima, Las Cruces I am from Our Lady of Grace in Artesia. I have been married 25 years to Lucille Elaine. We have raised five sons. We serve at Immaculate Heart of Mary Cathedral in Las Cruces. Being a deacon is about having Christ s servant heart with which to love his people. Gilbert Chavez Santa Rita, Carrizozo I was born and raised in Springer, N.M. I married Patsy Padilla in Sacred Heart Church, Capitan, N.M. in We presently reside in Capitan and belong to St. Rita Parish in Carrizozo, of which Sacred Heart in Capitan is a mission. We weren t blessed with children, but have the support of family and many friends. Being ordained a Deacon is very important to me, for I will be a representative of Christ to others in my ministry. Timothy J. Flynn Our Lord of Mercy, Hatch My name is Timothy J. Flynn. I am from Salem and my parish is Our Lord of Mercy in Hatch. My beautiful wife Victoria and I are the blessed parents of three children, and the proud grandparents of two grandchildren. My prayer as a deacon is to serve my parish community humbly, lovingly and well. Arturo J. Gutierrez Sr. Infant Jesus, Hurley I was born and raised in Hurley, N.M. My wife Rosemary and I have been married for 33 yrs and have three children and three grandchildren, with one on the way. I will be serving at Infant Jesus Shrine where I received all my Sacraments. The ministry of the Diaconate means that I will live my life in service to God and His church, in gratitude for all the benefits he has bestowed on our family. Ruben Gutierrez Cathedral of IHM, Las Cruces Originally from Chihuahua Mexico, I came to Las Cruces in 1995 with my wife and four daughters. We now have five grandchildren. I have participated in different church ministries for the past twenty years. The parish I will be serving is the Cathedral of IHM. Coming to the Deaconate has been a calling from God that I humbly and gladly accepted and hope to carry with dignity to serve my brothers and sisters in Christ. Manuel De La O Madrid San Isidro, Garfield I was born in Doña Ana, NM. My wife is Ruth Madrid in Las Cruces N.M. I will be serving at San Isidro Church in Garfield, N.M. For me, serving as a deacon means to be in the service of the poor and the hungry, to show kindness and love to those who lost their way, and bring them home, to proclaim the word of God, and watch over his Altar. Jerry T. Pierce St. Edward, Carlsbad I grew up in Albuquerque. My wife, Donna, and I have been married for 34 years. Prior to the deaconate I served the Church primarily through the Marriage Enrichment Weekend Program. I will be serving at St. Edward Church in Carlsbad, N.M. Coming into the deaconate means being able to bring Christ to the community through service for those individuals that want to live a sacramental filled life. Kenneth Quade St. Joseph s Catholic Community, Holloman I was born in Kalispell, MT. I have been married to the strongest most loving Maria Anne (Cassoni) for almost 35 years. I will be serving at St Joseph s Catholic Community, Holloman AFB. I entered the Catholic Church late in life and as I came to know more about our faith I was struck by Jesus s admonition to Peter to feed his sheep. I wish to answer this call and I am thrilled that God has given me this opportunity to help.

17 July/August 2015 Agua Viva 17 SEE MORE PHOTOS AT VER MAS FOTOS EN Richard Rodriguez Our Lady of Grace, Artesia I am from Artesia where I have lived all my life. My wife is Velma and we have been married for 32 years. We have two sons and one granddaughter. Being diagnosed with leukemia was a challenge for my wife and I, but coming into the deaconate means overcoming challenges and trials by having faith and trust in God. It means giving of myself totally to God and saying Here I am Lord, I am not afraid. Andy Weiss Nuestra Señora de La Luz, La Luz I came to the diocese with the Air Force in 1993 and discerned a vocation as a priest until I met my wife. I have always striven to seek God s will for my life and am happy to serve Him in the people of Alamogordo and the diocese. The parish I will be serving in is Nuestra Señora de La Luz. Coming into the deaconate for me means to do God s will and serve His people. Jim Winder Our Lady of Perpetual Help, T or C I am a rancher and farmer from Hillsboro and am married to Katrina. We have two grown daughters, Shae and Peyton. The parish I will be serving in is Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Truth or Consequences. To me, being ordained a deacon is a commitment to more deeply serve the Lord and accompany the poor in my community. Jim Brueggan Holy Cross, Las Cruces I was raised in Okarche, OK. Mary and I married in 1968 and raised three daughters. We have seven grandchildren. The parish I will be serving in is Holy Cross, Las Cruces. As deacons we are called to serve the community. In addition to being involved with second grade Faith Formation, sacrament training, and a weekly Bible study, I am a hospital minister and a prison minister. * Jim Brueggan will be ordained on August 22, 2015, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, 10 a.m.

18 18 Agua Viva July/August 2015 Fr. Alonso Quiñones: Seduced by Christ By J. D. McNamara, D.Min. From the time he was six years old, Alonso Quiñones wanted to be a priest. He liked the way the priests he knew seemed to be true images of Jesus as they served the physical and spiritual needs of residents in his rural home town of Julimes, Labor Nueva, in the Mexican state of Chihuahua. Over time, Alonso began to liken the person of the parish priest to that of a spiritual healer engaged in supporting his parishioners on a daily basis. And to this day, his perception of Catholic clerics has not changed. Clearly, this cheerful and personable young man has closely followed his vocation, carefully honing his own internal charisma to match that of today s Catholic priest. Indeed, during his months serving as a transitional deacon at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Las Cruces, Alonso endeared himself to parishioners and resident clergy alike, ensuring future personal popularity wherever his assignments as parochial vicar might take him. Driving Alonso toward his eventual goal of priestly ordination was a vivid mental image of his role as a liturgical presider. The Eucharist would be in his hands, brought into the midst of the community through his priestly efforts in leading the attending faithful in prayer and praise. He would give freely of himself until the last day of his life as a dedicated cleric, and one of his life-long objectives would be realized. He would help bring spiritual health to all, just as a physician would heal the human body. Alonso s own deep-seated desire as a youth to follow a career in medicine would parallel his priestly vocation healing not bodies but souls! The sick and elderly, the poor and indigent, the grieving and lonely would become Alonso s patients as his seduction by Christ would guide his every move from the moment of his ordination. And as obsessive as his behavior might appear to the uninformed observer, that same obsession to lead persons to Jesus would energize him from day to day, even during the most stressful and trying periods of his life as a priest. On May 30th, in the solemn precincts of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Bishop Oscar Cantú welcomed Alonso into the family of diocesan priests, ordaining him to a life of service in southern New Mexico. Professing his vow of obedience to the Bishop of Las Cruces (and his successors) was not a difficult step to take, since it paved the way for Alonso to live his priestly dream. And now, Fr. Alonso Quiñones looks forward to a life of spiritual healing in his beloved, adopted land. Without doubt, Fr. Alonso s ordination is a true blessing for the people of the Diocese of Las Cruces, and his faithful presence in this region will be felt for many years to come as he reveals to his future parishioners the face and actions of Christ. Fr. Alonso Quiñones looks forward to a life of spiritual healing in his beloved, adopted land. Newly ordained Father Alonso Quiñones. El Padre Alonso Quiñones: Seducido por Cristo Por J. D. McNamara, D.Min. Desde que tenía seis años, Alonso Quiñones quería ser sacerdote. Le gustaba la forma de ser de los sacerdotes que él conocía, parecían ser verdaderas imágenes de Jesús que servían las necesidades físicas y espirituales de los habitantes de su pueblo rural Julimes, Obra Nueva, en el estado mexicano de Chihuahua. Con el tiempo, Alonso empezó a comparar a la persona del párroco a la de un curandero espiritual comprometido apoyando a sus feligreses diariamente. Y hasta la fecha, no ha cambiado su percepción de los clérigos católicos. Claramente, este joven alegre y afable ha seguido de cerca su vocación, cuidadosamente perfeccionando su propio carisma interno para que coincida con el PHOTO: J.D. MCNAMARA del sacerdote católico de hoy. De hecho, durante sus meses sirviendo como diácono transitorio en la Catedral del Corazón Inmaculado de María en Las Cruces, Alonso se hizo querer por los feligreses y el clero residente por igual, asegurando la popularidad personal futura dondequiera que podrían asignarlo como vicario parroquial. Lo que encauzo a Alonso hacia su objetivo eventual de la ordenación sacerdotal fue una vívida imagen mental de su papel como un celebrante litúrgico. La Eucaristía estaría en sus manos, y la llevaría al seno de la comunidad a través de sus esfuerzos sacerdotales sirviendo y guiando VEA ALONSO PÁGINA 27

19 July/August 2015 Agua Viva 19 Fr. Alex Ureña: A Holy Attraction By J. D. McNamara, D.Min. At 32 years of age, newly-ordained priest, Rev. Alex Ureña, is not just beginning to follow his vocation as a diocesan cleric. He is continuing a quest that started in his youth. It was then that he felt a strong, irresistible attraction to God and all things holy. Not surprisingly, Alex was raised in a family of faith-filled parents and siblings who clearly contributed to the formation of this future priest. Daily spiritual practices, such as praying the rosary and frequent attendance at Mass, ingrained the real presence of God in Alex s persona as he grew toward adulthood in the town of Totatiche located in the northwest Mexican state of Jalisco. Known for its prolific production of priestly vocations more than 100 in its recorded history Totatiche eventually would give birth to yet another cleric in the person of Alex. In that way, he would follow in the steps of his cousin, Fr. Raul Ureña, who is currently engaged in a productive clerical ministry in Mexico. Immigrating to the United States in 2002, Alex arrived with three years of seminary studies already under his belt. That experience would help him as he began his new life in a new cultural setting. At the assignment of Bishop Emeritus Ricardo Ramírez, CSB, he would attend classes at Conception Abbey in northwest Missouri, studying Philosophy and English. And upon his graduation from Conception Abbey in 2010, Alex would be sent to St. Mary s Seminary in Houston, Texas, to spend four years studying theology. The challenges facing this clearly gifted young seminarian included grasping frequently complex theological concepts, all in what was for him a foreign language! That, in addition to becoming accustomed to new foods, new locales, and some unique weather patterns, all presented Alex with obstacles that he soon overcame with relative ease. During his scholastic formation, Alex found himself drawn toward the ministry of youth, especially those of university age. Indeed, that interest would be identified and refined during his internship assignment working at St. Albert the Great Newman Center in Las Cruces, where he developed a tremendous rapport with that church community s parishioners and staff young and old alike! Now as an ordained priest, Fr. Alex looks toward the future a future filled with diverse ministries to diverse cultures and communities. His easy-going personality, combined with a solid academic background, bodes very well for him as he continues to follow his vocation a vocation that began long before the formal ordination ceremonies recently presided over by Las Cruces Bishop Oscar Cantú. And now the adventure begins for Fr. Alex Ureña. His gifts will be a real blessing to the people of the Diocese of Las Cruces, and his spiritual roots, originally nurtured in Totatiche, will benefit and enhance the faith of those parishioners fortunate enough to experience his style of ministry in the years to come. We wish you great spiritual successes, Fr. Alex, and a long, holy life! Newly ordained Father Alex Ureña. Rev. Padre Alex Ureña: Una atracción santa Por J. D. McNamara, D.Min. sus 32 años de edad, y recién A ordenado sacerdote, el Reverendo Alex Ureña, no sólo comienza a seguir su vocación como un clérigo diocesano. Él continúa una búsqueda que comenzó en su juventud. Fue entonces que sintió una atracción irresistible, fuerte hacia Dios y a todas las cosas santas. No en vano, Alex fue criado en una familia llena de fe de padres y hermanos que contribuyeron claramente a la formación de este futuro sacerdote. Prácticas espirituales diarias, como rezar el Rosario y la asistencia frecuente a Misa, infundieron la presencia real de Dios en la persona de Alex al llegar a la edad adulta en la ciudad de Totatiche, situada en el noroeste Mexicano en el estado de Jalisco. Conocido por su prolífica PHOTO: J.D. MCNAMARA producción de vocaciones sacerdotales más de 100 en su historia Totatiche eventualmente daría nacimiento a otro clérigo en la persona de Alex. De esa manera, el seguiría los pasos de su primo, el P. Raúl Ureña, quien actualmente participa en un ministerio clerical productivo en México. Cuando emigró a los Estados Unidos en 2002, Alex llegó con tres años de estudios en el seminario.. Esa experiencia le ayudaría cuando empezó su nueva vida en un nuevo entorno cultural. Por asignación del obispo emérito Ricardo Ramírez, CSB, asistió a clases en Conception Abbey al noroeste de Missouri, estudiando filosofía e inglés. VEA ALEX PÁGINA 31

20 20 Agua Viva July/August 2015 Doctrina Social de la Iglesia Católica Por Rvdmo. Richard Catanach Una de las tradiciones ricas de la Iglesia Católica es su doctrina social. Sin embargo, tristemente La Doctrina Social de la Iglesia Católica es poco conocida por muchos, mal interpretada por algunos e ignorada por otros. Algunas personas pueden incorrectamente vincular la palabra social con socialismo, y por consiguiente, ni siquiera saber lo que esta doctrina verdaderamente enseña. La palabra social de hecho se entiende como el término de estudios sociales. Recuerden aquella materia que estudiamos en la escuela, que trataba sobre personas a nuestro alrededor, tanto cercanas como lejanas, sus culturas, y nuestra relación con ellas. La doctrina social de la Iglesia Católica trata sobre nuestra relación con los demás en vista de que Dios lo creo todo bueno y nos ha hecho corresponsables y custodios de Su creación. La Iglesia Católica habla de los siete elementos de la doctrina social. A continuación cada elemento está expuesto con citas de los Obispos Católicos de los Estados Unidos así como mis propios pensamientos. Lo más fundamental de las siete doctrinas sociales es la Vida y Dignidad de la Persona Humana. Sin esta primera doctrina, ninguna de las demás tienen sentido. Dios nos ha revelado en las Sagradas Escrituras, que estamos creado a Su imagen y semejanza. Nosotros como cristianos, en específico católicos, por lo tanto, valoramos la vida humana como sagrada desde el vientre hasta la tumba. Decimos no al aborto, no al suicidio asistido, no a la indiferencia a la vida humana desde el principio hasta el fin de la vida natural. Citando al profeta Jeremías: Antes de formarte en el vientre, ya te había elegido; antes de que nacieras, ya te había apartado. Los obispos de los Estados Unidos relatan: La Iglesia Católica proclama que la vida humana es sagrada y que la dignidad de la persona humana es el fundamento de la visión moral de la sociedad Creemos que cada persona es preciosa, que la gente es más importante que lo material, y que la medida de cada institución se caracteriza ya sea por la amenaza o el realce de la vida y dignidad de la persona humana. La segunda doctrina es Llamado a la Familia, Comunidad y Participación. En otras palabras, la persona no es tan solo sagrada (como se entiende en la primera doctrina fundamental) pero también social. Como organizamos a nuestra sociedad --- en la economía, y en la política, en ley y normas le afecta directamente a la dignidad humana y la capacidad de individuos a crecer en comunidad. El matrimonio y la familia son las instituciones sociales primordiales que deben ser apoyadas y fortalecidas y no subestimadas. Creemos que la gente tiene derecho y el deber a participar en la sociedad, juntos en búsqueda del bien común y del bien de todos. La Iglesia reconoce la importancia de la relación entre toda persona y el propósito de esta relación es de producir resultados buenos y sanos tanto para el individuo como para la humanidad. Lograr esto requiere la gracia del sacrificio, perseverancia, dedicación y amor. Con respecto a los Derechos y Responsabilidades de la persona humana, la tradición Católica enseña que la dignidad humana puede ser protegida y una comunidad sana se puede lograr UNICAMENTE si los derechos humanos están protegidos y se cumplen responsabilidades. Por consiguiente, cada persona tiene un derecho fundamental a la vida y derecho a aquellas cosas que exige la decencia humana. Correspondiente a estos derechos son los deberes y responsabilidades para con los demás, con nuestras familias, y con la sociedad. Un defecto obvio que nuestro mundo moderno tiene es que todo mundo requiere que sus derechos sean protegidos y extendidos pero muchos descuidan las responsabilidades que vienen con esos derechos. Esto es problemático porque sin la responsabilidad, la dignidad humana no está protegida y la comunidad se enferma. Podemos ver que esto sucede en nuestro mundo, cuando existen más y más abortos, asesinatos misericordiosos, la investigación de las células madre embrionarias, y otros males intrínsecos que se hacen más y más comunes y más aceptados. Una cultura de muerte en nuestro ambiente. Una Opción por el Pobre es una prueba moral básica y es como muchos de nuestros miembros más vulnerables existen El Juicio Final (Mt 25:31-46) nos indica a poner las necesidades del pobre y vulnerables ante todo. En el pasaje del evangelio mencionado anteriormente, Jesus habló elocuentemente sobre darle de comer al hambriento darle techo al desamparado, visitar al enfermo y el encarcelado. Les llamaos a estos actos Obras Corporales de Misericordia, y están para que nosotros los fieles las hagamos. Porque el pobre tiene no tiene voz, con facilidad los ignoran y con el tiempo son olvidados. Un aspecto importante que Jesús nos señaló es que no ignoremos, pero incluíamos al pobre y al vulnerable. Con respecto a la Dignidad en el Trabajo y los Derechos de los Trabajadores, la economía debe servir a la gente, y no viceversa. El trabajo es más que un modos vivendi, es una forma de continuar en el participación de la creación de Dios. Si la dignidad en el trabajo se protege entonces los derechos de los trabajadores también deberán ser respetados el derecho al trabajo productivo, al los salarios decentes y justos, a organizar y unirse a los sindicatos, a la propiedad privada, y a una iniciativa ecónoma. Los gobiernos tienen la responsabilidad de promover un ambiente que crea oportunidades para que la gente encuentre un trabajo decente. Los gobiernos y empleadores deberán proteger a sus empleados para que sean tratados justamente por los empleadores. Los empleadores deberán crear un ambiente seguro que ayude a sus empleados a sobresalir con iniciativa y trabajo duro. Los trabajadores tienen la responsabilidad de hacer su mejor trabajo y no tomar ventaja injusta de su situación. Con respecto a la Solidaridad, Somos guardianes de nuestros hermanos y hermanos en VEA DOCTRINA PÁGINA 26