Rejoice, Alleluia! O QUEEN OF HEAVEN - BRINGING THE GOOD NEWS TO THE DIOCESE OF FORT WORTH - North Texas Catholic
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BRINGING THE GOOD NEWS TO THE DIOCESE OF FORT WORTH
O QUEEN OF HEAVEN
Rejoice,
Alleluia!
MAY — JUNE 2022
VOL. 38 | NO. 3
IN THIS ISSUE
May - June 2022
19 LISTENING SESSION
Parishioners listen to God and each
other to prepare for Synod 2023.
22 FROM THE ASHES
Survivors of the Eastland wildfires
begin to rebuild their lives.
32 CLASSICAL LEADER
Brinton Smith is the new diocesan
superintendent of schools.
34 DANCE LESSONS
Like Our Lady of Guadalupe, Danza
Azteca brings others to Jesus.
36
MARY, OUR
48 START WITH YES
Stewardship flourishes at Most MOTHER
Blessed Sacrament Parish. Our Lady has inspired
deep devotion among
Catholics around the
world.
ON THE COVER
Maria, creación de Dios by Spanish
painter Raúl Berzosa. To view
more paintings by the artist, visit
RaulBerzosa.com.
FOLLOW US ONLINE
Visit NorthTexasCatholic.org for
photo galleries, videos, the digital
version of the magazine, and web-
only articles.
HAVE A STORY IDEA?
Share it with us! Help us make sure
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your ideas and briefs to:
NTC@fwdioc.org. 14 LOCAL UKRAINIANS 28 ST. PHILIP CHURCH
2 N o r t h T e x a s C at h o l i c . o r g
Hope and help
FROM THE EDITOR
of sinners
W hen I was a child I would often groan at the
prospect of praying the Litany of Loreto —
especially as it was always tacked on at the end of
what I deemed already long prayers. Nonetheless,
my mother and grandmother were staunch
advocates of praying it after each Rosary.
I look back at those times now and appreciate
those two ladies’ persistence and patience. Thanks
to them, I understand the beauty of the Litany
of Loreto, the efficacy of prayer, and the rightly
deserved honor it bestows upon Our Blessed Mother.
Publisher Bishop Michael Olson
In a way, the litany is a sort of history lesson of
Communications Director Pat Svacina Our Lady’s compassion and willingness to advocate
for us, in order to bring us to greater holiness and
Editor Juan Guajardo
love for her Son. This litany was composed during
Associate Editor Susan Moses the Middle Ages in — you guessed it — Loreto, Italy.
In 1587, Pope Sixtus V formally approved it for
Editorial Assistant Rosa Rosales
public use and recommended its propagation. A few
Web Designer Chris Kastner centuries later, Pope Pius VII granted the faithful a
partial indulgence every time it was recited. As time
Circulation Debbie Dowis
passed, more titles and advocations were added by
Social Media Manager Annette Mendoza-Smith the popes, including two by St. Pope John Paul II
and three by Pope Francis.
Contributors
Kevin Bartram | Jillian Brearley
Young me would have been distraught upon
Jerry Circelli | Amanda Deats-Coello
Jayme Donahue | Sandra Engelland
learning that this prayer would get even longer.
Joy Kaiser | Joan Kurkowski-Gillen Current me has no problem with it because whether
Rodger Mallison | Michelle McDaniel in heaven or on earth, in times of sickness or war,
Alice Murray | Lance Murray persecution or famine, day or night, Mary does
Walker Price | Violeta Rocha not relinquish her role of caring for, consoling, and
Michael Sherman | Mary Lou Seewoester interceding for her oftentimes errant children. Those
Matthew Smith | Ben Torres titles and invocations in the Litany are her badges of
honor for saving us, interceding for us, inspiring us,
Translator Yolanda Newcomb and most importantly, bringing us closer to her Son.
Blessed Pope Pius IX puts it well: “God enriched
Regular Columnists Amanda Averbeck | Jeff Hedglen
[Mary] so wonderfully from the treasury of His
Ali Hoffman | Fr. Maurice Moon
divinity, far beyond all angels and saints with the
Fr. Tad Pacholczyk | Sean Wright
abundance of all heavenly gifts, that...beside God, no
one can even conceive in thought.”
Editorial Office: 800 West Loop 820 S., Fort Worth, Texas 76108, As we celebrate May, the month of Mary,
817-945-9424. writer Jerry Circelli shows us many examples of her
NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC Magazine (USPS 751-370) (ISSN 0899-7020) closeness to us (see pages 36-46). And on our website,
is published bi-monthly by the Most Rev. Michael F. Olson, Bishop of the columnist Sean Wright shares the meaning of Mary’s
Diocese of Fort Worth. For those who are not registered parishioners in many titles (visit bit.ly/LoretoLitany).
the Diocese of Fort Worth, subscription rates are $18 for one year, $35 for
two years, $50 for three years. Periodicals postage paid at Fort Worth,
Whatever situation or difficulty you are in,
TX. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to North Texas Catholic, 800 remember that your Mother loves you and can help
W. Loop 820 S., Fort Worth, Texas 76108. you. So don’t walk, fly to her protection!
The appearance of advertising in these pages does not imply endorsement
Juan Guajardo
of businesses, services, or products. Readers must exercise prudence in
responding to advertising in all media.
For address changes, please contact Debbie Dowis, 817-533-3172. editor
M ay / J u n e 2 0 2 2 3
Bishop Michael F. Olson, STD, MA
PREACHING
THE GOSPEL CLEARLY
AND JOYFULLY
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the oil of gladness and the glorious mantle ideologues within mainstream media
the Lord has anointed me; He has sent me to bring of the Gospel. This oil of gladness is Jesus and social media to incite each of us
glad tidings to the lowly, to heal the brokenhearted, Christ, the fullness of revelation and God’s as individuals to universalize private
to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the own Son. experience and to impose this agenda upon
prisoners, to announce a year of favor from the Lord It is important for us to remember organized religion and its adherents under
and a day of vindication by our God, to comfort that Jesus is speaking amid the members the rubric of what they call “globalism.”
all who mourn; to place on those who mourn in of His local synagogue who have their This results in the absolutizing of relativism,
Zion a diadem instead of ashes, to give them oil of own experiences of Jesus. His extended a tyranny of thought and speech that is
gladness in place of mourning, a glorious mantle family and neighbors took Him for imposing itself as a cancel culture upon the
instead of a listless spirit.” granted, because they thought they knew anointed and faithful members of the Body
— Isaiah 61:1-3 all about Him. He is the carpenter’s son. of Christ, the Church for whom Christ shed
Yet, when Jesus reveals to them that He is His blood and died.
J
the universal fulfillment of the prophecy This melancholy misunderstanding of
esus read this Scripture in the of Isaiah they reject Him. Jesus is calling reality has also supplanted the rule of law
synagogue in Nazareth, and them out of their private experience of in our society with a nihilism spawning
immediately following this, Saint Luke Him and out of their personal spiritual political ideologies that replace religion
describes the rejection that is delivered to interpretations of what Isaiah prophesies. in the lives of many. This nihilism has
Jesus by His friends and extended family Each one of them would prefer to impose been advanced by this world’s elite with
members as they react to His proclamation their private experience of Him and private messianic fervor, even among baptized
that He is the fulfillment of the prophecy interpretations of Isaiah upon others. Catholics who present themselves for Holy
from Isaiah. This is not unlike the present-day Communion but have fashioned a peculiar
Jesus’ proclamation calls the people practice among government leaders, doctrine of narcissism that exempts them
out of a spiritual listlessness, a lethargy of political activists, the economic leaders from the obligations of charity and the
cynicism and indifference they prefer to of multinational corporations, and the bonds of real communion.
4 N o r t h T e x a s C at h o l i c . o r g
There are other examples. Visit any are to love Him. This truth leads us to curricula for catechesis.
university campus (including Catholic recognize that our created humanity is We gathered at the Chrism Mass to
universities) where the Gospel is not measured and structured by the natural bless the sacramental oils: the Oil of the
upheld as the liberating truth of the world’s law and through grace is held accountable Catechumens, the Oil of the Sick, and the
redemption, and this is likely what you by what the Church’s authentic teaching of Sacred Chrism. These will be used in our
will find: intellectual incoherence, moral the Gospel calls the four last things: death, priestly ministry to anoint God’s people
degradation, intolerance of authentic judgment, heaven, and hell. These four with the gladness of the Gospel of Jesus
freedom of thought and speech, the inciting last things set the eternal horizon of the Christ. The distinct anointings with these
of hatred among people of different races, accountability of unconditional love. three blessed oils will first impart strength
ideology masking itself as science, abortion Our sacramental ministry and our to catechumens to renounce sin and the
promoted as an essential human right and a preaching as priests, for which we were glamor of evil. Secondly, they will release
positive good, a missionary zeal for anarchy, ordained and anointed with chrism, the sick and suffering from fear of receiving
and growing persecution of Christianity provide the means of grace for reorienting the consolation of faith. And thirdly, they
at the very center of institutional life. All our minds, our hearts, and our behavioral will imbue the faithful with the sweet odor
of this is enforced with ruthless efficiency habits, and those of the people we shepherd of the Gospel, the blessed presence of the
by teachers and administrators who have in the person of Christ the Head and Anointed One, Jesus Christ.
pledged their lives to the proposition that Shepherd of the Church toward the We gathered at the Chrism Mass as
there is no such thing as truth and who beatitude of heaven. brothers, priests and bishop, present with
by all available means seek to persuade Natural law puts a hedge against the faithful we serve, to renew our promises
or coerce their students to repudiate the our disordered desires of lust and anger. of ordination when we were anointed and
alleged superstitions of their childhood, The four last things hold us accountable imbued with the oil of gladness and the
beginning with faith. In some form and to eternally for our loving obedience or selfish sweet fragrance of holiness. We do so as
some degree, this same disintegration is at disobedience to the Ten Commandments priests, both diocesan and consecrated
work in every institution of our national life, and Christ’s Sermon on the Mount. religious, members of the presbyterate
including the armed forces and our national Human beings are created in the image of this local church of Fort Worth and
intelligence agencies. and likeness of God not as angels trapped members in communion with the Universal
Yet, we preach joyfully Christ Jesus in bodies, but as a unity of body and soul Church founded by Christ Himself on the
crucified as the fulfillment of the Old in such a way that both dimensions of Rock of Peter — not as secular apparatchiks
Covenant. He is the oil of gladness that this unity — the body and the soul — are of a global and multinational organization.
imbues our priestly ministry. We cannot intrinsically related to each other and are We gather as bishop and priests of diverse
settle for mere familiarity with Jesus as essential to the human nature that we national origin, speaking various languages,
the carpenter’s son. What we preach is all share no matter our race, ethnicity, but united as brothers by the fact that
the universal character of the Gospel and language, or whether our biological sex be Jesus Christ called each one of us and
the messianic mission of Jesus Christ that male or female. For too long, these essential continues to give us His grace to persevere
we are all equally human, equally subject truths have been understated in our throughout our years of priestly service.
to God’s law, and equally and eternally preaching and other aspects of our priestly As the presbyterate of this local Church,
accountable to God who loves us and life and ministry including our ministries of
commands us to love our neighbor as we charity and outreach, our schools, and our Continued on Page 6
M ay / J u n e 2 0 2 2 5
From Page 5 freedom and blasphemy is taken as a mark of
sophistication, when the proponents of these views
it is essential and praiseworthy for us to gather demand not our respect and tolerance but our
frequently and encourage each other in word, in moral and spiritual capitulation, and where public
deed, and most especially in prayer that we might and even ecclesial figures of great responsibility
listen to and serve the community of the People of are no longer willing to admit the biological
God entrusted to us. difference between men and women, let alone the BISHOP MICHAEL OLSON
is the fourth bishop of the
Pope Saint John Paul II wrote to his brother purpose and dignity of marriage between one man Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth.
priests in 1987, “Prayer is essential for maintaining and one woman.
@BpOlsonFW
pastoral sensitivity to everything that comes from We must admit that Christian civilization is
the Spirit, for correctly discerning and properly of the past, and now those who believe that Jesus
employing those charisms that lead to union and Christ is the Son of the living God are derided
are linked to priestly service in the Church. For it is as unenlightened bigots. It is our privilege and
the task of priests ‘to gather together’ the People of responsibility to proclaim and to teach the fullness
God, not to divide them… the priest, the steward of of the Gospel in clarity and charity. Thus, the
the mysteries of God, is truly himself when he is for Church in which we have been ordained and
others. Prayer gives him a special sensitivity to these anointed to serve returns to the circumstances of
others, making him attentive to their needs, to their the first century as a persecuted minority, and this
lives, and destiny. Prayer also enables the priest to too is God’s grace, so that we may courageously
recognize those whom the Father has given to him. bear witness to the light in the darkness and preach
These are, in the first place, those whom the Good joyfully the truth of the Gospel by our imitation of
Shepherd has, as it were, placed on the path of our Jesus Christ who came not to be served but to serve.
priestly ministry, of his pastoral care.”
Brother priests, dear deacons and religious,
and faithful Catholic laity, all of us baptized and
anointed as God’s priestly people, we are entering This text was adapted from Bishop Olson’s homily at the
a dark time when unrighteousness is called Chrism Mass on April 12, 2022.
Pray for
Them
The Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth
announces the Transitional Diaconate
Ordination Mass of
B r andon Austin Randolph Ed
L e C l air Hoodenpyle Hopkins Jr.
Saturday, May 21, 2022 | Please visit FWDioc.org for more information
6 N o r t h T e x a s C at h o l i c . o r g
Rodney Coates walks through the
tornado-damaged home of his friend
in Jacksboro. (NTC/Ben Torres)
AROUND THE DIO CESE
Nolan Catholic/Andrew Goodridge
A sport for the mind
“God’s hand was at work”
Nolan’s Robo Vikes advance to
world championship EF-3 tornado did only minor damage to parish
FORT WORTH — the Gracious JACKSBORO — A powerful with tarps.
Competing in the Professionalism tornado with winds of up to “We did see a few drops
“varsity sport for the award. 150 mph that ripped through inside that building because
mind,” a group of Robo Vikes, Jacksboro March 21 left major the shingles were not there on
Nolan Catholic High which began in damage to nearly 90 homes, top,” Fr. Antony said. “Not
School students 2011 with just a few severely damaged two schools, major, but a few spots here
recently advanced to students, now has and peeled some roof shingles and there.”
the robotics equiva- 32 students and 11 off St. Mary Church. Teams with the National
lent of the Olympics. mentors, some of Nobody was at the Weather Service surveyed
Nolan’s Robo them engineering church when the tornado damage in Jack County and
Vikes competed at professionals from struck shortly after 3 p.m. St. said the twister was an EF-3
the World Robotics Lockheed Martin Mary is part of the tri-parish level storm with winds of 140
Championship in and Bell Helicopter. community of Jack and Wise to 150 mph.
Houston in late April The robotics Counties in the Diocese of “Let me just say this
after they won mul- team is coached by Fort Worth. publicly, that I believe in God
tiple championships Nolan engineer- The church’s pastor, and God’s amazing grace was
and awards at dis- ing teacher Brad Father Reehan Antony, SAC, here at our community yester-
trict, regional, and Billeaudeau. said Mass continued as sched- day, through the situation and
state competitions. “Everything you uled and none of the church’s what we had facing us,” Frank
Some 400 learn in the engi- programs were affected. Hefner, Jack County emer-
teams from 37 neering classroom is “It will not affect any of gency management coordina-
countries compet- here: programming, the programs because it’s only tor, said at a press conference.
ed in the World manufacturing, the some of the shingles; a little “We’ve seen no major
Championship. design process, CAD portion on the church and injuries and no deaths with
At the (computer aided de- a portion on the classroom the devastation of what we’re
Texas District sign),” Billeaudeau sections are gone,” he said. seeing in our community and
Championships, said. “It’s the prac- After the storm passed, around our county. God’s
Robo Vikes earned tical application of the pastor said that he called hand was at work at keeping
the title of District that knowledge.” a few parishioners who came us protected,” Hefner said.
Championship to the church to help cover the
Finalist and won – Sandra Engelland damaged sections of shingles – Lance Murray
M ay / J u n e 2 0 2 2 7
A Week
AROUND THE DIO CESE
Like No
Other
NTC/Juan Guajardo
P
alm Sunday through Easter Sunday
is the most important week in
Christianity, and parishes around the
diocese celebrated the events that saved the
world and created new life for us.
Chrism Mass. Two acts set apart the Chrism
Mass, held this year on April 12 at St. Patrick
Cathedral. First, Bishop Michael Olson blessed
the oils to be used in sacraments throughout the
diocese in the coming year. Secondly, priests
renewed their ordination vows, recommitting
themselves to the faithful service of God and
His people.
Holy Thursday. At the Last Supper, Jesus
washed the feet of His Apostles to demonstrate
the Son of the Most High came to serve, rather
NTC/Ben Torres
than to be served. In parishes on Holy Thursday,
pastors model Jesus by washing the feet of their
parishioners, as did Father Mel Bessellieu, pastor
of St. Ann Parish in Burleson.
Good Friday. On the most solemn day of the
Church’s liturgical year, Catholics remember
Jesus laying down His life and suffering death
on a cross for our salvation. At St. Rita Parish
in Fort Worth, the corpus of Jesus was removed
from the cross and processed through the
church before being placed in a tomb created
for this somber service.
VIEW THE View our photographic
NTC/Juan Guajardo
PHOTOS coverage of Holy Week
2022 by scanning the
QR code.
8 N o r t h T e x a s C at h o l i c . o r g
NTC/Ben Torres
Easter Vigil. During what the Roman
Missal calls the “mother of all vigils,”
Father Jason Allan, parochial vicar
of Immaculate Conception Parish
in Denton, welcomed new members
into the Catholic Church through
the sacraments of Baptism and
Confirmation. In the Diocese of Fort
Worth, 597 new Catholics received the
sacraments of initiation.
Catholics worldwide celebrate
this holy night, which begins with the
darkness and silence of the tomb and
ends with joy of the risen Christ, the
Light of the World.
NTC/Ben Torres
See the photos online at: North-Texas-Catholic.smugmug.com
M ay / J u n e 2 0 2 2 9
Leap of faith
AROUND THE DIO CESE
Top ranked triple jumper approaches Catholic
faith with same discipline and focus
FORT WORTH —When [having] good faith,” he said.
NTC/Jacqueline Burkepile
Chengetayi “Du” Mapaya “My parents told me to just
launches himself into the stay true to myself and keep
triple jump during a compe- going to church and keep
tition, he carries his Catholic staying close to God.”
faith with him in his heart The star athlete said
and in the rosary that soars when he came to Fort Worth,
with him around his neck. “I couldn’t just stop [attend-
Mapaya, 23, is an athlete ing Mass]. Luckily, there was
from the African nation of a chapel close by, so I figured
Zimbabwe who is a senior on that out and started going
Texas Christian University’s every single week.” A journey of love
17th-ranked track team in Fort Gabe Gutierrez, campus
Worth. He is the No.1-ranked minister of TCU Newman
Outdoor Stations of the Cross
triple jumper in the United Center, said Mapaya attends
honor love and inspire meditation
States this year and ranks Mass regularly and is an altar
among the top 10 jumpers in server and lector.
the world. His best effort cov- Mapaya is “very driven, SAINT JO — After Sarah Ehlen’s husband con-
ered 56-feet, 3-inches in the very focused, very disci- verted to Catholicism on his deathbed in 2011,
hop, skip, and jump event. plined,” Gutierrez said. she traveled on weekends from her Dallas home
TCU Assistant Track to their 34-acre wooded property in Saint Jo.
Coach Shawn Jackson, who – Lance Murray Searching for healing amid grief, Ehlen
coaches the team’s jump- discovered a way to honor her husband’s memo-
ers, said Mapaya is always ry: building outdoor Stations of the Cross on the
humble, even though he is land they bought together 27 years ago.
Chengetayi
arguably the best athlete on “It was a massive undertaking,” Ehlen ex-
“Du” Mapaya.
the TCU track team. (courtesy of
plained. “It was an offering to God because I felt
“He’s really carried the TCU/Peter G. blessed, even though I went through something
manners of his parents in Aiken) difficult. I felt very blessed by his life. He was a
terms of being respectful and very good father and husband.”
making sure that he’s respect- Ehlen then hired a carpenter, placed holy im-
ful to everyone,” Jackson said. ages of the Lord’s Passion on wood, and created a
Mapaya says his devout walking path on the land. She had each station
faith is because of his parents, handmade and placed near a tree, finishing
who made sure he regularly the project in 2014.
attended Mass in his home Ehlen remarried in 2017. Her
country. current husband, Joseph Ehlen,
“Now it’s a part of refurbished the stations last year,
me. I feel like without it, and the couple recently opened
I’m lost,” he said. “So, them to the public. Sarah then
I just go every Sunday; invited Father Joseph Keating,
I always have to go to pastor of Sacred Heart Church
church. You know, it’s in Muenster, to pray and bless
something that’s like, them in 2021.
‘being in me.’” Contact s.c.sagert@gmail.
“I’ve always had com to visit Sarah and Joseph
a rosary because I feel Ehlen’s Stations of the Cross.
like it guides me, just like
– Jacqueline Burkepile
10 N o r t h T e x a s C at h o l i c . o r gIN MEMORIAM PRIEST ASSIGNMENTS
Full obituaries are available at NorthTexasCatholic.org.
REV. VICTOR MANUEL CONTRERAS
JUÁREZ, CORC
FATHER THOMAS KENNEDY later in life, the skilled mechanic trav- From outside the diocese, has been
February 28, 2022 eled to Alaska, Africa, and other parts appointed Parochial Vicar at Holy Name of
of the world to work on oil rigs. Jesus Parish in Fort Worth, effective April 13.
“He was open to helping anybody. After completing his studies at
Despite his own sufferings, he was the Oblate School of Theology in REV. EMMET O’HARA, SAC
always there to serve God and help San Antonio, he was ordained to the From Parochial Vicar of St. Stephen Parish in
those in need,” said St. Joseph parish- priesthood on July 7, 2007, by Bishop Weatherford to Pastor of St. Stephen Parish,
ioner John Fincher, Kevin Vann in St. effective March 3.
remembering Father Patrick Cathedral.
Thomas J. Kennedy, His first assignment REV. MICHAEL O’SULLIVAN, SAC
who died February 28 was at St. Michael From Pastor of St. Stephen Parish in
in an Arlington hospi- Parish in Bedford, Weatherford to Parochial Vicar of St.
tal. He was 68. followed by Holy Stephen Parish, effective March 3.
Born to Margaret Angels Parish in rural
and Thomas J. Clifton and Our Lady REV. MARIA JOSEPH KIRAN KUMAR
Kennedy Jr. in of Guadalupe Parish PUDOTA, SAC
Garland, a young Tom in Morgan, and St. From outside the diocese, has been
Kennedy grew up in Thomas Aquinas Parish appointed Parochial Vicar at St. Michael
Father Thomas Kennedy
Arlington where he in Pilot Point. He served Parish in Bedford, effective March 18.
attended St. Maria Goretti as parochial vicar at St.
Catholic School and later Nolan Joseph in Arlington since 2018. REV. SIPRIANUS OLA ROTOK, SVD
Catholic High School. Before dis- Resigned as Pastor of St. Rita Parish,
cerning a vocation to the priesthood – Joan Kurkowski-Gillen effective March 2.
MOTHER ANNE TERESA SISTER MARY OF THE
OF JESUS, OCD PRECIOUS BLOOD
February 12, 2022 OF JESUS, OCD
March 29, 2022
“Mother Anne Teresa has
been the rock and stronghold Sister Mary of the Precious
of our community for so many Blood of Jesus, OCD, lived
years,” said Mother Teresa her life performing acts of love
Agnes of Jesus Crucified, and service for her family of
OCD, prioress of the origin, her Carmelite family,
Mother Anne Teresa Sister Mary of the Precious
Monastery of the Most Holy and Jesus.
Blood of Jesus
Trinity in Arlington. Born in Poland, she im-
Born Anne Henrietta Worth monastery, and were migrated to Chicago with her
Kulinski on July 15, 1947, she foundational in the building family in her youth. After at- humblest tasks, cleaning, no
spent her early years in Illinois of the Monastery of the Most tending Catholic high school, matter what it was, she would
with her family. As a teenager, Holy Trinity in Arlington. she entered the Carmelite do it with great joy, so much
she felt called to consider clois- In 1986, about two years monastery in 1975. like St. Thérèse.”
tered religious life. She entered after the Carmelites moved At the monastery in Fort Sister Mary’s responsibil-
the order in 1965 to devote into the Arlington monastery, Worth and after the Sisters ities included the gentle care
her life to prayer. Sister Anne Teresa was elected moved to their new Arlington of her fellow Carmelites. She
Alongside her friend Prioress, becoming Mother monastery, Sister Mary sewed beautiful habits, baked
Mother Maria of Jesus Anne Teresa, who ensured a showed love through simple altar bread, did laundry,
Crucified, Sister Anne Teresa physical and spiritual home for acts. “She was always willing to and spent much time in the
guided their community to live Carmelites. take over dishwasher duties,” kitchen.
the Carmelite spirituality after said Mother Teresa Agnes,
Vatican II, expanded their Fort – Kiki Hayden prioress. “She’d just do the – Kiki Hayden
M ay / J u n e 2 0 2 2 11Noteworthy Mary Boatman at Holy
Family of Nazareth
achievement
Parish in Vernon.
AROUND THE DIO CESE
(NTC/Juan Guajardo)
Mary Boatman retires
after six decades
VERNON — After more than
60 years playing piano and organ
at Mass, Mary Boatman of Holy
Family of Nazareth Parish has re-
tired from music ministry, but she
hasn’t gone far. She has swapped
the piano bench for the front pew
of the Vernon parish.
Although Boatman acknowl-
edged “music is my life,” attending
Mass without worrying about
being on the correct page before
the next song is “beautiful. I’m
at peace, I’m comfortable, I’m
enjoying it.” raised her four children. mentally, “I’m not as young Her friend and fellow
She began playing in the dio- Playing the organ as when I started,” she musician Sherri Syptak de-
cese in the late 1950s at St. Mary for Saturday Vigil Mass, said. Of course, she started scribed Boatman as faithful
Parish in Quanah, the town where Sunday morning Mass, before most parishioners and compassionate. “She’s
she met and married her late hus- funerals, and weddings were born. a ray of sunshine who just
band. When they moved to Vernon became more difficult for Boatman, 92, was hon- radiates her love of the Lord
in the 1960s, she began playing at Boatman as arthritis affect- ored at a retirement party in and her love of playing
Holy Family of Nazareth while she ed her hands. Physically and the parish hall March 20. music.”
Bishop Olson gives
a presentation at
the Diocesan Day of
Embracing stewardship as a way of life Stewardship at St. Michael
Parish. (NTC/Jayme
Donahue)
Centering on God is essential to stewardship
BEDFORD — All of us, as members of the Diocese of Phoenix executive director for the
Church, have responsibilities and roles to play, Office of Mission Advancement, spoke.
Bishop Michael Olson said during the Diocesan From the practical to the big-picture view,
Day of Stewardship held March 19 at St. Michael Bishop Olson and de Leon employed the lenses
Church in Bedford. of faith, hope, and charity as well as identity,
“For we have been called to be disciples of trust, gratitude, and love in discussing steward-
the Lord Jesus and He has given us the grace to ship’s many aspects.
say ‘yes,’” Bishop Olson said. “Stewardship is an expression of discipleship
More than 170 religious, ministry leaders, with the power to change how we understand
and staff members from more than 25 parishes and live our lives,” de Leon said. “Recognizing
throughout the Diocese of Fort Worth attended God is the origin of life and all we have, and
the event, which fell on the Feast of St. Joseph. deeply aware that, as the recipients and care-
“The silence of St. Joseph represents his takers of God’s many gifts, we are thankful and
attentiveness for hearing the call of God,” eager to cultivate those gifts out of love for God
Bishop Olson said. “This is at the heart of our and one another.”
stewardship.”
In addition to Bishop Olson, Cande de Leon, – Matthew Smith
12 N o r t h T e x a s C at h o l i c . o r gSr. Mary Grace, SV,
spoke to students and
played dodgeball at Nolan
Catholic High School.
(NTC/Rodger Mallison)
Sisters of Life visit Fort Worth
Religious community shares pro-life message
with St. Andrew and Nolan students
FORT WORTH — Three He was encouraged to
Sisters of Life from New York bring them to St. Andrew
traveled to St. Andrew Parish because, “We believe that
and spoke on three consecu- life begins at conception, and
tive days, reminding parishio- having religious women who
Such actions are impossible on our ners of their worth and God’s have committed themselves to
own, Bishop Olson added, but doable love. the cause of life is an import-
through God’s grace. After their final talk on ant message.”
April 1, they visited with Olga Watson, Director of
students at St. Andrew Campus Ministry at Nolan,
Catholic School and Nolan said the sisters had lunch with
Catholic High School. Their students and played dodgeball
visit concluded with prayer with them. “It’s important
on the sidewalks of Planned that students can get to know
Parenthood. religious and see they are real
Deacon Kevin Bagley people.”
said he learned about the The sisters told students
sisters “through their good about their order and their
work and reputation, and a journeys that led them to a
parish family has a daughter religious vocation.
progressing through forma-
tion to be a Sister of Life.” – Amanda Deats-Coello
M ay / J u n e 2 0 2 2 13A woman and child evacuate from a residential building damaged by Russian shelling in Kyiv, Ukraine in March 2022. (State Emergency Service of Ukraine)
Bless and
Help Them Local Catholics offer prayers,
support for Ukraine
By Susan Moses
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M ay / J u n e 2 0 1 8 14Getty Images/Chris McGrath
F
ather Pavlo Popov, of Fort Worth, are making
the pastor of St. sure that Masses, prayer, and
Sophia Ukrainian material support continue to
Greek Catholic Church in make their way to those in
The Colony, said the initial need in Ukraine.
shock and disbelief of the
Russian invasion of Ukraine EARLY SOLIDARITY
transitioned into a series of One of those early signs
questions. “How long can of unity came during the very
this go on? How many more early stages of the unprovoked
victims will there be? How attack on Ukraine. A RESIDENT IS COMFORTED
many more have to die?” Bishop Michael Olson
Shock has returned as joined Fr. Popov and the faithful
VOA/Yan Boechat
he and his congregation see of the parish at their celebration
photos and stories of the of Mass on Sunday, March
atrocities Russian soldiers 6. The small church in The
committed as they retreated Colony overflowed with parish
from the western regions of members and others who came
Ukraine. “A horror story,” to show their support to the
said the pastor. “It’s more Ukrainian community.
shocking, a different shock. Bishop Olson explained,
The shock of war crimes, “This visit is an opportunity
especially civilian deaths.” for us to pray together as God’s
In the first days after people and ask Him to give us
the February 24 invasion of peace and an end to this terrible
Ukraine by Russian forces, the war, this unjust assault upon
pastor recalled a busy stream Ukraine, and also to give solace,
of phone calls and donations. for many people here have
CIVILIANS EVACUATE
The pace has slowed, he said. relatives and friends who are
“There’s not as much money, still in Ukraine, to ask God to
but people are still helping. bless them and help them.”
CNS photo/Thomas Peter, Reuters
But they realize it’s not going The bishop delivered the
to end tomorrow, or anytime homily and noted that Catholic
soon, and they have to pace unity “brings us together today
themselves, to prepare for the not out of fear but out of faith,
long run.” hope, and love.”
In the weeks since the Parishioners of St. Sophia,
invasion, the pastor said most of whom have family and
they’ve developed a “better friends in Ukraine, have spent
strategy” for donations and the days since the Russian
have determined which invasion praying with faith,
items are most needed, how hope, and love while battling
to ship necessary materials, anxiety and fear for their loved
and which charities are most ones and their homeland.
effective. Marta Petrash is a St.
His parishioners, like
A MAN MOURNS HIS MOTHER
the faithful from the Diocese Continued on Page 16
15 N o r t h T e x a s C at h o l i c . o r g M ay / J u n e 2 0 1 8 15
DIOCESE M ay / J u n e 2 0 2 2 15From Page 15
Sophia parishioner who grew up in Ukraine,
where her mother, brother, and other
relatives and friends still live. Each day she
calls her mother, who is staying with relatives
in a rural area in western Ukraine, where her
life is fairly normal.
However, Petrash’s nephew recently
returned to Ukraine from Austria, where
he was working, to train with the volunteer
territorial defense forces. His concerned
aunt sent him tactical gear through a friend
who has twice traveled from Texas to
Ukraine with suitcases of medical supplies
and military clothing.
Petrash’s cousin, a physician in Lviv, still
practices medicine despite having to take
shelter in the basement when air raid sirens
sound.
But “what is happening in East Ukraine
is horrifying,” said Petrash, who immigrated
to the U.S. in 1991. “I’m a little paralyzed, I
cannot function normally,” and she spends
much of her day glued to Ukrainian news
channels, watching reports and updates.
“There’s so much pain in Mariupol,”
a city of nearly 500,000 on the coast
of southeast Ukraine which has been
demolished by relentless fighting. “I pray
for them. That’s all we can do. We need
everybody’s prayers,” she said.
WORLDWIDE PRAYERS
From St. Patrick Cathedral in downtown
Fort Worth to Rome and points all around
the world, the Catholic Church united to
make an Act of Consecration of Russia and
Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
The Act of Consecration originated in
Fatima, Portugal in 1917, when the Blessed
Virgin Mary appeared to three shepherd
children with a message encouraging prayer
and repentance, as well as a request for
Russia’s consecration to her.
The Blessed Mother said: “If my requests
are heeded, Russia will be converted, and
there will be peace; if not, she will spread
her errors throughout the world, causing
wars and persecutions of the Church. The
good will be martyred; the Holy Father will
have much to suffer; various nations will be
annihilated.”
The message concluded, “In the end,
(NTC/Juan Guajardo)
Continued on Page 18
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On the Solemnity of the Annunication, Catholics from around the diocese came to St. Patrick Cathedral for
Mass celebrated by Bishop Michael Olson, followed by the Act of Consecration made in union with Rome.
(NTC/Juan Guajardo)
ABOVE: Laity filled the pews on March
25 for the Solemnity of the Annunciation
and to pray the Act of Consecration as
requested by the Holy Father.
LEFT: Priests from around the diocese
join in praying the Act of Consecration.
OPPOSITE PAGE: Bishop Olson kneels
while praying the Act of Consecration at
approximately the same time as Pope
Francis in Rome.
VIEW THE
VIDEO!
View our video on the
Act of Consecration
(NTC/Juan Guajardo)
by scanning the QR
code above.
17 N o r t h T e x a s C at h o l i c . o r g M ay / J u n e 2 0 1 8 17
DIOCESE M ay / J u n e 2 0 2 2 17Ivanka Tomashchuk prays during a Mass at St.
Sophia Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church on
March 6. Bishop Olson was the homilist for the
Mass and afterward met with families affected
by the war. (NTC/Juan Guajardo)
She believes the significance of
protecting Ukrainian democracy extends
beyond the country’s borders, saying,
“Ukraine is fighting for our freedom and
fighting for the freedom of the democratic
free world, which is in danger right now.”
From Page 16 RAYS OF HOPE Fr. Popov agreed the Russian threat
Although thousands of miles from will not stop with Ukraine. Some world
my Immaculate Heart will triumph. The their Ukrainian homeland, Fr. Popov leaders are too measured in their response
Holy Father will consecrate Russia to me, said his flock has “a big, painful, bleeding to Putin’s aggression, considering how
and she shall be converted, and a period of wound. We can’t stop the bleeding while their actions might affect the price of oil,
peace will be granted to the world.” the war is raging.” he cited as an example.
Since this message, Russia has been Despite the people being in pain, they “The time for fear has passed. This
consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of do not despair, he pointed out. “We look is the time to be decisive,” he said. “We
Mary four times. through the lens of Christ. We pray. We need to help [end] the suffering, end the
Bishop Olson observed Pope Francis’ know God has a plan for us, even if we atrocities. But humans are humans; not all
request of all Catholic bishops, priests, and don’t know what it is, but we see the rays of choose to do the right thing.”
laity around the world to join him in the hope in the darkness.” However the war in Ukraine ends,
consecration on March 25, the Solemnity Many times, those rays of hope come “The world will definitely be different,”
of the Annunciation. via the phone as strangers call with offers the pastor continued. For people of faith,
The bishop celebrated Mass at the of help. For example, a man living in watching the horror of the war unfold
cathedral with a full assembly. Afterwards, Alaska recently called the church and proves, “We cannot put hope in the
the prelate led the congregation as they offered a house he owns in Frisco for any princes of this world, but on the true King
prayed, “Mother of God and our Mother, Ukrainian refugees who might need it. of the world.”
to your Immaculate Heart we solemnly “In this world, God acts through other Many local Catholics have expressed
entrust and consecrate ourselves, the people. God is shining His light, His hope a desire to assist those suffering in
Church, and all humanity, especially through other people,” said Fr. Popov. Ukraine, where more than 10 million
Russia and Ukraine.” “Always with God there lies hope.” people have fled their homes since the
The prayer requested Mary’s Petrash has been heartened by the Russian invasion. The Diocese of Fort
intercession in the warring nations as well Ukrainian flags she sees flying around the Worth is accepting contributions for
as in the hearts of the faithful. Metroplex, as well as the skylines lit up in Catholic Relief Services at fwdioc.org/
Later that evening, the congregation blue and yellow. ukraine-relief-en. CRS partners with
at St. Sophia also prayed the Act of Both Russia and NATO countries Caritas Ukraine to provide humanitarian
Consecration, which Fr. Popov described underestimated the tenacity of the relief across Ukraine and bordering
as “beautiful and spiritually uplifting.” Ukrainian military and volunteer defense countries.
At the Solemnity of the Annunciation, forces, Petrash said. “They thought Bishop Olson also suggested
“the history of salvation begins with the Ukraine would fall in three or four days. supporting Catholic Charities Fort Worth
Mother of God. We pray the war will stop But the fighters will not surrender, despite and Catholic Charities Dallas, which
with the Mother of God’s intercession,” being underequipped,” she said, calling will be assisting refugees coming from
he said. them heroes. Ukraine in the near future.
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M ay / J u n e 2 0 1 8 18Edee Hansen, left, Frank
Ramirez, and Eileen
Keller at a parish listening
session at Holy Cross
Church in The Colony.
(NTC/Ben Torres)
Listen UP
Parish listening sessions for Synod 2023 direct
our hearts and minds back to God
By Joan Kurkowski-Gillen observed the parish’s bookkeeper. Challenged by Pope Francis to focus on
D
Two listening sessions, part of a global the meaning of synodality by “listening to
evastating. That’s how Marla consultative process prior to the 2023 the questions, concerns, and hopes of every
Trevino described the impact a assembly of bishops in Rome, the Synod on church, people, and nation,” the Diocese
two-year pandemic had on her Synodality, helped parishioners reconnect of Fort Worth encouraged parishioners to
parish in Mineral Wells. and discover common ground. reflect and dialogue with each other based
“Few people came to Mass,” remem- “Everything that was said in the English on two main questions: How am I person-
bered the longtime member of Our Lady of session was echoed in the Spanish session,” ally listening to God to serve His will? How
Lourdes. “A lot of people got sick, and we said Trevino, who facilitated each discus- am I listening to my brothers and sisters so I
lost many of our elderly.” sion with a series of questions provided by can learn how God is talking to them?
Isolation, caused by the health crisis, the diocese. “By listening to each other, More than 90 listening sessions hosted
seemed to amplify the separation between parishioners realized they want to be drawn by parishes and faith communities allowed
the Anglo and Spanish speaking communi- together — not apart. The sessions were participants to share their experiences of
ties in the rural parish. The different groups valuable and stressed the importance of
came together for fundraisers but little else, really listening to each other.” Continued on Page 20
19 N o r t h T e x a s C at h o l i c . o r g M ay / J u n e 2 0 1 8 19
DIOCESE M ay / J u n e 2 0 2 2 19All Saints Parish and
many others began
listening sessions
with Eucharistic
Adoration. (NTC/
Kevin Bartram)
From Page 19 or personal interests.” have a hopeful and positive feeling for the
The pandemic — on top of other faith and that will guide and inspire them.”
worship, discipleship, and evangelization. divisive national issues — caused stress and Keeping young people involved in the
Guided by the Holy Spirit, the conversa- separation. Church was a concern voiced by many All
tions were designed to be collaborative, “So, one of the immediate results is the Saints participants attending the morning
inclusive, and non-confrontational. Notes joy of gathering with each other, learning to session in English. The listening sessions
taken during the sessions were summarized, listen to each other, and finding our anchor provided an important forum to discuss
delivered to the diocese, and further synthe- in Christ so we can move forward.” “what’s in people’s hearts,” said Deacon
sized into a 10-page document for submis- Asking pastors to oversee the listening Ricardo De Leon.
sion to the U.S. Conference of Catholic sessions gave them the opportunity to inter- “We want to bring people back into the
Bishops. The three-year process toward act with parishioners. The catch phrase for Church,” he explained. “We have to get
the Synod will continue at the national and the synod is “journey together.” input from parishioners in the pews, so we
North American level before ending with “We’re all called to participate,” the know why so many are leaving.”
the bishops in Rome in October 2023. director explained. “This journey will People have a strong desire to be heard
Bringing people together and devel- happen through listening and discernment and feel a sense of belonging. That’s why
oping an ability to actively listen to one guided by the Holy Spirit. We’re discerning strangers sometimes call his parish office
another is key to the consultative phase of how God is calling us to work together and hoping just to talk with someone.
the synod, according to Paola Quintero- walk together.” “I invite them in,” added the deacon,
Araujo. The director of the St. Junipero recalling how one man poured his heart
Serra Institute is spearheading the dioce- VOICING CONCERNS, STRENGTHS out for two hours. “There’s a lot of people
san synodal process with Father Jonathan Father Tim Thompson, pastor at All like that out there who want to be heard.
Wallis, vicar general. Saints since December 2021, welcomed Listening to people now will have some
“Just having the experience of being the opportunity to host listening sessions effect on the future.”
back together to learn, listen to God and in English and Spanish at the historic
each other is the result we’re looking for,” Northside parish. COMMUNICATION BUILDS
she explained. “The call of the synod is not “I like the process. I like people coming COMMUNITY
to produce documents. It’s the journey. together to think about their faith and the Before the listening session began at
Being in this journey is already a result that Church,” he told the North Texas Catholic. “I St. Thomas the Apostle, Deacons Mike
allows us to start changing minds and hearts think it will help the Church not just con- Handler and Humberto Serrano led partic-
again.” sider its future but recognize the strengths ipants in a bilingual service that centered on
Finding our identity in Christ is what it has and how it can grow and build from Scripture, prayer, and meditation inside the
is at stake, Quintero-Araujo emphasized, there.” church’s chapel. During frank and infor-
adding, “That’s what has been lost. We The pastor sees a passion for the faith in mal roundtable discussions, those present
see more people finding their identity in the people he serves. shared their views on how better commu-
political parties, common groups they like, “That hasn’t died,” he assured. “People nication can build a more involved church
22 0
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“All of us are so busy. Until we inten-
tionally take the time to stop, listen, and
pray, we’ll continue to do what we’re
doing,” said the parish’s Safe Environment
coordinator Bruce Mallory. “I think this
exercise is an attempt to get us to stop and
focus on the Blessed Sacrament and listen to
what the Holy Spirit is telling us.”
Many expressed hope that the listening
sessions would become a continuing exer-
cise at the parish. More interaction between
ministries and people would allow the par- Priests, including Father Prakash
ish to grow closer together as a community. Dias of Sacred Heart Church in
“People at our table liked this idea and Breckenridge, participated in
parish listening sessions.
want to see it happen more often,” com- (NTC/Juan Guajardo)
mented Ricardo Baez, one of the Spanish-
speaking participants. “We talked about the
Church being sensitive and willing to pay
more attention to people’s needs.”
LISTENING TO EVERYONE
Hoping to reach as many people as pos-
sible, the diocese invited participation from
Catholics belonging to small faith com-
munities. Father Ken Robinson attended
listening sessions with fellow retirees at St.
Francis Village as well as the deaf commu-
nity — a group he has served for 25 years.
“They each have a different perspective
but no radical differences,” observed the
priest, who used American Sign Language
to celebrate Mass for the group before the
April 3 listening session at St. Rita Parish in
Fort Worth. How we listen to God and the Connie Martin, coordinator of
Deaf Ministry, signs during a
temptations that prevent us from listening session for the deaf community.
to Him are going to be the same across the (NTC/Rodger Mallison)
board.”
Assisted by the Diocesan Coordinator
of Deaf Ministry and interpreter Connie
Martin, participants remembered a time
when deaf Catholics were content to sit
back and watch liturgies from the pew.
There was little involvement or awareness
of the hearing impaired in the diocese.
In recent years, with more deaf com-
munity members serving as altar servers,
sacristans, and Eucharistic ministers, that
is slowly changing, they agreed. But much
more outreach is needed.
“There are more deaf Catholics out
there,” David Cassanova pointed out. “We
need to find them and invite them [to our
Mass] along with our friends and family.
Sharing our faith can be difficult but it’s Bruce Mallory speaks at a
important to do.” listening session at St. Thomas
the Apostle Parish.
(NTC/Jayme Donahue)
21 N o r t h T e x a s C at h o l i c . o r g M ay / J u n e 2 0 1 8 21
DIOCESE M ay / J u n e 2 0 2 2 21from the
ashes
A look at what’s next for the survivors
of the Eastland Complex Wildfire
By Susan Moses
O
n March 17, at about 5:15 fast-moving fire that left many families
p.m., Evelyn Guillen was with only minutes to escape. Others, like
wrapping up her workday as Evelyn, went to work that morning and
a student advisor at Ranger received notice not to come home or
College when her mother called and told were blocked by fire crews.
her not to return to the home in Carbon About 90 percent of the town’s
that she shared with her brother and population of roughly 350 lost their
parents. homes, and the Eastland Complex, a
Her mother, Maria, had arrived at the collective name for seven wildfires in or
home from work at 4:30 and reclined for near Eastland County, destroyed more
a quick nap. Around 5 p.m. a neighbor’s than 150 structures in the 54,500 acres it
incessant honking alerted her husband, decimated.
Juan, to the call to evacuate. Jackie Juarez, a Carbon resident of
Maria left with only time to grab her 19 years, was thankful that her daugh-
purse, and Juan stayed behind to free their ters were on spring break and didn’t have
two horses from their enclosure. His next the “traumatizing” experience of evacu- to see the devastation firsthand, and he was
step was to open the pen of their four sheep ating. In fact, she was en route to Dallas- able to accompany some of his parishio-
and a calf, but firefighters prevented him Fort Worth Airport to pick up one of her ners, including Juarez, as they visited the
and told him to flee. daughters when she received a text from her scorched remains of their homes.
That began what Evelyn Guillen husband, “Don’t worry about it, honey. We Juarez will always remember the sight.
remembers as “the worst 30 minutes of her will make it.” With those words, “I knew “Nothing left of my home, of my cats.
life,” when she was unable to contact her my house was gone,” she said. Everything was burned, completely every-
father and feared that he had been caught Father Vijaya Raju Mareedu, SAC, thing was lost. Only ashes were left on the
in one of the largest wildfires ever recorded began calling the families who lived in ground,” she recalled.
in Texas history — the Eastland Complex Carbon that evening, checking on their Since the fires, Fr. VJ, as he is known,
wildfire. welfare and making arrangements for shel- has provided spiritual support and coordi-
The Guillen family and six other fami- ter. Fortunately, the lives of his parishioners nated assistance with housing, clothing, and
lies who belong to St. Francis Xavier Parish were spared, although an Eastland County food. He’s become a conduit of information
in Eastland lost their homes in Carbon sheriff’s deputy was killed as she helped about disaster relief agencies, and the parish
that afternoon. Critically dry conditions others evacuate from the area. halls of St. Rita and St. Francis Xavier are
and winds surpassing 35 mph generated a The next morning, he went to Carbon serving as places for people to donate or
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M ay / J u n e 2 0 1 8 22Father Vijaya Mareedu, SAC, walks through the rubble of the Guillen home in Carbon. (NTC/Juan Guajardo)
receive material goods, food, and water. in Eastland. After the Eastland Mass, he days, “but in times of pain and difficulty,
Donations of practical necessities began prayed with the seven families whose homes we will move forward together, trusting in
with local parishioners, and then came in burned and two young men who experi- Divine Providence.”
from as far as Dallas, Odessa, and Abilene. enced burns in the fire. The majority of Carbon homeown-
Catholic Charities Fort Worth and various The bishop called on the faithful ers did not carry home insurance. The
Knights of Columbus Councils offered to donate to Eastland Wildfire Disaster Guillens, like many of their neighbors,
assistance, according to Fr. VJ. Sympathetic Relief “for the compassionate, long-term owned older, modest homes and spent years
ranchers from across Texas have delivered recovery and significant community slowly renovating and expanding their
hay and feed for livestock. needs arising from these tragedies.” The homes themselves.
On March 19, two days after the fire diocese has established a website, bit.ly/ Just six months ago, Jaime Perales
swept through Carbon, Bishop Michael EastlandRelief, where donations can be moved his wife, four children, and a grand-
Olson celebrated Mass at St. John Parish made. daughter into a home in Carbon.
in nearby Strawn. The next morning, the “I was with my cousin, renting a house
bishop celebrated Mass at Our Lady of the MOVING FORWARD for seven years. It took me one year to
Holy Rosary Parish in Cisco, St. Rita Parish “There are no words to comfort you,”
in Ranger, and St. Francis Xavier Parish Fr. VJ has told the families in the ensuing Continued on Page 24
23 N o r t h T e x a s C at h o l i c . o r g M ay / J u n e 2 0 1 8 23
DIOCESE M ay / J u n e 2 0 2 2 23Father Vijaya Mareedu, SAC, speaks
with Jaime Perales in the parish hall of
St. Francis Xavier in Eastland.
(NTC/Juan Guajardo)
SEE THE
VIDEO
Jackie Juarez, Jaime
Perales, and Fr.
Vijaya Mareedu, SAC,
share their stories at
NorthTexasCatholic.
org/video-gallery
Scan this QR code
to donate.
From Page 23 apartment; and the Perales family is living four legs for the Guillen family, especially
with a cousin. Evelyn’s father, Juan. After he evacuated,
renovate my house [in Carbon]. We moved Evelyn Guillen, when she is not helping a neighbor was able to release the family’s
to the house six months ago. With God’s other families navigate the policies and four sheep and calf from their pen.
help first, we will [build] something again,” paperwork of government and charity assis- The next day, Juan recovered his two
he said. tance, has returned to work, as have most of horses — one was injured — plus the calf
The Perales, Guillen, and Juarez fami- the others. and three of the sheep. This being spring,
lies, along with the other four families from The Ranger College advisor thinks the season of new birth, five baby lambs
the parish, are a close-knit group and plan returning to work is a necessary step to have since joined Guillen’s flock.
to rebuild in Carbon. move forward. “If you’re at work, your
“We don’t want to go anywhere else. If mind is going to be busy. If you keep RECOVERY EFFORTS
we can find someone to donate materials thinking about [the fire], you’re going to get About a month has passed since the
or something, we will build homes,” said depression,” she said. fire raged through the community, and
Evelyn Guillen. “We will get together; we Guillen’s focus is supporting her parents grass is sending up green shoots through
will build one, then another one, even if it’s through the trauma, and Juarez concen- the black ash that covers the ground.
a small room.” trates on helping her daughters, who are 15 Recovery for the community is not so
“We’re hard workers,” added Juarez. and 21 years old. rapid.
“If they bring us materials, we can build The survivors have found a few bright Juan Guillen spent a recent weekend
our house up. We are all together in this. spots among the ashes — each family’s cleaning the site of his former home and
We can help each other.” escape from the blaze, the unity of the com- hauling debris to the local dump. His
munity, and the presence of the Church. daughter, Evelyn, noted several second-
HOLDING ON TO HOPE According to the families, Fr. VJ assures hand RVs on homesites in the town, indi-
Currently, life is on a day-by-day basis. them they are not alone. Juarez said Father cating the residents’ resolve to rebuild.
Replacing medication and identification VJ “has been with us all the time. He has Fr. VJ has lunch with the seven families
documents that were burned. Finding helped all seven families that were affected after Sunday Mass each week, sending
clothing and shoes beyond what they by the fire. He has been there for all of us.” them home with a box of donated food and
were wearing on that fateful day. Sifting Fr. VJ encourages the survivors to “stay clothing.
the remains of their homes for anything close to God; stay close to the Church. God “They understand it will take time to
salvageable. And locating temporary shelter will lead us through. You will see a future get good shelter,” said the pastor.
— the Guillens are living in a borrowed RV; of hope.” Evelyn agreed. “It’s hard, but we know
the Juarez family is sharing a one-bedroom Hope arrived unexpectedly and on God will provide one way or another.”
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M ay / J u n e 2 0 1 8 24You can also read
