Shepherd of Orange

Starting December 14, 2012 you can now follow Bishop Kevin W. Vann at his new blog "Shepherd of Orange".

www.ocbishopvann.blogspot.com

Bishop Vann was named the fourth Bishop of Orange on September 21, 2012. He was installed on Monday, December 10, 2012.

ICC Matachines, Diocesan blessings, and "California Here I come"

I would like to share with you some of my last gatherings in Fort Worth. As a preparation for the upcoming feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, I was blessed along with so many other people, to witness the Matachines group from Immaculate Conception parish in Denton, Texas. They attended Evening prayer on November 28, and prayed with all of us, and gave praise to God, and showed their devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe by their dance after Evening Prayer outside of the Church. We were also blessed with the "Jovenes" music and song group who played and sang to us as well.

The Matachines group from Immaculate Conception
parish in Denton, Texas

The Jovenes Music group from Immaculate Conception
parish in Denton, Texas

"If the Lord Does not Build the House..." (Psalm 127:1)

These past few days have seen a number of blessings and celebrations. In my previous blog post, I mentioned that Christ the King Vietnamese church celebrated their parish feast day and the blessing of an addition to their parish church. But the diocese has had other blessings as well: the new gym and renovated classrooms of St. Peter School in White Settlement, on the West Side of Fort Worth; the new Church at St. Jude's in Mansfield which is beginning to take shape and point to the sky - to the presence of almighty God; and finally, the Church of Vietnamese Martyrs in Arlington, Texas, which celebrated its one year anniversary of dedication. And at the same time, we welcomed Fr. Raymond, the new pastor, and Fr. Louis Nguyen, the Provincial Superior of the CMC Brothers and Fathers. Father Polycarp, the pastor, and I had a chance to say thank you to the people of the parish for their faith and generosity, as both of us are going on shortly to new assignments. Truly, the Lord must build the living house of God, but these dedications and re-dedication's are concrete signs of the vitality of the Church in Fort Worth and is a testimony to the faith, generosity, and goodness of the people of the Diocese.

The new outside of the St. Peter Catholic School.

The newly remodeled gym.

The newly remodeled classrooms.

Artwork by the children.

The new St.  Jude Catholic Church in Mansfield,
which is still under construction.

California Here I come

This week, on Monday, December 3, I will be heading to Orange, California, for preparation for my installation on December 9 and 10. This was preceded by Evening Prayer and dinner with the priests of Fort Worth on December 2. The ministry of the priests of the Diocese of Fort Worth is an essential and foundational part of the growth of the Body of Christ in North Texas. They cannot be thanked enough by the people of our local Church. I thank them for all that they have taught me and shown me of the presence of Christ in their lives and ministry.

Over the years, many of you have enjoyed the video clips at Christmas of my 1922 Cable Nelson player piano that I have owned since l967. As I head "west" on Monday, December 3, please enjoy the Aeolian player piano roll "California Here I Come" which was given to me as one of several gifts at my Press Conference at Marywood Pastoral Center on Friday, September 21! The song was written by DeSylva and Henderson in l921, and popularized by the beloved Al Jolson in l924 and the years following.

The Mariachis that greeted me as I left St. Patrick's this morning.

See you in California!
God bless you always,

+ Bishop Kevin W. Vann, JCD, DD

Wednesday of the last week of Ordinary Time

This week saw some major events in the life of the Diocese of Fort Worth. The Diocesan Council of Catholic Women sponsored a day of reflection for the women of the diocese. The leadership of the local DCCW, with the assistance of Vice-Chancellor, Sr. Yolanda Cruz, SSMN, planned the day. The theme was "A Day of Reflection for Women in Celebration of the Year of Faith," and it was led by Most Rev. James Vann Johnston. He is the Bishop of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and is also the Episcopal Moderator for the National Council of Catholic Women. This event was sponsored by the DCCW for the women of the diocese, and also raised the consciousness of our parishioners of the importance of the DCCW, and especially membership in it. The prayer to Our Lady of Good Counsel, patroness of the National Council of Catholic Women is:

"God of heavenly wisdom, You have given us Mary,
Mother of Jesus, to be our guide and counselor.
And so enjoy her blessed presence in the life to come.
O Mother of Good Counsel
Patroness of the National Council of Catholic Women
Intercede for us that we may be wise, courageous and loving
Leaders of the Church.
Help us dear Mother, to know the mind of Jesus, your Son.
May the Holy Spirit fill us with reverence for God's creation
and compassion for all God's children.
May our labors of love on earth enhance the reign of God.
And may our labors of love on earth enhance the reign of God.
And may God's gifts of faith and living hope prepare us for the
Fullness of the world to come. Amen."

Noon of the same day saw a record attendance of over 950 people at the annual Catholic Charities "Creating Hope for Our Community" fundraising luncheon. Again, thanks to Heather Reynolds and her capable staff and board for all that they do in making the mission of the Church visible to so many people by the outreach of Catholic Charities Fort Worth. It is easy to speak and write about the social teaching of the Church. Catholic Charities actually makes the social teaching of the Church a visible reality, and not just another theory or paper.

+ Bishop Kevin W. Vann, JCD, DD

Christ the King Parish and Downtown Fort Worth

The outdoor Christ the King procession.

The days immediately following the celebration of Thanksgiving are festive days in the city, and days of Faith for Catholic parishes with the celebration of the solemnity of Christ the King.

Christ the King parish in Fort Worth, a Vietnamese parish, celebrated its Patronal Day with an outdoor Christ the King procession, the installation of their new pastor, Fr Joseph Than Van Liem, CMC, and the blessing of the new wing of their Church. From the pictures one can see that the Church is still crowded, even with the addition!

A view of the church crowd which was at capacity

The new wing of the Christ the King Parish.

The parish youth performing on the drums.

The Chorus after Mass.

Homily for Christ the King Parish

Fort Worth, Texas

November 25, 2012

Dear Brothers and Sisters at Christ the King,

It is a truly a blessing for all of us to be gathered today on this the Patronal Feast of your parish.

Today is truly a great day in the life of your parish. We welcome Father Joseph today, and also bless the new addition to your Church. There is a need for this new addition because of the continued growth and vibrant life of your parish. This is a great sign of hope for the Diocese and for all of us.

Most importantly, this is your parish Feast day. It is a very important day for all of the Body of Christ! This feast day was established in the 1920's by Pope Pius XI, because he already saw in that time the increasing threats to society and the faith. You see, he could see the rise of Nazism in Germany, Fascism in Italy, and already the world had seen the sinister and devastating effects of the communist revolution in Russia. All of these threatened to control the human spirit and the practice of the Faith. Pope Pius XI wanted to remind the world that there is no worldly power greater than Christ the Lord, who shows us the face and the power of God. Therefore, God always has the last word, and with His power and love we will always be free. It is in the power of God, in our Faith, that we find true freedom.

Many of you know that better than so many of us here in the United States. Your parents and ancestors stand as remarkable witnesses of Faith, in standing for the freedom to worship and practice our Faith. You bring that heroic witness to our country. Thus, it is indeed fitting that on Christ the King day, we recommit ourselves to always acknowledge the power of God in Christ in our lives and in our society. For God truly is the last word! The life and growth of your parish is a testimony to the Faith, to the power and love of Christ the King.

Today, also we officially install Fr. Joseph as your new Pastor. We welcome him here in our midst, to pastor your parish family, and to continue the good work and ministry begun by his predecessors and the first families in this parish, who came from Vietnam. May Christ the King always bless you Father Joseph, as you and the priests and staff of this parish work to build and strengthen the communion of Faith of this parish and the Diocese of Fort Worth.

As I leave Fort Worth to go to where there is yet a bigger family of Vietnamese, I go with a grateful heart for the love and faith of all of you. I remember all of our auctions, the parish festivals and all of the wonderful new years (Calendar and Lunar) that I have spent here.

Please pray for me as I for you.
God bless you always,

Bishop Kevin W. Vann, JCD, DD

The Christmas Parade in Sundance Square of downtown Fort Worth.

The Christmas Tree all lit up in Sundance Square.

The downtown area of Fort Worth, named "Sundance Square", shines with light following the Christmas parade.

Light in this season of shortened days reminds us of the strength and witness of our Faith. The light of Christ is our sure guide in this challenging world. For our Jewish brothers and sisters, light is also a reminder of the candles of Hanukkah, recalling the heroic witness of the Maccabee family in the face of the restriction of the expression of the Faith of the Jewish people by King Antiochus. The reflection of Hanukkah then, in the lights of the menorah, along with the Christmas lights, teach us of true freedom and the fact that we cannot be defined or restricted by others.

Celebrations of Faith in November

Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord,

I am in the process of resuming my blog entries. My hiatus from these entries has been due to the preparations for my move to Orange, California. What will follow is a reflection on some of the faith celebrations that I have been privileged to attend in these months of November. Upon my arrival to Orange, the format will change a bit, and also I have tentative plans to begin “tweeting” with a new Twitter account. But for now, Pazienza as it is said in Italian.

The month of November begins liturgically with the celebration of All Saints Day and All Souls Day (November 1 and 2), which gives the month a special character and identity, being dedicated then, to all of the "Faithful Departed". Both of these Feast days have been celebrated on these days since about the 800's and 900's respectively. These days are times to reflect on the reality of the Communion of the Saints, Eternal Life, the Paschal Mystery, Purgatory, and the spiritual work of mercy of Praying for the Dead. On November 2, for the first time since I have been in Fort Worth, I was able to celebrate Mass outdoors at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, and bless the graves following the Mass. A special thanks to Fr. Thu Nguyen for his pastoral care and liturgical expertise in preparing for this day.

Outdoor Mass at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Fort Worth

St. Ignatius Academy at dawn.

St. Patrick's recently completed Parish Life building
with a beautiful sunset in the distance.

Following this, I was blessed to be able to travel to Loretto, Pennsylvania, to the Motherhouse of the Franciscan Friars, TOR, whose presence has been a blessing for the Fort Worth Diocese of 30 years. The Minister Provincial, Father Nicholas Polichnowski, TOR, had invited me on the behalf of the community, to celebrate the priesthood ordinations of Brother Ronal H. Hurl, TOR, and Brother Jonathon McElone, TOR, (both have been stationed in the Diocese of Fort Worth in pastoral internships) and the Diaconate Ordinations of Brother Patrick J. Whittle, TOR, Brother Michael A. Tinker, TOR, Brother Augustine A. Lieb, TOR, and Brother Staffan K. Jakobsson, TOR. Such occasions as these are providential opportunities that the Lord gives us to teach, once again, the Franciscan heritage in the life of the Church. Also, of the importance of working to construct a culture of “vocations,” prayer and support for the Franciscan Friars in their ministry, and a general reflection on how, in our community of faith, we are linked by the Lord in each of our respective vocations to build up His Body here on earth, the Church. On the Sunday following this celebration, I had the blessing of celebrating Mass at the Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio. Thanks to the Friars both in Loretto and Steubenville for their welcome and hospitality.

A later celebration of another TOR Friar, was the celebration at All Saints parish in Fort Worth for Fr. Esteban Jasso, TOR, for his 80th birthday and his years of religious profession and ordination. Thank you, Father Jasso, for your tireless witness to the Faith, your Franciscan Vocation, and your concern for our immigrant families; that they receive the pastoral care that immigrant families of past generations (all of ours) received, and that we all work toward a just and faith based reform of immigration. Thank you, also, Father Jasso, for your unfailing support of All Saints School, which is having an increase in enrollment. (See my previously posted blog entry.)

The month of November also saw the annual Bishops meeting in Baltimore. Prior to this meeting, I attended the annual "Umilta" recognition dinner in Washington, DC, which recognizes those who have made a significant contribution to seminary formation in our country. "Umilta" stands for "Our Lady of Humility". This is the title of our Blessed Mother, from an icon with this name at the graduate house of the American College in Rome, the Casa Santa Maria. This year was especially important for us in North Texas, since one of the “Umilta" recognitions were given to Bill and Sue Cicherski of Dallas, for their long time involvement in the life of Holy Trinity Seminary in Irving, Texas. Holy Trinity this year, like a number of our seminaries, is now full, and has new Dioceses sending men for study there. Holy Trinity is under the capable leadership of Msgr. Michael Olson, of the Diocese of Fort Worth.

The Lincoln Memorial.

The Washington Monument at night.

Finally, on the Monday of Thanksgiving week, I was present at St. Mary's Seminary in Houston, Texas, for the installation of a number of men to the Ministry of Acolyte. Among them was Nghia Nguyen of the Diocese of Fort Worth. Congratulations to these men, and the Rector of St. Mary's, Fr. Trung V. Nguyen, and the faculty and staff of St. Mary's.

Wishing you all a blessed Thanksgiving,
+ Bishop Kevin W. Vann

Homily for the Mass of Installation for Acolytes

St. Mary’s Seminary

Houston, Texas

November 19, 2012

Dear Fr. Trung, staff and faculty of St. Mary's,
those being instituted as Acolytes today, and friends all,

Thank you for the invitation to be with you today at this important time in the lives and formation of our seminarians. I thank you also for your patience with the challenges of my scheduling, which has been made even more complex with my appointment to Orange. However, the important point is that, in God's Providence, we are here together to celebrate this important day in the journey toward priesthood for our brothers here.

When I was a student at Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis, at a time that seems far removed now in many ways, the end of the month of May was always a joyful time in the seminary because it was a festive time of ministries and ordinations in the beautiful Gothic chapel of the seminary, which is dedicated to St. Vincent de Paul. Candidacy was always first, followed by the lector on the next night, then the ministry of acolyte, and then on to the various ordinations on the Saturdays of May and June. The music was always beautiful, there was a great celebration and party afterward with family and friends, and we always wondered who the Bishop was going to be and what he was going to preach about. From this distance, looking at it from that time, we were obviously concentrating on the wrong things! Those of us who were installed as acolyte that year (1979) were given the opportunity to think seriously about the responsibilities and importance of acolyte in strengthening the fabric of the Body of Christ that year. The celebrant was Bishop George Gottwald, one of the auxiliary Bishops of St. Louis who was always known as a great preacher. He had many responsibilities over the years, one of which was to be the administrator of the Archdiocese of St. Louis after the death of Cardinal Ritter and before the appointment of Cardinal Carberry - not a good time, nor an enviable responsibility. As he spoke to us before the liturgical rite of installation, he said that now "we were on the way to victimhood!"

Well, that obviously didn't match up with the party we were thinking of that would happen shortly on that beautiful day in May in St. Louis! But, now at the distance of these years, I can see the depth and the intent of his reflection.

After all, in this rite, you are exhorted to conform your lives to the mystery of the Eucharist, which you will not only distribute, but which you will distribute during the Liturgy and take to those in need. Thus, the Church proclaims that now you are officially to minister the living Body and Blood of the Lord, who is both victim and priest. Thus, you are drawn every closer to the Paschal Mystery in all its fullness, and you will be given the opportunity to live that reality in the people to whom you are sent, and to share in their sufferings and joys of their lives. You will walk, live and participate in that reality. After all the Gospel passage you chose – the multiplication of the loaves and the fishes - begins with “The crowds meanwhile, learned of this and followed him. He received them and spoke to them about the Kingdom of God, and he healed those who needed to be cured.”

So, important as the Liturgical details are in ministering of the Body and Blood of Christ, even more important is that you are now being called to a deeper union with the Lord when you take His Body and Blood to those who are in need of His presence - just as the 5,000 were that day in Bethsaida. And the call to that deeper union will be Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and even Easter Sunday at times all in the same day with Christ, victim and priest. As you say “yes” to this today, you are also saying “yes” to a profound new reality and identity for your own lives.

Homily for Fr. Stephen Jasso, TOR

Homily for Fr. Stephen Jasso, TOR

Mass of Thanksgiving for his Vocation

In his wonderful small book, entitled Gift and Mystery, Pope John Paul II describes his call, his vocation, as a mystery! This is not like a book or novel that is a mystery that cannot be solved, but rather standing back in awe and wonder at the gift of vocation and how God works!

That is what we are here about this evening. This is a celebration of all of us, the whole family of God, in all of Fr. Jasso's celebration of life, his Franciscan vocation, his priesthood, his years here, and his birthday. This is not about one person, but rather thanking the Lord for all that has been in these years, that has strengthened and built up the family of God.

In this mystery of Faith, this celebration, there are, as it were, two "streams" that come together - the Word of God, and the life of St. Francis! The source of them both is the gift of faith.

The word of God for this evening (Jeremiah, James, and the Beatitudes in St. Matthew) teach us again that the Lord calls each of us from before we are born to go accomplish his work and mission. Each of us has a specific plan or work from the first moment of life given to us by God. We are then called not just to believe in an intellectual sense, but in fact to act on that Faith - to take the Beatitudes that the Lord Himself gives us in St. Matthew to make the presence of God felt, known and loved in some of the most difficult moments of life. To indeed say that, Yes, God is here and calling us forward. That is part of the charism of religious life to which Father has responded in all of the moments of his life and vocation. It is the Lord working through his “yes” to the call he received from the first moment of his life in Waco, Texas!

The second stream, as it were, that comes from faith and is joined with the Word of God this evening is the life of St. Francis. Two weekends ago, I had the blessing and joy to celebrate the priestly and diaconate ordinations for the TOR Franciscans in Loretto, Pennsylvania. I reflected with them on the life of St. Francis as he lived it in various parts of his country: From where he was born, where he was baptized, where he had his conversion experience, his journey in forming the Friars Minor, and to where he passed into Eternal life. The gift of vocation in religious life is to bring the presence of Christ to all of the significant moments in the lives of our families, especially in parishes: Birth and Baptism, the Anointing of the Sick and prayer of the Church at moments of sick and death, to bring the life of Christ into families through the Eucharist and Reconciliation, and in the journey of life, through Confirmation to bring the presence of the Holy Spirit into the story that is each of our own vocations. This vocation is a story of the journey of Faith of pilgrims, immigrants, and families, where faith has no frontiers, and strengthens us wherever we may be led!

We celebrate this evening the gift of faith that shows itself in the word of God and the life of St. Francis. We thank you Father, in all of your anniversaries this evening, for having said “yes” to the Lord. For through your “yes” to the Lord, our “yes” to Him, in turn, can be strong, joyful and clear!

First American Freedom

From the First American Freedom website

Religious freedom is our first American freedom. It is a founding principle of our country, protected by the First Amendment in the Bill of Rights. It’s a fundamental human right, rooted in the dignity of every human person—people of any faith or no faith at all. It’s not a Catholic, Jewish, Orthodox, Mormon or Muslim issue—it’s an American issue, a civil rights issue.

Religious liberty includes your freedom of belief, speech, and worship. But it also protects action—the freedom to serve the common good in accordance with your faith. It means that you and your community—not the government—define your faith. It means the freedom to help the needy in accordance with the principles of your faith. It means the freedom to participate fully and equally in public life, regardless of your faith. It means the freedom to work in business without checking your faith at the door.

In short, it means that nobody should be forced to act in a manner contrary to their own religious beliefs, whether privately or publicly, whether alone or in association with others, unless it is necessary to keep public order.

From the First American Freedom website by the
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

Click here to learn more about what you can do.

Prayer for Government

We pray, Thee O Almighty and Eternal God! Who through Jesus Christ hast revealed Thy glory to all nations, to preserve the works of Thy mercy, that Thy Church, being spread through the whole world, may continue with unchanging faith in the confession of Thy Name.

We pray Thee, who alone art good and holy, to endow with heavenly knowledge, sincere zeal, and sanctity of life, our chief bishop, Pope N., the Vicar of Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the government of his Church; our own bishop, N., all other bishops, prelates, and pastors of the Church; and especially those who are appointed to exercise amongst us the functions of the holy ministry, and conduct Thy people into the ways of salvation.

We pray Thee O God of might, wisdom, and justice! Through whom authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted, and judgment decreed, assist with Thy Holy Spirit of counsel and fortitude the President of these United States, that his administration may be conducted in righteousness, and be eminently useful to Thy people over whom he presides; by encouraging due respect for virtue and religion; by a faithful execution of the laws in justice and mercy; and by restraining vice and immorality. Let the light of Thy divine wisdom direct the deliberations of Congress, and shine forth in all the proceedings and laws framed for our rule and government, so that they may tend to the preservation of peace, the promotion of national happiness, the increase of industry, sobriety, and useful knowledge; and may perpetuate to us the blessing of equal liberty.

We pray for his excellency, the governor of this state, for the members of the assembly, for all judges, magistrates, and other officers who are appointed to guard our political welfare, that they may be enabled, by Thy powerful protection, to discharge the duties of their respective stations with honesty and ability.

We recommend likewise, to Thy unbounded mercy, all our brethren and fellow citizens throughout the United States, that they may be blessed in the knowledge and sanctified in the observance of Thy most holy law; that they may be preserved in union, and in that peace which the world cannot give; and after enjoying the blessings of this life, be admitted to those which are eternal.

Finally, we pray to Thee, O Lord of mercy, to remember the souls of Thy servants departed who are gone before us with the sign of faith and repose in the sleep of peace; the souls of our parents, relatives, and friends; of those who, when living, were members of this congregation, and particularly of such as are lately deceased; of all benefactors who, by their donations or legacies to this Church, witnessed their zeal for the decency of divine worship and proved their claim to our grateful and charitable remembrance. To these, O Lord, and to all that rest in Christ, grant, we beseech Thee, a place of refreshment, light, and everlasting peace, through the same Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. Amen.

By Archbishop John Carroll of Baltimore