Catholics Called To Respect Life - Archdiocese of Oklahoma ...

Sooner CatholicServing the People of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City Volume 37, Number 19 * October 9, 2011

Catholics CalledTo Respect Life

A Statement ByCardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, Chairman,Committee on Pro-Life Activities USCCB

This October the Catholic Church throughoutthe United States will observe Respect LifeMonth, an annual tradition now in its forti-

eth year.Beginning on October 2, 2011 — Respect Life

Sunday — Catholics across the nation will jointogether to witness to the inherent equality andtranscendent value of every human being.

In countless liturgies and events we will givethanks to God for the gift of human life, and prayfor his guidance and blessings on our efforts todefend the most vulnerable members of the humanfamily.

We will voice our opposition to the injustice andcruelty of abortion on behalf of those victims whosevoices have been silenced. At the same time, wewill remind the living victims of abortion — themothers and fathers who grieve the loss of an irre-placeable child — that God’s mercy is greater thanany human sin, and that healing and peace can betheirs through the sacrament of reconciliation andthe Church’s Project Rachel Ministry.

The theme chosen for this year’s Respect LifeProgram is — “I came so that all might have lifeand have it to the full.” In this brief explanation ofhis mission (cf. John 10:10), Jesus refers both to ourhope of eternal life, to be restored through hisdeath and resurrection, and to our life in thisworld.

By following Jesus’ new Commandment ofunselfish love, our lives can be richly fulfilling,and marked by joy and peace. In contrast, treating

continued on Page 14

2 Sooner Catholic October 9, 2011●●

In my previous column I re-flected on the Church’s mission ofevangelization. The work of evange-lization moves us to proclaim JesusChrist. It is “the vocation properto the Church, her deepest identity,”according to Pope Paul VI in hisfoundational apostolic exhortation,“On Evangelization in the ModernWorld.”

The focus of evangelizationefforts certainly include the mission“ad gentes,” that is, to those parts ofthe world where Christ has not yetbeen proclaimed, nor his Church wellestablished. But the work of evange-lization which is particularly urgentin our time and place is whatPope John Paul II began to refer tofrequently as “the New Evangeli-zation.”

Many people today are nomin-ally Christian or nominally Catholic.They claim to believe but act as ifGod does not exist. They compart-mentalize their faith, as if it per-tained only to Sundays or certainreligious exercises. Their faith haslittle or nothing to do with the waythey live their lives each day.Though they have not formally re-jected Christ or his Gospel, the livesof many Catholics are being shapedfar more by the conventional valuesof the secular culture than bythe liberating truth of the Gospel

and the teaching of the Church.Rather than evangelizing theculture, that is, shaping the cultureaccording to the truth, beauty andgoodness of the Gospel, manyChristians are being “evangelized”by the anti-gospel values which theculture espouses.

The faith of believers in our post-Christian culture needs to be re-awakened. This is our challenge!“You are the light of the world.” (Mt5:15). The Church is in the world tobear witness to Christ. “Just so, yourlight must shine before others, thatthey may see your good deeds andglorify your heavenly Father.” (Mt5:16). Many Catholics shy away fromtheir responsibility to become evan-gelizers. Perhaps they misunder-stand their role.

While each and every member ofthe Church has a proper part in theevangelizing mission of the Church,some as pastors, parents or cate-chists, all are called to be witnessesto Christ. “Preach the Gospel always,use words when necessary.” Thissaying, attributed to St. Francis ofAssisi, reminds us that the witnessof a holy and virtuous life is the mosteffective and compelling evangeliz-ing influence. This is the lesson thatthe saints teach us! Holy men andwomen will bring the world to Christand renew his Church.

The challenge of the NewEvangelization urges us to find newand effective ways of bearing witnessto the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It isnot a new Gospel which we present,of course, but new approaches, newmethods and modes of presentingthe Gospel which will be understand-able and compelling to people in the21st century. This is our task. This isour mission. This is also why I havespent so much time in previouscolumns emphasizing the universalcall to holiness. We cannot give whatwe do not have. It begins with us.The evangelizers must themselvesbe fully evangelized. Our faith mustbe reawakened and set aflame. Ourwitness and efforts in the work ofthe New Evangelization will be fruit-ful to the extent that we are aflamewith the love of Christ. “The love ofChrist urges us on!” (2 Cor 5:14)

ArchbishopCoakley

“Put outinto the

deep andlower

your netsfor a

catch.”Luke 5:4

The New Evangelization Sooner Catholic

The Sooner Catholic is supported through the

Archdiocesan Development Fund.

Most ReverendPaul S. Coakley

Archbishop of Oklahoma CityPublisher

Ray DyerEditor

Cara KoenigLayout/Photographer/

Special Projects

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Oklahoma City, OK 73132

(405) 721-1810 Fax: (405) 721-5210

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Oklahoma City, OK 73123

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Archbishop Coakley’s CalendarThe following events are part of Archbishop Coakley’s official calendar.

Sunday, October 9 - Our Lady of Fatima Celebration, St. Joseph Church, Bison, 3 p.m.Tuesday, October 11 - Archdiocesan Department Heads, Catholic Pastoral Center, 10 a.m.Tuesday, October 11 - Mass at Catholic Pastoral Center, 11:30 a.m.Tuesday, October 11 - Archdiocesan Finance Council, Catholic Pastoral Center, 2 p.m.Wednesday, October 12 - Priests Council, Catholic Pastoral Center, 9:30 a.m.Wednesday, October 12 - Archdiocesan Personnel Board, Catholic Pastoral Center, 11 a.m.Wednesday, October 12 - Mass and Dinner with University of Central Oklahoma Students, 6:30 p.m.Thursday, October 13 - Mass and Classroom Visits, Rosary School, 9:15 a.m.Friday, October 14 - Saturday, October 15 - Board of Directors Meeting, Conception Seminary College,Conception, Mo.Sunday, October 16 - 50th Anniversary Mass, Diocese of San Angelo, TexasTuesday, October 18 - Thursday, October 19 - USCCB Subcommittee on Home Missions, El Paso, TexasFriday, October 21 - Sunday, October 23 - Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, SouthwestLieutenancy Meeting, San Antonio, Texas

October 9, 2011 Sooner Catholic 3●●

Mass to Celebrate Milestone Anniversariesfor Couples Living Out Sacrament of Marriage

OKLAHOMA CITY — Archbishop Coakley invites marriedcouples who are celebrating milestone anniversaries (25, 40, 50,60+) in the calendar year 2011 to attend a specialAnniversary Mass on Nov. 6, 2011.

The Mass will be celebrated at 3 p.m. at Our Ladyof Perpetual Help Cathedral, 3214 N. Lake Avenue,Oklahoma City. A reception will follow. It is imperativethat if you plan to attend, please contact the Office ofFamily Life at (405) 721-8944.

The Archbishop will be imparting his blessing and thelocal Catholic community will rejoice in your example andcommitment to the Sacrament of Marriage, said GeorgeRigazzi, director of the Office of Family Life.

“In a world that does not value marriage, these people giveus hope,” Rigazzi said. “They have made the commitment and the

sacrifice to love as Christ would have us love.“These people show us by their commitment to the sacra-

ment of marriage that it can be done and done well.”

El Arzobispo Pablo Coakley invita a las parejas casadasque estén celebrando su aniversario especial de (25, 40, 50,60) el presente año 2011 para que asistan a la MisaEspecial de Aniversario el día 6 de noviembre de 2011, ini-ciando a las 3:00pm en la Catedral de Nuestra Señora delPerpetuo Socorro, 3214 North Lake Avenue, OklahomaCity. Después de la Misa habrá una recepción. Es muy

importante que si usted desea asistir por favor contacte a laOficina de Vida Familiar al 405-721-8944. El Arzobispo

impartirá su bendición y la comunidad local se alegrará en suejemplo y compromiso al Sacramento de Matrimonio.

Archbishop Tells Rally Life Worth Fight, PrayersOKLAHOMA CITY — Life is

worth fighting for.It is also worth praying for, and

that is what 40 Days for Life is allabout, said Archbishop Paul S.Coakley.

“With 40 Days for Life we standup for life — this truly shows thetransformation of society throughindividual conversion,” he told a crowdthat gathered at Christ the KingChurch for a special Sept. 25 rally heldto kick off the annual event.

The 40 Days for Life movementwas born in College Station, Texas, in

2004. From a small group prayingfor guidance about how to reduceabortions in their area, today themovement has spread across thecountry. Each year, groups gather topray and fast and share their plea tostop abortion through community out-reach and peaceful vigils.

Archbishop Coakley was intro-duced to the pro-life movement longbefore that, he said.

“I graduated in 1973, the year Roevs. Wade legalized abortion,” he said.“On Jan. 22, 1974, I went to the firstrally on the anniversary.

“Wichita was the abortion capitalof the United States,” he said.“Through those efforts, we encouragedresidents to stop straddling the fence,if you will.”

Almost 40 years later, the cause isstill alive.

Though frustrated that abortionsare still legal, Archbishop Coakleysaid there are encouraging signs. Hepointed to a large group of youth whoattended the rally.

“The future of the pro-life move-ment is in good hands,” the Arch-bishop said.

Archbishop Coakley called onparticipants in 40 Days for Life to usethe time to reflect and look inside,before reaching out to others with themovement’s mission.

“This period of 40 days is asignificant time, a time of grace,” the

Archbishop said. “40 Days for Life isnot activism — it’s a process thatreally begins with us, for us to purifyour own hearts.

“This must make a claim on ourconsciences, helping us to transform,”he said. “That’s how we pass this on toothers.”

The goal would be more easilyreached if the process reached beyondCatholics, Archbishop Coakley said.

“We have too many divisions —Christianity itself is divided, and wemust heal that,” he said. “However,there is hope, there is unity thatremains 2,000 years later, and there isa goal still to be accomplished.”

On Oct. 15, a Prayer Walk willbegin at 9:30 a.m. at St. Charles

Borromeo Catholic Church, located at50th and Grove in Warr Acres. Thewalk will proceed 1.5 miles to theWomen’s Outpatient Clinic in WarrAcres. The clinic is an abortionprovider, one of two in the Archdioceseof Oklahoma City. The other is locatedin Norman. Some parishes areplanning 24-hour prayer vigils seek-ing an end to abortion. For more in-formation, visit www.40daysforlife-com/oklahomacity.

“One might grow discouraged, Isuppose, when you look at how longwe have faced this, but I think we arein the long haul, we have to be,”Archbishop Coakley said. “We have tobe — we cannot tire, we cannot growfaint or weary.”

Archbishop Coakley speaks at the 40Days for Life rally.

Some of the youth who attended the 40 Days for Life rally.

By Traci Chapman For the Sooner Catholic


EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is thehomily given at the Sept. 24 Red Mass byArchbishop Joseph F. Naumann, D.D.,Archbishop of Kansas City, Kan. The RedMass was celebrated at the Cathedral ofOur Lady of Perpetual Help in OklahomaCity. Archbishop Paul S. Coakley was theprincipal celebrant.

Iam grateful to Archbishop Paul Coakley forhis kind invitation to preach this Mass.Bishop Coakley actually grew up in the

Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, receivedhis undergraduate degree from the University ofKansas in Lawrence, and became a priest of theDiocese of Wichita and then Bishop of theDiocese of Salina. He has made a powerful markon the Catholic community of Kansas. WeKansans take a special pride in all the good theLord is accomplishing through ArchbishopCoakley’s remarkable ministry. He is a bishopfor whom I personally have great esteem andrespect: for his prayerfulness and his own per-sonal striving for holiness, for his firmness andclearness in teaching the truth of the Gospel, forhis gentleness and compassion. ArchbishopCoakley, if you ever long for the sunflowers ofKansas, I brought a pair of ruby slippers you canclick to come home.

I accepted this invitation in part because ofmy high regard for Archbishop Coakley and mydesire to help and support his pastoral work. Iaccepted also because of my respect and esteemfor the legal profession and its importance toour culture and society. I also wanted to comeand pray that the Sooners will take mercy on ourpoor Jayhawks this year!

A couple years ago at our Red Mass inKansas City, the cantor fell and broke her leg asshe missed a step while leaving the Sanctuary.The Cathedral staff called 911. The cantor wastaken out of the Cathedral on a stretcher. I wasedified that no attorney took the occasion toplace his card on the fallen cantor’s stretcher asshe was wheeled out. It was truly a sign of thepower and the presence of the Holy Spirit.

IIThe New Evangelization and theSeparation of Church and State

The late Pope John Paul II spoke frequentlyof what he termed the New Evangelization andPope Benedict XVI has convened a Synod ofBishops to reflect upon and make recommenda-

tions on how best to implement this NewEvangelization. The New Evangelization, inpart, is aimed at re-evangelizing parts of whathistorically have been Christian societies wherethe practice of the Faith has greatly diminished.An important element of this New Evangeli-zation is to bring the values and the principles ofthe Gospel into every dimension of culture andsociety. This New Evangelization is in part asummons for every Christian to recognize thespiritual dimension of his or her work or profes-sional life and the obligation to bring the virtuesand truth of the Gospel into our everyday activ-ities.

For the man or woman of faith there can beno separation from what we do in our profes-sional and our private lives. Our Catholic faithshould be our motivation for what we do andwhy we strive to do everything to the very bestof our capabilities. Our Faith should inform andguide our professional choices and decisions.

I remember a professional athlete, who wasquite open about the importance of his Christianfaith, being asked by a member of the media if itwas an abuse of his celebrity as an athlete toattempt to influence the belief of others byspeaking so frequently about Christ and theGospel. This very successful athlete responded:“I am not trying to tell you or anyone else whatyou should believe. However, if you ask me whatmotivates me to play to the best of my abilities,to strive for excellence, to get involved withcommunity charities, to care deeply about team-mates and to be devoted to my wife and family, Icannot explain myself without speaking aboutJesus Christ and what His love has done to me.”What a beautiful testimony of the integration offaith into one’s personal and professional life.

As Christians we are compelled to showgreat respect to our co-workers, our clients, andeven our adversaries, because each has a specialclaim upon us. Their claim on our energy andconcern is not based on a retainer we have beenpaid. Their claim on us is because if God hassuch esteem for those whom His Son gave Hislife on Calvary, then how can we be indifferent totheir needs or problems? We cannot ignore theplight of the unborn or the undocumented immi-grant. We cannot be dispassionate about theproblems of the poor or the struggles of thesuffering. We cannot write off those labeledliberal or conservative. They are all precious in

God’s eyes. The Christian disciple aspires to doour best for each and every person who comesinto our lives, because Jesus has told us:“Whatever you did for the least of my brothers orsisters you did for me.” Our Faith should moti-vate and inform our work and professional life.

IIIIntegration of Life

It is this integration of life that our Gospelreminds us of this evening. The Gospel makesclear that it is not enough to profess ourobedience to the Lord with our lips, but to ignoreHis desires by our actions.

In my Confirmation homilies to youngpeople, I remind them as baptized, confirmedCatholics we represent Jesus Christ in theworld. Others will come to believe in Jesus or notbelieve in Him based on how we represent Him.Through our Baptism we claim to carry the verylife of Jesus Christ within us. We call ourselvesaccurately the Body of Christ. If others see inthe Body of Christ actions that are inconsistentwith the teaching of Jesus, it becomes verydifficult to believe in the words of Our Savior.

Every Christian is called to live a life ofintegrity — where what we profess with our lipscorresponds with the manner with which weconduct our lives. This obviously applies to yourchosen profession — the practice of law.

continued on Page 5

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, D.D.

Red Mass Homily A Call for Justice


Red Masscontinued from Page 4

IVA Man for All Seasons

The enactment of just laws andgood public policies is important as isthe proper and fair administration ofthe law. In many ways, a good legalsystem is what holds together aculture and a society.

In the play, A Man for AllSeasons, based on the life and lettersof the patron for lawyers and states-men, the 16th century English saint,Thomas More, there is a poignantscene in which Thomas More has alively discussion with his son-in-Law,William Roper. Roper advocates defy-ing the unjust laws of Parlia-ment.Thomas More asks the ques-tion: “Son, Roper, when you cut downall the laws — and you are just theman to do it — and the devil turnsaround upon you, what will you useto protect yourself — all the lawsbeing laid low?”

While human laws by theirnature are imperfect, because theirarchitects are imperfect, they stillhave the ability, even with theirflaws, to shelter and protect the poorand the weak. In our zeal to reformeven unjust laws, we must be carefulnot to throw out the good with thebad by undermining the authorityand force of all the law which servesto protect the vulnerable.

In the 1950s and 1960s, we sawthe power and effectiveness of peace-ful civil disobedience to bring about-much needed social change. Yet, withthe ensuing urban riots in our nationin the late 1960s and 1970s, we sawhow difficult it is to preserve thediscipline of non-violence once theprinciple that law can be disregardedis put in motion. Civil disobedience,and always non-violent civil disobe-dience, must be the method of lastresort. Whether trying to gain equalrights for a segment of society suffer-ing discrimination or protection forthe most fundamental rights — theright to life of the unborn, we under-mine our objective of legal protectionif we diminish a proper respect forthe law.

VNatural Law

The founders of our nation, in

part as a result of their experience ofthe religious divisions that plaguedpost-Reformation Europe, fashioneda constitution that sought to protectfreedom of religious expression byguarding against a state religion. Atthe same time, the founders shared acommon faith in God that was basedupon the Judaeo-Christian heritageof western civilization. Clearly, theydid not want the state or its agents tobe engaged in the work of makingdisciples for any particular denom-ination or religion. Yet, a broadunderstanding of religious freedomwas central to the founders’ visionfor our nation. In our nation today,there is a serious effort to reduce andlimit greatly this appreciation forreligious freedom.

I want to return to the matter ofreligious freedom in a few moments,but first I want to consider anotherimportant aspect of this commonJudaeo-Christian heritage that wasthe foundation upon which ourConstitution and legal system wasbuilt.

In the Declaration of Inde-pendence, we find stated quite ex-plicitly the notion of certain inalien-able or God-given rights. These werewhat the founders considered funda-mental human rights that the statehas no power to grant or take away,but which it does have the obligationto protect.

While these rights certainly arefound and upheld in Christian reve-lation, it is not necessary to be aChristian to understand and respectthese most basic of rights. They areavailable to us through humanreason. They were not first written inthe Bible or the Scriptures of anyother religion, but upon the humanheart.

In philosophy, they make upwhat is termed the Natural Law. Wedo not need a statute to tell us that itis wrong to steal another’s property,to strike and harm an innocentperson or to shed another’s blood.Our civil laws do not create the rightto life, but are obligated to protectthis most fundamental of rights.

Our democratic society dependsin part on the acknowledgment andrespect for these fundamental or in-alienable rights which do not dependupon the state. In recent years, therehas been a growing relativism thatseeks to deny that there is any objec-tive truth. One of the earliest ac-counts of a moral relativist in litera-ture can be found in the dialoguebetween Pontius Pilate and Jesus asrecorded in St. John’s Passion narra-tive. Jesus states that He has cometo proclaim the Truth. Pilate, who istrying to find a way to placate anangry mob demanding the death ofa man he knows to be innocent,responds: What is Truth?

We see an illustration of the con-sequences of this denial of funda-mental truths upon which the in-alienable rights, so important to ourfounders, in the decisions of ourSupreme Court more than 38 yearsago that stripped legal protection ofthe right to life for the youngest andmost vulnerable. We see anothermore recent example of the conse-quences of the denial of fundamentaltruths with a couple of state highcourts choosing to redefine some-thing as basic and fundamental asmarriage upon which the health ofthe family and society depend.

VIThe Tyranny of the Majority

Pope John Paul II in hisEncyclical Letter, Evangelium Vitae -The Gospel of Life, noted the ironythat the very democratic societiesthat were instrumental in the pro-motion of a refined appreciation forhuman rights are now the very placewhere some of the most fundamentalof rights are under attack:

“This is what is happening alsoat the level of politics and govern-ment: the original and inalienableright to life is questioned or deniedon the basis of parliamentary vote orwill of one part of the people — evenif it is a majority. This is the sinisterresult of a relativism which reignsunopposed: the ‘right’ ceases to besuch, because it is no longer firmlyfounded on the inviolable dignity ofthe person, but is made subject tothe will of the stronger part. In thisway democracy, contradicting itsown principles, effectively moves to-ward totalitarianism. The State is nolonger the ‘common home’ where allcan live together on the basis ofprinciples of fundamental equality,but is transformed into the tyrantState, which arrogates to itself theright to dispose of the life of theweakest and most defenselessmembers, from the unborn child tothe elderly, in the name of publicinterest which is really nothing butthe interest of one part.” [20]

VIIThe Tyranny of RelativismDemocracy, when it becomes

untethered from objective truth,continued on Page 6

Judges, attorneys and university professors were among those participating in theRed Mass celebrated Sept. 24. Prior to the beginning of the Mass, the dignitariesprocessed together from the Connor Center to the Cathedral.


Red Masscontinued from Page 5

becomes the tyranny of the majority against theweak. Pope Benedict in his address this pastweek to the German Parliament, recalledGermany’s own tragic history of the tyranny ofa democratically elected government. In March,2004, the Congregation for the Doctrine of theFaith, whose Prefect at the time was CardinalJoseph Ratzinger, promulgated a Doctrinal Noteon Some Questions Regarding The Participationof Catholics in Political Life. The Congregationidentified relativism as the reason for demo-cratic societies becoming disconnected fromfundamental moral truths.

“A kind of cultural relativism exists today,evident in the conceptualization and defense ofan ethical pluralism, which sanctions the deca-dence and disintegration of reason and theprinciples of the natural moral law. Further-more, it is not unusual to hear the opinionexpressed in the public sphere that such ethicalpluralism is the very condition of democracy. Asa result, citizens claim complete autonomy withregard to their moral choices, and lawmakersmaintain that they are respecting this freedomof choice by enacting laws which ignore theprinciples of natural ethics and yield to ephe-meral cultural and moral trends, as if everypossible outlook on life were of equal value. Atthe same time, the value of tolerance is disine-genuously invoked when a large number ofcitizens, Catholics among them, are asked not tobase their contribution to society and politicallife — through the legitimate means available toeveryone in a democracy — on their particularunderstanding of the human person and thecommon good.” [PCPL:2]

VIIIDistinction Between Religious Doctrine

and Human RightsOne of the strategies to silence Catholics in

particular and other people of Faith regardingpublic policy on abortion or marriage is theassertion to uphold the right to life of an unbornchild or the commonly held understanding ofmarriage by diverse cultures for millennia is theimposition of religious belief upon others.

The same case could be made, but is not;because religion speaks about the equal dignityof every human being, regarding public policiesthat prohibit racial discrimination or segrega-tion are the imposition of religious beliefs.

The fact that the great religions, who giveguidance to their adherents regarding funda-mental issues of human rights, do not make lawsupholding these basic rights an imposition ofreligious beliefs. To follow this line of thinking toits logical conclusion, we would not be permitted

to have statutes prohibiting stealing, assaultrape or murder.

There is an obvious difference betweenreligious support for fundamental human rightsand efforts to impose belief in specificallyreligious doctrine as in the case of our belief inJesus as the Son of God or Catholic belief in theEucharist as the Real Presence or Muslim beliefin Mohammed as the Prophet.

IXAttack on Religious Freedom and

Conscience RightsIn recent months, there has been a growing

effort to restrict religious freedom and the rightsof conscience to the much more narrow under-standing of the freedom to worship. This hasbecome particularly clear in the broad mandategiven by the Health Care Reform to the Depart-ment of Health in Human Services in definingwhat basic health services insurance companiesand health care institutions are obligated toprovide. Recently, Health and Human Servicesissued a mandate that would force all healthplans to provide contraception and sterilization,including so-called contraceptives that can beused to effect a chemical abortion.

The religious exemption allowed in the man-date is so narrow that it would not cover hardlyany insurance plans for Catholic employers. Theeffect of the mandate would be to force most

Catholic entities to quit offering health carecoverage, forcing employees to go into govern-ment plans. Similarly, it will result in either theclosure of Catholic health care institutions orcoercion to compromise Catholic moral teaching,or in other words to no longer be truly Catholic.

We must be vigilant in guarding a broadunderstanding of religious liberty as well as con-scious protection in our nation. As EdmundBurke observed: All that is necessary for evil totriumph is for good men to do nothing.

XConclusion

As we gather tonight, we invoke the wisdomof the Holy Spirit to guide and direct everyoneinvolved in the legal profession as you executeyour responsibilities as legislators, judges andservants of the law. Even more, we call upon theHoly Spirit to inspire each one here tonight inyour efforts to integrate your faith and yourprofessional and civic responsibilities. May theHoly Spirit empower you to use your talents inthe service of the common good and in particularfor the benefit of the poor, the weak and thevulnerable! May this same Holy Spirit help eachof us to do our part to ensure that our freedomis always properly tethered to the truth! Maytonight re-energize each of us to be witnessesof truth as well as defenders of human life anddignity!

The family of Mr. and Mrs. Sandy Coats presented the offertory gifts to Archbishop Coakley.


Perpetual Adoration, 24 hours a day/year roundSt. Monica Parish - 2001 N. Western, Edmond St. Joseph Parish - 421 E. Acres Street, NormanSt. Andrew Parish - 800 NW 5th Street, Moore

Sunday 2:30 to 5 p.m.Wednesday 6:30 to 10 p.m.Friday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.St. Francis Xavier Parish - 110 N. Madison Street, Enid

Monday 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.Christ the King Parish - 8005 Dorset Drive, Oklahoma City

Monday Noon to 10 p.m.Sacred Heart Church - 208 S. Evans Avenue, El Reno

Wednesday 9 a.m. to 12 noon Cathedral of Our Lady Cathedral - 3214 Lake Ave., Oklahoma City

Wednesday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.St. Charles Borromeo Parish - 5024 N. Grove Ave., Oklahoma City

Wednesday 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.St. Eugene Parish - 2400 W. Hefner Road, Oklahoma City

Wednesday 6 p.m.St. Mary Parish - 125 E. Street, Ardmore

Wednesday 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.St. Francis of Assisi Parish - 610 W. 9th Street, Newkirk

Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.Daily M,T,W,F 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.Epiphany of the Lord Parish - 7336 W. Britton Road, Oklahoma City

Thursday 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.Sacred Heart Parish - 627 12th Street, Alva

Thursday 5 p.m. to midnightSt. Gregory Monastery - 1900 W. MacArthur, Shawnee

Thursday 6 p.m.St. Philio Neri Parish - 1107 Felix Place, Midwest City

Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.Prince of Peace Parish - 1500 Falcon Road, Altus

Friday 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.St. Peter Parish - 1220 N. Quinn Street, Guymon

Friday 6 to 7 p.m.Holy Cross Parish - 14 W. Francis, Madill

First Friday Mass and Adoration 8 a.m.St. Vincent de Paul Parish - 123 S. 9th Street, McLoud

First Friday 11 a.m. to noon First Saturday 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.St. Benedict Parish - 632 N. Kickapoo Ave., Shawnee

First Friday/Benediction 5:30 p.m.St. Francis of Assisi Parish - 1901 NW 18th Street, Oklahoma City

First Friday 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.Holy Angels Parish - 317 N. Blackwelder Ave., Oklahoma City

First Friday 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.St. Mary Parish - 707 E. Ponca Avenue, Ponca City

First Friday/Benediction 5:30 p.m.St. John Nepomuk Parish - 600 S. Garth Brooks Blvd., Yukon

First Friday 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.Sts. Peter and Paul Parish - 309 S. Main Street, Kingfisher

First Friday 6 to 7 p.m.St. Teresa of Avila Parish - 1576 N. Tim Holt Drive, Harrah

First Friday 7:30 p.m.St. Ann Parish - 8492 State Highway 17, Elgin

Saturday 6 a.m. to Sunday 9 p.m.Sacred Heart Parish - 2706 S. Shartel Ave., Oklahoma City

Third Sunday 7 p.m.Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish - 220 N. A Street, Sterling

Eucharistic Adoration Around the Archdiocese

Mass of Thanksgiving Oct. 30 for JPIIOn May 1, 2011, Pope Benedict XVI beatified his

beloved predecessor, Pope John Paul II, at Rome in aceremony witnessed by hundreds of thousands whocame for this memorable event. Even from the hour ofhis death in 2005, the faithful who traveled to Rome toparticipate in his funeral rites began to cry out for hisbeatification and canonization: “Santo Subito!”

The memorial of Blessed John Paul II will beobserved annually in Poland and in the Diocese ofRome. However, the Congregation for the DivineWorship and the Discipline of the Sacraments has givenpermission for the diocesan bishops to authorize a dayfor a special Mass of Thanksgiving in honor of Blessed

John Paul II to be celebrated within a year of his beat-ification.

With this letter I am authorizing this Mass to becelebrated in all of the parishes of the Archdiocese ofOklahoma City on Sunday, Oct. 30 (and its vigil) usingthe proper Mass texts and readings.

Please join me in Celebrating Mass and reflectingon the legacy of Blessed Pope John Paul II.

With every good wish, I am

Sincerely yours in Christ,Most Reverend Paul S. Coakley

Archbishop of Oklahoma City


2011 Birth ChoiceWalk for Life

A family affair, Kat Jackson of St. Andrew Parish, Moore, walks withher children at this year’s Birth Choice walk.

Several hundred people turned out Oct. 2 for the Birth Choice Walk of Life event held in Oklahoma City, while more than two dozenparticipated in the El Reno Birth Choicewalk. The events help raise money for the pro-life organizations that are heavily supportedby the Oklahoma Catholic community.

In El Reno, Birth Choice volunteers Daisy Weisenburger and Kay Dyer sign up walkers, fromleft, Micki Chronister, Suzanne Clem and Mary Brinkley. Walkers raised more than $1,300 forthe event held in downtown El Reno.


Video Education Classes SetA presentation on the new Trans-

lation of the Roman Missal will be givenby Father Stephen Bird on Sunday, Oct.23 at 2:30 p.m. The Catholic PastoralCenter and the parishes of St. Peter inWoodward, Holy Family in Lawton, St.Francis Xavier in Enid and St. Mary inClinton will host the presentationsthrough the video-conferencing facilities.

A presentation on “Respect Life,”focusing on human trafficking danger,will be offered on Sunday, Oct. 30 at 2:30p.m. Speakers will be Margie Solis,Catholic Charities Immigration Services,and Cindy Garcia, Latino Agency, whowill speak about what is trafficking andwhere it exists in Oklahoma. Speakerswill explain how to recognize it and whatis being done about it. Resources andvisas for women who have been victim-ized will be discussed. The presentationwill be in Spanish.

Communion Minister Training inSpanish will be led by Father Don Wolf,pastor of St. Benedict of Shawnee, onFriday, Oct. 28 at 8 p.m. Lector Trainingin Spanish will also be offered on Friday,Oct. 7 and 21 at 8 p.m. Father Don Wolf,pastor of St. Benedict of Shawnee, willlead the training.

These presentations are free.Registration is requested for attendanceby calling the site coordinators, BeaParker, Enid, (580) 237-0812, PeggyKitchens, Woodward, (580) 256-2966, GeriHough, Clinton, (580) 323-0345, VickieGable, Lawton, (580) 355-2054, andCecilia Grimes, Pastoral Center, (405)721-4208.

Advent Reflections will be offeredNov. 27 in English and Dec. 4 in Spanish,to be led by Father Bill Pruett, St. James,and Father Roberto Quant, Sacred Heart,both of Oklahoma City. The Reflectionswill be held at 2:30 p.m. at the videoconferencing locations.

Holiday Blues: Dealing with Griefand Loss will also be held on Wednesday,Dec. 4 at 10:30 a.m. This session will belead by Monica Palmer, associate directorof Clinical Services of Oklahoma City.

For a complete listing of the up-coming presentations, please contactBecky VanPool at (405) 523-3003, 1-800-375-8514 Ext. 1110, or Sister DianeKoorie at (405) 721-4208. This series isprovided by Catholic Charities ParishOutreach and Program Development andthe Pastoral Ministry Office.

Bruce Vardaman with his 6-month-old granddaughter, Addison, take partin the Oklahoma City walk.

Hundreds join the Walk for life.


Ardmore Parish Helps Support Community ProjectARDMORE — The halls of the

vacant parish school at St. Mary’sParish in Ardmore were filled thissummer with the laughter and workof 262 students enrolled in theCommunities in Schools summerprogram and its 54 AmeriCorpsvolunteers and three paid staffmembers.

The Communities in Schoolsprogram is an example of one of the10 local grants that Catholicsin Oklahoma funded through theCatholic Campaign for HumanDevelopment. Seven parishes receivedgrants which will address the needs ofthe poor and vulnerable throughparish social ministry projectsthrough the Archdiocese. Grants wereawarded to parishes in Woodward,Ardmore, Shawnee, Norman andOklahoma City.

St. Mary Parish in Ardmoresponsors Communities in Schools,which provides kids a structuredprogram that gives them both a safeenvironment and an opportunity tolearn something new every day and tomake new friends. The program buildsself-worth and self-esteem. During theschool year, program volunteers helpchildren with their homework andcoordinate community resources such

as fire safety and dental health. St.Mary’s Parish makes a positive anddirect impact on many families inArdmore through sponsorship anddirect involvement.

The entire Ardmore community,as well as St. Mary parishioners, areexcited about the program and wantto get involved. “Children need a safeplace to go where they will not only besafe and happy, but have fun and

learn new things,” says JeannaWeaver, St. Mary’s parishioner andprogram coordinator. A corporatevolunteer from Valero, a local corpora-tion in Ardmore, says, “I think this is agreat program, just great. This isn’tabout us; it’s about them, the kids. Weshould be honored that they let us behere.” Local businesses serve lunchand volunteer with the children.Tabetha Scasta, program coordinator,

said, “It’s an honor to be here, eachyear we gain more volunteers andmore kids.”

Catholic Campaign for HumanDevelopment grants help fundprograms, like the Communities inSchools program, which are focusedon improving communities and em-powering participants. With this fund-ing, Communities in Schools, alongwith many other programs, are able toform programs that benefit people ofall ages, ethnicities and backgroundsand that recognize the human dignityof every participant.

The Catholic Campaign forHuman Development is the CatholicChurch’s domestic anti-povertyprogram. For nearly 40 years CCHDhas helped to make long-term changesin the economic condition of communi-ties. CCHD supports programs thatare aimed at breaking the cycle ofpoverty. The annual collection, to beheld on Nov. 19 and 20, gives localgrants to help parishes throughoutthe Archdiocese provide socialministry programs. For more informa-tion about Communities in Schools orother possible grant opportunities,contact Becky VanPool, ArchdioceseDirector, CCHD, at [email protected] or (405) 523-3003.

Students take part in the CCHD program.

Monsignor to Address Death PenaltyOKLAHOMA CITY — A press conference and Community Roundtable

will be held by the Oklahoma Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty(OCADP) in unity with hundreds of organizations around the globe for theNinth World Day Against the Death Penalty on Oct. 10, 2011, at the stateCapitol, Room 419C, from 1 to 3 p.m.

Monsignor Edward Weisenburger, V.G., will be speaking to the pressalong with Dr. Stan Basler, Oklahoma Conference of Churches, Dr. SusanSharp, Oklahoma University, and Kenny Fikes, co-chair of the OklahomaCoalition to Abolish the Death Penalty.

Following the press conference, OCADP co-chair Lydia Gill Polley willfacilitate the Community Roundtable discussion on participants’ responsesto these speakers’ statements and the general public attitude about thedeath penalty. The World Coalition’s focus will be on the inhumanity of thedeath penalty with topics about the worldwide trend toward abolition, in-humane executions and conditions on death row, the dehumanizing processfor families of victims and inmates, reasons and actions to end the deathpenalty.

The lack of clemency by the state of Georgia for Troy Davis, tragic as itis, heightens public awareness of how flawed the capital punishment systemis when it can carry out an execution even with significant doubt about theguilt of Troy Davis. For more information on worldwide observances, visitwww.worldcoalition.org.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Bishop John Carroll School, 32nd andWestern, is sponsoring the one-woman play, Catherine of Siena: AWoman for Our Times. The acclaimed production will be held in theConnor Center at The Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help onSaturday, Nov. 19.

In this drama, Adrian Dominican Sister Nancy Murray (theolder sister of actor Bill Murray) gives a wonderful and inspiringportrayal of one of the Catholic Church’s most influential women,St. Catherine of Siena.

Sister Nancy Murray has the ability to capture the audiencefrom the moment she enters the stage. Attendees will be trans-ported back seven centuries and experience the life of St. Catherinein 14th century Italy. Critics have called Sister Murray’s perform-ance “enchanting, informative and inspiring.”

The evening begins at 6 p.m. with hors d’oeuvres, a wine re-ception and a silent auction, followed by the performance at 7:30p.m. Tickets are $40 in advance and $50 at the door. ContactCarolyn Watkins at (405) 850-5087 or [email protected] to purchase tickets. For sponsorship information, contactLisa Edmonds at (405) 818-6678 or [email protected]. Seating islimited. This is an adult event.

School to Host ‘Catherine of Siena’


Birth Choice of Lawton “Sweetness of Life” Poker Run Oct. 15LAWTON — On Saturday, Oct.

15, Birth Choice of Lawton will hostits second annual “Sweetness ofLife” poker run starting at Saintsand Sinners Tattoo Shop, 2621 N.W.Cache Road, Lawton. Registrationstarts at 8 a.m. and first bike out isat 8:30 a.m. Cost of the ride is $25for riders and $10 for passengers. Apoker run is a motorcycle ride, butall vehicles are welcome. Last yearmore than 80 riders and passengerstook part and raised nearly $5,000.

During the ride, eachparticipant plays a game of 5-cardstud poker against all the otherriders. During the ride, participantswill start in Lawton, where eachrider will pick their initial card andget it marked on their score sheet.The route will then continue toWalters, Waurika and Duncan be-fore returning to the Birth ChoiceCenter, 5108 W. Gore in Lawton. Ateach stop they will draw anothercard. The highest hand will be

rewarded with a prize. Highlights ofthe ride are sweets such as cookiesand brownies at each stop, as well asa beautiful ride through WaurikaLake and over Waurika Dam provid-ing a panoramic view over the

lake and surrounding area. Thisstunning ride and treats combine tofocus on the purpose of the fund-raiser, the Sweetness of Life!

The Lawton Birth Choice Centerhas been serving the Lawton/Fort

Sill community for over 30 years.The organization exists to encouragepregnant women to choose the gift oflife for herself and for her unbornbaby. Birth Choice of Lawton iscompletely volunteer-run, from thedirector to each of the individualstaff members, who gladly give oftheir time weekly, totaling well over2,000 hours of time last year.

Birth Choice provides freepregnancy testing and free counsel-ing regarding the development ofthe baby. However, sometimescounseling is required to assist awoman or a couple to make the deci-sion toward life. Birth Choice alsoassists families with babies in crisissituations, with goods such as ma-ternity clothes, diapers, formula andbaby clothing. Staff members alsoaid clients with other resourcesavailable in the community. In thesehard economic times, many morefamilies are requiring more BirthChoice services.

Archbishop Paul Coakley blesses the new Birth Choice office in Lawton as FatherJoe Ross, right, assists. In the inset, Birth Choice director Rosalia Jaume holds aninfant, surrounded by volunteers.

Bikers will hit the road Oct. 15 to help raise funds for Birth Choice of Lawton.

New Birth Choice OfficeBlessed by Archbishop

LAWTON — The new BirthChoice headquarters ArchbishopPaul S. Coakley blessed recently inLawton was a “prayer answered,”according to the new director of theCatholic-dominated pro-life effort.

Rosalia Jaume took over asdirector of Birth Choice in Lawtonabout three months ago. She saidthe organization was in desperateneed of a larger space to work.Volunteers had helped pregnantwomen and their children for 20years out of a small office, and withthe need in the area growing onwhat seemed like a daily basis, thenew home could not have come at abetter time.

Parishioners at Holy CatholicChurch who operate a medical imag-ing company in Lawton provided thenew space to Birth Choice. The newheadquarters is located at 5108 W.Gore Blvd.

“Not only did they donate the

office space to Birth Choice,” saidJaume (pronounced How May),“they have also donated an ultra-sound machine.”

Jaume said she saw a notice inthe Holy Family bulletin announc-ing the need for a Birth Choicedirector. She said immediately sheknew God was calling to her.

“I have always been pro-life andI was so happy that I could helpBirth Choice and help save babies,”she said.

Like all Birth Choice centers,Jaume said more volunteers are al-ways welcomed. She said currently10 volunteers help at the center.Most are from Holy Family, whileone is a parishioner at BlessedSacrament and two are Protestant.

The Lawton Birth Choice Centeris open Monday through Thursdayfrom 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturdayfrom noon to 2 p.m. The phonenumber is (580) 248-3110.


Elizabeth Lofties NamedSchool Educator of the Year

At the recent Fall Teacher In-Service Day at the Catholic PastoralCenter, the Catholic Foundationawarded its 2011 Archbishop Paul S.Coakley Catholic School Educator ofthe Year Award to Elizabeth Lofties.Elizabeth is a fourth-grade teacher atSt. Charles Borromeo Catholic Schoolin Oklahoma City. She has taught for29 years in Archdiocesan Schools andthe last 22 years have been at St.Charles. Her constant preparation,grading, consistent communicationwith parents and ability to teachmeaningful lessons to her class makeElizabeth a dedicated and lovingclassroom teacher.

Her classroom style includesstudents’ projects such as electronicslide show presentations and a geckomulti-week experiment, while keep-ing a constant rigor in core subjects.Elizabeth understands that learningis individual and her teaching style isadaptive to each student.

She served last year as the“Administrator in Charge” when theprincipal was away from the building.She has been the school’s yearbooksponsor for 23 years. She mentors newteachers, coordinates the CatholicSchools geography bee and spellingbees and serves on the TextbookReview Committee.

Elizabeth is exemplary in hercommitment to her faith by action andwords. She is a role model to herstudents and teaches them to treat allwith respect. Her nominator says,“She makes great decisions, gets posi-tive feedback from her faculty peers,demonstrates excellent commitmentto Catholic education and is a beaconof consummate professionalism.”

Annually, the CatholicFoundation of Oklahoma utilizes itsdiscretionary funds to support educa-tional programs including theCatholic School Educator of the YearAward along with the ReligiousEducator of the Year Awards.Applications were narrowed down tothree finalists from which theFoundation Committee selected anultimate award winner. The 2011finalists were Suzanne Lewis, juniorhigh language arts teacher at Christthe King School, and Deborah

Bergman, kindergarten teacher atSacred Heart School, Oklahoma City.The award winner receives a $500award and her school receives a$5,000 grant from the CatholicFoundation and a reception in herhonor at her school. The finalists alsoreceive a $500 award.

Finalist Suzanne Lewis is thejunior high language arts teacher atChrist the King School. With a bache-lor’s degree in English from OU and amaster’s degree in Curriculum andInstruction, Suzy has taught the lasteight years of her 33-year teachingcareer at Christ the King School. Herlove for the students she teachesshows in the time she spends prepar-ing and planning her lessons. She iscommitted by arriving early, taking onmany extra duties and working tomake the school environment awonderful learning experience for herstudents and a great work environ-ment for her fellow teachers. She coor-dinates the students who present thedaily announcements for the entireschool and makes the changes to theoutdoor marquee sign. She sponsorsthe National Junior Honor SocietyChapter. Her nominator concludedthat “Mrs. Lewis is truly a MasterTeacher whose energy and enthusi-asm for her work has not diminishedover time. She is truly a gift and ablessing to all!”

Finalist Deborah Bergman is akindergarten teacher at Sacred HeartCatholic School in Oklahoma City.Deborah has taught in Catholicschools for 13 years with the last eightyears being at Sacred Heart. She ispassionate about teaching andprovides the best for her students. Shehas high expectations for studentlearning and achievement and helpsher students accomplish their goals ina fun and nurturing way. She is a life-long learner by attending continuingeducation courses and freely sharesher time and many gifts with hercolleagues. In her 13 years as an Arch-diocesan teacher, Deborah has onlybeen absent eight days.This past year,16 of the 17 students in her class wereEnglish Language Learners. By theend of the school year all 17 studentswere reading books and were able to

take Accelerated Reader comprehen-sion tests on the computer.

All of the teachers nominated aresuperb examples of what Catholic

teachers should be — living examplesof teachers as Jesus taught. Theyare dedicated role models for theirstudents and are all to be commended.

Elizabeth Lofties, third from left, was the recipient of the Catholic FoundationCatholic Teacher of the Year Award. She is shown with finalists Suzanne Lewis andDeborah Bergman, as well as Archbishop Paul Coakley, Sister Catherine Powers,CND, CFO President Tom Avant and Ben Byers, chair of the committee.

The Catholic Foundation

Donor Advised FundsA donor-advised fund is a charitable giving vehicle ad-

ministered by the Catholic Foundation and created for thepurpose of managing charitable donations on behalf of afamily or individual to benefit the Catholic Church in theArchdiocese of Oklahoma City. A donor-advised fund offersthe opportunity to create an easy-to-establish, low-cost,flexible vehicle for charitable giving as an alternative todirect giving or creating a private foundation. Donors enjoyadministrative convenience, cost savings and tax advantagesby conducting their grant-making to their parish, Catholicschool or other Catholic or community charitable organiza-tion through the fund.

Because the fund is housed in a public charity like theCatholic Foundation, donors receive the maximum taxdeduction available, while avoiding excise taxes and otherrestrictions imposed on private foundations. Further, donorsdo not incur the cost of establishing and administering aprivate foundation, including staffing and legal fees. Donor-advised funds can be established at the Catholic Foundationfor as little as $10,000.

Please Remember the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City in Your Estate Plans

For more information on Planned Giving, contact:The Catholic Foundation of Oklahoma, Inc.

P.O. Box 32180, Oklahoma City, OK 73123(405)721-4115 www.cfook.org [email protected]

CORNERSTONE


Javier Solis Named ReligiousEducator of the Year

Over the past eight years, theCatholic Foundation has recognizedoutstanding educators in the Arch-diocese as an extension of its focuson education. The Foundation hasawarded the 2011 Archbishop Paul S.Coakley Religious Educator of theYear Award to Javier Solis, Youth andConfirmation Catechist at St. PhilipNeri Catholic Church in Midwest City.The award was presented at theCatechetical Congress on Sept. 17 atthe Catholic Pastoral Center.

Javier works full time at TinkerAir Force Base. He received a bachelorof business administration in manage-ment at Texas A&M University inKingsville, Texas, before coming toOklahoma four years ago. Javier hastaught every grade from sevenththrough 12th grade in St. Philip Neri’sReligious Education program, has ledConfirmation retreats, and attendedthe last two National and RegionalCatholic Youth Conferences as achaperone. Javier is active in hischurch as a member of the Knights ofColumbus, a communion minister tothe home-bound, a member of theparish’s Social Justice Committee, andas a consistent participant at theparish’s weekly Exposition of theBlessed Sacrament. He also involvesthe youth of the parish in all of hisactivities. He successfully and seam-lessly combines the catechesis in hisclassroom with service, teaching hisstudents by example as well as by

personal experience. His nominatorsays, “All of Javier Solis’ actions reflecthis devotion to the educational andspiritual development and formationof the people of our parish, regardlessof age. He is a true witness to theGospel message of Jesus Christ and istotally deserving of this award.” Healso completed all the requirementsfor his Advanced Certification inYouth Faith Formation in a little overa year.

The finalists for the 2011Religious Educator of the Year Awardinclude Kathleen Maher, high schoolCatechist at St. Mary Church,Ardmore, and Barbara Steelman,Sacramental Catechist at St. Francisof Assisi Church, Oklahoma CityThese finalists were selected fromnominees submitted earlier thissummer and were interviewed in lateAugust by the selection committee.The accomplishments and dedicationof all three finalists made the choice ofa winner an extremely difficult task.

Finalist Kathleen Maher is theninth- and 10th-grade Catechist at St.Mary Church in Ardmore. Besidesworking her farm, Kathleen is a full-time administrative assistant at anursing home management companyin Sulphur. She has volunteered forthe last 21 years as a Catechist at herparish, teaching in the third, fourthand sixth grades and as aConfirmation Catechist before movingto the ninth- and 10th-grade level.

Currently Kathleen teaches the “OldTestament” one year and the “NewTestament” the following year sostudents leave her class with a goodknowledge of the Bible. She recognizesthe various learning styles of herstudents and plans activities aroundthe needs of her students. Kathleen ispresident of the St. Mary’s Women’sClub, is a lector at Mass, sings in thechoir, is a monthly Sacristan andushers when needed.

Finalist Barbara Steelman hasbeen the second-grade SacramentalCatechist at St. Francis of AssisiChurch in Oklahoma City, along withbeing the second-grade teacher atRosary School for the past 15 years.She reflects the great qualities of achildren’s educator. She is very consci-entious and devoted to helping herstudents prepare to receive theSacraments of Reconciliation andEucharist. She makes sure they

understand the materials and theprayers, she involves the parentsthrough parent meetings, has activi-ties such as making banners and ro-saries, and emphasizes the children’sgood attendance in the program.Barbara is very diligent in makingsure that the children are not nervousor apprehensive about receiving theSacraments, and also practices theparts of the Mass and receiving theEucharist with the students.

The winner received a $500 awardand a $5,000 grant for his parish’sReligious Education Department.There will also be a reception held athis parish in his honor as soon asit can be scheduled. The finalistsreceived a $500 award.

The Catholic Foundation is mosthonored and grateful to all of thenominees for their great contributionto Religious Education in theArchdiocese!

Javier Solis, center, was named Religious Education Instructor of the Year by theCatholic Foundation. He is pictured with finalists Kathleen Maher and BarbaraSteelman, as well as Archbishop Coakley, Ben Byers, chair of the committee, PatKoenig, Archdiocesan Director of Religious Education, and Tom Avant, president ofthe Catholic Foundation board.

Norman Walkers Turn Out to Support St. Vincent de PaulNORMAN — A group of dedicated

people walked together in a symbolicgesture to “Walk a mile in my shoes,”the theme for this year’s fundraiserfor St. Vincent de Paul Society’sAnnual Friends of the Poor Walk. Thiswas the fourth year that the SouthCentral Conference organized a walk,and over 250 people gathered atAll Saints School here to supportthe annual event. The walk as wellas a silent auction raised morethan $35,000 for the district’s fiveconferences or parishes.

Father James Goins led thewalkers in prayer and encouragementin their commitment to helping the

poor. He applauded the efforts ofthe Vincentians and their directcommunity involvement assisting thepoor with food, clothing, furniture andmoney for utility bills. Michael Mc-Inerney, chairman of this year’s event,stated, “It was a great surprise to havethe turnout of supporters. There wereso many donors that made this eventa success.”

The Society offers tangible assis-tance to those in need on a person-to-person basis. Last year the OklahomaSouth Central District Council of St.Vincent de Paul distributed $282,000to needy families and individuals,helping 12,980 people. Father Goins joins the walkers in their support for the poor.

14 Sooner Catholic October 9, 2011 ●●

Statementcontinued from Page 1

others as either means or obstacles toone’s self-serving goals, while neverlearning to love generously, is animpoverished way to live.

Viewing life as a “zero sum” game,in which advancing one’s interestsrequires putting aside the needs ofothers, can lead to callous unconcernfor anyone who is especially weak,defenseless, and in need of our help.The unborn child, the aging parentwho some call a “burden” on ourmedical system, the allegedly “excess”embryo in the fertility clinic, theperson with a disability, the cognitive-ly impaired accident victim who needsassistance in receiving food and waterto live — each today is at risk of beingdismissed as a “life unworthy of life.”

Jesus’ promise of “life to the full” isespecially poignant today, when ourculture and sometimes our govern-ment promote values inimical to thehappiness and true good of individualsand society. We face increasing at-tempts to expunge God and religiousdiscourse from public life. This pro-motes the dangerous proposition thathuman beings enjoy no special statusby virtue of their God-given humanity.Some now even seek to eliminatereligiously motivated people and or-ganizations from public programs, byforcing them to violate their moraland religious convictions or stopserving the needy.

The same forces, aided by adver-tising and entertainment media,promote a selfish and demeaning view

of human sexuality, by extolling thealleged good of sexual activity withoutlove or commitment. This view of sexas “free” of commitment or conse-quences has no place for openness tonew life. Hence contraceptives arepromoted even to young teens asthough they were essential to women’swell-being, and abortion defended asthe “necessary” backup plan whencontraceptives fail. And fail they do.Studies report that most women seek-ing abortions were using contracep-tion in the month they becamepregnant. Again and again, studiesshow that increasing access to contra-ception fails to reduce rates of un-planned pregnancies and abortions.

Both these trends — a distortedview of sexuality and a disdain for therole of religion — are exhibited by theDepartment of Health and HumanServices’ recent decision on the“preventive services” to be mandatedin virtually all private health plansunder the new health care law. Thedepartment ruled that such mandatedservices will include surgical steriliza-tion and all FDA-approved contracep-tive drugs and devices — includingthe abortifacient drug “Ella,” a closeanalogue to the abortion pill RU-486.

The decision is wrong on manylevels. Preventive services are aimedat preventing diseases (e.g., by vacci-nations) or detecting them early to aidprompt treatment (e.g., screening fordiabetes or cancer). But pregnancy isnot a disease. It is the normal, healthystate by which each of us came into

the world. Far from preventingdisease, contraceptives can haveserious health consequences of theirown, for example, increasing the riskof acquiring a sexually transmitteddisease, such as AIDS, increasing therisk of breast cancer from excess estro-gen, and of blood clots that can leadto stroke from synthetic progestin.Mandating such coverage showsneither respect for women’s health orfreedom, nor respect for the con-sciences of those who do not want totake part in such problematic initia-tives.

The “religious employer” ex-emption offered by the department isso extremely narrow that it protectsalmost no one. Catholic institutionsproviding health care and otherservices to the needy could be forced tofire their non-Catholic employees andcease serving the poor and vulnerableof other faiths — or stop providinghealth coverage at all. It has beensaid that Jesus himself, or the GoodSamaritan of his famous parable,would not qualify as “religiousenough” for the exemption, since theyinsisted on helping people who did notshare their view of God.

All these misguided efforts tofoster false values among our youth, tosilence the voice of moral truth in thepublic domain, and to deprive believ-ers of their constitutionally-protectedright to live according to their reli-gious convictions, must be resisted byeducation, public advocacy, and aboveall by prayer.

The founders of our nation under-stood that religion and morality areessential to the survival of a freedom-loving society. John Adams expressedthis conviction, stating: “We haveno government armed with powercapable of contending with humanpassions unbridled by morality andreligion. Our Constitution was madefor a moral and religious people. It iswholly inadequate for the governmentof any other.”

Catholics must not shrink fromthe obligation to assert the values andprinciples we hold essential to thecommon good, beginning with theright to life of every human being andthe right of every woman and man toexpress and live by his or her religiousbeliefs and well-formed conscience.

As Pope Benedict XVI remindedus last year in one of his Ad Liminaaddresses to visiting bishops, “asociety can be built only by tirelesslyrespecting, promoting and teachingthe transcendent nature of the humanperson.” That common nature tran-scends all accidental differences ofage, race, strength or conditions ofdependency, preparing us to be onehuman family under God.

During this Respect Life Month,as we celebrate God’s great gift of life,let us pray and reflect on how each ofus might renew our commitment andwitness to “respecting, promoting andteaching the transcendent nature ofthe human person,” thereby shoringup the foundations of a society sorelyin need of this guidance.

Sister Ursula Marks 60th AnniversarySister Ursula Schones, ASC,

celebrated her 60th anniversary asan Adorerof the Bloodof Christon Sept. 17,2011, at theASC WichitaCenter. Shemade her firstprofession ofvows on July1, 1951.

S i s t e rUrsula wasborn April 19, 1930, at home on thefamily’s farm in Washita County,

Okla., and was a member of HolyFamily Parish in Canute. She en-tered the community of the Adorersof the Blood of Christ on Jan. 3,1950, made her first professionon July 1, 1951, and perpetual pro-fession on July 1, 1956.

After receiving a B.S. in educa-tion from Sacred Heart College,Wichita, and her M.S. in educationfrom Kansas State TeachersCollege, Emporia, she began herteaching ministry.

This spanned 30 years of teach-ing in Kansas, Oklahoma and NewMexico schools, as well as at anIndian Boarding School in Omak,

Wash. Then followed years of parishministry services as ReligiousEducation director and tutor at St.Andrew’s Church in Moore.

At St. Thomas More UniversityChurch in Norman, she coordinatedReligious Education for preschoolthrough 12th grade as well as co-ordinated the Stephen Ministry inNorman.

At present, Sister Ursula worksin the ASC Associate Office at theWichita Center, and is also a leaderof several Associate Groups inOklahoma.

She moved to the WichitaCenter in 2006.

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Jobs Box Director of Family Life, Marriage, andRespect Life

The Diocese of Tulsa currently seeks aDirector of the Office of Family Life. The Directorof Family Life will oversee the efforts of theDiocese of Tulsa in regard to building strongmarriages and forming Catholic families. TheDirector of Family Life will also direct, overseeand implement all of the Respect Life initiativesof the diocese. Candidates should have abachelor’s degree in theology, marriage studies,family studies, counseling or a related field. Amaster’s degree is preferred. Candidates shouldalso have experience in marriage preparation,seminars related to marriage and family life, andpro-life and Respect Life ministries. Candidatesmust be practicing Catholics in good standing,and must support all of the teachings of bothecclesial and divine law. Candidates must also be

able to form and inform through education andexplanation the teachings of the Church inregard to marriage, family, and respect forhuman life. Send a resumé and list of referencesto [email protected].

Chapel Part-Time Position AvailableCatholic Community Coordinator:

This position is for a civilian contractor and nota federal position. The Statement of Work, ex-plaining the position and necessary qualificationsfor this job (average 20 hours per week), is avail-able at the chapel weekdays. If interested, pleasepick up a Statement of Work at the chapel ordownload it from https://cs.eis.afmc.af.mil/sites/-1017/Tinker/Lists/Announcements/AllItems.as, orif you are unable to access, you may request onefrom [email protected]. Please

submit your résumé before Oct. 17. Once allresumes are collected, the applicants will becontacted to set up a time for an interview, validapplicants will be asked to formulate and submita bid. The committee will score applicants andtheir bids on the basis of skills, education,experience, organizations/administrative abilityand motivation, ministry-focus, people-focus, andwhether reasonable/within budget and valuereceived for the amount paid. Interviews/demonstrations will be scheduled for Oct. 24 and25 at the base chapel during duty hours. If youhave any questions, please contact the chapel at734-2111.

For up-to-date job listings, visit thearchdioceasan website at

www.catharchdioceseokc.org.

Calendar OCTOBER

11 Catholic War Veterans (of anywar/conflict) will meet the secondTuesday of each month in thecommunity room of St. AnnRetirement Center at 7 p.m. Formore information, contact Father M.Price Oswalt at (405) 567-3404.

12 Learn the Sympto-thermalMethod of Natural FamilyPlanning with Jeanne Blasi,certified instructor, on Wednesdaynight, Oct. 12, Nov. 9 and Nov. 30 at7 p.m. at St. John the BaptistChurch, 9th and Boulevard, Edmond.You must register for the class onlineat www.ccli.org.

12 Catholic War Veterans USA.Oklahoma Memorial Post 168 meetsevery second Wednesday of themonth at 7 p.m. in the SunnylaneFamily Reception Center located at3900 S.E. 29th St. in Del City. Formore information, contact Ken at(405) 739-0036 or by email [email protected].

13 The Catholic Woman’sActivities Club, a club made up ofwomen from all parishes, is a groupwho enjoys programs on Gardening,Music, Civics and the Arts. We meeton the second Thursday of eachmonth at noon from September

through May in the Patio Room ofEpiphany of Our Lord Church (7336W. Britton Road). All Catholic womenare invited to join us. For moreinformation, call June at 608-0232or Pearl at 524-3641.

14 Bingo Night at St. Joseph’sChurch in Norman. Light supperserved at 6:30 p.m. Games begin at 7p.m. with a first session; secondsession at 8:30 p.m. $5 per session,no limit on blackout cards, groupphoto of all the winners.

15 The Lay Missionaries ofCharity, the Secular (Lay) Orderof Blessed Teresa of Calcuttameet at St. John the Baptist Parish,Edmond, on the first and thirdSaturday of each month beginningwith Holy Mass at 7:30 a.m. in thechapel. For more information, contactToni Harrelson, LMC, at (405) 341-2199 or [email protected].

15 Aging Gracefully, a series forseniors, their children and care-givers, begins on Saturday, Oct. 8and ends on Oct. 22 at St. JamesChurch, 4201 S. McKinley, from 10a.m. to noon. The topic of the firstsession will be Medical and End ofLife Issues: Palliative Care, theChurch’s Teaching and PastoralCare. A panel led by Dr. DianneGasbarra, Mary Diane Steltenkamp

and Father Bill Pruett will presentthe topic with questions to follow.Don’t miss this opportunity to be-come more informed about thesepertinent issues. To register or formore information, please call theOffice of Family Life at 721-8944.There is no cost for the program.

16 The Community of the SecularOrder of the Blessed Virgin Maryof Mt. Carmel and St. Teresa ofJesus - Oklahoma Community andProvince of St. Therese meets at St.Joseph Carmelite Monastery inPiedmont from 1 to 4 p.m. For moreinformation, call Susan Staudt at(405) 282-6624 or Sister SilviaNegrete at (405) 232-7926.

16 The Secular Franciscan Orderof St. Francis Fraternity meets at1:15 p.m. at St. Anthony’s HospitalChapel. For more information, callJim Disbrow at 830-8688.

17-25 Monthly Novena to TheInfant Jesus, the 17th-25th of eachmonth. Nine days of novenas toInfant Jesus of Prague monthly.During these nine days, the novenaprayers will be as follows: Monday-Friday following noon Mass,Saturday following 6 p.m. Mass, andSunday following 11 a.m. Mass.National Shrine of the Infant Jesusof Prague located at St. Wenceslaus

Catholic Church, 304 Jim ThorpeBlvd. in Prague. (405) 567-3080 orwww.shrineofinfantjesus.com.

20 TAP into FAITH! This month’stopic: The Death Penalty with FatherM. Price Oswalt. Single or married,ages 21-12. 8 p.m. talk, 8:45 p.m.Q & A. Tap into Faith is held atLottinville’s, located on South Kelley,just south of 15th in Edmond. Wehave a private room in back. Formore information, call Mary Lacherat 401-4105.

21 Retreat - Entering the Heartof Autumn at the Red PlainsSpirituality Center in Piedmont,from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. In response tothe longing our soul has for theSacred, we are offering a contempla-tive fall retreat. The cost is $75 plus$25 deposit (non-refundable). Bring asack lunch, outdoor jacket, journaland pen. To register, call Katrina at321-8747.

22 Aging Gracefully, a series de-signed to help seniors, their childrenand other caregivers in the practicalrealities of growing older. This freethree-part series meets from 10 a.m.to 12 p.m. Saturdays, Oct. 8-22, at St.James the Greater Church, 4201 S.McKinley in Oklahoma City. Formore information and to register, callthe Office of Family Life at 721-8944.

Dice mucho sobre una sociedad cuando a ungrupo de obstetras y genetistas una niña de 11años tiene que decirles que su vida vale la penavivirla. Según The New York Times, “Sarah” contóa una sala colmada de especialistas médicos que aella le gusta leer.

Matemática era difícil, pero se hace más fácil.Toca el clarinete en la banda de su escuela. Es unaniña exploradora y tía, y le gusta organizar, por lotanto su dormitorio está muy limpio. El año pasa-do ganó tres medallas en las OlimpíadasEspeciales.

“Tengo tanta suerte de poder hacer tantascosas”, concluyó. “Quiero que sepan, a pesar de quetengo síndrome de Down, está bien”.

¿Por qué sería necesaria tal reunión? Porquemuchos de estos especialistas, al igual que muchosotros en nuestra sociedad, han comenzado a pen-sar en los bebés como bienes materiales, como pro-ductos que los adultos crean para mejorar susvidas. Y si el “producto” tiene fallas y excede elpoder de corrección de la medicina, simplemente lodevolvemos. Trágica mente, la actitud de esosexpertos tiene un peso enorme cuando las parejasse enfrentan a un diagnóstico de discapacidad ensu hijo por nacer. En un intento de ofrecer a lasparejas un pleno conocimiento de los posiblesdesafíos de salud y de aprendizaje, muchos espe-cialistas presentan un panorama negativo de lasperspectivas del niño. Y muchos instan a lospadres a que consideren abortar, y así contribuyena un hecho vergonzoso de que alrededor del 90 porciento de los niños por nacer diagnosticados consíndrome de Down son abortados. Dada esta altatasa de “terminación”, en el futuro será inclusomenos probable que los padres y especialistasvivan personalmente el amor y la alegría que losniños con esa condición u otras discapacidadespueden llevar a su familia y comunidad.

Los niños por nacer diagnosticados con limita-ciones físicas o mentales están particularmente enriesgo de ser asesinados porque el aborto estádisponible legalmente en todo Estados Unidos, ymuchas personas creen que los padres tienen“derecho” a decidir acabar con la vida de un niñopor nacer que no cumpla con sus expectativas.Pero la amenaza a la vida de las personas con dis-capacidades no termina en el nacimiento. Lospadres de niños con necesidades especiales, y losadultos con discapacidades que pueden buscar supropia atención médica, a menudo tienen queluchar por tratamiento médico que generalmentese da a alguien que no tiene una discapacidadmanifiesta. ¡Es como que las personas con dis-capacidad llevan la carga de probar al personalmédico que es mejor estar vivo que muerto!

Y por supuesto, millones de estadounidensesque han gozado una excelente salud y estado físi-co en la mayor parte de su vida tal vez descubran

directamente en sus últimos años el prejuicio dom-inante en contra de dar tratamiento a quienestienen habilidades mentales y físicas disminuidas.Asimismo, cuando la demencia le roba a un indi-viduo la capacidad de una comunicación “coher-ente”, hoy día muchas personas consideran equiv-ocadamente a esa persona prescindible. Esto debecambiar.

En su encíclica El Evangelio de la Vida, elBeato Juan Pablo II identificó como el “centro deldrama vivido por el hombre contemporáneo: eleclipse del sentido de la vida” (no. 21). De hecho,“perdiendo el sentido de Dios, se tiende a perdertambién el sentido del hombre, de su dignidad y desu vida” (Ibíd.). Con cuánta frecuencia nos recordóel Pontífice que “cada persona humana –sin impor-tar lo vulnerable o indefensa que fuera, sin impor-tar lo joven o anciana que es, sin importar si tienesalud, es discapacitada o está enferma, sin impor-tar cuán útil o productiva sea para la sociedad– esun ser de inestimable valor creado a imagen ysemejanza de Dios”.

Paradójicamente, en algunos aspectos nuestrasociedad ha hecho un progreso considerable enreconocer, aceptar y promover la igualdad de laspersonas con discapacidades. Del mismo modo, laciencia médica ha encontrado curas, o al menosformas de aliviar, para algunas discapacidades,por lo tanto las personas con ella pueden vivir suvida lo más plenamente posible mientras realizanaportes extra ordinarios a la sociedad.

Pero existen muchas tendencias preocupanteshoy que reflejan un temor y una incapacidad de

abrazar a las personas con discapacidades comohermanos y hermanas. Nos estamos volviendomás utilitarios, menos compasivos, y menos gen-erosos en hacer los sacrificios necesarios paratratar a todas las personas con dignidad y respeto.A menudo, se habla de quienes tienen discapaci-dades, los que están muy enfermos y los ancianoscomo cargas, y se evalúa su cuidado mediante unanálisis de costo/ beneficio que ignora su dignidadigual e inherente.

Considera a la famosa experta inglesa,Virginia Ironside, que anunció al aire al moder-ador sorprendido de un programa de debates tele-visivo: “Si yo fuera la madre de un hijo quesufre,… sería la primera en querer ponerle unaalmohada en la cara”. Agregó que cualquier“madre que ama” se sentiría de esa manera. Y siasfixiara a su hijo, alegando que actuó por com-pasión, su asesinato quedaría impune, como pasócon otra inglesa en 2010. Aunque los hechos eranevidentes, un jurado absolvió a la madre de ayu-dar en el suicidio de su hija de 31 años, una her-mosa joven que tenía síndrome de fatiga crónica.El juez de instrucción aplaudió el veredicto porquemostraba “ese sentido común, decencia yhumanidad lo que hace que los juicios por juradosean tan importantes en un caso de esta clase”.Perdonar a una madre por la muerte de su hija contérminos como decencia y humanidad es quitarle aestas palabras todo su significado.

La tendencia a deshacerse de estas vidas refle-ja un temor de abrazar a las que implican undesafío a nuestro amor y generosidad, que pertur-ban nuestros niveles de confort. Y es una medidade nuestro valor como personas cómo abrazamosese desafío, según lo explicó el Beato Juan PabloII:

La medida de la civilización, una medida uni-versal, perenne, que abarca todas las culturas, essu relación con la vida. Una civilización querechace a los indefensos merecería el nombre decivilización bárbara, aunque lograra grandes éxi-tos en los campos de la economía, la técnica, el artey la ciencia.

No toda persona con una discapacidad puedehacer un aporte concretamente medible a lasociedad. Muchos simplemente necesitarán denuestro cuidado y servicio. Pero al satisfacer estanecesidad, descubrimos una gran verdad. Las per-sonas con discapacidades nos desafían a ser ple-namente humanos y compasivos, a reconocer lapresencia de Dios en cada ser humano. Esto nosexige sacrificarnos, a “extender nuestro corazón”,como dijo el Papa Benedicto XVI. Esto nos exigeconvertirnos gradualmente en más semejantes aCristo, que después de todo es el objetivo de todavida cristiana.

Copyright © 2011, USCCB Washington, D.C.,Utilizado con permiso.


La Vida Importa: Personas con Discapacidad

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