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SND-USA Texas Revitalization Experiment

SND-USA Texas Revitalization Experiment. 2013-2014. Awakening. At the time of the general visitation of the four American provinces, Sr. Mary Kristin Battles stated that there was a window of time to renew or revitalize ourselves. Affirmation. “ An evangelizing community …

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SND-USA Texas Revitalization Experiment

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  1. SND-USATexas Revitalization Experiment 2013-2014

  2. Awakening At the time of the general visitation of the four American provinces, Sr. Mary Kristin Battles stated that there was a window of time to renew or revitalize ourselves.

  3. Affirmation “An evangelizing community… • knows that the Lord has taken the initiative… • can stand at the crossroads… • gets involved by word/deed in people’s daily lives… • bridges distances… • is supportive, standing by people at every step… • cares for the grain…does not grow impatient with weeds…. …is filled with joy.” • Apostolic Exhortation (24) Pope Francis

  4. Initiative • At the summer 2013 Toledo Province Assembly, Sr. Delores Gatliff invited tables of sisters to think outside the box and submit ideas for new ministries in new places in light of the Church of the future. • In response to suggestions of new ministries with Hispanic persons, and after discussion with her council, Sr. Delores sent letters to 7 bishops in Texas. • Bishops of 4 dioceses responded with an invitation.

  5. Development • Sr. Delores spoke of the Texas initiative when meeting with the provincials for SND-USA. The others liked the idea and discussed making it and other missionary works in Nicaragua and Uganda into joint ventures. • They invited sisters from all USA provinces called to be missionaries to speak with their provincial. • The SND-USA Texas Revitalization Experiment was born.

  6. Invitation • In an SND-USA Embracing Our Shared Future letter dated November 2013, the four US provincials invited sisters of all 4 USA provinces to consider a revitalization experiment in Texas. • “Sisters, we realize that SND-USA can accept commitments only when individual sisters feel called and committed. We want to honor the charism stirring in each sister’s heart.”

  7. Characteristics of Revitalization • Members are willing to question their current way of living, the works to which they have had a long-standing commitment and to ask themselves these questions: • Where might we find our founder today? • What style of life would he or she be constructing? • To what absolute needs would he or she be responding? “Religious Life: Diminished, but Surely Not Dying” by Sean D. Sammon, F.M.S. Human Development, Volume 34:3: Fall 2013.

  8. Characteristics of Revitalization (cont.) • The group re-appropriates its founding charism, but free of its historical trappings. • The members, or at least a significant number of them, experience a profound renewal in their life of prayer, faith, and centeredness in Christ. “Religious Life: Diminished, but Surely Not Dying” by Sean D. Sammon, F.M.S. Human Development, Volume 34:3 Fall 2013.

  9. Exploration • One of the 4 responding dioceses, the Diocese of San Angelo, was dropped from the search because of being in the process of installing a new bishop. • In January 2014, Sr. Mary Delores and Sr. Pamela Marie, both of the Toledo province, visited the Bishops and Dioceses of San Antonio, Corpus Christi, and Lubbock.

  10. Visits • Two days were spent in each Diocese of San Antonio, Corpus Christi and Lubbock. • Persons were assigned by the respective Bishops • to show us ministries, • to meet persons, • and to get a sense of Church in each diocese.

  11. Archdiocese of San Antonio, TX

  12. San Antonio Archdiocese of San Antonio – Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller 19 Counties -- 30 % Catholic -- 723,306 Catholics Small border with Mexico 139 parishes, 320 priests, 341 deacons, 88 brothers, 714 sisters, 5 universities, 11 high schools 33 elementary schools (Catholic Institutions)

  13. Observations • Though there are needs in the San Antonio Archdiocese, Sr. Mary Delores and Sr. Pamela Marie did not feel “the pull” for revitalization. • There are already many established Catholic institutions and women religious in service of the Church in San Antonio. • The visits took place in the city rather than in the outlining areas of the archdiocese where there may have been greater needs. • The San Antonio Archdiocese is dropped from the search.

  14. Continuation • The remainder of the report includes suggestions for the Dioceses of Corpus Christi and Lubbock for missionary communities of SND-USA: • with ministries that the bishops identified… • where there appeared to be a great need… • that meet the current needs of the times… • using the gifts and interests of SND-USA.

  15. Overall Impressions • Common reference to Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation • A young, fresh, growing Church • A sense of early Church communities • Vibrancy and joyful ministry • Need and welcome of women religious • Fields ripe for vocations and evangelization • Though the learning of Spanish would be a goal of all participants, English may be sufficient in some ministries.

  16. Diocese of Corpus Christi, TX

  17. Corpus Christi Diocese of Corpus ChristiBishop Wm Michael Mulvey 12 counties – 69% Catholic – 397,500 Catholics Southern border close to Mexico (Diocese of Brownsville is at the tip of Texas) 69 parishes, 156 priests, 102 deacons, 4 brothers, 160 sisters, 2 high schools, 16 elementary schools (Catholic institutions)

  18. Suggestions for Communities/Ministries • Establish a Catholic Charities service center • Immigrant assistance • Catechetical center • Food pantry • Location for mobile clinic • Outreach • Connection to services • ESL / GED • No structure is in existence • Chancellor for the Diocese • Campus Ministry at Texas A & M University • Mother Teresa Homeless Shelter • Prison Ministry at Nueces County Jail • Hospital Ministry or Chaplaincy at Driscoll Children’s Hospital • No accommodations at this time Community 1 in the South Community 2 in Corpus Christi

  19. Distance A to B: 42 miles Distance B to C: 39 miles Distance C to D: 73 miles Community 1 in area of B, C, and D A--Corpus Christi B--Kingsville—immigrants come up highway 77 C--Falfurrias—immigrants come up highway 281 D--Encino Mission (in or near Diocese of Brownsville)

  20. Distance A to C: 15 miles Community Two in Corpus Christi A—Chancery in Corpus Christi D—Mother Teresa Homeless Shelter B—Metro Ministries E—Nueces County Jail C—Texas A&M University F—Driscoll Children’s Hospital

  21. Diocese of Lubbock, TX

  22. Lubbock Lubbock DioceseBishop Placido Rodriguez 25 Counties – 37% Catholic – 72,527 Catholics Catholic population grew 15% since 2000 and diocese is 77% Hispanic Home Mission Diocese of USCCB 62 parishes, 58 priests, 71 deacons, 23 sisters, 1 K3-12, 1 elementary school (Catholic institutions)

  23. Suggestions for Communities/Ministries • Pastoral Associate for parishes of St William, Denver City, and Sacred Heart, Plains • Hispanic, English, and Tex-Mex programs for youth, adults and families; organize student after-school CCD • Ministry to blend art, music, drama and faith • Catechetical teacher training • Furnished double trailer available now for 4 sisters • Principal of St Joseph School, Slaton • 42 students • Some have special needs • Hospital chaplain • Retreat /spiritual direction • Principal for Christ the King Cathedral School K3-12 • Catechetical teacher training • Housing will be made available Community 3 at Sacred Heart Community 4 in Slaton

  24. Distance A to B: 90 miles Distance B to C: 18 miles Community 3 at Sacred Heart A—Chancery of Lubbock Diocese B--St. William Parish, Denver City C—Sacred Heart Parish, Plains

  25. Distance B to C: 2 miles Distance A to B: 20 miles Community 4 near Slaton A—St. Joseph School, Slaton, 43 students, K3-6 Mercy Manna Retreat Center (located across the street) B—Covenant Women’s and Children’s Hospital C—Christ the King Cathedral School, 380 students, K3-12, Child Care Center on location

  26. Collaboration with the University of Notre Dame Mrs. Christine Wanjura, Superintendent of Schools , Principal at Christ the King Cathedral (K3-12 Campus). Devoted to Catholic education as THE foundation for transmitting the faith to all family members.

  27. Sacred Heart Church, Plains . This is a new and small church. It is typical of the churches in the outlying parishes of Lubbock

  28. St. Joseph School, Slaton The current principal, Sr. Ann, is being called back to her home in the Philippines. New leadership for the schools is scarce . All of the students in this school receive tuition aid from the diocese.

  29. Other Suggestions • Send vocation directors /others to multiple dioceses in Texas for periods of time for specific vocation work in parishes, universities, schools. • Invite sisters, associates, and young women to participate in immersion experiences once the communities and ministries are established. We will need accommodations for visitors. • Grief ministry, ministry with persons in detention centers waiting for deportation….and others.

  30. JPIC Opportunities • The Texas Catholic Conference and the Texas Catholic Network challenge with relevant contemporary public affairs of concern to the Catholic Church in Texas and the nation. • Involvement with… …Native American concerns …human trafficking issues …immigration reform …and others

  31. Suggested PreparationFor missionaries in Texas… • Begin and/or continue to… • learn the Spanish language • understand immigration reform • practice daily detachment and simple living • participate in inculturation experiences regularly • familiarize yourself with Hispanic leaders past and present • gain awareness of the poor you see or meet each day.

  32. Preparation (cont.) • Read Enrique’s Journey and other books; videos • Enroll in online immigration courses (see CLINIC) • Become certified in ESL and/or Catechetics • Read and discuss the Apostolic Exhortation • Study the history of Texas and of the Catholic Church in Texas • Visit your local Catholic Charities Office • Volunteer regularly in a poor place you previously overlooked • Participate in a Spanish parish and/or liturgy • Fast and pray; ask yourself regularly WWJD

  33. Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Francis “Whenever we make the effort to return to the source and to recover the original freshness of the Gospel, new avenues arise, new paths of creativity open up, with different forms of expression, more eloquent signs and words with new meaning for today’s world. Every form of authentic evangelization is always ‘new’.”

  34. Questions? Comments? Suggestions?

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