Vocations issue The - BRINGING THE GOOD NEWS TO THE DIOCESE OF FORT WORTH - North Texas Catholic
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BRINGING THE GO OD NEWS TO THE DIO CESE OF FORT WORTH
The Vocations
JULY — AUGUST 2021
VOL . 37 | NO. 4
issue
IN THIS ISSUE
July - August 2021
10 GOLDEN MILESTONE
Father Ron Mohnickey, TOR,
celebrates 50 years of priesthood.
12 A NATURAL WAY
Understanding her body improves
health and empowers women.
20 UP, UP, AND AWAY
Father Khoi Tran will serve as a
chaplain in the U.S. Air Force.
22 THE ENCOURAGERS
Three local Serra Clubs foster
vocations and support priests.
36
26 ALL IN THE FAMILY
Four children pursue religious voca- A GREAT HARVEST
tions in a St. Joseph Parish family. Six men lay down their lives to
become priests for the Diocese of
Fort Worth.
ON THE COVER
Six priests ordained, the diocese’s
largest class. (NTC/Juan Guajardo)
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NTC@fwdioc.org. 30 RELIGIOUS LIBERTY 52 SOUL PURPOSE
2 N o r t h T e x a s C at h o l i c . o r g
FROM THE EDITOR
On a life worth living
M y high school geography and history teacher
would often remark about how she believes in
God because she would lose her mind otherwise.
The thought of there being nothing else in this life
but absolute death at the end, no afterlife, no heaven,
would be unbearable. “Why live life at all...why try
to achieve...why assume risks?” she reasoned. The
permanence and ever-looming presence of a cold, eternal
silence six feet under the earth would snuff out the thrill
and wonder of life.
In a certain way, there’s a wisdom to my teacher’s
musings. One could even argue it’s healthy to consider
death. In fact, the author of the Book of Ecclesiastes,
Qoheleth, meditates on this very point himself. Death
Publisher Bishop Michael Olson
levels all; fame, glory, and fortune are subject to loss;
Communications Director Pat Svacina and humanity marches toward the grave, he writes.
That pessimism, however, is countered by the author’s
Editor Juan Guajardo
conclusion that God is the ultimate judge of a life lived well
Associate Editor Susan Moses or badly, so best live it well.
Archbishop Charles Chaput, OFM Cap., goes to
Editorial Assistant Rosa Rosales
the heart of this in his new book, Things Worth Dying For:
Web Designer Chris Kastner Thoughts on a Life Worth Living. He states, “God and His
mercy are real,” therefore, “Time has a purpose. The
Circulation Debbie Dowis
meaning of a sentence becomes clear when we put a
Social Media Manager Annette Mendoza-Smith period at the end of it. The same applies to life...thinking a
little about our mortality puts the world in perspective.”
Contributors
Kevin Bartram | Jerry Circelli
Both Chaput and Qoheleth understand that life only
Jayme Donahue | Sandra Engelland has meaning and purpose if lived correctly, if lived for the
Joan Gillen | Jillian Holmboe right reason. And that’s the crux: what is the right reason?
Joy Kaiser | Rodger Mallison As Catholics, we are infinitely blessed to know we
Susan McFarland | Lance Murray have a Creator who created for this overriding reason
Walker Price | Matthew Redden expressed so succinctly in the Baltimore Catechism: “God
Violeta Rocha | Alex Rosales made me to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him in
Michael Sherman | Mary Lou Seewoester this world, and to be happy with Him forever in heaven.”
Matthew Smith | Ben Torres That’s the cause worth living for and dying (literally and
figuratively) for.
If we consider life apart from what Jesus calls us to,
Translator Yolanda Newcomb
we risk a purposeless and empty life which is subject to
Regular Columnists Jeff Hedglen | Ali Hoffman death. If we consider life with Jesus, in love and commu-
Fr. Maurice Moon | Callie Nowlin nion with Him, death is not an end but the beginning of
Fr. Tad Pacholczyk | Sean Wright the light of eternity we’ll spend with God.
The recent ordination of six men to the priesthood
Editorial Office: 800 West Loop 820 S., Fort Worth, Texas 76108, is a vivid testimony to finding truth and purpose in life.
817-945-9424.
Their joyful self-sacrifice points us to the reality that
NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC Magazine (USPS 751-370) (ISSN 0899-7020) when life is lived well — that is, with love — death loses
is published bi-monthly by the Most Rev. Michael F. Olson, Bishop of the its sting, its victory (1 Corinthians 15:55-57).
Diocese of Fort Worth. For those who are not registered parishioners in
the Diocese of Fort Worth, subscription rates are $18 for one year, $35 for
So, in order to feel alive, now and forever, remember
two years, $50 for three years. Periodicals postage paid at Fort Worth, that love is the key (John 15:13).
TX. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to North Texas Catholic, 800
W. Loop 820 S., Fort Worth, Texas 76108.
The appearance of advertising in these pages does not imply endorsement
of businesses, services, or products. Readers must exercise prudence in
Juan Guajardo
responding to advertising in all media. Editor
For address changes, please contact Debbie Dowis, 817-533-3172.
David Cassanova assists Fr. Ken Robinson during
Mass for the deaf community at St. Rita Church,
May 2. (NTC/Rodger Mallison)
AROUND THE DIO CESE
Together again: Deaf
Community Mass resumes
FORT WORTH — It’s not expressions.
A domestic mission with a unusual to linger after Mass However, from the
global mindset for a few minutes to talk with
friends, but for three hours?
beginning of the pandemic
Bishop Michael Olson has
When the deaf community scheduled sign language
COLLEYVILLE — bleachers, clean the gathered for their monthly interpretation for the lives-
Since 2008, the Mission grounds, and create a Mass on June 6, they visited tream Mass from St. Patrick
Outreach Council at rosary garden. until the lights were off, Cathedral each Sunday.
Good Shepherd Parish The rosary, made of three hours later. The livestreams of the
in Colleyville has sent a gold painted cross and Community Mass for Easter Triduum and priestly
many groups to its large painted stones, the deaf resumed May 2, ordination Mass were also
mission partner in represents the after being halted in April interpreted for the deaf.
Honduras, but World Mission 2020 because of coronavirus “The bishop has been
its latest mis- Rosary, precautions. so supportive,” said Martin,
sion work has inspired by David Cassanova, the who made home visits to
been close to Archbishop deaf Mass coordinator, said, members of the deaf com-
home. Within Fulton Sheen “It’s wonderful and inspiring munity early in the pandem-
the diocese, in to encourage to see people — people were ic to reassure them.
fact. prayers for happy to be together and “If we didn’t reach out,
Good children living that made me happy and the deaf would be forgotten,
Shepherd pa- in poverty and motivated.” pushed aside. We have to
rishioners met with adversity at home Father Ken Robinson pull them in, and it changes
Nikki Leafgreen, the and throughout the world. celebrated the Mass at St. their lives. The spiritual
principal of St. George Each color symbolizes a Rita Church in Fort Worth. benefit makes a difference,”
Catholic School, and continent. Connie Martin, co- she continued.
determined a plan to When their work was ordinator of deaf ministry Deaf Ministry also
improve the outdoor accomplished, the mission and special needs services, provides sign language
learning spaces at the Fort day concluded with a hot explained the pandemic was interpretation for religious
Worth school. dog lunch and kickball. especially difficult for the education, sacramental
School students and “It was an amazing deaf community, which al- preparation, and other ser-
families partnered with time of fellowship,” said ready experiences isolation. vices as requested.
the mission team from Tere Martin, mission min- Furthermore, masks The Knights of
Good Shepherd Parish istry coordinator at Good make lip reading impos- Columbus provide financial
to improve the existing Shepherd Parish. sible and obscure facial support for deaf ministry.
4 N o r t h T e x a s C at h o l i c . o r g
Graduates walk the stage Graduate Diana Aguirre processes with teacher
Dillon Bagwell during the commencement for
confident and ready Nolan Catholic High School. (NTC/Ben Torres)
FORT WORTH — The a particularly meaningful
mortarboard hats and the
endless refrains of “Pomp
tradition.
Mandy Lester, dean of
Buy the book: St. Rita
and Circumstance” are
unmistakable indications of
academics at Nolan, ad-
mitted that graduation is a
library wins $5,000 grant
graduation. celebration of everything the
Nolan Catholic High students have accomplished, FORT WORTH — Here’s couple of extra challenges.
School celebrated gradua- but it also symbolizes a a story with a happy The diversity at the
tion at Globe Life Field on necessary letting go. ending. school in east Fort Worth
May 24. “We connect as edu- St. Rita Catholic makes for a beautiful
During the students’ cators for four years, and School received a $5,000 community that Burns
senior year, Nolan President then they take the next step grant from the Laura Bush and librarian Robin
Leah Rios observes a tre- on their own,” she said. “If Foundation for America’s Bolliger want to reflect in
mendous transformation. they come back to visit, it’s a Libraries to buy books for its assortment of books. A
Many seniors begin the year different relationship.” its library. second challenge, Burns
unsure of themselves, she Graduation is a rite The grant’s timing is explained, is that some
said, but by the time they of passage that’s a bitter- especially opportune. In students who enroll at
walk across the stage, “They sweet moment for faculty a normal year, St. Rita’s St. Rita in the higher
leave self-confident in their and staff, according to Dr. small library budget grades arrive with reading
faith and in their lives, ready Maggie Harrison, president derives from proceeds of deficits. “We want books
to move forward with God.” of Cassata Catholic High book fairs. In a pandemic that draw in the struggling
A senior retreat and School. year, no book fairs were reader,” said Burns.
service projects help Nolan She said the small school scheduled. This story won’t
students prepare for their enables teachers to build Equipping a library conclude with the school
ultimate purpose “to know close relationships with the for children from pre-K3 year’s end. In conver-
God, to love God, and to students. “We’re proud of through eighth grade is a sations with her pupils
serve God,” according to everyone, but we miss them challenge at any school. throughout her career,
Rios. when they go,” she said. A collection ranging from Burns has determined that
At Nolan’s graduation, Cassata Catholic High picture books to teen many students have few
students choose a faculty or School graduates, along novels is required to match books at home. This year,
staff member to assist them with their friends and interests and reading abili- like every year, St. Rita’s
as they don their gradua- family, celebrated com- ties as students develop. school library keeps sum-
tion robe and any stoles or mencement on May 22 at According to Principal mer hours so students can
awards they have earned, St. Andrew Church. Mary Burns, St. Rita has a read happily ever after.
J u ly / August 2 0 2 1 5
AROUND THE DIO CESE
Sister Mary Jean, SSMN, tours the halls of Our An educational legacy of
centuries and generations
Lady of Victory Catholic school where she
taught for seven years. (NTC/Ben Torres)
FORT WORTH — Our OLV for a 28-year career as
In Eastland, Bishop Olson Lady of Victory School a teacher and principal said,
hosted a legacy celebration “We hope that students keep
blesses foundation stone and closing ceremony for Our Lady of Victory within
the south Fort Worth school their hearts, within their ac-
EASTLAND — Four that is planted. It grows on June 12. ademics, within their minds,
parishes share a single slowly, but it will grow.” Bishop Michael Olson and within their families.”
vision of having a place for The property, on I-20 celebrated Mass in the Another school named
community and religious in Eastland, exceeds 50 school gymnasium with for our Blessed Mother,
education. The property acres and is central to the many Sisters of Saint Mary Notre Dame Catholic
is purchased, architectural four parishes, which were of Namur, other former and School in Wichita Falls, has
plans are rendered, and on established more than 100 current teachers, and invited also ceased operations due
June 5, the vision took an- years ago. Fr. Mareedu guests. to declining enrollment,
other step towards reality. envisions the center will The Sisters of Saint years of annual expenses ex-
Bishop Michael Olson become a hub for youth, Mary of Namur established ceeding income, and many
prayed the Rosary and including college students the school in 1910, and their years of costly deferred
blessed the foundation from nearby Ranger legacy of Catholic education maintenance on the aging
stone for the All Saints College and Cisco College. in Texas was honored. buildings.
Family Activity and Youth In addition to regular reli- An open house followed, Twenty years ago, more
Center, accompanied by gious education classes, it and former students walked than 500 students enrolled,
parishioners from St. John will be able to host retreats halls lined with photos de- but about 200 students
Parish in Strawn; St. Rita and fellowship events. picting the 111-year history attended in recent years.
Parish in Ranger; Holy Janie Ortiz, a religious of the school. Many of the rituals that
Rosary Parish in Cisco; education teacher and Sister Patricia Ridgley, mark the end of the school
and St. Francis Xavier mother of five from St. regional superior for the year, such as the spring con-
Parish in Eastland. Francis Xavier, explained SSMNs, previously cited cert and field day, took on
The first phase of the the religious education rising costs, declining enroll- extra significance, knowing
construction includes three program has outgrown its ment, and the COVID-19 that the school established in
classrooms, a foyer, and a current building. pandemic as the reasons 1905 would soon be closed.
commercial kitchen. She said, “We have a behind the decision to close On May 15, Bishop
Father Vijaya great future with all these the school at the conclusion Olson delivered the com-
Mareedu, SAC, pastor of children, all these youth. of this school year. mencement address for the
the four parishes, describes We see a brighter future — Linda Kuntz, a former last class to graduate from
the project as “like a seed better things are coming.” student who returned to Notre Dame.
6 N o r t h T e x a s C at h o l i c . o r g
Juan
Father Ray McDaniel leads the
Eucharistic Procession at St.
Philip the Apostle Parish.
(NTC/Kevin Bartram)
Parishes take Christ into the
community. Literally.
LEWISVILLE— Just one
third of Catholics believe
Holy Body and Blood of
Christ, which fell on June 6
The Reynas serve 53 years,
that during Mass, the bread this year. even before parish opened
and wine actually become St. Philip the Apostle
the Body and Blood, Soul Parish in Lewisville holds a
and Divinity of Jesus Christ, Eucharistic Procession each DE LEON — Lila Reyna Reyna initially taught in
according to a widely publi- year. Father Ray McDaniel, began teaching Catholic people’s homes and later at a
cized 2019 study by the Pew pastor of St. Philip, led the children before the town’s local Methodist church until
Research Center. congregation after the 12:30 Catholic church, Our Lady the parish was established.
To demonstrate rever- Mass on a public procession of Guadalupe, even existed. “I remember Joe and I
ence for the real presence of through the church grounds “I went to Sacred Heart used to cut the grass at the
Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, and returned to the sanctu- Church in Comanche,” church with a push mower,”
parishes have held public ary for a benediction. Reyna said. “Our priest said Reyna said. “That wasn’t
processions with the Blessed This year at St. Andrew we needed to get Catholics in always fun, especially on hot
Sacrament for centuries. Church in Fort Worth, De Leon involved in coming days. Fortunately, someone
In 1551, in response to Father Jim Gigliotti, TOR, to church since De Leon else does that now.”
the denial of the real pres- established the parish’s first didn’t have a church yet, and Joe Reyna helped with
ence of Jesus in the Eucharist Eucharistic procession in that’s what got me involved.” that and other church main-
during the Protestant recent memory. Reyna, since 1968, has tenance needs and projects
Reformation, the Council “In these days of dis- served as a longtime catechist through the years.
of Trent declared, “The belief in the real presence, and recently retired as direc- “I always wanted to do
Sacrament is to be honored such devotions speak loudly tor of catechesis at Our Lady all I could for my church
with extraordinary festive of Adoration of His Majesty of Guadalupe. since I was young,” Joe
celebrations (and) solemnly in the Eucharist,” said Fr. Parishioners honored Reyna said.
carried from place to place Gigliotti. Reyna and her husband, Joe “Lila and Joe were char-
in processions according to Hundreds of St. Andrew Reyna, for 53 years of ded- ter members of our church,”
the praiseworthy universal parishioners sang as they icated service to the Our Lady of Guadalupe
rite and custom of the holy followed the Eucharist parish. Pastoral Council mem-
Church.” through the parish and ber Don Halbrook said.
Several parishes in school grounds. The Knights “They were one of the
the Diocese of Fort Worth of Columbus held a canopy cornerstones.”
observe the tradition of the over the monstrance, and
Eucharistic Procession on Boy Scout Troop 97 knelt – Matthew Smith
the Solemnity of the Most along the path.
J u ly / August 2 0 2 1 7
Arlington native
OFFICIAL ASSIGNMENTS by Most Rev. Michael
receives Holy
CLERGY UPDATES
Orders
REV. JASON ALLAN in Mansfield, has been transferred
ARLINGTON — On June 12, Newly ordained, has been outside of the Diocese of Fort Worth,
Christopher Kellerman, SJ, a native appointed Parochial Vicar at effective July 1.
of Arlington, was ordained to the Immaculate Conception Catholic
priesthood, along with three other Parish in Denton, effective July 1. REV. THOMAS JONES
Jesuits from the USA Central and Newly ordained, has been
Southern Province. Archbishop of REV. JAMES ANGERT, TOR appointed Parochial Vicar of
New Orleans Gregory Aymond, Pastor of St. Maria Goretti Parish St. Jude the Apostle Parish in
presided at the in Arlington, at the proposal of Mansfield, effective July 1.
sacred liturgy. his order’s superior, has been
A longtime transferred outside of the Diocese REV. DANIEL KELLEY
member of Most of Fort Worth, effective June 1. Pastor of St. Joseph Parish in
Blessed Sacrament Arlington, has been appointed
Parish in Arlington, REV. FRANCIS Pastor of St. Jude the Apostle
Fr. Kellerman CHINTHAMALLA, HGN Parish in Mansfield, effective July 1.
graduated from Parochial Vicar of St. Elizabeth Ann
Lamar High Father Seton Parish in Keller, has been REV. CYRIAQUE SOUNOU, SVD
School in 2004. Christopher appointed Pastor of St. Joseph Parochial Vicar of St. Paul the
Kellerman, SJ
Fr. Kellerman Parish in Rhineland and Santa Rosa Apostle Parish in Fort Worth, has
attended Texas Parish in Knox City, effective July 1. been recalled by his religious
Tech University in Lubbock, where order effective July 1.
he studied music and political science REV. MICHAEL CISKI, TOR
and was an active member of the Parochial Vicar at St. Maria Goretti REV. PEDRO MARTINEZ
Catholic Student Association. He Parish in Arlington, has been Pastoral Administrator of St. Peter
went on to earn his master’s degree appointed Pastor of the same the Apostle Parish in Fort Worth,
in theology from the University of parish, effective June 1. has been appointed Pastor of the
Dallas in Irving, where he began seri- same parish, effective July 1.
ously discerning a religious vocation. REV. JONATHAN DEMMA
He entered the Jesuit Novitiate Pastoral administrator at Sacred REV. SAMUEL MAUL
in Grand Coteau, La., in 2011. After Heart Parish in Wichita Falls, has Newly ordained, has been
two years, he went to St. Louis, where been appointed Pastor of the appointed Parochial Vicar of St.
he studied philosophy at Saint Louis same parish, effective July 1. John the Apostle Parish in North
University and served for a year at St. Richland Hills, effective July 1.
Louis University High School. REV. MIGUEL ANGEL GONZALEZ-
Fr. Kellerman’s ministerial LOPEZ, TOR REV. RONALD MERCADO
experience was at Regis Jesuit High Pastor of St. Jude the Apostle Parish Pastor of St. George Parish in
School in Denver. He then earned his
Master of Divinity degree at Regis
College at the University of Toronto.
For the past year, he has been a
visiting research fellow at the Jesuit
Social Research Institute (JSRI) at
Loyola University New Orleans, as IN MEMORIAM
well as serving as a deacon in Baton
Rouge, La.
FATHER DAVID BRISTOW
May 22, 2021
Fr. Kellerman is now serving as
a priest at Immaculate Conception During his 23 years as a Catholic priest in
Parish in Baton Rouge, while serving the Diocese of Fort Worth, Fr. Bristow served
as interim director of JSRI in New several area parishes, including St. Mary of the
Orleans. Assumption in Fort Worth for 15 years.
Full obituary is available at bit.ly/FatherBristow
8 N o r t h T e x a s C at h o l i c . o r g
chael F. O l s o n SAINT
FRANCIS
VILLAGE
A GATED RETIREMENT (62+) COMMUNITY
Fort Worth, has been appointed REV. OUSEPH ON THE SHORES OF LAKE BENBROOK
Pastor of St. Joseph Parish in THEKKAUMTHALA
Arlington, effective July 1. Parochial administrator of Our
Lady of Mercy Parish in Hillsboro,
COME SHARE
REV. BRETT METZLER will be in residence in Fort Worth,
Newly ordained, will continue effective July 1.
his graduate studies at the
OUR LITTLE PIECE
Catholic University of America, in REV. KHOI TRAN
residence at Theological College,
effective July 1.
Pastoral administrator of St. Jude
Thaddeus Parish in Burkburnett,
OF HEAVEN
Christ the King Parish in Iowa
REV. JOSEPH MORENO Park, and St. Paul Parish in
A community of
Newly ordained, has Electra, has been released to the
been appointed Pastoral Archdiocese of Military Services
strong Catholics, plus
Administrator of St. Jude for ministry as a Chaplain of the independent living
Thaddeus Parish in Burkburnett, U.S. Air Force, effective July 1. and security
Christ the King Parish in Iowa
Park, and St. Paul Parish in REV. RICHARD KIRKHAM Daily Mass
Electra, effective July 1. Resigned as pastor of St. Martin and weekly
de Porres Parish in Prosper on Confession
REV. JAMES MORMON, TOR June 5, 2018, but later changed
Returning to the Diocese of his mind and sought to reverse
Fort Worth, has been appointed the resignation by hierarchical 250-acre
Parochial Vicar of St. Maria recourse to the Holy See. The country living,
Goretti Parish in Arlington, at the third and final step in that turkey and
proposal of his superior, effective recourse is now complete, and deer abound
July 1. the Supreme Tribunal of the
Apostolic Signatura upheld
REV. LINH NGUYEN the validity of his resignation
Newly ordained, has been as did the Congregation for
appointed Parochial Vicar of St. the Clergy in the first instance.
Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Rev. Kirkham remains without
Keller, effective July 1. assignment in the Diocese of
Fort Worth.
REV. NGHIA NGUYEN
Parochial vicar of St. Elizabeth MR. JOHN GREMMELS
Ann Seton Parish in Keller, Formerly a priest of the Diocese
has been appointed Pastoral of Fort Worth, requested
Administrator of St. George dispensation from all rights and
Parish in Fort Worth, effective duties of priestly ministry, and the
July 1. rescript of laicization has been
granted by the Holy See.
REV. JOHN
PERIKOMALAYIL, HGN MR. ISAAC OROZCO
Pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Formerly a priest of the Diocese
Rhineland and Santa Rosa of Fort Worth, requested
Parish in Knox City, has been dispensation from all rights and SaintFrancisVillage.com
appointed Pastor of Our Lady duties of priestly ministry, and the
StFrancisVillageCatholicChapel.com
of Mercy Parish in Hillsboro, rescript of laicization has been
817-292-5786
effective July 1. granted by the Holy See.
J u ly / A u g u s t 2 0 2 1 9
noble service
50 years of
Father Ron Mohnickey, TOR, celebrates
50 years of priestly life
By Matthew Smith
T
hat Good Shepherd Church parish- “He’s very humble,” Jimenez said. “He’ll
ioners treasure Father Ronald never tell you he doesn’t have time. There’s nev-
Mohnickey, TOR, is obvious as er, ‘Oh, I’m busy.’ He’s very passionate.”
attested by a standing ovation of Cleveland, Ohio, born and raised, Fr.
sustained applause and long lines of well-wishers Mohnickey’s ministries before coming to Good
following a May 16 Mass of Thanksgiving hon- Shepherd included serving as an instructor
oring the 50th anniversary of Father Mohnickey’s and administrator at St. Francis University, in
ordination. Pennsylvania and as director of novices and
In person, the parochial vicar, 78, comes instructor at Franciscan University’s Gaming,
across as gentle, engaged, and caring. Not to Austria campus, among other assignments.
mention humorous in relaying his uncondition- Texas, however, was love at first sight.
al love of donuts or friendship with Father Jim “Texas really feels like home,” Fr. Mohnickey
Angert, TOR, of St. Maria Goretti Parish in said. “I’m with a cane now and a dry Texas sum-
Arlington, who also celebrated his 50th ordination mer is safer than a slippery Ohio winter.”
anniversary on May 16. Fr. Jim Angert, TOR, So too does Good Shepherd feel like home.
at the proposal of his superior was transferred “I have a sign over my desk that says
outside of the diocses on June 1. ‘Extravagant Appreciation,’” Fr. Mohnickey said.
“We were ordained together,” Fr. Mohnickey “That’s what I’ve experienced here.”
said. “He was featured recently in the North Texas The feeling is mutual.
Catholic and I have chided him ever since. I asked “He’s just got this peaceful presence and
him to autograph my copy. We’ve been friends wicked sense of humor,” Good Shepherd
for 55, 60 years.” Director of Faith Formation Tammy Sandoval
The years since his 1971 ordination seem said. “He’s quite a storyteller with a gift for gab
both long ago and not so much, Fr. Mohnickey and always available. He’s very pastoral and
mused. stops whatever he’s doing to help others.”
“Sometimes unbelievably so, sometimes Sandoval said that during a recent stop at a
not,” Fr. Mohnickey said. “My body tells me it’s donut shop, a man noted the church name on
been a long time, but not necessarily my spirit.” Sandoval’s shirt and asked if she worked for the
Although Fr. Mohnickey claims his is hardly parish.
“a very noble story,” others would beg to differ. “He said Fr. Ronald saved his marriage, and
His humility and devoutness are easily I asked what he meant,” Sandoval said. “He
discernable, Good Shepherd parishioner Martha said, ‘We called three parishes before we found a
Eberlein said. “When he talks, when he sings, priest that would meet with us to get us through
he’s got this heavenly voice. I’m always excited the night.’ ”
when I know he’s celebrating the Mass.” “Mass and Reconciliation”, Fr. Mohnickey
In characterizing Fr. Mohnickey as a saint, answered when asked the best part of being a
parishioner Jose Jimenez agreed. priest.
11 0
0 N
No r t h T e x a s C at h o l i c . o r g
o r t h T e x a s C at h o l i c . o r g
M ay / J u n e 2 0 1 8 10Father Ronald Mohnickey
blesses the congregation
at the end of his 50th
anniversary Mass May 16
at Good Shepherd Parish.
(NTC/Jayme Donahue)
“I never thought confessions would be
particularly a delight,” Fr. Mohnickey said.
“But we have them four times a week here,
and I spend 10 percent or more of my time
on that sacrament. It recently dawned on
me that if you’re ever looking for a quitter,
you would never find one in line for con-
fession. No matter the struggles or pain
people are going through there are just
no quitters in that line. They’re not going
to let darkness, or addiction, or whatever
have the final say.”
On the other hand, homilies pose
much challenge and soul searching, Fr.
Mohnickey said.
“Well, some of the parishioners have
told me they think his homilies are so on
[point], so impactful,” said Rita Rawlings, People form a line to congratulate
Father Ron on his 50th anniversary as
Fr. Mohnickey’s sister, who flew in from a priest. (NTC/Jayme Donahue)
Ohio for the May 16 Mass.
Fr. Mohnickey’s brother, John
Mohnickey, agreed. place called Colleyville. Cleveland.
“They paint a picture,” John “He could’ve been assigned anyplace Good Shepherd Pastor Michael
Mohnickey said. “In Cleveland, before in the world,” John Mohnickey said. “It’s Higgins, TOR, noted during the May 16
Mass he would go to the lake and spend like a mini miracle he ended up in a place Mass that Fr. Mohnickey has celebrated
a good bit of time formulating. Peaceful so close to me. Being 19 years younger, I about 50,000 Masses.
time where he could connect with his didn’t get to spend much time with him “Even after 50 years, sometimes I’ll
inner spirit and get a feel for what he was growing up. This has given us the opportu- [process] in formally and I’ll get chills [at
directed to talk about.” nity to see each other and, in a sense, learn Sunday Mass],” Fr. Mohnickey said. “How
John Mohnickey, a McKinney resident more about each other.” is it possible that I’m doing this? I’m going
19 years his brother’s junior, joked that Fr. John Mohnickey received his first to this altar to celebrate these sacred mys-
Mohnickey called several years ago from Communion during his big brother’s first teries. Some days that’s absolutely almost a
Austria asking John if he’d ever heard of a Mass, an apparent first in the Diocese of new shock.”
11 N o r t h T e x a s C at h o l i c . o r g M ay / J u n e 2 0 1 8 11
DIOCESE J u ly / A u g u s t 2 0 2 1 11LOVE
s
e
l
Natural Family Planning fosters authentic love, health,
empowerment, and Christian discipleship
By NTC Staff
f A
fter her first kids,” she said. “But it’s… to during the woman’s fertile days.
pregnancy, St. learn your health and know your The Diocese of Fort Worth
Matthew parish- body.” offers instruction in four meth-
ioner Brenda “Even in our secular ods of NFP, all based on rigor-
Reyes de Lara’s world… I’ve noticed people ous research: Billings Ovulation
body felt disoriented. “I had no going away from birth control Method and Creighton Model
idea what was going on, and not for religious but for health FertilityCare System use a wom-
l
my hormones were all over the reasons,” added Chris Vaughan, an’s cervical fluid to determine
place,” she said. Director of Marriage and fertility. The Sympto-Thermal
In the process of seeking Family Life. “For us, we do it Method taught by the Couple
a marriage validation, she and because of Jesus Christ. On the to Couple League relies on
her husband took a class on cross, He shows us what true cervical fluid, basal body tem-
the Billings Ovulation Method, love is.” perature, and cervical position.
a method of Natural Family Informed by solid research The Marquette Model uses a
e
Planning (NFP) that uses and inspired by Christ’s bold combination of cervical fluid,
cervical fluid to determine a selfless love, instructors and temperature, and chemical urine
woman’s fertility status. Seeing experts say that Natural Family analysis.
the hormone patterns on the Planning empowers women (and Vaughan explained why the
chart helped her to understand men) to care for their bodies in Church teaches women to work
the postpartum changes of sickness and in health, and to with their bodies’ fertility, rather
her body. “It was truthfully an love selflessly like Christ on the than eliminating it via chemical
s
answer to our prayers to learn cross. contraceptives or surgery. “To
NFP,” she added. maim the human body — and
Reyes de Lara and her THE SCIENCE usually the female body — it’s
husband have now been NFP, or as it is referred not healthy.”
teaching the Billings Ovulation to in secular circles, Fertility “Having periods is not a
Method for four years. As Awareness Based Methods disease,” wrote Clara Moskowitz
the Natural Family Planning (FABMs), interprets signs and and Jen Schwartz in Scientific
s
coordinator for the diocese, symptoms of hormonal changes American’s spotlight on women’s
Reyes de Lara encourages in a woman’s body to determine reproductive health in May
everyone to learn NFP — the fertile and infertile phases of 2019. In the same issue, Maya
engaged and married couples, her monthly cycle. NFP helps Dusenbery wrote: “A couple can
single women, even teenagers. couples determine the best only fertilize an egg up to about
“A lot of couples think [NFP] opportunities for conception. five days before and two days
is just for married couples or To avoid pregnancy, a couple after ovulation because of the
because they’re wanting to have can abstain from sexual activity combined viability of sperm and
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egg in the female body. So the
goal of fertility awareness-based
methods, or FABMs, is to predict
— and then confirm — when
ovulation occurs.”
Toni Weschler wrote in Taking
Charge of Your Fertility: “Fertility
Awareness is […] based on the
observation and charting of
scientifically proven fertility signs
that determine whether or not a
woman is fertile on any given day.”
Weschler contrasts FABM with
“…the obsolete rhythm method,”
which is “nothing more than a
flawed statistical prediction.”
According to a 2013 scien-
tific literature review by Michael
Manhart, Ph.D and colleagues,
users of well researched fertility
awareness methods “have unintend-
ed pregnancy rates comparable to
those of many other methods” of
family planning. Dusenbery wrote,
“When done right, some [fertility
awareness based methods] are 95 to
99 percent effective.”
In addition to being a violation of
Church teachings, using barrier methods
is risky, St. Patrick parishioner Nicole
Havrilla cautioned. Using them during the
fertile window may result in unintended
pregnancy; at that point the couple is relying
on the effectiveness of the barrier method
Continued on Page 14
13 N o r t h T e x a s C at h o l i c . o r g M ay / J u n e 2 0 1 8 13
DIOCESE J u ly / A u g u s t 2 0 2 1 13From Page 13
N
rather than on the effectiveness of NFP. “The Natural Family Planning (NFP) is
condom failed you; NFP didn’t fail you,” she said. the umbrella term for the scientific,
For optimal accuracy, users of NFP should abstain natural, and morally permissible
from sexual intercourse during the woman’s fertile methods of family planning that can
F
window. help married couples either achieve
“God gave us outward signs of our fertility,”
or postpone pregnancy.
said Havrilla. By charting a few signs and symp-
toms each day, women can learn their fertility
NFP methods are based on the
P
patterns and be more proactive in their healthcare
and their reproductive habits. With well over a observation of the naturally
decade of NFP experience, Havrilla is the founder occurring signs and symptoms of
and president of WholeLife Authentic Care clinic the fertile and infertile phases of a
in Fort Worth, whose doctors and practitioners use woman’s menstrual cycle. No drugs,
the Creighton FertilityCare model to help women devices, or surgical procedures are
track their ovulation — whether they are trying to used to avoid pregnancy.
achieve pregnancy, avoid pregnancy, or improve
M
their health.
Since the methods of NFP respect
EMPOWERING WOMEN
the love-giving (unitive)
Women who practice NFP daily chart their and life-giving
health. According to Stephanie Gavin, a certified (procreative) nature of
E
FertilityCare practitioner who attends Holy Family the conjugal act, they
and St. Andrew, a woman’s charts “identify red support God’s design
flags that may need a physician’s attention,” for married love
she said. Gavin and fellow practitioners at and enrich the bond
T
WholeLife Authentic Care use their patients’ between husband and
Creighton charts to develop personalized wife!
treatment plans.
Due to misunderstanding of the normal
variance of a woman’s cycles, Weschler
H
lamented that many couples “are led to
believe they are infertile when they
actually may not be.” Many women
undergo expensive, invasive — and
unnecessary — diagnostic and
O
treatment plans when a fertility
chart would have provided
sufficient information.
For women
whose charts
D
indicate a need for
medical intervention,
actively charting can
help prevent serious
health complications,
S
infertility, and even some
miscarriages. “Charting
your cycle is able to put
you into the best frame
of mind and the best
information possible,”
said Havrilla. Even
Continued on Page 16
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M ay / J u n e 2 0 1 8 14BILLINGS OVULATION METHOD CREIGHTON MODEL SYSTEM
The Billings Ovulation Method® is a The Creighton
simple yet scientific method of Natural Model FertilityCare™
Family Planning. Ongoing research has been System (CrMS) is a stan-
conducted in Australia, Sweden, and Spain since it was dardized modification of the
developed over 50 years ago by physicians John and Lyn Billings Ovulation Method, and
Billings of Melbourne, Australia. utilizes the new women’s health
Couples using the Billings Ovulation Method® track the science of NaProTECHNOLOGY. CrMS
woman’s natural and unique signs of fertility and infertility relies upon the standardized observation
each day. Based on the primary observation of sensa- and charting of biological markers that are
tion, four simple rules are applied within the woman’s essential to a woman’s health and fertility.
cycle based on a couple’s desire to achieve or These biomarkers tell the couple when they
postpone pregnancy. As published are naturally fertile and infertile, allowing the
in numerous journals, the couple to use the system either to achieve or
Billings Ovulation Method® to avoid pregnancy.
is 99.5 percent effective
at avoiding unintended These biomarkers also telegraph
pregnancies. abnormalities in a woman’s health,
providing her the added benefit of
being able to monitor and maintain
her procreative and gynecologic
health over her lifetime.
SYMPTO - THERMAL METHOD BY CCL
The Sympto-
Thermal Method
taught by the
Couple to Couple MARQUETTE MODEL SYSTEM
League (CCL) is based
on three key signs of
fertility: cervical mucus, The Marquette Model (MM) system of
basal body temperature, and NFP brings 21st century technology to NFP
changes in the cervix. By observ- by using the ClearBlue Easy Fertility Monitor,
ing and recording these signs, you and a device used at home which measures two
your spouse will be able to know if you’re in different hormone levels in urine to estimate the
a time of fertility or infertility. These signs beginning and end of the time of fertility in a woman’s
are easily noticed by any woman who has menstrual cycle.
learned to watch for them. It takes only a
minute or two each day to record them The information from the monitor can be used in conjunction
in CCL’s mobile app, CycleProGo, with other biological indicators of fertility. The MM was devel-
or on a paper chart. The chart oped by professional nurses and physicians at Marquette
provides a daily record that University in the late 1990s. Research has shown that
can be used to identify the Marquette Method of NFP can be up to 99 per-
the days of fertility and cent effective at avoiding unintended pregnan-
infertility. cies when practiced correctly, and with
the guidance of a Marquette
Method instructor.
15 N o r t h T e x a s C at h o l i c . o r g M ay / J u n e 2 0 1 8 15
DIOCESE J u ly / A u g u s t 2 0 2 1 15SAFE
FIND Women and couples seeking to learn NFP can contact
ENVIRONMENT
OUT Brenda Reyes de Lara to get connected with an
To Report Misconduct:
instructor at fwdioc.org/natural-family-planning.
MORE If you or someone you know is a
victim of sexual misconduct by
anyone who serves the Church,
including clergy:
From Page 14 fertile window to avoid pregnancy is Call the Victim Assistance
a mutual act of self-sacrifice. “It’s cer- Hotline at 817-602-5119.
when a woman is not able to achieve tainly good… but there are times you
her fertility goals, she added, charting don’t love it,” said Vaughan. Call the Director of Safe
can give women and couples “a sense For some couples, the fertile Environment at 817-945-9334
of peace — we did everything we could window is brief. For others, times of and leave a message.
and… we’re called to be something abstinence can be much longer. “This
else.” She added that practicing NFP practice helps couples when they must Call the Chancellor of the
and seeking personalized medical care go through more extended periods diocese at 817-945-9315.
based on her charts can help a woman of abstinence due to chronic health
“move on the continuum of better problems or if at some point they To Report Abuse
health.” experience a form of cycle irregular- or Suspected Abuse:
For Joselyn Ramey, who attends ity, dysfunction, or sexual pain,” said If you suspect abuse of a child, elder,
Our Mother of Mercy, charting St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parishioner or vulnerable adult, or abuse has been
“helped me to better understand the Amy Rustand. Rustand and her hus- disclosed to you:
different phases of my cycle. That band have been teaching the Sympto-
knowledge gave me confidence to ask Thermal Method for 15 years. “NFP If someone is in immediate
questions at my yearly physical. It also normalizes abstinence, removes the danger call 911.
gave me a visual — this is how I’m stigma of the idea, and helps couples
feeling during this time; this is how I’m recognize the graces they can receive Call the Texas Department of
feeling during another time. So I could when giving up a good like sexual Family and Protective Services
see where I needed to make adjust- intimacy and reproduction together.” (CPS) at 800-252-5400.
ments like sleeping, eating, so I could “When you say your vows, you are
feel better.” accepting them in health and [when Immediately report the alleged
they’re] unhealthy,” said Reyes de abuse to your supervisor, priest,
LOVING LIKE CHRIST Lara. “Sometimes it can be hard, but or principal and submit the
Saint Pope John Paul II’s sermons it’s just like putting it together with His Confidential Notice of Concern
on the Theology of the Body warn suffering on the cross.” with CPS report information,
men (and women) not to “reduce all “Marriage should not be reduced contact information on all
the riches of her femininity to a single to the conjugal act,” Vaughan said. concerned, description of abuse,
value — sex. […] Lust obscures the “We have to foster ways to give to each dates if known, and how you
significance of the body and the worth other. That’s what NFP is all about.” learned of the abuse.
of the person.” Havrilla, who has experienced
“Pope Paul VI in Humanae Vitae many extended periods of abstinence For more information about our abuse
tells us love is free, full, faithful, and for medical reasons, encourages prevention policies and programs, visit
fruitful,” said Vaughan. “It’s a free gift, couples to “go back to the dating fwdioc.org/safe-environment
like Jesus’ love is free.” According to days.” When a couple practices NFP,
Vaughan, using NFP unconditionally “there’s a level of empathy that enters
accepts all aspects of their partner’s the discussion,” Havrilla said.
body, including fertility. Vaughan refer- Learning NFP also fosters radical
enced a quote from the wedding night self-love and appreciation of the way
of Tobias and Sarah in the Book of God created woman. NFP taught
Tobit: “I now am taking this kinswoman Havrilla to “appreciate what my body
of mine, not because of lust, but with does.”
sincerity.” That’s the kind of love that After learning NFP, Reyes de Lara
NFP aspires to. felt “mesmerized by the gift of being a
Abstaining during the woman’s woman.”
11 6
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M ay / J u n e 2 0 1 8 1617 N o r t h T e x a s C at h o l i c . o r g M ay / J u n e 2 0 1 8 17 DIOCESE J u ly / A u g u s t 2 0 2 1 17
IN D I A prayers for
By Joan Kurkowski-Gillen
Restrictions on travel loses a loved one and children are left
[without a mother]. It’s a tragedy for
from India leave local the family.”
The pastor, who is staying in the northern
pastors stranded abroad part of India in the state of Jharkhand, cannot
visit relatives because of regional lockdowns
that imposed curfews and limit travel.
W
“The COVID crisis in India is a serious
hen Father Benjamin matter. The lives of the people have been
Hembrom, TOR, left affected badly,” St. Thomas’ pastor explained. Father Benjamin
Hembrom, TOR
for India after celebrat- “The Church is trying to help people — espe-
ing Easter Mass with his cially those who have lost loved ones. At the
St. Thomas the Apostle same time, the Church is not able to do much
parishioners April 4, he had no idea the because of the lockdown.”
month-long vacation would end with a travel Priests from his religious order are caring
ban preventing him from returning to North for COVID patients in a nearby hospital.
Texas. “Last rites [are administered] and the
A sudden spike in COVID-19 cases in Viaticum is taken there by our priests whenever
his homeland prompted the White House it is needed,” he continued. “By the grace of
to restrict most travel from India to the U.S. God, they are able to help people in time. I
beginning May 4. The new restrictions affect strongly believe God is in control of everything
Father Wilson Lucka, TOR
thousands of visa holders like Fr. Hembrom and He will help us. Let us trust in Him and
and Father Wilson Lucka, TOR, who is also patiently wait.”
trying to return to his parish — Holy Trinity in In Fr. Hembrom’s absence, other TORs
Azle. serving in the Diocese of Fort Worth have
As of June 15, coronavirus cases in India stepped in to celebrate Mass at St. Thomas.
numbered 29.5 million with 374,305 reported “Our parishioners are very thankful to
deaths. A high infection rate, coupled with the TORs that have come to help from Good
a shortage of hospital beds and oxygen, is Shepherd, St. Andrew, and St. Michael,” said
contributing to the mortality rate. Beverly Oberdorf, the business manager at St.
“My friend lost his beloved wife recently Thomas. “They are very understanding and
because of the virus,” Fr. Hembrom said. “It are praying for Fr. Benjamin to come back.”
is very painful when someone you know well Father Sushil Tudu, TOR, credits luck and Father Sushil Tudu, TOR
11 88 N
No r t h T e x a s C at h o l i c . o r g
o r t h T e x a s C at h o l i c . o r g
M ay / J u n e 2 0 1 8 18Cases
29.6 million PRAY
Recovered
28.3 million
Deaths on J
une
15 .
WITH US
a
374K
dat
ters
Reu
a and
dat
-19
ovid
CS SE C
J HU
From
a kindhearted airport
worker for allowing him
back into the country. The pastor
ARosary
for
Healing
of St. Catherine of Siena in Carrollton
traveled with Fr. Hembrom to northern
India in April.
and
“When I booked my ticket, everything
Protection
was fine but then things happened,” he
explained. “People became too relaxed about
social gatherings.”
Health officials believe a religious festival
that drew thousands of Hindu pilgrims to the
Ganges River was one of the superspreader events
contributing to an increase in COVID cases. Political bit.ly/FWrosaryforhealing
rallies also continued despite surging infection
numbers.
“They have vaccines in India. They are just not
getting enough [doses],” Fr. Tudu observed. “Many
priests and religious have died in India — more than
150.”
When the pastor’s flight arrived in the U.S. May
14, he waited and prayed in immigration for two
hours before being allowed to re-enter the country.
“At the airport, an official checked my bags and
found out I was a Catholic priest. He was Catholic
and forwarded my [visa] to his boss,” Fr. Tudu
recalled. “I got lucky.”
The infection rate is slowing in India and the
Franciscan friar is hoping the outbreak is controlled
within a month.
“Parishioners were praying for me and sending
messages,” he said. “I’m grateful and just happy to
be back. Pray for India.”
19 N o r t h T e x a s C at h o l i c . o r g M ay / J u n e 2 0 1 8 19
DIOCESE J u ly / A u g u s t 2 0 2 1 19UP, UP AND
Away
Father Khoi Tran continues his calling to serve
at Vandenberg U.S. Space Force Base
By Susan Moses During his priestly formation, he felt a
F
desire to minister to teens and young adults
ather Khoi Tran never forgot and “be a good example and walk with
where he came from. In fact, them” as they discover who they are and
that’s the reason behind his learn how to deal with injustice, hurts, and
upcoming step. anger.
Next month, Fr. Tran will join the U.S. In his current assignment with the
Air Force as a Catholic chaplain, and his Diocese of Fort Worth, Fr. Tran is a short
assignment promises to be out of this world. drive to Sheppard Air Force Base. He
Fr. Tran came from Vietnam. His worked with many base chaplains as they
family immigrated to the U.S. and settled assisted each other in ministry, and one
in Kansas with his extended paternal family even suggested he would be a “great asset”
when he was nine years old. for the Air Force.
Fr. Tran feels a debt of gratitude to his Since 2015, Fr. Tran has served as
adopted country, and he intends to repay it. the parochial administrator of St. Jude
He said, “I truly am very grateful for Thaddeus Parish in Burkburnett, St. Paul
this country, what she has done for me and Parish in Electra, and Christ the King
my family. I’ve always tried my best, ever Parish in Iowa Park. He estimates about 60
since [we’ve been] here, to be a responsible percent of his current parishioners have a
and dutiful citizen, giving back what she connection to military service: active duty,
has given us. To come from a communist reserve, retired, or dependent. In serving as
country to a land of opportunity — I’m their priest, he came to better understand
grateful for that.” the spiritual needs of those in the armed
forces, including post-traumatic stress
GETTING HIS WINGS disorder, marriage difficulties, and personal
Looking back, Fr. Tran can see God problems.
“slowly closing and opening doors” to For more than two years, Fr. Tran
enable this vocation within a vocation. As discerned whether God was calling him
a teen, he considered a military career and to become a military chaplain. Bishop
belonged to his high school’s U.S. Army Michael Olson was “very generous” with
JROTC program. the discernment process and gave his
22 0
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M ay / J u n e 2 0 1 8 20Father Khoi Tran wearing his blue U.S. Air
Force uniform. (NTC/Juan Guajardo)
beginning his first assignment.
As he prepares to join the U.S. Air
Force, he prays, “If this is God’s will for me,
that I do my best to be present to those who
are in need. That I might be His instrument
of love and peace to those who are often-
times forgotten.”
Fr. Tran hopes to support the troops by
helping with their spiritual needs. Service
members may have visible physical injuries,
but they may also bear spiritual wounds
that are invisible, he explained.
Often, the remedy for spiritual inju-
ries, according to Fr. Tran, is “to be able to
talk and journey with them. At the end of
the day, we can’t solve anyone’s problem.
There’s only one Savior, and we are all His
instruments. We’re just trying to be present,
to listen, to care, and to say, ‘Hey, you are
not alone.’ ”
The Diocese of Fort Worth has several
priests who served in the military before
answering God’s call to the priesthood.
Might Fr. Tran inspire service members to
consider a religious vocation?
He demurred, “My only desire is that I
live as God calls me to be. I hope that per-
haps with my example, people can see that
the priesthood is a life worth living.
“It’s not just a career; it’s not just a job,
but it’s truly a vocation of love. The only
way that I am a priest right now is because I
approval, he said. — Vandenberg U.S. Space Force Base in am in love with Christ, and I know that He
While he was praying and seeking California. loves me. I say ‘yes’ to Him even though it
God’s will, he was also losing weight to meet “It was way out of the picture, way out gets hard at times,” he concluded.
the physical requirements of military ser- of what I expected. It must be providential, The Archdiocese for the Military
vice. The priest changed his diet and took because that didn’t even cross my mind,” Services has expressed a great need for
up running, and he has lost 95 pounds. he said, reflecting on being assigned to Catholic chaplains. Slightly more than 200
After he completed and passed the long the newest and smallest of the military Catholic priests are on active duty, and the
application process assessing his physical, branches. armed services number 1.4 million active
mental, pastoral, and professional apti- duty men and women.
tude, Fr. Tran fill out a form stating his SERVING THOSE WHO SERVE Another priest from the Diocese of Fort
first assignment’s geographic preference. At the end of June, Fr. Tran will take Worth will also serve his country as a mili-
He noted, “I am a Catholic priest with no the Oath of Office and put on his uniform tary chaplain. Newly ordained priest Jason
dependents. I am willing to go to where I (blue for the Blessed Virgin Mary, he point- Allan was commissioned an ensign in the
am needed the most, even outside of the ed out), and spend eight weeks in Officer U.S. Navy last May, and he will see active
U.S.” Training School at Maxwell Air Force duty after gaining pastoral experience in the
His assignment astonished him Base in Montgomery, Alabama, before diocese for several years.
21 N o r t h T e x a s C at h o l i c . o r g M ay / J u n e 2 0 1 8 21
DIOCESE J u ly / A u g u s t 2 0 2 1 21Praying for the
harvestThree local Serran Clubs provide prayer
and support to encourage vocations
By Mary Lou Seewoester
I
n 1934, four laymen, Dan and most valuable activity of each year June 11-13 at the University of
Rooney, Leo Sharkey, club. Dallas. The Fort Worth and Dallas
Richard Ward, and Harold Jo-Ann Bresowar, Serra regional Serra clubs work together to fund,
Haberle met for lunch in director for Texas, said prayer is facilitate, and promote the week-
Seattle, Washington, to talk about fundamental to Serra clubs. The 31 end, which helps single women and
how they could fully live out their Club, for example, ensures that a men learn about the lives of priests,
Catholic values. The focus of their Serran is praying for vocations every brothers, and sisters. Since the first
discussion soon expanded to foster- day of every month. With the Seven VAP in 1990, about 1,250 men and
ing vocations to the priesthood and Serrans program, they pray for women have been guided in discern-
consecrated life. That became the priests in the diocese each day of the ment during two-and-a-half days
primary mission of the group, which week, Bresowar added. of prayer, discussion, Q&A forums,
they named “Serra” as a memorial Serra clubs also share a com- and one-on-one conversations with
to St. Junipero Serra, the Spanish mitment to pray specifically for the priests and sisters.
missionary who established missions diocese’s five vocations liasons, Bill “A lot of the current priests in
in California. Jackson, Northeast Serra president, our diocese have attended the VAP
Serra International now claims said. weekend,” Mary Elwood, former
1,100 Serra Clubs and more than “Prayer does not require you Northeast Fort Worth Serra presi-
20,000 members in 46 countries. to go out and act, but it is an act,” dent, said. “About 30 to 40 attend
Three of those clubs support priests, Bresowar explained. “Prayer is the each year. You just never know
seminarians, and consecrated reli- basis for everything we do. The who the Holy Spirit is calling to the
gious in the Diocese of Fort Worth. action comes out of the prayer, not weekend.”
The Fort Worth, Arlington, and the other way around.” In 2008, the Holy Spirit called
Northeast Fort Worth Serra Clubs 21-year-old Maurice Moon to the
collaborate on diocesan-wide pro- A WEEKEND TO DISCERN VAP weekend. Ordained in 2018,
grams that actively foster vocations A significant action carried out Father Moon now serves as chaplain
and support priests. But Serrans by Serrans is the annual Vocations at Nolan Catholic High School and
maintain that prayer is the primary Awareness Program (VAP), held this as vocations liaison.
22 22 N
No r t h T e x a s C at h o l i c . o r g
o r t h T e x a s C at h o l i c . o r g
M ay / J u n e 2 0 1 8 22You can also read
