welcome bishop vÁsquez · louise de marillac and elizabeth ann seton. march 2010 welcome bishop...

1March 2010 WELCOME BISHOP VÁSQUEZ

M a r c h 2 0 1 0 A S P E C I A L S U P P L E M E N T W E L C O M I N G B I S H O P J O E S. V Á S Q U E Z

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WELCOME BISHOP VÁSQUEZ CATHOLIC SPIRIT2

Welcomes Bishop Vásquez

www.seton.net

The Seton Family of Hospitals congratulates Bishop Joe S. Vásquez on his appointment

as Bishop of Austin. We look forward to working with Bishop Vásquez as we grow

our healthcare ministry and serve the people of Central Texas, especially the poor, the

vulnerable and the underserved.

Our mission at Seton inspires us to care for and improve the health of those we serve. We

are called to be a sign of God’s unconditional love for all and believe that all people by

their creation are endowed with dignity. Bishop Vásquez’s leadership and commitment

continues the Catholic tradition of service established by our founders: Vincent de Paul,

Louise de Marillac and Elizabeth Ann Seton.


BY ALFREDO E. CARDENAS AND SHELLEY METCALF

On March 8, at St. William Par-ish in Round Rock, Bishop Joe S. Vásquez will be installed as the fth bishop of the Diocese of Austin. He will be the rst Hispanic bishop of the diocese and he is looking forward to shepherding the vibrant, diverse and growing faith commu-nity of Central Texas.

While Bishop Vásquez takes great pride in his Mexican-Amer-ican roots and culture, he fully appreciates that he is and must be the bishop to everyone, no matter their ethnic origin. His ock, what-ever its cultural roots, is one in the universal church.

“It’s a sense of pride and I hope it will be a sense of encour-agement for other Hispanics who are contemplating a vocation and those already in the seminary,” Bishop Vásquez said about his being the rst Hispanic bishop of Austin. “I cannot be the bishop just of Hispanics or Mexicans; I have to be bishop of all the people of the diocese.”

Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer of the Diocese San Angelo, Bishop Vásquez’s home diocese, said, “Being bilingual, uent in Span-ish and English, Bishop Vásquez brings the message of Christ with clarity to the people of God in his preaching, teaching and in all liturgical celebrations.”

Bishop Vásquez was born in 1957 in the small Jones County town of Stamford, just north of Abilene. His father Juan was an automobile body repairman and his mother Elvira, now deceased, was a seamstress. Bishop Vásquez is the oldest of six children. The neighborhood in which he grew up was mostly made up of his ex-tended family.

His paternal grandparents were very devout Catholics, regularly attending Mass, faithful to the sac-raments and dedicated to prayer. They had a strong devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, which they passed on to him.

His mother converted to Ca-tholicism when she married his father and “like most converts”

Bishop Vásquez brings youthful experience to the growing, diverse Diocese of Austin

quickly fell in love with the Catho-lic faith, Bishop Vásquez said. His mother’s conversion gives the bishop a special love for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). Moreover, many of his mother’s family remain very faith-ful Protestants, which has given him a deep respect and under-standing of other faiths.

The family moved to Abilene when Bishop Vásquez was in the third grade. Their parish, St. Francis, was the smallest parish in Abilene. It had nancial problems and was hanging on by a thread. Enter a young, dynamic priest named Father Bernard Gully, now a monsignor. The new priest engaged the community and soon the parish was on the rise. By the seventh grade, the young Bishop Vásquez began to think about the priesthood. After attending a Search Retreat at Fort Stockton his interests peaked. He thought and prayed about it for months. While Msgr. Gully was an in uence on Bishop Vásquez, he was not the only one.

“The call to the priesthood is not just one, it is usually many,

many parts that come together, and that is because God is using us as long as we cooperate with his will,” Bishop Vásquez said. “In the community, vocation is being af rmed over and over again by different people. And then it is important for the individual to enter the process of discernment.”

Studying for the priesthood

The turning point came in 1976 during his senior year in high school when a spot came open at St. Mary’s Semi-nary in Houston. Bishop Vásquez had been plan-ning to go on to college rst and then decide on his call, but the issue

was now in the forefront and the decision had to be made.

His father hesitated at rst; he thought perhaps his intelligent

WHEN HE WAS ORDAINED auxiliary bishop of Galveston-Houston in 2002 at the age of 44, Bishop Joe S. Vásquez was the youngest active bishop in the U.S. (CNS photo from Texas Catholic Herald)

POPE BENEDICT XVI appointed Auxiliary Bishop Joe S. Vasquez of Galveston-Houston, 52, to be bishop of Austin, succeeding Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond, who was named archbishop of New Orleans last June. (CNS photo courtesy Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston)

Continued on Page 4


rst-born son might be more suited for a career in medicine or law. His mother, on the other hand, was supportive from the beginning. She wanted whatever made “Joe happy.” She was ultimately able to bring her husband around and soon both his father and mother were in full support of his priestly vocation.

Four years later, Bishop Vásquez graduated from St. Thomas University with a bach-elor’s degree in theology. About the same time, Msgr. Joseph Fiorenza, who was then chancellor at St. Mary’s Seminary, asked him to consider continuing his semi-nary studies in Rome. He enrolled at the North American College in 1980 and ve years later received a Licentiate in Theology, the equiva-

lent of a master’s degree from Gregorian University.

Before completing his stud-ies in Rome, he returned to San Angelo in 1984 and was ordained a priest by now-Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza who served as bishop of San Angelo from 1979 to 1984 and as bishop then archbishop of Galveston-Houston from 1984 to 2006 (Galveston-Houston was made an archdiocese in 2004).

Home to San AngeloBishop Vásquez thoroughly

enjoyed his stay in Rome, where he had several occasions to cel-ebrate Mass with Pope John Paul II and experienced rsthand the universality of the church. But he was “eager to get back” home. He returned to the San Angelo Dio-

cese and his rst assignment was as assistant pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Odessa. Less than two years later, he was named pastor at St. Joseph Parish in Fort Stock-ton where he served for 10 years before being assigned as pastor of St. Joseph Parish in San Angelo.

“I have a great devotion to St. Joseph,” Bishop Vásquez said.

When Bishop Vásquez arrived at St. Joseph in San Angelo, the parish had 700 families; when he left in 2002, it had grown to nearly 2,000 families. This experi-ence will serve him well in ap-preciating the challenges the many growing parishes present to their pastors in the Diocese of Austin, he said.

On to HoustonAfter serving in the parishes of

western Texas for many years, in 2002, Bishop Vásquez was called east. At the age of 44, he became the youngest active bishop in the U.S. when he was ordained a bishop and installed as auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Galves-ton-Houston under the leadership of his mentor Archishop Fiorenza.

While in Galveston-Houston, Bishop Vásquez served as Epis-copal Vicar to the Hispanic com-munity. He said the Hispanic community often asked him for a priest from their own community, one who spoke their language and knew their culture. He said his

answer to that request is to en-courage them to encourage their sons and daughters to consider consecrated life.

“If you want a priest who knows your culture, then encour-age your sons to consider the priesthood,” he said.

Bishop Vásquez has also served as a liaison to the Catho-lic young adults and youth of Galveston-Houston. He tells young members of the church that they are not the future but the present of the church. Of course, they will be crucial to the future of the church, and they will one day be our church leaders, he said. But even at their young age, he said, they play an important role in our present church.

“They give so much to the church, and this should not be minimized,” Bishop Vásquez said. “I am constantly inspired by their devotion, their enthusiasm and their excitement. I think our youth and young adults bring great joy to the church, and to me personally as well.”

Administrative dutiesIn 2006, Cardinal Daniel Di-

Nardo was named archbishop of Galveston-Houston, and he soon asked Bishop Vásquez to be the vicar general and chancellor for the archdiocese. As such, he oversaw the administrative operations of

BISHOP JOE S. VÁSQUEZ talks to Catholic school students during Catholic Schools Week in 2009. While in Houston, he served as liaison to the youth and young adults. He said he is constantly inspired by their devotion, their enthusiasm and their excitement. (Photo courtesy of the Texas Catholic Herald)

Continued on Page 5

ARCHBISHOPS Joseph Fiorenza

of Galveston-Houston and

Patrick Flores of San Antonio

ordained Bishop Vásquez as a

bishop in 2002. (Photo by the

Texas Catholic Herald)

5March 2010 WELCOME BISHOP VÁSQUEZthe staff, as well as serving on the personnel board and the nance council. His was also director of Cursillo Movement. All of this was in addition to his duties as liaison to the youth and as vicar to His-panic community.

“The church is very generous; it doesn’t take back what it gives,” said Bishop Vásquez. He grinned as he admitted that though he has had a big job for the last three years, it has been quite rewarding.

Cardinal DiNardo said that dur-ing his time in Houston, Bishop Vásquez blessed the Galveston-Houston Archdiocese with a clear vision for serving Christ’s people.

“He has been a humble, joyful bishop and it as been a privilege to know him and to work with him as my chief collaborator in this local church,” the cardinal said. “We will most certainly feel the loss of Bishop Vásquez in our arch-diocese. He has shown himself to be a generous and dedicated

priest who brought a great sense of pastoral wisdom and adminis-trative excellence to his ministry, most especially as vicar general and

chancellor of our archdiocese.”

Now to AustinThe bishop’s experiences in

Galveston-Houston complimented his earlier training in San Angelo, where he served as a parish priest in small-to-medium sized parishes. In the metropolis of Galveston- Houston, Bishop Vásquez was exposed to many Catholic schools, to Catholic hospitals and to a very culturally diverse ock. All are ex-periences he knows will serve him

well as the shepherd of the Austin Diocese.

“These experiences have been very nurturing to me,” Bishop Vásquez said. “They have been very helpful to understand the dimension of the church. The administrative side is just as im-portant as the pastoral side.”

Nevertheless, the pastoral side, of course is central to the faith and Bishop Vásquez sees the continuation of the excellent vocations program already ongo-ing in the Diocese of Austin as crucial.

“There is a big hunger for religious life. We can never have too many priests or religious brothers and sisters,” he said.

Staying connected with his fel-low priests in the diocese is very important to Bishop Vásquez. “I want to make sure I listen to their needs, to what they think. It’s im-portant to listen and to work with clarity,” he said.

Just as important to Bishop Vásquez is his connection to the laity. He said he wants to work with people. He has learned that collaborating with people is impor-tant.

“Yes, I’m the shepherd. I am the one responsible in leading and guiding the Diocese of Austin, but it is never done by one’s self. It is done in collaboration and com-munication with others. That’s how we continue to build a vibrant Catholic Church in Central Texas,” Bishop Vásquez said.

BISHOP JOE S. VASQUEZ talks with an evacuee from Hurricane Ka-trina in 2005. (CNS photo Texas Catho-lic Herald)

IN PHOTO ABOVE, Bishop Vásquez greets Msgr. Elmer Holtman following a press conference on

Jan. 26. (Photo by Mike Sandoval)

IN PHOTO AT RIGHT, Bishop Vásquez greets the press and diocesan staff during a press con-ference announcing his appointment as the fth

bishop of Austin. (Photo by Shelley Metcalf)


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The coat of arms ofBishop Joe S. Vásquez

For his personal arms, Bishop Joe S. Vásquez has retained the design that re ects his heritage and his ministry as a priest of Jesus Christ and which was adopted at the time of his selection to receive the fullness of the priesthood as he became an auxil-iary bishop for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.These arms are composed of a gold (yellow) eld on which is placed a red cross, throughout, of The Faith. To the upper right (chief sinister) is a lily known as a “Florentine eur-de-lis,” and this charge is used to honor Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza, who ordained Bishop Vásquez to the episcopacy. In the opposite quarter of the design is a red rosebud, with a green stem, to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary in her title of Our Lady of Guadalupe.For his motto Bishop Vásquez has retained the Spanish word “Sígueme,” which is Christ’s Gospel admonition to all of his disciples ... “Follow me,” for he is the way to eternal life. The achievement in completed by the external orna-mentation which are a gold processional cross, that is placed in back of the shield and which extends above and below the shield, and the pontifical hat, called a “gallero,” with its six tassels in three rows on either side of the shield, all in green. These are the heraldic insignia of a prelate of the rank of bishop, by instruction of The Holy See, of March 31, 1969.The coat of arms was created by Deacon Paul J. Sullivan, a deacon of the Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island.


La Pastoral Juvenil Hispanade la Diócesis de Austin

y el Consejo Pastoralquieren dar la bienvenida

a nuestro nuevo Obispo y PastorS.E.R. Mons. Joe S. Vásquez

Como Iglesia joven queremos con rmar nuestro compromiso

con la evangelización de nuestra juventud y expresarle nuestro

afecto y delidad a usted, como padre y pastor de nuestra Diócesis.

On behalf of Santa Rosa

de Lima Catholic Church,

Parishioners in Andice, Texas,

I, Rev. Fr. Eliseus O. Ibeh, MSP,

welcome

Bishop Joe S. Vásquezto the Austin Diocese.

Your coming to Austin

will help the

Church in Central Texas to

grow more and more.

Rest assured of our

prayers for you.

Rev. Fr. Eliseus O. Ibeh, MSP,Pastor

Welcome Bishop Vásquez!We look forward to your leadership and guidance.

As you begin your new ministry,shepherding those of the Austin Diocese, know that you have the prayers and support of all the parishioners of

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Fayetteville St. Mary Catholic Church

in Ellingerand

We welcome

The Most Rev. Joe S. Vásquez, S.T.L. to the Austin Diocese.

We are thankful for your service and vocation. May God continue to bless you as you begin your new ministry

in Central Texas.

YourCathedral Parishioners


Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem

Southwest Lieutenancy, U.S. A.

Diocese of AustinWELCOME and CONGRATULATIONS to Bishop Joe S. Vasquez from

Diocese of Austin membersof the EOHSJ.

Your presence with us is a great blessing and we give thanks for your ministry to the Church of Central Texas!

Welcome~BienvenidoBishop Joe S. Vasquez

May you have many happy years with us!Your Brothers and Sisters

at St, John’sIn San Marcos


BY CHRISTIAN R. GONZÁLEZCATHOLIC SPIRIT STAFF

By all accounts, Bishop Joe S. Vásquez is a humble, accessible and kind-hearted shepherd. For staff at the Chancery of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, he was the kind of boss that would send a word of encouragement to an employee, ask for help in nursing plants back to health and set aside time to celebrate Mass with his co-workers.

Bishop Vásquez, the auxiliary bishop for Galveston-Houston, will be installed as the fth bishop of Austin on March 8 at St. William Parish in Round Rock.

The people of the Austin Diocese are receiving a great gift, said Father Michael G. Earthman, priest secretary to Cardinal Daniel DiNardo.

“(He’s) de nitely pastorally ori-ented ... He always has it in his mind-set, ‘How are the people? What are the people up to? … Will this affect the people?’ … He wants to be part of the community. He lives in a very poor neighborhood. He wants to be close to the people so that he can serve, but also to hear who they are and stay connected. I think that’s part of his background and his grounding. It grounds who he is as a bishop,” Father Earthman said.

During one of his rst meetings as Vicar for Hispanics in Houston, Bish-op Vásquez did something very wise, said Lázaro Contreras, who worked with him as a program coordinator.

“He said, ‘I came to listen. I’m going to listen (to) the different needs you have.” So that’s how he started when he came in and that’s something very wonderful about him that he would listen to people … He would act upon them and give them hope. He (is) a very compassionate person.”

Bishop Vásquez served 17 years of priestly ministry in parish life. He is well-respected by the priests of Hous-ton, Father Earthman said. The bishop emphasizes personal relationships and seeks to build them up, he said.

Father Earthman and Contreras agreed that people of all ages and races are drawn to Bishop Vásquez.

“Anywhere he went, people would go to him … because he is a wonder-ful priest and a wonderful bishop … It’s because he (is) very approachable. When you see him, he has that in his face and a smile. He’s always very kind and going to people and grabbing their hand and that’s something that people like a lot about him,” Contreras said. “Young people love him.”

The people of Houston love and respect Bishop Vásquez, Father Earth-man said.

“He’s a great man to interact with … The people out in the community

… they love this man … There is a personal attachment to him. In one sense it’s like people love their father … almost like their parish priest,” Father Earthman said. The celebration Mass for the 25th anniversary of his priestly ordination was well attended. Many attended “out of love and devo-

tion for the guy,” Father Earthman said. “They appreciated him as a priest … his priesthood … and who he was as a shepherd for the people.”

Sister Pauline Chankaly, the associ-ate director of vocations for Galves-ton-Houston, agreed.

“He brought together all kinds of people in a joyous way,” Sister Chank-aly said.

She said the bishop has had a posi-tive effect on vocations as well.

“His personality and pastoral style have had a lot of in uence on a lot of people that we have met … He is very caring and gentle and, I think, he has been a wonderful in uence to a lot of young people here in the archdiocese,” Sister Chankaly said. “He was just

always so kind and gracious and I think all the people saw him that way. He was very popular.”

Bishop Vásquez has a very strong devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe. He celebrates the annual midnight Mass in her honor in Houston.

“It was literally raining outside

and there was a makeshift tarp … but the rain was going sideways … so it was pouring in on him and his chasuble got soaked … but he looked out … he said, ‘The people out there had no umbrellas.’ They had nothing, but they were out there in their devo-tion,” Father Earthman said. “He cer-tainly wasn’t going to stop Mass. He was going to offer Mass in honor of the virgin and that was his devotion not only to them but his devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe. It was his way of living out his Marian devotion … I was impressed by that.”

Bishop Vásquez also encourages vocations when he visits parishes or celebrates special Masses. He would always stress the importance of voca-

Vásquez said to be a humble, welcoming leader

“Anywhere he went, people would go to him … because he is a wonderful priest and a wonderful bishop … It’s because he (is) very approachable. When you see him, he has that in his face and a smile. He’s always very kind and going to people and grabbing their hand and that’s something that people like a lot about him. Young people love him.”

–– Lázaro Contreras, program coordinator for Hispanic Ministries of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston

tions in families, Contreras said. “He would tell them, ‘We need priests. The only place is from your families.’”

Earlier this year Bishop Vásquez celebrated Mass for National Vocations Awareness Week. “He was a beauti-ful witness (for vocations). He bap-tized four babies on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord,” Sister Chankaly said. During the Mass he mentioned that he had recently been asked to be a godfather and tied that into how all vocations start with baptism. “So, he used that as a springboard to talk about how we are all called to follow Jesus Christ,” she said.

It is the personal connection with Bishop Vásquez that most people cherish. Contreras said that after driv-ing the bishop back from an event the bishop would ask about his studies and offer him encouragement. Sister Chankaly remembers Bishop Vásquez asking her to help nurse a plant back to life. The plant was sent as a gift after his mother died. That was a particularly tender moment, she said. But most of all she was happy that she could count on Mass with Bishop Vásquez every Friday. It meant a lot that someone as busy as Bishop Vásquez would commit to taking time to celebrate Mass for the staff.

Upon the announcement of the bishop’s appointment to Austin, Contreras said there were many mixed emotions and some tears.

“Personally, I felt like when Pope John Paul II passed away … you feel that you have lost something. We are going to miss him, but at the same time we know that the people (of Aus-tin) are truly going to be blessed with his presence,” Contreras said.

SINCE CHILDHOOD Bishop Joe S. Vásquez has had a strong devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe. He has celebrated Mass in the rain and in the middle of the night in her honor. (Photo by the Texas Catholic Her-ald)


Dear Bishop Vásquez,Along with me, all the people of the Diocese of San Angelo are happy to know that you have been named the fth Bishop of Austin. Remem-ber you are one of us, as your home is in the Diocese of San Angelo. We are very proud of you. We ask Christ to ll you with many new blessings, and Our Lady of Guadalupe to always watch over you and protect you. God’s peace.

–– Bishop Michael Pfeifer, OMI and the people of the Diocese of San Angelo

2010 University Blvd. 512.476.7351

2026 Guadalupe 512.477.9471

St. Austin Catholic Parish, the University Catholic Center

and the Paulist Fathers welcome

Bishop Joe Vásquez.

May the Holy Spirit guide you as you shepherd the Diocese of Austin.


POR ALFREDO E. CÁRDENAS Y SHELLEY METCALF

El 8 de marzo, en la parroquia St. Williams en Round Rock, el Obispo Joe S. Vásquez, será in-stalado como el quinto obispo de la Diócesis de Austin. Él será el primer obispo hispano de la dióce-sis y espera con anticipación ser pastor de la vibrante, diversa y cre-ciente comunidad de fe, del centro de Texas.

Mientras el obispo Vásquez se enorgullece de sus raíces y cultura mexico-americana el está plenamente consciente de que él es y debe ser el obispo de todos, sin importar su origen étnico. Su rebaño, independientemente de sus raíces culturales, es uno en la Iglesia universal.

“Es un sentimiento de orgullo y esperanza que sea un estímulo para otros hispanos que están pensando en una vocación y para los que ya están en el seminario,” el Obispo Vásquez dijo acerca de ser el primer obispo hispano en Austin. “No puedo ser el obispo solamente de los hispanos o los mexicanos, tengo que ser obispo de todo el pueblo de

El Obispo Vásquez trae experiencia juvenil a la creciente diversidad de la Diócesis de Austin

la diócesis”. El Obispo Michael D. Pfeifer de

la Diócesis de San Angelo, la dióce-sis del hogar del obispo Vásquez, dijo: “Siendo bil-ingüe, en español e Inglés, el obispo Vásquez trae el mensaje de Cristo con claridad al pueblo de Dios en su predicación, en su enseñanza y en todas las celebraciones litúrgicas”.

El Obispo Vásquez nació en 1957 en la pequeña ciudad del condado de Stamford, justo al norte de Abilene. Su padre Juan era un técnico en reparaciones de carrocería y su madre, El-

vira, ya fallecida, era costurera. El obispo Vásquez es el mayor de seis hijos. La colonia en la que creció estaba formada mayormente por su familia.

Sus abuelos paternos eran Católicos muy devotos, y asistían regularmente a misa, eran eles a los sacramentos y dedicados a la oración. Ellos tenían una gran de-voción a Nuestra Señora de Guada-lupe, que le heredaron a él.

Su madre se convirtió al catoli-cismo cuando se casó con su padre y “como la mayoría de los conver-sos” rápidamente se enamoró de la fe católica, dijo el obispo Vásquez. La conversión de su madre le da al obispo un amor especial por el Rito de Iniciación Cristiana de Adultos (RCIA por sus siglas en inglés). Por otra parte, muchos miembros de la familia de su madre, siguen siendo eles protestantes, lo que le ha dado

un profundo respeto y compren-sión de otras religiones.

La familia se trasladó a Abilene, cuando el obispo Vásquez estaba en el tercer grado. Su parroquia, San Francisco, era la más pequeña de las

parroquias en Abilene. Había prob-lemas nancieros y estaban batal-lando. Llega un joven y dinámico sacerdote llamado Padre Bernard Gully, ahora monseñor. El nuevo sacerdote involucró a la comuni-dad y pronto, la parroquia fue en aumento. Para el séptimo grado, el joven obispo Vásquez comenzó a pensar en el sacerdocio. Después de asistir a un retiro de introspec-ción en Fort Stockton su interés aumentó al máximo. Pensaba y oraba sobre esto durante meses. Aunque Mons. Gully tuvo in uen-cia sobre el obispo Vásquez, el no fue el único.

“El llamado al sacerdocio no es sólo uno, suelen ser muchos, hay muchas partes que se unen, y eso es porque Dios nos está usando mientras que estemos cooperando con su voluntad”, dijo el obispo Vásquez. “En la comunidad, la vo-cación se a rma una y otra vez por diferentes personas. Y entonces es importante que la persona entre en el proceso de discernimiento”.

CUANDO FUE ORDENADO obispo auxiliar de Galveston-Houston en 2002 a la edad de 44 años, el Obispo Joe S. Vásquez fue el obispo activo más joven en los Estados Unidos. (Foto de CNS de Texas Catholic Herald)

RECIBIDO POR MARIACHIS el Obispo Joe S. Vásquez celebrando sus 50 años de vida en 2007. (Foto corte-sía de Texas Catholic Herald)

Continúa en la Pag. 12


MONSIGNOR JOE SCHMITT AND THE PARISHIONERS OF

ST. MARY, OUR LADY OF THE LAKE IN LAGO VISTA

WELCOME YOU, BISHOP JOE VÁSQUEZ,

AS THE 5TH BISHOP OF THE DIOCESE OF AUSTIN .

WE LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING YOU SOON HERE IN THE BEAUTIFUL HILL COUNTRY.

Sacred Heart Catholic ChurchAustin

Bishop Joe S. VásquezWelcome to Austin

Nuestra Casa es Su CasaBienvenido

Priests and parishioners: Rev. Matthew C. Iwuji, JUD, PastorRev. Manuel Montenegro, Associate

Estudiando para el sacerdocio

El momento crucial se produjo en 1976 durante su último año en la escuela preparatoria cuando se

abrió un lugar en el seminario St. Mary’s en Houston. El Obispo Vásquez había estado planeando ir a la universidad primero y luego decidir sobre su llamado, pero el asunto estaba ahora al frente y

había que hacer la decisión. Su padre titubeo en un primer

momento, pensó que tal vez su inteligente hijo primogénito po-dría estar mejor preparado en una carrera de medicina o derecho. Su

madre, en cambio, lo apoyó desde el principio. Ella quería lo que hic-iera “ feliz a Joe”. Ella nalmente fue capaz de convencer a su marido y pronto tanto su madre como su padre estaban en pleno apoyo de su vocación sacerdotal.

Cuatro años más tarde, el Obispo Vásquez se graduó de St. Thomas University titulado en teología. Casi al mismo tiempo, Mons. Joseph Fiorenza, que era entonces canciller del seminario de St. Mary, le pidió que consid-erara continuar sus estudios en el seminario en Roma. Se inscribió en el North American College en 1980 y cinco años más tarde re-cibió una licenciatura en teología, el equivalente de un título de mae-stría en Gregorian University.

Antes de completar sus es-tudios en Roma, regresó a San Angelo en 1984 y fue ordenado sacerdote por el arzobispo Jo-seph Fiorenza, quien fue obispo de San Angelo de 1979 a 1984 y como obispo y después arzobispo de Galveston-Houston de 1984 a 2006 (Galveston - Houston se hizo arquidiócesis en 2004).

EL OBISPO JOE VÁSQUEZ escucha durante un taller de la Expo de las Vocaciones de la Arquidiócesis de Galveston-Houston en el 2009. (Foto cortesía de la Texas Catholic Herald)


13March 2010 WELCOME BISHOP VÁSQUEZA casa en San Angelo

Aunque el obispo Vásquez disfrutó completamente su es-tancia en Roma, donde tuvo varias ocasiones para celebrar la misa con el Papa Juan Pablo II, y experimentar personalmente la universalidad de la iglesia, estaba “ansioso por regresar” a casa. Re-gresó a la Diócesis de San Angelo y su primera asignación fue como vicario de la Parroquia de San José en Odessa. Menos de dos años más tarde, fue nombrado párroco de la Parroquia de San José en Fort Stockton, donde sir-vió durante 10 años antes de ser asignado párroco de la Parroquia de San José en San Angelo.

“Tengo una gran devoción a San José,” dijo el obispo Vásquez.

Cuando el Obispo Vásquez llegó a San José en San Angelo, la parroquia tenía 700 familias, cu-ando salió en 2002, había aumen-tado a casi 2,000 familias. Esta experiencia le servirá para apreciar los retos que muchas parroquias crecientes presentan a sus párro-cos en la Diócesis de Austin, dijo.

A Houston Después de servir en las par-

roquias del oeste de Texas durante muchos años, en 2002, el obispo Vásquez fue llamado al este. A

la edad de 44 años, se convirtió en el obispo activo más joven en los EE.UU. cuando fue ordenado obispo e instalado como obispo auxiliar de la Diócesis de Galves-ton-Houston, bajo la dirección de su mentor Archishop Fiorenza.

Mientras que estaba en Galves-ton-Houston, el obispo Vásquez fue Vicario Episcopal para la comu-nidad hispana. Dijo que la comuni-dad hispana a menudo le pidió a un sacerdote de su propia comunidad, uno que hablara su idioma y supiera de su cultura. Dijo que su respuesta a dicha petición ha sido pidiéndoles que alienten a sus hijos e hijas a considerar la vida consagrada.

“Si quieren un sacerdote que conozca su cultura, entonces, animen a sus hijos a considerar el sacerdocio”, dijo.

El Obispo Vásquez también ha servido como un enlace a los adul-tos jóvenes y la juventud católica de Galveston-Houston. Les dice a los jóvenes miembros de la iglesia que no son el futuro sino el presente de la Iglesia. Por supuesto, serán cru-cial para el futuro de la iglesia, y que un día serán nuestros líderes de la iglesia, dijo. Pero incluso en su corta edad juegan un papel importante en nuestra iglesia actual.

“Ellos dan tanto a la iglesia, y esto no debe ser minimizado,” dijo

el obispo Vásquez. “Estoy con-stantemente inspirada por su dedi-cación, su entusiasmo y su ánimo. Creo que nuestros jóvenes y adultos jóvenes traen gran alegría a la iglesia, y personalmente para mí también”.

Responsabilidades Administrativas

En 2006, el cardenal Daniel DiNardo fue nombrado Arzobispo de Galveston-Houston, y enseguida le pidió al Obispo Vásquez ser el vicario general y canciller de la Arquidiócesis. Como tal, supervisó las operaciones administrativas del personal, y fungió en la Mesa Di-rectiva de Personal y en el Consejo Financiero. También fue director del Movimiento de Cursillos. Todo esto sumado a sus funciones de en-lace con la juventud y como vicario a la comunidad hispana.

“La iglesia es muy generosa,

no quita lo que ha dado”, dijo el obispo Vásquez. Él sonrió admi-tiendo que, aunque ha tenido un gran trabajo durante los últimos tres años, ha sido muy grati cante.

El Cardenal DiNardo dijo que durante su estancia en Houston, el obispo Vásquez bendijo la Ar-quidiócesis de Galveston-Houston, con una clara visión para servir a la gente de Cristo.

“Ha sido un obispo humilde, alegre y ha sido un privilegio con-ocerlo y trabajar con él como mi principal colaborador en esta iglesia local”, dijo el cardenal. “Vamos con toda seguridad a sentir la pérdida del obispo Vásquez en nuestra Ar-quidiócesis. Él ha demostrado ser un sacerdote generoso y dedicado que trajo un gran sentido de la sabiduría pastoral y la excelencia administrativa a su ministerio,


EL OBISPO JOE VÁSQUEZ asiste a un sacerdote jubilado durante un evento en la Arquidiócesis de Galveston-Houston. (Foto por el Catholic Herald de Texas)

EL OBISPO VÁSQUEZ acepta las Ofrendas Eucarísticas de manos de su padre durante una Misa celebrando sus 25 años como sacerdote. (Foto cortesía de la Texas Catholic Herald)


The Parishes of St. Margaret’s in Giddings and St. Mary’s

in Pin Oak extend their warmest welcome to Bishop Joe S. Vásquez.

We, the priests, deacon and parishioners, assure him

of our love, support and prayers.

St. Margaret, Giddings

St. Mary, Pin Oak

sobre todo como vicario general y canciller de nuestra Arquidiócesis”.

Ahora a Austin Las experiencias del obispo de

Galveston-Houston complemen-taron su formación anterior en San Angelo, donde sirvió como párroco en parroquias pequeñas y medianas. En la metrópoli de Houston, Galves-ton, el obispo Vásquez fue expuesto a muchas escuelas católicas, a los hospitales católicos y de un rebaño culturalmente diverso. Todas son experiencias que sabe le servirá como pastor de la Diócesis de Austin.

“Estas experiencias han sido muy educativas para mi”, dijo el obispo Vásquez. “Han sido muy útiles para entender la dimensión de la iglesia. La parte administrativa es tan importante como la pastoral”.

Sin embargo, el aspecto pastoral, por supuesto, es fundamental para la fe y el obispo Vásquez considera como crucial la continuación del ex-celente programa de vocaciones ya en curso en la Diócesis de Austin.

“Hay una gran hambre por la vida religiosa. Nunca podremos tener demasiados sacerdotes o reli-giosos y religiosas”, dijo.

Mantenerse conectado con

sus compañeros sacerdotes de la diócesis es muy importante para el obispo Vásquez. “Quiero asegura-rme de escuchar sus necesidades, lo que piensan. Es importante es-cuchar y trabajar con claridad”, dijo.

Tan importante para el obispo

Vásquez es su conexión con los laicos. Dijo que quiere trabajar con la gente. Ha aprendido que la colaboración con las personas es importante.

“Sí, yo soy el pastor. Yo soy el responsable de dirigir y orientar a la

Diócesis de Austin, pero nunca se hace por uno mismo. Se realiza en colaboración y comunicación con los demás. Así es como seguimos construyendo una vibrante Iglesia católica en el centro de Texas”, dijo el Obispo Vásquez.

EL OBISPO Joe S. Vásquez fue nombrado obispo de la Diócesis de Austin, el 26 de enero. (Foto de Mike Sandoval)


POR CHRISTIAN R. GONZÁLEZ PERSONAL DEL CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Por todos los comentarios, el

Obispo Joe S. Vásquez es un pastor humilde, cordial y de buen de corazón. Para el personal de la Cancillería de la Arquidiócesis de Galveston-Houston, fue el tipo de jefe que enviaba una palabra de aliento a un empleado, pedía ayuda en traer plantas a la salud y dedi-caba tiempo para celebrar la Misa con sus compañeros de trabajo.

El Obispo Vásquez, el obispo aux-iliar de Galveston-Houston, se instalará como el quinto obispo de Austin el 8 de marzo en la parroquia de St. Wil-liams en Round Rock.

El pueblo de la Diócesis de Austin está recibiendo un gran don, dijo el padre Michael G. Earthman, sacerdote secretario del cardenal Daniel Di-Nardo.

“(Está) de nitivamente orientado pastoralmente... Él siempre tiene en su forma de pensar, ‘¿Cómo está la gente? ¿Qué están haciendo las personas?... ¿Afectará esto a la gente?”... Él quiere ser parte de la comunidad. Él vive en un barrio muy pobre. Quiere estar cerca de la gente para poderles servir, pero también para saber quiénes son y estar conectado. Creo que eso es parte de su formación y desarrollo. Está arraigado así como Obispo “, dijo el padre Earthman.

Durante una de sus primeras reuniones como Vicario para los his-panos en Houston, el obispo Vásquez hizo algo muy sabio, dijo Lázaro Contreras, quien trabajó con él como coordinador del programa.

Él dijo, “He venido a escuchar. Voy a escuchar (a) las diferentes necesidades que ustedes tienen”. Y así es como empezó cuando llegó y eso es algo muy maravilloso sobre él que escuchara a la gente... Él actuaría sobre ellos y les daría esperanza. Él (es) una persona muy compasiva.

El Obispo Vásquez sirvió 17 años de ministerio sacerdotal en la vida par-roquial. Él es muy respetado por los sacerdotes de Houston, dijo el padre Earthman. El obispo hace hincapié en las relaciones personales y trata de edi carlas, dijo él.

El padre Earthman y Contreras están de acuerdo en que las personas de todas las edades y razas son atraídas hacia el obispo Vásquez.

“A donde quiera que iba, la gente iría a él... porque él es un sacerdote maravilloso y un obispo maravilloso... Es porque él (es) muy accesible. Cu-ando lo ves, lo re eja en su rostro y en una sonrisa. Él siempre es muy amable y va a la gente y toma su mano y eso es algo que a la gente le gusta mucho de él “, dijo Contreras. “Los jóvenes lo aman.”

Los habitantes de Houston aman

y respetan al Obispo Vásquez, dijo el padre Earthman.

“Es un gran hombre para inter-

actuar... La gente en la comunidad... aman a este hombre... Hay una conex-ión personal con él. En cierto sentido es como que la gente ama a su padre... casi como su párroco”, el padre Earthman, dijo. La celebración de la Misa para el 25 aniversario de su orde-nación fue muy concurrida. Muchos asistieron “por amor y devoción por el hombre”, dijo el padre Earthman. “Lo aprecian como sacerdote...su sac-erdocio y quien fue como un pastor para el pueblo”.

La hermana Pauline Chankaly, Directora Asociada de Vocaciones de Galveston-Houston, está de acuerdo.

“Él reunió a todo tipo de personas de una manera alegre,” dijo la hermana Chankaly.

Ella dijo que el obispo ha tenido también un efecto positivo sobre las vocaciones.

“Su personalidad y estilo pastoral han tenido mucha in uencia en mucha gente que hemos conocido... El es muy cariñoso y amable, y creo que fue una in uencia maravillosa en una gran cantidad de jóvenes aquí en la Ar-quidiócesis,” la hermana Chankaly dijo. “Era siempre tan amable y gentil y creo que todas las personas lo vieron de esa manera. Era muy popular”.

El Obispo Vásquez tiene una devoción muy fuerte a nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. El celebra anualmente en Houston la misa de medianoche en su honor.

“Estaba literalmente lloviendo y había una carpa improvisada... y la lluvia se estaba yendo de lado... así que estaba cayéndole a él y le empapó la casulla, él miró a los demás... diciendo: “La gente allí no tiene paraguas.” “El-los no tenían nada, pero ellos estaban allí en su devoción”, dijo el padre Earthman. “Desde luego, no iba a parar la Misa. El iba a ofrecer la misa en honor de la Virgen, y esa era su devoción no sólo para ellos, pero su devoción a la Virgen. Era su manera de vivir su devoción mariana... me impre-sionó por eso”.

El Obispo Vásquez también alienta a las vocaciones cuando visita las par-

roquias o celebra las misas especiales. Él siempre hace hincapié en la impor-tancia de las vocaciones en las familias,

dijo Contreras. Les decía, “Necesita-mos sacerdotes. El único lugar es de su familia”.

A principios de este año, el obispo Vásquez celebró la Santa Misa por la Semana Nacional de Concientización de Vocaciones. “El fue un hermoso testimonio (por las vocaciones). Bautizó a cuatro bebés en la Fiesta del Bautismo del Señor”, la hermana Chankaly dijo. Durante la Misa men-cionó que recientemente le habían pedido ser padrino y lo relacionó con el hecho de que todas las vocaciones

Es un líder humilde y cordial dicen de Vásquez comienzan con el bautismo”. Así que, él utilizó el momento para hablar de cómo todos estamos llamados a seguir a Jesucristo”, dijo.

Es la conexión personal con el Obispo Vásquez que la mayoría de las personas valoran. Contreras dijo que después de conducir al obispo de regreso de un evento él le preguntó sobre sus estudios y lo alentó. La hermana Chankaly recuerda Obispo Vásquez pidiéndole ayuda para cuidar una planta y revivirla. La planta fue enviada como regalo cuando murió su madre. Ese fue un momento tierno, dijo. Pero sobre todo estaba feliz de que podía contar con la Misa con el obispo Vásquez todos los viernes. Sig-ni có mucho que alguien tan ocupado como el Obispo Vásquez se comprom-etiera a tomar tiempo para celebrar la Misa para el personal.

Tras el anuncio del nombramiento del obispo a Austin, Contreras dijo que había muchos sentimientos encontra-dos y algunas lágrimas.

“Personalmente, me sentí como cu-ando Pope John Paul II falleció... usted siente que ha perdido algo. Vamos a perderlo, pero al mismo tiempo sabe-mos que la gente (de Austin) realmente van a ser bendecidos con su presen-cia”, dijo Contreras.

“A donde quiera que iba, la gente iría a él... porque él es un sacerdote maravilloso y un obispo maravilloso... Es porque él (es) muy accesible. Cuando lo ves, lo re eja en su rostro y en una sonrisa. Él siempre es muy amable y va a la gente y toma su mano y eso es algo que a la gente le gusta mucho de él. Los jóvenes lo aman.”

–– Lázaro Contreras, coordinador del programa para los hispanos en Houston

DESDE LA NIÑEZ EL Obispo Joe S. Vásquez ha tenido una fuerte devo-ción a Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. El ha celebrado Misa en su honor con lluvia y en medio de la noche. (Foto de James Niño)


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St. Ignatius, Martyr, Catholic School in Austinwww.st-ignatius.org/School

St. Louis Catholic School in Austinwww.st-louis.org

St. Michael’s Catholic Academy in Austinwww.smca.com

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St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School in Bryan www.stjosephbcs.org

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Santa Cruz Catholic School in Budawww.santacruzcc.org/school

St. Helen Catholic School in Georgetown www.sainthelens.org/school

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St. Joseph Catholic School in Killeen www.stjosephkilleen.org

Sacred Heart Catholic School in La Grange(979) 968-3223

St. Mary’s Catholic School in Taylorwww.stmarystaylor.org

Holy Trinity Catholic High School in Temple www.holytrinitychs.org

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Reicher Catholic High School in Wacowww.reicher.org

St. Louis Catholic School in Wacowww.stlouiswaco.org

St. Mary’s Catholic School in Westwww.stmaryswest.com


BY PEDRO A. MORENO, OPLASSOCIATE DIRECTOR FOR HISPANIC CATECHESIS

We are only a few days away from the March 8 installation of our new shepherd, Bishop Joe S. Vásquez, and preparations are well underway.

Locations are being selected for various celebrations and cards are being printed. Dozens of people are working very hard to make the new bishop’s arrival a memorable one.

Many of the recent conversations at the Pastoral Center will include frequent references to our new bishop in some way, shape or form. But, I wonder… Do most Catholics have a clear idea of the role of a bishop?

In preparing to answer this for myself, I started searching for a basic understanding of what Scripture tells us.

These passages from the New Testament can help us prepare for this monumental event: Luke 6:13, Mat-thew 16:18ss, John 21:15-17, Acts 1:20; 20:28; Rom 1:1; 2 Tim 4:1-2; Eph 2:20; and Philippians 1:1.

We know that this all began when Jesus Christ not only went around preaching, but he also invited from among his many followers 12 men to follow him more closely. This group is known as the apostles and from among them he selected one, Peter, to be the rst pope.

Even after the Resurrection, Jesus came back to Peter and asked him to reaf rm his love and after his triple af rmation of love, which in part com-pensates for his triple denial just days before, Jesus continued to give Peter a unique leadership role and authority.

The apostles selected others to carry out their work and in the New Testament we nd varied titles such

An “angel” arrives in AustinAncient truths on the role of bishop

as “overseer,” “elder,” or “bishop” to refer to those following the role of the apostles.

As the church continued to grow, the church fathers continued ap-pointing new bishops as successors to the apostles as they were needed and throughout their writings many references can be found regarding the importance of a bishop for the com-munity of faith.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church also has much to offer us in our understanding of who the bishop is. Ten key passages can be found in paragraphs 886 through 896. After describing teaching, sanctifying and governing roles of the bishop the catechism ends this section with these words:

“The Good Shepherd ought to be the model and “form” of the bishop’s pastoral of ce. Conscious of his own weaknesses, “the bishop . . . can have compassion for those who are ignorant and erring. He should not refuse to listen to his subjects whose welfare he promotes as of his very own chil-dren.... the faithful ... should be closely attached to the bishop as the Church is to Jesus Christ, and as Jesus Christ is to the Father.

“Let all follow the bishop, as Jesus Christ follows his Father, and the college of presbyters as the apostles; respect the deacons as you do God’s law. Let no one do anything concern-ing the Church in separation from the bishop.”

As I read this and the various other paragraphs of the Catechism and searched the quotes from the Second Vatican Council Decree, “Christus Dominus,” which describes the Pas-toral Of ce of Bishops, I realize that a major part of the role of a bishop is the unity of the ock. This is a big task that will be accomplished through

the loving “communio” that has Christ at its center.

Another way to understand the role of a bishop is by understanding the meaning to the symbols and insignia of his of ce, often referred to as the Bishop’s Regalia. Three primary sym-bols jump out with meaning, the ring, the miter and the crosier.

The bishop’s ring is a sign of his delity to his bride, the church. The custom of reverently kissing the bishop’s ring, which is also a symbol of his authority and in ancient times was used as an of cial seal for important documents, is in turn a sign of our delity and reverence for his of ce as

successor to the apostles and his role and authority as our shepherd.

The miter, the special hat that points upward to heaven, is a reminder that God is number one and each one of us, beginning with the bishop, is called to be a re ection of God to oth-ers. In other words, the miter reminds us of our call to be holy.

The crosier, or pastoral staff, is the key symbol of the bishop as a shep-herd called to take care of his ock. Sometimes a shepherd will use the staff to protect the ock from wolves

and other times he will use the staff to pull closer any strayed member of the ock. The crosier is a visible reminder

that we are his sheep and we are to follow him.

Other symbols of the of ce of bishop are his pectoral cross and his cathedra.

The pectoral cross gets its name because it is always placed over the bishop’s chest (his pectoral muscles). An old Latin prayer called the “Munire Me Digneris” is recited while placing the cross over the bishop’s head. It petitions God for protection against all enemies, begs to continually bear in mind the passion of Christ and to remember the triumphs of the victory of the martyrs of the church.

The cathedra is the name given to the bishop’s chair at the primary church of the diocese. This is why the diocesan bishop’s church is called the cathedral. It is from this chair that the bishop carries out his role as primary teacher, preacher and above all leader in prayer. The bishop’s cathedra is a sign of his authority to evangelize as the apostles did. From this chair the

THE BISHOP’S RING is a sign of his

delity to his bride,

the church. (CNS

photo)

BISHOP JOE S. VASQUEZ applauds as Bishop Os-car Cantu, holds his crosier dur-ing his or-dination as an auxiliary bishop of San Anto-nio. The crosier is a symbol that the bishop is a shep-herd and is called to care for his ock. (CNS photo)

See ANGEL on Page 22


POR PEDRO A. MORENO, OPL DIRECTOR ASOCIADO PARA LA CATEQUESIS HISPANA

Estamos a pocos días de la in-stalación de nuestro nuevo pastor, el Obispo Joe S. Vásquez, el próximo 8 de marzo, y las preparaciones ya están en curso.

Los lugares se han seleccionando para las diversas celebraciones y se están imprimiendo las tarjetas. Docenas de personas están trabajando fuerte para hacer de la llegada del nuevo obispo una ocasión memorable.

Muchas de las conversaciones recientes en el Centro Pastoral incluyen frecuentes referencias a nuestro nuevo obispo de alguna manera u otra. Pero, me pregunto… ¿La mayoría de los católicos tienen una clara idea del papel de un obispo?

Al preparar una respuesta comencé a buscar un conocimiento básico de lo que nos dice las Escrituras.

Estos pasajes del Nuevo Testa-mento pueden ayudarnos a prepararnos para este acontecimiento monumental: Lucas 6:13, Mateo 16:18ss, Juan 21:15 - 17, Hechos 1:20; 20:28; Romanos 1:1, 2 Timoteo 4:1 - 2; Efesios 2:20, y Filipenses 1: 1.

Sabemos que todo esto comenzó cuando Jesucristo no sólo viajaba por los pueblos predicando, sino que también invitó a 12 hombres, de entre sus muchos seguidores, para que lo siguieran más de cerca. Se conoce a este grupo como los Apóstoles y de entre el-los Jesús seleccionó a uno, a Pedro, para ser el primer papa.

Incluso después la Resurrección, Jesús volvió a Pedro y le pidió que re-a rmara su amor y después de su triple a rmación de amor, que compensa en parte su triple negación, Jesús continuó dando a Pedro un papel único de lider-azgo y autoridad.

Los apóstoles seleccionaron a su vez a otros para realizar su trabajo y en el Nuevo Testamento encontramos títulos variados tales como “supervisor,” “an-ciano,” o “obispo” para referirse a ésos que siguen el papel de los apóstoles.

A medida que la iglesia continuó creciendo, los padres de iglesia continua-ron designando a nuevos obispos como sucesores de los apóstoles según fuera necesario y a través de sus escritos mu-chas referencias pueden ser encontradas sobre la importancia de un obispo para la comunidad de fe.

El Catecismo de la Iglesia Católica también tiene mucho que ofrecernos en nuestra comprensión de quién es el obispo. Diez pasajes claves pueden ser encontrados en los párrafos 886 al 896. Después de describir la misión del obispo en enseñar, santi car y gobernar

el catecismo termina la sección con estas palabras:

“El Buen Pastor será el modelo y la “forma” de la misión pastoral del obispo. Consciente de sus propias de-bilidades, el obispo… “puede disculpar a los ignorantes y extraviados. No debe negarse nunca a escuchar a sus súbdi-tos, a los que cuida como verdaderos hijos… Los eles, por su parte, deben estar unidos a su obispo como la Iglesia a Cristo y como Jesucristo al Padre”:

Seguid todos al obispo como Jesu-cristo (sigue) a su Padre, y al presbiterio como a los apóstoles; en cuanto a los diáconos, respetadlos como a la ley de Dios. Que nadie haga al margen del obispo nada en lo que atañe a la Iglesia.”

Al leer esto y los demás párrafos del Catecismo y al buscar las citas del Decreto del Concilio Vaticano Segundo, “Christus Dominus,” que describe el o cio pastoral de los obispos, me doy cuenta de que una parte importante del o cio de un obispo es la unidad de su rebaño. Ésta es una tarea grande que será realizada a través de una amorosa communio que tenga a Cristo en su centro.

Otra manera de entender el papel de un obispo es entendiendo el signi cado de los símbolos e insignias de su o cio, designados a menudo como insignias episcopales. Tres símbolos primarios sobresalen con signi cado, el anillo, la mitra y el báculo pastoral.

El anillo de obispo es una muestra de la delidad a su esposa, la iglesia. La reverente costumbre de besarle el anillo al obispo, que es también un símbolo de su autoridad y en épocas antiguas fue utilizado como sello o cial de docu-mentos importantes, es tanto una mues-tra de nuestra delidad y reverencia para su o cio como sucesor de los apóstoles como también en su papel y autoridad de nuestro pastor.

La mitra, el sombrero especial que señala hacia el cielo, es un recordatorio de que Dios es el número uno y cada uno de nosotros, comenzando con el obispo, es llamado a ser una re exión de Dios para los demás. En otras palabras, la mitra nos recuerda que somos llama-dos a ser santos.

El báculo pastoral, o cayado, es el símbolo principal del obispo como pas-tor llamado a cuidar de su rebaño. En ocasiones el pastor utilizará su cayado para proteger al rebaño de los lobos y en otras ocasiones lo utilizará para acer-car un poco más a cualquier miembro que se va alejando del rebaño. El báculo pastoral es un recordatorio visible que somos sus ovejas y debemos seguirlo.

Otros símbolos del o cio del obispo son su cruz pectoral y su cátedra.

La cruz pectoral consigue su nombre porque se pone sobre el pecho del obispo (sus músculos pectorales). Una

antigua oración en latín llamada “Munire me Digneris” se recita mientras se pone la cruz sobre la cabeza del obispo. En esta oración se pide a Dios protección contra todos los enemigos, ayuda para continuamente tener en mente la pasión de Cristo, y para recordar los triunfos y las victorias de los mártires de la iglesia.

La cátedra es el nombre dado a la silla del obispo en la iglesia primaria de una diócesis. Esta es la razón por la cual la iglesia del obispo diocesano se llama la Catedral. Es de esta silla que el obispo realiza su papel como maestro principal, predicador y sobretodo el que preside la oración. La cátedra del obispo es una muestra de su autoridad para evangeli-zar como lo hicieron los apóstoles. De esta silla, o sede episcopal, el obispo proclama la Buena Nueva de Jesucristo y nos enseña las verdades de la fe.

Durante la ordenación episcopal de seis presbíteros el 29 de septiembre del 2007, la Fiesta de los Tres Arcángeles en la Basílica de San Pedro en Roma, el Papa Benedicto XVI habló sobre las semejan-zas entre los obispos y los ángeles.

En esta homilía el Santo Padre nos recuerda que en la iglesia primitiva, e incluso en el libro del Apocalipsis, se describía a los obispos como “ángeles” de la iglesia. El Papa nos dijo que si entendemos el encargo asignado a un ángel entonces tendríamos una mejor idea de cual es el trabajo asignado a un obispo.

El Papa comenzó con esta expli-cación “…el ángel es una criatura que

está en la presencia de Dios, orientada con todo su ser hacia Dios. Los tres nombres de los Arcángeles acaban con la palabra “El”, que signi ca “Dios”. Dios está inscrito en sus nombres, en su naturaleza. Su verdadera naturaleza es estar en él y para él.”

Entonces él nos recordó que los ángeles, “…son mensajeros de Dios. Llevan a Dios a los hombres, abren el cielo y así abren la tierra. Precisamente porque están en la presencia de Dios, pueden estar también muy cerca del hombre.”

Él concluyó diciendo, “Cuando la Iglesia antigua llama a los obispos “ángeles” de su Iglesia, quiere decir precisamente que los obispos mismos deben ser hombres de Dios, deben vivir orientados hacia Dios. “Multum orat pro populo”, “Ora mucho por el pueblo”, dice el Breviario de la Iglesia a propósito de los obispos santos. El obispo debe ser un orante, uno que in-tercede por los hombres ante Dios. Cu-anto más lo hace, tanto más comprende también a las personas que le han sido encomendadas y puede convertirse para ellas en un ángel, un mensajero de Dios, que les ayuda a encontrar su verdadera naturaleza, a encontrarse a sí mismas, y a vivir la idea que Dios tiene de ellas.”

Según las palabras del Santo Padre, creo rmemente que el 8 de marzo un “ángel” llega a Austin.

A nuestro Obispo Vásquez, ¡Bien-venido al Centro de Texas, nos alegra que estés aquí!

¡Un ‘ángel’ llega a Austin! Verdades antiguas sobre el papel del obispo

EL OBISPO JOE S. VÁSQUEZ aplaude mientras el Obispo Oscar Cantú, mantiene su báculo durante su ordenación como obispo auxiliar de San Antonio. El báculo es un símbolo de que el obispo es un pastor y está llamado a cuidar de su rebaño. (Foto CNS)


Welcome to our New Bishop, Most. Rev.

Joe S. Vásquez

The Pastor and Parishioners of Holy

Cross Catholic Church, Austin, Texas,

warmly welcome our new Bishop,

Most Rev. Joe S. Vásquez to the

Austin Diocese. We pray fervently and

earnestly that the Lord who appoint-

ed you to be our new shepherd may

enrich you with the gifts and virtues

of a true apostle of Christ, our High

Priest.

Rev. Michael Ajewole, MSPPastor


BY ARCHBISHOP JOSEPH A. FIORENZAGUEST COLUMNIST

What can the people of the Dio-cese of Austin expect in their new bishop, Joe S. Vásquez? They will soon realize that he is, as the saying goes, “the real thing.” He is a bishop who will love the priests and people of the diocese with a true shepherd’s heart. He will minister to all with joy and with a beautiful capacity to listen with sensitivity and understanding. He has a great compassion for the poor, the immigrant, the sick and elderly.

The youth and young adults will have a bishop who will tap their huge energy as a source for making the teaching and values of Jesus alive in the church and the larger community.

Bishop Vásquez is blessed with a positive outlook on life and a very pleasant personality. He smiles easily and laughs often with co-workers and friends. He is an avid sports fan and enjoys going to football and baseball games. Like many Catholics of his generation and earlier, he is a strong follower of Notre Dame football, and I suspect this will continue as he be-comes a fan of the Aggies, the Long-horns and the Bears.

When I was the bishop of San Angelo, I rst met Joe Vásquez when he was a college seminarian in Hous-ton. I was impressed with him and his good grades in studies. Upon gradua-tion, I decided to send him to Rome for theological studies, where he also

made good marks. It then became my joy to ordain him a priest in 1984, and in 2002, I was delighted to ordain him as my auxiliary bishop in the Diocese of Galveston-Houston.

I have had the opportunity to observe him as he grew in episcopal responsibilities and as a competent administrator. He has a calm and effective ability to relate with priests and people of all backgrounds, and every ethnicity, race and language. He speaks Spanish and Italian as easily as English. He is pro cient in speaking the language of Gospel love. He was

reared on tacos and enchiladas, but also loves Italian food. I hope there are good Italian restaurants in Austin.

His easy-going manner and friendly style should not lead one to think he could be a pushover. That would be a serious mistake. In an appropriate situation, he will be kind, but rm, and when necessary, he can make dif cult decisions without notable anxiety. As an administrator, he will not make rash decisions, but neither will he delay in making needed decisions.

Above all, Bishop Vásquez loves the Catholic Church and will govern

with decisiveness and compassion; he will teach clearly and with delity to the Magisterium; and he will celebrate the sacraments with joy leading all to growth in the holiness of Jesus Christ. As I said, he is “the real thing” which the church desires in a bishop. Austin is fortunate to have this good, young and energetic bishop.

Archbishop Joseph A. Fiorenza is the Archbishop Emeritus of Galves-ton-Houston. He served as the bishop of San Angelo from 1979 to 1985, and as the (arch)bishop of Galveston-Houston from 1985 to 2006.

Re ections from Archbishop FiorenzaVásquez is ‘the real thing’ says mentor, friend

Re exiones del Arzobispo FiorenzaVásquez es ‘de verdad’, dice su amigo y mentorPOR ARZOBISPO JOSEPH A. FIORENZA COLUMNISTA INVITADO

¿Qué puede esperar el pueblo de la Diócesis de Austin de su nuevo obispo, Joe S. Vásquez? Pronto se darán cuenta de que él es, como dicen, “de verdad”. Es un obispo que amará a los sacer-dotes y al pueblo de la diócesis con el corazón de un pastor verdadero. Él será ministro de todos con alegría y con una capacidad hermosa de es-cuchar con sensibilidad y comprensión. Él tiene una gran compasión por los pobres, los inmigrantes, los enfermos y los ancianos.

Los jóvenes y los adultos jóvenes tienen un obispo quien aprovechará su gran energía como una fuente para hacer vivos la enseñanza y los valores de Jesús en la Iglesia y en la comunidad.

El obispo Vásquez ha sido ben-

decido con una perspectiva positiva sobre la vida y una personalidad muy agradable. Sonríe con facilidad y se ríe a menudo con compañeros y amigos. Él es un fanático de los deportes y le gusta ir a los juegos de fútbol y béisbol. Al igual que muchos católicos de su generación y la anterior, es un fuerte seguidor de fútbol americano de Notre Dame, y sospecho que continuará siéndolo al convertirse en un verdadero a cionado de los Aggies, los Long-horns y los Baylor Bears.

Cuando yo era el obispo de San Angelo, conocí a Joe Vásquez por primera vez, cuando él era seminarista de la universidad de Houston. Yo es-taba impresionado con él y sus buenas cali caciones en los estudios. Después de su graduación, decidí enviarlo a Roma para sus estudios teológicos, donde también recibió buenas notas. Después fue mi alegría ordenarlo

sacerdote en 1984, y en 2002, yo es-tuve encantado de ordenarlo como mi obispo auxiliar de la Diócesis de Galveston-Houston.

He tenido la oportunidad de ob-servar como creció en las responsabili-dades episcopales y como un adminis-trador competente. Tiene una capaci-dad calmada y e caz para relacionarse con los sacerdotes y personas de todas las procedencias, y con cada grupo étnico, raza e idioma. Habla español e italiano, con la misma facilidad que el inglés. Él es competente hablando el lenguaje de amor del Evangelio. Fue criado en tacos y enchiladas, pero también le encanta la comida italiana. Espero que haya buenos restaurantes italianos en Austin.

Su forma de ser calmada y estilo agradable no debe llevar a pensar que podría dejarse empujar. Eso sería un grave error. En una situación apropia-

da, será amable, pero rme, y cuando sea necesario, puede tomar decisiones difíciles sin ansiedad notable. Como administrador, el no tomará decisiones apresuradas, pero tampoco se demor-ará en tomar las decisiones necesarias.

Por encima de todo, el Obispo Vásquez ama a la Iglesia católica y gobernará con decisión y con com-pasión, él les enseñará con claridad y delidad al Magisterio, y va a celebrar

los sacramentos con alegría dirigiéndo-los a crecer en la santidad de Jesucristo. Como he dicho, el es “de verdad” lo que la iglesia desea en un obispo. Austin tiene suerte de tener este joven y energético obispo.

El Arzobispo Joseph A. Fiorenza es el Arzobispo Emérito de Galveston-Houston. Se desempeñó como el obispo de San Angelo 1979 a 1985, y como el arzobispo de Galveston-Houston 1985 a 2006.

ARCHBISHOP Fiorenza and Bishop Vásquez celebrate Mass together in Houston. (Photo courtesy the Catholic Herald)

EL AR-ZOBISPO FIORENZA y el Obispo Vásquez celebran Misa juntos en Houston. (Foto cortesía de Texas Catholic Herald)


bishop proclaims the Good News of Jesus Christ and teaches the truths of our faith.

During the episcopal ordination of six new bishops on Sept. 29, 2007, the Memorial of the Three Archangels at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Pope Benedict XVI talked about the similari-ties between bishops and angels.

In this homily the pope reminds us that in the ancient church, and even in the Book of Revelation, bishops were described as “angels” of the church. He said if we understand the job as-signed to an angel then we will have a better idea of what the job of a bishop is supposed to be.

The pope began with this explana-tion “…the Angel is a creature who stands before God, oriented to God with his whole being. All three names of the Archangels end with the word “El”, which means “God.” God is in-scribed in their names, in their nature. Their true nature is existing in his sight and for him.”

Then he reminded us that angels, “…are God’s messengers. They bring God to men, they open heaven and

thus open earth. Precisely because they are with God, they can also be very close to man.”

He concluded by saying, “If the ancient church called bishops “angels” of their church, she meant precisely this: Bishops themselves must be men of God, they must live oriented to God. “Multum orat pro populo” –– “Let them say many prayers for the people,” the Breviary of the Church says of holy bishops. The bishop must be a man of prayer, one who intercedes with God for human beings. The more he does so, the more he also understands the people who are entrusted to him and can become an angel for them –– a messen-ger of God who helps them to nd their true nature by themselves, and to live the idea that God has of them.”

Based on these words from the Holy Father and on all the comments and re ections the diocesan staff has heard about Bishop Vásquez from our col-leagues in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, I rmly believe that on March 8 an “angel” arrives in Austin.

Welcome to Central Texas Bishop Vásquez, we are glad you are here!

Editor: So, once upon a time circa 1985 there was another auxilia-ry bishop from Houston who came over to Austin to lead the diocese. What was going on in your life at that time?

Bishop Emeritus McCarthy: Well, I had been a priest for almost 30 years at that point and I had been serv-ing as the auxiliary bishop in Houston for seven years when I got the message that I was going to become the third bishop of Austin. I have to be honest and say that I had always loved Austin and I just couldn’t think of a better as-signment in the world.

For years after I became bishop of Austin, I would drive around town and throughout the diocese and say to my-self, “How did I get here? This is truly a wonderful place.”

So with that background in my mind and in my heart, I think Bishop Joe Vásquez is very fortunate. He is leaving a great diocese. Galveston-Houston is one of the great churches in the United States and he has been an important player in that church as he as-sisted rst Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza and then later Cardinal Daniel DiNardo.

Personally, I think he is going to like Austin a lot more than Houston. We are no longer a small town. The metropoli-tan area is at least a million. Of course, Houston is more than 4 million. So, he may miss some things there, but one

thing that he won’t miss is the traf c!Editor: In your opinion, what are

some of the differences between the two dioceses?

Bishop Emeritus McCarthy: Al-

though the two dioceses sit side-by-side, with Austin being just to the east of Houston, the differences between them are astounding. Galveston-Houston is overwhelmingly urban. Austin, as I said, is a moderately large city now but when you get out of Austin most of those square miles out there are farming and ranching. Of course, as a city boy I thought that was wonderful. I have a feeling that Bishop Joe Vásquez is going to love it because he was raised in the San Angelo Diocese, which is also a farming, ranching world.

Editor: How do you think Bish-op Vásquez will fare in Austin?

Bishop Emeritus McCarthy: I like this new bishop very much. I have known him only super cially for a num-ber of years. However, from a distance, I have watched his work, I saw how he dealt with his brother priests and the lay people, and he is just a wonderful, sensitive man. People are just going to love him.

He has a lot of good qualities but one of the things that I am personally most happy about is that he is Hispanic. If you just went to some of these Anglos parishes that we have in west Austin or maybe in Waco or Bryan, you wouldn’t realize that the Hispanic pres-ence in the Church in Central Texas is enormous. Regretfully, the church hasn’t done as well as it should have and could have in keeping these people whose faith is deeply rooted in Catholicism. We have lost them by the tens and tens of thousands.

I really believe that with Bishop

An interview with Bishop McCarthyBishop Emeritus re ects back 30 years, looks ahead

Vásquez here that this is going to be turned around and we will see a real surge in the number of Hispanic Catholics who are again active. I think his presence and leadership will help the Hispanic community see, in a very clear way, that this is their diocese, too. They will indeed once again feel proud of our history as a diocese, proud of their numbers, proud of the great parishes that they have built and proud of the good that they will do for others in the years that are before us as we move for-ward under this wonderful new bishop.

Editor: What are some of the new bishop’s priorities, in your opinion?

Bishop Emeritus McCarthy: Well, they are the same priorities of any good diocesan bishop: to make the faith known and celebrate the faith with joy, to reach out to those who are vulnerable and suffering and to let the healing message of Jesus Christ permeate the lives of the faithful in the diocese. Those are all the generic responsibilities of a bishop. He does that through the parishes, the schools, the educational programs and all of the programs of the diocese.

But he is also going to do it in a tremendous sense on the basis of his own personality. He is going to be seen as an extraordinarily effec-tive bishop of the people –– ALL the people –– and that is going to bring us into a wonderful new chapter of the life of the Diocese of Austin. I thank God I am here to witness this new chapter.

BISHOP JOHN MCCARTHY, bishop emeritus of the Austin Diocese, and Bishop Joe S. Vásquez met brie y on Jan. 26. Bishop McCarthy served as auxiliary bishop of Galveston-Houston for several years before being named bishop of Austin in 1985. (Photo by Shelley Metcalf)

ANGELContinued from Page 17

23March 2010 WELCOME BISHOP VÁSQUEZEntrevista con el Obispo John McCarthyEl obispo emérito re exiona sobre los pasados 30 años, ve hacia adelante

Editor: Así que, hubo una vez alrededor de 1985 otro obispo auxil-iar de Houston, quien vino a Austin para conducir la diócesis. ¿Qué estaba pasando en su vida en ese momento?

Obispo Emérito McCarthy: Bueno, en ese tiempo yo había sido sacerdote durante casi 30 años y había venido actuando como obispo auxil-iar en Houston durante siete cuando recibí el mensaje de que iba a ser el tercer obispo de Austin. Tengo que ser honesto y decir que yo siempre había querido a Austin y no hubiera podido pensar en una mejor asignación en el mundo.

Durante años después de que llegué a ser obispo de Austin, manejaba alrededor de la ciudad y a través de la diócesis y me decía, “¿Cómo llegué aquí? Este lugar es verdaderamente maravilloso”.

Así, que con estos antecedentes en mi mente y en mi corazón, creo que el Obispo Joe Vásquez es muy afortu-nado. Está dejando una gran diócesis. Galveston-Houston es una de las grandes iglesias en los Estados Unidos y ha sido un miembro importante en esa iglesia ayudando primero al Arzo-bispo Joseph Fiorenza y más tarde al Cardenal Daniel DiNardo.

Personalmente, creo que le va a gu-star Austin mucho más que Houston. Ya no somos un pueblo pequeño. El área metropolitana es cuando menos de un millón. Por supuesto, Houston es más de cuatro millones. Así, es que puede extrañar algunas cosas de allá

pero una cosa que no va a extrañar es el trá co!

Editor: En su opinión, ¿cuáles son algunas de las diferencias entre las dos diócesis?

Obispo Emérito McCarthy: A pesar de que las dos diócesis están de lado a lado, con Austin estando justo al Este de Houston, las diferencias entre ellas son asombrosas. Galveston-Hous-ton es predominantemente urbana. De Austin, como he dicho, es una

ciudad medianamente grande ahora, pero cuando usted sale de Austin, la mayoría de los kilómetros cuadrados por ahí son de agricultura y ganadería. Por supuesto, como un chico de ciudad pensé que eso era maravilloso. Tengo la sensación de que al obispo Joe Vásquez le va a encantar, porque él fue criado en la Diócesis de San Angelo, que es también un mundo de agricul-tura y ganadería.

Editor: ¿Cómo cree que al Obispo Vásquez le irá en Austin?

Obispo Emérito McCarthy: Me gusta mucho este nuevo obispo. Lo he conocido sólo super cialmente por varios años. Sin embargo, desde la distancia, he observado su trabajo, vi cómo se desenvolvió con sus herma-nos sacerdotes y con los laicos, y él es un maravilloso hombre sensible. La gente va a quererlo.

Él tiene muchas buenas cualidades, pero una de las cosas de las que yo personalmente estoy más contento es que es hispano. Si usted acabara de ir a alguna de las parroquias anglosajonas que tenemos en el Oeste de Austin o tal vez en Waco o Bryan, no se daría cuenta de que la presencia hispana en la Iglesia en el centro de Texas es enorme. Lamentablemente, la iglesia no ha hecho tanto como debería y podría haber hecho en mantener a esas personas cuya fe está profundamente enraizada en el catolicismo. Los hemos perdido por docenas y por miles de docenas. Realmente creo que con el obispo Vásquez aquí esto va a cambiar y que veremos un aumento real del

EL OBISPO EMÉRITO

JOHN MC-CARTHY

comparte un momento

agrad-able con el obispo Joe

Vásquez, antes de

la confer-encia de

prensa del 26 de enero anunciando

que Vásquez sería el quin-to obispo de Austin. (Foto

por Shelley Metcalf)

número de los católicos hispanos que están más activos. Creo que su presen-cia y liderazgo ayudará a la comunidad hispana a ver, de una manera muy clara, que esta es su diócesis también.

llos de hecho volverán a sentirse orgullosos de nuestra historia como diócesis, orgullosos de sus números, orgullosos de las parroquias grandes que han construido y estamos orgul-losos del bien que harán por los demás en los años que tenemos ante nosotros a medida de que avanzan con este obispo nuevo y maravilloso.

Editor: ¿Cuáles son algunas de las prioridades del nuevo obispo, en su opinión?

Obispo Emérito McCarthy: Bueno, son las mismas prioridades de cualquier obispo diocesano: hacer con-ocer la fe y celebrarla con alegría, para llegar a aquéllos que son vulnerables y que sufren y permitir que el mensaje de salvación de Jesucristo impregne la vida de los eles de la diócesis. Esas son todas las responsabilidades generales de un obispo. Las logra a través de las parroquias, las escuelas, los programas educativos y de todos los programas de la diócesis.

Pero también va a hacerlo en un gran sentido sobre la base de su pro-pia personalidad. Va a ser visto como un obispo extraordinariamente efec-tivo para el pueblo —toda la gente— y va a llevarnos a un nuevo capítulo maravilloso de la vida de la Diócesis de Austin. Doy gracias a Dios que estoy aquí para presenciar este nuevo capítulo.

EL OBISPO JOHN MCCARTHY, obispo emérito de la Diócesis de Austin y el Obispo Joe S. Vásquez se reuni-eron brevemente el 26 de enero. El Obispo McCarthy sirvió como obispo auxiliar de Galveston-Houston durante varios años antes de ser nombrado obispo de Austin en 1985. (Foto de Shelley Metcalf)


Bishop Kevin W. Vann and the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth congratulates and expresses joy to

Bishop Joe S. Vásquezon his installation as Bishop of Austin by Pope Benedict XVI

The Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth joins in rejoicing with Bishop Vásquez on his installation as the Bishop of the Diocese of Austin.

We rejoice in the Lord, and pray for Bishop Vásquez and the Diocese of Austin.

Bishop

Vasquez is p

ictured in a 2008 C

NS

fi le photo.

St. Mary of the Assumption – Wacowelcomes you, Bishop Joe S. Vásquez.

We are happy to have you as our Shepherd.

We ask God to be with you in all that you do in our Diocese.

Parishioners of St. Mary’s – WacoRev. Irudayaraj Nelapatti-Thomas, Pastor

Welcome Bishop Vásquez from everyone at St. Joseph Parish in Cyclone and Sts. Cyril

and Methodius Parish in Marak.

Sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, Ohio

Howdy!We welcome Bishop Joe Vásquez to Austin, Texas. God Bless You.

Ladies of Charity of Austin

Offers congratulations and prayersOfrece sus mas sinceras felicitaciones y oraciones

Bishop Joe S. Vásquez

Joyce Howison, Sadlier Representative888-937-6051 • [email protected]

Sadlier.comSchool • Parish • Bilingual


WelcomeBishop Vásquez

We, the people of God, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church Franklin, Texas in the

Brazos Valley, extend ourPrayerful and Spiritual

Affection in Guiding the Church of Central Texas.In the Prayerful words of Our

Patron, St. Francis:Lord make me an instrument of

your peace.

Bishop Joe S. Vasquez,The Parishioners of St. Ferdinand Parish in Blanco and Good Shep-herd Parish in Johnson City and their pastor Father Nichodemus Ejimabo welcome you and ex-press their warmest congratu-lations on your appointment as Bishop of the Austin Diocese.We pray that God will bless you as you Shepherd the people of the Austin Diocese.Be assured of our prayers for God’s guidance and blessings. Good Luck!


Welcome Bishop Vásquez!

May your time in Austin be blessed.

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www.kjzt.org

WelcomeThe Catholic Physicians Guild of Central Texas

extends a warm welcome to Bishop Joe S. Vásquez.


Most ReverendJoe S. Vasquez

Congratulations &prayerful best wisheson your installation

May the Diocese of Austingrow in faith and love

with your spiritual guidance

www.crosscatholic.org

w


WWelcome

Bishop Joe Vásquez to the

Diocese of Austin. St. Jerome Parish, Waco

May God BlessBishop Joe Vásquez

As the New Shepherd of the Aus n Diocese

Austin CouncilBrazos Valley CouncilCentral CouncilEastern Council

Austin Diocesan Council of Catholic Women

Northern CouncilSouthern CouncilTemple CouncilWestern Council

Congratulations and God bless you

Bishop Joe S. Vasquez

as you begin your ministry as shepherd of

the Diocese of Austin.

Our prayers are with you.Bishop Edmond Carmody

Bishop Emeritus Rene Gracidathe clergy, religious and laity

of the Diocese of Corpus Christi

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St. Edward’s University Welcomes Bishop VásquezThe faculty, staff and students of St. Edward’s University are pleased to welcome Bishop Joe S. Vásquez to Austin. We look forward to working together in support of Catholic higher education.

May God bless you as you assume your new responsibilities in Austin.

On behalf of the many families that have called Saint Louise House “home,” the Board of Directors, staff and

volunteers

Welcome

Bishop Joe Vásquez to Austin

Founded in Austin in 2000, Saint Louise House provides affordable housing and essential services to mothers and children working to overcome homelessness in Central

Texas.

The parishioners of Christ the King Parish in Belton welcome you,

Bishop Joe S. Vásquez, to the Diocese of Austin.

We look forward to many years to come under your spiritual care and

guidance.

he SSs. Cyril and Methodius parish and school family of Granger welcomes

Bishop Joe Vásquez with heartfelt congratulations and prays for God’s

blessings on his appointment and installation as Bishop of Austin.

T

Vitáme Vás

We welcome You Bishop Vásquezand we wish you

God’s continued blessings.Fr. Alphonse and your Parishioners at Our Mother of Sorrows ~ Burnet

And Holy Cross ~ Bertram


Congratulations!

For eight years, you have blessed the

Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston

with a clear vision for serving Christ ’s people.

Our prayers are with you as you begin the

next phase of your journey with the Lord.

God bless you and may Our Lady of Guadalupe continue to guide and

protect you as you love and lead the Church of Central Texas.

Bishop Vasquez

Daniel Cardinal DiNardo

Archbishop Emeritus Joseph A. Fiorenza

Retired Auxiliary Bishop Vincent M. Rizzotto

and the faithful of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston

wish you continued blessings in your ministry


Bishop Vásquez, it is with great joy and thanksgiving that Our Lady of Guadalupe in Taylor welcomes you as the

shepherd of our Diocese. You are always welcome at our parish and in our homes. May God bless you richly in your

new appointment as our Bishop. May Our Lady of Guadalupe embrace you in her heavenly mantle.

La Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe en Taylor recibe con amor y gozo a nuestro Obispo Joe S. Vásquez. Le

extendemos una bienvenida a nuestros hogares. Dios lo bendiga generosamente en su nombramiento como

nuestro Obispo. Que la Virgen de Guadalupe lo cubra con su santo manto.

–– Rev. Efraín Villanueva, Deacon Alfredo Torres, staff and parishioners


May grace and peace be yours in abundance through knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. + FIRST PETER 1:2

The 80,742 faithful Catholics in the Diocese of Lubbock, their priests, deacons, women religious, and

Most Rev. Plácido Rodríguez, CMF Bishop of Lubbock

greet with fraternal delight and heartfelt prayer

Bishop Joe S. Vásquez native son of Saint Ann Parish,

Stamford, in this local church, on the occasion of his installation as the fth

Bishop of Austin.

Congratulations! AD MULTOS ANNOS! Felicidades!


Archbishop José H. Gomez, Auxiliary Bishop Oscar Cantú, and the clergy, religious, laity of the San Antonio Archdiocese

Congratulate Bishop Joe S. Vásquez as Catholics and all the people of good will in Austin and Central Texas welcome a shepherd who will love them and guide them in the name of Christ.


Securing Families’ Lives Since 1901

We are looking forward to working with you and the people of the Diocese of Austin.

Bishop Joe S. Vásquez

Congratulations & Welcome!

Sacred Heart Catholic Churchin Elgin, Texas

Dios lo bendiga y Bienvenidosal Obispo Jose Vásquez


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Bishop Vásquez

welcome bishop vÁsquez · louise de marillac and elizabeth ann seton. march 2010 welcome bishop...

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