South Texas Catholic (Corpus Christi, Tex.), Vol. 44, No. 5, Ed. 1 Friday, March 6, 2009 Page: 4 of 20
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- SOUTH TEXAS CATHOLIC
diocese
March 6, 2009
Evangelization Department launches ‘Catholics Come
The burning desire to genuinely invite the many inac-
tive Catholics to return and be more active in the Church
has led the Corpus Christi Diocese to form a partnership
with CatholicsComeHome.org. The Diocese began airing
inspiring television spots in English and Spanish on the
Monday before Ash Wednesday. Simultaneously, they will
be inviting Catholics to return and be more active in their
faith through the radio, newspaper, and internet.
In addition, Bishop Edmond Carmody asks the entire
Catholic community to commit in inviting one person back
to Church this Lent — a family member, relative, co-worker
or friend that is Catholic and inactive in the practice of
their faith.
To help with this endeavor, the diocese has developed the
We Miss You brochures (Te extraiiamos in Spanish) which
have been distributed to every parish and mission
All are asked to look for these We Miss You brochures,
which are scheduled to be given out on the first Sunday of
Lent at the end of the homily or after every Mass at parishes
and missions of the diocese.
There is a 5-step process, located on the tear-out tab on
the brochure, which gives suggestions on how to invite
inactive Catholics back to church.
A DVD with the television spots has also been sent to
parishes and missions.
“The entire Catholic community has an important role
to play in helping the parishes evangelize more fruitfully,”
wrote Bishop Carmody in a letter to pastors.
“The primary role of the pastor is to encourage the pa-
rishioners to share their faith and invite others back. The
role of the parish staff is to be the face of Christ to all who
return, and facilitate their assimilation back into Christ’s
fold. The role of the receptionist is to be a coordinator of
first impressions. And the role of the greeters and ushers
at Mass is to welcome them home with open arms and a
big smile.”
The Department for Evangelization has also included
in the parish packages some resources (Welcome to the
Neighborhood, Our Daily Menu, and Fullness of Truth)
which can be given to returning Catholics to inform them
of the array of activities throughout the diocese.
"The burning desire to invite
others to encounter the One whom
we have encountered is the start of
the evangelizing mission to which
the whole Church is called. This
mission has become particularly
urgent today in America...”
—(Ecclesia en America, 68).
The Department for Evangelization has included the
above resources: Welcome to the Neighborhood,
Our Daily Menu, and Fullness of Truth are included
in the parish packages which can be given to
returning Catholics to inform them of the array of
activities throughout the diocese.
Finally, Bishop Carmody encourages all to pray often at
parish staff meetings the following prayer:
Dear Lord, may our hearts and minds be nourished by
your sustaining love, may our words and actions be guided
by your every present grace; That all who seek to know
you, encounter you here; That all who seek to sen e you, be
welcomed to the vineyard; That all who seek to love you,
know that they are loved; That all w ho seek to return to their
Catholic faith may be w elcomed and received. Amen.
Evangelism through drama: The Journey of St. Paul
By Geraldine McGloin / STC Correspondent
“It is the business of dramatic art to bring words to life — on
stage, on screen and in other media. In this case we bring the
Word to life,” said Kevin O’Brien, author, actor and director
of the Incamational drama troupe, Theater of the Word In-
corporated. O’Brien’s remarks came prior to the perfonnance
of The Tourney of St. Paul, in which he plays the lead role, at
Corpus Christi Cathedral on Feb. 12. The drama was also per-
formed in other local parishes. “It is our calling to evangelize,
to spread the Word of the Lord by “incorporating” the written
word, by fleshing it out in perfonnance by bringing to bear
literature that enlightens us and strengthens our faith,” he told
the audience. He also related that his own conversion story
began with his atheism, which has now been transfonned
into a deep faith in the goodness of God.
The drama features a cast of four actors who play multiple
parts. O'Briens Paul is the only single role. Seventy per cent
of the dialogue is directly from scripture. The play opens in
Caesarea where Paul was being kept in custody by the Roman
Governor Festus after being accused by the Jews of sedition
and attempted desecration of the temple. During this time
King Agrippa and Queen Bernice come down to Caesarea to
pay their respects to Festus and meet Paul. While they are
there Paul delivers his lengthy defense. He restates his mes-
sage of repentance and turning to God, the divinity of Christ
and the reality of Christ’s resurrection.
The drama proceeds through the Acts of the Apostles nar-
rative, though not in exact sequence, as various chapters are
presented. The martyrdom of St. Stephen is shown with the
saints role being performed by Tom Lehman who had previ-
ously appeared as the Roman, Festus. The play then moves
to the vision of Saul on the road to Damascus. In Damascus
a bewildered Ananias is told by God, (well done by actress
Maria Romine who had previously played Queen Bernice.) to
go to the house where he will find Saul. There he is to minister
to him. Ananias displays obvious discomfort at this direction
from God to look up one of the most violent persecutors of
the Christians. He obeys nevertheless, witnesses the removal
of the scales from Pauls eyes and finally Baptizes him. Actor
Tom Lehman portrays Ananias. The multiple roles played by
the four actors, the lack of any scenery and a bare minimum
of props make the experience unique for the viewer. There
is much more emphasis on the actual words being spoken,
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STC photo/Paula Beaton
Kevin O'brien performed the lead role in the
Journey of St. Paul. The drama occurred on Feb.
12 at Corpus Christi Cathedral .
without the distraction of biblical sets and elaborate cos-
tumes. Much of the mood of the act is accomplished with
the lighting.
When asked wTiat he hoped people would get out of the
production, O’Brien answered that he hoped people would see
that to be a saint, one does not need to be quiet and mousey.
“St. Paul was bold and stood firm for this faith. It is my hope
that people will see that courage and preach the faith even in
immcmm
SENIOR APARTMENTS
Janie Edwards
Property Manager
2302 Cimarron Blvd. (361) 994-9956
Corpus Christi,TX 78414 Fax: (361) 994-9958
Open 7 Days A Week
Sessions at 7 and 9 p.m.
Sponsored by:
Camp Fire USA Coastal Bend
Council, Lost Pet Hotline, Peewee’s
Pet Adoption World & Sanctuary,
Inc., & Dobie Haven, Inc.
9840 B Leopard Street, Corpus Christi
(between Kand Morgan & McKenzie)
(361) 241-8153
the face of persecution.” At the conclusion of the performance,
O’Brien challenged the audience to “stand up for their faith
and go forward into the world evangelizing and speaking the
Words of sacred scripture.
“The production company takes its name Theater of the
Word from a company formed by Pope John Paul II as a young
man in Communist Poland. This company performed Chris-
tian drama in coffee houses, homes or anywhere they could get
together,” said O’Brien. “We have differentiated our company
by adding the word “Incorporated” to our name”, he said.
The Journey of St. Paul is in its second year of production.
The company also offers a variety of shows: One-man shows,
pro-life dramas, lives of the saints, seasonal shows and more.
They will begin a series to be seen on EWTM soon. O’Brien
urged all to watch for them. They hope to return to Corpus
Christi in October to perform a pro-life drama.
Saturday Morning lenten renewal
PROGRAMS AT ST. HELENAS
March 7 beginning at 8:30 a.m. - Men’s Workshop
with Steve Pokorny - director of Theology of the Body
Ministries and associate of Christopher West
March 14 beginning at 8:30 a.m. - Spanish Retreat
with Lr. Ruben Pulido from Asutrias, Spain
March 21 beginning at 8:30 a.m. - Women’s Retreat
with Lr. Peter Marselek, SOLT
Morning Mass, hreafcjasf and lunch provided
5t. Helena of tfie True Cross
of Jesus Catholic Church
7634 Wooldridge Road
Corpus Christi, Texas 78414
994-8783
Check out our website at www.sthelenacctx.org
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Beaton, Paula J. South Texas Catholic (Corpus Christi, Tex.), Vol. 44, No. 5, Ed. 1 Friday, March 6, 2009, newspaper, March 6, 2009; Corpus Christi, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth856100/m1/4/?q=%22~1%22~1: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; .