South Texas Catholic (Corpus Christi, Tex.), Vol. 21, No. 40, Ed. 1 Friday, November 14, 1986 Page: 3 of 16
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November 14, 1986—3
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Around the Diocese
Women at convention urged to share their talents
Bishop Rene H. Gracida receives the gifts from members of the
Diocesan Council of Catholic Women during the Mass at their biennial
convention Nov. 7 In Alice. (Kim ChristensenBergstrom photo)
By Luis O. Cavazos and
Armando P. Ibanez
STC corrcspondants
ALICE—Bishop Rene H. Gracida
challenged the Diocesan Council of
Cutholic Women to revitalize the
Church
“We’re not dead, not by n long
shot," Bishop Gracida told about 127
women attending the Diocesan Coun-
cil of Catholic Women Biennial Con-
vention.
“But 1 know of ways in which we
could be more alive." he said in his
homily during a Mass celebrated for
the convention held here last week at
St. Joseph's Church and Youth
Center.
“Thanks to you...we are achieving
a great deal in our diocese But I know
we need to be more clear, more
dynamic." the bishop said
Hosted by the Alice Deanery, the
convention's theme was “Evangeliza-
tion: A Christian Commitment."
Women from across the diocese,
representing a number of Catholic
women's organizations, attended the
convention The council is a federa-
tion which serves as a medium through
which the Catholic women of the
diocese may express their opinion and,
when necessary, take united action on
matters of public interest.
Cccina Koeijmans was the keynote
speaker of the convention and Mis-
sionary Catechists of Divine Pro-
vidence Sister Victoria Pastrano, also
was a speaker at the event
Mrs. Koeijmans said that women
have played a crucial role in spreading
the Word of God and salvation. “God
ihr Father could have sent His son a
thousand ways...but he was born
through Mary, the greatest woman of
all."
Mrs. Koeijmans has served as pro-
vince director of the San Antonio Pro-
vince of the National Council of
Catholic Women
To make her point. Mrs. Koeijmans
cued several women who played im-
portant roles in biblical times and the
early Church. Among them were
Moses' sister Miriam; the Virgin
Mary; in die middle ages, Joan of Arc.
and today's Mother Teresa.
The prophetess Miriam, who was a
singer of hymns, wrote the oldest na-
tional anthem, called the “Song of
Deliverance " Miriam wrote the song
when the Jews were freed by the Egyp-
tian pharoah, Mrs Koeijmans said
The Virgin Mary pursuaded her
son Jesus Christ to perform his first
miracle, she said, while Joan of Arc
was a great warrior.
Today's Mother Teresa has
dedicated her life to helping the poor
by creating hospitals and schools, she
explained.
“What God has given you, you
must share...don't hold all the talent
to yourself."
Mrs. Koeijmans encouraged the
council to promote leadership by shar-
ing “You don't really possess
something until you give it away," she
said, ({noting one of her favorite say-
ings
"We have to make a concerted ef-
fort to get new members We have to
get the younger women," she added
This effort will also help bring new
leaders, and revitalize organizations,
as well as the council. "New leader-
ship is developed by change," she ex-
plained.
Often "change is progress,” but
usually change is resisted by many
organizations. She cautioned that if
resistance continues an organization
can die.
To keep an organization alive, Mrs
Koeijmans sirongly recommrnded
that “a postitive altitude" be adopted
"A positive attitude attracts but a
negative attitude destroys," she said
"The magic word that makes or
breaks an organization is attitude."
She suggested that organizations
must show a readiness to accept new
members and new leaders, as well as a
willingness to express appreciation
“The bottom linr is that we are
following the mandate of Vatican
Council II," she said in reference to
women’s organizations, "so that the
divine message of salvation is known
and a. irptcd by vs.uHd
Bishop Gracida, in his homily, com-
mended the council for their contribu-
tions to the Diocese of Corpus Christi
and the Church in general
"The Diocesan Council of Catholic
Women is responsible for much of the
lift- of the diocese's achievements." the
bishop said
Liturgical music techniques explored
CORPUS CHRISTI—To orovidr the lx-st mailed in liv Monday Nov 17 Sisirr Caller *.nd ■ sll ■■■ III '
CORPUS CHRISTI—To provide the best
liturgical music possible, music ministers are en-
couraged to attend the Liturgical Music Explosion
'86 to be held Saturday. Nov. 22, at Corpus Christi
Cathedral.
"Music ministry is so important and we have an
obligation to provide the best music we can," em-
phasized Providence Sister Jeremy Gallct, director of
the Office of Worship, which is sponsoring the con-
ference.
Registrations can be called in to Anna DeLeon at
289-6501, ext. 105, until Wednesday. Nov 19, or
mailed in by Monday, Nov 17 Sister Gallet said 1
they would like to get an accurate count of people
who will attend to make plans for the luncheon.
The cost is $10 per person (including lunch) or $50
for a group of six or more Sister Gallct suggested
parishes could help sponsor their music ministers
She also encouraged parishes to carpool, especially
those from the Laredo area. People in Laredo can call
Marist Brother Robert Warren for more information
about transportation from there.
Nov. 22 is the Feast of St. Cecilia, the patron saint
of music, and this conference is the first "Liturgical
Music Explosion" in the diocese, said Sister Gallet
Ii is geared for choir members, rancors and in-
strumentalists.
The day will begin at 10 a.m. with morning prayer
in the cathedral and will conclude with Sunday
Eucharist at 5:30 pm., at which time all the par-
ticipants will be officially recognized as music
ministers for the 1986-87 liturgical year
Dolores Martinez, serving in the Office of Wor-
ship in the Diocese of Lubbock, will be the featured
clinician. She will lead workshop sessions in vocal
techniques in English and Spanish (Lee Gwozdz will
also lead a session) ami in I iispanic music rrpcitoirc
Other clinicians will be Karl Hydcn and Ramiro
Trevino in beginning and advanced liturgical guitar
technique; Greg Labus in music repertoire for begin-
ning choirs; and Jim Dorn in keyboard/organ techni-
que After the sessions there will also be a question-
answer session and practice time in preparation for
the 5:30 Mass.
Sister Gallet encouraged all participants to bring
their instruments, if possible, and any music they
would like to learn and perform.
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Freeman, Robert E. South Texas Catholic (Corpus Christi, Tex.), Vol. 21, No. 40, Ed. 1 Friday, November 14, 1986, newspaper, November 14, 1986; Corpus Christi, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth840366/m1/3/: accessed April 20, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .