Monthly Newsletter
MARCH 2017
From Padre Miguel...
LENT
A PUBLICATION OF ST. CHRISTOPHER’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
We have begun the season of Lent for this year of 2017. There are forty days for
us to prepare to celebrate and remember Holy Week once again, and with that
celebration the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus, the Son of God. Another
Lent, one of many that we have celebrated in our lives. I ask myself, why don’t we
make this Lent different from the many that we have already celebrated? Yes,
different in its intensity, devotion, prayer, meditation, penitence, and renewal. And
let’s start with these ideas, as if this Lent were the first that I celebrate, as if this
Lent were the only one I will celebrate, as if this Lent were that last one of my life
that I will celebrate.
The first, the only, the last; With these ideas I will recuperate the intensity with
what I should live during this holy time of meditation in order to prepare ourselves
for the great feast of Easter. With these ideas I will deeply live these forty days to
truly repent of my sins to be a better Christian and live more closely to Jesus of
Nazareth, the One who has risen.
I meditate on this thinking how we should rise above the custom to celebrate
liturgical rituals and seasons automatically, it should be with conscious will and
deliberation.
Let me give you an example: every Sunday I attend the Eucharist, I never miss,
but I do it out of habit, out of custom. If I do not do it consciously and deliberately
knowing that each Eucharist is a personal meeting with Christ, bit by bit I will
lose the flavor and meaning of this Christian rite and celebration.
Let us then celebrate Lent this year as if it were the first, the only and the last one
of my life.
CUARENTA
Ya inicamos la cuaresma de este año del 2017. Cuarenta dias para prepararnos
para celebrar y recorder de nuevo la Semana Santa, y con ella la passion, muerte
y resurrection de Jesus, el Hijo de Dios. Otra cuaresma mas, una mas de muchas
que ya hemos celebrado en nuestra vida. Yo me pregunto ¿Por que no nos
proponemos que esta cuaresma sea diferente a las muchas que ya hemos
celebrado?. Si, diferente en su intensidad, devocion, oracion, meditacion,
penitenicia y renovacion. Y partamos de esta ideas; como si esta cuaresma fuera la
primera que celebro, como si esta cuaresma fuera la unica que celebrare, como si
esta cuaresma fuera la ultima de mi vida que celebrare.
La primera, la unica, la ultima. Con esta ideas recuperare la intensidad con que se
debe de vivir este tiempo sagrado de meditacion para prepararnos a la gran fiesta
de la Pascua. Con estas ideas vivire profundamente estos cuarenta dias para
verdaderamente arrepentirme de mis pecados para ser mejor Cristiano y vivir mas
cerca de Jesus de Nazaret, el Resucitado.
Hago esta meditacion pensando en que debemos superar la costumbre de celebrar los ritos y tiempos
liturgicos mecanicamente, debe de ser espontaneamente con voluntad consciente y deliberacion.
Pongo un ejemplo: Todos los domingos asisto a la Eucaristia, no falto, lo hago por costumbre, por
compromiso. Si no lo hago consciente y deliberadamente sabiendo de que cada Eucaristia es un
encuentro personal con Cristo, poco a poco ire perdiendole el sabor y sentido de este rito y
celebracion Cristiana.
Celebremos pues esta cuaresma de este ano como si fuera la primera, la unica y la ultima de mi vida.
Blessings for a Holy Lent,
Padre Miguel Ramirez Centeno
A Pastoral Letter from Bishop Vono
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Greetings and Blessings to all the laity and clergy of the Diocese of the Rio Grande.
I have now returned from my sabbatical time away with a very grateful heart thinking of each of
you. Along with our faithful, hard-working and dedicated diocesan staff, all of you have flawlessly
continued to carry out Christ's caring pastoral work and the myriad responsibilities of our diocesan
ministries and administrations. I thank you for your very generous support, trust, patience, love and
steadfast witness in my absence. I am now well rested, and feel absolutely wonderful about being in
the office and again traveling the Diocese to visit congregations!
I want to share some of my hopes, expectations and goals for my remaining time with you as your
Bishop. My first hope-filled goal is to realize and accomplish raising the necessary offerings to begin
building our Bosque Center Chapel. The chapel will serve the spiritual needs of all people for
generations to come, especially ecumenical/interfaith groups ministering to our veterans, wounded
warriors and military families to honor the memory and sacrifice of Bataan Chaplain Fr. Ted
Howden. As you know we've had no formal, public fundraising campaign in the Diocese. We have
chosen to trust the guidance of Holy Spirit and quietly seek potential benefactors who have the
blessings of substantial financial resources to help us build this chapel.
There are many generous souls in our Diocese, both clergy and laity, who may wish to be major
benefactors, as well as those who would wish to leave their names as a faith legacy and witness in
building the Kingdom of God. Additionally, I ask you each and all to pray for our success. God's
name in Christ Jesus and God's presence will be glorified in our generation in building this new
house of prayer. I am grateful for those of you have made commitments to the chapel, and I ask for
your continued consideration and assistance.
My second goal and expectation is to convene two Clergy Summits in 2017. At these gatherings
clergy and bishop will share our plans, hopes and visions for the future of our congregations and
pastoral ministries in the Diocese. I have confided in my staff that I do not wish to talk about "my
"legacy these past 8 years but rather "our legacy" as a Diocese. So, I will be presenting a
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a descriptively comprehensive report detailing all we have added and accomplished in Christ to
build the Kingdom of God in New Mexico and Far West Texas.
Besides these two clergy summits I intend to convene an El Paso Congregations Conference for
clergy and lay leadership to address the accomplishments and contemporary challenges in our
Diocese's second largest urban center. Along with this I am convening leaders from Marfa, Alpine,
Lajitas, Terlingua, Otra Vez and Boquilla along with representatives from the Rio Grande
Borderland Ministries leadership for a Big Bend Ministry Conference. This important and timely
conference will review our accomplishments, define our challenges, and focus and renew the
mission goals of The Episcopal Church in the Big Bend and along the Border, which assist and
embrace migrants and refugees during this critical time in history.
Blessed are the poor and those who care for them in the name of Christ Jesus. Serving the poor and
displaced is central to the Jesus movement. We boldly do this.
Brothers and Sisters, I believe our future is very bright and our Diocese is healthy and blessed.
Certainly, we now are poised for not only an orderly transition in seeking my successor, but also
for further spiritual and congregational growth in the near future. In this hope and expectation, we
place our trust in God and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Pray for each other, for our diocesan
family and for the Lord's choice of a new Bishop.
Many blessings,
Bishop Michael
From the Senior Warden
Well, time seems to be flying here at St. Christopher’s. By the time you read this, the Red Dinner,
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, and Ash Wednesday will have come and gone.
Several of the men at the parish met with Father J. J. and Father Miguel last month to discuss the
possibility of forming a chapter of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew. Another possibility is that we
may want to form a group and name it something else. There was a young man who joined us in
the meeting of mostly older men, so we would like to encourage all the men in the parish to join us.
We would like everyone’s input and ideas on a name for our group and activities that we can do to
benefit someone in our community, as well as spending time in a group activity. Look for
announcements regarding the next meeting and join us!
The children in Sunday School received their Lent activity and I invite all family members to take
an interest in, and join the students with their activities. There are many activities during Lent for
all parish members to participate in. Please review the services schedules and join us. Invite all
friends and family. Let us grow in spirituality as well as in numbers.
Yours in Christ,
Tony Moreno, Senior Warden
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March at St. Christopher’s
ASH WEDNESDAY
10:00 a.m. Fr. JJ holds Ash Wednesday service
at the Opportunity Center
At St. Christopher’s
12:00 Noon and 6:00 p.m.
Holy Eucharist with Imposition of Ashes
EVERY FRIDAY EVENING IN LENT
6:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross
Join us in Rice Hall after the service for Soup
Invite your family, friends, and neighbors
DIOCESAN MEETINGS
DIOCESAN CONVENTION MEETING
The 2017 Diocesan Convention will be held in El Paso this year
Diocesan Staff will meet with El Paso clergy, leadership, and others willing to help
at 1:00 p.m. Friday, March 17 at St. Christopher’s
THE MEETINGS BELOW WILL BOTH BE HELD AT
ALL SAINTS EPISCOPAL CHURCH
LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE with BISHOP VONO
8:30 a.m.—12:00 noon Saturday, March 18
For Clergy and Leadership from the El Paso churches
Lunch will be served after Conference
DIOCESAN FINANCIAL WORKSHOP
1:00—4:00 p.m.
For Clergy, Treasurers, Administrators, Vestry, and Bishop’s Committees
Deadline for Registration and $15 fee is March 13
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CAMP STONEY
Summer 2017 Preview
RESCHEDULED INFORMATIONAL
MEETING
Deacon Tom Bates and Roy Benavides
Saturday, April 8
9:30 a.m. Coffee and Fellowship
10:00 a.m. Meeting
(Lunch will be provided)
All men and young adult men
are invited!
EASTER FLOWERS
If you would like to contribute to flowers
for Easter Sunday, please make your
check out to St. Christopher’s with
“Easter Flowers” on the memo line
Memorial/Thanksgiving forms
are available in the pocket on
the bulletin board
PRAYERS FOR THE DEPARTED
If you would like to have a loved one
remembered during one of our
Sunday services, please let Fr. JJ
or Holly know so that it can
be scheduled
You may bring a framed picture and
flowers (no flowers during Lent)
June 8-11: Family Camp
June 11-17: Once and Future King
Fantasy Camp
June 18-24: Adventure Camp
June 25-July 1: Summer Fun Camp
July 2-8: Harry Potter Camp
Goblet of Fire
July 9-15: Episcopal Youth Event
in Oklahoma City
July 16-22: Narnia Camp
July 23-20: Grace Camp
July 30-August 6: Alumni Camp
Camp Stoney registration is now
open: go to dioceserg. Org and click
on the link Who We Are, and then
click on
Bishop’s Ridge/Camp Stoney website
MEETINGS
VESTRY MEETING
11:15 a.m. Sunday, March 5
DIOCESAN CONVENTION MEETING
MARCH
1:00 p.m. Friday, March 17
BIRTHDAYS
BIBLE STUDY
David Garcia 9 Christopher Brooks 10
Deacon Ken Anderson+ 11
Joy Truesdale 24 Holly Truesdale 26
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7:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 14 & 28
MARCH PRAYER LIST
Please keep these members and friends of St. Christopher's in your daily prayers...
Jim Holley (Member), Jim and Bobi Major (Members), Johnny Washam (Member) Luis Garcia (Member)
Stephanie Brown, (Member) Dorothy Muller (Member), Pershing Rexroad (Major), Rene Vallecillo
(Cano), Mary Reyes (Cano), Ray Vega (Vega), David Gaylon (Hayes) Ruby Carr (Brooks) Nora Butler
(Gilbreath), Gary Welsh, Benjamin Gonzalez (Perez), Lily Bencomo (Bishop), The Schofill Family
(Truesdale) Kevin Salcedo, Joe Heidrick (Shinn), Kelly Schermerhorn (Hayes), Sofia Enriques (Anderson),
Christie Lechuga (Perez), Fernando Peña, Benjamin & Levi Moreno (Moreno), Christy Darling, Leo
Luevano (Maldonado), Carol, Charlie (Danforth), Cathy (Danforth), Jerry Brown (Shinn), Adrian Montes
(Kelley), Flor Alvarado (Bernal), Teri Ivey (Brooks), Jerry Ditmore (Brooks) Tamara Banda (Brooks), Octaviano Tavares (Villagomez), Donna Hvizdos (Hudak), Maria Morgan (Anderson), Doreen Rich
(Anderson) Erika Boone (East), Irma Lopez (Mowad), Robert McEnroe (Anderson), Erasmos Juarez
Almighty God, we commend to your care and keeping all of the men and women
of our armed forces at home and abroad:
Sgt. Charles Barden, Matthew Barnes, Jerry Carreon, Sgt. Jean-Louis Bishop, Army, Adam Garcia, Navy,
Magie Gonzalez, Lt. Jody M. Daniels, Navy, Roberto Salgado, Mark Logan, USAF, PFC Jose Gonzalez,
Oscar I. Gonzalez, Comd. Darren Rich, SP Woody Needler, SST. Tim Hayes and the families and friends
of all who are serving at home and abroad
Please contact Holly to add or delete names
OUTREACH MINISTRIES
SOUP KITCHEN OUTREACH
GOOD SAMARITAN OUTREACH
Our new Soup Kitchen schedule is
working very well, and attendance is
rising once more!
St. Christopher’s has been given a
grant of $5,000.00 from the Diocesan
Poverty and Outreach Board for our
Good Samaritan/Soup Kitchen
Outreach Program
In addition to this grant, contributions
from the congregation, both monetary
and food/items, are still needed
This month the menu will be:
Saturday, March 11
Team #4: Moreno/Martinez
Lentil Soup Quesadillas
Capirotada
Saturday, March 18
Team #3: Garcia/Anderson
Habas (Soup) Shrimp Galletas
Capirotada
The listing of needed food and
supplies is posted both on the door of
the Good Samaritan room and the
bulletin board in Rice Hall
Please designate your checks to either
“Good Samaritan” or “Soup Kitchen”
rather than simply “Outreach”
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CHECK OUT OUR
WEBSITE AND
ST. CHRISTOPHER’S EPISCOPAL
CHURCH
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!
300 Riverside Drive El Paso, Texas 79915
Church Office: 915 859-9329
THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH WELCOMES YOU!
Email:
[email protected]
Website:
www.stchristopherelpaso.org
WORSHIP SERVICES
St. Christopher’s
Sunday
Soup Kitchen
Holy Eucharist 10:00 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
Thursday
2nd & 3rd
Eucharist & Healing 10:30 a.m.
CLERGY AND STAFF
The Reverend Canon José J. Bernal
Rector
The Reverend Miguel Ramirez
Associate Priest
The Reverend Kenneth Anderson
Deacon (Ret.)
Holly Truesdale
Parish Administrator
Bruce Truesdale
Treasurer
VESTRY
Antonio Moreno - Senior Warden
Pedro Villagomez- Junior Warden
Denise Anderson Fran Hayes
Katie Hudak Carlisle Navidomskis
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Rector
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday through Friday
Fr. Bernal will be also available
on Saturdays by appointment.
Saturday of each month
ST. CHRISTOPHER'S
MISSION STATEMENT
Our Mission, as vessels indwelt
by the Holy Spirit, is to proclaim
the Gospel and teach the Faith;
to bring Christ ’ s healing power to those
who are wounded and hurting;
to share our blessings with those in need;
Administrator
and Church Office
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Tuesday and Thursday
Administrator in Office at
home on
Monday and Wednesday
852-3954 or 252-2475
Church Offices Closed on Friday
to administer the Holy
Sacraments; and to live our lives to
God ’ s glory, sharing the love of
Jesus Christ with all people.