SAN ANTONIO — Archbishop Patrick F. Flores was the recipient of an honorary doctoral degree from Oblate School of Theology at the baccalaureate Mass for graduates of that institution held April 27 in the Immaculate Conception Chapel.
     The archbishop presided at the baccalaureate liturgy, with Oblate School of Theology president, Father J. William Morell, OMI, serving as principal concelebrant, assisted by Deacon Robert Kusenberger.
    Noting that “the leadership of the church is critically important,” Father Morell went on to congratulate those receiving their degrees that day, as well as those from the Lay Ministry Institute and Instituto de Formación Pastoral, who would be recognized as completing their ministerial training that Saturday, and Archbishop Flores whom, he added, “celebrates his own baccalaureate in preparation for graduation.”
    The homily was given by Archbishop Flores, who said, “I want to share with all of you what I consider a very painful, yet a very beautiful experience that I had with my own father.” The archbishop went on to relate that, while his parents had insisted their children obtain an education, his father had never attended school himself and could neither read nor write.

    One day, while the archbishop was a young priest serving in Houston, his father came to him in tears. He had just received a ticket from a patrolman for the first time in his life and was inconsolable, as he had always warned his children to avoid breaking any laws. Confused by his inability to read the road signs, Flores had been ticketed for driving too slowly on the Gulf Freeway. He said to his son, “I want you to know that slavery is not over yet for those of us who cannot read.” The ticket was eventually dismissed, but the incident led to the archbishop meeting daily with his father to teach him to read, and he accomplished this task.
    “But then he told me this,” said the archbishop. “Don’t take your education for granted. Use it to free others from their slavery of not knowing how to read and write.” Archbishop Flores took this to heart and from that time on worked tirelessly to raise funds for scholarships for the underprivileged.

    The archbishop went on to note that there are 126 penitentiaries in Texas, filled with thousands of inmates who were not originally taught basic self-respect, and these people too need teachers. “One thing that we should have in common is the well-being of our brothers and sisters,” he added. He pointed out that more people are killed by others here in the United States than are being killed by the war in Iraq.
    While he prays that our leaders will soon be able to put an end to that war and the deaths occurring over there, he noted the killings here at home stem from a lack of respect for self and for others. Young people are giving in to peer pressure to act in ways that are harmful, and senior citizens, who hoped to live their final years in peace, live in fear of violence invading their homes. The archbishop exhorted the graduates to use their education to “do something in the name of Jesus to bring about salvation, help for our brothers and sisters in the U.S.”

    Father Morell thanked the archbishop for the “courageous leadership you inspire,” describing him as a “model of a servant leader.” He noted this was the first honorary degree ever bestowed by Oblate School of Theology and was conferred on the archbishop for his “lifetime of outstanding pastoral and spiritual leadership.” He went on to say that the degree recognized Archbishop Flores as “a wise and gentle shepherd, who has remained true to his own motto, ‘I will work not for myself, but for all.’ ”
    Before presenting the archbishop with his degree of Doctor of Pastoral Leadership, Father Morell noted that Archbishop Flores had supported the ministry of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate and Oblate School of Theology as a board member for 27 years and continuously provided guidance and support for Assumption Seminary and the Mexican American Cultural Center as well. In addition, he provided scholarships to students in the Lay Ministry Institute and Instituto de Formación Pastoral and seminarians in the Master of Divinity program.
    “Oblate School of Theology wishes to recognize Archbishop Patrick Flores for his dedication to the church, education, social justice and community development performed in the spirit of humility and prayer,” concluded Father Morell.
    
    Father Morell then expressed his appreciation on behalf of the school to all who had been instrumental in its successes, including the board of trustees, administrators, faculty, staff and all who served on the various committees throughout the year. Singled out for their efforts were Margaret Escobedo, director of Lay Ministry Certificate Programs, Lay Ministry Institute and Instituto de Formación Pastoral, and Mary Olivia Patino, assistant director.
    In closing, Father Morell recognized two others as making significant changes in their lives — Father Warren Brown, OMI, who will be leaving the faculty to serve as Oblate’s next president, and Archbishop Flores, who expects to retire shortly.
    Father Morell will soon be leaving his post as president of Oblate School of Theology and Father Brown expressed gratitude to him on behalf of the school for “your great and sincere guidance, for your energy, for your enthusiasm, for your vision during these past nine years.” He announced that a memorial plaque in Father Morell’s honor would be installed in Oblate’s Merium Garden as a reminder of the school’s appreciation for his years of dedication.
    Also honored at the baccalaureate Mass were Quang Dinh Van, Certificate of Presbyteral Studies; Ann Francis Monedero, OSF, Master of Arts (Theology); Laura Garcia Brill, Sister Kathleen M. Brown, IHM, Patricia Ann Galán-Cisneros, Ismael Gutiérrez and John A. Lee, III, Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry; Richard Martín Collins, William Hamm Combs IV, BBD, and Andreas A Parra Valderrama, Master of Divinity (Certificate of Advanced Studies for Presbyteral Ministry); and Rev. John W. Kiser, II, Rev. Michael A. Maginn and Richard Scott Woodward, Doctor of Ministry.