SAN ANTONIO • Catholic Relief Services (CRS) dedicated their Southwest Regional Office with an inaugural Mass held at San Fernando Cathedral, followed by a luncheon and a blessing of the CRS office located on the Oblate School of Theology (OST) campus Aug. 27.
    The Mass was celebrated by Cardinal Renato Raffaele Martino, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and president of Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples. Concelebrants at the liturgy included Bishop John W. Yanta of the Diocese of Amarillo and Bishop Curtis Guillory, SVD, of the Diocese of Beaumont, both members of the CRS Board of Directors.
    In his homily at the liturgy, Cardinal Martino said CRS continues to bring hope to countless men, women and children, and he encouraged people of goodwill to continue to support this Catholic agency. “There is no half-hearted answer. Either we will or we will not serve the Lord. The early disciples did not grasp what it would cost them,” said the cardinal.

    “One cannot be faithful to Jesus just by listening, but they need to go out in his name. Catholic Relief Services has done this. In Christ all things are made new,” the cardinal noted.

    The liturgy was followed by a reception at the SBC Community Centre at San Fernando, attended by church and community leaders from throughout Texas. San Fernando hosted the regional CRS office until its permanent space was ready for occupation on the OST campus. In addition, the San Fernando gift shop sells CRS fair trade coffee, tea, olive oil and chocolate candy.

    CRS Southwest, recently established in San Antonio, is one of six regional offices in the United States that seeks to inform and engage U.S. Catholics to live their faith in solidarity with the poor around the world. CRS has a goal of education on strategic issues such as peace building, fair trade, food security, migration and social justice.

    Joan F. Neal, vice president of U.S. operations for CRS from Baltimore, Md., presented introductory remarks at the inaugural luncheon. “We are extremely happy to be here in San Antonio. Our social service work is in the name of the bishops and the U.S. Catholic community. We reach out to Catholics and provide concrete opportunities to change lives,” she said. “Since Sept.11, 2001, our lives are intimately entwined with others in the world no matter where they are. At CRS, it is both our privilege and responsibility to help those in the United States know the issues of 99 other countries.”

    Neal told listeners that changing their lives in small ways can make a positive difference. “The way we vote and live can make a difference in the world. We are looking to work with parishes, dioceses and schools to provide concrete opportunities to live lives in solidarity with our brothers and sisters overseas. We can transform this world.”

    In his address at the event, Cardinal Martino said he is well aware of the good works of CRS on a firsthand basis. He recalled growing up in Italy in the aftermath of World War II and receiving bundles of clothes from America collected by Catholic Relief Services. In addition, the cardinal told of being named pro-nuncio to Thailand in 1980 by Pope John Paul II. The pope’s words to him upon accepting the appointment was “Take care of the refugees.” Upon arriving in the country, Cardinal Martino said, “CRS was already there taking care of the poor and suffering,” describing the agency’s efforts to the more than 1 million refugees then occupying camps along the Thai border.

    The head of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace emphasized that a just society must be an effort of politics, and not the church. “The lay faithful must take part in many areas of promote the common good,” said Cardinal Martino. “They must shape political activity to the social challenges, which later gives way to justice. Faith in God and Jesus sheds light on moral principles, internal and external law.”

    He explained how, in the face of devastation, CRS works to show the world life in society must be based on divine law. “There is an ever more widespread sense for social renewal for openness and honesty,” the Italian prelate said. “Globalization offers the opportunity for assistance to brothers and sisters in need. The sense of neighbor extends to the human family throughout the world. We have witnessed unprecedented cooperation of people and organizations. Solving the political problems of our times is becoming a focus. An encounter with God opens the heart to this.”

    The opening of the new CRS facility is an indication of hope, said the Vatican diplomat. “CRS never wavers in its principles and values, not so much by words but by love and action. Love is the distinguishing mark of Christ’s disciples. Christians must be convinced love is the only force leading to social perfection. In order to make society more humane, love in action must be given more value,” he concluded. “I come to San Antonio to thank the American bishops for building a cultural of love and peace, and for their steadfast witness to love in Jesus Christ.”

    Later that Sunday afternoon, before the blessing and dedication of the CRS Southwest Regional Office, some comments were given by Bishop Charles V. Grahmann of the Diocese of Dallas, who is a former priest and auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of San Antonio. From 1969 to 1972 he served as head of CRS in the archdiocese. “Through the years I never let go of Catholic Relief Services,” he said. “Catholic Relief Services is the brightest star in the Catholic Church of the United States.”

    A donation was given to the work of CRS by Sister Elaine Brothers, OSF, vice president of academic affairs and dean of Oblate School of Theology. “It is our pleasure at Oblate School of Theology to welcome Catholic Relief Services here,” she said. “We look forward to long-term collaboration.”

    Auxiliary Bishop Patrick J. Zurek, in welcoming CRS to the Archdiocese of San Antonio, said he has seen CRS at work in Honduras after Hurricane Mitch as well as earthquakes in El Salvador. “I couldn’t be happier that the regional office is here,” he exclaimed.

    A reflection of solidarity was preceded by remarks made by Neal, expressing her gratitude at the hospitality of Archbishop José H. Gomez, who could not be at the events due to a schedule conflict. “Today has underlined and reinforced that we made a good decision in coming here. It is a wonderful space for the work we are doing here,” she said. “We are working hard to raise awareness of international peace and justice issues and trying to help Catholics put their faith into action and live out their faith concretely.”

    Homilist for the blessing was Father William Headley, CSSp, counselor to the president of CRS. Addressing the staff, he said, “God will use you to call others to a more radical discipleship. Call others to love as the Holy Father has asked. Encounter them by love and faith. Facilitate others to choose rather than just let life happen. Facilitate others to grow by their suffering. Suffering can be a vehicle for growth, a chance of redemption.”

    The CRS staff in San Antonio includes Southwest Regional Director Daniel Lizárraga, who oversees all program operations and diocesan/partner relations and supervises the CRS Southwest staff. Prior to coming to CRS, Lizárraga served 10 years in the Catholic Campaign for Human Development at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and served as executive director with the Secretariat for the Church in Latin America. Joining Lizárraga on staff are Angeles Pla, office coordinator; Anna Huth, education and formation program coordinator; Marcos G. Martínez, youth and young adult program coordinator; Father Juan Molina, OSsT, advocacy program coordinator; and Anna Kathryn Webb, partnership program coordinator. A CRS regional major gifts officer, Diana Orren, is based in Austin.

    CRS is the official international humanitarian agency of the U.S. Catholic community and provides humanitarian relief and development assistance in 99 countries worldwide. For more information on Catholic Relief Services, visit www.crs.org.