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Father John Suenram, OCD, pastor of the basilica, noted that while the friars who had helped to establish the original church were no longer with us, “they would be thrilled to see their plans for a structural tribute to St. Thérèse had continued to evolve.” He observed that it was due to the help of many groups and individuals, including those present, that needed restoration had been able to continue thus far, with much still remaining to be completed.
Musical entertainment was provided by the San Antonio Symphony Mastersingers, singing “Ave Maria” and “The Lord Bless and Keep You” and by the Little Flower Children’s Choir, whose rendition of “The Canticle of St. Thérèse” was sung in the darkened basilica, while children processed up the center aisle, scattering rose petals from illuminated baskets.
Following a brief time for reflection on the uplifting artwork and spiritual beauty of the basilica, the gathering moved across the street to the parish hall, transformed for the occasion into an elegant banquet hall.
Deborah Knapp served as mistress of ceremonies, first introducing Father Suenram, who presented an overview of the life of St. Thérèse. He referred to her as “without a doubt, one of the most important figures in the Catholic Church in the 20th century,” and read briefly from her autobiography, The Story of a Soul.
“Her greatest work during life was the simple yet demanding task of loving Jesus and making him loved,” he said, observing that her doctrine of “the little way” has found its influence in many different areas. He noted that San Antonio’s basilica is the most important structure built in St. Thérèse’s honor in the United States.
A short video presentation on the basilica’s history and community followed, with the grace before meals being offered by Auxiliary Bishop Patrick J. Zurek, who prefaced this by thanking the Carmelite community for building and maintaining the shrine and “for teaching and living the legacy of St. Thérèse for these 75 years” at the basilica.
Honored that evening with the Little Flower Basilica’s first St. Thérèse Awards were four women whose lives have emulated the actions and values of St. Thérèse of Lisieux: Amelia Jimenez Duran, Patricia Diaz Dennis, Linda Hardberger and Elvira M. Cisneros. A short film clip was presented on each, followed by presentation to the honorees of childhood portraits of St. Thérèse, the work of artist Roberto Garza from Monterrey, México.
Emilia Jimenez Duran, co-owner of the bilingual newspaper La Prensa, was recognized for her many years of community service, in which she has nurtured 38 foster children, spearheaded a program that distributes stuffed bears to nursing homes, and provided scholarships for financially disadvantaged children, as well as bringing food to the hungry and homeless.
Surprised when initially told of the award, Duran said, “What I do comes from my heart. … I don’t see it as being a big thing, what I do. I love it. I enjoy helping the poor. I enjoy helping the homeless. I enjoy being a mother. This is my life.”
Patricia Diaz Dennis, chair of the Board of Girl Scouts of the USA, received her award in recognition of her role in helping young women develop leadership skills through Scouting. She also serves as senior vice president and assistant general counsel for AT&T and has received presidential appointments and served in three federal government positions.
Diaz Dennis noted that Girl Scouts is about “building girls, one girl at a time, encouraging confidence and character, who will make this world a better place.” She accepted her award on behalf of Latinas everywhere “and on behalf of each and every girl who deserves better and Girl Scouts.”
Linda Hardberger, curator of the Tobin Collection of Theatre Arts at the McNay Art Museum from 1984 through 2001, was honored for her work with the community gardens project, which serves not only to beautify the city, but brings families and communities together to build a sense of pride in themselves and their neighborhoods. She has also been a supporter of the basilica in their beautification projects.
Hardberger related that she was especially delighted to be honored for this longtime concern of hers, emphasizing the need to build community as well as green spaces. Speaking first in her native Spanish and then translating into English, she said, “When we sow seeds, we reap fruit and flowers. When we sow love, we reap peace and friendship.”
Award recipient Elvira Cisneros, affectionately known as “Mrs. C.,” was recognized for her years of tireless work and dedication to AVANCE, a not-for-profit agency that provides parent-child support and education services to high-risk, low-income families, as well as for her service to many other community service organizations and to Little Flower, her parish church since its founding in 1926.
Cisneros accepted the award on behalf of the many who have helped at Little Flower over the years, saying “I share it with them.” She also thanked AVANCE, saying her involvement with them had been like earning a college degree. “They have taught me so many things,” she said, “and I have learned so many things and I have received so much respect and love from AVANCE.”
Other dignitaries recognized as present that evening included Archbishop Emeritus Patrick F. Flores; Mayor Phil Hardberger; former mayor and HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros; former mayor Lila Cockrell; Councilwoman Elena Guajardo; Tino Duran, co-owner of La Prensa; and Theresa Lozano, whose family has served the Carmelite friars at the basilica since its founding.
Following the awards, festivities adjourned to the basilica’s undercroft, where a silent auction of religious fine art took place and the granite sculpture, “Suspended Cross,” by renowned sculptor Jesús Moroles, was displayed. It was announced that bids, starting at $15,000 would be taken on this piece, valued at $50,000, through Dec. 15. Proceeds raised from this and the artwork auctioned that night will be used for Little Flower’s ongoing restoration efforts.
Included in this are plans for the installation of a sacred garden at the Kentucky Street entrance to the St. Elias Chapel, which will feature a replica of a portal at Mount Carmel. The arch’s keystone will contain stones, pottery shards and bone relics from seven unknown Carmelite martyrs, obtained following an excavation project in the Holy Land, and which were displayed that night in the undercroft’s unfinished spirituality center, where the silent auction took place.
Attendees that night were also able to see the nearly completed St. Elias Adoration Chapel, made possible through a gift of the Joe and Sophia Abdo family. A video of the film Thérèse was set up for viewing here while the silent auction was in progress.
Three large banners with scenes from the life of St. Thérèse and two portraits of her on easels graced the spirituality center’s stage, along with a time capsule to be placed in a cornerstone (also displayed), which will be opened on the basilica’s 100th anniversary.
Guests that night were invited to write prayers or notes on the archival paper supplied, to be placed in the time capsule, as well as pictures or other small mementos. All of these were handled by gloved parishioners and sealed in special archival sleeves to preserve them before being placed in the capsule. The final item to be deposited was a letter from Archbishop José H. Gomez, placed there by Father Suenram.
Following the ceremonial sealing of the container with red ribbons and a wax seal, a champagne toast was offered by Father Suenram in honor of St. Thérèse, to the Abdo family and to all who, over the years, had donated to the basilica’s renovation, and to those gathered there that evening.
A final blessing was given by Father Gregory Ross, OCD, Carmelite provincial of New Orleans, who in conclusion called on God “to bless our community and our city with the friendship of St. Thérèse, and to bless this basilica and all those who seek you here.” |