The M ust ard S eed
September—December 2019
A N E W S L E T T E R F R O M S T . T H O M A S A Q U IN A S P A R IS H
Two Sisters, One Heart
by Christina Ledesma
Life long parishioners María del Carmen Florentina Colin and María Isabel Guadar- rama have been serving in our parish as lay Eucharistic ministers for decades. To- gether, they help form the backbone and heart of our Spanish speaking Holy Com- munion and liturgical ministries. You can’t help but notice these two beautiful and elegantly dressed women, so regal and dignified with their bright and colorful rebo- zos wrapped around their shoulders.
Regularly you will see Maria Isabel, or Doña Chabelita, as she is affectionately known in our Spanish speaking commu- nity, attend all of our Spanish language Masses -- Saturday at 7 pm, Sundays at 1 pm, and Wednesday at 7 pm, as well as some daily masses. With tenderness in his voice, Victor Noé Cerón, Baptism Class Coordinator, refers to her as “la mamá de todos los ministerios.” Her sister, Doña Flora, can also be seen serving at either Saturday or Sunday Spanish-speaking Mass and daily Mass.
Both sisters were born and raised in Zacango, Villa Guerrero in the state of México. As most immigrants do when they come to the U.S., they come seeking safety and better economic opportunities.
Along with dreams of a better future, they brought their love for the Catholic faith, beliefs, traditions, and devotion that stretches back generations. According to the sisters, they have a cousin who is a bishop in México.
Doña Flora recounts her journey to Utah in 1981. “We came to California, to Anaheim, and we stayed there for two months when my husband decided to move to Idaho to look for work. He was hired on a chicken farm in Preston ... we were a small com- munity,” referring to the church. “The priest asked us to be Eucharistic ministers. There was no fear or worry in me,” she remem- bers with a bright grin on her face. Nearly a decade later, when Doña Chabelita arrived to Logan; she remembers with clarity our Father Clarence Sandoval exclaiming, “I need help!” She recalls his booming voice and heard his plea and, “I felt like some- thing pulled me up from the back and told me to go help.” This occurred when Mass
was previously celebrated at St. Jerome Newman Center in Logan, long before the construction of our new STA parish in Hyde Park. Before Father Clarence was our pastor, however, Doña Chabelita was already an active member and recalls help- ing Father Frank Voellmecke with childcare during Mass, catechizing children. “The church space was small and we had to go downstairs to help.”
Not only do Doña Flora and Doña Chabe- lita assist with Spanish language Masses and some English language Masses when Sacristan Maggie Miller is not available, they also assist at funerals, weddings, quinceañeras, and taking communion to the faithful. Doña Chabelita, when short on altar servers for some of the weekend Masses, will jump in to serve as an altar server. “For me it is a joy to serve in
Inside This Issue:
Two Sisters, One Heart ... 1 Welcome, Fr. Joshua ... 2 Letter From Our Pastor ... 3 Adoration of the
Blessed Sacrament ... 3 Spotlight on the
White Family ... 4 Living a Christian Life ... 5
Dona Maria Isabel & Dona Flora
church, and wherever possible as long as God grants me life,” said Doña Flora who gets to work alongside her older sister. “Both of us do the best job. It's not difficult and we try to do our best. There are instances where I feel like I am the older sister because I feel a lot of re- sponsibility over her,” she says with a giggle. She goes on to say passionately, “As the Body of Christ, members of the Church, we are called to participate and collaborate in any ministry that we can and grow. It is very good to participate. There’s a lot of need for new members to con- tribute in any ministry. There are many ministries and we are inviting people to serve where they feel comfortable because our Lord gives us gifts and it would be very nice to share these gifts.”
As seasoned members of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, both sisters have seen many changes over the years.
“One of my most precious and memorable experiences was when St. Thomas (church) was being dedicated and blessed and to see how families collaborated with bricks to build the walls,” says Doña Flora, pointing to the walls inside the gathering space. She continued with fondness in her voice, “I have a special memory of Dolores Goss- ner Wheeler and her husband, who were generous sup- porters in the construction of our church. With them I had a beautiful experience.”
Doña Chabelita recalls with gratitude coming to this coun- try and feels blessed to be able to participate in the differ- ent ministries. “We were few Catholics then in Spanish language Masses, and now we have grown considerably.
We are now many Catholics who are in service at St.
Thomas, thanks to God, thanks to the invitation that has been extended to participate in different ministries. We are grateful to Father Fernando, he is a very good priest, he says he wants the best for us, for our conversion.”
Doña Chabelita recognizes her advancing age and feels grateful to God. She adds, “even though I am an elderly person, to be able to participate in such a great ministry such as the liturgy, Eucharist, altar server, lector,” fills her heart with joy and love. Showing no signs of slowing down, Doña Chabelita also likes to organize welcoming events for new priests and birthday potlucks for our priests.
Both sisters share a passion for service at STA parish and we are thankful for their constant presence, dedica- tion, and love for the Eucharist. Doña Chabelita would like
to end with this message. “Our invitation is for all of the people who would like to participate and serve in our community. We are many followers of Jesus Christ, but few of us are actively involved in our parish. God loves us all very much and to each one of us He has given us gifts to share with others. What would you do with the gifts God has given you? Would you listen to God’s invitation He is making to you today? Say yes, don’t say no. Jesus loves you and needs you. Go on, put to work the talent God has gifted you with and don’t bury it because Jesus will ask you what did you do for others.”
With hearts filled with genuine gratitude and appreciation, Muchas Gracias Doña Chabelita y Doña Flora por todo su servicio a Santo Tomás! Que Dios las bendiga siem- pre.
Welcome, Fr. Joshua
Our parish was sad to say farewell to Sister Marilyn Mark at a gather- ing on June 22nd. While she wore many hats at STA, her main responsi- bility was the care and nurturing of the Newman Center on the USU cam- pus. But hark, Bishop Solis has blessed us with our new Pastoral Associ- ate, Fr. Joshua Santos, who will shepherd our Newman students and the Newman Center.. His broader role and assign- ments will be unfold in
the coming months as Fr. Fernando determines how to make best use of Fr. Joshua’s talents.
Fr. Joshua remarked, “To all the parishioners of St. Tho- mas Aquinas and to the whole community of St.
Jerome Newman Center. I thank you for the warm and loving welcome. I am filled with joy and excitement to be given a privilege to serve and work with you for the good of our Catholic Church. I am both deeply humbled and honored.” Stay tuned for a more expanded
article about Fr. Joshua in the next Mustard Seed.
Father Joshua Santos
Sister Marilyn Mark
“There are many ministries and we are inviting people to serve where they feel comfortable because our Lord gives us gifts and it would be very nice to share
these gifts.”
Letter From Our Pastor
This year 2019, several of our well-known, beloved parish- ioners have departed to our Lord's home: Anne Carter (+
June 19, 2019) was a woman full of faith and love who radi- ated joy until the last day of her life, a person who served our community with all her heart. Gloria B. Raney (+ July 9, 2019) was a person who shared her happiness every Sunday for being able to at- tend Mass and spend time with her friends of St. Thomas until the last days of her life; at the end of the Sunday Eucharist with a sincere smile she repeated how happy she felt to attend the Holy Mass. Craig Olin Kruse (+ July 23,2019) a man of frequent Mass who surprised us with his sudden death in a motorcycle accident. Don Sleeper (+ July 2019) was a man of faith and Sunday Mass. Mary Kwiek (+ May 14, 2019), + Celeste Herman, + Roberto Alvarado, + John Spencer Walters, + Mirella Alejandre;
we entrust all these good Christians to God's mercy and love. God bless you for all for what you did in life for your loved ones and for our parish. May you all rest in peace.
In June we gave our farewell to Sister Marilyn who, after serving many years at the Newman Center and in St.
Thomas Aquinas, was called by her congregation – the Order of St. Benedict -- to continue her service with her community of religious sisters at the mother house in Min- nesota. We wish her blessings on her new mission.
It is of great joy to us that our Bishop Oscar Solís has had the benevolence to send a priest as parochial vicar of St.
Thomas Aquinas and chaplain of the Newman Center.
The presence of Fr. Joshua Santos will give our commu- nity the opportunity to enjoy the sacraments frequently and for him to impart all the spiritual goods inherent to the ministerial priesthood. Welcome Fr. Joshua to our parish community.
We begin a new year of catechism and confirmation classes with high number of students. We will have about 200 children and adolescents receiving formation for their respective sacraments in our classrooms. We encourage them and their parents to be active in the life of our parish with an active attendance in the Sunday Masses.
May God bless all of you brothers and sisters and may He allow us to continue to grow together in faith.
With blessings, Father Fernando
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
by Linda Bradak
For the last four years, whenever the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament takes place at St. Thomas Aqui- nas,the beautiful decorations have been by lovingly pre- pared by Luz Medina. Luz and her husband, Francisco, own Princess Fashion, on Main Street in Logan. Their business provides everything needed to celebrate Quin- cereanas, Baptisms, weddings and proms: it's well- supplied with all the niceties required to make our Church look extra special when we hold Adoration.
I was awed when I walked into the our church on May 29 to be part of a 40-hour Adoration to pray for vocations.
Not only was the Church decorated in a way I had never seen before, the feeling of reverence and spirituality was deepened further by the soft sound of Gregorian chant playing in the background.
St. Thomas Aquinas is modern, in a relatively unadorned edifice. Yet as I entered on May 29 to pray for an hour, I felt as though I were in a European cathedral. I wish the soft background chant music could be part of this article.
When I asked Luz Medina why she does regular decora- tion of our Church, she replied that she already had all the necessary materials on hand. She loves beauty and she loves her Catholic faith; the TV station EWTN is on constantly in her work place. Though she admits that "It is sometimes hard" to get everything done which life de- mands of her, Luz says "Giving the gift of beauty and decoration to God and to His people" is what she loves to do. We are grateful for her art, her love, her devotion and her skill.
Fr. Fernando Velasco
Spotlight on the White Family
by Linda Bradak
Have you had the experience of meeting people and coming away as refreshed as though you were a thirsty traveler happening onto an oasis? I have. Interviewing Matt and Christy White, new STA parishioners, gave me a spiritual boost I am eager to share.
The White family consist of Matt, Christy, David (12), Audrey (10), and George (8). Matthew was recruited by Utah State University in 2017 to serve as Vice President for Advancement and President of the USU Foundation, which supports the university’s endowments. The family moved here from St. Louis MO, a highly Catholic city, and now live on an east bench in North Logan. First a high school teacher, Matt subsequently moved into the realm of organizational fundraising which brought him to USU.
His spouse is Christy has a Master’s degree in Physical Therapy and extensive orthopedic and pediatric experi- ence, particularly in water therapies. David and Audrey both are altar servers, while George has had his First Communion.
In their youth, both Matt and Christy attended Catholic schools, as did all three children prior to moving to Logan.
In the absence of such opportunity in Cache Valley, the Whites are particularly diligent about sharing the faith with the children. “We make sure with them always to empha- size the love of God and Jesus, to have compassion for others,” Christy remarks. They have Rosary apps on their
phones and love holding “Rosary challenges” regularly.
Christian music frequently plays in their home. As a mem- ber of the Knights of Columbus here, Matt is particularly interested in DDD funding.
Back in St. Louis, the children took part in monthly Masses for Children, where kids served as Lectors and brought the Gifts forward. “It was a great way to prepare kids to grow into Catholic adults,” Matt points out. He also suggested that a short early morning Mass, as he often attended there, might be a fine spiritual way to begin weekdays, plus more accessible to working parishioners than 12 noon Mass. I myself used to begin my day back in NJ with a 7 a.m. Mass, reminding me of my faith all day long.
Matt and Audrey were recently in Europe, where they vis- ited Montreux and Zermatt in Switzerland, with the USU Jazz Orchestra, which was invited to play in the Montreux Jazz Festival. Though that part of the trip was clearly memorable, even more so for the couple was their trip to Italy. They visited Florence and Rome. At the Vatican, they had a special experience. Matt’s grandfather George Westrick, now 95, as a young man had a close call with appendicitis. He was treated by a Catholic nun, Sister Barbara Ann Muttra, a member of the hospital mission sisters called the Adorers of the Blood of Christ. They became lifelong friends. The founder of that order was St.
Maria de Matais, whose shrine is in Rome. Matt and Christy spent hours there, proudly showing me their relic with a bone fragment of that saint.
It is easy for older Catholics to be discouraged sometimes by the worldliness we see around us and the difficulties we find in getting others “to walk the mile and share the load.” It is refreshing and heartening to encounter youth- ful, spirited Catholics whose faith is the center of their lives and who embody eagerness to carry it forth to the future.
Matt, Christy, David, Audrey & George White
“We make sure with [our children] always to emphasize the love of God and Jesus, to
have compassion for others”
Living a Christian Life
by Amy Gomez
As an adult Catholic convert, and retired K-12 teacher, and former reli- gious education teacher, the begin- ning of religious education classes in September always reminds me of the moment I became aware that I was on a spectacular faith journey. I experienced this epiphany just a few days before the “whirlwind” of receiv- ing my Catholic Baptism, First Communion, Reconcilia- tion, Confirmation and Marriage sacraments -- all on one spectacular and ethereal day, on April 9, 1985.
I was 25 years old and waiting outside of the Monsignor’s office for my final catechumen interview after a few years of independent study, followed by a year of ardent and passionate catechumenate preparation. As I waited, it was truly humbling to wonder if I would ever be able to know, truly grasp, adequately understand, or explain to the Monsignor … or for that matter to my huge LDS ex- tended family, the beautiful meaning and origins of the Catholic dogmas, mysteries, saints, prayers, the signifi- cance and sheer impact of Catholicism on human history -- there was just so much to know! I was worried I would forget part of the Nicene Creed or one of my prayers dur- ing this critical final interview. And then suddenly, a sub- lime whoohooshhh of calm and clarity swept over me as I sat there in the waiting area, and I realized : “The only thing that really matters is that I am committed to living a Christian life; knowledge and spiritual growth will certainly
come in time; I am on the right path.” It was at that mo- ment, that I knew I was on a spectacular journey. Receiv- ing all of my sacraments, just a few days later, was like finding bread to mark the path.
My passion and desire to learn all there is to know seemed to be fueled by God’s grace. I marveled at how the church -- now my church -- like a battle-scarred gladiator had survived age after age in answer to the prayers and courage of ordinary faithful people (and some not so ordinary) all like fibers of one sturdy common thread, woven through the fabric of God’s Church on Earth, and I marvel to wonder how my Catholic Baptism
connects me to this vast Body of Christ through the ages.
My desire to learn more led me to discover one not so ordinary Catholic, one Ludwig Wittgenstein, an Austrian WWI-II era soldier and scholar, and philosopher of logic, mathematics, the mind and language. He had survived both World Wars and his writings resound my epiphany.
In his work, Lectures of Religious Belief, he states
“Religion is no less than a way of life -- all of one’s life – even before it becomes a set of beliefs, and this is the essence of faith and a sign of grace.”
Note that Wittgenstein had some serious struggles and also many advantages in life -- so in many ways, like any one of us. But what made him extraordinary was his aim to prove his beliefs the only way he claimed a person could ever prove his belief in a religion: by living it. Inci- dentally, Wittgenstein also authentically shared his beliefs with others by living them. Further, his drive to publish his work made it possible for me, a Catholic convert, to dis- cover the “sturdy common thread” through learning of his experience and then experience my own connection and continuity generations later.
So, as the religious education year begins, remember that these patterns of truth, experience and grace surely re- mind us that we are all connected so that God is ever pre- sent, we are on a spectacular journey, and our beautiful Catholic sacraments are bread to mark the path.
“The only thing that really matters is that I am committed to living a Christian life;
knowledge and spiritual growth will certainly come in time...”
Ludwig Wittgenstein
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Many thanks to our contributors for this issue:
Editor: Adrienne Akers Layout: David Welch
Writers: Father Fernando, Linda Bradak, Amy Go- mez, Christina Ledesma
Translator: Guillermo Gomez
Distribution: Gary Bradak and a host of volunteers.
Mustard Seed is published three times a year.
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