Longhorn

Catholic
Vol. 4, Iss. 2 • May 2008
University Catholic Center

Ministry Team
Director
Fr. Dave Farnum, CSP
ext. 14, frdave@utcatholic.org

Associate Directors
Fr. Ed Koharchik, CSP
ext. 12, edcsp@utcatholic.org

Michelle Goodwin
ext. 18, michelle@utcatholic.org

Pastoral Staff
Deacon John De La Garza, Jr.
ext. 16, john@utcatholic.org
Director of Development
Amber Fogarty
ext. 13, amber@utcatholic.org
Development & Communications
Coordinator
Vanessa Mena
ext. 23, vanessa@utcatholic.org
Business Administrator
Ruben Garza
ext. 11, ruben@utcatholic.org
Touched by Hope
in El Salvador
On March 10, 2008, twenty-two students and three staff members from the UCC
traveled to the Bajo Lempa River region of rural El Salvador with the Austin-based,
non-profit Foundation for Self-Sufficiency in Central America (FSSCA). For one week,
the delegates collaborated with a local grassroots organization to participate in house
construction and solidarity work in agricultural, environmental and art projects. The
students also engaged in cultural exchange, social justice education, and spiritual
reflection. During the last days of their stay, they traveled to San Salvador to visit the
home and chapel of martyred Archbishop Oscar Romero. Below, Marie Granado, a UT
Senior majoring in Psychology, shares her personal experiences about the trip.

Receptionist
Beth Boren
ext. 10, frontdesk@utcatholic.org
Campus Ministry Interns
Brandon Kraft
ext. 17, kraft@utcatholic.org
Chris Babb
ext. 15, chris@utcatholic.org
Phone: 512.476.7351
It has been three weeks since my expe-
rience with the Mission Trip to El Salvador.
Everyday, the entire journey has played in
my mind like a reel of short film clips. In a
way, I am still there in those moments. I am
still laughing at the most immature jokes. I
am still sweating in the high humid Salva-
dorian heat. I am still crying over the viv-
id images my mind created when I heard
the stories of survivors straight from their
mouths and hearts. I find myself holding on
able encounter with God, the most memo-
rable moment for me was when we visited
the University of Central America. There
we had the privilege of listening to the sto-
ry of former priest, Chencho. We all sat in
the pews of the campus church after walk-
ing about and touring the Jesuit seminary
and memorial. It was a humble church,
though the decorations were anything short
of simple. As we walked in to listen to
Chencho’s story, drawings of the torture of

Mass Schedule to every moment of that one week because

Sunday Mass
9 &11:30AM, 5 & 8PM
Daily Mass
Mon, Wed, Fri: 12:05PM
Tues, Thurs: 12:30PM
I fear that if I forget one memory today, I
will lose it forever. That is how profound
of an impact the Mission Trip has had on
me.
Though the entire trip was one remark-
the Salvadorian people, in representation
of the Stations of the Cross, loomed above
the entrance. We sat in silence as Chencho
recalled his witness to Archbishop Oscar
Romero. The encouraging story of Rome-
ro’s transformation and assassination was
{continued on pg. 2}
 Longhorn Catholic
{continued from pg. 1}

A MESSAGE
from the Director...
“You should have been there!” I’ve had this
thought a lot over the past few months.
Especially when I describe the 2008 Easter Vigil
to folks.You should have seen the faces of those
8 UT students as they emerged soaking wet after
being fully immersed in the baptismal font. They
were simply glowing with the promise of new life
Fr. Dave Farnum, CSP in the Risen Christ.
filled with so much hope and strength.
I heard “You should have been there!” from our students who traveled to El This strength, however, was no
Salvador over Spring Break. Coordinated through the Foundation for Self- match for the most emotional moments
Sufficiency in Central America, our students’ Catholic faith expanded as they
that came when one of the missionaries
learned first-hand about building justice and peace through empowerment. This
asked about Chencho’s own experience
was a life-changing experience for the 22 students and 3 staff members as they
walked in the footsteps of Archbishop Oscar Romero. The paschal mystery of
with kidnapping and torture. I was so
Easter is reflected in these words spoken by Romero a few weeks before he was touched to see how Chencho was able
assassinated: to step back into those moments, though
they happened many years ago, and still
“If God accepts the sacrifice of my life, may my death be for the freedom of feel so much anguish. Enough even to
my people ... A bishop will die, but the Church of God, which is the people, will cry. Naturally, I cried as well. As he
never perish. If they kill me, I shall arise in the Salvadoran people.” wiped the tears from his eyes, I almost
Finally, “You should have been there” echoed from the overflowing Easter felt like I was suffering the same pain; it
weekend Masses out at St. Paul the Apostle Chapel in Horseshoe Bay. The Catholic was in that moment that I first felt true
faith community welcomed Paulist Father Bob Scott back as pastor in grand style. solidarity.
To my knowledge, Father Bob is the oldest pastor in the Diocese of Austin (and I am so grateful for that one week
perhaps in all the dioceses of Texas!), and without doubt, one of the most loved. opportunity. It really changed my life,
You will find his updated contact information in this edition of Longhorn Catholic. how I view the world, and how I want
May this season of resurrection bring renewed hope to you and yours. to live in it. I never expected to be so
affected by the Salvadorian people,
culture, and even the missionaries with
which I shared all this. Looking back, I
would not have changed a thing. I truly
believe that this group of missionaries
possessed a special bond that no other

Fr. Dave-
group could replicate. That bond only
UCC made each experience more memorable.

have U n i v e r s ity Ave. Hopefully, that bond, along with the in-

s h o u l d 2010
You
finite hope and astounding strength of

! 7 8705
been there
X
the Salvadorian people, will stay in my

Austin , T mind and influence every action as I go

on to live in the world.

To read more of the missionaries experiences, or

see a video from the trip, visit:
www.utcatholic.org/news.php

University Catholic Center

 May 2008
 Longhorn Catholic
Alumni Spotlight
JP and Aida Regalado welcomed Emma Veronica Regalado into the family on April 6, 2008. JP graduated from
UT in 1996 with a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology and again in 2002 with a Master of Arts in Education
Administration. Aida graduated in 1998 with a Bachelors of Arts in Sociology. Their three boys, John David,
Sammy, and Carlos, are excited about their new baby sister.

Victor Johnson and Carolyn Gebhard (‘00 B.S. and ‘03 J.D.) were married February 2, 2008, at Saint Thomas
Aquinas in Dallas. While at UT, Carolyn participated in several Longhorn Awakenings and was a Lambda
Little Sister. UCC alums Tommy Gebhard (‘03 BBA in Finance), Danny Gebhard (‘05 BBA in Finance), Jackie
Moreno (‘00 BA in Psychology) and Jennifer Eblen were part of the wedding party. Carolyn & Victor are both

Do you want to share your news with Longhorn Catholics?

Send it to Vanessa Mena at vanessa@utcatholic.org

Stewardship Corner ...offering gifts of time, talent & treasure

The UCC’s 2nd Annual Phonathon—February 7-27, 2008—
resulted in almost $22,000 in pledges for the University
Catholic Center. For 13 nights, UCC student volunteers Total amount pledged: $21,811
called alumni, friends, and benefactors asking them to
support Catholic campus ministry at UT—and support us Number of gifts: 241
they did! The statistics say it all (at right).
Average gift: $90
A special thank you to UCC Staff Member, Brandon Kraft, Number of student callers: 49
who managed this year’s Phonathon, as well as Adam Henry,
a Senior Mathematics major, who served as the Phonathon Number of student hours on the phone: 156
Student Manager for the second consecutive year. Without
their hard work and dedication, this important fundraiser Total calls completed: 1,093
would not have been possible!
Total calls attempted: 2,580
For those of you we did not reach on the telephone during Student with the most call shifts: Saul Godinez (13)
the Phonathon, there are other opportunities to make a
financial gift to the University Catholic Center. The easiest Student with the most gifts: Saul Godinez
way is to return the envelope enclosed in this newsletter. If ($3,160)
you prefer to make a contribution using a credit card, please
visit our web site, http://www.utcatholic.org/development. Student group with the most call shifts:
php, and click on Donate Today at the top of the screen. Catholic Student Association

The UCC is grateful for each and every financial

contribution. It takes approximately $2,000 per day to run
this vibrant ministry, and your support makes it happen!
Catholic Longhorn students rely on the University Catholic
Center to be their “home away from home” during their
college years. Thank you for believing in the mission of the
University Catholic Center and for continually supporting us.

If you’re interested in learning about monthly giving or would like to include the University Catholic Center in your will,
please contact Amber Fogarty at 512-476-7351 x13 or amber@utcatholic.org.

University Catholic Center

 May 2008
 Longhorn Catholic

•
100 th A n n iversary
The University Catholic Center cordially invites you to celebrate a
century of Catholic Campus Ministry at the
E ve n ts

UCC 100th Anniversary Picnic

100th Anniversary Gala
Saturday, November 1, 2008
5:00PM MASS
Celebrated by Cardinal Daniel DiNardo and Bishop Gregory Aymond
FORMAL DINNER, FOLLOWING MASS
AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center
TO PURCHASE TICKETS
www.utcatholic.org/anniversary.php
FOR SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES / PURCHASE A TABLE
Contact Amber Fogarty, (512) 476-7351 x13 or amber@ucatholic.org
Gather with the University Catholic Center
family of past and present in a casual
environment on Sunday, November 2, 2008.
Following a commemorative anniversary
Mass at 10:30 am at the UCC, we will
come together for a picnic at Zilker Park.
It will be a time to share stories from
the past and create new memories for the
future. We hope to see you there! If you
would like to be a part of this anniversary
event, contact Vanessa Mena at vanessa@
utcatholic.org.

For more information , v i s i t w w w . u t c a t h o l i c . o rg / a n n i v e r s a r y . p hp

Pod casting
Blending Mass & Technology
On February 4, 2008, Father Bob Scott,
CSP returned to Horseshoe Bay to serve
as pastor of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic
Church. As you may remember, Father
Bob served as pastor there from 1995
What’s a podcast? Think of it like a radio segment that you can listen to whenever and to 1999. We will miss his energy, posi-
wherever you like. Were you really sick on Sunday and missed Mass? No longer in Aus- tive attitude, and warm smile that have
tin and miss hearing Fr. Dave, Fr. Ed or Deacon John? With Homilies from the UCC, you shaped the UCC and its community for
can catch your favorite homilies at home, on the bus, while running on the trail and more. many years. We invite you to join with
Why a podcast? Fr. Dave started the publishing trend at the UCC in October 2006. Since us in prayer and warm wishes as we say
good luck to Father Bob as he heads on
then, Deacon John and Fr. Ed have also joined the ranks of recorded preachers. The Pau-
to his next Good Stop!
list Fathers, the order that Fr. Ed and Fr. Dave belong to, promote that our Catholic truths
can reach more people if we use the most modern technology. The Paulists were one Fr. Bob can now be reached at:
(830) 598-8342
of the first Catholic groups to use newspapers, radio, television, movie cinema and the St. Paul the Apostle
Internet to spread the word of God. It was in this tradition that the UCC decided to begin P.O. Box 8019
podcasting. By podcasting, we are able to reach out to students directly, at a low cost and, Horseshoe Bay,TX 78657
most importantly, in their language. frbob@tstar.net
Do people listen? Yes! On average, each homily is downloaded over 200 times, and the
2007 Easter homily was downloaded more than 400 times. This year alone the UCC Fr. Bob Scott’s
homilies have been downloaded over 5,000 times—this is a media that is constantly Next
expanding.
“Good Stop”
One of the great challenges—and great joys—in campus ministry is the need to be able to
reach out to the students using the means that are popular to them. Between the cheetah-
like speeds of technological advancement and the complete turnover of students every
four or five years, we have to be ready to move forward in ministry using new forms of
technology as soon as they emerge as the lingua franca of college students. Through these
new technological means, we’re able to evangelize to campus in ways like never before.

Listen to homilies and learn how to subscribe at http://www.utcatholic.org/blog/

University Catholic Center

 May 2008
 Longhorn Catholic
RCIA &THE UCC † OUR GROWING CATHOLIC COMMUNITY
munion of the Catholic
Church depends on their
background, readiness,
and preparation. For
this reason, the UCC
celebrates the full com-
munion of candidates at
various times through-
out the year.

Since 2006, close to 70

adults have been a part
of this process. Cur-
rently, the UCC has over twenty people involved in RCIA at
different stages of their formation.
Fr. Ed
baptizes one Increasing interest in religious formation programs has been a
of the eight
common theme around the Catholic Center. This year alone, the
elect at the
Easter Vigil, UCC saw a record number of forty students enroll in the adult
March 22. confirmation program, and the marriage preparation workshop
hit an all time high with thirty couples participating in the
March 28-29 weekend.
Songs of joy echoed throughout the chapel during the Easter
Vigil as eight catechumens celebrated their full initiation (Bap- These numbers are just a small representation of the exciting
tism, Confirmation, and Eucharist) and three candidates made growth and religious formation that continue to take place in
their profession of faith and were fully received into the Catho- the UCC community!
lic Church (through Confirmation and Eucharist).
(Top right) A few of the newly received—Travis Armes, Nicholas Chu and Juan
Camarillo—pose for a photo with Fr. Ed after the Easter Vigil.
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults process, under the (Below) Fr. Ed and the newly baptized proudly pose for a picture at the end of
loving guidance of Fr. Ed Koharchik, has been tailored to the the Easter Vigil. (L-R, Back Row: Femi Olasupo, Adam Shendelman, Andre Hui, Fr.
unique setting of the UCC. Unlike many parishes that follow a Ed, Aliya Baig; Front Row: Vivian Xue, Chi Elliott, Jaime Fink, Nancy Ngo)
nine-month fall to spring academic approach to RCIA, the UCC
offers year-round catechumenate. This schedule is founded on
the teachings of RCIA that recognize the need for gradual ini-
tiation of the catechumens within a faith community. This ap-
proach accommodates the varying spiritual journey of adults
influenced by factors ranging from God’s grace to circumstanc-
es of time and place (RCIA, 4-5). With this structure, an adult
seeking to become Catholic is welcomed into the process at the
UCC whenever they express an interest.

The process for a catechumenate, one seeking Baptism, Confir-

mation, and Eucharist, varies from that of a candidate, a person
who was already baptized in the Christian tradition. In accor-
dance with National Statues for the Catechumenate set forth by
the bishops, the process of a catechumenate extends for at least
one year from the time the catechumen celebrates the rite of ac-
ceptance until their initiation at the Easter Vigil, and centers on
the individual studying his or her initial faith, what conversion
means, and committing to journey toward a deeper relation-
ship with Christ. However, these same statutes outline that, for
candidates that have lived as Christians and need only instruc-
tion in the Catholic tradition, their welcome into the full com-

University Catholic Center

 May 2008
 Longhorn
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID

Catholic
Austin, Texas
Permit No. 311

2010 University Avenue

Austin, TX 78705
512.476.7351

The University Catholic Center is off to serve again! On May 19, 2008, twenty students and four
staff members will be traveling to Slidell, Louisiana for a six-day mission trip. During that time, these mis-
sionaries will be rebuilding houses to aid the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Please keep this group in your
prayers as they spread the love of Christ and make a difference in the lives of folks in need!

See what’s inside! University Catholic Center • Austin, Texas

RCIA

www.utcatholic.org
El Salvador Spring Break