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Bishop Sis celebrates first Chrism Mass as shepherd of San Angelo diocese
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April 14, 2014SAN ANGELO —With a glinting crucifix high on the wall behind him and three pews of priests seated immediately before him, Bishop Michael J. Sis on April 10 presided over his first-ever Chrism Mass at Cathedral Church of the Sacred Heart in San Angelo.
Celebrated worldwide in the Catholic Church, the Chrism Mass is held annually on Holy Thursday morning or on another day near Easter. It is a sign of the communion of the priests with their bishop.
Sis, who in January replaced retired Bishop Michael Pfeifer, blessed the oil of catechumens, the oil of the sick and the sacred chrism before they were distributed in three small bottles to each priest or representative in the Catholic Diocese of San Angelo. Per Church tradition, the oils will be used in the sacraments at each parish.
“It’s beautiful to be a witness to the blessing of the holy oils that are used throughout the year in the life of our church,” said Roselva Ruiz, who with her husband, Bill, traveled from Odessa to attend the Mass. “I believe it’s just very important that as the people of God we have these oils, knowing where they’re coming from and their meaning. It brings about richness to relate that to the people.”
Almost four dozen priests from throughout the diocese renewed their priestly promises after Sis related the story of the Rev. Frans van der Lugt, a Dutch priest who was beaten and shot dead earlier this month in Homs, Syria. Father Frans, as he was known, had elected to stay with his flock in the war-torn city despite a mass evacuation at the beginning of the year.
The 75-year-old priest “was a loving pastor who poured out his life because he cared for the flock that God sent him to serve,” Sis told the parishioners and priests gathered before him.
Directing the priests, he said, “Priests are the heartbeat of a diocese. I affirm you in the gifts God has given to you and in your generous response to God’s call to service.”
Sis urged his pastors to work with him to build the culture of vocations in the diocese, to make it stronger. “Let’s decide to live our priesthood in a way that attracts new vocations,” he said. “Like Father Frans of Syria, today let us recommit ourselves to be loving pastors who pour out our lives because we care for the flock God has sent us to serve.”
The Rev. Michael Udegbunam traveled to the Chrism Mass from his parish in Colorado City. A native of Nigeria, Udegbunam has participated in a Chrism Mass in each of his 32 years as a priest.
“It energizes us, invigorates us, renews our spirits and our minds in the walk of God,” he said.
The Rev. Albert Ezeanya, also of Nigeria and a priest at parishes in Menard and Junction, said the Chrism Mass is uniform throughout the world. “The vow is the same,” he said, adding, “It makes us fresh again in our commitment.”
The Rev. Steven Hicks, head of the Liturgy Commission and a retired Navy chaplain, said the renewal of promises reminds priests of their dedication in serving the Church. “It’s a renewal of those promises,” said Hicks, who like Udegbunam, has been a priest 32 years. “It kind of brings you back to ordination day, like an anniversary.”
Though Sis has been a priest nearly three decades, as newly appointed bishop of the San Angelo Diocese the Chrism Mass was his first in San Angelo and his first to officiate.
“I was a little clumsy at times, but I was sustained by the liturgy of the Church and the holiness of the priests and the people,” Sis said after the Mass. “The volunteers and staff who planned the liturgy did a great job.”
The trio of oils blessed during the Chrism Mass will be used for adult catechumens and infants preparing for baptism; anointing the sick; and for baptisms, confirmations, ordinations of priests and consecrations of altars. The Chrism Mass and blessing of oils date back to the Church’s early days. The Mass is open to members of the faithful from throughout the diocese.
Becca Sankey is a freelance writer in San Angelo.
Photo: Bishop Michael J. Sis, right, and Deacon Steve Zimmerman celebrate the Chrism Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral in San Angelo, April 10, 2014.
