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Behold Your Mother
Newsletter of the Brothers of the Beloved Disciple

Number 45: Christmas 2009
Moderator: Fr. George T. Montague, S.M.
Assistant Moderator: Fr. Robert Hogan, B.B.D.
Rev. Joseph Mary Marshall, S.M. (Pastor). Rev. Will Combs, B.B.D., (Parochial Vicar)
1701 Alametos, San Antonio, TX 78201
(210) 734-6727 www.BrothersOfTheBelovedDisciple.org
E-mail: GMontague@StMaryTX.edu
Episcopal Advisor: Most Rev. Thomas J. Flanagan, D.D.

In a world of violence and bloodshed, of terrorists and hate, comes the greatest good news of LIFE, the birth of God as man. He affirms all that is human and calls us to look beyond the billowing smoke of destruction to simply believe in him who said, “I have come that they may have life and have it in abundance” (John 10:10).

Fight for life continues at local San Antonio abortion clinics

Members of our community participated in the “Forty Days for Life,” a national movement organized locally by the San Antonio Coalition for Life. For forty days people gathered to pray around the clock at two abortion clinics in San Antonio. The event opened in the rain with Fr. George sharing one of his experiences outside an abortion clinic: A few drops were the farewell gift left on my windshield by the timid rain Saturday morning as I got in my red Corolla and headed for the Planned Parenthood at 104 Babcock. It was abortion day. Parked across the street, I slipped my rosary from the rear –view mirror and joined the handful of faithful praying on the sidewalk and holding signs like: “Adoption is the Loving Option” and “Abortion Hurts Women.”

Cars jockeyed for space in the clinic’s lot, as one woman after another, avoiding a glance at us, disappeared into the maw of the abortuary. I began to lead the joyful mysteries: Mary’s conception of Jesus, Elizabeth and Mary rejoicing at their pregnancy, Mary giving birth at Bethlehem, and the other celebrations of life.
Shortly a twenty-something young man in a black “Planned Parenthood” T-shirt emerged from the clinic and stood facing me at arms length, hoping, I suppose, that his closeness would intimidate me and the other prayer-warriors.
When that didn’t work, he got in his white Honda parked directly in front of us, turned on the radio and left it blaring as he walked back into the clinic. Stimulated by this ploy, we prayed even harder, now the mysteries of the passion and death of Jesus.
Cars would come and go, delivering women and picking them up. Alas, there were rosaries other than ours on that parking lot. They hung from the rear-view mirrors of some of the cars delivering women to the abortion mill.
And one car even had the window sticker reading A.C.T.S., the popular Catholic retreat program. These were the most painful to see. About the time of the last sorrowful mystery, the death of Jesus on the cross, I caught sight of something right in front of me that I had missed. Above the blaring car radio hung a tag bearing a brown cross, with a red circle and slash across it.
It didn’t merely say to me that the young man hated Christians. Through it a different voice said to me, “You are standing at Calvary. I too died because I was unwanted. I am dying now in the person of these innocents.
Thank you for not letting me die alone.”
Calvary at 104 Babcock.
But there was an Easter!
At a rally closing the 40 Days for Life, Amy Vorhees, the local coordinator, was able to share several resurrection- like stories from the 40 days: Roughly a thousand prayer-warriors participated in the campaign. At Planned Parenthood nine babies’ lives were saved, at Reproductive Services 3 lives were saved—AND benefactors came forward with funds to rent a property half a block down from Planned Parenthood to open an alternative for women troubled with an unplanned pregnancy!
During the 40 days for Life in Bryan, Texas, Abby Johnson, director of a Planned Parenthood clinic, after seeing the ultra-sound of an abortion, resigned, walked out of the clinic and joined the pro-life crowd praying across the street!

Blessed Sacrament Escorted by Youths

Hundreds of youth, following the Blessed Sacrament escorted by the Knights of Columbus, are not daunted by the rain as they take Jesus to the Streets, processing from St. Henry’s church to San Fernando Cathedral October 11.

Parish begins weekly charismatic mass

Charismatic Mass

St. Mary Magdalen has now started a weekly charismatic Sunday Mass. Since October, every 12:30pm Sunday Mass at the parish is designated as “charismatic” mass. What’s the difference between a charismatic mass and a “regular” Mass? During a typical charismatic Mass, there is more time designated for praise and worship and experience of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Church of the City Conference

Fr. Will Combs prays with an evangelist

Father Will Combs prays with an Evangelical minister before speaking at the “Church of the City Conference,” an ecumenical endeavor of prayer for the transformation of the city of San Antonio. Held on October 2-4, it was the third year the Brothers of the Beloved Disciple have been involved in this project, which is cosponsored by the Catholic Center for Charismatic Renewal (where Fr. Bob is associate liaison) and a group of Evangelical pastors and ministers.

Fr. Joseph Mary Needs Your Prayers

Fr. Joseph Mary

Fr. Joseph Mary Marshall, member of our community and pastor of St. Mary Magdalen parish, is being treated for prostate cancer. Please pray for his healing.

Fr. Joseph Mary, Pastor leads parade kicking off parish festival October 4th.

Forming the future Brothers of the Beloved Disciple


Fr. Bob Hogan with Kirk Vandeventer and Dan Sealana

Father Bob conducts formation class with aspirants Kirk Vandeventer and Dan Sealana.

New Help for pregnant women in need

154 Babcock - Newly purchased by San Antonio Coalition for Life

The newly purchased site soon to be opened as an alternative to Planned Parenthood for women considering an abortion.
To find out more about the pro-life activities in San Antonio, you can contact The San Antonio Coalition For Life: www.SACFL.org
Or call:
Amy Voorhees
(210) 277-0099