Recent News

10/16/2008

Class of 1964,

I received the following from Rudy Elder

Mary Ann was in the hospital for 18 days due to post-surgery complications. She is getting her strength back. She has rare, aggressive form of uterine cancer, pappillary serous carcinoma, so keep the prayers coming. We're getting a second opinion on treatment next week at the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa. More than likely, Mary Ann will start chemotherapy in two or three weeks.

Please try to include her in your thoughts and prayers.....................

T. Mike Mattingly

Mon 10/13/2008 8:42 AM

Hey Guys,

I just heard from Coach Tom McGuire and he is going to try to come to the reunion this year!

T. Mike Mattingly

Hello everyone,

I want to urge everyone to... RSVP to Paul Enger.

We also noted an error in the pricing for the dinner on Saturday the 25th. It is $60.00 for alumni only. Guests of alumni are $40.00. Please mail your check to:

Paul Enger ’68
609 E. Robinson
El Paso, TX 79902
cell 915-892-6722
Home 915-533-4131
Office 915-534-0617

Oct. 11, 2008

Hello everyone,

As you all know, the class of 1968 is hosting the reunion this year. I have heard from Father Jack Vessels. He is attending and will be bringing Brother George Murphy with him. I also know that we will be joined by Father Ed Gros and Father Louis Lambert from Sacred Heart Parish. Coach Duane Evans has informed me that he will be attending. I hope to hear from more of the faculty soon.

Here is what the schedule looks like so far. Friday, October 24th, 6pm to ?? - cocktails and camaraderie, Dome Bar, Camino Hotel.

Saturday, October 25th, 3:30pm, Holy Mass celebrated by Fr. Eddie Gros, S.J. at Sacred Heart Parish. Please ignore the incorrect time and place posted at the website.

Saturday, October 25th, 6pm to 7pm, cocktails in the Oasis bar in the annex of the Plaza Theatre (across the street from the Camino Hotel).

Saturday, October 25th, 7pm to 9pm, Buffet Dinner, Oasis dining area. Saturday, October 25th, 9pm to 9:30pm, Jesuit High School Graduating Class of 1968 Documentary Presentation, Philanthropy Theatre in the annex of the Plaza Theatre. From 9:30 until conclusion, we will socialize and smooze in the best Jesuit tradition.

Please RSVP and mail your checks to:

Paul Enger: 609 E. Robinson Ave., El Paso, TX 79902-2622; email: paulenger@yahoo.com ; cell # 915-892-6722, Home 915-533-4131, Office 915-534-0617

The cost for this fantastic extravaganza is a measly $60.00 for alumni and $40.00 for each guest. Make your check out to: JHS Alumni Fund and mail it in to Paul asap. We need your help here so that the caterer has a correct count on the number of meals to prepare.

If you know of a former Jesuit alumnus, please let them know of this event. The student body and faculty list is in bad need of updating, so I would appreciate your assistance and input.

T. Mike Mattingly

Oct. 4, 2008

A note from Mike:

Hello everyone,

I received a note from Joe and Laura Karam. Their 7 year old grandson, Max, will be receiving a donated kidney from their daughter Kara. This operation will occur soon. Joe and Laura send their best to everyone. I would ask you all to remember their daughter and grandson in your prayers.

T. Mike Mattingly

Sep 20, 2008

The following letter has been sent to everybody. Please take the time to read it carefully and follow your heart. Donations should be made out to Sacred Heart Church with "Family Development Fund" written in the memo corner of the check.

Dear Jesuit High Alumnus:

My name is Fr. Edwin Gros, S.J. , and I am the new pastor of Sacred Heart Church in El Paso. I am also a graduate of Jesuit High School of New Orleans, and like you someone who really treasures his Jesuit education. In 1970, when I first joined the Jesuits, I was sent out to Jesuit High El Paso work for a brief time. The school made a lasting impression on me. And like you I was deeply saddened when it closed. One of the reasons I am so happy about my present assignment is that I have FINALLY been missioned to El Paso!

There is a very special bond which unites us all as Jesuit graduates. We all share a mission which was burned into our hearts by our founder St. Ignatius Loyola: to live our lives A.M.D.G., to strive for excellence in all that we do, and to serve our Lord whatever be our station in life.

In recent years, the Society of Jesus has been looking at the worldwide problem of displaced peoples. Recent decades have seen over 20,000,000 human beings driven from their homes as a result of war, ethnic cleansing, and economic and global-political struggles. As a result, emigration and immigration have become social challenges throughout the world. We the Jesuits of the New Orleans Province have thus asked ourselves, “Of all of our Province works, where are we already DOING something for immigrants, and where could we develop a first-rate ministry to them?” And the answer came up unequivocally: Sacred Heart El Paso! Because of its location on the border, and because of the many ministries that have blossomed in recent years, the New Orleans Province has decided that Sacred Heart will be its “flagship” or primary mission to offer hope and assistance to immigrants. The Jesuits have decided to do all in their power to support Sacred Heart, and are asking you, the graduates of Jesuit High El Paso, to adopt this mission as your own.

In addition to providing for the spiritual needs of its parishioners, Sacred Heart offers educational programs such as computer literacy classes, ESL classes, GED preparation at both the primary and secondary level, as well as citizenship classes in English and Spanish, to help our people become good American citizens and integrate better into North American society. Sacred Heart also operates a nonprofit restaurant, la Tortilleria Sagrado Corazón, which serves the community and the parish in many creative ways. e operate a job seeking office for the poor, a food pantry for the hungry, and various outreach ministries connected with the St. Vincent de Paul Society. We also offer an evening recreational program for the youth of the barrio to channel their energy away from gangs and toward healthy spiritual and social formation. And all of these ministries are presently being run on a shoestring budget!

Part of the challenge we face is the Paso del Norte’s plan for downtown revitalization. Revitalization is a need which is close to our hearts and lives physically, and a need we are happy to see addressed. This plan has stirred emotions for and against it since it was unveiled. Sacred Heart Church, with the full support of Bishop Armando Ochoa, has stated that “the church is not opposed to progress, economic development, improvement and construction of buildings. But we are opposed to any plan which disregards and displaces the poor, that ignores the plight of the immigrant, that divides the community, that perpetuates injustice and inadequate housing, and that diminishes low-cost housing.”

We are fully aware that the city does have the power through municipal and state law to take over a building, but we have been assured that Sacred Heart Church and our grounds are not part of that plan.

In the light of the new direction taken by the Jesuits to reach out to the poor, we will continue to work to serve and provide for the people in our community, especially the poor and impoverished. We plan to improve our education and direct assistance ministries to the poor and impoverished, and to upgrade our facilities. We will also continue to maintain a positive dialog with the City of El Paso and the Paso del Norte Group to try to work together to help our parishioners, a goal which will benefit Sacred Heart as well as the people of El Paso. To be sure this conversation is beneficial to all involved, we really need your support and your commitment as Catholics to our common mission. We humbly invite you to join us in our vision and mission. You know the value of education and, especially, the importance of support and direction of a strong helping hand. Join us and share in our quest and drive for a better life and further for all.

Fr. Edwin L. Gros, S.J.Pastor, Sacred Heart El Paso