"Thursday, October 30, 2008"


"To: Most Reverend José H. Gomez, Archbishop of San Antonio, Texas.

"Re: Two questions about a) a scheduled liturgy's location in a cemetery and b) a para - liturgical practice both concerning St. Mary Magdalene's Catholic Parish, Brackettville, Texas.

"Dear Excellency:

"The enclosed copy from last Sunday's parish bulletin tells all of us about the scheduled Mass after dark [This was changed to 5 PM from the original 6 PM the very next Sunday in question!] on Sunday, November 2, in the cemetery.

"The enclosed printable view copies are of a posting we just recently did on the topic of what the Rev. Mr. Joe Goebel's Spanish - language announcement at last Sunday's 8:00 a.m. Mass indicated was some para - liturgical innovation, in so far as I understood him.

"A similar one was read out the Saturday evening before, in English, too.

"One: We'll put the names of deceased family members on leaves and hang them on a tree.

"Two: Just before the last Saturday p.m. Mass for November, we'll gather and burn the leaves.

"My question, as that of a person who responded to our posting: Did the local bishop approve of this?

"Thank you, your Excellency!

"Respectfully submitted,

"etc. etc. "


"Postscript:"

Ms. Maria Hinojosa signed off on the Post Office PS form 3811, February 2004 Domestic Return Receipt on Monday, 11/3/08.