Fatherhood Again; First Publication; Graduation; Fr. Pacwa Visit
In which Teófilo reminisces about the end of an era and the beginning of the next one.
Paternity Once Again
The Lord had deigned to make me a father again. Once again, we'd become partakers of the work of creation. Once again, we'd change the course of world history. This is no empty boast, for in reality, every child born into this world changes the course of history.
Any child denied the right to life and to live a decent life, denies a treasure to the world. The tears of joy I'd shed as I welcomed Jon into the world signified hope. I knew it, because I'd shed those very same tears before, when I'd welcome Chris into the world, five years before.
1992
With Jon's birth, 1991 ended with a bang. I went back to work during the winter break and then returned to school in January. On that month we had Jonathan baptized at the Base Chapel in Brooks AFB. I resumed my studies at St. Mary's. It was to be my last semester as an undergraduate.
In fact, 1992 started with a good omen. In January I had my first article ever accepted for publication in a magazine. Titled, “Getting to Know the Bible,” the article was published in New Covenant magazine in May.
Graduation came at last also in May 1992, with academic honors. My family attended as well as my friend Doug. After so many years of studies, after various dead ends, I had my bachelor’s degree!
It was a long, dreary, ceremony. The guest speaker was the Treasurer of the United States, Catalina Vasquez Villalpando. Her address either was inmemorable, or I was no longer paying attention. She did give every graduate a dollar bill with her handwritten signature atop the one printed on the bill. That was nice. I still have the bill.
When the end came at last, we were dizzy from hunger and thirst. To celebrate Mercie, Chris, Jon and I dined at the restaurant atop the Tower of the Americas. We were all sick the next day from food poisoning. It was a horrible anticlimax. This was about the time I developed acid reflux and periodic gastroenteritis which would be with me until recently.
I returned to my job in the Air Force soon afterwards. I began thinking what to do next, as I had borrowed $10,000 to pay for my senior year in college. If I remained in the Air Force money was going to be tight, even though I was an E5/Staff Sergeant already. I started exploring commissioning opportunities, but those opportunities were drying out. The services were cashing on the "Cold War Dividend" and were drawing down. My dream of becoming an Air Force officer began to dim. It was the last dream from my childhood that deflated before reality.
Fr. Pacwa's Visit.
Still, I signed up for Graduate School and St. Mary's and started a course in Christology. It was about this time the renowned Catholic priest, Fr. Mitch Pacwa, S.J., paid us a visit.
As I recall, I had talked with Fr. Montague at length about the potential of computer networks in advancing the Gospel. I focused upon the importance of apologetics in an increasingly connected world. I highlighted the vast amount of information already available at one's fingertips. I also told him about the possibility of talking to anyone, anywhere, for almost nothing. Fr. Montague suggested that Fr. Pacwa would find the subject interesting, why not talk to him. Fr. Pacwa was coming to an activity in San Antonio and was to meet with Fr. Montague. The cool thing is that I got to pick up Fr. Pacwa at San Antonio International Airport. Mind you, this was the time non-passengers could clear security and meet with arrivals at the gate.
So, I did. I had an extensive conversation with Fr. Pacwa and took both him and Fr. Montague to our home on base, where I laid out the future to them. We had a great time, and I felt validated. Time would prove my vision right and in spades. But at the time, everything was just beginning.
In fact, more change was in the offing. For that, I must summarize the state of my soul at that time...
Bonus Video
Explore the Scripture and Tradition series hosted by Fr. Pacwa on EWTN.