Jan. 7, 2016 - Diocese of Allentown

“The Allentown Diocese in the Year of Our Lord”
VOL. 28, NO. 1
JANUARY 7, 2016
Christmas Eve Mass at Divine Mercy, Shenandoah
Left, Bishop of Allentown John Barres
offers a prayer before the Nativity while
celebrating Christmas Eve Mass, Dec.
24 at Divine Mercy, Shenandoah. He
also celebrated Christmas Mass Dec.
25 at St. Francis of Assisi, Allentown.
(Photos by John Simitz)
Below left, Bishop Barres reflects on
Pope Francis’ visit to the United States
during his homily at Divine Mercy. Bishop Barres reiterated the Holy Father’s
belief that “families transform the world
and history.” “The ultimate example of
this is the Holy Family – the Holy Family transformed the world and history.
The Holy Family not only transformed
but revolutionized the world and history
through humility, poverty, adoration,
trust in the plan of God and a complete
dedication to the Glory of God,” said
Bishop Barres.
Below right, faithful participate in Mass
Christmas Eve at Divine Mercy. Bishop
Barres reminded the faithful that during
the Jubilee Year of Mercy, Pope Francis
asks every family in the world to break
through global indifference to reach out
and live the parable of the Good Samaritan.
More photos on page 5
Pope recognizes miracle needed to declare Mother Teresa a saint
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Francis has approved
a miracle attributed to the intercession of Blessed Teresa
of Kolkata, thus paving the way for her canonization.
Pope Francis signed the decree for Blessed Teresa’s
cause and advanced three other sainthood causes Dec. 17,
the Vatican announced.
Although the date for the canonization ceremony will
be officially announced during the next consistory of car-
Mother Teresa visited Diocese of
dinals in February, Archbishop Rino Fisichella, president
of the Vatican office organizing the Holy Year of Mercy
events, had said it would be Sunday, Sept. 4. That date celebrates the Jubilee of workers and volunteers of mercy and
comes the day before the 19th anniversary of her death,
Sept. 5, 1997.
The postulator for her sainthood cause, Father Brian
Kolodiejchuk of the Missionaries of Charity, said the
second miracle that was approved involved the healing
Allentown – page 3 of a now 42-year-old me-
chanical engineer in Santos, Brazil.
Doctors diagnosed the man with a viral brain infection
that resulted in multiple brain abscesses, the priest said in
a statement published Dec. 18 by AsiaNews, the Romebased missionary news agency. Treatments given were
ineffective and the man went into a coma, the postulator
wrote.
The then-newly married man’s wife had spent months
praying to Blessed Teresa and her prayers were joined by
Please see SAINT page 14 }}
Pope: God’s mercy knows ‘no limits
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – God’s ability to forgive “knows no limits” as his mercy frees people from bitterness and despair, Pope Francis said.
“The church’s forgiveness must be every bit as broad as that offered by Jesus on the cross and by Mary at
his feet. There is no other way,” he said after opening the Holy Door of the Basilica of St. Mary Major Jan. 1,
the feast of Mary, Mother of God, and the World Day of Prayer for Peace.
On the first day of the new year, Pope Francis opened the last holy door in Rome as part of the extraordinary
Holy Year of Mercy.
“The door we have opened is, in fact, a Door of Mercy,” he said in his homily, referring to the Roman basilica’s large bronze doors depicting Mary presenting her resurrected son, Jesus. “Those who cross its threshold are called to enter into the merciful love of the father with complete trust and
freedom from fear; they can leave this basilica knowing with certainty that Mary is ever at their side,” espePlease see MERCY page 14 }}
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The A.D. Times
Diocese
Episcopal
appointments
Published biweekly on Thursday by
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at P.O. Box F
Allentown, PA 18105-1538
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Bishop of Allentown John Barres has made the following appointments.
Father William Seifert to sabbatical, effective Jan. 4 through Tuesday, May 31.
Father Francis Schoenauer also to administrator, St. Stephen of Hungary, Allentown, effective Jan. 4.
Father Robert George also to chaplain, Notre Dame High School, Easton, effective Dec. 23, 2015.
Father George Winne to leave of absence for personal reasons, effective Dec.
22, 2015.
Diocese plans events to observe Year of Mercy
Signs are hanging on confessional
doors in the churches of the Diocese of
Allentown declaring them “Doors of
Mercy,” as part of the diocese’s observance of the Jubilee Year of Mercy declared by Pope Francis, which officially
started Dec. 8, 2015 and runs through
Nov. 20 of this year.
Much of the diocese’s plans for the
year center on the Sacrament of Reconciliation – where a penitent’s sins are forgiven.
In each of the five counties of the diocese, a Sunday during Lent will be cho-
sen for a Lenten Penance Service to be
conducted in a centrally located church in
the county.
Outside the season of Lent, a day will
be chosen in each county for what is to be
called “24 Hours to Encounter the Merciful Savior.” It is envisioned that this
will occur at a single church within the
county, where priests from throughout
the county would gather, so that for 24
hours, a priest would be available to hear
confessions there.
Father Bernard Ezaki, a priest of the
diocese assigned to the Cathedral of
St. Catharine of Siena, has composed a
prayer for the Year of Mercy, below. It has
been printed on cards that are available at
each of the diocese’s 89 parishes.
Catholic Charities and the diocesan
Secretariat for Catholic Life and Evangelization are planning events throughout the year to call attention to what are
known as the Corporal Works of Mercy:
feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty,
shelter the homeless, visit the sick, visit
the prisoners, bury the dead, give alms to
the poor. Details of those events are still
being finalized.
A Prayer for Mercy
Bishop’s Liaison
Msgr. Alfred Schlert
MISSION STATEMENT
As part of the Catholic Press, The A.D.
Times is the official newspaper for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Allentown, serving Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton
and Schuylkill counties. The A.D. Times
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society transformed by His Good News.
January 7, 2016
Almighty and everlasting God,
you do not will that a single sinner should perish,
and so you gave the world your Son Jesus,
who is Mercy Itself.
Make me a mirror of Divine Mercy.
Through prayer, the Sacraments, and works of charity,
grant me the grace to seek your forgiveness,
even as I forgive others.
Inspire me to offer my sufferings in union with the Passion of Jesus,
and thereby share in the redemption of the world.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Healing after abortion – upcoming dates
For the Year of Mercy there is going
to be a particular day of prayer just for
men who have been affected by abortion,
in English and Spanish.
“Healing After Abortion for Men: A
Day of Healing and Forgiveness” will
be Saturday, July 9 (“Sanaciόn Después
del Aborto Para Hombres: Una Dia de
Sanaciόn y Perdόn,” 9 de Julio).
There will also be a Rachael’s Vine-
yard Weekend Retreat for men and women in English and Spanish, Friday, July
15 through Sunday, July 17.
For more information, call 1-866-3Rachel or 610-332-0442, ext. 19.
Third annual Polar Plunge set for Jan. 30
St. Joseph Regional Academy, Jim
Thorpe will host its third annual “Be
Cool for Our School” Polar Plunge Saturday, Jan. 30 at Mauch Chunk Lake in
Jim Thorpe.
Registration is $35 and is open from
9:30 to 10:30 a.m. The first plungers will
hit the water at 11 a.m.
The event will feature QVC TV personality Oscar Dovale as the “Premier
Plunger.”
Registration is not limited to plungers.
Participants may register as a “chicken”
to show their support but stay dry.
To preregister or for more information, visit www.sjracademy.org and click
on the “Polar Plunge” tab; Facebook
“SJRA polar plunge”; or call Kathy Goff,
570-325-4052 or Amanda Salovay, 570325-3186.
VICTIM ASSISTANCE COORDINATOR
The Diocese of Allentown provides assistance to anyone who, as a minor, was sexually abused by a priest,
deacon or employee/volunteer of the Diocese/Parish
Parents, guardians, children and survivors of sexual abuse are invited and encouraged to contact the Diocese
of Allentown for more information about this program. The fullness of compassion should be extended to these
victims by the Church.
To speak directly to the Victim Assistance Coordinator, please call the direct line 1-800-791-9209.
To learn more about the Diocese of Allentown’s Youth Protection Programs, Sexual Abuse Policy and Code of
Conduct, please visit www.allentowndiocese.org and click on “Youth Protection” at top right.
COORDINADOR DE ASISTENCIA A LAS VÍCTIMAS
La Diócesis de Allentown provee asistencia a cualquier persona que, como menor de edad, fue abusado
sexualmente por un sacerdote, diácono o empleado/voluntario de la Diócesis/Parroquia.
Los padres, tutores, niños y los sobrevivientes de abuso sexual están invitados a contactar la Diócesis de Allentown para obtener más información sobre este programa. La plenitud de compasión debe extenderse a las
víctimas por la Iglesia.
Para hablar directamente con el coordinador de asistencia a las víctimas por favor llame a la línea directa
1-800-791-9209.
Para obtener más información acerca de los Programas de Protección de la Juventud,
Política de Abuso Sexual y el Código de Conducta de la Diócesis de Allentown, por favor visite
www.allentowndiocese.org y haga clic en “Protección de la Juventud” en la parte superior
derecha.
Diocese
January 7, 2016
The A.D. Times
Mother Teresa visited Diocese of Allentown twice
Mother Teresa paid two visits to
the Diocese of Allentown. In 1976
she visited St. Thomas More, Allentown and in 1995 the former St. Joseph Church, Mahanoy City.
Msgr. Robert Coll, then-pastor of
St. Thomas More, extended an invitation to Mother Teresa, who visited
the diocese April 27, 1976 to thank
diocesan faithful for their $6,000 donation from Operation Rice Bowl to
the Missionary Sisters of Charity, the
order that she founded.
“I had met her during a visit to India, and the diocese agreed that we
should assist her in helping the poor.
She was delighted to visit us and to
meet the people of Allentown,” said
Msgr. Coll.
More than 2,000 sisters, priests,
school children and faithful packed
St. Thomas More to catch a glimpse of
Bishop Welsh celebrated the televised
the frail 66-year-old nun clad in her cot- Mass at St. Joseph, which in 2008 was
ton sari.
merged with six other parishes to form
Nineteen years later on June 17, 1995, Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, named in
Mother Teresa paid another visit to the di- honor of her visit.
ocese, arranged by Bishop Thomas Welsh
With blue and white ribbons, symboland Msgr. Anthony Wassel, then pastor of izing the color of her religious order, fasSt. Joseph, Mahatened to nearly every
noy City, who had
light post, business
been with her at
and home, Mother
“The
Diocese
of
Allentown
a prior event in
Teresa addressed the
rejoices with word from the
Newark, N.J.
faithful before spendHoly See that a woman who
The
woman
ing most her visit
the world called
with the estimated 30
walked among us will, in
a “living saint”
sisters at the convent.
coming months, be declared
was greeted with
During her visit
a
saint….
Her
coming
cangreater fanfare as
Bishop Welsh also
onization is a blessing to the
her
recognition
presented a $25,000
world and to this diocese.”
for compassion
check to Mother Teto the poor had
resa from ORB.
gained her worldAt one point while
wide notoriety and the 1979 Nobel Peace conversing with Bishop Welsh she rePrize.
quested a monstrance to take with her on
The 84-year-old winner of the astute her missionary trip to China. The parish
award for fraternity between nations no- of St. Richard (of Chichester), Barnestified the diocese six days before her ar- ville gifted their parish monstrance to her.
rival of her intention to end her U.S. trip
Mother Teresa died two years after her
by visiting the Missionaries of Charity visit to the diocese, on Sept. 5, 1997.
convent that had opened in Mahanoy City
She was beatified Oct. 19, 2003, therein 1991.
by bestowing on her the title “blessed.”
Left, Mother Teresa talks with Bishop Joseph McShea during her April 27,
1976 visit to the diocese at St. Thomas More Church, Allentown. (File photo)
Below, Bishop Thomas Welsh and Mother Teresa during her June 17, 1995
visit to the diocese at the former St. Joseph Church, Mahanoy City. (File photo)
Gallery exhibit to feature Dana Van Horn, painter of cathedral murals
Dana Van Horn, who painted the “St.
Catharine and the Papacy” murals at the
Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown, will have an exhibit at Penn
State Lehigh Valley running from Monday, Jan. 11 to Friday, March 4.
After receiving his master of fine arts
degree from Yale University, Van Horn
moved to New York City and exhibited
in various galleries from which his work
was purchased for private, corporate and
museum collections.
After completing the murals in the
cathedral for the Catholic Diocese of Allentown, he moved nearby. In addition to
pursuing his own work, Van Horn accepts
commissions and teaches adults at the
Baum School of Art in Allentown.
The two 16-by-20-foot murals in the
sanctuary of the cathedral bring to life
scenes from the life of the church’s patron, St. Catharine of Siena.
The first Bishop of Allentown Joseph
McShea wanted to beautify the “bare
walls” of the sanctuary when he commissioned the then 31-year-old Van Horn to
create the murals in 1980.
After Van Horn produced preliminary
drawings of significant events in the patron saint’s life, McShea selected two:
“St. Catharine of Siena Leading Pope
Gregory XI from Avignon Back to Rome,
1736” and “St. Catharine of Siena Addressing Pope Urban VI and the College
of Cardinals in Rome, 1738.”
The murals were unveiled and blessed
at a special ceremony Nov. 14, 1982.
The first mural, titled ``Catharine and
Gregory XI,’’ depicts the instrumental
role Catharine had in Gregory’s decision to return to Rome. In the painting,
Gregory is uncertain, while Catharine is
resolute.
The second mural, “Catharine and
Urban VI,’’ depicts the give-and-take relationship Catharine had with Urban VI
while she urged him to remain in Rome
and reform the church. Catharine supported and advised him, but never hesitated to rebuke him as well.
St. Catharine was a 14th century saint
who lived just 33 years (1347-80). She
did much work among the poor of Siena,
worked vigorously for the extinction of
schism and strove to bring the papacy
back to Rome from Avignon, France,
where Pope Clement V transplanted it.
She was proclaimed the first woman
Doctor of the Church in 1970 by Pope
Paul VI. Her feast day is April 30.
Van Horn has also painted murals in
the diocese at Most Blessed Sacrament
Church, Bally; Holy Ghost Church, Bethlehem; St. Bernard Church, Easton; and
St. Peter the Fisherman Church, Lake
Harmony.
“Portraits by Dana Van Horn” will be
on display in the Ronald K. De Long Gallery. The artist reception will be Tuesday,
Jan. 19 from 5 to 7 p.m. The exhibit and
reception are free and open to the public.
Gallery hours are Monday to Thursday
Artist Dana Van Horn discusses the murals he painted at the cathedral in 2011
after a liturgy celebrating the golden anniversary of the parish of St. Catharine
of Siena as the diocesan cathedral. Behind him is the mural depicting the giveand-take relationship between St. Catharine and Pope Urban VI. (File photo)
11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For additional evening hours, call 610-285-5078.
For more information, contact Ann
Lalik, gallery director, [email protected]
or 610-285-5261.
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The A.D. Times
Diocese
January 7, 2016
Diocesan priest preserves memories of parishes,
schools and ministries by penning books
By TARA CONNOLLY
thing to hold on to,” he said.
Staff writer
When the Diocese of Allentown underwent a major
restructuring of parishes in 2008, Msgr. John Grabish
feared the rich traditions of faith would be lost forever.
Due to population shifts and decline in priestly vocations, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Allentown – where
Msgr. Grabish was assigned as pastor – was consolidated with Sacred Heart
of Jesus, Allentown.
He is now pastor of
“These were churches
St. Paul and St. Jowith proud traditions.
seph, Reading.
They were small
That same year
churches that did
and for similar reatheir job and ran their
sons SS. Peter and
course.”
Paul, St. Clair was
merged with St.
Mary,
Immaculate
Conception, St. Casimir and St. Boniface, St. Clair and
became St. Clare of Assisi. And St. Anthony of Padua,
Cumbola was merged with Holy Family and Sacred
Heart, New Philadelphia and became Holy Cross, New
Philadelphia.
“These were churches
with proud traditions.
They were small churches that did their job and
ran their course,” said
Msgr. Grabish.
To safeguard the
memories of three of
the parishes affected by
the restructuring, Msgr.
Grabish set out to collect
photos and compile facts
for two self-published
books.
“Our Lady of Mount
Carmel Parish 19112008”
Msgr.
Grabish’s
first book, “Our Lady
of Mount Carmel Parish 1911-2008,” reveals
photos and facts about
the parish that was established by Italian-speaking
immigrants under the
pastorate of Father Joseph Nerz.
The book includes a timeline of pertinent facts and
historic events that ultimately shaped the parish where
Msgr. Grabish served as last pastor.
It also features a collection of photos capturing parishioners receiving the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, First Holy Communion and Holy Matrimony.
Photographs of parish picnics, renovations and expansions, and the closing Mass are also part of the 48page book.
“Memories”
After finishing the book about Sacred Heart, Msgr.
Grabish went on to gather information about SS. Peter
and Paul – the parish in which he grew
up – and St. Anthony of Padua – his
mother’s home parish.
The book “Memories” includes 64
pages of photos, newspaper clippings
and detailed histories of both parishes.
Most of the photos are from his family
collection and a portion are from older
church members.
Grabish said his family has strong
connections to both parishes, as evidenced in one of the stained glass windows in St. Anthony that depicts his
ancestors as children being blessed by
Jesus.
“My goal was to capture memories
of their purpose as a parish. I wanted to
preserve the past and give future generations knowledge. It gives people some-
“The Sacred Heart of the City” and “A Journey Back
to Sacred Heart Home and School”
Msgr. Grabish’s interest in research and history
piqued during his time as pastor of Sacred Heart, leading
him to write “The Sacred Heart of the City,” published
by Royal Graphics Studios, Allentown in 2014.
His largest book to date, it is 246 pages filled with
historic facts of the parish’s connection to Sacred Heart
Hospital, Allentown Central Catholic High School, Sacred Heart Home and Trade School, Sacred Heart Sanitorium for Tuberculosis, and several integral parishioners and pastors.
A year later, Msgr. Grabish wrote “A Journey Back to
Sacred Heart Home and School,” which includes interviews from the students who were “insiders” and resided
at the home for orphans or convalescent children. The
52-page book published by Msgr. Grabish also includes
information from “outsiders” (students who lived with
their families but attended the school).
The book traces the history of the home and school,
and includes pictures of students learning, working and
playing.
Above, Msgr. John Grabish displays three of the
four books he authored to retain the memory of
parishes, schools and ministries. (Photo by John
Simitz)
Left, a spread in “A Journey Back to Sacred Heart
Home and School” features photographs of buildings that housed and educated orphans and local
residents. (Photo by John Simitz)
In October 2014 demolition of the final building of
the home began. A year later the demolition was complete and a time capsule secured in a cornerstone was
unearthed and opened.
“That was the last chapter in the history of the home,”
said Msgr. Grabish.
“Fond memories will outlive the bricks and mortar
that are now gone. My purpose was to chronicle the end
and the physical remnants of Sacred Heart Home and
Trade School.”
To purchase a book, call St. Joseph, 1022 N. Eighth
St., Reading, 610-376-2976.
Above, stained glass windows from “Memories” include a window depicting Msgr. Grabish’s ancestors.
Left, three of the books penned by Msgr. Grabish.
(Photos by John Simitz)
Diocese
January 7, 2016
Christmas Eve Mass
The A.D. Times
}}Continued from page 1
Above, Bishop Barres,
center, celebrates Christmas Eve Mass with Father Charles Dene, left,
in residence at Divine
Mercy, and Father G.
Jose Kochuparambil, assistant pastor.
Faithful listen to Bishop Barres’ homily Dec. 24 at Divine Mercy. “In the Mystery
of the Nativity, we marvel and give Glory to God with the shepherds and the
wise men. We realize in the image of a poor, homeless family and the image of
a poor, vulnerable baby that God’s logic in the Incarnation overturns and confounds the narrow logic of human power and calculation,” said Bishop Barres
during his homily.
Left,
Bishop
Barres
greets the Ryan family
after Mass. From left are
Kevin, Brendan, Brady,
Sandra and Gianna.
Right, Bishop Barres,
center, meets with Father Dene, left, and Father Kochuparambil before Christmas Mass at
Divine Mercy.
Bishop Barres meets former college football players returning to Shenandoah
for the holiday and Christmas Mass. From left are: Brian Bender, Rutgers University, N.J. (2003); Joe Ruth, West Virginia University (1991); Mike Malinoski,
Penn State University (1993); and John Katulis, Penn State University (1998.)
Bishop Barres welcomes faithful before Christmas Mass at Divine Mercy.
Bishop Barres greets parishioners making their way to Mass on the warm
Christmas Eve at Divine Mercy.
The pews are filled for the Christmas Eve liturgy at Divine Mercy.
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The A.D. Times
Diocese
Doing something good for someone who doesn’t deserve it
If you have a pulse, then you must be aware that we are
in the midst of the Jubilee Year of Mercy as proclaimed by
His Holiness Pope Francis. Already a month into this Jubilee Year, which began Dec. 8, the feast of the Immaculate
Conception, we still have countless opportunities to both
receive and share God’s mercy.
All we’re asked to do during this Year of Mercy is “Be
merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36).
That’s all. Just show mercy like God does.
But the mercy of God is endless, limitless, infinite. How
does the Holy Father, or Jesus for that matter, expect any
of us to be merciful like the Father? The Father is perfect
and we will never reach such perfection. Isn’t this a good
enough excuse not to get involved?
With this Year of Mercy, Pope Francis is helping us to
grow as Christ’s disciples, and while we might fall short
of perfection, each act of mercy shown to another brings
us closer to the Father as we practice his ways. And we all
know that practice makes perfect.
This isn’t a competition between us and God. Of course
we’re not going to win that match. What our Lord is looking for from us is a determined will to do our best, and
maybe before we start practicing, we should know what
mercy is.
Don’t look for any kind of definition of mercy in the
Catechism of the Catholic Church – because you won’t find
one. You’ll learn all about God’s mercy, but we are not afforded a description.
Father John Dominic Corbett, O.P., says that mercy is
the form that love takes when it encounters misery. It is a
form of love because it wants what is good for the one who
is loved.
Pope Francis would agree as he wants this year to be an
occasion to open our eyes and see the misery of the world;
the wounds of our brothers and sisters.
St. Thomas Aquinas denotes that mercy is a God-like
virtue because it involves the strong showing pity on the
weak. This is not shown in a superior way or boastful manner, but in a type of restoration, that is, striving to restore
something that has been lost.
Our affectionate God knows what we have lost through
our sinfulness and disobedience, and in his great mercy,
sent his son to restore a relationship with the Father as well
as to restore the opportunity for heaven.
Perhaps the best definition of mercy is one I heard from
Father Larry Richards of the Diocese of Erie. I don’t know
where he stole it, but I am grateful that he shared this basic
meaning with us.
Father Richards said that mercy is doing something
good for someone who doesn’t deserve it. Again we can
look at the visible and tangible ways God does good things
for us and we know that we don’t deserve any of it. There
is nothing we can do to earn or anything we have done
that merits any kind of favor or blessing from God. Yet this
doesn’t hinder God from showing his love for us in offering his grace.
We get to experience God’s mercy in a most extraordinary form in the forgiveness we receive in the Sacrament of
Penance. While it comfortably fits our definition, it is only
a fraction of the goodness God demonstrates for us and our
unworthy souls.
Here we are sinning against God and our neighbor, rejecting him, turning our back on him, and when we approach him on our knees with contrite hearts, he joyfully
absolves us of our sins. We most certainly don’t deserve
this pardon or the restoration that this sacrament builds, but
we hear it as part of the rite: Give thanks to the Lord for he
is good; his mercy endures forever.
Doing something good for someone who doesn’t deserve it.
The Diocese of Allentown has declared that the confessional door that the penitent enters will be designated as the
Door of Mercy during this Jubilee Year for so indeed it is.
This is an extension of the Door of Mercy that Pope Francis
opened in St. Peter’s Basilica Dec. 8 in commencement of
this Year of Mercy.
The Sacrament of Penance becomes the door we open
to find God’s gift of his mercy, and time after time, as often
as we need it, he continues to shower us with his love, forgiveness, healing and peace, which all flow from his merciful heart.
Too often we restrict our meaning of mercy to God’s
forgiveness because it is in the confessional that we receive
his mercy in a most concrete form. But as I mentioned earlier, God’s mercy extends further and deeper than a cross
on a door. As the mercy we receive helps change our hearts,
we then are called to be conduits of God’s mercy in everything we say and do. This then makes us effective signs of
the Father’s mercy as we share it with others.
We are blessed with God’s mercy in every sacrament in
which we participate as all of them flow from the goodness
of God’s heart for the benefit of his undeserving people
January 7, 2016
By Father Thomas Bortz, pastor of St.
Ignatius Loyola, Sinking Spring.
who are in need of his grace. It is in the Most Blessed of
Sacraments, the Holy Eucharist, that we receive mercy
himself.
Jesus is the ultimate gift to us from the Father to a world
that is lost and in need of restoration. God mercifully included us in his plan of salvation in this gift of his son Jesus
who gave his life for us on the cross, and in memory of his
passion, death and resurrection, we get to receive the same
Sacred Body and Precious Blood offered on Calvary.
Doing something good for someone who doesn’t deserve it.
How can any of us say we deserve to receive Jesus in
Holy Communion? How can we come close to believing
that we are entitled to such a gift? The beauty of God’s
mercy is that, while we all are in need of it, not one of us
can say we deserve it, but we are so blessed when we do
receive it.
And once we receive God’s loving mercy, we can turn
around and share it with others, for we cannot give what we
do not have. Once we are forgiven, we can forgive others
who have wronged us.
One of the best ways of being merciful like the Father is
through the practice of the Corporal and Spiritual Works of
Mercy. These are God’s way of looking out for both body
and soul through our charitable actions.
We might have learned about these Works of Mercy in
the fourth grade, but this Jubilee Year of Mercy provides us
an opportunity to reacquaint ourselves with them and to do
something good for someone who doesn’t deserve it.
The catechism states that “instructing, advising, consoling, comforting are spiritual works of mercy, as are forgiving and bearing wrongs patiently. The corporal works of
mercy consist especially in feeding the hungry, sheltering
the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and burying the dead” (CCC 2447).
These works help us recognize the human misery
around us as we find ways to heal wounds, break down
barriers of indifference, offer friendship and restore human
dignity. Putting these works into practice is being merciful
like the Father.
For heaven’s sake, let’s go do something good for someone who doesn’t deserve it.
Diocese
January 7, 2016
The A.D. Times
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the families
whose loved one was Interred or Entombed in 2015 in
GETHSEMANE CEMETERY & MAUSOLEUM
EVANGELINA AGUILAR
CARMELO ALVARADO-RIVERA
TERESA AMADIO
FOTIOS ARNIDIS
YVONNE C. BAILEY
STEPHEN J. BAKER
LOUISE N. BARRASO
STANLEY BEM
RUSSELL R. BENDER
BARBARA T. BENTZ
HELEN L. BENTZ
VIRGINIA E. BERARDI
RITA A. BIAGIANTI
ROBERT P. BINGAMAN, JR.
AUGUST L. BLAIR, III
PAUL A. BOCZAR
FRANK S. BODEK
PHILLIP BOLOGNESE
HELEN BORZELLINO
CHARLES A. BOYER
JANET R. BOYER
KATHRYN BRAILER-GOFFI
ROSEMARY A. BRUNO
MIGUEL BURGOS
HELEN BURKE
MARGARET F. BUTZER
JANICE M. BUZZANCA
CATHERINE E. CAFONCELLI
ELEANOR CALTAGIRONE
PETER N. CAMMARANO
PAUL D. CAPOZELLO
ANTHONY J. CARABELLO
YESENIA CASTANEDA
CAROL E. CATALANO
MARY F. CAVALLUCCI
MORTON CHIPPERFIELD
LOUIS J. CIABATTONI
ALDO CIOTTI
MARY A. CIOTTI
BRENDA A. CISNEROS
ARLENE E. CLEAVER
ROBERT A. CLEMENTE
MARY V. CLOUSER
PAUL R. COLDREN
NYDIA E. COLON
JAMES J. CONNELLY
JOSEPH D. CONRAD
ANNA R. CORSO
JAMES R. CORSON
LEONARD A. CORVELLI
RICHARD M. CRUMMETT
ROBERT C. CRUPI
PATRICIA DALLAS
DOROTHY M. DAMATO
THERESA L. DECARLO
JESSICA S. DEDEO
ROSEMARY DEEGAN
PHYLLIS M. DEGEORGE
JOSEPH A. DELL
DOMINGA DELVALLE
YOLANDA DEMAIO
SARA L. DEPRILL
SALLY A. DESANTIS
LILLIAN M. DETTLING
SARA A. DIANNA
DAINLER D. DIAZ
WILLIAM L. DIDYOUNG, SR.
JOHN A. DIGIAMBERARDINO
JOSEPHINE DIMARCO
ELMER B. DININO, JR.
MILTON E. DIXON
JOSEPH F. DOMENICE, JR.
MICHAEL DONIGAN
RUDOLPH E. DONNELLI
THOMAS J. DORRIAN
GEORGE J. DRACOULES
VERONICA DREXLER
MARCIA DUFNER
MATTHEW J. DUNKLE
EDWARD J. DYRDA
DAVID A. DZIAMBA
KATHLEEN K. EMBRIANI
RICHARD E. ENDY
MARY T. EROH
JOAN M. ESSICK
JOHN P. ESSICK
IRENE A. EVANS
PETER H. FARRIER
JOSEPH F. FAUST
CATHERINE M. FEGLEY
HILDA R. FELICIANO
MAYNARD R. FENO
SEBASTRANA B. FERLAZZO
VINCENT FERRANTE
DALE R. FINKBONE
ELINOR K. FITZPATRICK
MARIE T. FLAMM
WILLIAM J. FLAMM, SR.
EULALIA FLECHA-MORALES
RUTH B. FLEISCHMANN
BARBARA E. FLEMMING
JULIAN E. FLICKINGER
ANNA A. FLORCZAK
RODNEY D. FOCHT
MARY A. FOLEY
MATTHEW L. FONTANEZ
FRANK FORMANDO
RITA M. FRANCO
REGINA M. FROMUTH
DONALD N. FRY, JR.
MAVIS T. FUCCI
JOHN T. FUNDYGA, SR.
ANNA F. FURA
FABIO GABRIELLI
JOSEPH J. GALLEN
AIDAN L. GARCIA-ARROYO
CLEON S. GARL
GREGORY S. GASPARI
JOYCE G. GEIGER
MARCIA A. GENSEMER
WILLIAM E. GIDDENS
ELLSWORTH P. GLASS
ELIZABETH E. GLEMBOCKI
JOSEPH GOFFI
EDWARD J. GOLOWSKI, JR.
JOSEPH GONTARCHICK
THERESA K. GONTKOVSKY
JUAN E. GONZALEZ
MARIA R. GRANDJEAN
MARY A. GRAUL
MARY J. GRAUL
ROBERT G. GRAUL, SR.
ROBERT L. GRAUL, SR.
CECELIA S. GRUBB
MARY GUNNING
JOAN GURSKI
JORGE L. GUZMAN
KELVIN M. GUZMAN, JR.
EDWARD GUZOWSKI
THOMAS L. HAFER
HARRIET E. HAGUE
ARVID HALLA
CHARLOTTE A. HARTMAN
FRANCES T. HARTMAN
JOHN E. HARTMAN
CAROLINE M. HEERE
JOHN M. HEFFNER
LEE HEFFNER
RICHARD E. HEIZMANN
HELEN HERMAN
ROBERT A. HERMAN, SR.
MARY G. HESS
LEWIS F. HILT, JR.
JACQUELINE C. HIRSCHBIEL
HERMAN H. HOCK
JOANN E. HOFER
ELSIE HOLZAPFEL
CHARLES W. HOSHAUER
FRANCIS R. HUTTINGER
VIRGINIA R. IMPINK
ROSE INCOLLINGO
HELEN INTELISANO
JOSEPHINE IWANOWSKI
CLARENCE A. JABLONSKI
PATRICIA R. JABLONSKI
ADELINA A. JAMENEZ
ANTHONY F. JANOWSKI
ANGELINE G. JASTRZEMBSKI
STELLA D. JOBE
CHRISTOPHER T. KACZOR
STEPHANIE R. KACZOR
CELESTINA T. KELLER
PAUL R. KELLER, SR.
JAMES KELLETT
JOSEPH D. KELLY
WILLIAM E. KETTERER
ANNA M. KISSINGER
JOSEPHINE KLINE
ERMA KNEPP
LOTTIE F. KNOTT
JUNE R. KOENIG
DEBORAH E. KRAFCZEK
MARYANNE L. KRISHOCK
SHIRLEY KRUG
JOSEPHINE KUBECK
ALBERTA M. KUCHA
JOSEPH J. KUNSTEK
ANGELA A. LA ROSA
EDWARD J. LANSHE
ANGELA LE VANTI
JOHN H. LEBO, JR.
ELIZABETH LEIBROCK
JANE LEIBROCK
JOSEPH LEONARDO, JR.
KENNETH H. LEVAN
ELIZABETH A. LEVANTI
ELIZABETH H. LINEAWEAVER
JOSEPH H. LINTZ
EDWARD T. LOEPER
SANTINA LOMBARDO
TOBY LOPEZ
DORIS J. LOUGHLIN
LENA LUCCHESE
LISA A. LUDWIG
JOSEPHINE T. LUMLEY
STELLA I. MACEY
RAFAEL MACHADO
LUKE MACIEJEWSKI
FRANCIS J. MADL, JR.
S. L. MAIORANA, M. D.
JEANINA L. MAJKA
PHILIP M. MAJKA
ROBERT J. MALARKEY
JUSTO MARRERO
LOUISE M. MASANO
JOHN A. MASKULAK
MARGARET R. MASLAR
MARY B. MASLAR
MARCELLA MATTHEWS
ANNIE R. MATZKO
PATRICK A. MAUGER
LEONARD F. MAYERNIK
CALVIN MAZZO
STEWART W. MCALVAGE
EUGENE A. MCCLELLAND, JR.
MARION L. MCCOOL
PAUL T. MCCULLOUGH
KATHLEEN C. MCDERMOTT
WILLIAM J. MCDONALD
DANIEL J. MCGETTIGAN
NANCY MCKITTRICK
STEVEN D. MCKNIGHT
NANCY J. MERTZ
JOHN A. MILANEK
ANN R. MILLER
ELIZABETH J. MILLER
AUDREY L. MINO
PHILOMENA T. MIUCCIO
CARMELA MOLLICA
JOSEPH M. MONGRAIN
EDWARD W. MORRIS
JEFFREY M. MOYER
KATHERINE N. MOYER
GELACIA MUYET
CORAZON Q. NACAR
THELMA I. NAPOLETANO
DOMINIC NAPOLI
JUDITH A. NAPOLI
NUNZIO B. NAPOLI
AUGUSTINE E. NAZZARO
JOHN M. NEES
EDYTH P. NIERLE
AGNES G. NITKA
GERTRUDE M. NOLEN
DOLORES E. O'BOYLE
JOHN O'BRIEN, JR.
VIRGINIA OLIVIERO
BERNICE T. O'REILLY
JOHN H. O'REILLY
INOCENCIO ORTEGA
NORMA ORTIZ
BRYAN R. OTRUBA
LAURA A. PAFF
ROSE PAPICH
SOPHIE PARSLAR
THERESA H. PENATZER
MICHAEL A. PERATE
SHIRLEY J. PERDOCH
WILLIAM PERRELLA
GIOVANNA G. PIERORAZIO
RENA P. PIFKO
MARY G. PIZZO
RUTH G. PIZZUTELLI
SUZANNE E. PIZZUTO
MABEL K. PLEWA
JEWEL M. POLITYKA
ANTHONY PULLANO
DORIS L. RAAB
STELLA E. RADWANSKI
DOLORES G. RAGUSA
ANNA RAITI
SANDRA L. RAMBO
CARL P. RAMPOLLA
MICHAEL E. RAPP
GEORGE D. REDDY
THOMAS J. REILLY
EMILY H. RIDER
MARCOS RODRIGUEZ
NEREIDA RODRIGUEZ
JEAN M. ROLAND
NORMA ROMANIK
JOHN M. ROMANOFSKY
JEANETTE L. ROSLIN
WILLIAM J. ROTONDO, SR.
ADELINE N. RUSKIEWICZ
WILLIAM E. RUSSO
JOHN L. RYAN
LEONA RYS
ARLENE M. SABATINO
ANGELINA SANTANA
RONALD H. SCHAEDLER
MARY A. SCHEPERS
GOTTHOLD K. SCHLIMME
GUSTEL H. SCHLIMME
THEO H. SCHMIDT
STEWARD J. SCHMITZ
FRANK SCHWAB, JR.
ALBERTA T. SCHWARTZ
LAURA R. SCULL
GERTRUDE M. SEAMAN
ANTHONY F. SEBIO
JOSEPHINE SEBIO
ROSE SEELIG
JAMES SEIDEL
JOSEPH C. SERRANO
CARMEL E. SHANNON
CRAIG D. SHEETZ
BARRY G. SIEKIERKA
CATHERINE A. SIMON
DAVID M. SLOAN
DEBORAH A. SMITH
PAUL J. SNYDER
JESSIE SOCKEL
MARIA H. SOUDERS
LOUIS J. SPANO
ALBERT J. SPEGMAN
KENNETH A. SPEGMAN
MARION A. SPEGMAN
CHARLES S. SPERLAK
AGNESA E. STAMM
SANDRA L. STAMM
GEORGE E. STAVARSKI
LORETTA F. STAVARSKI
CARL J. STEFFEN
ERNEST F. STEGMAN
HAROLD STEPHENS
JOSEPH STIBER
DOLORES A. STICHTER
RICHARD L. STOUDT
VICTOR S. STRAKA
JOSEPH STRICEK
YVETTE R. STUBER
ANITA STUTZ
MARGARET A. SWARTZ
HARRIET K. SYCHTERZ
WALTER F. SZCZEPANEK
STANLEY SZURGOT
JOAN A. TALLIERCHIO
STELLA M. TILLMAN
MICHEAL J. TODISCO
DORIS TRAINOR
MICHAEL A. TUCCI
MARGARET E. TUCKER
GLORIA E. UCZYNSKI
FRANCIS S. ULLE
JOSEPH A. VACCARO
GIUSEPPE A. VALENTI
JORGE VAZQUEZ
VICTOR M. VELAZQUEZ
PAULINE M. VERNETTI
DOROTHY M. VOLUTZA
ANTHONY G. WALDMAN
DENNIS WALDMAN
JEAN E. WEBB
STEVEN J. WEIK
DAVID J. WENTLING
RICARDO A. WHITE
SHIRLEY A. WISNIEWSKI
HAYDEN W. WIVELL
ELNA E. WOODWARD
CATHERINE M. WOYNAROWSKI
BRIAN A. WUMMER, M.D.
CAROLYN J. YODER
SAMUEL G. YODER
JOHN S. YOST
JOSEPHINE ZAMPELLI
EDUARDO ZAVALA
MARY T. ZEBERTAVAGE
ANGELINE ZIEBER
BENJAMIN J. ZINTAK, JR.
ROBERT ZIOLKOWSKI
JOHN E. ZOUMAS
7
8
The A.D. Times
Diocese
January 7, 2016
St. Elizabeth, Whitehall begins jubilee celebration
Left, Forty Hours Devotion Nov. 17 at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church, Whitehall kicks off the church’s 75th anniversary celebration.
Above, guest homilist, left, was Father Paul Rothermel, pastor of Most Blessed
Trinity Church, Tremont. He and St. Elizabeth Pastor Father Edward Essig,
right, were classmates at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Philadelphia. The
main anniversary Mass and dinner will be Sunday, Oct. 16. For more information, visit www.sercc.org.
St. Mary Hospital, Brooklyn seeks graduates
Nursing graduates of the former St. Mary Hospital, Brooklyn, N.Y. gathered for a grand
reunion Sept. 19. The celebration of their nursing profession and friendships was held at
Immaculate Conception Center, Douglaston, N.Y.
The Grand Reunion Committee has announced the next reunion will be Saturday, Sept.
16, 2017, and is in search of graduates in the Diocese of Allentown.
St. Mary (Female) Hospital was originally situated in the Cobble Hill section of Brooklyn in 1867; later moved to St. Mark’s Avenue near Prospect, Buffalo and Rochester avenues; and was rebuilt again in 1979.
It was originally managed by four Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul and later
by the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph from Hamburg, N.Y.
By 1906 eight young women graduated from the hospital’s School of Nursing. For
many years the school produced 40 professional nursing graduates per year. The school
closed by 1973, and the hospital closed its doors in 2005.
For more information or to register for the next reunion: Facebook “Nursing Graduates
of St. Mary’s Hospital Brooklyn, New York”; [email protected]; wiskytim@verizon.
net.
A break in the budget impasse
On Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2015, Gov. Tom
Wolf finally signed a spending plan for
Pennsylvania, although only part of it.
He exercised his right to line item veto
the budget bill passed by the General
Assembly just before Christmas. After
a six-month political stand-off between
the governor and the General Assembly,
some state funds will finally start flowing
to the programs that provide services to
people in need.
“The balance of those funds will be
blue-lined until the General Assembly
can agree on a final spending package,”
said Albright.
Wolf also vetoed line-items that affect
the operation of the legislature, some corrections programs, agriculture programs,
and other smaller programs. See the list
of vetoed line items at http://www.scribd.
com/doc/294219652/General-FundTracking-Run.
What was vetoed?
State Budget Secretary Randy Albright said in a press conference that
funding for public schools from the basic
education subsidy will be paid now, but
only to cover the first six months of the
fiscal year that has already passed. The
amount equals roughly 45 percent of the
total appropriation.
What was spared?
Fortunately, moving forward with the
full year’s funding are the line items that
benefit clients of Catholic charities, social services agencies, and alternatives to
abortion programs; the poor and underinsured who receive health care at Catholic medical facilities; and students in our
non-public schools.
Sister Rayneld Samsel teaching freshman orthopedics at the School of
Nursing.
Catholic charities and social service
agencies provide services for state-funded programs like housing, foster care,
or drug and alcohol counseling. Most of
Pennsylvania’s counties rely on Catholic agencies as subcontractors to provide
these critical services to the community.
Catholic hospitals have a special mission to provide care for everyone who
needs it, regardless of their ability to pay.
Our health care facilities provide a high
number of services or beds to Medicaid,
Children’s Health Insurance Program
(CHIP), and patients who are covered by
other state-supported health care insurance programs.
Nonpublic schools do not receive basic education tax dollars, but their students do benefit from line items that pay
for textbooks, materials, equipment, and
services that support their secular education through the Intermediate Units.
The proposal this year finally achieves
equity between public and nonpublic stu-
dents – the line items increased modestly
at the same rate. The Pennsylvania Department of Education will begin to process textbook orders immediately.
Thousands also benefit from scholarships funded by the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC)
programs. The programs were funded at
the same level as last year, but allowed to
go forward.
Approval letters to the companies that
applied for the credits in July were sent
last week, giving them the green light to
make their donations to scholarship organizations before the end of the 2015 tax
year.
It is expected that state funding checks
to the approved programs will be sent immediately. This is welcome news for all
who benefit; however the political turmoil remains. There is much work that
still needs to be done.
Heating assistance available for those in need
It is a Thanksgiving tradition in many
families to sit around the kitchen table
and tell each other what we are thankful
for each year. Has having heat in your
home ever made the list?
A successful program called the LowIncome Home Energy Assistance Pro-
gram (LIHEAP) helped about 400,000
Pennsylvanians keep their heat on
through last year’s rough winter. Catholic
Charities agencies across the state refer
people in need to this important program.
Catholic parishes frequently do the same
for those they serve.
LIHEAP provides assistance to renters or homeowners in the form of a cash
grant, sent directly to the utility company,
or a crisis grant for households in immediate danger of being without heat.
The LIHEAP application process for
the 2015-16 season is now underway,
PCC Advocacy Alert – adoption legislation
The Pennsylvania Catholic Conference (PCC) is asking your state senator
about an important piece of adoption legislation.
House Bill 162 would require the
Pennsylvania Department of Health to
provide a summary of an adoptee’s birth
record without the consent of the birth
parents. The law already allows an adoptee to obtain medical records, but HB 162
would release the names of birth parents,
even if there had been a promise of anonymity provided long ago.
PCC cannot support HB 162 in its current form because it imposes a unilateral
and officials encourage families to apply
before the brutally cold weather hits our
region.
For more information visit http://
www.pacatholic.org/heating-assistanceavailable-for-those-in-need/ and click on
the link in the article.
approach to identifying information for
adoptees without respect for the concerns
of others involved in the adoption proceedings.
For more information and to respond,
click on http://www.pacatholic.org/resources/voter-voice/?vvsrc=%2fcampaig
ns%2f34803%2frespond.
Diocese
January 7, 2016
The A.D. Times
Course on ‘Christian Anthropology’ offered
Looking to deepen your faith?
The diocesan Institute for Catechesis
and Formation is offering a course on
“Christian Anthropology” (ICF 101).
The course will examine who God is
as the one who seeks to share himself
with his creation. A brief survey of salvation history will be traced to Jesus Christ,
the Redeemer who saves humanity, and
teaches us what it means to be a human
person.
The four-session class will be offered
at three locations, Tuesdays, Jan. 19, 26
and Feb. 2 and 9, from 7 to 9 p.m.:
Berks Catholic High School, Reading
– facilitator Father Steve Bujno.
Bethlehem Catholic High School – facilitator Heather Maigur.
Marian High School, Tamaqua – facilitator Father Ronald Minner.
ICF courses are meant for any adult
looking to grow deeper and learn more
about the faith. There are no prerequisites.
Cost is $30. To register, visit www.
allentowndiocese.org/icf. For more information, call 610-289-8900, ext. 21 or email adultformation@allentowndiocese.
org.
‘Apologetics Forum’ dates – March 3 and April 7
Save the dates for the next installments
in the new event series of the Diocese of
Allentown Office of Adult Formation
called “Apologetics Forum: The Catholic
Faith Explained” – March 3 and April 7.
“Apologetics,” derived from the Latin
adjective “apologeticus,” is a theological
science for the explanation and defense
of the Christian religion.
This new series discusses topics within
the faith that many of our contemporaries
disagree with or don’t ascribe to. Many
of us believe the church’s teachings, but
don’t know how to speak about them with
our neighbors, co-workers and children.
This series of forums is changing that.
It is preparing lay Catholics with the tools
of how to discuss the challenging teachings of our great faith.
“Atheism and Agnosticism” will be
the topic Thursday, March 3, 2016 at 7
Charismatic renewal
connecting prayer groups
Aspirancy Program
gathering set for Jan. 15
Are you seeking or are you part of a prayer group gathering in the diocese?
The Allentown Diocese Catholic Charismatic Renewal
Committee is looking to connect with you and invite you to
contact it at [email protected].
Along with giving your name, let them know if you are
part of an active group of folks who gather together in prayer,
either in your church or in someone’s home, or if you are
looking for a prayer group to connect with.
If you are part of an active prayer community, be sure
to indicate the name of your parish and a bit of information
about the group.
If you don’t have Internet, call Terry, 484-268-7971, and
leave a message with your name and a return phone number.
The Aspirancy Program is a gathering for
young men ages 18 to 35 who want to know
about the priesthood of Jesus Christ.
The next opportunity to meet other men of
faith, including seminarians and priests in our
diocese, will be Friday, Jan. 15 at 6 p.m. at St.
Catharine of Siena, Reading.
The evenings consist of prayer, reflection,
fellowship and food.
If you feel the call of Christ in your heart,
come join us.
If interested, please contact Father Brian
Miller, [email protected] or
610-779-4005.
March for Life buses and prayer opportunities
Are you looking for a bus trip to the
March for Life in Washington, D.C. on
Friday, Jan. 22, 2016?
The March for Life 2016 Rally will
take place at noon on the grounds of the
Washington Monument, near the corner
of 15th Street and Constitution Avenue.
After the rally the march will begin on
Constitution Avenue between 15th and
17th streets at approximately 1 p.m.
At press time for this issue of The
A.D. Times, the following parishes are
running trips.
Holy Family, Nazareth, 6:30 a.m., per
person $10, per family $20, Rich and
Barb Voloshen, 610-365-2100 or [email protected].
Immaculate Conception, Douglassville, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., $33, contact Angela Peterson, 601-582-6993 or [email protected].
Bereavement
Support Group
meeting in Orefield
St. Joseph the Worker, Orefield, offers
a Bereavement Support Group for anyone
experiencing the loss of a spouse, sibling,
parent, child or significant other. It is a
time to share with others who have under-
Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Bethlehem, 7:30 a.m., adults $20, under 18 $10,
contact Tony [email protected] or
610-533-2711.
St. Benedict, Mohnton, 8 a.m. to depart D.C. at 4:30 p.m., cost to be determined, contact Helen McMinn, 610-582-
gone similar experience.
The group meets every second Sunday
of the month for 1½ hours.
Next meeting will be Sunday, Jan. 10
from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in the parish center of
St. Joseph the Worker.
In case of inclement weather, the
meeting will be cancelled. For more information, contact Sue, 610-392-2957 or
[email protected].
1075.
St. Ignatius Loyola, Sinking Spring,
8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., $33, contact Angela Peterson, 601-582-6993 or [email protected].
St. Joseph the Worker, Orefield, 7 a.m.
to 9 p.m., $10, contact [email protected] or
p.m. at the St. Christopher Newman Center at Kutztown University, 15207 Kutztown Road.
“The Chair of Peter: Papal Infallibility” will be discussed Thursday, April 7,
2016 at 7 p.m. in the Father Lyons Room
of St. John Baptist de la Salle, 42 Kerrick
Road, Shillington.
For more information, contact the
Office of Adult Formation, [email protected] or 610-2898900, ext. 21.
[email protected], 610-392-1401 or 610-3922957.
For the current list, visit the diocesan
website at www.allentowndiocese.org/
life.
Prayer opportunities are also listed for
those individuals who cannot attend the
march but would like to unite in prayer.
As of press time, the following parishes were offering prayer opportunities.
St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Whitehall will be celebrating a morning Mass
(school students will be in attendance)
Friday, Jan. 22, 2016 at 8:45 a.m. in the
church, followed by adoration in the chapel all morning until noon.
St. Jane Frances de Chantal, Easton
will be holding Eucharistic adoration
beginning after the 8:15 a.m. Mass at 9
a.m., and continuing until 5 p.m., closing
with benediction. For more information,
call Rebecca Isaac (Respect Life Committee), 484-515-8390, or the parish office, 610-253-3553.
Volunteers needed for Kennedy House
Catholic Charities in Berks County is
in need of volunteers to assist at Kennedy
House.
Tuesday volunteers would be needed
from 1 to 3 p.m. to help unload food bank
truck, open and break down boxes, and
prepare bags with nonperishable items.
Wednesday volunteers would be needed from 9 to 11:30 a.m. to help register
food bank recipients.
All volunteers would have to complete the necessary clearances and trainings as outlined by the diocese Safe Environment Policy.
For more information, contact Amy
Mayer Ames, county administrator, 610376-7144, ext. 314 or [email protected].
9
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The A.D. Times
Diocese
January 7, 2016
Oficina de Asuntos Hispanos ‘Manualidades para el Alma’
La Oficina de Asuntos Hispanos ofreció un programa para mujeres de manualidades con 12 sesiones, con el nombre
de “Manualidades para el Alma” que
concluyó a finales del mes de noviembre.
Este programa brindó la oportunidad de
compartir y formar comunidad, profundizar en la oración y meditación personal,
crear un hábito de silencio para intimidar
con Dios y familiarizarse con el uso de un
diario para la oración personal.
En este programa participaron un
grupo de treinta mujeres de las diferentes parroquias del área del Lehigh Valley
y Bethlehem. Parroquia San Pablo,
Sagrado Corazón,
Maria Auxiliadora,
Santa Infancia y
la Catedral, Santa
Catalina de Siena.
Durante
este
programa cada participante aprendió
a tejer un manto de
oración. Ofreciendo
al Señor a la misma
vez, sus dificultades
personales, meditando en pasajes bíblicos y en la vida diaria de cada una de las participantes.
Partiendo desde su propia experiencia
en el caminar de la fe, Bernarda Liriano
acompañó al grupo durante las 12 semanas guiándoles en la meditación y la parte
espiritual del programa con una serie de
citas bíblicas ya programadas para el
transcurso del mismo.
Estas meditaciones se ofrecieron cada
noche para ayudarles a entrar en el espacio sagrado del silencio y reconocer la
presencia de Dios actuando en nuestras
vidas diarias, a entrar en un proceso de
crecimiento espiritual y reconocer a Dios
en todas las cosas.
Cada participante recibió material de
apoyo para la oración. El programa también ofreció una mañana de reflexión,
llamada “Desayunando entre Mujeres,”
donde el Padre George Winne, nos brindó
apoyo, ofreciendo un tema de reflexión
donde se enfocó en la historia de Susana
en el libro del profeta Daniel.
El desayuno fue un tiempo para compartir, meditar y socializar, brindando así,
la oportunidad de reconocer a Dios en
medio del gozo y la alegría que caracterizó el día.
La oficina agradece el apoyo de la
Sra. Nancy Dután, de la parroquia del
Sagrado Corazón, quien enseñó a cada
participante lo necesario para completar
y aprender hacer su manto de oración.
A inicio del programa, la Sra. Mariela
Ramírez, brindó apoyo al mismo, lo cual
estamos agradecidos. La ternura y la
paciencia, caracterizó a Nancy durante este programa,
quien
aportando
de sus dones y talentos, ayudó a que
este programa fuera
todo un éxito. El
programa fue ofrecido en la Parroquia
San Pablo todos los
lunes desde agosto
hasta el mes de
noviembre.
Entre los temas ofrecidos para reflexionar durante el programa están, “El
entendimiento, la confianza en Dios,
conociendo el rostro de Dios, aceptando
la voluntad de Dios, como vaciarse de sí
mismo, purificando mi ser, llenándome
de su Santo Espíritu, esperando en el
Señor, derramando la unción del Señor
sobre mí y viviendo desde la experiencia
del amor de Dios.”
Al concluir el programa, cada participante compartió su experiencia y
agradeciendo a Dios por la oportunidad,
cada historia fue conmovedora, tocando
así cada corazón de las allí presentes,
porque fuimos testigos que en lo sencillo
y lo simple, esta Dios actuando cada día a
través de las personas que a diario encontramos en el camino.
Fuimos testigos del poder sanador de
Dios, quien sana el interior de cada ser
De izquierda, Doris Ramírez, Carmen Figueroa, Cruz María Benítez, Karol
Sosa y Katherine Sosa durante el desayuno.
De izquierda, Lilian Salcedo, Maria
Luna, Sara Toro y
Adnery De la Rosa
disfrutando y compartiendo durante el
desyuno
El grupo reflexiona a partir de la meditación bíblica guiada durante el tiempo
de oración en el programa de manualidades
De izquierda a derecha, Olga Garay, Doris Ramírez, Mariela Ramírez, Katherine Sosa y en la parte de atrás, Cruz María Benítez y Karol Sosa iniciando el
tejido de su manto de oración.
humano y sale a nuestro encuentro en
donde nosotros nos encontramos.
Experimentamos la misericordia de un
Dios que nos recibe como somos y como
venimos ante Él. Aprendimos a saborear
y experimentar su ternura sanadora. Fue
evidente y se pudo vivir en cada una de
las participantes, la ternura de un Dios
Padre, que siempre espera.
Sus miradas y sus rostros fueron el escenario de la luz que iluminaba el crecimiento interior, así como crece un jardín,
sembramos la semilla y le regamos, pero
debajo de la tierra, hay un proceso más
profundo que transcurre sin darnos cuenta, y luego florece un hermoso jardín.
Es así como hemos visto al concluir
este programa a un hermoso jardín entre
el grupo de mujeres que al finalizar han
florecido con un gozo y una alegría, que
solo el amor de Dios pudo hacer florecer.
Agradecemos a todos los que hici-
eron que este programa fuera posible y
aportaron su granito de arena desde el
momento en que se concibió la idea, el
proceso del desarrollo hasta el momento
de la ejecución del mismo.
El Espíritu del Señor, definitivamente
fue el autor de todo, pues el poder recoger los frutos que este programa nos ha
brindado, solo es obra del viñador que
sabe reconocer cuando es tiempo para la
cosecha.
Que el buen Pastor continúe guiando
los corazones de cada persona que pasó
por este programa y continúen llevando
encendida la luz de Cristo que llevan dentro de cada una. Encontramos un hogar
en Manualidades para el Alma y que cada
Alma encuentre a Dios en cada manualidad que continúe haciendo y enseñando
a otros a encontrar a Dios en la sencillez
de cada día.
Mantos de oración terminados presentados
por el grupo de manualidades para el Alma
Fotografía de la conclusión del programa de Manualidades
Diocese
January 7, 2016
The A.D. Times
11
Most Blessed Sacrament beginning year-long 275th anniversary celebration
Most Blessed
Sacrament
Church (MBS),
Bally, the oldest parish in the
Diocese of Allentown and one
of the original
churches in the
13 colonies, is
beginning
its
275th anniversary celebration
this year.
The
parish will mark
this milestone
with a yearlong
celebration highlighted Above, the procession to begin Mass Dec. 5 at Most Blessed
by events that Sacrament Church, Bally.
honor its history,
spiritual Right, Bishop Barres celebrates Mass at Most Blessed Sacheritage, and pa- rament with the church’s plans for its 275 anniversary in front
rishioners past, of the altar and a candle used by Bishop John Carroll on the
present and fu- altar.
ture.
Bishop of Allentown John Barres brate the opening Mass Saturday, Jan. 16
opened the commemoration with a Mass at 4:30 p.m.
Dec. 5, 2015. He also blessed a copy of
Father Jeremiah Shryock will preside
the plans for the anniversary.
over a mission Sunday, April 10 through
The theme for the anniversary year is Tuesday, April 12, exploring the topic
Psalm 100:5 – “For the Lord is good, and “Our Identity and Purpose – Considering
his love endures forever; his faithfulness Our Past, Present and Future. Realizing
continues through all generations.”
Who You Are. Discovering Our Identity,
“The parish’s history for 275 years is Purpose and Destiny.”
important, but we want to recognize the
Father Richard Brensinger will con‘living stones,’ the people whose faith clude the anniversary year with a special
has sustained Most Blessed Sacrament Mass in January 2017.
for 275 years,” explained Msgr. Edward
The oldest and youngest members of
Coyle, pastor.
the parish will be recognized at the openTo that end, the three priests whose vo- ing Mass, and prayer cards with parishcations found their roots in the church’s ioner names on them will be randomly
pews will have prominent roles in the an- distributed to encourage parishioners to
niversary year.
pray for each other.
Father Andrew Gehringer will cele-
Mercy School receives
Middle States accreditation
Mercy School for Special Learning, Allentown, the Lehigh Valley’s only
private, nonresidential school for children and adults with developmental
and/or intellectual disabilities, has been awarded accreditation by the Middle
States Association (MSA) of College and Schools.
This accreditation, which is for a term of seven years, means that Mercy
meets all MSA Standards for Accreditation, adheres to applicable MSA policies and meets the requirements of the self-study protocol.
Mercy has received accreditation since 1987, when it became the first program for children with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities in Pennsylvania to receive this recognition.
The 12 Standards for Accreditation that Mercy met are: mission; governance
and leadership; school improvement planning; finances; facilities; school organization and staff; health and safety; educational program; assessment and
evidence of student learning; student services; student life and activities, and
information resources.
For more information, contact Tom Harper, advancement director, 610797-8242 or [email protected].
Death
Religious sister
Sister Sienna Drelick, 96, of the
Bernardine Franciscan Sisters Third
Order Regular of St. Francis, died
Dec. 27, 2015 at St. Joseph Villa,
Reading, where she had resided
since 1995.
During her ministry she served
as an elementary teacher, organist,
provincial councilor, principal, superior, provincial treasurer, administrator, provincial minister, local
The parish’s history will be explored
with a special lecture series by Dr. Helen
Heinz, an adjunct history professor with
degrees from Temple University and University of Pennsylvania. She also has relatives at Most Blessed Sacrament parish.
The Goshenhoppen register will be on
display from the archives of St. Charles
Borromeo
Seminary,
Philadelphia.
Georgetown University, Washington,
D.C. plans to release historic artifacts
from the Woodstock Library.
In 1741 Father Theodore Schneider
established a missionary outpost in what
was then known as Goshenhoppen and
called the mission St. Paul. This was the
third church in the 13 original colonies.
Two years later he established the
first Catholic school in the colonies, now
known as St. Francis Academy, and it is
the oldest continually operating Catholic
school in the country.
Among the highlights of the church’s
history is a visit by the country’s first
bishop and a signer of the Declaration of
Independence, Father John Carroll. Future saint John Neumann was also confirmed in the church.
The town was renamed Churchville
and later Bally in 1883, in honor of Father Augustin Bally, the parish’s pastor
from 1837 to 1882.
More of the church’s planned celebration will be found in the parish bulletin
and on the anniversary celebration’s
Facebook page.
All Souls Day shrine blessing
Msgr. Edward Coyle, pastor of Most Blessed Sacrament, Bally, blesses the German
Passion Shrine in St. Paul’s cemetery before the All Souls Day Mass Nov. 2. Students from St. Francis Academy, Bally participated in the blessing ceremony. The
shrine was built by Mickey Sedor for his Eagle Scout project.
Death
minister and librarian staff member.
In the Diocese of Allentown, she
served at Sacred Heart, West Reading
and St. Joseph Villa, Reading. She also
ministered in Brazil, Michigan, New
Jersey, Texas and elsewhere in Pennsylvania.
Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Jan. 4 at Sacred Heart Convent
Chapel, Mount Alvernia, Reading, followed by burial in the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters’ cemetery.
Deacon Fernando Torres, served at St. Peter
Deacon Fernando Torres, 77 of Shillington, died Dec. 28, 2015.
He was ordained to the permanent diaconate May 19, 1990 by
Bishop Thomas Welsh in the Cathedral Church of St. Catharine of
Siena, Allentown.
Bishop Welsh assigned him to St. Peter the Apostle, Reading. Deacon Torres retired in August 2011.
Surviving are his wife of 48 years Ramonita (Ramos) Torres, three
sons and 11 grandchildren.
Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Jan. 4 at St. Peter the
Apostle, with interment Jan. 5 in Gethsemane Cemetery, Reading.
12
The A.D. Times
Diocese
January 7, 2016
World
January 7, 2016
The A.D. Times
Seek out signs God offers everyone for finding Jesus, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Go out and
seek the signs God is offering everyone
today that will lead to Christ, Pope Francis said.
The thirst for God is present in everyone, and it’s the church’s task to help
those with “a restless heart” by pointing
them to the true light of Christ, the pope
said Jan. 6, the feast of the Epiphany,
which marks the manifestation of Jesus
as savior to the world.
In his homily during Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, the pope said the church’s
mission is to help people “know the face
of the father” by first receiving “God’s
light and then to reflect it. This is her
duty.”
The church must always remember,
however, that the light it shares is the
glory of the Lord. “The church cannot deceive herself into thinking that she shines
with her own light. She cannot,” he said.
“Christ is the true light shining in the
darkness. To the extent that the church remains anchored in him, to the extent she
lets herself be illuminated by him, she is
able to bring light into the lives of individuals and peoples,” he said.
It is only by receiving this divine light
that Christians can be true to their vocation of proclaiming the Gospel, which
is not proselytism, not a mere profession and “not simply one option among
many,” but an obligation, he said.
The Three Wise Men who come from
afar seeking the promised king show that
“the seeds of truth are present everywhere, for they are the gift of the creator,
who calls all people to recognize him as
the good and faithful father,” the pope
said.
“The church has the task of recognizing and bringing forth more clearly the
Three camels stand behind men in traditional attire in St. Peter’s Square as
Pope Francis leads the Angelus on the feast of the Epiphany at the Vatican
Jan. 6. The traditional Epiphany parade at the Vatican took place amid increased security measures. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
desire for God, which is present in the
heart of every man and woman,” he said.
“Like the Wise Men, countless people,
even in our own day, have a restless heart,
which continues to seek without finding
sure answers,” he said. “They, too, are
looking for a star to show them the path
to Bethlehem.”
But Christians must also keep asking
and looking for the Christ child as well,
especially in today’s age, and “to seek
the signs which God offers us, realizing
that they require our diligence in order to
interpret them and, therefore, understand
his will.”
“And once we have found him, let us
worship him with all our heart, and present him with our gifts: our freedom, our
intelligence, and our love,” the pope said.
As people follow the light that
“streams from the face of Christ full of
mercy and fidelity,” he said, do not forget
that this light is also “very small,” coming
from a tiny, humble child in a manger.
“True wisdom lies concealed in the
face of this child. It is here, in the sim-
plicity of Bethlehem, that the life of the
church is summed up.”
While Pope Francis and thousands of
people were at Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, thousands more lined the main boulevard leading to St. Peter’s Square for the
traditional, folkloric Epiphany celebration. Marching bands, Roman gladiators
and hundreds of people in Renaissance
costumes paraded up the street along with
the Three Kings and real camels.
At the Angelus at midday, the pope
said the revelation of Jesus to the shepherds and the Three Wise Men “teaches
us that in order to encounter Jesus it is
necessary to know to look up to heaven,
to not be withdrawn into oneself, but to
have a heart and mind open to the horizon
of God, who always surprises us, to know
to welcome his message and respond
quickly and generously.”
The Three Wise Men also compel “us
to not be satisfied with mediocrity, to not
just stumble along in life, but to seek out
the meaning of things and to look deeply
at the great mystery of life with passion.
And they teach us to not be scandalized
by smallness and poverty but to recognize the majesty in humility and know
how to kneel before it.”
Finding that star, such as the Gospel,
is a source of great joy and consolation,
he said, because one feels “guided and
not abandoned to our fate.” “Without listening to the Gospel, it is
not possible to encounter” Jesus, he said.
The pope asked people to pray that the
Virgin Mary “help us turn our gaze away
from ourselves, to let ourselves be guided
by the star of the Gospel to encounter Jesus, and to know how to lower ourselves
in order to adore him.”
March for Life changes venues, but strengthens message of ending abortion
WASHINGTON (CNS) – The an- tial candidates to speak at the rally as as telling police, “No more baby parts,”
nual March for Life, set for Friday, Jan. well, but that any announcement would in an apparent reference to the videos.
22, will convene in a new location in the come just before the event.
The videos are the subject of litigation
nation’s capital for the traditional midday
The day before the march, Father in U.S. District Court, Northern District
rally.
Frank Pavone, national director of Priests of California, where a judge will decide
Because of the ongoing refurbishment for Life, will lead a prayer rally at the whether the videos should be permaof the National Mall and strict new regu- Planned Parenthood offices in Washing- nently suppressed because they violate
lations that require temporary flooring ton. A youth rally at the Renaissance Ho- California laws about secret recordings
to protect the grass, the rally has been tel follows.
and also contributed to clinic arsons. Exmoved from the West Front of the Capitol
Other march-related activities include cerpts of the videos remain available on
to the Washington Monument grounds.
a Mass opening the overnight National YouTube.
“We were lucky to get that. It’s going Prayer Vigil for Life at the Basilica of
Even in truncated form, they videos
to cost us $70,000, and it’s not something the National Shrine of the Immaculate have had an effect, said Michael Ciccowe budgeted for,” said Jeanne Monahan-Mancini, president of March
March for Life buses and prayer opportunities – page 9
for Life. “It’s the most economical
wide-open space we could afford.”
Other than the venue, the event,
which draws busloads of Catholic parish- Conception Jan. 21 and a Mass the next cioppo, executive director of Pennsylvaioners and parochial school students, is morning at the Basilica; a Mass and in- nia Pro-Life Federation, a march particiexpected to remain much the same.
terdenominational prayer service at Con- pant.
Held since 1974, the march marks the stitution Hall prior to the march; and two
“I haven’t seen every single video
anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s similar events, Youth Rally and Mass for from start to finish, but I’ve seen parts of
Roe v. Wade decision in 1973, which le- Life, sponsored by the Archdiocese of all the videos,” he said. “When you lisgalized abortion.
Washington at the Verizon Center and the ten to these doctors sitting around eating
“Pro-Life is Pro-Woman” is this year’s D.C. Armory.
their lunch, eating their salad, drinking
theme.
Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback will be their wine and talking so callously about
“We know that abortion takes the life honored at the Constitution Hall event what they do and how much they can get
of one and wounds the life of another, for being the first governor to sign the for these body parts, I mean it really has
so we always try to emphasize ... that Unborn Child Protection from Dismem- exposed to the nation how horrendous
there’s always hope and healing for any- berment Abortion Act. The legislation is these things are that are going on.”
one who’s made that sad decision, and under review in a state appeals court.
Monahan-Mancini agreed that the vidit’s very important in terms of our mesTwo recent events loom over this eos are “very hard to watch.” However,
saging,” Monahan-Mancini told Catholic year’s march.
she finds them helpful to the pro-life efNews Service.
Last summer, an anti-abortion organi- fort.
It’s also intended as a way to blunt zation in California, the Center for Medi“The thing with abortion is, it’s very
critics, “because of the (presidential) cal Progress, released a series of secretly much in the dark. It’s a violent kind of
election and a lot of the rhetoric about the recorded videos that it claimed show thing,” she said. “The great gift, regardfalse ‘war on women,’” Monahan-Man- representatives from Planned Parenthood less if you agree with the (recording)
cini added.
clinics discussing the use of aborted in- approach, is bringing into the light what
Retired Baltimore Ravens football fant parts for profit.
happens behind closed doors. It was just
player Matt Birk is the headline speaker
In November a gunman opened fire at so clear that there was a lack of respect
at the rally and that evening’s Rose Din- a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood for these little babies. They were just obner. Monahan-Mancini said she expected clinic, killing three and wounding nine. jects, objects for material gain.”
at least a couple of Republican presiden- The suspect, Robert Dear, was reported
As for the Colorado shooter, “That’s
their responsibility when people like that
act in that way,” Ciccocioppo said. “It’s
not the responsibility of the (anti-abortion) movement. This man has nothing to
do with us.”
“The truth is going to come out one
way or the other,” Father Pavone said.
“The safest way to proceed for the vast
majority of those involved in the march is
through the peaceful, prayerful activities
and legitimate avenues of government.”
Nationally, support for legalized abortion remains strong. An Associated Press
poll taken shortly after the Colorado incident showed support at its
highest level in two years.
The poll found that 58 percent
of the respondents thought abortion should be legal in most or all cases.
That’s an increase from 51 percent who
said so at the beginning of 2015. The poll
showed equal support among both Democrats and Republicans.
“I don’t think that poll is fair,” Monahan-Mancini said. “And I don’t think it’s
reflective of the average American and
what they think.”
Reversing the landmark Supreme
Court decision remains the long-term
goal of the march. But organizers told
CNS they prefer to focus on changing the
nationwide conversation.
“I think we have a much loftier goal,
and that’s to change the hearts and minds
of Americans. That no woman, in her
right mind, would ever choose abortion.
Because we really have a deprived culture when any woman thinks that’s an
empowering act,” Monahan-Mancini
said.
Ciccocioppo said the challenge to the
pro-life movement in its quest to overturn Roe v. Wade is “that the court is still
stacked against us.”
13
14
The A.D. Times
Saint
}}Continued from page 1
those of her relatives and friends when
her dying husband was taken to the operating room Dec. 9, 2008.
When the surgeon entered the operating room, he reported that he found the
patient awake, free of pain and asking,
“What am I doing here?” Doctors report-
Mercy
}}Continued from page 1
cially during times of trouble and sorrow,
he said.
At the church dedicated to Mary and
on her feast day as Mother of God, the
pope explained how Mary is the mother
of mercy because she bore “the very face
of divine mercy,” the son of God “made
incarnate for our salvation.”
“Mary is an icon of how the church
must offer forgiveness to those who seek
it. The mother of forgiveness teaches the
church that the forgiveness granted on
Golgotha knows no limits. Neither the
law with its quibbles, nor the wisdom of
this world with its distinctions, can hold
it back,” he said.
Mary offers the world Jesus, who in
turn, offers that forgiveness which “renews life, enables us once more to do
God’s will and fills us with true happiness,” the pope said.
“The power of forgiveness is the true
antidote to the sadness caused by resentment and vengeance,” which do nothing
but “trouble the mind and wound the
World
January 7, 2016
ed the man showed no more symptoms
and a Vatican medical commission voted
unanimously in September 2015 that the
healing was inexplicable.
St. John Paul II had made an exception to the usual canonization process
in Mother Teresa’s case by allowing her
sainthood cause to be opened without
waiting the usual five years after a candidate’s death. He beatified her in 2003. The order she started – the Missionaries of Charity – continues its outreach to
the “poorest of the poor.”
Among the other decrees approved
Dec. 17, the pope recognized the heroic
virtues of Comboni Father Giuseppe
Ambrosoli, an Italian surgeon, priest and
missionary who dedicated his life to caring for people in Uganda, where he also
founded a hospital and midwifery school
before his death in 1987. His father ran
the Ambrosoli honey company.
The pope also recognized the heroic
virtues of De La Salle Brother Leonardo
Lanzuela Martinez of Spain (1894-1976)
and Heinrich Hahn, a German surgeon.
Born in 1800, the lay Catholic doctor
was the father of 10 children and dedicated much of his activity to providing
medical care to the poor. He was also
involved in public service, even serving
in the German parliament. He founded
the St. Francis Xavier Mission Society in
Germany and the “Giuseppino” Institute
for those suffering from incurable illnesses. He died in 1882.
heart, robbing it of rest and peace.”
After the Mass, the pope symbolically
opened another door, this time the large
iron gates in front of a smaller chapel
housing a Marian icon he is particularly
devoted to -- the “Salus Populi Romani”
(health of the Roman people).
A deacon told the congregation to pray
together with the Holy Father and ask
Mary “to take us by the hand and lead us
to the Lord Jesus.” After the pope pushed
open the gates, he brought up a small floral arrangement of white lilies to the altar
and prayed in silence before the icon.
Earlier in the day, the pope further
marked the World Day of Peace in his
noon Angelus address, when he said
peace must not only be cultivated but
also conquered in a spiritual fight being
waged by war and indifference.
Christians are called at the beginning
of the new year to open their hearts and
“reawaken the attention to one’s neighbor, to those who are closest,” he said.
“War is not the only enemy of peace,
but also indifference, which makes us
think only of ourselves and creates barriers, suspicions, fears and closures. These
are the enemies of peace,” the pope said.
Recalling the church’s celebration of
the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God,
the pope asked for her intercession so
that the faithful may imitate her in guarding and meditating on all that happens in
their hearts.
Mary “preserves the joys and loosens
the knots of our lives, taking them to the
Lord,” he said.
The pope also celebrated Mass in St.
Peter’s Basilica in the morning to mark
the Marian feast day.
God is present in human history, he
said, despite signs and events that “tend
to make us think instead that he is absent.”
“Sometimes we ask ourselves how it
is possible that human injustice persists
unabated, and that the arrogance of the
powerful continues to demean the weak,
relegating them to the most squalid outskirts of our world,” he said.
“How can the fullness of time have
come when we are witnessing hordes of
men, women and children fleeing war,
hunger and persecution, ready to risk
their lives simply to encounter respect for
their fundamental rights?”
Pope Francis went on to say that notwithstanding those events, the “swollen
torrent” of misery is powerless “before
the ocean of mercy which floods our
world.” The grace of Christ “brings our
hope of salvation to fulfillment” and
gives Christians the strength to build a
more “just and fraternal world.”
“Where philosophical reason and political negotiation cannot arrive, there the
power of faith, which brings the grace of
Christ’s Gospel, can arrive, opening ever
new pathways to reason and to negotiation,” he said.
In an Angelus address Jan. 3, the pope
reminded visitors in St. Peter’s Square to
keep a small book of the Gospels with
them at all times and read at least one
verse each day “in order to know Jesus
better, to open our heart up wide to Jesus”
and share him with others.
The pope warned against “the mystery
of evil which threatens our lives, too, and
demands our vigilance and attention so it
not prevail.”
“Woe to us if we let in” sin which always lies in wait “at the door,” he said.
He also asked people take on the title of his World Day of Peace message,
“Overcome Indifference and Win Peace,”
like a New Year’s resolution to “put into
practice” with God’s help.
Vatican newspaper: Being PC, disdainful of religion is ‘sad paradox’
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – A world
that carefully adheres to the dictates of
being “politically correct” yet refuses to
respect people’s faith in God is a “sad
paradox,” the Vatican newspaper said.
The Jan. 6 article, headlined “The
Charlie Hebdo question: Manipulated
faith,” came in response to the front cover of the latest issue of the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo.
Marking the one-year anniversary of
when two Islamic extremists raided the
magazine’s offices and killed 12 people,
the magazine featured a drawing of an
angry God running with blood spattered
on him and a machine gun over his back.
The article in the Vatican newspaper,
L’Osservatore Romano, said the satirical
dig was nothing new “because behind the
misleading banner of uncompromising
secularism, the French weekly is forgetting once again what religious leaders of
every faith have been repeating for a long
time in rejecting violence in the name of
religion – that using God to justify hatred
is true blasphemy, as Pope Francis has reiterated several times.”
In the latest cover design for Charlie
Hebdo, the article said, “one observes the
sad paradox of a world that is ever more
careful about being ‘politically correct’
almost to the point of being ridiculous ...
but that does not want to recognize and
respect every believer’s faith in God,” regardless of what religion it be.
The Vatican newspaper article quoted
Anouar Kbibech, president of the French
council of the Muslim faith, saying the
drawing “harms all believers of different
religions. It is a caricature that is unhelpful at a time when we need to come together side by side.”
The deadly attack Jan. 7, 2015, perpetrated by two brothers with reported ties
to a branch of al-Qaida, was said to be in
retaliation to the publication of cartoons
mocking Islam’s prophet Muhammad.
The killings sparked much debate about
the role of satire and just how far freedom
of speech should go.
Pope Francis clarified his position during an interview with reporters Jan. 19
when he said, “In theory, we all agree:
There is freedom of expression, a violent
aggression is not good, it’s always bad.
We all agree, but in practice, let us stop
a little because we are human and we risk
provoking others. For this reason freedom
must be accompanied by prudence.”
“I cannot constantly insult, provoke a
person continuously, because I risk making him angry, and I risk receiving an unjust reaction, one that is not just. But that’s
human. For this reason I say that freedom
of expression must take into account the
human reality and for this reason it must
be prudent. It’s a way of saying that one
must be well-behaved, prudent. Prudence
is the human virtue that regulates our relationships. I can go so far, I cannot go
further, and there, beyond that, no,” he
said.
January 7, 2016
Diocese
The A.D. Times
Donors thanked and honored at Bishop’s Advent Brunch
By TAMI QUIGLEY
Staff writer
“As Pope Francis said, ‘Families
transform history.’ Your families and
your marriages have transformed history
with your faith, love and dedication to
the splendor of Catholic truth,” Bishop
John Barres told those gathered for the
Bishop’s Advent Brunch Dec. 5 at Lehigh
Country Club, Allentown.
The Advent Brunch was held to thank
Bishop’s Circle-level donors who support
the many ministries of the diocese.
Alice Duerr-Pawelski generously
sponsored the brunch.
Paul Acampora, secretary of the diocesan Secretariat for Stewardship and
DevelopAbove, Bishop John Barres greets those gathered for the Bishop’s Advent
ment, thanked
Brunch Dec. 5 at Lehigh Country Club, Allentown. (Photo by John Simitz)
those gathered
for being, in
Left, guests enjoy listening to Bishop John Barres’ reflections. (Photo by John
the words of
Simitz)
Pope Francis,
“deeply comBelow, chatting during the brunch, are, from left, Renee and David Bosich,
mitted to makparishioners of Holy Family, Nazareth, and Teresa Krolick and Ronald Whalen,
ing the world a
parishioners of St. Joseph, Frackville. (Photo by John Simitz)
little less cold,
a little more
just.”
“I’m looking forward to
spending the
Year of Mercy together,”
Acampora
said.
“Increase Sunday Mass attendance by
“This day is really about you, who
make possible all the work we do. For 10 percent.
“Increase the number of seminarians
me it’s a blessing every day to be part of
in the Diocese of Allentown from 15 to
this.”
Acampora thanked the staff of the 45.
“The Diocese of Allentown’s Catholic
Secretariat for Stewardship and Development for their efforts toward the day’s educational system will be known nationally for its breakthrough apevent.
proaches to dynamic Catholic
Bishop Barres said
identity, academic excellence,
during the coverage
“Pope Francis says
increasing enrollment and serof Pope Francis’ visit
Bishop’s Annual Appeal and Catholic Charities
vice to the poor and mission
to the United States,
‘Mercy is the beatareas of the diocese.
the bishop was happy
The Diocese of Allentown through its parishes, Catholic Charities
ing heart of the
“The ministries of the Dioto hear a CNN anchor
and the generosity of its parishioners, provides help to those who
Gospel.’
Mercy
is
cese of Allentown will be Good
describe the exciteneed it most – the poor, the marginalized and those in crisis.
the beating heart
Samaritan beacons of hope and
ment as “equivalent
of the Mass and
light to all who are suffering by
to the New York
• More than $4.9 million was raised in the latest Bishop’s Annual Appeal.
compassionately affirming the
Rangers winning the
our families and
sanctity of human life and the
Stanley Cup and the
• The diocese works to turn Pope Francis’ words about reaching out to the
everything you do.
dignity and worth of every inNew York Knicks
poor and suffering of the world into concrete initiatives in our parishes, our
Merry
Christmas.”
dividual. Many Catholics and
winning the NBA sischools and the work of Catholic Charities.
non-Catholics will be drawn
multaneously in the
to deeper participation in the
same building.”
• Last year alone more than 22,000 people of all faiths received assistance
Bishop Barres recalled that while in mission of the church because of these
through Catholic Charities.
the diocese’s hospitality suite during the ministries.”
“One and two are very connected. Our
World Meeting of Families (WMOF) in
• This assistance is provided regardless of religious affiliation.
Philadelphia, a young girl from Berks belief in the Holy Spirit can take us placCounty named Monica – “a spitfire” – es beyond our own reach,” Bishop Barres
• Through the compassionate ministries of Holy Family Manor and Catholic
was relishing eating a bowl of macaroni said.
Senior Housing, the Diocese of Allentown provides quality nursing care and
To attain a 10 percent increase in Mass
and cheese and let out “a loud burp.”
affordable housing for older adults of any faith.
“’Bishop, Monica is the exclamation attendance, “each one of us must get out
point in our family,’” Bishop Barres said, of our little comfort zone and ask, with
• Women and men who have experienced abortion find healing and grace
sharing the words her mother spoke to love and charity, someone to go to Mass.”
through Rachel’s Vineyard/Project Rachel. Retreats are conducted in Eng“We have an outstanding quality of
him.
lish and Spanish.
Bishop Barres noted beautiful, humorPlease see BRUNCH page 16 }}
ous stories such as these show the Holy
Spirit working in families. He added Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York, who
recently spoke at DeSales University,
Center Valley, is “an icon of the joy and
laughter of the Gospel.”
Laughter, the bishop said, is important
in our families.
“Thank you for your marriages and
families,” Bishop Barres said, as they
propel the missionary work of the church.
Bishop Barres outlined the five aspirational goals of the diocese set forth from
Nov. 1, 2015 to June 19, 2019:
“The Diocese of Allentown, driven
by vibrant and welcoming parish communities, will become a compelling and Above left, Paul Acampora, left, greets Karen and Frederick (Jack) Yanity, parishioners of St. Joseph, Jim Thorpe.
influential national model of missionary
growth benefitting the entire church in Above right, Sister of Mercy Janice Marie Johnson, right, speaks with Andrew and Hilda Glovas, parishioners of St.
the United States.
Theresa of the Child Jesus, Hellertown. (Photos by John Simitz)
15
16
The A.D. Times
Diocese
Brunch
}}Continued from page 15
seminarians. Our presbyterate inspires me every
day,” Bishop Barres said. “Tripling the number of
seminarians is a tall order, but it’s already in motion,”
he said, highlighting the Quo Vadis, Fiat and Aspirancy programs.
“All of us are called to promote these beautiful
vocations.”
Bishop Barres highlighted the importance, “in a
world of Paris and San Bernardino,” to “express the
cross of Jesus Christ is the answer to the problem of
evil.”
The bishop noted the diocese is also in the process
of searching for a chancellor of education.
Bishop Barres spoke of a couple who was drawn
back to the Catholic Church after being touched by
how the John Paul II Center for Special Learning,
Shillington upholds the dignity of life.
January 7, 2016
“Pope Francis says ‘Mercy is the beating heart
of the Gospel.’ Mercy is the beating heart of the
Mass and our families and everything you do,”
Bishop Barres said. “Merry Christmas.”
Table chairpersons were: Bishop Barres; Acampora; Dr. Philip Fromuth, secretary of the diocesan
Secretariat for Catholic Education; Janis Geist,
Catholic school scholarship administrator; Mary
Fran Hartigan, secretary of the diocesan Secretariat for Catholic Life and Evangelization; Sister
of Mercy (RSM) Janice Marie Johnson, major and
planned gifts officer; and John Majewski, director
of the office of project services.
Also, Michele Mullikin, director of parish stewardship and annual giving; Pam Russo, secretary
of the diocesan Secretariat for Catholic Human
Services and executive director of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Allentown; Julie Scheck, advancement director for Catholic Charities; Mark Smith,
secretary of the diocesan Secretariat for Temporal
Affairs and CFO; and Judith Stewart, assistant to
Acampora and special events coordinator.
Above right, Bishop John Barres,
left, greets Randy Haring, a teacher
at Allentown Central Catholic High
School (ACCHS), right, and Iris
Cao, a foreign exchange student at
ACCHS. (Photo by John Simitz)
Right, enjoying the brunch are, from
left, Mary Ann and Dr. John Stasik,
parishioners of St. Joseph, (Limeport) Coopersburg, and Barbara
(seated) and Dr. Tom Tachovsky,
parishioners of Assumption BVM,
Bethlehem. (Photo by John Simitz)
Left, Bishop John Barres meets
Gary and Lori Raser, parishioners
of St. Benedict, Mohnton. (Photo by
John Simitz)
Left, Bishop John Barres,
left, greets Anne and
Chip Catino, parishioners
of St. Joseph, (Limeport)
Coopersburg. (Photo by
John Simitz)
Right,
Bishop
John
Barres, right, meets Edward Martin, parishioner
of St. Katharine Drexel,
Lansford. (Photo by John
Simitz)
January 7, 2016
Diocese
The A.D. Times
17
Music and pastoral ministry blend harmoniously for IHM Sister Therese Paull
ministry is limited.
“When first arriving in Hellertown,
Father Dominic Phan, then assistant pastor there, was happy for my help in bringing Communion to the homebound. He
showed me that the homebound have
ways of bringing Jesus to us just as we
bring Jesus in the sacrament to them. The
ministry truly becomes ‘a communion,’”
By TAMI QUIGLEY
Staff writer
said Sister Therese.
“The pastoral needs in every parish are
“In our community we are on the as many and diverse as the people who
watch for how providence works in our fill our pews. Since my experience conlives,” said Sister Therese Paull, a Sis- sisted of interaction only with teenagers
ter, Servant of the Immaculate Heart of for 47 years, being with elders was a new
Mary (IHM) of the Immaculata branch of experience. Wow. They have so much to
IHMs.
offer us.
“God is always there loving us, even
“It is hard to see the face of God by
when we are at the end of our rope and looking in the mirror. It is much easier to
think that we cannot go any further. God see the face of God in the countenance
works his will through us when we trust,” of another person who is asking for our
said Sister Therese, who entered the time, care and love.
IHMs in 1958 at Immaculata.
“When I realized the enormity of the
She was a high school music teacher task, God sent us two women who have
in Harrisburg, Philadelphia and New Jer- become five, then 12, and we do our best
sey for 47 years, and when she went to St. to share Jesus in our lives so that we can
Theresa of the Child Jesus, Hellertown in truly ‘look forward to the resurrection’ –
2007, was led to see the many ministries with joy and confidence.
to the elderly and grieving.
“The Little Flower says that ‘everyMusic has been etched in her heart thing is grace.’ Moments of grace fill our
since childhood, and it has echoed days when ‘two or three are gathered’ to
throughout her ministry, now joined by share Jesus in the sacrament of the Eupastoral ministry. It was not something charist, or to visit someone in a hospital
Sister Therese envisioned happening, but whose life is changing or to plan a fitting
God’s providence has brought her minis- tribute for a loved one who has died.
tries together in harmony ... they are, you
“Our priests daily feed us with food
could say, perfectly in tune.
from Scripture and Jesus himself. SalSister Therese grew up in the parish of vation is free and we all love a bargain.
Holy Cross, Mount Airy in the German- Keep looking for providence in your
town area of Philalives.”
delphia. Her parents,
Sister Therese’s
George and Cathpastoral
ministry
“Our
priests
daily
feed
us
erine, who met at
soon took off. She
with
food
from
Scripture
the parish Dramatic
noted Father Jeand Jesus himself. SalvaSociety, realized the
rome Tauber, pastor,
importance of saction is free and we all love
and Msgr. Alfred
rifice and the arts
Schlert,
diocesan
a bargain. Keep looking for
in the lives of their
vicar general and
providence
in
your
lives.”
children.
former pastor now
“My
father
in residence, have
played piano by ear
been supportive of
– I could not do that. He could pick up her efforts.
almost any instrument and make music
She spent a day with an IHM sister
with it almost immediately, but was so in Philadelphia who worked this type of
busy putting food on the table that he ministry, and the sister spent a day in Heldid not get the opportunity to develop lertown with St. Therese.
his talent. However, he gave his children
“This year I invited 10 women to aslessons, a gift we all developed to some sist Regina Clawson and I in providing
degree, grateful for his sacrifice,” said the Eucharistic services for two nursing
Sister Therese.
home communities,” Sister Therese said
“In my journey, I cherish the time of Saucon Valley Manor and Weston Reat four high schools I was privileged to habilitation and Nursing Center, both in
serve: McDevitt, Prendergast, Immacu- Hellertown.
lata and Little Flower.”
At Saucon Valley Manor they meet
Today the majority of her work is about 30 people for a Communion serwith the elderly and grieving. Her music vice, then visit the two Alzheimer units in
ministry centers on serving as a substi- the same facility and have a Communion
tute organist usually twice a month for service for each unit of approximately
Sunday Mass, and for PREP and school 15 people. On the first Wednesday of the
Masses and devotions when needed. She month Father Tauber celebrates Mass.
also lectors at the 8 a.m. Mass on Fridays.
On the other weekdays, depending on
Because Sister Therese is responsible for the schedule, Sister Therese visits any of
many duties in the convent, her pastoral the nearby nursing facilities and/or rehabs
Editor’s note: This article is part of
a continuing series on religious communities in the Diocese of Allentown, to
commemorate the Year of Consecrated
Life, the weekend of Nov. 29-30, 2014
through Feb. 2, 2016, World Day of
Consecrated Life.
Vocations
The Diocese of Allentown dynamically promotes vocations to the
priesthood and religious life.
• The diocese is reaching out to young people through social
media such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.
• We are tapping into the energy and enthusiasm of our young
priests to find new ways to interest young men and women in the priesthood
and religious life.
• The diocese has instituted a “Quo Vadis” program, a weeklong summer
program of prayer and discernment in which dozens of young men have
participated.
• A similar program called “Fiat” for young women discerning a call to religious life was debuted this year.
• The diocese also assists young adult men who are seriously contemplating
the priesthood through an Aspirancy Program.
• For more information, visit the diocesan website, www.allentowndiocese.
org/the-diocese/vocations.
Sister, Servant of the Immaculate
Heart of Mary (IHM) Sister Therese
Paull, center, is flanked by, from left,
Pat Paulson and Regina Clawson,
two of the women who first joined her
in ministry to the elderly and have become mentors to new members.
where parishioners may be temporarily
housed. These include St. Luke’s Hospital, St. Luke’s Hospice House, Blough
Nursing Home, Moravian Village and
ManorCare Health Services, all Bethlehem; the four Lehigh Valley campuses of
Lehigh Valley Hospital; and Gracedale
Nursing Home, Nazareth.
In grief ministry Sister Therese visits
the families of those who die and assists
them in planning readings, music and
participation in the funeral liturgy. She
then communicates that and any information that will assist Father Tauber in ministering to the family. She also attends the
funeral, and assists the funeral team and
the family in any way needed.
“One woman makes prayer shawls
and after being blessed by Father Tauber, members of the bereavement ministry take them to the bereaved. We have
brought more than 50 of these shawls
to our parishioners and those who touch
their lives,” Sister Therese said.
“Four women send cards to the family during the year following the death of
a loved one containing prayerful support
from the pastor and the parishioners,” she
said. They also send “Care Notes” pam-
phlets to help them in their own grief,
and information about the grief support
meetings held in the convent twice a year
before Christmas and Easter, “which are
especially difficult times are for people.”
Sister Therese said Father Tauber prepared a large triptych in the church with
the names of all who have died during the
year. During November they are prayed
for daily at Mass.
Sister Therese has long loved Psalm
43:4, known as the “Psalm for Aging
People.” It states, “I will go to the altar of
God, to God who gives joy to my youth,”
as well as in the middle years and old age.
“It’s not about dragging your feet, but
dancing drunk with gratitude.”
“I never thought I’d be in pastoral
work, but I love it. I love meeting people
and sharing the Lord with them,” Sister
Therese said. “They’re not afraid to share
their love of God because they’ve lived
such joyful lives. They may not be happy
all the time, but Jesus is the reason they
put one foot in front of the other each day,
and that makes them joyful.
“It is a joy for me to meet and serve
such good, holy people. They inspire me
and give me hope.”
About the IHMs
themselves in joyful oblation to God by
their transformation in Christ and their
incorporation into his redeeming mission
through the church.
The special virtues of the congregation
include humility, simplicity, self-abnegation, devoted charity and hospitality.
Vows: Poverty, chastity and obedience.
Religious habit or attire: The religious habit of the congregation has undergone several changes since the Second
Vatican Council, and consists of two basic styles: skirt and blouson (navy blue
or light blue); navy blue or light blue suit
and white blouse; black veil, standard silver crucifix and gold ring engraved with
two hearts, pierced by a sword.
Ministries in Diocese of Allentown
of the IHMs Immaculata Branch: St.
Joseph, Ashland; Office of Education,
Bethlehem; St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, Hellertown; Our Lady of the Angels
Academy, Lansford; St. Catharine of Si-
Name: Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM).
History: The Immaculata Branch
of IHMs was founded by Redemptorist
Missionary Father Louis Florent Gillet in
Monroe, Mich. in 1845. The first foundation of the Immaculata Branch of IHMs
in the Diocese of Allentown was July 28,
1859 at St. Peter, Reading. Historically,
the primary apostolate of the congregation is Catholic education at all levels.
Charism: The charism is “love,”
which continues to manifest itself today
in the sisters’ joyful service of God and
his people; creative “hope,” which puts
all its confidence in God’s loving providence; and “fidelity,” which inspires fervor in one’s vocation in Christ and mission to the church.
The spirit of the congregation is, in
the tradition of St. Alphonsus Ligouri,
the spirit of Jesus Christ, the Redeemer.
This spirit impels the sisters to offer
Please see IHMs page 20 }}
18
The A.D. Times
Diocese
Calendar
Editor’s note: E-mail, fax or mail church-affiliated items for
the Calendar page (Calendar, Retreats, Socials, Festivals,
Bazaars, Trips) to: e-mail, [email protected];
fax, 610-439-7694; The A.D. Times, P.O. Box F, Allentown, PA
18105-1538.
Items must be received by Thursday of the week before
publication.
Please type or print. Please notify The A.D. Times if
bingos and other regularly listed events are cancelled for
the summer or other holiday periods, and again when they
resume.
The A.D. Times publishes only newly announced, churchaffiliated trips on a regular basis. The entire previously
announced repeating trip list is published only as space
permits. Please notify The A.D. Times when seats are filled for a
trip so it can be removed from the repeating list.
Saturday, Jan. 9
Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship, gymnasium, Holy Family School, Nazareth, 9:30 a.m., registration 9
a.m., [email protected], http://www.eteamz.com/HolyFamilyAA/handouts/#1905493.
“Resourcing Your Ministry,” youth ministry professional
development days, diocesan Office of Youth and Young Adult
Ministry, 2145 Madison Ave., Bethlehem, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.,
$5, bring bag lunch, snacks and drinks provided, 610-2898900, ext. 21, [email protected].
Sunday, Jan. 10
Breakfast, Men of St. Francis, church hall, St. Francis of Assisi, Allentown, 9 a.m.-noon, adults $6, children $4.
Bereavement Support Group, parish center, St. Joseph the
Worker, Orefield, 3-4:30 p.m., cancelled in case of inclement
weather, 610-392-2957, [email protected].
Spring Prom Fashion Show, Nativity BVM High School,
Pottsville, 2 p.m., $5, tickets at the door or 570-622-8110.
Monday, Jan. 11
Friendly Fifties, social hall, St. John the Baptist Byzantine,
1343 Newport Ave., Northampton, Dale Sine (formerly of the
Melody Aces) will entertain, canceled if Northampton schools
are delayed or closed.
“Landings: A Program for Returning Catholics,” rectory meeting room, St. Benedict, Mohnton, 7 p.m., 610-856-1006, www.
churchofsaintbenedict.com.
Thursday, Jan 14
Serra Club of Reading Dinner Meeting, Sacred Heart Villa,
Reading, 6 p.m., speaker Father Eugene Ritz, chaplain, Berks
Catholic High School.
“Genesis to Jesus: A Journey Through Scripture,” seven-part
Bible study, school hall, St. Ignatius Loyola, Sinking Spring,
7-8:30 p.m., $10, register by Thursday, Jan. 7, 610-927-7940.
Saturday, Jan. 16
Oldies Dance, social hall, St. John the Baptist, Allentown,
7-10 p.m., $5, BYOB, 610-432-0034, 610-432-3505.
Sunday, Jan. 17
Breakfast, Knights of Columbus Council 14464, church basement, Sacred Heart of Jesus, Bath, 7:30-11 a.m., adults $8,
children $4, under 6 free.
Sunday, Jan. 24
Heritage Week Mass for the Feast of St. Francis de Sales,
Connelly Chapel, DeSales University, Center Valley, 8 p.m.,
Bishop John Barres main celebrant and homilist, 610-2821100, ext. 1244, www.desales.edu/salesian.
Monday, Jan. 25
Heritage Week Public Forum on Biomedical Ethics, “Healthcare in Today’s Culture,” Gerald White Pavilion, DeSales University Center, Center Valley, 7 p.m.; speakers Brian Nester,
president and CEO, Lehigh Valley Health Network; John Nespoli, president and CEO, Sacred Heart Health Care System;
Richard Anderson, president and CEO, St. Luke’s University
Health Network; 610-282-1100, ext. 1244, www.desales.edu/
salesian.
Tuesday, Jan. 26
Heritage Week Seminar on Law and Society, “On Religious
Freedom,” 7 p.m., Gerald White Pavilion, DeSales University
Center, Center Valley, 7 p.m., speaker Robert George, Princeton University, chairman of U.S. Commission on International
Religious Freedom, 610-282-1100, ext. 1244, www.desales.edu/
salesian.
Wednesday, Jan. 27
Heritage Week Town Hall on Social Communications, “On
Mass Media and Catholicism,” 7 p.m., Gerald White Pavilion,
DeSales University Center, Center Valley, 7 p.m., presented by
John Allen, associate editor at Boston Globe, 610-282-1100,
ext. 1244, www.desales.edu/salesian.
Thursday, Jan. 28
Heritage Week R. Wayne Kraft Memorial Lecture, “Communicating Pope Francis to the World,” 8 p.m., Gerald White
Pavilion, DeSales University Center, featuring Father Thomas
Rosicz, English-language liaison at Vatican Press Office and
CEO of Salt and Light Media, 610-282-1100, ext. 1244, www.
desales.edu/salesian.
Sunday
Scripture
January 7, 2016
Saturday, Jan. 30
Catholic Relief Services Collection, parishes of the Diocese
of Allentown, also Sunday, Jan. 31.
“Be Cool for Our School” Polar Plunge, St. Joseph Regional
Academy, Jim Thorpe, at Mauch Chunk Lake, Jim Thorpe,
registration $35 open 9:30-10:30 a.m., plungers hit the water
11 a.m., www.sjracademy.org, 570-325-4052, 570-325-3186,
Facebook “SJRA Polar Plunge.”
Dinner Dance, Knights of Columbus Cathedral Council
14397 and Women’s Alliance, Parish Activity Center, Cathedral
of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown, dinner 6 p.m., dancing
7-10 p.m., $30 per person, ticket deadline Sunday, Jan. 24,
610-398-9629.
“City Lights: The 5th on Five,” Allentown Brew Works, Allentown, 7:30-11 p.m. semi-formal (no jeans, T-shirts or sneakers) social event for young adults college age to 35, $10 per
person, cash bar available for those over 21 years of age, valid
ID required at check-in, register http://www.allentowndiocese.org/
youth-and-young-adults/young-adult-ministry/citylights/, information 610-289-8900, ext. 23.
Wednesday, Feb. 3
Allentown Serra Club dinner meeting, Econolodge, Allentown, hospitality 6 p.m., dinner 6:30 p.m., speaker Father Jared
Zambelli.
Saturday, Feb. 6
Multicultural Dinner, Holy Infancy School, Bethlehem, 6:308:30 p.m., adults $15, children 5-10 $5, under 5 free, tickets
available at parish office, 610-866-1121.
Retreats
First Tuesdays
“Simply Prayer,” mornings of prayer, reflection and sharing,
St. Francis Center for Renewal, Bethlehem, 9:30 a.m.-noon,
free will offering, 610-867-8890, [email protected],
www.stfrancisctr.org.
Third Tuesdays
“Journey of the Heart: Introduction to Contemplative Prayer
Practices,” St. Francis Center for Renewal, Bethlehem, 7-9
p.m., free will offering, 610-867-8890, stfranciscenter@gmail.
com, www.stfrancisctr.org.
Monday, April 25
“Showing God’s Love to Those Who Seek Him,” mini-retreat
on one of the spiritual works of mercy, St. Francis Retreat
House, Easton, 6 p.m., $25, 610-258-3053, www.stfrancisretreathouse.org.
Wednesday, May 11
“Mary – Our Lady of Perpetual Help,” twilight retreat, St.
Francis Center for Renewal, Bethlehem, 6:45-9 p.m., $25, 610867-8890, [email protected], www.stfranciscenterforrenewal.org.
Saturday, July 2 – Thursday, July 7
“Enfolded in the ‘Mercy Seat’ of God,” sisters’ conference
retreat, open to religious sisters of all communities, St. Francis
Center for Renewal, Bethlehem, $400, 610-867-8890, [email protected], www.stfranciscenterforrenewal.org.
Socials
Sundays
Bingo, St. Joseph, Summit Hill, 6:30 p.m.
Bingo, Immaculate Conception School, Pen Argyl, 1 p.m.,
doors open 11 a.m., 610-863-4816.
Second Sundays
Bingo, Most Blessed Sacrament, Bally, 12:30 p.m., doors
open 11 a.m.
Wednesdays
Bingo, Slovak Catholic Sokol, SS. Cyril and Methodius,
Reading, at Slovak Catholic Social Hall, 411 Crestmont St.,
6:30 p.m., doors open 5 p.m. (changed from Mondays).
First Wednesdays (April-May)
Bingo, Knights of Columbus Council 12886, St. Ann, Emmaus, 7:30 p.m., doors open 7 p.m., $20, light dinner included.
Thursdays
Bingo, Knights of Columbus Home Association, Reading,
6:30 p.m., doors open 5 p.m., nonsmoking.
Bingo, St. Katharine Drexel, Lansford, 6:30 p.m., doors open
5 p.m.
First Fridays
“Retreat Day,” St. Francis Retreat House, Easton, 9 a.m.-2
p.m., $25, register by previous Monday, 610-258-3053, ext. 10,
www.stfrancisretreathouse.org.
Fridays
Bingo, St. Jerome, Tamaqua, 6 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 8 – Sunday, Jan. 10
“Women of Mercy,” spirituality weekend, St. Francis Center
for Renewal, Bethlehem, $170, 610-867-8890, stfranciscenter@
gmail.com, www.stfranciscenterforrenewal.org.
Sundays, Jan. 10, 24; Feb. 7; March 13; April 17; May 15,
29; Jun 12, 26; July 10, 24; Aug. 7, 28; Sept. 4, 25; Oct. 9,
16; Nov. 6, 13; Dec. 4
Bingo, Knights of Columbus Council 618, Shenandoah at St.
Stephen Hall, 2 p.m., doors open noon, accessible to handicapped.
Tuesday, Jan 19
“Choose Life – Openness to Change,” twilight retreat, St.
Francis Center for Renewal, Bethlehem, 6:45-9 p.m., $25, 610867-8890, [email protected], www.stfranciscenterforrenewal.org.
Sundays, Jan. 10, Feb. 14, March 13, April 10, May 15
Bingo, Annunciation BVM (St. Mary’s), Catasauqua, 1 p.m.,
kitchen opens 11:30 a.m.
Monday, Jan. 25
“Comforting the Sorrowful,” mini-retreat on one of the spiritual works of mercy, St. Francis Retreat House, Easton, 6 p.m.,
$25, 610-258-3053, www.stfrancisretreathouse.org.
Wednesday, Feb. 10
“Health, Wellness and Spirituality – Going Deeper – 12-Step
Spirituality,” St. Francis Center for Renewal, Bethlehem, 6:30-9
p.m., $150, eight-session series – also Wednesdays, Feb. 24,
March 9, 23, 30, April 13, 27 and May 11, 610-867-8890, [email protected], www.stfranciscenterforrenewal.org.
Sunday, Jan. 17
Meat Bingo, social hall, St. John the Baptist, Allentown, 1
p.m., doors open noon, $11, 610-432-3505.
Sunday, Feb. 7
Mardi Gras Bingo, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Incarnation
of Our Lord, Bethlehem, 2 p.m., doors open noon, advance
$20, at door $25, advance tickets 610-866-3391 or at weekend
Masses.
Trips
Wednesday, Feb. 24
‘“Downsizing’ with St. Francis – When Less is More,” twilight
retreat, St. Francis Center for Renewal, Bethlehem 6:45-9
p.m., $25, 610-867-8890, [email protected], www.
stfranciscenterforrenewal.org.
Monday, Feb. 29
“Admonishing the Sinner,” mini-retreat on one of the spiritual
works of mercy, presenter Bishop of Allentown John Barres,
St. Francis Retreat House, Easton, 6 p.m., $25. 610-258-3053,
www.stfrancisretreathouse.org.
Newly announced
Wednesday, Jan. 13
Women’s Guild, St. Joseph the Worker, Orefield to Mohegan
Sun Casino, Wilkes-Barre, $25, 610-392-2957.
Tuesday, Jan 19
Outreach Committee, St. Francis of Assisi, Allentown to
Mohegan Sun Casino, Wilkes-Barre, $22, 610-435-1791.
Wednesday, March 16
“Prepare Your Heart for the Holiest Time of Year,” twilight retreat, St. Francis Center for Renewal, Bethlehem, 6:45-9 p.m.,
$25, 610-867-8890, [email protected], www.stfranciscenterforrenewal.org.
Friday, Jan. 22
March for Life, Washington, D.C., for information on parishes
running bus trips visit www.allentowndiocese.org; for information
on the March for Life http://marchforlife.org/mfl-2016/.
Monday, March 21
“Forgiving Injuries,” mini-retreat on one of the spiritual works
of mercy, St. Francis Retreat House, Easton, 6p.m., $25, 610258-3053, www.stfrancisretreathouse.org.
Wednesday, Feb. 3
55+ Club, St. Anne, Bethlehem to “Vatican Splendors,”
Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, $73, 610-807-9906, deadline
Tuesday, Jan. 12.
Saturday, April 16
“The Face of the Father’s Mercy,” day of reflection, St. Francis Center for Renewal, Bethlehem, presented by Bishop of
Harrisburg Ronald Gainer, 8:30 am-3 p.m., $45, 610-867-8890,
[email protected], www.stfranciscenterforrenewal.org.
Thursday, Feb. 25
55+ Club, Notre Dame of Bethlehem to Hollywood Casino,
Grantville, $25, 610-866-0360.
Tuesday, April 19
“A Journey into the World Within: Optimal Well-Being,
Creativity and Possibilities,” twilight retreat, St. Francis Center
for Renewal, Bethlehem, 6:45-9 p.m., $25, 610-867-8890,
[email protected], www.stfranciscenterforrenewal.org.
Sunday, Jan. 10 First reading
Responsorial psalm
Second reading
Gospel
The Baptism of the Lord
Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7
Psalms 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10
Acts 10:34-38
Luke 3:15-16, 21-22
Wednesday, May 25
Prime Time, St. Joseph, Coopersburg to “Samson,” Sight
and Sound Theatre, Lancaster, $98, 215-529-4570.
Saturday, June 25 – Friday, July 1
Golden Agers, Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, Mahanoy City to
Mackinac Island, Michigan, $780, 570-773-1753.
Sunday, Jan. 17
First reading
Responsorial psalm
Second reading
Gospel
Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Isaiah 62:1-5
Psalms 96:1-2, 2-3, 7-8, 9-10
1 Corinthians 12:4-11
John 2:1-11
Diocese
January 7, 2016
Catholic school open house dates
Elementary schools – Berks County
Cabrini Early Childhood Learning
Center, 240 Franklin St., Reading – Every day of Catholic Schools Week beginning Monday, Feb. 1, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.,
and by appointment anytime, 610-3748483, [email protected].
Holy Guardian Angels Regional
School, 3125 Kutztown Road, Reading – Sunday, Jan. 31, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.,
3-year-old preschool through eighth
grade, school tours, meet the principal
and teachers, refreshments, and Monday,
Feb. 1, classroom observations, kindergarten to eighth grade, 8:30 to 10 a.m.,
preschool, 9 to 10 a.m., 610-929-4124,
[email protected].
Immaculate Conception Academy,
903 Chestnut St., Douglassville – Sunday, April 3, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 610-4048645, [email protected].
La Salle Academy, 440 Holland St.,
Shillington – Sunday, Jan. 31, 9 a.m. to 1
p.m., 610-777-7392, [email protected].
Sacred Heart School, 701 Franklin St.,
West Reading – Sunday, Jan. 31, 11 a.m.
to 1 p.m., 610-373-3316, [email protected].
St. Catharine of Siena School, 2330
Perkiomen Ave., Reading – Sunday, Jan.
31, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Tuesday,
Feb. 2, 9 to 10 a.m., 610-779-5810, [email protected].
St. Francis Academy, 668 Pine St.,
Bally – Sunday, Jan. 31, 11:15 a.m. to
1:15 p.m., 610-845-7364, altbsfa@ptd.
net.
St. Peter School, 225 S. Fifth St.,
Reading – Monday, Feb. 1, 9 a.m. to 2
p.m.; Thursday, Feb. 4, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.;
610-374-2447, [email protected].
Elementary schools - Carbon County
Our Lady of the Angels Academy, 123
E. Water St., Lansford – Sunday, Jan. 31,
noon to 2 p.m., 570-645-7101, altcola@
ptd.net.
St. John Neumann Regional School,
Saturday, Jan. 16, 10 a.m. to noon (Palmerton Campus – 259 Lafayette Ave.,
Palmerton), Saturday, Jan. 23, 10 a.m.
to noon (Slatington Campus – 641 W.
Washington St., Slatington), Monday,
Feb. 1, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (both campuses), and March 16, 3 to 6 p.m. (both
campuses), 610-826-2354 (Palmerton),
610-767-2935 (Slatington), altlcsjn@ptd.
net.
St. Joseph Regional Academy, 25 W.
Sixth St., Jim Thorpe – Sunday, Feb. 7,
2 to 4 p.m., 570-325-3186, altcsjra@ptd.
net.
Elementary schools – Lehigh County
Notre Dame of Bethlehem School,
1835 Catasauqua Road, Bethlehem –
Sunday, Jan. 24, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.,
610-866-2231, [email protected].
Our Lady Help of Christians School,
934 Hanover Ave., Allentown – Monday,
Feb. 1 through Friday, Feb. 5, 9 a.m. to
1 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 2, 3 to 6 p.m. and
Tuesday, April 12, 3 to 6 p.m., 610-4331592, [email protected].
Sacred Heart School, 325 N. Fourth
St., Allentown – School visits and shadow days available upon request, contact
610-437-3031, [email protected].
St. Ann School, 435 S. Sixth St., Emmaus – Sunday, Jan. 31, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
and Thursday, March 3, 6 to 7:30 p.m.,
610-965-9220, [email protected].
St. Elizabeth Regional School, 433
Pershing Blvd., Whitehall – Sunday, Jan.
31, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., tours available
by appointment during February and
March, 610-264-0143, [email protected].
St. Joseph the Worker School, 1858
Applewood Drive, Orefield – Sunday,
Jan. 31, 9 a.m.to 1:30 p.m., with a kindergarten information session at 10:30 a.m.
and an early childhood education session
at 11:30 a.m., 610-395-7221, altlsj@ptd.
net.
St. Michael the Archangel Middle
School, 4121 Old Bethlehem Pike, Bethlehem, prospective families and transfers
welcomed, grades 5-8, Sunday, Jan. 31,
11 a.m. to noon; St. Michael the Archangel Elementary School, 5040 St. Josephs
Road, Coopersburg, prospective families
and transfers welcomed. Information will
be available for pre-eighth grade, Thursday, Feb. 4, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and Sunday,
Feb. 7, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Tours outside
open house dates available and encouraged. 610-867-8422 (Middle School),
610-965-4441 (Primary School), [email protected].
St. Thomas More School, 1040 Flexer
Ave., Allentown – Sunday, Jan. 31, special liturgy, 10:30 a.m., admission application for 2016-17, kindergarten and
transfer students and used uniform sale,
9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Colonnade,
school open house – 10:15 a.m. to 1:30
p.m., Monday, Feb. 1, Parent Appreciation Day – classroom visitations, 9 to
10:30 a.m., 610-432-0396, altlstm@ptd.
net.
Elementary schools –
Northampton County
Good Shepherd Catholic School, 1300
Newport Ave., Northampton – Sunday,
Jan. 31, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., early
childhood education preview – Saturday,
March 5, 10 to 11 a.m. (snow date March
12), 610-262-9171, [email protected].
Holy Family School, 17 N. Convent
The A.D. Times
19
Road, Nazareth – Sunday, Jan. 31, 10
a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Holy Family School
gymnasium; 610-759-5642, altnhf@ptd.
net.
Holy Infancy School, 127 E. Fourth
St., Bethlehem – Thursday, Jan. 14, 9 to
11 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 4, 9 to 11 a.m.,
and Thursday, March 10, 9 to 11 a.m.,
610-868-2621, [email protected].
Immaculate Conception School, Heller and Babbit Avenue, Pen Argyl – Sunday, Jan. 31, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., 610863-4816, [email protected].
Sacred Heart School, 115 Washington
St., Bath – Sunday, Jan. 31, 10:30 a.m. to
1 p.m., 610-837-6391, [email protected].
St. Anne School, 375 Hickory St.,
Bethlehem – Sunday, Jan. 31, 10 a.m. to
1:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 27, early education open house (Pre-K to kindergarten),
10 to 11:30 a.m., 610-868-4182, altnsa@
ptd.net.
St. Jane Frances de Chantal School,
1900 Washington Blvd., Easton – Sunday, Jan. 31, 1 to 3 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 2,
9 to 11 a.m., and Thursday, Feb. 4, 5:30
to 7 p.m., 610-253-8442, [email protected].
St. Theresa School, 300 Leonard St.,
Hellertown – Sunday, Jan. 31, 10 a.m. to
1 p.m., 610-838-8161, [email protected].
Elementary schools –
Schuylkill County
St. Ambrose School, 302 Randel St.,
Schuylkill Haven – Sunday, Jan. 31, open
house and science fair viewing, book fair,
9 a.m. to noon, and Sunday, March 12, 9
a.m. to noon, 570-385-2377, altssa@ptd.
net.
High schools
Allentown Central Catholic High
School, 301 N. Fourth St., Allentown –
Sunday, March 13, 2 to 4 p.m., 610-437Please see SCHOOLS page 20 }}
20
The A.D. Times
Diocese
January 7, 2016
Children and elders connect
through intergenerational
programs at Holy Family Manor
dous benefits for both.
Older people in a nursing home may
have very few visitors and as a result feel
lonely and isolated. Children are full of
energy, and simple interactions such as
talking, singing songs, telling stories or
performing have a positive impact on
older people.
Intergenerational interaction provides
opportunities to reminisce; maintain links
to the past; and reinforce residents’ identities as parents, grandparents and greatgrandparents. Even persons with memory
loss can enjoy a visit from a young person, and will experience improved mood.
Children, especially those in elementary school, can learn to value the opportunity to make a difference in an older
person’s life. They learn to interact with
people different from themselves, as in a
nursing home they will encounter people
in wheelchairs and some who seem unresponsive because they may have trouble
seeing or hearing.
Children learn responsibility because
older people depend on them. They become familiar with issues of aging, such
as medical equipment, disabilities, loneliness and depression. They can learn respect, understanding, compassion and an
appreciation of other cultures.
Dialogue between generations promotes positive attitudes toward the elderly, and children can learn how to relate to seniors, even those with dementia
or illness. Children can
learn to recognize the
rights and needs of others, which reaffirms residents’ sense of being part
of a community.
Holy Family Manor is
a 208-bed skilled nursing
and rehabilitation center,
providing short term rehabilitation, skilled nursing care and outpatient
Addison Sabo reads to Maureen Jerant and shows therapy.
Approximately 65 perher the picture on the page.
A nursing home is a community of our
eldest seniors who are segmented from
the larger community due to their functional limitations. Many young people
simply have no experience with this age
group because frail and infirm older people are not seen in the mainstream of a
community.
Intergenerational programming at
Holy Family Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Bethlehem integrates
interaction, exchange and cooperation
between generations, and involves sharing of skills, knowledge and experience
between young and old.
Nursing home residents, children and
families connect each year when Holy
Family Manor organizes and conducts
Breakfast with Santa in December.
Approximately 60 children, along
with their parents, grandparents and
great-grandparents, attend in festively
decorated St. Mary’s Hall. Buffet breakfast is followed by individual visits and
photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Each
child receives a present to take home.
Children and youth groups are invited
to visit Holy Family Manor throughout
the year for a variety of activities. Thirdgraders from Calypso Elementary School
in Bethlehem visit Holy Family Manor
twice per month to read, play games and
make friends.
Interactions and strong connections
between young and old can have tremen-
Above, four generations of Anna Duh’s
family visit at Breakfast with Santa at
Holy Family Manor: Ann Marie Anderko, great-niece
Alisa Gonzalez, and
great-great-nieces
Isabelle, Melina and
Sabrina are shown
here with Anna, right.
Left, four generations of the Lasala
and Hernandez families visit with Santa
and Mrs. Claus.
cent of resident care is paid by Medicaid,
the government program to pay longterm care expenses when people have
outlived their financial resources. However, this covers only a portion of the
actual cost of care. In 2015 Holy Family
Manor provided approximately $5 million in charitable care.
For more information about Holy
Family Manor, call the Development Office, 610-865-5595, ext. 409.
Center, Wernersville.
Ministries in the Diocese of Allentown of the IHMs of Scranton Province: Cedar Brook Nursing Home, Fountain Hill.
Most of the sisters are in a school ministry (classroom, administration, office).
Other ministries are religious education
retreat work at the Jesuit Center, ministry
to the sick and ministry to Hispanics at
St. Paul, Reading.
Number of sisters: Diocese of Allentown, 29; North and South America, 763;
Peru, 26.
Motherhouse/headquarters
Immaculata Branch: Villa Maria House of
Studies, Immaculata.
Contact Immaculata Branch: Villa
Maria House of Studies, 1140 King Road,
Immaculata, PA 19345-0200; 610-6472160; fax 610-889-0509; ihmimm1140@
gmail.com; www.ihmimmaculata.org.
Contact Scranton Province: IHM
Center, 2300 Adams Ave., Scranton,
PA 18509; 570-342-6850; fax 570-3465439;
[email protected];
www.sistersofIHM.org.
Wyomissing Blvd., Reading – Sunday,
Jan. 31, 2 to 2:30 p.m., welcome address
in the Franco Post Auditorium, 2:30 to 4
p.m., activity fair, open registration for
new students, tours, and meet and greet
with faculty and administrators, 610-3748361, [email protected].
Bethlehem Catholic High School,
2133 Madison Ave., Bethlehem – Sunday, March 20, 2 to 4 p.m., 610-8660791, [email protected].
Marian High School, 166 Marian Ave.,
Tamaqua – Sunday, Jan. 31, 1 to 3 p.m.,
prospective parents/student social, Feb.
8, 6:30 p.m., 570-467-3335, altsmhs@
ptd.net.
Nativity BVM High School, One
Lawtons Hill, Pottsville – Sunday, Jan.
24, 1 to 3 p.m., 570-622-8110, altsnhs@
ptd.net.
Notre Dame High School, 3417
Church Road, Easton – Sunday, Jan. 31,
1 to 3 p.m. and Sunday, March 16, 6 to
8 p.m., 610-868-1431, [email protected].
First Religion Bowl at Assumption BVM
Recently the children of Assumption BVM Church, Bethlehem participated in
the parish’s first Religion Bowl on a Sunday afternoon. Those involved were
from the parish Prep program and the parish school – St. Michael the Archangel. This event was a cooperative effort between the parish Knights of Columbus Council 14924 and Christina Durback, director of religious education.
A total of 20 students were involved, along with eight students who served as
scorers. There were two divisions – grades 1 to 4 and grades 5 to 8. Knights
Ken Dougherty, Darrin Lenhart, Mike Wecheler and Jason Scheidel served
as moderators. Deacon Don Elliott was moderator for the final round. All the
students enjoyed the fun day of learning about their church and faith. It was
a beautiful learning experience for all and they expressed interest in doing it
again next year.
IHMs
}}Continued from page 17
ena, St. Joseph, St. Margaret, St. Peter
the Apostle and St. Paul, Reading; Trinity
Academy at the Father Walter J. Ciszek
Education Center, Shenandoah; Marian
High School, Tamaqua; and the Jesuit
Schools
}}Continued from page 19
4601, [email protected].
Berks Catholic High School, 955 E.
January 7, 2016
Diocese
The A.D. Times
Bishop Barres celebrates Christmas with seminarians at annual dinner
By TAMI QUIGLEY
Staff writer
“I love to hear how God’s grace is
working in your lives. It’s very inspirational to all the priests here and especially
to me, your bishop,” Bishop John Barres
told the young men gathered for the Seminarian Christmas Dinner Dec. 21 at the
Columbian Home, Allentown.
The festive evening began with the
celebration of evening prayer followed
by hors d’oeuvres and dinner. The bishop
gifted each seminarian with “A Prayerbook of Favorite Litanies” compiled by
Society of Mary (Marist Fathers) Father
Albert Herbert, and a diocesan coat of
arms lapel pin. There are 16 seminarians
studying for the Diocese of Allentown.
Bishop Barres thanked Msgr. David
James, director of
the diocesan Office
“I give thanks to God each
of Vocations, diocday for the peace he has
esan vice chancellor
Diocesan seminarians holding the Knights of Columbus banner
given me since entering
and vicar for pastoral
“Keep Christ in Christmas” at the Seminarian Christmas Dinthe seminary. Having anplanning, for all his
ner Dec. 21 at the Columbian Home Allentown are, from left,
swered my initial call, I now
efforts in the formaZachary Wehr, Deacon David Anthony, Philip Maas, Alexander
know I have many more
tion of seminarians.
Krumm, Deacon Stephan Isaac, John Rother and Giuseppe Esyeses to make to God and
Speaking of Pope
posito. (Photos by John Simitz)
the church before my ordiFrancis’ visit to the
nation day.”
World Meeting of
Families (WMOF) in
Philadelphia, Bishop
Barres recalled the pontiff saying at St.
Martin’s Chapel, “Families transform the
world and transform history.”
“What you’re preparing to do is part
of that,” Bishop Barres told seminarians,
noting they will serve parishes, marriages
and families.
“Pope Francis calls for each of us to
experience some type of conversion in
our families,” the bishop said. “Let’s open
ourselves to the Holy Spirit, to a personal
conversion that will have a ripple effect.”
Bishop Barres encouraged seminarians on their Christmas vacation to let
their families see they are “on fire with
their prayer life … and praying the liturgy
of the hours.”
“All of these are gifts to your family.”
Bishop Barres zeroed in on the third
goal of the five aspirational goals of the
diocese set forth from Nov. 1, 2015 to
June 19, 2019: tripling the number of
quality seminarians from 15 to 45.
“This third one is key,” the bishop
said. “So many things are moving for- Bishop John Barres speaks to seminarians during the festive evening.
ward,” he said, citing the Quo Vadis and
Clergy attending the dinner included
Fiat programs, Aspirancy program and panic.
“In this Jubilee Year of Mercy, I’m re- Msgr. Alfred Schlert, diocesan vicar genthe St. Andrew’s Committee, which in the
new year will unveil an upgrade of social ally proud there are ‘Behold the Door of eral; and Msgr. Gerald Gobitas, diocesan
Mercy’ signs in our parish confessional chancellor and secretary of the diocesan
media for vocations in the diocese.
Bishop Barres said many seminarians doors. The epicenter of divine mercy in Secretariat for Clergy.
Several seminarians – all students at
have been influenced to pursue a priestly church is the confessional.”
“Be great apostles of the sacrament of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Philavocation thanks to “the pleasant persistence of a pastor or priest, or the experi- penance,” Bishop Barres told seminar- delphia – offered their thoughts on their
ians.
journey to the priesthood: Deacon David
ence of a seminarian.”
Msgr. James thanked Bishop Barres Anthony, a transitional deacon assigned
In addition, “Hispanic vocations to
the priesthood is bright,” the bishop said, on behalf of seminarians for hosting the to the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena,
Allentown, slated to be ordained a priest
noting two diocesan seminarians are His- annual Christmas dinner.
in June 2016; John Rother, third theology
year; Jeremy Leidich, third college year;
and Alexander Brown and Alexander
Krumm, first college year.
“I’m finishing up my last semester at
St. Charles. As my time there comes to
an end, I find myself looking back with
gratitude for the formative experiences
and the many friendships I have made,”
said Deacon Anthony, son of Michael and
Susan Anthony.
“I am also looking forward to beginning a new stage in life as a parish priest.
It’s an exciting and busy time in my
life, filled with support from family and
friends, as well as a keen awareness of the
Lord’s blessings,” said Deacon Anthony,
parish son of Notre Dame of Bethlehem.
“It’s hard to believe how fast the semester went. It was definitely a very
unique semester with the Holy Father’s
visit, which really sped everything else
up,” said Rother, son of John and MarySue Rother.
“His visit, though, was the high point
of the semester, and it was a very special
time for everybody there.”
“I’m in third theology, which means –
God willing – I’ll be ordained a deacon
in May. I need all the prayers I can get.
This is my seventh year in the seminary,
and it’s crazy to think about where all
that time has gone,” said Rother, who’s
home parish is St. Elizabeth of Hungary,
Whitehall.
“This semester has been one of the
busiest and most memorable semesters
thus far in my seminary formation. The
visit of Pope Francis has been a high
point. Being with the Holy Father on four
different occasions during the weekend
was a true honor,” said Leidich, son of
Gary and Lisa Leidich.
“It’s amazing how quickly these past
two and a half years have gone by and
I’m increasingly thankful for all the blessings God has given me. He continues to
surprise me in ways unimaginable,” said
Leidich, a parish son of St. Theresa of the
Child Jesus, Hellertown.
“The only way to describe my experience at St. Charles is as if I have been
on a rollercoaster ride. To put things more
into perspective, I love rollercoasters, but
they can get crazy,” said Krumm, son of
George and Anne Marie Krumm.
“My first semester at the seminary has
passed by much quicker than I had originally imagined; still I’m grateful for this
Christmas break.”
“By far, my favorite part of St. Charles
is the fraternity I share with my brother
seminarians and our communal participation in the liturgies of the church. Pope
Francis’ visit was absolutely surreal and
it’s still hard to believe I had the humbling honor of singing for His Holiness,”
said Krumm, parish son of Assumption
BVM, Bethlehem.
Please see SEMINARIANS page 22 }}
Vocations
The Diocese of Allentown dynamically promotes vocations to the
priesthood and religious life.
• The diocese is reaching out to young people through social
media such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.
• We are tapping into the energy and enthusiasm of our young
priests to find new ways to interest young men and women in the priesthood and religious life.
• The diocese has instituted a “Quo Vadis” program, a weeklong summer
program of prayer and discernment in which dozens of young men have
participated.
• A similar program called “Fiat” for young women discerning a call to
religious life was debuted this year.
• The diocese also assists young adult men who are seriously contemplating the priesthood through an Aspirancy Program.
• For more information, visit the diocesan website, www.allentowndiocese.
org/the-diocese/vocations.
Msgr. David James leads evening prayer before the dinner begins.
21
22
The A.D. Times
Diocese
Seminarians
}}Continued from page 21
“I give thanks to God each day for the
peace he has given me since entering the
seminary. Having answered my initial
call, I now know I have many more yeses
to make to God and the church before my
ordination day.” Gathering at the dinner are, from left,
Giuseppe Esposito, Zachary Wehr,
John Rother, Philip Maas, Alexander
Krumm, Jeremy Leidich, John Hutta,
Miguel Ramirez, Deacon Stephan
Isaac, Bishop John Barres, Christopher Wittensoldner, Matthew Thompson, Alexander Brown, John Maria,
Deacon David Anthony, Juan Rodriguez, Leiser Ramirez and Msgr. David James.
Above, the Christmas card given to Bishop John Barres from seminarians.
Right, the seminarians’ Christmas card to Bishop Barres thanks him for his
“prayerful apostolic leadership” and assures them of their prayers for him.
Below, Philip Maas receives his Christmas gift from Bishop John Barres.
It pays to advertise in The A.D. Times
Contact Lori Anderson at
[email protected]
or 610-871-5200, extension 273
January 7, 2016
January 7, 2016
Youth & Young Adults
Deadline extended
for diocesan trip
to Steubenville
Youth Conference
23
‘City Lights:
The 5th on Five’
scheduled Jan. 30
The deadline for joining the diocesan
trip to the Steubenville Youth Conference
has been extended to Monday, Jan. 11.
The diocesan Office of Youth and
Young Adult Ministry (OYYAM) is coordinating the trip the weekend of June
24-26.
For the second year the youth will be
traveling to St. John’s University in New
York City.
The approximate cost of $300 (per
adult/youth) includes bus transportation,
registration, lodging, T-shirt and meals.
The conference is open to all 9ththrough 12th-graders (including incoming
freshman for the 2013-14 school year).
For more information, visit www.allentowndiocese.org/Steubenville.
Groups interested in attending must
contact OYYAM at [email protected] or 610-289-8900, ext. 23 with
their anticipated number of spaces by Jan.
11.
‘Resourcing Your Ministry’ for those who work with youth
All youth ministry personnel and volunteers, DREs, pastors and all whose
ministries touch the lives of youth are
invited to attend “Resourcing Your Ministry” with Allen Austin from Ascension
The A.D. Times
Press.
This engaging and informative workshop will be Saturday, Jan. 9 from 9:30
a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Mary, 14833 Kutztown Road, Kutztown.
The cost is $5; more information and
registration is available at www.allentowndiocese.org/profdays. For questions,
contact Sue Matour, [email protected].
The fifth annual “City Lights: The
5th on Five” event for young adults is
planned for Saturday, Jan. 30 from 7:30
to 11 p.m. at the Five Lounge, Allentown
Brew Works, 812 Hamilton St., Allentown.
This semi-formal social event is designed to gather young adults (college
age to age 35) from across the diocese
for fellowship, to foster community, to
connect with old friends and to meet new
friends.
In past years close to 200 young adults
from across the diocese gathered for this
annual event.
We look forward to seeing you for
an evening of fun, food, fellowship and
dancing with guest DJ Wesley Works.
There will also be the opportunity to
meet Bishop John Barres, and mingle
with some clergy, seminarians and religious.
Cost of $10 per person includes appetizers and nonalcoholic beverages. There
will be a cash bar available for those
over 21 years of age, valid ID required
at check-in.
Attire this year is semi-formal (no
jeans, T-shirts or sneakers).
For more information, contact Sue
Matour, 610-289-8900, ext. 23 or register at http://www.allentowndiocese.org/
youth-and-young-adults/young-adultministry/citylights/.
‘Quo Vadis’ and ‘Fiat’ vocation camps planned for July
Are you wondering what to do with
your life? Have you asked “What am I
looking for?”
If so, you are not alone. You are in
good company.
People like St. Andrew and St. John
the Evangelist had these same questions
and then found the answers in a man who
was baptized by John the Baptist and
called them to be “fishers of men.”
The diocesan Office of Vocations, in
conjunction with the St. Andrew Committee, will again be conducting its “Quo
Vadis” (for young men) and “Fiat” (for
young women) vocation camps. The
camps are open to young men and women ages 14 to 18.
The camps will take place Sunday,
July 17 at noon through Thursday, July
21 at 6 p.m. at DeSales University, Center Valley.
The five days of events will include
prayer and discernment, Eucharistic
adoration, Mass and other devotions, engaging speakers and talks on prayer and
vocation, sports, fellowship and other activities.
The $100 registration fee will be due
Friday, July 1. Scholarships are available.
To register: 610-437-0755 or www.
allentowndiocese.org/the-diocese/vocations/.
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24
The A.D. Times
Youth & Young Adults
January 7, 2016
Young adults seek rest and the Lord during ‘Adore’
By TARA CONNOLLY
Staff writer
Young adults took a break from the
hustle and bustle of the holiday season
Dec. 17 to rest in the Lord during the holy
hour “Adore” at Immaculate Conception
BVM, Allentown.
Father Mark Searles, assistant pastor,
led the holy hour, which included the
Sacrament of Reconciliation,
reflection
and Exposition of the
“We must
Blessed Sacrament.
recognize
“It is a beautiful
that all of
night to prepare ourour broth- selves for the coming
ers and
of Jesus Christ. This
holy hour is an hour
sisters are
of peace to welcome
made in
the king into our
God’s imhearts and wash away
age and
sin during this Year of
likeness.
Mercy,” said Father
Searles to an estimatThat is a
ed 50 young adults.
great way
During exposition,
to share
the young adults sat in
our faith.”
silence and dim lighting while “Countless
Wonders,” a musical
group from Marywood University, Scranton, performed meditative songs.
Father Searles then reflected on the
Gospel of the Visitation (Luke 1:39-45),
which recounts the Blessed Mother’s
visit with her cousin Elizabeth, who was
pregnant with John the Baptist.
“In a world of uncertainties and trials,
we must be missionaries and bearers of
joy. Like our Blessed Mother who went
to visit her cousin Elizabeth, we can take
our cue even from a tiny unborn child as
we reflect on John the Baptist leaping for
joy in his mother’s womb at the presence
of our Savior,” said Father Searles.
“The Gospel and the Mystery of the
Visitation very much capture our place
right now in Advent. Sometimes it takes
all of our energy and our every last effort
Left, Father Mark Searles, assistant pastor of
Immaculate
Conception BVM, Allentown, offers the reflection during
“Adore.” (Photos by Ed
Koskey)
Below, young adults listen about preparing their
hearts for the coming of
Jesus Christ.
at this time of year to visit a loved one,
a friend or neighbor in need, or to spend
time with our Lord, but we must go, we
must make haste, like our Blessed Mother, to also rejoice at what the Lord has
done and is doing in our lives,” he said.
Like Elizabeth, Father Searles called
on the young adults to look to Mary as
our life, our sweetness and our hope as
they pray: “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb.”
“And like little John the Baptist in his
mother’s womb, we must be a people of
joy that rejoice when our Lord is near. We
must rejoice at the presence of our God in
our brothers and sisters, and by our kindness and our joy we can help others to
recognize God’s presence in their lives as
well,” said Father Searles.
He asked the young adults to rejoice
in the presence of our Lord and Savior in
the Most Blessed Sacrament and to thank
him, place all of their needs and petitions
before him, and give him the praise.
“We also have to recognize the presence of our Lord in the world. Our God
is here. We must recognize that all of our
brothers and sisters are made in God’s
image and likeness. That is a great way to
share our faith,” he said.
“Let us leap for joy because God is
here with us. He will never leave us. Let
this be our cause for hope and life.
Father Kevin Lonergan, assistant pastor of St. Jane Frances de Chantal, Easton,
and Father Edwin Schwartz, in residence
at Immaculate Conception, were in attendance to offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation. After the service the young adults
engaged in fellowship and enjoyed light
refreshments.
The event was co-sponsored by the diocesan Office of Youth and Young Adult
Ministry and Salve Young Adult Group.
Youth and Young Adults
Above, young adults engage in silent prayer and meditation during Exposition
of the Blessed Sacrament.
Left, Father Searles raises the monstrance with his humeral veil during
“Adore.”
Right, Countless Wonders performs
a song in preparation for the Feast
of Christmas. From left are Rachael
Amarante, Claire Werner, Josh
Moore and Tori Pezdirtz.
Below, young adults enjoy refreshments and music by Countless Wonders after the service.
•
The Diocese of Allentown provides
diocesanwide and
regional youth
events throughout the year.
•
Increase the service activities
and spirituality of the Catholic
Youth Organization.
•
Offer young adults opportunities to gather for community
and fellowship, which include
service- and faith-based activities.Serve as a resource to parishes in the formation of youth
and young adults as disciples
of Jesus Christ.