July 21, 2016 - Diocese of Allentown
Transcription
July 21, 2016 - Diocese of Allentown
“The Allentown Diocese in the Year of Our Lord” JUBILEE OF MERCY VOL. 28, NO. 14 JULY 21, 2016 ‘Diocesan Family Festival’ Sept. 25 – order T-shirts now The Diocese of Allentown will host a “Diocesan Family Festival” Sunday, Sept. 25 at Bethlehem SteelStacks, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem. Everyone is invited to join others in the diocese for a fun-filled day for the whole family. The day will begin at 11 a.m. with an outdoor Mass celebrated by Bishop of Allentown John Barres. The festival will continue from noon to 5 p.m. Be sure to bring lawn chairs. No outdoor seating will be provided. There will be games, activities, music and food for family members of all ages. Games and activities for all ages will include face painting, bingo, inflatable bounce house, photo opportunities, crafts, scavenger hunt, obstacle course, Olympic team events, family team competitions and more. Musical entertainment will be provided by “Island Time” and several of our local high schools and universities. Ethnic foods will be provided by local parishes – bleenies (potato pancakes), kiffles, haluski (cabbage and noodles), tacos, empanadas, pierogis, apple dumplings and more. T-shirts for the festival are available for presale in both adult and youth sizes. Only a limited number of shirts will be available for sale the day of the festival, so order yours now and wear it to the festival. Cost is $10 per shirt for youth through adult XL; $11 for adult XXL and XXXL. All prices include shipping. To preorder, go to www.allentowndiocese. org/familyfestival or use the form on page 3 of this issue of The A.D. Times. T-shirts must be ordered by Wednesday, Aug. 24 to allow time for shipping. ‘Getting Grace’ a blessing for Becahi and Lehigh Valley By TAMI QUIGLEY Staff writer It was “lights, camera, action” July 1 at Bethlehem Catholic High School (Becahi). Well, maybe not quite, but the excitement of Tinseltown definitely touched the Christmas City. Bethlehem Mayor Robert Donchez and director Daniel Roebuck – a Becahi alumnus, class of 1981 – held a press conference to celebrate the local actors that will be cast in Roebuck’s upcoming feature film, “Getting Grace.” Madelyn (Madey) Dundon, 18, a 2016 Becahi graduate, will be cast as the movie’s lead. Approximately 10 Becahi alumni will be involved in one way or another in the film. “If you asked me if it were harder going to the moon or “This movie certainly making an indepenis an affirmation of my dent movie, put me in belief that life must be that space capsule,” Roebuck said with lived every day.” a laugh, though it’s clear this venture is a labor of love for him. “The support for this movie has been overwhelming. This movie will be a love letter to the Lehigh Valley.” The film is a heartfelt buddy comedy in which a teenage girl, Grace, dying of cancer enters a funeral home to find out what will happen after she dies and but ends up teaching the funeral director how to live. Although set in the world of death, “Getting Grace” is an uplifting story. It’s about living life to the fullest and making every day count. Roebuck has gathered a professional cast for the production. Roebuck, who as starred in hundreds of movies and television programs himself, will act in it, as well as direct, just as Clint Eastwood, Jerry Lewis and Sean Penn have before him. Joining him are Marsha Dietlein, “Little Children”; Duane Whitaker, “Pulp Fiction”; Lonette McKee, “The Cotton Club”; and a host of other familiar faces. Roebuck has performed on the Becahi stage many times and so, with the assistance of Becahi Principal John Petruzzelli, it was decided that it would be the perfect place to make the announcement regarding the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the cast of young and older actors to be discovered in their home area of the Lehigh Valley. “Friday was such an exciting day for the Becahi community. It was exciting to welcome back Daniel Roebuck ’81, but to find out recent June graduate Madey Dundon had been cast as the lead in ‘Saving Grace’ was unbelievable,” said PeDaniel Roebuck and Madelyn (Madey) Dundon field questions at a press truzzelli. “We are proud of both Danny conference announcing the cast of “Getting Grace” July 1 at Bethlehem and Madey, not only for this film, Catholic High School (Becahi). (Photos by John Simitz) but for the people they are, their love for Becahi and their commitment to Catholic educa- Roebuck. tion. We are so proud of the 10 Becahi alumni who are However, Roebuck is most excited that he has come working in some way on this film.” back to his hometown to cast a number of key roles, inThe one role Roebuck did not need to find in the Le- cluding the title character, Grace, who is based on his own high Valley was that of his character, Bill Jankowski’s daughter. younger self. The character appears in a flashback and will be portrayed by Roebuck’s own 18-year-old son, Buster Please see FILM page 4 }} Bishop appoints diocesan Chancellor for Catholic Education After an extensive search process, Bishop of Allentown John Barres – upon the recommendation of the Diocesan Board of Education and after a thorough process of interviews that included various stakeholder groups – has appointed John Bakey of Orefield as the first Chancellor for Catholic Education of the Diocese of Allentown. As chancellor, a secretary-level position, Bakey will be the chief administrative officer of the diocesan school system, coordinating the academic, financial, recruitment and retention functions of the diocesan high schools, elementary schools, special learning centers and parish religious education programs. Please see CHANCELLOR page 2 }} Bakey 2 The A.D. Times Published biweekly on Thursday by Allentown Catholic Communications, Inc. at P.O. Box F Allentown, PA 18105-1538 Phone: 610-871-5200, Ext. 264 Fax: 610-439-7694 E-mail: [email protected] President Bishop John Barres Editor Jill Caravan Staff Writers Tara Connolly Tami Quigley Design & Production Marcus Schneck Advertising Contact Lori Anderson Office Assistant Priscilla Tatara 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 proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the People of God through evangelization, catechesis and the teaching of the Church, the extension of Christ’s presence in the world today. It endeavors to nourish, strengthen and challenge the faith of its readers by continually providing news information, formation, inspiration, religious education and Catholic identification. Under the patronage of Mary, Mother of the Church, The A.D. Times serves the Church so that the Kingdom of God might become a reality in our society transformed by His Good News. Diocese July 21, 2016 On behalf of the Diocese of Allentown, THE A.D. TIMES extends sincerest best wishes to Bishop John Barres on the seventh anniversary of his installation as Bishop of Allentown July 30, 2009. Chancellor }}Continued from page 1 Dr. Philip Fromuth will continue to serve as Superintendent of Catholic Schools, a position he has held since 2002. He and the staff of the Office of Catholic Education are beginning the process of onboarding Bakey. Bishop Barres spoke highly of the new chancellor: “John Bakey’s deep Catholic faith, his commitment to Catholic education as a parent and on the board of St. Joseph’s School in Orefield, and his global business background, make him just what the diocese needs to work with Dr. Fromuth, our diocesan staff, our principals, our teachers, our students, our parents, our boards and our alumni to take the next dynamic steps for Catholic education in the Diocese of Allentown.” Bakey joins the diocese after more than 35 years with Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., where he served in a number of leadership positions. In his most recent assignments he led their Global Product Management and Supply Chain team, and ran one of the company’s North American business units. Bakey is a graduate of Lafayette College, Easton and is himself a product of Catholic education. He graduated from Paul VI High School, Haddonfield, New Jersey and St. John Elementary School, Collingswood, New Jersey. He and his wife Donna are parishioners of St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Orefield. They are the parents of four adult children who attended Catholic schools in the Diocese of Allentown. At the parish Bakey serves as a lector and a member of the School Board of General Jurisdiction. Previously he was president of the youth sports program and coached a number of teams. He will begin service as chancellor Monday, July 25. “It is an honor to join a network of people throughout our five-county diocese who are extremely passionate about Catholic education,” said Bakey. “When visiting Catholic schools where my children were previously enrolled I distinctly remember feeling the energy in the building and comprehending that something truly special was happening. “With a new set of challenges we are facing, it is important we establish breakthrough approaches that will sustain healthy and vibrant Catholic education for future generations.” Across its five counties, the Diocese of Allentown has six high schools, 33 elementary schools and three special learning centers. In the 2015-16 school year, 900 teachers served more than 12,000 students in the diocese’s schools. POLICY STATEMENTS The A.D. Times will consider all editorial copy and photos submitted in a fair and objective manner. The newspaper reserves the right to reject or edit any submission. Any advertising copy accepted does not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or endorsement of The A.D. Times and/or its publisher. The A.D. Times reserves the right to reject any advertising copy submitted. DEADLINES Advertising copy must be received by Monday of the week before publication. News copy must be received by Thursday of the week before publication. MEMBERSHIPS Catholic Press Association, Rockville Centre, N.Y. Catholic News Service, Washington, D.C. Catholic Press Association Award Winner 1991, 1992, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 POSTAL INFORMATION The A.D. Times (USPS 004-111) is published on Thursdays, biweekly January to May; triweekly June to September; biweekly October to November; and triweekly in December, at a subscription cost of $20 per year by Allentown Catholic Communications, Inc. at 1515 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Allentown, PA 18102-4500. Periodicals Postage paid at Allentown, PA and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The A.D. Times, P.O. Box F, Allentown, PA 18105-1538 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. July 21, 2016 Diocese The A.D. Times 3 The A.D. Times 4 Diocese July 21, 2016 Film }}Continued from page 4 “I met her and she was as much of a loon as my daughter,” Roebuck said of Freddy Award-winner Dundon, who recently won the Vic Kumma Award for outstanding vocal performance for “One Hundred Easy Ways to Lose a Man” from “Wonderful Town.” Roebuck said he directed Dundon’s dad in a CYO production when he was 13. “How could you throw a dart and hit this moment?” “I’m insanely honored and humbled to be given this part. I’m grateful and excited,” said Dundon. “As soon as I heard about the movie I asked my dad to talk to Dan and at least put in a kind word.” Dundon is so excited she’s not even Guests listen to the introduction of the cast. fazed at shaving her long brown hair for the role. Ana Raiola, a graduate of the Lehigh “It doesn’t seem that imValley Charter High School for the Perportant.” She will donate forming Arts, is creating a painting sigher hair to a worthy cannificant to the plot, which Raiola said cer cause. “will show the ambiguousness of life.” Another diocesan Roebuck said the movie was schedstudent in the film is Aluled to begin shooting Tuesday, July 12 exa McFillin, 12, of St. and wrap up approximately Friday, Aug. Thomas More School, 12. The shoots – lasting 12 to 14 hours Allentown who will pora day – will feature Lehigh Valley lotray another child with cales, including Herron Funeral Home, cancer. St. Luke’s Hospital and Monocacy Park, The cast also includes Bethlehem; and Bushkill Park, Easton. Jacob Williams, a junior “People can come see us and have a at Lehigh Valley Charchance to say hi throughout the process,” ter High School for the Roebuck said. Performing Arts, Beth“This is a big little movie. I hope it’s lehem; Colin Moore, 9, the first of many movies I can bring to the a student at Moravian Lehigh Valley.” Academy, Bethlehem; Felicia White, left, waits as Preston Jude Edwards Roebuck said his character, who owns Wyatt Root II, a student ponders a question. the funeral home, “has no friends or faith at Lincoln Elementary in anything. Then this child teaches him School, Emmaus; and Preston Jude EdAdult local actors cast include Diane life must be lived every day. She’s a child wards, 4, of the Swain School, Allen- Wagner, Heather Reese, Felicia White who’s going to die and shows him the town. and Amy Mittman. beautiful life God gives us must be lived every day. “This movie certainly is an affirmation of my belief that life must be lived every day.” “Getting Grace” was written by Jeff Lewis and Roebuck. Roebuck is making it with his fellow producers Mark Rupp, Davie Cabral, Brian Glassford and Roebuck’s wife Tammy Roebuck. He is being assisted by local producers who have been working with him for over a year to help bring the production to the Lehigh Valley. “Seven producers are Becahi alumni. This is what Catholic school education does,” Roebuck said. Roebuck was quick to thank the film’s corporate sponsors, including St Luke’s Hospital; Trans-Bridge, Inc.; The View Inn and Suites, Bethlehem; Pastor Jennifer Bramble of Trinity and Salem Lutheran Churches, Bethlehem; Herron Family Funeral Homes; PBS; Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Performing Arts; Discover Lehigh Valley; and Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation. “If you want to be an extra, go to our website. And even if you can’t donate money, please give us your prayers,” Roebuck said. Because Roebuck and company are creating their film independently, they are still actively seeking any local help the community can give, including meals, the loaning of automobiles, manpower, and extras for the cast. Information on how to volunteer is at www.gettinggracethemovie.com or through “Getting Grace the Movie” on Facebook. Education The Diocese of Allentown has a vibrant and vital 21st century Catholic school system. • • • • Our schools emphasize academic excellence and Catholic formation. Fully 96 percent of our high school students go on to college. Our schools enhance evangelization. When non-Catholics attend Catholic schools, the result often is the student and his or her family embraces the faith. Madey Dundon, left, and Alexa McFillin listen to Daniel Roebuck discuss the film. Diocese July 21, 2016 The A.D. Times Top 10 reasons to switch to an online subscription of The A.D. Times 10. The online version is available right away, there’s no delay waiting for the print copy to be delivered to your home. 9. You can help the diocese save printing and postage costs. 8. It’s environmentally friendly, there’s no paper to add to your recycling pile. 7. You can zoom in to make the type larger and to look at the details in photos. 6. You can highlight an article, inspirational phrase or bingo listing and save it into a document on your computer. 5. You can forward the link to family and friends, so they can read the article you’ve been talking about. 4. If a picture of your son or daughter, grandson or granddaughter appears in the paper, you can print your very own high-quality copy. 3. Even if you’re on vacation or away on business, The A.D. Times will be accessible on your laptop or desktop computer. 2. After you’re finished reading The A.D. Times, you can click on the previous window to browse other pages on the diocesan website. 1. You can brag to your friends about how tech-savvy you’ve become. You read The A.D. Times online! To transfer your print subscription to instead receive an e-mail notification with a link to each new issue posted on the diocesan website, send the following information to [email protected] or fill out the submission form on the diocesan website, http://www.allentowndiocese.org/blog/, click under “E-mail subscriptions” at right. E-mail address Name Address Parish Daytime phone number Subscriber number (on line immediately above your name printed in the lower left-hand corner of this issue) Diocesan Anniversary Mass set for Sept. 18 Bishop of Allentown John Barres will celebrate the annual Diocesan Anniversary Mass Sunday, Sept. 18 at 3 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown. Couples celebrating 5, 25, 40, 50, 60 or more years of marriage are invited to join in the diocesan celebration. A social will follow the Mass. (The Mass will fulfill your Sunday obligation.) Register online at www.allentowndiocese.org/anniversarymass or fill out the form below and mail to: Office of Marriage and Family Life Formation, Attn: Anniversary Mass, 2145 Madison Ave., Bethlehem PA 18017-4642. Registration deadline is Friday, Sept. 9. For more information, call 610-2898900, ext. 228. ‘Save the date’ for women’s conference in October “Save the date” for a women’s conference in October being offered by the diocesan Secretariat for Catholic Life and Evangelization. The conference will be Saturday, Oct. 22 at Holiday Inn, Fogelsville, with the theme Alvare “Woman: God’s Masterpiece.” Speakers will be Helen Alvare and Johnnette Benkovic. Alvare is a co-author of the open letter “Women Speak for Themselves”; professor of law at George Mason University, Arlington, Va.; consultor to Pope Francis’ Pontifical Council for the Laity; consultant for ABCNews; chair of the Conscience Protection Task Force at the Witherspoon Institute in Princeton, N.J.; and coauthor and editor of the book “Breaking Benkovic Through: Catholic Women Speak for Themselves.” Benkovic is founder and president of Living His Life Abundantly® International, Inc., a Catholic evangelization apostolate; founder of Women of Grace®, a Catholic apostolate for Christian women; executive producer of “The Abundant Life” television program on EWTN; and host of the call-in radio talk show “Women of Grace Live.” 5 6 The A.D. Times Opinion Liberty and leadership Recently I had the privilege to accompany several high school students on a trip to Italy. Our trip was concluding just as Great Britain was voting to leave the European Union (EU). It was interesting listening to the reactions of Italians and other Europeans as Great Britain sought to free itself from this association of member states and countries. EU came into being as the result of the devastation suffered throughout Europe because of the Second World War. The political experts and theorist at the time believed that European integration would be an antidote to the extreme nationalism that led to the devastation in Europe. Generally speaking, people are not fond of EU, and many support Great Britain’s vote to leave. Many feel that in trying to eliminate extreme nationalism, EU has destroyed the distinctive cultures and ethnicities that held countries like Great Britain, Germany, France and Italy together. It is worthy of note that Great Britain sees its departure from EU as a move toward liberty. It is ironic that 240 years ago the leaders of our country sought a departure from the rule of Great Britain in pursuit of liberty. In a sense you could say that we know how they feel. Taking things for granted Sometimes you have to go somewhere else to appreciate what you have. One of the things about living in a place like America is that it is easy to overlook and misunderstand what really and truly makes us a great nation – especially if you have never been anywhere else. Liberty is one of those things – in fact it is the thing – that makes us great. So today as we celebrate 240 years of independence and freedom, it is important to reflect on the concept of liberty and the actions that make liberty so valuable. In the beginning – freedom for excellence The concept of liberty or freedom goes back to the beginning of mankind and has a depth and richness that is sadly misunderstood today. In the beginning – the single most important gift that God grants to man is freedom. The Apostles and Church Fathers saw liberty as freedom from the slavery of sin. In their experience the only way one could appreciate the value of the gift of freedom was to seek the truth, for it was truth that makes one free. That truth was found in Jesus Christ, who was and is the way, the truth and life itself. The uniqueness of this gift of freedom was its personal dimension. It was particularly applicable to human beings and was rooted in the idea of excellence as God sees it. It was being made perfect in God’s image and likeness, with the purpose of becoming all we were intended to be. This sense of freedom is anchored in natural law, virtue and self-discipline. It is freedom in its richest and deepest sense. Freedom from tyranny – and inalienable rights A little over two centuries ago our founding fathers were captivated by a sense of liberty that would allow them to be free from oppressive restrictions imposed by authorities such as government. As they saw it, this was freedom from a tyranny that viewed its citizens as subjects, and continued to demand more and more from them. The basis for this sense of freedom is anchored in the truth that all men are endowed with inalienable rights – under God – rights that cannot be taken or given away by anyone or anything – rights that have corresponding responsibilities to God and one’s fellow man. Freedom of indifference Sadly we have come to accept liberty today as the power and scope to do as one pleases, where we are creating a culture of license. This is the lowest sense of liberty. It lacks honor and is unworthy of the human person. It is the right to do as one pleases without regard for one’s responsibilities or the rights of others. The basis for this freedom proceeds from our base animal instincts. It is not anchored in human excellence, nor is it governed by human responsibility. It despises law, rules, discipline and self-restraint. Freedom – a gift from God We must always remember that our freedom – our liberty – is a gift from God. It is a gift given to us (man) at creation. It is the first and most important gift we have. And because it is a gift from God, it requires stewardship. Stewardship is a particularly human endeavor, which requires proper leadership. Who is the greatest? And that brings us to today’s Gospel (Luke 22:2430), in which the apostles were arguing about who was the greatest among them. Here we see the alltoo-human characteristics of those who are chosen for leadership – the struggle for power and the right to decide the direction of the future. Interestingly it sounds a bit like our current political rhetoric. A different view However, Jesus has a very different view of leadership. He starts by reminding the apostles of what leadership is not. Jesus reminds them that the pagan lords, who were in power, liked to make that power felt. He tells them that “this must not be so” with them. Finally Jesus presents himself as an example to them – “I am here among you as one who serves” – one who minsters to the needs of others. To Jesus, real leadership is service and sacrifice. Real leadership meant dying to self so that others would have eternal life. This is the kind of leadership we need to cling to today. Sadly it is the kind of leadership that could never cooperate with a sense of freedom as we know it today – a freedom that anchors itself in the idea that we can do whatever we want. July 21, 2016 Independence Day homily preached by Deacon Rick Lanciano at St. Ignatius Loyola, Sinking Spring, where he serves as a deacon. He is also Theology Department chair at Berks Catholic High School, Reading, and a regular presenter for diocesan marriage preparation and the Institute for Catechesis and Formation. That is because it is the type of leadership that relies on responsibility for ones actions, and love and respect of one’s fellow man. It is the type of leadership that is anchored in the rule of law, discipline and self-restraint. A spark still exists Fortunately this type of leadership, though lacking in our society and governing structures today, is not lost. A spark of this type of leadership exists in our hearts and in our history. It is part of our heritage as a church. When Jesus called the disciples to lead his church, he did not promise them that their leadership would make them powerful, rich or famous. He did however tell them the truth. He said they would have to carry his cross. He left them with the knowledge that the right to decide the direction of things came with the responsibility to lose one’s very self so that others might live – so that others might come to know the truth. He showed them what human excellence looked like and the kind of impact it could have on the lives of others. We are blessed And as for us in these United States – we were founded 240 years ago on a similar type of leadership. We have been blessed beyond measure to be founded by men and women who believed in God, the rule of law, discipline and self-restraint. We have been blessed by leaders who took their responsibility for others seriously – even at the cost of their own lives. For them liberty was not some political theory or idea, it was a rare and precious gift given to them by God. For it they shunned power, wealth and prestige, because they knew its depth and richness – and most important, its cost. Their sacrifice for that depth and richness is noble in the truest sense of the word. But most of all we are blessed to be founded by men and women who clung to the truth that every person is made for excellence and created equal in God’s eyes, with inalienable rights that no person or institution could ever take away. The standard of leadership When we look to those who want the right to decide the direction of our future, that is the only kind of leadership we should accept. Anything less profanes the original gift we were given by God. God bless our church, God bless our founding fathers and God bless us – the United States of America. Worship July 21, 2016 The A.D. Times Sunday Scripture Sunday, July 24 First reading Responsorial Psalm Second reading Gospel 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time Genesis 18:20-32 Psalms 138:1-3, 6-8 Colossians 2:12-14 Luke 11:1-13 Sunday, July 31 First reading Responsorial Psalm Second reading Gospel 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23 Psalms 90:3-6, 12-14, 17 Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11 Luke 12:13-21 Sunday, Aug. 7 First reading Responsorial Psalm Second reading Gospel 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time Wisdom 18:6-9 Psalms 33:1, 12, 18-22 Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19 or 11:1-2, 8-12 Luke 12:32-48 or 12:35-40 Recommended to your prayers by Pope Francis Apostleship of Prayer Intentions for August Universal Intention: Sports. That sports may be an opportunity for friendly encounters between peoples and contribute to peace in the world. Evangelization Intention: Living the Gospel. That Christians may live the Gospel, giving witness to faith, honesty and love of neighbor. Prayer requests for priests Please pray for our Holy Fathers, our bishops and these priests serving in the Diocese of Allentown during each designated date of August. Bingo License # 16-3469 Small Games of Chance License # 16-0015 1 – His Holiness Pope Francis 2 – Pope Emeritus Benedict 3 – Bishop of Allentown John Barres 4 – Bishop Emeritus Edward Cullen 5 – Father Eric Arnout 6 – Father George Aschenbrenner 7 – Father Achilles Ayaton 8 – Msgr. Thomas Baddick 9 – Msgr. Andrew Baker 10 – Msgr. William Baker 11 – Father Francis Baransky 12 – Msgr. Francis Barrett 13 – Father John Barron In memoriam Please remember these clerics of the Diocese of Allentown in your prayers during August, the anniversary month of their death. 2 – Father Owen Donnelly, 1972 2 – Deacon Thomas Mullins, 2005 6 – Msgr. Joseph O’Donnell, 1986 9 – Father Joseph McGarr, 2004 12 – Father Joseph Radocha, 1969 14 – Msgr. Algimantas Bartkus 15 – Deceased priests 16 – Msgr. William Baver 17 – Father James Bechtel 18 – Father Joseph Becker 19 – Father Michael Beers 20 – Seminarians 21 – Father Frans Berkhout 22 – Father Clifton Bishop 23 – Msgr. Robert Biszek 24 – Father Kevin Bobbin 25 – Msgr. Ronald Bocian 26 – Father James Borbely 27 – Father Thomas Bortz 28 – Father Ronald Bowman 29 – Father Joseph Braudis 30 – Father Edmund Brennan 31 – Father Richard Brensinger 14 – Father Jerome Urbanski, 1984 15 – Deacon Rafael Cuevas, 2000 16 – Father Albert Cervella, 2008 19 – Father Stanislaus Fronczek, 1994 20 – Deacon Joseph Burda, 2007 26 – Father Thomas Courtney, 1996 26 – Deacon George Faller, 2007 27 – Msgr. Joseph May, 1974 27 – Father William Conley, 1987 29 – Father Michael Kakos, 1963 30 – Father Anthony Niemotko, 1981 31 – Father Frederick Loeper, 1996 7 8 The A.D. Times Youth & Young Adults July 21, 2016 ‘I Thirst’ – teens open hearts and minds at Steubenville NYC More than 160 teens, adult chaperones and members of the clergy boarded buses June 24, headed for St. John’s University in Queens, New York for the annual diocesan Steubenville Youth Conference. This was the second consecutive year the Diocese of Allentown attended the conference at its New York location. The event is part of the same series of conferences that originated from Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio and are now conducted at locations across the country. “Thirst” was the theme for this year’s 23 high school youth conferences taking place in 14 states and two Canadian provinces, throughout the summer, reaching more than 50,000 teens in only two months. Conferences held at locations outside of Franciscan University are hosted by Life Teen International. This year’s diocesan group consisted of teens and their adult chaperones from 12 parishes in the Diocese of Allentown as well as five parishes from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Attending parishes from the Diocese of Allentown were Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown; Holy Guardian Angels, Reading; Most Blessed Trinity, Tremont; Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Bethlehem; Sacred Heart, Bath; St. Ambrose, Schuylkill Haven; St. Ann, Emmaus; St. Catharine of Siena, Reading; St. Clare of Assisi, St. Clair; St. Elizabeth, Whitehall; St. Ignatius Loyola, Sinking Spring; and St. Joseph the Worker, Orefield. Archdiocesan parishes that traveled with the Diocese of Allentown group were Epiphany of Our Lord, Plymouth Meeting; St. Isidore, Quakertown; St. Philip Neri, Pennsburg; St. Rose of Lima, North Wales; and St. Stanislaus, Lansdale. Clergy from the Diocese of Allentown were Father Brian Miller, assistant pastor of St. Catharine of Siena, Reading; Father Jared Zambelli, assistant pastor, Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown; and Deacon William Autrey, St. Ignatius Loyola, Sinking Spring. Deacon John Campbell, St. Rose of Lima, North Wales, also attended. The group was also joined by staff of the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry: Director Susan Matour and Assistant Coordinator Alexa Doncsecz. “We are so blessed to be able to offer this opportunity for teens to gather Above, Ali Salabsky, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Bethlehem, second from left, and other LEAD participants being interviewed by emcee Ennie Hickman. (Photo courtesy of Alexa Doncsecz) Below, Bishop Barres with OYYAM staff members Sue Matour, left, director, and Alexa Doncsecz, assistant coordinator. with their peers and experience the larger church glorifying and praising God,” said Matour. “This weekend reinforced for each of us that God is so amazing and continually reveals himself to us when we open our hearts and minds to him.” The Diocese of Allentown group wore T-shirts featuring the words “I Thirst” on the front, corresponding with the conference theme. The back depicted a water droplet made up of the names of all 17 attending parishes emerging from a faucet. The matching shirts made the group more recognizable amid the 1,600 teens on campus for the weekend. “We had six teens go with us to Steubenville NYC,” said Chris Anderson, a chaperone for St. Rose of Lima. “It was a real blessing to see each of them meet God among their peers. And for the chaperones, we were touched not only to be spending time with our teens and watching them grow, but seeing God work in our lives over the weekend as well.” The ministry team for the conference included praise and worship musician Ike Ndolo and band; emcee Ennie Hickman; Catholic speaker, author and blogger Emily Wilson; Catholic author and speaker Joel Stepanek; Father Joseph Espaillat, priest for the Archdiocese of New York; and Sister Miriam Heidland, SOLT. Saturday morning Mass was celebrated by Bishop of Brooklyn Nicholas DiMarzio. On Sunday morning, Bishop of Allentown John Barres traveled to campus to concelebrate Mass with Cardinal Timothy Dolan and Auxiliary Bishop of Brooklyn James Massa. The events of the weekend were centered on our thirst that can only be quenched by God’s love. Speakers discussed some of the ways in which we try to satisfy that thirst with things of the world, but how ultimately we will never be truly fulfilled apart from God. “There was nothing better than having a weekend of praise and worship for the one who saved us,” said Alyssa Quiteles of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Whitehall. “The Steubenville Youth Conference gives teens the opportunity to not only strengthen their relationship with God, but to also create new friendships with other people their age who share the same love for Christ. It is truly amazing to see people arrive from different states and parishes and form into one big community. I can’t wait to go back next year.” Keynote talks and breakout sessions strove to provide answers to the questions and moral dilemmas teens face in their everyday lives. After a breakout session presented by Joel Stepanek about the church’s teaching on same-sex attraction, one teen remarked, “I was very nerPlease see STEUBENVILLE page 9 }} Left, Deacon Bill Autrey of St. Ignatius Loyola, Sinking Spring blesses participants before leaving for the conference. (Photo courtesy of Sue Matour) Above, participants gather with Bishop Barres after Sunday Liturgy at Steubenville NYC. July 21, 2016 Steubenville }}Continued from page 8 vous going into this workshop because I wasn’t sure what I would hear. But I felt relieved to know the church’s views and that God indeed loves me as I am.” Melissa Gallo, St. Isidore, summed up her experience: “The Steubenville retreat has shown me that God has a plan for each one of us, and he loves everyone unconditionally whether we like it or not. It has taught me that I can accomplish anything through the help of my faith and through prayer.” Ali Salabsky, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Bethlehem, spent the week prior to the conference participating in the Franciscan LEAD program, where teens learn to evangelize and share their Catholic faith with those around them. “I really loved the whole week,” she said. “I’ve come to open myself more to God and the Holy Spirit. I love praying every day now. It has become a part of my everyday routine. “It was a very powerful and faithfilled week for me, and I made so many great friends that have become like my second family. Steubenville has helped me to grow closer to my church and my God. I am so much more content with myself and my life.” “From the moment you step onto the campus you can feel the workings of the Holy Spirit,” said Donna Gates, who served as a chaperone for teen participants from St. Elizabeth of Hungary and St. Ann. “It is a feeling of unity. There are few places where you feel this unity. You can see God transforming lives right in front of you.” Gates went on to discuss the authenticity of the conference speakers. “They deeply care about our young people and want to provide a path, a spiritual road map for them, as they journey through their lives. They provide real ways for the teens to incorporate their Catholic faith into their lives beginning at the conference and continuing to when they leave and go back into their life at home.” Matthew Kuna, a chaperone for St. Ann, was also encouraged by witnessing the teens’ reactions to the weekend. “From awesome live music to engaging and inspirational witness talks, Steubenville NYC provided these young people with the opportunity to take ownership of their Catholic faith and encounter Jesus alongside people their age from across the country,” said Kuna. “We can have great hope for the future of our local church … because these students will carry the torch.” Tom Devlin, who attended with his daughter, Emma, from St. Catharine of Siena, Reading, said, “One of the most incredible moments had to be Eucharistic adoration. To see all of the teens so alive with the Holy Spirit helped to further deepen my relationship with our Lord Youth & Young Adults and Savior.” “Steubenville NYC was life-changing and so inspiring,” said Emma. “I didn’t know what to expect since this was my first time going and it was amazing. I feel so blessed to have gone and have my soul set on fire with the Holy Spirit.” In addition to being an enriching experience for both teens and chaperones, Steubenville is also a gift for the priests who give of themselves to serve those present. “Hearing confessions was a blessing for me,” said Father Brian Miller who attended with St. Catharine of Siena, Reading. “Teens from all parts of the country experienced God’s healing hand as they let go of their pains, fears and shame that burdened them for years. It was an honor to be their priest.” The closing Mass at a Steubenville conference traditionally ends with an altar call, where teens who are open to considering a vocation to the priesthood or religious life are invited to the front of the arena to receive a blessing. Sherry Mordosky, another chaperone from St. Elizabeth, found this moment particularly meaningful. “The time at the end when they called up young women and young men who felt a call to either the consecrated life of a sister or the ordained life of a priest was my favorite,” said Mordosky. “So many of the youth responded. I think my hands still hurt from clapping so much.” “Just as we thirst for God in our lives, God thirsts for us, too,” said Rebecca Homer, a teen from St. Isidore. “If only we open ourselves to the boundless graces of his love.” For more information on the Steubenville Youth Conference or other youth opportunities, email the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, [email protected] or visit www.allentowndiocese.org/oyyam. The A.D. Times Students and chaperones from St. Joseph the Worker, Orefield wear the Tshirts they made for the diocesan trip to Steubenville. (Photo courtesy of Sue Matour) One of four buses traveling to Steubenville NYC as part of the diocesan trip. This bus included participants from St. Ignatius Loyola, Sinking Spring; St. Ambrose, Schuylkill Haven; St. Clare of Assisi, St. Clair, and Most Blessed Trinity, Tremont. (Photo courtesy of Sue Matour) Three bishops celebrate Sunday liturgy, from left: Bishop James Massa, Diocese of Brooklyn, New York; Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archdiocese of New York; and Bishop John Barres, Diocese of Allentown. (Photo courtesy of Joe Sanchez, Life Teen) Above, Laura Cholko, St. Clare of Assisi, St. Clair, left, and Amy West, St. Ambrose, Schuylkill Haven, talk during a break Saturday afternoon. (Photo courtesy of Joe Sanchez, Life Teen) Left, Martin Schaeffer, St. Ann, Emmaus, receives Communion from Cardinal Timothy Dolan. (Photo courtesy of Joe Sanchez, Life Teen) First 2016-17 CYO Coaches Clinic planned for August Online registration for the 2016-17 CYO Coaches Clinics is now open. The first clinic will be Saturday, Aug. 27 at the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown. Deadline to register is Friday, Aug. 19. Future clinics will be: Saturday, Oct. 1 – Holy Guardian Angels, Reading; deadline Friday, Sept. 23. Saturday, Nov. 19 – St. John the Baptist, Pottsville; deadline Friday, Nov. 11. Saturday, March 18, 2017 – Notre Dame of Bethlehem; deadline Friday, March 10. These clinics provide an overview of insurance requirements, sports medicine, coaching the child with special needs, and the integration of our Catholic faith and CYO. All CYO coaches are required to attend a clinic within one year of starting to coach or they will be ineligible to continue coaching until this requirement is fulfilled. No walk-ins or substitutions will be permitted. Cost for the clinic is $25. Coaches can register at www.allentowndiocese.org/coaches and clicking on the selected date. For questions on registration, contact Dan Jones, assistant coordinator, CYO, 610-289-8900, ext. 30 or [email protected]. 9 10 The A.D. Times Youth & Young Adults July 21, 2016 Jóvenes Adultos del Ministerio Hispano / Encuentro del Equipo Timón Por BERNARDA LIRIANO El grupo de jóvenes adultos del ministerio hispano MIES (Misioneros de Esperanza) de Allentown y el grupo de jóvenes adultos EPIC (Everything is Possible in Chirist) de Reading, compartieron un día de convivencia pastoral en un encuentro coordinado por la Oficina del Misniterio Hispano de la Diócesis de Allentown, el pasado sábado 14 de mayo en Reading. El encuentro brindó la oportunidad para que ambos grupos de jóvenes se conocieran y trabajaran en equipo. Así como la oportunidad de momentos para orar y meditar durante el encuentro. Bernarda Liriano, Directora de la Oficina de Asuntos Hispanos, ofreció la meditación bíblica guiada durante encuentro, donde les guió para entrar en un momento de oración en silencio. Los jóvenes aprovecharon la belleza de la naturaleza de la casa de retiro Mariawald, para reflexionar en la pregunta del Evangelio de Juan, 1, 35-42. Los jóvenes meditaron en la pregunta de Jesús, ¿Qué buscan? Y luego compartieron su experiencia personal y las gracias recibidas con el grupo. El lema del encuentro fue “Maestro, ¿Donde vives?” (Jn. 1,38). Durate el día, los jóvenes compartieron dinámicas, juegos, experiencias personales y trabajaron en equipo para planificar e implementar estrategias concretas para la pastoral de jóvenes adultos del ministerio hispano en sus respectivas regiones. Las dinámicas estuvieron dirigidas por cada grupo y los equipos de trabajo por el coordinador regional de los mismos. El Equipo de Jóvenes Adultos de MIES y EPIC comparten del día del Encuentro. Jesús Tavares, fue el coordiandor para el grupo EPIC, guiando la participación de todos los miembros presentes, así como Rosemary Rodríguez, lo fue para el grupo MIES. La Hna. Adelina Rivas, P.S.S.J. acompañó a los jóvenes durante el encuentro con cantos de animación y guiando la Coronilla de la Divina Misericordia. También contamos con la presencia de la Hna. Clara Luz Pichardo de la República Dominicana, quien ha acompañado al grupo de jóvenes MIES en Allentown en sus inicios y nuevamente está de visita en el área. La oficina del Ministerio Hispano, continúa brindando apoyo a los jóvenes adultos en español en ambas regiones. El encuentro también dio sus frutos inmediatos, al escuchar los testimonios de los jóvenes al reconocer la acción de Dios Los jóvenes se divierten compartiendo la dinámica dirigida por grupo de jóvenes EPIC. durante el dia. Cómo el Espíritu Santo trabajó para llenar y sanar sus corazones, fue una experiencia única, de agradecimiento y gozo para todos y para la gloria de Dios. Los jóvenes plasmaron huellas de pasos donde en acción de gracias ex- presaron en sus propias palabras porque le daban gracias a Dios durante el enceuntro. La oportunidad de pertencer al gruPor favor mira MINISTERIO página 11 }} El equipo comparte la enseñanza de la dinámica al trabajar en equipo sobre la importancia de permanecer unidos. July 21, 2016 Youth & Young Adults Ministerio }}Viene de la página 10 po de jóvenes, les ha abierto un nuevo camino para cultivar amistades sanas, comentó uno de los presentes y para otro, es tener la oportunidad de compartir y poder expresar su viviencias y crecimiento en la fe con otros jóvenes, después de tener a toda su familia lejos de aquí, ya que se hace difícil ser el único de la familia en un pais extranjero. Una joven expresó que fue vivificante poder encontrase a solas con Dios en el silencio una vez más, ya que las tareas y labores cotidianas del diario vivir, muchas veces lo hace dificil, pero este encuentro le ayudó a reenfocarse en lo que es verdaderamente importante, ya que lo había hecho anteriormente en un evento Hna. Adelina anima al grupo con una dinámica de apertura. ofrecido por la oficina de Asuntos Hispanos en el pasado. Ambos grupos de jóvenes da la bienvenida y acoge a todo jóven adulto de 18 años en adelante, que busca una comunidad de fe juvenil que hable su idioma y que está enfocada en Jesús como modelo de vida. The A.D. Times 11 Brindando la oportunidad de compartir en un ambiente sano y divertido, pero a la vez, que busca servir a la comunidad y a los más necesitados. Entre sus metas, está brindar apoyo a las parroquias en los servicios que sean necesarios y apoyar a instituciones sociales que requieren de servicios voluntarios para dar el ejemplo de jóvenes católicos que buscan un mejor futuro y un liderazgo enfocado en el servicio a los demás sin buscar el bien propio. Tarea que ya el grupo EPIC ha venido haciendo y se comprometen a continuar con esta labor. Puedes obtener mayor información de las reuniones de ambos grupos en la página de internet de la Oficina de Asuntos Hispanos, visitando: www.allentowndiocese.org/oha o llamando a Bernarda Liriano al 610-289-8900 X 34 para ser parte del grupo de jóvenes adultos de tu región. Izquierda, De izquierda a derecha, Amy Hernandez (MIES) y Mairely Guzmán (EPIC), leen la lectura del Evangelio para la meditación del día. Derecha, Martha Campanur (EPIC) escribe en su diario de oración durante el tiempo de meditación personal. Abajo, De izquierda a derecha, del grupo de Reading, EPIC, Jesús Tavares de la parroquia de San Pablo y coordinador del grupo, Jennifer Jiménez de San Pablo, Martha Campanur, Mairely Guzmán de Santa Margarita y José Romero de la Parroquia de San José. Miembros del grupo MIES comparten ideas durante el trabajo en equipo. El grupo de jóvenes se divierten durante la dinámica dirigida por el grupo MIES. De izquierda a derecha, Jennifer Jimenez y Martha Campanur, presentan el trabajo de planificación de equipo del grupo EPIC durante la plenaria del día. El grupo reza la Coronilla de la Divina Misericordia durante el encuentro. Jeremías Flores comparte su testimonio con el grupo y dirige la oración de clausura. (Fotografías cortesía de Bernarda Liriano) 12 The A.D. Times Youth & Young Adults July 21, 2016 ‘Tending God’s Sheep’ focus of Theology on Tap July session By TAMI QUIGLEY Staff writer A week after the Fourth of July fireworks lit up the summer sky in Allentown, four speakers gathered with young adults in the city’s downtown to share lively recollections of their individual roads to a religious vocation. One had a self-described “vanilla” story albeit one filled with multiple graces. One finds it helpful to chat with God – aloud – while walking in the park, never minding what passersby may think. One even found inspiration in triumph of good and evil in “The Empire Strikes Back.” And another was so surprised at the vocation she wanted to pursue, she thought incredulously, “Who has so much fun with a bunch of nuns?” after spending time with the sisters. All this was weaved into “Tending God’s Sheep,” the second session of Theology on Tap’s summer series July 11 at Allentown Brew Works. “I have never had an unhappy day because I made this choice to be a priest,” said Msgr. Alfred Schlert, one of four speakers who addressed the young adults gathered at the event sponsored by the diocesan Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry (OYYAM). “Sure there are trying days, but not because of the choice,” Msgr. Schlert said. “Not every day is a bed of roses. You have to recommit yourself to what you do every day, just as in marriage and religious life.” Other speakers were diocesan seminarian Giuseppe Esposito; Sister Rose Bernadette Mulligan, vocation directress of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM), Immaculata; and IHM Sister Melissa Mastrangelo of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Sue Matour, director of OYYAM, welcomed those gathered. Those attending included Mary Fran Hartigan, secretary of the diocesan Secretariat for Catholic Life and Evangelization. Theology on Tap is designed to allow young adults (21 to 35 years), single or married, to come together in a comfortable and relaxed setting to share community, learn more about their faith and discuss faith topics relevant to their life experiences. It originated in the Archdiocese of Chicago, Ill. Msgr. Alfred Schlert Msgr. Schlert said this September will mark his 29th year as a priest. He always thought as a priest he’d be in a parish and high school, but never imagined being a college chaplain or vicar general. “I never envisioned myself doing some of these things, or that I had the wherewithal,” he said. “That’s the joy and at the same time mystery of religious vocations.” Msgr. Schlert, a native son of St. Jane Frances de Chantal and alumnus of Notre Next in the series “Building God’s Church,” the final talk in the summer series, will be Monday, Aug. 8 at 7 p.m. at Allentown Brew Works, 812 Hamilton St., Allentown. Speakers will be Deacon Rick and Sheryl Lanciano of St. Igantius Loyola, Sinking Spring; Dan and Joey Moser of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Bethlehem; and Brett Kita of St. Jane Frances de Chantal, Easton. The series is sponsored by the diocesan Office of Youth Young Adult Ministry. For more information, visit www.allentowndiocese.org/oyyam. Msgr. Alfred Schlert speaks as speakers listen, from left, Guiseppe Esposito, Sister Rose Bernadette Mulligan and Sister Melissa Mastrangelo. Young adults listen to presenters at the evening session sponsored by the diocesan Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry (OYYAM). Dame High School, Easton – where he later taught for 10 years as a priest – began to think about the priesthood in high school. He noted the positive influence of the IHM sisters at St. Jane and Notre Dame, as well as the Sisters of St. Joseph as a student at Notre Dame. “We had good priests in the parish and school who took an interest in us. They seemed so in love with their vocation.” Msgr. Schlert said like many contemplating a vocation to the priesthood or religious vocation, he at first kept the idea to himself. The monsignor subsequently entered St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Philadelphia after high school for his first year of college. Msgr. Schlert described his time studying in Rome – alone and away from seminary friends – as “a very defining time for me. It was a great growth experience for me in my vocation. I really felt God’s presence, how he carries you along in your vocation.” “The church helps us to discern our vocations and sustain them,” Msgr. Schlert said, noting this applies to the priesthood, religious life, married life and a chaste single life. “We’re never alone in discerning our vocation and living it.” Msgr. Schlert said there was no “lightning bolt moment” in his “vanilla” vocation story, but there were “a lot of graces God was able to shower on me, including a supportive family and good examples.” “I see the whole process, to this day, as a gift from God.” Giuseppe Esposito Esposito, a graduate of Marian High School, Tamaqua, just completed his first theology year at St. Charles Borromeo, but was in the seminary several years ago before leaving and boomeranging back. He noted vocation is derived from the Latin word “vocare,” which means “to call.” “God has put forth a calling to draw us closer to him.” One way he draws closer to God is to talk to him during the day. Sometimes this is in the park, when Esposito will say, “God, I have this situation.” “If you are self-conscious about walking by yourself in the park while praying, you can always use a prop, like bringing a dog with you,” he said with a smile. After hearing a priest talk about serving the poor and bringing people the sacraments while a high school student, Esposito was “awash in this feeling this is what I want to do.” A week later Espositio – who was usually dating – changed his mind. While a biology major at DeSales University, Center Valley, he drifted from his faith. “But then I started thinking, ‘if everything is materialism or a chemical reaction, what does anything matter?’” The pendulum swung the other way and brought Esposito back to God. “I decided God gives my life meaning and value, so I wanted to give my life to God.” Esposito entered the seminary during this “honeymoon period of my faith” and was there for three years. When things began going wrong – “like in a relationship” – he left. Esposito went to nursing school because he wanted to help people, and “being with people at the end of life and praying with them” caused him to think about returning to the seminary, which he did. Sister Rose Bernadette Mulligan “God knows what will speak to each of your hearts, no matter your vocation,” said Sister Rose, who has worked in vocations for nine years. Sister Rose grew up in Jim Thorpe, and recalled her parents’ devotion to the Eucharist, though they were not an “overly religious family.” She said her fifth-grade teacher, a religious sister at Immaculate Heart School, “was so nice that I thought, ‘I could do that.’” There were many nuanced nudges along the way, such as in sixth grade when her Uncle Jim – the late Msgr. James Mulligan of the Diocese of Allentown – gave her “The Chronicles of Narnia.” “I thought wow, if Jesus is like that lion, he’s wild, he’s not boring,” she said. Later, while watching the movie “The Empire Strikes Back,” Sister Bernadette thought, “I want to help God fight the battle of good and evil with my light saber.” While a student at Marian, Sister Rose was excited and happy but also nervous about the possibility of a vocation. She wrote to a religious sister who suggested she pray about it and then contact a sister who worked in vocations. Sister Rose did just that, and attended a discernment retreat. “I love being a sister – deep down I know this is what God is calling me to do. Not every day is perfect, just as in any vocation.” Sister Rose recalled being a bit rattled 10 years after joining the IHMs when a former boyfriend called and said, “Not a day goes by that I don’t think of you.” “I welled up – what if I was meant to marry him?” In the chapel, she talked to God about it. “I felt inside as if God was saying, ‘Not a day goes by that I don’t think of you.’” Sister Melissa Mastrangelo Sister Melissa is a “junior professed,” meaning next month she will renew her vows for two more years, at the conclusion of which time she’ll make her permanent vows. In high school, Sister Melissa believed her future was getting married and having children. She excelled in sports, being a sprinter and playing field hockey. She was drawn to community service and had a strong faith, noting her family went to Mass regularly but was not overly religious. Sister Melissa earned a track scholarship as a sprinter to LaSalle University, Philadelphia. “For sports, it was great there, but my faith drifted.” She was enjoying the college life, but eventually knew she had to get her priorities in order. “I made the decision my faith is important, so I had to do something about it.” She returned to attending Sunday Mass. After college, Sister Melissa’s plan was playing out perfectly. She was going to marry her boyfriend, she had her own apartment and car and a job. “But I was forgetting God’s plan for me.” “The breakup with my boyfriend was hard, but when we were together I didn’t feel genuinely happy. I was searching for something.” Thinking God was asking her to give more of herself by becoming a theology teacher, Sister Melissa returned to LaSalle to study theology. She became friendly with a religious sister and was curious about her life as a woman religious, often peppering her with questions on the subject. This led to spending a weekend with the IHMs at Immaculata. “I had so much fun. How can you have fun with a bunch of nuns?” Still wanting to be married with kids, Sister Melissa didn’t call the IHMs for three months, after which she spent more weekends there and entered the community six years ago. “Every day isn’t perfect. I live with 16 sisters – with 16 women living together, believe me, God is involved,” Sister Melissa said. “We may not agree on everything, but at the end of the day we love each other – we’re sisters.”and Brett Kita of St. Jane Frances de Chantal, Easton. The series is sponsored by the diocesan Office of Youth Young Adult Ministry. For more information, visit www. allentowndiocese.org/oyyam. World July 21, 2016 The A.D. Times Bishop feels ‘deep ache in my heart’ after fatal shootings of police BATON ROUGE, La. (CNS) – Baton Rouge Bishop Robert Muench renewed a call for a diocesan-wide week of prayer, fasting and reflection after the latest fatal shootings in the city, which this time took the lives of three law enforcement officers. He urged all to “work toward a lasting peace in our communities.” Early July 17, a former Marine fatally shot three police officers, and wounded three more, one critically, less than a mile from the city’s police headquarters. The gunman, later identified as Gavin Long of Missouri, was killed at the scene, officials said. Baton Rouge was still reeling from the fatal shooting of Alton Sterling, 37, by police during an altercation outside a convenience store July 5. The first week of July also saw the fatal shooting of Philando Castile, 32, in suburban St. Paul, Minnesota, by police officers July 6, followed by the sniper shooting in Dallas that killed five police officers July 7. “Words cannot express the emotions we feel for those who have lost loved ones in the tragic events of this day,” Bishop Muench said in a statement. “Their entire lives have been unexpectedly and terribly turned upside down.” He said he and the diocese’s vicar general, Father Tom Ranzino, visited two of the families affected by the shootings later that afternoon to share “prayer and support in the midst of their shock, horror and grief.” “Prayer is a powerful path to follow when tragedy happens, but even the most devout of us sometime question: ‘What good could come of this?’” the bishop said. “Only the word of God has the answer to the questions that shake our faith: The answer is our Lord Jesus Christ. In Jesus, hope ultimately triumphs over despair; love ultimately triumphs over hate; and resurrection ultimately triumphs over death.” In the neighboring Diocese of HoumaThibodaux, Bishop Shelton Fabre said that “our tears are still falling and our fresh and fervent prayers are still ascending to God” over the earlier violence and loss of life in Louisiana when the law enforcement offers were ambushed in Baton Rouge, a diocese “very close to home for us.” “As a native of New Roads and a priest of the Diocese of Baton Rouge for 17 years, I feel a deep ache in my heart because of recent violence that has happened there,” said Bishop Fabre in a reflection posted July 17 on his Facebook page. “My sincere condolences to those who have lost loved ones today or in the past weeks in the violence that has occurred in Baton Rouge, Minneapolis, Dallas, Istanbul and Nice,” he said. “Unfortunately, I fear that we as a nation and a world are becoming too accustomed to the tragic events of violence and loss of human life such as has occurred over the past few weeks.” He said in such times, he is drawn to the Lord’s words to the prophet Isaiah: “Comfort my people.” He said he also chose those words for his episcopal motto “because I feel that deep within the heart of God is a desire to comfort us in our pain. “Each of us reacts differently to violent tragedy. Some of us may be angry. Violence pierces our hearts and leaves us in pain. Anger flows from pain,” Bishop Fabre said. “For those of us who are angry, I simply remind us that underneath the anger, in the pain, there is God wanting to ‘comfort his people.’ “Some of us may have questions like, ‘Will the violence and killing stop? When will this end?’ Those are great questions. There, in the questions and together genuinely seeking to find answers constructively, we will find God listening to us wanting to ‘comfort his people.’” He called on all people of HoumaThibodaux, regardless of their religion or their history, to pray, whether in privacy at home or at a large church gathering. Bishop Fabre urged people to consider three things in prayer: “First, to each personally pray daily for an end to violence. Violence is a complex evil; however, violence is often propelled by selfishness and self-centeredness. We as people must look ‘outside of ourselves,’ we must turn to God, for it is in him that our true peace lies.” Second, he said people should come together in prayer, and asked every Catholic church in the diocese over the next two weeks to offer a Holy Hour “to pray for an end to violence.” Third, “let us continue to work together for justice and peace,” Bishop Fabre said. “As Pope Francis has indicated,” he continued, “we must truly seek to ‘encounter’ those who are racially or ethnically different from us in a real effort to appreciate the countless gifts that unite us, and to seek to address and to solve the problems that challenge and seek to divide us, complicating our lives together. When we learn to ‘see’ people with the eyes of the Lord, we will then move forward in justice and peace.” In a July 18 statement, the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops offered his prayers for the officers and families “affected by the horrible shooting in Baton Rouge.” “We find ourselves amid a prolonged prayer of lament as we join to console the grieving and support the suffering,” said In brief Remembering the victims of the tragic terrorist attack in Nice, France, Pope Francis prayed that God may give comfort to grieving families and foil the plans of those who wish to harm others. “May God, the good father, receive all the victims in his peace, support the wounded and comfort the families; may he dispel every plan of terror and death so that no man dares to spill his brother’s blood ever again,” the pope said July 17 after reciting the Angelus prayer with visitors gathered in St. Peter’s Square. The pope spoke after the July 14 attack during Bastille Day celebrations along Nice’s seaside promenade that killed 84 people. The French government declared three days of mourning beginning July 16. In a message after the attack signed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, the pope condemned the Bastille Day attack as an “act of blind violence” and expressed his “deep sorrow” and “spiritual closeness” with the French people. Before leading a moment of silent prayer at his Angelus address, the pope said the pain in the aftermath of the massacre in Nice, “in which so many innocent lives, even many children were mowed down, is still alive.” “I give a paternal and fraternal embrace to all the residents of Nice and to the whole French nation. And now, all together, let us pray thinking about this massacre, the victims, and the families,” he said. Brian Bergkamp, a seminarian from the Diocese of Wichita, Kansas, who was studying at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Emmitsburg, Maryland, is believed dead after saving the life of a woman who fell into the Arkansas River July 9. At press time, July 20, he remained missing. Friends and family members were holding vigils to pray for the recovery of his body. Bergkamp, 24, was among five people traveling in separate kayaks when all got caught in turbulent waters. According to The Wichita Eagle Bergkamp newspaper, Bergkamp jumped from his kayak to save the woman before getting pulled under himself. The other kayakers made it to shore. Msgr. Andrew Baker, a priest of the Diocese of Allentown serving as rector of the seminary, remembered Bergkamp Pope Francis plans to visit Assisi, Italy, Aug. 4 to make a “simple and private” visit during the Year of Mercy to the Portiuncola, the stone chapel rebuilt by St. Francis, to mark the 800th anniversary of the “Pardon of Assisi,” an indulgence earned by visiting faithful who confess their sins and make a sincere promise of repentance. Assisi is pictured in this Sept. 6, 2011, file photo. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) as a “quiet, but very effective leader.” “He was a thoughtful and prayerful young man,” Msgr. Baker told the Catholic Review. “He was extremely reliable and hardworking.” Bergkamp had served as a sacristan at Mount St. Mary’s, the priest said. The circumstances of Bergkamp’s death show that he knew the depth of what it meant to be a Christian and a priest, Msgr. Baker said. “It was self-giving love. He didn’t have to think twice before he acted (to save another’s life).” Bergkamp had just finished his second year at the Mount. He was the son of Ned and Theresa Bergkamp of Garden Plain and would have been ordained to the transitional diaconate at the end of the upcoming school year. His brother, Andy, was ordained to the transitional diaconate in May. He is preparing for the priesthood for the Diocese of Wichita at Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois. “Brian’s death is a great tragedy and a great loss, not only for his family and friends,” said Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori, “but to all who knew him and to the church he was so generously seeking to serve.” Recent comments by a high-ranking Vatican official Archbishop Joseph Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky. “People are suffering because their uniform is blue, suffering because their skin is black and suffering simply because of their station in life.” The “temptation to respond to violence with violence is strong,” he said, noting that even St. Peter himself lashed out about Christ’s arrest. “Jesus’ response was clear: ‘Put your sword back into its sheath, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.’” “As followers of Christ, let us always embrace love and ask ourselves how we can best invite all people of goodwill to live with us in peace,” Archbishop Kurtz said. Against a backdrop of “complex and varied” reasons for so much suffering, he urged people come together “to address the lingering evil of racism, the need to safeguard our citizens from the present danger of extremism and the overall breakdown of civility.” The U.S. Catholic Church “will seek out ways to foster this life-saving dialogue,” he said. “Answers will not come easily nor as quickly as we need. We must continue searching and listening until they do.” In addition to dialogue that “cultivates a true respect for every human being,” Archbishop Kurtz said, “we should also seek ways, large and small, to be a sign of hope in the everyday routines of life.” “The next time you are pulled over by a police officer or walk past one on the street, thank him or her for their service,” he advised. To those who work in law enforcement, he said, “The next time you make a traffic stop, thank the person for their time.” He added, “The task of building a society upon the strong foundation of love begins with each one of us every day.” have sparked questions about the direction priests should face while celebrating Mass, but the Vatican spokesman said Pope Francis has made it clear no changes are foreseen. Cardinal Robert Sarah, prefect of the Vatican’s Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments, urged priests and bishops at the Sacra Liturgia conference in London July 5 to start celebrating Masses “ad orientem,” or facing away from the congregation, beginning the first Sunday of Advent this year. However, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, issued a statement July 11 indicating Pope Francis met with Cardinal Sarah July 9 to indicate no liturgical directives will begin in Advent. “Cardinal Sarah is always rightly concerned with the dignity of the celebration of Mass, that it might adequately express an attachment of respect and adoration for the eucharistic mystery,” Father Lombardi’s statement said. “Some of his phrasing has been badly interpreted, as if he had announced new, different indications from those now given in liturgical norms and the words of the popes on celebration toward the people and the ordinary rite of the Mass,” the spokesman added. He recalled that the General Instruction on the Roman Missal, which “remains fully in force,” indicated that the altar should be built away from the wall so “that Mass can be celebrated at it facing the people, which is desirable wherever possible.” Only through the memories of elderly people and the courage of youth can people overcome a global throwaway culture and broaden society’s horizons, Pope Francis said. The 200th anniversary of Argentina’s independence offers an opportunity for older and younger generations to help continue “the pursuit of our destiny,” the pope wrote July 9 in a letter sent to the Argentine bishops’ conference to mark the occasion. “I am convinced that our motherland needs to bring alive the prophecy of Joel. Only if our grandparents dare to dream and our young people dare to prophesy great things can the motherland be free. We are in need of the dreaming elderly to drive the young who, inspired by those same dreams, run forward with the creativity of prophecy,” he wrote. The letter, addressed to Archbishop Jose Maria Arancedo, president of the Argentine bishops’ conference, commemorated the anniversary of the country’s independence from Spain. The celebration, the pope said, “will make us stronger as we journey on the path taken by our ancestors 200 years ago.” 13 14 The A.D. Times Diocese July 21, 2016 NFP Awareness Week to begin July 24 “Natural Family Planning. Love, Mercy, Life. Opening the Heart of Marriage” is the theme of this year’s Natural Family Planning Awareness Week, a national educational campaign of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) to celebrate God’s vision for marriage and promote the methods of Natural Family Planning (NFP). NFP is an umbrella term for the safe, natural and effective methods of both achieving and avoiding pregnancy. NFP methods teach couples how to observe and interpret the woman’s signs of fertility and infertility. In the words of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, NFP methods “respect the bodies of the spouses, encourage tenderness between them and favor the education of an authentic freedom” (CCC, no. 2370). The dates of NFP Awareness Week are Sunday, July 24 through Saturday, July 30. These dates highlight the anniversary of the papal encyclical “Humanae Vitae” (July 25), which articulates Catholic beliefs about human sexuality, marriage, conjugal love and responsible parenthood. Diocese to host ‘Fearless Love’ event July 25 The Diocese of Allentown Office of Marriage and Family Life Formation will join with the U.S. bishops in highlighting the benefits of NFP. The office will host “Fearless Love” Monday, July 25 at 7 p.m. at Allentown Brew Works. Dr. William Hamant, assistant professor of theology at DeSales University, Center Valley, will present “Preserving Human Sexuality Whole and Entire: Spirit, Soul and Body.” The event will be free and open to all. Want to learn more about the methods of NFP or local classes offered in our diocese? Visit www.allentowndiocese.org/ nfp. Don’t have time to attend an in-person class? Learn NFP in the comfort of your home by contacting one of the NFP providers listed at http://www.usccb.org/nfp/ nfp-distance-learning.cfm. The Catholic Church invites all the faithful to embrace God’s plan for married love. Learn more about these beautiful teachings that support the use of NFP in marriage at http://www.usccb.org/nfp/ catholic-teaching. Everyone is invited to join the diocesan NFP team to spread the word about Fireworks for Catholic education at IronPigs The Diocese of Allentown Office of Education is sponsoring the Fireworks Display at the IronPigs game Saturday, Aug. 13 at Coca-Cola Park, Allentown. Bishop John Barres will be throwing out the first pitch. Game time will be 6:35 p.m. The Office of Education will be on hand with five tables displaying our diocesan schools. To get tickets for the game, contact Janis Geist, Catholic school scholarship administrator, 610-866-0581, ext. 3044 or [email protected]; or the Priest celebrates 25 years Father Richard O’Nyamwaro Order: Apostles of Jesus Current assignment: Director of mission promotion, Apostles of Jesus Mission Office, Northampton. Home parish: Immaculate Conception, Nyabururu, Kisii Diocese, Kenya, East Africa. Education: St. Joseph Nyabururu Primary School; St. Charles Lwanga, Kakamega and Nyakeiri High School; Apostles of Jesus Major Seminary, Langata, Nairobi, Kenya; Urubania University, Rome, Italy; St. Mary and Holy Family of Nazareth, Chicago, Illinois; Loyola University, Chicago. Date entered order: 1982. Ordination: July 19, 1991 at Kisii, Kenya by Bishop Charles Tiberius Mugendi. Previous assignments: Apostles of Jesus Uru Seminary, Moshi, Tanzania; vice rector and financial administrator, Kiserian Minor Seminary, Kenya; rector, Apostles of Jesus Philosophicum, Nairobi; father-in-charge, Ikinu Catholic Parish, Kiambu, Kenya; hospital chaplain, Peoria, Illinois and Holy Spirit, Camp Hill. IronPigs directly and ask to sit in the Diocese of Allentown section, www.ironpigsbaseball.com or 610-841-PIGS. Unless the game is sold out, tickets will also be available at the gate the night of the game. God’s design for married love and the gift of life, as well as the methods of NFP. To get involved, call Robert Olney, director, at 610-289-8900, ext. 28. Diocese July 21, 2016 The A.D. Times 15 Death Father Grembocki, pastor of Assumption, Slatington Father Joseph Grembocki, 72, pastor of Assumption BVM Church, Slatington, died July 11 at his parish. Born in Coaldale, Father Grembocki was the son of the late Joseph and Agnes (Zaba) Grembocki. He was preceded in death by his brother, Chester. There are no immediate family member survivors. Father Grembocki attended SS. Peter and Paul School, Lansford, and is a graduate of Lansford High School, Lansford. He attended St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Philadelphia, where he received a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy and a master of di- vinity degree. He was ordained to the priesthood March 27, 1971 by Bishop Joseph McShea. Father Grembocki’s first priestly assignment was assistant pastor of St. Catharine of Siena Church, Reading, followed by assistant pastor, St. John Baptist de la Salle Church, Shillington; assistant pastor, St. Paul Church, Allentown; and administrator, the former St. Kunegunda Church, McAdoo. His first pastoral assignment was at St. Kunegunda. Father Grembocki was then named pastor of Assumption BVM Church, Slatington, where he served as pastor until his death. During the course of his priestly ministry, Father Grembocki served as chaplain, Catholic Scouting, Hawk Mountain Council, Reading; area chaplain, Catholic Scouting, Allentown; special advocate, Tribunal; chaplain, Catholic Scouting, East Schuylkill County; member, Council of Social Services; diocesan director, Catholic Scouting; assistant diocesan director, youth ministry; member, Budget/ Audit Board, Marian High School, Tamaqua; and Member, advisory board, Marian High School. A Vigil Service was held July 14 at Assumption BVM Church, 633 W. Washington St., Slatington. Presiding will be Msgr. Daniel Yenushosky, pastor of Holy Trinity Church, Whitehall, and vicar forane of the Lehigh Deanery. Homilist will be Msgr. Thomas Derzack, pastor of St. Nicholas Church, Walnutport. Mass of Christian Burial for Father Grembocki was celebrated July 15 at Assumption BVM by Bishop of Allentown John Barres. Homilist was Father James Bechtel, pastor emeritus, St. Jerome Church, Tamaqua. Main concelebrants were Msgr. Alfred Schlert, diocesan vicar general, and Father Bechtel. Interment will take place in the parish cemetery. Institute for Catechesis and Formation remaining summer courses The remaining summer courses being offered by the diocesan Institute for Catechesis and Formation, all 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., are: everyone is invited to learn more about what it means to say “I believe….” The Creed – CAT 1 Saturdays, July 30 and Aug. 6 at St. Thomas More School, Allentown, with facilitator Jennifer Shankweiler. Saturdays, Aug. 13 and 20 at Nativity BVM High School, Pottsville, with facilitator Joan Wassell. This course provides catechists with a foundation in the basic tenets of the Catholic faith, and is a good starting point leading to further study. The course is highly recommended for catechists; but Classroom Applications – CAT II Saturdays, July 30 and Aug. 6 at St. Ambrose, Schuylkill Haven, with facilitator Peggy Place. Saturdays, Aug. 13 and 20 at St. Ignatius Loyola, Sinking Spring, with facilitator Peggy Place. This course has practical information for catechists on their role as formators in the faith. It includes learning to create lesson plans, communication with parents, and how to engage them in religious instruction, material delivery at age-appropriate levels, and more. The sacraments are intimate, personal encounters between God and his people. This course will present an overview of these signs of God’s love for us, by which he makes a personal connection with us and conveys grace – his very life within us. The Sacraments – ICF 104 Saturdays, July 30 and Aug. 6 at St. Ignatius Loyola, Sinking Spring, with facilitator Deacon Rick Lanciano. Saturdays, Aug. 13 and 20 at St. Thomas More, Allentown, with facilitator Heather Maigur. 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. 27th annual Mercy Golf Classic to benefit inspiring students Golfers can enjoy a great day of golf for a great cause at Mercy School for Special Learning’s 27th Annual Golf Classic Monday, Aug. 1. Brookside Country Club will once again host the event that benefits Mercy, the Lehigh Valley’s only private school for children and young adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Mercy has helped students from Lehigh, Northampton and Monroe counties reach their fullest potential for more than 60 years through a combination of academics, life skills, and community engagement. Last year’s classic netted Mercy nearly $46,000 and welcomed 163 golfers. Like last year, golfers this year have their choice of playing in a morning (7:30 a.m. shotgun start) or afternoon (12:30 shotgun start) round or both. Cost is $175 per golfer for one round or $300 for both, and includes a continental breakfast, lunch and dinner; golfers receive round preference on a first-comefirst-served basis. CrossAmerica Partners, Dunne Manning, City Center Lehigh Valley and IAI Construction are among the principal sponsors for the event. Awards will be given to the top foursomes (men’s, women’s and mixed), longest drive and closest to pin. Event prizes include four major hole-in-one prizes, a 50/50 pot o’gold and a 50/50 cash drawing. The Mercy Golf Classic also is a member event in the Landis Cup, which is sponsored by the Landis Family Foundation. For more information, contact Tom Harper at 610-797-8242, ext. 14 or [email protected]. Participants and sponsors can also visit www. mercyclassic2016.com to sign up to play as well as sponsor the event. For more information about Mercy, visit www.mercyschool.org or www. facebook.com/mercyschoolforspeciallearning. 16 The A.D. Times Diocese July 21, 2016 ‘Celebrate Life Banquet’ to feature Archbishop Chaput Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia will be featured at the 2016 “Celebrate Life Banquet” of the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation (PPLF), Thursday, Sept. 29 at Hotel Radisson Harrisburg in Camp Hill. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., with banquet at 6 p.m. The event will benefit the lifesaving work of the PPLF Education Fund. Archbishop Chaput is one of our nation’s foremost pro-life leaders. A prolific writer and a captivating speaker, he is a tireless defender of the rights of preborn children, preg- nant women and families. The first Native American Catholic archbishop in the United States, he has earned the reputation of being a prophetic voice on behalf of the sanctity of human life. He received worldwide acclaim in 2015 for hosting the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia, which included a historic appearance by Pope Francis. Banquet tickets are $50 each; table sponsorships are available. For more information or to register, call 717-541-0034 or visit website www.paprolife.org. Save the date – Men’s Conference Nov. 5 The Spirit 2016 Men’s Conference will be Saturday, Nov. 5 at DeSales University, Center Valley. Guest speakers will be Marcus Grodi, Bishop of Harrisburg Ronald Gainer and Father Michael Gaitley. The conference is being presented by the Commission for Men and the Diocese of Allentown. For the latest conference information, visit www.cmfda.org. Grodi Bishop Gainer Father Gaitley ‘Feast of Santo Niño’ set for Aug. 21 The “First Summer Sinulog: Feast of the Santo Niño” is being planned by the Filipino Community of Berks for Sunday, Aug. 21 at 1 p.m. at Immaculate Conception BVM Church, 905 Chestnut St., Douglassville. Celebrant will be Bishop of Allentown John Barres. The Santo Niño Mass celebrates a devotion to the infant Jesus, whose miraculous intercessions were instru- mental to the Christianization of the Philippines RSVP is requested by Sunday, Aug. 7 at [email protected] or call/text 215-313-8962. Pro-life picnic set for Aug. 21 in Hamburg Everyone is invited to “Celebrate America’s Future,” a pro-life picnic sponsored by Pro-Life Berks, Sunday, Aug. 21 from 2 to 5 p.m. at St. Mary’s Picnic Pavilion, 94 Walnut Road, Hamburg. The day will feature speakers, food, music and games. Deadline for reservations is Sunday, Aug. 14. Donations will be accepted. To make reservations, contact: Mary Alice Kuhns, [email protected]; Carolyn Bonkoski, [email protected]; Helen Turner, [email protected]; Kathy Kuhns, [email protected] or 610-3753395. Diocese July 21, 2016 The A.D. Times 17 Caring for caregivers at heart of event in Center Valley Sister of Mercy Janice Marie Johnson said the caregivers voiced what a wonderful, peace-filled and refreshing experience the day was for them. “One participant thanked me for ‘the gift of the day.’” The day included a presentation and blessing of prayer shawls for each caregiver present. Participants admire the prayer shawls given to them at “A Day of Prayer and Care for Caregivers” of parents, spouses or children with an illness or disability that drew 15 men and women caregivers from the Lehigh and Northampton deaneries to Sacred Heart Villa, Center Valley June 25 for a daylong event. Participants included Millie Mosella, parishioner of St. Joseph the Worker, Orefield and Noel Gonzalez, parishioner of St. Paul, Allentown, third and fourth from left. At right is Robert Olney, director of the diocesan Office of Marriage and Family Life Formation. (Photos by John Simitz) Jill Krafczyk, center, helps teach knitting to Joan Myles, parishioner of Immaculate Conception BVM, Allentown, left, and Millie Mosella. Maureen Bernard gives a chair massage to Lee Bolmar, parishioner of St. John Fisher, Catasauqua. The day was hosted by the Office for Ministry with Persons with Disabilities of the diocesan Secretariat for Catholic Life and Evangelization and Catholic Charities, Diocese of Allentown. Ministries with Persons with Disabilities • • • • Provides support to parish advocates in promoting active involvement of persons with disabilities in the life of the parish. Interpreted Masses for the Deaf are offered in Berks County and the Lehigh Valley on a weekly and biweekly basis respectively. Supports pastors, religious education directors and teachers in the use of appropriate faith instruction and materials for children with disabilities. The You Are Not Alone Ministry is available to expecting couples who receive a poor prenatal diagnosis. Noel Gonzalez, center, and Marilyn Cassidy, right, pray while wearing their prayer shawls. Sister of Mercy Janice Marie Johnson, director of the diocesan Office for Ministry with Persons with Disabilities, leads participants in the closing prayer. The event also featured presentations by Bernardine Franciscan Sister Christen Shukwit, campus minister at Alvernia University, Reading. Left, Cheryl Bacher gives a manicure to Noel Gonzalez. The day featured pampering activities including manicure, chair massage, talk on skin care and journaling. 18 The A.D. Times Diocese Calendar July 21, 2016 ship of Mary, Northampton, 3 p.m., reflection by Msgr. Daniel Yenushosky, pastor of Holy Trinity, Whitehall. Wednesday, Aug. 17 Serra Club of Allentown, regular meeting, St. Thomas More, Allentown, 7 p.m. 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. Please do not send items again after they are published. For more information, e-mail [email protected] or call 610-871-5200, ext. 264. Saturday, Aug. 20 Golf Tournament, Assumption BVM, Slatington at Shepherd Hills Golf Club, Wescosville, four-person scramble, tee time 8 a.m., per golfer $85, www.abvmslat.weconnect.com, 610-7672214. Thursday, July 21 Spaghetti Dinner, St. Michael the Archangel, Minersville, 4-7 p.m., adults $9, children under 10 $5, 570-544-6853. Tuesday, Aug. 23 Serra Club of Bethlehem, Barnabite Spiritual Center (basement entrance), 6:30 p.m., speaker Msgr. David James, diocesan director of vocations. Friday, July 22 Rock ‘n’ Roll Oldies Dance, Fellowship Group, Marian Inn, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Bethlehem, 6-10 p.m., $20, 610866-8723, 610-865-9392, 610-849-2179, 610-861-2924. Saturday, July 23 “Clean-Out Sale,” church hall, Our Lady of Mercy, 131 Davis St., Easton, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., electronics, household items, furniture, books, lamps, folding tables, Christmas items, much more. Sunday, July 24 Car Wash Fundraiser, St. Francis of Assisi, Allentown, at Tippy’s Car Wash, Sumner Avenue, Allentown, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., $8 per car, rain date Sunday, July 31. Monday, July 25 “Fearless Love: Preserving Human Sexuality Whole and Entire: Spirit, Soul and Body.” speaker Dr. William Hamant, for Natural Family Planning Week July 24-30, diocesan Office of Marriage and Family Life Formation, at Allentown Brew Works, 7 p.m., free and open to all, www.allentowndiocese.org/nfp, 610-289-8900, ext. 28. Tuesday, July 26 Serra Club of Bethlehem, Monocacy Manor, Bethlehem, 6:30 p.m. (no dinner), speaker Father Daniel Kravitz, assistant pastor, St. Anne, Bethlehem. “Conversando con el Obispo Juan Barres,” Llamados a ser Discípulos Misioneros de la Misericordia de Cristo, Lehigh Valley, Parroquia Santa Infancia, 312 E. Fourth St., Bethlehem, 7-8:30 p.m., más información Bernarda Liriano, directora de Asuntos Hispanos, 610-289-8900, ext. 34, [email protected], www.allentowndiocese.org/oha. Wednesday, July 27 “Shakespeare and Francis de Sales: Common Boundaries and Common Ground,” DeSales University, Center Valley, cocktail reception 6 p.m., presentation and discussion, 7 p.m., with Patrick Mulcahy, producing artistic director, Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, and Father Thomas Dailey, director, Salesian Center for Faith and Culture, free and open to the public, www.desales.edu/salesian. Thursday, July 28 Serra Club of Reading Dinner Meeting, Riveredge Restaurant, 6 p.m., speaker Deacon Frederick Lanciano. “Conversando con el Obispo Juan Barres,” Llamados a ser Discípulos Misioneros de la Misericordia de Cristo, Berks, Parroquia Santa Margarita, 925 Centre Ave., Reading, 7-8:30 p.m., más información Bernarda Liriano, directora de Asuntos Hispanos, 610-289-8900, ext. 34, [email protected], www.allentowndiocese.org/oha. Monday, Aug. 1 Mercy School for Special Learning Golf Classic, Brookside Country Club, Macungie, shotgun start 7:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., one round $175, two rounds $300, questions tharper@ mercyspeciallearning.org, registration www.mercyclassic2016. com. Friday, Aug. 5 Blood Drive, Allentown Central Catholic High School, 9 a.m.2 p.m., in memory of student Alayna Velez, www.redcrossblood.org, [email protected], 1-800-red-cross. Saturday, Aug. 6 Garage Sale, social hall, Queenship of Mary, Northampton, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 9 Serra Club of Bethlehem, Barnabite Spiritual Center (basement entrance), 6:30 p.m., speaker John Petrucelli, principal of Bethlehem Catholic High School. Saturday, Aug. 13 Anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima, World Apostolate of Fatima, Blue Army Shrine, Washington, N.J., 10:30 a.m., confessions, outdoor rosary procession, Mass with Bishop Joseph Bambera, Divine Mercy Chaplet, www.bluearmy.com, 908-6891700. Sunday, Aug. 14 Musikfest Polka Mass, Festplatz Polka Tent (near Hill-toHill Bridge), Bethlehem, 10 a.m., sponsored by Sacred Heart Hospital, Allentown. Holy Hour and Recitation of Divine Mercy Chaplet, Queen- Sunday, Aug. 21 Holy Family Manor Open Golf Tournament, Bethlehem Golf Club, shotgun start 1 p.m., $100 per golfer, 610-997-9409, [email protected]. “First Summer Sinulog: Feast of the Santo Nino,” Immaculate Conception, Douglassville, 1 p.m., celebrant Bishop John Barres, RSVP by Sunday, Aug. 7, [email protected]. “Celebrate America’s Future,” pro-life picnic sponsored by Berks Pro-Life, at St. Mary Church Picnic Pavilion, 94 Walnut Road, Hamburg, 2-5 p.m., speakers, food, music and games; deadline for reservations Sunday, Aug. 14; kkpcserv@comcast. net, [email protected], [email protected], krkuhns1@ verizon.net, 610-375-3395. Retreats polka Mass 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 11 – Saturday, Aug. 13 Festival, St. Rocco, Martins Creek, 6-10:30 p.m. rain or shine, concluding ceremony Sunday Aug. 14, all stands closed, 11 a.m. Mass under pavilion and procession to the church. Sunday, Aug. 21 Summer Festival, St. Matthew the Evangelist, Minersville, at South Cass Fire Company Picnic Grove, noon-9 p.m., directions or information 570-544-2211. Sunday, Sept. 4 End of Summer Picnic, St. Patrick, Pottsville, at South Cass Picnic Grounds, Primrose, noon-10 p.m. Parish Picnic, St. John the Baptist, Whitehall, noon-9 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11 Church Picnic, St. Ursula, Fountain Hill, at Lower Saucon Town Hall Park, noon-5 p.m. Parish Picnic, Assumption BVM, Northampton, at Egypt Memorial Park, Mass 11 a.m., with picnic following until 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17 Fall Festival, Incarnation of Our Lord, Bethlehem, noon-8 p.m., 610-866-3391. Saturday, Sept. 25 Festival for Families, hosted by Diocese of Allentown, SteelStacks, Bethlehem, with outdoor Mass, music, activities, games, food, more information to follow. Friday Oct. 7 – Saturday, Oct. 8 Harvest Fest, St. Mary, Hamburg, Friday 4-9 p.m., Saturday noon-9 p.m. 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, www.stfrancisctr.org. Sunday, Oct. 16 Oktoberfest, St. Joseph, Jim Thorpe, at Jim Thorpe Memorial Hall, noon-6:30 p.m. 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, www.stfrancisctr.org. Socials 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. Tuesday, July 26 – Tuesday, Aug. 2 “From the Heart of God, To the Heart of God, Through and With the Heart of God,” St. Mary by the Sea Retreat House, Cape May, N.J., $520, [email protected], 609-884-8878. Tuesday, Aug. 2 – Monday, Aug. 8 “Jesus/Christ and Your Spiritual Journey,” St. Mary by the Sea Retreat House, Cape May, N.J., [email protected], 609884-8878. Thursday, Aug. 25 – Thursday, Sept. 1 “Celebrating a Deeper Communion,” St. Mary by the Sea Retreat House, Cape May, N.J., [email protected], 609-8848878. Saturday, Sept. 24 Spirituality Day, Parish Center Hall, St. Michael the Archangel, Minersville, mini-retreat led by Father Dr. Luke Anderson, 8:30 a.m.-noon, $10, preregistration required 570-544-4741 or 570-544-6853. Friday, Oct. 14 – Sunday, Oct. 16 Spiritual Retreat for Worldwide Marriage Encounter Couples, “Mercy within Marriage,” St. Francis Center for Renewal, Bethlehem, $350 per couple, for any couple who has completed a Marriage Encounter weekend anytime during their marriage, directed by Oblate Father Joe DiMauro, [email protected], (not affiliated with Worldwide Marriage Encounter organization). Festivals Wednesday, July 20 – Saturday, July 23 Carnival, Most Blessed Sacrament, Bally, on grounds of St. Francis Academy, Bally, 6 p.m. Sunday, July 24 Family Festival, St. Peter, Reading, at St. Benedict’s Picnic Grove, Plowville, noon-7 p.m. Wednesday, July 27 – Saturday, July 30 Big Time Celebration, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, school grounds, Roseto; Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 6-11 p.m., Saturday 6 p.m.-midnight; spiritual procession Sunday, July 31. Thursday, July 28 – Sunday, July 31 Parish Festival, Holy Family, Nazareth, Thursday 5-9 p.m. (Ethnic Food Night), Friday and Saturday 5-11 p.m., Sunday 4-10 p.m. Friday Aug. 5 – Sunday, Aug. 7 Parish Festival, St. Joseph, Frackville, at St. Ann’s Picnic Grove, 49 N. Line St., Friday 2-10 p.m., Saturday noon-11 p.m., Sunday noon-6 p.m., with Polka Mass 11:30 p.m. in St. Joseph Parish (St. Ann’s church location). Saturday, Aug. 6 Ethnic Food Festival, St. Richard, Barnesville, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Summer Festival/Chicken Barbecue, St. Benedict, Mohnton, at parish picnic grounds, 11 a.m.-10 p.m., dinners noon-7 p.m., fireworks at dusk. Sunday, Aug. 7 Picnic and Homecoming, St. Peter, Coplay, noon-10 p.m.; 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). Thursdays Bingo, Knights of Columbus Home Association, Reading, 6:30 p.m., doors open 5 p.m., nonsmoking. Bingo, St. Joseph, Summit Hill, 6:30 p.m. Sundays, July 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. Trips Editor’s note: Trip listings include sponsoring group, destination, cost and contact information. Call the sponsor for other details, such as times, dining location, itineraries and what is included in the cost. Send church-affiliated trips to [email protected] by Thursday of the week before publication. Newly announced Thursday, Aug. 25 55+ Club, Notre Dame of Bethlehem to Mohegan Sun Casino, Wilkes-Barre, $25, 610-866-0360. Saturday, Sept. 17 St. Thomas More, Allentown to walking and eating tour of Lower East Side and Tenement Museum, New York City, $88, 484-951-0440. Thursday, Sept. 22 55+ Club, Notre Dame of Bethlehem to Peddler’s Village, $76, 610-866-0360. Saturday, Oct. 8 St. Thomas More, Allentown to Maryland at Penn State (homecoming), $120 or $90, 484-951-0440. Saturday, Oct 22 St. Thomas More, Allentown, walking tour of Harlem and Zabar’s food emporium, $72, 484-951-0440. Saturday, Dec. 10 St. Thomas More, Allentown to Dyker Heights (Brooklyn) light tour, $70, 484-951-0440. Thursday, Dec 15 St. Thomas More, Allentown to Christmas show, Radio City Music Hall, New York City, $90, 484-951-0440. Please see CALENDAR page 19 }} Diocese July 21, 2016 Calendar }}Continued from page 18 Previously announced Wednesday, Aug. 10 St. Joseph the Worker, Orefield to Resorts Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, $45, 610-392-2957, [email protected]. Rock Lodge, $78, 610-759-0576. Venice, $3,495, 610-767-3036. Saturday, Sept. 17 St. Joseph the Worker, Orefield to the Bronx (Botanical Gardens, Mario Batali Kitchen Gardens, Little Italy), $65, 610-3922957, [email protected]. Tuesday, Oct. 18 Golden Agers, Holy Family, Nazareth to Jimmy Sturr show at Mount Airy Casino, Mount Pocono, $57, 610-759-0576. Saturday, Sept. 24 – Saturday, Oct. 1 Trips and Tours, St. Jane Frances de Chantal, Easton to New England and Canada cruise, $1,089, 610-252-4233. Thursday, Aug. 11 55+ Club, Notre Dame of Bethlehem to “Rock, Roll and Soul,” Hunterdon Hill Playhouse, $87, 610-866-0360. Wednesday, Sept. 28 Golden Agers, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Whitehall to “Rails and Paddle Wheels,” Pride of the Susquehanna, Harrisburg, $94, 610-264-3721. Saturday, Aug. 27 St. Thomas More, Allentown to Yankees v Orioles, New York City, $98, 484-951-0440. Friday, Sept. 30 St. Joseph the Worker, Orefield, visit several local wineries, $50, 610-392-2957, [email protected]. September Travelers, St. Matthew the Evangelist, Minersville to Savannah, Georgia and Charleston, South Carolina, 570-544-5231, 570-628-5413. Monday, Oct. 10 – Tuesday, Oct. 18 Father Sean Carpenter and St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish, Pocono Pines, pilgrimage to Poland, 570-646-6424. Wednesday, Sept. 14 Golden Agers, Holy Family, Nazareth to “Oktoberfest,” Split The A.D. Times Monday, Oct. 17 – Thursday, Oct. 27 Pilgrimage of the Franciscan Journey, with Father Francis Schoenauer, to Rome, Assisi, Siena, Padua, Florence and Thursday, Oct. 20 St. Clare of Assisi, St. Clair for Diocesan Pilgrimage to Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C., $45, 570-429-0370. Travelers, St. Matthew the Evangelist, Minersville for Diocesan Pilgrimage to Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C., 570-544-5231. Wednesday, Nov. 16 – Thursday, Nov. 17 Golden Agers, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Whitehall to Dover, Delaware and Elvis show, $160, 484-264-7723. Wednesday, Nov. 30 Golden Agers, Holy Family, Nazareth to Christmas show at Candlelight Theater, Wilmington, Delaware, $95, 610-7590576. Tuesday, Dec. 13 Seniors, St. John Fisher, Catasauqua to “Winter Wonderland” Christmas Show, American Music Theater, Lancaster, $80, 610-264-0920. Small Games of Chance License # 16-00163 19 20 The A.D. Times Diocese July 21, 2016 Carisma de sabiduría Por DIÁCONO JOSÉ SANTOS Para entrar al Reino de los cielos, necesitamos la sabiduría de Dios. ¿Quién es sabio? Sabio es el que se salva. Uno puede poseer abundante bienes temporales y dones espirituales, y hacer muchos milagros, pero si su alma va al infierno, una persona así, era un tonto. A algunos Jesús les llamó necios, a otros les llamó hipócritas. Ser sabio es, hablar oportunamente a quien lo necesita. La palabra de sabiduría viene en el momento que el Espíritu Santo quiere. La sabiduría nos hace ver el plan de Dios para una persona o comunidad. Dice el apóstol: “Si a alguno de ustedes le falta la sabiduría, pídala a Dios y la recibirá, porque él da a todos con generosidad y sin reproches” (Stgo 1, 5). La palabra de sabiduría, no se trata de la ciencia del hombre, sino de un conocimiento espiritual sobrenatural, que Dios Padre, Jesús y el Espíritu Santo comunican oportunamente para convencer a los incrédulos. En el evangelio según San Mateo encontramos, “Cuando llegó Jesús a la región de Cesarea de Filipo, preguntó a los dicípulos: ¿Quién dice la gente que es el Hijo del Hombre? Ellos contestaron: Unos dicen que es Juan el Bautista; otros, que es Elías; otros, Jeremías o algún otro profeta. El les dijo: Y ustedes ¿quién dicen que soy? Simón Pedro respondió: Tú eres el Mesías, el hijo de Dios vivo. Jesús le dijo: ¡Dichoso tú, Simón hijo de Upcoming issues of The A.D. Times Jonás, porque no te lo ha revelado nadie de carne y hueso, sino mi Padre del cielo! Pues yo te digo que tú eres Pedro y sobre esta piedra construiré mi Iglesia (Mt. 16, 13-18). Jesús mismo hace notar que la palabra de sabiduría es revelada por Dios. El Padre revela a Pedro que Jesús es el Mesías, en adelante sólo Pedro y sus sucesores tienen autoridad para enseñar la verdad. Jesús nos revela que Dios es Padre con un rostro misericordioso, El Espíritu Santo nos conduce a la verdad plena. Por medio de este carisma, Dios comunica al pueblo, lo que necesita saber. Nos ayuda para defendernos de los enemigos de Dios, nos permite enseñar con autoridad y demostrar que estamos del lado de la verdad, porque es Dios el que está de nuestro lado, para asistirnos en lo que se debe decir en cada momento de la historia. Este carisma es fruto de la oración y del estudio, quien ora constantemente y estudia la biblia, las cartas de los papas y la vida de los santos recibe inmensa sabiduría de Dios. Es importante señalar que la base del carisma es el amor con que se ejerce, y la humildad con que se recibe, para estar al servicio de los demás. El libro de la Sabiduría dice: La sabiduría no entra en un alma perversa ni vive en un cuerpo entregado al pecado. El santo espíritu que nos instruye huye del engaño, y se aparta de los razonamientos sin sentido y se aleja cuando está presente la injusticia. La sabiduría es un espíritu amigo de los hombres (Sab. 1, 4-6). “Dios de nuestros padres, Señor de misericordia, que todo lo creaste con tu palabra y con tu Sabiduría formaste al hombre para que dominara todas las criaturas, gobernara el mundo con justicia y santidad y administrara justicia rectamente: dame la Sabiduría que reina junto a ti, y no me excluyas de entre tus siervos. Pues soy siervo tuyo, hijo de tu sierva, hombre débil y de existencia breve, incapaz de entender el derecho y la ley. “Por perfecto que sea un hombre, si le falta tu Sabiduría, no valdrá nada. Contigo está la Sabiduría, que conoce tus obras, a tu lado estaba cuando hiciste el mundo; ella sabe lo que a tí te agrada, lo que responde a tus mandamientos. Mándala desde el cielo sagrado, mándala desde tu trono glorioso, para que esté a mi lado y trabaje conmigo, enseñándome lo que te agrada” (Sab. 9,1-6 . 9-10). San Pablo escribe a los Corintios: “Porque el mensaje de la cruz es locura para los que se pierden; pero para los que nos salvaremos es fuerza de Dios. Como está escrito: Acabaré con la sabiduría de los sabios y confundiré la inteligencia de los inteligentes. “¿Dónde hay buen sabio, dónde un letrado, dónde un investigador de este mundo? ¿Acaso no ha demostrado Dios que la sabiduría de este mundo es una locura? Como el mundo con su sabiduría no reconoció a Dios en las obras que manifiestan su sabiduría, dispuso Dios salvar a los creyentes por la locura de la cruz. “Porque los Judíos piden milagros, los griegos buscan sabiduría, mientras que nosotros anunciamos a un Cristo crucificado, escándalo para los judíos, locura para los paganos; pero para los llamados, tanto judios como griegos, un Cristo que es fueza y sabiduría de Dios. Porque la locura de Dios es más sabia que la sabiduría de los hombres y la debilidad de Dios más fuerte que la fortaleza de los hombres” (1 Cor. 1, 18- 25). Hoy necesitamos en la iglesia, perdir esa sabiduría que asistió al rey Salomón, que estuvo al lado de Jesús y de sus santos discípulos en la historia eclesial. Que Dios bendiga a gobernantes y pastores para que a ejemplo del buen Pastor, todo marche como el Señor de la historia quiere. Alabado sea Jesucristo. Publication Date Advertising Deadline News Deadline Aug. 11Aug. 1Aug. 4 Sept. 1Aug. 22Aug. 25 Sept. 22Sept. 12Sept. 15 Oct. 13Oct. 3Oct. 6 Diocese July 21, 2016 The A.D. Times Our Lady’s message at Fatima even more relevant a century later By TAMI QUIGLEY Staff writer “The urgent message of Our Lady of Fatima is peace, love and hope,” Larry Maginot of the Blue Army of Fatima told the faithful gathered June 12 at Our Lady Help of Christians (OLHC), Allentown. The diocesan Secretariat for Catholic Life and Evangelization hosted the International Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima at two diocesan locations as part of the Fatima Centennial U.S. Tour for Peace. The afternoon at OLHC included Maginot’s talk about the statue and the message of Fatima, with adoration, rosary and benediction. The event also took place June 13 at St. Joseph Villa Chapel, Reading, adjacent to Alvernia University. Mary Fran Hartigan, secretary of the diocesan Secretariat for Catholic Evangelization, said a few hundred faithful attended at OLHC and more than 100 at St. Joseph Villa. “The diocese was very blessed and honored to be able to host the International Virgin Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady of Fatima,” said Hartigan. “The main mission of this apostolate is to bring the Blessed Mother’s message of peace to the world. This was a gracefilled opportunity for people to venerate the statue who may not have an opportunity to travel to Fatima, Portugal. Larry Maginot gave a beautiful history of its background and stressed that it was Our Lady’s wishes that a rosary be prayed daily for the conversion of hearts.” Patrick Sabat of the Blue Army of Fatima said the tour marks the 100-year anniversary of the apparition at Fatima. It is dedicated to the shepherd children, Blessed Francisco and Jacinta and Sister Lucia. The Angel of Peace began appearing to the shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal in spring 1916, and the Blessed Mother – Our Lady of Fatima – appeared in 1917. Her last apparition on Oct. 13 is known as the Miracle of the Sun. The tour, sponsored by the World Apostolate of Fatima USA (The Blue Army), began in the Diocese of Metuchen, New Jersey, where the National Blue Army Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima is located. It began March 21 during the Jubilee Year of Mercy and will conclude Dec. 20, 2017. Sabat is statue custodian. The tour coincides with the centenary celebrations at the Shrine of Our Lady Fatima in Portugal where Pope Francis is expected to visit in May 2017. The Blessed Mother appeared to the three children on the 13th day of May through October 1917, exhorting them to be fervent in working for the salvation of souls and conversion of sinners through Larry Maginot speaks about the International Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima during the Centennial Tour for Peace June 12 at Our Lady Help of Christians (OLHC), Allentown. Listening are Franciscan Sister Martha Zammatore, left, liaison for the diocesan Office of Prison Ministry, and Father John Pendzick, then pastor of OLHC, now pastor of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Whitehall. (Photos by John Simitz) Many faithful gather for the afternoon event at OLHC. The tour continued in the diocese June 13 at St. Joseph Villa Chapel, Reading. prayer, especially daily rosary, and daily penance. She identified the conversion of sinners as key to peace in the world. “The peace plan from heaven is true peace comes from God,” said Maginot. The Fatima message and the great evils Our Lady warned about that marked the 20th century – World War II, famine, persecution of the church and the Holy Father, and the spread of Russia’s atheistic communism around the world – are closely linked to the Divine Mercy message given to St. Maria Kowalska Faustina in the 1930s. Both apparitions involve visions of an angel about to strike the earth with a flaming sword, and request prayers and penance for the conversion of sinners and reparation for sin to prevent this. Maginot explained the statue was The procession with the pilgrim statue begins. sculpted in 1947 by José Thedim, on the precise instructions of Sister Lucia, whose desire was that it represent Our Lady’s position when she revealed herself as the Immaculate Heart to the Shepherds. The statue was blessed Oct. 13, 1947 by the Bishop of Liera, Fatima and commissioned as the Pilgrim Virgin who would carry the blessings of Fatima throughout the world. The bishop prayed that Mary herself accompany the statue wherever it goes. After its initial travels, Father Joaquim Alonso, an official archivist at Fatima, stated, “Never in the history of the church have charismas descended in such abundance on the people of God as through the Pilgrim Virgin.” Maginot also shared quotes from Pope Pius XII, St. Pope John Paul II, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and Pope Francis. In a radio address in 1951 to more than a million pilgrims at Fatima, Pope Pius XII said, “In 1946, I crowned Our Lady of Fatima as Queen of the World, and the following year, through the Pilgrim Virgin, she set forth as though to claim her dominion, and the favors she performs along the way are such that we can hardly believe what we are seeing with our eyes.” After the assassination attempt on St. Pope John Paul II, May 13, 1981, and his subsequent study of the famous “third” Secret of Fatima, he concluded, “Fatima is more important now than in 1917.” Pope John Paul II fulfilled the request of Our Lady at Fatima to consecrate Russia to her Immaculate Heart on March 25, 1984, which was accepted by heaven, according to Sister Lucia. He released the full text of the third secret May 13, 2000, during celebrations at Fatima for the beatification of Jacinta and Francisco. In his homily at Fatima May 13, 2010, Pope Benedict XVI said, “Fatima is the home from which Mary chose to speak to us in modern times…. We would be mistaken to think that Fatima’s prophetic mission is complete.” Pope Francis almost immediately entrusted his papacy to Our Lady of Fatima in May 2013, and entrusted the world to her Immaculate Heart in October 2013, before the famous statue of Our Lady of Fatima in the Capelhina at Fatima, which was flown to Rome. Parish priests who have hosted the image have reported long confession lines and many people returning to sacraments. Numerous conversions occur, especially when people spend time before the statue and look into her eyes. The statue has been known to weep on occasion. Maginot emphasized Our Lady’s urgent message of peace, love and hope are very relevant in our time. He said we have a call to holiness and underscored the importance of devotion to Mary that leads to Jesus: rosary, scapular, daily duties and First Saturday devotion. As Our Lady of Fatima told the children, “My Immaculate Heart will be your refuge and the way that will lead you to God.” “The calls of the Gospel are prayer, penance and conversion,” Maginot said. “We have an invitation to respond and say ‘yes’ to Our Lady like her ‘fiat.’” For more information, visit www. bluearmy.com or www.fatimatourforpeace.com. Faithful approach the altar to view the pilgrim statue. 21 22 The A.D. Times Diocese July 21, 2016 Corpus Christi procession renewed Msgr. Edward Coyle, pastor, leads the Corpus Christi procession at Most Blessed Sacrament, Bally. The parish renewed the practice in honor of the parish’s 275th anniversary. The faithful processed to three altars, two outside the church and concluded inside the church at the main altar with benediction. Family Prayer Chalice at St. Matthew Each Sunday at St. Matthew the Evangelist, Minersville, a designated parish family or individual at the conclusion of Mass receives the chalice and paten used by the priest at that Mass. During the week the family/individual uses them as a focus for prayer – asking God to bless the parish and diocese with the vocations needed to continue the work of Christ and his church. The chalice and paten are returned the following Sunday and the prayer process is repeated. In March St. Matthew celebrated the fifth anniversary of the inauguration of this program to pray for vocations. Pictured is Father Leo Maletz, pastor, with Joe and Rosemary Skiebel as they prepare to take home the chalice and paten. July 21, 2016 Diocese The A.D. Times 23 Catholic War Veterans celebrate Memorial Day Members of Catholic War Veterans For God and Country Post 454, Northampton celebrated Memorial Day, first with Mass at Queenship of Mary Church, Northampton, and then at the Memorial Park. Pictured is the firing squad at the park. Gathered after Mass are, from left: front, John Bowen, Joan Glover, George Smull; middle, John Schneck, U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Joseph Hudgins, Richard Ebner, Adrian Wasko; back, Deacon Mike Doncsecz and Father Patrick Lamb. Confirmation class donates to Mary’s Shelter The confirmation class at St. Matthew the Evangelist, Minersville raised funds for the benefit of Mary’s Shelter, Reading. A total of $2,391.17 was raised through their efforts for the maternity home that serves the needs of homeless, pregnant young women and their children. To learn more about Mary’s Shelter, visit www.marysshelter.org. Members of the class are, from left, Isabella Lentini, Scott Schwalm, Cal Schoffstall, Adam Kelly, Max Wigoda, Carter Melochick, Paige Truscott and Bella Kuehn. Not pictured is Dominic Agnello. The parish also recently held its annual Festival of Lights May 29. Bob Laughlin, commander of American Legion Post 544, Minersville was guest speaker. Approximately 400 votive candles were lit to honor our deceased servicemen and women, and other faithful departed, at 6 p.m. the eve of Memorial Day. 24 The A.D. Times Diocese July 21, 2016