Diaconate candidates receive rite of acolyte

Transcription

“The Allentown Diocese in the Year of Our Lord”
VOL. 26, NO. 10
MAY 15, 2014
Diaconate candidates receive rite of acolyte
By TAMI QUIGLEY
Staff writer
“Each of us is called to be an apostle
of the real presence – this is what the ministry of acolyte is all about,” said Bishop
John Barres, who instituted 46 candidates
for the permanent diaconate as acolytes at
a morning liturgy May 10 at the Cathedral
of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown.
Msgr. Michael Chaback, director of the
diocesan Office of the Permanent Diaconate, concelebrated the liturgy for the Rite
of Institution of Acolytes.
Msgr. Victor Finelli was master of ceremonies. Deacon William Urbine, assistant
director of the Office of the Permanent Diaconate, was deacon of the Eucharist, and
Deacon Gerald Schmidt, associate director
for personnel of the Office of the Permanent Diaconate, was deacon of the word.
A reception ensued in the Parish Activity Center.
“As we continue to celebrate
the canonizations
“Ask the Holy
Spirit for a new of St. Pope John
XXIII and St.
rekindling and
Pope John Paul
new openness
II, and as we celto experiences
ebrate the Liturgy
of the Institution
of Eucharistic
of Acolytes, we
amazement.”
all remember today that we are
called to be apostles of the real presence of Jesus Christ in
the Eucharist,” Bishop Barres said opening
his homily.
Bishop Barres said acolytes have a special responsibility to the Eucharist and the
church, and are called “to live more fully
by the Lord’s sacrifice and to be molded
more perfectly in its likeness.”
The bishop highlighted Peter’s awareness of the Lord’s identity, and noted St.
John Paul II called us “to rekindle our Eucharistic amazement” in his encyclical letter “Ecclesia de Eucharistia” (Church from
the Eucharist) of April 17, 2003.
“For those who will receive the ministry of acolyte this morning and for all of us
here with them, we are asked to rekindle
our Eucharistic amazement in the real presence of Jesus Christ – body, blood, soul
and divinity – in the Eucharist.”
Bishop Barres explained when we
rekindle our Eucharistic faith, awe and
Left, candidates Richard
Scrak, left, and Peter Schultzler come before Bishop
John Barres at the Rite of Institution of Acolytes May 10
at the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown.
(Photos by John Simitz)
Above, candidates stand as
their names are called by
Msgr. Michael Chaback.
Please see ACOLYTES page 4 }}
Bishop Barres to ordain four men to the priesthood
By TARA CONNOLLY
Staff writer
Four seminarians for the Diocese of
Allentown will become priests Saturday,
June 7 during the Rite of Ordination to the
Priesthood at the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown.
Bishop of Allentown John Barres will
be the principal celebrant and confer the
Sacrament of Holy Orders on transitional
deacons James Harper, Daniel Kravatz,
Kevin Lonergan and Mark Searles.
“It is an exciting season in church history to be ordaining four young men to the
priesthood of Jesus Christ. Pope Francis
is emphasizing a deep, familiar intimacy
with Jesus Christ as the
foundation of a vibrant
priesthood. The canonizations of St. John
XXIII and St. John Paul
II show how the consecration and mission of
a priest unfolds in the
power of the Holy Spirit
and impacts history,”
said Bishop Barres.
Bishop Barres also
said the church’s recent Harper
focus on St. John Vianney and the Year for
Priests is a reminder to reflect on the Gos-
Kravatz
Lonergan
Voters Guide
for Pennsylvania
Primary Election
Tuesday, May 20
starts on page 10
pel of Mercy and heed the call to conversion through the sacrament of penance.
“These models
of priestly holiness,” he said, “illustrate these words
of motivation from
St. John Paul II in
the 1992 exhortation ‘I Will Give
You
Shepherds’
Searles
Please see
ORDINATION
page 6 }}
2
The A.D. Times
Diocese
May 15, 2014
Pray the rosary with Bishop Barres
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
Office Assistants
Lori Anderson
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.
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
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
A new podcast, available for download on the Diocese of Allentown website and on iTunes (link through the diocesan website www.allentowndiocese.
org), features Bishop of Allentown John Barres leading a group in praying the
rosary.
On the Catholic calendar May is the month of Mary, the Blessed Mother of
Jesus, and the rosary is a well-known Marian prayer.
The rosary is a prayer made up of five groups of 10 prayers called the Hail
Mary, separated by five prayers called the Our Father. Rosary beads are used
to keep an accurate count of the prayers.
Between the decades of the rosary a group of mysteries can be meditated
upon. There are four groups of mysteries – Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and
Luminous – each assigned its own day of the week.
The podcast will include all four mystery groups. The appropriate rosary for
that day will be posted on the diocesan website.
Each of the five Fridays in May a new Bishop’s Video Blog is being posted;
each will explore a different aspect of this popular prayer of devotion to the
Blessed Mother.
The bishop is hopeful that people will download the podcast and pray the
rosary with their family.
“My hope is that in a user-friendly way, we can all pray the rosary together,
and in so doing open ourselves together to be instruments of the New Evangelization,” he said.
Episcopal
appointments
Bishop of Allentown John Barres has made the following appointments to
the Diocesan Review Board, for terms of five years, effective May 2.
Dr. Eugene Decker to chair.
Members:
Msgr. Albert Byrne.
Gwen Millets.
Chris Moughan.
Also appointed in the Secretariat for Catholic Education:
Kimberly Ann Fetter of Ashland to assistant superintendent for professional personnel, effective Tuesday, July 1.
Diocese
May 15, 2014
The A.D. Times
Witnessing to ‘Walk With Christ’ through Bishop’s Annual Appeal
By TAMI QUIGLEY
“This year’s theme for the Bishop’s
Annual Appeal (BAA) is ‘Walk With
Christ.’ What a beautiful image that
evokes,” Teri Bishop shared as a BAA
witness speaker May 3-4 at SS. Simon
and Jude, Bethlehem.
Bishop spoke on behalf of Catholic
Charities, Diocese of Allentown, which
she serves as a member of the board of
directors.
Lay witness speakers spread the word
about the good works done by BAA on
two weekends in May, shining a light
on how the faithful in the pews can help
those in need in their community.
“Walking with Christ, sharing in
his ministries, caring for his people …
the BAA gives
us the opportunity to ‘Walk with
“Giving to,
Christ,’” Bishop
caring for,
said.
sharing
She noted Bishwith othop John Barres reers in need.
minds us, “It is in
giving that we reThat’s what
ceive.”
the BAA is
“Giving
to,
all about.”
caring for, sharing with others in
need. That’s what
the BAA is all about,” Bishop said.
Other speakers at parishes the weekends of May 3-4 or May 10-11 were
Larry Johnson, Most Blessed Sacrament,
Bally; Kathy Nevel and Renee Berkhammer, Immaculate Conception BVM, Douglassville; Mike Mizak and Mary Maher,
tariat for Stewardship and Development; Sister Janice
Marie
Johnson,
BAA ambassador,
St. Ann, Emmaus;
and Terry Novatnack, St. Anne,
Bethlehem.
Seminarians
speaking included Matthew Thompson,
St. Benedict, Mohnton; Jared Zambelli,
St. Peter the Apostle, Reading; John
Rother, Our Lady of Lourdes, Weatherly; John Hutta, St. Joseph, Jim Thorpe;
Albert Camburn, St. Katharine Drexel,
Lansford; Deacon Daniel Kravatz, Our
Lady Help of Christians, Allentown and
Holy Ghost, Bethlehem; Zachary Wehr,
Holy Trinity, Whitehall; and Jeremy
Leidich, Assumption BVM, Bethlehem.
Also, Daniel Lisella, St. Anthony of
Padua, Easton; Stephan Isaac, St. Jane
Frances de Chantal, Easton; Deacon
James Harper, Sacred Heart, Bethlehem; Deacon Mark Searles, St. Patrick,
Pottsville; Brendon Laroche, St. Ambrose, Schuylkill Haven; Deacon Kevin
Lonergan, Blessed Teresa of Calcutta,
Mahanoy City and the Cathedral of St.
Catharine of Siena, Allentown; and David Anthony, St. Michael the Archangel,
Minersville.
To learn more about opportunities for giving or to arrange a gift, call
1-800-831-4443 or make your gift
online,www.2014baa.org.
To learn more about opportunities for giving or to
arrange a gift, call 1-800831-4443 or make your gift
online,www.2014baa.org.
Staff writer
Seminarian Zachary Wehr shares a BAA witness talk the weekend of May 3-4
at Holy Trinity, Whitehall as Pastor Msgr. Daniel Yenushosky listens at right.
(Photo by John Simitz)
Holy Guardian Angels, Reading; Shelly
Kreska, St. Joseph, Reading; and Pamela
Russo, secretary of the diocesan Secretariat for Catholic Human Services and
executive director of Catholic Charities,
St. Francis de Sales, Robesonia.
Also, Stan and Barb Swierczek, Carbon Deanery chairs of the 2014 Bishop’s
Annual Appeal, St. Francis of Assisi,
Nesquehoning; Paul Wirth, president of
Catholic Charities’ board of directors, St.
Thomas More, Allentown; Julia Leibensperger, principal of St. Joseph Center for
Special Learning, Pottsville, St. Matthew
the Evangelist, Minersville; and Mary
Adams, principal of John Paul II Center
for Special Learning, Shillington, St. Ignatius Loyola, Sinking Spring.
Also, Michele Mullikin, diocesan director of stewardship and annual giving;
Sacred Heart, Palmerton; Edward Moldonado, Holy Infancy, Bethlehem; James
Friend, secretary of the diocesan Secre-
Left, “Giving to, caring for, sharing
with others in need. That’s what the
BAA is all about,” Teri Bishop tells
parishioners of SS. Simon and Jude,
Bethlehem during a BAA witness talk
at a May 4 Mass. (Photo by Ed Koskey)
Below, Msgr. William Campion, pastor
of Sacred Heart, Palmerton, greets
Michele Mullikin after she offered a
Bishop’s Annual Appeal (BAA) witness talk at a May 4 Mass. (Photo
courtesy Terry Ahner)
Seminarian Zachary Wehr greets Holy Trinity parishioners after Mass, from
left, Margaret Cacciatore and her daughter Sally Burg. (Photo by John Simitz)
Parishioners leaving after Mass at SS. Simon and Jude pass a BAA sign in
front of the church. (Photo by Ed Koskey)
3
4
The A.D. Times
Diocese
May 15, 2014
Acolytes
dling and new openness to experiences of
Eucharistic amazement.”
Bishop Barres said acolytes are chosen for a special ministry, as the source
}}Continued from page 1
and summit of church life is the Euchaamazement in the truth of the real pres- rist.
The institution of acolytes took place
ence, our vocations are rekindled. Many
other things are rekindled as well, such during the Mass; Msgr. Chaback presentas living the church’s teaching on respect ed the candidates to Bishop Barres.
“Take the vessel with bread for the
for life and social justice.
“The Catholic Church’s doctrine about celebration of the Eucharist. Make your
the real presence is not some antiquated life worthy of your service at the table
pious fantasy. It is an objective truth that of the Lord and of his church,” Bishop
we as Catholics are called to spread with Barres said at the words of institution for
acolyte.
missionary zeal.”
During the rite, Bishop Barres told
“All of you have your own personal
stories of Eucharistic amazement,” Bish- the men, “In performing your ministry
op Barres said, encouraging everyone to bear in mind that, as you share the one
recall them and, like Mary, “the woman bread with your brothers and sisters, so
of the Eucharist,” ponder them in their you form one body with them. Show a
sincere love for Christ’s mystical body,
hearts.
“Ask the Holy Spirit for a new rekin- God’s holy people, and especially for the
weak and the sick. Be obedient to the commandment
which the Lord gave to his
apostles at the Last Supper:
‘Love one another as I also
have loved you.’”
During the rite the candidates were instituted to
serve at the altar, and to assist the priest and deacon.
In particular, it is his responsibility to prepare the
altar and the sacred vessels
and, if necessary, serve as
an extraordinary minister,
and distribute the Eucharist
and perform baptism.
The acolyte was defined in Pope Paul VI’s
motu proprio “Ministeria
Quaedam” in 1972:
“The acolyte is appointed
in order to aid the deaCandidates Jose Ocampo, left, and John
con and to minister to the
O’Connell kneel before Bishop Barres at the rite
priest. It is his duty therefore to attend to the service
of the altar, and to assist
the deacon and the priest
As an acolyte, the deacon candidate is
in liturgical celebrations,
instituted to serve at the altar and to
especially in the celebraassist the priest and deacon. In particution of Mass; he is also to
distribute Communion as a
lar, it is his responsibility to prepare the
special minister when the
altar and the sacred vessels and, if it
ministers spoken of in the
is necessary, serve as an extraordinary
‘Codex Iuris Canonici’ can.
minister and distribute the Eucharist
845 are not available or are
and perform baptism.
prevented by ill health,
age, or another pastoral
ministry from performing
this function, or when the
number of communicants
is so great that the celebration of Mass
would be unduly prolonged.”
Please see ACOLYTES page 6 }}
Above, Msgr. Michael Chaback expresses his thanks at the conclusion
of the Mass.
Right, Bishop John Barres, center,
congratulates the candidates after
the liturgy. Deacon William Urbine
stands at left.
Candidates enter the cathedral for the rite.
Being installed as acolytes and their home parishes were:
James Bardi, Immaculate Conception BVM, Douglassville.
Gerardo Berrios, Holy Infancy, Bethlehem.
Joseph Cannon, St. Katharine Drexel, Lansford.
Ricardo Ceballos, Sacred Heart of Jesus, Allentown.
Claudio Cruz, Sacred Heart of Jesus, Allentown.
Thomas Drogalis, St. Mary, Hamburg.
Francis Elchert, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Pen Argyl.
Thomas Ely, Holy Family, Nazareth.
Charles Giordano, St. Columbkill, Boyertown.
Edward Girard, Sacred Heart, Palmerton.
Isidro Gonzalez-Rivera, Holy Infancy, Bethlehem.
Stephen Gorbos, St. Anne, Bethlehem.
David Henninger, Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, Mahanoy City.
Joseph Juhasz, Sacred Heart, Bethlehem.
Maurice Kelly, Assumption BVM, Bethlehem.
Christopher Kinsella, St. Thomas More, Allentown.
James Kochu, St. Columbkill, Boyertown.
Frederick Lanciano, St. Ignatius Loyola, Sinking Spring.
Felix Lombardo, St. John Baptist de la Salle, Shillington.
Lawrence Lonergan, St. Patrick, Pottsville.
Christopher May, Sacred Heart, West Reading.
Michael Meder, St. Thomas More, Allentown.
Jose Ocampo, Holy Infancy, Bethlehem.
John O’Connell, St. Lawrence the Martyr, Catasauqua.
Charles Palmeri, St. Rocco, Martins Creek.
Ronald Pasquino, Our Lady of Good Counsel, Bangor.
Joseph Petrauskas, St. Columbkill, Boyertown.
Sherwood Readinger, St. Joseph the Worker, Orefield.
Edward Sanders, St. Ignatius Loyola, Sinking Spring.
Edward Saukulak, Sacred Heart, Bath.
Gene Schroth, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Bethlehem.
Howard Schultz, St. Columbkill, Boyertown.
Peter Schutzler, St. Thomas More, Allentown.
Richard Scrak, St. Anne, Bethlehem.
Jeffrey Sells, Sacred Heart of Jesus, Allentown.
Richard Sewald, Notre Dame of Bethlehem.
John Stapleton, St. Margaret, Reading.
Ralph Sullivan, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Bethlehem.
Bruce Swist, St. Catharine of Siena, Reading.
Michael Toolan, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Bethlehem.
C. Miguel Vargas, Sacred Heart of Jesus, Allentown.
Fred Wall, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Pen Argyl.
James Warnagiris, Our Lady of Lourdes, Weatherly.
Kevin Wasielewski, St. Jane Frances de Chantal, Easton.
Kenneth Weiland, St. Anthony of Padua, Easton.
Joseph Wilhelm, SS. Peter and Paul, Lehighton.
Diocese
May 15, 2014
The A.D. Times
Bishop Barres welcomes new members of Legacy Society
By TAMI QUIGLEY
Staff writer
“Our members of the Legacy Society are outstanding Catholics who with foresight for the future of the
mission of the Catholic Church in the world plan for the
future of our parishes, schools and ministries through
sacrificial giving and estate planning,” said Bishop John
Barres, who presided at evening prayer with the Legacy
Society April 10 at the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown.
“People around the diocese are learning about this
opportunity progressively and embracing it enthusiastically,” Bishop Barres said.
The Legacy Society Evening Prayer and Dinner recognized those who have included their parish, Catholic
school or other diocesan ministry in their estate plans.
Bishop Barres presented Legacy Society certificates and
pins to new members at the dinner.
Launched in 2007, the society has more than 300
members.
“Welcome ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us this evening,” said James Friend, secretary of the
diocesan Secretariat for Stewardship and Development,
welcoming faithful from across the diocese at the dinner.
“On behalf of diocesan schools, parishes, Catholic
Charities and all the entities that are honored with your
help, I am grateful for your commitment to carry on the
Catholic faith beyond all our lifetimes,” Friend said.
“I know firsthand as a pastor that the church has had
a wonderful legacy of supporters and benefactors that
have contributed to the ongoing mission of evangelization,” said Msgr. Andrew Baker, pastor of the cathedral
and new Legacy Society member.
“They made great sacrifices to assist the parishes,
schools and other institutions of our diocese, and I wanted to be a part of that group of people. I also wanted to
be a good example for my own people. If I’m going to
ask them to share their legacy with the church, I should
be willing to do the same.”
Friend welcomed new Legacy Society members. Michele Mullikin, director of stewardship and annual giving, presented an overview of the Legacy Society. Msgr.
Baker offered a Foundation Presentation and prayed the
invocation. Bishop Barres concluded the evening with a
closing prayer.
New Legacy Society members and their home parishes are: Msgr. Baker; John and Rose Marie Gibbons,
St. Joseph, Limeport (father and stepmother of Father
John Gibbons, pastor of St. Margaret, Reading); Joanne
Messenlehner, Holy Family, Nazareth; and Thomas and
Alberta Siemiatkoski, St. Anne, Bethlehem.
Those attending included Sister Janice Marie Johnson, a Sister of Mercy and Bishop’s Annual Appeal
ambassador; and Judith Stewart, assistant to Friend and
special events coordinator.
For more information on the Legacy Society, contact
Michele Mullikin, 610-871-5200, ext. 282 or [email protected].
For more information on the Legacy Society,
contact Michele Mullikin, 610-871-5200, ext. 282
or [email protected].
Above, Bishop John Barres addresses those gathered for the Legacy Society Evening Prayer and
Dinner April 10 at the Cathedral of St. Catharine of
Siena, Allentown. (Photos by John Simitz)
Right, Joanne Messenlehner is greeted by, from
left, Bishop Barres and Msgr. Andrew Baker.
Lower right, enjoying the festive evening are, from
left, Father Eugene Ritz, chaplain of Berks Catholic
High School, Reading; Anthony Balistrere, principal of Berks Catholic; James Born Sr.; and Bishop
Barres.
Below, Bishop Barres presents a certificate to Anthony and Evelyn Carfagno.
Left, Bishop Barres greets Dr. Gaeton and Teresa
DeMartino during the dinner.
Above, Bishop Barres chats with Bill and Flo Coyle.
History of the Legacy Society
In January 2007 then Bishop (now Bishop Emeritus) Edward Cullen announced the establishment of the Legacy Society of the Diocese of Allentown to
recognize individuals who have included a parish, school, diocesan agency or the
diocese itself in their estate plan.
The Legacy Society is open to anyone who has arranged for a planned gift of
any size. To become a member, notify the diocesan Office of Stewardship and
Development that you are planning to leave such a gift.
These gifts can take a number of forms, including direct bequests, charitable
gift annuities, trust arrangements, real estate, life insurance or retirement plan
proceeds.
Christian stewardship is recognizing that everything we have is a gift from a
Members of the Legacy Society participate in evening prayer prior to the dinner.
good and gracious God. Stewardship is a way of life – a caring attitude that builds
a strong and vibrant church. With God’s help, gifts such as these will strengthen
our diocese for many years to come.
The Diocese of Allentown was founded 53 years ago upon a Catholic heritage
that provides compassionate assistance to those in need. That legacy continues
today through caring people who provide for parish communities, schools, vocations and youth in our five-county region in ways that make a real and lasting
contribution to the lives of thousands of people.
There is no question that all our parishes and diocesan services will be increasingly dependent upon planned gifts such as these.
Anyone who has included a diocesan entity in their estate is encouraged to call
610-871-5200, ext. 282 with the information so you can be counted among those
who have shown their commitment to the future of our diocese by their membership in the Legacy Society.
5
6
The A.D. Times
Diocese
May 15, 2014
Acolytes
Permanent diaconate candidates are
men 35 or older, married or single, who
are called by God and the church from
among its members to lead a life of service and spiritual leadership.
Before the liturgy drew to a close,
Msgr. Chaback thanked Bishop Barres
for the trust he places in the candidates
and the formation program. The monsignor thanked the priests – especially
those who were pastors of the candidates,
many of whom nominated the candidates
for the diaconate. He also voiced gratitude to the deacons who are “guides and
mentors” to the candidates.
Msgr. Chaback especially thanked
the married candidates’ wives and all the
candidates’ families “for giving them the
gift of love and service that come from
family life.”
The Folk Group of Holy Family, Nazareth, directed by Jerome Schwartz, provided music for the liturgy. Rose Laurito
was organist.
Ordination
(Pastores Dabo Vobis):
“The priest’s prayer life in particular
needs to be continually ‘reformed.’ Experience teaches that in prayer one cannot live off past
gains.
Every
day we need not
Bishop of Alonly to renew
our external filentown John
delity to times
Barres will be
of prayer, esthe principal
pecially those
celebrant and
devoted to the
confer the
celebration of
the Liturgy of
Sacrament of
the Hours and
Holy Orders
those left to
to transitional
personal choice
deacons James
… but also to
Harper, Daniel
strive constantly for the expeKravatz, Kevin
rience of a genLonergan and
uine personal
Mark Searles.
encounter with
Jesus, a trusting
dialogue with
the Father and a deep experience of the
Spirit.”
Bishop Emeritus of Allentown Edward
Cullen will be principal concelebrant during the sacramental ceremony, which will
include prostration, laying on of hands,
anointing of hands, giving of the chalice
and paten, and investiture with stole and
chasuble.
The rite will take place in the context
of the Mass. The ceremony is open to the
public and will begin at 10:30 a.m.
James Harper
Harper, 27, is the son of James and
Mary Harper, Fleetwood and a parishioner of Holy Guardian Angels, Reading. He has two younger sisters, Melissa
Filipinos to
celebrate
‘Flores de
Mayo’
The Filipino Catholic Community
of the Diocese of Allentown (FCCDA)
Bishop Barres, center, greets the candidates on the steps of the cathedral with, Deacon Urbine, front left, and Deacon
Gerald Schmidt, front right.
White and Sarah Zebert.
Harper is a graduate of the former
Reading Central Catholic High School
and attended the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, New London, Conn. before entering the seminary in 2006.
He earned a bachelor of arts degree in
philosophy from St. Charles Borromeo
Seminary, Philadelphia in 2010.
During his diaconate year he was assigned to St. Jane Frances de Chantal,
Easton.
His hobbies include outdoor activities like hiking and kayaking while visiting state and national parks. Harper also
plays the piano and organ, and enjoys
movies, books, sports and making rosaries.
Looking forward to his ordination,
Harper said he was once skeptical about
being called to the priesthood and is enjoying the final days leading up to becoming a priest for Jesus Christ. “I consider
myself to be fairly calm while joyfully
awaiting my ordination day. After eight
years in the seminary, my classes are now
over, and I find myself appreciating these
final few weeks,” he said.
“I can now focus more clearly on this
great gift of the priesthood, which is soon
upon me.”
Daniel Kravatz
Kravatz, 29, is the son of Daniel and
Jennifer Kravatz, Reading, and a parishioner of St. Catharine of Siena, Reading.
He has two younger siblings, Adam and
Erin.
Kravatz graduated from Exeter Township High School in 2004 and earned a
bachelor of science degree in mathematics from Millersville University in 2008.
During his diaconate year he was assigned to St. Thomas More, Allentown.
His hobbies include playing the trombone and sports.
Anxious and eager to fulfill his journey to the priesthood, Kravatz said the
will be celebrating its eighth “Flores de
Mayo” and “Santacruzan” Saturday, May
31 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at St. Francis
Retreat House, Easton.
“Flores de Mayo” (“Flowers of May”)
is a Filipino ceremony honoring our
Blessed Mother, and “Santacruzan” is a
procession commemorating the finding
of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem by St.
Helena.
Assembly time will be 10 a.m. The
program of activities will include Eucharistic celebration at 11 a.m., followed by
potluck and fellowship gathering at the
Mark Searles
Searles, 28, is the son of Wayne and
Patricia Searles, and a parishioner of St.
Jane Frances de Chantal, Easton. He has
a twin sister, Colleen and a younger sister, Katie.
Searles graduated from Notre Dame
High School, Easton in 2004 and earned
a bachelor of
arts degree in
philosophy from
“Having disthe University
of Scranton in
cerned well,
2008.
I am confiDuring
his
dent that I
diaconate year
am precisely
he was assigned
where God
to St. Patrick,
Pottsville.
wants me
Searles
ento be and I
joys playing the
am so eager
trumpet, soccer,
to serve
swimming and
him and the
spending
time
with his family.
people of
He said he is
God.”
grateful for the
time after graduation from the
seminary and prior to ordination that is
allowing him to reflect on the blessings
in his life.
“Looking back, there were certainly
times of doubt and uncertainty when
considering if God was calling me to be
a priest. But as I wrestled with the decision even just to apply to the seminary as
a college student, I felt a peace and a joy
in my heart that this was a clear sign and
a gift from God,” he said.
“That peace and joy were clouded by
many things and distractions that every
young person faces in the world today,
but thanks be to God, I had a wonderful
and supportive family, great priest friends
and mentors. I was also was moved to
take the time to pray with our Lord in the
Blessed Sacrament, which were all tremendous helps in hearing that God really
was calling me to this awesome vocation,” said Searles.
La Pieta Pavillion. Participants are asked
to bring a favorite dish to share (appetizer, entrée, dessert, etc.).
The previous “Flores de Mayo” celebrations have been a huge success. Organizers ask everyone to help uphold this
Filipino tradition and continue to share
their ardent love and devotion for the
Blessed Mother.
For more information, contact Anthony Catelo, 610-984-5156 or honytelo@
hotmail.com.
six years of formation passed quickly.
“It is strange to face the prospect of
not going back to school after being in
school for 25 years. It’s such a joy preparing to serve Christ as one of his
priests, and I very much look forward to
celebrating the sacraments wherever I am
called to serve,” said Kravatz.
Kevin Lonergan
Lonergan, 25, is the son of Lawrence
and Sharon Lonergan, Pottsville, and a
parishioner of St. Patrick, Pottsville. He
has an older sister, Liane and an older
brother, Collin.
He is a 2006 graduate of Nativity
BVM High School, Pottsville and obtained a bachelor of arts degree from St.
Charles in 2010.
During his diaconate year he was assigned to the Cathedral of St. Catharine
of Siena, Allentown.
In his spare time he enjoys assisting his uncle with mechanical work and
maintenance of antique and classic cars.
He is also a member of the Schuylkill
Historical Fire Society, where he helps
preserve and restore antique fire apparatus for museum displays.
As he prepares for his new role during the final days before ordination, Lonergan said he is experiencing a range of
emotions and is certain that the priesthood is part of God’s plan for him
“With ordination to the priesthood
only a few weeks away, there are many
emotions swirling about. I would say
that the best way to describe it would be
a nervous excitement tempered with a
peaceful joy,” he said.
“Having discerned well, I am confident that I am precisely where God wants
me to be, and I am so eager to serve him
and the people of God.”
Diocese
May 15, 2014
The A.D. Times
Highlights on the diocesan website www.allentowndiocese.org
Canonization of Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II – http://www.allentowndiocese.org/canonization/.
Bishop Barres’ Rosary Podcast – www.allentowndiocese.org/podcast.
Bishop’s Video Blog entry posted each Friday, along with podcast – May 16, The
Joyful Mysteries; May 23, The Sorrowful Mysteries; May 30, The Glorious Mysteries – homepage.
Bishop’s Annual Appeal – www.2014baa.org.
2014 Catholic Charities Gala video – http://www.allentowndiocese.org/catholiccharities/.
May School Notes – http://www.allentowndiocese.org/catholic-education/.
Father Ciszek page/documentary video – www.allentowndiocese.org/father-ciszek.
Spanish and English versions of “Alive in the Holy Spirit,” a reflection on the Holy
Spirit by Bishop Emeritus Edward Cullen, pdf available for downloading – homepage.
“Fortnight for Freedom” page – http://www.allentowndiocese.org/fortnight-forfreedom.
Hispanic events page – www.allentowndiocese.org/hispanic-events.
Pope Francis page – http://www.allentowndiocese.org/pope-francis.
Transfer Grants page – http://www.allentowndiocese.org/catholic-education/transfer-grants.
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 highquality 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 adtimes@allentowndio-
cese.org 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 lefthand corner of this issue)
7
8
The A.D. Times
Diocese
May 15, 2014
World
May 15, 2014
The A.D. Times
‘Black mass’ outcry leads to cancellation, prayers, impromptu event
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (CNS) – A
Harvard University student group’s plan
to conduct a satanic ritual “black mass”
May 12 on campus brought a public outcry, leading to its formal cancellation and
an apparently impromptu off-campus
version of the event, as well as a wellattended alternative Catholic holy hour.
(The Lehigh Valley chapter of Juventutem, an international organization made
up of young Catholics especially interested in the traditional Latin Mass, was
among groups responding to the black
mass, by organizing a holy hour for reparation May 12 at Sacred Heart, Bath.)
The planned event had drawn wide
criticism from religious leaders, as well
as students, alumni and faculty at Harvard. University President Drew Faust
said earlier that she would attend the holy
hour “to join others in reaffirming our
respect for the Catholic faith at Harvard
and to demonstrate that the most powerful response to offensive speech is not
censorship, but reasoned discourse and
robust dissent.”
Boston Cardinal Sean O’Malley told
reporters May 12 that the archdiocese
and the Catholic community took offense
to the planned black mass but that “we
have no way to prevent it other than to try
and explain to people how evil this is,”
he said.
The cardinal said one could find out
why it offends Catholics simply by looking up the phrase “black mass” on Wikipedia.
“A black mass is a ritual performed
as a sacrilegious parody of the Roman
Catholic Mass,” the first sentence of the
Wikipedia entry read.
“That says it all,” the cardinal said. He
added that he was disappointed in Faust’s
statement, saying he hoped she would ask
the group not to perform the ritual on university property.
Faust’s statement called the club’s
decision to sponsor such an enactment
“abhorrent; it represents a fundamental
affront to the values of inclusion, belonging and mutual respect that must define
our community.” But she said she would
not cancel or ban the black mass.
“The decision to proceed is and will
remain theirs,” she said of the student
group. Faust added, “It is deeply regrettable that the organizers of this event,
well aware of the offense they are causing
so many others, have chosen to proceed
with a form of expression that is so flagrantly disrespectful and inflammatory.”
Harvard’s student newspaper, The
Crimson, reported late May 12 that the
Harvard Extension School Cultural Studies Club dropped its sponsorship of the
re-enactment of the satanic ritual shortly
before it was scheduled to take place in
the on-campus Cambridge Queens Head
Pub. The club first announced that afternoon that the event would be held off
campus, then that it was canceled altogether.
The newspaper quoted an e-mail from
the club saying “misinterpretations about
the nature of the event were harming perceptions about Harvard and adversely impacting the student community,” and led
to the decision to move it off campus. The
paper said negotiations with the alternative venue subsequently fell through. The
50 or so people who had gathered for the
event then organized a scaled-down version at a nearby restaurant and lounge.
Meanwhile, The Pilot, newspaper of
the Archdiocese of Boston, reported that
about 2,000 people attended a eucharistic
procession to St. Paul’s Catholic Church
and a holy hour organized by Catholics.
Father Michael Drea, the senior Catholic chaplain at Harvard, had condemned
the event, saying it mocks the “Holy Sacrifice of the Mass – the center of our faith
Harvard University chaplain Father
Michael Drea holds the monstrance
during a May 12 holy hour at St. Paul
Church in Cambridge, Mass. in reaction to plans for a satanic ritual “black
mass” to take place in a pub on the
Harvard campus. (CNS photo/Gregory L. Tracy, Pilot)
and worship.”
“As the university attempts to veil this
‘presentation’ under the guise of ‘academic freedom and expression,’ people
of good will recognize it for what it truly
is: an act of hatred and ridicule toward the
Catholic Church and her faithful,” Father
Drea said.
In brief
U.S. military chaplains around the world are receiving copies of new “Armed with the Faith” prayer books for
Catholics in the armed forces.
The pocket-sized booklets are described by the Archdiocese for the Military Services as “virtually indestructible,
waterproof, flip-top prayer books, designed for use in the
most rugged conditions, including hard battle.”
The book has more than 70 prayers, including some for
specific occasions such as time of war, or for one’s family.
It also explains how to pray the rosary and a guide to the
sacrament of penance. The book has explanations of Catholic teaching on subjects such as just war, the sacrament of
marriage, and reference material on works of mercy, virtues
and holy days of obligation.
Its last few pages include an assortment of classic
hymns, an appendix with a list of patron saints for the
military, and new Mass responses adopted in the United
States in 2011.
Archbishop Timothy Broglio blessed the boxes of books
in the loading dock of the pastoral center of the Archdiocese for the Military Services on May 8, said a statement
from the archdiocese.
He thanked the Knights of Columbus for providing the
books and paying for them to be shipped. The knights have
covered those costs since 2004, making about 500,000
booklets available in that period, the press release said.
Catholics serving in the military have for generations
been provided with similar booklets.
Pope Francis will beatify Pope Paul VI Oct. 19 during
the closing Mass of the extraordinary Synod of Bishops on
the family.
Pope Francis signed a decree May 9 recognizing a
miracle attributed to the intercession of Pope Paul, who led
the church 1963-78, and authorized publication of the Oct.
19 beatification date, according to a Vatican statement May
10.
The miracle involved the birth of a baby in California
in the 1990s. The family’s name and city have not been
released, but according to news reports, a pregnant woman
whose life was at risk along with the life of her baby was
advised by doctors to terminate the pregnancy. Instead she
sought prayers from an Italian nun who was a family friend.
The nun placed a holy card with Pope Paul’s photograph
and a piece of his vestment on the woman’s belly.
The baby was born healthy. For Pope Paul’s sainthood
cause, physicians continued monitoring the child’s health
up to the age of 12 and everything was normal.
Pope Paul’s connection with the themes expected to
The Archdiocese for Military Services has begun
distributing 100,000 copies of a new waterproof,
flip-top book of Catholic prayers and catechetical
information. (CNS photo/courtesy Archdiocese for
the Military Services)
be raised at the synod on the family Oct. 5-19 include the
encyclical for which is he is most known, “Humanae Vitae.”
The 1968 encyclical, usually described as a document
affirming the church’s prohibition against artificial contraception, places that conclusion in the context of Catholic
teaching on the beauty and purpose of marriage, married
love and procreation.
When St. John XXIII died in 1963, Pope Paul reconvened
the Second Vatican Council, presided over the final three of
its four sessions and oversaw the promulgation of all of the
council’s documents. He also led the process of implement-
In a letter published May 12 in the
Crimson, the Rev. Luther Zeigler, president of the Harvard chaplains, said: “We
do not think the issue presented here is
primarily one of academic freedom. Just
because something may be permissible
does not make it right or good. Whether
or not these students are entitled to express themselves through the ceremony
of a black mass as a matter of law or university policy is a distinct question from
whether this is a healthy form of intellectual discourse or community life. We
submit it is not.”
Rev. Zeigler, an Episcopal priest, added: “We urge the student organizers of the
black mass to reconsider going forward
with this event. If the event does go forward as planned, we would urge the rest
of the community not to dignify it with
your presence.”
The Harvard student group promoting
the black mass – said to be an “inverted”
re-enactment of the Catholic Mass – was
working with the New York-based Satanic Temple, a group known for promoting controversy such as pushing to have a
Satan statue built outside the Oklahoma
Capitol.
While one of the concerns raised about
the event was that participants would desecrate a consecrated host, Boston newspapers quoted representatives of the Satanic Temple saying it had not obtained
one.
The Boston Globe said nearly 60,000
students, alumni and faculty members
signed a petition opposed to holding the
event on campus.
The Globe said the sponsoring club
had said the event “was meant to be educational, not offensive.” The paper quoted a spokesperson for the group as asserting that many satanists are animal rights
activists, vegetarians and artists with a
strong sense of community.
ing the council’s reforms.
Born Giovanni Battista Montini in 1897 in the northern
Italian province of Brescia, he was ordained to the priesthood in 1920 and was named archbishop of Milan in 1954.
Elected pope in 1963, he died at the papal summer villa in
Castel Gandolfo Aug. 6, 1978.
The Supreme Court ruled May 5 that prayers said before town council meetings in Greece, N.Y., do not violate
the Constitution.
In their 5-4 decision, the judges noted a historical precedent to opening local legislative meetings with a prayer
and stressed that the predominantly Christian nature of the
prayers in the New York town were not coercive to those in
attendance.
Justice Anthony Kennedy, writing for the majority, said
the prayers delivered before public meetings in Greece, a
suburb of Rochester, “evoked universal themes” such as
“calling for a ‘spirit of cooperation.’”
He also noted the historic precedence of such prayers,
pointing out that the U.S. House and Senate have official
chaplains and a majority of the states have the practice of
legislative prayer.
Kennedy wrote that the “inclusion of a brief, ceremonial
prayer as part of a larger exercise in civic recognition
suggests that its purpose and effect are to acknowledge
religious leaders and the institutions they represent, rather
than to exclude or coerce nonbelievers.”
He said that unless the prayers “over time denigrate,
proselytize or betray an impermissible government purpose” they will “not likely establish a constitutional violation.” He also wrote that because the town had followed
a policy of nondiscrimination it was not required by the
Constitution to search beyond its borders for those who
could offer non-Christian prayers in an attempt to provide
balance.
Christian business leaders have felt the weight of the
global economic crisis just like most workers have, but they
must hold on to hope, increase their prayers and ask God’s
grace so their decisions may benefit as many people as
possible, Pope Francis said.
“The Christian entrepreneur is urged always to bring the
Gospel to bear on the reality in which he works; and the
Gospel asks him to put in first place the human person and
the common good and to do his part so that there are opportunities for work, for dignified work,” the pope said May
10.
Pope Francis addressed his comments to business
leaders and experts in Catholic social teaching attending
a three-day international conference on “the good society
and the future of jobs,” looking particularly at how solidarity
can be part of business decisions.
9
10
The A.D. Times
Voter’s Guide
May 15, 2014
On the ballot: 2014 Pennsylvania Primary
Primary Election day is Tuesday,
May 20. Pennsylvanians will go to
the polls to select the Democratic and
Republican contenders for governor,
lieutenant governor, U.S. congressional representatives, some state senators and all state representatives.
In the gubernatorial race Republican Tom Corbett is the incumbent
governor and former state attorney
general. Prior to running for statewide
office, Corbett was a teacher and a
lawyer, both as an assistant U.S. attorney and in private practice.
His challenger, Bob Guzzardi, was
removed from the ballot May 1 by the
Pennsylvania Supreme Court due to
improperly filed documents.
Democrats have a few more choices. Here is how they will appear on
the ballot.
Tom Wolf is former secretary of
revenue under Gov. Ed Rendell and
is CEO of a kitchen cabinet and specialty building products company.
Rob McCord is state treasurer.
Prior to his public service, he was the
managing director of several venture
capital funds.
Katie McGinty sits on the boards
of several energy and clean technology companies. She was a senior
advisor on environmental matters to
Sen. and Vice President Al Gore and
President Bill Clinton, and was secretary of Pennsylvania’s Department
of Environmental Protection (DEP)
under Rendell.
Allyson Schwartz represents
Pennsylvania’s 13th Congressional
District and is a former state senator. Prior to elective office she was
executive director of the Elizabeth
Blackwell Women’s Health Center,
a Planned Parenthood abortion clinic
in Philadelphia.
The Pennsylvania Catholic Conference neither supports nor opposes any candidate for public office,
but aims to educate Catholic voters
about candidates and their positions
on key issues.
PCC sent a questionnaire to every
statewide candidate, giving them an
opportunity to state their positions in
their own words.
Corbett responded (read his completed questionnaire at www.pacatholic.org); the other Republican and
the Democratic candidates did not
respond. However, all the candidates
have made public statements and
published campaign materials that
give clues about where they stand.
These are a few, but certainly not
all, of the issues that may be of interest to Catholic voters.
Life and dignity
of the human person
Republican Corbett indicated on
PCC’s questionnaire that he opposes
legalized abortion, except when the
life of the mother is in danger or the
pregnancy is a result of rape or incest.
All four Democratic candidates
described themselves as “pro-choice”
on the abortion issue during a debate
at Carnegie Mellon University in
January.
Access to health care
Corbett told PCC he believes
Pennsylvania should use the additional federal funds under the Affordable Care Act to allow more people,
including the working poor, to access
the private insurance market. He has
proposed a plan to this effect called
Healthy Pennsylvania.
All four Democrats say they
would expand Medicaid immediately
Please see PRIMARY page 11 }}
U.S. CONGRESS
*
*
1. Do you support or oppose legislation to continue and expand current federal laws that provide educational benefits to students and teachers in private and religious
schools on an equitable basis in comparison to the benefits received by public school students an teachers?
2. Which Statement reflects your position most accurately? A. I support legalized abortion; B. I oppose legalized abortion in all circumstances; C. I oppose legalized abortion, except when the life of the mother is in danger or the pregnancy is a result of rape or incest.
3. Do you support or oppose legislation that would permit undocumented immigrants who have lived in the United States for a number of years, have worked and built
equities in our country, and who do not have criminal records to register with the government and take steps to earn legal status?
4. What is your position on providing a federal tax credit to businesses that donate to scholarship organizations that provide scholarships for low-income students
at private and religious schools in grades kindergarten through 12?
5. Do you support or oppose robust funding for poverty-focused assistance to reduce global poverty and increase the percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) contributed in foreign aid?
6. Do you support or oppose robust levels of aid for refugees who are fleeing from persecution abroad and to provide adequate funding for the US refugee admissions
and resettlement programs?
7. Do you support or oppose legislation to prevent federal agencies and states that receive federal funds from discriminating against health care providers who do not perform or participate in abortions (Hyde-Weldon Amendment)?
8. What is your position on legalizing same-sex marriage?
9. Do you support or oppose legislation that would guarantee comprehensive freedom of conscience for health care professionals, providers and institutions?
10. Do you support or oppose efforts to pass legislation (i.e., the Federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act) that would make sexual orientation and gender identity
or expression protected classes that are equivalent to other protected classes (e.g., race, religion, sex, etc.)?
Surveys Developed by: Pennsylvania Catholic Conference
Surveys disseminated to candidates in contested races and November opponents
of candidates in contested races only by: Office of Government Affairs, Diocese of Allentown
Phone: 610-871-5200, ext. 265
Explanation of Symbols in Charts:
S - Vote for; Support; Yes
O - Vote against; Oppose; No
U - Undecided
Blank - No response
* Comments to questions on file in the Office of Government Affairs
Voter’s Guide
May 15, 2014
The A.D. Times
PENNSYLVANIA SENATE
1. What is your position on legislation that would provide direct grants to parents to choose the schools that they believe are best suited for their children, including
nonpublic schools?
2. Which Statement reflects your position most accurately? A. I support legalized abortion; B. I oppose legalized abortion in all circumstances; C. I oppose legalized abortion, except when the life of the mother is in danger or the pregnancy is a result of rape or incest.
3. What is your position on legislation that would add state restrictions to existing federal prohibitions concerning the hiring of undocumented immigrants or providing
healthcare or government services to the undocumented immigrant? 4. What is your position on legalizing same-sex marriage?
5. Which statement reflects your position most accurately? A. Pennsylvania’s anti-discrimination laws for housing, employment and public accommodation should include “sexual orientation” and “gender identity or expression” as protected classes, no exceptions; B. Pennsylvania’s anti-discrimination laws for housing, employment and
public accommodation should include “sexual orientation” and “gender identity or expression” as protected classes but should contain exceptions in narrow circumstances
to protect religious institutions; C. Pennsylvania’s anti-discrimination laws for housing, employment and public accommodation should include “sexual orientation” and
“gender identity or expression” as protected classes but should contain exceptions in narrow circumstances to protect religious conscience for business owners; D. Pennsylvania should not amend its anti-discrimination laws to add “sexual orientation” and “gender identity and expression” as protected classes at this time.
6. Assuming there is money in the state budget, what is your position on increasing funding for textbooks and instructional materials for non-public school students at the
same rate as increases in subsidies for public school students.
7. Which statement reflects your position most accurately? A. Pennsylvania should accept federal funds under the Affordable Care Act and allow more people, including
the working poor, to participate in Medicaid; B. Pennsylvania should use the additional federal funds under the Affordable Care Act to allow more people, including the
working poor, to access the private insurance market; C. Pennsylvania should not accept Affordable Care Act funds. 8. What is your position on the death penalty?
9. Which statement reflects your position most accurately? A. Religious child care and pre-kindergarten providers should be subject to government review of educational content. B. Religious child care and pre-kindergarten providers should follow state standards for health and safety of children, but be free to determine their own
educational content based on the teachings of their faith tradition. C. Religious child care and pre-kindergarten providers should be free from government regulation.
PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
S
Primary
if elected governor.
According to his campaign website, Wolf would “take an active, aggressive role in expanding access to
health care in Pennsylvania.”
In addition to expanding Medicaid, McCord told Keystone Politics
that he “would like to see Pennsylvania take an aggressive approach to
promoting health care exchanges, especially to young, healthy consumers
who will help spread out the risk and
bring costs down for the rest of us.”
In a campaign press release, McGinty said, “Numerous studies have
shown the federal aid would not only
cover hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians, but it would also boost
economic activity, support job creation and generate real savings for
state government.”
Schwartz talks about her record in
Congress helping to pass the Afford-
able Care Act and in her campaign
ads.
School choice
Corbett increased funding
for the Educational Improvement Tax
Credit (EITC) program and established the Opportunity Scholarship
Tax Credit (OSTC) program during
his administration.
All four Democratic candidates
told NBC 10 in Philadelphia that they
oppose state-funded tuition assistance
vouchers for private school students.
A
They also told the York Daily Record
about their opposition to vouchers.
Wolf has a plan to reform charter
schools.
McCord has a $1.3 billion education plan.
McGinty has a multi-step plan to
increase education funding.
Schwartz details a “new road forward” for education in Pennsylvania.
Please see PRIMARY page 12 }}
11
12
The A.D. Times
Voter’s Guide
May 15, 2014
Primary
More information
In addition to researching the candidates’ public statements on issues,
reviewing a list of endorsements can
also demonstrate a particular point of
view. Catholics may consider reviewing campaign websites for the most
up-to-date news about who is supporting the candidates.
Tom Corbett – www.tomcorbettforgovernor.com.
Tom Wolf – www.wolfforpa.com.
Rob McCord – www.robmccord.
com.
Katie McGinty – www.katiemcginty.com.
Allyson Schwartz – www.allysonschwartz.com.
All these resources serve to educate voters about the issues and allow
us to inform our consciences about
which candidate will act in the best
interest of the common good.
As Catholic citizens, we have a
moral obligation to participate in the
political process.
Mark your calendar for Primary
Election Day on May 20. Visit www.
votespa.com to find out where your
polling place is. Visit the Pennsylvania Department of State’s website
www.dos.state.pa.us to see who else
is on the ballot. Then exercise your
faithful citizenship and vote!
The staff of the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference contributed to this
article. PCC is the public affairs
agency of Pennsylvania’s Catholic
bishops and the Catholic dioceses of
Pennsylvania. Stay up-to-date with
Catholic news and issues at www.
pacatholic.org, www.facebook.com/
pacatholic, and www.twitter.com/pacatholic.
(Answers highlighted in yellow)
Diocese
May 15, 2014
The A.D. Times
Pro-life supporters rally for liberty at Reading March for Life
By TARA CONNOLLY
Staff writer
“Today with our fellow Christians, and
brothers and sisters of other faiths, we
gather to pray and give public witness for
the protection of the first right enshrined
in the Declaration of Independence. What
you might call the first right of Americans
or the right to ‘life’ – let us remember that
before there can be liberty and true freedom, before the human person can pursue
happiness and fulfillment – there must be
life,” said Father Eugene Ritz May 4 to an
estimated 300 men, women and children
at the Fourth Annual Reading March for
Life.
Father Ritz, chaplain of Berks Catholic
High School (BCHS), led the rally in the
school’s auditorium before men, women
and children
clasped yellow balloons
“In marching
and embarked
through our
on the 2-mile
streets, even
march.
The march
past a chamber
was
estabof death, we
lished
by
the
proclaim that
late Msgr. Fehuman life is a
lix Losito in
gift from God,
2011 to provide a local
that it is sacred
opportunity
and that we
for people of
have a duty to
all ages, abiliprotect, defend,
ties and faiths
promote and
to stand up for
life.
respect the
In his redignity of every
marks
Father
human perRitz pointed to
son, born and
the diverse reunborn, and at
ligious faiths
of the signers
every moment
of the Declawithout excepration of Indetion.”
pendence and
maintained
Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Charles
Carroll and Benjamin Franklin believed
religious faith was the foundation of democracy.
“Jefferson’s nature was to be a skeptic, Franklin was a deist and Washington, our first president, had his own pew
in the Episcopalian church and attended
services devoutly – and when he was a
Please see PRO-LIFE page 14 }}
Pro-life supporters carry white crosses symbolizing a life lost to abortion through the streets of Reading during the
Fourth Annual Reading March for Life. (Photos by John Simitz)
Above, Father Eugene Ritz offers the invocation to
start the rally.
Right, Georgette Forney speaks to pro-life supporters about her regretful decision to have an abortion.
Knights of Columbus carry the Blessed Mother during the march.
Marchers peacefully pass by Planned Parenthood during the 2-mile walk
through Reading.
13
14
The A.D. Times
Diocese
May 15, 2014
Pro-life
general he saw that every regiment had a
chaplain and prayed together daily. And
Charles Carroll of Maryland was the
lone Catholic,”
said
Father
Ritz.
Father Eugene
“For as varied as their
Ritz pointed
religious faith
to the diverse
was – they all
religious faiths
understood that
of the signers
it was vital to
of the Declarathe life of a
free
people.
tion of IndeThey knew that
pendence and
life, liberty and
maintained
the pursuit of
Thomas Jefhappiness can
ferson, George
only develop in
a society with
Washington,
virtue – that
Charles Carroll
firm disposiand Benjation to do good
min Franklin
– and virtue
believed
grounded
in
religious faith.
religious
Without it, the
faith was the
moral order of
foundation of
society breaks
democracy.
down,” he said.
He
also
pointed to two
moments in time that his faith has affirmed that life is absolutely sacred and
not negotiable,
“Believing the amazing reality that
God took on our human flesh and be-
Father Ritz, left, walks with pro-life supporters during the march.
came one of us, became like us and to
save us has serious implications. We
believe that human life was always created by God. Life is at the heart of the
message we proclaim to the world. This
means that life itself becomes part of our
identity and mission. It also tells us that
the first you might call unplanned pregnancy to an unwed mother in salvation
history is Mary and her child.
“The second moment of religious
Above, John Paul Kasperowicz and
son Jacob lead praise and worship
with music.
Left, Rev. Dr. John Brown offers
remarks during the Fourth Annual
Reading March for Life.
Right, Sarah McHale, Spanish teacher at Berks Catholic High School and
member of the Reading March for
Life Committee, welcomes marchers and pro-life supporters in English
and Spanish.
Far right, Michael Giles, committee
member, instructs marchers on the
peaceful code of conduct and the
march route.
faith I would like to recall is Easter Sunday, the day of Jesus’ resurrection from
the dead,” he said.
Like Jesus’ death and resurrection,
Father Ritz said, life and death dueled
again in the culture and in the chamber
of the U.S. Supreme Court before abortion was legalized in 1973.
“And make no mistake, they continue
to clash dramatically. It is the same clash
that a Christian believes played out on
that hill at Calvary on Good Friday. This
is a struggle of life versus death, good
against evil, light scaring away the darkness and love triumphant over hate,” he
said.
He also told the marchers that they,
too are in the midst of the same conflict
in Reading.
“We are challenged to put the reality
of our religious faith into action in the
public forum. In marching through our
streets, even past a chamber of death, we
proclaim that human life is a gift from
God, that it is sacred and that we have a
duty to protect, defend, promote and respect the dignity of every human person,
born and unborn, and at every moment
without exception,” he said.
Silent no more
Georgette Forney, co-founder of the
national Silent No More Awareness
Campaign, also spoke at the rally, where
she shared the painful details about her
decision to have an abortion when she
was 16.
“The baby was like an enemy to me.
That tiny fetus scared me beyond words.
That baby threatened my dreams and my
future,” she said.
She thought she had discovered the
solution to her problem when her friend
said an abortion would make her problem “go away.”
“That lie got me into a lot of trouble.
My life became a living hell,” said Fortney.
Eventually the trauma from abortion
became too much and she lived in her
“safe place” of denial for 19 years.
“I put on that smile every day and pretended nothing was wrong. I was afraid
people would learn my secret and that
God could never forgive me – so I erased
it from my mind,” said Fortney.
When she summoned the strength to
take her abortion to God, Fortney’s healing began.
“His cross is bigger than any sin. He
took my abortion from me and I was able
to start recovering,” said Fortney.
And as for the organization that took
her $300 without question and Planned
Parenthood, which marchers passed
along the route, Fortney said they fool
people into thinking that women need
abortion.
“Women do not need abortion,” she
said.
“We need love and support. And when
we receive forgiveness and healing – we
become billboards for the truth,” said
Fortney.
After the rally supporters marched
down Penn Avenue and Franklin Street,
and passed Planned Parenthood on South
Fourth Street before arriving at Cabrini
Early Childhood Center, Reading.
The day also featured praise and worship led by John Paul Kasperowicz and
an Ultimate Frisbee Contest.
Youth & Young Adults
May 15, 2014
The A.D. Times
15
Theology on Tap
‘Summer Series’
For the second year, the Theology on
Tap “Summer Series” returns to Allentown BrewWorks (812 W. Hamilton St.,
Allentown).
Held from 7 to 9 p.m. on the first
Mondays of each month – June 2, July
7 and Aug. 4 – Theology on Tap is sponsored by the Office of Youth and Young
Adult Ministry (OYYAM).
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.
The theme for this series, “What Do
I Know of Holy?”, with guest speakers
from among our diocesan priests, was
chosen after feedback from young adults.
“This series is intended to draw young
adults more fully into the mystery and
majesty of our faith, and to unpack the
‘why we do what we do’ as Catholics,”
said Sue Matour, coordinator of OYYAM.
“Young adults are thirsting for an authentic relationship with Christ and his
church, to become more involved in their
faith, and to learn how faith in Christ
speaks to them on a daily basis.”
Topics for this series are:
Monday, June 2 Father Brian Miller,
assistant pastor, St. Patrick, Pottsville,
and formerly of the Cathedral of St.
Catharine of Siena, Allentown, will pres-
ent “Holy Books: Whose Word Is It?”,
leading us into a Catholic understanding
of Scripture and the Bible.
“In sacred Scripture, the church constantly finds her nourishment and her
strength, for she welcomes it not as a human word, ‘but as what it is really is, the
word of God’” (CCC 104).
Topics for July and August will be
“Holy Rollers: The Saints and Mary”
July 7 and “Holy Actions: Smoke, Bells
and Whistles” Aug. 4.
In July the relevance and necessity of
the communion of saints and our Blessed
Mother will be discussed.
“By her complete adherence to the Father’s will, to his son’s redemptive work,
and to every prompting of the Holy Spirit, the Virgin Mary is the church’s model
of faith and charity” (CCC 967).
The series will close with a discussion
of how the liturgy can be strengthened
through our understanding and participation.
“The Eucharist is ‘the source and summit of the Christian life’ (CCC 1324).
“A sacramental celebration is a meeting of God’s children with their Father, in
Christ and the Holy Spirit; this meeting
takes the form of a dialogue, through actions and words” (CCC 1153).
For more information, call 610-2898900, ext. 231, visit the web at www.
adoyyam.com, or on Facebook at “Diocese of Allentown Young Adult Ministry.”
‘Quo Vadis’ and ‘Fiat’ days planned for July
“Quo Vadis Days,” a young men’s
discernment experience, will be Sunday,
July 20 to Tuesday, July 22 at DeSales
University, Center Valley.
“Fiat Days,” a new vocation discernment experience for young women, will
be Wednesday, July 23 to Friday, July 25
at DeSales.
Besides prayer and quiet time, participants will have the opportunity to take
part in sporting events and other com-
petitions, and interact with seminarians
from the Diocese of Allentown and sisters from various religious orders working in the diocese.
“Quo Vadis Days” is open to young
men of high school age, and “Fiat Days”
is open to young women of high school
to age 25.
For more information, visit http://
www.allentowndiocese.org/the-diocese/
vocations/.
Camps for girls and boys grades 6 to 8
Youth in grades 6 to 8 are invited to
gather for a day of fun and fellowship at
“Boys of Borromeo Vocation Congress”
and “Girls of Goretti Vocation Congress”
(BBVC/GGVC) Wednesday, June 18 at
St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Philadelphia.
Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m.
and the day will conclude after dinner at
6:30 p.m.
Girls and boys will be in separate
camps for the day, which will include
games/activities, meals, powerful prayer,
Mass, and an opportunity to meet with
seminarians from the Dioceses of Allentown and Philadelphia, as well as religious sisters from area congregations.
Registration cost of $25 includes
lunch, dinner, snacks and a T-shirt.
Parents are also invited to stay for a
day of recollection. This day will allow
them an opportunity to “Take a Brake”
from their busy schedule to spend time in
reflection and prayer.
Registration fee of $15 includes great
talks, time for reflection, Mass, Eucharistic adoration, lunch and dinner.
For more information, contact Msgr.
David James, Office for Vocations,
[email protected], or Susan
Matour, Office of Youth and Young Adult
Ministry, smatour@allentowndiocese.
org.
Registration forms are available at
www.beapriest.com or www.adoyyam.
com. Deadline to register is Friday, June
6.
Diocese of Allentown CYO Declamation Contest
The Diocesan CYO Declamation Contest was held May 4 in CYO District 2, at
St. Michael the Archangel School, Colesville, hosted by Rick Wagner, District
2 commissioner. Students from four of the diocesan CYO districts participated. Each district was allowed to send their top boy and girl from their individual
contests. The four boys and four girls were required to give speeches of 4 to
7 minutes and were judged by John Geist, Janis Geist, Judith Stewart and
Marc Miles. Students with their plaques are, from left: front, Courtney Rodick,
honorable mention, St. Jerome, Tamaqua, District 5; Mia Betancourt, second
place, St. Anthony of Padua, Reading, District 3; Jane Karim, honorable mention, St. Jane Francis de Chantal, Easton, District 1; Megan Patt, first place,
St. Thomas More, Allentown, District 2; back, Sean Huff, third place, St. Anne,
Bethlehem, District 1; Patrick Deviney, first place, Immaculate Conception
BVM, Douglassville, District 3; Nick Deschler, second place, St. Joseph the
Worker, Orefield, District 2.
16
The A.D. Times
Diocese
May 15, 2014
Diocese of Allentown Financial Report to the Faithful
OFFICE OF THE BISHOP
Mailing Address
POST OFFICE BOX F
ALLENTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA
18205-1538
4209 WEST TILGHMAN STREET
ALLENTONW, PENNSYLVANIA
18104
(610) 437-0755
Fax (610) 433-7822
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I am very pleased to provide you with this summary financial report on the financial condition of the Diocese of Allentown. This report provides
you with a financial overview of our central diocesan operations as well as an overview of the separate financial operations of our parishes and schools.
The purpose of disclosing this information is to allow you to understand the financial condition of the Diocese, to which so many of you have devoted your time, talent and treasure.
Where is the Diocese Now?
Financially, the “Central Diocese”—that is the operations of the Diocese itself and not its parishes, schools and other ministries, which are separate
entities under canon law and civil law—might be described as being in “stable and improving” condition. As you will see in the Combined Statement
of Financial Position, our “Net Assets” are negative, which means that on an accounting basis we owe more money than we currently have. This is
primarily attributable to two factors:
1. An obligation called “Priests’ Post-Retirement Benefits Obligation,” which is an obligation that most, if not all, the Dioceses in the country have.
2. Despite ongoing efforts to control costs, inflation and expenses grew at a faster pace than operating revenues in prior years.
What is the Priests’ Post-Retirement Benefit Obligation?
The Priests’ Post-Retirement Benefit obligation is the Diocese’s responsibility to provide for retirement expenses and medical coverage for our
priests during their retirement years. This liability, which is determined by an actuarial calculation, is more than $40 million. It is an estimate of the
present value of future costs to provide housing, health care and living expenses for all our priests during their retirement after many years of dedicated
service to the faithful of the Diocese at a minimal salary. In addition, we also face a large off-balance sheet obligation for our lay employee and priest
pension plans.
Dealing with those obligations will take many decades. The good news, though, is that this $40 million is not due today or anytime soon. Instead,
it is a number that reflects the “actuarial present value” of that obligation. In other words, if we did have to pay it all today, it is how much more we
would have to pay than the amount we have put aside. In 2012, the Diocese created the “Chosen, Blessed, Shared” appeal to help meet the funding
needs for this long-term liability.
The Diocese spends approximately $2.6 million annually to provide care to its retired priests. A little over 1/3 of this annual expense is funded by
your generosity through the Bishop’s Annual Appeal.
Looking at the Diocese’s yearly income and expenses, we are getting by and have not been borrowing to pay present bills. We have made significant
spending cuts in recent years to achieve this stability and to make sure our bills continue to get paid.
Parishes and Schools
Some of our parishes have been doing relatively well financially despite the difficult economy of the last six years, but there are areas of the Diocese
where our parishes are more challenged. Fortunately, most of our parishes have some financial reserves, but many of them also have “deferred maintenance” issues. In other words, they will be facing possibly large maintenance expenses in the near to medium future.
Most of our parishes also directly subsidize parish or regional schools. We have many faithful Catholics in the Diocese who are on tight budgets
Please see LETTER page 17}}
Diocese
May 15, 2014
The A.D. Times
Letter
themselves but who nevertheless manage to support their parish and its school. They are unsung heroes who help many children receive a Catholic
education whose parents could not otherwise afford it. Overall, our pastors and administrators and their finance and parish councils have done a commendable job in managing the temporal goods belonging to their parishes through a very difficult economic period.
What is the Diocese doing to improve its financial outlook?
In 2010, we started a widespread and ongoing strategic planning process involving priests, the diocesan lay staff and numerous lay volunteers using
the skills they have shared with us from the business world.
I cannot praise enough the work of all of those who continue to assist in this effort. We have reviewed and made improvements in purchasing, real
estate, capital improvements, and cash management.
Our dedicated lay people working with our staff identified savings and ways to implement them, looked very hard at and improved many of our processes and helped create a prioritized and integrated financial planning process. The Diocese tries to focus on all of its needs and programs, and decides
which are the most important and how much should be spent on each.
With your assistance, support and commitment, we have made substantial progress in the last four years and want to continue that momentum in the
following areas:
1) We are raising consciousness and are constantly developing strategies to reach out with mercy and compassion to the many inactive Catholics in
the Diocese of Allentown. We see Pope Francis’ global communication of Gospel Mercy as a significant opportunity to make further progress.
2) We are engaging the hearts and minds of many young men to consider the priesthood and many young women to consider religious life. We are
enhancing the spiritual lives, pastoral skills, charity, preaching and fraternity of our dedicated priests and deacons.
3) In our Catholic schools, we are experiencing an enrollment turnaround after years of decline through the efforts of those who served on the
Bishops’ Commission on Catholic Schools (which has completed its work), the work of our diocesan administration and our principals, administrators, faculty and students. We continue to discern forward looking ways to deliver vibrant Catholic education in the 21st Century. In the past year we
instituted a new governance model through a Board of Directors in many of our schools to engage the expertise of our laity and to create a long-term
and sustainable school system.
4) We are unifying and strengthening our Hispanic Ministry and Evangelization efforts with a strong emphasis on reaching youth and young adults
and promoting vocations to the priesthood and religious life in the Hispanic community. We are in the process of expanding our delivery of Catholic
education to the Hispanic community.
5) We are taking seriously Pope Francis’ call to serve the poor, those in crisis and those suffering from the wounds of life. Catholic Charities and
our parishes do this quite inspirationally. Holy Family Manor and our Catholic Senior Housing efforts show how seriously we take the call to provide
quality healthcare in a vibrant Catholic setting for the elderly.
6) Our three Special Learning Centers – assisted in their work by newly created Boards of Directors -- give vibrant witness to our belief in the sanctity
of human life and the dignity of every human person.
7) Our Youth and Young Adult Ministry efforts are more focused and intentional at the diocesan, deanery and parish levels. We are in the process
of implementing some cutting edge mission driven models of campus
ministry that engage Catholic students, non-Catholic students, faculty
and alumni.
THE DIOCESE OF ALLENTOWN
8) Following Pope Francis’ lead, we have a group of social networkCOMBINED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
ing professionals discerning how best to use developing technology
JUNE 30, 2013
and best practices to promote the New Evangelization.
9) Adult formation efforts involve a re-visioning of how we offer
Marriage Preparation and Marriage Enrichment opportunities as well
as whole community formation and catechesis.
10) We are engaging our dynamic laity in the life and mission of the
Church through such lay groups as the St. Thomas More Society for
lawyers and the Catholic Business Owners’ Alliance. Our active involvement with the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference helps promote
awareness of political responsibility for issues pertaining to the poor,
the sanctity of human life, religious liberty, immigration, Catholic education and social justice.
To Summarize
While we are working to put the Diocese on a firmer financial footing, because it is absolutely necessary to do so, our larger purpose
remains unchanged—to continue to bring Christ to all people and to
build, sustain and expand the mission of the Catholic Church in our
five counties. None of this would be possible if it were not for your
willingness to contribute your time, talent and treasure to your parish, Catholic school, Catholic Charities or through the Bishop’s Annual
Appeal, and for that I am extremely grateful.
Note: The diocesan financial statements include the Chancery office, the Secretariat for Temporal Services, the Secretariat for Stewardship and Development, the Secretariat for Education, the
Secretariat for Catholic Life and Evangelization, the Secretariat for the Clergy, and the Secretariat
for External Affairs. These offices direct the central administration of the Diocese. The statements
also include the Bishop’s Annual Appeal Charitable Trust, Supplemental Health Care Benefits Trust,
Diocesan Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust, Clergy Third Age Charitable Trust, Eastern Pennsylvania
Scholarship Foundation Charitable Trust, and the non-profit corporation Allentown Catholic Communications Inc.
The diocesan financial statements do not include the assets, liabilities, or activities of the Allentown
Catholic Beneficial Association Inc., the Catholic Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania; the Allentown
Catholic Unitized Investment Fund Charitable Trust, the diocesan high school corporations, the individual parish charitable trusts (including elementary schools), regional elementary school charitable
trusts, parish cemeteries, social services, pension plans, long-term care facilities, or the religious
communities of men and women in the Diocese.
More on pages 18-19
17
18
The A.D. Times
Diocese
May 15, 2014
ITEMIZATION OF TOTAL PARISH OPERATING INCOME
2012-2013 FISCAL YEAR
Sunday Collections
59%
ITEMIZATION OF TOTAL PARISH OPERATING EXPENSES
Payroll Taxes
and
Fringe Benefits
8%
ITEMIZATION OF TOTAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OPERATING INCOME
School Subsidy from
Parishes
33%
Tuition
50%
Other School Income
and Fees
33%
ITEMIZATION OF TOTAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OPERATING EXPENSES
Payroll Taxes and
Fringe Benefits
20%
Salaries
59%
Diocese
May 15, 2014
The A.D. Times
Upcoming issues
of The A.D. Times
Publication Date
Advertising
Deadline
News
Deadlone
May 29
May 19
May 22
June 19
June 9
June 12
July 10
June 30
July 3
July 31
July 21
July 24
Aug. 21
Aug. 11
Aug. 14
Institute for Catechesis and Formation offering summer courses
The following courses are being offered by the diocesan Institute for Catechesis
and Formation.
This is an opportunity to broaden your faith knowledge, or complete or work
toward completion of your Catechist Certificate during the relaxed days of summer.
The July classes will be Saturdays, July 19 and 26; the August classes Saturdays,
Aug. 9 and 16; from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at various locations listed below.
There is a $30 fee for each course taken.
For more information or to register: 610-289-8900, ext. 221; www.allentowndiocese.org/icf; [email protected].
St. Francis of Assisi, Allentown – July, The Creed with Ian Buterbaugh; Christian
Anthropology with Sara Hulse; August, Classroom Application with Sister Lorraine
Holzman; Old Testament with Sister Nancy Iampietro.
St. Ignatius Loyola, Sinking Spring – July, The Creed with Father Kevin Bobbin;
Christian Anthropology with Steve Bujno; The Church with Father Richard Brensinger; August, Classroom Application with Peggy Place; Old Testament with Father
Kevin Bobbin.
Nativity BVM High School, Pottsville – July, The Creed with Joan Wassell; August, Old Testament with Father James Ward.
St. Ambrose, Schuylkill Haven – July, Christian Anthropology with Brent Potteiger; August, Classroom Application with Mary Ellen Johns.
Men’s day of reflection focuses on Lenten sacrifices
Above, men listen to the keynote address on Lenten sacrifices by Msgr. Gerald
Gobitas during “Lenten Morning of Reflection for Men” March 22 at St. Joseph
the Worker, Orefield. Msgr. Gobitas is diocesan chancellor and secretary of
the Secretariat for Clergy. Approximately 65 men participated in the morning
that also included reflection and Stations of the Cross. (Photos courtesy Mike
Tully)
Left, Father Guency Isaac, in residence at St. Joseph, leads the Stations of the
Cross during the men’s day of reflection.
19
20
The A.D. Times
Diocese
May 15, 2014
Faith shines light in darkness of grief at We Are Remembered Mass
By TAMI QUIGLEY
Staff writer
For close to a quarter century, those of
all faiths grieving a loved one have joined
together just after Easter for a liturgy that
embraces faith, solace and hope.
This year was no different, as hundreds poured into St. John the Baptist,
Allentown April 23 for the 23rd Annual
We Are Remembered Mass.
“The more ‘days’ that are granted us,
the more people we have to remember:
those who have gone before us,” said
Father James Torpey, principal celebrant
and homilist of the evening liturgy.
“It is very important to remember
those who have loved us and those we
have loved,” Father Torpey said. “Remembering them means letting their example cause us to live more fully this life
as to share with them, we pray, the fullness of the life
to come.”
A total of
“We imitate
503 names were
Christ as we
enrolled and rewalk the Road
membered at the
evening liturgy.
to Emmaus.”
We
Are
Remembered
ministers to all
faiths, parents who have lost a child and
all who have lost someone to death under tragic circumstances. All who grieve
the loss of a family member or friend are
welcome.
We Are Remembered reaches out to
people at the time of the death of a child/
family member and at the annual Mass.
The liturgy is always celebrated the
Wednesday after Easter, when the Gospel
proclaimed is “The Road to Emmaus.”
Father Dominik Kalata, pastor of St.
John the Baptist, concelebrated. Deacon
John Hanni and Deacon William Urbine
assisted.
Father Torpey is advisor to the ministry. Rich and Eileen Badesso, who provide music to the ministry, coordinate
the mailings/enrollment of names. The
Badessos and the Ensemble of Sacred
Heart, Bath provided music – much of
which was composed by Rich Badesso.
Above, Rich Badesso
directs members of the
Ensemble of Sacred
Heart, Bath.
Right, a family member
reads the list of those
enrolled and remembered at the Mass.
Far right, families pick
up their spring flowers
at the reception after the
Mass.
Above, Father James
Torpey, center, begins the celebration
of the annual We Are
Remembered Mass
April 23 at St. John
the Baptist, Allentown. Father Dominik
Kalata, right, concelebrates.
Assisting
are, from left, Deacon
William Urbine and
Deacon John Hanni.
(Photos by John Simitz)
Left, “Life changes, it
does not end,” Father
James Torpey tells
those gathered during
his homily.
The music of the ministry is available via
iTunes.
In a homily that showed compassion
for the grieving yet was laced with the
light of hope in Christ, Father Torpey
spoke of the communion of the saints and
the family of the living.
“Our beloved dead can become part
of our spiritual communities as we seek
to improve this earthly community that is
the family of the church and the human
family.”
“Remembering the dead is choosing their ongoing companionship,” Father Torpey said, noting this reflection is
drawn from the writings of the late Father
Henri Nouwen.
Father Torpey highlighted the connection we enjoy in the Catholic family of
faith with the communion of saints, especially with the canonizations of Pope
John XXIII and Pope John Paul II on Divine Mercy Sunday April 27.
Their examples – as well as those of
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and Pope
Francis – can help bring us to a better understanding between the communion of
saints and the family of the living.
Father Torpey said perhaps St. John
XXIII’s most influential words were in
response to the question why call the
church fathers and the world to the Second Vatican Council? “To make the human journey on earth less sad.”
Pope John XXIII, who hailed from a
large family of sharecroppers, served dying and wounded soldiers as a chaplain
in World War I and saw the world endure
World War II.
Pope John Paul II lost his mother,
brother and father before he was 21 and
lived through World War II. “And then,
as the world watched the effects of illness
and age, he taught the world how to die.”
Father Torpey spoke of the kindness
and humility of Pope Benedict, and recalled how Pope Francis faced the unbearable pain of cysts on his lungs at age
21. A nun told him amid his pain, “You
are imitating Christ.”
“The companions of the dead, the
communion of the saints and the family of the living teach us to have hope,
and to pray for the ability to see through
that ‘thin veil’ that connects heaven and
earth,” Father Torpey said.
They also teach us to believe “that the
example of these and our loved ones who
are in the family of We Are Remembered
cry out to us to believe with all our hearts
that ‘we are imitating Jesus’ as we walk
the Road to Emmaus and find our hearts
burning within us as he speaks to us on
the road and in the Scriptures, and how
he becomes known to us in the breaking
of the bread.”
“Life changes, it does not end,” Father
Torpey said.
“You are imitating Christ – this is the
message for We Are Remembered. When
the pain is unbearable, you are imitating
Christ.”
Father Torpey encouraged those gathered to express their grief through tears.
Imitating Christ is not meant to take away
the pain, but “it strikes us in the heart.”
“These tragic deaths can strengthen
our faith, but we have to put that faith into
practice,” Father Torpey said.
“We imitate Christ as we walk the
Road to Emmaus.”
Father Torpey thanked Bishop of Allentown John Barres for approving the
ministry in the diocese and the late Bishop Thomas Welsh for approving the ministry’s beginning.
He thanked Father Kalata for opening
the parish to the ministry, the Badessos
and the Sacred Heart Ensemble. Bulletins
were done courtesy of St. Joseph, Jim
Thorpe.
Women of St. Elizabeth of Hungary,
Whitehall served at the ensuing reception, which gave those attending time to
share memories of their loved ones, and
receive a spring flower. We Are Remembered obtained the flowers from Hickory
Grove Greenhouses, Catasauqua and its
proprietors, the Eline family, who themselves lost a child.
Before and after Mass those gathered
had the chance to sign the Book of the
Remembered, which was carried in procession and placed in the sanctuary. The
book, which is continued year-after-year,
affords participants the opportunity to
write a note to their loved one.
For more information, write to We Are
Remembered Ministry, P.O. Box 20082,
Lehigh Valley, PA 18002-0082.
Diocese
May 15, 2014
Twenty-third Annual
Diocese of Allentown
The A.D. Times
We Are Remembered Mass
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
St. John the Baptist Church, Allentown
Mass was offered for children who have died and any who have died tragically. Especially remembered
were those who died by murder, suicide or accident. All who grieve the loss of a loved one are invited to join the ministry.
Edwin V. Adamczak
Mary T. Adamec
Kathryn (Messina) Ahearn
Marcella F. Aigner
Stephen J. Aigner
Maureen T. Aneskevich
Michael P. AnFuso
Patricia Arey
Jackie Arner
John Arner, Sr.
Madison Arner
Paul R. Arnold
John Ashner Jr.
Robert J. Augustine
Robert J. Ayers
Philip D. Bachman
Helen M. Balik
Joseph F. Balik
Anna Baransky
Frank Barnak
James Barnak
Lucy Barnak
Diane Bean
Deborah Ann Bedics
Cyndi Belcak
James J. Bellizzi
Eleanor M. Benek
William I. Benek
Carlos M. Berra
Patricia Bertone
Lillian J. Biely
Stephen A. Biely
Donald G. Biery
Anna Billowitch
Kathryn Blanar
Edward Blasko
Deborah Xedeas Bohr
Joseph Bolinsky Jr.
Michele Bolinsky
Scot Borascius
Stanley Borascius III
Christopher D. Bowen
David R. Bowman
Augusta Boyer
Al Bredbenner
Brian Bredbenner
Justin Bredbenner
Bruce Francis Breiner
Ellen R. Brennan
Mike Brosky
George Bruen Jr.
Joseph David Bruno
Brian Brusok
Matthew J. Burns
Laurie Lynne Buss
Nicholas G. Caldarelli
The Campo Family
Charles H. Campton
Arthur E. Canone
Josephine Canone
Mary L. Carney
Nora Casani
Christoper Castetter
Thomas Brennan Cawthray
Agnes Chaballa
Andrew Chaballa
Anne Marie Chaballa
Bernard Chaballa
Joseph Chaballa
Mary Chaballa
Ron Chelius
August (Gus) Cherasaro
Diane M. Cherasaro
Rev. Richard N. Clewell
Larry Cole
Keith Creighton
David Crepack
Edward J. Crepack
Jennifer Cresko
Francis “Frank” Crugnale
Ginny Csencsits
David Cunningham
John Curley
Robert Curley
Jerry Curran Sr.
The D’Alfonso Family
Eileen Marie Daumer
James Danner
Eugene Davis
Lorene Davis
Norman A. Davis
Francine Dax
Shawn Day
Nicholas I. Deutsch
John DiDonato
David Dinnocenti
Ronald A. Dinsmore
John Doyle
Vivian Doyle
Charles Dragotta
John Druzba
Josephine Druzba
Ronald Druzba
Adam T. Duffy
Joan Duffy
Philip W. Durling Jr.
Philip W. Durling Sr.
Jeffrey N. Dziak
Alice T. Eagan
Daniel G. Eagan Jr.
Edward G. Eagan
John P. Eagan
Craig Earnest
Cindy Easton
Edward Eckert
Margaret Eckert
Michael Eckert
Susan F. Erich
Edward Ernst Sr.
Alberto G. Estrada
James Evolo
Ronald Falcone
John Dorsey Fegley
Mark Fegley
Brenda Marie Fehr-Hatrak
Bridget Janel Fertal
Ethel Fertal
George Fertal
Roseann Fertal-Santoro
Charles P. Fink
Meg Finlan
Blance C. E. Frantz
Michael Frinzi
Robert R. Fritzinger III
Leonard M. Fry
James F. Gallagher
Kelly Gallagher
Emma Gammer
Frank Gammer
Walter F. Gammer
Kevin Garr
Christopher Daniel Garrity
Florence Garszczynski
Eleanor A. Gavinsky
Lisa Ann Giannott
John Giba
Daniel M. Gieniec
Edward J. Gieniec Jr.
Edward Gillette
Pauline M. Gilmartin
Matthew K. Ginther
Katharina Glaessmann
Michael C. Godley
Thomas Godley
Gwendolyn G. Goehringer
Edward Gorman
Mary M. Gorman
Jacki Gornick
Brian Grabus
Linda Grady
Christopher Graham
Margaret M. Gregory
Thomas R. Gregory
Jennifer Grider
CPL. Kyle J. Grimes
Kenneth F. Groller
Rita Guerrieri
Donald Gutekunst
John Carl Hafer Jr.
Mrs. Katherine M. Haggerty
Glenn P. Handwerk
Lillian Hartman
Mary Harvan
Michael Harvan
Mark Andrew Hebdon
Stephen A. Hlavinka
Harry L. Hofelich Jr.
Jonathan Paul Hoffstetter
James H. Holden
Richard “Rich” Lee Hollabaugh
Robert J. Hrebik
Ernest J. Huber
Katie Hudock
Albert Janowiak
Baby Boy Janowiak
Joseph Janowiak Sr.
Margaret J. Janowiak
Olga Janowiak
William F. Janowiak Jr.
William F. Janowiak Sr.
Betty Julo
Joseph J. Julo
Joseph Michael Kakalejcik
Mary Tomchick Kakalejcik
Christopher Karmonick
Albert Kasdorf
Rosemary Kasdorf
Virginia Kasdorf
Charles Keiser
Irene Kemp
Dots Kessler
Jack Kessler
Joseph P. Kmetz Jr.
Louise A. Knecht
Michelle Knecht
Steven Kerry Koch Sr.
Thomas Andrew Koch
The Kociolek Family
Robert “Bobby”G. Koehler
Frances Kramer
Leonard Kramer
Bonnie Krause
John S. Krempasky
Julia Krempasky
William Krempasky
John “Butch” Kresge
Faye Kromer
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Kromer Sr.
Richard Kruchinsky
Daniel Krug
Stephanie M. Krupko
Catherine Kucharik
Michael Kucharik
Margaret Kucherich
Laura Lee Kuebler
Anthony Kulczycki
Vincent Kulhamer
Kathryn L. Kulik
Richard J. Kulik
William W. Kulik
Frank J. Kurter
Helen V. Kurter
Joseph J. Kush Jr.
Thomas J. Labert
Arnold LaCarro
Bill LaJeunesse
J. L. Richard Landry Jr.
Joanne Thompson Leonard
Joseph Letishock
Joseph John Letishock
“Jaga” Lewis
John F. Lewis
Aloysius Lipovsky
Bernard Lipovsky
Helen Lipovsky
Todd Lipovsky
Joseph LiTehko Jr.
Cheryl Hope Longenbach
John J. Luzenski
Catherine Lyston
James Joseph Mahoney III
Kim Manning
Wellington Manning
Olivia Josephine Markovitch
Theresa Martin
Joann Martin Hafer
Dorothea Mascari
Warren Mattrazzo
John Matyas
Mary Matyas
Stephen Matyas
Daniel D. Maxsim
Maria K. McAfee
Mark Francis McKiel
Donald A. McDonald
Sharon Locher McGarr
James D. McGinley
James L. McGinley
John William McGorry
Sheilah M. McGorry
James McLaughin
Vincent A. Memet
William D. Mengel
Alan C. Mertz
Eric J. Mertz
Kenneth E. Mertz
Frank Michalowski
David E. Midas
Charles Miller
Edward Miller
Raymond Miller
Sandra Ann Miller
Susan Miller
Vicki Mengel Miller
Michael J. Milot Sr.
Carol Minahan
Irene Minetola
Jim Minter
Anita Molinatti
Gloria Morgan
Thomas Morgan
Robert Philip Mulhern
Anthony L. Natale Sr.
Luke F. Natale Jr.
Luke F. Natale Sr.
Michael Neff
Fred Nero
Bryce Nerod
William Neupauer
Florence Nicholas
Gertrude Noonan
Richard J. Noonan Jr.
Richard J. Noonan Sr.
Thomas Noonan Sr.
Francis S. Novak
Patrick M. O’Brien
John Toot O’Gurek
Mary Ann Orlando
John J. Orlando Jr.
John J. Orlando Sr.
Frank Oswald
Hilda Oswald
Nikki Overman
Delores M. Paano
Matthew David Paltjon
Carl J. Paltjon
Janine Palushock
Gregory M. Parrish
Glenn H. Paules
Robert E. Peifly
Francis J. Pengitore
Louis J. Pengitore Sr.
Louis J. Pengitore Jr.
Andrew Pichini
Loretta Piovesan
Gregory Lawrence Polesko
Patsy Polzer
Robert Christopher Pontician
The Popeck Family
Bobby Pribila
Edward Pudleiner
Victor G. Quarato Sr.
Matthew Allen Quinney
David Rabzak
Peter Louis Rappa
Sharon Reeser
Rev. Joseph F. Reilly
Anna Reiss
Christopher Reiss
William E. Reiss
Patricia Reynolds
Rita Rich
Rita Futchko Rickert
Monica Ritter
Pat Rivetti
Joseph H. Rollman
Scott G. Rothrock
Frank Ruby
Annette Marie Sabatine
Susan Denean Salvatore
Victor Sarmir
Kelly Satterlee
Elden Sawyer
James J. Scanlon
Amy Lynn Scharer
Karlyn Nicole Scharer
Thomas J. Schlemmer
Elisabeth Schummer
Erv Schummer
Kevin Searock
Dennis John Seburn
Steven Thomas Seibert
James Seng
Mrs. Mary Seng
Mary Rose Seng
Mr. Ralph L. Seng
Mr. Ralph Seng Jr.
Atillio Serena
Clara Serena
Norman A. Serena
Kelly Leonard Shaw
Perry F. Shelton Sr.
Edward Sherry
Manya Victoria Shipreck
Deacon Cy Simchick
Roberta Simchick
Pauline Simon
Jimmy Smith
Rachel Sninski
Richard Sninski
The Frank Snyder Family
Frank “Jive” Snyder
Wende R. Snyder
Carlin Solomon
Caroline Solomon
Daniel Solomon
John Michael Solomon
Rose Solomon
Tony Solomon
Gertrude Somers
Robert Somers
Edna Somishka
Frank Somishka
Mike Somishak
Duane Mark Sontheimer
Lawrence Spina
Eugene F. Stahlnecker
Michael Stalter
Baby Girl Stelzman
Stephen W. Stelzman
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Stephens
Helene Sterzen
John Sterzen
Joanna Stevens
Joseph M. Stofanak
Anthony F. Stoudt
Mary Jane Stoudt
Anthony Raymond Stranzl
Rudolph S. Strapak
Samuel M. Strohl
Carl Strohl
Blanche Surina
Thomas Surina
Joseph Sutjak III
Michael A. Sweetana
John Szerencits
Travis J. Szerencits
Ferdinand Tauber
Carl G. Tershak
Andrew Tkach
Bernadine Tkach
Matthew Allen Tobias
David F Tobolla
Jeff Tohill
Elsie Tokarzk
Michael Tokarzk
Joseph F. Tomcho Sr.
Michele Kathryn Tonelis
Anna Toomey
Catherine R. Toomey
Madeline Torpey
James F. Torpey
James J. Torpey
Jane Ann Torpey-Dinger
Roxanne Tutko
Rose G. Unger
Kevin C. Vanblargan
Stephen Varanko
Susan Varanko
Rose Venditto
William Villa
Barbara L. Vogel
Susan Vogel
Eleanor Wafer
Donald W. Walker
Robert J. Walker
Steven S. Walker
Margaret Walsh
Thomas Walsh
Maureen Walsh-Coyle
Dorothy Walsh-Forsyth
Evelyn Walsh-Pomianek
Patricia Ernst Wartman
Lynn Weaver
Dr. Brett C. Weber
Brett Weber
Joseph F. Weber Sr.
Randy Weber
Gerd ‘fritz’ Weide
Josephine Weiner
Rick Weiss
John R. Weiss Jr.
Bishop Thomas Welsh
Laurie Dawn Welsh
David A. Werkheiser
Gerald H. Werkheiser
Anna Marie Werner
Walter Werner
Samuel A. Wesner
Timothy D. Whetstone
Teresa Wiessner
Brian Scott Williams
Isaac Williams
Noah C. Williams
Lois Wingle
Jeff Wolf Sr.
Anthony Wolinsky
Adam D. Wolk
Anna Woods
Anna Xedeas
Elaine Xedeas
Harry L. Xedeas
Janice Xedeas
Thomas Xedeas
John M. Yanchura
Mary E. Yanchura
Anna Marie Yanno
James Yanno
Helen Yanno
Taylor Michael Yanno
Anna May Yanochko
John Yanochko
Mark Yildiran
Jonathan Yost
Bernard “Butch” Yuhas
Charles Zabroski
Joan Zamborsky
Donna Marie Zambrotta
David Zentmeyer
Bill Zeth
Mary Elizabeth Zubia
Margaret Anne Zywicki
All Souls
We regret any omissions/errors in our
transcription. Contact us and we’ll make
every attempt to correct them in future
correspondence. Pass the word if you
encounter someone who could benefit from
this ministry. Join us on April 8, 2015 for
the 24th Anniversary Mass at St John the
Baptist Church, Allentown.
We Are Remembered Ministry
P.O. Box 20082
Lehigh Valley, PA 18002-0082
21
22
The A.D. Times
Diocese
Calendar
Editor’s note: E-mail, fax or mail church-affiliated
items for the Calendar page (Calendar, Retreats, Socials,
Festivals, Bazaars, Trips) to: e-mail, [email protected]; fax, 610-439-7694; The A.D. Times, P.O. Box F,
Allentown, PA 18105-1538.
Items must be received by Thursday of the week before
publication.
Sundays
■■Breakfast, parish center cafeteria, St. Michael the Archangel,
Minersville, 7 a.m.-noon, $7.
■■Interpreted Mass, for the hearing impaired, St. Columbkill,
Boyertown, 9 a.m.
■■Latin Mass, St. Stephen of Hungary, Allentown, 10:15 a.m.
■■Children’s Prayer Group, for children of any age, Perpetual
Adoration Chapel, St. Patrick, Pottsville, 5 p.m.
■■Holy Hour for Families, Adoration Chapel, St. Francis of Assisi, Allentown, 7 p.m., all are welcome.
First Sundays
■■Divine Mercy Liturgical Service, Blessed Teresa of Calcutta,
600 W. Mahanoy Ave., Mahanoy City, 3 p.m., confessions before liturgy, Anointing of the Sick after liturgy and benediction.
First and third Sundays
■■Interpreted Mass, for the hearing impaired, Our Lady of
Perpetual Help, Bethlehem, 9 a.m.
Second Sundays
■■Breakfast, St. Elizabeth, Whitehall, 8:30-11:30 p.m., adults
$6, children $3, 610-266-0695, October to April.
■■Youth Mass, students in PREP and Catholic schools asked
to participate as lectors, greeters, ushers, etc., St. Francis of
Assisi, Allentown, 10:30 a.m.
■■Filipino Mass, Barnabite Spiritual Center, Bethlehem, 5 p.m.
(during winter 3 p.m.).
Third Sundays
■■Breakfast, St. Joseph, Summit Hill, 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m., adults
$7, children 7-11 $3.50, under 7 free, no breakfast July or
December.
Fourth Sundays
■■Breakfast, Assumption BVM, Northampton, 8 a.m.-noon,
adults $6, children $3.
Mondays
■■Eucharistic Adoration, Incarnation of Our Lord, Bethlehem,
after 8 a.m. Mass until 3 p.m. followed by Divine Mercy Chaplet
and concluding with benediction, also Tuesdays, Thursdays
and Fridays.
■■Eucharistic Adoration, chapel, St. Catharine of Siena, Reading, after 8 a.m. Mass until 9 p.m., 610-779-4005.
■■Scripture Classes, directed by Father Dennet Jung, St. Francis Retreat House, Easton, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
■■Monday Afternoon Bible Study, Coll Room, Assumption BVM,
Bethlehem, 1-2:30 p.m., 610-867-7424, ext. 12, join anytime.
■■Scripture Class with Father Paul Marconi, Barnabite Spiritual
Center, Bethlehem, 1-3 p.m., 610-691-8648.
■■Monday Evening Bible Study, Finnegan Room, Assumption
BVM, Bethlehem, 6:30-8 p.m., 610-867-7424, ext. 12.
■■GriefShare Workshop and Support Group, St. Catharine of
Siena, 2427 Perkiomen Ave., Reading, 7-8:30 p.m., 610-3701174.
Second Mondays
■■Bible Reflection Group, Father Ciszek Center, 233 N. Jardin
St., Shenandoah, 1-2 p.m., 570-462-0826, 570-590-5227.
Fourth Mondays
■■“Kids Konnected,” support group for children with a parent
being treated for cancer, St. Joseph Medical Center, Reading,
7 p.m., registration required 610-378-2602, www.kidskonnected.org.
Last Mondays
■■Mass and Veneration of Relic St. Pauline Visintainer, Our
Lady’s Chapel, St. Patrick, Pottsville, 5 p.m.
Tuesdays
■■Tuesday Morning Bible Study, rectory basement, St. Paul,
Allentown, 9:30-11 a.m., join anytime, 610-797-9733, ext. 14.
■■Catholic Charities Services, Annunciation BVM, Shenandoah, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., appointments 570-628-0466.
■■Parenting Support Educational Series, Catholic Charities, Annunciation BVM, Shenandoah, 11 a.m.-noon, free, for parents
and grandparents of infants through toddlers, register 570-6280466.
■■Holy Hour with Mary for Religious Liberty, National Shrine
of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Immaculate Conception BVM, Allentown, 1:30 p.m.
Center, Bethlehem, 7-9 p.m., 610-691-8648.
■■“Transitions,” peer support for separated/divorced meeting,
new location St. Catharine of Siena, Reading, 7:30-9 p.m.,
610-823-3886 or 484-706-0729.
First Tuesdays
■■“Simply Prayer” mornings of prayer, reflection and sharing,
St. Francis Center for Renewal, Bethlehem, 9:30 a.m.-noon,
610-867-8890.
■■
First and third Tuesdays
■■Catechism Classes for Men, Catholic Men of Good News,
Franciscan Center (former convent), St. Francis of Assisi, Allentown, 7 p.m., 610-462-9700.
Second Tuesdays
■■Cancer Support Group, Msgr. Gobitas Meeting Room, St.
Jane Frances de Chantal, Easton, 7 p.m.
■■Hoagie Sale, Knights of Columbus Cardinal Francis Brennan
Council 618, $4, pickup 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., 201 W. Cherry St.,
order 570-590-1188, 570-462-1430.
■■Rosary and Benediction, St. Joseph, Jim Thorpe, 6:30 p.m.
Wednesdays
■■Spiritual Book Study, directed by Pat and Rich Kane, St.
Francis Retreat House, Easton, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
■■Wednesday Morning Bible Study, Assumption BVM, Bethlehem, 10-11:30 a.m., 610-867-7424, ext. 12.
Center, Bethlehem, 6:30-8:30 p.m., 610-691-8648.
■■Rosary and Novena, St. Patrick, Pottsville, 7 p.m.
■■Bible Study, SS. Simon and Jude, Bethlehem, 7-8:30 p.m.,
bring your Bible.
■■Wednesday Evening Bible Study, rectory basement, St. Paul,
Allentown, new time 7-8:30 p.m., join anytime, 610-797-9733,
ext.14.
First and third Wednesdays
■■Joseph’s People, support group for unemployed and underemployed persons, St. Catharine of Siena, Reading, 7-8:30
p.m., 610-385-3699, 484-651-0498, [email protected] or
[email protected].
■■Women’s Prayer Group, Sister Gertrude Room, Franciscan
Center, St. Francis of Assisi, Allentown, fellowship and hospitality 6:30 p.m., prayer hour 7-8 p.m., 610-509-3167, [email protected].
Second and fourth Wednesdays
■■God’s Bountiful Table, soup kitchen open for disadvantaged
and those in need, St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Matthew
the Evangelist, Minersville, at Father Anthony Ricapito Annex,
11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., volunteers needed, 570-544-2739.
■■Young Adults Bible Study and Dinner, parish hall, St. Stephen
of Hungary, Allentown, 5:30 p.m., RSVP patrickfitzsimmons@
saintstephenofhungary.net, http://www.saintstephenofhungary.
net/.
■■Rosary, Marian Prayer Group, St. Jane Frances de Chantal,
Easton, 610-253-3553.
Thursdays
■■Bible Study, Wortmann Center, Holy Family, Nazareth, 9:3011 a.m., bring your Bible.
■■“Prayer of the Heart – Contemplative Prayer,” classes, St.
Francis Retreat House, Easton, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
■■Scripture Study, SS. Simon and Jude, Bethlehem, 10-11:30
a.m., 610-867-1649.
■■Musical Entertainment, Christopher’s at Columbian Home,
Knights of Columbus Calvary Council 528, Allentown, 7-10
p.m., 610-432-6333.
■■Faith Sharing, Allentown Bethlehem Catholic Young Adults,
Assumption BVM, Bethlehem, 7:30-8:45 p.m.
First Thursdays
■■Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Barnabite Spiritual Center, Bethlehem, 7-9 p.m.
Second Thursdays
■■Lay Fraternities of St. Dominic, Chapter of the Expectation of
the Blessed Mother, Notre Dame of Bethlehem, 6:30-8:30 p.m.,
610-285-2288, 610-691-6761 or 610-865-9236.
Second and fourth Thursdays
■■“On-Going Job Transition Workshop,” job transition group for
those seeking employment or career advancement, St. Francis
Retreat House, Easton, 9-11:30 a.m., free, 610-258-3053,
[email protected] or www.stfrancisretreathouse.org.
Third Thursdays
■■Caregiver Support Group, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Whitehall, 7:30-9 p.m., register 610-504-8079.
Fridays
■■Divine Mercy Chaplet, Bernardine sisters and associates, Father Ciszek Chapel, Shenandoah, 3 p.m. (except during Lent).
■■“Bukas Loob sa Diyos” (BLD), spiritual group encounter,
Barnabite Spiritual Center, Bethlehem, 8 p.m.; first Fridays
include Mass and rosary.
First Fridays
■■Respect for Life Holy Hour, Adoration Chapel, St. Francis of
Assisi, Allentown, 7 p.m.
■■Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Holy Family, Nazareth,
9 a.m.-5p.m.
Second Fridays
■■Holy Mass with St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria Medical Society,
Barnabite Spiritual Center, Bethlehem, 7 p.m.
Saturdays
■■Holy Hour for Our Country, Adoration Chapel, St. Francis of
Assisi, Allentown, noon.
First Saturdays
■■Holy Hour for Vocations, Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena,
Allentown, begins with 8 a.m. Mass (except May and June).
■■Catholic Pizza, St. Stephen of Hungary, 510 W Union St.,
Allentown, pickup 2-7 p.m., plain $12, toppings $2 each, orders
must be placed by Thursday of that week, 484-272-2007,
catholicpizza.com.
■■Devotion to Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Francis of Assisi, Allentown, 4:05 p.m.
Second Saturdays
■■Prayer Pilgrimage, Helpers of God’s Precious Infants; Mass,
Notre Dame of Bethlehem, 8 a.m., followed by 15 decades
of the rosary at Allentown Women’s Center, 31 S. Commerce
Way, Bethlehem, 610-797-7403, [email protected].
Second and fourth Saturdays
■■Sacrament of Reconciliation, Barnabite Spiritual Center,
Bethlehem, 11 a.m.-noon.
Third Saturdays
■■St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria Medical Society meeting, Barnabite Spiritual Center, Bethlehem, 1:30-3 p.m.
Friday, May 16
■■Golf Tournament and Dinner, St. Joseph Center for Special
Learning, Pottsville, at Mountain Valley Golf Course, registration 11 a.m., lunch 11:30 a.m., shotgun start 1 p.m., 570-6224638.
May 15, 2014
■■“Prints and Process Exhibit,” Sigal Center for Family
Medicine, Sacred Heart Hospital, Allentown, Monday-Friday
9 a.m.-4 p.m., featuring artwork created by second grade students from Dodd and Roosevelt elementary schools, through
Thursday, May 22.
Saturday, May 17
■■Spaghetti Dinner, St. Nicholas, Walnutport, 4-6:30 p.m.,
adults $8, children 6-12 $4, under 6 free, 610-767-3107, www.
stnicholaswalnutport.parishesonline.com.
■■Dance, Marian High School, Tamaqua, 7:30-10:30 p.m., advance tickets $15, at door $18, 570-467-0641, 570-582-0021.
■■Poppy Sales, Catholic War Veterans Post 454, Northampton,
weekend Masses at St. John the Baptist, Whitehall; Queenship
of Mary, Northampton; Sacred Heart, Bath; St. Elizabeth of
Hungary, Whitehall.
■■Drop-Off for Attic Treasures, school hall, St. Francis of Assisi,
Allentown, 9 a.m.-noon, also Saturdays, May 31 and June 14,
610-433-6102.
Sunday, May 18
■■Spaghetti Dinner, Knights of Columbus, Calvary Council,
Columbian Home, Allentown, 4-7 p.m., advance $10, at door
$12, children under 12 $5.
■■Introductory Session of Creighton Model of Fertility Care,
St. Catharine of Siena, 2427 Perkiomen Ave., Reading, 7
p.m., free, information www.allentowndiocese.org/NFP, RSVP
[email protected], 484-332-9084.
Monday, May 19
■■“Seniors in Action” meeting, Holy Trinity, Whitehall, 1 p.m.,
speaker Bill White, Morning Call columnist, 610-799-2353.
■■Mass of Healing, for those who have experienced trauma,
St. Bernard Oratory, Easton, 6:30 p.m. followed by holy hour
and benediction, concluding 8:30 p.m., celebrant Bishop John
Barres, homilist Msgr. Walter Scheaffer.
Wednesday, May 21
■■“We the Living,” weekly grief support group, parish center, St.
Theresa of the Child Jesus, Hellertown, 6:30-8 p.m., Wednesdays through June 18, 610-838-6045.
■■Serra Club of Allentown, spirituality meeting, St. Thomas
More, Allentown, rosary 6:45 p.m., Mass 7 p.m., celebrant
Msgr. Daniel Yenushosky, meeting after Mass, speaker Father
Guency Isaac of St. Joseph the Worker, Orefield.
Friday, May 23
■■Golf Tournament, Our Lady Help of Christians, Allentown,
Southmoore Golf Course, Bath, registration and lunch noon,
shotgun start 1 p.m., buffet dinner 6 p.m., 610-433-1592.
■■“Sister Act,” Holy Family School, Nazareth, 7 p.m., $7, also
Saturday May 24, 3 and 7 p.m., and Sunday, May 25, 3 p.m.
Saturday, May 24
■■Flea Market, social hall, St. Peter, Reading, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.,
also Sunday, May 25 9 a.m.-2 p.m., 610-372-9652.
■■Mass for Memorial Day, Holy Savior Cemetery, 10 a.m., in
the event of rain, please contact the cemetery, 610-866-2372,
ext. 3 for location.
■■100th Anniversary of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish,
Shenandoah, dinner-dance, Fountain Springs Country Inn,
Ashland, 5:30 p.m., $45 per person, open to public, 570-4621916.
■■5K Run/Walk for Education, SS. Peter and Paul School,
Lehighton, registration 8:30 a.m., race starts 9 a.m., free 1-mile
kids fun run for kids 12 and under 8:30 a.m., http://active.
com/running/lehighton-pa/5k-for-education-and-fitness-run-orwalk-2014, [email protected], 610-6574223, [email protected], 610-247-5956, [email protected],
610-377-0498, [email protected], 570-956-2516.
■■Poppy Sales, Catholic War Veterans Post 454, Northampton,
weekend Masses at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Bethlehem;
St. Peter, Coplay; Holy Trinity, Whitehall; St. Nicholas, Walnutport.
Monday, May 26 (Memorial Day)
■■Pottsville Mile, running race conducted by Notre Dame Club
of Schuylkill County, proceeds benefit St. Joseph Center for
Special Learning, Pottsville, [email protected].
■■“Kids Konnected,” support group for children with a parent
being treated for cancer, St. Joseph Medical Center, Reading,
7 p.m., registration required 610-378-2602, www.kidskonnected.org.
Tuesday, May 27
■■Transfer Information Night, St. John Vianney Regional
School, Allentown, 6:45-7:45 p.m., [email protected].
Saturday, May 31
■■“Run for a Nun,” 5K run/walk, Sisters of Christian Charity,
Mendham, N.J., at Loantaka Brook Nature Preserve, Morristown, N.J., $25 until May 28, $35 after May 28, www.runforanun.com.
■■“A ’50s/’60s Music Celebration of an Era,” in memory of
Bishop David Thompson, Notre Dame High School, Easton,
7-10:30 p.m., 610-868-1431, ext. 111, alumni@ndcrusaders.
org, benefit Notre Dame Writers’ Scholarship Fund, www.
ndcrusaders.org.
■■SPS Reunion, for anyone who attended the former St.
Patrick School, Pottsville, The Pottsville Zone, 570-875-2917,
[email protected].
■■“Flores de Mayo,” Filipino Catholic Community of the Diocese
of Allentown (FCCDA), St. Francis Retreat House, Easton, 10
a.m. to 7 p.m., Eucharistic celebration 11 a.m., followed by
potluck and fellowship gathering at the La Pieta Pavillion, bring
favorite dish to share, 610-984-5156, [email protected].
Sunday, June 1
■■Breakfast, St. Nicholas, Walnutport, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., $6, children 5-under free, 610-767-1225.
■■Golf Classic, Trinity Academy, Shenandoah, Mountain Valley
Golf Club, shotgun start 1 p.m., four-person team scramble
format, $75 per player, 570-462-3927, ext. 5, trinitymike@
yahoo.com.
■■Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians “Get to Know Us Tea,”
Please see CALENDAR page 23 }}
Diocese
May 15, 2014
Calendar
for women of Irish Catholic decent 16 and older, Columbian
Home, 15th and Greenleaf streets, Allentown, 1 p.m., 610-4810410, [email protected].
Wednesday, June 4
■■Diocesan Home School Mass, celebrant Bishop of Allentown
John Barres, for homeschooling community and those considering homeschooling, St. Mary, Hamburg, 2 p.m., followed by
reception in Ave Maria Hall.
Sunday, June 8
■■Golf Tournament, SS. Peter and Paul School, Lehighton, at
Mahoning Valley Country Club, 610-377-4466.
Monday, June 9
■■Forty Hours Devotion, St. Anthony of Padua, Easton, Mass
6:30 p.m., continues June 10 and 11 8 a.m.-9 p.m., concluding
June 12 with 6:30 p.m. Mass and distribution of St. Anthony;s
bread, 610-253-7188.
■■“Wisdom Books of the Old Testament,” Bible study group
begins, Assumption BVM, Bethlehem, 1-2:30 p.m., Coll Room,
also 6:30-8 p.m. Finnegan Room, 610-867-7424, ldurback@
gmail.com.
Tuesday, June 10
■■“The Eucharist,” adult faith formation DVD series, rectory
basement, St. Paul, Allentown, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 6:30-8
p.m., Tuesdays through June 24, 610-797-9733, ext. 14, [email protected].
Wednesday, June 11
■■Golf Tournament, St. Francis Retreat House, Easton, Green
Pond Country Club, registration 8 a.m., shotgun start 9 a.m.,
four-person team scramble, dinner and awards program 4
p.m., $100, 610-258-3063, ext. 24, [email protected].
■■“Wisdom Books of the Old Testament,” Bible study group
begins, Assumption BVM, Bethlehem, 10-11:30 a.m. Finnegan
Room, 610-867-7424, [email protected].
■■“Untold Blessings: Three Paths to God,” adult religious education DVD series, Coll Room, Assumption BVM, Bethlehem,
1-2:30 p.m., 610-867-7424, ext. 12, [email protected].
Friday, June 13
■■Closing Ceremonies and Celebration Picnic, for school,
parents, alumni and friends, SS. Peter and Paul School, Lehighton, Mass 8 a.m., picnic 10 a.m., opening of time capsule
buried by class of 2003 6 p.m., 610-377-4466, principal@
ssppschool.org.
Saturday, June 14
■■Prayer Pilgrimage, Helpers of God’s Precious Infants, Notre
Dame of Bethlehem, Mass 8 a.m., followed by 15 decades
of the rosary at Allentown Women’s Center, 31 S. Commerce
Way, Bethlehem, [email protected], 610-674-6424.
■■Diocese of Allentown Day at Dorney Park and Wildwater
Kingdom, $32.99 per ticket, coupons available in parish office,
$3 of every admission sold with coupon benefits Bishop’s Annual Appeal.
Monday, June 16
■■“Let’s Campout with Jesus,” vacation Bible school, St.
Michael the Archangel, Minersville, 6:30-8 p.m., through Thursday, June 19, 570-544-4741.
Wednesday, June 18
■■Brothers of Borromeo Vocation Congress/Girls of Goretti
Vocation Congress (BBVC/GGVC), one-day camp for girls and
boys grades 6-8, St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Philadelphia, 8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m., $25, questions [email protected], [email protected]; register www.
beapriest.com, www.adoyyam.com.
■■“Take a ‘Brake,’” day of recollection for parents of children
attending the BBVC/GGVC one-day camp at St. Charles
Borromeo Seminary, Philadelphia, $15, questions djames@
allentowdiocese.org, [email protected]; register
www.beapriest.com, www.adoyyam.com.
Saturday, June 21
■■Collection for the Holy Father (Peter’s Pence), parishes of
the Diocese of Allentown, through Sunday.
■■Flea Market, Women’s Guild, lower school hall, St. Ursula,
Fountain Hill, 7 a.m.-2 p.m., donate items (no furniture) or rent
a table for $10, 610-866-7765, 610-797-5703, 610-868-4270.
Retreats
First Tuesdays
■■“Simply Prayer,” mornings of prayer, reflection and sharing,
St. Francis Center for Renewal, Bethlehem, 9:30 a.m.-noon,
free will offering, 610-867-8890, www.stfranciscenterforrenewal.org.
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,
[email protected], www.stfrancisretreathouse.org.
Tuesdays, May 20, June 17
■■“Living Contemplatively,” learning centering prayer, St.
Francis Center for Renewal, Bethlehem, 6:45-9 p.m., free will
offering, 610-867-8890, www.stfranciscenterforrenewal.org.
Wednesday, May 28
■■“Taize,” St. Francis Center for Renewal, Bethlehem, 6:45-9
p.m., $25, 610-867-8890, www.stfranciscenterforrenewal.org.
Friday, June 6 – Sunday, June 8
■■“Wise and Holy Women,” St. Francis Center for Renewal,
Bethlehem, $160, 610-867-8890, www.stfranciscenterforrenewal.org.
Wednesday, June 11
■■“Love, Respect and Knowing Self,” twilight retreat, St. Francis Center for Renewal, Bethlehem, 6:45-9 p.m., $25, 610-8678890, www.stfranciscenterforrenewal.org.
Sunday, July 6 – Friday, July 11
■■“Into Great Silence,” week-long silent retreat, St. Francis
Retreat House, Easton, each individual will determine his/her
own schedule, $330, 610-258-3053, ext. 10, www.stfrancisretreathouse.org.
Monday, July 14 – Wednesday, July 16
■■“A Mission for Spiritual Healing: Principles of the Spiritual Life
Within the 12-Step Program,” facilitated by Father Emmerich
Vogt, Our Lady’s Missionaries of the Eucharist, Birdsboro, 610582-3333, www.olme.org.
Thursday, July 17
■■“Franciscan Solitude Days,” day of prayer and solitude, St.
Francis Retreat House, Easton, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m., $25, 610258-3053, ext. 10, www.stfrancisretreathouse.org.
Sunday, July 20 – Friday, July 25
■■“Windows to the Sacred: An Icon Writing Retreat,” St. Francis
Retreat House, Easton, $440, 610-258-3053, ext. 10, www.
stfrancisretreathouse.org.
Friday, Aug. 1 – Sunday, Aug. 3
■■“Caring for God’s People in the Spirit of St. Francis: Pope
Francis and Dorothy Day,” St. Francis Retreat House, Easton,
$195, 610-258-3053, ext. 10, www.stfrancisretreathouse.org.
Friday, Nov. 7 – Sunday, Nov. 9
■■“Growing in Your Spiritual Life,” facilitated by Sister Joan
Noreen, Our Lady’s Missionaries of the Eucharist, at Ave
Maria Retreat House, at Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa,
Doylestown, 610-582-3333, www.olme.org.
Festivals
Friday May 30 – Sunday, June 1
■■Festa, St. Anthony of Padua, Easton, at Holy Cross Park,
Williams Township, Friday 6-11 p.m., Saturday 5-10 p.m., Sunday 4-9 p.m., 610-253-7188.
Saturday, May 31
■■Eastern European Food Festival, Slovak Catholic Sokol Hall,
411 Crestmont St., Reading, noon-6 p.m., hosted by Slovak
Catholic Sokol, SS. Cyril and Methodius, BVM Ukrainian
Churches and Polish American Heritage Society of Berks
County, www.readingsokol.org.
Friday, June 6 – Saturday, June 7
■■Block Party, St. Mary, Ringtown, Friday 5-11 p.m., Saturday,
Mass 4 p.m. followed by block party until 10:30 p.m., car show
Saturday 2-7 p.m., registration starts 1 p.m.
Thursday, June 12 – Saturday, June 14
■■Carnival, Our Lady Help of Christians, Allentown.
The A.D. Times
23
Friday, July 25 – Sunday July 27
■■Parishes of Shenandoah Bazaar, grounds of St. Stanislaus,
Friday 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Saturday 4-11 p.m., Sunday 4-9 p.m.
Socials
Sundays
■■Bingo, St. Joseph, Summit Hill, 6:30 p.m.
■■Bingo, Immaculate Conception School, Pen Argyl, 1 p.m.,
doors open 11 a.m., 610-863-4816.
Second Sundays
■■Bingo, Most Blessed Sacrament, Bally, 12:45 p.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).
■■Bingo, Queenship of Mary, Northampton, 7 p.m.
Thursdays
■■Bingo, Knights of Columbus Home Association, Reading,
6:30 p.m., doors open 5 p.m., nonsmoking.
■■Bingo, St. Katharine Drexel, Lansford, 6:30 p.m., doors open
5 p.m.
Fridays
■■Bingo, St. Jerome, Tamaqua, 6 p.m.
Sunday, May 18
■■Bingo, Assembled Men, St. Mary Annunciation BVM, Catasauqua, 1 p.m., kitchen open 11:30 a.m., 610-264-0332.
■■Meat Bingo, social hall, St. John the Baptist, Allentown, 1
p.m., doors open noon, $10, 610-432-3505.
Sundays, May 18, June 8, 22, July 6, 13, Aug 3, 17, Sept. 7,
21, Oct. 5, 19, Nov. 9, 23, Dec. 7 and Dec. 14
■■Bingo, Knights of Columbus Cardinal Francis Brennan Council 618, Shenandoah, at St. Stephen’s Hall, 2 p.m., doors open
noon, accessible to handicapped.
Trips
Monday, June 9
■■ Seton Manor, Orwigsburg to Senior Day at Reading Fightin’
Phils, free admission and transportation to and from the game,
570-366-7645, 570-640-3331,
Tuesday, June 24
■■ St. Paul, Allentown to Resorts Casino, Atlantic City, N.J.,
$30, 610-966-0852, 610-797-3565.
Thursday, June 26
■■55+ Club, Notre Dame of Bethlehem to Mohegan Sun Casino, Wilkes-Barre. $23, 610-252-5638.
Previously announced
Wednesday, May 21
■■ Golden Agers, St. Elizabeth, Whitehall to Mohegan Sun
Casino, Wilkes-Barre, 610-264-3721.
Friday, May 23
■■Fellowship Group, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Bethlehem to
Mount Airy Casino, $20, 610-866-8723.
Saturday, May 24 – Thursday, June 5
■■St. Joseph the Worker, Orefield to “Journey of Faith to Italy”
with Deacon Anthony Campanell, 610-395-0868.
Wednesday, May 28
■■Seniors, St. Patrick, Pottsville to “Tribute to the Coasters,”
Mount Airy Casino, Mount Pocono, $55, 570-622-7229, 570449-8296.
Wednesday, June 4
■■Golden Agers, Holy Family, Nazareth to “Moses,” Sight and
Sound Theater, Lancaster, $87, 610-759-0576.
Thursday, June 12
■■Notre Dame of Bethlehem to “Moses,” Sight and Sound Theatre, Lancaster, $93, 610-252-5638, 610-625-0994.
Monday, June 16 – Friday, June 20
■■Travelers, St. Matthew the Evangelist, Minersville to Cape
Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, Mass., $650, 570-5445231, 570-628-5413.
Sunday, June 22
■■“Weird Animals Totally Catholic,” vacation Bible school, St.
Patrick and St. John the Baptist, Pottsville, through Thursday,
June 26.
Friday, June 13 – Saturday, June 14
■■Block Party, St. Michael the Archangel, Minersville, 5-11 p.m.
■■Parish Festival, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Whitehall, Friday
6-10 p.m., Saturday 5-10 p.m.
Monday, June 23
■■“Art and You,” camp for grades 5-8, Pius X High School,
Bangor, www.piusxhs.org, 610-588-3291, ncaroprese@
piusxhs.org; through June 27, also June 30-July 3.
■■“Math and Me: Math Games,” camp for grades 5-8, Pius X
High School, Bangor, www.piusxhs.org, 610-588-3291, [email protected]; through June 27, also June 30-July 3.
■■“Camp Mad Science,” camp for grades 5-8, Pius X High
School, Bangor, www.piusxhs.org, 610-588-3291, [email protected]; through June 27, also June 30-July 3.
■■“Young Authors Camp,” camp for grades 5-8, Pius X High
School, Bangor, www.piusxhs.org, 610-588-3291, [email protected]; through June 27, also June 30-July 3.
■■Girls’ Basketball Camp, for girls grades 4-8, Notre Dame
High School, Easton, noon-5 p.m., $125, through June 26,
610-248-6835, [email protected], 484-505-8673, kurtzs@
lafayette.edu.
■■“Weird Animals,” vacation Bible school, St. Elizabeth of
Hungary, Whitehall, 8:45 a.m.-noon, $20 per person or $30 per
family, through Friday, June 27, 610-266-0695.
■■Parish Festival, St. Joseph the Worker, Orefield, Friday 6-10
p.m., Saturday 5-10 p.m., Sunday 5-9 p.m.
Wednesday, June 25
■■Golden Agers, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Whitehall to Resorts,
Atlantic City, N.J., $47, 610-266-2874.
Thursday, June 19 – Saturday, June 21
■■Block Party, St. Mary Annunciation BVM, Catasauqua, 6-10
p.m.
Saturday, June 21
■■Treasures and Treats Food Fest, parish hall, SS. Simon and
Jude, Bethlehem, noon-7 p.m.
Wednesday, July 30
■■ Fellowship Group, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Bethlehem
to “American Bandstand Show,” Ehrhardt’s Waterfront, Lake
Wallenpaupack, $70, 610-866-8723.
■■Golden Agers, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Whitehall, to “Big
Band Sounds of Dorsey, Miller, Goodman and Ella Tribute,”
Staten Island, N.Y., $84, 610-502-0781.
■■Parish Festival, St. Francis of Assisi, Allentown, 5:30-10 p.m.
each day.
Wednesday, Aug. 20
■■ Women’s Guild, St. Joseph the Worker, Orefield to tour of
Pennsylvania Dutch sites, $70, 610-392-2957
Saturday, June 28 – Sunday, June 29
■■Block Party, St. Joseph, Sheppton, Saturday 5-10 p.m.,
Sunday noon-4 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 8 – Thursday, Sept. 11
■■Travelers, St. Matthew the Evangelist, Minersville to Outer
Banks, N.C., $539, 570-544-5231, 570-628-5413.
Friday, July 18 – Sunday, July 20
■■Italian Festival, 100th Annual Feast of Our Lady of Mount
Carmel, Shenandoah, Friday and Saturday 5-11 p.m., Sunday
6-10 p.m. with procession after 9 a.m. Mass and fireworks.
Thursday, Sept. 11 – Thursday, Sept. 25
■■St. Francis Retreat House, Easton, Franciscan Pilgrimage
to major holy sites in Assisi, Florence and Rome, $5,600, 610868-4091, 610-258-3053.
Saturday, June 28
■■Food and Bake Sale, Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, Mahanoy
City, South Catawissa Courtyard, 11 a.m.-sellout.
Saturday, June 21 – Thursday, June 26
■■Golden Agers, Blessed Teresa, Calcutta, Mahanoy City to
Nashville, Tenn., $844, 570-773-1753.
24
The A.D. Times
Diocese
May 15, 2014
‘Fast for Familes Across America’ urges immigration reform at DeSales rally
By TARA CONNOLLY
Staff writer
An organization committed to immigration reform stopped at DeSales University, Center Valley April 1 as part of
its mission to urge community leaders to
vote on immigration reform.
The bus tour, “Fast for Families Across
America,” visited with DeSales students
as part of its tour covering 30 states and
more than 14,200
miles.
The cross-coun“This is not
try bus tour kicked
about polioff Jan. 27 targettics. This
ing more than 75
is about
key congressional
representatives and
family
is mobilizing advoand about
cates from across
people.”
the political spectrum to act, pray
and fast.
Dae Joong Yoon, executive director
of the National Korean American Service and Education Consortium, who abstained from food with other immigration
leaders for 22 days on the National Mall
as a call for U.S. Congress to embark on
humane immigration reform, addressed
the students.
Yoon spoke to about 30 DeSales students in the McShea Activities Center,
Dae Joong Yoon, executive director of the National Korean American Service
and Education Consortium, speaks during a stop on the bus tour “Fast for
Families Across America” at DeSales University, Center Valley.
citing immigration reform as one of the
most important civil rights issues of the
time.
As an immigrant who came to this
country as a young man, Yoon emphasized that most immigrants to the United
Sates are hard workers devoted to their
families and the country.
Students from DeSales participate in a prayer service for humane immigration
reform.
Upcoming topics
on Bishop Barres’
video blog
The Bishop’s Video Blog, now also available as podcasts, is posted each Friday on
the homepage of the diocesan website,
www.allentowndiocese.org and www.allentowndiocese.org/podcast.
May 16 – The Joyful Mysteries.
May 23 – The Sorrowful Mysteries.
May 30 – The Glorious Mysteries.
It pays to
ADVERTISE
in
The A.D. Times
For details,
call
610-871-5200 ext. 273
“My mother is from North Korea and
when she was 12 years old, she walked
for days to South Korea with her mother and siblings. She didn’t know that it
would be the last time she saw her father
again. Sixty years since the Korean War,
my mother does not know if he is still
alive or not,” said Yoon.
In 1978 his mother’s siblings went to
America and she yearned to be reunited
with them. His uncle filed a petition and
they waited 10 years before they were
granted permission to enter American.
Their choice to leave did not come
without sacrifice as the family was forced
to leave behind Yoon’s 22-year-old
brother who had surpassed the age requirement to immigrate.
“It took another four years for my older brother to join us in America and until
then, each family gathering such as birthdays or Thanksgiving were marked by
his absence. My mother led each prayer
by blessing all family members and when
she got to her oldest son’s name, there
was always a pause and sounds of her
crying,” recalled Yoon.
“Many people come to this country
to pursue their hopes and dreams,” said
Yoon, “but we have a broken system that
separates families, and dehumanizes and
criminalizes people.”
Although heated controversy surrounds immigrants taking jobs away from
American-born citizens, Yoon told the
students the United States needs a
larger workforce
The crossto subsidize Socountry bus
cial Security and
Medicare.
tour kicked
Urging
stuoff Jan. 27
dents to “open
targeting
the eyes of our
more than
lawmakers
and
75 key conleadership,” Yoon
asked them to
gressional
fill out postcards
representato petition John
tives and is
Boehner, house
mobilizing
speaker, to steer
advocates
congress toward
passing comprefrom across
hensive immigrathe political
tion reform by the
spectrum to
end of the year.
act, pray and
“This is not
fast.
about
politics.
This is about family and about people,” said Yoon.
After the talk, the tour stop concluded
with Mass at Wills Hall to pray for immigration reform.
Junior psychology major Amanda
Miller, campus organizer for Faith in
Public Life, arranged the bus tour stop at
DeSales.
“It’s really great to see DeSales is on
board for supporting major immigration
reform,” she said.
“People suffer to gain citizenship here,
while we often take our rights for granted,” said Miller.
“Fast for Families Across America”
also held a press conference later in the
day with Allentown elected officials, and
faith and community leaders urging Rep.
Charlie Dent (Pa.-15) to call for a vote on
immigration reform this year.
Diocese
May 15, 2014
The A.D. Times
25
Couples reflect on relationships at marriage enrichment day
Left, speakers setting up display tables at “Love
and Respect: Marriage Enrichment Day” are, from
left, Tony and Cathy Witczak and Father Emile
Frische, members of the international ecclesial
team for Worldwide Marriage Encounter, which
presented the workshop April 5 at St. Joseph the
Worker, Orefield. Father Frische is a member of
Mill Hill Missionaries. (Photos by John Simitz)
Right, couples participate in group discussion at the
workshop aimed to revitalize marriages. It focused
on tools for building and maintaining strong Christian marriages. The day was based on the WWME
technique of loving communication and on the
book “The Love She Most Desires, The Respect
He Desperately Needs” by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs.
Alumni honorees selected for Pius X 11th annual Royal Gala
Pius X Jr/Sr High School, Bangor has
announced 2014 Alumni Award Honorees. Awards will be presented at the 11th
Annual Royal Gala Friday, May 30 at
Terraview at the Stroudsmoor Country
Inn.
For tickets to the gala, contact Nancy
Caroprese, director of advancement, 610588-3291, ext. 302 or [email protected]. Sponsorship and program advertising opportunities are also available.
Honorees are as follows.
Distinguished
Alumni
Award:
Augie Pullo (posthumously), Class of
1973. Pullo was a
band leader at Pius X
and a member of the
district and regional
bands. He continued on with his
musical endeavors
at Mansfield State
University, where he
performed in England as part of the bicentennial celebration. He earned a bach-
elor of science degree in economics from
East Stroudsburg University and became
part of the managerial training program
at McDonald’s, where he worked for 17
years. His team consistently was in the
top 3 percent nationally in performance.
Combining his love for the restaurant
industry and his passion for the Slate Belt
area, he purchased and ran three businesses: Hidden Valley Inn, Augie’s Spare
Time and Augie’s Two.
Religious Education Award: Father Edward Quinnan, Class of 1974.
Father Quinnan is a
New York Province
Jesuit, experienced
in spiritual and retreat direction. He
received a bachleor
of science degree in
biology and philosophy from Fordham
University, N.Y. in 1981, and advanced
degrees from Jesuit School of Theology, at Berkeley, Calif. and a doctorate
Diocesan Advocacy Network alert
For many years, the annual state budget for textbooks and other instructional
materials for non-public schools had increased at the same rate as the increase in
public school subsidies.
Whether the students attend public or
nonpublic schools, their parents are taxpayers, so treating all students equitably
in regard to textbooks makes sense.
While public schools received exponentially more funding from the state and
federal government via our tax dollars,
textbooks are a basic need that are given
to the students, not the schools.
However, in recent years, the public school students received an increase
when the nonpublic students did not.
In fact, even though public school enrollment has decreased for the past five
years, the public school subsidy has been
increased for four out of those five years.
Nonpublic schools have received either a decrease or no increase for five
consecutive years, while the cost of providing each textbook to the students has
continued to increase.
Education of our students is vital to
the future success of our state. Investing
today in textbooks will help shape community leaders for years to come, and
those textbooks should be distributed equitably to all of the students in the commonwealth.
To send a message today to your legislators in support of equal textbook funding, log on to https://www.votervoice.
net/link/target/pacc/47Rf6qGF6.aspx.
Help available for SNAP
Do you have a loss of income due to
unemployment or decreased work hours?
Are you on a limited fixed income?
You may be eligible for Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP),
formerly known as Food Stamp Program.
Catholic Charities can help you com-
plete and submit your SNAP application.
For more information, call Catholic Charities: in Allentown, 530 Union
Blvd., 610-435-1541; in Pottsville, 13
Westwood Center, 570-628-0466, ext.
308; in Reading, 400 Washington St.,
Suite 100, 610-376-7144.
in marriage and family therpay from the
University of Connecticut.
He is now pastoral assistant to the provincials of New England and New York
provinces, and formation director of the
Jesuit Collaborative, traveling the East
Coast to coordinate training programs in
Ignatian Spirituality.
Academic Hall
of Fame Award:
Alfred DeRenzis,
Class of 1963. While
at Pius X DeRenzis
was president of the
student council; lettered in baseball and
basketball all four
years; scholar athlete
in 1963; and earned
the rank of Eagle
Scout as a member
of Explorer Post 36.
He earned a bachelor of science degree
in natural science from Muhlenberg College, Allentown, where he was a member
of student government and Alpha Tau
Omega fraternity. He graduated in 1971
from the University of Pittsburgh School
of Dental Medicine, became dental director of the Keystone Job Corps Center in
Drums and opened a private practice.
In 1974 he joined the faculty of the
University of Maryland School of Dental Medicine and in 1982 earned an MBA
from Loyola College. He then entered
his second career as a stockbroker for the
firm Legg Mason. He worked at Smith
Barney and Morgan Stanley until 2013
when The DeRenzis Ford Group moved
to Janney Montgomery Scott LLC, where
he holds the title of senior vice president/
wealth management.
Shroud of Turin program
in June at St. Jane, Easton
Corpus Christi is a special holiday in
the Catholic Church that we celebrate to
honor the glory of Christ’s presence in
the Holy Eucharist. How is it that Christ’s
presence seems so far from us, even
though he is right among us, especially in
the Eucharist?
The “iconic’ image of Christ on the
Holy Shroud reminds us of Christ’s presence among us.
To celebrate this sacred holiday, St.
Jane Frances de Chantal, Easton wants
to share the gift of the image of the Holy
Shroud with their faith community the
weekend of June 21-22.
The Rev. Thomas Drobena will travel from Torrington, Conn. to share his
life-sized 4-by-16-foot copy of the Holy
Shroud, along with its photographic image.
His travels to Turin, Italy in 2010 with
his son Thomas were a unique experience, as they were given unlimited access to photograph and study the Holy
Shroud. He brings the information he
has gleaned from his extensive study on
this topic and shares it with us during his
shroud programs.
His copy of the shroud will be on display Saturday, June 21 from 9 a.m. to 5
p.m., with Rev. Drobena’s program in
church at 6:15 p.m.
It will also be on display Sunday, June
22 from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., followed by
the 3 p.m. program in the church.
For more information, call 610-2952552 or check the website www.stjanesofeastonpa.com and click on “St. Jane
Events.” Everyone is invited. Free will
donations will be gratefully accepted.
Bill Sugra Memorial Fund accepting applications
The Bill Sugra Memorial Fund is accepting grant requests from qualified
Lehigh Valley nonprofit organizations assisting the needy and disadvantaged.
The fund was established by the Sugra
family in memory of Bill Sugra who was
killed in the 9/11 terrorist attack on the
World Trade Center.
A graduate of St. Thomas More
School, Allentown and Allentown Central Catholic High School, he was the son
of parishioners William and Elma Sugra
of Salisbury Township, and the brother of
Tracy Sugra.
The fund has distributed more than
$400,000 in grants to local nonprofit
agencies across the Lehigh Valley.
Applications are available on website
www.billsugramemorialfund.org.
Send completed applications to: Bill
Sugra Memorial Fund, c/o St. Thomas
More Church, 1040 Flexer Ave., Allentown, PA 18103.
Application receipt deadline is Tuesday, July 1. Grant recipients will be announced in September.
26
The A.D. Times
Diocese
May 15, 2014
Sunday Scripture
March for Marriage in D.C. June 19
Will you stand with us at the national
March for Marriage in Washington, D.C.
on Thursday, June 19?
The march is an act of faith ahead of
the Fortnight for Freedom. Now is the
time to march for marriage before it is
redefined nationwide.
Gatekeepers Program
to help older adults
Catholic Charities’ Gatekeepers Program is a collective community approach
to connecting at-risk older adults to appropriate services to keep them living
safely and independently.
Many vulnerable seniors live alone, or
have little or no contact with others, particularly people in social services. Often
their increasing need for assistance with
daily activities can go unnoticed.
A gatekeeper is anyone who comes
into contact with seniors through their
work or daily activities and is trained to:
recognize warning signs and red flags
that indicate a senior may need some help
or support, understand the protocol for
obtaining information for reporting, and
anonymously report their concerns to the
Gatekeeper Program.
For more information or to set up
training for your parish, group or business, call Amy Angelo, 610-435-1541,
ext. 302.
There will be a rally at 11 a.m. on the
Capitol grounds, followed by a march to
the Supreme Court.
For more information, visit www.
MarriageMarch.org – because every
child deserves a mom and a dad.
Sunday, May 18
Fifth Sunday of Easter
Sunday, May 25
Sixth Sunday of Easter
First reading
Acts 6:1-7
Responsorial psalm
Psalms 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19
Second reading
1 Peter 2:4-9
Gospel
John 14:1-12
First reading
Acts 8:5-8, 14-17
Responsorial psalm
Psalms 66:1-7, 16, 20
Second reading
1 Peter 3:15-18
Gospel
John 14:15-21
Ad vertising in
The A.D. Times?
Call 610-871-5100 ext. 273
Sign up to receive Catholic Advocacy Network action alerts at pacatholic.
org, “Subscribe,” “Advocacy Alerts” and click on the
words “Sign Up.” Receive
alerts for one, two or all the
Pennsylvania Catholic Conference’s important public
policy issues: Cathlolic education, religious liberty, life
and dignity, marriage and
family, social justric, health
care, and faith and politics.
Diocese
May 15, 2014
The A.D. Times
27
Immaculate Conception School, Pen Argyl
By TARA CONNOLLY
Staff writer
Background/history: Immaculate Conception School (ICS), Pen Argyl was
founded in 1954 under the leadership
of Father Michael Melley, pastor of St.
Elizabeth of Hungary, Pen Argyl. He
welcomed five Sisters of St. Joseph as the
first teaching staff.
In the early 1980s the Sisters of St. Joseph were assigned elsewhere and Msgr.
Charles Moss, knowing the importance
of trained religious sisters to Catholic education, through persistence, dedication
and hard work was able to obtain “help
from the Philippines.” In 1983 ICS welcomed six “little sisters” from the Congregation of the Dominican Daughters of
the Immaculate Mother.
It is through the excellent leadership of
the sisters, as well as three devout Catholic lay teachers, that the school offers students a challenging academic curriculum
and a strong religious foundation.
ICS aims to prepare students for life
by developing the spiritual, moral, social,
emotional and physical qualities given by
God.
The school is also blessed by support
from neighboring parishes, St. Elizabeth
of Hungary in Pen Argyl and St. Rocco in
Martins Creek.
ICS is a regional elementary school that
educates students from pre
kindergarten
through grade six. It welcomes children
of all faiths, ethnicities and cultures to the
school family.
Students attend ICS from local school
districts, including Pen Argyl, Bangor, Nazareth, Easton, Pleasant Valley,
Stroudsburg and East Stroudsburg.
Enrollment: 144.
Student-teacher ratio: Ratios vary
by grade – 6:1 for prekindergarten, and
approximately 14:1 for grades K6.
Mission: In partnership with families, ICS places primary importance on
the proclamation of the Good News of
Jesus Christ. The school strives for excel-
Students from Immaculate Conception School (ICS), Pen Argyl perform classwork in the school’s computer lab. (Photos by Ed Koskey)
lence in a Catholic Christ-centered environment by administering a challenging
and well balanced academic curriculum,
while developing fundamental life skills
and strengthening patriotism for the United States of America.
Principal and teacher biographies:
Sister Maria Luz, originally from the
Philippines, was named principal in 2000
and was honored by the Diocese of Allentown in 2012 for 25 years of service to
Catholic education. She has been teaching at ICS since 1983. Sister Luz received
a bachelor of science degree in education
and taught at schools in her home country before moving to the United States to
teach at ICS.
Under her leadership, ICS has grown
by leaps and bounds with the expansion
of the computer lab and implementation
of a very successful preschool program.
Another vital component of ICS staff
is Patricia Kessler, who has been teaching
kindergarten since 1984. She is a graduate of ICS (class of 1968) and attended
Pius X High School, Bangor.
She graduated from East Stroudsburg
University with a bachelor’s degree in
education. She considers ICS her second
home, and believes that the children she
Students from ICS stand beneath the image of Father Michael Melley, pastor
of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Pen Argyl, who established the school in 1954.
teaches “help keep her young.”
Special
programs/technology/extracurricular activities: ICS’s main
school building houses seven classrooms,
gymnasium, library and computer lab.
All classrooms are equipped with SmartBoards, as well as at least one desktop
computer with wireless, high-speed Internet access.
The “St. John Neumann Computer
Lab” is where all students have the opportunity to advance their computer
knowledge and hone skills that will help
them throughout their academic life. The
fully functional lab houses 22 networked
computers with high-speed Internet access, and is equipped with a SmartBoard.
All ICS students are required to study
“special courses,” which include art,
computers, music, physical education
and a foreign language (Spanish or Italian). Each of these “specials” is incorporated into the curriculum and taught once
a week.
After school ICS students have the
opportunity to participate in children’s
choir, ski club, math club, group art
lessons, private music lessons and the
“Young Dominicans Club.”
The Catholic Youth Organization Little Royals Program provides team sports,
including cheerleading, basketball, football and wrestling.
-school programs include
Special in
school newspaper “The Immaculata,” All
Saints Day parade, Christmas play, spring
play, piano recital, talent show, science
fair, spelling bee, Race for Education, career day, grandparents’ bingo, May Fair
and field day.
Pre-K and kindergarten programs:
ICS offers prekindergarten for 4-year-old
boys and girls. The classroom is located
in the rectory at St. Elizabeth of Hungary
across the street from the main school
building. Pre-K students attend school
Monday, Wednesday and Friday morn-
ings. Beginning with the 2014-15 school
year the preschool program will expand
to include a 3-year-old program on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.
Kindergarten is a full-day program
with a classroom in the main school
building.
Academic
achievements
and
awards: ICS is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and
Schools. Each year ICS students routinely rank above the 90th percentile in
the Iowa Test of Basic Skills. Students
have received numerous local, state and
diocesan awards in recent years, including placing first in the Diocese of Allentown’s Art Contest.
Diocesan high schools attended:
Pius X and Notre
Dame High School,
Easton.
ICS aims
Colleges
and
universities
atto prepare
tended: The Cathostudents
lic University of
for life by
America, Washingdeveloping
ton, D.C.: DeSales
the spirituUniversity, Center
Valley; Duke Unial, moral,
versity,
Durham,
social,
N.C.; East Stroudsemotional,
burg
University;
and physiFlorida State Unical qualiversity;
Lehigh
University, Bethleties given
hem; Massachusetts
by God.
Institute of Technology, Cambridge,
Mass; Muhlenberg
College, Allentown; Syracuse University., N.Y.; and Penn State University.
Financial aid availability and
transfer grants: Scholarships are available through the Eastern Pennsylvania
Scholarship Foundation, the Sister Maria
Angelita Scholarship, and the Blue and
White Scholarship.
ICS also participates in the Bishop’s
Commission on Catholic Schools Transfer Grant Program, in which students
transferring into grades two to seven
from a public or private school may receive a $1,500 grant. A flat tuition rate is
offered to all students.
School contact information: 290 W.
Babbitt Ave., Pen Argyl, PA 18072; 610
863-4816; [email protected]; and www.
immaculateconceptionschool.net.
Social media: Facebook www.Facebook.com/ICS18072.
School tours: Please call the office to
make an appointment.
Students executing a science experiment are, from left, Miranda Meek, Brooke
Baker and Teresa Nadeau.
28
The A.D. Times
Diocese
May 15, 2014
Catholic view on end-of-life issues focus of seminar
By TAMI QUIGLEY
Staff writer
We all face a time when difficult medical decisions must be made for ourselves
or a loved one. It is helpful to have in
advance a firm sense of the moral and
ethical teachings of the church regarding
end-of-life care.
In light of this, the diocesan Office of
Pro-Life and Social Concerns of the Secretariat for Catholic Life and Evangelization sponsored the seminar “End-of-Life
Issues: What Does the Church Teach?” in
cooperation with the Allentown Guild of
the Catholic Medical Association April
26 at St. Joseph the Worker, Orefield.
Topics included “Spirituality of Suffering,” “Ordinary vs. Extraordinary
Care,” “Levels
of Consciousness,” “ArtifiTopics includcial Nutrition,
ed “Spirituality
Hydration
of Suffering,”
and Palliative
“Ordinary vs.
Care,”
“Dialysis, ArtifiExtraordinary
cal
RespiraCare,” “Levels
tion and Organ
of ConsciousDonation,”
ness,” “Artifi“Advanced Dicial Nutrition,
rectives” and a
question-andHydration
answer panel
and Palliative
discussion.
Care,” “DiPresenters
alysis, Artificial
were:
Msgr.
Respiration
James
Mulligan
diocand Organ
esan medical
Donation,”
ethicist; Father
“Advanced DiClifton Bishop,
rectives” and a
chaplain
of
question-andHoly Family
Manor, Bethanswer panel
lehem; Deacon
discussion.
Bruno Schettini, president
of the Allentown Guild of the Catholic Medical
Foundation; Dr. Joseph Galassi; Dr. Minh
Nguyen; Dr. Russ Rentler; and Dr. Henry
Schaier.
Levels of Consciousness
“Your faith impacts on how you care
for a patient,” said Galassi, an anesthesiologist.
Presenting “Levels of Consciousness,”
Galassi drew from the U.S. Conference of
Catholic Bishops (USCCB) “Ethical and
Religious Directives for Catholic Health
Care Services: Issues in Care for the Seri-
Dr. Henry Schairer expounds on “Dialysis, Artificial Respiration and Organ Donation” during the informative
session.
Above left, Father Clifton Bishop discusses “Spirituality of
Suffering” during the seminar “End of Life Issues: What
Does the Church Teach?” April 26 at St. Joseph the Worker, Orefield. (Photos by John Simitz)
Above, Msgr. James Mulligan makes a point while presenting “Ordinary vs. Extraordinary Care” during the session sponsored by the diocesan Office of Pro-Life and Social Concerns in cooperation with the Allentown Guild of
the Catholic Medical Association.
Left, “Life is a precious gift from God,” Dr. Joseph Galassi
says during his talk on “Levels of Consciousness.”
ously Ill and Dying,” issued in 2009.
Galassi discussed differentiating between a coma, persistent vegetative state
and brain death. He said the hardest
things to face in the process of dying are
dependency, helplessness and pain. “Effective pain management is essential.”
Galassi emphasized avoiding the two
extremes: useless or burdensome technology, and withdrawing technology to
cause death.
“Life is a precious gift from God,” he
said, advising those gathered to obtain
support from the hospital chaplain when
a loved one is facing death in that setting.
“Think about what your family member would want,” Galassi said, adding the
patient should be kept as pain-free as possible.
He also reviewed anesthesia: local, regional, general and IV sedation.
Galassi expounded on states of unconsciousness: stupor, coma, persistent or
permanent vegetative state and a lockedin state. He explained a persistent or permanent vegetative state is deeper than a
coma and has sleep and wake cycles. The
patient is not brain dead, rather is alive
but unable to function at a conscious
level.
In a locked-in state, the patient is con-
scious but largely unable to respond, often due to a neurological problem such as
a stroke.
Death, he said, is the absence of circulation, breathing and neurological functions, with the possibility that rigor mortis has begun.
“The church leaves it to medical professionals to determine death,” Galassi
said.
He said St. Pope John Paul II said
death is “the soul separating from the
body.”
Galassi said support for the dying and
family members is available from the
hospital staff and Catholic chaplain, the
church and diocesan ethics committee.
Galassi said death is not something we
look forward to, but we must face it with
grace with the knowledge we will be with
God.
Rentler said, adding today’s culture is biased against feeding tubes, though there
are some cases when feeding tubes are
not advised for medical reasons.
Rentler defined palliative care as care
“to relieve or lessen without curing, when
a cure is no longer possible.” It is also
given for chronic illness when the patient
is not necessarily terminal.
Palliative care is often prescribed for
chronic congestive heart failure and obstructive pulmonary disease.
“Compassion means to suffer with a
person – not killing a person,” he said,
referring to euthanasia.
Rentler also spoke of hospice care,
adding, “Hospice is not a dirty word for
Catholics.”
“The end of life is a difficult time, but
that’s why Jesus died. He redeemed us
and redeemed our suffering.”
Artificial Nutrition, Hydration and
Palliative Care
Presenting “Artificial Nutrition, Hydration and Palliative Care,” Rentler said
in St. Pope John Paul II’s statement on artificial nutrition and hydration, the pontiff
said these are “not a medical act.”
“Giving people food and water is not
extraordinary, and not a medical act,”
Those gathered listen to Msgr. James Mulligan speak during the morning program.
“Hospice is not a dirty word for Catholics,” Dr. Russ Rentler says while presenting “Artificial Nutrition, Hydration
and Palliative Care.”

Diaconate candidates receive rite of acolyte

Transcription

Similar documents

Presenter: Frank Mercadante Executive Director of Cultivation

Catholic Community Center

St_Luke - EMC 2016 - St. Luke Catholic High School

SPRING MELT 2015 FIRE MEMORABILIA AND MARKETPLACE

Bethlehem Catholic High School

casework architectural millwork

Former NFL coach and all-pro wide receiver Danny Abramowicz

St. Joseph the Worker School, Orefield

Your sponsorship dollars will

Ministering - Catholic Bishop of Northern Alaska