Bishop McDevitt Breaks Ground

Transcription

APRIL 22, 2011
VOLUME 47, NUMBER 8
INSIDE:
Page 2: Rally for school choice
Page 3: Bishop’s Easter letter
Page 5: Preview of pope’s beatification
Page 9: Palm Sunday youth celebration
Bishop McDevitt Breaks Ground
By Jen Reed
The Catholic Witness
CHRIS HEISEY, THE CATHOLIC WITNESS
Bishop Joseph McFadden leads school officials and supporters in breaking ground for the new Bishop McDevitt High
School in Harrisburg. The new school, on an 87-acre-campus in Lower Paxton Township, is expected to open in the 20122013 academic year.
Joyful refrains echoed across sloping hills and spacious fields off Spring
Creek Road in Harrisburg’s Lower
Paxton Township April 14 as hundreds
gathered for the anticipated groundbreaking of the new Bishop McDevitt
High School.
Expressions of congratulations,
shouts of “We’re breaking ground today” and melodies of the school concert choir singing the words “This the
day the Lord has made; let us rejoice
and be glad” brought to life the site of
the school’s future 87-acre campus.
“We walked up here for the groundbreaking today, and I didn’t know all of
this space existed,” Bishop McDevitt
senior Eilish Welsh marveled as she
surveyed the land.
“To think of what will be here is just
amazing. I’ve seen a lot of the pictures
of what the school will look like, and
it’s beautiful,” she said. “It’s amazing
to see how many wonderful resources
it will have for the future students. I’m
so excited for the future generations to
be here.”
The “future students” to which
Eilish referred aren’t too far off.
More GROUND BREAKING, page 16
Chrism Mass Offers Priests Solemn Occasion to Reflect on Ministry
By Jen Reed
At the Chrism Mass, one of the most
solemn and symbolic liturgies of the
year, Bishop Joseph McFadden and
priests serving in the Diocese of Harrisburg blessed the holy oils they will
use in their ministry of service to the
people of God.
The Mass was celebrated at St. Patrick Cathedral in Harrisburg on Monday of Holy Week. In addition to the
blessing of the oils and the consecration of the Sacred Chrism, it is also at
this Mass that priests renew their commitment to priestly service in the presence of the bishop.
“This liturgy reminds us of the great
gift of the priesthood that Jesus Christ
has given to his Church, so that he may
continue to minister to his people down
through the ages until his final coming
in glory at the end of time,” Bishop
McFadden said in his homily.
“In this Mass, every priest will have
the opportunity to return to the day on
which he was ordained and once again
commit himself to living out his priesthood in conformity to the high priest,
Jesus Christ,” he said.
During the Renewal of Commitment to
More CHRISM MASS, page 8
EMILY M. ALBERT, THE CATHOLIC WITNESS
Priests in the Diocese of Harrisburg celebrate the Eucharist during the Chrism Mass at St. Patrick Cathedral. The Oil of the
Catechumens (green ribbon), the Oil of the Sick (purple ribbon) and the Sacred Chrism (white ribbon) will be used in the
celebration of the sacraments in the coming year.
- THE CATHOLIC WITNESS, April , 011
Local Church News
Hundreds Rally Again at State Capitol for
School Choice, Vote on Bill to Come Later
By A. B. Hill
Special to The Witness
Undeterred by the clouds and raindrops, hundreds of students, parents,
teachers and other school choice supporters gathered in front of the state Capitol
on April 12 to hoot, holler and cheer for
Senate Bill 1 – the Opportunity Scholarship and Educational Improvement Tax
Credit Act. This was the second big rally
this year for school choice.
Catholic school students from all corners of the state traveled to the Capitol
to join the rally, but also meet with their
elected officials. Anne Curry, principal of
St. Ambrose School in Schuylkill Haven,
Diocese of Allentown, thought the trip to
Harrisburg was a good experience for
the children. She said, “The students got
to see their government in action.” Parent chaperone Christine Johnson agreed.
The class met with their State Representative in his office and even had a chance
encounter with Governor Tom Corbett
in the hallway. Her son Stephen got to
shake the governor’s hand.
Another student was very excited
to voice her support for Senate Bill 1.
“With school choice, we think more kids
could get a better education,” said fourth
grader Danielle Kunst. She got up very
early to ride the bus with fellow students
from Divine Redeemer School in Ford
City, Diocese of Greensburg.
Senate Bill 1 increases the successful
Educational Improvement Tax Credit
(EITC) scholarship program and provides Opportunity Scholarship Grants, or
vouchers, to low-income students to pay
tuition at any school they choose, including a Catholic school if they wish. The
bill successfully passed Senate Appropriations Committee with a 15-11 vote
the day before with amendments.
One amendment adds a fourth year
to the school voucher phase-in plan.
In year four vouchers will be extended
to include families who earn up to 300
percent of the poverty level. A family
of four earning about $67,000 per year
would qualify.
Another amendment put a cap on available vouchers at $250 million in the third
year and beyond, or about 1 percent of
the state’s education budget. If demand
for vouchers exceeds this limit, the legislature could enact an increase in later
years.
Having passed the Senate Education
and Appropriations Committees, the next
step for Senate Bill 1 is the floor of the
Senate. Then it will be considered by the
A student’s advocacy for school choice is reflected in a sign he carries among the crowd of supporters.
House of Representatives. The General
Assembly will resume its consideration
of Senate Bill 1 when it returns to session
after Easter.
(Hill is Communications Director of
the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference
– the public affairs arm of Pennsylvania’s Catholic bishops and the Catholic
dioceses of Pennsylvania.)
Add Your Voice to
the School Choice Effort!
Join the Advocates for Catholic
Education in PA to receive the latest
news and action alerts on Catholic
education issues. Visit, call, write
or e-mail your state legislators and
ask them to vote YES on Senate
Bill 1. Learn more about how to
get involved at www.pacatholic.
org/schoolchoice.
Beginning Experience Weekends for
Those Suffering the Loss of a Spouse
May 6-8 and November 11-13
Camp Hebron in Halifax, pA
Beginning Experience weekends are an approved Roman Catholic program
designed for those suffering the loss of a spouse through death, divorce or
separation. Hundreds of persons have been helped to move towards successful, productive, happy lives by attending one of these weekends. A weekend
is often most helpful some time after about 6 months following a loss of
a spouse. Many have attended a weekend after a much longer period has
elapsed and found the weekend most helpful. Contact the Team to explore
when a weekend might be most helpful to you.
For more information, visit the Marriage and Family/Ministry with Separate and Divorced link at www.hbgdiocese.org or contact Eva Marie Simpson
at 717-246-1035, or e-mail [email protected].
Students from St. Mary Interparochial School in Philadelphia show their support
for Senate Bill 1 as they rally at the Capitol earlier this month.
Interfaith Shelter Golf Classic
May 9 at the Blue ridge Country Club
Schedule of Events
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Registration and lunch
12:30 p.m. – Scramble Classic, Shot-gun Start
6 p.m. – Dinner, Prizes and Doorprizes
The tournament benefits the Interfaith Shelter for Homeless Families, the
only emergency shelter in the capital region that provides services to homeless families.
A variety of donation levels are available.
registration deadline is May 3.
For information, registration or sponsorship questions contact:
Chris Meehan at 717-657-4804, ext. 284
or visit the Catholic Charities link at www.hbgdiocese.org
April 22, 2011, THE CATHOLIC WITNESS - Local Church News
Diocesan Parishioners
Thanked for
Collection Contributions
Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
“Peace be with you. As the Father sent me so I am sending you” (Jn. 20:21)
As we gather to celebrate the great event of the Resurrection of Jesus I send to you
the greeting of the Lord, “Peace be with you”. This is the great fruit of the Paschal
mystery. It is through the suffering and death of Jesus that we have been reconciled to
God. Jesus restores the primordial relationship that God desired for us from the beginning of creation. Through His obedience to the will of the Father, Jesus is able to share
with us His divine life so that we can claim the dignity of being known as the adopted
sons and daughters of God. In this dignity the Lord has opened for us an eternal future.
Jesus tells us “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live even
though he dies.”(Jn. 11:25)
The feast we celebrate today is not only the resurrection of Jesus but it is truly our
resurrection as well. This is the cause for the great joy we share on this Easter morning. The Lord has conquered sin and death so that we now can live a new life. During
the past 40 days the Church has called us to reflect ever more deeply on this mystery
of new life in Christ. Through our Baptism we are given a participation in the risen
life of Jesus. Hopefully over the course of our Lenten journey we have identified and
removed from our lives anything that would draw us away from living our new life in
conformity with the will of God, our Heavenly Father.
In the next 50 days, which we call the Easter season, the Church invites us to grow
in our appreciation for the gifts that the Lord has given us to nurture our new life in
Him. It is in the Easter sacraments of Eucharist and Penance and Reconciliation that
the Lord helps us to truly grow in our relationship with Him and through Him to be
united with God the Father and the Holy Spirit. It is through these sacraments that we
are conformed to Christ and become heirs to the kingdom of God. It is through these
sacraments that we are given the power to be God’s people and to participate in the
building of His kingdom here on earth.
During this Easter season, I ask all of you to reflect more deeply on the great gift of
the Eucharist and commit yourself to celebrating this mystery each and every Sunday.
It is in this sacrament of His body and blood which He has left to the Church that the
Risen Jesus continues to walk with His people. It is in this sacrament that we, like
the disciples on Easter morn, will encounter the Risen Lord who promised to be with
His people until the end of time. It is Jesus who says to us, “and know I am with you
always; yes, to the end of time.”(Matt. 28:20)
May your hearts be filled with joy this Easter and may our Alleluias resound to the
praise and glory of God forever.
Sincerely Yours in Christ,
The Most Reverend Joseph P. McFadden, D.D. Bishop of Harrisburg
• April 22 – Commemorative of the Passion/Confessions, St. Patrick
Cathedral, Harrisburg, noon.
• April 2 – Easter Vigil, St. Patrick Cathedral, Harrisburg, 8 p.m.
• April 24 – Easter Mass, St. Patrick Cathedral, Harrisburg, 9:30 a.m.
• April 25 – Ordination of Bishop-elect William Waltersheid,
Pittsburgh.
• April 28 – Mass with school principals, Cardinal Keeler Center,
Harrisburg, 9 a.m.
• April 29 – Confirmation for Cumberland/Perry Deanery, St. Joseph
Church, Mechanicsburg, 7 p.m.
• April 0 – Sisters Jubilee Mass, Cardinal Keeler Center, Harrisburg,
10:15 a.m.; Confirmation for Cumberland/Perry Deanery, Good
Shepherd Church, Camp Hill, 2 p.m.; Vigil Mass for Divine Mercy Sunday, St.
Patrick Cathedral, Harrisburg, 5:30 p.m.; Vigil for Beatification of Pope
John Paul II, St. Patrick Cathedral, Harrisburg, 7 p.m.
• May 1 – Confirmation, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, 9 a.m.;
Confirmation for Dauphin Deanery, Sacred Heart of Jesus Church,
Lewistown, 3 p.m.
• May 6 – Confirmation for Northern Deanery, St. Joseph Church,
Danville, 7 p.m.
• May 7 – Confirmation for Northern Deanery, Immaculate Conception
of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, Berwick, 10 a.m.
• May 8 – Confirmation for Northern Deanery, St. Pius X Church,
Selinsgrove, 2 p.m.
Bishop Joseph McFadden recently received letters of thanks
acknowledging the people of the diocese for their generosity to
the 2010 Peter’s Pence Collection, the Catholic Relief Services
Collection, and the Retirement Fund for Religious.
Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Secretary of State, acknowledged
the $153,876.02 the people of the diocese contributed to the Peter’s Pence Collection, which supports the Holy Father’s works
of charity for those in need.
Bishop Kevin Farrell, Chairman of the Committee on National Collections, thanked the faithful of the diocese for the
$126,189.812 they gave to the Catholic Relief Services Collection, which supports Catholic agencies that assist families
suffering from war, famine, extreme poverty and natural disasters.
Most Precious Blood Sister Janice Bader, National Director of
the Religious Retirement Office, acknowledged the $58,138.81
the people of the diocese contributed to the Retirement Fund
for Religious, and noted that to date, the diocese has contributed $1,249,699.85 to the appeal.
50th Wedding
Anniversary Mass
Were you married in 1961? In
honor of your 50th Wedding Anniversary, there will be a special
Mass and reception on Sunday,
June 5, 2011, at Good Shepherd
Parish in Camp Hill. Bishop Joseph
McFadden will be the celebrant, and there will be a reception
for the couples and their families. Each Jubilee couple will also
be presented with a commemorative certificate; those unable
to attend the event will receive one in the mail. This annual
celebration is co-sponsored by the diocesan Council of Catholic Women, diocesan Senior Adult Ministry, and the Office of
Marriage and Family Ministries. To receive an invitation, contact your parish office.
April 24: Bishop Joseph P. McFadden is our very special guest on Catholic Perspective for Easter Sunday. In the program-length interview with our
shepherd, the discussion is focused on Easter, its meaning and how we can
live it every day of our lives.
Among the topics discussed are how Bishop McFadden is celebrating his
first Easter here in Harrisburg, what milestones he has reached and what he
is looking forward to during the coming Easter season.
Listeners can look forward to a discussion about why Easter is such a very
special Holy Day for Christians. Bishop McFadden explains why it is the
most special holy day, even surpassing Christmas on the Church’s calendar.
Giving up guilt was a message that Bishop McFadden preached as a theme
for our Lenten journey this year. He talks more about that theme and about
the practice of giving up certain items or practices for Lent and what is truly
beneficial for us spiritually.
Lent and Holy week can be a roller coaster of emotional highs and lows.
What messages should a Catholic to focus on and how can these ideas be
held onto thorough out the rest of the year? This spiritual advice is discussed
along with the variety of church services and experiences available throughout this holy time.
This special program will also be heard on Saturday, April 23 at 7 a.m. on
WHP AM 580.
Catholic Perspective is heard Sunday mornings on WLAN-AM 1390,
Lancaster at 7:30 a.m.; WHYL-AM 960, Carlisle, at 8 a.m.; WHVR-AM
1280, Hanover, at 8 a.m.; WKOK-AM 1070, Sunbury, at 6:30 a.m.; WIEZAM 670, Lewistown, at 8 a.m.; WWSM-AM 1510, Lebanon, at 7 a.m.; and
WWEC-FM 88.3, Elizabethtown, at 9:30 a.m. It is also available on line at
www.OldiesRadio1620.com at 6:30 a.m. or for download at www.hbgdiocese.org.
- THE CATHOLIC WITNESS, April 22, 2011
Catholic Commentary
Sheep May Safely Graze
A Father’s Reflection
on the Death of His Infant Son
By Jason Lesher
When I first started writing this column three years ago
I was scared to death of sharing anything personal. I hid
my eyes behind my wife’s glasses and my mouth behind a
Dostoevsky novel, and I’d often go into a three-day tizzy
when the slightest glimpse of my soul slipped onto paper.
Slowly, the columns that delved into my personal life
became the easiest to write, but I never would have thought
I’d be able to print this one. As many of you already know,
on February 25, my wife and I found out that our baby’s
heart had stopped beating. Our son, Francis Lesher, would
have been perfectly healthy if he had been born just a few
weeks before his due date. At birth, still a week before
he was due, he weighed eight pounds and 15 ounces and
measured 22 inches long. But sometime in the last months
of pregnancy, the inner layer of Carolyn’s amniotic sac
ruptured and an amniotic band floated near Francis for
weeks, slowly wrapping around his umbilical cord. Amniotic band syndrome’s a completely unexplained disorder
that affects about one in 3,000 pregnancies. Most of the
time the damage occurs early in pregnancy. A baby could
be born with webbed fingers or toes, even missing an arm
or a leg. According to Ugeskr Laeger, a Danish medical
journal, what happened to Francis occurs in one out of
100,000 to 150,000 births. When the pregnancy reaches
full-term, with no other complications, the odds keep
dropping.
I could have handled putting that paragraph onto paper
somewhere around the evening of February 27. It’s just
the facts, and, honestly, the statistics about amniotic band
syndrome mean very little to me. They float around in my
mind, but I have no personal attachment to them.
It took longer to feel safe in writing the rest of this column. Over these past two weeks I’ve come to realize that
Francis’ death was not just a personal loss. The mind-boggling number of hugs, flowers, tears, dinners, cards and
prayers we have received made it clear that Carolyn and I
are not carrying the pain by ourselves, and it’s the words
of so many other parents who lost their babies that let me
find comfort in laying bare the most tender moment of my
life.
Around 2 p.m. on the 25th, as Carolyn seemed ready
to slide into a medicated sleep before the beginning of
the labor pains, our priest, Father John McLoughlin, took
me aside to prepare me for my role in what was about to
happen. During our talk he told me that I had to hold the
baby, who we didn’t yet know was a boy.
Tell him you love him. Tell him everything you wanted
to tell him. Tell him all your hopes and dreams.
I cried from a fear I had never known in my life. I had
never even dragged myself through the motions of getting
dressed for the funeral of one of my grandparents, but there
I was figuring out how to play the supporting role in bringing a little naked child into a world he would never see.
Thank you Father, your words meant more than any others. An hour after our talk, after a blessedly short labor, I
took my baby boy into my arms without a bit of hesitation
in my heart.
I can hear myself saying, He’s perfect. I told him I loved
him at least once, maybe a thousand times. I may have given him a kiss on his forehead. But I know I didn’t tell my
own dreams for his life. They would have been trivial.
Instead, I held in my arms an entire life. When Francis
lay there before me, his life wasn’t short or tragic. It was
complete in a way words can’t approach.
It wasn’t that all the days Carolyn and I missed came
flashing before my eyes. I didn’t see his baptism, potty
training, first Communion, puberty, first date, first (and
last) escort home in a police car, graduation, college dorm
room, job, wedding, unemployment, marriage troubles,
children and, after much heartache, peace of mind. I didn’t
see him years from now holding my hand and praying as
I died.
And God didn’t whisper into my ear His almighty plan
for Francis, why he had to call his name in the same twoweek span that Carolyn’s childhood neighbor – her second
brother – stepped off a bridge in Indiana and her grandfather periodically slipped back into consciousness during
his last days in hospice.
I wasn’t even comforted by the vision of a departed
loved one squeezing tight to Francis’s soul as I cradled his
tiny broken body, eternally free of sin and sorrow.
I wish I could share exactly what our short time together
was, instead of just what it wasn’t. I wish I could find another phrase to describe it because the only one I’ve got
left feels like evidence that I’m crazy, profane, or at least
betraying my wife and other two children.
It was the most beautiful moment of my life, and when I
put him down my left arm ached from top to bottom like I
had cradled every bit of the world’s suffering that I could
handle.
Beauty and grief have walked side by side every moment of my life since then. My wife and I share an impossibly deep love as we pull through each day devoid of joy.
In shared suffering, I understand a greater compassion for
and from every single person I meet.
My few minutes with Francis in my arms won’t wipe
away any tears, but cradling that much beauty did take
away every inch where anger, despair and self doubt could
have worked their way into my soul. The statistical likelihood that I should be holding him right now could drive a
sane person into an asylum, but hope still fills my life and
I have no doubt that truly happy days lie in the future as
time slowly heals our pain.
And even though time will also steal tiny fragments
of the few memories we’ve got, we’ll always be able to
hear our son’s voice cut through all the world’s noise in
one eternal plea. Francis was supposed to be his middle
name, but, for very personal reasons, it’s the only name
we gave him. It’s a name he shares with the grandfather
Carolyn lost just under 18 years ago, and the name of the
13th-century saint tied to this, one of man’s most beautiful
prayers:
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be
consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
(Jason Lesher is a member of Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish in Ephrata. He writes a column for The
Grapevine, a publication in Adamstown.)
Ending Abortion through Adoption
By Mary McClusky
Patty Voorhies can’t stop talking about
her eight children. She and husband Gary
answered God’s call to adopt infants whom
others might consider undesirable. The daily life of the Voorhies family just outside
the small college town of Hamilton, New
York, is an incredible witness that every
child is a beautifully unique gift from God
put on this earth for a purpose. Yet in a society that generally regards adoption positively, the Voorhies family story provides
important responses to many of the objections and misperceptions that continue to
be roadblocks to adoption today.
Today, some couples wanting to adopt
are reluctant to adopt a child with special
needs. Infants with disabilities are, therefore, less likely to be placed in loving
homes. All but one of the Voorhies children
was born prematurely, and all were born
with either chemical dependency or a severe chronic medical condition. Although
doctors predicted several would be deaf
and blind, many of the expected conditions
never developed or were simply outgrown
through their parents’ loving and attentive
care. Patty and Gary saw their children not
as problems, but as gifts. “I can’t imagine
thinking ‘this child is less than perfect, so
I need to get rid of it.’ We are all imperfect
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The Catholic Witness (ISSN 0008-8447, USPS 557 120) is published biweekly
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and God loves us anyway,” says Patty.
Fourteen-year-old Kolbe has TAR syndrome, a rare genetic disorder defined by the
absence of the radius bone in the forearm.
Though he stands just several feet high and
his short arms extend out of his shoulder
bones, Kolbe swims regularly at the local
pool and recently dove off the high-diving
board for a cheering crowd. To the woman
who once asked Patty “What are you going
to do with him?” Patty answered, “We’re
going to love him.”
Some believe that children placed in
homes of a racial or cultural background
different from their own will suffer from
ridicule or a lack of identity. The Voorhies
children include two African Americans,
one Chinese-American and one SyrianJew, yet the children all get along and are
very devoted to each other. Kolbe is being
raised Catholic, but has also chosen to keep
the Jewish Sabbath and is learning Hebrew
to honor the heritage of his Syrian-Jewish
birth mother. “All of our kids would normally never even meet each other in a mall
and here they are brothers and sisters,” says
Gary.
Husbands and wives with medical challenges, such as infertility, who feel called
to raise children are encouraged by the
Church to “give expression to their generosity” through adoption (Catechism of the
Catholic Church, 2379). Several years into
their marriage and still childless, Gary and
Patty decided to adopt. In Patty’s words,
“Adoption is just another way to have a
family.” God calls us His children because
every member of the human family is an
adopted son or daughter of God.
Some past stigmas associated with adoption are being overcome. Today people
more readily describe the brave and self-
less actions of a birth mother as “placing a
child for adoption,” rather than “abandoning” a child. Yet efforts to increase support
and awareness of adoption must continue.
Pregnant moms who feel that they cannot
raise a child on their own should be encouraged to place their baby in a loving home.
Legislators need encouragement to expand
adoption tax credits and adoption assistance programs. The story of the Voorhies
family is just one among many to share to
help promote adoption. It celebrates and
affirms the ultimate gift that one stranger
can give to another: God’s precious gift of
life and family through adoption. Through
these efforts, we can each be a part of eliminating abortion and living God’s plan for
love and life.
(Mary McClusky is Special Projects
Coordinator at the Secretariat of Pro-Life
Activities, U.S. Conference of Catholic
Bishops. To learn more about the bishops’
pro-life activities, go to www.usccb.org/
prolife. )
For more on adoption, contact
Catholic Charities by visiting the
Catholic Charities link at www.hbgdiocese.org or www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/Page.aspx?pid=1670.
April 22, 2011, THE CATHOLIC WITNESS - Faith and Life
John Paul II and the
Pro-Life Movement
By Father Paul CB Schenck
Prayer Vigil for Beatification
of Pope John Paul II
April 30 at 7 p.m.
St. patrick Cathedral, Harrisburg
Bishop Joseph McFadden will hold a prayer vigil in preparation for the beatification of the Servant of God, Pope John Paul II. All are invited to spend time in
prayerful thanksgiving to God for the gift of Pope John Paul II to the Church. The
evening will consist of the recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet and meditation
on the Luminous Mysteries of the Holy Rosary.
EWTN Offering Complete Coverage
of Pope John Paul II’s Beatification
and Divine Mercy Sunday Events
Count on EWTN Global Catholic Network for complete coverage of events surrounding the beatification of the late Pope John Paul II, as well as the events of Divine Mercy
Sunday, which the late Pope made a reality!
EWTN’s Raymond Arroyo will anchor the event from Rome. Joining him for analysis
and commentary will be Knights of Columbus Supreme Knight Carl Anderson, Father
Raymond J. de Souza, and EWTN Rome Bureau Chief Joan Lewis.
Vatican events include:
• Vigil in Honor of the Beatification of Pope John Paul II: Airs 1:30 p.m. ET (live),
Saturday April 30, with an encore at 8 p.m. ET, Saturday April 30.
• Beatification of Pope John Paul II: Airs 2:30 a.m. ET (live), Sunday May 1 with
encores at 8 p.m. ET, Sunday May 1; 2 p.m. ET, Monday May 2; and 2 p.m. ET, Saturday
May 7.
• Mass of Thanksgiving in Honor of the Beatification of Pope John Paul II: Airs
4:30 a.m. ET (live), Monday May 2, with an encore at 5:30 p.m. ET, Monday May 2.
Check EWTN’s website (www.ewtn.com) for many other related programs, including
a special “World Over” from Rome. Airs 8 p.m. ET, Thursday April 28, with encores at 5
p.m. ET, Sunday May 1, and 10 a.m. ET, Monday May 2.
Divine Mercy Sunday events on Sunday May 1 include:
• Divine Mercy preview Show: Airs live from The National Shrine of the Divine
Mercy in Stockbridge, Mass.: Airs noon ET, with an encore at 11 p.m. ET
• Solemn Mass and Celebration of Divine Mercy: Airs live from Stockbridge, Mass.
at 1 p.m. ET.
• Divine Mercy Holy Hour from the Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville,
Ala.: Airs live at 4 p.m. ET.
EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 30th year, is available in over 160 million television households in more than 140 countries and territories. With its direct broadcast
satellite television and radio services, AM & FM radio networks, worldwide short-wave
radio station, Internet website www.ewtn.com, electronic and print news services, and
publishing arm, EWTN is the largest religious media network in the world.
In 2001, when I arrived in Israel for
the Papal Pilgrimage, a huge banner
was spread between two tall buildings
which read in Hebrew, Baruch ha baha,
“Blessed is he who comes…” and my
Arab Muslim driver gleefully said, “Il
Baba” (the pope) “is good for Christians, for Jews, for Muslims, for everybody!”
Blessed John Paul II was transformational on so many levels, but his influence on behalf of human life and the
world-wide pro-life movement was singular and profound.
One time when I was preaching as an
evangelical Protestant, the church pews
were packed and there was standing
room only. My topic was the sanctity of
human life, and, excited over the publication of the Holy Father’s encyclical on life, Evangelium Vitae, I shouted
“Hey, what a pope!” The congregation
of Protestants rose with a sustained
standing ovation.
His voluminous writings, homilies
and allocutions on the human person
gave to the pro-life movement, which
began as a reactionary response to the
anti-life trends in international and domestic policies, a deep, rich and irresistible philosophical foundation. His was a
powerful response to a misguided and in
many respects malevolent turn toward a
self-centered disregard for the unique
value and dignity of every human being. He wrote,
We are facing an enormous and dramatic clash between good and evil, death
and life, the “culture of death” and the
“culture of life.” We find ourselves not
only “faced with” but necessarily “in
the midst of” this conflict: we are all involved and we all share in it, with the
inescapable responsibility of choosing
to be unconditionally pro-life.
As such, Blessed John Paul singlehandedly promoted a compelling prolife philosophy that could be understood
and embraced by people of all religions
as well as secular humanists and even
skeptics. His appeal was to human nature and the wonder and beauty of human life in all its stages and conditions.
Before a watching world he vividly
lived out the principles upon which he
constructed his comprehensive pro-life
philosophy:
In an anti-Semitic society and in the
long shadow of Auschwitz, he was a
lover of Jews and gave the Church a
profound understanding of Jewish identity and experience.
In the face of a brutally repressive
anti-religious, atheistic regime, he was
a pastor who gave us a unique understanding of the depth of human spirituality, religious liberty and the rights of
conscience.
In a world fractured by war and beset with violence, he was a promoter of
peace, forgiveness and reconciliation.
In the face a sexual revolution that
emphasized personal pleasure and selffulfillment, he was a celibate priest who
gave us a rich appreciation for romance,
nuptial love, marriage and family.
In the face of a celebrity culture that
prized youth and beauty, he grew old
and enfeebled and ultimately died with
great dignity before the whole world.
When it comes to comprehending the
great gift that is human life, John Paul II
was a true renaissance man, who beautifully articulated the grandeur of the gift
of life and its essential place in the heart
of human experience. Far from being
a negative “reactionary”, Blessed John
Paul II was an architect of a profound
new understanding and appreciation of
the sanctity of every human life, the
dignity of every human person and the
unique and unrepeatable quality of human identity.
The pro-life movement will draw
endless inspiration, understanding and
encouragement from the example, the
legacy, the insight, and the intercession
of Blessed John Paul II.
(Father Schenck is the Diocesan Director of the Respect Life Office.)
Web Site Honors
Pope’s Legacy
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has
launched a new Web site to honor the legacy of the late Pope John Paul
II. The site, www.usccb.org/popejohnpaulii/, features a 17-minute “John
Paul II Memorial Video,” which recaptures touching moments and key
messages during the late pope’s visits to the United States. Other contents on the site include a biography and a timeline, as well as major
writings, backgrounders, canonizations and beatifications, and more.
Several essays by USCCB experts also explore Pope John Paul’s influence and legacy in areas as diverse as East-West relations, his interaction with mass media, ethical use of technology, or the social mission of
the Church. New essays will be posted leading up to his beatification.
“Pope John Paul II touched the lives of many people across the globe,
in particular Americans during his seven visits to the United States. The
bishops’ conference created the web site to assist people in realizing
the magnitude of his work, and the video to illustrate his remarkable
relationship with the American people,” said Helen Osman, Secretary of
Communications at the USCCB.
The globetrotting, prolific author and long-reigning pope will be beatified May 1 at the Vatican, in a ceremony presided over by his successor, Pope Benedict XVI.
Catholic Culture
Priests Ministered to Catholic Soldiers
on Both Sides during Civil War
By James Breig
Catholic News Service
In 1863, a joint committee of Congress held
a hearing to assay how the Civil War was proceeding after two years of combat. A number
of experts were summoned to testify, including
General Benjamin F. Butler.
During his appearance, a lawmaker posed an
unusual question: “What has been your experience in regard to chaplains?”
The military man replied, “The chaplains, as a
rule, in the forces I commanded, were not worth
their pay by any manner of means. ... [But] I am
bound to say that I have never seen a Roman
Catholic chaplain that did not do his duty, because he was responsible to another power than
that of the military. ... They have always been
faithful, so far as my experience goes. They are
able men, appointed by the bishop, and are responsible to the bishop for the proper discharge
of their duties.”
The Catholic chaplains he lauded served the
armies of both the North and South during the
conflict, also known as the War Between the
States. Many of the priests were born in Ireland
or were of Irish descent, as were the soldiers to
whom they ministered.
A newspaper article in 1862 reckoned that
there were only 22 priests out of 472 military
chaplains. Nevertheless, their duties were fulfilled down to the most minute detail. An example was recorded in an 1864 issue of The New
York Times, which shared letters exchanged
between a chaplain and a general.
The former mailed $16 to the officer and informed him that it was “restitution for injury
done to the U.S. government. ... By no possible supposition can you ever know the name
of the party making the restitution, nor can you
ever know the circumstances of the case. The
knowledge of the fact was obtained through the
Catholic confessional, the secret of which is inviolable. The sum, though small, compensates
the government, to the last fraction, for the injury done.”
The major general replied that the money was
“just restitution, ... the acknowledgment of the
fault having been made in the confessional.”
CNS/UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME ARCHIVES/LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
Holy Cross Father William Corby, seated at right, poses with men from the Irish
brigade in a photo from Harrison’s Landing, Va., dated 1862. In the picture are two
other Holy Cross priests, Father Patrick Dillon, standing at left, and Father James
Dillon, seated at center. The other men are unidentified. Father Patrick Dillon and
Father Corby served as the second and third presidents of the University of Notre
Dame in the years following the Civil War.
Contrast that small detail by one chaplain
with the large effort exerted by Father Peter
McGrane, chaplain at the U.S. Army Hospital
in Philadelphia. He joined 25 Sisters of Charity
who were assigned by the military to care for injured and dying soldiers between 1862 and the
end of the war three years later.
One of the nuns kept a diary of the experience, noting that “on the 16th of August (1862)
over fifteen hundred sick and wounded soldiers
were brought to the hospital, most of them from
the (second) battle of Bull Run. Many had died
on the way [to the hospital] from exhaustion,
others were in a dying state, so that the chaplain, Father McGrane, was sent to administer
the sacraments.”
The priest continued to minister in the hospital, baptizing converts, celebrating Mass, hearing confessions and anointing the dying. While
he was stationary, most chaplains performed
their ministry in mobile camps and on shifting
battlefields for Union and Confederate forces.
Among the latter, one of the most famous was
Father John Bannon.
A tribute to him, written at the end of the 19th
century, said that Father Bannon “left a comfortable living and prosperous parish in this city
(St. Louis) for the privations and discomforts
of an army life. ... His influence ... was felt by
all who associated with him, and his presence
Rumors Held that Lincoln
Was at One Time a Catholic
By James Breig
Was Abraham Lincoln a Catholic?
As the sesquicentennial of the start of the
Civil War is being marked, attention is being
focused on Lincoln, whose time in the White
House was bounded by the start of the war
April 12, 1861, and his assassination April
14, 1865, just days after its end.
Debate has always swirled around his religiosity. That he read the Bible and referred
to God is well-known; that he rarely went to
church is also marked. But, while he was alive
and shortly after his death, rumors surfaced
that he was, at least for a while, a Catholic.
The July 1905 issue of The American
Catholic Researches took up the issue with an
article titled “Was Abraham Lincoln a Catholic in His Youth?” In the piece, Archbishop
John Ireland of St. Paul, Minn., responded to
a previous discussion of the question and told
what he knew:
“You report ... on the authority of the pioneer missionary of southern Illinois, Rev.
J. M. J. St. Cyr, that Abraham Lincoln was,
at one period of his life, a Catholic; and in
rebuttal ... you publish a letter from an intimate acquaintance of Mr. Lincoln, Miss Ida
M. Tarbell, to the effect that Mr. Lincoln was
never a Catholic. ...
“I happen to be able to furnish a slight
contribution to the discussion, by repeating,
beyond peril of mistake, what the old missionary, Father St. Cyr, was wont actually
to say touching Catholicity in the Lincoln
household.”
Archbishop Ireland, a giant of the 19th-century Catholic Church in America, told how
Father St. Cyr was a missionary in southern
Illinois. The two clergymen spent a month
together in 1866, and the bishop wrote down
the priest’s recollections:
“I visited several times the Lincolns in
their home in southern Illinois,” Father St.
Cyr recounted. “The father and the stepmother of Abraham Lincoln both were Catholics.
How they had become Catholics, I do not
know. They were not well-instructed in their
religion; but they were strong and sincere in
their profession of it. I said Mass repeatedly
in their house. Abraham was not a Catholic;
he never had been one, and he never led me
to believe that he would become one. At the
time, Abraham was twenty years old or thereabouts. ... He used to assist me in preparing
the altar for Mass.”
Archbishop Ireland, affirming that “I cannot allow myself to doubt [the] absolute correctness” of the account, gave his own theory
of the Lincolns.
“Is not the supposition permissible,” he
asked, “that the second wife of Thomas Lincoln, a Kentuckian, if not a Catholic from the
first, brought with her to the West tendencies
which afterwards led her to become a Catholic, and that she drew her husband into the
fold, without being able to influence her stepson, Abraham?
“And is not this other supposition equally
permissible, in view of the religious conditions at the time in southern Illinois, that
Thomas Lincoln and his wife had been known
to Father Cyr as Catholics without being afterwards known as such to other priests, or
at least without being ever reported as such
by others, or even that they were remembered
by some persons as attending afterwards now
and then non-Catholic churches.”
If Father St. Cyr’s story was accurate – and
Archbishop Ireland believed it – then Lincoln
was surrounded by his Catholic parents but
never felt the impulse to join the church himself.
wherever he went repressed the rude manners
of the camp.
“Not that he objected to gaiety and mirthful
pleasure, for he had the most affable manners
and genial nature, but he always frowned upon
the soldiers’ unrestrained expressions and rude
jests. ... He became noted for his bravery in the
field in attending the wounded and dying in
very exposed places. He was both a pious and a
practical man, and became a ministering angel
wherever broken and bruised humanity needed
help and consolation.”
Father Bannon became so renowned that
Confederate President Jefferson Davis dispatched him to Ireland to appeal for support for
the South. The priest remained there until his
death in 1913.
On the other side of the front lines, Holy
Cross Father William Corby, who would later
become president of the University of Notre
Dame, served Northern troops during the Battle
of Gettysburg, Pa. He did so with such distinction that a statue of him now stands on that
battleground.
The sculpture portrays him with his hand
raised in blessing. A plaque informs visitors that
the monument shows “Father Corby, a chaplain
of the Irish brigade, giving general absolution
and blessing before battle at Gettysburg, July 2,
1863.”
The priest really did don a stole, climb atop a
rock and address hundreds of soldiers, offering
them absolution if they were genuinely penitent
and reminding them of the justice of their cause.
The scene was witnessed by an officer who
later wrote that “every man fell on his knees,
his head bowed down. ... The scene was more
than impressive; it was awe-inspiring. ... I do
not think there was a man in the brigade who
did not offer up a heartfelt prayer. For some, it
was their last.”
In his memoirs, Father Corby, who vowed to
stay “within gunshot” of his men, likened his
fidelity to the Irish brigade to a marriage. Being a chaplain, he said, was “much like getting
married ... for better, for worse, for richer, for
poorer, till death do us part.”
Lincoln Called
on New York
Archbishop to
Provide Priests
as Chaplains
CNS/LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
President Abraham Lincoln is pictured
in a portrait by Civil War photographer
Mathew Brady. Lincoln read the Bible
and referred to God, but his affiliation
with any church remains uncertain.
But there was something very fishy about
the missionary’s claim, as the magazine revealed. An anonymous researcher identified
only as “a distinguished churchman” declared
that Lincoln could not have served Father St.
Cyr’s Mass.
By Archbishop Ireland’s report, Lincoln
was 20 when Father St. Cyr celebrated the
liturgy in the Lincoln cabin. But when the future president was 20 – in 1829 – the priest
had not yet been ordained.
But Father St. Cyr’s tale was not the only
claim. In 1864, while Lincoln was still alive,
newspapers in San Francisco and New Zealand reported that Lincoln had become a
Catholic in 1852, when he was 43. The baptism, according to the newspapers, was performed by a priest named Father Raho.
Said the Researchers magazine of the Father St. Cyr allegation: “Lincoln’s religion
has been so mooted a question that we are
prepared to hear eventually that he was a
Buddhist.”
On Oct. 21, 1861, President Abraham
Lincoln penned a letter to Archbishop
John Hughes of New York City.
Lincoln began with an apology for his
ignorance of the proper term of address
for an archbishop. “Rt. Rev. Sir,” he
wrote, “I am sure you will pardon me if,
in my ignorance, I do not address [you]
with technical correctness.”
He then proceeded to invite the prelate to name priests who could serve
as hospital chaplains. By doing so, the
president admitted, he was sidestepping
the law.
“I find no law authorizing the appointment of Chaplains for our hospitals,” he
wrote, “and yet the services of chaplains
are more needed, perhaps, in the hospitals, than with the healthy soldiers in the
field. With this view, I have given a sort
of quasi appointment, (a copy of which I
inclose) to each of three protestant ministers, who have accepted, and entered
upon the duties.”
Lincoln continued, “If you perceive
no objection, I will thank you to give me
the name or names of one or more suitable persons of the Catholic Church, to
whom I may with propriety, tender the
same service.”
He signed off “with the highest respect, Your Obt. Servt. A. LINCOLN.”
April 22, 2011, THE CATHOLIC WITNESS - Local Church News
JEN REED, THE CATHOLIC WITNESS
Computer class teacher and technology coordinator Claire Schneider offers fellow Lebanon Catholic School teachers an after-school course on technology in the classroom.
Lebanon Catholic Teachers
Take Advantage of
After-School Technology Course
well-equipped computer lab at the PreK-12 school.
“It’s so important for them to learn what’s out there
and how to use it. They come to the class willingly,
At Lebanon Catholic School, teachers have access and they enjoy being here,” Mrs. Schneider said as
to SMART Boards, wireless slate tablets and Web she prepared the lab for the day’s lessons on Web 2.0
cameras. Via connection to the innovative diocesan tools.
“It’s a lot for them to teach all day and then come
wide-area network, they can introduce their students
to people and cultures around the world with Skype here for an hour, so we do a lot of hands-on activivideo calling, and offer hands-on and interactive ties,” she said.
Class that day included a lively rendition of the
learning with the Web-based Study Island program.
Not only are the teachers armed with the latest in song “Learning about Technology is Cool!” which
technology, they’re armed with lessons on how to Mrs. Schneider wrote to the tune of “Winter Wondermake it part of an enhanced classroom experience for land,” and samples of animation Web sites she used to
bring to life cartoon caricatures of fellow teachers.
today’s students.
Earlier in the school year, she created her own verClaire Schneider, computer teacher and technology
coordinator at Lebanon Catholic, has offered her fel- sion of Oprah’s Favorite Things, surprising teachers
low teachers an after-school professional development with items like SMART Slate tablets and web cameras purchased with grant money.
course this year on technology in the classroom.
“They key is to get them to learn the technologies,
Several times a month, after the dismissal bell
rings, some 20 elementary and secondary teachers programs and Web sites that are available,” Mrs. Schparticipate in an hour-long class in Mrs. Schneider’s neider said.
Many teachers have jumped in head first.
Health and First Aid teacher Patricia
Hower brings students to the computer lab
for online surgery. Religion teacher Julie
Shuyler created an interactive quiz on the
Ten Commandments, and German and English teacher Gail Vojtko introduced students
to Jeopardy games on a full-size SMART
Board.
“From our newest teachers to our longtime teachers, everyone has the opportunity
to use technology,” Mrs. Schneider said.
“They have embraced it. They want to use it.
I’m so thrilled when they tell me they used a
new program in their class.”
Ms. Vojtko marveled about the wealth of
technology. “You just have to find the time
to search for the material and then put it together for your classroom,” she said. “Once
you learn it and put it together, it gets easier
to use. I try to get myself as involved as I
can.”
Ms. Vojtko commended Mrs. Schneider
for her commitment to furthering the teachers’ knowledge and use of new technology
and programs. In addition to the professional development courses Mrs. Schneider
has offered in the past two school years (last
year she conducted a SMART Board class),
she is always available when teachers need
assistance.
At Lebanon Catholic, and in schools
throughout the diocese, classroom learning
is enhanced by programs that provide interactive and hands-on experiences. It’s all part
of the schools’ plans to meet students where
they are.
Teachers in Clarie Schneider’s class enjoy interactive
“The possibilities are endless,” Mrs. Schand entertaining presentations to help enhance their neider said. “The more comfortable we beventure into technology, like Mrs. Schneider’s song come with technology, the further we can go
beyond the four walls of our classrooms.”
“Learning About Technology is Cool.”
By Jen Reed
‘Theology on Tap’
Sessions Scheduled
Hungering for spiritual food?
Thirsting for community and
faith? Come to Theology
on Tap, an opportunity
for young adults ages 2135, single or married, to
gather for a speaker and
conversation series in order to learn more about
the Catholic faith and live
it more fully.
Sessions will be held at
Ceoltas in Harrisburg and Annie Bailey’s Irish Pub in Lancaster.
Harrisburg:
• May 12 – John Cominsky, Trinity High School, “Capital
Punishment”
The evening begins with arrival at 6:30 p.m., the speaker
at 7 p.m., questions and answers at 7:45 p.m., and socializing
at 8 p.m. For information, and to register, visit the Theology
on Tap-Harrisburg group on facebook or www.theologyontapharrisburg.com.
lancaster:
• May 4 – Father John Rapisarda, Associate Pastor of Our
Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Baltimore, Md.
The evening begins at 7:30 p.m. with a Happy ½ Hour cash
bar, the speaker at 8 p.m., time for questions and answers at
8:45 p.m. and socializing at 9 p.m. For information, contact
Mary Ellen Reitmeyer at 717-394-1035 or youth_ministry@
stleos.org, or Elise Grignon at [email protected]. Or, find
Young Adults of St. Leo’s on facebook or visit www.totlancaster.com.
Faith and Life
Bishop Joseph
McFadden
breathes over the
vessel of chrism
during the Consecration of the
Sacred Chrism.
Deacon
Michael Grella,
Director of the
Diocesan Office
for Continuing
Formation for
Deacons, carries the Oil of
the Sick in the
recessional.
Chrism Mass
Continued from 1
Priestly Service, the priests stood and resolved to unite themselves more closely to
Christ, to be faithful ministers of the mysteries of God, to celebrate the Eucharist
and other liturgical services with sincere
devotion, and to imitate Christ in teaching
the Christian faith.
“It is important that each priest must
see very clearly the prescription given for
living out this life,” Bishop McFadden remarked in the homily.
Addressing the priests, he said, “We
are called to proclaim the Good News,
the Gospel, to all people in this region of
Pennsylvania. This is perhaps our first and
most important task. Like the Lord Jesus,
we must be willing and ready to teach others about God and his plan for humanity.
We must be willing and ready to share our
faith with others so that they too may come
to know and believe in Jesus Christ.”
He spoke about the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation, the “great gift
of Jesus to his Church,” and urged priests
to “help our people rediscover this great
treasure.”
“You and I, my brother priests, have
been given the great privilege to bind up
and heal the wounds of the Lord’s people.
We have been given the power to release
those from bondage and give them a
glimpse of the very heart of God that is
meted out in his mercy in this great sacrament,” he said.
“As we proclaim the Gospel and give
freedom to God’s people through the
sacrament…we are reminded at this
Mass that along with Jesus, we are sent
to strengthen God’s people. It is at this
Mass that we will bless the holy oils that
will be an integral part of our ministry in
the year ahead.”
During the Chrism Mass, the oils and
Sacred Chrism that will be used in the
celebration of the sacraments throughout
the coming year were blessed.
The Oil of the Catechumens is used
to anoint those preparing to receive the
Sacrament of Baptism. The Oil of the
Sick is used to anoint the infirm and
those advanced in age in the Sacrament
of the Anointing of the Sick. The Sacred
Chrism is used in the baptism of children, the Sacrament of Confirmation, the
ordination of priests and bishops, and the
dedication of altars.
Adorers Reflect on Blessings as St. Margaret Mary
Chapel Marks 15th Anniversary
By Jen Reed
ian Year’s Pilgrim Statue of the Assumption of the
Blessed Virgin Mary. Holy Hours have been prayed
in the chapel for Bosnian war victims, for vocations
to the priesthood, and on Corpus Christi Sunday and
New Year’s Eve.
Of noteworthy significance, a novena to St. Margaret Mary was prayed in the chapel, asking for her
intersession to begin the devotion. In gratitude for
her intersession, a “Thank You Booklet” containing
more than 400 signatures was taken to Paray le Monial in France, and presented at the saint’s tomb in
the very chapel where Jesus told her he thirsted to
be loved by men in the Blessed Sacrament.
“Countless graces and blessings have been received,” Ms. Bradel said. “People come to spend
time with Jesus; to pray for their intentions and to
simply be there to show their love for him and receive his love in return.”
“The chapel is like Bethany; a place where Jesus
comes to rest with friends and where he waits for us
to come to rest with him,” she remarked.
The St. Margaret Mary Perpetual Adoration Chapel is one of ten in the Diocese of Harrisburg. The
others are at Corpus Christi Parish in Chambersburg; Villa Sacred Heart in Danville; St. Joseph Parish in Lancaster; Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin
Mary Parish in McSherrystown; St. Theresa Parish
in New Cumberland; St. John the Baptist Parish
in New Freedom; St. Patrick Parish in York; Holy
Spirit Parish in Palmyra; and St. Patrick Parish in
Carlisle.
Adorers at St. Margaret
Mary’s perpetual adoration chapel speak of the
blessings of spending time
before the Lord in prayer.
“The chapel means life.
It’s a place to spend time
because it’s like a reward
for everything from the
past. Many others that I
talk to say the same thing,”
said Nick Detoma.
Ana Spaeder remarked,
“The chapel is wonderful
for me. It completes my
life. It guides me.”
(The chapel is open for
visitors at any time of day
or night. Those interested
in becoming a scheduled
participant in this devotion
may come to the chapel at
2848 Herr St. (behind the
rectory) and use the signup forms provided or call
EMILY M. ALBERT, THE CATHOLIC WITNESS Eileen Bradel at 717-236prayer before the Blessed Sacrament in the perpetual adoration chapel at St. 6852.)
Fifteen years ago, to mark the establishment of
the perpetual adoration chapel at St. Margaret Mary
Parish in Harrisburg, parishioners concluded a 40
Hours ceremony with a procession from the former
church on Herr Street to the convent chapel, where
the Blessed Sacrament was placed upon the altar for
all to come before the Lord in the Eucharist.
Last month, in tribute to the1996 formation of the
chapel and to call to mind the countless blessings
born from it, the faithful once again congregated
in procession to the chapel, this time prior to the
close of 40 Hours held at the new church on Paxton
Church Road.
The solemn celebration
shed light on the myriad
prayers brought before the
Lord and the innumerable
Holy Hours offered as expressions of faith in the
Real Presence of Christ.
“It’s where I can come to
be with Jesus. It’s the happiest place on earth,” said
Sandy Shillow, one of 323
regularly scheduled adorers who pray at the chapel.
Some 85 people visit the
chapel weekly or daily,
and there are many faithful substitutes who help
ensure that someone is before the Blessed Sacrament
at all times, noted Eileen
Bradel, coordinator for St.
Margaret Mary’s perpetual
adoration chapel.
She noted that, in its 15
years, the chapel has hosted the Missionary Image
of Our Lady of Guadalupe Adorers spend time in
and the Diocesan Mar- Margaret Mary Parish in Harrisburg.
April 22, 2011, THE CATHOLIC WITNESS - Faith and Life
Images of
Palm Sunday
Members of the Diocesan Youth Council hoist the cross on the steps of the state Capitol at the start of the Palm Sunday liturgy.
H
undreds of teens
from across the
diocese joined Bishop
Joseph McFadden in a
public witness to their
faith on Palm Sunday
during the annual World
Youth Day celebration that included the
blessing of palms on
the steps of the state
Capitol, a procession to
St. Patrick Cathedral for
the continuation of the
liturgy, and a meal and
concert at Strawberry
Square. The youth-oriented event, begun in
1987 by then-Bishop
William Keeler, was
filled with song and
many youth groups carried colorful banners to
represent their parish.
Monies collected during
the offertory benefitted Catholic Charities
Adoption and Foster
Care Services.
Top, left: Shadows of the cross in procession offer a poignant Holy Week image.
Left, middle: Bishop Joseph McFadden sprinkles participants before the procession to St. Patrick Cathedral, where Mass continued.
Left, bottom: Hermina Boyle is reflected in the Cathedral’s piano as she directs
a choir of diocesan youth during the liturgy.
Above: Teens enjoy pre-liturgy music by the student group “Final Hour” as they
gather for the annual celebration.
Below: A stained-glass window at St. Patrick Cathedral illustrates Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem.
10 - THE CATHOLIC WITNESS, April 22, 2011
Catholic Sports Report
New Book Co-Written by Catholic Journalist
Retells Basketball ‘Miracle’
a foreword by University of Florida Coach Billy
Donovan, and reactions from families who have
struggled with disabilities and acceptance.
In the book, Johnson recalls that his whisMuch has changed for Greece Athena High
pered prayer for “J-Mac” to make a single
School varsity basketball coach Jim Johnson and
basket was answered sevenfold. The managerformer team manager Jason “J-Mac” McElwain
turned-player made seven baskets, including six
since Feb. 15, 2006.
three-pointers, and he became the team’s high
That was the night Johnson put McElwain into
scorer for the game.
the game, and the teen – who is autistic – went
“I walk into the gym, and I still get chills,”
on to score 20 points in the final 3:11 of the only
said McElwain, now 22, who has chronicled
varsity contest he ever played. The story of what
his personal story in his own 2008 book “The
Johnson terms a miraculous night was picked up
Game of My Life: A True Story of Challenge,
by news media around the country.
Triumph, and Growing Up Autistic.” Today,
In the five years following that game, the pair
McElwain works part time and volunteers as a
shook hands with President George W. Bush
program assistant with the Greece Athena varand exchanged autographs with celebrities at
sity basketball team.
the 2006 NCAA Final Four in Indianapolis, the
Yet, McElwain said the Feb. 15 game was not
ESPN Espy Awards and the Teen Choice Awards.
the highlight of the team’s season, in his opinA movie being made about the game features
CNS/TAMARA TIRADO, CATHOLIC COURIER ion. That came days later, when the team capMagic Johnson as an executive producer.
Jim Johnson and McElwain also are fixtures on Jason McElwain and coach Jim Johnson pose for a photo following tured the Section 5 championship.
That title had always eluded Johnson, but the
the inspirational speaking circuit, sharing their a Feb. 15 basketball game at Greece Athena High School in Greece,
stories of the game with everyone from educators N.Y. McElwain, who is a high-functioning autistic, found national ac- coach notes in his book that the personal thrill
claim five years ago when he scored 20 points in four minutes as a of that win was eclipsed by the joy of helping
to executives.
And with the release of a new book, Johnson is player for Greece Athena. Johnson has co-written a book titled “A make someone else’s dream come true. Johnson
Coach and a Miracle: Life Lessons From a Man who Believed in an said the key to McElwain’s success was his total
now a published author.
perseverance to reach his dream.
In “A Coach and a Miracle: Life Lessons From Autistic Boy.”
“He is the only student-athlete that has actua Man who Believed in an Autistic Boy,” he
frames the game and season within his Catholic faith and ploded, I felt there were so many wonderful life lessons ally tried out for our program three years in a row,” said
reveals how he nearly quit coaching at the beginning of throughout that season,” Johnson said. “This was a way I Johnson, noting that McElwain agreed to be team mancould share the things I’ve learned.”
the 2005-06 season because of internal team strife.
ager even after having been cut three times.
The book invites readers at the beginning and end of
Johnson, a parishioner of Our Mother of Sorrows ParNearly every day, McElwain reminded Johnson of a
ish in Greece, N.Y., co-wrote the book with Mike Latona, each chapter to try such self-improvement tasks as setsenior staff writer at the Catholic Courier, Rochester ting goals, writing a personal mission statement and preseason promise to find him a jersey and a few minutes of playing time.
diocesan newspaper. The book is published by Beacon serving others.
“Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought he
Publishing.
The book also puts the game in perspective through
“When I had a vision of this book after the story ex- reflections from sports celebrities and experts, including would have scored 20 points,” Johnson said.
By Amy Kotlarz
Haitian Soccer Players Get Their
Kicks Despite Being Amputees
By Dennis Sadowski
Even though it was just practice,
Chery Sequel shot the ball, got down on
his knee, pointed a finger and shouted
“Scooooooooore!”
His excitement was contagious. Later, he
led a chest bump with teammates who combined for another goal.
Sequel had another reason to be happy as
well. He was on a soccer field playing the
game he loved despite having lost his right
leg an automobile accident in 1992.
The 39-year-old Sequel is among a slowly
growing contingent of Haitian soccer players who have had an arm or leg amputated
because of an accident or an injury during
the country’s 2010 earthquake. Currently,
24 men are part of a team of amputees who
joined together to prove that they can be athletes and contributing members of society.
That’s a difficult task in a country where
the amputees are rarely accepted.
At practice at a field nearly under the
flight path of nearby Toussaint Louverture
International Airport, about a dozen team
members participated in rigorous agility
drills, reviewed positioning techniques and
scrimmaged. Almost all have lost a leg.
Goalkeeper Francois St-Julien had part of
his left arm amputated after being injured in
the earthquake.
The players dribbled and passed well
and hustled to chase loose balls. Most team
members glided across the field with the aid
of crutches, using them for support when
they shot or passed the ball. The crutches
were considered extensions of their arms,
and any attempt to block or pass the ball
with them was not allowed.
The team meets three times a week to
practice. On most days not all team members are able to practice because they must
report to work, said head coach Cedieu Fortilus.
Fortilus, 35, also is a technician at the
Ossur International Prosthetic and Orthotics Laboratory at Bernard Mevs Hospital
in Port-au-Prince. There he assembles prosthetic devices for amputees under the University of Miami’s Project Medishare. The
project is also funded by the Knights of Columbus under its Healing Haiti’s Children
program.
The team is nicknamed the Tarantulas
– “zaryen” in Creole. The name is significant, Cedieu explained, because a tarantula
is not hampered when it loses a leg and can
regenerate the lost limb over time.
Fortilus and colleague Wilfrid Macena
have been instrumental in building the team
since it formed in August. An avid soccer
player, Macena lost his right leg when a wall
CNS/BOB ROLLER
Tarantulas players fight for the ball during an early morning practice on a soccer
field in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
fell on him during the quake.
The two were concerned that many people
with an amputated limb felt they would be
hampered from living a normal life because
of their disabilities. The two men talked
with supervisors at the hospital’s prosthetic
and physical therapy program and were put
in touch with the Challenged Athletes Foundation, which helped with funding for uniforms and shoes.
“I am so proud that I can show some
people I am amputee and I can walk again,”
said Macena, whose wife is expecting the
couple’s second child in July.
He has been fitted with a prostheses, but
removes it to play soccer. He said he drives
to work daily at the lab. The couple continues to live in a tent camp in the Dichini
neighborhood of Carrefour, just west of the
capital.
St-Julien said playing soccer has helped
him overcome the adversities he and his
family have experienced since the earthquake. He said he has been unable to find
work since the disaster hit and continued to
live in a tent camp not far from the field with
his wife and seven children, ages 2-16.
Team member Xavier Semareste, 39, said
playing soccer helps him “feel alive.”
“This is important for me and all the
guys,” he said. “They [Fortilus and Macena]
created this to alleviate the stress.”
Cedieu said the team has played at several venues in Port-au-Prince, including the
international soccer stadium in the center of
town, where some of the most severe destruction occurred. The success of the men’s
team led Fortilus to form a women’s team.
He also has started to recruit for a children’s
team.
April 22, 2011, THE CATHOLIC WITNESS - 11
Local Church News
The names of the following deceased
persons have been submitted by their
parishes:
ANNVillE – St. Paul the Apostle:
Carolyn Smith.
BErWiCK – St. Joseph:
Frances Matash.
BlOOMSBUrG – St. Columba:
Brendan A. Bonomo, Reginald J.
Miller, Pamela A. Onisick.
CAMp Hill – Good Shepherd:
Mary Jane Hernjak, Charles Leggett.
CArliSlE – St. Patrick:
Thomas Walck.
CHAMBErSBUrG – Corpus Christi:
Robert Bray.
COlUMBiA – Holy Trinity:
Daniel Wickenheiser.
DANVillE – St. Joseph:
Frances Morgante, Ann Piestrak.
DUNCANNON – St. Bernadette:
James Knight.
GETTYSBUrG – St. Francis Xavier:
Marie Scheller.
HANOVEr – St. Joseph: Mildred
Cursey, Charles Favasuli,
Rosetta Havens, Joseph Moore,
John Rudisill, Jr., Treva Sneeringer,
John Willet, James Wolford;
St. Vincent de Paul: Etheline Groft,
Faye Jacoby.
HArriSBUrG – Holy Family:
Eleanor Cox, Richard Madara; Holy
Name of Jesus: Joseph A. Cyphers, Jr.,
Elsie Intrieri, Helen Klemovich,
Richard H. White, Jr.; St. Catherine
Labouré: Augusta Castellana; St.
Francis of Assisi: Ramon Arocho,
Yaivette Jones.
HErSHEY – St. Joan of Arc:
Jerome Boyd, Leo Nese.
KUlpMONT – Holy Angels: Mildred
Balon, Alicia Fisher, Eleanor Fisher,
Elizabeth Breskiewicz.
lANCASTEr – Assumption BVM:
Marueen (Reenie) Hirschler; Sacred
Heart: Dennis Austin,
Dr. Laurence France, Thomas McEvoy;
St. Anne: Elaine J. Costello; St. Joseph:
Edward Krause.
liTTlESTOWN – St. Aloysius:
Richard Eckenrode.
MCSHErrYSTOWN – Annunciation
BVM: Neal Leonard, Jr.
MECHANiCSBUrG – St. Joseph:
Mildred Curran, Carmela Kavasansky.
MiDDlETOWN – Seven Sorrows
BVM: Joseph Biros, Nicholas Parrell,
Evelyn Shaffer.
MillErSVillE – St. Philip the
Apostle: Dwight Fetterhoff,
Mary Ellen Rebman.
MilTON – St. Joseph: Betty Wilver.
MOUNT CArMEl – Divine
Redeemer: Ida DeGaetano,
Gerald M. Malinowski,
Bertha Pinamonti.
NEW OXFOrD – Immaculate
Conception BVM: Robert M. Barbour.
SHAMOKiN – Mother Cabrini:
Rose Duncheskie, Richard Landi,
Shirley Lehman, Charles Socha,
Elizabeth Tiley, Michael Vazquez,
Albert Zarkowski.
SHippENSBUrG – Our Lady of the
Visitation: George Rasy, Jr.
TrEVOrTON – St. Patrick:
Lena E. Konyar, Michael E. Schlenker,
Edward F. Walsh.
YOrK – St. Joseph: James K. Ember;
St. Patrick: Lucy Traettino.
Sister Bridget Hayden
Christian Charity Sister Bridget
Hayden died at Holy Family Convent
in Danville April 12. She was 82.
Born Margaret Hayden in Brooklyn,
N.Y., she entered the congregation of
the Sisters of Christian Charity at Mendham, N.J., in 1945. Her entire religious
ministry was dedicated to teaching in
the elementary schools of the community in Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and North Carolina.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Misericordia College in
Dallas, Pa., and a master’s in education
from Seton Hall University in New Jersey. Sister Bridget moved to Holy Family Convent in 2007.
The funeral Mass was celebrated
April 16 in the convent chapel. Burial
was in St. Joseph Cemetery, Danville.
Help build a culture of peace, improve literacy and education and alleviate
hunger and poverty by attending a dinner dance to benefit WUCWO (World
Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations.)
The fundraiser, featuring the band “Pentagon,” will be held May 14 at the
Best Western Premier-Central Hotel and Conference Center in Harrisburg.
Cash bar begins at 5 p.m., followed by a buffet dinner at 6 p.m., and the band
from 7-11 p.m. The evening will be hosted by Valerie Pritchett of ABC 27 and
Tom Russell of CBS 21.
“The World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations’ canonical status as
a public international association of the faithful means that it speaks and acts
in the name of the Church, as the voice of the Church as well as the voice of
women in the Church,” remarked Karen Hurley, former President General
and member of St. Margaret Mary Parish in Harrisburg.
“Your support of the dinner dance will help WUCWO secure funding for
representation so that the voices of faithful Catholic women can be heard advocating for initiatives which affirm human dignity and safeguard life, which
revere the sacrament of marriage between one man and one woman, strengthen the family, insist on real health care for mothers and babies and put an end
to all forms of violence and exploitation of women and children,” she said.
Expressing her gratitude to those who support WUCWO, Joann Hillebrand,
Treasurer General, said, ��ecause of your continued financial assistance and
prayers we are able to make a difference in the lives of women and children
throughout the world. I continue to be amazed at the suffering but deep faith
our sisters in developing countries have, they have truly been a blessing to
me.”
WUCWO President General Maria Giovanna Ruggieri remarked that one
of WUCWO’s urgent tasks involves formation related to the Church’s social
teaching. “This means investing more and more sources in periodicals and
other instructive material which may reach as many women as possible to
accompany them in this task,” she said. “Your help is particularly appreciated
especially in these latest years of crisis and economical difficulties.”
All proceeds from the May 14 event will benefit WUCWO. Cost is $40 per
person, $75 per couple and $300 for a table of eight. For information, hotel
reservations or tickets, contact Deb at 717-514-8115 or Mvdb01@verizon.
net.
Holy Spirit to Host Girls’ Night Out in Carlisle
please pray for the following clergy
who died in April during the past 25
years:
Msgr. Joseph Guy Gotwalt, 1988
Deacon Alphonse Formica, 1991
Msgr. Joseph Hager, 1992
Msgr. Bernard Mattern, 1992
Deacon Halmon Banks Sr., 1993
Msgr. Donald Adams, 1996
Father Patrick D’Alessandro, 1996
Deacon Arthur Colonell, 1996
Father Anthony Burakowski, 2002
Father Curtis Delarm, 2005
Father Mark Matthew Casey, OMI, 2007.
Elysburg parish
Marks 60th
Anniversary with
pilgrimage to rome
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Dinner Dance Featuring “Pentagon” Will Benefit
Work of Catholic Women’s Organizations
As part of the 60th anniversary celebration of Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Parish in Elysburg, 50 parishioners
recently made a pilgrimage to Rome
and other places in Italy. While there,
the group visit St. Peter’s Square.
The pilgrimage was led by Father Al
Sceski, pastor of Queen of the Most
Holy Rosary, shown at left in the photo
with tour guide Luca.
Holy Spirit Health System’s Spirit of Women program is hosting Spirit
Girls’ Night Out May 6 from 6-9 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for health
screening registration. This free event will be held at the Army Heritage and
Education Center, 950 Soldier’s Drive, Carlisle.
With the theme, “Your Best Health is in the Bag,” Spirit Girls’ Night Out
will bring women together for fun, inspiration and learning. The focus is on
prevention and health education for women of every generation. Participants
can learn more about topics such as endometriosis, fibroids, prolapse, menopause and minimally invasive surgery.
Free blood pressure, bone density, carotid artery, glucose and cholesterol
screenings, as well as sleep disorder, heart and venous blood clot risk assessments will be offered during the event.
Individuals can watch and participate in activities, take advantage of the
free chair massages provided by The Spa at the McCann School of Business
and Technology, and enjoy the shopping, refreshments, and more. Women
may bring gently used accessories for the accessory exchange.
Spirit Girls’ Night Out is a free event open to women age 18 and older. To
register for this free event, call 717-972-4879.
Participants will have the opportunity to register for the Spirit of Women
Membership Program. This free membership program entitles members to
discounts at partner businesses, as well as discounted or free entry to future
Spirit of Women events and programs.
For more information about this Spirit of Women event, call 717-972-4879
or visit www.hsh.org.
Men’s retreat at Malvern Set for May
“Put out into the Deep” is the theme for the annual men’s retreat at the Malvern Retreat House. In today’s world of 24/7 sounds bites, not-stop commercials, loud music and the like, it can be difficult to hear the really important
voiced in our life.
Sometimes we just need a quiet, safe place where we can listen to God
who knows us, loves us and wants to tell us what is best for us. The Malvern
Retreat House is such a place. Join the men of the diocese for this retreat,
scheduled for the weekend of May 13-15.
To learn more, contact Larry Fox at 717-545-1004 or larrypfx631@gmail.
com. Information is also available for women, married couples, youth and
families at www.malvernretreat.com.
Young Church in Action
Diocese Recognizes
Merit Scholars
At a luncheon with Bishop Joseph McFadden April
5, the Diocese of Harrisburg recognized its two finalists in this year’s National Merit Scholarship Program,
Adrianne Feldmiller and Emily Goetz, both of Trinity
High School in Camp Hill.
The National Merit Scholarship Program is an annual academic competition for high school students to
receive recognition and college scholarships. Nearly
1.5 million students enter the program each year, and
less than 10,000 are awarded scholarships for undergraduate study. The honors awarded to exceptional
students are viewed as definitive marks of excellence.
Adrianne Feldmiller has been a member of the Key
Club, Spanish Club, Thon Committee, Environmental
Club and girls’ soccer team at Trinity, and has been
honored for her accomplishments in science fairs and
the National Spanish Exam. She has served as a student dance teacher in the community. In college, Adrianne is considering majors in pharmacy, radiologic
medicine and biomedical engineering.
Emily Goetz has been a member of Trinity’s Math
Honor Society, Environmental Club, Thon Committee, Key Club, National Honor Society and Foreign
Language Honor Society, and has been honored for
her accomplishments in the National Spanish Exam
and the Scholastic Art and Writing Fair. In the community, she has been involved in Adopt-a-Highway,
the Capital Area Senior Environmental Corps, and an
international sea turtle protection program in Costa Merit Scholars Adrianne Feldmiller, left, and Emily Goetz,
Rica. In college, Emily is considering majors in envi- right, stand with Bishop Joseph McFadden and Father Edward Quinlan, Diocesan Secretary for Education.
ronmental studies and biology.
During the 15th annual Mardi Gras celebration hosted by Mary, Gate of Heaven
Parish in Myerstown, Bishop Joseph McFadden gathered with the youth of the
SCOUT COMplETES EAGlE prOJECT
Grant Dube, a member of St. Joseph Parish in
Dallastown and a member of Pack 47 there, had his
Court of Honor held at the church March 6. Grant’s
Eagle project involved restoring a creek bed and
building a bridge to cross the creek at the Dallastown High School soccer fields. Grant also served as
an altar server for St. Joseph Parish for many years.
He is a student at Dallastown High School.
SlOUGH SCHOlArSHip FUND
Applications are currently available to all student
Diocese Seeks
World Youth Day
Correspondents
The Diocesan Communications
Department is looking for youth
and young adults who will be
traveling as pilgrims with our
Diocesan group to World Youth
Day in Madrid, Spain, to serve
as media correspondents.
Correspondents will post video footage, photographs, articles
or blogged descriptions of their
World Youth Day experiences.
Their work will be posted on the
diocesan Web site and social media
pages, and considered for reprint in The Catholic Witness
newspaper.
The Diocesan Communications Department will work
with those selected through training sessions in video,
photography and writing. A social media kit will be given
to correspondents, who will work together in teams while
on pilgrimage for World Youth Day.
Involvement as a World Youth Day correspondent
will give those selected a rare chance to share their experiences with others and help them to an even deeper
experience of the many activities. The assignments as
a photographer, videographer or writer will build portfolio pieces and will be a tremendous addition to our coverage of World Youth Day.
For additional information, e-mail Communications@
hbgdiocese.org or visit www.hbgdiocese.org/wyd2011.
DAN CULHANE, MARY GATE OF HEAVEN
parish during the festive event. Several hundred parishioners attended the celebration on the Eve of Ash Wednesday, which included activities for children.
members of Queen Most Holy Rosary Parish in Elysburg who are enrolled in a Catholic school. Applications for the 2011-2012 school year are due April
30, 2011.
Contributions to support this annual scholarship
can be made “In Memory or In Honor” of a loved
one. Send your tax deductible contribution to: The
C.R. Slough Scholarship Fund, c/o of Queen Most
Holy Rosary, 599 West Center St., Elysburg, PA
17824. For additional information on planned giving in support of the scholarship fund, call 570-6722302
DANCE FOr A CAUSE
Recently the students of Our Mother of Perpetual
Help School in Ephrata held a dance-a-thon to raise
money for St. Gerard’s School in Haiti, a Redemptorist parish devastated by last year’s earthquake.
The event was organized by PTO President Julie
Quagliata and Vanessa Sembrat, both of Lititz. The
children had a great time dancing and enjoyed an ice
cream treat. Thanks to their efforts, the school was
able to raise $3,500 to be sent to the St. Gerard’s
school in Haiti.
iriSH HiSTOriANS
The Cardinal William Keeler Division of the
Ancient Order of Hibernians announced the
winners for the best entries for their annual essay contest on Irish history. Three fifth-grade
students from Midge Wida’s class at Lebanon
Catholic School were recognized with certificates and received cash prizes for their written
essays. The topic for the essay was on an outstanding achievement by an Irish person who
was significant to American history. The winning students are Gabrielle Andrews, Hervinah
Celestin and Nathan Hatzfeld.
Compiled by Jen Reed
Spiritual Offerings
Pax Christi Good Friday Walking Way of the Cross in
Harrisburg will begin at 10 a.m. April 22. Meet at Dauphin
County Courthouse at Front and Market Streets at 9:45 a.m.
Participants take part in scriptures, prayer, song, modern
themes of social justice and peace. The walk is about 90
minutes long.
The youth group at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in
Lancaster will present Stations of the Cross for Familes at
noon April 22 in the church. For information, contact Alyson
Dreer at 717-394-0669.
Traditional Latin Mass and Easter Services of the Mater
Dei Community at St. Lawrence Chapel in Harrisburg: Good
Friday at 3 p.m., Holy Saturday Easter Vigil at 9 p.m., and
Easter Sunday Sung Mass at 9 a.m. View the Web site and
bulletin online at www.hbglatinmass.com.
St. Patrick Cathedral in Harrisburg will hold a Tenebrae
service (Latin for darkness or shadows) on Good Friday,
April 22, at 8 p.m. Tenebrae, marked by the extinguishing of
candles, is a solemn Holy Week devotion that dates back to
the seventh or eighth century and commemorates the death
of Christ.
Mass in the Croatian language will be celebrated Easter
Sunday, April 24, at 12:30 p.m. at Prince of Peace—Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Steelton. The
Croatian Mass for May is scheduled for May 29 at 12:30 p.m.
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in
Lebanon will host a celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday May
1. The church will open at 1 p.m. for personal prayer with
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. At 1:30 p.m., a priest
from the Lebanon Deanery will be available for individual
confessions. The Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary will be offered for vocations. A Solemn Holy Hour with the recitation of
the Chaplet will begin at 2:30 p.m. and close with Benediction
at 3:30 p.m.
St. Francis Xavier Church in Gettysburg will hold a
Divine Mercy Sunday service May 1. Adoration will take place
from 2-3 p.m., followed by a service at 3 p.m. The English and
Spanish service will have all readings printed in both languages. Holy rosary in honor of the beatification of Pope John Paul
II will be part of the service.
Divine Mercy Sunday will be celebrated May 1 at 3 p.m.
at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Mechanicsburg. The
service will consist of Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Benediction and recitation of the Chaplet of Divine
Mercy. (There will be no confessions available).
Mass with prayers for healing will be celebrated May 3
at 7:30 p.m. at St. Theresa Church in New Cumberland by
Father Paul Helwig. The Mass is sponsored by the Pilgrims of
Praise and Life in the Spirit prayer groups. For more information, call Mary Ann at 717-564-7709.
Caelorum at St. Joan of Arc Church in Hershey will be
held May 4 at 7 p.m. Experience the joy of the Easter season
through praise and worship music as we adore Christ in the
most Holy Eucharist. A reception will be held afterward in the
cafeteria. For more information, call 717-583-0240.
Retreats & Pilgrimages
Bus trip to Penn’s Peak. The Office of Development at
Lebanon Catholic School is pleased to announce a bus trip to
experience the entertaining variety show of King Henry and
the Showmen May 10 at Penn’s Peak, a mountaintop entertainment facility in Jim Thorpe, Pa. Cost is $60, which includes
bus, lunch and show. Bus departs at 9:30 a.m. and will return
to Lebanon at 5:15 p.m. Payment is due with reservation. Call
Lori Kostow, Director of Development, at 717-273-3731, ext.
312, for more information.
St. John Neumann Parish in Lancaster will host A Day of
Reflection, “Spiritual Discernment: The Sacred Art of Finding
Your Way,” May 14. Spiritual director and retreat leader Nancy
Bieber will help us focus on how we can make decisions and
shape our lives by attending to Divine guidance. She is the
author of the book “Decision Making and Spiritual Discernment: The Sacred Art of Finding Your Way.” Morning Mass at
9 a.m. followed by registration and refreshments at 9:30 a.m.;
lunch will be provided and the program will conclude at 3:30
p.m. The cost, which includes lunch, is $25. Register by May
9 by contacting Barbara Goss at 717-569-6331 or [email protected].
The St. Joan of Arc and Holy Spirit Church affiliates of
JustFAITH Present “Crossing Borders: Coming To America,”
a bus trip to Ellis Island and The Statue of Liberty June 4. Bus
departs from St. Joan’s at 7 a.m. and returns approximately 9
p.m. The $85 per person fee includes round-trip transportation;
round-trip ferry to the sites; admission, and driver gratuity. Dinner
is “on your own” at the Clinton Station Diner. En route, JustFAITH’s “classroom on wheels” will inform and enlighten you on
the complex issues of human migration and immigration. Contact
Lisa Weaver at 717-823-6231 for reservations. For information,
contact Anne Searer at [email protected] or 717-533-9636
or go to www.stjoanhershey.org/jf.
St. Columba Parish’s Travel Committee is planning a trip
for summer 2011 titled “Monuments and Parks” that will run
from July 30-Aug. 6. Tour will start in Salt Lake City and feature
Jackson, Cody, Sheridan, Rapid City, and Deadwood, the Grand
Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, a train ride on the Black
Hills Central Railroad and more. Contact Pat Weinhofer at 570784-2230 or John Kashi at 570-437-9081 for more information.
Pilgrimage to Fatima, Lourdes & Barcelona – Join
Sister Mary Anne Bednar, IHM, principal of Bishop McDevitt
High School in Harrisburg, on a 9-day pilgrimage Oct. 17-25,
2011. Mass celebrated daily. Highlights include Fatima,
Aljustrel, Balinhos, Nazare, Alcobaca Monastery, Cathedral
of Burgos, Grotto of Massabielle, Holy Hill, Carcassone, Barcelona and La Sagrada Familia. Cost is $2,799 for a double.
Trip details available at www.bishopmcdevitt.org or contact
Kim Telgarsky of Telgarsky Travel at 717-545-0307.
Education, Enrichment & Support
A Women of Grace Morning of Grace will be held April
30 from 9 a.m.-noon at St. Joseph Church in York. This
month’s morning retreat will feature a DVD presentation of
Johnnette Benkovic’s Women of Grace show with guest
Patrick Madrid discussing strategies for bringing loved ones
back to the faith. Light breakfast, DVD, sharing, and Divine
Mercy Chaplet in Song before the Blessed Sacrament.
Donation is $7. RSVP to Vicki Crispo at 717-757-4295 or
[email protected].
Holy Spirit Hospital in Camp Hill will hold a bereavement
series on Wednesdays from May 4-June 8. Afternoon sessions are held from 1-2:30 p.m. and evening sessions from
6:30-8 p.m. For information, call the Pastoral Care Department at 717-763-2118.
The next Senior Adult Ministry Gathering will take
place on Thursday, May 12, 2011, from 9:45 am to 2:00 pm
at Cardinal Keeler Center in Harrisburg. The theme for the
day is Sorting Things Out. Speakers will include Sr. Geralyn
Schmidt, SCC, on A Spiritual Journey in Chalk and Paint;
as well as speakers on reorganizing and financial planning.
Our entertainment will be Eric DeLauro, a Frank Sinatra
Tribute Singer, direct from Hoboken! Registration fee is $8
and includes lunch. To register, contact the Family Ministries
Office at 717-657-4804 or email [email protected] Further information is also available at our website
at http://www.hbgdiocese.org, click Special Ministries, then
Senior Adult Ministries on Sidebar.
The Oblates of St. Benedict have established a Deanery
at St. Pius X in Selinsgrove, and will meet again on May 15
at 2 p.m. in Selinsgrove. Meetings include recitation of the
Liturgy of the Hours and time for spiritual discussion. This
Deanery is associated with St. Vincent Archabbey in Latrobe,
Pa. If you are interested learning more about the Oblates or
are currently associated with the Oblates, please feel free to
attend. Contact Frank Stoshack at 570-648-5013 for more
information.
St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Hanover will conduct “A
Quick Journey Through the Bible” beginning May 15 at 5:30
p.m. for eight sessions. Cost of $20 includes all materials.
Contact John Barrett at 717-633-1082 for registration information and details of the course.
Jody Cole will be conducting icon writing (painting)
workshops in the Byzantine Style this summer. She will be
at St. Francis Xavier Church in Gettysburg July 11-15 from
9 a.m.-4 p.m., an hour for lunch each day (brown bag or go
out). The total cost of the workshop which includes all supplies except optional gold leafing will be $170. Participants
will be able to choose from (12”x16”) St. Nicholas the Wonderworker or St. George and the Dragon. Experienced icon
students or artists can contact Jody to discuss other options.
For more information contact Jody Cole at 717-919-8791
or [email protected]. Jody will also conduct a week long
retreat at St. Francis Retreat House, Easton, Pa., August 1419. Participants will paint a 12”x16” of St. Anthony of Padua.
For more information or to register, contact 610-258-3053 or
[email protected].
Events & Fund-Raisers
The Vietnamese Community at Our Lady of the Blessed
Sacrament Parish in Harrisburg has a Vietnamese food sale
every second Sunday of the month from 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. in
the church social hall. Authentic noodle soup, egg rolls, salads
and desserts are offered for eat-in or take-out. For more information, call the church at 717-233-1014.
Holy Spirit Hospital Auxiliary will hold its 14th annual
Spring Festival April 23 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on the grounds
of Holy Spirit Hospital. Flowers will be for sale and a chicken
barbeque will be held. The Easter Bunny will be giving candyfilled eggs to children between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. A
yard sale by Holy Spirit Hospital employees will also be held.
Free parking and free admission. For more information, or to
pre-order flowers or chicken barbeque meals, call the Holy
Spirit Hospital Auxiliary office at 717-763-2796.
Would you like to take a tour of Lebanon Catholic
School? The school will host “Walk-Through Wednesdays”
on April 27 and May 11.No appointment necessary. Lori A.
Kostow, Director of Development, or a student ambassador
will take you on a walking tour of our building so that you can
observe students and teachers in action, ask questions, and
soak in the “feel” of Lebanon Catholic’s warm spirit in Pre-K
through 12th grade. If you have any questions, call Lori Kostow
at 717-273-3731, ext. 312.
A yard sale will be held at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church social hall in Harrisburg April 29 from noon-7
p.m., and April 30 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Boutique, collectibles,
bake sale, homemade soups and sandwiches.
“The Wizard of Oz” will be performed at Lebanon Catholic
School April 29 and 30 at 7 p.m. 2011. Tickets are as general
admission and cost $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens and
students. Advance tickets are available in the main office of
the school during normal business hours. Tickets will also be
available at the door. Students from grades 1-12 are participating in the show as either cast members or stage crew. For
more information, visit www.lebanoncatholicschool.org or call
717- 273-3731.
Mary Mother of the Church Parish in Mount Joy will
host a White Elephant Sale April 30 from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. in the
Church Social Hall. Children’s and adult clothing, toys, household items, books, seasonal decorations and much more will
be offered for sale along with hot food and beverages.
The Holy Spirit Hospital Auxiliary is holding its Cinco de
Mayo Spring Fashion Show and Luncheon May 5 at the West
Shore Country Club, Camp Hill. The event begins at 11:30 a.m.
with a cash bar. Lunch will be served at 12:15, followed by a
fashion show. Fashions are provided by Filling’s at College
Row and In White. Tickets are $40. For more information
and to reserve your seat, call the Holy Spirit Hospital Auxiliary
office at 717-763-2796. Proceeds from the event will benefit
Holy Spirit Hospital.
St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Harrisburg is hosting a
cash bingo in the cafeteria of their school May 6 beginning
with an early bird special at 6:40 p.m. First game of packet
will be played at 7 p.m. Cost is $20 which includes a 20 game
packet. Minor blackouts pay $200, $100 and $75. Major
blackout, which is sold separately, pays $500. Kitchen will be
open from 5:45-9:30 p.m. Tickets are available in the rectory or
by calling 717-232-1003.
Lebanon Catholic School will hold its annual PTO spring
flower and plant sale May 7 from 3-6 p.m. and May 8 from 8
a.m.-noon in the school gym. All plants are from local nurseries. We are offering “cash and carry” marigolds, petunias,
geraniums, impatiens, begonias, sweet potato vines, bedding
flowers, hanging baskets, large size planters, vegetable plants
and herbs. We accept pre-orders; forms can be found by clicking on the PTO link at www.lebanoncatholicschool.org.
Knights of Columbus Council 12404 will sponsor an
AARP 55+ driver safety course May 12 and May 19 from 9
a.m.-1 p.m. This four-hour session course may save you five
percent on auto insurance for three years, subject to your
insurance company’s approval. The course will be held at
Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Center in Enola. Cost is $14 per
person ($12 for AARP members). Register online at www.aarp.
org/findacourse or call 717-761-4822.
Holy Spirit Health System is sponsoring “Walk for the
Nurse in Your Life” May 14 from 8-11 a.m. at Adams Ricci
Park in Enola, rain or shine. Registration and warm-ups at
8 a.m., walk at 9:30 a.m. The walk will be on the Blue Loop
(1.25 miles). Kids’ activities will be offered and water, juice and
health information stations will be available for participants.
Cost to participate is $25 ($10 for children 15 & younger). If
you raise $50 or more in sponsorships, there is no registration
fee. For more information, or to register, call 717-763-2779 or
send an email to [email protected]. All proceeds benefit
Holy Spirit’s Spirit of Nursing Fund which helps nurses help
others through continuing education, expert credentialing and
community service.
Lebanon Catholic School will host a fundraising auction,
“Picnic Perfection on the Hill,” May 14. Doors will open at 6 p.m.
for a preview of the bounty of goodies up for bids in the silent
and live auctions. Free admission. Auction items at every price
level, $10 and up. Delicious food, casual fare with picnic flair.
Visit www.lebanoncatholicschool.org or call Scott Clentimack or
Lori Kostow at 717-273-3731 for more information.
Youth from Assumption BVM Parish in Lebanon and Our
Lady of Fatima Mission in Jonestown will hold “Showin’ for
Spain 2,” a second annual car show to benefit the youth traveling
to Madrid, Spain, to participate in World Youth Day 2011. The
event will be held at Our Lady of Fatima Mission on Route 22
in Jonestown May 21 from noon-4 p.m. Rain date is May 22.
Car registration is available from 9 a.m.-noon on the day of
the show. For more information, contact Frank or Tyler Parker at
717-865-3582.
The Bishop McDevitt Field Hockey Team will be sponsoring
the First Annual Spirit Crusaders Field Hockey Camp June 20-24
from 8 a.m.-noon at Kohl Park. Cost of the camp is $85 for the
week. The camp is open to all girls entering kindergarten through
9th grade. For more information, or to obtain a registration form,
contact Coach Jamie Pollock at [email protected] or
Parent Representative Alice Womer at [email protected].
St. Joseph School in Mechanicsburg is offering Summer Camps June 20-24, with morning and afternoon sessions.
Morning sessions are from 8 a.m.-noon. Afternoon sessions
are from 12:30-4:30 p.m. Lunch will be provided in the cafeteria
from noon-12:30 p.m. and is offered only to campers attending
both AM and PM sessions. You do not need to attend St. Joseph
School to participate in the summer camps. Visit www.sjsmch.
org or call 717-766-2564 for more information.
St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Bonneauville will host its
second annual Coach and Cash Bingo, featuring 100% authentic
Coach bags and cash. Tickets go on sale May 2 and Bingo will
be held Aug. 28 at St. Vincent DePaul in Hanover. Donation is
$20 for 21 games. Door prizes (half are Coach merchandise)
and raffles, food is available. Call the parish office at 717-3342510 for more information or to purchase tickets.
Artists and crafters are needed for St. Bernard Church in
New Bloomfield’s third annual Holiday Arts and Crafts fair Sept.
24. Come fill our spaces and help make this fundraiser a huge
success. Contact Martha at 789-4109 or [email protected] for information and vendor registration.
Seeking to organize a class reunion for all alumni of St.
Stanislaus School, Race Street, Shamokin, on Memorial Day
Weekend 2012. If you are interested in attending or assisting in
the planning, please contact: Roseann Kalvich Hooper at 912598-2938 or [email protected]; Mary Narkiewicz Harmon
at 570-594-3663 or [email protected]; or Mary Ann Powell
Rumberger at 570-644-0984.
World and National News
Defunding Planned
Parenthood Not a Hard
Budget Choice, Cardinal Says
Cardinal Backs Bill to
Ensure Conscience Rights in
Health Plan Choices
At a time when federal budget decisions “involve hard choices and much
shared sacrifice,” a decision on whether to fund the Planned Parenthood Federation of America “is not one of those hard choices,” the chairman of the
U.S. bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities told members of Congress.
Calling the federation “by far the largest provider and promoter of abortions nationwide,” Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston in an
April 13 letter urged support for House Concurrent Resolution, which would
amend federal appropriations bills for the current fiscal year to exclude any
funding for Planned Parenthood or its affiliates.
The concurrent resolution, sponsored by Republican Reps. Diane Black of
Tennessee and Martha Roby of Alabama, passed in the House by a 241-185
vote April 14 but was defeated in the Senate, 58-42, later that day.
Cardinal DiNardo said more than 5 million children have been aborted at
Planned Parenthood facilities since 1970. “The organization’s involvement in
abortion (now including chemical abortions using RU-486) has substantially
increased in recent years, and its provision of other services such as prenatal
care and adoption referrals has declined markedly,” he added.
Planned Parenthood also has opposed “any meaningful limits on abortion,
including modest measures such as public funding bans, informed consent
provisions and parental notice requirements on unemancipated minors,” the
cardinal said, noting that one of the organization’s legislative priorities “is to
oppose conscience clauses (which it call ‘refusal clauses’), so that hospitals,
physicians and nurses will not be allowed to serve the health care needs of
women without taking part in abortion.”
Although some argue that the debate over Planned Parenthood funding is
about “women’s access to basic health care,” Cardinal DiNardo said Catholic
and other faith-based health care providers “generally do provide mammograms, comprehensive prenatal care and maternity care as well as other lifeaffirming medical care for women, while Planned Parenthood does not.”
“To the extent that Planned Parenthood does provide any legitimate health
services for women, however, those services can be provided by others,”
since the concurrent resolution “does not reduce funding for services by one
cent,” he added.
“Therefore the question at issue here is: When low-income women need
those legitimate health care services, should the federal government insist that
they receive them from the local abortion provider?” he said. “Low-income
women generally oppose abortion more than other Americans, therefore more
deeply oppose being told that an abortion clinic is a ‘good enough’ place for
them to receive their health care.”
Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston urged members of the
House April 6 to support legislation that would guarantee the rights of Americans to buy health insurance “that meets their medical needs and respects
their deepest convictions.”
The cardinal, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, said the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act of 2011, H.R. 1179,
“will help ensure that the new health reform act is not misused to violate the
religious freedom and rights of conscience of those who offer and purchase
health insurance coverage in our nation.”
The legislation, introduced March 17 by Reps. Jeff Fortenberry, R-Neb.,
and Dan Boren, D-Okla., would “restore the legal status quo” by allowing
health insurance plans to exclude “specific procedures that violate the moral
or religious convictions of those providing or purchasing the plan,” Cardinal
DiNardo wrote.
He cited abortions and abortion-causing drugs, in vitro fertilization treatments and “treatments using material from deliberately killed unborn children” as among the “procedures specifically rejected by the teachings of
some religions.”
Passage of the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act would ensure that
health insurance plans “shall not be considered as failing to provide ‘essential
health benefits’” under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act if they
exclude those procedures, he added.
Cardinal DiNardo noted that the health reform legislation “does respect religious freedom in some contexts,” explicitly exempting the Amish and other
religious sects “that decline participation in social health programs generally”
and allowing some Christian Scientists to choose prayer as their sole form of
healing.
“However, it arbitrarily and inexplicably does not protect the many religious denominations – including those providing the backbone of the nonprofit health care system in this country – whose moral teaching rejects specific procedures,” he said.
“If religious and other stakeholders are driven out of the health insurance
marketplace by this aspect of PPACA, legislation whose purpose was to expand health coverage could have the opposite effect,” he added.
Calling the proposal “modest and well-crafted legislation,” Cardinal DiNardo said it “does not reverse or alter any requirement under current state or
federal law” but rather prevents the health reform law “from being misused
to deny Americans’ existing freedom to seek health care coverage” that does
not violate their consciences.
“I am sure that most members of Congress voting for PPACA did not intend
that it should deny or take away this freedom,” he added.
Vatican Commission Expresses
Deep Concern over Relations with China
By John Thavis
A Vatican commission on China expressed deep
concern over worsening relations with the Chinese
government and appealed to authorities there to
avoid steps that would aggravate church-state problems.
Specifically, the commission urged Chinese authorities not to persist in imposing new government-backed bishops who do not have the approval
of Pope Benedict XVI.
Titled a “Message to Chinese Catholics,” the text
was issued April 14 following a three-day annual
meeting of the commission at the Vatican.
The commission expressed joy at the news that
the Diocese of Shanghai was launching the beatification cause of Paul Xu Guangqi, a Chinese scholar
who worked closely with the famed Jesuit missionary, Father Matteo Ricci, in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Pope Benedict met with commission members at
the end of their encounter, praising Chinese Catholics’ desire for unity with Rome and underlining the
importance of spiritual formation in confronting
present challenges.
The commission’s message began by noting the
“general climate of disorientation and anxiety about
the future” of the church in China, following recent
setbacks in church-state relations. It said that given
the numerous vacant dioceses in China, the selection of new bishops was an urgent necessity and at
the same time “a source of deep concern.”
“The commission strongly hopes that there will
not be new wounds to ecclesial communion,” it
said. “We look with trepidation and fear to the future: We know that it is not entirely in our hands,
and we launch an appeal so that the problems do not
grow and that the divisions are not deepened, at the
expense of harmony and peace.”
The message said the ordination of a new bishop
of Chengde last November – the first without papal
approval in four years – was a “sad episode” that
had inflicted a “painful wound” on church unity. It
emphasized that the church considers the appointment of bishops a religious, not a political matter,
which rightly falls under the pope’s “supreme spiritual authority.”
The message said the Vatican, while it does not
have reason to regard the ordination in Chengde
invalid, does consider it “gravely illegitimate” because it was conferred without the papal mandate.
As a result, it said, the bishop’s exercise of ministry
is also illegitimate.
The message also addressed the fact that several
other bishops, including some in communion with
the pope, took part in the Chengde ordination. Because these bishops may have been forced to par-
ticipate, excommunication was not automatically
incurred, the Vatican commission said.
But it called on all bishops involved in the ordination to explain themselves to the Vatican and to
their own priests and faithful, to help “repair the
external scandal” caused by their participation.
The message also criticized the Chinese government-controlled National Congress of Catholic
Representatives that was held in Beijing Dec. 79. Many bishops, priests, religious and laypeople
were forced to take part in the assembly against
their will.
The commission cited Pope Benedict’s 2007 letter to Chinese Catholics, which said Catholic doctrine cannot accept that state-controlled organizations outside the structure of the church can guide
the life of the Catholic community.
The commission’s message said the church was
open to “sincere and respectful dialogue with the
civil authorities” in order to overcome the present
problems. Specifically, it said the Vatican was ready
to sit down and consult with Chinese authorities on
the question of the redrawing of diocesan boundaries in China.
The message asked the whole church to pray for
Chinese Catholics, in particular on May 24, the
feast of Our Lady, Help of Christians, which Pope
Benedict has designated as a day of prayer for the
church in China.
World and National News
Technology without God Pulls Humanity
Down, Pope Says on Palm Sunday
By John Thavis
Celebrating Palm Sunday Mass at the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI warned that technological progress must not lead people to
think they can “become God.”
About 50,000 faithful waved olive branches and palm fronds in St. Peter’s Square April
17 at the start of the liturgy that commemorated Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem
five days before his crucifixion.
The German pontiff, who celebrated his
84th birthday the day before, joined a procession that led to the Egyptian obelisk in
the center of the square. He asked listeners
to continue to prepare for Easter through
penitence and acts of charity.
Holding a braided palm garland, he then
rode in a jeep to the main altar for the twoand-a-half-hour Mass. It was the beginning
of Holy Week, the busiest period of the year
for the pope, with a demanding schedule of
public appearances.
In his homily, Pope Benedict said the
Palm Sunday procession must be understood as more than a “quaint custom.” It represents the spiritual ascent that all Christians
are called to make, a journey “along the high
road that leads to the living God,” he said.
Such an ascent is impossible without
God’s help, he said, although men and women have long attempted to “attain the heights
of God by their own powers.” All the inventions of the human spirit are ultimately an effort to become independent and completely
free – but without God, this effort is doomed
to failure, he said.
“Mankind has managed to accomplish so
many things: We can fly. We can see, hear
and speak to one another from the farthest
ends of the earth,” he said.
“And yet the force of gravity which draws
us down is powerful. With the increase of
our abilities there has been an increase not
only of good. Our possibilities for evil have
increased and appear like menacing storms
above history,” he said.
The pope said that despite progress, hu-
CNS/PAUL HARING
Pope Benedict XVI carries woven palm fronds as he arrives in procession to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s
Square at the Vatican April 17.
man limitations have been evident in recent
disasters that “have caused so much suffering for humanity.”
He described people as caught between
two “gravitational fields”: the force of gravity that pulls people down toward selfishness,
falsehood and evil, and the force of God’s
love that pulls people up.
The spiritual ascent to which Christians
are called has some concrete elements, in-
cluding purity, honesty and faith in God, he
said.
“The great achievements of technology
are liberating and contribute to the progress
of mankind only if they are joined to these
attitudes – if our hands become clean and
our hearts pure, if we seek truth, if we seek
God and let ourselves be touched and challenged by his love,” he said.
In the end, he said, a spiritual ascent is ef-
fective only if people humbly acknowledge
that they need God and “abandon the pride
of wanting to become God.”
At the end of the Mass, the pope expressed
greetings in seven languages to the thousands of young people in the square and said
he was looking forward to the World Youth
Day celebration in Madrid next August. The
youths serenaded the pope with an abbreviated version of “Happy Birthday” in Italian.
Salesian Fears Cholera Outbreak at
Ivory Coast Church Sheltering 30,000
Bishop in Libya Calls for End to
Hostilities, Urges Tribal Dialogue
By Sarah Delaney
The priest directing a mission where at least 30,000 refugees remain said he
feared an outbreak of cholera if more aid is not received soon.
Food, water, medicine and sanitation facilities are in short supply for those
who took refuge at a Salesian-run mission in Duekoue after armed fighting
March 29 left at least 800 dead in this multiethnic city of 47,000.
“There is no food, people are sleeping on the ground, there is nowhere else
to go, there are no toilets or washing facilities and we have no drinking water,” Salesian Father Vicente Grupeli, director of the St. Therese of the Child
Jesus Mission in Duekoue, told the Salesian news agency ANS.
The Salesian mission office in Madrid launched an urgent appeal for food,
water, medical supplies and other needs.
The mission, the site of a vocational training center, a home for children
and a youth center, suspended all activities to care for the refugees who have
overwhelmed the facility, Father Grupeli told ANS.
Refugees from the city and dozens of surrounding villages streamed into
the mission as army forces and militia supporting President-elect Alassane
Ouattara attacked security personnel and mercenaries loyal to outgoing President Laurent Gbagbo, who refused to leave office after Ouattara was declared
the winner of elections in November. French and U.N. forces in Abidjan arrested Gbagbo April 11 after an assault on his residence.
U.N. forces have guarded the mission since the violence erupted.
Some refugees have started returning to nearby villages with the help of
U.N. troops, but others have been required to pass through checkpoints set
up by supporters of Ouattara, where they have been asked about their tribal
affiliation, Father Grupeli said.
“This does not mean that there is more security,” he added. “On the contrary, the people are afraid.”
The apostolic vicar in Tripoli called for a stop to the bloody conflict in
Libya and urged dialogue among the various tribes there to help bring about
peace, the Vatican missionary news agency reported.
Bishop Giovanni Martinelli, who serves the small Catholic community in
the Tripoli area, said “we must find a way to end the war,”” by emphasizing
diplomacy over force, Fides reported April 16.
He said that for the first time in his 40 years in Libya, Muslim women had
come into his church and urged him to help end the war, which was destroying their homes, families and way of life. Bishop Martinelli said that in Misurata, where there is a fierce battle for control between government and rebel
forces, women were being raped and mutilated and families were trapped
inside their homes.
Bishop Martinelli said, “we should exploit tribal relations,” by engaging the
elders of tribes to “find the path of dialogue between the different components
of Libyan society.”
Bishop Martinelli has criticized the Western airstrikes against forces loyal
to Libya’s leader, Col. Moammar Gadhafi. The airstrikes began in March as
a response to violent repression of an uprising by opponents to Gadhafi’s 40year rule.
The bishop has said repeatedly that the campaign carried out by U.S., French
and British bombers to establish a “no-fly zone” meant to stop government
aircraft from attacking rebels is not useful in resolving Libyan hostilities. The
result, he said, has been casualties and devastation among the civil population.
He praised Brazil, Russia, India and China, which reject the use of force
and favor diplomacy.
Local Church News
Left: Diocesan educators peruse designs for the
new high school. From left are Father Edward
Quinlan, Diocesan Secretary for Education; Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Kathleen Gorman,
principal of Holy Family School in Harrisburg;
Maretta Schmidt, Assistant Superintendent for
Secondary Schools and Federal Programs; and
Livia Riley, Diocesan Superintendent of Schools.
Below: Students from Bishop McDevitt High
School enjoy conversation with Bishop Joseph
McFadden prior to the April 14 groundbreaking
for their new school.
Ground Breaking
Continued from 1
School officials announced at the ceremony
that the new facility is scheduled for completion during the 2012-2013 academic year.
Among those eager to set foot in the new
school is the Spreha family of Holy Name of
Jesus Parish in Harrisburg.
Three-year-old Camille Spreha came to the
groundbreaking ceremony with her grandmother Rosemary Spreha. On the little girl’s
pink jacket was a pin proclaiming her to be a
member of McDevitt’s class of 2026.
Rosemary Spreha, who taught at the school
for 16 years and whose sons graduated from
Bishop McDevitt, said “The spirit of family
and community was something that we valued, and it’s something I hope to have for my
grandkids.”
Fulfilling the Promise
To complete the construction of the $42
million project, fund-raising efforts will continue through the “Fulfilling the Promise”
campaign.
“The support of our alumni and friends will
undoubtedly help move this project forward to
completion. We know this because the McDevitt community understands the true meaning
and the importance of ‘Fulfilling the Promise,’” Rocco Ortenzio, a 1950 graduate of the
former Harrisburg Catholic High School, remarked during the groundbreaking ceremony.
‘Fulfilling the Promise’ is a vision that is just
as important today as it was eight decades ago
when Bishop McDevitt himself stood before
the new high school and opened the doors for
the very first time.”
“For over 80 years, 20,000 alumni have utilized their education to become the leaders in
the halls of business, government, education,
the arts and the Church,” Mr. Ortenzio said.
“This proud 80-year legacy of Bishop McDevitt’s outstanding academic excellence will be
continued and enhanced in a new, state-of-theart modern facility complete with campus to
best meet all the needs of our students, faculty
and administration in a very friendly and spacious environment. That further will improve
the outcomes of our future graduates.”
The new Bishop McDevitt High School
campus will feature a 175,000-square-foot academic facility, a 1,200-seat auditorium, 120seat chapel, 1,000-seat gym, a state-of-the-art
library, performing arts center and athletic
facilities, including a football stadium and
an arena for wrestling, basketball and other
sporting events. Classrooms will include technology-driven science labs, computer labs and
art and home economic labs.
During the April 14 ceremony, which included the Rite of Blessing, Bishop Joseph
McFadden opened his remarks by saying,
“The only thing I can think to say is, “This is
the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and
be glad.”
He said the high school’s relocation to a new
site is “not because the mission has changed”
but rather because of the “need to have a new
facility to be able to address what has been
addressed for 80 years by Bishop McDevitt
High School, and that is the education of our
youth.”
“There is no greater gift that
God gives to us than the gift of
our children. There’s no more
important task for each of us
than to make sure that we help
our young people to be able
to achieve what the Lord asks
them to achieve in their life,
and most importantly to help
them understand who they are,”
Bishop McFadden remarked.
“That’s why Bishop McDevitt
High School is so important.
It teaches our young people to
understand that they have been
made in the image and likeness
of God, that they are God’s children. That is really the focus of
the work at Bishop McDevitt
High School, to help our young
people to take the gifts and talents that God
has given to them, to develop them to the best
of their potential, and to be able to use them
to help build the Kingdom of God as we go
forward.”
Priests and school officials joined Bishop
McFadden in donning construction hats and
pitching shovels into the ground to signify
the start of the building process. Among the
participants were Msgr. William King, Diocesan Vicar General; Father Edward Quinlan,
Diocesan Secretary for Education; Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Mary Anne Bednar,
Principal; Thomas DeAngelis, School Board
President; John DiSanto, Building Committee
Chair; Mr. Ortenzio, Co-Founder and executive Chairman of the Select Medical Corporation; Robert Luddy, class of 1963 and President of CaptiveAire; Carmen Finestra, class of
1965 and Co-Chair of the Capital Campaign;
State Rep. Ronald Marsico, class of 1965;
Angela DiMartile Ortenzio, class of 1978 and
Co-Chair of the Capital Campaign; Father
Thomas Rozman, class of 1978 and Future
Use Committee Chair; and Brian Szeles, class
of 1981, representing the Szeles Family.
“Bishop McDevitt High School is a very
special place. The spirit, the tradition, the
bonds that exist are unique and lasting. You
never stop being a Crusader,” Sister Mary
Anne Bednar remarked.
“The legacy and mission of Bishop McDevitt High School are woven into the very fabric of our daily lives and activities at school.
This is the same mission embraced by our
founder, Bishop Philip R. McDevitt, when he
established Catholic High over 90 years ago.
It is the same legacy and mission that drove
Bishop McDevitt to fight vigorously and work
tirelessly to fulfill the promise of providing a
quality Catholic education for all who wanted
it by building a new Catholic High at 2200
Market Street when the North Street site could
no longer meet the school’s needs. And it is
that same legacy and mission that will carry
us forward from our present site to this site
where we stand today, the site of our beautiful
new 87-acre-campus.”
(For more information on the “Fulfilling
the Promise” campaign, or to learn more
about Catholic education at Bishop McDevitt
High School, visit www.bishopmcdevitt.org or
call 717-236-7973.)

Bishop McDevitt Breaks Ground

Transcription

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