‘You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.’ – John 8:32

VOL. 66, NO. 51 | DECEMBER 22, 2017 WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS HOME DELIVERY $39/YEAR FREE IN PARISHES & ON NEWSSTANDS Saint Bernard’s graduate named bishop

R in Japan E H IS L B U P F O N IO S IS M R E P BY TANYA CONNOR BY D SE U THE CATHOLIC FREE PRESS SS RE P Y’S AR T M AIN ©S A Fitchburg native, who, at this time of year, plays Santa Claus, and all year long cares for the poor in Japan, has been named a bishop there. Pope Francis, on Dec. 9, appointed Franciscan Father Wayne Berndt, 63, bishop of the Diocese of Naha, in the Okinawa Prefec- ture. His ordina- tion is scheduled for February. The bishop- elect, a mission- ary in the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, suc- ceeds Bishop Father Berndt Berard Toshio Oshikawa, of the Order of Fri- ars Minor Conventual. In a letter to Bishop Mc- Manus and the people of the December 2017 Worcester Diocese, Father God has My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Berndt gave thanks for the prayers and best wishes he come to us A chapel in Shepherds Field outside of Bethlehem commemorates the wondrous events has received on his appoint- of Christmas in three beautiful paintings. ment. He asked for continued In the first painting, the shepherds, keeping watch over their flock by night, are roused prayers for himself and his bringing us from their silent vigil by the glad tidings of an angel, glorious streams from Heaven, and people, offered his prayers the strains of an angelic choir. to the diocese and expressed In the second painting, the shepherds, having traveled to Bethlehem, bow in awe and gratitude for people here who the path adoration before the newborn Christ Child in the manger as heavenly light illuminates the fostered his vocation. Holy Family. In the final painting, dawn is breaking, the Heavenly streams of God s glory In the name of the diocese, to joy are fading, and the shepherds are again back amidst their flock. But the shepherds are I want to thank the bishop- changed. elect for this wonderful let- In the third painting, an elderly shepherd looks upward with an expression of wonder. ter, Bishop McManus said. Another shepherd pipes a tune on a simple musical instrument while a shepherd boy He can be assured of our skips with exuberance, joy, and uplifted arms. They have returned to the place where best wishes and prayers. they were but they have not returned the way they were. They are filled with joy, wonder It s a proud day for the Dio- and awe that God has come to them. cese of Worcester. Christmas reminds us that God has also come to us. The shepherds path to joy is also Bishop McManus said that ours. At Christmas Mass and every Mass we might think of ourselves as shepherds going the divine gift of a vocation is to Bethlehem. After hearing God s Word, we go to Him in the communion line, bow in ado- fostered in the local Catholic ration and receive the same Divine Child born of Mary and worshiped by the shepherds at community, especially by the manger. priests and religious, as Fa- As the shepherds departed from the stable, so may we depart Christmas Mass, and ev- ther Berndt noted in his letter. ery Mass, with joy, wonder and awe that God has come to us. May this Christmas change The bishop spoke of the need us so that as we return to our routines with a deeper appreciation of God s love for us, we for missionaries to present may bear witness to that love just as the shepherds did on that first Christmas morning. Christ, especially in a culture where Catholicism is seen as With every prayerful best wish for a Blessed and Merry Christmas, I remain Western. Father Berndt, son of Sim- one (Jacques) Berndt and the Sincerely yours in Christ, late Francis Berndt, was born May 15, 1954, in Fitchburg and grew up at St. Joseph Parish there. He attended St. Joseph Elementary School and Most Reverend Robert J. McManus St. Bernard Central Catholic

SEE BISHOP, 12 Christmas through the eyes of a child

BY MSGR. ANTHONY S. CZARNECKI her, What would you like for Christmas? The girl re- time and space, a vital power which permeates the pres- sponded, I don t want to buy anything. Then she looked ent. It radically boggles the human mind and stretches Every year, Christmas is anticipated by children and intently at the woman and quietly whispered, I just have the imagination that God not only descended to become a adults with increasingly growing interest. It seems that one wish, may I call you Mommy - just for Christmas, human being, but also became humankind s partner for this is the most joyful and colorful worldwide celebration. please? The lady was astonished by such a perceptive the journey of life. Even before Advent begins, the Christmas season is clear- wish and obviously said, Of course you may. The girl Similarly, the message of the Good News takes flesh ly visible in the commercial world. People feel pressured gave her a big hug of gratitude, took her hand and said, in the family and community. We must kindle a sense of to go and buy. Shopping centers have become temples So let s go home, Mommy. childlike wonder. Children display a sense of amazement of consumerism. In fact, rabid commercialism seems The little girl was wise beyond her years. Not having a and approach the world trusting in the goodness of oth- to obscure the true meaning of Christmas. But because family of her own, she understood the bonds of family ers. We must replace the spirit of mistrust in our hearts children have the unique ability to express the real mean- life where people who love each other are worth more with a childlike eagerness to perform good deeds and to ing of Christmas in their own simple way, we oftentimes than any material possessions. God so loved the world learn to delight in the goodness of others. refer to Christmas as the Feast of Children. that He gave His only Son so that everyone that believes The Holy Infant and infants in general teach us that we At one orphanage, there was a practice that a family in Him might not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16. flourish when we open ourselves to others and live in the could take a child home for Christmas. One family was This little girl perfectly captured the true meaning of context of family and community. This applies to both assigned a 7-year-old girl. On the way home from the or- Christmas. our earthly lives and our life of faith. We phanage, the woman decided to surprise the girl and take Incarnation is not just a historical fact or a season of her shopping for whatever she might want. She asked the year, but rather has its own meaning that transcends SEE CHRISTMAS, 12

www.catholicfreepress.org Find us on Facebook and Twitter WORLD NEWS 2 LOCAL NEWS 6, 8,9 Getting ready for Bishop’s Senior Scene: Christmas during NATIONAL NEWS 3 OBITUARY 7 Christmas Dinner takes lots World War II was a different time CHRISTMAS GOSPEL 4 SENIOR SCENE 8 COMMENTARY 5 AROUND DIOCESE 10 facebook.com/CatholicFreePressnews of preparation. 6 for families. 8 twitter.com/cfpnews FUNDAMENTALS 5 CATHOLIC QUIZ 11

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BY JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES | CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE Francis spent 20 minutes speaking alone with Israel, the Jordanian government with King Abdullah and Prince Ghazi, said. VATICAN CITY (CNS) Pope Francis met an adviser to the king on religious and The Vatican said Pope Francis and King with Jordan s King Abdullah II at the Vati- cultural affairs. After their meeting, the Abdullah renewed their commitment to can, two weeks after U.S. President Donald king and his delegation met with Cardinal encourage negotiations as well as promot- Trump s decision to recognize Jerusalem Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, ing interreligious dialogue. as Israel s capital provoked outrage in the and Archbishop Paul Gallagher, Vatican President Trump announced his deci- Middle East. foreign minister. sion Dec. 6 to move the U.S. embassy According to the Vatican, the cordial In a statement, the Jordanian govern- to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv, fulfilling a conversations focused above all on the ment said the meeting focused on the de- promise he made during his presidential theme of the promotion of peace and sta- velopments related to Jerusalem as well campaign. bility in the Mideast, with particular refer- as the implications of the U.S. decision The announcement sparked anti-U.S. ence to the question of Jerusalem and the and its provocation of Muslims and Chris- protests throughout Asia and the Middle role of the Hashemite Sovereign (the king tians in the region and beyond. East and drew warnings from Middle East- of Jordan) as custodian of the holy places. The king stressed that the U.S. decision ern and European leaders that overturn- The pope welcomed the king, who was violates international law and relevant ing the United States long-standing policy accompanied by Prince Ghazi bin Muham- United Nations resolutions, noting that the would further complicate peace negotia- mad bin Talal, in the library of the Apos- status of Jerusalem must be settled within tions. tolic Palace Dec. 19. the framework of a comprehensive solu- King Abdullah was among several Mid- CNS PHOTO | L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO King Abdullah greeted the pope as My tion that leads to the establishment of an dle Eastern leaders informed by Trump of Pope Francis greets Jordan’s King Abdullah dear friend and brother. independent Palestinian state, with East his decision prior to the official announce- II during a private meeting Dec. 19 at the With the help of an interpreter, Pope Jerusalem as its capital, living side by side ment. Vatican. German churches act as buffer BRIEFSI Fruitfulness is a blessing from God VATICAN CITY (CNS) Countries with low birthrates for refugees with sanctuary program suffer from that awful disease called demographic winter, Pope Francis said in a morning homily. BY DALE GAVLAK | CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE Rev. Neubert asked an They do not have children for fear of undermining Afghan Muslim receiving their economic well-being or they try to justify it with BERLIN (CNS) Sitting on church asylum from her other reasons, he said in his homily during morning the bare pavement outside a parish to read out the story Mass Dec. 19 at the Domus Sanctae Marthae. Catholic church, an Afghan of the birth of Christ as The result is countries empty of children. And this refugee woman, dressed in a recorded in the Quran dur- is not a blessing, he said. Fruitfulness is always a bright floral headscarf, calls ing the Gospel reading last blessing of God. out plaintively to passersby, Christmas. Fruitfulness can be material or spiritual, he said, begging for coins. He didn t feel so comfort- because it is about always giving life to others. People It s a scene repeatedly able reading it in German, who do not marry can still be fruitful, he said. played out in the German so I read it. I think the capital overwhelmed by congregation understood Pope to visit hometown, shrine of St. Pio refugees fleeing war, per- better something of their secution and economic de- own faith, while admiring VATICAN CITY (CNS) Pope Francis plans to mark privation in the Middle East something in the Islamic the 50th anniversary of the death of St. Pio of Pietrel- and Africa. tradition, she said. cina and the 100th anniversary of Padre Pio receiving But at Christmastime and The Afghan man shelter- the stigmata by visiting the famed Italian saint s home- beyond, Catholic and Prot- ing in Rev. Neubert s church town and the pediatric oncology ward of the hospital estant churches are doing told CNS he sought asylum he founded. what they can to help those because Germany wanted Pope Francis will travel to Pietrelcina and San struggling and in need. to deport him to Sweden, Giovanni Rotondo March 17, the Vatican announced. For the past quarter of a the first country he entered He will arrive in Padre Pio s hometown early in the century, the nearby St. Chris- in Europe. However, he said morning, pray in the little Chapel of the Stigmata in topher Catholic Church has he cannot return to Sweden Piana Romana, a neighborhood just outside the town, continuously provided sanc- because it, too, wants to de- and address a gathering of the townspeople before vis- tuary to refugees fearing port him back home, where iting the Capuchin community. deportation while their asy- he faces certain death from lum claims are considered militants. by German authorities. The I escaped with my life Pope turns 81 celebrates with kids and pizza most recent people it housed from Afghanistan after re- VATICAN CITY (CNS) Celebrating his 81st birth- escaped conflict in Syria, ceiving a threatening letter day, Pope Francis blew out the candles on a 13-foot Ethiopia and Sri Lanka. from the Taliban, because long pizza after being serenaded with song and dance Such sanctuary, known as me and my brother worked by children and employees from a Vatican pediatric church asylum in Germany, CNS PHOTO | DALE GAVLAK with the Americans on re- clinic. is providing temporary An Afghan refugee woman begs for coins near St. construction and security, A group of children receiving assistance from the protection for some 600 Christopher Catholic Church in early September in Berlin. said the man. Vatican s St. Martha Dispensary, a maternal and pedi- refugees currently who do Some 1.2 million people atric clinic, had given the pope a birthday party Dec. not have a legal residence, in effect placing the church sought asylum in Germany in 2015, with around half 17 marked with singing, dancing and a cake adorned between the refugees and the public authorities and safe- from conflict-torn Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. At that with gold and white fondant decorations. guarding them until their legal cases can be heard and time, Bernhard Kellner, spokesman for the German They also rolled out a large pizza with a single lit considered. Archdiocese of Munich-Freising, said he thought the candle on it. The pope was joined with several children While most German church members say they support whole refugee aid system here would collapse without the from the clinic and counted down before blowing out providing sanctuary to refugees, Michael Haas, coordina- church s engagement. the candle. tor of refugee work in the Catholic Archdiocese of Berlin, The tragic image of a drowned Syrian toddler on a Eat the 4-meter pizza: Eat well, it will do you good told Catholic News Service that some parishes are fearful Turkish beach and scenes of desperate refugees escaping and make you grow, the pope told the children. of the practice because it falls into a kind of grey area of war in rickety boats prompted Chancellor Angela Merkel, the law. It also requires financial resources and manpow- in 2015, to open Germany s doors to any Syrian who er to provide the care. could make it there. Her policy effectively reversed a long- Still, he said, the church, bishops, congregations and standing European Union regulation that refugees must the government in Germany have agreed that there might claim asylum in the country of first arrival. be a mutual trust and that the church will not abuse the However, anti-migrant sentiment has been mounting in system of church asylum. Germany and the rest of Europe since then. Churches, he said, have agreed to use sanctuary in Merkel s own political party suffered heavy losses in very few and particular cases after a thorough legal September s election to the anti-immigrant far right, check, while there appears to be a tacit agreement that which surged into parliament for the very first time, rais- the government would not deport such cases without ing alarm for many Germans. Merkel still has not been first having a second look at the application. able to form a coalition government. The Rev. Barbara Neubert, a Protestant pastor, told CNS The policies on asylum and deportation in Germany about her parish s first experience providing church asy- have become stricter in the last year, and so that s why lum. more refugees ask for help in the churches, Jan Drunk- A family arrived with three small children in the dead enmoelle of the German Ecumenical Committee on of winter. They had been living on the streets of Berlin Church Asylum told CNS. because no one could provide anything. It was terrible, The Berlin-based organization works with Catholic and she said. Her church was too small, But it was four weeks Protestant churches offering church asylum to those in CNS PHOTO | L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO before Christmas. So, we said this is our holy family this great need. Currently, more than 350 churches in Germa- Pope Francis blows out a candle on a 13-foot-long pizza year! ny provide sanctuary to some 600 asylum seekers. during a special meeting to celebrate his 81st birthday Dec. 17 at the Vatican’s Paul VI hall.

Vatican releases Royal Commission issues report on sexual abuse new instruction MELBOURNE, Australia (CNS) After five years of on authenticating, hearings, nearly 26,000 emails, and more than 42,000 phone calls from concerned Australians, the Royal protecting relics Commission Into Institutional Responses to Child Sex- ual Abuse released its 17-volume final report Dec. 15. VATICAN CITY (CNS) Among its 400 recommendations, 20 were aimed Only relics that have been specifically at the Catholic Church, whose leaders certified as authentic can spent three weeks in February testifying at a Catholic be exposed for veneration wrapup. by the faithful, said a new Several of the recommendations related to the Aus- Vatican instruction. tralian Catholic Bishops Conference working with the Published Dec. 16 in Ital- Holy See to change the Code of Canon Law to create a ian by the Congregation for new canon or series of canons specifically relating to Saints Causes, the instruc- child sexual abuse. tion clarifies and details One recommendation was for the Australian bishops the canonical procedures to work with the Holy See to determine if the absolute to be followed by local bish- secrecy concerning matters discussed during confes- ops in an effort to verify sion also applies to a child confessing he or she has the authenticity of relics been abused sexually. and the mortal remains of

˝©123RF STOCK PHOTO saints and blesseds, as well as better guarantee a relic s Pope: Press must be factual, trustworthy preservation, approve and Sit with the angels this Christmas! track its movements, and VATICAN CITY (CNS) People need factual and trust- promote its veneration. worthy news that avoids sensationalism and whipping The instruction replaces up heated reactions, Pope Francis said. GO TO the appendix, Canonical It is important the press not be constantly at the Recognition of the Mortal mercy of easy slogans or improvised information Remains of the Servant campaigns, which show the intention of manipulating www.worcesterdiocese.org/christmas-masses-2017 of God, included with reality, opinions and people themselves, often creating Sanctorum Mater, the worthless media dust storms, he told members of congregation s Instruction the press. Search by zip code for Christmas Mass information in your area. for Conducting Diocesan or Your voice free and responsible is fundamental More than 300 scheduled Masses to choose from. Eparchal Inquiries in the for the growth of any society that wishes to call itself Causes of Saints, released a democracy, so that the continuous exchange of ideas in 2007. and a fruitful debate based on real and correctly re- Merry Christmas and we hope to see you there! The instruction outlined ported information may be guaranteed, he said. the specific procedures The pope spoke Dec. 16 with members of the Italian and personnel necessary Periodical Press Union and members of the Italian Fed- ~ Communications Ministry of the Diocese of Worcester for the canonical recogni- eration of Catholic Weeklies, which represents nearly tion of the authenticity. 200 Catholic newspapers. DECEMBER 22, 2017 | THE CATHOLIC FREE PRESS ACROSS THE NATION 3

BRIEFSI For ‘Dreamers,’ U.S. Bishop Siegel arrives in Evansville, Indiana, EVANSVILLE, Ind. (CNS) Bishop Joseph M. Siegel, the sixth bishop of Evansville, said during his instal- is the only home they know lation Mass that he arrived in the diocese without any preconceived notions or ideas and wanted to learn as BY RUBY THOMAS AND JESSICA ABLE | CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE much as he could about the people to whom he will be ministering. SPRINGFIELD, Ky. (CNS) In response to Pope Francis In this first year, I look forward to listening, and call for Catholics to Share the Journey of their lives with learning, and seeking the wisdom of the clergy, dioc- one another under a two-year program introduced in Sep- esan staff and various advisory councils in the dio- tember, the following stories relate the experiences and cese, he told more than 800 people Dec. 15 during the hopes of young Catholic immigrants who worship at St. liturgy at St. Benedict Cathedral. Dominic Church in Springfield, Kentucky. I hope to begin visiting our parishes, schools, and For now, they are protected by the Deferred Action for institutions very soon, and to learn more about the Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, but that program is set to life, history, and culture of this part of Indiana, as well end in March unless Congress passes the Development, as the needs and concerns of the people who live, work Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act, or DREAM Act. and worship here, Bishop Siegel said. Yuliana Ortega, 15, is a student at Washington County High School. Ortega came to the U.S. from Jalisco, Mexico, Effort to repeal Johnson Amendment dropped when she was just a year old. Ortega said she fears having to leave her friends and WASHINGTON (CNS) A regulation that bars non- family in Springfield once the DACA program ends. profits and houses of worship from making politi- I don t know anything about Mexico. I don t know CNS PHOTO | RUBY THOMAS, THE RECORD cal endorsements remains on the books after it was where I would go to, she told The Record, newspaper of Young Hispanics, including Mirna Lozano, Carlos Guzman dropped from the Republican tax reform bill. A provi- the Archdiocese of Louisville. and Dora Lozano, front right, recite the Lord’s Prayer during sion that would have repealed the Johnson Amend- Ortega, who juggles school and work at the restaurant a young adult Mass in late October at St. Dominic Church in ment, a 1954 law that bans churches and nonprofit her family manages, said she wished she wasn t judged Springfield, Ky. organizations with tax-exempt status from taking part because of her race. Following high school, she hopes to in partisan political activity, had been inserted into the work one day as an interpreter. education. Lozano said she has no memories of her native House version of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, but not the We have goals and things in our lives we want to Mexico City, which she left with her family for the U.S. Senate version. reach, she said. when she was 3 years old. It was omitted from the final bill that was to be voted I m scared to lose everything. This is all I know, she on by both chambers before Christmas. n said. The provision was dropped during discussions as Wendy Hernandez, 21, is an English language tutor for If given the opportunity, Lozano said, she would ask lawmakers worked to reconcile the House and Senate Washington County Schools. Hernandez, who came to the legislators to try to understand the situation from her versions of the legislation after the Senate parliamen- U.S. when she was 6 years old with her mother and two point of view. tarian determined it did not meet the chamber s rules. siblings. She said her mother fled Cuernavaca, Mexico, to We didn t come here to harm anyone; we came here to escape physical abuse. have a better life. This program (DACA) helps us to reach Knights give aid to churches still rebuilding She considers the U.S., and Springfield, in particular, our goals. We don t want it to be taken away. her home. n NEW HAVEN, Conn. (CNS) The Knights of Colum- Since Hernandez learned of President Donald Trump s Juan Saucedo, 16, is a junior at Washington County bus, based in New Haven, announced it is commit- decision to cancel DACA, she has found her future to be High School and wants to become a diesel mechanic. He ting $1.4 million to repair or help rebuild churches uncertain. came to the U.S. from Aguas Calientes, Mexico, when he destroyed or badly damaged by the hurricanes that hit It s kind of scary because I don t know what is going to was 4 years old. Texas, Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands. happen, she said. My career, everything, is in their (law- Saucedo applied for DACA status earlier in 2017 and The Knights of Columbus also has earmarked a sig- makers) hands. was in the application process when the Trump adminis- nificant amount of money for upcoming church repair Hernandez said there are several misconceptions con- tration announced the end of the program. He is unsure efforts in Puerto Rico. The Knights earlier donated cerning Dreamers, as DACA youth are sometimes called. of the status of his application. $100,000 to the Archdiocese of San Juan and provided We don t get all the benefits everyone believes we do. Our future is in their hands, but there s nothing we generators, food, water and other necessities to aid We have to work harder than others to be able to go to can do, the teen said. We have goals like everyone else. relief efforts. school or to get a job sometimes, she explained. Just because we re Hispanic or a different race doesn t Getting parish facilities up and running again does She said she worries about being forced to return to a mean we don t have goals. not just meet a practical need, Carl Anderson, CEO of country she does not know. If she could speak to legisla- n the Knights, said in a Dec. 14 statement. tors, she would tell them to get to know us. Manuel Hernandez, 25, is a senior at Eastern Kentucky Get to know a little about us and see how we are trying University where he is studying computer networking to help our community. We have ambition and goals in and security. He came to the U.S. with his two siblings, Pope accepts resignation of Hartford Auxiliary our life for our future. including sister Wendy, and their mother, when he was 13 n years old. WASHINGTON (CNS) Pope Francis has accepted the Carlos Guzman, 26, is owner and operator of Longview Hernandez said he and other DACA youth contribute resignation of Auxiliary Bishop Christie A. Macaluso Roofing in Lebanon, Kentucky. Guzman, said ending the to this country in many ways. of Hartford. DACA program would have a devastating ripple effect in We re students; we have jobs, he said. This is our The resignation was announced in Washington Dec. his life. home; I don t think any of us want to go back. 15 by Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio Not only would he be taken away from his home, fam- He said it s difficult to fight against a narrative that de- to the United States. ily and faith community, but he would be stripped of his picts immigrants as ones who take jobs from others and Bishop Macaluso, 72, is the vicar general of the arch- livelihood, a business he has worked hard to build, he demeans them. diocese. He was named an auxiliary bishop of Hart- said. We re not just a stereotype. We don t steal jobs. We re ford in 1997. He was appointed rector of St. Thomas I think a lot of people don t realize we work hard to not criminals. We re trying to contribute as much as pos- Seminary in Bloomfield, Connecticut, in 2014. He also have a better future. We try our best to contribute to this sible. has served as financial officer for the archdiocese and country. We pay our taxes, moderator of the curia. we create jobs and we con- Thomas and Able are on the staff of The Record, news- The Hartford Archdiocese in a statement extended tribute to the economy, he paper of the Archdiocese of Louisville. its best wishes, prayers, and deep gratitude as Bish- said. op Macaluso adjusted to retirement. Guzman, who was brought to the U.S. from Sonora, Mexico, at 14, said people should not judge each other solely based on what others are saying. O Holy Night I m sure every parent wants a better future for Our Blessings to you for a healthy and their children. Some may think it was probably wrong happy holiday season (for our parents) bringing us here, but what would you do for your child? he said. Guzman s parents decided to bring him and his three CNS PHOTO | JESSICA ABLE, THE RECORD FOX TOURS brothers to the U.S. to avoid Mirna Lozano is a member the constant violence they of St. Dominic Church in faced. Springfield, Ky. She is one of It s a big sacrifice because about 800,000 young people they left behind their par- protected from deportation ents and family. When fam- by the Deferred Action ily members die, it s hard for for Childhood Arrivals them not being able to go program, or DACA, which back, he said. is ending. Lozano and her n father, Rodrigo, recently Dora Lozano, 18, is a earned certification in student at Elizabethtown youth ministry through the Technical and Community Archdiocese of Louisville’s College, where she is study- Office of Youth and Young ing Spanish and special Adults.

A Blessed hristmas C to All

Tidings of Gladness & Joy Chatham • Cohasset • Hyannis • Worcester 239 239 Litchfield St., Leominster, MA 01453 1-978-537-3637 4 OPINION THE CATHOLIC FREE PRESS | DECEMBER 22, 2017

CHRISTMAS GOSPEL POPE FRANCIS CATECHESISI In the beginning Sunday Mass should be center of your life was the Word, and the Word was with God, Dear Brothers and Sisters,good nn. 2177-2188). The Eucharist is the Without Christ we are con- and the Word was God. morning! teacher of all these values, Sunday demned to be dominated by He was in the beginning with God. after Sunday. Therefore, Vatican tiredness of the every day, with All things came to be through him, Taking up the series of catecheses Council II wanted to confirm that its preoccupations and the fear of and without him nothing came to be. on the Mass, today we ask ourselves: Sunday is the primordial day of tomorrow. The Sunday encounter What came to be through him was life, Why go to Mass on Sunday? celebration which must be pro- with the Lord gives us strength to and this life was the light of the posed and inculcated in the piety of live today with trust and courage human race; the faithful, so that it also becomes and to go on with hope. This is why the light shines in the darkness, he Sunday celebration of the a day of joy and of abstention from we Christians go to encounter the and the darkness has not overcome it. Eucharist is at the center of work (Constitution Sacrosanctum Lord on Sunday in the Eucharistic A man named John was sent from the life of the Church (Cf. Concilium, 106). celebration. God. Catechism of the Catholic Sunday s abstention from work Eucharistic Communion with He came for testimony, to testify to TChurch, n. 2177). We Christians go didn t exist in the first centuries: Jesus, Risen and Living for ever, the light, to Mass on Sun- anticipates the so that all might believe through him. day to encounter Sunday without He was not the light, the Risen Lord, or, sunset, when but came to testify to the light. better, to let our- there will no lon- The true light, which enlightens selves be encoun- ger be fatigue, or everyone, was coming into the world. tered by Him, to pain, or mourn- He was in the world, listen to His word, ing, or tears, but and the world came to be through to eat at His table, only the joy of him, and thus become living fully and but the world did not know him. Church, that is, for ever with the He came to what was his own, His living Mysti- Lord. Sunday but his own people did not accept cal Body in the Mass also speaks him. world today. of this blessed It was under- rest, teaching us, But to those who did accept him stood, from the in the flow of the he gave power to become children of first moment, by week, to entrust God, Jesus disciples, ourselves to the to those who believe in his name, who celebrated hands of the who were born not by natural the Eucharistic Father who is in generation encounter with Heaven. nor by human choice nor by a man s the Lord in the What can we decision day of the week answer one who but of God. that the Jews says there is no And the Word became flesh called the first of need to go to and made his dwelling among us, the week and the Mass, not even on and we saw his glory, Romans day of Sunday, because the glory as of the Father s only Son, the sun, because what is important full of grace and truth. on that day Jesus is to live well, to John testified to him and cried out, rose from the love one s neigh- saying, dead and He ap- bor? It s true that This was he of whom I said, peared to His dis- the quality of a The one who is coming after me ciples, speaking Christian life is ranks ahead of me with them, eating measured by the because he existed before me. with them, giving capacity to love, From his fullness we have all received, them the Holy as Jesus said: By grace in place of grace, Spirit (Cf. Matthew this all men will because while the law was given 28:1; Mark 16:9.14; know that you through Moses, Luke 24:1.13; are My disciples: grace and truth came through John 20:1.19), as if you have love Jesus Christ. we heard in the for one another No one has ever seen God. biblical Reading. (John 13:35); but The only Son, God, who is at the The great effusion how can we prac- Father s side, of the Holy Spirit tice the Gospel has revealed him. also happened without drawing on Sunday, the the necessary fiftieth day after energy to do so, Jesus Resurrec- Sunday after tion. For these reasons, CNS PHOTO | TONY GENTILE, REUTERS Sunday, from the inex- Sunday is a holy day Pope Francis waves as he arrives to lead his general audience in haustible source of the for us, sanctified by Paul VI hall at the Vatican Dec. 13. Eucharist? We don t the Eucharistic celebra- go to Mass to give God John 1:1-18 tion, the Lord s living presence something, but to receive from Him among us and for us. Hence, it is what we truly need. The prayer the Mass that makes Sunday Chris- Some secularized of the Church reminds us of this, At Christmas, tian! The Christian Sunday revolves societies have lost which addresses God thus: You do depending on the around the Mass. For a Christian, not need our praise, but by a gift time of the Mass, what sort of Sunday is it that lacks the Christian of your love you call us to render various Gospels tell the encounter with the Lord? thanks to you; our hymns of bless- parts of the Nativity Unfortunately, there are Chris- sense of ing do not enhance your grandeur, story. This Gospel tian communities that cannot enjoy but obtain for us the grace that is from the Mass on the Mass every Sunday; however, on Sunday illumined by saves us (Roman Missal, Ordinary Christmas Day. this holy day, they are also called the Eucharist. Preface IV). to recollect themselves in prayer In conclusion, why go to Mass on in the Lord s name, listening to the Sunday? It s not enough to answer Word of God and keeping alive the that it s a precept of the Church; desire of the Eucharist. this helps to keep its value, but it s Some secularized societies have it s a specific contribution of Chris- not enough on its own. We Chris- lost the Christian sense of Sunday tianity. By biblical tradition the tians need to take part in Sunday illumined by the Eucharist. This is Jews rest on Saturday, while in Ro- Mass because only with Jesus sin! In these contexts, it s necessary man society a weekday of absten- grace, with His living presence in to revive this awareness, to recover tion from servile works was not us and among us, can we put into the meaning of the celebration, of foreseen. It was the Christian sense practice His commandment, and the joy of the parish community, of living as children and not as thus be His credible witnesses. of solidarity, of the rest that re- slaves, animated by the Eucharist, stores the soul and the body (Cf. which made Sunday almost uni- ZENIT translation by Catechism of the Catholic Church, versally the day of rest. Virginia M. Forrester

The créche and the ‘gap’

or the past decade or so, I ve been assembling a mid- sword of sorrow promised by which is the abandonment of my will to God s will for my sized Judean village of Fontanini cr che figures, ancient Simeon in Luke 2.35 life. including artisans, herders (with sheep), farmers will pierce Mary s soul. Then, Then there is Joseph, another model of self-gift and (with chickens and an ahistorical turkey), vintners, in the tableau at the foot of the self-renunciation. Hans Urs von Balthasar again: In the Fblacksmiths, musicians, weavers, and a fisherman or two Cross, as captured by Michel- background of this scene of birth there also stands Jo- (one awake, another sleeping). Like the colossal Neapoli- angelo in the Piet , Mary will seph, who renounces his own fatherhood and assumes tan cr che at the basilica of Saints Cosmas and Damian offer the silent affirmation of the role of foster father assigned to him. He provides a in Rome, it s a reminder that the Lord Jesus was born in God s will to which she once particularly impressive example of Christian obedience, the midst of humanity and its messy history: the history gave vocal assent at the An- which can be ... very difficult ... to accept, especially in the that the Child has come to set back on its truest course, nunciation: Be it done unto me physical sphere. For one can be poor by having given ev- which is toward God. The messiness of history is a cau- according to your word (Luke erything away once and for all, but one can be chaste only tion against letting sentimentality take over Christmas; 1.38). by a daily renunciation of something which is inalienable so are some challenging truths about Mary, Joseph, and The last recorded words of to man. And that makes Joseph a model for those who their place in what theologians calls the economy of sal- Mary in the New Testament struggle daily to live, by grace, the truths they affirm vation. Do whatever he tells you THE CATHOLIC about human love. Why challenging? Because Mary and Joseph were (John 2.5) underscore that the Mind the gap is the ubiquitous instruction found on called to both form their son in the faith of Israel and role of Mary, who receives the DIFFERENCE the London Underground, cautioning passengers against then give up, even renounce, their human claims on him, Incarnate Word of God at the stepping between the train and the platform. It s also a so that he might be what God the Father intended and the Annunciation and gives birth pithy but accurate description of the drama of the Chris- world needed. to him in the Nativity, is always George tian life. For we all live, daily, in the gap between the When Luke tells us that Mary kept all that had hap- to give her Son away: to point person I am and the person I was called to be at baptism. pened to her and to her boy in her heart (Luke 2.52), we beyond herself to him, and to Weigel The quotidian effort to minimize that gap, which means may imagine that she was pondering what the Swiss theo- call others to obedience to him. cooperating with God s grace, is the warp and woof of the logian Hans Urs von Balthasar once described as a great Thus what Balthasar described spiritual life. So the complement to the Fontanini charac- detachment: at his birth, Jesus detached himself from as a detachment applies to ters surrounding our family cr che each of whom repre- her in order to tread his way back to the Father through Mary as well as to Jesus: Mary detaches herself from sents a personal and unique life in the gap is a small the world. Some will welcome the message he will preach whatever her own life-plans might be, and from whatever Mind the Gap Christmas ornament on our tree. For the along that messianic pilgrimage; others will be resistant. her maternal instincts to keep her Son close might be, Child born in Bethlehem is the bridge across the gap, and And that resistance (in which the Evil One will play no in order to fulfill the vocation planned for her from the the angels atop the tree announce his birth. small part) will eventually lead to Calvary, where the beginning to be the model of all Christian discipleship, A blessed Christmas to all.

Periodicals paid at Worcester, Massachusetts. Board of Governors: Paul F. McGrath, chairman The Catholic Free Press POSTMASTER: Send Address Changes to The Catholic Free Press, Msgr. F. Stephen Pedone, (ISSN 0008-8056) 49 Elm Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01609 Patricia A. Smith Established in 1951 and published weekly Home delivery $39/year Free in parishes & on newsstands John P. Widdison by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Worcester, Most Rev. Robert J. McManus, D.D., S.T.D. Member of International Union of the Catholic Press, Catholic Press Address: 49 Elm Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01609 Association, Catholic News Service. Executive Editor: Margaret M. Russell Telephone: 508-757-6387 FAX: 508-756-8315 Contributing Editor: William T. Clew E-mail: [email protected] Material intended for publication either by the news or advertising Advertising Director: Robert C. Ballantine Website: www.catholicfreepress.org departments should be received by Tuesday noon. DECEMBER 22, 2017 | THE CATHOLIC FREE PRESS COMMENTARY 5

FUNDAMENTALSI Rejoice! OF CATHOLICISMI Gospel: Luke 1:26-38 Thus, in Luke s Gospel, the Archangel Gabriel is n the Fourth Sunday of Advent, the Gospel the dramatic agent of God s presents to us St. Luke s account of the Annun- providence, vitally connect- ciation. Though we are familiar with this story, ing various aspects of the which teaches us how the birth of Jesus Christ salvation story. Luke 1:26-38 Ocame about, the Annunciation itself is part of a longer begins with Luke s note that and more complex encounter of human beings with Gabriel was sent to Nazareth, God which continues in the New Testament. a town of Galilee. The Dic- This encounter, chronicled in the Old Testament, tionary of the Bible suggests reveals God s interactions with human beings through- that the word Nazareth out the ages. Often, the Old Testament narrative in- comes from the Hebrew cludes the human experience of meeting angels, sent nasret which means un- by God to aid them. This human experience is a sig- certain. This word-study nificant constant throughout the Old Testament and SUNDAY’S strangely seems to capture makes tangible the workings of God s providence. the substance of Mary s en- The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines an- counter with Gabriel which gels as spiritual, personal and immortal creatures, GOOD NEWS initially leaves her feeling with intelligence and free will, who glorify God with- troubled by its message. out ceasing and who serve God as messengers of his Luke is clear that Mary saving plan. The Catechism goes on to cite St. Augus- Father was a virgin betrothed to a tine who notes that the word angel connotes the man named Joseph. In The name of their office, not their nature. This is because Michael N. Essential Guide to Biblical the word angel means messenger. Lavallee Life and Times, author Mar- In Luke 1:26-38, God sends the Archangel Gabriel tin Albl teaches that in Jew- to Mary so that he would announce to her that she has ish marriage custom at the been chosen to become the Mother of God. The Catho- time of Jesus, betrothal was lic Bible Dictionary teaches us that the word arch- the first step in the marriage process. He explains angel places Gabriel in the highest rank of angels, that betrothal was a formal agreement (between fami- CHRISTOLOGY indeed among those who are sent to deliver to human lies) for their children to marry. Luke is also clear that beings a message of supreme importance. Mary s future spouse was of the royal family line of St. Luke places his account of Gabriel s appearance King David. to Mary immediately after his account of the an- In Luke 1:28, Gabriel s greeting reveals Mary s fa- Jesus Christ nouncement of the birth of John the Baptist. In this vor with God, as she has been preserved from origi- account, the Archangel Gabriel also plays a prominent nal sin to bear the Christ-child within her. Gabriel s role, announcing to Zechariah that his wife, Elizabeth, greeting constitutes the beginning of the Hail Mary. is truly human would conceive John in her womb. Gabriel s announce- Mary s response to Gabriel s message makes her one ment of John s birth is of supreme importance as of the primary examples of Christian faith found in BY FATHER KENNETH BAKER, SJ John s purpose was to prepare the earth for the com- Scripture. Her yes to God s plan inspires all believers ing of the Messiah. in their own response to God. aving considered Jesus true divinity, we now move on to a reflection on his true humanity. It may seem strange to some of my readers that I stress the importance of the real humanity of Jesus HChrist. Most Catholics just assume that Jesus of Nazareth, born in a stable of the Virgin Mary on Christmas Day, is a God has his own plans man just like other men, sin only excepted. In the course of Church history, however, there have Reflections on II Samuel 7: 1-5 from his mother, especially been a number of heresies that directly concerned the evident in the prayer that he full humanity of Jesus. In the first and second centuries o and do whatever you have in mind, for gave us: Your will be done! there were heretics called Gnostics or Docetists who the Lord is with you. Not mine, but the Father s. taught that Jesus Christ, the divine Son of God, was only The entire life of Jesus is an apparently a man. They said that he appeared to be a man King David s humility had to take a back example of faithful trust in to his disciples and to the crowds as he taught them, but seat Gto God s incomprehensible wisdom. And even the the will of the one who sent that he did not have a real body such as we have. The rea- Prophet Nathan was initially unaware of the implica- him. Once we are spiritually son for this strange view was their belief that matter and tions. David had hoped to build a house for God, a comfortable with our identity the material world are basically evil. They said that God temple, that would out-rival the royal palace. However, as servants and handi- did not create matter; according to them, matter came Almighty God had bigger and better plans in mind. work of God, can we then from an evil principle. He himself would construct a new and unimaginable move freely into the type of Since Christ in their view is truly God, and since God dwelling place in the person of his only begotten son acceptance that is demanded cannot be touched by evil, it followed that God could not who became human flesh. Perhaps God also had a of us as people of faith. become a true man. Thus, in their view, God revealed special insight into King David s pride in undertaking REFLECTING I will fix a place for my himself to us through what appeared to be a man, such a worthy accomplishment. This new temple people. namely Jesus Christ, but he actually was something like a would now be a place of worship for all peoples. God ON SCRIPTURE How discouraged King ghost. would dwell among his people in a perpetual way David must have been when Needless to say, the Church reacted very strongly the Incarnate Word. That is what the Christmas mys- he received these startling against this serious error. The Fathers of the Church tery is all about! Father words! Granted his heart was were tireless in pointing out the many errors that this The selection from the Second Book of Samuel re- in the right place, but his in- Docetism leads to. For, if Jesus was not truly a man, minded me of ourselves and how we make plans for, Conrad S. tentions were way out of line then he was not born, he did not suffer, he did not die whatever. We become so busy initiating these lofty with what God intended to on the Cross. He only appeared to do these things. Such plans, either for ourselves, for others or even for God. Pecevich do. Lesson to be learned: Let a view of Christ would destroy all Christian striving for However, in the end, we realize that our planning was God be God! virtue and attempts to follow in the footsteps of Jesus as in vain. God had something else in store for David and The Lord went on to re- the way to the Father. Israel. Bottom line: God makes his own plans, and he mind David of all the mighty deeds he had done on his It undermines all cred- does so despite our best efforts. behalf: It was I who took you from the pasture and ibility in the historicity We humans are a stage lot. We make all sorts of the care of the flock, to be commander of my people, The constant faith of the Bible since the plans for all kinds of things as if we were the masters Israel. God proceeds to inform David of his plans and Gospels recount many of our own lives. How often have our plans for the the marvels he will accomplish: I will be a father to of the Church is that concrete details about future come to nothing, thus causing us frustration him, and he will be a son to me, declared the Lord. Jesus Christ the life and death of and discouragement? This rings true even when we This weekend as we reflect on the gentle, yet pow- Jesus. The doctrine of make plans for God in our lives. In the end, we have to erful attitude of Our Blessed Lady in the face of the assumed a Docetism also wipes out say with Our Lady, Mary, in the Gospel today: I am the awesome mystery of the Incarnation, we are likewise the Church s belief and (maid)servant of the Lord, let it be done to me accord- urged to reflect upon the person and faith of King Da- real body, not doctrine of the seven ing to your word! The challenge here: acceptance of vid. One is a reflection of the other. sacraments since they God s will in the present and in the future. The person- Now, back to us. May we, like Mary, live in the pres- just an apparent body. use material things such al knowledge that we walk with God and that our lives ent moment of God s loving providence, confident that as water, wine, bread, are in his hands calls us to a faith-filled acceptance of he will ever lead us to lofty heights if we but fall upon oil; it nullifies the Holy God s holy will. his mercy and trust in his unfailing love for us. God Sacrifice of the Mass and the real presence of Jesus in the Well must the Lord have learned this timely lesson knows what God is doing! Eucharist. In effect, it destroys the whole Christian faith. For these and many other reasons the Church has al- ways firmly condemned theories that lead to the denial of the true humanity of Jesus Christ. The constant faith of the Church is that Jesus Christ assumed a real body, not just an apparent body. This is testified to by the most important facts of the earthly life Don’t forget suffering little ones at Christmas of Jesus, that is, his conception, birth, public life, suffer- ing, dying and resurrection. magine hearing a knock at your front door. As you unicef.org/sowc96/1cinwar. By reflecting for a moment you will recall that we ac- open the door, to your great surprise you see a baby htm). knowledge these facts each time we pray the Creed. In lying in front of you. Without hesitation, you im- One of the poorest places the Apostle s Creed we say: I believe in ... Jesus Christ, mediately pick up the infant and bring her out of on earth for little ones is his only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Ithe cold night and into the warmth of your home and South Sudan. Civil war and Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius heart. drought have placed nearly 6 Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended As a good decent human being, as a follower of million people on the brink into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead. Jesus who loved the poor and vulnerable so dearly, of starvation. These statements are all based on the experiences that you surely would not close your door on this helpless An outstandingly selfless the Apostles and early disciples had of Jesus during his child. And neither would I. Catholic organization there earthly life; later they were written down and were trea- Then how is it that we often do not open our hearts is the Sudan Relief Fund sured by succeeding generations of Christians. That is as wide as possible to the little ones in our world who which supports two orphan- how they came to be part of the Bible as the Gospel ac- are orphaned, impoverished, cold, hungry, sick, home- ages and operates Mother of cording to Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. less, war-torn and unborn? Mercy Hospital in the remote Jesus did not merely appear to be a man; he truly be- I think our hearts are often not wide open because Making a Nuba Mountains the only came one of us. As St. John says in 1:14, And the Word the little ones are not on our doorsteps. You know, out trauma center within a 300- became flesh and dwelt among us. St. Paul says that he of sight, out of mind. Difference mile radius where Ameri- was born of woman (Gal 4:4) and experienced the weak- Well let s change that. Let s bring the little ones into can Catholic missionary, Dr. nesses and frailties of human flesh. our field of vision. Tom Catena, the hospital s Jesus did not just appear to be an infant and a child. Educating ourselves on the plight of babies and Tony sole physician and surgeon, He was nursed and cared for by his mother. He grew up young children is an essential way to keep them in tirelessly treats 400 patients into manhood and maturity just as we do: And Jesus in- mind and thus inspire us into action. Magliano a day. creased in wisdom and in stature, and in Favor with God According to the World Health Organization, ap- Please consider making and man (Lk 2:52) proximately 15,000 children under 5 die every day a generous Christmas gift The gospels are full of references to the true humanity largely due to the easily preventable diseases of pneu- to this very worthy Catholic organization by going to of Jesus. He was tired and sat down at Jacob s well in Sa- monia, diarrhea, malaria, and preterm-birth complica- www.sudanreliefund.com/current-needs and www.su- maria. He slept on the boat on the Sea of Galilee. He wept tions and birth asphyxia. Undernutrition is a major danreliefund.com/sudan-landings/orphans. at the grave of Lazarus. On the way to Calvary, he carried contributor to these deaths (see: http://bit.ly/OwVuI9). And let us not forget to stand up for the little ones his own cross and was thirsty in his agony. When he died, Increased investment by the United States and journeying to be born, but sadly never see the light of blood and water flowed from his opened side. After the other wealthy nations in relatively low-cost vaccines, day due to the brutality of abortion. Resurrection, Jesus assures his doubting disciples of the medicines, insecticide treated bed nets, breast-feeding In the United States more than 900,000 unborn ba- reality of his human body with the words, Handle and education, adequate nutrition, as well as pre-natal/ bies are killed every year (see: http://bit.ly/2BkfxoV). see (Lk 24:39). child-delivery/post-natal care would prevent most of And worldwide approximately 56 million babies are As you can well imagine, the denial of Jesus true hu- the at risk babies and under-5-year-olds from dying. aborted. manity under the pretense of some higher spirituality Yet, the United States provides less than 1 percent Please contact your state Catholic Conference to re- is a dagger in the heart of the Christian faith. What it re- of its budget for all poverty-focused international aid. ceive their legislative action alerts, and kindly consider ally means is that there was no Incarnation, no Redemp- That is shameful. (see: www.borgenproject.org/foreign- making a Christmas donation to your local pregnancy tion and no Salvation for mankind. It is a cruel attempt on aid). center. the part of arrogant, proud and conceited intellectuals to And the United States itself has a higher infant mor- During Mass on the second Sunday of Advent, rest- remove Jesus Christ from the realm of historical reality tality rate than 27 other wealthy nations (see: http:// ing in the pew in front of me was a tiny newborn baby. and transfer him into the area of philosophical specula- wapo.st/2zaE3ai). As I looked at how miraculously he was made, I then tion. We may rightly apply to them the words of Mary Please contact your congressional delegation today focused on the Nativity scene in the sanctuary and Magdalene at the empty tomb on Easter morning: They (Capitol switchboard: 202-224-3121) urging a robust could clearly imagine the baby Jesus lying in the man- have taken away my Lord and I know not where they have increase in both domestic and international funding ger. And I thought about how wonderful it is that the laid him (Jn 20:13). for child poverty-focused needs like those listed above. Almighty chose to come to us as an innocent, gentle, And urge them to stop funding war and war-fueling vulnerable, lovable baby to give us an invaluable Next Week: THE PERFECT MAN: “To say that Jesus had a human soul weapons which are being used in the killing of hun- glimpse into the person of God and the way to peace means that he had a human, finite mind and will like ours. In other words, he dreds of thousands of children every year (see: www. on earth. possessed the fullness of humanity.” 6 LOCAL THE CATHOLIC FREE PRESS | DECEMBER 22, 2017 Working behind the scenes to prepare Christmas Dinner

Delivering 1,800 meals takes some coordination BUS ROUTES

BY WILLIAM T. CLEW THE CATHOLIC FREE PRESS meal is about the same, but every year he and his crew It s a Christmas tradition try to find ways to make in the Worcester Diocese, the job more efficient. He BUS A BUS B Dinner and a Thanksgiving tradi- said he has a good crew. Christmas tion, too. For Monday s Christmas 10:30 Lincoln Village 10:20 Greenwood Gardens Greenwood St. For many years, and dinners, the crew at the 10:35 Booth Apartments again this year, the Bishop Broadway began preparing Lincoln St. 10:40 Canterbury Towers of Worcester and Catholic and cooking Wednesday Lancaster & Dix Streets Charities Worcester County night, Mr. Isildakli said. 10:55 Seabury Heights (pickup inside drive) 10:50 Pleasant Towers will host Christmas din- The turkeys are washed, 275 Pleasant St. ners for those who may be sprayed and baked, the 11: 05 Green Hill Towers 10:50 Elm Park Towers, homebound or otherwise potatoes, mixed vegetables 11: 2 0 Belmont Apartments 425 Pleasant St. might be alone. and stuffing are cooked, 40 Belmont St. A short notice to that ef- and the gravy is made. The 11: 2 0 Murray Ave. Apts. fect appears on this page. stuffing takes a long time The announcement is WILLIAM T. CLEW | CFP to prepare, he said. simple. Getting it done is Jerry Beddes and Robert When everything is done, another story. Cronin organize holiday the Broadway team, eight It starts one and a half to dinners and delivery routes. to 10 workers, begin to two weeks before the holi- package the meals. They Bishop to host Christmas Dinner day. Jerry Beddes, Catholic pack 27 boxes in each of up Charities information tech- apartment complex or high to 75 containers, Mr. Isil- The annual Christmas dinner, hosted Volunteers who want to help with home nology manager, begins rise, the volunteer may de- dakli said, and will deliver by Bishop McManus and Catholic Chari- deliveries of dinners should report by 9:30 with lists of names from liver 30 or more meals. them to Catholic Charities ties, will be served Dec. 25 in the St. Paul a.m. to the Catholic Charities main office Elder Services of Worcester, Mr. Beddes said the num- at 10 Hammond St. on Cathedral Cenacle in the cathedral base- at 10 Hammond St. Fallon Health Care, Mill- ber of volunteers who de- Christmas morning. ment. Dinners also will be delivered to Volunteers to help serve the dinners at bury Council on Aging and liver meals can vary from There the meals will be those who are homebound, according to the cathedral should report to the cathe- other organizations. holiday to holiday and also removed from the pack- Robert Cronin, dinner coordinator. dral by 11:30 a.m. They include people who depends on the weather. ages and put in bags, along Buses will provide transportation to live in neighborhoods in There usually are more with a roll and butter and and from the cathedral for those who Those who wish to make donations to the city and some sur- volunteers for Thanksgiv- a small pie. The volunteers want to dine with Bishop McManus, the help defray the cost of the dinner may do so rounding towns, many of ing deliveries than for will pick up the number host along with Catholic Charities. (The by sending contributions to Catholic Chari- whom are in the Meals on Christmas deliveries. And of bags they need to de- bus routes are printed above.) ties, 10 Hammond St., Worcester MA 01610. Wheels program, according bad weather can cut their liver, check their lists and to Robert Cronin, Catholic number. The fewer the head out to complete their Charities dinner coordina- volunteers, the more meals rounds. All those who tor. each one delivers, he said. get the meals delivered at Mr. Beddes then checks Many volunteers have home have to do is heat the names on his list to be been doing this for many them and then sit down to sure that someone s name years. But each year new a turkey dinner with all the doesn t appear twice on people also volunteer, he fixings. the final listing. He said said. The meals they deliv- Those people who will he then makes sure the er contain turkey, mashed sit down with Bishop Mc- names are matched with potatoes, mixed vegetables, Manus in the Cenacle at the right addresses. stuffing, cranberry sauce, St. Paul Cathedral will be He said he usually ends rolls, butter and a small served a hot dinner with up with 1,300 to 1,400 Table Talk pie. all the fixings. Mr. Isildakli names. Some of those peo- Where all that stuff and his crew will deliver ple get more than one meal comes from is another part freshly cooked meals to because there are others in of the story. be kept warm in chafing that household, he said. So Bill Isildakli is owner of dishes until the volunteers those 1,300 to 1,400 names the Broadway Restaurant fill a plate and serve it to can translate into 1,700 to at 100 Water St. He and his each guest. 1,800 meals delivered. crew have been preparing Attendance at the Next he makes up batch- the meals for the bishop s Thanksgiving and Christ- es of names from the same Thanksgiving and Christ- mas dinners has ranged neighborhood or high rise mas dinners for so many from about 150 to nearly or apartment complex. years he has lost count. He 200. If the people receiving guesses it s 38 to 40 years. Mr. Beddes has been with the meals live in separate He said he devotes his full Catholic Charities for 34 TANYA CONNOR | CFP buildings from one anoth- attention to those meals years and has been coor- er, a volunteer may deliver during the holiday season dinator for the last 25 or as few as 10 or 12 meals. and his wife handles the so, he said. Mr. Cronin has Ordained a deacon If the meal recipients live restaurant. been with Catholic Chari- Bishop McManus prays over Victor Alonso Sierra Lopez at his ordination to the transitional close to one another in an The procedure for each ties for close to 40 years. diaconate Saturday at St. Paul Cathedral. The diaconate is one step before priesthood.

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OBITUARYI Cardinal Law, whose legacy was marred by sex abuse scandal, dies All are warmly welcomed,as BY CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE we celebrate the birth of our Savior, VATICAN CITY (CNS) Jesus Cardinal Bernard F. Law, Christ! who had been one of the MILLBURY United States most power- Our Lady of the Assumption ful and respected bishops Church • 10 Waters Street until his legacy was blem- St. Brigid Church • 53 Main Street ished by the devastating 4th SUNDAY OF ADVENT MASSES sexual abuse of minors by Saturday, December 23 priests in his Archdiocese @ St. Brigid 4:00 PM of Boston, died early Dec. Sunday, December 24th 20 in Rome at the age of 86. @ St. Brigid 7:00 AM Before the abuse scandal Sunday, December 24th forced his resignation in @ Assumption 10:00 AM 2002, Cardinal Law had DECEMBER 24th~CHRISTMAS EVE been a leading church CNS PHOTO | GREGORY A. SHEMITZ, LONG ISLAND CATHOLIC St. Brigid: spokesman on issues rang- 3:30 PM Lesons & Carols ing from civil rights to Cardinal Bernard F. Law pictured in a 2007 photo. 4:00 PM Mass international justice, from Our Lady of the Assumption: abortion to poverty, from Our Lady of Mount Carmel at 5:30 PM Lessons & Carols Catholic-Jewish relations Mary Salus Populi Romani, years as an assistant pas- Our Lady of Loreto Parish, Worcester 6:00 PM Mass and ecumenism to war and the title with which she is tor, he was made editor of 11:30 PM Lessons & Carols 12:00 AM Midnight Mass peace. honored at Rome s Basilica the Mississippi Register, the hristmas Cardinal Sean P. O Malley of St. Mary Major. diocesan newspaper. At the C DECEMBER 25TH~CHRISTMAS of Boston said in a state- Bishop McManus invited same time, he held several St. Brigid: ment Dec. 20, As arch- Catholics in the Diocese of other diocesan posts. MASS 10:00 AM Mass bishop of Boston, Cardinal Worcester to join him in A civil rights activist, he Schedule Law served at a time when prayer for the repose of the joined the Mississippi Lead- Christmas Eve: 4:00 pm the church failed seriously soul of Bernard Cardinal ership Conference and Mis- Please join us for our Choir Performance and St. Bernard’s Church in its responsibilities to Law. sissippi Human Relations Childrens Christmas Pageant beginning at 3:30 pm Our Lady of provide pastoral care for His passing reminds us Council. He received death Providence Parish her people, and with tragic of the victims of clerical threats for his strong edito- Midnight Mass: Please join us at 11:30 pm for outcomes failed to care for sexual abuse whose lives rial positions on civil rights a performance of Christmas carols the children of our parish were so seriously impacted in the Mississippi Register. Christmas Day: 8:00 am and 10:00 am communities. by those heinous crimes, His work for ecumenism Cardinal O Malley also along with their families in the Deep South in the recognized that his prede- and loved ones, he said. 1960s received national at- Our Lady of Loreto Church cessor s death brings forth I join with my brother tention, and in 1968 he was 37 Massasoit Road, Worcester, MA a wide range of emotions bishops in offering sincere tapped for his first national “Please Come Home for Christmas” on the part of many people. apologies for the harm suf- post, as executive director I am particularly cognizant fered by victims and their of the U.S. bishops Secre- of all who experienced the families, and the continued tariat for Ecumenical and trauma of sexual abuse by commitment by our dio- Interreligious Affairs. Christmas Schedule clergy, whose lives were cese to the protection of In 1973 Blessed Paul 228 Lincoln St., Worcester so seriously impacted by youth and young people. VI named him bishop of those crimes, and their Certainly our memory is Springfield-Cape Girardeau, Christmas Eve families and loved ones. To focused on his tenure in Missouri. He made head- Prince of Peace Parish Sunday, December 24th those men and women, I Boston during the sexual lines in 1975 when, amid 5 Worcester Road, Princeton, MA 4:00pm, 6:00pm Spanish offer my sincere apologies abuse crisis and his res- an influx of Vietnamese Serving the People of Princeton and Hubbardston for the harm they suffered, ignation as Metropolitan refugees arriving in the Midnight Mass 12:00am my continued prayers and Archbishop. United States, he arranged Rev. H. Edward Chalmers, Pastor my promise that the arch- May we also recall his to resettle in his diocese all Sr. Teresa Rose Carchidi, Pastoral Assistant Christmas Day diocese will support them bringing the Catholic 166 refugee members of www.princeofpeace.weconnect.com Monday, December 25th in their effort to achieve Church to the forefront the Vietnamese religious 9:00am, 11:00am Spanish healing. on other issues including order, Congregation of the Friday, December 22nd 7:00-8:00 PM Confessions for Christmas Cardinal O Malley said civil rights, ecumenical and Mother Co-Redemptrix. Call 508-755-3820 Cardinal Law would be interreligious dialogue and Continuing his ecumeni- CHRISTMAS EVE Sunday, December 24th 4:30 PM Children’s Christmas Liturgy buried in Rome, where he defending the unborn, to cal work, he formed the 9:30 PM Concert of Christmas Carols had his last assignment. name a few. May his soul Missouri Christian Leader- 10:00 PM Christmas Mass According to the Vatican, and the souls of the all the ship Conference. He was CHRISTMAS DAY his funeral Mass was to be faithful departed through made a member of the Monday, December 25th 10:30 AM Christmas Mass celebrated the afternoon the mercy of God rest in Vatican s Secretariat (now of Dec. 21 in St. Peter s Ba- peace. Pontifical Council) for Pro- silica with Cardinal Angelo Bernard Francis Law was moting Christian Unity and Sodano, dean of the College born on Nov. 4, 1931, in served in 1976-81 as a con- of Cardinals, presiding. Torreon, Mexico, where his sultor to its Commission Pope Francis, as is custom- father, a career Air Force for Religious Relations with PEOPLE EVERYWHERE ary for cardinals funerals, officer, was then stationed. the Jews. COME HOME FOR was to preside over the fi- He attended schools in New Pope John Paul II made nal rites at the end of Mass. York, Florida, Georgia, and him archbishop of Boston CHRISTMAS In a brief telegram to Barranquilla, Colombia, in January 1984 and the At Christmas, people come Cardinal Sodano, Pope and graduated from Char- following year made him a Christmas Vigil Masses Francis extended his con- lotte Amalie High School in cardinal. Sunday, December 24 home to family and friends dolences to the College of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. Soon after his arrival in 4:00 pm: English Mass and many come home to Cardinals, Pope Francis He graduated from Har- Boston, Cardinal Law be- 12:00 Midnight: their house of worship. said, I raise prayers for the vard University in Cam- came well-known for his Polish / English Mass repose of his soul that the bridge before entering St. work for immigrants and BLESSED SACRAMENT Lord God, who is rich in Joseph Seminary in St. minorities. mercy, may welcome him Benedict, La., in 1953. He He often led the Massa- Christmas Day ur Lady of CATHOLIC PARISH in his eternal peace, and later studied at the Pontifi- chusetts bishops in strug- Monday, December 25 Czestochowa in Worcester welcomes all this I send my apostolic bless- cal College Josephinum in gles to maintain or increase 9:30 am: English Mass 34 Ward Street, Worcester MA Christmas and year round, ing to those who share Worthington, Ohio. funding for programs for 11:00 am: Polish Mass especially those who, for any (508) 755-5959 in mourning the passing He was ordained a priest the poor and most vulnera- reason, have been away from of the cardinal, whom I of the Diocese of Natchez- ble segments of society and entrust to the maternal Jackson, Mississippi, in in the fight against abor- No Evening Mass parish life and its prayer. A intercession of the Virgin 1961. After serving two tion and the death penalty. special welcome to those new to the neighborhood or to the Catholic Faith. We look forward to praying with you: Our joy will be greater for your presence among us. Christmas Mass Schedule Sunday, December 24, 2017 Camosse masonry supply 4:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Monday, December 25, 2017 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Peace & Joy In Two Great Locations BLESSED SACRAMENT at Christmas 64 SW Cutoff (RT. 20) Worcester 508.755.6193 CATHOLIC CHURCH 23 Trolley Crossing Rd. Charlton 508.248.4044 551 Pleasant Street Time Worcester, MA Building & Landscaping Supplies, Retaining Walls, Paving Bricks, Natural Stone, Bulk Aggregates, Statuary, 508-755-5291 Granite Posts, Gift Certificates Available, and More... See us online at www.camosse.com Celebrate Christ at Christmas SPELLANE AUTO BODY at ST. JOSEPH BASILICA Christmas Schedule Third Sunday of Advent - December 17 Christmas Vigil - Sunday, December 24 Saturday Vigil: 4:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. Mass - Basilica Choir Sunday: 7:00 a.m. (Polish); 8:15 a.m. 11:30 p.m. - Blessing of the Manger with 9:30 a.m.; 11:00 a.m. (Polish) Candlelight Procession and Christmas At the 9:30 a.m. Family Mass children Carol Concert prepare for Jesus by bringing the Christ Child 12 Midnight Shepherd’s Mass with from their Nativity for a special blessing. Basilica Polish Choir They will also receive straw for the creche. The Children’s Choir performs. Christmas Day - Monday, December 25 8:15 a.m. - Mass in English Insurance Estimates & Collision Work Fourth Sunday of Advent - December 24 9:30 a.m. - Family Mass with Children’s Choir Call Us First for Accident Repair Advice Saturday Vigil: 4:00 p.m. 11:00 a.m. - Mass in Polish with Children’s Choir erry Sunday: 7:00 a.m. (Polish); 8:15 a.m. It’s Your Car – It’s Your Choice M 9:30 a.m.; 11:00 a.m. (Polish) hristmas Happy C and The children of St. Joseph School and Parish community wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Call: 508-756-0842 Fax: 508-795-1077 New Year to All! and invite you to visit with them at their Open Houses on Sunday, January 28th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. [email protected] and Wednesday, January 31st from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 18 Wellington St. Worcester, MA 01610 53 Whitcomb St., Webster, MA • 508-943-0467 • www.saintjosephbasilica.com 8 LOCAL THE CATHOLIC FREE PRESS | DECEMBER 22, 2017 Christmas during World War II

was driving Polish ingenuity came through Kelley up with substitutes Square one morn- that were almost ing recently when like real for kielbasy II saw a car with a and other traditional Christmas tree on the delicacies. roof and it brought Italian families me back to the days found themselves PHOTOS BY JUDI MOSSO, COURTESY OF ST. ALOYSIUS SCHOOL when my father and in the same quan- Familes of St. Aloysius School students pose with the Advent wreaths they made at the start of the season. I used to get our tree dary when real in a lot just about the Italian cheese and place where the car other necessities for was picking its way SENIOR SCENE the holiday became through traffic. There unavailable. Cans of used to be an open imported tomatoes, St. lot next to the Hotel Bob Cronin the soul of spaghetti Vernon and Boyd s Fu- sauce could not be neral Parlor and each found, but again im- year after Thanksgiv- migrant inventiveness Aloysius ing that was the spot to buy the saved the day. tree. Somehow I got to thinking Fortunately, the traditional Irish back when I was about 10 and Christmas Eve meal of finan how different things were. haddie (smoked haddock) did School I clearly remember the Sunday not need to be imported and the afternoon that all football games smoky aroma filled the house. were interrupted and the shock- Christmas shopping started ing news stunned us that Pearl early because gifts had to be sent families Harbor had been bombed and overseas or to family members that we were at war with Japan. training here in the States. Mail- From then on, Christmas and ing deadlines would be estab- our way of life would never be lished for various locations if the celebrate the same. By Christmas Day, only goodies were to arrive by Santa two weeks later, many who were Claus on Christmas Eve. The ab- civilians on the 7th would be in sence of loved ones was noted by training or boot camps to do such songs as I ll Be Home For Advent their part. Christmas or I ll have a Blue, Tina, Liam and Landon Swindlehurst create their own Advent wreath During the war years Christ- Blue Christmas. with greens, berries, candles, and ribbons. mas was a difficult time in many Nobody would use their auto households. To what had always to get to midnight Mass while been a happy holiday family din- gas was rationed. About 11:30 GILBERTVILLE The families of St. Aloysius were also invited to join in the fun. While there, ner now presented one or more p.m. Vernon Street would become Catholic School students came together to cel- families had the opportunity to attend a concert empty places as fathers, brothers, alive with walkers on their way ebrate the Advent season in fragrant and festive by Father Pat, receive the sacrament of reconcili- sons and daughters served their to Ascension Church coming up ways this past month! ation, go to Mass, visit the Creche Museum, and country in places they had never the hill from Kelley Square and Families gathered in the school s assembly hall tour the expansive grounds, illuminated with before heard of. And things were down from Providence Street. Nov. 26 to take part in an Advent wreath mak- 300,000 lights. not that easy on the home front. Endicott Street was the main ing session with Loretta DiPietro, faith formation Ware Council 183 of the Knights of Columbus I particularly remember the route for Polish families going to teacher. Over the course of the gathering Mrs. and an anonymous donor helped to subsidize the gas rationing. If you had a de- St. Mary s while the back side of DiPietro spoke about Advent and its significance, cost of bus, which made travel comfortable for fense job you got a B classifica- the Hill groups wended their and how the wreath and the lighting of its can- people as young as 6 months and as old as 80- tion to get you back and forth to way to Sacred Heart. And many dles each week can help to mark the time as we plus years! work. This sticker had to be dis- would head toward Kelley Square await Jesus birth. We are thrilled that families set time aside played on the windshield of your to a small church with a heavy Each family was provided with a wreath base, during this busy season to be together to practice car. An A sticker got you just French population known as St. greens, berries, candles, and ribbons and worked our faith and take part in special activities to about enough gas to do the week- Anthony s. together create a beautiful and fragrant symbol commemorate Advent. Providing a family-cen- ly shopping and maybe to church I m sure that there are not for their home. Prayers were also given to the tered atmosphere is what we are all about, said on Sunday. As you can imagine, many who remember those times participants to take home so that they could be Roberta McQuaid, the school s director. most people walked to wherever and how different they were. We recited each week when a candle was lit. Before St. Aloysius Catholic School opened its doors they went. If you couldn t walk were all thrilled to see Johnny parting, Father Richard Lembo, pastor of St. Aloy- in the fall of 2016 and welcomed 13 students at there, chances are, you never got come marching home again. sius Church blessed the wreaths. the start of this school year. Its unique mission there. They were happy times and they On Dec. 1, Father Lembo and families of St. includes faith formation, innovative academics, Many holiday traditions are were sad times but thanks to the Aloysius School students came together once and a commitment to the local community. The centered around ethnic holiday greatest generation we all lived more, this time traveling on a motor coach for school serves students in Preschool through foods and this presented cooks and survived to see many more nearly two hours from Gilbertville to visit the Grade 7 and will offer Grade 8 for the 2018-2019 and chefs on the homefront many Christmases. National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette in school year, Ms. McQuaid said. challenges. There were a lot of May the Christmas we are Attleboro. Parishioners of St. Aloysius Church Polish families about to expe- on Vernon Hill rience be your and they had happiest and strong tradi- may health Anna Maria professor receives music therapy award tions about and happiness holiday meals be yours and PAXTON Lisa Summer, di- tion, service, clini- Summer. This is also an impor- and how they your family s rector of music therapy at Anna cal practice and tant achievement for the Anna should be pre- throughout Maria College, received the 2017 research, to the Maria College Music Therapy pared. Authen- the new year. Award of Merit at the American profession of mu- program where we are prepar- tic ingredients Slainte! (to Music Therapy Association Na- sic therapy. ing the next generation of music were not avail- your health) tional Conference in St. Louis in I am honored therapists and professionals. I able since Po- God Bless ! November. to be recognized will continue to work hard to be land was a bat- Summer was awarded for her Summer by AMTA on a na- a role model to our students. tleground but contributions through educa- tional level, said

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BY CAROL ZIMMERMANN train two more people to CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE sew the handmade ties sold through the online WASHINGTON (CNS) A site https://phoenixhab- panel discussion last year erdashery.com. He admit- on the challenges faced ted he has had very little by refugees didn t sit well sleep in recent weeks, with a freshman at the starting his business work Jesuit-run College of the usually at 11 p.m. each CNS | COMPOSITE PHOTO FROM FAMILY THEATER PRODUCTIONS AND Holy Cross in Worcester. day, but he said it s defi- ARTURO MARI, L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO The stories that I nitely worth it. heard reminded me that He also knows more on Pope Francis advanced the sainthood causes of Holy Cross when we picture refugees, the business end now than Father Patrick Peyton and St. John Paul II’s mentor, Cardinal we falsely imagine a mass what he did at 15 when, Stefan Wyszynski. of people hoping to hoard he said, he didn t exactly into our country and dis- know what he was doing turb our system, Riley but he had some help. Benner wrote in a class The idea of a reversible Founder of Rosary paper. tie came to him when he But hearing the person- was required to wear ties al struggles and everyday every day as part of his Crusade one step challenges of refugees liv- high school uniform. A ing in the Worcester area reversible tie could still did more than just make CNS PHOTO | COURTESY RILEY BENNER be worn if something was Benner think. It inspired Riley Benner, a freshman at the College of the Holy Cross, spilled on it and it was closer to sainthood him to restart yes that s sports one of his handmade ties that can be ordered though turned over. He is current- right a business he be- the online site phoenixhaberdashery.com. He started the ly working on the patent BY CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE 19, with his heart set on be- gan when he was in high tie company, Phoenix Haberdashery, when he was a junior for the tie claiming it s not coming a millionaire after school that employed refu- at McQuaid Jesuit High School in Rochester, N.Y., and like other reversible ties VATICAN CITY (CNS) his dream of becoming a gees. employed refugee workers from the Rochester area. that use magnets. Pope Francis advanced priest was thwarted when a Most college freshman His tie still loops and the sainthood causes of seminary turned down his don t leave businesses can easily be flipped, Holy Cross Father Patrick scholarship request. behind when they pack up which he said is unique Peyton and St. John Paul He found a job as a clothes, posters and mini- because it doesn t lose the II s mentor, Cardinal Stefan sexton in the cathedral of refrigerators for school, single-tie feel even though Wyszynski. Scranton, Pennsylvania, but Benner did not think it is two ties in one. The pope approved the and he and his brother he would be able to oper- Each tie sold by Phoe- decrees recognizing their joined the seminary and ate his reversible tie busi- nix Haberdashery is heroic virtues during an were ordained in the Con- ness from afar. handmade by refugees in audience Dec. 18 with Car- gregation of the Holy Cross He didn t sell it but he Worcester and comes with dinal Angelo Amato, pre- in 1941. said he had been sad to let a tag that tells the story fect of the Congregation for Father Peyton s first as- it go. of the seamstress who Saints Causes. signment was as chaplain He started the tie made it. The tie fabric is The pope also recog- in Albany, New York, where company, Phoenix Hab- imported from Italy and nized the miracles needed he launched a project to erdashery, when he was a the lining comes from the for the beatification of: Je- promote praying the rosary junior at McQuaid Jesuit Netherlands. suit Father Tiburcio Arnaiz and family life. He had a High School in Rochester, The reversible tie was Munoz of Spain; Father special devotion to Our N.Y., and employed refu- not Benner s first business Jean-Baptiste Fouque of Lady of the Rosary after at- gee workers living in the idea. He had a short spell France; and Sister Maria tributing his recovery from Rochester area. The word of selling laser pointers Carmen Rendiles Martinez tuberculosis to her inter- Phoenix in the company s and even soda out of his of Venezuela. He also rec- cession. title, was symbolic of the locker. ognized the martyrdom He founded Holy Cross employees chance to start He plans to combine his of Father Teodoro Illera Family Ministries, which a new life. entrepreneurial resource- del Olmo, a member of the includes Family Rosary, The panel discussion fulness with a college Congregation of St. Peter Family Theater Produc- Benner attended last year degree: a double major in in Chains, and 15 compan- tions, Father Peyton Family was part of the school s philosophy and political ions, who were killed dur- Institute and Family Ro- required Montserrat science as well as a pre- ing the Spanish Civil War sary International. seminar for freshman business certificate. It s no in 1936 and 1937. Father Peyton died in that focused on economic surprise that he also has Father Peyton, known 1992. After the pope s development for Third a few more ideas for prod- worldwide as The Rosary decree recognizing his World countries and refu- ucts to sell up his sleeve. Priest, was a Catholic me- heroic virtues, in general, gees. For Benner, it served For now, he is most dia pioneer in the 1940s, a miracle is needed for his as a reminder not only of proud of what the compa- using radio and later televi- beatification and a second the challenges refugees ny is doing, stressing that sion to produce popular one for his canonization. face but also that so many learned about, and later starter campaign goal to even though Americans programs featuring Hol- Cardinal Wyszynski was refugees lived right in his received, a grant that al- make $15,000 by Dec. 14, can t do anything about lywood stars and other ce- primate of Poland from school s town. lows students to gain capi- 2017, in order to continue. the decreased number of lebrities to promote family 1949 until his death from In short, he felt com- tal and jump-start their He surpassed that goal, refugees currently allowed prayer. cancer in 1981. He was pelled to do something, ideas. He also pitched his raising $16,292 by Dec. 18. in this country, we still His ministry produced Poland s youngest bishop which for him meant re- business idea at an alumni In a break between have a duty to help. more than 600 radio and when he was installed as starting his business. event for entrepreneurs. studying for final exams, television programs and archbishop of Warsaw and He met with the col- By his sophomore year, he told Catholic News Ser- Follow Zimmermann 10,000 broadcasts. The Gniezno during the impo- lege s Office of Entre- Benner was ready to be up vice the Kickstarter funds on Twitter: @carolmaczim. priest also conducted rosa- sition of communist rule. preneurial Studies and and running with a Kick- will enable him to hire and ry crusades for millions of Despite Vatican misgiv- people in dozens of coun- ings, Cardinal Wyszynski tries. 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MAY THIS HOLY TIME OF THE YEAR BE FILLED WITH AN ABUNDANCE OF PEACE, JOY, and HOPE FOLLOWED BYA NEW YEAR OF HEALTH, HAPPINESS AND PROSPERITY

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ONE AND ALL, WilliamF. Lynch Co., Inc. BETANIA II Spiritual Retreat & Conference Center & MERRILL SHEET METAL Division 50 Millbrook Street, Worcester, MA 01606 154 Summer Street—Medway, MA 02053 Tel. 508-756-5705 FAX 508-756-0089 508-533-5377 www.betania2.org The Catholic Free Press welcomes information on events from parish and diocesan groups. Items should be received two weeks prior to event. Mail to: Calendar, The CFP, 49 Elm St., Worcester, MA 01609 e-mail to: [email protected] or fax: 508-756-8315 10 AAroundround thethe DioceseDiocese THE CATHOLIC FREE PRESS | DECEMBER 22, 2017

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARILYN VALLEJO St. Mary’s experiences Filipino Advent tradition

These four musicians, all originally from the Philippines, played music at the “Misa De Gallo,” or Mass of the Rooster, Saturday at St. Mary Parish in Shrewsbury. From left, Euclid Jorda, Yli Remo Vallejo, Hermes Apale and Neil Tan are parishioners who started playing together for fun about a year ago. The Filipino tradition of attending Mass for nine days before Christmas, called “Simbang Gabi,” was introduced by the Spanish friars to the Philippines. The Mass drew Filipinos from the area to St. Mary’s.

UPCOMING CRIBBAGE NIGHT: Life Diocesan event will be held at Blessed YOUNG ADULT TRIP: NEWorcester is The Shrewsbury Sacrament Church, 551 Pleasant St. organizing a trip to LaSalette’s Festival KofC sponsor a Worcester, with celebration of Mass at 8:30 of Lights, Saturday, Dec. 29. The group cribbage night weekly, a.m. on the Feast of the Holy Innocents, will carpool from the Blackstone Valley 7-9 p.m. at 206 S followed by a rosary procession to Planned mall parking lot at 6 p.m. next to the Quinsigamond Ave. Parenthood, 9:15 a.m. Return to church Guitar Center. The group will arrive at Shrewsbury. Open reciting the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 10:30 the shrine about 7 p.m. and go for dinner to all. A $5 fee will be a.m. after viewing the lights. For information collected and divided FOOD WITH FRIENDS: St. Mary of the email Tim Messenger, tmessenger@ among the top 3 Assumption Parish will serve a weekly lunch worcesterdiocese.org finishers. for the needy 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., in the parish center, 17 Winter St., Milford. MARCH FOR LIFE 2018: Jan. 18, 2018, ROSARY: The rosary there will be a Mass 7:30 p.m. at St. Paul will be recited weekly, PRO-LIFE VIGIL: A Pro-Life Vigil will be held Cathedral, 15 Chatham St., Worcester, 7:15 p.m., in Sacred weekly, 3:30-4 p.m., across from Planned followed by departure of buses to Heart of Jesus Parenthood, 391 Main St. Fitchburg. Washington, DC. $75/person by Dec. Church, 22 Main St., 31, $90/person after Dec. 31. For details West Brookfield. FAMILY PRAYER: St. George Parish will and registration forms visit https://www. hold a Family Prayer Hour weekly, 6:30- worcesterdiocese.org/march-for-life-1. 7:30 p.m., in the church, 38 Brattle St., WEDNESDAY Worcester. SATURDAY DECEMBER HOLY HOUR: St. Mary of the Assumption Parish will hold a holy hour weekly, 7 p.m., DECEMBER 23 27 in the lower church, 17 Winter St., Milford.

PRO-LIFE VIGIL: St. John Parish will hold a SEWING MINISTRY: Pro-Life Vigil weekly, 7:45-8:45 a.m., in the St. Columba Parish FRIDAY lower chapel, 44 Temple St., Worcester. Haitian Sewing Devotion will include praying the rosary and Ministry meets weekly, DECEMBER 29 other vigil prayers. 9 a.m.-noon, in the downstairs church KNITTING CIRCLE: The Religious of the THRIFT SHOP: St. Stephen Thrift Shop, 20 hall, 18 Richards Assumption will hold an Assumption Hamilton St., Worcester, is open weekly Ave., Paxton. For Center Circle for knitting and crocheting Saturdays, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. and Tuesdays, TANYA CONNOR | CFP more information for a cause weekly, 10-11:30 a.m., in Wednesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m.-2:30 contact Judi Mancini the Assumption Center, 16 Vineyard p.m. So many cookies ... Which ones to choose? at 508-753-2022 or St., Worcester. For more information quiltingjudi@yahoo. call 508-767-1356 or email: center@ PRO-LIFE VIGIL: At 9 a.m. will be held WORCESTER – Darlene Deeter and her granddaughter Savannah com. assumptionsisters.org. weekly across the street from Planned Thompson, 4, check out the cookies at St. Christopher Parish’s Parenthood, Pleasant St., Worcester. Christmas Festival Dec. 2. HOLY HOUR: Our Lady BINGO: St. Cecilia Parish Bingo will be held of the Rosary Parish weekly with doors opening, 4 p.m., and FLEA MARKET: Sacred Heart of Jesus will hold a Holy Hour games, 6:30 p.m., in the parish hall, 188 Campus Flea Market will be open weekly, 9 for Life, Marriage, and Mechanic St., Leominster. a.m.-1 p.m., in the lower level of the center, TUESDAY Religious Freedom, noon, monthly, with 40 Charlton St., Southbridge. For more scripture, rosary, adoration and benediction BINGO: St. Christopher Parish Bingo will information or to make a donation call 508- DECEMBER 26 of the Blessed Sacrament in the church, 23 be held weekly with doors open 4:30 p.m., 765-3701. Fales St., Worcester. kitchen, 5 p.m., and first coverall, 7 p.m., LEGION: The Legion of Mary will meet in the parish hall, 950 W. Boylston St., weekly following the 9 a.m. Mass in the MASS: St. Andrew Bobola Parish will hold Worcester. For more information call 508- SUNDAY St. Anne Parish Marian Room in the Mass with devotion to The Divine Mercy 853-3302. Father Smith Center, 130 Boston Tpke., weekly, 6:30 p.m., in the church, 54 West DECEMBER 24 Shrewsbury. Main St., Dudley. BINGO: St. Joseph Parish School Bingo will be held weekly at the school, 47 Whitcomb FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT PRAYER GROUP: Circle of Love Prayer MASS/NOVENA: A Mass and novena to St. St., Webster. Doors open 5 p.m., with a Group at St. John, Guardian of Our Lady Joseph will be held weekly, 7 p.m., in St. full kitchen featuring free coffee. For more CHRISTMAS EVE Parish will meet weekly, 10 a.m., in the Joseph Basilica, 53 Whitcomb St., Webster. information call Rudy Bergeron at 508-943- lower church, 80 Union St., Clinton. 2277. AFRICAN MASS: The diocesan African SCRIPTURE STUDY: St. Ann Parish will hold Ministry will hold Mass weekly, 11:30 KNITTING MINISTRY-MILFORD: The Hands Scripture Study weekly, 7-8:30 p.m., in the SACRED HEART BINGO: Sacred Heart - St. a.m., in St. Andrew the Apostle Mission, 5 to Work Knitting Ministry of St. Mary of parish hall, 654 Main St., North Oxford. Catherine of Sweden Parish bingo night will Spaulding St., Worcester. the Assumption, 17 Winter St. is in need of Father Michael Lavallee, pastor, will be held weekly, 6:30 p.m., 596 Cambridge additional knitters. Meetings are held the conduct the sessions. St., Worcester. Call 508-752 1608 for more HAITIAN MASS: The diocesan Haitian second and fourth Tuesdays of the month information. Apostolate Mass will be celebrated in from 10-11:30 a.m. or work from home French (primarily) weekly, 12:30 p.m., in (material provided). Contact the parish THURSDAY SPANISH PRAYER: St. Francis of Assisi Holy Family Parish at St. Joseph Church, 35 office 508-473-2000 for more information. Parish Spanish Prayer Group will meet Hamilton St., Worcester. DECEMBER 28 weekly, 7 p.m., in the chapel, 81 Sheridan CAFÉ: CaFÉ (Catholic Faith Exploration) St., Fitchburg. AFRICAN/GHANIAN MASS: St. Joan of Arc, is an opportunity to learn more about our PRO-LIFE MASS AND PROCESSION: A Pro- 570 Lincoln St., Worcester, will celebrate faith. The Catholic Parishes of Millbury Mass in Twi weekly, 2 p.m. offer two options. Sessions are held every Tuesday, 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m., at St. Brigid SPANISH MASS: St. Stephen Parish, 357 Hall, 59 Main St. Evening sessions are held Grafton St., Worcester, will celebrate a on the first Tuesday of the month, 6:30 - weekly Mass in Spanish, 6 p.m. 8:30 p.m., at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 10 Waters St., both in Millbury. MIDNIGHT MASS: Bishop McManus will celebrate Midnight Mass at St. Paul PRO-LIFE VIGIL: A Pro-Life Vigil will be held Cathedral, 15 Chatham St., Worcester, weekly, noon-1 p.m., across from Planned following the choral prelude at 11:30 p.m. Parenthood, 391 Main St., Fitchburg.

CHAPLET: St. Luke the Evangelist Parish will pray the Divine Mercy chaplet weekly, 3 p.m., in the church, 70 West Main St., MONDAY Westborough. DECEMBER 25 ADORATION: Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, along with the opportunity for THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD confession, will be held weekly, 5:20 - 6:20 p.m. at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, CHRISTMAS MASS AND DINNER: Bishop 10 Waters Street, Millbury, MA. McManus will celebrate the Mass of the Nativity of the Lord at 10:15 a.m. at St. Paul ROSARY GROUP: St. Ann Parish rosary Cathedral, 15 Chatham St., Worcester, group will meet weekly, 6 p.m., in the followed by Christmas Dinner in the church, 654 Main St., North Oxford. Cenacle. BIBLE STUDY: Immaculate Heart of Mary TANYA CONNOR | CFP For information about Christmas Masses Parish will hold an Adult Bible Study weekly, scheduled throughout the diocese, visit 6:30-8 p.m., in the parish hall below the Cheers for raffle winners worcesterdiocese.org/christmas- church, 50 Spruce St., Winchendon. For masses-2017 more information call 978-297-0883. WEBSTER – At All Saints Academy’s Christmas Bazaar and Craft/Vendor Sale, young people join Father Adam Reid, pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, in applauding raffle winners. DECEMBER 22, 2017 | THE CATHOLIC FREE PRESS MEDIA 11

BOOK REVIEWI RADIOI Writer’s ongoing Blessed Oscar Romero continues search for personal moral standards to inspire listeners through radio

BY MIKE MASTROMATTEO | CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE BY MELISSA VIDA | CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

TORONTO (CNS) Catholic writer SAN SALVADOR, El Salva- Philip Caputo shot to literary prominence dor (CNS) In San Salvador s in 1977 with release of his Vietnam war traffic jams or at work, people memoir, A Rumor of War. turn on Radio YSAX to listen The no-holds-barred soldier s account to Blessed Oscar Romero s of the horror, brutality, demoralization homilies, just as they did over and pointlessness of combat in an ideolog- 30 years ago. ically murky war was one of the first notes I listen to this radio sta- of doubt and dissent about tion in Romero s honor, be- America s foreign policy cause it is the one he used, objectives in that turbulent Karen Larin, a radio listener, time. told Catholic News Service. After his discharge from Hearing his voice is great; the military, Caputo joined it s as if he were here, talking the staff of the Chicago with us. Tribune, where he wrote From the 1970s until his about local and international assassination in March 1980, Caputo events, culminating with his Blessed Romero used the radio sharing of the 1973 Pulitzer station YSAX to inform Salva- Prize for reporting for reporting on Chi- dorans and the international cago city politics. community of the horrors of Caputo left journalism to begin a new El Salvador s civil war. In a career as a novelist and writer. By 2017, he time when public media was CNS PHOTO | MELISSA VIDA had written 16 novels, memoirs, a travel- self-censoring, Radio YSAX A photo of Blessed Oscar Romero is displayed as a YSAX radio volunteer works in the studio Dec. 9 ogue and countless magazine and op-ed served as a spiritual guide as in San Salvador, El Salvador. In San Salvador’s traffic# jams or at work, people turn on radio YSAX to pieces in U.S. journals. well as a news broadcast. listen to Blessed Romero’s homilies, just as they did over 30 years ago. His latest novel, Some Rise by Sin Oscar Romero collected (2017) may have more resonance with notes from his listeners and Catholic readers. It tells the story of Amer- then disclosed when and ican Franciscan Father Timothy Riordan where human rights were be- Most serving as pastor of a rural parish in the ing violated, Father Edwin radio Sinaloa state, a rugged area dominated by Henriquez, director of the volun- ‘This radio the Sierra Madre Mountains that run along radio, told Catholic News Ser- teers Mexico s West Coast. It s one of the areas vice. are mil- station gives rocked by the ongoing drug wars involv- Without the radio, there lenni- ing cartel leaders, local vigilantes and would be no Archbishop als. hard-pressed military and police forces Romero, Father Henriquez Our us hope.’ who make little distinction between the said. We wouldn t know the youth innocent and the guilty. truth of what was happening needs While struggling to remain true to his at the time, and he wouldn t to bring Karin Larin vocation as a shepherd of the flock, Fa- have been able to tell the the listener ther Riordan is coerced into acting as an world about the crimes com- light of informer, thereby compromising much of mitted against humanity Jesus his priestly ministry. here. and All my literary work as opposed to Reopened in 2015, the remind others that there is still my journalism has been about God and station has set itself one pur- hope, Castillo said. Quoting the devil and people having to make hard pose: to keep Blessed Romero Blessed Romero, she said, We moral choices in places or circumstances alive. Every weekday, at 1 p.m., need to see the truth with open where the handbook for decent behavior is the late archbishop s voice re- eyes and with our feet grounded, out of print, leaving them to search their verberates again through the but with our hearts full of the own depths for a moral standard, Caputo speakers and draws radio lis- Gospel and of God to look for so- told CNS in a recent interview. Some Rise teners from all over the world. lutions of justice. by Sin is, however, my first book with an When the radio is cut for a few For the listeners, Blessed overtly Catholic protagonist. days, people from as far as Romero s message of faith and Father Riordan is redeemed by the end, Europe and Australia call to social justice is still valid in but it does not come without significant know what happened. 2017. Yesterday s state-enforced hardship and loss, and, in its own way, it This radio station gives violence and guerrillas became echoes the musings earlier raised by A us hope, Larin said. Romero today s gang barbarism. As Fa- Rumor of War. represents a father s love to ther Henriquez recalled, Blessed The Catholic Free Press Describing some of the carnage he wit- us, but he was also a father Romero did not give in to politi- nessed as a U.S. Marine in 1965, Caputo who defended us, because he cal correctness when condemn- wrote in A Rumor of War : denounced the abuse of pow- ing such abuses. The sight of mutilation did more than er. Larin said Blessed Romero Romero did not seek ap- cause me physical revulsion; it burst the helped his followers reconnect plause nor praise and, indeed, CATHOLIC QUIZI religious myths of my Catholic boyhood. with a concrete, nearby God. some naysayers disliked him I could not look at those (dead) men and In developing countries, the because the message of Jesus CatholicQuiz of the Week™ still believe their souls had passed on to radio as a means of commu- always has social consequences, another existence, or that they had souls nication remains influential. Father Henriquez said. It s not 4th Sunday of Advent in the first place. ... There were other With only 20 percent of the that we meddle with economics December 24, 2017 doubts which had made a mockery of all country s households having or politics, but we seek to touch the Catholic theology the Dominican and internet access and more than people s hearts ... and that trans- Jesuit priests had preached to me in high 10 percent of the population forms society. 1. What did God offer to build for David? school and college. Man s body is the tem- being illiterate, the radio has a And El Salvador is in dire ple of the Holy Spirit; man is created in the broad outreach in El Salvador. need of social change. Still hurt a. a temple image and likeness of God; have respect It answers the need for real- and polarized by the civil war b. a lasting dynasty for the dead. time information and reliable, that took place in the 1980s, the c. an invincible army Caputo s witnessing of such grotes- interactive hosts. country suffers from the rocket- queries, both as a soldier and as a foreign For Estephanie Castillo, ing unemployment rates and correspondent covering international volunteer at YSAX, the radio the highest homicide rate in the 2. David built a beautiful temple in Jerusalem. hot spots in the 1970s and 80s, further is also a relevant tool to evan- world. Gang members extort, rob a. True shaped his outlook on the capricious na- gelize and raise awareness on and kill civilians. b. False ture of human life and where, in fact, the everyday issues. The violence we have known Spirit resides. Through the radio, we can during the war has been trans- 3. John the Baptist was how much older than I m sure my Jesuit education had a lot transmit fundamental values formed, the culture of death is to do with the themes that run through to build a caring and just soci- still prevalent and our youth is Jesus? most of my literary work, Caputo said. ety, she said. suffering the most, Father Hen- a. two months A former president of Loyola University Radio YSAX speaks to riquez said. b. three months in Chicago once told me that I was a very people of all ages. Hearing In this postwar context, c. six months Catholic writer, not only in the sense of Blessed Romero s voice reas- Blessed Romero remains a bea- being concerned with moral questions sures older generations, who con of hope. and dilemmas, but also in the sense that recognize him and identify In my own personal hard- 4. Who gave Jesus his name? my mind seemed to hark back to an an- with the historical context of ship, I feel like he accompanies a. Joseph and Mary cient, or at any rate a pre-modern, mode of his speech. me and helps me, Castillo said. b. Simeon in the Temple thought. But the radio program Romero continues to speak to c. the angel Gabriel But where some writers might turn also speaks to the youth, La- us in the midst of violence, impu- their backs on faith and belief after wit- rin said, because they learn nity and corruption: We should 5. The angel Gabriel greeted Mary with what nessing war, brutality, corruption and about (Blessed Romero) and pay attention to him, Larin said. incomprehensible suffering, Caputo is our past, and that gives hope Oscar Romero is alive. words? hanging on to core belief. for our country. a. Hail favored one b. Hail Holy Queen c. Hail Mother of Mercy

ON TV/RADIOI 6. Jesus is a form of which common Hebrew name? a. Jonah The Catholic Free Press SUNDAY MASSES b. Joel 8 a.m. Boston CatholicTV and CW 56 c. Joshua 10 a.m. WWLP-TV CH 22 BUSINESS DIRECTORY 6 p.m. Charter CH 193 7. Mary responded, “Behold, I am the ______6 p.m. Mondays (re-broadcast) Worcester CH 194 Spanish Language: 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. of the Lord. May it be done to me according to All IT & Business Skills Sales,Telemarketers, Charter CH 101; Comcast CH 268; Boston CH 296 your word.” On Demand & Other Positions | FT & PT a. servant

Largest Trainer Provider Contract L&D Talent DAILY MASSES (Monday -Friday) b. child 9 a.m. Charter CH 193 c. handmaid TheTrainingAssociates.com For list of celebrants/specials: www.worcestercatholictv.com Vic Melfa, Chairman 9:30 a.m. Boston CatholicTV and WBPX CH 68 508.890.8500 | Westboro, MA Maria Melfa Barrett, CEO 4:30 p.m. Shrewsbury Cable CH 28/328 5 p.m. Clinton Comcast CH 99 PLUMBING 7 p.m. Boston CatholicTV 7:30 p.m. WBPX CH 68 William F. Lynch Company, Inc. Plumbing - Heating - Air Conditioning FAMILY ROSARY 50 MILLBROOK ST. Sunday: 7 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Shrewsbury Cable CH 28/328, Answers and References Tel. 508-756-5705 8 a.m. Clinton Comcast CH 99, 1 • b. a lasting dynasty (2 Samuel 7:11-16) 8:30 a.m. Charter CH 193 2 • b. False (2 Samuel 7:13-14) INSURANCE Monday: 7 a.m. Shrewsbury Cable CH 28/328 3 • c. six months (Luke 1:26) Saturday: 4:30 p.m. Shrewsbury Cable CH 28/328 4 • c. the angel Gabriel (Luke 1:26-31) 5 • a. Hail favored one (Luke 1:28) CATHOLIC RADIO PROGRAMMING 6 • c. Joshua (Luke 1:31) 5:27 a.m., Morning prayer, WTAG, 580 AM and 94.9 FM Thomas J. Woods Insurance Agency, Inc. Richard J. Boyd 7 • c. handmaid (Luke 1:38) John F. Woods, Sr. 20 Park Avenue, Worcester, MA 01605 Richard M. Carr EWTN Global Catholic Radio (24-hours) 1923-2003 P.O. Box 2940 Worcester, MA 01613 Walter M. Conlin, Jr. John F. Woods, Jr. Emmanuel Radio, WNEB 1230 AM Worcester 508-755-5944 Peter Lombardo and 970 AM Southbridge Eternal Life Radio, WQPH 89.3 FM Fitchburg © Copyright by CatholicQuiz.com 2017 - Reproduce for educational use 12 FROM PAGE ONE THE CATHOLIC FREE PRESS | DECEMBER 22, 2017

Open Letter to Bishop McManus BISHOP: People in diocese influenced his vocation and people of the Worcester Diocese FROM PAGE ONE Greetings from Okinawa, Japan, to My vocation to the priesthood was Bishop McManus and the people of fostered by the late Father Gerard Jail- High School, and Fitchburg the Worcester Diocese. Thank you for let of the Worcester Diocese, who was a State College (now University). your letters, prayers and best wishes on real father to me. He was a teacher at He entered the Order of Friars the occasion of my appointment to be St. Bernard s High School in Fitchburg, Minor Capuchin of New York, Bishop of the Naha Diocese. in residence at Our Lady of the Holy making his first profession I only learned of my appointment a Rosary Parish in Gardner. I often saw on Aug. 16, 1976 and his per- few weeks ago. I was completely taken him helping people who came to the petual profession on June 28, by surprise. Bishop Oshikawa, the cur- rectory. The people would speak to him 1980, according to the Vatican rent bishop of Naha Diocese, called me in French, but I knew what they were posting about his appointment. on the feast of Christ the King and told asking for: There is no milk or food at After arriving in Japan in 1981, me that Pope Francis had appointed me home. Can you help me? He would al- he studied Japanese in Tokyo as the bishop s successor. Since I am ways say: Don t worry, go to this store until 1983. He was ordained a not Japanese and am a missionary, the and give them my name. I will go and priest on May 21, 1983 in Yon- Father Berndt celebrates Christmas 2016 with children in Japan. appointment was completely unexpect- pay them later. kers, N.Y. ed. There has not been a foreign-born My good friends, Father Dennis Since then he has been serv- Houston called the appoint- ers in New York-New England, person appointed bishop in Japan for O Rourke and Jack Siciliano, and I were ing in the Naha and Saitama ment as bishop wonderful for Father Berndt wrote about the the past 47 years. A few days after the always together with Father Jaillet, dioceses in Japan, as a parish Fitchburg. poverty and lack of self-deter- phone call I was simply asked by the who we affectionately called Padre. priest, an adjunct lecturer at Father Donald C. Ouellette, a mination of his people. papal nuncio in Tokyo whether I would I would not be a priest if I had not met the University of Riukyus, and student at Fitchburg State with Okinawa is not the name obey the pope and accept the appoint- Padre. And while I often fail, I have al- in ministry to migrants and his Father Berndt, called him one of a war; it is not the name ment or disobey the pope and refuse. I ways wanted to be a priest just like him, order. of the kindest people very of a military base, he wrote. told the nuncio that I would not disobey someone who loves like Christ uncon- I m happy and humbled, compassionate. He was very It is the name of a people; it the pope. ditionally and with his whole heart and Father Berndt s mother said of pastoral, even as a student. is the name of families and The Diocese of Naha consists of all soul. I would also not be a priest without his appointment. She said he Father Ouellette, now associ- descendants of a unique and of the islands of the Okinawa Prefecture the love and support that Father Dennis comes home to visit every few ate pastor of St. Joseph Parish irreplaceable culture. Our which is located in southern Japan, near O Rourke and Jack Siciliano, my closest years. They used to use email in North Brookfield and St. people only want the same re- to Taiwan. Most of the readers of a cer- lifelong friends, have always given to and now they use Skype to John the Baptist Parish in East spect and to be treated in the tain age will remember Okinawa as the me, despite my living in a country that communicate. Brookfield, said no one was same way as other free people s i te o f a b l o o d y b a t tl e d ur i n g Wo r l d Wa r I I . is so far from them. He s very concerned about surprised that Father Berndt around the world. While the islands of the Okinawa Prefec- The late Bishop Harrington, and Father poor people, Donna Their- joined the Franciscans. Father Berndt hinted at this ture have seen much development since Jim Houston at the Newman Center at rien, of St. Ann Parish in North Father Louis J. Gould, a re- in reflections about playing the end of the war, it is still the poorest Fitchburg State, were also role models. Oxford, said of her brother, the tired priest of the diocese who Santa Claus for the families. prefecture in Japan. Sister Katherine McKenna, P.B.V.M., at bishop-elect. served at St. Joseph Parish in The children believe with all The native people whom we call Oki- St. Bernard s High School and later at She and her mother recalled Fitchburg, recalled that they their heart that this old man nawans are ethnically part of a distinct Fitchburg State, was also a mentor and how, in grammar school, he loaded the rectory with Capu- gives the toys out regardless cultural grouping and they consider guide and is a good fr iend . The LaSallette once gave his coat to a child chin Fathers for Father Ber- of nationality, income, color of themselves Ryukyu-ans. Over the years Fathers and the Faithful Companions of who he said didn t have one. ndt s first Mass there. He called one s skin, he wrote. The chil- they have suffered much, with discrimi- Jesus Sisters at St. Joseph in Fitchburg I wasn t too happy, Mrs. Father Berndt a nice, polite, dren want to believe that such nation and prejudice against them in were tremendous witnesses to the Gospel Berndt said. I had to buy him intelligent person. a person exists. He does in fact Japan. Much like Hawaii in the United for me when I was young. another one. Father Berndt s brother said exist, in each of us, if we chose States, they had their own king for a I have the faith because of my late Her other son, Bruce Berndt, he never shied away from con- to be him for each other. long period of time and were an inde- father and my mother, but without the of St. Patrick Parish in Rutland, troversy. As a student speaker Now I will be putting on pendent country until they were forcibly priests and nuns mentioned above I said his brother borrowed his one Veterans Day, his brother new clothes. I will have a miter, incorporated into Japan around 1872. would not be having an ordination in car once when they were in included people who moved to staff and ring etc. But under- After World War II, the United States ap- early February. So I am deeply grate- college, then lent it to some- Canada to avoid participating neath I will always know that pointed military governors, then local ful to many people from Worcester one who supposedly needed it in war as casualties of war. I am just a Capuchin brother governors were elected, and finally on Diocese. more. It did not win him a lot of a sinner in need of conver- May 15, 1972, sovereignty was returned I carry the faith you shared with me Possessions mean nothing fans with the veterans, Mr. sion and God s mercy. There to Japan by President Nixon. My reli- when I was young and now I share that to him, Mr. Berndt said. He Berndt recalled. He was never is a bishop in each of us A gious order, the Capuchin Friars, have faith with the people of Okinawa. didn t think anything of it. I afraid to attack an issue head bishop is a servant. He loves been ministering in Okinawa since the Pray for me and the Okinawan people was furious. on. He would listen to opposing his people. He speaks out for end of World War II. Upon return of wh o fa c e m a n y c h a l l e n g e s , a n d k n o w th a t Father James A. Houston, positions, but defend his own. the injustices that they suffer sovereignty to Japan, a diocese was I always carry you in my heart and pray who served at the Newman Mrs. Theirrien said Father he washes the feet of those erected in the Okinawa Prefecture and for you as well. Center at Fitchburg State when Berndt has mixed feelings who are tired with the liv- on February 12, 2018, I will become the Father Berndt was a student about being a bishop. ing water of new life offered by third bishop of the Naha Diocese. God Bless. there, recalls that he loved to He doesn t like to be the cen- Christ. I humbly ask that Bishop McManus Best Wishes for a Blessed Christmas sit and open his heart to people ter of attention, she said, but Pray for me that I will be and the good people of Worcester Diocese and a very Happy New Year! and listen to their hearts. Now he hopes he can help people. putting on Christ that I will pray for me and for the people of Oki- pastor of St. Rose of Lima Par- In a Dec. 11 letter to his pro- be a real bishop, servant for the nawa. Wayne Berndt OFM Cap. ish in Northborough, Father vincial and Capuchin broth- people of Okinawa. CHRISTMAS: Turn your eyes and hearts to the Little Baby Jesus in a manger FROM PAGE ONE strates that however twisted things might to humanity and their singing woke the ciled through the sacrament of penance, must examine ourselves and properly al- be, goodness breaks through, allowing sleeping shepherds. hold the white wafer (oplatek) and share locate our time and attention. What do we God s providential care and power to man- In many Central European countries with one another the best wishes and their allow to make a claim on our time? ifest itself in unexpected ways. Through including Poland, the atmosphere of tran- life. The children feel the love of Jesus ex- A developing child with a short atten- the mysterious birth of the Savior as a quility of a Bethlehem night is relived on emplified in the love of their parents. tion span chooses what he or she pays little baby in Bethlehem, God surprised Christmas Eve when a family, liberated Perhaps the little girl from the orphan- attention to. On the other hand, adults are the human logic when He allowed His only from outside noise and digital hegemony age, when she asked her host mother to bombarded with advertising, marketing, begotten Son to be totally dependent on gather around the table for a traditional be called Mommy, was dreaming about and politicking which intrude into our the human hands of the Blessed Mother meal. They long to experience the same such a Christmas night. daily lives. We must be selective about and the acts of charity of St. Joseph. In joy which fascinated the participants of Let us pray that during this Christmas where we direct our attention. When we the darkness of that night, a spark of new the first Bethlehem night. The presence of season the angels awaken us once again make a conscious choice to turn off the life appeared and new hope was born for the angels and shepherds linked together and help us to turn our eyes and hearts to TV and spend time with others, we build a humanity. God illuminated the world with two remote worlds, heaven and earth. the Little Baby Jesus in a manger. richer social fabric and develop a healthy the radiance of His grace when His gaze On this holy and sentimental night, in sense of self-identity. rested on the little manger and the human the background of Christmas tree lights, Msgr. Czarnecki is pastor of St. Joseph The mystery of Incarnation demon- family. The angels proclaimed His birth parents and children, previously recon- Basilica, Webster.

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