Vol. LXXI No. 2 2 3 5 Cents Ninety-five years of service to the Gospel June 7, 1995 Pope’s latest encyclical sets stage for ecumenical dialogue n IIin 1 r ■ . BY CINDY WOODEN pacy, it did suggest that the Euiswer w ould be found by examining the first thousand VATICAN CITY (CNS) — For prac­ years of Christian history, when the tical reasons, the world’s Christians need church was undivided. one universal leader, and for reasons of In setting the stage for the dialogue. faith, Roman Catholics believe that Pope John Paul outlined elements that leader must be the bishop of Rome, Pope the Roman Catholic Church considers to John Paul 11 said. be essential to the ministry of the bishop But in his new encyclical, he said the of Rome. ways in which the pope as bishop of Rome The fact that he is the successor of could exercise his power and authority St. Peter and therefore head of the church in a re-united Chris­ is not open to debate, tian church is a topic he stressed, adding open to discussion. that the church’s con­ In the encyclical, viction that the bishop ■TJt Unum Sint” (“That of Rome has primacy They May Be One”), is not based only on Pope John Paul puts tradition, but on Scrip­ his finger on one of the ture. most obvious points of “The place assigned Christian division and to Peter is based on does so with hints at the words of Christ flexibility but also with himself, as they are re­ a clear explanation of corded in the Gospel Catholic faith. traditions,” he ex ­ The pope acknowl­ plained. edged that the papacy Peter’s own weak­ “constitutes a difficulty nesses and wavering for most other Chris­ CN'S photo faith remind the tians,” and he apolo­ POPE John Paul II, shown in this church that his pri­ gized for times when May 21 file photo, makes a dra­ macy was a matter of the exercise of papal matic appeal for Christian unity God’s will and grace, authority brought pain in his latest encyclical. not fjersonal merit, the to other Christians. pope said. And his Pope John Paul invited leaders and power and authority were not personal theologians from other Christian rewards, but gifts to the church to ensure churches to join him “in a patient and its unity, tranquility and fidelity. fraternal dialogue” to find ways of exer­ “The mission of the bishop of Rome cising papal primacy “which, while in no within the college of all the pastors con­ way renouncing what is essential to its sists precisely in “keeping watch’ like a \ CNSpkato mission, is nonetheless open to a new sentinel so that, through the efforts of the pastors, the voice of Christ may be heard CHRISTIAN UNITY in the early Church is represented in this icon of the Descent o f situation.” the Holy Spirit. The center figure symbolizes the world to which the evangelists would Although the encyclical, released in all the particular churches,” he said. preach. The pope says in his latest encyclical that the ways in which the bishop of May 30 at the Vatican, did not provide a Christian unity, the pope said, is not Rome exercises his power and authority in a reunited Church is a topic for discussion. prospective job description for a new pa- Continued on page 7 St. Thomas Seminary unites for final graduation ceremony BY CHERYL DOYLE-RUFFING Adore Thee.” The words of this uplifting song, “Melt to life lived in the spirit of doxology, or praise of (Jod.” the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the dark of doubt Father Esselman began his homily with a commen­ Every graduation ceremony can be said to bo bit­ away; Giver of inomortal gladness, fill us with the light tary on the dandelions that have recently sprouted all tersweet, as each is an end and a beginning but, at some of day,” seemed especially appropriate, acting as a re­ over the campus lawns. He compared them to an in­ graduation ceremonies, this bittersweet quality is more minder that this day should be more sweet than bitter. vading army and pointed out, “While not the most beau­ pronounced. Such was the case with St. 'Thomas Theo­ The ceremonj lasted one-aad-a-half hours. After tiful of plants, one cannot help but admire their hardi­ logical Seminary’s final graduation on May 27. prayers and readings, Vincentian Father Thomas ness, their endurance, how stubbornly they root them­ 'The day was overcast, the pews of the chapel were Esselman, assistant professor of theology and member selves almost anywhere.” filled, and the smell of burning incense hung low in the of the board of directors, stepped to the podium and He then congratulated the graduating classes of St. air as the graduates processed in to “Joyful, Joyful We delivered a powerful homily on the “inner logic of life” Continued on page 10 at St. Thomas; “There is a theme that captures the heart of what we have been about. For our time together here has been profoundly ahapied by a common commitment Special issue to com m em orate 4 f St, Thomas Theological Seminary After 88 years of aerviee, St. Thomas Theological* Seminary will close on Fri­ day, June SO, at ftie end o f its academie and fiscal year. Ih e J h . June 28 editko of the Den­ n '-.- ver Catholic Rcgiatcr will eoBunamorate ^ a manu- N THE FINAL graduating class from St. Thomas Semi­ msntal^iritaalaiidhiatoii- V' Phdoc by Joe Matta nary and the Vincentian Institute of Pastoral Studies calinqmct the seminary has 1 DEACON Richard Young receives his master of divinity received degrees May 27. Patricia Harrington Quinn is had aa S m Bodqr Manataia diploma from Father John Gagnepain. St. Thomas presented a master o f arts in theology by the Vincentian Seminary rector I president, Father Dennis Martin also provincial, Father John Gagnepain. offered his congratulations. IVinity Sunday: Grod’s Pledges for 1995 ACA set record pace BY CHERYL DOYLE-RUFFING love in divine diversity “Five million in ’95" is the unofficial theme for this year’s Archbishop’s Catholic Appeal (ACA), and the BY FATHER JOHN KRENZKE pledges made so far indicate that $5,000,000 is not an impossible goal. A reflection on the Gos­ According to Kevin O’Connor, director of develop­ pel for Trinity Sunday, ment for theArchdiocese ofDenver, $4,130,948 had been June 4 — John 16: 12-15. pledged by 31,796 donors m of Friday, June 2. The mystery of the The ACA supports 46 ministries in the Archdiocese ^ AfcUUUtop’s OithoUc Appeal Holy THnity is the base or ofDenver, including young adult/youth ministry. Catho­ foundation of all the Chris­ lic Charities and community services, Hispanic, Black tian mysteries. A mystery and Native American ministries, and community in­ is not something we can’t volvement. really say anything about; Last year, 116 peuishes exceeded their ACA goals. a mystery of faith is some­ This year, on day 25 of the campaign, 68 parishes have thing we can’t say enough already sairpassed their goals. With this generous re­ about! sponse, the ACA expects to pay record rebates to the The Trinity mystery is parishes. not a problem of somehow A parish’s goal is equal to 12.25% of the offertory trj'ing to comprehend how income it received during the previous fiscal year. Once ttiree equals one and one a parish reaches its goal, the parish receives a 50% re­ equals three. This is to bate on any additional ACA income. Last year, approxi­ misunderstand the entire mately $355,500 was distributed in parish rebates. thrust of God’s revelation The campaign, however, is not over yet. The of Himself. Revelation for God is a manifestation of telemarketing phase will begin on Monday, June 12. St, Jude Church, Lakewood His inner life. We are able to gaze into the heart of According to O’Connor, many parishes are close to ex­ God-ness. The Old and New Tfestaments are devoted ceeding their goals, and many of them will do so through Sample of ACA parish returns entirely to unveiling the heart of God in relation to a telemarketing efforts. During this phase of the campaign people He has chosen to be the bearers of His revela­ in 1994, 7,136 donors pledged $421,899. W tm t Goal tion to all the world. O’Connor hopes the generosity will continue in 1995. Chziat E3ng $ 8 0 ,0 6 2 $ 67,984 God does not reveal Himself as THnity in the Old “The ACA campaign is the one opportunity for all Catho­ IHaii dirtrt $112,717 $221,086 Tbstament. Jesus slowly reveals Himself as equal to lics within the archdiocese to support the universal QUMIk of P$«M $186,664 $ 141,619 the “Father.” Jesus says “The Father and I are one.” church and the 46 ministries that depend upon the suc­ 8b Rrncoo CJirini $ 60,611 $ 71,068 Jesus also speaks of sending His Spirit. When Jesus cess of the ACA. For those who have pledged, thank you S t fteneot D* 8dM $ 17,979 $ 28,628 speaks to His disciples about leaving them, they erne so very much. For those yet to pledge, please give prayer­ StJu do $ 98,680 $ 96,209 truly dejected. At the same time, He says that He ful consideration when called during the phone phase St liuKAipw- $ 16,677 $ 88,446 will not abandon them, but will send the Advocate, of the campaign.” St MwqtQwohy $ 44^ $ 66,186 the Spirit of truth, who will not only remain with For more information on the ACA or to make a St UtOetoe $140^ .$148,848 f them, but will teach them.