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E6 AMERICAN PRESS FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2002

A page devoted to local Catholic interests March 8, 2002 Vol. 28, No. 5 Lake Charles, La. Internet Address:http://lcdiocese.org Pope John Paul II’s message for Lent 2002 WASHINGTON — The ing with human dignity is ad- and loved for themselves, re- text of Pope John Paul II’s mirable, but it must never be gardless of their qualities message for Lent this year, forgotten that human life is a and defects. Indeed, the titled “Freely You Have Re- gift, and that it remains pre- greater their hardship, the ceived, Freely Give,” was re- cious even when marked by more they must be the object leased Feb. 5 in Washington suffering and limitations. It of our practical love. This is by the U.S. Conference of is a gift to be accepted and to the love to which the church, Catholic Bishops. be loved at all times, re- through her countless insti- “You received without ceived without pay and to be tutions, bears witness in ac- paying, give without pay” (Mt placed without pay at the cepting responsibility for the 10:8). service of others. sick, the marginalized, the Dear brothers and sisters, 3. In setting before us the poor and the exploited. In 1. We are preparing to fol- example of Christ offering this way, Christians become low the path of Lent, which himself for us on Calvary, apostles of hope and will lead us to the solemn Lent helps us in a unique builders of the civilization of celebration of the central way to understand that life is love. mystery of faith, the mystery redeemed in him. Through It is highly significant that of the passion, death and the Holy Spirit, Jesus renews Jesus spoke the words “You resurrection of Christ. We our life and makes us shar- received without paying, are preparing for the favor- ers in the divine life which give without pay” as he sent able time which the church draws us into the intimate the Apostles out to spread The Most Reverend Edward K. Braxton, Bishop of Lake Charles, led an informal offers the faithful, so that life of God and enables us to the Gospel of salvation, afternoon of reflection on the Lenten readings for more than 75 people last Sunday, they may contemplate the experience his love for us. which is his first and fore- March 3, in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. The event was similar to work of salvation accom- This is a sublime gift, which most gift to humanity. Christ the Advent afternoons of reflection held in December. The next afternoon of reflec- plished by our Lord on the the Christian cannot fail to wants his kingdom, which is tion will be held Sunday, March 17, from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Cathedral. cross. The heavenly Father’s proclaim with joy. In his already close at hand (cf. Mt saving plan was completed Gospel, St. John writes: 10:5ff), to be spread through in the free and total gift to us “This is eternal life, that gestures of gratuitous love of the only begotten Son. “No they know you the only true accomplished by his disci- Sunday Afternoon of Reflection on March 10 cancelled one takes my life from me, God, and Jesus Christ whom ples. This is what the Apos- but I lay it down of my own you have sent” (Jn 17:3). This tles did in the early days of LAKE CHARLES - Due to unforeseen Cathedral for the final informal session on accord” (Jn 10:18), Jesus de- life is passed on to us in bap- Christianity, and those who circumstances the second of three informal Sunday, March 17, the Fifth Sunday of clares, leaving no doubt that tism, and we must nourish it met them saw them as bear- afternoons of scripture reflection with The Lent. he decides to sacrifice his constantly by responding to ers of a message greater than Most Reverend Edward K. Braxton to be The gathering will allow those who par- own life for the salvation of held in the Cathedral of the Immaculate ticipate the opportunity to learn more the world. In confirmation of Conception and scheduled for Sunday, about the Bible, especially the texts on the so great a gift of love, the Re- March 10, the Fourth Sunday of Lent, has Last Supper, the Crucifixion and the Res- deemer goes on: “Greater been cancelled. urrection. They will also provide the oppor- love has no one than this, Last Sunday’s first session drew more tunity to discuss questions about the that a man lay down his life than 75 attendees. Church and the Catholic faith that they may for his friends” (Jn 15:13). Bishop Braxton will be back in the have with the Bishop. Lent, the providential time for conversion, helps us to contemplate this stupen- dous mystery of love. It is a return to the roots of our faith, so that by pondering the measureless gift of grace Shouldn’t I decide if I which is redemption, we cannot fail to realize that all has been given to us by God’s loving initiative. In order to meditate upon this aspect of want to be baptized? the mystery of salvation, I have chosen as the theme for (Reprinted with permission aspect of the Faith of the ognize more clearly Baptism this year’s Lenten message of The Church Today, Church as an essential part as the sign of the paschal the Lord’s words: “You re- Diocese of Alexandria) of the sacrament, allowing mystery of Christ’s death and ceived without paying, give By Msgr. Ronald Hoppe the greater part of the par- resurrection. The Rite of ini- without pay” (Mt 10:8). Vicar General, Diocese of ents and the community of tiation of Adults takes place 2. God has freely given us Alexandria the faithful to participate. ordinarily at the Easter Vig- his Son: Who has deserved or could ever deserve such a Historically, the sacra- il; at the infant’s ceremony, Question: Since I did not ment of confirmation was ad- privilege? St. Paul says: “All the presence of the Paschal have sinned and have fallen make a choice to be baptized ministered at the same time Candle is very visible, along Pope John Paul II as Baptism. In more recent short of the glory of God, but as an infant, isn’t it impor- with presenting the child’s it faithfully, both individual- themselves. In our own day tant that I make an adult de- times, however, Confirma- they are justified by his father with a candle, a sign ly and communally, through too the good done by believ- cision to be baptized?” grace as a gift” (Rom 3:23- of the new life of Christ, now 24). In his infinite mercy God prayer, the celebration of ers becomes a sign, and of- Answer: Your question is the sacraments, and evangel- ten an invitation to believe. a very current one, since we more fully present in the loved us, not permitting him- newly Baptized. self to be blocked by the ical witness. When, like the Good Samari- live in an age which stresses Catholic Since we have received tan, Christians respond to personalism and individual As I reflect on the many grievous state of separation infant Baptisms I celebrated, to which man had been con- this life freely, we must in the needs of their neighbor, choice; but it is also an age- Calendar turn offer it freely to our theirs is never merely mater- what joy was experienced by signed by sin. He graciously old one, dating back to the brothers and sisters. This is ial assistance. It is always a the parents as they saw their stooped down to our weak- second century (Tertullian Commentary what Jesus asked of the dis- proclamation of the kingdom refers to it, but does not see children being brought into ness, and made it the cause of a new and still more won- ciples when he sent them out as well, and speaks of the any conflict). tion is given at a later date, the community of the as his witnesses in the full meaning of life, hope Scripture has no refer- allowing the child or person church. Parents always want drous outpouring of his love. The church does not cease to world: “You received with- and love. ences to infant Baptism, but to make a choice at that time the best for their children, out paying, give without 5. Dear brothers and sis- in the New Testament times, to continue in the practice of and most certainly in their proclaim this mystery of infi- nite goodness, exalting God’s pay.” And the first gift to be ters! Let this be how we pre- they would argue that Jewish the faith. We also assert in infancy. And when the given is the gift of a holy life, pare to live this Lent: in families initiated their male our Sunday liturgy during church offers this New Life free choice and his desire not to condemn man, but to bearing witness to the freely practical generosity toward infants into the faith of their the creed that there is but of Christ to the child, what given love of God. May the the poorest of our brothers parents through circumci- one Baptism, hence the ef- draw him back into commu- parent would turn away from nion with himself. Lenten journey be for all be- and sisters! By opening our sion. fects of initiation remain this gift! lievers an unceasing sum- hearts to them, we realize Certainly a more candid throughout our lives, negat- “You received without None of us can know what paying, give without pay.” mons to enter more deeply ever more deeply that what approach, with little or no ing the need for a “rebap- relationship exists between into this special vocation of we give to others is our re- religious tones, would allow May these words of the tism.” Incidentally, when an God and the newly ours. As believers, we must sponse to the many gifts that parents make a lot of de- adult Baptized in another Gospel echo in the heart of Baptized child. This great be open to a life marked by which the Lord continues to cisions for their children viz. Christian tradition such as all Christian communities on mystery of God’s salvation, their penitential pilgrimage “gratuitousness,” by the giv- give to us. We have received Health needs, school re- Presbyterian, Lutheran, ing of ourselves unreserved- without paying, let us give quirements, disciplinary ac- Baptist, et alia, he or she is and mystical experience of to Easter. May Lent, recall- this union can only be seen ing the mystery of the Lord’s ly to God and neighbor. without pay! tions, etc. In the old Bap- not re-Baptized when enter- 4. “What do you have,” St. What better time is there as God’s great gift to hu- death and resurrection, lead tismal rites of the Church, ing the Roman catholic tra- Paul asks, “that you did not than Lent for offering this mankind. all Christians to marvel in much was an adaptation of dition, because we recognize receive?” (1 Cor 4:7). The de- testimony of gratuitousness the adult ceremony. Since their Baptisms as valid, “Go, therefore and preach their heart of hearts at the greatness of such a gift. Yes! mand which follows this which the world so badly Vatican II, however, a newer hence no need of another. to all nations, young and old, recognition is that of loving needs? In the very love rite is designed which stress- As we reflect on the mys- far and wide Baptizing them We have received without pay. Is not our entire life our brothers and sisters, and which God has for us, there es the social character of the tery of this most necessary of in the name of the Father, of dedicating ourselves to lies the call to give ourselves celebration, bringing in the all the Sacraments, we rec- the Son, and the Holy Spirit! marked by God’s kindness? The beginning of life and its them. The more needy they freely to others in turn. I marvelous development: are, the more urgent the be- thank all those throughout This is a gift. And because it liever’s duty to serve them. the world — lay people, reli- New book gives ‘Ecumenical Hope’ is gift, life can never be re- Does not God permit human gious and priests — who of- garded as a possession or as need so that by responding fer this witness of charity. private property, even if the to the needs of others we May it be true of all Chris- capabilities we now have to may learn to free ourselves tians, whatever the circum- to Catholic/Reformed families improve the quality of life from our egoism and to prac- stances in which they live. can lead us to think that man tice authentic Gospel love? May the Virgin Mary, WASHINGTON — Inter- “The prayer of Jesus that Church of Christ, and the is the “master” of life. The The command of Jesus is mother of fair love and hope, church Families: Resources ‘all might be one’ has cer- Reformed Church in Ameri- achievements of medicine clear: “If you love those who be our guide and strength on for Ecumenical Hope is a tainly not been fully realized ca. The Evangelical Luther- and biotechnology can some- love you, what reward do you this Lenten journey. Assur- new book intended to assist in our time,” the cochairs an Church in America is an times lead man to think of have? Do not even the tax ing you all of an affectionate families in which one part- said. “We are fortunate ecumenical partner in the himself as his own creator, collectors do the same?” (Mt remembrance in my prayers, ner is Catholic and the other enough, however, to live in process. and to succumb to the temp- 5:46). The world prizes hu- I gladly impart my apostolic is a member of a church in an era in which almost all “In addressing the possi- tation of tampering with “the man relationships based on blessing to each of you, espe- the Reformed tradition. people of religion have bilities and challenges fac- tree of life” (Gn 3:24). self-interest and personal cially to those engaged day gain, and this fosters an ego- after day on the many fron- Such families “are a gift reached out to share in con- ing ecumenical families who It is also worth repeating centric vision of life, in tiers of charity. both for our churches and versation with others who seek to share their life of here that not everything that for the whole Church of Je- believe in God. People of is technically possible is which too often there is no From the Vatican, 4 Octo- faith and worship, the mem- room for the poor and weak. ber 2001, Feast of St. Francis sus Christ,” the book says. faith are reaching out to one bers of the dialogue soon re- morally acceptable. Scientif- “The creativity and longing another in order to share ic work aimed at securing a Every person, even the least of Assisi. alized that many (though not gifted, must be welcomed John Paul II for a unity that can be visibly their personal and commu- all) of the concerns that arise quality of life more in keep- manifest, often expressed by nal experiences of the Holy are based on language that is members of such families, One in the most honest way often misunderstood or mis- can serve as a witness to the they can.” interpreted,” the cochairs whole Church.” Bishop Cooney and Rev- Diocesan Penance Services Interchurch Families: Re- erend Bush said the book on explained. “Much time was sources for Ecumenical Catholic/Reformed Church spent during the sessions Hope was published under marriages was the product of trying to describe to the the auspices of the the sixth and latest round of members’ mutual satisfac- set week of March 18-22 Catholic/Reformed Dialogue a dialogue between repre- tion what we each believe in the United States. It was sentatives of both the Re- and how we express that be- LAKE CHARLES — vices are The Cathedral of Wednesday, March 20, Sa- edited by the dialogue’s formed Church and the lief in practice.” Penance Services will be the Immaculate Conception cred Heart of Jesus Church cochairs: The Reverend Catholic Church, which be- “The prime intent of the conducted during the week on Monday, March 18, St. in Creole on Thursday, participants in this dialogue of March 18 through March Philip Neri Church in John C. Bush, interim pastor gan at the conclusion of the March 21 and Our Lady Help of Northbrook Presbyterian Second Vatican Council in was to promote and facilitate 22 in five churches of the Kinder on Tuesday, March Church, Beverly Hills, Michi- 1965. The participating Re- the ongoing journey toward Diocese of Lake Charles. 19, Our Lady of Prompt Suc- of Christians Church in Jen- gan, and Bishop Patrick R. formed Churches include full, visible Christian unity,” All of the services will be- cor Church in Sulphur on nings on Friday, March 22. Cooney of the Catholic Dio- the Presbyterian Church wrote Rev. Bush and Bishop gin at 7 p.m. cese of Gaylord, Michigan. (U.S.A.), the United Cooney. Sites for the Penance Ser- (This page paid for by the Diocese of Lake Charles.)