March 11, 2021 | Issue 43 Fish Dinners Continue to Reel-In Customers, as Parishes and Councils Transition to Ensure Safety By Jen Reed embarked on new The Catholic formats for Lenten Witness meals to meet The parking lot COVID-safety at Sacred Heart measurements of Jesus Parish in while continuing Cornwall was a sea to hold the annual of vehicles for the fundraisers. weekly Wednesday The Catholic fish fry on March 3. Witness visited Parked bumper- three locations to-bumper and the first week of lined up side-by- March – Sacred side, customers Heart in Cornwall from surrounding and Knights of Lebanon and Columbus Councils Lancaster County 867 in Lancaster communities filled JEN REED, THE CATHOLIC WITNESS and 8151 in the lot outside the Ed Zalewski and Jim Schoeplein of Council 867 fill to-go Duncannon/ parish center as orders of crab cakes, potatoes and carrots at their Lenten Marysville – and the pastor, Father curbside meals in Lancaster. found innovative Rodrigo Arrazola, and successful waved a welcome Grove, Lebanon and of course approaches that from his post inside the glass our parishioners. They enjoy continue to hook the public and doors. camaraderie with family and raise crucial funds for parishes At first glance, it looked like friends, as well as the food,” and programs. any other fish dinner held there said co-coordinator Bernadette over the years: a supportive Stumpf. “But because of the Small but Mighty in clientele eager for dinners COVID restrictions in place, we Duncannon freshly-prepared by parish cannot do inside seating at this The self-described “small but volunteers. time. So we now offer take-out mighty” 21-member Knights “In the past, our dinners were or curbside pick-up only.” of Columbus Council 8151 of eat-in, with sit down service Sacred Heart is one of at Our Lady of Good Counsel in and some take-out. We have a least two dozen parishes, very loyal clientele that comes schools and organizations More FISH DINNERS, page 2 from Lancaster, Hershey, Pine within the Diocese that March 11, 2021 • The Catholic WITNESS- 2 we had snow our first week, I thought we wouldn’t break even,” Kruba said. “But we did well; we sold 126 meals our first week, which is about average for us. It was way better than I thought under those conditions.” Fried haddock, macaroni and cheese, stewed tomatoes, applesauce, a dinner roll and dessert aren’t the only things on the menu at the serving site in Duncannon. The meals come with a healthy dose of camaraderie, too. “In the winter and early spring, people don’t get out a CHRIS HEISEY, THE CATHOLIC WITNESS lot. This gets them out,” Kruba Paul Matia of Council 8151 lights the warming pan for a recent More FISH DINNERS, page 3 fish fry in Duncannon. FISH DINNERS, from 1 then deliver the Santos Rodriguez meal,” he said. ladles stewed Marysville and St. Bernadette “We’re trying to tomatoes at in Duncannon is in their fourth keep people safe Council 8151’s year of serving fish dinners. in their vehicles dinner. They received approval and give them a from their pastor, Father Dijo nice, hot meal. Thomas, MSFS, to sail forth The people miss with a curbside format this Lent. the community, the “We’ve always done take- contact, but they’re out, but we’ve never done it 100 thankful that we’re percent; they could come in and still doing this.” take their meals out,” said Jerry It’s old- Kruba, Treasurer of Council fashioned, in- 8151 and coordinator of the fish person service, dinners. and it’s working. “Now, we stand outside and “Being that this take orders at the car, collect is a new style their money, rush in here and of doing it, and Publisher: 4800 Union Deposit Road The Most Rev. Ronald W. Gainer, Harrisburg, PA 17111-3710 DD, JCL, Bishop of Harrisburg Phone: 717-657-4804 Executive Director for Public Relations: Email: [email protected] Rachel Bryson, M.S. [email protected] Digital subscriptions provided complimentary to all parishioners registered to a parish in the Diocese of Managing Editor: Jennifer Reed The mission of The Catholic Witness is Harrisburg. The Catholic Witness (ISSN 0008-8447, [email protected] to be of personal and practical help as USPS 557 120) is published digitally weekly except we try to be loyal and true witnesses for Photojournalist: Chris Heisey Christmas/New Year by the Harrisburg Catholic Christ in our daily living, spiritual and [email protected] Publishing Association, 4800 Union Deposit Road, temporal, in private and in public. Harrisburg, PA 17111. March 11, 2021• The Catholic WITNESS- 3 FISH DINNERS, from 2 billboards along said. “Just driving here might Routes 11 not seem like a big deal, but and 15 with it is. They talk to people from pro-life and their window and joke around Christmas until their meal comes. It lets messages them know how good we used and to have it. Just to get a taste of routinely that, they really like it.” distribute Beyond the good food and holy good company, Council 8151’s cards and fish frys serve as a fundraiser Catholic for charitable outreach. literature. CHRIS HEISEY, THE CATHOLIC WITNESS Funds from the sale “We’re Delivering meals for curbside pick-up, Jim Scholl of support the Knights in their at the beck Council 8151 brings payment to Sharon Magaro. efforts to help members of the and call of community, regardless of their the bishop Bernadette Stumpf joined religious affiliation. The Council, and the priests. If they say, Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish for instance, has helped with ‘Knights, we need some help,’ in Cornwall five years ago and the purchase of medication and we find a way to get it done,” quickly set out to get involved food, as well as the installation Kruba remarked. in parish fundraisers, including of a washer and dryer for a “Council 8151 is the smallest volunteering at the fish fry and family in need. council with 21 members, but the parish festival. “We do a lot of community we’re mighty,” he said. Today, she is a co-coordinator outreach. If we get word that “The fish dinners are by far of the Wednesday Lenten there is somebody in need in our largest income source. If we dinners – held midweek to take town, we’re there,” Kruba said. would lose these, we would lose The council has also a lot of our ability to do things,” More FISH DINNERS, page 4 sponsored semi-narians and a he added. “We’re trying to do as deacon and donated to Project much as we can. We don’t keep Rachel to help post-abortive much money in our account. As women. Annually, they purchase soon as it comes in, we’re going to use it to help people.”

Sweet Set- Up in Cornwall

JEN REED, THE CATHOLIC WITNESS Bernie Danko prepares macaroni and cheese as Donna Lecisko prepares Knights of Columbus Council 8151 prepares for the Bernie’s Bakers’ desserts at weekly Lenten fish fry in Duncannon. Sacred Heart. March 11, 2021 • The Catholic WITNESS- 4

Meg Beihl takes a curbside order at Sacred George Stumpf reveals a pan of baked fish at Heart of Jesus’ Wednesday fish dinner. Sacred Heart in Cornwall.

FISH DINNERS, from 3 we’ve increased the market on any competition. each “I just enjoy it,” Stumpf said amid a flurry of week. This activity as volunteers established an assembly past week, line of cooks, order-takers, cashiers and delivery served runners. “The camaraderie with the parishioners over 750 is wonderful and it’s just a great time.” meals This year, Sacred Heart opted to offer indoor in three take-out and curbside pick-up. Patrons can order hours.” from their vehicle or from inside the parish center Monies and take their dinners home. raised The menu features baked or fried fish, fresh- from cut fries or baked potato, cole slaw or applesauce the $10 and a dinner roll. Also popular on the menu are dinners desserts from Bernie’s Bakers. Several dozen support varieties of cakes, pies, cookies, brownies and parish cupcakes form a rainbow of sweets across efforts, several tables for customers to select. as deter- The delightful assortment is overseen by mined by lifelong parishioner Bernie Reppert, who, at 93 the pastor JEN REED, THE CATHOLIC WITNESS years of age, continues to work the fish fry by and the slicing and wrapping the goodies. Dr. Jim Todd cuts fresh fries at parish Sacred Heart in Cornwall. Bernie and her workers supply a tooth-achingly finance sweet number of desserts throughout the length committee. of the nine weekly meals, given that Sacred “We are truly blessed to have a loyal clientele, Heart serves several hundred patrons every and we are truly thankful to the parishioners that Wednesday. take time out of their busy schedules to assist in Even a snowstorm during the first week of the making our fish dinners a huge success,” Stumpf fish fry didn’t slow things down. said. “I’m so thankful for the people who show up “We came very close to canceling the dinner to help us every week. We couldn’t do it without because of the snow, but we decided to go them.” through with it and served an amazing 400 meals despite the weather,” Stumpf noted. “Since then, More FISH DINNERS, page 5 March 11, 2021• The Catholic WITNESS- 5 FISH DINNERS, from 4 macaroni and cheese; steamed shrimp and rice pilaf; Chef’s Specialties in two crab cakes and roasted Lancaster After a long year of empty potatoes; salmon with mango chairs and tables at their council salsa; cod with buttered home in Lancaster, Knights of pasta; traditional fish and Columbus Council 867 decided chips; and a shrimp and crab to catch patrons with drive- cake combo. Each dinner through Lenten meals. includes a vegetable, side Pre-pandemic, the council’s salad and dessert. headquarters on the New “We wanted to offer Danville Pike was the place for something different and weekly Friday dinners, bingo change things up for and other fundraisers. With the people,” Zalewski said of the facilities and the experience in selections. “Eric Aponte is place, leadership set out to offer a professional chef, so he a different meatless curbside meal every week. More FISH DINNERS, page 6 “The first week was ok. We had Above, Erik Aponte prepares about 60 a tray of roasted potatoes for people. The Knights of Columbus Council second week, 867’s dinner. we had 80. Now we’re In the kitchen, Sean O’Brien up to 115 opens steaming pans of dinners, plus vegetables. seven kids’ meals. We’re Devin Aponte delivers a starting to get curbside pick-up meal in recognized,” Council 867’s parking lot. said Ed Zalewski, president of the Columbus Association for Council 867. “Going in, we didn’t know what to expect because we’ve never done take-out, but it’s been amazing to see that quite a few people call back to order again. Others called to give us a big thumbs-up on the dinners, and that gives us confidence and keeps us going,” he said. Council 867’s fundraiser features a new menu every week. Among the offerings: Beer-battered haddock and JEN REED, THE CATHOLIC WITNESS March 11, 2021 • The Catholic WITNESS- 6 FISH DINNERS, from 5 a full-time job that I’m leaving to come here on Fridays, and it’s the same thing with the other knew what to put together. Shawn O’Brien is our guys. But it’s been fun. You see people pull up manager, so he’s been doing kitchen work for a in their car that you haven’t seen in a while and few years now. Jim Schoeplein is my right-hand you get to talk to them for a few minutes. The guy; he’s always around where needed.” camaraderie is one thing, but it’s also a job that Because of the changing menu, patrons must we’re doing here. We’re constantly rolling and call in their orders by Wednesday of each week moving, and it’s a great feeling to see these and indicate their time of pick-up, so the Knights people again.” can provide a timely and hot meal. Like their counterparts’ efforts, Council 867’s Supported by runners who deliver the Lenten dinners are a critical fundraiser too. The meals, the four Knights work an assembly line council is associated with four of Lancaster city’s of seafood, vegetables and side dishes that parishes: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, keep customers in a steadily-moving stream of St. Joseph, St. Anthony of Padua and Sacred vehicles in the parking lot. Heart of Jesus. “It’s a job for us,” Zalewski admitted. “I have “Anything that comes up – whether it’s Coats for Kids, Catholic Men: Defenders of the Faith Christmas parties, Easter egg hunts – we try to do what we Virtual Conference for Men can for support,” Zalewski said. “We also assist police and fire departments, schools and facilities for the elderly.” “We have the members to do it and the facility to do it. The Columbus Association is our home base, and we’re doing well here with good volunteers and a good core Bishop Ronald W. Gainer, DD, JCL Dr. William Donohue Fr. Robert Spitzer, SJ, PhD Bishop of Harrisburg President, The Catholic League President, The Magis Center of people to keep it going,” he added. “Whenever we can recruit more members, that means more volunteers and a lot more going to the churches.” “The Knights do an incredible amount of work out there. There are a lot of

Fr. Frederick L. Miller, STD Fr. John Szada, PhD Mr. Tony Devlin people doing a lot of work for Archdiocese of Newark Exorcist, Diocese of Harrisburg Army Investigator & Analyst the churches, and we should 8:30am Online Platform Opens be proud of that. That’s what MARCH drives us in the work we do,” 9:00am Opening Remarks he said. 20th The Harrisburg Diocesan Men’s Conference will be virtual Hungry for more Lenten this year. All those who register will receive a link to join the conference live, as well as a recording of the event. fish dinner information? See 2021 pages 26-28 in this edition per Register at: for a listing of those offered $10 person www.hbgdiocese.org/event/mens-conference throughout the Diocese.

Presented by the Office of Evangelization & Catechesis for the Diocese of Harrisburg March 11, 2021• The Catholic WITNESS- 7 Father Dan Powell Receives National Catholic Education Award By Rachel Bryson, M.S. The Catholic Witness Excitement abounded at St. John Neumann School in Lancaster on March 9 as Father Dan Powell, pastor, received the “Lead. Learn. Proclaim. Award” from the National Catholic Education Association. This award recognizes outstanding contributions and achievements related to Catholic Education. Only three pastors are selected annually to receive this national award. The surprise announcement was made following the morning recognition of student achievements. “I thought I was there to encourage our students to use the gifts God has given to them to the best of their ability. I did that and then all of a sudden the focus shifted. I was speechless. At first I did not completely understand what was happening. Once I understood what was happening, I felt very humbled. I also thought of all the other people who were a big part of making this relocation of our school a reality. I am honored this award can bring to light all the fine work so many have done,” said Father Powell. Kyla Hockley, principal of St. John Neumann COURTESY OF ST. JOHN NEUMANN SCHOOL School, which opened its doors for the first time Father Dan Powell receives congratulations from in September of 2020, said she nominated Father Kyla Hockley, principal of St. John Neumann Powell for this award because he has “ignited, School, for his NCEA award. united, or inspired students and families,” both at St. John Neumann and previously at St. Anne’s of Harrisburg joined the Zoom call to congratulate School in Lancaster. Father Powell, who was met with cheers and Hockley explained in her nomination video that applause from students and staff. because of Father Powell’s leadership, the dream “I’m so happy to be with you this morning and of moving the school from St. Anne’s to St. John Father Powell, congratulations. This is a great Neumann’s campus was achieved. honor for you, for St. John Neumann Parish and “Father Dan ignited, inspired and united school, and for the Diocese. To be among three parishioners and the wider community to bring pastors honored, it is well deserved,” said Bishop this dream into reality. The capital campaign Ronald Gainer. “Father Powell, you have been lunched in the midst of the Grand Jury Report extraordinary in your commitment, throughout being released, continued through the Diocesan your priesthood, to Catholic education. But most bankruptcy process and completed in the midst recently, in these very challenging times with of a global pandemic. Each step of the way, so many headwinds, to take on this project of a Father Dan asked everyone to trust in God’s new school building, opening St. John Neumann plan and thus severed as an example of humble School with such success and a promising faith, inspiring, uniting and igniting the faith of enrollment, and an even greater enrollment our community. Our school is open, it’s thriving, already for next year, you’re a great witness and enrollment is up and that is a great deal in part to example to all of us for the importance of Catholic Father Dan Powell,” said Hockley. Parents and special guests from the Diocese More FATHER POWELL, page 8 March 11, 2021 • The Catholic WITNESS- 8 FATHER POWELL, from 7 and the school opened for in-person classes on September 8, 2020. education and the importance of the involvement “Celebrating Father Dan’s reception of the of the pastor in that ministry in our Church. I’m so “Lead. Learn. Proclaim. Award” is like the cherry grateful to be with you this morning to share in on top of an amazing year! Building a school this assembly and to congratulate you and to wish during a pandemic, moving in with less than two you every blessing as the school continues to weeks to get unpacked and open, and operating grow and to thrive.” with safety restriction in place might sound awful, “We are so excited to thank you for your work but Father Dan has met each challenge with trust and to honor you,” said Kathy Mears, interim in the Holy Spirit and his faith has served as an president and CEO of NCEA, who virtually inspiration for our entire community to do the presented Father Powell with his award. “You are same,” said Hockley. beloved and you very much exemplify what we “Despite all the odds and all the circumstances want to see in pastors and the work they do. You which were beyond our control, our efforts have gone above and beyond.” succeeded. When we listen to the guidance of “I am thrilled that Mrs. Hockley nominated the Holy Spirit and place our trust in Him amazing Father Powell because our pastors do things can happen. Our prayers and financial remarkable work supporting Catholic education, support made a difference and will continue to and many of them are unsung heroes. Father make a difference in the lives of many children Dan deserves to be ‘sung!’” said Dan Breen, and families,” said Father Powell. “Being awarded Secretary for Education and Superintendent a 2021 National Catholic Education Association of Catholic Schools for the Diocese. “In many “Lead. Learn. Proclaim. Award” has been an ways, Father Dan’s efforts to establish St. John extremely humbling experience. There have been Neumann Catholic School are representative so many who have gone before me who built the of the remarkable effort all our Catholic schools foundation which made this all a possibility. So have made over the last year. In Father Dan’s many others have worked tirelessly behind the case, the effort goes back several years. He has scenes to ensure the successful construction and persevered through all the uncertainty and effort opening of our school. Many people contributed of taking the community from St. Anne’s School financially and with their prayers. I accept this to St. John Neumann, including the pandemic, award for them, or our entire St. John Neumann its impact on the construction schedule and the Parish and School community. We are a family school calendar, and so much more.” of faith. We have been brought closer together through the adversity we have experienced. We Relying on the Holy Spirit will continue to move forward in faith trusting the The recognition this award brings is a sign Holy Spirit walks with us and we are never alone.” that the Holy Spirit has been at work throughout the entire time of planning, moving and opening About St. John Neumann Catholic School, said Father The “Lead. Learn. Proclaim. Award” from Powell. He explained that in the summer of NCEA, now in its sixth year, recognizes 2017, plans were made to move the school, the “outstanding efforts, contributions, and with fundraising commencing just a few months achievements on behalf of Catholic school after the release of the Pennsylvania Grand education,” according to NCEA’s website. The Jury Report in 2018. Trusting in the Holy Spirit, program is open to Catholic school administrators, the parish persevered and, without borrowing pastors and teachers that have served in Catholic any funds, was able to commence construction education for at least five years. in January 2020. When the pandemic hit in To learn more about the NCEA, please March, construction was halted for eight weeks, visit www.ncea.org. More information on St. casting doubt on whether the school would be John Neumann School can be found at www. completed in time to open at the start of the sjncslancaster.org. 2020/21 school year. Because of the tireless work of the construction team, lost time was made up March 11, 2021• The Catholic WITNESS- 9 Year of St. Joseph Feature: St. Joseph Parish in Hanover By Jen Reed role, it’s almost beyond The Catholic Witness comprehension. He’s the foster Overlooking the growing father of the Savior of the world, community of Hanover, St. and the husband of the Blessed Joseph Parish stands as a Mother. That’s a pretty good beacon of faith and a model bar for us to meet,” said Msgr. of its patron saint along the James Lyons, pastor since suburban ridge of Grandview 2012. Avenue south of town. “Joseph was a server and Tracing its roots to the first protector. He made sure his celebration of Mass for a family was taken care of. What handful of Catholic families in we try to do in emulating St. 1806, St. Joseph Parish today Joseph is provide for the needs is home to more than 7,200 of the community,” he said. parishioners – a vibrant and That effort is undertaken active community of Anglo and through a wide variety of 68 Hispanic members. committees and ministries, A statue of St. Joseph and the During this special Year which developed new ways Infant Joseph graces the narthex of St. Joseph – declared by of continuing their efforts at St. Joseph Church in Hanover. Pope Francis from Dec. 8, throughout the pandemic. 2020, through Dec. 8, 2021 – Among them: the Council of grocer; and volunteer efforts to the parish is celebrating the Catholic Women, who assisted cook and serve 5,000 meals to richness of its community of in outreach to the homebound; people facing financial hardship. faith, and illustrating the way it parish participation in the efforts “People in the community emulates the saint for whom it is of the Hanover Area Council know that they can come here named. of Churches; distribution of when they need help, and “When you look at Joseph’s food donations from a local that’s a good thing, to know the Church is here,” Msgr. Lyons said. “We’re always trying to keep St. Joseph in the forefront, and focus on how, in his humble way, he did amazing work. He was a person of great faith and action. We try to emulate his humility and his dedication to the Lord and to Mary in whatever we do,” he said.

A Diverse Community Situated in an area that is home to a growing Hispanic population – upwards of 12 percent in Hanover – St. Joseph Msgr. James Lyons, pastor, is seen during Mass celebrated by Parish is blessed with a diverse Bishop Ronald Gainer as he visits the Diocese’s churches named for St. Joseph this year. More ST. JOSEPH, page 10 March 11, 2021 • The Catholic WITNESS- 10 ST. JOSEPH continued from 9 community of parishioners and cultures. “The Hispanic community, while being part of the larger parish community, offers the Quinceañera program and Masses, baptisms and weddings, celebrated in Spanish, which is great,” Msgr. Lyons remarked. “Even though a lot of the younger people can understand English, it’s great that they are bilingual. I think that makes this parish special in a particular way.” “We also have the population CHRIS HEISEY, THE CATHOLIC WITNESS that calls themselves ‘Hanoverians’ – which represent Sunlight illumines an altar server at St. Joseph Church in Hanover an elderly population that has during Holy Mass on March 7. seen the growth in this area and in this parish. At the same We have both in great quantities. I think that’s a time, we have a lot of young families with young rich part of who we are, too.” children,” he said. “So we have a combination Kimberly De La Torre, a member of the of people who have been here a long time, and Hispanic community at St. Joseph’s, said she is people who are new; of people who have raised grateful for the opportunities to serve there. She their families, and young families who are just is a lector, a Spanish-speaking instructor for the starting out. It’s a really interesting mix of people. parish’s School of Religious Instruction (SRI) and the coordinator of the Quinceañera program. Both programs give young people a solid faith formation at an especially critical time in their lives. Offering lessons in English and Spanish serves to deepen their understanding and appreciation of the faith, De La Torre said. The SRI program provides catechesis to young people who haven’t received all three Sacraments of Initiation, so they can enter the Church Bishop Ronald Gainer celebrates Mass at St. Joseph Church in Hanover “I myself am bilingual, on March 7 as part of his visits this year to parishes named for the foster More ST. JOSEPH father of Jesus. page 11 March 11, 2021• The Catholic WITNESS- 11 ST. JOSEPH continued from 10 but if I hear something first in English, it will make more sense to me to hear it in Spanish,” she said. “It processes differently, and I think that’s the same way for these young people.” The Quinceañera program is a tradition in Mexico and Latin America that celebrates a girl’s transition into young womanhood when she reaches the age of 15. A religious and social event, it emphasizes the importance of family and faith in a young girl’s life. “They go through a program where they A woman receives Holy Communion from Bishop learn things about themselves, their values, Ronald Gainer during his pastoral visit to St. Joseph women’s roles, and their relationship with Parish in Hanover. Jesus,” De La Torre explained. “It’s making sure they know what they believe in, and get involved and see where I can help. I’ve met brings them closer to the community. We get a lot of people just from volunteering and in them in the program at 14 or 15, so these young the different organized groups. There is a lot of teens are new to the world. Having some sort networking and opportunity here.” of role model plays a big part during that time in Parishioner John Lecorchick has seen the their life.” growth of the parish, and the blossoming of its De La Torre expressed her gratitude for the diversity, throughout his 36 years as a member of parish and the opportunities it offers members St. Joseph’s. to share their culture and gifts. In the Hispanic “With the arrival of the Hispanic community, community, that extends to an annual celebration they’ve shown us the love of the family and the on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and the importance of the family institution,” he said. re-enactment of the Stations of the Cross around “They’ve shown us the beauty of it all, and I’ve the parish grounds. seen our community embrace that as well.” “I’ve found a lot of opportunities here,” she “We’re not two separate communities, but said. “I’ve always been a person who likes to rather one parish family,” he added.

Handing on the Faith St. Joseph School is located on the parish campus, offering a Catholic school education to children in grades PreK-8. When the parish was founded in 1864, the school was immediately established. “The parish didn’t have a church building then, so they bought a Methodist church and utilized that. They immediately began a Catholic school within that building, so the church and school came into existence at the same time,” Msgr. Lyons noted. Father Samuel Miller, parochial vicar, gives Holy Communion to children attending Mass on March 7. More ST. JOSEPH, page 12 March 11, 2021 • The Catholic WITNESS- 12 ST. JOSEPH, continued from 11 school education with us.” The parish built its own church in town in 1877 Handing on the faith has been an important and built a school there soon after. When the part of parishioner John Lecorchick’s volunteer current church on Grandview Avenue was efforts since he joined St. Joseph’s Parish in constructed in 1975, St. Joseph School remained 1985. He and his wife Barbara have served as in town for a time, and gradually relocated the mentors in the marriage preparation program current campus. Middle school grades arrived and as Eucharistic ministers, and John has been first, and the remaining grades eventually a teacher in the parish’s School of Religious followed, bringing the entire school community Instruction for 14 years. together at the current site in 2017. “For certain reasons, the students missed “For all of our school families to be part of that receiving one, two or all three Sacraments St. Joseph School family, it’s really important of Initiation, so we prepare them to receive that we’re all in one place. We’re able to pray those sacraments in order to join the Church,” together, we’re able to celebrate things like Lecorchick said. “It’s a program that’s pretty holidays and Masses, and participate together unique to our parish.” in Catholic Schools Week and make it a big “Over the years, we’ve found that we’ve been celebration for everyone,” said Amy Miller, the very instrumental in their lives. And we’re noticing school’s Director of Marketing, Development and that the parents are now coming back to church Enrollment. with their children,” he said. “Just to see them “Our students actively participate in Mass come forth and be a part of it, has really touched at least once a month. Being able to have that my heart. We’re trying to promote the interaction accessibility to the church and to take an active of the Church and the family, and it seems to be role in applying what they’re learning in the working very well here.” classroom about the parts of the Mass or what Lecorchick said the year dedicated to St. Adoration means, provides a well-rounded Joseph holds a special meaning for him as a experience for the kids,” she said. family man and as a parishioner. Similar to schools throughout the Diocese, “It gives me a chance to reflect on my life as St. Joseph School has seen an increase in a husband and father. The wife is the heart and enrollment this year. soul of the family. The father is the stabilizer. “Being able to stay open and provide in- Some people never consider that, but it’s the very person learning for our students means that we foundation of the family,” he said. were an attractive option for students who might “I also reflect on how this parish has afforded have been learning virtually. We’ve certainly me the opportunity to express myself as a seen some growth attributed to that,” Miller said. Catholic,” he added. “I’ve become a bigger part “We’re seeing that families want to get back. of a more diverse community than I have ever They want that connectivity to their faith, and they seen.” want to see their children establish roots in the (Learn more about St. Joseph Parish in faith. They see they can get that through Catholic Hanover at www.stjosephparishhanover.org.) Diocese’s Youth Protection Program Para reportar la sospecha del abuso de un menor, To report suspected abuse of a minor, call the toll llame al número de teléfono gratuíto Línea de free PA Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-932-0313 Ayuda Abuso del Niño Pennsylvania To report suspected abuse of a minor by a church 1-800-932-0313 official, employee or volunteer, also please call Para reportar la sospecha del abuso de un menor the Diocese of Harrisburg Youth Protection a manos de un official, empleado o voluntario de Hotline: 1-800-626-1608 la iglesia, también llame al número de teléfono or email: [email protected] gratuíto de ayuda diocesana: 1-800-626-1608 o envíe correo electrónico: [email protected] March 11, 2021• The Catholic WITNESS- 13 Trinity Students Earn Finalist Status in National Merit Scholarship Program Two students from Trinity High School in Camp Hill are the Diocesan high school finalists in this year’s National Merit Scholarship Program. Lucy Cooper-Silvis and Olivia Maddux have earned finalist status in the prestigious program, an annual academic competition for high school students to receive recognition and college scholarships. Nearly 1.5 million students enter the National Merit Scholarship Program each year. To become a finalist, a student must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by the high school principal, and earn SAT scores that confirm the Lucy Cooper-Silvis Olivia Maddux student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test. The student must also complete an of the National Honor Society, as well as in Mu application and essay detailing their participation Alpha Theta (National Math Honor Society) and and leadership in school and community activities. in the Société Honoraire de Francais (French An extremely talented, dedicated and creative Language Honor Society). student, Lucy Cooper-Silvis entered the second Lucy and her family are parishioners at St. semester of her senior year at Trinity High School Patrick Parish in Carlisle. at the top of her class with a weighted GPA of A consummate student-athlete, Olivia Maddux 4.77 on a 4.0 scale. To date, she has passed has excelled in both the classroom and on the six different Advanced Placement Examinations golf course during her four years at Trinity High administered by the College Board. She School. Carrying a weighted GPA of 4.70 on a possesses a mature mind, a positive disposition, 4.0 scale into her final semester, Olivia takes the and a genuine thirst to know and to investigate most challenging courses that Trinity offers. She any academic topic. She routinely “risks” excellent has passed four of the College Board’s Advanced questions in class, and her peers learn more Placement examinations heading into her senior because she is in the room. year. Olivia has also completed a formal study Lucy is waiting for the last round of college of Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky admissions this spring before deciding on a as part of Trinity’s Great Books Program. She college. However, she is certain to major in a plans to major in chemistry in college, and she is program devoted to English and creative writing. awaiting the spring round of college admissions For two years, she has led Trinity’s Writers Club, before making a final decision on a school. and she regularly crafts pieces that are sent off to Olivia combines academic excellence with literary journals and writing competitions hosted excellence in varsity golf. A three-time qualifier for across the United States. Toward that end, Lucy the PIAA State Tournament, Olivia served as a participated for two summers in writing programs captain of Trinity’s varsity team in the fall of 2020. through the University of Iowa. In 2018, she joined She also uses her talents to help young golfers as the Iowa Young Writers’ Studio, and in 2019, an LPGA Girls Golf Volunteer. she completed the Iowa Young Writers’ Online Olivia offers a tremendous example of service Creative Writing Course. Lucy also participates in to her school as a Mentor Group Leader in the Trinity’s Great Books Program, and she finished House System. Cutting across both gender and a formal study of The Karamazov Brothers by grade levels, mentor groups serve as the heart Fyodor Dostoevsky in the summer of 2020. of this student-led effort. Averaging about 17 Because of her superior academic and students in each group, mentor groups meet each extracurricular record, Lucy has earned day for activities and discussion devoted to all membership in the Saint John Neumann Chapter More MERIT FINALISTS, page 14 March 11, 2021 • The Catholic WITNESS- 14 Diocesan Swimmers Continue to Strike Gold and Silver By Chris Heisey Also in The Catholic the boys’ Witness competition, The past Trinity’s Harrison several Ziegler won seasons, the a silver in the Crusaders of grueling 500- Bishop McDevitt yard Freestyle, have dominated and the ’Rocks at the Mid- won a silver in Penn and the 400-yard District 3 Class Freestyle relay, 2A swimming finishing just championships. behind the That dominance The Bishop McDevitt Crusaders, 2A Crusaders. continued at this champions with 224 points. The Trinity year’s District girls’ team 3 meet, held at Central York also had an excellent High School, where the boys meet, as they won silver won the team championship in the 200-Medley and again and the Crusaders’ 200-Freestyle relays. relay teams won the Sophomore Kari Powell won 200-Freestyle, 200-Medley the 100-Breaststroke by and 400-Freestyle, nearly two seconds to win respectively. Individually, gold for Trinity. And senior Patrick Hemingway won gold Lily DiCarlo won silver in the in the 100-backstroke and 100-Backstroke. a silver in the 50-Freestyle. (Photos courtesy of the Lucas Hancock and Will District 3 website.) Brobson won silvers in the 100-Freestyle and 100- Kari Powell of Trinity, Breaststroke. 100 Breaststroke champion

MERIT FINALISTS, from 13 Diocesan Council of Catholic Women Scholarship aspects of a healthy high school life. As The Diocesan Council of Catholic Women will a Mentor Group Leader, Olivia prepares award a $1,000 scholarship to a Catholic senior and facilitates the daily activities critical high school girl for the freshman year 2021- to her group’s success. 2022 at an accredited college, university or trade Based on her academic, school. Applicants must be sponsored by a mother, extracurricular, and service record, grandmother or guardian who is a member of a Olivia has earned membership in the Parish Council of Catholic Women. The applicant Saint John Neumann Chapter of the and her sponsor must be residents of the Diocese National Honor Society, as well as in of Harrisburg. Applications are available from Mu Alpha Theta (National Math Honor parish Council of Catholic Women presidents. More Society) and in the National Spanish information and applications can also be obtained by Honor Society. contacting Joyce Scott, Scholarship Chair, at 717- Olivia and her family are parishioners 737-0927 or [email protected]. The application at St. Patrick Parish in Carlisle. deadline is May 1, 2021. March 11, 2021• The Catholic WITNESS- 15 Lancaster Catholic Defends Its District 3 Championship By Chris Heisey The Catholic Witness Missing at high school sports during the pandemic is the frenzied crowd that rallies behind its partisan banners in a big game. But at Lancaster Catholic on March 9, the old feeling was there, as there were enough fans from the Columbia Crimson Tide and the Crusaders’ faithful to give the District 3 Class 3A championship the feel that much was at stake. These two Lancaster County teams are not unfamiliar foes, and the evenly matched teams played a tense and taut game that makes District 3 championship basketball a special experience. The Crimson Tide jumped out to an eight-point lead in the first half, mainly CHRIS HEISEY, THE CATHOLIC WITNESS on some deadly three-point shooting The Crusaders celebrate their repeat despite an aggressive and stretched out District 3 championship with their home crowd. Crusaders’ defense. Columbia is a tough, gritty team, but what makes the extremely well- game, The Crusaders looked like a lock to win coached Crusaders champions is their resilience, their second District 3 title in a row. But Columbia determination and ability to meet any challenge hit a three-bomb and when Lancaster Catholic any team throws missed two-front ends of 1 and 1’s, suddenly at them. Columbia was By halftime, the one look away Crusaders had from tying chipped away at the score. In the lead and were big games, down just 32- experience 28. If basketball matters and the is a game of home partisan adjustments and crowd did not hurt runs, Lancaster either. Lancaster Catholic did Catholic got the just that in the hard-earned W third quarter, as to advance to they picked up the PIAA state the defensive tournament, pressure, pounded where last year the boards and they were denied held the Tide to a great run only one field goal at a state title in the third quarter. Lancaster Catholic’s Devin Crusaders’ Devin Atkinson, because of Covid While it was Roman, a senior, scores on a a senior, surveys the cancelling the tournament half truly a team effort, breakaway against Columbia. landscape. the Crusaders’ way through. leader is Devin Atkinson, who finished with 17 “It was so unfair,” points, many hard-earned physical put-backs, and a sweat-soaked Devin Atkinson said afterwards 18 rebounds which led to the Tide’s demise. The about last season. “We were on a roll. To get Tide was one and done all night. cheated out like that… well we want to finish Up eight points with 119 seconds left in the things, now.” March 11, 2021 • The Catholic WITNESS- 16 Two District 3 Powerhouses Meet for District 3 Title By Chris Heisey The Catholic Witness Trinity’s game plan in the District 3 girls’ Class 3A championship game against York Catholic was quite evident only seconds into the contest at Trinity High School in Camp Hill on March 10: pound the ball inside to 6’ 4” center Lauren Trumpy, and let her dominate an undersized Fighting Irish. And the strategy worked to perfection. Trumpy scored 12 of the ’Rocks’ first 15 points and finished with a game high 25 to help Trinity to a 62-46 victory over the Fighting Irish. But, don’t let that 16-point margin fool you; this was not a blowout win, as the Fighting Irish fought hard and stayed BOB CHADDERDON, ELBE PHOTOGRAPHY within 10 points most of the 32 minutes Trinity girls hoist the District 3 3A title on despite Trumpy’s dominance. Thanks to their home court. great shooting which included 11 three- pointers from long range, the Irish just could any serious run the Irish could make. not overcome the ’Rocks’ low-block game that not York Catholic and Trinity have combined for only scored at will but rebounded the basketball 29 District 3 girls’ championships, which is an to compound the Irish’s tall mountain to climb. astounding stat. Trinity (19-1) moves on to the Trinity’s full court 2-2-1 press also caused York PIAA state tournament, and the Irish, who started Catholic turnovers, and if the Irish did break the two freshman, finish their season at 13-7. press, the ’Rocks’ half court zone trap stymied

Trinity’s Lauren Trumpy uses Trinity’s senior sharpshooter Ava York Catholic’s Samantha Bulik her height to score two of her Stevenson brings up the ball. and Meredith Smith converge on 25 points. She scored her 1,000th point in Trinity’s Natalie Freed. February. March 11, 2021• The Catholic WITNESS- 17 Pope Francis in Erbil: ‘Today I Can See at First Hand That the Church in Iraq is Alive’ Catholic News Agency Pope Francis on March 7 expressed joy at the vitality of the Church in Iraq despite years of fierce persecution. Celebrating Mass in the Franso Hariri Stadium in Erbil on March 7 during his first visit to the country, the pope praised Iraq’s dwindling Christian community for its care for the poor. “The Church in Iraq, by God’s grace, is already doing much to proclaim this wonderful wisdom of the cross by spreading Christ’s mercy and forgiveness, particularly towards those in greatest need,” he told an estimated VATICAN MEDIA 10,000 people gathered in the stadium. Pope Francis celebrates Mass in the Franso Hariri “Even amid great poverty and difficulty, Stadium in Erbil, Iraq on March 7. many of you have generously offered concrete help and solidarity to the poor homes, seeking refuge in the Kurdistan Region and suffering. That is one of the reasons that led and abroad. Before Saddam Hussein was me to come as a pilgrim in your midst, to thank deposed in 2003, there were 1.4 million Christians you and to confirm you in your faith and witness.” in Iraq. Today there are no more than 250,000. “Today, I can see at first hand that the Church “The temptation is to react to these and other in Iraq is alive, that Christ is alive and at work in painful experiences with human power, human this, his holy and faithful people.” wisdom. Instead, Jesus shows us the way of God, The pope was visiting the capital of the the path that he took, the path on which he calls Kurdistan Region on the final day of a three-day us to follow him,” the pope said, preaching in the trip to Iraq intended to strengthen the hope of the stadium named in honor of Erbil’s first Christian country’s persecuted Christian minority and foster governor, assassinated in 2001. fraternity and interreligious dialogue. There was a joyous atmosphere at the Mass, On his first foreign trip since the outbreak of the with a small group from the Neocatechumenal coronavirus pandemic, Pope Francis made history Way at the back of the stadium leading festivities by becoming the first pope to visit Iraq. before the pope’s arrival. In a mark of the visit’s impact on the war- The Prayer of the Faithful was said in Assyrian, ravaged country, Prime Minister Mustafa Al- Arabic, Kurdish, and English, in a sign of the Kadhimi declared March 6 a National Day of diversity of Iraqi Christianity. Tolerance and Coexistence in honor of Pope Reflecting on the day’s Gospel reading, the Francis’ landmark meeting with the country’s top cleansing of the Temple (John 2:13-25), the Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani. pope said: “Jesus not only cleanses us of our Celebrating Mass on the Third Sunday of Lent, sins, but gives us a share in his own power and the pope noted that many Iraqis bore “the wounds wisdom. He liberates us from the narrow and of war and violence ... both visible and invisible.” divisive notions of family, faith and community that Near him stood a restored Marian divide, oppose and exclude, so that we can build statue vandalized by the Islamic State during its a Church and a society open to everyone and occupation of villages in the Nineveh Plains from concerned for our brothers and sisters in greatest 2014 to 2017. The statue’s hands hung from need.” sockets in a reminder of its mutilation. Many Christians were forced to flee their More POPE IN IRAQ, page 18 March 11, 2021 • The Catholic WITNESS- 18 POPE IN IRAQ, continued from 17 young.” At the end of Mass, as the sun lowered over the “At the same time, he strengthens us to resist the stadium, Archbishop Warda thanked the pope on The Called temptation to seek revenge, which only plunges behalf of Iraqi Christians. us into a spiral of endless retaliation. In the He said: “Pope Francis, we know that Christ power of the Holy Spirit, he sends us forth, not as and you are with us. Your courage flows now proselytizers, but as missionary disciples, men into us. Then, we give our thanks to you for your and women called to testify to the life-changing prayers for the persecuted and the marginalized, power of the Gospel.” here in Iraq and around the world.” The pope began his final full day in Iraq at the “We know that you have continued to pray apostolic nunciature in Baghdad. He flew to Erbil, for us through all our times of darkness. We where he was welcomed by Chaldean Archbishop know that through your prayers we were never Bashar Warda, Syrian Catholic Archbishop Nizar forgotten. We know that through your prayers you Semaan, and the president and prime minister of continue to urge this broken world and this broken the Kurdistan Region. land to a time of peace, humility and prosperity, The pope then transferred by helicopter to with dignity of life and purpose for all.” Mosul, Iraq’s second-largest city, where he offered Before giving the final blessing, the pope prayers for victims of war. greeted Mar Gewargis III, Catholicos, Patriarch of Pope Francis traveled on to Bakhdida, the ancient Assyrian Church of the East, who lives also known as Qaraqosh, where he met local in Erbil. Christians at the Church of the Immaculate “Together with him I embrace the Christians of Conception. the various denominations, many of whom have The pope had lunch at the Patriarchal Seminary shed their blood in this very land,” he said. “Yet of St. Peter in Erbil, leaving a wooden sculpture of our martyrs shine together like stars in the same St. Joseph as a gift. He arrived at the stadium to sky! From there they call us to walk together, celebrate Mass around 4 p.m. local time and was without hesitation, towards the fullness of unity.” driven past the congregation in a popemobile – He continued: “In my time among you, I have the vehicle’s only outing in Iraq – surrounded by heard voices of sorrow and loss, but also voices masked security guards. of hope and consolation. This was due in large Preparations for the Mass started early on part to that tireless charitable outreach made Sunday morning, with 250 young volunteers possible by the religious institutions of every buzzing around the altar, setting up signs for confession, your local Churches and the various VIPs, and following instructions from enthusiastic charitable organizations assisting the people of priests. this country in the work of rebuilding and social Eighteen-year-old Joseph told CNA: “This is rebirth.” an opportunity of a lifetime, to have the chance to As he prepared to leave the stadium for work for the Holy Father coming to our land. I still Baghdad, where he will stayed overnight before can’t believe this is about to happen.” flying back to Rome on Monday, the pope said: Matilda, 16, said: “I feel we are following “Now the time draws near for my return to the Gospel, ‘what you got freely, give it freely,’ Rome. Yet Iraq will always remain with me, in my especially when we are doing it for a man of God heart. I ask all of you, dear brothers and sisters, like Pope Francis.” to work together in unity for a future of peace Hannah, 17, commented: “I do believe that the and prosperity that leaves no one behind and pope’s visit will not be just a moment. This will discriminates against no one.” be a source of hope for us, for young people, for “I assure you of my prayers for this beloved everyone in Kurdistan.” country. In a particular way, I pray that the The Kurdistan Region has one of the lowest members of the various religious communities, emigration rates in Iraq. But according to a source together with all men and women of goodwill, from the Chaldean Catholic Archdiocese of Erbil, may work together to forge bonds of fraternity and speaking to CNA on background, “migrants are solidarity in the service of the common good and disproportionately Christian and disproportionately of peace.” March 11, 2021• The Catholic WITNESS- 19 me a solemn blessing at my The Called consecration, and that means A series of profiles on clergy and religious the world to me. But we do not get any financial assistance from the Diocese. Sister Dina I. Oddis, Er. Dio Our level of financial Hometown: Haddonfield, N.J. independence does not come easily to a young person, who Education: Bryn Mawr College; St. Cecilia Conservatory in may still need to pay off a Rome; Temple University’s Fox School of Business; Temple mortgage, so being a hermit Law School tends to be a later-in-life Current Assignment: Hermit at the Holy Mother of God vocation. It also takes a certain Hermitage in Middletown, Pa. level of maturity. In that respect, this vocation is very different. (Sister Dina is a hermit, and thus cannot be pictured) People don’t set out to be hermits. I didn’t even know that the vocation existed. I had left the monastery, and it absolutely (Part 2 of the interview with has happened, I can pray about broke my heart. I had heard Sister Dina, continued from the these things. And then He’ll what Mother Superior said, March 4 edition.) send me out again. and I firmly believed, “God It’s an unusual thing. It’s not doesn’t want you; you have What does it mean to be a found very frequently in the no vocation.” I didn’t know the hermit? active orders, in fact, hardly eremitical life existed and a The way we pray, the way ever. But we’ve had numerous friend told me about it. All of we devote our lives to prayer is instances of religious – both a sudden, this proverbial light needed. Even though people men and women – who have bulb went on. It was an ah-ha may not realize it, and may not been in monasteries and in moment with God and I said, understand the effect that prayer orders, and have gone off “That’s what I’m supposed to is having, it is the most effective to be hermits within their do.” Only three months passed thing that I could possibly do order. Thomas Merton, for from the time I heard about it with my life. That puts me over example. A lot of monasteries until I formulated my plan for life the moon. It means that what I have accommodations for a and was actually living the life. am doing counts for something. hermitage on their grounds to There are resources In God’s scheme, it counts for provide for that. out there available for this something. I’m Benedictine. I’ve been discernment process. The Hermits are watchful. We Benedictine ever since I went to foremost guide actually are here to watch, to see and a nursery school at age four run came out of Wisconsin when to observe. After a watchman by the Benedictine nuns. The Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke observes, what does he do? He eremitic vocation is one that headed the Diocese of La reports back. To whom does he takes self-discipline and self- Crosse. Under his aegis, report back? To his commander preservation, and that doesn’t Marlene Weisenbeck wrote a in chief. So I go back to God in come easy to an 18- or 20 year- guide to the eremitic life. Very prayer, and say, “This is what I old. That’s why this vocation is informative, because it has have seen. This is what I have really an older age vocation. We so many resources on how to heard. We need help. Please, are required to be financially approach the vocation, and how help us.” He knows it, but He independent. We enjoy and needs me to know that I know treasure our Mother Church’s More THE CALLED He knows. After that exchange blessing. Bishop Gainer gave page 20 March 11, 2021 • The Catholic WITNESS- 20 THE CALLED robbers. How that is implemented continued from 19 Wave number two happened varies from hermit to hermit. in the 1100s. You had the Dark We praise God, we pray for the diocese should approach Ages, absolute corruption of the salvation of the world, and someone who wants to be a the Benedictine Order, and we do it in stricter separation hermit. the split of the Cistercians. from the world in solitude and Going back to the nature of The Benedictine Order was in penance. That’s what makes the vocation, the discernment complete disarray, the Church up the vocation. But if you process is very difficult, itself was in complete disarray, take a look at the moments in because a lot of dioceses don’t and you had hermits who were history where there eremitic know what it means to be a going back to the original values vocation has flourished, it has hermit and how it contributes to of Christianity. been in response to and under the diocese and to the Church The third wave is happening the guidance of the Holy Spirit, in general. But thanks to the now. I won’t say it’s in direct who has understood that the Holy Spirit, someone who response to the fact that the world needed help and the best wants to be a hermit will always Code of Canon Law was help was going to bring hermits find a way to be formed, get revised and promulgated in together to flourish and to help the information and start the 1983, because we have our save the Church and the world. discernment process under own Canon in the Code of We are watchmen. We the guidance of other hermits. Canon Law: “Besides institutes watch, we see, we observe. That’s the age-old tradition. The of consecrated life, the Church We take it back to God, and we younger hermits, in the days recognizes the eremitic or pray for those very things we when the eremitic movement anchoritic life, by which the have seen. started in the late 200s, would Christian faithful devote their go live with an older hermit and life to the praise of God and What does “watching” mean? that’s how they learned. salvation of the world.” (Canon Is it watching people when you go to Mass, or when you What is the history of the 603). That is our charism. That encounter someone? vocation? is our ministry. The praise of It’s all of those levels, and At the time that the eremitic God and the salvation of the more. Because we are so movement started in the late world. How do we do that? separated from the world, we 200s, Christianity had become We do that through “a stricter can see more clearly. We can mainstream. It was accepted separation from the world, see down into the depths of the and embraced by the society the silence of solitude and water. The parallel would be of the Roman Empire, and the assiduous prayer and penance.” standing beside a pool of water. people who were Christian Section two of that Canon It’s clear, and I can see all the had become very complacent. reads, “A hermit is recognized way down to the bottom. I can There were a lot of people who in the law as one dedicated to see countless stones on the said they wanted to go back God in consecrated life if he bottom. If I step into the pool, to the old values of the time or she publicly professes the I’m going to muddy the waters of the Apostles. I have to say, three evangelical counsels – and not be able to see into the tongue-in-cheek, that not all the poverty, chastity and obedience depths. In stricter separation first hermits were upstanding – confirmed by vow or other from the world, I’m outside the citizens. We had our fair share sacred bond in the hands of the pool, I’m not muddying the pool of those who were dodging the diocesan bishop, and observes and I’m not taking part in it. draft from the Roman military. his or her own plan of life under That’s how we watch. We also had our fair share of his direction.” I can talk to you and we can people who had done things The charism of the vocation that were not quite lawful, is very specifically spelled out More THE CALLED including some who were in the Code of Canon Law. page 21 March 11, 2021• The Catholic WITNESS- 21 THE CALLED with the grace of God.” That even what one’s nutrition and continued from 20 is the critical moment of one’s diet will be. Most hermits are consecration. vegetarian. have a conversation on the We are solitary, but that The day starts very early. surface. You could tell me about doesn’t mean we are alone. People will ask, “Why do you things that have been troubling We are alone from human get up so early?” Well, because you. That’s the surface. Behind company, but we do have most sins of the world occur those words – because I don’t human company – although the under cover of darkness. That’s live in the world – I can hear lockdowns have made it a little when the Evil One is most what your soul is going through. more difficult. active; that’s when we have to That’s how we watch, and that’s We are creatures of flesh, pray. I’m usually in chapel by what we pray for. not totally of spirit. How the first 4:00 or 4:30. Morning prayer is We are creatures of the hermits managed to do what anywhere from two and a half senses, and I see physically. they did, I think that’s absolutely to three hours. That consists of But being a hermit enables me amazing. Whatever we are the Divine Office, Lauds, and to see spiritually, to see the doing, and however we are an hour of Adoration before the soul. doing it, we are all trying to live Blessed Sacrament. Then, with It came to me one day, a as authentically as possible – the tabernacle still open, I pray thought given by God, if I am not in the same way, because the Rosary. The chapel is set true to my vocation, I will see our society is different than the up so that the Blessed Mother with the eyes of God. That is of first hermits. We can’t live like is diagonally opposite the inestimable value to the hermit, the hermits in the 200s and tabernacle, so Son and Mother to the Church, to the community 300s. We’re not in the middle are looking at each other and to the world. of the desert around Thebes, while I’m praying the Rosary. How important is the vocation the same place the first hermits How amazing is that! Then I of a hermit? congregated. St. Paul of Thebes go to Mass. I hold to the old We see that it takes on a was the first recognized hermit. traditional ways: I fast between purpose and an importance St. Antony of the Desert was 15 and 18 hours before Mass. which maybe are not readily actually the second hermit. We Then I have two hours of apparent. What does a hermit can’t live like that. Apparently work, and that can be shopping do? I do everything that a monk the first hermits slept maybe for food. There is a very strict or a nun does, but I do it by one hour a night. Well, me, not budget. The vow of poverty myself. A chance meeting on so much! is very real. I actually impose the street is not going to provide But we live authentically, poverty on myself in certain the opportunity for Theological with our whole heart, our whole circumstances. I might have discussion on the eremitic mind, our whole strength, with enough money to do a special vocation, but it is critically everything that we have given to thing, but I’ll choose not to do it important to the Church and to God. And some days are better for the reason of poverty. the world. than others, and that’s the truth After work, Lectio Divina, I remember one phrase from of any vocation. study, lunch, a Holy Hour of Adoration. I take a rest in the my vows, “Now, profess your What is a typical day for you determination to be a solitary afternoon because, by then, I’ve in this vocation? been up for 12 hours. At 3:00, within the Church for the rest Every hermit has a Plan there is another Holy Hour. I say of your life, to uphold the of Life. A Plan of Life is what the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, evangelical counsels you have governs every aspect of a then I have an hour break, for here publicly professed, and to hermit’s life: prayer, what one work or study. Vespers is at do so freely and for the rest of does inside the hermitage, your life without any hindrance. going outside of the hermitage, More THE CALLED Do you vow to do this?” “I do, what one wears, sometimes page 22 March 11, 2021 • The Catholic WITNESS- 22 THE CALLED in the house: keeping up with talk about her husband and her continued from 21 the laundry, cleaning, cooking. life with him. I was listening to Prayer is a full-time job every a soul who needed comfort. My 5:00. Dinner and recreation day, and then I have to figure soul was comforting her soul by follow, then Compline at 7:00 or out everything else. I’m the only being there. 7:30. person here, it’s a full schedule. As we were standing there, The hermit’s life is not set in a gentleman came up, maybe stone. We have to be flexible What do you advise a woman 5’3,” very spry. He had a enough to say, “Today, this isn’t who is feeling a pull toward captain’s beard, spectacles and going to happen.” Sometimes the eremitical life? a Navy veteran cap. It was just If you’re really serious about in the afternoon, I get delayed a joy to see him. He looked this, the only way you can find outside, or shopping is difficult. me straight in the eye and out if you can actually be a I can’t beat myself up for that. said, “Good morning, Sister!” hermit is to live the life. So for The important thing is that our I wondered, “Do I know this six months, live it. The first thing day goes the way God sends person? Have I met him before you need to do is take a leave it to us. But it’s the constancy. and forgotten his name?” I said, from your work for six months. He’s always there, and I’m “Good morning, sir. How are You also have to figure out how always there. It’s the hardest you?” He looked and me and you’re going to make sure your thing I’ve ever done in my entire said, “You’re not my sister, but financial resources are going to life, but it’s the most beautiful you’re everyone’s sister.” work. Ditch the fancy clothing, thing I’ve ever done in my entire That’s why I do this. That’s the jewelry, the perfume. Those life. why I wear the habit. People things won’t be in your budget. A couple times during the see it and come up to me all the You have to wear simpler year, my body will just quit on time because they want to talk. clothing, and cover your hair. me. Not long ago, I slept for They ask me to say a prayer Live it as though you were 12 hours straight, slept right for them. Before COVID, they already vowed. Don’t wait to live through Mass. I have a physical would ask me to give them a it when you are vowed. body and sometimes my body hug, and I would. They know It’s not just a question of says, “I’m quitting!” It’s a good what the habit means. being alone with the Lord. It’s lesson in humility. God always One lady stopped me at not just about praying for three wakes me up in time, and if He Giant and said, “It is so good to hours and then going on about hasn’t awakened me, it means I see a traditional habit again. I’m your day. This is 24/7/365. It’s needed the rest. not even Catholic, I’m Lutheran, every day. I wear my habit all Sunday is a day off. And that but I went to a Catholic school.” the time; I’m not a part-time is where I learned a lesson Wearing the habit isn’t for me; hermit. This isn’t what I do for a from St. Teresa of Calcutta. it’s a witness to Him. It’s also a job; this is my life. When she first started the sign to my brothers and sisters. Missionaries of Charity, she How do people respond when If you have a car accident, was going seven days a week, they see your habit? you’re going to look for a until she collapsed. She was I was outside the local bank police officer. If you’re injured told, “You need to take an hour branch here in Middletown, and in that accident, you’re hoping for yourself every day, and I met a parishioner. I had seen a health care worker comes you need to take Sunday off. her at Mass that morning, but I along and you look for someone Sunday is for the Lord.” On didn’t know who she was. She wearing a doctor’s white coat. Sundays, I am freer. I don’t said she was recently widowed, The habit tells people that the have to study or do Lectio. But and I recognized that she person wearing it has been the Lord is always here with me. needed to talk. This is what I consecrated to God, and has It doesn’t sound like a lot, mean by “watching” as a hermit. More THE CALLED but I also have to do everything I’m hearing that she needed to page 23 March 11, 2021• The Catholic WITNESS- 23 THE CALLED three sisters of another and all those other great things continued from 22 family, and the brother of the that come with being alive. I sisters married the sister of consider my entire life a miracle. their best interests at heart. the brothers. The last couple It has been an amazing journey. I love when people ask me remained in Italy. The three And the initials of my name questions, because it gives me brothers and the three sisters spell “God” in Italian (Dina Italia an opportunity to explain, and to came to the United States. Oddis)! show them that people do still The mother of the sisters, my I want people to see the give themselves to God. maternal great-grandmother, beauty, the hardship and the My wimple and bandeau are came with them. She was 70 heartache. I want them to blue, for Our Lady. She is my when she emigrated. We called see all of it in this vocation. personal patroness, and also her Granny, and she died six It’s not an easy life, but it’s an the patroness of my hermitage months before I was born. extraordinary one. Holy Mother of God Hermitage. Every May, the Month of Mary, One thing people have to she had a series of prayers realize about this life: there’s no You have a unique story she would say. She was on buffer between me and the Evil about a ring. Talk about that. Seven or eight years ago, I her knees (with rice under her One. I have to go head to toe was in my mom’s jewelry box knees!) on a hardwood floor with him by myself. There have to try to see what was valuable saying her prayers. been some knock-down fights because we didn’t have enough I have my great- that have left me clinging to the money for the real estate taxes. grandmother’s Rosary. She tabernacle. The Evil One plays Beautiful things deserve to was born in 1851. This Rosary for keeps. Thankfully, so does be appreciated and used. We belonged to her mother. I also Our Lord. I have prayer, and I had some really beautiful gold have her wooden spoon that have Our Lady, St. Joseph, St. pieces. I told Mom I had to get she made tomato sauce with. Michael, Our Lord and God the the gold together to sell. She That’s where the Catholicism Father guarding this place. So said, “That’s OK, sweetheart. in my family comes from. How if Satan wants to tangle, he can Do whatever you need to do.” many years did it take for my tangle with them. He absolutely I found a ring, clearly a mom to convert in 1995? How needs to be fought. wedding ring, with three bands many years did it take for me? As real as Our God is, so is on it. It had been used, you God waited, didn’t He? Satan. He’s not a myth. Those could tell, because it was I consider my entire life a of us who have dealt with scratched up. But I had never miracle under God’s protection. him know that his best trick is seen it before in my life. I took I wasn’t supposed to have getting people to believe he it to Mom to ask her whose it been born. I was born two doesn’t exist. If you think he’s was. She said she didn’t know. months prematurely, which is not here, look at the world and She couldn’t remember a thing often caused by a deficiency of the state it’s in. He is real, and about it. I was looking at it, vitamin E in the mother. That he’s gunning for anybody he and I heard a voice, “That’s my same deficiency weakens the can get. That’s the other part of profession ring, and I’m going to eye tissue of the baby, and if being a “watchman” as a hermit, be professed on Trinity Sunday.” you administer oxygen in the and why this vocation is critical. I was professed on Trinity first 24 hours of life, the baby A while ago, a friend asked Sunday, 2018. And the ring fit will be blind within four months. me about the eremitic vocation. perfectly. The fact that the ship didn’t I explained what we do and have anything on board for a why, and he kind of stood there, Is there anything else you newborn was a Godsend. There just thinking. He looked at me would like to say? are so many things – the doctor In my family tree, three suggested aborting me – and More THE CALLED brothers of one family married here I am! I am alive, I can see, page 24 March 11, 2021 • The Catholic WITNESS- 24 OBITUARIES Deceased Clergy The names of the following deceased persons have been Please pray for the following clergy who submitted by their parishes. Please remember in your prayers died in March during the past 25 years: the happy repose of these recently departed souls and the Franciscan Father Gerald consolation of their loved ones. Kedziora, 2002 Benton Gettysburg Bishop Nicholas C. Dattilo, 2004 Christ the King: St. Francis Xavier: Marilyn Morio Roberto Madrigal Manzo Conventual Franciscan Father Robert Grzybowski, 2007 Camp Hill Greencastle Good Shepherd: St. Mark the Evangelist: Deacon J. Leo Dunn, 2007 Delphine Albert Joseph A. Szaflarski Father Lawrence Gross, 2009 Carlisle Harrisburg Father John Greaney, 2009 St. Patrick: Cathedral Parish of St. Father David Hillier, 2014 Marianne P. Cowling Patrick: Theodore Russ Msgr. Thomas Kujovsky, 2015 Chambersburg Corpus Christi: Lebanon Father David T. McAndrew, 2018 William Gardner St. Cecilia: Father Louis Petruha, OFM Cap., 2019 Jane Crosby Lena Mendoff Ramona Foose Hilda Fasnacht Peggy Shatzer Rose Bender New Cumberland Selinsgrove John Kneavel St. Theresa: St. Pius X: John Schwartz McSherrystown Mary DiMartile James Colonna Annunciation BVM: Columbia Robert Gouker Quarryville Steelton Holy Trinity: St. Catherine of Siena: Prince of Peace: Kenneth Kramer Mount Carmel Rose Repsch Jacqueline Salinger Our Lady of Kathy Griffiths Leona Inman York Mount Carmel: St. Joseph: Danville Dorothy Catizone Rohrerstown Ann Millwater St. Joseph: Joseph Pupo St. Leo the Great: Patricia A. Manno Ruth McBryan St. Patrick: John Lackner, Sr. John Ruby

THE CALLED the one who says: Stay here, guys. Stay safe. continued from 23 I got this one.’ And you go out there by yourself for a moment, looked away and said, “A friend to take out the machine gun in the bunker.” That of mine recently became Christian. You know, just bowled me over. I never thought of it like acknowledging Jesus as Lord and all that. He that, but he was right. That’s exactly what we do. grumbled that his life hadn’t gotten any easier; We’re sort of the first line of defense. Some of in fact, it had gotten harder.” I laughed and said, us will make it, some of us won’t. But in the end, “Well, yeah. The minute you said yes to Jesus, what counts is that we fought, and we didn’t hold you enlisted in the war.” Then he looked at me anything back. again and said, “So, you’re in this foxhole with (Interview conducted by Chris Heisey, The your buddies, and you’re pinned down by a Catholic Witness.) machine gun in a bunker up ahead, and you’re March 11, 2021• The Catholic WITNESS- 25 Blessed Are Those Who See God in Every Person those difficult moments By Sister Geralyn Schmidt, SCC Many of the other women living when we

Special to The Witness in the Training Center looked respond in Many years ago, I had the to her as a leader. She was love, many privilege of spending a semester eventually hired to be a house graces are to in the now defunct North keeper in the local community. be found and Jersey Training Center. This After class on a beautiful, our hearts and center was a residence where warm spring day that semester, their hearts some 600 developmentally- I had to walk my students back are trans- challenged women lived and to their housing unit. As we formed…. “Thoughts from a went to school. The women had walked across campus, Ellen We must trust Catholic Evangelist” diverse physical and cognitive pointed to a tree that must have Him to present disabilities. I worked there as been hit with lightning. It was a the opportunities for grace in a teacher’s aide as part of twisted pile of wood, but it was our lives — the people, the my teaching practicum in an in full bloom. The blossoms situations — and we must pray undergraduate program. were beautiful pink wisps, full that we will respond to His grace The philosophy of the of bees trying to gather the to serve everyone with love. It entire program found in the pollen. Ellen pointed to the tree doesn’t just happen. We have to Training Center was to assist and proclaimed to me, “How pray and tenaciously use our will these women so they could be pretty! Most people would see for the good.”1 hired to do simple tasks such the broken tree and say, ‘How How do we do this? By as housekeeping, grocery sad!’ Not me! There is beauty in clinging to the Holy Spirit and work and other repetitive-type it, just like there is beauty in me! His virtue of courage. We truly employment. I had the extreme God made me as I am and since need the grace of the Holy Spirit privilege of working in the He is beautiful, so am I!” found in courage to look beyond center’s “high school.” She stopped me in my tracks. what might be right in front of One of the students that At that very moment, I saw her our face. Courage demands I worked with (whose name I hidden beauty and I saw God! us to choose and act with have now forgotten – let’s call I remember Ellen as I goodness, especially when that her “Ellen”) taught me a very continue my series about Pope is most difficult. All the saints important lesson in seeing God Francis’ Beatitudes for the lived this virtue heroically! It in all things. Ellen had what the Modern Age. Let us turn to his truly takes courage to see God medical community called Apert third one: “Blessed are those in every person – even in our syndrome. This is a genetic who see God in every person enemies. Jesus taught, “Love condition in which all the digits and strive to make others also your enemies and pray for those of the fingers are fused together, discover Him.” who persecute you, so that you and the person has a misshapen Recently, I came across may be children of your Father skull, bulging eyes and cognitive a blog that quotes Donna- in heaven; for he makes his sun irregularities. Ellen also had Marie Cooper O’Boyle, author rise on the evil and on the good, a cleft palate and a speech and EWTN Television host: “I and sends rain on the righteous impediment. As a baby, she had can’t merely look for Jesus in and on the unrighteous.” several operations to separate a crippled woman. I need to (Matthew 5:44-45) her fingers. As a result, she had discover Him [Christ] within Ellen taught me that so some use of her fingers, but that the ones I love who might not many years ago! Pope Francis was very limited. Her cognitive be acting very loving. I firmly reiterates the teaching of Jesus ability was about the age of believe that we grow in holiness for us today! a five year old. I was often when we choose to serve Jesus amazed by her keen common in our spouses and family 1https://www.patheos.com/blogs/ sense and ability to see beyond members when they are acting christophers/2013/10/seeing-christ- some of the complexities of life. out or are in rare form. During in-others/ March 11, 2021 • The Catholic WITNESS- 26 LENTEN FISH DINNERS Reel-in some delicious meals this Lent at a number of fish dinners hosted by parishes and Knights of Columbus councils. Dinners are take-out only. (Submit your parish’s information via e-mail to [email protected] for promotion in The Witness and at www.hbgdiocese.org.)

Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Cornwall, St. Francis Xavier Parish in Gettysburg, Lenten Fish Dinners, Wednesdays Feb. 3-March Lenten Fish Fry Dinners on Fridays, Feb. 19, 31 from 4-7 p.m. Walk in and take out, or drive up 26, March 5, 12 and 19 at Xavier Center, 465 only. Baked or fried fish, baked or fried potatoes Table Rock Road, Gettysburg. Menu includes and coleslaw or applesauce and a Bernie’s fried haddock, mac and cheese, seasoned Bakers homemade dessert for $10. potatoes, roasted vegetables, and corn pudding. St. Peter Parish in Columbia, Lenten Fish Fry, Curbside pick-up only, subject to change due Feb. 19 through March 26. Take-out service only, to COVID-19. Call 717-334-4048 or visit www. from 4-6:30 p.m., at the Parish Center, Second stfxcc.org or www.sfxpccw.org for more and Union Streets. Customers will be asked information, menu and updates. to wear masks and practice social distancing. Customers are asked to call in orders at 717- Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Enola, is 684-0414 Wednesday or Thursday evening hosting 6 dinners during Lent on Fridays, Feb. 19 from 6-8 p.m. each week prior to the Friday and 26, and March 5, 12, 19 and 26. All dinners Fish Fry. Orders can also be placed via e-mail are take-out only, from 4-7 p.m. Menu includes at [email protected]. The order must seasoned baked cod, church-made baked be in by 8 p.m. the Thursday prior to the Fish macaroni & cheese, church-made pierogis, Fry. A limited number of walk-in orders will be veggies, stewed tomatoes, cole slaw, roll, dessert available. Menu includes platters of baked and bottled water. Baked fish dinners and fish haddock, crab cakes, fried filet of fish, and fried and pierogi dinners are $12. Mac and cheese shrimp. Baked macaroni and cheese, cole slaw, dinners and pierogi dinners are $10. Children are stewed tomatoes and a dinner roll are included $5 for any meal. Visit the website for updates, in the price of the platter. Two sandwiches are www.ourladyoflourdesenola.org. also on the menu: fried fish filet and crab cake. Side orders of macaroni and cheese, stewed Holy Angels Parish in Kulpmont, will serve tomatoes, cole slaw and soup may also be Lenten fish dinners on Fridays during Lent from purchased. The homemade soups, cream of 4-5:30 p.m. or until sold out. Take-out only, crab, potato and cheesy broccoli, will rotate from the parish activity center. Donation of $10 each week. A variety of individually wrapped includes baked fish, potato, vegetable, cole slaw, baked goods made by the women of the parish applesauce or fruit cocktail, soup, bread and will also be available. The event is sponsored dessert! Masks required. by the Parish Council of Catholic Women with assistance from men of the parish and is open to the public. Proceeds are used to fund various More FISH DINNERS, page 27 activities in the parish. March 11, 2021• The Catholic WITNESS- 27 FISH DINNERS, continued from 26 Knights of Columbus at 1575 New Danville Pike in Lancaster, Lenten take-out dinners on Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary Fridays Feb. 19-April 2. Meals are $15 plus tax, Parish in Middletown, Fish Fry in drive-thru kids’ meals are $6 plus tax, and family meals for fashion beginning Friday, Feb. 19 and continuing four are $50 plus tax. Kids’ meals are macaroni weekly through March 26 from 5-8 p.m. Menu and cheese and fish sticks. All meals include a includes fish & chips, baked haddock, fried side salad, roll and butter and dessert. Curbside shrimp, pierogies, mac n cheese, fish sandwich, pickup; we will bring your order to your car cole slaw, and veggies. Three desserts will be when you arrive. Order must be placed no later available: chocolate cake with peanut butter than the Wednesday prior to the Friday event. icing, chocolate fudge cake, and lemon berry Credit or debit is preferred, payment is made at mascarpone cake. The school campus lot will the time of pickup which runs from 5-7:30 p.m. only be accessible after 4:30 p.m. No call-in Place orders by calling Stephanie at 717-286- orders may be placed. All orders are first- 7449. Feb. 19: Yuengling beer battered haddock, come, first-serve in the manner of a fast-food macaroni and cheese, and broccoli. Feb. 26: drive-thru. Cash, check, MasterCard, Visa, Steamed shrimp, rice pilaf, mixed vegetables. and Discover cards are accepted. Handmade March 5: Homemade crab cakes, roasted chocolate eggs will also be available in peanut potatoes, baby carrots. March 12: Broiled salmon butter milk chocolate, peanut butter dark with mango salsa, rice, spinach. March 19: chocolate, coconut dark chocolate, and butter Cod with lemon butter, buttered pasta, cheesy cream milk chocolate. Each egg is $1.00. For cauliflower. March 26: Fish and chips, coleslaw. more information, including full menu (subject to April 2: Crab cakes with shrimp, baked potato, change) visit www.ssbvm.org. green beans.

St. Cecilia Parish in Lebanon, Lenten Fish Knights of Columbus of Our Lady of Good Dinner, take-out only, Fridays Feb. 19-March 26 Counsel and St. Bernadette, Fish Fry at St. from 4-7 p.m. at the social hall on East Lehman Bernadette in Duncannon, Feb. 19 and March 5 Street. Dinners are $10 and include fried or and 19 from 4-7 p.m. or until sold out. Cost is $10 baked haddock, fries or baked potato, pepper for adults, $5 for children and free for children cabbage, roll and butter and assorted desserts. under 3. The meal will include fried fish fillet, mac and cheese, vegetable, stewed tomatoes, bread Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Parish in roll and applesauce. This will be a drive-thru Elysburg, Lenten Fish Dinners, Feb. 26 March 5 event only. and March 19 from 4-6 p.m. Take-out only. Cost is $9 per platter, which includes baked haddock Knights of Columbus, 336 Garfield Street with butter and lemon, fingerling potatoes, in Chambersburg, Friday Fish Fry, March 5 vegetable, cole slaw, roll and butter. through April 2 from 5-7 p.m. Dinner includes choice of fish, two sides and a roll for $15. Beer- battered haddock, beer-battered shrimp or baked Holy Spirit Parish in Palmyra, Fish Fry on haddock. Sides: mac n cheese, stewed tomatoes, Fridays during Lent, Feb. 19-March 26 from 3-7 coleslaw and green beans. No substitutions or p.m. Served curbside to-go. Order online through extra sides. Pre-order by Thursday at 5 p.m. the parish website or place an order from your by e-mailing [email protected] or car when you arrive. Food will be delivered to call 717-264-1666. Provide full name, phone your vehicle. Menu includes Atlantic haddock, number, type of fish and two sides, and pick up crab cakes, shrimp, clam strips, pierogi dinner. time (5-5:30, 5:30-6, 6-6:30 or 6:30-7). Pick up by Seafood dinners include cole slaw or apple entering the parking lot off Garfield Street. sauce, fries and a dinner roll. Extra sides include fries, pierogies, soup, mac n cheese, crab cake, apple sauce and cole slaw. More FISH DINNERS, page 28 March 11, 2021 • The Catholic WITNESS- 28 FISH DINNERS, continued from 27 Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Spring Grove, Lenten Seafood Dinners. Many homemade items St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in to choose from. Curbside pick-up. Pre-orders During this Lenten season, as Mechanicsburg. encouraged. View the website for menu and we focus on penance and works of mercy, we are online ordering at https://www.sacredheartsg. encouraging our parishioners and neighbors to com/. Cash orders by phone at 717-225-1704. consider purchasing and delivering one or more of our affordable Seton Suppers to neighbors Holy Infant Parish in Manchester, Friday and friends. The supper will be available for Lenten Dinner by Midnite Smokin’ BBQ in New pick-up on March 27 from 4:30-7 p.m. March Cumberland, March 19 from 5-7 p.m. Choose 1: 27, “Early Easter” baked ham, sweet potato, crabby mac n cheese or crab cake. Choose 2: roasted vegetable, roll & butter, coconut cake w/ smoked mac n cheese, Old Bay corn or coleslaw. buttercream icing and jelly beans. Cost $11 per Dinners served with pickle spear and dinner roll meal. Pre-order your own meals at: for $16. Also available: potato and cheese pierogi links.steas.net/SetonSupperMarch2021. Pre- for $12/dozen sautéed or $10/dozen frozen. Pre- order your meals for friends and neighbors at: orders only. Order by March 18 at 10 a.m. Visit links.steas.net/SetonSupperWorksOfMercy. the parish’s Facebook page or call Michelle at 717-873-1786. Good Shepherd Parish in Camp Hill, fish fry on the Fridays of Lent, Feb. 19 and 26, St. Katharine Drexel Parish in Mechanicsburg, and March 5, 12, 19 and 26, from 4-6:30 p.m. fish fry dinners Saturday March 20 after 4:30 p.m. Drive-thru/curbside pick-up. Pre-ordering is Mass, and Friday March 26 before Stations of the recommended but not required. Baked fish dinner Cross. of haddock, baked potato, applesauce, roll and butter for $10. Fried fish dinner of haddock, St. Rita’s in Blue Ridge Summit, crab cake mac n cheese, cole slaw, roll and butter for $10. dinner for take-out only, March 19 from 4-6:30 Pierogi side dish is $5. Order online at www.ttsu. p.m. Tickets on sale after Sunday Masses, or call me/goodshepdinners, follow the link at www. John to RSVP at 262-269-2440. Cost is $18 for thegoodshep.org or call the dinner order hotline adults, $8 for children ages 5-12. at 717-980-3620. Questions can be sent via e-mail to [email protected]. Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish in Harrisburg, Lenten Fish Dinners. Knights St. Peter Parish in Elizabethtown, drive-by fish of Columbus Council #15137 will serve take- fry beginning Feb. 19 and the next five Fridays in out only fish dinners on March 12, 19 and 26, Lent. Take-out fish dinners in the church parking 5-7 p.m. Dinners can be ordered and paid for lot from 5-7 p.m. Dinner includes fish sandwich, online at http://olbs-kofc-council-15137.square. French fries, cole slaw, applesauce and dessert site/. Meal pick-up is in Our Lady’s social hall for $10. Call 717-367-1255 for information. or curbside on Woodbine Street near the ramp to the social hall. Orders will only be taken from St. Ann Byzantine Catholic Church in noon on Sunday until 7 p.m. on the Monday (3/8, Harrisburg, take-out Lenten Dinners on Fridays 3/15 and 3/22) prior to the Friday of the fish fry. in Lent, as well as frozen perohi and smoked Orders may be made via telephone at 717-608- kielbasa, 4-6:30 p.m. on Feb. 26, March 5, March 7531. No walk-in orders will be available. Dinners 12, March 19 and March 26 in the parish hall include two pieces of battered haddock or 12 at 5408 Locust Lane. Dinners will be hosted by breaded shrimp, or a combo meal, with choice of the Knights of Columbus and feature fish ($12) baked potato or French fries, and coleslaw. Adult or perohi ($10). Also available will be frozen meals are $10 and a kid’s meal of 6 fish sticks, perohi sold by the dozen for $6 and kielbasa baked potato or French fries, and coleslaw is $5. in ring or sticks for $7. Perohi fillings include potato & cheese, farmer cheese, sweet cabbage, sauerkraut, prune and apple. www.stannbyz.org. March 11, 2021• The Catholic WITNESS- 29 contemplative. It will be a time in information, please e-mail DIOCESAN for personal prayer and meeting dauphindistrictccw@gmail. privately with a spiritual director com. NOTEBOOK to discuss one’s experience Pilgrimage to the Holy Masses & of God in prayer. The cost of Land in 2022 with Father Prayer Services the retreat is $35, due by the Michael Reid, pastor of St. registration deadline of Friday, Vincent de Paul Parish in Masses and Prayer Services March 19. You can register Hanover. Father Reid will In conjunction with the online at www.sscm.org or by lead a group of 24 pilgrims National 40 Days for Life calling 570-275-0910. After you on an active and spiritual tour Campaign, a Jericho Prayer register, you will be contacted of the Holy Land, Jan. 31- March will be held on Saturdays via your email for a link. Feb. 11, 2022. The 12-day March 13, 20 and 27 in Lebanon. The Women’s Council of St. itinerary organized by Select The Jericho Prayer March is a Katharine Drexel Parish in International Tours includes silent, prayerful march to make Mechanicsburg will sponsor a Mount Tabor, Nazareth, Cana, a visible, public awareness for Lenten Evening of Reflection Galilee, Tabgha, Magdala, the pro-life movement to end on March 16 at 7 p.m. It will Mount of Beatitudes, the evil of abortion. Arrive be held in the church (masking Capernaum, Mount Carmel, and assemble in prayer groups and social distancing will be Caesaria Maritima, Bethlehem, any time between 10 a.m. and required) AND virtually. For Shepherd’s Field, Jericho, noon in front of Assumption log-in information, please check Baptism Site, The Dead Sea BVM Church at South 8th and the web page at skdparish. (with optional visit to Masada), Cumberland Streets. As people com. Father Kenneth G. Smith, Mount of Olives, Mount Zion, arrive, you will go out in groups. pastor, will be the presenter. Jerusalem, St Anne’s Church, Directions, prayer sheets, His Theme is “It Is Not About and Ein Karem. Land and Air and banners will be given for What We Give Up, But Who We cost is $3,695; a deposit of the walk, which should take Become” (Inspired by Dynamic $500 is required by Oct. 3, approximately 30 to 45 minutes. Catholic’s theme). 2021. Flights depart from and Join us for all the Saturdays, or “Finding Joy through return to Newark International choose any weekend. There is no Lent.” Join the Dauphin District Airport. For a brochure and need to register. For information, Council of Catholic Women other information, please contact Lucy at 717-926-4075 or for a virtual Lenten retreat, contact Father Reid at 717-637- [email protected] or Sandra at March 20 via Zoom. The retreat 4625, ext. 113. 717-838-5243. will include a live-streamed Education & Mass and presentations on Retreats & “Finding Joy through Lent” by Enrichment Pilgrimages Linda Hartzell, “Connecting The Vatican International A Silent, 24-Hour, Virtual with God through Perpetual Exhibit of Eucharistic Retreat, March 26 at 7:00 p.m. Adoration” by Betsy Schadler, Miracles of the World, to March 27 at 7:00 p.m. The and a closing prayer service hosted at Sacred Heart of virtual retreat is presented by Sr. led by Suzanne Bruzga. Cost Jesus Parish in Cornwall, Jean Marie Holup, SS.C.M., the is free. Registration is required April 4-11. This photographic Director of St. Cyril’s Spiritual to receive the link to the event. exhibit tells the stories of 153 Center in Danville. The retreat Deadline to register is March 16. is silent and intended to be To register and receive the log- More NOTEBOOK, page 30 March 11, 2021 • The Catholic WITNESS- 30

NOTEBOOK will be March 22 from 7-8 pm. fb.me/e/1QsQfB0eO for the continued from 29 The presentation is entitled, showcase of students’ musical Church-approved Eucharistic “Defense Against the Dark Arts: and artistic talents. Miracles, displaying the events Common Heresies and How Our Mother of Perpetual where the presence of Jesus in to Counter Them,” by Father Help School in Ephrata is the Eucharist has been made James Lease, STL, pastor of offering two virtual events in physically present in flesh St. Catherine Labouré Parish in March to families interested and blood, became luminous Harrisburg. Registration is free, in learning more about the or appeared with images. The though free-will donations are school’s full-day preschool and exhibit will be available for accepted. Registration deadline kindergarten programs. The first viewing in the Parish Center is March 19 at noon. All who event, a Virtual Story Hour and from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day register will receive a link to the Craft, will be held via Zoom on from April 4-11. presentation approximately one Thursday, March 25 at 6:30 p.m. Diocesan Office of Vocations’ week after registering. Children will be treated to a fun bi-monthly Zoom discernment Events & story and themed craft guided by group. Young men (junior year Fundraisers OMPH School’s Kindergarten in high school through young teacher. Story Hour is perfect Seven Sorrows BVM Parish for pre-k, kindergarten, and adults) are invited to take part in Middletown is selling in this online discussion. To first graders. The second event, chocolate candy eggs through an Early Education Virtual register, e-mail the Office Easter or as long as supplies of Vocations at vocations@ Information Session, will be last. This year’s sale is limited held via Zoom on Tuesday, hbgdiocese.org with a valid to peanut butter milk chocolate, e-mail address and mailing March 30 at 6:30 p.m. Hear peanut butter dark chocolate, from school leadership and address so that the discussion coconut dark chocolate, and material may be mailed. The teachers about OMPH’s small, butter cream milk chocolate. safe, nurturing school family. Zoom discernment group meets Each egg is hand-dipped and on the 2nd and 4th Monday of the The presentation includes sold for $1. Orders may be a virtual school tour and an month from 8-9 p.m. placed via the online form Women of Grace upcoming overview of the admissions at www.ssbvm.org (click on process. Both events are free but studies/events: Lenten online “Eggs”) and selecting a pickup retreat, “Man of Sorrows, Lord require pre-registration to attend, time and location, including and Zoom links will be sent on of Joy,” Saturday, March 27. the parish’s weekly drive-thru Speakers include Father Peter the day of each event. For more fish fry. All eggs will be sold information or to register, e-mail John Cameron. Visit www. on a first-come, first-serve basis womenofgrace.com. “Queen OMPH School’s Enrollment while quantities last. Office [email protected] of Militants” by Emil Neubert, Bishop McDevitt High S.M., S.T.D., fall 2021 study. or visit the school’s web site at School in Harrisburg’s virtual www.omphschool.com. For more information, contact pops concert and art exhibit, Chris Arnold at carnold@ The Knights of Columbus March. 13 at 7 p.m. Due to the Holy Spirit Council #10502 womenofgrace.com or 717-379- ongoing pandemic, “A Night 6041. in Palmyra are selling walnut, of the Arts: A Virtual Pops poppy seed, apricot, prune, The March installment Concert and Art Exhibit” will of the Truth, Beauty, be streamed on the Bishop and Goodness Virtual McDevitt Facebook and More NOTEBOOK, page 31 Evangelization Speaker Series YouTube pages. Visit https:// March 11, 2021• The Catholic WITNESS- 31 NOTEBOOK and applications can also be by participating. Find contest continued from 30 obtained by contacting Joyce details at: https://www. raspberry, and pumpkin cheese Scott, Scholarship Chair, at 717- friendsofawc.com/contest/ For rolls during Lent after the 737-0927 or joynbob10@aol. additional information, contact weekend Masses through March com. The application deadline is Mary Ann at MaryAnnA@ 20 and 21. The price is $17 per May 1, 2021. pregnancylancaster.com. roll. Orders will not be accepted Queen of the Most Holy Job Openings after March 21 and extras will Rosary Parish in Elysburg, not be available for purchase homemade paska bread Schools in the Diocese of later. Orders must be picked up sale. Orders accepted through Harrisburg are currently in the church parking lot at 300 March 19; $6 per loaf. Bread looking for educators, West Pine Street, Palmyra, after will be available for pick-up specifically long term substitutes the Masses on March 27 and 28. Palm Sunday weekend, March that are ready to join our team Online ordering is available at 27 and 28 at all Masses or on in the Harrisburg area. Teachers www.hskofc10502.org where March 29 during regular office in all grades and all subject you can complete the online hours. Orders can be placed by areas are needed. Certification form. Payment will be by credit e-mailing [email protected] or is preferred but not required. card through PayPal. calling 570-672-2302 during Catholic Schools in the Diocese regular office hours. of Harrisburg provide safe, The Harrisburg Diocesan joyful school environments Holy Infant Parish in Council of Catholic Women that follow current scientific Manchester is selling candy is seeking applicants for best practices on schooling Easter eggs. A limited number its scholarship award. The during a pandemic. For more of homemade chocolate peanut council’s scholarship committee information or to find a school butter and coconut eggs can be will award a $1,000 scholarship location near you, click on bought individually for $1.25 to a Catholic senior high school https://www.hbgdiocese.org/ each or $15 per dozen. Call the girl for the freshman year 2021- find-catholic-school/. Send your parish office at 717-266-5286 to 2022 at an accredited college, résumé and letter of interest to order. university or trade school. either the location near you or Applicants must be sponsored A Woman’s Concern Life to Webmaster@HBGDIOCESE. by a mother, grandmother or Message T-Shirt Design ORG. You may also call the guardian who is a member of Contest for grades K-12 is Harrisburg Diocese Department a Parish Council of Catholic underway. A Woman’s Concern of Catholic Schools for more Women. The applicant and is a pro-life parenting and information at 717-657-4804 her sponsor must be residents pregnancy resource center in ext. 222. of the Diocese of Harrisburg. Lancaster. Individual kids, Applicants must meet all classes, youth groups, small conditions established by the groups, Bible clubs, etc. are scholarship committee as set welcome to submit entries. forth in its rules and regulations, One lucky winner will have which are included in the their T-shirt created, displayed application packet. Applications at our Annual Partners’ event, are available from parish and sold on our website. Help Council of Catholic Women us spread a positive pro-life presidents. More information message in our world today