Newman Center Fundraiser Pope Sends Envoy to Christians Forced from Their Homes in Iraq
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VOLUME 42 NUMBER 4 DIOCESE OF RAPID CITY, Diocesan Website: www.rapidcitydiocese.org SOUTH DAKOTA Serving Catholics in Western South Dakota since May 1973 Pope sends envoy to Christians forced from their homes in Iraq VATICAN CITY (CNS) — sion because of the experience Given the “grave situation in he gained in the region as nun- Iraq,” Pope Francis has asked cio to Iraq in 2001-2006. The Cardinal Fernando Filoni to cardinal “was the only diplo- travel to the region to meet mat to remain in Iraq” when church and government offi- the U.S.-led coalition invaded cials, but especially to meet in 2003, which demonstrates Christians chased from their his “dedication and notable homes by militants of the Is- courage,” he said. lamic State. The same day, Pope Francis Jesuit Father Federico Lom- sent a request through his bardi, Vatican spokesman, said @Pontifex Twitter account: “I Aug. 8 the pope chose Cardi- ask all men and women of nal Filoni, prefect of the Con- good will to join me in praying gregation for the Evangel- for Iraqi Christians and all vul- ization of Peoples, for the mis- nerable populations.” The car- dinal, Father Lombardi said, “will try to meet the people most affected” by the early Au- gust advance of Islamic State fighters through the predomi- nantly Christian villages of Ninevah province in northeast Iraq. The fighters reportedly forced tens of thousands of Christians from their homes overnight Aug. 6-7. In addition to his meetings, the spokesman said, Cardinal Filoni will take a financial do- Newman Center Fundraiser Mailing label nation from Pope Francis to help the displaced. St. Joseph Parish, Spearfish, hosted a fundraising motorcycle ride for the Black Hills State University Newman Center on July 27. The day began with Mass, at which Bishop Robert Gruss was the principal On Aug. 10, Pope Francis celebrant, followed by a breakfast and blessing the motorcycles. The route took riders through Spearfish condemned the actions of Is- Canyon, over to Devils Tower, Wyo., and back to St. Paul Parish, Belle Fourche, for a barbecue and silent lamic State militants in Iraq, auction. The bikers are shown on a bluff near Devils Tower; in the center are Msgr. Michael Woster, saying that persecuting Chris- pastor at St. Joseph Parish, and Bishop Gruss. Organizers said 102 people registered for the event. The tians and other minorities “se- building campaign for the Newman Center in Spearfish is projected at $4.25 million. The We Walk by Faith Special Appeal has designated $1.25 million for the project. This leaves a total campaign goal of riously offends God and $3 million. See the riders in Spearfish Canyon on page 3. The next fundraising event is a golf tourna- seriously offends humanity.” ment; see story on page 24. (Photograph by Adam Gomez Photography ©) 2 WRC Columns August 2014 Take an active part in praying for world peace As we have all seen and heard in re- society, no matter where the conflict of peace. cent weeks, the many reports and might be in the world. One of the great miracles involving scenes of war and violence, especially Pope Francis has pleaded with polit- prayer in the midst of conflict was the in the Middle East, have filled the news. ical leaders “not to spare prayer or any miracle that took place at the Battle of At this writing, the war between Israel effort to end every hostility and seek the Lepanto on October 7, 1571, between and Hamas rages on. Ceasefire agree- desired peace for the good of all.” He the Christians and the Muslims. During ments have borne little fruit in regards prayed, “May the God of peace arouse the time of this battle, Pope Pius V, ac- to peace. Civilian casualties, especially in all an authentic desire for dialogue companied by many faithful, prayed the in Gaza, have been great. and reconciliation. Violence cannot be Rosary in the Basilica of Santa Maria be so that our prayers might provide We hear of the great religious perse- overcome with violence. Violence is Maggiore. Throughout the whole day, hope for those who live in fear. cutions of Christians in Mosul in Iraq overcome with peace!” prayers continued in Rome as the bat- “Blessed are the peacemakers, for and Aleppo in Syria, a place where The tragic situations mentioned be- tle continued. When it was all over, the they will be called children of God” Christians in the Syro-Catholic and fore, and others, demand our prayer in Christians had soundly won the battle. (Mt 5:9). Chaldean Churches solidarity with our Of some 270 Muslim ships, at least 200 Bishop’s Calendar have been living for brothers and sisters were destroyed. The Turks also lost August 24 – September 16, 2014 two thousand years who are facing these 30,000 men while Christian casualties Subject to change without notice since the beginning of horrendous situations numbered between 4,000 and 5,000. August 24, Sunday Christianity. The Is- around the world. Perhaps we can all seek the assis- 4 p.m. Meeting with Confirmation Candidates, 5 p.m. Confirmation Mass, both lamic State extremist They also demand our tance of Our Lady, Queen of Peace, at St. James, Edgemont group (ISIS) has given prayers for the conver- praying that, through her intercession, August 25, Monday the Christians an ulti- sion of the hearts of world leaders may find a peaceful res- 5 p.m. RCCSS Board Meeting, Cathedral Rectory matum — convert to those who desire to olution to these conflicts in our world. I August 26, Tuesday Islam and pay a tax or perpetrate violence believe a daily rosary for peace could 8:30 a.m. Diocesan Investment face death. The vio- and destroy human Committee, Chancery Conference Room have a great impact in bringing it about 9:30 a.m. Diocesan Finance Advisory lence continues in life. in our world today. Prayer in numbers Council, Chancery Conference Room eastern Ukraine be- What can we do? for what Christ desires always brings September 1, Monday tween the Ukrainians How can you and I Labor Day – Chancery Closed Sister Muna Totah, a member of about results. Christ desires peace in September 2, Tuesday and the Pro-Russian the Sisters of St. Joseph of the participate in any our world. He came to bring peace to a 8 a.m. Chancery Staff Mass, separatists, a conflict Apparition, comforts Mansour peacemaking process? sinful world. Let us all pray for it. We Terra Sancta 9 a.m. Chancery Department Head Ghobon, 51, of Gaza at St. Joseph that has claimed at I would ask our cannot be indifferent, because we are Meeting, Chancery Conference Room least 1,129 civilian Hospital in Jerusalem July 30. (CNS Catholic community, called to stand in solidarity with our September 3, Wednesday photo/Debbie Hill) casualties, according and all others con- 9 a.m. Rapid City Catholic School suffering brothers and sisters. System Mass, Cathedral to a United Nations cerned about these situations, to pray In light of this, I would ask all pas- September 4, Thursday estimate. The violence in Nigeria con- for peace and to support diplomatic ef- tors to encourage their parishioners to 8 a.m. Newman Center Golf Tournament, Spearfish tinues where the jihadists of Boko forts aimed at dialogue and reconcilia- fast and pray for peace in our world, to September 5, Friday Haram kill indiscriminately, Muslims tion. This can be done in personal include petitions for peace in their 11:15 a.m. First Friday Mass/ and Christians alike. And the list of se- prayers and in the Prayers of the Faith- Prayers of the Faithful at Mass, and to Luncheon, Cathedral September 6, Saturday rious problem areas goes on. ful at Mass. But all of us must take an celebrate a weekday Mass for peace 5 p.m. Catholic Social Services One may easily want to ask the ques- active part in praying for peace. It is a weekly if possible. The suggested Mass Annual Meeting, Civic Center tion, “Will there ever be peace in the small way in which we can participate September 9, Tuesday setting could be For Persecuted Chris- 6:30 p.m. Presbyteral Council world?” It is a question that may not in building just, peaceful and civil so- tians, For the Preservation of Peace and September 9-11, Tuesday-Thursday have an answer. But we can be certain cieties around the world. Justice, or In Time of War or Civil Dis- Good Leaders, Good Shepherds, Terra Sancta that violence cannot be overcome with We should never underestimate the turbance, all found in the New Roman September 11, Thursday violence. History has proven this time power of prayer. It is Christ’s peace for Missal. This would be a beginning in 1 p.m. Consultors, Bishop’s Residence and time again. Peace will only happen which we are asking. “Peace I leave praying for peace in our world. September 13, Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. CT Stewardship when leaders on both sides of the con- with you; my peace I give to you. Not The church has always empathized Hospitality Follow-up, Ft. Pierre flict truly desire peace and have the as the world gives do I give it to you. with the peoples’ suffering and has September 14, Sunday courage to come together seeking it. Do not let your hearts be troubled or 2 p.m. Stewardship Hospitality Follow-up, sought to defend human rights and reli- Terra Sancta Any peacemaking process is very afraid” (Jn 14:27). As the body of gious freedom around the world.