March 30, 2014 Think Green 50¢ Recycle Volume 88, No. 12 Go Green todayscatholicnews.org Serving the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend Go Digital TTODAYODAY’’SS CCATHOLICATHOLIC New minor basilica In the fields of Kansas ‘Love God, do justice and serve the poor’ Page 10 Bishop blesses restored St. Louis Besancon Church Gearing up for BY MICHELLE CASTLEMAN canonizations Vatican, Rome prepare NEW HAVEN — The responsorial Psalm 84 proclaims, Page 3 “How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God!” And lovely indeed is the beautifully restored church at St. Louis Besancon. During the restoration process, this long-awaited day seemed like a distant dream, but on Sunday afternoon, Father Tom O’Connor March 23, an overflowing congregation gathered to create another page of history of the parish founded by memorial French immigrants. “For many of us, the privilege Betty Stein presented of experiencing a historical event Light of Christ Award More like this may only happen once photos in a lifetime,” explained pastor, Page 4 can be found Father Stephen Colchin. at In the solemn liturgy, cel- www.diocesefwsb.org. ebrant Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades was joined by Father Colchin, Father Lourdino Fernandes of ABA funds to parishes St. Rose of Lima, Monroeville, Father William Sullivan of St. John the Baptist, New Haven, and Father Kenneth Eight parishes assisted Sarrazine, retired, second parish son who now resides at Page 5 Saint Anne Home and Retirement Community in Fort Wayne. In the dimly lit setting, the bishop reminded the faith- ful that the Catholic Church is built upon the foundation of the Twelve Apostles. He continued, “St. Paul wrote in Lady Cougars our second reading, that ‘we are members of the house- hold of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles win NAIA and prophets, with Christ Himself as the cornerstone.’ This is something we must always remember. We are Basketball hysteria hits USF MICHELLE CASTLEMAN the living stones of Christ’s Church. The apostles are the Page 13 Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades celebrates Mass and dedicates the altar in the beautifully renovated St. Louis Besancon Church on March 23. BESANCON, PAGE 16 Pope to fathers: Teach your children well, always be by their side VATICAN CITY (CNS) — On March 19 also marked the celebra- grow in God’s grace,” he said. the feast of St. Joseph, patron saint tion of Father’s Day in Italy, as well Even though God was Jesus’ of the universal Church and Jesus’ as the first anniversary of the formal father, St. Joseph lovingly took earthly father, Pope Francis urged inauguration of Pope Francis’ minis- on the paternal role and taught the all dads in the world to stick by their try as bishop of Rome and pope. young Jesus various skills, the value children’s side, teaching them, guid- St. Joseph’s “great mission is to of work, reverence for the Lord and ing them and loving them. be a guardian,” the pope said. fidelity and obedience to God’s will, “I ask that you have the grace to The saint is a model for all educa- the pope said. be very close to your children, letting tors, whether they are teachers, cat- He also had to keep his family them grow, but being by their side. echists, parents, religious or priests, safe during the difficult period of They need you, your presence, to “who are fathers, too, you know!” their exile to Egypt, he said, which be there, your love!” the pope told he said. makes the saint a special example for fathers present in St. Peter’s Square. Like an educator, St. Joseph refugees and those facing persecution. Despite a massive citywide guided and accompanied Jesus so CNS PHOTO/PAUL HARING In his main audience address, the transport strike in Rome, more than he could grow in “wisdom and age Pope Francis greets people during pope gave his heartfelt greetings to 80,000 people made their way to the and grace,” Pope Francis said. This all fathers in the square, asking them square for the pope’s weekly audi- is the same thing all parents must do, his general audience in St. Peter’s to show who they were by raising ence March 19. and “it would be a serious mistake to Square at the Vatican March 19 their hands. “Oh, how many dads!” The pope dedicated his catechesis think that a father and a mother can’t on the feast of St. Joseph, patron he said. “Best wishes! All the best on to the role and example of St. Joseph. do anything to teach their children to saint of the universal Church. your day!” 2 TODAY’ S C ATHOLIC March 30, 2014 TODAY’S CATHOLIC Official newspaper of the Do you believe in the Son of Man? Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend P.O. Box 11169 Fort Wayne, IN 46856 IN TRUTH PUBLISHER: Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades AND EDITOR: Tim Johnson NEWS EDITOR and STAFF WRITER: Kay Cozad CHARITY BY BISHOP KEVIN C. RHOADES Editorial Department PAGE DESIGNER: Francie Hogan FREELANCE WRITERS: Ann Carey, Michelle n our way to Easter, we walk along Castleman, Karen Clifford, Bonnie Owith those who are preparing to receive Elberson, Denise Fedorow, Diane Baptism as we prepare to renew our own bap- Freeby, Sister Margie Lavonis, CSC, tismal promises. On the Sundays of Lent, the Jodi Magallanes, Joe Kozinski, Vince liturgy takes us on a kind of baptismal jour- ney through the readings of John’s Gospel. LaBarbera and Deb Wagner In this past Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus promised the gift of “living water” to the Samaritan Business Department woman. In this Sunday’s Gospel, we will hear BUSINESS MANAGER: Sean McBride the story of Jesus healing the man born blind. AD GRAPHICS DIRECTOR: Mark Weber It is another amazing story with deep and pro- found meaning. BOOKKEEPING/CIRCULATION: Kathy Voirol Jesus met the man blind from birth on the [email protected] streets of Jerusalem. He anointed the man’s eyes and sent him to wash in the nearby pool Advertising Sales of Siloam. The name “Siloam” means “sent,” Tess Steffen symbolizing Jesus as the One sent by the (260) 456-2824 Father to wash away the sins of the world and to purify us through the waters of Baptism. The blind man obeyed Jesus’ instruction and was cured of his physical blindness. But Web site: www.todayscatholicnews.org that was only the beginning of the story. Jesus was intent on doing infinitely more for him — Published weekly except second to bring him to a greater light, the vision of Sunday of January; and every other faith in Him as the Light of the world. Jesus week from the fourth Sunday in gave this blind man physical sight so that he June through the middle Sunday would come to see with the new eyes of faith of September; and last Sunday in the truth about Him and about life and its December by the Diocese of Fort destiny. As Jesus once said: I am the light of Wayne-South Bend, 1103 S. Calhoun St., P.O. Box 390, Fort Wayne, IN 46801. the world; he who follows me will not walk in Periodicals postage paid at Fort Wayne, darkness, but will have the light of life (John IN, and additional mailing office. 8:12). After the blind man received the gift of POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: physical sight, he encountered the Pharisees. Today’s Catholic, P.O. Box 11169, Fort The Pharisees confronted him, asking him Wayne, IN 46856-1169 or email: how he was now able to see. They told him [email protected]. that Jesus was not from God because He did this cure on the Sabbath. The man still MAIN OFFICE: 915 S. Clinton St., Fort insisted that the one who cured him was a Wayne, IN 46802. Telephone (260) prophet. The Pharisees then sent for the man’s 456-2824. Fax: (260) 744-1473. parents who testified that he had been born BUREAU OFFICE: 1328 Dragoon Trail, blind. But the parents were afraid and told the Mishawaka, IN 46544. Telephone (260) Pharisees to question their son about the man CNS FILE PHOTO/GREGORY A. SHEMITZ 456-2824. Fax (260) 744-1473. who opened his eyes. “In the Easter liturgy, the light of the paschal candle lights countless other candles. Faith is passed The Pharisees again questioned the man News deadline is the Monday morning who had been born blind, insisting that Jesus on to another, just as one candle is lighted from another,” says the encyclical “Lumen Fidei” (“The before publication date. Advertising was a sinner. They ridiculed the man and Light of Faith”) from Pope Francis. Pictured are worshippers holding candles during the Easter deadline is nine days before publica- accused him of being a disciple of Jesus. The Vigil at St. Jude Church in Mastic Beach, N.Y. In Bishop Rhoades’ column this week, he writes, “By tion date. man rejected their assertion that the one who opening our eyes to faith, to the light that comes from God, Jesus continues to cure us from the cured him was a sinner. The Pharisees then darkness of confusion and sin present in the world.” Today’s Catholic may be reached at : threw him out of the synagogue. When Jesus Today’s Catholic, heard about this, He came to the man and P.O. Box 11169, Fort Wayne, IN asked him: Do you believe in the Son of Man? 46856-1169; or email: This is truly the climax of the story. The man confess our blindness, our shortsightedness, this, like He cured the blind man.