50¢ February 27, 2011 Think Green Volume 85, No. 8 Recycle this paper Go Green todayscatholicnews.org Serving the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend Go Digital TTODAYODAY’’SS CCATHOLICATHOLIC Seniors Seniors in love and seniors offer works of charity Men of the diocese challenged Page 10-13 to handle the truth Upcoming Marriage Conference BY TIM JOHNSON Alexanders to share story FORT WAYNE — “You and I are called to be men of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are called to be men of Page 4 the Eucharist. We are called to live the truth in charity. In a word, we are called to be saints.” These words of Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades during his homily at the Mass that concluded the first Diocesan Men’s Conference on Saturday, Feb. 19, summed up the mes- School Choice sage that was heard by 1,300 men gathered from across Endorsement from state the diocese and beyond. The first Diocesan Men’s Conference with the superintendent theme, “Can You Handle the Truth,” was sponsored by the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend and Rekindle Page 5 the Fire men’s ministry, prominent at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Fort Wayne, which was active in the promotion and presentation of the conference, includ- ing a display of stage fireworks at the opening of the Permanent deacon event. Throughout the day, W. Keith Moore, a Catholic candidates singer-songwriter from Nashville, Tenn., and Oxford, Miss., shared his music and told his story of conver- Meet the Byrnes sion from being an Evangelical Protestant and Methodist to finding the Catholic faith. Page 8 He asked the men gathered at the Fort Wayne Memorial Coliseum Exposition Center to “dig” and not become complacent in their faith. JOE ROMIE Moore also encouraged the men to get to know the Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades celebrates Mass with the 1,300 men gathered for the first Diocesan Luers-Midwest Show Men’s Conference with the theme, “Can You Handle the Truth.” The conference was held in Choir Invitational FIRE, PAGE 3 the Fort Wayne Memorial Coliseum Exposition Center on Feb. 19. The ’granddaddy’ of show choir invitationals VIEW OF CIRCUS MAXIMUS Bishop encourages students Page 9 IN ROME to spread the Good News personally visit each one over the next few Bishop Rhoades celebrates years. He gave special thanks to the stu- all-schools Mass at Notre Dame dents, teachers, principals and staff mem- bers of Mishawaka St. Bavo, St. Joseph and BY DIANE FREEBY St. Monica. “These three great schools that have been in existence for many decades are NOTRE DAME — In an arena better known going to come together next year as one for thrilling basketball finishes, Bishop new Catholic school,” said Bishop Rhoades, Kevin C. Rhoades made a slam-dunk with referring to the new Mishawaka Catholic School. “It’s not easy to move from being CNS PHOTO/PAUL HARING the thousands of South Bend area Catholic school children and teachers gathered for your own parish school to coming together The site of the Circus Maximus, an Mass Feb. 17 at the University of Notre as one new Catholic school in Mishawaka. But I want all of you to know that you have ancient racecourse, is seen in the fore- Dame Joyce Center. Representing schools from northern our support and our prayers and we know, ground of the ruins of the imperial resi- Indiana and southern Michigan, 23 priests and we believe, that Mishawaka Catholic is going to be a shining example and a great dences in Rome Feb. 18. A prayer vigil will joyfully processed toward the altar. Students carried banners and gifts as the children’s new school.” be held at the Circus Maximus the night choir led the singing of “All Creatures of Light of Learning Award winner Marti Merrick, who has taught at St. Bavo for 15 before the May 1 beatification of Pope Our God and King.” As he began his homily, Bishop Rhoades years, was happy to hear from Bishop Rhoades. John Paul II. said how proud he was of all the area Catholic schools and expressed his hope to MASS, PAGE 3 2 TODAY’ S CATHOLIC FEBRUARY 27, 2011 TODAY’S CATHOLIC Official newspaper of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend Rekindle the Fire P.O. Box 11169 Fort Wayne, IN 46856 desire holiness. But there is no holiness apart from the cross of Christ. “If you wish to be my dis- PUBLISHER: Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades IN TRUTH ciples,” Jesus says, “you must take up your cross and follow EDITOR: Tim Johnson AND me.” NEWS EDITOR and STAFF WRITER: Kay Cozad When we are tempted to think CHARITY that the teachings of Jesus, espe- Editorial Department cially those in the Sermon on the BY BISHOP KEVIN C. RHOADES Mount, are not realistic, we need PAGE DESIGNER: Francie Hogan to remember the power of the FREELANCE WRITERS: Lauren Caggiano, cross and the power of the Michelle Castleman, Karen Clifford, he following is the text of the homily Eucharist. Speaking of the Elmer J. Danch, Bonnie Elberson, that Bishop Rhoades delivered at the Sermon on the Mount and the men’s conference on Feb. 19 at the Denise Fedorow, Diane Freeby, May T command to love our enemies, Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne: our Holy Father, Pope Benedict Lee Johnson, Sister Margie Lavonis, “Be holy, for I, the Lord, your God am said the following: “Actually, CSC, Joe Kozinski and Deb Wagner holy.” The Lord instructed Moses to speak Christ’s proposal is realistic these words to the whole Israelite community. because it takes into account that Business Department Similarly, Jesus instructed his followers in the in the world there is too much Sermon on the Mount: “Be perfect, just as BUSINESS MANAGER: Kathy Denice violence, too much injustice, and your heavenly Father is perfect.” As we come therefore that this situation cannot AD GRAPHICS DIRECTOR: Mark Weber to the end of this diocesan men’s conference, be overcome except by counter- BOOKKEEPING/CIRCULATION: Kathy Voirol these words of instruction sum up what ing it with more love, with more [email protected] today’s conference has been all about: a gath- goodness. This “more” comes ering of men seeking to respond to the Lord’s from God: it is his mercy which Advertising Sales call to holiness. You and I are called to be was made flesh in Jesus and Tess Steffen (Fort Wayne area) men of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are which alone can “tip the balance” (260) 456-2824 called to be men of the Eucharist. We are of the world from evil to good, called to live the truth in charity. In a word, Jeanette Simon (South Bend area) starting with that small and deci- we are called to be saints. sive “world” which is the human (574) 234-0687 “Be holy, for I, the Lord, your God am heart. “ Web site: www.todayscatholicnews.org holy.” “Be perfect, just as your heavenly My brothers, evangelization Father is perfect.” If we want to be holy, if we JERRY KESSENS and building a culture of life and Published weekly except the fourth want to be saints, we must look to the source Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades delivers his homily at the Mass civilization of love begins in our Sunday in June, second and fourth of holiness. That source is not in ourselves. concluding the Diocesan Men’s Conference on Feb. 19. hearts. The great Pope John Paul weeks in July and August, the first week The source of holiness, the source of true II so often said: “Be not afraid!” of September and last week in love, is in God, our heavenly Father. How love is manifested totally and perfectly in Believe in God’s power to work in your lives! December by the Diocese of Fort could we ever hope to live Jesus’ teachings in Him, and most vividly in His passion and Believe in the power of the Holy Spirit, the Wayne-South Bend, 1103 S. Calhoun St., the Sermon on the Mount by our own power? death on the cross. There we see what it power of the sacrament of Penance, the power P.O. Box 390, Fort Wayne, IN 46801. Naturally speaking, who among us is eager to means to turn the other cheek, to love our of the Holy Eucharist! Be so convinced of the Periodicals postage paid at Fort Wayne, turn the other cheek when someone strikes enemies, and to pray for our persecutors. power of God and the power of His love that IN, and additional mailing office. us? Aren’t we more comfortable with the say- Jesus did not resist when he was betrayed by you are not afraid to tackle evil with just two ing “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a Judas, arrested in the garden, scourged at the weapons: truth and charity! POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: tooth?” Who would naturally be inclined to pillar, crowned with thorns, struck by the sol- Today’s Catholic, P.O. Box 11169, Fort Saint Paul tells us in our second reading love his enemy? Are we not much more com- diers, stripped of his garments, and nailed to today that the wisdom of this world is foolish- Wayne, IN 46856-1169 or e-mail: fortable with loving our friends and hating the cross. He prayed for his persecutors: [email protected]. ness in the eyes of God. He says: “if any one our enemy? Who is eager to pray for his per- “Father, forgive them, for they know not what among you considers himself wise in this age, secutors? How difficult it is to live these MAIN OFFICE: they do.” let him become a fool, so as to become wise.” 915 S.