Serving the Church in Central and Souther n Indiana Since 1960 CriterionOnline.com December 21, 2007 Vol. XLVIII, No. 12 75¢ Page 2 The Criterion Friday, December 21, 2007 Immigration response tops local news stories for 2007

By Brandon A. Evans In a gesture symbolic of his promise of obedience, The Criterion The involvement of our local bishops in Deacon Rick Nagel places his immigration reform was voted the hands in the hands of top news story for the archdiocese this Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein year, but it was far from being the only of Indianapolis during a June 2

newsmaker. CNS photo/Sean Gallagher, ordination Mass at SS. Peter and Working in tandem with the custom Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis. of other news agencies, including Deacons Thomas Kovatch and Catholic News Service (see story, page 3), Randall Summers were also The Criterion editorial staff votes each ordained during the liturgy. year for the top 10 local stories that appeared in our newspaper. Many of the stories selected this year were actually made up of several individ- ual articles, and you can read them all by logging on to www.CriterionOnline.com and checking out the list there. So, amid the more than 450 locally produced news stories this year, here is our top 10:

1. The bishops of Indiana release a pastoral letter on immigration As the country continues to debate the issue of immigration, the five bishops of Indiana released a joint document in but at the end of grief comes new life.” January titled “I Was a Stranger and small part because it marks the beginning Throughout the year, The Criterion You Welcomed Me: Meeting Christ in of a long journey for these men, and for all included coverage and photos of all the 5. Legacy for Our Mission campaign New Neighbors.” of us who will cross paths with them in the Masses as well as the details of a nears goal It was the first such document released years to come. seminarian pilgrimage to Saint Mary-of- The largest capital campaign in the by the bishops in recent times and was our This year, three men were ordained on the-Woods, the dedication of a portrait and history of the archdiocese continued to be lead story in the first issue of 2007. June 2 at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral: a statue of the saint, other related a major focus of parishioners throughout The story read, in part: “Typically, Fathers Thomas Kovatch, Rick Nagel and celebrations and a hymn written by central and southern Indiana. statements from the bishops are done Randall Summers. two monks of Saint Meinrad Archabbey. Reporter Sean Gallagher wrote that, through the Indiana Catholic Conference, “Today, you put yourself at Christ’s Links to all of those can be found in the “When it was launched in 2004, the the Church’s official public policy voice. disposal,” Archbishop Buechlein told the online companion to this story. Legacy for Our Mission: For Our Children However, the pastoral letter is a unique three men during the ordination. “You and the Future campaign had an ambitious move by the bishops, giving the statement offer yourselves to serve the people of our 4. Arson fire destroys St. Anne Church goal of raising $100 million. a distinctive teaching authority which local Church, to do that in the person of in New Castle “By accomplishing this goal, the carries more significance and weight—that Christ, the high priest and bridegroom of The timing couldn’t have been much archdiocese hopes its parishes, shared of shepherds addressing the faithful.” the Church. ” worse for a Catholic parish: Hours before ministries and home missions will be set Calling Catholics to welcome the Father Eric Johnson, archdiocesan the celebration of the holiest liturgy of the on firm ground for years to come.” stranger as Christ himself, the bishops vocations director, said that it was a happy year—the Easter vigil—a fire destroyed Each parish keeps part of the money called for balance between “the right of a day for the Church. St. Anne Church in New Castle on April 7. raised toward their goal, while part goes to sovereign state to control its borders,” and “We have three wonderful men that Senior reporter Mary Ann Wyand wrote help the archdiocese support not only “the right of human persons to migrate so have come forward and said not only ‘yes’ that the fire “gutted the interior of the struggling parish communities, but also to that they can realize their God-given to God’s call but, in doing that, are 83-year-old brick church, burned through fund shared ministries, such as the training rights.” themselves kind of an image of faith for the roof and melted stained-glass of new priests and the work of Catholic The pastoral said that “the state may the rest of us,” he said. windows.” Charities and Catholic education. impose reasonable limits on immigration, Each one of the men has their own story “Visibly shaken,” Wyand wrote, As of late October, nearly $90 million but the common good is not served when of how God led them to the priesthood. “Sister Shirley [Gerth, the parish life coor- had been pledged through the campaign. the basic human rights of the individual are You can log on to our Web site to read dinator] said the first Mass was celebrated These pledges came from more than violated.” them. in the church on Easter Sunday in 1924.” 25,000 participants from 115 archdiocesan The Criterion also covered an Msgr. Joseph F. Schaedel, archdiocesan parishes. immigration march in May and the 3. St. Theodora honored at Masses vicar general, said that he and Throughout the year, The Criterion progress of immigration legislation as it across the archdiocese Archbishop Buechlein were “very upset, featured stories about how parishes have was discussed throughout the United Last year’s top story spilled over into very distraught, over the loss of St. Anne been affected by the campaign, and what States. 2007 in the form of celebration. Church … but we’re thankful that nobody they are planning to do with the money The October 2006 canonization of was injured in the fire.” they have raised. For all these parish 2. Three men ordained to the priesthood St. Theodora Guérin—foundress of the Five weeks after the fire, Henry County updates, be sure to check our Web site. The ordination of priests always seems Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the- authorities arrested William L. Abbott, 33, to end up as one of our top stories, in no Woods and Indiana’s first saint—kicked off of New Castle on felony charges of arson, 6. Archbishop Buechlein celebrates a year of special Masses celebrated by burglary and theft. 20 years as a bishop Archbishop Buechlein in each of the arch- Support for the parish has continued While coverage was limited to a single diocese’s 11 deaneries. throughout the year, with parishes and news story and a photo essay, it was of no On the cover The first Mass was celebrated on individuals donating more than $144,000 small mention that Archbishop Buechlein Mary and the Christ Child are Dec. 8, 2006, at St. Joan of Arc Church in (including about $700 raised through celebrated his 15th anniversary as shepherd depicted in an icon from the chapel of Indianapolis and the last was held at The Criterion’s Web site), and people of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and the All Saints Church in Lakeville, Minn. Our Lady of Providence Jr./Sr. High continue to pray. 20th anniversary of his episcopal The Dec. 25 Christmas feast commemo- School in Clarksville on Oct. 3— Even on the day of the fire, Sister ordination in the same year. rates the birth of Christ. The Christmas St. Theodora’s new feast day. Shirley kept her spirits up: “We’re going to Editor Mike Krokos wrote that “To season begins with the Dec. 24 evening “Many of us, myself included, were celebrate new life tomorrow. We’re going celebrate his 20 years as a bishop, vigil and ends on the feast of the educated by the Sisters of Providence. … to sing our Alleluias tomorrow. It’s Archbishop Buechlein recently went on a Baptism of the Lord on Jan. 13. † Our heritage goes back to this saint,” the Easter Sunday. It’s the feast of the personal retreat to reflect on his time as a CNS photo/Crosiers archbishop said at the final Mass. Lord’s resurrection. … Surely we’ll grieve, See REVIEW page 8

The Criterion (ISSN 0574- 4350) is published weekly except the last week of December and the first 12/21//07 week of January. Phone Numbers: Staff: Moving? 1400 N. Meri dian St. Main office: ...... 317-236-1570 Editor: Mike Krokos P.O. Box 1717 Advertising ...... 317-236-1572 Assistant Editor: John Shaughnessy We’ll be there waiting if you give us two weeks’ Indianapolis, IN 46206-1717 Toll free: ...... 1-800-382-9836, ext. 1570 Senior Reporter: Mary Ann Wyand Reporter: Sean Gallagher advance notice! 317-236-1570 Circulation: ...... 317-236-1425 800-382-9836 ext. 1570 Toll free: ...... 1-800-382-9836, ext. 1425 Online Editor: Brandon A. Evans [email protected] Business Manager: Ron Massey Name ______Price: $22.00 per year, 75 cents per copy Administrative Assistant: Dana Danberry Periodical postage paid at New Address______Postmaster: Senior Account Executive: Barbara Brinkman Indianapolis, IN. Send address changes to The Criterion, Senior Account Executive: Kelly Green City ______Copyright © 2007 Criterion P.O. Box 1717, Indianapolis, IN 46206 Art Director: Ann Sternberg State/Zip ______Press Inc. Graphics Specialist: Dave Sechrist Web site : www.CriterionOnline.com New Parish ______POSTMASTER: Graphics Specialist: Jerry Boucher Send address changes to: E-mail: [email protected] Effective Date ______Criterion Press Inc. Note: If you are receiving duplicate copies please send both labels. 1400 N. Meridian St. Published weekly except the last week of December and the first week of January. Mailing Box 1717 address: 1400 N. Meri dian St., P.O. Box 1717, Indianapolis, IN 46206-1717. Periodical postage paid at Indianapolis, IN. Copyright © 2007 Criterion Press Inc. ISSN 0574-4350. The Criterion • P.O. Box 1717 • Indianapolis, IN 46206-1717 Indianapolis, IN 46206-1717 The Criterion Friday, December 21, 2007 Page 3 Immigration named top story of 2007, pope is top newsmaker WASHINGTON (CNS)—The national unsustainable,” and urged a “responsible debate over immigration issues was the transition” leading to the end of the top religious news story of 2007 and fighting. The flight of hundreds of Pope Benedict XVI was the top news- thousands of Christians from Iraq could maker, according to the annual poll of lead to the end of a Christian presence client editors of there, they said. TOP NEWS Catholic News A pair of breakthrough studies later in Service. the year that showed success in creating 2 Catholic embryonic-like stem cells without 0 0 STORIES YEAR IN REVIEW response to the destroying human embryos brought praise war in Iraq took from Catholic and pro-life officials around 1. IMMIGRATION second place among7 the 30 news stories on the world, along with hope that embryonic the ballot, while developments in the stem-cell research will soon be abandoned. Catholic bishops call for just treatment of immigrants stem-cell field came in third. Bush vetoed legislation that would have while Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids Pope Benedict dominated the news - expanded federal funding of embryonic at workplaces leave families separated and in need of makers list, with 20 of the 24 first-place stem-cell research, and New Jersey voters Church assistance. votes cast. U.S. President George W. Bush rejected a bond question that would have was a distant second, followed by Blessed dedicated millions of state dollars for that 2. WAR IN IRAQ Teresa of Calcutta. purpose. The poll was the 46th annual survey of Rounding out the top five for religious 3. STEM CELLS CNS client newspapers. This year’s ballots news stories were developments in were distributed on Dec. 4 and the Catholic dialogue with Muslims and Jews 4. INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE deadline for returns and Pope Benedict’s ruling allowing wider More on the pope’s was Dec. 13. use of the traditional Latin Mass. 5. TRIDENTINE MASS year, page 9. When the editors’ That decision—along with his landmark poll was first conducted letter to Chinese Catholics, his travels and in 1962, the overwhelming choice for an upcoming trip to the United States, his NEWSMAKERS top story was the opening of the naming of 23 new cardinals from Second Vatican Council. Last year, editors 14 countries and a new encyclical and 1. POPE BENEDICT XVI chose Islam’s relations with Church and book—earned Pope Benedict the top spot society as the top religious story of the year as 2007’s religious newsmaker. The pope allows for wider use of traditional Latin Mass, and Pope Benedict as the top newsmaker. Bush was second for his vetoes of the names 23 cardinals, visits Brazil and Austria, publishes Editors were asked to vote for the top 10 embryonic stem-cell bill and legislation second encyclical, issues letter to the Church in China. news stories from a list of 30 selected by expanding the State Children’s Health CNS staff, and the top five newsmakers Insurance Program, his first meeting with 2. U.S. PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH from a list of 20. Votes were weighted by Pope Benedict and the continued criticism the rankings editors gave—10 points for a directed at him over the war in Iraq. 3. BLESSED MOTHER TERESA first-place vote, nine points for second, Ten years after her death, Mother Teresa 4. CARDINAL DANIEL N. DINARDO etc., and five points for top newsmaker, was the third top newsmaker of 2007 as a four for second, etc. new book of her writings revealed her 5. VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT HUGO CHAVEZ With 24 editors in the United States and doubts about her faith, which Vatican Canada submitting ballots, the maximum officials said revealed her spiritual strength. ©2007 CNS points a story could have received was She also moved closer to sainthood when 240. The most a newsmaker could receive an Indian priest said he experienced a on the five-point scale was 120. Some miracle through her intercession. 6. Abuse settlements, 82 (1). 3. Blessed Mother Teresa, 37. editors’ ballots included ties, resulting in Also in the top five newsmakers were 7. Papal writings, 73 (3). 4. Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, 23.5. half-points in some cases. Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston- 8. Politics, 72 (1). 5. Hugo Chavez, 22. The year’s immigration developments Houston, the first U.S. cardinal serving in 9. Environment, 64 (2). Other first-place votes went to included multiple efforts—all ultimately the American Southwest, and Venezuelan 10. Cardinals, 49. presidential candidates Rudy Giuliani and unsuccessful—to bring federal legislation President Hugo Chavez, who often clashed One first-place vote also went to the U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York, to a vote in Congress. The nation’s with his nation’s Catholic bishops. Virginia Tech shootings. Cardinal Marc Ouellet of Quebec, Catholic bishops called for just treatment Here is the editors’ choice of NEWSMAKERS Cardinal Francis E. George of Chicago of immigrants and joined in protests top 10 stories and top five newsmakers of 1. Pope Benedict, 113 (20). and Bishop William S. Skylstad of against anti-immigrant sentiments. 2007, followed by points received in the 2. President Bush, 60. Spokane, Wash. † At the local level, Church charitable weighted ballot count and, in parentheses, agencies were called to assist those caught the number of first-place votes received. up in Immigration and Customs STORIES Enforcement raids at workplaces, which 1. Immigration, 172 (6). often left families separated and without 2. War in Iraq, 136 (8). The Criterion and Catholic income. 3. Stem cells, 123. On the war in Iraq, the bishops called 4. Interreligious dialogue, 86. Center are closed from Dec. 21 the present situation “unacceptable and 5. Tridentine Mass, 84 (2). to Jan. 1 for Christmas holiday

This week’s issue of The Criterion, The Archbishop O’Meara Catholic which includes the annual Christmas Center will be closed from Dec. 21 Photo by Mike Krokos Mike Photo by Supplement on pages 13-21, is the last through Jan. 1 in observance of the issue of 2007. holidays. The Criterion will be published again Archdiocesan agencies will reopen at on Jan. 11 and resume its weekly schedule. 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 2. †

Need help advertising your snow removal business, or... do you have a Patroness of the Americas vehicle to sell? Msgr. Mark Svarczkopf, center, pastor of Our Lady of the Greenwood Parish in Greenwood, was the main celebrant at the 12th annual solemn Mass at the parish in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Dec. 12. Concelebrating priests included Msgr. Charles Koch, a retired priest from the Diocese of You can do it all with a Evansville; Father Bernie Cox, pastor of Mary, Queen of Peace Parish in Danville; Father John Hall, pastor of St. Martin of Tours Parish in Martinsville; Conventual Franciscan Father Leopold Keffler Criterion classified ad of Marian College; Franciscan Father Elias M. Mills of the Mother of the Redeemer Retreat Center in Monroe County; Father Rick Nagel, associate pastor of Our Lady of the Greenwood Parish, and Father Mauro Rodas, a retired archdiocesan priest who assists with Hispanic ministry at Our Lady Call or e-mail Dana 236-1575 or of the Greenwood Parish. In his homily, Msgr. Svarczkopf reminded those attending the bilingual [email protected] Mass that “Wherever we come from … we are all equal in dignity. There is not a best in God’s eyes. … All cultures, all people, have an equal dignity.” Post your ad in the Criterion! Page 4 The Criterion Friday, December 21, 2007

OPINION Go and Make Disciples/John Valenti New outreach to inactive Catholics Most of us do not have to look very He is the Good Shepherd who leaves far to find “non-practicing Catholics” in the 99 sheep and searches for the one Rev. Msgr. Raymond T. Bosler, Founding Editor, 1915 - 1994 our circle of family and friends. who is lost. When Christ finds the lost Most Rev. Daniel M. Buechlein, O.S.B., Publisher Greg A. Otolski, Associate Publisher Many of us are one, he places him or her on his Mike Krokos, Editor John F. Fink, Editor Emeritus concerned about these shoulders and carries him or her home. loved ones, but we Davis-Fuller has prepared a new don’t know how to “Catholics Returning Home Guideline help them. for Team Members” for the Editorial Obviously, most of archdiocesan committee. The them are searching, guidelines suggest a process using four but how can we help well-developed programs and discusses: This work depicting Mary and them find their way “Recognizing the Need, How To Begin,” the Christ Child, by Chicago home? “Developing An Effective Approach,” artist Melville Steinfels, hangs St. Michael Parish “Listening Skills,” “Prayer,” “Need For in the Madonna della Strada in Greenfield wants to welcome home Ritual and Reconciliation,” and a (Our Lady of the Way) Chapel those who have been away, and will be “Suggested Topical Outline”. on the grounds of Loyola presenting a new ministry program for An evangelization outreach Web site University Chicago. The Dec. 25 those who wish to return. has been set up and offers the “Catholics Christmas feast commemorates If there is a message or “catch phrase” Returning Home Guide” online as well the birth of Christ. The to the parish’s efforts, it is simply, “We as a parish PowerPoint presentation, and Christmas season begins with miss you,” said Judy Davis-Fuller, a a “Home For Christmas” video. CNS photo/Bart Chicago University Harris, courtesy of Loyola the Dec. 24 evening vigil and member of St. Michael Parish who also “There may be many reasons why ends on the feast of the serves on the Archdiocesan Evangelization people no longer worship the Lord on Baptism of the Lord, which is Outreach Committee. the Lord’s day,” Davis-Fuller said. Jan. 13. “As baptized, practicing Catholics, we “Whatever the reasons or excuses, have a precious gift of faith and love they melt away in the presence of from the Lord that needs to be shared God’s love.” with our non-practicing brothers and Being ready to be family with the sisters,” she said. Church is good preparation for the rest Most non-practicing Catholics are of our lives. Davis-Fuller added, “There waiting for an invitation to return. Many will be rocky times, but it is better to mistakenly think they are excommu- know how to ride out the waves than to Christmas celebrates defenselessness nicated and are not welcome to return for expect to be able to avoid all of them. a variety of reasons. “Whatever the reason, you’ve been or vulnerability of God Davis-Fuller said that “the first thing away—whether for a few years or a we need to do is to pray for them. lifetime—you can always reclaim your “In the child Jesus, the defenselessness The paradox of Christmas is the “Secondly, we need to extend a Catholic faith,” she said. “No matter of God is apparent. God comes without warmth and comfort and joy that come personal invitation to come home to the what your situation or what your reasons weapons, because he does not wish to from celebrating our weakness, our Catholic Church.” are, with the help of our Lord, we can conquer from outside but desires to win dependence on God. We sinful people Sometimes, we fall. Sometimes, we help you through it.” and transform us from within. If tell ourselves that self-sufficiency is the get overwhelmed by the ordinary. And Evangelization outreach resources anything can conquer man’s vainglory, way to happiness. sometimes, we are more sinner than can be found at: his violence, his greed, it is the vulnera- We invest countless hours persuading saint. www.archindy.org/evangelization/ bility of the child. God assumed this ourselves that wealth will bring us Davis-Fuller explained how important outreach.html. vulnerability in order to conquer us and comfort—and that security is the result it is to know that “the Church does not lead us to himself.” (From a Christmas of political strength and the endless leave us!” The Spirit is truly present in (John Valenti is the associate director of homily of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, warfare that we engage in with our the Church Jesus gave us, she said, and Evangelization and Faith Formation for now Pope Benedict XVI) neighbors near and far. “we are never alone.” the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. E-mail But Christmas exposes all our “Jesus Christ loves you!” she added. him at [email protected].) † God comes to us once again this illusions (our vainglory, violence and Christmas in all his weakness. greed) for what they are—distorted No chariots of fire or mighty armies. images of the simple truth that joy is No grandeur or opulence. found in humility, simplicity and peace. Just a simple child born into a poor The child Jesus reminds us of what Letters to the Editor family with nowhere to lay his head matters most in life: trust in God, the beyond the comfort and security of his gifts of life and family, and the ability to mother’s arms. grow in wisdom, age and grace in a Freedom for all means No adoring crowds or paparazzi taking community of believers who strive to photographs. Just the infant Jesus with live simply and honestly for the greater Mary and Joseph and a few lowly good of all. putting an end to abortion shepherds and farm animals. It’s no accident that Christmas is Enduring freedom must be for all. that “we, the people of the United “In the child Jesus, the defenselessness everyone’s favorite time of year. It requires that nothing—no person States” have not shown the blessings of of God is apparent,” Pope Benedict said. Christmas invites us to recall (and relive) and/or power—be granted permission to liberty, justice, tranquility and welfare. In fact, you can’t get any weaker than the most basic truth of our faith: God is target innocent human life. Even if we win the “War on Terror”— this. with us. No exceptions! so what! A newborn child is totally dependent He brings light into our darkness and This principle helped end slavery. It is Some final notes for Catholics: on others for everything. A child comes warmth into our cold hearts. A child is why we can justifiably call Hitler, Stalin 1. It is my prayer that every concerned into the world with nothing but the gift of born—reminding us once again that and other such people “monsters.” American reading this letter will register life, and the potential to grow and learn family and friends and community are Today, this same principle is being used to vote. Forms are available online. Just and become what God has called him or among our most precious gifts. Peace to justify the “Global War on Terror.” google your state’s voter registration form her to be. and great joy are proclaimed to people of One big problem: The evil we are and vote pro-life in 2008. Every infant begins life as the most good will everywhere no matter what fighting is but a shadow of the evil we 2. May we all learn to better love defenseless creature in the world. In fact, their race, creed or social status may be. are doing. Let me explain. God and our neighbor during this weakness, vulnerability and utter Vainglory, violence and greed are utterly Since the early 1970s, more than Christmas season as we reacquaint dependency are defining characteristics of rejected in favor of generosity, justice 48 million surgical abortions have been ourselves with the way Mary and Joseph the human person—from the moment of and the plain truth that we are always performed legally in the U.S. The word behaved after Jesus was conceived by the conception through all the stages of life totally dependent on God’s grace. “legally” amazes me. The more than Holy Spirit. until we once again hand ourselves over For this, we give thanks. With the 48 million human lives destroyed by 3.If you are a woman who is experi- to God in the defenseless vulnerability of angels, we sing Glory to God! Hosanna Americans make me cry. encing a crisis pregnancy or a woman or death. in the highest! Peace on earth! Christmas Note the definition of “posterity”: man who is suffering from the aftermath We are weak creatures who, as we get has come again, bringing peace and 1. future generations; and 2. all of a of an abortion, please call Servants of the older, try unsuccessfully to persuade warmth and joy into our weary world. person’s descendants. Gospel of Life Sister Diane Carollo, ourselves that we are strong, independent Let us rejoice and be glad that our Now read the preamble of the director of the archdiocesan Office for and self-reliant. defenseless God has come again in all U.S. Constitution and note the use of the Pro-Life Ministry, at 317-236-1521 or The truth is that we are totally his weakness to save us from our word posterity: “We, the people of the 800-382-9836, ext. 1521. All calls are dependent on God’s grace for illusions of strength and independence. United States, in order to form a more confidential. everything—the air we breathe, the food He comes once again to transform our perfect union, establish justice, insure 4. If you want to make a tax-deductible we eat, the clothing we wear, the work we troubled world into his kingdom of domestic tranquility, provide for the charitable donation to help bring about an do, the people we love. righteousness. To share with us the common defense, promote the general end to abortion during this 2008 election Christmas celebrates God’s decision to transforming gifts of faith, hope and welfare, and secure the blessings of cycle, I encourage you to do it! Perhaps share in our weakness—his voluntary love. And to show us the way to true joy liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do the charitable donation should be equal to acceptance of our human condition and and lasting peace. ordain and establish this Constitution for or greater than what was spent on his decision to open himself to the Merry Christmas! the United States of America.” Christmas gifts this holiday. Pray about it. burdens and threats and suffering of our That translates to more than 48 million Ron Kramer human condition. —Daniel Conway American human beings (our posterity) Indianapolis The Criterion Friday, December 21, 2007 Page 5

ARCHBISHOP/ARZOBISPO DANIEL M. BUECHLEIN, O.S.B. SEEKING THE FACE OF THE LORD BUSCANDO LA CARA DEL SEÑOR A prayerful celebration of Christmas is our ‘thank you’ to God baby boy lying in a manger is purchase painkilling drugs. enemy seventy times seven; feed the The promise of our salvation began in the called the Light of the World and It would only be a short time before an hungry; clothe the naked.” darkness of that humble cave in Athe Word-made-flesh. How unfaithful husband in ignorance hates his Our colored lights and Nativity sets Bethlehem. strange and how abstract: to call a person wife because he blindly loves only remind us of the promise of the Christmas The greatest Christmas gift is God a light and a word. Yet, if we stop to think himself, and he discards her to use another. story and our part in it. They also remind himself! The gift is free, and it is for all of of circumstances some 2,000 years ago, Even more so today, victims of broken us to thank God for his Christmas gift! us who are holy and unholy alike. A maybe it doesn’t seem so strange. love discover the worst kind of darkness. Christmas celebrates the mystery which prayerful celebration of Christmas is our Then, as now, a light in the darkness Man and woman, intended to be comple- offers the only path of human security. “thank you.” meant a lot. We get upset when the mentary partners for life, become And it is a free gift. God is in charge of all A warm and heartfelt “thank you” to electricity “goes out.” That was the estranged and separated and lonely. destiny; we don’t have to be. His is the all of you who do so much to help carry normal condition then. Fire went out Distrust adds the bitter spice to the master plan to make everything finally the Christmas light of truth and hope in much quicker and more often. fright of darkness. Only God could bring work out. central and southern Indiana. God bless In the days before newspapers and light and knowledge to our human family The string attached to the great you all! My Midnight Mass will be for all books—many centuries before our hopelessly lost in darkness and ignorance. Christmas gift of “God coming to live of you and your loved ones. instantaneous means of contemporary His own Son became one of us to be among us as light and word of love” is that Merry Christmas and God’s choicest communication—the truth about things, the saving light and the trustworthy word we believe in and accept his love, and that blessings for 2008! † the news, and just general information of truth. He came to reveal God who is we know that this life is not the whole was learned through the face-to-face faithful love itself. story. It all goes together and it starts with spoken word. Messengers and storytellers Christmas is a feast of love. In the Christmas. Jesus did something to human Do you have an intention for and rabbis (teachers) were a lifeline. manger in a dark stable with dumb destiny. Archbishop Buechlein’s prayer list? The boy named Jesus would come animals, Christ began to shine as the When we celebrate his birth, we You may mail it to him at: from God as a light in the darkness and a Light of the World and the Word of truth. celebrate the remarkable fact that God teacher, storyteller and messenger. He It began with a little boy born of a loving came to be one of us and to show us how Archbishop Buechlein’s became light. He became God’s Word mother and watched over by a courageous to live and to love and, yes, to die in this Prayer List of love. father in a dark stable. passing world. We celebrate the fact that Archdiocese of Indianapolis Ever since Adam and Eve, our human Those of us who know the story of the he won for us the promise that there is so 1400 N. Meridian St. family has been plagued by another kind stable and the simple birth of the Savior much more to this life than meets the eye. P.O. Box 1410 of darkness and ignorance. Sin and tragic have a special obligation to our troubled We have much to think and pray about Indianapolis, IN 46202-1410 human error mark our lives. There is the world. The torch has been handed on to as we kneel before the Christmas manger. darkness and ignorance which spawn us. How are we to be the light and spread jealousy and murder, stealing and war. the Word? Cain hated Abel, his own brother, Christ once said that the world would Archbishop Buechlein’s intention for vocations for December because of the blinding darkness of know we were his if we have love, one for Catholic Grade Schools: that they may teach our children the Catholic faith and assist jealousy; he committed the first murder. another. them in hearing and answering God’s call to service in the Church, especially as priests In our cities and towns, brother kills “Love your neighbor as yourself,” he or religious. brother for drugs and the money to urged. “Turn the other cheek; forgive your

Una celebración devota de la Navidad es nuestra for ma de agradecerle a Dios un niño que yace en un pesebre se drogas que calmen su dolor. al hambriento; viste al despojado.” ¡El regalo más espectacular de la le llama la Luz del Mundo y el Es sólo cuestión de tiempo antes de Nuestras luces de colores y los Navidad es el propio Dios! El regalo es AVerbo hecho carne. Qué extraño y que un esposo infiel en su ignorancia nacimientos nos recuerdan la promesa de gratis y es para todos nosotros por igual: qué abstracto: llamar a una persona “luz” termine por odiar a su esposa y la deseche la historia de la Navidad y nuestro papel santos y no santos. Una celebración y “verbo.” Sin embargo, si nos detenemos para utilizar a otra, porque se ama en ella. ¡También nos recuerdan que devota de la Navidad es nuestra forma de a pensar en las circunstancias que lo ciegamente sólo a sí mismo. debemos darle gracias a Dios por su agradecerle. rodeaban hace 2,000 años, quizás no nos Aun más hoy en día, las víctimas de un obsequio de Navidad! Mis cálidas y sinceras “gracias” van parezca tan extraño. amor roto descubren la peor de las La Navidad celebra el misterio que para todos ustedes que trabajan Entonces, al igual que ahora, una luz oscuridades. Hombres y mujeres ofrece el único camino a la seguridad arduamente para ayudar a difundir la luz en la oscuridad significaba mucho. Nos destinados a ser compañeros humana. Y es un regalo gratis. Dios está a de la verdad y la esperanza en Navidad sentimos incómodos cuando la complementarios en la vida, se alienan y cargo del destino; nosotros no tenemos por todo el centro y el sur de Indiana. electricidad “se va.” Esa era una situación se separan, quedándose solos. que preocuparnos. Él es el plan maestro ¡¡Que Dios los bendiga a todos!! Mi Misa normal en aquel entonces. El fuego se La desconfianza se añade como un para lograr que todo funcione. de Gallo la dedicaré a todos ustedes y a apagaba más rápido y con mayor condimento amargo al terror de la La condición que viene con el sus seres queridos. frecuencia. oscuridad. Sólo Dios puede traer la luz y estupendo regalo de Navidad de “la ¡Feliz Navidad y las bendiciones más En la época anterior al periódico y los la sabiduría a nuestra familia humana, venida de Dios a vivir entre nosotros excelsas de Dios para el 2008! † libros, muchos siglos antes de la aparición perdida sin remedio en la oscuridad y la como la luz y el verbo del amor” es que de nuestros medios de comunicación ignorancia. creamos y aceptemos su amor, y que contemporáneos, la verdad de las cosas, Su propio Hijo se convirtió en uno de entendamos que esta vida no lo es todo. las noticias y simplemente la información nosotros para ser la luz salvadora y la Todo va unido y comienza con la en general se divulgaba oralmente, cara a palabra fiel de la verdad. Vino para revelar Navidad. Jesús hizo algo en el destino ¿Tiene una intención que desee cara. Los mensajeros y los cuenta- a Dios quien es amor fiel en sí mismo. humano. incluir en la lista de oración del cuentos, así como los rabinos (maestros), La Navidad es una celebración de Cuando celebramos su nacimiento, Arzobispo Buechlein? Puede enviar representaban una tabla de salvación. amor. En el pesebre, en un establo oscuro celebramos el hecho extraordinario de su correspondencia a: El niño llamado Jesús vendría de Dios con torpes animales, Cristo comenzó a que Dios se convirtió en uno de nosotros, como la luz en la oscuridad y como un brillar como la Luz del Mundo y el Verbo para mostrarnos cómo vivir y amar, y sí, Lista de oración del Arzobispo maestro, un cuenta-cuentos y un de la verdad. Todo comenzó con un morir en este mundo transitorio. Buechlein mensajero. Él se hizo luz. Se convirtió en pequeño niño nacido de una madre Celebramos el hecho de que él ganó por Arquidiócesis de Indianápolis el Verbo del amor de Dios. amorosa y cuidado por un padre valiente nosotros la promesa de que existe mucho 1400 N. Meridian St. Desde los tiempos de Adán y Eva, en un establo oscuro. más en esta vida de lo que podemos ver. P.O. Box 1410 nuestra familia humana ha estado plagada Aquellos que conocemos la historia del Tenemos mucho en qué pensar y por lo Indianapolis, IN 46202-1410 de otro tipo de oscuridad e ignorancia. El establo y el humilde nacimiento del que rezar mientras nos arrodillamos ante pecado y la tragedia del error humano Salvador, tenemos una obligación especial el pesebre navideño. La promesa de marcan nuestras vidas. Existe la oscuridad para con nuestro mundo tan perturbado. nuestra salvación comenzó en la Traducido por: Daniela Guanipa, y la ignorancia que dan origen a la envidia Se nos ha entregado la antorcha. ¿Cómo oscuridad de esa humilde cueva en Belén. Language Training Center, Indianapolis. y al asesinato, al robo y a la guerra. podemos ser la luz y difundir la palabra? Caín odiaba a Abel, su propio Cristo dijo una vez que el mundo La intención del Arzobispo Buechlein para vocaciones en diciembre hermano, debido a la oscuridad sabría que le pertenecemos si nos amamos enceguecedora de la envidia; él cometió el unos a los otros. Escuelas primarias católicas: que ellos puedan enseñar la fe católica a nuestros niños primer asesinato. En nuestras ciudades y “Ama a tu prójimo como a ti mismo,” y puedan ayudarles a oír y contestar la llamada de Dios para ser vir en la Iglesia, sobre poblados, un hermano mata a otro por nos exhortó. “Pon la otra mejilla; perdona todo como sacerdotes o religiosos. drogas y por el dinero para comprar las a tu enemigo setenta veces siete; alimenta Page 6 The Criterion Friday, December 21, 2007 Events Calendar

December 21 December 25 December 30 January 2 Gathering,” 5 p.m., vespers, polis. Single Seniors meeting, St. Andrew Church, 235 S. SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral, St. Rita Church, 1733 Dr. St. Mary Parish, 317 N. 5:45 p.m., festive meal, $7 per 1 p.m., age 50 and over. 5th St., Richmond. 1347 N. Meridian St., Indian- Andrew J. Brown Ave., Indian- New Jersey St., Indianapolis. person, 6:30 p.m., burning of Information: 317-784-1102. Simbang Gabi Mass, 7 p.m. Solo Seniors, Catholic, the greens, dinner reservations apolis. Christmas Mass, apolis. Kwanza program, January 12 Information: 317-962-3902. 10:30 a.m. Information: 317- Mass, 11 a.m. Information: educational, charitable and due Jan. 3. Information: 812-357-6403 or e-mail Roncalli High School, 634-4519. 317-632-9349. social singles 50 and over, December 23 single, widowed or divorced, [email protected]. 3300 Prague Road, Indiana- MKVS and Divine Mercy MKVS and Divine Mercy new members welcome, polis. Makeup date for high Center, Rexville, located on Saint Meinrad Archabbey January 8 Center, Rexville, located on 6:30 p.m. Information: school placement test for 925 South, .8 mile east of Church, 200 Hill Drive, St. Paul Hermitage, 501 N. 925 South, .8 mile east of 317-897-1128. incoming freshmen, 421 South and 12 miles south St. Meinrad. Christmas Mass, 17th Ave., Beech Grove. 7:45-11:15 a.m. Information: 421 South and 12 miles south Ave Maria Guild, meeting, of Versailles. Confession, 11 a.m. Information: 800-682- January 4 317-787-8277, ext. 234. 1 p.m., followed by holy hour, 0988 or e-mail of Versailles. Confession, Our Lady of the Most Holy 12:30 p.m. Information: 1 p.m., followed by holy hour, Mass, 2 p.m., groups of 10 [email protected]. Rosary Church, 520 Stevens 317-881-5818. January 13-March 2 pray the new Marian Way, Mass, 2 p.m., groups of 10 St., Indianapolis. Lumen Dei St. Malachy Parish, 326 N. pray the new Marian Way, St. Pius X Parish, 7200 Sarto 1 p.m., Father Elmer Bur- Church of the Immaculate meeting, Mass, 6:30 a.m., Green St., Brownsburg. 1 p.m., Father Elmer Bur- Drive, Indianapolis. Support winkel, celebrant. Information: Conception, Saint Mary-of-the- breakfast and program at “Divorce and Beyond” winkel, celebrant. Information: Group for Separated and 812-689-3551. Woods, St. Mary-of-the- Priori Hall, “Mission of program, 6-8 p.m. Informa- 812-689-3551. Medicine,” Dr. Chuck Dietzen, Divorced Catholics, “Question December 24 Woods. Christmas Mass, and Answer Night,” Father tion: 317-852-3195. 11 a.m. Information: December 31 founder of The Timmy SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral, Foundation, presenter, $10 Robert Gilday, presenter, 7 p.m. Daily events www.sistersoprovidence.org. SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral, 1347 N. Meridian St., Indian - members, $15 guests. Information: 317-466-1399. St. John the Evangelist Church, 1347 N. Meridian St., Indian - apolis. Christmas Eve Mass, Information: 317-919-5316 or 126 W. Georgia St., Indian - December 26-28 apolis. Catholic Charismatic St. Athanasius the Great Byzan- 5 p.m. and midnight, Arch- e-mail apolis. Liturgy of the Hours, St. Rita Church, 1733 Dr. Renewal of Central Indiana tine Church, St. Mary Hall, bishop Daniel M. Buechlein [email protected]. Mon.-Fri., morning prayer, Andrew J. Brown Ave., Indian- and Cursillo, renewal Mass of 1117 Blaine Ave., Indianapolis. scheduled as celebrant for 7:30 a.m., evening prayer, apolis. Kwanza program, Thanksgiving, Father Glenn Catholic Charismatic midnight Mass. Information: January 6 5:15 p.m. Information: 317- 317-634-4519. 7-9 p.m. Information: O’Connor, celebrant, 11 p.m. SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral, Renewal of Central Indiana, 635-2021. 317-632-9349. Information: 317-592-1992 or 1347 N. Meridian St., Indian - prayer meeting, 7:15 p.m. Saint Meinrad Archabbey [email protected]. apolis. Catholic Charismatic Information: 317-592-1992, Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Church, 200 Hill Drive, December 28 Renewal, “Eucharistic www.inholyspirit.org or 1530 Union St., Indianapolis. St. Meinrad. Vigils, 7 p.m., Congregation of the Sisters of Michaela Farm, Oldenburg. Healing Service,” Father [email protected]. Liturgy of the Hours, Mon.- Christmas Eve Mass, the Third Order of St. Francis, “Winter Bird Count,” Gregory Bramlage, presider, Motherhouse, Oldenburg. January 9 Fri., morning prayer, 7:05 a.m., midnight. Information: 7:30 a.m.-lunch, pre-registration reconciliation, praise and St. Francis Weight Loss Center, 800-682-0988 or e-mail “Christmas Tours,” 6-8 p.m. required. Information: worship music, eucharistic evening prayer 5:30 p.m. 700 E. Southport Road, Indian- Information: 317-638-5551. [email protected]. Information: 812-933-6491. 812-933-0661. procession, laying on of hands, apolis. “Eat for Life Wellness 2-5 p.m. Information: 317-592- Program,” 6 p.m. Information: December 29 Our Lady of the Most Holy Church of the Immaculate December 31-January 1 1992 or [email protected]. 317-782-7525 or e-mail St. Rita Church, 1733 Dr. Rosary Church, 520 Stevens Conception, Saint Mary-of-the- St. Rita Church, 1733 Dr. [email protected]. Woods, St. Mary-of-the- Andrew J. Brown Ave., Indian- Andrew J. Brown Ave., Indian- Saint Meinrad Archabbey and St., Indianapolis. Tridentine Woods. Christmas Eve prayer apolis. Kwanza program, apolis. Kwanza program, School of Theology, Archabbey January 11 (Latin) Mass, Mon.-Fri., noon; service, 7 p.m. Information: Mass, 6 p.m. Information: night watch service, 10 p.m. Church, 200 Hill Drive, St. Roch Parish, Family Center, Wed., Fri., 5:45 p.m. Informa- www.sistersoprovidence.org. 317-632-9349. Information: 317-632-9349. St. Meinrad. “A Twelfth Night 3603 S. Meridian St., Indiana- tion: 317-636-4478. † Submitted photo Submitted photo

Crèches on display This crèche is one of several Nativity scenes on display through Jan. 7 at the Saint Meinrad Archabbey Library in St. Meinrad. The crèches come from the monastery’s collections and the Catherine A. Smith Nativity Collection, which was donated to Saint Meinrad Archabbey in 2002. Smith began collecting crèche scenes in 1971 during her extensive travels around the world. The exhibit is free and open to the public. Exhibit hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Exceptions are from Dec. 26 through Dec. 28 when the exhibit hours are from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The library will be closed from Dec. 22 through Dec. 25 and from Dec. 29 Carriage ride through Jan. 1. All times are central standard time. St. Augustine Home for the Aged residents Don Dewar, left, and Pat Coriden of Indianapolis pet the horse before a carriage ride on Nov. 14 provided by a Yellow Rose Carriages driver in downtown Indianapolis. The carriage ride was donated to the Little Sisters of the Poor by an Indianapolis family. Submitted photo Eagle Scout Eric Burns, right, receives an Submitted photo Eagle Scout pin on Dec. 1 during a ceremony held at Ryves Hall Youth Center in Terre Haute. Eric, who has Down syndrome, is a member of Scout Troop #22, which is based at Ryves Hall, and a program of Catholic Charities Terre Haute. He received his Eagle Scout pin, the highest award in Boy Scouts, from Dan Snider, left, who is a Scout Spell Bowl champions troop leader and the assistant Members of the fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grades at St. Gabriel School in Connersville pose on director of Ryves Hall. Nov. 15 at Knightstown Elementary School in Knightstown with the first-place pins they earned for being the 2007 Elementary Spell Bowl champion in Class 2. The students are, from left in the front row, Samantha Fain, Lindsey Hackleman, Maddie Rose, Jacob Hackleman, Andrew Stine, Emily Stine and Matthew Watkins. In the back row, the students are, from left, Madison Fain, Paxytn Drew, Casey Fohl, Olivia Frazee, Kramer Moriarty, Andrew Bernzott and Logan Neukam. Coach Lisa Hauger, the fifth-grade teacher at St. Gabriel School, stands at the right end of the back row. The Criterion Friday, December 21, 2007 Page 7

M ARRIAGE S UPPLEMENT Submitted photo

Marriage ANNOUNCEMENTS Be a part of our

Comboni Father Michael Barton teaches Sudanese children about the Catholic faith at a Comboni primary school in southern Sudan in this file photo published on Oct. 18, 2002. He grew up in Marriage Supplement St. Therese of the Infant Jesus (Little Flower) Parish in Indianapolis. A new Internet blog publicizes his ______missionary work in East Africa. February 8, 2008, issue of New Internet blog serves as resource for Comboni Father The Criterion Michael Barton’s work in Sudan If you are planning your wedding between By Mary Ann Wyand the Sudanese people, many of whom live January 30 and July 1, 2008, we invite you to in great poverty.” Comboni Father Michael Barton’s She said his goal is to raise $150,000 submit the information for an announcement prayers and his Christmas wish list begin for a church and school at Marial Baai. on the form below. with peace and an end to violence for “I suggested a blog that would help war-torn Sudan. him keep in touch with his many friends He also hopes for donations to build a in the Indianapolis area and around the Pictures church and school in the village of world, and tell people how he would use You may send us a picture of the bride-to-be or a picture of the Marial Baai within St. Theresa Parish in donations and where to donate,” she said. Nyamlell, where he serves as pastor. “Although when he is in Sudan he has no couple. Please do not cut photograph. The picture must be Catholics in central and southern access to computers or the Internet, I wallet-size and will be used as space permits. We cannot guar- Indiana can learn more about his ministry asked him to write letters, and have antee the reproduction quality of the photos. Please put half a world away in southern Sudan by another priest in the parish write as well, name(s) on the back of the photo. Photos will be returned if a logging on to a new Internet site created to keep all of us up to date on his by Jane Lichtenberg, a member of mission.” stamped, self-addressed envelope is enclosed. Holy Spirit Parish in Fishers, Ind., in the Citing “the extraordinary work he has Lafayette Diocese. done in South Sudan,” E-mailed photos The weblog address is Lichtenberg said she www.nyamlell. ‘I suggested a blog that plans “to continue manag- Photos should be saved in jpg format, be a minimum 200 blogspot.com. ing the blog for him, and dpi/resolution and at least 3 inches or 600 pixels wide. Please As Community would help him keep in hope that people who send your photo as an attachment to the e-mail. Conversations touch with his many visit the Web site will coordinator for take time to write com- The Indianapolis Star, friends in the ments and include their Deadline Lichtenberg has writ- Indianapolis area and own thoughts about this All announcements and photos must be received by ten about the Comboni extraordinary man and his No announcements or priest’s ministry. around the world, and mission to Sudan.” Thursday, January 17, 2008, 10 a.m. ( Father Barton grew During an interview photos will be accepted after this date). up in Indianapolis, tell people how he with The Criterion last and has served the would use donations August at the archdioce- Church as a mission- san Mission Office, — Use this form to furnish information — ary priest in Sudan and where to donate.’ Father Barton talked from 1978 until 1986 about answering God’s Clip and mail to: then from 1993 to the — Jane Lichtenberg call to serve the people in ATTN: BRIDES, The Criterion, P.O. Box 1717, Indianapolis, IN 46206 present. Sudan 30 years ago. Deadline: Thursday, January 17, 2008, 10 a.m. When Lichtenberg Saving souls for God Please print or type: talked with him is his first priority as a during his home visit last summer, she missionary, he said, and educating the learned that he is trying to raise funds to children is a close second. build church and school buildings in a At the Catholic schools he established Name of Bride: (first, middle, last) village in Northern Bar el Gazelle State. in St. Theresa Parish, children study She decided to create the blog to keep English, Dinka, Swahili, Arabic, science, Daytime Phone people informed about his ministry and agriculture, geography, civics, history and pastoral needs. It includes excerpts from Christian religious education, including Mailing Address City State Zip Code his letters as well as stories about his the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles ministry that were published in during the last three years of school. Name of Bride’s Parents The Indianapolis Star and The Criterion. While ministering in Sudan for City State Lichtenberg launched the site in three decades, Father Barton has been sick

September after Father Barton departed with malaria, was imprisoned for 15 days Name of Bridegroom:(first, middle, last) for a sabbatical in the Holy Land on his in August 1996 and had to kill a poisonous way back to East Africa. He arrived at his snake at the parish last year. Name of Bridegroom’s Parents parish in Sudan on Dec. 10. That is all part of serving God’s people In an e-mail to The Criterion, she in Sudan, he said. “I just have to do City State requested publicity for the new blog. something.” “He has spent the past five years based Wedding Date Church City State in Nyamlell, another village in the parish,” (For more information about how to help Lichtenberg explained. “From there, he Comboni Father Michael Barton with his has traveled hundreds of miles visiting missionary work in Sudan, call the arch- Signature of person furnishing information Relationship Daytime Phone other parts of the parish, administering diocesan Mission Office at 317-236-1485 Photo Enclosed No Picture sacraments and spreading God’s Word to or 800-382-9836, ext. 1485.) † Page 8 The Criterion Friday, December 21, 2007

when 25 men will be ordained permanent REVIEW deacons after four years of formation. continued from page 2 Deacon Chlopecki served on the committee that, starting in 2002, helped shepherd of the Church in Memphis and develop the current archdiocesan deacon CNSWyand photo/Mary Ann Indianapolis. formation program. “While on retreat, he responded to a “When I first moved down to the series of questions from The Criterion that archdiocese, I prayed that there would be a afforded him the opportunity to share his diaconate someday,” Deacon Chlopecki thoughts on his 20 years of ministry as a said. “And I prayed, ‘Dear God, please let bishop.” me be a part of it. Let me help bring this to You can read the entire question-and- fruition.’ And the good Lord gave me answer interview on our Web site, but here exactly what I prayed for, and more so is an excerpt from a question about what than I ever thought it would be.” the archbishop looks to in the future: “God has not let me down in the past 9. Local Catholics observe the and present, so I am confident that his 10th anniversary of Mother Teresa’s Providence will care for me in my death evening years. The 10th anniversary of the death of “With God’s blessing and the help of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta was marked all good priests and people, I don’t plan to over the world, including in our carry on my ministry ‘by looking in the archdiocese in which several sisters of her rear-view mirror,’ as the saying goes. order, the Missionaries of Charity, now “I look forward to our celebration of minister to the poor. our 175th anniversary [as an archdiocese] Members of that order, along with in 2009.” women and children from an emergency shelter that the sisters operate and about 7. Super Bowl Champion 100 other people, gathered for Mass with Indianapolis Colts Archbishop Buechlein at the cathedral on The Indianapolis Colts’ victory over the Sept. 5. Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI on The Criterion also wrote a special story Feb. 4 was one of the major secular news that shared the thoughts of a variety of stories in Indiana in 2007. local Catholics on their memories of The hype and excitement was also Mother Teresa. reported in our newspaper as our staff took “Catholics throughout central and a closer look at one of the more low-key southern Indiana are drawn to this woman members of the franchise: its volunteer unlike nearly any other spiritual figure of chaplain, Father Peter Gallagher, who our time,” wrote Sean Gallagher. also is chaplain of Cardinal Ritter Jr./Sr. “Some of them are leaders in the faith High School in Indianapolis. or notable television personalities. Others “I’m fortunate to have been asked to be are average people in the pews. A firefighter checks the smoldering ruins of St. Anne Church in New Castle on the afternoon of a part of this organization and what I’m “No matter who they are, Blessed Holy Saturday, April 7. The early morning fire started in the basement and burned through the roof. doing to promote our Catholic faith,” Teresa has a special place in their heart.” Father Gallagher told The Criterion. parish’s future at the June 29 Mass. Son, our Lord.” This fall, the newspaper also featured a 10. SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral “As we remember the past today, let us front-page story about the Catholic faith of celebrates its centennial year look forward to a future full of hope,” (To read more about these 10 stories, Colts players. To celebrate the centenary of its Father Beidelman said, “knowing that God including links to all our original Criterion Other Colts-related coverage included dedication on Dec. 21, 1906,by will guide us on a path of profound change news coverage, log on to our Web site at the renaming of the now Peyton Manning Bishop Francis Silas Chatard, the staff and as he fashions us into the image of his only www.CriterionOnline.com.) † Children’s Hospital at St. Vincent in members of SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral Indianapolis, and a story about a Colts Parish in Indianapolis planned a year’s Fitness Camp at St. Anthony of Padua worth of special events. School in Clarksville. Those events included a speakers series, DIRECTORY AND YEAR BOOK 2008 concerts, liturgies and a banquet after the AVAILABLE BEGINNING IN JANUARY 8. Deacon Chlopecki becomes first closing centennial Mass. archdiocesan permanent deacon Archbishop Buechlein presided over the On May 1, a little piece of history June 29 Mass that closed the year of The new directory contains occurred in the archdiocese. celebration, and recalled “not so much the up-to-date information. It was, according to Sean Gallagher, glory of the cathedral church, but of the • Parishes • Photos of and “the day on which the incardination worship given to God in it by scores of • Pastors biographical process was completed whereby Catholics during the past 100 years. • Parish staff information about Deacon John Chlopecki went from being a “The cathedral has been an important pastors deacon of the Archdiocese of Chicago— place for many people throughout the • Schools • parish life for which he was ordained in 1991—to archdiocese.” • School staff coordinators being a deacon of the Archdiocese of Nearly 5,800 weddings have taken place • Religious • religious women Indianapolis.” there and 124 men have been ordained to education staff Thus, Deacon Chlopecki became the the priesthood. and men • Archdiocesan ministering in the archdiocese’ first permanent deacon. The Father Patrick Beidelman, the rector and administration diaconate will grow in numbers next spring pastor of the parish, remarked on the archdiocese • Offices and • Catholic agencies chaplaincies Our Lady of Fatima Retreat House • Telephone • Hospitals numbers • Colleges and other • Mass times institutions. The advisory board, volunteers and staff • Addresses • E-mail addresses wish to thank our 10,000+ visitors Three ways to order over the past year! We are blessed your new directory to be able to serve you! $ • Mail in order form We want to wish all of you a very 00 • Call 317-236-1570 or peace-filled & joyous 1-800-382-9836 ext. 1570 24 Christmas season! • www.criteriononline.com AND

Please send _____ copies of the Archdiocesan Directory and Yearbook at $24.00 per We hope to see all of you again in 2008! copy, plus $3.95 shipping and handling.

Name ______Our Lady of Fatima Retreat House Address ______5353 E. 56th Street City/State/Zip ______Indianapolis, IN 46226 Enclosed is my check in the amount of $______. Or charge my: J Visa JMasterCard (317) 545-7681 Account No. ______Exp. Date ______Signature______Make check payableto: Criterion Press, Inc. www.archindy.org/fatima Mail check and order form to: Criterion Press, Inc., P.O. Box 1717, Indianapolis, IN 46206-1717 The Criterion Friday, December 21, 2007 Page 9 Travels, consistory, writings keep Pope Benedict busy in 2007

VATICAN CITY (CNS)—Pope much-debated document, the pope relaxed Benedict XVI never gives the impression restrictions on the use of the traditional of being overburdened, yet a look back at Latin Mass, the liturgy that predates the 2007 reveals a long list of papal activities Second Vatican Council. and achievements. The pope said Mass celebrated The pope’s output according to the Reuters Gentile, CNS photo/Tony included four major 1962 Roman Missal documents and a should be made available lengthy book, more in every parish where than 200 speeches and 2 groups of the faithful sermons, two foreign desire it—though trips and three in Italy, 0 0 he said the new YEAR IN REVIEW the creation of new Roman Missal, intro- cardinals, and encoun- duced in 1970, remains ters with a lineup of world leaders, includ- the ordinary7 way of Catholic worship. ing U.S. President George W. Bush. November saw the release of the pope’s In April—just before celebrating his second encyclical, “Spe Salvi” (“On 80th birthday—the pope published Christian Hope”), which warned that Jesus of Nazareth, which made the case without faith in God humanity lies at the that Christ must be understood as the mercy of ideologies that can lead to “the Son of God on a divine mission, not as greatest forms of cruelty and violations of a mere moralist or social reformer. In justice.” six months, the book had sold more than One brief and unexpected document 2 million copies worldwide. came in June, when the pope stipulated In June, the pope issued a 55-page letter that a two-thirds majority is always to Chinese Catholics, setting out new required to elect a new pope. The guidelines to favor cooperation between document did away with a more flexible clandestine Catholic communities and rule that allowed for a simple majority those officially registered with the election in case of an impasse. government. The pope approved publication of other The pope’s letter strongly criticized the documents issued at the Vatican in 2007, limits placed by the Chinese government including a text by the International on the Church’s activities, but it invited Theological Commission that critiqued the civil authorities to a fresh and serious traditional concept of limbo and said there dialogue. Hopeful signs followed as China are good reasons to hope that babies who and the Vatican agreed on several bishops’ die without being baptized go to heaven. appointments. He traveled to Brazil in May, his first In July, in a long-awaited and papal trip to Latin America and the longest journey of his pontificate. Opening the Fifth General Conference of the Bishops of Latin America and the Caribbean, he warned against inroads by secularism, threats against the family and Eastern Oklahoma Catholic an erosion of traditional Latin American values. Pope Benedict XVI embraces a group of children during his visit to a Franciscan-run drug rehabilita- Visiting Austria in September, the tion center in Guaratingueta, Brazil, on May 12. It was the first of two trips outside Italy the pope made pope prayed at a Marian shrine with in 2007. In September, he visited Austria, celebrating Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Mariazell. tens of thousands of pilgrims. His Italian CNS photo/David Crenshaw, Crenshaw, CNS photo/David travels took him to Pavia, where he president examined moral and religious headlines was his weekly audience talk. In prayed at the tomb of St. Augustine, to questions, including “the defense and pro- 2007, the pope focused on early Christian Assisi in the footsteps of St. Francis, motion of life, marriage and the family,” witnesses and theologians, in essence con- and to Naples for the opening of an the Vatican said. tinuing his version of Church History 101. interreligious conference. The pope enhanced the Vatican agency Throughout the year, the pope and The pope continued to gradually that coordinates relations with Muslims, Vatican offices gave increased attention replace Roman Curia officials, but his appointing Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran as to environmental concerns. Global most important set of appointments came head of the Pontifical Council for warming was the subject of a Vatican- this fall when he named 23 new cardinals. Interreligious Dialogue. sponsored conference, and at the United Those receiving the red hat in a In October, 138 Muslim experts wrote Nations the Vatican’s representative said November consistory included two a letter to the pontiff calling for new protecting the environment was a Americans: Cardinal John P. Foley, head dialogue efforts based on the shared belief “moral imperative.” of the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher, and in one God, in God’s love for humanity The pope also spoke repeatedly about Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of and in people’s obligation to love one the moral responsibility to respect creation Galveston-Houston. another. In response, the pope invited a and share resources. In Austria, he even In June, the pope met Bush for the varied group of Muslim scholars to meet proposed that Sunday be considered not first time for talks that focused on the with him and Vatican experts sometime just a day of rest, but as “the Church’s precarious situation of Christians in Iraq next year. weekly feast of creation.” Father Edward Yew distributes Communion and other conflicts in the Middle East. The Vatican’s saintmakers were busy in The Vatican also collaborated in a refor- during a Tridentine Mass at St. Therese Church The Vatican took the opportunity to 2007 with 17 beatification liturgies. The estation project in Hungary designed to in Collinsville, Okla., in September. express the hope for a negotiated settle- pope canonized five people, including a offset carbon emissions from Vatican City, Pope Benedict XVI this year allowed for greater ment to “the conflicts and crises that are Franciscan friar who was Brazil’s first and announced it would install solar panels use of the Latin-language liturgy that predates tormenting the region.” native-born saint. to meet the energy needs of its audience the Second Vatican Council. On other issues, the pope and the One papal priority that rarely made hall. † Vatican paper says The Golden Compass lacks hope and leaves viewers feeling cold INVESTMENT Planning objectively VATICAN CITY (CNS)—The Vatican newspaper that Pullman despises religion and that his books are based for your success MANAGEMENT The Golden Compass criticized the movie , saying the film on an atheistic ideology. by SHERMAN & depicts a fantasy world that is without emotion, without hope The movie, it said, shows the result of such an ideology: a SERVICES ARMBRUSTER P.C. and without love. world in which love is missing. As a result, the film has an In that sense, the movie reflects the anti-Christian ideology emptiness and is “very far away from humanity,” it said. of Philip Pullman, the author of the book on which the movie In the movie, human freedom is depicted as doing what Plan For I Registered Investment Advisor is based, the newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, said in a one wants without obeying anyone’s orders, it said. Emotions I Personal Financial Planning I review on Dec. 18. are absent, even when the young protagonist finds her father. Success. Pension Plan Consultants “It’s a film that leaves one cold because it brings with it the It is a world in which machines count more than human life, www.s-a-cpa.com coldness and the desperation of rebellion, solitude and individ- it said. ualism,” the newspaper said. “The spectator of this film, if he is honest and gifted with “In the world of Pullman, hope simply doesn’t exist, a critical spirit, will feel no particular emotion, except for a 881-6670 Establish Your in part because there is no salvation, but only personal, great coldness—which is not only due to the polar scenes,” Financial Direction Today. individualistic capacity to control the situation and it said. Patrick A. Sherman, CPA dominate events,” it said. All this seems to confirm that “when God is pushed off Martin J. Armbruster, CPA/PFS, CFP The movie has provoked controversy in the United States. the horizon, everything is made smaller, sadder, colder and John D. Grant, CPA Some critics have said the film is anti-religious, for example, less human,” it said. in its depiction of a pseudo-religious dictatorship known as The article noted that The Golden Compass was not faring Fax 887-5692 609 Treybourne Drive the “Magisterium.” Others have said that even if the film is not as well as expected at the box office, and said it appeared this Suite A explicitly anti-Christian, it may lead young people to read could block plans for cinema adaptations of the other books Greenwood, Indiana 46142 Pullman’s books and be exposed to his atheistic agenda. in Pullman’s trilogy, titled His Dark Materials. e-mail: [email protected] The Vatican newspaper said it was clear from interviews “If that should happen, it wouldn’t be a big loss,” it said. † Page 10 The Criterion Friday, December 21, 2007 ‘Deeper Waters’ The Long Loneliness of social activist Dorothy Day By Julie McCarty wedlock. Because the child’s father threatened Years ago, when I was teaching fifth-grade to leave her if she didn’t get an abortion, she students in a Catholic school, a priest came to aborted her baby—something Dorothy would speak with our class about vocations. deeply regret for the rest of her life. Her lover CNS file photo During the question-and-answer period, abandoned her anyway, leaving her with a one boy blurted out, “Do you ever get double loss. lonely?” A couple of relationships later, Dorothy Without missing a beat, was happy to discover that once again she was the priest responded, carrying the miracle of life within her. At the “Sure I do—but everyone same time, she was growing more and more gets lonely sometimes.” interested in the Catholic faith, and wanted to Turning to me, he said, have her baby baptized. Again, the man she “Isn’t that true, Mrs. loved threatened to leave her unless she had McCarty? Don’t even an abortion. married people get This time, Dorothy found the inner courage lonely?” to have her baby, a little girl named Tamar, Frankly, I hadn’t given despite her lover’s threats and the stigma of Julie McCarty it much thought, but I being an unwed mother. found myself agreeing with him aloud. Who As a result, the man she loved left her—but was I to contradict a priest, especially in front she gained a daughter and the two were of the children? baptized Catholic. Now, in midlife, I heartily agree. All of us Loneliness was woven like a thread feel lonely now and then—for grandchildren through Dorothy’s life even after becoming Police and farmworkers flank Catholic Worker founder Dorothy Day, seated in a farmworkers picket line living far away, for friends or relatives who Catholic. Living in a time when unwed in Lamont, Calif., in 1973. She was arrested that day for violating an injunction limiting picketing. Day have passed away or for hoped-for spouse or motherhood was considered scandalous, some was chosen by a group of Church historians and theologians as the 20th century’s most outstanding children who never materialized. Christmas- people criticized her way of life. lay Catholic. time, with its great expectations and memo- In those days, few people would have ries of Christmas Past, may be an even more understood the challenges that single parents teachings about the Eucharist (Jn 6:66) or his Reflection questions difficult time for those who feel alone. face in juggling the demands of work, parent- hometown residents tried to kill him • Which people in my life might be When I feel the pinch of loneliness, one ing, church attendance, prayer and service to (Lk 4:29). experiencing loneliness? How might I reach person who comforts me is 20th-century others. Additionally, Dorothy received criti- On the night before Jesus died, when he out to them? Catholic convert Dorothy Day. cism about her moral positions and even spent most wanted companionship, his friends fell • When I feel lonely, what positive things Despite being a social activist, the founder time in jail more than once for taking a stand. asleep. On the cross, he cried out, “My God, might I do to take care of myself? of the Catholic Worker Movement and a Despite the unpleasantness of loneliness, it my God, why have you forsaken me?” • Can you think of other times when Jesus woman of prayer, Dorothy Day endured can become a catalyst for reaching out to (Mk 15:34; cf. Mt 27:46). may have felt lonely? loneliness so many times that her auto- others who suffer, just as Dorothy Day did In chapter 14 of John’s Gospel, Jesus biography is titled The Long Loneliness. again and again. promises us that loneliness is not a permanent To learn more about Dorothy Day, read: In her young adult life, Dorothy experi- We can build community or “family” in condition: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. • The Long Loneliness by Dorothy Day, enced five long months of loneliness when new places. We can look to comfort others … In my Father’s house there are many • Dorothy Day: Portraits by Those Who she first moved to New York. who feel loneliness. In the process, we can dwelling places. … I will come back again Knew Her by Rosalie G. Riegle, “In all that great city of seven million,” she also view loneliness as an opportunity to and take you to myself, so that where I am • Love Is the Measure: A Biography of wrote, “I found no friends; I had no work; I deepen our reliance upon God’s love and you also may be” (Jn 14:1-3). Dorothy Day by Jim Forest. was separated from my fellows.” mercy. Christmas is not only a celebration of Not having been raised in any particular When we feel lonely, abandoned or Christ’s coming 2,000 years ago, but also a (Julie McCarty is a syndicated columnist faith tradition, Dorothy led a wild lifestyle in rejected, we can take heart that Jesus, too, reminder that Christ will come again. and author of The Pearl of Great Price: her early adult years, something akin to the knew these experiences. In heaven, sorrow and loneliness will cease Gospel Wisdom for Christian Marriage, wild youth of St. Francis of Assisi or Surely he felt loneliness when his family for all will be embraced in the loving arms of Liturgical Press. Readers can contact St. Augustine. thought him crazy (Mk 3:21), his friend was God. McCarty via her Web site at As a result, Dorothy conceived a child out of in the tomb (Jn 11:35), people rejected his Come, Lord Jesus! www.juliemccarty.com.) † Vatican recruits ‘spiritual mothers’ to pray for priests, vocations

VATICAN CITY (CNS)—With a letter to perpetual eucharistic adoration “for the repa- Reparation, Spiritual Motherhood for Priests,” world,” it said. the world’s bishops and a 40-page illustrated ration of faults and sanctification of priests.” was focused specifically on encouraging Benedictine Mother Maria Sofia brochure, the Vatican’s Congregation for the But they also hoped to promote “a women to pray for priests. Cicchetti, prioress of the Mater Ecclesiae Clergy is encouraging eucharistic adoration commitment on the part of consecrated “The vocation to be a spiritual mother for community, is quoted in the brochure as for the holiness of priests and is recruiting feminine souls,” who, following the example priests” is not well-known enough and so it is saying, “We know that we have been “spiritual mothers” to pray for priests and of Mary, “might wish to spiritually adopt seldom practiced even though it is “funda- called to become spiritual mothers in our for vocations to the priesthood. priests in order to help them with their mental and vitally important,” said the silent and hidden life. Priests and The project, launched on Dec. 8, aims to self-offering, prayer and penance.” brochure, prepared by Archbishop Piacenza. seminarians have a privileged place as our highlight the link between the Eucharist and The letter asked bishops to promote in their The brochure ends with the story of the spiritual sons, as do all of those who turn the priesthood as well as Mary’s special role dioceses “a movement of prayer” centered on Mater Ecclesiae cloistered convent established to us asking for support in their priestly as the mother of every priest, said a letter perpetual eucharistic adoration and involving by Pope John Paul II in the Vatican in 1994 as life and ministry, in the trials and anxieties from the congregation’s top officials. priests, religious and laypeople. a center for contemplative nuns who would they encounter.” Cardinal Claudio Hummes, congregation They said they hoped that “a prayer of pray constantly for the pope and his ministry. prefect, and Archbishop Mauro Piacenza, adoration, thanksgiving, praise, petition and “Through this initiative, John Paul II made a (Editor’s note: The English translation of congregation secretary, said that as part of a reparation will be raised to God incessantly very clear statement to the whole world about the letter and brochure are available at wider effort to address the challenges facing and from every corner of the earth.” the indispensable importance of silent prayer www.clerus.org/clerus/dati/2007-12/07- priests today, they wanted to promote The 40-page brochure, “Adoration, and hidden sacrifice for our modern and hectic 999999/Adoration_for_priests.pdf.) † Heating and Air Conditioning ShelbyShelby UpholsteringUpholstering && InteriorsInteriors 30% off www.callthiele.com SERVICE & REPLACEMENT SPECIALISTS Selected Fabric Furnaces as low as John & Kara Traub SERVICE CALL • Custom reupholstery $99900* $ 95 • Custom Window Treatments Owners 59 • Blinds • Interior Painting Our staff has over 100 years • Carpet Sales & Installation “Our Family’s Business has been a HOUSE- of Catholic education SAVE HOLD WORD for over 70 years, owned and • Custom wood refinishing $ 00 operated since 1932!” 30 The Quass Grand Children • Antique restoration 317-639-1111 Check out our website Expires 1/21/08 shelbyupholstering.com Coupons must be presented at time of 1932 Same family third generation. 50,000 BTU “INDY’S OLDEST purchase. Cannot be UPFLOW combined with any 317-631-8911 1-800-331-7697 other offer! *Flue liner, Taxes, Permits, HEATING & COOLING COMPANY” Misc. Material Not Included SINCE 1883 639-1111 The Criterion Friday, December 21, 2007 Page 11 Catholic schools play a positive role in new drug report WASHINGTON (CNS)—Although it was the students had used drugs or alcohol, but somewhat overshadowed by former the number quickly plunged as the program Sen. George Mitchell’s Dec. 13 report detail- continued. ing drug use among dozens of Major League When the program was briefly suspended

Baseball players, another report released after Hurricane Katrina, the percentage of Reuters Young, CNS photo/Jim earlier in the week had better news about drug students found to have used drugs or alcohol use among middle and high school students. went up, but the numbers came back down The annual Monitoring the Future survey when testing resumed, school administrators of eighth-, 10th- and 12th-graders found that reported. the percentage of students reporting illicit drug Joshua Lavarine Jr., a 16-year-old use in the past month is continuing a decline De La Salle junior, told the president that that began in 2001. the drug-testing program helps students resist The percentage of those in the peer pressure. three grades who said they had used any illicit “If someone offers you drugs and you drug—including marijuana, Ecstasy, LSD, don’t have any reason to say no, you can say amphetamines, inhalants, methamphetamine, that my school drug-tests and if I take drugs steroids, cocaine, heroin, I am at risk of getting alcohol and cigarettes— expelled,” Lavarine said. in the past month went ‘The goal is to deal “You have a reason, and from 19.4 percent in no one looks down on 2001 to 14.8 percent in with this as a public you.” 2007, a 24 percent drop. health problem and not The 2007-08 The decline was most De La Salle student hand- dramatic among eighth- a policing problem. And book says, “The main U.S. President George W. Bush addresses a national summit on teen drug use in Washington on Dec. 11. graders, but was also goal of De La Salle’s seen among those in above all, to prevent.’ drug screening is to conducted by the University of Michigan for know how many Catholic schools have 10th and 12th grades. ensure that the school is the National Institute on Drug Abuse, found student drug testing or how many get The 2007 study a safe learning environ- that the use of prescription sedatives, tran- federal funds for it. involved 48,025 eighth-, —Bertha Madras, ment. Out of concern for quilizers and narcotic drugs, such as But the programs she has heard about 10th- and 12th-graders in all the students and the OxyContin and Vicodin, are holding steady, “take a counseling approach” and aim to a nationally representa- deputy director of the larger community of resisting the downward trend. The abuse of provide “whatever support that young tive sample of 403 public Office of National Drug New Orleans, De La Salle over-the-counter cough and cold medica- person needs” through the combined and private schools. seeks to deter any tions—first introduced into the study in resources of the family, the community and At a Dec. 11 Control Policy serious drug problem by 2006—also saw little improvement. the school. White House event for helping to ensure that no “Unauthorized sale of, purchase of, “There’s no disciplinary action” unless release of the Monitoring student at the school is irresponsible use of and/or distribution of the student tests positive for drugs in a the Future study, President George W. Bush using illegal drugs.” prescription and/or over-the-counter medica- second test, she added. met with law enforcement and other govern- Each student receives a hair-analysis drug tion is considered a violation of the school’s Bertha Madras, deputy director of the ment officials, former teen drug abusers and test at least once during the school year. drug policy,” the De La Salle handbook says. Office of National Drug Control Policy, said the heads of faith-based and community Once a student has been tested, his or her No firm numbers are available on how in April that 497 schools nationwide receive organizations that work to help them. Also, name is returned to the pool for possible many schools—public or private—require federal funding for drug testing and another there were representatives of schools where selection again. A positive drug test is students to undergo random drug testing. 500 do testing without federal aid. Her random drug testing of the student body has followed by a conference with parents and Some mandate it only for student athletes or office has made about $35 million available made a difference, including De La Salle High counseling is recommended; a second those who participate in other extracurricular in grants to public and private schools for School in Kenner, La., near New Orleans. positive test results in expulsion. activities, while others include all students. drug testing since 2003, she said. In 1998, the 500-student school run by the The De La Salle policy also deals with Notre Dame Sister Mary Frances “The goal is to deal with this as a Christian Brothers became one of the first another aspect of the drug problem—the Taymans, who is executive director of the public health problem and not a policing schools in the country to require random drug abuse of prescription and over-the-counter secondary schools department at the problem,” Madras told a regional gather- testing for the entire student body. Initial test medications. National Catholic Educational Association in ing of educators from 18 states. “And results found that as many as 20 percent of The Monitoring the Future survey, Washington, said on Dec. 14 that she did not above all, to prevent.” † Catholics move to end Illinois funds for embryonic stem-cell research

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. (CNS)—In light of cancer. Wyand MaryPhotos by Ann new scientific evidence demonstrating how Since 2003, the Illinois conference has primitive embryonic-like stem cells can be battled to prevent Illinois from funding created without destroying human embryos, research using human embryos. the Catholic Conference of Illinois is pushing Two years ago, without the approval of for new legislation to end state-sanctioned the Illinois General Assembly, Gov. Rod funding of embryonic stem-cell research Blagojevich used an executive order to through the Illinois Regenerative Medicine create and fund the Illinois Regenerative Institute. Medicine Institute. The institute provides “Human embryos should not be used in grants for adult and embryonic stem-cell any type of research, and that should be in the research along with research on law,” said Zach Wichmann, associate director therapeutic human cloning which seeks to of education for the conference, the public replicate embryonic stem-cell lines. This policy arm for the state’s Catholic bishops. year, however, the General Assembly In addition to being immoral, he said, voted to approve the institute. there is no scientific reason to continue The Catholic conference has started using embryos. gathering support for legislation prevent- “We think now that science has pro- ing the institute from supporting research gressed to a point where it seems that that destroys or clones human embryos. Senior Mass embryonic stem-cell research is no longer However, Wichmann stressed that the necessary—that we can ban that procedure,” conference does not oppose the institute’s Roncalli High School seniors Wichmann told the Catholic Explorer, Joliet funding of adult stem-cell research. Leo Zheng, left, of Indianapolis diocesan newspaper, in a telephone inter- According to a statement issued by the and Nick Meyer, a member of view from his Springfield office. Loyola University Medical Center, Stiff St. Barnabas Parish in Indianapolis, Recently, two research studies indepen- received $1.4 million from the Illinois pray during the Senior Mass dently confirmed that ordinary skin cells Regenerative Medicine Institute in 2006 celebrated by Archbishop Daniel M. can be genetically reprogrammed to work as to investigate ways of growing “both Buechlein on Dec. 10 at SS. Peter effectively as embryonic stem cells. blood stem cells and immune cells from and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis. Wichmann said the new research poses cord-blood stem cells outside the body.” Seniors from private and inter- no moral conflict since human embryos are Wichmann said he expects resistance parochial Catholic high schools not needed. to the proposed legislation. “It’s not in the archdiocese gathered for Dr. Patrick Stiff, director of Loyola’s something that is going to happen over- worship with the archbishop and Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center in night. It’s going to take time and a lot of assisted with the liturgy as lectors, Maywood, said genetically manipulating a discussion and a lot of work, no doubt.” gift bearers and musicians. patient’s own skin cells to regenerate new Stiff disputed an assertion by tissues eliminates any chance of rejection or Richard Murphy, interim president of the the need for powerful anti-rejection drugs. California Institute for Regenerative Speaking with the Explorer on the Medicine, that research involving human telephone, he said, “It’s the ideal way of embryos will be needed to test the safety getting enough cells for anybody.” of the reprogrammed cells. Murphy said Stiff, a member of St. Margaret Mary human embryonic stem cells remain Parish in Naperville, has done extensive the “gold standard” because of their work using adult stem cells from pluripotency, their capacity to become umbilical-cord blood to successfully treat any type of human cell. † Page 12 The Criterion Friday, December 21, 2007 Pope says joy of Christmas season comes fr om Jesus’ presence

VATICAN CITY (CNS)—Consecrating a new parish the Lord is near.” church, blessing figurines of the Baby Jesus and reciting Pope Benedict told the parishioners that all their hard the Angelus with visitors in St. Peter’s Square, work and sacrifice in building the church and worrying over Pope Benedict XVI said the joy of the holiday season every detail should be a symbol of the sacrifice and care comes from knowing Jesus is present among people and with which they prepare their hearts for the Lord’s coming can work through them. and their lives for living as Christians. The pope began on Dec. 16 by blessing Rome’s new “The living community is more sacred than the material Our Lady of the Rosary Church, sprinkling the building temple we consecrate,” the pope said. “And to build this with holy water, filling its corners with incense smoke and living, spiritual temple—which is you—there is need for CNS photo/Alessia Giualiani, Catholic Press Photo anointing its altar with oil. much prayer” and active participation in the liturgy, While the third Sunday of Advent, which is called catechesis, and the charitable and cultural activities that the Gaudete Sunday, includes a special invitation to rejoice, he parish offers. said, “in truth, all of Advent is a call to joy because ‘the “May the care we show for the material building— Lord is coming,’ because he comes to save us.” sprinkling it with holy water, anointing it with oil and Preparing for Christmas, the pope said, the Mass filling it with incense—be a sign and a stimulus for a more readings “constantly repeat that we must wake from the intense care in defending and promoting the temple of sleep of habit and mediocrity; we must abandon sadness the person, which is formed by you, dear parishioners,” and discouragement; we must strengthen our hearts because Pope Benedict said. Returning to the Vatican for the midday recitation of the Pope Benedict Angelus, the pope told people in St. Peter’s Square that the XVI greets a joy of Advent and Christmas comes from knowing that baby at God, in Jesus Christ, became one of us. Our Lady of the “Christian joy arises from this certainty: God is near, he Rosary Church is with me, he is with us in joy and sorrow, in health and

in Rome on CNS photo/Chris Reuters Helgren, sickness, as a friend and faithful spouse,” the pope said. Dec. 16. Pope Benedict said the fact that Christian joy remains The pope despite sorrow and struggle can be seen in the life of consecrated Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, who had long periods of feeling the new parish that God had abandoned her, but she continued to smile and church. to take God’s love to the poor and the dying. “Yes, joy enters the hearts of those who place them- selves at the service of the small and the poor. In those who An 86-foot Christmas tree is seen lit against the backdrop of love that way, God takes up residence and the soul St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican on Dec. 14. rejoices,” he said. “If, instead, one makes happiness an idol, he takes the square in preparation for placing them in Nativity scenes at wrong path, and the joy of which Jesus speaks is truly home and at school. difficult to find,” the pope said. While he wished the children a Merry Christmas, he At the end of the audience, Pope Benedict blessed asked their parents, priests and teachers “to collaborate with statues of the Baby Jesus that children brought to the enthusiasm for the Christian education of the little ones.” † Church official says Christians will keep hold on the Holy Land

VATICAN CITY (CNS)—Despite severe only for educating children, but also for A man holds a child as economic challenges and political tensions, keeping families rooted in their faith and he lights a candle in the Christians in Israel and the Palestinian for promoting peaceful coexistence Church of the Nativity in territories will continue to hold on to the between Catholics and Muslims, he said. the West Bank town of Holy Land “with our fingernails” if need be, Since the late 1940s, he said, Catholic Bethlehem on Dec. 16. said the head of the Franciscan Custody of schools in the region have welcomed Reuters CNS photo/Ammar Awad, the Holy Land. Muslim students. While the number of Catholics in Israel Where Christians and Muslims live side remains stable, the number of Christians in by side and where their children study the Palestinian territories and the surround- together, the Franciscan said, it is easier to ing lands continues to plummet, said promote interreligious dialogue and Franciscan Father Pierbattista Pizzaballa, respect for the belief of others. superior of more than 300 Franciscans who “The situation is completely different provide pastoral care at the Christian with the Jewish community,” he said. holy sites. “Israelis do not need our schools or hospi- The Franciscan priest spoke with journal- tals, but dialogue is equally important. ists at the Vatican on Dec. 17 in conjunction “This is an area where we need to with the release of “Terra Sancta: Guardians invest more effort,” he said. “We have an 40 percent are forcing Christians to leave For Church personnel working in Israel, of Salvation’s Sources,” a three-hour DVD obligation to dialogue.” the territories, he said. there is still a problem with obtaining about the Franciscan Custody dubbed in On an ecumenical level, he said, “there “In 1967, Christians formed the visas, especially if the priest or religious eight languages, including English, Spanish is a ‘dialogue of the condominium,’ majority of Bethlehem‘s population,” comes from an Arab country, although and Arabic. because we literally live under the same Father Pierbattista said. “Today it is less Father Pierbattista said some new visas Father Pierbattista said there were about roof,” sharing space in several of than 10 percent.” were issued just before Christmas. 120,000 Christians left in Israel and the Christianity’s holiest sites, including the The fact that 2007 marked a boom in Archbishop Antonio Veglio, secretary of Palestinian territories. About half of them Church of the Holy Sepulcher, where pilgrims to the Holy Land, including the Vatican’s Congregation for Eastern are Catholic and the vast majority are tradition says Jesus was buried. Bethlehem, has helped ease the suffering Churches, said the Vatican nuncio to Israel Palestinians. But political uncertainty and the serious somewhat, he said, because most was scheduled to meet on Dec. 18 with The Catholic schools, especially in the economic challenges coming from an Christians work in jobs connected to the Israeli officials to try to further ease the Palestinian territories, are a key resource not unemployment rate hovering around tourist trade. visa situation. †

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SHELBY COUNTY—A small brick church stands like a faithful witness amid the fallow wintertime fields. Lights from nearby homes and farmhouses dot the landscape that is slowly being covered by a dark, nighttime sky. Cars filled with worshipers wind their way through the country roads to St. Vincent de Paul Church in rural Shelby County. It’s Christmas Eve 2006. Everyone has finished their Christmas shopping. Throughout the season of Advent, they may have set aside a moment here or there to contemplate and prepare for Christ’s future coming in glory. Now, as they open the doors to the church and go from the darkness of an early winter night into the glow of warm lights inside, they kneel in prayer beside their family, friends and fellow parishioners. In the hour to come, young children will show their love for Jesus. Adults, perhaps filled with the youthful joy that is a hallmark of Christmas, will listen to the proclamation of God’s Word and take part in the Eucharist, the sacrifice of love that is the reason that Christ came into the world. It is time to welcome the Christ child, the Word-made-flesh, once again. †

After the Mass is over, St. Vincent de Paul parishioner Dustin Roell talks with his daughter, Jillian, about the Nativity scene at his parish’s church.

Charles Collins, a member of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Shelby County, holds his granddaughter, Lindsey Pahl, as he awaits the start of Christmas Eve Mass on Dec. 24, 2006. Father Paul Landwerlen, pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Shelby County, shows his Christmas joy during the homily he preached during a Christmas Eve Mass celebrated in his parish’s church on Dec. 24, 2006.

Cody Smiley, a St. Vincent de Paul parishioner, carries a drawing of a crown to the front of his parish church during a Christmas pageant prior to the Christmas Eve Mass.

Photos by Sean Gallagher St. Vincent de Paul parishioner Carol Shaw kneels in prayer during the Christmas Eve Mass. Page 14 The Criterion Christmas Supplement Friday, December 21, 2007 The Christmas story as Joseph might have written about it By John F. Fink my home because it was indeed as Mary had said—the child was conceived through the Holy Spirit. Every now and then, archaeologists discover something I was greatly relieved. It is not that I doubted Mary’s from the time that Jesus lived. story as that I was simply perplexed at how it could be. Hill CNS photo/Debbie Let’s suppose that the following letter was discovered I had never heard of a virgin conceiving a child, and I below the ancient church in the Arab village of El-Qoubeibeh suppose it took a visit from an angel to convince me that it (pronounced “L-Co-baby”) seven miles from Jerusalem. was true. The village is believed to be the Emmaus to which two The angel, by the way, told me to call the child Jesus disciples were walking when Jesus appeared to them after his “because he will save his people from their sins” resurrection (Lk 24:13-35). One of the disciples was Cleopas, (Mt 1:19-21). The angel had earlier told Mary the same and the church is built over what is believed to be his home. thing (Lk 1:31). Some scholars believe that Cleopas was the brother of As you know, Cleopas, we went ahead with the second Joseph, Mary’s husband. It was probably his wife—whom stage of our wedding—the celebration during which I John’s Gospel calls “Mary the wife of Clopas”—who stood brought Mary into my home. We were glad that you and with Mary at the foot of the cross when Jesus was crucified your Mary were able to be present to help us celebrate our (Jn 19:25). marriage. Shortly before it was time for Mary to deliver Jesus, Dear Cleopas, Caesar Augustus ordered that census. That meant that I had Yes, after all this time it is I, Joseph. I am sorry it has been to go to Bethlehem, the home of our ancestors, to be so long since you last heard from me, and I am sure you are enrolled. We thought that you might be there at the same surprised to be getting a letter from Egypt. time, but apparently you had already been there, registered So much has happened since my Mary and I last saw you and returned to Emmaus. Of course, you did not have as far and your wife, Mary, at our wedding in Nazareth. I thought to travel as we did. it was about time that I wrote to you with news. Mary insisted on going along because she knew that The best news is that our baby, whom we named Jesus, Jesus was meant to be born in Bethlehem. While she was was born. I apologize for being so late in telling you about visiting Elizabeth and her husband, Zechariah, they had that. I am writing now, though belatedly, to explain just how access to the Scriptures and they discovered a passage that marvelous God has been to us. said, “And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means I did not tell anyone during our wedding ceremony, but least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a Mary was already more than three months pregnant at the ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel” (Mt 2:6). time. And no, I am not the father of her child. Obviously, there Mary believed that the census was God’s way of would have been no sin if I was because our betrothal, the real providing the reason for Jesus to be born in Bethlehem. Mary and Joseph kneel at the crib of the infant Christ in this icon wedding, had taken place earlier, but the fact is that I am not I walked the four-day trip to Bethlehem, and Mary rode from the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. The Dec. 25 Jesus’ biological father. Few people know that. on our donkey. Once we got to Bethlehem, I had a difficult Christmas feast commemorates the birth of Christ. The Christmas Shortly after our betrothal, Mary told me that she had to time finding a place where Mary could have her privacy season begins with the Dec. 24 evening vigil and ends on the feast visit her aunt, Elizabeth, because Elizabeth, despite her age, since so many of our cousins were there for the census. We of the Baptism of the Lord on Jan. 13. was pregnant. Mary was gone for three months and, after she eventually found a dry cave that was used as a stable. We returned, I learned that she also was with child. were able to have our donkey put up in the stable, and there arrived at the house. They told Mary that they were magi, Needless to say, I was shocked. Mary is the holiest person was also an ox there. or astrologers, who were searching for the newborn king I have ever known, and it was hard for me to imagine that she And that is where Jesus was born. Mary wrapped him in of the Jews because they had seen his star at its rising would be unfaithful to me. We had, in fact, agreed that we swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger. (Mt 2:1-2, 9-12). would not have sexual relations during our marriage and that Not long after his birth, we had some visitors. Shepherds They had been to Jerusalem, where they met with she would remain a virgin. But now, since she was with child, had been tending their flocks at night when, they said, an King Herod. He asked the chief priests and scribes where she apparently had had sexual relations with a man. angel appeared to them—probably Gabriel again—and told the Messiah was to be born, and they found the same pas- Mary explained that an angel appeared to her. I know this them that “a Savior has been born for you who is Messiah sage that Mary had found in Scripture so Herod sent the will be hard for you to believe, but this is what Mary said. The and Lord” (Lk 2:11). He told them how to find us in the magi to Bethlehem. I was surprised that they left valuable angel, whose name was Gabriel, told her that, of all the cave. Then, they said, a whole multitude of angels appeared gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. women in the world and throughout all the centuries, she had and were singing, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth That night, I had another dream. This time, the angel told been chosen to be the mother of a man who would be known peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Lk 2:12-14). me to get up immediately and flee to Egypt with Mary and as the Son of the Most High and who would reign over the Naturally, we had Jesus circumcised when he was Jesus because Herod was about to search for Jesus and kill house of Jacob forever. eight days old. By that time, I had been able to find a house him! (Mt 2:13-14). Mary told me that she asked the angel how that could for us since most of those who had come to Bethlehem to It was a nightmare journey, taking a week, through happen since, as I said, she and I had agreed that she would register had returned to their homes. deserts where it was difficult to find water, and I worried remain a virgin. Gabriel said that the Holy Spirit would come We decided to remain in Bethlehem until it was time that Herod’s men might be chasing us. upon her and the child would be called the Son of God. for Mary’s purification 40 days after Jesus’ birth, as They were not, of course, as we have just learned. I am That is also when the angel told her that Elizabeth was prescribed by Scripture (Lv 12:2-8). I managed to find sure you know more about what happened than we do, but six months pregnant. I had wondered how she knew about that, some work as a carpenter. word has just come that Herod sent soldiers to Bethlehem to but had assumed that she received a letter from Elizabeth. Since we were living only five miles from Jerusalem, we massacre all of the boys who were 2 years old or younger. Mary then agreed to do what the angel asked. She replied, went to the Temple for the purification. After Mary purified The soldiers were not chasing us because they thought they “I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me as you herself, we went into the Temple and offered two pigeons. had already killed Jesus (Mt 2:16). have said” (Lk 1:38). Since Jesus was our first-born son, we consecrated him to So now we are in Egypt. We intend to stay here until The angel left her, and she immediately made plans to go to the law as Scripture requires us to do (Ex 13:2-12). Herod dies. When we return, I think we will go back to Judea to help Elizabeth. While we were there, an elderly man named Simeon Nazareth. After the massacre of the babies in Bethlehem, we When she got back and told me that she was with child, I recognized Jesus as the Messiah and said a prayer in which would not want to return there. Besides, it is too close to did not know what to do. If I accused her of adultery, she he told God that he could now take him because his eyes Jerusalem in case Archelaus succeeds his father, Herod. I could have been stoned to death in accordance with Scripture had seen God’s salvation. think it would be best for us to go to Galilee. (Dt 22:21-23). I certainly did not want that to happen. Finally, Also, an 84-year-old prophetess named Anna praised We hope to see you soon. We will keep you in our I decided that the best thing to do was to divorce her quietly. Jesus to all who were around. One sorrowful thing prayers. That is what I planned to do when an angel appeared to me, happened, though. Simeon told Mary that a sword will too, in a dream. You have to believe me, Cleopas, since this pierce her soul. Your brother, Joseph would not be the last time this angel appeared to me. The shepherds were not the only visitors we had while He told me that I should not be afraid to take Mary into we were living in Bethlehem. Some men from the East (John F. Fink is editor emeritus of The Criterion.) †

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By Helen F. Welter it closed. Special to The Criterion When my grandmother died the follow- ing fall, I remember how proud I was to As a child, I was one in a family of be able to carry my own little suitcase— seven children and my parents struggled none of my sisters had such a thing!—as to “make ends meet.” we traveled to another city for her funeral. Our Christmas was small, and most I remember the delight it was to open of the gifts that Santa brought us were that zipper and “check” to see that my homemade. clothing was still in place. That little However, one gift that we received suitcase became my own secret, magic each year, usually a few days before bag that carried me to far-off imaginary Christmas, was new and came from an places. older couple who lived next door to us. So now, many years later, as I wrap and Their only child was grown and had send Christmas gifts to a child whose moved out of the city. Every year, these single Mom struggles to provide gifts to neighbors would wrap an individual gift her daughter—who is about the age I was for each of the seven of us—something when I received that special gift—I recall bought in a store that we would never the joy and pleasure of the wonderful have thought of asking Santa to bring us. present I received and hope that she, too, One year, when I was about 6 years finds some secret magic in the gifts that I old, my gift was a small, child-size send to her. suitcase. Even today, 50-plus years later, I remember the shiny maroon leather-like (Helen F. Welter is a member of grain of the case and the zipper that held St. Barnabas Parish in Indianapolis.) † Boy surprises family with solo at Christmas Eve Mass By Mary Ann O’Riley Lassuy mother knew of the “special surprise.” Special to The Criterion To top it off, there was a second surprise. When we turned around, sitting My favorite Christmas memory behind us were our grandparents, several happened many years ago. It was uncles and our favorite aunt, who had Christmas Eve in 1934. driven through the snow from A crystal clear sky was filled with Hoopeston, Ill., to share in the special bright, shiny stars, and a soft layer of surprise. freshly fallen snow covered the ground That multi-talented little boy grew up, Mother and Child and lined the branches of the trees. It was went to war in Europe, came home and magical. went to college, studied art in Chicago A bronze statue depicting the Virgin Mary holding the Christ Child graces a gravesite at Our Lady of Mom, Dad and the five of us children then music and dance in New York, and Peace Cemetery in Indianapolis. Each section of the north side Catholic cemetery is named for a piled into our—even then—vintage car, a performed on Broadway as well as in Marian image. Durand, and headed for Remington, Ind., Canada, Texas, and up and down the because our town of Wolcott, Ind., did not East Coast. have a Catholic church. He finally gave up show business, Sacred Heart Parish had a school for came back to Indianapolis and became a first- through sixth-grade students. Our mortician. Our three brothers were all brother, Jim, attended the parish school. morticians. We filed into the church and settled Finally, as we always thought he into our pew. The altar was decorated would, he entered the seminary. That with flowers and candles. little boy became Father James K. O’Riley. The Christmas crèche was awaiting the He served as God’s servant in the arrival of Baby Jesus, who was to be Archdiocese of Indianapolis for more placed in the manger by Father Fitzgerald. than 25 years until he joined the celestial The organist began playing the organ choir in 2004. and a beautiful, young voice began He filled our lives with prayer, joy, singing “Silent Night” then “O Little laughter and music—all starting with our Town of Bethlehem” and “Ave Maria.” It “special surprise” at midnight Mass and was extraordinary. our parents’ decision to send Jim to My sister and I turned to see who the Catholic school. vocalist was and we were surprised to see that it was our little brother, who was (Mary Ann O’Riley Lassuy is a member of then in the fourth-grade. Only he and our St. Malachy Parish in Brownsburg.) †

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of books, handmade gifts Wiechec CNS photo/Nancy

By Bonnie Schott Goodwill Store. I would get so excited if I Special to The Criterion could afford one or two, but in my heart I always wanted to get the whole big stack. When I was growing up in the 1950s and One Christmas, Santa surprised me ’60s in Indianapolis, my father was the jani- with 20 used Golden Books from the tor and school bus driver for St. Roch School Goodwill Store! I could hardly believe my first then Immaculate Heart of Mary Church eyes when I opened the gift. I knew that and School for about 30 years. my Mom and Dad would have spent a Money was always tight as Mom tried to whole dollar on just me to provide such a feed and clothe all 10 of us children on bountiful gift. Dollars were hard to come Dad’s income and keep us in Catholic by in those days at our house. schools. I not only read the books to myself Looking back, Christmas must have over and over, but also read them to my been a challenge for her as she heard us younger brothers and sisters as we played pour out our heart’s desires to Santa. school, “house” and other imaginative Even though she couldn’t afford new activities. dolls for us girls each year, she always To this day, whenever I think of special found ways to sew beautiful new doll Christmas gifts, I always remember my clothes for us from scraps of fabric that joy and surprise when I received those people gave her. She did the sewing after 20 precious children’s books with their we went to bed so they would be a surprise shiny gold bindings. for us on Christmas morning. But more than that, I remember what a Sporting our little “overnight” suitcases struggle it must have been for my Mom of homemade doll clothes, we were the and Dad to provide Christmas presents for proud owners of miniature works of art, all of us. and didn’t realize it until years later And I thank God for all the generous when we were trying to pull together Christmas Angels who reach out to the memorable Christmases for our own poor at Christmas every year and make families. dreams come true for children who would Growing up in Sacred Heart of Jesus otherwise have nothing. Many of those Parish, we lived near an early Angels are my friends. Goodwill Store, which was about a mile’s Now my Mom and Dad—Joseph and walk north of our house. It was always an Hazel Burns—are enjoying “The Ultimate adventure to walk there with our mother and Christmas” in heaven with Jesus. May see what we could find for a nickel or two. God reward them for the hard work and We would save up our earnings from sacrifices they made for so many years to redeeming glass Coca-Cola bottles found in take care of our family. the neighborhood then purchase some trea- Visit of Magi sure at the Goodwill Store. I was always (Bonnie Burns Schott is a member of The visit of the Magi is portrayed in a stained-glass window at St. Michael’s Cathedral in drawn to the toys and books. St. Roch Parish in Indianapolis.) † Toronto. The feast of the Epiphany of the Lord in the Catholic Church in the West is Jan. 6, Golden Books were a nickel each at the 2008. It commemorates the adoration of the newborn Christ by the Magi, or Wise Men.

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By Margi Logan before for another great time. I have to Special to The Criterion admit that I was really enjoying all of these family celebrations. I did not have to The best Christmas for me was cook, clean up or help with anything. Dec. 25, 1968. God gave my husband, By 6 p.m., my husband and I decided Mike, and I a baby boy, Tim, our third that it was time to call the doctor and go son, born on Jesus Christ’s birthday. to the hospital. Our day started quite early because our When I informed the nurses about what other two sons, Brian and Joe, could not a great day I had enjoying the holiday wait any longer to see what Santa had food, they were not too happy with me. I brought them. had planned to forgo anesthetic and stay Sleeping in for them that day was awake for the birth of my baby, but I probably around 5 a.m. or 6 a.m. realize now how careless it was to eat Grandma had spent the night with us and meals while in labor. she enjoyed watching the children open God was on our side and our baby was their presents. She made our day extra delivered about 9:30 p.m. special by being there. Later in the evening, the nurse brought My Auntie Vi called before 8 a.m. to our baby to us dressed in a Christmas tell me that she knew I was going to have stocking. They also gave him a beautiful a Christmas baby. She did not know that I silver cup. had been having labor pains for the past We were also blessed with two daugh- three days so I was hoping that she was ters, Beth and Trisha, in later years. right. Christmas babies are special, and I feel As the day progressed, the labor pains very honored to have my son share became a little more frequent, but not bad Christ’s birthday. enough to call the doctor. Our son, Tim, will be 39 this I was so grateful that I could be home Christmas. How fast the years have gone on Christmas morning to see the boys by. Thank you, son, for the great memo- Mary in the snow open their presents. But there were still ries and most of all for being there for us some places I wanted to go that day. in the good and bad times. We love you. A statue of Mary stands amid newly fallen snow outside a home in Indianapolis on Dec. 16. Several My brother and his wife were having a inches of snow fell on communities across central Indiana during the early morning hours of wonderful Christmas dinner and party. My (Margi Logan is a member of Holy Spirit Dec. 16, the third Sunday of Advent. husband’s family had hosted us the night Parish in Indianapolis.) † Christmas Mass unites family in their love for Jesus By Catherine Grannan McCleary Every year after, to my recollection, we knelt to pray and So every year we all remember and thank the good Lord Special to The Criterion say “hi” and how much we love Jesus, too. because we are still able to continue celebrating Baby Jesus’ When I grew older, I was also able to receive Jesus in birthday together. Remembering past Christmases, I recall my family—my holy Communion. Our Mom and Dad, two brothers, my husband and other Mom and Dad, my five brothers and me—going to Mass at By this time, we were attending midnight Mass at the relatives join us from heaven. 5 a.m. at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis. cathedral. Still, all our family attended Mass and received I was very young for my first memory around the 1940s. holy Communion. (Catherine McCleary is a member of St. Thomas More We would get up in the dark and drive a long time to the Each year, we would go back home, have breakfast, open Parish in Mooresville.) † church. Then we would go into this big gray church with Christmas presents and enjoy each other’s company. columns taller than even my parents. This tradition still goes on. Every year on one Sunday in Inside, there were beautiful lights and decorations and all December, we—the sons and daughters and our families— kinds of people kneeling. meet at one of the parish churches in Indianapolis, Brownsburg I remember the beautiful Christmas music and Mass in or Mooresville. Latin. I didn’t know much about it. As I grew older, I learned We attend Mass and receive holy Communion. Then we go how important it all was. somewhere to have dinner and enjoy each other’s company. There, on the side of the railing, was the Baby Jesus with We’ve had aunts and uncles and cousins and other relatives Mary and Joseph and all the animals. join us. Sometimes we have around 75 to 80 people. I learned that this was my friend, who was born on Oh, yes, we sing Christmas carols and songs, too. That was Christmas. also a tradition that my parents started years ago.

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By Frank Wiseman “Santa,” Caleb said. “Katie and me CNS photo/Dario Pignatelli, Reuters Special to The Criterion wants to show you what we did yesterday.” I have many great Christmas He took one of my hands and Katie memories,but this one has a special took the other, and they led me to the place in my heart. kitchen. There on the counter was a I have dressed up as Santa Claus each cake that I could see looked like they Christmas for 39 years, and visited had indeed helped to decorate with schools, churches, an orphanage and icing. private homes. As we got closer, I could see that it It was Christmas morning in 2001. I had “Happy birthday, Jesus” written live in Floyds Knobs, and at the time my on it. only two grandchildren lived in Franklin, Caleb told me that he, Katie and Tenn. Caleb was almost 4 and Katie was Mommy made Jesus a birthday cake. 15 months old. This old Santa got a tear in his eye I had driven to within an hour and a and a lump in his throat. Through all Christmas at the Vatican half of their house on Christmas Eve and the glitter and glamour and the hustle St. Peter’s Square is reflected on a Christmas decoration at the Vatican on Dec. 8. spent the night. I left there at 4:30 a.m. and bustle of getting ready for so I would be standing beside the tree as Christmas, my son and daughter-in-law they awoke on Christmas morning. had taken the time to make sure that I arrived and—as arranged in advance their children knew the true meaning of Woman misses yesteryear and with my son and daughter-in-law—let Christmas. myself in. I placed the presents under the That three-hour drive home by old-fashioned Christmas in city tree and sat in a chair to await the sound myself on Christmas morning gave me of tiny footsteps descending the staircase. time to do a lot of thinking about how By Mary C. Vinci of Christmas was celebrated at Monument It was not long before I heard Caleb proud I am of my family. Special to The Criterion Circle with the Nativity scene, the crosses, say, “Mommy! Mommy! Santa is still My wife is a nurse and she was the angels and the Star of Bethlehem as well here!” working so that the nurses with younger If this writer were asked today whether I as Santa Claus and his reindeer all decorated. As they entered the room, I acted as if children could be home with them on like Indianapolis with all its fast life, my There was a shelter to house the many I was startled. I told them that I must Christmas morning. answer would be, “No, I prefer the beauty of carolers representing groups from all over the have fallen asleep, and that I hoped that I I was proud of knowing that my our times during the early years when we were state that came to sing at Monument Circle. did not wake them up. grandchildren were being taught what known as the city of ‘Indiana-noplace.’ ” In those days, we all realized the true Caleb assured me that if I had then and why we celebrate at this time I loved our small-town atmosphere in a meaning of the Christmas season. that was quite all right. of year. time when life was easy. And, in those days, we did not need to I got down on one knee and started This Santa’s rosy checks were not As a girl of 13, I would walk downtown lock our doors and windows. Now we have handing out gifts. I helped Katie with the red from the cold, but from the tears of from my home in Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish alarm systems. With all the crime, we don’t wrappings on her gifts then I sat each joy that rested upon them all the way on the near south side to shop in the stores. know if and when we may return to our one on my knee and told them that I home. During the Christmas season, the down- homes safe and sound. wanted them to take good care of their “Merry Christmas to all, and to all a town was all aglow with decorations, We are a growing city, but I prefer the presents, and to do what their Mom and good night! Happy birthday, Jesus!” especially the L.S. Ayres department store’s “good old days” in the small but beautiful Dad told them to do, and to be good and front windows. I also remember the L.S. Ayres “Indiana-noplace.” I would come to see them next year. (Frank Wiseman is a member of and William H. Block tearooms. Then I said my farewells and started St. Mary-of-the-Knobs Parish in All the downtown stores were decorated. (Mary C. Vinci is a member of Holy Name of toward the door. 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X X X

Physicians of Indiana We invite you to participate in the financial underwriting of this program. Please send contributions to: Catholic Communications Center, P.O. Box 1410, Indianapolis, IN 46206-1410 Write or call for a free copy of the weekly missal for your use at home. (317) 236-1585 or 1-800-382-9836, ext. 1585. Plum Creek Sponsored by: PLUM CREEK TheCriterion FAMILY MEDICINE Family Medicine 1303 N. Arlington Ave., Suite 5 Indianapolis, IN 46219 Wishes everyone a (317) 355-2800 St. Vincent Merry Christmas Hospitals and and Health Services Healthy New Year The Criterion Christmas Supplement Friday, December 21, 2007 Page 19 Broken Nativity set leads woman to conversion experience

By Denise Bossert away childish things. It was time to buy a “What’s your problem?” he had asked the old Nativity set that much. The memo- Special to The Criterion Nativity set that truly reflects the first me. “We were long overdue for a new set ries are still beautiful to me—like the Christmas and honors the beauty, the anyway.” memories of the spiritual journey that Over 20 years ago, I bought an reverence and the gift of the Word-Made- That may be the case, but it still isn’t came before my conversion to the unpainted plaster Nativity set from an Flesh. No more of the sentimental, easy to see it all come crashing down Catholic Church. arts and crafts store during their childlike Joseph and Mary. We were ready before my eyes. It’s so final. It isn’t so much a letting go or a after-Christmas sale. for something more. Likewise, potential converts struggle throwing away as it is a growing and I spent a substantial amount of time Conversion has been a lot like this for with deep attachments to the past. I accepting of God’s full design for his during the next year painting each little me. Cradle Catholics may wonder why it is suppose it’s because there is something Beloved. It is such a relief when we see piece and constructing a stable for the so difficult for Protestants to begin to see very special in our previous faith journey, that the faith we once cherished has not Holy Family. theological truths that Catholics have and we don’t want to see any of it come to been lost, but has been converted into For years, my children used the always known. And once they begin to see an end. There is comfort in familiarity. something more, something deeper, some- figurines like puppets as they practiced and understand, why don’t they run into Change is painful, no way around it. thing fuller, something long overdue. retelling the story of the first Christmas. the arms of the Catholic Church without Even so, we realize that incomplete The original Nativity set was very Last year, the Nativity set had a little looking back? truth and familiar memories must step special, but the one that graces my accident. During the installation of built-in As Catholics who recognize the aside for the fullness of truth to take root, fireplace mantel today simply takes my bookshelves, my husband rested a large wellspring we have in our faith, we might but putting away childish things isn’t easy. breath away. And so it is with conversion. piece of wood against the fireplace respond to potential converts like my It takes time and a whole lot of grace to mantel. It slipped, hit the coffee table and husband did when I voiced my deep say what has happened to us is really very (Denise Bossert is a member of broke half of my Nativity set. sadness over the powdery mess of the good. Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in I was not happy. I had a deep senti - broken plaster figures on my coffee table. A year has gone by, and I don’t miss New Melle, Mo.) † mental attachment to that hand-painted Nativity set. Every Advent, when I lifted the tissue- Papal prayers wrapped pieces from a box, I would smile and replay the memories of creating it. Pope Benedict XVI prays in front of With one loud crash, it had all come to the Nativity scene in St. Peter’s an end. Square at the end of the annual After some heavy sighs and an errant “Te Deum” liturgy of thanksgiving tear over the mishap, I began to realize Reuters CNS photo/Giampiero Sposito, in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican that it wasn’t the tragedy that I was on Dec. 31, 2005. making it out to be. The set was far from a realistic depiction of the first Christmas. The diminutive figurines were cartoon-like lit- tle boys and girls dressed up in biblical costumes like a caricature of some chil- dren’s Christmas pageant at a local com- munity center. They had infantile smiles on their painted faces. The angel wasn’t even part of the original set. I found her in a bin of ready-to-paint pieces and added her to the Nativity set on a whim. I realized, after some reflection, that it was time to grow up. It was time to put Isn’t it HIGH TIME that you made out your will? When you do, won’t you remember the missions? Just word it this way. I hereby devise and bequeath unto the Society for the Propagation of the Faith—1400 North Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46202, the sum of $ for the missions.

Such a gift will follow you into eternity!

THE FOR OF THE SOCIETY FORTHE PROPAGATION THE FAITH 1400 N. MERIDIAN STREET • P.O. BOX 1410 • INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46206 Rev. Msgr. Joseph F. Schaedel, Archdiocesan Director Page 20 The Criterion Christmas Supplement Friday, December 21, 2007 Dad cooks memorable Christmas breakfast on Christmas in Peru Christmas decorations

By Michael A. Mick to find gifts from Santa. Reuters CNS photo/Mariana Bazo, are seen with the Special to The Criterion You would only appreciate this story cathedral in the about our traditional after midnight Mass background in the main My favorite Christmas memory is breakfast that my father cooked—men plaza in Lima, Peru, on reminiscing about Christmas Eve as a didn’t cook in this “Archie Bunker” Dec. 11. child at our family’s Mount Street home era—if you understand that the eggs and in an inner city neighborhood on the gravy were always good, the biscuits near west side of Indianapolis. were hard as rocks and the strong smell Our family had an annual tradition of of garlic from the hand-ground pork, opening simple gifts for each other in sage and garlic sausage lingered in the the late evening around 9 p.m. then house for days. getting ready for midnight Mass at the To this day, our 90-year-old mother former Assumption Church. has never revealed to any of us where When I was a child, we followed the the gifts from Santa were hidden every three hours of fasting before receiving year. It’s still a mystery. Communion. Video preserves family’s After midnight Mass, we would come (Michael A. Mick resides in Naples, Fla. home and Dad would fix scrambled He is a former member of St. Pius X love and special blessings eggs, homemade sausage, biscuits and Parish in Indianapolis, St. Malachy gravy. Then we children would go to bed Parish in Brownsburg and the former By Pamela Domescik their heads together and decided to video- exhausted, and in the morning wake up Assumption Parish in Indianapolis.) † Special to The Criterion tape happenings going on with them. They filmed my Mom, brothers and sister and It had been an extremely trying year for their families, and the new dog, Bandit. our family in 1999 as we had been They made a special effort to include Novices surprise sisters separated geographically from my original various scenes and family gatherings family for a year and a half. complete with greetings, well wishes and by singing beautiful carol We were experiencing a great trial at singing around the Christmas tree. the time, and I was sad and homesick. Before the video was finished, we were By Mary Jean Wethington Chorale. With a little creativity and great loving suddenly able to return home to live. Special to The Criterion It was a real challenge back then to hearts, the folks back home found a way The happy finale to this recording practice and practice this song without to stay connected with us and lift our project was that our family was included A beautiful Christmas memory that the professed sisters hearing it! This was droopy spirits. in the Christmas videotape. Now we were I will always cherish was my first a great part of what made the surprise so We had moved across the country, and home for Christmas and sharing in the musical Christmas concert in the convent meaningful. with great difficulty left family and festivities. in 1965. The Christ-centered holiness of that friends behind. I am very close to my I cannot help the tears that well up in The cloistered Benedictine sisters in beautiful carol echoed the true meaning Mom, siblings and their families so me whenever I watch that video. It is a Clyde, Mo., had never heard the beautiful and message of Christmas for one leaving them was hard. reminder of the generosity and love of carol titled “Do You Hear What I Hear?” cloistered community of contemplative During our time away, our family God blessing us with the gift of family— There were 40 young novices at that nuns who lived very focused lives. began to experience some painful not just at Christmas, but every day. time, and their pure and clear voices contradictions. So much of it was out of soaring in the descant and arrangement (Mary Jean Wethington is a member of our control, and I was at a low point and (Pamela Domescik is a member of that I had written and directed was truly a St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross Parish feeling more discouraged. Our Lady of the Greenwood Parish in gifting surprise for our first Christmas in Bright.) † Meanwhile, back home, my family put Greenwood.) † The Criterion Christmas Supplement Friday, December 21, 2007 Page 21 Family’s Christmas dinner continues late into the night By Hilda L. Buck Finally, when it was time to put the

Special to The Criterion finishing touches to the dinner scheduled CNS photo/Dario Pignatelli, Reuters for 6 p.m., we realized that no one had Our family is scattered all over the country remembered to put the turkey in the oven so when we get together at special times we hours before! really enjoy being with each other and get- What would we do? ting caught up on all the news. We did what any “normal” family would One such time was Christmas a few do. We put the turkey in the oven. We are a years ago. We all went to midnight Mass pretty laid-back group so it was no problem then the next morning slept a little later to wait for dinner. than usual. There were no believers in Santa Anyway, we thoroughly enjoyed our by then. holiday dinner at 10 p.m. on Christmas So many gifts were under the tree that we night, maybe more so because—with the decided to open them in shifts. We had tantalizing aroma filling the house and the brunch then opened a few brightly decorated snack foods giving way to actual hunger— Christmas greetings from Poland boxes, and had time to “Oooh” and “Aaah” we were ready for a festive meal. and enjoy what we received. A group of students from Poland sing during Pope Benedict XVI’s weekly general audience in Then there were snacks along with more (Hilda L. Buck is a member of St. Lawrence Paul VI Hall at the Vatican on Dec. 12. gifts and socializing. Parish in Lawrenceburg.) † Grandma’s house and Dad’s stories are special memories

By Laura Stevenson nervous about what was going on behind My Dad believed in the true meaning of Although I have heard the account of Special to The Criterion that door. Christmas. To him, it was about the love of Christ’s birth many times over the years, Grandma’s tree was real so she did not family and time well-spent celebrating nothing will ever compare to having my Dad My mother’s family always got together buy it until Christmas Eve. Then the adults family. read it to us on Christmas Eve then look at on Christmas Eve every year. gathered to decorate it, put up her decora- Before gifts were exchanged, we all us and say, as Mary did with her Son, My Grandma had a big old house that tions and lay out the presents. gathered around his chair in the living “ ‘Ponder this in your hearts’ throughout was great for family gatherings. There was How did we not notice that one or more room to hear him read the Christmas story the year, and remember how lucky we all lots of good food brought in by everyone. of our parents were missing while Grandma about the birth of the Christ Child in are to be here tonight celebrating once again But the best part of the celebration was herded all 11 grandchildren through dinner Bethlehem and a poem on the meaning our family and the family of our Lord. Let’s the opening of the living room door to see to get to the best part of the night—the of family, whether it be by blood or think about and say a prayer for those in our the Christmas tree, decorations and presents living room door opening? friendship. family that are not fortunate to be here with for the first time. The living room looked just like some- He read this story and poem every us tonight. … Now let’s open presents.” Grandma would line us up in front of the thing out of a magazine and presents were Christmas for 56 years, even telling it from Dad has been gone for two years, but living room door by age—youngest to oldest everywhere. memory after he lost his sight in the last the family tradition is living on—and the of the grandchildren—then the door would As an adult, I realize that there really few years. memories of what Christmas means and be opened. weren’t that many presents and the decora- For the few minutes that it took to read memories of my Dad are just as bright. We never saw who opened the door. I tions were beautiful but normal. the wonderful account of Christ’s birth and think it was Santa since we heard him But as a child, it was the anticipation, the the story of family, there were no differ- (Laura Stevenson is a member of working behind the door all through dinner. I love, and the gathering of family and cousins ences, troubles or problems in the world or SS. Francis and Clare Parish in could never eat much because I was too that made this night so magical in my mind. in our small family. Greenwood.) †

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(Michael Moore is a member of Prince of Peace Parish in Madison.) † Submitted photo

This historic Nativity set was photographed in front of the statue of St. Joseph holding the Christ Child at St. Patrick Chapel in Madison.

doyou know

Did you know that the Archdiocesan Council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul can help leverage every one dollar you contribute to obtain over $14 worth of food to feed the needy 52 weeks of the year? We can because we are a 100% volunteer organization and we stretch every ones dollar to obtain $14 worth of food!! We feed more than1,300 poverty level families per week through our Client Choice Food Pantry. We provide food and clothing for the homeless and house- hold necessities and other emergency aid to the poor. We need your help. Than you for helping us do Christ’s work. Make checks payable to: Society of St. Vincent de Paul P.O. Box 19133 Indianapolis, IN 46219 www.svdpindy.org A supplement to Catholic newspapers published by Catholic News Service, 3211 Fourth Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20017-1100. All contents are copyrighted © 2007 by Catholic News FaithAlive! Service. Grasp full Christmas festival in person of Christ

By James Schellman is the occasion for us to long anew for that The birth of Christ is time when God will come again to make of depicted in stained-glass Try for a moment to imagine Christmas us, and the beloved broken world we share, at St. Michael’s Cathedral without Christ. Sadly, it is actually pretty what God intended from the beginning—a in Toronto. The Dec. 25 easy. garden place of graced communion. Wiechec CNS photo/Nancy Christmas feast depicts Witness the “holiday season” as it is This is the promise. We are its keepers the birth of Christ. The observed in our contemporary culture. It and preachers. Our vocation is to embrace Christmas season begins seems to become longer each year, now the story whole and leave none of it out in with the Dec. 24 evening starting sometime before Thanksgiving and order to offer it faithfully to a world that vigil and ends on the concluding with Christmas Day or, for longs more than it knows for the truth of feast of the Baptism of those people with more stamina, lasting this transforming story. the Lord on Jan. 13. This through New Year’s Day. What is at stake here is our way of sacramental season We cannot deny that there are good seeing things whole and of living that immerses us anew in our aspects of this experience. Our fractured vision faithfully. This is our vocation, our baptismal calling to lay society actually comes together in an graced purpose in this world. We fudge it at down our lives for that unusual if partial way at this time. A sense our peril. new world where all tears of goodwill and solidarity takes temporary Doesn’t Advent make this abundantly will be wiped away, where hold of us. clear? The first few Sundays do not focus broken individuals, Even so, many Christians are in danger on the Incarnation. Rather, they—and the families and communities of losing an understanding and observance last few Sundays of Ordinary Time that will be made whole, and of the full season under precede them—raise our where war can never the force of a “cultural eyes to that whole vision again be waged, let alone Christmas.” The feast of God’s first of Christ, who will return imagined. How many coming in Christ is the at the end of time. Christians grasp the occasion for us to long John the Baptist full Christmas festival, becomes for us the which begins anew for that time herald, not so much of four weeks before when God will come that first coming, but of Christmas with the the returning Lord that preparatory season of again to make of us, we are to watch for now. Advent—the beginning and the beloved broken Even when the focus of the Christian year? world we share, what begins to shift to the birth The Christmas narrative, it is never season reaches a climax God intended from the simply on Jesus’ birth on Christmas Day and beginning—a garden alone. The babe in the continues for a few place of graced manger is already weeks into the identified through sign New Year until the communion. and symbol as the royal feast of the Baptism one destined to pay the of the Lord. dearest price for our What is there in this ancient Christmas redemption—thus, the Magi’s gifts of gold, season of extended preparation and frankincense and myrrh. celebration that we lose at our peril? No sooner is Jesus’ birth celebrated than In short, we lose Christ, the whole we turn our minds and hearts to the major the now mature Lord’s desire and plunges you destroyed our death, rising you person of Christ. mysteries proclaiming his purpose and him in the waters of the Jordan. Jesus’ restored our life. Lord Jesus, come in The Christ of the Christmas season is power. baptism ends his 40-day sojourn in the glory!” not simply the babe in the manger. This The Feast of the Holy Family inserts us desert apart from all that he loved, and It is a holy longing that is at the heart of Christ went on to live, to die an immediately into the full humanity of this launches Our Lord on his brief public life our vocation. A longing for a God who unspeakable death and to rise from the incarnate Lord, who for three decades was and the fullness of his mission. with unimaginable humility became like dead. formed and nurtured in the bosom of an This sacramental season immerses us us so that we might become like God. And this same Lord will come again! extended family. anew in our baptismal calling to lay down That transforming power and grace is All of this history is held together in the Then, contrary to the usual chronology, our lives for that new world where all tears meant to be shared. It is Christ’s few weeks of the Christmas season, which we return to the days after Christ’s birth in will be wiped away, where broken continuing mission and now it also is our proclaims the beginning of the end of the the feast of the Epiphany to celebrate the individuals, families and communities will mission. world as we know it—and that end itself. mystery of Jesus’ mission as the gift of be made whole, and where war can never Through prayers and Scriptures, we hear God to all peoples. again be waged, let alone imagined. (James Schellman is executive director of again the story of our darkened world and No sooner have we reflected on this than Through this full seasonal celebration, the North American Forum on the of that world’s only salvation. we find ourselves at the edge of the Jordan we learn once again that this new world is Catechumenate, which can be accessed The feast of God’s first coming in Christ River with John the Baptist, who accedes to what we pray for every Sunday: “Dying online at www.naforum.org.) † Discussion Point Reflect on God first at Christmas This Week’s Question but too often that gets way out of line.” (Frank Gresmer, Upper Deerfield, N.J.) How would you change Christmas if you could? “I’d like to be done with all the preparation and events “See our schools getting back to the Christian idea of so I could concentrate on the spiritual side. Before we Christmas—not taking God out of the holiday—and open gifts on Christmas morning, we read a Scripture getting the right lesson to the children. Our busy lives take away from sharing. ... We should get back to [passage] or a story with spiritual significance. I’d like slowing things down, ... to enjoying and loving God ... to see more people celebrate Christmas by first in a more peaceful and focused way.” (Denise Duffy, acknowledging the spiritual significance.” (Patsy Lorton, Va.) Guenthner, Laurel, Mont.)

“Not go for expensive gifts, but for something Lend Us Your Voice practical for families to use in their household. ... Giving one gift for one family makes you put more An upcoming edition asks: Do you ever use the Bible thought than money into it.” (Carolina Ramos, in prayer or meditation? How? Presidio, Texas) Catholic Courier

“… I’d change it as far as its being commercialized. I’d To respond for possible publication, send an e-mail to take that out and get back to the original meaning of [email protected] or write to Faith Alive! at

the holiday as the birth of Jesus. Giving gifts is fine, 3211 Fourth St., N.E., Washington, D.C. 20017-1100. † Crupi, CNS photo/Mike Page 24 The Criterion Friday, December 21, 2007 Perspectives From the Editor Emeritus/John F. Fink Faith and Family/Sean Gallagher Biblical women: The queen of Sheba Families can spread Christmas joy (Twenty-first in a series of columns) very large caravan since the Bible says that explain everything that she asked about. “never again did anyone bring such an So the queen said, “Your wisdom and On a cold, dark, drizzly winter day The queen of Sheba is a mysterious abundance of spices as the queen of Sheba prosperity surpass the report I heard. Happy nearly three years ago, my wife, Cindy, figure in the Old Testament. Chapter 10 of gave to King Solomon” (1 Kgs 10:10). are your men, happy these servants of yours, gave birth to our the First Book of Kings In return, Solomon “gave the queen of who stand before you always and listen to second son, Raphael, narrates her visit to Sheba everything she desired and asked your wisdom. Blessed be the Lord, your after having felt King Solomon. She for, besides such presents as were given God, whom it has pleased to place you on poorly for nearly a arrived in Jerusalem her from Solomon’s royal bounty” the throne of Israel” (1 Kgs 10: 7-9). week. with a large retinue, (1 Kgs 10:13). It seems obvious that he was After making their trade, the queen Cindy’s labor including camels enthralled by her visit. returned to Sheba. progressed quickly bearing spices, a large The queen was equally charmed. In fact, This same chapter in the First Book during our 25-minute amount of gold and the Bible says that she was breathless when of Kings then devotes 16 verses to describing drive to the hospital. other precious stones. she saw Solomon’s “great wisdom, the the wealth of Solomon’s kingdom. It says With every bump in The reign of palace he had built, the food at his table, the that he “surpassed in riches and wisdom all the road and every King Solomon was by far the most seating of his ministers, the attendance and the kings of the earth. And the whole world chuckhole we hit along the way, her pain prosperous period in Israel’s history so it’s garb of his waiters, his banquet service, and sought audience with Solomon, to hear from only increased. natural that other countries wanted to trade the holocausts he offered in the temple of the him the wisdom which God had put in his Raphael was born a little more than with Israel. Sheba, for centuries, was the Lord” (1 Kgs 10:5). Solomon obviously heart” (1 Kgs 10: 23-24). an hour after we arrived. leading principality in what is now Yemen knew how to do things right. Among his possessions were “700 wives That evening, we welcomed and, according to eighth-century B.C. When she recovered her breath, the queen of princely rank and 300 concubines” grandparents and other visitors who Assyrian inscriptions, there were sometimes of Sheba told Solomon that when she first (1 Kgs 11:3). His celebrated wisdom, wanted to meet the newest addition to women rulers among the Arabs. heard about his deeds and wisdom she didn’t though, did not keep him from turning his our family for the first time. The dreary If this caravan came from modern believe the report, but now that she had seen heart to strange gods by adoring the gods of day outside and Cindy’s discomfort Yemen, they had traveled a great distance. it with her own eyes she discovered that the some of his non-Israelite wives. seemed like a distant memory. The visit probably had mostly to do with report didn’t tell her the full truth. She Therefore, God told Solomon that, in A day that began in pain ended in a trade and commerce, but the Bible uses it to questioned him about every subject in which punishment, he would divide his kingdom— joy that we were pleased to share with stress Solomon’s wisdom. It probably was a she was interested, and Solomon was able to after his death. † others. What happened in a dramatic way on the day of Raphael’s birth is, or at least Cornucopia/Cynthia Dewes can be, the story of most ordinary days for families. Each day brings its own trials and Christmas, the time for graceful reconnection tribulations: the household chores that go around on a seemingly endless One of the ways that we know Christmas spectacular, nothing too depressing, just the do some of the people we see often. cycle, kids that bicker and complain, is at hand is the volume of Christmas cards ordinary stuff of people’s lives. But we are Christmas cards are also a lovely way to and the simple build-up of the stress and letters that jam our grateful to have these reports, and the assuage loneliness. We exchange notes and that comes with supporting a family mailboxes by now. accompanying cards that include less greetings with several former neighbors or in an ever-increasing challenging This may be our information but offer nice sentiments. co-workers who now live alone. economy. annual connection with Some of my dearest friends don’t even While some of them have networks of But if we look around us each day some people we don’t send their own cards. One pal in Minnesota friends and relatives to support and cheer with grace-inspired eyes, we can find want to forget or just has Parkinson’s disease so her husband signs them, others do not and they depend on the lots of little blessings that can help us acknowledgement of a their greetings. But she is still sharp, as I arrival of Christmas cards. One elderly feel real joy in the midst of the business acquaintance. learned one year when I got my cards out late bachelor we know lives in a Florida condo melancholy that can darken our days. At my age, it’s a signal and she was on the phone immediately, with only a distant great-nephew to visit him They can come in the form of an to those far away that asking if I was OK. now and then. His widowed sister and most unexpected hug from a child or tasks we are still alive. Another kindergarten colleague has of his friends have died, and he loves to that get done quickly when everybody This brings to mind the dreaded generic beginning dementia so someone else writes “talk” about old times at work with my pitches in to help. “Christmas Letter,” which I think began as a her cards. But she, too, is still paying husband. More importantly, God offers us real cultural phenomenon sometime in the 1960s. attention; she is the one who calls me when Christmas is also the best of times to let joy when we give of ourselves to others. Until they came under public scrutiny and one of our classmates is ill or passes on. our non-religious or non-Christian friends Perhaps it might be spending a little were reformed at some point, these missives Apparently, the memory of friendship never and relatives know how much we love them. extra time reading to our kids or paying mostly updated their recipients on the fades. Without proselytizing, we can share the a visit for no special reason to an elderly sender’s thrilling past year. Then, there are the folks we haven’t seen generous spirit of this great religious holiday neighbor. And it was always a thrilling past year, in more than 40 years, but who keep in touch by offering our sincere greetings and letting All of these blessings can highlight usually including things like the husband’s solely by Christmas letter. We met one such them know of our hopes for joy and peace in our ordinary days with a joy that can be election as commodore of the yacht club or couple early in our marriage when “we” were their lives. infectious. the daughter’s cheerleading trophy or all in the Army for two years. With Christ’s birth comes God’s Others that we rub shoulders with on moving into a new McMansion. Just once, it We attended their wedding in St. Louis, overwhelming love for us. Christmas cards a regular basis might eventually want to might have been refreshing to hear that and later visited them once in Maryland when provide one more way to share that grace know what the source of our joy is. After Junior was in jail for dealing drugs or Mom we were on a family vacation. But we have with others. all, our lives aren’t really that different had gained 40 pounds, but no such luck. kept up ever since on the doings of their from theirs. Fortunately, Christmas letters have numerous children, grandchildren, trips, (Cynthia Dewes, a member of St. Paul the When we live our days with joy, calmed down by now to being fairly accurate illnesses, job changes, accidents, you-name-it. Apostle Parish in Greencastle, is a regular others will take notice and wonder why. reports of a family’s doings: nothing too We probably know more about them than we columnist for The Criterion.) † This is nothing less than a form of evangelization. When families live their Faithful Lines/Shirley Vogler Meister days in natural ways with a faith- inspired joy, they are placing themselves The timeless Nativity story: a biblical wonder at the forefront of the Church’s mission of evangelization. Last year, my writer-friend Mary Rubeck the cruel weather, our hearts were warmed While watching this film, many of my The template for this was set for us in Benson invited me to see The Nativity Story by the story we thought we knew well. The previous views of the Christmas story the very beginning. at a theater not far from film, however, brought new depths of changed to the real emotions brought about On that first Christmas 2,000 years my home. understanding. by the Angel Gabriel’s pronouncements; ago, Joseph and Mary were having a She came from the My friend especially noted the Joseph’s dream; Mary’s visit with pregnant hard day. When it came time for Mary to east side of Indian- “friendships that were lost and the prejudices Elizabeth, who was John the Baptist’s give birth to Jesus, she and Joseph were apolis, where she and Mary and Joseph endured because she was mother; the Bethlehem journey; the Magi; far away from home and the friends and her husband are pregnant and unmarried.” the rage of Herod and so much more. loved ones they probably hoped would members of She also better appreciated the couple’s Strangely, the day after seeing the film, help them. St. Lawrence Parish. severe hardships during their Bethlehem I noticed a Chicago review in an Indian- Now the accounts of the birth of Jesus On that cold, windy, journey. apolis newspaper criticizing parts of the film given to us by St. Matthew and St. Luke rainy evening, both of My friend, by the way, is the author of as being silly. How very wrong that was! In tell us little about the reaction of Mary us wondered, “Why are Follow the Warrior’s Path, Life of Ohiyesa, fact, an organization called “Christian Today and Joseph to the event. we doing this tonight?” Better Known as Dr. Charles Eastman. Movies” rated the movie last year as the But the shepherds received “news of Later, we understood. More about this book, which depicts the “No. 1 Most Redeeming [film].” great joy” from an angel (Lk 2:10) The Nativity Story was billed as “the hardships of the Dakota Sioux Indians, Even now, readers can “redeem” about Jesus’ birth and the magi “were journey of a lifetime, a story for all time … can be found online at themselves if they are still looking for a overjoyed” when they saw the star powerful, timeless and visually www.maryrubeckbenson.com. last-minute gift. The DVD is available come to rest over where the Christ child magnificent.” We found all of this true. Keisha Castle-Hughes, who played in through book and video stores. Some was (Mt 2:9-11). The film portrayed what we are now two other films I admire—The Whale Rider readers might even choose to use the Surely it isn’t unreasonable to celebrating: the Christmas story. However, it and House of Sand and Fog—beautifully Internet to buy copies as additional gifts or conclude that this joyous impression was creatively fills in the gaps in the biblical portrayed the Virgin Mary and Oscar Isaac stocking stuffers for next year. confirmed in these visitors by the joy passages, stressing the realistic human wonderfully portrayed Joseph’s quandary Meanwhile, may the Holy Family bless that surely was suffused on the faces of qualities, challenges, emotions and and challenges. our holidays. Joseph and Mary. environment that Mary and Joseph endured. The biblical story was filmed in Matera, The work of evangelization began on These are not the stereotypical scenes we Italy, as well as in Morocco, and it became (Shirley Vogler Meister, a member of the first Christmas long ago. Families have known through the years. the first movie ever to stage its world Christ the King Parish in Indianapolis, is a today can continue it today by living out As my friend and I left the theater to face premiere in Vatican City. regular columnist for The Criterion.) † Christmas joy year-round. † The Criterion Friday, December 21, 2007 Page 25

Fourth Sunday of Advent/Msgr. Owen F. Campion The Sunday Readings Daily Readings Monday, Dec. 24 Day Sunday, Dec. 23, 2007 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, Isaiah 52:7-10 14a, 16 Psalm 98:1-6 • Isaiah 7:10-14 vested themselves with the cloak of being Psalm 89:2-5, 27, 29 Hebrews 1:1-6 • Romans 1:1-7 Apostles and who led the faithful astray. Luke 1:67-79 John 1:1-18 • Matthew 1:18-24 Here, Paul stresses that he indeed is an Apostle because the Lord called him. Vigil of Christmas or John 1:1-5, 9-14 St. Matthew’s Gospel is the source of Isaiah 62:1-5 The Church is observing the last Sunday the last reading. Psalm 89:4-5, 16-17, 27, 29 Wednesday, Dec. 26 of Advent. In only two days, joyfully and in This reading recalls the miraculous Acts 13:16-17, 22-25 Stephen, first martyr great faith, the Church conception of Jesus. Jesus is the Son of Matthew 1:1-25 Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59 will celebrate the Feast God, but the son of Mary, always a virgin. of the Nativity of the He entered human history directly as a or Matthew 1:18-25 Psalm 31:3cd-4, 6, 8ab, 16bc-17 Lord on Christmas. result of God’s love for humanity, fulfilling Matthew 10:17-22 For the first reading God’s promise to give the fullness of life to Tuesday, Dec. 25 this weekend, the the people who were faithful. The Nativity of the Lord Thursday, Dec. 27 Church chooses a The Incarnation, as theologians call the (Christmas) John, Apostle and evangelist passage from the mystery of the Son of God’s conception Book of Isaiah. and birth as a human, is beyond human Midnight 1 John 1:1-4 Central in the comprehension. Not even Joseph, holy as Isaiah 9:1-6 Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12 reading is King Ahaz he was, could understand it. God’s ways Psalm 96:1-3, 11-13 John 20:1a, 2-8 of the southern Hebrew kingdom of Judah, are not our ways. Titus 2:11-14 who reigned in the last third of the Luke 2:1-14 Friday, Dec. 28 eighth century before Christ. His reign is Reflection Dawn The Holy Innocents, martyrs not remembered as having been particularly Only two days remain in Advent and, distinguished. He was not a great leader. given the frenzy usually connected with Isaiah 62:11-12 1 John 1:5-2:2 For Isaiah, the definition of a good king, preparing for Christmas in our society, Psalm 97:1, 6, 11-12 Psalm 124:2-5, 7c-8 of course, was that the monarch genuinely these remaining two days of Advent are apt Titus 3:4-7 Matthew 2:13-18 led the people to God by inspiring them to to be quite busy for people. Luke 2:15-20 continued on page 26 follow the Covenant. Nevertheless, two days will be enough Regardless of any other duty, confirming for any of us to use the opportunity of the Covenant and requiring submission to Advent to cleanse ourselves of attachments its terms were the principal responsibilities to sin and instead make our souls worthy of Question Corner/Fr. John Dietzen of the kings. Nothing else mattered. receiving the Lord. While Ahaz was not spectacular in his Christmas can be deeply personal for us role, God still used him as an instrument to because if we have made ourselves worthy, God’s saving grace is there for bring the people back to fidelity to the Jesus will come to us personally on this Covenant. great feast. Ahaz served God’s purpose to save the The Church encourages us, therefore, to everyone who does not reject it people from their own sins by fathering a accept its Advent invitation to come to son. When the king’s spouse, a young God. If we have conscientiously observed A Jewish friend tells me that, past, present or future for whom he did woman, conceived, Isaiah saw in the event Advent, then the Church urges us to Qaccording to her rabbi, Catholics not suffer and die.” a sign of God’s caring for the people. What continue doing so until Christmas. If we believe that if she dies without accepting Any failure to profit from that death the lackluster Ahaz could not accomplish have allowed Advent to slip past us, the Jesus as her Messiah would derive only from a deliberate would be achieved by the son. Church calls us to use the time left to us. and Savior she will go refusal to believe when one clearly Thus, the coming of the new prince was God wants us to love him as God loves to hell. recognizes that such a belief is God’s will. a cause for rejoicing. us. Again and again, God has reached out Does this seem The Second Vatican Council As its second reading on this weekend, to people to empower them in coming in right? How can I reaffirmed this position. “The Declaration the Church selects a section from St. Paul’s Him. He sent a son to Ahaz that the nation reply? (Louisiana) on the Relationship of the Church to Epistle to the Romans. might have a good king. He sent Jesus to Non-Christian Religions,” for example, No Christian today would think of us. Jesus sent us the Apostles. If your friend is declares that, while the Church always challenging Paul’s status as an Apostle. God loves us so much. He reaches out to Aquoting her rabbi remembers its mission to proclaim that However, when Paul was alive, his us. He provides for us in ways we cannot correctly, he is wrong. the fullness of religious life is found in credentials were hardly so universally understand. Even in only two days, we can The Catholic Church Christ, it also “looks with sincere respect acknowledged. He wrote of usurpers who reach out to God. There still is time. † does not teach what is reflected in his on those ways of conduct and of life, remark. those rules and teachings which, though I cannot deny that many Catholics and differing in many particulars from what My Journey to God other Christians have believed it. I also she holds and sets forth, nevertheless cannot deny that some groups, even often reflect a ray of that truth which nations, calling themselves Catholic have enlightens all people” (# 2). A Child’s Christmas in Vincennes believed this and even acted on it. Church teachings of centuries ago were But while some official Church hugely influenced by the assumption that Dylan couldn’t remember statements have been at best ambiguous all known people, mainly in Europe and a The 12 days or six nights, about explicit belief in Jesus Christ and/or small part of Asia, had by then had the But he could remember snow, membership in the Catholic Church being opportunity to hear and accept the Gospel Much snow. necessary for salvation, Catholic teaching of Christ. Few flakes fell on me or mine, today is clear. Renaissance discoveries of vast new But we had Christmases Within the past two generations, populations and cultures and continents As magical as those in Wales. through a host of official documents and and religions changed all that. The papal letters and discourses, the Church Christian Church has grown much since The white-flocked tree has repeated its position that the great then in understanding its mission and in its Became a jeweled lady non-Christian religions represent part of theology of salvation. Who watched and twinkled the sincere effort of people everywhere to The misunderstanding of your Jewish As Nana cooked in the old kitchen find answers to the huge, haunting friend is unfortunate. It should forcefully Of the old house, on the old street questions about life and death and God. remind us of another sentence in that same In the old town. Furthermore, these efforts, sometimes declaration: “All should take pains that, in noble and sometimes stumbling, represent catechetical instruction and in preaching Aproned and flour-dusted, she Register Tennessee the work of the Holy Spirit in the world. the Word of God, nothing is taught out of Performed culinary wonders They take place, we believe, under the harmony with the truth of the Gospel and On her steaming stove. influence of Jesus, the incarnate Word of the Spirit of Christ, which is a spirit of Green mints and flannel-red cherries God, whose saving grace and love lie love and respect, not of hate and Became small poinsettias on underneath all honest searches for truth, rejection” (#4).

White frosted cakes. Musacchio, CNS photo/Rick even if those searches do not always lead All this applies in a particular way to Raisin pies hummed from their oven to explicit belief and faith in him. our Jewish brothers and sisters, the people And divinity winked from its plate That herald angels sang praises to Such belief is not new. The principle is with whom we believe God established Of lace. The newborn King, even if He was an ancient one in Christianity: God’s his first covenants, and through whom plastic, saving grace is there for everyone who we have received so much of our Outside, a plastic Joseph and And that Santa Claus was considering does not deliberately place an obstacle to Christian faith. A plastic Mary watched over Coming to town that gift. A plastic Baby Jesus One classic statement to that effect (A free brochure on ecumenism, including In a stable made of old boards and pine. Even if it didn’t get a flake of snow. comes from Pope Leo IV (853) during a questions on intercommunion and other A radio under the crib reminded controversy with certain heretics of his ways of sharing worship, is available by Neighbors strolling by By Susie McAllister day. sending a stamped, self-addressed “Just as there is no human being past, envelope to Father John Dietzen, (Susie McAllister is a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Indianapolis. She wrote present or future whose nature was not Box 3315, Peoria, IL 61612. Questions this poem about her memories of Christmas while growing up in Vincennes, Ind.) † assumed by Jesus Christ, our Lord,” said may be sent to him at the same address or Pope Leo, “so there is no human being by e-mail to [email protected].) † Page 26 The Criterion Friday, December 21, 2007

Bartholomai, Deborah Sheehan Siefert. Father of Cindy Amos, and Robert Hartlage II. Grand- Jennifer Ripberger and Joseph father of 10. Great-grandfather Siefert. Brother of Pauline Roll of two. and Anna Mae Zimmer. Grand- Rest in peace HARTRICH, Margaret father of six. Elizabeth (O’Connor), 99, SIMONS, Larry G., 70, Please submit in writing to our Great-great-grandfather of four. St. Roch, Indianapolis, Dec. 8. St. Mary, Greensburg, Dec. 6. Wyand MaryPhoto by Ann office by 10 a.m. Thursday Mother of Lois Kattau and Husband of Linda Simons. CHANDLER, Laura M. Franciscan Father Kurt before the week of publication; (Milburn), 59, St. Mary, Father of Brenda Dembroski, be sure to state date of death. Hartrich. Grandmother of three. Jennifer, Joe and Josh Simons. New Albany, Dec. 6. Wife of Great-grandmother of six. Obituaries of archdiocesan David Chandler. Mother of Grandfather of 11. Great- priests serving our archdiocese Angel Brooks, Denny and HORNBACH, Evelyn E., 89, grandfather of two. are listed elsewhere in Jimmy Chandler. Sister of St. Martin, Yorkville, Nov. 22. SOMMER, Norma, 91, Prince The Criterion. Order priests Chloe Arrow, Mary Jones, Mother of Linda and Larry of Peace, Madison, Nov. 30. and religious sisters and Charlie, Stanley and Willy Hornbach. Grandmother of two. Mother of Sharon Brawner and brothers are included here, Milburn. Grandmother of six. HOWARD, Elizabeth M., 64, Rita Hauswirth. Grandmother of unless they are natives of the CRIPE, Norma R., 84, St. Luke the Evangelist, Indian- five. Great-grandmother of nine. archdiocese or have other apolis, Nov. 12. Mother of connec tions to it; those are Immaculate Heart of Mary, SPENCER, Mary Louise, 92, Indianapolis, Dec. 3. Mother of Ashley Dirks. Sister of St. Paul, Sellersburg, Nov. 27. separate obituaries on this St. Joseph Sister Jane Frances Joseph J. Cripe. Stepmother of Cousin of several. page. Mannion, Father John Mannion Jane Sulya. Sister of Phyllis and William Mannion. Grand- STRIBY, Henry H., 90, ANNEE, Robert J., 67, Larrabee and Thomas Redman. St. Barnabas, Indianapolis, mother of one. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Grandmother of three. Jeffersonville, Nov. 11. Nov. 29. Father of Diane LAYDEN, Francis Louis, 94, CULLINAN, Linda Husband of Ann Striby. Father Barton, Robert and Scott St. Luke the Evangelist, Indian- (McDugald), of Mary Smith, Joan, Henry and Annee. Son of Louis Annee. 64, St. Rose of apolis, Nov. 16. Father of Sara Brother of Janet Bradley, Lima, Franklin, Nov. 30. Wife of Molen and Peter Layden. Thomas Striby. Brother of Barbara Huser, Joseph, Louis George Cullinan. Mother of Grandfather of six. Great- Barbara Carr, Julia Jones, and Paul Annee. Grandfather Amy, Christopher and Joshua grandfather of one. Loretta Schafer, Mary, Francis of six. Cullinan. Sister of John and Joseph Striby. Grandfather McDugald. Grandmother of one. NIEHOFF, Clara M., 96, of seven. Great-grandfather BANTA, Ila T., 83, St. Mark St. Mary, Rushville, Dec. 3. Angelic memorial DUPONT, Erna, 84, St. Paul, of one. the Evangelist, Indianapolis, Mother of Margie Clemons, This angel statue replaces a smaller angel as the centerpiece Tell City, Nov. 8. Sister of WEAVER, Leonard Nov. 5. Wife of Thomas Banta. Lucille Hinton, Annette and for a new memorial for the unborn at Our Lady of Peace Mother of Darlene Abplanalp, Elli Weiss. Augustine, 93, St. Mark the Paul Niehoff. Sister of Esther Cemetery in Indianapolis. It was made possible by several Teri Furr, Janice Woods, James, EDGAR, Garth A., 43, Goss and Irene Merkel. Evangelist, Indianapolis, parishes and Knights of Columbus councils in Indianapolis. Joseph, Thomas Banta Jr. and St. Monica, Indianapolis, Dec. 6. Grandmother of 12. Step- Nov. 21. Father of Charles and Urich Wolnik. Sister of Rowena Brother of Tracy Schnieders and grandmother of three. Great- J.T. Mount. Grandfather of Pelton. Grandmother of 22. Charles Edgar III. grandmother of 30. Step-great- four. Great-grandfather of nine. Conventual Franciscan Brother Martin Great-grandmother of 14. Great-great-grandfather of one. ENGLE, Dorothy, 86, St. Joan grandmother of two. Step-great- Great-great-grandmother of of Arc, Indianapolis, Dec. 1. great-grandmother of two. WELSH, Marcia A., 73, Masler taught at Cardinal Ritter three. RAY, Carson O., Jr., 58, St. Monica, Indianapolis, Wife of John Engle. Mother of Conventual Franciscan On July 16, 1966, Brother BAUER, Raymond F., 78, Barb York, Mary Jo, Nancy, St. Monica, Indianapolis, Nov. 20. Mother of Amy, Christopher, Daniel, David and Brother Martin Masler, a Martin professed solemn vows St. Mary of the Immaculate Susan, John Jr., Mike and Tom Nov. 21. Husband of Linda John Welsh. Grandmother Conception, Aurora, Dec. 1. Engle. Grandmother of nine. Ray. Father of Lucinda and former teacher at Cardinal at the Basilica of Our Lady of Husband of Jean Bauer. Father Rosemary Ray. Son of Carson of seven. Ritter Jr./Sr. High School in Consolation in Carey, Ohio. FENOGLIO, Andrew, 85, of Sarah Bauer. Brother of and Ora Ray Jr. Brother of WIEMANN, Karen M., 57, Indianapolis, died on Dec. 1 at He served in retreat Sacred Heart, Clinton, Dec. 2. Mary Cornelius, Leonard and Patsy Ray and JoAnn Wilcox. St. Luke the Evangelist, Cedar Hill Nursing Home in ministries in Carey, Ohio, and Father of Marty Coons, Mendy Richard Bauer. Indianapolis, Nov. 24. Wife of Harplod and Louie Fenoglio. RIEMAN, Dorothy Mae, 79, Missouri. He was 63. Prior Lake, Minn. Dr. Michael Wiemann. Mother BERRONES, Estella, 66, Grandfather of eight. Holy Name of Jesus, The Mass of Christian In the archdiocese, Brother St. Rose of Lima, Franklin, Beech Grove, Dec. 5. Mother of of Alexandra Wiemann. Burial was celebrated on Dec. 6 Martin served in divorce GATCHELL, Evelyn A. Daughter of Alfred Motta and Dec. 8. Wife of Eustorgio Mary Ann Shields and David at the chapel at Mount ministry as a staff member of Berrones. Mother of Alberto (Wessling), 79, Our Lady of the Rieman. Sister of Alice Shinkle Carmelito Motta. Sister of Greenwood, Greenwood, JoAnn Woods. St. Francis in southern Indiana. the Metropolitan Tribunal at the and Carlos Berrones. Sister of and Paul Dicus. Grandmother Burial followed at the friars’ Archbishop O’Meara Catholic Nov. 22. Wife of Sherman M. of five. Great-grandmother of Mary Luisa Fernandez, Raquel WITHEM, Raymond E., 77, cemetery. Center in Indianapolis. Garza and Alicia Raya. Gatchell. Mother of Cathy eight. Holy Name of Jesus, Bond, Renee Wampler, Chad Frederick Gilbert Masler From 1985-90, Brother Grandmother of five. SIEGEL, Charles A., 85, Beech Grove, Nov. 25. Husband and Duff Gatchell. Sister of was born on Jan. 13, 1944, in Martin taught theology classes St. Augustine, Jeffersonville, of Loretta (Walker) Withem. BRENNAN, Harold, 77, Marcella Bauman and Eugene Dec. 6. Husband of Charlotte Father or Janet Leamer, Diane Toledo, Ohio. He entered the and served as a counselor at St. Mary, North Vernon, Dec. 4. Wessling. Grandmother of six. Siegel. Father of Deborah Roe and Stephen Withem. novitiate of the Order of Friars Cardinal Ritter Jr./Sr. High Husband of Therese M. (Sorg) Great-grandmother of three. Brennan. Father of Debra Grimes, Karen Singleton, Brother of James Withem. Minor Conventual on July 14, School in Indianapolis. Bowens, Bernard, Jeffrey, HACKETT, Mary Jo Charles and Thomas Siegel. Grandfather of two. 1962, and took the religious He is survived by several Louis, Phillip, Randolph and (Sprong), 89, Holy Spirit, Brother of Mary A. Woodard. WYMAN, Frances M., 94, name of Martin. He professed cousins, nieces and nephews. William Brennan. Brother of Indianapolis, Nov. 28. Aunt of Grandfather of six. Great- St. Roch, Indianapolis, Dec. 11. first vows on July 15, 1963, at Memorial gifts may be sent Betsy Followell, Hazel Nevil, several. grandfather of three. Mother of Mollie Stanfield. Auburn, Ind., and was assigned to the Order of Friars Minor James Kuntz, Melvin and HARTLAGE, Robert A., 82, SIEFERT, George B., 69, Sister of Molly Dugan. to Our Lady of Carey Seminary Conventual, 101 St. Anthony Robert Brennan. Grandfather of St. Augustine, Jeffersonville, St. Mary, Rushville, Dec. 4. Grandmother of six. Great- in Carey, Ohio, as assistant to Drive, Mount St. Francis, IN 16. Great-grandfather of six. Nov. 30. Father of Wenda Husband of Peggy (Moran) grandmother of nine. † the director of retreats. 47146. †

Daily Readings

continued from page 25 Tuesday, Jan. 1 Psalm 98:1, 7-9 Wednesday, Jan. 9 Saturday, Dec. 29 The Octave Day of Christmas: John 1:35-42 1 John 4:11-18 The Fifth Day in the Octave of The Blessed Virgin Mary, the Psalm 72:1-2, 10, 12-13 Christmas Mother of God Saturday, Jan. 5 Mark 6:45-52 Thomas Becket, bishop and Numbers 6:22-27 John Neumann, bishop martyr Psalm 67:2-3, 5-6, 8 1 John 3:11-21 Thursday, Jan. 10 1 John 2:3-11 Galatians 4:4-7 Psalm 100:1-5 1 John 4:19-5:4 Psalm 96:1-3, 5b-6 Luke 2:16-21 John 1:43-51 Psalm 72:1-2, 14, 15bc, 17 Luke 2:22-35 Luke 4:14-22a Wednesday, Jan. 2 Sunday, Jan. 6 Sunday, Dec. 30 Basil the Great, bishop and doctor The Epiphany of the Lord Friday, Jan. 11 The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary of the Church Isaiah 60:1-6 1 John 5:5-13 and Joseph Gregory Nazianzen, bishop and Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13 Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20 Sirach 3:2-7, 12-14 doctor of the Church Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6 Luke 5:12-16 Psalm 128:1-5 1 John 2:22-28 Matthew 2:1-12 Colossians 3:12-21 Psalm 98:1-4 Saturday, Jan. 12 or Colossians 3:12-17 John 1:19-28 Monday, Jan. 7 1 John 5:14-21 Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23 Raymond of Peñafort, priest Psalm 149:1-6a, 9b Thursday, Jan. 3 1 John 3:22-4:6 John 3:22-30 Monday, Dec. 31 The Most Holy Name of Jesus Psalm 2:7-8, 10-12a The Seventh Day in the Octave of 1 John 2:29-3:6 Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25 Sunday, Jan. 13 Christmas Psalm 98:1, 3-6 The Baptism of the Lord 1 John 2:18-21 John 1:29-34 Tuesday, Jan. 8 Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 Psalm 96:1-2, 11-13 1 John 4:7-10 Psalm 29:1-4, 3, 9-10 John 1:1-18 Friday, Jan. 4 Psalm 72:1-4, 7-8 Acts 10:34-38 Elizabeth Ann Seton, religious Mark 6:34-44 Matthew 3:13-17 1 John 3:7-10 The Criterion Friday, December 21, 2007 Page 27

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Ability to FOR YOUR FAMILY AND ITS FUTURE. exercise judgment and diplomacy in a wide variety of parish situations, reliable in meeting deadlines, well organized, Northwestern Mutual consensus builder, skilled communicator, and possess strong Finanacial Network 500 East 96th Street, Suite 125 knowledge of computers and busi ness applications. The Indianapolis, IN 46240 candidate must maintain confidentiality of any information (317) 818-2644 • (866) 818-2644 Need help s/he encounters. For a detailed job description please visit www.hspirit.org Please submit your résumé and salary requirements to: Michael P. McGinley Financial Representative Parish Administrator Search Committee advertising 05-2584 ©2006 Northwestern Mutual. Northwestern Mutual Financial Network is a marketing name for the sales and distribution arm of The Holy Spirit Catholic Church Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI and its affiliates, and “the quiet company” is a registered trademark. 6016-171 3345 Lexington Rd Services ...... Louisville, KY 40206 We Conduct Background Checks (317) 946-3443 your snow Director of Worship Mass. Appeal removal business? Saint Alphonsus Liguori Parish in northwest Indianapolis is seeking a full-time Director of Worship Carol Mercuri Call or e-mail Dana 236-1575 or and Music. The growing Parish of 1000 families has a NAIL TECHNICIAN new church and is eager for development and like 700 MASSACHUSETTS AVE. • INDPLS., IN 46204 [email protected] 24 HOUR CANCELLATION NOTICE growth in the sacred music program. Catholic liturgy Post your ad in the Criterion! experience and a sol id background in Church Music are required. The position is responsible for directing choirs, liturgy and music preparation, and training and Wondering what you can do to brighten scheduling ministers. A commitment to work with a the Christmas of a less fortunate family ? professional Parish Staff building a community is Visit The Catholic Charities Indianapolis Christmas necessary. Please send a cover letter, résumé, Store is in need of the following NEW items: references, and salary requirements to: ✓ Director of Worship Search Committee Kids’ games and toys us ✓ Saint Alphonsus Liguori Parish Winter hats and gloves ✓ 1870 West Oak Street All genders/ages sweatshirts Zionsville, IN 46077 online! ✓ Extra Large Men’s Pants Electronic mail to: [email protected] Call 317-236-1556 for information on how Résumés will be accepted through Jan. 20, 2008 www.CriterionOnline.com you may donate. Page 28 The Criterion Friday, December 21, 2007