50¢ November 19, 2006 Volume 80, No. 42 www.diocesefwsb.org/TODAY Serving the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend Living the ’’ senior life TTODAYODAY SS CCATHOLICATHOLIC and loving it How do you celebrate your senior life? Bishops return to spiritual home in Pages 9-15 Baltimore for Mass before meeting Backgrounder on Islam BY GEORGE P. MATYSEK JR. Pope Benedict’s desire for dialogue BALTIMORE (CNS) — Two by two, all the bishops of the United States returned to their spiritual home Page 3 Nov. 12 when they solemnly processed into Baltimore’s radiantly restored Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary for a special Mass celebrating the old cathedral’s $32 million restoration. Opus Award Recreating a similar procession from when the first Catholic cathedral in the United States opened at Notre Dame in the early 19th century, 243 bishops marched from Brazilian doctor noted the Enoch Pratt Free Library across the street from the basilica — making their way through two long for work with poor lines of 130 Knights of Columbus festooned in brightly colored capes and feathered hats. Page 5 A triumphant hymn accompanied by a newly refurbished pipe organ greeted the singing bishops, some of whom glanced upward as they entered the church and marveled at the richly illuminated interi- A time to grieve or dome which features a depiction of a white dove symbolic of the Holy Spirit. Victory Noll and hospice It was the first time all of the country’s bishops gathered in the basilica since 1989 when the arch- team up for workshop diocese marked its bicentennial. The American prelates had often met in the nation’s first diocese, Page 8 the premier see, during the 19th century at seven provincial and three plenary councils of the U.S. Catholic Church. Just as their predecessors assembled in Baltimore A time for to discuss pressing issues of the time, today’s bish- ops were gathered in Charm City to debate a variety thanksgiving of matters during the fall meeting of the U.S. Reflection and Saint Joseph’s CNS PHOTO/NANCY WIECHEC Conference of Catholic Bishops Nov. 13-16. The U.S. bishops celebrated Mass Nov. 12 before the start of their annual fall meeting in Using a walker after suffering a broken ankle in a car crash in Italy, Cardinal William H. Keeler of students help their community Baltimore. The service was held at the newly restored Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is marking its 200th anniversary this year. Page 24 More next issue about the U.S. bishops’ meeting. MEET, PAGE 4 PRAYERS FROM THE CRYPT Diocesan offices will Catholic Campaign for Human be closed Nov. 23-24 Development seeks to empower BY DON CLEMMER from across the country. There she learned how Catholic Campaign for Human Development, which FORT WAYNE — When Jean Eiserle first was started by the U.S. Conference of got involved with Catholic Campaign for Catholic Bishops over 36 years ago, works Human Development (CCHD), her rela- to “fund low-income controlled empower- tionship with the program was similar to ment projects and to educate Catholics that of many people in the diocese; she about the root causes of poverty within the knew next to nothing about it. It was March context of the Catholic social teaching.” — DON CLEMMER of 2006 when she received an e-mail from from CCHD mission statement. her spiritual director, Sister Gloria Ann She also learned that it would be her job Priests gather in prayer with Bishop John Fiedler, CDP, suggesting that she apply for to lay a lot of groundwork for CCHD in the M. D’Arcy in the crypt beneath the the position of CCHD intern for the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, which Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend. will first consist of introducing it to people Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, While she didn’t know much about the and explaining what it does. Fort Wayne, at the annual Mass for program, Eiserle, a graduate student at the “Most of us think of social justice as University of Saint Francis, could see how charity,” Eiserle explains, noting that deceased priests. Priests remembered at she met the requirements of what the dio- CCHD values charitable organizations such this year’s Mass included Father Samuel cese and the program wanted. She applied. as St. Mary’s Soup Kitchen and the She was chosen for the position for the Matthew 25 Clinic, which meet the imme- Ogboso, Father Eugene Koers, Father 2006-07 academic year, and in the summer diate needs of the poor, but that its empha- of 2006, she was off for training in Edward Narcowich, Msgr. Edward Hession Washington, D.C., with soon-to-be interns CCHD, PAGE 3 and Father Frank Kronewitter. 2 TODAY’ S CATHOLIC NOVEMBER 19, 2006 TODAY’S CATHOLIC Official newspaper of the Celebration of cultures and Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend P.O. Box 11169 Fort Wayne, IN 46856 prayer creates unique mission PUBLISHER: Bishop John M. D’Arcy Sometimes it is said that our beloved diocese was established and whose rich Hispanic Catholics will not go out on a presence must always be fully understood; EDITOR: Tim Johnson week night. This mission proved how and the Poor Handmaid Sisters, whose local ASSISTANT EDITOR: Don Clemmer wrong that assessment is. What a joy to cel- provincial house is in Donaldson. We had a STAFF WRITER: Kay Cozad ebrate Mass before a packed church, most pleasant day hosted by Father Robert NEWS Spanish-speaking and English-speaking Fillmore, CSC, of Dujarie House on the Editorial Department parishioners together, and so many at holy same grounds as Holy Cross College. PAGE DESIGNER: Francie Hogan &NOTES Communion. It was especially joyful to see Among the matters discussed were the so many young people, even children, pres- following. Linda Furge presented our plans FREELANCE WRITERS: Ann Carey, BISHOP JOHN M. D’ARCY ent. for the jubilee year. The religious gave Michelle Castleman, Elmer J. Danch, We all returned to the lower church for a excellent advice, urging that there be a spe- Michelle Donaghey, Bonnie Elberson, healthy meal, which featured both Mexican cial event during the jubilee year for the Denise Fedorow, Sr. Margie Lavonis, and American food. I drove quietly and consecrated men and women who have CSC, Jennifer Ochstein,Theresa An unforgettable night in Ligonier carefully down U.S. Route 33, and when I done so much for this diocese. I eagerly Thomas, Kristi Ward St. Patrick Parish, Ligonier is a special arrived home, I realized that I had driven accepted this advice. parish. For many years, it was taken care of 92 miles since leaving South Bend in the Enid Roman-de Jesus, the outstanding Business Department by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, priests late afternoon. leader of our ministry to Hispanic whom I knew well in Lowell, Mass. I drove Catholics, presented both the opportunities BUSINESS MANAGER: Kathy Denice The parish mission and challenges, which we are experiencing AD GRAPHICS DIRECTOR: Mark Weber there from South Bend, where I had spent three days in various works, including The parish mission conducted by our in various parishes in our diocese as we BOOKKEEPING/CIRCULATION: Kathy Voirol Office of Spiritual Development is true welcome and integrate the Hispanic [email protected] blessing the new chapel for the Brothers of Holy Cross. It was the last night of the evangelization. This is an excellent exam- Catholics. I gave an overview of the pas- ple of what recent popes have called “the toral situation in our diocese. Advertising Sales parish mission, and Ginny Kohrman of our Office of Spiritual Development was the new evangelization.” “Not new in content, I was especially pleased to thank the Tess Steffen (Fort Wayne area) one guiding the parish. As always, she did a but new in ardor, in method and in expres- religious for their work among us in so (260) 456-2824 superb job. sion.” many different areas. Where would we be Judy Kearns (South Bend area) This mission was unique. It was part of without them? It was a special joy to (574) 234-0687 the preparation for our jubilee year. Its Some time for religious extend my gratitude to them for their col- laboration in the work of fostering voca- Web site: www.diocesefwsb.org/TODAY uniqueness came out of the nature of the One responsibility of a bishop is the pas- parish. Ligonier has had a huge influx of toral care of religious. It is important that tions. The religious, working closely with Father Bernard Galic and Mary Symczak, Published weekly except the last Hispanic Catholics, mostly from Mexico. communion with consecrated men and Sunday in June, second and fourth They constitute about 90 percent of the women be established and nurtured. They have just finished visiting all four high weeks in July, second week in August parish, perhaps more. are the coworkers of the bishop, but it is schools, speaking about vocations to reli- and last week in December by the Thus, each evening, there were two serv- more than this. They also represent a wit- gious life and the priesthood. Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, ices. All would begin together upstairs in ness to the bishop. The evangelical vows of Father Galic, our superb director of our 1103 S. Calhoun St., P.O. Box 390, Fort the church. The English-speaking parish- poverty, chastity and obedience come from vocation office, has told me how well the Wayne, IN 46801.