CatholicThe P ST Vatican closed, Masses in all Newspaper of the Diocese of Peoria Sunday, March 15, 2020 Italy suspended until April 3 Vol. 86,— No. 6 VATICAN CITY (CNS) — In coopera- In this issue tion with Italian emergency measures, the Vatican has closed St. Peter’s Square — and Basilica to tourists starting March 10 through April 3. The new measure, announced March 10, was the latest move by the Vatican to help stop the spread of the coronavirus by reduc- Coronavirus ing access to places that attract large groups of precautions people. On March 8, Alleman High School blesses new the Vatican closed the mural as Heritage Ball nears: P3 — Vatican Museums, the necropolis and other museums connected with the Vatican. The decision to close St. Peter’s followed a major measure implemented by the Italian government March 9, discouraging people nationwide from all unessential travel and from leaving their homes unless it was for work, getting food, medicines or seeing a doctor. As of Tuesday, Italy has 9,172 cases and A worker sprays disinfectant to combat the coronavirus in the Basilica of San Domenico 463 deaths — the most of any country out- Maggiore in Naples, Italy, on March 6. The suspension of public Masses in Italy is a painful Benedictine prioress reflects side of China. yet necessary measure to protect people’s health, the country’s bishops said in a March 8 on eight years of leadership: P10 statement. CNS/Fotogramma/IPA/ABACAPRESS.COMNo via Reuters PAINFUL, YET NECESSARY On March 8, the bishops of Italy an- MUST BE CURTAILED tions that should keep us safe from the risks nounced the suspension of all public Bishops throughout the country have sent of spreading the virus,” said Archbishop Masses in the nation, also until April 3, as letters not only to inform their dioceses about Domenico Sorrentino of Assisi in a March 9 a painful yet necessary measure to protect the suspensions but to also address concerns letter to his diocese. people’s health. by some that such measures are too drastic. Nevertheless, “the virus is spreading in It- “This is a very restrictive step, the ac- Suspending the public celebration of aly and around the world, causing suffering ceptance of which causes suffering and Mass, “may seem exaggerated in our region, and death,” he wrote. “If we don’t contain it, difficulty for pastors, priests and the faith- especially after we have committed to hospital infrastructures will collapse with ful,” the Italian bishops’ conference said in organizing participation according to the inevitable repercussions not only for the Nearly 300 take next step in their a statement. rules of safe distance and hygienic precau- infected but also for all other sick people.” journey to the Catholic faith: P12 After the Italian government issued a decree barring the celebration of all “civil Index and religious ceremonies, including funer- More inside DO YOU KNOW YOUR ‘WHY?’ 2 als,” the bishops announced the suspension WALK WITH MOMS IN NEED 3 of public Masses. Bishop Jenky repeats, adds to OSF CANCER CARE EXPANDS 4 “The acceptance of the decree is only me- temporary liturgy changes: page 14 LIFE ADVOCACY DAY NEARS 5 diated by the desire to do one’s part, even in FAITH’S ROLE IN MARRIAGES 8 this situation, to contribute to the protec- Dioceses throughout U.S. adopt TORNADO RELIEF IN NASHVILLE 9 tion of public health,” the bishops said. wide-ranging plans: page 14 BOOK PAGE REVIEWS TWO 16 Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, papal vicar OBITUARIES 17 of the Diocese of Rome, said that while all Pope urges priests to tend to AROUND THE DIOCESE 18 public Masses are suspended, churches “will sick, health care workers: page 15 MAKE FAMILIES GREAT AGAIN 19 remain open, as usual, for personal prayer.” POPE’S MESSAGE TO YOUTH 20 “May this time of Lent help us to live A man wearing a mask for protection from MOVIE TELLS OF ST. PATRICK 21 this great test evangelically,” Cardinal De Cancellations, closings from the coronavirus passes an empty St. Peter’s LIVING THE WORD 22 Donatis said. Bethlehem to Dublin: page 15 Square at the Vatican March 10. CNS/Paul Haring SHEEN’S PARENTS REMEMBERED 24 2 | THE CATHOLIC POST SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 2020 — This page is sponsored by Barbara Owens in loving memory of Lyle Owens, St. Malachy Parish, Rantoul. Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, welcomes 140 people from around the Mission Statement Diocese of Peoria to a The Catholic Post spreads the saving message of stewardship and evan- Jesus Christ as it faithfully informs, forms, and gelization conference unites members of the Diocese of Peoria. at the Spalding Pastoral (USPS 557-000) Center in Peoria on March Publisher...Most Rev. Daniel R. Jenky, CSC 5. He thanked the leaders Editor-in-Chief ..............Thomas Dermody and volunteers for their Assistant Editor...............Jennifer Willems involvement in “essential Advertising Manager........... Sonia Nelson ministry.” The Catholic Post/Tom Production........................Theresa Lindley Dermody Board of Directors: Msgr. James Kruse, Father Timothy Hepner, Deacon Greg Serangeli, Dr. Sharon Weiss, Jack Rooney, John Gibson. Parish, school leaders are challenged POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Catholic Post, PO Box 1722, Peoria, IL 61656 Office located at 419 NE Madison Ave., Peoria, to know, share the ‘why’ behind work IL 61603 Phone: (309) 671-1550, or (800) 340-5630 Fax: (309) 671-1579. Email: [email protected]. Web address: BY TOM DERMODY “Everything we do should you help people keep thecatholicpost.com. Changes of address should include name of OF THE CATHOLIC POST growing on.” new parish. Price: $30. Published biweekly by the Catholic Diocese of lead toward discipleship. If Herzing reinforced Peoria. Periodicals postage paid at Peoria, IL. Why do our Catholic parishes and we don’t have discipleship that message by urg- schools exist? ing those serving in There are many answers to that ques- as our first mission, then parishes and schools Dinner-auction March 28 tion, but the one that encompasses them we’re just an NGO doing to understand the all takes only three words, a gathering of Catholic “story” and benefits St. Mark School parish and school leaders from around the service or a public school to realize that not Diocese of Peoria was told on March 5. providing education.” every Catholic in to- “Adventure is in My Soul” is the theme “To make disciples,” is the answer sug- day’s culture knows of a dinner and auction to benefit St. gested by Katie Herzing, the senior parish Katie Herzing or remembers it. Mark School in Peoria on Saturday, coach at Our Sunday Visitor. Senior parish coach at Our Sunday Visitor “We used to be a March 28. This year’s event will take “Our mission, given to us by Christ, is to Christian culture and place at the school, 711 N. Underhill. go and make disciples,” she told the 140 in we valued Christi- A social hour featuring tapas selections attendance at a diocesan stewardship and anity,” she told the from around the world opens the evening evangelization conference at the Spalding at the first-of-its-kind event. The confer- group. “Now our culture doesn’t celebrate at 5 p.m. Dinner is at 6 p.m. A live auction Pastoral Center in Peoria. “Everything we ence replaced the diocese’s former biennial Catholicism, it celebrates secularism, hu- begins at 7 p.m., followed by dancing. do should be oriented to that. To be Christ development and stewardship days and man interest, empowerment.” Tickets are $50 each and may be in the world.” expanded to include those serving in a She broke down the Catholic story into purchased online. Further information Herzing, who helps parishes nationwide variety of other ministries such as evan- five Rs: is found at saintmark.schoolauction.net/ create vision plans to share the Gospel in gelization, respect life, vocations, Catholic l Relationship — We are created to be adventure. the 21st century, was the keynote presenter Charities, and the diocesan tribunal. in relationship to God “We all work together for the same l Ruptured — That relationship is rup- goal,” said Debbie Benz, director of the tured by Adam and Eve’s sin and our sin diocesan Office of Development and l Restored — The relationship is re- Stewardship, in welcoming remarks. “And stored through Jesus’ Passion, Death and that’s to bring people to a deeper relation- Resurrection ship with Jesus and to help them get to l Receive — We are called to receive heaven.” God’s grace into our hearts and then l Respond — to that grace in our lives. SHARING CHRIST AND OUR STORY “The message is simple, but it can be Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, thanked difficult to live out,” said Herzing, who those who serve the church for being offers suggestions on her weekly blog, involved in “essential ministry.” TransformYourParish.com. “I am more convinced than ever that “If we don’t have discipleship as our first the heart of our faith, the heart of our mission, then we’re just an NGO doing ministry, no matter what we do, is to service or a public school providing educa- share Christ,” said Bishop Jenky. “The tion,” said Herzing. “If we lose our ‘why,’ financial part is important, but the real importance is the journey of faith which PLEASE TURN TO STEWARDSHIP 23 SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 2020 THE CATHOLIC POST SECOND FRONT PAGE | 3 This page is sponsored by Stephen and Linda Renner of St. Mary Parish, Pontiac, to honor Father Adam Cesarek. — New ‘United in Faith’ mural at Alleman H.S. Father Daniel Mirabelli, CSV, director of de- velopment at Alleman High School in Rock Island, presided at dedication ceremonies Tuesday afternoon for “United in Faith,” a new mural commissioned by the Alleman Class of 1968.