50¢ December 24, 2006 Volume 80, No. 47 www.diocesefwsb.org/TODAY Serving the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend TTODAYODAY’’SS CCATHOLICATHOLIC A blessed Oplatek traditions Christmas to all Peace on earth and at home e approach the crib this year as always, on our Wknees, and with the realization that here some- this Christmas thing is asked of us. What is asked of us? The com- mandment of the New Testament linked also to the Pages 10-13 Old Testament; namely, that we love God and love our neighbor. As Pope Benedict says in his beautiful encycli- cal “God is Love” — it is a commandment, which comes from within us. Peace message This means we can only truly love God when we have encountered him in prayer. Pope Benedict Pope stresses human rights gives the example of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta. It Page 3 is from the Eucharist, from holy Communion, from her eucharistic adoration that her heart was drawn to the love of God. So must it be for us as we approach together the observance of our diocesan Jubilee. Pastoral visit Kneeling at the crib and in our Christmas Mass, we realize that Jesus Christ is within us, drawing us at St. Patrick to himself and to God our Father. He is also always drawing us in love to our neighbor in need. Only Bishop remembers when our hearts turn in prayer to our neighbor, sadness of 2005 especially our neighbor in need, has the mystery of Christmas begun to take hold. Page 5 Also, this Christmas our hearts and minds reach out to places where there is a terrible war. Let us think of Iraq, the land of the prophets torn asunder with killings every day. Let us pray for the Holy Land where Jesus was TV Mass in Fort Wayne born and where he preached, a land now torn by strife and killings. Volunteers and coordinators When we kneel at the crib, we must keep in celebrate 20 years mind all those who suffer, and raise our hearts to God for them. A blessed Christmas to all — a Pages 2 and 8 Christmas where your heart is raised to God for those in need. CNS PHOTO/ERICH LESSING, ART RESOURCE Mary and the Christ Child appear in this fragment from a larger 16th-century piece by Bishop John M. D’Arcy Bernardino Luini. The Dec. 25 Christmas feast commemorates the incarnation of the divine No issue next week word at the birth of Christ. Next publication Jan. 7, 2007 will be sent to all registered LAUNCHING 150TH JUBILEE Beatification date of Father Catholic homes Basil Moreau announced

NOTRE DAME — The Venerable Basile- the priests are perhaps best known in the Antoine Marie Moreau, CSC (1799-1873), community for the University of Notre founder of the Holy Cross Priests, Brothers Dame; the brothers, for Holy Cross College and Sisters, will be beatified in Le Mans, and Holy Cross Village at Notre Dame; and France, the place of his ministry and death, the sisters for Saint Mary’s College and Saint on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2007. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center. All three The Vatican Secretariat of State congregations also minister in educational announced the news to major superiors of institutions and social and pastoral ministries Holy Cross congregations in a Dec. 7 letter. in the local community. As a priest of the diocese of Le Mans and The Holy Cross congregations also minis- a seminary professor, Basile Moreau estab- ter in North and South America, Africa and lished the Association of Holy Cross consist- Asia, furthering the educational and pastoral ing of two societies, one of men (brothers and vision of their founder. On Jan. 7, all registered Catholic house- priests) and one of women, for the principal On April 12, 2003, Pope John Paul II had holds will receive a special issue of Today’s purposes of the education of youth and evan- issued the declaration and bestowed on the gelization. Holy Cross founder the title Venerable. The Catholic with details associated with 150th Today there are four Holy Cross congre- Vatican Congregation for the Causes of anniversary of the diocese. The window gations: the Congregation of Holy Cross Saints recommended to Pope Benedict XVI (priests and brothers); and three congrega- on Nov. 8, 2005, that Basile Moreau be decal, shown above, will be included. tions of women: the Marianites of Holy Cross declared blessed, the next step toward canon- Bishop John M. D’Arcy will launch the (France); the Sisters of the Holy Cross ization or sainthood. (Indiana); and the Sisters of Holy Cross For further information on Basil Moreau jubilee year at the 9:30 a.m., Sunday, Dec. (Montreal). and the Congregations of Holy Cross, please 31, Mass at the Cathedral of the Since their beginnings the four Holy contact: www.holycrosscongregation.org, Cross congregations have grown and spread www.cscsisters.org, www.marianites.org and Immaculate Conception in Fort Wayne. throughout the world. In the South Bend area, www.sistersofholycross.org. 2 TODAY’ S CATHOLIC DECEMBER 24, 2006 TODAY’S CATHOLIC

Official newspaper of the Boston auxiliary bishops’ Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend P.O. Box 11169 Fort Wayne, IN 46856 ordination provides a retreat PUBLISHER: Bishop John M. D’Arcy the ordination of a bishop. The newly-con- Television Mass secrated bishop walks through the cathedral EDITOR: Tim Johnson We had over 100 people at the with the two co-consecrators, fully robed ASSISTANT EDITOR: Don Clemmer University of Saint Francis Chapel to cele- and carrying his crosier, he blesses the peo- STAFF WRITER: brate together the 20th anniversary of the Kay Cozad ple. I had done that before. It is always joy- television Mass, as we did earlier in South NEWS ful. But I do not think I ever saw such Bend. It was all arranged by our devoted Editorial Department intense emotion. You remember everything and very capable director of communica- PAGE DESIGNER: Francie Hogan &NOTES that the great Archdiocese of Boston has tions, Vincent LaBarbera. I was delighted FREELANCE WRITERS: Ann Carey, been through — all the suffering, all the BISHOP JOHN M. D’ARCY that Christine Bonahoom-Nix, now a moth- Michelle Castleman, Elmer J. Danch, pain, all the scandal. Now here were two er of two, was there. Christine served with Michelle Donaghey, Bonnie Elberson, worthy young priests who had accom- great energy and ability as director of com- Denise Fedorow, Sr. Margie Lavonis, plished much. Each one would have been munications. I also thought of Mary CSC, Jennifer Ochstein,Theresa delighted to remain a parish priest for the A day of joy Lombardo and Beth Lohmuller, who played Thomas, Kristi Ward rest of his life. The explosion of applause, I first met John Dooher when he was a a key part in the television Mass. Especially tears and joy was like nothing I had ever deacon at St. John’s Seminary. It was the moving was a reflection at the end of Mass Business Department heard. It seemed to grow stronger as we fall of 1968, and I had just returned from by Sean McBride. Sean is the director approached the hundreds of priests who BUSINESS MANAGER: Kathy Denice Rome. Tumultuous days and yet here was a every week of the television Mass. It was were present. It was in the creed we pray: AD GRAPHICS DIRECTOR: Mark Weber steady man who expected to be a priest in a his father, Ed McBride, the father also of the worst is over. Christ is still with us. BOOKKEEPING/CIRCULATION: Kathy Voirol few months and had a clear idea of who a my assistant, Maureen Schott, who was [email protected] Grace is everywhere. priest is. central to the establishment of the televi- Afterward, I told Cardinal O’Malley that He later served as a part-time spiritual sion Mass. Afterward, there was a delight- Advertising Sales I thought Boston was on the way back. I director at St. John’s Seminary and led the ful brunch at Saint Francis University din- Tess Steffen (Fort Wayne area) am sure they have many hills to climb, but Office of Spiritual Development and gave ing room. (260) 456-2824 it certainly was a joy to go back to the many parish retreats and missions. He held Of course, it was a day of mourning Judy Kearns (South Bend area) cathedral of my boyhood and be joined to several other difficult and demanding posts around the campus. The wonderful Saint so many priests, some of them my compan- (574) 234-0687 in the Archdiocese of Boston. I sent him to Francis Cougars once again came to the ions of a lifetime and experience with them Web site: www.diocesefwsb.org/TODAY Creighton University to study spirituality, edge of a national championship, only to be this moment of faith and joy. It was a privi- and he gobbled it up. He served as chair of defeated in faraway Savannah, Tenn. But Published weekly except the last lege to be there and to be part of the pro- the advisory board of the Our Sunday they will be back, and they will bring home Sunday in June, second and fourth cession of blessing with Bishop Dooher at weeks in July, second week in August Visitor. But he always remained a parish a championship. My congratulations to the end of Mass. This was at the invitation and last week in December by the priest. Coach Donley and to Sister Elise Kriss, of the cardinal due to the incapacity of one Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, So it was a special joy to fly to Boston OSF. 1103 S. Calhoun St., P.O. Box 390, Fort overnight for his consecration as an auxil- of the co-consecrators who was unable to Wayne, IN 46801. Second-class iary bishop. Another priest, who was in the take this long and thrilling walk. postage paid at Fort Wayne, IN, and additional mailing office. seminary when I was on the faculty, was The coming Jubilee ordained bishop with him — Bob Hennessy I am just polishing off a pastoral letter to POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: who had spent nine years as a help launch our Jubilee. I believe Today’s Catholic, P.O. Box 11169, Fort missionary with the St. James it will be in the next edition of Wayne, IN 46856-1169 or e-mail: Society in Peru, and was now a this newspaper. The Jubilee [email protected]. pastor in a parish of Hispanic This community, with their focus on begins officially with a Mass I SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Domestic in Catholics in East Boston. will celebrate at the Cathedral of advance, one year $20. Bundle rates perpetual adoration and prayer, also has a strong the Immaculate Conception on available on request. Single copy 50¢. Dec. 31, 2006, and the following A nostalgic trip week with a Mass at our co- MAIN OFFICE: sense of the contemporary needs of the church. 915 S. Clinton St., Fort It was in the Cathedral of the cathedral, St. Matthew Cathedral. Wayne, IN 46802.Telephone (260) Holy Cross where I was ordained 456-2824. Fax: (260) 744-1473. I hope you are looking forward to BUREAU OFFICE: 114 W.Wayne St., South a priest and 18 years later a bish- all these wonderful events as I Bend, IN 46601.Telephone (574) 234- op. I could see the bench where am. More about it in our next edi- 0687. Fax: (574) 232-8483. my family had sat, including my tion. dear mother and father. But it I will celebrate Mass on News deadline is the Monday morn- was not about me. It was about two exem- ing before publication date. A Christmas gift Christmas Eve at St. Matthew Cathedral, plary priests being made bishops. I have South Bend, followed by the midnight Advertising deadline is nine days For the second year in a row, the sisters before publication date. always believed that attending the ordina- Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate who are in formation, that is, novices, pos- tion of a bishop, not so much the installa- Conception, Fort Wayne, which will be tel- tulants and others of the Franciscan Sisters LETTERS POLICY: Today’s Catholic wel- tion of someone already a bishop, but the evised throughout the Fort Wayne area. On of Perpetual Adoration came to my home in comes original, signed letters about ordination, is for a bishop a kind of retreat. Christmas morning, I will celebrate the tel- issues affecting church life. Although Fort Wayne to sing Christmas carols. It I heard again the promises I made on the evision Mass on WISE-TV. Do not forget, we cannot publish every letter we brightened up a rainy and cloudy afternoon. day of my own ordination. The promises there will be a beautiful Mass from St. receive, we strive to provide a bal- Of course, as it so happens in these days, anced representation of expressed are about such things as fidelity and com- Adalbert Parish, South Bend, on Christmas they brought cookies, brownies and other opinions and a variety of reflections munion with the Bishop of Rome. You at 6 a.m. and 1 p.m. on WNDU-TV. We are sweets with them. The temptations of the on life in the church.We will choose make a promise about prayer — are you not forgetting our homebound parishioners. letters for publication based on read- season. But it was wonderful to sing carols going to pray constantly? There is a prom- A blessed Christmas to you. See you in er interest, timeliness and fairness. ise about devotion to the poor, preaching with them with a little time for discussion Readers may agree or disagree with two weeks. the Gospel and celebrating the sacraments. and prayer. the letter writers’ opinions. Letters This community, with their focus on per- must not exceed 500 words. All let- These two young men — well, young to me ters must be signed and include a anyway — prostrated themselves on the petual adoration and prayer, also has a phone number and address for verifi- altar in that gesture which John Paul II strong sense of the contemporary needs of cation.We reserve the right to edit always called “evocative.” With full manly the church. Their superiors have often letters for legal and other concerns. hearts, they made their promises. There was approached me to see about the needs in the beautiful instruction and the imposition the diocese and see how they can help. So, Mail letters to: Today’s Catholic, they are involved throughout the diocese in P.O. Box 11169, Fort Wayne, IN of hands first, of course, by Cardinal 46856-1169; or e-mail: O’Malley, by the two co-consecrators and ministry to young adults, in campus min- [email protected] then by all the bishops. The Litany of the istry, in Marian High School, in parish Saints was prayed devoutly. schools and in various endeavors. It was a ISSN 0891-1533 There is a striking moment at the end of joy to sing with them a week before USPS 403630 Christmas. DECEMBER 24, 2006 TODAY’S CATHOLIC 3 Papal peace message stresses human Bishop requests rights even when terrorism strikes generosity for efforts of BY CINDY WOODEN Catholic Charities VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Even when faced with a potential ter- rorist attack or in the midst of My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, war, basic human rights must be As the feast of Christmas draws near, we are called not only to respected, Pope Benedict XVI remember that holy night when the Savior was born but, in a real said in his message for World sense, to relive it. We ponder in our hearts once again the incredible Peace Day 2007. fact that the greatest gift we will ever receive has already been given “Peace is based on respect for — Jesus Christ, son of the living God. God loved us so much that he the rights of all,” the pope said in wanted to be close to us, to come among us, to become one of us, like his message for the Jan. 1 com- us in all things but sin. memoration. The central question that surrounds our celebration of Christmas The message, “The Human must be this: will we welcome him as once Mary and Joseph and the Person, the Heart of Peace,” was shepherds and Wise Men welcomed him? The description of the Last sent to heads of state around the Judgment in Matthew’s Gospel reminds us in a powerful way that we world and was released Dec. 12 will be judged on how well we welcomed Christ in our midst, present at a Vatican press conference. especially in the little child, and in those who are hungry, thirsty, The pope’s message included naked, sick and in prison. prayers for peace in war-torn Our diocese has a wonderful tradition of taking up a collection on countries, such as Lebanon; spe- Christmas Day for the work of Catholic Charities, as a concrete way cial concern for child victims of of welcoming Christ in our midst. In the child developing in its moth- violence; a condemnation of con- er’s womb, in the refugee hoping for a new life in our nation, in the tinued nuclear proliferation; and poor family who has lost their home, we are called to see the face of concern over the potential for Christ and to do whatever we can to welcome him. This is the heart of violent conflicts over energy the work of Catholic Charities, which provides counseling and assis- resources. tance and support to so many in our diocese, sharing in the joys and The basis of any hope for hopes, the sorrows and anxieties of people’s daily lives. peace, the pope said, is a recogni- The feast of Christmas calls us to see the face of Christ in those tion that each human person is who depend on others for their flourishing. In the name of the new- created in the image and likeness born Savior, who comes to us still in the least of his brothers and sis- of God and, therefore, endowed ters, looking for our love and concern, I ask you to make a contribu- with a dignity and with rights that tion to this important collection. cannot be usurped by anyone. Sincerely yours in our Lord, Most countries around the CNS PHOTO/NIR KAFRI, REUTERS world have adopted the tenets of Rescue workers evacuate a wounded man from a building after it was international humanitarian law, hit by a rocket in Haifa, Israel, July 17. Pope Benedict XVI cited the war in recognizing that it applies in situ- Lebanon between Hezbollah militants and Israel as a situation where Most Rev. John M. D’Arcy ations of conflict as well as in the duty to protect, assist and avoid involving the civilian population peacetime, he said. “was largely ignored.” “Unfortunately, to say nothing of past cases, this has not been consistently implemented in cer- ask, ‘What should we do?’ and to sia,” he said. tain recent situations of war,” he develop regulations” that will “How can we fail to see in all said. provide security while guarantee- this an attack on peace?” Pope Religious leaders declare Specifically citing the July ing respect for human rights. Benedict asked. war in Lebanon between In his message, Pope Benedict The pope also condemned as a Hezbollah militias and Israel, also called for “a vision of the violation of human dignity, and a hope for Mideast, urge Pope Benedict said the duty to person untainted by ideological threat to peace, situations in protect, assist and avoid involv- and cultural prejudices or by which individuals are not free to ing the civilian population “was political and economic interests practice their religious faith, strong U.S. role largely ignored.” which can instill hatred and vio- either because a national regime “The heart-rending situation in lence.” imposes one religion on its resi- action will not resolve the con- Lebanon and the new shape of And he urged members of reli- dents or because a “systematic BY JERRY FILTEAU flict.” conflicts, especially since the ter- gious communities and their lead- cultural denigration of religious “The only authentic way for- rorist threat unleashed completely ers to renew their commitment to beliefs” encourages people to WASHINGTON (CNS) — ward is a negotiated settlement new forms of violence, demand dialogue and to denouncing “con- hide their faith or limits their Leaders of 29 national Christian, built on difficult, but realistic, that the interna- ceptions of God ability to express religious beliefs Jewish and Muslim organizations compromises and security tional commu- that would in public. issued a joint call for the Bush arrangements with international nity reaffirm encourage intol- In addition, he said, violations administration and the new guarantees,” they added. “The international erance and of “the natural equality of all per- Congress to make Arab-Israeli- path to peace requires a rejection humanitarian “War in God’s name is recourse to vio- sons” also threaten peace. Palestinian peace a top foreign of violence and an embrace of law and apply it lence against Obviously, he said, the fact policy priority. dialogue.” to all present- others.” that so many of the world’s peo- never acceptable.” Peace is “an essential of faith” Catholic signatories on the let- day situations “War in ple have no access to the essen- in all three religious traditions, ter and statement were Cardinal of armed con- God’s name is tials needed for life, including POPE BENEDICT XVI they said. William H. Keeler of Baltimore; flict,” the pope never accept- food, water, shelter and health They asked U.S. Secretary of Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, said. able,” the pope “lies at the root of violent reac- State Condoleezza Rice to meet recently retired archbishop of While recog- said. tions and thus inflicts a terrible with them to discuss the “urgent Washington; and Bishop William nizing the diffi- Throughout wound on peace.” situation” in the Middle East and S. Skylstad of Spokane, Wash., culties posed by the document, But also, the pope said, “inad- the need for “active, fair and firm president of the U.S. Conference the threat of terrorism, Pope Pope Benedict called for a uni- equate consideration for the con- leadership by the United States” of Catholic Bishops. Benedict said countries must con- versal recognition that basic dition of women helps to create to promote a comprehensive The Rev. Michael E. duct “a profound reflection on the human rights are God-given or instability in the fabric of socie- peace in the region. Livingston, president of the ethical limits restricting the use natural; when an individual or a ty,” especially when women are In a consensus statement and a National Council of Churches, of modern methods of guarantee- society decides it can determine exploited or “where women are letter to Rice, both dated Dec. 12 and leaders of 12 Orthodox or ing internal security.” who will enjoy which rights, both still firmly subordinated to the and released Dec. 14, the leaders Protestant denominations or Cardinal Renato Martino, human dignity and peace are arbitrary decisions of men with expressed the belief that the cur- national organizations also signed president of the Pontifical threatened, he said. grave consequences for their per- rent crisis can be turned into an the letter and statement. Council for Justice and Peace, “As far as the right to life is sonal dignity and for the exercise opportunity for change and that Among the 12 Jewish signato- told reporters at the Vatican Dec. concerned, we must denounce its of their fundamental freedoms.” the current Israeli-Palestinian ries were Rabbi Harry K. 12 that the global fight against widespread violation in our socie- “There can be no illusion of a cease-fire offers hope for restart- Danziger, president of the Central terrorism can be seen as “the ty,” the pope said. secure peace until these forms of ing negotiations. Conference of American Rabbis, Fourth World War. The Cold War “Alongside the victims of discrimination are also overcome, “The crisis in Gaza and the and Rabbi Eric Yoffie, president was the third.” armed conflicts, terrorism and the since they injure the personal dig- war in Lebanon and northern of the Union for Reform Judaism. He continued, “But this war different forms of violence, there nity impressed by the creator Israel remind us that the status The seven Muslim signatories does not have the parameters of are the silent deaths caused by upon every human being,” Pope quo in the region is unstable and the wars we experienced in histo- hunger, abortion, experimentation Benedict said. untenable,” they said in the ry. This must push countries to on human embryos and euthana- seven-page statement. “Military MIDEAST, PAGE 4 4 TODAY’ S CATHOLIC DECEMBER 24, 2006

conditions that bring about seri- ous negotiations on a two-state solution” of Israel and Palestine Pope, Greek Orthodox primate pledge MIDEAST enjoying sovereignty and securi- CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 ty. They asked the government to work toward full communion build on the principles and practi- included Sayyid Muhammad cal ideas of earlier peace initia- Syeed, national director of the tives but also to explore bold new Islamic Society of North initiatives that could help bring America’s Office of Interfaith the parties to negotiated solu- and Community Alliances, and tions. Naim Baig, secretary-general of They called on the United the Islamic Circle of North States to help rebuild Lebanon’s America. civil infrastructure in the wake of The leaders in December 2003 the recent widespread bombing formed the National by Israel in retaliation for Interreligious Leadership Hezbollah attacks from Lebanon Initiative for Peace in the Middle into Israel. East and urged the United States In addition to encouraging a to exercise leadership at the high- series of concrete peace initia- est levels and take concrete steps tives by Israel and the Palestinian to press for peace in the region. Authority, they said the United “We have been disappointed States should undertake diplo- that the United matic efforts to States did not restart peace more actively negotiations pursue the They asked the between Israel ‘road map’ for and Syria and peace which we between Israel felt held great government to build on and Lebanon. promise,” the At a confer- consensus the principles and practical ence in CNS PHOTO/DANILO SCHIAVELLA, REUTERS statement said. September at Orthodox Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and all Greece meets with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican Dec. “While much which the con- 14. The pope and archbishop said Roman Catholics and Greek Orthodox Christians must seek forgiveness and has changed ideas of earlier peace sensus statement learn to work together for the good of the world. The two leaders signed a joint declaration pledging to since December was developed, preach the Gospel together and work toward full communion. 2003, our fun- initiatives but also to Cardinal damental call McCarrick said, and in their declaration, the pope newly rediscovered fraternity of for the United “We gather at a BY CINDY WOODEN and the archbishop acknowledged their churches to ensure the future States to more explore bold new time of crisis in how far apart their communities of Christianity in Europe and to fully engage in the Middle East. VATICAN CITY (CNS) — After had grown over the centuries and address a host of modern chal- the work for a initiatives that could help But times of cri- centuries of allowing themselves to how difficult their relations were, lenges facing society. two-state solu- sis can also grow apart, Roman Catholics and even as late as the 1990s. The archbishop told the pope tion to the con- become oppor- Greek Orthodox must seek forgive- Pope Benedict said Catholics that “in our role as spiritual fathers flict has not.” bring the parties to tunities for ness and learn to work together for and Orthodox should have learned of the pious members of our More than change.” the good of the world, said Pope from what the New Testament churches” the two of them must half of the con- Rabbi Paul Benedict XVI and Orthodox describes as the situation of the raise an alarm about “all that threat- sensus state- negotiated solutions. Menitoff, imme- Archbishop Christodoulos of early church in the Greek city of ens the values and structures of ment was diate past vice Athens and all Greece. Corinth, which knew “the difficul- European civilization deeply devoted to spe- president of the The pope formally welcomed ties and serious temptations of impregnated by the Christian faith.” cific recom- Central the primate of the Orthodox division.” The “progressive de- mendations to Conference of Church of Greece to the Vatican “In effect, a real danger appears Christianization of Europe,” the United States regarding its American Rabbis, said, “We Dec. 14, solemnly signing with where persons want to identify attempts to exclude faith-based own role in peace-building and know how the Israeli-Palestinian him a commitment to preaching themselves with one group or speech from the public arena, how it should relate to conflict will end. There will be the Gospel together and to work- another,” rather than with Christ, “religious fanaticism,” and attacks Palestinian leaders, Israel and the two states living side by side in ing for full communion. the pope said. on human life, including research Arab states to encourage con- peace with mutually acceptable “We want to live more intensely Through increased contacts and on embryos, call for religious lead- structive contributions to peace arrangements for sharing our mission of giving an apostolic formal dialogue, the pope said, ership and moral guidance, on their part. Jerusalem and resolving the issue witness, of transmitting the faith to Catholics and Orthodox have come Archbishop Christodoulos said. The religious leaders called on of refugees. The only question is those who are near and those who to value each other’s spiritual, litur- Archbishop Christodoulos also the United States to collaborate how many more Israelis and are far,” said the joint declaration, gical and theological traditions and thanked Pope Benedict for decid- with the European Union, Russia Palestinians will die before this written in Greek and in French on to see them as gifts from God. ing to give a very important relic and the United Nations “to create vision is realized.” a large piece of parchment. Pope Benedict and Archbishop to the Greek church: links from In their speeches to each other Christodoulos vowed to use the the chain venerated as that which bound St. Paul during his impris- onment in Rome. The Vatican said church docu- ments from as early as the middle of the third century spoke of the chains kept at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, the site of St. Paul’s burial. Over the centuries, links have been distributed to others for veneration; the gift to Archbishop Christodoulos consisted of two of Voice Mail O:(260)436-6363 Ex 317 the remaining nine links, each is in the form of a figure-eight and (260) 479-1162 R: (260) 639-6471 is two and a half inches long.

600 One Summit Square • Fort Wayne, Indiana 46802 260-423-9440

CHICAGO • ELKHART • FORT WAYNE • GRAND RAPIDS • INDIANAPOLIS • SOUTH BEND • WASHINGTON, D.C. DECEMBER 24, 2006 TODAY’ S CATHOLIC 5 Pope asks world to do more to meet needs of Iraqi refugees in Syria

BY JOHN THAVIS

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI appealed on behalf of Iraqi refugees in Syria, asking the international community to do more to meet their needs. The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees estimated in October that 450,000 Iraqis had taken refuge in Syria, with at least 40,000 more arriving each month. Many of the refugees are TIM JOHNSON Christians. Bishop John M. D’Arcy greets parishioners of St. Patrick Parish in Fort “My thoughts today go to the Wayne after a Mass of remembrance for Ana Casas-Rios and her three hundreds of thousands of Iraqi daughters, Liliana Karen, 10, Katherine, 4, and Thannya Karolinna, 20 refugees in Syria, forced to leave months, and Alejandra Gutierrez, 10, who were all killed last year. “This their country because of the dra- was not the will of God,” Bishop D’Arcy said. matic situation experienced there,” the pope said at his noon blessing Dec. 17. The pope pointed out that the CNS PHOTO/TONY GENTILE, REUTERS One-year anniversary Syrian branch of the Catholic aid Pope Benedict XVI waves to the faithful gathered for his Angelus prayer agency Caritas was working to in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican Dec. 17. The pope appealed on behalf help refugee families. of Iraqi refugees in Syria, asking the international community to do Mass held at St. Patrick “In particular I call on the sen- more to meet their needs. sitivity of individuals, interna- tional organizations and govern- In his main talk delivered to a suffering, he said. Church on Dec. 16 ments to make additional efforts large crowd in St. Peter’s Square, But he said it was not only the to meet (the refugees’) most the pope asked Christians to sick and aged who need attention. BY TIM JOHNSON Speaking with the help of a urgent needs,” he said. think of the poor at Christmas — He said that many people, espe- translator, Bishop D’Arcy spoke “I raise my prayer to the Lord, especially those “poor in joy.” cially the young, have lost the about the third Sunday of Advent. that he may give comfort to these “Let us think of our brothers true sense of joy in their lives and FORT WAYNE — “Let us pray “This is the third Sunday of brothers and sisters and stimulate and sisters who, especially in the look for it in the wrong places: in for and protect our little children. Advent, a day of joy. Christmas is generosity in the hearts of many,” Middle East, in some areas of alcohol and drugs, in con- In the face of a child, we see God. near — the coming of Jesus he said. Africa and in other parts of the sumerism, in false entertainment Jesus Christ said ‘let the little chil- Christ,” he said. The United Nations has esti- world, are living through the and in “the exasperated search for dren come to me.’ So fathers and With the nearness of the feast mated that up to 1.6 million drama of war: What joy can they self-affirmation and success.” mothers and uncles and aunts and of Our Lady of Guadalupe, just Iraqis are now outside their coun- experience? What will their He said the church’s invitation priests should protect little chil- days prior, Bishop D’Arcy told the try, most of them in Syria and Christmas be like?” he said. to share in the joy of Christmas is dren.” congregation that he would like to Jordan. Tens of thousands who The pope also recalled the not something that should alien- These were the words of celebrate that feast at St. Patrick passed through those countries many sick and lonely people who ate people or merely soothe their encouragement Bishop John M. Parish in Fort Wayne next year. have moved on to Turkey, may feel abandoned at Christmas. feelings. Instead, he said, it is a D’Arcy offered to those who gath- This was met with the delight and Lebanon, Egypt, the Gulf states People should figure out a way to call to internal renewal that can ered at a Dec. 16 Mass of remem- applause from the congregation. and Europe, the United Nations share joy the joy of Christmas lead to salvation. brance at St. Patrick Catholic “Be sure to open your hearts to said. with them, while respecting their Church, celebrated by Father Eloy Jesus Christ at Christmas,” Bishop Jimenez Zuniga, associate pastor. D’Arcy encouraged. “As St. John Bishop D’Arcy, who presided the Baptist tells us, we must repent at the Mass, addressed the congre- of our sins. This is best done by gation. going to the sacrament of penance. The Mass of remembrance was And with Mary, we open our in observance of the one-year hearts and ask Jesus Christ to anniversary of the funeral Mass come into our hearts.” celebrated by Bishop D’Arcy of He concluded by wishing the Ana Casas-Rios and her three community a merry Christmas. daughters, Liliana Karen, 10; “Through the power of Jesus Katherine, 4; and Thannya Christ, we will someday make it Karolinna, 20 months, on Dec. 14, to heaven with our beloved 2005. Simon Rios has been Alejandra and the others who were charged with four counts of mur- killed. Let us pray to our Lady to der and two counts of moving a make it so,” he said. body in connection with the deaths The congregation sang of his wife and daughters and is “Amigo,” a hymn that acknowl- awaiting trial. edged the friendship of the bishop On Dec. 26, 2005, at St. to the Latino community. Four Generations Patrick’s, a funeral Mass was held “Thank you for the beautiful for Alejandra Gutierrez with hymn, I will keep it in my heart,” Bishop D’Arcy presiding. The 10- he told the congregation. of family ownership year-old girl had been missing Through Sister Herodia, the since Dec. 13, 2005. Her body family of Ana Casas thanked the was found in Delaware County on St. Patrick community, Father Jack Dec. 19, 2005. Rios also is the Overmyer, Father Eloy Jimeniz Now in our fourth MCCOMB main suspect of her death. Zuniga and Father Chau Pham, “This was not the will of God,” SVD, for their support through the generation of service, & SONS Bishop D’Arcy said. “God wants year. The family also thanked Funeral Homes young girls, like young boys, to D.O. McComb & Sons has Bishop D’Arcy for his spiritual CELEBRATE THE LIVES OF THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE grow up and be happy and have support. worked hard to provide the children of their own and grand- After Mass, balloons were families in this community with children and live a full life.” launched by young and old out- (260) 426-9494 He added, “We learned about side of the front steps of St. the very best service Maplewood Park • 4017 Maplecrest the power of evil. It is a terrible Patrick Church. Lakeside Park • 1140 Lake Avenue sin to take a young life. Only God An earlier memorial on possible. As a family-owned can take away life. Wednesday was coordinated funeral home, we take Foster Park • 6301 Fairfield “But we believe they are in through a partnership between the personal pride in every Auburn Chapel • 502 North Main heaven and they are happy,” he City of Fort Wayne and the Covington Knolls • 8325 Covington Road added. “But we are sad. The fact National Center for Missing and service we arrange. Pine Valley Park • 1320 E. Dupont Road that they are in heaven does not Exploited Children.

take away our pain and sorrow.” ©2002 MKJ Marketing 6 TODAY’ S CATHOLIC DECEMBER 24, 2006

Dec. 5 in Keyser at the age of 88. Vatican official: World Father Ivan M. Lebar of the Third has not been effective in Order Regular of St. Francis cele- brated a funeral Mass for Kelly helping Darfur Dec. 9 at the Church of the Assumption in Keyser. He was ROME (CNS) — The internation- EWS RIEFS N B cremated and inurned at St. al community has failed to act Thomas Columbarium in Keyser. effectively in putting an end to the At the time of his resignation June tragic conflict and “horrific viola- 14, 1971, Kelly had been an auxil- tion of human rights” taking place WOMAN WALKS THROUGH CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY iary bishop in Providence, R.I., in the Darfur region of western for seven years. He later married Sudan, a Vatican official said. The and worked as an attorney in “killing of children, sexual abuse Rhode Island and West Virginia. and rape of girls and women, Ellen M. O’Hara, chancellor of forced uprooting of (the) popula- the Diocese of Wheeling- tion, burning of villages, attacks Charleston, said Dec. 12 that on internally-displaced-people Kelly was reconciled with the camps, targeting of unarmed civil- Catholic Church “10 to 12 years ians” are all part of the human and ago” and “died a faithful member” environmental disaster continuing of the Church of the Assumption. to unfold in the region, said As a bishop, Kelly also was active Archbishop Silvano Tomasi. The in the fledgling ecumenical move- Vatican’s representative to U.N. ment, and was one of the first and other international organiza- Catholic bishops to speak before a tions in Geneva spoke Dec. 12 at Protestant congregation when he an emergency session of the U.N. preached at the Beneficent Human Rights Council in Geneva Congregational Church in on the human rights situation in Providence in 1965. Announcing Darfur. Catholic News Service in his resignation, Kelly said his fel- Rome obtained a copy of his text. low bishops were “determined to “The crisis under discussion has preserve as far as possible the provoked debates and internation- structures and forms of (the al complaints,” he said, but so far Council of) Trent” and “more con- the international community has cerned about Communion in the only responded with “insufficient hand than they are about the war effective actions.” The No. 1 pri- CNS PHOTO/NAYEF HASHLAMOUN, REUTERS in Vietnam.” “I see no hope for ority should be concrete measures any future change in their atti- to end the killings, not wrangling A shaft of light falls on a woman as she walks through the Church of the Nativity in tude,” he said in a letter to priests over “political arrangements and Bethlehem, West Bank, Dec. 17. The church is built over the site traditionally believed of the Providence Diocese. “Since commercial interests,” he said. to be the birthplace of Jesus. discussion is impossible, I feel obligated in conscience to protest Baltimore cardinal during a Dec. 15 White House “in some countries reproductive Beings. Ireland is one of three in the only way possible, by my condemns ‘revisionist ceremony. During the presentation health services include abortion, countries that does not protect vic- resignation.” in the East Room, where Francis thus denying the inherent right to tims of human trafficking with history’ of Holocaust sat on the stage alongside nine life of every human being,” which residence permits. Eighth Providence other medal recipients, the long- the document affirms. Archbishop WASHINGTON (CNS) — time president of the nation’s only Migliore outlined his concerns in bishop presides as first Cardinal William H. Keeler of Court convicts priest for historically black Catholic univer- a Dec. 13 statement. “It is surely bishop’s remains Baltimore condemned “revisionist sity was praised for being “a man tragic that, wherever fetal defect is ordering deaths of history” of the Holocaust, the sys- of deep intellect and compassion a precondition for offering or relocated tematic efforts by Nazis during and character.” In his remarks, employing abortion, the same Rwandans during World War II to do away with President George W. Bush convention created to protect per- PROVIDENCE, R.I. (CNS) — Jews also known as the Shoah, a described Francis as the longest- sons with disabilities from all dis- genocide With hundreds of worshippers Hebrew word meaning devasta- serving university president in the crimination in the exercise of their looking on, the eighth ordinary of tion or catastrophe. The cardinal YAOUNDE, Cameroon (CNS) — United States and someone who rights may be used to deny the A United Nations war crimes Providence presided at a Mass and took particular exception to a Dec. has dedicated his life to education. very basic right to life of disabled offered prayers Dec. 8 as students 11-12 conference in Iran during court sentenced a priest to 15 He noted that Francis, who unborn persons,” the archbishop years in prison for ordering mili- carried the remains of the found- which speakers “sought to dimin- received his undergraduate degree said. The convention was adopted ing bishop of Providence to a new ish the scope of the Holocaust.” tias to set fire to his church and at Xavier, was the first African- by U.N. members Dec. 13 by con- bulldoze it, killing the 2,000 sarcophagus in the Cathedral of Speakers at the conference in American to graduate from the sensus. SS. Peter and Paul. Six students Tehran included David Duke, for- Tutsis who had sought safety Loyola University College of inside during the 1994 Rwandan from Bishop Hendricken High mer U.S. leader of the Ku Klux Law, also in New Orleans. Bush School in Warwick carried on Klan, and several authors who genocide. The International remarked that, after Hurricane Irish bishops urge Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda in their shoulders a sturdy, green- have been sued or arrested in Katrina’s damage to the Xavier velvet-covered casing containing Europe for denying the Nazis’ government to protect Arusha, Tanzania, found Father campus, “Francis vowed the uni- Athanase Seromba guilty of geno- Bishop Thomas F. Hendricken’s mass murder of European Jews. versity would overcome and women forced into sex original casket. “This occasion is Iranian President Mahmoud cide and extermination as a crime reopen its doors by January — against humanity Dec. 13. Father an opportunity to recall the noble Ahmadinejad has in the past and he kept that pledge.” He also trade history of the Providence Diocese denied the Holocaust ever hap- Seromba ordered the church noted that Francis continues to DUBLIN, Ireland (CNS) — The destroyed after Tutsis seeking and to remember and thank all pened. “The Catholic bishops of help the people of his state as those who have gone before us in the United States stand in solidar- Irish Bishops’ Conference urged refuge in his church in Nyange chairman of the Louisiana the government to immediately Parish in Kibuye, in western faith,” said Bishop Thomas J. ity with the universal church in Recovery Authority formed by Tobin, the current bishop of condemning ‘revisionist history’ pass legislation to protect female Rwanda, repelled an assault by Gov. Kathleen Blanco. victims of trafficking for sexual gendarmes and the Interahamwe, Providence. Born in Kilkenny, that seeks to minimize the horror Ireland, in 1827, Thomas of the Holocaust,” said the cardi- exploitation. In a statement the Hutu militia that carried out released in early December, the many of the killings during the Hendricken came to the United nal in a Dec. 14 statement, “We Reproductive health States in 1854 with Bishop Must Remember the Shoah.” He bishops said the legislation should genocide. Father Seromba showed offer assistance to female victims the structural weak points in the William O’Reilly of Hartford, is episcopal moderator for wording keeps Vatican Conn., who had gone to Ireland to Catholic-Jewish relations for the and “not be used to deport them church to the bulldozer driver, from signing U.N. back to their countries of origin.” said a statement released by the recruit priests for his diocese. U.S. bishops. The statement was After his ordination, then-Father released in Washington. document The bishops said, “The legislation tribunal. must ensure that trafficked Hendricken served for 17 years at UNITED NATIONS (CNS) — women are offered permits for a parish in Waterbury, Conn. President of Xavier The Vatican said it could not sign temporary residency after they Former bishop who During his first six years as bish- the U.N. Convention on the escape or are persuaded to flee resigned over Vietnam op, he established 13 parishes and University receives Rights of Persons With from their traffickers, and this will built a rectory near the old Presidential Medal of Disabilities because of language it give the women time to recover to War, other issues dies Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul. contains on reproductive health. some degree from the trauma.” He also built the current cathedral, Freedom The Vatican “understands access Since Ireland’s economic boom KEYSER, W.Va. (CNS) — for which the cornerstone was laid to reproductive health as being a more than a decade ago, there has Bernard M. Kelly, who resigned in 1878. WASHINGTON (CNS) — holistic concept that does not con- been an increasing number of as a bishop and priest in 1971 over Norman Francis, the president of sider abortion or access to abor- women working in the sex trade what he saw as the U.S. Catholic Xavier University in New Orleans tion as a dimension of those against their will. Ireland has not hierarchy’s failure to adapt to the for 39 years, was given the terms,” said Archbishop Celestino signed on to the Council of reforms of the Second Vatican Presidential Medal of Freedom, Migliore, the Vatican’s nuncio to Europe Convention on Action Council and to speak out strongly the nation’s highest civilian honor, the United Nations. But, he added, Against Trafficking in Human against the Vietnam War, died DECEMBER 24, 2006 TODAY’ S CATHOLIC 7

on the feast of Our Lady of St. Joseph Mishawaka Guadalupe, Dec. 12, by Holy Cross Parish provides Healthy Family Ministries, Easton, Mass., and its local member Family Family Center with Theater Productions, Hollywood, Christmas cheer and the Archdiocese of Los AROUND THE DIOCESE Angeles, which are planning the MISHAWAKA — ‘Tis the season event. for giving and parishioners and “A World at Prayer Is a World at students of St. Joseph Mishawaka Peace: A Rosary Celebration, The Catholic Church/School answered Rosary Bowl” will take place the Christmas bell for Saint Joseph ST. JOSEPH PARISH STUDENTS BRING CHEER TO OTHERS between 6-9 p.m. and is free and Regional Medical Center’s open to the public. Healthy Family Center. As a result “The Rosary Bowl carries for- of the generosity, 75 patients from ward the tradition and mission of the Healthy Family Center will the “Rosary priest,” Servant of God receive Christmas presents they Father Patrick Peyton, to foster would otherwise not be able to world peace and support the spiritu- enjoy. al well-being of the family by A Christmas tree was placed in encouraging daily family prayer, St. Joseph Church at the beginning specifically the rosary,” stated Holy of the Advent season. The tree had Cross Father John Phalen, president paper ornaments with Christmas of Holy Cross Family Ministries, gift ideas for the 75 patients. furthering Father Peyton’s mission. Parishioners took the ornaments The special eucharistic celebra- and purchased the suggested items. tion, which will combine prayer, The patients received two pres- music and cultural exhibitions, is ents with a value totaling $25. With expected to draw the many ethnic 75 patients, the total present value populations which comprise the came to $3,750. Archdiocese of Los Angeles, the Boys and Girls Scouts, from country’s largest, and serve as a kindergarten through eigth grade at dynamic display of unity of the St. Joseph Elementary, then spent Catholic faithful. The religious part of a day wrapping all the gifts service will culminate in a public and later delivered them to the recitation of the rosary with people Healthy Family Center for the of different cultures and languages patients. leading some of the prayers. “The generosity is inspiring,” For more information and/or to said Bonnie Bejma, director of make a prayer commitment or a Clinic Operations at the Healthy financial contribution for the “The Family Center. “Obviously, we Rosary Bowl,” go online to could not have done this without www.rosarybowl.org or e-mail the St. Joseph Church community. [email protected] or call 1-800- And a big thank you to the Healthy 874-0999. Family Center’s Kathy MIKE STACK Christiansen and Christine Byrnes Students at St. Joseph School, Mishawaka, purchased, wrapped and sent gifts for 75 who helped coordinate this event. It Make a Difference is an enormous amount of time and patients at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center’s Healthy Family Center. Michiana assists charity effort on everyone’s part.” This is the fourth year Healthy SOUTH BEND — Make a Family Center and St. Joseph Difference Michiana encourages Church have collaborated on this Students then answer questions John Angotti to finding from the 2006 NSSE report the community to make a donation gift giving event. posed by the committee members. states that “Student engagement is to their favorite charity this holi- “The judges asked us follow-up entertain at concert positively related to grades and to day season. questions and the group worked persistence between the first and “It’s the season of giving, and Most Precious Blood together answering the questions. I FORT WAYNE — St. Vincent de second year of college.” local nonprofits need the communi- School places third in We learned even more from the judges Paul Parish, Fort Wayne, will host Another key finding shows that ty’s support. We live in a very gen- and my classmates,” said Alexa John Angotti in concert on Friday, first-year students at liberal arts col- erous community. People are will- The People competition Hamel. Dec. 29, at 7 p.m. A free will dona- leges, like Saint Mary’s, “more ing to help if you explain the need tion will be taken. FORT WAYNE — Most Precious This gives the students the often participate in class discussions and show them a way,” suggests opportunity to demonstrate their On Dec. 31, St. Vincent will host and view their faculty more posi- Mary Dunbar, president and Blood School eighth graders placed a New Year’s Eve party featuring third in the We the People city-wide knowledge and understanding of tively than students at other institu- founder of Make a Difference constitutional principles. The stu- Angotti from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Price tions.” Survey results for Saint Michiana. “Visitors to the Make a competition on Nov. 16. is $25 per person in advance and “The past two years we have dents are scored on their presenta- Mary’s align with that finding. Difference Michiana Web site can tion and knowledge of the topics. includes party favors, food and Each of the 523 participating research over 200 local organiza- placed higher than the previous drink, Champagne at midnight and years’ unit awards,” said Ann “We the People competition was schools was measured against five tions and donate online to their fun. Sure it was a lot of work, but in a cash bar. benchmarks of effective education favorite charity.” Baker, eighth grade social studies Angotti has recently been recog- teacher. “This year we placed third, the end I learned a lot about gov- practice: 1) level of academic chal- Make a Difference Michiana ernment that I never knew before,” nized with three UMCVA (United lenge; 2) active and collaborative provides a Web resource, which is a great accomplishment. Catholic Music and Video The first-place winners go on to the said Alexa Hamel. learning; 3) student-faculty interac- www.makeadifferencemichiana.or The active participation of mem- Association) Awards including tion; 4) enriching educational expe- g, where visitors can search for state competition to compete Male Vocalist of the Year. For infor- against other congressional districts bers of Congress, as well as support riences; and 5) supportive campus services, donation ideas, volunteer from professional, business and mation about Angotti, visit environment. In each of those cate- and job opportunities and donate on in Indiana.” www.johnangotti.com. The “We the People: The community organizations, sponsor gories, Saint Mary’s scored higher line to their favorite charity. The the program across the nation. The For information about the con- — sometimes significantly higher initiative was launched in Citizen and the Constitution” pro- certs, contact Tony Andorfer at gram promotes civic understanding third congressional district is one of — than its peers. December 2005, and currently sees the largest participating districts. (260) 498-3537, ext. 210. “This survey measures things between 1,200 and 1,500 visitors to as well as civic responsibility with St. Vincent de Paul Parish is the students. “My favorite topic was about the that truly matter to student learning the site each day. freedom of religion especially in located at 1502 E. Wallen Rd. in and, therefore, our effectiveness as a Online contributions made at the The culminating activity is a Fort Wayne. mock congressional hearing in the schools. I liked learning about teaching institution,” says Dr. Carol Make a Difference Michiana Web which students “testify” before a this because we are dealing with Ann Mooney, president of Saint site are handled by PayPal, a safe, panel of judges. The class, working this a lot today especially with the Students more engaged Mary’s College. “The benchmarks secure way to transfer funds on- in cooperative teams, prepares and prayer in school and the Pledge of at Saint Mary’s College used by NSSE are associated with line.47angotti.txt presents four-minute statements Allegiance with the statement of many desired outcomes of college.” addressing three possible topics for ‘under God’,” said Sunshine Moss. NOTRE DAME — A report Correction each unit. Most Precious Blood School recently released by the National ‘A World at Prayer is a “Writing the speeches was hard services students in preschool Survey of Student Engagement World at Peace’ is theme In the Dec. 10 story “Latest Antioch at first and talking in front of the through eighth grade. Full day (NSSE) shows that Saint Mary’s retreat a success,” Eric judges was not as bad as I thought. kindergarten and full or half day College students are more of Rosary Rose Bowl Mammolenti was listed as the stu- The judges knew we were very preschool options are available. engaged, on average, than those at dent leader, which is incorrect. The informed and knew the material,” Most Precious Blood School is peer institutions (as classified by LOS ANGELES — The largest student leader was Mary Cate said Chelsea Bodinka. located at 1529 Barthold St., Fort Carnegie) and those at other outdoor celebration of the rosary in Quiett, of Marian High School. The statements are then present- Wayne. Visit the Web site at women’s colleges. Southern California in nearly 50 Students on the evangelization ed before a panel of community www.preciousblood.org for more Student engagement is a vital years will take place at the Rose team were 30 in number, not 45. representatives who act as congres- information. component to the success and Bowl, Pasadena, on May 19, 2007, Marian’s Elizabeth Higgenbotham sional committee members. retention of college students. A key it was jointly announced publicly shot the photo, not Susan Baxter. 8 TODAY’ S CATHOLIC DECEMBER 24, 2006 TV Mass celebrates anniversary in Fort Wayne

Some of the TV Mass volunteers who run the cameras include John Henry, Andrew Lamping, John Bobay, Tess Steffen, Amber Warnick and Christopher Lamping. The TV Mass operates under the diocesan Office of PHOTOS BY TESS STEFFEN Twenty years ago, Vince Tippmann donated funds, which were used by Communications. Vince LaBarbera and his assistant Joanne Summers coordinate the scheduling of priests and Bishop John M. D’Arcy, to put the TV Mass on the air in Fort Wayne. Now parishes in South Bend and Fort Wayne. celebrating its 20th anniversary, Bishop D’Arcy was the celebrant of the Dec. 17 Mass in Fort Wayne on WISE-TV, Channel 33. Volunteers were honored at a luncheon after the Mass, which is transmitted from the chapel at the University of Saint Francis.

Sean McBride, left, is the associate producer of the TV Mass in Fort Wayne. Next to McBride is Bob Nicola and Fred Price, co-directors. BISHOP LUERS STUDENTS AND FACULTY HOLD DRIVE

Jim and Theresa Lamping and their children provide music at the TV Mass. The older sons, Andrew and Chris, in the back row, have journeyed from in front of the camera to volunteer work behind the camera.

Our experienced and professional staff is dedicated to providing the highest quality of nursing care. • Daily Mass • Skilled Care • Intermediate Care • Medicare Certified • Secured Units for Alzheimer Care • Physical, Occupational, & Speech Therapies • Assisted Living Apartments • Independent Living Patio Homes on Campus PROVIDED BY BISHOP LUERS HIGH SCHOOL For Information, Call: (260) 897-2841 In the annual Advent drive, Bishop Luers students, teachers and staff collected items to 515 N. Main Street, Avilla, Indiana 46710 be donated to the Christ Child Society in December. They collected a variety of new- Provena Health, a Catholic health system, builds communities born items along with 148 packages of diapers. The students where given the opportuni- of healing and hope by compassionately responding to human ty to wear jeans to school on Friday, Dec. 15, if they donated a baby item or $2. Over need in the spirit of Jesus Christ. $800 was collected along with the baby items. Christ Child Society uses these baby items throughout the year in preparing layettes for new mothers in need. DECEMBER 24, 2006 TODAY’ S CATHOLIC 9 Social worker offers tips when visiting loved ones in nursing home

ing choir — and accompany the over-stimulation leads to agitation. BY LISA PETSCHE person you visit to one of them. • Speak slowly and clearly. Use Also check if there’s a Mass you familiar words and simple sen- f you are planning to visit a could attend together. tences. Avoid clichés. Talk in a relative or friend in a nursing • Telephone between visits if calm voice, using a low-pitched Ihome over the holidays, follow you can’t get in as often as you’d tone. these suggestions to help ensure like. • Ask simple questions that positive interactions. require a short answer — prefer- Visiting the person with ably yes or no. Avoid posing ques- General tips tions that challenge their short- dementia term memory, such as “What did • Call ahead to the unit where Visiting a person who is cogni- you do today?” the person resides, to find out the tively impaired can be particularly • Use body language — ges- best time of day to visit. challenging. You may not be able tures, facial expressions, tone of • Plan to visit when you are not to relate with them in the usual voice — to help get your message rushed for time. KRISTI R. WARD ways. Visits can still be meaning- across. • Bring something with you: In the aftermath of a pie-throwing event to celebrate a successful pie ful, however, once you adjust your • Don’t argue when the person flowers and a vase, a photo album, sale, from right, St. Vincent preschooler Noah Hardy, playground super- expectations and learn new ways has facts confused. If a conversa- a magazine or newspaper, a guest visor Jeannie Shaw, principal Donna Quinn and top pie salesman fourth of interacting. Here are some tion appears to be causing frustra- book for visitors to sign, a favorite guidelines. tion, change the subject. If they grader Morgan Matthew enjoy a messy moment of fun. music tape or CD, or a special • Visit alone if possible. It is become restless during an activity, food treat. much easier for the person to deal try something else. • Position yourself at eye level, with one visitor at a time. If you face to face. Ensure you are close find visits awkward, though, bring Ideas for activities enough and speaking loudly St. Vincent School along a friend for moral support. enough that the person can ade- • Watch home movies or rent a • Come prepared for any possi- quately see and hear you. favorite movie — perhaps a holi- ble mood. Or, call ahead and ask celebrates with pie • Actively listen to what the day classic. what kind of day the person is person has to tell you. Express • Decorate the room: bring in having. If it’s a bad one, postpone as Hardy directed his pie at Shaw. interest in their daily activities, and pictures, a calendar, a sun-catcher BY KRISTI WARD your visit. To the delight of everyone allow them to vent their feelings for the window, a plant, special • Approach the person slowly present, Quinn and Shaw then about their situation. knickknacks or a seasonal decora- and from the front, giving them ELKHART — After a successful faced each other, bowed politely, • Encourage reminiscing about tion. time to see you coming. Make eye pie sale at St. Vincent de Paul and aimed their pies at each other. pleasant events, especially those • Share a project, such as sort- contact, and use touch as appropri- Church in Elkhart, a couple of School pie sale organizers from past holidays. ing through family photos. ate. very special pies were reserved for Teresa Zinich and Gloria Taylor • Tell some jokes or a funny • Look through picture books or • Address the person by name, two very special people. These said the fundraiser was held to true story, or bring in a humorous albums that reflect past interests. and identify yourself also. Be pre- pies were meant to be enjoyed — help the Rosary Society. A total of videotape to watch together. • Write a letter to someone spe- pared that they may not recognize but not by eating. 502 pies were sold, one third of • If conversation is difficult or cial. you or may not recall previous vis- Instead, parents, teachers and those by students at the school. impossible, share news about fam- • Play a card game or board its. Rest assured this does not students gathered to watch two top Funds earned will go to the ily, friends and current events, read game. make your presence any less valu- pie sellers from St. Vincent School Rosary Society’s treasury to pur- aloud or listen to music together. • Play a musical instrument. able. Your visits not only provide do something most kids can only chase needed sacristy and church Sit in the lobby and people-watch. • Give a manicure or set hair. mental stimulation, they also vali- dream about — supplies. And learn to become comfortable • Give a hand or foot massage. date the person as a unique and a Three Stooges Zinich said with silence. • Bring your pet in to visit (find worthwhile individual. pie-in-the-face they came up • Check the recreational activi- out the facility’s policy first). • Find a quiet place to visit in trick on their with the pie- ties schedule for special events — • Bring children or grandchil- order to avoid distractions, since principal and “I’m really into getting throwing idea such as a holiday bazaar or a visit- dren with you. longtime play- as a way to ground supervi- these kids into service.” make the sor. fundraiser fun. The anticipa- DONNA QUINN “And it was tion in the great — it was school gym perfect. I think mounted as they loved it,” principal Donna Quinn covered she said of the students. herself with a plastic poncho and Shaw said she enjoyed the took a seat. “Is this fair?” she experience. “They didn’t ask me asked, pulling the poncho hood to do it,” said Shaw. “I volun- over her head and face. teered — I said I would do it “No!” the students responded because the kids would love to with one voice as Quinn shrugged throw a pie at me.” and dropped the hood. Top pie Quinn has a habit of coming up seller fourth-grader Morgan with unique ways to motivate her Matthew stepped forward with her students. Kissing a cow and letting pie and took her best shot, leaving students decorate her with Silly Quinn laughing through a face String, make-up and hair paint for covered in shaving cream. a day are some of her past Then it was playground super- rewards. visor Jeannie Shaw’s turn to be “I’m really into getting these the target for preschooler Noah kids into service,” Quinn said. “I Hardy. Hardy was assisted by don’t know if that’s what they see Shaw’s daughter Heather, a pre- selling pies as, but I’ll do anything school teacher. Teacher and stu- — well, almost anything — to dent teamed up with enthusiasm help them learn that.”

and their families. South Bend Serrans host The luncheon will begin at seminarians’ luncheon 10:45 a.m. with the rosary. Bishop John M. D’Arcy will cel- SOUTH BEND — The Serra ebrate Mass. The luncheon for Club of South Bend will host the the seminarians, families, guests traditional Christmas luncheon and the Serrans will be held in for diocesan seminarians and the Holy Family School cafeteria. their families on Thursday, Dec. Father Bernard Galic, director 28, at Holy Family Parish. of vocations in the diocese and President Ronald Moser said pastor of Holy Family Church, invitations for the event have and Moser will be speakers. been extended to 18 seminarians — EJD 10 PEACE ON EARTH DECEMBER 24, 2006 Whose birthday is it anyway?

elieve it or not but I hate a lot about agonize because they can’t afford these depend on how many presents we receive. this time of the year. People are run- items and often go into debt just to give By spoiling our kids we are continuing to Bning around frantically buying their children what “everybody else” is promote our materialistic culture. Suggest THE things they often cannot afford. Christmas getting. to children and to our young adults that carols are playing in stores even before the There is a saying that “Jesus is the rea- gifts don’t always have to be things. How Halloween decorations are taken down and son for the season.” We often, even about promising to shovel someone’s CUTTING people put up their Christmas trees earlier Christians, lose sight of the true meaning driveway and sidewalks this winter with- and earlier. The malls are crowded and of Christmas. After all, it is Christ’s birth- out expecting to be paid or give a friend or EDGE some people will get up at 5 a.m. to stand day, not ours. The gifts we do give should relative some nights of free babysitting, SISTER MARGIE LAVONIS, CSC in line for store Christmas specials. And be expressions of God’s love that gave us etc.? Use your imagination. Time is a pre- the examples go on and on. I get sick just Jesus. cious gift. thinking about it. I want to shout at the top Right now I can almost read the minds We can also make our gifts. It is a way of people are probably going to drop me of my lungs, “Whose birthday is it any- of those who bother to read this column. of really putting ourselves into our giving. off their Christmas card list.) Also, remem- way?” “What could I possibly do to go against If we are not into crafts, how about baking ber that the church’s Christmas season Now, don’t get me wrong, I am not the mainstream? How can I avoid being some goodies like cookies or candy to give goes far beyond Dec. 25 so the cards don’t against Christmas or giving gifts. A gift is sucked into what is happening around our loved ones? It is something our chil- have to make it to their destinations by that an expression of appreciation and love. me?” These are good questions, ones that I dren can do also. I know it means a lot to day. However, trying to outdo one another or also ask myself. The following are a few me when I know someone took his or her Changing our materialistic way of cele- giving gifts only because someone else is suggestions that might help us all. precious time to do something special for brating Christmas will not happen giving them to us seems ridiculous. One is to examine our gift giving. Who me. overnight, but each of us can do our part to In this country we have the tendency to are the people on our Christmas lists and Another Christmas gift is to send keep in focus just whose birthday we cele- think that more is better. Our culture reeks why do we give them gifts? Is it because Christmas cards to people we will not see brate and perhaps remind others who are with materialism. Our wants have become we think we have to or because we want to during the holidays. We share the gift of caught up in the frenzy. It will also help us our needs. Many want the best and the lat- show our love? Does a more expensive gift our time by letting friends know what is to celebrate the meaning of Advent and est thing. Children hound their parents and show more love than an inexpensive one? going on in our lives. As far as I am con- relieve a lot of stress so we can truly enjoy Santa for the most popular toys that usual- Reinforce with our families, especially cerned, don’t waste a stamp if all you are this beautiful season. ly cost a great deal. I know parents who children, that the joy of Christmas does not going to do is sign your name. (Oops, lots Today’s Catholic contributor reflects on grandparents’ special Christmas Eve

BY LISA KOCHANOWSKI Germany. Babci told me once that she The pair met at German con- remembers the day she came to centration camp and were mar- the states. There was a man, sell- OUTH BEND — While ried while living in slavery. ing hot dogs on the street corner, most children’s early expla- Shortly after they wed, they had and my aunt started to cry Snation of Christmas is the my aunt Cassie, who lived with because she was hungry, but they birth of the baby Jesus, mine was them at the camp. had no money to buy any food. a talk about the meaning of I am not much older now than They came to a place that was Christmas and how Christmas my grandmother was then, and better than slavery, but it was Eve is the day Dziadzi and Babci just a little younger than my filled with a great deal of obsta- came to this country. grandfather was when he first cles — from proper employment Julian and Maria Walesiewicz came to this country. God has to constant language barriers. In came to the United States on blessed me with a loving husband the end, they built a home filled Christmas Eve in 1949. Known to of 10 years and two beautiful with love, three children, family me as Babci (grandmother in children; Kyle, and lots of Polish) and Dziadzi (grandfather 7, and Andrew, good friends. in Polish), they had spent years as 3. I cannot imag- When I was slaves in the German concentra- ine how over- My grandparents went a child I use to tion camps when the German whelmed they smile when I army invaded Poland before felt at being a saw my grand- being released to America. young married through years of pure parents tear up Accompanying my grandparents couple, with a on Christmas to America was my then 3 year young child liv- agony in the concentration Eve, but as an old aunt Casmira (Cassie). ing in a place far adult I find Being strong, devout Catholics from their native myself not just made their arrival to a new free land. camps and never talk smiling but life even more special. They had Each day I also tearing up endured years of torture and per- wake up, hustle about those years. on Christmas secution at the hands of mad the kids off to Eve. It saddens men, and they were brought to school and me that I can- freedom on the birth of the myself to work not always Savior of the world. in a life that has spend What could be more poetic? become very Christmas Eve Each year, my family thanks routine. At this time of year, I with my grandparents, but they God for giving us his only son always find myself stepping back are always close to my mind and and says an extra thank you for and thinking about what my my heart each and every year. bringing two special people PHOTO BY GENNY WOJCIECHOWSKI grandparents’ life was like some When I became a mother, I home. Pictured from left to right are Andrew Kochanowski, Kyle Kochanowski, 57 years ago. decided that helping my children Dziadzi’s uncle Chester Maria Walesiewicz and Julian Walesiewicz at Julian’s recent 90th birth- My grandparents went through understand Catholic teachings of Walesiewicz, who was president day party. years of pure agony in the con- the holidays was important. Even of the Polish-American Central centration camps and never talk more important to me, is making Civic Committee, sponsored my about those years. The little bits I sure that on Christmas Eve my grandparents to come to this have heard have been horrific and sons understand that our world country and helped them find a they partitioned Poland in Babci, who was 24 years old I just thank God every day for got the baby Jesus and our family place to live and work. September 1939. when she came to this country, letting them survive those tumul- got a special Babci and Dziadzi. I Dziadzi was 33 years old He was released by the was Maria Para when she was tuous times. hope that they too will pass this when he came to this country. He Russians to the Germans in driven out of her home by the Things like digging their own story onto their children and their fought in the Polish army when exchange for Ukranian prisoners Nazis. She and her family hid in graves, watching people die at grandchildren. World War II started. The of war. He remained in a war the woods, dodging bullets and their feet, constantly worrying Naz Drowie, Dziadzi and Russians captured him at prison until April 27, 1944, when capture. The Russians were only about being gassed and being Babci. Health and happiness Drohiczyn in eastern Poland he regained civilian status. a half mile away when Germans witness to physical degradation always. while the Polish army opposed My grandfather turned 90 this ordered the civilians to be trans- are just some of the horrors they both the Nazis and the Reds as year. ported into the interior of had to witness. DECEMBER 24, 2006 PEACE ON EARTH 11 Parishes offer roster of Christmas Mass times Tradition of Christmas Eve The Office of Catechesis solicited parishes for Mass times for Christmas. The following parishes responded with information. Fort Wayne-Allen County Sunday, Dec. 24 Monday Dec. 25 • Most Precious Blood 5 p.m. (Children’s Mass) 9 a.m. ‘holy bread’ bonds Polish families 10:30 p.m. • St. Charles Borromeo 4 p.m. 9 a.m. BY MICHELLE DONAGHEY 6:30 p.m. 11 a.m. Midnight Mass (music at 11:30 p.m.) SOUTH BEND — “You are sharing something very special. It • St. John the Baptist, FW 4:30 p.m. 8 a.m. means a lot to us,” said Lou and Midnight Mass 10:30 a.m. Jeanette Ciesielski of their Polish tradition of sharing Oplatek, (pro- • St. Joseph, Brooklyn 5 p.m. (Children’s Mass) 9 a.m. nounced ua-poowah-tek) or Midnight Mass Koleda in Polish during the (bilingual, concert at 11:15 p.m.) Christmas season. Oplatek, which is not shared • St. Jude 5 p.m. 9 a.m. other times of the year but can be 11:30 p.m. 11 a.m. shared anytime during the Christmas season, is usually pur- • St. Patrick, Arcola 4 p.m. (Children’s Mass) 10 a.m. chased (or by donation depending 6 p.m. (Youth Mass) on the church) from the parish Midnight Mass office. The wafers are usually the size North of Fort Wayne of a folded napkin and include • St. Gaspar, Rome City 4 p.m. (Children’s Mass) 9 a.m. mostly white oplatek and one 10:30 p.m. (choir at 10 p.m.) pink. Legend has it that the pink wafer is usually shared with the • St. Paul of the Cross, 5 p.m. (Children’s Mass) 9 a.m. animals and pets of the house- Columbia City Midnight Mass (music at 11:30 p.m.) hold. This legend also has it that the animals who share the MICHELLE DONAGHEY South of Fort Wayne Oplatek talk to each other at mid- Lou Ciesielski looks over at his wife, Jeanette’s cookbook while he holds • St. Bernard, Wabash 5:30 p.m. (Children’s Mass) 9 a.m. night on Christmas. the family Oplatek that will be used this Christmas. Lou remembers the Midnight Mass (music at 11:30 p.m.) Polish in heritage, the St. tradition back to his childhood. He and his wife cherish their family tra- Adalbert parishioner remembers ditions which include the small, thin, rectangular piece of wafer with the • St. Joseph, Bluffton 5 p.m. 9 a.m. the tradition of sharing the (children’s pageant at 4:15 p.m.) Christmas wafer since he was a design of the Nativity pressed in to it. Midnight Mass (music at 11:30 p.m.) child noting that usually the wafer is shared on Christmas “It brings out that if there are was a fasting time during Advent • St. Mary, Huntington 5:15 p.m. 8 a.m. Eve. “A child or the youngest ill feelings between one another, from meat. Midnight Mass 10:30 a.m. member of the family, looks for the sharing offers forgiveness and “We also keep an extra place the appearance of the first star,” acceptance of one another. This is at our table for unexpected guests • St. Mary/Assumption, 4 p.m. (Children’s Mass) 8 a.m. he said. After the star is seen, he a holy bread. It’s a bonding of the who come by,” they noted adding Decatur 10 p.m. (music at 9:30 p.m.) 9:30 a.m. or she tells the family and the families that come together,” said that they would be received into Wilgilia, or vigil begins. Lou who noted that the sharing is their home just as Jesus would • Ss. Peter and Paul, 5 p.m. (Children’s Mass) 8 a.m. “It was a must. It was a holy to bring people back to starting himself. Huntington 10 p.m. 10 a.m. get together,” said Lou who said anew. The sharing continues until After the meal, there were the that the head of the family would everyone has individually greeted singing of Christmas carols, South Bend and St.Joseph County begin the sharing of the Oplatek. each person who is there. Koledy, in preparation for the • Christ the King 4 p.m. (Children’s Mass) 9 a.m. The oldest member would usually The tradition, which Lou and entire family’s participation in the 6 p.m. 11 a.m. take a plate or platter on which Jeanette cherish, continues with parish Midnight Mass (Pasterka). Midnight Mass the wafer was served. If it was a family members near and far. The season does not end with large wafer, it would be broken in Since their children have moved Christmas, but rather extends • Sacred Heart of Jesus, 4:30 p.m. (Children’s Mass) 9:30 a.m. to enough pieces so that every away from the area, they send from the vigil to the feast of the Lakeville 10:30 p.m. family member would receive a Oplatek to whoever cannot come Baptism of the Lord with times piece to share with every other to celebrate the meal together. set aside for visiting with family • St. Joseph, South Bend 4 p.m. 10 a.m. family member. The plate was This Christmas season, they hope and friends and more sharing of 6:30 p.m. then offered by him to each to carry on their tradition of the Christmas wafer. 10 p.m. member to take a piece. After breaking oplatek with their young Lou noted that on or near the everyone would receive a wafer, granddaughter Sara, 9, who will feast of the Epiphany, older • St. Matthew Cathedral 4 p.m. 9 a.m. the sharing would begin. be coming to visit. members of the family are (Children’s Mass with Bishop) 11 a.m. “The head of the household encouraged to bless their home 6 p.m. would start and would mention with their entire family present Midnight Mass what the wafer means,” said Lou Christmas vigil and to mark the lintel (top) of the (Lessons and Carols at 11:30 p.m.) who said then the father would Lou and his wife, Jeanette, doorway with the initials of the offer his piece to another family noted that along with the Three Kings and the Year of the • St. Patrick, Walkerton 5 p.m. 9 a.m. member, often the youngest. Oplatek, the family of Polish her- Lord — 20+K+M+B+07 — Midnight Mass 11 a.m. Each person would break off a itage also shared the Wigilia which indicates to those entering small piece of the other’s wafer meal. Traditional foods included that they are entering a Catholic • St. Pius X, Granger 5 p.m. 9 a.m. to consume, offering wishes for fish, kutia, a mix of wheat and home. (Mass in church and gym) 11 a.m. happiness and heath, followed by honey and poppy seed cake. This 7:30 p.m. a kiss or hug. meal would be large since there 11:30 p.m.

East of South Bend • St. Thomas the Apostle, 4 p.m. (Children’s Mass) 8 a.m. Speaker encourages people to come closer to the manger Elkhart 6 p.m. 10 a.m. 10 p.m. (adult choir) BY MICHELLE DONAGHEY “I want you to become like pointed out that we are now espe- children and think of the first cially now noticing the darkness • St. Joseph, La Grange 5 p.m. (Children’s Mass) 10 a.m. Christmas,“ added Sister Agnes outside. 10 p.m. (bilingual) BREMEN — “It’s so important in the reflective Advent talk. “This time of year, all start to to set it up at home and to reflect Everyone should make sure their notice the darkness. It’s not by South of South Bend on, think about, the darkness and crèche is up and in a prominent accident that the church’s liturgi- • Sacred Heart, Warsaw 4 p.m. (Children’s Mass) 10 a.m. the cold and what it means to place in their home that they cal year plays into it. Right now, 6:30 p.m. (Children’s Mass) you. In a world where faith has should not “put the baby Jesus in we’re celebrating the darkest part Midnight Mass grown cold, we can look at the yet“ she noted. Instead, “sit and of human history before Christ manger and take it (love) to the think about and take the place in came,” she said adding that up • St. Martin de Porres, 5 p.m. (Children’s Mass) 9 a.m. world that needs it so badly,” said your hearts of Mary, Joseph, of until around Dec. 21 or 22, the Syracuse Midnight Mass Sister Agnes Marie, OSF, of St. that wonderful scene, that first days are long and dark. After Matthew Cathedral to a small Christmas.” Christmas, a day, which she said • St. Michael, Plymouth 4 p.m. (Children’s Mass) 8 a.m. group gathered for a soup-and- It is not by a rare coincidence was chosen because it was the 6 p.m. (Spanish) 10 a.m. speaker event at St. Dominic that the liturgical year is the way Midnight Mass 2 p.m. Parish. it is, explained Sister Agnes who MANGER, PAGE 13 (Spanish) 12 PEACE ON EARTH DECEMBER 24, 2006 Caregiver relies on God, others to make it through

BY DEB WAGNER serious motorcycle accident when each person in the hospital while another driver pulled in front of trying to work at a floral depart- them from a dead stop. The result ment in a grocery store and under- FORT WAYNE — Who would of the low-speed impact to their go cataract surgery herself. She think that one Sunday morning in right legs left them broken and went to bed at the end of the day September would be spent with crushed. only to repeat the same schedule mother and daughter and five Amputation was the standard the next. Now all of this would be other family members completing protocol because of the extent of grueling, without complications. a Christ Renews His Parish the injuries. But due to their excel- But there were complications. (CHRP) weekend, and the next lent physical condition at the time Jim Andrews was unable to Sunday, the same mother is thank- of the accident, doctors thought help his wife very much during ful that her daughter is still alive they could reconstruct their legs this time. He was at home suffer- — her leg bones crushed like using muscle and bone from the ing from edema and other compli- grapes that had been stomped? calves of the injured legs. Karen cations from diabetes. He was This is a question that Catherine endured four surgeries; Dan had later admitted to the hospital and (Tekie) Andrews reflects upon as three surgeries. Shrapnel was released after four days. Catherine this tragedy and several other hos- scraped from the wounds, pins and experienced eye infections after pitalizations happen to family rods inserted and skin grafted. In a her cataract surgery. Let’s not for- members during a short six-week day and age where outpatient pro- get about Irma. Irma usually stays period. cedures are more common than with Catherine and Jim when Catherine is no stranger to the overnight hospital stays, they were Jim’s brother, Jerry and his wife, caregiver role. Just the month prior released from the hospital after Alice, are out of town but that was to her daughter’s accident, two long weeks. With manual not feasible this time. Irma was Catherine’s mother-in-law, Irma wheelchairs, crutches and the transferred to an assisted living Andrews, was admitted to the hos- inability to drive or care for their facility for a month while Jerry pital due to unexplained nausea basic needs, they were sent home and Alice flew to California to be and low oxygen levels in her to houses with steps and an esti- with their daughter who was hav- blood. Irma, who sometimes mated recovery time of three to six ing a baby. stayed for extended periods with months. Catherine obviously could not Catherine and her husband, Jim, Catherine recalls sitting in the be caregiver for all simultaneously. had to have a valve replaced in her waiting room for one of the earlier Yet, she managed to take time for heart. She was then transferred to surgeries with a sinking heart ask- herself and found solace at Most another location for rehabilitation. ing, “O Lord, how can this be hap- Precious Blood Church, Fort After exactly a week had pening? Irma is in rehabilitation at Wayne. passed, Catherine and Jim a different facility and we don’t “When I was at church and received a telephone call that their know the long-term outcome for involved with the people I knew youngest daughter, Karen, and her Karen and Dan’s legs.” through CHRP, I was at peace. I longtime friend, Dan, had been in Catherine spent her time visiting was comfortable. Every night I thanked God for the day and DEB WAGNER hoped that if it was God’s will, I’d The Andrews family has had a year of unexpected accidents and illnesses, have another day,” she said. She is Season’s but they are sustained through prayer. From left, are Karen, Jim and currently on family medical leave. Catherine Andrews. Irma Andrews is seated. Catherine said she finds sol- Friends and family have also been ace at Most Precious Blood Church in Fort Wayne. helpful around Karen’s house, GREETINGS bringing meals to the home and running other errands. Son-in-law, from Come, Let Us Adore Him! Greg Cherney, drove from Georgia Leonard J. Andorfer to spend a week with them. When Karen reflects on the and Company CHRISTMAS MASSES accident and the outcome, she says Certified Public Accountants December 24, 4:00 p.m. with Children’s Choir spontaneity is out and planning is 6:30 p.m. with Contemporary Choir in. “I don’t want to say it’s an Midnight with Adult Choir inconvenience, but you’ve got to December 25, 7:30, 9:30 & 11:30 a.m. rethink how to do everything you already know how to do because Park Lake Medical Building St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church using crutches doesn’t allow you 2410 Lake Avenue • Fort Wayne 10700 Aboite Center Road, Fort Wayne to use your hands as you did before. You need to plan for every- (260) 423-9405 432-0268 thing, leave a little earlier and depend on others to get any- where.” Financially, it is still tough Regardless of the weather or the food because there was no income com- ing in for over two months. It was served at a holiday feast, or whether through word-of-mouth from a friend through a Methodist church you are alone or in the midst of many, that Karen received one cart of Christmas is always a look at the past. perishables and canned goods from their food bank for her family. While the recovery from the motorcycle accident is ongoing, At the Catholic Cemetery of Fort Wayne, Karen has returned to work although Dan has not. Jim and we deal with time in a unique blend Irma are doing well at home. of the past, the present and the future Catherine has continued in the role of loving caregiver by driving peo- for all whom we are called to serve. ple to and fro and helping where needed. All of these events have made May the Blessings of the season be yours. the Andrews family want to do more for others since so many did for them in a time of great need. This year there is not going to be an abundance of gifts; it’s a time of giving thanks. The best present they will give to each other will be that they are all still alive and able 3500 LAKE AVENUE FORT WAYNE to be with each other during this ASSOCIATION, INC. Christmas season. Faith, hope and love and the greatest is love. DECEMBER 24, 2006 PEACE ON EARTH 13 Sister Agnes who noted that “God was so much in love with us, he gave us his Son.” MANGER “Remember the light is in our From Our Home to Yours CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11 hearts. To bring his freedom from the darkness. God’s love is what first day we start noticing the it is all about,” said Sister Agnes longer, lighter daytime, the days who also suggested that everyone get longer and brighter until “go out into the darkness in the around June 21 or 22, which night and wonder about the mys- almost coincides with Pentecost. tery. Feel it and remember who “It would be real easy for us the light is.” to be tremendously pessimistic. We know the final story,” said

Wishing you a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year! v Saint Anne Home and Retirement Community 1900 Randallia Drive - Fort Wayne (260) 484 - 5555 www.saintannehome.com

MICHELLE DONAGHEY Sister Agnes Marie Regan, OSF, pastoral associate of St. Matthew Cathedral in South Bend, was the speaker at St. Dominic Parish in Bremen. She encouraged those attending a soup-and-speaker event to come closer to the manger. Christmas TV Mass Specials FORT WAYNE Christmas Eve Midnight Mass live from the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception WISE-TV 33 & WPTA-21 Celebrant: Bishop John D’Arcy Christmas Morning: Live 10:30-11:00 a.m. WISE-TV 33 Celebrant: Bishop John D’Arcy SOUTH BEND Christmas Day 6:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. WNDU-TV 16 Celebrant: Father Chris Cox, C.S.C. Saint Adalbert Church

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception 1100 South Calhoun Street - Fort Wayne Christmas Eve Masses: 5:00 PM (Children’s Mass) Midnight Mass (Music begins at 11:15 PM) Your gift to Catholic Charities provides food, shelter, clothing, comfort Christmas Morning Masses or other vital help to someone in need. It also sends a message of hope 8:00 & 11:30 AM that you care. There is no greater holiday gift than that, so please, give Saturday, December 30 - 5:00 PM New Year’s Eve generously. Sunday, December 31 A Worth magazine “America’s 100 Most Worthwhile” charity. Catholic

7:30, 9:30 & 11:30 AM 315 E. Washington Blvd. 1817 Miami Street Charities 5:00 PM Fort Wayne, IN 46802 South Bend, IN 46613 PROVIDING HELP. (260) 422-5625 (574) 234-3111 New Year’s Day 9:00 AM 1-800-686-7459 1-800-686-3112 CREATING HOPE. Adoption • Pregnancy Services • Counseling • Day Care • Senior Employment • Food Pantry • RSVP • Brief Services Adoption • Pregnancy Services • Counseling • Day Care • Senior Employment • Food Pantry • RSVP • Brief Services Come to the Cathedral during this Season of Grace. ECHO • Villa of the Woods • Immigration • Refugee Resettlement • Foster Care Training Faith-Based Initiative • ECHO • Villa ofwww.ccfwsb.org the Woods • Immigration • Refugee Resettlement • Foster Care 14 TODAY’ S CATHOLIC DECEMBER 24, 2006

EDITORIAL Savor our Savior’s season isit any tree collection site on Dec. 26, perhaps as early as VDec. 25, and you may find long lines of those ready to toss COMMENTARY the tree. Of course, if the tree went up before or the day after Thanksgiving, it may be dried out and ready to be tossed. TODAY’S CATHOLIC welcomes letters from readers. All letters must be signed and include a phone number and address for verification. As much time that is preoccupied through the Advent season Today’s Catholic reserves the right to edit for clarity and length. Address letters to: Today’s Catholic • P.O. Box 11169 • Fort Wayne, — finding the perfect gift for so and so — it almost seems like IN • 46856-1169 or e-mail to: [email protected] we can’t wait for Christmas to be over and for life return to the usual rut, and onward to New Year’s and Valentine’s Day. stated that if the time ever came that newscasters started to do that with But, for Catholics, the church season of Christmas presses Kennedy criticism he would have to violate his Kennedy but after awhile they onward through the first week of January. It actually ends on Jan. (Catholic) conscience or violate the stopped because he went every 8, the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. unfair national interest, then he would Sunday and it wasn’t news any- The vigil begins Sunday, Dec. 24. While some may be looking I certainly hesitate to criticize a resign. He also stated in that speech more. for a two-for-one deal with Mass, the Fourth Sunday of Advent history professor from Notre Dame that he would never disavow his As a teacher I remember when and Christmas must be celebrated as two separate Masses. who specializes in American histo- church in order to win the election. the Supreme Court decided that we While “secular Christmas,” which focuses on the commercial ry, but I must. Father Wilson What more could you expect couldn’t pray in public school any- push leading up to the holiday, will tell us Christmas is over Dec. Miscamble is quoted in Today’s him to say? But it was what he did more. I remember what Kennedy 25 — the Christmas music on the radio is stowed away, the lights Catholic as blaming President John that made us so proud of him those said at the time. He said we must unplugged, the trees sent to compost — we must keep in mind F. Kennedy for “succumbing to many years ago. On his inaugura- pray more with our children at tion day, he went to Mass in the home. I wasn’t a parent then, but the real spirit of the season. modernity’s demand that religion be compartmentalized and held in the morning. Since then, all presidents now as a parent and a grandparent I As Catholics, we can reclaim Christmas during the days that have church services that they realize that children learn the follow Dec. 25. When we sing the song “The Twelve Days of private sphere.” He actually blames Kennedy for “blazing a trail that attend on their inauguration day. importance of prayer and church Christmas,” we are actually referring to the days after Christmas, many subsequent Catholic politi- Before Kennedy, this was not true. and God best from their parents. On not before. The Christmas octave gives us an opportunity to cling cians followed.” Kennedy did not have a big ceremo- the same page you even quote to the Christmas spirit. It is a time to celebrate the greatest gift I would like to point out to ny at the National Cathederal. He Bishop D’Arcy on the importance ever given to humanity, the Incarnate God, who graced this earth Father Miscamble that in President did what any good Catholic would of families in fostering vocations. for 33 years in human form and remains with us in the Eucharist. Kennedy’s famous address before a do on such an important day — he I would recommend that your Pope Benedict XVI, in a Dec. 14 meeting with Roman univer- group of Protestant ministers, went off to his parish church for the readers read Kennedy’s famous sity students, said, “Christmas gifts remind us of the gift par Kennedy actually quoted the state- regular daily Mass. As president, he address so they can decide for ment of the American Bishops in went to Mass every Sunday no mat- themselves. excellence, that which the son of God made of himself in the ter where he was. Before Kennedy, Joan Sheridan Incarnation.” He then reminded the Italian young people that 1948, which strongly endorsed church-state separation. He also when the president went to church it Needham, Mass. exchanging gifts at Christmas time has real meaning only if it is was announced on the news. The a symbol of “the principal gift” remembered as people celebrate the birth of Christ. Pope Benedict encouraged the young people to not only fix their gaze on the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in the manger, but also to contemplate and Christmas Martyria: adore him in the Eucharist. It is through the Eucharist that we allow Christ to enter our hearts. And as a church sign stated on a nearby highway, “If The octave of the Word-made-flesh Christmas is not in your heart, you won’t find it under a tree.” the Mass of St. Stephen (10:17-22) appointed for the fifth day of the BY FATHER MICHAEL HEINTZ is apposite to the day: the Christian, Octave (Lk 2:22-35) is in subtle in the face of opposition and hostili- contrast to the previous day’s pas- Politically correct verbage, bah humbug striking feature of the ty, should fearlessly witness to the sage from Matthew: whereas the It seems that in a world of political correctness, we often hear Western Church’s festal faith. Stephen’s resilient conviction fourth day features the young and about wishing people “Happy Holidays” at the places we shop or Acalendar is the cycle of juxtaposed to his gentle demeanor voiceless, in the Lucan narrative, work instead of “Merry Christmas.” But anymore, it seems more memorials and feasts, which “fill toward his persecutors (Acts 7:60) an aged and articulate Simeon people are offended by “Happy Holidays” than they are by out” the Octave of Christmas. reflects the Gospel’s call to be wise offers his own witness to the new- “Merry Christmas.” After all, sensitivity towards people of other Unlike the Easter Octave, which as serpents and innocent as doves born Child’s destiny, one combin- faith should not mean watering the season down to a generic suffers the vagaries one would (Mt 10:16). Further, Stephen’s act ing both promise and conflict. non-entity. expect from a movable feast, the of faithful witness to Christ is set Here another aspect of martyria days following the solemnity of within the context of false witness is captured: the opposition which But that is so often the approach people take. When a rabbi in Christmas are fixed and chock- about him (Acts 6:13; 7:58). those who follow the Word-made- Seattle, Wash., asked authorities at the SeaTac airport to sponsor full: Stephen, John the Evangelist, The Spirit who is promised by flesh are undoubtedly to encounter a large menorah near the Christmas tree in the international the Holy Innocents and Thomas Jesus to direct the disciples in their and indeed should expect. Becket’s arrival hall of the airport, the authorities responded by removing Becket adorn the days following encounter with hostility (Mt 10:20) complexity (captured by Eliot) in the Christmas tree. The rabbi was seeking inclusion, not the the solemnity of the Nativity. Even is present in Stephen’s greatest trial his struggle to parse his obligations removal of all religious symbols. Nevertheless, the rabbi as well more interestingly, with the possi- (Acts 7:55, 59). Stephen is often to his king, his church and his con- as other local Jewish organizations began receiving hate mail. ble exception of John the referred to in the tradition as the science reveals that martyria is not To all the authorities concerned about not offending any ethnic Evangelist (whose end is the sub- protomartyr. Yet for many of the reducible simply to physically vio- or religious group, we encourage some reason. The editors of ject of some dispute within the tra- first Christians, it is Christ himself lent opposition; the beginnings of Today’s Catholic would venture that a good many non-Christians dition), all are martyrs. How can who is the Protomartyr. This clearly martyrdom are found within the are not offended by Christmas trees or “Merry Christmas” greet- one make fruitful use of this festal is the teaching of the Book of disciple, as one strives to remain a ings. They have all but adopted the holiday as a secular one of and sanctoral convergence? Revelation, where Christ is referred faithful witness to the Faithful their own. As Christians, we know that Christmas is a celebra- The remote origins of Christian to repeatedly as the “Faithful Witness. Within early Christianity, tions of God entering the world in the person of Jesus for the martyrdom lie probably within Witness” (Rev. 1:5; 3:14): all subse- Origen (+ AD 254) and his contem- purpose of redeeming it, and it is that good news that we are Second Temple Judaism, in particu- quent martyrdom is conceived of poraries were fond of speaking of called to live and share throughout the year. So when Christians lar the experience recorded in the solely in terms of his archetypal the Christian life as an agon, a con- say “Merry Christmas,” they are not ram-rodding their religion canonical and extra-canonical martyria. In the very early account test of strength and resolve (intel- down someone else’s throat, but sharing that good news. books of Maccabees, where martyr- of the martyrs of Lyons and Vienne lectually and morally), in following dom becomes sacrificial, and the (c. AD 177/8), the imprisoned and Christ. Becket’s witness, his mar- believer herself becomes, as it tortured martyrs-to-be are adamant tyrdom, was but the culmination were, a temple, the locus of genuine in eschewing the title “martyr”: and consummation of this struggle Housekeeping notes sacrifice. More proximately, one Christ alone is worthy of that name. to remain faithful in the face of There will not be a Dec. 31 issue of Today’s Catholic. But the encounters this phenomenon in the The Holy Innocents offer yet internal and external pressures. Jan. 7, 2007 issue will be announcing the upcoming 150th dioce- book of Revelation, where persecu- another kind of witness to the The Christmas Octave beauti- san jubilee celebration events. It will go to every registered tion induced by Christian intransi- Incarnation. Caught in the wake of fully demonstrates the organic Catholic household. Inside the fold will be a sesquicentennial gence in the face of the Imperial Herod’s murderous political nature of the Christian mysteries, envelope containing a prayer for the jubilee and a prayer for Cult forms the immediate context machinations, these nameless chil- in that the crèche and the cross can vocations on the reverse side. Also in the sesquicentennial enve- for John’s visions and where a dren fall victim to the profound only be understood fully in terms lope will be a vinyl decal with the jubilee image to place on your nascent theology of Christian mar- insecurity, which marks all earthly of each other: the Word-made- front door, your car — you choose. tyria is perhaps first articulated. power (Mt 2:13-18). flesh in Bethlehem is the Word- Jan. 1 is a holy day, the solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, On the heels of the Nativity, the St. Thomas Becket (+ AD made-weak on Calvary, revealing the Mother of God, but it is not a holy day of obligation in the Western Church commemorates a 1170) is perhaps best known as the the height and depth and breadth United States in 2007. number of witnesses who offer fit- subject of T.S. Eliot’s 1935 play of the Love who has given him- ting and elegant testimony to the “Murder in the Cathedral,” which self so generously to us. Incarnation, for with their very dramatized the events of Thomas’s bodies their testimony to the reali- friendship with, estrangement Today’s Catholic editorial board consists of Bishop John M. D’Arcy, ty of the Word-made-flesh is itself from, and short-lived reconcilia- Father Michael Heintz is the rector Ann Carey, Don Clemmer, Father Mark Gurtner, Father Michael Heintz, made incarnate. tion with Henry II, king of of St. Matthew Cathedral in Tim Johnson, Vince LaBarbera and Msgr. J. William Lester. The Matthean text appointed for England. The Gospel pericope South Bend. 15 DECEMBER 24, 2006 COMMENTARY ‘Christmas rush’ takes on new CATEQUIZ’EM By Dominic Camplisson The town that comes to mind at Christmas is not mighty Jerusalem, nor meaning at Irish parish Nazareth where Jesus was raised, but Bethlehem. 1.Why is Bethlehem associated with Christmas? the first weekend in December. Not everyone who wanted tick- BY CIAN MOLLOY a.It was where the angel appeared to Mary. Father Kieran Coughlan, parish ets got them. b.It is where Jesus was born. pastor, said numbers had to be lim- As the severe storm howled c.It was the center of the Christian community. RUSH, Ireland (CNS) — The ited for health and safety reasons, outside the church, a mother Christmas rush has taken on a and this was the system devised by zipped up the coat of her 3-year- whole new meaning at St. Maur the parish council and the chil- old daughter and said: “The tickets 2.Where was Bethlehem? Parish, where tickets were issued dren’s Mass committee following a are all gone. We’re too late. There a.fifty miles north of Jerusalem in Galilee to control crowd numbers at its review of other parishes’ practices. is nothing we can do, only make b.ten miles west of Jerusalem in Samaria annual Christmas Eve children’s Despite a bad storm the week- sure we go to the 7:30 Saturday c.five miles southwest of Jerusalem Mass. end of the ticket distribution, the evening Mass this time next year.” Last year the children’s Mass in church was full. Several parishioners speaking 3.When the two Jewish kingdoms were split,where was Bethlehem? Rush, in northern Dublin County, Paula Leonard, a parishioner to CNS asked not to be named; the a.in Judah, like Jerusalem was so crowded that one girl faint- and mother of two who opposes children’s Mass had become a very b.in Israel, like Judah ed from the heat. Many were con- the ticket scheme, told Catholic sensitive issue after the parish had cerned about elderly people and News Service Dec. 3, “I under- been satirized in national media for c.in Judah, but not in the same kingdom as Jerusalem young children forced to stand in stand that numbers have to be lim- having “the hottest tickets in the aisles. ited, but I would prefer if another town.” 4.An older name for Bethlehem was Ephrath,which means: The introduction of tickets for Mass could be put on.” The lampooning was partly a.fruitful the Mass made national headlines But Father Coughlan told CNS fueled by the obvious “Christmas b.town where Jesus might be born at the end of November after some that unlimited attendance was not rush” pun. c.homestead parishioners contacted RTE radio possible with the parish’s current One mother commented that to complain that access to the manpower. Each Sunday he and the ticket scheme was not as bad 5.What is the commonly accepted meaning of the name “Bethlehem?” Christmas Eve Mass was being his two assistants celebrate four as neighboring St. Patrick Church a.House of pain limited to regular Mass attendees. Masses, one of which takes place in Skerries, where “once the They argued that Mass should in the local secondary school. On church is full, they will slam the b.House of Usher always be open to all, whether Christmas Eve and Christmas Day door in your face.” c.House of bread they regularly attended church or they will celebrate six Masses, Father Leo Quinlan, the parish only at Christmas and Easter. including the children’s Mass. priest at St. Patrick, confirmed he 6.But some scholars suggest this more pagan etymology: Under the ticket distribution Angela Flynn, a mother of sent a Christmas card to all parish- a.House of Lahmu (a pagan god) scheme devised by the parish three, said: “I would prefer if there ioners requesting adults without b.House of the Latins (Romans) council, tickets were available only wasn’t a need for tickets, but it small children to consider attend- c.House of Laertes (a Hellenistic Greek) from the sacristy after Saturday was pretty uncomfortable last year. vigil and Sunday morning Masses Numbers had to be limited.” RUSH, PAGE 16 7.This female biblical figure was buried near Bethlehem according to Genesis: a.Eve b.Mary c.Rachel Jesus brings peace and happiness 8.And Ruth’s husband was from Bethlehem.He was: a.Joseph Shickelgruber b.Boaz Bethlehem. expecting a child, but the child Of course, for Micah, the refer- will be the messiah. Elizabeth’s c. Levi THE ence is to David, who was born in unborn child understands the pro- Israel. David became the king of found character of all that is tran- 9.This king was always associated with Bethlehem: SUNDAY Israel, but his royal role was not spiring, and the unborn child sens- a. Pilate primarily political. Instead, it was es God in the presence of Mary b.Caesar religious. As monarch, his task and her own unborn infant. c.David GOSPEL was the see that the nation upheld Elizabeth and her unborn testify to MSGR. OWEN F. CAMPION the covenant, that the people the Messiah. 10.In fact,Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem because obeyed God. a.Joseph was of the house of David, and all families were to return When this savior becomes king, Reflection all will be well. All will be at peace. home for a census. 4th Sunday of Advent For its second reading, the It is the last day of Advent. b.Mary was of the house of John the Baptist who ministered in church this weekend gives us a Christmas Eve for most people, it Bethlehem. Lk 1:39-45 lesson from the Book of Hebrews. will be busy, hurried day, even if a c.Jesus was by prophecy to be born in the city of Pilate. day of excitement, anticipation and his weekend the church Heavy with its Hebrew symbol- joy. observes the last Sunday in ism, this epistle also is renowned 11.As early as the second century,Christian tradition place the recognized the follow- Nevertheless, it is not too late Advent. The first reading is as the great source of extolling ing holy place in Bethlehem: T Jesus as Lord and as the Lamb of spiritually to prepare for from the Book of Micah. Christmas. So, in these readings, a.Golgotha, site of the crucifixion Micah is regarded as one of the God. on the last day of Advent, the b.the cave as the site of Jesus’birth Minor Prophets. It is a relatively In Hebrews, Jesus appears as church calls us to Jesus. He is c.the Cenacle, site of the last supper short book, containing only seven the perfect victim and priest. His everything, the church emphatical- chapters. (By contrast, the Book of sacrifice on Calvary was sublime, ly and joyfully declares. It gives us 12.We know specifically of one Christian leader who lived nearby and confirmed the Isaiah has 66 chapters. The author perfect and utterly unique. Also, it the words of Hebrews. It rein- was a contemporary of Isaiah, the was eternal. Its effects of reconcil- site in the second century: forces its belief in Jesus as Lord by author of the first section of the ing humanity with God will never a.Justinian recalling the Visitation. And, in the Book of Isaiah. Very few biogra- cease. Thus no other sacrifices are b.Justin Martyr writings of Micah, it reminds us phical facts about the author of necessary. All has been accom- c.Jumping Justin that when we allow Jesus to come Micah are known.) plished. to us, all peace and happiness will He came from a small village St. Luke’s Gospel furnishes the abide with us. 13.Who erected a great church,the Church of the Nativity,over this site? some 25 miles southwest of last reading. It is the story of the visitation. Mary travels from her a.King Herod the Great Jerusalem. However nothing is b.Joseph of Arimathea known of his background. own home to a place in the hills of As did so many prophets of Judah. Traditionally, it has been READINGS c.Constantine and his mother Helena ancient Israel, Micah saw his mis- thought that this place is the site 4th week of Advent sion as calling the Chosen People now called Ein Karem. Once a few Sunday: Mi 5:1-4a Ps 80-:2-3,15-16, 14.This scholar and translator worked in that same site for decades: away from indifference to God, miles from Jerusalem, it has been 18-19 Heb 10:5-10 Lk 1:39-45 a.Jerome and even sin, to piety and to loyal- absorbed by the growth of the city Monday: Is 62:11-12 Ps 97:1, 6, 11- b.Augustus and for all practical purposes is ty to the covenant with God. He 12 Ti 3:4-7 Lk 2:15-20 c.Justin Martyr lived in a time when piety was in today a part of Jerusalem. Tuesday: Acts 6:8-10,7:54-59 Ps 31:3- Mary travels so as to meet her short supply. Greed and exploita- 4,6-8,17-21 Mt 10:17-22 cousin, Elizabeth, the wife of 15.Who controls Bethlehem now? tion flawed the economy. Wednesday: 1 Jn 1:1-4 Ps 97:1-2,5-6, a.It is part of Israel. Religious practices were sparse Zachariah. Elizabeth herself is pregnant. Elizabeth’s unborn child 11-12 Jn 20:2-8 b.It was in the West Bank, annexed to Israel in 1945 and is now and often insincere and poorly pre- Thursday: 1 Jn 1:5-2:2 Ps 124:2-5, sented when they did occur. will be John the Baptist. under the UN. 7b-8 Mt 2:13-18 This weekend’s reading offers a Since Elizabeth was past the c.It is in the area controlled by the Palestinian Authority. passage from Micah in which the childbearing age for a woman, her Friday: 1 Jn 2:3-11 Ps 96:1-3, 5b-6 prophet promises that a savior will conception was regarded as mirac- Lk 2:22-35 ANSWERS: ulous. Her child had a special des- come. This savior will lead the Saturday: 1 Jn 2:12-17 Ps 96:7-10 Lk 1.b, 2.c, 3.a, 4.a, 5.c, 6.a, 7.c, 8.b, 9.c, 10.a, 11.b, 12.b, 13.c, 14.a.15.c people away from sin and to God. tiny. He was holy. 2:36-40 The savior will come from Elizabeth realizes that Mary is 16 COMMENTARY DECEMBER 24, 2006 Pope Benedict is not alone in addressing love

Pope Benedict last year wrote an lead us to God (it is to this kind of My daughter,who studies in New children. Everyone knows that encyclical letter called “God is Love.”If love to which much contemporary, Zealand,is with us on holiday.She will there are times when couples must Jesus came 2,000 years ago,why did over-sexed media reduces all THAT’S be 21 and has a very intelligent mind. space, or delay, a new pregnancy. it take the church so long to decide love). But he also rightly observes She does not believe in abortion but NFP couples must practice self- that God’s essence is love? that eros can never complete itself A GOOD was debating with me that Natural mastery and self-possession for the — that agape (or love as self- sake of the other. They understand Anonymous donation) in fact completes and QUESTION Family Planning is another form of that real love is always self-sacrifi- While Pope Benedict devoted perfects what eros cannot of its contraception. cial. They learn to express their his first encyclical to divine love, own achieve. I am afraid that I just could not con- love with a full repertoire of acts he is hardly the first figure to make vince her that it was not.She seems to of tenderness, verbal expression this association in the Christian What are Catholics supposed to think have the opinion that Natural Family and demonstrate an appreciation dren, then perhaps your pets, and for the presence of the other. tradition. In fact, we see this kind of environmentalism? Do animals Planning is only good in so far as it of language and this train of have rights? Anonymous then and only then would you Contraception ignores most of thought in the New Testament think of perhaps dashing back in to helps couples who are trying to have these, and concentrates upon the itself, most particularly in the three Catholics believe that God has save your toothbrush. The whole children understand the best time for genital dimension of spousal love. Letters of John. What Pope entrusted us with the care of our issue of “rights” is a vexed one pregnancy.But if it was to avoid preg- Benedict was perhaps seeking to earthly home, drawing on the high and often raises as many problems nancy,it was another form of contra- do is to make clear what we mean calling of Adam and Eve to be as it solves. Animals, if they pos- ception. So why can’t other contracep- stewards of the creation found in sess “rights” certainly do not have Father Matthew Habiger, OSB, provid- when we call God “Love” — tive aids,e.g.,condoms,be used? Could ed this information. especially in a culture which uses the first chapters of Genesis. “rights,” which could trump more Catholics also recognize a “hierar- fundamental “rights” of persons. you help me enlighten her please? the term so loosely (“I love my Marianne,Sri Lanka wife,” “I love the Cubs,” “I love chy of being” or “hierarchy of This, however, does not mean that Today’s Catholic welcomes ques- chocolate”). goods” within creation: some humans may exploit the animal NFP is not “Catholic” contra- tions from readers. E-mail your The ancient Greeks, for exam- goods (human life) are greater than kingdom or despoil it. As stewards ception. The church endorses NFP questions to [email protected] ple, had at least four words for others (animal life), which are of creation, we must exercise pru- (as seen in “Humanae Vitae”), and fwsb.org or mail them to Today’s what the English language themselves greater than still others dence and care for all that is condemns contraception as harm- Catholic, That’s A Good expresses with the one word (inanimate objects). entrusted to us. ful. Why? Because NFP, when Question, P.O. Box 11169, Fort “love”: philia, or friendship; All of creation is good, but used correctly and for good Wayne, IN 46856. Include your storge, or familial affection; eros, there are varying degrees of good- motives, is a morally good expres- name, city and an e-mail address passionate yearning and desire; ness; in fact, we all implicitly sion of responsible parenthood. or phone number so we can con- and agape, self-giving love. Pope accept this hierarchy and function NFP is one of God’s gifts to us in tact you if necessary. Anonymity Benedict rightly began by dis- in a way that reflects it: for exam- Father Michael Heintz, rector of St. these times to help us space our will be preserved upon request. cussing eros or the passionate ple, if your house is on fire, your Matthew Cathedral in South desire, which can, when purified, first instinct is to save your chil- Bend, answered these questions. SCRIPTURE SEARCH

By Patricia Kasten Books for Christmas Gospel for December 24, 2006 Luke 1:39-45 Senate president Marcello Pera, he past year has seen the Following is a word search based on the Gospel reading publication of any number himself a nonbeliever, comments for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Cycle C: the visit of Tof books I’ve wanted to in a fine introduction, “This pro- THE Elizabeth by Mary, the mother of God. The words can write about, but didn’t. Here they posal should be accepted, this be found in all directions in the puzzle. are, as suggestions for Christmas challenge accepted, for one basic gifts that will provoke thought reason: because the one outside CATHOLIC MARY SET OUT HASTE and give pleasure throughout the the church who acts (as if God TOWN ENTERED HOUSE new year. did indeed exist) becomes more DIFFERENCE ZECHARIAH GREETED ELIZABETH GEORGE WEIGEL HEARD HER WOMB FILLED Michael Burleigh, “Earthly responsible in moral terms. He SPIRIT BLESSED AMONG WOMEN Powers: The Clash of Religion will no longer say that an embryo FRUIT MOTHER MY LORD and Politics in Europe, from the is a ‘thing’ or a ‘lump of cells’ or SOUND BELIEVED THE LORD French Revolution to the Great ‘genetic material.’ He will no — Habeck’s, to explain precisely War” (Harper Collins): Beginning longer say that the elimination of what it is we’re fighting, concep- JOYOUS VISIT with his monumental study of an embryo or a fetus does not tually; Wright’s, as (among many “German National Socialism, The infringe any rights. He will no other things) a chilling cautionary DERETNESUOHE Third Reich: A New History,” longer say that a desire that can tale of governmental incapacity. British historian Michael be satisfied by some technical Elizabeth Kantor, “The ESOZECHAR I AH Burleigh has been restoring reli- means is automatically a right Politically Incorrect Guide to TEJEDROLYMST gious (and pseudo-religious) pas- that should be claimed and grant- English and American Literature” ETHELORDOOTE sions and convictions to their ed. ... He will no longer act like (Regnery): Dr. Kantor takes no EO I ETOWNMTEB rightful place in the study of half a man, one lacerated and prisoners in this romp through the modern history. “Earthly Powers” divided.” Like the 2005 volume, madnesses of contemporary liter- RUDRRLGPAHZA is a great, sprawling smorgasbord “Without Roots” (Basic Books), ary theory — which is, at the GTED IWWSREFZ of a book, showing how the the Ratzinger/Pera dialogue in same time, a fine introduction to AHSJOPOTYR I I emergence of the modern state in Christianity and the “Crisis of what we used to call the literary NDSMZUSMUHL L Europe, and its displacement of Cultures” opens a window into “canon.” A couple of her charac- religion from public life, opened one of the most important, and teristically bracing claims — ADEDNHB I BELE the door to a variety of fanati- hopeful, conversations underway “most great literature was, in fact, NNLDFZTDRAEH cisms that laid the cultural foun- today. written by dead white males” and UBBEL I EVEDDX dations for the totalitarianisms of Mary Habeck, “Knowing the “Jane Austen was a fan, not a © 2006 Tri-C-A Publications the 20th century (which Burleigh Enemy: Jihadist Ideology and the critic, of ‘patriarchy’” — suggest explores in depth in a follow-on War on Terror” (Yale University why Elizabeth Kantor need not volume, “Sacred Causes: The Press), and Lawrence Wright, apply for a faculty position at overcrowding, but because of Clash of Religion and Politics “The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda most of U.S. News & World increases in population, our regular from the Great War to the War on and the Road to 9/11” (Knopf): Report’s top-tier colleges. But RUSH Sunday congregations are increas- Terror,” to be published in the Habeck’s book is the best single ing in size,” he said. that’s all the more reason to read CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 U.S. in March 2007). Demanding introduction to the ideas that and enjoy her book and to give it Father Quinlan said the popula- but richly rewarding reading, and drive jihadist Islam; Wright’s is a to your favorite high school sen- ing Christmas Masses other than tion in his area of the county more likely to change the way reason- brilliant piece of reportage, show- ior or college freshman. the parish’s Christmas Eve chil- than doubled in the last 15 to 20 able people think about the past ing how the ideas Habeck ana- dren’s liturgy. The card said the years. 200 years. lyzes shaped (and misshaped) the church’s doors will be closed once In Rush the active parish com- “Joseph Ratzinger (Pope men who made 9/11 possible, it is filled to capacity. munity has been boosted in num- Benedict XVI), Christianity and ideologically and operationally. If “In recent years, more than bers by the arrival of new immi- the Crisis of Cultures” (Ignatius you don’t understand how an two-thirds of parishioners here and grants, particularly from Poland Press): Here is the pope’s most Egyptian intellectual’s unhappy in other Dublin parishes go to their and Latvia. St. Maur hosts Polish succinct formulation of his pro- experience of a church social in Christmas Mass on Christmas and Latvian liturgies for these posal for a cultural renewal of the Greeley, Colo., in the late 1940s Eve,” he said. “Part of the communities during December. West — “Even the one who does eventually led to the deaths of Christmas Eve demand is fueled “In a way, we are victims of our not succeed in finding the path to some 3,000 people on Sept. 11, by those who wish to get the Mass own success as a faith communi- accepting the existence of God 2001, you should: and Wright out of the way and then get on ty,” said Father Seamus Cullen, ought nevertheless to try and tells the story masterfully. Both George Weigel is a senior fellow of with their celebrations. one of the three priests at St. Maur. direct his life ... as if God did books are must reads for any the Ethics and Public Policy “It’s only at Christmas and at “We’re a very busy parish; it’s a indeed exist.” Former Italian friends you have in government Center in Washington, D.C. Easter that we have problems with good news story.” DECEMBER 24, 2006 TODAY’S CATHOLIC 17

USF LADIES CONTINUE BASKETBALL WINNING STREAK The No. 4-ranked University of Saint Francis Lady Cougars continued their winning ways with a 72-56 victory over Tiffin on Dec. 16. Chivonn Keppeler led the way with 16 points. Nikki Lewis added 11 points, three assists and three steals. Jenny Richards led USF with 12 rebounds and added 7 points. The Lady Cougars led 64-38 with six min- utes to go. The team is now 14-1 on the year and have won 12 straight games and 22 straight home Sports games. New Haven girls coach brings Sioux Falls holds off Saint wealth of coaching to the basketball court us. And last year we only won Francis 23-19 BY MICHELLE CASTLEMAN two games in the CYO.” So, the Raiders are off to a great start BY BILL SCOTT FORT WAYNE — Making the and hoping to meet one of their switch from coaching college team goals this season — to win boys to grade school girls has a tournament game. The team is SAVANNAH, Tenn. — No ques- been somewhat of a challenge for also hoping to “improve each tion disappointment and frustration St. John the Baptist, New Haven, game and have fun this season.” were the two words that best Catholic Youth Organization The roster includes Amber described the mood of the (CYO) Coach Mark Watts. Watts Knueve, Brittany Fox, Molly University of Saint Francis foot- learned the art of coaching in the Smith, Kayla Zink, Brigette ball team after second-ranked early 1980s first from (now head Wellman Katie Leist, Hilary University of Sioux Falls (S.D.) IU coach) Kelvin Sampson when Watts and Olivia Perez. Karen held off the top-ranked Cougars he assisted him at Montana Tech. Fox is the assistant coach for the 23-19 in the NAIA Football “When I started coaching my Raiders this season. Championship Series National daughter, Hilary, in fourth grade, Title Game on Saturday. I set three goals for myself: don’t White League Girls “Hold your heads high,” USF make them cry, have fun and St. John, Fort Wayne, 24; St. coach Kevin Donley told the teach them basketball.” Now an Charles 23 Cougars in the closed post-game eighth grader, Hilary and her St. John, Fort Wayne, 27; St. locker room. “We weren’t even seven teammates are off to a 2-0 Vincent 44 supposed to win our league this start this season with early wins Gold League Boys season after losing 19 seniors. Brian Kurtz celebrates with teammate Ryan Atkins after the Bishop in the CYO Gold League over St. St. Joseph-St. Elizabeth 23; St “The next few days are gonna Jude and Queen of Angels. John, New Haven, 19 stink because it hurts, but it will Luers graduate scored the Cougars’ second touchdown of the game giv- ing USF a 13-6 lead. “We had never, ever beaten St. Blue League Boys get better. Hold your heads up. Jude, so that was a big win for St. Therese 18; Benoit 46 Nobody in this room quit. We’ve got heart.” USF head coach Kevin For the seniors — NAIA Player Donley and NAIA Player of the Year Brian Kurtz, Eric Hooks, John Wolf, Bo Thompson, of the Year Brian Kurtz Corpus Christi, St. Anthony, Derrick Alderman, Cody Van pause for photos after Deursen, Eric Wagoner, Matt the Banquet of St. Joe Mishawaka lead first half Millhouse, Adam Blakey, Clint Champions on Friday, Bontempo, Nate Stephenson, and Dec. 15. Kurtz was an BY ELMER J. DANCH St. John the Baptist nipped St. Matt Wren — Donley offered spe- NAIA Player of the Week Michael of Plymouth in a 24-22 cial words of praise as their active twice this season and nail biter as Alex Bauters rolled football career came to a bitter Mid-States Football SOUTH BEND — Three boys in the winning points in the end. Association Mideast basketball teams, Corpus Christi, remaining seconds, upping his Donley said in a firm, proud League Player of the Year. St. Anthony and St. Joseph of total for the day to 11 points. voice. “51-4 over the last four sea- He is just the second Mishawaka, remained unbeaten Christ the King edged Holy sons — my gosh, we all owe you in their respective divisions as Cross, 40-39, in the John Bosco so much,” and the room erupted in player from the defensive side to earn the award. the Inter-City Catholic League West, as A.J. Fitzpatrick tallied applause. “The seniors did a wound up its hardwood business 13 points for the Kings, including tremendous job of leading this for the 2006 half of the season. the last three for victory. Colton football team.” Play will be resumed in January. Pulaski also tossed in 13 points Sioux Falls scored the first 10 Corpus Christi of the John for Holy Cross. points of the second half to break second half, USF drove to the score, the TD coming on a Chad Bosco West coasted past Holy St. Matthew won a nip and out to a 23-13 lead after the two Sioux Falls 40, where the drive Cavender to Dusty Hovorka 37- Family, 38-20, leading from start tuck 39-37 tussle over St. teams battled to a tie at 13 in the stalled. On fourth and eight, Clint yard connection, but William to finish behind the spectacular Thomas of Elkhart. St. first 30 minutes. Then Sioux Falls Bontempo was back to punt. The Knepper blocked Lindgren’s extra- scoring of Tate Bellegrante, who Matthew’s Hank Blum tossed in withstood its own turnovers — a snap from Wren was a low line point try. poured in 20 points for top indi- 10 points. 46-yard Tim Farrell interception in drive that whizzed by Bontempo. USF took the kickoff and drove vidual scoring honors of the day. St. Monica of Mishawaka the third and a fumble with 9:05 to By the time he chased it down at 84 yards in 11 plays. Hooks con- Colin Skodinski put in 13 points defeated St. Bavo of Mishawaka, play in the fourth quarter — to the USF 15-yard line, all he could nected with Kurtz on a 12-yard for Holy Family. 22-19, in a Martin De Porres East hold off USF long enough to ren- do was fall on it. pass for the TD, but Grzych St. Anthony of the John Bosco game as Derek Henry led the der the Cougars final score as time “The only second guess I have kicked the extra-point attempt off East easily won over St. Joseph winners with 16 points. Lewie ran out meaningless in determin- is that we should have gone for it the left upright. On the ensuing of South Bend, 43-35, as Nick Rinard scored 10 points for St. ing the winning team. on fourth and 10 instead of punt- kickoff, Erickson dashed around Pellegrino of St. Joseph led all Bavo. “After the first quarter we still ing the daggone thing when we the left side of the USF return cov- scorers with 11 points. Four games in the junior var- got in position to score but we did- had the bad snap and gave them erage for an 89-yard kickoff score St. Joseph of Mishawka, pace- sity Colors Division wound up n’t take advantage of it,” Hooks the short field,” Donley said. with 1:44 to play in the first quar- setter in the Martin De Porres the first half of the year. said afterwards. “We had some Sioux Falls’ Trey Erickson car- ter and Lindgren kicked the extra East, swamped St. Pius of St. Matthew Black downed St. good drives and got to the red ried around the left side of the point for the tie at 13. Granger, 42-21, with Tim Wilson Pius Blue, 30-12. St. Jude Green zone a few more times but we shot USF defense for 14 yards on the And that finished the first half popping 12 points for St. beat Christ the King Blue, 29-27. ourselves in the foot. They had a first play after the bad snap. Mike scoring. Joseph’s. Holy Family Blue beat St. good scheme, their secondary and Dvoracek scored on the next play “It was a big ball game and we St. Michael of Plymouth and Anthony Gold, 39-26. St. linebackers played really well, and and Lindgren added the extra point made mistakes that we haven’t St. Jude remain deadlocked for Thomas Gold crushed St. Joseph they got pressure up front. They for a 23-13 lead with 7:25 to play made all year,” Kurtz said. “These first place in the Martin De of South Bend Blue, 40-15. did a good job.” in the third quarter. were two good teams and we Porres West with 2-1 records. Christ the King Gold beat Sioux Falls took the opening USF freshman Marcus Rush played our hearts out, but there St. Jude topped St. Adalbert, Christ the King White, 49-9. St. kickoff to start the second half and gave the Cougars a 6-0 lead when were too many mistakes in too big 39-27, with the trio of Lee Henry, Anthony Maroon beat St. Joseph drove to the Cougars’ 6-yard line. he plowed in from the 2-yard line of a game. We probably could Chase Parker and Corey of South Bend Gold, 32-23. St. The USF defense held and Matt with 10:30 to play in the first quar- have had a couple interceptions Samuels, each cashing in 10 Thomas White defeated Corpus Lindgren kicked a 23-yard field ter. Cale Grzych kicked the extra here or there and I probably could points for the victors. Jerry Christi Blue, 34-15. goal for a 16-13 Sioux Falls lead. point for a 7-0 USF lead. Sioux have returned that fumble. Little Alston scored 13 points for St. On the first possession of the Falls only needed four plays to things just didn’t go our way.” Adalbert. 18 TODAY’ S CATHOLIC DECEMBER 24, 2006 ‘Loves Abiding Joy’ Catholic actor Peter Boyle dies at age 71 released in early January CENTURY CITY, Calif. — With NEW YORK (CNS) — Peter Sen. Joseph McCarthy in “Tail College — now University — in the journey West behind her, a Boyle, who was once a Christian Gunner Joe,” Adm. John Philadelphia, the school’s commu- young woman looks forward to Brother before he pursued a career Poindexter in “Guts and Glory: nications department gave him its creating a home and family on in acting, died Dec. 12 at New The Rise and Fall of Oliver North” Shining Star award in 2005. the new frontier in “Love’s York Presbyterian Hospital. Boyle, and David Dellinger in Boyle’s first stage experience was Abiding Joy,” arriving on DVD 71, had been suffering from multi- “Conspiracy: The Trial of the in a parish Christmas pageant. for the first time Jan. 2, from Fox ple myeloma and heart disease. Chicago 8.” He portrayed Howard “Theater and religious ritual are Faith, a newly branded faith- Boyle became familiar to U.S. Hanssen in “Master Spy: The very connected,” he said. “It’s the based programming label. television audiences as perpetually Robert Hanssen Story.” He also using of an inner process to Based on the fourth novel in cranky Frank Barone, the father of was featured in the TV miniseries express an outer reality, or some- the Love Comes Softly series by Ray Barone, on the sitcom version of “From Here to Eternity.” thing mysterious.” best-selling author Janette Oke, “Everybody Loves Raymond” After seeing how audiences As a young actor, Boyle joked “Love’s Abiding Joy” follows the (1996-2005). The show lasted nine cheered when his character in that his Christian Brothers experi- enduring romance of pioneers seasons, filming 201 episodes. “Joe” went on a violent rampage, ence was an asset. “It prepared me Missie and Willie Lahaye as they But Boyle had a fine career in he turned down the role of Popeye for a life as a struggling actor,” he build a new future together in the movies, breaking out into stardom as Doyle in “The French Connection” said. “When I first went to New untamed frontier. With more than the title character of the drama “Joe” and other films that glamorized York, I wasn’t starving but I really 30 million copies of the books (1970), and reaching a zenith play- violence. got into that vow of poverty.” sold, fans can continue to follow ing the singing, dancing monster in In a 2005 interview, Boyle, a U.S. Catholic actor Peter Boyle Boyle met his wife, Loraine the inspirational love story of a “Young Frankenstein” (1974). Christian Brother for five years — arrives for the wrap party of Alterman, when as a reporter for more innocent time in this heart- He also had major roles in the he went by the name Brother “Everybody Loves Raymond” in Rolling Stone magazine she visited warming sequel, written and movies “Taxi Driver,” “The Francis de Sales, the same name as the “Young Frankenstein” set for a directed by Michael Landon, Jr. Candidate,” “F.I.S.T.,” “The the Philadelphia parish of his boy- Santa Monica, Calif., in this 2005 story. Through Alterman’s friend- file photo. Boyle, who played the The three previous titles in the Brink’s Job,” “Turk 182!” hood — Boyle said he was lax in ship with Yoko Ono, Boyle series — “Love Comes Softly,” monster in the movie “Young “Honeymoon in Vegas,” “While the practice of his Catholic faith for became best friends with her hus- “Love’s Enduring Promise” and You Were Sleeping” and much of his adult life until 1999. Frankenstein” and more recently band, John Lennon, who was the “Love’s Long Journey” — are “Monster’s Ball,” and played That year, he said, “I had a starred as the father in the TV best man at their 1977 wedding. ranked as the three highest-rated Father Time in all three “Santa heart attack ... and after that, I series “Everybody Loves Survivors include his wife and films in the history of The Clause” films. decided I wasn’t going to fool Raymond,” died Dec. 12 at New two daughters, Lucy and Amy. Hallmark Channel and are cur- On television, Boyle specialized around anymore, and got myself York Presbyterian Hospital. He A private funeral was to be rently on the Christian in playing historical figures in back to Mass.” was 71. held in New York, and plans also Booksellers Association top 10 made-for-TV movies, including A 1957 graduate of LaSalle called for a memorial service. adult titles charts.

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NOON & DINNER SPECIALS Steaks • Chicken Bar-B-Que Ribs Lobster • Fish Rocco’s Prime Rib Restaurant (Tuesday thru Saturday) Since 1951...First original pizza in town! HOURS: SPECIALIZING IN ITALIAN ENTREES ARBY’S Mon. - Thurs. 7AM - 10PM Friday-Saturday 7AM-11PM Tuesday-Thursday 5 PM - 11PM Banquet rooms for up to 90 people Friday - Saturday 5 PM - 1 AM 1980 N. Detroit Street • 3358 Lake City Highway 537 North St.Louis - South Bend Warsaw 897-2114 574-233-2464 2701 Guilford Street • Huntington Proprietors: Warren & Linda Verteramo 204 East Albion Street - Avilla DECEMBER 24, 2006 TODAY’ S CATHOLIC 19 REST IN PEACE HAT S APPENING Decatur Granger Pierceton W ’ H ? Richard L.Schnurr, 73, Stephen Nemeth, 92, Nancy A.Coy, 72, St.Mary of the St.Pius X St.Francis Xavier Assumption WHAT’S HAPPENING carries announcements about upcoming events in the diocese. Send in your Elena De Arauco, 77, Plymouth announcement at least two weeks prior to the event. Mail to: Today’s Catholic, P.O. Box 11169, Elkhart St.Pius X Dorothy C.Fehrer, 75, Noe Moses Macias, 1 St.Michael Fort Wayne 46856; or e-mail: [email protected]. Events that require an admission charge Benedict L.Hahaj Sr., day, St.Vincent de Paul or payment to participate will receive one free listing. For additional listings of that event, please 87, St.Pius X Alice Jane Ryan, 75, call our advertising sales staff at (260) 456-2824 to purchase space. Fort Wayne St.Michael Ervin J.Williams, 74, Kendallville Mildred Schafer, 95, St.John the Baptist South Bend meditation at 7:30 a.m. and the potluck luncheon that will fea- Immaculate Ernest E.Stachowski, MISC. HAPPENINGS rosary at 7:45 a.m. with the Mass ture Charlie Adams humor and John Manuel Heredia, Conception 74, St.Adalbert Ed Fox fish and tenderloin dinner to follow. First Saturday devo- inspiration. RSVP to Sister 58, St.Patrick Mishawaka Stanley Thomas supports music boosters tions are also held at St. Patrick, Agnes Marie Regan at (574) Fort Wayne — An Ed Fox fish Arcola; St. Rose, Monroeville 289-9439. Charles Anthony Korst Frances C.Giacomini, Walczak, 84, St.Hedwig and tenderloin dinner will be Sr., 78, St.Jude 82, St.Bavo and St. John, New Haven. Englentina T.Salazar, held Friday, Feb. 2, from 4:30 to Bishop Dwenger presents Lip Sync 7:30 p.m. in the Bishop Dwenger William J.Slatterly, 70, Gertrude I.Doll, 94, 70, St.Casimir The Light Weigh party to support Saints Alive High School cafeteria. Adults $7, Most Precious Blood St.Joseph Fort Wayne — An orientation Fort Wayne — The Lip Sync Francis J.Scott, 83, children $5 and children 5 and meeting for a daytime program is party will be held on Saturday, under are free. Barbara Butz, 85, New Haven Little Flower scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 2, 9- Jan. 20, in the Bishop Dwenger St.Mary Vaughn D.Moore, 74, Joan M.Eash, 59, 11 a.m. at the St. Vincent de Paul gym. Performers should contact St.John the Baptist REJOICE at the next XLT Parish convent. Contact Nancy at Bob Tomlinson at (260) 489- Robert R.Luther Jr., 57, St.Patrick Fort Wayne — XLT will be held [email protected]. 9672. Guests are invited to St.Jude James A.Schmelker, on Tuesday, Jan. 2, at 7 p.m. at Evening programs are also attend the event with doors open 81, St.John the Baptist St. Vincent de Paul Parish. Joy, beginning early in January at St. at 6:30 p.m. Dinner served at 7 praise, adoration and even laugh- John, New Haven, St. Elizabeth p.m. Prepaid admission of $45 ter in the spirit of Emmanuel. Ann Seton and St. Therese. Call per couple by Jan. 12, or $50 per parishes for details. couple at the door. Those inter- First Saturday devotions ested in attending after the bas- For your out-of-town guests Fort Wayne — The World SAJES luncheon brings humor ketball game with no dinner may Apostolate of Fatima will hold South Bend — The SAJES will attend for $30 per couple. For devotions of reparation at St. meet for Mass Jan. 10, at St. information contact Saints Alive Joseph, corner of Brooklyn and Matthew Cathedral at 11 a.m. at (260) 483-7001. Hale on Jan 6. Confessions will Mass will be followed by a be heard beginning at 7:15 a.m.,

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As we begin the liturgical year celebrating the birth of the Christ Child, we express appreciation to our readers for the privilege of coming into your homes through the year as we follow the life of our saviour with descriptions of his youth, his ministry, his healing and forgiveness, and finally his death and glorious resurrection. m MERRY CHRISTMAS From Everyone at Today’s Catholic 20 TODAY’ S CATHOLIC DECEMBER 24, 2006

ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS 1857 2007 SESQUICENTENNIAL BY MARK WEBER THE DIOCESE OF FORT WAYNE-SOUTH BEND St. Hedwig, South Bend, Est. 1877 ogdarka is a Polish word meaning God’s gift door. Within two years, a tor- and was used as a common name for St. nado destroyed the church and BHedwig Parish because it was the original Polish heavily damaged the school. parish, the first of four, on South Bend’s west side. Another fund drive was The same term could be applied to St. Hedwig’s necessary, and by 1883 a new founding pastor, Holy Cross Father Valentine church was up at a new loca- Cryzewski, whose influence on South Bend’s reli- tion and it had a new name; gion, culture, politics as well as the Congregation of St. Hedwig. By 1896, St. Holy Cross’s Polish-American ministry, although Hedwig School had an enrollment of over 1,000 and dimmed by time, is not yet fully measured. was the largest grade school in the diocese. In today’s terms, his achievements would be meas- Thus began the glory years of the South Bend ured at the superstar level; but first, he had to be fired Polonia as it grew to occupy one third of the city’s as gold in the furnace as one who would lose his geographic area with one third of its population. father at age 10, be an oppressed seminarian, and Within 25 years of the establishment of St. Hedwig finally at age 22, one of the many winding up at Ellis Parish, it was necessary to spin off other Polish Island and then LaPorte, Ind., as a railroad laborer. parishes; first St. Casimir, then St. Stanilaus and St. Led by Providence, he became the first Polish- Adalbert, all under the guidance of Father Valentine American vocation of the Congregation of Holy Czyzewski. Cross, and within two days of his ordination was With this growth, came many religious vocations; assigned by his superiors at Notre Dame to organize a young men and women who grew up in the Polish parish for South Bend’s Poles, who worshiped at St. neighborhoods, joined Congregation of Holy Cross Patrick with Irish and Germans without benefit a and returned to the West Side as pastors and teachers. Polish speaking priest. In the postwar years of World War II all of this Although Father changed. The suburbs beckoned, the Polish blood Cryzewski was well pre- thinned and new families went to new parishes. pared to handle the spir- By 1964, after 87 years of service, Congregation itual needs of his peo- of Holy Cross was forced to withdraw its personnel ple, raising $3,500 for a from St. Hedwig because it could no longer supply church building was a Polish speaking priests. daunting task when the Since July 1, 2001, St. Hedwig has been a com- average worker earned bined parish with its neighbor St. Patrick. The parish about 15 cents an hour mission statement points out that both parishes, found- in an unsteady economy. ed for immigrants are now blended as one — to pro- Against these odds, claim the Gospel, to celebrate Eucharist to strengthen MARK WEBER the church called St. our resolve, and to seek to live the Gospel message This statue honors St. Hedwig parishioners who served in Joseph became a reality enriching our lives and the lives of others, in our fami- with a small school next lies, neighborhoods and workplaces in Michiana. the armed forces and who made the supreme sacrifice.

St. Patrick, Walkerton, Est. 1856 our years before the Civil War, a priest with collections his Mass kit in a saddle bag, made the trip in January Ffrom Notre Dame to Walkerton where Mass as $1.89, for the first time would be said in the log cabin 89 cents, home of Kyran Devery. $1.49 and How the Latin Mass before a handful of grateful 88 cents. souls went can be visualized; it’s the rider on horse- By back who captures the imagination. The trip on the September old wagon trail would take hours. Did Father Paul of the next Gillen pack a gun for predators? Did he have lunch year the yield was up to $2.01. on a log while resting his horse? Did barking crows In 1947, St. Patrick was blessed by the arrival of disturb his reverie? What were his thoughts as he a new pastor, Father Anthony Letko, who endeared heard only slowly measured hoof beats and the himself to everyone in the parish and, as an advance squeak of leather on that summer day? agent of ecumenism, many in the the community. By 1870, the faithful in Walkerton were attended Finding only 26 families on the parish register, to by Father John Flynn, of Chesterton, who arrived Father Letko evangelized with energy and good every two weeks by train. At the time, the parish of will, finding lost sheep, revalidating marriages and about 19 families was known as St. Henry. Finally, winning converts. He organized a Women’s Club, when a 45x22 foot church was built for $800, the bowling and ball teams, a religious instruction members, registered as Quirk, Quinn, Murphy, group for teens and introduced the first outdoor Muldoon, Finnegan, Fitzgerald and Frank Mass in the area for nearby lake residents. The Krankowitz, who got beloved Father Letko served the parish for 42 years one vote, were and retired to his Koontz Lake home in 1988. inspired to rename Today, 150 years after that first Mass in a log their congregation in cabin, more than 2,000 baptisms have taken place, honor of St. Patrick. and the parish has 287 registered families. In 1899, Bishop Although we live in an era of televised Masses Joseph Rademacher and cybertype “miracles,” one step inside the quaint MARK WEBER appointed Father St. Patrick Church creates interest, a few more steps Henry Kappel as the deepens the feeling, and finally at the foot of the Original stained glass windows at St. Patrick, now 150 first resident pastor. cross near the sanctuary, where light is filtered by years old, were provided at great sacrifice by the original He purchased a home century-old stained glass windows of rare beauty, an belonging to the aura prevails that almost makes it possible to hear Irish founding families. The log cabin home, upper right, Quirk family and it the plodding hoof beats of the horse bringing Mass of Kyran Devery is where the first Mass was celebrated in became the first rec- in a saddle bag. tory. Records for that Walkerton in 1856. year show Sunday