Faithlife 9-23.Indd
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Pilgrim of SSJ Spirit of Courage Peace Annual event In Lebanon, Pope honors individuals Benedict XVI's who overcome presence was the adversity, message, page 3. page 2. www.ErieRCD.org BI-WEEKLY NEWS BULLETIN OF THE DIOCESE OF ERIE September 23, 2012 Church Calendar Events of the local, American and universal church Bishop-elect Persico ‘anxious to get started’ Feast days Oct. 1 ordination to be televised live By Jason Koshinskie herd the Diocese of Erie. It’s FaithLife editor with mixed emotion knowing Want to watch? that it is a very important re- WJET-TV Channel 24, an ERIE — Bishop-elect sponsibility but also knowing Lawrence Persico is looking that God gives us the grace ABC affi liate, will air the Oct. forward to becoming the new to do what he calls us to do. 1 ordination Mass live at 2:30 shepherd of the Diocese of No matter what it is in life, we p.m. Coverage will begin at 2 Erie. have to have faith in him that p.m. with interviews and com- “I’m anxious to get start- it can be accomplished.” ed,” he said. Bishop-elect Persico is tying mentary. After his appointment was up his affairs in the Diocese A printable copy of the ordi- St. Vincent de Paul St. Francis of Assisi announced July 31, Bishop- of Greensburg where he also nation Mass worship aid—the elect Persico said he has had serves as vicar general. Last same one being distributed at some time to refl ect on what week, he began his goodbyes St. Peter Cathedral—is avail- Sept. 26 Ss. Cosmas and Damian his new role will mean. to his home diocese fi rst at a able on the diocesan website Sept. 27 St. Vincent de Paul “I think the biggest thing gathering with the clergy then is realizing fi rst what an awe- Bishop-elect Lawrence at a diocesan Mass and cel- at www.ErieRCD.org. Sept. 28 St. Wenceslaus; St. Lawrence Ruiz some task lies ahead,” the ebration at Blessed Sacrament EWTN also plans to air the Mass in its entirety and companions Persico bishop-elect said from his Cathedral in Greensburg. He within two weeks of the event. The diocesan website Sept. 29 Ss. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael offi ce at St. James Parish in 1998. “It’s very humbling to will visit with his parishio- New Alexandria, where he think that this responsibility will post the date and time as soon as it becomes Oct. 1 St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus has served as pastor since has been given to me to shep- See PREVIEW page 3 available. Oct. 2 Holy Guardian Angels Oct. 4 St. Francis of Assisi Oct. 6 St. Bruno, Blessed Marie Rose Durocher Oct. 7 Respect Life Sunday Confi rmations St. Mark, Emporium – Saturday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. Our Lady of Mercy, Harborcreek – Sunday, Oct. Diocese set to begin Year of Faith 28 at 11 a.m. St. Callistus, Kane – Sunday, Nov. 4 at 10:30 a.m. with Masses Oct. 6-7 By Jason Koshinskie loved Disciple Parish in Grove God and strengthen their St. Mark the Evangelist, Erie – Saturday, Nov. 17 FaithLife editor City and chairman of the dio- commitment to sharing faith at 5 p.m. cese’s Year of Faith commit- with others. The observance Parishes in the Diocese of tee. begins Oct. 11, 2012 — the Erie will welcome the Year The committee includes 50th anniversary of the open- of Faith at Masses Oct. 6-7. priests, deacons, women reli- ing of the Second Vatican Respect Life Sunday – Oct. 7 The regular Sunday Mass- gious and laity who put forth Council — and concludes es will be substituted with the a number of ideas to celebrate Nov. 24, 2013 — the feast of second votive Mass, which is the Year of Faith. The com- Christ the King. for “The Mercy of God,” and mittee and the Offi ce of Wor- “It will be a moment of will include special prayers ship have developed a ritual for grace and commitment to an The Year of Faith logo features a boat, which is a traditional and readings for the Year of parishes to use that will help ever fuller conversion to God, symbol for the church. Its main mast is the cross and, with Faith. “open the doors of faith.” The to reinforce our faith in him the sails, it forms the initials IHS, the “Christogram” stand- “While we understand ritual, readings and prayer, and to proclaim him with joy ing for Jesus, savior of men. Behind the IHS, the sun evokes a that the Year of Faith doesn’t along with an overview, rec- to the people of our time,” eucharistic host. begin until Oct. 11, the best ommendation and resources, the pope said. way to highlight this for the can be found on the diocesan Father Allison said the local church was to celebrate website at www.ErieRCD.org. goal of the coming year is for achieved by the Second Vati- around the world gathered in the Sunday liturgies on the Last year, Pope Benedict a renewal of faith. can Council,” he said. St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome seventh as a means to inau- XVI announced a special “Hopefully people in par- Fifty years ago this Octo- for the opening session of the gurate the Year of Faith four “Year of Faith” to help Catho- ishes throughout the diocese ber, Blessed John XXIII and Second Vatican Council. days later,” said Father Mi- lics appreciate the gift of faith, will come to a wonderful more than 2,500 bishops and chael Allison, pastor of Be- deepen their relationship with appreciation of what was heads of religious orders from See YEAR OF FAITH page 3 October has been traditionally designated as Respect Life Month in the church, an annual ob- servance that focuses attention on the sanctity of human life at every stage and the responsibility that Catholics share to protect and defend it. Diocese seeks Respect Life Sunday, celebrated on the fi rst Sun- Sisters of Mercy honored in Titusville day in October, annually kicks off the year-long Re- injunction over TITUSVILLE — Nearly 40 spect Life Program sponsored by the U.S. bishops. Sisters of Mercy, Mercy As- Although the Respect Life program itself has sociates and others traveled by been a year-round initiative, U.S. Catholics across bus to Titusville on Sept. 2 to the country have used the month of October to fo- HHS mandate participate in a special day rec- cus on life and human dignity. Many parishes will By Jason Koshinskie ognizing more than 100 years hold a special Respect Life Mass Oct. 7, Respect FaithLife editor of ministry to generations of Life Sunday. people in the Titusville area. Pastors are asked to please balance Respect Life ERIE — The Diocese of Erie is asking a federal judge The sisters were honored Sunday with the inauguration of the Year of Faith to prohibit the government’s enforcement of its U.S. De- at a Mass at St. Titus Parish, Oct. 6-7. partment of Heath and Human Services mandate forc- which is across the street from For more information and resources on Respect ing it to abandon its religious beliefs and compromising where the Sisters of Mercy Life Sunday, visit www.usccb.org. its mission or violate the law and face the serious penal- St. Joseph Convent formerly ties. stood. During the Mass, an Meet-and-greet events Catholic organizations have objected to the mandate image of Catherine McAuley, since it proposed in August 2011 by Kathleen Sebelius, Sisters of Mercy founder, was with Bishop-elect Persico HHS secretary, and fi nalized in February 2012. blessed and placed on perma- Bishop-elect Lawrence Persico has selected six “The fundamental issue with the federal mandate is nent display at the entrance of days in October when he will visit the Northern, that it violates our religious liberties guaranteed by the the church. Eastern and Western Vicariates of the diocese. First Amendment,” Bishop Donald Trautman said May A large plaque on West Each of the events will follow the same schedule 21 in announcing the diocese’s fi ling of a lawsuit to pre- Main Street, detailing the Sis- Pictured in front of an historical marker recognizing the Sisters with a parish Mass at 7 p.m. followed by a public vent the mandate from taking place. “We now look to ters of Mercy ministry in text of Mercy, from left, are Sister JoAnne Courneen, RSM, president reception. Locations include: the judicial system to secure our constitutional rights.” and photos, was dedicated fol- of the Sisters of Mercy New York, Pennsylvania, Pacifi c West In a Sept. 6 fi ling in the federal court in Erie, the dio- lowing the Mass. The sisters Community; Father Walter Packard, pastor of St. Titus and St. Tues. Oct. 9 at St. Tobias, Brockway cese asked the court “for preliminary and permanent also were treated to a luncheon Thurs., Oct. 11 at Notre Dame, Hermitage Walburga parishes in Titusville; and Sister Bernadette Bell, RSM, injunctions so they can continue to serve the needy in a at St. Walburga Parish in Ti- Erie motherhouse coordinator. Mon., Oct. 22 at St. Callistus, Kane manner consistent with their religious beliefs.” tusville and then visited St. Tues., Oct. 23 at St. Agatha, Meadville The Diocese of Erie’s request for an injunction is Catherine’s Cemetery where welfare of the people of Titus- ting way to honor the sisters for Wed., Oct.