42November19,2017

Serving the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend November 19, 2017 MYIn diocese TTODAYODAY’’SS CCATHOLICATHOLIC Volume 91 No. 42 50¢ TODAYSCATHOLIC.org St. Joseph St. John the Baptist Pages 10-12 The living and substantial act of thanksgiving is Jesus, in the Eucharist Young Adult Holy Hour BY JENNIFER MILLER Fort Wayne Frassati prays, hanksgiving is the premier classic, all-Ameri- can holiday. Begun in the very first years of the reflects with Bishop Tcountry, the day celebrates the first successful Page 16 harvest of Americans’ pilgrim- and poor farmer- ancestors due to the help of their neighbors, the Wampanoag Indian tribe. American Catholics, however, are called to be a thanksgiving people every day of the year. The very Solidarity in Suffering basis of daily worship is to offer and give thanks back to the One who created mankind, redeemed it What being a Christian in the and sustains it; God, in the blessed Trinity. All we say, do, know or have comes from God. Truly, every Middle East means day is to be a day of thanksgiving. Page 3 The holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November is a chance for American Catholics to live their faith and nationality with pride and gratitude. The very heart and source of life is “eucharistia,” the Greek word meaning “thanksgiving” in English. A Catholic This is where the word for Eucharist comes from; the communion offered and received together as one Thanksgiving people, one body with Jesus Christ, at the holy Mass. From the beginning of Christianity, the holy Mass Blessing the food for was also called the Eucharist, as the Didache and St. the feast during Mass Justin describe. The Hebrew word, used by ancient Israel, “todah,” means the same. Both point to the Page 8 unmerited, free gift of God given to His people. Father Romano Guardini, a Catholic theolo- gian who was among the fathers of the New Evangelization, reminds us that, “Mass is the heart CNS/Nancy Wiechec of the direct relationship between God and a believ- A Thanksgiving Day table features foods from local farms, ranches and purveyors in Arizona. The er.” In the sacred space at church, one hears the first Thanksgiving was a celebration of survival, of gifts, of sharing and of gratitude. Colonists words of the celebrating priest: “Lift up your hearts! and Native Americans feasted on deer meat, fish, clams, fowl and corn — food they collected from nearby and from planting. THANKSGIVING, page 9 Cardinal praises USCCB for century of working for ‘a more just society’ BY JULIE ASHER As it developed from its formation as the National Catholic War Council to the present-day USCCB, the conference has BALTIMORE (CNS) — The mission of the never wavered “in that commitment to U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is as Christian charity” and “has proved to be an timely now as 100 years ago when the con- effective means for coordinating the pasto- ference was founded as a “wise and Spirit- ral outreach and evangelical witness of the filled response to the immense suffering Church in America,” the cardinal said. and displacement” caused by World War I, The 62-year-old Italian cardinal was the the Vatican secretary of state said Nov. 12. main celebrant of the Mass at the Basilica “The Church in your country seeks to of the National Shrine of the Assumption of bring not only material assistance but the Blessed Virgin Mary. A career Vatican also the spiritual balm of healing, comfort diplomat, the cardinal is Pope Francis’ top CNS photo/Bob Roller and hope to new waves of migrants and aide both for internal Church matters as Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, and refugees who come knocking on America’s well as for relations with governments and door,” Cardinal Pietro Parolin said. Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the international organizations. United States, concelebrate Mass Nov. 12 at the Basilica He made the remarks in his homily at Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori a Mass celebrating the USCCB’s centenary of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed in Baltimore on the eve of the bishops’ fall Virgin Mary in Baltimore on the eve of the fall general general assembly. USCCB, page 2 assembly of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. 2 TODAY’ S C ATHOLIC November 19, 2017 continues unabated. At the same TODAY’S CATHOLIC USCCB, from page 1 time, the Catholic community is welcomed the cardinal, his fellow called, under your guidance, to Official newspaper of the archbishops and bishops, priests, work for an ever more just and Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend religious men and women, laity inclusive society by dispelling the P.O. Box 11169 and seminarians to “America’s shadows of polarization, divi- Fort Wayne, IN 46856 first cathedral,” built between siveness and societal breakdown 1806 and 1821. The Baltimore by the pure light of the Gospel.” PUBLISHER: Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades basilica was the first Catholic He said the USCCB has made church to be constructed in many “responsible contribu- United States after the adoption tions” to the discussion “of of the new Constitution. important social issues and Editorial Department The basilica, filled to capacity, political debates, above all when PUBLICATIONS MANAGER: Jodi Marlin was a fitting setting to celebrate these involve the defense of PAGE DESIGNER: Francie Hogan the USCCB’s centenary, a land- moral values and the rights of BRAND SPECIALIST: Molly Gettinger mark in the history of the U.S. the poor, the elderly, the vulner- able and those who have no NEWS SPECIALIST: Mark Weber Catholic Church. Archbishop Lori was among voice.” the dozen or more concelebrants The U.S. Church has made Business Department on the altar, who included an “outstanding witness” to BUSINESS MANAGER: Stephanie A. Patka Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of defending the right to life of the BOOKKEEPING/CIRCULATION: Geoff Frank Galveston-Houston, president unborn, “but also, in more recent [email protected] of the USCCB, and Archbishop times ... to ensure due protec- Christophe Pierre, papal nuncio tion for the family and access to affordable health care.” Advertising Sales to the United States. The rest of “You have done this not only Jackie Parker the U.S. bishops filled several of the basilica’s front pews. by engaging in policy debates in [email protected] Before Mass, the bishops your own country, but also by (260) 399-1449 gathered for an afternoon assisting international processes workshop for presentations on of dialogue and peacemaking, Website: www.todayscatholic.org the history of the USCCB by and by providing much-needed humanitarian aid to peoples New York Cardinal Timothy CNS photo/Bob Roller M. Dolan, head of a task force beset by war and civil conflict,” A woman prays during Mass Nov. 12 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of he said. on the centenary observance; the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baltimore on the eve of the fall Bishop Earl A. Boyea of Lansing, “In this process of accompa- Published weekly except second general assembly of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Sunday of January; and every other Michigan; and retired Bishop niment, may you continue to week from the third Sunday in June William S. Skylstad of Spokane, wise virgins filled their lamps lenged to propose in an ever exercise your prophetic office through the second Sunday of Washington. Cardinal Dolan and with oil in preparation for the more vital way the wisdom of by bringing the balm of mercy September by the Diocese of Fort Bishop Skylstad are both former coming of the bridegroom.” the Gospel, which alone brings to discussions that all too often Wayne-South Bend, 1103 S. Calhoun USCCB presidents. He used the symbolism of the true joy and satisfies the deepest take refuge in policies and statis- St., P.O. Box 390, Fort Wayne, IN 46801. Outside the basilica, children oil “to reflect with you on some longings of the human heart.” tics, while ignoring the faces and Periodicals postage paid at Fort Wayne, from various Catholic schools in of the present-day opportunities He held up the USCCB’s con- needs of real people.” IN, and additional mailing office. the Baltimore Archdiocese lined and challenges facing your con- vocation in Orlando, Florida, and At a dinner that evening the steps to greet people arriving ference at the dawn of its second the ongoing preparations for the with the U.S. bishops, Cardinal POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: for Mass. Below the steps a few century.” Fifth National Encuentro in 2018 Parolin told them Pope Francis Today’s Catholic, P.O. Box 11169, Fort protesters held placards or placed “That oil is also spiritual as examples of the conference’s sent his “cordial good wishes for Wayne, IN 46856-1169 them on the sidewalk, calling joy, the joy of the Gospel — “far-sighted initiatives aimed at this anniversary” and he recalled or email: [email protected] on the U.S. bishops to embrace ‘Evangelii gaudium’ — that encouraging dialogue and coop- the pontiff’s “message of encour- pacifism. the Church is called to proclaim eration at every level” in the life agement” to them during their MAIN OFFICE: 915 S. Clinton St., Fort “There is no such animal as a before the world,” the cardinal of the U.S. Church. meeting last year at the Vatican. Wayne, IN 46802. Telephone (260) ‘Just War,’” said one sign quot- said. “Ultimately, it is a joy “In this way, you are seeking He quoted the pope, who said 456-2824. Fax: (260) 744-1473.

Load more