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Inside Archbishop Buechlein . 4, 5 Editorial. 4 From the Archives. 19 Criterion Question Corner . 13 TheCriterion Sunday & Daily Readings. 13 Serving the Church in Central and Southern Indiana Since 1960 www.archindy.org November 24, 2000 Vol. XXXX, No. 8 50¢ Bishops adjourn after votes on church art, immigration reform WASHINGTON (CNS)—The U.S. sion of support for an independent Palestin- “Built of Living Stones: Art, Archi- passed without debate, the bishops called bishops made quick work of a complex ian state, a call to reform the “broken” U.S. tecture and Worship,” a 108-page docu- on Congress and the new president to document on church art and architecture criminal justice system, condemnation of ment in draft form, was approved with lit- revise the nation’s immigration laws and and a resolution urging sweeping changes the Sudanese government’s actions against tle discussion after the Committee on policies in ways that uphold immigrants’ in the U.S. immigration system on the last its own citizens, and encouragement of a Liturgy accepted 100 amendments in dignity and human rights. day of their fall general meeting Nov. 16. “profound conversion” in the way Catholic addition to the 241 it had agreed to before “We believe the current configuration The Nov. 13-16 meeting of the National institutions welcome immigrants. the meeting began. of our immigration laws combined with Conference of Catholic Bishops and U.S. The bishops also recommitted them- The first set of guidelines for building immigration policies pursued by our gov- Catholic Conference at the Hyatt Regency selves and the Church to protecting or renovating churches to be issued by the ernment in the last several years have had in Washington adjourned about an hour human life, saying that the U.S. Supreme entire body of bishops, “Built of Living the negative effects of undermining the earlier than scheduled after considering Court decision overturning Nebraska’s Stones” replaces the 1978 liturgy commit- dignity of immigrants and dividing immi- some 18 action items over the four days. ban on partial-birth abortion has brought tee document, “Environment and Art in grant families,” the resolution said. Other highlights of the annual session the legal system “to the brink of endors- Catholic Worship.” The special message, “Returning to included the bishops’ first explicit expres- ing infanticide.” In the resolution on immigration, See BISHOPS, page 8 Award winners credit Catholic Sharing Christmas with the poor education for their By Mary Ann Wyand success in life Every needy family served by the Catholic Social Services Christmas Store By Jennifer Del Vechio in Indianapolis during Advent will receive a tiny crèche as a symbol of the It’s his Catholic education that Joseph meaning of Christmas. Clayton credits for getting him through “The Village Dove provided 360 little $11 billion business deals, the loss of a nativity sets at cost so all the clients will job and five children to support. be reminded that Christmas is not just Clayton, the keynote speaker for the about gifts, that Christmas is the spirit of Celebrating Catholic School Values awards Christ being born and the spirit of shar- dinner on Nov. 20, ing and giving,” explained Christmas said it’s clear to Store co-director Peggy Magee of him that Catholic St. Pius X Parish in Indianapolis. education “has Magee and Patty Yeager of St. Mark provided me the Parish in Indianapolis are the volunteer attributes or the coordinators of the archdiocese’s essential supplies Christmas Store ministry this year. Since to stay balanced last January, they have worked with volun- on my journey teers Pam Moffit of Fortville and Sharon through life.” Kleinhelter of Fishers one day a week to While The Wall prepare donations of new clothing, toys Street Journal has and household items for distribution to called him “the low-income families during Advent. Joseph Clayton turnaround “Last year, we helped 341 families expert” in busi- and 1,558 individuals,” Magee said. “We ness, Clayton said it’s the values of hon- are planning for 360 families this year.” esty, commitment, generosity and leader- Patty Colbert, co-director of the ship that he received in Catholic schools Catholic Social Services Crisis Office in that helped him see “beyond the mater- Indianapolis, which oversees the archdio- Wyand MaryPhoto by Ann ial,” and give his gifts to make a “better cese’s holiday ministry to the poor, said Peggy Magee of St. Pius X Parish in Indianapolis stocks shelves at the Catholic Social Services tomorrow.” the Christmas Store opens on the Monday Christmas Store in Indianapolis. Magee is co-director of the store, which expects to help 360 families. Clayton’s speech topped off a night of after Thanksgiving and stays open until celebration at the Indiana Convention the Catholic Center closes for Christmas. December.” Last summer, artist Harry Blomme of Center’s Sagamore Ballroom in “This year, the store will be open Donations from parishes, schools, indi- Indianapolis painted murals of Bible Indianapolis, where five people were hon- from Nov. 27 through Dec. 22,” Colbert viduals, corporations and foundations, as scenes on the walls of the Christmas Store ored for their successes and commitment said. “We schedule appointments for well as help from many dedicated volun- to illustrate the story of Christ’s birth. to Catholic education. three and a half weeks for people teers, have enabled the archdiocesan Blomme was homeless for a while and The future of sending more children— referred to us by the St. Vincent de Paul Christmas Store ministry to provide hope often lived on the streets, but sometimes especially from families who fall below Society and other social service organi- and joy to people in need for 11 years, found shelter in Indianapolis missions. federal poverty guidelines—to Catholic zations and agencies. We save the last Crisis Office co-director Marge Hittle Now he has a place to live and wanted to See AWARDS, page 7 few days for last-minute calls, and we said. “Since 1990, the store has grown in share his artistic talent with other people help a lot of people during the final week scope, content, quality and quantity. This who struggle with daily living needs. because the other Christmas [assistance] year, it has a new look and that’s due to “The Christmas Store is an amazing programs close in the middle of Peggy [Magee] and her group.” See STORE, page 2 Bishops discuss turns of presidential election WASHINGTON (CNS)—Watching the prayer about the outcome. turns of the undecided presidential elec- “My words would be words of prayer, tion with the rest of the nation, some U.S. first of all, that however this is resolved, it bishops at home and abroad offered their will be resolved for the common good of perspectives on the voting and counting the whole nation,” he said. process and its effect on the country. “I also hope that it will be ended Bishop Joseph A. Fiorenza of sooner rather than later and that once a Galveston-Houston, the president of the president is elected, this country will U.S. bishops’ conference, said Nov. 16 come together and overcome personal that he hoped the country would come preferences,” he said. together once the still-contested election In Rome, the Vatican’s top expert in was resolved. media ethics said it was “unconscionable” CNS photo from Reuters Speaking to reporters at the close of that U.S. television networks prematurely Broward County, Fla., election workers hand the bishops’ annual fall meeting in announced a winner of the presidential count punchcard ballots at the county’s emer- Washington, Bishop Fiorenza encouraged See ELECTION, page 10 gency management center Nov. 19. Page 2 The Criterion Friday, November 24, 2000 home. STORE “It’s a wonderful experience for our continued from page 1 volunteers,” Hittle said. “They come back to help year after year because they truly ministry,” Colbert said. “We often do have love the program.” the toys that are on children’s wish lists. Hittle and Colbert believe the late That’s how God works. One year, a Mother Teresa of Calcutta captured the woman told us her daughter wanted a toy true meaning of this ministry when she doll that had been very popular the previ- said, “It is Christmas every time you let ous year, but she couldn’t afford to buy it. God love others through you.… Yes, it is After she picked out two outfits of Christmas every time you smile at your clothes, socks, underwear, a hat and brother and offer him your hand.” gloves for her daughter, we went into the “We try to incorporate that idea in this toy room and started looking through the ministry,” Hittle said. “Christmastime is donations and found that very doll. There expensive, and if parents come here for was just one, and we both cried! It was a help and see that their children are going wonderful thing, and it happens a lot. to be happy, there is some hope that Another mother found a certain cassette maybe the next year will be better. They tape that her children especially wanted can see Christmas as a joyous season and for Christmas.” realize that, because someone cares, their The archdiocesan Christmas Store min- children are not going to be disappointed istry is a good way for parishes to provide this year.” holiday assistance to the poor, Colbert The Christmas Store has been a special said, because for $2 per person, or a $10 volunteer project for Peggy Magee for a maximum fee per family, parents can number of years, but when her husband, select clothes that fit their children and Jim, became ill several years ago she took gifts on their wish lists.