October 2, 2015 Vol
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Serving the Church in Central and Southern Indiana Since 1960 CriterionOnline.com October 2, 2015 Vol. LVI, No. 1 75¢ ‘God bless America’ Memory and motion: Pope Francis shows Americans who he really is PHILADELPHIA (CNS)—Pope Francis speaks often about memory and motion, the importance of remembering where you came from and setting off without fear to share the Gospel. That’s what he did in the United States. He circled the Statue of Liberty in a helicopter and flew over Ellis Island not preparing to condemn the world’s great superpower, but to reflect on its history and promise as a land that welcomes people, makes them part of the family and allows them to thrive. Over the course of six days in the United States, Pope Francis let the U.S. public see who he really is with touching blessings, strong speeches, prayerful liturgies and an unplugged proclamation of the beauty of family life, even when it includes flying dishes. With constant television coverage and a saturated social media presence, Pope Francis was no longer just the subject of screaming headlines about the evils of unbridled capitalism, and a “who-am-I-to judge” attitude toward behaviors the Catholic Church describes as sinful. Instead, he repeatedly admitted his own failures and reminded people they, too, have fallen short. He urged them to trust in God’s mercy, and get a move on proclaiming that to the world—first with gestures and maybe with words. Sin is sin even for Pope Francis. Human life is sacred at every stage of its development, and that includes the lives of convicted murderers, See POPE, page 7 Pope Francis gestures during an evening prayer service in St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York on Sept. 24. (CNS photo/Mike Crupi) Once in a lifetime Pilgrimage of faith Papal blessings Local Catholics witness history as Pope Archdiocesan group attending World Meeting of Emotions run high as pilgrims catch glimpse of Francis addresses Congress, page 3. Families strengthened in their vocations, pages 9-11. pope during visit, page 13. Page 2 The Criterion Friday, October 2, 2015 God invites us to embrace others, show every life is worth living (Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley, Archbishop of Boston and chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, wrote the following letter to launch October as Respect Life Month.) My dear friends in Christ: One of the deepest desires of the human heart is to discover our identity. So often, as a society and as individuals, we identify ourselves by what we do. We base our worth on how productive we are at work or at home, and we determine our lives to be more or less good depending on the degree of independence or pleasure. We may even begin to believe that if our lives, or those of others, don’t “measure up” to a certain standard, they are somehow less valuable or less worth living. Cardinal Respect Life Month is a fitting time to reflect on the truth of who we are. Sean P. O’Malley Our worth is based not on our skills or levels of productivity. Rather, we discover our worth when we discover our true identity found in the unchangeable, permanent fact that we are created in God’s image and likeness and called to an eternal destiny with him. Because of this, absolutely nothing can diminish our God-given dignity, and therefore, nothing can diminish the immeasurable worth of our lives. Others may human experiences. Fear of the unknown can lead us into the temptation of taking fail to respect that dignity—may even try to undermine it—but in doing so, they control in ways that offend our dignity and disregard the reverence due to each only distance themselves from God’s loving embrace. Human dignity is forever. person. Whether it lasts for a brief moment or for a hundred years, each of our lives is But we are not alone. Christ experienced suffering more deeply than we can a good and perfect gift. At every stage and in every circumstance, we are held in comprehend, and our own suffering can be meaningful when we unite it with existence by God’s love. his. Especially in the midst of trials, we are invited to hold fast to the hope of the An elderly man whose health is quickly deteriorating; an unborn baby girl Resurrection. God is with us every step of the way, giving us the grace we need. whose diagnosis indicates she may not live long; a little boy with Down syndrome; In times of suffering, let us have the courage to accept help that others genuinely a mother facing terminal cancer—each may have great difficulties and need our want to give, and give the help that others need. We were made to love and be assistance, but each of their lives is worth living. loved; we are meant to depend on one another, serving each other in humility and When we encounter the suffering of another, let us reach out and embrace them walking together in times of suffering. Our relationships are meant to help us grow in love, allowing God to work through us. This might mean slowing down and in perfect love. taking the time to listen. It might mean providing respite care or preparing meals for Let us learn to let go of our own standards of perfection and instead learn more a family facing serious illness. It might mean simply being present and available. deeply how to live according to God’s standards. He does not call us to perfect And of course, it always means prayer—bringing their needs before the Father and efficiency or material success; he calls us to self-sacrificial love. He invites us to asking him to work in their lives. embrace each life for as long as it is given—our own lives and the lives of those he Experiencing suffering—or watching another suffer—is one of the hardest has placed in our paths. Every life is worth living. † Fall 40 Days for Life is underway, Respect Life Mass, Life Chain people still needed to pray at sites events are this Sunday, Oct. 4 Criterion staff report The annual Respect Life Mass will be held at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral, 1400 N. Meridian St., in Indianapolis at 1 p.m. on Oct. 4, Respect Life Sunday. 40 Days for Life is an international campaign that seeks to end abortion During the Mass, two awards will be presented to those performing outstanding service in the through peaceful prayer vigils at abortion centers, and to raise community pro-life realm. Maria Hernandez will receive the Archbishop Edward T. O’Meara Respect Life awareness of the consequences of abortion. Award, and Grace Lundy will receive the Our Lady of Guadalupe Pro-Life Youth Award. The campaign runs twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall. Following the Mass, the Central Indiana Life Chain will take place from 2:30-3:30 p.m. along During the 40-day campaigns, individuals silently pray during one-hour time N. Meridian Street between Ohio Street and 40th Street. slots in front of abortion centers around the world. Life Chain is an interdenominational, silent prayer vigil supporting respect for life at all stages. This year, the fall campaign runs from Sept. 23-Nov. 1, with Indianapolis The Life Chain events taking place in the archdiocese on Oct. 4 as reported on and Bloomington participating within the archdiocese. Cities participating www.lifechain.net are as follows: near archdiocesan boundaries include Fishers, Muncie and Evansville. • Bedford, W. 16th Street at State Road 37 South, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Information: Judy Streich, In Indianapolis, there will be a midpoint rally in front of the 812-277-1926. Planned Parenthood facility, 8590 N. Georgetown Road, from • Bloomington, E. Third Street at High Street, 2-3:30 p.m. Information: Carol Canfield, 10:30-11:30 a.m. on Oct. 10 with special guest speaker Maria Hernandez. 812-322-5114. Hernandez will share a powerful testimony of choosing life after her • Brazil, Highway 40 at Alabama Street, 2-3 p.m. Information: Jeff Etling, 812-230-6365. unplanned pregnancy. After she speaks, a witness talk will be shared about a • Brookville, Main Street at the County Courthouse, 2-3 p.m. For more information, call save that took place seven years ago. Jerry Mersch at 513-702-4949. The Bloomington 40 Days for Life campaign will take place on the public • Columbus, Second Street at Washington, 2-3 p.m. Information: Don Demas, 812-372-0774. right-of-way outside of the Planned Parenthood facility at 421 S. College Ave. • Connersville, 30th Street at Park Road, 2-3 p.m. Information: Barbara Wagner, At 9 a.m. on Oct. 24, Bloomington 40 Days for Life will host a march for 765-647-3154. life and a youth rally. • Greencastle, Washington Street at College Avenue, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Information: The rally will start at the Indiana University (IU) Arboretum with prayer, Catherine Engle, 765-653-5678. followed by a march to the Monroe County Courthouse to hear several • Greensbur g, N. Lincoln Street at 10th Street, 2-3:30 p.m. Information: Pat Koors, local government leaders and candidates speak in support of defunding 812-614-0595. Planned Parenthood, and in defense of the unborn. The march will continue • Indianapolis, Meridian Street from North Street to 38th Street, 2:30-3:30 p.m.