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SC for March 30.qxd 4/1/2008 9:35 AM Page 1 Sooner Catholic Serving the People of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City Volume 35, Number 6 * March 30, 2008 Benedictines, Archbishop Holy Week 2008 Agree to Changes In Parish Roles SHAWNEE — The Benedictine monks of St. Gregory’s Abbey in Shawnee will soon entrust the parishes under their care in Pottawatomie and Seminole counties to the pastoral leadership of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. The Most Reverend Eusebius Beltran, Archbishop of Oklahoma City, and the Rt. Reverend Lawrence Stasyszen, O.S.B., Abbot of St. Gregory’s Abbey, announced the shift in parish administration at a meeting with parish representatives held at Saint Benedict Parish in Shawnee on March 15. Archbishop Beltran hosted the meeting in order to share information with parish repre- sentatives and to answer questions regarding the immediate effects of the change. During the meeting, Archbishop Beltran noted that “the Catholic Church is structured along geographical lines so that every Catholic person and institution is under the jurisdiction of the local bishop. This area is called a diocese or archdiocese. Through the spiritual direction of the bishop or archbishop and extended through smaller areas (parishes), the faith is transmitted, celebrated and grows. Therefore, the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City will be responsible for appointing pastors to the area formerly served by the Benedictine Monks of Shawnee.” Congregations at Saint Cecilia Church in Maud, Saint Vincent de Paul Church in McLoud, Immaculate Conception Church in Seminole, Saint Benedict Church in Shawnee, Saint Joseph Church in Wewoka and Saint Mary Church in Wanette will be affected by the change in administration. St. Gregory’s Abbey will continue to provide pastoral care for Sacred Veneration of the Crucifix at St. Mary Parish in Guthrie. Photo/Cara Koenig Heart Parish in southern Pottawatomie County due to its historical connection with the Bene- dictine community and its proximity to the his- torical site of the original monastery complex. continued on page 3 Inside Students From Oklahoma Creighton Catholics Lend Hand to Celebrate Holy Less Fortunate Week, Easter in OKC 6 8-9 SC for March 30.qxd 4/1/2008 9:35 AM Page 2 2 Sooner Catholic ● March 30, 2008 The Good News Sooner Catholic ... Rejoice in the Risen Lord! Most Reverend Eusebius J. Beltran Easter Vigil here tonight for they are the means Cathedral of Our Lady whereby we are incorporated into the May this Easter season, Archbishop of Oklahoma City March 22, 2008 life of our Risen Lord. which we are Publisher In Baptism, original sin and any personal sins we may have committed now entering, be My dear Brothers and Sisters in Ray Dyer Christ: are truly and absolutely forgiven. We a very special are adopted as God’s children and God Editor Tonight is a time of rejoicing and infuses His Sanctifying Grace in us. time of Grace for welcoming, truly a time of fulfillment. Yes, through Baptism we are reborn Therefore, I wish to congratulate those you. May Jesus, Cara Koenig and become members of the Church, who are about to be baptized, those who is risen Layout/Design/ members of the Body of Christ. who will enter the Church through a In Confirmation, through the impo- from the dead, Archbishop Photographer Profession of Faith and all who will be Beltran confirmed. I welcome you to the family sition of hands and the anointing with grant you the of God which is the Catholic Church. I the Sacred Chrism, we receive the full- peace, the joy and the love Mauro Yanez ness of the Holy Spirit. This is the pray that you will begin to experience a Hispanic Editor greater joy and appreciation for the gift Spirit of God, the Spirit of Truth who is that we all seek. May you of faith which the Lord is giving to you. our Advocate and who confirms us in have a truly Blessed Easter. To all people present here tonight the Christian life by His presence, His Ammanda McCabe inspiration and His guidance. and in all the other churches of this make a renewal of your baptismal Staff archdiocese, I extend my best personal In the Holy Eucharist, we join with promises. Following that renewal I will Jesus in praising and worshipping the wishes to you and to your loved ones. bless all who are present here with this 7501 Northwest Expressway May this Easter season, which we are Father. Jesus comes to us in a very Easter Holy Water to remind you of Oklahoma City, OK 73132 now entering, be a very special time of special way by giving us His own Body your own baptism. Thus, all of us Grace for you. May Jesus, who is risen and Blood. Thus He nourishes us and gathered here tonight, whether (405) 721-1810 Fax: (405) 721-5210 from the dead, grant you the peace, the strengthens us for our continuing baptized earlier or now, whether e-mail: [email protected] journey of faith. Remember, Jesus said: joy and the love that we all seek. May confirmed tonight or previously, Mailing Address you have a truly Blessed Easter. “I have come that you might have life whether a lifelong member of the P.O. Box 32180 Tonight, the Church Universal and have it more abundantly.” Then He Catholic Church or a newly received observes the Easter Vigil — a watch said: “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son one, all of us can stand in the presence Oklahoma City, OK 73123 which culminates in the proclamation of Man and drink His blood, you cannot of God with great faith and hope have life in you.” that Jesus Christ is risen from the and love. We stand here with that Visit us online through the dead! Moreover, this Jesus who came to We celebrate these three Sacra- assurance of faith because our salva- Archdiocesan Web Page at save us from our sins, now extends His ments of Initiation — Baptism, tion is a very special gift from God. www.catharchdioceseokc.org. redemption to every one of us. He has Confirmation and Eucharist — for God so loved the world that He sent come that we might have life and have through them we first receive the new His Son Jesus to save us. Jesus, by His it more abundantly.This sharing in the life God offers us. We also receive His life, death and resurrection, does The Sooner Catholic (USPS 066-910) is more abundant life of Jesus is affected pledge of support and nourishment, the indeed save us. Therefore, tonight we published biweekly except for once in July through the sacramental actions which inspiration and help we need to become experience our profound joy in the and twice in December by the Archdiocese He instituted. Three of these are called His faithful sons and daughters. resurrection of Jesus from the dead. of Oklahoma City. the Sacraments of Initiation. These Tonight then, after these catechu- And it is specifically for this reason three — Baptism, Confirmation and mens and candidates are baptized and that I say: May you and your loved ones The newspaper is not responsible for Eucharist — are what we celebrate confirmed, I will invite all of you to have a most Blessed Easter. Alleluia!! unsolicited material. ... The Annunciation of the Lord Copyright © 2008 Sooner Catholic Subscription rate: $20 per year for all The Feast of the Annunciation of Solemnity of the Annunciation of the to point others to her Son, the God-Man who are not members of the the Lord is one of the very special Lord (celebrated on March 31 instead who could never exploit us in any way, Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. celebrations of our liturgical calendar. of the traditional March 25, so as not and who is the source of all reconcilia- Periodical postage paid at Oklahoma The Pro-life Office of the Conference of to conflict with Easter week). It’s fitting tion, healing and authentic love, includ- City, OK 73125. Catholic Bishops recently authored a to end on this high note, paying ing between the sexes. Wherever POSTMASTER: Send address changes beautiful article on the relevance of tribute to the most pivotal woman women suffer injustice, exploitation to the Sooner Catholic, P.O. Box that feast to us as Christians and our in the history of humankind. Yet I and violence, the only hope for 32180, Oklahoma City, OK 73123. recognition of the Blessed Virgin Mary. wonder whether lesson plans for this authentic justice will come through the The article was written by Deidre A. awareness-raising month will raise any transforming power of Christ and those McQuade and I wish to share it with awareness of her! who cling to him. you. The feast day marks that decisive How different Mary’s fiat is from Most Reverend Eusebius J. Beltran moment when Mary, not yet fully the era-defining book Our Bodies, Archbishop of Oklahoma City understanding what the angel Gabriel Ourselves and early slogans of the pro- was saying to her, nonetheless re- abortion movement such as “It’s my Mary and Women’s sponded out of her love for God and body, my choice.” These slogans said “yes” in her famous “fiat”: “I am the popularized a false philosophy, reject- History Month handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done ing the reality that we are not our own (fiat) to me according to your will.” but were made by God in his image, by Deirdre A. McQuade The Sooner Catholic is male and female. The rest, as they say, is history.