The C150atholicWitness The Newspaper of the Diocese of Harrisburg February 15, 2019 Vol. 54 No. 3 March 2, 2018 Prayer Vigil 7:00 P.M. at Holy Name of Jesus Church,“The establishment Harrisburg. of the Survivor Compensation Program is another step forward in our Diocese’s efforts to show our support to survivors This will include a live enactmentof ofclergy the child Sorrowful sexual abuse. Mysteries While we of understand the Rosary that financialby young people from throughout the Diocese,compensation similar will in notmany repair ways or erase to thethe heartache Living andWay damage of the done Cross. This event will replace theby traditional the abuse these Palm survivors Sunday have suffered, Youth Masswe know and this support can help to improve their lives. These settlements will serve as further Gathering for 2018. All are welcomerecognition and that encouraged the Church acknowledges to attend. these terrible abuses did occur and we hope that this Program will help advance survivors on March 3, 2018 Opening theirMass path for towards the healing Anniversary.” Year 10:00 A.M. at Holy Name of Jesus Church, Harrisburg. ~ Bishop Ronald W. Gainer Please join Bishop Gainer as celebrant and Homilist to begin the anniversary year celebration. A reception, featuring a sampling of ethnic foods from various ethnic and cultural groups that comprise the faithful of the Diocese, will be held immediately following the Mass. August 28-September 8, 2018 Pilgrimage to Ireland Join Bishop Gainer on a twelve-day pilgrimage to the Emerald Isle, sponsored by Catholic Charities. In keeping with the 150th anniversary celebration, the pilgrimage will include a visit to the grave of Saint Patrick, the Patron Saint of the Diocese of Harrisburg. Participation is limited. November 3, 2018 Pilgrimage to Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception SAVE THE DATE for this diocesan pilgrimage to the Basilica in Washington, D.C. Additional details will be forthcoming. March 3, 2019 Closing Mass for Anniversary Year CHRIS HEISEY, THE CATHOLIC WITNESS In the afternoon at Holy NameThe Diocesan of Jesus Center Church, in Harrisburg Harrisburg. is pictured at sunrise this past fall. Please join Bishop Gainer as celebrant and homilist for this special Mass to conclude ourSurvivor year-long anniversary Compensation celebration. Program Open By Rachel Bryson, M.S. For moreCompensation information: Program is another www.hbgdiocese.org/150 step as further recognition that the Church In my own name, and in the name of The Catholic Witness forward in our Diocese’s efforts to show acknowledges these terrible abuses did the Diocesan Church of Harrisburg, I our support to survivors of clergy child occur and we hope that this Program express our profound sorrow and apolo- The Diocese of Harrisburg and Bish- sexual abuse,” said Bishop Gainer. will help advance survivors on their gize to the survivors of child sex abuse, op Ronald W. Gainer opened its Survi- “While we understand that financial path towards healing.” the Catholic faithful and the general vor Compensation Program on Tuesday, compensation will not repair or erase A consistent message Bishop Gainer public for the abuses that took place and Feb. 12. The program will be adminis- the heartache and damage done by the has heard from survivors is the desire to for those Church officials who failed to tered by Commonwealth Mediation & abuse these survivors have suffered, we tell their stories. The Program will allow protect children. We have and continue Conciliation, Inc. (CMCI). know this support can help to improve and encourage survivors to tell their sto- to take steps forward to ensure these “The establishment of the Survivor their lives. These settlements will serve ries to the administrative board, if they abuses never occur again.” wish. Independent Management “The Survivor Compensation Pro- IN THIS EDITION gram we have established will al- Bishop Gainer has said for several Page 5 – Mass celebrates African- low survivors, if they so choose, to sit months that this Program will be indepen- American faith and culture down with our Program Administrators dent of the Diocese. Keeping his word, (CMCI) and discuss the abuses that took the Program has been developed and will Pages 7-9 – Students revel in Catholic place,” said Bishop Gainer. “We believe be overseen by Mr. Paul Finn of Com- Schools Week these discussions are an important part monwealth Mediation & Conciliation, of this process and we hope they will Inc. Mr. Finn and his firm successfully Page 10 – Former linebacker challenges aid in the healing process by providing oversaw similar programs in the Arch- students in stewardship the survivors an opportunity to be heard diocese of Boston, the Diocese of Provi- and a chance to know we believe them. More COMPENSATION, page 3 2 - The Catholic WITNESS • February 15, 2019 DIOCESAN NEWS Bishop Requests St. Michael Prayer said at Masses tempted by infidelity, doubt, discourage- By Rachel Bryson, M.S. ment and despair. The Catholic Witness There is an account that Pope Leo Prayer is a powerful shield against XIII was overtaken by a terrible vision the forces of evil, especially the prayer when celebrating Mass between 1884 to St. Michael the Archangel. Bishop and 1886. In his vision, Pope Leo saw Ronald Gainer has asked all parishes to “demonic spirits, who were gathering begin reciting this prayer at all week- on the Eternal City.” After this vision, he end Masses by the first Sunday of Lent, composed the “Leonine Prayers,” which which is March 10. Bishop Gainer made were to be recited at the end of Masses the decision to introduce this custom of and include the prayer to St. Michael. saying the St. Michael prayer at Masses “I invite you to share in this holy after receiving many requests from pa- prayer of intercession for the healing of rishioners and clergy. survivors of abuse and the healing of all “The challenges of our present time the members of the Church whose faith have shaken the faith and broken the has been tested,” said Bishop Gainer. hearts of many of the Catholic faithful “Through the great prayer of the Holy throughout the Church. I have had op- Mass and the gift of the Holy Rosary, the portunities to listen to the cries of out- Church has found strength in past times rage and concern at deanery gatherings, of trial. Through the intercession of the after visits to parishes, and through the Saints and the invocation of the Holy many letters I have received,” said Bish- Angels, the members of the Church on op Gainer in a letter to the faithful. earth find heavenly helpers who give As people of faith, we commonly turn consolation and hope along the way.” to prayer for strength and help in times The Prayer to St. Michael “Brothers and sisters in Christ, broken of trouble, and the “communal prayer Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, members of the Body of the Christ: let of the Church is powerful,” continued be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. us agree to pray for healing and heaven- Bishop Gainer. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; ly help that, together, in the company of “Over the last several months, many and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, all the angels and saints, we may purify parishes have begun to recite the prayer by the power of God, the Church of infidelity and pursue the to Saint Michael the Archangel at the cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits path to authentic holiness with persever- celebration of Mass and many other par- who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. ance,” the Bishop added. ishes and individuals have asked me to Amen. mandate the use of the prayer through- out the Diocese,” said Bishop Gainer. after Holy Mass, or at the conclusion “After discussing the issue with the of the parish announcements made at BishopBishop Gainer ContinuesGainer Listening Continues Sessions Listening Sessions Bishop Ronald Gainer will continue to host listening sessions throughout the Diocese of Council of Priests and in light of those Mass, by the First Sunday of Lent.” Bishop Ronald Gainer will continue to host listening sessions throughout the Harrisburg in February. He encourages anyone with questions regarding the Grand Jury Report, many requests, I am asking that all par- St. Michael the Archangel is consid- Diocese of Harrisburg in February. He encourages anyone with questions regarding the Diocese’s response to abuse, our path forward, or any other questions or concern to attend ishes throughout the Diocese of Harris- ered the guardian and protector of God’s the Grand Jury Report, the Diocese’s response to abuse, our path forward, or any one of these sessions. Each session will include opening remarks from Bishop Gainer and retired burg begin to recite the Prayer to Saint people. He continues to battle against other questions or concern to attend one of these sessions. Each session will include Pennsylvania State Police Capt. Janet McNeal, recently hired to oversee the youth protection Michael the Archangel either before or evil and is a source of strength for those opening remarks from Bishop Gainer and retired Pennsylvania State Police Capt. Janetefforts McNeal, of the Diocese. recently Following hired totheir oversee brief remarks, the youth the floorprotection will be openedefforts for of questions the Diocese. and Followingcomments. their brief remarks, the floor will be opened for questions and comments. Date Deanery Listening Session Location Time Bishop Gainer’s Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019 Northern Immaculate Conception Parish 6:30 p.m. 1730 Fowler Avenue Public Calendar Berwick, PA Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019 Northumberland Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Parish 6:30 p.m.