Police Officers Blessed, Honored at Blue Mass by Jason Koshinskie Church
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Songs for Paws for Our Journey a blessing Notre Dame St. Francis blessing folk group of pets in Around releases new CD, the Diocese, page 3. page 4. www.ErieRCD.org BI-WEEKLY NEWS BULLETIN OF THE DIOCESE OF ERIE October 15, 2006 Church Calendar Events of the local, American and universal church Police officers blessed, honored at Blue Mass By Jason Koshinskie church. Law enforcement Feast days FaithLife editor departments represented included the Pennsylvania RIDGWAY – On Sept. State Police, police depart- 29, the feast of the archan- ments from St. Marys, John- gels, the St. Marys Deanery sonburg, Kane and Ridgway, and portions of the Eastern the University of Pittsburgh Vicariate of the Erie Dio- at Bradford Campus Police cese honored police and law and the Elk County Sheriff’s enforcement officers in the Department. area with a Blue Mass at St. The Mass was organized Leo Parish in Ridgway. by Father Ted Marconi, pas- The Blue Mass–-referring tor of St. Leo; Father Eric to the uniforms worn by Vogt, pastor of Sacred Heart St. Luke St. Paul of the Cross many public safety and law Parish in St. Marys; and Sgt. enforcement agencies—be- Phil Hoh of the St. Marys Oct. 16 St. Hedwig, St. Margaret Mary gan on Sept. 29, 1934, the Police Department and presi- Alacoque feast of St. Michael, patron dent of the Fraternal Order Oct. 17 St. Ignatius of Antioch of police officers, in the of Police for Elk, Cameron, Photos courtesy of Frank Quattrone/www.quattronephotography.com Oct. 18 St. Luke Archdiocese of Baltimore, McKean and Potter coun- Oct. 19 Ss. John de Brebeuf, Isaac Jogues Above, officers kneel for a blessing during the where officers attended ties. Father Marconi serves Blue Mass at St. Leo Parish, Ridgway, Sept. 29. and their companions Mass in their blue uniforms. as chaplain to the state police, Oct. 20 St. Paul of the Cross At right, Father Ted Marconi, pastor of St. Leo, This was the first Blue Mass and Father Vogt is chaplain to offers a blessing to a local officer. Oct. 23 St. John of Capistrano known to be held in the St. the St. Marys Police Depart- Oct. 24 St. Anthony Mary Claret Marys area in recent times. ment. Father Marconi said in harm’s way all the their families—wives, Oct. 28 Ss. Simon and Jude Officers, both active and the Mass was held to pray for time,” Father Marconi children, moms and retired, along with their fam- God’s blessing for those who said. “They appreciate dads—came and that ilies and students from St. work in law enforcement. our prayers. Any time was important to in- Confirmation Leo School and St. Marys “I thought the idea of a you can offer them a Catholic Elementary and Blue Mass was really good blessing, they’re ap- See BLUE MASS, schedule Middle Schools, filled the because these people are preciative. Many of page 3 St. Bonaventure, Grampian – Monday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. Confirmation classes include St. Bonaventure, House of Prayer celebrates 35 years of ministry Grampian and St. Timothy, Curwensville. By Jason Koshinskie has been renovated and con- FaithLife editor verted into a small chapel Our Lady of Mercy, Harborcreek with a tabernacle containing ERIE – Not much sepa- the presence of the Blessed – Sunday, Oct. 29 at 11:30 a.m. rates the gray exterior of Sacrament. The house also the House of Prayer from offers three guest rooms for the rest of its neighbors in overnight retreats and days of World Mission Sunday – Oct. 22 downtown Erie except for reflection. World Mission Sunday, organized by the Society the hand-painted sign near “I think what has happened for the Propagation of the Faith, is a day set aside the front door. over the years, people have for Catholics worldwide to recommit themselves But inside the simple grown in a greater hunger for to the church’s house at 159 W. Fourth St. is contemplative missionary ac- a source of spiritual refresh- prayer and try- tivity through ment in the middle of all the ing to find ways House of Prayer prayer and sac- hustle and bustle. of deepening 159 W. Fourth St., Erie PA 16507-1338 rifice. The House of Prayer is their relation- For more information, call 814.456.1802, celebrating its 35th anniver- ship with God,” World Mis- e-mail [email protected] sion Sunday, sary this year, providing a said Sister Rita celebrated annu- praying presence in the city Panciera, RSM, or visit the Web site at ally on the next- since 1971. director of www.mercyerie.org/houseofprayer.htm to-last Sunday The moderate-size house the House of in October, is For more information or to read provides ample space for lit- Prayer. “We just “an important Pope Benedict XVI’s message urgy, small group meetings, try to provide prayer experi- day in the life of for World Mission Sunday, visit programs and prayer. Week- ences for people.” the church be- www.vatican.va. ly offerings include Scripture People’s response to those cause it teaches study, centering prayer ses- prayer experiences is what Photo by Jason Koshinskie how to give: as an offering made to God, in the eu- sions and Saturday morn- initially kept the house open. charistic celebration and for all the missions of the ing Mass. Other programs It originally opened in June Sister Rita Panciera, RSM, stands ready to greet visitors at the House of Prayer’s front door. world.” (Redemptoris Missio 81) include seminars on prayer 1971, along with one in Con- and spirituality, directed neaut Lake, as a six-week with the house’s ministry and college students with the The house is also the resi- prayer days, workshops on summer retreat experience for since the beginning. “And quiet of centering prayer. dence of Sister Rita, who is Diocesan Stewardship Days – Oct. 24-25 centering prayer, days of religious sisters in ministry. here we are 35 years later.” “It’s nice to be in the midst trained in the Ignatian exer- Father Michael Jacques, SSE, pastor of St. Peter reflection and opportunities But the idea caught on with Across the street from of life,” she said. “It’s re- cises and centering prayer. Claver Parish in the Archdiocese of New Orleans, for private retreats and spiri- lay people and interest grew Antler’s bar, the House of ally wonderful because that’s She also serves as a spiritual will be the keynote speaker for Diocesan Steward- tual direction. in keeping one of the houses Prayer is also nestled in the where most of life takes place, director to many who fre- ship Days Oct. 24-25. Typically, 25 to 40 people open. heart of the Gannon Uni- right in the middle of things. quent the House of Prayer. Father Jacques will offer his reflections on the attend the weekly Saturday “People asked us not to versity student community. God is everywhere. God is in spirituality of stewardship and how this way of life morning liturgy, celebrated close the house,” said Sister But Sister Rita doesn’t mind the midst of every person. We See HOUSE OF PRAYER, is countercultural. Joe Cavanaugh will explain how by a local priest. The attic Rita, who has been involved the contrast of traffic noise couldn’t exist without God.” page 3 to create an environment for engaging parishioners. Vern and Teresa Strecker will focus on stewardship HOUSE OF PRAYER TIMELINE in a small parish. June 1971 Sept. 1971 July 4, 1975 Nov. 1981 May 1988 June 2006 Cost for the day sessions is $15 per person and Five sisters move Erie House of First sunrise beach Third floor of the house Begins teaching and House of Prayer includes continental breakfast and lunch. Evening into Erie house, Prayer becomes liturgy and breakfast held is renovated to provide providing centering celebrates its sessions are $5. For a full schedule and online reg- eight sisters move year-round ministry at Presque Isle. new space for a chapel istration form, visit www.ErieRCD.org. For more prayer programs. 35th anniversary. information, contact Joseph Hoag, director of into Conneaut Lake supported by The group has grown plus bedroom space stewardship and development, at 1.800.374.3723 house for six-week participation of laity, from a handful of early for guests. ext. 192, in Erie at 824.1192 or e-mail JHoag@Eri- House of Prayer sisters and priests risers to more than 100 eRCD.org. experience. of Erie area. in attendance each year. Tues., Oct. 24 Wed., Oct. 25 1970 1980 1990 2000 Day session: Day session: St. Tobias Parish, St. Mark Catholic Brockway Center, Erie (8:15 a.m.-2:45 p.m.) (8:15 a.m.-2:45 p.m.) Senior high youth rally Nov. 19 Fatima message focus of annual rosary march HERMITAGE — The an- Evening session: By Jason Koshinskie Evening session: nual senior high youth rally, FaithLife editor Sacred Heart Parish, St. Mark Catholic titled “We Believe,” will take St. Marys Center, Erie place on Sun., Nov. 19 at Ken- ERIE – More than 150 (6:30-8:30 p.m.) (6:30-8:30 p.m.) nedy Catholic High School in people marched through the Hermitage from 10 a.m. to 5 streets of downtown Erie on p.m. Oct. 1 during the 12th annual rosary march, sponsored by The program will include the Erie Diocese’s Blue Army Clergy entertaining and inspiring chapter of the World Aposto- keynote presenters from late of Fatima. APEX Ministries, music Beginning at St.