• Abstract and Figures
• Public Full-text

J PITTSBURGH in o M (M a I in UJ u i =» > < * » -Û X » o ulUJ ■j o t o a t > OC OC o 'No. 51 350 Established in 1844: America’s Oldest Catholic Newspaper in Continuous Publication Friday. February 27, 1998 * N 3: O O ® U . LU LO * o et » N •~t O o *-* II * o J -Ô ^ a* Poll: Young Catholics stress sacraments, charity WASHINGTON (CNS) — In a socialized in post- Vatican (Council) II percent called it essential to the faith human right, only 14 percent of national survey, most U.S. Catholics religious education." she said, so it is and 2 7 percent called it important but respondents said that was essential to 20 to 39 years old ranked belief in important for church leaders to know not essential. Only 8 percent thought it the faith. God’s presence in the sacraments, how they think and feel. unimportant or not part of the faith or Thirty-three percent called the charity to the poor and belief in The survey data came from the said they didn't know. teaching on workers' rights to unionize Christ's real presence in the Eucharist responses of 701 Americans who iden­ Charity to the poor was called important to the faith, 30 percent high among elements essential to the tified themselves as Catholic and in essential by 58 percent and important called it not important to the faith and Catholic faith. the 20-to-39 age range during a series by 3 5 percent. 18 percent said they were unaware it Results of the survey were released of national random sample telephone "Belief that Christ is really present was part of the faith. by sociologist Dean Hoge of The Cath­ surveys conducted last fall by Prince­ in the Eucharist" was called essential Of the five top-ranked elements, four olic University of America, one of a ton Survey Research Associates. by 58 percent and important by 28 had to do with the sacraments or spe­ team of researchers who commis­ Respondents were given 19 state­ percent. cial attention to helping the poor; the sioned it as part of a larger study of ments about church teaching or prac­ On the role of devotion to Mary in fifth was devotion to Mary. W a y o f post- baby boom adult Catholics. tice. They were asked to categorize the church. 5 3 percent called it The five elements on the list Notre Dame de Namur Sister Mary each as "essential to faith, important essential and 3 3 percent important. respondents considered least central t h e C r o s s Johnson, a sociologist at Emmanuel but not essential, or not important to Fifty-two percent said it was essen­ to faith “had to do with two topics: Through the ages, Chris­ College in Boston and member of the the faith today." On each statement tial, 3 3 percent important, to believe specific moral teachings — the right of tians have found solace research team, said the survey was the questioner added, "If you are “that God is present in a special way in workers to unionize, teachings about and strength praying the part of an effort to learn what young unaware that this is an element of the the poor." the death penalty and teachings about Stations of the Cross. The adult Catholics understand to be their Catholic faith, please say so.” Despite more than a century of abortion — and specific institutional Catholic provides a special Catholic identity. When asked about "belief that God church teaching that the right of rules — only men can be priests, only neditation this week as we That generation was "the first to be is present in the sacraments," 65 workers to form unions is a basic celibate persons can be priests." 9} eflect on the suffering of Christ. See page 12. Partners in M inistry A vision fo r th e w orld prepares leadership By PATRICIA BARTOS concluded a pilot series of six Senior Staff Writer workshops in November. The Saturday morning Father Joe Mele has always series drew some 20 members been impressed that parishio­ of the parish staff and pastoral ners, already committed to council, with sessions led by family and job obligations, parishioner Anne Papinchak would want to volunteer with and consultant Lois Campbell. the church. Fr. Mele attended each ses­ “I’m inspired by their dedi­ sion. a3 did pastoral council cation and generosity," he member and past chairman explained. Cathy Gillis. But, as pastor of St. John “It was not only my dream the Baptist in Unity, he also but really a parish response to saw a responsibility to prepare the need to provide, on a par­ these parishioners for service, ish level, formation for lead­ G r a n d m a s to “clarify expectations, help ers,” Fr. Mele explained. o n t h e | o b them to do the best they can Organizers are evaluating and to use their time to the that first series in preparation Two women provide more best advantage." for a second series to begin in -O students than simple It was a concern shared by late April, in time for orienta­ assistance at a local Catho- both the parish staff and pas­ tion this fall of new pastoral ,ic school. They provide a toral council members. council members. They hope •aping presence as well. The parish developed a to offer several training ses­ See page 7. response, a leadership training sions each year. initiative called the Partners in Ministry program, and See UNITY on page 9 Photos by Douglas Kaup Visiting Assisi: Franciscan Sister Margaret Carney ravels to the earthquake- Chimbóte in need of •avaged town of the popu- ar saint to survey the iamage. miracle, sister writes See page 5. By GLORIA ACKLIN KREPS sent a series of letters to sis­ Several members of St. : eeling the spirit: A parish Correspondent ters here with news about the Benedict the Abbott in /outh director describes a pain inflicted by El Nino. Peters Township helped special experience she had, In the Pittsburgh area, peo­ She describes 120-degree sort new clothing des­ attending the Filipino “Rite ple have rejoiced in the days and how warm ocean tined for the world's poor unusually balmy weather of af Encuentro.” currents have driven fish to on Feb. 21. Above: From See page S. the past few months caused by cooler waters, leaving boats left, Donna Nardine, Lisa the Pacific weather phenome­ anchored, processing facilities Yonosko and Michelle non called “El Nino." Jackson sort by size. At Web pointer: This week's closed and fisherman begging. But In California and Flori­ right: Maura Higgins /ignette tells how the Inter- Chimbote, she writes, is da, it has been blamed for folds an Item to be pack­ let is helping a religious already hurting, and the severe flooding, mudslides, aged and shipped over­ :ommunity foster voca- expected flooding related to El tornadoes and death. seas. The work was done ions. Nino has yet to begin. And in Chimbóte, Peru, at the World Vision distri­ See page 6. The newspapers report on where Sisters of Mercy have the increase in cholera, warn­ bution center in Sewick- served the poor for nearly 30 ings of malaria, food poisoning ley in conjunction with 4 local tradition: “They years, El Nino has had cata­ the organization’s 30- and a mysterious illness that :an't help but be moved by strophic effects. hour famine event that has killed dozens of babies. che message of Veronica’s For four centuries, histori­ teaches about global “It is painful to observe the Veil.” says one of the play- ans have chronicled scores of poverty and raises increased malnutrition and an ars in the long-running instances of weather devas­ money to fight hunger. ever deepening poverty in a production. tating enough to wipe out Members of St. John See page 10. already poor Peruvian country already one of the Neumann in Franklin communities. poorest in the western hemi­ Park pitched in later in The Diocese of Pittsburgh sphere,” she writes. the day. I n d e x has maintained a long rela­ "The doorbell rings more tionship with the Chimbóte often since hunger is so wide­ Diocesan news.................. 2,3,10,11 spread," she continues. “Each Editorial/official .............................4 region, for years operating a one begging at our door has Dpinion/comment .........................5 health center there. Entertainment .................................6 Sister Mary Louise Nash the same amazing dignity of Jfe ................................................. 7 from the Pittsburgh regional being loved by God. Chimbote Classified ....................................... 8 Mercy community has been is in need of a loaves and fish National .........................................9 there since January. She has miracle!” [g Prelates advise against force as Iraq deal develops WASHINGTON (CNS) — Six U.S. Kofi Annan's brokering of a tentative Cathedral in New York, Cardinal John effective in helping to achieve peace Murphy, moderator of the curia for bishops, in Individual statements, deal with Iraq permitting unrestricted J. O'Connor asked, “Has war itself any with justice for all than any weapons the Archdiocese of Boston, were advised against using force against access to U.N. inspection teams to role in human affairs today?' systems ever created, and would at among six Massachusetts Christian Iraq in the current standoff with the potential Iraqi weapons manufactur­ “Must the international communi­ least help greatly to deter hostilities." leaders to sign a statement reiterat­ United States over weapons inspec- ing and storage sites. ty, the human race, not design a The cardinal acknowledged the ing their belief that negotiations pre­ t ions.

Load more

  12

Copy Link