November 19, 2020 | Issue 28 Share Testimonies, Invite Young People to Encounter Christ in the Sacraments, Bishops Urge Catechists By Jen Reed The Catholic Witness “Until young people realize that Jesus Christ is a real and living person, and until they enter into a relationship with Jesus Christ and experience him moving in their lives, none of our teachings will make sense.” This was the central message that Bishop Andrew Cozzens, keynoter at this year’s Diocesan Catechetical Conference, shared with those engaged in ministry to youth. CHRIS HEISEY, THE CATHOLIC WITNESS The conference, Bishop Ronald Gainer delivers a presentation on Confirmation to open the livestreamed to more Catechetical Conference, offered via livestream from the Diocesan Center. than 450 participants on Nov. 14 from the five speakers for the event, and what it looks like today from even Diocesan Center, was underscored the significance of the just a year ago,” he said. “What we entitled, “Raising Up sacraments and personal witness in do know, though, is that we’re going Holy Youth: Shaping engaging young people in the faith. to need saints, holy people, to guide Our Future Saints.” Speaking to the conference’s us through those times and be the Bishop Ronald theme, Bishop Cozzens said “The strength and life of the Church.” Gainer and Bishop most important thing we have to Chairman of the USCCB’s Cozzens, Auxiliary do in the Church today is focus our Committee on Evangelization and Bishop of the efforts on raising up saints.” Catechesis, Bishop Cozzens linked Archdiocese of St. “None of us know what the world to the Diocese’s livestream from his Paul and Minneapolis, is going to look like in five or ten served as two of the years; none of us would believe More CATECHISTS, page 2 November 19, 2020 • The Catholic WITNESS- 2 CATECHISTS, continued from 1 Christ came to earth, that He died for their sins, residence in Minnesota. rose from the dead and invites them to live a He pointed out two important truths we realize resurrected life, this is the kerygma. It’s the basic from an encounter with Jesus: I am a sinner, and Gospel message that we’re all sinners in need of I am loved. a savior, and Jesus is the savior who is the Way, “Both of these truths come together. In that the Truth and the Life,” Bishop Cozzens said. moment, because I realize I am loved in that Catechists can deliver the kerygma through sinfulness, my whole life changes and I become testimonial. a true disciple “We can of Jesus,” he have great said. programs, Young great people need Christian encounters movies, with Jesus great music, in order to but when become his one person disciples, shares with Bishop another why Cozzens said. they believe “Once they that Jesus have that Christ is encounter, alive and everything is their redeemer, can change. Auxiliary Bishop Andrew Cozzens of the Archdiocese of St. Paul They that witness and Minneapolis, is streamed live from Minnesota for his keynote of the experience presentation on forming young people as intentional disciples. His love and Resurrected they’re open life and the to conversion, they’re open to truths, even the power of the Holy Spirit changes hearts. We need difficult and countercultural truths,” he said. to be prepared to share our own witness with Bishop Cozzens spoke on three key ways young people,” Bishop Cozzens remarked. of leading young people to this encounter: The third key to leading young people to an kerygmatic teaching, testimonials and the encounter with Christ is through His living power sacraments. in the sacraments, he said. Kerygmatic teaching is the proclamation of the “I have seen the power of Adoration and Good News of the Gospel. “When I show young people why Jesus More CATECHISTS, page 3 Publisher: 4800 Union Deposit Road The Most Rev. Ronald W. Gainer, Harrisburg, PA 17111-3710 DD, JCL, Bishop of Harrisburg Phone: 717-657-4804 Executive Director for Public Relations: Email: [email protected] Rachel Bryson, M.S. [email protected] Digital subscriptions provided complimentary to all parishioners registered to a parish in the Diocese of Managing Editor: Jennifer Reed The mission of The Catholic Witness is Harrisburg. The Catholic Witness (ISSN 0008-8447, [email protected] to be of personal and practical help as USPS 557 120) is published digitally weekly except we try to be loyal and true witnesses for Photojournalist: Chris Heisey Christmas/New Year by the Harrisburg Catholic Christ in our daily living, spiritual and [email protected] Publishing Association, 4800 Union Deposit Road, temporal, in private and in public. Harrisburg, PA 17111. November 19, 2020 • The Catholic WITNESS- 3 he said. “Those experiences CATECHISTS Sister John Sheila Galligan, IHM, continued from 2 can be transformative for young extols the Scriptures and the people. When they have that Confession with young people. virtues as means of battling sin. encounter with Jesus, their If you dispose young people hearts are open and they begin to a personal encounter with to be hungry for his Word. It all Jesus through testimonies, begins with that openness to explaining who Jesus is and the encounter.” what he wants to do in their life, and then you bring them A Catechesis on before the Lord in the Blessed Confirmation Sacrament, the Holy Spirit Bishop Gainer’s presentation works,” Bishop Cozzens said. focused on “Confirmation: “Our young people have A Catechesis on Pentecost real struggles today. We all Ever-Present,” and offered know that they get exposed to reflections for catechists who terrible things at early ages, are preparing young people to we know the pressures and receive the sacrament. anxiety they’re struggling Connecting Confirmation to with, and we know that many Pentecost, he pointed to the of them decide to leave fourth question that the bishop the Church at age 13,” he asks those who are about to said. “The enemy is working be confirmed: Do you believe overtime to draw them into sin, but when we in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who, invite them to the Sacrament of Confession, we today, through the Sacrament of Confirmation release powerful graces in their lives.” is given to you in a special way, just as He was Retreat experiences often combine the given to the Apostles on the day of Pentecost? three key elements of kerygmatic preaching, “The place of Confirmation, wherever it is testimonials celebrated, is the new Cenacle,” Bishop Gainer and the remarked. “The very mystery of the 50th day sacraments, after Easter is present anew when the Church and for that celebrates Confirmation.” reason can Turning to the text of the ritual homily that be powerful bishops can preach during the Rite, the bishop ways for young read: The bishops, as successors of the Apostles, people to have possess the same power as the Apostles and encounters they confer the Holy Spirit on those who have with Christ, the already been born again in Baptism. The Holy bishop said. Spirit, which you are about to receive, will be a “You explain spiritual seal by which you will be conformed to the truth of Christ and will be made more fully members of who Jesus the Church. is, you offer “What we’re telling those to be confirmed is, testimonies, ‘Just as the Apostles were changed radically and then you by the descent of the Holy Spirit, so will you,” expose them Bishop Gainer stressed. “Get ready. Changes are to the power about to come upon you. Just as the Apostles Kate Phenice offers a of Jesus in cooperated, you too must surrender to the power presentation on young saints Adoration and of interest for youth today. Confession,” More CATECHISTS, page 4 November 19, 2020 • The Catholic WITNESS- 4 CATECHISTS, continued from 3 presentations from three additional speakers. Sister John Sheila Galligan, IHM, a longtime of the Holy Spirit and the gifts you are about to Theology professor at Immaculata University, receive.” spoke on “Deadly Sins and Saving Virtues” in an The proof of one’s radical change and engaging presentation that examined the ways conviction is found in how it changes their lives, we can quickly fall into sin, and the virtues that the bishop remarked. can save us. “We see that dramatic, radical transformation Father John Szada, Exorcist for the Diocese of the Apostles, and we see the authenticity of of Harrisburg, gave an intriguing presentation on their conviction to go out and change the world the occult, examining why people turn to occult for Christ,” he said. “Their senses of sight and practices, why they might not realize the dangers hearing are engaged by the tongues of fire of it, and the consequences that result. and the sound of the mighty wind, and they Kate Phenice, Director of Spiritual Life at experience a mystery that their physical senses Delone Catholic High School in McSherrystown, cannot detect…. God engages us through our rounded out the presentations with “Wise Beyond physical senses as a human person, and then Their Years: Young Saints for Young People we receive the grace of the sacraments that are Today.” She examined the lives of St. Therese beyond the capability of our senses to detect,” he of Lisieux, St. Faustina, St. Aloysius Gonzaga, said. Blessed Pier Georgio Frassati and Blessed “The effect of Confirmation is that we are more Chiara Badano and the inspirational ways they deeply rooted in the Divine affiliation,” Bishop can speak to youth today. Gainer said. “It unites us more firmly to Christ, The Catechetical Conference, which is increases the gifts of the Spirit in us, perfects an annual offering of the Diocesan Office of our bond with the Church, and gives us special Evangelization and Catechesis, also included strength to fulfill the Divine Commission given by music by the Caelorum band and Adoration of Jesus at His Ascension. the Blessed Sacrament. A limited number of less The object of Confirmation, he said, “is to than 12 catechists were present in person for make missionary disciples who take seriously the conference, following social distancing and the Great Commission of Our Lord: to go forth, masking guidelines. teach, be examples, and be authentic witnesses “We are blessed in the Diocese of Harrisburg to Jesus by the lives that we lead.” to have a bishop and pastors support and The livestreamed conference featured expect solid catechesis. We are doubly blessed with outstanding parish catechetical leadership from a great group of Parish Catechetical Leaders in our C/DREs and many hundreds of enthusiastic, holy, and dedicated catechists and staff in our Parish Religious Education programs and in many Parish Youth Ministry programs as well,” said James Gontis, Director of the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis. “I would be remiss if I did not thank our parents who entrust their children to our parish religious education programs in the hopes that their children and teenagers will become holy witnesses to Jesus Christ and Father John Szada, Diocesan Exorcist, is seen on a to the great adventure that is Catholicism.” computer screen for the livestream of his presentation on the dangers of the occult. November 19, 2020 • The Catholic WITNESS- 5

Diocese of Harrisburg Passes Annual Youth Protection Audit The Diocese of Harrisburg has once again 15 counties and 10,641 volunteers at schools, been found in compliance with the U.S. parishes and Diocesan facilities have also Bishops’ “Charter for the Protection of Children received training on how to keep children safe. and Young People.” The Diocese has passed Except for the students, all of these individuals independent audits of its child protection have also undergone background checks. procedures every year since the policy was In light of the positive compliance audit, adopted by the United States Conference of Bishop Ronald Gainer stated, “Independent Catholic Bishops in 2002. auditors have once again found the Diocese The audit was completed by StoneBridge of Harrisburg in compliance with the Church’s Business Partners, a Rochester, N.Y. firm rigorous standards, which demonstrates the contracted by the United States Conference Diocese’s priority in protecting children. I am of Catholic Bishops to conduct compliance grateful to the clergy, consecrated religious, audits of the nation’s 195 Dioceses. The and lay adults who work each day to make our Diocese of Harrisburg provided all the parishes, schools, institutions, and programs requested information to the auditors, which a safe environment in which to experience the they confirmed to be complete in their final presence of Christ.” report. This annual audit evaluates each The Diocese of Harrisburg’s Safe diocese’s efforts to ensure the protection of Environment Office ensures that Charter children, including criminal background checks standards are continually met. For more and educational awareness programs on information on the Diocese of Harrisburg’s recognizing and preventing abuse. Safe Environment Program, visit www. Among the information the Diocese of youthprotectionhbg.com. Harrisburg reported to the auditors: 17,811 students currently enrolled in Catholic schools in the Diocese or in parish religious To report suspected abuse of a minor, education programs in the Diocese please follow these two steps: have received Safe Environment training. A total of 156 priests 1 1-800-932-0313 2 1-800-626-1608 who are in active ministry, along with 35 permanent deacons and 63 Call the toll-free PA Report suspected abuse of seminarians and Child Abuse Hotline a minor by a church official, candidates for the at 1-800-932-0313 employee or volunteer by Diaconate have calling the diocesan toll-free also received that hotline at 1-800-626-1608 training. More than 883 educators and IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU REPORT SUSPECTED ABUSE administrators in WITH BOTH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE DIOCESE. Diocesan schools, Email: [email protected] 2,064 employees of the Diocese or Diocese of Harrisburg its parishes across Youth Protection Program www.YouthProtectionHBG.com November 19, 2020 • The Catholic WITNESS- 6 Lancaster Catholic High School Launches Capital Campaign; Project to Begin with STEM Innovation Center Next Summer By Jen Reed a Catholic Student Life Center. The auditorium The Catholic Witness will enhance the school’s Liturgies and fine-and- Lancaster Catholic High School unveiled performing arts. The student center will house a a capital campaign on Nov. 12 in support of student commons and dining hall. Phase 1B is a $12.7 million initiative that will transform projected for 2022-2023. the educational, “I am delighted extracurricular and to announce spiritual lives of that our Cherish, future students. Love and Honor The “Cherish, Campaign’s Love and Honor” Phase I is well campaign was underway,” formally introduced President Hamer during a press said in the press conference in the conference. school’s gym, and “The total cost livestreamed to of Phase 1 is hundreds of alumni, projected to be community leaders $12.7 million. It and benefactors. is with enormous The historic A rendering shows the future entrance from the back gratitude and announcement in parking lot. pride that I am the 92-year history able to announce of Lancaster Catholic is the culmination of more that our campaign has secured $8.75 million than two years of planning by the school board in gifts and pledges, around 70 percent of that and more than 100 stakeholders. The long- goal.” range strategic plan will result in the complete “Lancaster Catholic has established an renovation of Lancaster Catholic, within its unrivaled tradition of excellence and service. We current footprint, over the next decade. are all standing on the shoulders of pioneers, Tim Hamer, school president, said Phase 1A of especially the priests and legion of nuns who the project is a STEM Innovation Center that will poured out their lives in support of our 16,000 equip the school alums over four with science, generations,” he biomedical, said. “To continue engineering and to serve the next other STEM four generations classrooms. of students, we This phase of ask all those who the project is benefitted from expected to Catholic High to begin in the pay it forward by summer of 2021. supporting this Phase 1B campaign.” includes a state-of-the art More CAMPAIGN auditorium and New labs will be incorporated into the STEM Innovation Center. page 7 November 19, 2020 • The Catholic WITNESS- 7 CAMPAIGN, continued from 6 Our Lancaster Catholic Sophomore Rachel Sahd, a third-generation community is student at Lancaster Catholic, expressed ready to provide gratitude to benefactors. a new look to “The fact that our benefactors are helping these good transform our current, outdated classrooms into bones.” a state-of-the-art innovation center that my class He asked – as well as future generations of Crusaders – for graduates, can utilize is truly remarkable. Each room will be parents, equipped with the newest technologies and we community will be able to learn the latest techniques, thanks members and to the new program that LCHS has taken on.” businesses for “I would like to thank everyone that helped their support of the capital campaign. “It is time make this possible. Your investment into for all those that have walked these halls at one Lancaster Catholic continues to change lives like time or another to pay it forward for generations mine,” she said. of students to come, who will be strengthened by Capital Campaign Co-Chairs Gerry Ganse and the good bones of this institution,” he said. John Jacunski conveyed their confidence in the President Hamer concluded the press campaign and conference with their conviction a resounding call in a Lancaster of support for the Catholic campaign. education. “Our goal is to Jacunski, a ensure that our parent of three students today and graduates, said, tomorrow continue “I couldn’t be to benefit from happier with the an education of formation that the very highest they received quality, and that from this school: requires 21st the spiritual A state-of-the-art auditorium will be the home for Masses Century schools,” development, and the performing arts. he said. “How the development valuable are of a strong moral compass, their leadership tomorrow’s leaders to you? I invite everyone capabilities and academics.” who has benefitted from, and supports the “We have a great opportunity here, and I’m mission of Lancaster Catholic to participate in very happy that the STEM center is one of the our campaign. Together, we’ll make sure that the first things that will be done as part of this Capital next four generations of our students become Campaign, to give future students the opportunity the intellectually astute, passionately faithful and to enhance their learning,” he said. socially responsible leaders we desperately need Ganse, a graduate of the Class of 1967 and to change the world for the better.” Chairman of the Board of Directors, said, “I am Learn more about the Cherish, Love and pleased to say today that we are standing on the Honor Capital Campaign at Lancaster Catholic’s doorsteps of renovation of this building, described newly-launched campaign website: www. by our architects as having good bones. These cherishlovehonor.com. good bones have supported Catholic education in the Lancaster Deanery for over 90 years…. November 19, 2020 • The Catholic WITNESS- 8 Lebanon County Christian Ministries Tackles Homelessness with Help from Diocese’s Matthew 25 Grant By Jen Reed Christian Ministries, a community-based non- The Catholic Witness profit organization, is working to address those Homelessness and housing insecurity might housing needs. not be visible Located in a in Lebanon former factory County, but they just a few blocks are prevalent. from downtown, According to a LCCM began recent needs in the 1980s assessment by offering report by the free lunches United Way, in the wake of nearly 29 the city’s steel percent of mill closure. county residents Since then, the find themselves ministry has in unaffordable evolved into housing a bastion for scenarios. people in need Within the JEN REED, THE CATHOLIC WITNESS of food, clothing city limits, Bryan Smith, Executive Director of LCCM, client Manuel and shelter. that number Hierro and case manager Amanda Zearfoss talk about LCCM’s increases to 39 Manuel’s success in the program as he prepares to move facility regularly percent. into permanent housing since finding steady employment. distributes basic Lebanon necessities from County its sizeable food pantry and clothing bank. Its FRESH Start Emergency Shelter serves families and individuals facing a housing crisis, with off-site overnight housing and an in-house resource center with computer access, laundry facilities and a fully-functioning kitchen. “Sometimes it’s difficult for communities to recognize or admit that there is homelessness. In Lebanon County, homelessness doesn’t look like it does in big cities. People aren’t sleeping on park benches or on the sidewalk.

Clothing for men, women, children and infants fill one of the More MINISTRIES main floor spaces at Lebanon County Christian Ministries. page 9 November 19, 2020 • The Catholic WITNESS- 9 MINISTRIES March. continued from 8 “It’s an entirely different atmosphere for us as an But we know that housing organization and from a case security is a significant need management perspective. in our community, and that Where we had seen our individuals are going from guests every day, we now couch to couch or family to were scheduling days to family on a survival basis,” have them report here so said Bryan Smith, Executive we could have them utilize Director of Lebanon County our resources, such as the Christian Ministries. kitchen to prepare food, and LCCM’s FRESH Start to do their laundry,” Smith Emergency Shelter serves said. “It took us time to adjust more than 120 individuals to that, but we’re still able annually, providing more to do case management than 4,000 nights of shelter, and we’re still able to create Smith said. Half of its clients achievable goals for our are under the age of 18, guests. They’re getting jobs, representing children in family they’re saving money. The units. biggest obstacle now is A resource area includes a The ministry’s traditional finding housing.” computer station that housing shelter model was a In Lebanon County, the clients can use during the day. congregational one – in both affordable housing need the numerical and religious outpaces the affordable sense of the word. housing availability, he said. Prior to the COVID pandemic, local church communities housed the shelter in two-week Grant Recipient increments, providing a social hall or other large This year, Lebanon County Christian Ministries gathering place is among 32 for men, women parish-supported and children to ministries sleep overnight. to receive a Following grant from the HUD Diocese’s annual recommend- Matthew 25 ations in Collection. The favor of non- collection, which congregational will take place settings due to the weekend the pandemic, of Nov. 22, LCCM partnered supports efforts with a local hotel that provide food, to shelter clients clothing and overnight. The ministry has LCCM offers a substantial pantry and food bank at its facility, More been utilizing thanks to donations from area churches, organizations and MINISTRIES this model since grocery stores. page 10 November 19, 2020 • The Catholic WITNESS- 10 MINISTRIES employed as a custodian for the past nine continued from 9 months, and is advancing to a maintenance position in the near future. His son is doing well in shelter to people in our communities. school, thanks in part to LCCM’s resource center, Seventy-five percent of the money contributed which provides computer access and some to the Matthew 25 Collection is distributed homework help. through grants to parish-supported ministries. On Dec. 1, Heirros and his son will move into Twenty-five percent of the collection is given their own place. back to the parishes for their support of people in “If it wouldn’t have been for this place, I would need. be back in New York and back to my old ways,” St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Annville Heirros said. supported LCCM’s grant application for this “Without them, I wouldn’t be here, working a year’s distribution of funds. job and ready to move into my own place. I’m “The Matthew 25 grant is an opportunity and thankful for them pushing me,” he said. blessing for us. We talk about many different Heirros is one of many success stories of blessings. We’re blessed with the many different Lebanon County Christian Ministries. The positive outcomes of those we serve, we’re caseworkers find themselves invested in the lives blessed with financial resources, we’re blessed of the people they serve, regardless of outcomes. with volunteers,” Smith said. “Relationships are so important to us, and “When we received the Matthew 25 grant we find that many of our guests are lacking in earlier this year, we didn’t expect our expenses positive social environments,” Smith said. “What in the shelter to look like they do today. We were we’re always trying to achieve is that social piece faced with something we had never expected outside of the shelter. To do that, we have to with COVID; all of a sudden our expenses really relate with them. We have to understand where began to grow with putting our clients into hotels,” they are, where we want them to go.” he said. “I don’t know where we would be if it “Their successes are our team’s successes, wasn’t for grants like Matthew 25.” and their failures are our team’s failures,” he “Since March, we have spent more than added.” “There is a sense of joy and excitement $100,000 on hotel space. We don’t know when when a positive scenario plays out, but we also that will end. Our next initiative is looking at how have disappointment when a guest leaves earlier our shelter will operate long term. The Matthew than we want them to and we know that they’re 25 grant has allowed us to survive and provide not able to really assimilate to where they need to for our community this year,” he said. be.” “We’ve been blessed as a ministry to have Success Story staff members who are able to lead as an Manuel Hierros came to Lebanon County example in a Christ-like way,” Smith said. “As a Christian Ministries more than a year ago, community, we need to lift up those folks who seeking help for himself and his son. are struggling with poverty and homelessness. Heirros moved to Lebanon several years ago When our guests come to us, our goal is that they from New York, with a criminal background, a become strong, confident, quality individuals in history of drug use, and no job. Eventually, he our community.” found himself homeless. (This year’s Matthew 25 Collection will take “It can be difficult to seek help. At first, I was place in parishes the weekend of Nov. 22. Visit hesitant to ask, but I knew I had to for myself and www.hbgdiocese.org/m25 for information on how my son,” Hierros said. “As soon as I came here you can help support these local ministries.) [to LCCM] I met Miss Amanda, my caseworker, and the people here were very good to me.” Today, Hierros is drug-free. He’s been November 19, 2020 • The Catholic WITNESS- 11 Knights of Columbus Councils Receive Star Awards for Achievement Two Knights of Columbus Councils in the Diocese recently received the Star Award in separate presentations at their parishes. Knights of Columbus Council 12811 of St. Catherine Laboure Parish in Harrisburg and Knights of Columbus Council 10502 from Holy Spirit Parish in Palmyra were presented with the Star Award for excellence in three categories: membership, insurance and programming. In order to receive the JEN REED, THE CATHOLIC WITNESS Star Council Award, a Members of Knights of Columbus Council 12811 of St. Catherine council must earn the Father Laboure Parish in Harrisburg receive the Star Council Award from McGivney Award, which District Deputy 85 Robert Hawley, presenting the award, right, to recognizes achievement Grand Knight Ryan Miller. Their chaplain is Father Joshua Weaver. in membership growth; the Founder’s Award, for educational efforts about the fraternal and insurance benefits for members; and the Columbian Award, which recognizes a council’s programming and charitable outreach to the community. The Knights of Columbus is the world’s largest Catholic fraternal service organization. Founded by Blessed Father Michael J. McGivney in 1882, it originally served as a mutual benefit society to low-income immigrant Catholics. Since then, it has developed into a fraternal benefit society dedicated to providing charitable services, promoting Catholic education and Catholic COURTESY OF RAY MAILLET, COUNCIL 10502 public policy positions, and Knights of Columbus Council 10502 from Church of the Holy Spirit in actively defending Roman Palmyra receive the Star Council Award. Pictured are Andy Siscaretti, Catholicism in various Bernie O’Hern, Bob Kemmery, Glenn Ward, Tom Szeltner, Grand nations. Knight, Bill Lavage, Father Anthony Dill, pastor, and Dave Popko. November 19, 2020 • The Catholic WITNESS- 12 Pandemic, Racism, McCarrick Report among Bishops’ Discussions at Annual Fall Meeting Catholic News Agency were pre-recorded and thus financial transparency, noting An emphasis on the need for did not discuss the findings that McCarrick’s financial healing, in both the Church and of the McCarrick Report last misconduct had not yet been broader society, was prominent week by the Vatican. The fully accounted for. throughout the first day of highly-anticipated 460-page The bishop said that the fall general assembly for report covered the Church’s McCarrick “gave money to the U.S. Conference of Catholic institutional knowledge and clerics and organizations that Bishops (USCCB). decision-making regarding were not named in the report.” In his address Nov. 16, Theodore McCarrick, the former “For us to offer warrant of Archbishop Jose Gomez of American cardinal who was our commitment to conversion, Los Angeles, president of laicized in 2019. that is called for by this report, the conference, called for a However, the report still by the faithful, that the system “heroic Christianity” that forms played a prominent role in the won’t permit this to happen missionary disciples. discussions on the first day again, and those of us operating The COVID-19 pandemic of the assembly. The bishops within the system, those has shaken people’s faith in voiced their sorrow at the organizations and clerics should God, Gomez said. More than findings of the report. They be named,” he said. just a public health emergency, expressed thanks to the pope Also during the first day of the pandemic has raised for releasing the report and for the meeting, the National “fundamental questions about the steps taken since 2018 to Advisory Council - a group of divine Providence and the improve accountability. They lay and religious advisors from goodness of God,” and it is called for transparency and a variety of ethnicities, ages and the Church’s duty to share the reform. backgrounds – encouraged the Gospel message as a response They also called for prayer bishops to make the Ad Hoc to the fear and uncertainty that and penance, with Archbishop Committee Against Racism are pervasive in society. William Lori of Baltimore a permanent committee and “This is our mission in this encouraging the bishops to fast to engage in listening on the moment,” he said. “To continue weekly and spend an hour a subject of racism before trying to bring healing and hope to the day in Eucharistic adoration in to respond. people of our time.” reparation. The council encouraged the Archbishop Christophe “I say this because it is in bishops to clarify the difference Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to those moments of prayer that between efforts to fight racism the United States, called the problems described in the and support for the organization on Catholics to be Good McCarrick Report cease to be Black Lives Matter. It asked Samaritans in order to bring merely structural problems, that the bishops help the healing to a deeply fractured cease to be a kind of a problem Church play an “active role in and increasingly secular world. that is ‘out there’ to be solved domestic abuse recognition, The U.S. bishops’ annual by other people, but rather it is intervention, recovery and Fall General Assembly was where we begin to take some healing,” particularly during the held Nov. 16 and 17. The personal responsibility for what COVID-19 pandemic. assembly was held virtually this has happened in the life of the The National Review Board, year because of the ongoing Church,” Lori said. pandemic. Bishop Michael Olson More MEETING Most of the presentations of Fort Worth called for page 13 November 19, 2020 • The Catholic WITNESS- 13 MEETING communities. continued from 12 The committee also promotes education, resources, communications strategies, and care a group that collaborates with the U.S. bishops for victims of racism. It is funded by the Knights on the prevention of sexual abuse of minors, of Columbus, Catholic Campaign for Human called for efforts to evaluate the effectiveness of Development, and the Black and Indian Missions abuse prevention training programs for adults Office. and children. The bishops’ conference released a pastoral The bishops voted Monday on several letter dedicated to fighting racism in 2018, conference positions. entitled, “Open wide our hearts: the enduring call Monsignor Jeffrey Burrill, STL, who had served to love.” as Associate General Secretary for the USCCB The committee has been led since May 2018 since 2016, was selected for a five-year term as by Bishop Shelton Fabre of Houma-Thibodaux, the conference’s General Secretary. La. It was previously led by Bishop George Murry, Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York was S.J. of Youngstown, Ohio, who resigned in 2018 selected as chairman of the Committee for due to a recurrence of leukemia. Religious Liberty, while Archbishop William Lori The U.S. bishops also voted Monday on the of Baltimore was voted head of the Committee on 2021-2024 USCCB Strategic Plan, which guides Pro-Life Activities. the allocation of resources and personnel at the Bishop Thomas Daly of Spokane was chosen conference. as chairman of the Committee on Catholic The strategic plan was developed over two Education, and Bishop James Wall of Gallup years with regional input on priorities, explained was elected to chair the National Collections Archbishop Timothy Broglio, the conference Committee. secretary. Auxiliary Bishop Robert Reed of Boston The theme for the strategic plan is “Created was elected to head the Committee for Anew by the Body and Blood of Christ, Source of Communications, and Auxiliary Bishop Arturo Our Healing and Hope.” Cepeda Escobedo of Detroit was chosen as Broglio called it an “inspirational theme which chairman of the Committee on Cultural Diversity will elevate the faithful by reminding them of in the Church. the power of the very source and summit of Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the Archdiocese our faith, the body and blood of Christ,” while for the Military Services was re-elected for a acknowledging the challenges facing the Church, second three-year term as Secretary of the including the coronavirus pandemic and the USCCB. abuse crisis. The bishops also voted on several action In addition, the bishops voted on the 2021 items, the results of which will be announced on proposed budget. Tuesday. Bishop Gregory Parkes of St. Petersburg, They voted on whether to reauthorize the Ad treasurer of the conference, explained that the Hoc Committee Against Racism for three years. coronavirus pandemic created volatility in the The ad hoc committee was established in market, but there has been significant recovery August 2017 in the wake of increasing racial since the early days of the pandemic. tensions and white nationalist activism. Its work Still, he said, with many parishes closed, has included a press conference at the Martin people out of work, and dioceses in bankruptcy, Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C., there is no proposed increase in the diocesan an award-winning children’s book on healing assessment. Instead, the conference has been and reconciliation, and the creation of resources working to reduce spending in 2020 and curtail for the Sept. 9 Feast Day of St. Peter Claver expenses in the 2021 proposed budget. as an annual day of prayer for peace within November 19, 2020 • The Catholic WITNESS- 14

The Catholic Witness is introducing readers Meet the to the Diocese’s 35 new permanent deacons, with photos, biographical information, and New Deacons their thoughts on serving the Church.

Deacon William Roesch What aspect of the ministry are you most looking forward to? Wife: Margaret A. Roesch I am looking forward to assisting and serving at liturgy and proclaiming the Gospel. I hope Home Parish: Sacred Heart of Jesus, Spring Grove to serve the poor, by meeting their physical and spiritual needs. Additionally, I would like to Parish Assignment: St. Rose continue to be involved and teach adult faith of Lima, York formation courses. What is/was your profession prior to What drew you to serve the Diocese as a ordination? Forestry, land management and arboriculture Deacon? My Catholic faith has always been of utmost specialist. importance to me. I grew up in a strong, faith- How has the formation program helped you filled Catholic family. The values of the Catholic grow spiritually? faith that I learned from my parents have always The spiritual formation I received was been what I used to guide my decisions in life. excellent, and it has helped me to gain a much When the opportunity to apply to the Diaconate deeper knowledge of the many aspects of my became possible in the Diocese, I felt called to faith. As a result of formation, I have become share the gift of my faith with others. I knew God more contemplative in prayer, and prayer has had a plan for my life and I could feel His call to become more of who I am, rather than something serve in a deeper way through ministry. that I do.

Deacon Scott Root member of the clergy and as a married man with a career and a family. Shannon Root Wife: What aspect of the ministry are you most Home Parish: St. Katharine looking forward to? Drexel, Mechanicsburg As I have walked the journey of formation, I have learned there are many more ministries Parish Assignment: St. Katharine Drexel, and roles that deacons participate in throughout Mechanicsburg the Church then I ever really thought about. I pray daily to be open to God’s will in my life, so I am most looking forward to how He decides I What drew you to serve the Diocese as a can best serve the Church. I am open to where Deacon? I have been discerning a vocation to the he leads me. It is exciting to entrust my future permanent diaconate since I was 13 years old. In ministry to Him. middle school, I discerned that I was called to the What is your profession? married life. When I entered high school, I met I am the campus minister at Trinity High School Deacon Richard Wentzel. Through his example, in Camp Hill and DRE at St. Katharine Drexel I began to discern how I could serve the Church Parish, Mechanicsburg. as a married clergy. Through Deacon Wentzel’s example, I was drawn to the way that a deacon can uniquely share his faith journey as both a More DEACONS, page 15 November 19, 2020 • The Catholic WITNESS- 15 DEACONS, continued from 14 our own personal spirituality. Through formation, we have been exposed to various ways to pray. How has the formation program helped you Through the spiritual journey of formation, we grow spiritually? have deepened our relationship with God, so we The formation program has prepared me and can share his love with others. my wife Shannon, and has helped us to grow in

Deacon George Salzmann asks, I hope to be able to provide a sense of Christ’s abundant love and joy for each and Wife: Susan Salzmann every member of the parish family as well as to individual families. Home Parish: St. Patrick, Carlisle What is your profession? Parish Assignment: St. I serve as President of the law firm of Patrick, Carlisle Salzmann Hughes, P.C., and practice environmental law, land use/zoning law, and government/municipal law. I also serve as What drew you to serve the Diocese as a CEO to GMS Funding Solutions, which assists Deacon? local and county government bodies as well as God has a wonderful sense of humor. God private nonprofit and for-profit corporations with called in many ways, through many experiences, community and economic development projects. and through many people. I asked so many times “Really God…you want me…Why?” I tried to How has the formation program helped you run, to say, “I’ll be back to you later God,” and grow spiritually? occupied myself focusing on other matters. God The five-year formation program has been did not give up on me though, and was, quite simply excellent, and I cannot thank enough frankly, relentless. Things happened I could not Bishop Gainer, Father Neil Sullivan, Sister explain, people said things to me I could not Geralyn, Father Paul Schenck, and the many explain, and the incredible support of my wife, permanent deacons of our parishes who took my children, my business partners, my clients, so much of their time and spent so much effort and of course the clergy, especially my uncle assisting with this diaconate class. The formal Father Paul Bryan C.S.S.R., I could not begin to education stretched my understanding of so explain. So, I just tried to start responding daily many areas of faith, unlocking the beauty, depth and did my best to stay out of my own way. A life and covenantal relationship with our God through of servant leadership moved by the grace of God both Tradition and Scripture. At the same time, towards the goal of a servant’s heart filled with the program served as a wonderful balance humility and love is what ultimately drew me to with “keeping it real” as our class was formed service as deacon. through challenging times for our Church and our Diocese. My growth spiritually was enhanced, What aspect of the ministry are you most not diminished, by the various storms and rough looking forward to? seas. Our program stressed continually that the Susan and I have a large immediate and deacon’s role is a “bridge” in our Church. The extended family, so I am looking forward program not only led to spiritual growth for me, to serving in all ways to help with families. but was a beautiful experience for our marriage Whether that work is through preaching about and our family. opportunities, challenges and gifts of family life, assisting with sacraments such as baptisms and funerals, or simply walking with families on their faith journeys in whatever form Jesus November 19, 2020 • The Catholic WITNESS- 16 the ruler. The Called Then I went to the local A series of profiles on clergy and religious Catholic high school, Nativity Bishop Ronald Gainer BVM. We lived on the north side of town, and to get to the school I had to walk up a Hometown: Pottsville, Pa. hill. My mom used to watch Education: Mary, Queen of Peace School because, even in the snow, and Nativity BVM High School in we walked up. Sometime Pottsville; St. Charles Borromeo Seminary during my junior year, the in Philadelphia; Pontifical Gregorian dad of one of the fellows University in Rome up the street started taking us. Then in my senior year, Current Assignment: Bishop of the we were able to buy a 1955 Diocese of Harrisburg Oldsmobile from our neighbor. I was able to take a gang up to school then. But for the Tell me about your childhood. home when the street lights I was the only child in a very come on.” It was a very close-knit first two and half years, I was devout Catholic family. My neighborhood. I had one friend walking up Lawtons Hill and grandparents – my dad’s parents who was not Catholic, and it was over an old wooden overpass. – lived a block away from us. a very Catholic area. I had no In those days, the school My mom’s parents lived in a idea where Eddie went to church had over 1,200 students. little place called Heckscherville, or to school, but we were friends I’m not sure what the size of which was only 20 minutes away and he lived just a block away. I Nativity is today. But then, from our home. My mom was still have a very good friend, also they were even talking about one of eight, and most of her by the name of Ed, and we grew adding another floor. It was family had migrated down to up together like brothers. He had built in such a way that they Pottstown. All my aunts, uncles one brother, but the two of us could have expanded with and cousins were down in the were very close and we kept that another floor, but they never Pottstown area, and I would say friendship over the years. did. At one point, there were every other weekend we were The Church was very important 365 graduating from Nativity down there Saturday to Sunday to us. My grade school was Mary, in my class. visiting my mom’s side of the Queen of Peace, and it had When did you first hear the family. double grades. There were only call to a religious vocation? Growing up, we were very four classrooms, and we had first It was in grade school. We close to the Church. Many of and second grades together, and were taught by the Sisters, our activities centered around third and fourth together. My dad Servants of the Immaculate the school and, on a Saturday had one sister, Aunt Ruth, and Heart of Mary. They were very morning, the parish might have she had one daughter. She was intentional about creating not a movie for kids or CYO sports. in first grade and I was in second, just a Catholic environment, Most of my athletic experience and by the Sisters’ mistake we but a culture for vocations. I was with neighborhood kids. We actually sat together. We even remember Sister Catherine lived one block from a public had double desks, so we were Ann, in third grade, saying, school, and they had a great talking, naturally, and that was “Mr. Gainer, I could see you baseball field and basketball the first time I was disciplined by saying Mass.” That certainly and tennis courts, so I would a Sister; not the last (laughing). I planted an image in my hang out there mostly for athletic don’t know what we were talking head. I would honestly say things. about, but I had to go out in the More THE CALLED, In those days, it was, “Come hallway and put my hands out for page 17 November 19, 2020 • The Catholic WITNESS- 17 THE CALLED He said, “I’ll tell you this: You’ll the rector and another priest continued from 16 never be happy in life unless from the seminary, and I took that every boy in my class in you look into it.” He didn’t say, the test and had an interview. grade school, at some time, had “You’ll never be happy unless I hadn’t told my parents that I some serious thoughts about you become a priest,” or “unless was thinking about the seminary the possibility of being a priest. you do go,” but rather, “unless until I went to take the test. My And I would say many of the you look into it.” The meeting in father was very happy that I was girls considered a vocation as his office must have lasted three going to go into engineering. He well, because the Sisters would minutes, and that was it. had a high school education. He invite you to think about that I remember walking out of graduated, and that December regularly. Through grade school there thinking, “He doesn’t know was the attack on Pearl Harbor. and certainly up until seventh or me.” I suspected somebody He went into the Navy and eighth grade, it was a thought had talked to him about having served through World War that was in my mind because of this meeting with me. I have no II on a submarine. He came the Sisters. idea to this day who that might out, and my great-uncle was When I went to high school, have been, nor did I realize a brick layer. He said, “Let me it kind of left me, at least I that Father Nugent was the get you into the trade,” so my thought it had left me. It was not Diocesan Vocation Director. dad started in masonry work in the forefront of my mind that He was really recruiting, in a and worked his way up into I was going to choose to go to strategy that I don’t think I would Schuylkill Masonry. Their final the seminary. I really enjoyed ever use myself, because I felt job was the Berwick Nuclear math and the sciences, and like I had been hit with a two- Plant. He was the job estimator I really saw myself heading by-four. I know I wanted to be for the projects that the into some field of engineering, happy in life; there’s nobody company took on. But he was probably chemical engineering. who’s healthy that doesn’t want always fighting with engineers My two closest friends in high to be happy, but I didn’t see because they seemed to know school were also interested going to the seminary as the everything and, in the end, he in the sciences and math and path toward happiness for me. tells me, he got his way. He was looking at engineering as well. There was one priest at our so happy that I was going to I really was not thinking at parish who I knew, and I went become an engineer. all about the seminary. I had to talk to him. He said, “I don’t When I told him I was going early acceptance to Villanova. know about that, whether you into the seminary, it was the first I had no idea what they might should go. Why don’t we go time I saw my father cry. The offer me and was waiting to visit the seminary.” We went second was when his mother hear that. I also had early to St. Charles Borromeo and died. It was a shock to him. My acceptance to the University of had a tour and walked around mother said, “Whatever you Scranton. My two good friends a bit. That was my introduction. want to do, and remember the went to Villanova and I really It started the process. By the door is always open and you wanted to go there. time I made my decision, it was can come home if it doesn’t It was right after the late March or early April. In work out.” My father warmed Christmas/New Year’s break those days, you had to take an up to it after a while, but it took that the principal, Father admissions test, but the time some time. Nugent, called me into his had passed. When I finally went After graduation, that office. I had never been into to Father Nugent and said, “I September I went to St. Charles his office. When he called me think I’d like to try to go to the Borromeo Seminary and into his office, I had no idea seminary,” he had to look into began an eight-year formation what that was about. He said, it. They actually let me take program there, which was the test late. I went down to “Are you thinking of going into More THE CALLED, Reading to be interviewed by the seminary?” I said, “No.” page 18 November 19, 2020 • The Catholic WITNESS- 18 THE CALLED Joseph McShea. He was the founding Bishop continued from 17 of Allentown. When I was a freshman in high pretty typical then. In those days, 90 percent school, the five northern counties of Philadelphia of seminarians went right from high school. In were cut off from the Philadelphia Archdiocese to fact, it was possible to go to the seminary after form the Diocese of Allentown. Bishop McShea your sophomore year. It was a ten-year program ordained 12 of us. We weren’t ordained in the and I was able to shave off the first two years. I cathedral, because at the time the cathedral was was there until 1973, studying for the Diocese of being renovated. There was scaffolding and all Allentown. kinds of work going on, so we were ordained in St. Thomas More Church in Allentown, a very Were you homesick when you entered at 18? modern and beautiful church that reminds me I’m an only child, now I’m sharing my bedroom very much of St. Catherine Labouré Church in with 59 others in the dorm. There are 30 beds on Harrisburg, a circular church with stained-glass one side, 30 beds on the other, and sinks in the windows. The next day, I had my first Mass at middle. Mary, Queen of Peace in Pottsville. When I entered, there were 133 of us just in my class. There were 342 in the college division What were some of your early assignments? of St. Charles and more than 100 in Theology, so My first assignment was at St. Bernard’s in there were about 500 seminarians there. They Easton. There were five of us in that rectory, with were using the infirmary for people to sleep. So a wonderful pastor, Father Conley, who became what a tremendous shock it was to sit down with Msgr. Conley while I was there. His brother, Ed ten others at table. You had an assigned spot in Conley, is still a frequent visitor to our Harrisburg the dining room. You had an assigned spot in the Diocese and often speaks at our conferences. chapel. Plus, the ceilings are 20 feet high and There was a priest in residence there, another you’re in all these spaces. I remember coming who taught at the high school, and the two of us home at Thanksgiving, and everything seemed who were the parochial vicars. We had a double so tiny. We lived in a normal-sized house, but it parish, St. Michael’s downtown and St. Bernard’s felt like we were living in a shoebox. up in what they call Gallows Hill, because some I do remember being homesick. One of my executions were done by hanging on a tree there classmates went to the seminary, but he was not in a cemetery alongside the church. St. Bernard’s in my class. I really didn’t know him well in high was a wonderful house and a wonderful parish. school. I felt rather lonely until I began to make The church had been blessed by St. John friends. The wonderful thing about it is, I have Neumann, and the house across the street is maintained a number of those friendships from where Bishop Neumann stayed when he came to the seminary and they are my closest friends in dedicate the church. life. So many experiences bonded us together. I had a double assignment in my first We had the opportunity to discuss serious assignment. I was in campus ministry at Lafayette things about our faith and also study together, College, so I was a few days a week up on the so it really was a great fraternal bonding. hill and then a few days at the parish. I was there Unfortunately, I don’t think that’s something that for two years and got a letter that I was being happens today because the classes are so much transferred to Kutztown and Albright College, so smaller and more diverse. You might be the only I began a four-year period of being in campus one from your diocese in your class, and one ministry. We had such a large Catholic population is from South Dakota, one is from Nebraska, in both colleges. The president at Albright once one is from Virginia. I think the seminary is a called me in, and we moved campus ministry much better formation experience today, but the from the little chapel into the main chapel, and interpersonal experience is quite different. the same had happened when I was at Lafayette. It took a decision of the board of directors to Tell us about your ordination. More THE CALLED, I was ordained on May 19, 1973, by Bishop page 19 November 19, 2020 • The Catholic WITNESS- 19 THE CALLED to the new Bishop of Allentown, Bishop Welsh, continued from 18 and I was assigned to live with Bishop McShea. allow that, because both were denominational It was a tremendous experience. He was very schools – Lafayette is Presbyterian and Albright supportive, very kind. It was a wonderful 18 is Methodist. The president said to me, “If you months. I also was his Master of Ceremonies for can get more money from the Catholic Church Confirmations, so I would drive and assist him at than we get from the Methodist Church, I’d be the various Confirmations. glad to change affiliation” (laughing). The majority You also studied in Rome. denomination there were Catholic students I got a call from Bishop Welsh after being at both places. They were great days to be in with Bishop McShea for about 15 months. I told campus ministry, and I really enjoyed that work. him we had a Confirmation that evening, and he I was then assigned to a parish in Mount asked what time we’d get back. I said, “I never Penn, St. Catherine of Siena. I was only there six know what time we’ll get back. We get back at months. It was the Thursday before Holy Week, whatever time the bishop wants to leave.” Bishop and I was in charge of all the ceremonies, the Welsh said, “Whenever you get home, could Triduum liturgies and the RCIA. I got a phone you come to my house?” So we were coming call and the secretary said, “Bishop McShea is down 309 after Confirmation toward Allentown on the phone.” Often, Bishop McShea was never and Bishop McShea said, “What are you doing on the phone, because I had classmates who tonight?” I said, “I have to go see Bishop Welsh.” would call and say to the secretary, “Tell him it’s He said, “He’s going to send you to Rome.” He Bishop McShea.” I picked up the phone and said, spoiled the surprise. He said, “You’re going to “What do you want?” This time, it was Bishop go study Canon Law, and this is wonderful. We’ll McShea! He said, “I’m changing you from St. have three months before you leave and I can Catherine’s to be the Secretary of the Tribunal.” teach you some Italian.” I asked when I would go, and he said Tuesday. Sure enough, when I went to see Bishop This was Thursday, and I had to report at Holy Welsh, he said, “I want you to go to Rome to Trinity Parish in Whitehall as a resident and begin get a degree in Canon Law. You can pick the full-time work at the Diocesan Tribunal. I did that university that you want to go to.” That was in for three years. May, and I left in August. I went to Language I must say, that was an assignment that I felt School for about five weeks and then began was almost a death sentence. I looked on the classes, which were in Latin. I chose the Jesuit Tribunal as an office that was removed from University, the Gregorian University, to study people and was, for lack of a better word, paper Canon Law. Most people would consider it the shuffling. When I got to actually work there, most demanding of the universities, let alone I realized the importance of that work, and that everything was in Latin. Because of that, that behind each piece of paper is a life. Each I also enrolled myself in the School of Latin case file had two lives, and many more people Letters, which was also a wonderful experience. dependent upon those two people. I really began The professor there was the same professor to embrace that work and see the importance of for all four semesters, a Carmelite priest named restoring Catholics to the sacramental life of the Reginald Foster. He was the most fascinating Church. instructor I’ve ever had in my life. He was so I also loved Holy Trinity Parish. I got very dynamic, and he loved the Latin language. For involved. I was just in residence, but I began years, he was the chief Latinist at the Secretariat to do Bible studies and adult education, and I of State. helped the pastor do home visitation every year. One story about Father Foster, when Pope After three years, Bishop McShea’s time to John Paul became the Supreme Pontiff, he retire came about, and his last assignment was to wrote and spoke primarily in Polish. He would move me from Holy Trinity to live with him at his More THE CALLED, house. He took his Secretary and assigned him page 20 November 19, 2020 • The Catholic WITNESS- 20 THE CALLED wanted to restructure the Diocese. I had resolved continued from 19 that I loved the parish, but I had been there long enough. I was going to request to get another write in Polish, someone in the papal household parish and maybe one or two more years in the or the Secretariat of State would translate the Tribunal. But I didn’t have a chance to ask that of Polish into Italian, and then Father Foster would the bishop, because he asked me to resign the translate the Italian into Latin. Within six months, parish, resign teaching, remain Judicial Vicar, Father Foster was fluent in Polish. He could take and become the Secretary for Catholic Life and John Paul’s Polish document and put it right into Evangelization. There were eventually 14 offices Latin, without the intermediary language. He in that secretariat; seven of them existed and also had a photographic memory. There were seven did not. I had the great administrative 99 of us in class the first year. He would give experience of really developing from the out homework, handing it by names, “Gainer,” ground up the Secretariat for Catholic Life and “Smith,” “Jones.” After three classes, he knew all Evangelization. 99 names. We usually sat in language groups, I did that for four years. I lived in Emmaus at and if he saw the German-speaking students St. Ann Parish and remained Judicial Vicar. On looking puzzled, he’d go into German to explain December 2, 2002, I got a phone call telling me it to them. He’d do the same with the Italian that Pope John Paul II had chosen me to be a students. The second year, there were 11 of us, bishop and was sending me to be the second because he was so demanding. Bishop of the Diocese of Lexington, in Kentucky. What happened after returning from Rome? I was installed there Feb. 22, 2003. I spent 11 I came back from Rome in 1986 with a degree years as the Bishop of Lexington. Then I got a in Canon Law and a diploma in Latin Letters. phone call in January of 2014 that I was coming To my surprise, I was made pastor of the very here to Harrisburg. parish where I had been in residence, Holy Trinity (Read Part 2 of the interview with Bishop Parish, and Judicial Vicar of the Tribunal. I spent Gainer, conducted by Chris Heisey, in next 13 years in the parish, and I loved it. The parish week’s edition of The Witness.) went from 220 families to about 800. There were a lot of little farms that were being developed because the next generation didn’t want to keep the farms and were selling the land. All these housing developments were coming in, and our parish kept growing. It was a wonderful place, and I had a wonderful staff. I usually had a resident priest with me, because I also had the full-time Join the Harrisburg job at the Tribunal. I also taught Diocesan Council of Catholic Women in Canon Law for two years at Mary Immaculate Seminary, which was A Virtual Pilgrimage from 15 minutes away. In 1990, Mary Immaculate closed, and in 1992 I Harrisburg to Bethlehem was invited to become an instructor in Canon Law at my alma mater, St. Combining 5,836 miles of physical and spiritual Charles Borromeo Seminary. So for exercises for women, men, children and families, six years, I was a visiting professor we will add our miles together to reach our goal of of Canon Law. Every Monday, I arriving in Bethlehem by Christmas. would teach for three hours. Register at www.hdccw.webs.com In 1999, Bishop Cullen came. He November 19, 2020 • The Catholic WITNESS- 21 Monopoly, Stewardship and God’s Grace By Sister Geralyn Schmidt, SCC heart grace upon grace and gift grace are Special to The Witness upon gift. His grace falls gently essentially During a blizzard many upon us at every moment of our super- years ago, my brother and I lives. Because of our free will, natural. set out to play an entire game we decide whether or not to They of Monopoly. We both wanted receive the grace He bestows. surpass to find out how long the game But this article is not about the being, could be played in one sitting. our free will. It’s about the gift of powers, Since the blizzard was going to grace we have received. and claims leave us out of school for days, God really expects us to of created at least our occupation with share the grace and the gifts nature, “Thoughts from a the board game would keep us he gives to us. This is how the namely Catholic Evangelist” quiet and out of my mom’s hair. Kingdom of God is present to us sanctifying Playing the game, I soon NOW! This is how we build His grace, the infused virtues, the discovered that my brother Kingdom on earth. gifts of the Holy Spirit, and and I had very different I recently came across an actual grace. They are the philosophies regarding money. article that focused on many indispensable means necessary I took stewardship of it very aspects of stewardship. This to reach the beatific vision.”2 seriously, and consciously article was from the good In short, they are gifts given spent the money only if I had folks at St. Bonaventure to us that makes us love God enough to invest. Needless to Catholic Church in Columbus, more and more. We are called say, the game went on forever. Nebraska.1 to share this love with others! It We had fun, even though I don’t Even though we often think of is at once that simple and that remember who won. stewardship as sharing personal difficult! You might be wondering, time, talent and treasure, this Think of it in this way: If, as “Why are you talking about article has a different bent. Let humans, we love someone and stewardship while writing a me share: “Stewardship is not that someone loves us back, series on evangelization?” a new fad, or an environmental don’t we want to stand up and I have read books and word. Stewardship is the way scream that person’s name? articles and documents God has expected His people to Our entire vision of our life from a plethora of Catholic live since the beginning of time. changes once we experience authors who have a very … Stewardship is recognizing this type of love. diverse understanding of what that everything we have is a gift How more so when we evangelization is all about. All from God. … Once we allow experience God’s love! After of it boils down, at least to my God to truly take up residence all, we share time, talent and mind, to accept with our entire in our hearts, we become so treasure because we love Him being the grace of God’s love overwhelmed by His abundant and all we have is gifted to us and then tell others about it. love for us that we just naturally from Him! Grace allows us to Recently at daily Mass, we feel the need to join our lives see and experience God in our read sections from the epistle with Him and dedicate our time, daily lives. of St. Peter. I thought my brain talent and treasure to carry out Have you truly owned this would explode when I read 1 God’s work here on earth. Our fact in the story of your life? If Peter 4:10. It says, “Like good generosity comes from within you can say to me, “Yes, I can stewards of the manifold grace and not from any external see that,” then, echoing the of God, serve one another pressure or reward.” directions of Monopoly, “You with whatever gift each of you This is the grace that I speak have passed Go and you can has received.” Doesn’t that about. The Catholic Dictionary collect $200!” make you think twice? We are says it this way: “Grace is the 1https://stboncc.com/stewardship- called to be stewards of grace, supernatural gift that God, of growing-gods-grace/ stewards of the gifts of God. his free benevolence, bestows 2 https://www.catholicculture.org/ You see, all of us have on rational creatures for their culture/library/dictionary/index. received from God’s merciful eternal salvation. The gifts of cfm?id=33791 November 19, 2020 • The Catholic WITNESS- 22 OBITUARIES Deceased Clergy The names of the following deceased persons have Please pray for the following clergy who been submitted by their parishes. Please remember died in November during the past 25 years: in your prayers the happy repose of these recently departed souls and the consolation of their loved ones. Father Michael F. Barrett, 1996 Annville Harrisburg Msgr. Damian McGovern, 2000 St. Paul the Apostle: Holy Name of Jesus: Father Thaddeus Strzelec, 2005 Kathryn Sattazahn Andrew P. Stofko Hazel Heffner Paula D. Brigham Father Paul Rindos, 2011 Mary Willman Kenneth W. Michitsch Deacon Ross Beighley, 2012 Vince E. Iarossi Conewago Jennifer L. Karpency Father Thomas Mannion, 2018 Sacred Heart of Jesus: Deacon Manuel Velazquez, 2018 Amy Pisula Hershey St. Joan of Arc: St. Cecilia: Palmyra Danville Colonel Vincent Lewis Isaac “Ike” Albright Holy Spirit: St. Joseph: Mary Janes Rodney McLaughlin Catherine Swatski Lewistown Edward P. Draugelis, Sr. Jonestown Sacred Heart of Jesus: Steelton Our Lady of Fatima: Paul Mattern Prince of Peace: Hanover Wencel Kolar Manuella Traxler Richard Myers St. Vincent de Paul: Glenn Gastley Lebanon McSherrystown Assumption BVM: Annunciation BVM: Thomas Zweier Clare Markle

Job Opening: Diocesan Director of Buildings and Properties Harrisburg Catholic Administrative Services is seeking an energetic and organized Director to manage the Department of Buildings and Properties. This complex position includes direct management of properties owned by The Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg; technical advice and support for the buildings and grounds at over 100 parishes and schools; supervision of a Diocese-wide asbestos management program (AHERA); management of facilities staff, including a Diocesan-wide shared maintenance program; oversight and approval of planning, design, and construction programs and interfacing with architects, engineers, and contractors. The successful applicant will be experienced in property management and construction procedures, team-oriented and a good communicator. Familiarity with budget management, establishment of purchasing contracts, and preventive maintenance required. Architectural, engineering, or construction management background (especially registration in any of these fields) is a definite plus and a degree in engineering or architecture is highly desirable. Salary is commensurate with education and experience. Send cover letter, résumé, and references no later than November 30 to: [email protected] or mail to: Human Resources Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg 4800 Union Deposit Road Harrisburg, PA 17111 November 19, 2020 • The Catholic WITNESS- 23 whom we wait. The cost of of arriving in Bethlehem by DIOCESAN the retreat is $35, due by the Christmas. Information and registration deadline of Nov. registration at www.hdccw. NOTEBOOK 27. Register online at www. webs.com. Spiritual Offerings sscm.org or call 570-275-0910. Advent Evening of After you register, you will be Reflection sponsored by the Women of Grace special contacted via your email for a Parish Council of Catholic celebration on the Feast of link. Women of St. Katharine Our Lady of Guadalupe, Education & Drexel in Mechanicsburg, Dec. 12 at Holy Name of Jesus Enrichment Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. Presenter will Parish in Harrisburg. Recitation Truth, Beauty, and be Sister Geralyn Schmidt, of the Rosary at 8 a.m., Mass Goodness: Evangelization SCC, Wide Area Network at 8:30 a.m., Eucharistic Speaker Series, “Blessed Coordinator, Director of Adoration from 9-10 a.m., are the Broken-Hearted,” Formation for Wives of the followed by Marian songs presented via Zoom by Deaconate for the Diocese of played on the Appalachian Christina Bair, Nov. 30 from Harrisburg and contributor Dulcimer by Cindy Barbee. 7-8:30 p.m. Bair is an autism to The Catholic Witness. Her For more information, contact support teacher from York, topic will be “Motherhood Chris Arnold at 717-379-6041 and will speak on discovering and the Advent Liturgy.” or carnold@womenograce. how Christ’s perfect love Sister’s presentation will com. transforms and heals hearts. be on Zoom. To join the Retreats & The speaker series is sponsored Zoom meeting please use the Pilgrimages by the Diocesan Office for following to log on: https:// Evangelization and Catechesis us02web.zoom.us/j/85497295 “Entering the Advent and is being presented monthly 547?pwd=bm1VbjZrTGxuTm Rhythms” –A Virtual Day through June. Register at RSVWNuVmxkNDRkQT09. Retreat, Dec. 5 from 10 a.m.-3 https://hbgdiocese.formstack. Meeting ID: 854 9729 5547. p.m. at the St. Cyril Spiritual com/forms/speaker_series Passcode: 17111. Center in Danville. Please by Nov. 27 at noon. A Zoom arrive at 9:45 a.m. The virtual Events & link will be sent to registrants. Fundraisers retreat is presented by Sister Registration is free, but a free- Chris Koellhoffer, a Sister will offering will be taken for “Sweets on the Porch” Servant of the Immaculate stipends for speakers. event of the Annunciation Heart of Mary, who engages in BVM Parish Women of Mobile Spirituality Ministry, The Harrisburg Diocesan Mercy and Joy, Dec. 5 and offering retreats, presentations Council of Catholic Women 6 at the parish house after the and enrichment programs on invites everyone on a virtual 4 p.m., 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. the road. At a time when our pilgrimage walk from Masses. Homemade cookies culture urges us to hurry up Harrisburg to Bethlehem. and candies for sale. and join the pre-Christmas The virtual pilgrimage of 5,836 Our Lady Help of shopping rush, Advent calls us miles combines physical and Christians Parish in Lykens, in a different direction, a new spiritual exercise for women, Christmas Raffle, combined relationship with time: Waiting men, children and families of prizes totaling $1,000. in expectation. Savoring all ages and abilities. The goal Stillness. Naming our deep is to add everyone’s miles of More NOTEBOOK, desire for the Holy One for walking and reach the goal page 24 November 19, 2020 • The Catholic WITNESS- 24 NOTEBOOK February 1, 2021. All 1st place and Nov. 22 after the 8 a.m. and continued from 23 local winners will be entered 10:30 a.m. Masses. Homemade in the state education contest, filling is $4.50 for a two-pound Sponsored by the parish Council and 1st place state winners will container, homemade sauerkraut of Catholic Women. 1st prize be entered at the national level. is $4 per quart, or three for $10, $250 cash, 2nd prize $200 An awards ceremony for local and homemade pepper cabbage Boscov’s card, 3rd Prize $150 winners will be planned for for $2 per pint or $4 per quart. Wine n Spirits gift card, 4th late May or early June 2021. St. Pauline Foundation’s prize, $100 Amazon gift card, Please feel free to leave a voice annual Christmas raffle, Nov. 5th prize $100 Lowe’s gift card, message at 717-390-9035 if you 20 from noon-6 p.m. and Nov. 6th prize $50 Exxon gift card, have any questions. 21 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at the 7th prize $50 Broad Mountain St. Columba Parish Pauline Center in Kulpmont. Winery gift card, 8th prize, in Bloomsburg, annual Cost is $20 for 26 tickets; after $50 Armstrong Valley Winery Winterfest in a COVID-safe initial purchase, additional gift card, 9th prize $25 Lykens manner, Nov. 21 from 9 a.m.-2 sheets are $10. Need not be Valley Beverage gift card, p.m. No vendors will be present present to win. Raffle features 10th prize $25 Nelson’s Beer this year; however, you can still more than 150 items, and Distributors gift card. Tickets enjoy the best of our traditional Santa’s workshop with items are $5 for each entry. Drawing is holiday offerings including the for children. Food available for Dec. 6. Call Dawn at 717-647- Dollar Tree, a raffle auction, take-out only. Event will follow 9124 or Deb at 717-453-9984. take-out baked goods, and recommendations of masks and National Education Contest packaged take-out foods from social distancing. Contact JoAnn of the Catholic Daughters our kitchen. We will offer soups, at 570-259-9299 with questions. of the Americas. Lancaster chili, and haluski. Parking is Court Queen of Peace #1023 free in three parish lots. Enter Job Openings of the Catholic Daughters via the cafeteria double doors Catholic Harvest Food of the Americas invites all between the school and rectory. Pantry in York is seeking an youth in grades 4-12 from all Masks and social distancing are Executive Director to lead the schools to enter the National required. Admission is free. organization. Send an e-mail Education Contest. 2021 themes Council of Catholic Women to CHFPEDsearch@gmail. are “Let All You Do Be Done of Sacred Heart of Jesus in com if you are interested in the with Love” and “Show Love Cornwall, Christmas gift position. A comprehensive job to One Another.” Enter one basket raffle, Nov. 16-21. profile will then be forwarded to or more contests in art, essay, Baskets will be displayed Nov. you for this full-time position. poetry, computer art, music 16-21 in the Parish Center. Holy Trinity Catholic School and photography. Go to http:// Chances can be purchased in York is seeking a full time www.catholicdaughters.org/. from the office for $1 all educator to teach 4th grade Under Member Resources, week. Winners will be chosen on students in person and virtually. select Forms, and go down to Saturday the 21st. The candidate should possess Contests for contest rules and St. Cecilia Parish’s Holy the necessary skills and traits to details in English or Spanish. Name Society in Lebanon, create a nurturing environment Entries must be postmarked homemade filling, sauerkraut focused on academic, spiritual by or delivered to Margaret T. and pepper cabbage sale, Nov. and emotional growth of each Giordano, Education Contest 21 in the East Lehman Street child. Interested candidates Chairman, 1530 Hollywood social hall from 9 a.m.-noon Drive, Lancaster, PA 17601 by More NOTEBOOK, page 25 November 19, 2020 • The Catholic WITNESS- 25 NOTEBOOK Deposit Road, Harrisburg, PA and teaching. The attendance continued from 24 17111, or dbreen@hbgdiocese. officer is a part-time, 10-month should send a cover letter org. position. Duties include and résumé to Mrs. Kathleen Schools in the Diocese of attendance and discipline Smith at ksmith@htcsyork. Harrisburg are currently database management and main org. The Diocese of Harrisburg looking for educators, office support. Requirements: Professional Employment specifically high school diploma, strong Application and required long term substitutes that are interpersonal, computer, background clearances may be ready to join our team in the and organizational skills, found at the following links: Harrisburg area. Teachers in all state and federal clearances. https://www.hbgdiocese.org/ grades and all subject areas are Requirements: bachelor degree, catholic-schools/employment- needed. Certification is preferred state and federal clearances. applications/ but not required. Catholic Preferred qualifications: https://www.hbgdiocese. Schools in the Diocese of education degree, certification, org/safeyouth/background- Harrisburg provide safe, joyful and teaching experience in certificates-and-youth- school environments that follow the classroom. Please send protection-requirements/#adult- current scientific best practices résumé, Diocese of Harrisburg employee-protection- on schooling during a pandemic. Application (www.yorkcatholic. requirements. For more information or to find org), a copy of state and federal Delone Catholic High a school location near you, click clearances, and letter of interest School in McSherrystown is on https://www.hbgdiocese.org/ to Mrs. Sheila Gick, Office seeking a principal. Minimum find-catholic-school/. Send your Manager, York Catholic High requirements: 5+ years’ résumé and letter of interest to School, 601 East Springettsbury experience as a high school either the location near you or Avenue, York, PA 17403, or principal or vice principal; to Webmaster@HBGDIOCESE. [email protected]. thorough understanding of ORG. You may also call the St. Joseph School in Catholic school philosophy both Harrisburg Diocese Department Hanover is seeking substitute in practice and knowledge base; of Catholic Schools for more teachers on an as-needed commitment to modeling the information at 717-657-4804 basis for the 2020-2021 school values of Catholic educational ext. 222. year. The minimum academic leadership; outstanding oral and York Catholic High School requirement for a substitute is written communication skills; is seeking an attendance officer a baccalaureate degree. The demonstrated achievement and substitute teachers for minimum age requirement in cross-functional or matrix the 2020-2021 school year. is 21 years. State teaching structured organizational Qualified candidates should certification is preferred, but not models; PA Administrators’ demonstrate an understanding required. If interested, please Certificate (or in process); and of the importance their send a cover letter, résumé, Catechetical Certification (or in position plays in all aspects transcripts, and pastor letter to process) and a minimum 5 years of a student’s developmental St. Joseph Catholic School, 5125 of teaching experience. Full job progress. Candidates must also Grandview Road, Hanover, PA description available at www. be individuals rooted in faith, 17331, or e-mail Mr. Terrance hbgdiocese.org/employment willing to support Gospel values, Golden, Principal, at tgolden@ . Send résumé and letter of and willing to inspire students sjshanoverpa.org. interest to Dan Breen, Diocese through their word and example of Harrisburg, 4800 Union to accept and live these values More NOTEBOOK, page 26 November 19, 2020 • The Catholic WITNESS- 26 NOTEBOOK a part-time Music Teacher. need to complete all Diocesan continued from 25 Candidates must have a history clearances. If interested, please of academic excellence, positive contact Mrs. Bamberger at St. Leo the Great School in attitude, teamwork skills and a [email protected]. Rohrerstown is seeking a full- devotion to our Catholic identity. Harrisburg Catholic time, middle school Social Music classes are a standard in Elementary School is seeking Studies teacher to begin Dec. , our PreK – 8th grade programs. a dedicated, inspirational 1, 2020. Candidates must have a We believe that every child can and enthusiastic full-time history of academic excellence, enjoy and benefit from creating, third grade teacher for the positive attitude, teamwork performing and/or listening to remainder of the 2020-2021 skills, and devotion to our music. Candidates must have school year. The position will Catholic identity. Teachers will the ability to teach the history begin following the Christmas be responsible for developing of music, how to read and write break on Monday, January 4 rigorous lesson plans, design music, understand beats and and has the potential to become and develop digital-age learning harmonies, as well as directing permanent in the 2021–2022 experiences and assessments our annual school musical. school year. The position will daily, grade book management Candidate will need to submit entail instruction in religion, and assessments. A balanced current background clearances reading, social studies, math, program of direct instruction and and an active Pennsylvania ILA and science, with an ability sustained seatwork should offset certification in music education to differentiate in all areas and extended periods of exploration is desirable. Qualified candidates a desire to work with a diverse and innovative hands-on lessons. should complete and submit group of students. Interested Familiarity with Chromebooks, to the Diocese of Harrisburg candidates should forward their Google Education and its suite a teacher application at application, résumé, pastor’s of applications is desirable. Our https://www.hbgdiocese.org/ letter of recommendation and teachers collaborate in team catholic-schools/employment- copies of current clearances to meetings to ensure best practices applications/ and contact Mrs. Harrisburg Catholic Elementary and student growth. Candidate Christine McLean, Principal, School, 555 South 25th Street, will need to submit current at 717-392-2441, ext. 3, or Harrisburg, PA, 17104, Attn: background clearances and an [email protected]. Mr. David Rushinski, or email active Pennsylvania certification St. Joseph School in materials to drushinski@ for Social Studies Grades 4-8 Mechanicsburg is in need hbgcathelem.org. or similar certification like of instructional aides for Sacred Heart Parish in Citizen education. Qualified the 2020-2021 school year. Oxford, Pa., (Chester County) candidates should complete Candidates are expected is seeking a Director of Parish and submit to the Diocese of to uphold the values of the Family Faith Formation Harrisburg a teacher application Catholic Church and St. Joseph and Youth Ministry. Send at https://www.hbgdiocese.org/ School. Qualified candidates cover letter and résumé to Rev. catholic-schools/employment- must possess at minimum a high Joseph T. Shenosky, Sacred applications/. Interested school diploma and some on- Heart Church, 203 Church candidates should also contact the-job training, preferably an Road, Oxford, PA 19363, Mrs. Christine McLean, associate’s degree or bachelor’s [email protected] or Principal, at 717-394-1742, ext. degree in education or a related 610-932-5040. 3, or [email protected]. field. Candidates must be at St. Leo the Great School least 21 years of age and will in Rohrerstown is seeking