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On Ash Wednesday, Pope Preaches on Humility, Christian Unity

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On Ash Wednesday, Pope Preaches on Humility, Christian Unity February 24, 2013 Think Green 50¢ Recycle Volume 87, No. 8 Go Green todayscatholicnews.org Serving the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend Go Digital TTODAYODAY’’SS CCATHOLICATHOLIC Quilts and casseroles Finding fulfillment with On Ash Wednesday, pope preaches interests, service to others Pages 8-10 on humility, Christian unity In Truth and Charity BY FRANCIS X. ROCCA The Chair of St. Peter VATICAN CITY (CNS) — ing the vast basilica. Page 2 Celebrating what was expected The Ash Wednesday liturgy, tra- to be the last public liturgy of his ditionally held in two churches on pontificate two weeks before his Rome’s Aventine Hill, was moved to resignation, Pope Benedict XVI St. Peter’s to accommodate the great- preached on the virtues of humil- est possible number of faithful. Indiana healthcare ity and Christian unity and heard At the end of the Mass, Cardinal his highest-ranking aide pay trib- Tarcisio Bertone, who as secretary of legislation ute to his service to the Church. state is the Vatican’s highest official, Jesus “denounces religious hypoc- voiced gratitude for Pope Benedict’s Indiana Catholic Conference risy, behavior that wants to show pontificate of nearly eight years. update off, attitudes that seek applause and “Thank you for giving us the lumi- approval,” the pope said in his homily nous example of a simple and humble Page 5 during Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica laborer in the vineyard of the Lord,” Feb. 13. “The true disciple does not Cardinal Bertone said, invoking the serve himself or the ‘public,’ but his same metaphor Pope Benedict had Lord, in simplicity and generosity.” used in his first public statement fol- Coming two days after Pope lowing his election in 2005. St. Gianna Beretta Benedict announced that he would be His voice cracking slightly with the first pope in 600 years to resign, emotion, Cardinal Bertone described Molla events the Mass inevitably took on a valedic- Benedict as a “laborer who knew at Relic to be enshrined tory tone. every moment to do what is most “For me it is also a good oppor- important, bring God to men and Page 7 CNS PHOTO/PAUL HARING tunity to thank everyone, especially bring men to God.” Pope Benedict XVI receives ashes from Cardinal Angelo Comastri, arch- the faithful of the diocese of Rome, Following the cardinal’s remarks, as I prepare to conclude the Petrine the congregation broke into a standing priest of St. Peter’s Basilica, during Ash Wednesday Mass at the Vatican ministry, and I ask you for a special ovation that lasted well over a minute, Feb. 13. The service was expected to be the last large liturgical event of remembrance in your prayer,” the ceasing only after the pope, looking Eye on the champs Pope Benedict’s papacy. The pope announced Feb. 11 that he will resign pope told the congregation, including ICCL and CYO winners at the end of the month. dozens of cardinals and bishops, fill- ASHES, PAGE 3 Pages 13-14 Bishop Rhoades celebrates Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion at cathedrals Next, those baptized Christians seeking BY DIANE FREEBY full communion with the Catholic Church are also enrolled. Sunday at St. Matthew Cathedral, SOUTH BEND — The first weekend of Bishop Rhoades welcomed 106 catechu- Lent marks a pivotal moment for those mens and 112 candidates, representing 22 seeking to fully enter the Roman Catholic parishes from South Bend to Walkerton Church at Easter. In the Diocese of Fort and including students from the University Wayne-South Bend, Bishop Kevin C. of Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s College and Rhoades presided over the Rite of Election Holy Cross College. and Call to Continuing Conversion in Fort In Fort Wayne, Bishop Rhoades wel- Wayne on Saturday at the Cathedral of the comed 88 catechumens and 145 candidates. Immaculate Conception and South Bend on During his homily, Bishop Rhoades Sunday at St. Matthew Cathedral. talked about the journey of faith and how it The Rite of Election includes the enroll- lasts a lifetime. ment of names of all those seeking Baptism “Our catechumens will be born anew by at the coming Easter Vigil. Typically, on Baptism,” said Bishop Rhoades. “They and the first Sunday of Lent, the catechumens, our candidates will be strengthened by the their sponsors and families gather at the KEVIN HAGGENJOS sacrament of Confirmation. All will receive Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades signs the Books of the Elect cathedral church. The catechumens pub- in the Eucharist the food of eternal life. The licly express their desire for Baptism to the as Deacon Jim Tighe assists at the Rite of Election and diocesan bishop. Their names are recorded Call of Candidates to Continuing Conversion on Feb. in a book and they are called “the elect.” RCIA, PAGE 4 17 at St. Matthew Cathedral in South Bend. 2 TODAY’ S C ATHOLIC February 24, 2013 TODAY’S CATHOLIC Official newspaper of the The Chair of Saint Peter the Apostle Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend P.O. Box 11169 Fort Wayne, IN 46856 PUBLISHER: Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades IN TRUTH EDITOR: Tim Johnson AND NEWS EDITOR and STAFF WRITER: Kay Cozad CHARITY Editorial Department BY BISHOP KEVIN C. RHOADES PAGE DESIGNER: Francie Hogan FREELANCE WRITERS: Michelle Castleman, Karen Clifford, Bonnie Elberson, Denise ebruary 22nd is the Feast of the Chair Fedorow, Diane Freeby, Sister Margie of Saint Peter the Apostle. This year, Lavonis, CSC, Jodi Magallanes, Joe we celebrate this feast just six days Kozinski, Vince LaBarbera and Deb Fbefore that Chair becomes vacant. With Wagner gratitude and love, we pray for our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, as he ends his Petrine ministry on February 28th. Business Department The Chair of Saint Peter symbolizes the BUSINESS MANAGER: Sean McBride special mission of Saint Peter and his suc- AD GRAPHICS DIRECTOR: Mark Weber cessors, the popes, to shepherd Christ’s BOOKKEEPING/CIRCULATION: Kathy Voirol flock, keeping the Church united in faith [email protected] and charity. It signifies also the teaching authority of the Pope. Already in the first Advertising Sales decade of the second century, Saint Ignatius Tess Steffen (Fort Wayne area) of Antioch attributed a special primacy to (260) 456-2824 the Church in Rome which he called the Church which “presides in charity.” The Jeanette Simon (South Bend area) Pope is the Bishop of Rome and, as such, (574) 234-0687 the Pastor of the universal Church. Web site: www.todayscatholicnews.org In the apse of Saint Peter’s Basilica, there is a great bronze throne sculpted Published weekly except the fourth by Bernini. It encloses a wooden chair Sunday in June, second and fourth from the ninth century, long thought to be weeks in July and August, the first, CNS PHOTO/PAUL HARING third and fifth weeks of September and Peter’s own chair. This “chair of Peter” is supported by four statues of great Fathers Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s sculpture, “The Throne of St. Peter,” is adorned with candles for the cel- last week in December by the Diocese ebration of the feast of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican Feb. 19, 2012 The candles and of Fort Wayne-South Bend, 1103 S. of the Church (Saints John Chrysostom, Calhoun St., P.O. Box 390, Fort Wayne, Athanasius, Ambrose and Augustine). special liturgical vestments decorating the statue of St. Peter added to the celebration as Pope IN 46801. Periodicals postage paid at Above the throne is an oval window, sur- Benedict XVI concelebrated Mass with 22 new cardinals in the basilica. Fort Wayne, IN, and additional mailing rounded by angels, with the image of the office. Holy Spirit in the form of a dove. The sym- bolism of this great work of art is clear: the Benedict’s teaching as Pope reveals a us fast on the rock of the Apostle Peter’s POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Holy Spirit guides the Church through Saint lifetime of prayerful study of the Word of confession of faith. Through our Lord Jesus Today’s Catholic, P.O. Box 11169, Fort Peter and his successors, who authorita- God and remarkable theological scholar- Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with Wayne, IN 46856-1169 or email: tively teach the Word of God transmitted in you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, [email protected]. ship. So many of us have been enriched Sacred Scripture and Tradition. by the Holy Father’s hundreds of beauti- forever and ever. We have been truly blessed these past MAIN OFFICE: 915 S. Clinton St., Fort ful homilies, audience talks, and speeches For a few weeks, the Chair of Peter will Wayne, IN 46802. Telephone (260) eight years by the pontificate of Pope these past eight years. His three encyclicals be vacant. This will be an important time 456-2824. Fax: (260) 744-1473. Benedict XVI. He has led the Church in offer profound reflections on Christian love, for all of us to pray for another holy suc- BUREAU OFFICE: 1328 Dragoon Trail, faith and charity. He was 78 years old when Christian hope, and on charity and truth as cessor of Saint Peter. The Roman Missal Mishawaka, IN 46544. Telephone (574) he was elected Pope on April 19, 2005, but the heart of the Church’s social doctrine. contains a special Mass for the Election of a 234-0687. Fax (574) 830-1042. his age did not prevent him from exercis- His apostolic exhortations on the Eucharist Pope that contains the following Collect: ing his Petrine ministry with great zeal. Just (Sacramentum caritatis) and on Scripture O God, eternal shepherd, who govern News deadline is the Monday morning months after his election, he went to World (Verbum Domini) are also great documents your flock with unfailing care, grant in your before publication date.
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