The C150atholicWitness The Newspaper of the Diocese of Harrisburg March 30, 2018 Vol. 52 No. 6 March 2, 2018 Prayer Vigil Alleluia!7:00 P.M. at Holy Name He of Jesus IsChurch, Risen! Harrisburg. This will include a live enactment of the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary by young people from throughout the Diocese, similar in many ways to the Living Way of the Cross. This event will replace the traditional Palm Sunday Youth Mass and Gathering for 2018. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. March 3, 2018 Opening Mass for the Anniversary Year 10:00 A.M. at Holy Name of Jesus Church, Harrisburg. Please join Bishop Gainer as celebrant and Homilist to begin the anniversary year celebration. A reception, featuring a sampling of ethnic foods from various ethnic and cultural groups that comprise the faithful of the Diocese, will be held immediately following the Mass. August 28-September 8, 2018 Pilgrimage to Ireland Join Bishop Gainer on a twelve-day pilgrimage to the Emerald Isle, sponsored by Catholic Charities. In keeping with the 150th anniversary celebration, the pilgrimage will include a visit to the grave of Saint Patrick, the Patron Saint of the Diocese of Harrisburg. Participation is limited. November 3, 2018 Pilgrimage to Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception SAVE THE DATE for this diocesan pilgrimage to the Basilica in Washington, D.C. Additional details will be forthcoming. March 3, 2019 Closing Mass for Anniversary Year In the afternoon at Holy Name of Jesus Church, Harrisburg. CNS/BRIDGEMAN IMAGES PleaseThe risen Christjoin is Bishop depicted in thisGainer 16th-century as celebrantpainting titled “Christ and Risen homilist From the Tomb for and this Two special Saints” by Moretto Mass da to Brescia. conclude our year-long anniversary celebration. At York Catholic, Student-Led Prayer Service and Activity to LiftFor Others more information: Up Memorializes www.hbgdiocese.org/150 Parkland Victims By Jen Reed on March 14, the one-month anniversary Morgan Maloney The Catholic Witness of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman posts a note with Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. one of 17 actions In a powerful statement of prayer, and In the days and weeks that followed the she will make for with a commitment to lift up one another, a Feb. 14 shootings, in which 17 students and positive change. student-led gathering at York Catholic High teachers were killed, students across the School gave witness to faith and solidarity nation – even throughout the world – ral- lied to remember the vic- tims and stand against gun violence through a nation- wide, 17-minute walk-out on March 14. At York Catholic High School – and at the diocese’s other high schools that day – students instead remembered More PRAYER, page 9 CHRIS HEISEY, THE CATHOLIC WITNESS The 2 - Catholic Witness • March 30, 2018 Chrism Mass Offers Tangible Sign of Church as Sacrament By Jen Reed The Catholic Witness As the sun descended over Harrisburg on Monday of Holy Week, the clergy, consecrated and lay faithful of the diocese turned their focus to the annual Chrism Mass, for the blessing of the Holy Oils and the consecration of the Sacred Chrism to be used throughout the coming year in the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Orders and Anointing of the Sick, as well as for the dedication of new altars and new churches. Bishop Ronald Gainer celebrated the solemn Mass at St. Patrick Cathedral on March 26, which also gathered the priests who serve the diocese. It is during this Mass that they renew their com- mitment to priestly service, and receive prayers and affirmation from the people in the congregation. “The Chrism Mass takes place at this time of the year when our Lenten observance will soon yield to the com- memoration of the Easter Triduum. This should remind us all that the sacraments draw their meaning and their power from the Paschal Mystery – our Lord’s suffer- ing, death, resurrection and exultation,” Bishop CHRIS HEISEY, THE CATHOLIC WITNESS Gainer remarked in his Above: Bishop Ronald Gainer gives an apostolic blessing during the homily. Concluding Rite. Priests who serve in the diocese gathered for the Chrism Mass, “The Holy Oils and during which they renewed their commitment to priestly service. the Sacred Chrism are Left: Balsam is poured into the oil for the Sacred Chrism. The balsam adds the visible, tangible, natural fragrance to the Chrism. signs of an invisible, intangible, supernatural our utter confidence in the death and may have strength to bear their suffering, reality: the Church as resurrection of Jesus, the Great High resist evil and receive the forgiveness of the fundamental sacra- Priest, the Christ, the Anointed One, the sins. ment of Christ Jesus,” Messiah,” the bishop remarked. “To him Adorned with a white ribbon, Chrism he said. who loves us and has freed us from our takes its name from Christ, “the anointed sins, to him be glory and power forever one of the Lord.” It is a mixture of olive He urged all those and ever.” oil and fragrant balsam, and is used gathered – clergy, The Oil of the Catechumens, identified in the Sacrament of Confirmation, the consecrated and lay during the Chrism Mass with a green rib- anointing of priests and bishops during faithful – to “keep our bon, is used for those who are preparing ordination, and in the dedication of new eyes fixed on Christ in for baptism. Before they go to the font of churches and altars. In Confirmation, order to carry out the life to be reborn, candidates for baptism Christians receive the spiritual anointing responsibilities given are strengthened by the anointing with of the Holy Spirit as Chrism is placed to us for the sake of the this oil to renounce sin and the devil. on their foreheads. Priests, through the Gospel.” Identified with a purple ribbon, the anointing of their hands during ordina- “May we together Oil of the Sick is used in the Sacrament tion, are consecrated to offer sacrifice; live this Holy Week of the Anointing of the Sick. This oil bishops are anointed on their heads as a filled with hope, the offers to those who are ill a remedy for sign of their share in the priesthood of hope that arrives from the illness of mind and body, so that they Jesus Christ. “…Father, we ask you to bless this oil you have created. Fill it with the power of your Holly Spirit through Christ your Son. It is from him that Chrism takes its name, and with Chrism you have anointed for yourself priests and kings, prophets and martyrs.” ~ From the prayer of consecration of the Sacred Chrism Above: Deacon Manuel Velazquez and Deacon Benjamin Dunkelberger carry vessels of Sacred Chrism in the recessional. The Holy Oils were distributed to parishes following the Mass for use in the sacraments throughout the coming year. Left: Bishop Ronald Gainer breathes over the opening of a vessel of Chrism, symbolizing the Holy Spirit coming down to consecrate the oil, and the life-giving nature of the sacraments for which it is used. The March 30, 2018 • Catholic Witness - 3 April is Child Abuse Prevention Month The Diocese of Harrisburg is committed to the safe- To report suspected abuse ty of children. We take very seriously the protection of a minor, call the toll free of youth in all Church-related activities and programs. PA Child Abuse Hotline: We are working to make the Catholic Church one of 1-800-932-0313 the safest institutions in the country. To report suspected abuse of a minor To report the suspected abuse of a minor, you must by a church official, employee or notify both law enforcement and the Church. First, call volunteer, also please call the Diocese the PA Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-932-0313. To re- of Harrisburg Youth Protection Hotline: port suspected abuse of a minor by a Church official, 1-800-626-1608 or email: employee or volunteer, no matter when it happened, [email protected] call the diocesan toll free hotline at 1-800-626-1608. In the Diocese of Harrisburg we: Para reportar la sospecha del abuso • Have zero tolerance for anyone who is guilty of de un menor, llame al número de even one instance of abuse. teléfono gratuíto Línea de Ayuda • Offer opportunities to help victims to heal. • Screen all employees and volunteers before they Abuso del Niño Pennsylvania can begin service. 1-800-932-0313 • Educate our youth on how to stay safe. Para reportar la sospecha del abuso • Train employees and volunteers on how to recog- de un menor a manos de un official, nize and report abuse. empleado o voluntario de la iglesia, • Disclose all allegations to local civil authorities. también llame al número de teléfono • Exceed State and national requirements. gratuíto de ayuda diocesana: • Undergo an annual independent audit of our pro- 1-800-626-1608 o envíe cedures. correo electrónico: To learn more about what you can do to prevent [email protected] abuse, how to report abuse, learn about assistance available to victims and Youth Protection efforts of the Diocese, please visit: www.hbgdiocese.org/safeyouth. Job Opening: Executive Director for Public Relations The Diocese of Harrisburg is seeking to find an Executive Director to di- rect the Communications Ministry of the Diocese of Harrisburg. The Executive Director for Public Relations will assist the Bishop in ad- vancing the mission of the diocese through developing and implementing the communications initiatives in the Diocesan Strategic Plan. They will be responsible for all strategic communications and media relations, together with actively reporting the news and promoting events of the Diocese, par- ishes and ministries to further the evangelization efforts of the Diocese and the mission of the Church.