Christ the King Catholic Church Oklahoma City | www.ckokc.org | ADVENT-CHRISTMAS 2016 magazine CK

Sacred Space Staff Dear Parishioners Directory It’s hard to believe that Christmas and a New Year are rapidly coming upon us. With the weather that PARISH OFFICE we have had it is not, as the song says, “beginning to look a lot like Christmas.” However, Advent Pastor gives us the opportunity to truly prepare in a Rev. Richard Stansberry spiritual way for Christmas, and a new year gives Business Manager us the opportunity to reflect back on the old year Patrick Cullen and look forward to the new one. The reality of life [email protected] is that one never knows what will happen in a new year and 2016 certainly had its share of surprises. Communications & Webmaster The world that we are living in grows ever more Kelly Fanning complex and, sadly, more and more divided. That is why it is up to us as people of [email protected] faith to do all that we can to help make the world a better place. Certainly there are Membership & Scheduling many challenges, but there have been challenges of one kind or another since the Jayne Clarke beginning of time. I hope that all of you have a wonderful Advent, Christmas and [email protected] New Year’s, and know that as your pastor one of the things I am most grateful for Music Ministry is being able to be here with you and serve you. I know that I cannot be all things Edwin Day, Director/Organist to all people at all times, but I think we have worked well together and together we [email protected] will continue to build the Kingdom of God and go out and make Disciples. Bob Shull, Assistant Director We have received the results from the Gallup organization about our recent [email protected] parish survey and a 3-hour webinar with them to go over the results. While the session was good, it was somewhat over my head (and others, too), so we are still Nursery working with Gallup to help formulate some practices going forward that will position Becky Cornelius, Coordinator us to become a more engaged parish. For the most part the survey confirmed [email protected] what we already knew – only about 20% of our parish is actively engaged in the Discipleship & Evangelization life of the parish, which can be disappointing but is not that far below the average Jenni Butch, Director of most other churches. There were several positives in the survey indicating that [email protected] many of our parishioners are satisfied with their lives. However, there were also Cindy Rice, Secretary areas that most of us can improve upon, such as spending more time in prayer, [email protected] reaching out to others and volunteering. We have a committee which is made up Margaret Tunell, Secretary of members from the Stewardship Committee, Parish Council, as well as the staff, [email protected] Dana Hill and Chip Carter, and we have been working very hard with the Gallup organization to produce a report with more practical and less statistical info, which Parish Life will be easier to understand and act on. Pam Cullen, Director What does it mean to be engaged? Engaged members are engaged not only [email protected] in their own faith life, but in the life of the parish through participation in Mass and Kathy Arambula, Secretary the Sacraments on a regular basis. They also volunteer and encourage others [email protected] to do so. One of the blessings of our parish is that we are somewhat above Youth Ministry average in household income and education levels. On the flipside we all know Antonio Guzman, Director that sometimes that means we are involved in so many activities and events that [email protected] Church gets put on a lower priority. That certainly doesn’t mean that people with higher incomes and education don’t value faith and their relationship with God, SCHOOL OFFICE but it can mean that they are busy with many obligations. We all know how hard Amy Feighny, Head of School, PK-8 it is to juggle family, work and the many other charities and organizations that so [email protected] many of you are involved in. I am always so proud when I go to non-profit and Robert Crump, Head of School, Jr High civic events around the city of how many of our parishioners are involved. [email protected] The reality is that for many people being not that engaged seems perfectly fine. Helen McBennett, Secretary Neither I nor the committee intends to judge people or tell them how to establish [email protected] their priorities. Our goal is to try to come up with ways to encourage more people Vanessa Pierce, Financial Secretary to be involved and actively engaged than the 20% who currently are. It’s rare to [email protected] ever get much above 25-30% in any parish, but the more engaged all of us are, Mary Schrantz, Advancement Director the more we can do. I will give you some examples of things that have happened [email protected] recently that originated with parishioners (rather than from me or the staff). The

CK Magazine is a publication of Christ the King Catholic Church in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It is edited by Kelly Fanning, printed locally and provided free of charge to all parishioners. On the Cover: Interior of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City. Photo credit: Fr. Rick Stansberry. No commercial advertising is accepted. Christ the King Catholic Church is part of the Archdiocese of To share your stories of faith, ministry, or photographs that will be appreciated by the Oklahoma City and is located at 8005 Dorset Dr. in Nichols Hills. broader community, contact Kelly Fanning at [email protected]. 2 Jail Ministry, Marriage in His Image (a group that fosters good marriages), St. Inside Anne’s Society (a group of young mothers that meets regularly to support each other and reach out to the community), the expanded Women’s Prayer Breakfast, This Issue Ladies of Grace, renewed interest in the Knights of Columbus and the CK Fun 2 Dear Parishioners... Run, which was a huge success. These are just a few examples of the wonderful 3 Giving Sunday ministries that our parishioners initiated, parishioners who are engaged and get Thanksgiving Thank You others engaged, too. My prayer for the new year is that all of us grow closer to God and to each 4 Personal Prayer other, because the world needs us. And when we are Disciples we can make 5 Comedic Opera Inspired by Art Disciples. God bless you all. Restoration Disaster Youth Choir 7 Sacred Space 8 Georgetown Announces Steps to Make Amends for Slave Sale 10 What Is A Leader? Adoration 11 Human Trafficking and the Consumer 12 Happy Birthday, Pope Francis 14 An Interview with Cardinal Koch Giving Sunday 15 Advent Activities 16 Next Synod Theme: Youth and December 10-11, 2016 Discernment 17 Catholic Thinkers on Contraception pencils 18 Unity Not the Same as Uniformity crayons 19 Catholic Schools Week copy paper 20 MIT Hosts First Gold Mass Leave glue sticks 21 Shenanigans at Mother unwrapped basket balls Angelica’s First Vows donations for North facial tissue 22 Latin Law Modified to Address Highland under the hand sanitizer Ministry to Eastern Catholiccs 23 The Face of Mercy - A Film Advent tree colored markers dry erase markers Christmas Gifts for St. Ann’s 24 Too Ashamed to Go to children’s gloves & hats Confession? electric pencil sharpers Jesus Radically Sets Us Free Christmas Cards for Inmates Marriage In His Image Marriage Preparation Retreat 26 Science of Sexual Orientation 27 Pilgrimage to Fatima, Lourdes Women’s Christmas Coffee A Heartfelt Thank You ! 28 Catholic Bioethics The St. Lawrence Ministry really appreciates the response of the parish to its 30 DiNardo, Gómez Head USCCB Thanksgiving Basket Program. We were able to make Thanksgiving special for Catholic Social Teaching over 70 families. On behalf of our clients, thank you to those who donated dinners and money to this project. The generosity of our parishioners is overwhelming 31 Thank You, Nichols Hills and is appreciated by our clients. Cleaners

3 He invites everyone must seize those moments—and they to be his companion are moments—when short prayers and, in the process, to become gems of prayer. They may become his disciple. express relief, thanksgiving for a favor And then like those received, or help at that moment to first followers, to go restrain our tempers. In prayer, God will out to our world where tell us how to begin. God will teach us “Christ plays in ten- how to pray. thousand places.” Muslims pray five times a day: ‘Allah is great, there is none greater.’ Personal Prayer Their devotion edifies those of us who Friendship with the may protest that there is little or no time Lord is far more during the day for prayer. important than any Priests and those in consecrated other. To cultivate a life should be able to arrange their By Sr. Joan L. Roccasalvo, CSJ/The Way of Beauty close relationship, time for prolonged periods of prayer it’s essential to in addition to spiritual reading, praying “I’m not a religious person, but I am a spend time alone The Liturgy of the Hours and the daily spiritual person.” So goes a common with him in personal prayer, the time examen. The monastic vocation is protestation among young and old when Jesus transforms us from self- largely one of spending long hours in alike. Their spirituality has little or centered individuals into his friends, his personal and liturgical prayer. nothing to do with organized religion. companions, and his disciples. Jesus withdrew from the crowds It makes no burdensome demands. It Personal prayer is familial and spent long hours in prayer with suits their lifestyle preferences in a kind conversation with God. Jesus tells us his Father. He prayed before making of creative spirituality. how to pray: close the door, do it in a decision, after apostolic work, in The search for the Transcendent secret, and pray in a few words (Mt Gethsemane and on the cross. is one of the great thirsts of our age. 6:5-6; 7-13). A good place to start is Psalm 63:1 puts it this way. “O God, the verse in the Johannine Gospel Other Considerations you are my God, I am seeking you, I (6:68): “Lord, to whom shall we go? “My work is my prayer” holds true if am thirsting for you. I am like a parched You have the words of eternal life,” in there is also prayer which is not work. land, lifeless and without water.” The the Matthean Gospel (11:28): “Come to It is unrealistic to expect our lives to late Marianist spiritual director, Father me, all you who labor and are weary, become one ceaseless act of prayer Thomas Dubay, S.M., comments on and I will give you rest. . . .” unless there are also regular times each phrase: when worldly occupations are laid to ■ The universal I: All of us are Some Considerations one side to remain with God alone. If voraciously thirsty for the infinite and Honesty in prayer is all that is needed. we do not find God in prayer, we most unending. This includes everyone, the In a metaphorical sense, we stand assuredly will not find God in others, in religious and irreligious, the rich and naked before God to make all our our work, and in the unexpected events poor, learned and unlearned. needs known. Nothing is held back. that befall us. Prayer is the soul of any ■ “For you are my God”: we all want Our physical and emotional needs true spirituality. endless life, endless delight and are brought to prayer, our fantasies, Praying with the silent music of pleasure, a life only God can fill. our memories and imaginations, fear chant in the background may help one ■ Dostoyevsky once observed that of failure, fear of commitment, fear to pray, but most music tends to distract ‘everyone kneels before something, of being betrayed, unfairness and and call attention to itself. either the real God or an idol. To live injustice to me and in the world, being without God is a torture.’ passed over, feeling minimized. If we “The Great Exchange” ■ “My soul thirsts for you.” Plants and are serious about friendship with the As one progresses from meditation to animals get thirsty, but they cannot Lord in prayer, we will allow Divine deeper prayer, the individual speaks thirst for God. Only a spirit in the flesh Providence to guide our lives and even less and listens more. God will can thirst for God. This Living Water to re-arrange them. communicate to the individual through is the only kind of refreshment that Prayer is the spiritual power of our delicate promptings meant only for the satisfies one’s parched tongue. active lives, for Jesus tells us: “I am one at prayer. Below, readers will find the vine, you are the branches. If you some scripture passages Father Dubay Prayer in the Catholic Tradition remain in me, and I in you, you will bear recommended for prayer in what he Perhaps our religious education has much fruit. But apart from me, you can liked to call “The Great Exchange:” taught us about Jesus Christ but not do nothing” (Jn 15:5). Prayer transforms us into godly about encountering him in personal Mothers and fathers with constant people. This is expressed in Ezechiel prayer. Before all else, the Catholic demands of family life cannot be 16:14ff: “You were exceedingly beautiful faith is a relationship with Jesus Christ, expected to spend long periods of time with the dignity of a queen; you were Living Water that quenches all thirst. in prayer. Whenever possible, they continued on page 10

4 Memory of botched Jesus painting preserved in comedic opera New York City (CNA/EWTN News) - It’s But it wasn’t all bad. The original positive effect it had on the town. a bit of church news you’re not likely to painting was not thought to be highly The style of the opera will be, have forgotten. Four years ago in the valuable, although it was a prized well, a little bit of everything – “a little town of Borja, Spain, there was a possession of the community. And Gregorian chant, a Spanish fandango, case of thought-to-be vandalism that the small, struggling town of Borja a Renaissance motet, a jota from turned out to be an unfortunate attempt also benefited economically from the Zaragoza, a classical chorus, an aria at art restoration. sudden international attention to the from the Zarzuela, a Flamenco tango, Cecilia Giminez, an elderly Spanish painting, thanks to countless memes an indie-rock hook and a Swedish- woman, created a well-intentioned but and skits about the newly refreshed house baseline,” Fowler told the New regrettably executed restoration of fresco, including the unforgettable York Times. Ecce Homo (or ‘Behold the Man’), a sketch featuring Kate McKinnon on Fowler and Flack gave a stage fresco painting of Jesus before he is Saturday Night Live. reading of their opera in the United nailed to the cross. Now, a comedic opera States in 2014, and raised enough The original painting, which is memorializing the painting’s story is set money this year to translate it from found in the Catholic Church of Our to debut at Our Lady of Mercy in Borja Spanish to English. Lady of Mercy in Borja, showed Jesus next year, five years after the hilarious The opera is part of a larger effort in a robe with the crown of thorns on his mishap. to maintain the fresco’s status as a head, glancing heavenward in agony, Americans Andrew Flack, and tourist attraction. Earlier this year, an had begun to wear over time. However, Paul Fowler, a composer, made this interpretive art center was also unveiled after Giminez’s touch-up, the painting opera their pet project ever since the at the site of the fresco, where visitors looked almost inhuman – more like a fresco flop in 2012, the New York Times can paint their own versions of “Ecce monkey or a werewolf, with shapeless reports. The opera will feature the story Homo.”  and fuzzy features. of Gimenez’s restoration, as well as the

CK Parish Youth Choir off to a great start The recently-established Christ the of the month from 6-7pm in the choir parish website at http://www.ckokc.org/ King Youth Choir is off to a great start. room, located in the lower level of the youth-choir. If you have any questions Open to all children of the parish in Parish Center. or would like more information, please 3rd-12th grade, the choir sings at If your child would like to participate contact Parish Youth Choir director and one 12:15pm Mass each month and in the Christ the King Youth Choir, please CK School music instructor, Jonathan rehearses on the 3rd and 4th Sunday complete and submit the form on the Gillis at [email protected]. 

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Sacred Space: A place where we show God respect by Bishop Joseph Perry Since the Second Vatican Council the posture ordered in church to give environment while they are praying. (1962-1965), we have succeeded in credence to the true presence of Jesus We never call out or greet another or educating ourselves that we are the in the tabernacle. Since the liturgical give directions in a raised voice from Church; that the Church, first off, is made reforms of the council, worship space one end of the church to a person at up of people. People are more sacred in Catholic churches, in many places, the other end. We are careful to pick than anything we value. It follows that has been renovated to accommodate up paper, Kleenex, etc. when we drop the place where we believers assemble greater participation and familiarity with them; we refrain from gum-chewing, each week is sacred because we are a one another. eating food and language and clothing holy people. Some modern church designs unbecoming in church. In our more cynical moments, allow for transfer of the tabernacle with Men and boys appropriately remove we may wonder how holy we really its eternal flame to visible and attractive their hats upon entering church. A bow are. Suffice it to say, we are called chapels off the nave, thereby creating or genuflection is still appropriate upon to holiness. Christian life features environments for greater movement, entering the pew when the tabernacle consistent struggle to be the faith-filled, relaxed conversation and mutual occupies center space or when we moral and just people expected of our contact. All these shifts are good. pass by the tabernacle. Notice, a few of baptism. But what remains, if anything, of our these manners are expected when we Our Catholic faith embodies an tradition with a sense of the sacred? visit museums, theaters and libraries. ancient principle of religion called While we strive to see holiness first We live in a society which has sacred space. The building and areas in each other, there is still room for an discarded long-held courtesies and where we exercise the cult contain essential reverence paid the sacred formalities connected with a lot of objects and appointments set aside for place of the assembly and the objects, things. One commentary says much of entertaining God. vessels and appointments used in the former etiquette was stiff and out- The church building is indeed worship. In fact, disrespecting the of-date. Another commentary says that a special place. Public worship has house may well indicate a disrespect even our popular enlightenment and always featured clothing, utensils, for those who live in the house. For education nonetheless calls for certain furniture and art given separate status example, the altar is sacred because time-honored gestures and attitudes for worship apart from the things we upon it rests the body and blood of respect. And we need a reverence handle and use from day to day. These of Christ. The priests and deacons for God, the things of God and one things are usually given a blessing or reverence (kiss) the altar at least twice another. We benefit by respect paid to consecration to indicate their special during each Mass in homage to the our fellow believers. usage. These sacred objects help sacred table. Hence, we never use the All this preoccupation with sacred place us in the proper disposition for altar as a desk to sort papers, to rest space and sacred things serves worship. They essentially point to God upon or pile things on, even for the only to remind us that we each are and remind us of the spiritual world, the slightest moment. sacred. And coming together weekly to angels and the saints. Being sacred At the sign of peace, with a genuine remember the Lord makes the space objects, we do not handle them as we Christian joy involved in our greeting and the things we use sacred. We handle objects not considered sacred. and embrace we are conscious, are not conscious of this, necessarily, We give sacred space and sacred nevertheless, that we stand in the working in the factory or at a desk with objects due reverence. And if they presence of the Blessed Sacrament, a computer. must be touched, there should be only an acknowledgment that should Worship, on the other hand, a careful handling. preoccupy us similar to if Jesus walked reminds us that we are a holy people. We older Catholics will recall the in our midst and moved among us. Hopefully, how we behave in church older discipline when the Communion We teach our children a proper with one another can carry over to life host was placed on the tongue and not reverence for the church, its art, outside church, so that life can be more in the hand; where there was a railing candles, furniture, books of the altar humane and every man, woman and separating the congregation from the and pulpit and vessels, so that certain child can be honored for the sacred sanctuary; where the chalice, ciboria and kinds of behavior in church space is beings they really are. Postures of altar linens came under the exclusive always out of place. Even we adults respect and reverence cannot help touch of the priests, notwithstanding temper the noise level of conversation but model us for viewing all of life as special permission given certain nuns and direction giving, always to respect sacred.  and sacristans whose job it was to set Eucharistic presence and to respect up for Mass; where hushed silence was others who benefit from a quiet 7 Georgetown announces steps to make amends for 1838 slave sale By Adelaide Mena Washington D.C. (CNA/EWTN News) African American free woman from the Catholic tradition,” DeGioia stated. – Nearly 200 years after hosting a Washington D.C. who worked to found “Our moral agency must be channeled slave sale on campus in order to pay a school for African American girls and to undo this damage.” off school debt, Georgetown University who later became a religious sister The September 1 presentation has announced its intention of making with the Oblate Sisters of Providence described the findings of a recent amends to the descendants of those in Baltimore. report on Georgetown University’s impacted by the sale, as well as to the “This community participated in the relationship with slavery and the broader community. institution of slavery,” said Georgetown impact of those actions, along with Along with the Archdiocese of University President John DeGioia recommendations for moving forward. Washington and the Society of Jesus in a September 1 presentation. “This The 104-page report was compiled in the United States, Georgetown will original evil that shaped the early years by a 16-member Working Group, which offer a Mass of Reconciliation for the of the republic was present here,” he began its research efforts in September school’s actions. continued. “We have been able to hide 2015. The group has also compiled a The university will also give from this truth, bury this truth, ignore digital archive of historical documents descendants of the slave sale and deny this truth.” relating to the sale and other slaves preferential consideration, treating But now, the president said, owned by the Maryland Province of the them with the same consideration as the Georgetown community must Jesuit order, held discussions with the the children of faculty, staff and alumni. recognize its past actions and make Georgetown community, and reached Furthermore, the school will create amends for them. “As a community and out to the descendants of slaves sold a memorial to the people sold in the as individuals, we cannot do our best in the 1838 sale. sale. It will rename two residence halls work if we refuse to take ownership of The sale of 272 slaves owned by – originally named for the Jesuit priests such a critical part of our history. We the Maryland Province of Jesuits was who orchestrated the sale – after Isaac must acknowledge it.” organized by two priests, Fr. Thomas Hawkins, the first man sold in the 1838 Reconciliation efforts will be Mulledy, SJ, who was head of the sale, and Anne Marie Becraft, a local presented “within the framework of Jesuit order in the U.S., and Fr. William 8 McSherry, SJ, to pay off some of the institution of slavery. school’s debts. The slaves were sold for The report also stressed the $115,000, which is equivalent to about importance of wrestling with the truth of $3.3 million today. Most of the slaves the university’s history, as well as the were sold to owners in Louisiana, moral implications of cooperating with where, according to the school’s report, the institution of slavery and its long- “they labored under dreadful conditions reaching consequences of structural on cotton and sugar plantations.” injustice and racism that persist to this The first slave listed on the bill of day – both within the Church and within sale was a 65-year-old man named society at large. Isaac Hawkins. “Neither love for Georgetown nor The Vatican placed conditions on any manner of local contextualization the sale, ordering that families not be can begin to justify the actions that separated, that the money not be used were taken,” the report reads. “Indeed to pay off the school’s debt, and that the the early nineteenth-century context religious practice of the slaves – many included less shameful, even good of whom were baptized Catholics – be alternatives that were rejected and respected. moral resources that were neglected.” Fr. Mulledy met none of these “The opposition to the sale, the conditions, separating families and scandal it caused, and the abrupt using their sale to support the school. resignation of Fr. Mulledy are a few of In addition, investigators had found that the indirect indicators of how real the the implications of the original failure slaves on the plantation did not have other options for the Maryland province to address the evil that framed the access to a Catholic church for worship and Georgetown College were in founding of our nation” as well as the after they reached Louisiana. 1838.” continued discrimination of Jim Crow. While the prominent members “In the face of such wrongdoing, He pointed to gaps in life of the province were engaged in contrition is imperative, and the expectancy, health disparities, housing orchestrating the sale, some Jesuits goal of reconciliation – the healing discrimination and disproportionate at the time helped some of the slaves of estrangement between people poverty rates affecting African American escape during the sale and transfer. and the restoration of friendship – is communities as part of this continued Because of the scandal, Fr. Mulledy indispensable,” the report stressed. legacy of slavery in the United States. ended up resigning from his post as These efforts for reconciliation and This continued engagement with head of the order in the U.S., and was contrition are framing Georgetown’s social issues and disparities impacting called to Rome to defend his actions to steps going forward, President DeGioia African-American communities is the superior of the Jesuit order or face said. “We can be blocked by our past or especially important for universities dismissal. Fr. Mulledy was allowed to we can be strengthened by recognition to grapple with, the president said, remain in the order, and was allowed and reconciliation with it,” he told the because of the American university’s to return to the United States in 1843, assembly of students, faculty, staff and role in constructing the idea of race in founding the College of the Holy Cross descendants of the slaves sold. the United States. in Worcester, Massachusetts upon The university’s past, he said, “Scholars of our universities had his return and later serving a second should be seen as a “touchstone” as the effect of justifying the enslavement term as the president of Georgetown the school moves forward, along with of our fellow human beings,” DeGioia University. the input from the descendants of explained. “And while all of this may The report notes that while the people held by the Maryland Jesuits as have happened two centuries ago, we sale was one of the best-documented slaves, to seek reparative justice and live with the consequences today.” of the time, due to the presence and to repair the relationships within the Thus, DeGioia stressed, the transfer of sacramental records, many Georgetown community. publication of the report and apology of of the slaves were sold again, and their DeGioia pointed to the example of the school “does not bring an end” to subsequent sales and transfer have St. John Paul II in “seeking forgiveness Georgetown’s involvement in the issue made it difficult to find out the conditions and reconciliation” as one model but instead is “opening a chapter” of that they lived in and the fate of them and resource out of many from the new involvement on issues of race and and some of their descendants. Catholic faith that the school will draw slavery’s legacy. Regardless of the state of the upon in continuing its steps towards “This is a moment we must seize,” records, the report reinforced the brutal reconciliation for its actions. he said. “There is an urgency to and dehumanizing reality of slavery in Georgetown will also engage more address this issue now. We will never the early United States and explained deeply with modern issues whose roots fulfill the promise of this university, that Georgetown University, the Jesuit are found in the institution of slavery. we will never fulfill the promise of this Order, the city of Georgetown and While important steps forward, nation, we will never fulfill the promise many other early American Catholic like the Civil Rights Act, have been of each one of us as long as this legacy figures all benefited directly from the made, DeGioia said, “we still live with is unreconciled.” 

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renowned among the nations for your beauty perfect as it was because of my splendor which I had bestowed on you, says the Lord God. They were crude and rude; you were renowned for your beauty because of my splendor which I bestowed on you.” This people were transformed by God. God gives a splendor that we cannot achieve ourselves except through prayer in which we are called to perfect beauty. God’s beauty is what we reflect, expressed in 2 Corinthians 3:18: “We, with our unveiled faces reflecting like a mirror the brightness of the Lord, all grow brighter and brighter as we are turned into the image that we reflect; this is the work of the Lord who is Spirit.” We are transformed from one glory to another, i.e., in the transforming union beautifully expressed by St. Gregory of What is a leader, really? A Nyssa in his Life of Moses. We are pinnacles of God’s creation expressed in Ephesians 2:10: “We servant, Pope Francis says are God’s work of art created in Christ By Hannah Brockhaus Jesus to live the good life as from the beginning He meant us to live it.” Vatican City (CNA/EWTN News) – a sinner, because we are all sinners, Finally, in Ephesians 3:20, we During Mass at the Vatican Tuesday, and must repent, but it is like playing a read: “He whose power is at work in Pope Francis warned that the desire “double game.” us is powerful and more than powerful for power and money is an obstacle “Play right and left, play God and to carry out his purpose beyond all our which keeps us from God, and that true even play in the world, no? And this is hopes and dreams.”  freedom can only be found when we an obstacle,” he said. Not serving God serve others. first, the thirst for power and money, “Jesus taught us that he who are all obstacles to true peace, Francis commands must become like one who said, causing us to live in that “tension serves. Or, if one wants to be first he of worldly vanities.” must be the servant of all,” he said at In order to have peace and serenity, Mass Nov. 8 at Casa Santa Marta in he said that we must ask God to make the Vatican. “And this desire for power us into his free servants. Because as Weekly Adoration is not the way to becoming a servant of God’s children, once the obstacles the Lord, in fact: it is an obstacle, one of have been removed, that is when “Here I Am, Lord” these obstacles we prayed to the Lord we can serve him freely, and not as Eucharistic Adoration takes place each to remove from us.” slaves. “And when we serve the Lord Monday from 7am until Benediction The presence of Jesus changes in freedom, we feel that deeper peace at 6:30pm. Aside from the materials the world’s values, he noted: “The Lord yet, right?” he said. “The voice of the available in the center aisle to aid has told us that no servant can have Lord: ‘Oh, come, come, come, good adorers in personal prayer during two masters. One either serves God or and faithful servant.’” Adoration, coordinator Mariam Daly serves money.” This is not something we can prepares a small booklet that includes Another obstacle to a true do alone, however, Pope Francis suggested intercessions, prayer and relationship with Christ that often explained, saying that we must repeat information about saints and feast happens in the life of the Church the words Jesus told his Apostles in the days. These booklets are intended for is treachery, or disloyalty, Francis day’s Gospel, that we are only “useless adorers to keep and share and may be explained. This disloyalty occurs when servants.” found on the communion rail near the someone wants to serve the Lord, but “And so,” the Pope concluded, Adoration sign-in book. Even if you are also serves things of the world. “give us this serenity, this peace to be not a Scheduled Guardian, please take The Pope clarified that this able to serve as a free child in the end, a moment when you arrive to sign in unfaithfulness is not the same as being with so much love.”  and pick up the Adoration booklet.  10 Do you buy shrimp? You might want to know about this By Matt Hadro Washington D.C. (CNA/EWTN News) the proliferation of slave-made goods Organization (ILO) has provided some – When we purchase bananas at in the U.S. economy. context. the grocery store or eat at a seafood The Trade Facilitation and Trade Almost 21 million people worldwide restaurant, we might not think twice Enforcement Act of 2015, passed by are victims of forced labor, the ILO about it. But many of the everyday both parties in Congress, struck that says. 19 million of them are exploited products that we use may be the result clause, and President Barack Obama by private corporations; 2 million suffer of forced labor. signed the act into law this February. at the hands of the state. An estimated “The world is now focused on slave The law is a “positive step” in the $150 billion a year is made in profits labor again,” said Justin Dillon, CEO of fight against trafficking because it from forced labor. the group Made in a Free World, which “closes a rather large loophole” and is The abuse extends across seeks to inform businesses about slave a statement that “we as a country are industries, Leary said: agriculture, and child labor in their supply chains. against products produced by forced manufacturing, shipping, service Earlier this year, a new federal law labor – full stop,” said Mary Leary, industries like janitorial services, was enacted to prohibit importation of a human trafficking expert and law construction, and fishing. Whether the goods made with forced labor into the professor at The Catholic University of culprits are sweat shops in Bangladesh, U.S., a big boost in the fight against America. slave fishing in Indonesia, or mines in labor trafficking. Since the 1930 Tariff However, she told CNA, “other India, the raw materials gathered or Act, which prohibited such importation, problems remain about our ability/ processed by forced labor end up in one clause exempted this prohibition political will to investigate allegations U.S. stores. for when “consumptive demand” of forced labor.” Although it may be Verité, a fair labor NGO and State required such goods be imported. impossible to estimate the exact Department grantee, released a report Critics have argued that this exemption number of goods produced with forced this year documenting the role of became a wide loophole and the law’s or child labor that are available to U.S. intent was rarely enforced, resulting in consumers, the International Labour continued on page 13 11 Happy Birthday and Thank You, Pope Francis! By Tina McCormick / Catholic Womanhood Happy Birthday, Pope Francis! You of God’s much greater and eternal love fact, most mothers will choose to bear are a true gift to this world and to our for each one of us. It is only through the pain of their children rather than Church. It is through your insistence on love that we come to understand God. see their child suffer in any way. love that you have redirected our faith You have reminded us that when By putting love at the center of to its original essence. Certainly, we we truly love, we accept the other’s our faith, I have learned to view my have always known the importance of brokenness and recognize his pain own maternal love as a guide in all love. and struggles. We must strive to relations. Transcending one’s comfort St. Paul’s Letter to the Corinthians see through the veneer of hardened zone and feeling tenderness, even in which he says “You are nothing oppositions and recognize our shared towards strangers, gives a sense without love” is the most common humanity. Only then can we extend our both of liberation and of God’s great reading in weddings. And we all long hand through the wall of thorns that and boundless love. Personally, and for love, sometimes sub-consciously often separates us and feel solidarity especially as a mother, I have come and sometimes secretly, because our as children of a loving God. to understand what it really means to pride gets in the way. Through your insistence on mercy “walk with Christ.” Thank you! However, other aspects of the towards everyone, you have made I often think of St. Francis as having Church’s teachings seemed to have me aware of the deeper meaning of taught us to love and embrace the world reduced love to mere abstraction. In my own love towards my children. It is in its entirety. And it was his authentic our efforts to “get everything right,” only when we understand God’s love humility that lifted him up to partake in we came to condemn and judge, and as maternal love that we sense its the glory of God’s love for all. His was a gave in to bitterness. We were often boundlessness, its completeness. true love affair with God’s creation that distracted from Christ’s and God’s It is hard to conceive of a mother made him rejoice with gratitude simply essential nature and were lost in who would ever abandon or reject her for being alive. And what better place to darkness despite great outward piety. child. A mother will wait and long for be? I hope that is precisely where you God is love! And whenever we her child and forgive and approach are today, on the day of your birthday! feel love through loving and receiving her child and will try to understand its (Pope Francis will be 80 years old on someone else’s love, we have a sense weakness and pain and empathize. In Saturday, Dec. 17, 2016.)  12 continued from page 11 Catholic consumers and businesses profitable,” Dillon said. forced labor or child labor in 43 different do to mitigate the influence of foreign Businesses should be held commodities that are circulated companies who profit from labor accountable for their purchases, worldwide, like flowers, produce, trafficking? Ultimately, ending human but no one is perfect, he continued. seafood, and metals. The report listed trafficking and slave labor will not Consumers shouldn’t be demonizing the chief offending countries for each come through charitable donations, but U.S. businesses where slave-produced commodity and the countries from through the market, Dillon told CNA. goods unknowingly end up on shelves, which the U.S. imports these goods. $120 million is given annually to fight but should rather be encouraging them Investigations by The Guardian trafficking, but over a thousand times as much as possible to investigate and the Associated Press in 2015 that is made in profits per year from their supply chains and supporting the also made headlines, uncovering a slave labor – $150 billion. businesses who are making the best shadowy network of slave fishing in Dillon’s group, Made in a Free effort to do so, he said. “We need the Southeast Asia and Thailand which World, works to help businesses global marketplace on our side, not exports seafood worldwide. The AP fight trafficking by predicting where attack it.” investigation traced some of this there might be forced labor in their “Most companies have almost seafood all the way to U.S. businesses. supply chains. They do this through no idea what’s behind their initial Shrimp caught and processed with purchase,” he continued. For example, slave labor ended up in the supply a U.S. company that sells tablet chains of U.S. grocery stores, food computers might buy finished tablets distributors, and restaurants. Consumers can do two from a Chinese supplier. However, Conditions are horrible for forced things now, he said. “the optics beyond that supplier A, that first company where you’re buying, laborers in Thai fishing boats and First, “be patient.” And processing factories. The State are almost invisible,” Dillon said. “You Department’s 2015 Trafficking in second, “buy in the have very little idea of where supplier A Persons report explained the details. direction of freedom,” is buying their components’ parts, and “Thai, Burmese, Cambodian, and maybe even commodities to be able to Indonesian men are subjected to forced or support businesses produce that tablet computer for you.” labor on Thai fishing boats; some men with goods made with The most pragmatic thing for companies to do is “start to understand remain at sea for several years, are free laborers. Made in a paid very little or irregularly, work as what your purchases are,” he said. much as 18 to 20 hours per day for Free World provides a Companies are starting to investigate seven days a week, or are threatened list of businesses who their supply chains but it will take and physically beaten. Some victims time to create a new marketplace, he of trafficking in the fishing sector were are. They can also visit cautioned. The most difficult struggle unable to return home due to isolated SlaveryFootprint.org, a his group faces is from people who want a solution now. workplaces, unpaid wages, and the project of Made in a Free lack of legitimate identity,” the report “It’s very easy to be indignant explained. World, to get an estimate and have a lot of bluster and demand Migrants from other countries like of how many forced justice, but the reality is this is going to Burma and Cambodia are looking take time,” he said. “Justice systems for work, and so they pay a broker laborers produced the are just that, they are systems…built who promises them a job but instead products they consume. over time.” Consumers can do two sells them to boat captains, Verité things now, he said. First, “be patient.” reported. Other commodities like And second, “buy in the direction of metals, diamonds, and produce that freedom,” or support businesses with are imported into the U.S. may also “predictive modeling” of almost 54,000 goods made with free laborers. Made be gathered and processed by child or goods, services, and commodities and in a Free World provides a list of slave laborers. where the materials come from through businesses who are. They can also visit Flowers, for instance, are grown trade routes. Their modeling tool is SlaveryFootprint.org, a project of Made and picked in Ecuador with child labor software called “FRDM” – “forced labor in a Free World, to get an estimate of and sent to the U.S. Around Valentine’s risk determination and mitigation” – how many forced laborers produced Day, when demand is greatest, workers available to businesses online. the products they consume. endure up to 20-hour days with no The problematic companies that “I believe that we’re at the front third overtime pay. Women are subjected to employ child laborers and forced of a very, very important movement,” sexual violence and harassment with laborers are more easily identified this Dillon said, adding that “it’s not no ability to speak out. way. “The game we’re playing is to something we can do overnight.” With such a deep and nefarious reverse the power of the marketplace “I believe that justice is vigilance. global supply chain affecting almost to start to create transparency and It’s not an accomplishment. It’s a  every product that may be sold make it more and more difficult for the condition,” he said. in U.S. stores, what exactly can bad guys, the bad companies, to be 13 Cardinal Kurt Koch, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA.

“We have faced the mercy of God” – An interview with Cardinal Koch Hundreds of years before Martin Luther Chrysostom on September 18, 2016 come to know to the Face of Christ and broke away from the Roman Catholic in the Basilica of the Holy Face before the deeper we become one in him, the Church and the Pope in the western the Face of Christ, which is displayed deeper we also become one among world, the Great Eastern Schism above the main altar of the church. ourselves. Therefore, it is a wonderful created a division between Rome and CNA / EWTN News Rome occasion to be before the face of Christ, Constantinople. The split of Christianity correspondent Paul Badde asked to pray, to venerate the Face in order to in the Orthodox churches of the east Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of ask for his wish to be fulfilled that we and the Roman Catholic Church in the Pontifical Council for Promoting find unity. the west was formally completed Christian Unity, about the celebration: in the year 1054. On December 7, Catholics have something to bring 1965, Pope Paul VI in Rome and the CNA: Your Eminence, Archbishop the Orthodox. The other way around ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras Bruno Forte calls the “Holy is also true, with the Orthodox, in Istanbul terminated the mutual Face” of Christ the “polar star of say with their culture of venerating excommunications “from memory and Christianity.” For him, there is no icons. Could it be this: that from this from the midst of the Church” and rational doubt that the veil with the day on, the images could be newly committed them “to oblivion.” image is identical to Veronica’s veil comprehended and valued in the But efforts toward healing have of Christ that John mentions next to Catholic Church – in the midst of taken place. Upon the invitation of the linen bandages in the holy tomb. that powerful “Iconic Turn,” which Archbishop Bruno Forte from Chieti- Is that however not provocative for the media experts today observe Vasto, Italy, 70 Orthodox bishops the Orthodox brothers? how images in general play a role in together with two cardinals and communication like never before? numerous other high clergymen of the Cardinal Koch: Christians believe in Roman Catholic Church celebrated the one God who showed his concrete Yes, the innermost mystery of Orthodox “divine liturgy” of St. John face in Jesus Christ. And the closer we ecumenism is an exchange of gifts. 14 Every church has their gifts. And the icons are a special gift of Orthodoxy. I believe therefore that many Christians in the west can find a new approach to the icons and so deepen their faith. That is a magnificent gift. It is very important that we in the western tradition also renew our appreciation for the image. Through the reformation in the 16th century, we set a totally new emphasis on the word. But the Word was made flesh. The Word was made Advent Activities visible. Therefore the images belong Our annual Advent Penance Service with faith. That is a gift of the Orthodox will be at 6pm on Monday, Dec. 5. that we accept gratefully. Fifteen priests will be with us to hear your confession. Let’s fill the church! Ten years ago, Peter, in the form of Join us for our Sunday Advent Pope Benedict, came here. Since Dinners on Dec. 4, 11 and 18 at then, there has been a tremendous 5:30pm. Each week we will have a turn in the appreciation of this different activity, as well. image of Manoppello. Since then, it The Manoppello Image Before dinner on Dec. 4 we will has become world-renown. Today, make peg doll nativity sets, beginning the Synod of Bishops came. What way towards Christ, then we will find at 5pm. The set may look difficult to meaning do you think will someday the unity. make, but if you can use glue you can be attributed to this pilgrimage in easily make this beautiful Nativity set which the Synod convened here? “Misericordiae Vultus” (The Face that will be a family treasure for years of Mercy) is the name of the bull of to come. The stable, baby Jesus, Mary, It is very nice that after 10 years we indiction with which Pope Francis Joseph and an angel are included. For were allowed to come here on this announced this Holy Year of Mercy. a donation (suggestion of $1) you can jubilee. Pope Benedict came in the The “Face of Mercy” was given this also add the three wise men set or the name of the whole Catholic Church. year its very own meaning. What do shepherd set. Today the Church from east and west is you feel when you stand here today At 5pm on Dec. 11 please come present here. This jubilee can perhaps before the merciful glance of Christ, to the church for our annual children’s aid the search for unity between the who looks at us from this wonderful Living Nativity, then stay for dinner in Church in the east and the Church in veil? the Parish Center Atrium. the west. On Dec. 18 we will go caroling to our It is a beautiful message that we have shut-ins after dinner, departing Christ You are, as president of the a merciful God, who knows that there the King around 6:15pm. We hope that Pontifical Council for Promoting are no hopeless causes for him. Even many of our parish families will join in Christian Unity in Rome, responsible if a person has fallen so deeply, he can the fun and let our parishioners who for ecumenism. Pope Francis has never fall deeper than into the hands cannot join us at Mass know that they said, “Look at Christ and proceed of God. To be able to now really see are remembered and loved.  courageously!” What would you this face and encounter it is of course a say in light of today, when you wonderful immersion into this message came together in this difference of of the holy year. People today need the eastern and western Church nothing more than God’s mercy. And if before this image of Christ, would they may look at the face of the merciful be the next step to approach Christ God, that is a wonderful gift. courageously? And what will you tell Pope Francis We are actually always on the way about this occasion if you get the towards Christ. For it is His Will that we chance? find unity. That is not a human project. Christ himself prayed on the evening I will certainly say to him that we have before his suffering that the disciples faced his great message of God’s Sunday Dec. 4 would be one so that the world would mercy and that this face is important After 8am & 10am Mass for the whole Church. That is, so to say, believe. The credibility of witness The annual Knights of Columbus depends on our being one. That is the banner of the Church: the merciful face of God!  pancake Breakfast with Santa will also a special concern of Pope Francis follow the 8am and 10am Masses on when he says we must go the same Translated by R. Andrew Krema Sunday, Dec. 4. Join us! 15 the Pope, the Synod of Bishops was established by Pope Paul VI in 1965 by the motu proprio Apostolica sollicitudo to “strengthen (the Pope’s) union” with other bishops and to “establish even closer ties” with them. It consists of by Hannah Brockhaus a group of bishops from around the world who meet every three years “to foster closer unity between the Roman Pontiff and bishops, to assist the Roman Pontiff with their counsel... and to consider questions pertaining to the activity of the Church in the world,” according to canon law. The Synod Council is composed of a permanent Secretary General (Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri) and Undersecretary (Bishop Fabio Fabene), as well as 15 members – 3 Youth, discernment Pope’s pick for from each continent, with Asia and Oceana (Australia) counted as one – and three appointed by the Pope. Of next synod theme the 15 members 12 are nominated by Vatican City (CNA/EWTN News) – The 2015 that drew 279 cardinals, bishops the cardinals and bishops at the end of theme for the 2018 Synod of Bishops and representatives from all over the the Ordinary synod meeting, and serve has been released, and will focus on world to discuss the challenges and a three year term. Once their term how to best teach the faith to young blessings of family life. The Council for finishes with the close of the Ordinary people and help them to discern God’s the General Secretariat of the Synod of Synod, a new council is elected to will for their lives. Bishops is charged with preparing for prepare for the next one. Set to take place in October 2018, the Ordinary Synod, which takes place In addition to Archbishop Chaput, the 50th General Assembly of the every three years to discuss a specific other members elected to prepare for Synod of Bishops will discuss “Young theme of importance in the Church. the 2018 synod are: Cardinal Robert People, the Faith and the Discernment Greg Burke, Director of the Holy See Sarah, prefect of the Congregation of Vocation,” an Oct. 6 Vatican Press Office, told journalists Thursday for Divine Worship and the Discipline communique said. that the topic of the upcoming synod is of the Sacraments; Cardinal Wilfrid The theme, it explained, is in not about celibacy or the priesthood in Fox Napier, Archbishop of Durban; continuity with topics that emerged particular, but is “wider than vocations.” Cardinal Marc Ouellet, Prefect of the from the 2014-2015 Synod on the Vocations “certainly will be part of that Congregation of Bishops; Cardinal Family, as well as with the contents but it’s wider, much wider.” In addition to Oscar Andrés Rodriguez Maradiaga, of Francis’ Post-Synodal Apostolic vocational discernment, it’s about “the Archbishop of Tegucigalpa; Cardinal Exhortation “Amoris Laetitia,” which formation and transmission of faith,” he Christoph Shoenborn, Archbishop of was written largely on the basis of the said. Asked to explain “discernment,” Vienna; Cardinal Oswald Gracias, synod’s concluding document. Burke described it as “spiritual decision Archbishop of Bombay; Cardinal According to the communique, making,” not only about whether or not Luis Antonio Tagle, Archbishop of the theme “aims to accompany young to become a priest, but about “what you Manila; Cardinal George Pell, Prefect people on their way of life towards do in life.” for the Secretariat of the Economy; maturity so that, through a process of Ahead of each Synod a theme is Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop discernment, they can discover their selected by the Pope, and the council of Westminster; Archbishop Mathieu life’s plan and realize it with joy.” prepares for the synod according to the Madega Lebouakehan of Mouila, By doing so, youth will not only topic chosen. The Pope can also call an Gabon, and Archbishop Bruno Forte of be able to open themselves to an Extraordinary Synod if he feels that the Chieti-Vasto. encounter with God and with others, but theme needs further discussion, as was The three members appointed by they will be able to actively participate the case with the 2014 Extraordinary Pope Francis himself are: Archbishop “in the building up of the Church and Synod on the family. Louis Raphael Sako, Chaldean society.” Following the conclusion of the Patriarch of Babylon; Archbishop Carlos The last Synod of Bishops was 2015 encounter, Pope Francis named Osoro Sierra of Madrid and Archbishop dedicated to the family and took 15 cardinals and bishops to prepare for Sergio Da Rocha Archbishop of Brazil place in two parts, the first being an the 2018 gathering, Archbishop Charles and president of the Brazilian Episcopal  Extraordinary Synod in 2014, which Chaput of Philadelphia being among Conference. was followed by the Ordinary Synod in them. Serving as an advisory body to 16 Why Catholic thinkers say the push for contraception is stale

Washington D.C. (CNA/EWTN News) a situation of promise, opportunity, of - Modern-day imperialism. Harmful to a way to move forward in equality,” women. A failed promise. These are she said. “And what we’ve found, not the ways that leading Catholic scholars looking just through the eyes of faith, described contraception and said the but our lived experience has shown its beginning.” Church is right to warn against it. that this is a false promise. In fact, Grabowksi noted that when Pope “What women have discovered women have proved to be hurt and Paul VI wrote Humanae Vitae, he over the past 48 years is that we don’t more vulnerable by the consequences “predicted that if contraception were have a design flaw. Being a woman of the sex revolution and the promotion to be widely implemented we could is good enough, and it’s a wonderful of contraception as the solution.” expect a number of things to come thing,” said Mary Rice Hasson, J.D., Rather than affirming women, to pass: increasing infidelity, and the director of the Catholic Women’s Forum Hasson said, contraception tells overall moral decline within society, a at the Ethics and Public Policy Center. women that their fertility is a problem loss of respect for women on the part Hasson was among a group of to be “fixed” through medical means. of men.” All of these things have come more than 500 Catholic scholars who In contrast, the Church’s teaching to pass, Grabowski said, charging signed a document supporting Church protects and defends women, she said. that the Wijngaards Statement does teaching against contraception, “We are the future. Women have the not recognize “the fact that we have a as expressed in Blessed Paul VI’s support of the Church’s teaching and wealth of data from the sciences and 1968 encyclical Humanae Vitae. The it’s been just a tremendous thing.” the social sciences demonstrating document, entitled “Affirmation of the Hasson told CNA that both the real harm done to women, to Catholic Church’s Teaching on the Gift domestic and foreign organizations relationships, to marriages and to the of Sexuality,” was released at a Sept. are “very coercive” in pushing family. It’s as if the sexual revolution 20 press conference at The Catholic contraceptive implements on lower- hasn’t happened.” University of America in Washington, income women around the world, often He also pointed to the statement’s D.C. It responded to a statement without regard for women’s relationship failure to address the “unique opposing Church teaching, released goals and at the cost of other forms of contribution” of St. Pope John Paul II’s by the U.K.-based Wijngaards Institute. developmental support. Theology of the Body, a work which he The 150 signatories of the dissenting Religious studies professor John described as “such a rich resource in statement argued that the Church Grabowski of Catholic University of unpacking this teaching.” has no reason for its teaching against America agreed. He told CNA that Statement organizer Janet Smith, contraception. They said that the during his time serving on the Pontifical an ethics professor at Sacred Heart use of birth control is sometimes ”an Council for the Family, he has heard Major Seminary in Detroit, noted ethical imperative” and that abortion- people from around the world complain that with just a few days’ notice, causing methods of contraception are that “we are having these population, the document in support of Church sometimes acceptable. family planning services shoved teaching had attracted more than Pope Paul VI’s 1968 encyclical down our throats, regardless of our triple the signatures of the dissenting Humanae Vitae reaffirmed the convictions, our cultural values, our statement. She suggested that this is traditional Christian rejection of religious convictions.” “an opportunity for us to show the world contraception and said it applied to the In many cases, he said, funding that there are many, many people birth control pill. If a married couple is directly tied to acceptance of who accept the Church’s teaching on faces a just reason to avoid pregnancy, contraception and abortion programs. contraception.” the Church teaches that they may do “It really is contraceptive imperialism.” Furthermore, she said, while all of so through Natural Family Planning, Grabowki, who also signed the the signatories hold advanced degrees, a process that works with a woman’s document supporting Church teaching, they are also largely people who are natural fertile cycles and abstaining pointed out that every major Christian married with families. from sexual activity during the times church agreed with Catholicism By living out the Church’s teachings that she is fertile. through the 20th century. And today, on contraception and sexuality in their Hasson voiced gratitude for the he said, “there are many Catholic daily lives, many of the signatories Church’s teaching, saying that it affirms scholars, academics and intellectuals are a living witness to the truth of the women and does not treat their bodies who support the Church’s teaching, Church’s position, she said. “They’re as “broken.” who recognize that the teaching is not just accepting it on blind obedience.” “From a woman’s perspective, not the policy instituted by the Church  contraception, abortion and the 48 years ago, but represents the sexual revolution were held up to be constant teaching of the Church from Kevin Jones contributed to this report. 17 Unity is not the same as uniformity, Pope Francis says by Hannah Brockhaus

Vatican City (CNA/EWTN News) – unity alone, nor can we decide on If we let ourselves be guided by On Thursday, Pope Francis spoke the forms and times. So what is our the Holy Spirit, he said, the “richness, about Christian unity and ecumenism, role? What must we do to promote the variety, diversity” do not become specifically what they are not. Namely, unity among Christians?” he asked, a source of conflict, but are instead a they aren’t about uniformity or the total explaining that “our task is to accept point of enrichment. The “ecumenical absorption of one religion by another, this gift and make it visible to all.” task,” then, is to respect “legitimate but instead consist of a common The best way to do this? Francis diversity” and work to successfully communion in Christ. believes it is by “journeying” along the address what seem like irreconcilable “Ecumenism is true when Christians path. Though we may be far from full differences, even when they persist. are able to shift the focus from communion, there are often glimpses Similarly, Pope Francis said themselves, from their arguments and of hope, he said. Putting aside that unity is not “absorption,” but a formulations, to the Word of God who presumption, we can recognize how unification around the same center, the demands to be heard, accepted and everyone is a sinner and everyone is in Lord. “It is not enough to be unanimous witnessed in the world,” the Pope said need of God’s love and mercy. in understanding the Gospel, but it is Nov. 10. “Because of this, the various “Likewise, the unity of love is necessary that all believers are united Christian communities are called not to already a reality when those whom to Christ and in Christ,” he said. ‘compete,’ but to cooperate.” God has chosen and called to form his “In doing so, we Christians can Pope Francis addressed members people together announce the wonders recognize ourselves as brothers and of the Pontifical Council for Promoting he has done for them, especially by sisters who believe in the one Lord Christian Unity gathered in Rome for offering a testimony of life, full of love and Savior Jesus Christ, engaged their plenary assembly at the Vatican. for all people,” he said. together to find ways to obey the Word Throughout his pontificate Francis When we meet “as brothers, we of God.” It is both personal conversion, has placed a strong emphasis on pray together, we work together in and conversion as a community, to ecumenism and interreligious dialogue. proclaiming the Gospel and in service conformity with Christ which allow us to The last few months alone have to the least we are already united,” he grow in communion among ourselves, included several ecumenical meetings, continued. Only along this path, he said, the Pope said, explaining that this must such as in Lund, Sweden, and in can the theological and ecclesiological be the spirit of every meeting which Georgia and Azerbaijan. differences between Christians be strives to bring differences closer In his speech, the Pope gave three surpassed, according to the Holy Spirit together. examples of what he considers to be and “for the good of the Church.” Jesus himself prayed in John “false models of communion” that The second false model of unity 17:21 that “they may all be one, as don’t really lead to unity, but instead Francis proposed is to believe that unity you, Father, are in me and I in you,” “contradict it in its true essence.” The is equivalent to uniformity. When the Francis noted.“The unity of Christians first of these, he said, is believing that different theological, liturgical, spiritual is an essential requirement of our faith. unity is a result of human effort, when and canonical traditions are “genuinely A requirement that flows from the depth in reality, it is always and only a gift of rooted in the apostolic tradition,” he of our being believers in Jesus Christ,” the Holy Spirit. noted, they are an “asset, not a threat” he said. “We call for unity, because we “We humans are not able to create to the unity of the Church. invoke Christ.”  18 Since 1974, National Catholic Schools A PRAYER FOR OUR SCHOOL Week is the annual celebration of God, our Father and Creator, be with us in our school. Help us to treasure your Catholic education in the United States. gift of life and treat one another with care. Let us always remember that we It starts the last Sunday in January and are all created in your image. Come, Lord Jesus, and be with us in our school. runs all week, which in 2017 is January Guide our teachers, guide our parents, and lead our students to recognize you 29 - February 4. The theme for the in all people. Come, Holy Spirit, and be with us in our school. Give us a vision National Catholic Schools Week 2017 for the future, and the determination for shaping a faith-filled future. Amen. is “Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service.” Schools typically observe the annual celebration week with Masses, open houses and other activities for students, families, parishioners and community members. Through these events, schools focus on the value Catholic education provides to young people and its contributions to our church, our communities and our nation. Catholic schools offer academic excellence and faith-filled education for students nationwide. National test scores, high school graduation rates, college attendance and other data show that Catholic schools frequently outperform schools in both the public and private sectors. While some Catholic schools are challenged by declining enrollments and school closures, the good news is that there is a strong demand and enthusiasm for Catholic schools. Nearly thirty percent of Catholic schools have waiting lists for admission and new schools are opening across the country. The infographic shares facts and figures about the ongoing excellence and promise of growth represented in our country’s Catholic schools. Parents, guardians and other family members play a vital role in Catholic education. Not only do they volunteer at the school, they instill values and expectations for academic excellence in their children at home. We acknowledge the role of families in Catholic education and celebrate their contributions to the success of our schools during National Catholic Schools Week and all year long. CK School thanks its many volunteers.  19 MIT hosts first ‘Gold Mass’ for Catholic scientists Boston, Mass. (CNA/EWTN News) – Pope John Paul II once encouraged Masses for medical professionals, and The Society of Catholic Scientists held this very kind of collaboration among Blue Masses for police officers. Father its first ever Gold Mass on Nov. 15, the Catholic scientists in a 1979 speech Nicanor Austriaco, O.P., who celebrated feast day of St. Albert the Great, patron to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, the first Gold Mass, told The Boston saint of scientists. in which he said: “Those members of Pilot that he hopes the Mass and The Mass was held at the the Church who are either themselves Society will show young people that Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s active scientists, or in some special they do not have to choose between (MIT) chapel, and both science cases both scientists and theologians, science and their faith. educators and students attended. The could serve as a key resource. They can “Faith and reason are both gifts from event was co-sponsored by the Tech also provide a much-needed ministry God. Science is just one expression of Catholic Community, the Catholic to others struggling to integrate the how the human person uses reason to Student group at MIT. worlds of science and religion in their interrogate reality,” he said. The Society of Catholic Scientists own intellectual and spiritual lives.” His sentiments echo those of Pope is a recently formed group of According to The Boston Pilot, the John Paul II, who said in his encyclical American Catholic scientists as reason the Society’s first Mass is being “Fides et Ratio” that “Faith and reason well as undergraduate, graduate called a Gold Mass is because it is are like two wings on which the human or postdoctoral students pursuing the color of the hoods worn by those spirit rises to the contemplation of research in a natural science. It is graduating with a Ph.D. in science truth.” under the guidance of Archbishop and because St. Albert the Great was MIT’s Catholic chaplain Father Charles Chaput and a board of seven an alchemist who worked to turn base Daniel Moloney told The Boston scientists. metals into gold. Pilot that St. Albert the Great and Although many people tend to St. Albert, a 13th century German other Catholic scientists have long see a contradiction between faith Dominican friar, is one of 36 doctors understood that God added a rationally and science, the Society of Catholic of the Church. His interests and discernable order to the universe. “Lots Scientists says on its website that study included the natural sciences of people assume that if you are a it exists to “witness to the harmony as well as mathematics, astronomy, religious believer, you’re either stupid between the vocation of scientist and philosophy, ethics, economics, politics, or that you turn off your rationality when the life of faith.” and metaphysics. His 40 volumes of it comes to the questions to which The group also aims to foster writing on the natural sciences served religion is the response,” he said. fellowship among Catholic scientists as an encyclopedia at the time, and “Very often scientists work in and to serve as a resource and he was also instrumental in pioneering an environment today that is almost discussion forum for those who have the inductive method of reasoning and always indifferent but sometimes even questions about science and faith. The introducing the writings of Aristotle to hostile to their faith.” However, he said, Society also states that it “adheres to the West. “Catholic scientists can be a bridge the faith of the Catholic Church and will The Gold Mass follows the tradition between the world of faith and the always operate with due regard to her of Masses for other professions, such world of science.”  magisterium.” as Red Masses for lawyers, White 20 ‘The shenanigans’ at Mother Angelica’s first vows

Irondale, Ala. (CNA/EWTN News) – If Angelica recalled. “The people must several days prior. you picture a nun’s first profession of have thought we were nuts.” “With everything going on there, vows, you probably picture a serene, Then came the bug, scampering I’m thinking, Oh Jesus doesn’t love peaceful affair with the sisters singing across the wooden floor in front of the me. You know?...I mean, it was a real harmoniously and everything running sisters. Mary of the Cross rose up, spiritual experience!” Mother Angelica joyfully and smoothly. But the day lifted the kneeler with both hands, and said. “But that’s the way God works with of Mother Angelica’s first vows was pounded it on the ground, attempting to me. As I look back, before anything big anything but. annihilate the insect. Like a madwoman that was coming, something happened Outside, a blizzard spit snow and with a jackhammer, she repeatedly to me.” ice, snarling roads and delaying the wielded the priedieu (kneeler), hurling Despite “the shenanigans” of guests and the presiding Bishop James it and herself at the crawler. the day, Sr. Angelica took her vows McFadden. Inside, different storms The organist, thinking the display seriously, writing in a letter to her were brewing. As then-Sister Angelica an underhanded critique of her playing, mother that “the espoused” and “royal knelt behind the grille, trying to pray pounded the keys all the harder. Sister couple” (herself and Jesus) “wished before taking her vows, the organist Angelica could not believe what she to express their gratitude to their sister and the choir director, Sr. Mary termed “the shenanigans.” Then the friend and member of their personal of the Cross (with whom Sr. Angelica bishop walked in. Wet and cold from court...The spouse has asked the had sparred in the past), began arguing walking several blocks where he had to Bridegroom to fill you with his peace about musical technique, within earshot leave his stalled car, Bishop McFadden and consolation.” She signed the letter: of the already-arrived guests. requested a fresh pair of socks, which “Jesus and Angelica.” As the incident is recalled in her Sr. Mary of the Cross sent Sister Mother Mary Angelica of the biography: Voices slowly escalated. Angelica to get. Annunciation, foundress of the Eternal Suddenly the two nuns were at each When it came time to place the Word Television Network (EWTN), other: the organist refusing to play, profession ring on Sr. Angelica’s passed away on March 27 after a Mary of the Cross threatening to throw fingers, the bishop couldn’t fit it past lengthy struggle with the aftereffects of her into the snow if she didn’t. her knuckle – her hand was swollen a stroke. She was 92 years old.  “And I’m sitting there trying to re- from a shower handle in the convent collect myself for my vows,” Mother that had crumbled and cut her hand 21 For Eastern Catholics, Pope makes changes to Latin Church’s law

Vatican City (CNA/EWTN News) – and the historical canonical tradition of dispensation, such a person must now Pope Francis has issued new changes the Latin Catholic majority. follow a formal act before competent to canon law that modify Latin Church There are over twenty Eastern authority, with the change recorded in code with an eye towards clarifying Catholic Churches in communion with the baptismal registers. ministry to Eastern Catholics. The Pope Rome. Bishop Juan Ignacio Arrieta, In the marriage of two Eastern cited concern for harmony between the Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Catholics, a priest’s blessing is required different codes. The name of the Pope’s Legislative Texts, said the changes for validity. In the Latin Church, since apostolic letter, “De Concordia inter were motivated by a desire to “facilitate 1967, deacons are also qualified Codices,” in fact means “Concerning pastoral attention to the faithful,” witnesses to a marriage. However, harmony between laws.” It is dated especially Eastern Catholic diaspora in cases of marriage between a Latin May 31 and was released Sept. 15. living in areas with a Latin Catholic Catholic and an Eastern Catholic, the The changes concern topics majority. The bishop explained the new code clarifies that only a priest like baptism, marriage, and change changes in a Sept. 15 statement. may officiate. of ecclesiastical rite. The Pope said The changes affected eleven Other changes involve the legitimate the changes were motivated by the canons of the Latin Church legal code. participation of Latin Catholic clergy in presence of many Eastern Catholics in No changes affected Eastern Catholic the celebration of the sacraments of predominantly Latin Catholic regions. canon law. The changes reaffirm that a Orthodox Christians. The Latin code This creates many pastoral and baptized child belongs to the Church of now adopts the provisions of Eastern juridical questions, he said, according the Catholic parent. They oblige parish Catholic codes. to Vatican News. records to indicate the Church to which The change also imports from Eastern Catholics are obliged to the child belongs. Eastern Catholic canon law the observe their rite wherever they are. In The changes address matters provision that the local hierarch may these regions, there must be a correct where Catholics canonically transfer allow a Latin Catholic priest to bless balance between the protection of the to another Church within the Catholic the marriage of two Orthodox Christian rights of the Eastern Catholic minority Church. When there is no specific faithful, under certain conditions.  22 For the sake of his sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world. Jesus, I trust in you.

New film shows how mercy can transform your life Personal stories about God’s mercy at and paralyzed from the waist down; a work in the world today are the focus of young widow who forgave the killer of a new Catholic-produced documentary her husband; a baseball player who that will air on ABC affiliates across the became a priest; and a former NFL United States. linebacker who now shares Christ’s “These testimonies remind us that mercy with the homeless. Divine Mercy is not just a devotion The film was produced by the or theological concept – it is alive, Knights of Columbus, a Catholic it is present, and it is a force that fraternal order with 1.9 million members can transform the world,” Knights of worldwide. Anderson said the film Columbus CEO Carl Anderson said “highlights the sort of transformations Help make Christmas Nov. 14. The one-hour film “The Face that are possible in individual lives that merry for residents of Mercy” depicts mercy as the antidote embrace the way of mercy, forgiveness to evil even in great difficulty. and reconciliation.” of St. Ann’s Nursing Narrated by actor Jim Caviezel, Pope Francis declared a Year of the film interweaves history, theology, Mercy for the Catholic Church that Home and testimonials about the importance began on Dec. 8, 2015. It closed on Christ the King has again adopted of mercy in people’s lives. Testimonies Sunday, Nov. 20. The film is available a hall at St. Ann’s Nursing Home for come from Immaculée Ilibagiza, who at Amazon.com, the Ignatius Press Christmas, and we need twenty-four forgave those who murdered her website, and the Knights of Columbus Christmas gifts for the residents by Dec. family in the Rwandan genocide; a site Knights Gear. Broadcast dates 15th. Bring your wrapped Christmas New York police officer who works and more information are available at gifts to the Parish Life Office, and be  for peace despite having been shot faceofmercyfilm.com. sure to mark the package “male” or “female.” Need gift suggestions? The “THE FACE OF MERCY”EXECUTIVE PRODUCER CARL ANDERSON NARRATED BY JIM CAVIEZEL residents would appreciate slippers, WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY DAVID NAGLIERI PRODUCED BY THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS bathrobes, cologne, jewelry, soaps, AND THE CONGREGATION OF THE SISTERS OF OUR LADY OF MERCY lotions, prayer books in large print, ORIGINAL MUSIC BY SEAN BEESON DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY GEORGE HOSEK, CSC lap blankets, etc. The only prohibited AND ROB KACZMARK EDITED BY MARC BOUDIGNON items are candles and electrical items. A lot of the people in St. Ann’s have no family and are mostly forgotten. Let’s pull together again this year to make it a good Christmas for these residents. Divine Mercy Chaplet If you have any questions or would like The Divine Mercy chaplet is prayed at 3pm on the first Sunday of every month at more information, please contact Pam St. Eugene’s (2400 W. Hefner Rd., OKC). All are welcome. Cullen or Kathy Arambula at 842-1483.  23 What to do if you’re too ashamed to go to Confession Madrid, Spain (CNA/EWTN News) He also noted the importance of shame of mentioning his sins is too – While Reconciliation is intended to ensuring truly anonymous confessions. great to bear, he can arrange for a allow Christ’s victory to overcome sin in In each city, he said, “there ought written confession with the priest. our lives, what happens when shame to be at least one confessional where Fr. Fortea said that in several of the over one’s sins is so great that it keeps instead of a grill, there is a metal confessionals in his city of Alcalá de people away from the sacrament? The sheet with small holes, making it Henares, Spain, “it’s possible for the famous Spanish theologian Father totally impossible to see the person penitent to move the screen slightly, José Antonio Fortea discussed this making their confession.” The person just a fraction of an inch, and slip in a phenomenon and practical solutions to confessing should not be visible to piece of paper.” it in a recent blog post. the priest as they approach or leave, He offered guidelines for such Normally, a sense of Christ’s he continued. If there is a window written confessions: they should mercy should be enough to help on the priest’s door, it should not be generally not be longer than one page, people overcome their shame and transparent. sins should be written “in a clear and go to Confession, in order to receive “With these measures, the vast concise manner,” or if possible, should forgiveness and healing. However, in majority of the faithful can resolve the be typed for clarity in reading.“The some cases, Fr. Fortea acknowledged, problem of shame,” Fr. Fortea said. priest will give his counsel, the penance people are overwhelmed by their sins, But for those “truly very rare” cases and absolution without needing to bring and this shame becomes “a wall” where shame is still a major obstacle, up any questions for the penitent. In keeping them away from Reconciliation. even with anonymous confessionals, this case asking questions would be “They would rather make a 100- additional steps can be taken. In these counterproductive,” he reflected. mile pilgrimage than have to confess instances of extreme shame, the person While the general rule is that face-to-face certain things they did that can “make an anonymous phone call to confession should be vocal, it can be are terribly and frightfully humiliating a priest in the city and tell him about done through writing in some cases, to them,” he said, reflecting on the this problem.” Confession itself cannot the priest said. He noted that those who torment that faces some penitents who take place over the phone, but “in many are deaf or mute have always been struggle approaching the sacrament. cases, the phone conversation will be permitted to make written confessions. The Spanish priest first pointed enough so the penitent can get up his And in the case of insurmountable out the importance of priests offering confidence and can approach the kind shame, this would also be licit, he said. fatherly compassion on those who have of above-mentioned confessional. “A psychological inability can be just as “these burdens on their consciences.” ”If the penitent still finds that the real as a physical one.”  24 Christmas cards for inmates at OK County Jail It’s time to make Christmas cards for the inmates at the Oklahoma County Jail. The cards should be 4”x6” and include an appropriate message of Christmas cheer and encouragement. Do not use glitter or stickers, but do draw pictures, paint or use ink stamps to decorate the cards. The cards should be brought to Christ the King by Dec. 15. If you have questions or would like more information, please contact Sally Riesenberg at 990-8482 It’s Jesus who radically sets us or [email protected].  free, Pope Francis says By Hannah Brockhaus MIHI Events Marriage In His Image fosters healthy, Vatican City (CNA/EWTN News) – and confirm as Catholic Giuseppe happy, holy marriages. Monthly Christ took on our sins so that we might Chiolo, a young man in a wheelchair, gatherings feature a brief video have true freedom, Pope Francis said L’Osservatore Romano reported. and discussion, hors d’oeuvres and Sept. 10 during a special audience Our unwillingness to open ourselves childcare until 10pm to allow participants in St. Peter’s Square, where he gave to salvation keeps us from receiving time for a night out together after the confirmation to a young man in a the true freedom provided by God’s meeting. Registration is required. Visit wheelchair. forgiveness, Pope Francis preached. ckokc.org/mihi to learn more. “The word ‘redemption’ is little “We need God to deliver us from used, yet it is important because it all forms of indifference, selfishness Jan. 21, 2017: indicates the most radical liberation and self-sufficiency,” he continued. that God could perform for us, for all Francis noted that life is often difficult Building a Thriving Marriage of humanity and the entire creation,” and filled with suffering, however, we Feb. 18, 2017: Francis said. are invited to turn our gaze on the Protecting the Bond Often, the Pope said, we deny crucified Jesus, “who suffers for us and that our sins have any power over us, with us, as certain proof that God does Mar. 18, 2017: when in reality they are another type of not abandon us.” Sexuality and Authentic Love slavery. Even in persecution and distress, “By becoming one of us, the Lord or in the pain of daily life, God’s merciful Jesus not only takes on our human hand lifts us up to him and gives us a condition, but he raises us to the new life, he said. possibility of being children of God,” “God’s love is boundless: we Pope Francis said. “By his death and discover new signs indicating his resurrection, Jesus Christ, the Lamb attention towards us and especially its without blemish, has conquered death willingness to reach and go before us.” and sin to free us from their domain.” “Beautiful are these three words: Marriage Prep The gathering at the Vatican was forgiveness, love and joy. All that He The next marriage preparation retreat one in a series of special audiences for has taken has also been redeemed, at Christ the King will take place Mar. the Jubilee Year of Mercy, which were liberated and saved,” the Pope 3-5, 2017. Register by submitting the held throughout the year in addition continued. form on the parish website at ckokc.org/ to the weekly general audiences on “Our whole life, though marked by marriage-preparation. Please note that Wednesdays. the fragility of sin, is placed under the there is room for only twelve couples. In addition to the audience, on his gaze of God who loves us,” he said. Once the retreat is full, registrants will way to St. Peter’s square Saturday, “The more we are in need, the more his be placed on a waiting list and notified  Pope Francis stopped to greet gaze on us is full of mercy.” of the next available retreat.  25 attractions, desires and behaviors. They said that more research is needed before claiming a link between sex abuse and non-heterosexual attractions. Non-heterosexuals do face elevated risk of adverse health and mental health outcomes. They are estimated to have a 1.5 times higher risk of anxiety and substance abuse than the heterosexual population. They face double the risk of depression and 2.5 times higher risk of suicide. The transgender population, recently estimated to make up 0.6 percent of the total population, suffers a lifetime suicide attempt rate of 41 percent, compared to 5 percent of the overall population. There is “limited, inconsistent Sexual orientation and gender identity: and incomplete” evidence that social what does the science say? stressors like discrimination and stigma “contribute to the elevated risk Washington D.C. (CNA/EWTN News) – is an innate property “independent of of poor mental health outcomes for For most young people who experience biological sex.” Scientific evidence also non-heterosexual and transgender feelings of gender dysphoria, the does not support claims that a person populations.” experience is in fact temporary, and a might be “a man trapped in a woman’s The report said clinicians and non-heterosexual orientation is not as body.” policymakers should not assume that fixed as sometimes claimed, a new Gender identity problems can models focused on social stressors overview of the relevant research says. arise for someone with intersex offer a complete explanation for these “Only a minority of children who conditions, where a person has health differences. “Just as it does experience cross-gender identification ambiguous biological sex due to a disservice to non-heterosexual will continue to do so into adolescence genetic abnormalities. However, brain subpopulations to ignore or downplay or adulthood,” said the report, published structure comparison of transgender the statistically higher risks of negative in The New Atlantis Journal. and non-transgender individuals show mental health outcomes they face, so it As many as 80 percent of men only “weak correlations” between does them a disservice to misattribute who reported same-sex attraction as brain structure and cross-gender the causes of these elevated risks, or adolescents no longer do so as adults. identification. These correlations are to ignore other potential factors that There were “similar but less striking” not evidence that this identity has a may be at work.” results for women. The idea of innate basis in the biology of the brain. Adults who undergo sex sexual orientation is “not supported by Similarly, sexual orientation’s reassignment surgeries continue to scientific evidence,” the report said. neurological basis can be overstated. show a high risk in mental health, being Titled “Sexuality and Gender: Against the “born that way” claim, the about 5 times more likely to attempt Findings from the Biological, report authors write: “While there is suicide and 19 times more likely to die Psychological, and Social Sciences,” evidence that biological factors such as by suicide compared to a control group. the report reviews various research genes and hormones are associated Regarding therapies for children studies to examine claims about with sexual behaviors and attractions, that delay puberty or modify sex sexuality and gender. there are no compelling causal characteristics of adolescents, there It was authored by Dr. Lawrence biological explanations for human is “little scientific evidence” for their S. Mayer, Ph.D., a biostatistician sexual orientation.” therapeutic value, the report said. and epidemiologist now a scholar in The report also considered At the same time, “some children residence at Johns Hopkins University; sexuality, mental health, and social may have improved psychological and by Dr. Paul R. McHugh, M.D., a factors. Non-heterosexuals are well-being if they are encouraged professor of psychiatry and behavioral two to three times as likely to have and supported in their cross-gender sciences at Johns Hopkins University. experienced childhood sexual abuse. identification.” The report considers various claims The authors weighed the evidence that “There is no evidence that all like the basis and permanence of non-heterosexual attractions, desires children who express gender-atypical gender identity and sexual orientation. and behaviors may increase the risk thoughts or behavior should be It found there is a lack of scientific of suffering sex abuse, or that sexual encouraged to become transgender,” evidence for claims that gender identity abuse may cause non-heterosexual the report added.  26 A Pilgrimage led by Fr. Rick Itinerary in Brief In celebration of the 100th anniversary 17 meals (9 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 7 DAY 1: Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017 of the apparition of Our Lady at dinners) and baggage handling (1 Overnight flight to Portugal, one of Fatima, Fr. Rick Stansberry will lead a bag per person). Please complete Europe’s most hospitable countries. pilgrimage to Fatima and Lourdes with a and submit this form to hold your spot. trip to Barcelona on Sept. 17-27, 2017. You also should print and complete DAY 2: Monday, Sept. 18, 2017 The per person cost is $3,609 (double the Registration Form to the right and Fatima, Portugal - Tour Begins occupancy), $4,119 (single occupancy) submit it along with your deposit of or $3,569 (triple occupancy), which $500 per person (deposit is $250 per DAY 3: Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2017 does not include cancellation waiver person, if the Travel Protection Plan is Fatima - Aljustrel - Santarem - Fatima and insurance of $280 per person. The purchased) to the Parish Life Office. price includes round-trip air fare from Deposits are refundable up until March DAY 4: Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017 Will Rogers World Airport, air taxes and 17, 2017. Final Payment is due by July Fatima - Burgos, Spain fees/surcharges, hotel and transfers, 19, 2017.  deluxe air-conditioned motorcoach, DAY 5: Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017 Burgos, Spain

DAY 6: Friday, Sept. 22, 2017 Burgos - Lourdes, France Tuesday, Dec. 13 DAY 7: Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017 Lourdes, France Women’s 7am DAY 8: Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017 Lourdes - Carcassone - Barcelona, Teresa Brekke and Spain “A Christmas Coffee” Prayer DAY 9: Monday, Sept. 25, 2017 Barcelona - Mass at La Sagrada Familia

DAY 10: Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017 Events Barcelona - Day of Leisure DAY 11: Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2017 Barcelona - Tour End 27 Who you gonna call (on murky moral issues)? Catholic bioethicists Philadelphia, Pa. (CNA/EWTN News) that the group is recognized by the major developments in biotechnology, – What would you do if you’re a young U.S. bishops and has their support or even anticipate them, Haas said. He medical student who was told that you and has many bishops and cardinals recalled a workshop the NCBC ran for must participate in abortion in order and board members, but pointed the U.S. bishops in the late 1990s on to get your degree? Or if you and out that the NCBC is focused not on the nature of man and how to approach your family have to make the decision creating doctrine or defining teaching the subject of humanity in the wake of about what kind of life support and for new situations, but putting existing new medical developments: one week extraordinary care to provide a loved Church teaching in practice in difficult after the conference ended, scientists one in their final days? Or if you’re a situations. “We are there applying the announced that they had sequenced priest trying to counsel a couple in your principles with great adherence to the the human genome. “It couldn’t have parish through the difficult struggle teaching of the Church,” she said. been more timely or convergent with with infertility? These are all questions “We fill a very unique role that’s very our program,” Haas told CNA. Catholics in the 21st-century are facing different.” Over the years, the NCBC – and each has complicated answers. The NCBC was founded in 1972 has developed a set of specialties Luckily, the Church has the as the Pope John XXIII Medical-Moral where they focus their efforts. Their National Catholic Bioethics Center, an Research and Education Center, main areas of focus are publishing, independent Catholic institution based in order to deal with new bioethical including their award-winning National in Philadelphia, Pa., working to provide challenges facing the scientific Catholic Bioethics Quarterly, along guidance based in Church teaching to and Catholic communities. The with various commentaries and books; laity, clergy, and scientific professionals organization’s founding was “ahead of public policy; education for scientists, to help them clarify the murky bioethical the times,” as it was there to address bishops, and medical professionals; issues Catholics wade through in our game-changing bioethical challenges and consultations. In their consultation world today. like the Supreme Court decisions work, the team fields and responds to “What makes us unique,” said Dr. permitting abortion in 1973, the HIV/ more than 2000 individual consultation Marie Hilliard, director of bioethics and AIDS crisis, stem cell isolation and requests a year, as well as consultations public policy for the National Catholic research and the sequencing of the for Catholic organizations like Catholic Bioethics Center, or NCBC, “is that we human genome, said president Dr. John Relief Services and Catholic hospitals, are not a part of the U.S. Conference M. Haas. The council’s existence has along with consultations for bishops of Catholic Bishops.” Hilliard added enabled the NCBC to respond quickly to and dioceses. 28 Most laypeople people who interact on public policy, which is headed NCBC does more broadly fill a much- with the NCBC do so through their by Dr. Hilliard. The center’s work in needed role in rigorously examining individual ethical consultations – the responding to topics such as physician- ethical issues. “No one out there has a organization’s personal consultations assisted suicide, abortion, disabilities, moral tradition as highly sophisticated for people facing ethical dilemmas conscience rights and religious as that of the Catholic Church,” Dr. involving science or health care. freedom, scientific advancement and Furton said. “There’s a great need for Among the most common requests public funding of various research and what we do, not only in the larger sphere the staff ethicists receive are end-of- public health measures, is an essential in public comment and publications life issues, career selection, questions conversation for Catholics to be and educating people, but just one regarding sexuality and infertility, and involved in, Dr. Hilliard said. “We live in on one, it’s a challenging thing to deal resolving perceived contradictions a real world and we have to be there,” with these difficult moral questions that between science and religion. she said, stressing that Catholics need come to you in the course of a day.” “In terms of cases, we don’t get the to be there to respond to “policies that Part of that great need has easy ones – and that’s when they call are going to impact the world.” come in recent decades from a us,” said Dr. Edward J. Furton, director Her role in offering an ethical growing perception that science and of publications for the NCBC. Even analysis of policy proposals and religion are at odds with one another. though the cases the team receives measures has gained Dr. Hilliard “These researchers think you just are difficult ones, and each case is recognition outside the Church as divide the world into objective and different, the NCBC strives to provide well. “Sometimes I get called ahead subjective. We scientists are objective; practical answers to people’s ethical religious believers are subjective dilemmas. and make a leap of faith without any “We are so practical,” Fr. Tadeusz standing,” he said. Dr. Haas added that Pacholczyk, director of education and Other faith traditions and this false distinction mistakenly drives ethicist for the NCBC told CNA. “It’s secular institutions also faithful college students from scientific not like sitting and writing scholarly look to Dr. Hilliard and the fields. “We’re losing young people by journals at the university – we do some NCBC for collaboration and the dozens and the primary reason is of that as well – but our focus is an they see an incompatibility between intensely practical one.” The NCBC’s explanations of the natural science and the faith,” he said. “If there consultation work also is an opportunity moral law, because “we is one area where there ought not to be for ministry and even to provide comfort don’t have to pull out the any perceived incompatibility between for people facing some of life’s most Bible,” but can justify their science and a religion it’s within the difficult challenges, Fr. Pacholczyk positions from a position of framework of Catholicism.” said. both faith and reason. Adding to the confusion is poor Whether it’s a doctor facing a catechism and a misunderstanding difficult choice in treating a patient or a of the Church’s natural law tradition, family weighing their options as a loved substituting Protestant or materialist one reaches the very end of life, the of time because they know I’ll be views of science, reason, and faith that ethicists try to assist and guide those commenting extensively on something drive false wedges between faith and they counsel as best as they can. they’re proposing,” Dr. Hilliard said of reason. Also, misunderstandings of Often, Dr. Haas added, they receive notifications she receives of upcoming the Church’s moral tradition can drive notes thanking them for being so helpful policy proposals from various people to take a position that is “too in life’s most difficult choices. The government figures. rigid” and misunderstands what the National Catholic Bioethics Center Other faith traditions and secular Church teaches, he said. extends its ministerial efforts to more institutions also look to Dr. Hilliard “There’s a lot of ignorance out than individual consultations. Fr. and the NCBC for collaboration and there that needs to be overcome.” Pacholczyk’s work focuses on outreach explanations of the natural moral law, However, overcoming ignorance and and education, as well as answering because “we don’t have to pull out the providing people with practical answers consultations – especially those of Bible,” but can justify their positions is precisely what the NCBC seeks to priests and clergy. from a position of both faith and reason. do. Throughout the year, Fr. The NCBC’s publications also “The Church brings something Pacholczyk travels the country giving have garnered attention within the very substantive, and when people can talks, helping to run National Catholic scholarly community as well. The tap into that they realize that this goes Bioethics Center’s certification National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly back centuries – centuries of moral program in healthcare ethics, and a is an award-winning publication reflection,” Fr. Pacholczyk said. That workshop for bishops on how to apply and major journal of medical ethics, tradition of the Church, he offered, is Catholic teaching on ethics in practical and its readers include major the center’s secret weapon. “It’s a very situations. “It’s a multi-pronged form of pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, powerful thing to have an institute or a outreach,” Fr. Pacholczyk said. and ethics professors of medical group like this where we can sit and no This multi-pronged approach schools. two days working on this job are ever also applies to the center’s work The publications and the work the the same.” 

29 archbishop of Los Angeles, succeeding as its ordinary the next year. Archbishop Gomez has worked extensively in Hispanic ministry and played a key role in creating the Catholic Association of Latino Leaders. He has also been outspoken on pro- life issues, immigration, and the death penalty. In 2008, Archbishop Gomez was appointed as a consultant to the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. He has served in various roles for the US bishops’ conference, including in cultural diversity, doctrine, and Hispanics and liturgy. 

7 Themes of DiNardo, Gómez elected new Catholic Social heads of US bishops Teaching Baltimore, Md. (CNA/EWTN News) delegates to the 2015 Synod on the ■ – The United States Conference Family. Dignity of the of Catholic Bishops on Tuesday Cardinal DiNardo was born Human Person elected Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of in Steubenville in 1949, and was Galveston-Houston as its president, ordained a priest of the Diocese of and Archbishop Jose Gómez of Los Pittsburgh in 1977. He was appointed ■ Call To Family Angeles vice-president. coadjutor bishop of Sioux City in 1997, Cardinal DiNardo has served succeeding as its ordinary the following ■ Community as conference vice-president since year. He was then named coadjutor 2013. He was elected president at archbishop of Galveston-Houston in and Participation the bishops’ fall assembly Nov. 15 in 2004. Baltimore, and will serve a three-year The cardinal was chosen vice ■ Rights and term. president of the U.S. Bishops’ The bishops’ conference president Conference in 2013. He had previously Responsibilities plays a significant role in coordinating served as the head of the bishops’ and leading charitable and social work pro-life committee, where he was ■ and education, while providing a public outspoken against the contraception Preferential face for the Catholic Church in the U.S. mandate of the Obama administration. Option for the Cardinal DiNardo has served as In addition, he has been a member Archbishop of Galveston-Houston of the Pontifical Council for Culture, the Poor since 2006, and was elevated to Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care the cardinalate in 2007. Archbishop of Migrants and Itinerant People, and ■ Gómez succeeded as Archbishop of the Pontifical Council for the Economy. Dignity of Work Los Angeles, in 2011. Archbishop Gómez heads the and the Rights In the vote for president, Cardinal largest U.S. diocese, with more than DiNardo received 113 votes. There 4 million Catholics. He is the highest- of Workers were 10 candidates, and the nominee ranking Hispanic bishop in the United with the second-largest number of votes States. ■ was Archbishop Gregory Aymond of Born in Monterrey, Mexico in 1951, Solidarity New Orleans, who garnered 30 votes. he was ordained a priest of Opus Dei Cardinal DiNardo and Archbishop in 1978. In 2001, he was appointed ■ Care for God’s Gómez had both also been selected auxiliary bishop of Denver, and made (at the 2014 general assembly) by their Archbishop of San Antonio in 2004. Creation fellow US bishops to be among the In 2010 he was appointed coadjutor

30 Thank You, Nichols Hills Cleaners!

The CK School 4th Grade class gathered to say thank you to Nichols Hills Cleaners for their help in ensuring that the coats collected for the City Rescue Mission were clean and in good repair. We appreciate their generosity and community spirit!

Catholic Social Teaching Illustrated: Dignity of the Human Person

31 Christ the King Catholic Church P.O. Box 20508 Non-Profit Org. Oklahoma City, OK 73156 US POSTAGE PAID (405) 842-1481 Oklahoma City, OK www.ckokc.org PERMIT NO. 1302

Advent Penance Rite Monday, Dec. 5 at 6pm

WEEKEND MASSES PARISH Saturday at 5:00 pm Website www.ckokc.org Sunday at 8:00 am, 10:00 am and 12:15 pm Office 405-842-1481 Discipleship & Evangelization 405-843-4766 Parish Life 405-842-1483 WEEKDAY MASSES Prayer Line 405-242-4531 Monday-Friday at 6:30 am Youth 405-242-4533 (When school is in session, Thursday morning Mass is at 8:15 am) Fax 405-843-0539 CONFESSIONS SCHOOL Saturday from 3:30pm-4:15 pm Website www.ckschool.com Office 405-843-3909 ADORATION Fax 405-843-6519 Mondays from 7:00 am-6:30 pm