Of Jesus Christ

December 4, 2020 In This Issue ESSENGER M Serving the Diocese of Covington, Kentucky since 1926

2 A message from Bishop Foys: er and to present them to our people for their own reflection, espe- Religious Retirement Fund cially during Advent.” Eucharist books coming What’s wonderful about the book, said Bishop Foys, is that it

Collection touches on so many aspects of the Eucharist. “No pastoral letter to parishioners’ that I could have written would have covered as much ground as Seminary Ball these individual meditations. I also wanted to send it to God’s peo- Last call to register mailboxes for Advent ple, to every household in the diocese, to give them a broader view Allegra Thatcher of the Eucharist and what it means to us. Different meditations will ‘Food for Friends’ mobile Assistant Editor appeal to different people — some will find one or another more beneficial — that’s the beauty of having a compilation of medita- pantry Parishioners of the Diocese of Covington can expect an Advent gift from Bishop Foys — and it might look a little familiar. In con- tions instead of just one pastoral letter from one person’s point of Next stop — Grant County junction with the Messenger and the view.” Office of Catechesis and Evangelization, “I think this book we’ve put 3 Obituary: Bishop Roger Foys is sending families in together is so cool because of all Father Raymond Hartman the diocese each a bound copy of the pre- those different aspects of the viously run series, “The Eucharist: The Eucharist that it looks at, and it’s just scratching the surface of each Christmas Mass Schedule Source and Summit.” The series of 16 articles has recently of these focuses,” said Mr. Cooley. been published during fall 2020 in a five- “This kind of whets your appetite, 6 Wait with Mary part series. Its origins, however, date then you can go and look more Advent reflection back several more years. into that — it’s a great introduc- According to Dave Cooley, co-director, tion to all these ways of thinking 7 Reversed ruling Office of Catechesis and Evangelization, about the Eucharist.” Bishop Foys also hopes to com- Schools to continue the Eucharist series began with a request from the Office of Worship bat a growing trend of many pro- remote learning around 2015 or 2016. “It was an initiative fessed Catholics who don’t believe of the office to increase Eucharistic in the Real Presence of Christ in Coronavirus report amazement in the Diocese,” he said, the Eucharist. “This is a way of especially regarding Eucharistic adora- helping them to come once again 8 Feast of the Immaculate tion. What resulted was 13 articles, pub- to embrace the Real Presence: that the Body and Blood of Christ is Conception lished in the Messenger once a month, spread out over a year. really and truly present in the A catechesis in jeweled glass This year, since the COVID-19 pan- Eucharist,” he said. “Christ is also demic has limited Mass attendance and present within the community 10 Thanksgiving public gatherings since March, Bishop because Christ lives within each of us, and when Jesus gave us the Sharing God’s blessings Foys became concerned that the people of the Diocese of Covington needed sacrament of the Eucharist, he more support in their homes. gave us that in the context of a “The Eucharist is, as Vatican II community of believers, with his makes clear, ‘the source and the summit One of the illustrations from artist Matthew Alderman disciples. And he said, when you Bishop’s Schedule ...... 2 of our lives as Christians,’” said Bishop in the bound copy of “The Eucharist: The Source and Summit,” do this, do this in memory of me, Commentary ...... 4 Foys. “There is nothing that can replace which is being sent to all families in the Diocese of Covington. so every time the community Did You Know? ...... 11 the Eucharist. And there’s nothing that The book’s layout was designed by Father Jordan Hainsey, gathers for the Eucharist, it is administrative assistant to the Bishop. People and Events ...... 11 can genuinely replace God’s people com- gathering as and with the body of Christ.” Classifieds ...... 12 ing together in community to celebrate The book features the 16 articles, illustrations from artist VIRTUS ...... 12 the Eucharist. But during these days when so many people are still not able to come to Mass because of their age or existing health con- Matthew Alderman, study questions and thoughts from the faithful Entertainment ...... 13 ditions, we wanted to provide them with something that they could around the diocese about the significance of the Eucharist in their Shopper’s Guide ...... 13 use during this time, although this is something that can be used at lives. News Briefs ...... 15 any time, and will serve its purpose for decades to come.” “It’s a gift from all of those who wrote these meditations and it’s Bishop Foys decided to re-publish the series in the Messenger, in a gift from me, to put this together so that people can have it readily a five-part series, in hopes of enkindling that Eucharistic love once available,” said Bishop Foys. “It’s something that is not meant to be Missed an edition? Current and back again. Then, he decided to publish the book for every family in the read and then tossed aside — it serves as an ongoing meditation on issues of the Messenger are available diocese as an Advent gift at the end of a long year. every aspect of the Eucharist that these (articles) cover. … It’s some- online at covdio.org/messenger. “It became clear to me that we already had a wealth of medita- thing I can see parents using with their children; parents and chil- tions on the Eucharist that had been written over the years, some in dren are spending a lot more time at home, with this pandemic, and our Messenger, some in parishes, and it seemed to me, rather than so families can use it together.” writing one pastoral letter, to gather all of these meditations togeth- “The point of it is to realize what a blessing and a gift the Eucharist is,” said Mr. Cooley. “No matter what happens in the Thatcher photo world and what’s taken from us. At the very least, we have our faith and we have the Eucharist.” Second Sunday Second Sunday of Advent “Peace or violence spring up in the human heart over which of God alone has power. Convinced of this, believers have always used, against the most serious dangers, the weapons of fasting Advent and prayer, along with concrete works of charity. Dec. 6 Fasting expresses sorrow for a serious misfortune, but also the intention of taking a certain responsibility by confessing our sins and being resolved to turn our hearts and actions to greater justice toward God and neighbor. By fasting, we acknowledge with confident humility that true personal and social renewal can only come from God, on whom we are all totally dependent. Beyond false forms of pietism or manipulative assistance, fasting makes it possible to share our daily bread with those who are without. This initiative has special meaning for us Christians, because we are in the season of Advent, a season of hope in which we are called to devote ourselves to preparing the way of the Lord, who has come into history as our Savior and will return at the end of time as our merciful Judge.” —Pope St. John Paul II, Angelus Address, December 9, 2001 2 December 4, 2020 Messenger

Bishop’s Schedule

Dec. 4 Dec. 9 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, COVID-19 briefing, 9:30 a.m. COVID-19 briefing, 9:30 a.m. Dec. 5 Dec. 10 In his letter to the Galatians, St. Paul urges us to remain steadfast Second Sunday of Advent, Diocesan staff directors in helping others: “Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in Mass, Cathedral Basilica of meeting, 9:30 a.m. due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up.” (Gal 6:9) the Assumption, Covington, Diocesan Finance Council During these unprecedented times, many are hurting and need 4:30 p.m. virtual meeting, 1:30 p.m. our assistance, including our elderly religious. As we approach the Dec. 6 Dec. 11 annual Retirement Fund for Religious Collection, I encourage your continued support. Second Sunday of Advent, COVID-19 briefing, 9:30 a.m. Mass followed by Baptism, Cathedral Basilica, 10 a.m. Dec. 12 The 2020 Retirement Fund for Religious Collection will be held throughout our Diocese on Third Sunday of Advent, the weekend of December 12-13, 2020. As you may know, senior religious were instrumental Annual Seminary Ball Mass, Cathedral Basilica, (virtual), 6 p.m. 4:30 p.m. in establishing Catholic schools, hospitals, and charitable agencies throughout our country and in our Diocese. Often this progress came at great sacrifice, and many older sisters, Dec. 7 Dec. 13 COVID-19 briefing, 9:30 a.m. Fourth Sunday of Advent, brothers, and religious order priests served for little to no pay. Vigil Mass for the Immaculate Mass, Cathedral Basilica, Conception of the Blessed 10 a.m. Today, hundreds of religious communities do not have enough retirement savings and Virgin Mary, Cathedral struggle to provide for a growing number of elder members. Covid-19 has only increased Basilica, 5:30 p.m. the challenge to provide adequate care. Dec. 8 Mass for the Immaculate Your gift to the 2020 Retirement Fund for Religious Collection will provide vital funding Conception of the Blessed for medications, nursing care, and more. If you are unable to give during Mass, please mail Virgin Mary, Cathedral Basilica, 10 a.m. your offertory envelope to your parish or donate through your parish’s online giving platform, if available.

In these difficult days, you may feel as though your generosity has been exhausted. I ask just two things. First, please join me in praying for God’s protection for all our elderly religious. Second, please support the 2020 Retirement Fund for Religious Collection as you are able. And as we offer these prayers for our elderly religious, please know that women and men religious across the country hold you and your loved ones in grateful prayer.

Yours devotedly in Christ,

Virtual Seminary Ball The 2020 Seminary Ball will premiere Sunday, Most Rev. Roger J. Foys, D.D. Bishop of Covington Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. This virtual event serves a critical role in funding the education of the seminarians of the Diocese of Covington. Registrants will also receive a special gift box to enjoy during the premiere. Registration is available until the start of the event and can be found at covdio.org/seminaryball, with more scholarship opportunities. ‘Food for Friends’ adds Grant County to its tour schedule Catholic Charities, Diocese of Covington “Food for Friends” mobile food pantry pro- An angel from the Immaculate gram will be serving the residents of Grant Conception window above the County with food from The Emergency Food northern entrance to the Assistance Program (TEFAP). The pantry will Cathedral Basilica of the be hosted at St. William Parish, Williamstown, Assumption, Covington, raises an Dec. 7, 1–3 p.m. open book above his head in Recipients must bring photo ID as proof of which is written in Latin, residency and must meet current The “Macula originalis non est in te” Emergency Food Assistance Program income (“The original stain in not in guidelines. Proxy forms are available for those who cannot leave their home. you”). The pantry will be available for Grant The feast of the Immaculate County on the second Monday of every month Conception of Mary is moving forward. “Food for Friends” previous- celebrated Dec. 8, 2020. ly opened in Bracken County serving at St. For more information about the James Parish, Brooksville, on the fourth Friday of each For questions about the program or if you are interested feast day, see pages 6, 8-9. month. Catholic Charities is working on ways to serve in volunteering, contact John Hehman at 581-8974 ext. 124 Mason, Pendleton, Owen and Gallatin counties as well. or e-mail [email protected]. Messenger December 4, 2020 3

Father Raymond Hartman ministered with respect and compassion, Club. fostered community through celebrations In 1980 he was appointed assistant chancellor and secre- Laura Keener about her father and Father Hartman. tary to Bishop William Hughes, the ninth bishop of Editor Father Hartman was born Jan. 23, Covington, a position he held for six years, when he was Father Raymond Hartman, a 1943, in Dayton, Ky., and attended elemen- appointed rector of the Cathedral Basilica of the priest for the Diocese of tary school at St. Bernard School. He went Assumption (1986–1994). During these years, Father Covington for 52 years, died on to Covington Latin School where he Hartman was able to draw on his love of the arts and ded- Saturday, Nov. 7. He was 77 years exercised his musical interest and talent ication to the liturgy as master of ceremonies for the many old. by singing in the Covington Latin School pontifical events held during those 14 years. As assistant Father Hartman was the Choir. After graduating from Covington chancellor he oversaw the arrangements of St. Mother youngest of seven children of Latin School in 1959, Father Hartman Teresa of Calcutta’s visit to Covington Catholic High Charles and Clara (Larbig) entered seminary at the age of 16. In a School and her order’s new mission in Jenkins, Ky. While Hartman. The family moved to Messenger interview on the celebration of rector at the Cathedral, Father Hartman lead the commu- Dayton, Ky., from Pittsburgh, his 40th jubilee, Father Hartman said that nity in the development of the Cathedral Garden, the Penn., before Father Hartman’s he knew at an early age that he wanted to Cathedral Foundation and two then-popular lecture series, birth. He was the only one of the go to seminary, crediting his parents’ the Lenten speaker series and the Stohlberg lectures. seven born in Kentucky. strong faith and the examples of his In 1994 he was named pastor of St. Joseph Church, “It was a difficult time,” said brothers and sisters. Crescent Springs (1994–2001). His final and longest pas- Susan Hartman, Father Father Hartman began seminary stud- torate was at Mother of God Parish (2001–2015), where, Ms. Hartman’s niece. Ms. Hartman is ies at St. Pius X Seminary, Erlanger, fin- Hartman, said, Father Hartman embraced the parish’s the daughter of Fred Hartman. ishing at Catholic University in mission of love and community. Fred and his twin Charlie share Washington. Bishop Richard Ackerman “The idea that everyone is welcome is a part of Mother the honor of being the oldest of ordained him to the priesthood on June 1, of God’s mission and Father Ray helped to carry that on the siblings. Ms. Hartman said 1968, at the Cathedral Basilica of the from the other pastors in leading the parish community,” that the large family was new to Assumption, Covington. Ms. Hartman said. “He was a lighthearted person who the area when the great flood of His first assignment was associate pas- found the positive view of life and ways to reach out to peo- 1937 devastated the area; the fam- tor and faculty member at St. Patrick ple to bring people together.” ily lost everything. Father Raymond S. Hartman Parish and School, Maysville (1968–1971). Ms. Hartman said that her uncle found the best way to “They understood what it was He was also associate pastor at Mother of bring people together was through celebration and he fos- like to come from a place of need. Because of that they had God Parish (1971-1974) and St. Joseph Parish, Cold Spring tered celebrations both at the parish community and in the compassion in their hearts and helped to reach out to peo- (1974-1980). While at St. Joseph Parish his love for the arts family. The Hartman family had quickly grown from 7 to ple who were in similar circumstances,” said Ms. Hartman continued to grow as he supported the St. Joseph Drama (Continued on page 13)

Christmas Mass

The following is a schedule of Mass times at parishes in the ing as many in-person worshipers as possible. Parishioners who are at higher risk of having an adverse out- Diocese of Covington for the feast of Christmas, celebrating the The Messenger has learned some tips from pastors that can come if they contract the illness are encouraged to join Mass birth of Jesus Christ. Due to spacing concerns surrounding the help parishioners with their planning. For example, pastors tell online or TV. COVID-19 pandemic, parishioners are encouraged to plan us that Christmas Eve Masses tend to be more crowded. If you Bishop Roger Foys will celebrate Mass at midnight and 10 a.m. ahead to ensure a seat at a Christmas Mass. The capacity for usually attend Christmas Eve Mass, consider a Christmas Day Christmas Day at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption. The each church is listed in parentheses following its first listing. Mass instead this year. If all Christmas Masses at your suburban midnight Mass will be televised live on MeTV. Both Masses will It is important to note that the capacities are reduced due to parish are usually crowded, consider attending Mass at one of be livestreamed from the Cathedral’s website, www.covcathe- protocols to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. During this year, the urban parishes, where congregations are smaller and dral.com. parishioners are encouraged to be flexible remembering that, churches are larger. No matter how you choose to celebrate Christmas Mass, every- like with so many other things this year, they may not be able The dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass is still in one is encouraged to continue to make the birth of Christ the to celebrate “like normal.” Pastors and parish staff are working effect due to continuing illness and health risks from the virus. center of family celebrations by attending Mass in-person or hard to ensure the safety of all parishioners while accommodat- online.

Christmas Eve 5 p.m. 7 p.m. 11:30 p.m. 8:45 a.m. Cold Spring; St. Joseph, Warsaw; 4 p.m. St. Augustine, Covington (200)*; All Saints; St. Patrick, Maysville; St. Philip Holy Redeemer (25) Mary, Queen of Heaven; St. Agnes (270); All Saints (150); St. Sts. Boniface and James (150); St. Paul; St. Thomas* 9 a.m. St. Patrick, Taylor Mill; St. Pius X Barbara (335); Blessed Sacrament St. Edward Mission (40); St. John, 8 p.m. Midnight St. Agnes; St. Barbara; Blessed 10:15 a.m. Covington (325); Mother of God (300); St. Bernard (150); St. Cecilia St. John, Carrollton*** All Saints**; St. Augustine, Sacrament; St. Edward, Cynthiana; St. Therese (150); St. Francis Xavier (60); St. (160); St. Paul (144); St. Rose of 8:30 p.m. Augusta; St. Augustine, Holy Cross; Immaculate Heart of 10:30 a.m. Henry (200); Holy Cross (200); Holy Lima (85); St. Therese (200) Covington; Cathedral Basilica; St. Mary; St. John Mission (28); St. St. Augustine, Augusta St. Patrick, Maysville; St. Thomas Spirit (315); Immaculate Heart of 5:30 p.m. Catherine; Divine Mercy; St. John the Baptist; St. Joseph, Camp Mary (150); St. James Mission (35); Cathedral Basilica (200); Divine 9 p.m. Edward, Cynthiana; St. Francis Springs; St. Joseph, Crescent 11 a.m. St. John, Carrollton (100); St. John Mercy (100); St. Edward, Cynthiana St. Patrick, Maysville; St. Patrick, Xavier; Immaculate Heart of Mary; Springs; St. Mary; St. Matthew; St. Agnes; All Saints; St. Barbara; the Baptist (50); St. Joseph, Camp (100) Taylor Mill; St. Therese; St. William St. Joseph, Camp Springs; St. Our Lady of Lourdes**; St. Patrick, Blessed Sacrament; St. Charles Springs (75); St. Joseph, Cold 6 p.m. 9:30 p.m. Joseph, Warsaw (70); Mary, Queen Maysville; St. Paul; Sts. Peter and Borromeo; Divine Mercy; Spring (220); St. Joseph, Crescent Paul; St. Philip; St. Rose of Lima; St. Immaculate Heart of Mary; St. Agnes; St. Barbara; Blessed St. Ann, Covington (200) of Heaven; Our Lady of Lourdes Springs (425); St. Mary (150); Mary, St. Joseph, Camp Springs; St. Sacrament; St. Henry; Holy Cross; (120)**; St. Patrick, Maysville; Thomas Queen of Heaven (75); St. Patrick, 10 p.m. Joseph, Crescent Springs; St. Mary; Holy Spirit; Immaculate Heart of St. Paul 9:15 a.m. Maysville (146); St. Patrick, Taylor St. Agnes; All Saints; Blessed Sts. Peter and Paul; St. William Mary; St. John Mission; St. Joseph, Christmas Day St. Bernard Mill (250); Sts. Peter and Paul (60); Sacrament; St. Cecilia; St. Henry; Camp Springs; St. Joseph, Cold 11:30 a.m. St. Philip (140); St. Pius X (475); St. Holy Cross; St. Joseph, Crescent 7:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. Spring; St. Joseph, Crescent Springs; St. Francis Xavier; Mother of God; Thomas (200)*; St. Timothy (305) Springs; St. Mary; St. Matthew; St. Cathedral Basilica All Saints**; Sts. Boniface and St. Mary; Mary, Queen of Heaven; Our Lady of Lourdes**; St. Pius X; St. Timothy 8 a.m. James; Mother of God; St. Timothy 4:15 p.m. St. Matthew (100); Our Savior (50); Timothy St. Pius X St. Patrick, Taylor Mill; Sts. Peter 10:30 p.m. St. Henry; St. James, Brooksville; St. 10 a.m. St. Thomas Joseph, Cold Spring; Mary, Queen *Overflow Mass = 5/10 minutes 4:30 p.m. and Paul; St. Philip; St. Pius X; St. Augustine, Augusta; St. later Transfiguration Mission (40) 11 p.m. of Heaven; St. Patrick, Taylor Mill; Augustine, Covington; St. St. Benedict (125); St. Catherine St. Pius X; St. Therese **Extraordinary Form (200); St. James, Brooksville (50); 6:30 p.m. St. Charles Borromeo (35); St. Benedict; Cathedral Basilica; St. St. William (125) St. Augustine, Augusta (90); John, Carrollton; St. Joseph, Cold 8:30 a.m. Catherine; St. Cecilia; St. Henry; ***Spanish St. Francis Xavier Holy Spirit; St. John, Carrollton; St. Benedict; St. Francis Xavier; Spring; Sts. Peter and Paul ( ) Parentheses indicate capacity of St. Timothy St. John, Covington; St. Joseph, parish. 4 December 4, 2020 Messenger

Mary — ‘the first and most perfect disciple’ At the Second Vatican Council (1962-65) the Catholic doc- tors of MNT, considered the return to biblical foundations as the hopes of women in the contemporary world — St. Paul trinal teaching on Mary the Mother of God was incorporat- an opening for a renewed approach to the Marian doctrines VI considered the figure of the Virgin Mary as “the perfect ed into the final chapter of “Lumen Gentium,” the of the Immaculate Conception and the Assumption. In ecu- model of the disciple of the Lord.” In contemporary terms, “Dogmatic Constitution on the Church.” (1964) Chapter VIII menical conversations such a methodology is capable of the disciple, who as “a diligent pilgrim journeying to the of “Lumen Gentium” was entitled “The Role of the Blessed demonstrating “solid fidelity to Gospel lines of development heavenly city,” is called to construct the temporal order, to Virgin Mary, Mother of God, in the Mystery of Christ and in the central Mariological practices and beliefs.” work for liberating justice and charity, and to witness to the Church.” (LG, nn. 52-68) In addition, insofar as authentic Church teaching is con- “that love which builds up Christ in people’s hearts.” (MC, n. Expounding on St. cerned, papal and episcopal teachings after the Council have 37) Augustine’s thought on made important contributions to the catechesis of Marian On March 25, 1987, the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary as “the doctrine and practice in the light of modern biblical studies. the Lord, Pope St. John Paul II issued an encyclical letter mother of the members “Redemptoris Mater” (“Mother of the Redeemer”). This of Christ,” “Lumen comprehensive papal teaching on Marian doctrine and theol- Gentium” acknowledges ‘If Christ is the “Yes” ogy masterfully blends biblical theology and Church tradi- that in the Catholic tradi- tion. tion Mary is “hailed as to all God’s promises As a historical note, Cardinal Avery Dulles, S.J. (d. 2008) preeminent and as a in “Mary at the Dawn of the New Millennium,” his 1997 wholly unique member and the Amen McGinley Lecture at Fordham University, stated that at the of the Church, and as its Council St. John PauI II (then Bishop Karol Wojtyla) (2 Cor 1: 18-20) type and outstanding to all our prayers , “favored the inclusion of Mariology within the ‘Dogmatic model in faith and chari- Mary appears in the radiance Constitution on the Church.’” ty.” (LG, n. 53) According to Cardinal Dulles St. John Paul II identified As a matter of record, of the divine affirmation Mary “as the primary patroness of the advent of the new Pope Paul VI formally millennium,” for “As the mother of Christ she is preemi- Msgr. Ronald Ketteler conferred on the Blessed of our humanity, nently an advent figure — the morning star announcing the Virgin the title “Mother dawn of a new day.” of the Church” in an just as her “fiat,” The Marian theology of St. John Paul II is rooted in a sin- allocution at the close of the third session of Vatican II. gle overarching concept — “that of motherhood.” In his The “United States Catholic Catechism for Adults” suc- “Be it done unto me writings, then, Mary is visualized as “mother of the cinctly encapsulates the Marian teaching in “Lumen redeemer, mother of divine grace, mother of the Church.” Gentium” and states that Mary is “the first and the greatest according to your word” (Luke 1:38), Section 2 of Part 1 of “Redemptoris Mater” concentrates of all the disciples of Christ.” (USCCA, p. 143) on the biblical theme —“Blessed is she who believed.” (Luke Thus, in the light of the direction in Marian theology is a radical endorsement 1:45) (RM, nn. 2-19) These words of blessing were uttered by adopted in the conciliar teaching, theologians in the post- Elizabeth in her greeting to Mary at the Visitation. conciliar era as well as later Church documents have devel- of the Amen Elizabeth’s praise of Mary’s believing becomes a key to oped an intensified emphasis on the biblical foundations of understanding the role of Mary in the redemptive plan of Marian theology. of the human surrender God. Consequently, current studies in Marian theology which St. John Paul II stressed that “(i)n the expression ‘Blessed have been undertaken from a New Testament perspective to the ways of God.’ is she who believed,’ we can therefore rightly find a kind of have distilled a seminal insight drawn from the Gospels, ‘key’ which unlocks for us the innermost reality of Mary, namely, that Mary is “the perfect disciple” of Jesus. — Redemptorist Father Anthony J. Kelly, whom the angel hailed as ‘full of grace.’” (RM, n. 19) In his “The Theology of Mary” (1976) for example, Donal “Mary: Icon of Trinitarian Love.” Section 3 of Part 1 of the encyclical centers on another Flanagan sketched in summary fashion the Gospel portrait major theme, one taken from the Gospel of John — “Behold of Mary “as a hearer and a doer of the word.” In short, Three such documents are especially notable: the U. S. you mother.” (RM, nn. 20-24) according to the New Testament Gospels — especially in the bishops’ pastoral letter “Behold Your Mother: Woman of In the context of the Gospel according to Luke, St. John Gospels of Luke and John — Mary, the mother of Jesus, is Faith,” Pope St. Paul VI’s apostolic exhortation “Marialis Paul II initiated a theological meditation on the mystery of viewed as “disciple, follower of Christ, receiver of his Cultus,” and Pope St. John Paul II’s encyclical “Redemptoris the mother of Jesus with a reflection on the nature of true grace.” Mater.” In particular, these more recent Church teaching kinship in the circle of discipleship, Jesus’ eschatological The title of Marianist Father Bertrand Buby’s “Mary, the documents have integrated the biblical theme of “Mary the family. In response to the praise of his mother voiced by an Faithful Disciple” (1985) sets forth that theme of Mary to preeminent and perfect disciple of Christ” with a relation- unnamed woman in Luke’s Gospel — “Blessed is the womb encompass “the whole mystery of Mary as a person, as a ship to the Blessed Virgin’s role of spiritual motherhood. that bore you …,” Jesus declared: “Blessed rather are those believer, and as the first faithful disciple of the New “Behold Your Mother: Woman of Faith,” a 1973 pastoral who hear the word of God and keep it.” (Luke 11:28) Testament.” Moreover, the paradigm of Mary as “the perfect letter of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, St. John Paul II crafted a theological exegesis based on disciple of Jesus” can correlatively serve to illumine the referred to the image of Mary as the preeminent disciple of Mary’s “fiat” at the Annunciation — “Behold, I am the hand- meaning of the discipleship of Christians in the world today. Jesus in these words: “As a perfect disciple, the Virgin Mary maid of the Lord: Let it be done to me according to your In this regard, in her “The Significance of Mary” (1988) heard the Word of God and kept it. To the lasting joy of the word.” (Luke 1:38) He explained that “(t)hrough faith Mary the late Dominican Sister Agnes Cunningham (d. 2016) messianic generations who call her blessed.” (BYM, n. 78) continued to hear and to ponder that word, in which there linked the interrelatedness of the Virgin Mary’s, mother- The unique role of Mary the preeminent disciple was became ever clearer, in a way ‘which surpasses all knowl- hood to discipleship. She wrote: “In her motherhood, Mary is viewed through the lens of the concept of “Spiritual edge’ (Eph 3:19), the self-revelation of the living God.” (RM, the woman of faith par excellence. In her care and concern Motherhood.” n. 20) for the whole Christ, she shows forth the characteristics of a A year later in 1974, Pope St. Paul VI issued the apostolic Here St. John Paul II stressed the preeminent disciple- true disciple of the Lord.” As “Mother of the Church” and exhortation “Marialis Cultus” — “For the Right Ordering ship of Mary: “Thus in a sense Mary as Mother became the “Mother of Divine Grace,” Mary’s “spiritual motherhood and Development of Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary”) first ‘disciple’ of her Son, the first to whom he seemed to say: reflects the grace and virtue which are hers as one who In that statement Pope St. Paul VI proposed that the ‘Follow me,’ even before he addressed this call to the believed in and followed Jesus in a pre-eminent manner.” Virgin Mary be held up to the Catholic faithful as a model of Apostles or to anyone else (cf. John 1:43).” The New Testament image of Mary as the perfect disciple Christian disciple on account of the manner in which “she In her commentary on the divine maternity of Mary as of Jesus has mapped out fresh parameters for ecumenical fully and responsibly accepted the will of God (cf. Luke 1:38), presented in the encyclical “Redemptoris Mater,” Sister dialogue. The publication of “Mary in the New Testament” because she heard the word of God and acted on it, and Agnes Cunningham unpacked the implications of that mys- (MNT), a study subtitled “A Collaborative Assessment by because charity and the spirit of service were the driving tery: “In her divine maternity, Mary is a figure and perma- Protestant and Roman Catholic Scholars,” was released in force of her actions.” For these reasons, the Virgin Mary is nent model for the Church.” She concluded: “Mary is also 1978. It was the fruit of the National Lutheran-Catholic seen as “the first and the most perfect of Christ’s disciples.” present in the mystery of the Church as a model of faith, Dialogue. That exemplary witness of the Mother of Jesus enjoys “a hope and charity.” Without doubt, the scholarship of Sulpician Father permanent and universal exemplary value.” (MC, n. 35) Msgr. Ronald Ketteler is director of ecumenism, episcopal Raymond E. Brown (d. 1998) had played an instrumental role In addition, Pope St. Paul VI pointed to the Gospel figure liaison to the Messenger and professor of theology at Thomas in that dialogue. In “Mary in the New Testament and in of Mary as “a mirror of the expectations of men and women More University. Catholic Life” (America, 1982), Father Brown, one of the edi- of our time.” In spelling out those expectations — especially

(UPS-403-650) Published by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Covington, Ky.; 44 issues a year Bishop Roger J. Foys...... Publisher VOL. 90 NO. 39 (weekly except from June 1 to mid-August, when published every other week; not Rev. Ronald M. Ketteler ...... Episcopal Liaison ESSENGER published the week after Easter and two weeks at Christmas/New Year’s). Subscription rate: Laura Keener ...... Editor, General Manager M $19 per year; $40 foreign. Periodical Postage paid at Covington, KY 41012 and additional Allegra Thatcher ...... Assistant Editor Official newspaper of the Diocese of Covington mailing office Cincinnati, Ohio 45203. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to MESSENGER, Monica Yeamans...... Editorial Assistant 1125 Madison Ave., Covington, KY 41011-3115. Kim Holocher...... Advertising Manager 1125 Madison Ave. • Covington, Ky. 41011-3115 Advertising deadline: Wednesday noon, 9 days prior to publication date. Laura Gillespie...... Production Coordinator/Designer Telephone: (859) 392-1500 E-mail: [email protected] Editorial deadline: Friday noon, 7 days prior to date. www.covdio.org Subscriptions, address changes: Contact Circulation Dept. at above address. Messenger December 4, 2020 5 COMMENTARY The beginning of the Thanksgiving and the paradox of death The juxtaposition of Thanksgiving with the Church’s goodness? annual month of prayer for the dead hadn’t previously Paradoxical formulas often illuminate important truths ‘good news’ of Jesus struck me with force; that it did this year has something to that would otherwise go unremarked. That’s surely the case The readings for the second Sunday of Advent do, I expect, with my late sister-in-law, Linda Bauer Weigel. with the paradox that death (as one theologian put it) is the are: Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11; 2 Peter 3:8-14 and Mark 1:1-8. Linda died in January after a heroic battle with ovarian can- only thing we really have to look forward to. The man who This weekend we celebrate the second Sunday of cer — a dreadful diagnosis said that was not being droll about the contrast between Advent and our Gospel reading comes from the very she received just before death’s inevitability and the unpredictability of everything beginning of the Gospel of St. Mark. I have always been THE CATHOLIC DIFFERENCE Thanksgiving 2019. But she else in life. Rather, like St. Ambrose, he was suggesting that struck by the very first line that St. Mark writes: “The was determined that the death is a blessing because death is that “passover” at which beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” rotation of family holiday we can offer back to God the life God had given us as a gift. (Mark 1:1) get-togethers be maintained; Doing that consciously is what we mean by a “good death”: It is easy to skip over this line, and to view it as unim- it was her turn and my being able to say and mean, at the end, “Into your hands I portant. In fact, I had the unhappy experience (in another brother John’s to host commend my spirit.” That is, I return to you what you have diocese) of having the Thanksgiving dinner; and given me, confident that, in doing so, I may “cast off my sins deacon at Mass acciden- they did. Linda’s exceptional and put on the grace of the just,” as Ambrose continued in GO AND GLORIFY tally skip this line when courage transformed what his treatise. he proclaimed the Gospel. could have been a grim day The Psalmist asks, “How can I repay the Lord for his It was my very first into a happy one. goodness to me?” And after declaring his intention to raise Advent as a priest, and Linda’s wake and funeral the “cup of salvation” and “call on the Lord’s name,” he my whole homily was Mass this past January 27–28 notes how “precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of based on the first line. George Weigel may have been one of the his faithful.” Death is precious because it is the moment Luckily the Holy Spirit last large-scale public events when we can indeed “repay the Lord” for the blessings of gave me the words I need- in Calvert County, Maryland, before COVID-19 began shut- life by offering an entire life to him, to be purified in the fire ed to get through the hom- ting things down. The outpouring of affection and esteem of divine love so as to be capable of eternal life with the ily without embarrassing from those who had been Linda and John’s friends and Lord himself. the deacon (who, after- neighbors for decades was extraordinary — as were the trib- That many die suddenly and unexpectedly, or not fully wards was very apolo- utes paid to Linda by her children and her longtime pastor. conscious of their dying, underscores the wisdom embedded getic). Father Daniel Schomaker Everyone involved still misses Linda terribly, even as we in the paradox that death is the one thing to which we can This first line is simple pray for her in a special way during this month of remem- really look forward. That wisdom teaches us that we should in its structure, but pro- brance. In that remembering, we also know that, for decades, prepare for death daily, perhaps offering our lives to the Lord found in its meaning. “The beginning…” calls us back to we were heartened by a woman of valor for whose life we as the day’s last act. The old children’s prayer — “Now I lay the Book of Genesis, when we hear: “In the beginning…” give thanks on this, our first Thanksgiving since her last me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should It is a reminder to the reader of the sacred text, that what Thanksgiving. die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take” — may we are about to hear is an account of “creation.” Just A few weeks ago, the Church read a portion of St. strike sophisticates as, well, childish. It is not. In simple like God created everything in the universe out of noth- Ambrose’s “Treatise on Death as a Blessing” in the Liturgy words, it expresses confidence in the truth taught by St. ing and darkness, so too, in Jesus, God, is creating of the Hours. Precisely because our pastors rarely teach and Ambrose: that death is a blessing, a passover to a purified, humanity and indeed the whole world anew from the evil preach about death these days, the words of that great glorified form of life. and darkness of sin. Milanese bishop and Doctor of the Church bear repeating: Thanksgiving and November’s remembrance of the dead It is important to note, that in theological terms we “Death” … is a passover to be made by all mankind. You are well matched. Not in a lugubrious or morbid way, but as refer to evil as “not existing” because it is an absence of must keep facing it with perseverance. It is a passover from a reminder to be grateful, throughout the year, for the possi- something else — the good. Another practical example of corruption, from mortality to immortality, from rough seas bility of offering our lives back to the God who gave us life. this “not existing” would be “cold.” We can say that it to a calm harbor. The word “death” must not trouble us; the George Weigel is a senior fellow of the Ethics and Public doesn’t exist; it is just our word for explaining the blessings that come from a safe journey should bring us joy. Policy Center in Washington, D.C. absence of heat. But I digress. Just as life came about in What is death but the burial of sin and the resurrection of the first creation, so new life is achievable in this the sec- ond creation. “…of the gospel…” What the reader of the Scriptures Silver lining is going to hear is something good. For the word gospel We’ve all heard the proverb “Every cloud has a silver lin- Last spring, we all missed celebrating Mass in person, simply means “good news.” We who know the rest of the ing,” meaning that there’s something good to be found in including Holy Week and Easter Mass. We missed receiving story realize that this good news is a promise, just like every bad situation. We are currently living with the COVID- the Eucharist and seeing our fellow parishioners. We had to those of the Old Testament; note: God never goes back on 19 pandemic, a very bad sit- participate in the Mass remotely. In fact, many of us who are His word. Yes, we as human beings can reject his promise uation. Can there possibly at risk still do. through our free will to sin, but God doesn’t rescind the BELIEVE, TEACH, be something good to come But the silver lining is that we now realize how impor- promise. It is the promise of redemption and salvation PRACTICE from that? tant attending Mass in person and receiving the Eucharist from the sin of the world and indeed our own personal We just celebrated is. How important it is to worship and praise God as a com- sin. Thanksgiving. Many of us munity. “… of Jesus Christ…” This good news of salvation did not gather with family Another silver lining is that some of our parishes are will come through a man named Jesus, who is the Christ, to avoid contracting or livestreaming daily Mass so those of us who are still shelter- the anointed one, the savior, the Messiah, the one whom spreading the virus. We did ing at home or are too busy to get to Mass can still partici- the world has awaited and longed for from the moment the same thing at Easter, pate. we were cast out of the Garden of Eden. Fourth of July, probably We are constantly bombarded by reports of how serious “… the Son of God.” But not through just any man, birthdays, we can’t see our and deadly this virus is and how quickly it’s spreading. but the God-man. The divine, second Person of the Most loved ones in the hospital, Many of us live in fear and a sense of helplessness. Holy Trinity. God Himself comes into our world, he who nursing home visits are A silver lining is to realize that outside of adhering to the is Emmanuel — God with us. And more so. Jesus is not restricted, and on and on. protocols, we can’t control this and that we need to depend just with us, but in us and for us. He is the hope of the We all miss visiting our on our heavenly Father to protect us and our loved ones and world. Deacon Michael Keller families and many of us to give us the grace and courage to live with this pandemic, Let our hearts and minds and souls be turned towards are very lonely. and give us comfort that this pandemic will eventually end. the Lord this Advent season so that when he appears at Maybe the silver lining is that we have found new ways to To help us, Bishop Roger Foys encourages us to pray for Christmas, we will be ready to welcome him. visit remotely, or remembered how the phone works. Surely the intercession of St. Rocco, patron of those — like us — Father Daniel Schomaker is pastor, St. Augustine when we are able to see each other again we will have a bet- who are living in a pandemic. Parish, Covington and vicar general for the Diocese of ter appreciation of each other and maybe forget past person- “O blessed St. Rocco, have pity on those who lie upon a Covington, Ky. al issues that kept us apart. bed of suffering and help deliver us from contagious disease. Some of us are forced to work remotely and miss the per- Through your intercession, preserve our bodies from illness, sonal interaction with our co-workers. and our souls from the contagion of sin. Obtain for us salu- Maybe the silver lining is that we don’t have to see the brious aid but above all purity of heart. Assist us to make boss every day and he isn’t looking over our shoulder. Or good use of our health and to bear suffering with patience. that we spend less time and expense commuting, that we We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.” have a little flexibility and some more free time. Maybe we Deacon Michael Keller is assigned to St. John the have developed better systems to get our work done. Another Evangelist Parish, Carrollton, and Transfiguration Mission, plus is that since many of us are working remotely, we don’t Perry Park. have to deal with the traffic problems from the Brent Spence Bridge shutdown. 6 December 4, 2020 Messenger

This Advent, wait with Mary for the coming of Christ David Cooley elderly cousin is pregnant and might be in need Messenger Contributor of help. In many ways this symbolizes the idea The Immaculate Conception is a beautiful solemnity that while we are all waiting for something great that the Church celebrates each year on December 8. On — the kingdom of God — it is, at the same time, this day we commemorate the fact that Mary was graced already here. with sinless perfection from the first instant of her exis- For us, Advent is a season of contemplation, tence, in view of the merits of her son Jesus Christ, in humility, silence and growth. If we practice these light of her predestination to be his Mother. It’s rather fit- virtues in the way that was shown to us by Our ting that this feast day takes place in the season of Advent, Lady, our experience will be like hers. If Christ is because during that season the mind and heart of the growing in us and we pray without ceasing, we Church are drawing us in to ponder the Blessed Mother. will be at peace because we know that however We first meet Mary not as the Queen of Heaven that she insignificant our life seems to be, from it Jesus is was destined to become, but as a young, meek virgin in the forming himself. We must align our will with his early chapters of the Gospel of Luke. While Scripture and go “in haste” to wherever our circumstances doesn’t say it explicitly, it’s fair to assume that she was a compel us. Why? Because that’s where he wants very young girl with hopes and dreams of her own. But, us to be; more to the point, that’s where he wants one thing we do know for sure is that she was completely to be. devoted to God and her faith was her most prized posses- The ancient Israelites were God’s people, sion. When it was made clear to her that God’s will was dif- called to be intimate with God and obedient to his ferent from her own plans, she doesn’t hesitate. Mary has law. Mary, the daughter of Zion — the nothing to offer the Lord but herself; he asks for nothing else, and she holds nothing back. This year we can all relate to having to let go of our Bishop Roger Foys plans. I remember at this time last year, and even earlier, I will celebrate Mass was making lots of grand plans for 2020. It seemed like a at the Cathedral Basilica of the reasonable thing to do at the time. But, of course, looking back now, it’s hard not to laugh a very non-humorous Assumption laugh at that. Now, right before the big holiday season, on the solemnity of the things are getting grim again and even more plans will be falling through. Perhaps we are on the verge of a long, Immaculate Conception, dark winter. In some ways the early sunsets and the frigid Dec. 8, at 10 a.m. air seem more painful this year than ever before. The Mass will be live-streamed Yet, this can be a moment of grace for us, too. We must realize that we are not in control and that we are anxiously for those viewing at home, waiting. We are waiting for this pandemic to be over. We and can be found at are waiting to hug our family and friends again. We are covcathedral.com. waiting for the spring of new life. We are waiting for things to just be better. But, most importantly, we are waiting for our Lord. You see, we are not much different than ancient Immaculate Conception — is the fullest expres- Israel. The prophet Isaiah reminds us that there will be sion of intimacy with the Lord. When we prepare signs, and that God is with us. ourselves properly and unite our will with God’s Mary was waiting for the Messiah long before the will, we, too, share an intimate union with the annunciation. But after the angel visited her she actually Lord — even as we await his coming. Advent is carried Jesus in her womb for nine months. That’s hard to our graced time of preparation. This year, no imagine. Ask any first-time mother what those nine matter how dark things get or how alone we feel, months are like and they’ll tell you it’s nerve-racking. Yes let us stand firm contemplating the coming of there is excitement, but it’s hindered by anxieties and an the Lord; let us remain meek and humble; let us almost unbearable anticipation of an uncertain future. search for answers in the silence of prayer; and You wait and you wait for someone you can’t see but you let the love of Christ grow within us so much so know is there. And yet this waiting is not idle; there is a lot that when we go out into the world others will be to be done. stirred by his presence. Those nine months for Mary were not idle either. On David Cooley is the co-director and office man- par with her character, she doesn’t focus on her own needs ager of the Office of Catechesis and at all, but goes with haste to the hill country because her Evangelization. CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz Mary is depicted in a stained-glass window at Immaculate Conception Church in Jamaica Estates, N.Y. The solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the patronal feast of the United States, is celebrated Dec. 8, 2020. Messenger December 4, 2020 7

After reversed ruling, schools to continue Coronavirus Report (as of Tuesday, Dec.1) remote learning due to executive order Note: Due to the mandate that all schools transition to non-traditional instruction the Allegra Thatcher COVID cases are not originating in our schools and it is following report includes only positive COVID Assistant Editor not spreading in the school setting when the protocols are cases and not self-quarantines. Schools in the Diocese of Covington are continuing followed,” she wrote. “We also found that the quarantine with Non-Traditional Instruction (NTI) after a periods for cases and close contacts were effective at miti- Positive Cases Thanksgiving weekend surrounded with changes in gating spread. Therefore, despite the rising cases in our Active positive cases: 49 COVID-19 school policies. Despite an injunction giving pri- counties, we had decided our Catholic schools would Recovered positive cases: 195 vate Christian schools an exception from Governor Andy remain open and we would continue monitoring each case Total ever positive cases: 244 Beshear’s executive order, the Sixth Circuit Court prevent- and school community individually.” ed the Diocese of Covington from returning students to in- However, over the weekend, Governor Beshear Schools, Parishes, and Organizations person instruction any earlier than Dec. 7. appealed to the Sixth Circuit Court with a request to stay with active COVID cases: After the executive order from Governor Beshear, Nov. his executive order, making it applicable to all despite the Blessed Sacrament School, Ft. Mitchell 18, ordering the cessation of in-person instruction begin- injunction. The Sixth Circuit Court granted Governor Blessed Sacrament Parish, Ft. Mitchell ning Nov. 23, diocesan schools spent the weekend prepar- Beshear’s request Nov. 29. Covington Catholic High School, Park Hills ing for a complete transition to NTI. According to the Mrs. McGuire followed up with a second letter to par- Covington Latin School, Covington order, elementary schools may return to in-person instruc- ents Nov. 30, explaining that NTI will continue as previous- Curia, Covington tion Dec. 7, provided their schools are not in Red Zone ly planned. Expressing her sorrow over what the students Holy Trinity School, Bellevue counties, while middle and high schools may resume in- will miss during the Advent season, she encouraged fami- Immaculate Heart of Mary School, Burlington person instruction Jan. 4, 2021. The only county not cur- lies to lead their children in the Advent traditions that St. Henry District High School, Erlanger rently identified as red in the diocese is Owen County. their schools would have used to help them prepare for St. Agnes School, Ft. Wright The schools received hope of returning to the class- Christmas. St. Anthony School, Taylor Mill room sooner when U.S. District Judge Gregory Van “We have just started the Advent season,” Mrs. St. Catherine of Siena School, Ft. Thomas Tatenhove filed a 22-page order granting a preliminary McGuire said. “During this time our children would have St. Cecilia School, Independence injunction to 17 private Christian schools that filed a law- attended Mass, spent time in Adoration of the Blessed St. Joseph School, Cold Spring suit against the emergency restriction. Attorney General Sacrament, and had the opportunity to receive the St. Joseph School, Crescent Springs Daniel Cameron joined the plaintiffs in the suit, and on Sacrament of Penance. We would have prayed and taught St. Joseph Parish Religious Education Program, Nov. 25, the district court granted the motion for prelimi- the lessons of Advent as a faith community to help prepare Crescent Springs nary injunctive relief and prohibited the Governor from our hearts for the celebration of Christmas. While I know St. Mary School, Alexandria enforcing the order against any private, religious school in firsthand that NTI adds stress to families, I do hope you St. Patrick School, Maysville the Commonwealth. will be able to help your child(ren) participate in these St. Paul School, Florence Kendra McGuire, superintendent of Catholic Schools Advent traditions.” St. Therese School, Southgate for the Diocese of Covington, sent a letter to parents Nov. Meanwhile, in-person “targeted services,” including St. Timothy School, Union 25, saying schools would resume in-person Dec. 2, with school counseling and academic support, may continue. Sts. Peter and Paul School, California after-school extracurricular activities and winter sports December 7 remains the target date for reopening ele- Villa Madonna Academy Jr. High/High School, suspended until the week of Dec. 14 in an exercise of cau- mentary schools, but only if counties are no longer in the Villa Hills tion. She clarified that as of Nov. 19, 24 out of 37 schools Red Zone. Middle and high schools will continue using NTI (Schools without students, faculty or staff in quarantine do had zero COVID-19 cases. until at least Jan. 4. not need to report.) “Overall, our data over the last 14 weeks has shown that

The Cincinnati Club, The Gardens, The Grand, The Pinnacle Preferred Caterer at Drees Pavilion Partner Venues Cincinnati Music Hall, Contemporary Arts Center, Devou Event Center, Fort Thomas Armory, Freedom Center, The New Riff Distillery, Rhinegiest Brewery, The Center at Fountain Square, Prickel Barn 8 December 4, 2020 December 4, 2020 9 THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION AT THE CATHEDRAL Immaculate Conception window commemorates Pius IX and Ineffabilis Deus Stephen Enzweiler a stained-glass window unlike any other in the Cathedral for a faithful who could neither read nor write. Ordinarily Cathedral Historian Basilica. It tells the story of Pope Pius IX and his Dec. 8, containing a single scene or story told at a point in time, For more than a half a century, visitors and faithful 1854 apostolic constitution, Ineffabilis Deus, which formal- they teach some aspect of the faith through the subjects, alike have filed through the north doors of the Cathedral ly defined and proclaimed the dogma of the Immaculate gestures, clothing, colors, symbols and other artistic sub- Basilica on their way to Mass, confession, to pray at adora- Conception. tleties. But the window Bishop Maes wanted, presented tion or perhaps celebrate a wedding. But high above them, The window’s story begins in 1904 as worldwide cele- nine different aspects of the Church’s teachings in a single patiently silent and framed in mortar and stone tracery, is brations were underway honoring the proclamation’s 50th window spanning millennia. The common thread tying it anniversary. That all together would be the truth of God’s singular gift to Enzweiler photo was the same year Mary as described in Ineffabilis Deus: her Immaculate The Immaculate that Covington’s Conception. Conception window. Bishop Camillus P. To accommodate such a complex story, Mayer laid out Maes was planning the window in such a way that it could be read like a book the installation of – from top to bottom and left to right. In this way, the win- stained-glass win- dow’s imagery follows a temporal progression through dows for the recent- time, beginning in Genesis with Eve and man’s fall from ly completed St. grace, followed by Old Testament prophecies of the virgin Mary’s Cathedral. birth by Isaiah, then entering New Testament time, and Imbued with a deep, culminating in the Church’s formal acknowledgement of heroic devotion to the teaching with Pope Pius IX’s proclamation in 1854. the Virgin Mary and Installed in the summer of 1910, the window is organ- inspired by the ized into five major sections or chapters. In the apex of the proclamation’s tracery we begin with what Bishop Maes described as “the (above) Detail of the proclamation of Pius IX. Enzweiler photo The defeat of Satan at the end of time. Enzweiler photo anniversary, Bishop apparition of the Virgin and Maes decided to child.” Dressed in white and blue Virgin of whom Jesus was born.” include a special (symbols of purity and chastity), Below this are four panels that tell us about four dis- window in the Mary wears a golden crown, the tinct aspects of the Church’s teaching. The far-left panel cathedral that symbol of queenship, and holds takes us to Mary’s nativity, where an angel dressed in pur- would honor the her infant son. Her eyes are cast ple (the color of sovereignty) raises an open book above his Virgin Mary and cel- down in humility, yielding, as she head in which is written in Latin, “Macula originalis non ebrate the essential always does, to her son who looks est in te” (“The original stain is not in you”). “This doctrine teachings contained directly at us with open arms, so filled the minds and souls of our ancestors in the faith,” in Ineffabilis Deus. inviting us into his salvific mys- wrote Pius IX, that they “frequently addressed the Mother To create the tery. Like the introduction to a of God … as immaculate in every respect.” Cathedral’s new book, the image establishes the To the right of the angel is the Virgin herself “beaming stained-glass, relationship of the mother and in glory,” as Bishop Maes described her. The image also Bishop Maes chose son from even before the begin- evokes Revelation 12:1, the “woman clothed with the sun, Mayer and ning, reflecting what Pope Pius IX with the moon under her feet and on her head a crown of Company of described in Ineffabilis Deus: “To twelve stars.” Dressed in blue and white (colors symboliz- Munich, one of the her did the Father will to give his ing purity and chastity), the image tells of the glory premiere makers of only-begotten Son … It was she accorded her by God in her conception without original church stained glass whom the Son himself chose to sin. She stands on a globe of the earth, one foot on a cres- in the world. make his Mother.” cent moon, the other crushing the serpent. “Eve listened to Writing to Mayer in Below the apparition is a litany the serpent with lamentable consequences, she fell from 1909, Bishop Maes of small tracery windows illus- Courtesy of Mayer of Munich original innocence and became his slave,” says Ineffabilis presented the basic trated with fig trees and its fruit. The studios of Mayer and Company in 1910, where the Immaculate Conception Deus. “The most Blessed Virgin, on the contrary, not only descriptions of Two white heraldic roses repre- window was created. never lent an ear to the serpent, but by divinely given imagery and sub- senting the purity of Mary deco- power she utterly destroyed the force and dominion of the jects he wanted the rate each side. In Christian symbolism, the fig is some- evil one.” window to contain. times used in place of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good Farther right, we see Sts. Peter and Paul with their Stained-glass win- and Evil, and is also sometimes used as a symbol for Israel. apostolic symbols — St. Peter with the keys to the dows are essentially The tracery tells us that God’s plan from the beginning Kingdom and St. Paul with a sword and the book of the visual catechisms, was to use Israel to bring man back into union with him, Word. Both are dressed in the colors of wisdom, constancy originally developed and he would use a virgin — immaculately preserved from and faithfulness, kneeling before Mary representing the in the Middle Ages sin — to bear the child who will use another tree (the cross) Church’s faithful acknowledgement of the dogma’s truth to bring it about. and of its ancient origins. At far-right, the story of salva- Below the tracery and reading tion reaches its climax at the end of time in the ancient ser- left to right, first are Adam and pent’s final defeat. Archangel Michael, in the red garments Eve shown in the very act of dis- of battle decorated with celestial stars, stands over what obedience. The serpent slithers Bishop Maes described as “the prostrated evil spirit.” up the Tree of the Knowledge of Michael raises his sword, ready to strike the final blow. Good and Evil and woos Eve with This scene also evokes Revelation 12:9 where the “ancient lies and deception … she bites, serpent” is “thrown down.” The evil spirit which is Satan, gives Adam the apple to eat, and with its green skin and horns, fearfully holds a book with the deed is done. “She took of its the Vulgate text of Genesis 3:15: “Ipsa conteret caput tuum” fruit and ate … and he ate.” (Gen (“She will crush your head”). Even in defeat, Satan has no 3:6) Next, the story advances in choice but to testify to the truth and power of the time to the prophet Isaiah, here Immaculate Conception. dressed in red and gold, colors This story reaches its climax in the bottom section of associated with blood, martyr- the window. Here, Pope Pius IX is surrounded by cardinals, dom and the Messiah’s kingship. bishops and priests at St. Peter’s in Rome. He is clad in gold Behind him we again see the vestments decorated with flower rosettes, lilies and fleur- Tree of the Knowledge of Good de-lis (all Marian symbols). He holds Ineffabilis Deus in and Evil. In his hands, he holds a one hand and raises the other in affirmation and blessing, scroll proclaiming the prophecy proclaiming: “We declare, pronounce, and define that the in Isaiah 7:14: “Ecce Virgo concip- doctrine which holds that the most Blessed Virgin Mary, in iet” (“Behold, a virgin shall con- the first instance of her conception, by a singular grace ceive”). Ineffabilis Deus and privilege granted by Almighty God, in view of the addressed Isaiah’s prophecy merits of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the human race, was when it said: “The words of the preserved free from all stain of original sin, is a doctrine prophets … describe this won- revealed by God and therefore to be believed firmly and constantly by all the faithful.” Pope Pius IX. It was this photograph that Mayer drous abundance of divine gifts Adam and Eve in their disobedience. Enzweiler photo The “Apparition of the Virgin.” Enzweiler photo & Co. used for the Pope’s image in the window. and the original innocence of the 10 December 4, 2020 Messenger

Catholic leaders decry additional federal execution measures Carol Zimmermann Catholic News Service WASHINGTON — A move by the Department of Justice to expand how it carries out federal death sen- tences — to include electrocution, gas or firing squads along with lethal injections —was sharply criticized by Catholic anti-death penalty activists. “The administration’s eleventh-hour push to bring back firing squads and institute additional methods of execution flies in the face of a country that is turning away from the practice of capital punishment,” said Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy, executive director of Catholic Mobilizing Network, who called the move “yet another blatant affront to the dignity of life.” On Nov. 27, the Justice Department published a final rule change, effective Dec. 24, to add to the execution meth- ods it uses for federal death sentences, permitting it to use “any other manner prescribed by the law of the state in which the sentence was imposed.” The proposed amendment was announced in August and posted on the Federal Register for comments. It calls for alternative means for federal executions if the lethal injection drug is not available in the state where the defen- dant is given the death sentence. It also suggests that if the state where the crime occurred does not permit death sentences, a judge can des- ignate another state with those laws and utilize their facil- ities to carry out the execution. Among the 30 states that still use the death penalty, lethal injection is the primary execution method, but some states also use nitrogen gas, electrocution or a firing A generous gift of thanks squad, if a lethal injection is unavailable. As in years past, the people of the Diocese of Covington through its parishes, schools and organizations made Sister Helen Prejean, a Sister of St. Joseph of Medaille, Thanksgiving special for those who were unable to provide holiday meals for themselves. Mary Rose Mission, Florence; who is a longtime activist against the death penalty, said Parish Kitchen, Covington and Rose Garden Mission, Covington were among those who extended their generosity to the Justice Department’s plan to use other means of feder- provide their neighbors with all the trimmings for a Thanksgiving meal. al executions shows the “callous brute force of the mental- (top left) Father Michael Grady, parochial vicar, St. Augustine Parish, Covington, blessed the food and supplies at Parish ity of the Trump administration.” Kitchen prior to distribution to families. (top right) The Parish Kitchen in Covington, sponsored by Catholic Charities, She added the president “believes that he can use force distributed Thanksgiving groceries, Nov. 23, to those in need of supplies to furnish their Thanksgiving table. and kill people. He can use violence and force to make his (above left and right) The Franciscan Daughters of Mary and supporters provided a Thanksgiving feast and more to point. There is no need for these executions to happen.” approximately 550 families, Nov. 24. The distribution was held at the Rose Garden Mission, Covington. The Death Penalty Information Center, which lists the primary means of execution used by each state, also notes states’ backup execution methods, such as firing squads in Mississippi, Oklahoma and Utah, the electric chair in nine states and nitrogen gas in seven states. Most states use a drug combination for executions, but a handful of states, and the federal government, just use one drug, pentobarbital. This year, the Justice Department reinstated federal executions for the first time since 2003 and executed eight prisoners from July to November. Five inmates are sched- uled to be executed prior to the swearing-in of Joe Biden as president Jan. 20. The Death Penalty Information Center said this is the first time since 1889 that the federal government has car- ried out an execution in the time between a presidential election and the inauguration of a new president. President-elect Biden has said he will end federal exe- cutions and plans to incentivize states to stop executions. The U.S. bishops have spoken out against the resump- tion of federal executions and have urged the president and the attorney general to end this practice. The push to execute five more federal inmates before the end of this presidential term is an “unprecedented execution spree by the federal government,” Vaillancourt Murphy said in a Nov. 30 statement. “Clearly, the Trump administration’s vengeance is insatiable,” she said. She also quoted “Fratelli Tutti,” the recent encyclical by Pope Francis, in which he warns against being “obsessed with taking revenge and destroy- ing the other. ... Nothing is gained this way and, in the end, everything is lost.” Sister Prejean, tweeting Nov. 20 about the executions scheduled to take place prior to Inauguration Day, said: “This is a disgrace.” Messenger December 4, 2020 11 PEOPLE AND EVENTS

The evangelization prayer intention for dropped off Monday–Friday at either Parish Kitchen, Divine Providence Sister Leslie Keener is spon- December, as recommended by Pope 1561 Madison Avenue, Covington, 8–11 a.m. or Catholic soring Advent evening prayer via Zoom on the Newsworthy Francis, is for a life of prayer. We pray that Charities, 3629 Church Street, Latonia, 9 a.m. –5 p.m. four Mondays of Advent. Come and take a little our personal relationship with Jesus Christ be time for stillness, contemplation and community. Happy Birthday to nourished by the Word of God and a life of Newport Central Catholic High School, Sign up at Father Robert Newport, has rescheduled its open house Henderson, retired, prayer. to https://forms.gle/mhKucLkJxfRB7SaP9 and she Dec. 19; Deacon Joseph Monday, Dec. 7, starting at 5 p.m. Tours will be will send you the Zoom link. Wiedeman, Holy Spirit The Parish Kitchen is in need of new sleeping bags conducted at staggered times. Registration at Parish, Newport, Dec. 25; and blankets for its guests. Donations can be ncchs.com. Father James Quill, retired, Dec. 29; Msgr. Gerald Reinersman, pastor, St. Joseph Parish, Cold Spring, Dec. 30; and Msgr. Daniel Vogepohl, parochial administrator, St. Cecilia Parish, Independence, Dec. 30.

Fourth grade students at St. Edward School, Cynthiana, have been involved in a fundraising activity for their commu- nity called “Harvest of Hope.” The students read about children who raised money for various causes, and they wanted to become involved in a project for Harrison County. They raised nearly $400. The students Crack the code voted on how to share Fourth graders from Mary, Queen of Heaven School, Erlanger, their proceeds, and chose recently became secret agents! They discovered their secret agent Grand Haven Nursing names, solved division problems that were in a secret code, and used Home and the Cynthiana Finding ways to serve Food Pantry. Students of St. Joseph School, Cold Spring, recently worked with the Catholic invisible ink decoders to determine the location of prize briefcases Order of Foresters and brought in socks to be donated to Parish Kitchen. Members located in the room. Once they solved the problems, they typed their of the second grade class place their donations on the pile. answers into a Google Form to crack the case.

Did you know? tion, came by and dropped gold coins through the win- Bishop of Myra at a young age. Soon after, his Christian dow that landed in the family’s shoes and stockings, identity caused him to be arrested, exiled and imprisoned which were warming by the fire. He had to find for a time with other priests and bishops. Eventually, he was small and anonymous ways to give away his released, and attended one of the first Church councils at Jolly old St. Nicholas inheritance, and he would continue on to do this Nicea in 325. Many Catholics know for other families. People would hope to receive He remains an example of charity, faith and persever- that Santa Claus is an gifts of gold from Nicholas when he passed by ance for generosity in spite of opposition. evolution of St. Nicholas, their house — an early Church bishop some stories call whose feast day we cele- them gold balls, brate Dec. 6. Who was St. which led to the Nicholas and why is he tradition of giving depicted as a jolly old oranges in stock- man in a red suit who ings. delivers presents? The tradition Nicholas was born arose from here of during the third centu- giving gifts to oth- ry in what is now south- ers in an anony- ern Turkey to wealthy mous way that parents who raised him shows them care, to be a Christian. At the while maintaining time, Roman Emperor secrecy. The per- Diocletian was system- son of St. atically persecuting the Nicholas, eventu- Christian people — and ally Santa Claus, it was dangerous to morphed over identify as one. time through an When his parents increasingly secu- died of an epidemic lar culture into a when he was young, he man in a red suit decided, in the spirit of who sneaks down Christ, to give away chimneys to give what he had and donate his presents, but the wealth to the poor the idea remains and needy. However, this the same. Some would have made him families also celebrate St. stand out as a Christian, because only the Christians gave to Nicholas’ feast day on Dec. 6 the poor in this way. He decided to donate his wealth in more by leaving their shoes out to subtle ways. be filled with coins and treats One story tells of a family who was very poor — so poor during the night. that the daughters had no dowries and no hope of marrying St. Nicholas’ story contin- well. The father, in desperation, was preparing to sell them ues when he was made into slavery to pay his debts. Nicholas, hearing of the situa- 12 December 4, 2020 Messenger

Protecting God’s Children for Adults e-mail with 4 documents Bulletin: Virtual VIRTUS Play Like a - Click on pre-register for an Virtual Safe Environment Trainings attached to print. On the day of n Dec. bulletin: will post Sunday, Champion Elementary Coach upcoming session For all employees and volunteers and to request a background the session you will receive an Dec. 6; due Wednesday, Jan. 6. Training: - Choose your training invitation to join the session. of the Diocese of Covington check. Selection.com is a secure n Monday, Dec. 7, who in any way provide a safe site; the background check is No children, please. 6-8 p.m. Note: If your Training Tab Virtual VIRTUS Training: environment for children. posted on your account and you Step 4: Your account becomes is missing or you cannot access n Monday, Dec. 14, active when your background n Thursday, Dec. 10, your account, contact your Step 1: Contact parish/school receive a copy if you request it 6-8 p.m. institution leader to review during the registration process. check, VIRTUS session and 10 a.m.–1:30 p.m. parish, school or institution. Acceptance Form are posted on the Policies and Procedures and You will sign up for a virtual n Monday, Dec. 28, For other difficulties, contact fill out the Application and VIRTUS class during the your account. You will receive 6:30–10 p.m. How to access Marylu Steffen at (859) 392-1500 Acceptance Forms. registration. 12 bulletins per year. You will Virtual training or [email protected]. receive e-mail notices at n Monday, Jan. 18, - Go to www.virtus.org Step 2: Go to www.virtus.org Step 3: Join the virtual [email protected] unless 6–9:30 p.m. - Enter id and password and click on Registration. Follow VIRTUS session. The day before your computer program blocks - Click on Live Training on left the prompts to create an account the session, you will receive an them. column

PAYROLL/STAFF ACCOUNTANT The Finance Office of the Diocese of Covington seeks candidates for the full-time position of Payroll/Staff Accountant. Responsibilities include accounts receivable, accounts payable, cash receipts, Larry’s Tree Service and general ledger, as well as maintenance of (859) 635-8528 or 240-4563 various spreadsheets, databases, and reconciliations. Reasonable Rates — Free Estimates Payroll responsibilities involve assisting with data FIREWOOD — Senior Citizen Discounts Available entry. A practical knowledge of basic bookkeeping principles and practices is essential, and other necessary requirements include experience with Microsoft Word and Excel. Qualified candidates CAFETERIA STAFF should send a resume, cover letter, and at least five Various schools in the Diocese of Covington references by e-mail ([email protected]), fax currently have openings for full-time, part-time and (859/392-1589), or mail to Stephen Koplyay, SPHR; substitute workers. Hours would occur during the Diocese of Covington; 1125 Madison Avenue; school day. Duties include food preparation, serving Covington, KY 41011-3115. and general cleanup. Interested individuals may contact Jackie Kaiser at [email protected], or call her at 859/392-1536.

SCHOOL CAFETERIA MANAGER The School Food Services Office of the Diocese of Covington Department of Catholic Schools seeks candidates for a School Cafeteria Manager position at St. Philip Elementary School in Campbell County, Ky. The position is nominally thirty hours per week, during the school year. The School Cafeteria Manager’s primary responsibilities involve overall supervision of the School’s meals program, including: managing employees; ordering, receiving, and managing inventory; preparing and serving meals; operating the point-of-sale system; and interacting with school staff, students, and their parents. Organizational and interpersonal skills are essential to this position. To request an application, contact Stephen Koplyay, SPHR at [email protected]. Scan and return the completed application by e-mail, including references with contact email addresses and compensation history. Applications may also be faxed to 859/392-1589.

Call Kim at the Messenger for information on placing your ad in the Classified Advertisements. (859) 392-1500 Messenger December 4, 2020 13

“The Last Vermeer” (TriStar) After the defeat of Germany in World War II, a flamboyant Dutch artist is accused of profiting from the sale of a rare masterwork by Father Raymond Hartman the titular 17th-centu- (Continued from page 3) ry painter to number Movie over 50 with nieces and nephews and Father Hartman As a priest, Father Hartman “knew how to empathize two Nazi Hermann often hosted Christmas and other family celebrations at with the people, he knew what they were feeling and he did Capsule Goering. But the sol- the parish hall in order to accommodate the brood. Father everything with a sense of class,” said Father Sterling. dier charged with Hartman’s love for music and the arts would have the fam- Father Hartman retired in 2015. Ms. Hartman said, “He investigating the case ily singing Christmas carols. They would include a trip to loved his parish work and he was so tuned into his min- on behalf of the the nativity scene to sing Christmas hymns. Each year, the istry. Even as his dementia progressed he would still be Allies eventually discovers that all is not as it initially Christmas celebration would end with the entire family, talking about the people in a ministerial way. He trusted appears. Director Dan Friedkin’s polished fact-based including Uncle Larry who telephoned in from California, that the people would help. Even during his dementia they drama, adapted from Jonathan Lopez’s 2008 book “The singing the “12 Days of Christmas.” were such good caring friends who would reach out to Man Who Made Vermeers,” features outstanding per- “It was such a lovely time to foster not just the social him.” formances from its two leads and offers grown viewers a part but also the spiritual part of family living. We got a “Father Ray Hartman was as close to a perfect gentle- satisfying exploration of creativity, the ambiguous busi- true sense of family from him growing up – it was a true man as they come,” said Bishop Roger Foys. “He was a gen- ness of assessing artistic worth and the drive for justice in gift,” Ms. Hartman said, noting that Father Hartman had a tle man with the heart of a shepherd. In all of his assign- the face of public opinion. A gory execution, a brief, non- beautiful singing voice. ments he demonstrated a compassion and warmth that is graphic scene of aberrant behavior, adulterous sensuality, Father John Sterling was assigned to Mother of God so often lacking in our present day. He was beloved because partial nudity, mature references, a couple of profanities, Parish as associate while Father Hartman was pastor. he treated everyone with respect and kindness. He was a milder oath, a few of uses each of rough and crude lan- Father Sterling described Father Hartman as being “very dedicated to his priesthood and to the promises he made at guage. CNS: A-III; MPAA: R. down to earth, faith-filled man. His way of life exuded his his ordination. His passing will surely leave a void in our faith.” presbyterate but we know that the Lord will reward him “He was so knowledgeable about art, music and archi- for his labors among the faithful and his fidelity to the For full reviews of each of these films — go to catholic- tecture — just a wealth of knowledge about everything. He Gospel. May he rest in peace.” news.com and click on “Extras,” then choose “Movies.” really appreciated aesthetics — the beauty of a church or Father Hartman’s funeral Mass was held Saturday, Nov. Catholic News Service (CNS) classifications are: the beauty of anything, he could really take it in. He really 21 at Mother of God Church, Covington, with interment at • A-I — general patronage; enjoyed the beauty of a good meal, it took him forever to St. Stephen Cemetery, Ft. Thomas. Due to the pandemic, savor his food and eat; he enjoyed the food and conversa- the funeral was a private a ceremony. • A-II — adults and adolescents; tion. He taught me how to really appreciate a meal.” • A-III — adults; • L — limited adult audience; • O — morally offensive. Missed an edition? Current and back issues of the Messenger are available online at covdio.org/messenger. 14 December 4, 2020 Messenger

Communities that take their own ‘path’ lack Holy Spirit, pope says Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis said he was dismayed by Catholic communities and groups that claim to be work- ing to improve church life, but attempt to do so without prayer, the Eucharist and unity with the rest of the church. “At times, I feel a great sadness when I see a community that, with goodwill, takes a wrong path because it thinks it is making the Church through gatherings, as if it were a political party: the majority, the minority, what this one thinks of this or that or the other, (saying), ‘This is like a synod, a synodal path that we must take,’” the pope said Nov. 25 during his weekly general audience. “I ask myself, ‘Where is the Holy Spirit there? Where is prayer? Where is the community’s love? Where is the Eucharist?’ Without these four coordinates, the church becomes a human society, a political party,” he said. “But there is no Holy Spirit.” While the pope did not mention a specific country or sit- uation, already in June 2019, he had written a letter to Catholics in Germany urging them to ensure that their “synodal path” was guided by the Holy Spirit with patience and was not simply a “search for immediate results that generate quick and immediate consequences but are ephemeral due to the lack of maturity or because they do not respond to the vocation to which we are called.” The Catholic Church in Germany launched the CNS photo/Vatican Media Synodal Path in 2019. Scheduled to run for two years, it is Pope Francis leads his general audience in the library of the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican Nov. 25, 2020. debating the issues of power, sexual morality, priestly life and the role of women in the church. reforms; some of the suggestions included reviewing the Discussions and negotiations do not lead to the growth The aim is to restore trust lost in the clergy abuse scan- church’s discipline on priestly celibacy, reviewing church of the Church, he said. “It grows by attraction. And who dal after the German bishops’ conference released a study law, promoting more women in church administration and creates that attraction? The Holy Spirit,” Pope Francis that revealed an estimated 3,700 cases of sexual abuse reviewing Catholic teaching on sexual morality. said, echoing the words of retired Pope Benedict XVI. reported in the German church from 1946 to 2014. But some German bishops are concerned about the “If the Holy Spirit, who attracts people to Jesus, is miss- The statistics prompted outrage in the general public, process. In an interview published Sept. 17 by Germany’s ing, then there is no Church there. There is a nice club of and the German bishops held several meetings to discuss Catholic news agency, KNA, Cardinal Rainer Maria friends, good, with good intentions, but there is no Church, Woelki of Cologne warned that the Synodal Path reform there is no synodality,” the pope said. project could lead to a “German national church.” “The worst outcome would be if the Synodal Path leads to a schism ... with the universal Church,” Cardinal Woelki said. “That would be the worst thing if something like a German national church were to be created here.” In his audience talk, the pope said that in order “to eval- uate a situation, whether it is ecclesial or not, we must ask ourselves if there are these four coordinates: community life, prayer, the Eucharist and preaching.” If one of those aspects is missing, he said, then the pres- ence of the Holy Spirit is missing, which risks converting the Catholic Church into “a beautiful humanitarian asso- ciation,” but “it is not the Church.”

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National/World bishops. A copy of the memo was obtained by Catholic News women is not possible while a few people control most of the Service Nov. 24. “Neither the Pfizer nor the Moderna vaccine world’s wealth and everyone else’s right to a dignified life is involved the use of cell lines that originated in fetal tissue disregarded, Pope Francis said. In a Nov. 30 video message, the taken from the body of an aborted baby at any level of design, pope encouraged judges from North and South America and Pope creates 13 new cardinals, development or production,” the two prelates said. They noted Africa not to lose sight of “the distressing situation in which a including Washington archbishop there is a “relatively remote” connection in that “both Pfizer small part of humanity lives in opulence, while an increasing and Moderna made use of a tainted cell line for one of the con- number of people are denied dignity and their most elemen- VATICAN CITY — One by one 11 senior churchmen, includ- firmatory lab tests of their products.” But it is “an inaccurate tary rights are ignored or violated.” “We cannot be disconnect- ing two U.S. citizens — Cardinals Wilton D. Gregory of portrayal of Catholic moral teaching,” they said, to declare ed from reality,” he said. “This is a reality you must keep in Washington and Silvano M. Tomasi, a former Vatican diplomat that this remote connection makes it “immoral to be vaccinat- mind.” The judges were taking part in a virtual meeting Nov. — knelt before Pope Francis to receive their red hats, a cardi- ed with them.” 30-Dec. 1 on “Building the New Social Justice.” The meeting nal’s ring and a scroll formally declaring their new status and was sponsored by the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and the assigning them a “titular” church in Rome. But with the con- New patriarch of Jerusalem says he Committee of Pan-American Judges for Social Rights and sistory Nov. 28 occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic, Pope Franciscan Doctrine. At “such a critical time for all of humani- Francis actually created 13 new cardinals. Cardinals Jose F. must listen a lot, pray a lot ty,” the pope said, the virtual meeting to discuss the work of Advincula of Capiz, Philippines, and Cornelius Sim, apostolic JERUSALEM — When Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa building “a new social justice is, without doubt, excellent vicar of Brunei, did not attend the consistory because of news.” COVID-19 travel restrictions; however, they are officially cardi- makes his first entrance into the Church of the Holy Sepulcher as patriarch, he will continue the balancing act of representing nals and will receive their birettas and rings at a later date, the Vatican said. According to canon law, cardinals are created everyone in the Holy Land. “I can’t become Palestinian and I when their names are made public “in the presence of the can’t become Israeli; it doesn’t make sense, but trying to under- Pope marks anniversary of U.S. College of Cardinals.” While many Rome-based cardinals stand the perspective is essential,” the Italian-born archbishop churchwomen’s murder in El Salvador attended the consistory, more members of the college were told Catholic News Service days before his Dec. 4 solemn “present” online. The pandemic also meant the gathering was entrance. He will celebrate his first official Mass Dec. 5. “I can’t VATICAN CITY — Remembering the three U.S. religious unusually small; each cardinal was accompanied by a priest- become the voice of Palestinians or Israelis, but I have to be women and a laywoman brutally murdered during El secretary and could invite a handful of guests, so there were the voice of the Church ... including everyone from his own Salvador’s civil war, Pope Francis hailed them as examples of only about 100 people in the congregation at the Altar of the perspective. It is quite difficult, because here everyone wants faith and missionary discipleship. Before concluding his week- Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica. The new cardinals came from you to be (either) here or there.” Appointed in October as the ly general audience Dec. 2, the pope commemorated the 40th eight countries: Italy, Malta, the United States, Brunei, the first non-Arab Latin patriarch of Jerusalem since 1987, anniversary of the death of the four American missionaries: Philippines, Mexico, Rwanda and Chile. Archbishop Pizzaballa said it is “essential” for anyone in his Maryknoll Sisters Maura Clarke and Ita Ford, Ursuline Sister new position to try to understand the different perspectives of Dorothy Kazel and lay missionary Jean Donovan. “With evan- all the residents of the Holy Land — not an easy undertaking gelical commitment and taking great risks, they brought food Use of Pfizer, Moderna COVID-19 in a land fraught with political and religious conflicts. and medicine to displaced people and helped the poorest fami- vaccines is morally acceptable Maintaining a balance is not always easy and requires being lies,” he said. “These women lived their faith with great gen- clear about your roots and who you are, Archbishop Pizzaballa erosity. They are an example for all to become faithful mission- WASHINGTON — While confusion has arisen in recent days said. “First of all, you need internal personal stability. You ary disciples.” The December 1980 murder of the four mission- over “the moral permissibility” of using the COVID-19 vac- need to listen a lot, and to pray a lot,” he said. “To have a aries capped a deadly year for the Catholic Church in El cines just announced by Pfizer Inc. and Moderna, it is not strong attitude of prayer helps you also to keep the emotional Salvador. In March of that same year, St. Oscar Romero, then- “immoral to be vaccinated with them,” said Bishop Kevin C.. distances.” archbishop of San Salvador and a critic of the right-wing gov- Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Indiana, chairman of the ernment’s use of violence and torture in the country, was mur- U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Doctrine, Social justice must be founded on dered while celebrating Mass. and Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City, Kansas, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities. care for others, pope tells judges They addressed the issue in a Nov. 23 memo to their brother VATICAN CITY — Guaranteeing justice for all men and Collection in Parishes December 12 & 13, 2020 Or send donations to: Office of Stewardship and Mission Services Diocese of Covington 1125 Madison Avenue Covington, KY 41011-3115