APRIL 16, 2017 EASTER SUNDAY VOLUME 66:28 DIOCESE of COLUMBUS a Journal of Catholic Life in Ohio
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CATHOLIC APRIL 16, 2017 EASTER SUNDAY VOLUME 66:28 DIOCESE OF COLUMBUS A journal of Catholic life in Ohio JESUS CHRIST IS RISEN! 2 Catholic Times April 16, 2017 Ohio Bishops issue The Editor’s Notebook statement on immigration Easter Sunrise The following statement was spoken out in favor of policies By David Garick, Editor approved by the Catholic bish- that ensure safety and compas- The dawn breaks. In the east, the black as one of us. Fully ops of Ohio on Tuesday, April sionate treatment for immi- sky fades to gray and purple, a glow of God, yet also fully 4, at a meeting of the board of grant and refugee persons and pink and yellow warms the horizon, light human, he experi- directors of the Catholic Con- families in need. We continue shines forth over the earth, and a new enced the full range ference of Ohio. It was sent as to call upon Congress to ad- day is here. It happens every day. But of humanity. He a letter to President Trump, dress our broken immigration on Easter morning, it takes on special grew hungry and Senators Rob Portman and system through a comprehen- beauty. On this day, it is more than the ate with us. He grew weary and rested Sherrod Brown, and all Ohio sive reform that improves se- start of another day. It is the fulfillment among us. He felt joy, friendship, adula- members of the U.S. House: curity and creates more legal of the promise that, whatever happens tion, and love. He dealt with sorrow, loss, Welcoming refugees and im- and transparent paths to im- in our lives, we have hope and salvation rejection, deceit, and pain. He shared in migrants is a significant aspect migration. As for enforce- through Christ. our humanity so that he could share with of our American heritage and a ment, we do not advocate for It all starts with light. The book of Genesis us his divinity. We did nothing to deserve fundamental character of Ohio the breaking of laws. Yet, we tell us, “In the beginning, when God creat- any of this. Out of nothing but pure love, faith communities, including do urge for a more humane en- ed the heavens and the earth, the earth was he showed us the way. In Matthew’s Gos- the Catholic Church. Ohio is forcement of these laws in a without form or shape, with darkness over pel, we hear His words: “Come to me, blessed to have many refugees way that distinguishes between the abyss and a mighty wind sweeping over all you who labor and are burdened, and and immigrants in our parish- actual criminals and otherwise the waters. Then God said: ‘Let there be I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon es, schools and ministries. The law-abiding, undocumented light,’ and there was light. God saw that the you and learn from me, for I am meek and Catholic Church in our state immigrant family members. light was good.” Man was placed on earth humble of heart; and you will find rest for operates numerous programs We believe immigration offi- to live in the light of God’s creation. But sin your selves. For my yoke is easy, and my that directly sponsor and sup- cials should prioritize removal was also in the world, and man succumbed burden light.” port these newcomers. to those who are real threats to public safety. Likewise, most to it. And with sin came darkness -- not the But the darkness of sin still pervaded the As we listen to our pastors, local law enforcement agencies natural darkness of night, but the cruel, cold earth. Christ had to go to that ultimate step principals, program direc- we encounter are highly con- darkness of separation from God and spiri- of facing and overcoming the final dark- tors, and more importantly, to tual death. ness of death to make a way for all of us to cerned about increasing trust the refugees and immigrants between police and immigrant But in spite of our sinful natures, God al- join him in everlasting love and glory. The served by our Church’s minis- communities. Their work for ways loved mankind and every one of us. day after his crucifixion was indeed a dark tries, we know of many good public safety relies on trust He did the only thing he could to bring us day, the ultimate darkness, as the very light people who are deeply con- between immigrants and local back to his perfect love. St. John explains, of God was extinguished from the earth. cerned for their personal safety police and sheriff departments. “In the beginning was the Word, and the What pain and desolation his disciples and fearful about separation We oppose efforts to pressure Word was with God, and the Word was must have felt in that darkness. from their families. These are our state and local law enforce- God. He was in the beginning with God. But the next morning, the first Easter ongoing concerns, but recent ment to proactively enforce im- All things came to be through him, and morning, that darkest of all nights was changes in federal policy have without him nothing came to be. What split by the most glorious of all dawns. migration regulations, unless heightened such fears. public safety is truly at risk. came to be through him was life, and Light overcame darkness, life overcame At both the state and national this life was the light of the human race; death, Christ was victorious over a sin- levels, our Church has long See BISHOPS, Page 3 the light shines in the darkness, and the ful world, and the door to paradise was darkness has not overcome it. … And the opened for all eternity to those who love Word became flesh and made his dwell- and follow Him. ing among us, and we saw his glory, the Every Easter morning, we rejoice anew Correction - A story in the April 2 Catholic Times listed an incorrect glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of to the arrival of the light of eternal joy that day of the week for a program to be sponsored by the Sisters of grace and truth.” is promised to each of us in His presence St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity at Confluence Park in The Son of God chose to come among us in heaven. He is risen! Alleluia! Columbus. The correct date is Saturday, June 3. Front Page photo: Bishop Frederick F. Campbell, DD, PhD ~ President & Publisher The risen Christ CATHOLIC David Garick ~ Editor ([email protected]) is depicted in Tim Puet ~ Reporter ([email protected]) the painting TIMES Alexandra Keves ~ Graphic Design Manager ([email protected]) “Resurrection” by Copyright © 2017. All rights reserved. Mailing Address: 197 E. Gay St., Columbus OH 43215 15th-century Italian Catholic Times (USPS 967-000) (ISSN 745-6050) is the official newspaper master Andrea of the Catholic Diocese of Columbus, Ohio. It is published weekly 45 Editorial/Advertising: (614) 224-5195 FAX (614) 241-2518 Mantegna. Easter times per year with exception of every other week in June, July and this year is Sunday, August and the week following Christmas. Subscription rate: $25 per Subscriptions (614) 224-6530 FAX (614) 241-2573 year, or call and make arrangements with your parish. (subscriptions @columbuscatholic.org) April 16. Postage Paid at Columbus, OH 43218 CNS/Bridgeman Images Postmaster: Send address changes to Catholic Times, 197 E. Gay St., Columbus, Ohio 43215. Please allow two to four weeks for change of address. April 16, 2017 Catholic Times 3 My dear brothers and sisters in the Risen Lord Jesus, The Church has been celebrating the Feast of Easter for two thousand years, and even if, in the providence of God, we cel- ebrate it for another two thousand years, each time we shall rejoice over the day of resurrection, new and fresh. This greatest day in the Christian calendar is always a gift of new life and fresh beginnings. It is a celebration of victory over the power of sin and death, hatred and violence. It is the tri- umph of divine love. In the resurrection, we see that through His Cross Christ has revealed for us the heart of God, full of compassion and life everlasting. Jesus Christ is risen and alive to every generation of believers. He continuously offers us an authentic encounter with God’s saving truth, supreme goodness, and compelling beauty, suf- fusing all of nature. The risen Lord fulfilled His promise to be with us for all the ages in His gift of the Holy Eucharist. Here we can hear His Word and experience His real presence. In His Body and Blood, the risen Lord offers us sustenance for the journey to the everlasting Kingdom. Here the power of the Lord’s dying and rising continues to awaken human hearts and minds to the God who is a God of life and love. It is my prayer that the risen Lord lift up your minds and hearts this Easter and bring to everlasting life. Bishop Frederick F. Campbell Bishop of Columbus BISHOPS, continued from Page 2 Ohio does not benefit from sepa- increased use of enforcement in im- should there be a need. However, youth by ensuring that these rating good families and traumatiz- migrant communities is the way to the temporary shutdown of all refu- individuals, who were brought to ing children in our schools who each achieve those goals. Instead, we remain gee admissions, and the more than the United States as children and day live in fear of finding that their firm in our commitment to compre- 60 percent reduction in the number are contributing so much to our mothers or fathers are no longer at hensive, compassionate, and common- of refugees who can be resettled, cre- nation, can continue to live their home to greet them.