A Christmas Message from Archbishop Joseph W
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Season of sharing Readers share their favorite Christmas memories, pages 8 and 9. Serving the Church in Central and Southern Indiana Since 1960 CriterionOnline.com December 20, 2013 Vol. LIV, No. 12 75¢ A Christmas message from Archbishop Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R. Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ: Earth peace to those on whom his favor rests!” (Lk 2:14) Christmas came early this year. God The Gospel remembers that all surprised the Church with a great gift who heard the shepherds “were CNS/Bridgeman Art Library back in March—March 13, to be exact. amazed” (Lk 2:18) by what the humble At a little past seven in the evening, witnesses reported. The shepherds exit, Rome time, white smoke poured from “glorifying and praising God for all the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, they had heard and seen, just as it had signaling the election of a new pope. been told to them” (Lk 2:20). An hour or so later, he was introduced The shepherds help us to understand to the world as Francis. He greeted our vocation. At first, they were with smiling simplicity the throngs in bewildered, even frightened by the St. Peter’s Square and asked them to message that reached them as they were pray for him, even that they bless him. tending their flocks. Since his election, Francis has After finding the courage to charmed and puzzled people across the investigate further what this message world, including Catholics. was all about, they met Jesus Christ, His pronouncements and gestures an encounter that provoked in them have served to broaden the “tent” of the an incredible joy. That joy led them to Church, while challenging her pastors be bearers of good news, even as they to remain close to the people entrusted returned to their normal occupations. to their care. Pope Francis’ recent apostolic I suppose that the most precious exhortation, “Evangelii Gaudium” gift of my first year as Archbishop has (“The Joy of the Gospel”), begins with been the election of Pope Francis. I an extraordinary claim: “The joy of met Blessed John Paul II a few times, the Gospel fills the hearts and lives of worked closely with Pope Benedict XVI all who encounter Jesus. Those who and loved and respected them both. accept his offer of salvation are set But, as the pastor of the Catholic free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness Church in central and southern Indiana, and loneliness. With Christ, joy is I thank God each day for the words and constantly born anew” (#1). example of Pope Francis. Here is where the so-called new When he talks about shepherds, his evangelization has to begin: in meeting words resonate in my daily service to Jesus Christ and his saving power, an the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. I am encounter that produces an incredible grateful to have him as a model of what joy. It is only then that you and I will be a bishop should be. able to announce a message that is both The Holy Father has given me a lot “good” and “news.” to think about this Christmas, and his In the coming year, our archdiocese inspiration casts a special light on how will consider how we can better live our I read the story of Jesus’ birth this year. vocation as bearers of good news. What I would like to share with you some does the call for a “new evangelization” thoughts about the shepherds. mean in central and southern Indiana? Here the word of God is speaking We will step through the door that to all of us, not simply those baptized God is opening for us and, like the who exercise ordained ministry. The shepherds, carry a message that still has Mary and the Christ Child are depicted in shepherds illustrate the vocation of the power to amaze those who hear it. the painting “Madonna of the Fir Tree” by every Catholic Christian to rejoice in Together we will praise and glorify God Marianne Stokes. The feast of the Nativity of Christ the Gospel and bring good news to a for all that God will do through us. is celebrated on Dec. 25. waiting and often weary world. But the mission begins with an We meet these shepherds in the encounter. So, this Christmas, I invite account of the birth of Jesus according you to listen to the story as if you to the Gospel of Luke. They are not have never heard it before. Allow the ‘Glory to God the center of the story, which features arrival of Christ to soften your heart the Holy Child and his parents. The and awaken your hope. He is with us in the highest, shepherds, however, are the first to in our joys and sorrows, our victories, receive the news of the birth of the our frustrations and our darkness. He Savior. Having learned the news from is Emmanuel, God-with-us. Do not be and on Earth an angel, they go to Bethlehem “to see afraid to be happy. this thing that has taken place, which May this encounter enkindle the Lord has made known to [them]” exuberant joy and lasting peace. peace to those (Lk 2:15). They bring to Mary and Joseph the Sincerely yours in Christ, “good news for all the people that the on whom his angel had communicated: the birth of one who is Messiah and Lord” favor rests!’ (Lk 2:10-11). We can well imagine how they might have stammered as they repeated the song of the heavenly host: Most Rev. Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R. (Lk 2:14) “Glory to God in the highest, and on Archbishop of Indianapolis Page 2 Christmas 2013 The Criterion Friday, December 20, 2013 Christians can’t be gloomy because Jesus always brings joy, pope says VATICAN CITY (CNS)—Sadness is a weak and waver before difficulties and our sign of being far from Christ because Jesus own flaws. offers everyone the strength to persevere “On the contrary, we are invited to with hope and joy, Pope Francis said. toughen our hands, steady our knees and “God is the one who came to save us have courage and not be afraid because and offer help, especially to hearts gone God always shows the greatness of astray,” he said before praying the Angelus his mercy.” Reuters CNS photo/Giampiero Sposito, on Dec. 15, Gaudete (Rejoice) Sunday. Perhaps people may think their sins are “The Church is not a refuge for sad so great that it is impossible to start over, people, the Church is a house of joy” he said. “You’re wrong. You can. Why? because the Christian message is “Good Because God is waiting for you, he loves News”—“a proclamation of joy for all you,” is merciful and will give the strength people,” he said. needed for a fresh start and to overcome all Despite the rain, tens of thousands of pain and sorrow, the pope said. pilgrims turned out in St. Peter’s Square “This true joy even remains during for the weekly prayer and to have the times of trial, suffering, too, because it is pope bless the figurines of Baby Jesus not superficial, but lies deep in the person that children bring and then place in their who trusts in God and confides in him.” Pope Francis replaces his skullcap after this young boy removed it during an audience in Paul VI hall Nativity scene at home or at school. Christian joy and hope are grounded at the Vatican on Dec. 14. The audience was held for families who have been receiving care at the The pope asked the children to in God’s fidelity, “in the certainty that he St. Martha Dispensary, a maternal and pediatric clinic located at the Vatican. remember him when they pray in front of always keeps his promises,” he said, adding their Nativity scenes just as he remembers that this joy flows from knowing you are Dec. 17 birthday when he turned 77. “Auguri,” meaning “Happy Birthday.” them in his prayers. welcomed and loved by God. The day before, children and parents he Another group of kids wearing white Before the Angelus, the pope said Before the pope appeared at the window met in the Vatican’s Paul VI audience hall T-shirts with a yellow letter printed on each that no matter how big people’s sins and of the apostolic palace, people in the gave him a surprise birthday party marked one, assembled themselves to spell out limits, Christians are not allowed “to be square sang “Happy Birthday” ahead of his with singing and a real cake with candles. “Happy Birthday, Pope Francis” in Italian. The children and families use the Vatican’s When presented with the cake, the pope St. Martha Dispensary, a maternal and blew out the candles. He joked, “I’ll tell pediatric clinic. you later if it’s good or not.” He thanked The pope first visited the dispensary, the children for their joy and gifts, which which is staffed by volunteers and serves included a sweater. mainly immigrant families, before he met Rather than giving a talk, the pope in the audience hall with the families who spent the audience greeting, holding and have been receiving care. blessing the children there. One small boy In the hall, a group of children piled the pope was holding plucked the pope’s large blocks on top of each other to reveal skullcap off his head. The pope laughed Your support is critical to the pope’s picture and the Italian word and managed to put the cap back.