New saints Hard as Nails Pope canonizes Youth rallies with five new saints Justin Fatica and Hard as models of as Nails Ministry set for Christian love, Erie, St. Marys, page 3. page 2. www.ErieRCD.org BI-WEEKLY NEWS BULLETIN OF THE DIOCESE OF ERIE November 1, 2009 Church Calendar Events of the local, American and universal church Feast days At parishes sharing a priest, laity takes active leadership role By Jason Koshinskie FaithLife editor a favored or preferred method St. Charles Pope Leo Editor’s note: This is part by bishops to ensure the cel- Borromeo the Great three of a three-part special re- ebration of the sacraments for port on parish mergers and re- their people. configurations. Part I and Part “It’s really a big opportu- Nov. 1 All Saints II were published in the Sept. 6 nity for the laypeople to not and Oct. 4 issues of FaithLife, look at themselves as people Nov. 2 All Souls respectively. They can be viewed in the pew but reclaiming Nov. 3 St. Martin de Porres online at www.ErieRCD.org. their ministry, of working with a pastor,” Father Amar Nov. 4 St. Charles Borromeo In the future, your parish Illustration by Elizabeth Butterfield said. “Instead of watching could resemble St. Basil the what’s happening, they’re get- Nov. 9 Dedication of the Lateran Basilica Great in Coalport and Holy ing a pastor.” ter Sunday Mass, they realize The Official Catholic Di- ting involved.” in Rome Trinity in Ramey. Father Amar is indeed cor- that always can’t be the case. rectory, also known as the While St. Basil has a 272 The two faith communi- rect. Of the all the parishes in They’re doing something Kenedy Directory, shows to 145 edge over Holy Trinity Nov. 10 Pope Leo the Great ties in the Erie Diocese’s the Clearfield Deanery, only about it. And they’re not more than 3,000 parishes in the number of registered Nov. 11 St. Martin of Tours southeast corner have shared St. Francis of Assisi in Clear- alone. across the country without a families, Father Amar calls a pastor since 2005. field has its own full-time pas- Of the 120 parishes in the resident pastor. Holy Trinity a “self help” par- Nov. 12 St. Josaphat Led by Father Zab Amar, tor. Erie Diocese, 40 of them, ex- Statistics show this to be ish. He said the people there both parishes are devoted to “That’s really one ideal way actly one-third, share a pas- an increasing trend, and the take charge of their liturgies Nov. 13 St. Francis Xavier Cabrini their faith. Meanwhile, the to minister to more than one tor. model of sharing a pastor has by scheduling who will help laity is adjusting to new Mass parish: Awaken in the lay peo- Only parishes, not mission a number of variations: Some serve the appropriate minis- schedules while increasing ple their obligation as baptized churches, were considered for keep separate staff while oth- tries. their own leadership. Christians and members of a these statistics (see listing on ers have only one who shut- “They’re beginning to learn “The people are very parish that they have certain page 3). tles back and forth between and relearn and go help them- Confirmations much aware that they are rights and obligations to claim The Center for Applied the churches. Some combine selves understand the liturgy now connected by one pas- their ministry.” Research in the Apostolate pastoral councils, and some and the requirement of good tor to another church,” said While people would like (CARA) at Georgetown Uni- don’t. liturgy,” he said. “They plan St. Callistus, Kane – Sunday, Nov. 8 at Father Amar, “especially in their own priest, their Mass versity estimates that 30 to 40 With shifting populations it, and inquire to me if it’s 10:30 a.m. Confirmation classes include St. this area here. Most of the times to remain the same and percent of U.S. Catholic par- and a declining number of Elizabeth, Smethport; St. Joseph, Mount parishes in this area are shar- to chat with their celebrant af- ishes are sharing a priest. clergy, the model has become See SHARING, page 3 Jewett; and St. Callistus, Kane. All Souls Day Mass at Gate of Heaven Caring across Cemetery – Nov. 2 Bishop Donald Trautman the centuries will celebrate Mass on Mon- day, Nov. 2 at 4 p.m. at Gate of Heaven Cemetery Chapel, 5711 W. Lake Road in Erie Saint Mary’s Home of for the commemoration of All Souls Day. Erie celebrates 125 years By Jason Koshinskie Erie celebrated its 125th anni- Photo courtesy of Saint Mary’s Home of Erie FaithLife editor versary Sept. 20 with a Mass More than 300 people attended Saint Mary’s Home of Erie’s 125th anniversary celebration and reception at the Bayfront The mission began dur- Sept. 24 at the Bayfront Convention Center in Erie. The event included a Mass celebrated by 100th anniversary of St. Mary of Convention Center in down- Bishop Donald Trautman (above) and reception. ing the post Civil War period town Erie. Grace, Meadville – Nov. 5 when the Sisters of St. Joseph The Most Rev. Donald St. Mary of Grace Parish wanted nothing more than Trautman, Bishop of Erie, the reception. and respite care—in a faith- and ongoing, Sister Phyllis in Meadville will celebrate its to provide the elderly with presided at the Eucharistic Saint Mary’s Home is based atmosphere. said. centennial anniversary Mass a place to live. Saint Mary’s liturgy, with Msgr. Robert sponsored by the Sisters of Throughout the years, “Currently, the needs we on Thursday, Nov. 5 at 6:30 Home of Erie opened its Smith, vicar general; Msgr. St. Joseph of Northwestern the Sisters of St. Joseph, the are trying to meet are the p.m. with Bishop Donald doors in 1884—a two-story Joseph Wardanski, East cam- Pennsylvania, but is separate- board of trustees and the ad- needs of the baby boomers Trautman presiding. A recep- brick building that became pus chaplain; Father William ly incorporated. Its campuses ministration of Saint Mary’s and their families,” she said. tion will follow Mass in the home to 15 residents. Fischer, OSFS, Asbury Ridge at Saint Mary’s East and Home have gone through “This was a major factor parish center. Today, that mission has campus chaplain; and Father Saint Mary’s at Asbury Ridge many strategic planning pro- when we decided to enter into grown exponentially to in- Tom Brooks con-celebrating. provide levels of long-term cesses which have served to a major renovation and addi- clude two campuses offering William Minnix Jr., presi- care—adult day services, in- elicit the needs of the times tion project for Saint Mary’s 135th anniversary of St. Bartholomew, medical, psychological and dent and CEO of the Ameri- dependent, assisted and resi- and the area, said Sister Phyl- East. The renovations and Sharpsville – Nov. 7 spiritual care for more than can Association of Homes dential living, personal care, lis McCracken, SSJ, president addition will redefine nursing 400 seniors. and Services for the Aging, nursing care, Alzheimer’s as- and CEO of Saint Mary’s. It St. Bartholomew Parish Saint Mary’s Home of See ST. MARY'S, page 3 in Sharspville will celebrate was the keynote speaker for sisted living and nursing care is a process that is constant its 135th anniversary with a Mass on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 4:30 p.m. with Bishop Donald Trautman presiding. Flu and the Sign of Peace ‘Be a Man!’ What is appropriate? Faith magazine features New book by Erie pastor targets, Letters from Home challenges Catholic men Just in time By Jason Koshinskie for the holi- FaithLife editor days, Faith magazine Father Larry Richards has brings you a a challenge for all the Catholic cover story men out there. of generosity Be a man! and inspira- Father Richards, pastor of tion: Letters St. Joseph Parish/Bread of Life from Home, Community in Erie, released featuring the “Be a Man! Becoming the Man work of Chris- God Created You to Be” on tine Jovenitti, Sept. 14, the feast of the exalta- a member tion of the holy cross. It is pub- of Holy Ro- lished by Ignatius Press. sary Parish in The idea for the book started Johnsonburg, Cover of the Nov./Dec. 2009 issue a few years ago when publishers who has over- of Faith magazine began approaching him. They and put the teachings into prac- seen an army of volunteers sending nearly 400,000 were looking for a book to reach tice during a men’s retreat he pieces of mail to men and women serving in the Catholic men because virtually preached. military. no offerings existed. “I wanted it to be very practi- Watch for your November/December edition of There is no specific way to exchange choose to do so. “I’ve always been involved in cal,” he said. “We came up with Faith this month, sent free of charge to households the Sign of Peace during Mass. Options include a small bow or a nod the men’s ministry, so this was some good questions for personal of all parishioners registered in the Erie Diocese. It is important to be sensitive during of the head, but most importantly, along right up my alley, so to speak,” and group reflection.” Not receiving yours? Contact Circulation Manager this time of flu to feel free to choose with the words, “Christ’s peace be with Father Richards said.