Saints RC Church PARISH FESTIVAL August 1
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New Parish lawn fetes: youth board fun and Western New York members fellowship ATHOLIC 34 19-23 Cwww.wnycatholic.org July 2015 [email protected] Pope’s encyclical highlights respect for creation By Kimberlee Sabshin Staff Reporter For much of June, the Catholic Church and the rest of the world prepared for Pope Francis’ anticipated encyclical entitled “Laudato Si,” or “Praised Be,” issued June 18. The pontiff discussed climate change, the dire state of the environment, social in- equality, Catholics’ responsibility to be good stewards of the We have an environment and all of humanity’s ‘ obligation before duty to promote ways of life that God, if you want foster respect for creation.‘ to talk in religious The day of the encyclical’s terms, to care for it. release, Bishop Richard J. Malone spoke of the importance of Pope Francis’ message dur- ing a press conference held at the Buffalo PATRICK MCPARTLAND/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Niagara International Airport. Members of the Diocesan Care for Creation Commit- tee, a group formed in 2006 under Bishop Bishop Richard J. Malone addresses the media about Pope Francis’ encyclical on the Edward U. Kmiec to spread local awareness environment. The bishop was joined by other religious in their call to protect the environment. of environmental issues, and Franciscan priests and sisters joined him. “It’s really an exciting day for the Catho- vironment. It’s not that it’s all new teaching – what He had created. More recently, St. John lic Church around the world and for us, the teaching of the Catholic Church on care Paul II called to treat the environment with of course, right here in Buffalo, and for all for the environment goes way, way back into care. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, to whom people,” Bishop Malone said. “This is the biblical times, into the Book of Genesis.” some referred as the “Green Pope,” oversaw long-awaited day of the publication of the Bishop Malone noted in the story of cre- the installation of solar panels in the Vatican and Holy Father’s encyclical on care for the en- ation, God asked the human race to care for See Encyclical page 8 Searching for a doctor who is right for you? Catholic Health can help. With just one call, you can access Catholic Health’s extensive network of healthcare programs and services, as well as Catholic Medical Partners’ physician network. To learn more, visit chsbuffalo.org. For a physician referral, call (716) 447-6205. 2 Western New York Catholic Ministry of the Bishop July 2015 Bishop Richard J. Malone greets Bishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu, Bishop Richard J. Malone celebrates the opening Mass of the Catholic apostolic nuncio to Nicaragua, who concelebrated the Mass Media Conference, hosted by the Diocese of Buffalo and attended of ordination of the priesthood which took place at St. Joseph by members of the Catholic media from throughout the country. Cathedral in Buffalo on June 6. Bishop Nwachukwu came as a guest Concelebrants of the Mass included (from left) Msgr. Paul Tighe, secretary of Daniel Ogbeifun, who was ordained a priest at the ceremony. Both of the Pontifical Council for Social Communication; Father Thomas Rosica, are from Nigeria. director of Salt and Light ministry in Canada; Father John Giel, executive producer of the Catholic Community Television Network, vicar general and chancellor for Canonical Affairs for the Diocese of Orlando, Fla.; and Father Michael Mendl, SDB, from the Salesians of Don Bosco, New Rochelle. Bishop Richard J. Malone July Calendar of Public Events Saturday, June 27-Saturday, July 4: Catholic Relief Services delegation to Ukraine and Bos- nia-Herzegovina Sunday, July 5-Saturday, July 11: Bishop’s vacation Sunday, July 12-Saturday, July 18: Bishop’s annual retreat, St. Joseph Abbey, Spencer, Mass. Sunday, July 19-Sunday, July 26: Bishop’s vacation Wednesday, July 29: 5 p.m. Priests’ Summer Cookout, St. Mark Rectory, Buffalo Friday, July 31: Keynote Bishop Richard J. Malone address his fellow priests of the Diocese of Buffalo during the Address, Permanent Deacons Priest Convocation at Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora on June 4. Convocation, Diocese of Toledo, Ohio Photos by Patrick McPartland/Staff Photographer July 2015 Western New York Catholic 3 Till and keep the garden of the world “Tilling refers to cultivating, ploughing or working, while keeping means caring, protecting, overseeing and preserving. This implies a relationship of mutual From responsibility between human beings and nature.” the Bishop There are many statements in Pope Francis’ encyclical “Laudato Si” (Praise be to you, O Lord!) By that are key to the implications of the Holy Father’s Bishop second encyclical letter. The theme of the mutuality Richard J. of the humankind-earth relationship is a primary one. The world of nature serves humankind in so many Malone ways. The pope reminds us to be profoundly grateful for that service, and to remember that we humans are called also to serve the earth, particularly by doing all science. Nor are his scientific conclusions meant as that we can to preserve it from further destruction. authoritative magisterial teachings. Pope Francis never tires of calling the worldwide His stated intention is to invite and inspire dialogue, Catholic community to reach out to the poor with conversation and even debate that would raise the the embrace of God’s own mercy and compassion. In consciousness and stimulate the consciences of all of “Laudato Si,” he begs us to widen that embrace to us to recognize what is in fact happening to our natural include the Earth herself, which, “burdened and laid world, God’s good creation, and, as St. Francis declares, waste, is among the most abandoned and maltreated of our sister. And to decide to do something to protect our poor.” this world, our common home, and God’s wondrous Inspired by St. Francis of Assisi, Pope Francis gift to us who are called to be stewards of God’s draws extensively upon the ecological teaching of his creation. predecessors, especially that of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and St. John Paul II. A final note: While you should not expect much attention to this fact in the secular commentary on Pope Emeritus Benedict is called the “Green Pope” “Laudato Si,” it is significant, and not surprising, that because he directed that solar panels be installed on Pope Francis points out that natural ecology cannot be the Paul VI audience hall at the Vatican, and planted a separated from human ecology, and that authentic care forest to counteract the carbon emissions of the Vatican for the environment is incompatible with abortion. City State. St. John Paul II called us to “ecological conversion,” a transformation of mind and heart May we make the concluding words of regarding our indifference toward the earth with all of “Laudato Si” our own: its problems ... many of which we humans have caused. “God of love, show us our place in this world as channels of Your love for all the creatures of this The Holy Father is already being criticized for earth, for not one of them is forgotten in your sight. including a lot of science in his encyclical, especially Enlighten those who possess power and money that regarding climate change and global warming. And they may avoid the sin of indifference, that they may there is a lot of science. While the pope consulted with love the common good, advance the weak, and care for renowned scientists and other experts in preparing this world in which we live. The poor and the Earth to write his encyclical, he acknowledges that there are are crying out. O Lord, seize us with your power and other scientific analyses that lead to different opinions light, help us to protect all life, to prepare for a better and conclusions than those articulated in his letter. future, for the coming of your kingdom of justice, The important thing to remember in this regard peace, love and beauty.” is that the pope, while making it clear that care and Peace to you! protection of the natural world is a moral imperative, Amen! is in no way claiming any personal expertise in Read “Laudato Si!” 4 Western New York Catholic July 2015 Church officials voice opposition to death penalty By Kimberlee Sabshin A 2014 Gallup poll found 14 per- Staff Reporter cent of Americans who supported the death penalty cited “costs associated The sentencing of Dzhokhar Tsar- with prison” as the reason. The number naev came to a close on June 24, when one reason for support, at 35 percent, the Boston Marathon bomber was was an “eye for an eye” mentality, “they formally sentenced to death after a jury took a life” or “the punishment suits the found him guilty of 30 different charges, crime.” including using weapons of mass “Whether it’s abortion, capital pun- destruction and the murder of a police ishment or war, all continue to add to officer. Three people died and more than this ‘culture of death’ that St. John Paul 260 people were injured in the April II talked about,” Deacon Weigel said. 2013 bombing. 17 of those charges war- “We need to help people to see that, rant the death penalty. regardless of what form violence comes The death penalty has been on the in, it contributes to this culture of minds of many Americans. As Boston death that continues to degrade us as a and the rest of the country continue culture and a society. The death penalty to heal from the impact of Tsarnaev’s is not a deterrent. It is not cheaper than crimes, officials of the Catholic Church SCOTT EISEN/GETTY IMAGES housing a criminal.” have reiterated their opposition to the Among those opposed to the death capital punishment.