The Steubenville

www.diosteub.org REGISTER Vol. 76, No. 24 Serving 13 counties in southeast ohio JULY 23, 2021 Bishop names Father Erickson vocations director Official

Diocese of Steubenville Bishop Jeffrey M. Monforton assigned Permanent Deacon Stephen T. Frezza to serve as deacon at the Wintersville parishes of Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady of Lourdes. The temporary assignment is in effect until Nov. 30. Deacon Frezza will remain incardinated in the Diocese of Erie, Pennsylvania, during his temporary assignment. News Briefs Artwork depicts Divine Mercy

Father Joshua D. Erickson, pictured in the left photo, is the new director of vocations for the Diocese of Steubenville, replacing Father Michael W. Gossett, pictured in the right photo. (Photo by DiCenzo; file photo) By Matthew A. DiCenzo Father Gossett, who is pastor of Blessed Sacrament and Staff writer Our Lady of Lourdes parishes, Wintersville, reflected on his ST. CLAIRSVILLE — On July 1, Father Joshua D. tenure as director of vocations, stating: “I didn’t fully know Erickson began two new assignments. He was appointed what I was getting into when Bishop Monforton asked me to by Steubenville Bishop Jeffrey M. Monforton to serve as be the director of vocations. I was excited to speak about the parochial vicar to Father Thomas A. Chillog, pastor of St. priesthood and do what I could to encourage young men in Mary Parish, St. Clairsville, and St. Frances Cabrini Parish, our diocese to think about the possibility. The actual assign- Colerain, and director of vocations for the Diocese of ment was much more challenging, but also more important Steubenville. than I initially knew.” As director of vocations, Father Erickson replaces Father Father Gossett said it was a “privilege” getting to know the Michael W. Gossett. Father Gossett served as director for seminarians and “to see them be ordained.” He added, “I will nearly seven years. To Page 3 Pope accepts resignation of Bishop Roger Foys WASHINGTON (CNS) — Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop Roger J. Foys of Covington, Kentucky, and named as his successor Father John C. Iffert, currently vicar general and moderator of the curia for the Diocese of Artwork depicting the Divine Mercy is Belleville, Illinois. pictured at St. Anthony’s Church in North “Bishop-elect Iffert comes to a diocese of dedicated priests, Beach, Maryland, July 15. (CNS photo/Bob deacons, consecrated religious and devoted lay faithful. I am Roller) confident that he will receive a warm welcome as he takes up his ministry among us. For my part, I pledge him my Two church statues are destroyed prayerful support and loyalty as a brother bishop and I look QUEENS, N.Y. (CNS) — Two religious statues forward to his leadership among us,” said Bishop Foys. displayed outside Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Bishop Foys was ordained in 1973 at Holy Name Church in the New York borough of Queens Cathedral, Steubenville, by Bishop John King Mussio. were destroyed in an act of vandalism in the early He served the Diocese of Steubenville for nearly 30 years, morning hours of July 17. including 20 years as vicar general from 1982-2002. (Courtesy/Twitter photo) The damaged statues included one of Mary Some of Bishop Foys’ assignments in the Steubenville Bishop Roger J. Foys and one of St. Therese Lisieux, known as “the Diocese included pastor of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Bishop-designate Iffert “brings a wonderful background in Little Flower.” A news release from the Diocese Joseph parishes, Toronto; Servants of Christ the King ministry” as well as a “great pastoral heart” and “excellent of Brooklyn said the statues were dragged 180 Fellowship Parish, Steubenville; Christ the King Mission, pastoral experience” in succeeding Bishop Foys, he said. feet from the church across, where they were Tappan Lake; St. Matthias Mission, Freeport; and Nativity Archbishop Kurtz said Bishop Foys “has served northern smashed with a hammer. Earlier in the week, on of Our Lord Mission, Hammondsville. Kentucky with great distinction, and I join with the bishops the evening of July 14, the statues “were toppled He was also the diocesan finance officer, moderator of the of the province in thanking him for his leadership and col- over but were not damaged,” the diocese said. curia, vicar for priests, coordinator of the Diocesan/Parish laboration since 2002.” “The individual involved in both acts of van- Share Campaign and director of the Office of Vocations. The bishops of the province of Louisville, which includes dalism is believed to be the same person. Both Bishop Foys, who has headed the Diocese of Covington for Kentucky and Tennessee, “have a great fraternity,” he added, of these statues have stood in front of the church the past 19 years, is 75, the age at which canon law requires and together welcome Bishop-designate Iffert and “promise since it was built” in 1937, said Father Frank bishops to turn in their resignation to the pope. The bishop him and Bishop Foys our prayerful support.” Schwarz, pastor. “It is heartbreaking, but sadly turns 76 July 27. The 53-year-old bishop-designate was ordained a priest for it is becoming more and more common these The changes were announced July 13 in Washington by the Belleville Diocese in 1997, by Bishop Wilton D. Gregory. days,” he said in a statement. “I pray that this Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio. Father Iffert will be ordained and installed as the bishop recent rash of attacks against Catholic churches Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky, of Covington Sept. 30 in the Cathedral Basilica of the and all houses of worship will end, and religious welcomed the appointment of a new shepherd for the state Assumption in Covington. tolerance may become more a part of our society.” “with great joy.” The Diocese of Covington serves about 90,000 Catholics. 2 THE STEUBENVILLE REGISTER JULY 23, 2021 After being released from hospital, Pope Francis prays at Rome basilica By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Ten days after undergoing intestinal surgery, Pope Francis was released from Rome’s Gemelli hospital, the Vatican confirmed. In a statement released July 14, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said that after leaving the hospital midmorning, the pope visited the Basilica of St. Mary Major to say a prayer of gratitude before the icon of “Salus Populi Romani” (health of the Roman people). The pope thanked Mary “for the success of his surgery and offered a prayer for all the sick, especially those he had met during his stay in hospital,” the statement said. After praying at the basilica, the pope returned to his Vatican residence, the Domus Sanctae Marthae, Bruni said. The pope was admitted to Gemelli hospi- Pope Francis prays in front of the tal in the early afternoon July 4 to undergo Marian icon “Salus Populi Romani” “a scheduled surgical intervention for a Pope Francis greets police officers before entering the Vatican after being at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in symptomatic diverticular stenosis of the discharged from Rome’s Gemelli hospital following his recovery from colon Rome July 14. The pope visited the colon.” surgery in this screengrab taken from a video July 14. (CNS photo/Cristiano basilica after his release from the He underwent a three-hour left Corvino, Reuters TV screengrab) hospital. (CNS photo/Vatican Media) hemicolectomy, which is the removal of the descending part of the colon, a surgery that his medical and rehabilitation therapy.” important good health care is” and that Francis visited Gemelli’s pediatric oncol- can be recommended to treat diverticulitis, During his stay, the pope continued free, universal health care, especially for ogy ward, which also is on the 10th floor, when bulging pouches in the lining of the working and spent time visiting patients the most vulnerable, is a “precious benefit and greeted the young patients, their fami- intestine or colon become inflamed or at the hospital. (that) must not be lost.” lies and the staff. infected. In his Sunday Angelus address July 11 “It needs to be kept,” the pope said. “And While Pope Francis usually takes July Initially expected to remain in the hospi- from the 10th floor balcony of his suite of for this, everyone needs to be committed as his vacation month, the pontiff led the tal for seven days, the Vatican said July 12 rooms at the hospital, Pope Francis said because it helps everyone and requires recitation of the Angelus July 18 and will that the pope would “remain hospitalized his time in the hospital gave him the op- everyone’s contribution.” celebrate Mass July 25, the first World Day for a few more days in order to optimize portunity to experience “once again how The evening before his release, Pope for Grandparents and the Elderly. Pope Francis prays for victims of German floods as death toll rises By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis of- fered prayers and expressed his closeness with the people of Germany after severe flooding in the western part of the coun- try claimed the lives of nearly 200 people as of July 19. “His Holiness remembers in prayer those who lost their lives and expresses to their families his deepest sympathy,” said a telegram sent by Cardinal Pietro Paro- lin, Vatican secretary of state, to German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. “He prays especially for those who are still missing, for the injured and for those who have suffered damage or lost their property due to the forces of nature,” said the message, which was released by the Vatican July 15. A series of severe rainstorms also struck other countries in Europe, including Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland and Luxembourg, causing massive flooding and mudslides that leveled homes and buildings. Floodwaters are seen in front of businesses in Erftstadt, Germany, July 16. Pope Francis offered prayers and ex- In Germany, authorities had confirmed pressed his closeness to the people the death of least 100 people by July 16. of Germany after severe flooding While rescue workers continue working to in the western part of the country save people stranded on rooftops, an esti- claimed nearly 200 lives. (CNS photo/ mated 1,300 people remain unaccounted Thilo Schmuelgen, Reuters) for, The New York Times reported. Bishop Georg Bätzing of Limburg, presi- “My heartfelt thanks and all my respect dent of the German bishops’ conference, go to all those who have been tirelessly also issued a statement July 15, expressing and selflessly providing help since yes- his hope that the missing “will be found terday, often risking their own lives in the unharmed, and that all those in need, who process,” Bishop Bätzing said, especially, have lost their belongings or the roof over “the rescue workers, the fire department, their heads, will receive comfort, hope and the police and all the people who help and help.” stand by others.” THE STEUBENVILLE REGISTER JULY 23, 2021 3

Bishop names Bishop Monforton’s Schedule From Page 1 has “essential foundations to priestly spirituality.” Father always particularly remember being a part of my brother, Erickson added, “If a guy has a call, this may be the kind Father Matthew’s (W.J. Gossett) ordination, and affirming of thing that may resonate with his heart.” The patron of July to the bishop that he should be a priest.” The former the group is St. John Bosco. Father Erickson said they 24 Mass, Holy Rosary Church, Steubenville, 4 p.m., director continued: “Some of my favorite moments as call themselves the “Bosco Boys” and the group is open livestreamed and recorded (Triumph of the Cross vocations director were spent on our annual to men who are teenagers or young adults. Parish and diocesan Facebook pages) summer retreats where the seminarians got He encourages young men in the diocese 25 Youth Conference Mass, Finnegan Fieldhouse, to spend time together, and we all got to to join them. Franciscan University of Steubenville, 10:15 a.m. interact in a less formal environment. It was Father Erickson was ordained to the 26 Mass, Holy Rosary Church, Steubenville, 8:30 a.m. around campfires and cooking together that priesthood May 18, 2018, and his assistant 27 Mass, Holy Rosary Church, Steubenville, 7 a.m. I really got to see them more clearly.” directors were both ordained within the past 28 Mass, Holy Rosary Church, Steubenville, 8:30 a.m. Father Gossett further reflected: “Over few years. He said one of the advantages 31 Mass, Holy Rosary Church, Steubenville, 4 p.m., the almost seven years in this assignment, I of being the younger priests of the diocese livestreamed and recorded (Triumph of the Cross got to see how important it is that we in the and being in these positions is that they Parish and diocesan Facebook pages) Diocese of Steubenville always encourage are closer in age with the seminarians and August our brothers and sisters who feel that God young men considering the priesthood and 1 Mass, Holy Rosary Church, Steubenville, 10 a.m. is calling them to serve his people in the understand “the generational stuff a little 3 Mass and visit with seminarians, 8 a.m. priesthood or religious life. All of us have better.” Father Erickson said, for example, 4 Mass, Holy Rosary Church, Steubenville, 8:30 a.m. a vocation and it shouldn’t be a rare thing at the “Bosco Boys” group, you may have a Radio segment, WDEO 990 AM, 10:15 a.m. for someone to consider being a priest, (Photo provided) young man “who is 17 or 18 years old and 5 Mass, Holy Rosary Church, Steubenville, 7 a.m. or a brother, or sister. While one priest is St. John Bosco a priest who is 28.” He gave the example WAOB radio segment, 7:40 a.m., 8:40 a.m. and given the assignment of being director of of throwing a football with them, which he 6:40 p.m. vocations, it is every Catholic’s responsibility to help each thinks is “very good,” since it “shows the human side of Eucharistic Adoration, Blessed Sacrament Church, other in hearing and following God’s will. I’m thankful for priests that young men don’t see.” Wintersville, 7 p.m. having been able to be a part of forming priests who will Father Erickson also discussed his own personal voca- 6 Mass, Franciscan Sisters Third Order Regular of serve God’s people in this diocese for years to come.” tion. He said he wanted to become a priest because he Penance of the Sorrowful Mother motherhouse, Father Erickson was one of those priests who Father “thought it would be the life that brings the most fulfill- Toronto, 7:15 a.m. Gossett helped guide during his time as director of ment.” He said he was following God’s plan, which he 7 Mass, Holy Rosary Church, Steubenville, 4 p.m., vocations. Father Erickson explained what Father Gossett noted is the best chance of being happy in life. He said the livestreamed and recorded (Triumph of the Cross means to him: “He’s fantastic. ... When I was a seminarian, last three years have been “awesome” but also “very chal- Parish and diocesan Facebook pages) he was one of the first people I talked to. From the get-go, lenging,” and how much of a joy it is to see “God working he was a real positive (influence). (He’s) someone who I in people’s lives.” He said as a priest, your “normal job is to really look up to, someone who I admire.” be at those moments in people’s lives that only come once Bishops aid European churches He added, “For a guy who is in the middle of the dis- in a lifetime for them.” He gave the example of baptisms WASHINGTON — Catholic dioceses that are struggling cernment process, everything can feel so up in the air and and weddings, but also anointing people before they die. to recover from decades of communist persecution will unknown, and to talk to someone who’s just normal, real, He said, “I’m called to bring Jesus to people’s hearts. What receive $3.56 million for ministry and outreach thanks to easily relatable and down to earth, and clearly has a love more meaningful thing is that?” the generosity of American Catholics to the annual collec- for God as well – he was great.” Father Erickson added, If someone is considering the priesthood, but is not tion for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe. “He’s been a great help so far.” sure, Father Erickson said he would say: “Keep in mind The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Subcommit- Prior to his assignment as director of vocations, Father that none of us feel worthy, because we’re not. It’s a call tee on Aid to the Church in Central and Eastern Europe Erickson served as an assistant director of vocations under to something divine, and we’re merely human, but that’s awarded 208 grants to dioceses in 23 nations. Father Gossett. OK. It’s that old saying: ‘God doesn’t call the qualified; “The Catholics of Central and Eastern Europe kept As the director, Father Erickson has a goal of “raising he qualifies the called.’ God doesn’t call us because we the faith alive in the darkest of times, at great peril to awareness of vocations” and putting “more young men in are so great; he gives us the grace to make us able to do themselves, and endeavor to pass that very same faith on contact with priests.” He mentioned how he and his two what he called us to do. Secondly, any fears or hesitations to their children,” said Bishop Jeffrey M. Monforton of assistant directors – Father Nicholas V. Ginnetti and Father that you may feel with this, that’s perfectly normal, too. Steubenville, chairman of the subcommittee. Nicholas S. Ward – would like to visit the diocesan Catholic It means you have a pulse. That means you are actually “Catholics who have given to this collection are reaching schools. He also has been considering the idea of visiting thinking about what it means. That’s OK also, but keep in out in love to aid their brothers and sisters who suffered so diocesan parishes and preaching during their weekend mind, God is never outdone in generosity, so whatever we much for their faith and are helping a new generation to Masses. If so, Father Erickson noted that he would need give up, or whatever we give him, or whatever we let go grow spiritually in very difficult circumstances. Parishes to coordinate the visits with the pastors. In addition, he of, he never allows us to give up more than he gives us.” are being renewed and bonds of love are formed between mentioned he would like to take young men considering Father Erickson also discussed the challenges of en- Catholics on opposite sides of the world.” the priesthood to the seminary so they could see what that couraging those to enter the priesthood. He said it is “very Several examples of the projects being supported by the is like as well. difficult” to encourage young men. He said in today’s grants are: Already, Father Erickson has begun what he describes as culture, “the priest isn’t exactly held up as something he- • Revitalizing parish life in the Czech Republic by help- a prayer, vocation and formation group for young men. The roic,” other than in Catholic circles. He also noted how the ing clergy and lay leaders better respond to spiritual needs group meets at Blessed Sacrament Church, Mondays, at scandals make it a challenge, and the “culture is becoming in their communities; 6:30 p.m. He said the evening includes praying the rosary, less and less Christian.” He said the division and fighting • Funding for a cathedral and pastoral center in Bishkek, Eucharistic Holy Hour, confessions, time for silent prayer in the church makes it “hard to encourage someone to go the capital of Kyrgyzstan; and and the Liturgy of the Hours. He said diocesan seminarians into a field where it doesn’t feel like a very united front.” • Promoting the development of pro-life ministries in five and priests are in attendance. Father Erickson explained, Father Erickson stated: “God is the God of miracles. He nations. “My basic idea there is teaching them not just that they can speak to a guy’s heart, even in our culture.” “The gifts of Catholics here in the U.S. to their sisters and should pray, but teaching them how to pray, because that For additional information about the Office of Vocations brothers in Central and Eastern Europe will save lives, help is what’s going to be able to open a guy’s heart to hearing in the Diocese of Steubenville or anyone interested in the people discover Jesus, and allow the church that emerged a possible call. If you don’t know how to talk to God or priesthood, contact Father Erickson at jerickson@diosteub. from the catacombs to give witness to the power of the hear him, you never are going to hear it.” He said, “It’s also org. Resurrection,” Bishop Monforton said. good because they get to see that priests and seminarians are actually normal people.” Father Erickson said after the Holy Hour, they eat a meal and play a sport. He said it Liberty Bank “Serving the Community Since 1896” 314 Park Ave., Ironton (740) 532-2856 • (740) 886-9491 www.libbk.com

FDIC 4 THE STEUBENVILLE REGISTER JULY 23, 2021 GriefShare sessions will begin in August at Blessed Sacrament Church WINTERSVILLE — Next month, held from 10 a.m.-noon, Aug. 7, at Lower a.m.-noon, Aug. 14. There is no cost for available; we don’t want anyone to feel GriefShare, a discussion group for those Sargus Hall. Anyone unable to attend can this session. they can’t come because of the fee.” grieving the loss of loved ones, will be of- telephone Young at (740) 264-9948 or Don The regular 13-week sessions, which A second stand-alone session, “Surviv- fered again by Blessed Sacrament and Our Heiss (740) 264-1823. They can also email include a video seminar, group discussions ing the Holidays,” will take place Nov. 20, Lady of Lourdes parishes, Wintersville. [email protected]. and personal study and reflection, begin from 10 a.m.-noon. This session “deals Dolly Young, one of the moderators of When describing GriefShare’s impact Aug. 21 and run through Nov. 13. The with how to cope with the holidays and the program and a parishioner of Blessed on the participants, Young said: “They sessions will take place from 10 a.m.-noon. decrease your stress in the process.” There Sacrament Parish, said: “We are preparing will find it to be a warm, caring environ- Young noted each session is not dependent is no cost for this session. to start our sixth year of GriefShare. 2020 ment and will come to see the group as an on the others. Young explained how the moderators was a hard year for everyone, especially ‘oasis’ on their long journey through grief. During the group discussions, partici- can relate to the particpants, stating, “We those grieving through a pandemic. We The program features biblical concepts for pants are not required to talk unless they understand how they feel because we have want people to know they were not forgot- healing from their grief.” feel they want to say something. A confi- been in the same place. We will walk with ten and invite them to come to our Grief- GriefShare sessions take place at Lower dentiality agreement is signed on the first them on the long path through grief toward Share meetings where their hearts will be Sargus Hall, Blessed Sacrament Church. day by each participant. healing and hope for the future.” held and heard.” The first stand-alone session is “Loss Young said they ask for a $15 fee to For more information about GriefShare, Registration for the program will be of A Spouse,” which will be held from 10 cover the books, but “there are scholarships visit www.griefshare.org. Meals program in Maine builds community during pandemic and beyond SANFORD, Maine (CNS) — On July pandemic began, but at the end of the night, 13, teens from St. Therese of Lisieux Par- we were thrilled with the turnout and how ish in Sanford and Holy Spirit Parish in well our plans were implemented without Kennebunk and Wells, Maine, did what incident,” White said. they will do on the second Tuesday of “With the teens standing outside taking every month, serve a free meal and cheer orders, they were able to be more visible to to anyone in need of either. the public and interact more with patrons,” Now in its fourth year, the Matthew she added. “The teens did their jobs so well. 25:35 Meals program has become a com- It made me proud to see them at work, munity staple, a place to be reminded of making an impact on the community and the kindness of strangers, the enthusiasm being the hands and feet of Christ.” of Catholic youth and the power of service. “Even though things have been different “We show our dedication to this service, as to how we are able to serve our commu- and I think this is one way we can show nity, the people are so appreciative and still people their community cares about them,” look forward to the meal that is served,” said Colby White, a recent high school said Theresa Guillemette, a teen from St. graduate and Holy Spirit parishioner. Therese of Lisieux. “It’s a beautiful thing.” The dinners were devised as a way in Despite the temporary absence of the which to teach local teens about the im- camaraderie and conversation inside the portance of giving back, particularly the hall, connections continue to be made at Bible verse Matthew 25:35 (“For I was the curb. hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty Teens from St. Therese of Lisieux Parish in Sanford, Maine, and Holy Spirit “I always look forward to talking to and you gave me drink, a stranger and you Parish in Kennebunk and Wells, Maine, serve food in this undated photo the people we serve and hearing the life welcomed me...”) They have become much experiences they share with me,” Colby as part of the Matthew 25:35 Meals program in the Portland Diocese. (CNS more. They have built community, deliv- photo/courtesy Dave Guthro, Diocese of Portland) White said. “There is more to the lives of ered delicious food and joy, and inspired the most vulnerable than meets the eye, generosity. moved by its motivation. meal when it became apparent that we and I am usually taken aback by their deep The hourlong dinners are held in front “Over the past four years, the St. Mary’s would need portable electric roaster ovens, wisdom. of the St. Ignatius Gym in Sanford. The Ecumenical Food Pantry in Wells has the Springvale Knights of Columbus just “I usually hear something along the lines meals, traditionally served inside the gym provided food, Congdon’s Doughnuts has went out and bought them for us. This has of: ‘Don’t make the same mistakes I made at carefully set tables, are still currently provided our condiment containers and truly been a blessing,” she added. when I was your age.’ The meal is truly a in pandemic mode with curbside service, flatware packets. When they were trying Like most programs, the Matthew 25:35 communal experience, in which we all can which has its benefits. to get us takeout containers, one of their Meals program was temporarily halted by learn from each other.” “One of the best things about curbside, vendors, Favorite Foods, decided to just the pandemic, unable to operate for a few Said Carolyn Houston, “I think the curb- though, is there are almost no dishes and donate hundreds of takeout containers to months in 2020. Under these conditions, to side meals may be teaching our youth that cleanup is faster!” joked Emma Houston, the project,” said Carolyn Houston, Holy quickly return, the sit-down meal approach service isn’t about convenience. If there is a teen from Holy Spirit. Spirit’s director of faith formation. would need to be altered. a need and an obstacle to addressing that The initiative has brought support from “Parishioners donate gift cards, fruit “Our team at Holy Spirit and St. Therese need, we as a community should find a local businesses and organizations that are cups, and cookie packages. After our first of Lisieux brainstormed about how we way to overcome the obstacle. We are so would tackle the COVID-19 dilemma and blessed with a caring community.” somehow get a hot meal to those in need,” And those being served end up receiving said Lisa White, a catechist at Holy Spirit. more than a meal. “What an amazing team effort it was.” “In light of the pope’s encyclical of Curbside service to cars and pedestrians brotherhood, ‘Fratelli Tutti,’ I think the was the answer. There was trepidation Matthew Meal plays a role in this fellow- about how the new format would be re- ship,” Colby White said. “I think that the ceived but those concerns were short-lived. meals have demonstrated what it means to “We were very nervous about how be compassionate, to show understanding, it would go for our first meal since the and to stand in solidarity with all.” Welcome to the Light of the East St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church 207 Standard St., Mingo Junction Sunday Divine Liturgy – 11 a.m. St Joseph Byzantine Catholic Church 814 N. 5th St., Toronto Teens from St. Therese of Lisieux Parish in Sanford, Maine, and Holy Spirit Sunday Vigil Divine Liturgy – Saturday, 5 p.m. Parish in Kennebunk and Wells, Maine, are seen in this undated photo taken weekdays/holidays – as announced at both churches during a dinner they helped serve through the Matthew 25:35 Meals program Rev. Father John Kapitan Jr, O.F.M. – [email protected] in the Portland Diocese. (CNS photo/courtesy Dave Guthro, Diocese of Portland) THE STEUBENVILLE REGISTER JULY 23, 2021 5 Spending bills without Hyde seen as move to expand abortion on demand By Julie Asher of abortions. “Those of us who are opposed to abortion Catholic News Service should not be compelled to pay for them,” he said. In a WASHINGTON — In eliminating the Hyde Amendment 2007 memoir, he similarly stated he was against federal in spending bills for fiscal year 2022, the “pro-abortion” funding of abortion. Democrats on the House Appropriations Committee “de- In June 2019, Biden declared he no longer supported stroy over 40 years of previously unprecedented bipartisan the Hyde Amendment. The new York Times quoted him support for a measure aimed at saving human lives,” said as saying: “If I believe heath care is a right, as I do, I can the president of National Right to Life. no longer support an amendment that makes that right “This is a campaign by pro-abortion Democrats to ensure dependent on someone’s ZIP code. I can’t justify leaving that abortion is available on demand, for any reason, at any millions of women without access to the care they need time and paid for with taxpayer dollars,” Carol Tobias said. and the ability to exercise their constitutionally protected She made the comments July 15 after the committee right.” marked up the legislation. The “ZIP code” refence was in relation to his opposition “The most egregious aspect of the bill presented today is to the efforts in a number of states to enact restrictions on the removal of the Hyde Amendment, which protects lives abortion. and prohibits taxpayer funding of abortion,” said Rep. Tom Smith is the author of the No Taxpayer Funding for Cole, R-Okla., during the markup session. Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of Hyde first became law in 1976 to prohibit federal funds 2021, or H.R. 18, which would make Hyde and similar appropriated through the Labor Department, the Health provisions permanent. He has 166 co-sponsors. and Human Services Department and related agencies On June 23, in a late afternoon vote, all 218 Democrats from being used to cover abortion or fund health plans that in the House approved a procedural “previous question” cover abortion except in cases of rape, incest or when the motion that prevented the House from debating and voting life of the woman would be endangered. on the measure. The Republican vote against the motion Hyde has been reenacted in spending bills every year was 209. The U.S. Capitol is seen in Washington June 24. since it was first passed. (CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn) Smith told Catholic News Service that House Republi- House Democrats said they had planned to keep Hyde cans then began a series of “unanimous consent requests” out of spending bills because President Joe Biden released committee members: “I will tell you as a practicing on the floor asking that H.R. 18 be immediately discharged his proposed budget May 28 without the amendment, ac- physician, the Weldon Amendment is incredibly important from three committees and brought to the floor for debate cording to an ABC News report. at protecting people with deeply held conscience and and a vote. McCarthy made the first request, “followed ABC quoted House Appropriations Committee Chair religious beliefs from being forced to participate in by others including me. We are going to do this every day Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., as saying at a July 12 hearing of something they don’t agree with.” until the August recess.” the committee: “Allowing the Hyde Amendment to remain Another Catholic member of Congress, Rep. Chris Over the past couple of months, the U.S. Conference of on the books is a disservice to our constituents. We are Smith, R-N.J., issued a statement July 15 lamenting the Catholic Bishops’ committee chairman, individual bishops, finally doing what is right for our mothers, our families and move by House Democrats to break from the decades the head of the Catholic Health Association and several our communities by striking this discriminatory amend- of bipartisan consensus on Hyde “to advance legislation pro-life organizations, including March for Life, the Susan ment once and for all.” that would force U.S. taxpayers to pay for abortion on B. Anthony List, National Right to Life and Students for DeLauro, like Biden, is a Catholic who supports keeping demand.” Life of America have called on Americans to write to their abortion legal. The majority of the American people remain opposed members of Congress demanding the Hyde Amendment Jennifer Popik, legislative director of National Right to forcing taxpayers to fund elective abortion, said Smith. be included in spending bills. to Life, cited data showing that Hyde has “saved over 2 “Polling consistently shows that a majority of Americans The USCCB’s Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities is asking million American lives” since 1976. oppose taxpayer funding of abortion – nearly six in 10,” Catholics and all “people of goodwill” to sign an online “The Hyde Amendment has proven to be the greatest he said, citing a recent Marist poll. “Another eight in 10 petition, www.notaxpayerabortion.com, urging Congress domestic abortion-reduction measure ever enacted by Americans think laws can protect both the well-being of not to let federal funds be used to pay for abortions. The Congress,” she added in a statement. a woman and the health of her unborn child.” petition, “Save Hyde. Save Lives,” will be sent to members Also missing from the appropriations bills was Weldon Smith, who is co-chair of the Congressional Pro-Life of Congress and staff. As of late July 16, the petition had Amendment language to protect the conscience rights of Caucus, and many other pro-life leaders have noted how 121,000 signatures. medical providers and prevent them from being forced to Biden as a senator always supported the Hyde Amendment. The spending measures approved by the House Appro- participate in an abortion. In a 1994 letter to a constituent, he said that “on no fewer priations Committee will now go to the full House for a Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md., who is Catholic, told the than 50 occasions,” he had voted against federal funding vote. Supreme Court sets October date for Kentucky’s abortion banning case WASHINGTON (CNS) — The Supreme Court an- late with it, so he brought it to the Supreme Court. Kentucky’s abortion law places restrictions on a common nounced it will hear oral arguments Oct. 12 in a case from In late March, the court agreed to take this case and on second-trimester abortion method known as dilation and Kentucky’s attorney general, who is defending the state’s July 14 it assigned the date for the arguments. evacuation. abortion law that was struck down by a lower court. The Kentucky case has the backing of a coalition of 20 In a statement issued the day the court said it would look The law, passed in 2018 but blocked by the courts, bans state attorneys general, led by Arizona Attorney General at his involvement in the case, Cameron said: “I promised an abortion procedure used after the 15th week of preg- Mark Brnovich, also a Republican, who filed an amicus Kentuckians that I would defend our laws all the way to nancy. brief with the Supreme Court in support of Cameron’s the United States Supreme Court.” Right after the law was signed by the state’s then-gover- ability to defend Kentucky’s abortion ban. Cameron said the state’s abortion law “reflects the nor, Republican Matt Bevin, it was challenged and blocked In his appeal to the Supreme Court, Cameron said the 6th conscience of Kentucky by banning the gruesome practice by a federal judge who said the law was unconstitutional Circuit’s refusal to let him defend the law prevented him of live dismemberment abortions,” and he added it is because it restricted a woman’s constitutional right to have from doing his job. He also argued that another appeals important that “Kentuckians have a voice before our an abortion. court, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, in California, nation’s highest court. I was elected to provide that voice, Last year, a three-judge panel of the 6th U.S. Circuit allowed state attorneys general to intervene in cases in later and we look forward to making our case to the Supreme Court of Appeals, based in Ohio, upheld this decision. stages of litigation. Court.” The issue before the nation’s high court is whether the Kentucky’s current governor, Democrat Andy Beshear, state’s attorney general, Daniel Cameron, a Republican had been the state’s attorney general from 2015 to 2019. who began his term in 2019, can weigh in on this abortion He stressed he would not challenge court decisions on the Refrigeration • Heating • law. He asked the full 6th Circuit to reexamine the three- state’s abortion law and also pledged during his gubernato- Air Conditioning judge panel’s ruling. rial campaign that he would not defend abortion laws he Colegate Drive, Marietta The appeals court rejected his case, saying he was too considered unconstitutional. 373-5869

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St. John Paul II The Single Life

By Diocese of Steubenville Church’s “intransigence” about marriage and divorce). Bishop Emeritus Gilbert I. Sheldon Jesus went on to say: “Some are incapable of marriage because they were born so; some, because they were made St. John Paul next addresses the single life. In the early so by others; some, because they have renounced marriage church, the only single persons to be encountered were for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Whoever can accept widows. For boys, the bachelor life was either unknown this ought to accept it” (Mt 19:1-12). or so rare that it created no problems for society or the Christ spelled out three reasons for people to be “single.” church. Most girls were married off in unions arranged by First, those for whom nature itself has made the decision: their parents. With widows, the problem was their support. There are people born with some congenital malady that There was no such thing as Social Security or retirement prevents them from physically exercising the marital act. plans in those days. The church, along with society in gen- Also, there are those, more commonly, who, because of eral, considered their care to be the responsibility of their one or more natural conditions are socially or otherwise far families, meaning the eldest son in most cases. Only those down on the eligibility list of those available for marriage. Bishop Sheldon who were left without families were a problem, and that They would include those with some deformity, perhaps, was considered to be one of the church’s responsibilities. crippled from birth or from an accident at an early age, company in their final years, or perhaps to care for a sib- We find a number of references to this in the Epistles of or, in general, those whose chances for marriage are few ling in need. They are, obviously, persons of outstanding the New Testament. St. Paul’s First Letter to Timothy is or nil because of their simply having little going for them generosity and charity. In many, perhaps most cases, they probably the best of them. Paul tells us: “Honor widows in this highly competitive market. If we look at it from stand very high on that “eligibility” list for marriage. They who are truly widows. But, if a widow has children, or the viewpoint of faith, they are souls especially chosen have a great deal going for them. It is not necessary to grandchildren, let these first by God to follow his Son in a spell out those assets, physical, psychological and moral. learn to perform their religious life of privation. They spend They are obvious. In all probability, they have turned down duty to their own family and “If we look at it from the viewpoint of faith, their lives earning their own many offers and unwittingly broken many hearts of would to make compensation to their they are souls especially chosen by God living, often at some job that be suitors – out of love for their parents or other family parents, for this is pleasing to to follow his Son in a life of privation.” few others refuse. If we know members who have been dependent on them, perhaps God” (1 Tm 5:3-4). such souls, let us pray for them some in that category No. 1 that we spoke about. When The pope considers single that they accept God’s choice Jesus was asked which commandment is the greatest, he mothers in this connection. He calls our attention to the and in the hope that we will join them in heaven one day answered: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your fact that we are not their judges. That is the prerogative where they will be looked up at, rather then down at, as heart, with all your soul, with all your mind. This is the of a higher authority. But, we must keep in mind that, as the most chosen of God’s creatures. greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: human beings, they are nonetheless legitimate objects of The second group is a category that we can ignore in our You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law Christian charity. day and age: The original word for “those who are made and the prophets depend on these two commandments” (Mt The largest grouping of single persons among Catholics so by men” is “eunuch”: those who have been rendered 22:34-40). Love of neighbor (including family, of course) are those in religious life. For them, the vow of chastity, impotent (castrated) as a punishment or, in the case of is intimately related to love of God. We cannot love our i.e., that of abstinence from sex and marriage, is one of many ancient rulers, to provide trustworthy guards for neighbor without implicitly loving God and vice-versa. The the most obvious features of their consecrated life. Much their harems. person who sacrifices for neighbor sacrifices in the name of more is to be said of this category, and John Paul will take Finally, there are those who have chosen celibacy “for God, although he/she may not think of it that way. In this it up in future articles. the sake of the kingdom of heaven.” They include those connection, we think also of those rare souls, physicians, Another subcategory of the single life is those who we have already identified as consecrated religious. But, for example, who dedicate their lives to the sick in Third remain single (or in “single blessedness,” as it is some- religious are not the only ones in this category. There World countries, with no hope of adequate compensation. times described) for other reasons. Consider Our Lord’s are those who, for reasons not immediately relating to It is fraternal charity that drives them on, not money. own words when he was questioned about the matter of the kingdom of God, but implicitly so, choose to remain Of all these men and women who live life solo out of love divorce. He stated the will of his Father that “... what God unmarried. We think of those, most often young women, of God and neighbor, when we are sorted out in heaven, has joined together, let no man put asunder.” The disciples who remain unmarried themselves in order to remain at the words of the Gospels will ring loud and clear: “The were shocked at this (as are so many today by the Catholic home to care for aged or infirm parents, or to keep them first will be last, and the last, first” (Mk 10:31; Lk 13:3). Grace and Justice: Raphael’s Splendid Vision of Eucharistic Coherence By Father Nicholas S. Ward by their students, contemporaries and the great thinkers the paintings which represent them, neither exists without who followed after them. Plato is portrayed with his right the other. In the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City, there is an arm gesturing toward the heavens, the source of cosmic To Page 8 exquisite room called the “Stanza della Segnatura,” order, while holding his “Timeus,” a tract on creation and named for the “Segnatura Gratiae et Iustitiae,” the highest the nature of the universe. Aristotle also bears a tome, the The Steubenville Register judicial authority of the church. On the four walls of “Nicomachean Ethics.” With his left hand, Aristotle holds Biweekly publication of the Diocese of Steubenville this room are painted some of the finest works of the perhaps the greatest classical treatise on ethics; with his P.O. Box 969, 422 Washington St. High Renaissance and the pinnacle of Raphael’s artistic right, he reaches straight out, as if gesturing to the middle Steubenville, OH 43952-5969 email: [email protected] achievement, particularly seen in two frescoes on opposite of the opposite fresco. sides of the room. The first is arguably the most famous, On the exact opposed side of the room is the no less Bishop Jeffrey M. Monforton, publisher “The School of Athens.” It depicts the two central figures grand “Disputation of the Holy Sacrament,” where in this of classical philosophy, Plato and Aristotle, surrounded fresco the central figure is the Blessed Sacrament in the Dino Orsatti, editor monstrance. In this painting, various figures from church [email protected] history both discuss and adore the Holy Sacrament, while Matthew A. DiCenzo, God and his saints look on from above. staff writer, social media coordinator [email protected] Seen in these two paintings, the order of grace and the Florence E. James, circulation/advertising order of justice complement each other remarkably. As the [email protected] name of the room suggests, the order of grace – epitomized in the Eucharist – and the order of justice – codified in civic Telephone (740) 282-3631; FAX (740) 282-3327 virtue and moral norms – are hardly separable. Similarly, Subscription rate $15 per year in state of Ohio; the church’s sacramental theology and her teaching on $17 per year outside the state of Ohio; morality are two distinct disciplines, and while rich and $24 per year to all foreign countries fruitful in themselves, they are best appreciated – indeed Periodicals postage paid at Steubenville, OH 43952 SSN 0744-77IX Father Ward only truly appreciated – within sight of each other. Like THE STEUBENVILLE REGISTER JULY 23, 2021 7

Courage; Get to Work; Guardians of the Tradition By Diocese of Steubenville Let’s Get to Work Bishop Jeffrey M. Monforton According to Our Lord Jesus Christ in the 16th Chapter of the holy Gospel according to Matthew, (see, Verses 24- “(And Jesus said), ‘What profit would there be 26), we are called to walk in the footsteps of Jesus and to for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?’ embrace our Christian calling. If we become possessive Or what can one give in exchange for his life?” (Mt of the material gifts of this world, we become myopic and 16:26). lose the broader vision of our unique Christian vocation. In this Gospel passage, as we craft our lives on Earth with Christian Courage Versus Moral Relativism our eyes trained on our Christian mission and eternal life “What is truth?” (Jn 18:38). These revealing words with God, Jesus offers conditions for Christian discipleship. from Pontius Pilate at Jesus Christ’s trial in Jerusa- We are tempted to ask: “How little can I do to get by lem warn us about the consequences of an uneven or what is expected of me?” This minimalist approach is or inconsistent moral compass. In a 1998 visit with neither part of our diocesan mission nor is it even Chris- bishops, St. John Paul II instructed that “a climate of tian in nature. With Our Lord’s help, we become faithful moral relativism is incompatible with democracy.” Christians; if only we take time to listen and learn. What is moral relativism? Nothing we do in the Diocese of Steubenville is incon- Bishop Monforton It has been said moral relativism is a food court: sequential. What benefits we receive from our Christian one may pick and choose what one believes. Moral service and the overall health of our diocesan community is Guardians of the Tradition relativism lacks focus and conviction needed to dependent on our active involvement. As we find ourselves Last Friday, Pope Francis released a “motu pro- answer basic questions regarding one’s relation- in the calendar between Independence Day and Labor Day prio,” “Traditionis Custodes” (Guardians of the ships, another’s rights or even determining whether (yes, September is not that far away), and we are acutely Tradition), establishing guidelines concerning the or not there is a common good. In other words, we aware of our God-given freedom to conduct ourselves in Traditional Latin Mass. As I will continue to reflect need to be grounded in the truth. Moral relativism a manner befitting our status as children of God and as and study these directives from our Holy Father, compromises the truth and weakens the common fellow Americans, this freedom should neither be taken pursuant to the instructions in the “motu proprio,” I good for a convenient “political correctness.” For for granted nor should it be abused. St. John Paul II has have provided those priests who have been celebrat- example, if “whatever makes him/her happy” is our reminded us that “freedom consists not in doing what we ing the extraordinary form permission to continue moral compass, we provide a disservice to family like, but in having the right to do what we ought.” this solemn celebration. and friends as well as our own selves. We are members not of a secret or private cult, but My brothers and sisters in Christ, we have been Our nation’s future directly depends on the exis- instead of a public church, the body of Christ, and have invited to embark on a Christian mission, that is, to tence of moral truths and consistent values. We do been entrusted by Jesus Christ himself to evangelize our exercise a prophetic witness to God-is-with-us. We not simply live our faith in private, which takes little community and the world. Our faith takes on more than delight in our communal mission to be an effective or no courage, but instead to be faithful on both the a private or personal dimension, for we are called to live source of faith, hope and love in the living way of local and the world stage. Each day is our “Super our creed each day, as well as ask ourselves how we may Jesus Christ. I am delighted to be your bishop. To Bowl” or a defining moment of our Christian witness. grow in faith at the Holy Spirit’s prompting. be a leader and collaborator requires me to train my We cannot begin to imagine how many lives we may As apostolic witnesses, we should ask how God is invit- eyes on the holy things our diocesan family has to impact if we make the effort to live our faith in being ing us individually to the next level. In other words, how is offer. May we keep each other in prayer as together of assistance to others. The Bible quote at the begin- the Lord calling each one of us to further involve ourselves we travel our pilgrim’s way with our living God. ning of the article invites us to act in a charitable and in the diocesan life of the church beyond weekend Mass just manner toward all our brothers and sisters, even attendance? This question is relevant to young and old May Our Lord Jesus Christ bless you and your when it is politically incorrect. alike. family. Stay holy; stay healthy; stay safe.

What is Love Asking of Me Now? By Father Ron Rolheiser • When I have just been through a bitter divorce, when of me now? I feel my heart hardening and findmyself growing hateful • When I myself betray a trust, when out of weakness Several years ago, a colleague of mine suffered a crush- toward someone I once trusted, the question becomes, what I sin, when I want to wallow in self-hatred or rationalize ing disappointment. Her instinctual temptation was toward is love asking of me now? or deny my weakness, the question becomes, what is love anger, toward shutting a series of doors and withdrawing. • When I have lost a loved one to suicide, not just to asking of me now? Instead, wounded in spirit, she asked herself the question, death, but to a manner of death that becomes a prism that • When an election in the country produces a leader what is love asking of me now? In answering that, she found recolors every memory of that person so that my love turns whose personality and policies go against everything I that despite her every instinct to the contrary, love was to anger, the question becomes, what is love asking of me stand for, the question becomes, what is love asking of me asking her to move away from bitterness and withdrawal, now? now? asking her to stretch her heart in ways it had never been • When a colleague humiliates me at a meeting with • When the parochial world I grew up in begins to give stretched before. insinuations that are untrue and my blood literally boils at way to a multilingual, multicultural, multiracial and multi- What is love asking of me now? That is the question we the unfairness, the question becomes, what is love asking religious world that leaves me feeling left behind, when need to ask ourselves every time the circumstances of our of me now? paranoia and defensiveness have me desperately trying to lives are shaken (by wound or by grace) to a point where • When my own child rejects my faith and values, com- hang on to what once was, the question becomes, what is we no longer want to respond graciously and lovingly plete with the hint that I am naive and out of step with love asking of me now? because everything inside of us wants to shut down and the world and my temptation is to self-pity and (however • When I live with someone in my family who is dys- withdraw. subtle) to withdraw my love and support, the question functional and my every desire is to avoid him and live Thus ... becomes, what is love asking of me now? my own life, the question becomes, what is love asking of • When a medical diagnosis reveals that my health will me now? be forever compromised and every fiber in my body and • When I have to deal daily with someone who hates spirit wants to sink into anger and depression, the question me and everything inside me wants to respond in kind, becomes, what is love asking of me now? the question becomes, what is love asking of me now? • When the church that is my mother-tongue, that gave However, it is not only negative things that upset us in me the faith, is found to be unfair, to be the bearer of sin, this way, tempt us toward hatred and withdrawal, and leave when I see its flaws and am left to ponder the question us in a space that forces us to respond in a new way, huge of how I can stay in a church with that history and those grace can do the same thing. dysfunctions, the question becomes, what is love asking Thus ... of me now? • When I finally get that long, longed-for promotion, • When I am betrayed in a relationship, lied to by some- complete with the big salary and a voice in decision- one I trusted, when I am tempted in bitterness never to trust making and the temptation is to inflate and feel superior Father Rolheiser anyone again, the question becomes, what is love asking To Page 8 8 THE STEUBENVILLE REGISTER JULY 23, 2021

Wanted and Loved

By Sister Constance Veit own grandparents and the other elders responded, as the others nodded in agree- in our communities. ment. “That’s all they really need to know.” I hope you’re ready for Christmas – Our Holy Father chose a curious and Tell them they are loved and wanted – I Christmas in July that is! I always assumed somewhat sad image to express his think that’s precisely what the Holy Father that this rather cheeky celebration was cre- sentiments for the day. It is a medieval wants this special day to be all about. ated in our homes for the elderly as way fresco called the “Dream of Joachim,” by He knows that at times older persons of helping us temporarily escape the heat Giotto. feel lonely or useless. They sometimes feel of summer. But, it has a significant history “Tradition has it that St. Joachim, the rejected, or that they are a burden to others. and a worldwide following! grandfather of Jesus, felt estranged from “The church cannot and does not want to Christmas in July was the brainchild of those around him because he had no chil- conform to a mentality of impatience, and Fannie Holt, founder of a North Carolina dren,” the pope wrote. “His life, like that much less of indifference and contempt summer camp. of his wife, Anne, was considered useless.” towards old age,” Francis wrote in “Amoris As the Great Depression was nearing How sad! Sister Veit Laetitia.” its end, Holt thought it would be fun for “So, the Lord sent an angel to console miraculously bear the Son of the Most High. On the contrary, “We must awaken the her young campers to celebrate Christmas him,” the pope continued. “While he “Even at the darkest moments,” Pope collective sense of gratitude, of appre- – complete with a visit from Santa – July mused sadly outside the city gates, a mes- Francis wrote, “the Lord continues to ciation, of hospitality, which makes the 25, 1933. Her idea not only became a senger from the Lord appeared to him and send angels to console our loneliness and elderly feel like a living part of the com- tradition at the camp, it has also evolved said, ‘Joachim, Joachim! The Lord has to remind us: ‘I am with you always.’ He munity. ... How I would like a church that into a popular celebration from the USA to heard your insistent prayer.’” says this to you, and he says it to me. That challenges the throw-away culture by the Australia and South Africa. According to the tradition, the angel as- is the meaning of this day. ... May every overflowing joy of a new embrace between A blogger recently suggested that this sured Joachim that his wife would bear him grandfather, every grandmother, every young and old!” he wrote. phenomenon is likely to evolve this year a daughter, to be called Mary, who would older person, especially those among us The church recognizes the difficult cir- as parents look for ways to make up for who are most alone, receive the visit of an cumstances in which we are living due to the disappointments of last Christmas. angel!” the pandemic. She is suggesting a simple The church, however, has given us the Pope Francis’ message reminded me way of nurturing intergenerational solidar- opportunity to make July 25 special in an of a conversation I had with a group of ity this July: celebration. “The way chosen entirely new way as we celebrate the first- our elders shortly before the pandemic. is to have an occasion of joyful celebration ever World Day of Grandparents and the Preparing a booklet intended to help new together ... seniors and young people to- Elderly precisely on that day. residents adapt to life in our homes, I gether: parents and children; grandparents Just as our annual observance of asked the group what they felt was the and grandchildren; people who may not Christmas focuses our attention on Jesus, most important thing to communicate to belong to the same family.” Mary and Joseph, the choice of date for newcomers. With these wishes in mind let’s find a this new celebration leads us to reflect Expecting them to point out a few bits new way of celebrating Christmas in July. on the Holy Family as an “extended,” of necessary information like the daily And, let’s remind the elders you know that multigenerational reality – for Pope schedule or key locations in the building, they are wanted and loved! Francis has chosen the Sunday closest I was stunned at their response. “Tell them to the Feast of Sts. Joachim and Anne, (Photo provided) they are wanted here, that they are loved,” Sister Veit is director of communica- the grandparents of Jesus, to honor our “Dream of Joachim” by Giotto the most experienced resident quickly tions for the Little Sisters of the Poor. Grace and Justice From Page 6 This is supported in one of the greatest Communion to those who publicly and today – clergy and politicians included – The current disputation of the Holy moral works of late antiquity, the “Liber obstinately deny his justice not only sets would do well to heed the lesson taught Sacrament in the church in the United Moralium” of Pope St. Gregory the Great, a an example, but also clearly communicates within this narrow space of St. Peter’s States regarding what is now being called study of the Book of Job. This book, along to the sinner their need for repentance. palace: namely, that grace and justice go “Eucharistic coherence” brings this to with the holy Bible, appears in Raphael’s Grace and justice, truth and mercy can hand in hand. Even when these paintings light. The question is: Should public and “Disputation” at the base of the altar. no more be separated than the four walls fade, the reality they signify will never obstinate grave sinners be admitted to Here’s what it says on the obligation of on which Raphael’s greatest work survives, cease to be true, and if the church wishes Communion, specifically in this case pro- church leaders to chastise those whose ac- intact, to this day. But, it is a precarious to maintain any sort of coherency on the abortion and pro-gay marriage politicians? tions merit rebuke: “Whenever a person’s balance: The beauty of art is often little issue of the Eucharist, the moral and civil The answer has to be an emphatic no. thoughts stray from the moral norm, that more appreciated than the beauty of truth, order must be upheld. The kingdom Jesus establishes is a king- person sins in darkness. We ought all the and the survival of the church’s teaching, dom of grace and justice. All of us in the more to refrain from rash judgments of like the survival of her artistic patrimony, Father Ward is parochial vicar to church must be receptive and committed other people’s hearts when we know we requires true devotion and honest, intel- Father Michael W. Gossett, pastor of to his plan of justice to receive the grace cannot light up the dark places for us to ligent appreciation for all things good and Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady of of being in communion with him. This is see their thoughts. We ought, however, to ancient and true. Indeed, many Catholics Lourdes parishes, Wintersville. reflected in the petition of the centurion in take careful notice of this: how severely the Gospel. Like Aristotle, he was a virtu- the father could correct what his sons ous pagan who realized that the reception were doing when he took such care to What is Love of the king’s favor goes hand in hand with purify their hearts? What do the leaders From Page 7 We cannot protect ourselves against the his obedience to the king’s moral author- of the church say to this when they do not to those around me, the question becomes, spontaneous feelings that beset us, both ity, and who holds the law as something even know what their disciples do openly? what is love asking of me now? when things go well and when they go precious to him: “Lord, I am not worthy What excuses do they think up in their • When I am invited to be the valedic- badly – and most of those feelings tempt that you should enter under my roof, but own defense when they do not even heal torian for my graduating class and am us away from love. So, whenever either a only say the word and my servant will be the interior wounds in those committed to on the podium basking in the adulation depression or an inflation is tempting us healed. For I am a man under authority, them, brought on by their own actions?” of the crowd (aware of the jealousy of away from what is best and most noble, with soldiers under me” (Mt 8:8-9). As Gregory teaches, it is a pastoral work my classmates) multiple temptations the question becomes, what is love asking None of us are worthy to receive so great of mercy to correct and chastise, certainly will beset me, most of them unhealthy. of me now? a gift as God’s grace in the sacrament, but to when public affronts to the moral order are The question then becomes, what is love even be able to approach the source of God’s committed by those in the church and in po- asking of me now? Father Rolheiser, a Missionary Oblate mercy, we must cooperate with his justice. sitions of authority. There is certainly often • When someone blesses me in a deep of Mary Immaculate priest, is an author, Furthermore, as the centurion shows us, those restraint in doing so as Gregory rightfully way with love, gratitude and affirmation a retreat master and a newspaper who lead and have people under them are points out, and justice must be tempered and my temptation is to feed my ego with columnist. More information about his more responsible, more “subject to authority” with mercy. However, God’s mercy does that blessing, the question becomes, what ministry is available on his website: in many ways than those under them. not come bereft of his justice, and to deny is love asking of me now? www.ronrolheiser.com. THE STEUBENVILLE REGISTER JULY 23, 2021 9 Lifting dispensation is not enough to get Catholics back to in-person Mass By Mark Pattison Catholic News Service WASHINGTON — The mere act of lifting the dispensation from the Sunday Mass obligation as the coronavirus pandemic eases won’t be enough to get Catholics to come back to church, and some dioceses and Catholics are actively working to bring people back. “Just opening our doors and waiting for folks to come is a failed strategy for generations, much less for today’s culture,” said Marcel LeJeune, founder and president of Catholic Missionary Disciples, in a July 12 email to Catholic News Service. Research by the Catholic Leadership Institute, based in Pennsylvania, indicates that 25%-27% of Massgoing Catholics say they go to church “out of habit,” accord- ing to institute president Dan Cellucci. Another 4%-6%, he added, call themselves “Catholics in name only.” The research, Cellucci said, is based on 300,000 parishioners who speak one of 14 languages in 43 U.S. dioceses. “If you were looking at that and the (Mass attendance) habits that have been broken for 18 months in some parts of the country, I would posit that those people aren’t going to come back if they (parishes) are not careful,” Cellucci said. “If they worked through 18 months without their parish and didn’t miss it, why would they put them back into their schedule?” Parishes that didn’t do anything to keep in touch with their parishioners are “most at risk” of membership drop- off, Cellucci told CNS in a July 14 phone interview. The parishes “holding their own,” he said, or have been thriving “are ones that have actually been in relationship with their people. They’ve made a deep bond of community A woman receives Communion at St. John the Baptist Church in Monroe, Michigan, amid the coronavirus and they work really hard at that. They check in with their pandemic. An understanding of the importance of the Eucharist is seen as key to Catholics returning parishioners, issue invitations – all the hallmarks of what to in-person Mass for the first time in more than a year.(CNS photo/courtesy Detroit Catholic) we know to be practices of good evangelizing all the time.” Shouldn’t the parishioners return on their own? Other elements in the playbook include having the Parish in Washington, as restrictions in the nation’s capital “Theoretically, they should do that because of their Sunday parish update its Mass and confession schedule on were gradually eased or eliminated, “every week somebody obligation,” Cellucci replied, “but that’s not our mindset www.massfinder.org, and updating its profile on Google new would come (back) and say, ‘I have missed this very and we have to recognize that.” Business. much.’ They have been looking forward to coming back, The issue has weighed on the mind of bishops and pastors One teen in the archdiocese took a page from the play- and they are grateful to be back.” for some time. book to arrange a monthly Teen Summer Mass Series at One benefit of offering Mass online, Msgr. East said, is During the pandemic, “people were disconnected Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Detroit, featuring monthly that “our audience has increased outside of the parish and from one another,” said Bishop William E. Koenig of themed Masses. we’ve had people from India, the Philippines, California Wilmington, Delaware, in an interview with The Dialog, Anthony Schena, a senior at De La Salle Collegiate (and) Europe watch our Masses.” Wilmington’s diocesan newspaper, prior to his July 13 High School in the Detroit suburb of Warren, Michigan, He added since the church has opened up, “we are start- installation as bishop. had noticed that at his home parish, there weren’t a lot of ing to get new neighbors and new members who discovered “In coming together as a community of faith, we’re people his age at Mass. us online and are now coming in person to join the parish also a community. It’s not just vertical with God feeding The cathedral Masses’ readings and music will follow or at least give us a try.” that hunger, but it’s also horizontal where we are with the theme, and after Mass there will be food and fellowship The parish “will continue streaming” Masses, Msgr. one another,” Bishop Koenig said. “Certainly, praying is in the cathedral plaza. East said. But, a cautionary note on that came from Tamra the highest way we come together as a community, but “Teens like having fun and having food,” Schena told Hull Fromm, director of discipleship and an instructor at to continue to explore ways, whether it’s prayer groups, Detroit Catholic. “There will be a snow cone truck and the Catholic Biblical School of Michigan. support groups, working as a team for religious education fellowship for one night, and we’ll have games and fun “When it comes to Mass attendance, we need to ask ... those ways help us come together, too.” get-togethers for a brief amount of time after each of the where people were in terms of their understanding of the “When churches were closed, people got out of the so- Masses.” sacraments before the pandemic. Do they have an un- cial ritual practice of going to Mass on Sunday,” Michael “We’re trying to have some fun, to make it something derstanding of how the sacraments nourish the faith and, McCallion, a theology professor at Sacred Heart Major interesting for teens to bring them back to church,” said therefore, are part of the routine of nurturing that faith?” Seminary, said in an interview with Detroit Catholic, the Christine Broses, a pastoral associate at the cathedral. Fromm told Detroit Catholic. “If they don’t understand the online news outlet for the Archdiocese of Detroit. “With COVID, we noticed a lot of young people have not Eucharist, why would they come back?” “Especially for those on the fence – perhaps about a returned to church as fast as the older crowd has.” Fromm added, “Adoration on a screen can shift our number of other issues that have nothing to do with the In a September 2020 study from the Center for Applied minds and shift our theology. “We’re disembodied with pandemic – that practice might not resume,” McCallion Research in the Apostolate, 36% of Catholics ages 18-35 digital culture, making it tempting for some to move away added. “In the sociology of conversion, belief follows said they planned to attend Mass less frequently when from the celebration of the Mass and the importance of the behavior. If we get out of the behavior, the belief fades as stay-at-home orders were lifted. Eucharist.” well.” Father Kevin Gill, pastor of Our Lady Star of the Sea LeJeune, in an undated Catholic Missionary Disciples He said, “What we need to do now more than ever is Parish in Solomons, Maryland, said he installed a large blog posting, said, “Catholic leaders need to stop asking, ramp up our hospitality and invite people to hang out “Welcome Home” banner at the front of the church because ‘How do we get back to pre-COVID days?’ ... Our job has with us at the parish. We can no longer wait for people; “I want people to have the sense as they pull into the park- never been to maintain institutions. It is to make disciples.” we need to go out and find them,” McCallion said. “Each ing lot that we are saying to them, ‘You are home, and we To do that, leaders need to envision “a post-COVID parish should have staff dedicated to a radical ministry of are happy you are here.’” parish,” he said. “The pandemic gives us a unique oppor- hospitality based on their own individual community with “For several weeks our attendance has been almost at tunity. Still, big changes need to be bathed in discernment social events every week, not every month.” pre-COVID levels,” he told the Catholic Standard, news- and prayer.” He added, “Mission tells us why we exist. It The Detroit Archdiocese’s Department of Evangelization paper of the Archdiocese of Washington. “We are at the is the engine which drives the car. We don’t get anywhere and Missionary Discipleship has assembled a “welcome- very southern tip of Calvert County,” a sparsely populated without it.” back playbook” for parishes to use. In the playbook are part of the archdiocese, “and it was much different here Four of LeJeune’s prescriptions for living in a post- a sample script for calling parishioners and a sample than in D.C.” pandemic parish are: “Let us love each other fully. Let us welcome-back letter to send to parishioners. “A letter from Father Gill said that since Pentecost, the parish has serve our communities. Let us fight for what is true and the pastor is one of the most essential messages to share reinstated hospitality after Masses. good,” and “Let us not settle for what our parishes looked with your parish community,” the playbook said. For Msgr. Raymond East, pastor of St. Theresa of Avila like in the past.” 10 THE STEUBENVILLE REGISTER JULY 23, 2021

Up and Down the Diocese

Belle Valley/Caldwell/Carlisle/Fulda — Miltonsburg — St. John the Baptist Anyone interested in learning more about the Parish will hold a takeout dinner, Aug. Catholic faith at Rite of Christian Initiation of 1, for its annual picnic. Dinners cost $10 Ladies of Mercy make blankets Adults classes can telephone Father Wayne and will be served from 11 a.m. until they E. Morris, pastor of Corpus Christi Parish, are sold out. The menu includes country- Belle Valley; Stephen Parish, Caldwell; St. style chicken and beef dinners with Michael Parish, Carlisle; and St. Mary of mashed potatoes, gravy, noodles, green the Immaculate Conception Parish, Fulda; at beans, dressing, dinner roll and dessert. (740) 732-4129, extension 153. Raffle tickets with cash and prizes will be Carrollton — Rite of Christian Initia- available; winner need not be present. tion of Adults and adult education classes St. Clairsville — St. Mary Parish will will begin Aug. 5, from 7-8:30 p.m., at Our hold a “Rocky Railway: Jesus’ Power Pulls Lady of Mercy Church hall. The first lesson Us Through” vacation Bible school from will be on conversion. Anyone interested in 9 a.m.-noon, Aug. 2-6, at St. Mary Church learning more about the Catholic faith can Marian Hall. Children in preschool through attend the sessions. For additional informa- fifth grade can attend; cost is $15 per child. tion, telephone (330) 312-8577. For additional information, email dre@ Chesapeake — A rummage sale will be stmaryschurchstc.com. held from 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Aug. 6-7, at St. Anyone interested in learning more about Ann Church, sponsored by the CWC. the Catholic faith can attend Rite of Christian The Ladies of Mercy, a women’s group at Our Lady of Mercy, Carrollton, Lowell — Father Dale F. Tornes, a Initiation of Adults sessions beginning at recently got together to make fleece baby blankets. The blankets are Diocese of Steubenville priest retired from 6:30 p.m., Aug. 26, at St. Mary Parish offices. given as baptismal gifts for families at their parish and St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish, Morges. Pictured, from left, are active ministry, is celebrating 51 years of Temperanceville — A “Temperancev- the priesthood. Last year, because of the ille Picnic” will be held from 11 a.m.-2 Janet Smith, Ida Carver, Debbie Shoemaker, Jessica Rodgers, Pam pandemic, Father Tornes was unable to p.m., July 25, at the St. Mary Church. Travis and Gigi Hill. Not pictured are Linda DeSimone and Cynthia celebrated his 50th anniversary. Our Lady Barbecue chicken or roast beef dinners will Bailey. (Photo provided) of Mercy Parish CWC will hold a reception be available; cost is $12. A dance will be for Father Tornes in the social hall following held from 7-10 p.m. with music by Deep the 9:30 a.m. Mass, July 25, at the church. Down Country Band. Marietta — St. Mary School is offering Wintersville — Eucharistic adoration is personal tours for anyone interested in ad- held from 5:30-8:30 p.m., Wednesdays, at Wintersville parishes hold VBS mission for the 2021-22 academic year. The Blessed Sacrament Church. The rosary is school offers education from preschool 3 prayed at 7 p.m. Adoration will still take through eighth grade. For more information, place at the church during “Wednesdays in email [email protected]. Wintersville,” a festival along Main Street. CCHS Chesterton Academy student wins in a national writing competition STEUBENVILLE — Joseph Stetson, a junior at Catholic Central High School, Steubenville, won first place in a national writing competition among Catholic and public schools. His essay about Christopher Columbus earned him an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., Oct. 12, co-sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. He was invited to read his essay at a Columbus Day ceremony in the nation’s capital. Joseph, who is enrolled in the schools Chesterton program, praised its curricu- lum, saying, “I absolutely love it. It encour- (Photo provided) ages strong thinking and strong writing.” Joseph Stetson Informational session on CCHS Chesterton Academy set for Aug. 4 STEUBENVILLE—An informa- national Chesterton Society, which is tional session about the Chesterton a classical curriculum that includes Academy will be held at 7 p.m., Aug. literature, history, philosophy, theology 4, at Berkman Theater, Lanman Hall, and Latin. In addition, students take at Catholic Central High School, 320 math, science and an elective for their West View Ave., Steubenville. schedule. Thomas J. Costello, principal of Costello said, “Because faith is at Catholic Central High School, said the core of the academic program, A “St. Joseph’s Workshop” half-day vacation Bible school, sponsored interested parents and students are all subjects are taught through the by Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady of Lourdes parishes, Winters- encouraged to attend the session to lens of the church. That endeavor is ville, takes place July 10, at Sargus Hall. Father Michael W. Gossett, find out more about the faith-based what makes the Chesterton program pictured in the back row, fifth from left, is pastor of the Wintersville program. unique.” parishes. Also pictured in the back row are Diocese of Steubenville The Chesterton Academy of CCHS The Chesterton students are plan- seminarians Peter Stetson, pictured first from left, and Joseph Hahn, is entering its fourth year this fall. ning a pilgrimage to Rome for June pictured sixth from left. (Photo provided) The local academy is a member of the 2022. THE STEUBENVILLE REGISTER JULY 23, 2021 11 Virginia man rows to raise awareness, funds for Alzheimer’s caregivers By Jennifer Neville powerful, mature faith, here’s a place half assist adults with dementia, according Catholic News Service where it needed some serious growth,” he to the Alzheimer’s Association website. YORKTOWN, Va. — It wasn’t break- said, adding that he realized that part of “As a husband, you can’t feel worse ing the world record for rowing distance faith is allowing others the opportunity to than watching something slowly kill your of which John Musser was the most proud. be the hands and feet of Christ by assisting wife, and you have to just sit there and try Nor was it that he rowed on a rowing him. to distract her from it. And you can’t do machine for 24 hours at his parish, St. Joan The Compassio Row, Latin for “to suffer anything to take it away. And it’s terribly of Arc in Yorktown, at the beginning of its together,” drew most of its funds through sad to see them lose their independence,” recent service week. outright donations, but parishioners and Musser said. Musser felt proudest about raising friends from across the country paid $100 Musser rowed 282,981 meters (175.8 awareness for Alzheimer’s caregivers to row for one hour by him on one of the miles), topping the world record by 8,865 and $57,500 for the Alzheimer’s other three machines in the church com- meters (5.5 miles) in the lightweight Association. He achieved these feats as mons, and many congregated around him division. He suffered an adverse physi- part of the Alzheimer’s Association’s for support. He said one of his objectives cal condition due to the intensity of his “The Longest Day” fundraising campaign was to suffer vicariously with Alzheimer’s workout and was in the hospital overnight. in which people from across the world caregivers. Nevertheless, Musser said he is “so glad” do fundraisers on or near June 20, the “We are all in this together whether life he did the row because it allowed him to summer solstice. is good or bad,” parishioner Peter Romeo, John Musser, a member of St. Joan “take a swing at Alzheimer’s.” His June 21 fundraiser placed in the who rowed for an hour with Musser, told of Arc Parish in Yorktown, Virginia, “I’ve got a wife suffering, and I can’t top five for the participant division at the The Catholic Virginian, Richmond’s dioc- rows for 24 hours, June 21, to fight this thing. I can’t alter it. I can’t national level. esan newspaper. “If someone is hurting or raise money for the Alzheimer’s change what she is going through, but I Musser’s father, mother-in-law and three has a need, we respond. Association and to raise awareness can do something for others,” he said. “I grandparents suffered dementia, and he is “I think that is part of our great commis- for Alzheimer’s caregivers. (CNS can try to make a difference in the future, photo/Jennifer Neville, The Catholic now the caregiver for his wife, Robin, 56, sion – to make disciples of the world ... to Virginian) and this is my way. It’s my way of staring who has young onset Alzheimer’s. join in the suffering of others to show that Alzheimer’s in the face and saying, ‘I’m Through this difficult chapter in his life, they aren’t in this alone.” help provided to older adults in the United going to make a difference.’” he said, his faith has grown. More than 6 million Americans have States is from family members, friends or His next goal: to be as successful caring “As much as I thought I had this Alzheimer’s. Eighty-three percent of the other unpaid caregivers. Of those, nearly for his wife as he was in the row. Archbishop Warda says dignity takes longer to rebuild than structures By Mark Pattison they must now behave in order to be helped Catholic News Service out of their misery.” WASHINGTON — When fighters from “In other words, as a condition of re- the Islamic State group overran huge ceiving charity, the persecuted innocents swaths of Iraq seven years ago, they laid must now allow themselves to be further waste to an untold number of buildings and judged and accept the fact without protest religious sites. when they are found wanting,” Archbishop Those need to be built again, acknowl- Warda added. “Indignity upon indignity edged Chaldean Archbishop Bashar Warda then, and where does this lead?” of Erbil, in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. His answer: “Unrest, breakdown of the But beyond infrastructure needs, what family, the despair of dependency, and needs to be rebuilt is the dignity of those finally exodus.” who suffered under IS. The archbishop told CNS that while his “Sustained persecution against a group, archdiocese has been growing since 2003, if not stopped, eventually takes from them “we have 2,600 families from Mosul that their physical properties, their livelihoods, have not returned to Mosul. They still find their security, and in the end, their dignity it not stable, not safe, they don’t have any as human beings,” Archbishop Warda said property even when they lived here. Jobs in his July 14 address at the International Third Order Regular Franciscan Father Dave Pivonka, president of Fran- have disappeared. That goes to the insecu- Religious Freedom Summit in Washing- ciscan University of Steubenville, listens to Chaldean Catholic Archbishop rity that is there.” ton. Bashar Warda of Erbil, Iraq, during a trip by university officials to Iraq while More than 40 organizations joined in “Once this dignity is destroyed, the Pope Francis made his pastoral visit to the country March 5-8. At the Inter- convening the International Religious family and all social stability is destroyed national Religious Freedom Summit in Washington, Archbishop Warda said Freedom Summit, held in person in the with it. And, while buildings can be quickly in a July 14 address that beyond Iraq’s infrastructure needs, what needs nation’s capital and online July 13-15. It rebuilt, the restoring of dignity to those to be rebuilt is the dignity of those who suffered under the Islamic State featured prominent religious leaders and who have been brutally marginalized and group. (CNS photo/courtesy Franciscan University of Steubenville) religious freedom advocates in a series of humiliated as human beings is a far more speeches, discussions and programs focus- difficult journey – a journey for which the In a July 15 phone interview with Catho- and Religious Discrimination.” ing on the vital need to protect religious hidden costs are far greater than that of any lic News Service, Archbishop Warda said a “Efforts to build businesses are still freedom globally. physical reconstruction,” he said. stable national government in Iraq means stolen from them by their persecutors – The U.S. Conference of Catholic “And, this restoration of dignity requires “help building the infrastructure, it will who continue to exist in Iraq, but now in Bishops’ Committee on International of international interveners and providers mean providing jobs, providing jobs for different clothing – as soon as they begin Justice and Peace was among the summit’s of aid something beyond the mere metrics the young people. Iraq is really in need of to grow,” the archbishop said. sponsors. of dollars spent and projects completed,” building the whole infrastructure. It helps “Aid programs, which are designed Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New Archbishop Warda added. the economy grow.” to achieve social, financial and political York, chairman of the USCCB’s Com- “It requires an honest and sincere treat- “You could tell,” he added, “when it objectives designed in the West,” he ex- mittee for Religious Liberty, delivered a ment of affected people with a simple comes to electricity, when it comes to plained, “direct innocent and powerless keynote presentation at the closing dinner thing – that is respect for them as human water, when it comes to roads. The last recipients concerning (the) ways in which July 15. beings. As His Holiness Pope Francis has public hospital that was built was in 1986. said before to the international aid com- Imagine! There is lots of work to be done.” munity, ‘People before projects.’” Under IS occupation, “fathers were made Obituaries That’s not to say that everything de- powerless to take care of their families. stroyed during the blindingly fast takeover Turned overnight into helpless beggars, Kevin Booth, 56, Carrollton, Our Lady Jerome F. Hagerty, 85, Triumph of the of Iraqi territory by IS in 2014 has been the years for most of them have stretched of Mercy, June 22. Cross, Steubenville, July 8. rebuilt or patched up. Unlike the debate on without opportunity to provide for their Brian S. Brown, 43, Wintersville, St. Carol Lysle Lanave, 87, Wellsville, in the U.S. Congress over American infra- families and secure a meaningful future for Adalbert, Dillonvale, July 3. Ohio, St. Joseph, Toronto, July 3. structure needs, there’s no disputing that their children,” Archbishop Warda said in Joseph V. Clause Sr., 94, Steubenville, Carol T. Lash, 83, Steubenville, Holy Iraq needs a thorough rebuild. his talk, “The Social Impact of Persecution Holy Family, July 5. Family, May 18. 12 THE STEUBENVILLE REGISTER JULY 23, 2021 Appealing to need for unity, pope restores limits on pre-Vatican II Mass By Cindy Wooden objective of my predecessors, who had in- Catholic News Service tended ‘to do everything possible to ensure VATICAN CITY — Saying he was act- that all those who truly possessed the desire ing for the good of the unity of the Catholic for unity would find it possible to remain Church, Pope Francis has restored limits on in this unity or to rediscover it anew,’ has the celebration of the Mass according to the often been seriously disregarded.” Roman Missal in use before the Second “Ever more plain in the words and at- Vatican Council, overturning or severely titudes of many is the close connection restricting permissions St. John Paul II and between the choice of celebrations accord- Pope Benedict XVI had given to celebrate ing to the liturgical books prior to Vatican the so-called Tridentine-rite Mass. Council II and the rejection of the church “An opportunity offered by St. John and her institutions in the name of what Paul II and, with even greater magnanim- is called the ‘true church,’” Pope Francis ity by Benedict XVI, intended to recover wrote. the unity of an ecclesial body with diverse To promote the unity of the church, Pope liturgical sensibilities, was exploited to Francis said, bishops should care for those widen the gaps, reinforce the divergences Catholics “who are rooted in the previous and encourage disagreements that injure form of celebration” while helping them the church, block her path and expose her “return in due time” to the celebration of to the peril of division,” Pope Francis wrote Mass according to the new Missal. in a letter to bishops July 16. The pope also indicated he believed The text accompanies his apostolic letter that sometimes parishes and communities “Traditionis Custodes” (Guardians of the devoted to the older liturgy were the idea Tradition), declaring the liturgical books of the priests involved and not the result promulgated after the Second Vatican of a group of Catholic faithful desiring to Council to be “the unique expression of the celebrate that Mass. ‘lex orandi’ (law of worship) of the Roman Pope Francis asked bishops “to discon- Rite,” restoring the obligation of priests to tinue the erection of new personal parishes have their bishops’ permission to celebrate tied more to the desire and wishes of indi- according to the “extraordinary” or pre- vidual priests than to the real need of the Vatican II Mass and ordering bishops not ‘holy people of God.’” to establish any new groups or parishes in However, he also said that many people their dioceses devoted to the old liturgy. Msgr. Peter B. Wells, left, a U.S. priest who works at the Vatican Secretariat find nourishment in more solemn celebra- Priests currently celebrating Mass ac- of State, leaves a Tridentine-rite Mass celebrated at the Altar of the Chair in tions of Mass, so he asked bishops “to be cording to the old missal must request St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican May 15, 2011. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) vigilant in ensuring that every liturgy be authorization from their bishop to continue celebrated with decorum and fidelity to the doing so, Pope Francis ordered, and for solemn celebration.” extraordinary form “is harmonized with the liturgical books promulgated after Vatican any priest ordained after the document’s In 2007, Pope Benedict XVI issued ordinary pastoral care of the parish, under Council II, without the eccentricities that publication July 16, the bishop must “Summorum Pontificum” on the use of the governance of the bishop in accordance can easily degenerate into abuses.” consult with the Vatican before granting the pre-Vatican II Roman liturgy. It said with Canon 392, avoiding discord and The liturgical life of the church has authorization. any priest of the Latin-rite church may, favoring the unity of the whole church.” changed and developed over the centuries, Pope Francis also transferred to the without any further permission from the The now-retired pope also insisted that the pope noted. Congregation for Divine Worship and the Vatican or from his bishop, celebrate the Catholics celebrating predominantly ac- “St. Paul VI, recalling that the work of Sacraments responsibility for overseeing “extraordinary form” of the Mass according cording to the old rite acknowledge the adaptation of the Roman Missal had al- the implementation of the new rules. to the rite published in 1962. The Roman validity of the new Mass and accept the ready been initiated by Pius XII, declared Diocese of Steubenville Bishop Jeffrey Missal based on the revisions of the Second teachings of the Second Vatican Council. that the revision of the Roman Missal, M. Monforton said, “I will continue Vatican Council was published in 1969. In his letter to bishops, Pope Francis carried out in the light of ancient liturgi- to reflect and study these directives The conditions Pope Benedict set out said that responses to a survey of the cal sources, had the goal of permitting from our Holy Father, pursuant to the for use of the old rite were that there was world’s bishops carried out last year by the church to raise up, in the variety of instructions in the ‘motu proprio.’ I a desire for it, that the priest knows the the Congregation for the Doctrine of the languages, ‘a single and identical prayer’ have provided those priests who have rite and Latin well enough to celebrate Faith “reveal a situation that preoccupies that expressed her unity,” Pope Francis been celebrating the extraordinary in a worthy manner and that he ensures and saddens me and persuades me of the said. “This unity I intend to re-establish form permission to continue this that the good of parishioners desiring the need to intervene. Regrettably, the pastoral throughout the church of the Roman Rite.” Pope Francis urges Franciscans to recognize God’s presence in the poor By Cindy Wooden Francis told the Franciscans. “Do not forget Catholic News Service that a renewed gaze, capable of opening us VATICAN CITY — The renewal of the to God’s future, comes from our closeness Franciscan order must start, like the order to the poor, the victims of modern slavery, itself did, from being with and learning to the refugees and the excluded of this world. really see poor and marginalized people as They are your teachers. Embrace them as an “almost sacramental sign of God’s pres- St. Francis did!” ence,” Pope Francis told members of the The Holy Spirit worked in the life of St. general chapter of the Order of Friars Minor. Francis and through his encounters with the “As you face the challenges of declining poor and the sick, and the Spirit continues numbers and aging in much of the order, to work in the lives of the friars today, the do not let anxiety and fear prevent you pope said. from opening your hearts and minds to the “I encourage you to go out to meet the men renewal and revitalization that the Spirit and women who suffer in body and soul, to of God is stirring in you and among you,” offer your humble and fraternal presence, the pope wrote in his message, which was without grand speeches, but making your released July 17. closeness as lesser brothers felt,” he wrote. Representing some 13,000 Franciscans And, he said, they should “go forth as around the world, 116 friars attended the A Franciscan sets up food plates to be distributed to the unemployed inside men of peace and reconciliation, inviting general chapter in Rome July 3-18 to plan a tent in Sao Paulo April 7, 2020. (CNS photo/Anderson Ribeiro, courtesy SEFRAS) those who sow hatred, division and for the future of the order and to elect a new violence to conversion of heart and offering minister general. They chose Father Mas- “You have a spiritual heritage of inesti- life and characterized by prayer, fraternity, to the victims the hope born of truth, justice simo Fusarelli, a former provincial in Italy. mable richness, rooted in the evangelical poverty, minority and itinerancy,” Pope and forgiveness.”