JPII’s sainthood Chrism cause Mass Church looking for Bishop, people with pope priests gather stories to tell, page 2. in Ridgway, page 4.

www.ErieRCD.org BI-WEEKLY NEWS BULLETIN OOFF THE DIOCESE OF ERIE AAprilpril 6, 20020088

Church Calendar Benedict’s fi rst visit to Events of the local, American and universal church U.S. as pope features Feast days diverse encounters By John Thavis Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI’s first visit to the United States as head of the Catholic Church features a diverse series of encounters with government leaders, interreligious and ecu- menical representatives, the academic world and the Catholic faithful. St. John Baptist St. Stanislaus The pope’s events in Washington and New de la Salle York April 15-20 include a meeting with Presi- German pope April 7 St. John Baptist de la Salle dent George W. Bush at the White House and a visit to ground zero in lower Manhattan. April 11 St. Stanislaus His address to the United Nations April 18 April 13 World Day of Prayer will be the international highlight of the trip, of- defies easy for Vocations fering the pope the most significant global plat- dentine Mass and introduced touches of antiquity in form to date in his three-year pontificate. his own liturgies. It will be Pope Benedict’s eighth foreign trip caricature The “real Benedict” no doubt has some elements Confi rmation schedule and the first papal visit to the United States since of all these partial portraits, but in a combination By John Thavis that defies easy caricature. This is a pope who brings St. Boniface, Kersey – Sun., April 6 at 1 p.m. Pope John Paul II made a 30-hour visit to St. Louis in 1999. Catholic News Service depth of thought to every word or action, in ways Confirmation classes include St. Joseph, Force, and that are not entirely predictable. St. Boniface, Kersey. U.S. organizers report a high demand for tick- ets for the two papal Masses, to be celebrated in VATICAN CITY — Americans will soon have He once described heaven as “plunging into the their first close-up encounter with Pope Benedict ocean of infinite love,” has called saints the real rev- St. Leo Magnus, Ridgway – Sun., April 6 at 4 p.m. Nationals Park in Washington and Yankee Sta- dium in New York. XVI, a figure who, in the minds of many, is still olutionaries, and compared receiving the Eucharist to nuclear fission — a “chain of intimate explosions St. Joseph, Warren At the Vatican, too, the excitement is building coming into focus. – Mon., April 7 at 7 p.m. Con- Some view him as a vigilant pastor, one who has of good over evil in the human heart.” firmation classes include St. Anthony, Sheffield; Holy for what church officials say could be the most important papal trip in years. used virtually every medium possible — books and One of the pope’s most important themes is that Redeemer, Warren; and St. Joseph, Warren. speeches, sermons and encyclicals — to guide Cath- when modern society tries to do without God it opens the door to the exaltation of science and tech- St. James, Erie Here is how the pope’s itinerary will unfold: olics back to the essential message of Jesus and the – Tues., April 8 at 7 p.m. Confir- Gospel. nology, economic selfishness, ideological excess and mation classes include Mount Calvary, Erie, and St. Tuesday, April 15 Others see the German pope as a doctrinal over- misuse of freedom. James, Erie. seer, policing the church’s moral boundaries on is- With equal force, he has maintained that religion sues like end-of-life medical care, marriage and ho- cannot sever its links to reason without slipping into St. Lawrence, Albion – Thurs., April 10 at 7 p.m. The pope is expected to arrive at Andrews Air Force Base mosexuality. fanaticism. Confirmation classes include St. Philip, Crossingville, For many non-Christians, Pope Benedict is U.S. author and scholar George Weigel said Pope and St. Lawrence, Albion. outside Washington in the late afternoon after a nine-hour an enigma, a man who has visited a mosque and Benedict has thus taken aim at the two great prob- prayed toward Mecca with his Muslim host, yet lems defining international public life in the early St. Tobias, Brockway – Fri., April 11 at 7 p.m. flight on his chartered Alitalia jet. He will be greeted by Bush and the first lady, who repeatedly speaks about the need to proclaim 21st century: religious faith that rejects reason and Confirmation classes include St. Mary, Reynoldsville; Christ as the unique savior for all people. reason that has lost faith in itself. Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Sykesville; as well as by local church dignitaries, and both the pope and the president are expected to make He is hailed as a liturgical hero by traditionalist St. Bernard, Falls Creek; Holy Cross, Brandycamp; Catholics for having relaxed restrictions on the Tri- See POPE, page 3 and St. Tobias, Brockway. brief remarks. Afterward, the pope will go to the apostolic nunciature, the Vatican’s version of an St. Catherine of Siena, DuBois – Sat., April 12 embassy, to rest. at 11 a.m. Confirmation classes include St. Joseph, Local pilgrims excited for encounters with pppope DuBois; St. Michael, DuBois; and St. Catherine of Wednesday, April 16 Siena, DuBois. By Jason Koshinskie class willll Bush welcomes the pope on the FaithLife editor be mak- St. Joseph, Sharon – Sat., April 12 at 5:15 p.m. south lawn of the White House ing the Confirmation classes include Sacred Heart, Sharon, at 10:30 a.m., then the two lead- While most of the faithful trip, as and St. Joseph, Sharon. ers go inside for private talks. It’s in the Erie Diocese will have to well. only the second time in history make a spiritual pilgrimage dur- “I just St. Patrick, Franklin – Sat., April 19 at 5:15 p.m. that a pope has visited the White House, and it ing Pope Benedict XVI’s April think takes place on the pope’s 81st birthday. visits to Washington and New it’s re- St. Francis Bradford – Sun., April 20 at 1 p.m. York, some will be lucky enough ally cool Confirmation classes include St. Bernard, Bradford; At 5:30 p.m., the pope presides over a prayer ser- to see the Holy Father in person that I’ll gett Our Mother of Perpetual Help, Lewis Run; and St. vice with about 350 U.S. bishops at the Basilica and attend a papal Mass. to see him,”m,” Francis, Bradford. of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Con- Approximately 250 people Satica saidd of ception. Before the service, the pope will greet from the diocese will make up the pope. ““II ththinkink well-wishers outside. part of a capacity crowd of more it will be ninicece to get Clergy appointment than 73,000 for Mass on Sunday, to experiencence a Mass wwithith Thursday, April 17 April 20 at Yankee Stadium. The him. It will be nice to spend time The Most Rev. Donald W. Trautman, STD, SSL, diocese dispensed its allotment of with the whole grade.” either. But he said he’s looking At 10 a.m., the pope celebrates tickets on a first-come, first-served Other than the papal Mass, the forward to seeing the pope in per- Bishop of Erie, announces the following diocesan Mass in Nationals Park, the appointments: basis. class will also visit Ground Zero, son and going to Mass. first nonbaseball event at the For Rosa Satica, an 8th grader St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the “I haven’t really heard much Father Gerald Wright, OMV, appointed tempo- new stadium. at Cathedral Center School in Empire State Building. about him,” Bleggi said of Pope rary parochial administrator of St. Mary Parish, See EVENTS, page 3 Erie, it will be her first trip to New Chris Bleggi, another 8th grad- Erie. Effective March 7, 2008. York City. All 26 students in her er, has never been to New York See PILGRIMS, page 3 Quebec – Philadelphia – Erie World Day of Prayer for Tracing diocesan history by way T I M E L I N E of Quebec and Philadelphia 1608 Vocations is April 13 Quebec City is 1615 By Jason Koshinskie founded by Samuel The fi rst missionaries arrive in From staff and wire reports the poor, sick and weak and ad- FaithLife editor de Champlain on Quebec. ministering the sacraments. July 3. Parish communities with a real In addition, in following Je- While the Diocese of Erie isn’t celebrating an official anniversary, 1618 sense of obligation to spread the sus who sacrificed everything it has roots in two of North American churches that are marking Franciscan and Jesuit Gospel are places where vocations to bring salvation to human- milestones this year. missionaries traverse the Great to be missionary priests and reli- ity, some Christians are called This year marks the 400th anniversary of the founding of Quebec Lakes area and pass through gious thrive, Pope Benedict XVI to leave their homelands and City, capital of the Canadian province of Quebec, and the 200th an- the territory that would become said in his message for the World set off to bring the message of niversary of the establishment of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. the Diocese of Erie. Day of Prayer for Vocations on God’s love to a wider audience, The roots of the church in Erie can be traced to these two events. Sunday, April 13. he said. “The 400th anniversary of Quebec is very pertinent to us,” said 1673 “Vocations to the min- “There have always The fi rst 1808 isterial priesthood and been in the church many Father Ed Lohse, chancellor of the Erie Diocese. “We were part of On April 8, the 1843 that group.” recorded Mass to the consecrated life men and women who, in the territory is Archdiocese of The Diocese can only flourish in a prompted by the ac- Quebec City was founded on July 3, 1608 by Samuel de Cham- celebrated by Philadelphia is of Pittsburgh plain. The French settlement served as a base for fur traders and mis- is established spiritual soil that is well tion of the Holy Spirit, Father Jacques created, which at cultivated,” he said. choose to live the Gospel sionaries. The Recollets were the first missionaries to arrive in 1615, Marquette, a that time included in Western followed by the Jesuits, Ursulines and Augustines. By 1618, mis- the entire states Pennsylvania The 2008 theme is “Voca- in a radical way, professing French Jesuit tions at the Service of the Church the vows of chastity, poverty and sionaries had already traversed the Great Lakes territory and passed missionary and of Pennsylvania on Aug. 11 through the area that would later become the Erie Diocese. North American and Delaware, and and includes on Mission.” obedience,” he said. explorer. the western and parishes that The Diocesan Vocation Office, Pope Benedict said that those While there may have been prior Masses in the territory, the first are now part known recorded Mass was celebrated by Father Jacques Marquette, southern parts of the Sisters’ Vocation Awareness on the front lines of the church’s New Jersey. of the Erie Committee and the Serra Club of work in missionary territories al- a French Jesuit missionary and North American explorer, in 1673 at Diocese. Presque Isle. Marquette University in Milwaukee, founded in 1881, is Erie will sponsor a holy hour for most always are the priests and named after Father Marquette. vocations to the consecrated life religious women and men who In 1674, Quebec was officially elevated to diocese. It is the first and the ordained ministry from consecrate their whole lives to 1853 7-8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23 serving God and humanity. permanent settlement of Catholics in North America. The current di- The Diocese of Erie, ocesan territory was under the jurisdiction of the king of France and 2008 at the Sisters of Mercy Mother- All Christians have an obliga- carved out of the Diocese house in Erie. tion to support the missionaries, the bishop of Quebec. The source of the priests of the area came from of Pittsburgh, was offi cially Quebec City celebrates France through Quebec. Over time, Quebec became an archdiocese the 400th anniversary In his message, Pope Benedict materially and with their prayers, established on July 29 insisted that the task of explicitly he said, and to pray for more vo- and lost large pieces of its territory. and was to embrace 13 of its founding and To mark the 400th anniversary of Quebec City, the 49th Interna- counties of Northwestern the Archdiocese of proclaiming the Gospel to those cations to the priesthood and re- Philadelphia honors tional Eucharistic Congress will be held there June 15-22 with the Pennsylvania. who do not know Jesus Christ is ligious life. its bicentennial; other still at the heart of the vocation of For more information on voca- theme, “The Eucharist, gift of God for the life of the world.” archdioceses celebrating Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet of Quebec has invited U.S. Cath- every Christian. tions in the Erie Diocese, includ- 200 years include In following Jesus, the pope ing marriage, priesthood, women olics to attend the 2008 International Eucharistic Congress in his see New York, Boston and city. Louisville. said, some men are called to the religious and permanent diacon- priesthood to carry out the mis- ate, visit www.ErieRCD.org/vo- See HISTORY, page 3 sionary task in a special way by cations.asp, call 800.374.3723 or preaching and teaching, caring for e-mail [email protected]. By the Way... from Catholic News Service Election season is in full swing, and Pennsylvania’s primary is set for April 22. IN THE U.S. of Catholic Bishops headquarters in Wash- testimonials in While parishes and other non-profit ington. He said CHA’s efforts to reform the Spanish and church organizations are prohibited from For Maggie Gallagher, president of health care system in the United States are Portuguese. A participating in political campaign activ- the Institute for Marriage and Public defined in its newly released reform initia- spokeswoman ity, the U.S. bishops are making a non- Policy in Manassas, Va., changing the law tive, “Our Vision for U.S. Health Care.” The for the office partisan call to political responsibility. to allow same-sex marriage means changing document establishes principles for reform said: “It does An item that should be enclosed in one of the fundamental building blocks of soci- and proposes that a reformed system should not have to be this issue of FaithLife or your weekly par- ety. But be “available and accessible to everyone” and a miracle or ish bulletin this week or next is a copy it also pay “special attention to the poor and vulner- something ex- of Faithful Citizenship, a document that would able.” traordinary. We can help in forming the consciousness of Jason Koshinskie have a would like to Catholic voters. direct AROUND THE WORLD hear and share Please take a moment to visit the Erie Diocese online at www. impact stories about ErieRCD.org for a link to the new 2008 Faithful Citizenship Web on the Kenyan Catholic leaders expressed an encounter or a grace received or a hope. site or access it directly at www.faithfulcitizenship.org. Created by institu- the importance of resettling internally “This part of the site is very active in other the Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development of the tions displaced people in an effort to re- languages, but few English speakers seem to USCCB, it offers a variety of resources useful for parishes, schools, that regularly celebrate marriages, such as turn the country to normalcy. Nairobi know we have a site and a magazine where groups and others interested in learning about forming consciences the Catholic Church, she told an audience Cardinal John Njue said the church is urg- they can send these things,” she said. in relation to voting. in Providence. Gallagher was one of two ing the government to prioritize resettling As the document says, “… responsible citizenship is a virtue, and national speakers who addressed two groups the internally displaced people as part of its The sainthood cause of the founder participation in political life is a moral obligation.” that have a particular stake in marriage law wider implementation of the peace and pow- of the Knights of Columbus has taken The confi rmation season in the Erie Diocese began March 29 in — Catholic clergy and lawyers. The other er-sharing accord between President Mwai a major step forward. On March 15 Pope Punxsutawney, where Bishop Donald Trautman confirmed classes speaker was Anthony R. Picarello Jr., general Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga. Benedict XVI approved a decree of “heroic from several area parishes. Since then, Bishop Trautman has already counsel for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Such resettlement should aim at establishing virtues” for Father Michael McGivney, a U.S. confirmed students in St. Marys, Erie, North East and West Middle- Bishops in Washington. In Rhode Island, a permanent solution to current problems, priest who, after estab-- sex and inmates at SCI Cambridge Springs. same-sex marriage is not legal, but several the cardinal said at an Easter Mass March 23 lishing the Knights of It marks the beginning of another busy time of year during which bills are pending before the General Assem- in Holy Family Basilica. The church already Columbus, worked the bishop will put the bulk of more than 35,000 miles on his car bly that would allow them as well as same-sex has made its contributions through humani- as a pastor until his visiting parishes throughout the 13-county diocese. civil unions. In their presentations, Gallagher tarian aid, “and we would equally be ready to death at age 38. Fa- When Pope Benedict XVI returns to the Vatican from his U.S. presented a case for the importance of mar- contribute toward the establishment of a per- ther McGivney can be visit, he’ll be toting a gift not generally associated with an 81-year- riage to society and Picarello outlined several manent solution to the issues” of displaced beatified if a miracle is old pontiff. He’ll take home the “offi cial papal skateboard,” a gift of the potential legal ramifications that reli- Kenyans and peace, the cardinal said. attributed to his inter- from the youths of New York. gious institutions could face if marriage law cession. Canonization The gift and a contest to design it started with a remark made is changed. PEOPLE OF FAITH — a declaration of by a teen member of the skateboard club at St. Elizabeth Parish in sainthood — requires Washington Heights, a neighborhood in northern Manhattan. Health care reform has to compete The office in charge of promoting an additional mir- Father Peter Pomposello is a skateboarder and the parochial vicar for attention from Congress along with Pope John Paul II’s sainthood cause acle. Supporters of Father Michael at St. Elizabeth. As he recalled it, he was talking about the papal visit the economic recession and the on- is looking for English speakers who Father McGivney’s McGivney with the club members and they began to ask him questions about going war in Iraq, said a Catholic Health have a story to tell about their meeting cause are hoping he why the pope was coming and what he would do in New York. “I Association official. “It will be a battle” to with the late pope, their prayers for his in- will be the first U.S.-born priest to be canon- said, ‘We pray with him and we give him gifts,’” he said, “and one keep health care needs for all Americans on tercession or graces received after asking for ized. Father McGivney founded the Knights kid, without missing a beat, said, ‘Let’s give him a skateboard!’” the front burner, said his help. In a March 17 statement, the Rome of Columbus at St. Mary’s Church in New Father Pomposello sees it as a vehicle for evangelization. “It’s no Jeff Tieman, director diocesan office for the sainthood cause said Haven, Conn., in 1882. The fraternal order secret that skateboard culture does not have a clean image,” he said. of CHA’s “Covering a English submissions to the cause’s Web site for Catholic men has become the largest lay “In their age of cell phones and iPods, this is meeting the kids where Nation” initiative. Tie- were seriously falling behind those in Italian, Catholic organization in the world with more they’re at.” man spoke March 13 Polish and French. The Web site — www. than 1.7 million members, sponsoring a wide to a group of editors of U.S. and Canadian vicariatusurbis.org/Beatificazione/English/ range of educational, charitable and religious Jason Koshinskie is editor of FaithLife. Contact him at JKoshinskie@ Catholic publications at the U.S. Conference credits.htm — also has space set aside for activities. ErieRCD.org or 814.824.1171. Council of Europe report calls Pope will fi nd a spiritual nation for total legalization of abortions during his U.S. visit, survey says By Simon Caldwell By Catholic News Service Catholic News Service Abortion Laws in Europe American View WASHINGTON — Pope LONDON — The Parliamentary Abortion is illegal or restricted only Most U.S. adults have a positive view of the in a few European countries. Benedict XVI will find a spiritual pope and the church, according to a survey Assembly of the Council of Europe nation when he visits the United conducted by the Knights of Columbus. has called for an end to all restrictions abortion on request States in April, according to a new favorable POPE BENEDICT XVI on abortions in every country in Eu- permitted in most cases national survey commissioned by unfavorable % rope. permitted in limited cases* the Knights of Columbus. 13 never heard of It urged the predominantly Catholic only to save a woman’s life Sweden 17% Finland The survey, conducted by the 58% unsure countries of Andorra, Malta, Ireland banned Marist College Institute for Pub- 12% and Poland — where abortion is either Norway lic Opinion in Poughkeepsie, Iceland United Estonia illegal or severely restricted — to grant Kingdom Russia N.Y., found that “Americans are Latvia women access to the controversial pro- Ireland Denmark interested in hearing how God, CATHOLIC CHURCH cedure. Lithuania religion and spirituality may Belarus The demands were in a March 18 Netherlands % Poland be incorporated into their daily 28 Belgium Germany report by the council’s Committee on lives.” 1% 65% Lux. Czech Ukraine 6% Equal Opportunities for Women and Rep. The results were released by France Slovakia Liech. Men. The report was approved March Austria Moldova Switz. Hungary Supreme Knight Carl Anderson Slovenia 11 by a large majority of the equal op- Romania March 25 at the National Press From a survey of 1,015 U.S. adults interviewed between Feb. 25 and March 5, 2008. Source: Knights of Columbus Italy Croatia The margin of sampling error is plus or minus 3.1 percent. ©2008 CNS Andorra Serbia portunities committee. Portugal Bosnia Monaco San -Herzegovina Club in Washington. His new Spain Marino Although the Council of Europe Montenegro Bulgaria book, “A Civilization of Love: Macedonia cannot pass laws, it does pass resolu- Vatican What Every Catholic Can Do to Despite their positive view of part of their daily lives and find- City Albania tions which may have significant in- Greece Transform the World,” published the pope, Americans said they ing spiritual fulfillment “by shar- fluence on the laws of its 47 member by HarperOne, debuted the same don’t know much about him, An- ing their time and talent,” as well states. It will be discussed during a ple- Malta day. derson noted. as how “they can make a positive nary session April 14-18. Cases in which a abortion can be performed vary by country, but many By a ratio of more than 4-to-1, Other results from the survey difference in the world, their state include to save a woman’s life, to preserve physical health, to preserve Gisela Wurm, an Austrian member metal health, in cases of rape or incest, in cases of fetal impairment. the survey said, Americans have a showed that: and communities.” of the committee, said in the report that Source: United Nations “World Abortion Policies 2007” ©2008 CNS favorable opinion of Pope Bene-  Sixty-three percent of Amer-  Nearly two-thirds of Ameri- “even in member states where abortion dict; 58 percent of those surveyed icans believe the Catholic Church cans, or 64 percent, expressed an is legal, conditions are not always such to safe abortion, including international law, which has said they view him favorably, contributes either “a great deal interest in hearing Pope Benedict as to guarantee women effective access medical costs. It also called always been the most im- compared with 13 percent who or a good amount to people and address “how they can have a so- to this right.” for access to free or cheap portant and ultimate goal of have an unfavorable opinion. communities” in the U.S.; 24 per- ciety where spiritual values play “Women must be allowed freedom contraception and compulso- the worldwide pro-abortion Seventeen percent said they have cent believe the church contrib- an important role.” of choice and offered the conditions ry sex education in schools. lobby,” said John Smeaton, never heard of him. utes “not very much or nothing at The survey was conducted Feb. of a free and enlightened choice,” she “The report will undoubt- director of the Society for Sixty-five percent of Ameri- all.” 25-March 5; 1,015 adults 18 years added. edly be used as leverage to- the Protection of Unborn cans have a favorable opinion of  Seventy percent or more of of age or older were interviewed. The report invited the member states ward the creation of a right Children, a pro-life group in the Catholic Church, compared Americans said they want to hear The margin of error is plus or mi- to end all restrictions that hinder access to abortion on demand in the United Kingdom. to 28 percent who have an unfa- the pope talk about spiritual mat- nus 3.1 percentage points for the vorable view. ters such as allowing God to be entire survey.

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Benedict’s fi rst visit to U.S. as German pope defies easy caricature pope features diverse encounters POPE, from page 1 young Father RatzRatzingeringer made iimportantmportant con- tributions as a theologtheologicalical expert and embraced EVENTS, from page 1 Those two points were the subject of the the council’s eearlyarly work and iitsts bold approach pope’s address in Regensburg, Germany, in to renewal. At 5 p.m., the pope addresses the heads of more than 200 U.S. 2006. Among Muslims, the speech provoked But he begangan to have mmisgivingsisgivings Catholic colleges and universities at The Catholic University of an initial uproar, but has eventually led to a in later councilncil sessiosessions.ns. In America in Northeast Washington. Also attending will be school major new dialogue initiative between the particular, he warned of superintendents from U.S. dioceses. Vatican and Islamic moderates. an emerging anti-Romananti-Roman Regensburg was the first instance of what bias and the iideadea ooff a At 6:30 p.m., the pope will join Buddhists, Muslims, Jews, Hindus some have called Pope Benedict’s tendency to “church fromm bebelow”low” and representatives of other religions for a meeting at the Pope make provocative statements that later need run on a parlia-arlia- John Paul II Cultural Center. clarification or qualification. Other examples mentary model.el. include his speeches on indigenous peoples in In 1977, Popeope Friday, April 18 Brazil and on the Holocaust at the Nazi death Paul VI nameded camp Auschwitz in Poland. him archbish-h- After flying from Washington to New York, the “The pope is really trying to speak about op of Munichh pope addresses the U.N. General Assembly at very difficult issues, so sometimes clarifica- and made 10:45 a.m. He’s continuing a papal tradition: Pope tions will be requested. And one could say in him a cardi- John Paul II visited the United Nations twice, in his favor that he is prepared to clarify,” said nal. In 1981 1979 and 1995, and Pope Paul VI did so in 1965. Jesuit Father Christian W. Troll, a German Pope John professor of Islamic studies who has known Paul II called him to the Vatican to head the Much of the pope’s pastoral strategy is At 6 p.m., the pope holds a prayer service with representatives of the pope for many years. Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. back to basics, with weekly audience talks on other Christian denominations at St. Joseph Church, a historic Father Troll said, however, that the pope Over the next 24 years, he wielded great influ- the apostles, the saints and the early Christian German parish in the Yorkville section of Manhattan. does not always accurately foresee how his ence as the Vatican responded to a wide array theologians — a kind of “Catholicism 101.” speeches — sometimes delivered in a “profes- of challenges, including liberation theology, His book, “Jesus of Nazareth,” which has Saturday, April 19 sorial” style — will be played by the mass me- dissent from church teachings and pressure for sold more than 2 million copies, was written dia. women’s ordination. in a more challenging style. Its central point, At 9:15 a.m., the pope celebrates Mass in St. Those who have worked with the pope When Pope John Paul died, Cardinal Ratz- however, is simple: Jesus was God, not merely Patrick’s Cathedral in midtown Manhattan for through the years say that when it comes to inger celebrated his funeral and presided over a moralist or a political revolutionary or a so- priests, deacons and members of religious orders. the United States, he is surprisingly well-in- daily meetings of cardinals before the conclave. cial reformer. The day marks the third anniversary of the pope’s formed. Veteran Vatican-watchers The reaction to all this has been mixed. election. “He has an amaz- sensed momentum, and Many of those who listen to the pope in per- ing power of retention. by the time white smoke son or bother to read his talks or documents At 4:30 p.m., the pope presides over an encounter with young peo- He reads an enormous Repeatedly, he has warned that came out of the Sistine come away with a favorable impression. ple at St. Joseph Seminary in Yonkers, north of New York City. amount. Still, I don’t “a world emptied of God, a world Chapel smokestack April The pope will meet with about 50 disabled youths, then speak to know how he does it,” that has forgotten God, loses life 19, 2005, few were sur- “Today he spoke about Lent in a simple several thousand young people — including hundreds of seminar- said U.S. Jesuit Father prised at the cardinals’ and very clear way. I understood it and appre- ians — at what’s being described as a rally/prayer service. Joseph Fessio, who and falls into a culture of death.” choice. ciated it — what he’s preaching, really, is the studied under the fu- From the begin- heart of the Gospel,” said Claudio Faltracco, Sunday, April 20 ture pope in the 1970s. ning of his pontificate, a pilgrim from northern Italy who attended a While in the United States, Pope Benedict Pope Benedict made it clear that he would general audience in February. At 9:30 a.m., the pope will visit ground zero, the will celebrate the third anniversary of his elec- not try to match Pope John Paul’s charismatic But Pope Benedict does not filter especially site of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the tion. As inevitable as that event may seem in style. He depersonalized the papacy, saying a well through the mass media. He makes head- World Trade Center. retrospect, his path to the papacy was long and pope’s task is to make shine “not his own light, lines primarily when there’s potential for con- indirect. but that of Christ.” troversy, but not when he’s drawing lessons At 2:30 p.m., the pope will celebrate Mass in Yan- Joseph Ratzinger was born April 16, 1927, Yet Pope Benedict has drawn record crowds from the lives of the early saints. kee Stadium. The liturgy will commemorate the 200th anniversa- in the Bavarian town of Marktl am Inn, the to the Vatican, and many find his gentle and Three years is not a long time for measur- ries of the archdioceses of New York, Boston, Philadelphia and third and youngest child of a police officer, Jo- low-key approach appealing. ing papal success or failure, but a list of ac- Louisville, Ky., as well as the elevation of Baltimore — the diocese seph Sr., and his wife, Maria. “He seems to have a pastoral sense about complishments for Pope Benedict would have from which the new sees were created — to an archdiocese. Joseph joined his brother, Georg, at a mi- him ... I feel that he understands the role of to include: nor seminary in 1939. Like other young stu- shepherd,” Rose Marie Lombard, a pilgrim  His 2006 encyclical “Deus Caritas Est” The pope departs John F. Kennedy International Airport at 8 p.m. dents, he was automatically enrolled in the from Rochester, N.Y., said at one of the pope’s (“God Is Love”), which described the faith as on Shepherd One, his chartered Alitalia jet. Hitler Youth program, but soon stopped going first public appearances. charity in action. to meetings. He was conscripted into the army Pope Benedict cut back on the heavy calen-  The 2007 letter to Chinese Catholics, Even for those who can’t get into papal events, there will be op- and, as the war drew to a close in 1945, de- dar of papal events that had become routine which indicated a path of unity for the church portunities to at least see the pontiff. Vatican officials are bringing serted his unit and returned home. When the under Pope John Paul. It soon became clear and challenged the government to a real dia- over a glass-walled popemobile and plan to use it at some point in U.S. military arrived, he was arrested with oth- that the new pope’s primary goals were about logue. both cities. ers who had served in the army and placed in a faith, not administration.  Seven foreign trips, including an interre- prisoner-of-war camp for a few months. Repeatedly, he has warned that “a world ligious pilgrimage to Turkey, where he prayed He returned to the seminary late in 1945 emptied of God, a world that has forgot- in a mosque and defused a growing crisis with and was ordained six years later. ten God, loses life and falls into a culture of Islam. In a meeting with young people in 2005, death.”  A series of small but telling liturgical Briefl y the pope said witnessing the brutality of the It is a theme the pope has brought to bear changes, including the relaxation of the re- Nazi regime helped convince him to become on all kinds of social and political issues, in- strictions on the Tridentine Mass, the appoint- a priest. But he also had to overcome some cluding poverty, abortion, bioethical research, ment of a new papal liturgist and a return to Benedictine Sisters of Erie doubts, he said. For one thing, he asked him- marriage, consumerism and environmental more traditional vestments and altar decora- open house April 13 self whether he “could faithfully live celibacy” degradation. tions. his entire life. He also recognized that his real To Catholics, he has emphasized that a  The naming of 38 new cardinals from 20 To celebrate religious life, the Benedictine Sisters of Erie invite leanings were toward theology and wondered personal encounter with Jesus is the key to ev- countries. guests to an open house on Sunday, April 13 from 8:15 a.m. to 1:30 whether he had the qualities of a good pastor erything the church does and the factor that Those who have watched this pontificate p.m. at Mount St. Benedict Monastery, 6101 East Lake Road, Erie. and the ability “to be simple with the simple ensures Christian actions will have impact in develop say 2008 may be a watershed year. The open house will include a tour, morning praise and Mass, people.” the world. With a crucial dialogue date with Muslims at dinner and time for conversation with the sisters. This event is for After serving in a parish for less than a year, He also has insisted that every Christian is the Vatican, trips to three continents, a Synod anyone interested in seeing where sisters live and what monastic life he returned to theology studies, writing his duty-bound to evangelize and announce Christ of Bishops on the Bible, and a jubilee year is like. doctoral thesis on St. Augustine. He embarked as the unique savior to all people. In the peren- dedicated to St. Paul, the pope will have a For more information or to make a reservation for dinner, call on a teaching career at universities in Bonn, nial internal church debate over dialogue and chance to stand in the spotlight and give the Sister Janet Goetz at 814.899-0614, Ext. 2424 or e-mail vocations@ Munster, Tubingen and Regensburg. mission, Pope Benedict clearly comes down world a clearer picture of his person and his mtstbenedict.org. To learn more about the Benedictine Sisters of At the 1962-65 Second Vatican Council, a on the side of mission. mission. Erie, visit www.ErieBenedictines.org. Sisters of St. Joseph open house Local pilgrims excited for Erie Diocese: from Quebec and Philadelphia April 19 HISTORY, from page 1 The Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania are spon- encounters with pope Noting that the Canadian soring an open house on Saturday, April 19 at their Community Liv- PILGRIMS, from page 1 province of Quebec borders ing Center, 5031 West Ridge Road, Erie. Following a 6 p.m. liturgy, the United States, he said that the sisters will share stories of how they “Followed a New Path.” Benedict. “He’s an older pope. we’re all really excited. Most of “many U.S. Catholics are clos- For more information or to make a reservation by April 12, call That’s really all I know.” us can’t believe that this is even er to Quebec City than many Sister Linda Fusco at 814.836.4212 or e-mail [email protected]. For Americans, this will be happening.” Canadians.” To learn more about the Sisters of St. Joseph, visit www.ssjerie.org. their first up-close glimpse of While the diocese did not Organizers are expecting the Holy Father. During his have access to tickets for laypeo- 12,000-15,000 foreign partici- visit, Pope Benedict XVI will ple and deacons to attend the pants from 69 countries. Gannon University spring open celebrate his 81st birthday and papal Mass in Washington, it is A Web site in English, three-year anniversary of his sending nine priests, including French, Spanish and Italian is house April 20 election as pope. With Pope Bishop Donald Trautman. The already operating to provide in- Gannon University will hold its John Paul II’s 27-year papacy Archdiocese of Washington has formation about the congress, spring open house on Sunday, April still fresh in people’s minds, invited priests from around the Father Jacques Marquette, a 17th he said. The Web site is: www. century missionary and explorer, 20 for all prospective students and perhaps this visit will help nation to concelebrate the Mass cei2008.ca. their families. many embrace the style of at the new Washington Nation- was a Jesuit priest who explored On April 8, 1808, Philadelphia and evangelized in the Great  Mass will be celebrated at 11 Pope Benedict. als Park on Thursday, April 17. officially became a diocese and a.m. in the Mary, Seat of Wisdom “I don’t know if a lot of our Bishop Trautman, along with Lakes region. He celebrated the included the entire states of Penn- earliest recorded Mass in the Chapel (on Peach Street, between Fifth and Sixth streets). students have a feeling about 350 other U.S. bishops, will also sylvania and Delaware and parts of  Registration is at 11 a.m. in the lobby of the Waldron Campus him yet,” said Aaron Pfoutz, attend a prayer service with the Erie Diocese territory in 1673 at New Jersey. The diocese’s 30,000 Presque Isle in Erie. Center. director of Life Teen, the St. pope at the Basilica of the Na- Catholics were attended to by 11  Welcoming remarks will be given by Gannon President Dr. Marys area youth ministry. tional Shrine of the Immaculate priests. Antoine Garibaldi at 12:15 p.m. in the Hammermill Center. Twenty students in 8th grade Conception on April 16. Current parishes in the Erie phael); and St. Mary, St. Marys.  Other presentations and opportunities include: Meeting with through high school and five Seminarians from the Erie Diocese that were originally built Bishop Donald Trautman will Student Development representatives at 11 a.m. at the Waldron adults from St. Marys are go- Diocese will get a chance to under the jurisdiction of Philadel- attend the archdiocese’s bicenten- Campus Center; meeting faculty at 12:30 p.m. at the Hammermill ing to New York, combining hear the pope speak April 19 at phia include: St. Francis of Assisi, nial closing Mass on April 13 at Center; meeting coaches at 1:30 p.m. at the Carneval Athletic Pa- on a bus trip with a group of a rally and prayer service at St. Clearfield; St. Philip, Crossingville; Villanova Pavilion in Philadelphia. vilion; admissions and financial aid presentation at 3 p.m. at the adults from St. Leo in Ridgway Joseph Seminary in Yonkers. St. Mary, Erie; St. Patrick, Erie; St. In 1843, the Diocese of Pitts- Waldron Campus Center; and an accepted student reception at 3 and St. Francis of Assisi in The encounter is expected to be Hippolyte, Frenchtown; St. Mary burgh was established and included p.m. at Old Main. Clearfield. attended by thousands of young of the Assumption, Frenchville; St. parishes that are now part of the While reservations aren’t necessary, it is helpful to let the Office “I think we’re all going to people—including hundreds Michael, Fryburg; St. Bonaventure, Erie Diocese. Carved out of Pitts- of Admissions know if you are planning to attend. Register online have a better idea when we at- of seminarians. The diocese’s Grampian; St. Boniface, Kersey; St. burgh, the Diocese of Erie was of- at www.gannon.edu or call 1.800.GANNON.U or 814.871.7240. tend Mass,” Pfoutz said. “But seminarians will also attend the Joseph, Lucinda; St. Francis Xavi- ficially established in 1853 and was this is really their pope. This is papal Masses in New York and er, McKean; Immaculate Heart of to embrace 13 counties in north- the pope they will know. But Washington. Mary, Mercer (originally St. Ra- western Pennsylvania. 8 0 ‘08 ‘

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Catholic Services Appeal parish projects The 2008 Catholic Services Appeal, “Of One pledges from a little more than Heart and Mind,” supports the Erie Diocese in 16,000 families throughout the helping to provide heath and social services, edu- diocese. According to the Dioc- cation, diocesan administration and pastoral ser- esan Finance Office, the amount vices throughout the 13 counties of northwestern pledged is about the same at this Pennsylvania. point as the 2007 CSA, which Parishes also benefit from the appeal. Each netted a record $5.8 million. parish is assessed a financial goal. Once a parish If you haven’t yet made a The diocese’s annual Chrism Mass took place reaches its assessment, every dollar pledged over pledge to the CSA, it’s not too late. Contact your March 17 at St. Leo Parish in Ridgway. that amount stays within the parish for local proj- parish office. During the Mass, Bishop Donald Trautman ects. Here’s a look at what some parishes are doing blessed the sacred oils used throughout the diocese The 2008 CSA currently has $4.5 million in with their CSA overage funds. for the entire year, including the oil of catechu- mens (used for adult catechumens and infants), the oil of the sick (used in anointing the sick) and Bradford Deanery St. Francis, Bradford – Construction of Our Lady of Fatima shrine the oil of chrism (used for the sacraments of bap- Our Mother of Perpetual Help, Lewis Run – tism, confirmation and the ordination of priests Improvement to the exterior of the parish social hall St. Gabriel, Port Allegany – Debt reduction St. Joseph, Mt. Jewett – Funding summer and for the consecration of altars). The oils from St. Bernard, Bradford – For the parish building this Mass are then brought back to each parish in fund youth program St. Raphael, Eldred – Repair church roof, the diocese for use in celebrating the sacraments. St. Bibiana, Galeton – Sidewalk repair and More than 80 priests (top) gathered to concel- improve sewage system replace gutters, install a ramp to sacristy, replace boiler and removal of trees ebrate Mass with the bishop and to renew their St. Callistus, Kane – Repair rectory roof and vows to the ministerial priesthood. sidewalk in front of the church St. Theresa, Shinglehouse – Replace rectory roof One of the most sacred moments of this Mass St. Elizabeth, Smethport – Repair rectory occurs during the consecration of the chrism when porch roof and church water damage and remodel Sacred Heart, Genesee – For projects in the church and parish center the bishop breathes into the oil (right), a gesture religious education offi ce that symbolizes the infusion of the Holy Spirit. St. Eulalia, Coudersport – Parish center St. Augustine, Austin – New lights in the church Photos courtesy of Frank Quattrone bathroom www.quattronephotography.com. CLOCK REPAIR Sisters of Mercy fi lm debuts Dr. Galligan-Stierle speaks at Gannon Burdie’s Clock Shop 238 South Main St. Cambridge Springs, PA 16403 (814) 398-8263 “We Make House Calls”

Last summer, five regional communities of Sisters of Mercy, includ- ing Erie, united to form a new community: the New York, Pennsylva- nia, Pacific West Community. A dramatic mixing of waters from each geographic location along with water from Ireland symbolized the be- ginning of a new era for the sisters. The moment was caught on film, Father Nick Rouch, vice president for university mission and min- and is included in “Meeting of the Waters,” a one-hour documentary Dr. Michael Galligan-Stierle by Greg Schlueter of Imago Dei Video Productions which premiered istry, left, chatted with , vice president of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, center, and at St. Mark Catholic Center on March 12. Ward McCracken The film explores how several sisters from Erie were called to their , dean of Student Development at Gannon Univer- vocation and how they live it out today; the impact of Vatican II and sity, after Galligan-Stierle’s presentation to a capacity crowd of faculty the role Sisters of Mercy foundress Catherine McAuley has in their and staff on the spirituality of college students today. lives. It serves as a powerful statement on why the women involved Galligan-Stierle, who was invited to the university as part of Na- have chosen to live in community and follow the Gospel. tional Catholic Colleges Week in February, later spoke to students “Meeting of the Waters” is available from the Sisters of Mercy for about leadership. The week’s events also included a Lenten evening of $24.95 plus $3 for postage and handling at 444 E. Grandview Blvd., Erie, reflection for faculty and staff with Bishop Donald Trautman, as well PA 16504. For more information, to purchase the DVD online or to see a as a basketball game against Mercyhurst College. The Gannon Golden preview of the fi lm, visit www.IDVidPro.com/MOTW. Knights prevailed, 68-55.

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