Western Kentucky CATHOLIC Paid Western Kentucky Catholic, 600 Locust Street, Owensboro, Kentucky 42301 Volume 35, Number 7, September, 2008
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Owensboro, KY Permit No. 111 Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage 42301 Western Kentucky CATHOLIC Paid Western Kentucky Catholic, 600 Locust Street, Owensboro, Kentucky 42301 Volume 35, Number 7, September, 2008 Disciples Response Fund Appeal 2008 Service Change Dear Friends in Christ, Requested It is that time of year when you, the Church of Western Ken- tucky - Diocese of Owensboro, have the opportunity to respond as Disciples of Christ by reflecting on how we can be good stewards of God’s many gifts to us all. This year the date of this reflection falls on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross — a Feast that has been part of the tradition of the Church for over 1,700 years, dating back to the time when the Roman Emperor had a vision of the Cross. This brought about his conversion as a disciple of Christ, and he issued an edict which allowed the disciples - the followers of Christ to freely practice their Catholic Faith without fear of persecution. The Cross is the great sign of Jesus being the ultimate example of the Good Steward, in that He gave His life for our Bishop, I am most edified by those who have responded to this salvation, so it is fitting that the Cross led Emperor Constantine special opportunity, and I hope that many more will respond as Responding to toward being a good steward of his power. The disciples of Christ the Campaign continues. were then free to share the Good News of the Risen Christ, the Having said that, the Disciples Response Fund Appeal is Today’s Need and Good News of God’s love for all of us to the ends of the earth. an annual opportunity for you to share your gift of money to As we all reflect on our own stewardship this weekend, we support the ongoing ministries of the Diocese. As you know, are given the opportunity to share our prayers and our material the needs are endless, and we as Church must continue to make Tomorrow Vision resources with the Faith Community of Western Kentucky. our best faith efforts to continue all the ministries and to expand The Diocesan Capital Campaign is We are in the midst of a Diocesan Capital Campaign where them as much as possible, in order to share the Good News in in full swing. In spite of the diocesan- you have another opportunity to be a good steward. As your this Diocese and beyond. wide economic concerns, the people This letter could sound like just another way of asking for of western Kentucky are supportive of Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph money, but that is not the point. This weekend is all about stew- this capital campaign. “We need to take Maple Mount, Ky. ardship and the need for us all to be good stewards of our time, care of our priests,” is a common com- talents and material resources. Given the fact that everything ment heard as someone designates their 38TH ANNUAL PICNIC we have is pure gift from God, we are all stewards. Stewardship gift to the Charitable Trust Fund, or “I Sunday, Sept. 7 of our gifts is a matter of our Faith and how we live that Faith wasn’t sure about coming here and now For the Benefit of the Retired Ursuline Sisters in the world today. Whether we are going to be good stewards I don’t want to leave,” was a comment or not is between each one of us and God. Serving times: 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. heard from a camper after he spent a This Diocese is noted for its generosity — this Diocese is week at Gasper River Catholic Youth Award Winning Barbeque: Chicken, Mutton, Pork, Burgoo blessed with many who understand and practice being faithful camp and Retreat center and further stewards. It is not easy to be a good steward, but God calls each solidifies the fact that the acquisition of of us to take stewardship of our gifts seriously and to respond the camp is a positive for this diocese appropriately. and this campaign. As we look on the Cross on which Jesus died for us, we Since the parish phase began in must answer the question: “What can I do to bring the Good May, 2008, there have been over 1,077 News of the Risen Christ, the Good News of our Salvation to pledges totaling over $3.6 million. all the people of God?” The average gift to the campaign is Silent Auction • Booths • Crafts • Games We can all become good stewards if we each play our role $3383.00. As we all know, you can des- Booths open at 10:30 a.m. in carrying out the mission of the Church by sharing our gifts. ignate your gift toward one of the four The Disciples Response Fund Appeal gives us the opportunity initiatives in this campaign, Charitable Raffle Tickets Only $2 Each to do that. Let us all be as generous as our gifts allow in living Trust Fund, St. Stephen Cathedral reno- Grand Prize Raffle $3,000 up to our responsibility as true disciples of Christ. vation and restoration project, Catholic Get your tickets from any Ursuline Sister or call: Wishing you God’s blessing always, I remain Education endowment fund and the 270-229-4103, ext. 278 Gasper River Catholic youth camp and Sincerely in Christ, Please Join Us at Our Picnic! retreat center. We are currently in the visitation phase of this campaign. The visitation team of Kirby- Smith Associates has made nearly 800 contacts to date. Comments have been Most Reverend John J. McRaith generally positive toward the campaign Bishop of the Diocese of Owensboro License #0290 and the visitation team. 2 The Western Kentucky Catholic, September, 2008 The Future of Our Church Depends on Allowing The Holy Spirit to Empower Our Lives As True Missionaries youth from around the world. While we same day that made me think about what we find ourselves. are many miles away, this Eucharist ties life is all about. In the morning, we cel- The courage to follow God’s plan for My Dear Friends, us all together as Church, as the Children ebrated Mass in the Pastoral Center Cha- us from birth to death comes from the World Youth Day’s message to the of God and the Catholic Church. pel to welcome a beautiful baby who was Holy Spirit and especially from the Eu- world is timeless, good for both children The theme of the 2008 World Youth adopted through our Catholic Charities charist, the very source and summit of all and adults and our youth to hear just as Day is taken from the Acts of the Apos- Adoption Program. A baby is such an in- Christian life. those gathered for World Youth Day in tles. The context from which the passage credible symbol of the power of the Holy Please remember that World Youth the Diocese of Owensboro did on July 19 is taken is important. Picture this: Jesus Spirit coming into our faith lives, begin- Day is celebrated to remind you — the at Gasper River Youth Camp and Retreat recently suffered, died and was raised ning at Baptism. youth — that the Church has confidence Center. From the moment of our birth from the dead. The apostles and other That afternoon, I visited a dying in you. and Baptism to the time of our Last Rites, loyal followers were deeply concerned friend who had lived over 80 years and In the words of our Holy Father: “the we are called to change the world. World about Jesus’ pending Ascension back to would soon account for how he allowed Spirit of the Lord always remembers ev- Youth Day is celebrated to remind you the Father. the Holy Spirit to work in his life. As I ery individual, and wishes, particularly — the youth — that the Church has con- What would become of all that Jesus prayed with the dying man, he lay quietly through you young people, to stir up the fidence in you. had taught them? How would the mes- but gave every evidence of total peace as wind and fire of a new Pentecost in the I want to take this opportunity to sage get out to the entire world? Where he awaited his call from God to finish his world.” Together with our Holy Father, share with all Western Kentucky Catho- would they fit into the picture? journey of the faith. let us invoke the Holy Spirit and ask God lics the message brought to youth gath- Jesus’ response was: “You will re- All within a few hours, I had the grace “for the gift of a new Pentecost for the ered at Gasper River Youth Camp in July, ceive power when the Holy Spirit comes of helping to celebrate a new life and then Church and for humanity in the third mil- 2008 in this homily: upon you, and you will be my Witness- to share in the pain of the end of a long lennium.” Bishop’s World Youth Day Homily, es.” Christ said His witnesses will go to life. Clearly, the Holy Spirit was with If we allow the power of the Holy Gasper River Catholic Camp, July 19, the ENDS OF THE EARTH. This is how both the baby and the dy- Spirit to help us to be true witnesses 2008 the Church was born on that first Pente- ing man. From the moment to God’s Love from birth to death, How wonderful to look out over this cost, and from that day to this, she has of our birth and Baptism to we will one day meet for all eternity marvelous gathering of people, especially not ceased to spread the Good News to the time of our last breath, in the presence of our ever-loving the youth of the Diocese of Owensboro the ends of the earth.