Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for the 26Th World Day of the Sick
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Serving the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend February 4, 2018 ODAYODAY’’SS ATHOLICATHOLIC Countdown to crisis TT CC Volume 92 No. 5 50¢ TODAYSCATHOLIC.org Dreamer wants to minister at her parish Page 4 Sharing ‘fake news’ Individuals have the responsibility to discern what is real Page 6 At the same table Celebrating Mass with Superbowl teams a joy, say priests Page 8 Local generosity Annual Bishop’s Appeal 70 Photo provided percent collected On World Day of the Sick, the Catholic Church reminds us to not only to pray and care for those with illness, but also for the people who love them and for those who care for them. In advance of the Feb. 11 observance, Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades visited St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Mishawaka, and Page 9 Memorial Hospital, South Bend: He is pictured at SJRMC with the Weirich triplets, who were born prematurely. Their father is in the center of the photo, and on the right is Sister Laureen Painter, vice president of Mission Integration and Ministry Formation for St. Joseph Health System. ‘Time’s Up’ MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS Hollywood’s mixed messages Page 13 FOR THE 26TH WORLD DAY OF THE SICK 2018 Mater Ecclesiae: “Behold, your son... Behold, your mother. And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.” (Jn 19:26-27) Dear Brothers and Sisters, Before all else, Jesus’ words The Church’s service to the are the source of Mary’s mater- sick and those who care for them nal vocation for all humanity. must continue with renewed Mary was to be, in particular, vigour, in fidelity to the Lord’s the Mother of her Son’s disciples, command (cf. Lk 9:2-6; Mt 10:1- caring for them and their jour- 8; Mk 6:7-13) and following the ney through life. As we know, eloquent example of her Founder a mother’s care for her son or and Master. daughter includes both the mate- The theme for this year’s Day rial and spiritual dimensions of of the Sick is provided by the their upbringing. words that Jesus spoke from the The unspeakable pain of Cross to Mary, his Mother, and the Cross pierces Mary’s soul to John: “Woman, behold your (cf. Lk 2:35), but does not para- son ... Behold your mother. And lyze her. Quite the opposite. As from that hour the disciple took the Lord’s Mother, a new path of her into his home” (Jn 19:26-27). self-giving opens up before her. 1. The Lord’s words brilliantly On the Cross, Jesus showed his illuminate the mystery of the concern for the Church and all Cross, which does not represent humanity, and Mary is called to a hopeless tragedy, but rather share in that same concern. In Molly Gettinger the place where Jesus manifests describing the outpouring of the Bishop Rhoades celebrates an early morning Mass in Our Lady of Fatima Chapel, his glory and shows his love to Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the Acts St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, on Jan. 26. Those in attendance included the end. That love in turn was of the Apostles show that Mary staff of the medical center and members of the Catholic Medical Association. He to become the basis and rule for began to carry out this role in was joined by concelebrants Father Henry Byekwaso, left, chaplain of St. Joseph the Christian community and the Regional Medical Center, and Father Glenn Kohrman, right, chaplain of the St. life of each disciple. POPE MESSAGE, page 2 Andre Bessette Guild of the Catholic Medical Association. 2 TODAY’ S C ATHOLIC February 4, 2018 sons, children of God. of institutes in the service of the their chronically sick or severely TODAY’S CATHOLIC POPE MESSAGE, from page 1 4. The Church’s maternal infirm, the creativity, prompted by disabled children, parents and vocation to the needy and to charity, of many initiatives under- relatives. The care given within the earliest community of the Official newspaper of the the sick has found concrete taken over the centuries, and the families is an extraordinary Church. A role that never ceases. expression throughout the two commitment to scientific research witness of love for the human Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend 2. John, the beloved dis- P.O. Box 11169 thousand years of her history in as a means of offering innovative person; it needs to be fittingly Fort Wayne, IN 46856 ciple, is a figure of the Church, an impressive series of initiatives and reliable treatments to the sick. acknowledged and supported by the messianic people. He on behalf of the sick. This history This legacy of the past helps us to suitable policies. Doctors and must acknowledge Mary as his PUBLISHER: Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of dedication must not be forgot- build a better future, for example, nurses, priests, consecrated men Mother. In doing so, he is called ten. It continues to the present day by shielding Catholic hospitals and women, volunteers, families to take her into his home, to see throughout the world. In countries from the business mentality that and all those who care for the in her the model of all disciple- where adequate public health care is seeking worldwide to turn sick, take part in this ecclesial Editorial Department ship, and to contemplate the systems exist, the work of Catholic health care into a profit-making mission. It is a shared responsi- maternal vocation that Jesus religious congregations and dio- enterprise, which ends up discard- bility that enriches the value of PUBLICATIONS MANAGER: Jodi Marlin entrusted to her, with all that PAGE DESIGNER: Francie Hogan ceses and their hospitals is aimed ing the poor. Wise organization the daily service given by each. it entails: a loving Mother who not only at providing quality medi- and charity demand that the sick 7. To Mary, Mother of tender BRAND SPECIALIST: Molly Gettinger gives birth to children capable cal care, but also at putting the person be respected in his or her love, we wish to entrust all those NEWS SPECIALIST: Mark Weber of loving as Jesus commands. human person at the centre of the dignity, and constantly kept at who are ill in body and soul, that That is why Mary’s maternal healing process, while carrying out the centre of the therapeutic pro- she may sustain them in hope. Business Department vocation to care for her children scientific research with full respect cess. This should likewise be the We ask her also to help us to be is entrusted to John and to the BUSINESS MANAGER: Stephanie A. Patka for life and for Christian moral approach of Christians who work welcoming to our sick brothers Church as a whole. The entire values. In countries where health in public structures; through their and sisters. The Church knows BOOKKEEPING/CIRCULATION: Geoff Frank community of disciples is includ- [email protected] care systems are inadequate or service, they too are called to bear that she requires a special grace ed in Mary’s maternal vocation. non-existent, the Church seeks convincing witness to the Gospel. to live up to her evangelical task 3. John, as a disciple who to do what she can to improve 6. Jesus bestowed upon of serving the sick. May our Advertising Sales shared everything with Jesus, health, eliminate infant mortality the Church his healing power: prayers to the Mother of God see Jackie Parker knows that the Master wants and combat widespread disease. “These signs will accompany us united in an incessant plea [email protected] to lead all people to an encounter Everywhere she tries to provide those who believe... they will that every member of the Church with the Father. He can testify care, even when she is not in a lay hands on the sick, and they may live with love the vocation to the fact that Jesus met many Website: www.todayscatholic.org position to offer a cure. The image will recover (Mk 16:17-18). In to serve life and health. May people suffering from spiritual of the Church as a “field hospital” the Acts of the Apostles, we read the Virgin Mary intercede for 260-456-2824 sickness due to pride (cf. Jn 8:31- that welcomes all those wounded accounts of the healings worked this Twenty-sixth World Day of 39) and from physical ailments by life is a very concrete reality, by Peter (cf. Acts3:4-8) and Paul the Sick; may she help the sick (cf. Jn 5:6). He bestowed mercy for in some parts of the world, (cf. Acts 14:8-11). The Church’s to experience their suffering in Published weekly except second and forgiveness upon all, and missionary and diocesan hospitals mission is a response to Jesus’ communion with the Lord Jesus; Sunday of January; and every other healed the sick as a sign of the are the only institutions providing gift, for she knows that she must and may she support all those week from the third Sunday in June abundant life of the Kingdom, necessary care to the population. bring to the sick the Lord’s own who care for them. To all, the through the second Sunday of where every tear will be wiped 5. The memory of this long his- gaze, full of tenderness and com- sick, to healthcare workers and September by the Diocese of Fort away. Like Mary, the dis- tory of service to the sick is cause passion. Health care ministry to volunteers, I cordially impart Wayne-South Bend, 915 S.