Saint Mary Parish Saint Paul Parish St. Paul Church and Fr. Twohy Spiritual Center 4001 Saint Mary’s Drive Anacortes, WA 98221 17456 Pioneer Pkwy . La Conner, WA98257 360.293.2101 v 360.293.8556 f Mail: c/o 4001 Saint Mary’s Drive www.stmaryanacortes.org Anacortes, WA 98221 360-293-2101
One does not live on bread alone, March 10, 2019 but on every word that comes forth First Sunday of Lent from the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4
Liturgy Schedule—Saint Mary Parish Liturgy Schedule—Saint Paul Parish
Celebration of the Eucharist Sunday Mass:
Weekend Please note the new Sunday Mass time! Saturday Vigil Mass …………..………. 5:00 p.m. Sunday Mass …………….. 8:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. March 10 and 24 at 5:00 p.m. Weekday Tuesday………………………………...... 5:00 p.m. Tuesday Mass: Wednesday—Saturday……………..…9:00 a.m. March 12 and 26 at 5:00 p.m. First Friday Mass …………...……..………………..… 9:00 a.m. First Saturday Readings for the week... Sacrament of Reconciliation….……...9:00 a.m.
Benediction and Mass ……………… 10:00 a.m. You can find readings for every day at www.usccb.org/nab Sacrament of Reconciliation Half hour before Daily Mass The Liturgy of the Hours—the in addition to the following: official daily prayer of the Saturday ….…………………. 3:30 p.m.—4:30 p.m. church—is at www.divineoffice.org Sunday…………………...….. 7:30 a.m.; 10:15 a.m.
Our Sacred Purpose The Vision That Unites Us
Build Community – Grow Spiritually – Passionate Disciples Our purpose at St. Mary Parish is to live our devotion to Christ in the Eucharist Our Three Pastoral Priorities and our compassion for Christ in one another, Welcoming—Formation—Stewardship to build a welcoming community that will love and serve God and neighbor, The Values That Guide Us and share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Community – Prayer – Evangelism – Commitment
This week at St. Mary and St. Paul Parish Directory Sunday, March 10 St. Mary Parish Office: 7:30 a.m. Sacrament of Reconciliation 360-293-2101; FAX: 360-293-8556 8:00 a.m. Mass 4001 Saint Mary’s Drive 9:00 a.m. Rosary Making 9:30 a.m. Children’s Choir Anacortes, WA 98221 9:30 a.m. WFC Family Day www. stmaryanacortes.org 11:00 a.m. Mass
Parish Office Hours: Monday through Friday St. Paul, Swinomish Reservation 3:30 p.m. Whole Family Catechesis Monday through Friday: 5:00 p.m. Mass 10:00 a.m.—Noon,1:00 p.m.—4:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. RCIA Parish Pastoral Team Monday, March 11 Rev. Mel Strazicich, Pastor Ext. 101 No Mass Rev. Jerry Kienzle, Priest in Residence, call the office 10:30 a.m. Belles of St. Mary Meeting
Ruth Miller, Parish Administrator Ext. 102 7:00 p.m. Joy of the Lord [email protected] PA for Faith Formation (position vacant) Ext. 104 Tuesday, March 12 [email protected] 4:30 p.m. Seven Sorrows Rosary 5:00 p.m. Mass at St. Paul Ben Maes, PA for Liturgy Ext. 106 6:00 p.m. Lenten Bible Study [email protected] 7:00 p.m. Knights of Columbus Meeting Facilities Supervisor (position vacant) Call the parish office Wednesday, March 13 Marcia Maes, Receptionist Ext. 100 8:30 a.m. Sacrament of Reconciliation [email protected] 9:00 a.m. Mass Brandee Theriot, Administrative Assistant Ext. 103 10:00 a.m. Steps in a Journey [email protected] 6:00 p.m. RCIA Deacon Cary Parnell 509-860-5826 6:30 p.m. Youth Group
Thursday, March 14 Parish Councils 8:30 a.m. Sacrament of Reconciliation 9:00 a.m. Mass Pastoral Council: 6:00 p.m. Choir Rehearsal Mark Leopold, Co-chair Dave Vacanti, Co-chair Friday, March 15 Finance Council: 8:30 a.m. Sacrament of Reconciliation Jim Toland, Chair 9:00 a.m. Mass 9:45 a.m. Seven Sorrows Rosary St. Paul Parish Office 360-293-2101 3:00 p.m. Chaplet of Divine Mercy 17456 Pioneer Parkway 5:00 p.m. Soup Supper La Conner, WA 98257 6:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross Mail: c/o 4001 Saint Marys Dr. Anacortes, WA 98221 Saturday, March 16 8:30 a.m. Sacrament of Reconciliation Parish Office Hours 9:00 a.m. Mass Contact Ruth Miller at 360-293-2101 x102 10:00 a.m. Safe Environment Class [email protected] 3:30 p.m. Sacrament of Reconciliation 5:00 p.m. Mass Parish Pastoral Team 6:00 p.m. St. Patrick’s Dinner Rev. Mel Strazicich, Pastor Ruth Miller, Parish Administrator Sunday, March 17 7:30 a.m. Sacrament of Reconciliation Immaculate Conception Regional School 8:00 a.m. Mass (360)428-3912 9:15 a.m. Hospitality Hour Gwen Rodrigues, Principal 9:30 a.m. Children’s Choir 10:15 a.m. Sacrament of Reconciliation 1321 E Division St. 11:00 a.m. Mass Mount Vernon, WA 98274 12:00 p.m. Healing Prayer Ministry
St. Paul, Swinomish Reservation Mass Intentions 3:30 p.m. Whole Family Catechesis 5:00 p.m. Mass March 13: Hilda Michael, Intention 6:00 p.m. RCIA From Father Straz
Dear Parishioners, Looking back Last Sunday: 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Integrity of Faith and Word
Entrance Antiphon: The Lord became my protector. He brought me out to a place of freedom; he saved me because he delighted in me. Collect: Grant us O Lord, we pray, that the course of our world may be directed by your peaceful rule and that your Church may rejoice, untroubled in her devotion. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Prayer over the Offerings: O God, who provide gifts to be offered to your name and count our oblations as signs of our desire to serve you with devotion, we ask of your mercy that what you grant as the source of merit may also help us to attain merit’s reward. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Communion Antiphon(s): Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age, says the Lord. Prayer after Communion: Nourished by your saving gifts, we beseech your mercy, Lord, that by this same Sacrament with which you feed us in the present age, you may make us partakers of life eternal. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
NOTE: For 50 Years since Vatican II, there has been great emphasis on Catholics entering into God’s Word in Scripture more deeply. At the same time, these great texts from the Liturgy have taken a back seat since the decades, because the Antiphons especially and the responsorial Psalms that they go with, were never really translated for musical use after the Council, even though they are always printed in our English Missals. (There’s also an additional offertory antiphon that is never printed for some reason….). Only in the last 10 years have monks and other composers come together to transpose the great Gregorian melodies and texts of these antiphons into English. We are blessed to be able to start using some of these texts more and more at St. Mary and St. Paul. In addition, we can remember the new translation of the Roman Missal that came out in 2010, and the Prayers of each Mass (the Collect, Prayer over the Offerings and the Prayer after Communion) were especially reworked and reformed to bring out the beauty of our Latin tradition of shared meditation on the Word of God and the Sacred Mystery of the Eucharist and Word received together. All together, these prayers and Antiphons set the stage for each set of readings for each Mass and how we are to interpret them for ourselves on that particular day or week.
Reflection: One of the monks who taught me said during class one day, “You know every time you open your mouth I can see your soul!” Jesus puts it another way: “From the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks.” As with all Jesus’s teachings, if we take them at face value, without understanding where we could possibly get the strength to follow his directives, we will give up. But Jesus points to a fullness which he wishes to give us. The Prayer over the Offerings points us to “the source of merit.” Merit is the very Catholic concept, that we do NOT share with most of our Protestant brethren, that our response to God’s graceful initiative counts in our favor with the Lord. And what is the source of merit? It’s Jesus, and the prayer is pointing us to Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross, which is the Eucharist. So at every Mass we are put into contact with the source of all holiness. And holiness is something measurable; holiness looks like something: it looks like a life that is being transformed. That’s what saints are. The classic Protestant view of salvation is more declarative: a legal exchange between us and God by virtue of faith in the Christ’s saving acts on the Cross; it covers over our sins. The Catholic view says that ALL of Christ’s life was redemptive and by Sacraments, especially the Eucharist, we receive the very Paschal Mystery of Christ into our very bodies that transforms us from inside out so that over time, if not instantly, we may become truly whole and holy. If we are not living in a receptive mode entering into this “exitus-reditus” of Christ’s Paschal Mystery made present to us in every Holy Communion, then we will not be drawn towards the light; we will be like a fish that wiggles out of the net. If we are rightly disposed, our participation in the Liturgy will be a like a net that draws us closer and closer to the surface where the Son of God shines. It’s only when we are in the net of Christ, drawing close to the light, that we can see ourselves as we are and turn to the Light of Christ in Confession and Penance for healing. And only then can we truly speak the word to others and so bear good fruit.
- Fr. Straz Parish News and Events
Praying for our Military Catholic Men’s Conference
Saturday, March 30 CDR Roger Leech, USN L.CPL. Jobil Anne Robinson, USMC “Fight with Joy!” is this year’s theme Thomas Mullinaux, USAF for the Iron Sharpens Iron Catholic Lt. J.G. Scott Cadmus, USN Men’s Conference hosted by ATCS (AW) Justin Lartigue, USN St. Stephen the Martyr Church in MM CPO Jon Walsh, USN Renton. Registration fee is $45. It Johnny C. McDonald, USN begins with 8:00 a.m. Mass, includes 1st Lt. Britta Vivaldo, USMC Daylight Saving Time lunch, and concludes at 4:00 p.m. Lt. Kimberly Dillon, USN begins this weekend! For complete details and online Major Alain Martinez, USAF registration, please visit LCDR Andrew Gibbons, USN WFC and Youth Group www.seattlemensconference.org.
MIDN2C Hope Hurtado, USN Whole Family Catechesis (WFC): For more information, contact Bill Swedberg at 253-631-1940 ext 121 Lt. Tom Cruz, USN March 10 and 24 at 9:30 a.m. Miguel Boza, USAF or [email protected]. Youth Group: Lt. Ashley I Lewis, USN March 13 at 6:30 p.m.
Belles of St. Mary Meeting Perpetual Adoration St. Peter Julian The Belles will hold a meeting ICRS Open House Eymard Chapel Monday, March 11 at 10:30 a.m. Immaculate Conception Regional AVAILABLE HOURS in the St. Vincent de Paul office. School is hosting an open house for
Alliance of This is the last meeting before the families interested in learning more SUNDAY: Spring Rummage Sale. Lunch will the Two about our PK-8th programs. Please 12, 1, 2 am, follow at The Farmhouse MONDAY: Hearts and join us Tuesday, March 12 at 6:00 Restaurant. All ladies welcome! p.m. in the new library. After the No open hours Communion TUESDAY: of presentation, tours are available. At 6 am, 4 pm Safe Environment Class 6:30, join us in the St. Joseph Center Reparation is foyer for the Science, Engineering, WEDNESDAY: on the First Saturday, March 16 we will offer 3 am, 11 pm and Cultural Fair. Friday of the Virtus Safe Environment class: THURSDAY: every Protecting God’s Children at 12-4 am, 11 pm 10:00 a.m. It is required of those Sacramental Information month, with FRIDAY : who volunteer for homebound Call St. Mary Office at 360-293-2101 24-hour 3 am ministry, catechists, childcare for more information
SATURDAY: Adoration in providers, ushers/greeters, prayer No open hours Infant Baptism the Church. ministers, and anyone working in
Available beginning in April: any capacity with children or Call the Parish Office to schedule a Friday at 8 am vulnerable adults. Register at preparation class and baptism.
Contact Sally 360-293-3222 www.virtusonline.org. Please call Those wishing to have their baby Ruth Miller in the Parish Office at baptized must be practicing Lenten Soup Suppers and 360-293-2101 with questions. Catholics.
Stations of the Cross Adult or Child Baptism, St. Patrick’s Day Dinner Please join us each Friday evening Confirmation, or Adults Considering The Knights of Columbus Becoming Catholic during Lent. Soup Suppers begin at 5:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall St. Patrick’s Day Dinner will Call the Faith Formation Office to be held in the Parish Hall followed by Stations of the Cross learn more about the Rite of at 6:00 p.m. in Church. starting at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 16. Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA), Stewardship of Treasure Proceeds will go to the or Rite of Christian Initiation for seminarians, the Postulants of the Children (RCIC).
Fiscal year 7/1/2018 – 6/30/2019 Dominican, and RSM Weddings Sisters. Tickets on sale in narthex March 2-3, 2019 Weddings require a 6-month notice after Mass and night of Offertory $ 13,006 event. Advanced ticket sales and preparation. Online Giving $ 1,735 enable us to purchase and Sacrament of the Sick (Anointing)
Total $ 14,741 prepare the correct amount of Please let us know if someone is food for the event. Thank you for Weekly Goal $ 9,200 your support! seriously ill.
St. Mary Parish 2019 Lent and Easter Calendar
Soup Suppers: Fridays during Lent at 5:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall Stations of the Cross: Fridays during Lent at 6:00 p.m.
24 HOURS FOR THE LORD
Friday, March 29 8:30 a.m. Sacrament of Reconciliation 9:00 a.m. Mass 9:45 a.m. Seven Sorrows Rosary 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Sacrament of Reconciliation 3:00 p.m. Chaplet of Divine Mercy 3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Sacrament of Reconciliation 5:00 p.m. Soup Supper 6:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross
LENTEN MISSION Monday, April 6 - Thursday, April 9 8:30 a.m. Sacrament of Reconciliation 9:00 a.m. Mass and Mission 5:30 p.m. Sacrament of Reconciliation 6:00 p.m. Mass and Mission
Saturday, April 13 - Sunday, April 14 Last Opportunity for Confessions Prior to Holy Week and Easter.
HOLY WEEK
Thursday, April 18 - Holy Thursday Friday, April 19 - Good Friday 6:00 p.m. Mass with Incense and Adoration 11:30 a.m. Seven Sorrows Rosary 12:00 p.m. Good Friday Stations 12:30 p.m. Divine Mercy Novena 3:00 p.m. Good Friday Liturgy
Saturday, April 20 -Easter Vigil Sunday, April 21 - Easter 3:00 p.m. Divine Mercy Novena 8:30 a.m. Mass 8:00 p.m. Easter Vigil 11:00 a.m. Mass with Incense 11:30 p.m. Vigil Reception 3:00 p.m. Divine Mercy Novena
Divine Mercy Novena: Friday, April 19 - Sunday, April 28 at 3:00 p.m. Easter Octave Mass and Potluck: Tuesday, April 23 - Friday, April 26 at 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 28 - Divine Mercy Sunday 7:30 a.m. Sacrament of Reconciliation 8:00 a.m. Mass 10:15 a.m. Sacrament of Reconciliation 11:00 a.m. Mass with Incense 3:00 p.m. Divine Mercy Holy Hour
WHAT WENT WRONG IN PRIESTLY FORMATION?
BY BISHOP THOMAS J. OLMSTED FEB 17, 2019
This stained-glass window in Holy Trinity Parish in Trinity, Indiana, depicts the Barque of Peter. For centuries, the Church has been referred to as the “Barque of St. Peter.” The barque, or boat, was a place of danger in several instances when Jesus and His Apostles sailed on the Sea of Galilee. (Public Domain/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS)
The Most Rev. Thomas J. Olmsted is the bishop of the Diocese of Phoenix. He was installed as the fourth bishop of Phoenix on Dec. 20, 2003, and is the spiritual leader of the diocese’s 1.1 million Catholics.
Holy Yet Needing Purification - Second in a Series For centuries, the Church has been referred to as the “Barque of St. Peter” passing over the waters toward her heavenly destiny. It was in Peter’s boat that Jesus sat as He taught the crowds (Cf. Lk 5). The barque, or boat, was a place of danger in several instances when Jesus and His Apostles sailed on the Sea of Galilee. Sailors always need to be aware of storms at sea, especially of what would be called a perfect storm. In my last column, I began to address the current scandals the Church has suffered due to the egregious behavior of certain priests over the past decades. For us as disciples of Jesus, it is important to face it squarely while remaining faithful to the Lord. Jesus knew full well that the Church would suffer the sins of her members throughout history, beginning with those of Judas and the other Apostles. When He established His Church, He promised that it would withstand the gates of hell. History has shown that the Church has endured other grave scandals over the centuries. In union with her Lord, we are most protected from storms of this world. Today, let us consider some factors that contributed to the “perfect storm” in the culture and the Church over the past decades and that allowed for a setting where such evils could take place and not be dealt with in a swift and effective manner. The Sexual Revolution The Sexual Revolution led to changing attitudes toward human sexuality beginning in the middle of the last century and continuing to this day. This revolution promised “free love,” happiness and liberation from purported encumbrances of religion and tradition, particularly the Commandments. Church leaders, amidst these changes of thought and practice, though having the fullness of truth about the human person, failed to detect and address, with sufficient boldness, clarity and quickness, the lies that had crept into the culture. Sadly, the over-focus on sexual pleasure, the reducing and labeling of persons to their attractions (LGBTQ, etc.) and the viewing of persons as objects for pleasure have led to unprecedented numbers of infidelity, divorce, loneliness and abuse in the greater culture. The bitter fruit of such attitudes and acts surrounds us. Defense of sexual license, seen in recent laws like those passed in New York State, go so far as to permit the killing of a child up to the moment of birth. Inadequate responses to this crisis, such as silence or harsh moralizing, have kept us from proclaiming God’s love in the face of a skewed understanding of the human person. An adequate response, however, did come from Pope St. John Paul II, who offered a deeper understanding of true love in what he called the Theology of the Body. It is a blessing to see deeper study of his Theology taking place now, study which proposes the good news of a greater call to love for which we are made by God. Related to the general confusion about human love caused by the sexual revolution, we also suffered from an insufficient understanding of priestly celibacy. As Pope Francis recently stated, “celibacy is a gift to the Church” (Press Conference, Jan. 27, 2019). Indeed, in a world that believes that sexual pleasures must have free reign, even at the cost of innocent unborn children, there is need for those men and women who proclaim by their lives that ultimate love and fulfillment come from God and that self-mastery is certainly possible with God’s grace. Chaste celibacy, received as a gift of God and formed through spiritual and human direction, is a needed response to a false idea of “free love.” Weak Seminaries and Theological Confusion We see clearly now that Church leaders failed to adequately screen applicants for the priesthood during the confusion caused by the Sexual Revolution. In our seminaries, where young men are to be formed as true servants of Jesus and His Church, it was often assumed that the human and the spiritual qualities of the man were present and sufficient. This was a poor assumption, and it led to too little consideration of a man’s human virtues and of his relationship with Jesus Christ. As a result, some candidates unfit for ministry were accepted. In the 1970s and ‘80s especially, many seminaries were places of dissent from orthodox teaching about Scripture, theology and especially sexual ethics. For example, the masculine spousal dimension in which a priest is called to love as Christ loved His Bride the Church (Cf. Eph 5) was not taught much at all. As a result, the priesthood was too frequently seen, not as a life of masculine love, but merely pertaining to certain ministerial functions. It was erroneously thought among some that the nature of the priesthood itself would change. Sadly, some seminaries became places with not only men who lacked a true calling from Jesus to the priesthood but even where a homosexual subculture sprang up. It is difficult to deny this problem considering the high percentage of abuse cases that occurred between men and post- pubescent boys. Clericalism and Complacency On several occasions, our Holy Father has stated that clericalism played a part in the current scandals as priests and bishops sought to cover up abuses. Disproportionate esteem for priests by the faithful, at times, was (and still can be) problematic. A priest is a man, a sinner redeemed by Christ, like everyone else; still, he is sent to serve, not to be served (Cf. Mk 10). He has a sacred calling as a custodian and minister of the Sacraments, especially Confession and the Eucharist, sacred mysteries essential for our salvation. Putting a priest on a pedestal not only fails to recognize his call to be a servant, but it can invite some to enter the priesthood for ulterior motives such as a “comfortable life.” Nothing could be farther from Jesus’ intentions for His priesthood. One should enter the priesthood through a calling from Jesus to share in His mission. That mission is to proclaim Christ Crucified and Risen from the dead. Especially in this country, Church leaders have been slow to embrace this mission and settled for simply maintaining her membership rather than boldly evangelizing the culture. Instead of being Catholic out of conviction and a deep relationship with Jesus, the faith has become for too many something merely cultural. Some may say that they are Catholic because they are Irish or Mexican, rather than because they know Jesus Christ personally and that they love Him as their Savior and Lord. As Archbishop José H. Gómez of Los Angeles said, “Jesus Christ did not come to suffer and die so that He could make ‘cultural Catholics’” (“Evangelization, Education, and the Hispanic Catholic Future”). Such a faith lacks true conviction to follow Jesus when His teachings differ from ways of the culture. Pope St. John Paul II, convinced that the answer to these scandals is great fidelity, said, “I sense that the moment has come to commit all of the Church’s energies to a new evangelization and to the mission ad gentes. No believer in Christ, no institution of the Church can avoid this supreme duty: to proclaim Christ to all peoples” (Redemptoris Missio 3). While I could mention more things that went wrong in priestly formation, I will stop with these. Thankfully, many of these concerns are now being addressed well; I will write more about these in future columns. Like other times of storms in the Church, Jesus continues to renew His Mystical Body through holiness. You and I are called to be saints. Just as with the storms experienced by the Apostles, it is Jesus who calms them as He likewise calms our hearts and reminds us to trust in Him. https://www.catholicsun.org/2019/02/17/purification-2/ Ex-Cardinal McCarrick’s most well-known abuse victim responds to laicization (full statement) Note from Pastor: Mr. Grein makes reference to the apparitions of Our Lady, echoing Fatima, Akita and Medjugorie. James Grein speaking in public for the first time at the 'Silence Stops Now' rally on November 13, 2018.
By Doug Mainwaring and Diane Montagna
ROME, February 16, 2019 (LifeSiteNews) — Following today’s news that the Vatican has laicized disgraced ex- Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, for crimes against minors and adults, Mr. James Grein — McCarrick’s most well-known victim – has issued the following statement through this lawyer. Mr. Grein, who was sexually abused by Theodore McCarrick from age 11, bravely came forward in July to tell his story in a New York Times article, revealing only his first name. Then in November, James, now in his 60s, spoke at a rally outside the USCCB fall meeting in Baltimore, revealing his full name. The Vatican sought Mr. Grein’s testimony, which was vital to the verdict as McCarrick sexually abused him during Confession — a particularly grave crime according to canon law. *** Statement of James Grein (Sexual abuse victim of Cardinal Theodore McCarrick) For years I have suffered, as many others have, at the hands of Theodore McCarrick. It is with profound sadness that I have had to participate in the canonical trial of my abuser. Nothing can give me back my childhood and I have not taken any pleasure in testifying or discussing what happened to me. There are no winners here. With that said, Today I am happy that the Pope believed me. I am hopeful now I can pass through my anger for the last time. I hope that Cardinal McCarrick will no longer be able to use the power of Jesus’ Church to manipulate families and sexually abuse children. This great historical and holy situation is giving rise to all Catholics and victims of abuse across the world. It’s is time for us to cleanse the church. Our Lady’s work is in process. McCarrick has haunted the church for the last 50 years. A church which has been cut off from Jesus. Run by men who have chosen to worship money, power, greed. The exact opposite of God’s Holy Teaching. This has to change. It’s Jesus’ Church – I want to return. I must thank my family for without their belief and guidance I would be somewhere else. I must thank my lawyer Patrick Noaker for helping me through the legal world. I must thank the important journalists who have listened to me and believed me. We must continue to pressure state AG’s and senators to open the statutes of limitations. It’s these SOLs that has kept all of the abuse hidden from us. Hundreds of priests, bishops and cardinals are hiding behind man made law. It is Time that we opened the books and expose the pure evil of these men. Again, it is Jesus’ Church – I want to return. Stand Up For Jesus and walk with me
James Grein Jesus is my savior https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/ex-cardinal-theodore-mccarrick-abuse-victim-responds-to-his-laicization-ful PRESIDENT OF U.S. CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS ISSUES STATEMENT AT CLOSE OF MEETING ON THE PROTECTION OF MINORS IN THE CHURCH
February 24, 2019
ROME—Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston and President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), has issued the following statement on the final day of a four day meeting attended by Presidents of Bishops’ Conferences from across the globe.
Cardinal DiNardo’s full statement follows:
"The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth." Psalm 145:18
"These have been challenging, fruitful days. The witness of survivors revealed for us, again, the deep wound in the Body of Christ. Listening to their testimonies transforms your heart. I saw that in the faces of my brother bishops. We owe survivors an unyielding vigilance that we may never fail them again.
How then to bind the wounds? Intensify the Dallas Charter. Pope Francis, whom I want to thank for this assembly, called us to ‘concrete and effective measures.’ A range of presenters from cardinals to other bishops to religious sisters to lay women spoke about a code of conduct for bishops, the need to establish specific protocols for handling accusations against bishops, user- friendly reporting mechanisms, and the essential role transparency must play in the healing process.
Achieving these goals will require the active involvement and collaboration of the laity. The Church needs their prayers, expertise, and ideas. As we have learned from diocesan review boards, a comprehensive range of skills is required to assess allegations and to ensure that local policies and procedures are regularly reviewed so that our healing response continues to be effective. All of the models discussed this week rely upon the good help of God’s people.
I and the bishops of the United States felt affirmed in the work that is underway. Enhanced by what I experienced here, we will prepare to advance proposals, in communion with the Holy See, in each of these areas so that my brother bishops can consider them at our June General Assembly. There is an urgency in the voice of the survivors to which we must always respond. I am also aware that our next steps can be a solid foundation from which to serve also seminarians, religious women, and all those who might live under the threat of sexual abuse or the abuse of power.
In our faith, we experience the agony of Good Friday. It can cause a sense of isolation and abandonment, but the Resurrection is God’s healing promise. In binding the wounds now before us, we will encounter the Risen Lord. In Him alone is all hope and healing. May I also add a sincere word of thanks to the many who prayed for me and for all that this meeting be a success." --- http://www.usccb.org/news/2019/19-039.cfm
PRESIDENT OF U.S. CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS ISSUES STATEMENT ON THEODORE MCCARRICK IN RESPONSE TO JUDGEMENT BY THE HOLY SEE
February 16, 2019
WASHINGTON— Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston and President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, has issued the following statement upon the decision of the Holy See announced today regarding Theodore McCarrick.
Cardinal DiNardo’s Full Statement Follows:
“The Holy See’s announcement regarding Theodore McCarrick is a clear signal that abuse will not be tolerated. No bishop, no matter how influential, is above the law of the Church. For all those McCarrick abused, I pray this judgement will be one small step, among many, toward healing. For us bishops, it strengthens our resolve to hold ourselves accountable to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am grateful to Pope Francis for the determined way he has led the Church’s response.
If you have suffered sexual abuse at the hands of someone within the Catholic Church, I urge you to contact local law enforcement and your local diocese or eparchy. Victims Assistance Coordinators are available to help. We are committed to healing and reconciliation.” http://www.usccb.org/news/2019/19-036.cfm
JOURNEY TO GUATEMALA
■ CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING FOCUS LIFE AND DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON
We were made in God’s image and likeness. That means that every human being has special value and a purpose. We need to care for each other so we can be the people God calls us to be.
ENCOUNTER NORMA For young families living in the mountains of Guatemala, raising a baby can be hard. Most families grow corn and beans for a living, but a long-standing drought has caused harvests to shrink. There are few job opportunities, which means putting food on the table is a daily challenge. That’s why when Norma discovered she was pregnant, she wondered how she would manage. “When I was young, my mom and dad didn’t have Photo by Oscar Leiva/Silverlight for CRS for Oscar Leiva/Silverlight by Photo money to buy much food,” she says. “My mom would split one egg among four children.” Norma wanted more for her son, Victor. SHARE THE JOURNEY But at age 20, she didn’t have much Nutritious food is necessary for a experience beyond helping her mother dignified life. If none is available, around the house. So, she looked for help. families may be forced to migrate. She found it in a CRS-sponsored program that teaches young mothers how to raise healthy children, grow nutritious food in small FACTS TO CONSIDER gardens and manage a healthy diet. Plus, Population: 15,460,732 CRS provided Norma with food throughout her pregnancy and monthly medical check- Size: 108,889 square miles; slightly ups during Victor’s first two years of life. smaller than Pennsylvania “I learned a lot of beautiful things,” Norma ■■ Guatemala has the highest population of says. “I learned how to take care of my all the countries in Central America, as boy and what foods to feed him so that well as the youngest—almost half of the he can grow healthy and strong.” population is under the age of 19. Now, Norma is sharing what she learned with ■■ CRS has been providing humanitarian others as a “mother monitor.” “It makes me assistance in Guatemala since 1963, proud to share the experience I had and the supporting food security, nutrition, health, lessons I learned with other women,” she agriculture, education, disaster risk says. It makes Norma proud—and makes her reduction and emergency response community a better place to raise a family. programs. ■■ CRS Guatemala works with YouthBuild, which provides employment, education For downloadable photos, and leadership opportunities to visit crsricebowl.org/photos young people. and watch a video about Norma at crsricebowl.org/stories.
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