Western Kentucky Catholic Nonprofit Org. 600 Locust Street U.S. Postage Owensboro, Kentucky 42301 Paid Western Kentucky Owensboro, KY Change Service Requested Permit No. 111 CATHOLIC 42301 Volume 33, Number 7 The Roman Catholic Diocese of Owensboro, Kentucky September, 2006 Making A Sacrificial Gift To The Disciples Response Fund Weekend College Celebrates Acknowledges Your Call From God 25 Years at My friends in Christ, Brescia “Plant Seeds of Faith” is our theme for this year’s Disciples’ Response Fund Annual Appeal. As our by Tina Seibert hardworking farmers of this diocese know, planting seeds — any type of seeds — is an act of faith. The seeds It’s never too late to of faith are just like any other seeds. They require careful and deliberate planting in good ground. They must go back to school and be cared for — nourished and refreshed and protected — if they are to grow. you can always enroll, at As we heard in today’s Gospel from Mark, it was through great faith that the people of Decapolis brought least if you attend Brescia Jesus the deaf man to be healed. We also hear from the Letter of St. James that God chose those who are poor University’s Weekend in the world to be rich in faith. Faith in Christ, and in each other, is such an integral part of our Christian College. heritage. Working adults have been able to turn to the Weekend College to fulfill career goals and As we cultivate and nourish our seeds of faith, we continue to grow closer to God. We become even more offer new opportunities for the past 25 years. Brescia was the aware that everything we are is a gift from God. How awe-inspiring is it that God has given us everything first university in the area to offer an associate, bachelor, or simply because He loves us — nothing more and nothing less? Our gift of faith is given to each of us as in- master’s degree from weekend classes only. dividuals, but then we must share that gift with others. The Disciples’ Response Fund is a good tool for mak- Weekend College Director Greg Alvey says 25 years of ing that possible. flexible class schedules is a milestone for the University. He We show our gratitude and love for our God by living life as Christian stewards. We express our gratitude says that “more adult learners are going back to school than in ways both great and small. For the Christian steward, we show our gratitude and deep faith by serving ever before.” In order to effectively reach these adults, the others, by sharing our time, talents, and treasure with those who need it. Through your gift to this year’s college conveniently offers Friday evening, Saturday morn- Disciples’ Response Fund Annual Appeal, you help those in the diocese whose needs are the greatest: the ing, and Saturday afternoon classes. Plus, students meet only poor and those on the margins of society. every other Friday or weekend so they still have time to live We also need to devote additional resources to vocations. The need could not be any greater than it is their lives while continuing their education. Alvey says, “the pace is up to the students.” He says that if a student takes two now for young men and women to be aware of God’s call to serve as priests and religious. And we must courses per five week session, they can earn 24 credit hours ensure that those responding to His call receive the best tools and training so that they are properly prepared an academic year, be considered a full-time student, and be to serve once they are ordained or make final professions. Reaching out to the poor and marginalized and eligible for financial aid. fostering vocations to the priesthood and religious life are only two examples of how generous giving to the Bachelor degrees are offered in Business, Accounting, and Disciples’ Response Fund makes it possible for the Church of Western Kentucky - Diocese of Owensboro to Integrated Studies. Associate degrees are offered in Business, carry out the mission of the Church to announce the Good News of the love of God, the Good News of salva- Human Services, Liberal Arts, Catechetical Leadership Minis- tion. try, and Banking. You can also receive your Master of Science My brothers and sisters of western Kentucky, your faith shines through in all of the good works that you in Management. do. It is with great faith that I invite you to join me and other Christian stewards in participating in the Dis- Alvey says Weekend College benefits the adults that enroll, ciples’ Response Fund Annual Appeal. In making a sacrificial gift to the DRF, you acknowledge your call the community and workforce, while students enrich their lives from God: academically. If you’re interested in becoming a Weekend College student, To discipleship to serve others, To increase your own faith, and To help others to grow seeds · · · it’s never too late to enroll, even if you missed the traditional of faith in their lives. August deadline. Just visit the Weekend College online: There are so many needs, and we — together as Church — can only respond to those needs when we all http://www.brescia.edu/wec, email Admissions at admissions@ give generously of our time, talents, and financial resources. brescia.edu or call toll free at 1-877-273-7242. I am forever grateful to you and every member of our diocesan family who have continually supported the work of the Church through participation in the DRF annual appeal, by your prayers and financial support. 9/11 Peace Service If you have not given to the DRF in the past, I invite you to do so beginning this year. Your participation will have a profound effect not only on those who count on it, but on Sts. Joseph and Paul Parish will hold you and your family as well. May God continue to bless you and your family. a Peace Service on Sept. 11 at 12:00 Sincerely in Christ, noon to pray and offer healing for the violence in our world and in ourselves. We invite you to join us Most Reverend John J. McRaith as we unite our voices for a peaceful Bishop of Owensboro in Western Kentucky world. 2 The Western Kentucky Catholic, August, 2006 Catholic Conference of Kentucky Issues Statement About Policies on Political Activity Dear Pastor/Pastoral Director, lay faithful. As citizens of the State, they candidate is not permitted under Internal one of our “greatest blessings in the Catholics are called by faithful citizen- are called to take part in public life in a Revenue Code regulations that apply to United States is our right and responsibil- ship “to become an informed, active, and personal capacity.” (Deus Caritas Est political activity by tax exempt organiza- ity to participate in civic life.” We ap- responsible participant in the political (2005) Nos. 28, 29). It is the responsibil- tions. preciate your encouraging Catholics to process.” (Faithful Citizenship: A Catholic ity of the Church to “stimulate greater The distribution of voters’ guides, un- bring our faith’s moral convictions to Call to Political Responsibility (2003)). insight into the authentic requirements of less published by the United States Confer- public life. At the same time, we are grate- Pope John Paul II has emphasized this justice,” and it is the responsibility of the ence of Catholic Bishops or the Catholic ful for your scrupulously adhering to our responsibility. “Democracy needs wis- laity to work for a just society. Conference of Kentucky, is prohibited. CCK policies and USCCB’s Political dom, democracy needs virtue. Democracy In addition to these theological rea- The United States Conference of Activity Guidelines for Catholic Organiza- serves what is true and right when it safe- sons, there are appropriate legal limitations Catholic Bishops Office of General Coun- tions. guards the dignity of every human person, on the Church’s political activity. In order sel has produced Political Activity Guide- Please direct any questions regarding when it respects inviolable and inalienable for Catholic organizations to maintain their lines for Catholic Organizations (March this matter to the Catholic Conference of human rights, and when it makes the com- tax exemption, they must comply with 2004). This document sets out practical Kentucky, 502-875-4345. mon good the end criterion regulating all section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue explanations and illustrations for various Devotedly yours in Christ, public social life.” (Pope John Paul II, Code (IRC) which contains an absolute situations encountered. Please read it in its Most Reverend Thomas C. Kelly, October 8, 1995). Civic involvement in prohibition “against participation or inter- entirety. It is found at: http://www.usccb. O.P., Archbishop of Louisville; Most our democracy on the part of Catholics is vention in a political campaign on behalf org/ogc/guidelines.shtml. Reverend John J. McRaith, Bishop of integral to our responsible presence in the of or in opposition to any candidate….” Our manner of conduct in the public Owensboro; Most Reverend Roger J. Foys, public square. It is not limited to just elec- We restate our long-standing Catholic square is of critical importance. The Bishop of Covington; Most Reverend tions. Conference of Kentucky policy that only Church’s role in the public order entails Ronald W. Gainer, Bishop of Lexington; With our encouragement of faithful voting guide materials published directly being principled but not ideological and and Edward C. Monahan, Executive Direc- citizenship, prudence demands that we by United States Conference of Catholic clear but also civil.