September 2020 Pope Will Sign New Encyclical in Assisi Oct. 3
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WEST RIVER atholic CInforming Catholics in Western South Dakota since May 1973 Diocese of Rapid City Volume 49 Number 4 September 2020 South Dakota www.rapidcitydiocese.org Pope will sign new encyclical in Assisi Oct. 3 BY CINDY WOODEN “The pope is clearly inspired by Francis CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE of Assisi who, in following Jesus, recognized VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis will in fraternity, lived under the sign of mutual travel to Assisi Oct. 3 to sign an encyclical and loving service, the horizon of a fulfilled on the social, political and economic obli- and happy humanity,” Father Gambetti gations that flow from a belief that all peo- added. ple are children of God and therefore Pope Francis is scheduled to arrive at the brothers and sisters to one another. Assisi convent at 3 p.m. to celebrate Mass The Vatican press office, confirming the at the tomb of St. Francis and sign the doc- pope’s trip, said the document will be ument. titled Fratelli Tutti in Italian. In Because of ongoing concerns and re- English, the phrase could be translated as strictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, “Brothers and Sisters All,” but apparently the Mass and the rest of the pope’s visit will it is inspired by what is known as St. be private, the Vatican press office said. Francis of Assisi’s “sixth admonition” to The encyclical is expected to echo the The Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi is seen from the Rocca Maggiore, a fortress on top of the hill the friars, all of whom were men. themes Pope Francis has been discussing in above the town of Assisi, Italy, is shown in this file photo. Pope Francis plans to visit Assisi on Oct. Conventual Franciscan Father Mauro his general audience talks on Catholic social 3 to celebrate a private Mass and sign his new encyclical on human fraternity. (CNS photo/Oc Gambetti, custodian of the Assisi convent, teaching in light of the pandemic: human tavio Duran) said the document “will indicate to the fraternity, the equal dignity of all people, the world a style for the future and will give the preferential option for the poor, the univer- the virtue of peacemaking also are expected on the eve of the feast of St. Francis, the church and people of goodwill the respon- sal destination of goods and the obligation to be part of the encyclical. text is expected to be published in a variety sibility for building it together.” of solidarity. Care for the environment and After Pope Francis signs the document of languages the first week of October. Pope accepts resignation of bishopdesignate of Duluth, following accusation BY CAROL ZIMMERMANN was announced June 19, was scheduled to abuse of a minor made against Father Mul- an allegation of sexual abuse against a WASHINGTON (CNS) — Pope take place Oct. 1. loy as a priest of that diocese.” minor by Father Mulloy in the early 1980s. Francis has accepted the resignation of The resignation was announced in “We grieve with all who have suffered It has not received any other allegations Father Michel J. Mulloy Washington Sept. 7 by Msgr. Dennis Ku- sexual abuse and their loved ones. I ask you against him. — who had been ap- ruppassery, representing Archbishop to pray for the person who has come for- The statement said that, following pointed but not installed as Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the ward with this accusation, for Father Mul- diocesan procedures, Bishop Peter M. bishop of Duluth, Min- United States. loy, for the faithful of our diocese, and for Muhich of Rapid City informed law en- nesota — after an allega- Father James Bissonette, diocesan ad- all affected,” he said. forcement of the allegation and Father tion of sexual abuse was ministrator for the Diocese of Duluth — The priest also said the diocese places its Mulloy was “directed to refrain from engag- raised against him from who will continue this role until the “hope and trust in God’s providence as we ing in ministry.” the 1980s when he was appointment of a new bishop — said the await, again, the appointment of our next The diocese then commissioned an in- ministering in western resignation announcement was accompa- bishop.” dependent investigation to determine South Dakota. nied by a notification from the Diocese of A statement from the Diocese of Rapid whether the allegation warranted further FR. MICHEL The installation, which Rapid City of “an accusation of sexual City said it received a notification Aug. 7 of MULLOY Father Mulloy, Continued p. 3 2 WRC Exemplum Dedi Vobis September 2020 ‘There is no replacement for allowing God to be in the driver’s seat’ (Editor’s note: This is the annual It wasn’t a dramatic thing, it wasn’t a WRC: Do you have any words of vocation issue for the West River Catholic. big change in my life, it was a thought — advice for a young person considering Pages 8-14 feature deacons, deacon candi- maybe I should be a priest? seminary or religious life? dates and seminarians. Bishop Peter M. Muhich was interviewed by Editor Laurie WRC: What did you like about going Bishop Muhich: Keep asking God to Hallstrom on his personal vocation.) to seminary? show you the way, there is no replacement for allowing God to be in the driver’s seat WRC: Fr. Mark McCormick, the Bishop Muhich: I really loved studying with that. Don’t be surprised if it takes diocesan vocations director, keeps theology, church history, and scripture. We some unexpected turns. That happens, reminding us that vocations begin in the had great priests who were professors (at because God is preparing you in the per- home. How does that resonate with you? the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, fect way for whatever he wants you do. Minn.) I always enjoyed getting to know Enjoy the adventure, continue to ask God Bishop Muhich: My vocation began in them and having good deep conversations to be the Lord of your life. the home. I grew up in an active Catholic with them and seeing the way they were family, where going to church and doing living their priesthood. WRC: What do you want people to things in the parish were just a normal know about you as you go out into the part of daily life. Praying before and after WRC: What attracted you to parishes? meals, praying at bedtime, those were studying in Belgium? Bishop Peter Muhich as a young priest. regular things. Bishop Muhich: I am a parish priest, (Courtesy photo) My parents created an openness in Bishop Muhich: The Catholic Univer- that is my background, parish life is some- their children’s lives to have a relationship sity of Leuven is the oldest Catholic uni- thing very familiar to me. I’m just excited with the Lord.Without that, I’m not sure versity in the world with a continuous to see what God is doing here. The first history; we haven’t had a pandemic in a you could ever discover a vocation. My history. There were ones founded before year for a new bishop is a lot of watching, hundred years, and we live in a time when parents never pushed religious vocations, Leuven but they were shut down during listening and learning. there are so many things competing for but they honored priests and religious and the French revolution or some other pe- our attention. We should not be surprised they knew that they were important. Like riod of history. It’s been there since 1425 WRC: COVID-19 has made it an odd it’s going to take work to invite people every Catholic boy I think I was fasci- and I thought it would be really cool to year to begin your ministry here. Do you back. nated by what the priest was doing at the study there. We were between bishops at think things will get back to ‘normal’? altar — my parents remember that better the time I graduated from St. Thomas, so, WRC: What is happening in your than I do. I lobbied and lobbied and lobbied and Bishop Muhich: We will need to pay ministry now? wore the vocation director down and the special attention to bringing people back WRC: When did Jesus get you think- diocese finally agreed to send me to Leu- to the practice of their faith after all these Bishop Muhich: I am enjoying visiting, ing about a call to holy orders? ven. I was very persistent. unusual circumstances. Be praying and I went to churches in five different parish thinking of ways we can do that — form- clusters, last weekend. That was a big Bishop Muhich: It was in ninth grade WRC: What did you enjoy about ing parish committees for simply calling swing through the prairie — Faith and when I started thinking about that more. being a parish priest? our parishioners and saying “hey we know Eagle Butte, Timber Lake, Trail City, We were part of a (charismatic) prayer Bishop Muhich: I really enjoyed being you probably haven’t been able to come to Isabel, Lemmon, and Buffalo. group at that time and it started to occur a parish priest and being with people at all church, we want to make contact with you to me that maybe God was calling me. I’m stages of life. You see the whole trajectory and invite you to come back when it’s safe WRC: How do you want to be not a part of a prayer group today, but I of a person’s spiritual life and their earthly to come back.” I think we are going to addressed? think it opened up a more personal level pilgrimage.