“The Allentown Diocese in the Year of Our Lord” VOL. 30, NO. 1 JANUARY 11, 2018 Bishop Schlert Celebrates Christmas Eve Mass at Cathedral Bishop Alfred Schlert, center, celebrates the 10:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass at the Ca- thedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown, his first as Bishop of the Diocese of Allen- Bishop Alfred Schlert celebrated the 10:30 p.m. Christ- town. Joining him are, from left: Msgr. Francis Schoenauer, pastor of the cathedral; Deacon Robert Snyder of the cathedral; Father Kevin Lonergan, assistant pastor of the cathedral; mas Eve Mass Dec. 24 at the Cathedral of St. Catharine Deacon William Hassler of the cathedral; Msgr. Victor Finelli (hidden), episcopal master of of Siena, Allentown, his first as Bishop of the Diocese of ceremonies; and Father Achilles Ayaton, in residence at the cathedral. Catholics in the Dio- Allentown. cese were invited “Home for Christmas” by the Bishop. In a letter from Bishop Schlert sent to 83,000 homes, in radio commercials, social media posts and on the Diocesan website, Catholics who may not be attending Mass regularly at this time are being invited “home for Christmas.” (Photos by John Simitz) More photos page 3 Diocesan Priests Inspired by ‘Grandeur of God’ Hiking the Grand Canyon By TAMI QUIGLEY Staff writer The beauty of the great outdoors and the spirituality it exudes came into full view for three priests of the Diocese of Allentown who hiked the grandeur of the Grand Canyon this past fall. Making the trip were Father John Gibbons, pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus, Allentown; Father Patrick Lamb, pastor of Queenship of Mary, Northampton; and Msgr. Thomas Orsulak, pastor of St. Peter the Apostle, Reading. The trio flew to Arizona Nov. 12, hiked the Grand Can- yon Nov. 14-16, and flew back Nov. 17. Msgr. Orsulak Msgr. Orsulak said he and Father Gibbons and Father Stopping to share a smile at the Bright Angel Trailhead at the Grand Canyon are, from left, Father Patrick Lamb, Msgr. Thomas Orsulak, Father John Gibbons and Tim DeCapite. (Photos courtesy of Father Patrick Please see GRANDEUR page 24 }} Lamb) Pope: Don’t Rush Through Silence at Mass VATICAN CITY (CNS) – The silence that precedes the opening prayer at Mass is an opportunity for Christians to commend to God the fate of the church and the world, Pope Francis said. Departing from his prepared text at his weekly general audience Jan. 10, the pope urged priests “to observe this brief silence and not hurry.” “I recommend this to the priests. Without this silence, we risk neglecting the reflection of the soul,” he said. Continuing his series of audience talks on the Mass, Pope Francis spoke about the Gloria and the opening prayer. After the encounter between “human misery and divine mercy” experienced in the penitential rite, the faithful are invited to sing the ancient hymn of praise that was sung by the angels after Christ’s birth, the pope said. “The feelings of praise that run through the hymn,” he said, “are intertwined with the confident pleading Please see SILENCE page 20}} 2 THE A.D. TIMES DIOCESE JANUARY 11, 2018 Churches in Diocese Taking Flu Precautions In light of the heightened cases of in- As a pastoral provision, Bishop Schlert Church’s constant teaching that the entire Published biweekly on Thursday by fluenza being reported in our five-county allows the option for the Exchange of Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ Allentown Catholic Communications, Inc. area and the change in the Pennsylvania the Sign of Peace to be exercised for fu- is present in the Sacred Host, and that this at P.O. Box F Department of Health’s Influenza Status nerals or wedding Masses if the pastor/ reception alone is necessary to receive the Allentown, PA 18105-1538 from “sporadic” to “widespread,” Bishop administrator deems it appropriate. The graces of the Holy Eucharist, provided Phone: 610-871-5200, Ext. 2264 of Allentown Alfred Schlert has directed Reception of Holy Communion from the one is in the state of grace. Fax: 610-439-7694 that the Exchange of the Sign of Peace Chalice is only permitted for priests and This direction was announced in a Jan. E-mail: [email protected] and the Reception of Holy Communion deacons during this temporary suspen- 2 letter to parishes, priests and deacons from the Chalice be suspended. sion. from Father Keith Mathur, director of the President This suspension began with the Vigil In those parishes where the Reception Diocesan Office for Divine Worship. Bishop Alfred Schlert and Sunday Masses the weekend of Jan. of Holy Communion is given under both Thank you for your kind attention and 6-7, and will be in effect until further no- forms, parishes are asked to use this as dedicated priestly ministry to the people Secretary for External Affairs tice is given when the incidence of influ- a catechetical moment to reinforce the entrusted to your care. Matt Kerr enza subsides in our region. Editor Jill Caravan Catholic Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania Staff Writers Tara Connolly Tami Quigley Names First Executive Director Design & Production Pete Waldron was recently named Marcus Schneck the first executive director of the Catho- lic Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania Advertising Contact (CFEP). Paul Huck, chairman of the Lori Anderson Board of Directors for CFEP, made the announcement. Office Assistant Waldron comes to CFEP with 30 years Priscilla Tatara of corporate affairs, philanthropy, com- munity involvement, marketing commu- MISSION STATEMENT nications and public relations experience. Parish and School, Allentown; Allentown tion and help us grow.” As part of the Catholic Press, The A.D. He recently headed up Corporate Citi- Central Catholic High School; Mercy Formed in 2013, CFEP is an indepen- Times is the official newspaper for the Ro- zenship and Philan- School for Special Learning, Allentown; dent 501 c 3 nonprofit organization and man Catholic Diocese of Allentown, serv- thropy for CrossA- and Mary’s Shelter, Bethlehem. a separate legal entity from the Diocese ing Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton merica Partners. He He serves on the board of directors of Allentown. It was designed to man- and Schuylkill counties. The A.D. Times also helped create of Mercy; PBS Foundation (secretary); age assets, generate perpetual income proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the and manage two cor- IABC Lehigh Valley (president); Cultural and provide financial stability for Catho- People of God through evangelization, cat- porate foundations: Coalition in Downtown Allentown; and lic parishes, educational institutions and echesis and the teaching of the Church, the Lehigh Gas Founda- the Pennsylvania Lambda Educational ministries in the Diocese of Allentown. extension of Christ’s presence in the world tion and CrossAmer- Foundation (president). today. It endeavors to nourish, strengthen It is governed by an all-volunteer in- ica Partners Founda- He is a graduate of Penn State. Wal- dependent Board of Directors currently and challenge the faith of its readers by con- tions. tinually providing news information, forma- dron and his wife Terese are parishioners comprised of seven members with le- tion, inspiration, religious education and Prior to Cros- of St. Thomas More, Allentown. They gal, financial, foundation and investment Catholic identification. Under the patronage sAmerica, Waldron have three grown children: Madaline, So- management experience. of Mary, Mother of the Church, The A.D. worked at Lehigh phia and Andrew. The board is self-sustaining, electing Times serves the Church so that the King- Gas Corporation. In naming CFEP’s first executive di- new and replacing board members as dom of God might become a reality in our He also served as a rector, Huck said the organization is at an needed. society transformed by His Good News. national marketing exciting juncture. In addition to Huck, board members consultant for The “We have experienced remarkable are: Thomas Scalici, vice chairman and Hershey Company; POLICY STATEMENTS Waldron growth in our first four years,” said Huck. acting treasurer; Atty. Beth Dobis Beers, The A.D. Times will consider all editorial an appointed official “We are now ready for the next stage of secretary; Edward Meehan; Atty. James copy and photos submitted in a fair and ob- for the County of our development. Ritter; Janet Roth; and Msgr. Daniel Ye- jective manner. The newspaper reserves the Lehigh; and in edito- “Having been an active part of the lo- nushosky. right to reject or edit any submission. rial, public relations and advertising posts cal Catholic community his whole life, CFEP currently manages 20 endow- at The Morning Call newspapers. Pete knows its causes and concerns. The ment funds totaling almost $4 million in Any advertising copy accepted does not Waldron has been actively involved in growth and stability of Catholic educa- assets. Fourteen of those 20 funds benefit necessarily reflect the views, opinions or volunteer leadership positions on a vari- tion is a cause he believes in, along with a educational institutions. endorsement of The A.D. Times and/or its ety of nonprofit boards and development concern for Catholic ministries that serve Since its inception, it has distributed publisher. The A.D. Times reserves the right committees, and has assisted many Cath- the less fortunate. We are very pleased to to reject any advertising copy submitted. approximately $200,000 to the beneficia- olic organizations in their fundraising have Pete head up the Catholic Founda- ries of the various endowment funds. efforts. These include St. Thomas More DEADLINES Advertising copy must be received by Mon- day of the week before publication. News copy must be received by Thursday of the week before publication. VICTIM ASSISTANCE COORDINATOR MEMBERSHIPS The Diocese of Allentown provides assistance to anyone who, as a minor, was sexually abused by a priest, Catholic Press Association, deacon or employee/volunteer of the Diocese/Parish Rockville Centre, N.Y.