Western Kentucky Catholic Graphic by Jennifer Farley Hunt Western Kentucky Catholic 600 Locust Street, Owensboro, Kentucky 42301 Volume 40, Number 2, February, 2013 THE LIGHT IS ON FOR YOU This Lent, Catholic churches in the My Dear Friends, “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned.” Diocese of Owensboro Though these words have been a core part of Catholic identity for hundreds of years, for many they have not been spoken in their formal context for a very long time, if ever. These are the words by which Catholics have typically begun their confession will turn on their lights and to a priest in the sacrament of Penance, also known as the sacrament of reconciliation, conversion, and forgiveness. open their doors for For some, regular Confession was an integral part of the spiritual life that some- how we have just gotten away from. Younger Catholics or adult converts to Cathol- icism may have never been taught the value and meaning of the sacrament. Some few have always valued this sacrament as an integral part of life in Christ, life in the CONFESSIONS Church, and life in family and community. Why the sacrament of Penance? In on Wednesday evenings Baptism all sins are forgiven 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. in the grace of new life in Jesus (please check with your local parish for exact days and times) Christ. But the new life received Requested Service Change in Christian ini- Most Reverend William tiation does not In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, whatever F. Medley, Bishop of abolish the frail- Owensboro ty and weakness the sin committed, if it is humbly recognized and of human nature. As human beings, chil- the person involved turns with trust to the priest- dren and adults, we fall short, we fail to reflect the image and likeness of God we confessor, he or she never fails to experience the were created to be. Jesus certainly un- soothing joy of God’s forgiveness. derstood the frailty of human nature. He experienced firsthand the brokenness and - Pope Benedict XVI sin of even his chosen disciples. Even St. Peter, called by Christ to be the rock upon Owensboro, KY Permit No. 111 Nonprofit Org. which the Church would be built, failed U.S. Postage miserably, denying his Lord and friend. 42301 The failure of Peter and the other Paid DIOCESE OF OWENSBORO Apostles makes all the more powerful the www.rcdok.org/lightison institution of the sacrament of Penance through them. “Whose sins you shall Continued on page 2 2 February, 2013 THE LIGHT IS ON FOR YOU Bishop Medley’s Calendar for February 2013: (Continued from page 2) forgive will be forgiv- me, but seems an evident truth. We enter February 1 8:00 a.m. Catholic Schools Week Mass, en them!” We might into conversion when we can acknowl- Christ the King, Madisonville look upon this sacra- edge that our lives have not always been February 2 10:00 a.m. OCS/Sts. Joseph & Paul Home Raffle Drawing ment as a sacrament of what we want them to be because we Sts. Joseph & Paul Parish Hall, Owensboro infinite second chanc- know deep down that we have not been 1:30 p.m. First Religious Profession, Sr. Cecilia Maria, es and this is certainly what God created us to be. Passionist Monastery, Whitesville true. But it is a sacra- Pope Benedict XVI has preached 7:00 p.m. Vivaldi Gloria - Music Performance, Jubilee Event ment of conversion, a again and again that confession of sins Sts. Peter & Paul Parish, Hopkinsville Most Reverend process to which Jesus can be a powerful participation in the February 3 10:00 a.m. Confirmation, Parish of the Immaculate, Owensboro William F. always calls us because Year of Faith now underway. The New February 4-6 Workshop for Bishops on Catholic Bioethics, Dallas, TX Medley, Bishop we have strayed from Evangelization to which the Church is be- February 7 6:00 p.m. Confirmation, St. Romuald, Hardinsburg of Owensboro God’s embrace by our ing called can only be enhanced when we February 9 5:00 p.m. Mass, Catholic Men’s Conference, St. Stephen Cathedral sin. seek God’s grace. February 10 11:00 a.m. Confirmation, St. Francis de Sales, Paducah During this upcoming Lent, to begin We all know our sin. The Church, 2:00 p.m. Rite of Election, St. John the Evangelist, Paducah Ash Wednesday, February 13, the priests through the grace of Jesus Christ, affords February 13 12:05 p.m. Ash Wednesday Mass, St. Stephen Cathedral of our diocese have committed them- many opportunities for good people to February 14 Catholic Conference of Kentucky Executive Board Meeting, selves to make available more times for be reconciled. We experience this in the Louisville, KY and Provincial Meeting, Louisville, KY the faithful to come to the sacrament of sacrament of the Eucharist, in reading February 15 Provincial Meeting, Louisville, KY Penance and perhaps offer some instruc- Sacred Scripture, in acts of prayer and February 16 6:00 p.m. OCES 7th Annual Auction, Brescia University tion on the meaning and importance of penance and self denial. But Jesus em- February 17 2:00 p.m. Rite of Election, St. Stephen Cathedral the sacrament. powered the Church to offer his grace 7:00 p.m. Rite of Election, Holy Name of Jesus, Henderson We join several dioceses across the in yet another extraordinary way in the February 18 9:30 a.m. Priest Personnel Board Meeting United States who in recent years have sacrament of Penance. Some may have 1:30 p.m. Priests’ Council Meeting striven to invite greater participation in had a bad experience in the past, others February 20 8:30 a.m. School Mass, Mary Carrico Memorial School the sacrament. The initiative is called just got out of the habit, yet others never 6:30 – 8:00 “Light is on for You”, Sacrament of Reconciliation “The Light is On For You” as a remind- went to confession enough to understand (check the website for location – www.rcdok.org) er that we are called to live in the light its power. February 21-22 Brescia University Board Meeting of Christ, a light dimmed by our sin. As This is an invitation to conversion, to February 27 6:30 – 8:00 “Light is on for You”, Sacrament of Reconciliation best we can our priests have committed holiness and healing. “The Light is On (check the website for location – www.rcdok.org) themselves to being available for confes- For You,” and that light is the Light of the February 28 8:30 a.m. School Mass, St. Paul, Leitchfield sion on the Wednesday nights of Lent. world, Jesus Christ. (Check with your local parish as there will be some variations in May God bless you all. You Are Invited To Continue scheduling; many priests are respon- sible for more than one parish.) Celebrating Jubilee with the Diocese “Confession is good for the soul.” +Most Reverend William F. Medley, The origin of this quote is unknown to Bishop of Owensboro The February, 2012 Western Ken- tucky Catholic (WKC) carried a front page article announcing that the Diocese Diocesan Review Board Members Ready of Owensboro would be celebrating 75 to Respond to Calls years as a diocese beginning with the The members of the Board who deal with sexual abuse allegations in the Diocese April 3, 2012 Chrism Mass and conclud- of Owensboro are as follows: Mr. Ken Bennett, Mr. Mike Boone, Ms. Kay Castlen, Chair, ing with the Chrism Mass in 2013. Be- Rev. Mike Clark, JCL, Rev. Pat Connell, Mr. Jeff Ebelhar, Mr. Mike Flaherty, Mr. Nicholas ginning with the March, 2012 edition, the Goetz, Mr. Brandon Harley, Ms. Teresa Henry, Mr. Dan Howard, Sr. Eula Johnson, SCN. WKC featured each month pictures and Ms. Louanne Payne serves as the Bishop’s liaison to the Review Board. brief histories of the parishes in the dio- Any person who wishes to communicate with the Diocesan Review Board is asked cese which were compiled by the Dioce- to call the Catholic Pastoral Center at 1-270-683-1545 and ask to speak with a member of san Archives Office. The histories high- the Review Board. To speak with a particular member of this Board, tell the receptionist. In lighted the contributions that each parish either case, the receptionist at the Catholic Pastoral Center will give the caller’s informa- has made to our Catholic heritage. Eight In the picture above, Bishop William tion to a member of the Diocesan Review Board for follow-up. more brief parish histories are found in F. Medley elevated the Body of Christ Callers may choose to remain anonymous for the initial call to the Catholic Pastoral this edition beginning on page 5. during the Dec. 8 Mass for the Feast of Center receptionist. The phone numbers of the members of this Board will not be made As a diocesan-wide journey of spir- the Immaculate Conception as Deacon public. You may also contact the Board via email at [email protected]. Be sure to itual renewal centered on Jesus Christ, Tim Nugent elevated the Blood of include your contact information. No direct response will be given by email because con- Christ. Diacone Heriberto Rodriguez, Arise Together in Christ/Levatnate Una- Saints Mary & James and Saint Susan fidentiality is never guaranteed when using email. Follow-up will be made by telephone. monos en Christo was introduced during Parishes, is at right. the 2012 Chrism Mass for the diocese in Lent begins Wednesday, February 13, 2013.