November 24, 2013 Think Green 50¢ Recycle Volume 87, No. 39 Go Green todayscatholicnews.org Serving the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend Go Digital TTODAYODAY’’SS CCATHOLICATHOLIC Blessed Mother Maria Theresia Bonzel Diocesan blog/app ‘My Year of Faith’ Celebrations continue Pages 1, 2, 8 inspires faithful near and far Closing Mass at St. Matthew U.S. Bishops’ Cathedral, Sunday, Nov. 24 Baltimore meeting Summary of events BY KAY COZAD Page 3 FORT WAYNE — The Year of Faith, an initiative promulgated by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, is coming to a close this month. A closing Mass, with a plenary indulgence attached (details presented St. Frances Cabrini in the Nov. 10 issue of Today’s Catholic) will and immigration be celebrated by Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades at St. Matthew Cathedral in South Bend on Nov. 24, the South Bend pilgrimage feast of Christ the King. The Mass will feature three choirs from St. Augustine, St. Matthew Cathedral Page 4 and a Hispanic choir from St. Dominic in Bremen. During this Year of Faith several faith-building observances and initiatives were planned, not only on a worldwide scale, but also at the diocesan and parish level. Locally, the year began with an opening Ethics and culture Mass celebrated by Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades at the conference Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Oct. 11, 2012, a date that coincided with the 50th anniversary Vital human issues debated of the opening of Second Vatican Council. To enhance the year’s journey in faith building, Page 5 Bishop Rhoades commissioned a laminated prayer card featuring the Apostles’ Creed and other faith devotions for the faithful of the diocese. ARISE Together in Christ, sponsored by the diocese and The Year of Faith concludes St. Pius senior group Renew International began in earnest last year at Sunday, Nov. 24. Bishop many parishes. ARISE is a process that builds Kevin C. Rhoades will upon the small Christian community model, and Faith and fellowship celebrate Mass at works to increase open dialogue and faith sharing for ages 55 to 98 plus in participants homes, or select gathering spaces. St. Matthew Cathedral in South Bend at 5:30 p.m. Page 13 YEAR OF FAITH, PAGE 9 FALLING INTO SERVICE Sisters celebrate beatification of Blessed Mother Maria Theresia Bonzel BY TIM JOHNSON Sisters of St. Francis in Mishawaka, told Today’s Catholic, “Shortly after our arrival (in Germany) at the motherhouse, we were taken to a room near the PADERBORN, Germany — A Catholic nun chapel where the casket of Mother Maria Theresia who was born into a poor rural family and was placed until her remains were to be transferred founded a religious order has been beatified in to St. Martin Church in Olpe the Monday after the her native Germany more than a century after beatification. It was such a privilege to be able to her death. Her impact is felt also in the Diocese go into this room and pray these days prior to the PROVIDED BY SAINT JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL of Fort Wayne-South Bend as the foundress beatification.” of the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual More than 500 Saint Joseph High The pilgrims attended a prayer vigil in Adoration in Mishawaka. Paderborn on Saturday evening, Nov. 9, and School students offered Sunday, Nov. The beatification Mass on Nov. 10 was one of returned the following day for the beatification. several activities that pilgrims from the diocese “One of the most moving events was the 10, to partner with REAL Services — including 47 Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual unveiling of her picture in the sanctuary,” Sister and rake leaves at over 100 homes. Adoration, Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades, who concel- Angela said. “The picture was directly behind ebrated the beatification Mass, and three diocesan where Bishop Rhoades was seated, which made it The annual “Work for Saint Joe” day priests — took part in during the week. began in November of 1995. Sister Angela Mellady, provincial of the BONZEL, PAGE 8 2 TODAY’ S C ATHOLIC November 24, 2013 TODAY’S CATHOLIC Official newspaper of the Blessed Maria Theresia Bonzel Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend P.O. Box 11169 Fort Wayne, IN 46856 IN TRUTH PUBLISHER: Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades AND EDITOR: Tim Johnson NEWS EDITOR and STAFF WRITER: Kay Cozad CHARITY Editorial Department BY BISHOP KEVIN C. RHOADES PAGE DESIGNER: Francie Hogan FREELANCE WRITERS: Michelle Castleman, Karen Clifford, Bonnie Elberson, Denise t was a great joy and blessing for me to join 47 of our Sisters of Saint Francis of Perpetual Fedorow, Diane Freeby, Sister Margie IAdoration in Paderborn, Germany on Sunday, Lavonis, CSC, Jodi Magallanes, Joe November 10th, for the beatification of their Kozinski, Vince LaBarbera and Deb holy foundress, Mother Maria Theresia Bonzel. Wagner Three priests of our diocese were also present for the beatification: Fathers Daniel Scheidt, Jason Freiburger, and Ben Muhlenkamp. Business Department I concelebrated the beautiful beatification BUSINESS MANAGER: Sean McBride Mass in the 700-year old Paderborn Cathedral AD GRAPHICS DIRECTOR: Mark Weber with Cardinal Angelo Amato, the Prefect of the BOOKKEEPING/CIRCULATION: Kathy Voirol Vatican Congregation for the Causes of Saints, [email protected] and the Archbishop and Auxiliary Bishops of Paderborn. At the beginning of Mass, Advertising Sales after Mother Maria Theresia was proclaimed Tess Steffen “Blessed,” a beautiful painting of her was unveiled in the sanctuary. It was an emotional (260) 456-2824 moment for the sisters and all present. On the next day, November 11th, the festivi- PROVIDED BY EDWIN DOMINGUEZ ties continued in the city of Olpe, Mother Maria After the beatification Mass in the Paderborn Cathedral, Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades and, from left, Web site: www.todayscatholicnews.org Theresia’s hometown and the site of the congre- Sister Elise Kriss, Sister Angela Mellady, Sister Jane Marie Klein and Sister Lois DeLee, all Sisters gation’s motherhouse. November 11th is a spe- of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration, stand below the painting of newly-beatified Mother Maria Published weekly except the fourth cial day in Germany — the feast of Saint Martin Theresia Bonzel. Sunday in June, second and fourth of Tours. Saint Martin is the patron saint of the weeks in July and August, the first, parish in Olpe. The city’s coat of arms shows sisters, as their beloved foundress, whose body that she began her care of orphans and founded third and fifth weeks of September and Saint Martin giving half of his cloak to a beggar. had been interred for so many years at the moth- the Sisters of Saint Francis in 1863. last week in December by the Diocese After Vespers in the motherhouse chapel, we erhouse, was now to be kept at the parish church In conversation with the German bishops of Fort Wayne-South Bend, 1103 S. processed in cars and buses to Saint Martin’s for the veneration of all. and sisters, I learned of the challenges of the Calhoun St., P.O. Box 390, Fort Wayne, Church. Blessed Maria Theresia’s body was After the casket was lowered into the Catholic Church in Germany, not unlike the IN 46801. Periodicals postage paid at transported from the motherhouse to Saint new tomb, we continued with Mass at Saint challenges we face here in the United States, Fort Wayne, IN, and additional mailing Martin’s Church where a Blessed Sacrament Martin’s Church, celebrated by Cardinal Paul though perhaps more acute. Secularism and a office. chapel was constructed, with a tomb inside, as Cordes. The church overflowed with people. decline in religious practice are evident. The the permanent resting place for Blessed Maria I was struck by the robust singing of German Sisters of Saint Francis in Olpe are not attracting POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Theresia. Hundreds of people, along with a local Catholics. The liturgy was beautiful. new vocations, unlike our Sisters in Mishawaka. Today’s Catholic, P.O. Box 11169, Fort band, gathered outside singing and praying as Blessed Maria Theresia’s childhood home The German people were surprised and grateful Wayne, IN 46856-1169 or email: the coffin was carried into the church. It was an was right next to Saint Martin’s Church. She to see many young American sisters. [email protected]. emotional moment especially for the German was born and raised in Olpe and it was there The German bishops also shared with me some signs of hope as a growing number of MAIN OFFICE: 915 S. Clinton St., Fort young Germans are getting involved in the Wayne, IN 46802. Telephone (260) Church. Though this is a minority, their commit- 456-2824. Fax: (260) 744-1473. ment to the faith is strong. The new evangeliza- BUREAU OFFICE: 1328 Dragoon Trail, tion is not just about numbers: it requires deep Mishawaka, IN 46544. Telephone (260) commitment to Christ and witness to Him in 456-2824. Fax (260) 744-1473. the midst of a secularized culture. It is like Our Lord’s parable of the mustard seed, a tiny seed, News deadline is the Monday morning that grows into a large bush. It is good to keep before publication date. Advertising this in mind. The new evangelization involves deadline is nine days before publica- authentic conversion to discipleship, the redis- tion date. covery of faith and its power and beauty. Today’s Catholic may be reached at : Holy men and women, witnesses of faith like Today’s Catholic, Blessed Maria Theresia Bonzel, teach us the P.O. Box 11169, Fort Wayne, IN beauty of following the Lord Jesus in our lives. 46856-1169; or email: They teach us to bear witness to the fact that we [email protected] are Christian: in the family, in the workplace, and in public life.