Inside Archbishop Buechlein . 4, 5 Editorial . 4 Question Corner . 15 The Sunday & Daily Readings. 15 Serving the CChurchCriterion in Centralr andi Southert n Indianae Since 1960rion www.archindy.org April 4, 2003 Vol. XXXXII, No. 25 75¢ Pope says Iraqi war must not tur n into ‘religious catastrophe’ VATICAN CITY (CNS)—As the toll at the loss of life on both sides, including “War must never be allowed to divide of death and destruction mounted during four U.S. soldiers killed by an Iraqi suicide world religions. I encourage you to take the second week of war in Iraq, Pope bomber at a military checkpoint. this unsettling moment as an occasion to John Paul II repeatedly prayed for peace Speaking at a noon blessing from his work together, as brothers committed to CNS photo from Reuters and said the conflict must not be allowed apartment window above St. Peter’s peace, with your own people, with those to become a “religious catastrophe.” Square on March 30, the pope said the of other religious beliefs, and with all The pope, who strongly opposed an world was experiencing a moment in men and women of good will in order to attack on Iraq, made the comments as which “painful armed conflicts are threat- ensure understanding, cooperation and photos of civilian victims in Iraq pro- ening humanity’s hope in a better future.” solidarity,” he said. voked sadness and indignation in much of He offered a special prayer to Mary for “Let us not permit a human tragedy the world, especially in Muslim countries. war victims and especially for her inter- also to become a religious catastrophe,” Meanwhile, some Church leaders cession for peace in Iraq. he said. A mural for peace on the side of a New York City stepped up criticism of the war effort led by The day before, addressing bishops At his weekly general audience on building depicts Pope John Paul II holding a U.S. and British troops, as Catholics tried from predominantly Muslim Indonesia, the March 26, the pope said his heart was rosary on March 29. Pope John Paul continued to wrestle with the moral issues involved. pope expressed deep concern about the weighed down by reports coming out of his calls for peace and said the conflict must not Many in the United States were distressed interreligious impact of the war in Iraq. See WAR, page 8 become a “religious catastrophe.” Paying and praying it forward Bishops rank what’s doable By Jennifer Lindberg Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in in Congress Indianapolis is giving parishioners $5,000. Photo by Jennifer Lindberg WASHINGTON (CNS)—Welfare The only rule is that they give it to reform and the war in Iraq. Refugees and someone else. radio ownership. Abortion and asylum. Called “Pay it Forward,” the Lenten The uninsured, death-row inmates and project was made possible by an anony- parents with children in Catholic schools. mous donor, who challenged parish- All these and more are the concerns of ioners to take a hundred $50 bills and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, use the money to make a difference in according to a legislative agenda for the the world. 108th Congress approved on March 18 by After Mass, parishioners signed for the USCCB Administrative Committee. one of the $50 bills. On Palm Sunday, But how does the conference decide parishioners will drop a note into the which goals take priority and which can parish collection basket reporting how actually be achieved in the current politi- they used the money. cal climate? The idea is based on the book and The process that led to the Admini- movie Pay it Forward, in which a strative Committee’s approval of 107 social studies teacher challenges his issues in four priority rankings involves students to pass on good deeds. the USCCB Office of Government Liaison Parishioners have risen to the chal- and the conference offices, departments lenge. and committees responsible for public A home-school group at Our Lady of policy issues—pro-life, migration and Lourdes is using the money to help sol- refugee services, international justice and diers in the Persian Gulf with a project peace, general counsel, education, domes- called “Pray it Forward.” tic social development and communica- The group of about 20 children and tions. five mothers are making bracelets that Twenty-eight of the 107 concerns were have the name of a serviceman or ranked as “lobbying” issues—those woman in block letters. People who judged “likely to be enacted” to which the buy the $2 bracelet are asked to pray USCCB will commit “all appropriate lob- for that soldier, said Jane Hagenauer, bying efforts to amend, pass or defeat spe- who is part of the group. cific legislation.” The bracelets come with a small card Another 28 issues—considered “likely that has the soldier’s name and rank to be considered seriously by Congress”— and, if it’s available, the soldier’s are ranked as “tracking/lobbying” e-mail address. See CONGRESS, page 7 Currently, they have 100 names of Members of the Our Lady of Lourdes home school group in Indianapolis make bracelets for their soldiers and are willing to make as “Pray it Forward” project. Each bracelet has the name of a soldier fighting in the war with Iraq. See PAY, page 2 People who buy a bracelet are asked to pray for that soldier. Bishop Chatard wins state basketball championship Bishop Chatard basketball By Jennifer Lindberg coach Dan Archer raises Bishop Chatard High School in the Indianapolis high Indianapolis did something few schools Photo by Gayle Mass school’s first state basket- ever accomplish when it won the IHSAA ball championship trophy Class 3A state basketball championship aloft as the team celebrates on March 29. around him. Bishop The Trojans captured the school’s first Chatard won the Class 3A state basketball title against Fort Wayne championship on Elmhurst, 78-44. March 29, defeating Fort The win gives the school the rare dis- Wayne Elmhurst 78-44. tinction of winning a basketball title and football title in the same academic year. For years, the school has been known for its football teams, which won six state titles. Seven of the players on Chatard’s See CHATARD, page 2 Page 2 The Criterion Friday, April 4, 2003 impression on others. PAY “One lady told us this could be addic- continued from page 1 tive, giving money to others to help them,” she said. many bracelets as possible. Other parishioners are using their Photo by Jennifer Lindberg While it is up to the individual who buys money to help various organizations or the bracelet to decide whether to correspond families in financial need. via e-mail, they are not obligated. Fourth-grade teacher Amy Duke is “The only obligation we ask for buying using her $50 to help her class at Our the bracelet is that you pray for them,” Lady of Lourdes School raise additional said Mary Grace Phillippe, another mother money for St. Elizabeth’s Pregnancy and in the home school group. “This is a Adoption Services in Indianapolis. prayer project, and a way to ask for bless- Using nickel and dime donations, stu- ings and a safe return for all our soldiers.” dents have raised $70 to buy needed dia- More information on the bracelets may pers and infant formula, Duke said. be obtained by e-mail at One parishioner is helping a child at a [email protected]. westside Catholic school buy a uniform Helping others in a different way came the family couldn’t afford. about in a McDonald’s drive-thru, said Another women decided to give her Paula Bittelmeyer, who is organizing the money to the next person she saw in program at the request of the donors. need. She found a grandmother whose A husband and wife took their $50 to daughter had died and left two children. pay for other meals at the drive-thru. Some have given their money to the They gave the cashier a note for the Knights of Columbus Tootsie Roll Drive unsuspecting customers, stating that some- that helps the homeless and the Gibault Home school mother Bernice Berlage shows students in the home school group how to measure the one had paid for their food in the hope School for Boys in Terre Haute. yarn they will braid for bracelets. The group, which consists of parishioners from Our Lady of Lourdes that they would pass the kindness on to Another parishioner is helping her and St. Therese of the Infant Jesus (Little Flower) Parishes in Indianapolis, are making bracelets that someone else. mentally handicapped neighbor buy food. contain the names of soldiers serving in the war with Iraq. “Most people are saying this is very The Bittelmeyers are using their thought-provoking,” Bittelmeyer said. money to help a parishioner, who had a Bittelmeyer hopes people will be on the same scale. “It’s really exciting to hear the stories and long illness, pay part of a major pharma- inspired by the project and continue help- “I hope they will think of doing this to think that this is leaving a positive ceutical bill. ing others in various ways, even if it’s not when it’s not Lent,” Bittelmeyer said. † positive helped lead the Trojans to the CHATARD school’s first state title in basketball. continued from page 1 He also praised his coach for keeping a positive attitude. Photo by Gayle Mass basketball team were also members of the Archer is well aware of the team’s school’s football team.