The TIMES CatholicThe Diocese of Columbus’ Information Source June 6, 2021 • CORPUS CHRISTI SUNDAY • Volume 70:18 Inside this issue Going forward: The dispensation from Ohio’s bishops to attend Sunday and Holy Day Masses ends the weekend of June 5-6 and Bishop Robert Brennan says he is thankful while reminding the faithful that they must continue to remain charitable and patient, Page 2 Son of diocese ordained: Father Joseph Michael Fino, C.F.R, who grew up in Westerville and attended New Albany Church of the Resurrection, was ordained to the priesthood as a member of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal on Saturday, May 29 in New York, Page 12 Eucharistic Gathering: A two-day Eucharistic Gathering as part of the diocese’s Real Presence Real Future campaign is scheduled for Aug. 27 and 28 at St. Joseph Cathedral and St. Charles Preparatory School in Columbus, Page 16 TWO DIOCESAN PRIESTS ORDAINED Pages 3, 9-11 Catholic Times 2 June 6, 2021 Bishop Robert Brennan Freewalt named executive director for Catholic Conference of Ohio As restrictions ease, we are The Board of Directors of the Catholic Conference of Ohio has named Jerry Freewalt as its new executive director. thankful but remain patient Freewalt has worked in the Office for Social Concerns After these difficult unnecessary burdens on others. in the Diocese of Columbus for 26 years and has served as months of the pandemic, At this point, I want to communicate my grat- director since 2018, engaging in public policy at the local, I’m very excited to wel- itude to people for all of the flexibility and pa- state and national levels. come you back to Mass tience that they’ve shown and for their kindness The Catholic Conference of Ohio is the official represen- on the weekend of June and generosity while keeping one another safe. tative for the state’s bishops in 5-6, which is the Solem- In that spirit, one of the things you’ll hear me public policy initiatives. nity of Corpus Christi, a saying now is that Christian charity has to be “Jerry’s dedication and expe- special day in the life of our overarching guide going forward. That’s rience in service to the Church the Church when we give been true for these past months, and people have been recognized nation- thanks for the real pres- have shown it. ally, statewide and throughout ence of Jesus in the Eu- And as we come back, things are not going the Columbus Diocese,” Arch- charist. to be easy all the time, and we have to remem- bishop Dennis Schnurr of Cin- I welcome very much the governor’s com- ber that people are approaching this from a lot cinnati said. “The Bishops of ments a couple of weeks ago easing some of the of different angles and a lot of different expe- Ohio look forward to his lead- COVID-19 protocols and restrictions starting riences. Some people have had to deal with ership as the Conference’s new June 2, giving a three-week period during which COVID-19 in a very painful way. Let us never executive director.” those who wished to be vaccinated would have lose sight of those who have died and those who Freewalt has a strong back- the opportunity. Pastors are very happy that we mourn. Others continue to suffer with the illness ground in advocacy and pro- are able to start to open up the pews, and it’s and its effects. Still others have very legitimate gramming related to respect for Jerry Freewalt nice to see so many people back in church over fears, so this is going to take a lot of patience life, poverty, hunger, agriculture, File photo the past few weeks. That number is growing. and a lot of Christian charity. immigration, prison ministry, hu- At St. Joseph Cathedral, I’m seeing the return We are going to try to provide whatever guid- man trafficking, death penalty, persons with disabilities, inter- of visitors as well as parishioners, which is all ance we can to your parishes from the diocesan national assistance, care for creation and other issues related really very good and very encouraging. It is a level, but we also have to recognize that one to charity and social justice. reminder that those who to go to Mass really do church is very different from another in terms He was an integral advocate for the Multi-System Youth take it seriously. of capacity and the number of people we need Custody Relinquishment Fund enacted in the 2019-20 As we hope you know, the bishops of Ohio to fit in the church for Mass. So some churches, state budget and is currently advocating for the establish- decided that the general obligation to attend if they have the room, might leave sections with ment of the OhioRISE Medicaid managed care program in Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation distancing. Others might not have that luxury. Ohio’s next state budget. When approved, the $1 billion (including the Saturday/Vigil Mass) will be re- We can’t do everything that everybody wants program will assist 60,000 youth with complex behavioral instated this weekend. us to do, but we’ve tried to be attentive to the health needs. The Church has always taught that those who needs of a broad base of people. In addition, Freewalt serves on the OhioRISE Advisory are sick, those for whom it would be dangerous We’ve already started to reduce the spacing so Board, the Ohio Children’s Behavioral Health Prevention to their health (or to someone in their care) and that we could accommodate more people based Network Stakeholder Group and the Advisory Board of those with significant concerns or anxieties for on the guidelines that are given to us. Honest- J.O.I.N. (Joint Organization for Inner-City Needs). He pre- their health or that of their families have legit- ly, I was just hoping for the day that we could viously chaired the Board of the Directors for the National imate reasons for missing Mass and therefore increase the seating capacity, even if it meant Catholic Partnership on Disability as well as the Catholic are exempt (Catechism of the Catholic Church, wearing the masks for a little while longer. But, Conference of Ohio’s Department of Social Concerns. 2181). happily, the current guidance from the CDC “I am honored to have the opportunity to use my gifts If you have questions or concerns, reach out to changed on the masks more quickly, lifting yet as executive director,” Freewalt said. “I look forward to your pastor or to a priest and talk it out. Anoth- another burden. I’m just very glad. Enlarging living out my vocation in this new role as a voice for the er consideration is that the threshold for being our capacity was my first priority. We want to Church in advancing the common good.” sick is a little lower. We have to be concerned be welcoming, and so that was my biggest con- He has a master’s degree in public policy and manage- for other people’s health and even for other peo- cern that we could fit everybody making every- ment from Ohio State University and a bachelor’s degree ple’s confidence and comfort. We have to recog- body feel totally welcome in church. in political science from Xavier University in Cincinna- nize somebody might not be comfortable sitting While we might not need to wear masks, I ti. He and his wife, Karen, have three children. They are in front of somebody who’s coughing. That’s think I will encourage parishes to have them members of Columbus St. Margaret of Cortona Church. where the charity comes in, and Christian char- Freewalt succeeds Carolyn Jurkowitz, who is retiring ity has to guide us. St. Paul speaks about being from the Conference after 34 years. He will assume his all things to all people, and we don’t want to put See BISHOP, Page 14 new position on August 1. Front Page photo: Bishop Robert J. Brennan: President & Publisher TWO MEN ORDAINED Doug Bean: Editor ([email protected]) TO PRIESTHOOD Tim Puet: Reporter ([email protected]) Bishop Robert Brennan ordained K. Colston-Woodruff: Graphic Designer Fathers Jacob Stinnett and Stephen Copyright © 2021. All rights reserved. Mailing Address: 197 E. Gay St., Columbus OH 43215 Ondrey as priests to serve the Dio- Catholic Times (USPS 967-000) (ISSN 745-6050) is the official Editorial/Advertising: (614) 224-5195 FAX (614) 241-2518 cese of Columbus on Saturday, May newspaper of the Catholic Diocese of Columbus, Ohio. It is Subscriptions: (614) 224-6530 FAX (614) 241-2573 29 at Westerville St. Paul Church. published every other week throughout the year. Subscrip- ([email protected]) CT photo by Ken Snow tion rate: $17 per year, or call and make arrangements with Postmaster: Send address changes to Catholic Times, 197 E. Gay St., Columbus your parish. Postage Paid at Columbus OH 43218. OH 43215. Please allow two to four weeks for change of address. June 6, 2021 Catholic Times 3 Two priests ordained for diocese By Tim Puet the priesthood, who until then were Catholic Times Reporter seated with their families, were called from the congregation and presented to the bishop by Father William Hahn, Using the theme “configured to diocesan vocations director, who de- Christ,” Bishop Robert Brennan urged clared them ready for the priesthood. the two newest priests of the Diocese Each man answered “present” as of Columbus to emulate Jesus by giv- his name was called, then walked to ing all they have for others, especially the altar and was seated on a stool in those who mourn and suffer, and to front of the bishop, who delivered his always retain the sense of wonder ac- homily from his chair, rather than the companying their ordination.