12 Back pew NORTH COUNTRY CATHOLIC The Diocese of Ogdensburg Volume 65, Number 32 JAN. 5, 2011 INSIDE THIS ISSUE Pope ends a year of NONORTHRTH C COUOUNTRYNTRY challenges inside, outside the church l PAGE 7 Religious of the diocese express gratitude for donations l PAGE 1 CATHOLIC JAN 5, 2011 Hold on tight to God LOOKING VATICAN CITY (CNS) - In times of he never leaves us on our Despite the many cen- darkness" of doubting her trouble, doubt or deep spiri- own," he said during his turies that separate her time faith, he said. tual crisis, never let go of be- weekly general audience in and today, St. Catherine still However, throughout all of BACK lieving in God, because he the Vatican's Paul VI hall Dec. speaks to modern men and her struggles, St. Catherine will help lead people out of 29. women, said the pope. "always held onto the Lord's Bishop: events darkness, Pope Benedict XVI In his catechesis, the pope "Like us, she suffered from hand," he said. Because she of 2010 give said. described the life of St. many temptations -- the never let go of trusting in "Let us always be led by Catherine of Bologna, an temptations of disbelief and God's will and let herself al- hope for 2011 God, carry out his will every abbess of the Poor Clares and sensuality, she suffered from ways be guided by him, "she day even if often it doesn't "a woman of great wisdom a difficult spiritual battle, she went along the right path correspond to our plans, and and culture" who lived in the felt abandoned by God and and found the road leading trust in his providence that 15th century. she found herself in the to the light," he said. Funeral held SPAGHETTI FOR SPAIN Dec. 31 for Fr. McCasland, 92 PHOTO BY PAT HENDRICK Archbishop Timothy Dolan places the miter on Bishop Terry LaValley’s head during Bishop LaValley’s ordination/ installation April 30. In this week’s “Follow Me” column, the bishop shares reflections for the new year: “In my remarks at my ordination/ in- stallation as Bishop of Ogdensburg, I said that the mission has been set - the joy of a journey, the struggle of a lifetime…and it’s a family affair. As we close out the year 2010 and wel- come the New Year, it has become abundantly clear to me that God’s pil- grim people throughout our North FULL STORY, PAGE 4 Country are experiencing the joys and the struggles of living as faithful Retires from Catholic Christians, as beautiful fami- lies of faith.... The people of God that I the military PHOTO BY COLLEEN MINER have been privileged to meet are, in- Among the young adults from the Diocese of Ogdensburg planning to travel to Spain in August, 2011 for World Youth Day are deed, ready for Jesus... Father Douglas Decker is honored four young women from Saranac Lake. Pictured with the Spanish flag are Samantha Fazioli, Molly Burgess, Melissa Fisher and FULL STORY, PAGE 3 as he completes service as Air Force Erin Miner. They are planning a spaghetti dinner fundraiser Jan. 15 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 at St. Bernard's School cafeteria. and Air Guard chaplain FULL STORY, PAGE 6 THE CHRISTMAS SEASON: Reflections on the last days of the season.. p. 8 2 Diocesan Life NORTH COUNTRY CATHOLIC NORTH COUNTRY CATHOLIC news 11 JAN. 5, 2011 JAN. 5,2011 NORTH OBITUARIES COUNTRY LETTER FROM THE EDITOR CHURCH: A FAMILY OF FAITH The Society For CATHOLIC Bombay – Marion M. (Foy) McElwain, 95; Lake Clear – George H. Carley Jr., 89; Fu- Redwood – Cecile M. (Lavictoire) Box 326 The Propagation Of The Faith Funeral s Dec. 31, 2010 at St. Joseph’s neral Services Dec. 20, 2010 at St. John in Charlebois, 84; Funeral Services Dec. 28, Ogdensburg, N.Y. 13669 Au revoir, 2010 Church; burial in parish cemetery. the Wilderness Church; burial in Harriet- 2010 at St. Francis Xavier Church; burial The Beloved Son of God Sr. Mary Ellen Brett, SSJ, Director stown Cemetery. in Redwood Catholic Cemetery. USPS 0039-3400 622 Washington St., Ogdensburg, NY 13669 Brasher Falls – Margaret E. Partlow, 84; BISHOP TERRY Well, it was quite a year, wasn’t cial awards to Cathy Nason of By Sister Mary Eamon Lyng, SSJ (315) 393-2920; fax (315) 394-7401 R. LAVALLEY [email protected] Funeral Services Dec. 20, 2010 at St. Madrid – John “Bullet” E. Murphy, 43; Fu- Saranac Lake – Joyce (Bomyea) LaVair, it!?! Saranac Lake, the Catholic school Diocesan Director of Evangelization President Pope Benedict XVI finally sent teacher of the year; and Sister Patrick’s Church; burial in St. Patrick’s neral Services Dec. 21, 2010 at St. John 74; Funeral Services Dec. 22, 2010 at For- MSGR. ROBERT L. LAWLER us a new bishop and he was one Gabriel Marie Meyer of Water- Cemetery. the Baptist Church; burial in St. John’s tune-Keough Funeral Home. Vice President of our own. town, the Catholic Charities Cari- “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Cemetery. SR. JENNIFER VOTRAW, SSJ Springtime definitely brought tas Award recipient. To be “loved” and to become the “beloved” of a spouse and a family Cadyville – Dolores J. (Tamer) Reyell, 51; Saranac Lake – Rita Corinne (Woodruff) Secretary-Treasurer new life to the North Country He celebrated special Masses in member is the greatest gift one can receive from another. Gratitude at Funeral Services Dec. 20, 2010 at St. Massena - Rebecca L. “Becky” (Gokey) Moody, 86; Funeral Services Dec. 29, 2010 MARY LOU KILIAN Church. From the mo- September to welcome To be loved by our parents and brothers and sisters is to be part of fam- James Church; burial in parish cemetery. LaFayette, 88; Funeral Services at Don- at St. Bernard’s Church; burial in Pine Editor/ ment of his April 30 ordi- new principals at Seton ily - a family of love. To be a family of love means giving of oneself for the aldson Funeral Home; burial in St. Francis Ridge Cemetery. General Manager nation and installation, Catholic Central in Platts- sake of the other. Christmas Canton – Patricia A. (Baudette) Cornell, of Assisi Cemetery, Constable. Bishop Terry R. LaValley burgh and Immaculate 72; Funeral Services Dec. 22, 2010 at St. Saranac Lake – Donald A. Richter, M.D., Publish 45 is- Love is just not saying: “I love you” without showing love. To love is to has hardly taken a breath! Heart Central in Water- Mary’s Church; burial in Fairview Ceme- Massena – Francis L. (Kirkey) McDonald, 99; Funeral Services Dec. 30, 2010 at St. sues per year: He traveled from dean- town. be kind, understanding, forgiving, thinking of others. Weekly except From the Director’s Desk, tery. 89; Funeral Services Dec. 31, 2010 at Bernard’s Church; burial in St. Bernard’s ery to deanery, meeting And Bishop LaValley Love means to be pleasing to others. Love means to listen to the voice Church of the Sacred Heart; burial in Cal- Cemetery. issue after parishioners, confirming was with us as we Sister Mary Ellen Brett, SSJ, Christmas, one of the one we love. Canton – David Dewan, 58; Funeral Serv- vary Cemetery. teenagers and connecting mourned beloved clergy- week in April When Jesus heard the voice from the heavens, He knew that His elec- Diocesan Mission Director ices Dec. 27, 2010 at St. Mary’s Church; Schroon Lake – Eleanor L. “Bunny” with the clergy in a brand men: Father Thomas and every Massena (Gonyea) Hozley, 86; Funeral Services new way. Moody, Msgr. Anthony tion as the Son of God was for the community of believers to understand. burial in Purmort Cemetery. – Bernard F. O’Neill, 76; Funeral other week in July and Au- I am most grateful for your Christmas sacrifices and do- Services Dec. 22, 2010 at Phillips Memo- Dec. 23, 2010 at Our Lady of Lourdes gust by the In this week’s North Mary Lou Milia, Father George The voice confirmed Jesus’ mission. It was this community of believers nations, which are such a blessing to the Church as it serves Country Catholic, we Kilian Tobin, Father James that were seeking to understand how they were to live as a Church. the poor of the Missions. Carthage – Marion Tooker Forney, 88; Fu- rial Home. Catholic Church. Diocese of Ogdensburg. neral Services Dec. 22, 2010 at St. James 622 Washington Street, Og- mark the end of one year Lamitie, Deacon Joseph Jesus’ ministry had begun. The Kingdom of God was at hand. Through these donations, you help to support the work Catholic Church; burial in Fairview Ceme- Massena – Elizabeth (Bickerstaffe) Star Lake – William “Bill” F. Gebo, 60; Fu- densburg, N.Y. 13669. and beginning of the Gilbert and, just last Jesus would preach, teach and heal as He traveled throughout Galilee and witness of Religious Sisters throughout the Missions, next. I decided that the easiest week, Father Howard McCasland. especially as they offer loving service to children in need. tery. Sauve, 90; Funeral Services Dec. 30, 2010 neral Services Dec. 31, 2010 at French Fu- Editorial Office: way to re-live the highlights of Bishop LaValley’s presence and into Jerusalem. This was the beginning of the Church, a community By your prayers, and your gifts to the Society for the at Church of the Sacred Heart; burial in neral Home. 622 Washington Street, 2010 was to look back on Bishop among the members of our of believers, chosen to go forth to be disciples in mission. Propagation of the Faith, you accompany those who bring Chaumont – Marie J.