50¢ March 4, 2007 Volume 81, No. 9 www.diocesefwsb.org/TODAY Serving the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend TTODAYODAY’’SS CCATHOLICATHOLIC Diocese to inactive Catholics: Looking for someplace ‘You can always come home’ new this BY DON CLEMMER spring break? Find some peace FORT WAYNE — “We announce today the begin- ning of a public effort to draw back to Christ and the in God’s kingdom church the many Catholics — and there are many — Pages 10-11 who have stopped the practice of their faith,” Bishop John M. D’Arcy announced at a Feb. 21 news con- ference at the Archbishop Noll Catholic Center in Fort Wayne. By making heavy use of the media, in what the bishop called a “full court press,” the dio- ‘We are daughters of cese hopes “to reach those who have forgotten about God and have placed him on the back burners of God, and inherently their life,” and “be a welcoming church to those who need us.” valuable and This initiative, made possible in part by a beautiful $60,000 grant from Our Sunday Visitor, is to be part of the celebration of the Sesquicentennial Jubilee because of that’ Year of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend. A similar news conference was held in South Bend on Edith Stein conference Feb. 26. hosted at Notre Dame Going into other details on the campaign, Bishop D’Arcy explained that he has asked every parish to Page 3 have a parish mission over a three-year period. He also noted that many fallen away Catholics feel a need to speak with someone, but also feel a need for anonymity. “There may have been a reason why they left the ‘Especially when it church,” Bishop D’Arcy said. “It may have been an error on our part.” Or, he added, they might find cer- comes to God, I DON CLEMMER tain aspects of the church or its teaching troubling. believe in keeping Bishop John M. D’Arcy speaks at the Feb. 21 news conference in Fort Wayne announcing the To serve these people’s needs, the diocese has campaign to call and welcome fallen away Catholics back to the full practice of their faith. inaugurated the 1-800-MERCY4U phone line for an open mind’ The news conference included information on the Wells of Hope program, the 1-800- Second installment MERCY4U number, Mercy Day and the aggressive media campaign by the diocese to pro- HOME, PAGE 20 mote this initiative. of Real Lent series Page 9 Youth inspired MARKED FOR THE JOURNEY to be Christ’s heroes becoming heroes. BY KAY COZAD The youth and chaperones retired to gen- der-specific cabins on the grounds for a NORTH WEBSTER — In this good night’s sleep and were treated in the Sesquicentennial Jubilee Year, the youth of morning to a hearty breakfast provided by the diocese have already had an opportuni- Catering Kitchen. Epworth Forest kitchens ty to celebrate their faith together. On provided all other meals. Friday, Feb. 16, over two dozen teens from Saturday was a full day with a variety of around the area gathered for the first annu- speakers from several diocesan locals. Our al diocesan-wide youth retreat weekend, Lady of Good Hope pastor Father Mark held at Epworth Forest. Gurtner addressed compassion in heroes, The retreat, “Be a Hero,” was hosted by St.Vincent School teacher Nate Proulx the Office of Youth Ministry, says director advised the youth on reckless vs. risking for Cindy Black and designed as a spoof on Christ and Indiana-Purdue Universities at American Idol, a popular television pro- Fort Wayne (IPFW) teacher Bob Sedlmeyer gram. “We asked, ‘What does it mean to be spoke on the burdens heroes carry. Teen a hero?’ and agreed Jesus Christ is the one witnesses included Laura Schmidt, Reid DON CLEMMER true hero,” she says. Leazier and Whitney Soberalski, all from Katie Zoch receives a mark of ashes at Ash The fun-filled and inspiring weekend St. Vincent de Paul Parish. began on Friday evening with teachings Skits were interspersed throughout the Wednesday Mass at the Cathedral of the from Black on the characteristics of a hero. day to bring the talks to life and later in the Immaculate Conception, Fort Wayne, Feb. Krista Gensen, parishioner at Queen of day, four area priests offered those in atten- Angels, Fort Wayne, followed with a teen dance the opportunity for reconciliation 21. Catholics worldwide began the season witness. The evening drew to a close with the teens praying over each other to rid of Lent by being marked with this sign of themselves of all that held them back from HEROS, PAGE 20 repentance. 2 TODAY’ S CATHOLIC MARCH 4, 2007 TODAY’S CATHOLIC Official newspaper of the New evangelization welcomes Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend P.O. Box 11169 Fort Wayne, IN 46856 all to hear the word of God PUBLISHER: Bishop John M. D’Arcy celibate commitment takes on its full valid- Many young students from the University EDITOR: Tim Johnson ity only if it is accompanied by prayer — of Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s College and ASSISTANT EDITOR: Don Clemmer that prayer in which we tell the Lord we Holy Cross College. STAFF WRITER: Kay Cozad belong totally to him. He is our portion and our cup and our inheritance. He is our A meeting with vicars Editorial Department NEWS “land.” We also tell him that he is suffi- We have six new vicars — Father cient, and more than sufficient. This makes Thomas Jones, CSC, Father Terry Fisher, PAGE DESIGNER: Francie Hogan &NOTES the priesthood a way of love, an adventure FREELANCE WRITERS: Ann Carey, Father William Sullivan, Father David of love if you will. Carkenord, Father Daryl Rybicki, and Michelle Castleman, Elmer J. Danch, BISHOP JOHN M. D’ARCY This was a great day with the priests, Father David Voors. The vicar is important Michelle Donaghey, Bonnie Elberson, which had been postponed because of the because he helps the bishop give pastoral Denise Fedorow, Sister Margie weather. We also spoke about vocations to care to a certain region. Canonically, they Lavonis, CSC, Jennifer Ochstein, the priesthood, and we saw a beautiful have been called deans, but they also are Theresa Thomas, Kristi Ward A time to evangelize video entitled “Fishers of Men.” On top of called vicars forane. They gave me excel- The word is overused, so perhaps we do that, Cindy Black, our director of Youth lent advice on how their office can be used Ministry spoke to our priests, as did Linda Business Department not understand it or do not really hear it. to enrich the pastoral ministry of priests Furge, director of the observance of our and laity. We will work to see that the vicar BUSINESS MANAGER: Kathy Denice But the mission of Christ is our mission, the mission of the church. It is to preach the jubilee. Cindy set out for our priests her visits each parish to strengthen the priest, to AD GRAPHICS DIRECTOR: Mark Weber word of God “in season and out of season,” approach to youth ministry, and also her make sure he is in good health — physical- BOOKKEEPING/CIRCULATION: Kathy Voirol as St. Paul put it. The church, as Pope Paul love and respect for the priest. ly, emotionally and spiritually — and also [email protected] VI said, “must first be evangelized in order to see that the people are being well served. that she might evangelize.” It simply means Advertising Sales preaching the Gospel. This has been my joy A weekend to remember Tess Steffen (Fort Wayne area) these past few weeks, as always, with each I was off early on Saturday morning to Still Catholic (260) 456-2824 day full of his mission. Indeed, it must Elkhart because I wished to celebrate Mass I had a wonderful visit to St. Joseph Judy Kearns (South Bend area) always be for bishops and priests but, in a at St. Vincent de Paul Parish and visit with Hospital, Fort Wayne. This was done at the (574) 234-0687 sense, for all of us. Father Philip DeVolder, who has been invitation of Sister Carole Langhauser, Web site: www.diocesefwsb.org/TODAY unable to offer Mass because of a serious PHJC. The two young men, Chad Towner back pain. He has been out for several and Kirk Ray, who are leaders of the hospi- Published weekly except the last A new evangelization months, and he had a serious infection. I tal, greeted me and we had lunch with Sunday in June, second and fourth Not new in content, but “new in method, wanted to be close to the parishioners when Sister Carole. I recall when the Poor weeks in July, second week in August new in expression and new in ardor.” There their local pastor was not so visible. Handmaids, who had served at St. Joseph and last week in December by the is also a document in the church on media This also enabled me to attend the first Hospital with distinction and dedication for Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, which says that the church would be “guilty half of the semi state basketball game. It generations, with great reluctance deter- 1103 S. Calhoun St., P.O. Box 390, Fort before the Lord” if it did not use modern was at North Side gym in Elkhart, and the mined that it was necessary to sell this Wayne, IN 46801. Second-class means of communication. This is why, with spirit was extraordinary. Alas, the Lady beloved hospital.