The Diocese of Ogdensburg Volume 70, Number 32 INSIDE THIS ISSUE Meet the new youth NORTH COUNTRY director I PAGE 4 Volunteer opportunities for seniors I PAGE 16 CATHOLIC JAN. 20, 2016 Faithfulness in mercy DAY OF VATICANCITY(CNS)- God's mercy is In his first general audi­ Speaking to some 6,000 love to the tenderness and REFlEGION constant and limitless; he is ence of the new year, the people gathered in the Paul love of a mother who seeks faithful in his mercy for his pope began a new series of VI audience hall, the pope "to love, protect, help (and) is For those in children, even when they are talks on mercy, reflecting on began by reflecting on the quick to give everything, unfaithful, Pope Francis said. its description in the Bible, biblical description of God even herself" for her chil­ charitable The greatness and power of where from the "Old Testa­ who is "merciful and gra­ dren. apostolates God unfolds in his "love for ment to the full revelation of cious, slow to anger and rich "That is the image that this us, who are so small, so inca­ Jesus Christ, the mercy of in love and faithfulness." word suggests," he said. It is pable," he said at his weekly the Father is revealed in its The pope said the Bible "a love that can be defined, in general audience Jan. 13. completeness. " compares God's merciful a good way, as 'visceral.'" Mother COATS FOR KIDS Pope Francis has asked that, as part ofthe Jubilee of Mercy, there would be a Day ofPrayerlReflec­ tion for those individuals involved in charitable apostolates in each diocese. The theme he has chosen for this occasion is: 'The love of Christ impels us~ The Diocese of Ogdensburg has planned its day for March 8at Wadhams Hall in ~1 a Ogdensburg.The presenters will grassroots movement within the diocese be Deacon Mark and Theresa Ben­ to build ashrine to the newly canonized nett of St. Peter's Parish in Platts­ St. Frances Xavier Cabrini burgh and Daughter of Charity FUll STORY, PAGE 8-9 Sister Donna Franklin. Bishop Terry R. laValley will celebrate Mass at 11 :30 am. lunch will follow. This Christian day is open to all who are involved in the charitable works of our Unity SCHOOL PHOTO parishes and local communities. The Canton Knights of Columbus, Sarto Council 1059, has donated warm coats to St. Mary's School, Canton.This is the second Bishop LaValley shares his year that they have provided warm coats for the children through their "Coats for Children Program." Shown above are FUll STORY, PAGE 14 homily for the Jan. 17 Ecumenical Grand Knight Brandon Baldwin, and principal Pamelia Neal. Service in Plattsburgh FUll STORY, PAGE 3 HOLY YEAR PILGRIMAGE: There's still time to join the April trip to Italy... p. 9 II NOR TH e 0 U N TR Y C AT H 0 Li e DIOCESAN LIFE JAN. 20 " 2016 NORTH COUNTRY EDITOR'S NOTE CATHOLIC Box 326 Ogd ensburg, N.Y. 13669 Welcome to the world, little Tommy USPS 003 9-3400 BISHOPTIRRY It was on Mother's Day way 'Tve already won the lottery," I won't deny that I have been Anna." I'm not beyond asking R.LAVAllEY back in 1979 that I knew that I he told us. taking advantage of the new sta­ for a few more miracles! President was going to be a mom; our What a difference a year tus of my surely-sainted par­ But today, I am supremely sat­ REV.JOSEPH A.MORGAN beautiful Benjamin makes. ents, especially my mother. isfied with how blessed our Vice Presid ent Thomas changed our Last january, our fam­ After the rawest of grief sub­ family has been: each child of SR.JENNIFERVOTRAW,SSJ lives forever in the first ily was in mourning as sided, it occurred to me that I ours has a child (our two) of his Secretary- Trea surer month of the new we lost Anna, our now had a personal saint in or her own. MARY lOU KlUAN decade. mother, and Thomas, heaven and a little intercessory There is nothing to do except Editor! Fast forward 36 years. our father, in quick suc­ prayer wouldn't hurt. thank God every day for these General Manager On Mother's Day of cession. I thought, and I knew Mom wee and wonderful gifts of ours. 2015 this same Ben­ This january, we're all would agree, that we needed (Oh, and make a little trip to Publish 45 is- jamin called us with the bursting with joy. more babies in our family. meet our California kiddo!) ~ sues per year: best news of his life: he That joy is enhanced A couple weeks later, we _ Weekl y except was going to be a daddy! by the sure knowledge found out that one daughter-in­ NO PAPER NEXT WEEK skipping one On the tenth day of Marylou that Ben's Grandma and law was pregnant and, four week in Jan. this new year, Ben called Kilian Pop are with God now; months after that, it was Ben The next issue of the and every again, this time with 8 their legacy will be car­ and jolene's turn. other week lb., 12 oz, Thomas ried on by two little Every time I pOint this out, my North Country Catholic will be Ibeginning July through Aug. William in his arms. namesakes, this Tommy and his family members smile patiently dated Feb. 3 when we celebrate and skipping one week in As the country was buzzing cousin Anna, among so many - and probably shake their Catholic Schools Week and report Dec. by the Diocese of Og- about a billion dollar lottery, others who were created by and heads a little - but, I haven't on the 2016 March for Life densburg. Ben knew the real truth. nourished with their love. stopped checking in with "Saint 622 Washington Street, Og­ densburg, N.Y. 13669. EdttorialOffice: 622 Washington Street, APASTOR'S PERSPEGIVE Ogdensburg, N.Y. 13669. Telephone: (315) 608-75 56 The powerful message of Baptism E-mail: I found the Feast of the Bap­ loosen the thongs of his san­ that God loves us even in our news@northcountry tism of the Lord to be very 'Father Bill Say;-' .... ~ dals. He will baptize you with sins, that God cares about us, catholic.org meaningful this year. In my tipastor22@ gnlail.conl the Holy Spirit and fire ." that God's Mercy is ours, that mind, I tried to imagine jesus You and I have been baptized God's forgiveness is ours. Entered at the standing before john the Bap­ t l -- in the Baptism of jesus. This is With the help of the Lord, we Post Office: tist seeking his baptism. our sacrament, the most im­ can make this world better by Ogdensburg, NY john's baptism, as you re­ portant sacrament we will ever bringing jesus into our lives 13669 and member, was for those who " receive. and our world. additional mailing offices as were confronting the failings in john says this baptism will The whole incident reminds Periodical Postage. their lives and now wanted to can make this world such a bring us the power of the Holy me of Pope Francis. make some changes, some better place. Spirit and fire. This Baptism is Shortly after Pope Francis Subsaiption: conversion. a new life that jesus wins for was elected Pope he agreed to Foroneyear: All four Gospel writers re­ Then john baptized them in membered this story. us through his death and res­ sit down for a formal interview. In-Diocese Rate: $27 the jordan River as a ritual to urrection. You certainly remember this Outside of DioceseRate : $30 In john's Gospel story, john remind them of their decision the Baptist admits he did not Our Baptism is a sacramental story. The first question the to change their lives. life that gives us the life and interviewer asked was "Who Mattersfor publication recognize that this was jesus Here was jesus - the Messiah the Christ coming to him for power of the Holy Spirit to are you?" "Who is jorge Mario should be and Lord - joining with these truly life as adopted children BergoglioT addressed to baptism. others who were seeking some He did so when the voice of God, to be his disciples in His answer surprised many PO Box 326 sort of reconciliation. the world, to live like chosen but now, as we have come to Ogd ensburg, NY 13669 from Heaven proclaimed "You jesus walked with these sin­ saints, to accept jesus' chal­ know Pope FranCiS, we have and should be recei ved by are my beloved Son in whom I ners - just as he walks with lenge to make our world a bet­ grown to expect his surprises. Thursday prior to am well pleased." sinners now - with you and I ter place. Pope Francis' answer was "I am publication. From now on, jesus will be Paper is printed each even in our sinfulness. recognized as the Lord and john the Baptist further tells a sinner. I am a sinner who has Monday; His message was that we are Savior who comes to teach us us that we will be baptized in found the Lord's love and for­ dateline is Wednesday. good people even in our sins. all of God's great love for all of fire. giveness and Mercy." Member, Catholic Press We are not bad people but may us. This is the fire of the Holy Pope Francis is comfortable Association.