Think Green 50¢ March 1, 2009 Recycle this paper Volume 83, No. 9 www.diocesefwsb.org/TODAY Serving the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend TODAY’S CATHOLIC Time, talent Only Christ can satisfy and treasure Lenten message It’s yours to be offered BY BISHOP JOHN M. D’ARCY How do you? Pages 11-13 his year it would seem more than ever Lent offers Tus an opportunity. The economic situation and the call of Christ, each in its own way and taken together, calls us to hear the cry of those in need. I know little about economics, but the commenta- Before the tors tell us that the lack of fiscal discipline is one of the reasons which has brought us to this difficult pope arrives time. We bought homes and cars we could not afford. We purchased things we did not need. Banks made A look at the changes in Africa loans without due diligence. Of course, as Christians, Page 3 we must question this, and remind ourselves that we are called to follow the Crucified One. We must ask why we, with the fullness of revelation in our hearts, were drawn into such a situation. Even if, by good fortune, we have escaped unemployment, and the sit- New York City uation has not affected us, who can say that we have not been part of a generation with greater attention to archbishop having rather than being, or taking rather than giving, devoted more time spent at the shopping malls rather Archbishop Timothy Dolan than in spiritual reading or a quiet visit to prayer in to succeed Cardinal Egan the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. Discipline, watchfulness over one’s self, fasting Page 5 and seeking out those in need, must become central TIM JOHNSON to our lives once again. Chris Hawkins, administrative associate for the diocesan communications office, prays in In many families, teenagers grow up with the front of the Blessed Sacrament. Bishop John M. D’Arcy has asked the faithful to pray before assumption that a spring break in Florida is a matter the Blessed Sacrament during the season of Lent. of a divine right. On Fire with St. Paul But now, the church presents to us, again, the cross We have looked excess in the face, and poor, will light our way. Above all, let Lent of Jesus Christ. No longer a source of shame, it has find that it does not satisfy. be a time of prayer, kneeling before the holy Living faith, living the law become a victory. For it is through the cross, that sin has Only Jesus Christ, crucified, buried, and Eucharist reserved in the tabernacle or in Page 10 been overcome, eternal life has become a sure promise, risen, Christ who awaits us at every solemn exposition. For it is only in prayer and grace has flowed into the hearts of humanity. It is Eucharist, Christ, whom we meet in the poor, that we really hear Jesus Christ. placed before us for what it always is, an instrument of only he can satisfy the hungers of humanity. May this Lent be a time of prayer for salvation. It calls us to a life of love for Jesus Christ, our Let us find him this Lent, or rather, allow every one. Let prayer lead us to meet the redeemer, and for the whole human family. him to find us. Small fastings, alms for the Risen One at Easter. March mania ICCL and CYO hoopsters hold TELLING OUR FAITH STORY tourneys Rites of Election, Calling of Page 17 I love the Catholic Church because she is the faithful Candidates in cathedrals bride of Christ. Not without The Rites of Election of Catechumens and recognition to Bishop John M. D’Arcy, ordi- scandal in her members, not Calling of Candidates will be celebrated in nary of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South the cathedrals in the Diocese of Fort Wayne- Bend. The catechumens and candidates are without her high and low South Bend the next two Sundays. from local and area parishes of the diocese. moments over the course of On March 1, the first Sunday of Lent, the All together, 550 to 600 catechumens and Rite of Election will take place in the candidates from throughout the diocese — the centuries. But always teaching without Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in along with their sponsors, families and guests fail, despite the storms of history, the ortho- downtown Fort Wayne at 2:30 p.m. On — are expected to attend the liturgies. March 8, the second Sunday of Lent, the Rite Prior to the ceremony, many of the cate- dox faith committed to the apostles by of Election will be held in St. Matthew chumens and candidates will take part in an Cathedral, South Bend, also at 2:30 p.m. optional rite in their respective parishes that Jesus himself. Glorious in her saints and Catechumens (those unbaptized) are same weekend called the Parish Celebration martyrs and liturgy, overflowing with wis- preparing for reception into full communion for Sending Catechumens for Election and with the Catholic Church by receiving the Candidates for Recognition by the Bishop. dom and clarity in her teachings and selfless sacraments of initiation — baptism, confir- The catechumens will sign their names in a generosity in her charity, she offers to all the mation and Eucharist — at the Easter Vigil. Book of the Elect that will be available for Candidates (those baptized in another faith Bishop D’Arcy to sign at the end of the Rite of fullness of truth and the means of salvation tradition) are preparing to receive confirma- Election — often referred to as the enrollment won by her founder Jesus Christ. tion and/or Eucharist at the Easter Vigil. of names. Each candidate also is included in During the liturgy, each catechumen/can- this rite but, out of respect for the validity of Tom Uebbing, South Bend didate and their sponsor will be presented for their baptism, normally do not sign the book. 2 TODAY’ S CATHOLIC MARCH 1, 2009 TODAY’S CATHOLIC Official newspaper of the People are drawn every day Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend P.O. Box 11169 Fort Wayne, IN 46856 PUBLISHER: Bishop John M. D’Arcy to the Catholic Church EDITOR: Tim Johnson received into the church that they are a part home thinking about that extraordinary of a community far beyond their own local generation that came from Ireland and NEWS EDITOR and STAFF WRITER: Kay Cozad parish or university. The bishop is the suc- made their way in this country asking noth- cessor of the apostles, and they learn that ing — but working hard and never missing Editorial Department they are joined to a church that is apostolic, Mass. I often feel unworthy of them — I PAGE DESIGNER: Francie Hogan NEWS the church of Peter and Paul and John and probably am. FREELANCE WRITERS: Lauren Caggiano, James — the church of the great fathers: John has already been to Finland to give Michelle Castleman, Karen Clifford, &NOTES Augustine, Polycarp and Irenaus; the a talk, and he is going to South Africa in Elmer J. Danch, Michelle Donaghey, church of St. Catherine of Siena; St. the spring, and he is a hockey player as Theresa of Avila; St. Elizabeth Ann Seton; well. When I meet him, the years roll back, Bonnie Elberson, Denise Fedorow, BISHOP JOHN M. D’ARCY and the early martyr and virgin — St. and I think gentle thoughts of people long Diane Freeby, May Lee Johnson, Sister Agnes. since gone to heaven. Margie Lavonis, CSC, Joe Kozinski and Through the bishop, they are joined to Deb Wagner Still they come the successor of Peter, Pope Benedict XVI. Every year, first at the Cathedral of the Mass at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, The Council of Teachers Business Department Immaculate Conception, Fort Wayne, and Father Sorin’s church, is always special, In my first years here, there was a rela- one week later, at the co-cathedral of St. BUSINESS MANAGER: Kathy Denice and never more than this past Sunday, at tionship with an organization of teachers, Matthew’s in South Bend, we have the Rite AD GRAPHICS DIRECTOR: Mark Weber which many young people — both catechu- which was very adversarial. Later, I formed of Election. Each church is filled. Some mens and candidates — were joined in a Council of Teachers, and promised to go BOOKKEEPING/CIRCULATION: Kathy Voirol years — people are standing. We live in a prayer in preparation for baptism at Easter [email protected] to every meeting the first two years, and time of consumerism. People seeking and (catechumens), and first holy Communion twice a year after that. It has been a bless- buying more than they can afford; one of and confirmation for the others (candi- Advertising Sales ing. Last week, for the second time this the causes for our present economic crisis. dates). year, I attended a meeting with this council, Tess Steffen (Fort Wayne area) Also, we know the distortion that is taking representing all the teachers in our diocese. (260) 456-2824 place about the beautiful gift of human sex- Through these meetings, I have come to Jeanette Simon (South Bend area) uality; and how this affects our young peo- The other John D’Arcy admire the men and women who teach in (574) 234-0687 ple. After a nice reception, I met another our schools. We have worked together to Web site: www.diocesefwsb.org/TODAY On top of this, the family is under John D’Arcy. A few years ago, I had a call strengthen salaries, and conditions and ben- attack.