Sooner Catholic soonercatholic.org February 24, 2019 archokc.org Go Make Disciples First girls’ digital discernment Catholic Sisters Week: Take time group starts in archdiocese to recognize the good work of women religious By Jolene Schonchin The Sooner Catholic High school and college can be a very demanding time in the lives of students. As they finish their classes, edging their way to graduation, they are faced with the milestone question, “What do I want to do with my life?” Teachers, parents and peers give them advice on what the next step should be. As offers and opportu- nities arise, so does the opportu- nity to serve God. But, how do they know if God is really calling them, and how do they know what God wants them to do? How can God mold them to be disciples of the Church? The Archdiocese of Oklahoma City has found a way to help stu- dents with these questions as well as others through Digital Discern- ment Groups. Taking advantage of the digital information age, both young men and women have an opportunity to gain encourage- ment and guidance through digital meetings. The first-ever girls ArchOKC Girls Digital Discernment Group was Jan. 2. It was led by Father Brian Buettner and Sarah Pierce, an Oklahoma City University Sr. Maria Faulkner at her Silver Jubilee on graduate student. The group Sept. 1, 2015. Photo provided. meets 7 p.m. – 8 p.m. every Tues- day through Google Hangouts. “One of the great things about discernment groups is that we do continued on page 7 Sr. Mary Ann Cirillo with her sister, Cathy Cirillo Ber dan, and parents, Richard and Rose, in 1963. Photo - provided. By Debi Wagner The Sooner Catholic The he 6th annual National Catholic Sisters Archdiocese of Oklahoma City Week will be March 8-14. The week is part has many remarkable sisters, two of whom we of National Women’s History Month and T highlight this year. highlights the important contributions religious Sister Mary Ann Cirillo grew up in New Jersey women make to their communities, often without and credits her family with her strong faith for- much thanks or recognition. mation, appreciation for education and compas- There are approximately 45,000 Catholic sisters sion for others. in the United States, and their stories provide On Sept. 4, 1962, Sister Mary Ann entered hope in a time when so much seems negative and divisive. continued on page 7 2 February 24, 2019 Sooner Catholic Sooner Catholic February 24, 2019 3 Put Out Into the DeepLuke 5:4 Find more news on the A post-McCarrick update website By Sooner Catholic Staff As I sit down to write this column, the pres- ference of Catholic idents of the world’s Catholic bishops confer- Bishops to move Additional coverage of ences likely are traveling to Rome. forward on the mea- Church and archdiocesan From Feb. 21-24 they will participate in a sures we had hoped news and events, only on Vatican summit with Pope Francis to address to advance last No- www.soonercatholic.org. the clergy sexual abuse crisis that has envel- vember. At that time, oped the Church in many countries around a To send photos, event we were asked to Archbishop Paul S. Coakley the globe. The crisis, provoked by revelations of wait until after this information or story ideas, the sexual abuse of minors by clergy, has been meeting to gain the input and perspective of the e-mail [email protected]. exacerbated by the often inadequate and neg- “40 Days for Life” campaign timely for uptick global Church. a ligent responses of bishops to deal with these Domestic Church Evan- The measures we will hope to advance in- gelization Retreat for sac- crimes. clude a structure for reporting allegations of ramentally married couples in pro-abortion legislation There are many dimensions to this glob- abuse committed by bishops and a mechanism is from 6 p.m. March 14 to al crisis. Last summer, the case of Theodore for investigating those allegations when they Noon March 17, with regis- McCarrick, however, was the lightning rod that tration from 5:30 p.m. to 6 are made. It likely will include a code of con- “I hope and I pray that you will join us in this 40 days of prayer and fasting and help overturn Roe v. Wade because sparked a renewed outcry in the United States duct for bishops along the lines of the ones we p.m. March 14 at the Cath- olic Pastoral Center in OKC. and around the world. already have for other clerics. we didn’t have a choice in the beginning with the Supreme Court justices – they decided it for us.” The Holy See responded promptly to new The retreat gives couples an In many ways the Church in the Unit- opportunity to begin or deep- -Norma McCorney, formerly “Roe” of “Roe v. Wade” credible allegations by removing McCarrick ed States is far ahead of the response of the en their spiritual journey from the College of Cardinals and initiating an Church in other nations as well as other pub- together. The cost is $350 per investigation, ordering him to a Kansas friary to lic and private institutions. Our Charter for couple. Register at: archokc. begin a life of prayer and penance pending the weshareonline.org/ws/ By Eliana Tedrow the use of prayer and fasting, vigil and commu- Norman’s 40 Days for Life campaign. Lewis and the Protection of Children and Young People, The Sooner Catholic outcome of that investigation. opportunities/Domestic- nity outreach. her husband, David, both non-Catholic, say adopted in 2002, has proven to be an effective The campaign lasts from March 6 to April A decisive step was taken last week with the ChurchEvangelizationRetreat. the campaign is personal for them. platform for significant reforms and protec- ew York’s new law legalizes abortion 14 and spans from coast to coast, covering Lewis, an OBGYN nurse of more than 18 decision to “laicize” McCarrick. Admittedly, tions. It always can be improved. up to birth and allows non-physicians more than 800 cities 56 nations and nearly years, says these types of resources are not there are many more questions that need to So, what is happening locally? In the after- Nto perform abortions, while simultane- 800,000 volunteers. talked about in the clinic be addressed as investigators continue to peel ously removing protections for children born Connie Lang is math of the McCarrick allegations and the setting. Until recently, back the layers of this bitter onion. A brief alive after surviving abortions. the co-coordinator Pennsylvania grand jury reports last summer, FOR MORE INFORMATION neither had knowledge of summary of some of the key facts follows. Virginia legislators have followed suit, pre- of the Norman 40 such a campaign. I initiated an independent third-party review of On Jan. 11, the Congregation for the Doctrine senting a similar state measure that would Days for Life cam- “It’s up to all of us,” loosen significantly restrictions on late term paign. www.40daysforlife.com of the Faith convicted Theodore McCarrick on our own clergy personnel files. It is being con- Lewis said. “This has abortions. “We truly pray ducted by McAfee and Taft. @archokc changed our lives.” charges of sexual abuse of minors and solic- Delegate Kathy Tran testified her bill would that this 40 Days When completed, the report will include the Oklahoma City vigil “I always point out to itation in the confessional. After McCarrick’s allow abortion even as a mother is beginning to for Life campaign the names of clergy against whom we have Archdiocese of Contact Erika Martinez at folks this is not a move- immediate appeal, the decision was definitively Oklahoma City deliver her child. will mark the be- upheld on Feb. 13. received substantiated allegations of the sexu- Governor of Virginia and pediatric neurol- ginning of the end (405) 615-7642 or 40days4life. ment of a bunch of self righteous Christians He has been dismissed from the clerical state al abuse of minors. It will include a report by Arquidiócesis de ogist, Ralph Northam, took it a step further of abortion in Nor- [email protected] Oklahoma City trying to tell everybody (meaning that he may no longer celebrate Mass McAfee and Taft on how we have handled alle- advocating for infanticide. man,” Lang said. Norman vigil gations over the years. The Catholic Church teaches that all life This year’s 40 how to live. Quite the op- or the sacraments or be referred to as a priest) Contact Connie Lang at posite,” said Carney, the In keeping with my pledge, we are striving to should be respected from conception to natural Days for Life will making him the highest-ranking prelate in (405) 249-1041 or [email protected]. president of 40 Days for demonstrate our own accountability and trans- death. begin with a kick- modern history to experience such a sudden Some advocates attribute an increase in neo- off rally at 6:30 Life. “It’s a movement of fall. Though from a civil law standpoint this parency. I realize that nothing less than the natal development awareness to the growing p.m. March 4 at people who have had an may seem an inadequate penalty, in canon law Church’s credibility is at stake here. number of pro-life advocates. Saint Mark in Nor- abortion, or have paid for this is the ultimate penalty that the Church We hope that the report will be ready some Recent movies such as “Gosnell” and “Un- man.