The Steubenville www.diosteub.org REGISTER VOL. 76, NO. 22 SERVING 13 COUNTIES IN SOUTHEAST OHIO JUNE 25, 2021 News Briefs Diocesan clergy gather for the Jubilee Celebration Pope: Jesus prays for everyone Pope Francis holds a child as he greets the crowd during his general audience in the San Damaso Courtyard of the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican June 16. (CNS photo/Vatican Media) VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Jesus is always praying for each and every person, desiring that his word would help people in their lives and that they never would feel alone, Pope Francis said. “Jesus prays for me – each one of us can keep this in our heart. Do not forget it, even during those terrible moments,” the pope said June 16 during his weekly general audience. With the grace of being able to pray to God and knowing we have been “prayed for,” the pope said, “we have only to have courage and hope” to be able to journey on in life and give glory to Diocese of Steubenville Bishop Jeffrey M. Monforton stands with diocesan priests, active and retired, God. The audience was held in the San Damaso permanent deacons and seminarians at the Annual Clergy Jubilee Celebration, June 21, outside St. Mary Courtyard of the Apostolic Palace, where the Church, St. Clairsville. The jubilarians honored this year were Msgr. John Michael Campbell and Father pope first walked along the barricades, greeting Samuel S. Saprano, 50 years; and Father John F. Mucha, 40 years. The three newly retired priests recognized people, shaking hands, signing books and giving at the celebration were Father Charles E. Moran, Father Chester J. Pabin and Father Timothy P. McGuire. (Photo by Campbell) • See Annual Clergy Jubilee Story/Pages 2-3 his blessing. In his main audience talk, the pope concluded his series on prayer, which he began May 6, 2020, offering a total of 38 reflections on the theme. Communion proposal highlights bishops’ meeting “Prayer is one of the most evident features of the WASHINGTON (CNS) — The Eucharist was a major focus life of Jesus,” the pope said. of the U.S bishops’ June 16-18 virtual spring assembly. U.S. bishops give the go-ahead On June 17, they heard a full presentation on a proposal to draft a document on the “meaning of the Eucharist in the life to two U.S. sainthood causes of the church,” followed by a lengthy discussion and vote. WASHINGTON (CNS) — The U.S. bishops And by a wide margin, announced June 18, the bishops gave gave their go-ahead to two dioceses to continue the green light for the drafting process to proceed. their efforts to make their case for a priest and a The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on brother to be considered for sainthood. Doctrine will draft the document and present it for discussion The men are Father Joseph Verbis Lafleur of when the bishops, including Diocese of Steubenville Bishop the Diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana, an Army Jeffrey M. Monforton, reconvene in person in November. chaplain who died in World War II, and Leonard The action to move forward passed 168 to 55. LaRue, a naval captain who later became a For more than two hours, 43 bishops expressed differing Benedictine monk named Brother Marinus. views about drafting such a document. Some stressed They are revered for their heroism in World the document was necessary to provide clarity about the War II and the Korean War, respectively. LaRue significance of the Eucharist, while others questioned its Leaders of the secretariat of the Synod of Bishops was at the helm of the Merchant Marine ship timing and if it could be perceived as fracturing the unity of are pictured at the Vatican during an online meeting Meredith Victory in 1950 when it rescued 14,005 a church already faced with numerous challenges. with presidents and general secretaries of national Korean refugees who were fleeing a Chinese Although the bishops reached no consensus during the and regional bishops’ conferences June 15. military onslaught. discussion, most of those who spoke during the comments’ From left are: Xaviere Missionary Sister Nathalie Their causes were heard June 17, the second day session welcomed the idea of strengthening teaching about Becquart, synod undersecretary; Cardinal Mario of the bishops’ spring meeting. Using the polling the Eucharist. Grech, synod secretary; and Bishop Luis Marín de feature on the online meeting service, each cause Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend, San Martín, synod undersecretary. (CNS photo/courtesy received 99% approval from the bishops, reported Indiana, chairman of the doctrine committee, presented a Synod of Bishops) Msgr. Jeffrey Burrill, general secretary of the U.S. proposed outline to the bishops in a prerecorded message. Conference of Catholic Bishops. He said this was developed in light of the decline in discussion in the news conferences June 16 and 17. Bishop A simple majority of bishops voting was Catholics’ belief in the Real Presence in the Eucharist as Rhoades June 17 stressed that creating national norms was required for approval. The votes were not to well as the long absences from regular Mass attendance, never the intent behind a proposal to write a new statement endorse the causes, but rather to confirm the which may have led to people placing less significance on on the Eucharist. He said it would be aimed at providing bishops “consider it opportune to advance (them) the Eucharist in their lives. guidance for bishops. on the local level.” The Communion document also was a key point of To Page 4 2 THE STEUBENVILLE REGISTER JUNE 25, 2021 Diocesan clergy gather From Page 1 diocesan College of Consultors, Priests’ Father Saprano has been living with his Pastoral Planning and Personnel, a member STEUBENVILLE — Three priests in Personnel Board, Mount Calvary Cemetery sister in Dayton, Ohio, since retirement. of both the Presbyteral Council and the the Diocese of Steubenville are observing Board and Board of Administrative Review. Looking back over his 50 years of priest- Priests’ Personnel Board and is the first milestone anniversaries this year. He has also served or serves as a del- hood, the jubilarian said he advised many diocesan coordinator of prison ministry. They were honored at the Annual Clergy egate for religious, parish-priest consultor, parishioners during troubling times, such Currently, he continues as the chair of the Jubilee Celebration, June 21, at St. Mary dean of Coronation Deanery, moderator of as funerals, health and personal problems, diocesan presbyteral council, the bishop’s Church Marian Hall, St. Clairsville, along Diocesan Council of Catholic Women for but, “I also shared pleasant occasions with delegate for retired clergy, a member of with three newly retired priests. Coronation Deanery and a member of the them, like baptisms and marriages. God is the college of consultors, a member of the The jubilarians this year include Msgr. Presbyteral Council. good. God is merciful.” diaconate advisory board and a member of John Michael Campbell and Father Samuel The quote of arms for the basilica is the priest’s pension board. R. Saprano, celebrating 50 years of ordina- “Christ is in our midst; he is and always Father Mucha reflected on his anniver- tion; and Father John F. Mucha, 40 years. will be.” Msgr. Campbell said, “It is and sary, and said, “I feel privileged to have The newly retired priests are Father has been a privilege to walk with him and worked with and known many wonderful Charles E. Moran, Father Chester J. Pabin serve him in our Diocese of Steubenville.” and dedicated priests throughout our dio- and Father Timothy P. McGuire. cese. In the early years, many of the senior priests were always available to council, support, encourage and guide me. The kindness and friendship they expressed has been a tremendous blessing. I also count as a blessing the countless people I have met in the various parishes and ministries through- out the diocese. Their dedication and love of God and the church is truly humbling. (File photo) Looking back over the last 40 years I know Father John F. Mucha how true the words of Jesus are, that ‘his yoke is easy and his burden is light.’” 40 years (File photo) (File photo) Father Samuel R. Saprano Father John F. Mucha is celebrating Msgr. John Michael Campbell 40 years as a priest. Father Mucha, the son of the late Joseph and Marion Mucha, was 50 years born Dec. 15, 1953, in Cleveland. 50 years He was educated in his early years in Father Samuel R. Saprano is celebrat- parochial schools in Cleveland, St. Ignatius Msgr. John Michael Campbell, one ing his 50th anniversary of ordination to the Elementary and St. Edward High School. of two children of Eugene D. and Loretto priesthood. Father Saprano, born April 8, He attended Cuyahoga Community Col- McKeough Campbell, was born May 8, 1943, in Mansfield, Ohio, is the son of the lege; and then received seminary training 1945, in Detroit. late Joseph and Tinera Miragliotta Saprano. at Borromeo Seminary College, Wickliffe, He attended St. Martin Grade School He has a sister, two nieces, a nephew and Ohio; St. Mary Seminary, Cleveland; St. and High School, Detroit; Sacred Heart a brother who is deceased. John Vianney Seminary, Bloomingdale; Seminary, Detroit; St. John Vianney He attended St. Mary Grade School, and the Pontifical College Josephinum, (File photo) Seminary, Bloomingdale; The College of Mansfield; St. Peter High School, Man- Columbus. While at the Josephinum, he Father Timothy P. McGuire Steubenville and the University of Detroit. sfield; St. Meinrad College, St. Meinrad, provided pastoral ministry at the Ohio On May 14, 1971, the jubilarian was Indiana; Mount St.