Special Mass for those with disabilities (and their families and caregivers) 50¢ November 4, 2012 Volume 86, No. 36 GO DIGITAL Serving the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend todayscatholicnews.org todayscatholicnews.org CLICK ON CIRCULATION ’’ SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 23rd 1:30pm ODAYODAYSS ATHOLICATHOLIC St. Matthew Cathedral, South Bend TT CC Openingw/ Bishop Kevin the Rhoades doors Bus transportationfor from Fort Wayne everyone available for those who need it. Check out the website to RSVP, or find out more information, or you may contactServing Mary at (260) those 399-1458 or [email protected] disabilities http://www.diocesefwsb.org/disabilitiesmass St. Patrick Parish journey of faith Pages 9-10 In Truth and Charity endures through a century and a half The Doctrine of Purgatory BY BONNIE ELBERSON Page 2 ARCOLA — The tones of “Panis Angelicus” rang out over the congregation of St. Patrick Church as parishioners awaited the appearance of Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades, celebrant of the anniversary Six new cardinals Mass Oct. 28 commemorating the sesquicentennial Includes U.S. Archbishop of the founding of the parish in 1862. Members of the parish Knights of Columbus council, dressed in James M. Harvey full regalia, preceded the bishop down the aisle of the small rural church, which was beautifully deco- Page 3 rated and filled to capacity for the event. In his homily Bishop Rhoades referenced the Year of Faith, which has just begun for Catholics worldwide and spoke of the deep faith of the founders of St. Patrick Parish 150 years ago. Catechists gather “It is appropriate that today we remember our ances- Bishop Rhoades, Sri speak at tors in the faith, including the devout Catholics who built this parish, who sacrificed so much that the faith would Catechetical Institute Day be handed down to their children and grandchildren, to successive generations of Catholics here in Arcola. It is Page 4 our duty to continue their legacy,” he reminded them. In celebrating the past, he said we must look to the present and the future. “A truly vibrant parish is an evan- gelizing community, one that spreads the faith. ...” If it is authentic, he said, faith is a living thing, a grace, a gift by Girls’ state soccer title which we live. It involves our whole being, our thoughts Marian claims championship and affections, our relationships and decisions, our daily work and activities, indeed our whole life. Each succeed- Page 13 ing generation, like we ourselves and our ancestors, must take the journey of faith, he told them. Following Mass, the congregation gathered in the parish hall for a reception, a meal, conversation and reminiscences. Turn clocks back one Pastor Father Alex Dodrai welcomed all those in attendance on “an historic occasion in the life of St. hour this weekend Patrick’s, Arcola.” He warmly recognized parishio- JOE ROMIE ners important in that history, the Corbat and Wilhelm Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades celebrates the sesquicentennial of St. Patrick Parish, Arcola, on Oct. 28. families, the Gus Nagy family, Rosina Harber and the He spoke of the deep faith of the founders of St. Patrick Parish 150 years ago. A dinner and spe- cial presentation was held after the Mass in the parish hall. ARCOLA, PAGE 5 Pope to synod: Foster ‘missionary WATCH THE TV dynamism’ and ‘pastoral creativity’ MASS ONLINE The TV Mass can be viewed BY FRANCIS X. ROCCA end of the world Synod of Bishops on the New Evangelization. The three-week gath- live on the Internet. The ering, which brought more than 260 bish- VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Winning con- ops and religious superiors to the Vatican, weekly Mass from Fort verts to the Church, ministering better to along with dozens of official observers Wayne will stream live practicing Catholics and bringing lapsed and experts, discussed how the Church can members back into the fold are all parts of revive and spread the faith in increasingly and will be archived on the multifaceted effort known as the “New secular societies. the diocesan website, Evangelization,” Pope Benedict XVI told a Pope Benedict underscored “three pasto- group of bishops and other Church leaders ral themes” that he said had emerged from www.diocesefwsb.org. from around the world. the talks. Click on the “TV Mass” The pope made his remarks Oct. 28 during his homily at a Mass marking the SYNOD, PAGE 3 link to view the Mass. 2 TODAY’ S C ATHOLIC November 4, 2012 TODAY’S CATHOLIC Official newspaper of the The Doctrine of Purgatory Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend P.O. Box 11169 Fort Wayne, IN 46856 PUBLISHER: Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades IN TRUTH EDITOR: Tim Johnson AND NEWS EDITOR and STAFF WRITER: Kay Cozad CHARITY Editorial Department BY BISHOP KEVIN C. RHOADES PAGE DESIGNER: Francie Hogan FREELANCE WRITERS: Lauren Caggiano, Michelle Castleman, Karen Clifford, n All Souls’ Day (November 2) and Bonnie Elberson, Denise Fedorow, indeed throughout the month of Diane Freeby, May Lee Johnson, Sister November, we are called in a special Margie Lavonis, CSC, Joe Kozinski, Oway to remember “our brothers and sisters who have fallen asleep in the hope of the Vince LaBarbera and Deb Wagner resurrection” (Eucharistic Prayer II). We remember especially the Holy Souls in purga- Business Department tory. BUSINESS MANAGER: Sean McBride In this Year of Faith, we are called to AD GRAPHICS DIRECTOR: Mark Weber grow in our understanding of the truths of BOOKKEEPING/CIRCULATION: Kathy Voirol our Catholic faith. One such truth is the [email protected] doctrine of purgatory. This teaching is root- ed in ancient Christian tradition, yet it is not Advertising Sales accepted by all Christians. It is important Tess Steffen (Fort Wayne area) that we seek to understand the doctrine of purgatory and what the Church means when (260) 456-2824 it teaches about the existence of purgatory. Jeanette Simon (South Bend area) The word “purgatory” comes from the (574) 234-0687 Latin purgare, which means “to purify” or Web site: www.todayscatholicnews.org “to purge.” The Catechism of the Catholic Church Published weekly except the fourth describes purgatory as a state of final puri- SHUTTERSTOCK PHOTO ZVONIMIR ATLETIC Sunday in June, second and fourth fication after death and before entrance The painting offers an artist’s rendition of purgatory. weeks in July and August, the first, into heaven for those who died in God’s third and fifth weeks of September and friendship, but were only imperfectly puri- It is a state or condition in which God’s who live in a state of purification experi- last week in December by the Diocese fied; a final cleansing of human imperfec- of Fort Wayne-South Bend, 1103 S. love permeates one’s heart, a fire or light ence the same ecclesial solidarity which Calhoun St., P.O. Box 390, Fort Wayne, tion before one is able to enter the joy of that purifies. This fire is also painful since works through prayer, prayers for suffrage IN 46801. Periodicals postage paid at heaven (1031; cf. 1472) it brings awareness of our sins, our offenses and love for their other brothers and sis- Fort Wayne, IN, and additional mailing Jesus declared in the Beatitudes: Blessed against God who loves us so much. I think ters in the faith. Purification is lived in the office. are the pure in heart, for they shall see God of the pain we experience when we hurt essential bond created between those live (Matthew 5:8). In order to see God face someone we love. in this world and those who enjoy eternal POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: to face in heaven (the beatific vision), our Now what about prayers and sacrifices beatitude. Today’s Catholic, P.O. Box 11169, Fort hearts need to be totally purified. This puri- for the Holy Souls in purgatory? From her I encourage all to pray for the dead Wayne, IN 46856-1169 or email: fication can begin on earth, but, if we die earliest beginnings, the Church has prayed [email protected]. in a special way during this month of without this purification being complete, for the deceased, especially the Eucharistic November, for our deceased loved ones this will occur in purgatory, a condition of Sacrifice. This has always been the practice and for all the Holy Souls experiencing the MAIN OFFICE: 915 S. Clinton St., Fort existence in which every trace of attach- Wayne, IN 46802. Telephone (260) of the Church. And the Church believes trial and suffering of purgatory because of ment to evil is eliminated and every imper- as she prays (recall the famous maxim lex the punishment due to sin which separates 456-2824. Fax: (260) 744-1473. fection of the soul corrected. BUREAU OFFICE: 1328 Dragoon Trail, orandi, lex credendi: “the law of prayer is them from God. They await the eternal joy Mishawaka, IN 46544. Telephone (574) Throughout Church history, there has the law of faith”). of the beatific vision. Let us recognize our 234-0687. Fax (574) 830-1042. been much speculation about purgatory. A This reminds us of the important doctrine solidarity with them by entrusting them to saint from the sixteenth century, Catherine of the communion of saints. We profess the Lord in our prayers and sacrifices. I News deadline is the Monday morning of Genoa, is well-known for her vision of in the Apostles’ Creed that we believe in especially encourage the holy practice of before publication date. Advertising purgatory. Pope Benedict XVI explains that “the holy catholic Church, the communion offering Mass intentions for the deceased, deadline is nine days before publica- (unlike many others), “Catherine did not see of saints.” This communion of the Church an act of true charity and love.