The Diocese of Ogdensburg Volume 72, Number 25 INSIDE THIS ISSUE Bishop laValley writes about World Day of the Poor I PAGE 3 NORTH COUNTRY Pope Francis declares Pope John Paull 'venerable' I PAGE 11 CATHOLIC NOV 15, 2017 MEET A World Day of the Poor SEMINARIAN VATICANCITY(CNS) - Pope Francis ending in November 2016, 33rd Sunday of ordinary body of Christ, do not scorn will celebrate the Catholic Pope Francis told people he time on the church's liturgi­ it when it is naked; do not Church's first World Day of wanted to set one day aside cal calendar. honor the eucharistic Christ College senior the Poor Nov. 19 by celebrat­ each year to underline every­ An admonition from St. with silk vestments and then, Leagon Carlin ing a morning Mass with peo­ one's responsibility "to care John Chrysostom "remains leaving the church, neglect ple in need and those who for the true riches, which are ever timely," Pope Francis the other Christ suffering assist them. After Mass, he the poor." said in a message for the from cold and nakedness." will offer lunch to 500 people The result was the World 2017 celebration. He quoted The pope chose "Love not in the Vatican audience hall. Day of the Poor, which is to the fifth-century theologian: in word, but in deed" as the As the Year of Mercy was be marked annually on the "If you want to honor the 2017 theme. Annual report LIFT UP YOUR HEARl ••• NOT YOUR CEllPHONE of diocesan Foundation PHOTO SYTOM SEMERARO An interview with Carlin Leagon, a parishioner ofSt. Peter's Parish in Plattsburgh, completes the nine-part"Meet Our Seminari­ ans" series submitted by the diocesan Office of Vocations. A senior at the Pontifical College Josephinum, he said."1 have had The diocesan Office of Development present the annual report of the the desire to be a priest since sec­ Foundation ofthe Roman Catholic ond grade. It has been the only Diocese of Ogdensburg. CNS PHOTO SY PAUL HARING consistent desire of my heart." It was at Camp Guggenheim that SPECIAL SECTION, PAGES 7-10 People take photos on tablets and phones as Pope Francis arrives to open the annual convention of the Diocese of Rome in Paul VI hall at the Vatican June 16,2014. The pope, at his Nov.S general audience,said it's "an awful Leagon describes a life-chang­ thing" for people to take cellphone photos at Mass. The Mass is not a show, but a beautiful, transformative en­ ing experience. "God rocked my Becoming counter with the true loving presence of Christ, Pope Francis said. That is why people need to focus their hearts world when he called me by on God, not focus their smartphones for pictures during Mass, he said. When the priest celebrating Mass says, name to be serious about great principals "Let us lift up our hearts," he is not saying, "lift up our cell phones and take a picture. "It makes me so sad when priesthood," he said."The next I celebrate (Mass) in the square or in the basilica and I see so many cell phones in the air. And not just by the lay week, I got the application." Two principals from Catholic faithful, some priests and bishops, too," he said. "Please, Mass is not a show. It is going to encounter the Pas­ sion, the resurrection of the Lord," he said to applause. FUll STORY, PAGE 16 Schools in diocese begin professional development program FUll STORY, PAGE S CALL AND MISSION: Middle schoolers learn about vocations ... p. 4 II NORTH COUNTRY C A THOLI C DIOCESAN LIFE NOV . 15 , 2017 NORTH COUNTRY EDITOR'S NOTE CATHOLIC Box 326 Ogdensburg, N.Y. 13669 Hammocks, salt shakers, five perfect kids USPS 0039-3400 BISHOP TERRY What do you suppose salt one of seminarian Leagon Car- sen. My predecessor, dearly de­ ciation for all those who live R.LAVALLEY shakers, hammock-ing I""":'n--""711~"" lin's favorite ways to parted Msgr. Bernie Christman, out their vocation with faith, President and 33 days of smiles relax. His interview is was still reeling from covering hope and great love, I am espe­ have in common? the last in our nine- the deaths of two popes and cially grateful for the vocation I REV. JOSEPH A. MORGAN This week they all part "Meet our Seminar- the election of two more in the get to claim for myself: being a Vice President have a connection to ians" series. Hasn't it two months before he hired grandmother! JAMES O. CROWLEY vocations! been fun to learn a Iit- me. Work has been a challenge Secretary-Treasurer More than 100 mid- tie about the guys (At least he didn't have to over the past two weeks as I MARY LOU KILIAN die schoolers gathered preparing to become keep up with five bishops!) took three days off to hang out Editor! at Guggenheim a few our priests? Our vocation focus will con­ with Tommy and Charlie and General Manager weeks ago for a "Call The 33 days of tinue, in high gear, in the next another to see Anna, Patrick Publish 45 is- and Mission" day on smiles refers to the pa- North Country Catholic as we and Caroline. ~ sues per year: vocations. They were Mary Lou pacy of now venerable publish our annual "We Appre­ If there are any greater ." Weekly except each given a salt shaker Kilian Pope John Paul. ciate Our Priests" issue. It's al­ blessings in the world, I can't skipping to remind that them I can remember how ways a joy to hear how much imagine what they would be! every other about the God-given shocking it was to learn appreciation there is for our What a joy it is to thank God week begin­ gifts that were theirs to share. that our brand new pope died collection of "men in black." every day for the vocation to ning July Hammock-ing was listed as just 33 days after he was cho- And, while I share this appre- which I have been called. Ithrough Aug. and skipping one week in Dec. by the Dio- cese of Ogdensburg. FATHER MUENCH SAYS 622 Washington Street, Og­ densburg, N.Y. 13669. Editorial Office: Finding much 'Joy of Love' in family life 622 Washington Street, Ogdensburg, N.Y. 13669. I know I should not be sur­ was able to discover faith and brings so many opportunities Telephone: prised - but I always am - to a belief in God. There were so that draw families closer to­ (3 15) 608-7556 see that people have already many times that now seem so gether. These experiences begun putting up their Christ­ small, so ordinary that God be­ bring a true communion into E-mail: mas decorations on their came part of my life . family life. They seem like or­ news@northcountry homes. It isn't even Thanks­ As a priest and pastor, I have dinary experiences yet, they catholi c. org giving. been blessed to become a part make the family God's dwelling I love Thanksgiving. I enjoy of many families. It was not place. Entered at the the meal and I enjoy spending difficult to realize how God be­ I like to think that each one Post Office: time with family and friends. I came a part of family life. I of you can remember such ex­ enjoy the football; when we Vatican Council. Also, attend­ recognized often how this periences, something that just Ogdensburg, NY ing these Synods were priests, 13669 and were younger, there was al­ spirit of faith united each fam­ sort of happened but resulted ways a touch football game. Sisters and lay men and ily and gave them the blessing in something special that be­ additional mailing offices as women. Periodical Postage. Thanksgiving is about family to meet the challenges of life came a loving moment, a spe­ so today I would like to take a In rereading Pope Francis' Ex­ and also to celebrate the many cial experience. I believe that it hortation, I went immediately Subscription: moment to talk about family. I joys that come their way. was the Lord who comes with to the final chapter which is For one year: want to offer a prayer of grati­ I have stood with families this loving touch into that fam­ entitled, 'The Spirituality of In-Diocese Rate: $27 tude to God for my family. I during very difficult times, like ily. Marriage and the Family." This Outside of Diocese Rate: $30 continue to find great happi­ in the hospital at a crisis time. I finish with something writ­ ness in being able to spend chapter speaks of the presence I have seen families going ten by Catherine Doherty: Matters for publication time with my family. As a of God in the lives of all Chris­ though just terrible times but "Marriage is a vocation, a call should be priest, I have become a mem­ tians that is influenced pro­ then have a successful result. of God to two people to be­ address ed to ber of many families and I have foundly through their family. have also been with parents come one, found a home, PO Box 326 discovered the love and peace Pope Francis writes: 'The when something has gone beget, bear and raise children; Ogdensburg, NY 13669 that can only come through a Lord's presence dwells in real dreadfully wrong. and, in this glorious and very and should be recei ved by family.