Ministering to the people of Northern and Western Alaska Diocese of Fairbanks - May 2016 - Volume 21 Number 5 Featured Stories Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation Clergy Summer Assignments Alaska Catholic Youth Conference Profile of Fr. John Hinsvark Safe Environment Discerment House to Open Young Adults Retreat - Y-K Region Resources Bulletin Resources Diocesan Calendar A Sense of History Rosalie L’Ecuyer ~ 1 ~ Bishop & Diocesan Diocesan Mission Statement Calendar We are people of God in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fairbanks. Blessed May with a rich variety of backgrounds and talents, we strive to be a living re- Quarterly Reflection for 3-5 flection of the Universal Church. Clergy on the Road System Through our baptism we continue Christ’s mission to further the National Day of Prayer 5 kingdom of God through the human family. We share our living faith Confirmation at St. 7 by proclaiming the Gospel in word and example. Together we celebrate Nicholas Church, North Christ’s presence in worship and sacraments. Pole, AK In a spirit of justice, mercy and love, we dedicate ourselves not Mother’s Day 8 only to minister to the people in the urban and rural areas of our Diocese Confirmation at Our Lady 8 but also to minister to the world community. of Sorrows, Delta Junction 10 Catholic Trust of Northern Alaska Meeting Diocese of Fairbanks 12 Finance Council Meeting Credits 13 Baccalaureate Mass and Newsletter Monroe High School Graduation “Ministering” is a monthly Designer & Editor 14 Confirmation at St. publication of the Catholic David Schienle Raphael Church, Fairbanks Diocese of Fairbanks which 15 Pentecost Sunday serves northern and western Contributing Writers 15 Confirmation at Sacred Alaska. Its purpose is to provide Dr. Kelle Lynch-Baldwin Heart Cathedral a regular opportunity for all Rev. Robert Fath 20-21 Visit to St. Michael Church ministries throughout the Diocese Sr. Dorothy Giloley, SSJ in McGrath to share information so that our Robert Hannon 22 Confirmation at Our Lady tremendous diversity may enrich Pamela Rengiil of Snows Church, Nulato our common mission of service Leigh Scarboro 22-23 Visit to St. Peter in Chains to the people of our diocese. Pat Tam Church, Ruby Barbara Thieme Tolliver 26-31 Bishop’s Mission Appeal in If you have questions or Rev. Ross Tozzi San Diego, CA suggestions for articles, please Teresa Usibelli June contact David Schienle at the Bp. Chad Zielinski Chancery at (907) 374-9500 or 3 50th Anniversary of Sacred Heart Cathedral, Fairbanks [email protected]. Newsletter Proofreaders prepared by David Schienle for 4-5 Visit to Holy Rosary Tim Doval Church, Tok Catholic Bishop of Northern Robert Hannon Alaska. 6-7 Alaska Catholic Youth Deb Leibee Conference, Anchorage Jim Villano 8-12 Bishop at St. John’s The Diocesan Online Calendar may Patty Walter Seminary, Guildford, be viewed at: England http://dioceseoffairbanks.org ~ 2 ~ Message from Bishop Chad W. Zielinski Lift Up your Eyes My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, As we approach the end of Easter, it is customary to reflect on the power of the Holy Spirit exhibited in the readings for Pentecost Sunday. The Holy Spirit is probably the most intimate, while at the same time, mysterious person of the Blessed Trinity. It sustains us in ways we only vaguely understand. It is, as St. Augustine says in Confessions, “closer to me than I am to myself.” Needless to say, it is the essential Actor in our Church, guiding our deliberations and bringing harmony among our disparate factions, or at least it should. We have a role to play in the process. I draw your attention to the readings for Seventh Sunday of Easter, the one approaching this weekend. We hear multiple times about Stephen and our Lord raising their eyes to heaven. I read in these passages the echo resounding throughout all of scripture: it is the recognition of our need and dependence on the Father that opens the way for the Holy Spirit to descend and act in our lives. As Pope Francis never tires of reminding us, God ‘s mercy is eternal. Like the dynamic in the parable, it was up to the prodigal son to recall his inheritance, recognize his degradation and return to his father’s open arms. In Acts, we draw inspiration from St. Stephen. Stephen is known in our Catholic tradition as the first martyr. This is how Luke, the author of Acts, depicts Stephen’s behavior just before he is killed at the hands of a zealous crowd: “Stephen filled with the Holy Spirit looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God…” Acts 7:55 Notice the passage mentions every person in the Trinity. St. Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit directs his vision to the heavens. There Jesus stands beside his Father. I could spend pages commenting on this vision, but I will simply note Jesus stands beside the Father, much as an advocate does in the court of law. Jesus, having assumed human nature fully, understands us and intercedes on our behalf with the Father. As a result, St. Stephen imitates his Lord, forgiving his executioners. He sets the model for all martyrs, all believers, to follow. This dynamic process of looking to heaven for our strength and the grace to cope with life on the earth is repeated throughout the readings on May 8. In psalm 97 we hear: “The Lord is king, the most high over all the earth.” From Revelation: “I, Jesus, sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the root and offspring of David, the bright morning star.” Rev. 22:16 The theme finds its expressionpar excellence in Jesus’ prayer in St. John’s Gospel: “When Jesus had said this, he raised his eyes to heaven and said, ‘Father, the hour has come. Give glory to your son, so that your son may glorify you. ‘” JN 17:1, 2 There it is: The supplication, the surrender, the dynamic process of our Catholic faith. Or, as the Prayer of St. Francis puts, it: “God, make me an instrument of your peace.” We will see the culmination of this mystical “call and response” play out with the early apostles in Pentecost. In preparation, let’s pray, amidst the challenge and confusion of our times, to remember to lift our eyes and give glory to the Son, who gave glory to the Father, and drew down the power of the Holy Spirit. †Most Reverend Chad W. Zielinski Catholic Bishop of Northern Alaska Diocese of Fairbanks ~ 3 ~ Announcement from Bishop’s Office Bishop Chad Zielinski Brothers and Sisters in Christ, The greatest challenge facing the Diocese of Fairbanks is our priest shortage. We have 16 priests, 6 of which are over the age of 70, to minister the Sacraments of the faithful in our 46 parishes. The good news is your prayers are working and we will have three seminarians this fall. In order to focus our efforts in the area of vocations, effective 13 August 2016, I have appointed Fr. Robert Faith as Director of the Faith and Formation Office which includes vocations. I want to thank Fr. Robert for the seven years that he faithfully served as the Pastor of Saint Nicholas Church. Over the past seven years, Fr. Robert has taken an already vibrant community and made it an integral asset to the diocese. With the departure of Father Robert from Saint Nicholas Church, I would like to announce that effective 13 August 2016, Father Stanislaw Jaszek will be assigned as the Pastor of Saint Nicholas Catholic Church. In addition, Father Stanislaw Jaszek will remain as the Pastor of both Our Lady of Sorrows Church, in Delta Junction, and Holy Rosary Church, in Tok. Given our priest shortage, it is imperative that our priests cover multiple parishes. I have been working hard with other bishops and traveling to spread the word about our priest shortages. Some of my efforts are coming to fruition and I am happy to announce that the Diocese of Lincoln will be sending us Father Thomas Kuffel for a period of three years for pastoral ministry in the Diocese of Fairbanks. Effective 14 June 2016, Father Thomas Kuffel will be assigned as the Pastor of Saint Joseph Church, in Nome, as well as the Pastor of Saint Francis Xavier Church, in Kotzebue, Saint Jude Church, in Little Diomede and Saint Ann Church, in Teller. I also want to thank Father Vince Burns from the bottom of my heart, who volunteered his pastoral care to the Diocese of Fairbanks and has spent the past year in Nome shepherding to the faithful flock in the Northwest! I ask for your continued prayers for vocations in the Diocese of Fairbanks. Yours in Christ, †Most Reverend Chad W. Zielinski Catholic Bishop of Northern Alaska Diocese of Fairbanks Fr. Robert Fath accepted to Canon Law School Fr. Robert Fath was accepted into canon law school at Catholic University in Washington, DC. He will be attending summer sessions for the next 5 years in pursuit of his J.C.L. degree. Upon earning his degree, Fr. Fath will be able to assist our Diocese with canon law concerns and tribunal matters. ~ 4 ~ Bishop Chad Zielinski Introduction to Pope Francis’ Post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia, The Joy of Love My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I am pleased to share with you our Holy Father’s Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia, The Joy of Love. As you may remember, Pope Francis convened two Synods on the family. This document represents his reflections of those gatherings.
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