50¢ April 25, 2010 Think Green Volume 84, No. 17 Recycle this paper Go Green todayscatholicnews.org Serving the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend Go Digital ODAY’S ATHOLIC World Day of Prayer T C for Vocations April 25 A look at the priesthood, Coonan brothers formed by Christ religious life Pages 11-17 Ordination to transitional diaconate is April 25 at Pontifical College Josephinum BY KAY COZAD Pope visits Malta COLUMBUS, Ohio — The two young men who Urges faithful to hold fast to will be ordained into the transitional diaconate this month at the Pontifical College Josephinum are not its Christian roots only brothers in Christ but blood brothers as well. Seminarians Matthew Coonan and Terrence Coonan Page 3 Jr. are the middle brothers of Terry and Terri Coonan’s family of eight children. The brothers are natives of Fort Wayne and along with their entire family have been lifelong parish- ioners of St. Vincent de Paul Parish, where they Happy birthday Holy attended elementary school. Both men are graduates Father of Bishop Dwenger High School. And just as they recall a close-knit childhood relationship, they have Pope Benedict celebrates also found a common calling to the priesthood. But the callings came to each man in very differ- 83rd birthday ent ways. As youngsters the boys participated in Page 5 sports with the neighborhood kids as well as in school — basketball, soccer and cross country. Their faith formation began in the home, they say, with their parents’ devotion to their life of faith and involvement in parish community life. “The biggest Up, up and away thing they gave us kids is their witness of true Christian love. They teach us what love is with Precious Blood, USF launch everyone they encounter. They are caring, kind peo- ple,” says Matt. weather balloon The strong Catholic education they received had Page 7 a positive impact on the brothers as well as their involvement in their parish. Both boys were altar servers and were involved in the parish youth group. Matt says his participation in the Antioch and Life Teen programs helped develop a deeper understand- Spelling genius ing of the importance of the sacraments as well as TIM JOHNSON the faith community as support. “My faith flourished Margaret Peterson heads Matthew Coonan and Terrence Coonan, Jr., are shown at the Fort Wayne Chrism Mass on during those years,” he says. to national bee March 30. The Fort Wayne brothers will be ordained by Bishop John M. D’Arcy to the transi- Terrence Jr., or “Tink” as he is better known, adds tional diaconate on Sunday, April 25, at St. Turibius Chapel, Pontifical College Josephinum, Page 9 in Columbus, Ohio. COONAN, PAGE 14 of Bishop Dwenger’s YEAR our PRIESTS Fred Tone to retire BY MARK WEBER Tone makes it a point to get to know the FATHER DANIEL BY TIM JOHNSON names of each of the Bishop Dwenger stu- dents. With 1,050 students, making it one of R. LEEUW FORT WAYNE — A Bishop Dwenger icon, the largest Catholic high schools in the state In the official Diocesan Principal Fred Tone, has announced his of Indiana, that is a lot of names to learn. retirement at the end of this school year. During eighth-grade registration in Directory, Father Daniel Although the decision did not come eas- January and February, as Tone was helping, Leeuw has that contradic- ily, Tone and his wife Sandy, who also it hit him: “There is never going to be a recently retired, plan to spend time with good time to retire.” tory term, “retired priest” their five grandchildren — three live in “I love my job. I love these kids,” he told behind his name. Far from Virginia — “and get more involved in their Today’s Catholic. His own sons, John and lives.” Jason, are Bishop Dwenger graduates. But it; with 53 years of priesthood on the Tone says his wife has been very the job requires nights and weekends. “I record and 81 years on the planet, he has- involved in Bishop Dwenger with him — can’t do this job part-time,” he said. that means 42 years and over 4,000 events Forty-two years ago, the young Indiana tens between appointments. by his estimates. “She’s been awesome,” he says. TONE, PAGE 24 YEAR OF, PAGE 5 2 TODAY’ S CATHOLIC APRIL 25, 2010 TODAY’S CATHOLIC Official newspaper of the Confirmations offer opportunity Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend P.O. Box 11169 Fort Wayne, IN 46856 PUBLISHER: Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades for new bishop to visit parishes EDITOR: Tim Johnson faith when it is attacked. During the 50 days istry team at the University of Saint Francis NEWS EDITOR and STAFF WRITER: Kay Cozad of the Easter season, the first reading at Mass this past Thursday. I was happy to listen to IN TRUTH is from the Acts of the Apostles. It is good to several students active in campus ministry Editorial Department reflect on the missionary dynamism of the share with me their growth in faith through first Christians. The active presence of the campus ministry. I learned about their PAGE DESIGNER: Francie Hogan AND Holy Spirit, who is the protagonist of the retreats, service trips, liturgical life, social FREELANCE WRITERS: Lauren Caggiano, Church’s mission, is evident in the vitality of activities and spiritual and theological forma- Michelle Castleman, Karen Clifford, CHARITY the early Church. That same Spirit is with the tion. At the University of Saint Francis and Elmer J. Danch, Bonnie Elberson, BY BISHOP KEVIN C. RHOADES Church today, inspiring us to confess Christ’s throughout our diocese, I continue to be edi- Denise Fedorow, Diane Freeby, May name boldly and never to be ashamed of the fied by the enthusiasm and commitment of Lee Johnson, Sister Margie Lavonis, Cross of Christ! our young people to their Catholic faith. CSC, Joe Kozinski and Deb Wagner During this season of Confirmations, may They show me that the Church is indeed Confirmations we all be renewed in our life in Christ by the alive and that there is much hope for the The busy Confirmation season is now in power of the Holy Spirit, in our mission to future! I thank Janet Patterson, the director of full swing for both me and Bishop D’Arcy. live our faith to the full, and in our commun- campus ministry at the University of Saint Business Department This past week, I enjoyed celebrating ion with Christ and His Church! Francis, and all who serve with her in this BUSINESS MANAGER: Kathy Denice Confirmation Masses at three parishes of the important apostolate. AD GRAPHICS DIRECTOR: Mark Weber diocese that I had not previously visited: Catholic Charities Most Precious Blood and St. Jude parishes in BOOKKEEPING/CIRCULATION: Kathy Voirol This past week, I met for several hours Knights of Columbus at Notre Dame Fort Wayne and St. Pius X parish in Granger. [email protected] with the Board of Catholic Charities of our This is an historic week for the Knights of Actually, I celebrated two Confirmation diocese at Villa of the Woods, next to Bishop Columbus council at the University of Notre Advertising Sales Masses at St. Pius because of the large num- Luers High School, in Fort Wayne. The pur- Dame. One hundred years ago, on April 22, ber of young people to be confirmed, over Tess Steffen (Fort Wayne area) pose of the meeting was strategic planning 1910, the first college council of the Knights 160 candidates. The Confirmations are a for the future. It was an excellent opportunity of Columbus in the world began at Notre (260) 456-2824 wonderful opportunity for me as your new Jeanette Simon (South Bend area) to reflect deeply on the mission of Catholic Dame. I was privileged to celebrate the cen- bishop to visit many, if not most, of the Charities within the mission of the Church in tennial Mass at the Basilica of the Sacred (574) 234-0687 parishes of our diocese. our diocese. The Church’s charitable activity Heart this past Saturday with the young Web site: www.todayscatholicnews.org After the Confirmation Mass at St. Jude’s, is an essential part of her mission. I encour- Knights of the Notre Dame Council, along one of the adults present said to me that he age everyone’s support of Catholic Charities with several alumni members, as well as offi- Published weekly except the fourth was very struck by the ceremony and said it and its many programs and services on cials of the Supreme and State Councils. Sunday in June, second and fourth got him thinking about his own need to weeks in July and August, the first week behalf of “the least of our brothers and sis- After the Mass, we gathered for a dinner cel- reflect on the graces he received when he ters.” ebration, during which there were various of September and last week in was confirmed many years ago. That is December by the Diocese of Fort Though there are some challenges and distinguished speakers, including Father something important for all of us in our struggles, especially due to cutbacks in state Theodore Hesburgh, president emeritus of Wayne-South Bend, 1103 S. Calhoun St., Christian lives: To recognize the gifts of the P.O. Box 390, Fort Wayne, IN 46801. funding, we are committed to moving for- the University of Notre Dame, and Mr. Virgil Holy Spirit that we have received and to Periodicals postage paid at Fort Wayne, ward in our endeavors to serve the poor and Dechant, past Supreme Knight.