50¢ September 14, 2008 Volume 82, No. 33 www.diocesefwsb.org/TODAY Serving the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend ’ Finding the TODAYODAY’SS CATHOLICATHOLIC right college T C Joe Kozinski takes you on his ‘odyssey’ trip St. Vincent blesses addition, Pages 9-14 welcomes kindergarten Catholic teaching on abortion BY DON CLEMMER San Francisco archbishop FORT WAYNE — One of the largest Catholic grade wants to talk to Pelosi schools in the diocese celebrated even more growth with the dedication and blessing of the new 14,000 Page 3 square-foot building addition to St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School on Friday, Sept. 5. Bishop John M. D’Arcy was on hand for the dedi- cation ceremony in the school gymnasium, as was the entire St. Vincent de Paul student body, which includ- Exalting XLT ed, for the first time, kindergartners. Four of the eight Praise and worship music, classrooms in the addition are used for kindergarten. “Kindergarten has become more important in edu- preaching, prayer and adoration cation now,” Father John Kuzmich, pastor of St. Vincent, told Today’s Catholic. He noted that, prior to Page 8 the addition, the school did not have room for the pro- gram, but that “It was the time to do it. I think we were the only Catholic grade school in this diocese without a kindergarten.” Welcoming the bishop at the dedication ceremony, To kneel or sit Father Kuzmich, related how he had visited all four What are we to do kindergarten classrooms the day before and asked them who was coming to visit their school. after Communion? When one student replied, “Bishop D’Arcy,” Father Kuzmich had asked who Bishop D’Arcy was. Page 17 “And he turned to me, and he said, ‘your boss,’” Father Kuzmich recounted, adding, over the laughter of the students in the assembly, that the bishop is a “nice boss.” After being welcomed at the dedication ceremony Football, volleyball by second graders with greeting cards and cardboard action miters, Bishop D’Arcy cited the strengths of St. Vincent de Paul Parish. ICCL and CYO action explodes “This is a parish where, every year, many people become Catholics,” he said, then added, “St. Vincent’s Page 18 also helps poor parishes. We’re not Catholic if we don’t help the poor.” The bishop also cited the parish’s DON CLEMMER Bishop John M. D’Arcy meets a second-grade class as he visits and blesses the St. Vincent de Paul School library during the dedication of the school’s new addition on Sept. 5. Thanks to ADDITION, PAGE 3 the addition, the library is now handicap accessible. ANNIVERSARY MASS Charities receive Annual Think Green CELEBRATED IN SOUTH BEND Bishop’s Appeal funds Recycle this paper BY MAY LEE JOHNSON three days a week, and we are always are in need of food. “Thank you Bishop D’Arcy for the dona- SOUTH BEND — Local organizations that tion,” she continued. “It will be put to good work with those in need found their burdens use, and it was a honor and privilege to be a little lighter thanks to the Annual Bishop’s here. Again, thanks for the donation, and I Appeal. would like to encourage (the Catholic com- Bishop John M. D’Arcy recognized the munity) to keep giving to the (Annual) impact workers have had on each charity and Bishop’s Appeal.” honored each of them with a donation to help The Annual Bishop’s Appeal funds the with their ministries. The checks were dis- work of the diocese beyond the parishes. TRISH LINNER tributed Sunday at St. Augustine Church in Contributions to the appeal provide the Bishop John M. D’Arcy presided over the South Bend during the installation Mass of churches with an opportunity to participate in Holy Cross Father Leonard J. Collins. the ministry and mission of the diocese — a Anniversary Mass Sunday, Sept. 7, at St. Thanks to the funds from the Annual community of faith that extends beyond the Matthew Cathedral. Bishop D’Arcy blessed Bishop’s Appeal, needy residents in the boundaries of any one parish. Contributions South Bend area and throughout the diocese to the Annual Bishop’s Appeal are used for the couples celebrating their 25th and receive some much-needed help as the tire- education, family and pastoral assistance, 50th anniversaries. Over 50 couples were less advocates continue in the struggles to evangelization and charities. help the poor. “I wasn’t prepared to give a speech but we in attendance, many with their families. A Jo Fisher, the West Regional administrator reception was held afterwards. of Catholic Charities said, “We serve anyone in need with the food pantry. We’re open FUNDS, PAGE 3 2 TODAY’ S CATHOLIC SEPTEMBER 14, 2008 TODAY’S CATHOLIC Official newspaper of the We are not fully a parish unless Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend P.O. Box 11169 Fort Wayne, IN 46856 we are drawing in new people, PUBLISHER: Bishop John M. D’Arcy EDITOR: Tim Johnson ASSISTANT EDITOR: Don Clemmer young and old STAFF WRITER: Kay Cozad The giving of grants A special Friday Editorial Department As we do each year in each of our major In fact, that particular day was full. After PAGE DESIGNER: Francie Hogan cities during the Annual Bishop’s Appeal, one an early morning phone conversation, I went FREELANCE WRITERS: Lauren Caggiano, of my purposes was to give grants to Catholic to St. Joseph’s Parish, Fort Wayne, to meet Ann Carey, Michelle Castleman, Elmer Charities, the Women’s Care Center, the with those engaged in Hispanic ministry. J. Danch, Michelle Donaghey, Bonnie NEWS Center for the Homeless, and the Sister Maura Notable among them was Father Tom Elberson, Denise Fedorow, Diane Brannick Health Clinic, formerly the Chapin Ascheman, SVD. He is a member of the &NOTES Street Clinic, which takes care of those with- Society of Divine Word and has spent six Freeby, May Lee Johnson, Sister out health insurance on the west side. Grants years in Mexico, so he comes to us fluent in Margie Lavonis, CSC, Jennifer Murray BISHOP JOHN M. D’ARCY were also given to the Christ Child Society Spanish and English. It was a joy to meet and Deb Wagner and the soup kitchens at St. Augustine’s and with all those working among our Hispanic Little Flower parishes and St. Vincent de Paul Catholics. Business Department St. Augustine’s: Always special Society and others. Then off to St. Vincent’s, and then to City BUSINESS MANAGER: Kathy Denice St. Augustine’s, on the west side of South How about the hats Hall for a conference concerning the large AD GRAPHICS DIRECTOR: Mark Weber Bend, is truly a historic parish. When I came number of Burmese refugees coming to Fort here as bishop, so long ago and yet so short in It is a custom at St. Augustine’s, as it has Wayne. Then off to the Archbishop Noll BOOKKEEPING/CIRCULATION: Kathy Voirol been a custom at many of the great black [email protected] some ways, there was no parish that I found Catholic Center to plan the Red Mass, the more fascinating than St. Augustine’s. It is churches in our country, for women on special Mass for lawyers, which we have each fall in church occasions to wear large and beautiful Advertising Sales made up of African-American Catholics, and both of our major cities. many of them had experienced prejudice not hats, and that was the case on this lovely Tess Steffen (Fort Wayne area) just from society, but even within the church. Sunday morning at St. Augustine Parish, Jubilarians (260) 456-2824 It was founded by a Holy Cross priest, Father South Bend. I am grateful to the Holy Cross One of the beautiful events of the year Jeanette Simon (South Bend area) Francis Sullivan. fathers for taking on the pastoral care of St. took place last Sunday at St. Matthew (574) 234-0687 Years ago, members were very active in Augustine’s Parish. I look forward to working Cathedral, South Bend, and will come soon to Web site: www.diocesefwsb.org/TODAY the civil rights movement. Many of the young with our excellent new pastor, Father Collins. Fort Wayne. After St. Augustine’s, I took the people went on to study at Saint Joseph’s or short trip to St. Matthew’s for a Mass for Published weekly except the fourth Marian High School, and Notre Dame or The opening of schools those who have been married 25, 50 and even Sunday in June, first and third weeks Saint Mary’s College. Recently I met Julianne I reported in this space recently about the 60 years. They renewed their vows. Then we in July, first week in August and last Newbill, whom I remember as running track new school at St. Pius X Parish, Granger. I had some champagne and refreshments, and week in December by the Diocese of at Saint Joseph’s High School and later at went recently to St. Vincent Parish, north of many, for some reason, wanted their picture Fort Wayne-South Bend, 1103 S. Notre Dame. Julie was there Fort Wayne. St. Vincent’s is now our largest taken with the bishop. Calhoun St., P.O. Box 390, Fort Wayne, Sunday with her little baby and As Pope Benedict told us in his IN 46801. Periodicals postage paid at grandmother. visit; “... how can we not be dis- Fort Wayne, IN, and additional mailing Mel Tardy, a longtime member, mayed as we observe the sharp office. So the witness of these couples and a native of New Orleans who decline of the family as a basic ele- POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: works at a counseling position at ment of church and society.” Today’s Catholic, P.O.