Think Green 50¢ February 8, 2009 Recycle this paper Volume 83, No. 6 www.diocesefwsb.org/TODAY Serving the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend TTODAYODAY’’SS CCATHOLICATHOLIC The environment Vatican orders study of women in which we pray religious institutes in U.S. Subtle shades of liturgy Pages 8-9 BY CHAZ MUTH WASHINGTON (CNS) — The Vatican has initiated an apostolic visitation of institutes for women religious Back to the future in the United States to find out why the numbers of their members have decreased during the past 40 years Catholic heritage dates and to look at the quality of life in the communities. The announcement was made Jan. 30 at the back to 1742 Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Page 5 Conception in Washington by Sister Eva-Maria Ackerman, a member of the American province of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George. She will assist Mother Mary Clare Millea, a Connecticut native who is superior general of the A new meaning for Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, an international religious institute that has its headquarters in Rome. the shamrock Cardinal Franc Rode, prefect of the Vatican’s Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and St. Patrick and three cultures Societies of Apostolic Life, appointed Mother Clare as Page 10 the apostolic visitor. The cardinal sent letters detailing the task to both the Leadership Conference of Women Religious and the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious, the two major organizations representing heads of Tournament time CNS PHOTO/MIKE CRUPI women’s religious orders in the U.S. Sister Margaret Hunt rings a bell at the Dominican Monastery of Mary the Queen in Elmira, It is too early to know how many volunteers will be ICCL crowns divisional champs enlisted to visit nearly 400 Catholic institutes for N.Y., in this July 14, 2004, file photo. An announcement was made in Washington Jan. 30 women religious in the U.S., how much it will cost or Page 14 that the Vatican has initiated an apostolic visitation of institutes for women religious to find out why the number of their members has decreased during the past 40 years. WOMEN, PAGE 3 Here’s the steeple TELLING OUR FAITH STORY St. Peter topped Chris Zorich encourages service I came back to the with new steeple at Corpus Christi School visit Catholic Church Page 16 because it’s home. I BY DIANE FREEBY The former defensive tackle thanked the students for supporting area charities like the never really fully left the food bank, Women’s Care Center and church, just visited SOUTH BEND — A bear of a man, Notre Portage Manor. Dame hero and former Chicago Bear Chris “I know you guys are involved in book occasionally. Every time Zorich smiled out at his audience. The stu- drives, clothing drives and food drives,” said dents at Corpus Christi School in South Zorich. “I went to the library all the time as a I returned I had an Bend, who responded generously to the kid because it was the only place warm emotional reaction, a theme of service for Catholic Schools Week, enough in the winter and cool enough in the waited to hear what the man known for wrap- summer. That’s why I love reading books. It’s sense of homecoming. At my cousin ping up opposing running backs had to say to really cool you’re giving books to people like Kathleen’s — a devout Catholic — funeral, them. me!” “I just want to let you guys know,” Zorich Zorich told his rapt audience how he made I decided to fully rejoin the church. I began, “somewhere out there you’re helping his way to the University of Notre Dame, joined a small group, Renew 2000 — someone like me.” despite the many challenges he faced every The kids could hardly believe it. How day. He didn’t begin playing football until his something I’d never done — and devel- could a big, strong, successful guy like Chris sophomore year in high school, where he just oped friendships with members of my Zorich possibly need anybody’s help? wanted to hang out with his friends. When he “My mom and I were really poor,” tried to play as a freshman, his mother had parish family. I’ve discovered, through explained Zorich as he reflected on growing other ideas. involvement in ministries and parish activ- up in a rough Chicago neighborhood. “We “She was totally against it,” remembered didn’t have any money at all. There were a lot Zorich. “Even though I was 6-foot, 1-inch ities, what “parish family” really means. of gangs and it was really hard for my mom Denise Fedorow, New Paris to raise me all by herself.” SERVICE, PAGE 3 Want to share your faith journey? See page 3. 2 TODAY’ S CATHOLIC FEBRUARY 8, 2009 TODAY’S CATHOLIC Official newspaper of the Diocesan catechetical program Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend P.O. Box 11169 Fort Wayne, IN 46856 PUBLISHER: Bishop John M. D’Arcy gets national recognition tion, and some are on the diocesan level. EDITOR: Tim Johnson The sacrament of confirmation Another 20 are in the pipeline. NEWS EDITOR and STAFF WRITER: Kay Cozad One of the results of this is that you now This weekend, I will have the first of have religion teachers in our elementary approximately 40 confirmations, and it will Editorial Department schools, who teach all the religion in grades be held at St. Therese Church in Fort PAGE DESIGNER: Francie Hogan 6, 7 and 8. Wayne. I believe this will make my 34th NEWS season of giving this sacrament. FREELANCE WRITERS: Lauren Caggiano, In the past, you might have had a sev- enth-grade teacher who was excellent in Unfortunately, I do not have an auxiliary Ann Carey, Michelle Castleman, Karen &NOTES bishop now, so I cannot go to all the small Clifford, Elmer J. Danch, Michelle English or algebra, and also teaching reli- gion, without any special training or expert- parishes. Our priests have been very coop- Donaghey, Bonnie Elberson, Denise BISHOP JOHN M. D’ARCY ise. This has changed. In addition to Sister erative in bringing a number of parishes Fedorow, Diane Freeby, May Lee Jane and Our Sunday Visitor, I must thank together, especially at our cathedral and co- Johnson, Sister Margie Lavonis, CSC, Professor John Cavadini and many of his cathedral. As the springtime develops, one Joe Kozinski and Deb Wagner On the teaching of the faith colleagues in the theology department at gets a little weary, but I must say I have Having just finished Catholic Schools Notre Dame, who have presented excellent never grown tired of conferring this sacra- ment. When I had an auxiliary bishop in Business Department Week with our two traditional You Can courses in church history, liturgy, theology, Lend A Hand lunches, and preparing now good health — Bishop Crowley or Bishop BUSINESS MANAGER: Kathy Denice catechetics and so forth. So much depends for an All Schools Mass at the Joyce Center Sheets or Bishop Jenky, CSC, it was a little AD GRAPHICS DIRECTOR: Mark Weber on the catechist. How can one love God, or on the campus of Notre Dame (the Fort even think of a priestly or religious voca- easier. But what an opportunity — to speak BOOKKEEPING/CIRCULATION: Kathy Voirol Wayne Mass was called off because of bad tion, unless God is known. How joyful it to thousands of young people and their par- [email protected] weather), sets me to pondering about some was to hear this good news, and that the ents at a special moment in their life, and to important matters. One of the central rea- Office of Catechesis has been asked to open up for them the meaning of the gifts Advertising Sales sons for all the energy and treasure that we write an article for a forthcoming book on of the Holy Spirit in this final of the three Tess Steffen (Fort Wayne area) put into Catholic schools lies in the hope catechetics. This brought great joy to our sacraments of initiation. (260) 456-2824 that in these schools we are teaching the diocese, and especially to the bishop. We Also, you see the vitality of parish life — everywhere people, young and old, join- Jeanette Simon (South Bend area) faith. It is no secret that in the ‘60s and also are reaching public school children ‘70s there was a certain weakness in what through this effort, but we must do more in ing together at a special moment when this (574) 234-0687 gift of the Holy Spirit, won first by Christ Web site: www.diocesefwsb.org/TODAY was then called CCD programs and even in this area. Catholic schools — a great lapse in teach- on the cross, is given to us. ing the content of the faith. I will have two bishops come in for a Published weekly except the fourth short period to help me. One is Bishop Sunday in June, first and third weeks in With the Catechism of the Catholic I can’t believe it is 52 years July, first week in August and last week Church, the United States Catholic William Houck, retired bishop of Jackson- On Feb. 2, I celebrated 52 years as a Natchez in Mississippi. A true missionary, in December by the Diocese of Fort Catechism for Adults, and the national and priest and it is a joyful day, always, because Wayne-South Bend, 1103 S. Calhoun St., international directories, all translated into he has been here the last few years, and all over the years, each of my sisters has have found his homilies to be inspiring for P.O.