“When Jesus finished saying these things the crowds were astonished at his teaching.” Matthew 7: 28 i PADS Kindergarteners and first-graders in DuBois show us the way GROUNDHOG DAY, THE MOVIE Actor Stephen Tobolowsky reflects on the transformative power of service COUDERSPORT a community committed to life Philreminds us to havefun! A furry little fella in Punxsutawney Gannon president Dr. Keith Taylor joined Gannon faculty and students last spring for an Alternative Break Service Trip to Honduras working to improve a day care center Below: Gannon students participating in this year’s GIVE Day (Gannon’s Invitation to Volunteer Everywhere Day) at the Core of our Catholic Identity Gannon Faculty, Students and Employees live out our deep commitment to service every day by volunteering our time and resources to our neighbors, near and far. Our Students We educate students by combining academic and professional development with the social teachings of the Church. At a more fundamental level, the University helps students recognize, develop and use the gifts God has given them. Our Community The Erie-Gannon Alliances to Improve Neighborhood Sustainability (Erie-GAINS) works to revitalize the neighborhood through civic engagement and community partnerships. Our World Gannon prepares students to be global citizens through service opportunities, education for justice and experiences of mutual cultural exchange. For more information, call 1-800-GANNON-U or visit GANNON.EDU. Join us for the upcoming FREE lecture “The Coherence of Catholic Social Teaching” JANUARY with special guest Todd David Whitmore, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame, as 31 a part of the Loftus Lecture on Catholic Thought and Action series. January 31, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. Call 814-871-7334 for more information. contents A furry little fella 4 editor’s notebook in Punxsutawney Six more weeks? No problem! – Anne-Marie Welsh Phil reminds us to have fun! 5 twentysomething Blessed – Daniel Cooney Oh, there are pretenders, dear friends. There’s 6 in the know with Fr. Joe Birmingham Bill in Alabama, Shouldn’t crying babies stay at home? Chuck Wood in Los Angeles – Father Joe Krupp and Gen. Beauregard Lee in Lilburn, Ga. There is even Orphie in Quarryville, Pa., 7 on a mission from God but he’s — if you can believe Missionary priest inspires it — a 50-year-old stuffed elementary school – Patricia Marshall groundhog. But have no fear, we have the real deal here 8 spiritual fitness in our diocese. And FAITH Cultivate courage – Deacon Fred Keck takes you right into the heart of his very own Inner Circle. 10 the shepherd speaks By Anne-Marie Welsh A challenge – Bishop Donald W. Trautman 18 Your guide to open houses 2012 16 reflection 12 Get all the information you need to “An extremely big deal.” visit your local Catholic school and Character actor Stephen Tobolowsky, learn what it’s all about in person who played the memorable role of Ned Ryerson in the film,Groundhog Day, shares a surprising reflection on the movie’s 25 he said/she said message. Also: Find out what he thinks Children first: conversations with an about the real Groundhog Day! ex-spouse – Deacon Tom and JoAnne Fogle 17 feature story 16 26 Duke’s place kindergarteners in DuBois Special days – as told to Anne-Marie Welsh 22 feature story show us the way The DACS technology initiative is changing the To life! Need a little motivation? Take 30 I will lower my net way students are learning. a look at all that’s going on at St. Eulalia in Coudersport and St. Gabriel in Port Ways to encourage church vocations Allegany. They’ve managed to create a – Father Bill Barron beautiful blend of simplicity and charity that all adds up to quite an impact. 30 the last word An oasis, alive and radiant – Father Nicholas Rouch local news 27-29 inspiration 20-21 calendar / in memoriam 24 17 22 world news 28-29 Liturgical Calendar: The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God Jan. 1 | Ss. Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, bishops and doctors of the church Jan. 2 | 3 CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF ERIE Most Reverend Donald W. Trautman editor’s notebook PUBLISHER Six more weeks? Anne-Marie Welsh EXECUTIVE EDITOR/SENIOR WRITER Jan./Feb. 2012 • Volume 130: Issue 1 Brenda Williams [email protected] ADVERTISING/CIRCULATION MANAGER No problem! Abby Badach Father Bill Barron Daniel Cooney Dr. DukeFred Keck I first thought about putting Punxsutawney on the Diocese of Erie. He also expects to Pat Marshall Father Nicholas Rouch Phil on the cover of FAITH magazine about meet with Pope Benedict XVI to hear, in Most Rev. Donald W. Trautman four or five years ago. After all, we are the person, part of the message the Holy Father CONTRIBUTING WRITERS only diocese in the country that is home to will share with American bishops, all of Father Michael Kesicki the “prognosticator of prognosticators!” I was whom will make their own “ad limina” visits THEOLOGICAL CONSULTANT delighted to learn that several members of at some point during 2012. Elizabeth Butterfield Phil’s Inner Circle were, in fact, also members We plan to capture as much of the INSPIRATION PAGE AND AD DESIGN of Ss. Cosmas and Damian Parish. Last year’s bishop’s experience as possible, with the Cindy DeCoursey ice storm kept me from attending the EDITORIAL ASSISTANT event, but unless we see a repeat of Art Becker Mark and Deb Fainstein (cover) what was arguably the worst weather As we begin our eighth year of Anne-Marie Welsh the event has had in half a century, I publication, it simply becomes CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS do plan to be there — complete with Rich Papalia more and more enjoyable to WWW.ERIERCD.ORG my groundhog-eared headband — this year. I hope you’ll join in the fun of weave each issue together. The the day, if only by serving Groundhog more we write about, the more Cookies (you can find a link to the we discover there is to report. FAITH Catholic recipe at www.ErieRCD.org /faith.asp). Rev. Dwight Ezop Speaking of fun, as we begin our CHAIRMAN eighth year of publication, it simply becomes goal of helping readers understand and feel Patrick M. O’Brien more and more enjoyable to weave each the close bond we enjoy not only with the PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER issue together. The more we write about, the Vatican, but also with the global church. Elizabeth Martin Solsburg more we discover there is to report. I am very While laying the framework for the EDITORIAL DIRECTOR/DIRECTOR OF pleased to tell you our March/April edition of coming year, we couldn’t ignore the fact that CUSTOM PUBLISHING FAITH — which will follow the special issue readers seemed to enjoy the special issue we Lynne Hsu GRAPHIC DESIGNER covering the 2012 Catholic Services Appeal created featuring food last May. Next on the Cynthia Vandecar next month — will be completely dedicated to agenda? The Garden Issue. But we need your MARKETING MANAGER Bishop Trautman’s trip to Rome input. Please turn to page 7 to see how Cindy DeCoursey for the “ad limina” visit. you can be a part of the planning. Jason Koshinskie By the time you are Finally, if you didn’t happen to hear Derek Melot PROOFREADING reading this article, about it, Pope Benedict has proclaimed a Rev. Joseph Krupp Bishop Trautman will “Year of Faith” to begin in October 2012, Deacon Tom and JoAnne Fogle have been to the continuing until Christ the King Sunday in CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Vatican and back, November 2013. Aside from the fact that InnerWorkings along with his fellow we couldn’t be happier with the name, we PRINT MANAGEMENT FAITHTM (USPS 900002637) is a membership publication Region III bishops certainly look forward to delving into as of the Catholic Diocese of Erie, 429 E. Grandview Blvd., Erie, PA 16504. Published bi-monthly. Subscription rates are $15 from Pennsylvania and many aspects of the Holy Father’s message per year. Individual issues are $2.50. Advertising inquiries, subscription requests and address changes can be sent to New Jersey. While for us as possible during 429 E. 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FAITHTM and the Diocese Paul and meet prayers for a happy of Erie do not necessarily endorse the content of any Web site several congregations at and blessed New referenced in this publication other than their own. the Vatican to discuss Year! Give the gift of FAITH: the Quinquennial Order a subscription for a friend Report, a sort of state- Anne-Marie Welsh, executive editor, today. 814.824.1168 or of-the-union update can be reached at [email protected] [email protected] 4 FAITH magazine / January/February 2012 / www.FAITHerie.com St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, religious Jan. 4 | St.