Think Green 50¢ January 18, 2009 Recycle this paper Volume 83, No. 3 www.diocesefwsb.org/TODAY Serving the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend ’’ Silent No More TTODAYODAY SS CCATHOLICATHOLIC Pro-life movement takes a stand Pages 10-17 Rallies mark abortion anniversary A time to pray in Washington, diocese Letter from Bishop John M. D’Arcy BY CHAZ MUTH Page 3 WASHINGTON (CNS) — Thousands of pro-life marchers are expected to rally in Washington Jan. 22 to commemorate the 36th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision legalizing A mission dear abortion, just days after President-elect Barack Obama is inaugurated. to her heart Abortion opponents also will hold multiple events in the nation’s capital and throughout the U.S. the day Meet Margarita Rodriguez before and the day of the official 2009 March for Life, Page 5 as well as the following days. The main event will begin with a noon rally on the National Mall, followed by a march along Constitution Avenue that will end at the U.S. Supreme Court. From there, participants are encouraged to meet with mem- ‘Music in Divine bers of Congress to lobby on abortion-related issues. “The first session of the 111th Congress will con- Worship’ vene in January, with all newly elected members of the House and many newly elected members of the Liturgy day registration Senate,” organizers of the march wrote on the official Pages 8, 9 Web site, www.marchforlife.org. “We shall be a large group of Americans to bring our prayers and our important simple pro-life message to this new admin- istration and new Congress.” With millions expected in Washington for inaugu- CNS PHOTO/BOB ROLLER Snow days ration events the week of Jan. 19 and the thousands of Gina Heitkamp displays a sign while sitting on the shoulders of Ben Fortkamp during the participants anticipated for the march and related 35th annual March for Life rally in Washington in 2008. People from across the nation will and young adults march and protest in Washington Jan. 22 to mark the 36th anniversary of the Supreme Surrendering to a higher plan LIFE, PAGE 24 Court’s Roe v. Wade decision to legalize abortion. Page 9 ‘SILENT NIGHT’ IN THE Diocese organizes postcard BURMESE LANGUAGE campaign opposing FOCA ishop John M. D’Arcy has affirmed a cal piece of legislation that creates a funda- Bnational postcard campaign at all parish- mental right to abortion throughout the nine es in the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend months of pregnancy. No governmental body on the weekend of Jan. 24-25 to oppose the at any level — federal, state or local — proposed legislation, the Freedom of Choice would be able to “deny or interfere with” this Act (FOCA). The diocesan campaign is coor- right, or to “discriminate” against its exer- dinated by the Office of Family Life. cise” in the regulation or provision of bene- The diocese will provide to parishes strips fits, services or information.” For the first of three postcards — two for the Indiana sen- time, abortion would become an entitlement ators and one for the appropriate the government must fund and promote. Congressional representative — that will be The release explained that FOCA goes far placed in the weekend’s bulletin, as well beyond the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade some extra postcards to be available at the abortion decision of 1973. A broad range of back of church. Parishioners are encouraged laws currently allowed under Roe would be On Christmas day, Bishop John M. D’Arcy to mail the postcards to their legislators. eliminated — informed consent laws; At their November 2008 general meeting, parental involvement laws; laws promoting celebrated Mass at MacDougal Chapel the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops maternal health; abortion clinic regulations; with Burmese Catholics. Bishop D’Arcy approved the “Fight FOCA Postcard government programs and facilities that sup- Campaign.” The campaign is cosponsored by port childbirth and other health care without concelebrated Mass with Father Philip, a the the National Committee for a Human Life subsidizing abortion; conscience protection priest studying theology at the seminary in Amendment. laws; laws prohibiting a particular abortion A release that was shared with all priests procedure (e.g., partial birth abortion); laws the Archdiocese of New York, and who in the diocese explained why this postcard speaks Burmese and English. campaign is needed. FOCA, it said, is a radi- FOCA, PAGE 3 2 TODAY’ S CATHOLIC JANUARY 18, 2009 TODAY’S CATHOLIC Official newspaper of the Bishop D’Arcy plans to pray, Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend P.O. Box 11169 Fort Wayne, IN 46856 PUBLISHER: Bishop John M. D’Arcy march for the unborn in D.C. EDITOR: Tim Johnson cance. Pope John Paul II always prayed for, I have been reading a little book by Pope and praised, and expected, a “culture of Benedict XVI, entitled “John Paul II, My NEWS EDITOR and STAFF WRITER: Kay Cozad life.” This culture includes people who Beloved Predecessor.” Included is a talk, work in pregnancy centers, like our which he gave in the home town of Karol Editorial Department Women’s Care Center, which in all it’s cen- Wojtyla — Pope John Paul II. PAGE DESIGNER: Francie Hogan NEWS ters, sees 10,000 young women a year. In He quotes the famous German poet, FREELANCE WRITERS: Lauren Caggiano, the Fort Wayne center alone, 45 women Goethe, who says that if you want to under- Ann Carey, Michelle Castleman, Karen &NOTES come every day and receive kindness and stand the soul of a poet, go to the country Clifford, Elmer J. Danch, Michelle pro-life counseling, as well as pregnancy of his origin. The Holy Father says that testing, and encouragement to have the those who wish to understand the life and Donaghey, Bonnie Elberson, Denise BISHOP JOHN M. D’ARCY child. ministry of John Paul II must come the city Fedorow, Diane Freeby, May Lee They also receive clothing and nutrition- of his birth. Johnson, Sister Margie Lavonis, CSC, al advice and help, all done with love and My home town, with its three-decker Joe Kozinski and Deb Wagner A time of pilgrimage respect. They are encouraged and motivated homes, is a place I find enriching to visit. It For the first time, I will go to to see the doctor, so the baby is born has changed a bit, but is still a town of Business Department Washington to take part in the March for healthy and strong. It is not convenient to immigrants. My parish church, sadly, is Life, which has taken place every year, BUSINESS MANAGER: Kathy Denice take this overnight trip to Washington, but closed, and the great seminary mostly sold since the Supreme Court struck down laws AD GRAPHICS DIRECTOR: Mark Weber the bishop is a teacher; and this is a day of to a nearby university. which had protected the unborn child in all teaching on the dignity of every person, My dear friend, Father Tom McDonnell, BOOKKEEPING/CIRCULATION: Kathy Voirol 50 states. and the value of every life. I urge everyone an exemplary priest, whose columns on [email protected] I go to pray. My co-directors of Family to reread again the encyclical letter of Pope Catholic spirituality often grace this news- Life and Pro-Life, Fred and Lisa Everett, John Paul II, “The Gospel of Life.” paper, as they did during Advent, is severe- Advertising Sales who have worked with me over 20 years, This exhortation should resound with special force ly ill with cancer. Still, we were able to Tess Steffen (Fort Wayne area) said some weeks ago, “Bishop, if you go, in the hearts of those members of the church who visit and go for a nice lunch. I made my (260) 456-2824 more young people will come.” directly share, in different ways, in her mission as confession to him and experienced again Jeanette Simon (South Bend area) How could one refuse? Two days of “teacher” of the truth. May it resound above all for his intention to keep working for the (574) 234-0687 prayer on behalf of life. It will begin on us who are bishops: we are the first ones called to Gospel through his writing, as long as God Web site: www.diocesefwsb.org/TODAY Jan. 21 at the Basilica of the Immaculate be untiring preachers of the Gospel of life. We are gives him strength. Conception, where there will be a Mass for also entrusted with the task of ensuring that the You go to your home town to drink doctrine which is once again being set forth in this Published weekly except the fourth thousands with many bishops concelebrat- deeply of the beautiful people you knew encyclical is faithfully handed on in its integrity. We Sunday in June, first and third weeks in ing and young people present from all over there, many of them now gone to God, but must use appropriate means to defend the faithful July, first week in August and last week the country. some still living. The age of the homes and from all teaching which is contrary to it. in December by the Diocese of Fort The next morning, I have volunteered to the familiarity of the place is restorative, in So, I go to Washington to teach, and to Wayne-South Bend, 1103 S. Calhoun St., hear confessions in the basilica. This will a way that is hard to understand. I think pray, and also to learn from our beloved P.O.