o ® h a (M l/) K> H FO PITTSBURGH tO N O O a/M itis Q *0 I I m o « «-4 Jui JIM I 5 B# li * N * in H ft OUQUCSNt UNivtK^.r * UJ Ui ft -0 > > lOHMI J ft r4 <* < a. ft (X) ft (0 i n i / i t ft O UJ uj O ft o co co * ft > T 3f 3 ft N ( 1 0 0 3 3 ZLIV No. 14 350 ft » <3 U. U. 1/1 Established in 1844: America’s Oldest Catholic Newspaper in Continuous Publication Friday, June 12, 1998 ft » oc *- ft a o o w- ft N M o o *-♦ * o _i io vo a- de New shepherds welcomed CONFKRENCE to the Church of Pittsburgh By JOHN FRANKO step forward and offer your lives Staff Writer See ordination and talents to Jesus Christ," he insert said. When Fathers James Paul As the ceremony drew to a z w Holland and Thomas Anthony priestly ministry. close, the bishop asked Father B I S H 0 P S r5 Sparacino first faced the con­ The candidates knelt as the Holland and Father Sparacino gregation as priests, their wide bishop imparted on them the to look at the congregation and smiles bore witness to the joy in grace and dignity of the priest­ note the many people respon­ N C C B t o their hearts. hood. They were then invested sible for their successful jour­ gath er here They were ready to serve as with their stole and chasuble ney to the priesthood. shepherds of the Diocese of (priestly garments). “Nobody comes to ordination When the National Confer­ Pittsburgh. Bishop Wuerl anointed their alone," he said. ence of Catholic Bishops Bishop Donald Wuerl palms with holy chrism and He noted that as members of meets in Pittsburgh next ordained the pair to the local joined the other priests in the presbyterate they will week, the bishops will talk presbyterate during ordination greeting their new brothers with always have the support of their about how best to educate ceremonies June 6 at St. Paul the kiss of peace. brother priests. "You'll never the faithful about church Cathedral, Oakland. During his homily, Bishop stand alone because you are social teaching. They will “Let the example of your lives Wuerl explained that Jesus’ part of an enormous tradition also consider a 27-page attract followers of Christ,” he fruits are exhibited in the that goes back nearly 2000 statement condemning “ir­ said, telling them that giving church, the new creation that is years.” responsible uses of sex and oneself to Christ and the His real presence in the world The new priests closed the violence in the media.” church is the most powerful today. Mass by giving their first bless­ See page 9. sign today that God's kingdom “As priests, you are being ing to the congregation. is real. called to prolong in this world Father Holland celebrated The ordination rite began the presence of Christ," he told his first Mass June 7 at his with the presentation of candi­ the candidates. home parish of St. Robert Bel- dates to the bishop. The con­ Bishop Wuerl reminded larmine in East McKeesport. He gregation signified its approval them that as authentic, will begin his ministry at St. with a warm round of applause. authoritative and special rep­ Anne, Castle Shannon. The most solemn act of the resentatives of Christ, they are Father Sparacino said his ceremony is the laying on of the expected to be shepherds to first Mass later that afternoon hands in which Bishop Wuerl God’s people and proclaim His at his home parish of St. Vin­ and his brother priests lay their Word. cent de Paul, New Castle. He Photo by Douglas Kaup Fathers Thomas Sparacino, left, and James Holland bless the hands on the candidates to “This morning you has been assigned to St. assembly after being ordained priests. signify their solidarity in their announced your firm desire to Sebastian, Ross Township. @0 Prayer Parishes bounce back from violent weather measure By JOHN FRANKO — catTToiTc m a n t le s has defeated Staff Writer offered counseling and food vouchers to those affected. The WASHINGTON (CNS) — A Eighth graders at St. St. Vincent de Paul Society constitutional amendment Stephen in Hazelwood had a helped deliver goods to needy aimed at restoring school graduation they’ll never forget. people. prayer and safeguarding reli­ Pilgrimage site: The Their liturgy and celebration Bishop Donald Wuerl was gious freedom fell 61 votes Byzantine-rite Sisters of St. were cut short by a tornado out of town when the storms short of a two-thirds majority Basil the Great once again which passed almost directly struck, but he immediately needed for approval June 4. will open their Uniontown over the church. visited affected areas upon The House voted 224-203 in grounds to honor Our Lady Parents strained to hold the returning to the city. He toured favor of the measure, enough of Perpetual Help in early building’s glass doors closed as the Hilltop section of Mount for both sides in the debate to September. Thousands are the structure was buffeted by Oliver last Saturday. hail it as a victory. Those who expected to make the pil­ high winds, torrential rain and Later that evening he met wanted to see its passage were grimage. large hail. parishioners at the St. John glad that it made it to a House See page 7. St. Stephen was one of at Vianney Parish festival held at vote, for the first time in 27 least three parishes damaged the St. George worship site in years. Educational endeavor: Di­ by the June 2 storms. South Pittsburgh. The parish’s Opponents called the mea­ vine Providence Sister Rob­ A collection was taken up St. Henry site was damaged sure unnecessary and divisive, erta Bradley has been cho­ throughout the diocese last during the storm. On Monday saying religious freedom is sen as principal for the weekend to help those affected he toured damaged areas in already protected by the new Cardinal Wright by the storm. The diocesan Mount Washington. Constitution. Regional School. Enroll­ Secretariat for Social Concerns “We need to thank God that But supporters of the 10- ment is already brisk for its and Catholic Charities are no one was seriously injured in line amendment argued that it maiden 1998-99 term. assisting local pastors in all of this,” he said. He spoke of would counter more than 30 See page 2. responding to the needs of saying a prayer of thanksgiving years of U.S. Supreme Court their people. with an elderly couple in the decisions that barred or dis­ The diaconate: Bishop “It’s a major disaster,” said yard of their home, which had couraged religious expression Donald Wuerl writes about Sister of St. Joseph Patricia been heavily damaged. in public places based on the First Amendment’s separation the role of deacons in the Cairns, executive director of The Mount Washington visit Photo by Douglas Kaup of church and state. church today and their ori­ Catholic Charities. “We wanted had an added significance for Light shines through the damaged section of roof of St. Henry In part the amendment gins during a time “when to do anything we could to Bishop Wuerl, because he grew Church on Arlington Avenue, a worship site of St. John Vianney. says, “Neither the United the infant church needed assist those who are suffering.” See parishes on page 2 States nor any state shall an expanded ministry.” establish any official religion, See page 4. but the people's right to pray and recognize their religious Making the grade: Auberle, Reno won’t prosecute doctors beliefs, heritage or traditions a residence for youth in on public property, including McKeesport, is rightly schools, shall not be proud of its 15 graduating Assisted suicide decision called abdication infringed.” seniors, its largest class U.S. Rep. Ernest lstook Jr., ever. people from morally and used to assist suicides. R-Okla., the amendment’s See page 11. WASHINGTON (CNS) — An official from the U.S. Catholic deadly harm.” legally respon­ “An appropriate legislative sponsor, told reporters after Reno said ‘I call on Congress sible course for remedy should also reaffirm," the House vote that the Amer­ Transubstantiation: The bishops’ pro-life office called she concluded to reverse this our federal he added, "that relief of pain ican voters would have the word is being used a lot Attorney General Janet Reno’s decision not to prosecute doc­ that the fed­ government to and suffering is a legitimate final word in November when lately in national polls, and tragic decision to tors who participate in eral substance take.” and important use of federally House members seek re- gives Father Charles Bober assisted suicide under abuse act was break down the In her state­ regulated drugs — one that election. He said he will con­ an opportunity to discuss Oregon’s new law an abdica­ meant to pre­ ment, Reno physicians should not hesitate tinue to push for the proposal. the real meaning of the barriers that pro­ tion of responsibility. vent drug traf­ said she found to pursue as they help dying The day before the vote, Eucharist and some not- Reno said June 5 that the ficking and tect vulnerable no evidence patients to live their last days Christian singer and enter­ well-understood facts federal Drug Enforcement abuse, not “to human life...’ that in passing in comfort and dignity.” tainer Carman said he brought about the philosophy of St.