Oct. 25, 2009, East Tennessee Catholic

CNS/M. CRUPI, CATHOLIC COURIER

Exchanging lifelong vows Lisa Coia and Alan Bubel exchange vows during their wedding Mass in 2008 at Our Mother of Sorrows Church in Greece, N.Y. During their upcoming meeting, the U.S. bishops will vote on a major pastoral letter on the subject of marriage. page 8

THE EAST TENNESSEE

Volume 19 • Number 4 • October 25, 2009

The

N E W S PA P E R

of the D I O C E S E of K N O X V I L L E www.d ioces eof kn ox ville.or g

WASHINGTON (CNS)—Echoing an earlier letter to members of Congress from three bishops, officials of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops expressed disappointment Oct. 14 that the Senate Finance Committee passed its version of health-reform legislation without resolving problems related to abortion funding, conscience rights, affordability, and legal immigrants.

The health-reform plan proposed by Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., called America’s Healthy Future Act of 2009, passed the Finance Committee on Oct. 13 in a 14-9 vote, becoming the fifth version to be approved by a congressional committee this year.

The USCCB officials repeated the bishops’ statement in an Oct. 8 letter that they would be forced to oppose the final health-carereform bill if it does not resolve problems in several key areas.

Specifically, they all said the final plan must include policies Health care continued on page 2

Please pray for our priests Dear Lord: We pray that the Blessed Mother will wrap her mantle around your priests and through her intercession strengthen them for their ministry.

We pray that Mary will guide your priests to follow her own words, “Do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5).

May your priests have the heart of St. Joseph, Mary’s most chaste spouse.

May the Blessed Mother’s own pierced heart inspire them to embrace all who suffer at the foot of the cross.

May your priests be holy and filled with the fire of your love, seeking nothing but your greater glory and the salvation of souls.

Amen.

St. John Vianney, pray for us. ■ Download prayers and a rosary booklet: bit.ly/priestprayers.

The archbishop dedicates the new Knoxville home of the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Mich. By Dan McWilliams ardinal Justin F. Rigali of Philadelphia said he hoped the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Mich., remembered one sentence from the letter to the Hebrews as he dedicated their Convent of St. Justin in West Knoxville on Oct. 3.

The verse from Hebrews 13 had been proclaimed moments before, during the ceremony.

“The author of the letter to the Hebrews says—God speaking—‘I will never forsake you or abandon you.’ The dedication of this new convent is certainly an invitation to trust in confidence, always remembering that on the day it was blessed, God said to each one of us, ‘I will never forsake you or abandon you,’” said Cardinal Rigali. “This is going to be a great source of inspiration and trust as the years go by . . . that [the Lord will] continue to support all the sisters who are here and,

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DAN MCWILLIAMS

BY NANCY FRAZIER O’BRIEN

Cardinal Rigali blesses convent

Convent superior Sister Mary Christine Cremin displays a Marian triptych presented

by Bishop Richard F. Stika on behalf of the diocese. The bishop and Cardinal Justin F. Rigali each announced a gift for the sisters at the dedication of the Convent of St. Justin in West Knoxville on Oct. 3. The cardinal promised the sisters—and later sent—an image of St. Justin created by papal artist and sculptor Lello Scorzelli.

GIFT FROM THE DIOCESE

please God, will be here for many years.

“His words now and then will be: ‘I will never forsake you or abandon you.’ That corresponds also in a very special way to the bishop’s motto: ‘Jesus, I trust in you.’”

Sixteen sisters attended a Mass at the Chancery, celebrated

by Bishop Richard F. Stika, and the dedication. They included three of the four who will serve in the Diocese of Knoxville: Sister Mary Christine

Cremin, the convent superior, Sister Mary Sarah Macht, and Sister Maria Lin Pacold.

Several novices and postulants were among the 16. The postulants entered the order Sept. 8, the Knoxville Diocese’s

21st birthday.

Most of the sisters present had traveled by van—with two dogs—from their convent in Alma.

They attended Mass at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Convent continued on page 3

Knoxville natives named monsignors in Memphis First cousins Monsignor Albert Kirk and Monsignor Thomas Kirk receive the papal honor along with several of their brother priests in West Tennessee.

BY DAN MCWI LLIAMS

a priest receives a W hen particular papal honor and calls a family member to say, “Guess what? I’ve been elevated to monsi-

gnor,” the reply will almost never be, “So have I.” The conversation may have been different, but that was the exact situation with Knoxville natives and

first cousins Monsignor Albert Kirk and Monsignor Thomas Kirk, both longtime priests of the Diocese of Memphis.

The two Knoxville

GENE MANGIANTE, MANGIANTE PHOTOGRAPHY LLC

USCCB officials say problems remain in healthcare-reform bill

BISHOP AND MONSIGNORI Memphis Bishop J. Terry Steib, SVD, stands with (from left) Monsignors J. Edwin Creary, Thomas Kirk, Peter Buchignani, Victor Ciaramitaro, John McArthur, Albert Kirk, and Valentine Handwerker at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception following the Sept. 8 solemn Vespers in which the new monsignors were honored with papal diplomas from Pope Benedict XVI. A monsignor since 1988, Monsignor Buchignani was named a protonotary apostolic, the highest honor a priest can receive.

Catholic High School graduates were among six clergy to receive the honor in August. They received their monsignor “diplomas” from Bishop J. Terry Steib, SVD, on Sept. 8 during Vespers at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Memphis.

“It was a very beautiful ceremony. The church was packed,” said Monsignor Thomas. “Bishop Steib preached very powerfully on priesthood and the church, and then each one of us was given a plaque.”

Monsignor Albert said it was “wonderful” that he and his cousin received the honor together.

“We are very close, and we have worked together on a lot of things,” he said.

“We often get mixed up around the diocese. People will meet me and talk about something that I’ve done, when they mean Thomas, and vice versa. It would have not have been the same if both of us had not received it.”

The only two priests of the Diocese of Knoxville to Kirks continued on page 3

letters to the

EDITOR

Parents key to fostering religious vocations

Reading the Oct. 11 article “Vocation directors discuss ways to foster priestly vocations” on our diocesan website (an advantage of electronic media—reading news before it happens!), I saw nothing about the influence of home and parents. This is something my parish of St. Jude is making an important part of our vocation-promotion effort.

Helping in my parish’s project gave me reason to read the lives of some famous sainted priests.

It was fascinating to see how these saints were formed as children into the holy men they became as adults.

Take Blessed Pope John XXIII as an example from our time. Please find a copy of his book Journal of a Soul (Image Books, 1999) and read in his own words how a poor family helped God’s graces bring a vocation to life and give us this pope, certainly the most loved in recent times.

You must know that today in our diocese there are hundreds of boys and girls who might become a religious brother, sister, or priest, and it is certain that there are saints among these children. Parents must prepare the soil in which the Holy Spirit may plant the seed of a vocation. We may not rely solely on our pastors, teachers, or bishop: their finest work and best efforts will not produce the full fruit of vocations unless parents actively work alongside them to open the minds and hearts of children to the wonderful power of a religious vocation.

If your child becomes another St. Vincent DePaul, Blessed Pope John XXIII, St. John Bosco, or St. Theresa of the Child Jesus—or an ordinary, quiet, hard-working parish priest, sister, or missionary—think about the welcome you will find in —Bill Laudeman Chattanooga heaven! ■ We welcome letters to the editor and carefully consider all submissions. Letters should be 350 words or less and will be edited for grammar, style, clarity, and length. Submit them by e-mail, mail, or fax: mary@dioceseofknoxville.org, P.O. Box 11127, Knoxville, TN 37939-1127, 865-5848124. Letters to the editor reflect the opinions of their authors and not those of the editorial staff or the publisher.

Faith-formation classes continue he 2009 series of adult faith-formation classes began in February, with additional classes scheduled throughout the year and in locations around the diocese. The adult faith-formation program is one of the educational initiatives funded through the Growing in Faith Together capital-stewardship campaign. Classes are offered at no charge to adults in the diocese. All sessions begin at 7 p.m. and end at 9.

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Personal Morality, taught by Father Michael Sweeney. Explores the foundations of how we are to live as Catholics. The class will examine the concepts of human dignity, freedom, law, sin, virtue, and conscience as well as current moral issues.

■ Tuesday, Oct. 27 (new date), Sts. Peter & Paul Church, Chattanooga The Sacraments, taught by Amy Roberts. Explores the foundations of what we celebrate as Catholics. The class will examine how we encounter the living Christ through each of the church’s seven sacraments.

■ Tuesday, Nov. 10, St. Dominic Church, Kingsport What We Believe, taught by Deacon David Lucheon. Explores the foundations of what we profess as Catholics. The class will examine the principal truths of the faith as expressed in the creeds of the church.

■ Tuesday, Nov. 17, Sacred Heart Cathedral Catechetical formation sessions, presented in collaboration with Aquinas College in Nashville, will also be held this fall for catechists, teachers in Catholic schools, ministry leaders, and other interested adults.

Each session takes place on a Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and includes hourlong modules on the Creed, the sacraments, morality, prayer, and methods.

Choose one session: ■ Nov. 7, St. Elizabeth Church, Elizabethton ■ Nov. 14, St. Jude Church, Chattanooga.

To register, visit dioceseofknoxville.org, click Resources/ETC, then click Event registration in the left frame. For further details, contact Father Richard Armstrong at rarmstrong@dioceseof knoxville.org or 865-584-3307. ■

living the

READINGS

BY FATHER JOSEPH BRANDO

An unfair advantage Bartimaeus overcame his obstacles to find the love of Jesus and follow him.

For the last several Sundays, Mark has shown us flaws in those who would wish to follow Jesus. Even the Twelve displayed traits that diminished their status as disciples. It makes one think no human being could be good enough to be worthy of the vocation of following Jesus.

If we have that thought, we’re wrong. At the very end of Jesus’ last journey to Jerusalem, such a man actually appears. Jesus is about to take the road from Jericho to Jerusalem. That’s the 18-mile uphill Roman highway that ends at the Eastern Gate of Jerusalem where the Palm Sunday events began.

As the crowd (many of

whom would soon be waving palms) was beginning the Passover march to Jerusalem, a beggar began crying out, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me.” With these words Bartimaeus got the Lord’s undivided attention.

We have seen how Jesus was keenly aware of what people called him. The Lord had to be impressed by this man’s words. He called him Jesus, recognizing that the Lord came to save. He called him Son of David, indicating he knew he was a king. He asked Jesus to have pity, which showed his recognition that the Lord was compassionate.

Remember when the Pharisee asked Jesus what the greatest commandment was?

The end of that dialogue called us to have compassion.

The blind man saw that Jesus possessed the fullness of compassion. The Lord’s pity proves he is the manifestation

A great multitude Heaven has room enough for everyone.

nce a man asked Jesus whether many people would be saved. Jesus avoided the subject, telling the man he

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should choose the narrow path. Numbers should not influence us to do anything. Still, it is a human trait to want

of the love of God. Bartimaeus also displayed courage by withstanding the crowd’s attempt to quiet him.

When given the opportunity to come to Jesus, he threw away his cloak (Jesus told the disciples whom he was sending out on mission not to bring one) and sprang up. He made no excuses. He did not want Jesus to wait one moment for him. “Immediately, he received his sight and followed him [Jesus] on the way.” He knew he had no time for thinking things over.

Some would say Bartimaeus had an advantage. He was blind. He could get Jesus’ attention better. Or perhaps his blindness prevented him from being distracted by the frills of this life. But most people who have been reduced to begging believe instead that life has been unfair to them. We all have obstacles to grace. Bartimaeus was the perfect disciple because he overcame his. ■ Oct. 25, 30th Sunday in ordinary time Jeremiah 31:7-9 Psalm 126:1-6 Hebrews 5:1-6 Mark 10:46-52

to know whether we are alone on an issue or the crowd is on our side. So for those who like to meditate on heaven, today’s Scriptures give us some raw material.

The Book of Revelation, today’s first reading, gives us two

pictures of eternity.

The first is the vision of the heavenly IsReadings continued on page 7

Nov. 1, Solemnity of All Saints Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14 Psalm 24:1-6 1 John 3:1-3 Matthew 5:1-12

W E E KDAY RE ADINGS Monday, Oct. 26: Romans 8:12-17; Psalm 68:2, 4, 6-7, 20-21; Luke 13:10-17 Tuesday, Oct. 27: Romans 8:18-25; Psalm 126:1-6; Luke 13:18-21 Wednesday, Oct. 28: Feast, Simon and Jude, apostles, Ephesians 2:1922; Psalm 19:2-5; Luke 6:12-16 Thursday, Oct. 29: Romans 8:3139; Psalm 109:21-22, 26-27, 30-31; Luke 13:31-35

Friday, Oct. 30: Romans 9:1-5; Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20; Luke 14:1-6 Saturday, Oct. 31: Romans 11:1-2, 11-12, 25-29; Psalm 94:12-15, 1718; Luke 14:1, 7-11 Monday, Nov. 2: Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls), suggested: Wisdom 3:1-9; Psalm 23:1-6; Romans 5:5-11; John 6:37-40 Tuesday, Nov. 3: Romans 12:5-16; Psalm 131:1-3; Luke 14:15-24

Wednesday, Nov. 4: Memorial, Charles Borromeo, bishop, Romans 13:8-10; Psalm 112:1-2, 4-5, 9; Luke 14:25-33 Thursday, Nov. 5: Romans 14:7-12; Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14; Luke 15:1-10 Friday, Nov. 6: Romans 15:14-21; Psalm 98:1-4; Luke 16:1-8 Saturday, Nov. 7: Romans 16:3-9, 16, 22-27; Psalm 145:2-5, 10-11; Luke 16:9-15 ■

and if the provisions are not fixed, the bishops have been clear that they will have no choice but to oppose a final bill,” she added.

“The stated purpose of pursuing health-care reform was to provide those without healthcare coverage access to quality and affordable health care,” Saile said. “There is real doubt this bill will achieve that goal.”

Kevin Appleby, USCCB director of migration and refugee policy, said the Baucus bill also “falls well short” of the stated goal of health reform to “reduce significantly the number of uninsured.”

“As passed out of the Finance Committee, millions of legal immigrants and their families would be left outside the system, dependent on emergency rooms for their primary care,” he added.

Richard Doerflinger, associate

director of the USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, said none of the committee-passed health-reform plans “is consistent with long-standing and widely supported federal policies on abortion and conscience rights.”

“Contrary to recent misleading comments from some sources, this [Baucus bill] and other health-care-reform bills appropriate their own funds outside the scope of the annual Labor/HHS appropriations bills and so are not covered by the Hyde amendment, which prevents those bills from funding abortion coverage,” he added. “This legislation needs its own provision against such funding.”

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said at press briefings Oct. 7 and 9 that “there’s a law that precludes

Health care continued from page 1

against abortion funding and in support of conscience rights, make health care “affordable and available to the poor and vulnerable,” and meet the needs of legal immigrants and their families.

The letter was signed by Bishop William F. Murphy of Rockville Centre, N.Y., Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia, and Bishop John C. Wester of Salt Lake City, who chair the USCCB committees on Domestic Justice and Human Development, Pro-Life Activities, and Migration, respectively.

Kathy Saile, director of the USCCB Office of Domestic Social Development, said after the committee vote that she remained hopeful that “problematic provisions” in the various health-reform proposals, particularly the Baucus bill, “can be worked out.”

“But time is running short

Bishop Richard F. Stika Publisher Mary C. Weaver Editor Dan McWilliams Assistant editor

THE EAST TENNESSEE

805 Northshore Drive S.W.

Health care continued on page 8

Margaret Hunt Administrative assistant Toni Pacitti Intern

Knoxville, TN 37919-7551

The East Tennessee Catholic (USPS 007211) is published twice monthly by the Catholic Diocese of Knoxville, 805 Northshore Drive S.W., Knoxville, TN 37919-7551. Periodicals-class postage paid at Knoxville, Tenn.

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Phone: 865-584-3307 • fax: 865-584-8124 • e-mail: webmaster@dioceseofknoxville.org • web: dioceseofknoxville.org The East Tennessee Catholic is mailed to all registered Catholic families in East Tennessee. Subscription rate for others is $15 a year in the United States. Make checks payable to the Diocese of Knoxville.

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OCTOBER 25, 2009

www.dioceseofk noxville.org

THE E A S T TE NNE S SE E CATHOL I C

Bishops soon to conclude work on English translation of Roman Missal WASHINGTON, D.C.—Six years of intense work on the English translation of the third edition of the Roman Missal are drawing to an end, with five action items set to be voted on by the U.S. Catholic bishops at their meeting in Baltimore from Nov. 16 through 19.

Divine worship items include votes on ICEL (International Committee for English in the Liturgy) “gray book” (final draft) translations of the proper of saints, the commons, and the Roman Missal Supplement as well as U.S. propers and U.S. adaptations to the Roman Missal. Approval of these items requires the positive vote of two-thirds of the Latin Church members of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and subsequent confirmation by the Holy See. The proper of saints is the collection of specific prayers provided for each saint included in the universal liturgical calendar. The commons is a collection of general prayers provided for celebrating other saints listed in the Roman martyrology who are not included in the universal liturgical calendar.

ICEL began translation work on the new Missale Romanum in 2002. The first drafts, or “green books,” arrived at the bishops’ conferences of the English-speaking countries in 2004, and an extensive process of consultation was begun. The USCCB Committee on Divine Wor-

ship (formerly the bishops’ Committee on the Liturgy) worked on the revision of translations and inclusion of items proper to the United States, which are not included in the Latin text.

“These five items will conclude the work of the U.S. bishops on the Roman Missal,” said Monsignor Anthony Sherman, executive director of the USCCB Office of Divine Worship. “We now wait for final approval from the Holy See before the new English text can begin to be used in parishes across the United States.

“A process of catechesis follows now so that everyone is ready to move along when we get the final text from the Vatican. Pastors and faithful alike can find excellent catechetical materials posted on our webpage” (www.usccb.org/ romanmissal/).

Regarding the translations of the Proper of Saints, the Commons, and the Roman Missal Supplement, Monsignor Sherman noted that ICEL has addressed many of the concerns highlighted during the green book consultation and that word order and vocabulary have been improved in some cases to clarify some complex orations.

U.S. adaptations to the Roman Missal include a number of items that are included in the current Sacramentary but must be presented again with the new text. They consist mostly of changes to rubrics (instructions to the presider,

which usually appear in red) for Lent, Good Friday, the Easter Vigil, and Easter Day. The adaptations also recommend for inclusion the rites of Blessings of oils and consecrating the chrism at the chrism Mass—currently contained in the Sacramentary— and a series of texts currently in the Sacramentary Supplement (2004) that would otherwise be lost, as the supplement will become obsolete with the publication of the third edition of the Roman Missal.

The final text of the third edition of the Roman Missal for U.S. dioceses must include orations and formularies for the feasts, memorials, and commemorations from the proper calendar for the United States. These come from a number of sources. Prayers and translations (when English was not the original source) have been revised in accordance to the principles of Liturgiam Authenticam and in some cases modified, as with prayers for use on Independence Day and Thanksgiving Day. Consultation on the five final liturgical items was sent to bishops immediately after the administrative committee meeting in September.

Modifications will be reviewed by the Committee on Divine Worship in late October, and final drafts will be presented to the body of bishops in November. ■ Copyright 2009 USCCB

Convent continued from page 1

Lenoir City the following morning (see story, page 4) and returned to Michigan on Oct. 5.

The fourth sister who will live in the convent is Sister Mary Timothea Elliott, who will direct the new diocesan Christian Formation Office. She is currently teaching at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver. (More details on the four sisters appeared in the Oct. 11 ETC.) The Mass, which included several Marian prayers and chants, also provided a rare opportunity for Bishop Stika, a longtime friend of Cardinal Rigali.

“This is the first time in my short life as a bishop that I’ve ever had a cardinal concelebrating with me,” he said.

Diocesan moderator of the curia Father David Boettner and vicar general Monsignor Xavier Mankel also concelebrated. Deacon Sean Smith, the diocesan

chancellor, assisted.

After Cardinal Rigali blessed the convent, the bishop presented a Marian triptych as a gift from the diocese to the sisters. Sister Mary Christine did the honors in opening the package.

The cardinal said he would send a gift— one he didn’t want to take through airport security—created by papal artist and sculptor Lello Scorzelli.

“He did an image of St. Justin for me by hand, and it’s very beautiful,” said Cardinal Rigali. “He’s quite an artist and sculptor.

It’s signed and made out to me. I was planning to bring that, so I’m sending it and I hope you find a place for it.”

The image now hangs on the wall in the convent’s chapel.

Also during the dedication Bishop Stika revealed the back story to the sisters’ arrival in East Tennessee, which arose out of his recent health scare. Su-

perior General Mother Mary Quentin Sheridan had offered the services of her sisters, who include a registered nurse in Sister Mary Sarah and a doctor in Sister Maria Lin, to take care of the bishop.

“You know what Mother Mary Quentin said to me? I talked to her on the day I was still kind of delirious,” said the bishop. “She said she wanted to send sisters, and I said, ‘That’s not necessary.

I’ll be fine.’ She said, ‘If you don’t accept the sisters, I’m going to come down there and kick you in the butt.’ If you know Mother, you would agree that she’d probably say that.’”

Bishop Stika subsequently invited the sisters to serve in the diocese.

The cardinal has known the Alma sisters for many years.

“We thank the sisters who made this all possible by your willingness to come, and we’re very grate-

ful to Mother Mary Quentin for her genius in orchestrating this generosity,” he said.

All Saints parishioner Lucy Hughes; Deacon Smith’s wife, Melissa; and some 15 others from various parishes helped prepare the convent—in just a few days—for the sisters’ arrival.

“The bishop asked Mrs. Smith and me to organize and get the convent ready quickly for the sisters because they would be coming soon,” said Mrs. Hughes. “I can say I have felt the presence of God through this whole process.

“So many people came, and everything the sisters needed was provided for. People got the yard in complete order. Everything that needed to be done was done within a week’s time.”

Mrs. Hughes also enjoyed meeting the sisters and added that they would be “an amazing blessing to this diocese.” ■

Kirks continued from page 1

receive the same honor— Monsignor Xavier Mankel and Monsignor Philip Thoni—attended the Vespers service.

They were among 13 East Tennessee Catholics who received papal awards in 2006.

“We were very honored that the both of them came for the installation,” said Monsignor Albert.

Monsignor Mankel’s mother, Willia, came into the Catholic Church in 1942. Her godmother was Anna Mae Kirk, the mother of Monsignor Thomas and yet another priestly Kirk, Father John Kirk of the Diocese of NashTHE E A S T TE NNE S S E E CATHOLIC

ville. Monsignor Mankel, pastor of Holy Ghost in Knoxville, has known the Kirk cousins since their infancy.

“I taught Monsignor Al’s sister, Carol, at Knoxville Catholic the first or second year I was ordained, and Monsignor Tom Kirk’s sister, Ann, was the school secretary when I first went there,” he said.

“So family-wise and professionally, in every way, we’ve been just like family.”

Both Kirks are pastors, Monsignor Albert of Holy Spirit Parish in Memphis and Monsignor Thomas of St.

Mary in Jackson.

The priests still have family in Knoxville. Monsignor Albert’s father, Albert Sr., is one of the oldest parishioners of Holy Ghost at 99 years old.

“He wasn’t able to attend the ceremony. My sister, Carol Holden, and her husband, Eddie, were able to come,” said Monsignor Albert.

Monsignor Albert spent most of his boyhood in Holy Ghost Parish. Monsignor Thomas attended Immaculate Conception in downtown Knoxville as a boy, and his family later switched to Sa-

pastoral

CHANGES

Bishop gives two priests new parish assignments ishop Richard F. Stika announced two changes in priestly assignments in October. In an Oct. 12 memo he indicated that Father Bill McNeeley will begin as assisting priest for St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Townsend on Oct. 31.

In addition, he will make regular pastoral visits to Knoxville-area nursing homes and celebrate Mass for residents. Father McNeeley has served as a ministerial assistant to the curia, working at the Chancery, since April 21.

On Oct. 19 the bishop announced that Father Tom O’Connell, the pastor of Holy Family Parish in Seymour, would be retiring from full-time ministry. Father O’Connell was scheduled for surgery on Oct. 19, and the bishop asked for prayers for a successful outcome and speedy recovery.

Bishop Stika appointed Father Ragan Schriver as pastor of Holy Family as of Oct. 18. Father Schriver is also the executive director of Catholic Charities of East Tennessee Inc. ■

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BISHOP STIKA’ S SCHE DULE These are some of Bishop Stika’s appointments: Oct. 24: 5:30 p.m., Mass and reception with Knights of Columbus, St. Stephen Church, Chattanooga Oct. 25: 11 a.m., Mass and parish picnic, St. Stephen Church, Chattanooga Oct. 27: 5 p.m., social with priests who have been given new assignments, bishop’s residence Oct. 30: 10 a.m., groundbreaking for building addition, Notre Dame Church, Greeneville Oct. 31: investiture in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, Baltimore, Md. Nov. 5: tour of East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, Knoxville Nov. 7: 10 a.m., Mass and meeting with deacons and wives, St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Lenoir City Nov. 8: 9 a.m., installation of Father Patrick Resen as pastor, St. Catherine Labouré Church, Copperhill; 5 p.m., dinner, Catholic Foundation of East Tennessee, Fox Den Country Club, Knoxville ■

Want to try online delivery? he East Tennessee Catholic is now offering online delivery for those who would prefer to read a digital copy and to discontinue the print edition. If you would rather read the ETC online, visit snipr.com/onlineETC to sign up. If you decide online delivery isn’t for you, you can return to a print subscription at any time. If you have questions, e-mail mary@dioceseofknoxville.org. ■

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Take note of ETC deadlines e welcome submissions about parish and community events. Send notices by e-mail (mary@dioceseofknoxville.org), fax (865584-8124), or mail (P.O. Box 11127, Knoxville, TN 37939). To make sure we receive information about upcoming events in time for publication, please submit it by the following deadlines: ■ Monday, Oct. 26, for the Nov. 8 issue ■ Monday, Nov. 9, for the Nov. 22 issue ■ Monday, Nov. 23, for the Dec. 6 issue ■ Monday, Dec. 7, for the Dec. 20 issue.

When submitting photos or information about past events, please keep in mind that we have a backlog of submissions. ■

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Child-protection training sessions he Diocese of Knoxville’s program for the protection of children and youth is based on training developed by Virtus and is offered regularly throughout the diocese. A three-hour seminar for adults, “Protecting God’s Children,” is required for parish and school employees and regular volunteers in contact with children or vulner-

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able adults and is recommended for parents and grandparents.

The following training sessions have been scheduled: ■ St. Jude School, Chattanooga, 6 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 29 (session will be held in the library) ■ All Saints Church, Knoxville, 1 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 12.

To register, visit virtusonline.org. ■

Diocese of Knoxville procedure for reporting sexual abuse Anyone who has actual knowledge of or who has reasonable cause to suspect an incident of sexual abuse should report such information to the appropriate civil authorities first, then to the bishop’s office, 865-584-3307, or the diocesan victims’ assistance coordinator, Marla Lenihan, 865-482-1388.

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www.dioceseofk noxville.org

OCTOBER 25, 2009

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BY DAN MCWILLIAMS AND MARGARET HUNT

OLPH, Chattanooga ■ Our Lady of Perpetual Help School eighth-graders went on a class retreat Oct. 14 through 16.

■ OLPH School will have a brat booth at the Oktoberfest at the Chattanooga Market on Sunday, Oct. 25. The Chattanooga Market is in the First Tennessee Pavilion next to Finley Stadium.

St. Jude, Chattanooga ■ A Halloween family-movie event, which will include a costume contest, will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, in Siener Hall. Virtus-trained chaperones are needed. Call Alicia at 423-870-8002 for more information.

■ Father Charlie Burton will lead a Bible study on the apostles in Scripture, beginning at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 16, at the church.

St. Stephen, Chattanooga ■ Father Gilbert Diaz’s fall book club begins at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26, and will meet every Monday for six weeks.

The St. Stephen pastor will discuss The Shack (Windblown Media, 2007)

by William P. Young. Limited to 15 participants. Call the parish at 423-8921261 to register.

Cumberland Mountain Deanery

All Saints, Knoxville ■ The parish will celebrate 40 hours’ devotion, which offers an opportunity for a deeper devotion to the Eucharist and a time of reflection on faithfully living the Christian life. It will begin with Mass at 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30. Eucharistic adoration will continue through the weekend and conclude on the feast of All Saints on Sunday, Nov. 1. A reception will follow the 11:45 a.m.

Mass. To learn more or sign up for an hour of prayer, contact Nancy at 865675-6846 or quayles@tds.net.

St. Alphonsus, Crossville ■ Parishioners recently visited Cam

and Ken Frost, who relocated to Mount Juliet from St. Alphonsus. Father Jim Harvey, Deacon Joe and Millie Solis, Rich and Sandy Gadwell, Janice Moore, and Charlie Spadaro made the trip.

St. Francis of Assisi, Fairfield Glade ■ The social-life committee invites parishioners to a harvest celebration dinner Sunday, Nov. 1. Social time will begin at 1:30 p.m., with a potluck dinner to follow at 2 in Sheehan Hall. Sign up after Mass on Oct. 24; space is limited. Bring a nonperishable food for the pantry at St. Alphonsus.

■ The parish has begun its fall food drive for St. Alphonsus Community Services. Place food in the receptacles in the lobby or the social hall.

SACS provided assistance to 365 families and gave food for 2,547 meals in September.

■ Parishioner Barb LeClair was recently inducted as a novice into the Oblates of St. Benedictine. Another parishioner, Betty Puhl, is already a member of the order.

■ The Council of Catholic Women will take a bus trip to Nashville on Nov. 11. They will visit St. Mary Church, the Cathedral of the Incarnation, and the convent of the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation. Lunch will be at Maggiano’s.

■ Anniversaries: Robert and Jacqueline Yoesting (51), Ed and JoAnn Hedbawny (30)

St. John Neumann, Farragut ■ The St. Vincent de Paul Society will hand out food bags for the Ladies of Charity this month as part of the society’s fall food drive.

St. Mary, Oak Ridge ■ The Women of Courage group in-

vites men and women of the parish to hear Sister Andrea Marie, OP, principal of St. Mary School, speak on the topic “Growing in Prayer” from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, in the youth building. RSVP to the ministry center by Friday, Oct. 23, or to Margaret Merrill at 865-766-8388.

St. Therese, Clinton ■ Parishioners are selling tickets to

the Belk stores’ fall charity sale being held from 6 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7. Tickets are $5, and proceeds benefit the religious-education program. Buy tickets after weekend Masses or at the church office.

4

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OCTOBER 25, 2009

■ The Harvest Party Dance will be

held after the 5 p.m. Mass on Saturday, Nov. 7. Chili and hot dogs will be provided; bring finger foods. Activities for all ages are planned.

St. Thomas the Apostle, Lenoir City ■ A two-hour seminar on end-of-life issues will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, in the Deacon José Rivera Room. Deacon Sean Smith, diocesan chancellor; Richard W. Buhrman, an estate attorney with the Chattanooga firm of Buhrman, Maddux & Buhrman; and Jeff Thode, senior vice president and investment adviser at Wachovia, will address Catholic teachings and Tennessee law. All parishioners are invited, and husbands and wives should attend together, if possible. Limited to 50 participants. Call Lupe Cortes in the parish office at 865-986-9885 to register. For more information, call Jim O’Brien at 988-3497 or jim_obrien@bellsouth.net.

■ Sign-ups have started for the Christmas giving tree. Call Ken or Kitty Jansen at 865-408-9851.

Five Rivers Deanery

Holy Trinity, Jefferson City ■ The parish is collecting clean un-

used coats, hats, mittens, scarves, and blankets for Appalachian Outreach’s sixth annual Coats for the Cold project. Drop items off in the box in the narthex between Saturday, Oct. 24, and Sunday, Nov. 1.

■ The Council of Catholic Women needs wide-mouth one-quart canning jars, with or without lids, for its Christmas project.

■ The Dandridge Food Pantry needs volunteers on fourth Fridays. To help, call parishioner Ken Booker at 865475-4326.

■ Newcomers: James and Carolyn Culpepper; Joseph and Melissa Greenwald and children Chason, Clay, and Kyle; John Phillips; John Vigliano; Ting Ting Lin; Aureliano Rosas and Mariana Aquino and children Abril and Allison; José Piza and Autonia De Aquino and son Kevin

Notre Dame, Greeneville ■ Ground will be broken on the new building addition, which will add space for a narthex and classrooms, on Friday, Oct. 30. Bishop Richard F. Stika will preside. Mass will begin at 10 a.m., with the groundbreaking to follow.

■ The “trunk or treat” family event will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 28.

Activities will include games, a hayride, costume and carved-pumpkin contests, and a haunted house. Call Susan Collins at 423-639-9382 to assist.

■ A baby shower was held to benefit the Hope Center of Greeneville during the August meeting of the Council of Catholic Women. Numerous gifts of baby clothes, baby toiletries, toys, infant furniture, and much-needed diapers of all sizes were gathered by the parish and presented to the center. Sharon Hodgens, director of the center, was the guest speaker, accompanied by Krystal Rhodes, a volunteer with the facility.

DAN MCWILLIAMS (2)

Chattanooga Deanery

NEWLY INSTALLED Father Christian Mathis accepts the applause of the congregation and Deacon Sean Smith (back) at St. Thomas the Apostle Church. With Bishop Stika are diocesan master of ceremonies Father Tony Dickerson and server Freddy Gibson. At right is the new St. Joseph statue dedicated the same day.

Bishop dedicates statue, installs pastor at St. Thomas B Y DA N MCWIL LI A MS

ishop Richard F. Stika dedicated a statue of St. Joseph—to whom he has had a lifelong devotion—and installed Father Christian Mathis as pastor during an Oct. 4 visit to St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Lenoir City.

Sixteen Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Mich., three of whom began serving in the diocese recently, attended the Sunday-morning Mass.

The sisters visiting from Michigan were present at their new Knoxville convent’s dedication the day before (see story, page 1) and returned home Oct. 5.

Father Mathis was named pastor in this year’s pastoral-assignment changes. During the Mass, the bishop

B

erator when Father Mathis—then the associate—was appointed pastor.

“You know how [the statue] wound up in here?” asked Bishop Stika. “In my last visit, as I was walking out, I said to Father David, ‘You see, I love good old church architecture. I like to see statues and stained glass. I like it to feel like church.’

“I said, ‘Father David, I don’t see a statue of St. Joseph.’”

Then the bishop pointed to the statue.

“And there he is,” he said.

Bishop Stika works alongside Father Boettner at the diocesan offices.

“I see his work every day at the Chancery, and I’m grateful for your training,” he said. ■

presented the new pastor to his people.

“My dear friends, because I’ve been aware of your pastoral needs and I’m confident of Father Christian’s qualifications for the office of pastor of this great parish, I now commend Father Christian to you as your new pastor,” said Bishop Stika, after which the congregation applauded.

The St. Joseph statue, which overlooks the choir from a corner of the ceiling, came about because of a conversation the bishop had with former pastor Father David Boettner. Father Boettner, the longtime St. Thomas pastor who had been serving as moderator of the curia for the diocese as well, became full-time mod-

St. Dominic, Kingsport ■ The parish Halloween party will

take place at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, in the parish life center. Menu choices are kielbasa and hot dogs. St. Dominic’s “trunk or treat” will be held during the dinner. Park your Halloween-decorated car in the new parking lot behind the center. Children should wear their costumes. A prize will be awarded for the best-decorated car. Sign up in the vestibule to assist.

COURTESY OF PHYLLIS IDE

NOTES

St. Elizabeth, Elizabethton ■ Volunteers prepared and served

meals for 289 homeless and elderly people Oct. 3 at St. John Episcopal Church as part of the community-wide Food for the Multitude program. The next day for St. Elizabeth parishioners to volunteer for Food for the Multitude is Wednesday, Nov. 4.

■ The Knights of Columbus will host an appreciation breakfast for parishioners after the 9 a.m. Mass on Oct. 25 in the basement of the church.

■ Newcomers: Maggie Leavitt; Curtis Leavitt; Caitlin Robinson; Douglas, Cara, and Brady Ledbetter

St. Patrick, Morristown ■ The youth ministry Fun Fest will be

held Wednesday, Oct. 28. Donations of Parish notes continued on page 5

www.dioceseofk noxville.org

COURTESY OF MAGGIE MAY

parish

St. John Neumann honors parishioner Danny Boyanz, pictured with wife Veronica, was recently given a plaque in appreciation for his dedication and service to the priests and parishioners of St. John Neumann in Farragut. The presentation by pastor Father John Dowling was a complete surprise to Mr. and Mrs. Boyanz.

Virtually every day for the past 13 years, Mr. Boyanz, 87, has set up for Mass and put everything away afterward.

He makes sure there is a reader and a server for daily Mass and checks the doors after everyone leaves. He is also a daily 4 a.m. adorer in the adoration chapel at St. John Neumann.

Shawls, blankets for those in need The Council of Catholic Women’s St. Catherine Guild at Notre Dame Parish in Greeneville incorporates a prayershawl ministry as part of its activities. They knit or crochet prayer shawls of various sizes as well as lap blankets to be given to parishioners or any person in need. At left, women of the ministry display shawls that have been blessed by Notre Dame pastor Father John Appiah. From left are Wendy Hankins, Gail Thompson, Carol Marcello, and Mary Lou Lamb.

THE E A S T TE NNE S S E E CATHOLI C

The diocese’s Ministries Day 2010, themed “Sharing Gifts in Faith,” has been set for Saturday, Jan. 9, at Sacred Heart Cathedral School. The event is open to parents, student youth leaders, youth ministers, RCIA teams, adult educators, liturgy and ministry teams, directors of religious education, catechists, and other interested adults.

Cost is $15 before Dec. 1 and $20 afterward. For more information, visit bit.ly/2t2Iii or contact DREs Kathy DeAngelis of St. Patrick Parish in Morristown at 423-586-4091, 277-6296, or krdeangelis@yahoo.com, or Susan Collins of Notre Dame in Greeneville at 639-9382, 329-9173, or scollins51@ hotmail.com. More details will appear in the next ETC. Dr. Rod Briggs, a high-risk maternalfetal medicine specialist, will lead a discussion themed “Abortion: Truth, Myth, and Morality” from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26, in the Shea Room at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Call Lisa Morris at 865-567-1245 for more information.

A Knoxville Catholic High School admissions information meeting will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, in the KCHS gym. Anyone interested in applying for admission to KCHS is encouraged to attend. General information will be presented, and application materials will be provided.

School administrators, department chairs, and coaches will be available to answer questions after the meeting.

For more information, contact Barrie Smith, dean of admissions, at 865-5600502 or bsmith@knoxvillecatholic.com.

The University of Notre Dame Alumni Club of Chattanooga and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga psychology department are cosponsoring a presentation by Dr. Charles Crowell titled “10 Best Practices of Employee Care” at 12:15 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, in the UTC University Center auditorium. Dr. Crowell is associate professor of psychology at Notre Dame. Call Dr. Brian O’Leary at 423425-4283 for details.

The Knoxville Interfaith Network, which includes Immaculate Conception and other local congregations, will hold its fifth annual KIN in Concert event at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, at Middlebrook Pike United Methodist Church. IC parishioners Mark Reda, on the dulcimer, and guitarist-singer Nancy Brennan Strange will be among the performers.

Immaculate Conception Church in Knoxville will debut a Sunday afternoon concert series at 2 p.m. Nov. 15, in the parish hall. The Knoxville Brassworx Co., a quintet, will be featured in the first concert. New IC director of music ministry Karl Jacob will play the organ along with the quintet during the program. Admission is free. For more information, contact IC at 865-5221508 or icoffice@bellsouth.net.

The Diocesan Discernment Program for 2009-10 for men considering a priestly vocation will offer a day of reflection from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Chancery office in Knoxville. The topic will be prayer and discernment. Upcoming days of reflection are set for Nov. 14, on celibacy and chastity, and Dec. 12, on the life of a diocesan priest, both at 10 a.m. at the Chancery. For more information, contact Father Michael Cummins at the Catholic Center at East Tennessee State University at 423-926-7061 or etsucatholiccenter@yahoo.com.

The last walk-around rosary of the month at the Virgin of the Poor Shrine in New Hope, near South Pittsburg, is set for 2 p.m. CDT on Sunday, Oct. 25. To request directions or schedule picnics, reunions, or other events at the shrine, call Father Mark Scholz at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in South Pittsburg at 423-837-7068.

St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Lenoir City will host a retreat for men and women from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, led by Paula D’Arcy. The psychotherapist, writer, and spiritual director will speak on “Seeing the Second Half of Life Through New Eyes,” sharing reflecTHE E A S T TE NNE S S E E CATHOLI C

Annual toy collection for Crazy Quilt center under way

BY DAN MCWILLIAMS AND MARGARET HUNT

oly Ghost Parish in Knoxville is asking for donations of toys for an annual collection benefiting the Crazy Quilt Friendship Center, a ministry of Catholic Charities of East Tennessee.

Crazy Quilt provides food and offers a number of services to lowincome families in Newcomb, which is near Jellico in northern

Campbell County.

New and good-condition used toys are needed, especially toys for boys and girls ages 10 through 12. Toys may be dropped off at the Holy Ghost Church rectory or St. Joseph School in Knoxville.

The deadline is Friday, Dec. 4.

For more information, call Merilee Kerwin at 865-297-2558. ■

tions, lessons, and knowledge to aid those seeking to more fully experience their spiritual journey. Tickets are $30 and include retreat materials and lunch. To order tickets by mail, make checks payable to the St. Thomas Women’s Guild and include an SASE. Mail payments to Jan Joyce, 517 Dudala Circle, Loudon, TN 37774. Call Mrs. Joyce at 865-458-4550.

H

St. Alphonsus Parish in Crossville will hold its Holiday Happenings craft fair and bake sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

(CST) on Friday, Nov. 13, and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, in the parish life center. Items for sale include ornaments, jewelry, hand-painted items, wood crafts, and leather goods. Santa Claus will appear from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday. Lunch will be served both days by the Council of Catholic Women.

Kenrick dean visiting Glade to speak on end-of-life issues ather Edward Richard, a lawyer and medical ethicist who is the dean of Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, will present two talks on end-of-

F

life issues after the 8 a.m. (CDT) Mass on Saturday, Oct. 31, at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Fairfield Glade.

The first presentation is set for 9 to

10 a.m. and the second for 10:30 to 11:30, with a coffee break between.

Those interested in attending should call the parish office at 931-484-3628. ■

Good Shepherd Parish in Newport will hold its first holiday bazaar from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, in the parish hall. Featured items will include Thanksgiving and Christmas wreaths, crafts, knitted and crocheted items, baked goods, prizes, and refreshments. For more information, call the church at 423-623-5051.

Rachel’s Vineyard is a retreat for those suffering because of abortion.

The next area retreat is set for the weekend of Oct. 30 through Nov. 1 in Maggie Valley, N.C. For more information, contact Shelley at 828-670-8192, 230-4940, or sglan1234@aol.com. A retreat is also scheduled for the weekend of Nov. 6 through 8 at a retreat house in the Cherokee National Forest.

Contact Sandi at 865-694-4971 or sandi@ccetn.org or Catherine at 6944971 or Peace4Lilith@aol.com. The Sisters of Mercy convent at 2629 Pennington Bend Road in Nashville is the site of a retreat on the weekend of Nov. 20 through 22. Visit www.hope afterabortiontn.com, call Phil Trevathan at 615-525-8239, or e-mail info@hope afterabortiontn.com for details. For a listing of retreat dates and locations and other information on the ministry, visit www.rachelsvineyard.org or call 877-hope-4-me. Confidentiality is honored at all times.

Cherokee Country Club in Knoxville is sponsoring a golf tournament to benefit Catholic Charities. The tourney will begin with a shotgun start at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 2. Fees include 18 holes of golf, gifts and prizes, brunch from 9 to 10:30 a.m. in the club’s Grand Ballroom, and beverages.

Entry is limited to the first 25 four-person teams. The format is select-shot.

Contact Mark Moon at mmoon@ cherokeecountryclub.com or Laura Seymour at laura@ccetn.org or visit www.ccetn.org for more information.

The diocesan Office of Marriage Preparation and Enrichment will sponsor “Building a Bridge: Heart to Heart,” a communication workshop for couples, Saturday, Nov. 7, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Chattanooga. The day will begin with Mass at 8 a.m. and end by noon. Licensed professional counselor Judy Magnussen of the Elbow Tree Christian Counseling Center will facilitate. Cost: $20 per couple. Those who attended an engagement-preparation program in 2009 may attend for free. Register by contacting Marian Christiana at 423892-2310 or e-mail mcrhistiana@ dioceseofknoxville.org before Monday, Nov. 2. Baby-sitting will be provided at an additional cost. Register for babysitting by calling Pam at OLPH at 423-622-7232.

A pilgrimage to Fatima and Ireland with Father Patrick Resen of St. Catherine Labouré in Copperhill, departing from New York City, is planned for April 12 through 21, 2010. The cost from New York is $2,899, and the trip is under the auspices of 206 Tours. For more information, contact Dolores Maglione at 865-982-0090 or maglioned@bellsouth.net.

A pilgrimage to Mexico is set for Dec. 9 through 14. Pilgrims will leave Atlanta for Mexico City and visit a 350year-old Jesuit church, tour the Royal Palace, celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe’s feast day Dec. 12 at her Calendar continued on page 6

COURTESY OF GAYLE SCHOENBORN

CALENDAR

Bishop visits Notre Dame for senior Mass, brunch with students Bishop Richard F. Stika visited Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga on Sept. 30 for the annual senior Mass and brunch. The bishop celebrated the Mass with Father Augustine Idra, AJ, the NDHS spiritual director, and joined the students for a brunch sponsored by the parent association. Bishop Stika also took part in an informal discussion with the seniors.

COURTESY OF PATRICE STALEY

on the

Knox seventh-grade team wins season-opening bowl game The Catholic Youth Football seventh-grade Irish team opened its season by defeating the Cedar Bluff–Farragut Optimist Club squad 24-6 in the recent CBFO Admirals Bowl game at Farragut High School. The Catholic team is composed primarily of students from St. Joseph and Sacred Heart Cathedral schools in Knoxville and St. Mary School in Oak Ridge, and most will play for Knoxville Catholic High School in the future.

Scouts receive Light of Christ, Family of God awards everal Scouts received religious-emblem awards in recent presentations around the Knoxville area.

Father Augustine Idra, AJ, presented the Light of Christ award to Ricky Culotta at All Saints Church in Knoxville. Ricky is a son of Rick and Laura Culotta.

John Carter received the Light of Christ award, while twin siblings Shannyn and Jenna Carter were given the Family of God award, at St. Therese Church in Clinton. They are the children of John and Sherry Carter. Father John Orr presided at the Mass.

S

R. J. Wade of Cub Scout Pack 58 and Joshua Boomershine of Pack 500 received Light of Christ awards from Father Marcos Zamora, CSP, at Immaculate Conception Church in Knoxville. Parents Aimee and Ron Wade and Nathan and Jeannie Boomershine joined them.

Father David Boettner presented the Light of Christ award to Jack Barnett at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Lenoir City. Jack’s parents are Scott and Polly Barnett.

George LeCrone Sr., lay chair of the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting, attended each of the ceremonies. ■

Parish notes continued from page 4

wrapped candy are needed and may be left in the parish office or religiouseducation office. “Trunk or treat” and pumpkin-carving contests are planned.

The best-decorated vehicle and the pumpkin with the best design will earn $20 prizes.

Smoky Mountain Deanery

Immaculate Conception, Knoxville ■ The parish has hired Karl Jacob of

Knoxville as its new director of music ministry.

■ The rosary will be prayed at 2 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 1, at Calvary Cemetery in Knoxville, or at the church in case of rain.

■ The Word Players will perform John, His Story, a one-act play, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, at IC.

Our Lady of Fatima, Alcoa ■ The hospitality group is holding a

www.dioceseofk noxville.org

“Celebration of Women” on Tuesday, Nov. 3, in the Fatima Center at the church. National Storytelling Festival performer Bil Lepp will appear. Dinner, featuring Catalina chicken, will be served from 6 to 6:45 p.m. Cost is $20, with proceeds benefiting the Fatima Center. To purchase tickets or obtain more information on the event, call Marie at 865-235-7807 or Dottie at 567-4772.

St. Albert the Great, Knoxville ■ The annual “trunk or treat” event is set for 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31.

Activities include hayrides, a bonfire, and an outdoor movie, It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. Candy, hot dogs, and s’mores will be available. A costume contest for the best-dressed saint will also be held. Each family should bring a drink. Costumes may be worn to Mass. ■

OCTOBER 25, 2009

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5

Deaths SYLVIA GARRITY

Sylvia Irene Garrity, 86, of Morristown, the mother of Father Pat Garrity of St. Patrick Parish in Morristown, died Friday, Oct. 9, following a long battle with cancer.

She was born March 16, 1923, to Albert and Nettie Meyer on the family farm in Coffee County, south of Gridley, Kan. She was married March 4, 1943, to Galen A. Garrity at Blessed Sacrament Church in Wichita, Kan. After Mr. Garrity finished his service during World War II, the couple made their home in Wichita. Mrs. Garrity was married to her husband for 63 years and two days until his death.

She worked as a bookkeeper at School and Park Supply Co., as a secretary at Kansas Newman College, and as a research assistant for the Wichita Board of Education.

Mrs. Garrity was also preceded in death by her parents and brother, Harvey Meyer.

Survivors include her son; a sister, Marjorie and husband Glen Jack of Wichita; and a number of nieces, nephews, and friends.

A funeral Mass was held Tuesday, Oct. 13, at St. Patrick Church with Bishop Richard F. Stika, Father Garrity, and several priests from the Diocese of Knoxville concelebrating.

A funeral Mass was celebrated Friday, Oct. 16, at All Saints Church in Wichita, with burial following in Calvary Cemetery, Wichita.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Patrick Parish, 2518 W. Andrew Johnson Highway, Morristown, TN 37814. ■

Calendar continued from page 5

shrine, and visit the apparition site. Cost is $1,285.

Call Ellen Lennon of St. Stephen Parish in Chattanooga at 423-622-6217 for a brochure.

The 2009 Celebration of Life dinner to benefit the statewide outreach of Tennessee Right to Life will be held at 6 p.m. CDT Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Hotel Preston, 733 Briley Parkway in Nashville. Tickets are $50 for the dinner and $100 for the reception and dinner. The guest speaker will be activist Lila Rose, who made an undercover video this year documenting a Memphis Planned Parenthood worker counseling a client to sidestep state laws. Purchase tickets by contacting Nancy Wike at 615-298-LIFE or nwike@tnrtl.org.

The Serra Club of Knoxville is sponsoring an essay contest for grade school children, offered in memory of Serrans Paul and Katherine Murphy. The theme is “A Year for Priests.” Winning essays will be selected from two divisions: one for third, fourth, and fifth grades, with a maximum length of 150 words, and one for sixth- through eighth-graders, with a maximum length of 300 words. Winners will be announced during vocations week in January. Prizes will be awarded at the January Serra Club meeting.

First-place finishers in each division will receive $50 and a plaque, and runners-up will be awarded $25 and a plaque. Submit essays to Catholic school teachers or CCD teachers. A parent must sign the entries of homeschooled students. Essays, with the entrant’s name, grade, address, and telephone number on the first page, should be mailed to Colette Seitz, 3630 S. Creek Road, Knoxville, TN 37920.

Deadline for entries is Monday, Nov. 30.

The Serra Club of Knoxville meets on second and fourth Thursdays in the Shea Room at Sacred Heart Cathedral’s office building. Meetings begin with Mass at 11:30 a.m., followed by lunch at noon and a speaker at 12:30 p.m. The Mercy Sisters of Alma, Mich., who recently began serving in the diocese will speak at the Oct. 22 meeting. Bishop Richard F. Stika will speak to the club Nov. 12.

The next Engaged Encounter weekend in the diocese will be held Jan. 15 through 17 at the Magnuson Hotel in Sweetwater. Weekend cost is $239, including meals, rooms, and materials, and couples completing the entire weekend will receive a $60 discount on their marriage license. To register, call Mike or Charla Haley at 865-220-0120. For more information on Engaged Encounter, e-mail Paul or Pam Schaffer at cee knoxville@gmail.com or visit www.rc.net/knoxville/cee.

The St. Thomas the Apostle Ukrainian Catholic Mission celebrates the Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m. Sundays in the chapel at the Chancery office in Knoxville and Vespers at 6 p.m. Saturdays at the Chancery.

Call Father Richard Armstrong at 865-584-3307.

Mass in the extraordinary form (“traditional Latin”) is celebrated at 1:30 p.m. each Sunday at Holy Ghost Church in Knoxville and at 3 p.m. on first and third Sundays at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Church in Cleveland. Visit www.knoxlatinmass.net for details.

Upcoming events for Catholic Singles of Greater Knoxville (40 and over) include the following: ■ Wednesday, Oct. 28: Ronald McDonald House service project. Prepare an entrée or side dish, or bring fresh fruit or 2 percent milk, and deliver to the house anytime before 6:30 p.m. Call Donna T. at 865531-3839 for more information.

■ Saturday, Oct. 31: Halloween party for the children of All Saints Parish, 6 to 7:30 p.m. The singles host the event annually. Tolearn more, contact Mary at 591-4710 or mmix@absconsulting.com. ■ 6

■

OCTOBER 25, 2009

life and

DIGNITY

BY PAUL SIMONEAU

Be all you can be The virtues help us realize God’s divine design for us and for society.

Winston Churchill once said of a member of Parliament, “He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire.” Satire aside, few people would answer “virtue” if asked what it is that helps people be the utmost they can be. Conversely, few would answer “vice” (especially if defined as the habit of repeated sin) if asked what keeps people from being the best they can be or giving the very best of themselves. But what the world increasingly rejects—virtue—it needs most.

What the world has become most tolerant and accepting of—vice—it needs least. More than ever, society needs the fruits of virtuous lives.

Although it may sound more like a military recruiting slogan than a truth of the faith, virtue is what helps us “be all that we can be”—but according to God’s design, not man’s. The German Catholic philosopher Josef Pieper (1904-1997), a close friend and favorite author of Pope Benedict XVI, described virtue as “the realization of the divine design incorporated in [us]” (Anthology [Ignatius Press, 1989], p. 4). As St. Gregory of Nyssa stated, “The goal of the virtuous life is to become like God.” The word virtue comes from the Latin virtus, meaning valor, strength, manliness, or excellence. The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines virtue

The cardinal virtues are also called social virtues because they are essential for right living in society. The framework of this gateway consists of the posts and lintel of the theological virtues—faith, hope, and charity—that ennoble our nature and help us surpass that which we can be of ourselves. They are the root and soul of the human virtues, and charity is their lifeblood.

Prudence, “the mold and mother of all the other cardinal virtues” (ibid, p. 3), is essentially the eyesight of the soul to the ways of God. This is why Pieper says, “First comes prudence and then, because of it, virtue” (Anthology, p. 51). Without prudence, justice is orphaned and impotent, fortitude misdirected, and temperance’s inner-order weakened.

“The moral life of Christians is sustained by the gifts of the Holy Sprit” (CCC, No. 1830) which “complete and perfect the virtues” (CCC, No. 1831). With these gifts— wisdom, understanding, knowledge, counsel, piety, fortitude, and fear of the Lord—we can better respond to our “call to become children of God, adoptive sons, and partakers of the divine nature and of eternal life” (CCC, No. 1996).

Prayer and the sacraments are indispensable for a virtuous life. And as Pope Benedict XVI reminds us, the virtuous life must have a “eucharistic consistency” by which, “through our actions, words, and way of being, Another makes himself present” (Sacramentum Caritatis, No. 85).

To conclude with my traditional play on the words of Pope Paul VI, “If you want peace . . .,” be all you can be! ■

as a “habitual and firm disposition to do the good,” which “allows the person not only to perform good acts but to give the best of himself” (No. 1803). Vice, from the Latin vitium, meaning defect, or failing, has the opposite effect.

Virtue and vice are what forge the human character: they are the good seed or the weeds we sow in society (cf. Matthew 13:24-30).

Space constraints permits only a brushstroke of discussion in painting the virtues for our reflection. We should pray for their increase in us, however, because as a composite of body and soul—corporeal and spiritual beings—we need both natural and supernatural help to achieve our true beatitude and to build a more just society.

The virtues of the natural order—human virtues—have their origin in the human person and help to perfect our character and life in society.

Then there are those of the supernatural order—the theological virtues—which have their origin in the Holy Trinity and assist our “faculties for participation in the divine nature” (CCC, No. 1812) and in the supernatural community of the body of Christ.

Four human virtues in particular are crucial and thus are called cardinal, from the Latin cardo, meaning pivot, or hinge. These are prudence, justice, fortitude (courage), and temperance. Upon these virtues, Josef Pieper says, “swings the gate of life” (The Four Cardinal Virtues [University of Notre Dame Press, 1966], p. 145).

Mr. Simoneau is the director of the diocesan Justice and Peace Office.

“probably the main influence” on his vocation, said Monsignor Albert.

“He taught at the high school as well as serving as an associate at Holy Ghost, and he was very interested in vocations. He would gather four or five of us, and occasionally we would visit different seminaries. I think he was responsible for a lot of the vocations around that era.”

Monsignor Albert was ordained a priest Dec. 21, 1967, at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome

by Bishop Francis F. Reh, rector of the Pontifical North American College. He served at St. Mary in Jackson from 1979 to 1996, where his cousin now serves. He has been at Holy Spirit since ’96.

All seven of Monsignor Thomas’s siblings—four brothers and three sisters— were among the throng at the Memphis cathedral Sept. 8.

Monsignor Thomas is an alumnus of the old St. Mary School operated by Immaculate Conception. His memories of the downtown parish center on the people of IC. “Just seeing the priest at the altar, the Mercy Sisters dressed in their habits, and familiar adults and families who were at Mass every Sunday— that was just an integral part of our family life,” he said.

One of those Mercy Sisters taught at KCHS and had a good idea concerning his future vocation, Monsignor Thomas said. Sister Mary Bonaventure Burke stopped him from entering the school when the bell rang one morning.

“Sister Mary Bonaventure my senior year kept me back when school was starting at 8 a.m. She said, ‘Tom, wait

here a minute.’

“The rest of the students went into school, and she said, ‘Tom, I think you’d make a good priest.’ I hadn’t really thought consciously about it that much, but I said to her at that moment, ‘Sister, I will go to the seminary,’ and then nothing much else was said about it.”

At the beginning of the calendar year, the KCHS senior visited his pastor, Monsignor Edward Dolan, at Sacred Heart.

“We met a few minutes, and he said, ‘I’ll write the bishop,’” said Monsignor Thomas.

“Then I got a letter along about May to go to St. Bernard’s College in Cullman, Ala., the seminary, and I was there from 1961 to 1965.”

After attending St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore, he was ordained a priest by Bishop Joseph A. Durick at Sacred Heart on May 3, 1969.

All of the papal honorees, including the Kirks, have served West Tennessee Catholics at the parish and diocesan levels.

“With that kind of honor it’s good to have good company,” said Monsignor Thomas.

Many can share in the Kirks’ papal recognition, said Monsignor Albert.

“It’s an honor to the parishes we’ve served and an honor to the parishes from which we’ve come, so I feel like Knoxville is honored by this,” he said.

“One of the things that has always been noted by the priests of Tennessee, those who have served in Knoxville, is the wonderful spirit of the Catholic faith in Knoxville, and I think this is a nice affirmation of that.” ■

Kirks continued from page 3

cred Heart Church—the future cathedral of the Diocese of Knoxville—when it opened in 1956.

Monsignor Albert’s family lived downtown and attended IC until the future priest was 4. When they moved to Fountain City, the Kirks registered at Holy Ghost.

“From ’46 until I went off to the seminary in 1960, I would have been a parishioner of Holy Ghost,” said Monsignor Albert.

A young Albert Kirk spent much of his time on Central Street, then home to Holy Ghost School as well as the church next door.

“It was a wonderful parish.

Everyone knew everyone else,” he said.

“It wasn’t a small parish, but there was a great sense of community. The school was a great part of the parish, and I went there from grades one through eight and then went to Knoxville Catholic. I think I served Mass through high school. I was active in the Boy Scouts.

“We were a pretty active family. If there was a mission or a retreat or something, we were there. The family would go over to the church for confession just about every Saturday afternoon.

Monsignor Albert recalled three of Holy Ghost’s pastors: Father Joseph Follman, Father Leo Baldinger, and Father Albert Henkel.

“They were all wonderful.

They were all very fatherly, and they were often in the school,” said Monsignor Albert. “We knew them well, and they knew us well.”

An associate pastor at Holy Ghost from 1956 to 1961, Father James Bowling, was

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THE E A S T TE NNE S S E E CATHOL I C

Addressing infertility with compassion The church should provide support to struggling couples. Father J. Daniel Mindling, OFMCap hat do infertility specialists tell couples?

Hoping to find out firsthand, I called the number in a newspaper ad and joined an open house at a fertility clinic. I am sure I was the only Roman Catholic priest there, although my street clothes gave no clue to my identity.

My experience that evening could not be the same as that of the others in the room. They were yearning for a child.

They were hoping that the doctors would make it possible. They were deciding whether they should entrust their hopes to this clinic.

But I was there only to observe.

The clinic staff explained infertility as a medical problem and the couples as patients with a treatable condition. Testing was part of specialized medical diagnosis; the use of donor eggs, freezing embryos, and in-vitro fertilization were therapies to overcome infertility; and having a baby would be a successful treatment of the parents.

The presentation was not unlike a sales pitch.

The staff laid out treatment options.

These might include corrective surgery and hormone therapy but also in-vitro fertilization and even donor sperm or eggs.

Quality control was highlighted. The doctors, we were told, select only the healthiest embryos

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for implantation. In the case of donor eggs or sperm, care would be taken to provide for the best “outcome.”

treatment, some embryos can be frozen for later use. Sometimes, they continued, the quality of the egg (ovum) is

Respect life Problematic multiple pregnancies could be dealt with, although no one clarified that this generally involves killing one or more of their children in the womb. Clinical staff admitted that sometimes infertility is hard to treat. Patients were encouraged not to “give up.”

Sometimes, the staff said, the most effective treatment is in-vitro fertilization, and as part of that

such that the best treatment is to use donor eggs.

It was striking that these “treatment options” were explained without any acknowledgement that these procedures are contrary to the dignity and exclusivity of marriage and that they most often result in the death of innocent human lives.

They were not treatments that assist marital intercourse to be fruitful but substitutions which violate

the dignity of marriage and subject the unborn to mistreatment and death.

These clinics do not and cannot provide spiritual support to couples suffering from infertility—nor appropriate moral guidance about the options under consideration. Pastoral care is indispensable and irreplaceable.

Consider the needs.

Couples experiencing infertility may find it hard to cope with this challenge to their natural desire to be parents and establish a family. Well-meaning family and friends may add to this burden with questions or expectations. Cultural expectations can be very high.

Some couples experience painful isolation as their peers or other family members are caught up with the responsibility for infants and toddlers. Spouses with a history of contraception or even abortion may feel overwhelmed with regret and even believe mistakenly that God is punishing them. Some may feel similar remorse after having tried in-vitro fertilization and other morally illicit treatments.

Some may be coping with pregnancy loss or the loss of a child after birth.

Some may be losing faith or hope as they face a prolonged challenge of infertility. Some need spiritual and ethical Infertility continued on page 8

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16. Statement of ownership will be printed in the Oct. 25, 2009, issue of this publication.

17. Signature and title of editor, publisher, business manager, or owner: Mary C. Weaver, editor. Date: Sept. 28, 2009 I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete. I understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading information on this form or who omits material or information requested on the form may be subject to criminal sanctions (including fines and imprisonment) and/or civil sanctions (including civil penalties).

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from the

PARACLETE

BY DOROTHY CURTIS

Saints alive t’s that time of year again. The little ones dress up like them, the not-so-little ones read about them, and the older youth write book reports about them. We speak, of course, of the saints, and again this year the Paraclete has in readiness all that parents and their children will need to celebrate them according to their class assignments.

One of the most delightful sights of the year is the wee ones dressed up in their saint costumes.

You can choose from 12 different volumes of Father Lawrence Lovasik’s ever-popular children’s Book of Saints (Catholic Book Publishing, 1981, $1.50 each) series. The saints are illustrated in their own identifying garb, a great aid for costume making. A simple biography is included with each saint so children can understand whom they are representing.

One of our perennial bestsellers for young children is Catholic Book Publishing’s Picture Book of Saints (1988, $8.95). Ideas for costumes abound, and the colorfully illustrated book includes a slightly more thorough biography of each saint.

Catholic Book Publishing’s boxed twovolume hardback Lives of the Saints (1999, $16.95) is handy, popular, and beautifully illustrated.

The set includes large-type inspiring biographies not only of saints past but also those who have been newly canonized or beatified. The set showcases a saint or a blessed for every day of the year. These books are made to stay on the bookshelf

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for the perfect bedtime story.

For older children we have volumes 1 and 2 of Saints for Young Readers for Every Day (Pauline Books & Media, 2005, $15.95 each), with a saint for each day of the year.

For older children (and adults too) we highly recommend Ignatius Press’s Vision series of books about specific saints, from St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Mother Seton and the Sisters of Charity (2000, $9.95) to St. John Vianney in The Curé of Ars: The Priest Who Out-Talked the Devil (1998, $9.95).

Para nuestros amigos de habla española Entonces, todo el pueblo, a una voz, prometió alimentarlo continuamente. Y San Francisco dijo al lobo delante de todos: Y tú, hermano lobo, me prometes cumplir para con ellos el acuerdo de paz, es decir, que no harás daño ni a los hombres, ni a los animals, ni a critura alguna?

El lobo se arrodilló y bajó la cabeza, manifestando con gestos mansos del cuerpo, de la cola y de orejas, en la forma que podia su voluntad de cumplir todas las condiciones del acuerdo.

Esto es solo una parte de la vida milagrosa de San Francisco, ya que se encuentra en Florecillas Editorial Claretina: Francisco de Asís, uno de la serie, Clásicos de Espiritualidad (2003, $7.95), el libro aparece esta semana en el Paráclito. Nos vemos allí! ■ Call the store at 865588-0388 or 800-3332097.

Readings continued from page 2

rael. It is perfect. There is a full complement of 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes.

Figuratively, you can’t get any better. That is, unless you try to figure out how many made their robes white in the blood of the lamb.

They are beyond numbering.

That answer may not be satisfying to either mathematicians or poets. But it should be consoling to the everyday people who would like to join the folks in heaven.

For us, it means hope. There is no set capacity that would render heaven full. It is not like a stadium or a theater that might sell a few standing-room only tickets and after that prohibit anyone else to enter.

In heaven, everyone has the best seat in the house. In fact, there are no seats. We will not be bound by space or time.

John the Apostle can’t tell us exactly how that can be. He does suggest that it may even be a silly question that distracts us from thinking about what’s important. All we need to know is that we shall be like God and see him as he is.

Matthew reveals to us something else we need to know about heaven and how to get there. He quotes Jesus, who tells us not only the qualities we need to get to heaven but also how to start experiencing it now.

We must be poor in spirit, in need of comfort, meek, hungering and thirsting for justice, merciful, clean of heart, and peacemakers.

That is to say, if we act like Jesus, we will already share in his eternal life. We do not have to wait to be seated. We will already share in the joy of all the saints. ■ Father Brando is a retired priest of the diocese.

OCTOBER 25, 2009

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from the

WIRE

U.S. House resolution recognizes ministry of Belgian priest in Hawaii WASHINGTON (CNS)—The House of Representatives passed a resolution Oct. 14 honoring St. Damien de Veuster for his recognition of the human rights and dignity of all and his work with individuals afflicted with Hansen’s disease, also known as leprosy, on the island of Molokai in Hawaii. The Belgian-born missionary was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI on Oct. 11 along with four others.

“I believe that all peoSt. Damien of Molokai ple, regardless of their religious beliefs, can recognize truly extraordinary persons who give themselves without reserve for the betterment of their fellow human beings—Father Damien was surely such a person,” said Rep. Mazie K. Hirono, D-Hawaii, who sponsored the resolution.

Delegate F. H. Faleomavaega, a Democrat who represents American Samoa in the House, noted that “many of us here and our colleagues who walk the halls of the Congress have oftentimes passed by the distinctive statue of Father Damien in the Capitol, yet few of us understood that this was a man who essentially gave his life in order to help others.” ■

Infertility continued from page 7

guidance while they continue to hope for a child; others may need help as they carry the cross of incurable infertility.

Some need the ministry of church organizations as they consider adoption or other ways of nurturing and caring for children. The need for compassionate pastoral care and support is great.

Working with infertile couples is a pro-life and pro-marriage ministry. As the Vatican instruction Donum Vitae explains, marriage promotes respect for the dignity of the child and vice versa: “The fidelity of the spouses in the unity of marriage involves reciprocal respect of their right to become a father and a mother only through each other. The child has the right to be conceived, carried in the womb, brought into the world, and brought up within marriage: it is through the secure and recognized relationship to his own parents that the child can discover his own identity and achieve his own proper human development” (DV, part II).

The church supports morally sound treatment to help married couples have children, rejoicing that “many researchers are engaged in the fight against sterility. While fully safeguarding the dignity of human procreation some have achieved results which previously seemed unattainable” (DV, No. 8).

Simply presenting couples seeking a child with a list of prohibited procedures is far from a holistic and supportive pastoral approach.

Pastoral care is more than the moral evaluation of treatment alternatives.

At the clinic, infertile couples will hear a scientist or doctor offering them hope for a child, and at church they must receive much more than a priest telling them no. In Dignitas Personae the church reminds us that “behind every ‘no’ in the difficult task of discerning between good and evil, there shines a great ‘yes’ to the recognition of the dignity and inalienable value of every single and unique human being called into existence” (37). That “yes” must be apparent in our message to infertile couples.

“You send them away with theology, but the clinic sends them home with a baby,” one person told me recently. Aside from the fact that clinics send many couples home without a baby, this protest misses a great deal of the role of the church.

She should stand with the infertile couple in solidarity and stand up for basic human rights whenever challenged by a culture that seeks to overcome infertility at any cost, viewing children as a product or a right. There are indeed methods for treating the infertile couple with full respect for the dignity of the spouses and for the life to be born.

A pastoral approach to the infertile couple supports their faith, their dignity, their marriage, and their vocation. It recognizes the fruitfulness that all marriages are called to share, including marriages without the blessing of children. It offers compassion and clarity. When needed, it offers reconciliation and healing.

My visit to the clinic convinced me more than ever of the need for the church to respond to the challenges of couples who struggle with infertility. Let us offer the light of the Gospel and the warmth of the heart of the church to all couples who yearn for a child. ■ Father J. Daniel Mindling, OFMCap, is academic dean at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md., and a consultant to the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities.

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OCTOBER 25, 2009

Marriage: not just a private matter This fall the bishops will vote on a pastoral in support of marriage. By Nancy Frazier O’Brien WASHINGTON (CNS)—Hoping to reverse what they call “a disturbing trend” toward viewing marriage as “a mostly private matter” with personal satisfaction as its only goal, the U.S. Catholic bishops will debate and vote on a 57-page pastoral letter on marriage at their Nov. 16 through 19 meeting in Baltimore.

The letter, “Marriage: Life and Love in the Divine Plan,” is another component in the bishops’ National Pastoral Initiative for Marriage, which began in November 2004.

“The vision of married life and love that we have presented in this pastoral letter is meant to be a foundation and reference point for the many works of evangelization, catechesis, pastoral care, education, and advocacy carried on in our dioceses, parishes, schools, agencies, movements, and programs,” says the document’s closing section.

The letter cites four “fundamental challenges to the nature and purpose of marriage”: contraception, same-sex unions, easy divorce, and cohabitation.

Calling both contraception and cohabitation “intrinsically evil,” the bishops say that although couples who use contraception “may think that they are doing nothing harmful to their marriages,” they are in reality causing many negative consequences, both personal and societal.

“The union of male and female is reduced to a means of gratifying whatever one desires, and so conjugal love is diminished,” the letter says.

“The procreative capacity of male and female is dehumanized, reduced to a kind of internal biological technology that one masters and controls just like any other technology.”

The document encourages the use of natural family planning, which the bishops say promotes “an attitude of respect and wonder . . . and fosters the true intimacy that only such respect can bring.”

The bishops say technology such as in-vitro fertilization and cloning degrade human life by making it “something produced or manufactured in various ways.”

“Children begin to seem less and less as gifts received in a personal communion of self-giving and increasingly as a lifestyle choice, a commodity to which all consumers are entitled,” the draft says.

Children can be similarly harmed by cohabitation and divorce, the bishops say, citing “the findings of the social sciences . . . that the best environment for raising children is a stable home provided by the marriage of their parents.”

“Marriage is not merely a private institution,” the letter adds. “It is the foundation for

the family, where children learn the values and virtues that will make good Christians as well as good citizens.”

The bishops acknowledge that divorce “may be the only solution to a morally unacceptable situation,” such as when “the safety of a spouse and children is at risk,” and pledge their support and assistance to those in such situations.

They encourage “those for whom divorce seemed the only recourse” to make frequent use of the sacraments, especially penance and the Eucharist. Even Catholics who have remarried civilly after a divorce should “participate in parish life and attend the Sunday Eucharist, even though they cannot ordinarily receive Holy Communion.”

The moves to legally recognize same-sex unions pose “a multifaceted threat to the very fabric of society, striking at the source from which society and culture come and which they are meant to serve,” the bishops say.

“Such recognition affects all people, married and nonmarried: not only at the fundamental levels of the good of the spouses, the good of children, the intrinsic dignity of every human person and the common good but also at the levels of education, cultural imagination and influence, and religious freedom.”

Some of the strongest statements in the document are directed against those who live together without marriage.

“To have sexual intercourse outside the covenant of marriage is gravely immoral because it communicates physically the gift of oneself

to another when, at the same time, one is not willing or able to make a total and permanent commitment,” the draft says.

Cohabitation does not improve the likelihood that a couple will have a stable marriage and can even diminish the possibility, it adds.

“Today, more than ever, people are asking whether and how it is possible to make and keep a lifetime commitment in a marriage,” said Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Ky., chairman of the bishops’ Ad Hoc Committee on Defense of Marriage, in a news release about the draft document.

“The Catholic Church has a vision for marriage that can sustain spouses in good times and in bad times—one that can lead them to happiness and holiness in their relationship,” he added. “This message is based on both reason and faith; it is God’s plan for the good of the spouses, their children and family, and society as a whole.”

Richard McCord, executive director of the bishops’ Secretariat of Laity, Marriage, Family Life, and Youth, said in the same release that the pastoral letter “will be the launch for several new projects that will offer resources for local pastoral ministries.” He said that the secretariat will also continue developing the popular foryourmarriage.org website, “which provides an abundance of practical materials for engaged and married couples.” ■

it, health-care legislation could open the door to use of taxpayer money for abortions.

FactCheck.org, a nonpartisan project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania, said that although the healthreform bills currently before Congress “don’t require federal money to be used for supporting abortion coverage,” they “would allow a new ‘public’ insurance plan to cover abortions, despite language added to the House bill that technically forbids using public funds to pay for them.”

In the House an amendment introduced by Rep. Lois Capps, D-Calif., and approved by the

House Energy and Commerce Committee includes a ban on the use of public money to pay for abortions, except in cases of rape, incest, and danger to the life of the mother.

“That would still allow the public plan to cover all abortions, so long as the plans took in enough private money in the form of premiums paid by individuals or their employers,” said FactCheck.org. “The Capps language also would allow private plans purchased with federal subsidies . . . to cover abortion.” ■

Copyright 2009 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

Health care continued from page 2

the use of federal funds for abortion that isn’t going to be changed in these health-care bills.”

Gibbs apparently was referring to the Hyde amendment.

Enacted into law in various forms since 1976 as an amendment to appropriations bills for the Department of Health and Human Services, it prohibits federal funding of abortions except in cases of rape, incest, and danger to the mother’s life.

But the Hyde amendment must be passed each year and does not cover spending outside the purview of HHS. Prolife organizations and individuals have said that without specific wording prohibiting

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