MAGAZINE
191st year | issue 6
bringing faith into the home
june 2022 | bishop-elect fernandes | 1
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Bishop-Elect Earl K. Fernandes, Editor Jessica Rinaudo, Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Christophe Pierre
editor’s note
Well Wishes After working for dioceses for more than 14 years, I’ve seen my fair share of bishops come and go. Twice, I’ve been on the receiving end, part of the flurry of communications, joy and anticipation that comes with a new bishop for my diocese. I’ve gotten caught up in the research – learning who he is, conducting interviews with him for my diocesan publication, worrying about how he will change the status quo and hoping for exciting new things. I’ve also been on the giving end: after more than a decade of service, a beloved bishop and friend was appointed to another diocese. It was bittersweet, knowing a shepherd I had come to respect and care for was moving away, fulfilling his pledge of obedience to serve the Church. But in both instances, the giving and the receiving, there was a shared sense of the unknown. What will our new bishop be like? Or, who will be the new leader who fills the vacancy, and what will he be like? Admittedly, Bishop-elect Earl K. Fernandes’ appointment to the Diocese of Columbus is a little different. Yes, he’s leaving the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, but his vacancy at St. Ignatius of Loyola Church is already filled; the anticipation there will be short. Bishop-elect Fernandes will also be nearby, just the next diocese over. And despite the sadness over his move, he is so beloved by the people in this archdiocese that those grieving his departure are also enthusiastically celebrating his elevation to bishop!
first priests I met when I moved to Cincinnati from out of state. He greeted me warmly and sang the praises of The Catholic Telegraph (for which he wrote in its earlier newspaper format). When he returned to Cincinnati from the nunciature’s office, I approached Father Earl about again writing for us. Without hesitation he enthusiastically agreed to tackle whatever topics and themes I tossed at him each month, teaching me – and the whole CT staff – many things about our Catholic faith along the way. He tackled the theology behind Beacons of Light and synodality, readily agreeing to write a series of articles on those topics. And when asked to record a video series on those subjects, he said, “How about tomorrow?” Bishop-elect Fernandes, Father Earl, has been a friend to Catholic media in general, and The Catholic Telegraph in particular, and for that my team is very grateful. I can imagine the “what ifs” that the faithful of the Diocese of Columbus, particularly the diocesan staff, are contemplating about their new shepherd. If you are one of those and happen to read this, let me (and the faithful of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati) offer reassurance: you are receiving a kind, joyful, inspiring and faithful shepherd. All of our love, prayers and best wishes to you in your new assignment Bishop-elect Fernandes!
cteditorial@catholicaoc.org
From a more personal standpoint, Father Earl was one of the
THE CATHOLIC TELEGRAPH 191st Year No. 6 • June 2022 513-263-6635 • thecatholictelegraph.com
PUBLISHER Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Jessica Rinaudo
MEDIA SALES Deacon Graham Galloway
GRAPHIC DESIGN Emma Cassani
PHOTOGRAPHY Margaret Swensen
DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT Dominick Albano
NEW MEDIA EDITOR Greg Hartman
SOCIAL MEDIA Katherine Geiger
100 East Eighth St., Cincinnati, OH 45202 ctadvertising@catholicaoc.org The Catholic Telegraph (xUSPS 094-520) ISSN. 10736689 is published monthly by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati 100 E 8th St., Cincinnati, OH 45202. Periodicals postage paid at Cincinnati and at additional mailing office. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Catholic Telegraph, 100 E. 8th St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
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june
bishop-elect earl fernandes 16 RAISED IN FAITH JESSICA RINAUDO
The early life of Bishop-elect Fernandes Bishop-Elect Fernandes’ Early Life page 16
news 8 BEACONS OF LIGHT DAVID KISSELL
20 LOOKING FORWARD JESSICA RINAUDO
Ministry as chaplain, pastor and at the nunciature’s office formed Fernandes for future as a bishop 22 FROM TEACHER TO BROTHER KARY ELLEN BERGER
Foundational principles: Stewardship
Bishop-elect Fernandes and Father Ethan Moore
10 WRAP UP: SYNOD ON SYNODALITY LOCAL MEETINGS
24 COAT OF ARMS
DEACON JOHN HOMOELLE
A description of the new bishop’s heraldry
12 MARIAN PILGRIMAGE JOHN STEGEMAN
Continuing to bear fruit one year later 32 FESTIVALS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE 42 OUT & ABOUT IN THE ARCHDIOCESE
BISHOP-ELECT EARL FERNANDES
26 LESSONS FROM LEHMAN JOHN STEGEMAN
Still guiding Bishop-elect Fernandes 40 THE FINAL WORD BISHOP-ELECT EARL FERNANDES
ON THE COVER
In Service of Love: Serving the Archdiocese of Cincinnati
contents
columns 7 QUESTION OF FAITH FATHER DAVID ENDRES
How are bishops chosen? 14 A CLOSER LOOK DR. KENNETH CRAYCRAFT
Where the bishop is, the Church is 28 DID YOU KNOW? GAIL FINKE + EMMA CASSANI
St. Ignatius of Loyola 30 BOOK REVIEW FRANCIS J. BECKWITH
After Humanity: A Guide to C.S. Lewis’ “The Abolition of Man” 29 CATHOLIC AT HOME KATIE SCIBA
Love and mercy itself 36 KIDS PAGES St. John Vianney 38 THEOLOGY OF THE BODY DR. ANDREW SODERGREN
Gift, self-gift and the meaning of life, part 2
PHOTO BY: MARGARET SWENSEN
Bishop-elect Earl K. Fernandes at the Archdiocese of Cincinnati’s archives. 4 | THE CATHOLIC TE LEG RAPH
POPE FRANCIS’ PRAYER INTENTION FOR JUNE For Families
We pray for Christian families around the world; may they embody and experience unconditional love and advance in holiness in their daily lives.
Seek the Lord ARCHBISHOP DENNIS M. SCHNURR
The episcopal consecration of Bishop-elect Earl K. Fernandes and his installation as the 13th bishop of the Diocese of Columbus is an occasion for great joy as one of our own archdiocesan priests joins the college of bishops. Although we will miss his incredible intellect, unflagging energy and compassion for all people, we know Bishop Fernandes will serve and shepherd his new diocese well. From its earliest days the Church has had bishops. The first letter to Timothy (1 Tim. 2) refers to bishops, as did many of the Church Fathers, notably St. Ignatius of Antioch early in the 2nd Century. Bishops have always been recognized as the successors of the apostles, fulfilling their special calling to teach, sanctify and govern the faithful of their local churches while also sharing responsibility for the universal Church. The documents of the Second Vatican Council have much to say about dioceses and their bishops. “A diocese is a portion of the people of God which is entrusted to a bishop to be shepherded by him with the cooperation of the presbytery. Thus … it constitutes a particular church in which the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church of Christ is truly present and operative” (Christus Dominus, 11). In other words, the diocese is not simply a branch office of Rome, nor is the bishop a branch manager for the pope. The Holy Father is, of course, the successor of Peter and the “foundation of unity of both the bishops and of the faithful,” according to the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church. The individual bishops, however, are the foundation of unity in their particular churches, “from which churches comes into being the one and only Catholic Church. For this reason, the individual bishops represent each his own church, but all of them together and with the pope represent the entire Church in the bond of peace, love and unity” (Lumen Gentium, 23).
Thus, the diocesan bishop governs the local church as its pastor in unity with the pope and assisted by priests and deacons. The model for bishops in that task, the Council said (LG, 27), is that of the Good Shepherd. For that reason, every bishop receives upon his installation a staff called a crosier that is curved at the top like a shepherd’s crook as a symbol of his pastoral office. Christ Himself uses shepherd imagery when he tells St. Peter, chief of the apostles and the first pope, to “Feed my lambs,” “Tend my sheep,” and “Feed my sheep” (Jn. 21:15-17). The Good Shepherd is, of course, Jesus (Jn. 10:11, 14), who came not to be served, but to serve (Mt. 20:28; Mk. 10:45). Following His example, the service of the bishop to the faithful in his diocese is three-fold: he teaches the faith, by word and by witness; he sanctifies, by administration of the sacraments; and he governs as a servant leader. By his temperament, training and 20 years of experience as a priest in many different roles (including pastor, teacher and seminary academic dean), Bishop-elect Fernandes is well suited to his new ministry. No bishop, no matter how well equipped and suited to the task, can model the Good Shepherd alone. He needs the help not only of his priests and deacons, but also of the lay faithful. In my own ministry, I have been deeply grateful for the support of the laity in this archdiocese, especially in challenging situations. I am confident that Bishop Fernandes will find the same generous spirit among his flock as they work together as the Body of Christ to build up their local church. Most of all, a bishop needs prayers. Please join me in praying for our beloved brother, Bishop Earl K. Fernandes, as he expands his ministry to shepherd the faithful of the Diocese of Columbus. S E E K T H E L O R D / JUNE 2022 | 5
Busca al Senor ARZOBISPO DENNIS M. SCHNURR
La consagración episcopal del Obispo electo Earl K. Fernandes y su instalación como el decimotercer obispo de la Diócesis de Columbus es una ocasión de gran alegría, ya que uno de nuestros propios sacerdotes arquidiocesanos se une al colegio de obispos. Aunque extrañaremos su increíble intelecto, su energía incansable y su compasión por toda persona, sabemos que el Obispo Fernandes servirá y apacentará bien a su nueva diócesis. Desde su inicio la Iglesia tuvo obispos. La primera carta a Timoteo (1 Tim 2) hace referencia a los obispos, así como varios Padres de la Iglesia, en particular San Ignacio de Antioquía a principios del segundo siglo. Los obispos siempre han sido reconocidos como los sucesores de los apóstoles, cumpliendo su llamado especial de enseñar, santificar y gobernar a los fieles de sus iglesias locales mientras también comparten la responsabilidad por la Iglesia universal. Los documentos del Segundo Concilio del Vaticano tienen mucho que decir sobre las diócesis y sus obispos. “La diócesis es una porción del Pueblo de Dios que se confía a un obispo para que la apaciente con la cooperación del presbiterio, de forma que … constituye una Iglesia particular, en la que verdaderamente está y obra la Iglesia de Cristo, que es Una, Santa, Católica y Apostólica” (Christus Dominus, 11). En otras palabras, la diócesis no es simplemente una sucursal de Roma, ni el obispo un administrador de una sucursal del Papa. El Santo Padre es, por supuesto, el sucesor de Pedro y el “principio y fundamento perpetuo y visible de unidad así de los obispos como de la multitud de los fieles,” según la Constitución Dogmática sobre la Iglesia. Los obispos individuales, sin embargo, son el fundamento de la unidad en sus iglesias particulares, “a base de las cuales se constituye la Iglesia católica, una y única. Por eso, cada obispo representa a su Iglesia, y todos juntos con el Papa representan a toda la Iglesia en el vínculo de la paz, del amor y de la unidad” (Lumen Gentium, 23). 6 | THE C ATHOLIC TE LEG RAPH
Así, el obispo diocesano gobierna la iglesia local como su pastor en unidad con el Papa y asistido por sacerdotes y diáconos. El modelo para los obispos en esa obra, según el Concilio (LG, 27), es el del Buen Pastor. Por esa razón, cada obispo recibe en su instalación un bastón llamado báculo que se curva en la parte superior como un cayado de pastor como símbolo de su oficio pastoral. Cristo mismo usa imágenes pastorales cuando le dice a San Pedro, el jefe de los apóstoles y el primer papa, “apacienta mis corderos” y “apacienta mis ovejas” (Jn 21:15-17). El Buen Pastor es, por supuesto, Jesús (Jn 10:11, 14), quien no vino para ser servido, sino para servir (Mt 20:28; Mc 10:45). Siguiendo su ejemplo, el servicio del obispo a los fieles en su diócesis es de tres aspectos: enseña la fe, con la palabra y con el testimonio; santifica, por la administración de los sacramentos; y gobierna como un líder servicial. Por su temperamento, entrenamiento y 20 años de experiencia como sacerdote en muchos roles diferentes (incluyendo párroco, maestro y decano académico del seminario), el Obispo electo Fernandes es bien apto para su nuevo ministerio. Ningún obispo, por bien equipado y apto que esté para su cargo, puede modelar al Buen Pastor a solas. Necesita la ayuda no sólo de sus sacerdotes y diáconos, sino también de los fieles laicos. En mi propio ministerio, he estado profundamente agradecido por el apoyo de los laicos en esta arquidiócesis, especialmente en situaciones difíciles. Confío en que el Obispo Fernandes encontrará el mismo espíritu generoso entre su rebaño mientras trabajen juntos como el Cuerpo de Cristo para edificar su iglesia local. Sobre todo, un obispo necesita oraciones. Únase a mí para orar por nuestro querido hermano, el Obispo Earl K. Fernandes, mientras expande su ministerio para pastorear a los fieles de la Diócesis de Columbus.
QUE ST IO N O F F A IT H
How are Bishops Chosen? Do bishops choose their successors? What is the process for selecting bishops? The choosing of bishops entails a discernment of potential candidates’ human and spiritual qualities. It begins at the local level with consultation among priests and the faithful, then continues in Rome, where the pope and his delegates approve the selection. Some aspects of the process are public while others are confidential. REQUIREMENTS
The New Testament mentions the choosing of bishops and their necessary qualifications in the First Letter to Timothy: “Whoever aspires to the office of bishop desires a noble task.” It enumerates a bishop’s characteristics, including being temperate, hospitable, able to teach, gentle, not a lover of money, not a recent convert, and of good reputation (see 1 Tim. 3:1-7). According to the Church’s law, a bishop must be “outstanding in solid faith, good morals, piety, zeal for souls, wisdom, prudence and human virtues.” In addition, he should be of good reputation, at least 35 years old, ordained a priest at least five years earlier and in possession of a doctorate or licentiate in theology (Canon 378 §1). INQUIRY STAGE
Possible candidates are surfaced every three years; the last time this was done locally was in 2020. In consultation with the bishops of his province, an archbishop then recommends suitable candidates to the Holy See through the apostolic nuncio’s office in Washington, D.C. When there is a need for a new bishop and the possible candidates are surfaced, the nuncio’s office begins the investigative process. Bishops, including the incumbent bishop (in the case of a bishop’s impending retirement), the previous bishops (if any) of a diocese, and the other bishops of the province, weigh in on the candidates. An inquiry among the priests and faithful then begins the
process of selecting bishops. A questionnaire is sent to individuals, both priests and laity, who know the candidate well. This stage is carried out under the pontifical seal, meaning that those answering questionnaires may not discuss them with anyone. Questionnaires seek information about the candidate’s health, intellectual aptitude, prayer life and pastoral zeal. DECISION OF THE HOLY SEE
Though much of the investigation is conducted locally, “the definitive judgment concerning the suitability of the one to be promoted pertains to the Apostolic See” (Canon 378 §2). Once the investigation concludes, the information is compiled and sent to the Vatican’s Congregation for Bishops. For each appointment three candidates are considered (called the “terna”), with the nuncio’s preference noted because it is important, but it is not determinative. A member of the Congregation for Bishops summarizes the documentation, then the Congregation members discuss the appointment. They may decide to vote on the nuncio’s preferred candidate, select another candidate on the terna, or request that another slate of candidates be prepared. Once a formal vote is held, the prefect of the Congregation for Bishops meets with the pope to present the recommendation. The Holy Father informs the Congregation of his decision, then the Congregation notifies the nuncio, who contacts the candidate. If the candidate accepts the appointment, a date for the announcement is determined. Choosing bishops is an important task that acknowledges the different types of leadership Christ has given to the Church. As St. Paul wrote to the Ephesians, whether one is called to be an apostle, prophet, pastor or teacher, these roles “equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (Eph. 4: 11-12). FATHER DAVID ENDRES is associate professor of Church history and historical theology at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary & School of Theology. Q U E S T IO N O F F A IT H / JUNE 2022 | 7
FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLES #5: STEWARDSHIP BY DAVID KISSELL
This article is the fifth in a series covering each of the six foundational principles of Beacons of Light, the pastoral planning process of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. “My need to give is more important than the parish’s need to receive.” A few years ago, I heard a priest share this statement when describing “stewardship as a way of life.” It was a stark contrast to what we normally hear as stewardship oftentimes gets associated with campaigns or financial updates, or at best, it is viewed as a program that promotes time, talent and treasure in the parish. But true Christian stewardship is not a program; it is a primary way we live out our call to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. Through stewardship, we recognize that everything in our lives is a gift from God: our personal talents, skills, wisdom, and expertise, our family and friends, our life circumstances – every morning that we wake up to a new day is a gift … and so much more! 8 | THE CATHOLIC TELE GRAPH
In thanksgiving for everything God has blessed us with, we respond by generously giving of ourselves in how we live. “As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace” (1 Pet. 4:10). Gratitude becomes central when stewardship is a way of life and leads us to live out this scripture, sometimes without even thinking about it! God gave the greatest of all His gifts: His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, who suffered and died so that we may live. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life” (Jn. 3:16). Part of living stewardship is caring for and building up the Church (also a gift from God) in the world. From the pastoral letter on stewardship written by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: “Because its individual members do collectively make up the Body of Christ, that body’s health and well-being are the responsibility of the members – the personal responsibility of each one of us. We are all stewards of the Church.”
Through Beacons of Light, our sincere hope is that Families of Parishes will be communities of grateful disciples where parishioners are actively involved in the Family’s life – using their talents, skills and resources to build up the Church and live as Christ’s Body in the world. Families of Parishes have a vital role in bringing people to a deeper understanding and practice of But true stewardship.
who grow in gratitude and become willing to share their time, talents, faith and resources within the parish and beyond it.
“
STEWARDSHIP GOALS
To make this possible, these are goals for each Family of Parishes:
Invitation & Engagement: The Family of Parishes actively invites and engages people in all ages and stages of life and faith to contribute in ministry, service and giving.
Christian stewardship is not a program; it is a primary
Hospitality & Welcome: The Family of Parishes is a community that warmly welcomes newcomers and offers hospitality to everyone.
way we live out our call to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Everyday Stewardship & Vocation: The Family of Parishes forms people to hear and respond to God’s call in their lives – from each day’s individual moments to the overall purpose of living out their vocations. Way of Life: More than a program or once-a-year report to the parish, stewardship is fostered as a spiritual way of life and becomes an expression of discipleship. Gratitude & Giving: Parishioners are formed as disciples
Meaningful Involvement & Leadership: The Family of Parishes seeks to meaningfully involve people as contributing members of the community; parishioners are encouraged to take leadership roles, as appropriate, and are offered formation to equip them as leaders. Beacons of Light provides a prime opportunity for a renewed focus and commitment to live stewardship as a way of life.
Celebrate the Feast of St. Anthony
on June 13, 2022, at the St. Anthony Shrine! Masses: 7:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Novena: 2:30 p.m. National Shrine of St. Anthony 5000 Colerain Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45223 513-721-4700 StAnthony.org /StAnthonyShrine
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B E A CO N S O F L IG H T / JUNE 2022 | 9
WRAP UP
Synod on Synodality Local Meetings BY DEACON JOHN HOMOELLE
Last October, the Church opened the Synod on Synodality, calling for every diocese in the world to undertake local meetings with all the People of God to address the synod’s two main questions: How are we journeying together today in accomplishing the Church’s mission? What steps is the Holy Spirit inviting us to take so that we may journey together better in the future? In the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, we held 22 meetings January, through March to discuss these two topics. Over 1,700 people participated, the vast majority of whom were lay people. The contributions were considerable, resulting in 150 pages of notes! Despite such a large population, common themes emerged on how to better journey together to bring the Church’s mission and message to the world. We sent our summary to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) to be combined with summary documents from all U.S. dioceses and sent to Rome. That summary will be incorporated with documents from the Church’s other Episcopal and Eparchial conferences to create a world summary, which will guide discussions at the October 2023 Synod meeting in Rome.
people if they could be relieved of the onerous administrative duties that consume their time. Lay people stand ready, willing and able to help. 3. People want consistency from clergy on the moral teachings of the Church. 4. Homilies need to minimize “church speak” and maximize relevance of the readings to challenges the world brings today. 5. The Church needs to better market the many good things it does. 6. A feeling of genuine welcoming seems to be lacking in many parishes. If one does not feel welcome, they are unlikely to return. There needs to be avenues established that warmly invite people when they come to Church or parish events.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
7. The role of women in the Church is seen as minimal. If the Church is to journey together better, women’s contributions in Church’s decisions need to be more visible, including placing them in those decision- making positions not reserved to the hierarchy by Canon law.
These are the top nine key themes that emerged from the local meetings:
8. People want to see these types of meetings continue.
1. There is a critical need to re-engage youth and young adults in the faith. This is quite a challenge in today’s world, but it is critical for the Church. 2. Many, if not most, of our priests would benefit greatly in taking care of the sacramental and spiritual needs of the 1 0 | THE CATHOLIC TE LEGRAPH
9. Participants believe that we do not need to wait for the synod to initiate some of the ideas proposed at these meetings. The archdiocese will scrutinize all contributions to see what
“
These local synod meetings clearly indicated that the laity stand
ready to assist the hierarchy to help it better advance the Church’s mission. can be undertaken, perhaps before the Synod meeting occurs and in conjunction with the Beacons of Light implementation. The complete summary of the local synod meetings is available at https://catholicaoc.org/ synod. These local synod meetings clearly indicated that the laity stand ready to assist the hierarchy to help it better advance the Church’s mission. Much fruit can be harvested from these meetings and future meetings like it. As I see it, synodality is the most effective way for clergy and laity to work together to be a better priestly, prophetic and kingly people!
Father Thomas C. Nolker Congratulations on your 50th Anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood May almighty God who called you to serve His people, continue to grant you every grace and blessing.
Tu es sacerdos in aeternum
from the Church of St. James the Greater
A CATHOLIC & FRANCISCAN
UNIVERSITY
LOURDES.EDU
The Spirit of Lourdes The Spirit of YOU N E W S / JUNE 2022 | 11
{ on e ye a r late r }
Marian Pilgrimage contin uin g t o b ea r f r uit BY JOHN STEGEMAN
Hundreds of people participated in the 2021 Marian Pilgrimage that traveled from Russells Point, OH, to Downtown Cincinnati in celebration of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati’s bicentennial. The 300-mile walk over 33 days was more than a public witness of our region’s Catholic faith—the sight of the Blessed Virgin moved many hearts along the way.
and sat in the grass to eat lunch. No one was really looking at her, and at one point I looked up and there’s this lady that seemed to come out of nowhere just weeping in front of Mary there in the parking lot. She had just seen Mary show up at the right time and she needed prayers. I was able to talk to her and pray with her. You could tell she was so grateful. We had a lot of that.”
“We had people run out of their houses,” said Sean Ater, Director of the Center for the New Evangelization. “We had a lady stop her car in the middle of the road and fall to her knees praising God. We also had people who would just come with their prayer intentions and who reached out to us later about how their prayers were answered.” One particular moment stood out for Ater.
The pilgrimage concluded on June 19 at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains, then Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr reconsecrated the Archdiocese of Cincinnati to Jesus through Mary at a special Mass.
“We were on a bike trail in Dayton and we had pulled off for lunch,” he said. “We set Mary down
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The idea for the Marian Pilgrimage arose when the archbishop asked parishes and archdiocesan offices to brainstorm ways to celebrate the bicentennial. “We brought it to the archbishop, and he loved
the idea,” Ater said. “As we talked about it to other people, they were very excited about it and decided to jump in as a way to celebrate the bicentennial.” The statue of Mary that was carried along the route is a depiction of Our Lady of Fatima, purchased by the archdiocese during a 2017 pilgrimage to Lourdes and Fatima. That pilgrimage was also a foundational experience for Ater. “I was on the original Marian pilgrimage to Fatima where we purchased the statue,” he said. “I had a personal experience of Mary at Fatima that was kind of life-changing for me. We celebrated Mass and I had this wonderful spiritual experience. That evening I asked out my future wife on a date! Obviously, Fatima is very personal to me in my own life and my own spirituality.” Our Lady’s journey in the archdiocese is not over. Parishes may reserve the statue for special prayer services, and the archdiocese included it in youth
events and retreats. The statue was also present for Russia and Ukraine’s consecration to Our Lady, celebrated by Archbishop Schnurr in conjunction with the pope and bishops across the world on March 25. Ater envisions the statue helping parishes come together as Families in Beacons of Light by processing between parishes or in shared prayer services. Creative ideas for the statue’s use are encouraged. Parishes interested in reserving the pilgrim statue for special events can contact the Center for the New Evangelization at centerforthenewevangelization.org.
N E W S / JUNE 2022 | 13
A CLO SE R LO O K
Where the Bishop Is, the Church Is I write this month to congratulate Bishop-elect Earl Fernandes on his impending consecration as Bishop of the Diocese of Columbus, OH. When he assumes the bishop’s chair (the cathedra), Bishop-elect Fernandes will join an unbroken succession of bishops that dates from the Church’s very first days. And, by virtue of his office, he will represent all Catholics of his diocese. Father Earl’s elevation has special meaning to me for a couple of reasons. First, his 2016 appointment to the Apostolic Nunciature led to my position at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary & School of Theology. (That’s a story for another time.) Second, the historical and theological importance of the office of bishop is at the heart of my journey to the Catholic Church. As I moved toward conversion to Catholicism from an American evangelical tradition, among my most important considerations were the Church structure and the issue of authority. The tradition from which I converted claims to be a “restoration” of the Church as it existed in the earliest days of Christianity – the Church of the “New Testament” it sometimes calls itself. And it insists that the Bible is “the only rule of faith and practice,” a variation on the Protestant notion of sola scriptura. Like several faith traditions founded in the early 19th Century, it asserts that it is governed solely by the Bible, not by any person. These traditions recognize neither ecclesial hierarchy nor authoritative magisterium, claiming they are not found in the New Testament or in the early Church and that if something isn’t found in the Bible, it is not to be held or practiced. My journey to the Catholic Church began when I realized these assertions are not only contrary to the structure and 1 4 | THE CATHOLIC TE LEGRAPH
practice of the early Church, but also theologically and historically incoherent. Two glaring problems presented themselves to me. CANON OF SCRIPTURE
First, in its earliest days the Church did not have a canon of Scripture, as we understand that term. Thus, traditions saying the Bible is the only rule of faith and practice also claim to model themselves on a Church that did not even have the Bible. To really “restore” the Church of the New Testament era, these traditions have to jettison the New Testament, because that Church did not have one. The assertion that “the Bible is the only rule of faith and practice in the early Church” does not come from the Bible, because there was no Bible from which to derive the claim. In reality, for these traditions the individual is the only rule of faith and practice. Moreover, the Bible this tradition now claims to be its sole authority makes no such claim for itself. Thus, the claim that the Bible is the only authority must come from some authority other than the Bible. This contradiction, of course, demonstrates that the Bible is not even the highest authority for these quintessentially American churches, much less the only authority. THE CHURCH’S STRUCTURE
The second problem I discovered was that these traditions’ claim that the earliest Church did not have an authoritative, hierarchical magisterium is historically wrong. Indeed, by the late 1st Century, a clearly recognized structure of bishop, priest, and deacon was well established, as evidenced by men who directly learned from some of the 12 apostles. So, the
tradition from which I converted claims the authority of the Bible where there was no Bible, and it claims to have no hierarchical structure while “restoring” a Church that had a clear hierarchical structure. When Bishop-elect Fernandes assumes his role as Bishop of Columbus, he will follow in the tradition of St. Ignatius of Antioch, a late 1st Century bishop who clearly articulated the already well-established ecclesial structure of the early Church – a Church that preceded the Christian Bible by about 300 years. With St. Clement of Rome and St. Polycarp of Smyrna, St. Ignatius is one of three bishops and two additional authors, known as the “Apostolic Fathers,” because they were contemporary with some of the Twelve. St. Ignatius wrote a series of letters while traveling to Rome for his execution, giving instructions to churches in other cities regarding the nature of ecclesial structure and magisterial authority, all of which are centered in the bishops. In one letter, for example, St. Ignatius exhorts Christians “to follow the bishop, even as Jesus Christ does the Father, and the presbytery as you would the apostles; and reverence the deacons, as being the institution of God.” These offices of bishop, priest and deacon existed long before the New Testament, and they provided both the form and substance of early Christian doctrine, including the doctrine that
developed into the canon of Scripture. Moreover, the bishop has the special role of representing the Christians of his see. “Wherever the bishop appears,” explained St. Ignatius, “there let the people be; as wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church.” In this earliest known use of the term “Catholic” to describe the Church, St. Ignatius reflects the Church’s developed understanding that the bishop is Christ’s vicar, and the head of the local Church. Thus, all the Church’s ministry is conducted by the bishop, or one who the bishop appoints in his stead. “Let no man do anything connected with the Church without the bishop,” exhorted St. Ignatius. “Let that be deemed a proper Eucharist, which is [administered] either by the bishop, or by one to whom he has entrusted it.” Bishop-elect Earl Fernandes will join in the august company of bishops who have guided the Church through the centuries. I have high confidence that he will serve well and hope that he will serve long. DR. KENNETH CRAYCRAFT is an attorney and the James J. Gardner Family Chair of Moral Theology at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary & School of Theology.
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{ childh ood }
raised IN FAITH The Early Life of Bishop-elect Fernandes BY JESSICA RINAUDO
Fernandes and his brother in 1974.
Bishop-elect Earl K. Fernandes, the son of immigrant parents from India, speaks about his childhood with reverence and a healthy dose of good humor. “My father came to the United States in January of 1970. The Vietnam War was on and there was a shortage of physicians in this country because of the war, and so green cards were being granted to people from India, Philippines, Pakistan; because they spoke English and they could pass their U.S. medical licensure exam from abroad,” said Bishop-elect Fernandes. “My father came to work at St. Charles Hospital in Toledo, which was run by the Sisters of Mercy. They gave him a place to stay, and after a few months, he could bring my mom and my brothers over. That was in March of 1970, and then in 1971, 72 and 73, my parents had three more boys.” He continued, “So we were five boys growing up together … in a little three-bedroom house. We went to St. Thomas Aquinas Church on the eastside of Toledo, right next to a Sun Oil refinery. Everyone in our neighborhood [was] working class. My father never let us tell anyone what he did for a living, even though some of them knew. He just 1 6 | THE CATHOLIC TE LEGRAPH
didn’t want that kind of class difference. And we lived pretty simply, and my parents were very devout people.” Because they were immigrants with no other family nearby, the Fernandeses had to rely on themselves. “My mother said, ‘You boys are going to have to work hard and pray hard and study hard.’” He continued, “Some kids, they’d go to the zoo for fun. We’d go to the zoo and have to write essays about the animals we saw at the zoo. So we’re all pretty intellectually driven, but we had just very, very strong bonds with the church and with our classmates in the school. And it really led to a kind of a lively childhood.” The Catholic faith instilled in them from early childhood was central to everything the Fernandes family did. “My parents were very devout, so we prayed the rosary every night as a family. Even before we could really read and write … our rosary concluded with the Angelus [and] the Litany of Lareto, which we had to memorize. And then one ‘Our Father’ [and] one ‘Hail Mary’ for peace in the
Fernandes noted that he had, and when literature about religious vocations arrived at their house, he spoke with his father about it.
My mother said,
“You boys are going to have to work hard and pray hard and study hard.” world, [another] for the poor souls of purgatory, [another] for this, that and the other. I mean, it just went on,” Bishop-elect Fernandes said with a glint of humor, “And we boys, of course, we’d have to kneel there on our floor and our knees would hurt. And we tried to say our ‘Hail Mary’s’ really fast, and if my dad couldn’t understand us, he’d say, ‘Repeat.’ And we’d try to go faster. And if he said, ‘Repeat,’ three times, he’d take off a slipper and threaten us with it…” Bishop-elect Fernandes said later in life he realized his parents were trying to instill in their sons the value of daily prayer. And he was especially impacted by the way his parents lived their faith when they didn’t think anyone was looking.
“I was very good in school and especially in Latin, and when it came time to apply for college, because of some of the challenges that my parents and brothers had as immigrants, my mother would make us say our prayers. We prayed the morning offering. But then she’d add stuff like, ‘Pray that you’ll be a good boy, a tall boy and a doctor. Everyone respects doctors,’” said Fernandes with a smile. At the time, Fernandes’ mother worked at the University of Toledo and he was able to attend with his tuition waived. There he pursued pre-med biology, as did his brothers. Bishop-elect Fernandes paused, laughed and said, “Three of my brothers are physicians. And the fourth brother is a magistrate. So we say a doctor, a lawyer and a priest walk into a bar and we’re just telling a family story.” Fernandes felt tugs toward a religious vocation throughout his young adulthood, talking to vocations directors during high school and college. For his third year of college, he opted to study abroad in Manchester, England. “I thought, Well, I’m away from home now. This might be the time I start skipping Mass, but in England, the one thing that was familiar to me was the Mass. And there was an Irish priest, Father Ian Kelly, and he was a great preacher. He had a great singing voice and I found that he presented the faith in an attractive way. And so I found that continued on page 18
“One evening I remember not being able to sleep, and so I got up and it was during Lent. And I remember my father going over to the refrigerator and pulling out two eggs and putting them on the scale and the bigger one he gave to my mother for her supper and the smaller one he kept for himself. So it made an impression on me that, for them, faith was real,” he said. He and his brothers spent much of their time at church, especially as altar servers. Fernandes attended St. Francis de Sales High School on the west side of Toledo, which was run by the Oblate priests. “[The priests] taught religion, but I also had oblate priests teaching me calculus, chemistry, physics. And so it was perfectly normal to think about being a priest or religious brother,” he said. At one point in high school, a teacher asked the students if any had considered the priesthood.
Carey, Ohio in 1991. B IS H O P -E L E CT F E R N A N DE S / J UNE 2022 | 17
continued from page 17
not only did I not skip Mass, but I started to go to Mass every day and I formed bonds with those in the Catholic student union there.” While abroad, Fernandes made his first trip to Rome. “Just before Christmas I was in Rome, and I remember walking into St. Peter’s Basilica for the first time. I remember how quickly my heart started to beat. … And I came to the tomb of St. I looked Peter. And I fell to my knees, and then I knew that God’s really calling me to thought, be a priest.”
He continued, “And I went down there and there were two elderly Italian priests, Father Angel and Father Mario. Father Mario was the pastor, and he was 75 at the time and celebrating his 50th anniversary as a priest. He came to America in 1945 as a missionary. I looked at him and I thought, ‘I could be that old and be a priest and be happy. I’m going to talk to that priest about my vocation.’” Following his conversation with Father Mario, Fernandes talked numerous times with vocations directors, a physician Jesuit priest and the medical school’s dean. After many unreturned calls from the Vocations Director for the Diocese of Toledo, he reached out to the Vocations Director for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, who returned his call. Together they discussed the amount of time already invested in his medical degree, and Fernandes ultimately decided to spend a year at a discernment house in Rome.
at him and
“I could be that old and be a priest and be happy.”
He continued, “But then what did I do? I came back to America, took my MCATs, got back together with my old girlfriend, moved to Cincinnati, did anything I could to avoid responding to the call, even though I knew. But somehow or the other, God catches up with you.”
Fernandes moved to Cincinnati for medical school and tried to attend daily Mass at St. Monica’s. “One day I got in a fight with the priest there, but I remembered what Father Kelly said: ‘Earl, when an Irishman doesn’t like the bartender, does he give up drinking? He says, No, we go to the next pub up the road,’” Bishop-elect Fernandes laughed. “And so the next pub up the road, the next closest church, was Sacred Heart Italian Church, down in Camp Washington.” 1 8 | THE CATHOLIC TELE G RAPH
“At the end of that year, I decided to come back to Cincinnati and begin the seminary. And so I began the seminary in 1997, and was ordained in 2002.” Although his journey to the priesthood was a long and winding one, Bishop-elect Fernandes knows that God led him to be exactly where he’s supposed to be.
Welcome to the Diocese of Columbus Bishop-Elect Fernandes!
B IS H O P -E L E CT F E R N A N DE S / JUNE 2022 | 19
Bishop-elect Fernandes
LOOKING FORWARD Ministry as Chaplain, Pastor and at the Nunciature’s Office formed Fernandes for Future as Bishop BY JESSICA RINAUDO
For many dioceses, a new bishop means a transfer: the bishop moves from one diocese to another. But for others, like the Diocese of Columbus, their new bishop is a priest who must first be ordained to the episcopacy. That is the case for Bishop-elect Earl K. Fernandes, whose episcopal ordination will be held on May 31. However, because Bishop-elect Fernandes is new to being a bishop doesn’t mean he’s unprepared. Years of service as a priest in a multitude of roles taught him to adapt and grow. In particular, Bishop-elect Fernandes believes his work as a chaplain at Lehman Catholic High School, as a pastor at multiple parishes, and for the apostolic nuncio’s office collectively prepared him to be Columbus’ next bishop. CHAPLAINCY
“I don’t know that you’re ever prepared [to be a bishop], but I think one of the things with being a high school chaplain is it keeps you in touch with young people who are not just the future of the Church, they’re the Church now, and [it keeps you in touch with] keeping them connected to the Church by showing interest in them. There’s interest in them in the classroom, but there’s an interest in them outside of the classroom, showing up at basketball games and football games. And it means the world to them that you’re interested in their life,” said Bishop-elect Fernandes. He continued, “I thought if I can be interested in them, then maybe they’ll be interested in the Church. And so I learned a lot about their enthusiasm for life, ways to be creative. … I can’t be like a young person. I’m not going to be a young person ever again. And sometimes young people need an adult in the room. They need a father figure. But to know that their father loves them is important.” PASTOR
When it comes to takeaways from being a pastor, Bishop-elect 2 0 | THE CATHOLIC TELE G RAPH
Fernandes holds as crucial several components he hopes will help him be a good bishop: caring for priests, listening to the faithful and fostering a support team. “I’ve learned how hard it is to be a pastor. … You won’t keep everyone happy. It’s impossible to do so. You do the best that you can. And I happen to be a relatively young pastor with a lot of energy and intellectual gifts. And now we’re asking our priests and our pastors to take on still more. And some of them are older or have health problems. … It’s taught me to be patient with my brother priests, to be more sympathetic and empathetic toward them. And so hopefully, as a bishop, I want to stay close to priests and make sure that the morale is OK, because if their health and their morale are not OK, then they won’t give the joyful witness that the people of God need that would attract people to the faith,” said Bishop-elect Fernandes. He continued, “I think the second thing I’ve learned about being in a parish is that you have to listen to people. I came into a situation where the previous pastor had been removed and. … I met with 70 families just to talk to them and listen to them, explain things to them, hear from them. For some people it worked, with others it didn’t necessarily work, but you at least get a sense of where they’re at. And people have a need to be heard, and so we shouldn’t discount them.” “I think a third thing with working in a parish is that you realize you have to work as a team. I am blessed with a good staff, but also building up the staff morale, not overworking the staff, trying to get them to gel together to work together. … That same sense of collaboration happens with the Parish Council and worship commission, and I can see how lay people have a lot of gifts which they can offer – some priests would feel threatened by that. I myself don’t. I can’t do everything and I’m not an expert in everything. And so I need to rely on their expertise. … And together we work to come up with best practices and what’s going to be in the best interest of their parish. Priests come and go, but the parish lives on,” he said. NUNCIATURE
During his time at the apostolic nuncio’s office in Washington D.C., Bishop-elect Fernandes was at the hub of all things bishop-related. He heard, read and listened to complaints, and stayed attuned to problems in both the American and worldwide Church. “I learned, with respect to the nunciature, how hard it is to find good bishops and candidates for bishops. How
hard it is to be a bishop, because we get all the complaint letters about all the bishops, as well as bishops calling us to say, ‘I’ve got this issue with these clergy. I’ve got this issue with these finances. I’ve got this issue with the sexual abuse. What do I do?’ And you learn, sometimes from their mistakes, even what to do, what not to do, what to say, what not to say. You learn how to not panic. … You learn that sometimes they don’t know what to do, but [think], “Maybe I should call the apostolic nuncio. Maybe he would have some advice. Or maybe I should call the metropolitan archbishop and see what he has to say. You learn how to work in a collegial fashion,” Bishop-elect Fernandes said. He continued, “I also think I gained a great sense of the universal nature of the Church because [Apostolic Nuncio] Archbishop Pierre and the other Vatican diplomats had been stationed all over the world. So you learn about different issues in different countries and what’s going on and who you need when you see something come up – in Rome, who you need to contact and how this actual process works.” Bishop-elect Fernandes laughed as he held up his pointer finger and thumb to show about an inch of space, “But that means I know about this much about being a bishop.” LOOKING FORWARD
As he prepares to lead the Diocese of Columbus, Bishop-elect Fernandes is already thinking about what comes next. “I really want to come to know the people, the priests, the religious of the Diocese of Columbus, as well as the city. And I want to say to the people in the rural areas in the Diocese of Columbus, ‘I’m not going to neglect you.’ I think my experience having served in Sidney, Ohio, tells me, ‘Hey, these people have great faith and we can’t just let them go by the wayside because they’re far away. We have to provide for their spiritual needs.’” He continued, “But difficult choices will have to be made. I know, for example, Columbus has no priestly ordinations this year and there’s only one for the next year. So we’re going to have to build a culture of vocations.” “I’m convinced that our problems in life never go away. But the way we confront those problems is different because of our faith in Jesus Christ. And so to foster people’s relationship with Jesus, I think it’s going to be an important thing to do.” B IS H O P -E L E CT F E R N A N DE S / JUNE 2022 | 21
Father Ethan Moore and Bishop-elect Earl Fernandes lead the Way of the Cross on Good Friday 2022.
{ friendship }
FROM TEACHER TO BROTHER Bishop-elect Fernandes and Father Ethan Moore BY KARY ELLEN BERGER
“Everyone who knows Father Earl Fernandes has a Father Fernandes story.” Admitting that he is one of hundreds privileged to have associated with Father Fernandes before he was assigned as the Bishop of Columbus, Father Ethan Moore said his connection to Father Fernandes began when he was only a teenager. Moore grew up in Albuquerque, NM, before moving to Ohio. He was introduced to Father Fernandes, then a teacher and priest, when he attended Lehman Catholic High School and Holy Angels Catholic Church in Sidney. “At both school and church, Father Fernandes had a way to be personable and draw people to Jesus in a way that was very relatable,” he said. While Moore was in high school, becoming a priest wasn’t on his mind, but Father Fernandes thought differently. “Father Fernandes told my parents I should be a priest and I was like, ‘No way,’” laughed Father Moore.
2 2 | THE CATHOLIC TELE GRAPH
After graduation, Moore enrolled at Franciscan University to pursue a nursing degree. During his sophomore year’s study abroad program, he spent a semester in Gaming, Austria, and participated in a 10-day trip to Rome and Assisi. “When I was in Rome, I encountered Father Fernandes,” said Father Moore. A similar encounter happened years later. After switching majors and graduating college, Moore was more open to seminary, but began working and spent time in Corpus Christi, TX. “I was active at a parish there called St. Patrick’s,” he said. “I knew some members of the parish were going to take a trip to the Holy Land. I had the opportunity to go and it was a wonderful, life changing experience.” “And wouldn’t you know it, in the Holy Land, on the Via Dolorosa, I saw Father Fernandes,” laughed Father Moore. “It was so unreal.” Years later, he saw Father Fernandes again — this time during a men’s conference at Xavier University’s Cintas Center. “There were thousands of guys there,” noted Father Moore. “When I went to communion, the first priest I saw was Father Fernandes.”
“Soon after that, I came home with the desire in my heart to do whatever God wanted me to do, and that led me to apply for seminary. Then I had Father Fernandes in my daily life again as my mentor, my teacher and guide. The consistency of Father Fernandes in my life has been a tremendous gift, but also a sign of the Lord’s presence and the Lord’s will leading and directing me on this path to the priesthood.” After Father Moore’s ordination and following Father Fernandes’ return to Cincinnati from the papal nuncio’s office in D.C., they both lived at St. Ignatius Parish.
Father Fernandes has a way of including people in his life and being there for their lives. He’s able to do that
because he first does it with Jesus.
The St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish Community
Congratulates
“Father Ethan Moore was one of my former students, but when he was living with me at St. Ignatius, the papal nuncio came to visit. And Archbishop Pierre was the Papal Nuncio in Mexico for nine years, so he was very devoted to the Holy Virgin of Guadalupe,” said Bishop-elect Fernandes. “And so Father Ethan has this idea of having 500 cars with the big medallion of the Virgin of Guadalupe on the hood – I have one on mine and He has one on his – and that’s very creative. And then he brought the biker jacket with the monstrance on the back, and he wants to have a bunch of people riding around in their Catholic biker gang. And [Archbishop Pierre} said to me, ‘You know this young priest is very mature.’ And I laughed. I said, ‘Well, mature isn’t necessarily a word that I would associate with him, but he is an entrepreneurial spirit. He knows how to evangelize.’ He said, ‘Exactly, exactly.’ And I think that’s [an example of ] how young people know how to connect others to faith.”
Bishop-Elect Fernandes 13th Bishop of Columbus
sainti.org
Father Moore said he’s humbled to have these life connections with Bishop-elect Fernandes and is confident in the Catholic Church’s future with bishops like him leading the way. “Father Fernandes has a way of including people in his life and being there for their lives,” said Father Moore. “He’s able to do that because he first does it with Jesus. My story is unique to me, but it’s not unique to Father Fernandes. He will stop at nothing to bring the mercy of God, the power of the Holy Spirit, and the love of Jesus into the world and into people’s lives.” B IS H O P -E L E CT F E R N A N DE S / JUNE 2022 | 23
The Most Reverend Earl Fernandes, S.T.D.
Description of the Coat of Arms Thirteenth Bishop of Columbus BY BISHOP-ELECT EARL K. FERNANDES
Green hat represents patriarchs, including bishops, with 12 attached tassels, six on each side with one on top, two below it, then three below the two.
A botonny processional cross, which has five red gemstones to represent the Five Wounds of Christ.
The cross also represents the bishop’s rank, “impaled” (vertically) behind the shield.
left side* Bishop Fernandes’ Personal Coat of Arms
right side*
The chevron is a heraldic device best described as an inverted “V” and is one of the most ancient figures in heraldry. It frequently signifies the rafter that supports the church’s roof; thus, it symbolizes protection.
Diocese of Columbus’ Coat of Arms The ancient sailing ship in silver/white with the letter M in red on its sail represents the Santa Maria, which brought Christopher Columbus to the New World. Bishop Fernandes’ See City was named for Columbus in 1812.
For his episcopal motto, Bishop Fernandes chose words from a famous short prayer by the Servant of God, Monsignor Luigi Giussani: “Veni Sancte Spiritus, veni per Mariam” (“Come Holy Spirit, come through Mary”).
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Scallop shells, which also appear on the Fernandes family crest and symbolize the Church’s pilgrimage on earth. The three shells recall the Holy Trinity and baptism, by which people are immersed in the life of the Triune God.
*In heraldry, right and left are exchanged from the observer’s point of view since it is customary to consider the right and left side from the soldier’s perspective as he holds his own shield.
The plough inspires a sentiment of peace, serenity and good and laborious work amid the beauty of creation.
Bishop Fernandes’ personal coat of arms was designed by Dr. Renato Poletti of Rome, Italy. According to the Roman Catholic Church heraldic tradition, a bishop’s Coat of Arms is normally composed of a shield, golden processional cross, green hat and scroll.
What do the colors symbolize? • Gold - is the first among the noble metals and symbolizes the first virtue, faith, which helps us understand the mystery of Salvation. • Red - is the color of love (charity) and of blood, symbolizing the infinite love of the Father Who sent the Son to shed His blood for our redemption and the forgiveness of sins. • Blue & white - heraldic symbols of water, a key symbol of baptism reminding us that the bishop is his diocese’s primary sacramental minister. The blue and white colors also recall Bishop Fernandes’ close association with the Missionaries of Charity, founded by St. Teresa of Calcutta.
Why the plough image? •
Bishop Fernandes is the son of immigrants from India, a nation renowned for its tradition of peace and non-violence. Ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, the red plough appears on both his personal coat of arms and the Archdiocese of Cincinnati’s Coat of Arms. It recalls the Roman hero Cincinnatus (c. 519 - c. 430 BCE), who was asked by senators to abandon the fields he was ploughing and lead the Roman soldiers against invading neighbors (Aequians).
•
After quickly and thoroughly defeating the enemy and preserving the state, Cincinnatus refused the spoils of war and retired again, resuming his life as a farmer working his own land. He preferred this to a king’s life, glorying more in his poverty than others did in their riches, and so laid down his arms, for he cared little for war.
We are ... called to serve. Live Jesus in our hearts. B IS H O P -E L E CT F E R N A N DE S / JUNE 2022 | 25
{ e ar l y p ri est ho o d }
lessons
FROM LEHMAN Still Guiding Bishop-elect Fernandes BY JOHN STEGEMAN
Bishop-elect Earl K. Fernandes earned his spot leading the Diocese of Columbus by being a competent, intelligent and compassionate priest for 20 years. To the people who knew him right out of seminary, those qualities were already evident. After his 2002 ordination, Father Fernandes was assigned as associate pastor of Holy Angels and chaplain at Lehman Catholic High School in Sidney, OH. At the high school he taught religion, morality and vocations, while also leading Kairos retreats and getting to know the students and staff. “He’s just an exceptional human in so many ways,” said Melissa Safreed, a math teacher at Lehman Catholic for 25 years. “He’s so bright. He’s so accepting and so welcoming, so kind. What else can we ask for in the world today? He was a good teacher because of those things. He was very wise beyond his years.” Father Fernandes was particularly capable in reaching young people because he recognized their uniqueness. “He values the young people as individuals,” Safreed said. “He doesn’t make them feel important, he makes them realize how important they are. As a role model for young men, they need that so badly today… He was in his element working with youth at that age.” Bishop-elect Fernandes credited the Catholic identity of Lehman Catholic for his success, but acknowledged his oneon-one approach. “At Lehman, it’s kind of unique,” Bishop-elect Fernandes said. “They had Eucharistic adoration and confessions available every Thursday. They had Mass every Friday. And kids were 2 6 | THE CATHOLIC TE LEGRAPH
somewhat interested in faith. A lot of them [eventually] married in the Church and, therefore, stayed connected to the Church. I thought, if I can be interested in them, maybe they’ll be interested in the Church. I learned a lot from their enthusiasm for life, the way to be creative.” Father Earl has been known since his early days as a man who takes each interaction seriously, but with a smile. He demonstrates this in remembering so many people he meets – a useful skill when taking charge of the 23-county diocese covering central and southern Ohio. “He has a memory that is incredible,” Safreed said. “He remembers names and situations and specific occurrences all these years later. When he’s come up graciously and celebrated Mass with us in recent years, he remembers the faculty who were here way back when and the different conversations we had. He just loves people.”
Bishop-elect
He doesn’t make them feel important, he makes
Earl K. Fernandes
them realize how important they are.
“Those were some of the happiest years of my life being there, because as a young priest, everyone wants you to succeed,” he said. “Young people, somehow, they know how to connect. As we mature, we sometimes lose touch with their life. And so, we have to remain close to them one way or the other. I can’t be like a young person. I’m not going to be a young person ever again. I can’t. And sometimes young people need an adult in the room. They need a father figure. But to know that their father loves them is important. And to know as a priest that you’re loved by others is also important.”
Congratulations and
Many Blessings from your
Holy Angels Family in Sidney!
If others’ testimonies count, the bishop-elect is clearly loved. In fact, some believe Columbus may not be the final destination for the ministry to which God is calling him. “We always told him he was on the fast track to Rome,” said Denise Staufer, principal at Holy Angels and former principal at Lehman Catholic. “He’s just so personable and kind and so humble. He’s very intelligent and is always teaching about the Gospel and the faith.”
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Written by Gail Finke Illustrated by Emma Cassani
1945 St. Ignatius parish formed 1946 First Mass held at the Lonesome Pine Inn. Temporary school purchased, operated by the Sisters of Mercy Building started on the first church (dedicated 1948) 1950 Groundbreaking for new school (dedicated 1951) 1969 Groundbreaking for new church 1970 First guitar Mass in the new church 1972 Bells installed; first rung on Easter
The rose window in the sanctuary of the round,
1976 First annual parish picnic at Strickers Grove
postwar-style St. Ignatius of Loyola Church in Montfort Heights came from Walnut
1980 Pipe organ installed
Hills’ former Church of the Assumption. 1 rose window, made in Germany by Franz Meyer and Co. in 1863, displays symbols of the Old and New Testaments, installed in the sanctuary during 2011 1 distinctive lattice-like bell tower over the main doors, topped with metal cross 6 stained glass windows around the outer walls, each with eight vertical rectangles in two rows, containing Catholic symbols “St. Ignatius has been a place of refuge and hope for me and my family. Our children received a great educational foundation, too!” - Elaine Kroger, Parishioner and CRE 2 8 | THE CATHOLIC TELE GRAPH
1986 Groundbreaking for Community Center
ST. IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA A swaggering Spanish soldier, when Ignatius was struck in the leg by a cannonball, he was so vain that after it began healing crooked, he made doctors re-break and reset it. While convalescing, he asked to read knightly romances, but only books about saints were available. Ignatius discovered these stories gave him peace and a desire to work for God’s glory, so he gave up his military career to serve God. Initially upset to find himself unsuited for typical monastic life, he was inspired to find new ways for priests and religious brothers to pray and live. With Peter Faber and Francis Xavier, Ignatius founded the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) religious order and became its first Superior General.
1993 Stained glass windows installed 1996 Twinning relationship launched with San Jose parish in Guatemala 2008 St. Ignatius School recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School 2019 Ignatius Center opens across the street 2022 Pastor, Father Earl Fernandes, appointed Bishop of Columbus
CAT HO LIC A T H O ME
Love and Mercy Itself “I am love and mercy itself. There is no misery that could be a match for my mercy.” – Jesus to St. Faustina There’s no sport as intense and simultaneously adorable as third grade basketball. With my son, Peter, on the team this season, we had front row seats to the sweetness of his young team. They were fierce, yet clumsy so that a single bump from an opposing player could result in tears. Amid one instance of rapid-fire passes and mad grabs for the basketball, one boy emerged from the pack of players to run awkwardly to the ref, where his sneakers and scuffling came to an abrupt halt. The crowd watched as the boy inaudibly pleaded with the court authority, who gently chuckled and took a knee to tie the little boy’s shoe. The boy couldn’t do it on his own, so he took his tiny crisis to someone who could help. And that’s what mercy is: When the capable witness or sense the difficulties of the incapable and act in place of or in conjunction with those who can’t do something for themselves. In pondering mercy, society equates it with pity or even weakness; in reality, mercy is quite the opposite. Pity in itself is a feeling, not an action; giving and receiving mercy calls for ready strength of heart over weakness. We practice mercy daily, probably as easily as the referee that day. My 6’5” husband often grabs what is out of my reach when I ask. When my children become frustrated over homework and need a break, I get them outside to play and breathe before resuming. Mercy is noticing another’s difficulty and doing something about it, whether the giver needs to take over or just be present while the receiver works through a challenge. A favorite Old Testament reading about mercy is the Lord’s
appearance to Moses through the burning bush. God said, “I have witnessed the affliction of my people, I have heard their cry, and know well what they are suffering, therefore I have come down to rescue them from the hands of the Egyptians” (Ex. 3:8). God told Moses that He saw, heard and knew the Hebrews’ suffering well, and because they couldn’t free themselves, the Lord sent a deliverer. In the New Testament, the tax collector Zacchaeus’ curiosity compelled him to climb a tree for a better look at Jesus, who was surrounded by a crowd. Christ’s act of mercy here was simply walking up to Zacchaeus, not only affording him a closer look, but also a promise for conversation during the Lord’s stay at Zacchaeus’ own home. This mercy, this kindness and generosity, from Jesus is for us. God is the same as He ever was. All-loving, all-knowing, allmerciful, He offers the same mercy to us as He did to Moses and Zacchaeus. When He appeared to St. Faustina in the 1930s, He said, “Let the sinner not be afraid to approach me … The soul that trusts in my mercy is most fortunate because I Myself take care of it.” Whatever the challenge, tribulation, or minor deliberation for life-altering choices, Jesus Himself sees to our problems; not because we’re helpless or clueless, but because He loves us and aches for us to know how much. During the Easter season, join me in happily receiving God’s mercy. Return to confession with your family, receive Holy Eucharist often and entrust your anxieties to Jesus with sure knowledge that He will attend to your heart and problems. God hears our afflictions and awaits our surrender to His capable hands. KATIE SCIBA is a national speaker and Catholic Press Awardwinning columnist. Katie has been married for 14 years and is blessed with six children. CA T H O L IC A T H O M E / J UNE 2022 | 29
BOOK REVIEW
After Humanity A Guide to C.S. Lewis’ “The Abolition of Man” by Michael Ward REVIEWED BY FRANCIS J. BECKWITH
During the height of the Second World War, in February 1943, C. S. Lewis delivered the Riddell Memorial Lectures at the University of Durham in England. Entitled “The Abolition of Man,” they were published later that year as a slim volume that has since been heralded as one of the most important books of the 20th Century.
Word on Fire, just published a wonderful companion to Lewis’ classic tome. Authored by philosopher Michael Ward, After Humanity: A Guide to C.S. Lewis’ “The Abolition of Man” is a detailed literary, historical, philosophical, and critical commentary. Ward, arguably the leading Lewis scholar of our time, leaves no stone unturned.
The Abolition of Man is an erudite criticism of value subjectivism: the view that goodness and beauty are not real truths about things in the world, but rather are our subjective perceptions imposed on the world. For example, when we say that the Grand Canyon is beautiful, we are not really describing what it literally is. We are simply announcing to the world the beautiful feelings that arise in us when we encounter the Grand Canyon. Lewis argues that under this theory, assessments of goodness or beauty cannot be right or wrong. All are equally subjective and thus equally nonrational – merely a matter of individual taste.
The first six chapters discuss how Abolition was received; the occasion and context of the initial lectures and their publication; its framework and central concepts; whether or not it is a religious work; its background and its legacy. In chapter seven, which is 65-percent of the book and divided into three sections, Ward guides the reader on a passage-bypassage journey through Abolition. In addition to Ward’s own explanations and remarks, we are introduced to an almost dizzying collection of facts, arguments, literary allusions, commentaries, and influences. He also supplies crossreferences to Lewis’ other works that touch on themes in Abolition.
But value subjectivism is a universal acid that cannot be constrained to judgments about the goodness or beauty of the natural world. If it is true, the theory must extend to human nature as well. We therefore, cannot say what is intrinsically good for human beings, since goodness, like beauty, is solely in the eye of the beholder. This means that there is no natural moral law that may guide society in the development of its laws and customs. Truth yields to power and to the value subjectivity of those who wield it. That leaves politics and law in the hands of unaccountable elites who saddle humanity with their vision of “goodness.” Under this scenario, generations of human beings remain in bondage to the capricious whims of the powerful elites. This, Lewis maintains, is the abolition of man. 3 0 | THE CATHOLIC TE LEGRAPH
Given Ward’s encyclopedic knowledge of Lewis’ body of work, it is difficult to imagine anyone else – except perhaps the late, great Walter Hooper – who could produce a guide of this breadth and depth. It is a worthy companion to Lewis’ great work. Francis J. Beckwith is a Professor of Philosophy and ChurchState Studies, and Associate Director of the Graduate Program in Philosophy, at Baylor University. After Humanity: A Guide to C.S. Lewis’ “The Abolition of Man,” by Michael Ward; Word on Fire Academic; 253 pages; $24.95; published June 23, 2021
Can you help us preserve this magnificent basilica? The Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains was built in 1845 as a tribute to the faith of immigrant Catholics. It was rescued from ruin in the 1950’s and today is a shining symbol of that same Catholic faith. But it needs your help if it is to remain that same impressive symbol and home to all Catholic people of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Become a “Friend of the Cathedral Basilica” with your contribution to sustain and preserve St. Peter in Chains.
Help us preserve our archdiocesan treasure for future generations. I would like to help support our cathedral basilica. Please specify how you would like to direct your donation. Live Streaming Video Modernization Friends of the Cathedral Basilica Archbishop Karl J. Alter Society
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| 31
Festivals
IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CINCINNATI
June + July + August Full Listing at catholictelegraph.com HOLY TRINITY KOC PICNIC
June 3, 7 p.m. – 11 p.m. June 4, 6 p.m. – 11 p.m. June 5, 1 p.m. – 9 p.m. 116 E. Main St., Coldwater 419-678-4802 ST. JUDE
ST. HELEN FESTIVAL
June 10, 6:30 p.m. – 12 a.m. June 11, 1 p.m. – 12 a.m. June 12, 1 p.m. – 9 p.m. 5086 Burkhardt Rd, Dayton www.sthelenfestival.org 937-254-6233
June 3, 6:30 p.m. – 12 a.m. June 4, 4 p.m. – 12 a.m. June 5, 3 – 10 p.m. 5924 Bridgetown Rd., Cincinnati 513-574-1230
ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST
ST. MARY FAMILY FESTIVAL
HOLY ANGELS PARISH PICNIC
June 11, 6 p.m. – 12 a.m. June 12, 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. 7121 Plainfield Rd., Cincinnati 513-791-9004
June 3, 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. June 4, 12 p.m. – 10 p.m. 528 Broadway, Piqua 937-773-1327
June 17, 5 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. June 18, 4 p.m. – 11 p.m. Lehman High School, 2400 St Marys Ave., Sidney
ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL
ST. MARY OF THE WOODS
June 3, 6 p.m. – 12 a.m. June 4, 6 p.m. – 12 a.m. June 5, 3 p.m. – 10 p.m. Corner of Creek Rd. & Spinner Ave., Cincinnati 513-563-6377 GUARDIAN ANGELS
The Bid-N-Buy auction and Major Awards raffle will culminate the weekend of June 10-12. This will be a stand-alone fundraiser with the auction conducted completely online at www.gaparish.org. 513-231-7440 HOLY ROSARY ST. MARYS
June 10, 5 p.m. – 12 a.m. June 11, Noon – 12 a.m. 511 E. Spring St., St. Marys 419-394-5050 ST. ANTONINUS MUSIC FESTIVAL
June 10, 5:30 p.m. – 12 a.m. June 11, 4 p.m. – 12 a.m. June 12, 2 p.m. – 9 p.m. 5425 Julmar Dr, Cincinnati 513- 922-5400 3 2 | THE CATHOLIC TE LEGRAPH
June 17, 4 p.m. – 10 p.m. / June 18, 4 p.m. – 10 p.m. 464 Madison Ave., Russells Point 937-843-3127 ST. JOHN XXIII SCHOOL
June 24, 6 p.m. – 12 a.m. June 25, 4 p.m. – 12 a.m. June 26, 4 p.m. – 10 p.m. 3806 Manchester Rd, Middletown 513-424-1196 ST. VERONICA
June 24, 6 p.m. – 11 p.m. June 25, 5 p.m. – 11 p.m. June 26, 12:30 p.m. – 6 p.m. 4473 Mt. Carmel-Tobasco Rd., Cincinnati 513-528-1622 ST. JOSEPH FAMILY PATRIOTIC FESTIVAL
July 3, 4 p.m. – 12 a.m. July 4, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Auglaize County Fairground, 1001 Fairview Dr., Wapakoneta 419-738-2115
ST. THOMAS MORE
July 8, 6 p.m. – 12 a.m. July 9, 5 p.m. – 12 a.m. July 10, 1 – 9 p.m. 800 Ohio Pike, Cincinnati 513-753-2563 or 513-752-2080 x 301 IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY
July 15 – 17 7820 Beechmont Ave, Cincinnati 513-388-4466 ST. CECILIA FESTIVAL
July 15, 6 p.m. – 12 a.m. July 16, 5 p.m. – 12 a.m. July 17, 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. 3105 Madison Rd, Cincinnati 513-871-5757 ST. JAMES THE GREATER FAMILY FESTIVAL
July 22, 6 p.m. – 12 a.m. July 23, 5:30 p.m. – 12 a.m. July 24, 4 p.m. – 10 p.m. 3565 Hubble Rd., Cincinnati 513-741-5300 www.stjamesfestival.com OUR LADY OF LOURDES FESTIVAL
July 30, 5 p.m. – 12 a.m. 2832 Rosebud Dr., Cincinnati 513-922-0715 ST. ANN ANNUAL FESTIVAL
July 29, 6 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. July 30, 6 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. 3064 Pleasant Ave., Hamilton 513-863-4963 ST. BARTHOLOMEW
July 29 6 p.m. – 1 p.m. July 30, 5 p.m. – 11 p.m. July 31, 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. 9375 Winton Rd., Cincinnati 513-522-3680
July 28, Texas Hold ‘em Tournament 7 p.m. – 12 p.m. July 29, 5 p.m. – 12 p.m. July 30, 5 p.m. – 12 p.m. July 31, 3 p.m. – 11 p.m. 4551 Delhi Pike, Cincinnati 513-471-7741 ST. MARGARET OF YORK
July 29, 6 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. July 30, 5 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. July 31, 3 p.m. – 8 p.m. 9483 Columbia Rd., Loveland 513-697-3100 HOLY CROSSIMMACULATA
Aug. 5, 5 p.m. – 12 a.m. Aug. 6, 5 p.m. – 12 a.m. 30 Guido St., Cincinnati 513-721-6544
OUR LADY OF THE VISITATION
Aug. 12, 6:30 p.m. – 12 a.m. Aug. 13, 5 p.m. – 12 a.m. Aug. 14, 4 p.m. – 10 p.m. 3172 South Rd., Cincinnati 513-922-2056 SACRED HEART
Aug. 12, 6 p.m. – 12 a.m. Aug. 13, 5 p.m. – 12 a.m. Aug. 14, 3 p.m. – 9 p.m. 400 Nilles Road, Fairfield 513-858-4210 SACRED HEART OF JESUS
Aug. 12, 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. Aug. 13, after 5 p.m. Mass until Midnight 9377 State Route 119W, Anna 937-394-3823
Aug. 7, 11 a.m. –7 p.m. 3350 Chapel Rd., Shandon 513-738-1014 ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST
ST. BERNADETTE FESTIVAL
Aug. 5, 6 p.m. – 12 a.m. Aug. 6, 5 p.m. – 12 a.m. Aug. 7, Noon – 8 p.m. 5361 Dry Ridge Rd, Cincinnati (513) 385-8010
Aug. 19, 6 p.m. – 12 a.m. Aug. 20, 6 p.m. – 12 a.m. Aug. 21, 12 p.m. – 8 p.m. 1479 Locust Lake Road, Amelia 513-753-5566
ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST
ST ELIZABETH ANN SETON
Aug. 5, 6:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. Aug. 6, 5 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. 509 Harrison Ave, Harrison 513-367-9086 ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST
Aug. 19, 6 p.m. – 11 p.m. Aug. 20, 6 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. Aug. 21, 1 p.m. – 8 p.m. 5900 Buckwheat Rd., Milford 513-575-0119
Aug. 5, 6 p.m. –11 p.m. Aug. 6, 6 p.m. – 11 p.m. Aug. 7, 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. 9080 Cincinnati-Dayton Rd., West Chester 513-777-6433
ST. MARY FUNFEST
ST. MARY CHURCH PIGFEST
ST. IGNATIUS LOYOLA
Aug. 6, 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. 3398 State Route 125, Bethel 513-734-4041
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Aug. 12, 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. Aug. 13, 12 p.m. – 10 p.m. Aug. 14, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. 312 Fairground Rd., Xenia 937-372-3193
ST. ALOYSIUS
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Aug. 19, 6 p.m. – 12 a.m. Aug. 20, 5 p.m. – 12 a.m. Aug. 21, 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. 2853 Erie Ave., Cincinnati 513-321-1207 Aug. 26, 6 p.m. – 12 a.m. Aug. 27, 5 p.m. – 12 a.m. Aug. 28, 4 p.m. – 10 p.m. 5222 North Bend Rd., Cincinnati 513-661-6565
ST. MICHAEL FESTIVAL LIVE MUSIC poker FOOD & DRINK blackjack THRILL RIDES raffles BEERS & SPECIALTY DRINKS big 6 AND MORE!
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www.stmikefest.com F E S T IV A L S / JUNE 2022 | 33
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Wh o
?
e y n n a i V n . J t o h S is
Color me! St. John Vianney is the patron saint of priests
This made it easier for John to finish his education.
(and one of Bishop-elect Earl Fernandes’
He was ordained a priest in 1815, and though
favorite saints!)
he had religious freedom, things were not easy.
John grew up in a Catholic home during the French Revolution’s “Reign of Terror.” This was a time with a lot of violence, arrests and executions. Catholic priests had to say Mass in
As a result of the French Revolution, many Catholics gave up on the faith or didn’t receive religious education. John taught people about the faith and how God wants them to live.
secret – otherwise, they could be killed! John
He spent 11-12 hours every day offering the
thought priests were brave and heroic, which
sacrament of confession. John’s interesting,
sparked his own interest in becoming a priest.
selfless acts were the talk of the town. Word
It was difficult to be Catholic during this time. John secretly made his first communion and confirmation at 13, and at 20, he went to school
spread and people from all over wanted to meet him and go to him for confession. About 20,000 pilgrims visited him each year!
to study the Church. In 1802, the Reign of Terror
John led many to Christ and His merciful love.
ended and people could again freely practice
In 1925, St. John Vianney was canonized as a
religion.
saint. His feast day is celebrated on August 4.
Feast Day: August 4 36 |
“I love you, O my God, and my only desire is to love you until the last breath of my life.” St. JOhn Vianney
Brave Confession Heart John Vianney Merciful Pilgrims Priesthood Reign of Terror Revolution Secret
• Cut bell peppers into slices and then cut three slices of each pepper in half. Cut remaining slices into bite-sized pieces. • Place pre-made pizza crust on a baking sheet. • Spread pizza sauce on crust.
Heart of the Priesthood Pizzas BY WAYNE & MARIANNE TOPP
• Pre-made pizza crust • Favorite pizza sauce • Shredded mozzarella cheese • Sliced pepperoni • Pre-cooked bacon bits (or crumbled sausage) • Red, yellow and orange bell peppers • Sliced black olives • Other pizza toppings as desired
• (Optional) Arrange half of the pepperoni, half of the bacon bits, some black olives, the bite-sized bell pepper pieces, and other desired pizza toppings evenly on the sauce. • Cover with shredded cheese. • Arrange remaining pepperoni in a heart shape on top of the cheese. • Arrange remaining bacon bits in a large band horizontally across the center of the pepperoni heart. • At the center on top of the heart, arrange sliced black olives in the shape of a cross and the halfslices of bell peppers to resemble a flame. • Bake according to package (or recipe) directions. • Enjoy while discussing the way “the priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus.” K ID S / J UNE 2022 | 37
POPE ST. JOHN PAUL II’S THEOLOGY OF THE BODY
Gift, Self-gift and the Meaning of Life – Part 2 This article is part of an ongoing series on Pope St. John Paul II’s “Theology of the Body” (TOB). Last month, I reflected on how the logic of gift is a golden thread woven throughout Pope St. John Paul II’s thought, especially in Theology of the Body. All of creation, including man, depends on God’s loving gift of existence at every moment. The logic of gift even describes the inner life of God Himself, who is an eternal exchange of love between Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Let us extend those reflections to explore what the logic of gift has to say about our vocation and the role of the human body in revealing these mysteries. To say that the very being of man is a gift to him from the Creator means that the logic of gift marks “the very essence of the person” (TOB 14:2). If gift characterizes the very being and essence of man, then his ultimate fulfillment must be found through freely making a gift of himself to others. According to Pope St. John Paul II, man cannot find fulfillment in isolation. Rather, he can find fulfillment “only by existing ‘with someone’ – and, put even more deeply and completely, by existing ‘for someone’” (TOB 14:2). This “existing for” another is what “self-gift” means. We make a gift of self whenever we engage in some act of self-sacrifice for others. Each of these acts of generosity in which we seek the good of the other before ourselves is an act of self-giving that contributes to the fulfillment of our being. However, the fullest expression of self-gift is when we make a “total” gift of self. Such “total” giving is properly called a “spousal” gift of self, whereby we enter a permanent, exclusive relationship of belonging entirely to another. Marriage is the primordial “place” given to us by God for such a spousal gift of self. The human body bears witness to all of this. Our bodies show us that our life is a gift since we come from another and depend on others to exist. We are conceived and gestated in our mother’s womb, born of her body, and physically nurtured by her and others as we grow. Indeed, human beings are 3 8 | THE CATHOLIC TE LEGRAPH
remarkable in the visible world in that the human body takes an extremely long time to mature and reach a level of relative independence. We need the physical and emotional care of others in order to survive to adulthood, only to eventually decline back into dependence on the physical care of others. Throughout, our bodies bear the signs of our relational history. Our belly buttons remind us of our mothers’ nurturing gift of self in her womb. Our physical features remind us of the gift of life we received from our parents and ancestors who came before. All of this led Pope St. John Paul II to exclaim, “This is the body: a witness to creation as a fundamental gift, and therefore a witness to Love as the source from which this same giving springs” (TOB 14:4). Even more, we discover in our bodies our sexual identity as male or female. This sexual difference only makes sense when we think of the two in relation to each other. It shows us that man and woman are made for each other. Our maleness and femaleness enable us to make a “total” gift of self by which the two “become one flesh” through marital union. Pope St. John Paul II coined the term the “spousal meaning of the body” to refer to the human body’s “power to express love: precisely that love in which the human person becomes a gift and – through this gift – fulfills the very meaning of his being and existence” (TOB 15:1). What the saintly pope is telling us is that since every human person is a gift, the meaning of life is to give ourselves away as a gift to others. When we live a life of total self-giving, we act in accord with God’s wise and loving plan, the very structure of our being and essence, and the deepest desires of the human heart. I invite all of us to reflect on how we can embrace this way of life more fully as we continue our journey into Theology of the Body. DR. ANDREW SODERGREN, MTS, PSY.D. is a Catholic psychologist and director of psychological services for Ruah Woods. He speaks on the integration of psychology and the Catholic faith. He and his wife, Ellie, have five children.
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12 Early movie mogul 13 Some CEOs 21 ___ loss for words 26 Palm product 28 Church singers 29 Lofty nest 30 The “A,” for one 31 E Pluribus ____ 32 List from which to choose 33 Affirmative votes 34 Pedro’s home 35 Mountain range 36 Irritate 37 There was no room here 40 Pay ending 45 Matthew collected this before he met Jesus 47 Jesus met him on the road to Emmaus 50 Where Jesus went for 40 days 51 Wee crawler 52 Octave 54 With speed 55 Age 56 Sings like Ella 57 Flat-topped rise 58 Parisian friends 59 Jokes 61 Above 62 Dry watercourse 64 ___ gin fizz 67 Alphabet string
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J UNE 2022 | 39
2:42
THE FINAL W OR D
with Bishop-elect Earl K. Fernandes
In Service of Love Serving the Archdiocse of Cincinnati
My Dear Friends in Christ, When I was about 11-years-old, the television show MASH had its series finale, entitled, “Goodbye, Farewell and Amen.” Jessica Rinaudo, the editor of The Catholic Telegraph, graciously allowed me to write one last column – without a word limit. Those of you who know me personally could testify that I am never short on words; however, this time, I will be brief. In 2011, I began to write the “Question of Faith” column for The Catholic Telegraph, which I enjoyed. Father David Endres, who succeeded me as seminary dean, admirably took over the column when I was transferred to the Apostolic Nunciature in 2016. I enjoyed writing the column because, not only was it a form of faith formation, it also allowed me to reach people throughout the entire archdiocese. As a seminary professor, it was hard for me to be disconnected from the life of parishioners and the northern parts of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. And then, during my time at the Apostolic Nunciature, not only could I not teach, but I also could not write or publish under my own name, as I did not want to be a distraction to the mission of the Apostolic Nuncio or cause controversy. I missed teaching, writing and publishing. Upon my return to the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, I was happy to be invited to write once more. I have been overwhelmed at the response to my columns, with cards and letters regularly arriving from all parts of the archdiocese. It has shown me that people are interested in faith and in growing as disciples. 4 0 | THE CATHOLIC TE LEGRAPH
When I was first ordained 20 years ago, I lamented the woeful state of catechesis. I thought, “Well, if people only had better catechesis, the problems of the Church would go away.” I also thought that people were a lot like horses: if you ride a horse hard enough and give him the spurs a few times, you can break the horse. I quickly realized that I was dealing with people, not horses. The people also had far more faith and devotion than I previously thought. This was especially true in Sidney, OH, where I was privileged to first serve. Gradually, I came to understand that people are made to be loved, and that teaching the faith, through writing, could be a great service of love. These columns throughout the years have been a small way to say, “I love you,” and “Thank you,” to the People of God here in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. I will miss writing these columns, but even more, I will miss the people of this archdiocese. Having served eight of my 20 years as a priest outside the archdiocese, I have always longed to come home, but now I must be going. Since my nomination as Bishop of Columbus, I have been overwhelmed by the prayers, good wishes, cards, letters and gifts. Very often we only read negative news about priests in the papers or on social media; however, what these letters have taught me is that the People of God really love their priests. Yes, they can be hard on priests at times, but mostly, they love them. I know that Beacons of Light will
bring many challenges to the priests and people. I ask that you continue to love your priests, offer words of encouragement and pray for them. Your goodness sustained me for two decades in the priesthood. What a joy it is to be a priest! When I worked at the Nunciature’s office, we read a lot of complaint letters about bishops. There is no shortage of those. I realized how difficult the mission of the bishops really was. Some of us like to be “armchair quarterbacks” during football season, but in reality, we could never do what Joe Burrow does. The same could be said of bishops. The reality of their lives and decisions are so much more difficult than we imagine. They need our prayers. I, too, now need your prayers more than ever and express my gratitude in anticipation of them. As I begin my new mission, know that although I am once more away, you are never far from my heart. Goodbye. Farewell. Amen. Completely yours in the Lord, Most Reverend Earl K. Fernandes Bishop of Columbus
Ruah Woods Institute congratulates
Bishop-Elect Fernandes on his appointment. Thank you for being a tireless champion of Theology of the Body!
congratulations
Bishop-Elect Rev. Earl Fernandes
Bishop-elect Fernandes is a graduate (2002) and former dean (2008-2016) of Mount St. Mary’s Seminary & School of Theology. Congratulations on your appointment to Bishop of the Diocese of Columbus, Ohio.
T H E F IN A L W O R D / JUNE 2022 | 41
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out & about 1) NEW STEPHEN MINISTERS IN WAPAKONETA Petersburg Parishes in Wapakoneta commissioned six new Stephen Ministers in January 2022. There are now 12 trained ministers serving those who need one-on-one Christian caring. Stephen Ministry has served as the hands and feet of Christ at St. Joseph Parish since 1996. 2) FENWICK’S WINNING ROBOTICS TEAM Recently, the Bishop Fenwick High School community gathered to cheer on RoboKai, the Fenwick Robotics Team, as they prepared to leave for the World Championships in Houston! Robo Kai ranked first in the state and second in the world. The team is only in its second year. 3) NEW DEACONS ORDAINED A group of 14 permanent deacons and seven transitional deacons were ordained on April 23, 2022, at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains in downtown Cincinnati. Permanent deacons will remain deacons and transitional deacons will be ordained priests next year. 4) WAY OF THE CROSS On Good Friday, the faithful gathered for a Way of the Cross at St. Monica-St. George Church in Cincinnati. Together, with priests and religious, the faithful carried a large cross through town, stopping throughout to pray Stations of the Cross. 4 2 | THE CATHOLIC TELE G RAPH
in the Archdiocese
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