cathedral basilica of st. peter in chains | world mission month | catholic school open houses
MAGAZINE
189th year | issue 11
bringing faith into the home
october 2020 | respect life | 1
FEEDING LOCAL FAMILIES. CHANGING LOCAL LIVES.
“This program gives us an opportunity to have maximum impact for those in need in the community” – Deacon Jerry, Volunteer In 2018, the USDA estimated that 37.2 million people lived in foodinsecure households. With more than 400,000 people living in poverty in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio is tackling food insecurity head-on.
GIVE ONLINE TODAY AT
www.ccswoh.org/donate
We provide nutritious food items to rural communities lacking access to affordable food as well as to needy children in schools. Over the past four months of the pandemic, we expanded our efforts throughout the region and distributed nearly 150,000 meals.
GIVE TO SUPPORT THE HUNGRY IN SOUTHWESTERN OHIO ENCLOSED IS MY GIFT OF: £$25 £$50 £$100 £$250
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PLEASE MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio, Mid Pointe Tower 7162 Reading Rd., Ste. 600, Cincinnati, OH 45237
edi t or’s not e
The Inestimable Value of Life In August, I had to take my 6-year-old to Children’s Hospital. While we attempted to navigate the sprawling campus in Northern Cincinnati, we crossed paths with many other parents and children – children who looked and acted differently than my daughter is accustomed to. When a boy with Down’s Syndrome engaged us in conversation in the elevator, I smiled, answered his questions and asked my daughter to respond to him, as well. Behind her mask, her eyes crinkled in greeting. Once we stepped off the elevator, my daughter looked up to me, eyes wide, and said, in the very direct manner that children often do, “Mom, why was he talking like that?” We paused in the parking garage as I thought about the best way to respond. I told her that God makes all of us unique, and sometimes people are born with things that make them a little different than others. I told her that it is our responsibility to always be kind and to acknowledge people, even if they seem different. She took this bit of information in with great seriousness. A few minutes later, as we drove away from the hospital, she chirped up again. “Mom, why are people poor? Can’t Jesus help them?” This was obviously a day for serious theological and moral conversations. “Yes,” I told her. “He can.” I told her we could pray for the poor, but we can also pray to Jesus and ask what we can do to help them. Jesus, after all, uses us as His hands and feet on Earth. I explained that we could make donations, volunteer and work with places like St. Vincent de Paul and Catholic Charities to reach out and help.
challenged me that day – and every day – to recognize the dignity of life in those with disabilities and the poor. As Pope Francis said, “All life has inestimable value, even the weakest and most vulnerable, the sick, the old, the unborn and the poor, are masterpieces of God’s creation, made in His own image, destined to live forever, and deserving of the utmost reverence and respect.” October is Respect Life month. Let us take up the challenge to not only voice support for the unborn, but to go out of our way to care for and pray for the vulnerable, the disabled and the poor.
That seemed to satisfied her curiosity. And, as we made the drive back to check-in at school, I couldn’t help but be amazed that, through the voice of my 6-year-old, God
cteditorial@catholicaoc.org
THE CATHOLIC TELEGRAPH 189th Year No. 11 • October 2020 513-263-6633 • thecatholictelegraph.com
PUBLISHER Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr
EDITOR Jessica Rinaudo
MEDIA SALES Deacon Graham Galloway
GRAPHIC DESIGN Emma Cassani
NEW MEDIA EDITOR Greg Hartman
DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT Dominick Albano
PHOTOGRAPHY Margaret Swensen
BOOKKEEPING Karen Cromer
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 Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
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contents world missions
respect life
columns
11 A MISSION CALL FOR GLOBAL SOLIDARITY TO RADIATE CHRIST Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr’s message for World Mission Month
18 SEEING THROUGH THE EYES OF CHRIST
ARCHBISHOP DENNIS M. SCHNURR
12 GLOBAL SOLIDARITY
21 BEING PRO-LIFE
SUSIE BERGMAN
KATIE SCIBA
Respect life, even when it’s uncomfortable
BOB WURZELBACHER
Versailles communities support indigenous people across the globe
The broad spectrum of life issues
14 OHIO AND UGANDA
BONNY VAN
REGAN MEYER
Liberty Township parish forms relationship with African parish 16 A REAL MISSION ADVENTURE KATHLEEN M. CARROLL
Experience the work of Comboni Missionaries from your home
cathedral basilica of st. peter in chains | world mission month | catholic school open houses
MAGAZINE
189th year | issue 11
bringing faith into the home
22 AMERICAN HERITAGE GIRLS Respect life patch program encourages girls to support life in the community 24 HOLY FAMILY PRENATAL CARE IN DAYTON
7 SEEK THE LORD Voting in light of a properly formed conscience 7 QUESTION OF FAITH FATHER DAVID ENDRES
Is fortune-telling dangerous? 17 SHINE ON DOMINICK ALBANO
What would it take for you to allow a child to suffer? 26 KIDS’ CORNER St. Gianna Molle 48 A CLOSER LOOK
MARK DANIS
DR. KENNETH CRAYCRAFT
Dr. Moell councils women through difficult pregnancies
The morality of voting for “none of the above”
25 PROFILE: MARY ANNE BOYD
62 MAKING CATHOLIC MEMORIES
JOHN STEGEMAN
WAYNE & MARIANNE TOPP
27 CATHOLIC AT HOME
Month of the Rosary
KATIE SCIBA
66 THE FINAL WORD
Talking to your kids about abortion
BETH PETTIGREW
28 ULTRASOUND INITIATIVE
Building relationships with the Navajo People
EILEEN CONNELLY, OSU october 2020 | respect life | 1
ON THE COVER
Donations bring state of the art equipment to Lebanon and Wapakoneta
PHOTO BY MARGARET SWENSEN
Vivian Swensen of Blue Ash, OH, with great granddaugter, Jane. 4 | TH E CATHOLIC TE LEG R A P H
Pope Francis’ Prayer Intention for October: We pray that by the virtue of baptism, the laity, especially women, may participate more in areas of responsibility in the Church.
st. peter in chains
schools
other news
32 ST. PETER IN CHAINS CATHEDRAL NAMED MINOR BASILICA AS IT CELEBRATES 175 YEARS
53 HIGH SCHOOL OPEN HOUSES
50 FATHER GENE CONTADINO
55 DE PAUL CRISTO REY WELCOMES NEW PRESIDENT
A legacy of social justice and love for Christ
EILEEN CONNELLY, OSU
MARGEE GARBSCH
38 A TIMELINE HISTORY OF CINCINNATI’S FIRST MINOR BASILICA
56 CISE PARTNERS WITH LA SOUPE TO FEED BODY & MIND
40 MEN FOR CHRIST
57 SERVING BEYOND BORDERS
EILEEN CONNELLY, OSU
64 OUT & ABOUT IN THE ARCHDIOCESE
CYNTHIA KENNY
BONNY VAN
ELLEN GORMLEY
Annual Eucharistic Procession through downtown Cincinnati unites men in public prayer
St. Xavier students reach out 58 ROYALMONT ACADEMY M.D. PITMAN
42 DID YOU KNOW?
Regnum Christi School celebrates 25 years of Catholic education
CHRISTOPHER BUSCHUR & EMMA CASSANI
What is a basilica? 44 BASILICA PROCLAMATION
61 STATE CHAMPIONSHIP IN SCIENCE & STEM FOR DAYTON CATHOLIC SCHOOLS RACHEL PRINDLE
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Prayers & Blessings for our Cathedral Basilica. Saint Catharine of Siena Parish, Cincinnati
6 | T H E CATHOLIC TELE GR A PH
St. Columban Parish wishes to congratulate the Archdiocese of Cincinnati on the 175th anniversary of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains.
SEEK THE LORD ARCHBISHOP DENNIS M. SCHNURR
The Archdiocese of Cincinnati, with great joy and gratitude, will celebrate the elevation of St. Peter in Chains Cathedral to the rank of minor basilica with a special Mass on Sat., Nov. 7, the 175th anniversary of its dedication. As we approach the bicentennial of our archdiocese next year, this designation is a fitting tribute to the vital role St. Peter in Chains has played in Midwestern Catholic life for seven generations. You will learn much more about the cathedral’s history and what it means to be a basilica in this edition of The Catholic Telegraph. That same week, Americans will take part in Election Day on Nov. 3. Across the street from St. Peter in Chains is Cincinnati’s City Hall, built in 1893. The proximity of these two impressive structures is a reminder that church and state, though separate and distinct, are each important in their spheres. The prophet Jeremiah quotes the Lord as saying, “Promote the welfare of the city to which I have exiled you” (Jer. 29:7). We are all in exile until we reach the Heavenly City. Meanwhile, we are called to radiate Christ and help build the Kingdom of God in our city, state and nation by applying Christian principles to the society in which we live. An essential element of faithful citizenship is not only voting but, as the U.S. bishops said, voting “in the light of a properly formed conscience.” To help that conscience formation, the Pastoral Center of the archdiocese has created iVoteCatholic, an initiative providing educational resources to introduce you, or reintroduce you, to the seven themes of Catholic social teaching. A different theme will be highlighted each Sunday through Oct. 25. The aim is not to tell you for whom or what to vote, but to help you decide on how to vote in conformity with Catholic doctrine.
Social justice is a not a new concept in the Church. The first great papal encyclical on that topic, Pope Leo XIII’s Rerum Novarum in 1891, drew heavily on Holy Scripture and the 13th Century writings of St. Thomas Aquinas. Subsequent popes have added to our treasury of social doctrine in response to the circumstances of their times. The one enduring, pervasive tenet of this teaching throughout the centuries has been concern for the common good. The Church cares not only for its members, but for everyone – because God has bestowed dignity on every person. The seven themes explored in the iVoteCatholic initiative reflect that fundamental premise. As the iVoteCatholic website notes, “The right to life is the first and most fundamental principle of human rights and leads Catholics to actively work for a world of greater respect for human life and greater commitment to justice and peace.” Life and Dignity of the Human Person is the iVoteCatholic theme for Oct. 4. That is quite appropriate, because the U.S. bishops have for several years observed October as Respect Life Month. In addition to the tragedy of abortion, other urgent respect life issues to consider include racism, war and terrorism, the death penalty and assisted suicide. To learn more about all seven key issues of Catholic social teaching, I invite you to visit iVoteCatholic.org. The Church has a vital role in the public square as she guides her members to build up the kingdom of God on earth. I urge you to vote on Nov. 3, and to do so in the light of a properly formed conscience. And, whatever the outcome, please pray for all our civic leaders as they struggle with the extraordinary challenges of these difficult times.
S E E K T H E L ORD / O CT 2020 | 7
BUSCA AL SEÑOR ARZOBISPO DENNIS M. SCHNURR
La Arquidiócesis de Cincinnati, con gran alegría y gratitud, celebrará la elevación de la Catedral de San Pedro en Cadenas al rango de basílica menor con una Misa especial el sábado 7 de noviembre, el 175 aniversario de su dedicación. A medida que nos acercamos al bicentenario de nuestra arquidiócesis el próximo año, esta designación es un tributo apropiado al papel vital que San Pedro en Cadenas ha desempeñado en la vida Católica del medio oeste durante siete generaciones. Aprenderán mucho más sobre la historia de la catedral y lo que significa ser una basílica en esta edición de The Catholic Telegraph. Esa misma semana, los estadounidenses participarán en el día de las elecciones del 3 de noviembre. Al otro lado de la calle de San Pedro de Cadenas se encuentra el Ayuntamiento de Cincinnati, construido en 1893. La proximidad de estas dos impresionantes estructuras es un recordatorio de que la iglesia y el estado, aunque separados y distintos, son cada uno importante en sus esferas. El profeta Jeremías cita al Señor diciendo: “Preocúpense por la prosperidad del país donde los he desterrado” (Jer 29,7). Todos estamos en el exilio hasta llegar a la Ciudad Celestial. Mientras tanto, estamos llamados a irradiar a Cristo y ayudar a edificar el reino de Dios en nuestra ciudad, estado y nación aplicando los principios Cristianos a la sociedad en la que vivimos. Un elemento esencial de la ciudadanía fiel no es sólo votar, sino, como han dicho los obispos de los Estados Unidos, votar “a la luz de una conciencia debidamente formada”. Para ayudar a esa formación de conciencia, el Centro Pastoral de la Arquidiócesis ha creado iVoteCatholic, una iniciativa que proporciona recursos educativos para presentarle, o reintroducirle, los siete temas de la enseñanza social Católica. Un tema diferente se resaltará cada domingo hasta el 25 de octubre. El objetivo no es decirle por quién o por qué votar, sino ayudarle a decidir cómo votar de acuerdo con la doctrina Católica.
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La justicia social no es un concepto nuevo en la Iglesia. La primera gran encíclica papal sobre ese tema, Rerum Novarum del Papa León XIII en 1891, se basó en gran medida en la Sagrada Escritura y en los escritos del siglo XIII de Santo Tomás de Aquino. Los papas posteriores se han sumado a nuestro tesoro de doctrina social en respuesta a las circunstancias de su tiempo. El principio perdurable y omnipresente de esta enseñanza a lo largo de los siglos ha sido la preocupación por el bien común. La Iglesia se preocupa no sólo por sus miembros, sino por todos, porque Dios ha otorgado dignidad a cada persona. Los siete temas explorados en la iniciativa iVoteCatholic reflejan esa premisa fundamental. Como señala el sitio web de iVoteCatholic, “El derecho a la vida es el primer y más fundamental principio de los derechos humanos y lleva a los Católicos a trabajar activamente por un mundo de mayor respeto por la vida humana y un mayor compromiso con la justicia y la paz”. La vida y la dignidad de la persona humana es el tema de iVoteCatholic para el 4 de octubre. Eso es bastante apropiado porque los obispos de los Estados Unidos han observado durante varios años el mes de octubre como el Mes de Respeto a la Vida. Además de la tragedia del aborto, otras cuestiones urgentes de respeto a la vida a considerar incluyen el racismo, la guerra y el terrorismo, la pena de muerte y el suicidio asistido. Para aprender más sobre los siete temas clave de la enseñanza social Católica, los invito a visitar iVoteCatholic.org. La Iglesia tiene un papel vital en la plaza pública mientras guía a sus miembros a edificar el reino de Dios en la tierra. Los exhorto a votar el 3 de noviembre y a hacerlo a la luz de una conciencia debidamente formada. Y, sea cual sea el resultado, por favor oren por todos nuestros líderes cívicos mientras luchan con los desafíos extraordinarios de estos tiempos difíciles.
Q UE S TION OF F AITH
IS FORTUNE-TELLING DANGEROUS? A long time ago, as a young person, I played with tarot cards and a Ouija board. These always seemed to me to be just entertainment, but now I understand the Church believes these can be dangerous. Why is this? In an increasingly secular society, we can easily fail to see spiritual realities – whether good or bad. And if people look to the spiritual, they too often turn to superstition, magic or the occult. These activities, whether communicating with spirits or relying on horoscopes and tarot cards to tell the future, can have a negative spiritual impact. The Catechism teaches, “All forms of divination are to be rejected: recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead or other practices falsely supposed to ‘unveil’ the future. Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens and lots, the phenomena of clairvoyance and recourse to mediums all conceal a desire for power over time, history and, in the last analysis, other human beings, as well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers. They contradict the honor, respect and loving fear that we owe to God alone” (CCC 2116). LOSING FOCUS
Communicating with the unseen world, often called the occult, is as old as time. The Scriptures frequently warn against it as a form of idolatry that is contrary to the First Commandment. The Book of Deuteronomy, for instance, offers an explicit condemnation: “Let there not be found among you anyone who causes their son or daughter to pass through the fire, or practices divination, or is a soothsayer, augur, or sorcerer, or who casts spells, consults ghosts and spirits, or seeks oracles from the dead. Anyone who does such things is an abomination to the Lord” (18:10-12). Elsewhere in the Bible, we see the example of King Saul communicating with the dead through a medium. His death the next day indicates God’s displeasure: “Saul died because of his treason against the Lord in disobeying his word, and also because he had sought counsel from a ghost, rather
than from the Lord” (1 Chr. 10:13-14). And in the New Testament, Paul condemned the magicians and encouraged them to destroy their idols (Acts 19:18-20). Communicating with spirits can show a lack of focus on God, believing that a relationship with Him is insufficient. UNWELCOME PRESENCES
Participation in the occult does not have only internal, spiritual consequences. In addition to losing focus on God, it can open up a person, or their home, to unwelcome spirits, leaving them at risk to various psychic and bodily disturbances. Often, young people in particular, participate in the occult as a joke or recreation, but evil does not play games and can use these activities to tempt and mislead. It is not unusual for people (sometimes even non-Catholics) to call priests to offer prayers of blessing or deliverance when someone experiences unpleasant phenomena after engaging in the occult. Evil spirits are real and can manifest themselves, even if one does not desire their presence. GRACE IS STRONGER
The good news is that while the occult is dangerous, God is more powerful than evil, and grace is more potent than sin. The Church has an arsenal of prayers of blessing and exorcism that repel evil. Through sacramental confession God can forgive our lack of focus and our failure to trust in Him. The unseen world of evil need not trouble us, if we humble ourselves before God, place our trust in Him, and persevere in prayer and the sacraments. His grace, made available through the Church, is the antidote. In the end, Christ is victorious, and the Evil One and death can have no power over us (Rom. 6:9). FATHER DAVID ENDRES
is associate professor of Church history and historical theology at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary & School of Theology. QU E S T ION OF F AIT H / O CT 2020 | 9
Sr. Elaine Kohls, MMS, a 30+ year veteran nurse and potable water specialist from Cincinnati, is a missionary in Ethiopia.
GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY TO THE MISSION CHURCH!
“Paddle” With Us On World Mission Sunday OCTOBER 18 In his Mission Sunday message, Pope Francis sees that the whole world is suffering this year from the unexpected, frightening, and deadly COVID-19 pandemic. It is like the Gospel story in which the disciples were also caught off guard and terrified by the storm in their windswept boat on the Sea of Galilee. Yet, Jesus calmed the seas and summoned them to paddle together in solidarity, comforting each other. The Holy Father urges us to do the same and give generously this year to his Pontifical Mission Societies that supply desperately needed assistance to 1,150 struggling mission dioceses suffering hunger and death from the pandemic. In the following pages, you will see inspiring examples of
our mission Church paddling together for God’s mission of compassion and solidarity. We invite you to join us in this loving outreach and mail in the coupon below with your generous gift. Thanks for your past support! Find the 2019-2020 Mission Office Financial Report of parishes’ donations and the list of our missioners and twinning partners on our Mission Office webpage through the Archdiocesan main website at: www.catholiccincinnati.org/ministriesoffices/mission-office. Gratefully in the mission of Christ, Dr. Mike Gable Mission Office Director
HELP US SHARE THE LOVE OF CHRIST ACROSS THE GLOBE! MAKE CHECK TO “MISSION OFFICE”
NAME: _______________________________________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS: ___________________________________________________________________________________________ CITY: _____________________________________________ PHONE: ________________________________
STATE:_______________
ZIP:__________________
EMAIL: _________________________________________________
DONATION AMOUNT: ___________________________
OR GIVE ONLINE:
WWW.GIVECENTRAL.ORG/PONTIFICALMISSIONSOCIETIES
MAIL CHECK TO: MISSION OFFICE • ARCHDIOCESE OF CINCINNATI • 100 E. 8TH STREET • CINCINNATI, OH 45202 10 |
A Mission Call for Global Solidarity to Radiate Christ
Archbishop Schnurr’s Message for World Mission Month St. Pope John Paul II was certainly a blessing to our Church and world. His love for God’s people blossomed in the 1970s, joining with workers as a cardinal in Communist-controlled Poland. “Solidarność” or “Solidarity” was the name of the labor union he strongly supported. He educated global supporters to go beyond compassion and seek long-term social justice efforts of solidarity that would eventually end Communist rule. Towards the end of his pontificate, St. Pope John Paul II became acutely aware of expanding globalization of telecommunications, economics and politics. Also deeply worried about increasing inequalities among the rich and poor worldwide, the Holy Father emphasized the need to look for the “common good.” In his 1998 Peace Message, he proclaimed, “The challenge is to ensure a globalization in solidarity, a globalization without marginalization.” Both Popes Benedict and Francis have built on this. In March 2018, Pope Francis warned that the only sustainable future for a global world is one where people can live together in peace. We must foster a “globalization of solidarity and of the spirit by building bridges, keeping dialogue open and favoring encounter.” This, he said, includes ending wars and poverty that create millions of refugees; education of children; staying close to the elderly; brokering peace and accompanying the poor to better analyze social issues in order to create more just economies/societies. In these challenging times, this is a badly needed exhortation for the whole planet. As our archdiocese prepares to celebrate our bicentennial, I have written a pastoral letter entitled, “Radiate Christ” thanking God for all those faithful Catholics who have built
our local Church community these past 200 years. I am also grateful to those who today reach beyond our borders to embrace the challenges of global solidarity. Missionaries from our archdiocese and those from other nations serving among us are powerful examples for us. I admire our 40 parishes who have built twinning relationships with other parishes in the U.S. and worldwide. God bless those grade and high schools and universities that offer education and immersion programs and trips to create dialogue and social justice among people of different races, ethnicities, cultures, nations and religions. They, too, certainly radiate Christ. This coming Mission Month of October and World Mission Sunday on Oct. 18 are opportunities to demonstrate our global solidarity to our fellow Catholics in 1,150 mission dioceses who are now building their own churches, seminaries, convents and lay catechetical centers. Please give generously and become a regular supporter of the Holy Father’s Pontifical Mission Societies. You are invited to an inspiring Global Solidarity Mission Mass on Sun., Oct. 18, at 3 p.m. at St. Susanna Parish in Mason, OH. Please be in touch with our Mission Office Director, Dr. Mike Gable, at: mgable@catholiccincinnati.org, or the Mission Office website at: www.catholiccincinnati.org Sincerely in the mission of Christ,
Most Reverend Dennis M. Schnurr Archbishop of Cincinnati W OR L D M IS S ION M ON T H / O CT 2020 | 11
BY S U S IE BE R G M AN
Global Solidarity Versailles Communities Support Indigenous People Across the Globe Twinning allows parish communities to connect the commonality of our faith across borders, various ethnicities and socioeconomic backgrounds. These relationships allow parishes from all over the globe to embrace and grow deeper in their understanding of Christ through virtual and in-person development. For more than a decade, the parishes of St. Denis in Versailles, Holy Family in Frenchtown and Immaculate Conception in Bradford, have built and strengthened a bridge of solidarity with parishes in the Diocese of Puerto Escondido in the Southern Mexico state of Oaxaca.
The mountainous coastal landscape, coupled with a lack of priests to serve the area, make weekly Masses nearly impossible.
“People from Oaxaca have been migrating into our archdiocese, so it makes sense to build this relationship with that diocese as a way to maintain a connection, learn and grow spiritually” said Jane Pierron, pastoral associate.
St. Pope John Paul II erected the Diocese of Puerto Escondido on Jan. 7, 2004. The population consists of indigenous peoples and people of mixed race. They live on the coast and in the coastal mountains. “One of the parishes we have visited is located on a tiny island in the middle of a large lagoon. The building is nothing like what you imagine a church to look like, and they only get to celebrate Mass twice a year when one of the diocesan priests make a visit,” said Pierron. The mountainous coastal landscape, coupled with a lack of priests to serve the area, make weekly Masses nearly impossible. Despite these challenges, the people have a rich, innate
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religious devotion that is in need of formation. Both sides of the twinning bridge are actively addressing this need. While the Versailles-area parishes work to raise funds for many projects ranging from English lessons to music ministry, the most pressing and ongoing focus is the effort to financially support seminarians. “These are high-school-age young men coming from remote mountain villages. Their first goal is to learn Spanish, as many are speaking only their indigenous language,” said Pierron. “Not long ago, we raised funds to purchase a bus to transport these students from the seminary, where they receive their faith formation, to a public high school, where they receive the rest of their education.”
Each year, an average of 20 to 25 men enroll in seminary, and it costs about $45 a month for their room, meals and education. This may not seem like much, but most families only earn around $80 a month. Many families have more than one son who wishes to attend, but they do not have the financial means to support them. In a 2016 video produced by Puerto Escondido seminarians, young men were asked why they wanted to become priests. Their answers included: “To bring peace to troubled hearts;” “To build up the Church;” “To bring the Word of God to people who speak my indigenous language” and “My diocese needs more priests to share Christ’s love.” It’s a gentle reminder that despite distance and language differences, we all long to know and share the goodness of Christ. To learn more, visit bfvcatholic. org.
Because of you,
we are celebrating 20 years of service in Jamaica!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF OUR JAMAICAN MISSION THROUGHOUT THE YEARS.
FRIARS WHO HAVE SERVED IN JAMAICA: Humbert Moster, OFM • Henry Beck, OFM • Louis Zant, OFM • Mark Gehret, OFM • Felix D'Souza, OFM • Joseph Hund, OFM • Joseph Rigali, OFM Blane Grein, OFM • John J. Gonchar, OFM • Patras Sardar, OFM Vincent Delorenzo, OFM • Christopher Meyer, OFM • Thomas Gerchak, OFM • Kenneth Viegas, OFM • James Bok, OFM Richard Goodin, OFM • Max Langenderfer, OFM • Bernard Bhatti, OFM • Colin King, OFM • Stephen Dupuis, OFM • Saleem Amir, OFM The Franciscan Friars, Province of St. John the Baptist 1615 Vine St., Ste 1 • Cincinnati, OH 45202-6492
Franciscan.org • StAnthony.org 513-721-4700, ext. 3219
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W OR L D M IS S ION M ON T H / O CT 2020 | 13
Ohio and Uganda Liberty Township Parish Forms Relationship with African Parish & School BY RE G AN M E YE R
Liberty Township, OH, and Soroti, Uganda, are worlds apart, but a twinning ministry between St. Maximilian Kolbe parish in Ohio and St. Patrick parish in Uganda has shown that distance and language are hardly barriers when it comes to the love of Christ. It all started when Dan Suer met Father Simon Peter Wakanya when he was on assignment at St. Max. As Suer and Father Wakanya grew closer, Father told Suer stories about his home in Uganda. “I had been getting to know him. And I could tell that most of the people are living for the basic needs of life every day. All I wanted to do was help,” Suer said. After pinpointing the most urgent need, Suer joined with other parishioners to donate funds and build a girls’ dormitory at the Ugandan parochial school, Holy Angels College. As other needs began to surface, one of the staff members at St. Max suggested a twinning ministry – a bonding relationship between two Catholic churches. While financial aid is an aspect of the ministry, it focuses on forming personal and spiritual relationships between the two parishes. “I just wanted to help Father’s people,” Suer said. After much prayer and discernment, Suer agreed to lead the ministry and introduced it to St. Max in Feb. 2019. He shared with his fellow parishioners about the twinning ministry and the positive effects it could have on the parish. A few months 1 4 | T H E CA THOLIC TELE GR A PH
later, in Aug. 2019, the parishioners of St. Max and St. Patrick signed a covenant to work together. Since the beginning of the twinning ministry, St. Max has built a boys’ dormitory for Holy Angels, started pen pal relationships with the 161 deacons at St. Patrick, and almost finished construction on a science building for the school, as well. “The goal was prayer, praying together, comforting each other,” Father Henry Hagit of St. Patrick said. “It materialized into supporting each other. We really appreciate the effort of St. Max.” One of the biggest projects that St. Max has undertaken is the Lenten Ox Plow Project. In March 2020, the parish raised $81,000 to provide the family of each deacon with a set of oxen, a yoke and a plow. David Okwii of the Ox Plow Project in Uganda said the project is already bringing positive changes to the lives of the deacons. “They have already benefited from the bulls which they got,” Okwii said. “Manual labor has been addressed. They no longer use their hands. They now have a revenue stream.” While St. Max has helped change the lives of St. Patrick’s parishioners through monetary support, the bigger impact has been through personal and spiritual relationships. Suer and his team participate in What’s App calls with those in Uganda to maintain relationships. And the parishes have had virtual gatherings.
“The relationship has continued to grow,” Suer said. “My heart is just overjoyed and has overflowed. I’ve seen that happening in St. Max, too.” Father Wakanya, who is currently in Soroti, said that the people’s faith has been strengthened because of the twinning relationship. “It is not common to have friends who are willing to go with you an extra mile and who are like God sent to uplift your faith and accept you as family and, above all, a child of God. May God help us to trust one another, to love beyond borders and broaden our families by opening our doors so that more may come into our homes and hearts,” said Father Wakanya. Ask anyone involved in the ministry and they’ll tell you that it’s all been a gift from God. “We really appreciate that this is the grace of God,” said Father Michael Omaria, a priest at St. Patrick. “There are so many things that you can teach to us. There are so many things that we can also teach to you. They are able to help us to appreciate our faith. That is fundamental. It is faith that has brought us together.”
Mary Jo Suer in Uganda.
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W OR L D M IS S ION M ON T H / OCT 2020 | 15
A Real Mission Adventure
Experience the Work of Comboni Missionaries From Your Home B Y K AT H L E E N M . C AR R OL L
The Church marks each October as mission month, a time to acknowledge that all Christians, by virtue of their baptism, are missionaries. We are called to bring the Good News of the Gospel to the farthest corners of the world. But how can we celebrate that missionary calling this year, when so many of us struggle to visit even the far corners of our own neighborhoods?
email resource designed to help families celebrate missions all month long. Each week’s message will contain recipes, craft activities for children, prayers and profiles of missionaries or mission projects. Moving a large event online is a big undertaking. Organizers describe it as “an adventure.” But “adventure has always been a big component of mission,” said Comboni Father Joe Bragotti. In his career in the mission fields, he said, “I have taken great pleasure in initiating projects that ‘would never work,’ resurrecting publications that were ‘meant to die,’ and going to places where ‘you won’t be able to go.’ How do we cope with these new challenges? Just as we always do. We listen. We learn. We adapt.”
From 7 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 10, the Comboni Missionaries will embark on a new way of doing missions. For more than 10 years, the Taste of Mission has been a tradition at their Anderson Township campus. With food and entertainment from around the world, the event shares some of the culture of the 41 countries served by the 150-yearold missionary order. Circumstances dictate that this year will be different: The Taste of Mission is going virtual. Friends and supporters are invited to join via Zoom conference to learn more about the work of the missionaries; experience some traditional music and dance; participate in fun, interactive polls; and share in a new kind of 21st Century evangelism. “This has definitely been a different kind of year,” said Heather Kaufman, director of development for the Comboni Missionaries. “And we’re responding with a different kind of event.” This year, though, the Taste of Mission isn’t a one-night event. The celebration continues with Mission Mondays, an
The work of the Comboni Missionaries in Cincinnati supports their missions around the world: building schools, seminaries, and vocational institutes; establishing hospitals and training medical staff; housing and educating orphans; funding clinics and feeding stations; establishing safe water supplies and advocating for the poorest and most marginalized people in the world. “We’re going to do our best to give our attendees a taste of life in the missions through music, pictures, video, and more — all from the comfort of home,” said Kaufman To attend the Taste of Mission or sign up for Mission Monday emails, visit ComboniMissionaries.org/TOM.
COMBONI MISSIONARIES TASTE OF MISSION VIRTUAL EVENT 7 p.m. 10/10/2020
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S H IN E ON
WHAT WOULD IT TAKE FOR YOU TO ALLOW A CHILD TO SUFFER? The 1973 short story, The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas, tells of a utopia complete with green fields, blue skies, shimmering buildings and happy people. But the city is built on a dark truth. In the bowels of the city, in the basement of a building, there exists a dark and dirty room. In the room is a child. The child is malnourished, naked, alone, afraid and miserable. The story explains that all the happiness and prosperity of Omelas depends on the mistreatment of this one child. If this one miserable child was lifted up, taken out, shown any sort of compassion, then all the happiness and abundance would turn quickly to desolation. And all the people of Omelas know it. When the children of Omelas are ready – usually between 8- and 12-years-old – they are taken to see the child, and the paradox is explained to them. I first read this story – as you could probably guess – in a college literature course. I still remember my professor asking the class, “What would it take for you to allow a child to suffer?” October is Respect Life Month, a month devoted to calling our awareness to issues such as abortion, racism, assisted suicide, capital punishment, human cloning, conscience rights, disabilities, unethical fetal and embryo research, euthanasia, the morning-after pill, post-abortion healing, child violence and others. That’s a long list of issues. And, in some sense, all of these issues go back to one question: What would it take for you to allow someone else to suffer? For many, the vast majority of these issues remain philosophical. The issues are real, but not personal. The metaphorical rubber hits the road when it is your 16-yearold son who tells you he has conceived a child with his girlfriend. What happens when your career is in question
because you will not use fetal stem-cells in your cancer research (an issue my wife faces frequently)? Here, the example of St. Gianna Molla comes to mind. When faced with the reality that the best treatment for her cancer was the abortion of her child, she refused the recommended treatment. She was asked, “Would you die to prevent your child from suffering?” And her answer was, “Yes.” This month, we are invited to shine a light on our commitment to and support for life issues – and that starts with really caring about them. By the grace of God, we hope many of these topics will remain impersonal, but we ask God to soften our hearts to those suffering, give us the empathy and compassion to internalize the impersonal and to passionately care for all matters of life. The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas ends with just a few quick sentences about children who leave the utopia, never to return, because they can’t abide the mistreatment of the child. It says that some men or women, who have lived with the truth for years, will one day get up, walk out of the golden gates of the city without a word, and never look back. What are you willing to leave behind to truly, passionately respect life? Would you donate money? Endure ridicule? Leave a job? Change your politics? Volunteer your time? What if this month you decided to pick one life issue and make a sacrifice to support it? Turn to God in prayer, ask Him to stir your heart, and shine a light where you can make a difference. DOMINICK ALBANO
is the director of digital engagement for The Catholic Telegraph, as well as an author and national speaker. He and his wife have been married for 13 years and have four sons. S H IN E ON / OCT 2020 | 17
Seeing
Through the Eyes of Christ B Y K AT I E S CI B A
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My favorite children’s book is You Are Special by Max Lucado. It’s the story of a creature whose life is defined by what others think of him, which only worsens his low self-esteem. The tragedy of the story lies not in the main character, who eventually learns his worth comes from his Creator, but in the surrounding society, who fail to see the profound value of those they consider to be lowly. Our value is defined in the creation narrative. In creating man, God voiced His intention, “Let us make man in our image after our likeness.” (Gen. 1:26) God formed Adam from the clay and gave him the breath of God. This divine gift wouldn’t be repeated until Jesus breathed on the disciples in the upper room, giving them the Holy Spirit. This is our foundation. Every person is made in the image and likeness of God and therefore, possesses inherent dignity and deserves respect. Across Christian communities, October is Respect Life month. Humankind in every location, race, education level, of every age, with or without common abilities, shares at least this one thing in common: We are made by divine design. EMBRACING DISCOMFORT
that humanity goes deeper than a person’s body. My 83-yearold neighbor recently shook his head at his own physical limits, saying he felt like a 30-year-old on the inside. Despite his age, he was the same person as he was 50 years prior. Within each person lies a soul with the imprint of God. PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
Noelle Collis-DeVito directs the recently-established Office of Persons with Disabilities for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. “The office exists to spotlight dignity and defend dignity,” she said. “It’s our job as the body of Christ to advocate for [people with disabilities].”
In identifying the source of our discomfort, we’ll be able to move through it and see the inherent dignity of disabled people.
In light of this, there are groups of people who may be neglected, avoided or judged; those who need respect and mercy because of their various levels of vulnerability. It’s understandable to be unsettled by others who function and behave differently than we do, but in order to imitate Jesus, we have to open our eyes to what we have in common. Though not an exhaustive list, the elderly, people with disabilities and the incarcerated are among those who, for one reason or another, might give us pause when we’re trying to love as Christ does. THE ELDERLY
Every year at summer camp, we took a visit a nearby nursing home. The residents received us happily and enjoyed the songs we sang for them. The general idea was to bring a little sunshine to the elderly. Despite the good intentions, however, there were several campers who were unsettled in the experience. Several residents were disabled or deformed from age or illness. For the hesitant campers, interactions came awkwardly if they came at all. This experience isn’t exclusive to children. When we encounter people different from ourselves, soulful connections can be more difficult. Ease of interaction calls for understanding
That advocacy is multi-faceted, but the work Collis-DeVito is most excited about is providing sensory-friendly Masses across the archdiocese. People affected by Alzheimer’s Disease, autism, Down’s Syndrome and other disabilities can be easily overwhelmed by different environments. Sensory-friendly Masses decrease stimulation. This means softer music and briefer homilies, as well as pictures of the order of Mass in pews so attendants can follow along easily.
This Mass not only provides a more adaptive environment for persons with special needs, but it’s also a place where congregants can serve in the liturgy. “We all have gifts to give one another. Here, congregants contribute to the Mass,” Collis-DeVito said. The ability to contribute gives a sense of worth and pride of self. Collis-DeVito has a tremendous heart for her work, yet she’s confident that anyone can go beyond themselves to serve. “If something makes you uncomfortable, then go toward it. If we’re uncomfortable, we need to ask ourselves why. What is it that unsettles us?” In identifying the source of our discomfort, we’ll be able to move through it to see the inherent dignity of disabled people. THE INCARCERATED
While this can be challenging, even more so may be recognizing the dignity of people whose lives aren’t riddled with disability, but guilt, as the case might be with those who are incarcerated. “Everyone needs forgiveness, to forgive someone, or both.” said Mary Arlinghaus, director of the Office of Incarceration Ministries for the archdiocese. Thinking back to his initial days of prison ministry, Arlinghaus was uncertain how to R E S P E C T L IF E / O CT 2020 | 19
interact with inmates. His experience was simplified when an accompanying priest gave him advice: “Say hi. Shake hands. It’ll be okay.” Arlinghaus recalled the men entering the facility chapel. “They were just guys coming to Mass. I didn’t know what they did, yet there I was, standing with them, worshiping the Lord.” The experience of being in the presence of Christ was not just grounding, but eye-opening for him. “I was kneeling next to [an inmate] after the Sanctus. It struck me so hard that this is my brother in Christ.” “There are many voices who want to make their guilt their identity…but what defines them is that they belong to God.” That’s the only thing, Arlinghaus offered, that can break through the bars in their minds. When asked how we could encounter the humanity of prisoners and avoid judging them by what they’ve done., Arlinghaus said, “It happens slowly with a lot of presence and patience and persistent prayer… It’s continually being that person reminding them that it’s God
who makes them whole.” From this truth, many in prison experience personal victories. “Even if they don’t go through RCIA, they begin to realize they’re more than the sum of their failures and traumas.” Despite their personal backgrounds, Arlinghaus and his team still see conversions. “It truly is powerful to see the transformation when they receive the grace of the sacraments,” he said. “Prison ministry rests on, fundamentally, the respect for life from its most vulnerable stage. It doesn’t stand unless it has that position,” he added. From conception onward, every human life is made in the image and likeness of our Creator. We’re made for imitation of Christ, which means that it is paramount that we mirror His respect. Jesus ate and stayed with people whom others judged. He reached out to the sick and acknowledged the worth of the disabled. When others condemned, the Lord extended mercy. This month, we recall our common foundation of divinely-appointed dignity and ask the Lord to allow us to see others as He sees them.
Supporting life ...and those who hold on to it.
Project Rachel
A post-abortive healing ministry of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati
Anyone affected by an abortion experience is welcome to join us for a Day of Reflection on October 3rd
Dayton-area high schools thank those who selflessly work to end abortion.
Due to the uncertainty of the COVID19 pandemic, Spring Events will be announced as we move closer to March of 2021. Please visit catholiccincinnati.org/project-rachel for more up to date information. Confidential Communication 513.784.0531 • hopeandhealingcinci@gmail.com
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B E IN G PR O- L IF E
THE BROAD SPECTRUM OF LIFE ISSUES I have been writing this column for two years, discussing various Respect Life topics each month. The vast majority of comments I receive about this column and its related videos/podcasts are positive. Readers and listeners appreciate that issues that often go unnoticed receive attention, and enjoy learning how to volunteer or donate to the cause. I do, however, also receive questions asking why a column devoted to life issues would address topics that some do not perceive as relevant to the pro-life cause.
Concern about euthanasia leads to concern for the elderly, good palliative care and respect for the handicapped. Concern about capital punishment leads to concern about how the judicial system works; why some people are more likely to receive the death penalty than others for the same crime; how we treat prisoners and how to help people who are newly released from prison obtain a job. We are thus concerned about many issues, all of which ultimately fall under the banner of “Respect Life.”
The Church has many life-related concerns, the most obvious among them being abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment and bioethics topics like stem cell research and in-vitro fertilization. However, no issue, not even “respect life,” exists in a vacuum.
The U.S. Bishops in their 1998 letter, Living the Gospel of Life, expressed it this way: “Opposition to abortion and euthanasia does not excuse indifference to those who suffer from poverty, violence and injustice. Any politics of human life must work to resist the violence of war and the scandal of capital punishment. Any politics of human dignity must seriously address issues of racism, poverty, hunger, employment, education, housing and health care.”
CONTINUED CARE
Many who refer to themselves as prochoice often accuse “anti-abortionists” of only caring about babies until they are born. Visiting any of the many pregnancy care centers in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati quickly dispels that notion. Pregnancy care centers take care of the woman in a crisis pregnancy, and continue to offer assistance to the family for years after the child is born. The criticism that pro-life people don’t care about babies after birth is not true. What is true is that to show concern for an issue with integrity, we must also show concern for all its interconnected issues. INTERCONNECTED ISSUES
Concern about abortion leads to concern about women who have had abortions; care for women in crisis pregnancies; help for victims of domestic violence and many other issues related to why women feel abortion is a viable option.
This is not to say that all issues are morally equivalent. Direct attacks on human life will always be the premiere life issues, but reminding people of their related issues is also important. This column is also connected to a podcast found at www.buzzsprout.com/210499. Browse through to learn more about topics related to primary life and death issues. We must be of a common mind and heart with all the important work that we must do to counter the culture of death in our society. BOB WURZELBACHER
is the director of the Office for Respect Life Ministries. He and his wife, Cindy, live in Sharonville with their two young daughters.
BE IN G P R O-L IF E / OCT 2020 | 21
BY BON N Y V AN
American Heritage Girls Respect Life Patch Program Encourages Girls to Support Life in the Community When it comes to scouting for girls, there is more to it than friendships, adventure and fun. For members of American Heritage Girls (AHG), there are lessons on life, including a focus on respecting life “from conception to natural death,” according to Patti Garibay, founder of AHG, based in Cincinnati. “The pro-life cause is not a political cause, it’s a God cause and because we are Christ-centered, and we do believe that what the Lord says is truth, that this needs to be something that’s taught to the girls, that life is sacred,” said Garibay. Michelle Beckham-Corbin, AHG director of Marketing and Communications, noted every troop is connected to a church and is an extension of that ministry, which is based on Catholic values and teachings. As in other scouting organizations, AHG has a program where girls earn badges or patches after accomplishing various skills or service projects. One of those patches is the Respect Life patch, which began in 2014 and is “one of our most sold patches out of all the patches we have,” she said. 2 2 | T H E C ATHOLIC TE LEGR A P H
“It’s an amazing thing to see the girls come together to do different initiatives to support life,” said BeckhamCorbin. “Those initiatives could include service projects for organizations whose mission is to respect life. It could be the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., in January, doing some work for pregnancy resource centers, pro-life groups, doing service work for hospices.” Twelve-year-old Kathleen Stratman, a member of the AHG Troop at Mother Teresa School in Liberty Township, certainly had that in mind when she got her 10-member troop involved in a project for hospice. The group made “no-sew” fleece blankets to distribute to patients. “I wanted to donate the blankets to hospice because I had an aunt who died from pancreatic cancer and she went through hospice,” said Stratman. “They were really happy that we gave them the blankets because they said the patients would really like them first, and, once they died, their families would get the blankets as [a memento of their loved one].”
“The Respect Life message is important because it reinforces our faith in their daily lives and helps them understand where we are coming from and going to,” said Christy Burke, who has been a Troop Coordinator for 10 years for ages five through 18 at Mother Teresa School. Burke recalled one project by a troop member that involved building walls and shelves and painting at Elizabeth’s New Life Pregnancy Center in Cincinnati. The work involved all ages, including the youngest members of the troop who helped paint murals, Burke said.
The sacredness of life has just been a part of our heartbeat, it’s actually why we got started in the first place.
“And the goal is to be very hands on,” said Burke. “The younger you are, the more effective it is if you are doing hands-on things.” Other activities include visits to nursing homes where the younger girls make and deliver cards or help the seniors make crafts. Burke said the older girls usually help the younger girls as they assist the nursing home residents with those projects.
“[The girls] are all understanding and comprehending the “respect life” issue at their own level and where they’re at,” said Burke. “So a Kindergartner will see the smile on the face of a senior as they’re singing Christmas carols to them in the nursing home, whereas the 16-, 17-, 18-year-olds who are going out and building things at the pregnancy center, they see the clientele that are coming through as they relate the stories of how beneficial this is going to be for them.”
Another important activity for American Heritage Girls, according to Garibay, is participation in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati’s annual “Cross the Bridge for Life” across the Purple People Bridge spanning the Ohio River from Ohio to Kentucky. “I guess the sacredness of life has just been a part of our heartbeat, it’s actually why we got started in the first place,” explained Garibay. “Respect Life is so integral, and it’s because it’s a God issue and it affects men and women and families all over the country.”
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AHG’s National Catholic Committee ensures that the growth and spiritual development of Catholic AHG Members is in fidelity to the magisterium of the Catholic Church.
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R E S P E C T L IF E / O CT 2020 | 23
Holy Family Prenatal Care Dr. Moell Councils Women Through Difficult Pregnancies BY M A R K D A NI S
Dr. Ann Moell is very clear about the mission of the Holy Family Prenatal Care (HFPC) in Dayton. She helped found the ministry in 2000, and she believes in the institution’s mission to help patients envision a better future for themselves, one that is consistent with God’s own vision for their life. The center currently delivers approximately 130 babies a year. To date, they have successfully brought more than 2,250 new lives into the world. But, it is about more than just delivery. HFPC offers a “strong start,” which provides care for the mother and child even before insurance starts to cover the costs. They provide a free crib for individuals who complete a series of core classes, and new moms can shop in one of five baby boutiques using “baby bucks” they can earn by attending prenatal appointments and training classes. All of this supports an expectant mother’s decision to choose life for her baby. As a physician who has dedicated her life to women’s health, and the past 20 years to expectant mothers facing the most difficult circumstances imaginable, Moell has witnessed the pain of making the right decision. “There are often complications, and the expectant mothers of babies with potentially fatal defects must struggle with this decision,” said Moell. She related the story of a young couple who was told their unborn child almost certainly would not survive. They chose
We cannot diminish the value of one category of human life - THE UNBORN without diminishing the value of ALL HUMAN LIFE. Ronald Reagan CincinnatiRighttoLife.org 2 4 | TH E C A THOLIC TELE GR A PH
to have the baby anyway. Their circumstances were a great struggle, but their trial also brought blessings. The onceestranged parents of the young girl were reconciled with their daughter in her time of need. The young man also began attending classes with the men’s ministry. He eventually converted and began actively practicing his faith. That faith ultimately sustained this couple through the loss of their first child. But when asked about her experiences, Moell said one story that always comes to mind is of a young woman facing the prospect of a second high-risk pregnancy. The woman’s first child died of an extremely rare genetic disorder, a condition that, even if the child had survived, would likely have resulted in severe neurological abnormalities and irreversible brain damage. After a complex series of tests, the expectant mother learned that her second child also carried the same defect. She faced a significant dilemma: have the child and accept the consequences of the diagnosis, or abort the baby. After compassionate counseling and the intercession of an army of prayer warriors (something always available to the patients of Holy Family Prenatal Care), the young woman chose to allow God to decide for her baby. The remarkable end of this story is that when the newborn was re-tested, there was no trace of the previously-diagnosed condition. Our only real choice is whether we will allow God to fulfill His own vision for every life. In the profound words of Dr. Moell, “It is against a woman’s nature to choose when her baby will die; if she can just be given support, she can choose faith and leave the decision in the hands of God. Then she can live with the outcome.”
513.244.5700 pc-west.org
Thank you for your support, as we work to save the unborn, and build up the culture of life in our local community.
M ary Anne Boyd Respect Life Advocate Proud to Share Consistent Message of Life BY J O H N S TEGEM A N
In March, Mary Anne Boyd was granted the Archdiocese of Cincinnati’s Respect Life Award. Boyd had been nominated before, and with 32 years in life-related ministry, it’s no surprise she won. Throughout her career and retirement, she’s worked to spread the message that all life is sacred. Boyd served the archdiocese as Respect Life coordinator for 25 years before retiring in 2013 and was instrumental in the local founding of Project Rachel, a ministry that offers hope and healing to women who have had abortions. Boyd has continued to serve Project Rachel as a volunteer since retiring, alongside working on “Together in Christ,” a joint effort of the archdiocesan Social Action and Respect Life Offices, as well as in a variety of other efforts such as prison ministry and clergy education. Boyd’s initial connection to the pro-life world was through the adoption of her two children. She went on to volunteer for Birthright of Greater Cincinnati, and through that organization, she connected with the archdiocese. As part of her interview process, she was introduced to the “seamless garment” teaching on life, popularized in part by former Archbishop of Cincinnati, Most Rev. Joseph Bernadin. This teaching states that a consistent pro-life ethic includes more than just an anti-abortion position, but also opposition to capital punishment and euthanasia and following Catholic social teaching. “I always like to reflect back on the consistent-life ethic,” Boyd said of her long service. “[Archbishop] Bernadin’s seamless garment; to me, that’s what pro-life is. It has to be all the issues, not just one. That’s when it becomes very meaningful. All life is important and deserves dignity and respect at all stages.”
Project Rachel is an example of the consistent life ethic. It recognizes the tragic loss of an unborn child, but also recognizes the inherent dignity and value of the post-abortive mother. The ministry has made great strides in helping women come to terms with their abortions and, in many cases, turn back to the Church. “One of the women said to me that one of the most important things to her was that I could still accept her even though I was not post-abortive,” Boyd said. “Because I worked for the archdiocese, I represented the Church to them. That is a very important piece of the ministry, that there is someone there that is going to accept them.” Another way Boyd has spread the message of life is by helping parents grieve the loss of an unborn child through stillbirth or miscarriages. She worked with the Respect Life Office last year in hosting Masses for parents who have suffered the loss of children at several parishes around the archdiocese.
Boyd believes that the consistent life ethic is shining through in the current and newer generations of pro-life advocates.
“I learned through this just how much grief couples feel when they lose a child through miscarriage or stillbirth,” she added. “It’s such a sad time.”
“Today, it’s a much more inclusive issue,” she said. “The younger generation today, I think, looks at life issues more inclusively.”
Whether working for the unborn, the post-abortive, the imprisoned, or the grieving, Boyd has made a life’s work of promoting the message of life. IN P ROF IL E / OCT 2020 | 25
Ever since she was a young girl, Gianna loved to help people. Her passion led her to become a surgeon and doctor for children and mothers. She was also very adventurous. She loved spending time outdoors, going hiking and skiing. Gianna was a brave, strong woman and opened her own health clinic in 1955. There she met a handsome engineer named Pietro. They fell in love, married and had three children. While pregnant with their fourth child, Gianna suffered serious health issues. If she gave birth to her baby, she might die. Her doctors tried to persuade her to have an abortion, but she refused. She gave birth to a beautiful baby girl named Gianna Emanuela. But, unfortunately, Gianna could not be saved. Like Christ, Gianna sacrificed her own life out of love so her child could live. Her daughter would eventually follow in her mother’s footsteps, becoming a doctor. Known for her bravery and loving sacrifice, Gianna was canonized a saint in 2004, and Pietro and Gianna Emanuela were present! This was the first time a husband was able to witness his wife’s canonization as a saint! St. Gianna Molla is the patron saint of doctors, mothers and unborn children. Pray through the intercession of St. Gianna for the bravery and strength to face difficult things, as well as for the health of mothers and children.
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TALKING TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT ABORTION I went to church and grade school across the street from a third-trimester abortion center. Back then, the pro-life movement was more angry than merciful, and, as a small child, I saw protesters on the sidewalk holding up graphic posters of aborted babies. I heard them yelling horrible accusations at anyone going into the facility.
enough money or help because having a baby is hard work. “Have you ever been scared to do something hard?” I ask them. No, they don’t share the same fears as abortion-minded women, but pinpointing this common emotion teaches them empathy over judgment; mercy over condemnation.
I was 8 when I went with my mom to a peaceful life chain; people drove by screaming angrily at us, making obscene gestures, and displaying graphic images. This was my exposure to the abortion debate. I saw identical behavior on both sides of the fence and didn’t know what to think or feel. I knew that killing an unborn child was wrong, but the examples I witnessed told me that the women making that decision were malicious in their intent and should be condemned, or at the very least hated.
Children have a way of getting straight to the point even when we sugar-coat or gloss over the unfortunate details of evil. Be honest with the young, curious minds in your home. While we cannot forever shield them from the wrongs in the world, we have the incredible, God-given power to teach them how receive those wrongs and respond to them as Christ does. St. Isaac encouraged prayer over condemnation, “so that [we] may resemble Christ, who was not angry with sinners but prayed on their behalf.” Even in the face of something as abhorrent as abortion, we can nevertheless teach our children that abortion doctors and facility workers are loved by Jesus, who desires their conversion. We can teach them that mothers need our consistent prayers for courage not just in choosing life for their unborn children, but well after birth. We can teach them that every pre-born baby is made in the image and likeness of God and deserving of protection and care.
A GUIDING LIGHT
Like my own children, I needed my parents’ guidance. I needed their voices to rise over the cacophony and give me clarity. It’s my task as a parent to escort my children through this world. That means I walk with them as they encounter the good and the bad. I can shield them for a while, but, ultimately, if I don’t give them the Christian perspective on hard topics, the world will offer its own – which, more often than not, fails to represent Jesus. My kids are young. A couple of our five are mildly aware that there’s evil in the world, but they’re more concerned with Legos and the Tooth Fairy over matters of injustice. Still, at a certain level of maturity – notice I didn’t say age – it is good to slowly open their eyes to such things, since doing so also opens their eyes to the depth of God’s mercy. WHERE TO BEGIN?
For young minds, addressing abortion can be very simple. In my experience, knowing the details of “where babies come from” isn’t necessary. Children identify with emotions even if they don’t understand the reasons behind them, so I’ll say that sometimes a mama with a baby in her tummy might be scared to have her little one. She might be afraid of not having
RESPONDING LIKE CHRIST
Pope St. John Paul II said, “The human person is a good toward which the only proper attitude is love.” This is the very concept we must convey to our children in our speech and actions. Abortion is wrong because it violently ends a life made in the image and likeness of God, so feelings of injustice, anger, sorrow and incredulity are all justified. Abortion is wrong because it takes a mother, a role renowned for its power and love, and renders her both victim and offender; she falls prey to the lie that she must abort in light of her circumstances and in so doing, consents to her child’s death. What is paramount in our address now is that we treat both with love and mercy. KATIE SCIBA
is a national speaker and Catholic Press Awardwinning columnist. Katie and her husband Andrew have been married for 11 years and are blessed with six children. C AT H OL IC AT H OM E / O CT 2020 | 27
BY E IL E E N C ON N E L L Y, OS U
Ultrasound Initiative Donations Bring State of the Art Equipment to Lebanon & Wapakoneta Shortly after an ultrasound machine was installed at Elizabeth’s New Life Center’s (ENLC) Women’s Center in Lebanon, the staff performed a scan on a young woman with no support who was fearful of going through her pregnancy alone. While receptive to the center’s services and discussion of her options, she hadn’t ruled out abortion. During followup visits, she gained trust, and a second ultrasound gave her the opportunity to see how the baby was growing. In the meantime, she reconnected with the baby’s father, who joined her for an appointment and committed to being there for her and the child. When they left, abortion was no longer a consideration and the parents’ focus was the baby’s welfare and appropriate pre-natal care. This lifesaving change of hearts was possible through the generosity of parishioners at St. Margaret of York (SMOY),
We've got your cape! Join us in the fight. SupportPCE.com
2 8 | TH E C ATHOLIC TE LEGR A P H
dedication of the parish’s Respect Life ministry, and the Knights of Columbus Council 13429. The Knights’ Ultrasound Initiative, launched in 2009, provides ultrasound machines to qualifying pregnancy help centers around the country. Spearheading the effort was Erin Flege, SMOY’s Respect Life coordinator for nearly 11 years. “We’ve always been a very pro-life parish and have had such great support from our pastors, including our current pastor, Father Jason Bedel,” she explained. “We’re involved in a variety of projects, such as sponsoring prayer days during 40 Days for Life and partnering with Old St. Mary’s Pregnancy Center in Over-the-Rhine to provide monetary and material donations.” Flege was already aware of the Knights’ national Ultrasound
Initiative and was compelled to act on the local level, so she brought the idea to Father Bedel after last year’s March for Life in Washington, D.C. Because the parish already had a working relationship with ENCL, the ministry was a natural choice to receive an ultrasound machine. On Memorial Day weekend 2019, Flege and Chris Chalifoux, representing the Knights, spoke at every Mass. As they discussed the initiative, Flege, a mother of eight, shared footage from one of her own ultrasounds. The response from the parish was overwhelming, with the results from a raffle and loose donations yielding more than $27,000. Combined with matching funds from the Knights, a much-needed machine was purchased for ENLC, with money to spare.
Evening for Life Thursday, October 29, 2020 Featuring
Speaker, Allie Stuckey Information for this virtual event CincinnatiRighttoLife.org or 513-728-7870
After exploring various options and consulting with Bob Wurzelbacher, director of the archdiocesan Office for Respect Life Ministries, the additional funds purchased a machine for the Family Life Center of Auglaize County (FLCAC) in Wapakoneta. Father Bedel blessed FLCAC’s machine and prayed for the women who would seek assistance on July 25. Both centers “were just elated and very, very grateful,” to receive the equipment, Flege said. “If we can save just one life, it’s worth it. We pray that through our efforts and the generosity of the SMOY parishioners, hearts will be changed and lives will be saved for generations yet to be seen.” Alisa Manion, manager of the Lebanon center, spoke of the new ultrasound machine’s impact on their ministry. “It’s certainly an asset to our medical staff members, with the ease of scanning and all of the bells and whistles,’’ she said. “It gives all of the staff members a state of confidence and many tools to provide as much information as possible. The bottom line: Having the tools to provide state of the art information in a professional setting, and a plan to meet, follow up and provide love to our clients, can make huge different in an outcome.” The success of the Ultrasound Initiative at SMOY is personally gratifying for Flege because of her own experience with pregnancy and motherhood. “With every child I’ve carried, I feel that it’s the one moment that I can understand the mind of God,” she said. “You just love that baby so completely, without knowing what the future holds, how the child will turn out. In that moment, nothing matters else matters except how much you love them.” Respect Life issues “weigh heavy on my mind,” she added. “When women consider abortion as the only option, it breaks my heart. They are women who need our love, not our judgment, and everyone has a role to play in promoting a culture of life, whether it’s as a prayer warrior or donating financially. Everyone’s gifts matter and there is much work to be done.” R E S P E C T L IF E / O CT 2020 | 29
Congratulations
175th
ANNIVERSARY Celebrating 200 years of Marianist Education
On behalf of our local ministries and our exceptional alumni, the Marianist Province of the United States joins in celebrating the 175th Anniversary of the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains and its designation as a Minor Basilica.
C O N G RATULATI O N S to the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains!
St. Antoninus & St. Peter in Chains, pray for us. From St. Antoninus Parish
The Sisters of Charity arrived in Cincinnati in 1829 to open St. Peter’s school and orphanage for girls. Inspired by the spirit of Elizabeth Seton, the orphans and Sisters found comfort and peace attending Sunday Mass at the Cathedral in those earliest days. www.srcharitycinti.org https://www.facebook.com/sistersofcharityofcincinnati
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175th
Congratulations to the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains on the celebration of its 175th Anniversary & its designation as a Minor Basilica.
Elder High School is proud to be the first diocesan high school in Cincinnati.
OPEN HOUSE Thursday, November 12 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Reservations required. www.elderhs.org/admissions
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Archdiocese of Cincinnati’s
ST. PETER IN CHAINS CATHEDRAL NAMED MINOR BASILICA as It Celebrates 175 Years BY E IL E E N C ON N E L L Y, OS U
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Archbishop Schnurr reads Pope Francis’ proclamation at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains during Mass on the Assumption of Mary, Aug. 15. (Photo by Emma Cassani)
For its 175-year history, the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains in Downtown Cincinnati has stood as a testament of the faith of Catholics in the archdiocese. The impressive Greek Revival structure, located at the intersection of Eighth and Plum Streets, is dedicated to the imprisonment and liberation of St. Peter.
of a Catholic diocese, and takes its name from the Latin word “cathedra,” meaning “seat” or “chair.” A basilica is an important church building designated by the pope for its special spiritual, architectural and/or historical significance. It shares a special relationship with the See of Rome and with the Holy Father.
Its recent designation as a Minor Basilica, the first in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, is both an honor for the region and reason for the local faithful to celebrate, said Father Jan Schmidt, rector since 2017. “It’s the quality of the cathedral’s structure, the absolute beauty of its architecture, and the biblical symbolism throughout that make it very important and very special for the archdiocese and in the American Catholic scene,” he said. “I also have a deep love for the cathedral personally. It was my father’s parish, my parents were married there and, as a seminarian, I lived there while ministering in Over-the-Rhine.”
The cornerstone for St. Peter in Chains was laid on May 20, 1841, under the leadership of Bishop – later Archbishop – John Baptist Purcell. Henry Walter designed the cathedral’s exterior. It was formally dedicated on Nov. 2, 1845. Its striking single spire, constructed of pure white limestone and soaring 220-feet above street level, was the tallest man-made structure in the city for many decades. The cathedral’s interior is dominated by a large mosaic portraying three scriptural events from the life of St. Peter. It’s eclectic architectural and design style also incorporate artistic inspiration from diverse sources, including Art Deco, Ancient Greek, Eastern Christian and early Roman Christian basilica architecture. A renovation of the structure, overseen by Edward Schulte, was completed in 1957.
It’s important to understand the difference between a cathedral and a basilica, Father Schmidt noted. A cathedral is the home church for the bishop or archbishop
S T . P E T E R IN C H AIN S / OCT 2020 | 33
Father Jan Schmidt, rector of the cathedral basilica, holds the proclamation during a press conference.
Visitors to Cincinnati, who may expect a Gothic-style cathedral, are surprised to see a structure that resembles a government building.
(Photo by Emma Cassani)
“Bishop Purcell was very insightful about that,” Father Schmidt explained. “Amid the antiCatholicism of the time, he wanted the cathedral to be a statement that the Catholic Church was a permanent institution on American soil and that Catholics were just as American as the Protestant population.” The application process to become a basilica is detailed and lengthy, said Father Schmidt; in the case of St. Peter in Chains cathedral, it was more than two years. In order for a church to be considered for the designation, it must meet six requirements: have an active pastoral liturgy (meaning the sacraments
Most Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. and the clergy, religious, and lay faithful of the Archdiocese of Louisville send congratulations and best wishes to the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains, Cincinnati, OH, as it celebrates 175 years and the honor of being designated a minor basilica, the first in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.
CONGRATULATIONS CONGRATULATIONS to the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains! From Coldwater Cluster of Catholic Parishes: St. Anthony St. Mary Holy Trinity 3 4 | T H E C ATHOLIC TE LEGR A P H
to the Cathedral on its 175 years! From Guardian Angels & St. Jerome Churches
are celebrated regularly throughout the year); be of an appropriate size and have a sufficiently large sanctuary; have historical significance; have an adequate number of priests to celebrate the sacraments; have a sufficient number of lay ministers; and have an adequate schola of scared music. Upon determining the cathedral met all the requirements,
Father Schmidt gathered a committee of staff members and others from the archdiocese who compiled a 240-page document, including responding to more than 100 specific questions from the Vatican. After review by Archbishop Dennis M. Schurr, the proposal was sent to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and, ultimately, to the Congregation for Divine Worship and
BISHOP EDWARD MALESIC AND THE CLERGY, RELIGIOUS, AND FAITHFUL OF THE DIOCESE OF CLEVELAND JOIN WITH THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CINCINNATI IN CELEBRATING THE
175th Anniversary of the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains AND ITS DESIGNATION AS A MINOR BASILICA
The Region of St. Augustine and St. Mary of the Assumption parishes would like to Congratulate the Cathedral on its 175th anniversary. S T . P E T E R IN C H AIN S / OCT 2020 | 35
the Discipline of the Sacraments in Rome. A Mass to mark the designation is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 3, in a combined celebration with the cathedral’s 175th anniversary, he said. The liturgy will be open to the people of the archdiocese and will also be livestreamed. Two major symbols that indicate a church is a minor basilica will be processed in and installed during the ceremony.
Amid the anti-Catholicism of the time, he wanted the cathedral to be a statement that the Catholic Church was a permanent institution on American soil and that Catholics were just as American as the Protestant population.
How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty! 1619 California Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45237 513.242.0400 resurrectioncinci.org
Questions about cremation? We can help!
Psalm 84:1
Live Jesus in our hearts . . . _____________
The Ombrellino, “little umbrella,” is in basilicas worldwide, signifying the structure’s close ties with the Holy See. The silk canopy is designed with stripes of red and gold, which are the traditional papal colors. During the Middle Ages, the Ombrellino was carried above the pope during processions. Once placed in
lasallehs.net
3 6 | T H E CA THOLIC TELE GR A P H
_____________
Give the gift of peace of mind to your family. Preplanning is a wise decision that shows you care and emphasizes the importance of your faith to your family and friends. gateofheaven.org | 513.489.0300
the cathedral’s sanctuary, it will remain partially opened. The Ombrellino would only be fully opened in the event of a visit from the Holy Father. The Tintinnabulum is essentially a bell, or, in the case of a cathedral, three bells, mounted on a pole that signifies the church’s link to the pope. It was used during the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods to alert the people of Rome to the arrival of the pope during papal processions. The Tintinnabulum will also be in the sanctuary, where it can be used during other celebrations.
A special Mass of Thanksgiving Will be celebrated at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 11:30 a.m. To mark the occasion of the 175th anniversary of the dedication of the church. During the Mass, the symbols granted in virtue of the church’s designation as a minor basilica will debut for the first time.
May God bless the Archdiocese and The Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains. Reverend Kenneth Schartz, St. Mary Hyde Park WWW.SMCHP.COM
H I G H
S C H O O L
Seton High School is proud to celebrate the 175th Anniversary of St. Peter in Chains.
CON G R AT ULAT I ON S on the designation as a Minor Basilica! 3901 Glenway Avenue • 513.471.2600 setoncincinnati.org S T . P E T E R IN C H AIN S / OCT 2020 | 37
St. Peter in Chains
A H I S T OR Y OF C I N C I N N AT I ’S N EW BASILICA
July 19, 1850
May 20, 1841
Dec. 17, 1826 New St. Peter Cathedral dedicated on Sycamore and 6th Streets.
1820
Cornerstone laid for the new cathedral. “First and most urgent want of this diocese is a suitable cathedral.”
1840
1871
Cincinnati elevated to rank of Metropolitan See. St. Peter in Chains becomes a Metropolitan Cathedral.
1850
Complete renovation of the cathedral. Sanctuary enlarged. Stained glass windows added. Marble enhancement of the main altar.
1870
Nov. 2, 1845 Consecration of St. Peter in Chains Cathedral
Dec. 1, 1840
Lot purchased on 8th and Plum Streets for erection of new cathedral.
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Aug. 7, 1855 New
cathedral is completed with the finishing of the front portico.
July 8-10, 1890 The second Congress of American Colored Catholics was held at St. Peter in Chains Cathedral.
1890
1876 Archbishop Purcell is the first bishop in the U.S. to celebrate his 50th anniversary of ordination. Cathedral is the site of a “grand celebration,” with bishops from throughout the U.S.
1900
1917 600 men attend a retreat at the cathedral prior to enlisting to serve in World War I.
1910
Oct. 31, 1904
Death of Archbishop Elder. 10,000 people gather to witness the transfer of his body to the cathedral. The funeral was one of the largest and most distinguished gatherings of clergy ever assembled in Cincinnati.
1920 Oct. 24, 1920 Cathedral celebrates its 75th anniversary.
1938
Nov. 29, 1964
Cathedral Archbishop status Alter celebrates transferred Mass Cardinal from St. Peter inaugurating Mundelein in Chains to Nov. 3, 1957 the use of presides St. Monica, at the Rededication English. It was Clifton aired live on Sept. 2, 1976 installation of of St. Peter Heights. local TV. Archbishop in Chains St. Pope John Cathedral John Paul II, McNicholas, after 5 years then Cardinal O.P., as of complete Archbishop of Archbishop renovation and Krakow, visits of Cincinnati. expansion. the Cathedral.
Aug. 13, 1925
1930
1950
1960
1970
1980
Oct. 3, 2018
Nov. 5, 1995
150th Anniversary of the Cathedral’s Consecration Mass celebrated by Archbishop Pilarczyk and other bishops.
1990
Dec. 20, 1982
Oct. 1, 1961
1937 Cathedral organizes a Red Cross Unit to assist in relief efforts with the disastrous 1937 flood.
Third Order of St. Francis sponsors a rally for interracial understanding at the Cathedral.
1951 Archbishop Alter declares “we are going home” beginning a 5 year process of renovation and reconstruction of the cathedral.
Archbishop Pilarczyk installed as Archbishop of Cincinnati.
June 5, 1975
Archbishop Joseph Bernardin reconsecrates the Archdiocese to the Sacred Heart of Mary during a solemn Mass at the Cathedral.
2000
Visitors line the block all day for a chance to venerate relics of St. Padre Pio on special display at Cathedral
2010
Dec. 7, 2008
Archbishop Dennis Schnurr formally welcomed to the Archdiocese of Cincinnati as Coadjutor Archbishop.
S T . P E T E R IN C H AIN S / O CT 2020 | 39
Photo by E.L. Hubbard
Men for Christ Annual Eucharistic Procession Through Downtown Cincinnati Unites Men in Public Prayer BY BON N Y V AN
When more than 500 men – fathers, husbands, sons, brothers, religious and faithful – gather in downtown Cincinnati on Sat., Oct. 17, they will be walking with Jesus in the lead for the sixth annual Men’s Holy Name Society Eucharistic Procession. The event, which began in 2015, is a resurrected version of a parade of prayerful men through Cincinnati from the 1940s until the 1960s, sponsored by a similarly named group.
Following Mass celebrated by Archbishop Dennis Schnurr at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains, the Eucharist procession begins at 9 a.m. from the basilica, led by Father Jon-Paul Bevak, pastor of Old St. Mary’s Church. According to Willig, Father Bevak will be followed “by the brothers from the Oratory of St. Philip Neri, Mt. St. Mary’s seminarians, Dominican novices from St. Gertrude Church, Knights of Columbus, the Order of Hibernian and our Catholic men.”
David Willig, a parishioner at St. Antonius Church in Cincinnati, said a group of fellow parishioners used the Men’s Holy Name Society from the earlier era as a model for their own newly formed organization and recreated the parade one year after their formation, in 2015. Willig said the inspiration for reviving the public Eucharistic procession came from Father Al Lauer, former pastor of Old St. Mary’s Church in Cincinnati, who spoke about “re-establishing strong Catholic traditions that have discontinued.”
The first stop is District One of the Cincinnati Police Department with benediction and special prayers. “We’ve been doing that for years,” said Willig. “We stop at the police headquarters and pray for all of our police, emergency workers, firefighters, and we pray for their protection and the end of violence in our cities.”
“Father Lauer mentioned the Men’s Holy Name Society Parade where men from every parish in the archdiocese came together and marched through downtown Cincinnati and ended up with benediction at Crosley Field,” said Willig, who along with fellow parishioner Doug Jaeger, organized the event. 4 0 | T H E C ATHOLIC TE LEGR A PH
The next stop is St. Francis Seraph Church for benediction and more prayers for the church’s ministries. Besides a church parish, St. Francis Seraph has a school and provides nutritional programs for residents in the neighborhood. Brother Tim Sucher, OFM, of St. Francis Church, said the church’s meal program provides 200 meals for breakfast and 200 meals in the evening for those in need. Brother Sucher, a native of Cincinnati, remembered the Holy Name Procession when he was growing up.
“That was just a great symbol of people of faith and kind of publicly professing that, and I think that’s what this is as well,” said Brother Sucher. “It’s a public display of an expression of faith. And, so it’s not just the people in the procession, but I think it’s everybody who sees it when it goes by. It’s a powerful public symbol.”
THE SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME DE NAMUR
CONGRATULATE THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CINCINNATI ON THE
175th ANNIVERSARY OF THE CATHEDRAL OF ST. PETER IN CHAINS AND ITS DESIGNATION AS A MINOR BASILICA SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME DE NAMUR — Providing Catholic education in the
The final destination is Old St. Mary’s Church with benediction and prayers, ending at 11 a.m. “You know, it really brings the faith back because it’s a very prayerful,” said Willig. “We’re singing very powerful hymns; we’re praying the Rosary all the time; we’re praying the litany; we’re walking through some very difficult parts of this city where people are blaspheming Christ and other people are kneeling down and genuflecting before the Eucharist. “And then we go down Main Street and all these kids are taking pictures with their iPhones, so it’s pretty a marvelous experience, being part of it. And toward the end, people were saying, ‘I’m coming next year and I’m bringing 10 men with me.’ ”
It’s not just the people in the procession, but I think it’s everybody who sees it when it goes by. It’s a powerful public symbol. The theme for this year’s Catholic Men’s Eucharistic Procession is “Take Courage, It is I, Do Not Be Afraid” (Mt 14:27), a reference to Jesus calming the apostles during the storm. Willig said that message is reflected in the “storms” facing Catholic men today with attacks on the Church, religious freedom, marriage, family and the unborn. “I think it has a lot more significance this year, certainly to not be afraid, especially since nationwide our Church is under attack, with the burning at the Santa Barbara church and defacing statues and decapitating the Blessed Mother. It’s a time where Catholic men need to stand up and say, ‘Hey, we’re Catholic and we’ll defend our Church if we need to,’ ” said Willig. “I think it’s really important that we come out with our faith especially with all the things that are going on in our neighborhood,” said Brother Sucher. “Earlier this year, we had a number of people out, protesting against police violence and injustices and the like, recently we had 10 people shot just a block away from here. Two people were killed in that shooting. So there’s a lot of unrest here as well, so I think it’s a great opportunity to pray publicly for all of that.”
Archdiocese of Cincinnati since 1840
sndohio.org
Early Sixth Street Pupils — Cincinnati, OH
SNDdeN 2020 minor basilica congratulations ad.indd 1
8/27/2020 1:57:28 PM
All Saints and St. Vincent Ferrer are excited to join in the celebration of The 175th Anniversary of the Cathedral St. Peter in Chains And Its Designation as a Minor Basilica Fr. J. Dennis Jaspers, Pastor
Congratulations on the 175th Anniversary of
The Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains
and its designation as a Minor Basilica. The Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, Ohio sistersosf.org
S T . P E T E R IN C H AIN S / OCT 2020 | 41
1
Did you know that basilicas date back to the Roman Empire? Yes, in ancient Rome they had basilicas. But, they were a bit different from what we have today. Romans used basilicas as public gathering spaces for markets, civic administration and court. The basilica was the epicenter of a bustling city.
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In 313 AD, Emperor Constantine made Christianity (along with other religions) legal in Rome with the Edict of Milan. Roman basilicas transformed into churches – places of worship. When building new churches, Christians began to adopt the basilica structure and floorplan. As a result, Roman basilica architecture still influences church architecture, even today.
DID YOU KNO While many cathedrals are named basilicas due to their importance, any church can be named a basilica as long as they meet certain basic requirements. The church must: • have regular celebrations of the sacraments. • be of sufficient size. • be historically significant. • have an adequate number of priests to serve its needs. • have a sufficient number of lay ministers. • have an adequate sacred music schola. Churches have to submit highly-detailed applications to the Vatican in order to claim the basilica designation. St. Peter in Chains’ application was 240 pages long!
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5
3
Our cathedral, St. Peter in Chains, is now a minor basilica! Okay, hold on, is it still a cathedral? Yes, it is BOTH! It is now called the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains. To clarify: a cathedral is any church that is the “seat” of a bishop. There is one cathedral per diocese. A basilica is any church named highly important by the pope based on its historical or cultural importance, its art or beauty, its significance in the liturgical life of the Church or a variety of these attributes.
OW?
5
6 In total, there are more than 1,800 basilicas around the world, many of which are in Italy. Including St. Peter in Chains, there are now 89 basilicas in the U.S. (87 in the continental U.S. and 2 in Puerto Rico). St. Peter in Chains is the sixth basilica in Ohio, but the first in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati!
Every basilica has the right to keep special items such as the Ombrellino (a ceremonial umbrella) and the Tintinnabulum (a little bell), which are symbols of a basilica’s special connection to the papacy. Each basilica has its own unique coat of arms and is permitted to display the Papal Cross Keys— another special sign of unity with the papacy. A person can receive a special indulgence for devoutly visiting a basilica.
S T . P E T E R IN C H AIN S / OCT 2020 | 43
Minor Basilica Proclamation At the request of his Excellency and Most Reverend Dennis Marion Schnurr, Archbishop of Cincinnati, with his letter from the 18th of August 2019 expressing the prayers and desires of the clergy and all the Christian faithful, the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments by the power of the particular faculties conferred to it by the Supreme Pontiff, FRANCIS, most willingly bestows upon the Cathedral Church of Cincinnati, dedicated to God in honor of Saint Peter “in Chains” the title and dignity of a MINOR BASILICA with all the corresponding rights and customary liturgical privileges, all things being rightly observed in accordance with the decree Concerning the Title of Minor Basilica “Domus Ecclesiae,” issued on the 9th of November 1989. All things to the contrary notwithstanding. From the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, on the Solemnity of the Apostles St. Peter and Paul, the 29th day of June of the year 2020. Arturus Roche Archbishop Secretary Mouradis Manon R. P. Conradus Maggioni, S.M.M. Undersecretary
How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord God of hosts! SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH, Harrison rejoices with the Archdiocese of Cincinnati on the 175th anniversary of our cathedral and its designation as a Minor Basilica. 4 4 | T H E CA THOLIC TELE GR A P H
CONGRATULATIONS to the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains! From Our Lady of Grace Parish, Dayton
JOINING IN CELEBRATING
175 HISTORIC YEARS OF ST. PETER IN CHAINS THE JESUITS OF CINCINNATI & THE MINISTRIES OF THE SOCIETY OF JESUS St. Francis Xavier Church Xavier University St. Xavier High School St. Robert Bellarmine Parish Jesuit Spiritual Center at Milford Claver Jesuit Ministry
T H E C AT H OL IC T E LE G R A PH | 45
T O G E T H E R | O N WA R D C AVA L I E R S
A LOOK INSIDE THE CATHEDRAL BASILICA...
4 6 | T H E C ATHOLIC TE LEGR A PH
C O N GR A T U L A T IO NS to the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains from St. Louis, North Star & St. Nicholas, Osgood Parishes
How lovely is your dwelling place! Congratulations from the Franciscan Friars of St. John the Baptist Province
The faithful of St. Bernadette offer their warmest congratulations to the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains on the designation as a Minor Basilica!
www.franciscan.org
Bishop John Baptist Purcell built his
cathedral to accommodate an increasing number of immigrants. He chose a bold architecture style to proclaim that Catholics had as much a place in American history as others. Today, we continue to boldly state that immigrants deserve a place in America.
The Society of the Divine Word and the Vietnamese Catholic Community of Our Lady of La Vang congratulate the Archdiocese of Cincinnati on the 175th anniversary of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains.
Society of the Divine Word
Dominican Sisters of Peace Sisters and Associates in Mission Rejoice with the Archdiocese as they celebrate
175 Years
Chicago Province www.divineword.org
S T . P E T E R IN C H AIN S / OCT 2020 | 47
A C L OS E R L OOK
THE MORALITY OF VOTING FOR “NONE OF THE ABOVE” This October the Church celebrates Respect Life Month on the brink of a presidential election that presents a difficult choice for conscientious Catholics. The Church does not endorse political candidates, nor does she suggest which candidate better exemplifies a commitment to life issues. But the Church does provide clear teaching, and we must consider and apply the entirety of that teaching as we deliberate about which – if any – lever to pull. If we think the decision is easy, it may be that we are neither thinking deeply enough about the Church’s complete teaching on life issues, nor looking closely enough at the rhetoric and policy positions of the various candidates.
support.” To be sure, it may be that a candidate who supports legalized, on-demand abortion forfeits his or her Catholic vote. “[I]f a candidate’s position on a single issue promotes an intrinsically evil act, such as legal abortion,” the Bishops continue, “a voter may legitimately disqualify a candidate from receiving support.” But the principle is not necessarily reciprocal. Disqualifying candidate “A” on account of his support of abortion does not automatically qualify candidate “B” for her opposition to it. We cannot use a candidate’s opposition to abortion to justify voting for that candidate if he espouses rhetoric and policies that are contrary to respecting life in other ways.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), as it does each presidential election year, has produced a resource document for this deliberative process, “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship.” As it pertains especially to life issues, the Bishops articulate the Church’s positions and provide instruction on how to weigh and balance them as we consider how to vote. Most importantly, it calls us to overcome partisan biases, and to subordinate partisan commitments to Catholic moral doctrine.
Before we hastily conclude that we have a mandate to vote for the anti-abortion candidate, we also must take other factors into consideration. This includes the candidate’s positions on, among other issues, capital punishment, immigration, public health and welfare, labor conditions, the environment and racial matters. A candidate’s opposition to legalized abortion does not automatically qualify her as a viable candidate if she overwhelmingly fails on these other important moral issues. As St. Pope St. John Paul II wrote in his encyclical The Splendor of Truth, “the fact that only the negative commandments oblige always and under all circumstances does not mean that in the moral life prohibitions are more important than the obligation to do good indicated by the positive commandment.”
ABORTION AND “SINGLE-ISSUE VOTING”
For many Catholic voters, a candidate’s position on abortion is not merely disqualifying for that candidate, but necessarily implies an imperative vote for the other. This is a mistake. “As Catholics, we are not single-issue voters,” the Bishops explain. “A candidate’s position on a single issue is not sufficient to guarantee a voter’s 4 8 | TH E C ATHOLIC TE LEGR A P H
THE VIRTUE OF DOING NOTHING
We cannot choose the lesser evil of two evils in any part of our moral lives. As Catholic citizens, we have a moral
causes us to participate in evil. The latter does not. responsibility to “do good” with our votes, not merely to avoid a greater of two evil results. (Note that I refer to “evil I am not necessarily saying that this presidential election results,” not evil candidates.) Any moral act that makes a is such a situation, nor am I claiming that a conscientious choice for the lesser of two evils, regardless of the context, Catholic must or must not vote for is still a choice for evil. That, we must Candidate A or Candidate B. Rather, never do. As St. Paul admonishes in his I suggest that the analysis is not as Epistle to the Romans, those who say, As Catholic simple as some Catholics across the “Let us do evil that good may come” citizens, we partisan spectrum seem to think. We deserve condemnation. Thus, if we have a moral must develop and apply fully-formed believe that voting for one candidate consciences, considering the totality produces a “less evil” result than voting responsibility to of the issues, to our voting. As for the other, we must not vote for “do good” with our such, we cannot allow a candidate’s either. votes, not merely favorable position on a single issue to avoid a greater to be determinative if that candidate A common objection to this conclusion of two evil results. espouses other policies that are is that refraining to vote for the lesser consistently and blatantly contrary evil outcome may allow the greater to respect for life. Sometimes the evil result to obtain. This may well morally proper vote in a particular be the case; but it does not defeat the race may be “None of the Above.” principle. We are not morally responsible for the actions of other moral agents, including their votes for the greater DR. KENNETH CRAYCRAFT or lesser of two evils. But we cannot affirmatively and is an attorney and the James J. Gardner Family deliberately choose an evil moral act, even if it is chosen to Chair of Moral Theology at Mount St. Mary’s prevent a perceived greater evil result. We may, however, Seminary & School of Theology. He holds a endure a greater evil, even if it is foreseeable, by refraining Ph.D. in moral theology from Boston College, and a J.D. from Duke University School of Law. from acting in a given set of circumstances. The former
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Father Gene Contadino A Legacy of Social Justice and Love for Christ
BY E IL E E N C ON N E L L Y, OS U
and Marianist identity; helped develop an orientation program for new employees; and introduced faculty, staff and students to the Marianist charism. St. Francis de Sales Parishioners came to know Father Contadino as someone who never shied away from social justice issues, challenged them to put their faith into action and to love and accept others, regardless of their differences, because that is what Jesus calls us to do. He was a relatable pastor, deeply involved in their spiritual and sacramental lives, sharing their joys and sorrows, always reminding them of God’s presence and love. “Father Gene has been a true inspiration to all who have been graced by his motivating and thought-provoking homilies each Sunday,” said Louise Stakelin, a longtime parishioner. “His daily Gospel meditations, sent to hundreds, clearly teach us how to live the Word.”
Marianist Father Gene Contadino may have retired as pastor of St. Francis de Sales Parish in East Walnut Hills on Aug. 23, but his heart remains with the faith community and school he came to cherish during his 10-year tenure. “I’m sure in my head that this is the right move. In my heart, it’s a little tougher,” said the well-loved shepherd, who celebrated his 80th birthday the same day, and is also marking his 50th year as a Marianist priest. “This has been an extremely warm and positive experience,” he added. “During my time at St. Francis de Sales, I’ve seen the good the Catholic Church does in people’s lives. That’s what our parish is about. When you say you’re a Marianist parish, people think of family or community. That doesn’t mean we’re doing it better than other parishes, but it is distinctive.” His vocation as a Marianist originated at the then-Purcell High School, where the members of the Society of Mary who helped staff the school inspired him. Ordained on Jan. 31, 1970, Father Contadino’s ministry included 26 years at the University of Dayton (UD), serving in a variety of positions, including campus ministry and several terms as rector. In that role, he co-chaired a campus task force that made recommendations for strengthening UD’s Catholic 5 0 | T H E C ATHOLIC TE LEGR A PH
“He was a model pastor with an all-inclusive, universal message,” added Rick Reynolds, former Parish Council president, who also headed the parish Finance Committee. “He’s friendly and outgoing and his homilies drew crowds. He championed Pope Francis and quoted him often.” Father Contadino was also known as a proponent of the Catholic Inner-City Schools Education (CISE) Fund, which includes St. Francis de Sales School, and served on the CISE Board of Trustees. As with other CISE schools, a majority of the students at St. Francis de Sales are lowincome and non-Catholic, yet eager to learn and embrace strong Catholic values taught in a nurturing and inclusive environment. “I’ve spent my life in education and am proud of the work we do,” Father Contadino said. “Our teachers are generous and they give everything.” The parishioners also give everything, he emphasized, citing the focus on outreach at St. Francis de Sales. This includes ministries such as the HELP Program, which provides support for returning citizens who have been convicted of a felony by helping them find and maintain employment and assisting them in becoming fully selfsufficient and contributing members of society.
“The past 10 years have gone by in the blink of an eye,” he said, the love for the community evident in his voice. “One of the blessings of being priest is entering pretty deeply into peoples’ lives. It can be heart-mending and heart-wrenching. I can’t express the joy I felt being part of the parish. I’m just in awe of the peoples’ hearts.” While leaving is bittersweet, Father Contadino finds reassurance in knowing the faith community will be left in good hands with fellow Marianists Father Michael Nartker and Brother Paul Hoffman, pastor and pastoral associate, respectively, along with strong lay leadership and involvement.
Father Contadino never shied away from social justice issues, challenged them to put their faith into action and love and accept others...
Open House Shine in Faith, Academics, Leadership, Service, Fine Arts, Athletics & MORE
As he discerns what comes next, Father Contadino is looking forward to pursuing one of his favorite past-times: riding his Harley, a gift from UD students 10 years ago. His favorite routes take him along the Ohio River as he embraces the open road and fresh air. Looking back on an active and what he considers to be a very blessed, life of ministry, relationships and prayer, Father Contadino said Elizabeth’s words to Mary come to mind: “Blessed is she who believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished. Mary said ‘yes’ to what God asked of her, but did she really know what she was getting into? “This is a woman who truly believed, trusted and said ‘yes,’” he said. “Whether you get married, stay single or enter religious life, there has to be a certain amount of trust. There will be good days and not-so-good days, fun times and not-so-fun times. I’m glad I trusted in God, said ‘yes’ and hung in.”
OPEN HOUSE THURSDAY, NOV. 5 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM Contact Seton Director of Institutional Advancement Sarah Cranley Lykins ‘02: 513.471.2600, Ext. 2422 lykinss@setoncincinnati.org setoncincinnati.org
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8th Grade Shadow Days Open House – November 8 Parent Coffee Sessions Parent Info Nights Parent/Daughter “Mini Sessions” Wolves Experience Night Virtual Options
Learn more at www.mercymcauley.org/admissions. *Open House date may be subject to change; visit website for updates.
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Catholic High Schools
Open Houses
Archbishop Alter High School 940 E. David Rd., Kettering 45429 (937) 434-4434 www.alterhs.org Principal: Lourdes Lambert Sun., Oct.18, 1 - 3 p.m. Stephen T. Badin High School 571 New London Rd., Hamilton 45013 (513) 863-3993 www.badinhs.org Principal: Brian Pendergest Sun., Oct. 25, 1 - 4 p.m. Carroll High School 4524 Linden Ave., Dayton 45432 (937) 253-8188 www.carrollhs.org Principal: Matt Sableski Sun., Nov. 1, 1- 4 p.m. Catholic Central High School 1200 E. High St., Springfield 45505 (937) 325-9204 www.ccirish.org Principal: Patrick Rizer Chaminade Julienne High School 505 S. Ludlow St., Dayton 45402 (937) 461-3740 www.cjeagles.org Principal: Greg Mueller Sun., Nov. 1, 2 - 4 p.m. DePaul Cristo Rey High School 1133 Clifton Hills Ave., Cincinnati 45220 (513) 861-0600 www.discoverdepaul.org Principal: Paul Ebert Virtual Open House Oct. 26-29, 7 p.m. nightly Virtual tour and presentations each night. Details, Zoom links on the website. Elder High School 3900 Vincent Ave., Cincinnati 45205 (513) 921-3744 www.elderhs.org
Principal: Kurt Ruffing Thursday, Nov. 12, 4 - 9 p.m. Bishop Fenwick High School 4855 State Route 122 Franklin 45005 (513) 428-0525 www.fenwickfalcons.org Principal: Blaine Collison Oct.12 , Oct.13, Oct.19 , Oct. 28, Nov. 4 Pre-Registration required La Salle High School 3901 North Bend Rd. Cincinnati 45239 (513) 741-2365 www.lasallehs.net Principal: Aaron Marshall Sun., Nov. 8, 1 - 4 p.m. Lehman Catholic High School 2400 St. Mary’s Ave., Sidney 45365 (937) 498-1161 www.lehmancatholic.com President: Joshua Ater Thurs., Nov. 5, 6 - 8:30 p.m.
A LEADER IN GIRLS' CATHOLIC EDUCATION SINCE 1910 Faith - Integrity - Courage
Open House 2020 Sunday, October 25 1:00 - 4:30pm RESERVATION REQUIRED
McNicholas High School 6536 Beechmont Ave. Cincinnati 45230 (513) 231-3500 www.mcnhs.org Principal: David Mueller Sun., Oct. 25, 1 - 4 p.m. Mercy McAuley High School 6000 Oakwood Ave. Cincinnati 45224 (513) 681-1800 www.mercymcauley.org Principal: Connie Kampschmidt Sun., Nov. 8, 1 – 4 p.m. Archbishop Moeller High School 9001 Montgomery Rd., Cincinnati 45242 (513) 791-1680 www.moeller.org Principal: Carl Kremer Sun., Nov. 1, 1 - 6 p.m.
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Catholic High Schools
Sun., Oct. 25, 1 - 4:30 p.m.
Open Houses
Mount Notre Dame High School 711 E. Columbia Ave. Cincinnati 45215 (513) 821-3044 Principal: Karen Day Sun., Nov. 1, TBD Purcell Marian High School 2935 Hackberry St. Cincinnati 45206 (513) 751-1230 www.purcellmarian.org Principal: Andy Farfsing Sun., Nov. 8, 2 – 5 p.m. Roger Bacon High School 4320 Vine St. Cincinnati 45217 (513) 641-1303 www.rogerbacon.org Principal: Steve Schad Sun., Oct. 25, TBD
Royalmont Academy 200 Northcrest Dr., Mason 45040 (513) 754-0555 www.royalmont.org Principal: Veronica Murphy Sun., Nov. 15, 2 – 4:30 p.m. Sun., Jan. 24, 2 - 4:30 p.m. Seton High School 3901 Glenway Ave. Cincinnati 45205 (513) 471-2600 www.setoncincinnati.org President: Kathy Allen Ciarla Principal: Karen Klug White Thurs., Nov. 5, 5:30 - 8 p.m. Saint Ursula Academy 1339 East McMillan Cincinnati, 45206 (513) 961-3410 www.saintursula.org Principal: Mari Thomas
St. Xavier High School 6000 W. North Bend Rd. Cincinnati 45224 (513) 761-7815 www.stxavier.org Principal: Terry Tyrrell Sun., Nov. 15, 1- 4 p.m. The Summit Country Day School 2161 Grandin Rd. Cincinnati 45208 (513) 871-4700 www.summitcds.org Upper School Director: Kelly Cronin Thurs., Nov. 19, 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. Ursuline Academy 5535 Pfeiffer Rd., Cincinnati 45242 (513) 791-5791 www.ursulineacademy.org Principal: Ms. Jill Hallahan Sun., Nov. 1, 1 - 4 p.m. All times subject to change. For more information, contact each school.
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DPCR Welcomes New President Catholic High School Welcomes Siobhan Taylor to Lead School BY MA R GEE GA R B S C H
DePaul Cristo Rey High School (DPCR) begins a new academic year with a new president leading the school. DPCR’s Board of Directors and the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati, sponsors of the school, have named Siobhan Taylor as DPCR’s second president. A Cincinnati native, Taylor is a S I O B H A N TAYL OR graduate of Ursuline Academy, Miami University and the University of Michigan. She has held several education leadership positions, locally at the Springer School and Center, and James N. Gamble Montessori High School. Most recently, she served as Head of High School at Marburn Academy in New Albany, OH.
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OCT 26-29, 7 p.m. nightly Virtual tour and presentations each night.
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Taylor is eager to begin her work at DPCR. “I am excited and prepared to shepherd the DePaul Cristo Rey community into a new season of even more vibrant fulfillment of its mission. The work of this school deeply resonates with me, as I truly understand the value and promise a Catholic high school education holds. It is my hope that, together, we will continue to grow with and in the Greater Cincinnati community and by the faithful practice of the Gospel in every way.” Taylor follows Sister Jeanne Bessette, OSF, Ed.D., as DPCR president. Sister Bessette led the opening of the school in 2011 and served as president through the 2019-20 school year. Under her leadership, the school successfully completed a $20.8 million capital campaign that has funded a major campus transformation. A new academic building has just opened, and follows the opening of the new gymnasium/student center in Aug. 2019. DePaul Cristo Rey is a Catholic, college-preparatory high school with a mission to educate young people who have the potential but limited financial means to go to college. This is accomplished through a dynamic academic program partnered with an innovative Corporate Work Study Program, not available at any other local high school. Sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati, DPCR is one of 37 high schools in the nationwide Cristo Rey Network® which serves 13,000 young people.
Find Your Brilliance Go where you’ll have more opportunities to shine. VISIT mcnhs.org
S C H OOL S / O CT 2020 | 55
CISE Partners with La Soupe to Feed Body & Mind B Y C Y NTH I A KENNY
In a renovated space on McMillian Street, busy kitchen sounds were replaced with friendly greetings as two teams entered the meeting room. Catholic Inner-city School Education (CISE) and La Soupe team members got right to the point: What do they need to get more healthy food to the families of students if they have virtual or blended learning? How will distribution happen and where? Within two hours, a new and more aggressive strategy for the La Soupe-CISE partnership was in place. Suzy DeYoung, founder and director of La Soupe, had a nagging passion. Her dream, now a reality, was two-pronged: Feed those
who need healthy food, and help eliminate food waste in the community. Restaurants and grocery stores alike dump tons of food every week into landfills. She knew there was a way to solve it. Thanks to dedicated and generous donors, La Soupe moved into their McMillian Street space early in 2020 and is making an important impact in feeding and teaching the community. “We need to plan as we go,” said DeYoung. “Being flexible and multitasking is often what women do so well. It’s part of how we think, solving problems as they arise. Who knows what will come tomorrow? The goal is the same whether classes are virtual or in person.” “This city is full of people who care, and if we can problem-solve together, we can accomplish a lot. Children can’t learn if they are hungry,” said Partner Relations Manager, Katy Nardolillo. “Our kids, 94 percent of whom live in poverty, depend on their school. It’s often the one constant in their lives offering consistency, safety and trust. A basic part of that is nourishment,” said Mabe Rodriquez, executive director of CISE. “We formerly gave Power Packs for the weekends, but partnering with La Soupe, we can offer them a family meal. Not only does it nourish them, but it provides a chance for them to sit as a family.” “Working with like-minded people is a gift. We see the same end-game,” said Cynthia Kenny, CISE 2020 Campaign cochair. “Keeping our priorities straight during COVID and beyond is the aim. Education and healthy food are critical building blocks for success. Most of us take both for granted. It is surprisingly simple to solve problems when we aren’t afraid to question things to better understanding what works. Business as usual is out the window. Innovation, partnerships and reevaluation of processes are the winning ingredients, now.” Feeding our community, both in terms of body and mind, has never been more important. If you’d like to partner with CISE, please visit CISEkids.org or contact dweitz@catholicaoc.org.
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Serving Beyond Borders St. Xavier Students Continue to Reach Out to Those in Need BY EL L EN GO R M L EY
In 2019, St. Xavier High School students served on 12 mission trips around the U.S. and Costa Rica. While COVID-19 led to the cancellation of all 2020 summer mission trips, students and community service director, J.K. Klaiber, continue to innovate in creating service opportunities for students.
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Students serving others in the classroom, in their homes, in the community and beyond is a hallmark of becoming “men for others.” They continue to serve neighbors in individual efforts and group efforts both in person and online. Aidan Finn and his sister started an online tutoring service called Tutor Teens, where high schoolers across the city help students in grades K-8 study. They launched in April and have gained national recognition for their innovative service to others. Their website is tutorteens.com. On June 12, more than 25 students distributed fresh produce boxes and milk to neighbors in need in an efficient, contactless drive-thru in conjunction with Catholic Charities of Southwestern Ohio. In all, 1,408 boxes of produce and 2,700 gallons of milk, provided by Borden, were distributed. St. Xavier High School senior, Jeffrey Hecht, participated in the drive-thru food distribution. “Many of our service opportunities were canceled through the summer due to COVID-19, but today we have partnered with the Freestore Foodbank, Su Casa, the USDA and Catholic Charities to give fresh food to families in need,” he said. St. Xavier has plans to send students to West Virginia and Tennessee to assist neighbors in rural areas as long tas they can manage the risk of COVID-19 through physical distancing and masking.
A Place To
be you OPEN HOUSE Sunday, November 1
Visit mndhs.org for details S C H OOL S / O CT 2020 | 57
ROYALMONT ACADEMY
Regnum Christi School Celebrates 25 Years of Catholic Education BY M . D . P IT M AN
A quarter-century ago, Royalmont Academy was a small, grassroots Catholic school in Oakley. This year, the school celebrates its 25th anniversary at its Warren County campus in Mason. Growth of the pre-K to eighth grade Catholic school included forming the region’s first new Catholic high school in almost a half-century, and has produced many successful graduates. “For a school that’s so young, we’ve produced quite the dramatic number of scholarships, and our students are out there leading,” said Royalmont Principal Veronica Murphy. “Having kids go out as strong leaders was the vision and goal. I think we’re achieving that goal.” Royalmont averages 150 to 170 students in a given school year, of which around 50 attend the high school. Murphy said they would like to see total enrollment reach between 225 and 300. Growth is important, she said, but it’s more important the school doesn’t lose its sense of community. “No matter how big we grow, we intend to keep it a family, community-oriented group, so that always will be our goal,” Murphy said. The school keeps parents connected through events and activities, like mother and father prayer groups. “Our goal is to keep the family connected to the school because we truly see ourselves in partnership with parents,” Murphy said.
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“What’s critical for the school,” said Father Jesús Salinas, “are Royalmont’s four formation pillars: spiritual, intellectual, apostolic and human. They are designed to “form the whole person, not just the spiritual side, not just the human side, not just academics.” Martha Haenni, an administrative assistant at Royalmont, has been involved with the school since 2003, and has “seen a lot of beautiful things, a lot of growth.” Her daughter, Clare Haenni, was at Royalmont during its first year as a high school in the 2014-15 school year. “I think the inspiration for the high school is we wanted to continue to bring the formation that we have in our preschool through eighth grade to those older students,” she said. Catholic high school options are abundant, yet Haenni felt there was “something different to offer” at Royalmont. “We felt like what we had at the grade school (level) could easily translate up into those high school years,” she said. “There have been challenges but it’s been a beautiful thing to see.” Murphy said they will continue to share the charism of the Regnum Christi with area families. “As that movement grows, we will grow with them, so to speak, and share that with our geographical area,” she said. “The charism itself is to form Christian leaders and to develop each student’s relationship with Christ.”
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T O G E T H E R | O N WA R D C AVA L I E R S
OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18TH 1-3:00PM 6th through 11th Graders and Families
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY - REGISTER ONLINE For information call 937.428.5394
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6 0 | T H E C ATHOLIC TE LEGR A PH
Open House • Sunday, November 1• 1-4 p.m.
Tour the School• Meet our Faculty & Staff Learn about Our House System S eak with Students & Parents about their Ex eriences
State Championship in Science and STEM for Dayton Catholic Schools Bishop Leibold, Carroll & Alter Recognized by State of Ohio B Y R A C H EL PR I ND L E
Bishop Leibold students participate in robotics as part of their robust STEM program.
Bishop Leibold School received the Ohio Academy of Science (OAS) Edison Award for the 10th consecutive year, the only elementary school in the Miami Valley with such a streak, securing their position as a science powerhouse with the two prestigious awards won over the last several weeks from the OAS. Bishop Leibold School is one of only four schools in Ohio to win both the OAS Thomas Edison Award for Excellence in STEM education and the Harold Shaw Outstanding School Award for State Science Fair results in the same year. “These awards really speak to our exceptional students, staff and related programming,” said Dr. Theodore Wallace, principal of Bishop Leibold. “This double win in science and STEM is an incredible achievement.” The Harold C. Shaw Memorial Outstanding School Award is given to schools with the highest team score at State Science Day. Bishop Leibold is one of just seven public and private elementary schools across the state to receive the Shaw Award and the only elementary school in the greater Dayton
area. This year, eight Bishop Leibold students comprised a virtual State Science Fair team. Carroll High School in Dayton also received the prestigious Harold C. Shaw Memorial Award. The OAS Thomas Edison Award for Excellence in STEM education award recognizes schools that exhibit excellence in this area of learning. The Ohio Academy of Science defines STEM education as both the mastery and integration of science technology, engineering, and mathematics for all pre-K-12 students. STEM incorporates scientific inquiry and technological design through student-focused, project-based curricula to develop skills of communication, teamwork/ collaboration, creativity / innovation, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Bishop Leibold has received the award for 10 consecutive years, and they are the only grade school in the greater Dayton area to do so. Other greater Dayton area Catholic schools to receive this honor this year include Archbishop Alter High School and Carroll High School.
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It is for this reason that we began praying the Rosary with our children shortly after the beginning of this pandemic. In our house, with seven young children, squeezing in a daily Rosary is no small task. That is why it must start small. When we first started praying the Rosary as a family, we realized that we had to meet our kids where they were, and that meant taking it a decade at a time. It also meant we needed to find a way to help them stay focused. One way that helped was to let them use rosaries they helped make with pipe cleaners or knotted nylon cord rosaries. Even then, getting children to sit for just those 10 beads took time, patience and practice. Oftentimes w e p r a y our decades with children running around, whining or tumbling around on the living room floor and furniture. Eventually we managed to work up to a full Rosary, and we now say it daily. It’s not always pretty, and it’s far from perfect... in our eyes, at least. That’s what we keep reminding ourselves. It may not be perfect in our eyes, but Mary loves the prayers of our children, of her children. And so does our Father. This month, as we pray through the intercession of Mary for an end to abortion, and for all of us to see and respect the inherent beauty and dignity of every human life, let it start in our own homes with our own families. Let us strive to be loving and patient as we pray the Rosary together. May we also recognize that, even in those moments of chaos and imperfection, there is still beauty simply in the fact that we are all created in the image and likeness of God.
R OSARY MAKIN G
B Y W A Y NE & M A R IA NN E TOPP
The devotion to Our Lady of the Rosary has a very dramatic origin. On October 7, 1571, a small Christian fleet of ships went out to battle the massive Muslim fleet that was dominating the Mediterranean Sea and stood poised to invade Europe. In miraculous fashion, the Christian fleet destroyed the Muslim fleet. That battle is known as the Battle of Lepanto, and, upon hearing about the victorious outcome of the battle, Pope Pius V, who had initiated a Rosary campaign months earlier, attributed the victory to Mary’s intercession and established Oct.7 as the Feast of Our Lady of Victory. Pope Gregory XIII later changed the name, but recognition of the Christian victory that day and the influence of Mary’s powerful intercession only grew, and now we celebrate this uniquely efficacious devotion for an entire month! 6 2 | T H E C A THOLIC TELE GR A P H
Craft: Pipe Cleaner Rosaries Supplies needed: • Pipe cleaner • 11 Pony beads • Scissors 1) String 10 beads onto the pipe cleaner on half the pipe cleaner. 2) With the stringed portion, make a circle and fasten the beaded section to the empty section of the pipe cleaner leaving a little more than of the pipe cleaner loose. 3) Slide on 1 bead for the “Our Father.”
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4)With a scissors cut off a 1 ½ in. section of the loose end. 5) Wrap that around the loose end to form a cross. 6) For fun, you can form your beaded decade into a heart. For tutorial videos and more Catholic family fun, visit our Facebook page @makingcatholicmemories.
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M AK IN G C AT H OL IC M E M ORIE S / O CT 2020 | 63
OUT AND ABOUT IN TH E ARCHDIOCESE
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1) CARDINAL PACELLI BACK TO SCHOOL
It was a school opening Cardinal Pacelli students, staff and faculty will never forget. Lugging school supplies and wearing masks, students stopped to have their temperatures checked as adults welcomed them back on Aug. 18. Pictured: Third grader Henry Herron is welcomed back to school by Pounce the Panther, the school mascot.
2) WELCOME BACK ANGELS
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Guardian Angels School welcomed students back to school on Aug. 19 and 20. Families were split by their last names on the first two days to welcome back a smaller group at a time; everyone was back together on Aug. 21.
3) CARING FOR GOD’S CREATION
The St. Ursula Academy Green Team introduced a recycling station to the school cafeteria last year as part of their efforts to embrace the call to care for God’s creation. The archdiocesan Care for Creation Task Force is recognizing SUA, along with four other Catholic institutions, as Laudato Si’ Communities for their efforts.
4) PRO-LIFE PUMPKINS
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A pro-life pumpkin display will be 7 p.m. on Oct. 25 on the front steps of St. Augustine Church, Minster. Each year 400 hundred pumpkins are carved with crosses representing the 1,000 abortions that occur each day in the US. The parish youth ministry sponsors this and the event includes a prayer service.
5) SCHOOL BLESSING
Prior to the start of school, Queen of Peace School teachers gathered as Father James Wedig blessed the school during their in-service day of reflection . Statement of Ownership The Catholic Telegraph, publication number 0094-5300, is published monthly, 13 issues annually. The Statement of Ownership was filed Sept. 1, 2020. Annual subscription price is $18. Mailing address: The Catholic Telegraph, 100 E 8th St., Cincinnati, OH 452505-2199. Contact Greg Hartman, 513-263-6635. Publisher Name: Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr. Editor & Managing Editor Name: Jessica Rinaudo. Owner: Archdiocese of Cincinnati, 100 E. 8th St. Cincinnati, OH 45205. Tax Status has not changed during preceding 12 months. Issue date for circulation 6 4 | T H E C ATHOLIC TE LEGR A P H
data: September 2020. Extent and nature of circulation: monthly. Average number of copies each issue during preceding 12 months: Total copies: 130,442. Paid Circulation: (By Mail and Outside the Mail): (1) Mailed OutsideCounty Paid Subscriptions: 129,842; (2) Mailed In-County Paid Subscriptions: 0; (3) Paid Distribution Outside the Mails: 28; (4) Paid Distribution by Other Classes of Mail Through USPS: 10; Total Paid Distribution: 129,880 Number of Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: Total copies: 127,635 Paid Circulation (By Mail and Outside the Mail): (1) Mailed Outside-County
Paid Subscriptions: 127,135; (2) Mailed In-County Paid Subscriptions: 0; (3)Paid Distribution Outside the Mails: 28; (4) Paid Distribution by Other Classes of Mail Through USPS: 10; Total Paid Distribution: 127,173. Average number of copies each issue during preceding 12 months: Free or Nominal Rate Distribution (by Mail and Outside the Mail): (1) Free or nominal rate Outside-County copies: 0; (2) Free or nominal rate in-county copies: 0; (3) Free or nominal rate copies mailed at other classes through the USPS: 0; (4) Free or nominal rate distribution outside the mail: 208. Total free or nominal rate
distribution: 208; Total Distribution: 130,088; Copies not distributed: 354; Total: 130,442; Percent paid: 99.84% Number of Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: Free or Nominal Rate Distribution (by Mail and Outside the Mail): (1) Free or nominal rate Outside-County copies: 0; (2) Free or nominal rate in-county copies: 0; (3) Free or nominal rate copies mailed at other classes through the USPS: 0; (4) Free or nominal rate distribution outside the mail: 100. Total free or nominal rate distribution: 100; Total Distribution: 127.273; Copies not distributed: 362; Total: 127,635; Percent paid: 99.92%
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ACROSS 1 Holy ___ 5 Postage 10 Inspires dread 14 “Terrible” ruler of Russia 15 Italian city where “The Taming of the Shrew” is set 16 Hew 17 Bull 18 Turn away 19 Ascend 20 Christmas foliage 22 Addictive substance 24 Jacob’s first wife 27 Slackens 28 Medieval Christian soldier 32 Commandment word 33 ___ Father 34 Less common 36 Portion 40 Wading bird 42 Good 44 What 14 A was 45 Bird homes 47 Gold coin 49 Monopoly quartet (abbr.) 50 Congregational initials 52 Treat the disease 54 Armed cavalryman 58 One who applies color
59 Did a carpenter’s job 61 “Dying you destroyed our ___…” 65 Water, to Pedro 66 Possible Easter month 69 Chinese dynasty 70 Of the highest quality 71 10th Century pope 72 Heave 73 Notion 74 Yacht 75 Large flightless birds DOWN 1 “…the Lord is ___ thee.” 2 A Rachael Ray favorite 3 British nobleman 4 Small hills 5 Mineral spring 6 23rd letter of the Hebrew alphabet 7 Capital of Yemen 8 Pertaining to a wall 9 Type of saint 10 Feature of Psalm 11 Liturgical color 12 Reddish dye 13 Plans that are cut short 21 In the ___ of the Lord 23 Poultry enclosure
IN T HE A R C H D I O C E S E
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25 He was made from clay 26 Evil king of the New Testament 28 Parable of the ___ in the fish 29 Hick 30 Trinity author 31 First word in the title of a 19th Century encyclical 35 Ran swiftly 37 Book before Nehemiah 38 Don’t put it before the horse 39 Scottish Gaelic 41 Wounds of Our Lord 43 Our ___ of Fatima 46 Foot covering 48 Bound 51 “Bad company ruins good ___” (1 Cor 15:33) 53 Nativity scene 54 Abu ___ 55 Stormed 56 Entertain 57 Monarchy in the Himalayas 60 Spy movie 62 Attention getter 63 Bean curd 64 Rude dwellings 67 Wedding vow 68 Cut off
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OCT 2020 | 65
THE FINAL WORD with Beth Pettigrew
BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE NAVAJO PEOPLE
Youth ministry began at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Reading in the fall of 1998, and, soon afterwards, we began seeking opportunities for the compulsory “mission trip.” We didn’t have to look far. At the same time, our Parish Mission Commission was filing the paperwork to recognize a small parish on the Navajo Reservation in Tohatchi, NM, as our “sister parish.” That small faith community, St. Mary Mission, became a second home for many residents of Reading. Fast forward 22 years, 18 trips and more than 120 teens and adults later, and it’s fair to say many lives have been touched. For some, the mission opportunity inspired them to pursue public service, social work, political science and ministry. Through our many trips to New Mexico, we learned that we could neither lift our Navajo brothers and sisters out of poverty, nor alleviate their high unemployment rate. We could, however, get to know people and their struggles. We could share our stories and understand one another’s burdens. Teens from both churches were just kids together. They hung out at the local park, played sports and then prayed the Rosary together. Over the years, our mission transformed. What began as a mission trip evolved into a “Trip to Our Mission.” The focus changed from simply helping others to building relationships with the Navajo, the Diné, people. I am very close to one family in particular. Laverne Buffalo is Navajo, and her husband John, is Crow. They have reared their three children on the Navajo Reservation with Laverne’s family, but John teaches them Crow traditions as well. In the Navajo way of the Clan system, I am Laverne’s sister; her daughter, Janelle, is my niece. But, when Janelle is with only me, she is my daughter. Our Sts. Peter and Paul groups have been invited to their celebrations, including traditional sacred ceremonies. Personally, Janelle asked me to be her confirmation sponsor and to come to her high school 6 6 | TH E C ATHOLIC TE LEGR A PH
graduation. Her father asked me to do her cake presentation, a Crow tradition at graduations. As a result of spending time together, we can appreciate the richness of the relationship God has with all His people. As we share our faith, we recognize the presence of Christ in the Diné, which, in turn, renews our faith. Being in solidarity with people of a different culture is hard. Many times, you feel helpless. Even today, in 2020, life on the res is difficult. Thirty percent of households have no running water, and close to 40 percent have no electricity. From Janelle’s perspective, the relationship between the faith communities has been meaningful. “Growing up on the Navajo reservation with vast desert land for miles and very few activities that help encourage and entertain the youth, I always looked forward to Bible school every summer at my church,” she said. “For a lot of kids, it’s the highlight of summer, including me. I loved meeting the groups from Cincinnati and spending time getting to know everyone.” “In 2013, I was lucky ... when my now-confirmation sponsor, my ‘other mother,’ offered to take me back with her for the summer,” she added. “That opened the door for our parishes. Our St. Mary’s youth group has been able to make two trips to our sister parish. We learned that we have gifts and talents to share, and that our twinning relationship goes both ways. We not only got to experience the city, but also share cultural and spiritual experiences by sharing stories and songs, getting to know other Catholics and creating a family in Ohio that we will cherish forever.” BETH PETTIGREW is the pastoral associate for the Collaborative Pastoral Region of Reading, Sts. Peter and Paul/Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. Janelle Buffalo lives in Buffalo Springs, NM, on the Navajo Reservation. She is a Junior at Fort Lewis College in Durango and studies Public Health/Environmental Studies.
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100 E. 8th St. • Cincinnati, OH 45202
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