June 6, 2010, ET Catholic

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Massive cleanup begins Workers contracted by British Petroleum scrape oil from a beach May 23 in Port Fourchon, La., after it was inundated by the oil spill from the Deepwater Horizon rig. The catastrophe is considered the worst oil spill in U.S. history. page 8

THE EAST TENNESSEE

Volume 19 • Number 19 • June 6, 2010

The

N E W S PA P E R

of the D I O C E S E of K N O X V I L L E w w w. d i o k n o x . o r g

Father Aboh confirms man in county jail

Jubilee for Nashville Dominicans Friends from far and wide are helping the St. Cecilia Congregation celebrate its 150th anniversary. By Dan McWilliams

BY DA N M CW I L L I AMS

eing in jail didn’t stop Donald Flack from joining the Catholic Church during Easter week this spring.

Father Bede Aboh, pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Alcoa, confirmed Mr. Flack on April 8 at the Blount County Jail in Maryville as part of the parish prison ministry’s regular Thursday visits.

Mr. Flack spent six months in RCIA, and his fellow inmates not only followed his studies but also provided a cheering section during his confirmation.

“What was very spectacular about it was that every inmate who comes to Mass knew he was preparing to become a Catholic, and we told them two weeks ahead of time when it was going to be,” said Father Aboh. “The day we had him baptized and confirmed and he received Communion, the inmates followed the ceremony with attention. In a room of about 50-something inmates, you could

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isitors from East Tennessee and around the globe will gather in Nashville near the end of the month to join the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation in their 150thanniversary celebration.

Friends from many walks of life are helping the sisters, known for their teaching apostolate and black-and-white habits, publicize and host a yearlong series of events commemorating the sesquicentennial.

“People have been very good to us, and it’s a wonderful witness and very humbling that people value the life and want to help us celebrate,” said Sister Marian Sartain, OP, the congregation’s secretary general.

A Mass of thanksgiving will be celebrated at 3 p.m.

CDT on Friday, June 25, at the St. Cecilia Motherhouse, with a general reception to follow. Another reception is set for 6 that evening and a Dominicans continued on page 2

COURTESY OF ST. CECILIA DOMINICANS

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IN THE BEGINNING

Dominican foundresses pose with their students shortly after construction of the St. Cecilia Academy building in 1863. The St. Cecilia Dominicans are celebrating their 150th anniversary with a yearlong series of events from December 2009 to December 2010, highlighted by the anniversary Mass at 3 p.m. CDT on Friday, June 25, at the motherhouse in Nashville.

Speaker helps ET Catholics talk to their kids about abuse The faithful learn details about the Bill Casey situation in a series of talks, and CCET’s Kim Cook offers tips on protecting children.

Flack continued on page 8

B Y D A N MCW I L L I A MS

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Please pray for our priests

Download prayers and a rosary booklet: bit.ly/priestprayers.

DAN MCWILLIAMS

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

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

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

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

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

Amen.

St. John Vianney, pray for us. ■ DEALING WITH ABUSE

Kim Cook, a case coordinator with Catholic Charities’ Columbus Home Assisting Parents program, speaks to an audience at St. John Neumann School in Farragut that includes Lisa Campbell and husband David of St. John Neumann Parish.

he diocese sponsored a series of talks last month to help the faithful with their questions on the Bill Casey situation.

Leading the four presentations was Kim Cook of Catholic Charities of East Tennessee, a case coordinator with Columbus Home Assisting Parents. Mr. Casey, a priest for four decades, was suspended from ministry by Bishop Richard F. Stika on April 14 after admitting there was credibility to a charge

by Warren Tucker, 44, that Mr. Casey had abused him repeatedly when he was 10 to 15 years old in the 1970s.

Joining Mrs. Cook in the final talk at St. John Neumann School on May 14 were episcopal vicar Father David Boettner and Father Ragan Schriver, CCET’s executive director.

Mrs. Cook told her St. John Neumann listeners that childhood sexual abuse has always been around and always will be, “but it doesn’t have to [happen to] your kid,” she said.

The first two talks in the series were held May 3 at Notre Dame Church in Greeneville and May 6 at St. Dominic Church in Kingsport. Mr. Tucker was a student at St. Dominic School when the alleged abuse took place, and Mr. Casey served Notre Dame for many years, twice as pastor and again for more than a decade after retiring to Greeneville. The third talk took place May 12 at St. Stephen Church in Chattanooga.

Father Boettner began the evening at St. John Neumann by summarizing the events leading to Mr. Casey’s suspension. After Mr. Casey made his admission to the bishop the same Cook continued on page 2

Take note of ETC deadlines e welcome submissions about parish and community events. Send notices by e-mail (news@dioknox.org), fax (865-584-8124), or mail (805 Northshore Drive Southwest, Knoxville, TN 37919). To make sure we receive information about upcoming events in time for publication, please submit it by the following deadlines: ■ Monday, June 7, for the June 20 issue ■ Monday, June 28, for the July 11 issue.

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

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Cook continued from page 1

evening, he was permanently removed from ministry.

“The bishop has decided not to pursue laicization, when a priest is returned to the lay state,” said Father Boettner.

“Because of his age and also because of other factors—if Bill were returned to the lay state, the bishop would have no relationship with him whatsoever and would not have the ability to know where he was, to possibly help him to seek treatment for himself, or to try and ensure the safety of other children who might come in contact with him.”

In response to questions from the audience, Father Boettner said that Mr. Tucker has sought counseling and that the diocese is not paying for Mr. Casey’s legal representation, only for the priest pension Mr. Casey is still eligible to receive.

Mrs. Cook summarized the methods by which abusers target children. She said they focus on children who may be less talkative or poorly dressed, those whose hair isn’t brushed—any who seem less well cared for.

“They’re easier targets,” she said. “I’ve discussed this with sex offenders. You can go with them to a playground, and they can pinpoint the ones they can coax into a relationship.

They can tell that’s the child who probably doesn’t get a lot of attention or that somebody’s not looking out for these kids. That’s how they target their victims.”

Mrs. Cook mentioned the Neverland ranch owned by Michael Jackson, twice accused of sexually abusing children. She said that, instead of finding a multimillion-dollar playground such as the one of the late pop singer, she has discovered rooms in offenders’ houses that are supplied with toys or other items to appeal specifically to a target age group.

Keeping one’s child from being sexually abused can be as simple as not letting him or her be accessible, said Mrs. Cook.

“A victim only needs to be accessible and available. That’s what [abusers are] looking for.

You as a protective adult can place yourself between your child and someone who wants to do harm to your child.”

In closing remarks, Father Schriver spoke of the need for forgiveness.

“Even people who do horrible things like child sexual abuse still carry an element of dignity, and that’s where the tough part about forgiveness comes,” said Father Schriver. “Often we think about abuse perpetrators as lepers.”

One audience member at St. John Neumann asked, “How can I reconcile” Mr. Casey’s alleged abuse “with this person I know?” Father Schriver replied that the priestly work of Mr. Casey was not nullified by his admission of abuse.

“The sacrament of reconciliation with Bill was real. The good he did was real. His affection for you as parishioners and friends is real.”

Some of those at the St. John Neumann talk knew Mr. Casey, also a former pastor of the Farragut parish. Among them was St. John Neumann parishioner Lisa Campbell, who said she reacted with shock to the accusation.

“I couldn’t believe it,” she said. “My husband, David, came into the Catholic Church through Father Casey’s suggestion and through their relationship in RCIA.” Mrs. Cook provided several handouts during her talks, including “Symptoms of Poor SelfCare and Secondary Stress,”“How Can You Talk to Kids Without Scaring Them?,” “7 Steps to Preventing, Recognizing, and Reacting Responsibly to Child Sexual Abuse,” and others.

To learn more or obtain copies of the handouts, contact Mrs. Cook at kim@ccetn.org. ■

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

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JUNE 6, 2010

living the

READINGS

BY FATHER JOSEPH BRANDO

Do it yourself The Apostles’ successors have the power to make the Lord present at Mass.

One of my chores when I was growing up was babysitting my younger brothers when my parents were out. I took the job seriously and made sure they were well taken care of. That is, until they got a bit older.

Then, when one of them asked me to get something for him, I would harshly answer, “Get it yourself.”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus says what amounts to the same thing to the Twelve when they have the nerve to tell him to dismiss the crowd he had been speaking to and healing.

Perhaps Jesus had detected in his disciples what I as “eldest

brother” discerned in my younger siblings. They were growing up and could do things for themselves.

But with the Lord the stakes were a lot higher. Jesus must have determined the Twelve had grown a lot over the time they had been with him. They now had compassion on the crowd. Their love was expanding. But their self-esteem was lagging a bit. Yet who would have thought they could feed 5,000 hungry men?

They learned more than that. The feeding of the 5,000 from their measly five loves and two fish was a miracle in which they participated. All Jesus did was bless the bread and fish. The disciples did the rest. With that action, their faith in Jesus began to grow.

And they grew in their real-

ization of the power Jesus was conferring on them.

Then, when the “hour” had come, Jesus broke bread and gave it to them and did likewise with the wine. He said, “Do this in memory of me.”

That was all the disciples needed. They had been with the Lord long enough to comprehend what was happening.

As they had twice received bread and fish to distribute to thousands, now they were given the life of Christ so they could offer him to others.

They were to make Jesus’ timeless act of redemption a reality whenever they celebrated the Eucharist.

The Twelve and their successors had a power entrusted to them by the Lord. They could make the Lord sacramentally present at Mass. With orders from the Lord, they could do it all by themselves. ■ June 6, Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ Genesis 14:18-20 Psalm 110:1-4 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 Luke 9:11-17

Easy but not cheap Total repentance, such as that of the woman in Luke 7, takes ‘everything we’ve got.’

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o I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; hence she has shown me great love. The one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.”

These words of Jesus are perplexing. It makes one revert to the elder brother in the story of the Prodigal Son and side with him. Compare the woman in today’s Gospel with yourself.

It is admitted in the passage that she was indeed a sinful

woman. Jesus admits her sins were many.

Yet Jesus tells his host that she is now in a deeper love relationship with him than one whose sins are much less. Is Jesus saying that those who commit grievous sins can get closer to God than those who devote their lives to doing good?

Not really—but it is complicated. It does look like the woman got off easy.

All she had to do was

regret her sin, sneak into a formal dinner with invited guests, and make a fool of herself, pouring an alabaster jar of expensive perfume over Jesus’ feet. Jesus congratulates her for this, and points out that her love for God exceeded that of his pious host.

But there’s more to the story than meets the eye. That perfume probably cost her entire life savings. She squandered

everything she had to prove her repentance and her utter dependence on the Lord from now on. Jesus took the occasion to chastise the good for not showing that much sorrow, for thinking too highly of ourselves, and for minimizing our dependence on God. Just as the Pharisee did not think to bathe Jesus’ feet with Readings continued on page 3

June 13, 11th Sunday in ordinary time 2 Samuel 12:7-10, 13 Psalm 32:1-2, 5, 7, 11 Galatians 2:16, 19-21 Luke 7:36–8:3

WEEKDAY READINGS Monday, June 7: 1 Kings 17:1-6; Psalm 121:1-8; Matthew 5:1-12 Tuesday, June 8: 1 Kings 17:7-16; Psalm 4:2-5, 7-8; Matthew 5:13-16 Wednesday, June 9: 1 Kings 18:2039; Psalm 16:1-2, 4-5, 8, 11; Matthew 5:17-19 Thursday, June 10: 1 Kings 18:4146; Psalm 65:10-13; Matthew 5:2026 Friday, June 11: Solemnity, the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Ezekiel 34:11-

16; Psalm 23:1-6; Romans 5:5-11; Luke 15:3-7 Saturday, June 12: Memorial, the Immaculate Heart of Mary, 1 Kings 19:19-21; Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-10; Luke 2:41-51 Monday, June 14: 1 Kings 21:1-16; Psalm 5:2-7; Matthew 5:38-42 Tuesday, June 15: 1 Kings 21:1729; Psalm 51:3-6, 11, 16; Matthew 5:43-48 Wednesday, June 16: 2 Kings 2:1,

6-14; Psalm 31:20-21, 24; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 Thursday, June 17: Sirach 48:1-14; Psalm 97:1-7; Matthew 6:7-15 Friday, June 18: 2 Kings 11:1-4, 918, 20; Psalm 132:11-14, 17-18; Matthew 6:19-23 Saturday, June 19: 2 Chronicles 24:17-25; Psalm 89:4-5, 29-34; Matthew 6:24-34 ■

Dominicans continued from page 1

matta, Australia, will deliver the keynote talk at the dinner.

The master general of the Dominican order, Father Carlos Azpiroz Costa, OP, will attend the festivities as well.

Host Bishop David R. Choby will be the homilist. Knoxville’s Bishop Richard F. Stika and Bishop J. Terry Steib, SVD, of Memphis will be among the concelebrants.

The Nashville Symphony will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 26, on the south lawn of the motherhouse.

In East Tennessee the Do-

minican Sisters will return this fall to Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga, and they have served St. Mary School in Oak Ridge from its beginnings 60 years ago. The sisters have taught at Knoxville Catholic High School since 2005.

The congregation’s 18th prioress general, Mother Ann Marie Karlovic, OP, has led the St. Cecilia Dominicans since 2006. The congregation numbers 253 sisters, more than double its size two

dinner at 8 at the Sheraton Music City Hotel.

Two key figures in the anniversary celebration are traveling great distances.

Archbishop Raymond L. Burke, formerly of St. Louis and now prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura at the Vatican, will be the principal celebrant at the Mass.

“He’s been a very fine friend of ours,” said Sister Marian.

Dominican Bishop Anthony Fisher of the Diocese of Parra-

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

THE EAST TENNESSEE

805 Northshore Drive S.W .

Dominicans continued on page 6

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TH E E A S T TE N N E S S E E C ATH OLI C

he dwells

AMONG US

BY BISHOP F. RICHARD STIKA

On pilgrimage If we stay close to the heartbeat of our Mother, we will never lose our way.

Pilgrimages have always been an important part of the Catholic tradition and remind us that in this life our journey’s end is not found on a map but lies beyond. So it was a joy and blessing to be able to accompany 46 people from our diocese to Poland and the Czech Republic for a portion of their pilgrimage, which also took them to Germany. I also had the double blessing of visiting the Polish homeland of my mother’s parents as well as my father’s family, who came from Bohemia in the present day Czech Republic. I am grateful to Sister Albertine Paulus, RSM, for helping to coordinate this and all aspects of our pilgrimage.

One of the first highlights of our pilgrimage was our visit to the monastery of Jasna Góra, where the icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa is enshrined. As I said in my last column, I am especially drawn to this image of Our Lady holding the child Jesus.

Eastern Catholics have a term for icons in which Mary points to Jesus, as she does in this icon, that means “one who shows the way.” I think of this when I hear the motherly voice of my GPS, who directs me along my travels, especially where the roads are unfamiliar.

When Pope John Paul II visited this shrine, he used to say, “I have come to listen to the heartbeat of my Mother.”

If we stay close to the heartbeat of our Mother, we will never lose our way.

Pilgrimages not only help to reorient our steps toward the infinite but also help us to reconsecrate places of horrible desecration and sin. One such place, which John Paul II called the “Golgotha of the contemporary world,” was the

once upon

A TIME

Auschwitz death camp. The joyful mood of our pilgrimage quickly became somber and silent as the ordinary sites along our route of travel gave way to the entrance of Auschwitz, where more than 1.1 million people perished during the Holocaust.

As we made our solemn procession through the camp, we paused where saint and martyr Father Maximilian Kolbe willingly took the place of one of 10 men condemned to death by starvation. Knowing their great fear, St. Maximilian wanted to accompany them in their final journey to “show them the way” he had learned from his Mother, whom he called the Immaculata. In the starvation bunker with the other condemned men, he preached his finest homily during the liturgy of his martyrdom.

As we departed this place of such extraordinary suffering and death, I was struck by how quickly its barbed-wire confines faded from view as we again returned to ordinary surroundings. But isn’t it often true that evil lies alongside the ordinary and frequently goes unnoticed or ignored?

Isn’t this the familiar story of the beaten and stripped man, left half dead and ignored along the roadside of history, as in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)?

Just think about how many drive by one of our abortion clinics in Knoxville every day without realizing the evil occurring there or maybe choosing not to notice.

And what about the many other terrible wrongs, such as slavery and the long struggle to obtain civil rights, the injustices against Native Americans, and the mean-spirited bashing of immigrants, to whom we all bear a particular resemblance as we journey to our true homeland?

After such an emotional experience in Auschwitz, we vis-

BY MONSIGNOR XAVIER MANKEL

Setting the parameters The diocese’s establishment in 1988 had roots going back nearly 200 years.

As I near the beginning (May 27, 2011) of a second halfcentury as a Tennessee Catholic priest, it seems in order that at the request of my bishop I begin to set down some lines which might someday prove beneficial in retelling the story of the Church in what is now called the Diocese of Knoxville.

What shall I call these musings (hopefully well based on fact)? I believe that it would be presumptuous, perhaps sacrilegious, to copycat the beginning lines of books of the Holy Bible, so I shall not use “In the beginning . . .”

(Genesis 1:1a) nor “A family record of Jesus Christ . . .”

(Matthew 1:1a) nor “Here begins . . .” (Mark 1:1a) nor even “Many have undertaken to compile a narrative . . .”

(Luke 1:1a).

Instead I have chosen to use T H E EA S T TE N N E S S E E C AT H OL IC

as the title “Once upon a time,” as you can find this phrase to invite your reading of anything from folk tales to historic journalism reports.

How far back shall we go for our “once”? Presumably our task is to set the historical stage for that nearly quartercentury of Church history that began on Sept. 8, 1988, when the Holy See established 36 counties of Tennessee as the Diocese of Knoxville.

However, so very much led up to that particular feast of our Blessed Lady’s nativity that I feel I must back up to establish a timeline, a historical framework, for the story of this very late 20th-century addition to the dioceses of the United States, our “particular” Church.

I have decided to begin in London, England, in 1790, across the Atlantic River to Baltimore, with a note about John Carroll—only to mention that in 1808, Boston, New York, and Philadelphia became dioceses along with Bardstown (now Louisville), from which came Nashville

ited the birthplace of John Paul II in Wadowice. A personal blessing for me was to be able to lower my pectoral cross into the waters of the baptismal font of the church where John Paul II had been baptized. But the highlight of our pilgrimage was our visit to an orphanage run by religious sisters in the building that had once been John Paul II’s preschool. As the children, some of whom were physically or mentally handicapped, broke into the traditional Polish children’s songs my mom and her sisters used to sing, I was overwhelmed by these orphans’ simple joy.

Another blessing for me occurred during our visit to Kraków, when I was able to meet with Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, Archbishop of Kraków, who had been Pope John Paul II’s personal secretary before and after his election to the papacy. After John Paul II’s death, he wrote of his experiences in the book A Life with Karol (Doubleday, 2008).

It is a fascinating story of a man and pope who stayed close to his Mother’s heartbeat and followed Our Lord to his true homeland and ours.

While in Kraków, we also visited the church where St. Faustina is buried. As many of you know, my episcopal motto is Iesu confido in te: “Jesus, I trust in you,” the words Jesus directed St. Faustina to have written beneath the image of his Divine Mercy.

These words are so important to recall because we are all foreigners traveling on a road where the only passport of real value is the love of the Good Samaritan and the one language we need to know is the language of faith. ■

from the bishop’s

OFFICE

Bishop Stika names a second vicar general and announces several new priest assignments ishop Richard F. Stika announced the following in a May 27 memo: I have named Very Rev. David Boettner vicar general, effective June 1. Although normally only one vicar general is appointed within a diocese, a bishop may name more than one vicar general, prompted by pastoral needs of the diocese.

Monsignor Xavier Mankel will continue to serve as vicar general, offering me his experience and wise counsel.

With this appointment, Father Boettner is provided with ordinary power according to the norms of canon law and will assist me with the governance of the whole diocese.

■ Rev. Michael Cummins will serve as director for the Vocations Office, effective June 1. He has been serving as coordinator of vocation promotion.

■ Rev. Joseph Kuzhupil, MSFS, will be associate pastor of St. Augustine Church in Signal Mountain, effective June 1. He had served as chaplain for Alexian Village.

■ Rev. Vijayan Joseph will be associate pastor of St. Mary Church in Johnson City, effective June 12. Father Joseph is a priest of the Archdiocese of New York and a native of India.

■ Rev. William Keebler Jr. will be parochial administrator of Notre Dame Church in Greeneville, effective July 1. Father Keebler is a priest of the Diocese of Peoria, Ill., and attended elementary and high school in Tennessee.

■ Rev. Kwaku John Appiah will be associate pastor of St. John Neumann Church in Farragut and chaplain of Knoxville Catholic High School, effective July 1.

■ Rev. David Carter will be associate pastor of All Saints Church in Knoxville, vice chancellor of Canonical Affairs, and associate director of the Vocations Office, effective July 1.

■ Rev. Paul Valleroy will retire, effective July 1.

He will be in residence at St. Jude Church in Chattanooga.

Please join me in congratulating these fine priests and offering our prayers and support for them as they begin their new ministries. ■

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BISHOP STIKA’S SCHEDULE These are some of Bishop Stika’s appointments: June 7-10: convocation of priests from the dioceses of Knoxville and Nashville, Fall Creek Falls state park June 13: 10:30 a.m., confirmation, Holy Family Church, Seymour June 14-19: special assembly of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, St. Petersburg, Fla. June 20: 9 a.m., confirmation, St. Elizabeth Church, Elizabethton; 1:30 p.m., organ dedication and concert, St. John Neumann Church, Farragut ■

(1837), Memphis (1971), and our part of the vineyard in 1988.

John Carroll was installed as the first bishop of Baltimore on Dec. 12, 1790. It is thought (but not documented) that he was ordained a priest in 1769 in Liège, and we know that he was consecrated a bishop Aug. 15, 1790, in Lulworth Chapel on the estate of Thomas Weld in Dorset, England, with Bishop Charles Walmesley presiding.

Coming back to America (he had been born in Upper Marlborough, Md., on Jan. 8, 1735), he led the infant Catholic Church until his death on Dec. 13, 1815. It is estimated that there were only 25,000 Catholics in the 13 Colonies among four million Americans when President George Washington was inaugurated in 1789 (that’s a record low of .6 percent!).

By 1806 the Catholic population had grown sufficiently that the Holy See named Bardstown, Ky., a diocese whose first bishop was Benedict Joseph Flaget. As early as 1835 Bishop Flaget had petitioned that the see be moved to Louisville. This was done in 1841, three years after the boundaries of the diocese were reduced to the single state of Kentucky.

The Diocese of Nashville, Mankel continued on page 8

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Diocese offers ongoing Virtus child-protection training sessions he Diocese of Knoxville’s program for the protection of children and youth—a three-hour seminar called “Protecting God’s Children”—is offered regularly throughout the diocese.

The seminars are required for parish and school employees and regular volunteers in contact with children or vulnerable adults and recommended for parents and grandparents.

The following training sessions have been scheduled:

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All Saints Church, Knoxville, 1 p.m.

Wednesday, June 9 ■ St. Dominic Church, Kingsport, 6 p.m.

Wednesday, June 9; 1 p.m. Saturday, June 12 ■ Immaculate Conception Church, 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 15 (session will be held in the basement) ■ St. Mary Church, Johnson City, 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 21 (session will be held in St. Anne Hall).

To register, visit virtusonline.org. ■

Readings continued from page 2

water or anoint his head, so we too take our relationship with God for granted. We tend to hold back in expressing our love, probably because we are not as emotionally invested in loving God as those who realize they have sinned.

Our conclusion should not be to judge God as unfair to those who strive to live good lives but rather to deepen our love for God to the extent that we would go as far as the sinful woman in expressing our love for God. After all, we are human. We all sin and depend on God for his forgiveness. So we must copy that woman. We’ll soon discover such repentance takes everything we’ve got. It’s not cheap. ■ Father Brando is the pastor of St. Mary Parish in Gatlinburg.

JUNE 6, 2010

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Chattanooga Deanery

Holy Spirit, Soddy-Daisy ■ The parish’s yard sale for the St.

Vincent de Paul Society is set for Thursday through Saturday, June 10 through 12. Donations of furniture in good condition, tools, jewelry, and gently used baby and children’s clothing are still needed. Leave items that could be damaged by weather in the pavilion.

Call Cathy Kalinowski at 423-468-3613 or Mary Cooper at 580-5940 to arrange for pickup of larger items.

OLPH, Chattanooga ■ The 2010 Our Lady of Perpetual

Help School art-show winners are Morgan Hicks, Lily Fridl, Boston Eberle, and Ian Agbannaoag, kindergarten through second grade; Megan Bordash, Andrew Lisy, Hogan Walker, Adams Robinson, and James West, third through fifth grade; and Margaret Raabe, Sarah Thomas, and Grace Signiski, sixth through eighth grade.

■ The school recently presented its Sister of Charity, BVM, Christian Living Awards. Recipients, in order from kindergarten through eighth grade, were Ty Dearing, Morgan Hicks, Mirelly Acosta, Megan Bordash, Kyla Mitchell, Allan Ubas, Addison Hutton, Madeline Wurm, and Ben Mertel.

■ The OLPH Home and School Association recently formed a groundskeeping and beautification committee and held a work day May 29.

■ OLPH families will serve as hosts for the Interfaith Hospitality Network from June 27 through July 4. Sign up on the board in Holy Family Hall or call Lisa Kosky at 423-877-5982 or Anne Wells at 706-937-6953.

St. Augustine, Signal Mountain ■ The parish recently reorganized its

library, added several new books and DVD’s, and held a book sale May 22 and 23.

St. Catherine Labouré, Copperhill ■ Pictures for a new parish directory

will be taken—at no charge—from 2 to 9 p.m. Friday, June 25, and 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 26.

St. Jude, Chattanooga ■ All eighth-grade, high school, and

college graduates from St. Jude will be honored at a graduate Mass at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, June 13. A reception will follow.

■ Father Charlie Burton celebrated a Mass for vocations May 24.

■ The youth ministry collected ink and laser cartridges and cell phones for recycling during May. ■ Senior high youth met at Vandergriff Park on May 19 to eat, play games, and discuss ideas for summer events.

■ St. Jude School placed second and won $3,000 in the Northgate Mall “My School’s Cool” program for the second semester after earning the same honors for the first semester.

■ Parishioner Ron Lemieux made a hole in one on the eighth hole May 11 at Dorchester Golf Course in Fairfield Glade.

■ Anniversaries: Gus and Corinne DeRubeis (63), Bob and Genie Gruber (58), Vern and Jean Bollish (58), Herb and Pat Moreland (57), Les and Joan Platz (57), Richard and Patricia Rathweg (57), Don and Bernie Gundy (57), Larry and Pat Peterson (56), Dan and Mina Napierala (55), Curtis and Marcella Clayton (55), John and Geraldine Hurak (54), Robert and Carmen Shaw (53), Tom and Peg Loughran (52), Robin and Carol Campbell (52), Frank and Ann Zingheim (51), Joe and Amy Dickens (50), C. Thomas and Mary Anna Teall (50), Tom and Dorothy Powers (50), Ron and Virginia Reynolds (50), Don and Mary Lou Wiskow (50), Frank and Virginia Goluszka (45), Jerome and Judy Peabody (45), Bernard and Stasia LeFrancois (40), Gerald and Donna Thompson (40), Charles and Viviana Beck (5) ■ Newcomers: Henry and Pamela McCarthy

St. John Neumann, Farragut ■ The ninth annual Corpus Christi procession will begin at 1 p.m. Sunday, June 6. Call Anita in the parish office at 865-966-4540 for details.

■ The parish is planning a permanent memorial to veterans for the narthex.

To learn more, contact Richard Cataldi at cdrcataldi@tds.net or see him before or after the 10:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday.

■ Parishioners contributed $6,189.35 toward flood relief in Nashville.

St. Thomas the Apostle, Lenoir City ■ The youth group will accept items for its July 23 and 24 rummage sale from June 15 to July 10. Pick up guidelines for the sale from the table in the narthex. Call Melanie Thomas in the church office at 865-986-9885 for more information.

■ The parish picnic will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, June 25.

■ The parish recently received a thank-you from Father Nelson Andrefaite of St. Pierre Church in Bainet, Haiti. Support from Holy Trinity parishioners helped Father Andrefaite provide health kits and cooking kits to more than 400 families affected by the Jan. 12 earthquake.

■ A recent rummage and bake sale raised $4,516.66 to help pay down the parish debt.

■ An adult craft camp will begin with a session from 10 a.m. to noon Monday, June 14, and continue throughout the summer. For more information, call Marlene Holt at 865-712-0959.

■ The parish held its annual picnic after Mass on May 30.

Notre Dame, Greeneville

St. Stephen, Chattanooga

St. Dominic, Kingsport

■ “Pray Me a Story,” an event featur-

■ Amy Oreskovic, Cammie Brown-

ing storytelling, crafts, snacks, and playtime for small children, will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 23, in the kindergarten room and at the playground. Contact Paty Lozano at 423-892-2957 or patyclozano@hotmail.com.

ing, and Jackson Tonnies, all alumni of St. Dominic School, won awards in the 2010 Tennessee Mathematics Teachers Association regional competition recently.

■ Donations to the annual school fund totaled $9,090.18 by the weekend of May 23.

Sts. Peter and Paul, Chattanooga ■ After Masses on May 15 and 16 the

St. Patrick, Morristown

women’s guild sold rosaries made by parishioner and artist Claude Miller.

■ The parish library/gift shop has been reorganized and is now ready for use. Parishioners may check out books and videos from the library or purchase statues, rosaries, crucifixes, confirmation and first Holy Communion gifts, and greeting cards at the shop. Hours of operation are 12:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Wednesdays and before and after all weekend Masses. The library/gift shop is next to the sacristy in the narthex.

■ A patriotic rosary is prayed at 6:30 p.m. each Thursday in the chapel.

Cumberland Mountain Deanery

Blessed Sacrament, Harriman ■ The CYO’s next meeting will be a

“Fun in the Sun” event from 2 to 6 p.m.

Sunday, June 6, at the Roberts home on the Tennessee River in Kingston.

St. Francis of Assisi, Fairfield Glade ■ Director of music Brian Bacon has been appointed to the Diocesan Liturgical Music Commission.

4

■

JUNE 6, 2010

Notre Dame Parish in Greeneville turns 55 years old otre Dame Parish in Greeneville celebrated its 55th anniversary on the weekend of April 24 and 25.

The Council of Catholic Women and the Knights of Columbus hosted a reception, sponsored by CCW members, after each Mass.

Three hundred parishioners participated in the receptions.

Memorabilia, including artifacts, relics, photograph albums, scrapbooks, chasubles, and the marble crucifix that hung above the original altar, were on display in the parish hall.

Members of the Knights were available for questions regarding their organization. The CCW displayed a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, patroness of the National Council of Catholic Women.

The current church was built

N

and established as a new and independent parish in 1955 and was a center for mission activities in the surrounding eight counties, called the Greeneville Missions.

At that time the parish bordered on Kentucky, Virginia, and North Carolina.

In 1976 the parish hall was added to the church to provide more room for religious-education classes, social events, youth-ministry activities, and overflow seating for Mass.

To sustain its growth, the parish started building a multipurpose facility in 2009 that is nearly complete. The project will add about 8,000 square feet to the church.

Charter parishioners joined Bishop Richard F. Stika and Notre Dame pastor Father John Appiah at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new building Oct. 30. ■

Holy Trinity, Jefferson City

ties in Athens recently thanked the parish for donating $335.48 to his organization, which assists families in need of food, shelter, medicine, and energy assistance.

■ The parish family picnic is set for June 27, following a bilingual Mass at 11 a.m.

■ Jack Garner of Coordinated Chari-

Notre Dame parishioners view memorabilia in the parish hall after one of the Masses during the parish’s anniversary celebration.

GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY PLUS FIVE

Five Rivers Deanery

■ Youth are invited to attend 8 a.m.

Masses every Tuesday in June and July, then participate in service projects until 3 p.m. Call Susan at 423639-9382 to suggest a service idea.

Construction is progressing on the new narthex and meeting area, and the parish hopes to begin using the facilities in either the first or second week in July, reported building-committee chair Bud Noe.

St. Mary, Athens

COURTESY OF MAGGIE MAY

BY DAN MCWILLIAMS

Parish notes continued on page 5

COURTESY OF ROSA AYALA

NOTES

St. Bridget CCW installs officers The Council of Catholic Women at St. Bridget Parish in Dayton recently elected new officers for the 2010-12 term. They were installed during a Sunday Mass. Virginia Bishop and Catherine O’Hanlon, who have given their time and talent to the organization and the parish for many years, were recognized for their service. From left are (front) publicity chair Dianne Pfeiffer and recording secretary Carolyn Patterson and (back) president Debbie Ward, St. Bridget pastor Father Sam Sturm, and finance secretary Mary Steinhauer. Not pictured is vice president Sharon Osborne.

Dominican sister receives master’s at UTK ister John Catherine Kennedy, OP, received her master of arts degree in history during the University of Tennessee at Knoxville’s graduate hooding at Thompson-Boling Assembly Center and Arena on May 13.

She was among 25 receiving MA degrees at the ceremony.

Sister John Catherine, of the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation, taught at Knoxville Catholic High School and has been living at the Dominican convent in Oak Ridge. She is returning to teach at St. Cecilia Academy in Nashville, where she has previously taught. ■

S COURTESY OF LISA RODRIGUES

parish

St. Augustine friends honor parishioner after she attends her last daily Mass Jeanne Parella of St. Augustine Parish in Signal Mountain received a double blessing from Fathers Patrick Brownell and Peter Iorio on March 11. Her daily-Mass friends wished her well with a muffin party after her last Mass in the St. Augustine chapel before she moved to Regency Retirement Village in Morristown. Mrs. Parella was part of the rosary group, a reader, and a sacristan who cared for everything from the altar cloths to the candles and flowers. She served on the liturgy committee and had a list of Mass intentions for people all over the world. She has also been a Secular Carmelite for more than 50 years. Father Brownell is the St. Augustine pastor, and Father Iorio is a former pastor of the Signal Mountain parish.

www.d ioknox.org

TH E E A S T TE N N E S S E E C ATH OLI C

BY DAN MCWILLIAMS

The annual diocesan Youth Leadership Institute will be held July 25 through 29 at The Oaks Retreat Center in Greeneville. This year’s theme is “LOL2: Live out Loud, Laugh Out Loud.” YLI’s focus is to help young people develop an understanding of Christian leadership and the principles to effectively serve the Church. During YLI youth can hear speakers, attend Mass, take part in a ropes challenge course, swim, and lodge in air-conditioned cabins. Cost is $225. For more information, contact deanery coordinators Donna Jones at djones6029@ gmail.com (Chattanooga), Deacon Jim Fage at djim5rivers@charter.net (Five Rivers), or Deacon Dan Hosford at djh2@comcast.net (Cumberland and Smoky Mountain), or e-mail diocesan Youth and Young Adult Ministry director Al Forsythe at aforsythe@dioknox.org.

The Serra Club of Knoxville’s annual dinner will be held Thursday, June 24, at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Alcoa.

Mass with Bishop Richard F. Stika will begin at 6 p.m., follow by dinner in the Fatima Center. New officers will be installed during the Mass.

Catholic Charities will hold its seventh annual Golf Classic on Saturday, June 12, at Brainerd Golf Course in Chattanooga. The tournament has a four-person-scramble format and will begin with a shotgun start at 9 a.m.

Cost is $320 per team and includes lunch, greens fees and cart, and prizes. Funds raised will benefit the Pregnancy Help Center in Chattanooga. Call CCET at 423-265-2122 The Totus Tuus program from the Diocese of Nashville will return to Our Lady of Fatima Church in Alcoa from June 27 through July 2. Totus Tuus is a Catholic youth program dedicated to sharing the Gospel and promoting the Catholic faith through catechesis, evangelization, Christian witness, and eucharistic worship. Its goal is to help young people grow in understanding of and strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ. The program will begin Sunday evening for grades seven through 12 and Monday morning for grades one through six. Call the Our Lady of Fatima religious-education or youth-ministry offices at 865-9823672 for more information.

The annual Altar Server Day in the Smokies is set for Saturday, Aug. 28.

Altar servers can attend Mass with Bishop Richard F. Stika as principal celebrant at 3:30 p.m. at Holy Trinity Church in Jefferson City. A picnic at 5 p.m. and a Tennessee Smokies baseball game will follow at 6:15 p.m. at Smokies Park in Kodak. Registration forms will be sent to all parishes.

Servers interested in attending should speak to their pastor, youth minister, or altar-server coordinator.

The National Association of Catholic Family Life Ministers is holding its annual conference, featuring dozens of workshops, from June 23 through 26 at Xavier University in Cincinnati.

The Diocese of Knoxville’s second shepherd, Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, and Bishop David R. Choby of Nashville will take part in a “Construction Zone” Catholic talk show. Knoxville family psychologist and author Dr. Richard Driscoll will present “How Christian Principles Promote Equality in Relationships,” based on the book Opposites as Equals (Westside Publishing, 2009), written with wife Dr. Nancy Ann Davis. Dale Powers, the Diocese of Knoxville’s former director of Family Life and Adult Christian Living, will present a workshop titled “Marriage & Money.” Visit nacflm.org and click Conference for more details, or call 937-431-5443.

Knoxville Catholic High School’s 24th annual Shamrock Open golf tournament will be held Friday, June 11, at Egwani Farms Golf Course in Rockford. The tourney features two flights, at 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The $100 entry fee includes a round of golf, lunch, golf shirt, goody bag, and beverages. Sign up at knoxvillecatholic.com, or contact Megan Locke at 856-5600509 or mlocke@knoxvillecatholic.com.

Knights of Columbus Council 8152 in Crossville will hold its eighth annual TH E EA S T TE N N E S S E E C AT H OL IC

Craft Fair on the Plateau from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. CDT Saturday, June 5, and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 6, at the K of C Activity Park, 2892 Highway 70 E. Homemade crafts will be available from more than 40 vendors. The event will also feature a “cruise-in” car show.

Admission and parking are free. For more information, call 931-707-7291.

Knights Council 8152 will host its 18th annual charity golf tournament beginning at 1 p.m. CDT on Wednesday, June 16, at The Bear Trace at Cumberland Mountain, a Jack Nicklaus–designed course. For more information, call Mike Wilkiel at 931-707-8040, Rollie Wicker at 707-7087, or Fred Laufenberg at 484-2468.

St. Stephen Parish of Chattanooga’s Family Golf Outing will be held Saturday, July 10, at Brainerd Golf Course.

Golfers should arrive at 7:30 a.m., and the tournament’s shotgun start is set for 8. The format is best ball. Anyone living in the Chattanooga Deanery is welcome to attend. The tournament will raise funds for St. Stephen’s parish-hall kitchen renovations. Cost is $85 (includes lunch and two drinks). To register, volunteer, or become a tournament sponsor, call Rusty at 423-2403143 or Roland at 499-3045.

A Mass of St. Josemaría Escriva, founder of Opus Dei, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 26, at Holy Ghost Church in Knoxville. Father John Orr will be the principal celebrant. A light lunch in Father Henkel Hall downstairs will follow Mass. For more information, call Andres Bachman at 865-977-9791.

Advance registration is under way for Diocese of Knoxville young people who plan to attend World Youth Day in Madrid in August 2011. Total cost is $3,321 per person, which includes accommodations (double occupancy), daily American buffet breakfasts, WYD fees, and airline taxes and fuel charges. A deposit of $250 is needed by Tuesday, June 15, to hold a reservation and entitle the registrant to a $75 discount. Second and third payments of $500 each are due by Oct. 31 and Feb. 15, with the final payment due no later than May 15, 2011. For more information, contact Al Forsythe, diocesan director of Youth and Youth Adult Ministry, at 865-584-3307 or aforsythe@dioknox.org, or Lucille of Regina Tours at 800-CATHOLIC, extension 208.

Knoxville Catholic High School is hosting several summer sports camps. A girls basketball camp is set for June 7 through 9, a football camp June 14 through 16, a volleyball camp June 25 and 26, and a volleyball camp for hitters and setters July 23 through 25. To learn camp costs, start times, eligible age groups, and contact information, visit www.knoxvillecatholic. com/athletics-summercamps.asp.

St. John Neumann School in Farragut will be holding summer sports camps for rising first- through eighthgrade boys and girls. Camps, dates, and costs are as follows: tennis and agility and strength training, June 7-10, $40; football and PE games, June 1417, $75; basketball, June 21-24, $75; soccer, June 28-July 1, $75; volleyball, July 19-22, $40; and baseball and softball, July 26-29, $75. Contact Jeni Sompayrac at jsompayrac@sjncsknox.org, or call the school at 865777-0077 for more information.

The next “Picture of Love” engagedcouples retreat will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, June 11, and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 12, at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Church in Cleveland. This marriage-preparation retreat is a supplement to couples’ marriage formation with their parish priest and is designed to help couples gain a better understanding of the joys and challenges of living the sacrament of matrimony. Cost is $135 per couple and includes meals. The retreat certificate is good for a $60 discount on a marriage license. To register or learn more, contact Marian Christiana of the diocesan Office of Marriage Preparation and Enrichment at 423-892-2310 or mchristiana@dioknox.org.

Calendar continued on page 7

COURTESY OF ELAINE EVANS

CALENDAR

IN CONCERT Father Joe Ciccone, CSP (left), and Father Michael Woods helped raise $3,000 for Catholic Charities of East Tennessee in a “clerical karaoke” on April 15.

CCET executive director Father Ragan Schriver also took the microphone in the taxday event.

Priests sing in tax-day benefit for Catholic Charities lthough none of the three is likely to give up his day job, Father Joe Ciccone, CSP, and Father Michael Woods gave Father Ragan Schriver a run for his money in a “clerical karaoke” competition hosted April 15 by Tom & Barry’s restaurant in West Knoxville to benefit the programs of Catholic Charities of East Tennessee.

Father Schriver is the executive director of CCET. Father Ciccone is pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish and Father Woods of All Saints, both in Knoxville.

A

The sing-off was part of Tom & Barry’s Tax Time Family Fun Night, second in a series of fundraisers for CCET held by Tom Jostes and Barry Smith, owners of the Northshore Drive restaurant and sports bar. The tax-day event raised more than $3,000 for CCET programs such as Columbus Home and Samaritan Place.

“We have amazingly generous supporters in Tom & Barry’s and the folks who like to gather here,” said Father Schriver.

“Catholic Charities is grateful for their community partner-

ship, for their excellent pizza, and for their putting up with my singing.”

Urged on by emcee Frank Murphy of Star 102.1 FM, guests on a “Schedule P” pizza break from paying Uncle Sam ponied up for Sinatra-esque showstoppers belted out by Father Ciccone and Irish tearjerkers crooned by Father Woods.

Auction items won included a pizza party for 12 “little tax deductions,” which the winning bidder re-donated to the teenage residents of CCET’s Columbus Home Group Home. ■

St. Jude students’ birthday gifts benefit library eter and Katherine Berce, students at St. Jude School in Chattanooga, recently celebrated their birthdays at Hamilton Skate Rink in East Brainerd.

Fifth-grader Peter and third-grader Katherine asked their friends to bring, instead of birthday gifts, copies of their favorite books to donate to the school library. St. Jude librarian Jane Ray wound up receiving 87 books from the Berce party, all donated by the students’ friends in recognition of the birthdays.

“It was a such a great donation,” said Mrs. Ray. “Most often, when I buy new books I buy to support the classrooms and related projects.”

“Many of these books were just stu-

P

COURTESY OF KATHIE ETHERTON

on the

Peter and Katherine Berce stand with St. Jude librarian Jane Ray and a shelf of 87 books donated by the students’ friends during their recent birthday party.

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY

dents’ favorite stories,” she added, “so

there is really something for everyone.” ■

Parish notes continued from page 4

■ The Hispanic Ministry’s Bible

study is held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Thursdays, and the ministry’s choir practices at 6:30 p.m. Fridays.

■ Yoga classes taught by parishioner Marlene Karwowski are held in the parish center at 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Participants should bring a yoga mat. All other equipment is provided.

Cost is $5 per class.

Smoky Mountain Deanery

Blessed John XXIII, Knoxville ■ Pastor Father Charlie Donahue, CSP, celebrated his fifth anniversary as a priest May 21.

■ Former longtime pastor Father Eric Andrews, CSP, will return to the parish for weekend Masses on June 5

www.d ioknox.org

and 6. Receptions will be held after each Mass. Father Andrews left John XXIII last September to serve as president of Paulist Productions.

■ First communicants: Allison Anger, Eleanor Mancini, Zack Sirek, Alex Stankovich

St. Albert the Great, Knoxville ■ The high school youth ministry’s summer events include a baseball game and fireworks show June 11 at Smokies Park, a pool party June 16 and a game night June 30, and a freshman welcome night July 14.

■ Mike Clarke is the new usher coordinator, succeeding Fred Vollmar, who had served in that role since the parish’s founding in 2007. ■ JUNE 6, 2010

■

5

The blessings of marriage B Y M A R I A N CHR I STI ANA

he June issue of The Word Among Us included an article by Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz on the blessings and challenges of marriage.

Archbishop Kurtz discussed the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) National Pastoral Initiative for Marriage that was launched in 2005.

The initiative’s goal is to strengthen marriages and help couples live out their sacramental commitment. Research conducted in support of the initiative reinforced the archbishop’s belief that couples need to develop a strong sense of God’s grace in their lives and never lose sight of the joyful gift of self that is at the heart of every vocation, including marriage.

The archbishop’s article reminds us that every Christian couple is called to an intimate communion of love that reflects the life of the Trinity.

In view of this reminder, let’s travel down memory lane and see how far we’ve come in joyfully living out our marriage vocation in communion with God, our spouse, and our community.

Here’s my date suggestion for this month: ■ Visit a quiet spot—a park, an empty church, or even your own back yard—and bring your album of wedding photos.

■ Look through your photo album together.

■ Share with each other your favorite memory of that special day.

■ Pick a time in your married life that you felt God’s grace in a special way. Share your memory with your spouse.

■ Think of a time when you were highly aware of your partner’s gift of self. Take turns remembering each memory and thank each other for that gift.

■ Discuss how your marriage has been a reflection of God’s love to the community.

■ Develop a plan to help you both continue to invite God into your marriage, live for the good of the other, and reflect God’s love for his Church through your married life.

The bishops’ initiative included the publication in November 2009 of the pastoral letter “Marriage: Love and Life in the Divine Plan.” It can be downloaded in English and Spanish from bit.ly/bwwdnm. ■

T

Mrs. Christiana is coordinator of the diocesan Marriage Preparation and Enrichment Office.

from the

PARACLETE

BY BETHANY MARINAC

Praying for those who serve magine what a challenge it can be for priests to fit all the service they do for us into a day full of prayer. But they do it every day. Pope Benedict XVI acknowledged their unselfish service by declaring the Year for Priests, which began last June 19. As the year comes to a close, let’s continue the tradition of praying with and for those who pray for us so often.

For a fascinating look into the lives of priests, pick up 101 Inspirational Stories of the Priesthood (Poor Clare Sisters, 2005, $12.95) by Sister Patricia Proctor, OSC. These stories are examples of the everyday situations they face and the joy and fulfillment they receive in return.

I use a rosary CD in my car as a way to fit in extra time for prayer on the way to or from work. This also helps me keep my cool when other drivers are less than polite. The Rosary for Vocations CD ($13.95) is an excellent way to pray for vocations of all sorts.

We can also pray daily with and for Pope Benedict XVI. Benedictus: Day by Day With Pope Benedict XVI (Ignatius Press, 2006, $24.95) is a fine way to do so, with reflections from his writings and homilies.

The DVD Fishers of

I

6

■

JUNE 6, 2010

Men (Grassroots Films, 2006, $19.95) gives a perspective on the vocation of priesthood and the daily life of the priest. It is ideal for anyone considering the priesthood.

Although this is the Year for Priests, we would also like to acknowledge the service of religious orders of women. Sisters: An Inside Look (St. Mary’s Press, 2001, $6.95) presents the journey of Sister Kathleen Rooney, SSJ. The Foundations of Religious Life: Revisiting the Vision (Ave Maria Press, May 2009), $18.95), a collection of essays, gives added perspective.

As a mom I know how hard it is to get to and get through Mass with small children. My Mass Kit, Nun doll, and Priest doll (Wee Believers) are plush, quiet toys that can keep little ones occupied at church and engaged in the faith. ■ Call the store at 865588-0388 or 800-3332097.

Dominicans continued from page 2

decades ago.

“That is utterly God’s blessing,” said Sister Marian. “We see this jubilee as a kind of thanksgiving because God has been so good to us.”

A love of the Church and a desire to “live a life where they can really sacrifice their lives to God” help attract women to the St. Cecilia Dominicans, said Sister Marian.

“They love Our Lady, they want to give a public witness through the way of life that we live—a life of poverty. They want to wear the habit, and I think it’s important to them.

For all of that, we thank God that he’s allowed us to preserve those elements, and he’s sent us beautiful vocations.”

The Dominican lifestyle draws numerous younger vocations, usually for the same reasons mentioned above, said Sister Marian.

“That says as much about the beauty of young people in our day as it does about the order because they have such a generous spirit and a desire to sacrifice,” she said.

“They’re really sensitive to the call of God and to the saints.”

God doesn’t call all youth to religious life, but those he does call “are beautiful young men and women who want to love the Lord and give their lives to him in any way he asks,” said Sister Marian.

“It’s such a beautiful commentary on young people today who want to listen to God.” The sisters represent 38 states, the District of Columbia, and seven foreign countries. Forty-five hail from Tennessee, including 11 from the Diocese of Knoxville: Sisters Mary Jerome Hannifin, Mary Diane Bickley, and Theresa Marie McCarter, all of Knoxville; Sister Mary Elaine Kitts of Jellico; Sisters Mary Evelyn Potts, Angela Highfield, Joseph Mary Powell, and Kathleen Marie Battersby, all of Chattanooga; Sister Mary Luke Hollerbach of Signal Mountain; Sister Scholastica Niemann of Oak Ridge; and Sister Mary Hendershott of Farragut.

Four sisters from Somerset, Ohio, established the St. Cecilia Dominicans in 1860, and the community survived the Civil War, cholera and yellow-fever epidemics, heavy debt, and other challenges. Physical growth took off in the 20th century with the purchase of 92 acres in 1923 and expansions of the convent and school, continu-

COURTESY OF ST. CECILIA DOMINICANS

ENRICHMENT

‘BEAUTIFUL VOCATIONS’ Dominican

Sisters (from left) Perpetua Stang, Cecilia Joseph Dulik, and Mary Emily Knapp smile for the cover of the congregation’s 150th-anniversary media guide.

ing through the motherhouse’s latest addition in 2006.

Currently the sisters teach more than 13,000 students, preschool through college.

“We’ve had marvelous leaders, and that’s another one of the blessings of Almighty God,” said Sister Marian.

“Mother Marie William MacGregor was the prioress general during most of the Second Vatican Council, when the Church asked religious communities to look at the needs of the modern time and adapt to them while still retaining what was essential to the Gospel and to the spirit of their founders.

“She had a tremendous vision of what was essential, of what was perennial, and really led the community in that, and certainly the prioresses general who have come after her have continued that.

They’ve all been great women of the church.”

The sisters’ return to the hallways of Notre Dame High School—after a significant absence—is another cause for celebration. Four sisters will be teaching at the Chattanooga school.

“We’re looking upon that as one of our jubilee gifts,” said Sister Marian. “God’s letting

us come back to Notre Dame.”

The jubilee celebration obviously requires months of preparation in countless areas.

“Besides the practical things, we wanted to have a year of spiritual preparation as well,” said Sister Marian.

“So for the entire year 2009 and certainly continuing now, we had an additional period of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament every day so we could pray to be open to the graces of the jubilee.

“And the Holy Father has granted us a plenary indulgence for ourselves and our friends who pray with us, so that spiritual preparation has been paramount.”

The adoration will be nonstop as the anniversary Mass nears.

“One of the wonderful things we’re going to do this summer is have 150 hours of adoration before the jubilee Mass,” said Sister Marian.

Visit nashvilledominican.org for information on the congregation and the jubilee.

Sister Marian said the anniversary Mass will be the “primary jubilee event” of the whole celebration.

“Always, the Eucharist is the best act of thanksgiving, and we really see that as the centerpiece,” she said. ■

MARY C. WEAVER

marriage

New Catholics take part in Rite of Missioning Bishop Richard F. Stika and Sister Mary Timothea Elliott, RSM, director of the Christian Formation Office, welcomed new East Tennessee Catholics in the annual Rite of Missioning at Sacred Heart Cathedral on May 30. Those who entered the church this past Easter attended the rite, along with their priests, sponsors, godparents, family members, and parish RCIA coordinators. During the Mass the bishop called the youngest new Catholics to come forward. He chatted with them about showing love and forgiveness to others and gave each child a holy card featuring an image of Jesus. A story about the Rite of Missioning will appear in the June 20 edition. www.d ioknox.org

TH E E A S T TE N N E S S E E C ATH OLI C

our

PRIESTS

BY MARGARET HUNT

‘There’s always more to learn’

Q and A with seminarian Tony Budnick

BY DA N MCW I L L I A MS

Father Michael Cummins has ‘come to a deeper awareness’ of his calling in his 15 years in the priesthood.

ather Michael Cummins was ordained June 3, 1995, at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Knoxville. He is the third of four sons born to Betty and the late Jack Cummins of Johnson City. He is the chaplain for East Tennessee State University and the parttime associate pastor of St. Mary Parish in Johnson City.

He was recently named the director of the diocesan Vocations Office (see page 3).

Were your parents Catholic?

They were converts. My father grew up Presbyterian and my mother grew up Baptist, and my father converted before meeting my mother. My mother converted, but she didn’t necessarily convert for my father. [Before she married] she worked at the Alexander Inn in Oak Ridge.

She met a sister who was some sort of scientist who was in Oak Ridge doing some work. I want to say she was a Franciscan, and they developed a strong friendship. She had a very powerful influence on my mom, so I think [her conversion] was a combination of the influence of the sister and my father.

How were the seeds of your vocation planted?

Looking back, I think it was the witness of my parents living their faith. They were certainly human and not perfect—no parents are—but they lived their faith. I remember when I was a young boy, we would often have the priests and sisters over for a meal or an evening, and I think something started there.

Did you go into the seminary right after college?

I had a bit of a time away from the church. I fell away from practicing the faith in junior high and my family did [also] for a variety of reasons, then I started going back to church on a regular basis during my third year of college at ETSU. At that time, I started going back to church at the Catholic Center at ETSU, and Father Mike Creson was the chaplain. So I got to know him and Father Bill Gahagan.

It was really at that time when I got back into church that the idea of priesthood came forward—it had been there and was actually there when I wasn’t going to church, but it didn’t go anywhere; it kind of stayed in the back of my thoughts. I deter-

DEACON PATRICK MURPHY-RACEY

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Father Michael Cummins

mined that I needed to try seminary and see what happened, so I started talking to Father Creson about that and he put me in touch with Bishop [Anthony J.] O’Connell.

Before I knew it, I was driving toward Southwest Missouri!

How have you grown as a priest after 15 years?

I think I have a deeper awareness of my calling to priesthood and even the fundamental call of discipleship. In all the experiences I’ve had these 15 years, I hope I’ve been able to serve others, but I think also in serving in the ways priests do, that serving has allowed me to come to a deeper awareness of my own calling and fundamentally my own discipleship in Christ. I think I have a deeper relationship with Christ now 15 years into priesthood than I had before, and because of that I have a deeper relationship with the Church, a deeper understanding of my role as priest in the Church—a deeper awareness of Church and a deeper love for the Church and for Christ.

There’s always more to learn and another challenge in every assignment or whatever, but as you realize how God uses your gifts, you also realize the gifts you don’t have but you see that other priests have. You learn to appreciate their gifts and see how those gifts are doing great things for the Church. You recognize how God has used you, that you were the right person at the right time, usually not according to your plan.

What is your role in helping men discern the call to priesthood?

The components of the discernment program are the same as they were when Jesus walked the earth. What’s changed is the context of where we are as a society, which is a context of a lot of

noise, a lot of distraction, a lot of isolation, of our society pulling people away from one another. I think a needed component of the discernment process is providing an atmosphere where guys can step away from the noise and distractions, come together in relationship with other guys who are open to the possibility [of priesthood] and realize they’re not the only guys in East Tennessee thinking these things. The components of the discernment program are meant to encourage guys to be involved in daily prayer, service, working with a spiritual director, and gathering at least on a monthly basis. That provides an atmosphere that can allow those components of discernment to grow and develop.

Can you think of a specific challenge that has helped you?

When I went to St. Mary in Athens, the parish had started a weekly Mass in Spanish.

When I took Spanish in seminary, I had just seven weeks of Spanish study. That was a struggle. I remember that first year, living through that frustration, but the people were very patient and understanding, which was wonderful. I remember praying, “God, if you want this ministry to flourish, you need to send the people that’ll make it happen.” And he did. There were people who showed up— some people are still there in Athens, some have moved on, but they were able to step in and provide and help the community grow. I’m proud to say that the community did grow, and I think during my time in Athens it got very well established and continues to do good things. As it was growing, my own confidence in being able to minister grew. Even though my Spanish is still limited, my work with the Hispanic community has been a blessing for my priesthood. I think I’m a better priest today because of that experience.

What helps you relax?

My two dogs. I have a chocolate Lab and a shepherd mix: Bailey and Maxine. They’re very good company and help me unwind. I also like to read and to exercise. My friendships are very important to me, and I try to stay connected. ■

Mrs. Hunt is administrative assistant for the Media Office.

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Alexian Brothers Senior Ministries has numerous fitness, educational, social, and creative-arts events planned for June. An open house featuring 1940s, ’50s, and ’60s music and a facility tour is set for 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday, June 10, at the Alexian Grove in Chattanooga. Call 423-886-0542 by Friday, June 4, to RSVP. A “potluck Friday” event will be held at 11:30 a.m. June 11 and a pool tournament at 9 a.m. Monday, June 14, at the Alexian Brothers Senior Neighbors Soddy-Daisy Senior Center. Call 332-1702 for more details. Visit www.Alexian Brothers.net to view the new “Alexian Chat” newsletter and a calendar of events.

Holy Resurrection Ruthenian Byzantine Catholic Mission has Divine Liturgy celebrations at 3:30 p.m. Sundays at Holy Ghost Church, 1041 N. Central St. in Knoxville. Call Father Thomas O’Connell at 865-256-4880.

The Serra Club of Knoxville meets on second and fourth Thursdays in the Shea Room at Sacred Heart Cathedral’s office building. Meetings begin with Mass at 11:30 a.m., followed by

The St. Thomas the Apostle Ukrainian Catholic Mission celebrates Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m.

Sundays in the chapel at the Chancery. Call Father Richard Armstrong at 865-584-3307.

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lunch at noon and a speaker at 12:30 p.m.

The Serra Club of Greater Chattanooga meets on second and fourth Mondays at the Chattanooga Choo Choo. Meetings begin with Mass at 11:40 a.m. celebrated by club chaplain Father George Schmidt, with lunch and a speaker following. Visit the www. serrachatta.org for more details.

The Community of Sant’Egidio is a Catholic lay ecclesial movement that focuses on prayer and service to the poor. Currently there are two Sant’Egidio groups meeting in the Diocese of Knoxville, in Knoxville and Johnson City. For more information on the Knoxville group, call Ellen Macek at 865-675-5541. Call Father Michael Cummins at 423-9267061 for more details on the Johnson City group. All of the faithful are welcome to attend.

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

ony Budnick just completed his Pre-Theology I year at Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corners, Wis. He is the son of Christine Budnick of Charlotte, N.C., and the late James Budnick. His home parish is St. Albert the Great in Knoxville.

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As a new seminarian, what has been the hardest thing to adjust to?

Because I was 37 years Tony Budnick old when I entered seminary last fall, my difficulties ranged from getting used to living in an 8- by 10-foot room with no private facilities to just being back in school again. I truly miss all my friends and loved ones back in East Tennessee every day and look forward to the next time we get to see each other again. But keeping them in my daily thoughts and prayers helps keep them close to my heart.

What is your most challenging course in seminary and why?

Each of my courses has presented its challenges. I do, however, prefer courses that present information in a more concrete fashion. Thinking abstractly has always been a challenge for me.

What is your favorite course and why?

I’ve enjoyed my two Scripture courses over the past year, examining biblical passages for their underlying meanings and symbolism and learning ways to bring the Scriptures’ message to Catholic congregations. The Sacred Heart School of Theology is blessed with many exceptional biblical scholars, including an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. It’s been my pleasure to learn from these individuals, and I look forward to future classes on Scripture and other subjects that really help bring ministry to the people.

What do you most look forward to in your future life as a priest?

Being there for others in need and bringing the message of Christ to them, whether by saying Mass; at a wedding or funeral; or in the sacraments of baptism, Eucharist, and reconciliation.

Visiting the sick in their homes or in the hospital, comforting those who need comfort. It’s the duty of a priest to respond in a challenging but pastoral way, to be a caring and compassionate shepherd of Christ to the faithful inside and outside the Catholic faith. I look forward to helping bring God’s gentle touch, warm embrace, and listening ear to those yearning for it.

Who has inspired you?

I’m forever indebted to my family, especially my aunt and uncle [Marlene and Chuck Budnik] in Wears Valley and all the people I’ve worked with and continue to be friends with. I’d like to think I’ve taken at least a tiny bit from everyone, and I believe that has helped me in my continued discernment toward priesthood.

How old were you when you first considered the priesthood?

In third or fourth grade I remember telling folks I wanted to be a pilot or a priest. I thought either way I’d be closer to God. I tried becoming a pilot but ended up in local television broadcasting for some 16 years. The “fun” is in the journey after all. But I’d be remiss if I didn’t thank Father Chris Michelson and Deacons Patrick Murphy-Racey, Mike Eiffe, and Dan Alexander at St. Albert the Great; along with Fathers Peter Iorio, Michael Cummins, and Bill Gahagan; and of course Bishop Stika, for guiding me in my journey through their daily example of what it means to be one of God’s shepherds.

What things about you have changed the most as a seminarian?

I’ve come to better understand the true power of prayer and the Holy Spirit in my daily life. It’s so difficult to surrender and let the Lord “take over” and lead and just simply follow. I may spend my entire life continuing ever so slowly “letting go.”

Along with their prayers for you, is there another way East Tennessee Catholics can support you?

The awesome folks of East Tennessee already do so much for us seminarians, and I’m forever grateful. Feel free to write or e-mail me, and I’ll try my best to respond, especially in prayer: tony.budnick@yahoo.com or The Sacred Heart School of Theology, P.O. Box 429, Hales Corners, WI, 53130-0429. ■

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hear a pin drop throughout the period the ceremony was going on.

“Immediately [after] he was baptized and confirmed, they were applauding him and telling him, ‘Congratulations, you really took a very important step. We are proud of you.’ They were into it.

They were very energized and happy about it. It was a wonderful experience for them.”

Father Aboh and associate pastor Father Brent Shelton both came to Our Lady of Fatima in November 2008 and met a veteran member of the staff, Hispanic ministry coordinator Juan Hernandez, who works in prison ministry for the parish.

Mr. Hernandez oriented the newly arrived priests to the ministry.

“We go to the jail to celebrate Mass every Thursday, and we do it alternately, myself and Father Brent,” said Father Aboh. “Normally we have between 40 and 50 inmates come to Mass.

Of course, many of them are not Catholics, but what we do is celebrate Mass for them, and then after Mass we do Bible studies with them.

“Juan is very good with them in Bible studies.

There are so many Hispanic people there, so he helps a lot when he explains things for them in a way that they understand because of the language barrier.”

The priests and Mr. Hernandez have also updated Mr. Flack’s wife, who lives in Knoxville, on her husband’s progress in his studies.

After Father Aboh and Father Shelton started visiting the inmates, Mr. Flack—who was raised a Baptist—began asking them questions about the Catholic faith.

“Then he indicated that he would like to be a Catholic and asked what it would take,” said Father Aboh.

Not being able to receive visits from his Our Lady of Fatima friends more than once a week, Mr. Flack needed to move through the RCIA process quickly. His instructors gave him many documents on the Church and its teachings for him to read from one Thursday to the next.

“We had to give him a crash program—just the fundamentals—because we didn’t know when he’d be released,” said Father Aboh. ■

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established July 28, 1837, covered the entire state of Tennessee until Memphis (the 21 counties of Western Tennessee) became a diocese on Jan. 6, 1971. On Sept. 8, 1988, Knoxville became the third diocese in the Volunteer State.

Nashville had enjoyed eight bishops by the time the Diocese of Memphis was erected.

That eighth bishop was the Most Rev. Joseph Aloysius Durick, D.D., born in Dayton, Tenn. (he used to quip “so that I could be near my mother,” who was visiting her Tennessee side of the family before returning to the family home near Birmingham).

We remember Bishop Durick for his attendance at all four sessions of the Second Vatican Council and his fearless leadership in promoting the civil rights of all people: black and white, Catholics and those not of the holy faith, poor and rich, unschooled and educated.

As a principal of Knoxville Catholic High School appointed by that good bishop, I myself had the opportunity to benefit from his pastoral and fatherly guidance.

It was his successor, the Most Rev. James Daniel Niedergeses, D.D., who was to give the impetus for the creation of the Knoxville see.

He had felt the yearnings of lots of Catholics in Middle and East Tennessee that another diocese be formed. To go about this so very correctly, Bishop Niedergeses invited the assistance of one of his younger priests at that time, Father Steve Klasek, who was certified and qualified as an urban planner. It will be Father Klasek and his fellow Nashville priest, Rev. Monsignor Owen F. Campion, to whom I will turn during the next months to help cross from 1988 to the present.

Next time I’ll spend some lines on the survey that gave substantiating credibility to the petition asking Pope John Paul II to name the Diocese of Knoxville with the city of Knoxville as its see. ■ Monsignor Mankel is vicar general and the pastor of Holy Ghost Parish in Knoxville.

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Upcoming events for Catholic Singles of Greater Knoxville (40 and over) include the following: ■ Wednesday, June 9: Planning meeting for July-August events and dinner at Famous Dave’s, 6:15 p.m.

Contact Gail at 865-966-8205 or gbraunsroth@ charter.net to suggest an event.

■ Saturday, June 12: Ijams Nature Center walk, 4 p.m. RSVP to Randy S., or call him for more details, at 556-3781.

■ Wednesday, June 16: Deadline for June 27 beginning-of-summer pontoon outing. Contact Gail (see above) to sign up.

■ Friday, June 18: June birthday celebration at La Rumba, 6:30 p.m. RSVP to host Martha M. by June 17 at 659-0383 or mcgrama@hotmail.com.

■ Friday and Saturday, June 18 and 19: Secret City Festival in Oak Ridge. ■ 8

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JUNE 6, 2010

from the

WIRE

New Orleans Archdiocese receives gift BP donates $1 million in emergency-relief funds. By Peter Finney Jr. NEW ORLEANS (CNS)—As millions of gallons of oil from an offshore rig explosion fouled hundreds of square miles in the Gulf of Mexico and advanced toward the Louisiana coastline, New Orleans Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond thanked BP for $1 million in emergency relief funds.

The grant will allow local church relief agencies to provide emergency food, financial, and counseling assistance to needy fishing families.

BP, which operated the oil platform that exploded April 20 and killed 11 workers, earmarked $750,000 to Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New Orleans for direct assistance such as gift cards to local grocery stores, case management and counseling, and $250,000 to Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana for emergency food boxes.

The grant was announced at a May 18 news conference outside the headquarters of St. Bernard Parish, a civil jurisdiction equivalent to a county.

The deposit of crude oil in the Gulf of Mexico has developed into one of the worst environmental disasters in U.S. history.

In response to the catastrophe, Catholic Charities has opened five emergency centers at local churches to distribute the financial aid and offer counseling to fishing families.

The $1 million grant will help fund outreach services for three months, and the program is likely to be extended if the impact of the oil spill grows, as almost everyone expects.

In thanking BP for its financial commitment, Archbishop Aymond asked for prayers that the oil will not destroy the local fishing industry, largely populated by families who have made their living on the water for generations.

“We know that the people of St. Bernard, Plaquemines,

CNS PHOTO/LEE CELANO, REUTERS

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CATASTROPHIC IMPACT Residents of Plaquemines Parish, a civil entity in Louisiana, listen to a British Petroleum official during a May 25 town-hall meeting held in Boothville, La., to address their concerns about the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Grand Isle, and New Orleans East are people who persevere and have been through so many difficult and challenging times and have borne this cross before,” Archbishop Aymond said.

“We’re grateful for the gift because we want to be in the front lines and continue in the front lines for a longer period of time.”

St. Bernard Parish President Craig Taffaro said the uncertainty of the eventual impact on fishing families was the toughest thing for them to handle.

“We have an undefined universe we’re dealing with,” Taffaro said. “Until that universe is defined, we’re continuing to have to make scenario guesses as to what we would have to do and how bad it will be or how much of an impact it will have on various people and aspects of our community.”

Father Gerard Stapleton, pastor of St. Patrick Church in Port Sulphur, said he wished he could tell his parishioners who are commercial fishermen that the oil disaster won’t be yet another life-changing event—as Hurricane Katrina was in 2005. But he can’t.

“No one actually knows,” Father Stapleton told the Clarion Herald, newspaper of the New Orleans Archdiocese.

“Are we looking at a month, three months, six months, 12 months, or five years? What’s the effect on the land going to be? These fishermen have basically one trade in life, and that’s fishing.”

Father Stapleton said he tries to be a good listener as fishermen release their pentup anxieties. Sometimes he draws strength from their simple faith.

A fisherman he spoke to in a coffee shop recently told the priest not to fear.

“He told me, ‘The God who looked after us yesterday is the God who looks after us today, and he will also be with us tomorrow, and he will bring us through, just as he brought us through Katrina,’” Father Stapleton recounted. “I think that’s the best advice I have to offer to the people— that God has not abandoned us. In the midst of all this, ultimately what God looks for in his people is faithfulness in all situations.”

Since the beginning of May, nearly 5,000 individuals in the south Louisiana fishing community have benefited from emergency assistance from Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New Orleans. ■ Copyright 2010 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

Cardinal vows to continue speaking out about sanctity of life

BY DE BORA H GYA P ON G

OTTAWA, Ontario (CNS)— Quebec Cardinal Marc Ouellet vowed not to be silenced on the “crime” of abortion and answered his critics by demanding that the federal government assist pregnant women.

In an interview May 23 and at a news conference three days later, Cardinal Ouellet expressed surprise at the harsh political and media reaction to his recent comments in which he called abortion a moral crime even in cases of rape. He was vilified in the media, and one popular columnist called him an ayatollah and extremist and said the cardinal should die from a slow, painful illness.

“I will not leave things the way they are,” Cardinal Ouellet said. “There is a legitimate debate about promoting human life, about respect for the unborn.”

At a joint news conference in Quebec with Archbishop Terrence Prendergast of Ottawa, the cardinal called for the federal government to provide funding for pro-life organizations that counsel women against abortion.

“Governments are funding clinics for abortion,” Cardinal www.d ioknox.org

Ouellet said. “I would like equity for organizations that are defending life. If we had equity in funding, I think we would make lots of progress.

“I am calling for a campaign of awareness and for programs to help women in distress.

There is a lack of information, accompaniment, and financial aid for pregnant women in crisis situations to make an enlightened choice,” he added.

Cardinal Ouellet’s earlier comments drew condemnation from federal and provincial politicians, culminating in a unanimous vote on a resolution in the National Assembly of Quebec May 19 affirming a woman’s right to free abortion.

Cardinal Ouellet said he would not be intimidated.

“The abortion debate is on, and we must not be afraid of it,” he said. “We must have it, even if there is a motion in Quebec and an affirmation by the prime minister in Ottawa that go in the opposite direction and refuse to reopen legislation on abortion.”

In the interview the cardinal expressed dismay at the visceral public reaction to his comments. “I have no power,” he said. “The church in Que-

bec has no power anymore.

Why such a big reaction? I am just reminding people of the teaching of the Church.”

The cardinal also defended the right of church leaders to speak publicly about abortion and “to care for the formation of conscience.”

Cardinal Ouellet reiterated that the church teaches abortion is “considered a crime, a moral crime and a legal crime too, and the church is asking the states to penalize the practice of abortion.”

“I did not condemn any woman who has had recourse to an abortion,” he added.

“God alone is the judge of everybody’s conscience because he alone can measure all the elements in each and every case.

“My objective was to remind [people] of the enormous moral objective with the preoccupation of saving a child’s innocent life and saving the mother from the serious consequences of a deliberately provoked abortion,” he said. ■ Contributing to this story was Carolyn Girard in Toronto.

Copyright 2010 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops TH E E A S T TE N N E S S E E C ATH OLI C