May 14, 2010

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In Portuguese capital, pope urges Catholics to re-evangelize

Catholic san Francisco Northern California’s Weekly Catholic Newspaper

(CNS PHOTO/STEFANO RELLANDINI, REUTERS)

By John Thavis Catholic News Service

(CNS PHOTO/MATT CASHORE, UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME)

Pope Benedict XVI arrives for a Mass in Palace Square in Lisbon, Portugal May 11. The pope urged the more than 100,000 people to re-evangelize society by witnessing the joy and hope of the Gospel in every sector of contemporary life.

LISBON, Portugal – At a Mass for more than 100,000 people in Portugal, Pope Benedict XVI urged Catholics to re-evangelize society by witnessing the joy and hope of the Gospel in every sector of contemporary life. “Today’s pastoral priority is to make each Christian man and woman a radiant presence of the Gospel perspective in the midst of the world, in the family, in culture, in the economy, in politics,” the pope said May 11 at an open-air liturgy in Lisbon, the Portuguese capital. To evangelize effectively, he said, Catholics themselves need to grow closer to Christ. “Bear witness to all of the joy that his strong yet gentle presence evokes, starting with your contemporaries. Tell them that it is beautiful to be a friend of Jesus and that it is well worth following him,” he said. The pope celebrated the Mass on a canoRE-EVANGELIZE, page 15

Church unity doesn’t mean an artificial harmony, archbishop says NOTRE DAME, Ind. (CNS) – Unlike efforts at national unity in the United States, Church unity does not depend on “bringing people’s diversity into something of an artificial harmony that seeks to minimize the uniqueness and distinctiveness of people,” Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory of Atlanta said May 7 at a national meeting on cultural diversity. “The Catholic Church on the contrary

of humanity. We are most Catholic when we reflect our oneness of faith and worship that is achieved in response to our rich mixture of human variety through the grace of the Holy Spirit.” Speaking in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the campus of the University of Notre Dame, Archbishop Gregory said that because both the Church and the United States are CHURCH UNITY, page 7

focuses upon what we all share in common, which is our faith and our oneness in Christ,” the archbishop said in his homily at a Mass for participants in the Catholic Cultural Diversity Network Convocation. “To be a Catholic, one need not abandon one’s individuality,” he added. “In fact, the Catholic Church is more perfectly herself when all of her children display that rich diversity that God has fashioned into the very heart

Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory

Parish religious educators receive honors at annual awards presentation Almost 100 catechists and directors of religious education programs in the Archdiocese of San Francisco were honored at the annual St. Pius X Awards at St. Anne of the Sunset Church, May 6. San Francisco Auxiliary Bishop William J. Justice presided at the rites that included a prayer service and presentation of honors. “What great catechists and parish catechetical leaders we have in the Archdiocese,” said Social Service Sister Celeste Arbuckle, director of the Office of Religious Education and Youth Ministry. Speaking of the many dedicated people involved in religious education, she said, “They really share their faith and the faith of our Church with those they teach. It is a vocation. Our faith is so precious and each of these people make by their teaching a sacred place for Jesus to be present. With over 24,000 children and youth in our programs and countless more adult faith

(PHOTO BY FRANCIS DA SILVA/CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO)

By Tom Burke

From left: Sister Rosario Tuvida, OP; Kathy Jones, Bishop William J. Justice, Sister Celeste Arbuckle, SSS; Kathy Parish-Reese.

‘Archbishop’s Hour’ On 1260 AM Radio “The Archbishop’s Hour” with San Francisco Archbishop George H. Niederauer airs each Friday morning at 9 a.m. on Immaculate Heart Radio – 1260 AM in the Bay Area. Repeat broadcasts air Friday evening at 9 p.m., Sunday at 11 a.m., and Monday at 9 p.m.

May 14, 2010

formation programs we are so thankful for those who serve.” She added, “We are especially proud of all who will receive years of service recognition tonight with Bishop Justice.” Among those honored is Kathy Jones, Director of Religious Education at Our Lady of Angels Parish in Burlingame. Jones has served as DRE at OLA for 19 years but her introduction to Religious Education started in high school when by a string of coincidences she became first grade catechist at South San Francisco’s Mater Dolorosa Parish.“The rest is history,” Jones said. “I love God and teaching so it was a given.” Role models include her mom. “My mom was very involved in Church and very religious so she was my biggest influence. I have tried to keep faith and prayerfulness as a priority in my life and home.” “The best moment as a DRE is the look on the beautiful faces as the first communicants receive Jesus for the first time as well AWARDS, page 10

INSIDE THIS WEEK’S EDITION Abortion industry booms . . . 3 Anger up, polls down . . . . . . 6 Cannabis club in Sunset? . . . 8 Commentary & letters . 12-13 After the ‘Ascension’ . . . 14-15

Helping flood victims News in brief ~ Pages 4-5 ~

New books on Mary inform, inspire ~ Page 16 ~

ONE DOLLAR

Datebook of events . . . . . . . 17 Services, classified ads . 18-19

www.catholic-sf.org VOLUME 12

No. 17


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