Diocese Names Administrators and Oversight Board Chair, Sets Timetable for Victim Compensation Program

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1 The Allentown in the Year of Our Lord VOL. 30, NO. 25 DECEMBER 20, 2018 Names Administrators and Oversight Board Chair, Sets Timetable for Victim Compensation Program The of Allentown has retained nationally known administrators for its victim compensation program, has named a respected retired federal judge as chair of the oversight board, and has set an expected timetable for payments to begin. The Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program will provide compensation for victims and survivors of clergy sexual abuse as one aspect of their healing. The compensation program will be voluntary. It will be funded by the but will otherwise be completely independent of diocesan oversight or control. The will use its available cash, will sell assets, and will borrow money to the extent possible to provide funding for the program. The following will not be used for funding of the program: parish assets, school assets, money previously donated for a restricted purpose, and donations to the annual appeal. From the time the program begins, no funds from weekly collections at Mass will be used for its funding. It is anticipated that funding this program will place the operations of the under severe financial stress. Nevertheless, the will work diligently to continue its mission for 251,000 Catholics in its five counties Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton and Schuylkill. The has retained Washington, D.C.-based Atty. Kenneth Feinberg and his colleague, Camille Biros, to administer the program. They are nationally respected, independent compensation experts who will have full authority to provide compensation to victims and survivors. As co-administrators, Feinberg and Biros will review Please see COMPENSATION page 3 }} Christmas 2018 Dear Members of our Roman Catholic Family of Faith, Each year, we faithfully celebrate at Christmas the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Christmas comes every year, even during moments of great difficulty. We only need to remember those who celebrate Christmas with a loved one at war, during times of illness, in times of unemployment, and when grieving the loss of a loved one. We also think of those who celebrate Christmas without a home or country, those who are alone, those who are victims of natural disasters, and those on the margins of society. As Catholics, Christmas comes to us this year at a period of great sadness in our history: sadness for all victim-survivors and their families who have been so damaged by the abusive actions of some members of the clergy; sadness for those who have lost trust in some bishops and priests who should have protected their flock; and sadness that the faithful feel in simply bearing the name Catholic. Just as Christmas may occur during times of distress, so too does it offer us each year a message of joy, healing, and hope. This hope is rooted not in the human events of the day, but in the eternal message of salvation. To be joyful even in the midst of so many troubling events does not diminish our solidarity with those who suffer, but rather speaks to the bright Christmas promise of the Angels, Do not be afraid for a Savior has been born for us who is Christ and Lord. (see Luke 2:10-11) And so my dear brothers and sisters, I invite you to joy, healing, and hope this Christmas Season, not because we have no difficulties to face in the days ahead, but because God has come down to Earth to encounter each one of us and to embrace us as His beloved disciples. Assuring you of a remembrance of you and your family during my Christmas Masses and with best wishes for a blessed Christmas and a Holy New Year, I am Sincerely yours in Christ, Most Reverend Alfred A. Schlert Bishop of Allentown An image of Mary holding the child Jesus is featured on one of the Vatican s 2018 Christmas stamps. The images on the stamps were painted by a prisoner serving a life sentence. The feast of the Nativity of Christ, a holy day of obligation, is celebrated Dec. 25. (CNS/courtesy Vatican Philatelic and Numismatic Office) In This Issue Because We Are Catholic 3 March for Life Buses 8 Mass for Addiction 9 Theology on Tap 12 Cross Country Meet 14 Calendar 16 Offering Parish Programs to Encourage Healing Lenten Discussions will Enable Prayerful Reflection on Clergy Abuse Crisis As part of its response to the clergy sexual abuse crisis, the of Allentown will invite Catholics from throughout the to attend discussions, moderated by fellow parishioners, designed to encourage reflection and healing. We want people to be able to express their thoughts, their feelings, and their concerns about clergy sexual abuse in the prayerful comfort of their own parish environment, said Bishop Alfred Schlert. The program will be available in both English and Spanish. My hope is that those who choose to attend these smallgroup discussions will find them helpful, and will use them as part of the process of healing, Bishop Schlert said. This is an opportunity for all of us to prayerfully reflect on scripture, on the clergy sexual abuse crisis, and on our path forward as a Roman Catholic Family of Faith. The program, called Healing Our Church, is being designed by RENEW International, a nonprofit organization that provides Catholic ministry services throughout the world. Bishop Schlert encouraged RENEW to develop the program Please see HEALING page 5 }}

2 2 The A.D. Times December 20, 2018 The Allentown in the Year of Our Lord As part of the Catholic Press, The A.D. Times is the official newspaper for the Roman Catholic of Allentown, serving Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton and Schuylkill counties. Published biweely or triweekly on Thursdays by Allentown Catholic Communications, Inc. at P.O. Box F Allentown, PA Phone: , Ext Fax: adtimes@allentowndiocese.org President Bishop Alfred Schlert Secretary for External Affairs Matt Kerr Editor Jill Caravan Staff Writers Tara Connolly Tami Quigley Design & Production Marcus Schneck Advertising Contact Lori Anderson Administrative Assistant Cheryl Dano DIOCESE OF ALLENTOWN MISSION STATEMENT A Roman Catholic Family of Faith, centered in the Holy Eucharist, faithful to the Church s teaching, bringing the Light of Christ to each other and to our community. POLICY STATEMENTS The A.D. Times will consider all editorial copy and photos submitted in a fair and objective manner. The newspaper reserves the right to reject or edit any submission. Any advertising copy accepted does not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or endorsement of The A.D. Times and/or its publisher. The A.D. Times reserves the right to reject any advertising copy submitted. DEADLINES Advertising copy must be received by Monday of the week before publication. News copy must be received by Thursday of the week before publication. MEMBERSHIPS Catholic Press Association, Rockville Centre, N.Y. Catholic News Service, Washington, D.C. Catholic Press Association Award Winner 1991, 1992, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 POSTAL INFORMATION The A.D. Times (USPS ) is published on Thursdays, weekly once/biweekly /triweekly in December, at a subscription cost of $20 per year by Allentown Catholic Communications, Inc. at 1515 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Allentown, PA Periodicals Postage paid at Allentown, PA and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The A.D. Times, P.O. Box F, Allentown, PA Advent Ember Days in December Bishop of Allentown Alfred Schlert asks the clergy and faithful of the of Allentown to celebrate the Ember Days for the Season of Advent. Ember Days are quarterly observances with three days set aside (Wednesday, Friday and Saturday) to pray in gratitude for the blessings of the season and human labor, to thank God publicly. There are 12 Ember Days in all. Traditionally Embertide was also decided as a time to pray for priests. Ember Days are no longer included in the Universal Roman Calendar, but they are not abolished. On these days, Bishop Schlert is asking for abstinence from all meat products, fasting and a Holy Hour by the clergy. The People of God of the of Allentown are encouraged to join in this practice as a sign of healing. The 2018 Christmas schedule at the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown is below. For more information, call or visit website www. cathedral-church.org. Sacrament of Reconciliation Regular schedule 15 minutes before all weekday Masses. Saturdays 3:15 to 4 p.m. Additional Advent schedule 15 The diocesan Office for Divine Worship has announced the spring 2019 confirmation schedule as follows. All confirmations will begin at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5 Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, St. Paul and St. Francis of Assisi, all Allentown. Wednesday, Feb. 6 Immaculate Conception BVM, Our Lady Help of Christians, St. John the Baptist, and SS. Peter and Paul, all Allentown. Thursday, Feb. 7 Holy Trinity and St. John the Baptist, both Whitehall; St. Peter, Coplay. Tuesday, Feb. 19 Sacred Heart of Jesus, Allentown. Wednesday, Feb. 20 St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Whitehall and Annunciation BVM, Catasauqua. Thursday, Feb. 21 Notre Dame of Bethlehem. Tuesday, Feb. 26 St. Anne, Bethlehem. Wednesday, Feb. 27 St. Thomas The first Advent Ember Day was Wednesday, Dec. 19. The remaining two Diocesan Cathedral Christmas Schedule minutes before Sunday Masses. Friday, Dec to 5 p.m. and 7 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec to 4 p.m. Christmas Masses Christmas Eve, Monday, Dec. 24 4:15 p.m. Vigil Mass in church, 4:15 p.m. Vigil Mass in Parish Activity Center, 6 p.m. Vigil Mass in church (children s liturgy), 9:45 p.m. Christmas hymns by Spring 2019 Confirmation Schedule More, Allentown. Thursday, Feb. 28 Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Bethlehem. Thursday, March 7 St. Rocco, Martins Creek and St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Pen Argyl. Tuesday, March 12 Assumption BVM and Queenship of Mary, both Northampton; St. John Fisher, Catasauqua Ẇednesday, March 13 St. Ann, Emmaus. Thursday, March 14 St. Joseph the Worker, Orefield. Tuesday, March 19 St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, Hellertown; St. Ursula, Fountain Hill; Sacred Heart, Holy Ghost, Incarnation of Our Lord, and SS. Simon and Jude, all Bethlehem. Thursday, March 21 St. Jane Frances de Chantal, Easton. Tuesday, March 26 Assumption BVM, Bethlehem. Wednesday, March 27 St. Joseph, Coopersburg. days are Friday, Dec. 21 and Saturday, Dec. 22. Cathedral Choir, 10:30 p.m. Vigil Mass in church. Christmas Day, Tuesday, Dec. 25 7:30, 9 and 10:30 a.m. in church. New Year s Day Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God Monday, Dec. 31 4:15 p.m. New Year s Eve Vigil Mass. Tuesday, Jan. 1 8 and 10 a.m. Masses in church. Wednesday, March 27 All Saints, McAdoo; St. Richard, Barnesville; St. John XXIII, Tamaqua. Thursday, March 28 St. Mary, Hamburg and St. Mary, Kutztown. Tuesday, April 2 Holy Infancy, Bethlehem. Thursday, April 4 St. Joseph, Summit Hill. Tuesday, April 9 St. Ambrose, Schuylkill Haven. Thursday, April 11 St. Peter the Fisherman, Lake Harmony; SS. Peter and Paul, Lehighton; Immaculate Conception and St. Joseph, both Jim Thorpe. Thursday, April 25 Most Blessed Trinity, Tremont; St. Matthew the Evangelist and St. Michael the Archangel, both Minersville. Tuesday, April 30 St. Clare of Assisi, St. Clair; Holy Cross, New Philadelphia; St. Stephen, Port Carbon; St. John the Baptist and St. Patrick, both Pottsville. Thursday, May 2 Snow date. VICTIM ASSISTANCE COORDINATOR The of Allentown provides assistance to anyone who, as a minor, was sexually abused by a priest, deacon or employee/volunteer of the /Parish Parents, guardians, children and survivors of sexual abuse are invited and encouraged to contact the of Allentown for more information about this program. The fullness of compassion should be extended to these victims by the Church. To speak directly to the Victim Assistance Coordinator, please call the direct line To learn more about the of Allentown s Youth Protection Programs, Sexual Abuse Policy and Code of Conduct, please visit and click on Youth Protection at top right. COORDINADOR DE ASISTENCIA A LAS VÍCTIMAS La Diócesis de Allentown provee asistencia a cualquier persona que, como menor de edad, fue abusado sexualmente por un sacerdote, diácono o empleado/voluntario de la Diócesis/Parroquia. Los padres, tutores, niños y los sobrevivientes de abuso sexual están invitados a contactar la Diócesis de Allentown para obtener más información sobre este programa. La plenitud de compasión debe extenderse a las víctimas por la Iglesia. Para hablar directamente con el coordinador de asistencia a las víctimas por favor llame a la línea directa Para obtener más información acerca de los Programas de Protección de la Juventud, Política de Abuso Sexual y el Código de Conducta de la Diócesis de Allentown, por favor visite y haga clic en Protección de la Juventud en la parte superior derecha.

3 December 20, 2018 Because We Are Catholic The A.D. Times 3 Giving Gifts and Receiving Life Lessons in Return Sometimes the best Christmas gift you receive isn t one wrapped in brightly colored paper. About 600 school and religious education children at St. Thomas More in Allentown had the chance to learn that lesson this year as they prepared Holiday Hope Chest packages for those who are less fortunate. This is a blessing for the families of the parish because it fosters a spirit of community while giving the children a chance to put their Catholic faith to work in a way that is very real and relatable to them, said Kevin Damitz, director of religious education. The kids and their families shopped for small gift items to be placed in shoeboxes. In some cases, they used their own money. The boxes were wrapped and delivered to needy children in Lehigh and Carbon counties, in partnership with the Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley. Faith is a big part of this, said Sam Salari, 13, a seventh-grader at St. Thomas More School. We want to be known as kind, generous and sharing people. Doing this really makes me feel proud to help others, but it also reminds me that I should do even more good works in my life, said Diego Mihura, 12, also a seventh-grader at the school. Those are lessons and gifts that will endure long after this year s holiday season is over. Leadership Comes in Many Flavors Students in Catholic schools benefit from challenging academics and a faith-based environment. They also are instilled with a strong focus on community service and leadership. Nadiya Sieger is one example. The 16-year-old junior at Marian High School in Tamaqua has started her own nonprofit group to combat drug abuse, she is a karate black belt who teaches skills to younger students, she s involved in Marian s advocacy group for people with disabilities and she was chosen to attend a national leadership conference. By being a leader, you can encourage people to their full potential, she says. It s a way to set a good example. I believe in people and their ability to do good in the world. The former altar server and lector credits her mom for the inspiration to lead, along with her faith and her lifelong Catholic education. Sieger s long-term goal is to major in business at college, then study the law and become a corporate lawyer. She has a shortterm goal too: her part-time job is at Leiby s, a well-known Tamaqua ice cream parlor. I am working my way through the flavors, she says. I want to try all of them. From left, Sam Salari, 13, Alicia Weston, 10, Diego Mihura, 12, and Caleb Goyke, 8, are among 600 religious education and school students at St. Thomas More, Allentown, who filled Holiday Hope Chests for less-fortunate children in Lehigh and Carbon counties. Because We Are Catholic tells the stories of how the people of the of Allentown make a difference in the lives of others, bringing the Light of Christ to each other and to our community. Compensation }}Continued from page 1 claims, determine eligibility, and decide compensation amounts. The of Allentown will have no oversight of their work, will have no say in their determinations of compensation, and cannot overturn their decisions. Feinberg and Biros administered claims and paid compensation to victims of the 9/11 attacks, the BP Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico, and other disasters. They also are performing similar roles for other Catholic dioceses in Pennsylvania and New York. To help ensure autonomy, the program will be overseen by an Independent Oversight Committee, which will operate without influence or control from the of Allentown. The oversight committee will be chaired by Judge Edward N. Cahn, retired U.S. District Court chief judge and currently Of Counsel with the law firm of Blank Rome. The is actively seeking other members for the committee Ṫhe exact start date of the program in 2019 will be determined in consultation with Feinberg and Biros and with members of the Independent Oversight Committee. The goal is for the program to begin making payments in the second quarter of 2019, and for known victims to be contacted with information on how to apply during the first quarter of Money alone cannot repair the damage caused to those people who were harmed, said Bishop Alfred Schlert. I deeply regret the pain caused by the abusive actions of some members of the clergy. It is my sincere hope that this program will meaningfully assist in recovery and healing for victims and survivors, and for their families.

4 4 The A.D. Times December 20, 2018 Bishop Schlert Establishes Commission for Young Adults By TARA CONNOLLY Staff writer A commission specifically designed to relay its pastoral needs to Bishop of Allentown Alfred Schlert officially convened for the first time Nov. 28. The 12-member Commission for Young Adults met with Bishop Schlert to begin their role providing input into the direction of young adult ministry in the. It will serve as an advisory commission to the Bishop and the to further the mission of evangelization and growth in discipleship of young adults. The members of the newly formed commission are: Hannah Adams, Our Lady Help of Christians, Allentown. Ed Burns, St. Stephen of Hungary, Allentown. Meredith Corrales, St. Joseph, Frackville. Sarah DeArment, St. John the Baptist, Pottsville. Andrew Ivankovits, Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown. James and Abby Maria, St. Ignatius Loyola, Sinking Spring. Talia Mazza, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Roseto. Sebastian Nieves, St. Ignatius Loyola. John Pellosie, St. Joseph the Worker, Orefield. Robert Rienzo, of Allentown seminarian. Christina Tran, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Whitehall. Emily Whalen, St. Joseph the Worker. According to the bylaws, the mission of the commission is to find practical ways to improve and grow young adult outreach, ministry and evangelization in the so that more young adults come to know the love of Jesus Christ and therefore become his missionary disciples. During the meeting, Bishop Schlert expressed his desire to learn from young adults about their needs and asked for ideas about how to bring millennials back to the Church. Thea Aclo, director of the Office of Youth, Young Adult and Family Ministry, who will serve as a liaison for the commission, said the commission will work together to devise plans to reach out to young adults who have drifted from the faith. Bishop Schlert has great concern that many young adults have left the faith and don t even identify with any sort of faith. He would like the commission to address that, and eventually come up with a pastoral plan for the to address this, said Aclo. In addition, Aclo said Bishop Schlert shared his understanding of the millennial generation and asked the commission to cite what they are up against in daily life. Bishop Schlert wants to better understand the modern challenges to living out the faith, she said. The commission cited difficulty dialoguing with others who have a differing opinion, ridicule for not living together before marriage and pressure from others facing young moms who have to decide between working or staying at home. The young adults also said they face challenges finding doctors who support Natural Family Planning, lack of catechesis, disappointment and disillusionment from the abuse crisis, and the way leaders have (or have not) responded to the crisis. This mission will be carried out by prayerful study and review of the universal Church s call to serve young adults; discernment of how the, parishes and pastors can best apply these principles and better serve young adults; and listening to and voicing the pastoral needs and concerns of young adults to the Bishop and the. According to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, young adults are persons in their late teens, 20s and 30s who represent diverse cultural, racial, ethnic, educational, vocational, social, political, and spiritual backgrounds. They are college students, workers and professionals; persons in military service; single, married, divorced or widowed; with or without children; and newcomers in search of a better life. The commission will meet quarterly. To inquire about the commission, contact the Office of Youth, Young Adult and Family Ministry, or taclo@allentowndiocese.org. Death Father Joseph Braudis, Retired Priest Father Joseph Braudis, 68, resident of Holy Family Villa for Priests, Bethlehem, died Dec. 7 at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Muhlenberg. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Father Braudis was the son of the late Joseph and Mary (McDonough) Braudis Sr. Surviving are: two sisters, Ann Collins, Braintree, Massachusetts; and Marie Anderson, Mal- Death Religious sister Sister Magnifica Zdancewicz, 93, of the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters Third den, Massachusetts; a brother, Michael Braudis, Weymouth, Massachusetts; and many nieces and nephews. Father Braudis attended Mary Hemenway Elementary School, Dorchester; Woodrow Wilson Junior High School, Dorchester; and is a graduate of Boston- Technical High School, Dorchester. He attended St. John s Seminary, Brighton, where he earned a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy and history. He also attended Mary Immaculate Seminary, Northampton and Mount St. Mary s Seminary, Emmitsburg, Maryland. He received a master in education degree from Lehigh University, Bethlehem. He was ordained to the priesthood Order Regular of St. Francis, died Dec. 11 at St. Joseph Villa, Reading, where she had resided since During her ministry as an elementary and secondary teacher, organist, and art teacher, she served in Massachusetts, Bishop of Allentown Alfred Schlert, middle right, convenes the Commission for Young Adults for the first time Nov. 28 at the Chancery, Allentown. (Photos by John Simitz) Members of the newly established Commission for Young Adults with Bishop Schlert, center, are from left, Talia Mazza, Meredith Corrales, Andrew Ivankovits, Ed Burns, Robert Rienzo, Sarah DeArment, James Maria and Christina Tran. Not pictured are Abby Maria, Hannah Adams, Sebastian Nieves. John Pellosie and Emily Whalen. May 14, 1977 by Bishop of Allentown Joseph McShea at the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown. Father Braudis first priestly assignment was assistant pastor, St. Bernard Parish, Easton; professor, Notre Dame High School, Easton; administrator pro temp, Sacred Heart Parish, Miller Heights; vice principal, Nativity BVM High School, Pottsville; and principal, Pius X High School, Roseto. His first pastoral assignment was pastor, the former St. Anthony Parish, Cumbola; and pastor, St. Mary Parish, Hamburg. During the course of his priestly ministry, Father Braudis served as member, Council of Priests, high school principal representative. Father Braudis retired Sept. 3, Mass of Christian Burial for Father Braudis was celebrated Dec. 13 at SS. Simon and Jude Church, Bethlehem by Bishop of Allentown Alfred Schlert. Homilist was Monsignor Joseph Sobiesiak, retired priest, of Allentown. Main concelebrants were Monsignor David James, vicar general; Father Adam Sedar, secretary for clergy; Father Stephen Maco, pastor, Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Bangor; and Monsignor Joseph Sobiesiak. Interment took place in Boston. Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. In the of Allentown, Sister ministered at Sacred Heart, St. Francis, St. Anthony, Alvernia College, Our Lady of the Angels and St. Joseph Villa, all in Reading; St. Casimir, Shenandoah; and SS. Peter & Paul, Lansford. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Dec. 18 at Sacred Heart Convent Chapel, Mount Alvernia, Reading, followed by burial in the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters cemetery, Mount Alvernia.

5 December 20, 2018 Commission for Women Reflect on Scrooge to Dispel Busyness During Advent By TARA CONNOLLY Staff writer The ghost of Christmas present is busyness. We are much too busy to focus on what the Advent season is really about, said Deacon James Russo Dec. 15 during the Commission for Women Advent Day of Reflection at the Jesuit Center, Wernersville. Deacon Russo, who is assigned to St. Mary, Kutztown presented Advent: New Church Year, New Me and discussed Catholic perspective on the Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol. Jesus is the key to joy. This is it. We know the ending of our story. It s a great ending. So, why don t we live the rest of our lives joyfully? as ked D eacon Rus s o. Like Ebenezer Scrooge, he told the women that they too are on a journey that involves reflecting on the past, dealing with problems and moving forward. We have to remember that Christmas is Christ s birthday. It is he who brings us joy. We should be living in joy because he is among us, said Deacon Russo. Although Christ is not physically among people, Deacon Russ said he is asking them to take the baton and bring his love to others. It could be something simple as a holding a door or sharing a sandwich with someone who forgot their lunch. Things like that tells everyone who we are, he said. Deacon James Russo, assigned to St. Mary, Kutztown presents Advent: New Church Year, New Me Dec. 15 during the Commission for Women Advent Day of Reflection. (Photos by John Simitz) The busyness is going to kill us. This is not what we are invited to by Jesus. We need to be more conscious and put the phones down. It s not healthy for relationships, added Deacon Russo. He pointed out how life becomes too busy when retailers signal the start of the Christmas season the day after Halloween and how people are overworked. The message during the season of Advent is to slow down. We need to be more conscious when we are not at work. Don t let work drive us and dictate our energies, said Deacon Russo. In addition he note the difference between happiness and joy and told the women that happiness is a feeling based on circumstances and joy is an attitude that defies certain circumstances. Deacon Russo also pointed out Scrooge s dismay when the Ghost of Christmas Present sprinkles incense on the meals of the poor and his annoyance with stores being closed on Sundays. Scrooge wants everyone to get the same amount and feels it is not just. But God teaches us that others some- We have to remember that Christmas is Christ s birthday. It is he who brings us joy. We should be living in joy because he is among us. The A.D. Times 5 Jesuit Father Thomas Kuller welcomes women at the start of Mass to the Jesuit Center for Spiritual Growth, Wernersville. Susan Teaford, left, chairperson for the Commission for Women, introduces Deacon Russo. A woman prays a rosary during the day of reflection. Healing }}Continued from page 1 for use in the of Allentown and elsewhere. Please see SCROOGE page 8 }} Women pray together during Mass in the Main Chapel. The weekly discussions will take place during the six weeks of Lent, a traditional time of deep reflection before Easter. Lent begins Ash Wednesday, March 6. Parish pastors will select group leaders who will attend orientation and training sessions early in More information on the programs, including how to register, will be distributed in parishes before the sessions begin. Anyone who knows of incidents of abuse, in the Church or outside it, should report it to the State ChildLine at , the State Attorney General s hotline at , or to local law enforcement. The Diocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator is available to provide assistance to anyone who, as a minor, was abused by a priest, deacon, employee, or volunteer of the, or of its parishes. Her direct line is

6 6 The A.D. Times Worship December 20, 2018 Sunday Scripture Sunday, Dec. 23 Fourth Sunday of Advent First Reading Micah 5:1-4a Responsorial Psalm Psalms 80:2-3, 15-16, Second Reading Hebrews 10:5-10 Gospel Luke 1:39-45 Sunday, Dec. 30 The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph First reading Sirach 3:2-6, Responsorial Psalm Psalms 128:1-5 Second Reading Colossians 3:12-21 Gospel Luke 2:41-52 Recommended to Your Prayers by Pope Francis Apostleship of Prayer Intention for January Evangelization: Young People and the Example of Mary That young people, especially in Latin America, follow the example of Mary and respond to the call of the Lord to communicate the joy of the Gospel to the world. The monthly intentions are also available on video, with a reflection, or download the app at Prayer Requests for Priests Please pray for our Holy Fathers, our Bishops and these priests serving in the of Allentown during each designated date of January. 1 His Holiness Pope Francis 2 Pope Emeritus Benedict 3 Bishop Alfred Schlert 4 Bishop Emeritus Edward Cullen 5 Father Shaju Kanjiramparayil, O.S.F.S. 6 Father Venantius Karobo, A.J. 7 Father Gregory Karpyn 8 Father Martin Kern 9 Father Wayne Killian 10 Monsignor Nevin Klinger 11 Father Jose Kochuparambil (Johnson) 12 Monsignor Thomas Koons 13 Father David Kozak 14 Monsignor Robert Kozel 15 Deceased priests 16 Father Daniel Kravatz 17 Father Dr. John Krivak 18 Father Thomas Kuller, S.J. 19 Father Joseph Kweder 20 Permanent deacons 21 Father Patrick Lamb 22 Father Daniel Lannen, O.S.F.S. 23 Father Brendon Laroche 24 Father Keith Laskowski 25 Father William Linkchorst 26 Father John Little 27 Father David Loeper 28 Father James Lofton 29 Father Lucien Longtin, S.J. 30 Father Stephen Maco 31 Father Leo Maletz In memoriam Please remember these clerics of the of Allentown in your prayers during January, the anniversary month of their death. 2 Father Michael Connaughton, Father Vincent Hillanbrand, Father William Bigos, Father James Agosta, Father Charles McKenna, Father Francis Straka, Father Frederick Gasparovic, Monsignor Nicholas Terna, Father Matthew Jarasunas, Deacon Richard Sewald Sr., Monsignor Francis Glunz, Deacon Ralph Jaccodine, Monsignor Joseph Neverauskas, Father Pius Chesna, Father John McCreedy, Father William Ferry, Father Walter Bruc, Father Cornelius Devitt, Monsignor Stephen Daday, Father John Gallagher, Father Edwin Schwartz, Father James Gallagher, Deacon Alfonso Solis, Father Joseph Gasho, Monsignor Francis King, 1980

7 December 20, 2018 Opinion The A.D. Times 7 Maranatha, Come Lord Jesus: Are We Prepared? Every burial in the Catholic Cemetery proclaims the sacredness of life. The buried or entombed remains are signs of meaningful acts of faith by the Christian community. We believe that life is not consumed by death. The Christian does not fear death but rather only the incompleteness of our life that only can be fulfilled in heaven. The final purpose of life is expressed that what was promised to us from the Lord is now fulfilled. A story is told about a French nurse during World War II who cared for the wounded of the town. She bandaged their injuries and brought many to health. There was no doctor in the area during those years. Following the war even the priest of the town was cared for, as well as his parishioners, by this nurse. One day the nurse died and the town thought that she would be buried in the Catholic Cemetery. Unfortunately, the woman was not Catholic and was not married to a Catholic who could have purchased space in the Catholic Cemetery. The townfolk went to the pastor to ask for an exception to the rule for this nurse who had cared for the town all these years. He said he wanted to, but the Church offers the burial privilege to members of its congregation. Those related to the owner of the privilege if non-catholic can be buried with their spouse or relative. The pastor suggested that she be buried outside the fence of the Catholic cemetery immediately adjoining the cemetery as close as possible. The nurse was buried there. The next day the townfolk came and moved the fence so that she could rest inside the cemetery with those whom she ministered. Such testimony expresses that true fulfillment in life awaits us in the life to come. The reverent disposition of the body or cremated human remains in the Catholic cemetery remind us of the sacredness of human life. As a sacramental people, we see God s hand in the rainbow after the flood; God s love given to us in the Ten Commandments; the Act of Creation whereby God made us in his image male and female. God created us with a human body; the visible sign of our humanity and identity. In Christian burial we bring the person to eternity. The catacombs of yesterday and the Catholic cemeteries By Monsignor William Baver, Diocesan director of cemeteries; vice president of the Catholic Cemeteries Conference; and pastor of SS. Simon and Jude, Bethlehem. of today are reminders of the human body that loved; the body that bore the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ brings our risen body to live with him in heaven. For we know that if our earthly dwelling, a tent, should be destroyed, we have a building from God, a dwelling not made with hands, eternal in heaven (2 Corinthians 5:1). Advent is a time to remember the call of the first Christians, Come Lord Jesus! The initial Sundays of Advent take our minds and hearts to look forward to Christ s Second Coming at the end of time. We never surrender to death in despair, for we are a people of hope. And when it comes to cemeteries for those who faced death with a hope in Christ Jesus, we pre-plan.

8 8 The A.D. Times December 20, March for Life Bus Trip and Event Information The 2019 March for Life will be Friday, Jan. 18 in Washington, D.C. Local parishes are running buses. Please consult the table on this page for prices and contact information. Also listed are local prayer opportunities for those who cannot attend the march. Additional bus information will be published as it becomes available, in The A.D. Times and on the diocesan website at If you are running a bus and do not see your parish name and information in the list, please contact the Office of Pro-Life and Social Concerns at , ext or mhartigan@allentowndiocese.org so it may be included. For more information about the march, visit Scrooge }}Continued from page 5 time need more than we do. Scrooge also comes from a background of being in love with money, he said. So many people want to be God and take charge of their own life. If you really want to be God go forgive someone, suggested Deacon Russo. While examining the Ghost of the Future, he told the women that the future is frightening because it is unpredictable. Worry is not going to change anything about the future. We have to live life without fear. It is difficult to do but we can do it, stressed Deacon Russo. I am not saying walk around with your heads in the clouds. I am asking you not to let the future define you. God created you for a purpose. He loves you too much to leave you behind, he said. Advising the women to use the day to transform themselves, Deacon Russo warned them that they will make mistakes but their minds and hearts will be renewed. Scrooge s transformation was from antisocial to social. Instead of living in isolation he began to live among people and helped others. Doesn t that sound like Jesus? he said. It all starts right now. Transform your life today and renew your hearts, said Deacon Russo. The day also featured Liturgy of the Hours, recitation of the rosary, Mass and a final blessing.

9 December 20, 2018 The A.D. Times 9 Bishop Celebrates Mass of Healing and Remembrance Jesus has come for the addicts, Father Patrick Lamb offers as he preaches the homily at a special Mass of Healing and Remembrance for people struggling with addiction and their families, and those who have died as a result, Dec. 2 at Immaculate Conception, Jim Thorpe. The Mass was celebrated at the regularly scheduled 10:30 a.m. Mass. Father Lamb is pastor of Queenship of Mary, Northampton. (Photos by John Simitz) Bishop Alfred Schlert, center, celebrates the liturgy, with Father Lamb, right and altar server Brandon Becker. This was the second Mass for people struggling with addiction celebrated by Bishop Schlert this year. The first was April 15 at Queenship of Mary. We have a responsibility as a family of faith to pray for and offer encouragement to our brothers and sisters coping with addictions, and to provide support to their families who struggle with them, said Bishop Schlert. Left, a joint choir from Immaculate Conception and St. Joseph, Jim Thorpe directed by Amy De Puy, left, provides music for the liturgy. All in the were most welcome to attend this Mass and unite in prayer for hope and healing. Bottom left, Father Lamb, left, and Father James Ward, pastor of Immaculate Conception who also was a concelebrant, right, greet parishioners after the Mass. Right, Bishop Schlert meets a parishioner after the liturgy. Young Men s Discernment Retreat Set for January The Diocesan Office for Vocations Promotion is sponsoring a new retreat for young adult men in college and older. The first Young Men s Discernment Retreat will be offered Friday, Jan. 4 through Sunday, Jan. 6, 2019 at St. Francis Retreat House, Easton. Cost for the weekend is $50 per person to cover the accommodations and meals. The retreat is open to young men between the ages of 18 and 40. We hope to offer this retreat to some of our alumni who have attended our first few Quo Vadis retreats and who are now older, and any other young men who are open to discerning the priestly vocation in our, said Father Mark Searles, director of the Office for Vocations Promotion. Included will be Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, talks and reflections by priests and seminarians, and quiet time for reflection and prayer. Registrations must be postmarked by Friday, Dec. 21. For more information and to register, contact Father Searles, msearles@ allentowndiocese.org or

10 10 The A.D. Times December 20, 2018 Allentown Men Invested in Knights of Malta at St. Patrick s Cathedral When over 85 men and women stood in St. Patrick s Cathedral in the moments before their actual investiture into the Order of Malta, the words of the formal ceremony beckoned them to a greater challenge and they responded, We ask the mercy of God, and to be received into the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes, and of Malta. Several thousand people gathered at St. Patrick s Cathedral to give witness and support to the 85 members who were received into the order. Cardinal Timothy Dolan was celebrant and homilist at the Solemn Mass. President Dr. Peter Kelly presided over the investiture ceremony, presenting the decorations to the members that had been blessed by the cardinal and are a sign of the new knights and dames inclusion in the oldest religious-lay religious orders within the Catholic Church. At the Investiture Mass, Bishop of Allentown Alfred Schlert also made his commitment to serve the members of the order in their pursuit of spiritual growth as a conventual chaplain ad honorem, and Father Owen Moran of New Jersey was invested as a magistral chaplain. The preceding day, at the Mass for the Blessing of the Capes and the Robes, six deputy chaplains were also charged with the task of serving the association s members, within their areas of responsibility. The solemn liturgy, with the support of the magnificent choir and organist, created an atmosphere that added a measure of beauty and strength to the level of commitment being made before God and so many attendees. With the cross of the decoration of the order held high, President Kelly spoke the solemn and somber words of exhortation and admonition: Brothers and sisters, we give you this cross of the order, this sign of Christ s passion, of his love for all. Let it always inspire you in love of your neighbor. Cherish and defend the cross. Should it ever happen that, in the battle for Christ and his Church, you turn Life often challenges us by testing our stamina one s ability to sustain prolonged physical or mental effort often is the key to success. Each September various participants respond with tenacity and humor to an annual test of stamina known as the Nun Run. Held this year on Sept. 15 at Sacred Heart Villa in Reading, Nun Run 2018 provided many opportunities for success. For some, the challenge involved finishing the 1-mile walk despite disabilities such as blindness, handicap and sickness. For others, this test of stamina included running a 5k course with multiple hills. And still for others, their response was to provide generous sponsorships and contributions on behalf of runners, walkers and MSC Sisters. The people who make the Nun Run happen sustain not only the event itself but also relationships among one another and with the sisters. Committee members spend time preparing everything from sponsorship lists to baskets and swag bags. Consistent Gold sponsors Gethsemane Cemetery/St. Paul s Parish and Berks Western Telecom and Silver Sponsors including Crossroads Technologies, Watkins Architect, Nave Newell, Assist 2 Sell, Bell Ace Hardware-Trexlertown as well as numerous individuals assure that the event raises money for the sisters mission and lives. your back on this cross or desert it, then in accordance with the ancient custom of our order, this holy symbol must justly be taken from you, and you must be expelled from our community. The robes and capes of the new members gave witness to and served as a sign of the lay religious order that was receiving a new class of members. As each new member processed to the altar, Cardinal Dolan and President Kelly presented them with the cross and wished him or her God s help as they go out into the world with the sign of the cross as their standard. The Order of Malta is a 900-year-old lay religious order of the Catholic Church whose special charism is to assist the sick and the poor, and defend and give witness to the faith. Begun in Jerusalem to assist pilgrims who were sick, it was a hospitaller order founded by Blessed Gerard. Over time, to protect the pilgrims from attack, the order developed a military role and played an important role in the Middle Ages and beyond, protecting Western Europe from attack. In the late 1700s the order gave up its military role and focused on its long and unbroken history of providing assistance to the sick and the poor, and defending the faith. Based in Rome, the order continues to provide that assistance through- Annual Nun Run for MSC Sisters a Lesson in Stamina Above, a collection of 5K runners and MSC sisters grab some glory during the 2018 Nun Run at Sacred Heart Villa, Reading. Right, young artist Mikala Phillips sells her sea glass creations during the 2018 Nun Run to help support the MSC sisters mission and lives. The 2018 event cleared more than $27,000. Each year participants look forward to their return in September to catch up with the sisters they love and with each other. And each year the sisters are surprised by someone or something. For example, at the 2018 event, the sisters celebrated the stamina and creativity of their friend Mikala who found an Those installed from the of Allentown are, front from left: Jack Turnbach, K.M.; Bishop Schlert; Dr. Dominic Rachiele, K.M.; and Dr. Stanislaw Stawicki, K.M. Back left is Deacon Dr. Jeffrey Trexler, executive director of the American Association Order of Malta. out the world. While more prominent in Europe because of its chivalric underpinnings, there are more than 3,000 knights and dames of the order in the United States. The common feature that characterizes all members of the order is their special commitment to grow in their spiritual life by committing to hands-on work assisting the sick and the poor. Through that commitment, some members in the United States have done some incredible things, like starting medical clinics, shelters for unwed mothers and food pantries. More commonly, they are involved as volunteers in their communities at varieties of projects and programs. The signature work of the order is worldwide participation in an annual pilgrimage to Lourdes, France where they bring sick people ( maladies ) to that holy shrine to pray for physical, emotional and spiritual healing. More than 6,000 pilgrims from around the world come together in Lourdes in alternative way to participate as a very young sponsor. She set up a table filled with her own homemade sea glass art and donated all her proceeds more than $150 to the sisters. For years Mikala has been walking, running and helping wherever she could, said the sisters. She certainly persevered to find a new way of making a positive May each year knights and dames of the order, maladies, caregivers, a medical team, clergy and volunteers. Another important work of the order is Holy Family Hospital, run by the order in Bethlehem. This world class maternity hospital, located near the spot where Christ himself was born, serves the poor women and infants of the region. Since the order took over the hospital in the early 1990s at the request of Pope John Paul II, more than 50,000 babies have been born there. Quietly and without fanfare, the members of the order work to make the world a better place. The order is a sovereign entity and uses its diplomatic ties to bring aid and assistance to some of the more troubled areas of the world, often with access that other organizations do not have. For more information about the order, visit website org. If interested in becoming a knight, dame or auxiliary member, contact Dr. Arnold Traupman, area chair for the Allentown area at atraupman@gmail.com. impact. We thank you, Mikala, for your tenacity and generosity of heart. They also thanked those who brought along their gently used shoes on behalf of Soles 4 Souls. A total of 162 pairs of shoes were collected to be used in various ways to support people in need. Next year s Nun Run will take place Sept. 21, 2019.

11 December 20, 2018 The A.D. Times 11

12 12 The A.D. Times December 20, 2018 Youth & Young Adults Trusting God s Plan at Center of Theology on Tap Session By TAMI QUIGLEY Staff writer The message for all of us is: the reason you re here tonight is God is active in your lives, Deacon Mike Pascarella told young adults gathered for the Theology on Tap session Trusting God s Plan: From Federal Government to Full-Time Ministry Dec. 10 at Hops at the Paddock, Allentown. Deacon Pascarella, associate to the vicar for clergy for permanent deacons for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, shared his testimony about faith, family and the intersection of several passions and callings. Prior to his appointment to his Archdiocesan post, Deacon Pascarella enjoyed a 35-year career in law enforcement. He has been married for more than 30 years and has twin sons. Deacon Pascarella addressed such issues as: What happens when your career and your vocation seem to be pulling you in different directions? How can we make the best choices for ourselves and our loved ones when life presents us with a difficult crossroads? And what is God s role in our journey? Theology on Tap is a monthly series sponsored by the Diocesan Office of Youth, Young Adult and Family Ministry (OYYAFM). The series is designed to welcome young adults ages 21 to 35, single or married, in a casual setting where they can grow in the faith and share community with one another. It originated in the Archdiocese of Chicago, Illinois. Alexa Smith, assistant director of OYYAFM, welcomed those gathered. Deacon Pascarella grew up in St. Lucy s Parish, Manayunk. He holds a bachelor of arts degree from Temple University, Philadelphia; a master of science degree from West Chester University; and a master of arts degree in theology from St. Joseph s College of Maine. He is a 1992 graduate of the Church Ministry Institute. In 2006 he entered St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Philadelphia and was ordained a permanent deacon June 2, 2012 for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. My careers with the Archdiocese and law enforcement overlapped, and neither one were planned, Deacon Pascarella said. I ve been at the altar serving one way or another since I was in fourth grade, he said, including as an altar server, Eucharistic minister and cantor. Deacon Pascarella said he grew up in a traditional Catholic family and attended Mass each week; his father even drove the family through a blizzard to get to Christmas A participant reflects on a point made by Deacon Pascarella. Day Mass in His parents taught their children devotions and took them to shrines. They gave us a foundation for faith. Deacon Pascarella recalled a priest he knew well always said, Always stay in a state of grace, because you never know what day will be your last. At one point Deacon Pascarella thought he wanted to be a priest. The thought crossed his mind again, but he decided he wanted to date and went to college. His career goal at Temple was journalism, and while a student he worked part time for the National Center for State Courts, and later did research work for the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. Deacon Pascarella switched his major to criminal justice, and after college worked as a probation officer and was a member of the Fugitive Task Force. Deacon Pascarella then went to work for the U.S. Probation Office, where he was advised to pick a specialty after six months to a year of working a general caseload. He found he really liked being an investigator in the penalty phase, investigating a defendant s entire life to provide information that helped judges in their sentencing. Deacon Pascarella noted he had started in journalism, and was now writing many reports, many of which went to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court. Two years ago he met Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito when the justice Left, Deacon Mike Pascarella presents the Theology on Tap session Trusting God s Plan: From Federal Government to Full-Time Ministry Dec. 10 at Hops at the Paddock, Allentown. (Photos by John Simitz) Below, young adults listen to Deacon Pascarella at the presentation sponsored by the Diocesan Office of Youth, Young Adult and Family Ministry. was a speaker at St. Charles Borromeo. As they stood next to each other in the buffet line, Justice Alito recalled reading Deacon Pascarella s reports, noting they were well done. Deacon Pascarella said he was also thrilled to meet Pope Francis, explaining, I was chaplain in 2015 when the Pope visited Philadelphia. Who else is on Deacon Pascarella s wish list to meet? Billy Joel, who the deacon resembles. He recalled being at a Joel concert at Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, when people mistook him for the piano man, though Deacon Pascarella never said he was the singer. Photos of him posing with people started appearing on Instagram, with people thinking he was the man they came to hear sing. Deacon Pascarella retired from law enforcement in 2014 after 27 years of service. All this time I kept getting closer to the Lord. I m a sinner like anyone else, but I ve always had a strong faith, he said, noting he has a special devotion to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. It was in 1989 that Deacon Pascarella first saw a permanent deacon while he and his wife attended a Mass in Conshohocken. He researched information on permanent deacons but did not pursue the vocation. Then his pastor at St. Lucy asked him to the Church Ministry Institute at St. Charles Borromeo, from which he graduated in 1992 but still said the permanent diaconate wasn t for him. My faith didn t waver but I didn t want to be part of it. Deacon Pascarella took the tests to Each and every one of you here has a mission. Open your heart and mind to prayer. God keeps opening his plan. Keep your ears and heart open to listen to that plan. join the FBI, but gave up the appointment because he didn t want to move his family to New York. I was at peace with it. I never regretted it, even though it was my dream job. Then 9/11 happened. Deacon Pascarella said one FBI agent who was also a volunteer firefighter as is he was killed in New York that day. I believe in my heart had I taken that position I would have been in the South Tower that day. God didn t want me there God wanted me to do something else. When Deacon Pascarella received information on the permanent diaconate in 1998, he and his wife went to an information presentation, but he said it wasn t for him. During a July 1990 retreat at Malvern Retreat House, Deacon Pascarella woke early and went to Eucharistic adoration. I think it was the first and only time I ever experienced contemplative prayer, he said. Before leaving he looked at the tabernacle and said, Lord, when you want me to become a deacon, let me know. A little while later a deacon there asked him about becoming a permanent deacon. But Deacon Pascarella still did not pursue it. In 2005 Deacon Pascarella received unsolicited information about a presentation on the permanent diaconate. He and his wife attended. I thought there was something different this time. I didn t feel the way I did before. His wife agreed he should apply. Our ordination class became like family, he said. While studying for the diaconate, Deacon Pascarella suffered from a severe infection from a seven-year-old uncompleted root canal. As he was undergoing tests, the technician s voice sounded different as he heard her words, Satan doesn t want you to become a deacon, but Jesus Christ does and he will get you through this. Deacon Pascarella said the FBI arrests and prosecutes, but they don t get to know about a person like he did in his probation work. I got to see the whole person from birth at one point in their life this criminal was an innocent baby. I looked at their whole life so the judge would know more about them than just their offense. These skills come in handy working for the Archdiocese. He recalled Jeremiah 1:5: Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you came to birth I consecrated you. God is using me to listen to God s voice, Deacon Pascarella said. You re here because God wants you here. You are unique. There s something in this world that God wants you to do. Each and every one of you here has a mission. Open your heart and mind to prayer. God keeps opening his plan. Keep your ears and heart open to listen to that plan. The next Theology on Tap, Responding to Relativism presented by Dr. Michael Rombiero, professor of philosophy at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Philadelphia, is slated for Monday, Jan. 14, 2019 at 7 p.m. at Hops at the Paddock. Theology on Tap events are free of charge. Food and beverage can be ordered from the menu at the event site. For more information, visit or Alexa Smith at asmith@allentowndiocese.org.

13 December 20, 2018 Youth & Young Adults The A.D. Times 13 Young Adult Book Club to Discuss The Dream of a Ridiculous Man From Tolkien to Thomas Merton from Shakespeare to St. Augustine from Jane Austen to Julian of Norwich great works of literature have the power to challenge and strengthen our Christian faith. Lehigh Valley Inklings, a book club for young adult Catholics ages 21 to 35, meets once a month to explore a classic through the lens of Catholicism. The next meeting will be Friday, Jan. 25 at 7 p.m., hosted by Bishop of Allentown Alfred Schlert. The group will discuss The Dream of a Ridiculous Man by Fyodor Dostoevsky. Please RSVP to lehighvalleyinklings@gmail.com to receive details regarding the location of the meeting. For more information, visit the group s Facebook page, Lehigh Valley Inklings: Young Catholic Book Club. Teens Honor Schuylkill Deanery Priests Lorica, the teen group of St. Patrick Parish, Pottsville, recently honored the priests of the Schuylkill Deanery with a special dinner. Attending were, from left: front, Father Edward Connolly, Father Gregory Karpyn, Monsignor Edward O Connor, Father Robert Reilly, Tiffany Tray and Monsignor Ronald Bocian; back, Katherine Joyce, Dillon Tray, Dustin Tray, Richard Joyce, Megan Tray, Dakota Tray, Emma Lesher and Tessa Tray. The teens decided on the name Lorica at their November meeting. It means the St. Patrick s Breastplate Player and is pronounced La-Rika (like the famous sneakers). Logos and Lagers for Berks Young Adults Join Berks County Young Adults for their Bible Study group, Logos and Lagers. The group meets the first Thursday of each month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. to discuss the Mass readings for the upcoming weekend, followed by food and fellowship at a local establishment. The next meetings will be Jan. 3 and Feb. 7, 2019 at St. Ignatius Loyola, Sinking Spring in the JPII Room. For more information, go to Facebook page Logos and Lagers: A Catholic Bible Study for Young Adults in Berks County. Parent-Teen Event Planned on God s Amazing Plan The Office of Youth, Young Adult and Family Ministry is co-sponsoring a parent event with St. Thomas More Church, Allentown. The Master Craftsman: God s Amazing Plan for Teens (and Their Parents) will be offered Friday, Jan. 11, 2019 at 7 p.m. at St. Thomas More Church Family Center, 1040 Flexer Ave. Teens in grades 9-12 and their parents are invited to this faith-filled evening with nationally recognized speaker Scott Anthony, as he helps us see the Truth of God s guiding hand in our lives. After this evening, parents and their youth will look toward the future with a newfound sense of hope. This event is free of charge. Light refreshments will be provided. To register, visit For questions, call , ext or Francesca Frias at Ffrias@allentowndiocese. org. Catholic Scout Activity Weekend The 2019 Catholic Scout Activity Weekend will be held at Camp Trexler - Settlers the weekend of April The funfilled weekend will include all meals and a Saturday Vigil Mass. Scouts don t have to be working on a religious emblem all Catholic Scouts are welcome. For more information, visit Wisdom Discussions for Young Adults What role does faith have in the decisions we make as young adults? Find out at the new Wisdom discussion series. The group meets the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the parish center of St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Orefield, with the next event coming up Jan. 15, Join other young adults (ages 18 to 35) to watch and discuss the Wisdom Series by Ascension Press. Learn practical ways to discern and implement God s will as you face important life decisions, and meet fellow young adults from the area. For questions, Katie Rossowski at KatlynRossowski@kings.edu.

14 14 The A.D. Times Sports December 20, 2018 Cross Country Championship Draws 575 Runners Left, runners gather at St. Jane Frances de Chantal, Easton Oct. 21 for the Diocesan Catholic Youth Organization and hold signs supporting Team Decker, a running team that raises money for the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society. The meet drew 575 runners from 18 parishes in the of Allentown. (Photos by Ed Koskey) Below, Diana Flynn, Holy Guardian Angels (HGA), Reading, is cheered on as she heads for the finish line to win the kindergarten, first- and second-grade girls race. Runners in kindergarten, first- and second-grade start the girls race during the CYO District 1 Diocesan Cross Country meet. Above, Theo Wechtler, St. Michael the Archangel School, Coopersburg, leads the pack before clinching first place for the kindergarten, first- and second-grade boys race. Wechtler s time helped St. Michael capture first place in the boys race. Right, Aiden Vanwert, St. Jane, runs toward the finish line to win the fifthand sixth-grade boys race. The team from St. Thomas More earned first place in the boys race. Above left,, kindergarten, first- and second-grade girls run in a pack on the cross country course. Runners from St. Thomas More, Allentown clinched the girls race. Left, runners in kindergarten, first and second grade run the course at the meet. More photos page 15

15 December 20, 2018 By TARA CONNOLLY Staff writer Three years ago the Decker family, parishioners of St. Jane Frances de Chantal, Easton, set out to help their father, Dr. Gene Decker, care for his patients. As medical director of the St. Luke s/ Warren Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program and the Physician s Assistant Program at DeSales University, Center Valley, Dr. Decker developed a special interest in blood cancers and a special bond with his patients battling specific cancers like leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Since the formation of Team Decker, the family is part of Team in Training, that raises funds in support of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). The mission of LLS is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Team Decker includes his wife, Debra, and their children, Eric, 29, and his companion Alyssa Saggio, 26; Dylan, 27, and his wife, Stephanie. Except for Debra, the family will run its third Disney World Half Marathon Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019 in Disney World, Orlando for Team in Training and the LLS to raise money to fight blood cancers. All our fundraising donations go di- The A.D. Times 15 Team Decker Training for Disney World Half Marathon rectly to Lehigh Valley blood cancer patients to help with any type of care and also research into blood cancer treatment that has led to more cures each year, said Dr. Decker. Overall, the team has raised $43,759 with fundraising events like 5K walks/ races, Tricky Trays, cookie sales, dinner events with local restaurants, and lots of s to friends and family. The team is confident it will surpass last year s fundraising total of $16,606 and has raised $14,860 to date. We have over 100 patients, some deceased and many survivors to whom we dedicate our run in Disney, said Dr. Decker. One cancer patient that benefits from the proceeds is Erin Boyle DeWatt, mother of two cross country runners at St. Jane and two-time lymphoma survivor. Erin is an avid runner also. She is an inspiration to Team Decker, said Dr. Decker. This cause was originally my passion because of my special relationship with my patients. I can proudly say it is my family s passion now with everyone working so hard for the blood cancer patients. I am so thankful God has led me down this path, he said. To make a donation, visit the LLS secure website, org/epa/wdw19/teamdecker. Members of Team Decker are, from left, Dylan Decker, Stephanie Decker, Dr. Eugene Decker, Alyssa Saggio and Eric Decker. Cross Country Championship Draws 575 Runners Shawn Swavely from HGA sprints toward the finish line to win the fifthand sixth-grade boys race. Runners from St. Jane; St. Ann, Emmaus; St. Thomas More; and St. Michael compete during the fifth- and sixth-grade boys race. Above, Connor Murphy, Holy Family, Nazareth, races for the finish line to win the seventh- and eighth-grade boys and girls race. Left, Olivia Schweitzer, Immaculate Conception BVM, Allentown, runs to the finish line to be the first girl to win the seventh- and eighth-grade boys and girls race. Runners head up the incline part of the course during the seventh- and eighthgrade boys and girls race. The girls team from Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Bethlehem won first place and the boys team from St. Jane placed first. More photos page 14

16 16 The A.D. Times December 20, 2018 Calendar Editor s note: , fax or mail Church-affiliated items for the Calendar page (Calendar, Retreats, Socials, Festivals, Bazaars, Trips) to: , adtimes@ allentowndiocese.org; fax, ; The A.D. Times, P.O. Box F, Allentown, PA Items must be received by Thursday of the week before publication. Please type or print. Please notify The A.D. Times if bingos and other regularly listed events are cancelled for the summer or other holiday periods, and again when they resume. Please do not send items again after they are published. For more information, adtimes@allentowndiocese.org or call , ext Friday, Dec. 21 Advent Ember Days, quarterly observances with three days set aside (Wednesday, Friday and Saturday) to pray in gratitude for the blessings of the season and human labor, to thank God publicly; Bishop Schlert is asking for abstinence from all meat products, fasting and a Holy Hour by the clergy; the People of God of the of Allentown are encouraged to join in this practice as a sign of healing; started Thursday, Dec. 20; also Friday, Dec. 21 and Saturday, Dec. 22. Homemade Christmas Candy Sale, St. Ann Guild of St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Ashland, 1-pound box $10, Holiday Food Drive, Minersville Area Food Drive Committee, in conjunction with St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Matthew the Evangelist Church, Minersville, began Dec. 1, continues through Thursday, Feb. 28; donations of nonperishable items (canned goods) ; monetary donations mail c/o Minersville Area Food Drive Committee, 529 Lytle St., Minersville PA 17954; information or Friday, Dec. 28 Feast of the Holy Innocents, Tridentine Mass in gratitude for all the 2018 newborns and in reparation for all the unborn lives deliberately taken, St. Stephen of Hungary, Allentown, 7 p.m., bring your child s blankets for a blanket blessing, followed by Respect Life Reception with St. Gianna relics, Monday, Dec. 31 New Year s Eve Celebration, social hall, St. John the Baptist, Allentown, dinner 6:30 p.m., music 9:30 p.m.- midnight, $35 per person, $70 per couple, BYOB, advance tickets only, deadline Saturday, Dec. 15, tickets available in the rectory Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-3 p.m., New Year s Eve Celebration, St. Jane Frances de Chantal, Easton, Eucharistic adoration after 7 p.m. Mass until midnight with benediction. Sunday, Jan. 6 Spaghetti Dinner, St. Patrick, Pottsville, 11:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m., adults $8, children $3.50. Thursday, Jan. 10 Writing Your Legacy Letter, St. Mary s Hall, Holy Family Manor, Bethlehem, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m., no charge, lunch, optional $5 workbook available, hosted by of Allentown, RSVP by Friday, Jan. 4, , ext. 2244, gdowney@allentowndiocese.org. Friday, Jan. 11 The Master Craftsman: God s Amazing Plan for Teens (and Their Parents), family center, St. Thomas More, Allentown, 7-9 p.m., free admission, keynote speaker, Scott Anthony, register org/craftsman, information ffrias@allentowndiocese. org, , ext Monday, Jan. 14 Friendly Fifties, St. John Byzantine Church, Northampton, social hall, 1 p.m., postponed to Monday, Feb. 11 if Northampton schools delayed or closed for snow. Tuesday, Jan. 15 Women of Grace Foundational Study, library, St. Thomas More Church, Allentown, 6:30-8:30 p.m., every other week, ending May 7, registration required, fee required to cover materials, , , bmbarski@gmail.com; also Wednesdays Jan. 16-May 8, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 19 International Catholic Grandparents Association Chapter, St. Joseph the Worker, Orefield, after 8:30 a.m. Mass, Sunday, Jan. 20 Paul: Apostle of Christ, Movie Club, St. Francis of Assisi, Allentown, parish hall, 3:30 p.m., doors open 3 p.m.; free movie, popcorn, soda, door prizes and goodies; all welcome. Saturday, Jan. 26 Collection for Catholic Relief Services, also Sunday, Jan. 27. Sunday, Jan. 27 A New Creation Opus One: ECHO Concert, main chapel, Jesuit Center for Spiritual Growth, Wernersville, 2 p.m., $15, students $5, , Retreats First Tuesdays Simply Prayer, mornings of prayer, reflection and sharing, St. Francis Center for Renewal, Bethlehem, 9:30 a.m.-noon, free will offering, , stfranciscenter@gmail.com, Friday, Jan. 4 Sunday, Jan. 6 Young Men s Discernment Retreat, offered by of Allentown Office for Vocation Promotion, St. Francis Retreat House, Easton, $50, includes Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, talks and reflections by priests and seminarians, quiet time for reflection and prayer, msearles@allentowndiocese.org, Saturday, Jan. 12 Sunday, Jan. 20 Eight-Day Directed Retreat, Jesuit Center for Spiritual Growth, Wernersville, $720, directedretreats_bylength. Friday, Jan. 25 Sunday, Jan. 27 Weekend Directed Retreat, Jesuit Center for Spiritual Growth, Wernersville, $240, Socials Sundays Bingo, St. Joseph, Summit Hill, 6:30 p.m. Bingo, Immaculate Conception School, Pen Argyl, 1 p.m., doors open 11 a.m., Third Sundays Bingo, Most Blessed Sacrament, Bally, 12:30 p.m., doors open 11 a.m. Thursdays Bingo, St. Joseph, Summit Hill, 6:30 p.m. Sundays, Jan. 6, 20, Feb. 10, 24, March 10, 24, April 7, 28, May 19, June 2, June 23, Aug. 4, 18, Sept. 8, 22, Oct. 6, 20, Nov. 3, 17, Dec. 8, 2019 Bingo, Knights of Columbus Council 618, St. Stephen Hall, Shenandoah, 2 p.m., doors open noon, or Thursdays, Jan. 10, April 25, May 16, 2019 Bingo, Knights of Columbus Council 4397, Family Center, St. Thomas More, Allentown, 6 p.m., doors open 5:30 p.m. Trips Editor s note: The A.D. Times publishes newly announced, Church-affiliated trips in every issue. The entire previously announced list is repeated as space permits. Send Church-affiliated trips to adtimes@allentowndiocese.org by Thursday of the week before publication. Please notify The A.D. Times when seats are filled for a trip so it can be removed from the repeating list. Trip listings include sponsoring group, destination, cost and contact information. Contact the sponsor for other details, such as times, dining location, itineraries and what is included in the cost. Newly announced 2019 Wednesday, Jan. 16 Golden Agers, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Whitehall to Hollywood Casino, $30, Thursday, March 14 Golden Agers, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Whitehall to Irish Festival, Silver Birches, Lake Wallenpaupack, $82, Sunday, April 28 Seniors in Action, Holy Trinity, Whitehall to Phillies game, $68, Thursday, June 13 Golden Agers, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Whitehall to Mama Mia, Fulton Theatre, Lancaster, $99, Previously announced 2019 Monday, Jan. 28 Friday, Feb. 1 St. Joseph the Worker, Orefield to Woodloch Pines Lodge, Hawley, $590, , Thursday, Feb. 7 Thursday March 7 Assumption Travel Club, Slatington to Costa del Sol, Spain, $3,499, Thursday, April 25 Notre Dame of Bethlehem to Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre, Mount Hope Estate and Winery, Manheim, $84, Friday, June 21 Seniors in Action, Holy Trinity, Whitehall to Guys and Dolls Shawnee Playhouse, Shawnee on the Delaware, $71, Tuesday, June 25 Friday, June 28 Fellowship Group, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Bethlehem to Villa Roma, New York, $505, , Thursday, Nov. 7 Saturday, Nov. 16 Assumption Travel Club, Slatington to Rome and Amalfi Coast, Italy, $3,899, It pays to advertise in T he A.D. Times Contact Lori Anderson at landerson@allentowndiocese.org or extension 2273

17 December 20, 2018 The A.D. Times 17 Minersville Food Drive Continues Through Feb. 28 The Minersville Area Food Drive Committee is conducting its 34 th Annual Holiday Food Drive. The drive began Dec. 1 and will conclude Thursday, Feb. 28. The drive is conducted in conjunction with the St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Matthew the Evangelist Church, Minersville. The purpose of this food collection project is to provide economically disadvantaged individuals of the Minersville area with food during the holiday season and into the new year. Last year canned goods, packaged foods and other nonperishable items along with turkeys and other meats were collected and distributed at Christmas time. This year food was packaged and distributed Dec. 14. All donations of nonperishable items can be given by calling Monetary donations can be mailed in care of the Minersville Area Food Drive Committee, 529 Lytle St., Minersville, PA For more information on the drive, call Chairperson Edward Butler, or Prayer for Healing Victims of Abuse God of endless love, ever caring, ever strong, always present, always just: You gave your only Son to save us by the blood of his cross. Gentle Jesus, shepherd of peace, join to your own suffering the pain of all who have been hurt in body, mind, and spirit by those who betrayed the trust placed in them. Hear our cries as we agonize over the harm done to our brothers and sisters. Breathe wisdom into our prayers, soothe restless hearts with hope, steady shaken spirits with faith: Show us the way to justice and wholeness, enlightened by truth and enfolded in your mercy. Holy Spirit, comforter of hearts, heal your people s wounds and transform our brokenness. Grant us courage and wisdom, humility and grace, so that we may act with justice and find peace in you. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen. Copyright 2004, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. All rights reserved. Pub. No Rosary Rally for Miracle of the Sun On Oct. 13, the 101 st anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun, the parishioners of St. Michael the Archangel Church, Minersville and parishioners from neighboring churches participated in a Rosary Rally, asking Our Lady of Fatima to bring about the conversion of the world. This spiritual event was spearheaded by Sister Catherine Therese, pastoral assistant and director of religious education, with the cooperation of Father Christopher Zelonis, pastor. Also joining in the rally was Father Leo Maletz, pas- tor of St. Matthew the Evangelist Church, Minersville. By praying and processing through nearby streets, they publicly acknowledged the need for Our Blessed Mother to bring us closer to the heart of her Divine Son. The program concluded with prayer; the presentation of roses to Our Blessed Mother; Marian hymns sung by Rylee Denion, a student of Assumption BVM School and a parishioner of St. Michael; and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament at St. Michael. Even though the morning was somewhat rainy, when the recitation of the rosary began, the sun shone through the clouds an indication of Our Lady s joyful approval of her children s prayer. Ave Maria.

18 18 The A.D. Times December 20, Project s Nationwide Tour Stops at St. John the Baptist to Promote Adoration Left, Ben Wagner, musical artist for the nationwide tour of promoting Eucharistic Adoration, sings Nov. 26 during the 177 Project visit to the of Allentown. Over the course of three months, the project, featuring talented artists in Catholic music, plan to visit each of the 177 dioceses in the United States. Below left, faithful pray the rosary to begin the evening of worship and music. Below right, Aurelia Moser, left, naps on the shoulder of her mother, Joey Moser while listening to music by Wagner during the concert. The evening centered on Holy Hour and featured opportunities for confession, prayer for others, mediation on vocations and recitation of the rosary. Left, faithful participate in Eucharistic Adoration during the 177 Project at St. John the Baptist, Allentown. The initiative from Adoration Artists was designed to help spark a renewal in parishes across the country through the power of spending time in front of the Eucharist and engaging in a worshipful evening that fosters community. (Photos by John Simitz) Below, Father Dr. Robert Kosek, then pastor of St. John the Baptist, and of SS. Peter and Paul, Allentown, raises the monstrance during Eucharistic Adoration for more than 150 faithful. Father Kosek is now in congregational administrative service for the Barnabite order outside the of Allentown. Workshop on Writing Your Legacy Letter The of Allentown will host an inspiring workshop about sharing your legacy with the people you love. Writing Your Legacy Letter will be offered Thursday, Jan. 10 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at St. Mary s Hall, Holy Family Manor, Bethlehem. Participants will learn to create their own unique legacy letter to share with loved ones. Also known as an ethical will, it is a way to share love, wisdom, life lessons and faith from one generation to the next. There is no charge for the workshop, and lunch will be provided. An optional $5 workbook will be available to purchase at the event. RSVP by Friday, Jan. 4 to Ginny Downey in the Secretariat for Stewardship and Development at, , ext or gdowney@allentowndiocese.org. Top 6 Reasons to Switch to an Online Subscription of The A.D. Times 6. You can highlight an article, inspirational phrase or bingo listing and save it into a document on your computer. 5. You can forward the link to family and friends, so they can read the article you ve been talking about. 4. If a picture of your son or daughter, grandson or granddaughter appears in the paper, you can print your very own high-quality copy. 3. Even if you re on vacation or away on business, The A.D. Times will be accessible on your laptop or desktop computer. 2. After you re finished reading The A.D. Times, you can click on the previous window to browse other pages on the Diocesan website. 1. You can brag to your friends about how tech-savvy you ve become. You read The A.D. Times online! To transfer your print subscription to instead receive an notification with a link to each new issue posted on the diocesan website, send the following information to adtimes@allentowndiocese.org or fill out the submission form on the Diocesan website, address Name Address Parish Daytime phone number Subscriber number (on line immediately above your name printed in the lower left-hand corner of this issue)

19 December 20, 2018 The A.D. Times 19 Dador de Vida Por DIÁCONO JOSÉ SANTOS Cuando Dios Creó al hombre y a la mujer, no sólo les dió vida humana, sino que también quiso darle la vida en el Espíritu, sopló su aliento, les dió sabiduría, voluntad, discernimiento para distinguir entre lo bueno y lo malo, dotado de libertad para elegir, les dio leyes para guardar. Cuando Dios creó al hombre, lo creó a su imagen; varón y mujer los creó, y les dió su bendición: Tengan muchos, muchos hijos; llenen el mundo y gobiérnenlo; dominen a los peces y a las aves, y a todos los animales que se arrastran (Gen 1, 27-28). Cuando el Señor regala la vida a los seres humanos, les da una bendición, y les da la orden de multiplicarse por toda la tierra. Al mismo tiempo les da poder y autoridad sobre lo creado. El hombre y la mujer están llamados a dominar las cosas con la sabiduría divina, para mantener el orden y la armonía en la creación. Dios en su generosidad, como es Creador, y todo amor, regala, entrega sin esperar para sí una devolución. Jesús lo explicó de esta manera en el evangelio según San Mateo 10,8: Den gratis lo que han recibido gratis. La ley natural nos enseña que recibimos la vida natural de nuestros padres, como un regalo y es nuestro deber comunicarla a nuestra descendencia gratuitamente. Toda persona sabe, que una vez recibida la vida hay que cuidarla, con cariño y ternura como lo hace la madre que ama, con dedicación y gran esfuerzo. Deber del padre responsable. Cuando falta el amor de la madre y la rectitud del padre, el niño y la niña crecen torcidos en la sociedad. En Éxodo 20, 1-17 leemos sobre como el Señor entregó a Moisés los mandamientos para guiarnos por el camino del bien. Dios habló, y dijo todas estas palabras: Yo soy el Señor tu Dios, que te sacó de Egipto, donde eras esclavo. No tengas otros dioses aparte de mí, trato con amor por mil generaciones a los que me aman y cumplen mis mandamientos. No hagas mal uso del nombre del Señor tu Dios. Acuérdate del sábado, para consagrarlo al Señor. Honra a tu padre y a tu madre, para que vivas una larga vida en la tierra que te da el Señor tu Dios. No mates. No cometas adulterio. No robes. No digas mentiras en perjuicio de tu prójimo. No codicies la casa de tu prójimo: no codicies su mujer. Los mandamientos son necesarios para el orden y el respeto, para señalar los límites, para indicar el deber. El Creador lo sabe, él nos ama y los establece para bien de todos. Por medio de los mandamientos se preserva la vida que Dios te regaló. La vida deber ser defendida de las fieras que quieren matar. Hoy encontramos fieras por todas partes y en todos los países, y en diversas formas. Es un crimen matar al indefenso. Hoy nos encontramos con legisladores que aprueban el aborto de los no nacidos. Son egoístas despiadados, se les olvida que ellos tienen vida porque Dios se la regaló por medio de sus padres. Ven- den su origen y su conciencia por dinero a uno que busca destruir la obra del Dios, la vida. Debemos ser cautelosos y reconocer las obras de satanás, que Dios reprenda, quien trabaja por medio de esas obras y de aquellos que olvidan a Dios y se construyen el becerro de oro despreciado por el Señor. Jesús dijo: El ladrón viene solamente para robar, matar y destruir; pero yo he venido para que tengan vida, y para que la tengan en abundancia. Yo soy el buen pastor. El buen pastor da su vida por las ovejas; pero el que trabaja solamente por la paga, cuando ve venir al lobo deja las ovejas y huye, porque no es el pastor y porque las ovejas no son suyas. Y el lobo ataca a las ovejas y las dispersa en todas direcciones. Ese hombre huye porque lo único que le importa es la paga, y no las ovejas. Yo soy el buen pastor. Así como mi Padre me conoce a mí y yo conozco a mi Padre, así también yo conozco a mis ovejas y ellas me conocen a mí. Yo doy mi vida por las ovejas. ambién tengo otras ovejas que no son de este redil; y también a ellas debo traerlas. Ellas me obedecerán, y formarán un solo rebaño, con un solo pastor. El Padre me ama porque yo doy mi vida para volverla a recibir. Nadie me quita la vida, sino que yo la doy por mi propia voluntad. Tengo el derecho de darla y de volver a recibirla. Esto es lo que me ordenó mi Padre (Jn 10, 10-18). La vida es sagrada, el vientre de la madre es el sagrario donde el Creador deposita la vida de cada persona, también la vida de Jesús estuvo en el vientre de una joven virgen. Quién soy yo para violar la norma de Dios el Padre? Cuando pienso en un bebé en el sagrario materno suenan estas palabras en mí estas palabras: Nadie me debe quitar la vida, tengo derecho a recibirla como tú la recibiste. Esto es lo que me ordenó mi Padre. Oremos al que da la vida, para que la ley del aborto sea revertida. Basta de sacrificios humanos ofrecidos en el siglo XXI a las fieras del infierno que destruyen el tesoro de la vida. Acabemos con la cultura de la muerte en todas sus formas. Señor, necesitamos el auxilio de lo alto, Ven Espíritu Santo, renueva la mente de los hombres y mujeres responsables de cuidar la vida. Manda tu Luz desde el cielo, e ilumina las tinieblas del error. Infunde el fuego de tu Amor donde quiera que haya un corazón que late. Ven Señor Jesús, alabada sea la Santísima Trinidad. Upcoming Issues of The A.D. Times Publication Date Advertising Deadline News Deadline 2019 Jan. 10 Dec. 31 Jan. 3 Jan. 24 Jan. 14 Jan. 17 Feb. 7 Jan. 28 Jan. 31 Feb. 21 Feb. 11 Feb. 14 March 7 Feb. 25 Feb. 28 March 21 March 11 March 14 April 4 March 25 March 28 April 18 April 8 April 11 May 2 April 22 April 25 May 16 May 6 May 9 May 30 May 20 May 23

20 20 The A.D. Times World December 20, 2018 Christmas Eve Marks 200 th Anniversary of Beloved Carol Silent Night WASHINGTON (CNS) Exactly 200 years ago this Christmas Eve Dec. 24, 1818 in a little church in what is now Austria, the world heard for the first time a poem set to music that eventually would be hailed as one of the most popular and beloved Christmas carols of all time. Silent Night was sung for the first time that Christmas Eve at a midnight Mass at St. Nicholas Church in Oberndorf, a village in the Austrian Empire. The lyrics were written by a young Catholic priest, Father Joseph Mohr, and the music was composed by Francis Xavier Gruber, an organist and school master. There is a popular legend that Silent Night was composed because the organ at Father Mohr s parish church, St. Nicholas, was broken. According to the story, the priest wrote the lyrics to Silent Night Stille Nacht in the original German and asked Gruber to compose the tune for guitar so that there would be music at the midnight Mass. This was all supposed to have transpired during the day of Christmas Eve of 1818, just hours before the carol was to be performed for the first time. The truth is a little less dramatic. Father Mohr wrote the poem Stille Nacht in 1816 in the Austrian town of Mariapfarr, near Salzburg. Two years later, while serving at St. Nicholas Parish in Oberndorf, the priest asked Gruber to compose a melody for the words. It is not known why Father Mohr wanted to set his poem to music. Gruber composed the music and Silent Night did indeed premiere at the Christmas Eve Mass. The fact that the song was performed in German at the Mass would not have been uncommon or unusual in the Austrian Empire at that time, according to Sara Pecknold, professor of practice in the history of sacred music at The Catholic University of America in Washington. The vernacular (the language of a particular country or region) was being used in the liturgy. Even at a sung high Latin Mass, it would have been common to use German (in the Austrian Empire) in the songs, she said. This, she said, was partially due to the influence of Joseph II, the Holy Roman Emperor who died less than 30 years be- VATICAN CITY (CNS) With Christmas just over a week away, visitors came to St. Peter s Square with their Baby Jesus figurines for a traditional blessing by the pope. Many children came with small figurines for their family Nativity scene, others held delicate sculptures, and one group set a giant statue of the Baby Jesus on top of stacks of hay bales. All the joy in a crib, said the banner tthe display. Blessing the statues after reciting the Angelus prayer Dec. 16, Pope Francis told the little ones, Dear children, may you feel wonder when you gather in your homes in prayer before the Nativity, gazing at Baby Jesus. The Silent Night Chapel, which is in the town of Oberndorf in the Austrian state of Salzburg, is a monument to the Christmas carol Silent Night. The chapel stands on the site of the former St. Nicholas Church, where on Christmas Eve in 1818 the carol was performed for the first time. (CNS photo/courtesy www. stillenacht.com) fore Silent Night was composed, and who defied the papacy and simplified the Mass and decreed other liturgical reforms in his empire. He certainly limited the splendor of the Latin Mass with an austere and almost Calvinistic approach to worship, Pecknold told the Catholic Standard, newspaper of the Washington Archdiocese. So it certainly would have been proper to have a hymn sung in German accompanied by a guitar. The carol eventually spread its way from the small village to other parts of the Austrian Empire and eventually to the rest of the world. The attraction to the carol comes from its blend of the particular and the universal, Pecknold noted. Father Mohr s poem, Stille Nacht, was written in the wake of tumultuous activity, Pecknold said. The Napoleonic Wars were still fresh in everyone s mind, so to write a poem about stillness and peace certainly makes sense. And it speaks about the universal peace that Christ brings to all people. The carol s English version begins To see God is to feel amazement, wonder at the great mystery of God made man. And the Holy Spirit will put humility, tenderness and the goodness of Jesus in your hearts, he said. Jesus is good, Jesus is tender, Jesus is humble. This is the real Christmas! he said. Before praying the Angelus on what is known as Gaudete (Rejoice) Sunday, the Pope explained why the church is invited to rejoice. Jesus, the Emmanuel, is God with us, and his presence is the source of joy, Pope Francis said. He came not to punish but to forgive and this leads people to feel joyful and full of praise. with the words: Silent night, holy night All is calm, all is bright Round yon Virgin Mother and Child Holy Infant so tender and mild Sleep in heavenly peace Sleep in heavenly peace. The tune composed by Gruber is interesting because it is not very sophisticated, but composed in a very folksy style. It is basically a simple tune with a folksy, pastoral setting and an undulating melodic swing. It is not too difficult to sing, Pecknold said. The carol s fame and popularity in the United States is due in a large part to the Rainer Family Singers, a popular early 19th-century group of traveling singers from Austria who performed the song as part of their repertoire. It is believed the group brought the song to this country during their 1839 tour here. Stille Nacht was translated into the English Silent Night by an Episcopal priest, the Rev. John Freeman Young. The English translation could be a little better, Pecknold conceded. The original Stille Nacht has six verses. The English translation only has three God wants to redeem and save those whom he loves, the pope said, underlining that God s love is incessant and tender like a father s love for his child. Just as Mary was called to welcome and bring the Christ child into the world, people today are also called to welcome the Gospel and so that it can become flesh and come into the world in people s actual lives. People of faith should know they need not be anxious or feel despair, but need to present to God our requests, our needs, our concerns with prayers and supplications. The awareness that when in difficulty we can always turn to the Lord, and that the first, second and sixth verses of the original. According to the Stille Nacht Association, an Austrian-based organization dedicated to make the song, its origin and its message resonate in the hearts and minds of locals and visitors from all over the world, the carol is universally beloved. By the turn of the (20th) century Silent Night was being sung on all continents, brought to the far reaches of the globe by Catholic and Protestant missionaries. Today we are aware of translations into more than 300 languages and dialects, the organization notes on its website. The carol is believed to have caused a somewhat miraculous and well-documented Christmas truce during World War I. On Christmas Eve 1914, British and French troops were encamped in trenches in a faceoff against German troops in Ypres in Flanders, Belgium. The two sides began singing Christmas carols to each other, and Silent Night was the only song all the combatants knew. Singing the song together broke the ice and led to a temporary cease-fire with soldiers from both sides meeting in the middle No Man s Land to trade tobacco and candy, play soccer and sing carols. As it marks its 200th anniversary, Silent Night remains as popular as ever. Bing Crosby s 1935 recording of the carol is the third biggest-selling single record in history; his 1942 recording of White Christmas holds the No. 1 spot. A Time magazine survey found the song to be the most recorded Christmas carol, with Joy to the World a distant second. In 2011, the UNESCO declared Silent Night an honored part of our intangible cultural heritage. A 2016 worldwide survey of choral directors found Silent Night to be one of the 25 greatest Christmas carols of all time. We sing songs like Silent Night because there is something about Christ s infancy that takes us deeper into the mystery of the Incarnation, Pecknold said. We sing because there is something about the human voice in song that expresses something very intimate about ourselves and our joy. True Christmas Celebrates Jesus, Who is Tender, Humble, Pope Says VATICAN CITY (CNS) While St. Joseph was a practical, down-to-earth man, he had enough faith to be open to God speaking through dreams, Pope Francis said at morning Mass. Joseph had his feet on the ground. But he was open-minded, the Pope said Dec. 18 during his homily at Mass in the Domus Sanctae Marthae. On a cushion at the base of the altar were four large Christmas ornaments made for the pope by Slovakian children who have disabilities. They made them with their own hands, the Pope said at the beginning of Mass. I thought the Lord Jesus would like having them here. The day s Gospel reading (Mt 1:18-25) recounted how Joseph, being a righteous man, wanted to quietly break off his relationship with Mary when he found out she was pregnant, but was told in a dream that the child was conceived through the Holy Spirit and he should marry Mary. The Gospels recount Mary saying yes to God, the Pope noted, but with Joseph, the story simply says that he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him. While many dreams are just the dreamer s subconscious speaking, the he never rejects our invocations, is a great reason for joy, he said. There are no worries or fears that can ever take away from us the serenity that comes from knowing that God always lovingly guides our lives, the Pope said. Even in the midst of problems and suffering, this certainty nourishes hope and courage. After reciting the prayer, the Pope also highlighted the adoption Dec. 10 of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. He expressed his hope that the agreement would facilitate responsibility, solidarity and compassion toward those who, for various reasons, have left their country. Ask for Grace to Dream and to Be Silent Like St. Joseph, Pope Suggests Pope said, other dreams can be a privileged place to seek after truth because there we cannot defend ourselves against the truth. They come, and God speaks through dreams. Joseph was a man of dreams, but ot a dreamer, he told the small congregation at the Mass. He wasn t abstract and did not have his head in the clouds.