Bishop Gainer Asks for Prayers as Installation Draws Near

INSIDE:Page 7: Pope creates new cardinalsPages 8 and 9: Bishop’s Annual Lenten AppealPage 15: Divers and wrestlers go for goldPage 16: Annunication hosts STEM fair

FEBRUARY 28, 2014VOLUME 48, NUMBER 4

By Jen ReedThe Catholic Witness

Spending a few days in the Diocese of Harrisburg in anticipation of his installation as the Eleventh Bishop of Harrisburg, Bishop Ronald W. Gainer took the opportunity celebrate Mass and greet members of the Church community earlier this month.

He celebrated noon Mass at St. Patrick Cathedral in Harrisburg Feb. 11, seated in a wooden chair in front of the altar there; the cathedra, or bishop’s chair, remaining empty and void of an Episcopal Coat of Arms until his installation on March 19.

The Mass was celebrated on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, a day when the Church also observes World Day for the Sick, to focus on the ill and those who care for them.

In his homily, Bishop Gainer called the faithful to “remember the great history of salvation,” and to honor Our Blessed Mother, who, “totally obedient to God’s word, welcomes the Spirit so intensely that the Son of God can be conceived within her virginal womb.”

“Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Our Lady of Lourdes, intercede for us in this new beginning for the faithful and all of us in the Dio-cese of Harrisburg. Our Lady of Lourdes, intercede for those who are sick. Bring the healing power of your Son to comfort and make them well,” he said.

The bishop took time to greet members of the congregation, who had been pleasantly surprised by his celebration of the Mass that day, before visiting with students at the Cathedral campus of Harrisburg Catholic Elementary School.

The following morning, before his return to the Diocese of Lex-ington, he celebrated Mass at St. Catherine Labouré Church in Har-risburg. There, he greeted Msgr. Vincent Topper, the diocese’s oldest priest at 101 years of age. Students at St. Catherine’s welcomed the Bishop with a large banner assuring him of their prayers.

In an interview with The Catholic Witness (the full reprint of which will appear in a special edition to be published on March 28), Bishop Gainer asked the faithful to remember him in prayer.

“I would exhort my brothers and sisters here to include me, please, in your personal prayers because that support is absolutely neces-sary, that I might have the wisdom, the courage, the strength to be a shepherd after the mind and heart of our Good Shepherd, Christ,” he said.

His installation as the Eleventh Bishop of Harrisburg will be marked by two solemn services.

The first will be Solemn Vespers, led by Bishop Gainer, on Tues-day, March 18 at 7 p.m. at Holy Name of Jesus Church in Harris-burg. Solemn Vespers will be open to the public – no invitation is needed to attend.

Bishop Gainer Asks for Prayers as Installation Draws Near

Vespers Service March 18; Installation Mass March 19

By Carol GlatzCatholic News Service

Courageously follow Jesus in seek-ing out the poor and sinners, and in making difficult sacrifices in order to help and heal others, Pope Francis said.

Christians are called to confront the material, spiritual and moral destitution of “our brothers and sisters, to touch it, to make it our own and to take practical steps to alleviate it,” the pope said in his first message for Lent, which begins

March 5 for Latin-rite Catholics.Saving the world will not come about

“with the right kind of human resourc-es” and token alms, but only “through the poverty of Christ,” who emptied himself of the worldly and made the world rich with God’s love and mercy, he said.

Released by the Vatican Feb. 4, the text of the pope’s message focused on the theme of Christ’s poverty, with the title: “He became poor, so that by

his poverty you might become rich,” which is from a verse from St. Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians.

Pope Francis said he chose the pas-sage to explore what St. Paul’s refer-ences to poverty and charity mean for Christians today.

There are many forms of poverty, he said, like the material destitution that disfigures the face of humanity and the moral destitution of being a slave to vice and sin.

But “there is only one real kind of poverty: not living as children of God and brothers and sisters of Christ,” he said.

People experiencing the spiritual destitution of believing they don’t need God and can make it on their own “are headed for a fall,” the pope wrote. “God alone can truly save and free us.”

“The Gospel is the real antidote to spiritual destitution,” he said, and the

Pope’s Lenten Message: Follow Jesus in Seeking the Poor

EMILY M. ALBERT, THE CATHOLIC WITNESSWith the empty cathedra, or bishop’s chair, in the background, Bishop Ronald W. Gainer cel-ebrates Mass on Feb. 11 at St. Patrick Cathedral during a recent visit to Harrisburg in anticipa-tion of his Installation Mass on March 19.More BISHOP GAINER, page 2

More LENTEN MESSAGE, page 3

2 - THE CATHOLIC WITNESS, FEBRUARY 28, 2014

The eve of the Installation Mass is a sig-nificant time for prayer. Solemn Vespers offers an opportunity for the faithful to pray with Bishop Gainer. The service will consist of the singing of hymns, Psalms, Scripture reading and prayer. A reception will follow. It is expected that Solemn Vespers will also be streamed live on the Diocesan Web site, www.hbgdiocese.org.

Bishop Gainer will be installed as the Eleventh Bishop of Harrisburg on March 19 at 2 p.m. at St. Patrick Cathedral in Harrisburg. The Mass is by invitation only, and tickets are required to attend.

March 19 is the Feast of St. Joseph, a saint to whom Bishop Gainer said he has a particular devotion.

“One of the things that has always fas-cinated me about the one who was chosen to be the spouse to Our Blessed Mother and foster father to Jesus is, he says not one word in Scripture. He is a man of ac-tion and faithful obedience, and perhaps for that reason he is the Patron of the Uni-versal Church,” Bishop Gainer said. “I have had a particular devotion to Joseph, and I see in him one who heard what God wanted him to hear and then put it into action.”

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Phila-delphia will preside over the Installation. Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, the Pa-pal representative to the United States, and numerous bishops and clergy from across the country are expected to attend.

Plans are being developed for a live television, radio and web broadcast of the Installation Mass, to allow the pub-lic to view it live. Prayer resources for the Vespers Service and the Installation Mass are expected to be available online for download for those viewing at home. Visit www.hbgdiocese.org as the Installa-tion approaches.

Bishop GainerContinued from 1

EMILY M. ALBERT, THE CATHOLIC WITNESS

Students from St. Catherine Labouré School in Harrisburg greet Bishop Ronald W. Gainer with a welcome banner after his celebration of Mass there Feb. 12.Left: Seventh-grader Joshua Dougher helps fellow students display a welcome banner for the new bishop.

Bishop Ronald W. Gainer, who will become the Eleventh Bishop of the Diocese of Harrisburg on March 19, with Msgr. Vincent Topper, the diocese’s oldest priest at 101 years old. Msgr. Topper, who is in residence at St. Catherine Labouré Parish, was ordained by the Fifth Bishop of Harrisburg, Bishop George L. Leech, in June 1936.

Kathi Durborow enjoys an encounter with Bishop

Ronald W. Gainer at St. Patrick Cathedral

on Feb. 11.

Above: Harrisburg Catholic Elementary School seventh-graders Jayonce Payne, Jasmine Chisholm, Cheyanne Collins and Jalen George welcome the bishop to their school.Right:Ty’Mere Bethea of Harrisburg Catholic Elementary looks on as Bishop Ronald W. Gainer signs his autograph.

FEBRUARY 28, 2014, THE CATHOLIC WITNESS - 3

The Diocese of Harrisburg will host Solemn Lenten Vespers and an RCIA retreat day this Lent to prepare the Elect and Candidates for Easter.

The Lenten Vespers will be held at St. Patrick Cathedral in Harrisburg at 4 p.m. on Sundays March 16-April 6. The invitation to these celebrations is extended to all throughout the diocese, and particularly to those who will be received or have been received recently into full communion with the Cath-olic Church, along with RCIA leaders and sponsors, and family members.

Deanery assignments are suggested for the following weeks, however a parish may choose to attend any of the weekends: March 16 Lancaster and Lebanon Deaneries; March 23 York, Adams and Franklin Deaneries; March 30 Northern and Northumberland Deaneries; and April 6 Dauphin and Cumberland/Perry Deaneries. Parishes are requested to register, even if a group is not attending.

The Lenten RCIA retreat for the Elect and Candidates will be held April 12 from 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at the Cardinal Keeler Center in Harrisburg. Father Chester Snyder will be the presenter, leading participants in reflect-ing on what initiation into Christ is all about – its gifts, its challenges, its consolations and its promises. Several priests will be present for the Sacra-ment of Penance, providing a possible opportunity for first confessions for Candidates. A special session for sponsors will be held. Registration fee of $18 includes lunch. For registration information, contact Hilary Smith at 717-657-4804.

Diocese Plans Lenten Vespers, Retreat

for those in RCIAgreatest treasure of all is “boundless confidence in God” and the desire to always do his will.

All Christians are called “to proclaim the liberating news that forgiveness for sins committed is possible, that God is greater than our sinfulness, that he free-ly loves us at all times and that we were made for communion and eternal life.”

Spreading the joy of the Gospel, con-soling broken hearts and offering real hope means “following and imitating Jesus, who sought out the poor and sin-ners,” and by opening up “new paths of evangelization and human promotion” with courage, he said.

Imitating Christ also includes con-fronting the abuses, discrimination and violations against human dignity, which often cause the material poverty suffered by those who lack the basic rights to food, water, work, develop-ment and “equal access to education and healthcare,” he said.

Sometimes the unjust social condi-tions that rob people of their dignity lead to moral destitution – a kind of “impending suicide,” he said.

Think of how much pain is caused by people, especially the young, when they turn to alcohol, drugs, gambling, pornography or other vices because they “no longer see meaning in life or prospects for the future,” he said. “How many have lost hope!”

“By loving and serving the poor, we love and serve Christ,” he said, but such service also entails conversion.

“When power, luxury and money be-come idols, they take priority over the need for a fair distribution of wealth. Our consciences thus need to be con-verted to justice, equality, simplicity and sharing,” he said.

While Lent is a time for “self-deni-al,” don’t forget that real sacrifice and poverty have a “dimension of penance” and pain, he said.

“I distrust a charity that costs nothing and does not hurt,” he said.

“God did not let our salvation drop

Lenten MessageContinued from 1

down from heaven, like someone who gives alms from their abundance out of a sense of altruism and piety,” the pope said.

God operates according to “the logic of love, the logic of incarnation and the cross” – to be with those who need him most, “to take upon himself the burden of our sins” and to comfort, save and free people from their misery.

“What gives true freedom, true salva-tion and true happiness is the compas-sion, tenderness and solidarity of his love, Christ’s poverty, which enriches us,” he said.

Cardinal Robert Sarah, president of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, the office which handles the pope’s chari-table giving, presented the Lenten mes-sage at a Vatican news conference.

The cardinal said the pope’s mes-sage reminds people that their “bour-geois consciences” cannot be put to rest merely by “denouncing the lack of resources for others” or denouncing the structural underpinnings of poverty.

The only way to truly help people is to care for all their needs – spiritual, material and moral – the cardinal said, and not “pretend to solve a person’s problems just because one has solved the problems related to his physical and material wellbeing.”

“I think the Holy Father does well to insist on these three types of poverty and destitution,” the cardinal said.

“There’s the destitution of material poverty that’s easier to solve because it takes a bit of money and one can find ways to resolve this problem. But it’s much more difficult to [address] moral and spiritual destitution,” which is why Cor Unum and the Church put added emphasis on that area.

The Church urges people to choose the poverty of Christ in order to fight the misery and destitution in the world – not for ideological reasons, the car-dinal said, “but for the love of Christ.”

(The text of the pope’s message is online at http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/messages/lent/docu-ments/papa-francesco_20131226_messaggio-quaresima2014_en.html.)

Excerpts of an interview with Bishop-Designate Ronald W. Gainer will be featured on the next several editions of Catholic Perspective. The segments were recorded from an interview Bishop Gainer gave for an upcoming special issue of The Catholic Witness newspaper to be published March 28.

March 2: The New Evangelization, which calls Catholics to new methods and new ardor, is the topic explored. Bishop Gainer explains what he feels this means for individual parishioners and parishes.

March 9: What do the impact of Pope Francis and the anticipation of a new Bishop for Harrisburg mean for those who have become less active and maybe even stopped practicing their faith? Bishop Gainer explains his hopes and thoughts on this topic.

March 16: Bishop Gainer reflects on his appointment to Harrisburg, the surprise of the announcement, the difficulty of saying goodbye and the excitement and joy of his new assignment.

Bishop Gainer discussed his growing up in Pottsville, along with his plans for his first several months to a year, on the February 23 program. That is available on the diocesan Web site at www.hbgdiocese.org/catholicperspective.

Catholic Perspective is produced in cooperation with the Office of Communica-tions of the Diocese and WHFY AM 720. It can be heard Mondays at noon and Sun-days at 3 p.m. on WHYF AM 720 and on Sunday mornings on WLAN-AM 1390, Lancaster at 7:30 a.m.; WHVR-AM 1280, Hanover, at 8 a.m.; WKOK-AM 1070, Sunbury, at 6:30 a.m.; WIEZ-AM 670, Lewistown, at 8 a.m.; WWSM-AM 1510, Lebanon, at 7 a.m.; and WWEC-FM 88.3, Elizabethtown, at 9:30 a.m. It is also avail-able on line at www.OldiesRadio1620.com at 6:30 a.m. and at www.WISL1480.co on Sunday at 11 a.m. It can also be heard on line at www.hbgdiocese.org.

Lenten Benefit Dinner - Dr. Matthew Bunson, a noted Catholic communicator and author, will be the keynote speaker at a Lenten Dinner that will benefit Holy Family Radio, the local non-profit that owns and operates WHYF AM 720. The dinner is on Friday, March 14 at 7 p.m. in the Cardinal Keeler Center, Harrisburg. Dr. Bunson’s talk will focus on Pope Francis, the New Evangelization and Catholic Media. He is Senior Correspondent for Our Sunday Visitor and is the author of over 50 books including, “Pope Francis,” the first biography of our Holy Father in the English lan-guage. Call 717-392-0298 or visit www.720whyf.com. Help support our local Catho-lic Radio Station, WHYF AM 720.

Lenten Guidelines Focus on Prayer,

Fasting, AlmsgivingThe traditional Lenten practices of piety, fasting, almsgiving and other

forms of self-denial are recommended by the Church.The faithful observance of Lent should manifest itself especially in the

imitation of Christ in daily life and in the readiness to sacrifice time and tal-ents whenever possible in personal, parish and community efforts for those in spiritual or material need. The spiritual hunger of the unchurched locally and in mission lands can be a focus of prayers and charitable giving.

Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of abstinence from meat for those who are 14 years of age and older. They are also days of fasting for those between 18 and 59 years of age. Those bound by the law of fasting may take one full meal. Two smaller meals are also permitted according to one’s needs. Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids, including milk and fruit juices, are allowed. When health or ability to work is seri-ously affected, the law does not oblige.

All Fridays in Lent are days of abstinence from meat for those 14 years of age and older.

Fridays of the year outside Lent remain days of penance. The traditional abstinence from meat is highly recommended, together with fasting, by the Bishops of the United States, for the cause of peace in the world (see the Pastoral Letter on War and Peace, The Challenge of Peace: God’s Prom-ise and Our Response, May 3, 1983, paragraph 298.) However, some other practice of voluntary self-denial or personal penance may be substituted.


Thoughtsfrom a Catholic

EvangelistSister Geralyn Schmidt, SCC

ParticipationBy Sister Geralyn Schmidt, SCC

Special to The Witness

Four short years ago, the Diocese of Harrisburg received a $1.7 million telecom-munication grant that created a fiber Wide Area Network that connected most of the schools within its boundaries. Part of the grant included membership into a profes-sional development program called Powerful Learning Practices (also known as PLP). This course is a coach- and instructor-led yearlong program that gives instruction on web 2.0 tools and is geared for classroom teachers. I worked with teachers throughout the state of Pennsylvania via a social network web-site called a “ning.” This is an interface that combines a Twitter-like and a Face-book-like interface as well as chat rooms and a photo- and video-sharing portal. As I learned with my fellow colleagues, we shared best practices and challenged each other to truly integrate technology within the curriculum. I learned so much about technology inte-gration and educational leadership within the classroom and school.

During the course of the year, the “powers-to-be” within the PLP asked me to be a blogger, or writer, within Voices of the Learning Revolution. This is a virtual “news-paper” that is associated with PLP. As I began to write for this company, I discovered two things: 1. I have a gift for story telling – not writing. 2. My vision of education has a “Catholic school” perspective. Since the audience for Voices is teachers from public and private schools, I found myself weighing my words so that I wouldn’t turn them off by too “religious” a message. This was, at times, truly difficult, since I could not deny who I am – a Sister of Christian Charity, Daughter of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Immaculate Conception; a tiny shoot on the Holy Vine of Mother Church. So, know-ing that I am completely dedicated to Catholic education, I approached The Witness and inquired about being a “guest correspondent.” So I began blogging/writing for the Catholic newspaper and, as they say, “The rest is history.”

My writing for PLP taught me one of the essential aspects of social media: participa-tion. Participation is one of three essential aspects of involvement in communication that Blessed John Paul II addressed in his Apostolic Letter, January 2005, called “The Rapid Development.” (This letter can be found at: http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_letters/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_20050124_il-rapido-sviluppo_en.html.)

For him, participation meant the ability for an individual to fully manage personal communications with others. For Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, in the 47th World Com-munication Day Address (found at: http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/messages/communications/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20130124_47th-world- communications-day_en.html), participation means being truly inclusive. “The digital environment is not a parallel or purely virtual world, but is part of the daily experience of many people, especially the young. Social networks are the result of human interac-tion, but for their part they also reshape the dynamics of communication which builds relationships: a considered understanding of this environment is therefore the prerequi-site for a significant presence there.”

So, social media is all about involving yourself in the conversation. It is the complete opposite of what cyberspace calls lurking. This behavior, according to Wikipedia, is “typically a member of an online community who observes, but does not actively par-ticipate.” When a new user approaches a new social media community, some lurking is expected and normal. The new user, in a sense, is testing out the water and the “rules” of communication within that community. There can be somewhat of a learning curve as the new user learns the dos and don’ts in communicating within the specific venue.

According to Danielle M. Villegas, a web publishing consultant and blogger, “the lurker loses out. Social media is not only about communicating information, but it’s also about the connections made through this kind of communications. Communication with each other is the key to why we can have discussions or debates on issues. The person who writes those posts or tweets those tweets appreciates it when you retweet, or even make a brief comment of, “I agree!” or, “That was a great article.” It validates the position of the author, but it also shows your competence in the subject matter too – that you understand the concept being presented. By respectfully responding with your own commentary, it allows others to see YOUR perspective as well. You automati-cally become part of the conversation and the process.” http://techcommgeekmom.com/2013/07/11/whats-wrong-with-being-a-lurker/

Pope Emeritus Benedict takes participation within these networks to a new level by stating, “In social networks, believers show their authenticity by sharing the profound source of their hope and joy: faith in the merciful and loving God revealed in Christ Jesus. This sharing consists not only in the explicit expression of their faith, but also in their witness, in the way in which they communicate “choices, preferences and judg-ments that are fully consistent with the Gospel, even when it is not spoken of specifi-cally.”

In other words, our participation should not be merely just a sharing of ideas or commentary, but rather a “giving” of oneself to others by engaging their questions and doubts with the truth that can only be found in knowing Jesus and His Church. This knowledge does not only begin in the “head” but must move down into our heart, affecting our words, our actions; our entire life! This is a level of evangelization that begins within the chat in cyberspace, but also enters the “real” world and puts “skin” on our faith.

How does one even begin sharing the faith within the cyber world? First and fore-most, it begins with personal knowledge about our faith and our Church. The Diocese of Harrisburg has adult education classes both online and face to face. Information about the Diocesan Institute can be found at: http://www.hbgdiocese.org/our-faith-2/adult-faith-formation/diocesan-institute/. Classes like these educate the mind with knowledge. But knowledge alone cannot be the only weapon in our arsenal to fight against doubt and faithlessness. Through personal prayer, the knowledge that is taught to us becomes our own. Prayer waters the seeds of knowledge and allows it to bear fruit, which we are called to share with others. Knowledge and personal prayer give us the brain and heart power to post, blog and tweet like Jesus would if he was on earth today.

If I could boil this message down into a sentence, it would be, “Active participation and engagement of a faith-filled Catholic in cyberspace broadcasts God’s Love.” How do you participate and share your faith in cyberspace?

(Sister of Christian Charity, Geralyn Schmidt, is the Wide Area Network Coordina-tor at the Diocese of Harrisburg and a member of the IT Department. An educator for 28 years, she is responsible for Professional Development Programs for every age learner. In addition, Sister blogs for Powerful Learning Practices, a company providing in-service opportunities for educators. Through her presentations, she challenges her audiences to be the individual God has called them to be.)

Annulment Presentations Scheduled

The Tribunal of the Diocese of Harrisburg will offer presentations concerning di-vorce and annulments from the Catholic perspective in the coming months. These presentations will be helpful for divorced Catholics, divorced people who wish to marry Catholics, parish leaders involved in the RCIA process and those who have a vested interested because of family or friends.

Presentations will include a question-and-answer session and an opportunity for private conversation with Tribunal staff and representatives. For more information, call 717-657-4804 or send an e-mail to [email protected].

Schedule of Presentations:• March 12 at 7 p.m. – Cardinal Keeler Center, Harrisburg, Room 103• March 31 at 7 p.m. – St. Joseph, York• May 17 at 10 a.m. – St. Pius X, Selinsgrove• June 4 at 7 p.m. – St. Patrick, Carlisle

Save the DateHarrisburg Diocesan

Council of Catholic Women’s89th Annual ConventionMonday, May 5, 2014

Cardinal Keeler Center, Harrisburg

“Be the Voice of Catholic Women with Confidence, Hope and Joy”

Detailed information will be forthcoming in future editions of The Catholic Witness

Our Lady of Guadalupe Pilgrimage to Mexico

October 20-25, 2014

This six-day pilgrimage to Mexico will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Hispanic Ministry in the Diocese of Harrisburg. The pilgrimage is not sponsored by the dio-cese, but rather is an opportunity for individuals to tour the shrines and chapels in Mexico City and celebrate Hispanic faith and culture.

Itinerary includes Masses at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Los Remedios, and visits to such places as the Metropolitan Cathedral and the National Palace. Cost is $1,699 per person, double occupancy. There is a $100 early bird discount for all deposits received before Feb. 15, and $50 for deposits received before May 15. Cost includes roundtrip air from Harrisburg, hotel stays, tour escort, deluxe motor coach, entrance fees, daily breakfast, two dinners and four lunches, and tips.

For more information, or to receive a brochure, contact Regina Tours at 1-800-228-4654, ext. 208, or [email protected].

The Catholic WitnessOFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF HARRISBURG

Very Reverend Robert M. Gillelan, Jr. Diocesan Administrator

Jennifer ReedManaging Editor

StaffChris Heisey: Photojournalist

Emily M. Albert: PhotojournalistSusan Huntsberger:

Circulation Coordinator and Administrative Assistant

The Catholic Witness (ISSN 0008-8447, USPS 557 120) is published biweekly except Christmas/New Year and July by the Harrisburg Catholic

Publishing Association, 4800 Union Deposit Road, Harrisburg, PA 17111 3710. Periodicals postage paid at Harrisburg, PA.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Catholic Witness, 4800 Union Deposit Road, Harrisburg, PA 17111-3710.

Telephone717-657-4804 ext. 201

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Email: [email protected]: www.hbgdiocese.org

Yearly Subscriptions:$8.17 per family, derived from diocesan revenues from the parishes. Other subscriptions: $12.00

Moving? Send us the address label from The Catholic Witness plus your NEW address including zip code +4. Please allow three weeks for the change.

CorreCtionThe narrative written by Kadin Santiago that appeared in the Feb. 14, 2014, edition of

The Catholic Witness incorrectly identified Kadin as a current student at St. Rose of Lima School in Thomasville. Kadin graduated from the school in 2007, and wrote the narrative as an assignment for Agora Cyber School, which he currently attends. He is a member of St. Rose of Lima Parish.


The Stations of the Cross

1st Station – Jesus is condemned to death.2nd Station – Jesus takes up his Cross.3rd Station – Jesus falls the first time.4th Station – Jesus meets his sorrowful mother.5th Station – Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry his Cross.6th Station – Veronica wipes the face of Jesus.7th Station – Jesus falls a second time.8th Station – Jesus speaks to the women of Jerusalem.9th Station – Jesus falls the third time.10th Station – Jesus is stripped of his garments.11th Station – Jesus is nailed to the Cross.12th Station – Jesus dies on the Cross.13th Station – Jesus is taken down from the Cross.

14th Station – Jesus is laid in the sepulcher.

EMILY M. ALBERT, THE CATHOLIC WITNESSThe 3rd Station, Jesus falls the first time, is depicted in the outdoor Stations of the Cross in Lourdes, France.

Station to Station This Lent

Teachingthe Faith

James Gontis

By James GontisSpecial to The Witness

The season of Lent is our forty days in the desert with the Lord, during which time we are called to increase in prayer, penance and almsgiving as we prepare for the great Paschal Triduum and the triumphant Easter season, which begins with the Easter Vigil.

As with so many words in our Catho-lic lexicon, the term Lent brings to mind various images. For many, those im-ages would include ashes, giving up one or several of our favorite things, resolving to practice more regularly some virtue that we know we need to grow in, occasionally dropping some coins or even a dollar or two into an Operation Rice Bowl box, and meatless Fridays, perhaps substituting fish or pierogies.

For some, it might involve going to Mass occasionally during the week as well as Sunday. Others will perhaps steal a moment here or there to go to the clos-est Catholic church and visit our Eucharis-tic Lord present in the Blessed Sacrament, maybe lighting a votive candle and saying a prayer for a special intention. Many of the faithful will take advantage of going to one of the Penance services at a local parish, followed by individual Confession. All of these practices are important. They edify. They cleanse. They can provide in us an increase of sanctifying grace, participation in the very life of God. They associate us more closely with Jesus, who is both the Suffering Servant and God in the flesh.

My most poignant childhood memories of Lent are of my parents, each Friday evening during this holy season, taking my three sisters, my brother, and me to St. Benedict’s to pray the Stations of the Cross. It was a pretty little white-framed, coal-town parish church nestled amongst the rolling hills of western Pennsylvania.

I didn’t know it then, but the version of the Stations I grew up most frequently praying were those written centuries ago by St. Alphonsus Liguori. The words were comforting in both their simplicity and profundity. I am grateful to my parents for having handed on to us the great treasure that is the Catholic faith. And the Stations were and are a significant part of that.

I also remember going occasionally with my grandparents to St. John the Bap-tist Church, just forty minutes or so away, another small Catholic church in another rural western Pennsylvania coal town. At my grandfather’s funeral Mass, the parish priest said that, just the previous Friday, several days before his death, there was my

Grandpa, in his familiar pew, praying the Stations as he always did during Lent, to-gether with Grandma when she was alive, and then going by himself after she’d died. He didn’t miss. Even the Friday before he died, he didn’t miss. Not a bad way to go out, my Grandpa uniting HIS Calvary with

Our Lord’s walk to THE Calvary.

I loved the graph-ic images of the Stations at St. Bene-dict’s. When cross-ing the state, I still make it a point to take a brief detour off the turnpike and to visit that little church. The same

images hang on the walls today as hung there during my childhood, and probably long before my childhood. They are not ornate but they are colorful and, to me, they are beautiful. I remember them viv-idly. The details of many of them are still clear: cowardly Pilate washing his hands, the three falls of Our Lord, the aid rendered to Our Lord by Simon of Cyrene and St. Veronica — the latter willingly, the former, perhaps under some duress. I remember the harsh looks and cruel lashes meted out by Christ’s tormenters in those pictures, as well as the heavy mallet pounding the nails through Our Lord’s hands and feet as the instruments which wrought our redemp-tion. I even remember the changing sky from Station to Station, first a clear blue, gradually becoming cloudy and ominous, until by the 11th and 12th Stations they were frighteningly yet fascinatingly stormy, and then clearing again in the 13th and 14th Sta-tions as Our Lord is taken down from the Cross and laid first in his mother’s arms and then in the sepulcher. I think of the opening words to each Station, “We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.” I think of the mournful Stabat Ma-ter, chanted after each Station, each verse packed with meaning. Is it not beautiful to be Catholic, where our spirits are filled with peace through the filling up of our bodily senses?

My wife and I have tried to pass on our love of this devotion to our own children. The four of them who are already altar servers for Mass occasionally serve Sta-tions, too. I think it means a good deal to them. I am hoping that, if and when they are blessed with children, they will bring their children to Stations as well.

The focus of the Stations of the Cross is on the Lord, his suffering and death, his complete obedience to the Father. Here we see Jesus laying down his life for us, that he might take it up again. He does all this out of the superabundant love that he has for us weak sons and daughters of Adam. The humility of God is shown forth in the In-carnation and reaches its zenith in the Pas-chal Mystery. And in so doing, the chasm is bridged. It was a chasm between our Cre-ator and the creatures made in his image. It was caused by our first parents’ sin — the sin that was “the original sin” — and has been deepened by all the sins committed since. But by His Paschal Mystery and our incorporation into it through faith and Bap-tism, we are made partakers in the divine life of God. This is accomplished by him who is both Son of God and Son of Mary, the Eternal Word of the Father born into time and space, the God-man, Jesus Christ.

In the Way of the Cross, as in all au-thentic Christianity, the Person of Christ is central. The Stations provide us visible pictures and invisible ones, which serve as a means by which, through the elevation of sense and spirit, we encounter Jesus.

And when we unite our sufferings to Je-sus’ sufferings, which the Stations can help elicit in us, the Redeemer of the human race invites us to share in his redemptive work. This generosity and humility of God is stunning. Our Savior, in fact, greatly de-sires that we share in his salvific work. It is not without reason that Blessed Theresa of Calcutta was fond of saying that the great-est power in the world is the humility of God.

In the Way of the Cross, if we are open to God’s grace, he will take us progressively, Station by Station, and teach us to be true

disciples by denying ourselves, taking up our crosses daily, and following him. He shows the ultimate example of bearing wrongs patiently and forgiving all injuries. What could better exemplify this than the fact that the Son of God, who had raised the dead, made the lame walk and the blind see, was, in the ultimate travesty of justice, scourged, crowned with thorns, and sen-tenced to an ignominious death by crucifix-ion. He was made to carry the instrument of his torture, stripped of his garments, and nailed to a tree. All this because of the con-suming fire of love he has for each one of us – and for all of us.

Jesus is the sinless one who took upon himself the sins of the world. In the Way of the Cross, we see that he falls not once, but three times. In the Stations, we learn that when we fall, not under the weight of a wooden cross, but under the burden brought about by our sins, we, too, must get up, take up our crosses, and keep fol-lowing him. And like the women of Je-rusalem, whom we see in the 8th Station, Jesus teaches us. These teachings include the hard truths, the ones we don’t necessar-ily want to hear. But he who is Truth in the flesh is also Love incarnate. He teaches, yes, but always with a view toward our salvation, our never-ending happiness. He desires nothing less for us.

The Stations help teach us persever-ance. St. Augustine said, “The same God who made us without our consent, will not save us without our consent.” Our repen-tance must involve our contrition for sins committed, the confession of our sins, and making satisfaction through penance. But he always desires to help us bear our yoke. We need not walk alone, and our sins, no matter how many or how grave, are like a thimble of water compared to the ocean which is his mercy.

In the way of the Cross, Jesus teaches us through Simon of Cyrene that we are called to help people to bear their burdens; through Veronica, that we bear his image not on a veil, but in our souls. We must strive to live up to the royal dignity lav-ished upon us beginning with our Baptism. We are heirs to greatness, but achieve this greatness to which we are called only by his grace and through our cooperation with that grace in humility and in charity toward others, especially the suffering, the impris-oned, the weak, the unborn, the vulnerable.

Through the Stations, Jesus teaches us one again to meet and to behold Our Moth-er, Our Lady of Sorrows and like her, to unite our sufferings to his for the good of our own souls and those of others. In tak-ing us to herself as our mother, Simeon’s prophecy to Mary is fulfilled and the hearts of us, her spiritual children are laid bare to her. But she does not leave us to our own devices, or we would surely fail. As a true mother, indeed the best of mothers, she leads us to the pierced heart of her son from which we drink deeply the draughts of grace following upon grace. In the Sta-tions, we learn that the safest and most di-rect route to his heart is through hers.

The 12th Station is the climax of all the Stations. The one Sacrifice of Calvary is re-presented sacramentally at every cele-bration of Mass. The Eucharist is the sacri-fice of Christ, his real, substantial presence body, blood, soul, and divinity, and the deepest communion we can have with the Lord this side of Heaven.

In the 12th Station, Our Lord gives us the example par excellence of what he had earlier preached regarding the forgiveness of enemies. He had already told us that we would be forgiven only to the extent that we forgive others. He did not promise us that it would always feel good, just that we must do it. In this, Jesus teaches that love is in the will, in what we do. He asks the Father to forgive his executioners, even making excuses for them, “Father, forgive them. They know not what they do.” And he teaches that he “did not come to con-demn the world but to save it,” for as he revealed more than 1,900 years later to a young Polish nun named Faustina, he is “love and mercy itself.” He demonstrated this most profoundly from the Cross when he promised the repentant criminal that he would experience the splendors of Heav-en that very day – “This day you will be with me in paradise.” And that is our hope. When we get to the 14th Station, there is a somber quality about it, but a hopeful one, for the Cross and the tomb lead to Resur-rection. Glory awaits and is not far off. And we wait in hopeful anticipation.

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your holy Cross, you have redeemed the world.

(James Gontis is the Director of the Di-ocesan Department for Religious Educa-tion.)


By Diane MolitorisSpecial to The Witness

The Karpency family – Mary, Jamie and Jen – ex-tends a message of thanks for those who have given their support to Jennifer Karpency since 2012. A heart-felt article written by Emily M. Albert of The Catholic Witness was published in the Nov. 23, 2012 edition, detailing the story of Jenny Karpency, who in 1998 suffered a heart attack, came in and out of a coma and since has had no brain activity. She cannot eat, talk or move, and is tubefed through her stomach. Jenny’s parents, Mary and Joseph, have since cared for Jenny as best they could in their home. When Joseph died in 2009, the family lost his income, health benefits (Jenny’s monthly medicine which was administered bedside by a visiting nurse), but also his companion-ship and a shoulder to lean on.

I stepped in as advocate for the family in 2012 as Mary was facing her own health issues, increasing debt and the additional heartache of Jenny’s femur bones breaking when her mattress malfunctioned by expand-ing and rolling her out of bed. Since then, through the establishment of the Jennifer Karpency Fund and on the heels of Emily’s article, the Karpency family has received a tremendous amount of love and support.

The kindness of individuals supporting the fund has provided specialized wheelchair van transportation to the hospital, supplies for Jenny and help with running a “mini hospital” at home as Mary continues to care for her daughter.

Jenny continues to receive monthly hospital treat-ments for spasms, and next month will undergo sur-gery to replace a pump that releases medication for these spasms.

In 2012, by word of mouth, Mary found out about the North American Lourdes Volunteers. She shared her story with them, and they granted Mary a trip to Lourdes, France, through their organization. Mary had hoped to bring both her children on the pilgrimage, but that was not possible due to physical issues. I accom-panied her on this amazing Special Needs Pilgrimage to Lourdes where we traveled with physically-chal-lenged pilgrims who had cerebral palsy, cancer, spinal bifida, etc., some of whom were in wheelchairs. We traveled with medical supportive care and stayed in the hospital/hotel right within the Sanctuary property of the Grotto.

This pilgrimage was life-changing, and now we bring our experience to you. The North American Lourdes Volunteers will conduct a Virtual Pilgrimage to Lourdes at Holy Name of Jesus Church in Harris-

burg March 10 at 7 p.m. During this guided and spiri-tual experience, which re-creates a pilgrimage day in Lourdes, participants can immerse themselves in the message of Lourdes with images of the Grotto, proces-sions and holy sites. This 90-minute spiritual journey includes Eucharistic Adoration, the praying of the Ro-sary, touching the Grotto rock, experiencing Lourdes Water, a Eucharistic blessing, a Plenary Indulgence and a procession.

Mary Karpency and I invite you to share this prayer-ful time with us as we extend our sincere gratitude to those who have shown their compassion and support for Jenny and the family.

“If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,’ but you do not give them the necessi ties of the body, what good is it? So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”(James 2:15-17)

I thank Holy Name of Jesus Parish for the outstand-ing education classes (like the James Epistle class in session now), which have taught me that faith without works is dead.

(Diane Molitoris is a member of Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Harrisburg and an advocate for the Karpen-cy family.)

A Thank You from the Karpency FamilyInvitation to Attend Lourdes Virtual Pilgrimage at Holy Name

By Tom SweeneySpecial to The Witness

More than 70 years ago, Kathleen (Murphy) McHugh was blessed to enjoy an encounter with Mother Katharine Drexel, who founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament and established Catholic missions as well as schools for Native Ameri-cans and African Americans.

Today, Mother Katharine Drexel is St. Katharine Drexel, and Mrs. McHugh is a member of St. Katha-rine Drexel Parish in Mechanics-burg, the first parish named for the American saint.

The meeting took place in 1943. Mrs. McHugh was born and raised

in Philadelphia and went to paro-chial schools for all of her educa-tion. She attended West Philadelphia Catholic Girls High School. At the time, it was one of the largest Cath-olic schools in the country. Seven separate orders of religious sisters served at the school, with each or-der responsible for one academic department.

In 1943, during Kathleen’s junior year in high school, her homeroom teacher selected Kathleen and five of her classmates to respond to an invi-tation from the Sisters of the Blessed

COURTESY OF TOM SWEENEY, ST. KATHARINE DREXEL PARISH Kathleen McHugh met Mother Katharine Drexel during a high school visit to the motherhouse of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament in 1943.

Parishioner Recalls Encounter with Mother Katharine Drexel

Sacrament to attend a luncheon at St. Elizabeth’s, the motherhouse of the congregation in Bensalem, Pa. The Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament had been founded by Mother Katharine Drexel.

Young Kathleen knew well of the reputation of Mother Katharine and her mission to African Americans and Native Americans. The Drexel fam-ily’s reputation for philanthropy was extremely well known in the Philadel-phia area. Mother Katharine had used the family wealth to underwrite her commitment to the disadvantaged in Philadelphia, the south, and the south-west.

The purpose of the luncheon was to describe the mission of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, obviously with the goal of sparking vocations among the young women of Philadelphia. Af-ter the luncheon, Mother Katharine was brought in to meet the group. She was seated in a large, wicker wheel-chair. Mrs. McHugh described it as looking like the one that President Franklin D. Roosevelt had used.

Kathleen was wearing a “V for Vic-tory” pin. Mother Katharine noticed it, and commented that the “V” was Winston Churchill’s symbol to pro-mote morale during World War II. She also appeared to be very up to date

on the course of the war, and was very much interested in world affairs, Mrs. McHugh recalled.

She also re-marked that Mother Katha-rine was “very friendly and sweet.” She was very human and showed great interest in the group that had been invited to the mother-house, she said.

Because the McHughs lived

in the Philadelphia area until they moved to the Diocese of Harrisburg in 2000, Mrs. McHugh said she was aware of the movement toward can-onization of Mother Katharine. She knew of the miracles attributed to her. In fact, early in their time at St. Katha-rine Drexel Parish in Mechanicsburg, the McHughs attended the Mass of Thanksgiving celebrated by former pastor Father James O’Brien immedi-ately after he and a group of parish-ioners had returned from the canon-ization ceremony that had been held on October 1, 2000. It also marked the change of the parish name from Blessed to St. Katharine Drexel.

When asked if she ever thought

about the time she spent with Moth-er Katharine, Mrs. McHugh replied that she has reflected on it, but is very thankful for her vocation. She said she is quite proud and happy to be the mother of three wonderful children, delightful grandchildren, and wife of her beloved husband, Eugene.

(Tom Sweeney is a member of St. Katharine Drexel Parish in Mechan-icsburg. He submitted this article in observance of the upcoming Feast Day of St. Katharine Drexel, which is March 3.)


By Francis X. RoccaCatholic News Service

Celebrating Mass with the newest members of the Col-lege of the Cardinals one day after their elevation,

Pope Francis urged them to regard their new role not as one of worldly honor but of humble service and sacrifice.

“A cardinal enters the Vhurch of Rome, not a royal court,” the pope said in his homily Feb. 23, during morning Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. “May all of us avoid, and help others to avoid, habits and ways of acting typical of a court: intrigue, gossip, cliques, favoritism and preferences.”

“May our language be that of the Gospel: ‘yes when we mean yes; no when we mean no,’” he said. “May our atti-tudes be those of the beatitudes and our way be that of holi-ness.”

Pope Francis celebrated the Mass with 18 of the 19 men he had raised to the rank of cardinal the previous day in the same basilica. Cardinal Loris Capovilla, who at age 98 is now the oldest member of the college, was absent on both occasions for reasons of health.

The 18 new cardinals, clad in the green vestments of the liturgical season of ordinary time, sat in a near semicircle around the main altar. More than a hundred of their fellow cardinals, also serving as concelebrants, sat in rows at the front of the congregation.

Retired Pope Benedict, whose appearance at the previous day’s consistory had surprised practically all the participants, did not return to the basilica for the Mass.

Pope Francis’ call for humility echoed a letter he had sent the new cardinals shortly after the announcement of their

elevation in January, telling them that a red hat “does not signify a promotion, an honor or a decoration; it is simply a form of service that requires expanding your vision and en-larging your heart,” and that they should celebrate their new distinction only in an “evangelical spirit of austerity, sobriety and poverty.”

In his homily, the pope said that “Jesus did not come to teach us good manners, how to behave well at the table. To do that, he would not have had to come down from heaven and die on the cross. Christ came to save us, to show us the way, the only way out of the quicksand of sin, and this is mercy.”

“To be saint is not a luxury,” he said. “It is necessary for the salvation of the world.”

Quoting from the day’s reading from the Gospel accord-ing to St. Matthew, in which Jesus enjoins his disciples to love their enemies and pray for their persecutors, the pope said cardinals are called to live out that injunction with even “greater zeal and ardor” than other Christians.

“We love, therefore, those who are hostile to us; we bless those who speak ill of us; we greet with a smile those who may not deserve it,” he said. “We do not aim to assert our-selves; we oppose arrogance with meekness; we forget the humiliations that we have endured.”

The pope’s words recalled his previous day’s talk to the cardinals – whose traditional scarlet garb is said to symbolize the blood of martyrs – when he called on them to pray for “all Christians suffering from discrimination and persecution” and “every man and woman suffering injustice on account of his or her religious convictions.”

By Cindy WoodenCatholic News Service

On a feast day commemorating the authority Jesus gave to St. Peter and

his successors – the popes – Pope Francis created 19 new cardinals in the presence of retired Pope Benedict XVI.

To the great surprise of most people pres-ent, the retired pope entered St. Peter’s Basilica about 15 minutes before the new cardinals and Pope Francis. Wearing a long white coat and using a cane, he took a seat in the front row next to Lebanese Cardi-nal Bechara Rai, patriarch of the Maronite Catholic Church.

Pope Benedict’s presence at the consis-tory Feb. 22, the feast of the Chair of Peter, marked the first time he had joined Pope Francis for a public prayer service in the basilica. Pope Benedict resigned Feb. 28, 2013, becoming the first pope in almost 600 years to do so.

Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, retired archbishop of Washington, said all the al-ready existing cardinals went over to greet Pope Benedict. “The ushers kept saying, ‘Please, your eminences, take your seats, the Holy Father is coming,’ and we thought, ‘But, but ....’”

Before beginning the service, Pope Fran-cis walked over to Pope Benedict, who re-moved his zucchetto to greet Pope Francis. The scene was repeated at the end of the consistory.

The new cardinals, including Cardinal Gerald Lacroix of Quebec and Vincent Nichols of Westminster, England, publicly recited the Creed and swore obedience to the pope and his successors before receiv-ing from Pope Francis a red hat, a ring and the assignment of a “titular church” in Rome, becoming part of the clergy of the pope’s diocese.

After they received their red hats, each of the new cardinals walked over to Pope Benedict and greeted him.

Cardinal Lacroix, accompanied by his mother and father at an afternoon reception, said Pope Benedict’s presence “surprised me so much that I broke down in tears.”

When he went to greet the retired pope,

Pope Francis, with Retired Pope Benedict Present, Creates New Cardinals

Pope Tells Cardinals They are Servants, not Courtiers

CNS/PAUL HARINGPope Francis embraces new Cardinal Gerald Lacroix of Quebec after presenting the red biretta to him during a consistory in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican Feb. 22.

▪ Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, Italian, 59.▪ Lorenzo Baldisseri, general secretary of the Synod of Bishops, Italian, 73.▪ Gerhard Muller, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, German, 66.▪ Beniamino Stella, prefect of the Congregation for Clergy, Italian, 72.▪ Vincent Nichols, archbishop of Westminster, England, 68.▪ Leopoldo Brenes Solorzano of Managua, Nicaragua, 64.▪ Gerald Lacroix of Quebec, 56.▪ Jean-Pierre Kutwa of Abidjan, Ivory Coast, 68.▪ Orani Tempesta of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 63.▪ Gualtiero Bassetti of Perguia-Citta della Pieve, Italy, 71.▪ Mario Poli of Buenos Aires, Argentina, 66.▪ Andrew Yeom Soo-jung of Seoul, South Korea, 70.▪ Ricardo Ezzati Andrello of Santiago, Chile, 72.▪ Philippe Ouedraogo of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, 69.▪ Orlando Quevedo of Cotabato, Philippines, 74.▪ Chibly Langlois of Les Cayes, Haiti, 55.▪ Fernando Sebastian Aguilar, retired archbishop of Pamplona, Spain, 84.▪ Kelvin Felix, retired archbishop of Castries, St. Lucia, Antilles, 81.

The 18 New Cardinals

CN

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ING

CNS/PAUL HARINGRetired Pope Benedict XVI is greeted by Cardinal Bechara Rai, Lebanon’s Ma-ronite patriarch, as he arrives for a consistory led by Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican Feb. 22. It was Pope Benedict’s first public appearance at a liturgy since his retirement.

he said he told him, “Holy Father, you are the one who called me to be a bishop.”

Only 18 of the archbishops Pope Francis had chosen to be among the first cardinals created during his pontificate were present.

The oldest of the new cardinals – and now the oldest cardinal in the world – Car-dinal Loris Capovilla, 98, was not present at the ceremony although he became a car-dinal the moment Pope Francis pronounced his name. A papal delegate will deliver his red hat to his home in northern Italy.

In his homily, Pope Francis did not men-tion the standard point that the cardinals’ new red vestments are symbols of the call to serve Christ and his Church to the point of shedding their blood if necessary. Rather, he focused on their being called to follow Christ more closely, to build up the unity of the Church and to proclaim the Gospel more courageously.

The Bible, he said, is filled with stories of Jesus walking with his disciples and teach-ing them as they traveled.

“This is important,” the pope said. “Je-

sus did not come to teach a philosophy, an ideology, but rather a ‘way,’ a journey to be undertaken with him, and we learn the way as we go, by walking.”

After listening to a reading of Mark 10:32-45, Pope Francis also spoke about

the very human, worldly temptation of “ri-valry, jealousy [and] factions” the first dis-ciples faced.

The reading is a warning to the cardinals and to all Christians to put aside concerns of power and favoritism and “to become ever more of one heart and soul” gathered around the Lord, he said.

Pope Francis told the new cardinals, who come from 15 different countries – includ-ing very poor nations like Haiti and Ivory Coast – that the Church “needs you, your cooperation and, even more, your commu-nion, communion with me and among your-selves.”

“The Church needs your courage,” he said, “to proclaim the Gospel at all times” and “to bear witness to the truth.”

The pope also told the cardinals that the Church needs their “compassion, especial-ly at this time of pain and suffering for so many countries throughout the world,” and for so many Christians who face discrimi-nation and persecution. “We must struggle against all discrimination,” he said.

“The Church needs us also to be peace-makers, building peace by our actions, hopes and prayers,” he said.

The consistory brought to 218 the total number of cardinals in the world; 122 car-dinals are under the age of 80 and eligible to vote in a conclave.


The light of faith is unique, since it is capable of illuminating every aspect of human existence. A light this powerful cannot come from ourselves but from a more primordial source: in a word, it must come from God. Faith is born of an encounter with the living God who calls us and reveals his love, a love which precedes us and upon which we can lean for security and for building our lives. (Lumen Fidei #4)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,Every year, in Her Wisdom, the Church provides a pe-

riod of purification and sacrifice in preparation of the celebration of the Church’s great High Feast, Easter. We call this period of preparation Lent. It is not only a time of sacrifice, of giving something up; but it is also a time of purification, of making right our relationship with God and deepening our faith in Jesus Christ.

The theme for this year’s Bishop’s Annual Lenten Ap-peal is The Light of Faith. It is also the title of the first encyclical of our Holy Father Pope Francis. What a time of great joy last March when our new pope was elected. He has certainly brought the Light of Faith to his pon-tificate and gives us an exemplary example to follow. In Lumen Fidei he says, “Those who have opened their hearts to God’s love, heard his voice and received his light, cannot keep this gift to themselves. Since faith is hearing and seeing, it is also handed on as word and light (#37)”.

The materials for this year’s Lenten Appeal illustrate that we have not kept this great gift to ourselves but shows, in words and images, some of the programs and

ministries made possible by your generosity that shines the Light of Faith on our work here in the Diocese of Harrisburg and beyond.

In the name of all who will benefit from this year’s ap-peal, thank you for sharing you own Light of Faith made manifest in your prayerful and financial support for this year’s Bishop’s Annual Lenten Appeal.

May the graces of this Lenten season strengthen the light of faith in your life so that you can, in turn, share it with others. In the spirit of our Holy Father, may we not think so much about becoming richer, but about how we may become poorer so that others may have a share in the dignity God ordains for them. Thank you for your generosity and sacrifice.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Very Reverend Robert M. Gillelan, Jr. Diocesan Administrator

2012-2013 Lenten Appeal Allocations

Canonical Services8%

Other Administrative

Support1%

Diocesan Support for

Parishes and Schools

13%Catholic

Education13%

Catholic Life and Evangelization

16%Clergy and Religious Life22%

Communications13%

Catholic Charities14%

• Evangelization• Respect for Life• Vocations• Marriage and Family Life• Clergy and Consecrated Life• Liturgy and Worship• Religious Education• Catholic Schools• Adult Religious Formation• Bible Study• Charismatic Renewal• Diocesan Institute• Youth Protection• Safe Environment Education and Training• Black Catholic Apostolate• Hispanic Ministry

• Vietnamese Apostolate• Persons with Disabilities• Catholic Charities• Interfaith Shelter for Homeless Families• Evergreen House• Lourdeshouse• Financial Administration• Information Technology• Social Media• Catholic Scouting• Youth Ministry• Campus Ministry• Young Adult Ministry• Health Care Ministry• Prison Ministry• Senior Adult Ministry

• Retrouvaille• Beginning Experience• Engaged Encounter• Marriage Encounter• Tribunal• Landings• Communications• The Catholic Witness• Cemeteries• Foster Care and Adoption• Counseling Services• Social Outreach• Immigration and Refugee Service• Ecumenism• Archives

Your Generosity to the Lenten Appeal Funds…

Bishop’s Annual Lenten Appeal ~ March 16“Light of Faith”


Ways to GiveMake a Pledge

You may make a pledge and pay in monthly installments. A monthly coupon book will be sent for the duration of the pledge period.

One-Time GiftA one-time, outright gift can be made at any point during the year of the appeal.

Payment MethodsThe following payment methods are accepted: cash, check (payable to your parish), VISA, MasterCard, and/or stocks and securities.

Many companies will match charitable donations through an Employee Match Program. Contact your employer to determine if a

matching program is available.Visit the diocesan Web site at www.hbgdiocese.org/BLACC for ad-ditional information or to make a donation to the appeal.

“I always tell people of the great benefits of the Lenten Appeal - first - through the many support services that are provided to parishes by the Diocese. For example, liturgy, youth ministry, vocations, marriage mentor couple preparation, advocacy for the disabled... and SO many more. One of the personal benefits that I like very much is HCAS (Harrisburg Catholic Administrative Services, Inc). It is SUCH a blessing that our diocese has centralized accounting - and that HCAS provides this service to all our parishes and institutions. First, and most importantly, they do payroll and pay payroll taxes, withhold for insurance, 401k...all those things that, otherwise, we’d have to hire another person (or two) simply to be doing all this paperwork and government required tax payments, etc. Another great benefit of HCAS is that we can pay our bills - no matter where we are financially (not that we should be running in the red, but...). If, for some reason, the parish runs a deficit for a month or even just a short time, HCAS pays our bill - and the parish pays its bill - without having to run to the bank for a loan every time there’s a negative cash balance. This means that not only are our bills paid, but our staff is paid when the parish runs a negative cash balance for a short time. This is a great blessing! Now, at the end of the fiscal year, if the parish is still in the “red” - then we take out a loan from the diocese - but we don’t have to run to a bank every time we need money and the parish doesn’t have it. As a parish, we regularly receive great benefit from the Lenten appeal when we receive the ‘refund.’ Our people are VERY generous - and annually we receive thousands of dollars BACK to use for special projects in the parish. This, too, is a great blessing the Lenten Appeal provides to the parish.”

~ Father John B. BatemanPastor of St. Andrew the Apostle Parish in Waynesboro

“Divine Redeemer Parish has always assisted the past and present bishops of our diocese in their ministerial outreach through our gifts to the Lenten Appeal. Although the economy is financially weak at this time, we see the importance not to give of our surplus but from our means as a testimony of our deep Catholic faith here in the coal regions of the Diocese of Harrisburg. We plan to use the surplus funds to enhance our outreach among the Catholic high school students’ programing entitled the “Mount Carmel Catholic Student Leadership Program” that meets every month for the combined parishes in Mount Carmel.”

~ Father Martin O. MoranPastor of Divine Redeemer Parish

in Mount Carmel

“The faithful of our parish understand our intimate connection to the Diocesan Church of Harrisburg and to the poor and needy in our broader community of faith, so that our support of the Lenten Appeal should be the ‘first offering’ that we pledge each year. Each year, I am only more and more gratified by their generosity as now, over the past three years, we have averaged collections of about 125% of our goal.”

~ Father Peter I. HahnPastor of

St. Leo the Great Parish in Rohrerstown

“I’ve always been appreciative of the way the Lenten Appeal has helped us at Holy Infant Parish in York Haven. First, it helps to provide services to the parish that we couldn’t provide with our own resources. On our own, we couldn’t do what Catholic Charities does or have our own Education Office with staff to guide our Religious Education Program. But, more than that, because we have often been able to exceed the goal set by the diocese, we have been able to use the extra money closer to home. Any money collected over the goal is put to good use in our parish. In recent years, we have been able to use that extra money to help with improvements to our Religious Education Building, repave our parking lot, help with our Youth Ministry program, and put aside money for our Building Fund. The Lenten Appeal has helped us to meet our responsibilities to the Diocesan Church and to our own parish.”

~ Father Edward C. Malesic, JCLPastor of Holy Infant Parish in York Haven


Catholic News Service

Ukrainian Catholic Archbishop Stefan Soroka of Philadel-phia called for “fervent prayers” that God would keep the people of Ukraine strong as they mourn the loss of life in the ongoing strife in that country and that Mary “would extend her protective mantle” over them.

“Throughout the world, people are watching in horror at the surreal scenes of violence and brutality on the streets of [Kiev] and other cities throughout Ukraine,” Archbishop So-roka said in a statement released late Feb. 20.

“The images of confrontation and killing, of widespread fires and billowing smoke against a darkened night sky, and the winter air punctuated by the staccato sounds of gunfire and explosive devices are seared in many of our hearts and minds,” he said.

For such “troubled times” he urged Catholics to find inspiration in the words of Verse 11 of the 29th Psalm: “May the Lord give strength to his people; may the Lord bless his people with peace.”

Earlier on Feb. 20 at least 75 peo-ple were reported killed in clashes between police and protesters in Kiev, Ukraine’s capital.

According to news reports, with the help of Russian and European mediators, an agreement to end the protests and bloodshed was reached early that morning.

The massive death toll was pre-ceded by a night of violent confron-tations Feb. 18-19, which left more than two dozen people dead. Pope Francis and Ukrainian church lead-ers had called Feb. 19 for an end to all violence and a serious commit-ment to dialogue for the good of Ukraine.

Archbishop Soroka called on Catholics to remember Ukraine dur-ing the many prayers for peace they and the celebrant recite during the Divine Liturgy, from the beginning to the end.

“And as we leave our churches, we hear the words, ‘Let us go forth

in peace,’” he said.Released with his statement was “A Prayer for Peace in

Ukraine” and special petitions for the Divine Liturgy.“During these troubling and disturbing times, as many are

thinking about family and friends in Ukraine or others are filled with anxiety about the events in their ancestral home-land, we implore our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to grant us his peace,” Archbishop Soroka said. “May His peace en-able us to be not afraid. (Jn 6:20).”

The Ukrainian Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia has 67 parishes in Philadelphia and elsewhere in Pennsylvania as well as in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Virginia and the District of Columbia. The archdiocese has about 54 priests serving a Catholic population of about 15,700.

One of the Ukrainian Catholic priests in the archdiocese,

Father Roman Pitula, said that for Ukrainian-Americans and the many Ukrainian nationals living in the U.S., the situation in their homeland is never far from their thoughts or their hearts.

Father Pitula, who is pastor of St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church in Frackville, Pa., and St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church in Maizeville, Pa., came from Ukraine to the U.S. in 2002.

He told the Republican Herald newspaper in Pottsville, Pa., that every day he pays close attention to what is going on in his home country and prays for peace.

“Being born there, I feel really bad and sorry for all those people. They are in a great struggle for democracy and hu-man rights,” he told the paper. “Even though I’m a U.S. citizen, I was born there and I can’t forget. It’s in our hearts

always.”In his statement, Archbishop So-

roka offered a prayer for Ukraine: “May the Lord strengthen his peo-ple with courage and fortitude as they endure the suffering and mourn the loss of their loved ones. May he strengthen his people in Ukraine and guide them to a peaceful resolution of this conflict and open their minds to dialogue and reconciliation. May they end the divisive violence and restore tranquility to their nation.”

Since November, protesters in Kiev have been pushing for early elections and constitutional reforms that would reduce presidential pow-ers.

That month, Ukraine seemed poised to join the European Union, but President Viktor Yanukovich instead signed a similar deal with a Russian-led common market of for-mer Soviet states.

Violent clashes erupted Jan. 19 af-ter new laws criminalized “slander-ing” of government officials and the wearing of masks or helmets at dem-onstrations. Since then tens of thou-sands of protesters have gathered for rallies at Independence Square, and actions by police against them have grown increasingly violent.

Archbishop Prays for Peace in Ukraine, God’s Protection of its People

By Cindy WoodenCatholic News Service

A day after at least 75 people were reported killed in clashes between police and protest-ers in Ukraine’s capital, Pope Francis asked the College of Cardinals to send a message of support to the two Ukrainian cardinals who are suffering because their people are.

“I want to send a greeting, not just in my name, but in the name of all, to the Ukrai-nian cardinals – Cardinal [Marian] Jaworski, archbishop emeritus of Lviv, and Cardinal [Lubomyr] Husar, major archbishop emeritus of Kiev – who are suffering very much these days because of the many difficulties in their homeland,” the pope told the cardinals Feb. 21 at the beginning of a meeting to discuss the family. Neither of the Ukrainian cardinals was in Rome for the meeting.

According to news reports, with the help of Russian and European mediators, an agree-ment to end the protests and bloodshed was reached early that morning.

The massive death toll was preceded by a night of violent confrontations Feb. 18-19, which left more than two dozen people dead. Pope Francis and Ukrainian Church leaders had called Feb. 19 for an end to all violence and a serious commitment to dialogue for the good of Ukraine.

“With a troubled heart I am following what is happening in Kiev,” Pope Francis said at the end of his weekly general audience Feb. 19.

“I assure the Ukrainian people of my close-ness and I pray for the victims of the violence, for their families and for the injured,” he said.

“I call on all sides to stop every violent

action and seek agreement and peace,” he added.

In Kiev, Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, major archbishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, stressed “that those holding power bear full responsibility for what is happening in our country.”

“In the name of God, we condemn vio-lence, ruthlessness and the ignoring of human rights and the will of the nation,” he said Feb. 19 as the United Nations and Western gov-ernments demanded an urgent resumption of government-opposition talks.

The archbishop said he had asked Catho-lics to fast and pray for peace and asked Cath-olic churches to ring their bells in rejection of “fratricidal evil.”

Some churches near the protests were be-ing used as makeshift hospitals. A Feb. 19 report in National Review Online said Ukrai-nian Catholic Bishop Borys Gudziak read Archbishop Shevchuk’s statement in Kiev’s Independence Square, then went to visit the ophthalmology unit of a nearby hospital to give the sacrament of the sick to protesters who had their eyes shot out by rubber bullets.

Myroslav Marynovych, vice rector of the Catholic University of Lviv and founder of Amnesty International Ukraine, wrote an open letter in which he told Western authori-ties to “stop ‘expressing deep concern.’” He said protesters “have an allergy to this ... senseless phrase, while all gangsters in the Ukrainian governmental gang enjoy mocking the helplessness of the EU.”

Without specifying Russian and Ukrainian governmental authorities, he urged Western powers to take sanctions against money-laun-dering in European banks and cancel West-

ern visas “for all governmental gangsters and their families. It is a scandal that ordinary Ukrainians living their simple lives have to provide their ancestors’ family trees to obtain a visa while ruling criminals guilty of murder, ‘disappearances,’ and fraud in the eyes of the whole world enjoy virtually free-entry status in Europe.”

Earlier, a bishop from Ukraine’s smaller Latin-rite Catholic Church accused the gov-ernment of President Viktor Yanukovych of “doing nothing to calm people’s grievances,” and also called on Catholics to “pray for the fallen and those still fighting.”

“These people are fighting not just for themselves, but for all of us, even those who are beating them – for the future of their chil-dren, that they may live in a different state,” Auxiliary Bishop Stanislav Szyrokoradiuk of Kiev told Ukraine’s Catholic Credo magazine Feb. 19.

“They are beating them for this, which is why we should pray for them and hope God grants us comfort. We know good will always triumph,” he said.

Prolonged violence erupted Feb. 18 when members of the Ukrainian Parliament blocked opposition attempts to scale back Yanukovych’s powers, and police resumed attempts to clear a protest camp from central Kiev’s Maidan, or Independence Square. Last November, protesters occupied the square after Yanukovych’s withdrawal from a land-mark deal with the European Union.

One Kiev priest, who identified himself as Father Matthew, told Catholic News Service Feb. 19 that armed Ukrainian riot police had burned a chapel, set up in the square in De-cember by Ukrainian Catholic clergy, and had

attempted to beat open the doors of the Latin Catholic cathedral to arrest injured demon-strators.

Father Matthew said one man had been shot dead by police Feb. 18 outside the cathe-dral, adding that many Ukrainians believed Russian special forces had been deployed in Kiev to help quell the unrest.

He said his own car had been searched by troops with Kalashnikov rifles as he arrived for Mass, to ensure he was not “bringing food or medicines for protesters.”

“People are shocked and frightened – we’re now hoping they’ll respect holy places and won’t try to break into our churches,” Fa-ther Matthew said. “Since the attack on the square began, our own cathedral has been full of bleeding people, mostly hit by rubber bul-lets but probably by live rounds as well.”

In a Feb. 19 statement of support, Lithua-nia’s Catholic bishops noted that, in Ukraine, “TV channels are shut down; ultimatum-style demands are voiced. The desire of the Ukrai-nian people to live in a free country faces attempts of suppression by military force, while nobody listens to the will of the people and their aspirations.”

Recalling their country’s break from the Soviet Union in the late 1980s and early 1990s “helps us to understand even better those dramatic hours, lived out by the people of Ukraine,” the Lithuanians said.

“We appeal to all the faithful of Lithu-ania, asking them to unite with the Ukrainian Christians and pray for peace and reconcili-ation in Ukraine, and to remember the dead and the suffering during the Mass. Let the Christian solidarity and prayer ease the pain and lead toward the peace,” the bishops said.

CNS/DAVID MDZINARISHVILI, REUTERSWomen light candles during prayer service at a church in Kiev, Ukraine, Feb. 23. Ukraine’s acting government issued a warrant Feb. 24 for the arrest of President Viktor Yanukovich, last reportedly seen in the pro-Russian Black Sea peninsula of Crimea, accusing him of mass crimes against protesters who stood up for months against his rule.

Pope Asks Cardinals to Send Message of Support to Suffering Ukrainians


By Carol GlatzCatholic News Service

Pope Francis said the worst thing about growing old is not becoming weaker or infirm, but the “abandon-ment, the exclusion, the deprivation of love” in today’s “throwaway culture.”

The pope’s remarks came in a writ-ten message sent to bioethicists, scien-tists, healthcare professionals, religious, theologians and other experts attending the Pontifical Academy for Life’s Feb. 20-21 workshop on “Aging and Dis-ability.”

The pope thanked the academy for its “often tiring work, because it demands going against the tide” in a world fac-ing the “tyrannical domination of an

economic logic that excludes and some-times kills.”

“We have created a ‘throwaway' cul-ture” that is no longer about exploita-tion or oppression, but about treating people as “the outcasts, the ‘leftovers,’” he wrote, citing his apostolic exhorta-tion, Evangelii Gaudium (“The Joy of the Gospel”).

The elderly are particularly affected by this trend of exclusion, especially if they are ill, disabled or vulnerable in other ways, he wrote.

People forget that human relation-ships “are always relationships of recip-rocal dependence” in which the degree of dependence changes over the course of a person’s life, especially at its early and later stages and during periods of

illness or suffering.“The loss of health and having a

disability are never a good reason for exclusion or, worse, eliminating a per-son,” he wrote in the message.

The best place to learn the real value of human life and the duty of solidarity is the family, he wrote.

“In the family you can learn that the loss of health is not a reason to discrimi-nate against some human lives; the fam-ily teaches not to succumb to individu-alism and to strike a balance between the ‘I’ and the ‘we.’”

It’s in the family that people learn that taking care of others is “a foundation of human existence,” the pope wrote. How families treat and care for their elders “becomes critical in order to reconfirm

before all of society the importance of older people” and the active role they should play in the community.

Though older people may seem to “take without anything to give,” he wrote, their experience “warns us not to foolishly repeat our past mistakes.”

Pope Francis noted the academy was celebrating 20 years since Blessed John Paul II established it to promote the dig-nity of life and study current challenges to life in the fields of medicine and law.

The academy’s work is meant to “let people of goodwill know that science and technology, when put at the ser-vice of the human person and his or her fundamental rights, contribute to the integral wellbeing of the person,” Pope Francis said.

Pope: By Taking Care of Elders, Families Show World All Life has Value

CNS/FOXDiogo Morgado stars in a scene from

the movie "Son of God." The upcoming movie should be seen

as "a love story," according to two of its executive producers,

the husband-and-wife team of Mark Burnett and Roma

Downey.

By Mark PattisonCatholic News Service

The upcoming movie “Son of God” should be seen as “a love story,” according to two of its executive pro-ducers, the husband-and-wife team of Mark Burnett and Roma Downey.

“This really is a love story – the greatest love story ever told,” Downey said.

The couple brought the 10-hour miniseries “The Bi-ble” to television last year, garnering sizable ratings on the History cable channel.

Among those 10 hours was the story of Jesus. But Burnett and Downey decided even before the mini-series was televised that they would make a separate movie focusing on Jesus.

“When we were in Morocco filming,” Downey said, “I said to Mark, ‘We should have been making a film here.’” Downey, perhaps best known for her starring role for nine seasons on “Touched by an Angel,” plays Mary, mother of the adult Jesus.

Burnett, whose TV successes have been primar-ily in reality programming from “Survivor” to “Shark Tank” to “The Voice” to “The Apprentice” to “Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader,” concurred, but noted, “It wasn’t shot any differently” for multiplexes than “The Bible” had been for TV. “We use different camera angles. We shoot so much film of every scene it’s easy to make alternate choices.”

“Son of God” premiered in theaters na-tionwide Feb. 28. It tells the story of Jesus through the eyes of an elderly St. John – the only apostle who did not meet a martyr’s fate – on the isle of Patmos.

The film portrays the same kind of brutality seen in “The Passion of the Christ” a decade ago, al-though it’s concealed or sug-gested, as it had been in the miniseries. “Son of God” is rated PG-13 by the Mo-tion Picture Association of America for “intense and bloody depiction of the Crucifixion, and for some se-quences of vio-lence.” Some material may be inappro-priate for c h i l d r e n under 13.

‘Son of God’ Movie ‘a Love Story,’ Say Husband-Wife Producers

Downey did not dwell on the violent aspect of the movie, but in comparing the two films noted Mel Gib-son’s film presupposes the viewer knows the story of Jesus, as it begins with Holy Thursday. “Son of God,” though, begins with Jesus’ birth, and through the signs and wonders he performs in the first hour of the movie, she said, “you get a chance to fall in love with him all over again.”

During a Feb. 4 interview with Catholic News Ser-vice while Downey and Burnett were in Washington to promote the movie, Downey said the endorsement of religious leaders is a big help. Two Catholic prel-ates have endorsed “Son of God”: Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington and Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles. High-profile Protestant leaders endors-ing the film include Bishop T.D. Jakes and the Rev. Rick Warren. “Cardinal Wuerl has been so much of a help to us,” she added.

Burnett said the Anti-Defamation League had also given its own stamp of approval, based in large part on the depiction of events that led up to Jesus’ death: Pontius Pilate having been the fourth Roman governor of a politically restive Judea in the last 20 years; Jeru-salem’s temple leaders, embodied by Caiaphas, being aware of Pilate’s threat to shut down the temple, even at Passover, if Jewish unrest is not tamped down; and the arrival into the holy city of a Nazarene miracle-worker whose reputation precedes him. Burnett added his hope that “Son of God” audiences “could actually see themselves as the disciples” in this stew of political intrigue.

One of Downey’s favorite moments in the movie is not from the dramatic side of the movie, but something that wasn’t even in the script. In a scene presaging Je-sus’ feeding of the five thousand, Jesus and the Apos-tles are in a boat near the coastline. Children running along the shore wave to Jesus, and Jesus [Diogo Mor-gado] waves back and smiles.

“That wasn’t Jesus waving,” Downey said. “That was Diogo waving.” “We got so much feedback

[after the miniseries] from people saying they like what Diogo Morgado brought to the role.” Mor-gado is a native of Portugal who is a popular TV star there. He has starred in films produced in Brazil and Spain. He has leading roles in two U.S. independent films, which will be released shortly.

After a full day of interviews, Downey and Burnett went to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Con-ception to show clips from the movie and to talk with students from the adjacent Catholic University of America. On Feb. 5, they hosted an invitation-only preview screening at the 1,200-seat Lincoln The-ater in Washington.

A year ago, on a similar tour to pro-mote “The Bible,” Downey said she wished they had 20 hours to tell Bible stories instead of the 10 that was eventu-ally settled on for the TV audience. Now, with two-plus more hours, they were able to go into a bit more depth with Jesus’ story. “It could have just as easily been three hours, 20 minutes,” Burnett said.

The success of “The Bible” also pro-duced another spinoff: “A.D,” a 12-hour miniseries to be shown on NBC, taking the story of the Apostles and the early Chris-tians to the small screen.


Trinity High School Capital Campaign Receives $1.5 Million Donation

Trinity High School’s “Faith in our Future” capital campaign to provide resources for needed renovations and improvements recently received a $1.5 million donation from Brad Hollinger, founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Vibra Healthcare.

“I think this donation shows that Brad, like all who have contributed so far, truly wants to make a difference for the future of Trinity and for our students,” said Janet Quigley, Devel-opment Director for Trinity High School in Camp Hill. “I am overwhelmed by his generos-ity and I think it reflects his belief that our capital campaign is a worthy cause.”

Hollinger, a parent of a Trinity High School sophomore, made the donation to the capital campaign to help ensure the future of the school, which has been part of the community for the past 50 years.

“The future of Trinity High School is very important and the capital campaign is address-ing renovations and improvements that are needed for the school to continue to thrive,” said Hollinger. “Trinity provides many opportunities for students to grow and the school prepares graduates for life, not only academically, but socially and morally as well. They do an effective job of building character and instilling the principle of respecting one another and the community benefits as a result.”

The goal of the “Faith in our Future” capital campaign is to raise a total of $13 million, with three separate phases, over 9 years. The campaign is expected to cover costs of up-grades to the high school including exterior renovations, window and insulation improve-ments, a new heating and air conditioning system, and a new electrical system.

Hollinger’s donation created excitement at Trinity and enables the school to begin mak-ing some of the necessary improvements, according to Trinity principal Dr. David Bouton.

“The faculty and staff were impressed and pleased to have a donor like Brad step forward so spontaneously and generously,” said Bouton. “His gift will allow us to commence major projects this summer and I think it also provides motivation and enthusiasm among our other donors and potential donors.”

“I hope this donation encourages others to act,” agreed Hollinger. “Trinity is very family-oriented and the school makes a positive impact on our community and the surrounding region.”

With the capital campaign underway and given a boost by Hollinger’s donation, the im-pact on current and future students of the school is starting to take shape.

According to Bouton, there is a sense of anticipation among current and prospective par-ents whose children will benefit directly from the improvements.

“The major projects, such as a new exterior to our building and eventual central tempera-ture control will significantly enhance the quality of life within our daily learning environ-ment,” said Bouton.

Fairfield Parish to Host Concert by Christian Artist Jaime Thietten

Christian recording artist Jaime Thietten will perform “Celebrating Christ…Celebrating Life” March 2 at 3 p.m. at Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Church in Fairfield. The event will be an afternoon of inspiring music as Jaime shares songs from her new CD of Catholic Hymns and Favorites, as well as songs from previous albums. A free-will offering will be accepted.

She has recorded five albums as well as a powerful DVD and CD packages, and has been featured on EWTN and Ave Maria Radio. For information about her, visit www.jtmusic.net.

Lancaster County’s 40 Days for Life Campaign to Kick Off March 5

On March 5, the highly successful 40 Days for Life campaign returns to Lancaster with 40 days of prayer and fasting that seeks God’s favor to turn hearts and minds to a culture of life, and thus, bringing an end to abortion. This will be Lancaster’s fifth 40 Days for Life campaign.

40 Days for Life is a peaceful, highly-focused, non-denominational, pro-life initiative that focuses on 40 days of prayer and fasting, peaceful vigil at abortion facilities, and grassroots community outreach. The 40-day time frame is drawn from examples throughout Biblical history.

Lancaster’s spring 2014 campaign will run from March 5-April 13 and feature a peace-ful 40-day prayer vigil in the public right-of-way outside the Planned Parenthood facility located at 31 South Lime Street in downtown Lancaster. All prayer vigil participants are asked to sign a statement of peace, pledging to conduct themselves in a Christ-like manner at all times.

Additional campaign events will include:• Rosary - 9 a.m. on March 1 at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin • Mary Church at 119

South Prince Street. • Informational Meeting – 9:30 a.m. on March 1 at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin

Mary Church. Learn about Lancaster’s fifth 40 Days for Life campaign and how you can participate in the prayer vigil and/or support the “Baby Diaper Drive” for our local preg-nancy centers.

• Kickoff Rally – 5 p.m. on March 8 at our vigil site in front of Lancaster’s Planned Par-enthood facility. Come pray with us, hear speakers, and help welcome the “Life Runner” from the A-Cross America Relay.

• Baby Diaper Drive – March 23 at participating Lancaster County churches and at our vigil site. Materials can be dropped at our vigil site from 2 -4 p.m. Donated baby diapers and other new or lightly used baby items are subsequently given to crisis pregnancy centers in Lancaster County to support “Earn-While-You-Learn” programs and low-income moms who choose life.

To learn more about 40 Days for Life, visit: www.40daysforlife.com. For information about the Lancaster County campaign, visit www.40daysforlife.com/Lancsaster or contact Bob Dunn at [email protected] or 717-396-3838.

Peaceful, Prayerful 40 Days for Life Builds in Hanover “On March 5, the highly successful 40 Days for Life campaign returns to Hanover with 40

days of prayer and fasting, peaceful vigil and community outreach,” said Chris Noel, who is coordinating the local campaign. “We pray that these efforts will help mark the beginning of the end of abortion in Hanover.”

Noel said, “We know 40 Days for Life has made a difference in the community here. Our volunteers have made extraordinary sacrifices to expose the abortion industry and to protect children and their mothers from abortion.”

A few of the positive results of previous Hanover campaigns include: 20 local churches and community organizations working together; more than 100 volunteers contributing 480 hours of service to the community; donations collected for Tender Care and the Gabriel Project, local services for mothers to be.

40 Days for Life is a peaceful, highly-focused, non-denominational initiative that focuses on 40 days of prayer and fasting, peaceful vigil at abortion facilities, and grassroots educa-tional outreach. The 40-day time frame is drawn from examples throughout Biblical history.

The campaign will feature a peaceful 40-day prayer vigil on the Hanover square near Planned Parenthood at 8 Center Square, Hanover. All prayer vigil participants are asked to sign a statement of peace, pledging to conduct themselves in a Christ-like manner at all times.

The campaign kicks off at 2 p.m. March 2 at God’s Missionary Church, 1285 Hoff Road, Hanover.

To sign up, or find out more about 40 Days for Life in Hanover, visit: www.40daysforlife.com/Hanover. For assistance or for more information, contact Ann Shultis at 717-880-5282 or [email protected].

The names of the following deceased persons have been submitted by their parishes:ANNVILLE – St. Paul the Apostle: Carl Lupinetti, Joseph McShane.BERWICK – St. Joseph: Cheryl Cerasoli, Angelo DiPasquale.BLOOMSBURG – St. Columba: Martha T. McHugh, Thomas E. Onofrio, Sr.BONNEAUVILLE – St. Joseph the Worker: James F. Elliot, Lauren “Pete” Weaver.CAMP HILL – Good Shepherd: Margaret Ross, Stanley Seese, Sr.CARLISLE – St. Patrick: Antoinette M. Dyson, Karen A. Slusser.CHAMBERSBURG – Corpus Christi: Patricia Wollyung.COAL TOWNSHIP – Our Lady of Hope: William Holland, Georgia Lynn Petrovich.COLUMBIA – Holy Trinity: Jonathan Holt, Harry Sauder, Jr.DANVILLE – St. Joseph: Leonard Hackenberg.ENOLA – Our Lady of Lourdes: Elise Gallas, Donald Leon Karge, Joseph P. Ondrejicka.HARRISBURG – St. Catherine La-bouré: Richard Dolinger, Helen Donbach, Charles Eppinger, Jr., Brenda Sulpizio; St. Francis of Assisi: Lorri Ann Palmer; St. Margaret Mary: Andrew Frankovic.KULPMONT – Holy Angels: John W. Deromedi, Charlene Ziv.LEBANON – Assumption BVM: Debra Lee Kreiser, Vincent Mione, Tri Dang Nguyen, Wilhelm Sammer.LYKENS – Our Lady, Help of Christians: Theresa Yanoscak.MCSHERRYSTOWN – Annunciation BVM: Sally A. Long, Doris “Dot” Shaner, Agnes Staub.MECHANICSBURG – St. Joseph: Anthony Bielaszka, James Shepler.MILLERSVILLE – St. Philip the Apostle: John Sabinash.MOUNT CARMEL – Divine Redeemer: Irene V. Wydila.NEW CUMBERLAND – St. Theresa: Catherine Galitsky, William Paul.NEW FREEDOM – St. John the Baptist: Arlene Dieter, Harry Finnegan, Erin Nowakowski, Mary Marlene Ryan, Val Schissler.NEW OXFORD – Immaculate Conception BVM: Rosville Topper, Jr.PALMYRA – Holy Spirit: Salvatore Cordaro, Richard Musko, Joseph Ponessa.ROHRERSTOWN – St. Leo the Great: John “Jack” Ahern.

Sister Augusta WinterChristian Charity Sister Augusta Winter

died Feb. 7 at Holy Family Convent in Har-risburg. She was 90.

Born Caroline Winter in Philadelphia, she graduated from West Philadelphia Catholic Girls’ High School in 1941. She entered the congregation of the Sisters of Christian Charity at Mendham, N.J., in 1943. She earned a bachelor’s degree in math from St. John University in 1948.

From 1946-1949, Sister Augusta taught at St. Boniface School in Williamsport, Pa. With the opening of Divine Providence Hospital in Williamsport in 1952, a new field awaited Sister Augusta. She earned a degree as a radiology technician from St. Louis University in 1952. She served as Radiology Supervisor at Holy Spirit Hos-pital in Camp Hill and Divine Providence from 1952 until she retired in 2007. She moved to Holy Family Convent in 2009.

Sister Augusta is survived by a sister-in-law, a nephew, and a niece, Christian Char-ity Sister Shawn Donnelly of Holy Family Convent. Burial was in St. Joseph Cem-etery, Danville.

Please pray for the following clergy who died in March during the past 25 years:Father Joseph Zednowicz, 1989Deacon William Smith, 1994Father Stephen Jordan, 1994Franciscan Father Gerald Kedziora, 2002Bishop Nicholas C. Dattilo, 2004Conventual Franciscan Father Robert Grzybowski, 2007Deacon J. Leo Dunn, 2007Abbot John Neitzel, O. Praem, 2008Father Lawrence Gross, 2009Father John Greaney, 2009.

SELINSGROVE – St. Pius X: Richard Coukart.SHAMOKIN – Mother Cabrini: Helen Kopitsky, Alexander Maisuk, Mildred Mihalik, Theresa Pisani, Robert Smoogen, Jerome Switaj, Gertrude Wancio, Jane Ann Yurkiewicz.STEELTON – Prince of Peace: Kenneth Ruppert.YORK – Immaculate Conception BVM: Rose Euculano, Virginia Nolin; St. Patrick: Benjamin Spence; St. Rose of Lima: James Bonner, Esther Lovett.

Diocesan CemeteriesHARRISBURG

Holy Cross Cemetery4075 Derry StreetHarrisburg PA 17111Mount Calvary Cemetery500 South 13th StreetHarrisburg PA 17104Resurrection Cemetery116 South Oak Grove RoadHarrisburg PA 17112Manager Tom BrlanskyPhone: 717-545-4205Fax: [email protected]

LEBANONHoly Cross Cemetery1810 Jay StreetLebanon PA 17046Manager Patrick EichelbergerPhone: [email protected]

MECHANICSBURG/YORK

Gate of Heaven Cemetery1313 York StreetMechanicsburg PA 17055St. Mary CemeteryViolet HillYork PA 17402St. Patrick CemeteryViolet HillYork PA 17402Holy Saviour Cemetery3420 Susquehanna TrailYork PA 17402Manager Joe BrlanskyPhone: 717-697-0206

(Mechanicsburg) 717-764-9685 (York)

[email protected]

ELYSBURGAll Saints Cemetery172 All Saints RoadElysburg PA 17824

Manager Kevin ShervinskiePhone: 570-672-2872Fax: [email protected]

LANCASTERSt. Anthony CemeteryRanck Mill Ave. and Grofftown Rd.Lancaster PA 17602St. Mary CemeteryNew Holland Pike, Route 23Lancaster PA 17601St. Joseph Cemetery(Old St. Joseph’s)440 St. Joseph StreetLancaster PA 17601St. Joseph Cemetery170 Charles RoadP.O. Box 127Bausman PA 17504Manager Patrick EichelbergerPhone: 717-394-2231Fax: [email protected]


Compiled by Jen Reed Spiritual Offerings

Divine Mercy Holy Hour with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction held every third Sunday of the month (except Divine Mercy Sunday) at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Mechanicsburg at 3 p.m. Call Don Tatkovski, 717-432-2847.

Our Lady of Lourdes Virtual Pilgrimage will be offered at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Mechanicsburg March 1 at 7 p.m. The Virtual Pilgrimage guides pilgrims through a prayerful visit to the Grotto including the experience of actual water from the Grotto and the rocks upon which Our Lady stood, participation in a candlelight procession and a priestly blessing. A light supper of subs and pizza available in the Parish Center ($3/person) following the 5:30 p.m. Mass for those who wish to attend Mass and stay for the Virtual Pilgrimage. Call the parish office at 717-697-2614.

The Sisters of the Reparation to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus will present the message of Divine Mercy as given by Our Lord to St. Faustina at 7 p.m. March 2-4 at St. Margaret Mary Church in Harrisburg. All are invited to meet the Sisters and hear the special one-hour talk followed by veneration of a First Class Relic of St. Faustina.

Mass with prayers for healing will be celebrated March 4 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Theresa Church in New Cumberland by Father Paul Clark. The Mass is sponsored by the Pilgrims of Praise and Life in the Spirit prayer groups; call Mary Ann at 717-564-7709 or Loretta at 717-737-7551.

Mass with prayers for healing will be celebrated March 6 at 6 p.m. at St. Jude Thaddeus Church in Mifflintown by Father William Weary.

St. Richard Parish in Manheim will host a Virtual Pilgrimage of Lourdes March 7 at 7 p.m. During the pilgrimage, participants will be able to touch the rock that the Blessed Mother stood on. Pope Francis has granted a Plenary Indulgence for all who attend. For information, call 717-665-2465.

The North American Lourdes Volunteers will conduct a Virtual Pilgrimage to Lourdes at St. Patrick Church in York March 9 at 1:30 p.m. Pope Francis has granted by Apostolic Decree a Plenary Indulgence for all who attend. Experience the grace and healing of Lourdes through a prayerful visit to the Grotto, touching the Grotto rocks, experiencing the healing water, and participating in a Eucharistic blessing and Rosary procession. A free-will offering will be taken to support the organization. Contact Deacon Michael at [email protected] or 717-347-7350 or visit www.stpatrickyork.org.

A Virtual Pilgrimage to Lourdes will be offered at Holy Name of Jesus Church in Harrisburg March 10 at 7 p.m. The North American Lourdes Volunteers will conduct the program, which will include prayerful reflection, an experience of the healing water of Lourdes, touching a Grotto rock, a Eucharistic blessing and a rosary procession. Pope Francis has granted a Plenary Indulgence for all who attend. For more information, visit www.lourdesvolunteers.org.

A public Rosary rally to pray for America and for the world is held every third Saturday of the month on the square in New Oxford at noon. The next date is March 15.

Mass in the Polish language will be celebrated by Father Walter Sempko March 16 at 2 p.m. at St. Catherine Laboure Church in Harrisburg. Confessions are heard in English and Polish after Mass. The Polish Mass in April will be celebrated on the second Sunday of the month, April 13.

A Mass for persons with Autism and their families will be held April 5 at 6 p.m. at St. Catherine Laboure Church, Harrisburg. Father Neil Sullivan, pastor, will hear Confessions after Mass for families who wish to take advantage of this opportunity during Lent. There will be assistants available to be with any children whose par-ents wish to go to Confession. For further information, contact Alice Womer, Parish Advocate for People with Disabilities, at [email protected].

Education, Enrichment & Support Caregivers Group: “16 Stress Reducing Strategies” will be

offered March 3 at 3:30 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Mechanicsburg in Meeting Room 1. Coping with stress will be discussed for the next several months in addition to our usual talking, laughing, and learning from other caregivers. It also helps to attend with friends. Meetings are private and last about an hour. Experienced in-home sitters can be provided with advance notice. For information or to schedule a sitter, call Ernie Nettleton, 717-766-8806; or Sue Fletcher, Volunteer Coordinator, 717-697-6929.

York Catholic High School is offering “Driven 2 Distraction” March 10 from 6:30-8 p.m. in the auditorium. Parents and students can learn about the dangers of texting and driving and what can be done to help encourage safe driving. No registration neces-sary. Program presented by the Susan P. Byrnes Health Education Center and made possible through a generous donation by Randy & Susan Byrnes.

Immaculate Conception BVM Parish in Berwick is offering Father Robert Barron’s new DVD series, “Catholicism: The New Evangelization.” The next session will be at 6:30 p.m. March 13, on new ardor and new enthusiasm. One video will be presented each month through July.

The Council of Catholic Women at St. Columba Parish in Bloomsburg will host a lecture on End of Life Issues and Catholic Teaching March 13 at 7 p.m. Judy Dobson RN, MSN, will give an overview on the dying process, advanced directives, hospice care, foods and fluids, and more in light of Church teaching. Contact Becky Flynn at [email protected].

Diocesan Catholic Committee for Scouting – Adult Boy Scout leaders (Scouters) are invited to the second meeting of the DCCS for 2014, on March 15 from 10 a.m.-noon at the Cardinal Keeler Center, Harrisburg. We need more volunteers to assist us in implementing our new outreach programs for 2014. We will explore ways to continue to promote the Catholic religious medals program. Counselor training for the Ad Altare Dei and Pope Pius XII emblems will be at the May 17 meeting at 9 a.m. and 1:15 p.m., as well as the 36th annual retreat on Sept. 20. We are looking for a representa-

tive in each council to be the point person for this endeavor. We will continue to discuss plans for the 2014 retreat. We are moving forward with plans for a Catholic week at summer camp in 2015. Check out our Facebook page to see the 2014 and 2015 calendar of activities. Contact the Office for Youth and Young Adult Ministry at [email protected] or 717-657-4804 x 327.

The Dauphin District Council of Catholic Women will hold a Morning Day of Prayer March 22 at St. Margaret Mary Church. Gathering will be at 7:45 a.m. in the narthex of the Church. At 8:30 a.m., Mass will be celebrated in the Church, followed by the Rosary. Breakfast will be served in the school cafeteria. The speaker will be Father Charles Persing, pastor. Cost is $10 - make checks payable to St. Margaret Mary CCW and mail to Roseann Cox, Treasurer, 2630 Boas Street, Harrisburg, PA 17103. RSVP by March 14.

A Ladies’ Day of Recollection, sponsored by the Mater Dei Traditional Latin Mass Community, will be held March 22 at St. Lawrence Chapel, Harrisburg. The Director will be Father Robert Novokowsky, F.S.S.P., who will speak on “Protecting Our Families in Today’s World.” The day will begin with Mass at 9 a.m. and con-clude with Benediction at 2:45 p.m. Cost is $20 per person, which includes light breakfast, lunch and break refreshments. Contact Christina Stoner at 717-432-5415. RSVP by March 16.

Retreats & Pilgrimages The Women’s Group of Queen of the Most Holy Rosary

Parish in Elysburg, “Women, Wine and Psalm,” will hold a Spring Spiritual Retreat March 29, beginning with 8:30 a.m. Mass in the chapel. Opening prayer service will be at 9:30 a.m., presented by Sister Jean Marie Holup of the Sisters of St. Cyril and Methodius in Danville. Topic will be “Mary, the Compassion of God and First Disciple.” Retreat will end with lunch at noon in Father Slough Hall. Retreat open to women of area parishes, $10 cost for lunch. Contact Tina Jansen at 570-850-8474.

A Eucharistic Pilgrimage to EWTN/Mother Angelica Shrines in Alabama is planned June 22-26, 2014, sponsored by Our Lady of Fatima Church, Baltimore, Father Robert Harrison, pastor. Penn-sylvania and Maryland pickups. Visit and stay at Monastery shrine(s), attend Masses, talks, healing service, live show, Vespers, Poor Clare’s gift shops, etc. Complete package: $575. Contact Jan-ice Neil at 410-274-1558 or [email protected], or Nick DiNunzio at 717-319-1668 or [email protected].

Events & Fund-Raisers Holy Trinity Parish in Columbia is holding its 90th annual

fastnacht bake. Cost is $5.75 a dozen for plain, $6.75 a dozen for glazed. Fastnachts must be pre-ordered by calling 717-681-2505 from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Harrisburg Catholic Elementary School will hold Open Registration Feb. 28 at the Holy Family campus from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The Cathedral campus houses Pre-School and grades 5-8, and the Holy Family campus houses Kindergarten and grades 1-4. Contact the school at 717-232-2551 or 717-234-3797.

St. Richard Parish in Manheim will hold its annual spaghetti dinner Feb. 28 from 4:30-8:30 p.m. Tickets are $9 for those age 10 and older, $4 for children ages 4-9, free for children three and under. Call 717-665-2465.

St. Philip’s Preschool in Millersville is hosting American Girl Bingo Feb. 28 in the parish gym. Girls and their grown-ups are invited for an evening of bingo, raffles, food and prizes. Doors open at 5 p.m., and there will be a special Early Bird game at 6:15 for the 2014 Doll of the Year, Isabelle. Regular games begin at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $20, and $10 for children accompanied by a paying adult.

York Catholic High School presents the Spring Musical, “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast™,” Feb. 28 at 7 p.m., March 1 at 7 p.m., and March 2 at 2 p.m. in the auditorium. General admission tickets are available at the door for $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens and students. Call 717-846-8871 x10.

The Holy Name of Jesus CCW in Harrisburg will host a spaghetti dinner March 1 in the social hall from 4-7 p.m. Dinner in-cludes salad, bread, dessert and beverage. Tickets at the door. Adults $8, children (6-12) $4 and children under 6 free. There will also be a raffle. Call Evelyn at 717-657-2066.

St. Cecilia Parish in Lebanon will have its annual Fastnacht sale March 2-4. Doors open for sales at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Cost is $9 a dozen. There is a limit of 5 dozen at the door.

St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Annville will host a Shrove Tuesday Spaghetti Dinner March 4 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4-7 p.m. Spaghetti and meatball(s), salad, bread, dessert, choice of drink. Cost is $8 for large, $5.50 for small. Carry-outs available; bring your own container.

St. Joseph Parish Fun Committee in Hanover will host a pancake supper March 4 from 4:30-7 p.m. in the Monsignor Grib-bin Social Hall. Pancakes, sausage, applesauce, coffee, and soft drinks for $5. Call 717-637-5236.

The Men of St. Philip’s Club will hold its last Toy Train show of the season March 8 in the gym located at St. Philip the Apostle Parish in Millersville. The show runs from 9 a.m.-noon and will have trains and train-related items for sale, along with some small train layouts. Admission is $5 per family. Breakfast and lunch available. For information, or if you are interested in selling or knowing about your toy trains, contact Charlie Sauer at 717-872-8481.

Lebanon Catholic School will hold its International Food Festival March 9 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. The event offers a sampling of food from every corner of the world, with homemade dishes from Germany, France, Italy, the Caribbean and Puerto Rico, as well as Slovak, American and Mexican favorites. Take-outs available. Tickets are available in $5 booklets on the day of the event. Call 717-273-3731 ext. 322 or visit www.lebanoncatholicschool.org.

York Catholic High School’s Athletic Association is host-ing Bingo March 9 at the high school. Doors open at noon, games begin at 2 p.m. Cost is $30 at the door and includes 15 paper cards. Additional strips of 3 available for $3 each. Two jackpots of $500 and one $1,000 jackpot. Refreshments available for pur-chase. Call 717-846-8871 x11.

St. Philip the Apostle Youth Ministry in Millersville is sponsoring a Vendor Bingo March 9 in the parish gym. Doors open at 1:30 p.m., bingo begins at 3 p.m. Vendors are donating prizes for the 20 games of regular bingo and will also be available for sales. In addition to regular games of bingo, there will be two special games, raffles, and door prizes. Refreshments will be sold. Menu includes chicken corn soup, meatball subs, hot dogs, beef barbe-cue, soft pretzels, chips, pretzels, fudge, baked goods and drinks. Contact Christine Miller at 717-872-2166 or [email protected]. Proceeds benefit the youth and adult chaperones who will at-tend Catholic Heart Workcamp in Greensboro, N.C., in July, 2014.

Holy Family Radio, WHYF AM 720, will hold a Lenten Benefit Dinner March 14 at 7 p.m. at the Cardinal Keeler Center, Har-risburg. Guest speaker is Dr. Matthew Bunson, an internationally known theologian, historian, and author of over 50 books. His pre-sentation is entitled, “Pope Francis, the New Evangelization, and Catholic Media.” Cost for the dinner is $100. Cost for a Patron is $1,200, which includes a table for 8, listing in the program, a sign at the table, the opportunity to meet Dr. Bunson and an autographed copy of his book “Pope Francis.” Emcee is Tom Russell, Chief Meteorologist at CBS 21. From 6:30-7 p.m., music will be provided by Perfect Occasion Live. Reservations may be sent to Holy Family Radio, Inc., PO Box 6028, Lancaster, PA. 17607-6028. Call 717-392-0298 or visit www.720whyf.com.

Call all Trinity High School alumni – The school’s 50th An-niversary events are in full swing. If you haven’t been able to attend any events so far there are still several opportunities available. An All-Class Reunion will be held March 15. Purchase tickets online at https://sites.google.com/a/thsrocks.us/default1/50th-anniversary, call 717-761-2228 or e-mail [email protected].

St. Columba School in Bloomsburg will hold its St. Patrick’s 5K Run/Fun Walk March 15 at 9 a.m. in downtown Bloomsburg. Awards for age groups, male and female, and best dressed Irish male, female and family. Cost is $15 for pre-entry and includes t-shirt if received by March 9. Cost is $20 on race day. Or, $50 fee for families of four or more before March 7; family fee is $60 on race day. For a registration form, call 570-784-5932.

A Thirty-One/Coach Bingo to benefit Resurrection Catholic School in Lancaster will be held at St. Anthony of Padua Cafeteria in Lancaster March 16. Doors open at 1 p.m., bingo starts at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $18 in advance, $23 at the door. Door prizes, food and special games. Call Stephanie Aponte to pre-purchase your tickets at 717-286-7449. Deadline is March 1.

Sacred Heart School in Conewago will host a night of NCAA basketball March 21. Watch five Division 1 basketball games on five televisions while eating, drinking and taking chances on raffles and competing in a corn hole tournament. Event will be held in the school gym from 6 p.m.-midnight. Must be 21 to attend. Cost is $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Call 717-632-8715 0r email [email protected].

St. Margaret Mary School in Harrisburg will host its annual 5K run/walk March 22 at 8:30 a.m. Course begins and ends at the school. Prizes for various age groups. Registered participants receive a T-shirt and goodie bag. Prizes and refreshments pro-vided. Registration is $20 with shirt, $15 without shirt by March 11; $25 with shirt while supplies last, $20 without shirt after March 11. Register at www.pretzelcitysports.com.

An International Dinner, sponsored by the Corpus Christi Council of Catholic Women, will be held at 5 p.m. March 23 in the Corpus Christi Parish Center, Chambersburg. Proceeds benefit The St. Vincent De Paul Society Food Bank, which serves the poor and hungry of Franklin County. Enjoy the live entertainment of the Big Band Combo with music from the Big Band era. Call Edna at 717-264-8832 or Brenda at 717-658-8191. Tickets also available at the Parish Office. Cost is $15 for adults, $6 for children 5-12, free for children under 5. Purchase tickets by March 19; no walk-ins the day of the event.

York Catholic High School’s Pot of Gold Draw Down Dinner will be held March 28 at the Country Club of York. Hors d’oeuvres at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m., and the Draw Down starts at 8 p.m. The Draw Down features $10,000 total cash plus many additional prizes. First prize is $5,000 cash. Cost for dinner and a name on the draw-down board is $150. Call 717-846-8871 x51.

Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Cornwall is holding a fund-raiser for its new church March 29 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the parish center. More than 30 vendors, including Princess House, Arbonne, Signature, Sour Dough Bread, Homemade Soaps and Shampoos, Close To My Heart, 31 Bags, Stampin Up, Tupperware, Longa-berger, and more. A raffle will feature items donated by each the vendors. Food to eat and food to-go, including barbecue chicken and sandwiches. A bake sale is also being held. Contact Trish Lamont at 717-964-2230 or [email protected].

Parishes & Organizations St. Rose of Lima Parish in York is seeking a part-time Coor-

dinator of Religious Education and a full-time Director of Music Min-istry. The position of Coordinator of Religious Education requires a highly responsible person with good organizational skills and the ability to work efficiently with others as they manage the Religious Education Department of the parish. Candidate must be a Catholic in good standing who supports all the teachings of the Church while possessing the ability to share the faith with others. Basic and Advanced Diocesan Catechetical Certificates are required, as well as at least three years experience as a catechist. The position of Director Music Ministry requires a highly responsible person who holds specialized credentials in music and who has a thorough understanding of Roman Catholic liturgy. This person of faith is responsible for the effective planning, coordination and execution of music within the liturgical celebrations of the parish. The position is also responsible for developing and maintaining various choral groups. For both positions, background clearances will be required before hire. Interested candidates should submit resume to Steve Douglas, Business Manager, 950 West Market Street, York, PA 17404 or send to [email protected].


St. Ann Byzantine Catholic Church in Har-risburg will serve Lenten dinners featuring broiled fish and Perohi on Wednesday evenings from 4-6:30 p.m. Homemade side dishes, soups and desserts will also be available. Perohi will also be sold frozen for $5.50 per dozen each Wednesday and Saturday during Lent in the parish hall. Wednesday times are from noon-1 p.m. and 4-6:30 p.m. Saturday sales are 9 a.m.-noon. Fillings include potato & cheese, cabbage, sauerkraut, prune, farmer cheese and apple. For more infor-mation, call 717-652-1415, or visit www.stannbyz.org. Lenten Dinners and Perohi sales begin Ash Wednesday, March 5. Proceeds from the dinners support charitable programs; Perohi sales benefit parish educational programs.

Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Cornwall will serve Lenten fish dinners on Wednesdays March 5-April 16 from 4-7 p.m. in the parish social hall at the intersection of Route 419 and Cornwall Road. Menu includes baked or fried fish and baked potato or French fries, applesauce or cole slaw, homemade dessert, coffee or tea. Salad will also be available. Cost is $8 for adult dinners and $2 for child’s (12 & under) fish dinner.

Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Berwick will hold its fish fry on Fridays Feb.28-April 11 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Batter dipped fish, baked fish, chicken tenders, breaded shrimp. Choice of French fries or baked potato, and choice of corn, cole slaw or baked beans. Dinners are $8. Additional charge for extra fish or sides. Shrimp, chicken, pie, rice pudding and beverage available for additional charge. Eat in or take out. Factory orders must be placed by 10 a.m. Call 570-759-9227 or Fax 570-759-6637.

The Knights of Columbus of St. Jude Thad-deus Parish in Mifflintown will serve its annual Lenten fish dinners in the church social hall on Fridays Feb. 28-April 11 from 4-7 p.m. All-you-can-eat meal includes fried and baked fish, popcorn shrimp, fried clams, French fries, macaroni and cheese, stewed tomatoes, corn, green beans, coleslaw, applesauce, rolls, puddings, and a selection of homemade desserts. Pay at the door: adults $10; ages 6-12 $6; children 5 under free. St. Jude is located at 3918 William Penn Hwy (Old Route 22), Mifflintown, across from Tusca-rora Junior High School.

The Parish Council of Catholic Women of Assumption BVM Parish in Lebanon have scheduled their Soup & Bread Sale for March 1 in the East Meeting Room of the Parish Center. The sale will run from 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

Holy Infant Parish in York Haven will serve Lenten Fish Dinners on Fridays March 7, 14 and 21 from 4:30-7 p.m. Menu includes two types of fish to choose from, two side dishes, dinner roll and drink for $8. Ala carte menu is also available. The parish is also making homemade chocolate peanut butter eggs (dark and milk chocolate) and coconut eggs. The cost is $10 per dozen or $1 each if sold individually. Contact Becky at 717-266-5286 or e-mail [email protected] to place your order.

Divine Redeemer Parish in Mount Carmel will host the following Lenten meals: March 7 and April 4, potato cakes will be sold from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. or until sold out in Divine Mercy Hall, 400 Block of West Cherry St., Mt. Car-mel. Eat in or take out. Potato cakes are $.75 each. Batter will also be available for purchase for those wishing to make them at home. March 21, a fish, macaroni & cheese and stewed tomatoes dinner will be held from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. in Divine Mercy Hall, 400 Block of West Cherry St., Mt. Carmel. Eat in or take out. Dinner includes a drink and roll for $8. April 13, a spaghetti dinner will be held on Palm Sunday from 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. in Divine Mercy Hall, 400 Block of West Cherry Street, Mount Carmel. Dinner includes salad, spaghetti & meatballs, bread & butter, dessert and bever-age. Tickets are $8 and may be purchased in advance at the parish office or at the door. Eat in or take out. Bring your own containers for take outs.

St. Rose of Lima Parish in York will hold its Lent-en seafood dinners each Friday through Lent, starting March 7. Take-out or eat-in lunch runs from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., and take-out or eat-in dinner from 4-8 p.m. A special lunch on Ash Wednesday, March 5, is offered from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Entrees include crab cakes, shrimp, and baked and fried fish, crab imperial, fried clams, scallops, grilled cheese sandwiches and more. Lighter fare and $4 kids’ menus also available. Entrees are served with beverage, potatoes or pasta, cole slaw or vegetable of the day. Homemade macaroni and cheese, soups and desserts are available. For take-out service, place orders by calling 717-854-1371.

Holy Angels Parish in Kulpmont will serve Lenten fish dinners on Fridays during Lent from 4-6 p.m. in the Activity Center. Donation of $8 includes soup and salad bar, baked fish, potatoes, vegetable, cole slaw, bread, des-sert and beverage.

St. Joseph Parish in Milton will serve Lenten Fish and Shrimp Dinners every Friday during Lent (except Good Friday) at the parish center on Cemetery Road from 4-6:30 p.m. Cost is $9 for adults, $7.50 for a small adult dinner, and $5 for children under 10. Hand-breaded fresh haddock, homemade macaroni & cheese, cole slaw, dessert and beverage. For take outs, call 570-742-4481.

St. Monica Parish in Sunbury will be having their Friday Lenten Fish Meals on March 7, March 21 and April 4 in the Parish Center from 4-6:30 pm. Meals are available for eat in or take out. Cost is $7.00 per dinner. The menu for March 7 is baked fish, macaroni and cheese, stewed tomatoes, green beans, pepper slaw and dessert.

Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Enola will serve baked fish and mac & cheese dinners on Friday March 7-April 4 from 4-7 p.m. in the parish social hall. Menu includes seasoned baked cod, baked macaroni & cheese, vegetable or stewed tomatoes, cole slaw, roll, dessert &

coffee or punch. Baked fish is $10 for adults, $5 for children. Macaroni and cheese is $8 for adults, $4 for children. Eat in or take out. No reservations necessary.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Mechanic-sburg is holding Lenten fish dinners Fridays March 7-April 11 from 4-6:45 p.m. Cost is $11 for adults, $5 for children. Advance tickets on sale after Sunday Masses on Feb. 16, 23rd and March 2.

St. Philip the Apostle Parish in Millersville will host Lenten meals served by parish organizations prior to Stations of the Cross. Meals are served from 4:30-6:30 p.m., or until sold out. Meals available for take out. Prices range from $3-$4.50. Stations of the Cross begin in the church at 7 p.m. March 7 served by the choir, veggie lasagna, salad, Italian bread, dessert and drink. March 14 served by Guys & Dolls, pizza, salad, dessert and drink. No dinner March 21 due to Confirmation. March 28 served by the parish council, fish sandwich, cole slaw, chips, dessert and drink. April 4 served by the youth ministry, macaroni & cheese, stewed tomatoes, butter bread, salad, dessert and drink. April 11 served by the Boy Scouts, spaghetti, salad, butter bread, dessert and drink.

St. Peter Parish in Elizabethtown is hosting an “all you can eat seafood buffet” Fridays from March 7-April 11 in the parish center. Doors open at 5 p.m., and dinner is served until 7 p.m. Cost is $12 for adults, $5 for children, free for children under 2. Take outs available. Bring a canned food item for the Elizabethtown Food Bank and receive $1 off dinner. Proceeds benefit Hope Within Ministries, local food banks and St. Vincent de Paul. For information, call 717-367-1255 or visit www.stpeteretown.org.

Knights of Columbus Council 15137 from Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish in Harrisburg will serve Lenten fish dinners Fridays March 7-April 11 from 4:30-7 p.m. in the Community Center located in the base-ment of the church. Dinner choices will feature beer- battered haddock, baked lemon pepper tilapia, and breaded shrimp along with mac & cheese with fish sticks for kids. Adult din-ners are $10 per person and kids’ meals are $5. Dessert and beverage included. Take-outs are available. Please join us for Stations of the Cross at 7 p.m. each Friday.

Knights of Columbus Council #13692 will hold a Super Fish Fry and Dinner Specials every Friday during Lent through April 11 in the Immaculate Heart of Mary parish hall in Abbottstown. Serving for the dinners, which include beverages and desserts, will be from 4:45-7 p.m. Take outs are also available.

St. Francis Xavier Parish in Gettysburg will host Lenten fish frys on Fridays March 7, 14, 28 and April 4 and 11 from 5-7 p.m., at Xavier Center, 465 Table Rock Road, Gettysburg. (No Fish Fry on March 21). Dine in or take out. Adult, senior, children and reduced portions available. Children under 5 eat free. Menu features cod, haddock, shrimp, clams, shrimp salad, vegetable choices, mac & cheese, pizza, dessert, beverages. For further info, call 717-334-4048.

Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Middletown is holding its annual fish fry on Fridays March 7-April 11 from 5-8 p.m. in the school cafete-ria. The menu features all-you-can-eat batter-dipped fish plus lemon-pepper fish, crab cakes, jumbo fried shrimp, macaroni and cheese, pierogies, a variety of delectable desserts, and more. The fish fry is handicap accessible. Overflow parking is available at nearby Feaser Middle School. Doors open at 3:30 p.m.; service begins at 5 p.m. Dine in or place your takeout order by calling 717-944-5488 after 4 p.m. Cash, check, MasterCard, Visa, and Discover cards are accepted. Also available for sale during the Fish Fry – delicious handmade chocolate eggs available in peanut butter, butter cream, and coconut dipped in white, dark, or luscious milk chocolate. For more information, including full menu, visit www.sevensorrows.org and click on “Lenten Fish Fry.”

St. Joan of Arc Parish in Hershey will hold Soup & Stations on Fridays during Lent from 6-7 p.m. March 7-April 11. A meal of hot soup and a presentation on The Book of Revelation will be held in the school cafeteria, followed by Stations of the Cross in the Church.

St. Theresa Parish in New Cumberland will host a Homemade Soup and Bread Series beginning March 10 at 6 p.m. in the Little Flower Social Hall. The speakers for each week are: Father Michael Rothan, March 10: Deacon Tom Aumen, March 17; Father Louis Ogden, March 24; and Father David Hereshko, March 31. A free-will donation is taken with proceeds going to the speaker’s favorite charity. Contact Deacon Thomas Boucek for additional information at 717-774-1112.

St. Matthew Knights of Columbus Council 15351 in Dauphin is hosting three Lenten Fish Dinners March 14, March 28 and April 11 from 4-7 p.m. at the St. Matthew Parish Activity Center, 607 Stoney Creek Drive, Dauphin. Menu: homemade crab cake dinner $12, haddock fillet dinner $8, crab/haddock Dinner $10, children’s dinner $5. Dinners include stuffed potato, cole slaw, applesauce, roll and drink. Homemade pierogies are available a la carte. As-sorted desserts will also be available for purchase. Proceeds benefit St. Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist Catholic Church.

Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Parish in Elysburg will hold three Lenten Dinners, serving 4:30-6:30 p.m. in the Parish Social Hall, eat in or take out. Cost is $9 for adults, $6 for children 10 and under, free for children under 5. March 7 is shrimp scampi and linguini; March 21 is baked fish with Orzo Italiano, and April 4 is linguini with clam sauce. All dinners include salad, garlic bread, dessert and beverage. For more information, contact the parish office at 570-672-230.

Corpus Christi Parish, ChambersburgParish Council of Catholic Women will host a women’s Lenten retreat March

8. The day begins at 9 a.m. in the Corpus Christi Parish Center and will end with Mass at 5 p.m. in the church. The cost is $25 and includes a take-home journal and catered lunch. Studying the miracles of Jesus, you will see how God’s grace is evident in your life and the lives of others. Checks should be made payable to the Corpus Christi CCW and mailed to Corpus Christi Parish Office, 320 Phila-delphia Avenue, Chambersburg, PA 17201, Attention CCW. Registrations should be returned no later than Feb. 21. For more information, contact Monica Crider 717-264-6317, ext. 126, or [email protected].

Holy Angels Parish, KulpmontBible Study from Catholic Scripture Study International, Sundays March 9-April

13 at 6 p.m. in the parish hall. Registration is $15, due the first night. RSVP by March 5. Call Kathy at 570-205-4704 or Debbie 570-274-5861.

Lenten Afternoon of Reflection, March 23 at 2 p.m., by Rev. David Dormer.Stations of the Cross, Fridays during Lent at 2 and 7 p.m.

Immaculate Conception BVM Parish, FairfieldA Lenten Day of Recollection with Father Frederick Miller from Mount St. Mary’s

Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md., March 22 from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Morning Prayer, morning and afternoon conferences, Confessions, Mass, lunch and a question-and-answer session. A free-will offering will be taken. St. Philomena’s Book Store available will sell religious articles/books. Coffee, donuts, soup and drinks avail-able; bring a brown bag lunch. To register, contact Becky Sites at 717-642-8815 or [email protected], or Mary Heibel at 717-338-2044 or [email protected].

St. Ignatius Parish, Buchanan ValleyParish Council of Catholic Women will offer a women’s Lenten Retreat, March 8

beginning with 8:30 a.m. Mass and concluding at noon. Sister Thelma Steiger and Sister JoAnn Knight will present “The Lenten Journey” with periods of discussion and private reflection. Free. Contact Kathy at 717-352-4558.

St. Margaret Mary Parish, HarrisburgDVD series by Father Robert Barron, “The Seven Deadly Sins - Seven Lively

Virtues,” offered in the Divine Mercy Room after Stations of the Cross on Fridays during Lent. The four-week program runs Fridays March 14-April 4. No charge or registration. For information, call 717-233-3062.

St. Peter Parish, ElizabethtownStations of the Cross every Friday in Lent at 7 p.m., led by the parish’s religious

education students, in the Historic Church at 1 St. Peter Place. On Good Friday, April 18, our youth will have a special presentation of the Living Stations at 7:30 p.m. in the New Church, 1840 Marshall Drive.

Parish Mission, March 23-25. Dr. Carol Houghton, Chancellor of the Harrisburg Diocese, will share talks on Lent, trust and the Holy Eucharist. Services every evening at 7 p.m. in the New Church. Call the parish at 717-367-1255 or visit www.stpeteretown.org.

Adult education with Monica Malpezzi, who will present “The Way of the Cross as a Way of Life” Tuesdays March 11, 18, April 1 and April 8 at 7 p.m. in the New Church. Call the parish at 717-367-1255 or visit, www.stpeteretown.org.

St. John the Baptist Parish, New FreedomStations of the Cross, Fridays at 7 p.m. in the Main Church, beginning March 7.Passion Experience, April 11 at 7 p.m. in the Main Church, in place of Stations.Friday, 6 a.m. Lenten Masses in the Historic Church beginning March 7; no Mass Good Friday.Living Stations of the Cross, April 16 at 7 p.m. in the Main Church. Morning Prayer at 9 a.m. in the Historic Church April 17, 18 and 19.

St. Joseph Parish, YorkParish Lenten Renewal, “The Easter Story: Hope, Healing and New Life,”

March 9-11 from 7-8:30 p.m. Presenter is Johnnette Benkovic, Catholic evange-list, author and host of EWTN’s “Women of Grace.” Johnnette lost her son Simon in a tragic vehicular accident, and soon after Simon’s death, she lost her beloved husband of more than 33 years, Anthony, to terminal brain cancer. Schedule for the Lenten Renewal:

• March 9: 7 p.m. Vespers, 7:30 p.m. Johnnette Benkovic, 8:30 p.m. Confessions• March 10: 9 a.m. Lenten Reflection “Walking the Way of the Cross with Our

Lady,” followed by Confessions; 7 p.m. Taize; 7:30 p.m. Johnnette Benkovic; 8:30 p.m. Confessions

• March 11: 9 a.m. Lenten Reflection, “Walking the Way of the Cross with Our Lady,” followed by Confessions; 12:15 p.m. John Paul II Stations of the Cross; 7:30 p.m. Johnnette Benkovic; 8:30 p.m. Exposition and Benediction

St. Philip the Apostle Parish, MillersvilleParish Mission retreat led by Father Paul Bryan, C.S.s.R and Sister Mary Snin-

sky, Osf., “Celebrating God’s Unconditional Love,” March 9-12. Evening Services at 7 p.m. Morning Retreat Talks will take place after the 9 a.m. daily Mass on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Harrisburg Diocesan Guild of the Catholic Medical Association

Catholic physicians, healthcare workers, medical students and residents are invited to the guild’s Annual Lenten Reflection, March 22 from 9 a.m.-noon at the Cardinal Keeler Center in Harrisburg. Father Chester Snyder will speak on, “Baptized into Christ Jesus: An invitation to Greater Intimacy with God.” Morning includes Mass, Confessions, Adoration and light refreshments. Free-will offering will be accepted. RSVP by March 20 to: [email protected].

Theology on Tap, Lancaster The next session of Theology on Tap in Lancaster will be March 4 at the

Lancaster Brewing Company. Father Mark Weiss, pastor of St. Philip the Apostle Parish in Millersville, will present “Come Lay Down, Lift Up, and Love the Cross of Christ,” a brief history of Lent and how the Lenten journey conforms to the life of Christ. Happy half hour begins at 7 p.m., followed by the presentation at 7:30 p.m. and a question-and-answer session. Visit www.totlancaster.com.

Young Adult Lenten Retreat Tri County Young Adults (Adams, Franklin, & lower Cumberland counties) will

host a Lenten retreat for young adults (ages 21-39) March 15. The day begins 9 a.m. at Sacred Heart School in Conewago and ends with Confessions and Mass at 4 p.m. Karen Bruskewicz, retreat director and teacher at Good Shepherd School, will focus on the “Universal Call to Holiness.” The cost is $5 and includes lunch, refreshments, and a prayer candle. Payment can be made the day of the retreat. RSVP by March 12 by to [email protected] or 717-817-4390.

Lenten Events in the Diocese Lenten Dinners in the Diocese


By Chris HeiseyThe Catholic WItness

Defending Dis-trict 3 and PIAA

state champion Bradley Buchter easily repeated as the Class AA district champion at the cham-pionship meet held at Big Spring High School on Feb. 19. The Trinity High School sophomore compiled a district re-cord of 528.05 over a course of 11 dives on the 1-meter springboard. He outscored his opponents by nearly 50 points to smash the District 3 re-cord. Trinity’s Elizabeth Vinarski also competed in the championships, in girls’ 1-meter diving. She placed sixth with a score of 234.10.

Next up will be the state championships held at Kinney Natatorium on the campus of Bucknell University in Lewisburg March 11 and 12, where he will be the favorite to win another gold medal.

Trinity’s Great Diver Good as Gold

By Jen ReedThe Catholic Witness

Lancaster Catholic’s Stephen Loiseau headed to Hershey Feb. 21 for the District 3 AA wrestling

tournament undefeated at 182 lbs. When the two-day tournament was over, he left Chocolatetown with an unblemished season record of 39-0 and a gold medal around his neck.

Loiseau bested Colton Dull of Bermudian Springs, 3-0, in a tight match where the Crusader’s points came from a take-down in the waning seconds of the first pe-riod, and an escape in the second.

Loiseau is now a two-time district champion at 182. The Crusader senior has committed to wrestle for Drexel University, but will first set his sights on a bid for the podium at the PIAA state wrestling finals March 7 and 8.

John Pipa, a Crusader from Bishop McDevitt High School in Harrisburg, wrestled a solid match against Austin Clabaugh of Bermudian Springs on his way to a

12-1 win and a gold medal at 106 lbs. The win capped a dominating tournament performance for the freshman, who scored a pin and a technical fall on his way to the championship match.

Three other wrestlers from diocesan high schools made appearances in the district finals, and came away with silver medals: Chase Drawbaugh of Trinity High School in Camp Hill at 113, and Zane Black and Cole Nye of Bishop McDevitt at 170 and 220.

The top five place winners from the AA tournament will now go on to the South East AA Regional Tourna-ment at Wilson High School Feb. 28 and March 1. These will also include Joe Lobeck at 106, Mark Goldbach at 113 and John Lobeck at 126 of Lancaster Catholic; Jalin Hankerson of Bishop McDevitt at 113; and Josh Sneeringer of Delone Catholic in McSherrystown at 160.

Wrestlers who place in the top five at the Regional tournament will move on to the state championships in Hershey March 7 and 8.

Two Crusaders Score District Gold on the Mat

JEN REED, THE CATHOLIC WITNESSStephen Loiseau, in the purple singlet, powers to his feet as he attempts to escape from Bermu-dian Springs’ Colton Dull in the 182-pound District 3 AA final. Loiseau, of Lancaster Catholic, won the bout, 3-0, to repeat as district champion.

Bishop McDevitt’s John Pipa maneuvers his way through a defensive hold from Bermudian Springs’ Austin Clabaugh on his way to a 12-1 win in the 106-pound District 3 AA cham-pionship.

EMILY M. ALBERT, THE CATHOLIC WITNESSElizabeth Vinarski takes form during the girls’ 1-meter dive.

Bradley Buchter keeps his eyes on the water in springboard com-petition.


By Emily M. AlbertThe Catholic Witness

What do bath bombs and the fresh-ness and recyclability of a packed lunch have in common? Science, technology, engineering, and math; or STEM.

Tiffany Stultz, fourth- through sixth-grade science teacher, and Elizabeth Cohill, seventh- and eighth-grade sci-ence teacher at Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary School in Mc-Sherrystown recently introduced their students to the first year of a STEM fair. Students worked in teams to invent a product to solve challenges in a spe-cific area such as mechanics, engineer-ing, food services, the medical field, or environmental conservation.

Seventh graders Peyton Golowski, Abby Myers and Olivia Speakman said that they really enjoyed their project and were thrilled they received bath bombs as their topic. Olivia said, “I was excited about this project because we really had to use chemistry.”

The students explained they found a recipe online for the bath bombs, which are small tablets to add to a bath for re-laxation. They followed the scientific method and had to prove their hypoth-esis by experimenting with the correct measurements of the ingredients, then added extra baking soda and experi-mented with less baking soda. Abby, who is new to the school this year, said working on a team helped her to get to know her fellow students. Peyton com-mented that the project gave them ex-perience for future science classes.

Eighth graders Josh Hall, Luke Stonesifer, and John Harman are head-ed to high school next year, and feel their work on freshness and recyclabil-ity of a packed lunch strengthened their

Annunciation School Hosts First STEM Fairskills in math while they worked heav-ily with decimals. They also feel like they learned a lot about group work and compromise.

Their project evaluated wax paper, tin foil, reusable plastic bags, sandwich bags and plastic containers as options for packing a lunch. To evaluate, they used blueberries and a freshness scale from 1-10. They learned wax paper is compostable, and that tin foil can be re-cycled at their local recycling bank. Tin foil was the cheapest and worked best at keeping lunch fresh.

Sixth grader David Crooks, represen-tative of the T-ray 2 project, said work-ing as a team was the best part of the assignment. Sixth grade groups had to pick a subject, such as medical or food service, and create their own invention. David’s team created a brain scan hel-met, while fellow classmates invented the STEM table, a table that offers an interactive ordering experience for res-taurant patrons. Ava Bunch, a represen-tative from her team, created a tackle rod designed to improve a fishing rod and tackle box for easy access. It is spe-cifically meant for people with physical disabilities.

Mrs. Stultz said she likes to use hands-on teaching to keep excitement in the classroom. Her classroom cur-rently houses trout from the Adams County conservation, and they also dis-cuss and study simple machines. Mrs. Stultz has seen improvement in their science classes and in the students’ lev-el of thinking through each year. She believes it is important for students at this age to become familiar with STEM ideas and start thinking, “I could be...,” so that, by high school, they might be able to pinpoint a career or college fo-cus.

EMILY M. ALBERT, THE CATHOLIC WITNESSScience, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) projects and inventions on display as part of Annunciation BVM School’s first ever STEM Fair include, clock-wise from above: experiments on bath bombs and lunch freshness, and inven-tions for brain scans and fishing rods.

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