By Francis X. RoccaCatholic News Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) - In his first ex-tensive piece of writing aspope, Pope Francis lays out avision of the Catholic Churchdedicated to evangelizationin a positive key, with a focuson society's poorest andmost vulnerable, includingthe aged and unborn. "Evangelii Gaudium" ("The

Joy of the Gospel"), releasedby the Vatican Nov. 26, is anapostolic exhortation, one ofthe most authoritative cate-gories of papal document.(Pope Francis' first encyclical,"Lumen Fidei," published inJuly, was mostly the work ofhis predecessor, Pope Bene-dict XVI.) The pope wrote the new

document in response to theOctober 2012 Synod of Bish-ops on the new evangeliza-tion, but declined to workfrom a draft provided bysynod officials. Pope Francis' voice is un-

mistakable in the 50,000-word document's relativelyrelaxed style - he writes thatan "evangelizer must neverlook like someone who hasjust come back from a fu-neral!" - and its emphasis onsome of his signaturethemes, including the dan-gers of economic globaliza-tion and "spiritualworldliness." The church's message "has

to concentrate on the essen-tials, on what is most beauti-ful, most grand, mostappealing and at the sametime most necessary," hewrites. "In this basic core,what shines forth is thebeauty of the saving love ofGod made manifest in JesusChrist who died and rosefrom the dead." Inspired by Jesus' poverty

and concern for the dispos-sessed during his earthlyministry, Pope Francis callsfor a "church which is poorand for the poor." The poor "have much to

teach us," he writes. "We arecalled to find Christ in them,to lend our voices to their

causes, but also to be theirfriends, to listen to them, tospeak for them and to em-brace the mysterious wis-dom which God wishes toshare with us through them." Charity is more than mere

handouts, "it means workingto eliminate the structuralcauses of poverty and to pro-mote the integral develop-ment of the poor," the popewrites.

"This means education, ac-cess to health care, andabove all employment, for itis through free creative, par-ticipatory and mutually sup-portive labor that humanbeings express and enhancethe dignity of their lives,"Pope Francis writes.Yet he adds that the "worst

discrimination which thepoor suffer is the lack of spir-itual care. ... They need Godand we must not fail to offerthem his friendship, hisblessing, his word, the cele-bration of the sacramentsand a journey of growth andmaturity in the faith." Pope Francis reiterates his

earlier criticisms of "ideolo-gies that defend the absoluteautonomy of the market-place and financial specula-tion," which he blames forthe current financial crisisand attributes to an "idolatryof money." He emphasizes that the

church's concern for the vul-nerable extends to "unbornchildren, the most defense-less and innocent among us,"whose defense is "closelylinked to the defense of eachand every other humanright." "A human being is always

sacred and inviolable, in anysituation and at every stageof development," the popewrites, in his strongest state-ment to date on the subjectof abortion. "Once this con-viction disappears, so dosolid and lasting foundationsfor the defense of humanrights, which would alwaysbe subject to the passingwhims of the powers thatbe." The pope writes that evan-

gelization entails peacemak-

ing, among other waysthrough ecumenical and in-terreligious dialogue. He"humbly" calls on Muslimmajority countries to grantreligious freedom to Chris-tians, and enjoins Catholicsto "avoid hateful generaliza-tions" based on "disconcert-ing episodes of violentfundamentalism," since "au-thentic Islam and the properreading of the Quran are op-posed to every form of vio-lence." Pope Francis characteristi-

cally directs some of hisstrongest criticism at his fel-low clergy, among other rea-sons, for what he describesas largely inadequate preach-ing. The faithful and "their or-

dained ministers suffer be-cause of homilies," he writes:"the laity from having to lis-ten to them and the clergyfrom having to preach them!" The pope devotes several

pages to suggestions for bet-ter homilies, based on care-ful study of the Scripturesand respect for the principle

of brevity. Pope Francis reaffirms

church teaching that onlymen can be priests, but notesthat their "sacramentalpower" must not be "tooclosely identified with powerin general," nor "understoodas domination"; and he al-lows for the "possible role ofwomen in decision-makingin different areas of thechurch's life." As he has done in a num-

ber of his homilies and pub-lic statements, the popestresses the importance ofmercy, particularly with re-gard to the church's moralteaching. While lamenting"moral relativism" that paintsthe church's teaching on sex-uality as unjustly discrimina-tory, he also warns againstoveremphasizing certainteachings out of the contextof more essential Christiantruths. In words very close to

those he used in an oft-quoted interview with a Je-suit journalist in August,Pope Francis writes that "pas-toral ministry in a mission-ary style is not obsessed withthe disjointed transmissionof a multitude of doctrines tobe insistently imposed," lestthey distract from theGospel's primary invitationto "respond to the God oflove who saves us." Returning to a theme of

earlier statements, the popealso warns against "spiritualworldliness, which hides be-hind the appearance of pietyand even love for the church,(but) consists in seeking notthe Lord's glory but humanglory and personal well-being," either through em-brace of a "purely subjectivefaith" or a "narcissistic andauthoritarian elitism" thatoveremphasizes certainrules or a "particular Catholicstyle from the past." Despite his censures and

warnings, the pope ends ona hopeful note true to hiswell-attested devotion toMary, whom he invokes asthe mother of evangelizationand "wellspring of happinessfor God's little ones."

D E C . 1 1 , 2 0 1 2N O R T H C O U N T R Y C A T H O L I C24 Back pew

CNS PHOTO/PAUL HARINGPope Francis leads a meeting with the poor in early October at the archbishop's residence in Assisi, Italy. In his first extensive piece ofwriting as pope, Pope Francis lays out a vision of the Catholic Church dedicated to evangelization, with a focus o n society's poorestand most vulnerable, including the aged and unborn.

In his first extensive piece of writing as pontiff:

Pope lays out vision for evangelical church

CATHOLICNORTH COUNTRYNORTH COUNTRYThe Diocese of Ogdensburg Volume 68, Number 29

DEC. 11, 2013

INSIDETHIS ISSUEPope Francis’message as Adventbegins l PAGE 19

The NCCmakes a great Christmasgift l PAGE 19

PAPAL HONORS

DiocesanFinancialReports

Pope Francislays out vision

Conferredon Sunday

STORY TIME WITH SISTER

CHRISTMAS CARDS: Share special greetings with your favorite priests, p. 4-5

Belief in eternal life

FULL STORY, PAGE 3

Bishop LaValley conferred the Pro Ec-clesia et Pontifice Cross to 14Catholics of the Diocese of Ogdens-burg during a vespers service Dec. 8 atSt. Mary’s Cathedral. “This afternoonwe gather for another festive occa-sion - to celebrate the faith lives ofsome of our parishioners who will re-ceive very special Papal Honors,” hesaid in his homily for the service.“While there are so very many faith-filled individuals in our diocese whoare worthy of this special recognition,it is with great pride and much grati-tude, that I am pleased to confer thePro Ecclesia et Pontifice Cross to theserecipients in recognition of their out-standing service to the Church. Thiswell-deserved award is the highesthonor that is given to a member ofthe laity by the Holy Father. “ Thebishop’s homily is printed in its en-tirety on page 3; more coverage of thepapal honors will be published in nextweek’s NCC.

SCHOOL PHOTOGrey Nun Sister Rita Frances Brady is shown reading "The Gingerbread Mouse" to the pre-kindergarten students at Holy Fam-ily School in Malone. Principal Anne Marie Wiseman, called Sister Rita Frances “a wonderful witness of faith and vocation atHoly Family.”

In his most extensive writing since

becoming pope, he shares plans

for an evangelizing church

The Diocesan Fiscal Officepresents its annual report inthis week’s North CountryCatholic, reviewing the finan-cial condition of the diocese.In his introduction to the

report, Bishop LaValleywrites, “It is clear: theCatholic Church in the NorthCountry continues to beblessed with individuals andfamilies who support gener-ously our many ministries.“The faithful of our Church

sacrifice so much to insurethat the mission of Christcontinues with vigor and joy,”the bishop said.

SPECIAL SECTION, PAGES 7-18

FULL STORY, PAGE 24

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- With his res-urrection, Jesus opened thedoors for all those who be-lieve in him to be risen andunited with him in heaven,Pope Francis said.The anticipation of eternal

life "is the source and reasonof our hope, a hope that, if

cultivated and safeguarded,becomes the light to illumi-nate our own lives" and thosearound us, he said during hisgeneral audience in St.Peter's Square Dec. 4. If people could grasp fully

this reality of eternal life withJesus, "we will be less weary

from daily life, less impris-oned by the ephemeral andmore willing to walk with amerciful heart on the path tosalvation," he said.

The death and resurrec-tion of Jesus "is not a lie, it'strue. We believe that Jesus isrisen and alive at this mo-

ment," he said. "And if Jesus is alive, do

you think he would leave usto die and never resurrectus? No! “He is waiting for us and,

because he is risen, thepower of his resurrection willresurrect all of us."

D E C . 1 1 , 2 0 1 3N O R T H C O U N T R Y C A T H O L I C news 23

OBITUARIESAdams - Sarah B. (Bottoms) Burnash, 92;Funeral Services Dec. 4, 2013 at St. Ce-cilia's Church; burial in St. Cecilia's Ceme-tery.

Adams - Allen T. Clark, 67; Funeral Serv-ices Dec. 6, 2013 at St. Cecilia's Church;burial in Elmwood Cemetery.

Brasher Falls - Jean A. (LaClair) Grant, 83;Funeral Dec. 6, 2013 at St. Patrick'sChurch; burial in Bixby Cemetery.

Canton - Anne Mae Ponzio Boise, 92; Fu-neral Nov. 30, 2013 at St. Mary's Church;burial in St. Mary's Cemetery.

Canton - Mary D. (Tiernan) Yerdon, 87;Funeral Services Nov. 30, 2013 at St.Mary's Church; burial in St. Henry'sCemetery, DeKalb Junction

Cape Vincent - Patricia A. (Matula) Luce,61; Memorial Services Nov. 30, 2013 at St.Vincent of Paul Church.

Champlain - Jacqueline A. Harvey, 79; Fu-neral Nov. 30, 2013 at St. Mary's Church;burial in St. Mary's Cemetery.

Croghan - Thomas E. Duflo, 83; FuneralServices Nov. 30, 2013 at St. Stephen'sChurch; burial in St. Peter's Cemetery,New Bremen.

Dannemora - Rita Ellen Drollette, 82; Fu-neral Dec. 5, 2013 at St. Joseph's Church;burial in parish cemetery.

Gouverneur - Patrick B. Hilts, 65; FuneralServices Nov. 30, 2013 at St. JamesChurch.

Heuvelton - James A. Doerr, 71; FuneralServices Nov. 30, 2013 at St. Raphael'sChurch; burial in Hillcrest Cemetery.

Hogansburg - Mary Elizabeth "Betty"(Herne) Grant, 92; Funeral Services Dec.5, 2013 at St. Regis Church; burial in DadeMemorial Park, Miami, FL.

Keeseville - Mary Eileen Buckley, 93; Fu-neral Services Nov. 25, 2013 at Immacu-late Conception Church; burial in parishcemetery.

Lake Placid - Guy George Wescott, 91: Fu-

neral Services Dec. 5, 2013 at St. AgnesChurch; burial in St. Agnes Cemetery.

Lyon Mountain - Herman H. Gillette, 75;Funeral Services Dec. Dec. 5, 2013 at St.Bernard's Church.

Malone - Andrew Jackson Barney, 82; Fu-neral Services Nov. 30, 2013 at St. JohnBosco Church; burial in St. John BoscoCemetery.

Malone - Margaret O (Rouselle) Tacy, 91;Funeral Services Dec. 2, 2013 at NotreDame Church; burial in Notre DameCemetery.

Massena - Cheryl K. (Clark) Condon, 64;Funeral Services Nov. 26, 2013 at St.Mary's Church.

Massena - A. Lawrence Levac, 89; FuneralServices Nov. 25, 2013 at St. Mary'sChurch; burial in Calvary Cemetery.

Massena - Anthony "Tony" B. Poupore,53; Funeral Services Dec. 5, 2013 atChurch of the Sacred Heart; burial in Cal-vary Cemetery.

Mineville – Lorraine (Cook) Kordziel, 85;Funeral Services Dec. 7, 2013 at All SaintsChurch.

Mooers - Gabriel J. "Gabe" LaValley, 74;Funeral Services Nov. 27, 2013 at St.Joseph's Church.

Norfolk - Jose Matos, 48; Funeral ServicesDec. 2, 2013 at the Buck Funeral Home;burial in Calvary Cemetery.

Norfolk - Barbara L. (Pitts) Vaquez, 71;Funeral Services Dec. 3, 2013 at Buck Fu-neral Home; burial in the VisitationCemetery.

North Bangor - Lorraine M. (McCaffrey)Gonia, 86; Funeral Services in St. Augus-tine's Church; burial in St. Augustine'sCemetery.

North Bangor - Joan C. (Schork) Rea, 58;Funeral Services Nov. 27, 2013 at St. Au-gustine's Church; burial in Steven'sCemetery, Brandon

North Lawrence - Harvey J. LaShomb, 88;

Funeral Services Dec. 7, 2013 at St.Lawrence Church; burial in St. LawrenceCemetery.

Ogdensburg - Merlin "Jerry" O. Cleland,95; Funeral Services Nov. 27, 2013 at St.Mary's Cathedral; burial in St. Mary'sCemetery.

Ogdensburg - Theresa E. (St. Denny)Johnson, 69; Funeral Services Dec. 7,2013 at Fox & Murray Funeral Home; bur-ial in Hillcrest Cemetery, Heuvelton.

Ogdensburg - Richard W. LaRose, 88; Fu-neral Services Nov. 29, 2013 at St. Mary'sCathedral; burial in St. Mary's Cemetery.

Ogdensburg - Katherine C. (Carello)Rapin, 87; Funeral Services Dec. 4, 2013at Notre Dame Church; burial in NotreDame Cemetery.

Plattsburgh - George S. Benchskey, 90;Funeral Services Nov. 27, 2013 at St.Peter's Church; burial in parish cemetery.

Plattsburgh - John J. McKenna III, 68; Fu-neral Services Nov. 30, 2013 at St. John'sChurch; burial in Riverview Cemetery,Chazy.

Plattsburgh - Joseph "Floyd" Sears, 80;Funeral Services Dec. 4, 2013 at St.Peter's Church; burial in Mt. CarmelCemetery.

Redford - Leo Todd Newell, 53; FuneralServices Nov. 30, 2013 at Church of theAssumption; burial in parish cemetery.

Rouses Point - Harold T. "Curley" LaBom-bard, 82; Memorial Services at Dec. 5,2013 at St. Patrick's Church; burial in St.Patrick's Cemetery.

Ticonderoga - Geraldine Dominica Scud-eri, 77; Funeral Services Dec. 5, 2013 atthe Wilcox & Regan Funeral Home; burialin St. Mary's Parish Cemetery.

Tupper Lake - Greg Amell, 51; FuneralServices Dec. 5, 2013 at St. AlphonsusChurch.

West Chazy - Stanley Ronald Kourofsky,63; Funeral Services Dec. 4, 2013 at St.Joseph's Church.

The Pontifical Mission Societies of theDiocese of Ogdensburg, Inc.The Society for the Propagation of the FaithSr. Mary Ellen Brett, SSJ, Director

622 Washington St., Ogdensburg, NY 13669(315) 393-2920; fax 1-866-314-7296mbrett@rcdony.org

From the Director’s DeskSister Mary Ellen Brett, SSJ,Diocesan Mission Director

Announcing the 2013‐2014 Missionary Childhood Associ-ation (MCA) Christmas Artwork Contest!

Sponsored by the Missionary Childhood Association

Twenty‐four winners will be selected in this competition;their artwork will appear as e‐greetings on our website forchildren www.MCAKids.org during Advent and displayed atthe Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Con-ception in Washington, D.C. during Advent and Christmas2014. One grand‐prize winner will be selected and his or art-

work will appear as the official Christmas card of the Na-tional Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in theUnited States, Father Andrew Small, OMI.The contest is open to young Catholics in grades K‐8. All

entries must be postmarked and or received by the NationalOffice no later than January 31, 2014.The national office suggests the following subjects for the

artwork from our little artists:• The Nativity Scene to include a manger scene, Jesus,

Mary, Joseph and animals• Three Wise Men -presentation of gifts or following the

star• Shepherds with sheep, in fields, seeing the angel, or vis-

iting the manger• Mother and Child • Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem• Newborn Jesus in manger• The Angel GabrielTo register, go to www.MCAkids.org and print out the reg-

istration form and follow the direction there for where tosend your artwork. There have been winners from the Dio-cese of Ogdensburg before but it has been some time. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to con-

tact this office at 315-393-2920. Thank you and good luck!

Christmasartwork contest

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These prayerful days of Ad-vent offer a perfect time to re-flect with gratitude onGod’s gifts in our lives.Catholics in our

diocesan family cer-tainly have many!This week’s NCC of-

fers a glimpse of someof the gifts we oftentake for granted. The bulk of this issue

is devoted to the an-nual diocesan financialreport. There aretwelve pages of factsand figures, charts andnotes, providing atransparent look at the finan-cial health of the CatholicChurch in the North Country.

Personally, I am grateful thatI have the luxury of living with

less than a full under-standing all that’s onthose pages!I’m happy to let

Michael Tooley and thecapable staff in the Fis-cal Office take every bitof the credit for keep-ing track of all the in-come and outgo ofdiocesan funds.As Bishop LaValley

notes, the experts inour diocesan officewho manage thechurch’s financial af-

fairs “carefully safeguard allthat has been entrusted to us,”donations from the “individu-

als and families who supportgenerously our many min-istries.”The Fiscal Office as well as

members of the diocesan Fi-nance Council, the Develop-ment Committee and theDiocesan Investment Commit-tee, “enable us to be good stew-ards of the gifts with which wehave been entrusted,” thebishop said.So thank you to Michael and

his team – Kim Snover, PeggyGarrison, Heather Ladouceur,Karen Ruddy and Vince Thouin– who make it possible for allkinds of ministries, includingthe diocesan newspaper (!) toflourish.And, this week is also a good

time to continue to express ourgratitude for those among uswho received the Ecclesia etPontifice Cross this past week-end. The bishop’s homily during

Sunday’s vesper service is pub-lished on page three. We lookforward to continuing the trib-ute to the 14 in next week’sNorth Country Catholic.As with the fiscal office

which serves the diocese be-hind the scenes, most of thesepapal honorees have servedtheir parishes - decade afterdecade - with very little fan-fare. How good it is that we can fi-

nally say thank you in a verypublic way.

The Pope has challenged us; Ihope you have noticed by now.Pope Francis’ recent writing –which is sort of a missionstatement for him – has beenreported on by everyone in allsorts of media. (See the backpage of this week’s NCC.)In this statement, Pope Fran-

cis challenges us – Bishops,priests and people – to a moreChristian and to live with thatjoy. He reminds us that we arejoyful because God loves us;we are joyful because we are asaved people.We are now in Advent and

this is what Advent is about.Advent is meant to be a time ofjoy. Each year we prepare forChristmas by celebrating Ad-vent. During Advent we startagain. We begin again our litur-gical journey through the lifeand teachings of Our SaviorJesus. We begin again to renewthe joy of being a Christian.During Advent we bring aliveagain the happiness of prepar-ing to celebrate Christ’s Incar-nation, the birth of Our Savior,Jesus Christ.Pope Francis entitles this

new mission statement, “Evan-gelium Gaudium”, “The Joy ofthe Gospel.” The Holy Fatherreminds us from the start thatit is all about being a joyful

Christian – all of us, Bishops,priests and people – to showthe world of the joy of follow-ing Jesus as a Catholic.As usual, Pope Francis slips

in some very clever ways ofmaking his points. He asks usto be evangelizers – to bringthe Gospel message to theworld. This is the dedicationof each and every one of us. Inhis introduction to this exten-sive statement of his, he writesthis, “There are evangelizerswhose lives seem like Lentwithout Easter.”We, Catholics, are a resurrec-

tion people. We realize thatJesus suffered and died for us.This we celebrate during Lent –Lent is our time to join Jesus inhis suffering. However, weknow and believe that Jesus’crucifixion leads to Jesus’ Res-urrection to new life. Thisleads us to the joy and happi-ness of Easter. Through ourBaptism we join Jesus in his

resurrection. We are given thisnew life in the Lord – life in theSpirit. This life brings new life,today, a life filled with theSpirit, a life of enthusiasm andjoy. Pope Francis urges us tolive with that joy.Pope Francis adds this, “An

evangelizer must never looklike someone who has justcome from a funeral.” Can oth-ers recognize joy in your life,that you are a joyful followerof Jesus, alive in the Lord’s newlife?So, where do we find this joy

of the Lord – this new life?Pope Francis shows us thatthrough prayer, through Eu-charist, we encounter God’slove. God’s love in our livesleads us to establish ourfriendship with Jesus. Thisfriendship with Jesus will blos-som into an enriching friend-ship that will liberate us fromour narrowness and self-ab-sorption. Then we will floodour world with our love of

God.This mission statement of

Our Holy Father investigatesmany – almost innumerable –concerns of Pope Francis – hishopes and dreams for ourCatholic Church. He considersso many important areas of theChurch’s life, from the needs ofthe poor to a challenge topreachers to improve theirhomilies – and also the supportof families in each parish. Hehas given us plenty to thinkabout – a great deal to medi-tate over – to pray about.There is certainly a great dealmore to learn from this newstatement.Let me share with you one

more of Pope Francis’ wonder-ful ideals for our Church, “Iprefer a Church which isbruised, hurting and dirty – be-cause it has been out in thestreets, rather than a Churchwhich is unhealthy from beingconfined and from clinging toits own security.”

D E C . 1 1 , 2 0 1 3N O R T H C O U N T R Y C A T H O L I C2 Diocesan Life

REV. JOSEPH A. MORGANVice President

SR. JENNIFER VOTRAW, SSJSecretary-TreasurerMARY LOU KILIAN

Editor/General Manager

BISHOP TERRYR. LAVALLEYPresident

Mary LouKilian

EDITOR’S NOTE

A PASTOR’S PERSPECTIVE

Thank you to some unsung heroes!

Accepting pope’s challenge to be joyful

D E C . 1 1 , 2 0 1 2N O R T H C O U N T R Y C A T H O L I C diocesan life 3

FOLLOW ME

Bishop Terry R. LaValley’s homily for the Papal HonorsVespers Service Dec. 8

You remember that backon November 18 of last yearwe had a beautiful celebra-tion welcoming the Year ofFaith. It was such a festiveoccasion when the Dioceseof Ogdensburg celebratedthe faith life of three indi-viduals who walked thelands of our beloved NorthCountry and had been can-onized recently by PopeBenedict XVI. We filled this cathedral

and praised God in song,dance and prayer as wehonored the new saints: St.Brother Andre Bessette, St.Marianne Cope, and St. Ka-teri Tekakwitha. At thetime, we reflected on theirwitness of faith heroicallylived. This afternoon we gather

for another festive occasion--to celebrate the faith livesof some of our parishionerswho will receive very spe-cial Papal Honors.

While there are so verymany faith-filled individualsin our diocese who are wor-thy of this special recogni-tion, it is with great prideand much gratitude, that Iam pleased to confer thePro Ecclesia et PontificeCross to these recipients inrecognition of their out-standing service to theChurch. In the North Coun-try Catholic, we read just abit about their deep faithand humble, remarkableservice to the Church. Thiswell-deserved award is thehighest honor that is givento a member of the laity bythe Holy Father. As we have recently

marked the closure of the

formal Year of Faith, weknow that the jour-ney of faith contin-ues in are-invigorated man-ner here in the Dio-cese ofOgdensburg. This isa perfect way tolaunch the Churchfrom the Year ofFaith into the Life ofFaith by recogniz-ing individualswhose very lives in-spire us all to livewhat we believe.They challenge youand me to reflect on thedepth of our own faith andhow we give expression to itin our local parishes. In his recent exhortation,

Evangelii Gaudium, PopeFrancis said that “everyonecan share in some way inthe life of the Church.” Cer-tainly, today’s honoreeshave done just that. TheHoly Father said that “peo-ple of faith are needed who,by the example of theirlives, point out the way tothe Promised Land and keephope alive.” Sisters and brothers, the

medals you shall soon re-ceive, attest to the hope youinstill in others. You help tokeep hope alive.We are most grateful and

thank God for the many op-portunities we have had thisYear of Faith to deepen ourrelationship with Jesus andstrengthen His Body, theChurch. Yes, we journeyinto the future with greathope, particularly as we willsoon, as part of our Dioce-san Envisioning Process, ar-ticulate the priorities andgoals that will guide ourfaith life here in the Dioceseof Ogdensburg in the yearsahead. These are exciting,Spirit-filled times for thelocal Church. We know well

the challenges that layahead, but we know,too, the wonderfulpossibilities wehave to grow asChurch, energizedby the events of ourYear of Faith and in-spired by the faithlives of our Papalhonorees today. Today’s liturgy re-

minds us that we donot and cannotleave the Year ofFaith behind in thedust. No, we are im-pelled, with these

honorees as remarkable ex-amples, to continue to fol-low Him, who is the Way,the Truth, and the Life. In his homily at the Year

of Faith closing Mass, PopeFrancis reminded us thatour journey “has as its ulti-mate end our full encounterwith God, and throughoutwhich the Holy Spirit puri-fies us, lifts us up and sanc-tifies us, so that we mayenter into the happiness forwhich our hearts long.” TheHoly Father went on tospeak of the centrality of

Jesus Christ in our lives.My friends, you and I have

had a broad array of oppor-tunities throughout the Yearof Faith to help us on ourfaith journeys, to focus onJesus: from virtual pilgrim-ages with stamped pass-ports; a pastoral letter onthe Year of Faith; a specialCorpus Christi Holy Hour;the Beauty of Belief Event;and the awe–filled Eucharistfor the Year of Faith held inLake Placid, where thou-sands of our sisters andbrothers joined our PapalNuncio and me at the altar. Soon thereafter, Matthew

Kelly inspired people of allages who packed this Cathe-dral when he challenged usto be engaged disciples. Wehad a Photograph of Faithcontest, a workshop on theVatican II documents and, fi-nally, a Holy Hour for Life,Marriage, and Religious Lib-erty to close out the Year ofFaith.

I am so grateful to FatherGarry Giroux and the Year ofFaith Committee who haveworked so hard to make ourYear of Faith, truly an inspir-

ing year of faith for all thefolks of our beloved NorthCountry.But, these were not iso-

lated events of the past, butpowerful moments to con-nect as Church, to celebrateour faith and to be ener-gized to give witness to it inthe public square. From theYear of Faith, we havestepped into a renewed Lifeof Faith.With the Church of Og-

densburg, I want to congrat-ulate our honorees and theirfamilies. Thank you foryour faithfulness and sup-port of the parish family.Let us all now enter into thisnew liturgical year with re-newed determination andfortified faith to heed Jesus’call: “Follow Me.”

From Year of Faith to Life of FaithThe Dec. 18 issue of the NorthCountry Catholic will feature fullcoverage of the Papal Honors Ves-per Service with special tributesto those who have received thePro Ecclesia et Pontifice Cross.

Tributes to honorees

BishopTerry R.LaValley

D E C . 1 1 , 2 0 1 2N O R T H C O U N T R Y C A T H O L I C22 around the diocese

HEALING MINISTRY Morrisonville - The Catholic Communityof St. Alexander's and St. Joseph's an-nounces the addition of Living WatersHealing Ministry to the Parish. Date: First Thursday each monthTime: 6:30 p.m.Place: St. Alexander’s ChurchFeatures: Healing Mass, Sacrament ofthe Anointing of the Sick, Exposition ofthe Blessed Sacrament, and an opportu-nity to receive individual prayer.

QUILT SHOP OPENEllenburg Center - Lost Sheep Quilt andFabric Shop is now open! Place: Our Lady of the AdirondacksHouse of Prayer, Hours: Tues. - Sat, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.Evenings and other times by appointment. Phone 594-3253 or emailolaprayerhouse@gmail.com to come atother times

EUCHARISTIC ADORATIONPlattsburgh – Eucharistic Adoration isheld throughout the year every Wednes-day, Thursday, and Friday.Place: St. John’s “Holy Family” AdorationChapel, downstairsTime: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m ThemeContact: call 518-561-5083 or email

Sjohnsadoration@aol.comFeatures: May be pre-ordered startingon Nov. 4 by calling 518-529-6580

ST. ANN’S CHRISTMAS PARTYWells - St. Ann’s Church will have its An-nual Christmas Party.Date: Dec. 13Time: 6 p.m.Place: St. Ann’s Parish House.Features: Door Prize Drawing. “The priceis right” game. Bring a Covered dish HOTor COLD. Come one, Come all, Young andOld, families and friends.Contact: Dolores Margies (518) 924-7311

ADVENT PROGRAMWatertown -Holy Family Parish hasplanned an Advent program featureingFather Robert Barron’s DVD series "TheNew Evangelization"Dates: Dec. 16Time: 7 p.m. to 8:30Place: SSJ Motherhouse HearthsideCenter Features: Discover ways to engage thepeople. Learn pragmatic approaches.Share the joy of your faith. Acquire a newsense of passion for Jesus' mission.Contact: Rectory, 315-782-2468.

SPAGHETTI & MEATBALL DINNEREvans Mills - A spaghetti and meatballdinner has been planned to benefit In-dian River Knights of Columbus Council7471.Date: Dec. 14Time: Serving starts at 4 PMPlace: St. Mary's Parish CenterPrices: $7.00 for adults, $6.00 for seniorcitizens, $5.00 for children under 12 andchildren under 5 eat for free

EUCHARISTIC ADORATIONWatertown - Holy Family Church is hold-ing holy hours of Eucharistic Adorationfor VocationsSchedule: Monday through Friday fol-lowing the 9 a.m. Mass at Holy FamilyChurch (9:30 - 10:30 a.m.),

LIFERIGHT MEETINGWatertown - Liferight of Watertownmeets third Wednesday of the Month.Time: 4 p.m. Place: 312 Sherman St.Features: The office has materials oninfanticide, assisted suicide, euthanasiaand chastity. Contact: Phone 315-788-8480; website:www.liferight.org.

LEWIS EUCHARISTIC ADORATIONLowville - To Thank God for & To Honorthe Most Blessed Sacrament, all are in-vited to worship Exposition, The DivineMercy Chaplet, Silent Adoration, The Lu-minous Mysteries of the Holy Rosary,and Benediction.Date: Dec. 12Time: 3 p.m. to 6 Place: St. Peter's Church

INTERNATIONAL CRÈCHESHouseville - All are welcome to an ex-hibit of Christmas Crèches- Nativitiesfrom around the world.Date: Dec. 15, 22, 29, Jan. 5Time: After 11 a.m. Mass or between 1p.m. and 3Place: St. Hedwig's

Features: The exhibit is free and open tothe public. Help keep Christ in Christmas.Bring family and friends and experiencethe universality of Christ and Christmasthrough the eyes of many different cul-tures. Contact 348-6260

OPLATEK CHRISTMAS WAFERHouseville - The Polish Christmas Waferor OPLATEK is available.Place: St. Hedwig’s Church. Cost: $3 per packet plus postage. Features: The Christmas Wafer orOPLATEK, is part of a beautiful Polish,Lithuanian and Slovak custom that is ob-served during the Vigil of Christmas(Wigilia). After the first star is visible,family and friends gather around thedinner table to share the OPLATEK,which symbolizes the presence of Christ,the Newborn Child. The OPLATEK is sentand shared with family and friends allover the world as a symbol of love, unityand forgiveness while wishing God'sBlessing on each other this Holy Night.Contact: 315-348-6260.

CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PARTYOgdensburg – The Ogdensburg Knightsof Columbus Council 258 is holding itsannual Children’s Christmas party.Date: Dec. 21Time: 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.Place: K of C HallFeatures: Soup, hot dogs, hot cocoa,chips, candy, games and fun. Lunch is setfor noon. Santa will visit around 1 p.m.Please call the clubrooms with age (s),gender and number of children at 393-7990 by Dec. 18 and any day after 4 p.m

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUPMassena – Sacred Heart/St. Lawrenceholds a Bereavement Support Group lastTuesday of each month.Time: 2 p.m.Place: Sacred Heart ConventFeatures: A gathering of those whohave had a recent loss of a loved one.Contact: 315-769-3137

NOVENA FOR MILITARYOgdensburg - Notre Dame Church isholding a Weekly novena for the safetyof U.S. military personnel at a new time.Date: Tuesday afternoonsTime:1:30 p.m.

LATIN MASSPotsdam– A Tridentine (Latin) Mass iscelebrated each Sunday with Msgr.Robert H. Aucoin as the celebrantTime: 12:30 p.m.

Place: St. Mary's Church

COMMUNITY FREE LUNCHOgdensburg – The Knights of ColumbusCouncil 258 is starting its communityfree lunch program again.Date: Every WednesdayTime: NoonFeatures: Free hot lunch

EUCHARISTIC ADORATIONMassena – St. Mary’s & St. Joseph’s holdBenediction and Adoration every Friday.Time: 9 a.m. to NoonPlace: St. Mary’s Family Room

HOLY HOUR FOR VOCATIONSOgdensburg - St. Mary’s is holding amonthly Holy Hour for Vocations.Date: Thursday before the First FridayTime: 7 p.m. concluding with Benedic-tion at 8 p.m.Place: Deacon Winter Chapel

PILGRIMAGE TO SPAINFather Donald Robinson, pastor of St.An-thony’s and St. Patrick’s in Watertown,will be leading a pilgrimage “Best ofSpain and Portugal”.Dates: Feb. 18-28, 2014Cost: $2899 per person from NYC Included: Roundtrip Air from NY, FirstClass/Select Hotels, Most Meals, Compre-hensive Sightseeing and much more.Features: Madrid, Salamanca, Lisbon,Seville, Granada & ToledoContact: Fr. Robinson at 315-782-1190or e-mail donrob4@twcny.rr.com

2014 BUS FOR LIFEPlattsburgh - The Lake Champlain 2014bus to Washington D.C. for the nationalMarch for Life is setDate: Jan. 21-22Schedule: Meet at St. Peter’s Church inPlattsburgh on Tues. Jan. 21 at 7:30 p.m.for the Wed. Jan. 22 March For Life; Arrivein Washington, D.C. early morning onWed., Jan. 22; Free Time in the morningto attend Mass, sightsee, lobby represen-tatives, etc; Rally and March start atnoon on The National Mall; Meet at St.Peter’s Church in Washington at 4:45p.m. for the trip homeCost: Reserve a seat on the bus is $30Contact: To reserve a seat or to obtainmore information, please contact KarenSmith at 518-566-6229. To sign up for aseat on the bus or to make a dona-tion—please mail your check to St.Peter’s Church 114 Cornelia Street Platts-burgh, New York 12901. Make a note onthe memo line: “Bus for Life.”

The North County Catholicwelcomes contributions to “Around the Diocese”. Parishioners are invited to send information about activities to:

North Country Catholic, PO Box 326,Ogdensburg, NY 13669; fax, 1-866-314-7296;e-mail news@northcountrycatholic.org.

Items must be received in the NCCoffice by the Thursday before publication.

CLINTON

HAMILTON-HERKIMER

JEFFERSON

LEWIS

ST. LAWRENCE

DIOCESAN EVENTS

D E C . 1 1 , 2 0 1 3N O R T H C O U N T R Y C A T H O L I C4 Diocesan Life D E C . 1 1 , 2 0 1 3

N O R T H C O U N T R Y C A T H O L I C entertainment 21AT THE MOVIES

By Joseph McAleer Catholic News Service

Don't let the title fool you,"Frozen" (Disney) is burstingwith enough warmth andcharm to defrost even thehardest Grinchy heart. Loosely based on the

Hans Christian Andersonfairy tale "The Snow Queen,"this 3-D animated musical isgood-natured, overwhelm-ingly wholesome fare withsomething for everyone:Broadway-style show tunes,thrilling adventure, gor-geous visuals, cute-as-a-but-ton characters, and a nicemessage about the enduringbonds of family. There are even a few re-

spectful religious overtoneslikely to please believers. "Frozen" is a tale of two

princesses: Elsa (voice ofIdina Menzel) and Anna(voice of Kristen Bell). Annais fun-loving and spirited,while Elsa, destined to bequeen of the mythical king-dom of Arendelle, is re-served, harboring a deepsecret. Elsa, it seems, was born

with the power to create iceand snow at will. This giftwas great fun at playtimewhen she was a youngster.At least, that is, until Elsanearly killed Anna in a freakaccident. The king (voice ofMaurice LaMarche) then de-creed Elsa must be hiddenaway for her own safety,and the palace closed to alloutsiders. Eventually, the princesses

become orphans and coro-nation day arrives for Elsa.The new queen is burdenedby fears of a disaster; Anna,by contrast, revels in theoverdue arrival of an open-door policy. At the coronation ball,

Anna falls fast for Hans(voice of Santino Fontana), avisiting prince, and after aspirited song-and-dancenumber, they announcetheir engagement. Queen Elsa won't give her

blessing -- the two have justmet, after all -- and the sis-

ters quarrel. Elsa accidentlyunleashes her powers andthrows Arendelle into adeep freeze. For everyone's welfare,

Elsa retreats to the forest,entombing herself in amountaintop ice palace.Anna, the fearless optimist,follows her, desperate tohelp her sibling and undothe eternal winter.

"The film contains a fewmildly perilous situationsand a bit of slightly grosshumor. The Catholic News Service

classification is A-I -- generalpatronage. The Motion Pic-ture Association of Americarating is PG -- parental guid-ance suggested. Some mate-rial may not be suitable forchildren.

CNS PHOTO/DISNEYAnimated characters Hans, voiced by Santino Fontana, and Anna, voiced by KristenBell, are pictured in the 3-D movie "Frozen."

FROZEN

D E C . 1 1 , 2 0 1 2N O R T H C O U N T R Y C A T H O L I C diocesan life 5

D E C . 1 1 , 2 0 1 3N O R T H C O U N T R Y C A T H O L I C20 Commentary

The joy that fills this Sun-day’s liturgy is theclosest we have toChristmas itself.

We’re alwaysshocked to see thecelebrant processinto the Mass thisweek dressed inrose-colored vest-ments. Today’s En-trance antiphonproclaims, “Rejoicein the Lord always;again I say, Rejoice.The Lord is near”.

In the old days,the words were in Latin:“Gaudete, iterum dico vobis,‘Gaudete’…” And so, thisSunday is still called“Gaudete Sunday”.

The whole message is

one of hope. But, we say, wedon’t feel like joy.Even Christmasshopping is morehectic than it usedto be.

In any case, it ‘svery different fromthe real deep,serene joy that welook for in vain inthe world aroundus.When, if ever, will

we find that joy?The key is found inSt. James’ advice in

the second reading. He ad-vises us to be patient. Therewill come a day when warswill cease, and the desert ofour despair will blossomagain with peace.

We’re still climbing themountain of the Lord as weresolved to do two weeksago. It’s when we pray andmeditate each day that wefind patience.

In prayer, we let go andlet God’s Spirit do the workof flooding our souls withHis light.

In this Sunday’s Gospel,Jesus assures us that theFather sent John the Bap-tizer as a messenger to pre-pare His way. And Jesuspraises John as the greatestof the prophets, dressed ashe is in rough clothing.

His message is meant toshrink our fears and bolsterour hopes. It inspires uswith joy.

Sin and darkness fled

when the Son of God wasborn in Bethlehem . Ofcourse, people can and doclose their eyes to the light,and chose to live withoutHis Light.

Only when we refuse torepent of our sin and hangon to the darkness can wehave reason to fear.

When John in prisonsends emissaries to Jesus to

ask if He is really the Mes-siah, Jesus sends back theanswer that He himself isthe fulfillment of all John’sprophesies.

Now the blind see, thedeaf hear, the dead areraised, and the poor havethe Good News preached tothem!

John in prison must havebeen filled with joy at Jesus’testimony about Himself.

The celebrant has goodreason for rose-coloredvestments today.

The liturgy of this Sundaylooks forward to a futuretime of peace that Jesus haspromised we will experi-ence!

Let’s carry that thoughtwith us all week.

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS

Rejoice in the Lord always.. again I say rejoice!

Third Sunday of AdventREADINGS

Isaiah 35: 1-6a, 10James 5: 7-10

Matthew 11: 2-11

DEC. 15

MonsignorPaul E.Whitmore

OUR READERS WRITEThank you, Deacon

Deacon Henry Leader of Gouverneur,was a guest at our parish, St. Mary’s inMassena, on Sunday, Dec. 1. He gave anexcellent homily on being prepared andit hit home on how that message wasimportant as a parent, as we begin theseason of Advent.

As parents of four, he absolutely hitthe mark with his message. Yes, Deacon,

we would do things much differently ifwe knew tomorrow would be our lastday and we agree that it is important tolive everyday if it were.

Saying kind things to others is sayingthem to the Lord. Do kind things aredoing them to the Lord. Opening ourhearts will prepare the way for the Lord!We understand that he is newly or-

dained and wanted to say what an ex-

cellent addition to the Diaconate of theDiocese of Ogdensburg. Thank you Deacon Henry for your

willingness to serve the Church and itspeople. And, for sharing a Sunday withus in Massena.A blessed Advent to all!

SCOTT & DOREEN WILSONLOUISVILLE

Performances to be held Dec. 21 at St. Peter’s inPlattsburgh and Dec. 22at St. Agnes in Lake Placid

The Northern AdirondackVocal Ensemble will give twoperformances of a Festival ofLessons and Carols. An-thems, carols, and hymns il-luminate the Christmas storyalong with community read-ers and congregationalsinging in the tradition ofKing's College, Cambridge.The programs will take

place Dec. 21 at 7:30 p.m. atSt. Peter's Church in Platts-burgh and Dec. 22 at 4:00p.m. at St. Agnes Church inLake PlacidNAVE, under the musical

direction of Andrew M. Ben-ware, is a mixed chamberchoir of professional andamateur singers that per-form choral music from a va-riety of periods and styleswith harmonies of four toeight parts.NAVE's membership is

comprised of singers frompoints in Clinton, Essex, andFranklin counties. Distinct from other choral

groups in the region, NAVE isessentially an a cappellachamber choir focusing onthe rich and historical reper-toire composed specificallyfor chamber choir unaccom-panied by instruments.NAVE's Festival of Lessons

and Carols follows the tradi-tional model of those per-formed annually onChristmas Eve (since 1928) atKing's College Chapel inCambridge, England. Thecustomary format is built

around nine short Bible read-ings from the Old and NewTestaments that trace thestory of the fall of humanityand the promise of a Messiahto the birth of Jesus. Anthems, carols, and

hymns are liberally inter-spersed throughout to illu-minate the narrativemusically.Community members will

read the texts, which includepassages from Genesis andthe Gospels, as well as a con-temporary poem, "Annuncia-tion," by Denise Levertov.The audience is invited tojoin with the choir in congre-gational singing accompa-nied by University of NotreDame organist and Potsdamnative Benjamin A. Stone. Admission is a suggested

donation of $10. For more information

please find us on Facebookor contactdrew.benware@gmail.com..

About the conductorAndrew M. Benware is cur-

rently the Director of ChoralActivities at Saranac LakeHigh School, where he con-ducts the Festival Chorus,Concert Choir, Men's Ensem-ble, Women's Ensemble, andteaches small group vocal in-struction. He also serves as the Music

Director for the annual musi-cal theater production andmaintains a small privatepiano studio.Additionally, Benware

serves as Lecturer in the fieldof Music Education at theIthaca College School ofMusic in Ithaca, where heteaches summer graduatecourses in Band Methods and

conducts the Summer Grad-uate Choir and Band. He pre-viously held full-termemployment as AssistantProfessor of Music Educationat the College, instructingwind instrument pedagogy,instrumental conducting,and secondary instrumentmethods. Additionally, he has super-

vised student teachers, con-ducted the Brass Choir andserved as a sabbatical leavereplacement as conductor ofthe Concert Band. He also served as accom-

panist and guest conductorfor the Campus Chorale andaccompanist and collabora-tive instructor for the Musi-cal Theater Workshop.Benware has been a mem-

ber of the inaugural and sub-sequent faculties of theIthaca College Summer MusicAcademy, an intensive col-lege-preparatory music pro-gram at the School of Musicwhere he has held various in-structional roles in the fieldsof conducting, musical the-ater preparation, music fun-damentals, and conductedthe selective choral ensem-ble.He is a native of northern

New York State where he hasserved several years as apublic school music educa-tor, both as Director of In-strumental Music at SaranacLake High School and as Di-rector of Choral Activities atthe Peru Middle/High School.

D E C . 1 1 , 2 0 1 3NORT H C O U N T R Y C AT HO L I C6 Diocesan Life

Dec. 11 – 10:50 a.m., Mass at St.Joseph's Home in Ogdensburg

7 p.m., Penance Service atNotre Dame Church,Ogdensburg

Dec. 12 – 9:30 a.m., DiocesanDepartment Heads Meeting atWadhams Hall in Ogdensburg

Dec. 13 – 12 p.m., Mass at St.Mary's Cathedral

4:30 p.m., Deanery PenanceService at St. Mary's Cathedral

Dec. 15 – 8 a.m., Mass at St.Mary's Cathedral

Dec. 16 – 9:30 a.m., DiocesanEnvisioning Team Meeting withthe Catholic Leadership Instituteat the Bishop's Residence in Og-densburg

Dec. 17 – 10:50 a.m., Mass at St.Joseph's Home in Ogdensburg2:30 p.m., Episcopal Council

Meeting at the Spratt MemorialConference Room in Ogdens-burg

Bishop’s Schedule

This week marks the anniversary of the deaths of the following

clergymen men who have served in the Diocese of Ogdensburg

Dec. 11 – George Montreuil, 1914;Rev. Edward Tetrault, 1952; Msgr.George Henry Brisson, P.A., 1969Dec. 12 – Rev. Victor Dugas, 1843;Msgr. Albert J. Farrell, 1967; Rev. Ju-lian P. O’Brien, 1988; Deacon Floyd J.Barton, 1999Dec. 14 – Rev. P.M. O’Shea, O.S.A.,1942Dec. 15 – Rev. Leon Pierre Cochard,1915; Deacon Joseph H. Gilbert II,2010Dec. 16 – Rev. J. F. McGowen, O.S.A.,1935; Rev. Frederick Cummings Hor-ton, 1975Dec. 17 – Rev. John O. Senecal, 1980

Rest in Peace

Preparing for New Light… Caringfor God’s Creation during Advent

“The light shines in the darkness,and the darkness did not overcomeit.” John 1:5As we prepare our hearts and homefor Christ’s coming, it is appropriatefor us to prepare by caring for theearth and take action to protect andconserve it for generations to come. • Each week as you light your Adventcandles in your home (or one is lit atChurch), locate and remove a lightbulb (60 or 100 watts), not on adimmable, enclosed, or outdoor fix-ture. Read the Sunday Adventprayer, and then install a new bulb(a 13 watt bulb for a 60 watt fixture,a 25 watt bulb for a 100 watt fix-ture.)• Suggestions for a parish religionclass, have a scavenger hunt for lightbulbs you might change.make list ofbulbs that can be changed, one foreach week of Advent and beyond. • Who would have guessed that theway we light our homes could affectthe quality of the air we breathe? Byinstalling one compact fluorescentlight, you are keeping 1.6 pounds ofnitrogen oxides and 4.3 pounds ofsulfur dioxide out of earth’s atmos-phere. *

Thoughts taken fromGeorgia Interfaith Power & Light

Environmental Stewardship

If you have a complaint of suspectedmisconduct involving diocesanclergy, religious, employees or volun-teers, contact Victims Assistance Co-ordinator, Terrianne Yanulavich, Adult& Youth Counseling Services ofNorthern New York, PO Box 2446,Plattsburgh, NY, 12901; e-mail: ayc-snn@yahoo.com; Phone: 518-569-0612; Fax: 518-425-0401 or Father James Seymour, the Epis-copal Vicar for Clergy at 315-393-2920 , ext. 1340

To Report Abuse

The Diocese of Ogdensburg hasscheduled sessions for ProtectingGod's Children for Adults.Pre-registration online is requiredin order to participate. Participantsmay preregister at www.virtus.orgby selecting the registration but-ton and following the directions. All employees and volunteers whoparticipate in church sponsoredactivities with minor are requiredto participate in this training. Further information is availablefrom Atonement Sister Ellen Don-ahue, 315-393- 2920, ext. 1440.Upcoming programs:Jan. 30- 8 p.m., Wakefield RecitalHall/SUNY Potsdam, Room C-224.

Protecting God’s Children

Vocal ensemble to presentFestival of Lessons & Carols

Call Christine315-608-7556

To Advertise in the NCC

D E C . 1 1 , 2 0 1 2NORT H C O UN T R Y C AT HO L I C world/nation 19

AT A GLANCE

CATHOLICWORLDMandela “inspired others to uphold human dignity”WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Pope Francis joined church and government leadersfrom around the world in crediting Nelson Mandela for a steadfast commit-ment to promoting human rights and upholding the dignity of all people in re-sponse to the death Dec. 5 of the former president of South Africa. In a messageto South Africa President Jacob Zuma, Pope Francis said he offered a prayer toassure that Mandela's efforts to forge a new nation based on nonviolence, rec-onciliation and truth after the apartheid era "will inspire generations of SouthAfricans to put justice and the common good at the forefront of their politicalaspirations." The pontiff also asked God to "console and strengthen all whomourn (Mandela's) loss." Mandela, who had been battling complications froma lung infection, died at his home in Johannesburg. He was 95. Others com-mended Mandela for leading a peaceful transition to democratic rule after hewas released from prison in 1990 after 27 years and his election in 1994 asSouth Africa's first black president. President Barack Obama praised Mandelafor striving to achieve a "democratic and free society in which all persons livetogether in harmony and with equal opportunities." We will not likely see thelikes of Nelson Mandela again," Obama said during a press briefing Dec. 5. "Soit falls to us as best we can to forward the example that he set, to make deci-sions guided not by hate, but by love, the never discount the difference thatone person can make, to strive for a future that is worthy of his sacrifice."

Pope to set up advisory commission on sexual abuse VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis accepted a proposal to set up a special com-mission on the sexual abuse of children, which will advise him on ways to pre-vent abuse and provide pastoral care for victims and their families. CardinalSean P. O'Malley of Boston, a member of the pope's advisory Council of Cardi-nals, announced the decision at a Vatican briefing for reporters Dec. 5, during abreak in the council's meetings with the pope. The cardinal said the new com-mission would continue the work of Pope Benedict XVI against clerical sexabuse, and that among its tasks would be to "study the present programs inplace for the protection of children, and to come up with suggestions for newinitiatives" by the Vatican, in collaboration with national bishops' conferencesand religious orders around the world. According to the Vatican spokesman, Je-suit Father Federico Lombardi, Pope Francis heard the proposal on the after-noon of Dec. 4, during the second of three days of meetings with his 8-memberCouncil of Cardinals, and announced his decision to the council the followingmorning. The council, which the pope formally established in September to ad-vise him on church governance and reform of the Vatican bureaucracy, washolding its second round of meetings, following an initial three-day session inOctober.

By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The best pres-ent in life is encounteringJesus - an encounter that willlast a lifetime, Pope Francissaid. A Christian's whole life "is

an encounter with Jesus: inprayer, when we go to Mass,when we do good works,when we visit the sick, whenwe help the poor, when wethink of others, when we'renot self-centered, when weare amiable," he said in ahomily given at a Romeparish Dec. 1. "We always encounter

Christ in these things and thejourney of life is exactly this:walking to encounter Jesus,"he said. Beginning Advent for the

first time as pope, Pope Fran-cis visited the parish of SanCirillo Alessandrino in aneighborhood on the out-skirts of Rome. Before celebrating Mass, he

met with the sick, childrenwho recently received theirfirst Communion, and -- ac-companied by their parents -children baptized in the pastyear. He also heard confes-sions from a few parish-ioners and met with a group

of young men he confirmedduring the evening Mass. The pope apologized to

parishioners for any incon-veniences caused by hisvisit, be it "excessive organi-zation, security, fear; pleaseknow that I don't agree. I'mon your side," he said. Some news reports said a

beefed-up police presencewas also due to protests call-ing for more affordablehousing. The pope later metwith some of the activists. In his homily, the pope

asked the congregation if itwere true that church lifeended with the sacrament ofconfirmation, saying he'sheard it's also known as the"sacrament of adieu" becauseit's often the last time peoplego to church. Encountering Christ is not

a one-time event, "we en-counter him every day," hesaid. However, some people, es-

pecially those who lived a lifeof sin, may think "How can Iencounter Jesus," he said. "But, you know, the people

Jesus tried to find most of allwere the biggest sinners," hesaid. While those who believed

they were without sin wouldadmonish Jesus for keepingcompany with sinners, Jesus

would tell them, "'I havecome for those who needgood health, who need heal-ing,'" the pope said. "When we sin, Jesus comes

and forgives us" in confes-sion, he added. "Do you want to met Jesus

in your life," he asked theyoung men he was about toconfirm. With the help of theHoly Spirit and the sacra-ments, "you will have morestrength for this journey." Don't be afraid, he told

them, because "the mostbeautiful present is encoun-tering Jesus." The evening before, Pope

Francis continued the papaltradition of celebrating ves-pers on the vigil of the firstSunday of Advent with stu-dents and professors fromuniversities in Rome. He urged young people to

not be swayed by publicopinion, but to go against thetide by remaining faithful totheir Christian values. "Don't watch life go by

from the balcony," he alsosaid, but be where the chal-lenges of the modern dayworld are. "Whoever doesn'trespond to challenges arenot living," he said, pinpoint-ing the problems of develop-ment, human dignity,poverty and life.

Best gift in life isencountering Christ, popesays at start of Advent

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Performances to be held Dec. 21 at St. Peter’s inPlattsburgh and Dec. 22at St. Agnes in Lake Placid

The Northern AdirondackVocal Ensemble will give twoperformances of a Festival ofLessons and Carols. An-thems, carols, and hymns il-luminate the Christmas storyalong with community read-ers and congregationalsinging in the tradition ofKing's College, Cambridge.The programs will take

place Dec. 21 at 7:30 p.m. atSt. Peter's Church in Platts-burgh and Dec. 22 at 4:00p.m. at St. Agnes Church inLake PlacidNAVE, under the musical

direction of Andrew M. Ben-ware, is a mixed chamberchoir of professional andamateur singers that per-form choral music from a va-riety of periods and styleswith harmonies of four toeight parts.NAVE's membership is

comprised of singers frompoints in Clinton, Essex, andFranklin counties. Distinct from other choral

groups in the region, NAVE isessentially an a cappellachamber choir focusing onthe rich and historical reper-toire composed specificallyfor chamber choir unaccom-panied by instruments.NAVE's Festival of Lessons

and Carols follows the tradi-tional model of those per-formed annually onChristmas Eve (since 1928) atKing's College Chapel inCambridge, England. Thecustomary format is built

around nine short Bible read-ings from the Old and NewTestaments that trace thestory of the fall of humanityand the promise of a Messiahto the birth of Jesus. Anthems, carols, and

hymns are liberally inter-spersed throughout to illu-minate the narrativemusically.Community members will

read the texts, which includepassages from Genesis andthe Gospels, as well as a con-temporary poem, "Annuncia-tion," by Denise Levertov.The audience is invited tojoin with the choir in congre-gational singing accompa-nied by University of NotreDame organist and Potsdamnative Benjamin A. Stone. Admission is a suggested

donation of $10. For more information

please find us on Facebookor contactdrew.benware@gmail.com..

About the conductorAndrew M. Benware is cur-

rently the Director of ChoralActivities at Saranac LakeHigh School, where he con-ducts the Festival Chorus,Concert Choir, Men's Ensem-ble, Women's Ensemble, andteaches small group vocal in-struction. He also serves as the Music

Director for the annual musi-cal theater production andmaintains a small privatepiano studio.Additionally, Benware

serves as Lecturer in the fieldof Music Education at theIthaca College School ofMusic in Ithaca, where heteaches summer graduatecourses in Band Methods and

conducts the Summer Grad-uate Choir and Band. He pre-viously held full-termemployment as AssistantProfessor of Music Educationat the College, instructingwind instrument pedagogy,instrumental conducting,and secondary instrumentmethods. Additionally, he has super-

vised student teachers, con-ducted the Brass Choir andserved as a sabbatical leavereplacement as conductor ofthe Concert Band. He also served as accom-

panist and guest conductorfor the Campus Chorale andaccompanist and collabora-tive instructor for the Musi-cal Theater Workshop.Benware has been a mem-

ber of the inaugural and sub-sequent faculties of theIthaca College Summer MusicAcademy, an intensive col-lege-preparatory music pro-gram at the School of Musicwhere he has held various in-structional roles in the fieldsof conducting, musical the-ater preparation, music fun-damentals, and conductedthe selective choral ensem-ble.He is a native of northern

New York State where he hasserved several years as apublic school music educa-tor, both as Director of In-strumental Music at SaranacLake High School and as Di-rector of Choral Activities atthe Peru Middle/High School.

D E C . 1 1 , 2 0 1 3NORT H C O U N T R Y C AT HO L I C6 Diocesan Life

Dec. 11 – 10:50 a.m., Mass at St.Joseph's Home in Ogdensburg

7 p.m., Penance Service atNotre Dame Church,Ogdensburg

Dec. 12 – 9:30 a.m., DiocesanDepartment Heads Meeting atWadhams Hall in Ogdensburg

Dec. 13 – 12 p.m., Mass at St.Mary's Cathedral

4:30 p.m., Deanery PenanceService at St. Mary's Cathedral

Dec. 15 – 8 a.m., Mass at St.Mary's Cathedral

Dec. 16 – 9:30 a.m., DiocesanEnvisioning Team Meeting withthe Catholic Leadership Instituteat the Bishop's Residence in Og-densburg

Dec. 17 – 10:50 a.m., Mass at St.Joseph's Home in Ogdensburg2:30 p.m., Episcopal Council

Meeting at the Spratt MemorialConference Room in Ogdens-burg

Bishop’s Schedule

This week marks the anniversary of the deaths of the following

clergymen men who have served in the Diocese of Ogdensburg

Dec. 11 – George Montreuil, 1914;Rev. Edward Tetrault, 1952; Msgr.George Henry Brisson, P.A., 1969Dec. 12 – Rev. Victor Dugas, 1843;Msgr. Albert J. Farrell, 1967; Rev. Ju-lian P. O’Brien, 1988; Deacon Floyd J.Barton, 1999Dec. 14 – Rev. P.M. O’Shea, O.S.A.,1942Dec. 15 – Rev. Leon Pierre Cochard,1915; Deacon Joseph H. Gilbert II,2010Dec. 16 – Rev. J. F. McGowen, O.S.A.,1935; Rev. Frederick Cummings Hor-ton, 1975Dec. 17 – Rev. John O. Senecal, 1980

Rest in Peace

Preparing for New Light… Caringfor God’s Creation during Advent

“The light shines in the darkness,and the darkness did not overcomeit.” John 1:5As we prepare our hearts and homefor Christ’s coming, it is appropriatefor us to prepare by caring for theearth and take action to protect andconserve it for generations to come. • Each week as you light your Adventcandles in your home (or one is lit atChurch), locate and remove a lightbulb (60 or 100 watts), not on adimmable, enclosed, or outdoor fix-ture. Read the Sunday Adventprayer, and then install a new bulb(a 13 watt bulb for a 60 watt fixture,a 25 watt bulb for a 100 watt fix-ture.)• Suggestions for a parish religionclass, have a scavenger hunt for lightbulbs you might change.make list ofbulbs that can be changed, one foreach week of Advent and beyond. • Who would have guessed that theway we light our homes could affectthe quality of the air we breathe? Byinstalling one compact fluorescentlight, you are keeping 1.6 pounds ofnitrogen oxides and 4.3 pounds ofsulfur dioxide out of earth’s atmos-phere. *

Thoughts taken fromGeorgia Interfaith Power & Light

Environmental Stewardship

If you have a complaint of suspectedmisconduct involving diocesanclergy, religious, employees or volun-teers, contact Victims Assistance Co-ordinator, Terrianne Yanulavich, Adult& Youth Counseling Services ofNorthern New York, PO Box 2446,Plattsburgh, NY, 12901; e-mail: ayc-snn@yahoo.com; Phone: 518-569-0612; Fax: 518-425-0401 or Father James Seymour, the Epis-copal Vicar for Clergy at 315-393-2920 , ext. 1340

To Report Abuse

The Diocese of Ogdensburg hasscheduled sessions for ProtectingGod's Children for Adults.Pre-registration online is requiredin order to participate. Participantsmay preregister at www.virtus.orgby selecting the registration but-ton and following the directions. All employees and volunteers whoparticipate in church sponsoredactivities with minor are requiredto participate in this training. Further information is availablefrom Atonement Sister Ellen Don-ahue, 315-393- 2920, ext. 1440.Upcoming programs:Jan. 30- 8 p.m., Wakefield RecitalHall/SUNY Potsdam, Room C-224.

Protecting God’s Children

Vocal ensemble to presentFestival of Lessons & Carols

Call Christine315-608-7556

To Advertise in the NCC

D E C . 1 1 , 2 0 1 2NORT H C O UN T R Y C AT HO L I C world/nation 19

AT A GLANCE

CATHOLICWORLDMandela “inspired others to uphold human dignity”WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Pope Francis joined church and government leadersfrom around the world in crediting Nelson Mandela for a steadfast commit-ment to promoting human rights and upholding the dignity of all people in re-sponse to the death Dec. 5 of the former president of South Africa. In a messageto South Africa President Jacob Zuma, Pope Francis said he offered a prayer toassure that Mandela's efforts to forge a new nation based on nonviolence, rec-onciliation and truth after the apartheid era "will inspire generations of SouthAfricans to put justice and the common good at the forefront of their politicalaspirations." The pontiff also asked God to "console and strengthen all whomourn (Mandela's) loss." Mandela, who had been battling complications froma lung infection, died at his home in Johannesburg. He was 95. Others com-mended Mandela for leading a peaceful transition to democratic rule after hewas released from prison in 1990 after 27 years and his election in 1994 asSouth Africa's first black president. President Barack Obama praised Mandelafor striving to achieve a "democratic and free society in which all persons livetogether in harmony and with equal opportunities." We will not likely see thelikes of Nelson Mandela again," Obama said during a press briefing Dec. 5. "Soit falls to us as best we can to forward the example that he set, to make deci-sions guided not by hate, but by love, the never discount the difference thatone person can make, to strive for a future that is worthy of his sacrifice."

Pope to set up advisory commission on sexual abuse VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis accepted a proposal to set up a special com-mission on the sexual abuse of children, which will advise him on ways to pre-vent abuse and provide pastoral care for victims and their families. CardinalSean P. O'Malley of Boston, a member of the pope's advisory Council of Cardi-nals, announced the decision at a Vatican briefing for reporters Dec. 5, during abreak in the council's meetings with the pope. The cardinal said the new com-mission would continue the work of Pope Benedict XVI against clerical sexabuse, and that among its tasks would be to "study the present programs inplace for the protection of children, and to come up with suggestions for newinitiatives" by the Vatican, in collaboration with national bishops' conferencesand religious orders around the world. According to the Vatican spokesman, Je-suit Father Federico Lombardi, Pope Francis heard the proposal on the after-noon of Dec. 4, during the second of three days of meetings with his 8-memberCouncil of Cardinals, and announced his decision to the council the followingmorning. The council, which the pope formally established in September to ad-vise him on church governance and reform of the Vatican bureaucracy, washolding its second round of meetings, following an initial three-day session inOctober.

By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The best pres-ent in life is encounteringJesus - an encounter that willlast a lifetime, Pope Francissaid. A Christian's whole life "is

an encounter with Jesus: inprayer, when we go to Mass,when we do good works,when we visit the sick, whenwe help the poor, when wethink of others, when we'renot self-centered, when weare amiable," he said in ahomily given at a Romeparish Dec. 1. "We always encounter

Christ in these things and thejourney of life is exactly this:walking to encounter Jesus,"he said. Beginning Advent for the

first time as pope, Pope Fran-cis visited the parish of SanCirillo Alessandrino in aneighborhood on the out-skirts of Rome. Before celebrating Mass, he

met with the sick, childrenwho recently received theirfirst Communion, and -- ac-companied by their parents -children baptized in the pastyear. He also heard confes-sions from a few parish-ioners and met with a group

of young men he confirmedduring the evening Mass. The pope apologized to

parishioners for any incon-veniences caused by hisvisit, be it "excessive organi-zation, security, fear; pleaseknow that I don't agree. I'mon your side," he said. Some news reports said a

beefed-up police presencewas also due to protests call-ing for more affordablehousing. The pope later metwith some of the activists. In his homily, the pope

asked the congregation if itwere true that church lifeended with the sacrament ofconfirmation, saying he'sheard it's also known as the"sacrament of adieu" becauseit's often the last time peoplego to church. Encountering Christ is not

a one-time event, "we en-counter him every day," hesaid. However, some people, es-

pecially those who lived a lifeof sin, may think "How can Iencounter Jesus," he said. "But, you know, the people

Jesus tried to find most of allwere the biggest sinners," hesaid. While those who believed

they were without sin wouldadmonish Jesus for keepingcompany with sinners, Jesus

would tell them, "'I havecome for those who needgood health, who need heal-ing,'" the pope said. "When we sin, Jesus comes

and forgives us" in confes-sion, he added. "Do you want to met Jesus

in your life," he asked theyoung men he was about toconfirm. With the help of theHoly Spirit and the sacra-ments, "you will have morestrength for this journey." Don't be afraid, he told

them, because "the mostbeautiful present is encoun-tering Jesus." The evening before, Pope

Francis continued the papaltradition of celebrating ves-pers on the vigil of the firstSunday of Advent with stu-dents and professors fromuniversities in Rome. He urged young people to

not be swayed by publicopinion, but to go against thetide by remaining faithful totheir Christian values. "Don't watch life go by

from the balcony," he alsosaid, but be where the chal-lenges of the modern dayworld are. "Whoever doesn'trespond to challenges arenot living," he said, pinpoint-ing the problems of develop-ment, human dignity,poverty and life.

Best gift in life isencountering Christ, popesays at start of Advent

D E C . 1 1 , 2 0 1 2N O R T H C O U N T R Y C A T H O L I C diocesan life 5

D E C . 1 1 , 2 0 1 3N O R T H C O U N T R Y C A T H O L I C20 Commentary

The joy that fills this Sun-day’s liturgy is theclosest we have toChristmas itself.

We’re alwaysshocked to see thecelebrant processinto the Mass thisweek dressed inrose-colored vest-ments. Today’s En-trance antiphonproclaims, “Rejoicein the Lord always;again I say, Rejoice.The Lord is near”.

In the old days,the words were in Latin:“Gaudete, iterum dico vobis,‘Gaudete’…” And so, thisSunday is still called“Gaudete Sunday”.

The whole message is

one of hope. But, we say, wedon’t feel like joy.Even Christmasshopping is morehectic than it usedto be.

In any case, it ‘svery different fromthe real deep,serene joy that welook for in vain inthe world aroundus.When, if ever, will

we find that joy?The key is found inSt. James’ advice in

the second reading. He ad-vises us to be patient. Therewill come a day when warswill cease, and the desert ofour despair will blossomagain with peace.

We’re still climbing themountain of the Lord as weresolved to do two weeksago. It’s when we pray andmeditate each day that wefind patience.

In prayer, we let go andlet God’s Spirit do the workof flooding our souls withHis light.

In this Sunday’s Gospel,Jesus assures us that theFather sent John the Bap-tizer as a messenger to pre-pare His way. And Jesuspraises John as the greatestof the prophets, dressed ashe is in rough clothing.

His message is meant toshrink our fears and bolsterour hopes. It inspires uswith joy.

Sin and darkness fled

when the Son of God wasborn in Bethlehem . Ofcourse, people can and doclose their eyes to the light,and chose to live withoutHis Light.

Only when we refuse torepent of our sin and hangon to the darkness can wehave reason to fear.

When John in prisonsends emissaries to Jesus to

ask if He is really the Mes-siah, Jesus sends back theanswer that He himself isthe fulfillment of all John’sprophesies.

Now the blind see, thedeaf hear, the dead areraised, and the poor havethe Good News preached tothem!

John in prison must havebeen filled with joy at Jesus’testimony about Himself.

The celebrant has goodreason for rose-coloredvestments today.

The liturgy of this Sundaylooks forward to a futuretime of peace that Jesus haspromised we will experi-ence!

Let’s carry that thoughtwith us all week.

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS

Rejoice in the Lord always.. again I say rejoice!

Third Sunday of AdventREADINGS

Isaiah 35: 1-6a, 10James 5: 7-10

Matthew 11: 2-11

DEC. 15

MonsignorPaul E.Whitmore

OUR READERS WRITEThank you, Deacon

Deacon Henry Leader of Gouverneur,was a guest at our parish, St. Mary’s inMassena, on Sunday, Dec. 1. He gave anexcellent homily on being prepared andit hit home on how that message wasimportant as a parent, as we begin theseason of Advent.

As parents of four, he absolutely hitthe mark with his message. Yes, Deacon,

we would do things much differently ifwe knew tomorrow would be our lastday and we agree that it is important tolive everyday if it were.

Saying kind things to others is sayingthem to the Lord. Do kind things aredoing them to the Lord. Opening ourhearts will prepare the way for the Lord!We understand that he is newly or-

dained and wanted to say what an ex-

cellent addition to the Diaconate of theDiocese of Ogdensburg. Thank you Deacon Henry for your

willingness to serve the Church and itspeople. And, for sharing a Sunday withus in Massena.A blessed Advent to all!

SCOTT & DOREEN WILSONLOUISVILLE

D E C . 1 1 , 2 0 1 3N O R T H C O U N T R Y C A T H O L I C4 Diocesan Life D E C . 1 1 , 2 0 1 3

N O R T H C O U N T R Y C A T H O L I C entertainment 21AT THE MOVIES

By Joseph McAleer Catholic News Service

Don't let the title fool you,"Frozen" (Disney) is burstingwith enough warmth andcharm to defrost even thehardest Grinchy heart. Loosely based on the

Hans Christian Andersonfairy tale "The Snow Queen,"this 3-D animated musical isgood-natured, overwhelm-ingly wholesome fare withsomething for everyone:Broadway-style show tunes,thrilling adventure, gor-geous visuals, cute-as-a-but-ton characters, and a nicemessage about the enduringbonds of family. There are even a few re-

spectful religious overtoneslikely to please believers. "Frozen" is a tale of two

princesses: Elsa (voice ofIdina Menzel) and Anna(voice of Kristen Bell). Annais fun-loving and spirited,while Elsa, destined to bequeen of the mythical king-dom of Arendelle, is re-served, harboring a deepsecret. Elsa, it seems, was born

with the power to create iceand snow at will. This giftwas great fun at playtimewhen she was a youngster.At least, that is, until Elsanearly killed Anna in a freakaccident. The king (voice ofMaurice LaMarche) then de-creed Elsa must be hiddenaway for her own safety,and the palace closed to alloutsiders. Eventually, the princesses

become orphans and coro-nation day arrives for Elsa.The new queen is burdenedby fears of a disaster; Anna,by contrast, revels in theoverdue arrival of an open-door policy. At the coronation ball,

Anna falls fast for Hans(voice of Santino Fontana), avisiting prince, and after aspirited song-and-dancenumber, they announcetheir engagement. Queen Elsa won't give her

blessing -- the two have justmet, after all -- and the sis-

ters quarrel. Elsa accidentlyunleashes her powers andthrows Arendelle into adeep freeze. For everyone's welfare,

Elsa retreats to the forest,entombing herself in amountaintop ice palace.Anna, the fearless optimist,follows her, desperate tohelp her sibling and undothe eternal winter.

"The film contains a fewmildly perilous situationsand a bit of slightly grosshumor. The Catholic News Service

classification is A-I -- generalpatronage. The Motion Pic-ture Association of Americarating is PG -- parental guid-ance suggested. Some mate-rial may not be suitable forchildren.

CNS PHOTO/DISNEYAnimated characters Hans, voiced by Santino Fontana, and Anna, voiced by KristenBell, are pictured in the 3-D movie "Frozen."

FROZEN

D E C . 1 1 , 2 0 1 2N O R T H C O U N T R Y C A T H O L I C diocesan life 3

FOLLOW ME

Bishop Terry R. LaValley’s homily for the Papal HonorsVespers Service Dec. 8

You remember that backon November 18 of last yearwe had a beautiful celebra-tion welcoming the Year ofFaith. It was such a festiveoccasion when the Dioceseof Ogdensburg celebratedthe faith life of three indi-viduals who walked thelands of our beloved NorthCountry and had been can-onized recently by PopeBenedict XVI. We filled this cathedral

and praised God in song,dance and prayer as wehonored the new saints: St.Brother Andre Bessette, St.Marianne Cope, and St. Ka-teri Tekakwitha. At thetime, we reflected on theirwitness of faith heroicallylived. This afternoon we gather

for another festive occasion--to celebrate the faith livesof some of our parishionerswho will receive very spe-cial Papal Honors.

While there are so verymany faith-filled individualsin our diocese who are wor-thy of this special recogni-tion, it is with great prideand much gratitude, that Iam pleased to confer thePro Ecclesia et PontificeCross to these recipients inrecognition of their out-standing service to theChurch. In the North Coun-try Catholic, we read just abit about their deep faithand humble, remarkableservice to the Church. Thiswell-deserved award is thehighest honor that is givento a member of the laity bythe Holy Father. As we have recently

marked the closure of the

formal Year of Faith, weknow that the jour-ney of faith contin-ues in are-invigorated man-ner here in the Dio-cese ofOgdensburg. This isa perfect way tolaunch the Churchfrom the Year ofFaith into the Life ofFaith by recogniz-ing individualswhose very lives in-spire us all to livewhat we believe.They challenge youand me to reflect on thedepth of our own faith andhow we give expression to itin our local parishes. In his recent exhortation,

Evangelii Gaudium, PopeFrancis said that “everyonecan share in some way inthe life of the Church.” Cer-tainly, today’s honoreeshave done just that. TheHoly Father said that “peo-ple of faith are needed who,by the example of theirlives, point out the way tothe Promised Land and keephope alive.” Sisters and brothers, the

medals you shall soon re-ceive, attest to the hope youinstill in others. You help tokeep hope alive.We are most grateful and

thank God for the many op-portunities we have had thisYear of Faith to deepen ourrelationship with Jesus andstrengthen His Body, theChurch. Yes, we journeyinto the future with greathope, particularly as we willsoon, as part of our Dioce-san Envisioning Process, ar-ticulate the priorities andgoals that will guide ourfaith life here in the Dioceseof Ogdensburg in the yearsahead. These are exciting,Spirit-filled times for thelocal Church. We know well

the challenges that layahead, but we know,too, the wonderfulpossibilities wehave to grow asChurch, energizedby the events of ourYear of Faith and in-spired by the faithlives of our Papalhonorees today. Today’s liturgy re-

minds us that we donot and cannotleave the Year ofFaith behind in thedust. No, we are im-pelled, with these

honorees as remarkable ex-amples, to continue to fol-low Him, who is the Way,the Truth, and the Life. In his homily at the Year

of Faith closing Mass, PopeFrancis reminded us thatour journey “has as its ulti-mate end our full encounterwith God, and throughoutwhich the Holy Spirit puri-fies us, lifts us up and sanc-tifies us, so that we mayenter into the happiness forwhich our hearts long.” TheHoly Father went on tospeak of the centrality of

Jesus Christ in our lives.My friends, you and I have

had a broad array of oppor-tunities throughout the Yearof Faith to help us on ourfaith journeys, to focus onJesus: from virtual pilgrim-ages with stamped pass-ports; a pastoral letter onthe Year of Faith; a specialCorpus Christi Holy Hour;the Beauty of Belief Event;and the awe–filled Eucharistfor the Year of Faith held inLake Placid, where thou-sands of our sisters andbrothers joined our PapalNuncio and me at the altar. Soon thereafter, Matthew

Kelly inspired people of allages who packed this Cathe-dral when he challenged usto be engaged disciples. Wehad a Photograph of Faithcontest, a workshop on theVatican II documents and, fi-nally, a Holy Hour for Life,Marriage, and Religious Lib-erty to close out the Year ofFaith.

I am so grateful to FatherGarry Giroux and the Year ofFaith Committee who haveworked so hard to make ourYear of Faith, truly an inspir-

ing year of faith for all thefolks of our beloved NorthCountry.But, these were not iso-

lated events of the past, butpowerful moments to con-nect as Church, to celebrateour faith and to be ener-gized to give witness to it inthe public square. From theYear of Faith, we havestepped into a renewed Lifeof Faith.With the Church of Og-

densburg, I want to congrat-ulate our honorees and theirfamilies. Thank you foryour faithfulness and sup-port of the parish family.Let us all now enter into thisnew liturgical year with re-newed determination andfortified faith to heed Jesus’call: “Follow Me.”

From Year of Faith to Life of FaithThe Dec. 18 issue of the NorthCountry Catholic will feature fullcoverage of the Papal Honors Ves-per Service with special tributesto those who have received thePro Ecclesia et Pontifice Cross.

Tributes to honorees

BishopTerry R.LaValley

D E C . 1 1 , 2 0 1 2N O R T H C O U N T R Y C A T H O L I C22 around the diocese

HEALING MINISTRY Morrisonville - The Catholic Communityof St. Alexander's and St. Joseph's an-nounces the addition of Living WatersHealing Ministry to the Parish. Date: First Thursday each monthTime: 6:30 p.m.Place: St. Alexander’s ChurchFeatures: Healing Mass, Sacrament ofthe Anointing of the Sick, Exposition ofthe Blessed Sacrament, and an opportu-nity to receive individual prayer.

QUILT SHOP OPENEllenburg Center - Lost Sheep Quilt andFabric Shop is now open! Place: Our Lady of the AdirondacksHouse of Prayer, Hours: Tues. - Sat, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.Evenings and other times by appointment. Phone 594-3253 or emailolaprayerhouse@gmail.com to come atother times

EUCHARISTIC ADORATIONPlattsburgh – Eucharistic Adoration isheld throughout the year every Wednes-day, Thursday, and Friday.Place: St. John’s “Holy Family” AdorationChapel, downstairsTime: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m ThemeContact: call 518-561-5083 or email

Sjohnsadoration@aol.comFeatures: May be pre-ordered startingon Nov. 4 by calling 518-529-6580

ST. ANN’S CHRISTMAS PARTYWells - St. Ann’s Church will have its An-nual Christmas Party.Date: Dec. 13Time: 6 p.m.Place: St. Ann’s Parish House.Features: Door Prize Drawing. “The priceis right” game. Bring a Covered dish HOTor COLD. Come one, Come all, Young andOld, families and friends.Contact: Dolores Margies (518) 924-7311

ADVENT PROGRAMWatertown -Holy Family Parish hasplanned an Advent program featureingFather Robert Barron’s DVD series "TheNew Evangelization"Dates: Dec. 16Time: 7 p.m. to 8:30Place: SSJ Motherhouse HearthsideCenter Features: Discover ways to engage thepeople. Learn pragmatic approaches.Share the joy of your faith. Acquire a newsense of passion for Jesus' mission.Contact: Rectory, 315-782-2468.

SPAGHETTI & MEATBALL DINNEREvans Mills - A spaghetti and meatballdinner has been planned to benefit In-dian River Knights of Columbus Council7471.Date: Dec. 14Time: Serving starts at 4 PMPlace: St. Mary's Parish CenterPrices: $7.00 for adults, $6.00 for seniorcitizens, $5.00 for children under 12 andchildren under 5 eat for free

EUCHARISTIC ADORATIONWatertown - Holy Family Church is hold-ing holy hours of Eucharistic Adorationfor VocationsSchedule: Monday through Friday fol-lowing the 9 a.m. Mass at Holy FamilyChurch (9:30 - 10:30 a.m.),

LIFERIGHT MEETINGWatertown - Liferight of Watertownmeets third Wednesday of the Month.Time: 4 p.m. Place: 312 Sherman St.Features: The office has materials oninfanticide, assisted suicide, euthanasiaand chastity. Contact: Phone 315-788-8480; website:www.liferight.org.

LEWIS EUCHARISTIC ADORATIONLowville - To Thank God for & To Honorthe Most Blessed Sacrament, all are in-vited to worship Exposition, The DivineMercy Chaplet, Silent Adoration, The Lu-minous Mysteries of the Holy Rosary,and Benediction.Date: Dec. 12Time: 3 p.m. to 6 Place: St. Peter's Church

INTERNATIONAL CRÈCHESHouseville - All are welcome to an ex-hibit of Christmas Crèches- Nativitiesfrom around the world.Date: Dec. 15, 22, 29, Jan. 5Time: After 11 a.m. Mass or between 1p.m. and 3Place: St. Hedwig's

Features: The exhibit is free and open tothe public. Help keep Christ in Christmas.Bring family and friends and experiencethe universality of Christ and Christmasthrough the eyes of many different cul-tures. Contact 348-6260

OPLATEK CHRISTMAS WAFERHouseville - The Polish Christmas Waferor OPLATEK is available.Place: St. Hedwig’s Church. Cost: $3 per packet plus postage. Features: The Christmas Wafer orOPLATEK, is part of a beautiful Polish,Lithuanian and Slovak custom that is ob-served during the Vigil of Christmas(Wigilia). After the first star is visible,family and friends gather around thedinner table to share the OPLATEK,which symbolizes the presence of Christ,the Newborn Child. The OPLATEK is sentand shared with family and friends allover the world as a symbol of love, unityand forgiveness while wishing God'sBlessing on each other this Holy Night.Contact: 315-348-6260.

CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PARTYOgdensburg – The Ogdensburg Knightsof Columbus Council 258 is holding itsannual Children’s Christmas party.Date: Dec. 21Time: 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.Place: K of C HallFeatures: Soup, hot dogs, hot cocoa,chips, candy, games and fun. Lunch is setfor noon. Santa will visit around 1 p.m.Please call the clubrooms with age (s),gender and number of children at 393-7990 by Dec. 18 and any day after 4 p.m

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUPMassena – Sacred Heart/St. Lawrenceholds a Bereavement Support Group lastTuesday of each month.Time: 2 p.m.Place: Sacred Heart ConventFeatures: A gathering of those whohave had a recent loss of a loved one.Contact: 315-769-3137

NOVENA FOR MILITARYOgdensburg - Notre Dame Church isholding a Weekly novena for the safetyof U.S. military personnel at a new time.Date: Tuesday afternoonsTime:1:30 p.m.

LATIN MASSPotsdam– A Tridentine (Latin) Mass iscelebrated each Sunday with Msgr.Robert H. Aucoin as the celebrantTime: 12:30 p.m.

Place: St. Mary's Church

COMMUNITY FREE LUNCHOgdensburg – The Knights of ColumbusCouncil 258 is starting its communityfree lunch program again.Date: Every WednesdayTime: NoonFeatures: Free hot lunch

EUCHARISTIC ADORATIONMassena – St. Mary’s & St. Joseph’s holdBenediction and Adoration every Friday.Time: 9 a.m. to NoonPlace: St. Mary’s Family Room

HOLY HOUR FOR VOCATIONSOgdensburg - St. Mary’s is holding amonthly Holy Hour for Vocations.Date: Thursday before the First FridayTime: 7 p.m. concluding with Benedic-tion at 8 p.m.Place: Deacon Winter Chapel

PILGRIMAGE TO SPAINFather Donald Robinson, pastor of St.An-thony’s and St. Patrick’s in Watertown,will be leading a pilgrimage “Best ofSpain and Portugal”.Dates: Feb. 18-28, 2014Cost: $2899 per person from NYC Included: Roundtrip Air from NY, FirstClass/Select Hotels, Most Meals, Compre-hensive Sightseeing and much more.Features: Madrid, Salamanca, Lisbon,Seville, Granada & ToledoContact: Fr. Robinson at 315-782-1190or e-mail donrob4@twcny.rr.com

2014 BUS FOR LIFEPlattsburgh - The Lake Champlain 2014bus to Washington D.C. for the nationalMarch for Life is setDate: Jan. 21-22Schedule: Meet at St. Peter’s Church inPlattsburgh on Tues. Jan. 21 at 7:30 p.m.for the Wed. Jan. 22 March For Life; Arrivein Washington, D.C. early morning onWed., Jan. 22; Free Time in the morningto attend Mass, sightsee, lobby represen-tatives, etc; Rally and March start atnoon on The National Mall; Meet at St.Peter’s Church in Washington at 4:45p.m. for the trip homeCost: Reserve a seat on the bus is $30Contact: To reserve a seat or to obtainmore information, please contact KarenSmith at 518-566-6229. To sign up for aseat on the bus or to make a dona-tion—please mail your check to St.Peter’s Church 114 Cornelia Street Platts-burgh, New York 12901. Make a note onthe memo line: “Bus for Life.”

The North County Catholicwelcomes contributions to “Around the Diocese”. Parishioners are invited to send information about activities to:

North Country Catholic, PO Box 326,Ogdensburg, NY 13669; fax, 1-866-314-7296;e-mail news@northcountrycatholic.org.

Items must be received in the NCCoffice by the Thursday before publication.

CLINTON

HAMILTON-HERKIMER

JEFFERSON

LEWIS

ST. LAWRENCE

DIOCESAN EVENTS

D E C . 1 1 , 2 0 1 3N O R T H C O U N T R Y C A T H O L I C news 23

OBITUARIESAdams - Sarah B. (Bottoms) Burnash, 92;Funeral Services Dec. 4, 2013 at St. Ce-cilia's Church; burial in St. Cecilia's Ceme-tery.

Adams - Allen T. Clark, 67; Funeral Serv-ices Dec. 6, 2013 at St. Cecilia's Church;burial in Elmwood Cemetery.

Brasher Falls - Jean A. (LaClair) Grant, 83;Funeral Dec. 6, 2013 at St. Patrick'sChurch; burial in Bixby Cemetery.

Canton - Anne Mae Ponzio Boise, 92; Fu-neral Nov. 30, 2013 at St. Mary's Church;burial in St. Mary's Cemetery.

Canton - Mary D. (Tiernan) Yerdon, 87;Funeral Services Nov. 30, 2013 at St.Mary's Church; burial in St. Henry'sCemetery, DeKalb Junction

Cape Vincent - Patricia A. (Matula) Luce,61; Memorial Services Nov. 30, 2013 at St.Vincent of Paul Church.

Champlain - Jacqueline A. Harvey, 79; Fu-neral Nov. 30, 2013 at St. Mary's Church;burial in St. Mary's Cemetery.

Croghan - Thomas E. Duflo, 83; FuneralServices Nov. 30, 2013 at St. Stephen'sChurch; burial in St. Peter's Cemetery,New Bremen.

Dannemora - Rita Ellen Drollette, 82; Fu-neral Dec. 5, 2013 at St. Joseph's Church;burial in parish cemetery.

Gouverneur - Patrick B. Hilts, 65; FuneralServices Nov. 30, 2013 at St. JamesChurch.

Heuvelton - James A. Doerr, 71; FuneralServices Nov. 30, 2013 at St. Raphael'sChurch; burial in Hillcrest Cemetery.

Hogansburg - Mary Elizabeth "Betty"(Herne) Grant, 92; Funeral Services Dec.5, 2013 at St. Regis Church; burial in DadeMemorial Park, Miami, FL.

Keeseville - Mary Eileen Buckley, 93; Fu-neral Services Nov. 25, 2013 at Immacu-late Conception Church; burial in parishcemetery.

Lake Placid - Guy George Wescott, 91: Fu-

neral Services Dec. 5, 2013 at St. AgnesChurch; burial in St. Agnes Cemetery.

Lyon Mountain - Herman H. Gillette, 75;Funeral Services Dec. Dec. 5, 2013 at St.Bernard's Church.

Malone - Andrew Jackson Barney, 82; Fu-neral Services Nov. 30, 2013 at St. JohnBosco Church; burial in St. John BoscoCemetery.

Malone - Margaret O (Rouselle) Tacy, 91;Funeral Services Dec. 2, 2013 at NotreDame Church; burial in Notre DameCemetery.

Massena - Cheryl K. (Clark) Condon, 64;Funeral Services Nov. 26, 2013 at St.Mary's Church.

Massena - A. Lawrence Levac, 89; FuneralServices Nov. 25, 2013 at St. Mary'sChurch; burial in Calvary Cemetery.

Massena - Anthony "Tony" B. Poupore,53; Funeral Services Dec. 5, 2013 atChurch of the Sacred Heart; burial in Cal-vary Cemetery.

Mineville – Lorraine (Cook) Kordziel, 85;Funeral Services Dec. 7, 2013 at All SaintsChurch.

Mooers - Gabriel J. "Gabe" LaValley, 74;Funeral Services Nov. 27, 2013 at St.Joseph's Church.

Norfolk - Jose Matos, 48; Funeral ServicesDec. 2, 2013 at the Buck Funeral Home;burial in Calvary Cemetery.

Norfolk - Barbara L. (Pitts) Vaquez, 71;Funeral Services Dec. 3, 2013 at Buck Fu-neral Home; burial in the VisitationCemetery.

North Bangor - Lorraine M. (McCaffrey)Gonia, 86; Funeral Services in St. Augus-tine's Church; burial in St. Augustine'sCemetery.

North Bangor - Joan C. (Schork) Rea, 58;Funeral Services Nov. 27, 2013 at St. Au-gustine's Church; burial in Steven'sCemetery, Brandon

North Lawrence - Harvey J. LaShomb, 88;

Funeral Services Dec. 7, 2013 at St.Lawrence Church; burial in St. LawrenceCemetery.

Ogdensburg - Merlin "Jerry" O. Cleland,95; Funeral Services Nov. 27, 2013 at St.Mary's Cathedral; burial in St. Mary'sCemetery.

Ogdensburg - Theresa E. (St. Denny)Johnson, 69; Funeral Services Dec. 7,2013 at Fox & Murray Funeral Home; bur-ial in Hillcrest Cemetery, Heuvelton.

Ogdensburg - Richard W. LaRose, 88; Fu-neral Services Nov. 29, 2013 at St. Mary'sCathedral; burial in St. Mary's Cemetery.

Ogdensburg - Katherine C. (Carello)Rapin, 87; Funeral Services Dec. 4, 2013at Notre Dame Church; burial in NotreDame Cemetery.

Plattsburgh - George S. Benchskey, 90;Funeral Services Nov. 27, 2013 at St.Peter's Church; burial in parish cemetery.

Plattsburgh - John J. McKenna III, 68; Fu-neral Services Nov. 30, 2013 at St. John'sChurch; burial in Riverview Cemetery,Chazy.

Plattsburgh - Joseph "Floyd" Sears, 80;Funeral Services Dec. 4, 2013 at St.Peter's Church; burial in Mt. CarmelCemetery.

Redford - Leo Todd Newell, 53; FuneralServices Nov. 30, 2013 at Church of theAssumption; burial in parish cemetery.

Rouses Point - Harold T. "Curley" LaBom-bard, 82; Memorial Services at Dec. 5,2013 at St. Patrick's Church; burial in St.Patrick's Cemetery.

Ticonderoga - Geraldine Dominica Scud-eri, 77; Funeral Services Dec. 5, 2013 atthe Wilcox & Regan Funeral Home; burialin St. Mary's Parish Cemetery.

Tupper Lake - Greg Amell, 51; FuneralServices Dec. 5, 2013 at St. AlphonsusChurch.

West Chazy - Stanley Ronald Kourofsky,63; Funeral Services Dec. 4, 2013 at St.Joseph's Church.

The Pontifical Mission Societies of theDiocese of Ogdensburg, Inc.The Society for the Propagation of the FaithSr. Mary Ellen Brett, SSJ, Director

622 Washington St., Ogdensburg, NY 13669(315) 393-2920; fax 1-866-314-7296mbrett@rcdony.org

From the Director’s DeskSister Mary Ellen Brett, SSJ,Diocesan Mission Director

Announcing the 2013‐2014 Missionary Childhood Associ-ation (MCA) Christmas Artwork Contest!

Sponsored by the Missionary Childhood Association

Twenty‐four winners will be selected in this competition;their artwork will appear as e‐greetings on our website forchildren www.MCAKids.org during Advent and displayed atthe Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Con-ception in Washington, D.C. during Advent and Christmas2014. One grand‐prize winner will be selected and his or art-

work will appear as the official Christmas card of the Na-tional Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in theUnited States, Father Andrew Small, OMI.The contest is open to young Catholics in grades K‐8. All

entries must be postmarked and or received by the NationalOffice no later than January 31, 2014.The national office suggests the following subjects for the

artwork from our little artists:• The Nativity Scene to include a manger scene, Jesus,

Mary, Joseph and animals• Three Wise Men -presentation of gifts or following the

star• Shepherds with sheep, in fields, seeing the angel, or vis-

iting the manger• Mother and Child • Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem• Newborn Jesus in manger• The Angel GabrielTo register, go to www.MCAkids.org and print out the reg-

istration form and follow the direction there for where tosend your artwork. There have been winners from the Dio-cese of Ogdensburg before but it has been some time. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to con-

tact this office at 315-393-2920. Thank you and good luck!

Christmasartwork contest

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These prayerful days of Ad-vent offer a perfect time to re-flect with gratitude onGod’s gifts in our lives.Catholics in our

diocesan family cer-tainly have many!This week’s NCC of-

fers a glimpse of someof the gifts we oftentake for granted. The bulk of this issue

is devoted to the an-nual diocesan financialreport. There aretwelve pages of factsand figures, charts andnotes, providing atransparent look at the finan-cial health of the CatholicChurch in the North Country.

Personally, I am grateful thatI have the luxury of living with

less than a full under-standing all that’s onthose pages!I’m happy to let

Michael Tooley and thecapable staff in the Fis-cal Office take every bitof the credit for keep-ing track of all the in-come and outgo ofdiocesan funds.As Bishop LaValley

notes, the experts inour diocesan officewho manage thechurch’s financial af-

fairs “carefully safeguard allthat has been entrusted to us,”donations from the “individu-

als and families who supportgenerously our many min-istries.”The Fiscal Office as well as

members of the diocesan Fi-nance Council, the Develop-ment Committee and theDiocesan Investment Commit-tee, “enable us to be good stew-ards of the gifts with which wehave been entrusted,” thebishop said.So thank you to Michael and

his team – Kim Snover, PeggyGarrison, Heather Ladouceur,Karen Ruddy and Vince Thouin– who make it possible for allkinds of ministries, includingthe diocesan newspaper (!) toflourish.And, this week is also a good

time to continue to express ourgratitude for those among uswho received the Ecclesia etPontifice Cross this past week-end. The bishop’s homily during

Sunday’s vesper service is pub-lished on page three. We lookforward to continuing the trib-ute to the 14 in next week’sNorth Country Catholic.As with the fiscal office

which serves the diocese be-hind the scenes, most of thesepapal honorees have servedtheir parishes - decade afterdecade - with very little fan-fare. How good it is that we can fi-

nally say thank you in a verypublic way.

The Pope has challenged us; Ihope you have noticed by now.Pope Francis’ recent writing –which is sort of a missionstatement for him – has beenreported on by everyone in allsorts of media. (See the backpage of this week’s NCC.)In this statement, Pope Fran-

cis challenges us – Bishops,priests and people – to a moreChristian and to live with thatjoy. He reminds us that we arejoyful because God loves us;we are joyful because we are asaved people.We are now in Advent and

this is what Advent is about.Advent is meant to be a time ofjoy. Each year we prepare forChristmas by celebrating Ad-vent. During Advent we startagain. We begin again our litur-gical journey through the lifeand teachings of Our SaviorJesus. We begin again to renewthe joy of being a Christian.During Advent we bring aliveagain the happiness of prepar-ing to celebrate Christ’s Incar-nation, the birth of Our Savior,Jesus Christ.Pope Francis entitles this

new mission statement, “Evan-gelium Gaudium”, “The Joy ofthe Gospel.” The Holy Fatherreminds us from the start thatit is all about being a joyful

Christian – all of us, Bishops,priests and people – to showthe world of the joy of follow-ing Jesus as a Catholic.As usual, Pope Francis slips

in some very clever ways ofmaking his points. He asks usto be evangelizers – to bringthe Gospel message to theworld. This is the dedicationof each and every one of us. Inhis introduction to this exten-sive statement of his, he writesthis, “There are evangelizerswhose lives seem like Lentwithout Easter.”We, Catholics, are a resurrec-

tion people. We realize thatJesus suffered and died for us.This we celebrate during Lent –Lent is our time to join Jesus inhis suffering. However, weknow and believe that Jesus’crucifixion leads to Jesus’ Res-urrection to new life. Thisleads us to the joy and happi-ness of Easter. Through ourBaptism we join Jesus in his

resurrection. We are given thisnew life in the Lord – life in theSpirit. This life brings new life,today, a life filled with theSpirit, a life of enthusiasm andjoy. Pope Francis urges us tolive with that joy.Pope Francis adds this, “An

evangelizer must never looklike someone who has justcome from a funeral.” Can oth-ers recognize joy in your life,that you are a joyful followerof Jesus, alive in the Lord’s newlife?So, where do we find this joy

of the Lord – this new life?Pope Francis shows us thatthrough prayer, through Eu-charist, we encounter God’slove. God’s love in our livesleads us to establish ourfriendship with Jesus. Thisfriendship with Jesus will blos-som into an enriching friend-ship that will liberate us fromour narrowness and self-ab-sorption. Then we will floodour world with our love of

God.This mission statement of

Our Holy Father investigatesmany – almost innumerable –concerns of Pope Francis – hishopes and dreams for ourCatholic Church. He considersso many important areas of theChurch’s life, from the needs ofthe poor to a challenge topreachers to improve theirhomilies – and also the supportof families in each parish. Hehas given us plenty to thinkabout – a great deal to medi-tate over – to pray about.There is certainly a great dealmore to learn from this newstatement.Let me share with you one

more of Pope Francis’ wonder-ful ideals for our Church, “Iprefer a Church which isbruised, hurting and dirty – be-cause it has been out in thestreets, rather than a Churchwhich is unhealthy from beingconfined and from clinging toits own security.”

D E C . 1 1 , 2 0 1 3N O R T H C O U N T R Y C A T H O L I C2 Diocesan Life

REV. JOSEPH A. MORGANVice President

SR. JENNIFER VOTRAW, SSJSecretary-TreasurerMARY LOU KILIAN

Editor/General Manager

BISHOP TERRYR. LAVALLEYPresident

Mary LouKilian

EDITOR’S NOTE

A PASTOR’S PERSPECTIVE

Thank you to some unsung heroes!

Accepting pope’s challenge to be joyful

By Francis X. RoccaCatholic News Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) - In his first ex-tensive piece of writing aspope, Pope Francis lays out avision of the Catholic Churchdedicated to evangelizationin a positive key, with a focuson society's poorest andmost vulnerable, includingthe aged and unborn. "Evangelii Gaudium" ("The

Joy of the Gospel"), releasedby the Vatican Nov. 26, is anapostolic exhortation, one ofthe most authoritative cate-gories of papal document.(Pope Francis' first encyclical,"Lumen Fidei," published inJuly, was mostly the work ofhis predecessor, Pope Bene-dict XVI.) The pope wrote the new

document in response to theOctober 2012 Synod of Bish-ops on the new evangeliza-tion, but declined to workfrom a draft provided bysynod officials. Pope Francis' voice is un-

mistakable in the 50,000-word document's relativelyrelaxed style - he writes thatan "evangelizer must neverlook like someone who hasjust come back from a fu-neral!" - and its emphasis onsome of his signaturethemes, including the dan-gers of economic globaliza-tion and "spiritualworldliness." The church's message "has

to concentrate on the essen-tials, on what is most beauti-ful, most grand, mostappealing and at the sametime most necessary," hewrites. "In this basic core,what shines forth is thebeauty of the saving love ofGod made manifest in JesusChrist who died and rosefrom the dead." Inspired by Jesus' poverty

and concern for the dispos-sessed during his earthlyministry, Pope Francis callsfor a "church which is poorand for the poor." The poor "have much to

teach us," he writes. "We arecalled to find Christ in them,to lend our voices to their

causes, but also to be theirfriends, to listen to them, tospeak for them and to em-brace the mysterious wis-dom which God wishes toshare with us through them." Charity is more than mere

handouts, "it means workingto eliminate the structuralcauses of poverty and to pro-mote the integral develop-ment of the poor," the popewrites.

"This means education, ac-cess to health care, andabove all employment, for itis through free creative, par-ticipatory and mutually sup-portive labor that humanbeings express and enhancethe dignity of their lives,"Pope Francis writes.Yet he adds that the "worst

discrimination which thepoor suffer is the lack of spir-itual care. ... They need Godand we must not fail to offerthem his friendship, hisblessing, his word, the cele-bration of the sacramentsand a journey of growth andmaturity in the faith." Pope Francis reiterates his

earlier criticisms of "ideolo-gies that defend the absoluteautonomy of the market-place and financial specula-tion," which he blames forthe current financial crisisand attributes to an "idolatryof money." He emphasizes that the

church's concern for the vul-nerable extends to "unbornchildren, the most defense-less and innocent among us,"whose defense is "closelylinked to the defense of eachand every other humanright." "A human being is always

sacred and inviolable, in anysituation and at every stageof development," the popewrites, in his strongest state-ment to date on the subjectof abortion. "Once this con-viction disappears, so dosolid and lasting foundationsfor the defense of humanrights, which would alwaysbe subject to the passingwhims of the powers thatbe." The pope writes that evan-

gelization entails peacemak-

ing, among other waysthrough ecumenical and in-terreligious dialogue. He"humbly" calls on Muslimmajority countries to grantreligious freedom to Chris-tians, and enjoins Catholicsto "avoid hateful generaliza-tions" based on "disconcert-ing episodes of violentfundamentalism," since "au-thentic Islam and the properreading of the Quran are op-posed to every form of vio-lence." Pope Francis characteristi-

cally directs some of hisstrongest criticism at his fel-low clergy, among other rea-sons, for what he describesas largely inadequate preach-ing. The faithful and "their or-

dained ministers suffer be-cause of homilies," he writes:"the laity from having to lis-ten to them and the clergyfrom having to preach them!" The pope devotes several

pages to suggestions for bet-ter homilies, based on care-ful study of the Scripturesand respect for the principle

of brevity. Pope Francis reaffirms

church teaching that onlymen can be priests, but notesthat their "sacramentalpower" must not be "tooclosely identified with powerin general," nor "understoodas domination"; and he al-lows for the "possible role ofwomen in decision-makingin different areas of thechurch's life." As he has done in a num-

ber of his homilies and pub-lic statements, the popestresses the importance ofmercy, particularly with re-gard to the church's moralteaching. While lamenting"moral relativism" that paintsthe church's teaching on sex-uality as unjustly discrimina-tory, he also warns againstoveremphasizing certainteachings out of the contextof more essential Christiantruths. In words very close to

those he used in an oft-quoted interview with a Je-suit journalist in August,Pope Francis writes that "pas-toral ministry in a mission-ary style is not obsessed withthe disjointed transmissionof a multitude of doctrines tobe insistently imposed," lestthey distract from theGospel's primary invitationto "respond to the God oflove who saves us." Returning to a theme of

earlier statements, the popealso warns against "spiritualworldliness, which hides be-hind the appearance of pietyand even love for the church,(but) consists in seeking notthe Lord's glory but humanglory and personal well-being," either through em-brace of a "purely subjectivefaith" or a "narcissistic andauthoritarian elitism" thatoveremphasizes certainrules or a "particular Catholicstyle from the past." Despite his censures and

warnings, the pope ends ona hopeful note true to hiswell-attested devotion toMary, whom he invokes asthe mother of evangelizationand "wellspring of happinessfor God's little ones."

D E C . 1 1 , 2 0 1 2N O R T H C O U N T R Y C A T H O L I C24 Back pew

CNS PHOTO/PAUL HARINGPope Francis leads a meeting with the poor in early October at the archbishop's residence in Assisi, Italy. In his first extensive piece ofwriting as pope, Pope Francis lays out a vision of the Catholic Church dedicated to evangelization, with a focus o n society's poorestand most vulnerable, including the aged and unborn.

In his first extensive piece of writing as pontiff:

Pope lays out vision for evangelical church

CATHOLICNORTH COUNTRYNORTH COUNTRYThe Diocese of Ogdensburg Volume 68, Number 29

DEC. 11, 2013

INSIDETHIS ISSUEPope Francis’message as Adventbegins l PAGE 19

The NCCmakes a great Christmasgift l PAGE 19

PAPAL HONORS

DiocesanFinancialReports

Pope Francislays out vision

Conferredon Sunday

STORY TIME WITH SISTER

CHRISTMAS CARDS: Share special greetings with your favorite priests, p. 4-5

Belief in eternal life

FULL STORY, PAGE 3

Bishop LaValley conferred the Pro Ec-clesia et Pontifice Cross to 14Catholics of the Diocese of Ogdens-burg during a vespers service Dec. 8 atSt. Mary’s Cathedral. “This afternoonwe gather for another festive occa-sion - to celebrate the faith lives ofsome of our parishioners who will re-ceive very special Papal Honors,” hesaid in his homily for the service.“While there are so very many faith-filled individuals in our diocese whoare worthy of this special recognition,it is with great pride and much grati-tude, that I am pleased to confer thePro Ecclesia et Pontifice Cross to theserecipients in recognition of their out-standing service to the Church. Thiswell-deserved award is the highesthonor that is given to a member ofthe laity by the Holy Father. “ Thebishop’s homily is printed in its en-tirety on page 3; more coverage of thepapal honors will be published in nextweek’s NCC.

SCHOOL PHOTOGrey Nun Sister Rita Frances Brady is shown reading "The Gingerbread Mouse" to the pre-kindergarten students at Holy Fam-ily School in Malone. Principal Anne Marie Wiseman, called Sister Rita Frances “a wonderful witness of faith and vocation atHoly Family.”

In his most extensive writing since

becoming pope, he shares plans

for an evangelizing church

The Diocesan Fiscal Officepresents its annual report inthis week’s North CountryCatholic, reviewing the finan-cial condition of the diocese.In his introduction to the

report, Bishop LaValleywrites, “It is clear: theCatholic Church in the NorthCountry continues to beblessed with individuals andfamilies who support gener-ously our many ministries.“The faithful of our Church

sacrifice so much to insurethat the mission of Christcontinues with vigor and joy,”the bishop said.

SPECIAL SECTION, PAGES 7-18

FULL STORY, PAGE 24

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- With his res-urrection, Jesus opened thedoors for all those who be-lieve in him to be risen andunited with him in heaven,Pope Francis said.The anticipation of eternal

life "is the source and reasonof our hope, a hope that, if

cultivated and safeguarded,becomes the light to illumi-nate our own lives" and thosearound us, he said during hisgeneral audience in St.Peter's Square Dec. 4. If people could grasp fully

this reality of eternal life withJesus, "we will be less weary

from daily life, less impris-oned by the ephemeral andmore willing to walk with amerciful heart on the path tosalvation," he said.

The death and resurrec-tion of Jesus "is not a lie, it'strue. We believe that Jesus isrisen and alive at this mo-

ment," he said. "And if Jesus is alive, do

you think he would leave usto die and never resurrectus? No! “He is waiting for us and,

because he is risen, thepower of his resurrection willresurrect all of us."