Articles
Bishop Galante's Christmas Message
Are you the one who is to come?
"The true light, which enlightens everyone,
was coming into the world,
but the world did not know Him.
He came to what was his own,
but His people did not accept Him." (Jn 1:10-11)
John the Baptist, imprisoned by Herod Antipas for proclaiming the coming of the Messiah, sends his followers to Jesus to pose a crucial question. "Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?"
There may have been deep discouragement or even doubt in John's question. Had he been mistaken in placing his trust in Jesus? He had expected the Messiah to come with great might and fanfare, yet now John was in prison facing a death sentence and Jesus was facing growing opposition.
Jesus answers John's followers: "Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the Good News proclaimed to them." (Mt 11:4-5)
That John himself needed Jesus' reassurance gives us some sense of the inhospitable climate Jesus and his disciples encountered in first century Galilee.
As John's disciples go off, Jesus turns to the crowds with a frustration that is palpable. "To what shall I compare this generation?" he asks, noting the rejection both he and the prophet John received from the people. On the one hand, John was mocked for his ascetic ways. On the other hand, Jesus, who ate and drank with the people, was criticized as a glutton, drunkard and friend of sinners.
As we reflect on the kind of reception Jesus received by the people of his own time and place, we might ask whether Jesus is welcome today among our own generation.
Have we ourselves in these days of Advent had a sense of eager waiting for Jesus' coming at Christmas? Or have we been too busy to think about what it is we are celebrating? Have we driven Him from our midst, perhaps deliberately or through neglect? Do we, following the wider culture, avoid "Merry Christmas" greetings so as not to be reminded of Him?
Perhaps, in experiencing deep hurt, pain or loss, we have given up on Jesus, feeling that He has failed us in some way. Perhaps He has not met our expectations or challenged us in some way that makes us uncomfortable. Or maybe we've turned away from Jesus, seeking satisfaction in material things, in wealth, privilege, status, or personal advantage, pushing harder and harder, because we still feel empty, our deepest longings unsatisfied.
Perhaps we don't know Jesus well or say we have searched, but have failed to find Him. Sometimes, of course, it may well be that we've been looking in the wrong places. The reality is that Jesus is in the people we most often want to avoid: the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the prisoner. It is no coincidence that the first to search for Jesus found Him in a most unlikely and unexpected place, in a manger, a trough used for feeding cattle.
In answering the question posed by John from prison, Jesus told the Baptist's followers to take note that the poor had the Good News proclaimed to them. At Christmas, this Good News is experienced: God is with us. On this day, we celebrate in a special way the reality of the Incarnation, the Second Person of the Trinity becoming truly man while remaining truly God. God loves us so much that He sends His Son to be our Brother, our Redeemer!
The prophet Isaiah proclaimed, "They call him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast and forever peaceful...which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and forever." (Is 9:5) What Jesus is-peace, justice, freedom and love-is what He wants for us. Yet somehow we always manage to thwart His wishes. It's not Jesus that fails to live up to these titles, but we who do, in our human weakness.
Fortunately, despite the limits of our human condition, God is exceedingly generous and patient with us. Like a loving parent, God constantly encourages us and lifts us up when we fall. He gives us so many opportunities, moments of real grace, to become more fully the people we are called to be. Our response to God's loving patience toward us should be gratitude and a desire to ourselves be loving, patient, generous, consoling, and forgiving, seekers of justice and peace, especially for the poorest and most vulnerable. If we do so, little by little, these titles of Jesus will be realized in our own time.
Pope Benedict XVI said in his encyclical, "Caritas et Veritate, "The search for love and truth is purified and liberated by Jesus Christ from the impoverishment that our humanity brings to it, and He reveals to us in all its fullness the initiative of love and the plan for true life that God has prepared for us. In Christ, charity in truth becomes the Face of His Person, a vocation for us to love our brothers and sisters in the truth of His plan. (1).
The question asked by John's disciples is before us even now: "Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?" This Christmas, may we grow to appreciate more deeply that Jesus is the one who is our hope and salvation. May He fill your life, your thoughts, your heart, your actions, not only today, but each day of the coming New Year, so that 2010 may be truly the Year of the Lord.
May the great gift that is Jesus give you wonder, peace and joy!
Most Reverend Joseph A. Galante, D.D., J.C.D.
Bishop of Camden
Bishop Galante to celebrate Christmas Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Camden
Most Reverend Joseph A. Galante, D.D., J.C.D., Bishop of Camden, will celebrate Mass on Christmas morning:
Friday December 25, 2009
10:30 AM
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
642 Market Street
Camden, New Jersey 08102
There will also be a 5:30 PM Christmas Eve Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Thursday, December 24 which will be celebrated by Rev. Matthew Hillyard, Rector of the Cathedral. From 4:30-5:30 there will be music of reflection with cello led by Barbara Dever, Cathedral Music Director.
Also, in Cherry Hill, the following Masses will be celebrated at the Catholic Community of Christ Our Light Parish at 402 Kings Highway (pastor is Rev. Thomas A. Newton):
December 24
4:30 PM Children's Mass (Children's Choir Prelude begins at 4 PM)
8:00 PM Mass (Contemporary Choir Prelude begins at 7:30 PM)
Midnight Mass (Choir Prelude begins at 11:30 PM)
December 25
9 & 11 AM Mass
Bishop issues decree establishing Infant Jesus Parish, Woodbury Heights
Bishop Joseph Galante formally announced today that the parishes of Saint Margaret, Woodbury Heights, and Saint John Vianney, Deptford, will merge and the new parish resulting from the merger, Infant Jesus Parish, will be established January 13, 2010.
The announcement establishing the new parish was made in a formal decree, which is published in this week's edition of the Catholic Star Herald.
It is the eighth decree issued by Bishop Galante in a diocesan-wide reconfiguration of parishes announced in April 2008.
Following extensive study and consultation, Bishop Galante in April 2008 announced his intention to restructure parishes through merger and clustering in order to address a decline in the number of diocesan priests available for ministry, shifts and changes in population, a decline in religious practice, the need to revitalize parish life and to advance pastoral priorities identified as most important by the people of the diocese. Many parishes also are struggling financially due to the changes in population and decline in Mass attendance and lack the resources to provide needed ministries.
The decree establishing Infant Jesus Parish states that consolidating the individual communities and uniting them as one new parish is necessary to provide more effectively for the pastoral needs of the faithful, to assure the vitality of parish life, to provide for a better stewardship of resources, and to provide for the optimum use of clergy, religious and lay personnel.
Accompanying the decree are instructions on the recourse process provided for in Church law to ensure that the rights of the faithful are upheld in the alteration of a parish.
Reverend Joseph T. Szolack, the current pastor of St. Margaret Parish and Priest Convener for the merger, has been named pastor of the new parish, which will serve about 3,300 families. The seat of the parish will be Saint Margaret Church and the parish boundaries have been modified such that the combined territories are now contiguous. Saint John Vianney Church also will be used as a worship site as needed by the new parish.
"People from both parishes have been very cooperative," said Father Szolack. He cited the contributions of Father Byerly, pastor of St. John Vianney, and Core Team members. "Father Byerly was very important to the success of the process. He really emphasized the reality that each parish is part of the larger Church and we sometimes must take difficult steps to do what is necessary for the good of the diocese."
"We also had an exceptional Core Team. Each person had great vision and loyalty to the Church and to the faith. They all understood that we were building the foundation for a new parish. Yet, they all brought different perspectives and expertise to the process and were very helpful. We challenged and affirmed each other as we worked together to prepare the parishes to come together."
While the Core Team was preparing the parishes for merger, the two parishes began to come together for liturgy, including Divine Mercy, a Parish Mission and the Feast of Saint John Vianney. They also united socially for parish events, including the St. Margaret Carnival and pancake breakfasts.
Saint Margaret Parish was established in 1961, as population growth began to exceed the capacity of St. Patrick's in Woodbury. The parish elementary school opened in 1963 and a parish hall was completed that same year. Mass was celebrated there until a new church was dedicated in 1978. Saint John Vianney Church was built in 1939, serving St. Agnes Parish until Saint John Vianney Parish, formerly a mission of St. Teresa, Runnemede, was established in 1971.
Father Szolack, who grew up in nearby Woodbury, is hopeful about the future. "The planning process-including the last year of preparation for merger-gave us a real opportunity to evaluate how we're doing things, what works well and what we need to do to improve ministry and care to the people here. The process, even though it has required great effort and time, has been a positive impetus and a prelude to a better future," he said.
He said the new parish soon will address staffing issues related to the pastoral priority of lifelong faith formation. "We're going to focus on our religious education program to broaden it to include not just youth, but also young adults-who often do not receive adequate attention and resources, and adult education, with opportunities for all ages to grow in the spiritual life." The parish also will put a heavy emphasis on fostering vocations to priesthood and religious life, he said.
Merger preparations for Infant Jesus parish began on November 4, 2008 when the Core Team met for the first time with their Priest Convener, Father Szolack. The Core Team members were Jeff Heck, Mark Cipolone, Neen Raspa, Patricia DiBona, Tammy Gatto, Alice Bailey, Karen Walters and Brian Fleming.
Over the next nine months, the team met fourteen times to tend to the range of canonical, civil, administrative and pastoral considerations involved in merger, including setting new Mass and sacrament schedules, addressing staffing needs, tending to transition issues related to accounting and finance, establishing new pastoral and finance councils and developing a parish mission statement.
They also engaged the parishes in a variety of joint liturgies and community building activities, including a week long Lenten Mission, Divine Mercy Sunday and the Feast of St. John Vianney. On that feast day, Mass was followed by a lawn social at St. John Vianney. Parishioners also joined together to support the "Love to Serve" initiative at St. Margaret's School, the annual spring fashion show, and the Knights of Columbus monthly breakfasts.
On August 26, 2009, Father Szolack wrote to Bishop Galante to inform him that the Core Team had completed its merger preparations. Six diocesan reviewers from canonical affairs, liturgy, lifelong formation, temporalities, clergy and pastoral planning conducted an onsite visit on October 27, 2009 and affirmed the work of the Core Team.
Core Team member and Saint John Vianney parishioner Patricia DiBona said, "It was a challenging process, but everyone understood the need. The planning process, the guidance and the rationale given really brought about a better understanding of why this is needed and helped to alleviate the fear of change. We now have the possibility of broadening our ministry, improving our outreach, drawing people into ministry and parish life, and addressing the Gospel call to alleviate suffering of people in the area. This is an exciting thing."
Core Team member and Saint Margaret parishioner Mark Cipolone said, "Initially there was some uncertainty as to how this would all work. But, when we finally met, we really worked well together and it was worth all the work. Now, parishioners are accepting and looking to moving forward."
He said joining the parishes together would bring greater financial health, but also an influx of parishioners to Mass and into parish ministries. "Even forgetting finances for a minute, we'll be able to do more with ministries. This is something we have to do if we're going to get people to come back to Church."
He acknowledged that at some level he wished that things could stay the same, but knows that the merger is necessary. "Given the realities, we have to do it. Something has to be done. We have to get people to come back. That's my hope."
Bishops: Health care "abortion compromise" morally unacceptable
12.18.09 - WASHINGTON-Responding to reports of a new "compromise" proposal on abortion in the U.S. Senate's health care reform bill, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo today reaffirmed the position of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops that the legislation will be morally unacceptable "unless and until" it complies with longstanding current laws on abortion funding such as the Hyde amendment.
Cardinal DiNardo is Archbishop of Galveston-Houston and Chairman of the Conference's Committee on Pro-Life Activities.
The Cardinal commented on efforts by Senator Robert Casey (D-PA) to improve the Senate bill's treatment of abortion.
"Senator Casey's good-faith effort to allow individuals to ‘opt out' of abortion coverage actually underscores how radically the underlying Senate bill would change abortion policy. Excluding elective abortions from overall health plans is not a privilege that individuals should have to seek as the exception to the norm. In all other federal health programs, excluding abortion coverage is the norm. And numerous opinion polls show that the great majority of Americans do not want abortion coverage."
"I welcome Senator Casey's good-faith effort to improve this bill, said Cardinal Dinardo." In particular he has sought to improve protection for conscience rights, and to include programs of support for pregnant women and adoptive parents that we favor in their own right.
However, these improvements do not change the fundamental problem with the Senate bill: Despite repeated claims to the contrary, it does not comply with longstanding Hyde restrictions on federal funding of elective abortions and health plans that include them."
Cardinal DiNardo had written to the Senate on December 14, saying that "the Catholic bishops of the United States strongly support authentic reform of our ailing health care system." His letter cited "three moral criteria for reform: respect for life and conscience; affordability for the poor; and access to much-needed basic health care for immigrants," noting that so far the Senate bill "has fallen short of the example set by the House version of this legislation in each of these areas."
On abortion funding, the Cardinal urged the Senate to "incorporate into this bill the longstanding and widely supported policies of current law, acknowledged and reaffirmed by the Senate itself" when it approved the Consolidated Appropriations Act for the new fiscal year on December 13. This Act reaffirmed the Hyde amendment and other laws that exclude elective abortions from health plans receiving federal funds -- including the plans that cover the Senators themselves and all other federal employees. The Senate so far has failed to reflect this same policy in its health care bill as the House has done, he said [see www.usccb.org/healthcare/DiNardo_1214_letter.pdf].
Cardinal DiNardo said December 18: "We continue to oppose and urge others to oppose the Senate bill unless and until this fundamental failure is remedied. And whatever the immediate outcome in the Senate, we will continue to work for health care reform which truly protects the life, dignity, conscience and health of all. As the bishops have said many times, ‘providing affordable and accessible health care that clearly reflects these fundamental principles is a public good, moral imperative and urgent national priority.' In particular we will work vigorously to ensure that the substance of the House's provision on abortion funding is included in final legislation. A special debt of gratitude is owed to House and Senate members, especially Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI) and Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE), who have placed their votes and reputation on the line to stand up for unborn children. Making this legislation consistent with longstanding federal law on abortion will not threaten needed authentic reform, but will help ensure its passage."
U.S. Bishops: Senate should not support health care bill in its current form
12.09.09 WASHINGTON-"The Senate vote to table the Nelson-Hatch-Casey amendment is a grave mistake and a serious blow to genuine health care reform," said Cardinal Francis George, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. "The Senate is ignoring the promise made by President Obama and the will of the American people in failing to incorporate longstanding prohibitions on federal funding for abortion and plans that include abortion."
Bishop William Murphy, Chair of the bishops' Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, said: "Congress needs to retain existing abortion funding restrictions and safeguard conscience protections because the nation urgently needs health care reform that protects the life, dignity, conscience and health of all. We will continue to work with Senators, Representatives and the Administration to achieve reform which meets these criteria. We hope the Senate will address the legislation's fundamental flaw on abortion and remedy its serious problems related to conscience rights, affordability and treatment of immigrants."
Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, Chair of the bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities, said: "Congress needs to separate facts and truth from political rhetoric on abortion funding. Even our opponents claim they do not support federal funding for elective abortions and they want current restrictions to apply. The way to settle this often misleading debate is simply, clearly and explicitly to apply Hyde restrictions to all the federal funds in the legislation. That is what the House did and what the final bill must do. The Senate should not approve this bill in its current form."
Bishop John Wester, Chair of the bishops' Committee on Migration, pointed out: "For many years the bishops have strongly supported accessible and affordable health care for all. Health care must protect, not threaten, human life and dignity; respect, not violate, consciences of providers, taxpayers, and others. We believe universal coverage should be truly universal, not deny health care to those in need because of where they come from or when they arrive here. The Senate proposal falls short in these areas. Immigrants deserve access to health care for their benefit and the common good of all of society. We urge Senators to resist amendments that would leave immigrants and their families behind as the nation reforms health care. We urge Senators to support amendments that improve health-care access for immigrants and their families and to oppose efforts that deny them access."
Cardinal George concluded: "While we deplore the Senate's refusal to adopt the Nelson-Hatch-Casey amendment, we remain hopeful that the protections overwhelmingly passed by the House will be incorporated into needed reform legislation. Failure to exclude abortion funding will turn allies into adversaries and require us and others to oppose this bill because it abandons both principle and precedent."
