A P R I L 2 0 , 2 0 1 1N O R T H C O U N T R Y C A T H O L I C16

CATHOLICNORTH COUNTRYNORTH COUNTRYThe Diocese of Ogdensburg Volume 66, Number 3

APRIL 20, 2011

INSIDETHIS ISSUEBudget debateleads to questions onpriorities l PAGE 10

Calls for Catholics ofNYS to defendmarriage l PAGE 12

DIVINEDRAMA

Preparing for the churchof 2021

Campusminister

The holiestof weeks

THE WAY OF THE CROSS

SCENES FROM THE CHRISM MASS: Oils blessed.... priests renew commitment, p. 7

‘To be holy is to love God’

FULL STORY, PAGE 3

PHOTO BY BETTY STEELEBishop LaValley preaches at theChrism Mass April 14 at St. Mary’sCathedral. He is also presiding at theHoly Thursday, Good Friday and EasterVigil services at the cathedral thisweek. In his “Follow Me” column onpage 3, Bishop LaValley encouragesCatholics of the diocese “to come withme this holiest of weeks and look intothe eyes of Jesus at key moments ofthe drama of these next few days. Ex-perience the depth of that far-reach-ing love Jesus has for you that led Himthrough this journey of such suffering.Pay attention to the simple words thatcome from His lips. Focus on His ges-tures so pregnant with meaning.”

Sixth through eighth graders at St. Mary' School in Ticonderoga presented the "The Way of the Cross" at St.Mary's Church April11. Pictured are Thomas Manley, Makayla Holt, Chad Stevens, Jacob Spaulding and Justyn Granger. The entire community wasinvited to the prayerful service and many joined the students for this observance of Jesus' passion, death and resurrection.

Craig Martin, campus minister at SUNY

Potsdam and Clarkson

University, reflects on his first year

Today there are 62 residentpastors serving 102 parishes inthe Diocese of Ogdensburg. By2021, the number is expectedto drop to 40.To ensure that Catholic fami-

lies of the North Country con-tinue to receive the pastoralcare they need, the DiocesanPlanning Committee has beenworking to determine the bestway to staff parishes in light ofthe decline in number ofpriests. The group has proposed the

40 likely locations in the dio-cese's 12,000 square mileswhere pastors will be in resi-dence. FULL STORY, PAGE 4

FULL STORY, PAGE 5

VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Everyone iscalled to holiness, which issimply striving to imitateChrist, particularly in lovingGod and loving others, PopeBenedict XVI said. Ending a long series of

general audience talks aboutsaints and doctors of thechurch, the pope spokeabout the meaning of holi-

ness and how it is achieved.Addressing an estimated12,000 people in St. Peter'sSquare April 13, Pope Bene-dict said there are three sim-ple rules for living a holy life:"Never let a Sunday go bywithout an encounter withthe risen Christ in the Eu-charist; this is not an addedburden, it is light for the en-

tire week";"Never begin orend a day without at least abrief contact with God" inprayer; "And along the path-way of our lives, follow theroad signs that God hasgiven us in the Ten Com-mandments, read in the lightof Christ; they are nothingother than explanations ofwhat is love in specific situa-

tions." The pope said heknows most people, aware oftheir limits and weaknesses,think it wouldn't be possibleto be a saint. The doubts, hesaid, are one of the reasonsthe church proposes "a hostof saints - those who fullylived charity and knew howand follow Christ in theirdaily lives."

A P R I L 2 0 , 2 0 1 1N O R T H C O U N T R Y C A T H O L I C news 15

OBITUARIESGlory Rufa

MASSENA - A Mass of Resurrec-tion for Glory M. Rufa, 52,was held April 15 at St. Mary'sChurch.She died April 10; burial

was in Calvary Cemetery.Mrs. Rufa is survived by

her husband, Robert; sons,Jason and wife Nicolette ofChesapeake, VA; Justin andwife Natalie of ColoradoSprings, CO; and Jonathanand wife Kaitlyn of Coram,Long Island, NY; a daughter,Athena and husband TonyCurley of Canton, a brotherJohn Griffin, of Gulfport, MS;and grandson, Aidan Rufa.She was predeceased by herparents and a brother andnephew, Peter and PeterDaniel Griffin in 2010.Mrs. Rufa was born Aug.

21, 1958 in Massena thedaughter of Floyd and Paula(Mathieu) Griffin. She gradu-ated from Massena CentralHigh in 1976, and earned anassociate’s degree in 1988 inSocial Work at Mater Dei Col-lege. She was employed for Hos-

pice of St. Lawrence Valley asa bereavement counselor andwas most recently employedat Massena Housing Author-ity as a tenants relations as-sistant. The director of religious

education at St. Joseph'sChurch for 13 years, she wasalso a Eucharist Minister, di-rector for Children's Liturgyand member of the ParishCouncil .Mrs. Rufa completed the

diocesan Formation for Min-istry program and was a re-cipient of the 2003 Sharingthe Light of Faith Award fromthe diocesan Department ofChristian Formation. Memorial contributions

may be made to St.Joseph's/St. Mary's SanctuaryFund. Online condolencesmay be made towww.phillipsmemorial.com.

Cadyville – Rance H. Bull, 81; FuneralServices April 14, 2011 at St. JamesChurch; burial in Whitehall, NY.

Fort Covington – Lyle J. Mainville, 81; Fu-neral Services April 11, 2011 at St. Mary’sChurch; burial in parish cemetery.

Heuvelton – Nola E. (Carr) Rheome, 72;

Funeral Services April 12, 2011 at St.Raphael’s Church; burial in Pine HillCemetery, Eelweir.

Keeseville – Mary Ann Yattaw, 70; Fu-neral April 15, 2011 at St. John’s Church;burial in Union Cemetery, Fort Edward.

Lyons Falls – Margerite “Midge” (Brill)Fitzgerald, 93; Funeral Services April 16,2011 at St. John’s Church; burial in Wild-wood Cemetery.

Madrid – Mary Jean (Fitzgerald) Mc-Grath, 90; Funeral Services April 13, 2011at St. John the Baptist Church; burial inHoly Rood, Westbury.

Massena – Donald R. Case, 86; FuneralServices April 11, 2011 at St. Mary’sChurch; burial in Glenwood Cemetery,Watertown.

Massena – Regina M. (Legault) St. Ger-main, 102; Funeral Services April 13,2011 at Church of the Sacred Heart; bur-ial in Calvary Cemetery.

Ogdensburg – Joseph Lloyd Cooke, 69;Funeral Services April 11, 2011 at Fox &Murray Funeral Home; burial in FoxwoodMemorial Park.

Ogdensburg – Leon “Nig” M. O’Grady, 85;Funeral April 15, 2011 at Notre DameChurch; burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Peru – John Denis Tessier, 85; MemorialServices April 16, 2011 at St. Augustine’sChurch.

Plattsburgh – Joan M. Church, 87; Fu-neral Services April 15, 2011 at St. Peter’sChurch; burial in St. Peter’s Cemetery.

Plattsburgh – June M. (O’Connor) Duffy,82; Memorial July 23, 2011 at St. John’sChurch; burial in Mt. Carmel Cemetery.

Plattsburgh –Vernon F. “Vern” Jubert, 83;Funeral Services April 11, 2011 at St.John’s Church; burial in St. Louis de

France Cemetery, Sciota.Plattsburgh – Louis R. LaBarre, 80; Fu-neral Services April 14, 2011 at St. Peter’sChurch; burial in St. Edmund’s Cemetery,Ellenburg.

Potsdam –Margaret Hayes Stone, 80; Fu-neral Service April 9, 2011 at Garner Fu-neral Home; burial in St. Patrick’sCemetery, Colton.

Redford – Elsie M. Lannroos, 89; FuneralServices April 19 at Church of the As-sumption.

Saranac Lake – Manley “John” M. CorsonJr., 84; Funeral Services April 12, 2011 atSt. Bernard’s Church; burial in St. AgnesCemetery, Lake Placid.

Star Lake – Vivian A. (Maybee) An-grisano, 78; Funeral Services April 11,2011 at St. Hubert’s Church; burial inWoodland Cemetery, Fine.

Star Lake – Gladys (deGouffe) Riley, 102;Funeral Services May 28, 2011 at St. Hu-bert’s Church.

Theresa – Edward E. Hughes, 86; FuneralServices April 14, 2011 at Frederick Bros.Funeral Home, Inc.; burial in Grove Ceme-tery, LaFargeville.

Tupper Lake – Pauline Marie (Gokey)Ferris, 94; Funeral Services March 17,2011 at St. Alphonsus Church; burial inSt. Regis Falls.

Watertown – Lillian M. (Rosenberg) An-zalone, 90; Funeral Services April 15,2011 at St. Anthony’s Church; burial inGlenwood Cemetery.

Watertown – Norma Jean Ball-Dunaway,63; Funeral Services April 11, 2011 atReed & Benoit Funeral Home, Inc.

Watertown – Larry S. Davison, 58; Fu-neral services April 16, 2011 at Holy Fam-ily Church; burial in Fullerville Cemetery,Fowler.

The Society For

The Propagation Of The FaithSr. Mary Ellen Brett, SSJ, Director622 Washington St., Ogdensburg, NY 13669(315) 393-2920; fax (315) 394-7401mbrett@dioogdensburg.org

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

I am most grateful for your Lenten sacrifice which issuch a blessing to the Church as it serves the poor ofthe Missions. . Throughout the world, day after day, we find suffer-

ing of all kinds – devastation wrought by natural disas-ters, such as earthquakes and tsunamis that hit Japan.The media reminds us daily of profound hunger,poverty, illness, disease, war and violence. Our worldseems particularly filled with political turmoil as oflate. There is also the suffering that comes from notknowing of the great love of our Lord. As people hear of the passion, death and Resurrection

of Jesus, they come to realize that, in Christ, they toocan rise – to realize that they are not alone, abandoned,in their suffering. In the Missions, local priests, Reli-gious Sisters, Brothers and lay catechists reach out tothe suffering in Jesus’ name, offering them His love andHis message of hope. They remind them that God doesnot abandon us, helping them to experience in their“Good Friday” world, the hope and joy of Easter Sunday.By your prayers, and your gifts to the Society for the

Propagation of the Faith, you accompany those whobring this Good News to the poor and suffering. Pleaseknow that you and your own difficulties, great andsmall, are remembered in the prayers of those you sup-port in the Missions. May you face your Good Fridaychallenges, ever mindful and strengthened by the hopeof our Lord’s Resurrection!

Please remember “The Society for the Propagation of the Faith”when writing or changing your Will.

www.dioogdensburg.org/missionoffice

Lenten sacrificebrings Easter joy

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In this space last week, I sangthe praises of many of the youngCatholics in our midst who areliving their faith in a way that in-spires us all.Believe it or not, I have

yet another young nameto drop.After a long history of

Lenten experiences, I en-countered one of themost powerful a coupleof weeks ago through thetalent of a 27-year-old.I’ve long known Zack

Skelly to be a whiz with acomputer but it turns outthat his talent extends toa different kind of key-board, as well.Zack actually composed a Pas-

sion taken from the Gospel of St.Luke.And it was magnificent.Interspersed in the reading of

the 22nd and 23rd chapters ofLuke, were hauntingly beautifulmelodies illuminating the LastSupper, Agony of the Garden,Peter’s Betrayal, the Trial of Jesus,the Persecution of Jesus and theLast Breath.It didn’t hurt that the music was

brought to life with the voices ofsome of the most gifted choirmembers in Ogdensburg, accom-panied by our very talentedcathedral organist Ernie Hadley.I attended the concert to show

my support for a young memberof our parish.I left the concert with my

breath taken away.I was not prepared to be drawn

into Jesus’ story with such force.

While Zack’s accomplishment isunique, our diocese is blessedeach year with inspiring dramaticpresentations of the last days of

Jesus.The Mission Players of

IHC in Watertown and theFranciscan Mystery Playersin Clayton as well asCatholic school kids whocreate their own PassionPlays all illustrate thepoint that Bishop LaValleymakes in his Follow Mecolumn this week: “withthe arrival of Palm Sunday,the curtain rises again onthe ‘divine drama of lovein motion.’”

Bishop LaValley asks us to takepart in the drama as we attendliturgical events in our churchesthis week.“Look into the eyes of Jesus at

key moments of the drama ofthese next few days,” he writes.“Experience the depth of that far-reaching love Jesus has for youthat led Him through this journeyof such suffering. Pay attentionto the simple words that comefrom His lips. Focus on His ges-tures so pregnant with meaning.”We can imagine ourselves shar-

ing bread with Jesus at the LastSupper, struggling to be the oneto stay awake with him at Gethse-mane, holding tight to his motherunder the cross.We can each be part of the

drama - even though our days of‘let’s pretend’ are long forgotten.We can focus. We can pay atten-

tion. We can make these days theholiest of Holy Weeks... ever.

A P R I L 2 0 , 2 0 1 1N O R T H C O U N T R Y C A T H O L I C2 Diocesan Life

MSGR. ROBERT L. LAWLERVice President

SR. JENNIFER VOTRAW, SSJSecretary-TreasurerMARY LOU KILIAN

Editor/General Manager

BISHOP TERRYR. LAVALLEYPresident

CHURCH: A FAMILY OF FAITH

Let Yourself Be Raised Easter Tidings - Easter Sunday

By Sister Mary Eamon Lyng, SSJDirector of Evangelization

“I have risen: I am with you once more; you placed your hand on me tokeep me safe. How great is the depth of your wisdom, alleluia!”

(Ps. 138: 18, 5-6). Jesus has been raised from the dead! This is an event beyond our expe-

rience. Jesus did not return to life as before but passed, beyond death, tonew life with God. This was an experience that the disciples did not understand that Jesus

had to be raised from the dead.

The mission of the Church had now begun! The power of Jesus’ Resurrectionhad truly become good news

When Peter and the other disciple arrived at the tomb and found itempty, they were afraid, astonished, confused. Was the body stolen? Theburial cloths “were there, and the cloth that covered his head, not with theburial cloths but rolled up in a separate place” (John 20:8). When the other disciple entered the tomb, he saw and believed, but

they still did not realize that Jesus had to rise from the dead. It was notuntil He appeared to the disciples and began to eat and drink with themthat their doubts were turned into amazement, joy and faith. This was “truly good news”!The mission of the Church had now begun! The power of Jesus’ Resur-

rection had truly become good news. The disciples were to wait for thecoming of the Holy Spirit that would empower them to go to the ends ofthe earth to proclaim the Gospel message. We continue the mission of Jesus in the life of the Church with the

message of Jesus’ Resurrection through the witness of our lives. Ourwords and actions express our hope for our own resurrection and thegathering of all people being raised up in glory.This is our hope that one day; we too, will share in the fullness of Jesus’

resurrection. Every Sunday, we gather as the People of God to proclaimthe Death and Resurrection of Jesus until He comes again. Every Sunday,we assemble as the Body of Christ to become the Body of Christ, His handsand His feet, to go forth to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ that Heis with us now and will be with us until the end of time. Every Sunday, we come together as a community of believers, a family

of faith to praise our God, a communion of Trinitarian love - Father, Son,and Holy Spirit, “with one great heart and the union of minds, the accordof souls, the bond of charity, the prayers of the priests” (St. John Chrysos-tom). We are here today because we believe in the Resurrection. What

makes it believable to us? How important is it to you that Jesus did risefrom the dead? How does the Resurrection give you hope or influenceyour life? What will you do to concretely bring hope to someone whoseems lost? Jesus Christ is risen! Let yourself be raised up into the glory and power of Jesus’ resurrec-

tion, alleluia! Happy Easter!

Mary LouKilian

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

The play’s the thing

A P R I L 2 0 , 2 0 1 1N O R T H C O U N T R Y C A T H O L I C14 around the diocese

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAYSaranac Lake – Divine Mercy Sunday willbe celebrated at St. Bernard’s Church.Date: May 1Time: 2:30 p.m.Features: The chanted chaplet, eveningprayer, benediction and confessions. Fa-ther Mark Reilly will be officiating.

STATIONS OF THE CROSSPlattsburgh – Stations of the Cross willbe held for the victims of abortion.Date: April 22, Good FridayTime: 10 a.m.Place: At Planned ParenthoodFeatures: Introduction and prayer led byFr. Demarais. Stations will be led by Fr.Demarais, Msgr. Duprey, Msgr. Aubin, Fr.Canaan, Fr. Seymour and Fr. Cote. Pleasestand in the four parking spaces re-served by the City Council. Please stayoff Planned Parenthoods lawn and donot interact with hecklers. Please do notbring or hold posters or banners. This isa prayer service, not a protest.

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAYPlattsburgh – St. Peter’s Church to cele-brate Divine Mercy Sunday.Date: May 1Presider: Msgr. Dennis DupreySchedule: Exposition of the BlessedSacrament 12:15 p.m. to 3; Sacrament ofReconciliation in the chapel 1:30 p.m. to2:30; Video “Tell All Soul’s About MyMercy” at 12:30 p.m. and “ExtremeMercy” at 1:45 p.m.; Chaplet of DivineMercy and Prayer Service begins at 3p.m.; Blessing of Religious objects willtake place after the service.

BLESSED SACRAMENT ADORATIONKeeseville – The Keeseville Altar RosarySociety to sponsor Adoration of theBlessed Sacrament.Date: Every SundayTime: 1 p.m. to 4Place: Immaculate Conception Church

EUCHARISTIC ADORATIONPlattsburgh - Eucharistic Adoration isheld throughout the year every Wednes-day, Thursday, and Friday.Place: St John's Holy Family Adoration

Chapel,downstairsTime: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.Contact: For more information aboutspending a special hour with Jesusweekly, or becoming a substitute, pleasecall 518-561-5083 or email us at Sjohn-sadoration@aol.com

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAYMalone – Divine Mercy Sunday to becelebrated.Date: May 1Time: 11 a.m.Place: Notre Dame ChurchSchedule: Noon to 3 p.m. the BlessedSacrament will be exposed for individual adoration. Confessions will be heardfrom 1 p.m. to 2:50. At 3 p.m. Devotionsfor Divine Mercy Sunday will begin. TheChaplet of the Divine Mercy will be sungand there will be Benediction of theBlessed Sacrament. All are welcome tojoin in any or all of the above times.Contact: Fr. Joseph Giroux, MaloneCatholic Parishes Office, (518) 483-1300.

RUN ON THE RUNWAYFort Drum– Special fundraising walk isbeing sponsored by AAAA.Date: April 30Time: Registration begins at 6 a.m. racestarts at 8 a.m.Place: Wheeler Sack Army AirfieldCost: 5k Run/Walk, $5; 10K Run, $10;Kids under 5, freeFeatures: Strollers and Headsets arewelcome. There is no pre-registration.Prizes will be awarded for the top fe-male male in each category, 15 andunder, 16-25, 26-35, 36-45 and 45+.This open to Military and the local com-munity. Contact: Debbie Lindeman 315- 774-1581 for more information.

CHICKEN BARBECUEEvans Mills – The St. Mary’s Booster Clubwill be having a chicken barbecue.Date: May 1Time: 11 a.m.Place: St. Mary’s Parish CenterCost: $8 and take-outs are available

BEREAVEMENT MEETINGWatertown – An ecumenical bereave-ment meeting is to be held.Date: April 25Time: 7 p.m.Place: Sisters of St. Joseph MotherhouseSpeaker: James Monaco, LCSW, will bereturning for Part II of his March presen-tation"Continuing the Journey of Heal-ing".. Mr. Monaco is a psychotherapistwith a local private practice, as well as aconsultant for agencies and schools.

THE SORROWFUL MYSTERIESClayton – The Franciscan Mystery Play-ers of Clayton will present “The Sorrow-ful Mysteries”, a dramatic multi-mediapresentation of the passion and death ofJesus.Schedule:April 22, 7:30 p.m. at St.Mary’s ChurchFeatures: Through the use of speciallighting and sound, this dramatic medi-tation on the Sorrowful Mysteries of theRosary promises to be a high point inyour Lenten journey. For more informa-tion visit www.mysteryplay.org or callSt. Mary’s at 315-686-3398.

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAYWatertown – Our Lady of the SacredHeart will hold a Divine Mercy Sunday

Celebration.Date: Divine Mercy Sunday is May 1; anovena Will begin April 22 at 3 p.m.Features: On May 1 at 3 p.m. there will

be Exposition of Blessed Sacrament,Singing of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, &Special prayers for Healing your familytree, Blessing of the Divine Mercy image(you may bring your own Divine Mercypicture to be specially blessed) andBenediction of the Blessed SacramentFurther Information: The Divine MercyDevotion consists of making a Novena bypraying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy be-ginning on Good Friday; celebrating theFeast of Mercy, the 1st Sunday afterEaster; Being merciful to others, Placingour complete trust in Jesus & making agood confession, eight days before orafter that Sunday and receiving Com-munion on the Feast of Mercy Sunday without the stain of mortal sin. Contact: For more info on how to pre-pare for Mercy Sunday…call Judy at315-783-7349 or 315-788-2388, or visitwww.divinemercysunday.com

LIFERIGHT MEETINGWatertown - Liferight of Watertown willhold its monthly meetings on the thirdWednesday of the Month.Time: 4 p.m. Place: 312 Sherman St.Features: Liferight is a pro-life educa-tional organization. The office hasvideos, books and educational materialswhich may be borrowed. Topicscovered: infanticide, assisted suicide, eu-thanasia and chastity.Contact: Phone 315-788-8480; website:www.liferight.org.

BULLHEAD FEEDHarrisville – The Knights of ColumbusCouncil #7733 will be sponsoring a Bull-head Feed.Date: April 29Time: 4:30 p.m. to 6:30Place: Harrisville Fire HallCost: Adults, $11 for Bullhead, $9 forHam; Children 5-12, $6; under 5, FreeFeatures: Take-outs available.

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAYHouseville – The Feast of Divine Mercywill be celebrated at St. Hedwig’s Church.Date: May 1Schedule: 2 p.m. Listen to a tape by Sis-ter M. Caterina Esselen of the Sisters ofOur Lady of Mercy entitled “Receive anOcean of Graces on Divine Mercy Sunday;3 p.m. Vespers, Homily, Exposition of the

Most Blessed Sacrament, Divine MercyChaplet (sung) and Benediction. A potluck sipper will follow in the church hall.Contact: Mary Ann at 348-6260

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAYOgdensburg – St. Mary’s Cathedral willbe hosting Divine Mercy Services.Date: May 1Time: 3 p.m.Features: You are cordially invited tocome and pray the Divine Mercy Chapletduring this service.

K OF C BRUNCHNorfolk – The Knights of Columbus willbe sponsoring a brunch.Date: May 8Time: 8:30 a.m. to Noon. Place: Visitation Parish Center; Take-outsavailableCost: Adults, $6; Children under 12, $4;Under 5, Free; Family, $16

FISH FRY BUFFETOgdensburg – The Knights of Columbusto hold a Fish Fry Buffet during Lent.Date: FridaysTime: 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.Place: K of C Hall; Eat in or take out. Cost: $9 per person, Children 6-11, $4.5;under 5, free; Desserts, $1 extra

NOVENA FOR MILITARYOgdensburg - Notre Dame Church isholding a weekly novena for the safetyof U.s. military personnelDate: Tuesday eveningsTime : 6:30 p.m.

INTERNATIONAL ROSARYCatholics of the Diocese are encourageto participate in a continuous praying ofthe Rosary throughout the world. Date: May 1Time: 2 p.m.Features: praying 20 decades of theRosary. The intention is: “That in themonth of our Blessed Mother we willband together with the Pro-Life forces inthe world.” Our Blessed Mother is aforce for life and of the Rosary. Who bet-ter to lead and guide us than she who isthe Mother of Life. Pray alone, with fam-ily, or with friends. There are no other re-quirements. We encourage you to takepart in this wonderful opportunity tojoin in prayer with our brothers and sis-ters, all over the world, who will be pray-ing and doing penance for theconversion of sinners.

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, 315-394-0670;e-mail news@northcountrycatholic.org.

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

ADIRONDACK

CLINTON

FRANKLIN

JEFFERSON

LEWIS

ST. LAWRENCE

DIOCESAN EVENTS

A P R I L 2 0 1 2 0 1 1N 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 LaValley’s homilyfor Palm Sunday:Every year, as Pope John

Paul II expressed it,on this special Sun-day, “the curtainrises once again onthe definitivedrama of all history- the drama of ourredemption.”As we reflect on

these events of thefirst Palm Sundayfrom the historicalpoint of view, wemight wonder whatwas in the heart andmind of Jesus onthat Sunday. Monsignor Francis Kelly

offers a good insight intothis question.He suggests that as Jesus

rides into Jerusalem sur-rounded by people shouting“hosanna,” cutting branchesfrom the trees and spread-ing them in His path, Jesusappears completely concen-

trated on something else.He does not look at the ex-cited crowd. He does not

wave. He sees be-yond all the noise towhat is ahead ofHim: an agonizingjourney of betrayal,torture, crucifixion,and death. His unfocused

eyes see what no-body around Himcan see. His high forehead

reflects a knowledgeof things to come farbeyond anyone’sability to under-

stand.There is a melancholy, but

also peaceful acceptance.There is insight into thefickleness of the humanheart, but also immensecompassion. There is adeep awareness of the un-speakable pain to be suf-fered, but also a strongdetermination to do God’s

will. Above all, there is love,

an endless, deep, and far-reaching love born from anunbreakable intimacy withthe Father and reaching outto all.I invite you to come with

me this holiest of weeks andlook into the eyes of Jesusat key moments of thedrama of these next fewdays. Experience the depth of

that far-reaching love Jesushas for you that led Himthrough this journey ofsuch suffering. Pay attention to the sim-

ple words that come fromHis lips. Focus on His ges-tures so pregnant withmeaning.Participate at the Mass of

the Lord’s Supper Thursdaynight. Listen to the words asif it’s the first time you everheard them: “Take andeat…this is My Body…Takeand drink, this is My Blood

poured out for you.” As He washes their feet,

listen to Jesus tell His clos-est friends, and allow thesewords to echo in your ownheart: “See what I havedone, so also you must do.”

And then, stay in the gar-den of agony! Adore Him.Stay awake that one hourwith Jesus, that hour whichfound Him all alone. On that Friday called

“Good,” come into this Sa-cred Space and join yourfamily of faith as we walkthe Passion Path together astrue companions on thejourney of faith.Be present at each station

as if you were there somany years ago and gazeinto the eyes of the OneWho loved us to His deathas He bore the burden ofour sins. And then, let uscome back to this mostbeautiful Cathedral to expe-rience the triumph of Lightover darkness as we cele-

brate Christ’s victory overdeath! Yes, we return hereto welcome new membersinto this family of faith andto rejoice in the full initia-tion of others into this Mys-tical Body of Christ!As we participate in all of

these most solemn mo-ments of our faith story, wekeep our eyes and hearts fo-cused on Jesus’ words andon His gestures, what Hesays and what He does.They will reflect a deep, inti-mate love for His Father, re-flected in what He does foryou and for me. As we conclude this Pas-

sion Sunday Liturgy, onceagain this year we will leaveour cathedral in silence,ready to focus our eyes andsensitize our ears as we areabout to enter the drama,responding to Jesus’ call,“Follow Me.” Let us now enter this di-

vine drama of love in mo-tion.

BishopTerry R.LaValley

A divine drama of love in motion

Father Stephen H. Gratto, pastor ofSt. Martin’s in Port Leyden and St.John’s in Lyons Fall is retiring , dueto ill health. Bishop LaValley hasappointed Father Philip Allen toserve as temporary administrator ofthe two churches, effective April 25until a new pastor is named in June.

Fr. Gratto retiring

A P R I L 2 0 , 2 0 1 1N O R T H C O U N T R Y C A T H O L I C entertainment 13

AT THE MOVIES

By John Mulderig Catholic News Service

There's not much toblame on "Rio" (Fox). In-stead, praiseworthy lessonsabout environmental stew-ardship and love-inspiredloyalty are decked out inkaleidoscopic colors and de-livered in an overwhelm-ingly child-friendly tone inthis animated 3-D flight offancy. Living as a cosseted pet in

chilly Minnesota, Brazilian-born macaw Blu (voice ofJesse Eisenberg) has dailymugs of hot chocolate and -more importantly - the lov-ing protection of his de-voted owner, smallbookstore proprietor Linda(voice of Leslie Mann), tokeep him warm. Blu's jungle origins and

the traumatic experience ofbeing kidnapped by exoticbird traders - only a happyaccident eventually landedhim in Linda's possession -are long past and barely re-membered. So it comes as a shock

when eccentric Rio deJaneiro-based scientist Tulio(voice of Rodrigo Santoro)turns up in the North StarState to inform Linda thatBlu is the last living male of

his species. As such, Tulio explains,

it's imperative that Blu re-turn to his native land, atleast temporarily, to matewith his sole remaining fe-male counterpart. Reluctantly, homebody

Linda and thoroughly do-mesticated Blu agree toTulio's plan. But Blu's opposite number

- fetching yet feisty Jewel(voiced by Anne Hathaway) -immediately intimidates hershy blind date and provesfar more concerned withbreaking out of the captivityof Tulio's lab than with per-petuating her kind.Things only go from bad

to worse when the lovebirdsare suddenly nabbed (inBlu's case, yet again) by ille-gal avian dealers. Jemaine Clement's voice

work as Nigel, the elegantlyodious cockatoo who aidsthese human villains, is oneof the comic highlights of"Rio."

Jake T. Austin as Fer-nando, a boy from the "fave-las," or slums, of Rio offers,by contrast, a gentle butpoignant reminder that thereal life of the Brazilian cap-ital involves more than justbikini-clad girls strollingalong the beach at Ipanema. Perhaps inevitably, direc-

tor Carlos Saldanha sets theclimactic scenes of hisbuoyant adventure - whichalso includes a handful ofupbeat musical numbers -against the dazzling back-ground of Rio's legendarycarnival. In a bit of possibly exces-

sive realism, though, thisoccasion is used to show offsome questionable costum-ing choices, not least that ofone minor male characterwho briefly dons a goldlame set of men's under-wear. His walk on the wildside - though calculated tomake kids laugh - maystrike some parents as astep in the wrong direction. Otherwise, there's just

one vaguely sexual jokeaimed over the heads ofyoungsters and a couple ofallusions to bodily functionscouched in terms even themembers of the target de-mographic might acceptablyuse. The film contains a fewnursery-level bathroom ref-erences and a fleeting dou-ble entendre. The CatholicNews Service classificationis A-I - general patronage.The Motion Picture Associa-tion of America rating is G -general audiences

CNS PHOTO/FOXAnimated characters Blu and Jewell appear in a scene from the movie "Rio."

RIOBy Mary Lou KilianEditor

OGDENSBURG – Today there are62 resident pastors serving102 parishes in the Diocese ofOgdensburg.Ten years from now, the

number is expected to drop to40.

Diocese plans how to staff parishes with fewer priests

To ensure that Catholic fam-ilies of the North Country con-tinue to receive the pastoralcare they need, the DiocesanPlanning Committee has beenworking to determine the bestway to staff parishes in light ofthe decline in number ofpriests.For example, the group has

proposed the 40 likely loca-tions in the diocese's 12,000square miles where pastorswill be in residence. (See mapon this page)The Planning Committee,

under the director of St. JosephSister Jennifer Votraw, is com-prised of the deans of the dio-cese, the chancellor, the headof priest personnel, a parishlife coordinator, the bishop’ssecretary and two lay peopleassigned by the bishop.From the first day of Febru-

ary through the end of March,Sister Jennifer and the commit-tee members made presenta-tions in seven deaneries of theDiocese of Ogdensburg seek-ing input as the plan continuesto develop.Pastors and parish represen-

tatives were invited to offer so-lutions or suggest changes tothe plan which the planningcommittee didn’t consider, Sis-ter Jennifer said.

Diocesan Planning Phase IThe first phase of diocesan

planning started 12 years ago,Sister Jennifer said. A plan oflinking parishes was devised inan effort to prepare for thetime when the number of avail-able priests fell below thenumber necessary to staff eachparish in the diocese.As a result some parishes

have merged, or been made or-

atories and others have a pas-tor but not a resident pastor(linked parishes).All but a very few of the

parish linkings of Phase I havebeen completed, Sister Jen-nifer said, but the number ofpriests of the diocese has di-minished to the point that theplan needs upgrading.

Looking to the futureWhen the number of priests

in the diocese drops to 40, an-other 22 parishes will not havea resident pastor.Thus the planning commit-

tee was charged with makingrecommendations to thebishop about the best place-ment of future pastors.Some of the criteria for de-

ciding where resident pastorswould be assigned include:• Ease of access (highways

etc.)• Population density• Size and condition of exist-

ing churches.• Centrality of existing

parishes• Percentage of priests per

deanery so the total remainsthe same as today,“It should be pointed out,”

Sister Jennifer said, “that weexpect that the parishes with-out a resident pastor will stillhave a vibrant parish life. Theywill be staffed by a non resi-dent pastor as well as deacons,religious and laity assuming amuch larger role in parish life.Sister Jennifer told those

who attended the recent dean-ery meetings that the new plan“is not cast in stone.”"The plan may change as cir-

cumstances change but it is aswe expect it to eventually workout," she said. " For example, aparish may not be immediatelylinked to one of the 40 but thatwill eventually happen.”Sister Jennifer emphasized

that the new plan, "like anyplanning document is a livingdocument because we’re deal-ing with human beings.”“This isn’t cut and dried,” she

said, “because we always needto be respectful of the needs ofpeople and of the priests."How should Catholics of the

diocese plan for the nextphase?

“First pray for vocations andthen encourage young peopleto consider the priesthood, re-ligious life,” Sister Jennifersaid. “Encourage parishionersto become parish life coordina-tors, deacons and lay minis-ters.“What is happening today is

an opportunity for a greaterempowerment and involve-ment of the laity as well as anopportunity for an enhancedspiritual life of the faithful,”she said. “The Lord promised to be

with us until the end of timebut He didn’t say what formHis Church would take,” SisterJennifer said. "There have beenmany changes since AD 32 andthere will be many more.”

A P R I L 2 0 , 2 0 1 1N O R T H C O U N T R Y C A T H O L I C4 Diocesan Life

Preparing for the future

This map of the Diocese of Ogdensburg features red circles around the names of thecommunities where resident pastors are expected to be placed when the number ofavailable priests declines to 40. Diocesan officials expect to face this decrease by 2021.

Members of the Diocesan Planning Committee - led by St. Joseph Sister Jennifer Vo-traw - have spoken at deanery meetings throughout the diocese to gather additionalinput from pastors and parish representatives as the plan continues to develop.

By Mary Lou KilianEditor

POTSDAM – With a new degreein philosophy from John Car-roll University in Ohio, CraigMartin needed to expand hissearch beyond his Clevelandhome to find a job.Last summer, he saw what

he was looking for atCatholicjobs.com This is where Msgr. Robert

Aucoin, pastor in Potsdamand Colton, had posted anopening for campus ministerat SUNY Potsdam and Clark-son University.After an interview on

Skype (a software applicationthat allows users to makephone calls over the Inter-net), Martin was hired for theposition.At the same time, Msgr. Au-

coin hired Peter Mueller, agraduate of Notre Dame Uni-versity, to work as pastoralassociate for the twoparishes.The two young men live at

the rectory in Potsdam whileMsgr. Aucoin makes hishome at the rectory inColton.Since arriving in Potsdam

July 24, Martin has become aregular fixture on the collegecampuses. He has organized regular

events including Theologyon Tap sessions, praise andworship gatherings, andNewman house parties. He also leads evening

prayer at SUNY Potsdamevery night. On Fridays, he hosts din-

ner for the Newman Club atthe rectory.In January, Martin and

Mueller accompanied elevenlocal college students to theFellowship of Catholic Uni-versity Students (FOCUS)Conference in Baltimore. (seeaccompanying article)Martin also works individ-

ually with college students.As he nears the end of his

first year on the job, Martinsays he has “absolutely en-joyed” every part of his work.“Ministering to college stu-

dents has been a huge bless-ing,” he said, “buildingrelationships with them andhelping them draw closer toChrist.”“And working with Msgr.

Aucoin has been outstand-ing,” he said. “He’s great towork for – I couldn’t ask for abetter working situation.”The job has not been with-

out its challenges. “It’s al-ways difficult to start a newjob and sort through what’sbeen done before and what Ineed to do, “ he said.And 22-year-old acknowl-

edges a bit a homesicknessas he misses “everything”about Cleveland where all hisfamily lives.But for now, he’s happy to

be working among otheryoung Catholics in Potsdam. He doesn’t know where

he’ll be in the future but he’sconfident that his church willbe alive and well.“My generation is re-dis-

covering the beauty of ourfaith,” Martin said. “We see itsrichness and grandeur thatour culture just can’t giveus.”"The future of the Catholic

Church is very promising,"he said.

A P R I L 2 0 1 2 0 1 1N O R T H C O U N T R Y C A T H O L I C diocesan life 5

Potsdam campus ministersees ‘huge blessing’ in work

FOCUS is a national organ-ization founded 12 years agoto reach out to Catholic col-lege students and invitethem to a growing relation-ship with Jesus Christ. The annual FOCUS Confer-

ence brings together stu-dents from throughout theUnited States for a weekendof fellowship, spiritual re-newal, and learning aboutthe faith. Well-known Catholic

speakers, musical perform-ances by Christian artists, fo-cused around the dailycelebration of the Eucharistmark this event. Increased student requests

forced the expansion to fourseparate conference loca-tions this year, in Baltimore,Nashville, St. Paul, and Den-ver. Approximately 5,000students attended nation-wide, some 1,300 of whomgathered at the Hyatt Re-gency Hotel in downtownBaltimore.This year, eleven members

of the Potsdam NewmanClub were among the partic-ipants at the Jan. 22-23event.The students made the

long road trip to Baltimoreon Friday, arriving in time forthe opening keynote speech,a musical performance by

Christian artist AudreyAssad.

FOCUS Conference: a weekend of fellowship, spiritual Renewal and learning about the faith

They also viewed a specialadvance screening of thenew movie “The Way”, por-traying a man who makes apilgrimage to Santiago deCompostela to cope with thedeath of his son. The film’sstar, Martin Sheen, and its di-rector, Sheen’s son Emilio Es-tevez, were both on hand to

answer questions.Saturday featured a series

of talks and workshops on awide variety of topics, rang-ing from What They Didn’tTell You in Sex Ed and Au-thentic Masculinity to Suffer-ing and the Love of God andEvangelization as a Way ofLife. Archbishop Charles Cha-

put of Denver celebratedMass at the conference andAdoration of the BlessedSacrament concluded theday. Over thirty priests wereon hand to celebrate theSacrament of Penance, andthe line for confessionsstretched around the hotel

lobby. In fact, there was per-petual Adoration throughoutthe entire conference. In addition, representa-

tives of many Catholic organ-izations and religious orderswere present to talk with thestudents.Sunday culminated with a

final talk and Mass cele-brated by Bishop SalvatoreMatano of Burlington, VT.Many of the conference at-

tendees immediatelyboarded their buses and con-tinued on to Washington,D.C. to take part in theMarch for Life on Monday in-cluding five students fromthe Potsdam Newman Club.

In January, eleven members of the Potsdam Newman Club traveled to Baltimore totake part in a FOCUS Conference. FOCUS is a national organization with a goal to reach out toCatholic college students and invite them to a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Craig Mar-tin, campus minister at SUNY Potsdam and Clarkson University; and Peter Mueller, pastoral asso-ciate at St. Mary’s Church in Potsdam, led the local contingent. At the end of the conferencemany of the college students - including five from Potsdam 0 continued on to Washington, DC,to join the annual March for Life. Shown during the March are Ally Nowakowska, MichaelBurns, Candice Panetta, Joe Camilo, Dina Panetta, Craig Martin and Tom Wienandy, astudent at John Carroll University, Martin’s alma mater.

Local college students attend national gathering

Craig Martin

A P R I L 2 0 , 2 0 1 1N O R T H C O U N T R Y C A T H O L I C12 commentary

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS

Easter has come suddenly,with a burst of light. Nowwe know that Jesusstands by his prom-ises. In a flash, Christ

has changed theMessianic secretinto the fullness ofPaschal Mystery! Our journey

through the strug-gles of Lent and thepain of Holy Week isover. With malicious

sacrilege, evil hasdone its worst to thesacred body of God’s Son. Through our sharing in

the Church’s liturgies onHoly Thursday, Good Friday,and the Easter Vigil, wewere with at the Last Sup-per, in the Garden, on theway to Calvary. With Mary and John, we

saw Him die. We wept atthe tomb. Then, before

dawn on Sunday,Christ brokethrough the rock,shattered the powerof sin, and, accord-ing to tradition, ap-peared first to HisMother, then to thewomen and theapostles.As we listen to the

first reading, we ex-perience one ofPeter’s very first ser-mons. The curiousbystanders were as-

tounded at the change inthis man. He comes freshfrom the fiery tongues ofPentecost, still in shock atthe dream he had on theway to Cornelius’ house. Nothing any more was to

be considered unclean. Sohe is free to preach to Gen-

tiles the Good News of God’sforgiveness. Peter and the others are

commanded to baptize anywho believe in the Christ.So the word spreadsthrough the whole country-side and beyond. Resurrec-tion is the hope of everyliving person. No wonderthey preached with suchcourage and enthusiasm!They preached about a

God who cared first for peo-ple who were poor and pow-erless, a God whose lovegoverned all His relation-ships. And He taught us tonot only believe in justice,but to act justly. The Scripture readings

during these fifty days be-tween Easter and Pentecostare among the most excitingin the Church year. We give over to “Alleluias”

and a joyful shout of “Christ

has Risen” this Sunday, andthen settle in for a new timeof reflection on our ownprogram for resurrection inthese very troubled times.After all, it is our mission

to bring new life to a trou-bled world. If we don’t doit, who will? And so we begin a new

journey this week, ourEaster journey. As followers of the Risen

Christ, the time has comefor greater attention towhere our legislators aregoing with all the many life

issues that affect the un-born, the elderly, and immi-grants. We need to takemuch better care of our vet-erans. We need to safe-guard against every form ofinjustice. Faith and action begin

with understanding and lov-ing the teachings and plansfor action of our Church.We have so much to do ashope-filled Easter Catholics.These are critical times, andwe must not fall back intolaziness or complacencynow that Lent has ended. May the Holy Spirit guide

us into a higher level offaith as He did the apostlesand other followers of thethe risen Christ. Now theyknew that he was truly Godand Lord of Life, and theirnew journey would leadthrough suffering to theirown resurrection!

Easter SundayReadings:

Acts 10:34a, 37-43: Colossians 3:1-4OR: 1 Corinthians 5:6b-8; John20:1-9 or Matthew 28:1-10

APRIL 24

MonsignorPaul E.Whitmore

Beginning a new journey... our Easter journey

In New York, now is the time to defend marriageBy Kathleen M. GallagherDirector of Pro-Life Activities, NeW York State Catholic Conference

Does marriage meansomething to you? If itdoes, now is the time tomake a statement. When lawmakers return to

Albany on May 2, legislationto legalize so-called “same-sex marriage” may sooncome before them for avote. It is high on GovernorAndrew Cuomo’s to-do list,and the latest public opin-ion polls show that it’s gain-ing support.Yes, as disheartening as

that is, this month’s SienaCollege survey found 58% ofregistered New York Statevoters in favor of legalizinggay marriage. Personally, I don’t put a

lot of stock in polling. Ithink people answer theway they think they should.We all want to be liked. Wewant to be hip and modern,cutting edge, politically cor-rect. We certainly don’twant to be against equalityor civil rights, or God for-

bid, be perceived as bigots.Who knows with whomthose pollsters are sharingour answers?The mainstream media,

after all, would have us be-lieve that gay marriage is in-evitable. Every celebrity onthe planet supports the con-cept, every television showcelebrates it, every maga-zine article we read makesus feel guilty for even ques-tioning the idea. The trainhas departed the station,and if we don’t hop on, wewill be left standing allalone on the platform, woe-fully behind the times.Baloney. I think the vast majority

of New Yorkers support thehistoric, cultural, timelessmeaning of marriage anddon’t want to see it alteredor redefined in any way.And if they could say thatout loud, with a guaranteethat they wouldn’t be la-beled or ridiculed or ostra-cized, they would be morethan willing to do so.Just look at what’s hap-

pened in every state thatever put the issue up for a

referendum on Election Day:voters, alone in the privacyof the voting booth, havesoundly rejected the idea ofredefining marriage. Well, it’s time to step out-

side the booth and proclaimit boldly: Marriage is meantfor one man and onewoman together for life.Nature and common

sense tell us that only a rela-tionship between a man anda woman is designed to lit-erally unite the partners andcreate new life. Gay mar-riage is an oxymoron. Part-ners of the same sex simplycannot fit into the meaningof marriage. Nor can other partner-

ships of loving people. Lastmonth, in an interview withCBS News, New York Arch-bishop Timothy Dolanurged policy makers not totamper with the definitionof marriage. He noted that there are

certain relationships in lifethat are beautiful and noble,but that don’t entitle us tomarriage.” “I love my Mom,”the Archbishop said, “but Idon’t have the right to

marry her.” He concludedwith a troubling question:“Where would the tamperingstop?”Indeed. Could friends get

married just to get the taxbenefits? How about a manand two women? Is mar-riage merely about satisfy-ing personal desires?Where would the tamperingstop?Our law treats same-sex

relationships differentlythan marriage because theyare different. The law is notdiscriminatory or homopho-bic. And neither are we.Most of us have gay friendsor family members who welove and cherish; they de-serve our respect and thefull protection of the law.But marriage can’t be

something that it isn’t. NewYork’s highest court hasruled that marriage as theunion of one man and onewoman has a rational basis:it is the most stable and ef-fective relationship in whichto create and raise children.The law sends a message: amother matters and a fathermatters, and each plays a

necessary, unique, criticalrole in the development ofchildren.If marriage means some-

thing to you, and you don’twant to see it redefined,then it’s time to stand upand defend it. Yes, it mayappear to be counter-cul-tural and yes, we may bescorned and branded forour beliefs. But that’s whatbeing a Christian is allabout! We are simply fol-lowing in the footsteps ofJesus Christ.Contact your state Senator

and Assembly representa-tive as soon as possible.You can easily e-mail themthrough the New York StateCatholic Conference website at www.nyscatholic.org.Or write to your State Sena-tor at the New York StateCapitol, Albany, NY 12247and Assembly member atthe New York State Capitol,Albany, NY 12248. Tell themwith certainty and convic-tion that authentic marriageis the very foundation ofour society and deservesprotection and recognitionin the law.

By Sister Jennifer Votraw, SSJDiocesan Chancellor

It is time again for springcleaning! Camp Guggenheimis no exception and, after along, cold winter, the facilitywith its many buildings andactivity areas needs lovingattention.

Camp Clean-Up Weekend to be held May 13-15

This is not a job that can bedone by one person. Eachyear, volunteers across thediocese gather as a commu-nity for a common good: tomake the diocesan camp awelcoming and clean envi-ronment for all who will be

present during the summercamping season. From the Summer Camp

program to the Family Lifeprogram to the many dioce-san organizations and fami-lies who also rent the lodgeand dorm for retreats, work-shops and vacation time, allenjoy and benefit from thehard work and planning thatgo into the annual cleanupweekend. This year May 13 at 5 p.m.

to May 15 will be the “CampClean-Up weekend” coordi-nated by Dick Lynch, YouthDirector from St. Joseph’s ,Dannemora.If anyone is interested in

helping prepare CampGuggenheim during thistime, please contact DickLynch at 518-492-7583 or e-

mail yesgrp7@aol.com formore information and to signup! So, if you would like an ex-

citing Adirondack experienceand do a wonderful serviceat the same time, pleasecome and join us!

A P R I L 2 0 , 2 0 1 1N O R T H C O U N T R Y C A T H O L I C6 Diocesan Life

April 21 – Holy Thursday9:00 a.m., Morning Prayer at St.Mary’s Cathedral in Ogdensburg.7:00 p.m., Mass of the Lord’s Supperat St. Mary’s Cathedral.

April 22 – Good Friday9:00 a.m., Morning Prayer at St.Mary’s Cathedral in Ogdensburg.3:00 p.m., Celebration of the Lord’sPassion at St. Mary’s Cathedral.

April 23 – Holy Saturday9:00 a.m., Morning Prayer at St.Mary’s Cathedral in Ogdensburg.8:00 p.m., Easter Vigil at St. Mary’sCathedral .

April 24 – Easter Sunday8:00 a.m., Mass at St. Mary’s Cathe-dral.

April 25 – 7:15 p.m., Novena andMass at St. Mary’s Cathedral

April 26 – 12:00 p.m., Mass at St.Mary’s Cathedral in Ogdensburg.

April 27 – 9:45 a.m., EpiscopalCouncil Meeting at the Bishop’s Res-idence in Ogdensburg; 1:15 p.m.,North Country Catholic AdvisoryBoard Meeting at the Brzana Con-ference Room in Ogdensburg;7:00 p.m., Confirmation for St.Mary’s Church, Waddington and St.John the Baptist Church in Madrid atSt. Mary’s Church.

Bishop LaValley’s Schedule

This week marks the anniversaryof the deaths of the following

clergymen men who have served inthe Diocese of Ogdensburg

April 20 – Rev. James Igo, 2007April 21 – Msgr. Michael E. Fogarty,1936April 22 – Rev. Daniel M. Sullivan,1933April 23 – Rev. L. Victor Petit, O.M.I.,1898; Most Rev. Henry Gabriels, 1921April 24 – V. Rev. Alfred L. Pelletier,O.M.I., 1978; Rev. Thomas Egan, S.J.,1994April 26 – Rev. Charles M. Mestre,O.M.I., 1870; Msgr. David Stinebrick-ner, 1998

Rest in Peace

The Diocese of Ogdensburg hasscheduled sessions for ProtectingGod's Children for Adults. Pre-regis-tration online is required in order toparticipate. Participants may pre-register at www.virtus.org by select-ing the registration button andfollowing the directions. All em-ployees and volunteers who partici-pate in church sponsored activitieswith minor are required to partici-pate in this training. Further infor-mation: Atonement Sister EllenDonahue, phone, 315-393-2920. ext.403. Upcoming programs:May 4 - 4 p.m. Holy Ghost ParishCenter, Tupper Lake, May 12 - 6 p.m., St. Francis of Assisi,ConstableMay 16 - 6 p.m., St. Alexander’s,Morrisonville

Protecting God’s Children

If you have a complaint of suspectedmisconduct involving diocesanclergy, religious, employees or volun-teers, contact:Episcopal Vicar forClergy - Rev, James Seymour at 315-393-2920 or the Victims AssistanceCoordinator - Terrianne Yanulavich,7061 Rt. 9, Plattsburgh, NY 12901-0310; Tel.518-561-3100; Fax 518-561-3003; e-mail:aycsn@westelcom.com

To Report Abuse

‘CREATE’ HELPS CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

PHOTO BY MARY LOU KILIANThe St. Lawrence County Psychiatric Center in Ogdensburg recently donated 25 used computers to Catholic schools in the diocesethrough the state’s CREATE program. The Computer Recycling for Education and Technology Enhancement ACT allows state agenciesto take computer equipment that is no longer needed by the state and private industry and distribute it to schools, libraries andother educational institutions. Shown, from left are Linda Ross, bishop’s secretary, who applied to the psychiatric center for the com-puters; Ian Fawcett, information technology director for the diocese; Samuel Bastien IV, executive director of the psychiatric center;and Rose Bailey, information technology specialist 2 and acting facility information center coordinator for the psychiatric center.

The 19th annual “BookFair” for the Diocese of Og-densburg is scheduled forMay 3 at the Edgewood Re-sort in Alexandria Bay andMay 4 at the Crowne Plaza inLake Placid. The event opensat 8:30 a.m. for refreshmentsand concludes at 1 p.m.The program is geared for

all who are involved in de-signing or planning religiouseducation programs and inthe selection of materials forgroups from pre-school toadults including sacramentalprograms. This year, participants will

also be hearing about a vari-ety of materials regardingthe new Roman Missal forliturgy or catechesis. Five publishers: Loyola

Press, Our Sunday Visitor,Pflaum Publishing, RCL Ben-ziger, and Wm. H. Sadlier,collaborating with the Dioce-san Office of Christian For-mation, make thisinformative day on publishermaterials a wonderful oppor-tunity for the Diocese of Og-densburg and its parishes. Call (518) 563-2022 for fur-

ther information and to reg-ister by April 25.

Bookfair set

GUGGENHEIM: reach outand help us get ready!

By Nancy Frazier O'Brien Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON (CNS) - Most U.S. dio-ceses are in compliance withthe U.S. bishops' "Charter forthe Protection of Childrenand Young People," but an-nual audits are uncoveringproblem areas and reports ofboundary violations short ofabuse, such as inappropriatehugging. An audit report released

April 11 and covering the pe-riod from July 1, 2009, toJune 30, 2010, showed that"management letters" hadbeen issued to 55 of the 188dioceses or eparchies partic-ipating in the annual compli-ance assessments by theGavin Group. Those letters "offered guid-

ance for performance im-provement or highlightedpotential problem areas,"said William A. Gavin, presi-dent of the Gavin Group, in aletter to Archbishop TimothyM. Dolan of New York, presi-dent of the U.S. Conferenceof Catholic Bishops, andDiane Knight, who chairs theNational Review Board.

The issues cited, "thoughnot at a level to categorizethe diocese/eparchy as non-compliant in a particulararea, were identified as pos-sibly doing so if not suffi-ciently addressed," said anintroduction to the auditsummary, which was re-leased in conjunction with areport by the Center for Ap-plied Research in the Aposto-late on abuse-relatedstatistics and costs in 2010. During the 2010 audit pe-

riod, 653 people who allegedthat they had been abused inthe past came forward forthe first time and another 30people who were currentlyminors made such allega-tions. Of the 30 cases involving

current minors, "eight wereconsidered credible by lawenforcement, seven were de-termined to be false, 12 weredetermined to be boundaryviolations and three are stillunder investigation," the re-

port said. The report also evaluated

how successful dioceses andeparchies have been in pro-viding safe environmenttraining and evaluating thebackgrounds of clergy, em-ployees and volunteers whowork with children.

A P R I L 2 0 , 2 0 1 1N O R T H C O U N T R Y C A T H O L I C world/nation 11

AT A GLANCE

CATHOLICWORLDValue poor people, don't work to get rid of them, papal nuncio says UNITED NATIONS (CNS) -- The world must not view poor people as a commod-ity to be managed and controlled but as unique individuals who need the helpof the global community to achieve their full potential, the Vatican's ambassa-dor to the United Nations said. "In order to combat legitimate problems, theincreasingly discredited concept of population control must be discarded," saidArchbishop Francis Chullikatt in an April 12 address to the Economic and SocialCouncil during the 44th session of the Commission on Population and Devel-opment. "Instead of focusing political and financial resources on efforts to re-duce the number of poor persons through methods which trivialize marriageand the family and deny the very right to life of unborn children, let us insteadfocus these resources on providing the promised development assistance tothe approximately 920 million people living on less than $1.25 per day," saidthe Indian archbishop, who heads the Holy See's permanent observer missionto the United Nations. Archbishop Chullikatt disputed a report from the Officeof the Secretary-General that said rates of reproduction in developing coun-tries must be slowed through greater access to modern contraception and safeabortions. The report "promotes the tragic theory that if there were fewerpoor children, there would be less need to provide education; that if therewere fewer poor women giving birth, then there would be less maternal mor-tality; and that if there were fewer people needing to be fed, then malnutri-tion would be more easily addressed and that greater resources could beallocated to development," he said. He said the international communityshould instead direct "greater financial, political and social emphasis" at ini-tiatives to support the family.

Vatican announces Masses, Oct. 22 feast day for Blessed John Paul VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The feast day of Blessed John Paul II will be marked Oct.22 each year in Rome and the dioceses of Poland. When the Vatican made theannouncement April 11, it also said Catholics throughout the world will have ayear to celebrate a Mass in thanksgiving for his beatification. While thanksgiv-ing Masses for a beatification -- like the observance of a feast day -- usually arelimited to places where the person lived or worked, "the exceptional characterof the beatification of the Venerable John Paul II, recognized by the entireCatholic Church spread throughout the world," led to a general permission forthe thanksgiving Mass, said a decree from the Congregation for Divine Worshipand the Sacraments. The decree was published in the Vatican newspaper,L'Osservatore Romano, and included information about the thanksgiving Mass,Pope John Paul's feast day, annual Masses in his honor and naming churchesafter him. The newspaper also published the text of the opening prayer -- for-mally the "collect" -- for his feast day Mass in Latin, English, French, German,Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and Polish. A local bishop or the superior generalof a religious order is free to choose the day or dates as well as the place orplaces for the thanksgiving Mass, as long as the Masses are celebrated by May1, 2012, which is one year after the beatification, the decree said. In the Dioceseof Rome, where Pope John Paul served as bishop, and in all the dioceses of hisnative Poland, his feast day is to be inserted automatically into the annual cal-endar, the decree said. Oct. 22 was chosen as the day to remember him becauseit is the anniversary of the liturgical inauguration of his papacy in 1978.

CNS PHOTO/PAUL HARINGPeople socialize in the GP2 bar in Rome April 7. The bar honors Giovanni Paolo II, or Pope John Paul II, and seeks to provide a place forCatholic youth to gather in a safe environment, enjoy a beer or coffee and share in the joys of being Christian. The Italian words onthe counter say "Give me to drink," a scriptural reference to Jesus' words to the woman at the well.

RAISING A FROSTY MUG TO JOHN PAUL II

Abuse audits find most dioceses incompliance, but weaknesses remain

A P R I L 2 0 , 2 0 1 1N O R T H C O U N T R Y C A T H O L I C the Gallery 7

THE CHRISMMASS

Held April 14 at St. Mary’s Cathedral

PREPARING THE SACRED OILS... RENEWING PRIESTLY COMMITMENT

PHOTOS BY BETTY STEELEBishop Terry R. LaValley breathes into the chrism oil symbolizing the infusion of the Holy Spirit during the diocesan Chrism Mass atSt. Mary’s Cathedral April 14. Holy chrism is used for anointing the newly baptized, candidates for confirmation, the hands of newpriests, bishops at their ordination and at the dedication of churches and altars. The book bearer at right is Christian Doran, a studentat SUNY Plattsburgh.

Deacons James Snell, Patrick Lyons, Gary Frank and Brian Dwyer carried the oil of thesick, oil of the catechumens and oil for holy chrism to the altar for the bishop’s blessing.

Students from Catholic schools in the diocese traveled to the cathedral to participate inthe Chrism Mass including these sixth graders from IHC in Watertown, Shane Grill,Nicholas Clement, Trent Mitchell and Cooper Uliano.

Priests from throughout the Diocese of Ogdensburg gathered around the altar for the consecration. During the liturgy, Bishop LaVal-ley led them in a renewal of priestly service.

Grey Nun Sister Mary Elizabeth Looby,pastoral associate at the Catholic Com-munity of Malone, proclaimed the firstreading during the Mass.

Further coverage on the 2011Chrism Mass - including BishopLaValley’s homily, more photos anda slide show - can be found on theWebsite and Facebook page of theNorth Country Catholic.

Visit .northcountrycatholic.org

THE CHRISM MASS ONLINE

By Dennis Sadowski Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- As the politi-cal debate surrounding thecountry's spending priori-ties, tax policy and reducingdebt deepens, the faith com-munity and social serviceadvocates have mounted acampaign to prevent theneeds of the poor and vul-nerable from being heapedinto the pile of expendables. The effort is rooted in the

biblical call for justice forpeople on the margins --children, the elderly, thesick, the poor. Nonreligiousgroups also have invokedthe values theme in theirmessaging. Employing tactics from a

rolling fast involving 36,000people -- including 27 mem-bers of Congress -- to townhall meetings, the broad-based effort has stressedthat spending prioritiesmust reflect basic moralprinciples. "The meeting of needs for

those who can't meet theirown is the gold standard fora moral economic system,"noted Daniel K. Finn, profes-sor of economics and theol-ogy at St. John's Universityin Collegeville, Minn. The advocates' main con-

cern is that the cuts ap-proved by Congress April14 disproportionately targetprograms benefiting thepoor. For example, the U.S.

bishops' Office of Interna-tional Justice and Peace andCatholic Relief Servicescompiled a list of 17poverty-focused interna-tional humanitarian pro-grams that accounted for0.6 percent of the U.S.budget (almost $20 billion)but originally were targetedfor about 25 percent of thecuts. In the end, the revised

spending plan adopted byCongress cut $38 billionfrom the 2011 budget. It'sthe largest one-year reduc-tion in discretionary spend-ing in U.S. history. Cuts include the Women,

Infants and Children pro-gram, $504 million; commu-nity development blockgrants, $942 million; com-munity health centers, $600million; public housing,$605 million; and foreignfood assistance, $194 mil-lion. Left in the budget was

about $75 million in fund-ing for Planned Parenthood,the country's largest abor-tion provider. CardinalDaniel N. DiNardo of Galve-ston-Houston, chairman ofthe U.S. bishops' Committeefor Pro-Life Activities, asked

Congress in an April 13 let-ter to defund the agency. "Congress will have to

make decisions whether tocut programs that everyoneagrees are beneficial be-cause of a consensus thatthe federal budget can nolonger sustain the currentlevel of spending," he wrote."Whether to fund the largestabortion network in thecountry is not one of thosehard choices." As for cuts that were ap-

proved, Republicans saiddifficult choices had to bemade to rein in spending inthe face of a $14.3 trilliondebt. Democrats argued thatdeep cuts would stifle thegradual economic recoveryand especially harm womenand children. While the advocates for

the poor are hardly claimingvictory, they believe their ef-fort helped pre-empt evendeeper cuts. "The bishops were re-

lieved the cuts were notnearly as deep as originallyproposed," said StephenColecchi, director of thebishops' Office of Interna-tional Justice and Peace. The recent machinations

were an inkling of what's tocome. Next up: the 2012 budget

and more maneuvering todetermine government'srole in American life. Bishop Stephen E. Blaire of

Stockton, Calif., chairman ofthe bishops' Committee onDomestic Justice andHuman Development, of-fered a starting point forlawmakers. "Most fundamentally the

budget is a moral document... in the sense that it's goingto attach fundamentally towhat we believe to be priori-ties," he told Catholic NewsService. "At the top is the responsi-

bility to care for the poorest

and most vulnerable in oursociety. What is important isto identify these prioritiesand then you begin to ad-dress the issue of budgetadjustments," he said. Bishop Blaire also sug-

gested that lawmakers lookat all areas of the budget forpossible cuts and seriouslyconsider ways to boost taxrevenues. The California bishop

joined Bishop Howard J.Hubbard of Albany, N.Y.,chairman of the bishops'Committee on InternationalJustice and Peace, in a letterto each House member April13 pointing to the moral im-perative of budget deci-sions. The letter was partly a re-

sponse to the budget out-line and debt relief planproposed April 5 by Rep.Paul Ryan, R-Wis., a Catholicwho chairs the Housebudget committee. Ryanclaimed his plan, "Path toProsperity," would reduceU.S. debt by $6.2 trillion inthe next decade whilestrengthening the socialsafety net. The proposal would re-

shape Medicaid andMedicare and rescind muchof the Patient Protection andAffordable Care Act toachieve savings. President Barack Obama's

proposal for debt reductionwas not yet introducedwhen the bishops sent theirletter to Congress. Made public April 13, the

president's plan calls forboosting taxes for the top 2percent of wage earners,cutting waste and duplica-tion in defense spending,and maximizing savingsunder the health reform act.Obama claimed his planwould lower the debt by $4trillion by 2023. Bishop Blaire told CNS he

thought the Ryan plan

would reduce access tohealth care for the poor andelderly if it became law. Father Larry Snyder, presi-

dent of Catholic CharitiesUSA, echoed the same con-cern even as he welcomedefforts to reduce the deficit. "Simply repackaging re-

sponsibilities for the admin-istration of existingprograms continues to missthe opportunity for true re-form that has the potentialto both aid the country'snascent economic recoveryand enable those most vul-nerable among us to estab-lish a stronger path toself-sufficiency," Father Sny-der said in a statement April11. Ryan's plan calls for con-

verting Medicaid into ablock grant program forstates beginning in 2015with increases in spendingadjusted only for inflationand population growth. Medicare, under Ryan's

proposal, would become avoucher system for peoplewho turn 65 in 2022 (and 67in 2033), and shift much ofthe program's costs to sen-iors. The CongressionalBudget Office said a typical65-year-old with private in-surance covering standardMedicare benefits could payfor 61 percent of totalhealth care costs in 2022,rising to 68 percent by2030. Ryan also called for reduc-

ing the highest tax rates --those for the highest in-come earners -- from 35 per-cent to 25 percent and forclosing loopholes, limitingtax deductions and endingmost tax credits to make upthe difference. Roberton Williams, a sen-

ior fellow at the nonpartisanTax Policy Center, told CNSthat Ryan's plan would re-duce tax revenues by about$2.9 trillion between 2012and 2021. He said he foundRyan's proposition short onspecifics on how the taxbase would grow. Ryan's office took a phone

call from CNS but did notprovide a spokesman to dis-cuss the plan.

A P R I L 2 0 , 2 0 1 1N O R T H C O U N T R Y C A T H O L I C10 World/nation

WASHINGTON LETTER

Budget debate leads to questions on US prioritiesMost fundamentally the budget is a moral document ... in the sense that it's going

to attach fundamentally to what we believe to be priorities. At the top is theresponsibility to care for the poorest and most vulnerable in our society.

Bishop Stephen E. Blaire of Stockton, Calif.Chairman of the bishops' Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development,

A P R I L 2 0 , 2 0 1 1N O R T H C O U N T R Y C A T H O L I C diocesan life 9

A P R I L 2 0 , 2 0 1 1N O R T H C O U N T R Y C A T H O L I C8 Diocesan Life

OUR READERS WRITEIn support of our ‘Men in Black’

A few weeks ago I read the editorial by Don Roberts, “ThisPriest-This Man” and he told it like it is, only he neglected to sayhow long and frustrating the hours are for these dedicated, lov-ing, serving men. This is a very precarious time that you and Ilive in these days. It is hard, exhausting, and nearly life threat-ening to be a priest, or dedicated religious person. The day isnever over, and the night too short.

Our new Bishop, Father Terry, week after week, meeting aftermeeting, gives so much encouragement in his calling to all ofus to “come and follow”. His message is strong and sure, and Ihope we are doing all we can.

As a former pastor of several small protestant churches Iknow the bone weary, mind-tiring vocation it is, being allthings to all people all the time. In their time of pain, sorrow,grief, need, besides financial loss, and whatever else crosses thelife of those you serve, in God’s call.

I only had one small church at a time; some of these priestshave three or four churches, many miles apart with cemeteriesattached as well as a school. How these dedicated shepherdskeep up is beyond me.

In this day and age when it seems that God is a dirty word(not only in our schools, or communities, or government) weneed to be vigilant in keeping what few Catholic Schools wehave open and speaking to the new generation who need sovery much to hear of His glory and love. Somehow you and Ihave to provide a place to nurture our young people’s faith.

You and I need to encourage, support, and nurture theseschools so there will be a place where young people will be in-spired to become priests, deacons, and teachers. If we aregoing to play ball against the opposing team (and believe mehe is out to win) we need to step up to the plate and give it ourall. Our priests cannot be the only players on the team.

I know I am (by Confirmation in March of 2008) a very newperson to all things needed in the Catholic Church to instill, in-spire, inject and win young people with the excitement there isto be gained in life when one answers the call to serve the Kingof Kings. I know I am new to you, but I have been answeringGod’s call for more years than some of you have been born andplan to keep on until He calls me home. But alas, I cannot becalled to be a priest or a deacon and that is what we need.

So we have to provide the excitement, education and mostof all the example of faith, so others may want to be “The Menin Black”. It is a lot of work, long hours, but the retirement planis out of this world.

PATTY FRANCISCOROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH OF TUPPER LAKE

Pope Benedict XVI speaks to youth.. and usThe words of Pope Benedict XVI printed in the forward of

the new “Youth” CCC (Catechism of the Catholic Church) wouldnot be wasted should the parents read them as well. (NCC,April 6).Here the Pope tells the youth not to abandon God andthe Church because of the ‘attacks of evil’ inside the heart of theChurch. He also reminds them they need to KNOW their faith ifthey hope to survive the negative impacts that society has onus all.

“Today's Christians really need to understand their faithmore than ever before in order to resist modern day challengesand temptations”, he wrote.I am sure that he will to talk tothem in greater detail when he meets with Youth representa-tives from around the globe at the World Youth Day 2011 in

Spain this coming summer. Each Catholic pilgrim who attendswill receive the New Youth CCC in his or her “backpack”.

As adults I am sure we are all well aware of those ‘challengesand temptations’ that Pope Benedict speaks of. More and more,we are becoming a society of people who are self-centered andevermore drifting from our Faith. The influence of indifferenceand ‘relativism’ - where one makes decisions based on how itaffects him personally, without taking into account how his‘choices’ affect society as a whole. We deceive ourselves if wethink that when we make the wrong choices, it does not haveconsequences for society as a whole. We do not live in BUBBLESfolks!

When Adam and EVE took a big bite out of that 'luscious redapple’… they were not thinking of the future and how itwould affect us today. They looked at it. They saw that it lookedpleasing to the eye, and that it just might be quite tasty! As weoften do, they probably thought... "What harm could there be?'So they both took a BIG BITE! You know the rest of the story…the bad news. They and their heirs would have to toil and work,suffer in childbirth, and have to subdue the earth.

I am SURE they would have never taken that bite, if theyknew what was going to happen to All of us. At least I like tothink that. Folks the truth is, as we do these things … givinginto desire, selfishness, dishonesty, immorality, etc; It affectsevery one of us. It may not have an instant affect on our nextdoor neighbor, but collectively, it is detrimental to our societyas a whole.

Sadly, sin inside the Church does as well. When a priest orLay minister, or ANYONE in the community for that matter, sins,it has a collective affect on the Body of Christ. That is us, the in-dividuals who make up that Body.

Pope Benedict goes on telling the youth this: “You have need of divine help if you do not want your faith

to dry up as a dewdrop in the sun, if you do not want to suc-cumb to the temptations of consumerism, if you do not wantyour Love to be drowned in pornography, if you do not want tobetray the weak and the victims of abuse and violence,"

This is the GOOD NEWS! THERE is HOPE! God Is who he Is! Hecan take our terrible sin or any circumstance that WE might cre-ate, and turn it into something for good.

HOWEVER, the devil on the other hand will use these samecircumstances to create havoc, division, hate, dissension, a turn-ing away from the Faith, and completely banishing all Hope. Hewill do his best to try to bring down the Church in any way hecan. But remember, GOD on the other hand can take our terri-ble sin and use it for the Good of his Church. How? That is agood question.

Throughout salvation history, God has provided the GRACEto all who want to Love him, embrace truth and endeavor forthe good of the ‘whole’. HOWEVER, we must make the choice tocooperate with that grace or, choose not to. If we choose notto… the devil will win and prevail in the battle at hand. If wechoose to say, “yes Lord, help me to help the Church'… He willgive us the grace to do so. HE WILL supply the GRACE to accom-plish what is HIS will is for his Church, and that will is .... "tohave Life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10)! If we choose tobe the best person that we can be (which is His will for our in-dividual lives), HE WILL provide the grace to do so. AS we walkand work with Him, He will be by our side; He will even carry-ing us if He has to.

BILL O’BRIENOGDENSBURG.

FAREWELL, SISTER EVELYNPHOTO BY SISTER JULIANA FITZPATRICK, O.S.M.Pictured at left is Sister Evelyn McCartewho has returned to her live with her re-ligious community, the Daughters ofCharity. Atonement Sister Ellen Don-ahue, diocesan delegate for religious,said,“We are grateful to Sister for herdedicated service to our diocese. Manyof us were gifted with her friendship andoutreach to the many people she came incontact with and the Boards that sheserved on during her stay in the diocese.Sister’s last assignment was to the peo-ple of the Church of Sacred Heart and St.Lawrence in Massena. Her gentle spiritand compassionate care for many peoplein our area will be greatly missed. We askGod to bless Sister Evelyn in her new as-signment and we will remember hergenerosity to the people she served inour diocese.”

A P R I L 2 0 , 2 0 1 1N O R T H C O U N T R Y C A T H O L I C diocesan life 9

A P R I L 2 0 , 2 0 1 1N O R T H C O U N T R Y C A T H O L I C8 Diocesan Life

OUR READERS WRITEIn support of our ‘Men in Black’

A few weeks ago I read the editorial by Don Roberts, “ThisPriest-This Man” and he told it like it is, only he neglected to sayhow long and frustrating the hours are for these dedicated, lov-ing, serving men. This is a very precarious time that you and Ilive in these days. It is hard, exhausting, and nearly life threat-ening to be a priest, or dedicated religious person. The day isnever over, and the night too short.

Our new Bishop, Father Terry, week after week, meeting aftermeeting, gives so much encouragement in his calling to all ofus to “come and follow”. His message is strong and sure, and Ihope we are doing all we can.

As a former pastor of several small protestant churches Iknow the bone weary, mind-tiring vocation it is, being allthings to all people all the time. In their time of pain, sorrow,grief, need, besides financial loss, and whatever else crosses thelife of those you serve, in God’s call.

I only had one small church at a time; some of these priestshave three or four churches, many miles apart with cemeteriesattached as well as a school. How these dedicated shepherdskeep up is beyond me.

In this day and age when it seems that God is a dirty word(not only in our schools, or communities, or government) weneed to be vigilant in keeping what few Catholic Schools wehave open and speaking to the new generation who need sovery much to hear of His glory and love. Somehow you and Ihave to provide a place to nurture our young people’s faith.

You and I need to encourage, support, and nurture theseschools so there will be a place where young people will be in-spired to become priests, deacons, and teachers. If we aregoing to play ball against the opposing team (and believe mehe is out to win) we need to step up to the plate and give it ourall. Our priests cannot be the only players on the team.

I know I am (by Confirmation in March of 2008) a very newperson to all things needed in the Catholic Church to instill, in-spire, inject and win young people with the excitement there isto be gained in life when one answers the call to serve the Kingof Kings. I know I am new to you, but I have been answeringGod’s call for more years than some of you have been born andplan to keep on until He calls me home. But alas, I cannot becalled to be a priest or a deacon and that is what we need.

So we have to provide the excitement, education and mostof all the example of faith, so others may want to be “The Menin Black”. It is a lot of work, long hours, but the retirement planis out of this world.

PATTY FRANCISCOROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH OF TUPPER LAKE

Pope Benedict XVI speaks to youth.. and usThe words of Pope Benedict XVI printed in the forward of

the new “Youth” CCC (Catechism of the Catholic Church) wouldnot be wasted should the parents read them as well. (NCC,April 6).Here the Pope tells the youth not to abandon God andthe Church because of the ‘attacks of evil’ inside the heart of theChurch. He also reminds them they need to KNOW their faith ifthey hope to survive the negative impacts that society has onus all.

“Today's Christians really need to understand their faithmore than ever before in order to resist modern day challengesand temptations”, he wrote.I am sure that he will to talk tothem in greater detail when he meets with Youth representa-tives from around the globe at the World Youth Day 2011 in

Spain this coming summer. Each Catholic pilgrim who attendswill receive the New Youth CCC in his or her “backpack”.

As adults I am sure we are all well aware of those ‘challengesand temptations’ that Pope Benedict speaks of. More and more,we are becoming a society of people who are self-centered andevermore drifting from our Faith. The influence of indifferenceand ‘relativism’ - where one makes decisions based on how itaffects him personally, without taking into account how his‘choices’ affect society as a whole. We deceive ourselves if wethink that when we make the wrong choices, it does not haveconsequences for society as a whole. We do not live in BUBBLESfolks!

When Adam and EVE took a big bite out of that 'luscious redapple’… they were not thinking of the future and how itwould affect us today. They looked at it. They saw that it lookedpleasing to the eye, and that it just might be quite tasty! As weoften do, they probably thought... "What harm could there be?'So they both took a BIG BITE! You know the rest of the story…the bad news. They and their heirs would have to toil and work,suffer in childbirth, and have to subdue the earth.

I am SURE they would have never taken that bite, if theyknew what was going to happen to All of us. At least I like tothink that. Folks the truth is, as we do these things … givinginto desire, selfishness, dishonesty, immorality, etc; It affectsevery one of us. It may not have an instant affect on our nextdoor neighbor, but collectively, it is detrimental to our societyas a whole.

Sadly, sin inside the Church does as well. When a priest orLay minister, or ANYONE in the community for that matter, sins,it has a collective affect on the Body of Christ. That is us, the in-dividuals who make up that Body.

Pope Benedict goes on telling the youth this: “You have need of divine help if you do not want your faith

to dry up as a dewdrop in the sun, if you do not want to suc-cumb to the temptations of consumerism, if you do not wantyour Love to be drowned in pornography, if you do not want tobetray the weak and the victims of abuse and violence,"

This is the GOOD NEWS! THERE is HOPE! God Is who he Is! Hecan take our terrible sin or any circumstance that WE might cre-ate, and turn it into something for good.

HOWEVER, the devil on the other hand will use these samecircumstances to create havoc, division, hate, dissension, a turn-ing away from the Faith, and completely banishing all Hope. Hewill do his best to try to bring down the Church in any way hecan. But remember, GOD on the other hand can take our terri-ble sin and use it for the Good of his Church. How? That is agood question.

Throughout salvation history, God has provided the GRACEto all who want to Love him, embrace truth and endeavor forthe good of the ‘whole’. HOWEVER, we must make the choice tocooperate with that grace or, choose not to. If we choose notto… the devil will win and prevail in the battle at hand. If wechoose to say, “yes Lord, help me to help the Church'… He willgive us the grace to do so. HE WILL supply the GRACE to accom-plish what is HIS will is for his Church, and that will is .... "tohave Life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10)! If we choose tobe the best person that we can be (which is His will for our in-dividual lives), HE WILL provide the grace to do so. AS we walkand work with Him, He will be by our side; He will even carry-ing us if He has to.

BILL O’BRIENOGDENSBURG.

FAREWELL, SISTER EVELYNPHOTO BY SISTER JULIANA FITZPATRICK, O.S.M.Pictured at left is Sister Evelyn McCartewho has returned to her live with her re-ligious community, the Daughters ofCharity. Atonement Sister Ellen Don-ahue, diocesan delegate for religious,said,“We are grateful to Sister for herdedicated service to our diocese. Manyof us were gifted with her friendship andoutreach to the many people she came incontact with and the Boards that sheserved on during her stay in the diocese.Sister’s last assignment was to the peo-ple of the Church of Sacred Heart and St.Lawrence in Massena. Her gentle spiritand compassionate care for many peoplein our area will be greatly missed. We askGod to bless Sister Evelyn in her new as-signment and we will remember hergenerosity to the people she served inour diocese.”

A P R I L 2 0 , 2 0 1 1N O R T H C O U N T R Y C A T H O L I C the Gallery 7

THE CHRISMMASS

Held April 14 at St. Mary’s Cathedral

PREPARING THE SACRED OILS... RENEWING PRIESTLY COMMITMENT

PHOTOS BY BETTY STEELEBishop Terry R. LaValley breathes into the chrism oil symbolizing the infusion of the Holy Spirit during the diocesan Chrism Mass atSt. Mary’s Cathedral April 14. Holy chrism is used for anointing the newly baptized, candidates for confirmation, the hands of newpriests, bishops at their ordination and at the dedication of churches and altars. The book bearer at right is Christian Doran, a studentat SUNY Plattsburgh.

Deacons Jam