Category: Human Life & Dignity

ICON OF MARY: A PRAYER FOR AN END TO RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION

3/1/2019

On the last day of February, 2019, between 50 and 60 people gathered at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Angola, Indiana to intercede for those persecuted because of religion. The local Knights of Columbus led the parish in an evening devotion that had been prepared by the national K of C. The service featured a "travelling icon" of Our Lady, the Help of Persecuted Christians. We prayed for those persecuted BECAUSE they are Christians, and for those persecuted BY Christians.

"In every age, Christians have suffered for their faith, from the Roman Coliseum to the recent beheadings perpetrated by ISIS. Brave women and men, embracing the cross of Jesus, have gone to their deaths rather than deny their faith, and the blood of these martyrs serves as the 'seed of Christians', enlivening faith in others. Today, the witness of martyrs continues in an especially intense way in the Middle East, where priests are murdered for offering Mass and families are driven from their homes for displaying a cross.

"With this Marian Prayer Program, we honor the martyrs over the centuries as we call particular attention to the suffering of today's Christians ... Featuring the newly commissioned icon of Our Lady Help of Persecuted Christians, the prayer program is the latest in a series of efforts undertaken by the Knights of Columbus to aid those who suffer for their faith. ..."

- from the introduction to the the prayer booklet used that evening

Fr. Bernie Zajdel OFM Conv. presented the following message from Pope John Paul II, his "Message for World Mission Sunday, May 28, 1996."

The identity of the Christian as witness is marked by the unavoidable and distinctive presence of the cross. There can be no authentic witness without it. Indeed, the cross is the necessary condition for all who have firmly decided to follow the Lord. "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:23) All the witnesses of God and Christ, beginning with the Apostles, have known persecution because of him. "If they persecuted me, they will persecute you." (John 15:20) This is the legacy which Jesus left to his followers and which each one must accept and incarnate in his own life. Golgotha is the only way to the Resurrection.

The cross, in fact, is the imitation of Christ in faithful witness and patient and persevering daily work. The cross is swimming against the tide, making decisions according to God's commandments despite misunderstanding, unpopularity, marginalization; the cross is the prophetic denunciation of injustice, of trampled freedoms, of violated rights; the cross is having to live where the Church is most opposed, obstructed and persecuted.

For those who persecute religious minorities, that the light of God's truth and mercy may penetrate their hearts, and that they may come to recognize the common humanity of all peoples and cease committing acts of hatred ...

- from the intercessions

How can we fail at this point to think of our brothers and sisters and entire communities which in so many parts of the world offer a splendid witness of a Christian life totally dedicated to Christ and the Church despite being surrounded by persecution and hostility? Every year there are reports of the heroic witness given by new martyrs who shed their blood in order to remain faithful to the Lord. The Church pays homage to their sacrifice. She draws close in prayer and fraternal love to believers who suffer violence, inviting them not to be discouraged or afraid. Christ is with you, dearly beloved brothers and sisters!

Photos by Laurie Soulliere

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PAJAMAS FOR A GOOD NIGHT AND A GOOD DAY - PARISHIONERS IN ACTION

12/20/2018

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A blog article by Patricia Geise

Together with parishes around the diocese, members of St. Anthony of Padua parish are growing in their faith by particip-ating in the process called "Why Catholic: Journey Through the Catechism", by Renew International.

Over the last several years, we deepend ourselves in prayer, the sacraments, and the creed. This fourth year deals with Christian morality - wwe seek to live a good life. A good life includes help-ing others. Each small group was encouraged to do something as a group to help other people. Patricia Geise reports:

Our Why Catholic group calls itself the Why Nots - as in, why NOT Catholic? And we have been industrious for babies and families!

At the outlet mall in Fremont there is a Carter's children's clothing store. Each year, this national chain (part of OshKosh B'gosh) con-ducts a drive called "Carter's PJ Program: Give Good Nights and Good Days to Children in Your Community". The store accepts pj donations from shoppers over the Christmas Season. People are generous beyond belief, notably at our local Carter's.

Women's Care Center of Northeast Indiana in Auburn (WCC-Auburn) has been selected as recipient from Carter's at Fremont outlet mall. Our parish supports the WCC, as well as the CareNet women's centers, in many ways. The Why Nots decided that we could support the WCC-Auburn by supporting Carter's Christmas PJ Program!

Since Women's Care Center of Northeast Indiana in Auburn is presently expecting a little over 200 babies, the clothing needs for the children is on going. These pjs are especially significant, because, as one of the center's moms put it, "pajamas are usually the last thing I'd spend money on." The Crib Club at WCC-Auburn makes that very doable for clients using coupons they earn when attending parenting classes at the center.

So, the Why Nots devoted an Advent evening to sorting, tagging, and putting on hangers 200 pairs of pajamas. It was a wonderful evening!

We all agree that joining a Why Catholic group at St. Anthony's has enriched and personalized our Catholic faith. And, what a bonus to reach out to others, working together!

WWC-Auburn is thrilled to have received this plentiful gift from Carter's. We, the Why Nots, hope to build awareness among our parishioners of this act of kindness by a local retail store.

submitted by Patricia Geise, Dec. 20, 2019

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On Bad Priests and Judas Iscariot

9/13/2018

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Nota bene: this op-ed first appeared as Fr. Bob's "Letter from the Pastor" in the SEptember 2018 issue of Catholic 101: A Magazine for Catholics in Steuben County, published by St. Anthony od Padua parish incl. St. Paul's Catholic Chapel. The opinions expressed herein are Fr. Bob's.

In recent weeks, we as Catholics have experienced pain, shame, anger and confusion as a grand jury investigation in Pennsylvania revealed how a number of bishops mishandled accusations of abuse by clergy and other employees of the Church. Such news calls forth all sorts of reactions.

Let me say, first of all, that most of these reactions are legitimate. You feel what you feel. You are supposed to get angry at injustice. You are supposed to feel hurt when your family messes up. Sure, of course there are other families that mess up too. But this is my family, and we messed up. It hurts.

In my years as a Franciscan friar and as a Roman Catholic priest, I have known and spoken with both abusive priests and victims of abuse. I have worked closely with bishops who took the painful but necessary steps to protect the innocent; and I have had to work with bishops who tried to act like there was no problem. I do not expect perfection. I do expect a minimum of decency.

In the midst of this, there are moments of hope. I hope that these news stories, for example, will help parishioners and others understand why we at St. Anthony’s enforce the safe environment rules so strictly. I hope that, if the Roman Catholic Church gets beaten up in the public media, this just might help all of society start to deal more realistically with some big problems that are hurting people everywhere – both in the church and elsewhere. And I hope that it will help me to love appropriately.

St. Francis of Assisi said, if you see someone whose life choices you cannot agree with, do not look down upon that person, but look rather into your own heart and examine your own sinfulness, and then ask yourself, how can I love this person more?

Jesus loved his apostles, even though he knew that one would betray him, one would deny him, and most of the rest would run away when he needed them most. He chose to love them anyway, and he chose to build his church upon them in all their imperfection and weakness. Judas Iscariot and Simon Peter were both apostles.

I pray for those who were hurt. I pray for those whose lives were ruined. And I pray that the People of God – who are the Church – will learn how to care for one another in charity and with patience. “You are God’s chosen ones. Put on, then, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another in the Lord.” (Col. 3:12-13)

Peace and all good,
friar Bob Showers OFM Conv.

_________________________
Postscript:

You can read more about the parish's Safe Environment Program here. To report suspicion of sexual abuse at the church, here is contact information. The Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend has recently upgraded its Safe Environment Program, and we at the parish have followed suit. As a pastor, I am well aware that these efforts can be a hardship for our volunteer religion teachers and other parishioners. Some may even feel that we are doubting them or casting suspicion upon them. That is not our intention, of course. Our goal is to nurture a safe environment for all families, children, youth and vulnerable adults, so that everyone can feel welcome, withour fear. Thank you to all the parishioners who help us strive for that safe environment.

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ST. ANTHONY AT MARCH FOR LIFE IN WASHINGTON D.C.

2/12/2018

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On January 19, six members of St. Anthony of Padua’s faith community participated in the 2018 March for Life in Washington, D.C. Among them were Shannon, Katherine and Sarah Schlosser. Here is there personal report:

My daughters and I were blessed to be given the opportunity to participate in the March for Life on Washington D.C. 2018. Thanks to the Knights of Columbus for offering us a partial scholarship to cover the cost of the trip.

My daughters Katherine and Sarah took the initiative to get us to attend, and I was thrilled to be along. My girls had been asking me for months to go on this trip. I wasn't sure we could go and hadn't heard much about it so I didn't plan anything very far in advance. Once I decided to try to get us on a bus, I called Stan Fisher from the K of C and he directed me to a K of C bus in Indianapolis with 4 empty seats left.

We drove down to Indianapolis and boarded the nice, large travel bus arranged by the Knights. We were thankful that the trip was so well planned. We slept on the bus, then departed for breakfast with a little time to tour the various monuments in D.C. before checking in at our hotel.

The next morning, we rode the same bus to the march itself and collected our lunches and signs – prepared as well by the Knights of Columbus, who had gathered from all over the USA. The turn-out was enormous. The Knights led us to our positions and we listened to the National Right to Life Committee president give a brief, moving speech.

Then we began our one-mile march next to all the other pro-life marchers. One group said the rosary, another sang hymns. We passed a few bands who played uplifting songs. Before we knew it we had completed the march. The whole trip went so smoothly from the beautiful weather to the wonderful people.

Sarah said she wants to go next year already; but the next time she would like to go with the youth group so she can participate in the rally at the stadium.

If you would like any of the prayers or literature we prayed and handed out, ask Father Bob and we will get you a copy.

God Bless,
Shannon, Katherine, and Sarah Schlosser

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ICON OF MARY: A PRAYER FOR AN END TO RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION

For those who persecute religious minorities, that the light of God's truth and mercy may penetrate their hearts, and that they may come to recognize the common humanity of all peoples and cease committing acts of hatred ...

- from the intercessions

PAJAMAS FOR A GOOD NIGHT AND A GOOD DAY - PARISHIONERS IN ACTION

A blog article by Patricia Geise

On Bad Priests and Judas Iscariot

ST. ANTHONY AT MARCH FOR LIFE IN WASHINGTON D.C.

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ICON OF MARY: A PRAYER FOR AN END TO RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION

For those who persecute religious minorities, that the light of God's truth and mercy may penetrate their hearts, and that they may come to recognize the common humanity of all peoples and cease committing acts of hatred ...- from the intercessions

PAJAMAS FOR A GOOD NIGHT AND A GOOD DAY - PARISHIONERS IN ACTION

A blog article by Patricia Geise

On Bad Priests and Judas Iscariot

ST. ANTHONY AT MARCH FOR LIFE IN WASHINGTON D.C.

About this Blog Page

Archives

Categories

For those who persecute religious minorities, that the light of God's truth and mercy may penetrate their hearts, and that they may come to recognize the common humanity of all peoples and cease committing acts of hatred ...

- from the intercessions