10 WAYS CATHOLICS CAN LIVE THE YEAR OF FAITH

USCCB NEWS — To honor the fiftieth anniversary of the Second Vatican Council and the twentieth anniversary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI has announced a Year of Faith, starting October 11 and ending November 24, 2013. The goal is to strengthen the faith of Catholics and draw the world to faith by their example.

Bishop David Ricken of Green Bay, Wisconsin, chairman of the Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, offers “10 Ways Catholics Can Live the Year of Faith.” Rooted in guidelines from the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, some of these suggestions are already requirements for Catholics; others can be embraced by Catholics at all times and especially during the Year of Faith:

1. Participate in Mass. The Year of Faith is meant to promote the personal encounter with Jesus. This occurs most immediately in the Eucharist. Regular Mass attendance strengthens one’s faith through the Scriptures, the Creed, other prayers, sacred music, the homily, receiving Communion and being part of a faith community.

2. Go to Confession. Like going to Mass, Catholics find strength and grow deeper in their faith through participation in the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. Confession urges people to turn back to God, express sorrow for falling short and open their lives to the power of God’s healing grace. It forgives the injuries of the past and provides strength for the future.

3. Learn about the lives of the saints. The saints are timeless examples of how to live a Christian life, and they provide endless hope. Not only were they sinners who kept trying to grow closer to God, but they also exemplify ways a person can serve God: through teaching, missionary work, charity, prayer and simply striving to please God in the ordinary actions and decisions of daily life.

4. Read the Bible daily. Scripture offers first-hand access to the Word of God and tells the story of human salvation. Catholics can pray the Scriptures (through lectio divina or other methods) to become more attuned to the Word of God. Either way, the Bible is a must for growth in the Year of Faith.

5. Read the documents of Vatican II. The Second Vatican Council (1962-65) ushered in a great renewal of the Church. It impacted how Mass is celebrated, the role of the laity, how the Church understands itself and its relationship with other Christians and non-Christians. To continue this renewal, Catholics must understand what the Council taught and how it enriches the lives of believers.

6. Study the Catechism. Published exactly 30 years after the start of the Council, the Catechism of the Catholic Church covers the beliefs, moral teachings, prayer and sacraments of the Catholic Church in one volume. It’s a resource for growing in understanding of the faith. Another helpful resource is the U.S. Catholic Catechism for Adults (USCCA).

7. Volunteer in the parish. The Year of Faith can’t only be about study and reflection. The solid grounding of the Scriptures, the Council and the Catechism must translate into action. The parish is a great place to start, and each person’s gifts help build up the community. People are welcome as ministers of hospitality, liturgical musicians, lectors, catechists and in other roles in parish life.

8. Help those in need. The Vatican urges Catholics to donate to charity and volunteer to help the poor during the Year of Faith. This means to personally encounter Christ in the poor, marginalized and vulnerable. Helping others brings Catholics face-to-face with Christ and creates an example for the rest of the world.

9. Invite a friend to Mass. The Year of Faith may be global in its scope, focusing on a renewal of faith and evangelization for the whole Church, but real change occurs at the local level. A personal invitation can make all the difference to someone who has drifted from the faith or feels alienated from the Church. Everyone knows people like this, so everyone can extend a loving welcome.

10. Incorporate the Beatitudes into daily life. The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12) provide a rich blueprint for Christian living. Their wisdom can help all to be more humble, patient, just, transparent, loving, forgiving and free. It’s precisely the example of lived faith needed to draw people to the Church in the year ahead.

More information on the Year of Faith is available online: www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/how-we-teach/new-evangelization/year-of-faith/index.cfm. More resources: https://www.dor.org/index.cfm/evangelization-catechesis/year-of-faith/

Bishop launches 2012/13 Catholic Ministries Appeal

Making a Difference Every Day

Visit the CMA WEBSITE to WATCH THE VIDEO

Sept. 12, 2012 – Bishop of Rochester Matthew H. Clark launched the 2012/13 Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA) today with the theme, Making a Difference Every Day.

This year’s Catholic Ministries Appeal – also known as the CMA – follows the most successful campaign since the annual appeal was begun in the early 1980s.

A record $5.3 million was raised, the most ever collected in the history of the CMA. In addition, the past campaign marked the 5th consecutive year that more than $5 million was pledged, as well as the 8th straight year the average gift has climbed ($171).

Bishop Clark thanked Catholics for their spirit of generosity.

“More than 30 years ago,” he said, “I asked Catholics to support a diocesan-wide Annual Appeal that would help us provide crucial ministries and services throughout our 12-county Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester – ministries that affect nearly every Catholic family in some way. From the very beginning in the early 1980s, thousands of families have responded in good stewardship and great generosity. Because of these gifts, we have been able to sustain our ministries, as well as respond to new needs and emerging challenges. I am forever grateful for this spirit and enthusiasm.”

The CMA helps fund ministries for more than 314,000 Catholics and others in Monroe, Wayne, Ontario, Cayuga, Livingston, Steuben, Tioga, Chemung, Schuyler, Seneca, Tompkins and Yates counties.

This year’s campaign goal is $5.8 million. Materials are being mailed to approximately 112,000 households. Donors can also give online by clicking here

WHAT THE CMA SUPPORTS

• Educating our children and teens in the Roman Catholic faith
• Serving people in need through the agencies of Catholic Charities
• Supporting Catholic Schools
• Ministering to young Catholics on college campuses and connecting young adults to their faith
• Visiting the sick in our hospitals
• Reaching out to children and adults of migrant farm families
• Supporting and celebrating the work of our priests and promoting the priesthood
• Supporting Pope Benedict XVI’s ministries to people worldwide and national ministries
• Providing our parishes with professional services vital to their daily operation
• Spreading the Gospel message through modern means of communication
• Promoting Catholic values on the sanctity of life from conception to death.
• Developing positive relationships with people of other faiths through inter-religious dialogue
• Preparing couples for the sacrament of marriage
• Properly preparing people who wish to become Roman Catholic

ROCHESTER, NY – Providence Housing Development Corporation invites seniors 55+ and seniors 62+ to submit applications for the affordable housing waitlist. Applicants must meet age, income and occupancy requirements.

Those interested in the 55+ senior communities should contact St. Salome Apartments, Irondequoit at 544-9151; Union Park, North Chili at 293-9150; or West Town Village, West Henrietta at 321-3420.

Those interested in the 62+ senior communities should contact Atwood Park, Gates at 585-247-0985 or Bloomfield Meadows, Bloomfield at 585-657-4680.

These senior communities offer many amenities and most offer both 1- and 2-bedrooms apartments. Small domestic pets are welcomed with approval and pet deposit.

Providence Housing Development Corporation serves as the property management company. An affiliate of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Rochester, Providence Housing is dedicated to the development and management of quality, affordable housing for seniors, low-income families and special needs populations within the Diocese of Rochester. Learn more about Providence’s mission at http://www.providencehousing.org. 

MASSES OF THANKSGIVING & RECEPTIONS WITH BISHOP CLARK

Bishop Matthew H. Clark invites the people of the Diocese of Rochester to join him in one of the following Masses of Thanksgiving this fall as he celebrates in 2012 his 50th anniversary of ordination as a priest, 33 years as Bishop of Rochester and his 75th birthday.

Saturday, Sept. 22, at  4 p.m., St. Alphonsus Church, Auburn

Saturday, Sept. 29, at  5 p.m., St. Mary Our Mother Church, Horseheads

Saturday, October 13, at 4 p.m., Sacred Heart Cathedral, Rochester

Each of the Masses will be followed by a public reception where you may personally greet Bishop Clark.

DeSales High School in Geneva to Close

GENEVA, New York – The Board of Trustees of DeSales High School has announced that the high school will not re-open for the coming 2012/13 academic year due to declining enrollment and an insufficiency of funds to continue operations. The decision to close the school was made at a special meeting of the board July 31.

“We are saddened by this decision but we must make it given all the circumstances,” said Peter Cheney, board chairman. “The decision to close DeSales was not made lightly, but through the hard work, objective analysis and heartfelt prayers of all of us on the board who dearly love this school. We wish to thank all those who have supported and sustained us these many years – the community as a whole, our generous donors, our families, our students and our staff. The memories we have of DeSales and its impact on our lives and the lives of many will live in our hearts and minds forever.”

Cheney added that the school tried many different means and public appeals to draw new students and additional resources, but efforts fell short of the minimum required to sustain the school now and into the future.

The DeSales property will revert to Our Lady of Peace Parish because of its role in the school’s founding.

DeSales originated in 1912 as an extension of St. Francis DeSales Elementary School, moving to its present site by 1930. Initially, DeSales was staffed by the priests of St. Francis DeSales and St. Stephen’s churches, along with the Sisters of St. Joseph. In more recent decades, a dedicated staff of professiona educators sought to continue the school’s tradition of excellence.

Over the last 100 years, more than 5,000 young men and women have graduated from DeSales, many of them distinguishing themselves professionally and in service to their families, communities, and nation, in large part thanks to their DeSales education.

Special exhibit at the Cathedral honors Bishop Clark

A special exhibit honoring Roman Catholic Bishop of Rochester Matthew Clark is on display through Sept. 16 at Sacred Heart Cathedral, 296 Flower City Park, Rochester.

The free and public exhibit features numerous photographs from Bishop Clark’s youth and family life, his years as a priest and his service since 1979 as the 8th Bishop of Rochester, as well as historical letters, articles and documents related to his episcopacy.

Bishop Clark officially retired on his 75th birthday, July 15, 2012, but will continue to until a successor is chosen by Pope Benedict XVI, a process that can take several months.

Sacred Heart Cathedral, the Mother Church of the 12-county Diocese of Rochester, is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

For more information about events at the Cathedral, visit www.cathedralcommunity.org

Bishop given press association’s England Award

Bishop of Rochester Matthew H. Clark has received the prestigious Bishop John England Award from the national Catholic Press Association.

He was honored for his work in supporting the diocesanCatholic Courier newspaper, of which he is publisher. The Bishop was cited for his long support of the newspaper staff  in carrying out its journalistic responsibility.

Bishop Clark also was credited for rescuing the newspaper by means of a major restructuring in the mid-1980s, for widely increasing its distribution in 2004 to include every registered Catholic household in the 12-county diocese and for founding in 2005 its Spanish-language sister publication, El Mensajero Católico.

The England award is named for the Irish-born bishop of Charleston, S.C., who founded The Catholic Miscellany, the oldest Catholic newspaper in the U.S. The award is given annually and honors publishers in the Catholic press for their defense of freedom of the press and freedom of religion. It is the press association’s highest award for publishers.

Bishop Clark was nominated for the award by Karen Franz, editor and general manager, who joined the paper in early 1985. “I’ve often told my colleagues around the country that I have the best job in the Catholic press, and writing this nomination was an opportunity to prove it to them,” she said. “Bishop Clark’s support of the newspaper throughout my tenure has been unflagging, courageous and inspiring.”

The award was presented June 21 during the association’s annual convention.

Visit www.catholiccourier.com for more information about the Catholic Courierand to read its award-winning coverage. El Mensajero Católico’s bilingual website can be found at elmensajerorochester.com.

RALLIES FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY: Nationwide rallies against the HHS mandate will take place on June 8 at noon. Locally, rallies are scheduled in front of Rochester’s Federal Bldg. and in Canandaigua near the County Courthouse. 

Fortnight for Freedom

Local Festival for Freedom

Festival Flyer

Insert: “Why Conscience is Important”

Bulletin Announcements

USCCB Conscience Protection website       

Religious Liberty Prayer

Take action now!

Statement by the Bishops of the United States

Six more things everyone should know about the HHS mandate

Frequently Asked Questions

(Click here for Spanish Language Version)

Previous News Releases

• Bishops Decry HHS Rule, Urge Catholics to Stand Up for Religious Liberty and Conscience Rights in Homilies at Vigil for Life – January 23, 2012
• Cardinal-Designate Dolan Speaks Out Against HHS Rule, Calls For Action In New Web Video – January 20, 2012
• U.S. Bishops Vow to Fight HHS Edict – Jan. 23, 2012

For more information, visit the USSCB’s Conscience Protections page: