Statement on the violence at the Holocaust Museum in Washington

Bishop Matthew H. Clark and the People of the Diocese of Rochester express our deepest sadness at the tragic violence that occurred yesterday at the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. We ask God to assuage the pain of loss of Stephen T. Johns’ family. We recommit ourselves to work for and pray unceasingly for an end to anti-Semitism and all forms of hatred and bigotry, evils that wound and diminish humankind and corrupt God’s plan for our world.

Catholic Press Association honors Karen Franz, Catholic Courier

Karen Franz, editor and general manager of the Diocese of Rochester’s Catholic Courier, is the 2009 winner of the St. Francis de Sales Award, the highest honor given to an individual by the Catholic Press Association (CPA). The St. Francis de Sales Award is given annually for “outstanding contributions to Catholic journalism.”

The award was presented last week during the Catholic Media Convention in Anaheim, Calif. The Catholic Courier also won several awards at the convention, including second place for general excellence for publications with circulation of more than 40,000, and multiple awards for photographers Mike Crupi, Tamara Tirado and Annette Jiminez for her work on El Mensajero,the Spanish language newspaper published by the Courier.

Franz’s nomination stated that her “passion for the Catholic press, twinned with good humor, has served as a model for editors throughout the country and for women determined to pursue their vocations as Catholic journalists.”

“I very much appreciate the honor,” said Franz. “It was amazing to think of the previous winners and to be there among the past winners. It was a very much a humbling experience.”

Franz began her career at the Catholic Courier in 1985 as editor. In 1989, while continuing her responsibilities as editor, she became assistant general manager and was promoted to general manager six years later.

The newspaper has been in the forefront of new technology, having launched its Web site in 1996 with continuous updates in design and content. In 2004 she led an effort to change the paper’s publication schedule from weekly to monthly, with greater emphasis on delivering new content daily through its Web site. Franz said the newspaper continues to broaden its digital communication outreach through networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

Details of the specific awards the Courier received are as follows:

Catholic Courier
1. General Excellence — 40,000+: Second Place COMMENTS: “The Catholic Courier is journalistically very sound with obvious dedication to examining important topics in-depth. Sections on health, schools and family were thorough and compelling. Excellent photography; some of the best I’ve seen in any newspaper. A strong second place.”
2. Sports Photo: First Place to Tamara Tirado for “Something to cheer about” COMMENTS: “Judges felt this was a nice moment, with clean composition. Also has a sense of humor about it with the repeated smiling faces and open mouths. Clearly the best shot in the competition.”
3. Best Multiple-Picture Package — Feature: First Place to Mike Crupi for “Statues help us recall lives of saints, others” COMMENTS: “This series of photos takes something extremely familiar and renders it unusual, arresting and evocative. The content everyday nature of the subject — statues of saints — is transformed through the photographer’s choice of viewpoint and framing.”
4. Best One-Shot Special Issue: Second Place for Volunteering issue. COMMENTS: Catholic Courier’s Faith & Family edition provides a crisp and clean presentation of the people who exercise their faith by volunteering. The stories and photos help readers get to know the subjects in each article in the section.”
5. Best Portrait: Second Place to Mike Crupi for “Jesus is local painter’s favorite subject” COMMENTS: “Good colors and composition, but try more creative approaches when working with a creative subject. Don’t just place them with their art.”
6. Individual Excellence — Photographer: Third Place to Mike Crupi (“U.S. Catholics welcome pontiff”) COMMENTS: “While some may view the use of a silhouette in a photo illustration as cliché, this image was well-executed, and is displayed in a clean, straightforward way. Sometimes the most effective design is simple.”
7. Best Seasonal Issue: Third Place for Lenten issue. COMMENTS: “An excellent look at what it takes to keep faith alive and well in these troubling times, nicely told through real people examples.”
8. Best Scenic, Still Life or Weather Photo: Honorable Mention to Mike Crupi for “Statues help us recall lives of saints, others”

El Mensajero Católico
1. Best Newswriting — Local or Regional: First Place to Annette Jiménez for “Grupo de vigilancia buscal justicia para los trabajadores migrantes” (a/k/a Church Watch) COMMENTS: “The article succeeds in analyzing the thorny issue of illegal immigration without resorting to blanket statements, and carefully considering various points of view. The quotes from John Ghertner are very powerful, focusing mostly on legality and rights. The piece ends with a poignant call to action.”
2. Best In-Depth Analysis: First Place to Annette Jiménez for “Familia considera tratamiento para el Parkinson una bendición” COMMENTS: “The article insightfully combines elements of both faith and science to create a compelling portrait. The result is a piece that both inspires and informs, maintaining the reader connected to the rousing story of the featured individual and the latest breakthroughs in medical treatment.”
3. Individual Excellence — Writer/Editor: First Place to Annette Jiménez COMMENTS: “This reporter showed excellent enterprise reporting skills in her body of work. She tacked Parkinson’s disease, writing clear explanatory paragraphs in a heart-felt story about a musician stricken at a young age. She also thoroughly reported on immigration and border patrol agents intimidating parishioners from attending church services. Her stories were multifaceted, good reads.”
4. Best Multiple-Picture Package — Feature: Honorable Mention to Mike Crupi for “Festival celebra la cultura puertorriqueña”

Brian Carpenter to be ordained a priest of the Diocese of Rochester

“Pray that I may be a holy and faithful servant of God.”

Bishop Matthew Clark will ordain Brian Kumar Carpenter as a priest of the Diocese of Rochester on Saturday, June 6, 2009. The ordination Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Cathedral, 296 Flower City Park, Rochester, at 10:30 a.m.

“Brian is a very bright, outgoing and deeply spiritual man whom I believe will be an excellent priest and will serve the people of God with conviction, compassion and care,” Bishop Clark said. “I am delighted to ordain him and welcome him into the diocesan priesthood.”

Said Carpenter: “I am excited to have Bishop Clark ordain me to the priesthood. I look forward to sharing this day and all my days as a priest with the people of God, and I ask everyone to pray that I may be a holy and faithful servant of God.”

Carpenter, 33, a native of Indiana, is a 1998 graduate of the University of Notre Dame –he was baptized as an infant on the very same campus by his uncle, also a priest. Among many other activities at Notre Dame, he also served as a student athletics manager, working with the famed Coach Lou Holtz, and was president of Toastmasters International.

Most recently, in 2009, he was awarded a Master’s of Divinity and a Licentiate in Sacred Theology (STL) from the University of Saint Mary of the Lake-Mundelein Seminary.

Carpenter joined the Diocese of Rochester as a seminarian in 2004. As a seminarian, he has served at St. Paul’s in Webster, the Winton-Culver Catholic Community (now Peace of Christ parish) and St. Mary’s in Canandaigua/St. Bridget’s in Bloomfield.

He was ordained a transitional Deacon on May 31, 2008, by Bishop Clark.

After his ordination, he will be assigned to Peace of Christ parish (Rochester) beginning June 30, 2009.

Besides his studies and his work in service as a seminarian and deacon, Carpenter was a computer consultant in Chicago, volunteered full-time at a soup kitchen run by the Daughters of Charity in Brooklyn, N.Y., and worked for the Catholic Network of Volunteer Service in Washington, D.C.

Carpenter is the son of Dr. Bob Carpenter, a pathologist, and Kathi Carpenter, R.N., of Fort Wayne, IN. He has a brother, Sean, and a sister, Kimberly.

Men who are interested in learning more about the Roman Catholic priesthood are invited to visit www.dor.org/index.cfm/vocations/ for more information, or telephone Carol Dady at 585-328-3228, ext. 1374, or contact her via e-mail:

An opportunity for young adults to gather
to discuss and reflect on issues of faith.

THEOLOGY ON TAP

June-September 2009

Good Company…Interesting Speakers…Lively Conversation…
For Catholics and friends
in their 20s and 30s!!!

For more information: 328-3228, x-1218 or click here to send an e-mail

Please note: All gatherings begin at 7 p.m.

June 24: What’s with Community? with Dr. David Stosur, St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry, held at Mulconry’s Irish Pub, 17 Liftbridge Lane East, Fairport

June 30: Stem Cells and the Catholic Church with Dr. Patricia Schoelles, SSJ, President, St. Bernard’s. Held at On the Rocks Grill, 1551 Mount Hope Ave, Rochester

July 7: Angels and Demons with Barb Swiecki, Pastoral Administrator, Guardian Angels. At Jitters, Southtown Plaza, Henrietta

July 15: A Disciple’s Radical Yes with seminarians Peter Van Lieshout and Greg Rupik. Held at Johnny’s Irish Pub, 1382 Culver Road, Rochester

July 22: Living Our Gifts with Nancy DeRycke, Pastoral Administrator, Good Shepherd. Held at Jitters Southtown

July 28: Am I a Machine? with Dr. Staszek Radziszows, RIT. At Johnny’s Irish Pub

August 4: Africa, AIDS, Condoms and the Church with Kevin Mannara, St. Mary’s Downtown. Held at On the Rocks Grill

August 10: It’s More Than Just the Our Father with Dr. Damien Zynda, Church of the Transfiguration. Held at Mulconry’s Irish Pub

August 19: Faith and Finances with Chuck Sayer. Held at Jitters Southtown Plaza

August 25: Being Catholic in the 21st Century with Jamie Fazio, Campus Minister, Nazareth College, at Johnny’s Irish Pub

Sept. 1: Making Christian Choices with Fr. Robert Kennedy, Pastor, Blessed Sacrament, at Johnny’s Irish Pub

Sept. 9: Discipleship during Times of Societal Crisis with Michael Sauter, Pastoral Administrator, St. Luke’s, held at Jitters, Southtown Plaza

Co-sponsored by the Diocese of Rochester, Guardian Angels, Good Shepherd, St. Joseph, St. Christopher’s, Office of Vocations, Blessed Sacrament, St. Paul’s, St. John of Rochester and the University of Rochester Newman Community.

Theology on Tap is a copyrighted program of Renew International. Used with permission.

Six men to be ordained as permanent deacons at Sacred Heart Cathedral

Mass will be celebrated May 30, 2009

Most Rev. Matthew Clark, Bishop of Rochester, will ordain six men to the permanent diaconate on Saturday, May 30, 2008, at a 10:30 a.m. Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, 296 Flower City Park, Rochester.

The permanent deacons are:

• Thomas Behe of Webster
• James Carra of Fairport
• Robert Colomaio of Bath
• Dennis Donahue of Union Springs
• David Squilla of Greece
• Craig Stratton of Spencerport

A permanent deacon – most often a married man – is ordained for service within the church, according to Deacon David Palma, director of deacon personnel for the diocese.

A deacon’s ministry ranges from Service of the Word (proclaiming the Gospel message, teaching, conducting retreats and counseling), Service of the Altar (assisting at Mass, witnessing marriages, baptizing and presiding at wakes and funerals) to Service of Charity (building up human dignity as ministers of charity and justice).

Candidates for the permanent diaconate must participate in four years of formation at St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry. Many deacons complete a master’s degree in pastoral studies.

The Diocese of Rochester has 102 active deacons.

Rev. Robert McNamara, 1910-2009

Father Robert McNamara, the oldest priest in the Diocese of Rochester and a respected historian and writer, died in Rochester Friday, (May 22, 2009) at the Our Lady of Mercy Motherhouse infirmary. He was 98 years old and had served as a priest for 72 years.

Father McNamara was best known for his well-received and popular history, The Diocese of Rochester in America, a richly detailed history of the Diocese of Rochester. He also wrote a history of the famous Pontifical North American College in Rome, where seminarians from the U.S. study in preparation for service as priests. Both works are considered outstanding among institutional histories in the Church.

“I am greatly saddened by Father McNamara’s death,” Bishop of Rochester Matthew Clark said. “He was our oldest priest at 98, and we were blessed with his ministry for 72 years. We were graced by his prowess as a writer, researcher, historian and archivist, and his magnificence as a minister and servant of God.”

Father McNamara was born on Nov. 3, 1910, in Corning, N.Y. He held degrees from Georgetown University (1932), Harvard University (master’s in literature, 1933) and the Gregorian University in Rome (Licentiate of Sacred Theology, 1936). He attended the Pontifical North American College in Rome as a seminarian.

He was ordained a priest on Dec. 8, 1936.

Father McNamara served as assistant at the former St. Frances Xavier Church in Rochester early in his career, as well as on the editorial staff of the Catholic Courier newspaper and as chaplain at St. Anne’s Home, Rochester. He also served as a history, Italian and liturgy professor at the former St. Bernard’s Seminary on Lake Avenue, Rochester until the seminary closed in 1981, and for many years was the diocesan archivist. In 1999, at the age of 88, he laboriously researched and updated his original 1968 history on the the Diocese for a new, expanded edition.

On Wednesday, May 27, Father McNamara will lie in state at the Mercy Motherhouse on Blossom Road, Rochester, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. with Evening Prayer at 7 p.m. On Thursday, May 28, he will lie in state at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 4536 St. Paul Blvd., Irondequoit, from 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. immediately followed by his funeral Mass, at which Bishop Clark will preside.

Interment will be in the family burial plot in Corning.

For additional details: www.catholiccourier.com (See Obituaries) content

13th Annual Monroe County Catholic Schools Golf Tournament is June 29 at Greystone

The 13th Annual Catholic Schools Scholarship Golf Classic will be held on Monday, June 29, 2009, at Greystone Golf Club in Walworth, Wayne County.

Proceeds will be used to provide financial assistance for needy students in the Diocese of Rochester’s Monroe County Catholic Schools system. Pat McGonigle of WHEC-TV (Channel 10) will emcee the awards luncheon.

Teams, sponsors and donations of auction items and raffle prizes are being sought to help raise funds. For more information, please call 585-328-3228, ext. 1297, or e-mail . You also can download a brochure and register online here.

Catholic Call-in May 12, 2009

Get answers to your questions about the Catholic faith

Have you always wondered why we Catholics genuflect? Why do non-Catholics who were married before need an annulment before they can marry in the Catholic Church? Can I receive Holy Communion if I’m divorced?

Catholics throughout the 12-county Diocese of Rochester can get answers to these and any other questions about the Church and their faith during a special toll-free “Catholic Call In.”

CALL 1-866-595-8575 between 2 and 7 p.m.

The call-in is just one part of a diocesan-wide, three-year Spiritual Renewal called Spirit Alive! It was initiated by Bishop Matthew Clark in Lent 2008. Spirit Alive! consists of three movements: deepening one’s personal relationship with Jesus Christ, deepening one’s knowledge and understanding of the Word and deepening one’s commitment to discipleship and stewardship.

“It is a very special and important time to deepen our relationship with Jesus,
our Lord and Savior, and to more fully learn and practice what true discipleship means,”
the Bishop has said. “This is, after all, what is truly crucial to our lives as Catholic
Christians.”

For more information and for resources for individuals and groups, visit www.rochesterspiritalive.org.

St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry elects three new board members

Rochester, N.Y. — St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry has announced the election of three new board members: Ronald F. Dow, Anne Shaw Fenstermacher and Deacon Anthony J. Sciolino.

Ronald Dow is the retired director of the University of Rochester Library. He is a graduate of Augustana College, and holds an MS in Library Science from Syracuse University and a Ph.D. in Higher Education and Public Administration from Penn State. He currently serves on the board of Rochester Historical Society. Before retiring, Mr. Dow served as dean of the University of Rochester Library System and was instrumental in creating and integrating the St. Bernard’s collection with that of the university.

Anne Shaw Fenstermacher is retired director of volunteers for Rochester General Hospital. She holds degrees from the University of Wisconsin, Cornell University and the Simon School at University of Rochester. She is an active member of St. Louis Church, Pittsford, and serves on the Rochester General Hospital Association. With this appointment, she continues her commitment to the people and programs of St. Bernard’s, having served as a St. Bernard’s trustee in the 1990s.

Anthony Sciolino is a retired Monroe County Family Court judge. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Columbia University and a law degree from Cornell Law School. He was ordained a permanent deacon of the Roman Catholic Church, Diocese of Rochester, in 1998, the same year he earned a Master of Arts in Theology degree from St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry. Deacon Sciolino ministers at the Church of the Transfiguration, Pittsford and, among other ministries, is dedicated to promoting Catholic-Jewish relations within the Diocese and beyond. He also serves as a NYS Advocate, Friends of Family Court, and is a member of the Monroe County Bar Association.

St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry, 150 French Road, Rochester, is a Roman Catholic graduate and professional school educating men and women to serve the church and the community through lay and ordained ministries. For more information about St. Bernard’s, call (585) 271-3657 or visit our web site at: www.stbernards.edu.

The Diocese of Rochester collection to support the Sisters of Mercy in Chile & Sisters of St. Joseph in Brazil has taken place for more than 40 years. Please give generously on May 16 & 17 at weekend Masses.

Our Sisters of Mercy in Chile

Four Sisters of Mercy left Rochester for Chile in 1965 with a blessing in the Cathedral from then-Bishop James Kearney and have been serving there for 44 years. One of the sisters is a nurse and uses her skills in home nursing, acting as conduit between people in need and the local clinic. She also works with women on empowerment issues.

Two other sisters live in a house near Santiago. They offer room and board to young women who live in rural areas are seeking a high school education which is not available to them where they live. They also do pastoral work in the area. Another is in charge of youth ministry for the entire “decanato” — a geographic area overseen by a Bishop or his delegate.) Another sister has developed a program of pastoral and social care for those affected by HIV/AIDS. Her program offers medical care, outreach to family, community support, prayer, and transportation.

Others work in pastoral ministry and serve several Christian Communities located within a larger parish and the sisters provide religious services when no priest is available.

Our Sisters of St. Joseph in Brazil

In 1964, four Sisters of St. Joseph left Rochester for Brazil from the Cathedral with a special blessing from Bishop Kearney and have been serving there for 45 years. Presently some of sisters are spread over huge geographical areas in two states in the interior of Brazil.

Others are in very large cities and small rural towns. Some of the sisters are involved in pastoral work and the formation of small Christian communities and training of lay leaders. Others work in prison ministry on the municipal and state levels.

They are also involved in health care, education in public schools, and advocacy, serving on Municipal Councils for Health and for the Rights of Children and Adolescents.

The Sisters of St. Joseph also provide religious services when no priest is available, and work for the indigenous people, poor mothers and their children and with the Pastoral Land Commission, helping poor farmers and the landless stay on the land and support their families.

For more information, please contact Deacon John Brasley at 

Annual Stewardship Day is May 9

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester’s Stewardship Day 2009 will be held May 9, 2009, at Church of the Assumption in Fairport.

Featured speaker for the day will be Lorene Hanley Duquin, author of eight books and the editor of the Our Sunday Visitor’s “Faith on the Go” series. Duquin will give the keynote address and conduct two of the four practical workshops at the event, which runs from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. Bishop Matthew Clark also will address the gathering.

Cost is $10 per person and includes a continental breakfast. Registration is required and can be done online at www.stbernards.edu. For more details and to obtain a brochure with a mail-in registration form, click here, or email .

For more information, please contact Deacon John Brasley at 

The Gift of Hope

Help us give children a hand up and a way out of poverty through the gift of a Catholic education

Diocese has been given a generous opportunity 
from the Wegman Family Charitable Foundation

NEW! BARNES & NOBLE BOOKFAIR MAY 2-4 TO HELP CHALLENGE!

The Wegman Family Charitable Foundation has offered up to $2 million to the Diocese of Rochester to fund scholarships to children of low-income Rochester families if the Diocese can raise $500,000 by the end of this school year (June 30). All funds raised will be used to provide scholarships based on need in the Monroe County Catholic Schools system.

In a letter read in all Monroe County parishes, Bishop Matthew Clark asked those who can to please contribute to this worthy cause.

“I need not tell you of the obstacles children of low-income families face,” he wrote, “from dire poverty in their homes to daily violence on their streets. Parents of these children tell us that they truly believe the faith-based education they are receiving in our safe and nurturing Catholic schools is a strong deterrent to the enticement of youth gangs, violence and drugs. Our own experience is that these children perform exceedingly well with the vast majority going on to college. This is a remarkable success story that we must celebrate and continue.”

How You Can Help

1. To give online safely and securely with your credit card: CLICK HERE

2. If you would prefer to send a check by U.S. mail, please make your it payable to “Diocese of Rochester Challenge” and mail to:

Sister Janice Morgan
Pastoral Center
Diocese of Rochester
1150 Buffalo Road,
Rochester, NY 14624

All gifts will be used to fund scholarships for eligible families

Full text of Bishop’s letter (pdf)

Thank you!

Bishop Clark to Speak at Temple B’rith Kodesh in Rochester

Bishop Matthew Clark will be the special guest speaker at Temple B’rith Kodesh’s Friday night Shabbat Service on March 13, 2009. The service will begin at 7 p.m. in the Philip S. Bernstein Sanctuary.

Bishop Clark will give “Reflections on the Life and Work of Father Joseph Brennan & Catholic-Jewish Relations.”

“It is a special honor for us as a congregation to welcome Bishop Matthew Clark to our Shabbat Service,” says Rabbi Laurence Kotok, senior rabbi at Temple B’rith Kodesh. “Bishop Clark brings true greetings of friendship and community to our congregation. During the past few years, I have been deeply impressed by Bishop Clark’s devotion and concern for interfaith relationships. Let us join together in carrying forward our shared vision of a world of respect and understanding.”

Temple B’rith Kodesh is located at 2131 Elmwood Ave. and is wheelchair accessible. All are welcome. Click here for directions 

Online Lenten resources and local events

From the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops:
http://www.usccb.org/lent/

Busted Halo’s Lent plan
http://bustedhalo.com/features/fast-pray-give-2014

Lent Resources from the Franciscans:
http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Lent/

Daily Meditations for your MP3 player:
http://www.pray-as-you-go.org/

Quiet Sitting Meditation
for the Lenten Season with the Sisters of St. Joseph

Please join the Sisters of St. Joseph for a Quiet Sitting Meditation during the Lenten Season. The service is every Friday of Lent from 4-5 p.m. (March 6, 13, 20, 27) at the Sisters of Saint Joseph Motherhouse, located at 150 French Road, Pittsford No need to call ahead. All are welcome. For more information, please contact Dawn Gruba, 585)641-8172 or e-mail .

Statement on recent news reports concerning Bishop Williamson

Rochester, New York, Feb. 2, 2009 — Bishop of Rochester Matthew Clark and the priests, deacons and people of the Diocese of Rochester join with Pope Benedict XVI in affirming our love for and solidarity with the Jewish people throughout the world, and our absolute repudiation of Bishop Williamson’s historically inaccurate and shameful remarks denying the Holocaust.

The systematic murder of more than 6 million Jews by the Nazis and their collaborators
remains a tragedy of indescribable proportion and evil. To deny that the Holocaust occurred or to attempt to lessen the scope of this evil that is historic fact is monumentally wrong. Indeed, people of all faiths and all generations must work unceasingly to remember the Holocaust and the millions of children, women and men who perished, not only to honor their memory but to ensure such unspeakable crimes never can or will happen again to any people.

The Diocese of Rochester is proud of its ongoing relationship with the Jewish Community, one which led to the historic Rochester Agreement of Understanding in 1996 – a joint declaration of solidarity and mutual defense that was signed by both Jewish and Catholic officials locally and one that has borne much fruit in bettering interfaith relations.