Todays Catholic
August 12, 2009 // Local

The priest is the love of the heart of Jesus

Todays Catholic
‘The priest is the love of the heart of Jesus’
The Year for Priests
We officially launched the Year for Priests with a regular noon time Mass on the feast of St. John Vianney. Although it was midweek and we had only announced it in the parishes the previous Sunday, I was delighted to find that the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception was almost full. About 40 priests concelebrated. People came from South Bend, Elkhart and Warsaw. Following the decree of Pope Benedict XVI, a plenary indulgence was available. In the spirit of St. John Vianney, I, along with several priests, heard confessions before Mass. After Mass, I walked through church intending to go to the luncheon for our priests and stopped to hear confessions because of the long lines.
What is this year all about?
It is about holiness. Pope Benedict XVI has linked the year to the anniversary of the Curé d’Ars, the patron saint of parish priests and now the patron saint of all priests. It is the 150th anniversary of his death.
“I am sending you to Ars,” said the bishop. “There is little love of God in that place, but you will put it there.” Walking to his parish, the young priest said to a boy, “Show me the way to Ars and I will show you the way to God.” He kissed the ground when he entered the confines of the parish.
He saw that the rectory was beautiful, but the church in disrepair. “Something is wrong here,” he said. No one in the parish went to confession. Pope Benedict XVI, in his letter about launching this year said, “A priest ought never to be resigned to empty confessionals or the apparent indifference of the faithful to the sacrament.” There had been a great upheaval in France, caused by the revolution, which “had long inhibited the practice of religion.” There was much anticlericalism. Yet, by preaching, by spending long hours in hearing confessions; and by his devotion to the Eucharistic presence; by his catechetical instruction of his people; the priest was transformed and people came from throughout France to seek him out for confession and spiritual direction.
He said priests should have “tattered cassocks, but golden vestments.” He felt that everything in the church should be as beautiful as possible, but priests should live simply. God gave him a profound, interior love for the priesthood. The following quote of John Mary Vianney is found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “If we understood the priests, we would die not of fright, but of love. The priest is the love of the heart of Jesus.”
The purpose of the year
So the purpose of the year is not the exaltation of the priest, but his sanctification. If the priest becomes holy, so will the flock. In my homily for this day, these are some of the thoughts that I presented. I recalled a book, which I read in my second year in the seminary. I think it was the most important book I have ever read. I think of it often. It is a spiritual classic entitled “The Soul of the Apostolate” by Dom Chautard, a Trappist monk. While the style is different from what we read today, the substance is permanent; namely, a holy flock depends on a holy shepherd. These are some of the thoughts, which I tried to convey in this beautiful Mass with such a large crowd and many priests. Let us ask the Lord that this year be the year in which all of us priests and bishops come closer to Christ, and thus inspire our lay people to be true missionaries and offer themselves to Christ each day.
The day not complete
In the afternoon, we had exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and more confessions. I am grateful to Sister Angela and many of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration who came from Mishawaka and joined us.
And then a ball game
In the evening, all the priests who were available went to a baseball game for the Fort Wayne Tin Caps at the new and delightful Parkview Field. At a moment of risk, I offered to throw out the first ball. It was not enough to do it in front of the mound; rather, I asked if I could go up on top of the rubber. Alas, despite some time in practice, I could not throw a strike. It bounced to the right. I tried to do too much, but it was a delight to be with our priests and many parishioners and complete this wonderful day.
Visits with seminarians
Each summer I visit with every seminarian. This is so important. The most important thing a bishop does is choose a man for the priesthood, and ordain him and send him into a parish. How can you ordain him if you do not know him? So between South Bend, Fort Wayne, Mishawaka, Warsaw and Wawasee, I meet every seminarian. This week, I also had at my home for Mass and lunch, Father Andrew Beerman, director of Immaculate Heart Seminary in Winona, Minn., where our young men study for the priesthood.
I am reminded from our experience of the last 20 years in the church and from these visits, the words of Pope Benedict XVI in his visit to this country, “It is more important to have good priests, than to have many priests.” The new springtime will be hindered if the bishop is not careful in whom he ordains. Please pray always that we ordain men of good quality, who in turn, will be instruments to bring more good candidates for priestly service.
Two trips to Warsaw
First, for the launching of our Annual Bishop’s Appeal. Remarkably, this is the 23rd year for this appeal, and still the room was crowded with priests and our lay leadership. We saw the beautiful new video, an instrument of evangelization as well as a report to our people, and I hope an inspiration for continued generosity.
Back to Warsaw the next day for the commissioning of our new school principals and a conversation with them.
A weekend to remember
So much happens in two weeks. I will be glad when soon we renew sharing this newspaper with you every week. On Friday, the last day of July, I was privileged to be in Notre Dame to welcome Archbishop Nicola Eterovic to an important event, a seminar on the Word of God sponsored by Notre Dame and the American Bible Association for a reflection on the Word of God, in light of the recent synod on the Scriptures.
Down to Syracuse the next day to offer Mass for the candidates, for the diaconate, and their families. Back in the evening to Notre Dame to meet with the directors of Hispanic Ministry from throughout the country, presided over by our own Enid Roman-De Jesus.
Then over to Our Lady of Hungary, where I greeted Archbishop Michael Blume, SVD. He is a native of that parish and went to school there, and was ordained to the priesthood in that very church by our own beloved Bishop Joseph Crowley. Off then the next day down Route 6 to Auburn for the installation of Father Derrick Sneyd, as the new pastor of the Immaculate Conception Parish. A beautiful installation of Father Mark Gurtner at St. Anthony Parish, South Bend.
Baseball news
Alas, the weaknesses of New England’s team have become exposed. The Yankees, those fierce rivals from bygone days, seem to be the team this year. A four-game sweep. On a related matter, “Say it ain’t so, Big Papi.”
See you all in two weeks.

The Year for Priests

We officially launched the Year for Priests with a regular noon time Mass on the feast of St. John Vianney. Although it was midweek and we had only announced it in the parishes the previous Sunday, I was delighted to find that the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception was almost full. About 40 priests concelebrated. People came from South Bend, Elkhart and Warsaw. Following the decree of Pope Benedict XVI, a plenary indulgence was available. In the spirit of St. John Vianney, I, along with several priests, heard confessions before Mass. After Mass, I walked through church intending to go to the luncheon for our priests and stopped to hear confessions because of the long lines.

What is this year all about?

It is about holiness. Pope Benedict XVI has linked the year to the anniversary of the Curé d’Ars, the patron saint of parish priests and now the patron saint of all priests. It is the 150th anniversary of his death.

“I am sending you to Ars,” said the bishop. “There is little love of God in that place, but you will put it there.” Walking to his parish, the young priest said to a boy, “Show me the way to Ars and I will show you the way to God.” He kissed the ground when he entered the confines of the parish.

He saw that the rectory was beautiful, but the church in disrepair. “Something is wrong here,” he said. No one in the parish went to confession. Pope Benedict XVI, in his letter about launching this year said, “A priest ought never to be resigned to empty confessionals or the apparent indifference of the faithful to the sacrament.” There had been a great upheaval in France, caused by the revolution, which “had long inhibited the practice of religion.” There was much anticlericalism. Yet, by preaching, by spending long hours in hearing confessions; and by his devotion to the Eucharistic presence; by his catechetical instruction of his people; the priest was transformed and people came from throughout France to seek him out for confession and spiritual direction.

He said priests should have “tattered cassocks, but golden vestments.” He felt that everything in the church should be as beautiful as possible, but priests should live simply. God gave him a profound, interior love for the priesthood. The following quote of John Mary Vianney is found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “If we understood the priests, we would die not of fright, but of love. The priest is the love of the heart of Jesus.”

The purpose of the year

So the purpose of the year is not the exaltation of the priest, but his sanctification. If the priest becomes holy, so will the flock. In my homily for this day, these are some of the thoughts that I presented. I recalled a book, which I read in my second year in the seminary. I think it was the most important book I have ever read. I think of it often. It is a spiritual classic entitled “The Soul of the Apostolate” by Dom Chautard, a Trappist monk. While the style is different from what we read today, the substance is permanent; namely, a holy flock depends on a holy shepherd. These are some of the thoughts, which I tried to convey in this beautiful Mass with such a large crowd and many priests. Let us ask the Lord that this year be the year in which all of us priests and bishops come closer to Christ, and thus inspire our lay people to be true missionaries and offer themselves to Christ each day.

The day not complete

In the afternoon, we had exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and more confessions. I am grateful to Sister Angela and many of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration who came from Mishawaka and joined us.

And then a ball game

In the evening, all the priests who were available went to a baseball game for the Fort Wayne Tin Caps at the new and delightful Parkview Field. At a moment of risk, I offered to throw out the first ball. It was not enough to do it in front of the mound; rather, I asked if I could go up on top of the rubber. Alas, despite some time in practice, I could not throw a strike. It bounced to the right. I tried to do too much, but it was a delight to be with our priests and many parishioners and complete this wonderful day.

Visits with seminarians

Each summer I visit with every seminarian. This is so important. The most important thing a bishop does is choose a man for the priesthood, and ordain him and send him into a parish. How can you ordain him if you do not know him? So between South Bend, Fort Wayne, Mishawaka, Warsaw and Wawasee, I meet every seminarian. This week, I also had at my home for Mass and lunch, Father Andrew Beerman, director of Immaculate Heart Seminary in Winona, Minn., where our young men study for the priesthood.

I am reminded from our experience of the last 20 years in the church and from these visits, the words of Pope Benedict XVI in his visit to this country, “It is more important to have good priests, than to have many priests.” The new springtime will be hindered if the bishop is not careful in whom he ordains. Please pray always that we ordain men of good quality, who in turn, will be instruments to bring more good candidates for priestly service.

Two trips to Warsaw

First, for the launching of our Annual Bishop’s Appeal. Remarkably, this is the 23rd year for this appeal, and still the room was crowded with priests and our lay leadership. We saw the beautiful new video, an instrument of evangelization as well as a report to our people, and I hope an inspiration for continued generosity.

Back to Warsaw the next day for the commissioning of our new school principals and a conversation with them.

A weekend to remember

So much happens in two weeks. I will be glad when soon we renew sharing this newspaper with you every week. On Friday, the last day of July, I was privileged to be in Notre Dame to welcome Archbishop Nicola Eterovic to an important event, a seminar on the Word of God sponsored by Notre Dame and the American Bible Association for a reflection on the Word of God, in light of the recent synod on the Scriptures.

Down to Syracuse the next day to offer Mass for the candidates, for the diaconate, and their families. Back in the evening to Notre Dame to meet with the directors of Hispanic Ministry from throughout the country, presided over by our own Enid Roman-De Jesus.

Then over to Our Lady of Hungary, where I greeted Archbishop Michael Blume, SVD. He is a native of that parish and went to school there, and was ordained to the priesthood in that very church by our own beloved Bishop Joseph Crowley. Off then the next day down Route 6 to Auburn for the installation of Father Derrick Sneyd, as the new pastor of the Immaculate Conception Parish. A beautiful installation of Father Mark Gurtner at St. Anthony Parish, South Bend.

Baseball news

Alas, the weaknesses of New England’s team have become exposed. The Yankees, those fierce rivals from bygone days, seem to be the team this year. A four-game sweep. On a related matter, “Say it ain’t so, Big Papi.”

See you all in two weeks.

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