Back to Exponent Menu Printer Friendly Page   LOCAL FEATURES Friday, December 20, 2002 Bishop shares views, discussion with Central students By Joanne Malene Staff Associate CANTON — When junior and senior class student leaders at Central Catholic High School were given the opportunity to spend an hour with Bishop Thomas Tobin recently, they had a number of questions to ask him. Bishop Tobin, who visits the Catholic high schools of the diocese on a regular basis, told the students he was interested in their thoughts on issues in the diocese, in the Church and in their school. The first question asked was about the reverence (or lack thereof) during the Eucharist. “People should be kneeling during the Eucharistic prayer,” Bishop Tobin said. “Standing is not the proper posture. We hope when the new missal comes out, that people will understand that kneeling is a sign of reverence during Eucharist. The new directives are very clear. It’s a question of liturgical unity. We, as Roman Catholics, should be together as much as possible and the norm is that we should be kneeling.” Bishop Tobin talked about the vision and value of Jesus and how it is important for Catholics to make Him real in their lives. “I believe that we will be judged in the future with how we have dealt with pro-life issues,” the bishop said. Another question concerned society’s ideals and the ideals of Jesus, with a student saying that the two are opposites. “Everything American society tells me – ‘you want to be rich’ – is the opposite of Jesus, who says to live humbly,” the student said. Bishop Tobin, acknowledging that it is a real challenge, reminded the students that followers of Jesus will always be different from the world, and that it is not any different for Americans. Students expressed their concern about peer pressure, noting that it is hard to stand up for what they believe and not feel different from their peers. “Things are easier said than done,” one student said. “It is harder to put words into actions. It is harder to achieve goodness.” “Peer pressure,” noted Bishop Tobin, as he nodded his head in agreement, “is something I hear about in all of the high schools.” He asked the students if it was easier for them to be Christian Catholics since they are attending a Catholic high school. Students were unanimous in agreeing that they were not challenged enough to think about their faith or other issues. “I think there is much we are not being told,” one student said. “We believe just because we are told. Like the war with Iraq – why should the [United States] have so much power?” In response, Bishop Tobin said, “If, in fact, there is an imminent danger to the common good, to the peace of the world, does the U.S. have a moral responsibility to protect the world? The role of the Church is not only to take our principles and apply it to the war in Iraq. We need to look at our motives, and look at what our responsibility is as superpower.” Several of the students are planning to attend Catholic colleges and the bishop asked them to think about how they planned to hang on to their faith while they were away at school. He encouraged them to get involved in campus activities. For those students not attending a Catholic university, he reminded them that there is always a Catholic presence in some form or another on college campuses. Bishop Tobin gave the students three goals that he would like them to consider. The first is to support activities, such as pro-life, by being involved in church and community. Second, he encouraged them to get involved in other social justice issues. He reminded them of the importance of convincing people who have resources to share with those who do not. Finally, he asked the students to pray very hard. “You don’t have to save the world,” Bishop Tobin said. “Jesus already did that. I am convinced the Church needs you, but I also think you need the Church and the sacraments.” Joanne Malene covers news for the Exponent in Stark and Portage counties   Back to Exponent Menu Printer Friendly Page   Other Articles of 2002   Christmas letter from El Salvador missions thanks diocesan Catholics   Bishop shares views, discussion with Central students   ETC slates Christmas specials throughout the season   My Favorite Christmas Memories   Guidelines on religious ed homeschooling are issued   Local Catholic radio station targets Feb. 1 date   HMs end 98-years of service to Salem St. Paul Parish   Learn ‘language’ of young, youth meet speaker urges   Bishop Tobin: Meeting in D.C. on norms was ‘anxious, tense, difficult’   Priests must ask one another the tough questions, speaker says   Catholic death and funeral rites   Deacons mark 25th with Mass, dinner, memories   Diocesan Ministry Convocation Speaker: Global solidarity, not globalization, should be aim   Jusseaume inaugurated as sixth Walsh president   Diaconate marks 25th anniversary with Oct. 27 fete   New norms sent to priests, deacons on Communion under both kinds   Ashtabula parishes are ‘one Catholic community’   Jusseaume to become Walsh’s sixth president   Charismatic speaker: ‘Church being tested in faithfulness’   Lutheran/Catholic covenant event draws 140 to Walsh   Canton St. Joseph Parish observes centennial celebration   HMHP CEO Michael Rowan   Stewardship speaker: It’s about gratitude and thanking God first   Imagination is key to resolving crisis, priests told   War with Iraq? Expo readers opposed by 81-19%   Newspaper columns didn’t give complete story, official says   Diocesan Ministry Convocation set Oct. 26 at YSU’s Kilcawley   New year brings new faculty, changes at diocesan high schools   Mont St. Michel, Avignon’s papal palace are treasures   Preparing for the priesthood   Entering well-earned retirement, Sr. Marcella’s not slowing down   Warren St. Mary observes 100th year for church building   Lay Ministry Formation program attracting new audience   The cathedrals of France: Monuments of faith in stone   Executive summary of the ad hoc commission on athletics in diocesan high schools   ‘No widespread abuse’ found   Milburn leaving pro-life post to pursue grad studies   Return to France yields history, memories, surprises   Two new members appointed for Diocesan Finance Council   Former SS. C&M school razed, but memories remain   Pastor, 80, keeps busy with ‘lots of interests’   Ravenna IC boasts 5 high school valedictorians for ‘02   Humility Sister Sandy Pedone to profess perpetual vows July 21   NRLC convention filled with good news   ‘Capture the Romance’ is theme for NFP Week   Question of moral evil discussed at Walsh symposium   Notre Dame Sisters will celebrate jubilees July 14   ‘A great lady’ retires   Statement of Bishop Tobin on the meeting of the U. S. Conference   Haladej, Celuch ordained to priesthood, diaconate in Slovakia   Bishop plans implementation of norms on sexual abuse   Kevin McCaffrey, Robert Miller are newest priests   Theologian: ‘Behave toward others as though God were there’   Fr. Bonnot: Use good judgment for TV, movie viewing   MOMS: ‘A place to claim yourself’   Storm ‘changed lives forever’ for Jackson Twp. family   Bishop will ordain Miller, McCaffrey at May 25 ceremony   Update on child abuse   Vicar general addresses issue of not giving priest names to media   New Middletown St. Paul youth — called to be ‘witnesses’ for Christ   New Ursuline Sisters leadership team elected to 6-year term   Two receive first pastorates; two pastors change parishes   Abuse coverage   Walsh University dedicates new ‘David’ campus center   Sisters’ HIV/AIDS ministry critical, heartbreaking   Bishop visits St. Peter’s as rebuilding process begins   Chrism Mass theme: Priests can’t afford discouragement   Bishop’s Appeal stresses meeting needs, funding ministries   Diocese OKs closing Conneaut St. Frances Cabrini K-8; preschool stays   St. Stan’s marks 100th year   Canton St. Joseph choir enjoys ‘incredible trip’   New schools superintendent   Four journeys of faith among hundreds marked here   DPC considers direction, importance of youth ministry   Richard Jusseaume named as Walsh University’s sixth president   Pro-life dinner heralds new beginning in Stark County   Kids at church   Religious day studies resurrection amid culture of violence   Richard Jusseaume named as Walsh University’s sixth president   Keynoter: Eucharist should change us   Speaker: ‘Truth’ key concept in Gospel of John   Parishes offer Lenten missions for spiritual enrichment   Parishes offer Lenten missions, speakers series   Working in Medjugorje   TV anchorman finds faith not incompatible with journalism   Action alert on cloning set in diocese for Feb. 2-3   Austintown parishioner finds fulfillment in El Salvador   ‘Where Faith and Knowledge Meet’   Resisting TEMPTATION: It’s worth the effort, teens say   4th annual Diocesan Pro-life Mass set Jan. 26   Catholic/Lutheran dialogue, death of Walsh president top news   Diocese helping Afghanistan relief   Past Articles From 2001