Back to Exponent Menu Printer Friendly Page   LOCAL FEATURES Friday, April 12, 2002 Chrism Mass theme: Priests can’t afford discouragement By Lou Jacquet The annual Chrism Mass at St. Columba Cathedral brings together Catholics from across the diocese in a celebration of unity filled with pageantry and liturgical significance. The day also marks the time at which diocesan priests renew their commitment to priestly service, since the ministerial priesthood was instituted on Holy Thursday at the Last Supper. But this year, the March 28 Mass — concelebrated by Bishop Thomas J. Tobin and diocesan priests — took on a special sense of reaffirmation in the wake of sexual abuse scandals plaguing the Church in many dioceses across the nation. The theme of the day was the need for courage and commitment in the face of today’s challenges. In a particularly powerful moment during his homily, Bishop Tobin asked the congregation to applaud along with him for their priests; those present spontaneously rose to their feet in prolonged applause. “Thank you for that wonderful and heartfelt affirmation,” the bishop responded. “I know my brother priests appreciate that very deeply.” Just prior to that moment, the bishop had alluded to the national situation. “We certainly know that it is not easy to be a priest today,” he told those present, “and it is a vocation that in every age, and especially this age, is counter-cultural. We are living in a time when circumstances demand of our priests stronger commitment and greater personal sacrifice than perhaps ever before. And we are living in a time, sadly, when all priests have been wounded because some priests have failed, have sinned grievously and harmed others.” The bishop said he wanted to use the occasion to publicly reaffirm that “we have wonderful priests in this diocese and we are very grateful for all that they do.” It is likewise not, the bishop asserted, an easy time to be a Christian. “Our nation has suffered an unparalleled attack of violence that has left us stunned and frightened and questioning the very possibility of our future existence as a nation,” he noted. “As we come here this morning, there are cruel wars raging in Afghanistan and the Middle East” as well as in Africa and South America. In the United States, “an obviously disturbed woman” drowns her five children; 300 uncremated bodies are found in Georgia; and “the precious gift of human life has been dragged into the playground of scientific research as we have debated stem cells and cloning.” The local region has been affected by political corruption and economic decline as well, he said. “And we are aware that our Church has been rocked by scandals from the abysmal failure of some of its shepherds.” Every person present could add a list of personal sorrows and disappointments, he said. Nonetheless, the bishop said, Christians are called to “proclaim and build the Kingdom of God” in various ways: by affirming the sanctity of life and the value of matrimony and family life; by “living our particular vocation … faithfully and joyfully without envy of others” We do so, he said, “by having a clear moral vision that condemns evil but not people. We do so by trying to build a political and corporate climate that will be known for its vision and integrity. We do so … by serving the poor and the needy so they too can share the gifts that God has meant for all of us” and by “eliminating the social conditions that lead some people to be poor and needy in the first place.” Recalling the biblical story of Joseph and his brothers, Bishop Tobin reminded the congregation that, “as we gather at this table today, it is very important that we try not to avoid or neglect the cry of the world around us.” Speaking specifically to the priests, he said that “we are priests of the Lord, we are architects of God’s kingdom; we can’t afford to get tired or discouraged. We have a job to do – to build a better world. We have a gift to give – the gift of hope.” The Chrism Mass is so designated because of the blessing of the Oils of the Sick and of Catechumens and the consecration of the Chrism that takes place during the liturgy. The oils are carried back to parishes for use during the next 12 months. Many of those present for the Chrism Mass and representing their parishes during the opening procession with banners were to be welcomed into the Church at the Easter Vigil.   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