Home News Community Entertainment Kids Teachers Connect to Us

 



Banter Column:
Archives in English

 



(2004) January    February    March    April    May    June    July    August    September    October    November    December
(2003) January    February    March    April    May    June    July    August    September    October    November    December
(2002) January    February    March    April    May    June    July    August    September    October    November    December
(2001) January     February    March    April    May    June    July    August    September    October    November    December
(2000) January    February    March    April    May    June    July    August    September    October    November    December
 

2004
January

 January 4, 2004
  Top topic: Lot of attention given to healing in this week’s paper. We would do well to follow Bishop Melczek’s example and put the victim first. Always.
  When you read the audit report on Page 5, you’ll see my favorite part: “The Bishop has an open and transparent communications policy regarding issues of sexual abuse and is open to interview concerning any issue involving the Diocese.” Amen.
   Power of prayer: The Pup lava family story on the front page reminds us that praying for peace and for those who fight for it should be a daily occurrence in our lives. If you’re not sure where to start, read Pope John Paul It's Christmas message which begins on that page, too.
   Reality check: Thanks to the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, we can put all of the glowing “Christmas retail season” reports in perspective. They have designated January as Poverty in America Awareness Month. Details available at www.povertyusa.org.
   Start early: If one of your New Year’s goals is to do more for others, you can start now by helping Catholic Relief Services with its aid to the earthquake victims in Iran. Send your contribution to Catholic Charities, 973 W. 6th Ave., Gary, IN 46402. Mark your check “Iran earthquake relief.”
   Good people doing good things: The Russian Club at Andréa collected and donated household items to a newly-arrived Bosnian family as a way of welcoming them to the U.S.
   Seems like old’ times: Story on Page 13 about the Diocese of Salt Lake City standing with and for striking miners is a throwback to the days when the Church never hesitated to stand with those who sought the right to unionize.
   Yogi Berea School of Broadcasting: During Dick Jargon's requiem on Sunday, Bill Maas of FOX Sports used his Elastrator to show us that Kansas City’s sideline chaplains are priests who are twins.
   “They’re Venetians,” Maas said of the clerics.
   Uh, Bill, maybe they are Italian, but as far as their religious community, it could be that they are Vincentia's. At least he had no reason to say, “Throw a Hail Mary.”
   Round 18: This issue marks the beginning of year XVIII for your Northwest Indiana Catholic. Thank you for supporting our work, and for growing in your appreciation of what we provide week after week.   Back to top
    
January 11, 2004
   Never past tense: Despite what you may have heard or read to the contrary, the Catholic Church in the U.S. is doing something about sexual abuse of minors by Church personnel.
   Oh, but Bishop Fabian W. Bruskewitz is evidence that we have a looonnnng way to go. His diocese, the Diocese of Lincoln, Neb., did not participate in the audit for “serious pastoral reasons.” He maintains that compliance with the charter was voluntary. His diocese also will not do criminal background checks on employees who have regular contact with minors.
   If Bishop Bruskewitz is of the Cardinal Bernard Law & Company “protect the institution” school of thought, he might recall it was such thinking that resulted in the countless broken spirits and bodies that we are attempting to heal.
   Serious pastoral reasons? Children, your excellency, children!
   The papal nuncio to the U.S., Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo, or the head of the Congregation for Bishops, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, might have some “serious pastoral reasons” for providing Bishop Bruskewitz with a dose of pastoral correction — or with a different job.
   Vocation awareness: By the time you’re done reading Pages 3 and 4 and hearing what your priest has to say about vocations this weekend’s Masses, you should be aware of what is needed and who is needed for vocations to the priesthood to become a reality.
   The Ambrose effect: Only here will you learn that two people who received much media attention this week — Green Bay’s cornerback Al Harris and Belleville’s Bishop Wilton D. Gregory — were both born on the Feast of St. Ambrose, Dec. 7. The bishop had a 27-year headstart on the Packer.
   Catholic TV: Given the popularity of TV programs in which contestants eventually get married, e.g., “The Bachelor,” “The Bachelorette,” the Church should develop its own reality show about what happens when a couple’s trivialization of marriage is akin to what occurs on these shows. It’d be called “Tribunal.”
   Editor’s clearinghouse: We have unlocked the prize vault for your Northwest Indiana Catholic’s third annual Read & Win! contest, which is on Page 14. It is purely coincidence that this event begins on the eve of one of my favorite holy days — National Clean Off Your Desk Day. Back to top
            
January 18, 2004
    It’s only money — our money: A 30-second spot on the Super Bowl telecast is going for $2.4 million. That means the President Bush re-election campaign could buy 41 spots and still have a few bucks left over.
  Speaking of the election — I’m sorry; I know it’s early, but since my football season ended in overtime last Sunday night, I needed another spectator sport — I’ve heard a variety of reasons about why people leave the Catholic Church, but former Gov. Howard Dean’s reason for leaving the Episcopal Church, i.e., a bike path, is a new one. It’s not like they were building a landfill or a slaughter house.
   Isn’t it interesting that candidates need a poll to tell them that 60 percent of potential voters think it is important for the president to be deeply religious and to believe in God? One would think that those are prerequisites for the job.
   Parish-able: Lot of information in this week’s paper about parish life, beginning with the article at the bottom of the front page, as well as the material that begins on Pages 12 and 13. It’s another way of helping you remain parishioners instead of becoming “perishioners.”
   Congratulations: David E. Huber, a member of St. Mary, Crown Point, has been appointed high chief ranger/president of the Catholic Order of Foresters. He fills the term of the late Robert Ciesla.
   Opportunity to proclaim the Gospel: Your contribution to the Gift of Warmth.
   Knowing your audience: If there are people in your home under 30 and not regular readers of your Northwest Indiana Catholic, please share with them the article that begins on Page 6.  Matt Smith’s reference to St. Francis of Assisi as “Frank” may not be your vernacular, but it might help the MTV generation get a better understanding of faith at work.
   Good timing: The theme for the Catholic Communication Campaign’s third annual film festival is “The Blessings of Laughter.” Among the things the festival hopes to do by showing such works as “Heaven Can Wait,” “Babe,” and “A Night at the Opera” is “explore the vital role the funny bone plays in our spiritual anatomy.” Church-sponsored laughter is a good idea for any parish to emulate. If you were in charge, what films would you choose?
   Reason to celebrate: Wednesday is National Hugging Day.  Back to top
            
January 25, 2004
 Didn’t you used to be…
     Your Northwest Indiana Catholic began publishing in January 1987. This came after Our Sunday Visitor, a national weekly newspaper, had served the Catholic community in Northwest Indiana while the area was still a part of the Diocese of Fort Wayne and after it became the Diocese of Gary in 1957.
    Your Northwest Indiana Catholic is, as its publisher, Bishop Dale J. Melczek, notes, “The one Catholic publication from which people can get parish, diocesan, national and international Catholic news.”
  Did you know that your Northwest Indiana Catholic…
      … is one of the few diocesan newspapers in the U.S. to have a full-time photojournalist?
    … has been honored for both its editorial and advertising content by such organizations as the Catholic Press Association and National Federation of Press Women and Indiana News Photographer Association?
    … is the largest weekly newspaper in Northwest Indiana?
    … reaches more than 40,000 people every week?
    …is the only Northwest Indiana newspaper to publish a large print section for Seniors?
    …is totally self-supporting?
    …produces an audio version for the visually-impaired?
    …can be delivered to your home every week for $21 per year?
Click here to subscribe to your Northwest Indiana Catholic.  Back to top
           

February
 February 1, 2004
           How to deal with this week’s weather: Two words  — garden center.
         Identity crisis: If John Zogby’s polling data on the front page is correct, we need not make any plans to evangelize on Mars. If we want to reach aliens, we have a large group of 18-29-year-olds who are already alien to the Church.
          Oh, Zogby’s conclusion that there is no such thing as the “Catholic vote” ought to save the candidates’ time and money this fall since they won’t have to pursue what doesn’t exist.
          Even though, as a voting bloc, we’re non-existent, Priests for Life is urging Catholic parishes nationwide to hold voter registration drives on four Sundays in 2004. Go to www.priestsforlife. org/vote for details.
          Vocation awareness 24/7: With encouragement from Father Kevin Huber, diocesan vocations director, the Serra Clubs of Gary and Hammond published a January and February calendar on which each day lists a priest serving in the Diocese of Gary. Those with the calendars are encouraged to pray for the priest on that day. You can get more information by contacting the vocations office at 769-9292, ext. 235.
          Be not afraid: Father Charles Niblick, pastor of St. Maria Goretti, Dyer, writing in his parish bulletin: “Our capacity to be religious, to be faithful, is diminished by our inability to tolerate chance and insecurity. Our common Catholic life is safe, predictable, and secure. If we are to hand a living faith to our children, we have got to get a bit dangerous. We have to celebrate the unpredictable God of Jesus Christ. We have to get a bit ‘wild.’ Our God is not a safe God, our God is loving, but not safe. Sure but not certain, very unpredictable in all things but faithfulness.”
          Rest in peace: In obituaries for Bob Keeshan, you might have read that he won the Gabriel Award. Few people know that the Gabriel is Catholic radio and TV’s version of the Oscar, Emmy, Tony, etc., presented by what is now known as the Catholic Academy for Communication Arts Professionals. Keeshan won the personal achievement Gabriel.
          It’s your health: February is not only National Snack Food Month, but it is also Catholic Press Month. The benefits of the latter far outweigh those of the former. Consider: a year’s subscription to your Northwest Indiana Catholic costs less than what most people spend on snack food in a month; it has no fat, no carbohydrates, and no calories; and it’s good for your spiritual health. Please stay healthy; renew your subscription this month.  Back to top

February 8, 2004
             Super Bowl shuffle: Well, no one will confuse last Sunday’s halftime show with a scene from “Joan of Arcadia.”
            All of the finger-pointing surrounding “the incident” is as well-scripted as any professional wrestling work.
            Bad publicity? Your children and grandchildren will buy Janet’s and Justin’s CDs, no one will stop watching programs on CBS,  and within a few years, “the incident” will be referred to as a breakthrough in network TV programming.
            Heart and brain stimulation: We’ve provided you with a variety of material — from home to Rome — this week. If there is something on which you wish to comment, to praise or to criticize, drop us a note or e-mail nwic@dcgary.org.
            Congratulations: Al Hamnik, a member of Our Lady of Grace, Highland, has been voted Indiana sportswriter of the year by his peers. He is a reporter and writer for the Times of Northwest Indiana.
         Cover bishop: Archbishop Sean O’Malley is on the cover of the Jan.-Feb. issue of Current Biography. An excellent article from which one learns many things, including that in the Archdiocese of Boston he is known as “Archbishop Sean.”
            Numbers game: Unlike your high school yearbook, the 2004 Vatican yearbook has 2,000 pages. Yours probably didn’t have conversation starters like these either:
            • There were more than 1.07 billion Catholics in the world at the end of 2002, an increase of 11 million over the previous year.
            • Out of a world population of more than 6.2 billion people, Catholics account for 17.2 percent.
            • Half of the world’s Catholics live in the Americas, where they make up 62.4 percent of the population.
            Chances are: What do you make of that $800 million Father Edmund S. Nadolny claims Catholic gamble annually? That would certainly take care of the Catholic Services Appeal for the next few decades.
            Do you think we’ll ever see the day when all of our parishes and schools are so stewardship oriented that they themselves won’t need to operate gambling events?
            Renew: Please. Your subscription. This week. Thank you.  Back to top

February 15, 2004
   Surfers welcome: www.nwicatholic.com. Credit Carol Macinga of our staff and Uriel “Chino” Martinez of the Napoleon Hill Foundation at Purdue University Calumet who is a member of Holy Rosary Parish, Gary, for getting this site on the Web. It might be a way for us to reach your children and grandchildren, and if they’ve been away from the Church, maybe we can help them find their way back.  
    Preview of Super Bowl XXXIX: Story at the top of Page 14. Because you shouldn’t have to wait until Feb. 6, 2005.
    Also on that page is locker room bulletin board material from Jesuit Father William Byron. Ideal for  someone who believes he or she is going to be a professional athlete and therefore doesn’t have to study.
    You can’t buy this kind of publicity: All the newspaper, radio and TV coverage Mel Gibson has gotten for “The Passion of the Christ” hasn’t cost him anything.
    Long arm of the Law: Bishop Richard Malone, who had served as an auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Boston since 2000, has been named bishop of the Diocese of Portland, Maine. His former boss, Cardinal Bernard Law, remains a member of the Vatican’s Congregation for Bishops — the only American member.
    Winning words: When Michael Heinlein, a senior on the Andréa Academic Decathlon team, participated in the interview portion of the regional competition, his topic was transubstantiation. He earned more than 900 out of a possible 1,000 points in helping his team to victory.  
    A Church of few(er) words: A 10-member, Vatican commission has completed a draft of a condensed version of the “Catechism of the Catholic Church.” The original is 865 pages; the draft is 150. Bishops’ conferences throughout the world now get to review it. Watch, after all of the conferences have provided input, the mini version will end up larger than the original.
    To your health: Since Sunday marks the beginning of Heart Failure Awareness Week, please read Dr. Joseph Samyn’s request on Page 6. As the saying goes, the life you save may be your own. Your Valentine(s) will appreciate it.  Back to top

February 22, 2004
      Purple pulse: If you read the paper from back to front, then you should know that by the time you get to Page One, you will have read a lot of Lenten-related material. Use it in good spiritual health.
     Everybody’s talkin’ about it — or will be: The names of Mel Gibson, who is Catholic, and John Jay, who wasn’t, are going to be heard often in the days ahead. The film produced by the former and the study undertaken by the college that bears the latter’s name will give us much about which to think, pray, and talk — in that order — this coming week and throughout Lent. Think about it: Both the movie and the report are about victims.
      Timely text: In the wake of the Janet-Justin Super Bowl Show, there might not be a better book for Catholic parents to read than “Taming the Media Monster” by Dan Andriacco. Communications director for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Andriacco subtitled the book “Family Guide to Television, Internet and All the Rest.” If TV et al is a guest who won’t leave, who disrupts family life, is an electronic molester, this is your book. Published by St. Anthony Messenger Press, it retails for $9.95.
     Speaking of reading, Bert Ghezzi keeps it basic and to the point in “The Sign of the Cross: Recovering the Power of the Ancient Prayer.” This 110-page Lenten reflection will inspire you to reflect upon and live the Sign of the Cross. From Loyola Press, $16.95.  
     Smart shopper: Susan Harris of St. Helen, Hebron reminds you and me that this is a good time to shop for Caps for Kids since most winter items that remain are drastically reduced. St. Helen’s is one of the parishes at which Caps for Kids is a year-round concern. Our seventh annual collection officially gets underway Friday, Oct. 1.
     Travel plans: The diocese’s Office for Youth and Young Adult Ministry is already touting World Youth Day 2005 in Cologne, Germany. About $2,500 will get you on the trip. Call Kevin at 769-9292, Ext. 229.
      Seasoning: As happens every Lent, we are once again invited to participate in Operation Rice Bowl, and the Vatican is selling stamps in hopes of raising $620,000 to aid children who have AIDS. Then we learn that the Texas Rangers will still have to pay $67 million of the $179 million Alex Rodriguez, now a member of the Yankees, is owed over the remainder of his record $252 million, 10-year deal. The Yankees, who will pay $16 million a year to their new star, will have an annual payroll of $184 million this year. That’s an awful lot of rice bowls and stamps.  Back to top

February 29, 2004
      Context: By the time you read this, the John Jay study will be public. As background for the report, please read Bishop Gregory’s words, which begin on the front page, as well as the article on Page 12.  
      Speaking of the front page and reading, consider Father Eugene Hemrick’s advice about seeing “The Passion of the Christ.”
     Road trip: The diocese’s Office for Youth and Young Adult Ministry is already touting World Youth Day 2005 with Pope John Paul II and Bishop Melczek in Cologne, Germany. About $2,500, of which $500 is due by May 1, will get you, if you are between the ages of 16 and 30, on the trip. Call Kevin Driscoll at 769-9292, Ext. 229.
     Even though WYD is 17 months away, three countries’ bishops — Australia, South Africa, and Bolivia — are already jockeying to host the event in 2007. A priest from the Pontifical Council for the Laity, which oversees WYD, calls their behavior “very unprofessional.”
     Armed with faith, unharmed by crooks: Sister Nirmala Joshi, superior general of the Missionaries of Charity, and four members of her community were not harmed when armed robbers stopped 50 vehicles along an Indian road. She told Catholics News Service that one of the robbers said, “These are missionaries, leave them.” However, the priest driving the nuns was relieved of $22.
     Holiness personified: When Pope John Paul canonizes six people May 16, it will bring to 483 the number he has elevated to sainthood. He also plans to beatify four on March 21, and six on Apr. 25, bringing to 1,329 those who have been beatified during his pontificate. For more papal numbers, see Page 14.
     Winner: Judy Zielinski, a member of Our Lady of Consolation, Merrillville, was the winner for the sixth and final week of Read & Win! Her entry was drawn from among the 51 correct entries.
     Well, maybe it will be the end of the world: To hear Cub fans and sports talk show hosts tell it, the second coming of Greg Maddox has religious overtones, e.g., savior, glory.  Should Maddox be all they predict and the Cubs win the World Series, then we could see the second coming of the Savior who will come in glory because the world will surely have come to an end.
     Perspective: Lent is 40 days; it only seems like 40 weeks. Back to top

March
 March 7, 2004
     Lots of Lenten literature: It may take years of Lents for us to fully comprehend and to act upon the John Jay study and the National Review Board’s report. However, you can download both documents at www.usccb.org. It will take awhile, but they are worth reading.
    If you have neither the time nor the energy to immerse yourself in those tomes, the analysis that begins on the front page and everything on Pages 12-15 are an excellent compilation of what the study and report said.
     One of my hopes it that we never forget what we have learned from those documents and that we fulfill the recommendations made by the National Review Board.
     Speaking of the study, we already know that abuse has cost the Church — you and me — more than a half a billion dollars, but no word yet on how much the bill from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice is going to be for telling us that.
     Movin’ on up: According to the Vatican press office, Pope John Paul II passes Pope Leo XIII and moves into third place on the papal longevity list March 14 — 9,281 days after his election. The pope is more than five years behind the second place pontiff — Blessed Pope Pius IX — who held the office for 31 years. St. Peter occupies first place, even though no one knows exactly how long he was pope.
     Earthly rewards: Do you think that a year from now we’ll be talking about the number of Academy Awards given to “The Passion of the Christ”?
     Words of welcome: Please take time to read the pages devoted to Disability Awareness Month. To get more ideas on how your parish can be welcoming to those with disabilities, go to www.ncpd.org.
     Final thought: In everything you read and hear about sexual abuse of children, there are two questions no one should have to ask:
     Why did they wait so long to come forward?
     Are they doing it for the money?
     There are two questions everyone must continue to answer:
     What are we doing to help the victims heal?
     What are we doing to make sure this never happens again?   Back to top

 March 14, 2004
      Change your life in 127 minutes: Cardinal Francis George was right. After seeing a rough cut of “The Passion of the Christ” last July, he stated,  "I'll never read the words (of the Passion) the same way again."
     If there is a more powerful interpretation of Christ’s final hours than Mel Gibson’s version, please let me know. Unless your cause for sainthood will be promoted shortly after you die, this film should make a difference in how you live.
     For a contemporary depiction of the Passion of Christ, there’s the photo on the front page.
     Retro Nativism: Something that dates back to colonial times is considered valuable. That must have been the thinking at First Baptist Church of Schererville. Otherwise, why else would it have used its sign — pictured on Page 7 — to proclaim its anti-Catholicism?
     Note to Deacon Mark Plaiss, diocesan coordinator for ecumenism: Invite them to a Week of Prayer for Chrsitian Unity observance next January.
     Herstory-making appointments: In its 35-year-history, the Vatican’s International Theological Commission has never had a woman as a member. Now, Pope John Paul II has appointed two — Sister Sara Butler, a member of the Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity who teaches dogmatic theology at the New York Archdiocese's St. Joseph's Seminary, and Barbara Hallensleben, who teaches dogmatic theology at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland.
     The pope also named the first woman to be president of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences. She is Mary Ann Glendon, a professor of law at Harvard University and a member of the academy since its founding in 1994.
     Costly home improvement: Since 1991, the Archdiocese of San Francisco has spent more than $40 million retrofitting its churches and schools in order to make them quake-proof.
     According to Catholic News Service, the archdiocese expects to spend another $13.5 million on the project. Preventing major cracks puts a major crack in the budget.
     No frills column: Since Sunday is the start of National Clutter Awareness Week, only essential information has been published in this space. Non-essential information will return next week. Back to top

March 21, 2004
     March Madne$$: Going into the start of the NCAA Men’s Tournament on Thursday, nine Catholic schools and the religious communities that own them stood to gain some money: The Jesuits have four — Gonzaga, St. Joseph, Xavier, and Boston College. One each for the Vincentia's (De Paul), Marianists (Dayton), Christian Brothers (Manhattan), and Dominicans (Providence). The Archdiocese of Newark operates Seton Hall 
     With the exception of the championship game, a team’s conference receives $140,964 for each game in which that team participates. It is up to the conference to decide how that money is distributed.
     The Jesuit schools could make a bundle of money by forming their own conference ala the Big 10, Big East. They could name it after their founder and call it the Big Ig.
     Three Jesuit schools qualified teams — Marquette, Boston College, and Loyola-Marymount — for the women’s tournament. There is one each for the Holy Cross (Notre Dame), Franciscans (St. Francis, PA), Augustinians (Villanova), and Vincentia's (De Paul).
     In both tournaments, an all-Catholic Final Four is possible, but not probable.
     No gold medal for ecumenism: The Greek Orthodox Church doesn’t want the Catholic Church or any other “minority” church ministering to athletes during the Olympics in Athens this August. About 97 percent of Greece's 10.4 million citizens belong to the Orthodox Church; Catholics number about 200,000.
     Air wastes: "Popetown," a television cartoon program that portrays a corrupt Catholic Church, is scheduled to be aired by the British Broadcasting Corp. in May. According to a Catholic News Service report, the program is said to feature the pope as a childish pensioner whose every fickle whim must be indulged. And you thought TV programmers had reached the bottom of the sludge pond with “The Bachelor” and “The Simple Life.”
     Rituals in conflict: Catholic baseball fans in Boston, Milwaukee, and Arlington, Texas, are going to have to decide which is more important in their lives: observing Good Friday or feasting on Opening Day. If it’s the latter, the fast will still be in effect and they will have to observe it sans meat products.
     The Archdiocese of Boston has already told Catholic fans that there will be no dispensation allowing them to eat meat. According to the Associated Press, Church leaders thought baseball was too weak of an excuse for granting a dispensation. If the excuse was too weak, it was probably the only part of baseball that wasn’t on steroids.  Back to top

March 28, 2004
      Overdue for a championship: Going into Thursday night’s contests, there was still a possibility of a Jesuit championship game in the NCAA Men’s Tournament, as both St. Joseph and Xavier were in the Sweet 16.
     Here’s some NCAA/Catholic trivia you won’t read anywhere else:

     • Only twice has the men’s championship game featured two Catholic schools. In 1955, it was San Francisco over LaSalle, and in 1985, Villanova over Georgetown — the last time a Catholic school won the title.

     • There was only one year when there were more than two Catholic schools in the Final Four. St. John’s was there with Georgetown and Villanova in 1985.

     • The last time a Catholic school played in the championship game was 1989 when Seton Hall lost to Michigan.

     Honor: The University of Notre Dame will award its Laetare Medal to Father J. Bryan Hehir, a priest of the Archdiocese of Boston, during commencement on May 16. Father Hehir has served at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic Relief Services, and as head of Catholic charities USA. In making the announcement, Holy Cross Father Edward A. Malloy, Notre Dame president, said Father Hehir "has been exemplary in ministry, scholarship and administration alike."
     Paging: If you ever wondered how strong a deacon’s commitment is, see the front page. If you can’t get enough discussion about “The Passion of the Christ,” see Page 14. If you are an imperfect mother, see the top of Page 15.
     Gathering: If you or someone you know are between the ages of 29 and 37 and were adopted from Vietnam to the U.S. in 1974-1975 through the efforts of the Catholic Church, Sister Kateri Marueen Koverman would like to hear from you. Having worked with adoptees in Vietnam, she is organizing a conference for them. You can contact her at (513) 366-4426 or aboveashes@aol.com.
     Work from the inside: It is apropos that the bishop wrote about the Sacrament of Reconciliation as we prepare to observe National Cleaning Week. Take care of your soul and everything else will improve.   Back to top

April
 April 4, 2004
 Letter imperfect: So, I guess not everyone agreed with Father Charles Niblick’s views of “The Passion of the Christ.”
     “Why don’t we ever read anything about…?” For those who have been wondering why Catholics don’t receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation as often as they used to, please read the article that begins at the top of the front page. Much material for contemplating and discussing.
     Another point of view: Beginning with the Easter issue, Father Ron Rolheiser, an Oblate of Mary Immaculate, will be writing for your Northwest Indiana Catholic. He is a theologian and an award-winning author who will provide intellectual and spiritual stimulation.
     One very big campfire sing-along: Father Ian Williams wants to hear from current and former Camp Lawrence staff for a 45-year reunion at the camp, Saturday, June 5. Contact him at 638 N. Calumet Rd., Chesterton, 46304 or at iwilliams@stpatsparish.org.
     Have a seat: It appears as though that upcoming Vatican document on liturgical abuse is emphasizing that the laity know its place. I hope it will put even greater emphasis on the quality of the ministries performed by all people — ordained and lay.
     Book beat: Pope John Paul II’s next book, scheduled to be published in Italian on May 18 — his 84th birthday — will be about his 20 years as a bishop in Poland. According to Catholic News Service, the 200-page personal reflection was written last year. Its probable English title will be, "Get Up, Let Us Go," a phrase taken from the Gospel account of Christ's last encounter with his Apostles. No word as to when the English version will be ready.
     Hoopless case: I was really expecting to write about Xavier and/or St. Joseph’s being in the Final Four. Maybe by next year, more announcers will learn how to pronounce Xavier. Imagine what they would have done with Chaminade.  Back to top

April 11, 2004
     Why we need Easter: A seventh-grade teacher at a Catholic school in the Diocese of Sacramento, Calif. was fired for offering his students extra credit if they watched “The Passion of the Christ.”
     Why fired? It is against school policy to assign students to watch R-rated movies.
     Speaking of movies, please read Carole Norris Greene’s thoughts on Page 20.
     Birthday request: Pat Fortuna describes her husband, Joe, as a “man who never asks for anything.” That is why when she asked him what he wanted for his birthday, she was surprised to hear him say, “I really want to get the paper all the time.”
     She figured he meant one or both of the daily papers that serve their area of Lake County. He then informed her, “The Northwest Indiana Catholic. There’s so much more in there.”
     Since the couple had moved, their subscription had lapsed. A neighbor had been sharing her subscription with them, but her subscription had lapsed, too. So, Pat paid the $21 for Joe’s birthday gift, and now he receives his Northwest Indiana Catholic every Friday. And Joe’s right. There is so much more in here.
     Tradition continues: On Page 10, you’ll find information about nominating someone from the high school Class of 2004 for our 18th annual Tribute to Graduates. Deadline is May 14.
   Political responsibility: For everyone who cares about the presidential election, please read the articles on Pages 18 and 19. If it’s too early for you to care, save those pages for fall.
     For even more information and discussion on the election, you can hear John Carr, director of the Department of Social Development and World Peace at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. His talk will be hosted by the Heartland Center, April 15, 7:30 p.m., Our Lady of Perpetual Church, Hammond. Call 844-7515 for details.
     Why we need Easter II: The Associated Press reports that thousands of people from a Vietnam village are flocking to a beach to worship a dead whale. They plan to honor it by building a temple out of its bones.       Back to top

April 18, 2004
      Great divide: Catholics for Bush; Catholics for Kerry. How deep and how wide will the division be by Election Day?
     Can’t tell the players without a program: Not sure if it is just a wise marketing move or if the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops wants people to know its members. Anyhow, they are making available to you the pictorial directory of U.S. bishops for only $19.95. Orders may be placed by calling (202) 541-3200. Since it also contains information about committee chairs and memberships, it will be great for Catholic trivia contests.
     If sales go well, maybe the USCCB will contract with one of the trading card companies in order to produce a set of collector cards containing photos of the 400 cardinals, archbishops, and bishops from the U.S. Imagine the trade talk:
     “I’ll give you the cardinal of Baltimore for two Chicago auxiliary bishops, the bishop of Syracuse, and the archbishop of Portland.”
     “Throw in a bishop to be named later and you have a deal.”
     You who: Regarding the story that begins on Page 7, Father Michael Joncas is probably very glad none of his songs was going through his mind while he was ill. The first two chords of “On Eagle’s Wings” and he would have known he was residing in the eternal shelter of the Lord. 
     Good people doing good things: During 2003, Pope John Paul II gave $1.68 million for emergency disaster relief and development aid. The money came from gifts the pope received from individuals, religious orders and dioceses, according to Catholic News Service.
     Catholic quote worth recycling: Jake Luddy, the paperboy who gave his monthly earnings to a homeless shelter, said: "I kind of have enough stuff and I didn't need to buy anything." Keep that in mind as you prepare to celebrate the “holy day” on April 25th  — Earth Day. Back to top

April 25, 2004
      Political signage: Whenever you see this logo between now and Nov. 2, consider it your invitation to voter education. Please take time to read the material that accompanies it.
     Earth Day quiz: Who said the following: “Modern society will find no solution to the ecological problem unless it takes a serious look at its life style. In many parts of the world society is given to instant gratification and consumerism while remaining indifferent to the damage which these cause…the seriousness of the ecological issue lays bare the depth of man’s moral crisis. If an appreciation of the value of the human person and of human life is lacking, we will also lose interest in others and in the earth itself. Simplicity, moderation and discipline, as well as a spirit of sacrifice, must become a part of everyday life, lest all suffer the negative consequences of the careless habits of a few.”
     Earth Day quiz answer: Pope John Paul II, January 1, 1990.
     If E.T. were pope: You and your Cingular, Verizon or AT&T cell phone can receive a daily text message containing the words of Pope John Paul II. It is available around 11 a.m. and will cost you 30 cents. To subscribe, send a text message saying "Pope on" to the number 24444. To unsubscribe, callers use the same number to send the text message "Pope off."
     Huh?: As National TV Turn Off Week comes to a close, try to digest this quote from an Associated Press story about why “The Passion of the Christ” will probably not air on network TV: “The movie's graphic scenes of Jesus Christ's crucifixion were said to make broadcasters skittish, particularly in the post-Janet Jackson era when government officials are closely watching what goes on television.”
     There’s more: “Fox is awaiting the evaluation of its broadcast standards department before making a decision on whether to pursue airing it…”
     Broadcasters concerned about “standards,” and “graphic scenes” make them “skittish”? They’ve built programming departments without standards and by increasing the number of graphic scenes. Back to top

May
 May 2, 2004
 Best of Banter
   Why we need Easter: A seventh-grade teacher at a Catholic school in the Diocese of Sacramento, Calif. was fired for offering his students extra credit if they watched "The Passion of the Christ."  Why fired? It is against school policy to assign students to watch R-rated movies.
    Why we need Easter II: The Associated Press reports that thousands of people from a Vietnam village are flocking to a beach to worship a dead whale. They plan to honor it by building a temple out of its bones.
   Can't tell the players without a program: Not sure if it is just a wise marketing move or if the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops wants people to know its members. Anyhow, they are making available to you the pictorial
directory of U.S. bishops for only $19.95. Orders may be placed by calling (202) 541-3200. Since it also contains information about committee chairs and memberships, it will be great for Catholic trivia contests.
   If sales go well, maybe the USCCB will contract with one of the trading card companies in order to produce a set of collector cards containing photos of the 400 cardinals, archbishops, and bishops from the U.S. Imagine
the trade talk:    "I'll give you the cardinal of Baltimore for two Chicago auxiliary bishops, the bishop of Syracuse, and the archbishop of Portland."  "Throw in a bishop to be named later and you have a deal."
   Huh?: As National TV Turn Off Week comes to a close, try to digest this quote from an Associated Press story about why "The Passion of the Christ" will probably not air on network TV: "The movie's graphic scenes of Jesus
Christ's crucifixion were said to make broadcasters skittish, particularly in the post-Janet Jackson era when government officials are closely watching what goes on television."
   There's more: "Fox is awaiting the evaluation of its broadcast standards department before making a decision on whether to pursue airing it."   Broadcasters concerned about 'standards,' and 'graphic scenes' make them
'skittish'? They¹ve built program.  Back to top

May 9, 2004
 Moms: Yours and mine — Happy Mother’s Day.
     And it’s only May: So, if Gov. Kernan wins the governorship, I guess Bishop D’Arcy won’t be asked to give the invocation at his inauguration. Then again…
     Cardinal George says he’s growing weary answering questions about giving Communion to pro-abortion Catholic politicians. He might as well get used to it. The Arinze Factor, named in honor of the head of the Congregation for Divine Worship and Sacraments who gave the question international prominence, will be with us from now until Nov. 2.
     I’m not sure if the group is optimistic or delusional, but Democrats for Life has a better chance of winning Powerball than it does having someone speak at the Democratic National Convention.
     Deadline: This Friday, May 14, is the deadline for nominating a member of the high school Class of 2004 for the Tribute to Graduates. Nomination forms are available by calling 769-9292, Ext. 252.
     Helping others help themselves: Father Robert Vitillo, executive director of the Campaign for Human Development, recently acknowledged the $53,778.27 you and other Northwest Indiana Catholics contributed to the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. That money was part of the $8.75 million CCHD used to support 318 self-help projects.
     Bookin’: Phil Potempa, a member of All Saints, San Pierre, signs copies of his book, “From the Farm” this Saturday, May 8, 1 p.m., Barnes & Noble, Merrillville.
     East Chicago native Sister Karol Jackowski provides much about which to think and maybe a jolt to your blood pressure that night, 7 o’clock, at St. Maria Goretti, Dyer, when she talks about her book, “The Silence We Keep: A Nun’s View of the Catholic Priest Scandal.”
     Speaking of which, Father Dan Pacholec, vocations director for the Diocese of Springfield, Mass., raised nearly $25,000 via per-mile pledges for victims of clergy sexual abuse when he ran the Boston Marathon. The fund — independent of the diocese — will be overseen by an advisory board of victims’ family members who will determine how the money will be dispersed.
     Travel plans: Pope John Paul II is going to Switzerland June 5-6 for a youth gathering. It will be his third papal trip to that country, and the 103rd foreign trip of his pontificate.
     Kids: Yours and mine — call your mother Sunday.  Back to top

May 16, 2004
      Red brick road: First a sit-down with Cardinal McCarrick, and then another with Cardinal Mahony. This might be the Kerry campaign’s version of a “Catholic strategy” — meet with members of the College of Cardinals in order to win the Electoral College.
     President Bush’s campaign has a “Catholic strategy” of its own. While his opponent is busy visiting U.S. cardinals, the chief executive makes an appointment to see the pope to talk about Iraq. Let us pray the pontiff makes more headway with the president on this topic than he has in the past.
     National Composting Awareness Week was May 2-8, but U.S. ambassador to the Vatican Jim Nicholson still wants you and I to believe that the June 4 pope-president meeting “doesn't have anything to do with it being a political year."
      If you get a chance, please read John Leo’s column titled “The bishops and the pols” in the May 17 issue of U.S. News and World Report. Common sense advice. In the same issue, you will also read that the sixth of George Stephanopoulos’ seven signs for the Kerry campaign’s newsroom would be: “’Catholics count.’ His hint to Kerry: ‘The swing vote is white Catholics.”
     If you’re a white Catholic, you’ve just gotta feel special, don’t you?
     Faith and the battlefield: As we observe Armed Forces Day this Saturday, please read Sgt. Brad Brewster’s Easter story on Page 6.
      In case you missed it: Remember that we commemorate the Solemnity of the Ascension on the Seventh Sunday of Easter — May 23 this year. You have no obligation to attend Mass on Thursday, May 20.
      Excellent timing: Notice how gas in Northwest Indiana went to $2-plus a gallon just as National Fitness and Exercise Week was getting underway?  Back to top

May 23, 2004
      Please, that’s Dr. Bird and Dr. Grouch: Villanova University graduates received an 11-minute commencement address from honorary degree recipient Carroll Spinney — the voice of Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch — who told them, "Love and forgive everyone. It's a good life. Enjoy it." I would have added, “Remember to stop by the bursar’s office before leaving campus.” 
     Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Alan Page was more profound at his alma mater. He told University of Notre Dame graduates, "Grabbing what we want for ourselves and ignoring everyone else is simply not acceptable. We can use the magic of this place to do good."
     And then there’s Wayne Sanders, the vice chairman of Marquette University's Board of Trustees and honorary degree recipient, who announced that he’d give the school $1 million if they would switch their nickname from Golden Eagles back to Warriors. He claims another board member has also pledged $1 million for the name change.
     The next day, Marquettte’s president. Jesuit Father Robert Wild, provided the unintentional comedic response when he said, "It deserves careful consideration, but we must remember that this decision is not about money." A Jesuit school and it’s not about money? Uh, yeah, OK der Father.
     Catholic quote of the week I: Pope John Paul II: "I have never put on my bishop's pectoral cross with indifference. For more than 45 years the cross has rested on my chest, next to my heart."
     On tour: In case you missed seeing the Our Lady of the New Millennium statue when it was in Hammond last week, Rosella Tuszynski and her son Andrew tell us that it is appearing at Christ the King Parish in Lombard May 23 – June 5. You can call (630) 629-1717, Ext. 23 or 26, or e-mail CTKMusic@Comcast.net for more information.
     Canonization contest: As Pope John Paul II gets closer to canonizing his 500th saint, the Congregation for the Causes of Saints should sponsor a contest, inviting people to guess who will be number 500. Great fund raising opportunity for the Holy See.
     Catholic quote of the week II: Father Richard Rohr: “Healed people heal people.”
     Rome radio reports: Bishop Melczek and Relevant Radio will both be at the Vatican next week. You should be able to hear the bishop each morning on 1270 AM.  Back to top

May 30, 2004
      Gettin’ nasty: Judie Brown and her American Life League’s “Crusade for the Defense of Our Catholic Church,” who are attacking Cardinal Theodore McCarrick for his unwillingness to deny the Eucharist to John Kerry and other pro-abortion Catholics, ought to take Pope John Paul II’s words to heart: "As in any family, the church's internal harmony can at times be challenged by a lack of charity and the presence of conflict among her members."
     How much of a challenge? ALL is sending a copy of its attack ad to every bishop in the U.S.  Not sure what message that is supposed to convey, but the U.S. Postal Service will appreciate the revenue.
     Remembered and honored: Calumet Park Cemetery will honor the late Father Leonard Lukaszewski with a tree and a plaque this Sunday, May 30, 11:30 a.m., in its military section — section 17. Ordained 50 years ago this month, Father Lukaszewski, a World War II veteran who served two tours of duty as a chaplain in Viet Nam, retired with the rank of colonel. Further information is available by calling Sue at 769-8803.
     Must reading: Before you recycle it or pass this week’s paper along to someone else, please clip or photocopy Father John Catoir’s column on letting go which appears on Page 16. The prayer that accompanies the column should get a lot of use.
     I am e3: If that’s a vanity license plate, I haven’t seen it. What I have seen about I am e3 are the materials from the Paulist National Catholic Evangelization Association. The e3 stands for evangelizing everyday everywhere.  If you or your parish pastoral council has made evangelization a priority, you can get support for your effort and view I am e3 materials at www.iame3.org.
     Publishing advisory: We will begin our summer stewardship schedule following the next two issues. Your Northwest Indiana Catholic will not be published on June 20, July 4 and 18, Aug. 1 and 15. However, you always have access to Catholic news and information at www.nwincatholic.com.
     Inflation, Motivation & Formation: In reading the Page 2 story about the Catechism Bowl at St. John the Evangelist, St. John, I realized how valuable catechism knowledge has become. Four decades ago we competed for laminated holy cards and candy bars; they earned cash. When it comes to motivation for learning, a color print of St. Philomena just doesn’t work as well as an image of Ben Franklin printed in green ink.
     Sew you know: This Wednesday, June 2, is National Tailors Day.  Back to top

June
June 6, 2004
     Cool school: Please take time to become familiar with the family named Indiana Harbor Catholic School.
    Publishing advisory: We will begin our summer stewardship schedule following the next issue. Your award-winning — it feels good to write that again — Northwest Indiana Catholic will not be published on June 20, July 4 and 18, Aug. 1 and 15. However, you always have access to Catholic news and information at www.nwincatholic.com.
    As for the awards, thank you for giving us the opportunity to publish a newspaper whose quality is admired by our peers.
    Book report: Pope John Paul II’s book "Get Up, Let Us Go," will be published by Time Warner Book Group in the United States in September. The book chronicles the pope’s 20 years as a bishop in Poland.
    Radio waves: Beginning Sunday, June 20, Mass from Our Lady of Consolation, Merrillville, will be heard on Relevant Radio, 1270 AM, at 11 a.m.
    Roman Law: It’s not like he was standing in the unemployment line, but Pope John Paul II has found a job for retired Cardinal Bernard F. Law.  The pope has appointed him to be the new archpriest of the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome. The 72-year-old cardinal will oversee the administration and liturgical life of St. Mary Major, one of the four major basilicas of Rome. If the basilica ever needed any furnishings, the new archpriest could probably get them from one of the 70 parishes that have closed in his former archdiocese.
    Taxing situation: If the articles on Pages 6 and 14 are any indication, don’t expect your parish and/or diocese to be very vocal during this election year. Tax-exempt status isn’t cheap. Look at the price the Church pays for that privilege.
    Keep the ice pack handy: National Headache Awareness Week begins Sunday.   Back to top

June 13, 2004
      The future is now: Since the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith wants to meet with members of the U.S. bishops’ Task Force on Catholics in Public Life, it is very possible that the task force will present its guidelines on how to handle relationships with Catholics whose actions in public life are not in accord with church teaching before Election Day.
     I suggest that the guidelines be titled or subtitled “Let’s Get Ready to Rumble.”
     Class of class: Please take time to meet the men and women who comprise our Tribute to the Class of 2004. Oh, if you know people who graduated from high school this year and who will be starting college this fall, please share Rachel Solokowski’s article with them. It starts   on Page 11.
     Savor it: Take your time reading this week’s Northwest Indiana Catholic as you will not receive another issue for two weeks. However, if you read — and act upon — the words of Fathers Rolheiser and Catoir and Carole Norris Greene, your spiritual health will improve by the time your next one arrives on June 25.
     Catholic trifecta: Smarty Jones doesn’t have a triple crown, but how’s this: According to Catholic News Service, he was born on Ash Wednesday 2001; there’s a Sacred Heart medal under his saddle; and his trainer is Catholic.
     Summer reading: If you suffer from a severe case of ethnocentrism, try one of these:
     • The 20th anniversary edition of “We Drink From Our Own Wells: The Spiritual Journey of a People” by Gustavo Gutiérrez;
     • “A God of Incredible Surprises: Jesus of Galilee” by Virgilio Elizondo; or
     • “The Violence of Love” by Archbishop Oscar Romero.
     Cardinalatial trash talkin’: Cardinal Roger Mahony of Los Angeles says, "I'm looking forward to a great series, but in the end there will be no stopping the Lakers," while Cardinal Adam Maida of Detroit says, “more than likely they're (the Lakers) going to lose their shirts and the series."
     The two also have a wager. If LA wins, Cardinal Maida sends home-raised honey, jam and canned goods to be distributed to low-income families. If Detroit prevails, Cardinal Mahony sends T-shirts and baked goods to be distributed to homeless shelters.
     And Cardinal Francis George probably wonders if he’ll ever get to make a similar wager on one of Chicago’s teams between now and when he is scheduled to retire in 2012. Uh, probably not.  Back to top

June 20, 2004
No issue published
Back to top

June 27, 2004
      Faithful citizenship: After reading what Time magazine learned about Catholic voters, it appears that Catholicism is going to be a non-factor in the presidential election. Howevver, if you are among those whose faith does mean something when it comes to voting, stay with us through Election Day as we will provide you with you information that will assist you in being “informed, active, and responsible participants in the political process,” as the bishops note in “Faithful Citizenship: A Catholic Call to Political Responsibility.”
     Speaking of the bishops, little did they know last September, when their administrative board approved that document, that the questions it contains would be asked of a fellow Catholic. It will be interesting to see how much blame or credit the bishops receive for the election’s outcome.
     New lobbyist: Glenn A. Tebbe is the new executive director of the Indiana Catholic Conference. He replaces the retiring M. Desmond Ryan who had been at the ICC for 29 years, including 24 as executive director.
     Labels, not cards: Mary Cusik of St. Edward, Lowell called to say that the St. Jude Ranch for Children no longer needs old Christmas cards, but they do accept Campbell’s soup labels. You can send them to the ranch at 100 St. Jude’s St., Boulder City, NV 89005. 
     Wider Web: If you go to www.nwicatholic.com this week, you’ll find plenty to read, including the text of the bishops’ statement on politicians and book and movie reviews. If you are concerned go through Catholic information withdrawal between now and when we publish again on July 11, check the Web site for a dose of Catholicism.
     Beatification for inspiration: Sister Anne Catherine Emmerich, the German nun whose books of visions "The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ," inspired Mel Gibson to make “The Passion of the Christ,” is scheduled to be beatified Oct. 3 by Pope John Paul II.
     Because she was illiterate, the Vatican questions her authorship of the volume, and did not consider the book, seen as anti-Semitic by some members of the Jewish community, in making her case for beatification.  Back to top

 July
 July 4, 2004
No issue published
Back to top

July 11, 2004
      It could have been worse: Cardinal Ratzinger’s memo being leaked and printed may have elicited a few groans among U.S. bishops on Tuesday, but imagine how complicated their lives would have become had that same day John Kerry chosen a pro-abortion Catholic instead of a pro-abortion Methodist as his running mate.
     Oh, much has been written about the Task Force on Catholic Bishops and Catholic Politicians. You already know that the head of the task force is Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick of Washington. How ‘bout the other members? They are Cardinal William H. Keeler of Baltimore; Archbishop William J. Levada of San Francisco; Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas of Tucson, Ariz.; Bishop Bernard J. Harrington of Winona, Minn.; Bishop John H. Ricard of Pensacola-Tallahassee, Fla.; and Coadjutor Bishop Thomas G. Wenski of Orlando, Fla.
     It is worse: The filing of Chapter 11 bankruptcy by the Archdiocese of Portland is painful, but no matter how many zeroes you add to those dollar amounts, it does not come close to the depth of spiritual bankruptcy abusers inflicted upon their victims.
     Bringing the church home: Much has been written about the family as the domestic church and the importance of the link between the parish and home. That’s why it’s nice to see Father Ed Kennedy helping members of Holy Name, Cedar Lake make that connection via the Masses he is celebrating at their homes this summer. 
     Banter follow-up: In case you were wondering, Cardinal Roger Mahony did make good on his bet with Cardinal Adam Maida. Because the Pistons defeated the Lakers, the Los Angeles prelate helped pack and ship products made by Homeboy Industries in East Los Angeles. The items, including silk-screened T-shirts, messenger bags and other products bearing the Homeboy logo, went to a homeless shelter in Detroit.
     Signing sighting: In this 65th anniversary year for the Franciscan Sisters in Crown Point, Dolores Fetcko has written “Grow in Love,” copies of which she will be signing July 14, 1 p.m., at the Crown Point Library.
     Speaking of anniversaries, here’s a trifecta for you: On Saturday, July 24, the Angela Retreat House, which is located in the 100-year-old convent at St. Mary, Michigan City, will mark its 10th anniversary. The founder of Angela House, Sister Anna Clare O’Connor, is marking her 60th anniversary as a member of the Sisters of the Holy Cross. Details at 873-1324.
     Good people doing good things: Sister of St. Agnes Peg Spindler, director of Sojourner Truth House, writes to say, “Thank you,” for making their fifth annual walk-a-thon a success. Sojourner Truth House provides — on average — food, clothing, and toiletries to more than 250 economically disadvantaged women eavery month. For more information on their work, call 885-2282.
     Write to the heart: Like you, I only know Father Ron Rolheiser through his writing, but have you noticed how it seems like his keyboard is connected to your heart? Oh, if you haven’t read any of them, you’ll find that his books have the same impact as his column.
     Lettuce remind you: We don’t publish next week, but we’ll be back on the 25th — the start of National Salad Week.       Back to top

July 18, 2004
No issue published
Back to top

July 25, 2004
     No MD TD in DC: The possibility of U.S. Sen. Mike Ditka giving U.S. Sen. Tom Daschle a stiff arm — politically or otherwise — had potential.
     Soul2: Members of St. Maria Goretti Parish in Dyer can look forward to a liturgical dance ministry that will make its debut Aug. 15. Parishioners have been informed that “Gospel Hip Hop” is coming in September. Amy Grant meets Usher — no, not the one who passes the Offertory basket. Ask your kids or grandkids to explain.
      Kudos to every parish that puts this kind of planning into its liturgies. When it comes to music, it takes a lot of effort to move beyond Joncas and the Jesuits. 
     Faith at home: “The Passion of the Christ” will be released on VHS and DVD Aug. 31.
     Brother, can you spare a euro?: The Archdiocese of Portalnd isn’t the only church entity that is financially challenged. For the third consecutive year, the Holy See ran a deficit. This time it amounted to $11.7 million and, according to Catholic News Service, the Vatican City State was $10.8 million in the red.
     There is an oversight group called the "Council of Cardinals for the Study of the Organizational and Economic Problems of the Holy See." An irony is that Cardinal Bernard Law is a member of that group while the Archdiocese of Boston figures out how to recover from $120 million worth of financial woes that his inaction helped incur.
     Feed the hungry: Diane McKern, who you may know from her involvement wit the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, needs your help. She is the Meals on Wheels coordinator for Hammond where the number of clients is “growing steadily.” In order to provide meals for everyone who needs them, she would like you to volunteer a few hours a week. To volunteer for Meals on Wheels, either in Hammond or elsewhere in Lake County, call 663-6078.
     Sweet music: It’s encouraging to read the word “harmony” in that front-page story about the Holy See and U.S. bishops. Let’s hope they carry that tune all the way through Election Day.  Back to top
 

August
August 1, 2004
 No issue published
Back to top

 August 8, 2004
     Kerryover: The Democratic nominee for president stated the obvious during his acceptance speech: “I don't wear my own faith on my sleeve.” It might be politically incorrect and not very stylish for Catholic politicians to do so, but I’d prefer them living their faith instead of wearing it.
    Speaking of sleeves, did you know Planned Parenthood was selling T-shirts with “I had an abortion” emblazoned on them? Sounds to me like a $15 cry for help.
     Letter of the law: The title alone — “Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on the Collaboration of Men and Women in the Church and in the World — is an indication that the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith’s July 31 tome might be difficult to digest:
    “While these traits [listening, welcoming, humility, faithfulness, praise and waiting] should be characteristic of every baptized person, women in fact live them with particular intensity and naturalness. In this way, women play a role of maximum importance in the Church's life by recalling these dispositions to all the baptized and contributing in a unique way to showing the true face of the Church, spouse of Christ and mother of believers.
    “In this perspective one understands how the reservation of priestly ordination solely to men does not hamper in any way women's access to the heart of Christian life.”
    Oh.
    Since this is a letter and not a general instruction, I don’t understand why the congregation generalized that women “in fact”
live the aforementioned traits with “particular intensity and naturalness.”
     Knight time: The state council of the Knights of Columbus is well represented by members from Northwest Indiana. The newly-elected state deputy is Jeff Biel of Munster. Stephan Ziemba of Hammond is treasurer, Martin Ruzbasan of Hobart is warden, and Father Theodore Mens, pastor of St. Mary, Griffith, is the chaplain. All will serve two-year terms.
    Line on on-line reviews: If you rent videos and/or go to the movies, you’ll find reviews with a Catholic perspective at www.nwicatholic.com.
    As we were: Publication of your Aug. 22 Northwest Indiana Catholic marks the resumption of our weekly publishing schedule. By that time, the Olympics will have made us wiser in the fine art of yngling, and we’ll be here just in time for the start of the women’s 20K walk in which the competitors will exhibit particular intensity and naturalness. Back to top

 August 15, 2004
 No issue published
Back to top

 August 22, 2004
      High fiber diet: The Building and Grounds Committee from the St. Bridget, Hobart, published this notice in the Aug. 8 parish bulletin: “There is an epidemic of chewing gum and cigarette butts on St. Bridget property. So please, as you enter the parking lot, swallow the gum or cigarette. Thank you.”
     For those a quart low: St. Thomas More Parish, Munster is enticing you to give blood this Sunday by offering you Oberweis ice cream in exchange. The pint-for-quart runs from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the parish gym. Call 836-8610 for details or an appointment.
     To be honored: Bishop Dale J. Melczek is the honoree for St. Jude House’s second annual Celebration of Achievement, Friday, Sept. 24, at the Radisson in Merrillville. Proceeds from the event will be used to support the programs and services St. Jude House provides to families that are victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Order your tickets by calling 662-3477.
Back to top

 August 29, 2004
 Back to top
 

September
September 5, 2004
     Getting the message: It appears that Catholic voters are listening to their bishops and giving consideration to candidates’ views on a variety of life issues in this election.
     Be true to your school: From 1976 to 1985, the late Father Patrick Connolly served as Bishop Noll Institute principal. In fact, he wore a letterman’s jacket on which it stated “BNI principal.” Now, as a result of a gift from the priest’s mother, Jennie, and his sister, Jennifer, that jacket is being worn by Scott Fech, who has been Noll principal since 2002. As a member of the Noll Class of 1985, Fech earned a letter in band.
    Scorecard: With the death of Barcelona’s Cardinal Marcelo Gonzalez Martin Aug. 25, there are 189 cardinals in the world. Of them, 123 are eligible, i.e., under 80 years old, to vote in a papal conclave.
     Papal pages: "Rise, Let Us Be on Our Way," the English edition of Pope John Paul II's latest book, which covers his 20 years as a bishop, will be in bookstores Sept. 28. Published by Warner Books, cost is $22.95.
    Reminders:
    • Your contribution to aid relief efforts in Sudan or for victims of Hurricane Charley should be sent to Catholic Charities, 973 W. Sixth Ave., Gary 46402. Please designate which victims you wish to help.
    • Your reservation for the Sept. 24  St. Jude House Celebration of Achievement dinner is due Sept. 6. Call Blossom at 662-3477. This year’s honoree is Bishop Dale J. Melczek.
     Sartorial sainthood:  Catholic News Service reports that Honolulu artist Dietrich Varez has designed a dress shirt with images of Blessed Damien de Veuster on it. I hope it is designed to self-destruct should someone try wearing it with plaid Bermuda shorts, black socks, brown wingtips, and an orange mesh cap with “Hooters” imprinted on it.
    Unless one of these shirts is worn in a music video, Verez may be hard-pressed to sell — at $69 each — the 1,500 he’s made. However, if it does become popular, look for the beatified on a mass marketed line of clothing available at the Hagiographic Haberdashery.
    Not very sporting of him: Next time Corneilius Horan wants to disrupt an Olympic event, he ought to try mixing it up with an archer, fencer or javelin hurler.  Back to top

September 12, 2004
      Spiritual maturation: This week we welcome more than 1,000 families to the readership of your Northwest Indiana Catholic newspaper. They are receiving the paper through Bishop Melczek’s “Maturing in Faith” program — an evangelization effort geared toward seventh- and eighth-graders and their families. As part of this program, the seventh- and eighth-graders who attend religious education classes or who are enrolled in a Catholic school will be using the paper in their faith formation classes.
     Sound bite fright: Is it possible that the Holy See isn’t publicly expressing interest in the U.S. presidential election because they’re concerned that should they say something, it will find its way into a newscast or a candidate’s commercial? Or maybe it’s just that they have serious issues with both candidates.
     Speaking of the election, another article based upon the U.S. bishops’ political responsibility statement appears on Page 15.  If you can’t get enough election fodder, give some thought to what Father Byron says in the article to the left.
     Dinner to go: Cardinal Francis George will probably order take-out since he’ll be in Mexico on Oct. 15, but he is still considered the host for the Cardinal’s Dinner which will be held at the Hyatt Regency to support Guest House. Your $200 contribution not only gets you something to eat and drink, but it allows you to support a rehab facility that has treated more than 6,300 clergy and religious for alcoholism since 1956. Call (800) 626-6910 for more information.
     That time of year: Next week’s issue of your Northwest Indiana Catholic will be your 2004-2005 Northwest Indiana Catholic Directory. It can answer a lot of your questions about the Catholic Church in Northwest Indiana, so please read it, keep it handy, refer to it often, and just wear it out from use so you’ll be ready for the 2005-2006 edition.
      e-simony: Associated Press reported that three Hurricane Frances survivors had bid 15 cents each on eBay to have a woman pray for them. It can be an evil Web we weave.  Back to top
September 19, 2004
 No issue published
 Back to top

September 26, 2004
 Unbelievers welcome: If you don’t believe racism has ever permeated the Church, please reread our lead story, then come to the Cathedral at 2 p.m. Oct. 3. 
   Newspaper that reads like a letter from home: Kudos to Father Theodore Mens and the parishioners of St. Mary, Griffith, for undertaking Operation: Keep in Touch with the Troops. Not only are people being encouraged to send letters and cards to the 15 people from the parish who are serving in the armed forces, but he has also purchased a subscription to your Northwest Indiana Catholic for each of them. We welcome your parish to do the same for members who are in the service.
     Pests & Politicians: Don’t get the two confused. Dealing with the former is included in our coverage on the Home Improvement pages, while dealing with the latter is part of our Catholic Vote material on Pages 18 and 19. Isn’t it ironic that some Vatican officials, most of whom are as deft as precinct captains, are squeamish about politics?
     Head start: Donna Richwalski from St. John the Evangelist, St. John, has jumpstarted our seventh annual Caps for Kids collection by bringing in the 100 caps and mittens that she made. We officially begin Oct. 1, but we’ll accept your donations of money and/or new caps, gloves and mittens at anytime.
     Words of wary: How many more diocesan histories will include a Chapter 11?
    Directory assistance: If you should find that your 2004-2005 Northwest Indiana Catholic that you received last week is missing a piece of information or that it contains incorrect data, please let us know.
    Fido and Fluffy get religion: You already know that holiday gift-giving to pets is a big business, but if you can’t wait to get your animals involved in the season, you’ll be more thrilled than I am to know that there are Advent calendars for dogs and cats. Really, if there is going to be an Advent calendar geared to animals, shouldn’t it be for donkeys and sheep?
    Sharin’ your Lov(i)e: I would have been disappointed had several of you not e-mailed or phoned after last Sunday’s Chicago-Green Bay penitential service. The Packers’ performance was awful, but their generosity was exemplary. Borrowing the mantra of Cubs’ fans, wait until next year — Jan. 2 to be exact. Back to top

October
October 3, 2004
 Brian T. Olszewski is getting organized for Get Organized Week, which begins Oct. 3 — the same date Banter is scheduled to return.  Back to top

 October 10, 2004
 From the “Wait until next year” file: Cardinal Roger Mahony of Los Angeles announces in September that he’s going to be on sabbatical during October, and the Dodgers battle their way into the play-offs. Note to Cubs management and fans: Make arrangements with Cardinal Francis George to consider the same strategy for next year.
            A-1 Atonement: Kudos to Father Rick Dudash and the anti-racism committee for an inspirational atonement service at Holy Angels Cathedral. May it be a nutrient for the seeds that have been sown for more than two years.
            No bars to generosity: With Caps for Kids under way, we are pleased to report our first monetary contribution of the season —$150 from the St. Dismas Community. What makes this unique, and is a demonstration of their generosity, is that the St. Dismas Community is comprised entirely of inmates at the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City.
            Honored x 2: Not only was Bishop Melczek the honoree when St. Jude House held its Celebration of Achievement on Sept. 24, but he was also named a Sagamore of the Wabash during the celebration.
            In case you were wondering — and even if you weren’t: Here are 10 reasons why I accepted the job of executive editor/general manager of the Catholic Herald, newspaper of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee:<