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The Southern Cross BICENTENNIAL PROGRAM Parish Series Will Give Opportunity To Speak Up IHOCEH1- Ol • j» o Box 8789 S*VA**A«, Ol lOii September 1, 1975 M y dear Weods in Christ, yott about the NationdDWOfPW^f^^ This past 1 r5-S££ ^rrarionai oleCce. Orient Ford as he pari*^Contributionto examine our vou that this fal states as part of „ program mvi assist the Church a Sops Of **£*“*£ the area o? justice »** •*“. in the years to “ActSr^r social justice » «he • V.tfts'.tflSS coordinated program, ^ported to those re f Octo ber of W * ° • these discussions w ,® t » national conference to be hei BIO gram. 1 extend a help them P«pa« fot » nat '° n , ^ DOSSib le take part »» ** PW^ counc » s of we^findtheir fullest expression and o reafflrro ou, promotion ” ov to reexamine an oossib , e *e find their fullest expression anu reaffirm our promotion.” us a „ opportunity Jo JJ” take the fullest possible This Bicentennial unde^j*»f t £ my pra y erful hope commitment to suc ^^ nity offered us. Devo tedly yours in Chnst, advantage of the pf Devotedly yours in Christ, u). V Bishop of Savannah Much Enthusiasm At Youth Meet BY FR. MICHAEL SMITH August 15 - 17 were the dates Savannah’s Camp Villa Marie, was the place. Eighty young people and adult moderators - representing 20 different parishes and schools - gathered for the diocesan Youth Leadership Workshop. The sharing generated so much enthusiasm that at the closing liturgy one of the groups described the event in the following paraphrase of the Biblical account of the first Pentecost: “When the day of the workshop had arrived, all the young people were gathered together in one place. Suddenly, there was sharing and the sounds of many voices which filled the auditorium! Then they saw what it looked like - love spreading out and each person there was touched in some way by another. They were all filled with enthusiasm and talked of great things, as the Spirit of Christ enabled them to speak. “Yes, there were Christians living in Georgia, religious men and women who came from every county in the diocese. When they heard about this workshop and felt the love, they all gathered together. They were all excited because Savannah Self Study The city of Savannah is noted for its historic events and sites. The Catholic Church in Savannah will take a noted step in its history on Saturday, September 20th, 1975. The Savannah Self-Study Steering Committee will sponsor a historic Deanery Assembly on this date, at Blessed Sacrament Church, 1003 East Victory Drive, beginning with registration from 9 to 9:30 a.m. The Savannah Self-Study Steering Committee has been meeting and planning for one year in the Chatham Deanery; the Committee has been studying models and schedules for the self-study of the Chatham Deanery. This Deanery Assembly on Saturday, September 20,1975, is convened by the Self-Study Committee in order to place the tools of planning and self-study in the hands of Catholics throughout the Savannah Deanery. In sponsoring the Deanery Assembly, the Steering Committee also seeks input from every Catholic interested in the planning and renewal of his Church. The Deanery Assembly will be addressed in its opening Liturgy, by Bishop Raymond Lessard, of Savannah. This important event in the Savannah Church is open to everyone who wishes to participate in setting the mission, goals and objectives of the Church in Savannah. everyone there was talking of great things. In amazement and wonder they exclaimed: (These people who are talking like this, they are all young. How is it then that all of us hear them speaking of great things? We are from Savannah, Columbus, Macon, Augusta, McRae, Cordele, Warner Robins, and Dublin; both adults and youth, and there are some even from Sylvania; yet, all of us hear them speaking of the great things God has done for them.”) Amazed and confused - they all kept asking each other, ‘What does this mean?’ But the others just made fun of them, saying, ‘These kids are just obnoxious, don’t listen to them.’ The major goal of the workshop was to pull together some specific practical suggestions for youth groups to use during the coming year. Three major areas were explored: Youth and Service, Building Youth Communities, Youth and Spiritual Growth. These three areas are called the foundations of church life in the American Bishops’ Pastoral Letter, TO TEACH AS JESUS DID. In each core session, devoted to one particular area, delegates from various different places met together in a small group. Their task was to share their different experiences and come up with as many ideas as possible. Then they evaluated these ideas to determihe which were most worthwhile and practical. The top choices from each group were then consolidated. Finally, representatives from each parish - enriched by this sharing with others - met to decide what specific i^leas they would recommend to their own group. (Continued on page 7) / An invitation to think seriously about justice in our nation - the chance to “speak up” and share our opinions with Church leaders -- both of these opportunities are offered to American Catholics through the “Liberty and Justice for All” program sponsored by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops. All concerned Catholics are invited to take part in the program, which will be presented during the period September - December, 1975. During the Fall months, each parish of the Savannah Diocese will present a series of discussions and reflections on such topics as the family, the neighborhood, personhood, nationhood, the Church and the world. In the light of these discussion sessions, those taking part will be asked to send recommendations to the Bishops’ Bicentennial Committee in Washington, for consideration at their 1976 Bicentennial Conference. And from this whole process of listening and discussion, the bishops hope to forge a new plan of action for future years in working for social justice in this country. Within the Savannah Diocese, a new handbook has been prepared offering suggestions for approaches parishes might use in presenting the national program. The options offered in the handbook have been designed to suit a variety of parishes - from rural to urban, small to large, inner-city to suburban. Each parish is urged to study at least three of the eight major topics covered by the program, and if possible all of them. The options offered fall into three main categories: - a liturgy-based approach, with homily outlines, liturgy aids and “response sheets.” - a family discussion approach, involving a gathering of parish families. • an adult discussion approach using a slightly modified version of the eight outlines given in the national “discussion guide.” Following the “liturgy” approach, parishioners will first be introduced to the topic through Sunday’s Mass and homily. The homily outlines pose a number of questions which will be answered by members- of the congregation. Their answers will be collected and the results published in the next week’s parish bulletin. All parish members will then be invited to a meeting to discuss specific recommendations to send to the Bicentennial Committee in Washington. They will also try to come up with some ideas for future action to be taken in their own parish during the Bicentennial year. The “family-discussion” approach follows a pattern already established in some of our parishes - one which has proved popular and effective. Families are invited to come together for a “covered dish” supper followed by discussion. “Table talk” suggestions introduce the people to the topic in an informal manner while the meal is in progress. After supper, families split up into three age-groups for discussion: adults/teens, intermediate, and primary. The adult/teen group ends its discussion, with formulation of specific recommendations for the Bishops’ Committee. At the end of the evening all family groups reunite to share ideas and to think of concrete actions each might perform in the light of the foregoing discussion. The eight discussion outlines for adults have been modified slightly, but follow the themes given in the national guide-book. Changes have been made to suit local conditions and needs. While the national program asks only for recommendations for Washington, the Savannah Diocesan handbook goes one step further, asking for specific suggestions for action within the parish itself, during 1976. Each pastor and program leader has received a copy of the diocesan handbook. Many will also use copies of the national “Liberty and Justice for all” discussion guide. By early September all should be ready for the launching of the program. Its success will be ensured by the active participation of Catholics of all ages, in every parish. Official Appointments The Most Reverend Raymond W. Lessard, Bishop c F Savannah, annou ■ > the following appointments: FATHER EDWARD R. FRANK, transferred from pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes, Columbus, to pastor of St. Joseph, Augusta, effective September 20, 1975. FATHER RALPH BAILEY, OSB, designated as Civilian Auxiliary Chaplain at Hunter Army Air Force Base, Savannah. FATHER CLEMENT F. BORCHERS, Glenmary, named Vicar Forane (Dean) of the Statesboro Deanery. FATHER ROBERT BAKER, S.M., named Vicar Forane (Dean) of the Valdosta-Brunswick Deanery. Mother Seton Rites On Television NEW YORK (NC) -- A special telecast of the canonization ceremonies of Mother Seton will be presented Sunday, Sept. 14, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on NBC, according to Jesuit Father Patrick J. Sullivan of the United States Catholic Conference Film and Broadcasting Division. Entitled “A Saint for America,” the program is a joint presentation of the USCC and NBC. Father Sullivan said NBC will share the broadcast with the CBS and ABC television networks for inclusion in their two Mother Seton specials on Sept. 14. CBS will present a film essay on Mother Seton on its “Lamp Unto My Feet” program at 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and ABC will present a Mother Seton special on its “Directions” series at 1 to 1:30 p.m., Father Sullivan said. Arrangements for the NBC broadcast were inadvertently jeopardized by the Vatican however when the time and place of Mother Seton’s canonization were changed, Father Sullivan said. Originally, the canonization ceremonies were to take place at St. Peter’s Basilica at 9 a.m. Rome time. This meant that broadcast of the event by Italian Radio and Television (&AI) from the Vatican would be received at NBC studios here between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m., enough time for NBC to edit the broadcast for its one-hour special at 2 p.m., Father Sullivan said. But in the meantime, the Vatican Changed the canonization ceremonies from St. Peter’s Basilica to St. Peter’s Square and the time to 5:30 p.m., Rome time. This was done, Father Sullivan said, because the basilica could not accommodate the large crowd expected at the event and because the afternoon would be cooler. While the change of place caused no great problems, the time change “would have killed the broadcast arrangements” because NBC could not edit the broadcast and prepare a script and commentary for a 2 p.m. deadline, Father Sullivan said. “When we found out this decision had been made by the Vatican,” he said, “it was devastating news.” So the USCC made a direct appeal to the Vatican, explaining the time change would scuttle the broadcast. The Vatican complied with the request, Father Sullivan said, and again switched the canonization time back to the morning. Canonization ceremonies will take place in St. Peter’s Square at 9:30 a.m., Rome time. TO MARK CENTENNIAL - St. Mary’s Home, on Savannah's Victory Drive, will mark its 100th Anniversary on Sunday, September 14th. Bishop Raymond W. Lessard will be the principal celebrant at the Centennial Mass scheduled for 1:00 p.m. A reception will follow until 5:00 p.m. The Sisters, staff and children extend a cordial welcome to all to share their celebration and thanksgiving. 4 ft