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DIOCESE OF SAVANNAH NEWSPAPER
Vol. 57 No. 24
Thursday, June 17,1976
Single Copy Price —15 Cents
Bishop’s Office
Diocese of Savannah
P. O. Box 8789
Savannah, Geohgia
01402
June 17,1976
My dear friends in Christ,
During the first week of August of this year, the 41st International
Eucharistic Congress will take place in the city of Philadelphia. The purpose
of such an event is simply to enrich our love for Christ in the Eucharist and to
grow in our understanding of and devotion to the Holy Eucharist.
Already a number of individuals and groups from the Diocese of Savannah
have made their plans to be in Philadelphia in early August to participate in
the Congress. I myself have been invited by the organizing officials to take
part in two of the many events on the Congress program: an ecumenical
theological symposium on the Eucharist and a special conference on “Woman
and the Eucharist”.
Many of our parishes and deaneries in the Diocese have scheduled
special “Eucharistic Days” both in preparation for this significant spiritual
event and as a way of celebrating it locally. In addition, on Saturday, July 31,
the eve of the official opening of the International Eucharistic Congress in
Philadelphia, a diocesan-wide “Eucharistic Pilgrimage of Renewal” will be
held in Macon, to which all of the people in the Diocese, but especially those
who are in some way involved in an apostolate or program of spiritual
renewal, are warmly invited. More information on this special diocesan
celebration will be given at a later date.
In the meantime, I urge all of you in these next few weeks to enter into the
spirit of the Eucharistic Congress, not only by planning to participate in this
diocesan or other local eucharistic programs, but in other ways as well. First
of all, you might spend time prayerfully reflecting on the theme chosen for
this year’s International Congress, “The Eucharist and the Hungers of the
Human Family”. This general theme is intended to indicate that the human
family hungers not only for food, but also for God, not only for bread in this
life but for the bread of Life itself: for Jesus, really present in the Eucharist,
really received in Holy Communion. The eight days of the Eucharistic
Congress will be devoted to eight different human “hungers” and the
relationship of the Eucharist to them: Hunger for God; Hunger for Bread;
Hunger for Freedom and Justice; Hunger for the Spirit; Hunger for Truth;
Hunger for Understanding; Hunger for Peace and Love; Hunger for Jesus.
Each one of these sub-themes could well be the object of our study,
reflection and prayer, as we seek to deepen our appreciation of the Sacrament
in its many dimensions.
The first and most obvious expression of such a deepened appreciation of
the Eucharist should be the increased fidelity and fervor with which we take
part in the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Our weekly, even
daily participation in the Eucharistic liturgy would then in fact become “the
summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed” as well as “the
fountain from which all her power flows.” (Vat. II, CONSTITUTION ON
THE SACRED LITURGY, par. 10).
Another sign of our renewed understanding of and appreciation for the
Eucharist should be our proclaimed belief in and profound respect for the
Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. This attitude of faith should
manifest itself first of all in our participation in the various forms of
Eucharistic devotion which remain part of the Church’s tradition of public
and private prayer (Benediction, Forty Hours, Perpetual Adoration,
processions, etc.). It should also be seen in our reverence for the Blessed
Sacrament reserved in our chapels and churches (frequent visits, genuflection,
silence, modesty of dress and behaviour, etc.) and the manner in which we
receive Holy Communion (worthy and regular reception, observance of the
minimum eucharistic fast, spiritual communion, pastoral care of the sick and
shut-ins, etc.).
The mysterious reality of the Eucharist is an enigma to some, a scandal to
others (cfr. John 6:60-66). For us who believe in Jesus’ teaching, because we
believe in Jesus Himself, the Eucharist is, among all His gifts to us, the most
profound source of spiritual edification and joy. Let us pray that the
Eucharistic Congress will help us to renew our faith, love and gratitude for
the great gift of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Himself in the Sacrament of
the Eucharist.
Devotedly yours in Christ,
* tO t
“ Bishop of Savannah
IN COLUMBUS
Reverend Ben Swiderek
Ordained To Priesthood
Our Lady of Lourdes parish church in
Columbus was the scene of the
ordination ceremony of the Reverend
Ben Swiderek on June 6th.
Rev. Ben Swiderek
The Most Reverend Raymond W.
Lessard was the main concelebrant of
the ordination Mass and was assisted by
the Reverends Michael O’Keefe, pastor
of Our Lady of Lourdes, and Robert
Mattingly, Diocesan Vocation Director.
Deacons of the Mass were Robert
Cushing and Thomas Morrissey. Twenty
seven priests of the Diocese and visiting
priests took part in the ceremony and
the Litany of the Saints was chanted by
the Rev. Noah Casey, O.S.B., a monk of
St. Meinrad’s Abbey.
A reception as held after the
ceremony in the School Cafetorium.
Father Swiderek celebrated his first
Mass on Sunday, June 7th, which was a
joyful event for the parish, since it was
the first ordination of one of its
members. Father Swiderek’s mother is
the secretary of Our Lady of Lourdes
parish school. Music for the ordination
ceremony and the first Mass was
’(Continued on page 3)
AT HOLY SPIRIT PARISH-MACON
Diocesan Eucharistic Pilgrimage July 31
Macon will host the “Savannah
Diocesan Pilgrimage For Renewal” on
Saturday July 31. This pilgrimage will
be the official Diocesan - level event
held in conjunction with the 41st
International Eucharistic Congress to be
held in Philadelphia August 1-8.
Parishes of the diocese are
encouraged to participate in this
pilgrimage and it is anticipated that
many parishes will charter buses to
transport their parishioners to and from
Macon.
Savannah’s Bishop Raymond W.
Lessard has written a letter to the
people of the diocese urging that they
participate in “the spirit of the
Eucharistic Congress.” The bishop asks
participation in the Congress, the
deanery programs and the diocesan
pilgrimage to Macon.
He writes that among all Jesus’ gifts
to us, the Eucharist is “the most
profound source of spiritual edification.
Let us pray that the Eucharistic
Congress will help us to renew our faith,
love and gratitude for the great gift of
Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
Himself in the Sacrament of the
Eucharist.”
The bishop’s letter is carried in full
elsewhere on this page.
Site of the Diocesan Pilgrimage is
Holy Spirit parish and the tentative
schedule calls for the day’s activities to
begin at 11 A.M. at which time the
Blessed Sacrament will be carried in
procession to an outdoor shrine in a
grove on the parish grounds. Pilgrims
from the various parishes are asked to
bring a banner bearing the name of their
parish and march behind it in the
procession.
The opening procession will be
followed by a Holy Hour with
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
after which a light lunch, in keeping
with the “Hungers of Mankind” theme
of the Eucharistic Congress, will be
served on the grounds from noon until 1
p.m.
Three presentations on the “Hungers
of Mankind” are planned for the early
afternoon. Each will run for forty-five
minutes. Times and leaders are as
follows:
1 p.m. - “Hunger for the Spirit”
under the direction of Father Liam
Collins of Holy Trinity parish, Augusta.
2 p.m. - “Hunger for Bread” under
the direction of Sister Julian Griffin,
Vicar for Social Affairs of the diocese of
Savannah.
3 p.m. - “Hunger for God” under the
Direction of Father Robert J. Teili,
Family Life Director of the Savannah
Diocese.
Climaxing the day’s activities will be
the Eucharistic Celebration at 4 p.m.
Bishop Raymond W. Lessard, Bishop of
Savannah will be the principal celebrant
of the liturgy.
Monsignor Marvin J. LeFrois, of
Augusta is the Diocesan coordinator for
the pilgrimage. Mr. Jerry Cantwell, of
Macon is General Chairman and Father
Michael Delea of St. Peter Claver Parish,
Macon is in charge of arrangements for
the Liturgy and Music.
Additional details will be available in
future issues of THE SOUTHERN
CROSS.
ALBANY DEANERY EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS OBSERVANCE -
Pictured is one of the three outdoor altars where prayers and songs with
Benediction made up the station (stopping place) in the Procession with
the Blessed Sacrament. The Congress was attended t?y pastors and people
of all the parishes of the Albany deanery at St. Teresa’s in Albany.
Vatican Asks High Priority For Habitat Goals
VANCOUVER, Canada (NC) ~ The
Vatican has urged that goals of making
human habitation fully human take a
high priority in the plans of
the nations around the world.
At the United Nations Conference on
Human Settlements (Habitat) here, both
a papal message and an intervention by
Habitat’s Vatican delegation stressed the
urgency of habitation problems and the
need for solutions that promote the
good of the whole person.
In his message Pope Paul VI called
upon the international community to
the UN to express its concern for
human beings in future settlements
through “a clear political will and a
serious spirit of collaboration.”
The statement, read during plenary
debate by Bishop Edouard Gagnon,
head of the Vatican Committee on the
Family and leader of the Vatican
delegation, marked the second time the
Pope had directed, a message to‘ the
12-day session, the argest held by the
UN.
Last fall, in a statement to Habitat
Secretary General Enrique Penalosa, the
Pope called the problem of human
settlements one of the “most serious
and urgent” issues confronting modern
humanity.
In the message here, addressed to
Barnett J. (Barney) Danson, president
of Habitat conference sessions, the Pope
said the “drama of earthquakes” in
several parts of the world has recalled to
public awareness the importance of
home and environment to the
individual.
The Pope’s message praised the
proposed Habitat affirmation of general
principles being studied here for
stressing the theme that “human beings
constitute the most important element
in the universe.”
It said that the conference, while
noting the primary problem-solving role
of technicians and socially motivated
“creative genuises,” was praiseworthy
for its emphasis upon the “constructive
participation of peoples” in its
decision-making.
The present conference will make
“once more possible” the affirmation of
clear political will by the nations, the
Pope said, and it will enable
international cooperation “to be
expressed in bold, realistic and precise
programs.”
He suggested that such collaboration,
sustained by decisions of the UN, will
be a factor in the building up of a new
economic order.
Bishop Gagnon’s intervention, read in
French, called the searchfor “effective”
models for human settlements a
question of “strategic priority.” They
should not be regarded simply as a
“marginal corollary of economic
decisions,” he said.
He said the Vatican is less concerned
with the technical difficulties of
reaching political solutions than it is in
sensitizing public opinion.
It gives its support, he said, to a just
habitat policy “geared to man” which
tends to carry out the idea that a home
should be “integral” and geared to the
good of both very individual and the
whole individual.
Bishop Gagnon’s intervention, which
was written for the Vatican delegation
by the international section of the Papal
Secretariat of State, also said housing
must take into account essential
PASTORAL PLANS PRESENTED
Self-Study Recommendations Are Received
Bishop Raymond W. Lessard formally
received parish pastoral plans and
recommendations of the Savannah
Deanery Self-Study Steering Committee
at the Offertory of a Mass following the
Third Deanery Assembly on May 22.
The Savannah bishop called the Final
Assembly a milestone, a terminal point,
but reminded those assembled that the
test lies ahead “as we seek to
demonstrate that the Church in this
community is indeed a renewed one, a
revitalized one, a Church that is
conscious of its mission and its destiny,
a Church that is determined to pursue
that mission and destiny, because it is
fortified and guided by the Spirit of
God who abides in each and every one
of us.”
Receiving the pastoral plans the
bishop said they would be considered,
approved and blessed and “our parish
families will then be commissioned to
go forth and implement them in every
way except, of course, in those areas of
specific projects which require special
diocesan approval.”
As for the recommendations of the
Steering Committee, the bishop said he
hoped to be able to study and examine
them more closely during the month of
July. He said, “if in any individual
instance there should be need on my
part for further clarification and
explanation, I shall presume to ask to
meet again in the early part of July with
the members of the Steering
Committee, and after that... I hope to
be in a position to give final response to
the recommendations and return those
approved to the appropriate persons or
agencies for implementation.
The bishop traced the course of the
Self-Study project citing his letter of
April 18, 1975 to all Catholics of the
deanery in which he outlined the goals
“to renew and revitalize, if necessary, to
give clearer direction to the mission of
the Church in this community, through
a process of prayerful planning and
programing, all of it based on the needs
and the goals identified by this
community of faith.”
He further described the Self-Study
as “an examination of conscience in the
most classical and traditional sense,
except perhaps with this difference, that
it has been an effort at collective
examination ... to see where we are, to
see where we have been, and to see
where it is we should be going.”
Noting there were several methods
the deanery could have followed in
pursuing this examination the bishop
said, “We chose the approach of a
self-study, because that is what an
examination of conscience should be,
regarding the spiritual needs and destiny
of this community of faith. And so it
was the community that was invited to
be engaged in this process of
self-study.”
Bishop Lessard had special praise for
the Steering Committee members who
were first contacted on May 22, 1974
and invited to participate in this
manner. The bishop pointed out that it
was two years from the date of that
letter, to the day, that they presented
the results of their work.
He said it would be impossible to
enumerate exhaustively all that this
committee has done -- the endless
number of hours that they have given
freely and willingly in the pursuit of the
committee’s task, the prayerful manner
and the Gospel spirit with which they
approached that task, the edifying
example of dedication and perseverence,
the admirable patience and forebearance
in the face of conflicting positions and
opinions, the perceptions and the
wisdom that they brought together and
articulate in their conclusions ... as I
receive this final report which represents
the tremendous work which they have
done as well as the spirit in which it was
done, I cannot fail to take advantage of
this occasion publicly to express on
behalf of the entire Catholic community
of the Savannah Deanery sentiments of
profound admiration and abiding
thanks.”
The bishop expressed words of
recognition and gratitude to all the
people of the Savannah Deanery “who
in one way or another took part in this
enterprise, the people of our parishes,
the people in our institutions, the
people in our deanery. I think not only
of those who worked in this way, or
that, to carry out the various phases of
the process, but also of the many others
- we always wish there had been more,
but in any case there were many - who
by their responses and presentations
contributed to this exercise of
“Communal discernment.”
“A final word of special gratitude to
those who followed the Self-Study with
their prayers and sacrifices. I am
thinking especially of our sick and our
elderly, who perhaps were not able to
take part actively in the process but
who I know were nevertheless very
much present and participating by
means of these prayers and spiritual
offerings.”
Self-Study Section
The recommendations of the Savannah Deaneary Self-Study
Steering Committee are presented in a special section of this issue
of THE SOUTHERN CROSS. The 8 Page Tabloid Section will be
found adjacent to the editorial page.