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The Georgia Bulletin
November 8,1979
The Sentence
Of Sister Kane
The one controversial sentence of
Sister Theresa Kane has received too
much ado from every corner of the
post Pope John Paul American scene.
The far right would like to dance on
her grave. The far left would dress her
in Vatican white and the hungry
destructive press is starved for more
comment. It finds itself dying of that
starvation.
The total speech of Sister Theresa
obviously was not read or carefully
heard by many. She is the head of the
Leadership Conference of Women
Religious. Her mission was one of
representation of those women along
with welcoming the Holy Father.
With respect she fulfilled that
mission. Most of her speech was
devoted to complementing the Pope's
pastoral efforts for the world,
invoking the intercession of Mary the
Mother of God'on his Pontificate and
assuring him of the prayers of
American religious.
Her one controversial sentence was
a request made, most respectfully, on
behalf of some of her Conference. She
asked for “the possibility of women as
persons be included in all ministries of
our Church.” Ordination to the
priesthood was not specifically
mentioned. Sister did not in anyway
align herself with those seeking
ordination. There was no prior release
of her text and she has consistently
refused any further comment.
Sister Theresa wore no insignia or
armband of protest and having made
her statement, she knelt for the Holy
Father’s blessing. As far as can be
ascertained, Sister Theresa is treating
this matter most seriously and intends
no further response or spotlight
stance.
The Holy Father has made the
Church’s position clear on the
priesthood. The vast majority of
Catholics in this nation and
throughout the world, including
women, applaud the Pope’s stand. A
recent radio poll in the city of Atlanta
found that 71 percent of all women
asked - Catholic and non Catholic
alike - agreed with the statement of
the Pope on women’s ordination. So
there is absolutely no question of the
total acceptability of this teaching.
After reading Sister Theresa Kane’s
statement, Archbishop Casey of
Denver said it best. The Archbishop
said that the Holy Spirit will lead the
Church. The Spirit will lead the
Church out of whatever difficulties it
encounters and into whatever
pathways are beneficial. “Women’s
rightful place within the Church,” said
Archbishop Casey, “will be a part of
that” process.
-NCB
A
Working Women
“ V
Sheila Mallon
“Right there under everyone’s eyes were
about a thousand handicapped men, women
and children - who were in Yankee Stadium
to glimpse (for those who could see) and
listen to (for those who could hear) the
Pope. But they were shunted to a section
behind the altar and out of position to see
either the Pope or the Mass. There were no
ramps for those in wheelchairs. No one had
thought of assigning someone to explain to
the blind what was happening or of asking
any of the deaf to serve on the altar or any
of the blind to sing in the choir ... It was an
old, old story for the handicapped.”
These are the words of Franciscan
Brother Joe Maloney as told to writer Dick
Ryan. Brother Joe was angry but more then
that he was exasperated and frustrated. He
pointed out to Ryan, “No one meant
anything intentional or deliberate - it’s tais
kind of thoughtless, unconscious thing that
the handicapped have learned to live with,
but its very unfortunate. Nobody means to
neglect or ignore the handicapped but the
fact is they do.”
In Atlanta as well as New York the
handicapped are often forgotten and
shunted aside. Too often we forget that the
Catholic Bishops in a special letter on the
handicapped in 1978 pointed out, “If the
handicapped are to become equal partners in
the Christian Community, injustice must be
eliminated and ignorance and apathy must
be replaced by increased sensitivity and
warm acceptance.”
I wonder how many churches in this area
have religious education programs for the
handicapped. If my private survey is
accurate, there are only two in greater
Atlanta.
What a shame that these beautiful souls -
God’s most beloved are not being nurtured
in a way that makes God’s love alive in their
lives. That in many cases they are not
receiving the Word even though there are
available many fine materials for teaching
the handicapped.
Toni Miralles the Special Education CCD
Coordinator of St. Jude’s has been in the
Ministry to the Handicapped for nine years.
She began when she realized that her own
handicapped daughter was not learning in a
regular CCD class.
The children at St. Jude’s are taught on a
one to one basis and most of the teachers are
teenagers who lovingly share their healthy
bodies and minds with these less fortunate
little ones.
The success of the class has been
phenomenal. In fact there are many children
in the class from other parishes which do not
have a Special CCD program.
As Toni spoke to me her pride in the
progress of these “special” children and her
equal pride in their teachers was apparent.
There is a particular gratification Toni said,
when one of these children makes their first
Communion or Confirmation. That moment
for child and parent, teacher and
administrator is one of transcendent joy.
In the total program planned for these
children is a Family Mass once a month. The
children take part in it and this is witnessed
by their parents and brothers and sisters.
In the Summer a long camping weekend
is planned at Camp Will-A-Way, a State Park
for the handicapped at Winder, Georgia.
The park is devoted solely to the needs of
the handicapped. Steep slopes, steps, uneven
walks and narrow doorways have been
eliminated - allowing handicapped persons
full access to park facilities.
The Nature Trail is typical of the kind of
thoughtful awareness which has gone into
this lovely park - the paths are wide enough
for a wheelchair and the signs all include a
braille pattern.
Toni says that this trip is the highlight of
the year for the children and their teachers.
Information about the park is available
through the Public Relations and
Information Section of the Department of
Natural Resources.
There will be a special “Faith and Sharing
Liturgy” at St. Jude’s on November 27 at
7:30 p.m. All are welcome to join in the
celebration of the Eucharist and share in the
joy of this vocation to serve the mentally
retarded and the developmentally disabled
members of our faith community. It is not
necessary to have a personal involvement in
the program to take part - all are invited and
encouraged to share for this evening in the
apostolate to the handicapped.
If you would like more information
about this program, contact Father John
Kelley at St. Jude’s Rectory or Toni Miralles
at St. Jude’s Religious Education office.
The Catholic Bishops in their statement
about the handicapped pointed out that
“handicapped people are not looking for
pity. They seek to serve the community and
to enjoy their full Baptismal rights as
members of the Church. Our interaction
with them can and should be an affirmation
of our faith. There can be no separate
church for handicapped people. We are one
flock that follows a single shepherd.”
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Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta
Most Rev. Thomas A. Donnellan - Publisher
Rev. Monsignor Noel C. Burtenshaw - Editor
Michael Motes - Associate Editor
Member of the Catholic Press Association
Telephone 881 9732
(USPS) 574 880)
Business Office
756 West Peachtree, N.w.
Atlanta, Georgia 30308
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Atlanta, Georgia 30308
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A Steam Bath On Wheels
Dave McGill
Last June, Carolyn and I took our two
daughters to Washington, D.C. on the train.
We have fond memories of AMTRAK’S
Southern Crescent, having ridden it to
Louisiana one Christmas (1973) and having
enjoyed it very much. (In fact, I wrote my
first column on that train ride.) We decided
that some day we’d ride it in the other
direction, to Washington, and go in style on
a sleeper car. And so, with the big train’s
forced retirement being predicted for the
fall, we decided to leave the driving to them
and ride (and sleep) on the iron horse.
When the conductor shouted “All
Abo-o-o-o-o-a-a-a-rd!” at the station, we
started walking, looking excitedly for our
sleeper car. It turned out to be the absolute
last car on the train, at least three or four
hundred yards from the starting point. I was
carrying our four suitcases, and by the time
we found the car, my arms were so stretched
out from the weight that the conductor
nearly mistook me for an orangutang. I was
afraid he would say to Carolyn, “Sorry,
ma’am, but your monkey’ll have to ride in a
cage in the baggage car.” I didn’t know it at
the time, but that painful walk was to be the
most pleasant part of the trip.
We climbed up the stairs and into the car,
and the temperature (already pretty warm
outside) immediately went UP at least 10
degrees. Everybody we passed had a tongue
hanging out, and looked either exhausted,
angry, or sad. They were all perspiring, and
the aisle smelled sort of over-ripe, not unlike
a locker room after a long, sweltering
football practice in August. I passed two
men who were in a “heated” argument, one
being the conductor. The passenger had the
floor:
“Look, buster, I been a-ridin’ in this
sweat-box all the way from New
Orleans, and the first whiff of air
conditioning ain’t come through them thar
vents yit.... Y-I-T, yit! Ah paid good
hard-earned cash money for this sleeper car,
and dad-burnit, git it fixed or else.” The
conductor’s response was that he was doing
all he could, and it would be fixed in
Geenville, not to worry. It turned out he
was lying like a rug; it wasn’t fixed in
Greenville (where they promised it would be
repaired in Spartanburg), nor in Spartanburg
(where they promised us Charlotte), nor in
Charlotte (we’ll catch it for you in
Greensboro!), nor in Greensboro
(Lynchburg for sure), nor Lynchburg (how
’bout Charlottesville?), nor Charlottesville
(would you believe Alexandria?), and then,
blessedly, we were in D.C., five pounds
lighter. Each of the empty promises had
vanished in thin (stifling) air as we sweated
our way toward the Capitol City. Since we
couldn’t open the windows, we’d have been
cooler on mules.
(To be continued)
November Reflections
Teresa Gernazian
“Someday we’ll meet. . . someday we’ll
meet.” I often said these words to myself
when thinking of Father Thomas Tobin E.
Tobin. But alas, this wonderful
Redemptorist priest who served his Lord so
well left this life last November 14 at the age
of 64, leaving me with an unfulfilled dream.
Father Tobin spent over 20 years at
Liguori, Missouri, contributing to the growth
and development of the Liguori
Publications. For several years he was
Director of the League of St. Gerard and
Editor of the ST. GERARD MAGAZINE
which was written by and for mothers. After
reading a couple of issues of the homey,
down-to-earth publication, I started writing
him and letter for letter he would patiently
reply. “You learn to write by writing,” he
stressed, becoming a writing teacher as well
as a spiritual director. Finally, in 1965, I
received an acceptance and had an article
published in his magazine. He labored
feverishly in the fashion of St. Gerard and
will surely be missed by his Redemptorist
colleagues.
And so, while we will never meet on this
side of heaven, an inextinguishable bond still
exists. As with all loved ones and friends,
who have left this world in Christ’s
friendship, we can pray for them and they in
turn can pray for us. If prayers are ever
offered for those who by some miracle have
no need of purification, we can be sure the
prayers will be applied to someone else.
November brings a special time for
reflection on this mystery of life after death.
St. Ambrose once wrote: “Generosity
toward the departed is always repaid. It
finds its recompense in all kinds of graces,
the source of which is the gratitude of the
holy souls and that of our Lord, who
considers as done to Himself whatever we do
for the suffering souls.”
This comforting doctrine of the
Communion of Saints was reaffirmed by the
Second Vatican Council which stated:
“ . . . (it) accepts with great devotion this
venerable faith of our ancestors regarding
this vital fellowship with our brethern who
are in heavenly glory or who, having died are
still being purified.”
Though we cannot understand how the
purification in Purgatory is accomplished,
we do know that parallel with their intense
sufferings, the souls also experience intense
spiritual joy. They have faith, hope and great
charity. They know they are no longer able
to offend God, they know they are in divine
friendship and they can pray and obtain
blessings for those living on earth.
While the souls in Purgatory are
remembered in every Mass, it is good to have
homilies and additional prayers or devotions
for them as a parish community. Monsignor
Noel Burtenshaw, our Editor, gave an
excellent homily on this topic during last
Sunday’s television Mass. Our Pastor,
Monsignor R. Donald Kiernan, has a Rosary
led by himself or one of the priests every
evening at 7 p.m. specifically for the holy
souls during the month of November. He
also recalls in the prayers of the faithful at
every Mass all those “whose anniversaries of
death occur at this time.”
We all have favorite stories about this
aspect of our faith but one which I would
like to share concerns a young girl, 17, who
lived in our apartment complex several years
ago. She stayed with her married sister and
seemed kind of mixed up. One day she saw
me bringing in groceries and offered to help.
It pleased me and I was only too glad to
have a helping hand. “Thanks,” I said.
“You’re welcome,” she replied in that tone
of voice that betrayed deep feelings of
loneliness. It was my first and only
encounter with Carolyn. A few months later,
she took her life. I often remember that one
deed of kindness and say a special prayer for
her.
It is good that our Catholic Faith
traditionally sets aside one month a year to
think about life in another dimension - the
life of the souls being purified so that they
can enter that hallowed place - the place
that we all long for - where “No eye hath
seen and no ear hath heard; nor hath it
entered into the heart of man to know what
God has prepared for those who love Him.”
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‘Slow Down, Don, You’re Living Too Fast
Resound... Resound... Resound... Resound
Frank Sinatra . . .
ATLANTA - Is there an explanation for
the Frank Sinatra picture and caption which
appeared in the October 25 issue of the
BULLETIN? Why is a four-time married
man, who has flaunted other promiscuous
liaisons, pictured as someone who has
subscribed to the laws of the Church?
Through the years we have never bought
a Sinatra record because we did not wish to
promote a Catholic who was lending slander
to our Church. We enjoy his talent, but defy
you to protect his morals and/or mores of
conduct.
He was a Catholic to begin with, baptized
(I assume), married, divorced, married,
divorced, married, divorced and still living
with wife number FOUR. That to me is the
clincher. How can he receive the sacraments,
leave alone, why would you publicize this?
JOAN M. GERAGHTY
(EDITOR’S NOTE: An explanation of Frank
Sinatra s status in the eyes of the Church appears
on page 2 of this week's BULLETIN.)
Respect Life Day . . .
ATLANTA - We would like to thank you
and your staff for your support and
encouragement in our preparation for
Respect Life Day.
We especially are grateful for your
beautiful editorials and for Michael Motes’
presence last Saturday.
Respect Life Day was a success and we
feel that it was due in no small part to the
publicity given to it by the GEORGIA
BULLETIN.
Again, many thanks.
SHEILA MALLON
MARIETTA POMPILIO
PRO-LIFE OFFICE
Thanks, ACCW . . .
MILLEDGEVILLE - It is always such a
pleasure to welcome members of the Atlanta
Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women
when they come to Central State Hospital
for their regularly scheduled activities. The
enthusiasm they generate and the faith they
exhibit cannot be surpassed.
For the hospital-wide party held on
October 30, there were seventeen Catholic
Churches that participated. Members from
nine parishes actually made the trip to
Milledgeville! Direct involvement with our
patients is an educational experience that
will no doubt leave a lasting impression
while at the same time participants will
receive the personal satisfaction of having
shared with those who are so in need of
special attention.
The staff and patients of Central State
Hospital join me in expressing appreciation
for the love expressed by so many and for
helping us to make life so much more
pleasant for those entrusted to our care.
JANE M. HADDOCK, CAVS
COORDINATOR, VOLUNTEER SERVICES
CENTRAL STATE HOSPITAL
Sister Theresa Kane . . .
ATLANTA - Please convey my thanks to
Teresa Gemazian for Sister Theresa Kane’s
address. It provided the needed incentive to
drop her a note affirming the content of her
address to the Pope and the simple dignity
and conviction with which it was delivered.
It would seem to me that labelling as
“rude” and “impertinent” what is, in fact,
the deep conviction of many responsible,
committed people reveals far more about the
openness both to the Spirit and others than
perhaps the critic realizes.
ANN PITRA
‘Troublesome wart . . . ’
NORCROSS - Monday night I chose to
watch a TV movie instead of my usual diet
of CBS comedies. The movie, “And Baby
Makes Six,” caused me to weep. It wasn’t
supposed to be a sad movie; it even had a
happy ending. It’s a sign of the times that a
movie that casually discusses infanticide can
be considered entertainment.
This movie concerned a 46-year-old
woman with three grown children who
found herself pregnant. The only answer, OF
COURSE, was abortion. She was too old; it
was too dangerous. Her husband wanted to
travel and have fun. She’s selfish to have a
child at her age - hasn’t she heard that the
world is too crowded? NOT ONCE did
anyone consider the life in her womb. This
precious alive baby was treated like a
troublesome wart - just remove it!
She does have the baby - which sets up
the ironic closing scene: the family gathered
around her hospital bed oohing and aahing
over the new baby - the same family who
six months earlier wanted this child scraped
from the womb and tossed into a trash can
like garbage.
I wept -- for their ignorance and
callousness. And for all the babies who will
never see life outside of the womb. And for
a society that thinks two hours of
contemplating abortion is entertainment.
KAREN STOWERS
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