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In spirit of Christ
Bishop Murry will create a new office of evangelization to reach out
By LINDA M. LINONIS
youngstown
Bishop George V. Murry used Robert Frost’s poem “The Road Not Taken” to illustrate “new paths on the journey of life” in his homily during the Mass of Holy Chrism on Holy Thursday at St. Columba Cathedral, 154 W. Wood St.
About 1,000 people crowded into the cathedral for the traditional service highlighting the unity of the diocese through a procession of banners from the 104 parishes, two missions, high schools and Walsh University.
The new path will be an office of evangelization, which will be established. And the bishop explained why it is needed.
The bishop said the faithful are at a crossroads — and, in effect, must decide what path to take. He said the church faces anti-Catholism, secularism, materialism, decline in vocations and the sex-abuse scandals.
“We can choose to slowly shrink or be a dynamic, evangelizing diocese,” he said. Former Catholics number 21 million, he said, while many single, young married and older Catholics are inactive. “We’re not reaching them,” he said.
The bishop asked church members to be “committed to shaping parishes and schools.” He said the path begins with each individual. “The faithful carry on Jesus’ mission,” the bishop said as they take the sacraments.
Bishop Murry put forth three goals for the faithful:
Become more aware of God’s teachings and bear personal testimony to what God has done in their lives. He said many African-American gatherings begin with “God is good,” and the response is “all the time.” “It’s a reminder of how we are personally blessed,” he said.
Become disciples on a mission. He emphasized outreach as a way to demonstrate a “personal relationship with Christ." The bishop also said the mission is to reach inactive Catholics and the unchurched.
Become more welcoming parishes. “It’s more than being friendly,” he said. “It’s about acceptance ... of people of all colors, races, ethnic, language and social status,” he said.
The office of evangelization won’t seek out “the few who do everything” but “find ways to energize more people,” the bishop said. “It is carrying the message to the world."
Bishop Murry said the call to evangelism “is not about us, but about God. God takes the word and makes the story.”
Bishop Murry cited reluctant evangelists from the Bible ... Moses, who stuttered; Abraham, too old; Jeremiah, too young; and Peter, lack of courage, among others. “God called each,” he said. “What’s our excuse?” he asked. “Put aside fears, doubts and anxiety. ... Use your gifts for the message of life,” he said. “Reach out and welcome others. Influence the world in the spirit of Christ.”
The bishop asked that the flock accept the “challenge of Christian living.”
Frost’s poem ends with the following lines, which underscore the bishop’s message.
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
The bishop said the goals for parishes and evangelizing “will make all the difference.”
Banners showcased the richness of diverse ethnic, cultural and individual elements of the parishes in the Diocese of Youngstown during the Mass of Holy Chrism.
Fran Amer, director of the office of worship for the diocese, said, “The banners symbolize some aspect of the life of the parish that the members select,” she said, adding that a banner could depict the church’s patron saint.
One focal point of the Mass was the consecration of Sacred Chrism and blessing of the Oil of the Sick and the Oil of the Catechumens. Bishop Murry, who was the principal celebrant, blessed the oils.
“The Sacred Chrism is used in the sacraments ... baptism, confirmation, Holy Orders,” Amer said. It also is used in the blessing of church altars.
Oil of the Catechumens is for baptism, and the Oil of the Sick is used to anoint those who are ill.
Pastors received Sacred Chrism and other oils for use in individual churches.
Amer said the Mass also includes the annual renewal of commitment for priests. She said about 125 priests participated. Priests, including diocesan consultors and deans, concelebrated with the bishop at the Chrism Mass.
At 8:30 p.m. today, Holy Saturday, the Easter vigil will be celebrated by Bishop Murry along with the Rev. Edward Brienz, cathedral vice rector, and the Rev. Edward Neroda, pastor of St. Stanislaus Church.
Easter Sunday Masses are scheduled at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. with the Rev. John E. Keehner, cathedral rector. The Cathedral Choir will sing at the afternoon liturgy.