Transcript Sunday, Jan 4, 2015

Parish of
St. Stephen, The First Martyr
A Eucharistic Community, Journeying in Knowledge, Love and Service
January 4, 2015—The Epiphany of the Lord
Church of St. Stephen, The First Martyr
75 Sanfordville Road
Warwick, New York 10990
Phone - (845) 986-4028
Fax - (845) 986-4109
Rev. Jack Arlotta, Pastor
Rev. Angelo J. Micciulla, Parochial Vicar
Deacon Thomas MacDougall
Deacon Emmett Noonan
Mrs. Margaret Reilly, Secretary
Mrs. Kathleen Bredberg, Secretary
Mrs. Maxine Martin, Bookkeeper
Mr. Stephen Mandracchia, Trustee
Mrs. Joan Rotar, Trustee
Mr. Jack Farrell, Parish Council Chairperson
St. Stephen - St. Edward School
Grades Pre-K to Eight
Accredited by AdvancED and the Archdiocese of New York
Phone - (845) 986-3533
Fax - (845) 987-7023
Mrs. Bethany Negersmith, Principal
Mrs. Jill T. Lewis, Secretary
Mr. Richard Held, Custodian
St. Stephen Religious Education Program
Phone - (845) 986-2231
Fax - (845) 986-7023
Mrs. Lydia vanDuynhoven, Coordinator
Mrs. Jane Kunzweiler, Assistant
Mrs. Marla Silbernagel, Assistant
Mrs. Erin Snyder, Secretary
Mrs. Karen Guerrero, Secretary
St. Stephen Cemetery
98 Galloway Road
Warwick, NY 10990
Phone - (845) 986-4028
Deacon Thomas MacDougall
CELEBRATE WITH US —
MASSES AND LITURGIES:
Saturday Evening: 5:00 p.m.
Sunday:
7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:15
p.m.
Family Mass:
9:00 a.m. except Summer
Weekdays:
7:00 a.m. - Monday, Tuesday and
Thursday
9:00 a.m. - Monday to Saturday
Holydays:
Check bulletin
Morning Prayer: 8:40 a.m., Monday through Saturday
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament:
Friday 7:30-8:30 p.m.
First Friday, 7:30 p.m. - 8:30 a.m.
Spanish Mass:
First Saturday, 7:00 p.m.
BAPTISM
First four Sundays of every month at 2:00 p.m. Baptisms
not ordinarily held in Lent. Instructions on first Wednesday
and third Saturday. Call the parish office for an appointment.
PENANCE (RECONCILIATION)
Saturday: 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Any time by appointment.
MARRIAGE
Parishioners should make arrangements at least six months
before the wedding. Call the parish office for an appointment.
ANOINTING OF THE SICK
Administered to the seriously ill. Holy Communion is
brought to the homebound. Call the parish office.
VOCATIONS
Are you interested in becoming a priest, religious or deacon? Call Father Micciulla for more information.
NEW PARISHIONERS
All parishioners should be registered. Registration helps us
to serve you more efficiently, especially in matters such as
testimonial letters, sponsor certificates and school registration. Census forms are available at the parish office.
SPONSOR CERTIFICATES
Sponsor certificates are required for Godparents and Confirmation sponsors.
Certificates are available after weekend Masses - see a
priest.
PARISH WEBSITE
http://warwickinfo.net/ststephen
Page Two
January 4, 2015
The Epiphany of the Lord
To everything there is a season and a time for every
purpose under Heaven …
A time to heal …
Please pray for all who are ill, especially: Mildred Baltes,
Eleanor Bessler, Joseph Bodeker, Catherine Brennan, Jeanne
and Lawrence Brodhead, Deacon Arthur Cuccia, Patricia
Darrigan, Jerry & Antonina DeMarmels, Michael Derych, Sr.,
Maureen Donovan, Gina Eccher, Nellie Fahy, Jean Fay, Dr.
John Fiore, Patricia Flynn, Ellen Glebocki, Sean Greene, Laurel
Hansen, Brenna Hasselmann, Richard Hillmann, Makenzie
Hooke, Frank Ilardi, John Kelly, Lynne Koval, Suzanne Darkley
Luboja,Terrence Mahoney, Rev. Peter Madori, Gina Mastrantoni
& Family, Tom McAndrew, Timothy McDonnell,
Donna
Meduski, Msgr. James Mennis, Don Milligan, Dolores Moran,
Daniel Nicoll, Msgr. Joaquim Olendzki, Daniela Pavlik, Michael
Pennings, Michelle Reidy, Mary Reilly, Peggy Reynolds, Don
Roach, Michelle Roos, Elaine & Edward Scharfenberger,
Michael Stubbman, Carlos Supak, Helen Taranto, and Edward
Tomcho.
Monday, January 5, USA St. John Newmann,
Bishop
7:00
9:00
For the People
William Durr
Tuesday, January 6,
7:00 Antoinette & Anthony Costando
9:00
Karen Jude Karpacz & Mary
Catherine Thompson
Wednesday, January 7,
9:00
Ann McGaghran &
Lucy Sisti
Thursday, January 8
7:00
9:00
Linda Hayes
Saturday, January 10,
9:00
Peg and Phil Andrews
Weekend Masses - The Baptism of the Lord
Saturday, January 10
5:00
Robert Horton
Sunday, January 11
7:30
9:00
10:30
12:15
Tech Sgt. Heather Baumann, Pvt. 2 Nicolas D’Ancona (AF), 1st
Lt. Edward Dauphin, Colonel Donald Fallin (AF), Michael Cprl.
Gerard, Spc. Paul Kovack, (AF), Spc Kevin Kovack (AF),
James McGill, Captain Jason Mazzella (AF), PFC Stephen
McCall, Pvt. Timothy Merrill (AF), Staff Sgt. Bilitis Rangel (AF),
Lieutenant Dan Prial (AF),
Sgt. John Trojanoski, Specialist
Grant Watson (AF).
A time to die…
Please pray for our deceased parishioners, benefactors,
relatives and friends, especially Marion Shine, Michael Presutti,
Daniel Chisholm and Rose Benvengo.
Christined Coughlin
Lizzie LaVerde
Friday, January 9,
9:00
PLEASE NOTE: In the future, all names will remain
on the list for one month. They will then be removed
unless we hear otherwise.
A time for war, a time for peace…
Donald W. Thiss
Agnes Byrne
Ilardi & Zottola Families
Edward & Ann Cassin
Jose V. Martel
Julia Eumont
Jim Cordo
THE PURGATOTRIAL SOCIETY WAS ESTABLISHED TO PRAY
FOR OUR BELOVED DEPARTED, THAT, IF THEY ARE NOT ALREADY IN
HEAVEN, THEY MAY SOON EXPERIENCE THE FULLNESS OF
RESURRECTION. THOSE WHO ARE ENROLLED IN THE SOCIETY ARE
REMEMBERED ON THE FIRST SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH AT THE 9:00
A.M. MASS FOR A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR. THOSE WHO WERE
ENROLLED IN JANUARY ARE:
MARY PAVESE, JOHN PAVESE,
EVELYN GUSTAINIS, JOSEPH GUSTAINIS, FRANCIS SINGER,
ANTHONY C. QUINN, ANTHONY COSTANDO, ANTOINETTE
COSTANDO, ROGER GIBBONI, JAMES PENTLAND, DR. DANIEL R.
CHISHOLM.
YOUR GIFTS TO THE PARISH
Collection for December 21 = $15,200.00
Last year’s collection was $12,678.00
Collection for the Retired Religious = $2,000
OUR CHURCH MORTGAGE
Loan Remaining - $208,282.38
PARISH PAY
November Donations - $5,579.98 - Thank you!!!
GIVE TO ST. STEPHEN’S ON-LINE
You may now give on ANY DAY of each month or split your
donation between different days! Go to www.parishpay.com
and locate St. Stephen, Warwick.
Parish Pay users — You may feel uneasy about not dropping an
envelope in the collection. Pick up at the Parish Office your special donor cards that you can drop in the collection each week!
SHOPPING CERTIFICATES
Sales for the Month of October = $17,980.00
(5% Profit - $899.00)
Shop Rite cards are available in denomination of $20, $25, $50,
and $100. Price Chopper gift cards are available in $25, $50,
and $100 denominations and can be purchased after all
Masses. Your parish receives 5% of the cards worth. A limited
quantity of A & P cards are now available in denominations of
$25 and $100 (4% profit). Cards are available at the parish office Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and on weekends.
Page Three
FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK
NEATNESS COUNTS
On behalf of Father Micciulla, Deacon Tom, Deacon
Emmett and myself, I would like to thank all who
were so generous and thoughtful to us. I am truly
grateful and honored to be pastor at this wonderful
parish of St. Stephen’s. I am looking forward to the
new year here and hoping that it brings happiness
and health to all our parishioners.
One of the wonderful facts about our parish community is that there is no end of people coming into the
church to pray and attend Mass, even on a daily basis. For that reason alone, it would be a great gift if,
when we leave the pew, we make sure the books we
use for song and prayer are left in a neat and ordered fashion so that our fellow parishioners who
follow us in that same pew are not distracted from
their prayer by missalettes and hymn booklets in disarray. Please take a few seconds before you leave
to make sure the missalettes are spine up, and are
placed in front of the larger hymn booklets, holding
them neatly in place. Please take your bulletins
home with you rather than littering the pews with
them. It makes such a difference when we enter the
church and is a gesture of generosity to those with
whom we worship, whether they are at our Mass or
the one that follows. Thank you.
COLLECTION FOR THE CATHOLIC
COMMUNICATION CAMPAIGN AND
THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF
AMERICA - THIS WEEKEND
This week our parish will take up the Collection for
the Catholic Communication Campaign (CCC). This
collection communicates the Gospel through Catholic social media activities and enriches our faith
through Internet, television, radio and print media.
Half of all proceeds remain in our (arch) diocese and
support local needs so please be generous in this
collection. CCC equips us to share our experience
of faith, worship and witness the world.
The Catholic University of America is the national
university of the Catholic Church in the United
States, located in Washington D.C. It provides an
academically rigorous education guided by Catholic
intellectual tradition to nearly 7,000 students every
year. More than 4,000 students directly receive
scholarship aid from this Collection, including many
from our diocese. This week is the National Collection for the Catholic University of America. Please
be generous.
HOLY HOUR ON FRIDAYS
We are still looking for help from our parish groups
to help build up the numbers of our weekly Holy
Hour. We are still in need for volunteers to ‘adopt’
the first, fourth and fifth Fridays. Please see Fr. Micciulla if you can help.
We also wish to thank Parish Council and one of our
Teams of Our Lady for adopting the Second Friday
of the Month. And thank you to Mother’s Cupboard
and The Columbiettes for volunteering to be at the
Third Friday.
FEEDING OUR NEIGHBORS
An Archdiocesan-Wide Drive to Replenish
Dwindling Food Pantries
Sunday, January 25, 2015 through Sunday,
February 1, 20154
Nearly 325,000 children have difficulty affording
food, that’s 22% of the children in the 10 counties
of the Archdiocese. Do your part to make sure not
hungry neighbor is turned away from Sunday, January 25th through Sunday, for the Feeding Our
Neighbors Campaign.
The three simple ways to participate and contribute to the Campaign are:
Donate to a collection of money to
support emergency food programs
Participate in the food drive from Sunday,
January 25th—Sunday, February 1st
Volunteer at a food pantry
For more information: contact by e mail or by
phone.
[email protected]
http://www.catholiccharitisny.org/feeding our
neighbors or 646-794-2010
ALTAR SOCIETY APPOINTMENTS
Carolyn DeMarmels, Peg Ryan, K. Bellofatto
Page Four
ALTAR SERVER SCHEDULE
Saturday, January 10
5:00
Kara Shaughnessy, John Shaughnessy,
Bradley Widulski
Sunday, January 11
7:30
9:00
10:30
12:15
Arden Hallett, Cormack Hallett
Sean Miller
Bryan MacDougall, Shannon MacDougall
Aidan McLaughlin, Daniel McLaughlin
Emily Eder, Brendan Eder, Elsie Mele,
Dominic Mele
Gillian Perez, Anthony Roca John Roca
CD OF THE MONTH
Have you ever felt the frustration of waiting on line at
the grocery store or post office when no one seems
to move? Yet if prime tickets go on sale or a musthave tech item arrives, waiting becomes an exciting
anticipation. Advent should be the latter for us. This
waiting is far from empty; rather, it is full of the hope
that God promises us as we prepare for Christ in the
feast of Christmas.
In keeping with this blessed season we offer several
CDs to enrich your journey. Prepare the Way of the
King by Dr. Scott Hahn - one of the most eminent
Catholic theologians in our country today - reveals
what scholars now know about the shepherds, the
mysterious Magi, and King Herod. Your Advent
journey will take on new meaning as you prepare
your heart for the birth of our Lord. The True
Meaning of Christmas, by Ven. Archbishop Fulton J.
Sheen, offers a digitally-mastered presentation
which combines classic recordings of his timeless
reflections on the meaning of the Incarnation of
Jesus, mixed with Gregorian Chant and seasonal
music. It is sure to become a family favorite!
Please check out the many other enriching CDs that
we offer through Lighthouse Catholic Media;
consider signing up for the CD of the Month Club.
Two kiosks can be found in the Church Atrium. Amid
the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, take
time to pause and reflect on the real Reason for the
season.
REMINDER
Our next Parish Latin Mass will be on Saturday,
January 10, 2015.
CATHOLIC PILGRIMAGE TO ITALY
Father Michael McLoughllin of St. Columba Church,
Hopewell Junction has led four different Pilgrimages
overseas, including to the Holy Land, France, Spain,
Portugal and Italy. He has planned a Pilgrimage to
Italy for the summer of 2015 which will include Sorrento, Naples, Amalfi, Popeii, San Giovanni Rotundo
(Padre Pio) and Rome (including a Papal Audience).
Dates are July 30-August 8, 2015. Mass will be offered daily. Tour guide and all services provided by
Peter’s Way Tours. Call St. Columba Rectory 845227-8380 to request a brochure.
ANNIVERSARY YEARBOOK
We’re creating an anniversary yearbook for the
150th anniversary of our church. We would love to
have everyone photographed for the book. We
are offering a free 8 x 10 portrait and a free book to
everyone who sits for a portrait. You will, under no
obligation, have the ability to purchase additional
photos. We are scheduled for
January 8, 9 and 10. Schedule your appointment
online
and
receive
a
$10
coupon
www.warwickinfo.net/ststephen.
For information
please call Theresa 987-1454.
CDs BY FATHER MADORI
The Religious Store in the atrium is selling CDs performed by Fr. Peter Madori. The price of the CD is
$12.00. Fr. Madori’s parish is St. Joseph’s in Wurtsboro and he is selling these CDs as a fundraiser.
SUMMER CAMP OPPORTUNITY
Camp Veritas is a Catholic camp program within the
Archdiocese that has grown tremendously in six
years. The program is for youngsters from grades 7
to 12. The program operates one week session in
two locations: one in Orange County and one in
Sullivan County—Mt. St. Mary College, Newburgh
and Camp Lakota, Wurtsboro. Each camp session
incorporates regular camp activities with Mass and
other devotions as well as inspirational talks. There
are priests as well as religious brothers and sisters
present for each session. For further information go
to the “Camp Veritas” website or speak to Father
Jack.
Page Five
CELEBRATING OUR HISTORY
ARE YOU PREPARED FOR WINTER?
A video is being compiled for the combined celebrations of the 150th anniversary of our parish, the 50th
anniversary of St. Stephen-St. Edward School, and
the 25th anniversary of our beautiful church building.
We need photographs, particularly old ones that
may have been passed down to you from your
grandparents or great-grandparents showing the
former and current church buildings, former priests perhaps performing marriages or baptisms, etc. - as
well as photos from school days that include classmates and former faculty/staff. Photographs that reflect the era of time showing the hair styles and
clothing of the day would be welcome. All photographs will be returned to you. If you have anything
to contribute or questions, please contact Susan Supak at [email protected] or 845-986-4975.
Plan now for the upcoming heating season…
manage your supply costs
WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE
ENCOUNTER
“Nations shall walk by your light…” We as Catholics
must be a light to the world. Spend a weekend
growing closer to your spouse and to God and make
your marriage/Holy Orders to be a “light” shining
brighter than ever. For information on Worldwide
Marriage Encounter call 1-877-NYS-WWME ext 3.
PROJECT CARE: 986-3292
Volunteers will provide a meal for a family in an
emergency, visit and shop for someone who is
homebound, drive someone to and from a medical
appointment.
“200 CLUB”
The new “200 Club” will start in January - grand
Prize of $1,000 plus five $100 prizes, five $50
prizes, thirty-eight $25 prizes. or tickets and information call Georgeine Wendel at 986-4990.
YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS NEEDED
Click on the link on our Parish Website (http://
warwickinfo.net/ststephen) and register your e-mail
address with us. We hope in time to create an address book and save money by sending out e-mails.
GENTLENESS
Feelings are everywhere—be gentle.
-J. Masai
To manage your energy supply costs and save
money over time, please consider our Viridian Fundraising Program. Viridian is an energy supply company offering a 3– year fixed rate plan. This program provides you price protection and includes a
“peace of mind guarantee” - a rebate of 110% if Viridian averages more than O&R at the end of the
term.
Viridian’s current 3-year fixed electric rate is 11.49/
kwh, available through December. For comparison,
O&R ‘s December rate is 12.86/kwh and 12-month
average is 11.74/kwh. Viridian also offers a competitive natural gas rate.
Orange & Rockland supports energy choice.
Whether you buy your energy supply from O&R or
from an alternate energy supplier, O&R delivers the
energy to you safely and reliably. O&R is educating
their customers that extreme cold weather can create spikes in gas and electric supply costs. And they
are encouraging their customers to shop for and
choose an energy supply company that offers you
the best value, such as economic or environmental
advantage. (Source: www.oru.com)
St. Stephen’s is partnered with Viridian for long term
residual income for our church and school, and
earns more than $700/month through this fund raising program! Thank you to all who are current customers!
To learn more or to enroll in this program, go to
www.viridian.com/ststephens. For questions or more
information, contact St. Stephen’s parishioner, Tracy
Gregoire at [email protected] or 914-3913509. Thank you!
THE HOLY STAR
O Father, may that holy star
Grow every year more bright
And send its glorious beams afar
To fill the world with light
-William Cullen Bryant
Page six
THE WORLD NEEDS LEADERS
Parents love it, colleges love it, potential employers
love it, as a nation we place great value on it, and
yet fewer and fewer teens are doing it. What is it?
LEADERSHIP TRAINING: THE WORLD NEEDS
LEADERS. Leading, is more about learning specific
skills than possessing inherent qualities. Come
learn and practice skills that can make you a good
leader: oral communication, collaborative skills, time
management, leading discussions, group dynamics,
Christ –like Leadership, and other important skills.
CYFM’s Leadership training empowers teens with
leadership skills useful in school, youth group parishes and in life! Jan. 16, 7:00—Jan. 18, 3:30 pm.
Cost: $115.00 per person includes lodging, meals
and materials.
Application and non-refundable
$40.00 deposit is due by 1/13/15. Find more information on the web: cyfm.org. CAPUCHIN YOUTH
& FAMILY Ministries, 781 ROUTE 9D, PO BOX
192 GARRISON NEW YORK 10524. The telephone number is (845)424-3609. Also find us on
Facebood, Instagram and Twitter.
SUMMER CAMPS FOR BOYS AND
GIRLS
“Camp Fatima for boys and Camp Bernadette for
girls are now accepting registrations for the 2015
summer season. The camps, located in the Lakes
Region of NH , offer 2-week overnight sessions for
children 6-15. Round trip bus transportation is available out of Long Island. To request a brochure and
DVD contact Michael Drumm at 603-364-5851 or
email [email protected] or
v i s i t
u s
o n
t h e
w e b
a t
www.campsfatimabernadette.org. Please don’t
wait as sessions fill up quickly.
CATHOLIC CRUISE TO EASTERN
CARIBBEAN
Come and sail away on a 7-night Catholic Eastern
Caribbean Cruise with Father Joseph Stobba from
February 21-February 28, 2015 on Holland America
Westerdam out of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Prices begin
at $1869.00 for two passengers which include all
port fees and taxes. Deposits of only $350.00 will
reserve your cabin. Ports of Call will include: Grand
Turk, Turks and Caicos; San Juan, Puerto Rico;
Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, USVI; Half Moon
Cay, Bahamas. Daily Mass offered. For more information or to register, contact Doug or Eileen at 860399-1785 /[email protected].
CATHOLIC CRUISE TO ALASKA
Come and sail away on a 7 night Catholic Alaska
Cruise with Fr. Leo Prengaman from May 2-May 9,
2015 on Holland America Westerdam out of Seattle
Washington. Prices begin at $2004.00 for two passengers which includes all port fees and taxes.
Daily Mass offered. Deposits of only $350.00 per
person will reserve your cabin. Ports of Call: Juneau Alaska; Glacier Bay; Sitka, Alaska; Ketchikan,
Alaska; Victoria British Columbia. Space is limited.
For further information or to register, contact Doug
or
Eileen
at
860-399-1785/
[email protected].
CATHOLIC CRUISE TO BERMUDA
Come and sail away on a 7 night Catholic Bermuda
Cruise with Fr. Richard Curran from June 6-June 13,
2015 on Holland America Veendam out of Boston, Massachusetts. Prices begin at $2434.00 for two passengers
which includes all port fees and taxes. Daily Mass offered. Deposits of only $200.00 per person will reserve
your cabin. Ports of Call: Hamilitan, Bermuda. Space is
limited Further information or to register, contact Doug or
E i l e e n
a t
8 6 0 - 3 9 9 - 1 7 8 5 /
[email protected].
CATHOLIC CRUISE TO
NEW ENGLAND AND CANADA
Come and sail away on a 7-night Catholic New England and Canada Cruise with Father Alfred
Winshman October 10th-October 17th, 2015 on Holland America Maasdam out of Boston, Massachusetts—-Ports of Call: Bar Harbor, Maine; Halifax,
Nova Scotia, Canada; Sydney, Nova Scotia; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; Gulf of St. Lawrence; Quebec City, Quebec, Canada; St. Lawrence
River, Canada; Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Prices
begin at $2988 for two passengers—this includes all
port fees and taxes. Daily Mass offered. Deposits of
only $200 per person will reserve your cabin. Space
is limited. For further info or to register, contact Doug
or
Eileen
at
860-399-1785/
[email protected].
THE PERFECT GIFT THE MEN’S RETREAT
Fr. Andrew Apostoli CFR, the host of Sunday Night
Prime on EWTN will be the Retreat Master for our
annual men’s retreat which will be conducted on the
weekend of January 16-18, 2015, at the Sacred
Heart Center in Newton, NJ. Sign up for the retreat
after all Masses on December 21. The cost is $215,
but scholarships are available.
Page Seven
YOUTH NEWS
GOD’S TYM
The next meeting of God’s TYM—the parish teen
group will be held on Sunday, January 11, at 7:00
pm. The group meets in the school gym. It’s a great
opportunity for teens to get together for play, socializing and spiritual enrichment.
THE CLOTHING CLOSET/
HOPE CHEST
UTILIZE - SHOP - VOLUNTEER - DONATE
Browse the Clothing Closet for gently used
coats and clothing free of charge!
Shop the Hope Chest for new or used designer clothing and home goods!
Volunteer your time (approved Community
Service Hours)
Donate seasonally appropriate clothing for
men, women and children.
Vision Community Church
Pine Island Elementary 20 Schoolhouse Road
Thursdays10am -1pm - Saturdays 10am-1pm
St. Stephen contact: Laua Shanahan 986-1679
Email: [email protected]
TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION
Epiphany celebrates the wake-up calls of life, the showings of God’s majesty and power in the person of Jesus.
The feast alerts us to look for signs of the Lord’s grace
and action in our lives today. In this context, the call of
the Second Vatican Council to reform the sacramental life
of the Church, including our pattern of care for the sick, is
indeed a holy awakening.
Prior to the 1960’s our care for the sick had collapsed in
the popular imagination into something everyone called
“last rites.” An immensely complicated ritual, with anointing accompanied by quickly muttered Latin prayers, was
enacted for a marginally conscious person at “death’s
door.” By the time a priest was called, the sick person
might not be able to receive viaticum, or derive much personal benefit from the ritual. The healing effects of the
sacrament, investing suffering with the dignity of a link to
Christ’s cross, and the immense assurance of forgiveness
for a person reviewing the life journey, were hidden. Suddenly, an epiphany swept through the Church, and the
way we care for the sick was utterly transformed. It took
several centuries, however, for the
Church to reach that moment of renewal.