‘A Show Of Solidarity’

Page 2The Criterion Friday, February 19, 2021Iraq announces COVID-19restrictions ahead of papal tripVATICAN CITY (CNS)—Two daysafter the Iraqi government announcedstringent COVID-19 precautions, includingthe closure ofmosques and churches“until further notice,”the prime ministermet with the Vaticannuncio to discuss “thepreparation for thescheduled visitof His Holiness,”Pope Francis.The IraqiPope Francisgovernment announcedthe meeting of Prime Minister Mustafaal-Kadhimi and Archbishop Mitja Leskovar,the nuncio, in a tweet on Feb. 15.Pope Francis is scheduled to visit Iraqon March 5-8, and he has events plannedin churches each day.The prime minister had chaireda meeting on Feb. 13 of the HigherCommittee for Health and NationalSafety, which responded to a risingnumber of coronavirus infections withnew restrictions, including a “totalcurfew” on Friday-Sunday and an 8 p.m.5 a.m. curfew the rest of the week fromFeb. 18-March 8. Grocery stores, bakeriesand pharmacies are exempt.In addition to the closure of allmosques and churches, the governmentbanned public funerals and weddings inevent halls, and ordered the closure ofhair salons, gyms, parks and cinemas fortwo weeks. Schools are to move to anonline format, and restaurants are allowedto provide delivery service only.According to the WorldometerCOVID-19 tracker, Iraq had beenexperiencing a daily increase of newcoronavirus infections daily since Feb. 1.As of Feb. 15, the tracker said, Iraqhad had a total of 643,852 cases sincethe pandemic began a year earlier and13,179 people had died. With slightlymore than 23,000 active cases on Feb.14, the situation is much better than earlyOctober, when the number of active casespeaked at more than 63,000.The Vatican did not comment onhow the new restrictions would impactthe planned trip—which could bepostponed—or the activities of the pope,the small entourage of Vatican officialsexpected to travel with him and the 75journalists accredited to the papal flight.The pope and all those traveling with himhave received or were to receive their seconddoses of the COVID-19 vaccine at least aweek before the trip was scheduled to begin.In line with current healthrecommendations, they still would berequired to be tested for the coronavirusbefore boarding the flight and to wearapproved face masks on the flight andwhile in Iraq.In a meeting with members of CatholicNews Service’s (CNS) Rome bureau onFeb. 1, Pope Francis said that unlessthere is a serious new wave of COVID-19infections in Iraq, he had every intentionof visiting the country in early March. †How has the COVID-19 pandemichad an impact on your faith?A year ago, the COVID-19 pandemicbegan to have a dramatic and oftendevastating impact on every aspect oflife in the United States and around theworld. A significant part of that impactextended to the faith lives of people—and their faith communities. It’s animpact that continues today and willundoubtedly continue into the future.As part of our coverage of theongoing influence that the pandemic ishaving on the faith lives of people,The Criterion invites you, our readers,to share your thoughts, experiences andstories of how the COVID-19 crisis hasaffected your faith—the way you liveyour faith, the way you celebrate yourfaith, and whether it has deepened orweakened your faith.Send your thoughts, experiences andstories to John Shaughnessy by e-mail atjshaughnessy@archindy.org or by mail incare of The Criterion, 1400 N. MeridianSt., Indianapolis, IN 46202. Pleaseinclude your parish and a daytime phonenumber where you can be reached. †Public Schedule ofArchbishop Charles C. ThompsonFebruary 20–27, 2021February 20 – 10:30 a.m.Rite of Election at Our Lady ofPerpetual Help Church, New AlbanyFebruary 24 – 8:15 a.m.School Mass at St. Lawrence Church,IndianapolisFebruary 21 – 2 p.m.Rite of Election at SS. Peter and PaulCathedral, IndianapolisFebruary 25 – 10 a.m.Leadership Team meeting atArchbishop Edward T. O’MearaCatholic CenterFebruary 21 – 4 p.m.Rite of Election at SS. Peter and PaulCathedralFebruary 21 – 6 p.m.Rite of Election at SS. Peter and PaulCathedralFebruary 22 – 11 a.m.Funeral for Father John PeterGallagher, St. Joseph Church,ShelbyvilleFebruary 23 – 8:30 a.m.Visit at Providence Cristo Rey HighSchool, IndianapolisFebruary 23 – 1 p.m.Council of Priests meeting, ArchbishopEdward T. O’Meara Catholic Center,IndianapolisPOPEcontinued from page 1Jesus and continue to help believersexperience and express conversion, thepope wrote.“The path of poverty and self-denial”through fasting, “concern and lovingcare for the poor” through almsgivingand “childlike dialogue with the Father”through prayer, he said, “make it possiblefor us to live lives of sincere faith, livinghope and effective charity.”Pope Francis emphasized theimportance of fasting “as a form ofself-denial” to rediscover one’s totaldependence on God and to open one’sheart to the poor.“Fasting involves being freed from allOfficialAppointmentsIn this ‘Year of St. Joseph,’ tell us how hehas impacted your life and your faithEffective ImmediatelyPope Francis has proclaimed thisyear as the “Year of St. Joseph,”honoring him for his faithfulness toGod, his dignity as a worker, and hislove and devotion as a husband toMary and as a foster father to Jesus.With St. Joseph’s feast day approachingon March 19, The Criterion invites you toshare your thoughts and stories about howSt. Joseph has influenced your life. Letus know how he has inspired you, guidedEffective March 3CriterionThePhone Numbers:Main office:. 317-236-1570Advertising. 317-236-1585Toll free:.1-800-382-9836, ext. 1570Circulation:. 317-236-1585Toll free:.1-800-382-9836, ext. 1585Price: 22.00 per year, 75 cents per copyPostmaster:Send address changes to The Criterion,1400 N. Meri dian St., Indianapolis, IN 46202-2367Web site : www.CriterionOnline.comyou or served as a role model in yourfaith, your family, your marriage, yourfatherhood, your work.Send your submissions toJohn Shaughnessy by e-mail atjshaughnessy@archindy.org or by mailin care of The Criterion, 1400N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN46202. Please include your parish anda daytime phone number where youcan be reached. †NEWS FROM YOU!Do you have something exciting ornewsworthy you want to be consideredto be printed in The Criterion?E-mail us:criterion@archindy.orgStaff:Editor: Mike KrokosAssistant Editor: John ShaughnessyReporter: Sean GallagherReporter: Natalie HoeferGraphic Designer / Online Editor: Brandon A. EvansExecutive Assistant: Ann LewisE-mail: criterion@archindy.orgPublished weekly except the last week of December and the first week of January.Mailing address: 1400 N. Meri dian St., Indianapolis, IN 46202-2367. Periodical postage paidat Indianapolis, IN. Copyright 2021 Criterion Press Inc. ISSN 0574-4350.Rev. Santhosh Yohannan, associatepastor of St. Louis Parish in Batesville,sacramental minister at ImmaculateConception Parish in Millhousen, andoffering sacramental assistance at1400 N. Meri dian St.Indianapolis, IN 46202-2367317-236-1570800-382-9836 ext. 1570criterion@archindy.orgPeriodical postage paid atIndianapolis, IN.Copyright 2021February 27 – 11 a.m.Confirmation Mass for youths ofSt. Michael Parish in Brookville andSt. Nicholas Parish in Ripley County atSt. Louis Church, BatesvilleFebruary 27 – 2 p.m.Confirmation Mass for youths ofSt. Louis Parish in Batesville andSt. Anthony of Padua Parish in Morrisat St. Louis Church, Batesvillethat weighs us down—like consumerismor an excess of information, whether trueor false—in order to open the doors of ourhearts to the one who comes to us, poor inall things, yet full of grace and truth: theson of God our savior.”Cardinal Peter Turkson, prefect of theDicastery for Promoting Integral HumanDevelopment, who presented the messageat a news conference, also insisted on theimportance of “fasting and all forms ofabstinence,” for example, by giving up“time watching TV so we can go to church,pray or say a rosary. It is only throughself-denial that we discipline ourselves tobe able to take the gaze off ourselves andto recognize the other, reckon with hisneeds and thus create access to benefitsand goods for people,” ensuring respect fortheir dignity and rights. †St. Maurice Parish in Napoleon andSt. John the Baptist Parish in Osgood,appointed administrator at AmericanMartyrs Parish in Scottsburg andSt. Patrick Parish in Salem.Rev. Michael Hilderbrand, retiredpriest of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis,appointed Liaison to Retired Clergywithin the Vicarate for Clergy, Religious,and Parish Life Coordinators.The Criterion(ISSN 0574-4350) ispublished weekly exceptthe last week of Decemberand the first week ofJanuary.February 25 – 7 p.m.Confirmation Mass for youths ofSt. Ann and St. Joseph parishes inJennings County and St. Mary Parishin North Vernon at SS. Peter and PaulCathedralRev. Jeyaseelan Sengolraj, parochialvicar at SS. Francis and Clare of AssisiParish in Greenwood and St. Martin ofTours Parish in Martinsville, appointedparochial vicar at St. Louis Parish inBatesville and sacramental minister toSt. Anthony of Padua Parish in Morrisand Immaculate Conception Parish inMillhousen.(These appointments are from the officeof the Most Rev. Charles C. Thompson,Archbishop of Indianapolis.) †CriterionThe02/19/21Moving?We’ll be there waiting if you give us two weeks’advance notice!NameE-mailNew AddressCityCriterion Press Inc.State/ZipPOSTMASTER:Send address changes to:Criterion Press Inc.1400 N. Meridian St.Indianapolis, IN 46202-2367New ParishEffective DateNote: If you are receiving duplicate copies please send both labels.The Criterion 1400 N. Meridian St. Indianapolis, IN 46202-2367

The Criterion Friday, February 19, 2021 Page 3Legal path to driving for undocumented population gaining tractionBy Victoria ArthurDespite roadblocks, momentumcontinues to grow across the state forproviding undocumented immigrantswith legal drivingprivileges—amove that somelawmakers andadvocates, includingthe Catholic Church, believe would addressbasic human needs while offering largereconomic and public safety benefits.For the seventh year, legislation beenintroduced in the General Assembly toissue driving privilege cards to residents ofIndiana who cannot provide proof of theiridentity and lawful status in the UnitedStates. Indiana is home to an estimated100,000 undocumented immigrants, andthe cards would allow them to drive legallyand to purchase car insurance.“This can be boiled down to onesimple word, and that’s opportunity,”said Sen. David Niezgodski (D-SouthBend), whose Senate Bill 319 is hisfourth attempt to bring forth driving-cardlegislation. “Undocumented residentsshould have the opportunity to do thingsthat we don’t even think twice about—going to buy groceries, looking for a jobto do better by their families, taking theirchildren to a doctor when they’re sick.”The lawmaker points out that everyday throughout Indiana, undocumentedresidents are driving without propertraining or licensing and living in fear.“All of these things are happening, andthere’s no need for it whatsoever,” saidNiezgodski, a member of St. John theBaptist Parish in South Bend. “We can’tjust continue to look the other way.”Once again, however, his efforts havehit an impasse. Senate Bill 319 wasassigned to the Committee on HomelandSecurity and Transportation, but will notreceive a hearing. A similar bill in theHouse of Representatives, House Bill1138, is awaiting action in the Committeeon Roads and Transportation.Niezgodski said education—both forfellow legislators and for the public—iskey to gaining further support for drivingcards. A starting point is making clearthat the cards would be restricted only tomatters related to driving and purchasinginsurance—not for voting, for instance.Despite the legislative setbacks, thenorthern Indiana lawmaker believes hehas made inroads in the past year—andhe gives much of the credit to a diligentgroup of young advocates in his ownbackyard.Undergraduates with the Notre DameStudent Policy Network (SPN), a studentinitiative at the University of Notre Dame,took on this issue as a public policy topicand conducted extensive research. The resultwas “Safer Roads, A Stronger Indiana:Projected Social and Economic Effectsof Driving Privilege Card Legislation inIndiana,” a report that could influence thepublic debate for years to come.Patrick Aimone, one of the founders ofSPN, said the students’ research uncoverednumerous reasons for Indiana to join nearly20 other states in offering driving cardsto undocumented residents. They foundthat access to driving cards would boostthe state’s economy—from 68 million inincreased revenue for insurance companiesto 141 million in additional car salesthrough three years, as well as higheroverall spending on goods and services.Their findings also supported public safety.“Right now, if undocumentedresidents get into an accident, regardlessof whether it’s their fault, it triggersfears of legal consequences for drivingwithout a license,” Aimone said. “So‘Undocumented residents should have theopportunity to do things that we don’t eventhink twice about—going to buy groceries,looking for a job to do better by their families,taking their children to a doctor when they’resick.’— Sen. David Niezgodskithere are greater rates for hit-and-runs,and it’s harder for police to do theirinvestigations.”Aimone also views his work throughthe lens of Catholic social teaching.“I see this campaign as a corporal workof mercy,” Aimone said. “The federalgovernment is in charge of enforcingimmigration law, and that belongs tothem, but this is an issue of state law. Andit’s a question of whether or not senatorsand representatives have it in their heartsto be merciful toward people who areliving here, who have set down ties totheir communities but who are probablyliving in fear.”An advocate at the opposite end ofthe state knows this struggle all too well.Bertha Melendres, director of Hispanicministry for the Diocese of Evansville,came to the United States from Mexicoat age 11 as an undocumented immigrant.As a resident of California, for years untilshe was able to obtain legal citizenship,Melendres drove to school, work andchurch—without a license and withconstant anxiety.“I know how scary this is,” saidMelendres, who moved to Evansville fouryears ago. “It’s a big issue here, too. Asa Catholic, my convictions are alwaysfounded on our faith. We are called towelcome the stranger, to embrace them andhelp them become productive in society.How can they do that if they don’t have thetools to do the most basic things?”The Indiana Catholic Conference (ICC)stands in support of driving privilegelegislation.“We are encouraged to see all theinvolvement across the state with regardto this issue,” said Angela Espada,executive director of the ICC, the publicpolicy voice of the Catholic Church inIndiana. “While we are disappointed thatSenate Bill 319 did not get a hearing, wewill continue our efforts to advocate forthis type of legislation that we know hashad positive outcomes in other states.”To follow priority legislation of theICC, visit www.indianacc.org. Thiswebsite includes access to I-CAN, theIndiana Catholic Action Network, whichoffers the Church’s position on keyissues. Those who sign up for I-CANreceive alerts on legislation movingforward and ways to contact their electedrepresentatives.(Victoria Arthur, a member of St. MalachyParish in Brownsburg, is a correspondentfor The Criterion.) †Judge stops pandemic capacity limitsplaced on New York houses of worshipBROOKLYN, N.Y. (CNS)—A federaljudge in Brooklyn on Feb. 9 permanentlyblocked New York state capacity limits forworship at Orthodox synagogues in areaswith high rates of COVID-19 infections.The permanent injunction applies toall of the houses of worship in these areasin the state, and is one of the first in thecountry to stop percentage-of-occupancylimits on worship attendance.Last year, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomoplaced restrictions on indoor worship servicesin areas with high COVID-19 rates to 10people in the most affected areas, and 25people in slightly less affected areas.In her five-page order, U.S. DistrictJudge Kiyo Matsumoto reversed a decisionshe made last October when she rejectedthe lawsuit filed by Jewish leaders whoclaimed the congregation size limits wereunconstitutional. In her recent ruling, shecited a Feb. 5 Supreme Court decision thatordered California to allow indoor worshipservices to resume during the pandemic.Eric Rassbach, vice president andsenior counsel at Becket, a religiousliberty law firm, said in a Feb. 9 statementthat Matsumoto’s order is “good newsfor the synagogues, churches and otherhouses of worship of New York.” †03/05/2103/05/2103/05/21“You cando what IReaching a goal of 6.3 million may seemunattainable when we think about howcannot do. Imuch we ourselves are able to contribute.But when you stop and think aboutcan do what youhow many households are in ourArchdiocese (more than 80,000)cannot do. Togetherit really puts it into perspectivethat “together, we can do greatwe can do great things.”things.” If every householdgave a gift of 78, wewould reach our goal!Your gift can makea BIG difference.- Mother Teresawww.archindy.org/UCA

Page 4The Criterion Friday, February 19, 2021OpinionSight Unseen/Brandon A. EvansA perfect place to startArchbishop Charles C. Thompson, PublisherMike Krokos, EditorGreg A. Otolski, Associate PublisherJohn F. Fink, Editor EmeritusEditorialPope Francis hears the confession of a priest at the Basilica of St. John Lateran inRome in this March 7, 2019, file photo. In his message for Lent, Pope Francis said theseason is “a time for renewing faith, hope and love.” (CNS photo/Vatican Media)Use Lent as a time of conversion,to draw closer to the LordWe have begun the season of Lent, atime of prayer, fasting and almsgiving inour Church.And like the end of the Lentenseason in 2020, we continue facing thechallenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.Although the celebration of Mass isavailable at parishes throughout centraland southern Indiana, social distancingis still the norm. Keeping 6 feet apartand wearing masks is part of our newnormal throughout society—even whileattending church.Many parishes have every other pewmarked off to ensure social distancing,choirs are absent from the celebration,and a sign of peace is currently not apart of the liturgy as well.But we still have the greatest gift of ourfaith—the reception of the Eucharist—available to those of us who are able inperson to take part in the holy Mass. Andone prayer for this liturgical season shouldbe that one day soon—God willing—weare able to all come together again as acommunity of faith without restrictionsbecause of the effects of the coronavirus.This Lenten season will obviously bedifferent than others, but that should notprevent us from using the next six-plusweeks to grow in our lives of faith.One thing we believe is well worth theeffort during Lent—and any other timeof the year for that matter—is fine-tuningour witness as missionary disciples.Many of us have already had seedsplanted of how to make the most of thisliturgical season—from increasing ourprayer life to attending Mass more often.We can also take part in weeklyStations of the Cross at area parishesor listen to them at www.archindy.org/Lent2021, or do more spiritual reading.Volunteering to help the least ofour brothers and sisters may be morechallenging because of the pandemic,but it’s worth checking your parishbulletin, or visiting websites for foodpantries and other organizations to see ifthey need a helping hand.Like the leper in the Gospel ofSt. Mark from last Sunday’s liturgy,we can be made “clean” of ourtransgressions in life and be witnessesof faith, hope and love if we ask God tohelp cure us of the illnesses we battle notonly this Lent, but day in and day out—be they spiritual, physical or emotional.There are influences in societythat will try to weaken our moralcompass, and we must remember Lentis an opportune time to fast from thoseinfluences that lead us into darkness.Is fasting from social mediaplatforms that seem to use their postsand messages to constantly criticizeothers possible? Can getting caught upin gossip at work or with friends cease?Are we willing to fast from the harshopinions we have of those who thinkdifferently than we do?Considering the state of our countryand world these days, we realize doingthis will by no means be easy. Angerand vitriol are the messages that areprevalent in Washington these days, butwe must not let the words and actions ofothers result in us becoming bitter.We must remember, we are allimperfect human beings, albeit madein the image and likeness of God,and our faith offers the sacrament ofreconciliation, which Pope Francis saidshould be part of Lent.The Holy Father’s Lenten message,released on Feb. 12, said Lent is “atime for renewing faith, hope and love”through the traditional practices ofprayer, fasting and almsgiving. And bygoing to confession.The pope said receiving the sacramentwill assist us in our relationships with ourbrothers and sisters in Christ.“By receiving forgiveness in thesacrament that lies at the heart of ourprocess of conversion, we in turn canspread forgiveness to others,” he said.“Having received forgiveness ourselves,we can offer it through our willingnessto enter into attentive dialogue withothers and to give comfort to thoseexperiencing sorrow and pain.”Lent should be a time of conversion.May we use this season to free us fromthe stain of our sins, and to draw uscloser to our Lord.—Mike KrokosThere are days, inevitably, when youfeel an emptiness all the way down toyour gut—and often not one day, butmany. You’re tired andlost, and there seemsto be nowhere to go tofind relief.Choices you’vemade, or that havebeen made foryou, have turnedsour; difficulties—perhaps of health orwealth or family ordepression—mount, and those around youeither cannot or will not help.The road vanishes ahead of us. Theoptions we have are snatched from ourhands, and the wide ways of the world areclosed in like tightening circles.God seems absent, damningly absent.We may curse his name or regret the dayswe trusted him, or even, in the midst ofour embarrassment and failure, wish tonever see him again.He is there, though: above us not inheaven, but on a cross. In the barrenclearing at all hope’s end, Christ the Kinghangs silently at his own point of despair.Jesus came into this world knowingthat it would not be enough for him to behated, not enough for the strong to landa single blow, or two, or even 39. Notenough to stumble under his own crossand believe himself to be abandoned.It had to go further. He had to bebeaten down, all the way to the last breathof air and the last drop of blood.The Lord God Almighty had to bedefeated, and defeated absolutely.But why? Perhaps so that when all elsepasses away from us it is still him that wefind at despair’s depths: him silent, himbroken, him dead from love for us.And we are left to make the onlyoffering we can: our emptiness. Our totaland complete dependence on a Savior.It’s a blessing when our whole worldis whittled down to that lonely hill onCalvary, albeit a bitter one.To be robbed of the sight of thefuture and have our own plans torn topieces reminds us that we cannot controlanything, and that peace does not—cannot—depend on all the things we wishto be the master of.The seeming despair of the Cross freesus from the tyranny of our own selfdetermination and self-condemnation.You are not, in the end, as powerfulas you think. Even the destructive forceof your own poor choices is no matchfor the creative power of the Maker ofthe Cosmos. He can undo, redo, remakeand restore; he can bring something fromnothing, light from darkness, order fromchaos—for goodness sake, even make lifefrom death. All things work for Him, thegood and the bad.You may think you have lost Christianhope, but what you have lost in the darkplaces of your life is only the hope inyour own strength—hope in the world andits power.However you got here, whateveryou’ve done or has happened, you’re inthis place because the Father let you comehere, to stand in the silence and be formedinvisibly and by means unknown. It canbe a place of confusion, but know that afuture rendered unseen to you is a futurewhere anything is possible. All hope’s endis really all life’s beginning.No one—no one—who has ever stoodin the driving rain of despair and chosento do it with Jesus will ever be denied theglory on he other side of the cross.And so, when we can do nothing else,all that is left is to choose over and overto stay with Him, just a little bit longer,even if it’s already been too long—evenif it’s already been years—to stay in thatquiet place while he makes the road toa new tomorrow and fills our emptinesswith gifts that we cannot understand.Still, I’ve failed to live this advice,and failed often. Many times—so verymany—I have barely embraced the Crossbefore immediately shoving it away. I ama poor student and a poorer disciple, butnevertheless, God keeps reaching down tome; keeps speaking words of hope.Even this column came to be because ofa seemingly random incident a few weeksago, when I bumped into my horriblydisheveled table at work and knockeda random paper onto the fl

Feb 19, 2021 · Rite of Election at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, New Albany February 21 – 2 p.m. Rite of Election at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral, Indianapolis February 21 – 4 p.m. Rite of Election at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral February 21 – 6 p.m. Rite of Election at SS. Peter and Paul Cath