Catholic Standard and Times - Celebrate our bicentennial

Celebrate our bicentennial

By CHRISTIE L. CHICOINE
CS&T Staff Writer

A pilgrimage, a scavenger hunt, a concert, a calendar and a book all play their part in plans to celebrate 200 years of Catholicism in the Philadelphia Archdiocese.

The bicentennial year will open on Easter Sunday, April 8, 2007 with its theme “Serving the People of God in the Beginning, Now and Always.” Cardinal Justin Rigali will proclaim the opening of the year at Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, and proclamations will be read at all Easter Masses across the Archdiocese.

“The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is blessed with a rich history,” Cardinal Rigali said of the 200 years since it was founded. [Read the full text of the Cardinal’s remarks on page 30.]

“It is the story of immigrants, of the establishment of the Catholic school system and of the lives of two saints — St. John Neumann and St. Katharine Drexel,” the Cardinal said. “It is the story of Eucharistic devotion and parishioners who sacrificed to build churches for worship … [and of] the work of bishops and priests who brought the Word of God to those hungry for spiritual nourishment.

“Much has changed in geography, structure and in the number of parishes, schools and other agencies over two centuries,” he said. “Throughout the years, however, one witnesses constant devotion to our Lord Jesus Christ by the clergy, religious and laity.”

The year 1808 was a pivotal time for the Church in America. On April 8 of that year, Pope Pius VII established Baltimore as the first Archdiocese in the United States, and created dioceses in Boston, New York, Bardstown, Ky., and Philadelphia.

To coordinate the Philadelphia Archdiocese’s anniversary of that founding year, Auxiliary Bishop Robert P. Maginnis is serving as episcopal liaison, and Father Joseph C. McLoone, pastor of St. Katharine Drexel Parish in Chester, is the event chairman.

Just before Christmas 2007, a commemorative book, “Our Faith-Filled Heritage: The Archdiocese of Philadelphia, 1808-2008,” will be published to help Philadelphia’s Catholics reflect on the past and look to the future.

The 300-page, hardcover, coffee-table book will be produced in English and Spanish, and feature historical accounts and numerous photographs and graphics. It will cost $30, and be printed in the fall of 2007, with delivery scheduled after Thanksgiving next year.

Editions du Signe, a religious book publisher in Strasbourg, France, is the publisher. The general editor is Father Philip G. Bochanski, a novice in the Philadelphia Congregation of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri at St. Francis Xavier Parish in the Fairmount section of the city. Father Bochanski was ordained a priest for the Philadelphia Archdiocese in 1999.

About two-thirds of the book will trace the history of the Archdiocese from the settling of Pennsylvania in the 1680s to the present, according to Father Bochanski. The rest of the book will tell the story of the founding of the parishes of the Archdiocese, and include new photographs of every parish church.

The book will also include photographs from the collection of the late Robert S. Halvey, a photographer of The Catholic Standard & Times. Five contributing writers participated in writing the book. In addition, a number of priests, religious and laity have served as editorial consultants.

Two bicentennial calendars — one for 2007 and another for 2008 — will showcase the history of the Archdiocese and highlight the bicentennial events. Some parishes are planning to substitute those calendars for the calendars they give to their parishioners each year. The Archdiocese will also have a limited supply of the bicentenial calendars available.

“The bicentennial celebration of our Archdiocese allows us to remind our people of our faith-filled heritage,” Bishop Maginnis said. “It offers us a chance to recall those wonderful priests, sisters and lay people who helped to build our Church here in Philadelphia.

“The seeds of faith were planted by just a few,” the Bishop added. “But now, look and see the many blessings God has wrought — schools, hospitals, nursing homes, special facilities for the blind, hearing-impaired and physically and mentally challenged. As we reflect on our past, we look to the future with great faith and hope.”

Father McLoone said the bicentennial celebration is something for every Catholic in the Archdiocese to be proud of because every parish “is a part of the great story of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia [and] it unites us as one.

“As a pastor and as a priest of this great Archdiocese of Philadelphia, I’m so very happy that we’re able to look back on some of [its] great accomplishments [and] once again to remind the faithful … that the work that Jesus Christ left behind is ours to do and ours to share,” Father McLoone said.

The bicentennial will conclude with a special Mass on Sunday, April 13, 2008 at the Cathedral. [A preliminary calendar of events is listed on page 29.]

The winner of the official bicentennial logo contest — the deadline for entries was Oct. 13 — will be announced in a future issue of The Catholic Standard & Times.

For more information about the bicentennial celebration, or to offer suggestions about additional ways the Archdiocese may celebrate its 200th birthday, contact Father Joseph McLoone, event chairman, at frjmcloo@adphila.org, or call (215) 587-5634.

CS&T Staff Writer Christie L. Chicoine may be reached at (215) 587-2468 or cchicoin@adphila.org.

Bicentennial Anniversary of the
Archdiocese of Philadelphia
1808-2008

Preliminary Calendar of Events for 2007:
April 8, 2007 — Easter Sunday
Cardinal Justin Rigali opens the Bicentennial Year at Easter Sunday Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, 18th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia. A proclamation will also be read at Easter Sunday Masses in every parish.

April 28, 2007 — Pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.
Join Cardinal Rigali, the auxiliary bishops, priests, religious and laity in rededicating ourselves to Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

May 2007 — Catholic Charities Appeal
With its history of providing for God’s people in need, the Archdiocese launches its 2007 Catholic Charities Appeal. We recommit ourselves to the Gospel charity and serving the people of God.

May 17, 2007 — St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood Celebrates 175 years
As the Archdiocese celebrates 200 years, the Seminary will celebrate 175 years of educating men for the priesthood. Please pray for an increase of vocations and support St. Charles Seminary.

August or September 2007 — Youth Event: “Amazing Race for Grace”
This event will provide the young people of the Church with a chance to learn about the history of the Archdiocese by participating in a scavenger hunt at local historical spots. The day will culminate with a closing celebration and liturgy for youth and young adults.

Oct. 7, 2007 — Hispanic Heritage Mass
The Philadelphia Archdiocese is known for its ethnic diversity. This vibrant Mass will highlight the growing Hispanic presence in our region and the participation of Hispanic Catholics in the local Church.

Oct. 10, 2007 — Bicentennial Concert
A concert will be performed at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia by students of the Catholic schools of the Archdiocese, featuring the Bicentennial Chorus and Orchestra. A highlight of the concert will be the “Te Deum,” by the religious music composer John Rutter.

Fall 2007 — Commemorative History Book
A special commemorative book, “A Faith-Filled Heritage,” rolls off the presses in time for Christmas. The book will highlight the history and contributions of the Church in this region through the last 200 years.

Oct. 21, 2007 — World Mission Sunday
Aware of belonging to the universal Church, we respond in prayer, support and solidarity with our brothers and sisters serving and being served in the mission lands.

Nov. 3, 2007 — Catholic Life Congress
The Catholic Life Congress brings together many people of the Archdiocese to pray and advance the proclamation of the Gospel through lay leadership.

Nov. 4, 2007 — St. Martin de Porres Mass
The St. Martin de Porres Mass highlights the role and importance of the African American Church and its contributions to our local faith life.

December, 2007 — Cardinal’s Christmas Party for Dependent Children will be held for children who are served by Catholic Social Services across the Archdiocese, and Operation Santa Claus distributes gifts to needy children across the Archdiocese in a project sponsored by the Archdiocese’s Office for Youth and Young Adults.