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April 2007 Issue
Bishop's column
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Every year during
Holy Week, one of our most beautiful and significant liturgies
takes place at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew. It is called
the chrism Mass. At this Mass, the holy oils are blessed
and consecrated. These are the oils used in every parish
of the diocese for baptisms and the anointing of the sick
throughout the year. |
They are also used in our parishes on Holy
Saturday night for the full initiation of catechumens and
candidates through baptism and Confirmation before their welcome
to the table of the Lord at the Eucharist. The chrism Mass
is also a special celebration of the ministerial priesthood.
This celebration is particularly joyful because representatives
from every parish and Catholic community or institution, such
as our Catholic hospitals or nursing homes, are present in
the packed cathedral.
They are selected in their home parish or
community because they may be anointed by these oils themselves
in the course of the year: For example, candidates for the
sacrament of confirmation or adults who will be received into
the church at the Easter Vigil. Sometimes the representatives
are chosen because they minister to the sick or instruct or
sponsor candidates and catechumens.
I especially look forward to using the fragrant
oil called chrism in just a few months to anoint the hands
of three men and ordain them as priests of Christ in the service
of our diocese: Deacons Matthew J. Barnum, Victor Kynam and
Mark E. Peacock. That will be a day of special rejoicing for
all of us. At the chrism Mass, nearly 100 priests will be
present to concelebrate with me. I will lead them to a solemn
renewal of their priestly commitment before the assembled
community. The community, in turn, will pray for our priests
and for the continued faithful and generous gift of themselves
to the service of Christ and our people.
Last year, I celebrated the chrism Mass as
your diocesan bishop. The first time I had the privilege of
presiding at this liturgy in our diocese was as a guest celebrant
at the request of Cardinal Adam Maida, who was the apostolic
administrator at that time. It was shortly after the sudden
and unexpected death of Bishop Kevin Britt. I teased at the
time that I enjoyed the celebration so much that I might pack
my bags for a longer stay. Well, by God's providence, I am
with you, as your bishop, invoking God's blessings on these
sacred oils once more. Blessing and consecrating olive oil
with fragrance and spices and using them in our worship of
God is a special way that we Catholics celebrate the ongoing
work of Christ in our church and in our world.
The actual word "Christ" means "the anointed
one" and we, his followers, are called "Christians" because
we are anointed with his Holy Spirit. In the Scriptures, an
anointing with oil was traditionally given to kings and prophets.
It was meant as a sign that those so anointed were being empowered
by God for the special care of God's people. Jesus, most of
all, is the anointed one of God. His love and care for us
led him to offer his life so that we all may share in God's
life. He, in turn, now anoints us: to heal and strengthen
us, to empower us for the service of his people and to bring
the joy of God's life into our everyday human living.
That's why, from the cathedral at the chrism
Mass, we turn over these humble but sacred oils to your parish
representatives. They carry them back to you, to have an honored
place in all our churches. They are signs that the living
Christ is working in our midst. Each year at this time, as
a diocesan community, you are invited to participate in the
annual Catholic Services Appeal (CSA), Serve with Gladness.
It is through the CSA that we are able to further the mission
and ministry of the church here in our diocese and beyond.
Together, as a diocesan church, the CSA assists
each parish to provide services and outreach that no one parish
is able to provide. CSA 2007 weekend is April 28-29. You will
find additional information about this important appeal on
pages 28-29 of this publication, as well as receive it in
your parishes. I am most grateful for your past generosity
and know that I can count on it this year and in the future.
A blessed season of Easter joy to you!
- Bishop Walter A. Hurley is the
11th bishop of the Diocese of Grand Rapids.
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