Week
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April 18, 2001
Inside the Register
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Chrism Mass
Hundreds witness blessing of oils, priests' renewal of vows
By Roxanne King
More
than 100 priests, confirmation students from eight parishes, religious
sisters and lay faithful filled the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
April 10 to celebrate the Chrism Mass.
Auxiliary Bishop José Gomez and retired Archbishop Daniel Kucera, O.S.B., were among those who concelebrated the Mass with Archbishop Charles Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.
During the Mass, the archbishop blessed the oils used in the sacraments: Chrism, olive oil perfumed with balsam, which is used at baptism, confirmation and in the dedication of churches and altars. Oil of Catechumens, usually olive oil, which is used at different steps in the Rite of Christian Initiation, and Oil of the Sick, also usually, olive oil, which is used for anointing the sick.
Priests from across the diocese renewed their vows during the Mass. Those celebrating 25, 40 and 50 years of ordination were honored. Those recognized for 25 years of priestly service included Msgr. Samuel Aquila, Father Frank Gold, Father Alan Hartway, C.P.P.S., Father James Moreno, Father Thomas Noesen, O.P., Father Paul Sykora, M.M., and Father Richard Thibodeau, C.S.s.R.
Those recognized for 40 years of service included Father Albert Castellino, C.S.s.R., Father Harvey Dinkel, O.F. M. Cap., and Father Timothy Lawless, S.J.
Jubilarians honored included Father Robert Breunig, Father James Kane, Msgr. Frank Morfeld, and Father Gabriel Ramacciotti, O.S.M.
"Our priesthood is the priesthood of Jesus Christ," Bishop Gomez said during the homily. "We participate in a sacramental way in the priesthood of Jesus Christ — what an extraordinary reality."
The bishop described the Mass as "a special moment of priestly fraternity" and encouraged the priests to practice "honesty," "compassion" and "optimism" in their service to God and the Church.
"Practice what you preach," Bishop Gomez said as he expanded on honesty. Regarding compassion he said, "People expect that from us in all our different tasks."
On optimism, Bishop Gomez urged his brother priests to approach their work with "confidence," noting that Christ's life "had serious setbacks, difficulties and persecution.
"Humanly speaking his life was a big disaster, but then came the resurrection," he said.
Recalling that he recently attended the 50-year anniversary Mass for a priest friend in Monterrey, Mexico, Bishop Gomez said he calculated that if his friend had celebrated one Mass a day in that time, the total number of Masses would come to 18,250.
"One Mass would make his priestly life worth living - one time acting `in persona Christi,'" Bishop Gomez said.
After the Mass, jubilarian Msgr. Morfeld, pastor of St. Francis de Sales, said he is "very grateful" for his 50 years of priestly service.
"God has been very good to me," the 74-year-old priest said. He added that he is certain he has celebrated more than the 18,250 Masses Bishop Gomez had calculated 50 years would include.
"That's only one a day," Msgr. Morfeld said, "Sometimes it's two or three a day on weekends. But who counts — one would be a great privilege."
Confirmation student Brittany Van Veen, 13, said it was "neat" to see the oils blessed and to learn that there were "so many different kinds of oil."
The large number of priests also impressed her. Classmate Matt Robinson, 14, agreed.
"I was surprised there were so many who served 50, 40 and 25 years," he said. Adding that he is considering the priesthood, Robinson said, "Seeing the number of priests was inspiring."