Bicentennial marks time
for fun, thanksgiving
Centuries ago, bells rang in a village or town to announce the movements
of life: weddings, funerals, the visit of a prominent person, the start
of school, the call to prayer. On Tuesday, April 8, bells will ring in
Catholic churches and schools across the Archdiocese of Philadelphia as
we celebrate the anniversary of its founding as a diocese two centuries
ago. The bells mark a profound moment, and an occasion for fun.
If you cannot join Cardinal Justin Rigali and several hundred Catholics
that day to ring in the Bicentennial at 2 p.m. on the steps of the Cathedral
Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia with prayer, song and
birthday cake, watch it all on live video via the Internet at www.archphila.org.
The celebration next Tuesday shows that regardless of the problems the
Church has faced, it has endured and grown. Over these past 200 years,
the Diocese and later Archdiocese of Philadelphia dealt with such daunting
problems as racial and religious violence, discrimination, shifting demographics,
trusteeism and the specter of poverty. Today the Archdiocese faces new
challenges, from low Mass attendance, to slow acceptance of Church teachings,
to the sexual abuse scandal, to declining school enrollment.
Through it all the Church in Philadelphia has continued to bring the light
of Christ to the Catholic faithful in Southeastern Pennsylvania in the
cultural context of the times. Despite challenges, the Catholic people
continue to worship God through the sacraments; provide care for needy
brothers and sisters; educate and form children and adults in the faith;
and bring many other spiritual and material gifts to the world. Our unity
in the Church founded two millennia ago by Jesus Christ and lived in this
time and place is cause for joy. Why not celebrate it?
In every age, the Mass remains the perfect sacrifice of our praise to
God in His Word and through the presence of His Son in the Eucharist.
It’s also the perfect way to close our year-long Bicentennial celebration.
You can join 5,000 members of your Archdiocesan family at a special Mass
on Sunday, April 13 at 4 p.m. at Villanova University Pavilion. Free tickets
remain; contact 215-587-5634 or e-mail frjmcloo@adphila.org for details.
We live in one of the oldest Catholic communities in America. Let’s
give thanks to God for this and all His gifts of grace.