Bishop to celebrate diocese's first Blue Mass

A lot of Catholics know (or should know) of the annual Red Mass that many dioceses hold for lawyers. But did you know there is also a Blue Mass for police officers, firefighters and emergency medical technicians (EMTs)? While not as widely celebrated as the Red Mass, the Blue Mass is growing in recognition. Last night, we caught wind that a Blue Mass will now be celebrated each year in the Diocese of Colorado Springs. Bishop Sheridan is scheduled to be the main celebrant and be joined by other priests of the diocese for a Blue Mass noon May 15 at St. Mary Cathedral. We'll have more in the next Herald.

Vatican names first three Monsignors in diocese history

Just issued by Bishop Sheridan:

Dear Friends,

I am very pleased to inform you that Our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI has honored 3 priests of our diocese by naming them Prelates of Honor, with the title Reverend Monsignor. These three priests are:

Rev. Msgr. John Slattery, Rev. Msgr. Donald Dunn and Rev. Msgr. Robert Jaeger. These men have served not only as exemplary parish priests, but also as vicars general of the diocese. I know that you will join with me in congratulating them. Not only is this a well-deserved honor for these priests, but also a great honor for our diocese, and and a joy for all those whose lives have been touched by them.

Special Lenten Audio from Bishop Sheridan

Last month, Herald staffers Veronica Ambuul and myself interviewed Bishop Sheridan on the topics of sin and penance for a two-part episode for his "Ask the Bishop Show" that airs most Sunday mornings at 9:30.

If you want to hear the segments in their entirety, we've posted them on our audio/video page (It's "Ask the Bishop" shows seven and eight). Spread the word. Coming soon will be more special interviews with both Bishop Sheridan and Bishop Hanifen on the 25th anniversary of the diocese.

Bishop Sheridan answers question on cremation

Bishop Sheridan has just completed and printed a new brochure on Funeral Rites so that the laity will know the church's teachings on the proper burial of a loved one. Those brochures should be available shortly at your parish.

On a related note, one of the more hotly disputed topics in church circles regarding the death of loved ones is cremation. This is a recent practice that the church has had to discuss because of the growing number of Catholics who want their remains cremated after they die. While the church does allow for cremation, it does not encourage it. For a brief but thorough explanation, go here.

Bishop Sheridan had an interesting question posed to him today regarding cremation and he has allowed us to print his response.

Q: I was wondering why the church teaches against the separation of ashes (i.e. dividing them up into smaller urns so each family member can keep some cremains of a loved one). Can you explain to me why we are not supposed to? Is it evil? Is it a sin? What if the rest of the family members decide to do it anyway? What happens then?

BISHOP SHERIDAN: It is forbidden to divide the ashes into several containers. It is also forbidden to retain the cremated remains in the home. Our respect for the sanctity of the human body requires that we give proper burial to the entirety of the remains. We would not cut up a body up and divide the parts between family members. So we should not do something similar with the cremated remains. To do so is to disobey an important law of the Church and thus commit a sin.

Christopher West talk to air on KFEL this week

The Colorado Catholic Herald and KFEL-970 AM Catholic radio are proud to announce that Christopher West's Dec. 4, 2007, talk, "Theology of the Body: Antidote to a Pornographic Culture," will make its initial airing in two parts at 6 a.m. this Wednesday and Thursday. This issue is probably not your first choice of breakfast-time chatter, but Christopher's presentation is quite inspirational and would be a great way to start to day.

If you like the talk, it is also available for audio streaming by clicking here or going to the Audio/Video page on http://www.coloradocatholicherald.com/.

Stay tuned also for the debut of another show, "Ask the Bishop," where we have students from local Catholic schools, as well as KFEL listeners and Herald readers, ask questions to Bishop Michael Sheridan. This is more of a conversational program where listeners will hear a more personal side to the bishop, in additional to some discussions about catechetical and theological matters. We will send another alert once we set the initial program dates. If you would like to submit a question for a future program, please send it to editor@coloradocatholicherald.com.

Happy Birthday to Bishop Sheridan

Today is Bishop Sheridan's birthday. If you would like to wish him a happy birthday, write your message in the comment box and I'll compile them for him.

El Paso County declares Sanctity of Life Week

Herald photo by Bill Howard

On Monday, Bishop Sheridan was invited to the County Office Building to receive a resolution passed by the El Paso County Board of Commissioners to delare Jan. 20-27 "Sanctity of Human Life Week." Bishop Sheridan received a copy of the resolution and it was read by Commissioner Wayne Williams. Below is the full text of the resolution.

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, our nation was built on a promise of life and liberty for all citizens, and our Founding Fathers worked to secure these rights for future generations guided by a deep respect for human dignity; and

WHEREAS, it is important to reaffirm the value of human life and renew our dedication to ensuring that every resident has access to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; and

WHEREAS, every child is a priority and a blessing, and we believe that all should be welcomed in life and protected by law, and therefore we champion compassionate alternatives to abortion, such as encouraging adoption and promoting abstinence education; and

WHEREAS, faith-based and community organizations and individual citizens play a critical role in strengthening our neighborhoods and bringing care and comfort to those in need, and by helping fellow citizens, these groups recognize the dignity of every human being and the possibilities of every life; and their important efforts are helping to build a more just and generous County and Nation and to build a culture that respects life; and

WHEREAS, by working together to protect the weak, the imperfect, and the unwanted, we affirm a culture of hope and help ensure a brighter future for all.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the undersigned members of the Board of County Commissioners of El Paso County, Colorado hereby proclaim January 20-27, 2008, as Sanctity of Human Life Week in El Paso County. As we reflect upon the sanctity of human life, we call upon our residents to recognize this week with appropriate ceremonies in our homes and places of worship, to rededicate ourselves to compassionate service, and to reaffirm our commitment to respecting the life and dignity of every human being.

DONE THIS 14th day of January 2008 at Colorado Springs, Colorado

THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF EL PASO COUNTY,
COLORADO

Dennis Hisey, Chair

(county seal)

Jim Bensberg, Vice Chair

Sallie Clark, Member

Wayne W. Williams, Member

ATTEST: Robert C. Balink
County Clerk and Recorder

Reciting the Angelus with Bishop Sheridan during Advent

(Note: I'm repackaging an earlier e-mail with updated information.)

There are two ways you can recite the Angelus with Bishop Sheridan this Advent.

Beginning Monday, Dec. 3, he will recite the Angelus at noon each day on Catholic Radio Network's KFEL-970 AM. This is a recently produced recording.

If you want to recite the Angelus in person with Bishop Sheridan, he says it every weekday at noon during Advent at his third floor office. You are welcome to join the Chancery staff whenever you can.

In other KFEL news, more local programming will be coming in early 2008, including Q&As with Catholic Charities executive director Jason Christensen and Olympic cross country skiier Rebecca Dussault. Stay tuned...

Bishop Sheridan in Newsweek

Bishop Sheridan was interviewed for an article in the next Newsweek magazine about the bishops' stance on politicians and the reception of Communion. Here is the part about Bishop Sheridan, who was asked a question about whether or not he would give holy Communion to Catholic presidential candidate and limited abortion rights supporter Rudy Giuliani:

"If I were assured, and I think we are, that he's been properly counseled in this regard, then I would have to deny, because [the canon] directs me to do that," said Bishop Michael Sheridan of Colorado Springs. "That's what I'm bound to do by church law."

If anyone wants to discuss the article, please keep the comments to the issue of politicians and Communion and not critiques/support of any particular candidates.

Bishop Sheridan in the L.A. Times

At the U.S. Bishops' meeting in Baltimore this week, Bishop Sheridan was interviewed by the L.A. Times over the updated "Faithful Citizenship" document that was passed yesterday. Here are the exerpts mentioning Bishop Sheridan:

"Unless we're going to give up our right to vote . . . it may be that we never find the perfect candidate," said Bishop Michael J. Sheridan of Colorado Springs, Colo. "So there's where we have to try to decide which of the candidates do we think is at least going to propose and move toward the greatest good."

And later . . .

Sheridan said he suggests Catholics at odds with the Church's positions seek clerical counsel. But he said if Catholic candidates or voters whose views on social issues continued to clash publicly and obstinately with those of the church, he would encourage them to refrain from receiving Communion, one of the Church's most holy sacraments.

When those individuals receive the sacrament, Sheridan said, other believers might mistakenly interpret their views as being validated by the church.

Bishop Sheridan talks about "Moral Principles for Catholic Voters" on EWTN's "The World Over"

On Friday night, Bishop Sheridan was a guest of Raymond Arroyo on EWTN's "The World Over" live program, talking about the Colorado bishops' statement last year, "Moral Principles for Catholic Voters."

I have not seen it yet but hope to find a link to it on EWTN's site when it is archived. If anyone has seen it and would like to comment on it, please do.

"Moral Principles for Catholic Voters" can be read here. It will no doubt put the Colorado bishops in the spotlight next year as the Democratic National Convention rolls through Denver and as both parties struggle to find presidential candidates that Catholic voters can identify with.

Happy Independence Day

The latest bishop's column focuses on "unalienable rights."