Untitled - Digitizing America

as a result of the consultation, the Bishops
now feel more acutely their responsibility to
clearly and effectively express Church
teaching. The pastoral agenda for the Church
is unfolding and the proposals of A Call To
Action have been heard and weighed. Some
were accepted and others declined, but the
voice that the consultation gave to the joys,
hopes, and griefs of the people of our age
stands out as a strong statement in support
of the vitality with which shared responsibility
infuses the Church.
America rejoiced at receiving its third saint
on June 19, 1977, when John Neumann, immigrant,
Redemptorist priest, and Bishop of
Philadelphia, was canonized. This was truly a
gift to our country from the Church, for John
Neumann's quiet, steadfast virtue in everything
that he did calls out for emulation to all
who know his story. (See page 24.)
46
And Forever
oman Catholicism came to
America with grEat men of vision almost five
hundred years ago-perhaps even earlier. Men of
our Church helped to found the United States two
hundred years ago and have contributed to every
step of its incredibly swift growth.
The religious community has taken gigantic
strides to keep pace ecumenically. The faith of our
fathers remains constant with merely a shift of
emphasis in the greater participation of the people
in the duties formerly relegated to priests and religious
alone.
Traditions and beautiful ceremonies of the past
are still cherished. But new forms of worship have
joined them. The image of the devout Catholic
follower of Christ is stillwith us, but now our arms
are outstretched in brotherhood as we walk in His
footsteps.
Each and every Christian is an apostle as well.
Each shares in the responsibilities as well as the
rewards of the Gospel. We rejoice in this knowledge
as we greet the future with renewed dedication,
despite the understanding that man has not
the gift, nor the burden, of knowing what the future
will be. This is the Lord's way. We affirm that