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This morning, in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father Francis received in audience the representatives of the Italian Bowling Federation, to whom he addressed the following greeting:

 

Greeting of the Holy Father

Ladies and Gentlemen, good morning and welcome!

It gives me great pleasure to meet you, representatives of the Italian Bowling Federation, together with the international president and various civil authorities, whom I thank for their presence. I admit that I am fond of the game of bowls, for two reasons: the first, because it is a “poor” sport, compared to those of the “stars” with billionaire contracts, who always fill the media. I think that bowling champions are people who work as clerks, or teachers, or plumbers... In short, normal people who have a passion for this game that is perhaps a little unfashionable, but so rich in humanity.

And here I come to the second reason for my fondness for bowls: it is a sport that I associate with a certain type of sociality, of social friendship… It used to be very widespread in villages, in the rural world. There were bowling greens everywhere, even in the parishes. It was a way of being together, of passing the time in company, a healthy and calm entertainment. Society has changed, and so has the sport of bowls: women and young people also play it; many people with disabilities practise it, and I congratulate you on all this.

Dear friends, I applaud you for the results you have achieved as a federation at competitive level; and above all because you carry on this alternative sport compared to the big sports business machine, an inclusive sport, which still has the flavour of “play” and good company.

I bless all of you and your activity from my heart. And please, do not forget to pray for me. Thank you.

This morning, in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father Francis received in audience the young people of Italian Catholic Action, on the occasion of the exchange of Christmas wishes.

The following is the address delivered by the Pope during the audience:

 

Address of the Holy Father

Dear brothers and sisters, dear young people, good morning!

Thank you for coming again this year to exchange Christmas wishes! I greet the National President and the General Assistant, the leaders, the educators; I greet all of you!

You have chosen as a guide for this year’s formative journey the theme: “ Put out to sea ”. This immediately makes us think of Jesus’ first disciples, who were fishermen; and Jesus made them become “fishers of men” ( Lk 5:1-11).  So, I would like to reflect a moment with you on these two images: fishing and wonder.

First: fishing , being fishers of men . What does it mean? Perhaps “capturing” people, maybe using more modern nets? This is certainly not what the Lord wants. God does not want to “capture” anyone, because He respects our freedom . Instead, He offers everyone His love and His salvation, without expecting anything in return and without exclusions. He shares with us His joy of being the beloved Son of the Father: “You know?”, Jesus says to us, “I have a wonderful Father, who loves everyone, without limits, and I want to introduce Him to you too, so you will be happy with me!”.

This is how Jesus is a “fisher of men”: spreading the joy and wonder of His love to them.

And this leads us to the second point: wonder , being able to be in awe. Have you seen boring people? Yes? They exist. And do you know why? Because they do not know how to feel wonder! Everything is all the same, monotonous: they have lost the capacity for wonder. Christmas is a truly special moment in this sense: the streets are filled with lights, we exchange gifts, the liturgy is enriched with songs and beautiful sounds. The children and young people of Catholic Action come here and, one, two, three, they sing… It is all beautiful. Think of the Nativity display: how much wonder there is! The shepherds, the Magi and the other characters surround the grotto with their astonished faces, involving even the animals and the entire landscape as if in a great feast. Stop in front of a Nativity display and look closely; then go to another and look closely… In all of them there is variety. The Neapolitan Nativities are beautiful! But Jesus, Our Lady and Saint Joseph are never missing from any of them: that Love God sent to us, and Our Lady and Joseph who raise Him.

Be attentive, though, because this applies not only at Christmas. All our life, in fact, is an extraordinary gift: each one of us is unique, and every day is special, as Blessed Carlo Acutis loved to say. You know him, don’t you? Do you know that he will be a saint soon? Good! He used to say: we must be “originals”, not “photocopies”! And how many people are unable to be original. They are photocopies! Today we do this because the newspaper says it must be done, or out of habit. And Christmas, for many people, is a “photocopy” of many things and not the encounter, which is so beautiful, that every year brings us newness, newness in the soul and in the heart of each one of us. Look at the Nativity display, look at Our Lady, Joseph and the Infant, the Magi, the shepherds, humble people, who go to see Jesus.

Let us learn, then, to experience wonder. Please do not lose the capacity for wonder. Let us learn to take nothing for granted, especially love: that of God and that of the people we meet. Let us spread our wonder to everything and everyone: from home to home, parish to parish, city to city, nation to nation. In this way, we spread happiness, trust and consolation. Christmas is good news. It is not about having a banquet and nothing more. One has dinner, it is nice, with the family… But there are also other things: one looks at the Nativity display, one goes to church. It is a festivity that is at the root of our faith.

I know you have brought gifts for those most in need. Do not forget those in need! And when you find children in need, people in need, look them in the eye and touch their hand while you give alms, close to them, with that closeness that only love gives. And Mary and Jesus were in need. Who among you goes to give birth where Jesus was born? They go to the clinic, or home… Jesus was born there, in a stable. They were poor, they were needy. Do not forget children in need, go in search of them! And give your love, your company, and help them. I like this, that you have brought gifts to give to the poor. And I encourage you always to be close, in prayer and in charity, to those who suffer, to the many young people like you who suffer due to hunger, war, sickness. Speaking of war, some children from Ukraine are coming here: they are bringing them to take them away from that terrible war. Do you know that Ukrainian children, who have experienced the war, have forgotten how to smile? They do not know how to smile. Think of those children, those young people. In this way, you will echo the song of the Angels: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom His favour rests” ( Lk 2:14).

Dear friends, I bless you, and with you all the children and young people of Catholic Action. And please, do not forget to pray for me. God bless you!

Resignation and appointment of bishop of Guarda, Portugal

Appointment of bishop of Tyler, U.S.A.

Appointment of auxiliary bishops of Chicago, U.S.A.

 

Resignation and appointment of bishop of Guarda, Portugal

The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Guarda, Portugal, presented by Bishop Manuel da Rocha Felício.

The Holy Father has appointed the Reverend José Miguel Barata Pereira, of the clergy of the Patriarchate of Lisboa, until now rector of the major seminary, as bishop of the same diocese.

Curriculum vitae

Msgr. José Miguel Barata Pereira was born on 7 November 1971 in Lisbon. After attending the Pré-Seminário de Lisboa , the Seminário de Alamada , then belonging to the Patriarchate of Lisboa, and the Seminário Maior de Cristo Rei dos Olivais , he attended the Faculty of Theology of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa in Lisbon, where he was awarded a licentiate in theology.

He was ordained a priest on 29 June 1996 for the Patriarchate of Lisboa.

He has held the following offices: prefect of the Seminário Menor de São José de Caparide in Estoril (1996 - 1999); member of the Presbyteral Council (1996-1999); vice rector of the Seminário Nossa Senhora da Graça in Penafirme and collaborator in the parishes of Nossa Senhora da Luz in A-dos-Cunhados, and São Miguel in Vimeiro (1999 - 2007); vicar forane of Torres Vedras (2006 – 2007); teacher of Catholic Moral Religious Education at the Externato de Penafirme  (2001 - 2007); assistant of the Núcleo do Oeste do Corpo Nacional de Escutas  (2006 - 2007); vice rector of the Seminário Maior de Cristo Rei dos Olivais  (2007 - 2011); director of the Pré-Seminário  (2009 - 2012); director of the Setor de Animação Vocacional  (2007 - 2017); rector of the Seminário Maior de Cristo Rei dos Olivais  (since 2011); secretary of the Secretariado de Ação Pastoral  (since 2007); head of formation of candidates to the permanent diaconate (since 2007); member of the Presbyteral Council (since 2012); member of the diocesan Pastoral Council (since 2012); member of the Chapter of Canons of the Patriarchal Cathedral (since 2017); member of the Equipe Regional do Centro Nacional de Escutas; spiritual assistant of the 2  Equipe Cristo na Empresa  dell’ Associação Cristã de Empresários e Gestores (ACEGE), and spiritual assistant of 3  Equipes Notre-Dame.

 

Appointment of bishop of Tyler, U.S.A.

The Holy Father has appointed Bishop John Gregory Kelly, until now titular of Jamestown and auxiliary of Dallas, as bishop of Tyler, United States of America.

Curriculum vitae

Bishop John Gregory Kelly was born on 15 February 1956 in LeMars, in the diocese of Sioux City, Iowa. He attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado. He entered the Holy Trinity Seminary and was awarded a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and a Master of Divinity from the University of Dallas in Irving, Texas.

He was ordained a priest on 15 May 1982 for the diocese of Dallas.

He has held the following offices: parish vicar of All Saints in Dallas (1982-1986); chaplain at the University of Dallas (1986-1996); parish priest of Saint Gabriel in McKinney (1996-2008); vicar for the clergy, director of priestly vocations, vicar forane, interim rector at the Holy Trinity Seminary, and member of the College of Consultors, the Presbyteral Council and the Board of Directors of the University of Dallas.

On 16 December he was appointed titular bishop of Jamestown and auxiliary of the diocese of Dallas, receiving episcopal consecration the following 11 February.

 

Appointment of auxiliary bishops of Chicago, U.S.A.

The Holy Father has appointed the following as auxiliary bishops of the archdiocese of Chicago, United States of America: the Reverend Timothy J. O’Malley , of the clergy of the same metropolitan archdiocese, until now parish priest of Most Blessed Trinity in Waukegan, assigning hi the titular see of Numida; the Reverend Lawrence J. Sullivan , of the clergy of the same archdiocese, until now parish priest of Christ the King in Chicago, assigning him the titular see of Lamfua; the Reverend José Maria Garcia Maldonado , of the clergy of the same archdiocese, until now parish priest of San José Sanchez del Rio in Chicago, assigning him the titular see of Fallaba; the Reverend Robert Fedek , of the clergy of the same archdiocese, until now personal secretary to the archbishop, assigning him the titular see of Dardano; and the Reverend John S. Siemianowski , of the clergy of the same archdiocese, until now parish priest of Saint Juliana in Chicago, assigning him the titular see of Gratianopolis.

 

Curriculum vitae of Msgr. Timothy J. O’Malley

Msgr. Timothy J. O’Malley was born on 17 December 1959 in Evergreen Park, in the archdiocese of Chicago. He attended Purdue University and DePaul University Law School, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in economics and a Juris Doctor respectively. After several years of work experience, he entered the seminary and carried out his ecclesiastical studies at Mundelein Seminary , where he was awarded a Master of Divinity.

He was ordained a priest on 24 May 1997 for the archdiocese of Chicago.

He has held the following offices: parish vicar of Saint Agnes of Bohemia in Chicago (1997-2002); parish priest of Saint James in Highwood (2002-2007), Saint James in Round Lake 2007-2015), Saint Genevieve in Chicago (2015-2018) and Most Blessed Trinity in Waukegan (since 2018).

 

Curriculum vitae of Msgr. Lawrence J. Sullivan

Msgr. Lawrence J. Sullivan was born on 22 January 1966 in Chicago, in the archdiocese of the same name. He attended Niles College Seminary, where he was awarded a bachelor’s degree in political sciences. He subsequently carried out his theological studies at the Mundelein Seminary, obtaining a master’s degree in theology.

He was ordained a priest on 23 May 1992 for the archdiocese of Chicago.

He has held the following offices: parish vicar (1992-1996) and parish priest (1999-2008) of Saint Celestine in Elmwood Park; parish priest of Saint Christina in Chicago (2008-2014) and Christ the King in Chicago (since 2014); director of cemeteries (since 2017).

 

Curriculum vitae of Msgr. José Maria Garcia Maldonado

Msgr. José Maria Garcia Maldonado was born on 24 March 1979 in San Julian, Jalisco, Mexico. After entering the diocesan seminary of Jalisco, he carried out his theological studies at Mundelein Seminary, obtaining a Master of Divinity.

He was ordained a priest on 17 May 2008 for the archdiocese of Chicago.

He has held the following offices: parish vicar of Saint Sylvester in Chicago (2009-2010), director of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine in Des Plaines and member of the Faculty of the Saint Joseph College Seminary (2010-2011), parish priest of Good Shepherd in Chicago (2012-2021) and of San José Sanchez del Rio in Chicago (since 2021).

 

Curriculum vitae of Msgr. Robert Fedek

Msgr. Robert Fedek was born on 7 July 1979 in Bielso-Biala, Poland. He attended the Papieska Akademia Teologiczna in Krakow, the Bishop Abramowicz Seminary in Chicago and the Mundelein Seminary, where he was awarded a Master of Divinity.

He was ordained a priest on 21 May 2005 for the archdiocese of Chicago.

He has held the following offices: parish vicar of Saint Mary of the Annunciation in Chicago (2005-2010); parish priest of Our Lady of Victories in Mundelein (2010-2017) and of the Immaculate Conception in Chicago (2017-2020); and personal secretary to the archbishop (since 2020).

 

Curriculum vitae of Msgr. John S. Siemianowski

Msgr. John S. Siemianowski was born on 26 May 1960 in Chicago. He attended the Southern Illinois University, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences. He subsequently carried out his ecclesiastical studies as Mundelein Seminary, obtaining a Master of Divinity.

He was ordained a priest on 20 May 1989 for the archdiocese of Chicago.

He has held the following offices: lecturer at Saint Joseph Catholic School (1982-1984); parish vicar of Saint Francis de Sales in Lake Zurich (1989-1990), Saint Mary in Lake Forest (1990-1993) and Saint Elizabeth Seton in Orland Hills (1993-1996); parish priest of Saint Agnes in Chicago Heights (1996-2001), administrator of Saint Paul in Chicago (2003-2010); parish priest of Saint Kieran in Chicago (2013-2021) and Saint Juliana in Chicago (since 2021).

At 9.00 this morning, in the Paul VI Hall, in the presence of the Holy Father Francis, the Preacher of the Papal Household, Father Roberto Pasolini, O.F.M. Cap., held the third Sermon of Advent, on the theme: “The Doors of Hope”. Towards the opening of the Holy Year through the prophecy of Christmas.

This morning, the Holy Father Francis received in audience:

- His Eminence Cardinal Luis Antonio G. Tagle, pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization;

- Archbishop Giordano Piccinotti, titular of Gradisca, president of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See;

- Mr. Patrick E. Kelly, Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus;

- Young people of Italian Catholic Action;

- Members of the Italian Bowling Federation.