Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston

Difficulties and Hopes of the Catholic Church in America

Bransfield Among Bishops to Meet with Holy Father Jan. 19 at Vatican

Today in the Vatican Benedict XVI received a group of prelates from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (Regions 4 and 6), at the end of their "ad limina" visit. Extracts from his English-language remarks to them are given below.

Pope Poses For Group Photo During Meeting With US Bishops on 'Ad Limina' Visits to Vatican

Pope Benedict XVI poses for a photo with U.S. cardinals and bishops on their "ad limina" visits during a meeting at the Vatican Jan. 19.

Concert Series Resumes at The Cathedral of St. Joseph in Wheeling

By Tim Bishop

WHEELING—The Cathedral of St. Joseph in Wheeling will resume its Stained Glass Concert Series Feb. 19 at 3 p.m., with an afternoon of music and song from some of the world’s most famous composers. The concert will feature soloist Dr. David J. Rudari, baritone, who is also the music director at the cathedral.Read more.

Diocesan Official Appointment

Bishop Michael J. Bransfield has made public the following appointment:

Father William J. Kuchinsky is appointed as priest in residence at St. Leo Parish in Inwood, with residence at the parish rectory, effective immediately.
 

Diocesan Official Appointment

Bishop Michael J. Bransfield has made public the following appointment:

Father Thomas Paulose Manickathan, H.G.N., is appointed as Chaplain of Council No. 6180 of the Knights of Columbus for the Fraternal Year 2011-2012, effective immediately. The appointment is made in addition to his current assignment as pastor of St. Peter Parish in Welch, Sacred Heart Parish in Powhatan, Our Lady of Victory Parish in Gary and Christ the  King Parish in War.

Father Donal O’Donovan

We received word on January 4, 2012, that Father Donal O’Donovan (retired in Ireland) passed away. Please remember him and all our departed brothers at the Altar of the Lord. Father O’Donovan’s sacred funeral rites will be celebrated on January 7, 2012, at Saint Patrick Church, Dunmanway, County Cork, Ireland. More information about a Memorial Mass in our Diocese shall follow. May Father Donal rest in the sure hope of Christ’s Resurrection.

Editor's Note: The date has been changed from Monday, January 9 to Saturday, January 7.

Diocesan Official Appointment

Bishop Michael J. Bransfield has made public the following appointment:

After consultation with his Provincial Superior, Very Rev. Charles Gorantla, H.G.N., Father Anthony Dcruze, H.G.N., is appointed associate pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Parkersburg and St. Monica Parish in Lubeck, with residence at the parish rectory in Parkersburg, effective immediately.

Three Priests Named Monsignor

WHEELING, W.Va.—Most Rev. Michael J. Bransfield, bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, announced today that Pope Benedict XVI has named three priests of the diocese each as Chaplain to His Holiness, entitling them to be addressed as monsignor. The new monsignors are:

Groundbreaking at The Basilica of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart Parish

Martina Hart Photo
The Basilica of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart Parish in Charleston held a groundbreaking ceremony Dec. 18 for a new gymnasium, parish hall and daycare center to be located next to the church.Read more.

A Message from the Bishop of Wheeling-Charleston, the Most Reverend Michael J. Bransfield:

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I am pleased to share with you the wonderful news that I have received recently regarding three members of the presbyterate of the Diocese.

Diocesan Official Appointment

Bishop Michael J. Bransfield has made public the following appointment:

Father Joseph M. Augustine H.G.N., J.C.L, is appointed as administrator of Our Lady of Grace Parish in Romney, effective Dec. 3. The appointment is made in addition to his current assignment as Defender of the Bond for the Tribunal of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston.

Bishop Bransfield to Dedicate the Catholic Charities West Virginia Central Region Office

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Most Rev. Michael J. Bransfield, bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, will bless and dedicate the Catholic Charities West Virginia (CCWVa) Central Region Office, which is located at 827 Fairmont Street, Suite 203, at 11 a.m. Dec. 5.

Catholic Charities West Virginia Launches its 2011 Share Our Greatest Hope Annual Appeal

WHEELING, W.Va.—Catholic Charities West Virginia (CCWVa) launches its 2011 annual appeal entitled Share Our Greatest Hope−to reduce poverty in West Virginia. The appeal not only raises funds for programs and services of the seven statewide regions of CCWVa, it increases awareness of the critical needs of the poor and marginalized in our state.

Christmas Midnight Mass to be Televised across State

By Tim Bishop
WEST VIRGINIA—The televised broadcast of midnight Mass on Christmas from the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Wheeling will once again be brought to the faithful of West Virginia through the sponsorship of Wheeling Hospital.Read more.

SleepOut Raises Awareness for Runaway and Homeless Youth

By Tim Bishop
WHEELING—In an effort to raise awareness for runaways and youth homelessness, more than 170 people spent the night outside on Wheeling Jesuit University’s (WJU) campus Nov. 4. The event was co-sponsored by WJU and Wheeling’s Youth Services System’s (YSS) Safe Place Program.

Diocesan Official Appointment

Bishop Michael J. Bransfield has made public the following appointment:

Father Saju Puthenpurackal Joseph is appointed as Chaplain of Council #942 of the Knights of Columbus for the Fraternal Year 2011-2012, effective immediately. The appointment is made in addition to his current assignment as pastor of St. Anthony Parish in Fairmont.
 

Annual Collection Supports 34,000 Retired Sisters, Brothers, Priests in Religious Orders

The 24th annual collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious will be taken up December 10-11, 2011, in the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston. Sponsored by the National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO) in Washington, D.C., the appeal asks Catholics to Share in the Care of more than 34,000 women and men religious past age 70.

Diocesan Official Appointment

Bishop Michael J. Bransfield has made public the following appointment.

Father Joseph L. Peterson, V.F., is appointed to the Diocesan Liturgical Commission and the Liturgy Subcommission, effective immediately. The appointment is made in addition to his current assignment as pastor of St. Margaret Mary Parish in Parkersburg.
 

Wheeling Catholic Elementary School Will Close in December

WHEELING, W.Va.—Parents of the 13 students at Wheeling Catholic Elementary School were informed this week that the school would be closing on December 16, 2011. This concludes 114 years of education at the former Cathedral Parish School, where demographic changes to its surrounding community have greatly contributed to reduced enrollment at the school.