October 1999

2OOO: A JUBILEE YEAR

A TIME OF CELEBRATION

The roots of the Jubilee Year go back to the Old Testament. In the Book of Leviticus (25:8-55, 27:17-21), the 7^th Sabbath year completes a cycle of 49 years. The name derives from the ram’s horn blown at the beginning. It is a year of social justice, releasing of slaves and the forgiveness of debt (source: The Encyclopedic Dictionary of Religion). In the church, a Jubilee Year is proclaimed every 25 years. It officially begins on Christmas Eve of 1999 with the opening of the Holy Door, one of the entrances to St Peter’s in Rome. I was privileged to see them preparing this door when I was in Rome in June.

In the Diocese of Buffalo, we will be celebrating the Jubilee Year in many ways. There will be more information forthcoming in the near future. Churches will be designated as special sites to observe the Year (in case you don’t make it to Rome!) All Catholics will be asked to do the following:

PRAY regularly for greater justice & peace.

LEARN more about Catholic social teaching & its call to protect human life, stand with the poor, & care for creation.

REACH across boundaries of religion, race, ethnicity, gender, & disabling conditions.

LIVE justly in family life, school, work, the marketplace, & the political arena.

SERVE those who are poor & vulnerable, sharing more time & talent.

GIVE more generously to those in need at home & abroad.

ADVOCATE for public policies that protect human life, promote human dignity, preserve God’s creation, & build peace.

ENCOURAGE others to work for greater charity, justice, & peace.

The last day of our Parish Retreat (Nov. 10) will be dedicated to the Jubilee Year. As we look forward to moving into our new home at Christmas, may our joy and celebrations be true to the spirit of Jubilee Year 2000.