CARDINAL BERNARD LAW RETURNS 'HOME' FOR 25TH ANNIVERSARY

For Cardinal Bernard Law, Archbishop of Boston, Sunday's return to Cape Girardeau was a joyous homecoming.

The Catholic bishop celebrated Mass at the new Notre Dame High School. More than 700 people crowded into the school's cafetorium to see Law, who once had served as bishop in the Springfield-Cape Girardeau Diocese.

"It feels great," the Rev. Law told reporters upon arriving at the high school.

"I learned how to be a bishop in southern Missouri," said Law, clad in his bright red vestment.

Law returned to the diocese this weekend to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his ordination as bishop of the Catholic Church in Southern Missouri.

He celebrated Mass at a Springfield church Saturday.

Law praised Cape Girardeau's new Catholic high school. "I think that this school is just a tremendous resource. Catholic education, I believe, is needed more today than ever before."

Catholic schools, he said, stress the dignity of human beings and the importance of families.

It's been 14 years since Law was named Archbishop of Boston.

Law has returned several times to his former diocese. But he said this was his first visit back to southern Missouri in several years.

"I feel like Rip van Winkle," he said. "I see so much growth in the church."

He said the new Notre Dame High School reflects the growth.

Law, who meets irregularly with the pope, and other church officials met with the pope 1 1/2 weeks ago.

"I am happy to report he is doing superbly well," said Law, who will join Pope John Paul II on his visit to St. Louis next year.

Law said the Catholic Church and all Christian denominations must deal with today's culture that "exalts and isolates the individual."

In such a culture, commitments are difficult, he said, adding that marriage is one of the commitments that has had difficulty in today's culture.

"I think that is a great challenge at the end of this century," said Law. People need to have a sense of community.

"If you live a holy life, you can't live in miserable isolation," said Law.

In terms of numbers, Boston isn't southern Missouri.

The Archdiocese of Boston includes more than 2 million Catholics within a population of 3.7 million. It covers 2,465 square miles.

The Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau includes 57,439 Catholics within a population of more than 1 million. The diocese covers 25,719 square miles.

But, Law said, "fundamentally, it is the same. People are people. The problems people face are the same."