Sealing his ties with the church of Rome, U.S. Cardinal William J. Levada, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, told parishioners he hoped to grow in love and charity with them.

In a brief ceremony and Mass March 26, Cardinal Levada formally "took possession" of the Church of St. Mary in Domnica. Known as one of Rome's ancient "diaconal churches," it is built on the site of one of the early Christian house churches, which later became a center for the distribution for food and clothing to the poor.

Each new cardinal technically becomes a member of the clergy of the Diocese of Rome, being assigned a church in the city as a sign of his call to collaborate in the ministry of the pope, the bishop of Rome.

Cardinal Levada began his homily by addressing the parishioners in Italian. He told them he knew how much chaos the day's Rome marathon had created for the city's traffic and promised to speak only briefly because he did not "want to start another marathon."

In both Italian and English, Cardinal Levada spoke about the third-century martyr, St. Lawrence, whose ministry and concrete acts of charity are illustrated in a fresco behind the altar of the church.

Connecting the fresco with Pope Benedict XVI's encyclical, "Deus Caritas Est" ("God Is Love"), the cardinal said acts of charity, proclaiming the word of God and celebrating the sacraments are all obligatory for Catholics.

"I hope to come here often to learn ever more the truth about these three essential responsibilities and to experience with you what it means to be church," he told the parishioners in Italian.

Addressing his relatives, friends and groups who came from San Francisco, Los Angeles and Portland, Ore., for the occasion, Cardinal Levada said that in exercising charity "Christians, Jews, Muslims and all people of good will" learn more about God, who has created all men and women.

Praying that the U.S. pilgrims experienced moments of grace during their trip to Rome, he also asked that they keep him in their prayers, especially that "I will take my preaching to heart."

Cardinal Levada was welcomed by St. Mary's pastor, Father Sergio Ghio, who said that having a U.S. cardinal connected with the parish "will remind us of the universal dimension of the church."

He also asked Cardinal Levada to keep the parishioners in his prayers, especially the families and young people.

"As a close collaborator of our Holy Father and as the authoritative protector of Catholic doctrine, we assure you of our prayers," Father Ghio said.

---CNS