sign in sign up
<<
Home , Pope Clement I

St. Mary of the Visitation NEWSLETTER

February 2021 Volume 14 St. 's Cemetery Article By: Fr. Steve Witt

fter Francis announced the cemetery was under the care of Mike the dedication of this year to St. Bartlett, who served meritoriously for 25 Joseph, it dawned on me that years. Since Mike retired, the cemetery Amany of us don’t know much about has depended on the continuing efforts the Catholic Cemetery that serves the of the board, which now includes all Iowa City area, named after Joseph four parish pastors as well as a lay himself. The “New Lot” is located on representative from each parish. Karla North Dodge Street across from the Hy Peiffer now acts as Administrator and Vee store and the “Old Lot” is located has taken over many of the duties that across the ravine to the south West of Mike had always done. She continues to the “New Lot.” St. Joseph Cemetery do a fine of managing the finances of New Facility at St. Jose[h's Cemetery has a long and storied history. In the cemetery. In the immediate period 1843 Bishop Loras, the Archbishop of of time, following Mike’s retirement, Dubuque, at the urging of Fr. the Sexton duties were assumed by Ann Mazzuchelli (the founder of St. Mary’s) Thomas of St. Mary’s Parish. Having CONTENTS purchased 80 acres northwest of the done a marvelous job for 18 months, city at the cost of $1.25 per acre for she has been offered a wonderful the purpose of a cemetery as well as a opportunity to serve as editor for a well- THE YEAR OF ST. JOSEPH convenient supply of fire wood for the known publication, Dappled Things, in P. 2 new church. Originally, 20 acres were conjunction with the Collegium Institute designated as a sight for the cemetery. out of Penn State University. Replacing However, with money being in short her as Sexton, is Beverly Miller, who THE FATHERS OF ST. JOSEPH supply, a good share of the plot was joined the cemetery within that last few P. 3 sold off for various needs in the 1850s weeks. The ministry of burying our dead and 60s. The “Old Lot” as it sits was the could not be accomplished, however, original plot for the burial of church without some incredible volunteers members. A board was formed with who are the heart of St. Joseph. Mr. PASTOR'S LETTER the bishop as the head and that board Bill Greazel, Dennis Parrott, Bob and P. 4 was in charge of conducting business Dick White and Bob Peiffer have been for the cemetery. Over the years critical in making St. Joseph’s what it additional property was purchased is. Bill particularly was responsible for RESOUNDING KINDNESS as need for space continued to grow. updating and computerizing all the plots P. 5 There were purchases of 5 acres on the and gravesites. east side in 1894, 2 acres at the entrance to the cemetery which formed a circle, St. Joe’s is currently undergoing a which was eventually returned to use long needed remodel. The old office ONLINE RETREATS for burial and in 1916, 27-3/4 acres and garage have been torn down and P. 6 were purchased to the east. replaced with a brand new facility, which has been erected on that sight; plans are The board has continued to operate also being made to re-side the machine THE APOSTLES the cemetery for all these 175 plus shed adjacent to match the facility. There years with many familiar names are also plans to redo the Chapel. That P. 7 serving. Originally, serving just St. wonderful facility was erected on the Mary’s, the board expanded to include cemetery grounds in the mid 1970s by the members of St. Patrick’s and St. Vogel and Seemuth families according ST. POSSENTI Wenceslaus. Over the years the board to an article published by Irving Weber, P. 8 has been served well by several highly renowned local historian. As was the dedicated Sextons. All of the names vision of Fr. Mazzuchelli, St. Joseph of those are not currently recorded Cemetery will continue to serve the in the files, but we do know that John Catholic Community of Iowa City for Vorwald served and more recently, many years to come. ST. MARY’S NEWSLETTER VOL. 14 The Year of Joseph As Declared by

Also, we can join Mary and Article By: Bill Doucette in trusting to be our spiritual father and intercessor. learn about how Saint Joseph has been viewed by the Church and God picked Saint Joseph to be Catholic /writers over the the protector of Mary and Jesus years (http://www.vatican.va/content/john- as head of the Holy Family. In this paul-ii/en/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_ role Joseph was with Mary at the jp-ii_exh_15081989_redemptoris-custos.html). birth of Jesus. He witnessed the visitation to baby Jesus by the Another idea for the Year of Saint shepherds and Magi. Saint Joseph Joseph is to consecrate ourselves responded to the warning from to him. This means that we an in a dream that Herod learn more about Saint Joseph wanted to kill baby Jesus. He took and devote ourselves to him to ope Francis used an the Holy Family from Bethlehem be an intercessor and model for Apostolic Letter, “Patris during the night to flee to Egypt. us. Father Donald Calloway has corde” (With a Father’s In doing this, Saint Joseph trusted published a book that can help us PHeart) as an occasion to announce and obeyed God – taking a difficult do this. His book, Consecration a Year of Saint Joseph to run from path to preserve the safety of Jesus to St. Joseph, uses a 33-day December 8, 2020 to December 8, and Mary. For us, protecting our approach to learning about and 2021 loved ones can mean working praying to Saint Joseph before our to put food on the table, leading consecration on Day 33. Father This date recognizes the 150th prayers at home, and ensuring Calloway recommends that we anniversary of Saint Joseph the family lives in the Church. start our 33-day preparation being declared the Patron of Living in the Church can mean period so that Day 33 falls on one the Universal Church by Pope going to , being active in the of the feasts of Saint Joseph. For Blessed Pius IX. Pope Francis’ parish and serving the greater example, to consecrate yourself letter echoes the description of community at large. on March 19, the Solemnity of Saint Joseph’s contribution to Saint Joseph, you would start God’s plan of salvation written The do not report any the preparation on February 15. by Pope Saint John Paul II in his words of Saint Joseph. His actions Similarly, to have Day 33 fall on the exhortation Redemptoris Custos were powerful and he did not use Feast of Saint Joseph the Worker, (Guardian of the Redeemer) in words to convey his faith and on May 1, you would begin on 1989. This current recognition willingness to serve God. This March 30. Such a preparation of Saint Joseph by the Church silence of Saint Joseph points to and consecration could be done gives us an opportunity to reflect his strong interior life of prayer. on our own or with family or on how his life can be a model for We can learn from him that we friends interested in calling on loving God and living with faith. should have both a life of prayer Saint Joseph to help them move and a life of service. The Year of closer to Jesus. Saint Joseph was the husband of Saint Joseph brings us a time to Mary when she became with child attend to improving our prayer At the conclusion of his letter, through the Holy Spirit. Joseph life and our service to others. Pope Francis added a prayer to was considering quietly divorcing Saint Joseph which he encourages Mary when an angel appeared Parishes and the Diocese of us to pray together: to him in a dream and told him Davenport are planning activities Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer, to take Mary in his house as his for us to participate in the Year of Spouse of the Blessed Mary. wife, that the child was conceived Saint Joseph. Watch for them in To you God entrusted his only through the act of God. Saint the parish bulletin, in the Catholic Son; Joseph trusted God and said yes Messenger and on the Diocese in you Mary placed her trust; to being the husband of Mary and web site. In the meantime, we with you became man. earthly father to the Son of God. can reflect on Saint Joseph as an Blessed Joseph, to us too, He joined his faith with Mary’s in inspiration for how we live our show yourself a father trusting God and being a parent faith. A simple way to improve our and guide us in the path of life. of Jesus. Together they created a prayer life is to regularly pray to Obtain for us grace, mercy, and home in which Jesus grew from Saint Joseph for his intercession. courage, a baby to an adult ready to live For example, we could pray the and defend us from every evil. out His mission of salvation. Saint Litany of Saint Joseph every Amen. Joseph is an example for us to trust Wednesday. Or, we could read the http://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/ God in difficult times, choosing apostolic exhortation about Saint en/apost_letters/documents/papa- to follow His way rather than Joseph written by Pope Saint John francesco-lettera-ap_20201208_patris-corde. the ways promoted in this world. Paul II, Redemptoris Custos, to html

2 ST. MARY’S NEWSLETTER VOL. 13 The Fathers of St. Joseph Article By: Dan Teets In August of 2015 Dan and the others started a Fathers of St. Joseph chapter Devin Schadt. Devin’s book is geared in Iowa City. We meet two times each more toward husbands and fathers. month. The first monthly meeting I recommend both books! I used Fr. is at St. Mary Church on the 2nd Calloway’s book to consecrate myself Wednesday at 6:30-7:30am, and the to St. Joseph in 2019. I will be using second monthly meeting is on the 4th Devin’s book to renew my consecration hat are men saying about Saturday after the 7:00am Mass at during The Year of St. Joseph. The Fathers of St. Joseph? St. Wenceslaus Church, about 7:45- W“Through Fathers of Saint 8:45am. On Friday, March 19th, the Solemnity Joseph, God speaks directly to me of St. Joseph, we will have Morning and challenges me to be a better During COVID-19 we have moved Prayer including the Litany of St. husband and father. God challenges the Wednesday meeting to Zoom, Joseph at 9:00am at St. Mary Church me through the carefully crafted and the Saturday meeting offers an in- in Iowa City. On Saturday, May 1st, and beautiful course materials and person option (socially distanced with the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, topics. God speaks through sharing face masks) at St. Wenceslaus with there will be an opportunity after with the group, in prayer, and the other men Zooming in on the large the 7:00am Mass at St. Wenceslaus to everyday struggles of being a husband screen TV in the parish hall after the pray The Little Office of St. Joseph and father,” Deacon Joe Welter. prayer time in the church. Everyone and be enrolled in the Custos brown “FOSJ is a portal for community brings their own coffee to the current scapular for those who choose to use and faith sharing – and building. meetings. We hope to eventually get Devin Schadt’s book to prepare for The secular world with all of its back to in-person meetings in both consecration to St. Joseph. deadlines, responsibilities, etc. beats places with coffee and food provided. us all down over time. To connect with If you'd like to connect with other my brothers on FOSJ raises my spirit If you’d like to receive the e-mail men or women who will be doing the and faith each and every meeting. I reminders about The Fathers of Consecration to St. Joseph this year, am reminded that we all walk down St. Joseph meetings in Iowa City please e-mail me at: dteets@icstmary. the path together in the light and that please contact Dan Teets at: dteets@ org and I'll connect you with others to we need each other to stay on that icstmary.org. There is no fee to be part support you in this devotion. path,” Drake. "FOSJ helps us of this group and all men are welcome! grow in love of God, love of family, There is a freewill offering for coffee Here is what others are saying about and love of neighbor by fostering a and donuts (when we again meet The Fathers of St. Joseph: “Being part deeper relationship with all of them entirely in-person) and a small charge of the brotherhood of FOSJ has helped through the powerful intercession of for the materials. All materials are my faith journey grow immeasurably, St. Joseph," Doucette. available at The Fathers of St. Joseph as a man and a husband. We look to website: https://fathersofstjoseph.org/ our patron St. Joseph as a timeless example of a man who took care of The Fathers of St. Joseph is a group On the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker the Holy Family with great courage, that was started in the Quad Cities by in 2020 the Core Team for the Iowa strength, devotion, and complete Devin Schadt. Devin is a husband and City chapter of The Fathers of St. trust in God. My brothers in FOSJ father of five daughters. He Joseph got together to record The have helped me to continually strive to has written several books and has Little Office of St. Joseph for use in become a better man, better husband, given many talks on St. Joseph. our Zoom meetings. You may pray and help me lead my family to God The Little Office any time with us by our Father,” Tim Blake. “Until you In 2014 Dan Teets and several other going to this link: take a step back from life and ponder men from St. Mary Church and St. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NW how truly powerful St Joseph is in the Wenceslaus in Iowa City started 4au9xeJ_I&feature=youtu.be life of the Church and even in my own attending The Fathers of St. Joseph life you will miss the beauty and grace meetings 2x/month at St. Mary Church Pope Francis has declared this to that can flow from his intercession. in Rock Island. The meetings begin be the Year of St. Joseph (please see FOSJ has been that opportunity to in the church with The Little Office separate article in this newsletter by pull myself out from the day to day of St. Joseph, a prayer that includes Bill Doucette). One way that we can and really get into how his role in the exposition and benediction with the observe this year in honor of Jesus’ Church overlays my role as husband Blessed Sacrament. After prayer earthly father is to do a consecration and father,” Deacon Chris Kabat. time the men dismiss to the parish to St. Joseph. There is a book by Fr. “St. Joseph is a great role model of hall for coffee, juice, fruit and donuts Donald Calloway called Consecration Silent, Obedient, Sacrifice (S.O.S)!” and a brief talk and discussion. The to St. Joseph that may be ordered Dan Teets. Fathers of St. Joseph format is very online. It is a 33-day preparation to encouraging for husbands, fathers and consecrate yourself to St. Joseph. This Why not take a few moments out of mentors. We are encouraged to take book is designed for use by anyone. your busy life to honor St. Joseph St. Joseph as our role model in our Another way is the book Custos: Total during The Year of St. Joseph? spiritual, work, and family life. Consecration Through St. Joseph by

3 ST. MARY’S NEWSLETTER VOL. 14

BAPTISMS BAKER COLIN Pastor's Letter WIEBEL A Call to Reflection and a Vow to Do Better

EVEREST HAZE Article By: Fr. Steve Witt GUILLARI need to put away the blaming that has taken place in this last year and HANK deal head on with all the societal MCCORD problems we have in a way that gives us the best opportunity of overcoming them. We need to deal with each other with a sense of MACK JOSEPH decency and respect as opposed to MCCORD the extremes of baiting and name calling. Those tactics have no place in a society that claims to have its IMMACULEE FEZA foundation in Christian principles. MILUALA It is not insignificant that, after the calamity that was the intrusion on the Capitol Building, that senators from both parties stepped HARRISON DAVID Fr. Steve Witt forward to speak about how we CLARK must acknowledge ways that we can rothers and Sisters in Christ, move forward together as a nation and as a people who are totally KELLEN JAMES BIt has been a hectic couple interdependent on the welfare of OLMSTED of weeks with the celebrations all. I applaud the efforts of those of Christmas, the Feast of the who spoke wisely of our need to rely Holy Family, Mary the Mother of on our system to make our society MARRIAGES God and Epiphany all occurring better and more just.

BREANNA NOW I THINK IS A GOOD TIME FOR ALL GOOD FOLKS TO STEP HIMSCHOOT BACK AND TAKE STOCK OF OURSELVES, PARTICULARLY IN AND LIGHT OF OUR EXPERIENCES OF THE YEAR WE HAVE JUST JOSHUA SARNECKY FINISHED LIVING. within days of one another. Throw Please my friends, let us take some in two snow storms and family time to reflect both on our joys and VICTORIA DAHLEN celebrations and it gives new our sorrows; our successes and our AND meaning to crazy hectic. Now I failures and vow to do a better job BRANDAN think is a good time for all good of being the kind of Christian men PENALUNA folks to step back and take stock of and women, who make our God, ourselves, particularly in light of our Church, and our country proud our experiences of the year we have of the individuals and communities just finished living. Some might that we have become. VICTORIA BEAVER suggest that the experience of 2020 AND was so fraught with hardship and Blessings to all in 2021 TYLER CAREW pain, particularly those who lost Fr. Steve loved ones that we should just forget the whole thing and move on. I beg JACQUELINE to disagree. If there is anything that TIMMINS can come out the experience of this Your Input Requested AND year, it has to be an awareness that DOMINIC CORSO we need to do something to bring us If you have any comments, all closer together as people. concerns, suggestions, ideas, or if The political sniping, the injustice you would like to write for the St. of who is able to get the health Mary’s quarterly newsletter, please KYLE DUCHMAN care that they need, the question contact Jeanette Roush-Krafka at AND of racism in our midst, all of these [email protected] JULIA PARRA need to be addressed by us, both as a society and individually. We 4 ST. MARY’S NEWSLETTER VOL. 14 Resounding Kindness Article By: Jeanette Roush-Krafka

his past year has been specific thing. When we actively three feet of snow piled up from the incredibly burdensome for look for it and find it a few times, plows at the end of our driveway. everyone, from a pandemic confirmation bias occurs and Just as I got out to shovel, a woman Tand the loss of countless loved ones, we agree with ourselves that the I was not formerly acquainted to our necessary yet wearisome thing our attention was called to with, rode up the street on a John social distancing that has lead to so is everywhere. Deere equipped with a blower many being lonesome and isolated, attachment. She asked if I needed to the devastating derecho that After hearing about the frequency help and proceeded to clear the ravaged cities, towns, and farms illusion I wondered how much end of the driveway. Wanting across Iowa, to our growing of my believing everything was nothing in return, she continued awareness of rampant racism, to in chaos and falling apart had down the street to help other political upheaval that culminated to do with my attention being neighbors that found themselves in a brutal insurrection. A lot of called to the worst of humanity so in a similar predicament. difficult and terrible things were called to our attention over the past regularly. I then began to wonder year, the weight of which, at times if I could consciously change my These are just a few examples of seemed impossible. Without hope perspective by actively using the acts of reciprocal altruism, as it becomes unfeasible not to give Baader Meinhof phenomenon and most acts of kindness are. These into fear and anxiety crumbling confirmation bias to recognize people acted in the benefit of under the weight of the horrors the goodness that surrounded me. someone or something other than we have witnessed. This is what I found within the themselves in the hope that one first week; day the favor might be returned. In the midst of such dread, THROUGH OUR FAITH AND WITH A FEW TRICKS OF hope can be found. Through PSYCHOLOGY WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO FIND GREAT HOPE our faith and with a few tricks WITHIN THE SMALLEST ACTS OF KINDNESS. of psychology we might be able I went to Thoma’s on Christmas to find great hope within the Eve to pick up a package for my This year, and especially this smallest acts of kindness. husband. When I entered, I made Lenten season, I am challenging sure the elderly man who was myself not to give up chocolate or Jesus tells us, through his already in the shop when I arrived television as usual, but instead to statement to the blind beggar in rightly got served before me. Some seek out and find the small acts Luke 18:42, “receive your sight, time went by before my order was of kindness in my life that are your faith has been restored ready; more customers flowed in the seeds of love. In finding such to you. And with that sight in and out of the small market. In examples of love in every day life, Matthew 7:7 we are told, “Seek that time, the elderly gentleman I will be convinced once again and ye shall find.” received his order, paid and was that there is hope for us yet in the getting ready to leave when he faith that love will prevail over When I found myself in an called out to me, “hey young lady, greed, apathy, and the injustices emotional rut earlier this merry Christmas,” he said kindly we have seen, if we choose to act year, I heard about Baader with a twinkle in his eye. In that it out. Once faith in humanity Meinhof phenomenon also one small gesture, I felt loved by is restored, it becomes easier to known as frequency illusion. a stranger. perform those acts of reciprocal This phenomenon is when your altruism, knowing that those acts attention has been called to A neighborhood family, that of selfless kindness, once enacted something in particular and all of often stops by our house to visit will inevitably spark and give a sudden you begin to recognize the penguin mailbox my husband rise to another, and another, and whatever caught your attention made, trekked up the street one another, and so forth and so on, initially everywhere, when in winter afternoon so that the until someday after that love has reality it’s no more prevalent than youngest girl could place a wind- traded hands a multitude of times, it was before your attention was up toy penguin at the foot of our it might come back to us, and we called to it. A common example is mailbox, so, “the penguin family might recognize it as a matured a car you decide to buy that you could be together.” I saw that blaze from the glimmer of hope thought was relatively obscure, selfless act of kindness, for what within that initial spark. but as soon as you drive it off the it was, pure love from a child and lot, you recognize that make and it warmed my heart. She gave https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/altruism- model everywhere you go. The biological/#RecAlt up one of her toys so that the https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/inside-the- reason this happens is because “family” could be together. our brains get excited about mind/human-brain/baader-meinhof-phenomenon. learning something new and they htm The morning after the snow storm https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/ are called to pay attention for that in December, we went out to find memory-detection/202003/seek-and-ye-shall-find 5

ST. MARY’S NEWSLETTER VOL. 14

Funerals Online Retreats and Resources For Lent and Beyond s we prepare for Easter, we can Article By: Bill Doucette benefit from spending time in prayer and reflection on how God Ais acting on our lives. Lent is a great time Lenten messages can direct us to think to reflect to see how we are living, to learn about specific teachings of Jesus and HARNEY how we can change to be closer to Jesus. how we can incorporate them into our We can try to listen to Him to hear what lives. Similarly, blogs, regular readings He has to say about how we should be of daily Scripture, and online retreats living. To be able to hear God’s will, we can provide us with ways to spend time need to spend time in silence, time before with Jesus during Lent. God attending to what He tells us. While it is important to regularly be silent with An online retreat can be a good option Jesus, Lent is a time when we can retreat for reflective time with Jesus. The pur- EMILY WAGNER and more deeply listen to Him. pose of such a spiritual retreat can be to disconnect from our daily busyness During a retreat or other quiet time of to create time to relax and allow inner reflection we can attend to our relation- change to take place. Typically, an on- ship with Jesus. Have we made Him the line retreat will provide a focus through center of our lives? How well are we fol- a brief video or some written material lowing His teachings? Or, are we thinking such as a Scripture passage. There may CONNIE of Him only occasionally when we want be some questions for reflection on the DAUTREMONT to ask for something? Are we living the focus material. In addition, participants teachings of Jesus in our daily activities? often are provided with a prayer or If not, how can we change to do so more encouraged to pray and reflect on the fully? From the time of our baptism we are particular topic. The daily time commit- called to conversion to walk more closely ment for these retreats can be from as with Jesus. Spending time reflecting on little as 5-10 minutes up to 30-60 min- the blessings in our lives, as well as our utes, depending on how they are set up sufferings, can draw us nearer to Him. and our own level of engagement. NICOLE RAITT By recognizing the gifts from God in our lives and by turning to Jesus we can see Other suggestions for an online retreat how He is working around and through us. include the following. Doing this interior reflection during Lent 1. Begin our retreat by asking the Holy can help guide us in showing our love of Spirit to guide us in our prayer and re- Jesus through how we live our faith. flection. 2. Silence external noises, find a quiet SHIRLEY During these challenging times we can use place with little to no distractions, pref- DOORNBOS the internet to find different resources that erably a place of solitude where one can can guide us in our prayer and contem- be alone with Jesus. plation. This approach can help us limit 3. Silence internal noises by slowly say- our risks from the coronavirus pandemic. ing a familiar prayer or reading a brief For example, we could sign up for daily Scripture passage to focus on Jesus. reflections that get sent to us via email – 4. Open up and encounter God. Listen video or written messages. These daily to what Jesus is saying to us.

CHARLES Some online reflection and retreat sources are shown in the table. Explore them or ALBERHASKY find others that can guide you in drawing closer to Jesus during Lent. Resources/Retreat Brief Description Online Address United States Council of Daily Scripture readings and usccb.org Catholic Bishops reflections; Other resources Word on Fire Many different resources wordonfire.org JEAN MCCOY Dynamic Catholic Best Lent Ever; Books & other dynamiccatholic.com Creighton University Online retreat; Stations of the Cross onlineministries.creighton. Online Ministries & other resources edu Ignatian Spirituality Many different resources ignatianspirituality.com Loyola Press 3 Minute Retreats https://www.loyolapress.com/3- ROSE CAVUOTO minute-retreats-daily-online-prayer/

6

ST. MARY’S NEWSLETTER VOL. 14 The Apostles And the Apostolic Catholic Church ruth does not evolve. Rather Corinthians) reveals that the Church Article By: Robert Tomanek it has a source, which is the very body of Christ, and saw for , is God’s the value of Greek philosophy as a clearly expressed the leadership Trevelation in Jesus Christ. Many means of preparation for a man to role of bishops as a component of people met Jesus, and many develop self-control and to be ready the : “Where became disciples and some apostles for truth and to share the heavenly the bishop appears, there let the (i.e., those that were sent). It is truths. people be, just as where Jesus Christ essential that we listen to those who is, there is the Catholic Church.” lived closer to the time of Christ St. of Smyrna (A.D. 69- and the apostles. The latter were 155). One must be impressed by St. of Lyons (A.D. 130-200). the vehicles by which Christ’s Polycarp’s role in teaching and Known as a brilliant theologian teachings were passed on, and the authority of the early Church by and for his teachings against recipients were called “prophets” the fact that there are so many heresies, Irenaeus was linked with and “deacons” by St. Paul, and links between him, the Apostles, the generation of apostles through “elders” and by St. and their students. He was Bishop his mentor Polycarp. He noted that James. This conveying of Christ’s of Smyrna in Turkey, and, as the he could numerate the bishops who teaching authority is call “Apostolic record shows, had so many contacts were instituted by the apostles and Succession,” and Christ’s Church with the other early teachers of the their successors and their teachings is the “Apostolic Church.” That faith. One key relationship was were consistent. He stressed that the Church remains Apostolic is his correspondence with Ignatius to know the truth, “one must critical because it is the only way of Antioch (A.D.35-108), who was contemplate the tradition of the identical doctrines delivered by a student of . apostles which has been known to the Apostles can be preserved Polycarp wrote an to the us throughout the whole world.” and passed on by uninterrupted Philippians, and this writing Accordingly, the heresies of the succession. How then were the was mentioned many times by times were not consistent with teachings of Jesus preserved intact St. Irenaeus (born in A.D. 130), apostolic teaching. Irenaeus, like until the Scriptures were codified who was Polycarp’s student. The Ignatius, taught the real presence as the in the third references to Polycarp indicate an of Christ in the Eucharist by stating century? Several saints were key understanding of Christ’s teaching that it is the invocation of God, and links in the preservation of Christ’s from the first into the second no longer bread but the Body of teachings. centuries. Polycarp also knew Christ. Papias (died A.D. 120), who was an acquaintance of the Apostles and a St. Justin (A.D. 130-165). hearer of St. John. A trained philosopher and convert, Justin debated pagan philosophers St. (A.D. 35- and provided explicit descriptions 108). Ignatius, a of St. John of the early Church’s beliefs and the Evangelist, was appointed the mode of worship that correspond third Bishop of Antioch by Peter. to the traditions of the Catholic He is recognized as an apostle, Church. He also wrote that the church father, bishop and martyr. Eucharist is not common food nor Testimonies of Ignatius are of common drink, but rather food critical importance because he lived made into Eucharist (Christ’s flesh in a key period of the early Church and blood) by prayer set down by (from the first to the beginning of Christ. the third generation). He provided clear testimony that the Church at Tradition, Scripture, and the has the authority of Christ, Church. Our beliefs in Christ and as noted in his letter to Romans, his teachings are from these three, where he writes that the Church and form a consistent basis for our was “beloved and enlightened after faith. Without apostles, tradition the love of Christ, our God” (note would be lost, as would consistency St. Clement by Tiepolo he refers to Christ as “our God”). of Christ’s teaching. Had the early Pope Clement I , who was pope in Ignatius states that the Church’s Church failed to discredit heresies, A.D. 88-97, knew Peter and Paul foundation, formed by Peter and our understanding of Christ and and wrote to the Corinthians that Paul, is worthy of praise, honor, scripture would be in a state of the apostles “preached, and they blessings and sanctification, and confusion, as would scripture. appointed their earliest converts, has the authority to teach others. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, the testing them by the Spirit, to be The universality of Christ’s Church apostles and their successors the bishops and deacons of future was most vigorously expressed by were blessed with a consistency believers.” Clement reminded Ignatius as he was the first to use of teaching, and enabled a Holy Christians that Paul’s letter (1 the title: “Catholic Church.” He Apostolic Catholic Church.

7 St. Mary of the Visitation Catholic Church 302 E. Jefferson St. Iowa City, IA 52245

St. Mary's Church 1950's by Alan Light

ST. MARY’S NEWSLETTER VOL. 14

Saint Gabriel Possenti (1838-1962) Feast day: February 27

Article By: Julia Blake Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, was of becoming a Passionist. born Francesco (aka. Francis) Possenti. He In the year 1856 the terrible ravages of cholera had suddenly stopped in was canonized by Pope Benedict XV in Spoleto through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin. In public 1920. This Apostle of Mary is the patron of gratitude for this miracle, her statue was carried in procession through clerics, seminarians and young people. In the streets. Francis watched the procession, and as the statue moved his early years he was prone to anger, past him, Mary cast upon him a glance that pierced his inmost heart. flippancy, and disobedience. But he would Deep within his soul, he heard the words: “Thou art not made for the always return to his father after being world! What art thou doing in the world? Hasten, become a religious!”. corrected, and beg his pardon. He began to The procession passed on, but Francis remained kneeling in prayer. show an attitude of thoughtfulness and love for the poor. He would deny From that moment he was changed. He no longer thought of anything himself to give to them. Francis’ education, which was begun at home, but of fulfilling his vocation. He was determined to become a Passionist. was continued by the Brothers of the Christian Schools, and finished by He entered the novitiate and took the name Gabriel of Our Lady of the Jesuit Fathers at Spoleto. Sorrows. At school Francis quickly made himself a favorite with both companions Gabriel loved the religious life from the moment he entered upon it. He and teachers. To the suffering he was a warm-hearted sympathizer; to fulfilled the rules of the Congregation with the greatest fervor and the weak and persecuted, a fearless champion; to companions, a staunch exactness, and was professed in 1857. Besides the usual religious vows friend; and to masters, a willing and talented pupil. Francis’ religious of poverty, chastity and obedience, a Passionist makes a particular vow vocation had been kept in his heart during his school years. Twice to spread devotion to the passion of our Lord. The sufferings and death Francis had been seriously ill, and seemed in danger of death. On both of Christ were subjects of daily meditation with Gabriel. “May the of these occasions he had promised God that, if he were spared, he Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ be ever in our hearts!” is the meaning would enter a Religious Order. Each time he quickly recovered. After of the sign and motto upon a Passionist’s breast. The Passion of Christ the second of these illnesses and extraordinary cures, he asked to be was truly in the heart of Gabriel. Gabriel eventually began to manifest received into the Society of Jesuits. As Francis was discerning his symptoms of consumption. He was not yet a priest when he died at age vocation, which delayed his entry into the novitiate, he began to think 24 and in the sixth year of his religious life.