THE MAGAZINE OF THE DIOCESE OF KALAMAZOO

SUMMER 2019 DIOKZOO.ORG

Mentors support teen moms

Parents share about raising a priest

How Jesús is walking a path to FROM THE EDITOR

SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN EXPLORE YOUR FAITH this summer CATHOLIC The magazine of the I LOVE A GOOD ROAD TRIP. It all began from the time I was growing Catholic Diocese of Kalamazoo up and my folks, with six children in tow, made cross-country Copyright 2019 treks to visit extended family — my paternal grandmother in New VICTORIA CESSNA WWW.SWMCATHOLIC.ORG Mexico and my mother’s aunts and uncles in Massachusetts. It is the Executive Director Also find us on the was always an adventure. of Communications and Diocese of Kalamazoo’s Public Affairs for the Facebook, Twitter And no matter what our des- A “journey” is an often-used Diocese of Kalamazoo and Pinterest tination was, my mom always analogy when describing our 269.903.0163 made sure to scout out the clos- faith life. For good reason. It’s [email protected] SUMMER 2019 est Catholic church and figure ripe with adventure, surprises VOLUME 1: ISSUE 3 PUBLISHER out when Mass was. Quite a feat and an understanding only pos- Barry County. Stop by St. Rose Bishop Paul J. Bradley considering this was before the sible when we push ourselves to of Lima in Hastings, which cel- EXECUTIVE EDITOR/ DIRECTOR OF digital age when such informa- places unknown. ebrated an impressive 150 years COMMUNICATIONS tion is now just a click away. It’s both inspiring and heart- last year, and marvel at the Victoria Cessna Those times celebrating Mass warming to experience being church’s unique stone structure. CONTRIBUTING WRITERS in places unknown are en- able to walk into a Catholic You’ll also find this same Bishop Paul J. Bradley Douglas Culp sconced fondly in my brain. Like church in any part of the world theme of journey and discovery Sarah DeMott the time my brothers and sisters and recognize the sacred art and, throughout our featured sto- Father John Fleckenstein and I sat on wooden benches even if you don’t understand the ries this issue. Bishop Bradley Veronica Rodriguez Socorro Truchan in the woods in the middle of a language, participate in Mass. reminds us of those early days CIRCULATION campground or happened upon And you don’t need to go far of the Church leading up to Jeannette Mattheis a Mass being celebrated in Polish to experience this. What’s great Pentecost (pg. 4); our resident [email protected] and fielded stern looks from my about being a part of the diocesan marriage columnist, Socorro mom trying to stifle our giggles. Church in Southwest Michigan is Truchan, offers some advice to Finding new Catholic church- the opportunity to visit any one couples on how to get the most PRESIDENT/ es is something I’ve carried into of the 59 parishes throughout of the “summer season” of your CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER my own travels as an adult. Some the nine counties of our diocese relationship; and Father John Patrick M. O’Brien VICE PRESIDENT/ of my favorites include the Our and know you are connected. offers some gentle reminders on EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Lady of La Leche Shrine in St. Headed to the lakeshore? Why why it’s important to get to Mass Elizabeth Martin Solsburg Augustine, Fla., and the Cathe- not stop by St. Joseph Parish in on Sundays. GRAPHIC DESIGN dral of Our Lady Assumed into St. Joseph, thought to be the very We also have the joy to bring Jennifer Pomicter Heaven and St. Nicholas in Gal- first Catholic parish in our dio- you some of those faith journey ILLUSTRATOR Matt Watters way, Ireland. Each time I enter cese dating back to when French stories from our two Caring Net- PRINT MANAGEMENT a new Catholic church I make a fur traders still wandered about work Mom Mentors (pg. 12) to InnerWorkings point to light a candle for a spe- hundreds of years ago. Or may- Jesus Hernandez, our featured To advertise in Southwest Michigan Catholic, cial intention. be you’re taking a drive through cover story, a young adult work- contact Terry Hageman at 269.903.0173 or ing to deepen his faith. [email protected]. Southwest Michigan May your summer be filled with Catholic is published quarterly by Diocese of new discoveries and blessings. Kalamazoo, 215 N. Westnedge Ave., Kalamazoo, Ml 49007-3718. Application to Mail at Periodicals Postage Prices is Pending at Kalamazoo, Ml. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Southwest Michigan Catholic, 215 N. Westnedge Ave., Kalamazoo, Ml 49007-3718.

2 Southwest Michigan Catholic • SUMMER 2019 INSIDE SUMMER 2019

4 FROM THE BISHOP Compelled by the spirit 6 6 MARRIAGE MATTERS MARRIAGE How the seasons of your MATTERS marriage can help you grow in holiness

8 DEAR FATHER Summer Mass 8 DEAR 9 SAINT OF THE MONTH FATHER St. Kateri Tekakwitha

10 FOCUS ON FAITH Keep building your faith this summer

12 MENTOR Mother Friend Mentors support moms during pregnancy and beyond 12 14 17 MOM FAITH PARENT 14 JOURNEY MENTORS JOURNEY PROFILE At the intersection of faith and family, the Lahs found community

17 PARENT PROFILE Our son, a priest 20 20 COVER STORY How Jesús is walking COVER a path to sainthood 24 STORY SPECIAL REPORT 24 SPECIAL REPORT Pope Francis’ latest apostolic exhortation Christus Vivit

26 ENCUENTRO V National Encuentro inspires new priorities and plan for Hispanic Ministry

28 MARY GARDEN 26 Flowers of faith V ENCUENTRO

30 YOUR COMMUNITY Things to do and local news

This symbol indicates that a ministry or program is supported by generous gifts to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal. Southwest Michigan Catholic is supported entirely through this 28 MARY GARDEN annual appeal.

COVER PHOTO BY ANTHONY DUGAL DIOKZOO.ORG 3 THE BISHOP’S PERSPECTIVE COMPELLED by the spirit

s we reflect on our lives, many of us can see caused by many different factors. But what a difference a point in time or event that might be we could make if all of us would not just embrace the described as a watershed moment, a moment joy of the Gospel we feel in our own hearts, but also share that joy, that Good News of the Risen Jesus, with that transformed us. Speaking for myself, and those in our lives who are in need of what they are miss- I’m sure all my brother priests and deacons, that ing: the Holy Spirit. moment for us is the day of our ordination when, As you reflect on your own life, ask yourself these through the sacrament of holy orders, we questions: “How enthusiastic am I about my faith?”; become a priest of Jesus Christ or a deacon of “How joyful am I about the fact that Jesus Christ is the Church. For those of you who are parents, alive?”; “How filled with awe am I, knowing that I am a temple, a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit of God?” that moment might be the birth of your first Over the course of time, it’s possible that we may child. Others may see it in the beginning of a lose some of the fervor of our faith; maybe we get in a new profession or career. Those moments are rut and feel as though our weekly efforts of coming to ones that are forever life-changing. Church are a waste of time or that our time at Mass is boring. We might be suffering from what Pope Francis The watershed moment for the apostles took place calls “a spiritual anemia.” Our Holy Father tells us that on the feast of Pentecost. As is recorded in the Acts of longing for God is an essential part of who we are. the Apostles: The apostles had seen the Risen Jesus and accompanied him for 40 days after Easter, but then he “We were made to be God’s children,” says Pope left them, ascending into heaven, leaving them with a Francis. “It is in our DNA. But this filial rela- mission. So, they decided to return to that same Upper tionship was ruined and required the sacrifice of Room where they had huddled in fear from Good God’s only-begotten Son in order to be restored. Friday until Easter Sunday, trying to figure out how From the immense gift of love which is Jesus’ death they could fulfill the mission Jesus gave to them. The on the cross, the Holy Spirit has been poured out “answer” came in “strong driving winds and tongues of upon humanity like a vast torrent of grace. Those flame which came upon each of them” as they experienced who by faith are immersed into this mystery of re- the descent of the Holy Spirit upon them. generation are reborn to the fullness of filial life.”* This was Pentecost, the transforming “moment” which can also be seen as the “birthday of the Church”. Before we can reach out to others, and before we can After that defining moment, they were being com- be effective witnesses of the Risen Jesus to others, we pelled by the Holy Spirit to leave that Upper Room and must first have a strong and vibrant relationship with go forth to become joyful witnesses of the Risen Jesus. Jesus. We must be convinced that Jesus loves us, and Just like those same apostles, we are called to be dis- every person in the world. We must be willing to ciples, joyful witnesses of Jesus; we are called to em- keep growing in our faith. We can accomplish brace the gifts of the Holy Spirit and to allow our hearts those spiritual characteristics by continuing the to be filled with joy and hope and to be set on fire with spiritual practices we focused on during Lent: love for Jesus. prayer, fasting, works of mercy, immersing our- Sadly, there are many people in today’s world who selves in the word of God and remaining in sac- are looking for that “something” that is missing in their ramental union with Jesus through the regular re- lives. They may not realize it, but what they are looking ception of the Holy Eucharist. for is God. God is who we need, and we will never be May the joy of this Easter season, combined with the BISHOP PAUL truly satisfied until we find God — or until we allow gifts of the Holy Spirit, fill you with hope, inspire you J. BRADLEY God to find us. St. Augustine, our diocesan patron, put to join in the mission of spreading the Good News of is the fourth it very clearly: “Our hearts are restless, dear God, and they the Risen Jesus and set you on fire, compelled by the bishop of will only find rest when they rest in you.” Holy Spirit, to be joyful witnesses of the Light of Christ the Diocese of As we look all around us, we see a lot of sadness, to all the world. Holy Mass on the Solemnity of Pentecost, May 2016 Kalamazoo.

4 Southwest Michigan Catholic • SUMMER 2019 LA PERSPECTIVA DEL OBISPO IMPULSADOS por el espíritu

l reflexionar sobre nuestras vidas, muchos de causada por muchos factores diferentes. Pero qué diferencia nosotros podemos ver un momento específico o podríamos hacer si todos nosotros no solo abrazáramos el gozo del Evangelio que sentimos en nuestros corazones, sino un evento que podría describirse como decisivo y que también compartiéramos ese gozo, la Buena Nueva de transformador. Hablando por mí mismo, y estoy seguro Jesús Resucitado, con aquellos en nuestras vidas que están en de que para todos mis hermanos sacerdotes y necesidad de lo que les falta: el Espíritu Santo. diáconos, ese momento es el día de nuestra ordenación Al reflexionar sobre su propia vida, hágase estas preguntas: cuando, a través del sacramento de las órdenes santas, “¿Qué tan entusiasta soy con respecto a mi fe?”; “¿Qué tan feliz nos convertimos en sacerdotes de Jesucristo o estoy por el hecho de que Jesucristo está vivo?”; “¿Cuán lleno de asombro estoy de saber que soy un templo, morada del diáconos de la Iglesia. Para aquellos de ustedes que Espíritu Santo de Dios?” son padres, ese momento podría ser el nacimiento de A lo largo del tiempo, es posible que perdamos algo del fervor su primer hijo. Otros pueden verlo al comienzo de una de nuestra fe; tal vez nos metemos en la rutina y sentimos nueva profesión o carrera. Esos momentos son los que que nuestros esfuerzos semanales de venir a la Iglesia son una siempre cambian la vida. pérdida de tiempo o que nuestro tiempo en la misa es aburrido. Podríamos estar sufriendo por lo que el Papa Francisco llama El momento decisivo para los apóstoles tuvo lugar en la fiesta “una anemia espiritual”. Nuestro Santo Padre nos dice que el de Pentecostés. Como se registra en los Hechos de los Apóstoles: anhelo de Dios es una parte esencial de lo que somos. Los apóstoles vieron a Jesús resucitado y lo acompañaron durante 40 días después de la Pascua, pero luego los dejó, ascendiendo al “Hemos sido hechos para ser hijos de Dios”, dijo el Papa cielo, dejándolos con una misión. Entonces, decidieron regresar Francisco, “es nuestra vocación originaria, aquello para a ese mismo Aposento Alto donde se habían amontonado con lo que estamos hechos, nuestro «ADN» más profundo que, miedo desde el Viernes Santo hasta el Domingo de Pascua, sin embargo, fue destruido y se necesitó el sacrificio del tratando de averiguar cómo podrían cumplir la misión que Jesús Hijo Unigénito para que fuese restablecido. Del inmenso les dio. La “respuesta” vino en un “viento impetuoso que llenó toda don de amor, como la muerte de Jesús en la cruz, ha la casa donde estaban sentados” y “se les aparecieron lenguas como de brotado para toda la humanidad la efusión del Espíritu fuego que, repartiéndose, se posaron sobre cada uno de ellos” cuando Santo, como una inmensa cascada de gracia. Quien se experimentaron el descenso del Espíritu Santo sobre ellos. sumerge con fe en este misterio de regeneración renace a Esto fue Pentecostés, el “momento” transformador que también la plenitud de la vida filial”. se puede ver como el “cumpleaños de la Iglesia”. Después de ese momento definitorio, fueron impulsados por el Espíritu Santo a Antes de poder llegar a otros, y antes de que podamos abandonar esa Aposento Alto y salir para convertirse en testigos ser testigos efectivos de Jesús Resucitado a otros, primero alegres de Jesús Resucitado. debemos tener una relación fuerte y vibrante con Jesús. Al igual que los mismos apóstoles, estamos llamados a ser Debemos estar convencidos de que Jesús nos ama, y a cada discípulos, testigos alegres de Jesús. Estamos llamados a abrazar persona en el mundo. Debemos estar dispuestos a seguir los dones del Espíritu Santo y permitir que nuestros corazones creciendo en nuestra fe. Podemos lograr esas características se llenen de gozo y esperanza, y de que sean encendidos con espirituales continuando las prácticas espirituales en las que amor por Jesús. nos enfocamos durante la Cuaresma: la oración, el ayuno, las Lamentablemente, hay muchas personas en el mundo de hoy obras de misericordia, sumergiéndonos en la palabra de Dios que están buscando ese “algo” que falta en sus vidas. Puede que y permaneciendo en unión sacramental con Jesús a través de no se den cuenta, pero lo que buscan es Dios. Dios es lo que la recepción regular de la Sagrada Eucaristía. necesitamos, y nunca estaremos verdaderamente satisfechos Que la alegría de este tiempo de Pascua, combinada con los hasta que encontremos a Dios, o hasta que permitamos que Dios dones del Espíritu Santo, les llene de esperanza, les inspire nos encuentre. San Agustín, nuestro patrón diocesano, lo expresó a unirse a la misión de difundir la Buena Nueva de Jesús muy claramente: “Nuestros corazones están inquietos, querido Dios, Resucitado y les llene de fuego, impulsados por el Espíritu y solo encontrarán descanso cuando descansen en ti”. Santo. Para ser testigos alegres de la Luz de Cristo a todo el Cuando miramos a nuestro alrededor, vemos mucha tristeza, mundo.

DIOKZOO.ORG 5 YOUR LIFE

SOCORRO TRUCHAN is the Associate Director, Domestic Church, for the Diocese of Kalamazoo.

How the seasons of your marriage can help you

6 Southwest Michigan Catholic •• SUMMER SUMMER 201 20199 MARRIAGE MATTERS

Additional Resources: ust as the earth transforms with each season of spring, summer, fall and winter, so too does a couple’s marriage relationship experience its own Sacred Marriage BY GARY THOMAS seasons. We begin married life with excitement and expectation for what’s Thomas explores how mar- to come. As newlyweds, our hearts are similar to spring buds as we form a new life riage is intended to make us together. Summer months are the fun-filled activity era, laying the groundwork holy more than to make us happy. Marriage can help us ahead as we move into fall and winter, with its own sets of challenges. to grow in our service, obe- dience, character, pursuit and love of God. Marriage calls us A few years ago, Pope Francis wrote a as Pope Francis advises, “time.” Similar to to a new and selfless life. beautiful apostolic exhortation, Amoris La- our annual gardens and flower beds, mar- etitia, or The Joy of Love. In this beautiful riages need to undergo renewal. The sum- Discovering Our letter to the faithful, Pope Francis offered mer months, regardless of whatever season Deepest Desire some heartfelt advice for married couples your marriage may be experiencing, are a BY GREG SCHUTTE involving everything from accepting each perfect time for reconnection, rekindling There are seven key habits other’s faults to how to disagree respect- and renewal. that are critical for trans- forming a surviving marriage fully. He also wrote on the importance of into a thriving marriage. In spending time together. He wrote: Reconnection: Take this summer to revisit this seven-week journey, also a favorite shared activity — maybe you known as “Building a Eucha- “Love needs time and space; everything both cheer for the same sports team or ristic Marriage,” couples learn else is secondary. Time is needed to talk enjoy long walks or bike rides. Reconnect the importance of develop- ing not only a deeper rela- things over, to embrace leisurely, to share with each other as you did when you were tionship with each other, but plans, to listen to one another and gaze in first dating and discovering how much you also about the importance for each other’s eyes, to appreciate one anoth- liked being together. building a deeper connection er and to build a stronger relationship.” with Christ, through the Mass. Rekindling: Sharing life together comes Marriage as a Path My husband of more than 30 years, Tony, with many responsibilities and a mile-long to Holiness: Lives of and I, have participated in many marriage “to do” list. Take the summer to slow down, Married Saints enrichment workshops, date nights and en- put the lists on hold and spend time with BY DAVID AND counter weekends. Each experience has led each other. It can be an impromptu picnic MARY FORD us deeper into our understanding of our vo- on the beach or revisiting a romantic spot The lives of more than 180 cation as husband and wife. Though we are that holds special meaning. married saints from the times not perfect when we marry (nor during our of the Old Testament through married life), we do always strive for perfec- Renewal: This summer, I have the joy to the 20th century are featured. tion in our call to be one with each celebrate our son’s wedding. I won’t be other, regardless of the trials, able to help remembering the same joy tribulations and unex- I felt more than 30 years ago as a young pected life situations. bride. Whether you have a wedding to at- Our eternal destiny is tend, or not, take some time to renew your the sacramental bond promises to each other. as husband and wife and our shared promised goal Married life is a lifetime love affair and roll- of helping each other get to er-coaster ride that changes as the seasons. heaven. And those of us called to live this vocation And while praying and wor- are privileged to experience a little foretaste shipping together are important of the heavenly banquet that awaits us all as aspects of this promised goal, so is, we journey home to the Father.

DIOKZOO.ORG 7 YOUR FAITH

A summertime Mass at St. Basil Parish, South Haven. The Parish welcomes vacationers throughout the summer months.

“Angel on one shoulder; devil on the other. Who are you going to listen to?”

t’s the first day the thermometer is going to hit 80 degrees and, to top it off, the I weatherman reports there also will be low humidity. The sun is shining, and there is a light breeze coming from the west. The golfers are polishing their golf clubs after two months of hacking through the mud and wet grass. Families are searching for bathing suits that are lost in the bottom of dresser drawers. It’s a scene that repeats often FATHER JOHN FLECKENSTEIN throughout the summer months. So what’s the problem? Well, it’s Sunday morning. is the pastor of St. Philip There is a decision to be made. Catholic Church, Battle Creek.

The devil, securely positioned on your left shoulder, Paul II published his encyclical letter Dies Domini (The DEAR FATHER is whispering in one ear: “C’mon, you don’t have to go Lord’s Day or the Day of the Lord). He wrote: “Do not be to Mass today. Look at the weather! You’ll find God in afraid to give your time to Christ. Yes, let us open our nature!” But the angel, perched on your right shoulder, time to Christ, that he may cast light upon it and give it is whispering in the other ear: “Don’t let him fool you; direction. He is the One who knows the secret of time there is no vacation from your vocation in Christ.” and the secret of eternity, and he gives us ‘his day’ as an Then the devil responds: “Skipping Mass a few times ever-new gift of his love. The rediscovery of this day is a during the summer is no big deal. Besides, there will be grace which we must implore, not only so that we may rainy Sundays, too. Go to church then. Enjoy this while live the demands of faith to the full, but also so that we you’ve got it!” Hearing this, the angel responds, “Sun or may respond concretely to the deepest human yearn- rain, warm or cold, the sacrifice of Christ is infinitely ings. Time given to Christ is never time lost, but is rath- greater than the sacrifice of Sunday morning golf.” er time gained, so that our relationships and indeed our On the Solemnity of Pentecost in 1998, Pope St. John whole life may become more profoundly human.” (no. 7)

8 Southwest Michigan Catholic • SUMMER 2019 SAINT OF We have all heard the excuses: “I was traveling so THE MONTH I couldn’t go to church.” But what a great chance to visit another Catholic church and get a sense of what it means to be a part of the universal “Church.” Or: “We had company and we didn’t want them to feel like they had to go.” What a perfect opportunity for evangeli- zation to your guests, witnessing to them. And one of my least favorite excuses: “It’s summer vacation and my child doesn’t want to go.” Ask yourself, when did your Lily of the Mohawks, child get the option to go or not go to Mass? Who is St. Kateri Tekakwitha the parent? FEAST DAY JULY 14

Tekakwitha, born in 1656 to a Christian Algonquin mother and Mo- hawk father, embraced a life of gentle service to others from an early “Can you imagine what it would be like age. She and her family contracted smallpox when she was a child; she was scarred from the disease and lost her family to have the Lord say to us, DID YOU KNOW? to it. Although her uncle took her in, he treated ‘I never knew you; go away from me’?” Kateri is … Tekakwitha as a slave. She found solace, how- • The Mohawk ever, in listening to the “blackrobes,” or Jesuit form of Catherine, missionaries who visited her village, and would which she took meditate often on their teachings. from St. Catherine Remember the words of Jesus in the Gospel of At the age of 19, Tekakwitha was baptized by of Siena Matthew: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ the Jesuits (taking the name Catherine at her • The first Native baptism), and then refused marriage in order will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who American woman to dedicate her life to God. After death threats does the will of my Father in heaven. On that day many to be canonized from the villagers because of her Catholic faith, will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in • The patron saint a priest recommended she flee from her village your name, and cast out demons in your name, and of people in exile in upstate New York to a town near Montreal. do many deeds of power in your name?’ Then I will After a 200-mile journey, she received her first declare to them, ‘I never knew you; go away from me, Communion in 1677, and served her new village by teaching prayers to you evildoers.’” (Mt 7:21-23) Can you imagine what it children, attending daily Mass and watching over the elderly and sick. would be like to have the Lord say to us, “I never knew Many healings are attributed to Kateri’s intercession. She died in you; go away from me”? 1680, just before her 24th birthday. We encounter Jesus in our fervent prayers and our constant sense of his presence. But the greatest way to The statue above is located at Sacred Heart of Mary Parish in Silver Creek (Dowagiac). know Christ is by participating in the Mass. And that’s not something we do occasionally; its something we’re called to do consistently — whether it’s convenient or inconvenient, 80 degrees or 5 below zero. I have it on good authority, because the angel told Stop in to shop our great gift selection for me so. First Holy Communion & Confirmation First Missals • White gloves & ties • Gi Bibles • Medals • Rosaries

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

• Traveling within the diocese? Check out the diocesan website, www.diokzoo.org, for Mass times at the 59 parishes throughout the Diocese

• Traveling out-of-state: Consult www.MassTimes.org

• Dies Domini/On Keeping the Lord’s Day Holy — download at www.vatica.va 340 East Michigan Ave. in downtown Kalamazoo Mon-Fri: 9 am-6 pm • Sat: 10 am-4 pm • Phone: 269.553.0482 www.newmansbookshoppe.com Free parking in front of the store on both sides of Michigan Ave.

DIOKZOO.ORG 9 IN YOUR HOME: Backyard VBS Not a VBS or sum- mer camp near you? Get together with other families and plan a do- it-yourself (DIY) backyard summer KEEP BUILDING program. Check out Peanut Butter & Grace’s guide, including links to their complete program (free) at pbgrace.com/diy-backyard-vbs.

Scripture study or family prayer Make it a goal to spend THIS SUMMER some extra family time in prayer while the children are home for the summer. Learn a new prayer togeth- er, find an age-appropriate Bible study or pick one saint to spend the ith the school year finished and family vacations YOUR FAITH summer studying. Pinterest is full of dominating the schedule, it can be easy to let your FOCUS ON coloring pages, Scripture crafts and FAITH faith commitments take a back seat to summer fun. However, more. Check out our Pinterest for with a little planning, you can keep your summer both faith- more ideas at Pinterest.com/diokzoo. focused and fun-filled. Here are some ideas and resources. Celebrate the liturgical year One of the beautiful things about BY SARAH AT YOUR PARISH Vacation Bible School or the Catholic faith is the wealth of DEMOTT other summer camp program Daily Mass Attending daily celebrations, solemnities and feasts Several parishes around the dio- Mass can help add structure given to us through the liturgical cese host summer camp-type pro- to summer days and is a great year. Over the summer, try to find grams for school-aged children. reminder that faith should be the ways to celebrate through liturgical These week-long camps offer a center of every day. Try attending living. (And see the sidebar at right variety of faith-filled fun activities. one extra Mass each week. for a list of feasts that fall during the summer). Travel to new parishes Regular adoration or Each of the 59 parishes in the family prayer Make it a goal Plant a Mary garden If you diocese has unique artwork and to spend some extra family time already have a statue of Mary, character. Visit a new church and in prayer while the children are consider making a garden around explore. Headed to Full Blast in home for the summer. Learn a it as your summer family project. Battle Creek? Why not stop by new prayer together or spend You can make it as elaborate or St. Philip Parish and say a prayer some time in adoration. simple as your budget, time and skill at the beautiful grotto featuring allow. It could even be as simple the Blessed Mother. Headed to as adding a small statue or prayer the beach? Stop by one of our card to a potted plant. Encourage lakeshore parishes to light a your children to care for it and candle and appreciate the spend time in prayer near it. For different artwork. more information on starting a Mary garden, check out page 28.

10 Southwest Michigan Catholic • SUMMER 2019 DIOKZOO.ORG Make a giant outdoor rosary Solanus Casey Center — Summer feast days and solemnities Whether you do an entire rosary Detroit This center is based The summer months are full of amazing feast or simply a decade, use colored around the Capuchin lifestyle days to celebrate. Below we’ve included a few of the big ones but you can find a complete paper or sidewalk chalk to design and dedicated to Father Solanus list at catholic.org. a giant rosary on your sidewalk/ Casey, a Capuchin priest. It has driveway. It’s a great tool to teach art, history and culture. Life-size young children how to pray the beatitudes, a creation garden and July Rosary while also getting them a hall of etched-glass saints are outside and active. among the many things you can 1 St. Junipero Serra 3 St. Thomas the Apostle explore and be inspired by. You 4 St. Elizabeth of Portugal ROAD TRIPPING can take a tour led by the center’s 6 St. Maria Goretti National Shrine of the director, Father Larry Webber, on 11 St. Benedict 12 Sts. Louis and Zelie Martin Cross in the Woods — the first Sunday of the month at 10:30 a.m., or purchase a keep- 14 St. Kateri Tekakwitha Indian River, Mich. This one St. Bonaventure sake booklet any day of the week 15 is a “must-see” for Michiganders, 21 Feast day of the founding of the especially now that St. Kateri that will guide you through the Diocese of Kalamazoo in 1971 Tekakwitha has been canonized center. And since it is less than a 22 St. Mary Magdalene (Oct. 21, 2012). In addition to 10-minute drive away from Co- 23 St. Bridget 25 St. James St. Kateri, the Cross in the Woods merica Park, why not make a day trip to Detroit? 26 Sts. Joachim & Anne includes shrines of various saints, 29 St. Martha including St. Francis of Assisi and FUN FACT: Father Solanus Casey 31 St. Ignatius of Loyola St. Peregrine. The new church died in 1957, on the 53rd anni- can seat up to 1,000 people and versary of his first Mass. It is said features a view of the Man on the he stretched out his arms and said, August

Cross. You can also climb the Holy “I give my soul to Jesus Christ” 4 St. John Vianney Stairs (representing the 28 stairs immediately before taking his last 6 Transfiguration of the Lord Jesus had to climb to Pontius Pi- breath. He was declared “Vener- 8 St. Dominic late) on your knees while praying able” by St. John Paul II in 1995 9 St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross and meditating. and was beatified by Pope Francis 11 St. Clare 14 St. Maximilian Kolbe in 2017. Call 313.579.2100 or visit FUN FACT: The “cross” in Cross 15 Solemnity of the Assumption of in the Woods is called the Man on www.solanuscenter.org. the Blessed Virgin Mary the Cross and is a bronze sculpture 21 St. Pius X 22 Memorial of the Queenship of of the crucified Christ. It weighs the Blessed Virgin Mary seven tons, is 28 feet tall from 23 St. Rose of Lima head to toe and has an arm-span of 24 St. Bartholomew the Apostle 21 feet. Call 231.238.8973 or visit 27 St. Monica www.crossinthewoods.com. 28 St. Augustine 29 Memorial of the Passion of St. John the Baptist

DIOKZOO.ORG 11 YOUR STORIES

Mother Friend Mentors support teen moms during pregnancy and beyond

ach year, Caring Network, a program of had been. Even though she felt the stigma of being a YOUR FAITH Catholic Charities Diocese of Kalamazoo mom before she had graduated from high school, she MENTOR E (CCDOK), provides services for more than 350 had a support system of friends and family, was able to earn her high school diploma and even attended pregnant and parenting women and families college. Many teen moms, she says, don’t think they with needs ranging from parenting classes to have options. clothing, diapers and baby equipment. Her first mentor-mentee pairing was six years ago. Similar to her own experience, Colleen’s mentee was BY SARAH One of those services is the volunteer Mother Friend driven to get her high school diploma, spending time DEMOTT Mentor program, which pairs expectant mothers with every week after school earning the extra credits she

PHOTOS BY seasoned mothers to form a relationship and offer one- needed to graduate while Colleen helped arrange rides TERRY on-one personalized support. The two women meet, and child care. HAGEMAN talk about life, pregnancy and motherhood and begin “Mentorship really is to prepare to welcome a new baby into the world. about friendship,” says Col- “They don’t For Bailey Sutkowi, becoming a Mom Mentor was leen, a parishioner at St. Jo- need lectures a call to “walk the walk” when it came to her pro-life seph Parish, Kalamazoo. “It or sympathy, views. For Colleen Dawson, volunteering was a chance challenges you to put aside to help teen moms in positions much like she experi- your own idea of what a they just need enced decades earlier. teen mother is and focus on somebody to Bailey recalls her first mentor-mentee pairing. “[In building a relationship with walk with them the beginning,] I thought I was going to be able to this young woman who is bring her [the expectant mother] to the Lord and have dealing with a lot of chal- and listen.” these deep amazing conversations with her, but I real- lenges. A lot of times it isn’t ized my call was to serve her needs, not my idea of her about anything more than being there to listen. needs. And sometimes that was as simple as making “I’ve been there,” adds Colleen. “I can still remember sure she’d eaten and giving her a quiet place to nap.” — 40 years later — some of the things people said to Colleen, whose own son was four months old at me. You just need someone with no motive other than her high school graduation, felt a pull to help young to support and care for you.” moms who were in an even tougher position than she Bailey, a parishioner at St. Ann Parish in Augusta, found the strength and commitment of her mentee inspiring. “Once her baby boy was born, she just flourished,” she recalls. “She took this situation that was not ideal and just completely owned it. She had lots of questions but her focus was on him.” Being pregnant at the same time as her mentee was another stark reminder for Bailey of their differing cir- cumstances. IC CHA OL R H IT T IE “It really brought home the worries she was enduring A S C that I didn’t have. I had a spouse and a stable home and family support. I wasn’t worried about where diapers or clothes or food was going to come from. And to see her enduring all that and taking it in stride, making

12 Southwest Michigan Catholic • SUMMER 2019 FOR MORE INFORMATION on the Mother Friend Mentor Program and Caring Network, visit www.ccdok.org or contact Jeannine Boehm, [email protected].

such mature choices and never complaining about it, put in the time to be there for them when the baby ar- Colleen (left) and was such a huge witness.” rives takes a lot of effort,” admits Colleen. “But that’s so Bailey discuss their experiences After both her mentee’s baby and Bailey’s second child important because many babies and new moms are in as Mother Friend were born, the two were visiting a mall together and unstable and stressful situations. When we focus only Mentors at Caring stopped to feed their babies. Bailey couldn’t help but no- on keeping a pregnancy, we’re stopping at the wrong Network. tice the way passersby looked at them. point. We have to keep going and care for them through “She’s so strong to still be able to not let other peo- their pregnancy and postpartum and motherhood. ple’s judgments bother her,” says Bailey. “Being pro-life never stops caring. They don’t need One gift of the program is the impact it has on more lectures or sympathy, they just need somebody to walk than just the mentor and mentee and the relationships with them and listen.” fostered last long after the baby has been born. “Our whole family is involved,” says Colleen. “One of my granddaughters still talks about the time we took a trip to see the giant waves in South Haven in the early spring a few years ago. My mentee had never really left the Kalamazoo area, hadn’t ever been to the lake. Experienc- ing those waves through her was an experience we will all remember and such a powerful lesson in gratitude.” For both Colleen and Bailey, the mission of Mother Friend Mentors defines what it means to be pro-life. “I believe being pro-life means we have to take care of these moms who do choose to continue their preg- nancies,” says Bailey. “These girls get so much pressure to end their pregnancies. It should not be ‘great, thanks for choosing to have your baby. See you later.’ That was a huge reason I felt like this program is so important and I needed to get involved.” “It’s easy to be there for material items but to actually PHOTO BY VICTORIA CESSNA

DIOKZOO.ORG 13 YOUR FAITH JOURNEY At the intersection of faith and family, the Lahs found COMMUNITY

ave you ever found yourself longing for the community and support of life in a religious order but know life as a priest, sister or brother is not what you are called to?

BY SARAH For many single lay people, couples and families, the DEMOTT answer to that longing is found through lay religious PHOTOS orders. Third orders and lay associations, as they are COURTESY OF called, are attracting a wide variety of Catholics who EMILY AND MICHAEL LAH are searching for a deeper spirituality in their faith lives. Emily and Michael Lah, parishioners at SS. John and Bernard Parish, Benton Harbor, are one such married couple. The Lahs are members of the Brothers and Sis- ters of Charity, a public association of the faithful, sim- ilar to a third order. When the Lah family discerned a cross-country periencing Jesus through prayer, study and evangeliza- Praying over move, they weren’t sure what they would find. They just tion, centering their lives on the evangelical counsels of each other is a knew it was in God’s hands. Together since their senior poverty, chastity and obedience. powerful part of local cell group year of high school, they attended separate universities Soon after relocating to Southwest Michigan, follow- meetings. in Indiana before marrying and eventually landing in ing a period of discernment and a new job opportunity, Texas. Michael, who grew the Lahs attended a retreat on the life lessons of St. Fran- up Lutheran, joined the cis led by Talbot. They returned home refreshed but still Catholic Church the fol- felt called to form community in their new home. lowing year. It was a serendipitous conversation with their new It was through the en- neighbors over coffee and donuts after Mass the next couragement of their pas- weekend that the local “cell group” began to take shape. tor in Austin, Texas, that And so, eleven years ago, the cell group at SS. John Emily and Michael were and Bernard Parish, Benton Harbor was formed. There introduced to the Brothers are now seven permanently professed members and and Sisters of Charity and four others who are still on the path of discernment, its founder, John Michael all from St. Joseph Parish, St. Joseph and SS. John and Talbot. Bernard Parish. Largely based on the Founded in 1980, the Brothers and Sisters of Charity teachings of St. Francis are a unique blend of charismatic and contemplative of Assisi, the association’s expressions, with both a domestic and monastic priorities are similar to expression including celibate brothers and sisters, those the Lahs were al- singles and families. Their rule is: “Jesus is our primary ready working to instill example; the Scripture is our primary rule; our primary in their own home — ex- law is love.”

14 Southwest Michigan Catholic • SUMMER 2019 “Jesus is our primary example; the Scripture is our primary rule; our primary law is love.”

The journey to final professions as a brother or sis- ter includes candidacy, six to 12 months as a postu- lant, one to two years as a novice and a first profession for three years, culminating in permanent profession. During these periods of discernment, a person learns more about the life of this community, receives spiritu- al guidance and both the community and the individ- ual prayerfully discern if this is the right community for them. conversation, we landed on the topic of Theology of the Three of the Lah’s As domestics within the Brothers and Sisters of Body for Teens [by Christopher West] and she asked me four daughters look on during Charity, the Lahs’ priority is their family. Now made where she could get more information and she’s wasn’t morning prayer up of four daughters ages 5 to 15, the Lahs start and even Christian. It’s all about being open to opportu- at Little Portion end their day reflecting on the way of life they’ve pro- nities, being able to speak about the faith with con- Monastery in fessed and how the choices they make each day bring fidence and loving [the people you’re speaking with] Arkansas. them closer to Christ, how they can be “created anew,” where they’re at.” as the community’s rule states. Even as permanently professed members, there isn’t a set of rules they have to follow. Rather, they focus on taking the way of life taught by St. Francis and attuning it to their specific High School Juniors & Seniors vocation and life situation. College Seniors & Post-Graduates For example, for the Lahs, centering their lives on You’re Invited to poverty means they live below their means, spending their money consciously and avoiding purchases that aren’t necessities. at the Ann Arbor residence of Tom Monaghan Members of the community are actively involved Founder of Ave Maria University & Ave Maria School of Law in their parishes and work to support their pastors in Wednesday, June 12, 6:00 p.m. trying new ways to help the lay faithful deepen their Learn more about these Generous Scholarships relationship with Christ. Ave Maria University Scholarships The Lahs, for exam- Additional Academic & Athletic Aid Available ple, ran with a priest’s Michigan Michigan Homeschool TO LEARN MORE suggestion of bringing Scholarship Scholarship ABOUT THE BROTHERS St. Andrews School of $28,000 over 4 years $36,000 over 4 years Plus additional AMU Aid AND SISTERS OF CHARITY, Evangelization’s New Plus additional AMU Aid VISIT BSCDOMESTIC.ORG. Life program to their parish, a weekend re- Ave Maria School of Law treat they’ve run with a team of 20-30 people several Michigan / Toledo Full-Tuition times over the past few years. Scholarship Evangelizing has become part of their daily lives Plus Stipend beyond the programs they help with at their parish. Whether it’s at a retreat or at swim class, the Lahs strive Meet admission counselors, current students to be open to the prodding of the Holy Spirit when it and alumni. Enjoy an evening of great food, comes to sharing their faith with others. prizes, and live music.

“One time I was at swim class and another mom sat FREE - Registration required by June 5 to attend! down next to me,” said Emily. “In the course of our Register today at www.avemariafoundation.org

DIOKZOO.ORG 15 YOUR FAITH JOURNEY THIRD ORDERS AROUND THE DIOCESE Associates, Congregation of St. Joseph MEET AT HOMES THROUGHOUT THE DIOCESE • Daily life: Always moving toward profound love of God and neighbor without distinction • In a nutshell: “In response to God’s great love and mutual support, we are Emily, who is the deeply engaged in living the Congregation of St. Joseph’s mission of unity regional vicar, and inclusive love of God and the dear neighbor without distinction.” presented during • Contact: Leah Hinman — [email protected], the last General Mary Rita Sayers, CSJ — [email protected] Gathering at Little Portion Benedictine Oblates of St. Meinrad Archabbey Monastery. MEET AT ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA PARISH, PORTAGE • Daily life: Prayer, read the Rule of Benedict, Lectio Divina daily, frequent use of the sacraments, meet monthly. • In a nutshell: “Benedictines focus on living in the presence of God and attempting to do his will. Their motto is Ora et Labora — prayer and work. We strive to find spiritual balance between our prayer life and the ways in which we serve our communities.” “The key is to build relationships, • Contact: Steven Borchert — [email protected], saintmeinrad.org/oblates always be ready to witness your faith Secular Franciscans of Divine Providence Fraternity and invite, invite, invite.” MEET AT ST. MARY PARISH, PAW PAW • Daily life: Pray the Liturgy of the Hours or a substitute, plus daily personal prayer, meet regularly as a fraternity. According to Emily, an often overlooked aspect of • Pray every day – Liturgy of the Hours or a substitute, but important to caring for each other is the reality of spiritual poverty. keep your spiritual life going. “There are several safety nets for financial poverty • In a nutshell: “The rule and life of the Secular Franciscans is this: to observe the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ by following the example of but people struggling with spiritual poverty slip away St. Francis of Assisi who made Christ the inspiration and the center of his from their faith every day,” says Emily. “People who life with God and people.” Art. 4, Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order used to go to Mass every weekend now miss because of • Contact: Jan Kaeding — [email protected], soccer matches or other busyness, and no one reaches secularfranciscansusa.org out to them.” Third Order Carmelites Some of this, the Lahs believe, is because the damage MEET AT ST. PETER PARISH, DOUGLAS done by spiritual poverty is harder to see than the real- • Daily life: Pray the Little Office of Mary, or the Liturgy of the Hours, ities of financial poverty. or a substitute, meet once a month for communal prayers and devotions, have a spiritual retreat once a year. “Maybe we’re called to walk alongside them to help • In a nutshell: “Carmelites trace their ancestry back to the prophet Elijah get back to the right path or maybe we’re just called and his devotion to the Theotokos — Mary, Mother of God. We try to to plant that mustard seed,” said Emily. “The key is to emulate St. Simon Stock’s spirituality and his devotion to the brown scapular, as well as the example of St. Teresa of Avila, the great reformer, build relationships, always be ready to witness your whose spirituality defined us as a discalced order.” faith and invite, invite, invite.” • Contact: Sue Spans —269.303.6797, ocarm.org/en/content/ocarm/third-order

16 Southwest Michigan Catholic • SUMMER 2019 YOUR STORY PARENT PROFILE

said, “but it’s true.” And that feeling obviously stuck for Father Marotti, who started talking about being a priest when he was only five years old. “When he was just five years old, Francis drew a picture where he is a priest and is celebrating Mass at St. Monica’s,” said Hope. The draw- ing shows nine children lined up in the front pews. Interestingly, it was at his son’s first Mass the Sunday after his ordination in 2012 that Keith happened to notice something striking. He looked over and there in the front row were nine people — Father Marotti’s family including his siblings and their spouses — the exact same number depicted in his childhood drawing from more than 20 years earlier. For some that may seem like a co- incidence, but the Marottis believe there’s something more divine at play in those moments. PHOTO COURTESY OF HOPE AND KEITH MAROTTI “When people tell me what a great job we’ve done, I just really BY VICTORIA believe we had very little to do with CESSNA OUR SON, a priest his calling,” said Hope, “It’s all God.

efore anyone calls them “Father,” priests are brothers, cousins, friends, sometimes even uncles or godfathers. But always, their first title is: son. What’s it like to have a Father as a son? For Keith and Hope Marotti, parents of Father Francis Marotti, pastor, St. Ann Parish, Augusta, it seemed destined to be. For it was at Father Francis’ (then Frank’s) baptism that the thought first struck Keith.

“I was sitting next to Hope and Hope and said, ‘I have the strangest Father [James] Barrett was holding feeling this one will be a priest.’” Francis and I just all of a sudden “If Keith hadn’t told me that on had this overwhelming feeling come the day of the baptism I probably over me,” he said. “And I turned to wouldn’t have believed him,” she PHOTO COURTESY OF HOPE AND KEITH MAROTTI

DIOKZOO.ORG 17 “My mom had embarked on a novena to St. Jude,” laughed Hope, who noted that since she was at the “ripe old age of 26” her mom thought her singleness needed some saintly intervention. Little did they know the signif- icance of the saint, known for his work in righting lost causes, would

“I knew right away that I was going to marry her.”

come back to them. When they

PHOTO BY ANTHONY DUGAL were planning their wedding, the only date available at the Church was Oct. 28 — which at the time “We didn’t do anything different knew right away that I was going to they didn’t know was the feast day with the other three children,” she marry her,” recalls Keith. of St. Jude. added. “It was just meant to be.” That was in August of 1977. By It’s not hard to tell that both Keith But once you take a closer look at November, they had gone on their and Hope were brought up in a the Marottis, both as a couple and first official date; by February of strong Catholic faith. Keith took a as parents (and now grandparents), 1978, they were engaged. They mar- job with UpJohn in 1982, which it’s easy to parcel out some credit ried on Oct. 28 of the same year. brought the young couple to Ka- to them for Father’s vocation. For the Holy Spirit may have been the one calling, but oftentimes it’s the family that make it possible for men and women to hear the call to religious life. Hope and Keith both grew up in the Pittsburgh area; Hope in the city and Keith in a small steel town northwest of the Pennsylvania city. The two first met at a function sponsored by the Catholic Alumni Club of St. Paul Cathedral. Keith was a graduate student at the University of Pittsburgh and was looking for something to do. He volunteered with the group to paint a local chil- dren’s home. Hope, who was also a member of the club, was there. “I was painting a dorm room when she walked in the room. I

18 Southwest Michigan Catholic • SUMMER 2019 YOUR STORY PARENT PROFILE

lamazoo. They were blessed with remain active in their faith. Keith four children and raised them here and Hope taught natural family until 2003 when Keith was trans- planning for more than 10 years ferred to Ann Arbor. They returned for the diocese; worked with en- to the area in 2007. gaged couples; and recently helped The first three Marotti children, facilitate the diocese’s marriage en- Richard, Rosemarie and Francis, richment course “Discovering Your were St. Monica and Hackett grad- Deepest Desires.” uates, while the youngest, Marie, And they didn’t fret when as a graduated from a high school in teenager Father Marotti turned his Ann Arbor. attention away from the priesthood The Marotti family life was cen- and thought of pursuing different tered around their faith. The family careers. prayed the Rosary every night. “It “Francis talked about being a was Francis that was the cut-up,” priest until he got to high school,” said Keith,” he was always trying to said Keith. “Then he turned his at- get everyone to laugh.” tention to the theater and football.” In addition to family prayer time Father Marotti then left for col- at home, the Marotti family went lege, attending the same one as his PHOTO COURTESY OF HOPE AND KEITH MAROTTI to Stations of the Cross together, siblings, Thomas Aquinas College participated in their parish’s family- in Santa Paula, Calif. After his col- Father Francis centered activities and made many lege graduation, Father Marotti re- Marotti poses with Father trips back “home” to Pittsburgh. turned to the Kalamazoo area and Robert Consani, The Marottis made friends with was teaching at St. Philip High Pastor Emeritus, a number of priests along the way School, Battle Creek, when he seri- St. Monica Parish, — many of them assigned to their ously began to discern his vocation Kalamazoo, on the day of his parish. Today, these priests have to the priesthood. First Communion. become close friends, including So while they might not take any credit for his vocation, when “When people tell me what a great asked, the Marottis do have advice for Catholic families. job we’ve done, I just really believe “Pray together, eat together, wor- we had very little to do with his ship together,” Hope said, adding calling. It’s all God.” “and send your children to Catholic schools.” Msgr. Michael Osborn, Father Rob- The Marottis are proud of their ert Consani, Father Peter Gregor, son, the Father, and enjoy listening Father Brian Stanley and Father to his homilies online. However, Archilles Van Hoof. for them, he’ll always be that mis- “We had priests over for dinner chievous boy. or they’d just stop by,” said Hope. “We can hardly believe it’s him “The kids grew up interacting with sometimes,” they both laughed. priests and seeing them as normal “He was just such a goof-off in people.” high school — sometimes it’s hard And the Marotti children also to imagine he is the same person grew up with parents who were and giving such wonderful homilies.”

DIOKZOO.ORG 19 YOUR STORY COVER STORY

BY VICTORIA CESSNA

PHOTOS BY ANTHONY DUGAL

How Jesús is walking a path to

IT’S A LONG-AWAITED WARM DAY and Jesús Hernández, like many twenty- somethings, is hanging out with his friends. On this particular Sunday afternoon, Jesús, his brother Oscar and a friend, Alex, are commiserating about Michigan State University’s loss in the Final Four while they swap light-hearted quips about a host of things from girlfriends to wardrobe choices. They’re soon joined by another person who they greet with big smiles.

20 Southwest Michigan Catholic • SUMMER 2019 Jesús catches up with Father Evelio Ramirez, pastor, Holy Angels Parish, Sturgis.

DIOKZOO.ORG 21 While his younger sister was preparing for first Com- munion Rayito invited Jesús, along with his brother Oscar, to participate in a Jornada retreat. Jesús credits his participation in Jornada as completely changing his commitment to his Catholic faith. “Participating in the Jornada helped us truly develop a relationship with Christ. I didn’t just let the retreat become an event,” he said. And how does Jesús develop that JORNADA RETREAT — WHAT'S THAT? relationship with The Jornada is a movement for his namesake? young people which came out of the Cursillos de Cristiandad, the What makes this scene unique? It’s taking place in “Through prayer Cursillistas meetings. It involves the middle of Holy Angels Church in Sturgis and that and keeping him participation in a retreat but is jovial friend, late to the conversation, is the young men’s first,” he answered meant to be “lived” throughout pastor, Father Evelio Ramirez, who immediately gets in easily. a person’s life. some not-so-subtle hints about each of the them joining Jesús has come a the seminary and becoming priests for the diocese. long way from the shy 10-year-old who moved to Stur- At first glance, Jesús Hernández is similar to many gis from Michoacan, Mexico — about four hours west young adults his age. He loves hanging out with of Mexico City. It was during this time, after his father’s friends, playing soccer and traveling to parts unknown. death, his widowed mother wanted to move closer to But unlike many twenty-somethings, most of Jesús’ family. Many people from Michoacan had already im- extracurricular activities center on his connection to migrated to the Sturgis area to work for a large employer his parish and to his Catholic faith. that has since gone out of business. According to Pew Research Center, a little more than Jesús’ two older sisters came to the area first. One of a third of the adults born between 1981 and 1996 do them sacrificed her own high school education so she not identify with any religion tradition. Other research could work full-time to support the family. She eventu- reveals that those same young adults stop identifying as ally earned her GED and today is happily married with Catholics at a median age of 13, long before two young children. they cease attending a parish. A further Honored by his sister’s sacrifice, Jesús now works full study by St. Mary’s Press found that time in the RV industry to support his widowed mom many who stopped identifying and younger siblings. While he would love to go to as Catholics tended to have college someday, he’s proud to support his family. weak signs of attachment to “It’s my turn,” he said. “I’m thankful for the sacrifices the Church. More than half of my sister made. You can’t have love without sacrifice.” respondents in the survey said Jesús speaks with a wisdom beyond his 27 years. And when they did consider them- it’s this youthful enthusiasm and love for the Church selves Catholic they were still that Pope Francis hopes will be even more encouraged. only attending Mass a few times a As he wrote recently in his apostolic exhorta- year or less. Two-thirds of those same tion, Christus Vivit, after the conclusion respondents had made their first Commu- of the Synod on Young Adults: nion, but only a third had received the sacrament of confirmation. Nearly 60 percent had never been in- “Young friends, don’t wait until to- volved in any religious education or youth ministry. morrow to contribute your energy, Jesús admits to being on that same path, barely at- your audacity and your creativity to tending Mass, except for the “major holidays,” and al- changing our world. Your youth is not most becoming an agnostic while wrestling with his an ‘in-between time.’ You are the now of faith in high school. It was an invitation from his par- God, and he wants you to bear fruit.[said recently — ish’s director of religious education, Rayito Tapia, and young adults aren’t the future of the Church — they are his own discernment that changed his course. the Church. [178, Christus Vivit]

22 Southwest Michigan Catholic • SUMMER 2019 YOUR STORY Jesús is a perfect illustration of the “now” the Holy Jesús hopes that one journey on that path involves a COVER STORY Father references. His parish ministries occupy his pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in time for an entire Sunday. He frequently attends both Des Plaines, Ill. the English- and Spanish-language Masses, in-between His vision for the pilgrimage is inspired by his father. teaches confirmation class and in late afternoon invites “My father made the journey to the Shrine of Our a group of young adults to come together — sometimes Lady of Guadalupe for 10 years on foot.” for eucharistic adoration. Jesús adds that in the Mexican tradition this jour- Jesús also makes the time to coach soccer at the local ney is a significant “form of penance. It’s high school. He felt compelled to give back in the same also a journey of gratitude.” way he was positively influenced by his own coaches. His dream? To plan a similar walking JESÚS’ FAVORITES: “The Lord has put great people in my life,” he said. pilgrimage for young adults charting • Father Ralph Martin, EWTN But he’s reluctant to accept any pats on the back. a course from the Diocese of Kalama- • Intentional Discipleship by “I’m just trying to live a life based on the truth which zoo to the Shrine of the Passion in Des Sherry Waddell means living and being active in the Church.” Plaines, Ill. He hopes to get it off the • Sister Nuvia Celi’s YouTube Channel When asked why he’s so different from other young ground time for summer 2020, with the • Laudete app adults his age who don’t participate in Church, Jesús is goal of bringing young adults together • Regina magazine quick to not judge them. He explained, “Many people “for a time of reflection and celebration • Martin Valberde — Nobody Loves You Like I Do my age are confused and have misconceptions about of our heritage.” • St. Francis of Assisi the teachings [of the Church].” So what’s next for Jesús? He hopes he can attract others through the life he’s living. “To evangelize by bringing joy to peo- Just last fall, through the urging of his friends and ple. For me, it’s the relationship with God, that joy, that community, he participated in a weekend Cursillo and I hope to continue to use to inspire others. proudly wears the recognizable Cursillo cross. And, “We are all a part of the Church Christ founded and he admits, he got over the fact that he was one of the all of have those friendships we can journey with.” younger participants that weekend, making his Cursil- And what about the priesthood? lo alongside the parents of the students in his confir- Jesús smiled and said, “It’s not something completely mation class and those on his soccer team. off the table.” And one of his greatest compliments? “I’ve had parents come to me and my brother and ask us to invite their kids [back to Mass] or to a young adult gathering.” Jesús admits it’s not always easy being faithful to Church teachings at this stage in his life. “It’s tough,” he said. “You’ll be singled out and made fun of. But there’s always a lot of reward from that [challenge] as well. Our biggest goal is to be seeking holiness and Mother Church has the same path for us — to sainthood.”

TYPICAL WEEKDAY: • 3:45 a.m. wake up • 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. work • 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Soccer

SUNDAY: • 9 a.m. Mass • 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Confirmation Class • 1 p.m. Mass in Spanish • About 2:45 p.m. — Young Adult meeting

DIOKZOO.ORG 23 YOUR STORY SPECIAL REPORT Pope Francis’ latest apostolic exhortation

REPORT BY DOUGLAS CULP

ON APRIL 2, 2019, Pope Francis’ latest apostolic exhortation was CHRISTUS VIVIT AT A GLANCE … published. As always, the name of the exhortation, Christus In Christus Vivit, Pope Francis Vivit (Christ is Alive!), comes from the first several words of acknowledges three areas of par- ticular importance that the synod the document in its Latin edition. The exhortation is addressed APOSTOLIC examined: the digital environ- EXHORTATION: to both young people and the entire people of God, and relies ment, migration and abuse. His An apostolic heavily on the reflections and conversations that occurred as a purpose is not to offer new conclu- exhortation is part of last year’s Synod on the Youth, which had considered the a magisterial sions, but to call for greater anal- document age group from 16 to 29. ysis and development of responses written by to these realities. the pope. He offers a message specifically It's essentially WHAT IS ‘YOUTH’? Pope Francis understands youth a pastoral Pope Francis offers a vision of as more than a period of time. to all young people, a message con- message the youth informed by one basic truth: Youth, he asserts, is a state of mind. taining the three truths: God loves pope sends out “being young is not only about This is why an ancient institution you, Christ sacrificed himself to to Catholics to highlight key pursuing fleeting pleasures and su- like the Church can renew its save you and Christ is alive! Pope points about perficial achievements.” He teach- youthfulness. He elaborates on Francis believes that the profound a particular es that the purpose of youth is to what this looks like by setting appreciation of this message can issue. learn of “generous commitment, up Mary as the “supreme model lead to an encounter with Christ whole-hearted dedication, and for a youthful Church” and by that is capable of sustaining one for sacrifices that are difficult but ulti- examining the witness of several the entirety of her/his Christian life. mately fruitful.” “young” saints. The pope suggests that living the years of our youth in the trans- forming light of the Gospel means acknowledging youth as a time of both dreams and decisions; of both living in the present moment and making the most of the opportu- nities life offers; of encounter with the friend who is Jesus; of growing mature physically, intellectually, and spiritually; of growing in gen- erous and merciful love; of making a commitment to serve and trans- form the greater community; and of being a witness of the Gospel wherever one happens to be. At the same time, he is clear that youth is not an “in-between time.” Rather,

Bishop Bradley the youth are the “now of God.” He recently hosted a then closes the exhortation with discussion with young chapters on youth ministry, voca- adults at St. Thomas More Student Parish, tions and discernment. Kalamazoo.

24 Southwest Michigan Catholic • SUMMER 2019 YOUR STORY PROTECTION

FROM POPE FRANCIS: On May 9, 2019, Pope Francis released a new Motu Proprio, “Vos Estis Lux Mundi”/”You are the Light of the World,” becoming new law for the Church. This Motu Proprio was issued three months after the meeting of Bishops of Episcopal Diocese moves forward Conferences and other consultants from around the world who were convened in February in Rome to develop a worldwide plan to ad- with local plan dress this evil in the Church and the world. “You are the Light of the World” build on the 20-year-old “Charter In September 2018, Bishop Bradley for the Protection of children and young people.” There is a new released his “A Plan to Protect” detailing section on how to address allegations brought against a bishop additional measures the Diocese of through the “Metroplitan model”, having the Metropolitan of each Kalamazoo would take in creating safe Province [in Michigan that is Archbishop Allen Vigneron] be the first one to respond to the allegation. environments for its people. Following are a few highlighed updates: Bishop Bradley, in receiving the document, commented, “In this document, the Holy Father calls all bishops to accountability, but also reminds all of us of our important roles. He writes, ‘In order that these phenomena (crimes of sexual abuse), in all their forms, never To remain steadfast in our support for and happen again, a continuous and profound conversion of hearts is solidarity with survivors of abuse, constantly needed, attested by concrete and effective actions that involve ev- striving to improve our pastoral care for eryone in the Church, so that personal sanctity and moral commit- victims and their families. ment can contribute to promoting the full credibility of the Gospel message and the effectiveness of the Church’s mission.’” This Motu Proprio takes effect onJune 1, 2019. UPDATE: The diocese continues to support The Trauma Recovery Program, which is offered free of charge to any Catholic dealing with unresolved childhood trauma. Two sessions are held each year and REPORTING INFORMATION: The Diocese of Kalamazoo en- offered in both English and Spanish. courages individuals to report clergy sexual abuse of minors and vulnerable adults — no matter when the abuse occurred. If abuse To evaluate and refine the Safe Environment by anyone connected to the Church is suspected, please contact Program and all practices already in place, the police. You are also encouraged to contact the Diocesan Sexual and to employ further measures to ensure that Abuse Report line at 877.802.0115. the mandate of full compliance on the part of In addition, the Michigan Attorney General’s Office can be con- all clergy, lay leaders and Church personnel is tacted at its toll-free reporting hotline at 844.324.3374 (Monday achieved. through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) or by email at aginvestigations@ michigan.gov.

UPDATE: Bishop Bradley held meetings in March with For any other questions pertaining to protecting our children, all the priests and deacons to review Safe Environment please contact the Diocesan Safe Environment Coordinator Marina processes and guidelines. Marina Hentz Shoup, Hentz Shoup at 269.903.0171 or [email protected]. associate director, Safe Environment, held meetings with the parish safe environment coordinators. This August the diocese will host third-party auditors who come on-site every three years to evaluate the RESOURCES: diocese’s compliance to the Charter for the Protection protect.diokzoo.org of Children and Young People. The Diocese of Kalamazoo’s dedicated website for To create and require a code of conduct for resources, news and all clergy and lay leaders within the Church. information on protecting God’s children and updates UPDATE: The code of conduct was revised and signed on the crisis in the Church. by all clergy in March 2018.

DIOKZOO.ORG 25 YOUR STORY V ENCUENTRO theology at either the University of Notre Dame or Boston College. The diocesan retreats for quinceañeras inspires new priorities and will continue, with more topics in- cluded that are geared toward the plan for Hispanic Ministry formation of the young person and their families. Also, a better effort will be made to collaborate with the fter three years of planning and participation in the diocesan ministry offices dealing fifth National Encuentro, new priorities and initiatives with youth and young adults. are being planned for the Hispanic Catholic community FAMILIES: The plan is to provide within the Diocese of Kalamazoo. an annual diocesan Encounter for Couples or Families, so they come STORY BY The priorities that emerged from zoo met with Bishop Paul J. Bradley together for a one day of reflection, VERONICA the regional, local and national to create a plan that aligns with the communication, accompaniment RODRIGUEZ Encuentro gatherings call for a need diocesan priorities of “Fostering and education. Also, the Hispan- to focus on the following: young Vocations, Accompanying Fami- ic Ministry will collaborate with adults, who need opportunities lies toward Holiness and Activat- the diocesan Office of Domestic of formation and to exercise their ing Missionary Disciples” — but Church to continue to accompany leadership abilities; the family, with an added concentration to families and couples who are plan- with a need for a more integral gear those initiatives toward young ning to get married. family catechesis and counseling adults. This plan will cover the next for couples; formation for leaders, two years and will be reviewed be- FORMATION: The Diocese of Ka- a need for ongoing formation so the fore the second year ends in order lamazoo’s St. Augustine Institute faithful can participate in ministry to see what needs to be improved, (ISAK) Pastoral Leadership For- within their own parishes; and increased or changed. mation Program is a three-year vocations, with an emphasis on program with the objective to de- more information in regard to all YOUNG ADULTS: The seven dioceses velop participants’ leadership abil- types of vocations. in Michigan are uniting to bring a ities and their involvement in the Earlier this year, the Hispanic formation program for young adults Catholic Church through pastoral/ Ministry of the Diocese of Kalama- to the state. Research is underway theological formation. ISAK will on the best institution continue to offer continued forma- or organization and a tion courses for the graduates. Also, needs assessment will support will be provided to the di- be conducted in each ocesan Eucharistic Congress for the diocese. Three young formation of the ISAK graduates adults representing the and any parish leader in general. Diocese of Kalamazoo are participating in VOCATIONS: The plan calls for these statewide meet- events or programs where families ings. The purpose of are able to learn more about these meetings is to cre- the different vocations in life — ate a network of young celibacy, diaconate, priesthood, people in our region. marriage and consecrated life — Also, the diocese has ap- and also provide opportunities plied for a grant so two for the families, especially young young adults can enter people, to meet with people from the graduate program in each vocation.

26 Southwest Michigan Catholic • SUMMER 2019 YOUR STORY con la oficina diocesana de la V ENCUENTRO Iglesia Doméstica para continuar

acompañando a las familias y parejas que planean casarse. A “Vocational inspira nuevas prioridades y plan Open House” FORMACIÓN: El Instituto de was offered on para el ministerio hispano March 10, 2019. San Agustín de la Diócesis de The home of POR VERÓNICA RODRÍGUEZ Kalamazoo (ISAK) Programa de the Missionary Formación de Liderazgo Pastoral Sisters Servants of the Divine espués de tres años de planificación y participación es un programa de tres años que Spirit welcomed en el V Encuentro Nacional, se están planificando tiene como objetivo desarrollar those wishing to learn more about nuevas prioridades e iniciativas para la comunidad católica la capacidad de liderazgo de los each vocation. participantes y su participación hispana dentro de la Diócesis de Kalamazoo. Presenters in- en la Iglesia Católica a través de cluded the Sisters la formación pastoral / teológica. of St. Joseph, Las prioridades que surgieron JÓVENES ADULTOS: Las siete diócesis ISAK continuará ofreciendo cursos Missionary Sisters de las reuniones regionales, locales Servants of the de Michigan se están uniendo para de formación continua para los Divine Spirit, y nacionales del Encuentro nos llevar un programa de formación graduados. Además, brindará Deacon David llama a centrarnos en lo siguiente: para jóvenes adultos al estado. Se está apoyo al Congreso Eucarístico Krajewski and jóvenes adultos, quienes necesitan his wife Cecilia, investigando la mejor institución diocesano para la formación de Deacon Alberto oportunidades de formación u organización y se realizará una los graduados de ISAK y cualquier Rivera and his y ejercer sus capacidades de evaluación de necesidades en líder parroquial en general. wife Ana, Father German Perez-Di- liderazgo; la familia, con la cada diócesis. Tres jóvenes adultos necesidad de una catequesis az, Mr. Joe Marble que representan a la Diócesis de VOCACIONES: El plan propone and the following familiar y un asesoramiento para Kalamazoo están participando eventos o programas donde las married couples: parejas más integral; la formación en estas reuniones estatales. El familias puedan aprender más Charlene and de líderes, una necesidad de Gerry Willmeng propósito de estas reuniones es sobre las diferentes vocaciones en of Immaculate formación continua para que crear una red de jóvenes en nuestra la vida: el celibato, el diaconado, Conception Par- los fieles puedan participar en el región. Además, la diócesis ha el sacerdocio, el matrimonio y ish in Hartford; ministerio dentro de sus propias Graciela and solicitado una subvención para la vida consagrada, y también se Narciso Lopez of parroquias; y vocaciones, con que dos jóvenes adultos puedan brindará oportunidades para que St. Joseph Parish énfasis en más información sobre ingresar al programa de posgrado las familias, especialmente los in Kalamazoo; and Jose Manuel todo tipo de vocaciones. en teología en la universidad jóvenes, se reúnan con personas de A principios de este año, el and Veronica Lo- de Notre Dame o en el Boston cada vocación. pez of SS Cyril & Ministerio Hispano de la Diócesis College. Los retiros diocesanos para Methodius Parish de Kalamazoo se reunió con quinceañeras continuarán, con más in Wayland. el Obispo Paul J. Bradley para temas orientados hacia la formación crear un plan que se alinee de los jóvenes y sus familias. con las prioridades diocesanas Además, se hará un mayor esfuerzo de “Fomentar las vocaciones, para colaborar con las oficinas del acompañar a las familias hacia ministerio diocesano que se ocupan la santidad y activar discípulos de los jóvenes y jóvenes adultos. misioneros”, pero con una mayor concentración en orientar esas FAMILIAS: El plan es proporcionar iniciativas hacia jóvenes adultos. un Encuentro diocesano anual Este plan cubrirá los próximos para parejas o familias, para que dos años y se revisará antes de que se reúnan para un día de reflexión, finalice el segundo año para ver comunicación, acompañamiento qué se debe mejorar, aumentar o y educación. Además, el cambiar. Ministerio Hispano colaborará

DIOKZOO.ORG 27 YOUR STORY MARY GARDEN

Have you ever seen a statue of Mary standing in a flower bed in somebody’s yard? Though these Mary gardens may look modern, they actually have an ancient history, dating back to seventh- century Europe, when a saint named Fiacre dedicated his flower garden to Our Lady.

During the Middle Ages, there were so many flowers named for Mary that one could create a garden focused on specific aspects of her life. For example, Our Lady’s Tears (spiderwort) and Mary’s Sword of Sorrow (German iris) might be used to illustrate her suffering, while Virgin Bower (wisteria) and Our Lady’s Modesty (violet) could celebrate her purity. There were even flowers named for parts of her body such as Mary’s Foot (sweet pea) and Eyes of Mary (forget me-not) and others that described her clothing, including Lady’s Veil (baby’s breath) and Our Lady’s Shoes (columbine). Ever wonder about the origin of the word “marigold?” It’s a contraction of the flower name “Mary’s Gold.” When the Reformation spread through the continent, Marian flowers were renamed in a secular fashion. But, with the help of horticultural historians and folklore ex- perts, hundreds of the original names were rediscovered in the 20th century and serve as the inspiration for Mary gardens, both public and private, all around the world.

28 Southwest Michigan Catholic • SUMMER 2019 DIOKZOO.ORG 29 YOUR COMMUNITY

Mark your calendar: Save the date: MEMORIAL DAY MASS A diocesan Memorial Day Mass will be HISPANIC DIOCESAN FIESTA: DAY OF THE FAMILY held May 27 at Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery, 2003 Mt. Olivet The annual Diocesan Fiesta will be Sunday, Aug. 11 at St. Mary Rd., Kalamazoo Township, at 10 a.m. Rev. Harold Potter will of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Niles, beginning with be the celebrant. A wreath laying ceremony by Knights of Mass celebrated by Bishop Bradley at 1 p.m. Food, activities Columbus will follow. In the event of rain the Mass will be and music for all will immediately follow Mass until 6 p.m. All celebrated at St. Mary Parish, Kalamazoo at 11 a.m. For more are welcome — everything is free. The entire event will be information, contact: Mike Emmons, [email protected]. celebrated in Spanish. For more information, call 269.903.0197.

BACK TO SCHOOL MASS On Sept. 12, 2019, the Office of Schools will be hosting an in- augural Back to School Mass with Bishop Bradley at 10:30 a.m. at Wings Event Center in Kalamazoo. All of our Catholic edu- Now hiring: cation community, including all 21 of our schools and our home The Diocesan of Kalamazoo Trauma Recovery school families, are invited to celebrate our faith and the begin- Program is seeking to hire licensed mental health ning of a new school year. clinicians to provide screening and facilitate psycho educational group sessions (10 weekly sessions per EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS series; the series is offered once or twice per year, This Eucharist-centered event on Oct. 19, 2019, is an opportunity depending on location). Group sessions are offered for the entire diocese to gather together in prayer before the in either English or Spanish, so bilingual clinicians Blessed Sacrament and hear exhortations on a variety of are encouraged to apply. topics relating to our mission and priorities, as well as breakout Prospective candidates must be trained in the sessions on ministering to and among each other. Trauma Model (training provided), and must support the teachings of the Catholic Church. Candidates must have a master’s degree in psychology, counseling, or social work, and must be licensed to practice psychotherapy in the state of Michigan. Candidates must have at least two years of experience, post-master’s degree. Candidates will be required to carry their own liability insurance. This is a contract position, with a stipend for each series completed, and related assessments for participants. Interested individuals should submit a resume with cover letter, plus three professional references to Dr. Phyllis Florian at [email protected]

30 Southwest Michigan Catholic • SUMMER 2019 LOCAL NEWS

A spring pilgrimage to Italy Bishop Bradley and Msgr. Michael Osborn visited Italy on pilgrimage in April, including an audience with Pope Francis. You can read Bishop’s reflections from the trip at catholickalamazoo.blogspot.com.

GOLF OUTING Saturday June 8th, 2019

BLOSSOM TRAILS GOLF CLUB | 1565 E. BRITAIN AVE. | BENTON HARBOR, MI 49022

Entry fee: $75 per golfer Diocese honors Catholic High School Includes: 18 holes of golf with cart St. Thomas Aquinas Scholarship winners Steak dinner and the opportunity Each year, seniors at one of the three Catholic high schools to win $10,000 CASH or a NEW 2019 JEEP ($35,000 value) presents their Capstone Project, a culmination of several years in our Hole-In-One contest, of research and writing on a topic relating to the teachings of along with many the Catholic Church on a wide variety of subjects. Seniors raffle prizes. KNIGHTS OF present their projects to a panel of judges and the top 10 OLUMBUS projects from the three high schools combined receive schol- REGISTER TODAY: C arships and are recognized at a banquet with Bishop Bradley. http://bit.ly/KOFCGOLF2019 2019 Memorial This year’s top ten are: 1st — Emily Stull, Hackett Catholic late fee after June 1, 2019 Golf Tournament Prep; 2nd — Molly Harding, Hackett Catholic Prep; 3rd — Contact: Joe Campbell This event honors ALL deceased Caroline Miota, Lake Michigan Catholic High School; Runners (269) 208-6015 or members and family of the up — Christine Dugas, Hackett Catholic Prep; Madison Elliot, Tom Hanley (269) 930-0701 St. Joseph/Benton Harbor St. Philip Catholic Central High School; Myrka Cardoso-Garcia, Knights of Columbus! St. Philip Catholic Central; Magdalene Hill, St. Philip Catholic The proceeds from this charity event help support local Central High School; Caroline McLoughlin, Lake Michigan Catholic charities/programs. Catholic High School; Emilia O'Brien, Hackett Catholic Prep; Maya Segovia, St. Philip Catholic Central High School.

DIOKZOO.ORG 31 Diocesan Pastoral Center 215 N. Westnedge Ave. Kalamazoo, MI 49007

BISHOP BRADLEY CELEBRATES 10 YEARS AS THE SHEPHERD OF THE DIOCESE OF KALAMAZOO

On June 5th, 2009, Bishop Paul J. Bradley was installed as the fourth bishop for the Diocese of Kalamazoo. Please keep him in your prayers during this special time and throughout the year. God, eternal shepherd, you tend your Church in many ways and rule us with love. You have chosen your servant, Bishop Paul Bradley, to be a shepherd of your flock. Give him a spirit of courage and right judgment, a spirit of knowledge and love. By governing with fidelity those entrusted to his care, may he build your Church as a sign of salvation for the world.