The Catholic

Vol. XVII, No. III, March 2011 A Tool for Evangelization, Catechesis and Apologetics I did not come to be served, but to serve. Matthew 20:28 Pope John Paul II: the second name for love is “God’s Mercy” By Douglas G. Bushman ity, or the world are involved. Believing in this 2011 love means believing in mercy.” Referring to the merciful In this light, for John Paul to devote his pa- Fund-Raising love of God, Pope John Paul pal ministry to the divine mercy is another stated: “Right from the be- way to say that it is devoted to the mystery of goal: $50,000 ginning of my ministry in God’s love fully revealed in Jesus Christ. It is St. Peter’s See in Rome, I to take John 3:16 (“God so loved the world considered this message my that He gave His Son”) as “the key truth of special task. Providence has faith.” Since Christ is true God and true man, assigned it to me in the pre- and since mercy entails a relation to all men sent situation of man, the for whom He was sent to save from sin, dedi- Church, and the world.” cation to the divine mercy is in reality a dedi- Bushman This commitment and cation to the Redeemer of Man, which is the summary of his pontificate title of his first encyclical. As successor of St. in terms of the divine mercy can be easily mis- Peter, Pope John Paul’s mission was to be a understood. If God’s mercy is understood nar- servant of the Gospel, a servant of God, and rowly and isolated as just one divine attribute thereby a servant of man. among others and as one point of doctrine Mercy, Pope John Paul II insisted, is “in within the entire body of Catholic faith, then it Christ’s own consciousness, the fundamental is difficult to see how the Polish Pope could touchstone of His mission” and “the funda- devote all the energy and attention of his pa- mental content of the messianic message of pacy to it. One need only reflect on the fact Christ and the constitutive power of His mis- that he preached, taught, and wrote on virtual- sion.” It is quite natural that Christ’s vicar ly every dimension of the Catholic Faith to be should make it the primary focus of his min- convinced that this focus on divine mercy did istry. not mean that was all he would talk about. Mercy presupposes a first love, a love that We need to realize that for Pope John Paul establishes a bond between God and man. It mercy is another name for love. “Mercy … is also supposes that this bond has been broken as it were love’s second name.” It is “the spe- by sin. Sin is the rejection of God’s love by cific manner in which love is revealed and ef- disobeying a commandment that He has given fected vis-à-vis the reality of the evil that is in Dr. by taken University Photo of crucifix at Fordham Bonnabeau Raymond out of His love for man. Mercy is divine love the world.” God is love, and His love is called is mercy.” Consequently, to believe in Him overcoming sin. It is love that keeps loving

MPLS. MN mercy when it overcomes evil and suffering means “believing that love is present in the when it has been rejected, love that forgives NON-PROFIT with good. Jesus “makes mercy incarnate and world and that this love is more powerful than ORGANIZATION PERMIT NO. 3452 U.S. POSTAGE PAID U.S. POSTAGE personifies it. He Himself, in a certain sense, any kind of evil in which individuals, human- “ God’s Mercy” continued page 10 Fr. Frederick Miller: Fr. Seraphim Michalenko, MIC: Mary helps us to understand continuing the work of the our role in the Church Apostle of Mercy

By Andrew Ratelle By David Hottinger On May 1st of this year, [Editor’s note: Fr. Frederick John Paul II will ascend to the Miller is a professor of system- ranks of the beatified, estab- atic theology at Mount Saint lishing his legacy once and for Mary’s Seminary in Emmits- all as that of one of the blessed burg, Maryland, and has a doc- servants of God. With more torate in Mariology. Fr. Miller than 1,300 beatifications and came to the Twin Cities on the another 400 canonizations un- weekend of March 5th for the der his own papacy, the sheer 25th annual World Apostolate of breadth of his work was some- Fatima Marian Congress at St. thing that would only be Joseph’s parish in West Saint matched by its spiritual depth. Paul, and “The Catholic Ser- In November 1980, the sec- vant” was able to interview ond of his 26 years as the Bish- him.] op of Rome, John Paul released Dives in Misericordia, his en- “The Catholic Servant”: cyclical on the richness and im- Father, it is said that Mary is portance of the mercy of God. the model of the Church.

Photo by Sam Lucero, The Compass. Sam Lucero, Photo by Though it would be another What does that mean?

Photo by Jeanne Crea. Photo by Mary and the Church Divine Mercy Fr. Frederick Miller continued page 9 Fr. Seraphim Michalenko continued page 8 The Catholic Servant Fund-Raising Goal for 2011: $50,000 The Catholic Servant Box 24142 P.O. Minneapolis, MN 55424 Please help support “The Catholic Servant” through gifts and fundraisers Page 2 The Catholic Servant March, 2011 Bringing the Faith into the home St. Joseph on the Landing (of the stairway to our second floor), pray for us By Mary E. Gaida that he has saved our children the Sisters of St. Joseph, and for help. the universal Church, along and grandchildren from sure say it when I pass him on the He was also called upon with St. Peter the Apostle. The On the land- death as they have carelessly stairs: “Glorious St. Joseph, by this past year for help in selling list of his patronages goes on ing of the galloped up and down these the love you bear Jesus Christ Grandma and Grandpa’s house and on and also includes coun- stairway to stairs over the years. When St. and for the glory of His name, (the sale closed in January). It tries in great number. There are our second Joseph first arrived, Mike hear our prayers and obtain our is not necessary, and, I think, is two specific dates devoted to floor stands a made our little ones dissolve in petitions.” He is such a beauti- rather disrespectful to bury a him: March 19 is the Feast of four foot high giggles as he called to St. ful reminder that the saints in statue upside down in the gar- St. Joseph, and May 1 is the statue of St. Joseph as he approached the Heaven are just waiting for us den as the prevailing supersti- Feast of St. Joseph the Worker. Joseph. He stairs, “S tat you?” You proba- to call on them to relay our tion suggests, but a statue in Glorious St. Joseph, by the came to us bly had to be there…. messages and petitions to our the home to be sold and prayers love you bear Jesus Christ and many years Our granddaughter Grace Father in Heaven. to St. Joseph, most certainly! for the glory of His name, hear Gaida ago from a stayed with us overnight sever- He was called on many He is, of course, the patron our prayers and obtain our peti- neighbor who rescued him af- al weeks ago and we had long times in the past year as I saint of carpenters. My father tions. ter he was removed from a lo- ago disposed of the gate at the prayed for employment for loved woodworking and made cal church. He was a little bottom of the stairs that pro- sons, sons-in-law, relatives, for my siblings and me beauti- Mary E. Gaida is a free- chipped, but with epoxy and tected eighteen-month old ba- and friends. A call came today ful tables, desks, and cribs, and lance writer from St. Paul, paint, I fixed him up in no time bies from exploring the upper as I was writing and another for his grandchildren toys too Minn. at all. In one arm he holds the regions unaccompanied. She son landed a new job. Thank numerous to name. He also Child Jesus, Who in His hand would run to the stairs, peak up you, St. Joseph. Over the many carved tiny ornaments that still This article was funded by the holds a blue ball (the earth) at St. Joseph, glance back at us, years of our marriage, when decorate our Christmas tree. St. Joseph the Worker Chair of with a small wooden crucifix in and then go back to her play, husband Mike’s job was in After he died, I began picturing Writing sponsored by an anony- the top, His other hand held up not sure if she wanted to get jeopardy, St. Joseph was called my dad (the two fingers he’d mous patron. in blessing over the earth. In St. any closer. We, of course, in- on and always came through sawed off while working in his Joseph’s right hand is the troduced her, and explained for us. We know from Scripture basement now completely re- branch (symbolizing the beam that this was Jesus’ daddy here that Joseph was a carpenter stored) joyfully talking to St. of the carpenter) with a lily on earth who took such good (Mt. 13:55), supporting his Joseph in Heaven, running (symbolizing his purity) care of Him. She now ventures family by the work of his their hands over a particularly sprouting from it. At first it was up to the landing to touch him hands. As the patron saint of beautiful, deep-grained piece disconcerting to see this four- and Baby Jesus. fathers, many of our hard- of wood and envisioning all of foot stranger when one ap- St. Joseph has been called working husbands and fathers the beautiful things they could proached the stairway, but in on many times over the years. I undergoing the pressures of the make together. St. Joseph is pa- no time at all he has become first became acquainted with economy and job market, can tron saint of the dying because one of the family and called on him in high school, St. Joseph’s identify with his struggle to he died of natural causes, with frequently for prayers. Academy in St. Paul. I recall care for his family during eco- Mary and Jesus present. My husband is convinced the short prayer I was taught by nomic hardship and turn to him St. Joseph is also patron of

The Catholic

“The Catholic Servant” is a tool for evangelization, cat- echesis and apologetics. Published monthly, it is dis- tributed free through parishes and through paid subscriptions ($15 per year). Board of Directors: Don Fier Fr. Joseph Johnson Daniel J. Kelly Patrick Shannon John Sondag Publisher/Editor: John Sondag Editorial Readers: Patrick Shannon Greg Smisek Don Fier Bookkeeper: George Stauner Circulation: Daniel and Jill Kelly Advertising Melissa Lenzmeier Phone: 612-916-5258 [email protected] Graphic Design Jodi Sandell [email protected] Our mailing address is: The Catholic Servant P.O. Box 24142 Minneapolis, MN 55424 www.catholicservant.org March, 2011 The Catholic Servant Page 3 Scriptural background for the Sacraments: Part VIII The early Church offers the Living Water of Baptism to Jews and Gentiles By Fr. John Paul Echert ening the Church, this persecu- people considered by Jews to rejoicing.” (Act 8:26-31, 35- nor drank.” (Acts 9:1-9) tion occasioned the opposite be apostates and ritually de- 39) After three days of blind- Last effect and the Gospel began its filed. But remember, it was to First the Samaritans and ness—recall the three days of month we long journey from Jerusalem the woman of Samaria that Je- next this Gentile eunuch con- Jesus in death—the Lord sent began our towards the ends of the earth, sus Himself had once offered vert, who was a rather uncom- the disciple Ananias on a res- considera- as we read: the Living Water of Baptism. mon candidate for Baptism by cue mission to bring the Apos- tion of the “Now those who were scat- The Church was now carrying reason of his pagan associa- tle to a new life in Christ: sacrament of tered went about preaching the out on a larger scale what tions and physical abnormali- “So Ananias departed and Baptism in word. Philip went down to a Christ had earlier prefigured ty—at least according to Old entered the house. And laying the first city of Samaria, and pro- and prepared for: the offer of Covenant standards. But this his hands on him he said, hours and claimed to them the Christ. salvation to non-Jews. But the was a New Covenant sacra- ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus days of the And the multitudes with one spread of the Gospel did not ment and true religion was no Who appeared to you on the Fr. Echert Apostolic accord gave heed to what was stop with Samaritans, as we longer restricted primarily to road by which you came, has Church. Fol- said by Philip, when they heard read: the physical descendants of sent me that you may regain lowing two lengthy sermons by him and saw the signs that he “An angel of the Lord said Abraham but intended to em- your sight and be filled with Saint Peter about eight-thou- did. For unclean spirits came to Philip, ‘Rise and go toward brace anyone who would ac- the Holy Spirit.’ And immedi- sand Jews came to faith in out of many who were pos- the south to the road that goes cept the Gospel and become a ately something like scales fell Christ and were baptized into sessed, crying with a loud down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ spiritual descendant of the from his eyes and he regained the Church. But a great perse- voice; and many who were par- Now this is a desert road. And great Patriarch. his sight. Then he rose and was cution quickly arose against the alyzed or lame were healed. So he rose and went. And behold, Let us conclude this install- baptized, and took food and Church in Jerusalem culminat- there was much joy in that an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a min- ment with an examination of was strengthened.” (Acts 9:17- ing in the martyrdom of Saint city.” (Acts 8:4-8) ister of the Candace, queen of the most remarkable conver- 19) Stephen, and so the new con- Imagine that: the Gospel the Ethiopians, in charge of all sion of all: Saint Paul, better Much could be written verts were scattered throughout was preached and accepted in her treasure, had come to known at the time as Saul, the about this dramatic event but the regions of Judea and the heart of Samaria and in its Jerusalem to worship and was zealous persecutor of the suffice it to note that there was Samaria. But rather than weak- surrounding villages, among a returning; seated in his chariot, Church. His conversion story is nothing ordinary about the he was reading the prophet Isa- recounted no less than three character of this candidate and iah. And the Spirit said to times in the Acts of the Apos- the manner of his conversion. It Philip, ‘Go up and join this tles, the first of which relates: is ironic that the most ardent chariot.’ So Philip ran to him, “Saul, still breathing threats enemy of the Church would and heard him reading Isaiah and murder against the disci- soon be counted among its the prophet, and asked, ‘Do ples of the Lord, went to the most passionate advocates. you understand what you are high priest and asked him for More specifically, by divine reading?’ And he said, ‘How letters to the synagogues at commission, Saint Paul was to can I, unless someone guides Damascus, so that if he found become the Apostle to the Gen- me?’ And he invited Philip to any belonging to the Way, men tiles, that is, more than any oth- come up and sit with him…. or women, he might bring them er apostolic figure he would be Then Philip opened his mouth, bound to Jerusalem. Now as he an instrument of the Lord for and beginning with this Scrip- journeyed he approached Dam- bringing the Gospel to the non- ture he told him the Good ascus, and suddenly a light Jewish world at large. Next News of Jesus. And as they from Heaven flashed about month we will continue in the went along the road they came him. And he fell to the ground Acts of the Apostles with an to some water, and the eunuch and heard a voice saying to eye to Baptism as a sacrament said, ‘See, here is water! What him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you indiscriminately offered to is to prevent my being bap- persecute Me?’ And he said, both Jews and Gentiles. tized?’ And he commanded the ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He chariot to stop, and they both said, ‘I am Jesus, Whom you Fr. John Paul Echert, went down into the water, are persecuting; but rise and S.S.L., is the pastor of Holy Philip and the eunuch, and he enter the city, and you will be Trinity Church and St. Augus- baptized him. And when they told what you are to do.’ The tine Church in South St. Paul, had come up out of the water, men who were traveling with Minnesota. the Spirit of the Lord caught up him stood speechless, hearing Philip; and the eunuch saw him the voice but seeing no one. This article was funded by the no more, and went on his way Saul arose from the ground; St. John Fisher Chair of Writing and when his eyes were sponsored by anonymous donor. opened, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate Page 4 The Catholic Servant March, 2011 Are we so content with asking questions that we are not bothering to answer them? By Dale Ahlquist it go on.” The modern mind is with truth. And the ultimate an- offensive, I can only answer we don’t fall into bad behavior just clever enough to take swer is the ultimate truth: it is with the words of Christ: we fall into dull behavior. We Some- things apart but not able to put Jesus Christ. Sin has separated “Blessed is he who takes no of- let someone else do our think- times it is a the pieces together again. “No us from God. It has also cloud- fense at Me.” (Matthew 11:6) ing for us. little too easy one, therefore, does any good ed our thinking. Christ has rec- Being offended is not an in- Lent is a time to draw clos- to ask ques- to our age merely by asking onciled us with God. And He tellectual response; it is emo- er to God. Deeper prayer. tions. It is es- questions—unless he can an- has given us the Church to clar- tional. The intellectual chal- Deeper spiritual reading. A pecially easy swer the questions…. The note ify our thinking. lenges to the faith are not the time to get rid of all those to ask ques- of our age is a note of interro- Here is the amazing thing: greatest barrier to believing. In things that prevent us from en- tions when gation. And the final point is so the Catholic Church has an- the end, it is an act of the will. joying a fuller communion we expect plain; no skeptical philosopher swers. All the answers. It really We address the intellectual ob- with God. Usually, in order to someone else can ask any questions that may does have an answer for every- jections only to clear the get rid of those things, we have Ahlquist to do all the not equally be asked by a tired thing. It is a reliable guide ground for the work of the spir- to do penance. Penance is an work in answering them. Then child on a hot afternoon. ‘Am I through the world. The only it. We get the head out of the act of separating ourselves the questions seem to fuel a boy?—Why am I a boy?— difficulty comes when we de- way of the heart. That is when from the things that have sepa- themselves. A child can keep Why aren’t I a chair?—What is cide we do not trust its guid- an actual decision has to be rated us from God. Lent is a asking “Why?” until the only a chair?’” Chesterton says that ance. made. time to fill ourselves with truth real practical response is to a child can ask these questions The Catholic Church pro- The problem, however, is so that we can proclaim the stuff an old sock in his mouth. for hours, but modern philoso- claims the truth and defends that most of us are afraid either truth and defend the truth. So This sort of questioning phers, who should know better, the truth. The first effort is to proclaim our faith or defend we can answer questions and does not represent a true thirst have been asking them for the evangelization, the second is our faith. G.K. Chesterton says, not just ask them. for knowledge but rather a last few centuries. apologetics. Evangelization is “We are children of light, and Dale Ahlquist is President willful reluctance to accept the What they haven’t bothered preaching the Gospel. Apolo- yet we sit in the darkness.” of the American Chesterton So- knowledge that has been of- doing is answering these ques- getics is giving an answer to Why is that? I think one reason ciety and host of the EWTN se- fered, and an unwillingness to tions. There are answers, but the attacks on the truth. Evan- is that we do not avail our- ries “G.K. Chesterton: The think for oneself. It is always the modern world does not re- gelization is offensive. Apolo- selves to the fullness of the Apostle of Common Sense.” easier to let someone else think ally seek them. We hide behind getics is defensive. Evangeliza- Catholic faith. We neglect the for us. Children are usually our questions. Chesterton, tion is the sword of the spirit. It sacraments. We neglect the This article was funded by the genuinely curious, of course, however, reminds us: “The hu- conquers. Apologetics is the straightforward moral teaching St. Benedicta of the Cross (Edith but at times they can also be man brain is a machine for shield of faith (and reason). It of the Church. We neglect Stein) Chair of Writing sponsored obstinate past all parental pa- coming to conclusions; if it protects. prayer. We neglect to do good by Dr. and Mrs. Raymond and tience. In other words there is a cannot come to conclusions it For those who are troubled to our neighbors. We even ne- Mary Bonnabeau. difference between child-like is rusty.” that proclaiming the Gospel is glect to do good to ourselves. If wonder and childish stubborn- No matter how many ques- ness. “Child-like” is usually a tions there are, there is ulti- virtue. “Childish” is generally a mately only one answer. All vice. questions are all spurred by a G.K. Chesterton, who never separation from truth. The an- failed to adore the innocence swer is always a communion and wonder of children as a quality we should all imitate Wills and Living Trusts If I asked most people for $10,000 from their expendable income to and aspire to (for to such be- longs the Kingdom of Heaven), give to "The Catholic Servant," they would wonder if I were serious. also warned us to avoid the They just don't have that kind of money. But, if I asked most people very different characteristic of to leave $10,000 (or more) to "The Catholic Servant" in their will or childishness. Modern philoso- living trust, they'd say "that's possible," because $10,000 can be a phy, for instance, is childish, and, according to Chesterton, is small portion of many people's estate. So, I’m asking you to remem- as stubborn as a donkey, ber "The Catholic Servant" when you are making out your will or liv- “which wants kicking to make ing trust. Spreading, explaining, and defending the Catholic Faith takes more than good will—it takes money to pay for printing, writ- ing, postage, graphics, circulation efforts, and so forth. We rely on gifts to help us do our work, So please remember "The Catholic Ser- vant." Of course, more importantly, it takes God's grace, so even if you can't remember our paper in your will, we would appreciate your prayers. Our legal title is "The Catholic Servant." Our address is 3204 East 43rd St., Minneapolis, MN 55406

Call 612-275-0431 for further information. Subscribe to The Catholic March, 2011 The Catholic Servant Page 5 Family Life If you are thinking of postponing your new infant’s Baptism, think again! By Mary Ann Kuharski (My mother once accused me beautiful Sacrament. It’s not baby, because the “parents are and made sharers in her mis- of “having all those kids just so about presents, nor is it a mag- postponing the Baptism for sion: ‘Baptism is the sacrament When you could have another party.” ical ritual, simply done for tra- five or six months.” of regeneration through water each one of I confess, I do love parties!) dition’s sake—to please Grand- Postponing a Baptism? in the word.’” (n. 1213) our children But this was really the ma and Grandpa. No, it’s noth- Not long ago I was speaking Catholic parents have an arrived biggest, most important day in ing short of membership in the with a grandmother who was obligation to see to it that their (whether by our new child’s life—well-de- Body of Christ and the door to dismayed to learn from her son young are baptized as soon as “tummy” or serving of a celebration and salvation. that he and his wife had decid- possible. In fact, Church law by adoption, lots of fanfare, in our view! Af- “Whoever believes and is ed not to baptize their child. commands parents to have their as the kids ter all, Baptism takes away the baptized will be saved; whoev- “What’s the big deal?” he told children baptized within the would say) effects of original sin and any er does not believe will be con- her, when she objected. “We first weeks after birth. (Code of Kuharski we sched- actual sin that may have been demned.” (Mark 16:16) think it’s important for them to Canon Law, n.867) uled each committed (if the person being Yet, some parents today make their own choices in Unfortunately, there was a Baptism as soon as possible. baptized is older). It imprints who should know, are deliber- life,” he said. He saw no urgen- time in the 1960s and 1970s We took no chances. Even in on the soul an indelible mark or ately postponing—or rejecting cy! when even some pastors post- the case of two of our children character filling the soul with outright—Baptism for their One wonders if the parents poned Baptisms during the who arrived from orphanages the new life of sanctifying child. will give the child choices Lenten Season. Wrong! In a and were older and very sickly, grace, and best of all—marks My daughter Chrissy, who about doing drugs, smoking, few sad cases, some liberal our pastor performed what the him or her as a child of God, is a professional seamstress getting tattoos or piercings, or priests performed invalid Bap- Church calls “conditional” and heir to Heaven. (she takes after Grandma committing fraud, robbery, tisms by altering the words. Baptism (just in case they were Just think. The child is Kuharski), recently spent over rape, murder, etc. Pray for them and for the per- previously baptized, but there sealed “with an indelible spiri- seven hours making a beautiful Parents make less vital deci- sons they did not baptize. was no record or proof). tual mark” which sets him or Baptismal suit for someone sions every day for their young, Thankfully, the Catechism For their names, we chose her apart as a member of God’s who wanted to give it as a gift. beginning with what they eat, is clear. angels or saints that we hoped family. What more could a par- The final product looked “like what they wear, whether A baby’s Baptism is a won- would later become spiritual ent want? a miniature tuxedo,” as Chris- they’re permitted to cross a derful occasion for baby and heroes and role models to our Christ Himself said Bap- sy’s husband Andy said! The busy street, ride a bicycle, for all of us. We’re adding a young, not to mention advo- tism is necessary for salvation: silky white material with de- drive a car, or attend a school. new member to the Body of cates who would pray for them. “Truly, truly, I say to you, un- tailed tucks and cuffs and a tiny Why wouldn’t they jump at the Christ! For Godparents, we chose peo- less one is born of water and matching vest, covered but- opportunity to make a promise If that’s not a reason for a ple of faith, whom we hoped the Spirit, he cannot enter the tons, and bow tie with cap to for them that would guarantee party—I don’t know what is! our kids would look up to and kingdom of God.” (John 3:5) match, would dress this little eternal happiness in Heaven “Go therefore and make dis- even turn to if the need arose. Pretty strong words! guy like royalty. And in a should they meet an early ciples of all nations, baptizing To mark the event and give I can’t help wonder if some way—that is what he’ll be— death? them in the name of the Father special attention to the sacra- Catholics today lack an under- the son of a King! The grandmother confided, and of the Son and of the Holy mental occasion, John and I al- standing about the impor- Yet Chrissy was told to “I was tempted to secretly bap- Spirit, teaching them to ob- ways host a “Baptism party.” tance—no, necessity—of this make the outfit for an older tize the child myself, without serve all that I have command- the parents knowing.” She ed you.” (Mt. 28:19-20) knew it was wrong. It would usurp the parents’ rightful re- Mary Ann Kuharski is a sponsibilities. homemaker and mother of 13 At infant Baptism, parents (ages 20-40), six of whom came promise for their child to re- by adoption and are of mixed nounce the devil and sin, and to races, some with special needs. remain faithful to the Gospel She is the author of Raising teaching and way of life of the Catholic Children and Parent- Church. When children reach ing with Prayer (OSV Press), maturity they will make their and Building a Legacy of Love own faith commitment. (Faith Publishing). The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vi- tae spiritualis ianua), and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. “Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church

Have questions about your vocation? Call Fr. Troy Przybilla, Vocations Director Archdiocese of St. Paul and Min- neapolis 651-962-6892 [email protected] Advertisement sponsored by the Serra Club of Midway St. Paul Page 6 The Catholic Servant March, 2011 Major General Raymond Bonnabeau, M.D., Ph.D.: may he rest in peace By John Sondag takes pictures. He’s a photog- in other words, his virtuous rapher. Well, the big deal is life. “The Catholic Servant” lost that Raymond Bonnabeau was For instance, Dr. Bonnabeau one its earthly advocates when a two-star general, who was a once was leaving a hotel as he Major General Raymond C. cardiologist at the Veterans was wearing his military uni- Bonnabeau, M.D., Ph.D., died Hospital, and who had been a form. As he exited the main on February 26, 2011. He and clinical professor of surgery at door, an elderly woman was his wife, Mary, have been the the University of Minnesota. I entering and confused him for sponsors for the St. Benedicta mean, he was a Renaissance a bell-boy. “Sonny,” she said, of the Cross (Edith Stein) Chair man who had developed talents “take my bags to the car!” He of Writing for the past several in many facets of his life. did! years, and he was the photogra- But, first and foremost, he We hear the Church exhort pher who has been supplying was a man of faith, and he wore the laity to bring Christ into the the paper with exquisite pic- his convictions on his shirt- market place, into the institu- tures of religious statues, sleeves. He loved Jesus Christ, tions of education and society, stained-glass windows, and His Church, and the liturgy (he into the arts, and into the rela- paintings for our front page. frequently served Mass at the tionships we have. Dr. His work has helped to make Veteran’s Hospital and the Bonnabeau did just that. our front page into a work of Cathedral). He brought his However, he was a realist, art much like the monthly faith to his talents, and he re- and he would never have said “Magnificat” prayer booklet. newed the temporal order he was a saint, so “don’t pray So, what’s the big deal? He through his beliefs and actions, for me after I die.” (I will pray

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Our mission is to provide pro-life, Christian health • Dr. Paul Spencer, D.O., Family Practice/OB • Dr. Mary Paquette, M.D., Family Practice/OB for him.) That’s why I said to have said, ‘Look, St. Peter, a care for your family. his one son when he died: picture of you on the front page • Dr. Matthew Paquette, M.D., Internist “You know the last photo he of “The Catholic Servant.” I Now offering specialty • Dr. Kathleen Kobbermann, M.D., Family Practice/OB did for us before he passed took it! Maybe a month off of Obstetrics and Gyneco- • Cheryl McKee, P.A.-C, Physicians Assistant away was a picture of St. Peter. Purgatory, eh?’” Quite possibly when your dad Requiescat in pace. (May logical services. got to the Pearly Gates, he may he rest in peace.)

Now Is The Time To Visit La Crosse’s Shrine Of Our Lady Of Guadalupe PILGRIMAGE TO OUR LADY OF FATIMA “AN EVENING AFFIRMING Plus Santiago de Compostela HUMAN LIFE AND THE FAMILY” with Most Rev. Lee A. Piché,D.D., Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis

July 7-14, 2011 PILGRIMAGE TO Thursday, April 7, 2011 with FR. RANDAL KASEL Pilgrimage sponsored by: Rowan Hall The Church of St. Helena, 3204 East 43rd St., Minneapolis, MN 55406 Call toll-free 1-877-453-7426 or call Mary Milless, Epiphany Parishioner, Coon Rapids, MN 1-763-757-0415 Home 6:00 P.M. - Social 1-763-354-0930 Cell

Champion Wi. (near Green Bay) 7:00 P.M. - Catered Dinner 1st and only Apparition Site in the USA approved by the 8:00 P.M. - Entertainment, and Church. Motorcoach departs from the Twin City Area. talk by Bishop Piché Bishop Lee Piché June 8-9, 2011 + other dates pending Tickets are $20.00 per person and must be purchased by 12:00 Noon by Tuesday, April 5th.

Complimentary tickets are available for those who have difficulty Call toll-free 1-877-453-7426 paying by calling 612-729-7321. Jerico Christian Journeys for flyer/details.

You are cordially invited to attend

I did not come The Catholic Servant to be served, but to serve. th Matthew 20:28 15 annual Benefit Dinner TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2011

Rowan Hall, The Church of St. Helena, Most Reverend Alexander K. Sample, 3204 E. 43rd St., Minneapolis, MN. Bishop of Marquette, Michigan 6:00 p.m. Social and silent auction 7:00 p.m. Dinner As a way of reaching out 8:00 p.m. Presentation of the annual Pope John Paul II Catholic Servant of to spread, explain, and defend the Catholic Faith, approximate- the Third Millennium Award ly 44,000 copies of “The 8:30 p.m. Talk by the Most Rev. Alexander K. Sample, D.D. Catholic Servant” are printed each month. Of that number, close to 26,000 copies are mailed free of charge to households and Mail to: Catholic Servant Dinner students. Approximately 200 are c/o Barbara Ernster purchased through subscriptions, 5225 Lincoln St. N.E. and the rest are distributed free Fridley, MN 55421 of charge through parishes and __I would like a table 8 tickets for $800 Name______various outlets. By participating __I would like __ tickets@ $100 __I would like to donate a gift for the Silent Auction. Address ______in this fundraiser, you can help __I would like to be a Sponsor for the dinner. us with this important endeavor $1000__$500__$250__$100__Other__ City______State_____Zip______of evangelization, catechesis, Make checks payable to "The Catholic Servant." For each $100 ticket,$75 is tax deductable. and apologetics. For further information, please call 763-502-0792. Page 8 The Catholic Servant March, 2011 If only I could find some more time, my life would be so much different By Fr. Michael Miller we do not find the time to (3:11) God is the Timeless dedicated to prayer. Perhaps lationship with God, and living speak to Him in prayer, read One, Who has made us to share our morning routine could be it out in our daily lives. What There is a His word in the Scriptures, His eternal life; He is inviting rearranged to include daily bitter regret we will have when, song by Har- study our faith as taught by the us each day to know Him better Mass. Instead of reading the at the end of our lives, we meet ry Chapin Church, and put that faith into and to deepen this relationship newspaper, or the always avail- God face to face and realize called “Cat’s practice, we will find that we and we may be saying, “I’d able news on the Internet, we that we do not know Him be- in the Cra- do not know Him. I propose love to, Father, if I could find could dedicate that time to cause we could not find the dle” in which that the most important thing the time.” reading the Scriptures, the Cat- time. the singer we could do this Lent is to find So we must find the time. echism, The Holy Father, or looks back more time for God. In the past, We must look honestly at our some other great author (the Fr. Michael Miller is pastor on his life monetary sacrifices were much daily routine and ask what can positive side of our current of St. Michael’s Church and St. and realizes more difficult. People would we give up that will create this technology is that these re- Mary’s Church in Stillwater, Fr. Miller that he never give up something and use the time: television, radio, games, sources are much more accessi- Minnesota. got to know his son because he money they saved as an offer- amusements, the phone, the In- ble). Maybe we could turn off was so busy that he could not ing, which is called alms. To- ternet, email, texting, Face- the radio for a while and think This article was funded by the take the time to do so. Later in day, I think that sacrifices of book and other social net- about God, or speak to Him in St. Thomas Aquinas Chair of Writ- life he has the time, but his son time are more difficult, and works? (I first wrote this article our own words, or offer some ing sponspored by an anonymous does not. He asks the son if he valuable; this opens us up to re- 9 years ago and “the phone” prayers for someone who needs patron. could come over and visit, and ceive the great fruits of prayer, was the last item on the list, them. Perhaps we could give the son tells him, “I’d love to, fasting, and almsgiving. We are which shows how much things up some of our idle conversa- Dad, if I could find the time.” It busier and we have more things have changed since then, and tions with the same people, and occurs to the father as he hangs to do, but are these things real- why the issue of time manage- renew a lost relationship, or up the phone that his son has ly the best use of our time? ment is even more difficult.) help someone who is lonely or grown up to be just like him, Time is a gift to be used, not However we spend our time, in need. and he is sad because they do killed. There surely is “an ap- we most likely can find some- In short, we usually can find not know each other. They pointed time for everything” thing we can give up that will the time to do whatever we en- could not find the time to do so. (Ecclesiastes 3:1), but most im- give us more time to spend joy, or consider important. In The same thing can happen portant is “the timeless” that with God. A half-hour televi- the final analysis there is noth- in our relationship with God. If God has put into our hearts. sion show can be given up and ing more important than our re-

causes of Sr. Faustina, he can ly “restores to value, promotes of the Bishop of Rome line up light of hope?” (Pope John Devine Mercy claim a personal association and draws good from all the so perfectly with the private Paul II, Homily for Beatifica- continued from page 1 with the spread of the devotion forms of evil existing in the revelation of an ordinary nun tion of St. Faustina, April 18, to the Divine Mercy and the world and in man.”(“Dives in from Krakow, it seems like 1993) three years before he opened continuation of the mission of Misericordia,” art. 12 and 6) more than a mere coincidence. the diary of Sr. Faustina Pope John Paul II. At its heart, the message of As the needs of the faithful de- Andrew Ratelle is a free- Kowalska, the Polish mystic Speaking at several confer- mercy is the “love which must velop, new graces are always lance writer from Minneapolis. and revelatory source for the ences around the Midwest this inspire humanity today, if it is provided from one age to the feast of the Divine Mercy, the past month, Fr. Michalenko to face the crisis of the mean- next. Fr. Michalenko and the This article was funded by the Pope’s own words fell in per- echoed the late pontiff’s exhor- ing of life, the challenges of the rest of the servants of mercy St. Francis de Sales Chair of Writ- fect tandem with her message tation on mercy and its role in most diverse needs, and, espe- have their work cut out for ing sponspored by Jeff and Susan to turn toward the merciful the present state of the Church. cially, the duty to defend the them, but we would all do well Pitman. grace of God: Far from a sense of mere quar- dignity of every human person. to ask ourselves that “where, if “At no time and in no his- ter or clemency, he cites the The message of Divine Mercy not in the Divine Mercy, can torical period, especially at a Church’s tradition that defines is…implicitly a message about the world find refuge and the moment as critical as our own, mercy as a distinctly divine act. the value of every human be- can the Church forget the Perfectly captured in the ing. Each person is precious in prayer that is a cry for the mer- Paschal Mystery of Christ (of God’s eyes; Christ gave His cy of God amid the many which the Vilnius painting is a life for each one; to everyone TRIDENTINE MASS SCHEDULE FOR SOUTH ST. PAUL forms of evil which weigh visual representation), true the Father gives His Spirit and Holy Trinity Church: upon humanity and threaten it.” mercy consists of the heart, offers intimacy.” (Pope John (“Dives in Misericordia,” art. which opens itself to the suffer- 749 Sixth Ave South, South St. Paul. PH: 651-455-1302 Paul II, Homily of St Faustina, Monday & Wednesday, 5:15 pm; Tuesday & Thursday, 8:00 am; 15) ing of another with the deep Canonization April 30, 2000) Friday, (except First Fridays)12:00 noon Twenty years later, Sr. motivation of alleviating that Sr. Faustina’s message is Faustina would be made a saint suffering. The merciful love of one worth spreading, and it St. Augustine Church: and her message of the Divine God, itself the first cause of all found a strong advocate in the 408 Third Street North, South St. Paul. PH: 651-451-1212 Mercy established as the devo- creation, is also that love that person of John Paul II. Great Sunday, 11:30 am tion for the new millennium. reaches out to fallen man, bear- minds might think alike, but First Friday & Holy Days, 7:30 pm The chaplet, the veneration of ing the weight of his sins and when the personal reflections the sacred image, and the offering him the grace of re- prayer at three o’clock (called demption, extending life to “the hour of great mercy” in Sr. where there was none. Faustina’s diary), have been For a culture steeped in an disseminated through the evermore godless strain of sec- Church with unprecedented ularism, such a devotion could speed in the last decade. Given hardly seem more appropriate. Pope John Paul’s own relation- The presence of the Divine ship with the message, it’s no Mercy, reminding self-suffi- surprise that the date of his cient, postmodern man how own beatification also happens much he is still dependant on to be on this year’s feast of the the love of God, likewise draws Divine Mercy, affirming the di- him out of himself, affirming rect connection between his pa- the dignity of his fellow men as pal legacy and the message of made in the image of their Cre- Sr. Faustina. ator. For Fr. Michalenko, MIC, Self-giving love, which is this message carries a particu- itself the very antithesis of the lar significance. With a history “dehumanization” of man that as a postulator for both the be- so often accompanies his ongo- atification and canonization ing “desacralization,” ultimate- March, 2011 The Catholic Servant Page 9 Wherever the Catholic sun doth shine, hope to conquer evil abounds By John Sondag babies in the womb endangered by can’t we be concerned for human life Wherever the Catholic sun abortion? Nothing! and the environment? My father was in doth shine And, many people take on all kinds At the end of my father’s letter about There’s always laughter the U.S. Army during and good red wine, of causes in the ecological movement. Dachau, he made the following obser- World War II. He At least, I’ve always found it so, They will save the trees or spotted owls, vation: “On the way home we sped over wound up at Dachau Benedicamus Domino! but in the next breath do or say nothing the best road I was ever on, one of the Concentration Camp (By Hilaire Belloc) for needy pregnant women or their pre- famous autobahns which is like the in Germany right af- born children. Or, they will worry about turnpike in Pennsylvania. Every so of- ter it was liberated. ed in Philadelphia who had allegedly carbon footprints, but have no concern ten there was an artistic sign appealing He saw heinous killed aborted babies outside of the to protect the lives of babies and their to the people of Germany to protect the crimes against hu- womb and about a woman who had poor mothers. wild life and not to hurt the little ani- manity that took died while the abortionist had been per- My mother, who lives in Eugene, mals. What a people!” Sondag place there, and he forming an abortion on the woman. Oregon, recently alerted me to an article I wonder what my father, who died wrote about the atrocities in a letter to Government authorities had been turn- in her local newspaper, “The Register in 1979, would say about what’s going his family shortly after he had viewed ing their eyes away from this situation, Guard.” It told about the Oregon De- on now in the United States. And, we’re the remains of the “slaughter house,” as even though they had received com- partment of Transportation’s plans to a free country which can do something he described one part of the camp. plaints. dismantle an osprey’s (large fish eating about our predicament. However, I wouldn’t attempt to transcribe all Similar dynamics (taking of the raptor) nest above a light pole and move there’s hope. The truth is on our side, the details of what he wrote about. But lives of infants inside the womb) are it, because the nest is a fire hazard and and, more and more, science is uncov- suffice it to say that he saw the dead happening in this country right now. In a danger to the birds. If they just dis- ering the truth about human life in the bodies in piles and box cars “where we fact, it’s been happening for years. mantled the nest, the bird will likely womb. With God’s help and our coop- found stacks of human beings dead and Abortion centers operate in our commu- come back again. eration we can change the hearts and dying ready to be removed.” nities, and many people don’t care, or The price tag is $7,500. I’m an ad- minds of our relatives, friends, neigh- The question lingers: how could the they do nothing. And, sad to think, we vocate for caring for the environment, bors, co-workers, and politicians to see German people allow such abomina- are a nation who could do something but not at the expense of neglecting or the truth and act accordingly. tions to take place? Didn’t they know about this. We could change our leader- destroying human lives. The $7,500 these horrors were happening? Maybe ship through voting. could pay for the medical delivery of at John Sondag is Director of Reli- they were unable to do anything, be- Many people of good will rally be- least one child of a needy pregnant gious Education at the Church of St. cause a dictator was in control. hind all kinds of noble causes, such as woman who is considering an abortion Helena in Minneapolis, Minnesota and We thought this would never happen constructing houses for the homeless, because of financial needs. Where are publisher of “The Catholic Servant.” again. Yet, this past January, news collecting clothes for the poor, or feed- our priorities? Human life should al- broke about an abortionist being arrest- ing the hungry in soup kitchens. But, ways take precedence. Why in America

we can come to know Mary. are going to mention Conse- II, who as I understand was Mary and the Church “The Catholic Servant”: cration to the Immaculate very much influenced by de continued from page 1 Is it possible to have too great Heart. Putting it simply, Montfort. Can you say a few a devotion to Mary, perhaps what is consecration? Some words about John Paul II’s Fr. Miller: It means two through stories about them. at the expense of participa- sort of minor vow? devotion to Mary? things. First, Mary was the How do we get to know Mary tion in the Church’s liturgical Fr. Miller: The two great Fr. Miller: Pope John Paul first and most perfect disciple who seems separated from us life? Is there a potential for promoters of consecration to II was a model for the Church’s of Christ. Because the Church by so many centuries and left devotion to Mary to lead to Mary were St. Louis de Mont- devotion to Mary. Every place lives by faith, hope and charity, us no account of her life? an imbalance in our spiritual fort and St. Maximilian Kolbe. he went he would consecrate she is the model of the Church Fr. Miller: I would say we lives? De Montfort said that conse- the nation and the people to because she most perfectly learn about Mary through the Fr. Miller: Here is what I cration is the perfect renewal of Mary’s Immaculate Heart. He lived the virtues of faith, hope Gospel first and then through tell children when I speak to our baptismal vows, the con- frequently and openly admitted and charity. the Tradition of the Church. them about Mary. I ask them, scious acceptance of the that he learned his devotion Second, like Mary, the The literal meaning of the “Is it possible to love Mary too promises we made to God at from St. Louis de Montfort. At Church is both virgin and Gospels says a lot more about much?” When you put it that our Baptism. Especially for the center of St. Louis’ spiritu- mother. Mary kept herself Mary than a superficial reading way, they usually answer, those baptized as infants, it is ality is what he called Total wholly for God, and in doing of them would let on. But it “No.” But then I say, “Yes, necessary for us to at some Consecration to Jesus through so she kept the Christian faith takes some work to unpack the yes, it is possible: if you love point intentionally and deliber- Mary. We can see this influ- in perfect integrity, perfectly meaning of those passages. her more than Jesus, then you ately accept our promise to re- ence in John Paul II’s motto, faithful to her Son’s teaching. That’s where Tradition comes love her too much.” So it’s ject Satan and all his pomps “Totus Tuus,” which is taken Just so, the Church is to keep in. For example, when in St. possible. However, if [our de- and to believe in God the Fa- from the consecration prayer of herself wholly for God and pre- Luke’s Gospel the angel says to votion to] Mary takes us away ther, Son, and Holy Spirit, St. Louis, which, translated, serve the integrity of the Faith. Mary, “Rejoice, full of grace,” from Christ and the liturgy, promises made for us by our goes “I am all yours, and all “The Catholic Servant”: from those words through Tra- then that devotion is evil. A parents at Baptism. that I have is yours.” The So she is the model of the dition we arrive at the Immacu- real, true devotion to Mary will As far as consecration to the prayer is addressed to Mary. Church as a whole, rather late Conception. And when always lead to a Christocentric Immaculate Heart, at Baptism On his [episcopal] coat of than the model of each of its Mary replies, “How can this and Eucharistic-centered life. we profess our faith in the Fa- arms which bears that motto, individual members? be, seeing I have not known Look at all the great Marian ther, Son, and Holy Spirit. Im- Pope John Paul II placed a Fr. Miller: She is certainly man?” Tradition tells us this in- shrines. At their center, they plicit in this is our faith in Mary cross with the letter M on one also the model for all those dicates her desire to remain a are not about Mary. At their the Mother of God. However, side of the base of the cross; M called to consecrated celibacy. virgin and give herself wholly core, they are always about the through consecration to her, we for Mary. On the other side of But every individual would do to God. These are meanings sacraments: the Eucharist and explicitly accept Mary as our the cross there was an empty well to imitate her. which Scripture by itself may Confession. mother and ask her to help us space. Pope John Paul II said “The Catholic Servant”: not reveal to us. So through “The Catholic Servant”: adhere to our belief in the Fa- that that empty space is for ev- We come to know other saints Scripture and Tradition and Today at the conference you ther and the Son and the Holy ery Christian, so each could through their writings or meditating on the two together, Spirit. come stand there at the foot of “The Catholic Servant”: the cross and, in obedience to So people who consecrate our Lord’s next- to-last words, themselves to Mary aren’t take Mary into their homes as going above and beyond the their mother. call of duty; they are only reaffirming the promises they David Hottinger is a free- have already made? lance writer from the Twin Fr. Miller: That’s right. Cities who is attending the “The Catholic Servant”: University of Minnesota Law You mentioned St. Louis de School. Montfort. Our next issue will be devoted to Pope John Paul Page 10 The Catholic Servant March, 2011 continued from page 1 anything other than a son, be- cy, then, reveals us to ourselves that we can live without these “God’s Mercy” cause that is what he is. If the by revealing something pro- relationships, that we can live and reconciles. ject of His love. Because sin father treated his son like a ser- found about God’s love. He without love? Mercy, love’s John Paul developed his disfigures the image of God in vant, then his paternal love continues to love even when second name, is the proof that teaching on mercy by reflect- man and diminishes man’s dig- would remain unfulfilled. He we have rejected His love by “man cannot live without ing on the Parable of the Prodi- nity, God’s mercy is focused on would still not be able to give sin, and in this way He is faith- love.” gal Son. Central to his thought restoring man’s dignity. Be- to his son all that he holds dear, ful to Himself, to His “first” is looking at the parable from cause man is made in the image all that he is. So, the father has love for us, as if He cannot Douglas G. Bushman, the perspective of the father of God and God is love, this is no other option than to be faith- simply go on without us (like S.T.L., is Director of the Insti- rather than that of the son. The a restoration to love. Thus, ful to his fatherly love and to the shepherd who had to leave tute for Pastoral Theology of father’s original love is the God’s mercy has as its proper receive his contrite son, to for- his ninety-nine sheep to find Ave Maria University. love that brought this young effect to open the human heart give him, and to receive him the one that was lost, and the man into the world and that de- to receive God’s love, to re- into his home with joy. woman who could not continue This article was funded by the sired to bestow upon him all ceive all that He has to give, For Pope John Paul, this her daily routine until she St. Aloysius Gonzaga Chair of that the father held as precious. namely Himself. teaches us that we are made for found her lost coin). Mercy is Writing sponsored by Aolysius and First and foremost, that is his In the parable, when the son relationships of mutual and to- His love’s second name, and Alice Mayers and Gerald and Gin- faith as a descendent of Abra- returns he suggests that his fa- tal self-giving. When we refuse the revelation of this mercy ny Zink. ham, faith in the God that had ther treat him as a hired ser- to forgive and to reconcile, we challenges us to ask if we, like been true to His promise by lib- vant. This would be in keeping are saying, in effect: “I can live God, are so committed to those erating Abraham’s offspring with justice. It would be a just without you. I do not need your we love and value them suffi- from slavery in Egypt and es- punishment for his sin. It friendship. My life can be com- ciently to extend to them a sec- tablishing them in the would also bring about a plete without you in it.” But if ond love of forgiveness and Promised Land. The son, as we tremendous upgrade in his con- this is not true for God, how reconciliation. Or have we know, was not interested in dition! But his father will hear can it be true for us who are somehow convinced ourselves this. His interest was in his fa- none of it. He cannot bear the made in His image? Pope John ther’s property. He did not al- thought of treating his son as Paul’s teaching on divine mer- low his father to give all that he had to give. He rejected his love. This did not deter the father from continuing to love his son. This points to the love of God. In creating us in His im- age, God has endowed us with freedom. It is in our power to rebuff God’s love, but we do not have the power to stop Him from loving us. This is why John Paul taught that by His mercy God is “faithful to Him- self.” At the same time, He is faithful to man, who is the ob-

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Telephone ______E-mail______March, 2011 The Catholic Servant Page 11 Blessed Mary Angela Truszkowska brought the light of Christ into Poland By Kristen Lang others that God may be known, was not the logic of the world giving, giving everything that was declared Venerable on loved, and glorified! but of the Son of God Who love asks for; giving immedi- April 2, 1982, by Pope John “That in In 1825, a little girl was ‘emptied Himself, taking the ately, without regrets, with joy, Paul II. She was beatified on all and by born to Joseph and Josephine form of a servant’ (Phil 2:7), and wanting even more to be April 18, 1993. all, God may Truszkowski in Kalisz, and it was this which would asked of us.” Pope John Paul II As we embark on another be known, Poland, and she was given the mark Blessed Mary Angela’s likened this time in her life to Lent, we have the beautiful loved, and name Sophia Camille. As little whole life….” This joyful self- ascending “...the hill of Cal- witness of Blessed Mary An- glorified.” Sophia grew, so did her love of emptying of which our late vary in a journey of suffering gela Truszkowska to light our This was the prayer. By the time she was an Holy Father spoke was that of both physical and spiritual, un- way. May we pray always and purpose set adult, she began to discern a Sophia Truszkowska’s imita- til her life was ablaze with the in everything, through the forth for the call from our Lord to serve tion of Mary, and the fiat of mystery of the Cross.” heart of Mary and in honor of Congrega- those who were suffering from Mary’s life which became the Although her life was Jesus in the Most Blessed Lang tion of the a broken society. Sophia began fiat, the yes, of Sophia’s life. “ablaze” with love, that great Sacrament. Then, in a spirit of Sisters of St. Felix of Cantalice to spend her days caring for Sophia’s yes came first in mystery of the Cross, Mother prayer, may we embrace our by their founder Blessed Mary the poor. little things. She served those Angela endured many physical day-to-day lives, giving every- Angela Truszkowska. Mary On June 16, 2000, Pope who were in need on the trials in the second half of her thing that love asks for—im- Angela had the beautiful gift John Paul II spoke of this time streets. As Sophia began to life, including blindness and mediately, without regrets, of prayer from a young age, a in Blessed Mary Angela’s life, empty herself out of love for deteriorating health. These with joy, and with a desire to love for Christ in the Eu- this “troubled” time in Polish God, she became more and hardships forced her to step be asked for more! May our charist, and the realization that history: “The nation had lost more the servant—that light of aside as superior general and corner of the world be set the Polish culture was in des- its independence, and the Christ shining in her corner of finish out her later years in ablaze with love, the mystery perate need of the light of question of how to regain free- a dark world. Soon, Sophia contemplation. By the time of the Cross, “that in all and by Christ. She saw a need, turned dom burned in Polish hearts. opened up two rooms for the Mother Angela died on Octo- all, God may be known, loved, to prayer, and then acted with …[E]very attempt to throw off care of homeless children and ber 10, 1899, the Felician Sis- and glorified!” wisdom to meet the needs she by force the yoke of oppres- widows. Eventually, Sophia ters were responsible for the saw. Her humble work is a tes- sion led only to greater suffer- became a Third Order Francis- building of hospitals and car- Kristen Lang is a freelance tament to us of how we our- ing…. God raised up Blessed can, dedicated her life to God’s ing for soldiers, caring for the writer from Elk River, Min- selves might light our own Mary Angela Truszkowska, service, and took the name An- poor and elderly, establishing nesota. dark corners of the world so who ... learnt that the way to gela. November 21, 1855, saw residences for young working that the light of Christ might true freedom was not violence, the founding of what would be women, and teaching the faith This article was funded by the shine to illumine the hearts of but joyful self-emptying. This her life’s work, that is, the and other subjects to children St. Bernadette of Soubirous Chair Congregation of the Sisters of in many villages. The Congre- of Writing sponsored by Thomas St. Felix of Cantalice, whose gation had received papal ap- and Barbara Janas. motto was to be “All through proval and had even come to the Heart of Mary in honor of the United States to work with the Most Blessed Sacrament.” Polish immigrants in Polonia, She once wrote, “Love means Wisconsin! Mother Angela

ATTN: Parents, godparents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, friends, parishioners, teachers, coaches, neighbors, Knights of Columbus and Serrans...

It takes courage to follow Jesus. Do you know a young man who’s got what it takes? Please invite him to this event. TEAM VIANNEY EVENT 2011: April 7, May 5

Catholic high school to college-age men (9th grade and up) meet for dinner with college seminarians. Attend Adoration and Benediction, hear a short dynamic talk on our Catholic faith, and participate in an energetic Mass with college seminarians and university students. Dinner is open to high school and college age students. Adoration, Benediction, and Mass are open to everyone. 5:30 - Dinner with seminarians 6:30 - Adoration with evening prayer 7:30 - Mass at seminary DEDICATION. LEADERSHIP. VOCATION. Where: St. John Vianney Seminary, University of St. Thomas (St. Paul campus) For more information, contact SJV at 651-962-6825 or [email protected] Help him join the Team. Christ’s Team. Page 12 The Catholic Servant March, 2011 Question and Answer Reasons for the commotion in the Church over Blessed John Henry Newman By David Deavel yourself; Newman will one day be a ther of all modern thought about the riginal Vicar of Christ.” Doctor of the Church.” “development of doctrine.” Newman The reasons I’ve listed for paying Question: Why But why is Newman so important? understood that certain aspects of the attention to Newman are largely intel- are the Pope and We can point to a number of reasons for Church’s thinking and practice change lectual. But the reason Newman, like the Church so excit- Newman’s prominence. First, as Pope throughout time in order that the any saint, is worth listening to is the ed over Blessed John Paul II pointed out in his encycli- Church’s deposit of faith might stay the fact that he practiced heroic virtue and John Henry New- cal Fides et Ratio, Newman offers in same. As the Church faces new situa- showed spectacular sanctity. If you’re man? I find him dif- his writings on faith, belief, and knowl- tions and new questions, it often comes not inclined to read heavier intellectual ficult to read. edge a well-developed understanding to decisions that look like reversals of works, read about his life anyway. And Answer: One of of the relationship between faith and teaching. Newman’s great gift was to read his sermons (available at the distinct policy reason. In a world in which many reli- think through the process of how the www.newmanreader.org). You’ll be changes made by gious and secular people think the two Church decides whether a proposed surprised at both the unity of his life Deavel Pope Benedict XVI should be kept in separate air-tight bub- change is a development or a deforma- and the depth of spiritual understanding when he became Pope was to change bles, Newman emphasized both that tion of the deposit of faith. In the forty- he showed. At the Mass of Beatifica- beatification ceremonies. Whereas faith allowed for rational explanation plus years since the Second Vatican tion, Pope Benedict XVI reflected that Pope John Paul II usually presided and that faith allowed one to have Council, this need to think carefully for all his gifts, we must not forget “his himself at the ceremonies naming peo- knowledge that went beyond what one about change and continuity has been life as a priest, a pastor of souls” who ple as “Blessed,” often in Rome, Pope could arrive at simply based on evi- ever more necessary. Pope Benedict’s “lived out that profoundly human vi- Benedict decided to return the cere- dence. Newman always emphasized thinking about a “hermeneutic [theory sion of priestly ministry in his devoted monies to the dioceses in which the that we believe in order to more truly of interpretation] of continuity” is very care for the people of Birmingham particular model of faith lived. There- understand. True, some of his writings much based on Newman’s thought. [England] during the years that he fore, it is very noteworthy that Pope about such subjects are tough, but well Fourth, Newman is the modern spent at the Oratory he founded, visit- Benedict XVI himself decided to travel worth the effort. master of teaching about conscience. ing the sick and the poor, comforting to England to declare John Henry Car- Second, as Pope Benedict XVI said While many people think wrongly that the bereaved, caring for those in dinal Newman “Blessed.” Why did at the Mass of Beatification this past human conscience can make things prison.” Blessed John Henry Newman Pope Benedict depart from this cus- fall, Newman’s “vision for education” wrong or right, Newman emphasized had a great mind, but more than that, he tom? It was not simply because he was remains a challenge to us today: “Firm- that conscience is the faculty by which had a heart that beat for God. already considering making a trip to ly opposed to any reductive or utilitari- humans find out the truth about England and thought one more ceremo- an approach, he sought to achieve an whether actions are right or wrong. David Paul Deavel, Ph.D., is Asso- ny wouldn’t hurt. No, Pope Benedict educational environment in which in- Further, conscience does this because it ciate Director of Logos: A Journal of saw Newman as a particularly impor- tellectual training, moral discipline, is the faculty by which we hear the Catholic Thought and Culture and con- tant model not just for England or even and religious commitment would come voice of God Himself. The Catechism tributing editor to Gilbert Magazine. English-speaking Catholics, but for the together.” The lectures and essays col- of the Catholic Church quotes his fa- He has a PhD in historical theology world. And he’s not the first in the of- lected in Newman’s Idea of a Universi- mous lines about conscience, saying it from Fordham University. fice of Peter to hold this view. The ty remain essential reading for any who “is a messenger of Him, Who, both in French scholar Jean Guitton recounted are involved in Catholic (and indeed nature and in grace, speaks to us behind This article was funded by the St. Tere- how a year before his death, Pope Pius Christian of any sort) education. a veil, and teaches and rules us by His sa of Avila Chair of Writing sponsored by XII whispered in his ear, “Console Third, Newman is the founding fa- representatives. Conscience is the abo- an anonymous patron.

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