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St. Mary of the Visitation NEWSLETTER

February 2018 Volume 2 Christian Experience Weekend Take a weekend to grow in faith and community Article By: Mark & Rosemary Fiagle Now that the New Year is upon us and The CEW can be a very motivating we are formulating our New Year’s experience. Through the power of the resolution, a wonderful one to keep in Holy Spirit, you may actually be lead mind is to attend a CEW, or Christian in directions that you never thought Experience Weekend. of. Two great examples of CEW impacting our home parish of What is CEW? A Christian Experience St.Mary’s are Fr.’s William (Bill) Roush St. Mary’s Church in Riverside Weekend is an opportunity to take a and Ray Powell. Rosemary and I have where CEW will be held weekend to step away from the many been Friends with Fr. Bill and his family CONTENTS things in life that compete for our for many years. After the death of his time. It gives us a chance to take a look wife Cindy, we took many trips with RENEWING OUR FAITH P. 2 at who we are and where we are him, his daughters, and several headed. Throughout the weekend we exchange students we had. I will be given the time and tools to remember to the first CEW I

THANKING GOD P.3 rediscover ourselves, our Faith and attended, he placed a registration our God. At CEW, we will listen to form in front of me and said, «sign up. ordinary Faith-filled speakers share I’m going and we should share the the joys and challenges of life. experience.» It was a fantastic ST. MARY’S IN THE MAKING P.4 weekend for each of us, and I am If you open your heart and mind to positive that through attending everything presented to you, the CEW subsequent weekends, these PASTOR’S LETTER P.5 can be a life changing experience. My experiences helped him to discern wife, RoseMary, and I each attended that he wanted to become a . I our first CEW’s several years ago. The met Fr. Powell on a similar weekend ST. IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA P.7 weekend helped me to realize that I and feel the same might be said of was basically just living my life day- him. They are two very Faith-filled to-day and what I needed was a more men of God that want to be the Faith-filled, prayerful life. I needed to mouth, hands and feet of our Lord, in WHY THE NAME FRANCIS P.6 be more of a participant in my Faith service to others. and in my church. The weekends helped RoseMary and I grow closer as The Iowa City Deanery CEW weekends LESSONS FROM THE EARLY CHURCH P. 7 well. We started to spend more time have been scheduled for 2018. The together praying and reading women’s weekend will be held scripture. They helped us to better February 23rd-25th, and the men’s recognize God’s blessings. I also began weekend will be held March 2-4. Both CEW CONTINUED P.8 assisting Rosemary teach Religious events will be held at the Retreat Education at Regina on Wednesday Center at St. Mary’s Church in evenings. continued on pg. 8 ST. MARY’S NEWSLETTER VOL. 2 Renewing our Faith On a Mission to Love Through a Changing Church

Article By: Jeanette Roush-Krafka 1) “The number of parishes in the and as we face these changes, Fr. Weldon declined from 19,559 in calls us to, “reach out to all demographics 1990 to 17,337 in 2015 while the and try to keep everyone gathered around Catholic population increased the table. Put histories and disagreements proportionally, remaining at 25 aside so that we may stay in sacred percent of the total U.S. population.» communion. Doing this will help us on our mission.” 2) There is a shortage of . “In 1990, there were just over 34,000 While we hold the teachings of our fathers diocesan priests in the U.S.; in 2014 close to our hearts, as a tradition of what has there were 16,462 active diocesan always been done, we must simultaneously priests.” embrace change, so that we might bring what we hold to be true in tradition to our 3) “There have been significant ever changing demographic. Hope for our decreases in Mass attendance and faith in the next generation of Catholics is participation in the sacraments. More based on the truths of tradition mixed with Fr. Mike Weldon speaking at the renewal of the than 100 million in the United States in enlightenment, justice, equality, and above faith event 2014 were baptized Catholics and more all love for all those who gather around the than 78 million self-identified as table to join us in Faith. n November 14th and Catholic, but only 18.7 million 15th St. Mary’s of the attended Mass on a weekly basis.” Fr. Weldon explained that “Church doesn’t Visitation in Iowa City have a mission; the mission has a Church. hosted a renewal of the faith event that REACH OUT TO ALL DEMOGRAPHICS AND TRY TO celebrated the 175th anniversary of the completion of the first KEEP EVERYONE GATHERED AROUND THE TABLE. OChurch of St. Mary in Iowa City. Father Mike Weldon, pastor of St. Mary’s Basilica in 4) “There has been a major increase in Jesus came because he loved us so much Phoenix, Arizona was the keynote speaker. cultural/ethnic diversity in the that word became flesh and the church Fr. Weldon, a native of Parnell, Iowa spoke American church. About a third of all participated in that mission to spread that of the history of the church in Iowa City Catholic parishes serve a particular love and all parts of the church should be but emphasized the renewal of faith racial, ethnic, cultural and/or linguistic focused on that.” Fr. Weldon’s parting community, and some serve two or words were a quote from Francis, more of these communities.” “Let Church always be a place of mercy OUR MISSION AS and hope, where everyone is welcomed, CHURCH, TO PUT IT What these changes beget is more change. loved and forgiven.” Let us remember this The afore to mentioned changes will as we live to bring a changing Church to SIMPLY, IS TO LOVE inevitably lead to reconfiguration. Some the world. churches may need to close, others may need to merge, but as Catholics, we are Fr. Mike Weldon Speaking at Event through our mission as Church, which to familiar with change. Catholicism, as we put it simply, is to love. Father Mike pointed know it today, is built upon change and out very clearly that Church is constantly reformation. We made it through Vatican changing. The way we perceive church, II intact, maybe even stronger than before, whether that be as a servant church (a church whose purpose is to serve the Community Gathered at Event world), or a cultic church (ritualistic and organized through hierarchy). However you look at it, Church is changing.

Fr. Weldon led the two- evening session and following Mass on the first evening, he assigned homework, to read an American Magazine Article entitled, “The Uncertain Future of Parish Life.” The article indicates four major changes that will and are currently impacting the way in which we experience church.

2 ST. MARY’S NEWSLETTER VOL. 2 Thanking God at St. Mary’s Thanksgiving Day Dinner

Article By: Bill Doucette a difficult time for their family, and to be thankful that their loved one was receiving quality care.

It takes dozens of volunteers to make and serve St. Mary’s Thanksgiving Day Dinner. The leader of them all is Sr. Agnes Giblin, who has helped serve these meals since St. Mary’s started serving Thanksgiving Day Dinner many years ago. In addition to the cooks, volunteers help serve the food, prepare meals for delivery, and clean up. Some volunteers return year after year, finding that serving others is an outstanding way to thank God. Volunteers range from children to older adults. While a core of volunteers comes Volunteers serving thanksgiving dinner from St. Mary’s Fellowship Commission, other helpers come from outside the parish to participate in the bustle and ne way we can show people who are unable to travel to the church joy of the community meal. our thanks to God for to eat. all we receive is by Like any Thanksgiving meal, there are sharing our blessings The meal typically serves 150-200 leftovers. In this case, remaining food with others. In the U.S. people between guests and either is given to guests to take with many people observe volunteers. them or is brought to other places for Thanksgiving Day by partaking in meals feeding others. This year some food was Owith family and friends to celebrate Each year the guests are a mix of people brought to the Catholic Worker House the benefits in their lives. However, not looking for food and fellowship. Some folks and some was brought to the Iowa everyone has an opportunity to gather with are homeless or in poverty, while others are City Free Lunch program, which does their family and friends in a Thanksgiving far from home. The Thanksgiving Day Dinner not serve a meal on Thanksgiving Day. meal. They are separated from family or gives them all a chance to gather with others Participating in the Thanksgiving Day may lack the means to join their loved to enjoy warmth, good food and St. Mary’s Dinner at St. Mary’s allows all to share ones. To help meet this need, St. Mary’s hospitality. This year a family from North God’s bounty for us. Sr. Agnes sums it up, Parish has been hosting a Thanksgiving Carolina joined in to eat. They were in Iowa “The meal is the sharing of time, talent Day Dinner for the Iowa City community City because a family member was receiving and treasure – that is real stewardship. for over 25 years. treatment at the University of Iowa Hospital Many people are fed physically, but their & Clinics for a serious health issue. A nurse at spirits are nourished as well.” Even as we Not everyone has an the hospital had mentioned to them that St. thank God, He continues to shower us opportunity to gather with Mary’s was serving a dinner that afternoon. with His blessings. their family and friends in a They were able to share a delicious meal at thanksgiving meal.

The annual Thanksgiving Day Dinner takes place in the parish hall with serving from 1:00-3:00. However, as with most Thanksgiving meals, the work begins much earlier as helpers make ready the parish hall and cooks prepare the food. The traditional menu includes turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetables, salads, cranberries, rolls, desserts and beverages. Much of the food is donated by generous parishioners, including dozens of pies. The meal typically serves 150-200 people between guests and volunteers. In addition to serving those attending at Sister Agnes entertaining guests the parish hall, meals also are delivered to

3 ST. MARY’S NEWSLETTER VOL. 2 St. Mary’s in the Making A Brief History of Compromise Article By: Paul

f someone were to ask me what my favorite subject was in school, I would I have a hard time answering because I enjoyed many things; but I’ve always known that my least favorite subject was history. There was just something about learning names of historical people and places that put me to sleep. So when I was asked to write about the history of the Catholic society in Iowa City, I was less than eager to accept the request. To my pleas- ant surprise, though, as I started reading the Chapter about “The Making of a Mid- western Catholicism: Identities, Ethnicity, and Catholic Culture in Iowa City, 1840- 1940 ” by J. Pfiefer, I found myself drawn into the past and even amazed These devisions were thought to have steadily frustrated, that their ethnic commu- by the background of the very church to physically manifested through the statues nities were not being equally recognized in which I belong; St. Mary of the Visitation. on the high alter. It was rumored that the comparison to their Irish counterparts. Irish Catholics rented pews on the west side I’ve always understood the connotation of the church in coordination to the statue In 1858, Fr. William Emonds, a young German of the United States being the “Melting of St. Patrick, the patron of Ireland. On priest, was called to lead St. Mary’s and to Pot” of many different nationalities in the the other hand, the German Catholics pre- help bridge the distinctions between the larger context of the country, but I did not ferred pews on the East side of the church ethnic communities, but much animosity consider that my own little Iowa City also coinciding with the statue of St. Boniface, the had already accumulated and the German had to resolve the differences of many patron saint of German Catholicism. While and Bohemian parishioners, under the lead- cultures that made it up. Iowa City was the story is somewhat humorous, it is indic- ership of Fr. Franz Xavier Werniger, left St. a growing community of many different ative of some of the conflicts between the Mary’s parish to form a new Church, St. Fran- nationalities including the Irish, Germans, different nationalities that made up the first cis Xavier, in 1862. The rationale for leaving and Bohemians (now Czech Republic), and Catholic parish in the area. was due to overcrowding at St. Mary’s and each nationality had its own particular in- allegations that Fr. Emonds actually favored fluence to make on the Catholic Identity The Catholic presence in Iowa City was rec- the Irish and English over the Germans and in Iowa City. ognized shortly after the city was founded in Bohemians.

ARE THE ON THE HIGH ALTER, The newly formed St. Church A SYMBOL OF DIVISION OR UNITY? was located at the corner of Johnson and Brown streets. This church lasted only 5 years, The different nationalities that made up 1839, when in 1840 Fr. Mazzuchelli, closing in 1867 due to conflicts between the our Catholic heritage maintained the an Italian Dominican Friar, was given per- Germans and Bohemians surrounding the views and connections with their home- mission from then Mathias Loras, differences in the financial support between lands, which sometimes conflicted with a French immigrant and the first bishop of the two major nationalities. The parishioners the views of the other nationalities. The Dubuque, to acquire 2 lots in Iowa City with returned to St. Mary’s parish. As a side note, Irish Catholics, for example, preferred “a a security of $2,000, in order to build a Cath- St. Francis Xavier Church was destroyed in relatively simple and austere form of wor- olic Church. a fire in 1869. ship” and readily followed the authority of the clergy, minimizing the involvement Bishop Loras who laid the first cornerstone When the two parishes were brought back of lay ministries. The German Catholics of the original (old) St. Mary’s Church on July together, it was recognized that St. Mary’s valued an “elaborate baroque communal- 12, 1841, and the church was completed in Church structure needed to grow, so expan- istic devotional style that included proces- the spring of 1843. “Old” St. Mary’s was ded- sion of the structure began. On August 15, sions and pilgrimages, confraternities, rich icated The Assumption of the Blessed 1869 the “new” St. Mary’s Church, St. Mary orchestral music, and richly embellished Mary of the Visitation, was dedicated. The reuni- churches” as well as an emphasis on the fication of the Germans and the Irish is epit- inclusion of lay participation. The Bohemi- The 1850 Johnson County census found omized in the “new” St. Mary’s Church high ans Catholics were fairly similar to the Ger- the ratios of German born to Irish born was alter design which contains the opposing mans in regards to their devotional styles, roughly 2 to 1, but over the next ten years St. Patrick and St. Boniface statues on either but preferred to minimize the emphasis on that ratio changed to nearly 1 to 1 as nu- side of the portrait of “The Visitation”. In addi- lay ministries, and were generally less sup- merous Irish immigrants flooded into the tion, to appease the Bohemian community, portive in their financial contributions. All country to avoid starvation in their home along the east side of the church are murals of these differences created conflict within country. The 1860 Johnson country census depicting the four key Bohemian Saints, the Catholic community which resulted in found the Bohemian population to be wildly Wenceslaus, his grandmother Ludmila, John congregations that were divided accord- under-represented. As these ratios changed, of Nepomuk, and Adalbert. ing to ethnic backgrounds. German and Bohemian Catholics grew

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Pastor’s Letter Baptisms Music is but one form of harmony in our wonderfully diverse community. In order of events since November 1st.

Finally, I have to say something about the music NATALIE LOUISE for liturgies celebrated here at St. Mary’s. The choir JENNINGS under the leadership of Nathan Gibbs, has grown in strength and numbers and has done an excel- lent of providing quality music for the 8:30 Sunday Mass as well as the special liturgical events that we have had here such as Confirmation and the Lutheran-Catholic celebration in October. In addition to the choir, I want to compliment Patti Mc Taggart for the great work that she has done in bringing together the talented group of young musicians that have coupled with those veteran musicians that provide music for the 10:30 Mass. What a joyful sound they all raise to the Lord.

Our wonderfully diverse community has continued to thrive OLIVER ALEXANDER Fr. Steve Witt Age: 13 MENDOZA May all of you, who are gifts to St. Mary’s, continue to live as God’s gift to one another. REID GEORGE GLASS ew Year’s greetings to all! The new year Fr. Steve has come along with some of the most N frigid weather that we have encoun- LENNON SCOTT tered in a very long time. My hope for you all HENRICH is that the cold weather has not dampened your spirits or left you with anything less than a heart overflowing with the love of God. THEODORE CHARLES A Prayer for Enduring Strength FIAGLE The number of people attending mass on weekends is higher! By: JRK Oh Lord, Grant me solidarity to resolve in your We had a wonderful year as a community, name these battles which have been waged Weddings having celebrated many joy filled weddings for the sake of our amelioration. In order of events since and births. We have also felt the loss of several For I know pain, as I’ve seen it stain the cheeks November 1st. of our long- time parish family members. All of a mother as she watches the untimely death the joys and pains that we as a community of her first born child. of faith experience as we journey through life And I know death, as I saw the blood of an were experienced by some or all of us some- unwary victim of an armed robbery taint the TAYLOR MCBURNEY how this year and yet, I feel an overwhelming sandy soil crimson. AND MADISON sense that we are going and growing in the I know desire, as it wells from the eyes of a right direction. I was looking over our atten- ravenous child. MEARDON dance numbers for the masses in November Lord, your endeavor is my quintessence, it is and I am delighted that the number of people the essence of who I am. Though what I am in attending mass on weekends is higher with this moment is weak. the three masses that we celebrate than when In the midst of such strife, the outlook seems we had four. You are an amazing community of bleak, and in apprehension I will surely sink, KATHRYN TEMPLE AND people and continue to be a blessing. for I cannot feign the strength I could only gain in You. TYLER DUNKEL Our wonderfully diverse community has con- So Lord, I beg of you, guard me on my way, tinued to thrive as our Congolese brothers and maintain, sustain and keep my doubts at bay, sisters had their own New Year celebration at that I may accomplish to the fullest of my ability St. Mary’s, despite the frigid temperatures. Our the ambitions with which you have adorned Vietnamese community members continue this path. That I may learn to love through each to celebrate once a month in their native lan- crusade, from every strain along the way of this guage while maintaining their active role in journey which you have created me for. the community at large.

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Funerals In order of events since November 1st. Why the Name Francis? Pope Francis, our Jesuit Holy Father LYNN AKERS Article By: Tim Blake

hen the pope’s birth and papal names W were announced from St. Peter’s balcony in March 2013, many assumed that the first Je- suit pope was selecting the great Jesuit mission- ary St. Francis Xavier as his patron. But it soon became clear that it was who inspired Cardinal Bergoglio. ROBERT GAFFEY “For me,” the new pope explained a few days after his election, “he is the man of poverty, the man of peace, the man who loves and protects creation.”

When Cardinal Bergoglio chose the name Fran- cis, he won the hearts of Italians on the spot by embracing the saint from Assisi who immersed himself in the lives of the poor. Introducing him- self with a bow to the people of Rome as their bishop struck a tone of modesty, of pastoral Our Jesuit Pope Francis BOB SCHNEIDER essence. “’I want you to bless me,’ Francis said in his first priests throughout Catholic Europe to start appearance from the balcony of St. Peter’s Ba- schools, colleges and seminaries. With mis- silica, asking the faithful to bow their heads and sionary work as a core value, the Jesuits are pray for him.” known for spreading Catholicism throughout the world. “I want you to bless me,” Francis said When Pope Francis speaks of going to the fron- It was the first time in 600 years a living pope re- tier and reaching out to the peripheries, that too, signed; the first time a Cardinal from the Amer- can be traced back to his Jesuit mindset. As mis- icas was elevated to the throne; the first time a sionaries, Jesuits were the first to evangelize in HENRY MADDEN pope was named Francis with reverence for the parts of Latin America, India, Africa and the Far saint’s mission for the poor, and the first time our East (You can learn more about St. Ignatius and pope came from the Jesuit order. the Jesuits by picking up a copy of Lighthouse CDs at St. Mary’s) Jesuits are known for their universities, but the ‘Society of Jesus’ order are much more than Jesuits talk about finding God in all administrators of prestigious universities. Also things. known as “God’s Marines” or “The Company,” the order of priests and brothers was founded by St. But it’s not just about being a in Ignatius of Loyola in 1534. faraway countries. One can be a missionary at home. Jesuits are famous for their intensive educations MARCIA MUNDY (it can take 10+ years to progress from entering Jesuits talk about finding God in all things. That’s the order to taking final vows as a priest), con- why you’ll also find members of the Society of templative spirituality and variety of vocations. Jesus in places other than college campuses. Members of the order go all-out for the lord St. Ignatius had a military background, and early and the church, using the gifts that are given adherents referred to themselves as the “Com- to them. pany of Jesus,” hence both of the nicknames live to this day. And the gift now for Pope Francis? The world.

As the head of the new order, Ignatius sent his

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Lessons from the Early Church Oral Traditions, Scripture, and manuscripts Article By: Robert Tomanek Our Catholic Christian Faith is resurrection. He was martyred, like so many We can appreciate that during its earliest based on 1) scripture and 2) Tradition, others, e.g., St. , Bishop and Apostolic years the Church’s teaching was oral, and and these teachings are defined by the Father (a hearer of St. ). handed on as a deposit of faith. Then Magisterium of the Church. The Church These witnesses provided the Church with inspired writers, e.g., John, Paul, Peter, has many traditions (customs), but an understanding of the apostolic truths. who received the oral teaching provided Sacred Tradition (note the capital “T”) Like Pope Clement in the first century, us the words which constitute the New constitutes our “lived understanding validation of Tradition was proclaimed in Testament. Accordingly, the voices of the of the deposit of faith as set forth in subsequent centuries. St. of Lyons in early church fathers bring us closer to the the pages of Scripture” (Madrid, 2002). the 2nd century wrote that anyone who may teaching of Christ. Tradition is the Church’s lived experience wish to know the truth should contemplate of Christ’s teaching. The importance of the Tradition of the Apostles. St. Justin Martyr, References: Tradition has been stressed throughout arguably the most important 2nd century • Madrid, P. Why is that in Tradition? Our the centuries by the immediate disciples apologist, wrote about the real presence of Sunday Visitor Publ., 2002. of the apostles (A.D. 50-150), often called Christ in the Eucharist, and that the Eucharist • D’Ambrosio, M. When the Church was Young: Voices of the Early Fathers. “apostolic fathers” and then by apologists should be brought to those unable to attend Servant Books, Franciscan Media, 2014 who wrote between A.D. 150 and A.D. mass. St. Basil the Great in the 4th century 325. It is important to know how the faith and St. in the 5th century was taught by those who knew Christ reaffirmed that messages preserved in the personally, or those individuals taught by Traditions of the Church were passed down the apostles. For example, Pope Clement through time, orally and in written word. knew both Peter and Paul and wrote to Further documentation regarding the the Church in Corinth explaining that the teachings of the early church appeared when apostles intended an orderly succession of a manuscript was discovered in the 11th authority in the church. He warns that no Century, but not published until 1883. This Your Input Requested one should disobey the things which have manuscript is called “Didache” (pronounced been said by Christ through the did-a-kay), a Greek word for teaching, and If you have any comments, suggestions, and their elect, and warned against defines the teaching of the 12 Apostles. The concerns, ideas, or if you would simply schisms. St. Ignatius a Bishop of Antioch evidence from these writings suggests that like to write for St. Mary’s Newsletter, (martyred in about A.D. 110) presented a Christian editor in Egypt during the first please contact Jeanette Roush-Krafka at a clear view of a hierarchical Church and half of the 2nd century found documents [email protected] the Eucharist as the Flesh of our Savior that appear to be 1) the earliest catechism Jesus Christ. He repeatedly designates the and 2) Church order (an instructional Church as “Catholic” and emphasizes that it manual regarding the conduct of worship). is a universal community of believers and The Didache, along with the writings of the noted the importance of Sunday as the apostolic fathers, addresses the sanctity of the Sabbath because it honors the day of the Eucharist and the importance of confession.

St. Ignatius of Loyola Article By: Tim Blake Saint Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556) originally a soldier, was a Spanish priest and theologian, who founded the religious order called the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) The Jesuit order served the Pope as , and they therefore emerged as an important force during the time of the Counter-Reformation. Ignatius became an expert in spiritual exercises, and one of the most influential direction, collecting his insights in his books on the spiritual life ever written. He book ‘Spiritual Exercises’, a simple set of is the patron saint of all spiritual retreats meditations, prayers, and other mental and the foremost patron saint of soldiers.

7 St. Mary of theVisitation 302 E. JeffersonCatholic St. Iowa City, Church IA 52245

ST. MARY’S NEWSLETTER VOL. 2

Riverside, Iowa. Sleeping accommodations and Contacts for both weekends: meals are provided. Women’s weekend: My final suggestion is this. If you are have ever Linda Gent 319-461-2486 thought about attending an event that could help Nancy Wagner 319-430-7120 you grow in your Faith and in your relationship with God, please take a weekend and give CEW a Men’s weekend: try. I can honestly say that you will come away with Tim Blake 319-331-2438 several new friends as well as a deeper spiritual Chris Harris 319-331-2470 connection. The cost of the weekend is $50, but there will be a reduced rate of $40 if registration is postmarked by February 2nd, and please remember, cost will never prevent anyone from experiencing the weekend. (Scholarships are available for those who request assistance)

CEW Men’s Leader: CEW Women’s Leader: Tim Blake Nancy Wagner

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