ISSN: 0029-7739 $ 1.00 per copy THE OBSERVER Official Newspaper of the Catholic Diocese of Rockford

Volume 79 | No. 5 http://observer.rockforddiocese.org FRIDAY JANUARY 10, 2014 Inside Resolve, Refresh, Renew Jail Mass a First for Bishop, Diocese We start the new year with a series of features intended BY AMANDA HUDSON the jail had been long desired to inspire you to resolve to News editor and long planned and added, “I refresh and renew yourself, think it is important for me as both physically and spiritually. ROCKFORD—“It was real the bishop of the diocese to be The fi rst features are in this nice,” one of the men said at the (here) with you.” issue. Look for more through- conclusion of a Christmas Day His homily spoke of the out the next few weeks. Mass held for him and other “something better than all of prisoners in surroundings that the pain and sorrow” in the were anything but Christmas-y. world, and that “God sent His The monotone jail block set- Son to give each one of us a ting featured no red or green or chance.” anything sparkly. Simple chairs Bishop Malloy noted in par- were set up in rows in front of ticular two messages for this an altar set up at one end of the Christmas day: fi rst, to “keep common area amidst two levels up our hope ... don’t give up of empty cells and storerooms, on God, don’t give up on the their heavy steel doors slightly world, and don’t give up on do- open. A massive, grilled win- ing right ... we must keep up dow allowed fi ltered light into (Observer photo by Amanda Hudson) our hope in that (Christ) child.” Following the Christmas Mass, Bishop Malloy visited briefl y with each the room from far behind the Second, he said, was to re- participant, shaking each man’s hand and wishing them, the guards altar. member “that child came to and those who helped at the Mass a Merry Christmas. The chairs were fl anked by give us forgiveness,” noting bolted-to-the-fl oor steel tables ordinator of prison ministry in to the empty unit, which will that the “only thing that blocks and benches. Two security the diocese. Also helping with be unoccupied until the jail that forgiveness” offered by Parishioners Help Their guards kept watchful eyes on the event were George Hofstet- population count rises again God to each person is that per- Priests Get, Stay Fit the prisoners as they silently ter, executive director of the above 1,000, one of the guards son himself. pg. 4 fi ltered in and chose their seats, Rockford Reachout Jail Minis- explained as our group rode an The bishop encouraged them some in dark shirts with “Win- try, and Deacon Ignacio Felix, elevator up to the fourth fl oor. to use their time alone to pray, nebago County Jail” stenciled Michael Zarembski and Dan The around-30 prisoners who adding that “I go to confes- in white on the back, others Campbell who are part of the came joined in the opening sion every two weeks ... and in tan-colored shirts, many in still-small Catholic presence in hymn, “O Come All Ye Faith- try again and again to turn my rubbery, orange sandals. jail ministry. ful,” at Bishop Malloy’s direc- heart back to God.” He encour- Bishop David Malloy, who “Getting permission to come tion. aged them to seek forgiveness never set foot inside a jail be- into a housing unit is a really “I want to begin with sort of and to “be willing to forgive, fore that Dec. 25 morning, big deal,” Hofstetter says. Orig- an apology,” the bishop said even if it hurts, and even if it is vested for Mass just to the right inally planned for a classroom after that little spark of Christ- hard ... There is no sin, crime or of the altar, assisted by Deacon that could accommodate about mas cheer. offense that is so great that God Richard Martin, diocesan co- 20 men, the Mass was moved He explained that Mass at Continued on page 3 Fitness a Matter of Discipline for Bishop Malloy pg. 5 Strong Faith and Filipino Traditions All Part of Simbang Gabi Christmas Novena BY PAT SZPEKOWSKI Observer Correspondent CARY—The long-standing and beautiful Filipino Christ- mas novena of Simbang Gabi, or “Night Mass,” was cel- ebrated at SS. Peter and Paul Music of Praise Church, Cary, on Tuesday eve- Seasoned Observer, pg. 10 ning, Dec. 17. It was the third Mass held in a series of nine consecutive devotional eve- Resolving to ning Mass celebrations held Pray More? throughout the diocese. Try Laudate Simbang Gabi is held to hon- App or Mary, as Blessed Mother of pg. 11 God, and for the preparation of Jesus on Christmas day. It has been celebrated by the Filipino people for over 500 years. This Issue Lynn Bait, a member of the Bishop Malloy ...... 2 St. Margaret Mary Church, Headliners ...... 3 Algonquin, Filipino choir, Resolve, Refresh, Renew ...... 4-5 eagerly anticipated the Mass Diocesan ...... 6, 20 celebration with Bishop Da- (Observer photo by Dan Szpekowski) At the reception following Mass, members of the Filipino community served Bishop Malloy pancit, a popu- Around the Diocese ...... 7-9 vid Malloy and Father Stephen St. Jules, pastor, SS. Peter and lar Filipino noodle dish, which the bishop had referenced during his fi nal remarks at the Mass. Seasoned Observer ...... 10-11 Paul Church. Nation/World ...... 12-14 “This is our third Mass and tiful music and “O Come All names of the nine churches in- ceded Bishop Malloy, Father Media/Arts ...... 15 we are so honored to have Ye Faithful,” sung partly in volved in this year’s Simbang St. Jules and Father Perfecto Faith Forum ...... 16 Bishop Malloy with us this the native Filipino language, Gabi. Vasquez, director of the Fili- Viewpoints ...... 17 evening,” Bait said. and pageantry. Women carried They were followed by the pino Ministry for the Diocese For the Record ...... 18 The Mass began with beau- colorful banners depicting the Knights of Columbus who pre- Continued on page 3 2 FRIDAY JANUARY 10, 2014 | The Observer

We Stand with our Holy Father’s Message of

The Observer (ISSN 0029- Peace and Support of Life and Religious Freedom 7739), is published weekly, except five times a year by the Diocese of Rockford, by Bishop David J. Malloy 555 Colman Center Dr., P.O. Box 7044, Rockford, IL 61125 ach year, the Holy Father As you may have seen, the Obama to follow our rightly formed consciences Phone: 815/399-4300; Fax issues a statement on Jan. 1 Administration formally responded, as we respond to God’s call. Religious 815/399-6225. to commemorate the World asking the Supreme Court not to provide freedom, the right to seek God, and in Periodical postage paid at Day of Peace. This year, in the any relief to the sisters. How sad and doing so to live our religious convictions, Rockford, Ill., and additional Emessage written by Pope Francis, he embarrassing for us as Americans is fundamental to our human nature. mail offices. said this: “In many parts of the world, that government efforts to restrict the As Pope Francis points out, respect for POSTMASTER: send address there seems to be no end to grave fundamental human right of religious religious freedom is also a fundamental changes to The Observer, 555 offences against fundamental human freedom have come to this. element for true peace. Even where Colman Center Dr., P.O. Box rights, especially the right to life and But the Holy Father’s comment needs adherents of different religions live side 7044, Rockford, IL 61125 the right to religious freedom.” (N.1). to be placed in a wider context. Religious by side, it is mutual respect for faith that is For ADVERTISING information: This month, in the United States we will freedom is now under siege globally. On a foundation for peace among them. And Contact The Observer at the mark the tragic anniversary on Jan. 22 of Christmas Day, for example, 37 Christians most importantly, it is not the power of address above or call 815/399- Roe v. Wade, the terrible Supreme Court were reportedly killed by bombings government that grants religious freedom. 4300; fax 815/399-6225, E-mail: rbergman@ decision that somehow found a right to perpetrated against them in Iraq, one of Government must respect that right that is rockforddiocese.org. abortion in our Constitution. However, which targeted Christmas Mass. given by God. it is the pope’s reference to the right to Earlier in December, a group of 12 nuns Elements of our increasingly secular Send NEWS information to The religious freedom that I would especially were abducted by Islamists from their age and society would like to relegate Observer at the address or fax like to draw our attention to. convent in the Christian town of Maaloula number above; send e-mail to religion to private gatherings on Sunday Observer@rockforddiocese. Last week our country saw a crystal in Syria and taken to a non-Christian area. morning, or make it disappear entirely. org; or fill out a form at http:// clear illustration of the struggle to defend Since 2010, a Pakistani Christian The infringements on our freedom observer.rockforddiocese.org/ our religious freedom, our right to practice woman, Asia Bibi, has been held in prison against which the Church has argued so contact-us. our Catholic faith without coercion or and condemned to death by hanging under strenuously, especially as they relate to the Subscription rate $28.00 per permission from the government. a charge of speaking disrespectfully of the new health care regulations, are profound year (48 issues); Canadian The Little Sisters of the Poor, yes those Prophet Mohammad. She is now awaiting and they are dangerous. The oppression of and Pan American $29; other same selfless and committed Catholic decision on appeal of her conviction. our fellow Christians throughout the world foreign: surface mail $37, air women who care for the poor and the sick The Pope’s plea for respect for religious is a logical extension of the same principle. mail $97; single copies $1. and the elderly, petitioned the Supreme liberty, the appeal of the Little Sisters Please, think and pray about our The Observer Online digital Court to respect their right of conscience of the Poor, and a sampling of religious freedom of religion. It is not too late to subscriptions are also available. not just to worship but to practice the oppression throughout the world — they speak up and to let friends and neighbors, Staff — Catholic faith. all have a common thread. They all center family members and coworkers and even At issue was the government mandate on the growing trend to disrespect and our political leaders know that we stand Publisher: that the sisters should provide their even dismiss the fundamental importance with Pope Francis in respecting this God- employees with insurance coverage for of religious freedom. given right. Let’s hope that 2014 turns Most Reverend David J. Malloy services prohibited by our Catholic faith, Every man and woman is made in God’s out to be the year when governments and Associate Publisher: including those involving abortion, or else image and likeness. Built into our human individuals truly began to respect this Msgr. Eric Barr pay ruinous and unsustainable fines. nature is the urge to search for God and fundamental human right. Editor: Penny Wiegert Hope, Our Mother, Our Faith Journey News Editor: Amanda Hudson The Features and Multimedia From the homily on the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, and World Day of Peace, St. Peter’s Basilica, Jan. 1 Editor: Sharon Boehlefeld Pope Circulation/Proofreading: on ... Susan Sabrowski, Keith tains the greatest message of first Marian shrine in Rome and she proceeds along the path Ludolph, Ronald Bergman good wishes there can be; and in the entire West, in which the already trodden by the Virgin (CNS photo/Claudio Peri, pool via Reuters) this is the message which the image of the Mother of God — Mary” (Redemptoris Mater, 2). Accounting: Jill Bonk In the first reading (on Jan. 1), Church brings to each of us, the Theotokos — is venerated Our journey of faith is the same Client Services: Ronald we find the ancient prayer of filled with the Lord’s loving care under the title of Salus Populi as that of Mary, and so we feel Bergman and providential help. Romani. blessing which God gave to that she is particularly close to Production and Web Moses to hand on to Aaron and The message of hope con- It is said that the residents of us. As far as faith, the hinge of Administrator: Gary Haughton his sons: “The Lord bless you tained in this blessing was fully Ephesus used to gather at the the Christian life, is concerned, Bishop and keep you. The Lord make realized in a woman, Mary, who the Mother of God shared our Contributing Writers: gates of the basilica where Emeritus Thomas G. Doran, his face to shine upon you, and was destined to become the the bishops were meeting and condition. She had to take the Father John Slampak, Msgr. be gracious to you. The Lord Mother of God, and it was ful- shout, “Mother of God!” same path as ourselves, a path Aaron Brodeski, Father Kenneth lift up his countenance upon filled in her before all creatures. which is sometimes difficult and Wasilewski, Keith Ludolph, you and give you peace” (Num The faithful, by asking them to The Mother of God. This is the obscure. She had to advance in Lynne Conner, George Weigel, 6:24-25). officially define this title of Our Father Ronald Rolheiser, Tony first and most important title of the “pilgrimage of faith” (Lumen Lady, showed that they ac- Gentium, 58). Carton, Thomas Craughwell, There is no more meaningful Our Lady. It refers to a qual- knowledged her divine mother- Pat Szpekowski, Margarita time than the beginning of a ity, a role which the faith of the hood. Theirs was the sponta- Our pilgrimage of faith has Mendoza new year to hear these words Christian people, in its tender been inseparably linked to neous and sincere reaction of Publication Dates: Weekly of blessing. They will accom- and genuine devotion to our Mary ever since Jesus, dying children who know their Mother except that in 2014 there will be pany our journey through the heavenly Mother, has under- well, for they love her with im- on the cross, gave her to us no issues on Jan. 3, May 30, year opening up before us. stood from the beginning. mense tenderness. as our Mother, saying: “Behold Aug. 29, Oct. 31 and Dec. 26. They are words of strength, We recall that great moment your Mother!” (Jn 19:27). These But it is more: it is the sensus News Deadlines: Usually, 10 courage and hope. Not an in the history of the ancient words serve as a testament, fidei of the holy People of God days before publication date. illusory hope, based on frail hu- Church, the Council of Ephe- bequeathing to the world a which, in its unity, never errs. man promises, or a naïve hope sus, in which the divine mother- Mother. From that moment on, Ad Deadlines: Usually, 10 which presumes that the future hood of the Virgin Mary was Mary has always been pres- the Mother of God also be- days before publication date. will be better simply because it authoritatively defined. ent in the hearts, the piety and came our Mother! Official information on the poli- is the future. above all the pilgrimage of faith cies, activities, and positions The truth of her divine mater- When the faith of the disciples of the Diocese of Rockford is of the Christian people. Rather, it is a hope that has its nity found an echo in Rome was most tested by difficulties released only in the pages of foundation precisely in God’s where, a little later, the Basilica “The Church journeys through and uncertainties, Jesus The Observer, or in state- Continued on page 16 ments from the Diocesan blessing, a blessing which con- of St. Mary Major was built, the time… and on this journey Office of Communications and Publications. Bishop Malloy’s 1 p.m., Confirmation, St. John Rita Church ELGIN — Jan. 19, 1 p.m., Neumann Church The Observer uses recycled AURORA — Jan. 16, 9 Confirmation, St. Mary Public Schedule paper and is recyclable. ROCKFORD — Jan. 13, a.m., All-School Mass, St. Church ROCKFORD ­— Jan. 12, 10:05 a.m., Catholic Forum, Joseph School Our Mission is the mission 7:30 a.m., Sunday Mass, WROK 1440AM ROCKFORD — Jan. 20, of the Church itself — to ROCKFORD — Jan. 19, Cathedral of St. Peter spread the Gospel through ROCKFORD — Jan. 14, 7:30 a.m., Sunday Mass, 10:05 a.m., Catholic Forum, contemporary means of ST. CHARLES — Jan. 12, 5:30 p.m., Confirmation, St. Cathedral of St. Peter WROK 1440AM communications. The Observer | FRIDAY JANUARY 10, 2014 3

Headliners Christmas Mass in Jail a First for Bishop and Diocese From page 1 us in here.” won’t forgive again.” Some evidence of that bless- Switching to Spanish, the ing could be found afterwards, bishop included remarks about including from one who is not a Our Lady of Guadalupe as he prisoner. encouraged the native Spanish- Senior Offi cer Chris Davis, speakers to turn to God and Je- who watched over the event sus’ mother. from behind the altar, said that In English, he concluded by in his 13 years as a guard at noting that “even here in this the jail, he never saw a group place and this time, you are of prisoners be so attentive and called to be saints ... we cele- calm for so long. brate that fact that (Jesus) is still Usually some of them get to here with us.” fooling around, he said, still Following the prayers of the amazed as he escorted our faithful, Bishop Malloy added group through the jail to exit prayers for the inmates’ fami- the building. A lifelong Catho- lies as well as for the guards and lic who has not been to church administrators at the jail, their in a while, Davis said he now Bishop Malloy signs in before en- families and their needs before (Observer photos by Amanda Hudson) plans to check out going back to tering the inner area of the jail. continuing with the celebration Prisoners at the Winnebago County Jail kneel during Mass celebrated church again. of the Eucharist. The Mass con- by Bishop David Malloy on Christmas Day. It was believed to be the fi rst Before entering the jail, Bish- In a way, it was a typical Mass. cluded with another glimpse of time a bishop celebrated Mass at the jail, and it was the fi rst time Bishop op Malloy told television crews But it also marked a fi rst for this Christmas in the song “Joy to Malloy had set foot inside any jail. in the jail lobby that he was diocese, for that jail and those the World.” “very delighted to have the op- prisoners, and for our bishop. The prisoners sat quietly in each individually, shaking their ing for Christmas here,” one portunity to have Mass for those As Bishop Malloy told TV place while the bishop removed hands and wishing them a per- prisoner said, while another who can’t come to us,” and said crews, it was indeed “good to his Mass attire. He then went sonal Merry Christmas. echoed him by saying, “It was that it would be “a typical Cath- look around outside our own among the men, chatting with “It was very inspiring, a bless- a blessing for everybody, (all) of olic Mass.” circles.” Strong Faith and Filipino Traditions All Part of Simbang Gabi From page 1 Bishop Malloy invoked enjoy homemade foods, music Members of the Filipino of Rockford into the church. laughter when he mentioned and fellowship. Tables were Community of Cary and the In his homily, Bishop Malloy food, and the popular Filipino fi lled with a variety of popu- Fox Valley Filipino-American acknowledged the deep faith and noodle dish, pancit. “I hear it lar Filipino Asian delicacies, Catholic Ministry (FVFACM) traditions of the Filipino people. is an integral part of the tradi- including pancit, a noodle dish of the Diocese of Rockford “We gather at this time of the tion.” with vegetables and meat. organized the details for Sim- year to get ready for Jesus,” he “Let us pray for the people of “This tradition is very impor- bang Gabi. This is the 10th said. “But we have much sor- the Philippines who will fi nd a tant to us and we are so glad to year Simbang Gabi has been way to remedy themselves af- have Bishop Malloy enjoy our celebrated within the Diocese row this year in thinking of the Participants brought banners ter their tragedy and that they food with us, too,” said Ernie of Rockford. tragedy that has struck the Phil- from the nine churches hosting will celebrate Christ.” Domingo, who with his wife For more information about ippines in recent months.” this year’s Simbang Gabi in Cary Following the Mass, every- Agnes is an integral part of the the Fox Valley Filipino-Amer- “I have read that Simbang on Dec. 17. Gabi is one of the oldest tradi- one was invited to the adjacent Filipino Community of Cary at ican Catholic Ministry, visit tions. It helps us to remember devotion to Jesus Christ, who SS. Peter and Paul School to SS. Peter and Paul Church. fvfacm.org. where we came from and to changed the world. Our cele- continue to express our faith.” brations are held, not alone, but He added, “The Simbang together with family of various Gabi tradition honors the four generations. In this season of f’s of faith, family, friends and love and joy, we, too, are called food.” to celebrate and restore impor- “We are here because of our tant friendships.”

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(Observer photos by Dan Szpekowski) Savant Capital Management is a Registered Investment Advisor. Savant's marketing material should not be construed by any existing Bishop Malloy enjoyed meeting with children and families at the Sam- or prospective client as a guarantee that they will experience a certain level of results if they engage in the advisor's services. Please contact Savant to find out if they are qualified to provide investment advisory services in the state where you reside. bang Gabi reception held at the SS. Peter and Paul School. 4 FRIDAY JANUARY 10, 2014 | The Observer

Resolve, Refresh, Renew Parishioners Help Their Priests Get, Stay Fit By amanda hudson Wolff brothers attended St. was “sitting around doing noth- News editor Edward Central Catholic High ing except hearing confessions School in Elgin. “I coached and saying Mass.” ST. CHARLES—Richard them (then),” he says, “and now Medfitness staff, he says, Wolff and Joanne Lollino are Richard coaches me.” He adds “have a series of muscle parishioners at St. John Neu- that Wolff’s father attended mi- strengthening devices that mann Church and coaches to nor seminary and “has a heart work on your lower back, the three priests of the parish. for priests.” lats, abs, arm muscles... It’s a Lollino is general manager That “heart for priests” beats rhythm of five seconds pushing at Medfitness, which is located also in his sons: Medfitness in the weight up and five seconds just a few blocks from the par- St. Charles and Wolfffitness in back down. Six times. They ish. The parish music director Elgin help their area priests be- increase the weights until you calls herself “blessed” to be come fit free of charge. feel ‘Okay, this is the weight I able to serve the Church also as The importance of physical need to work on.’ Then they in- a personal trainer for her pastor fitness permeates Wolff’s life. crease it (over time).” and other priests. Even at Mass, he says, “I always Everything is under supervi- “They are so much fun to thought to myself, ‘Wouldn’t it sion, Father Lutz says. “The at- work with,” she says of Fa- be great to get (Father Lutz) a tendant sets up all the weights, ther David Peck, 57, Father little bit stronger?’” and (oversees) the positions you John Gow, 36, and Father Jo- After just a couple of months, Wolff reports that the retired have to take in order to exercise seph Lutz, mid-80s, and hap- St. John Neumann pastor, Father David Peck, is the newest board pres- priest is “walking better, (is) particular muscles. They have pily adds that Father Lutz “has ident of the Priests Wellness Initiative. His hopes are for the initiative more confident (and) moving one that (works) leg muscles said he’s never felt better (and) to inspire priests of the diocese to take better care of themselves. wishes he would have started with a little more ease. All the like a scissors (and) arm mus- things you would expect with cles to lift weights while your earlier.” walking his dog several times a 35 years, five miles a day,” he a little more muscular strength elbows are planted on an arm Medfitness owner Wolff day in addition to the twice-a- says. He mentions a couple of (and) fitness overall.” rest.” has served in the fitness field week Medfitness strength train- other priests — Msgr. Thomas Being a part of that improve- He compares the specially- for some 25 years, working ing. The headaches and after- Dempsey and Msgr. Daniel ment, Wolff says, “is a reward- designed machine to “an erec- in the business in Elgin with noon fatigue that he previously Deutsch — who, like him, have ing experience.” tor set. The weights are behind his brothers for 21 years be- battled are gone now, he says. run the Chicago marathon. The three priests of St. John fore branching off on his own After his first two months “You do that when you’re or beside or in front of you, and Neumann Parish are happy in 2009 to open Medfitness in of regular workouts, Father young,” Father Peck says, add- you are given a seating position about their new exercise rou- St. Charles. He is the author Gow admitted that two months ing that “it’s kind of neat” be- adjusted to fit ... you really feel tines. of three e-books on fitness, was a long time for him to be fore the necessary training gets like you’ve had a workout.” particularly the benefits of Youngest faithful to an exercise routine. to be “too hard on the joints.” The priest calls his new rou- strength training. “Recent re- Father John Gow is the “Making time for it has paid He credits priests who run to tine “a different kind of exer- search indicates that strength youngest of the three, but not off,” he says. “One of the things stay fit for talking their new cise” compared to cardiac reha- training has the potential to necessarily the healthiest. I did differently is that I took it leader, Bishop Malloy, into bilitation. He had a heart attack prevent and possibly reverse Several months ago, he seriously and scheduled it” into buying good running shoes, in 2001, was told to get away the impact of chronic disease learned he has diabetes. That my day. again mentioning the impor- from stress and retired in 2002 … strength training just twice diagnosis, he says, “is extra in- “I think some priests, and tance of protecting joints while after serving as a second-career a week can literally super- centive to working out and stay- other people, allow themselves keeping fit. priest for 26 years. “Medication charge your health,” he says in ing healthy. It changed my life- to get so busy, they don’t allow But even as he gears back seems to be holding me onto a one book. His Medfitness facil- style, which was good because themselves time” to exercise, slightly, Father Peck continues healthy routine,” he says. ity provides some cardio exer- for years I was walking around he adds. “I’ve found a groove his commitment to exercise. Father Lutz keeps active so- cise equipment, but its focus with the symptoms. So it was a and stuck with it ... I will go “For me, it balances my life- cially with the Silver Foxes is on a slow-movement type of blessing to find that out.” around 3:30 p.m., which is con- style,” he says. “First, it helps seniors group at St. John Neu- strength training. He has changed his diet and venient — right after any meet- as an outlet for stress. mann and bowls with another Father Peck notes that the is careful to exercise, including ing and before anything in the “Second is weight control. group on the first and third evening.” I’m a yo-yo (dieter), up 20 Tuesdays of each month. Middle-ager (pounds) and down 20. I diet He happily reports that he Catholic-style; in Lent, I fast, had his best bowling score the Next in line is Father David so over 40 days I would drop 20 Peck who, at 57, proclaims week before we talked. pounds” gained over the winter “I give Medfitness the cred- himself to be “not a spring with comfort foods. chicken.” it,” he says with a laugh. “Af- “Thirdly, (exercise) is for ter doing (the routine), I can Father “The muscles are going now,” strength. I’m starting to (real- John Gow, he adds, expressing his appre- breathe better. I can walk bet- ize) that if I don’t do some- ter. My upper torso muscles parochial ciation for the weight training thing for my upper body, I have feel stronger. vicar at at Medfitness — and for the back issues. (Strength training) St. John “I’m trying to stay active ... coaching. helps my posture and my abil- Neumann that’s important for my age. “Personal trainers, let me tell ity to do some things.” Parish in you that really helps,” he says. Otherwise I watch TV too works out at “You go in there, and they get Retiree much.” Medfitness your chart, and they kind of Father Joseph Lutz, who as part of push you in a good way. They turns 86 in January, is retired his exercise tell you that you can do it!” but continues to help out at St. routine to Although he has a rather John Neumann and other par- manage ideal fitness situation currently, ishes. a 2013 Father Peck has worked to keep “I was desperately in need of diagnosis fit throughout his priesthood. some kind of physical (activ- of diabetes. “I’ve been running now for ity),” he says, adding that he

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Mondaysabout (Photos provided by Medfitness) Catholic Forum with Bishop Malloy Father Joseph Lutz works out at Live on WROK Radio, 1440 AM in Rockford and on the Web. For live streaming audio on the Web, go to 10:05 a.m. Medfitness, which he says is im- http://observer.rockforddiocese.org, click on Bishop Malloy and then click on Catholic Forum. on WROK-AM proving his bowling score. The Observer | FRIDAY JANUARY 10, 2014 5

Resolve, Refresh, Renew Fitness a Matter of Discipline for Bishop Malloy By amanda hudson approach,” he says. Physical team in the school’s history.” busy life today. outs. But a lack of enthusiasm News editor and spiritual fitness are “con- While studying and working “I try to do three miles several on any given day doesn’t stop nected,” he adds. “One helps to in Rome, regularly-scheduled times a week,” he says, noting him from staying the course. ROCKFORD—More than better the other.” tennis games with at least one that those miles are now run Personal discipline, he says one person has noticed Bishop He views his workouts as hav- future archbishop helped keep most often on a treadmill left with a smile, “is helpful in get- David Malloy’s efforts to stay ing a greater purpose. him in shape. Brightly-colored behind by his home’s previous ting work done, meeting prayer in shape since he came to the “Just like a husband and wife Rockford Diocese. ought to view their own physi- running shoes tell of his cur- owners. obligations, getting your check- He’ll grab a cal health as a rent exercise routine as he con- Bishop Malloy admits he book balanced …” bottle of water contribution tinues to meld fitness into his doesn’t always enjoy the work- And in keeping fit. at an event and to the other head into the (spouse), so crowds to greet for priests, people without taking care of Pilgrimage trips conducted by first indulging yourself is a in the buffet contribution” of goodies. He to the people GOLDEN FRONTIER Sponsored by Catholic Shrine Pilgrimage, a Catholic Non-Profit Organization. takes the stairs they serve, he at work instead (Observer photo by Amanda Hudson) says. “We’re of the eleva- Bishop Malloy makes good use of preparing our- tor. His former his running shoes each week as selves for a — Featured Trip — neighbors ad- part of his efforts toward fitness. life of service mired his morning runs, which to the Church 3 STAR ROME & ASSISI WITH CHAPLAIN FR. he maintained even as he dove and the faithful. (The) cross of LARRY ANSCHUTZ, MT. OLIVE, ILL. Nine day trip to into a schedule filled with for- health problems makes us less mal and informal events near available to the service we are the Eternal City. Trip offers comfortable first class San and far. called to.” Pietro Hotel in Rome within walking distance of St. All of those efforts are part Fitness has long been a part of Peter Basilica and Vatican City. Included are dinners, of Bishop Malloy’s holistic ap- Bishop Malloy’s life. breakfasts, sightseeing of major sights of Rome and proach to his priesthood. He grins as he emphasizes major basilicas, St. Mary Major, St. John Lateran, and that he was the high school bas- “I find the (efforts for) fitness St. Paul Outside the Wall, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, to be a part of a whole spiritual ketball captain of “the worst full day to Assisi, tomb of St. Francis, Vatican Museum Priests Wellness Group Aims to and Sistine Chapel, Audience with Holy Father. Optional trip to Pompeii and Naples. Round trip air between Encourage, Educate, Inspire Father Chicago, Kansas City, St. Louis or Indianapolis and Larry Anschutz By amanda hudson better,” Gallagher says. Rome included. MARCH 12 TO 20, 2014 News editor “Everything we’ve done over PRICED AT $2,748 the past seven years was all DIOCESE—The Priests recommended from input from CLIP AND MAIL FOR MORE INFORMATION Wellness Initiative began with the priests,” he adds. “Com- a deacon and a layman. mon core across the board are In 2006, Deacon Charles fitness and nutrition.” Stress 2014 - 2015 Trips Cooper’s conversation with management also continues to Michael Gallagher turned to be a major issue, he says. o Rome and Assisi - 9 days in March 2014 ...... $2,748 the priests in the diocese who The independent, 501(c)3 recently had become only par- not-for-profit corporation, “We o Canonization of John Paul II and John XXIII — 9 days in April, 2014 ...... $3,788 tially active or retired because Love Our Priests Foundation,” o of health problems, some of operates the Priests Wellness Germany, Austria & Bavaria - 10 days in May, 2014...... $2,982 whom were only in their 50s. Initiative. o Russian Waterways — 12 days in July, 2014 ...... from $4,308 “We said, ‘This is pretty “As wellness advocate, what I bleak,’” Gallagher recalls. “We did was to establish “brothers” o Alaska Inside Passage Cruise — 7 days in August, 2014 ...... From $1,998 both felt it was a shame that in each deanery,” says Deacon we would see young men who Cooper. “Their responsibility o Poland — 10 days in Oct. 2014 ...... $2,970 had to give up active ministry has been to find out if anybody o Lourdes, Normandy, Paris – 11 days in October, 2014 ...... $3,138 or who were struggling with is having difficulties with their health issues just because their health, and if so, to contact them o Florence, Rome & Assisi 11 days in Nov, 2014 ...... $3,188 lifestyle didn’t allow them to and help them.” That support take care of themselves. We group structure includes what o Holy Lands - 10 days in November, 2014 ...... $3,588 wound up deciding we were go- Deacon Cooper calls “guides” ing to put something together” — priests with some social o Nile River Cruise & Tour — 9 days in November 2014 ...... $3,198 to encourage wellness among work or other health expertise o Sorrento, Isle of Capri, Amalfi Coast — 9 days in April, 2015 ...... $2,689 the priests. who could recommend appro- Their plan was modeled after priate health professionals. o PLEASE SEND FULL DETAILS ABOUT THE TRIP(S) I HAVE MARKED ABOVE wellness programs that Galla- Deacon Cooper retired from gher knew from his work at an his work with the initiative at — All trips include round trip air from Chicago O’Hare — area hospital. Bishop Thomas the end of 2013. Gallagher plans G. Doran and the diocese was to continue working with the supportive of the idea in theory foundation. Father David Peck Name ______if not monetarily, he says. is the newest chairman of the The initiative began with a Priests Wellness board of di- Address ______two-year pilot program of health rectors. His “schtick” as board screenings limited to the Rock- chairman, Father Peck says, is ford Deanery. Since 2006, it has not to meddle or preach, but to City ______State ______Zip ______evolved to offer encouragement encourage priests to get the an- and ideas, a wellness newslet- nual screenings and to provide Phone (optional) ( ______) ______ter and educational programs. more educational resources Priests decide if they wish to about health and wellbeing to Call Toll Free 1-888-284-6725, Fax (618) 234-9861 or mail to: r partake of what is offered. the priests. o One priest who was help- “We don’t want to intervene c G o l d e n F r o n t i e r t o u r s k ing the effort lost quite a bit of in guys’ lives,” he says. “We f 4100 N. Illinois St. • Swansea, Illinois 62226 o weight himself. “He said we want to encourage them, more r www.goldenfrontier.org d just kept reminding him, and through example, to live a he looked after himself a little healthy lifestyle.” 6 FRIDAY JANUARY 10, 2014 | The Observer

D iocesan January Combined Appeal Targets U.S. Campaigns By amanda hudson contributed $203,128 to this $28,366 for this cause. News editor cause.  The Catholic Communi-  The Catholic University of cations Campaign supports DIOCESE—“All of us are America is the only higher ed- Catholic media projects in this called to be disciples with a ucation institution founded by diocese and across the U.S. The mission,” says Bishop David J. the U.S. bishops and chartered amount given to this cause last Malloy in this year’s National by the Vatican. Funds raised year was $74,980. Appeal brochure. in this appeal directly support Two diocesan appeals will That mission, he adds, is “to financial aid for students from benefit from the National Col- serve and pass on our love of across the country. In 2013, lection in addition to the above God to others.” the people of this diocese gave four appeals. They are the (Photo provided) The National Appeal is one $13,088 to this appeal. Rockford Diocesan Priests’ The message for this year’s 47th World Day for Communications em- of the combined collections of  Catholic Campaign for Pension in support of retired phasizes the importance of social networks. “The (social) networks are the Rockford Diocese. It ben- Human Development provides priests of the Diocese of Rock- increasingly becoming part of the very fabric of society, inasmuch as efits several entities: grants to community-based ford, and, brand new to this they bring people together on the basis of these fundamental needs.  The Retirement Fund for groups that create jobs, im- appeal, the Catholic Elemen- Social networks are thus nourished by aspirations rooted in the hu- Religious was begun by the prove education and strengthen tary School Financial Support man heart.” The Catholic Communications Campaign is one of the ap- U.S. bishops in 1988 to help the neighborhoods in an effort to for the Diocese of Rockford to peals in the Jan. 18-19 combined collection. retirement funding for Catholic break the cycle of poverty in the support Catholic schools that sisters, brothers and priests of U.S. One-fourth of the funds have operating deficits. al appeals, use the envelope “I would encourage you to religious orders, many of which collected for this appeal will The National Appeal for 2014 mailed to your home or pro- join this effort,” Bishop Mal- lack adequate savings to care stay in the Diocese of Rockford will be held in parishes the vided in your parish, or make loy says in conclusion, “to help for its elderly members. Last to fund local anti-poverty proj- weekend of Jan. 18-19. To give your donation online at www. promote the Gospel through year, the Rockford Diocese ects. Last year’s appeal raised to this or any of the individu- rockforddiocese.org/donate. these worthy causes. Reservations Due Soon to Honor Rockford Deanery Women ROCKFORD—On Sunday, Those who will be receiving raine White ford: Beverly Capone The cost for the meal is $35 Jan. 26, the Rockford Deanery special recognition are from St. Anthony of Padua, Rock- SS. Peter and Paul, Rockford: per person. Dinner choices are: Council of Catholic Women will these parishes: ford: Chris Sacco Maria Guadalupe “Lupita” Ro- Stuffed Chicken Florentine and hold its 21st Annual Woman of St. James, Belvidere: Kath- St. Bernadette, Rockford: Al- driguez Petite Filet Mignon or Vegetar- the Year Banquet at Cliffbreak- leen “Kay” Cole ice Bloom St. Rita, Rockford: Virginia ian Lasagna. The children’s se- ers Restaurant here. St. Mary, Byron: Charlotte St. Edward, Rockford: Maria Jansen lection is chicken fingers and This dinner honors women Greil Myers St. Stanislaus Kostka, Rock- fries for $15 per child (ages who have been selected by their St. Mary/St. Patrick, Durand, St. James, Rockford: Eliza- ford: Donna “Danuta” Roderick 4-10). own parishioners for outstand- Irish Grove: Lydia Johnson beth “Betsy” Pierce Church of the Holy Spirit, Reservations can be made at ing long-term service in and/or St. Bridget, Loves Park: Lin- St. Mary’s Oratory, Rockford: Roscoe: Geri Pence each parish or by calling Carol around their community. Eigh- da Lynch Rose Holliday St. Peter, South Beloit: Lynn Cox, 815-543-1178 by Monday, teen women from the Rockford St. Mary, Pecatonica: Cath- St. Patrick, Rockford: Lana Rafferty Jan. 13. Dinner guests will be Deanery will be honored this erine “Cari” White Przytulski Social hour will be at 4:30 seated by parish. No late reser- year. The public is invited. Holy Family, Rockford: Lor- Cathedral of St. Peter, Rock- p.m., and dinner at 5:30 p.m. vations will be taken. Two Pope Puts Limits on Couples ‘Monsignor’ Honor VATICAN CITY (CNS)— Purchase Pope Francis has decided to limit the honor of “monsignor” among diocesan priests and Vineyard grant it from now on only to (Photo provided) those at least 65 years of age. Store Christopher Weickert, right, shakes hands with Jeff and John Summers, The change, which does not as they take over management of Vineyard Books and Gifts. affect Vatican officials or mem- ROCKFORD—Chris and bers of religious orders, was Center in Machesney Park. ated many years ago by the (CNS photo/Paul Haring) Elaine Weickert have sold announced in a letter from the John is the director of Mu- Diocese of Rockford, opened Vatican Secretariat of State to Pope Francis greets the crowd af- Vineyard Books and Gifts to sic and Liturgy at Holy Family under the Summers’ manage- ter delivering his Christmas bless- Jeff and Kathy Summers and nunciatures around the world, Church in Rockford. ment on Jan. 4. along with instructions to in- ing Dec. 25. John and Kim Summers for an Kim is the Assistant Branch Vineyard Books and Gifts is form local bishops. undisclosed amount on Jan. 3. Manager/Financial Services located at the Highcrest Shop- change, but Pope Francis has Archbishop Carlo Maria Vi- often warned clergy against Jeff is a planner at Siemens Advisor at Rock Valley Credit ping Center, 1638 N. Alpine gano, apostolic nuncio to the in Rockford and has had exten- Union in Loves Park and is also Road in Rockford. The phone the temptations of careerism United States, informed U.S. and personal ambition. The sive, previous retail experience. a freelance editor and author. number is 815/398-4030; fax bishops of the new policy in Kathy is a teacher at Parker The store, owned and oper- 815/398-8477. archbishop noted that there had a letter dated Dec. 30. Msgr. been no change regarding the Ronny E. Jenkins, general granting of ecclesiastical hon- secretary of the United States ors to laypeople. Pope Pledges Almost $5 Million to Conference of Catholic Bish- Jesuit Father Federico Lombar- ops, forwarded the letter to the di, the Vatican spokesman, noted Help Pay for 2013 World Youth Day bishops Jan. 3. Jan. 6 that Pope Paul VI had re- Of the three grades of monsi- formed the system of ecclesiasti- RIO DE JANEIRO (CNS)— the Local Organizing Commit- lion. After renegotiating with gnor — apostolic protonotary, cal honors in 1968, reducing the Pope Francis has pledged a tee to hold World Youth Day in suppliers and selling a prop- honorary prelate of His Holiness number of titles to three. donation of almost $5 million Rio de Janeiro and demonstrat- erty, the Archdiocese of Rio de and chaplain of His Holiness — “Pope Francis’ decision thus to help pay part of the debt in- ed his intention to financially Janeiro was able to reduce the only the last will be available to follows in the same line, with curred by the Archdiocese of help pay off part of the invest- debt to a little over $18 million. diocesan priests who meet the further simplification,” Father Rio de Janeiro for World Youth ments made” for the event. World Youth Day was Pope new age requirement. Bishops Lombardi said. Day, said the Local Organizing An independent audit of the Francis’ first international trip must resubmit any pending re- The change is not retroactive. Committee. event, conducted by Ernst & after being named pontiff. The quests for papal honors in ac- Priests who are currently hon- A statement from the com- Young, confirmed that on Aug. event brought nearly 3 million cordance with the new rules. ored and addressed by the title mittee said the pope recog- 31, World Youth Day had an pilgrims to Copacabana beach Archbishop Vigano’s letter of ‘monsignor’ will continue to nized “the great effort made by accumulated debt of $38.4 mil- July 23-28. did not give a reason for the hold that title. The Observer | FRIDAY JANUARY 10, 2014 7

Around the Diocese

Diocesan Knights Show Spirit at Christmas Parish Children’s Groups Celebrate on Christmas Eve

(Photo provided) For the last six years, the Knights of Columbus St. Peter Council 14289 have invited the families of the Transitional Living Center at Hessed (Photo provided) House in Aurora to a brunch with Santa. This year, 21 families and 51 On Dec. 24, the congregation at St. Therese Church in Aurora joined in a pre-Mass celebration of Christmas children shared the meal. Each child recieved a gift from Santa, and carols. The carols were led by the adult choir at St. Therese as well as an “angel choir” of young people each family recieved a gift card and flowers for the mothers. With San- from religious education classes. In addition to singing carols, each time a carol was sung that referred ta at the meal are three past grand Knights, Tom Bohr, Manfred Lorenz, to angels, a band of angels (above), complete with halos, proceeded down the aisles of the church with and Joe Valle, along with other Knights. Generous donations from Cat- lights aglow. During angel choir rehearsals, students also learned the meaning of the Christmas songs as epillar and the Oswego Knights of Columbus Council help make the they relate to the story of the birth of Jesus, the shepherds in the field, the heavenly host of angels and brunch possible. the star of Bethlehem.

(Photo provided) Knights of Columbus from Holy Family Parish in Rockford and their spouses gather at Frank and Judy Cielocha’s home to review essays written by Holy Family School students on the topic, “Keeping Christ in Christmas.” The contest was sponsored by the Illinois Knights of Co- lumbus. First- through third-place winners were announced at Mass, Dec. 18.

(Photo provided) At the 4:30 p.m. Mass on Christmas Eve at St. Mary Church in Durand, the youth choir, under the direction of Heather Schneider, performed. Because of the weather, there were not many practices for the young singers, but they sang throughout the Mass and helped welcome Baby Jesus. Franciscan Fr. Mario’s

(Photo provided) The Knights of Columbus Council at St. John the Baptist Parish in Johns- 2014 Pilgrimages burg who worked the Tootsie Roll Drive handed out checks to help the Pioneer Center Group Home and Sedam Pioneer Center received In Conjunction with Santours (CST#2092786-40) $3,308. Pioneer residents and Knights are Barbara Nelson, authorized service provider; residents Don Berghal, Kimberly Oswald, Jacob Died- Holy Land rich, Candi Miller; Knight Larry Scalise, chairman of the drive; Knight May 26-June 6 & September 6-17 Mark Boggs as St. Nicholas; Arlene Pag; Knight Kevin Lacey and Grand Knight Don Roboczewski. Fatima, Lourdes, St. James of Compostela April 22-May 6 Turkey: Following the Footsteps of St. Paul September 27-October 11 Father Mario Egypt and Greece DiCicco O.F.M. November: dates to be announced Join Franciscan Father Mario DiCicco on these enriching journeys of faith. Father Mario has a Ph.D. in New Testament, has lived in the Holy Land, and has 35 years experience in leading pilgrims twice annually to the Holy Land.

Write or call Fr. Mario for a brochure: [email protected] or (312) 888-1331

(Photo provided) St. John the Baptist Parish Knights of Columbus Tootsie Roll drive chair- man Larry Scalise presents a check for $2,205 to Kim Capranica, for the Write to us at [email protected]. Special Education District of McHenry. 8 FRIDAY JANUARY 10, 2014 | The Observer

Around the Diocese

McHenry Deanery Going on Now On Dec. 14, St. John the Baptist Parish in Johnsburg held its third annual AURORA Scholarships available: Christmas turkey luncheon for more Applications are being accepted than 50 home-bound, lonely and through Feb. 3 for the Community needy parishioners. Father Jacek Foundation of the Fox River Junak, CR, pastor, offered an annointing Valley’s 2014 scholarship program. Mass. St. John’s Girl Scout Troop Residents of Aurora, southern 924, led by Cindy Dworshak, played Kane County and Kendall County hand bells, and St. John’s Vianney are eligible for both need-based and academic-based awards. Info: Choir members, accompanied by www.communityfoundationfrv.org/ Camille Robaczewski, led a Christmas scholarshipprogram.asp; sch@ sing-along. Mrs. Claus (Jeannette communityfoundationfrv.org or Campbell) passed out gifts. Table favors, 630/896-7800. provided by the Knights of Columbus BATAVIA (Photo provided) Ladies Auxuliary, were door prizes. Parish gala: Tickets are on sale for the March 22 annual gala, Celebrate the Knight, to benefit Parish Groups Holy Cross Parish. Donations Celebrate for auctions and of cash are also needed. Info: Donations — Luke Dedication to Jesus or Jen Cella, [email protected]; tickets — narthex after Masses, Through Mary parish and school offices, or www. events.org/HCCCIL01/cpage. The McHenry Area Hearts Afire aspx?e=68951. team celebrates two groups ELGIN that prepared themselves for Tidal Wave prep: Event sponsors Total Consecration to Jesus and auction donations are needed through Mary in December. for the 25th annual Tidal Wave fundraiser to benefit St. Edward The first group (top) gathered (Photo provided) Central Catholic High School. Dec. 9 on the Feast of the Tickets are also on sale for the April Immaculate Conception at St. 12 event. Cost: tickets — $125 per Patrick Parish in McHenry with person. Info: 847/742-7535, www. Father Godwin Asuquo, pastor, stedhs.org. and Deacon Dennis Holian. FREEPORT The second group (bottom) 30th Adesse drawings: Tickets met Dec. 12 on the Feast for the 2014 Adesse Daily Drawing fundraiser for Aquin Catholic Schools of Our Lady of Guadalupe are on sale. Cost: $25 each; $100 with Father Ruben Herrera, for 5 tickets. Info: Aquin Catholic parochial vicar at Church of families; St. Joseph campus office, Holy Apostles in McHenry. 815/232-6416; Aquin CCHS office, For more information 815/235-3154, ext. 224.; http://www. crowdrise.com/aquinadesse. about the program, visit AllHeartsAfire.org or call Barb ROCKFORD Calendar raffle: St. Rita Parish Haffner at 815/385-7479. in Rockford is selling tickets for its Hearts Afire: Parish-based 2014 calendar raffle, a fundraiser to Programs (HAPP) are a support the parish school. Payouts ministry of the Marian Fathers range from $25 to $500. Cost: $25 of the Immaculate Conception. per ticket. Info: Mary Knutson, 779/368-0216; school office, 815/398-3466. Jan. 10 MCHENRY Sacred Marriage series: 7-9 p.m. (continues on Fridays through Feb. 14); Church of Holy Apostles, 5211 Bull Valley Road. Hosts: Craig and Lisa Luedtke. Open to married couples in the Rockford Diocese. Registration appreciated; walk-ins welcome. Cost: $10 per book. Info: 815/363-4639; hamarriageminstry.org. Jan. 12 ROCKFORD Adoption meeting: 1-3 p.m.; OSF St. Anthony Hospital, 5666 E. State St. Sponsor: Children’s Home and Aid. Info: 815/962-1048; 888/248-4335. Elsewhere

Jan. 19 CHICAGO March for Life: 1 p.m.; from Federal Plaza, 230 S. Dearborn St. to Thompson Center, 100 West Randolph St. Speakers at both locations. Parish, School Honor Retiring Pastor Feb. 15 Msgr. Joseph Linster served as pastor of St. Patrick Parish in St. Charles DUBUQUE, IOWA from 1993–2013. Under his leadership, a new school, rectory and par- Martha and Mary conference: 8 a.m.-6:15 p.m.; Grand River ish office center were built at Crane Road, and a preschool, extended Center, 500 Bell St. For adult daycare program, and Hispanic ministry began downtown. He accepts women and teen girls. Speakers: a gift from a St. Patrick School student at his last school Mass Nov. 22. Kelly Wahlquist, Kitty Cleveland, LEFT: The school also recalled his homily from that Mass in a display Rosario Rodriguez. Cost: varies. during Advent. In a visual way, it summarizied his homilies over the Info: : #www.springtimeofhope.org; (Photo provided) years: Be faithful, be watchful, be thankful. 563/580-9373. The Observer | FRIDAY JANUARY 10, 2014 9

Around the Diocese

Save the Date What’s Up Jan. 21 BELVIDERE Mon Jan 13 Sat Jan 18 Submit Online: Parish, school and Pro-life Mass: 6:30 p.m. rosary, 7 p.m. organization publicists may send news and Mass; St. James School gym, 535 AURORA DIXON photos using interactive forms at http:// Caswell St. Speakers from Rockford “Rejuice” sale ends: St. Peter Parish, 925 Art fundraiser: 6-9 p.m.; Dixon Knights observer.rockforddiocese.org/contact-us. (Photo provided) Area Pregnancy Care Center, Catholic Sard Ave. Pick up Jan. 19, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. of Columbus 690 Hall, 506 W. Third St. Click on Submit Events and News. (You may Charities and Catholic Medical “Knight of Art for Kids’ Sake.” Wine and beer Oranges, grapefruits and tangelos available. attach one picture per form.) Association. Light refreshments. tasting, hors d’oeuvres; silent auction of Cost: varies. Info: www.stpetercitrus.org. Submit by Mail: Send mail submissions to Info: Debbie Kleinfeldter, 815/547- student artwork. Proceeds for art programs 6397;www.stjamesbelvidere.org, The Observer, P.O. Box 7044, Rockford, IL at St. Anne and St. Mary schools. Cost: $15. [email protected]. 61125. Wed Jan 15 Info: Knights’ Hall; both schools; or leave message at 815/288-1821. Plan to submit dated material two to three Jan. 23 weeks before publication. Deadline is 10 GENEVA Deadline for Jan. 24 What’s Up (For events For more events, visit the calendar page at days before publication. Spaghetti dinner: 5-8 p.m.; www.rockforddiocese.org. Knights of Columbus Hall, 1117 N. Jan. 27-Feb. 2) Washington Ave., Batavia. Proceeds for St. Peter Church high school Elgin Deanery youth mission trip. Dine-in or carry- out. Tickets available after Jan. 12. Cost: $10 adults; $5 children 3-9; ‘Jam-packed’ free children 2 and younger. Holidays Jan. 26 St. Thomas More Parish in FREEPORT Winter games: 11 a.m.; Aquin Elgin, assisted by the parish Central Catholic Junior-Senior St. Vincent de Paul Society, High School, 1419 S. Galena Ave. Olympic-style games for 16 the STM Youth Group and teams of 10 people. Proceeds the Knights of Columbus to benefit Stephenson County and parishioners from Civil War Monument Fund. Cost: teams—$50 until Jan. 20, $60 St. Laurence Parish gave later; spectators—$4 adults; $3 Christmas dinners and gifts to students and adults 60 and older. 51 needy families on Dec. 21. Info: teams—www.aquinschools. (Photos provided) org/2014olympics.cfm. Jan. 29 ST. CHARLES Women’s Bible study: 9:15-11 a.m. (first of seven Wednesday sessions); St. Patrick Parish, 6N491 Crane Road. Sponsor: Fox Valley Women’s Bible Study. Child care available. Info: 630/208-1501; 630-879-0489. Jan. 31 ROCKFORD Parish Respect Life banquet: 6 p.m. gathering, 7 p.m. dinner; Holy Family Parish, 4401 Highcrest Road. Speaker: Vicki Thorn, Project Rachel founder. Reservations required. Cost: $25 adults; $20 students. Info: [email protected]. Jan. 31-Feb. 2 ROCKFORD Widows-Widowers retreat: Bishop Lane Retreat Center, 7708 E. McGregor Road. Leader: Father Jeremy Trowbridge. Cost: $170. Info: 815/965-5011. Feb. 7 ROCKFORD Leadership workshop: 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.; Bishop Lane Retreat Center, 7708 E. McGregor Road. Topic: Catholic Vision for Leading Like Jesus. Cost: $79. Info: 815/965-5011.

Photo Tips Submitted photos must be in focus or we will not be able to use them. Identify people in photos from left to right using first and last names. When submitting electronic images: n Send the original .jpg format from the camera with a dpi of 72. For best reproduction please send uncropped, full Parishioners at St. Thomas More Parish were also generous in their size photos. annual Sharing Tree collection. When the tree picture (left) was tak- n Do not embed them in Word en on Dec. 15, the parish St. Vincent de Paul group had already pulled or any other word processing out gifts for 51 families, and seven industrial sized garbage bags had program. Send separate .jpg been filled with gifts for another organization. Sharing Tree volun- attachments. teers (some pictured above) helped separate the remaining gifts to n Send scanned images at a be delivered to two other organizations. resolution of at least 200dpi. Printed images must: Submit Christmas items soon, please: Parish, school and organization publicists: Please send your Christmas photos to The Observer as soon n be on photographic paper. as possible after your events. We appreciate it when you use our interactive forms at http://observer.rockforddiocese.org/contact-us. Click on Sub- n not be folded, taped or mit Events and News. (You may attach one picture per form.) You may also submit photos by mail to The Observer, P.O. Box 7044, Rockford, IL stapled. 61125. We would like to get them in the paper during January, and we know our readers would like to see them soon, too. Thank you! 10 FRIDAY JANUARY 10, 2014 | The Observer seasoned observer Music of Praise After 65 Years as Parish Musician, Organist Honored by Pope

By Amanda Hudson News editor n the summer of 1948, 12-year- old Carol Grivett began playing piano for St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Crystal Lake. She was not the first in her family to contribute music to the parish. Her grandmother played for the Ichurch in the late 1800s, Carol says, adding that her mother sang at St. Thomas, and one of her daughters is in a church choir. “We are four generations of church musicians,” she says. But Carol is the one who is longest to serve. Aside from one year of back surgery and two years away with her husband when he was in the army, Carol has been helping to make music happen at the parish for 65 years. Her young beginning came to pass when the Springfield Dominican sisters at the parish were set to be gone for the summer, and her music teacher, Sister Herman Joseph, “recruited two of us to play the organ,” Carol says. Carol’s qualifications were four years of piano lessons with Sister Herman Joseph and her predecessor. “In those days we had a teeny organ at (Observer photos by Amanda Hudson) the old church,” Carol explains. “It was a Carol Grivett of Crystal Lake sits at the organ she plays at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Crystal Lake. She started her parish musicianship when she was 12. little reed pipe organ with six stops and a tiny keyboard. There was not much of a transition” from piano to that organ. noting that the choir celebrates its 55th year In 1958, Father Burwell Beddoes began an this year. “I think love of liturgy was the number adult choir at the parish, and Carol joined In 1968, the new St. Thomas Church was one thing.” it with singing in mind. But that was not dedicated at the parish’s Oak Street property. to be. “I was drafted immediately to be the “We migrated to the new church and a big, — Carol Grivett, parish organist accompanist for the adult choir,” she says, electronic, two manual and full pedal organ,” Carol says. “That was a transition. I had never played anything like that before. I had to hunt the Resurrection Choir, which she began in and peck.” 1988, at most parish funerals. In 1963, she had begun to direct the adult Little wonder that St. Thomas Parish choir. In 1975, Father Leo Ambre hired a surprised their long-time musician on Dec. music director, so Carol went back to playing 20 with a papal blessing during the annual the organ. Christmas Carol Concert. In 1987, she was hired by Father Geoff Carol attributes her lengthy musical service Wirth as director of music and liturgy for the to the parish to several things. parish, and she fulfilled that role until she She notes the support of her husband, Dick, resigned in 1996. and her mom, and also several priests. Father “I continued to play one Mass on the Geoff Wirth in particular “had faith in me (to weekends, without the choir,” Carol says. be director of music and liturgy), and that “I thought it would be easier for the (new) brought out the love of liturgy more than director to not ever,” she says have me sitting Her early mentor, Sister Joseph, had a in the pew.” saying that stuck with her young student: Carol “The gift you have is from God, and what you continues to do with it is your gift back to Him.” serve at St. But her greatest motivation has been the Thomas to this Mass itself. day, playing “I think love of liturgy was the number

(Photos provided) for at least one one thing,” Carol says. “I was just enthralled RIGHT: Msgr. Daniel J. Hermes, pastor of St. Thomas the Mass on the with being at Mass and being a part of the Apostle Parish in Crystal Lake, presents a papal congratu- weekends and Mass — not just sitting in the pew, but being lation (enlarged above) to parish organist Carol Grivett. accompanying involved.” The Observer | FRIDAY JANUARY 10, 2014 11

Destination

Resolving to Pray More? Try Laudate App

(CNS photo/Carlo Allegri, Reuters)

t the beginning of least with the prayer part. (Photos/www.carmelmission.org) the year, many of us The free Laudate app has Amake resolutions to been called the “most improve our lives, including comprehensive Catholic Mission San Carlos Borromeo our faith lives. App” by its promoters. It Often those resolutions features all the options del Rio Carmelo involve going to Mass shown (left), along with and saying prayers more others. It is available in Carmel, Calif. often. Who knew our smart English, Spanish, Polish, Destination: In California, following the trail of Blessed Juni- phones could help us, at Vietnamese and several pero Serra, leads travelers to the many missions he found- other languages. ed. Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Rio Carmelo is one of (Observer photos by Sharon Boehlefeld) Its rosary feature (right) those missions. shows the prayers as Masses are offered in the Basilica Church at 5:30 p.m. Sat- you tap each bead, then urday; 7:30, 9:15, 11 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. Sunday. Week- “paints” them with a gray day Masses are in Blessed Sacrament Chapel at 7 a.m., 12 bar as you proceed. noon and 5:30 p.m. Tapping on “New Rosary” Why to go: The Carmel mission is special, in part, because gives you a chance to among the history and relics in its five museums is the cell in change the mystery you which Father Serra died. The Basilica Church at the mission want to pray. is also a registered National Historic Landmark. The muse- The Liturgy of the Hours is ums on the grounds include The Harry Downie Museum, a nice feature for people which tells the story of the church restoration and Downie’s who want to try something Every feature isn’t perfect, role in it; the Munras Family Heritage Museum, which dis- different in their prayers. but there are enough to help plays keepsakes of an important There are even audio nearly anyone who wants Monterey family; the Jo Mora reflections on the daily to make changes with the Chapel Gallery, where the Serra readings and some prayers ease of a tap. Memorial Cenotaph is housed; in Latin. — Sharon Boehlefeld the Convento Museum, which is where Father Serra died. In Interested the basilica, there are dislays of Spanish Colonial liturgial art The John Paul II Catholic in an Old Newman Center at Illinois and artifacts. State University in Normal Ammenities: A museum store Destination? will host the relic Nov. 19. offers a variety of religious items. With six years of Seasoned Admission: Hours are 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Observer Destinations behind Saturday, and 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday. The Mission is us, we thought some readers closed Easter Sunday and Monday, Thanksgiving, and from might be interested in stops Dec. 24 through Dec. 26. Cost is $6.50 for adults, $4 for se- that we’ve already highlighted. niors, $2 for children over 7, free for children under 6. So we’ve started a Pinterest (Grand) Kid friendly: This is a working parish so children are board called The Observer more than welcome, but should be considerate of students at Destinations. We’ve already the parish school. posted several features from Info: Address: Carmel Mission Basilica, 3080 Rio Road Car- our Destination archives, and mel, California 93923 Phone: 831/624-1271 Web: www.carmel- we’ll add more as we go. mission.org — Compiled by Sharon Boehlefeld Look for us on Send Destination ideas to [email protected].

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Nation / World News in Brief Pope Orders New Rules on Relations Courts give some last-minute relief from HHS contraceptive mandate Between Bishops, Religious Orders WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CNS)—In the midst of their New Year’s Eve celebration with low-in- By fr ancis x. rocca church, though with their own “I also know that the bishops come elderly residents, the Baltimore-based Lit- Catholic News Service internal organization, and that are not always acquainted with tle Sisters of the Poor learned that the Supreme their “right to autonomy” should the charisms and works of re- Court issued an injunction temporarily protecting VATICAN CITY—Pope never be considered as indepen- ligious,” he said. “We bishops them from the Affordable Care Act’s contracep- Francis said he has ordered a dence from the local church. need to understand that con- (CNS photo/Larry Downing, revision of what he called out- tive mandate. The order by Justice Sonia Soto- Reuters) “That document was useful at secrated persons are not func- mayor, issued within hours of the mandate taking U.S. Supreme dated Vatican norms on the re- the time but is now outdated,” tionaries but gifts that enrich effect at midnight Jan. 1, applies to the Colorado- Court Justice lations between religious orders the pope said. “The charisms of dioceses. based Little Sisters of the Poor and their co-plain- Sonia and local bishops, in order to the various institutes need to be “The involvement of reli- tiffs — Christian Brothers Services and Christian Sotomayor promote greater appreciation of respected and fostered because gious communities in dioceses Brothers Employee Benefits Trust — in a lawsuit the orders’ distinctive missions. they are needed in dioceses.” is important,” the pope said. against the federal government. The same evening, a three-judge The pope’s words were pub- The pope, who until his elec- “Dialogue between the bishop panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia lished Jan. 3 in the Italian Je- tion in March 2013 served as and religious must be rescued Circuit issued an emergency stay for Catholic organizations in suit magazine La Civilta Cat- archbishop of Buenos Aires, so that, due to a lack of un- a lawsuit filed by the Archdiocese of Washington, including The tolica. He made the comments Argentina, and formerly served derstanding of their charisms, Catholic University of America, Archbishop Carroll High School in Nov. 29 at a closed-door meet- as a Jesuit provincial, said he bishops do not view religious Washington; Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School in Takoma Park, ing with 120 superiors general knew “by experience the prob- simply as useful instruments.” Md.; and Mary of Nazareth Roman Catholic Elementary School of religious orders from around lems that can arise between a During his three-hour meet- in Darnestown, Md. The 2-1 ruling in the Circuit Court included a the world. bishop and religious communi- ing with the religious superi- comment from Judge David S. Tatel explaining why he voted to Pope Francis referred to “Mu- ties.” For example, he said, “If ors, as quoted in the 15-page deny the injunction. “Because I believe that appellants are unlikely tuae Relationes,” a set of direc- the religious decide one day La Civilta Cattolica article, to prevail on their claim that the challenged provision imposes a tives issued jointly by the Con- to withdraw from one of their the pope also discussed a va- ‘substantial burden’ under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, gregation for Bishops and the works due to a lack of man- riety of other topics, including I would deny their application for an injunction pending appeal,” Congregation for Religious in power the bishop often finds sex abuse and the challenges of Tatel said, according to the Associated Press. 1978. The document said that re- himself suddenly left with a hot evangelization in different cul- ligious orders are part of the local potato in his hand. tures. More than 6.6 million attended Vatican events with Pope Francis in 2013 Pope Francis kisses a VATICAN CITY (CNS)—In the first nine and a half months of Pope figurine of the baby Jesus as Francis’ pontificate, more than 6.6 million people participated in he begins an evening prayer papal events at the Vatican, including weekly general audiences, service in St. Peter’s Basilica group audiences, liturgies and recitations of the Angelus and “Re- at the Vatican Dec. 31. At the gina Coeli” on Sundays and holy days. The statistics, compiled by service, he asked people to the Prefecture of the Pontifical Household and released Jan. 2, reflect on how they have do not include figures from Pope Francis’ trip to Brazil for World spent the past year , saying, Youth Day in July 2013, or his visits to Italian locations outside “Have we used it mostly the Vatican. From his election March 13 until the end of 2013, at for ourselves, for our own least 1.5 million people attended Pope Francis’ 30 general audi- interests or did we know to ences; more than 87,000 participated in group audiences; almost spend it for others, too? How 2.3 million participated in papal liturgies in St. Peter’s Basilica or much time did we set aside St. Peter’s Square; and more than 2.7 million joined the pope for for being with God, in prayer, the Angelus or the “Regina Coeli” in the square. The numbers are in silence, in adoration?” approximate, based on tickets issued or estimates of crowd size, depending on the event. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Man dies after setting himself on fire in St. Peter’s Square Worries About Legal Pot in Colorado VATICAN CITY (CNS)—An unidentified 51-year-old man died Dec. 22, three days after setting himself on fire in St. Peter’s Square. WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. White said in late December Italian news reports said the man, who had third-degree burns (CNS)—As Colorado allows that his staff will not actively on almost 50 percent of his body, died at Rome’s Sant’Eugenio adults to legally purchase enforce bans on recreational Hospital. At about 8:30 a.m. Dec. 19, the man entered St. Peter’s marijuana for recreational and smoking in public, adding to Square carrying a bottle of gasoline. At the end of the colonnade medical use, some parents are some parents’ fears that the near Piazza Pio XII, he doused himself with the fuel and lit himself voicing concerns about how murky situation will become a aflame. A Jesuit priest on his way to work at the Vatican was the children may be affected by legal free-for-all. first passer-by to come to the man’s aid, according to a written easy access to pot. The state’s passage of (CNS photo/Rick Wilking, Reuters) statement from Italian police distributed by the Vatican. The state- A statewide voter initiative Amendment 64 legalizing rec- A sign celebrates the day at the ment said a piece of paper was found nearby that had the phone in 2012 legalized recreational reational pot conflicts with fed- BotanaCare marijuana store just number of the man’s daughter. It added that the motive for the marijuana. On Jan. 1, the law eral law, which prohibits pos- before opening in Northglenn, man’s actions was unknown. The case was in the hands of the was to take full effect. The session and sale of marijuana. Colo., Jan. 1. state is processing hundreds Denver-based attorney Italian authorities because security and law enforcement in St. Pe- get the government to say there ter’s Square are the responsibility of the Italian police. of new applications to sell and and Catholic parent Rachel grow marijuana. The market is O’Bryan, who served on a should be no marijuana candy, also expected to soon include criminal law working group and that will be bad across the Pope’s morning Masses to a wide range of marijuana- for the Amendment 64 Imple- board,” she said. “When it looks include parishioners from Rome infused products — including mentation Task Force, doubts like real food, the kids can take VATICAN CITY (CNS)—Ordinary members of parishes in Rome highly potent food items. most Coloradans are aware of that into schools you wouldn’t will be able to attend Pope Francis’ private morning Masses in In interviews with Catholic what the new law will mean even know.” 2014. Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman, News Service, some Colora- for society as a whole and for Although the Catholic said the cardinal vicar of Rome would tell local pastors how to dans cautioned that the pro- youngsters especially. O’Bryan Church has largely stayed neu- apply on behalf of their parishioners beginning in January, accord- liferation of legal pot carries pointed to 2013 surveys by tral in the debate, in December, ing to a Dec. 27 report by Vatican Radio. The pope celebrates inadequate child protections, the federal Drug Enforcement Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Mass every morning in the Vatican guesthouse, where he lives. while the products especially Administration and the city of Aquila posted on the Denver Excerpts from his short, off-the-cuff homilies there have attracted appeal to youth and young Denver’s Office of Drug Strat- Catholic Register’s website an worldwide attention for their frank, spontaneous style and have oc- adults. They say young people egy showing marijuana use by essay by E. Christian Brugger, casionally made news with remarks on such controversial topics will encounter the drug more 8th graders is at 6.5 percent a moral theologian at St. John as the salvation of atheists and the credibility of purported Mar- in homes and at schools that nationwide but 18 percent in Vianney Theological Seminary ian apparitions. Most of Pope Francis’ morning congregations so are not yet prepared to manage Denver. in Denver. Brugger discussed far have consisted of Vatican employees. The guesthouse chapel the proliferation of marijuana- “The potency (of THC, mari- some of the legalization issues, was constructed to accommodate 120 cardinal electors and a few laced foods and some disguis- juana’s active ingredient) is un- including a long list of nega- attendants during a papal conclave. Father Lombardi said Rome able forms of the drug. limited and that will lead to high- tives associated with pot smok- parishioners would probably be admitted in groups of 25 at a time. Denver Police Chief Robert er addictions — we can’t even ing, especially for teens. The Observer | FRIDAY JANUARY 10, 2014 13

Nation / World Pope, Jesuits Celebrate New Saint News in Brief New Mexico’s highest court rules VATICAN CITY (CNS)— “St. Faber was consumed by state must allow same-sex marriage True faith is marked by the dar- the intense desire to convey SANTA FE, N.M. (CNS)—New Mexico has become the latest state ing desire to change the world the Lord” to others and “if we to legalize same-sex marriage, with the state Supreme Court rul- with the loving heart of Jesus, don’t have the same yearning, ing Dec. 19 that barring same-sex couples from marrying violates Pope Francis told more than 300 then we need to stop and pray the equal protection clause of the state constitution. The state’s of his fellow Jesuits on Jan. 3. and, with silent fervor, ask the Catholic bishops said in a brief statement issued the same day that The zealous proclamation of Lord for the intercession of our they “recognize the New Mexico Supreme Court as the interpreter the Gospel must never be cou- brother Peter (the Apostle) to of the state constitution. The Catholic Church respects and loves pled with “inquisitional clob- (CNS photo/Paul Haring) return to fascinate us — that Pope Francis greets Father Adolfo the gay and lesbian members of our community. We will continue bering, with condemnation. appeal of the Lord that led Peter Nicolas, superior general of the to promote Catholic teaching of the biblical definition of marriage No, the Gospel is proclaimed to all that apostolic madness.” Society of Jesus, as he arrives to to be that of one man and one woman,” they said. with kindness, fraternity and At the end of the Mass, Father celebrate Mass at the Church of love,” he said. Adolfo Nicolas, superior gen- Vatican hosts top world leaders; the Gesu in Rome Jan. 3. The pope celebrated the feast eral of the Jesuits worldwide, experts to push for end to Syrian war of the Most Holy Name of Je- said that one of the things that thanked the pope for celebrat- VATICAN CITY (CNS)—Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair sus at the Church of the Gesu, stood out with St. Faber was his ing Mass with them and for the and former Egyptian Vice Presi- the Jesuits’ main church in desire to “empty himself” and canonization of St. Faber. He dent Mohamed ElBaradei are Rome. It was the first Jesuit let Christ fill his heart and life. recalled the joy he felt when among the key political experts pope’s third visit as pontiff to “An authentic faith always Pope Francis called him imme- invited by the Vatican for a one- the church where St. Ignatius of entails a deep desire to change diately to say “I just signed the day meeting aimed at promoting Loyola and other Jesuit leaders the world. This is the question decree” declaring Faber a saint. a cease-fire in Syria, the protec- are buried. we must ask ourselves: Do we, The decree, signed on the tion of Christians there and a The Mass was also a celebra- too, have a great vision and pope’s birthday, Dec. 17, was transitional and unified govern- tion of thanksgiving for the re- impulse? Are we audacious? an “equivalent canonization,” ment. The Vatican meeting Jan. cent canonization of St. Peter Does our dream soar high? in which the pope inserts the 13 will come ahead of major (CNS photo/Bassam Khabieh, Reuters) Faber, who, with St. Ignatius Does our zeal consume us?” name of the new saint in the peace talks Jan. 22 in Geneva and St. Francis Xavier, was a universal calendar of saints between the Syrian government A child reacts as he is carried on he asked. “Or are we mediocre a stretcher at a damaged site af- founding member of the Soci- and we content ourselves with without verifying a miracle and opposition forces. Spon- ety of Jesus and the first of the performed through his inter- sored by the Pontifical Academy ter what activists said was heavy our laboratory of apostolic pro- shelling by forces loyal to Syrian Jesuits to be ordained a priest. grams?” cession and without holding a of Sciences, the daylong Vatican In his homily, Pope Francis formal canonization ceremony. “workshop” will seek to propose President Bashar Assad in Damas- “a cease-fire to make humanitar- cus Dec. 26. USCCB President ian aid possible” in Syria; an end to “persecutions against Christians to encourage interreligious dia- Asks Obama for logue; a transitional authority to organize elections (and) a unified national government also responsible for the military sector and security;” as well as an end to human trafficking and prostitution in Exemption the war-torn nation. WASHINGTON (CNS) — The president of the U.S. Con- ference of Catholic Bishops asked President Barack Obama to exempt religious institutions from fines related to health in- surance requirements while le- gal challenges work their way through the courts. “The administration’s flex- (CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano via Reuters) ibility in implementing the (Af- Retired Pope Benedict XVI greets Pope Francis at the Mater Eccle- fordable Care Act) has not yet siae monastery at the Vatican Dec. 23. The monastery, located in the reached those who want only to Vatican Gardens to the north of St. Peter’s Basilica, is where Pope exercise what has rightly been Benedict is living. Three days after Pope Francis paid his predeces- called our ‘first freedom’ under sor a visit, retired Pope Benedict joined the pope for lunch at the the Constitution,” wrote Arch- Become a Catholic Order of Foresters Vatican guesthouse. The two shared the meal Dec. 27 at the Domus bishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Lou- (COF) field representative and, Sanctae Marthae, where Pope Francis lives. isville, Ky. In a Dec. 31 letter, he asked • Be a leader in your Catholic community Obama to extend the same kind Vienna Archdiocese of temporary exemption from • Strive for personal and professional growth penalties for noncompliance • Work for yourself but not by yourself Defends Giving Church with the ACA that the admin- istration has allowed for small • Receive customized training employers and individuals To Other Christians whose current insurance plans Experience not required. OXFORD, England (CNS)— He said the archdiocese had will be canceled. The letter Austria’s Vienna Archdiocese tried to find an “alternative described those allowances as As a COF agent you will help fellow Catholics has defended its gifts of Catho- Catholic use” for unwanted “actions to advance the ACA’s realize their financial goals and need for lic churches to Orthodox com- churches, to prevent them be- goal of maximizing health cov- munities, as part of a current ing turned into “supermarkets erage, while minimizing hard- security, utilizing top-quality life insurance reorganization. and cafes,” but would other- ships to Americans as the act is and annuity products. “Our own church is reced- wise hand them over to other implemented.” ing in Vienna, whereas other Christian denominations. Archbishop Kurtz said a Is Catholic Order of Foresters the right fit for you? Christian confessions are on No money is given as com- whole category of Americans the rise because of immigra- pensation, he said. “has been left out in the cold: tion,” Michael Pruller, the In 2015, the archdiocese will those who, due to moral and Call Tom Adamson archdiocese spokesman, told formally hand over St. An- religious conviction, cannot Toll-free: 800-552-0145 Catholic News Service Dec. 19. thony of Padua Church to the in good conscience comply “Many large churches were Romanian Orthodox, who have with the (Health and Human [email protected] built in the 19th century for already begun celebrating lit- Services) regulation requiring RFO 12/13 13-052-05 © 2013 Catholic Order of Foresters parishes numbering tens of urgies there. coverage of sterilization and thousands. As in other coun- The Kathpress news agency contraceptives. This mandate A Catholic Fraternal Benefit Life Insurance Society Since 1883 tries, we’re now having to get reported that fewer than 30 includes drugs and devices that 355 Shuman Boulevard, PO Box 3012, Naperville, IL 60566-7012 rid of churches, which can’t be Catholics currently attended can interfere with the survival www.catholicforester.org • Toll-free: 800-552-0145 TTY: 800-617-4176 maintained by their small con- Sunday Mass at the church. of a human being in the earliest gregations.” stage of development.” To request more information visit www.catholicforester.org

RFO 1213.indd 1 11/26/2013 10:34:56 AM 14 FRIDAY JANUARY 10, 2014 | The Observer

Nation / World News in Brief Church Workers Help Central Americans Judge sets $250,000 bail after court reverses priest’s conviction Search for Family Missing in Mexico PHILADELPHIA (CNS)—Bond was set at $250,000 for a Philadelphia priest Dec. 30, four TAPACHULA, Mexico days after an appeals court reversed his convic- (CNS)—Santos del Socorro tion for endangering child welfare by his handling Rojas knew that one day she of a sex abuse case. Msgr. William Lynn, former would find her son, Jorge Al- secretary for clergy for the Philadelphia Archdio- berto Reyes. She just wasn’t cese, was told by Common Pleas Court Judge (CNS photo/Tim Shaffer, sure how. Teresa Sarmina to surrender his passport and Reuters) He had gone north, as do submit to electronic monitoring and weekly re- Msgr. William many who flee poverty in Ni- Lynn porting while out on bail. On Dec. 26, a panel caragua, but after a few weeks of judges for a Pennsylvania Superior Court reversed the priest’s they had lost touch. The years conviction in handling a clerical abuse case and ordered his re- went by and her anguish grew, lease from prison. Sarmina told the courtroom Dec. 30 that she until one day someone from Je- considered simply affirming her original ruling and continuing to suit Refugee Service knocked deny bail. But because the higher court ruled she had erred in on her door and asked if she applying the law under which Msgr. Lynn was convicted, she said would like help finding Jorge. Dec. 30 that she had to acknowledge that if the conviction was in That knock led Rojas to join (CNS photo/Paul Jeffrey) question, the punishment also would be in question. Msgr. Lynn a caravan of 45 Central Ameri- A group of Central Americans looking for their loved ones who disap- has served 18 months of a 2012 prison sentence of three to six cans, mostly mothers looking peared in Mexico walk to the Suchiate River at Ciudad Hidalgo along years after he was found guilty of endangering the welfare of a for their disappeared children, the border between Mexico and Guatemala Dec. 18. child, a felony. The Superior Court’s 43-page opinion described who traveled to Mexico at the Msgr. Lynn’s conviction under the state’s original child endanger- beginning of December. Rojas local car wash. chest with joy.” ment law of 1972 as “fundamentally flawed.” was one of the lucky ones. On Sanchez took Rojas in the The emotional encounter was Dec. 16, church workers took Father Robert Nugent, once embroiled shelter’s truck and set off to fol- one of 12 such moments on the her to a small shack where low the lead. The carwash had 17-day caravan, when members in gay-ministry controversies, dies her son lived in Tapachula, a since closed, but someone at a either located a family member MILWAUKEE (CNS)—Salvatorian Father Robert Nugent, the co- sprawling border city in the nearby carwash recognized the or discovered someone else’s founder of New Ways Ministry and active for 29 years in ministry southern state of Chiapas. Af- image and said he lived near lost relative. It was the ninth to gay and lesbian Catholics, died Jan. 1 of complications from ter nine years of separation, she a certain bar. The group went such caravan and produced cancer. He was 76. New Ways Ministry was subject to repeated once again embraced Jorge. there and found that Jorge had more re-encounters than any of investigations and inquiries at the diocesan, religious-order and “I always had faith. I knew moved two years ago, but a man the previous ones. Vatican levels, including one ordered in 1994 by the Vatican Con- the Lord would send me angels there knew someone at a bicy- At times the result was not gregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. As a result of the investiga- to help me find my child,” she cle repair shop who had helped good news. In a fishing village tion, Father Nugent and Sister Jeannine Gramick, then a member told Catholic News Service. Jorge move his belongings. on the Pacific coast west of Ta- of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, were ordered to stop pastoral One of those angels was Olga They found that man and fol- pachula, a resident recognized ministry to gays, saying they advanced “doctrinally unacceptable” Sanchez, director of Jesus the lowed him deep into one of the one young woman’s photo. Car- positions “regarding the intrinsic evil of homosexual acts and the Good Shepherd of the Poor and avan members traced the infor- objective disorder of the homosexual inclination.” After a year of city’s poorest neighborhoods. Migrant Shelter in Tapachu- mation to a neighborhood where speaking and writing about homosexuality, they were directed to “He got off his motorcycle la. When Rojas and the other residents said she had died four stop talking about the topic and the Vatican investigation itself. Fa- and disappeared into a warren women in the caravan visited of shacks, then reappeared and years ago. They said she was ther Nugent complied, but Sister Gramick ultimately decided to buried in a nearby cemetery, defy the ban and left her order to join the Sisters of Loretto. the shelter, which provides care told us to wait a moment,” San- for migrants who’ve been in- chez said. “After a minute or but much of that burial ground, Floods, rain made Christmas jured or fallen ill on their way so, Jorge came out, and he was including the woman’s grave, even more difficult in Gaza north, someone recognized the a dead ringer for his mother. It had washed out to sea during a storm two years ago. JERUSALEM (CNS)—The snowstorms and torrential rain that photo of Jorge. They remem- was him! I thought his mother’s battered the Mideast in mid-December threatened this Christmas bered that he once worked at a heart would burst through her Continued on page 19 season for Christians in Gaza. Matthew McGarry, Catholic Relief Services’ country representative, described the situation as “quite Vatican Hires Firms to Streamline bad. There is extensive damage to infrastructure, and we haven’t Communications, Improve Bookkeeping been able to get our staff in un- til today,” McGarry told Catholic VATICAN CITY (CNS)— that would help make the Holy esting and new” would be an News Service Dec. 17. The bad In an effort to streamline and See’s communications’ outlets “overarching look” at the situ- weather has made a bad situa- modernize its communications more “efficient and modern,” ation from an objective “eye tion worse, he said, noting, “They (CNS photo/Mohammed Salem, Reuters) structures and bring its ac- the Vatican statement said. from the outside.” have not yet been able to resume Palestinian civil defense volun- counting practices in line with The Vatican has nearly a The company was to report what passes for normal life in teers paddle a boat to evacuate international standards, the dozen separate communication its findings in the next few Gaza.” While the northern part people Dec.16 from their flooded Vatican has hired two interna- outlets and offices that operate months to the papal commis- of the Gaza Strip saw floods that houses in the northern Gaza Strip. tional consulting agencies. independently of each other. sion, which will then make left thousands of families home- The global management-con- They include the Pontifical its recommendations to Pope less, 10,000 people evacuated from their homes, and essential sulting firm McKinsey & Com- Council for Social Communi- Francis, Father Lombardi said. hospital personnel traveling to work by boat, most of the Gaza pany and the Netherlands-based cations; the Vatican newspaper, KPMG will work with the Strip’s tiny Christian community and its institutions are located in financial and administrative L’Osservatore Romano; Vati- commission to determine how Gaza City itself and were saved from the worst of the storm, said consultation firm KPMG were can Radio; the Vatican televi- to bring the accounting prac- Sami El-Yousef, regional director for Israel and the Palestinian ter- hired after a “bidding and selec- sion station, CTV; the Vatican tices of every Vatican body and ritories for the Catholic Near East Welfare Association. tion process,” the Vatican said Information Service, VIS; the office in line with international in a written statement Dec. 19. Vatican press hall; Fides mis- standards, the Vatican state- Chinese bishop’s burial ends The new partnerships were sionary news agency; the main ment said. government, church impasse initiatives of the Pontifical Vatican website; the news.va The Vatican recently hired TANGSHAN, China (CNS)—Bishop Paul Liu Jinghe was buried Commission for Reference on news aggregator; the Vatican an international financial risk- Christmas Eve, ending a tense standoff between government au- the Organization of the eco- publishing house LEV; and the management company, Prom- thorities and the local church. He had demanded burial at Lulong nomic-administrative struc- Vatican printing press. ontory Financial Group, to Cemetery, where the diocese’s first bishop, Ernst Geurts of Hol- ture of the Holy See, a panel Jesuit Father Federico Lom- review all the accounts and land, was interred in 1940. After days of negotiation and the round- of business and legal experts bardi, director of the Vatican procedures of the Administra- up of some local clergy, government negotiators warned Tangshan Pope Francis created in July to press hall and general director tion of the Patrimony of the diocesan leaders that discussions would be closed if they did not help the Vatican simplify and at Vatican Radio, told journal- Holy See and the Vatican bank. accept an alternative plot. Tangshan Bishop Peter Fang Jingping better coordinate its scattered ists that McKinsey would con- It also hired a team from told ucanews.com that the government effectively ended the dis- resources, budgets, properties sider how to coordinate or inte- Ernst & Young to carry out a pute by purchasing a plot just smaller than an acre to replace the and assets. grate the many different outlets “verification and consultation former cemetery. The appeased parishioners agreed to bury Bish- McKinsey & Company was and adapt them to the world of on the economic and adminis- op Liu there. Bishop Fang denied rumors that the government also hired to provide recommenda- digital communication. trative activities” of the office paid compensation of 1.5 million yuan ($247,000) to the diocese. tions for an “integrated plan” He said what was “inter- that runs Vatican City State. The Observer | FRIDAY JANUARY 10, 2014 15

Media/Arts Catholic Filmmaker Makes Movie About Boyhood Idol, Clemente By Mark Pattison mained young Rossi’s hero. all teams, just as he had in 1997 Catholic News Service “At St. Athanasius Grade for the numeral 42 worn by School in Pittsburgh, the nuns Jackie Robinson of the Brook- WASHINGTON—When he would give us writing assign- lyn Dodgers, who was the first was a young boy, Richard Ros- ments, and every story I wrote African-American in 60 years si insisted that his dad get gen- was on Roberto Clemente,” he to play in the majors. eral-admission tickets behind said. Rossi is a bit ambivalent right field at old Forbes Field Rossi’s admiration of Cle- about retiring the number: yes, in Pittsburgh so he could be mente never diminished, and because it would honor Clem- as close as possible to his boy- he spent time over the last five ente. But perhaps no, because hood idol, Roberto Clemente. years making a movie about “he gave an example of living The Hall of Fame outfielder’s his life, “Baseball’s Last Hero: out his faith and living out the passion for baseball, and Ros- 21 Clemente Stories.” Numer- Gospel,” he said. si’s passion for Clemente, con- ologists will appreciate the fact The film examines 21 epi- tinued as the Pirates moved to that there are 21 letters in the sodes that took place in Clem- Three Rivers Stadium, where Baseball Hall of Famer’s full ente’s life during his big-league Pittsburgh won the World Se- name — Roberto Clemente career. ries in 1971. Walker — and that 21 was the The most difficult part might But on Dec. 31, 1972, fans ev- jersey number he wore during have been in casting Clemente. erywhere were thunderstruck his career with the Pirates. Rossi needed someone who to learn that Clemente, who That Clemente’s Pirates had could not only act, but resem- was collecting relief supplies a winning season and went to bled the Puerto Rican superstar for Nicaraguan earthquake vic- the playoffs in 2013 after 20 and have athletic ability on top tims, was killed when the over- losing seasons in a row is not of that. loaded plane carrying the sup- lost on Rossi. The prevailing His choice: Olympic high plies plunged into the Atlantic attitude among diehard Pirates jumper Jamie Nieto, 37, a na- Ocean. fans, he said, was, “Clemente’s tive of California who is of Rossi was no different. not going to let us have 21 bad Mexican heritage. (CNS/courtesy Richard Rossi) “I just cried for days and days years.” “He was in the last Olym- This is a poster from the movie “Baseball’s Last Hero: 21 Clemente Sto- and days. I was devastated,” he Hispanics have long pushed pics while he was shooting this ries.” The admiration of director Richard Rossi’s boyhood idol, Roberto told Catholic News Service in a for Major League Baseball film,” Rossi said. “He finished Clemente, has never diminished, and he has spent time over the last telephone interview. commissioner Bud Selig to re- fourth in the high jump the first five years making a movie about the legendary baseball player’s life. Clemente, even in death, re- tire the number 21 from use by Continued on page 18 Resolved: Be a Better Television Watcher in 2014 By Mark Pattison consider altering long-held be- because Americans have the on making more affirmative didn’t mean that all of us must Catholic News Service havior patterns, and then make TV on so much every day. That choices in your television diet. see TV regardless of what’s on! an affirmative choice for the allows for many chances to First, watch less TV. When Instead, think of the term A new year always brings the change in behavior when the make those affirmative choic- NBC coined the phrase “must- “appointment television.” Just opportunity for a fresh start. situation presents itself. es, instead of surrendering to see TV” to describe its pow- as you would with meals, put Resolutions can be a tricky Take TV watching. It could the status quo. erhouse Thursday prime-time some advance thought about thing because they force us to be ripe for a change in behavior Here are a few suggestions lineup of a generation ago, it Continued on page 19 At the Movies Justin Bieber’s Working from a script by Chris rise and fall of a penny-stock THIS FILM CONTAINS a be- (Paramount) A-II Believe Morgan and Hossein Amini, swindler (Leonardo DiCaprio) nign view of sinful and illegal ac- Tyler Perry’s PG A-III (Open Road) director Carl Rinsch has Ke- and his closest associates (most tions, domestic violence, strong A Madea anu Reeves as a mysterious prominently Jonah Hill) as they PG-13 Director Jon M. sexual content, including graph- Christmas Chu’s amiable follow-up to his half-breed warrior helping play on the unrealistic aspira- ic aberrant and adulterous sex- tions of naive small-time inves- (Lionsgate) 2011 feature “Justin Bieber: 47 leaderless samurai (most ual activity and nudity, drug use, prominently Hiroyuki Sanada) tors to make themselves rich, Never Say Never” chronicles profanities, rough and crude L Grudge Match regain their honor after their then use their ill-gotten gains the eponymous star’s second language, obscene gestures. (Warner Bros.) master (Min Tanaka) has been to fund a decadent lifestyle full PG-13 world tour. The young girls who represent the Canadian-born deposed through the machina- of narcotics, status-symbol toys ALSO RECENTLY RATED: singer’s carefully targeted audi- tions of a jealous rival (Tadan- and casual sex. Anything but a Paranormal L ence will certainly need no con- obu Asano) and a shape-shift- cautionary tale, director Martin Saving Mr. Activity: The A-II vincing of his latest project’s ing witch (Rinko Kikuchi). Scorsese’s screen version of Banks R Marked Ones worthiness. But parents will be THIS FILM CONTAINS combat Jordan Belfort’s memoir revels PG-13 (Disney) (Paramount) reassured to know that, though violence, bloodless portrayals in greed, criminality, substance it contains a brief acknowl- of a suicide and a beheading. abuse and bedroom behav- The Secret Life American A-II O edgement of the wunderkind’s ior straight from the barnyard of Walter Mitty Hustle The Wolf of Wall PG R foul-mouthed encounter with a O while sending viewers the re- (Fox) (Columbia) cursing photographer, this doc- Street sentment-fueled message that R Anchorman 2: umentary as a whole provides (Paramount) capitalism is a con game and A-II O Lone Survivor This vile exercise in that only fools and drones try to The Legend (Universal) overwhelmingly harmless en- PG R tertainment. immorality charts the fact-based make a living honestly. Continues — CNS THIS FILM CONTAINS crude CNS classifications MPAA ratings language and some gyrating (Catholic News Service) (Motion Picture Association of America) dancers. A-I — general patronage G — general audiences, all ages admit- adults and adolescents ted ‘Catholic Mass’ A-II — Watch 47 Ronin A-III — adults PG — parental guidance suggested, A-III some material may not be suitable (Universal) L — limited adult audiences, films for children Sundays at 6:30 a.m. on WREX-TV, PG-13 whose problematic content many Despite lavish spe- PG-13 — parents are strongly cau- Channel 13 in Rockford cial effects, this adults would find troubling tioned. Some material may be inap- or you can watch on the Web at big-budget retelling of the O — morally offensive propriate for children under 13 R — restricted, under 17 requires ac- http://observer.rockforddiocese.org. fact-based Japanese national companying parent or adult guard- legend of the title is so badly ian For the latest reviews, visit www. Brought to you by The Diocesan Office of NC-17 — no one 17 and under admitted done as to render its clas- catholicnews.com/movies.htm. Communications and Publications sic story incomprehensible. (age limit may vary) 16 FRIDAY JANUARY 10, 2014 | The Observer

Faith Forum Not Every Star is Worthy to be Followed, Teaching Moment by Bishop Emeritus Make Sure it Leads You to Jesus Thomas G. Doran You may have heard about the Liturgy of the Church It was there that the Magi heard the Scriptures. King Herod and three 6-year-olds who played the his wise men interpreted the Scriptures for the Magi. [email protected] Magi in their church religious by Father John Even though they possessed the Scriptures, they themselves did Bishop Doran’s column will Slampak, STL education program. As they not follow them, they did not walk in their light. They were not return soon. Send your topics Member of the each came up to Mary and Jo- ready to walk in the light of the truth. or questions for Bishop Doran’s seph in the stable, they were to Diocesan Herod was afraid of losing his power to the new-born king and Liturgical Commission Teaching Moment to observer@ call out the name of their kingly in that fear, he made an empty promise: “Go and search diligently rockforddiocese.org gift, and lay it down before the [email protected] for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too child. may go and do him homage.” The first one handed over his gift, and said, “Gold!” The Magi find Jesus, prostrate in homage, and return home, lit- The Pope On... The second one presented his gift and said, “Myrrh!” erally and inwardly, in a different way. The third one gave them his treasure and said, “And Frank sent In another Christmas pageant, the little girl who had played the this!” part of Mary, came up to her religious ed teacher, held up the doll Hope, Our The feast of the Epiphany is the showing of Christ to the world that had been the baby Jesus and asked, “So, what am I supposed through the journey of the Magi and their gifts. There has been no to do with this baby now?” value estimation regarding the gifts of the Magi. They seem to ap- The first thing to do is acknowledge that Jesus did not remain Mother, pear out of nowhere. Folklore has given them ethnic backgrounds a baby. Jesus grew in age, grace and wisdom. The Scriptures tell and names. Then they disappear out of history. the whole story. You either love him or hate him. According to tradition, they represent people from all over the The second thing to do is acknowledge that Jesus is a threat to Our Faith world coming to find Jesus. They came to find God. You might the established order. Until the Kingdom of God is established in say that the Epiphany is a feast of global awareness that salvation this world, Jesus will always be a threat to the status quo; Herod has come to the whole world. feared him and the truth. Journey The GPS for the magi is not an “On-Star.” They read a map The third thing to do is to remember that the star still shines; the of stars in the heavens and followed the star which led them to light of faith calls us to a better world through the gift of God’s From page 2 Herod. only Son. entrusted them to Mary, who was the first to believe, and whose faith would never fail. The “woman” became our On the Dangers of Defining Ourselves Mother when she lost her di- vine Son. Her sorrowing heart Given the speed and change In You’re timid! You’re selfish! You’re afraid? You’re slow! You’ve in our world today, the oceans Exile got a quick mind. You’re a loser! You’re bad! You’re good! You’re was enlarged to make room for all men and women, all, of information being given us by Father Ronald destined for higher things! You’ll be a failure!” by the new technologies, the Rolheiser, OMI And so the challenge is to be more attuned to our own light, to whether good or bad, and she speed with which knowledge President of the Oblate our own moral center, to be more in touch with what’s ultimately loves them as she loved Jesus. School of Theology, The woman who at the wed- now passes through our lives, San Antonio, Texas most real and most precious to us. No small part of that is the the increasing specialization challenge to resist self-definition, not to picture ourselves and act ding at Cana in Galilee gave her faith-filled cooperation so and fragmentation inside higher www.ronrolheiser.com out of an image we’ve ingested of ourselves as the bright one, the education, and the ever-increas- stupid one, the rebel, the timid one, the selfish one, the generous that the wonders of God could ing complexity of our lives, you occasionally hear someone say, one, the bad one, the good one, the successful one, the failure, the be displayed in the world, at usually just after offering an opinion on something, “But what do one who needs to say: “But what do I know anyway?” Calvary kept alive the flame of I know anyway?” What’s the price we pay for doing that? faith in the resurrection of her Good question. What do we know anyway? First, both our compassion and our indignation become pre- Son, and she communicates On the surface, this may sound humble and, if sincere, does scribed and selective. We will praise certain people and things this with maternal affection to depict a certain humility; but this kind of admission has a sad and be incensed by other people and other things not because each and every person. Mary underside: What do I know anyway? Indeed, what can we know these speak to or speak against what’s most precious inside us, but becomes in this way a source amongst all the complexity and sophistication of our world? because they speak to or against our image of ourselves. When of hope and true joy! Well, we can know our own light, our own moral center, our own that happens we not only lose our real selves, we also lose our The Mother of the Redeemer heart, our own mystical center. Ultimately we can know what’s individuality. goes before us and continually most real and most precious to us and this is the most important Ideology, popular opinion, fashion, fad, group-think, and hype, strengthens us in faith, in our knowledge of all. We can know what’s ultimately important. ironically, bury us into a sea of anonymity. In Rene Girard’s vocation and in our mission. Next to the inchoate knowledge we have of God, knowledge words: In our desire to be different we all inevitably end up in the By her example of humility and of our own light, of our own moral center, is the most important same ditch! One needs only to look at any popular fad, such as openness to God’s will she thing we will ever know. Indeed knowing our own center is inti- wearing a baseball cap backwards, to see the truth of this. helps us to transmit our faith mately intertwined with knowing God. How might we healthily define ourselves in a way that doesn’t in a joyful proclamation of the This is something we need to highlight today because so many deflect us from being awake to our own light? What kind of self- Gospel to all, without reserva- forces around us and inside us conspire to deflect us from being definition might help free us from ideology? How might we think tion. In this way our mission awake to and attentive to our own deepest center, that is, from be- of ourselves in a way so that image of ourselves that we ingested will be fruitful, because it is ing in touch with who we really are. When we’re honest we admit in childhood might no longer hold us captive in adulthood so that modeled on the motherhood how difficult it is to be genuinely sincere and how difficult it is we are strong and healthy enough to resist letting, as William of Mary. To her let us entrust for us to act out of our real center rather than acting out of ideol- Stafford says, a simple shrug or a small betrayal break our fragile our journey of faith, the desires ogy, popular opinion, fashion, fad, or out of some prefabricated health and send the horrible errors of childhood storming out to of our heart, our needs and concept of ourselves that we’ve ingested from others around us. play through the broken dykes? the needs of the whole world, Often our attitudes and actions do not really reflect who we are. There’s no easy answer, but here’s a suggestion: Early on in his especially of those who hun- Rather they reflect who our friends are, the newspapers and web- ministry, when people were still trying to figure out who he was, ger and thirst for justice and sites we’ve read recently, and what newscasts and talk shows draw they came to John the Baptist and asked him to define himself: peace, and for God. Let us then our attention. Likewise we often understand ourselves more by a “Who are you? They asked: “Are you the Christ? Are you Elijah? together invoke her, and I invite persona that was handed to us by our family, our classmates, our Are you a prophet?” John replied that he was none of these. you to invoke her three times, colleagues, or our friends than by the reality that’s deepest inside “Who are you then?” they persisted. John’s answer: I am a voice following the example of those us. crying out in the wilderness! Just that, no more! brothers and sisters of Ephe- Beginning from infancy, we ingest various notions of who we Now that’s a healthy self-image and a true humility, with no sad sus: Mother of God! Mother of are: “You’re the bright one! You’re the stupid one! You’re a rebel! underside. God! Mother of God! Amen.

Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan he visit is intended to consolidate the good to be baptized by him. John tried to prevent relations that bind the Muslims and Christians him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and ‘T of these Arab countries since ancient times, Voices as well as contribute to intensifying calls for mutual yet you are coming to me?” Jesus said to him in in the News respect and redoubling efforts to respect for religious reply,“Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for usto pluralism in an atmosphere of love and cooperation.’ fulfill all righteousness.” — Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal of Jerusalem about Pope — Matthew 3:13-15 Francis’s May 24-26 planned visit to the Holy Land The Observer | FRIDAY JANUARY 10, 2014 17

Viewpoints

Different View CNS/Joe Heller Help a Loved One Give Up the Keys I was lucky. My late wife’s parents and mine knew when it was time for them to quit driving. They stopped without being asked. And after Monica, my wife, developed nerve damage and neuropathy in her feet due to Your Family different types of cancer treat- by Bill Dodds ments, she told me it was no longer safe for her to drive. Since we wrote about fam- ily caregiving for more than 20 years, we knew that the con- versation about helping a loved Catholic News Service one give up the car keys was a popular — and challenging — topic. If you have concerns about an aging relative continuing to drive, there are lots of different ways to bring up the topic. First, talk with your loved one about your concerns early, be- fore the situation is critical. Let the person know that if he or she is no longer able to drive, you’ll be available to help arrange rides or to provide a ride. Look for an opportunity Talk with your loved to bring up the subject using news reports. Unfortunately, one about your Fasting for the Spirit as Well as the Body stories on accidents involving concerns early It wasn’t the abundance of Christmas, with I consume and offer prayers of gratitude for ev- older drivers are not uncom- its wealth of cookies, family meals and wine un- erything I eat. As I turn down a chance to buy a mon. This can be the catalyst corked. It doesn’t have anything to do with New gourmet cup of coffee or avoid a cookie, I offer to start the conversation. But before you do that, prepare what Year’s resolutions, a practice I gave up years ago. this tiny sacrifi ce for an intention I’ve chosen. you’re going to say. No, my interest in fasting as a spiritual practice I try to be present to periods of real hunger When talking about the topic, stick to the facts (cite accidents, has been grow- and identify with the millions who involuntarily close calls, rising insurance rates, failing eyesight, and so on.) For the Journey Don’t get caught up in your loved one’s anger and begin fi ring ing for a while, experience this sensation daily. I attempt to be back. You can also enlist the help of the person’s doctor to ex- by E e Caldarola and I view aware and never eat mindlessly. At least, that’s plain why this action is necessary. the Christmas the goal, and it begins again with each new day. If your loved one has given you power of attorney, refer to that holidays, glori- I will admit that my dance with food is tied when discussing this issue, not as a threat but as a reminder that ously rich with into a desire to lose weight. I’ve had a lifelong he or she trusts your judgment. If someone else has power of at- kids home and struggle with food, and often I’d thought of fast- treats aplenty, torney, ask that person to help you with the discussion. Catholic News Service ing as something apart from (holier somehow) a Check with the Department of Motor Vehicles in your state. as a brief but desire to be an optimum weight. tasty interlude before I continue to explore what Ask what the procedure is for reporting your concerns. Also, But by realizing that God wants me to be the ask about options, perhaps getting identifi cation without having fasting can do for my spirit. healthiest I can be, I know that eating conscious- Fasting has ancient roots and is a practice en- a driver’s license. ly is a way of integrating my body and spirit. Most important, keep in mind that you can’t take away the car couraged by the church. In Scripture, John the The evangelical pastor Rick Warren just wrote Baptist appears as the lean and mean ascetic, keys without providing some reasons and solutions. You need a book called “The Daniel Plan.” Its aim is dining on locusts and wild honey. to help your loved one fi gure out how he or she is going to get weight loss but incorporates prayer, exercise and Jesus, on the other hand (having earlier spent around. community. I haven’t read the book, so I can’t his own time in the desert), changes water into Can you drive that person to the places he or she needs to wine so a party can continue, and repeatedly recommend it, but I like how he explained why a go? Or can your spouse or children do it? Can someone in your eats and drinks with tax collectors, sinners and pastor would write a weight loss book. parish help out? What about neighbors or friends? Are taxis or Pharisees. His emphasis is on the communal as- During a large baptism in which he submerged buses a possibility? Check with a local senior citizen informa- pects of the shared meal. hundreds of people, he realized he was having a tion and assistance center to fi nd out about special low-cost van What does this contrast tell us? I think it says tough time because so many in his congregation rides for the elderly. that there’s a season for everything under heav- were fat. He admitted he was fat as well. The goal is not to take away the keys, but to help your loved en. There’s a time for celebration and feasting in “You can’t love if you don’t have the energy to one. Gather information about older drivers and the danger it our lives, and a time to abstain. And both should love,” he told Parade magazine in an interview. might present. The AARP (American Association of Retired be done intentionally. In other words, to be the best person you can be, Persons) and most insurance companies have prepared material I feasted this Christmas, trying to savor the your body, which is God’s gift to you, must be about older drivers. season’s specialties while not overdoing it. the best it can be. Don’t swoop in one day and confi scate the car keys. This al- Now, I feel the urge to experiment again with A great Catholic book on integrating eating most guarantees anger, resentment and lack of cooperation. attempts at fasting. Going for long stretches with spiritual growth is “Cravings: A Catholic With that information in hand, your loved one may more eas- without food makes me irritable and ravenous. Wrestles With Food, Self-Image and God” by ily realize that your concerns are valid. It becomes his or her But carefully deciding on a given morning how I Mary DeTurris Poust. I’d recommend it to every- decision, and resistance doesn’t play a part. can do without and pare down — and laying out one who wants to incorporate a healthy attitude Finally, know that your love, respect and concern can ease a simple and frugal plan for eating — is helpful. toward food — and maybe some old-fashioned your loved one’s sense of loss about losing driving privileges, As the day progresses, I’m conscious of what fasting — into their spiritual life. but can’t eliminate it.

was afraid our staff couldn’t get in. We start e are used to this type of (violent) actions work at six in the morning. At both our and always say that our churches are in our ‘Ilocations, people said, ‘People are hungry, Voices ‘W hearts. If they burn them, we will build them we’ve got to get in here.” ’ in the News again, hand in hand with our Muslim brothers.’ — Capuchin Brother Jerry Smith, who directs the order’s — Ihab Azmy, a 36-year-old Egyptian Coptic Christian, soup kitchens in Detroit, about the extreme cold after 13 people were killed in violence Jan. 3

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For the Record

Deaths Parish offices may forward death and wedding information using forms at http://observer.rockforddiocese.org/contact-us. AURORA—Holy Angels: Frank Fox, 71, Dec. 14; ROCK FALLS—St. Andrew: all need to become known Our Lady of Good Counsel: Delvin D. Rajnowski, 72, Dec. as a community of believing, Jovita Burke, 91, Dec. 19; 19; grateful and generous people. BELVIDERE—St. James: ROCKFORD—St. Anthony “This “grateful and generous” Lance A. Jensen, 54, Dec. 7; of Padua: Carolyn Ann Vet- dimension means that we rec- tore-Skaar, 71, Dec. 14; Cono CRYSTAL LAKE—St. Thom- ognize that all things are gifts LaLoggia, 91, Dec. 18; Lena E. as the Apostle: Susan Kim- from God. We thus seek to be Moscarelli, 98, Dec. 23; Sam ble, 56, Dec. 9; James Ennis, grateful for them and, as dis- B. Terrazino, 93, Jan. 1; 75, Dec. 10; ciples of Christ, to share them St. Rita: Helen Goethe, 91, Ruth generously for bettering our DEKALB—St. Mary: Dec. 26; Cienciwa, 84, Dec. 19; world. St. James: Rose Veruchi, 98, Courtesy of Parish Publications EAST DUBUQUE—St. Mary: Dec. 14; Dean M. Meyer, 66, Oct. 29; “Stewardship” newsletter Jason Scott Wanke, 35, Dec. St. Stanislaus Kostka: Kath- 19; Dolores C. Roth, 87, Dec. leen Goral, 65, Dec. 5; Pawel Mass Meditation 21; Ralph J. Tranel, 92, Dec. Czaplicki, 42, Dec. 7; Mieczys- law “Matt” Domanski, 89, Dec. 24; Sunday, Jan. 12 (Baptism of 19; Theodore Beck, 91, Dec. the Lord): Our baptism, like ELGIN—St. Joseph: Josue 18; Eloise “Lois” Koteski, 88, the Lord’s, is a consecration Miguel Reyes, infant, Dec. 12; Dec. 21; Nicolas Quezada, 56, Dec. 14; to service. The bishops’ pas- SPRING GROVE—St. Peter: Martha Sanchez, 49, Dec. 18; toral on stewardship reminds Edward Polanek, 73, Dec. 26; Rose M. Stella, 93, Dec. 22; us that “… there is a funda- STERLING—St. Mary: Alicia mental obligation arising from FREEPORT—St. Joseph: C. Miniel, 82, Dec. 23; Forrest Donald McIntyre, 84, Dec. 20; the sacrament of baptism that R. Frank, 88, Dec. 26; Marga- people place their gifts, their St. Thomas Aquinas: Mary ret Perez, 68, Dec. 26. resources — their selves — at Mowry, 78, Dec. 16; Myrtle M. Lownik, 92, Dec. 21; Thomas Weddings God’s service in and through Boland, 81, Dec. 25; Robert the Church. Huisinga, 87, Dec. 28; AURORA—Our Lady of Good Courtesy of Sharon Hueckel MCHENRY— Church of Holy Counsel: Alejandra Ferrusca and Alejandro Rosas, Dec. 27; Apostles: Erick Mota-Benitz, Life Moment 28, Dec. 1; Lillian Michels, 92, CRYSTAL LAKE—St. Thom- Dec. 4; George C. Cannell, 91, as the Apostle: Dorethia Cal- Pray: That each of us may Dec. 16; lahan and Charles Lundgren, renew the commitment of our Dec. 14. St. Patrick: Dolores Belohlavy, own baptism, renouncing sin OBITUARY and promising to serve God 88, Dec. 23; Stewardship Moment  Margaret R. DeVita Survivors include her husband, RICHMOND—St. Joseph: Gary faithfully in his holy Church. ROCKFORD—Margaret R. De- William A. DeVita; daughter, Diane Andrew Mathia, 55, Dec. 21; Be grateful, generous: We Courtesy of www.priestsforlife.org Vita, 90, died Nov. 23, 2013, here. (James) Rawls, Palatine; sons, John She was born March 20, 1923, in DeVita, Bob DeVita, and William Detroit, Mich., daughter of Andrew (Jill) DeVita of Stevens Point, Wis.; and Diana (Laudicina) Vissillo. grandchildren, Louis DeVita, Abi- Catholic Filmmaker Makes Movie She married William A. DeVita gail DeVita, Brian Rawls and Steven in the Shrine of the Little Flower Rawls; brother-in-law and sisters-in- Church, Royal Oaks, Mich., on June law, Tony and Mary Lou DeVita and 28, 1952. Josephine Larson, and loving aunt to About Boyhood Idol, Clemente While living in Michigan, she was many nieces and nephews. From page 15 “She talks to him about the of the most popular things in employed at JL Hudson for several Her family extends a special thank cross. ‘Greater love has no man years and was a USO volunteer dur- time (the 2008 Summer Olym- the film.” you to her special care giver, Teena pics). He didn’t medal this than to lay down his life for his The movie has had screen- ing WWII. In Rockford, she worked Dennis, the staff of VNA Hospice, at the North Town Weise’s in acces- time. He was the oldest guy at friends,’ is what the nun quotes ings in Pittsburgh, where Cle- especially Rose Rainer and Shelly to him from Scripture, talk- mente played for 18 years, as sories and retired from the Bergner’s Bryant and Stephanie Crawford, the Olympics in his sport.” Distribution Center after 19 years of ing about ‘sacrificial love and well as Chicago and New York. A PN-N P. Rossi said the dramatic ful- employment. Christ’s sacrificial love,’” he A Mass of Christian Burial was Rossi is working on staging She and her husband were charter crum of “Baseball’s Last Hero” held on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013, at said. “This is the theme I want- screenings in San Francisco members of St. Bernadette Parish, is a conversation Clemente has St. Bernadette Parish. Visitation was ed to point out — an allegory of and Hollywood as well as a where she was a member of Ladies with a nun. held on Nov. 29 at Fitzgerald Funeral Christ on the cross.” big rollout to coincide with of St. Bernadette and their Senior Rossi said he had gotten the availability of the move on Association. She was also a member Home and Crematory, 3910 N. Rock- Like The Observer Catholic ton Ave. Entombment was in Calvary pressure to delete the scene Amazon.com. The retail price of Catholic Women’s League and the Newspaper on from the movie for being “too Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxil- Cemetery Mausoleum. is $21.21. iary. Memorials may be given to St. preachy and too Catholic.” As Rossi, now 50, added, “I As her children were growing up Bernadette School, 2300 Bell Ave., it turns out, he added, it’s “one think the little boy in me want- she was a playground volunteer at St. Rockford, IL 61103, or VNA Hos- If you or someone you know ed to make this film.” pice, 4223 E. State St., Rockford, IL Bernadette School, Cub Scout leader and has been the victim of sexual As for his old Clemente and assisted with the Girl Scouts. 61108. abuse by an employee or mem- stories of his school days, She enjoyed traveling and did beauti- Extend condolences and share ber of the clergy of the Rockford “my mother might have them ful crocheting and handiwork. memories at www.fitzgeraldfh.com. Diocese, report the matter to packed away. She’s a pack rat,” The Observer accepts paid obituaries from funeral homes for members law enforcement in the county Rossi said. “The last time I was in which the conduct occurred of parishes in the Diocese of Rockford. Notices will be edited for style. @ObserverRkfd there I saw a bunch of papers. I Parishioners may ask funeral homes with which they work to call 815/399- and then please call the new hot- on Twitter saw a note to Jesus in them that 4300 for information. line number: 815/293-7540. I had written.” In 2014 ... Beginning with The Observer. I resolve to read Subscribe online through our secure Web site. Visit us at http://observer.rockforddiocese.org. more Catholic Or call 815/399-4300, ext. 383, to order The Observer by phone. publications. We accept Visa, MasterCard and Discover. The Observer | FRIDAY JANUARY 10, 2014 19

Resolved: Be a Better Television Watcher in 2014 From page 15 ads for video games rated “T” Granted, you may have un- You would teach a child how ing a criticizer. While there is what it is you want to watch be- for teen or “M” for mature, knowingly ingested so much to set a table by showing how much about television to criti- fore you turn on the TV. Don’t that mute button is going to junk on TV that solitaire seems it’s done, not by pointing to the cize, you have to develop the be content with just watching be pushed long before the rat- like an escape valve, but the dishes, utensils, glasses and ability to think critically about the next show that comes on, ing pops up near the end of the real escape is to either change napkins and expecting them to what you’ve viewed, and judge and the show after that, and so spot. the channel or turn the thing do it by themselves. The same whether you as a viewer are be- on. If you watch TV, then resolve off — TV or smartphone or is true with television, and ing manipulated in ways you Another resolution: Hit the to watch TV. Avoid multitask- both. probably even more so. Tele- like or don’t like, ranging from “mute” button on commer- ing with the tube on. If you’re Resolved: Don’t let children vision is the messenger we al- the latest episode of a hit series cials. Because I regularly hit going to presumably view the watch TV unattended. Watch low into our homes. It not only to the local news. the mute button at home, it took collective effort of hundreds of with them. Make TV watch- shapes the culture, it also is the With as many channels as me quite a few weeks to recog- people working on both sides ing a reward, rather than a di- culture. You’ve got to be there there are today, you can cer- nize what all the fuss was about of the camera, you don’t really version that allows you to do to help interpret and decode tainly shop the television-pro- with the “hump day” camel on want to be playing solitaire on “more important things.” In messages for kids, even in the gramming marketplace to fi nd the Geico ads. your smartphone, do you? That truth, time spent helping form most innocuous shows rated shows that better appeal to your By one token, the Geico ads lessens the experience for you, children’s attitudes and con- “Y” for youth. values and sensibilities, if you are relatively benign. But if and shortchanges the people on sciences is the best time spent Finally, be a critiquer of take the time to seek them out. I’m watching a show that runs the creative end. of all. TV. That’s different from be- Pattison is media editor for Church Workers Help Central Americans Search for Family Missing in Mexico From page 14 Yet Iris Yaconda, a psy- ones. Their stages of grieving participants. After the caravan concluded chologist with Jesuit Refugee have no end. They suffer sleep- Yaconda said the caravan with a Dec. 18 demonstration Service in Nicaragua, said the less nights and depression. also turned up clues that may along the Mexico-Guatemala participants no longer feel iso- But in the caravan they found yield future re-encounters. An border, most participants re- lated. other women who are living informal network of human Newspapers • Catalogs • Mail Service turned home with neither good “These are women who live through the same experience,” rights groups and church-run Business Cards • Magazines • Brochures nor bad news, just more unan- in constant grief, not knowing said Yaconda, who provided shelters in Mexico will con- 815-758-5484 swered questions. what happened to their loved emotional support for caravan tinue the search. 121 Industrial Drive • DeKalb, IL 60115

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September, 2014 Superintendent of Catholic Schools working environment. The headquarters has a private chapel Contact Diocese of Rockford with reservation of the Most Blessed Sacrament. We offer Rev. Raymond J. Webb P.O. Box 7044 Eucharistic Adoration and as a group pray daily the Rosary Academic Dean and Divine Mercy Chaplet. 555 Colman Center Drive 847-970-4802 Please send resume to: [email protected] Rockford, IL. 61125 [email protected] Website: www.usml.edu [email protected]

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Diocesan Good for You

Top team: On Dec. 14, the Aquin University. She has participated in Central Catholic Junior-Senior fundraising for Hope for Haitians High School eighth-grade boys and spent several days in Haiti claimed the Stephenson County this past summer. When in high Basketball Tourney champion- school, she gave over 100 hours ship. On Dec. 21, the boys claimed of volunteer service at Presence the Joe Finn Tourney champion- Mercy Hospital in Aurora. At St. ship. They repeated their wins as Therese Church she has been a seventh-graders. They closed out volunteer in the religious educa- conference play on Dec. 18 with a tion program for the past seven win at Durand, ending four years years. She teaches a third grade of undefeated conference play for class, is a confirmation mentor the team. They have had only four and works in the religious educa- losses, all in tournaments. Rick tion office, where her bilingual Diemer, Randy Budenz and Adam skills are much appreciated. Last May she received the St. Timothy Holder. coached the team from (Photos provided) fifth through seventh grade. Jim Posing with their trophy from the Joe Finn Tourney are (front, from left) Keegan Koester, Cade Budenz, Jack- Award for being an example of Jenkins and Jack Gastel coached son Holder, Jonah Diemer, Bryce Carlson, Cooper Arndt, Brady Sheehan, (back) Cole Luedeking, Greg Tolliver, faith, service and personal growth them in eighth grade. This is the Wil Courtney, Cole Stykel, Alandus Williams, Javier Jazo and coach Jim Jenkins. Team members Couy Barkau to the youth of the parish. Father same group of boys that went un- and Jeffery Peterson and assistant coach Jack Gastel are not in the picture. Michael Miller, MSC, is pastor at defeated in football in grades six St. Therese. through eight. Alger, and Mrs. LeBouef. The Healthcare System can now be lia Bennett, Jessica Biggins, Jared SMS Lancers earned one judges finalized. Kewanee Hospital will Bogner, Bethany Bucci, Samantha Winning speakers: The St. choice first place position, 11 sec- become OSF Saint Luke Medical Corn, Christopher Daniels, Lisa Mary School, DeKalb, forensics onds and three thirds. The team Center on April 2, during a bless- DiGirolamo, Connor Dobbins, team, consisting of students in will later perform in several loca- ing and dedication ceremony that Jane Elder, Anthony Fitzpatrick, fifth through eighth grade, per- tions in the DeKalb community. will be officiated by Springfield Caroline Hellman, Joseph Herba, formed in Niles for the Illinois Frank Hucek, Justinne Ignacio, Hospital joins OSF: The Illi- Diocese Bishop Daniel R. Jenky. Elementary School Association Nicolas John, Dane Johnson, Aus- nois Health Facilities and Services Top ACT students: Thirty- contest on Nov. 9. Competition tin Lee, Megan Mink, Kelsey Nie- events included chorale reading, Review Board has approved the five seniors from Marian Central hoff, Patrick Niemaszek, Anthony impromptu individual speaking, Certificate of Exemption applica- Catholic High School, Woodstock, Partaker, Owen Rost, Thomas improv duet acting, original script tion of OSF Healthcare System for scored 30 or higher on their ACT Salvi, Charles Shin, Simona Slat- —individual, regular duet acting, a change of ownership of Kewanee composite. They are Christian Al- er, Moira Stotz, Sarah Strauss, small group acting, and solo act- Hospital. The planned integration varo, Pamela Atadero, Gabrielle Matthew VanHerzeele, McKenzie ing. Coaches are Mrs. Dobie, Mrs. of Kewanee Hospital into OSF Baumert, Samantha Benigni, Ju- Wilde, Cody Wills, Scott Wilson. State scholars: Thirty-seven students from Marian Central Catholic High School, Woodstock, are 2014 Illinois State Scholars. Illinois State Scholars represent Deacon Watermann, Campos, approximately the top 10 percent Father Miller of high school seniors, hailing from 675 different high schools Parish celebrates: Blessed Sac- rament Parish in North Aurora DeKalb St. Mary School Forensics Team across the state. Selection is based on SAT, ACT or Prairie State celebrated the Christmas season Achievement Exam scores, and with its annual Christmas Party class rank at the end of the junior and Choral Concert on Dec. 8. The WIDOW AND WIDOWER’S RETREAT year. Marian’s Illinois Scholars are Women’s Club, along with the Par- Christian Alvaro, Pamela Atade- ish Youth Ministry group, hosted Retreats at Jan. 31 — Feb. 2. 2014 ro, Gabrielle Baumert, Samantha the party for parish families after what concert-goers described as a Bishop Lane Led by Benigni, Julia Bennett, Jessica Bishop Lane Retreat Center Biggins, Jared Bogner, Bethany “beautiful choral concert” that fea- Retreat CenterFather Jeremy Rockford, Ill. Bucci, Christiana Carroll, Saman- tured the best songs of the season. Trowbridge tha Corn, Christopher Daniels, Children were entertained with The death of a spouse is one of the most profound events in Lisa DiGirolamo, Jane Elder, An- arts and crafts with the assistance a person’s life. The suffering includes the loss of a partner thony Fitzpatrick, Joseph Herba, of the high school youth group. who shared your past and the future you hoped to share with Frank Hucek, Nicolas John, Dane Santa arrived to greet the children Johnson, Madeline Johnson, Aus- and pose for photos with them. them. Join Fr. Jeremy Trowbridge at Bishop Lane to start the tin Lee, Megan Mink, Robert healing process through presentations, confessions and Mass. Student supported: Knights of Morehead, Kelsey Niehoff, Pat- Columbus Grand Knight Don Ro- For information and reservations contact 815-965-5011 rick Niemaszek, Kaitlin Pinter, baczewski and Ladies Auxiliary Madelaine Ronquillo, Owen Rost, President Cheryl Blaney present Father Jeremy or [email protected] Thomas Salvi, Carlo Shin, Simona a check for $1,069 to Robert DeR- Trowbridge Master and Visa Card Accepted Slater, Moira Stotz, Sarah Strauss, osa, to help with his tuition at De Matthew VanHerzeele, McKenzie Paul University. They are from St. Wilde, Kendall Willis, Scott Wil- John the Baptist Parish in Johns- son, Angela Wuerger. burg. 3 Feb. 7, 2014 Parishioner honored: At a Dec. 9 luncheon, Jetzemanith (Jetze) S Leadership 8:30 a.m. — 4 p.m. Campos of St. Therese of Jesus Parish in Aurora received the Ted A Catholic Vision for Brattin Civic Youth Award. She was nominated by Deacon Bruce Leading Like Jesus. Watermann. Each year the Rotary A workshop led by Club honors 10 area youths, ages 11 to 19, who give extraordinary Owen Phelps, Ph.D. service and time to the commu- & Richard Kunnert. nity. Jetze is a freshman at Aurora Blaney, DeRosa, Robaczewski Owen Phelps, Ph.D. Write to us at [email protected]. Servant  Steward  Shepherd