AA PentecostalPentecostal mommom bringsbrings herher childrenchildren
“home”to“home”to St.St. PiusPius SchoolSchool inin FlintFlint 2
T. Gennara T. A time of change a time of renewal
@ Father Dwight Ezop is editor of FAITH Magazine and pastor of the Catholic Community of St. Jude. E-mail: [email protected].
wice a year, usually during autumn and again during know well and experience often, I Lent, I have been offering six-week-long Bible studies for suspect that all of us can fall into a adults in the parish. Over the last several years, we have sort of “auto pilot” mode from time studied each of the Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, to time when we come to Mass. The current words, actions and and the book of the prophet Isaiah. On average, each of gestures have become so familiar theseT series has had about 50 people in attendance. That changed to us that we can forget the much this fall when I led a study of the book of Revelation. Suddenly, there deeper realities that they help us to were nearly 80 folks in attendance. The interest was high and our dis- celebrate. Taking time to help folks cussions were even more lively and insightful than usual. From these to understand the mystery of the experiences, I have learned that, contrary to the opinions of some, Eucharist more deeply will pro- vide all of us with an opportunity adult Catholics are indeed interested in learning more about their faith. for deepened knowledge of and Providing opportunities that are convenient, engaging, and which re- appreciation for that which is both quire a limited time commitment all seem to make this an appealing the source and summit of our faith. combination for parishioners whose lives are busier than ever. As the old saying goes, change is not easy. It can either be a Like all priests in the United States, I’m bit different, while others will remain in the source of angst or we can see it in the process of preparing for a key eccle- form we now use. There will be new music as a time for renewed understand- from the editor from sial event that will occur later this year. On to be learned and a number of other riches ing and growth. I choose to see the First Sunday of Advent 2011, we will to be mined from the implementation of the this as an opportunity for a deeper welcome the newly-translated Roman Mis- new translation. appreciation of the central myster- sal, which will guide our prayer at Mass for The implementation of the newly-trans- ies of our faith. I’m hoping that all many years to come. The new translation lated Roman Missal provides a wonder- of us will do likewise and take full is the result of many years of work, ren- ful opportunity to delve deeply into the advantage of the many opportuni- dering the Latin original into English. When celebration that is at the very heart of our ties that will be available to us in we begin to pray using this new translation, faith. Beginning in Lent and continuing into parishes around our diocese in the many prayers that we have known in Eng- the Easter season, I will be leading a parish coming months. And so our jour- lish for more than 40 years will sound a study of the Mass. As with anything that we ney in FAITH continues.
Haiti – one year later Catholic Relief Services helped … January marks the first • 900,000 People provided anniversary of the earthquake food in the early months that devastated Haiti, one of following the earthquake the world’s poorest countries. • 100,000 Children in Recovery has been slow, and the more than 370 schools, situation was exacerbated by orphanages and child-care this year’s hurricane and subse- centers received food quent cholera outbreak. • 215,000 People received Much remains to be done to emergency shelter • 64,000 outpatient victims of the earthquake help the people of Haiti, many materials consultations in Haiti. of whom are still living in tent • 400 Transitional shelters cities and scraping by to get constructed immediately The Diocese of Lansing For more about Haiti, the necessities of life. However, • 100 Additional shelters helped … read FAITH’s bonus Haiti one year later Catholics from the U.S. and built per week • The people of the Diocese digital content: Haiti – around the world have stepped • 947 Emergency medical of Lansing donated one year later, only on up to provide aid. operations $559,667 to assist the www.FAITHmag.com
Liturgical Calendar: The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God Jan. 1 | The Epiphany of the Lord Jan. 2 | Most Holy Name of Jesus Jan. 3 | St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, religious FAITH Magazine / January/February 2011 / www.FAITHmag.com 3
The Magazine of the Catholic Diocese of Lansing Most Reverend Earl Boyea PUBLISHER Rev. Dwight Ezop EDITOR AND CHAIRMAN Jan./Feb. 2011 • Volume 12: Issue 1 20 22 24
Patrick M. O’Brien PRESIDENT/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 20 Teaching in a Catholic school inspired Sheila to become Catholic | 22 Belonging is believing – Elizabeth Martin Solsburg Participation in faith increases knowledge | 24 Maintenance to mission: transforming our Catholic schools DIRECTOR OF CUSTOM PUBLISHING/ EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Cynthia Vandecar MARKETING MANAGER Patrick Dally what you’ll ART DIRECTOR Lynne Hsu get out of GRAPHIC DESIGNER/WEBMASTER Jillane Job EDITORIAL ASSISTANT this issue InnerWorkings PRINT MANAGEMENT
Michelle Sessions DiFranco | Doug 4 from the bishop table of contents Culp | Dcn. Tom and JoAnne Fogle | Bob Horning | Rev. Charles Irvin | Paul – Bishop Earl Boyea Jarzembowski | Rev. Joseph Krupp | Dr. Gelasia Marquez | Dr. Cathleen McGreal 5 work life – Nick Synko | Nancy Schertzing | Sister Ann Shields | 6 parenting journey Todd Schulz CONTRIBUTING WRITERS – Dr. Cathleen McGreal Derek Melot marriage matters PROOFREADING 7 Carlson Productions | Tom Gennara | – Tom and JoAnne Fogle James Luning (cover) | Don Quillan in the know CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS 8 Bob Patten | Chris Sushynski with Fr. Joe CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATORS – Father Joseph Krupp FAITHTM (USPS 019993) is a publication of FAITH Catho- lic, Diocese of Lansing, 1500 E. Saginaw St., Lansing, MI 48906-5550. FAITHTM is a membership publication of the 9 spiritual popcorn Catholic Diocese of Lansing and is published monthly except for February and August. To purchase a subscription, log on A Pentecostal mom brings her children to FAITHmag.com. If you have a change of address, please – Paul Jarzembowski contact your parish. Periodicals postage paid in Lansing, MI and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send ad- “home” to St. Pius School in Flint dress changes to FAITHTM, 1500 E. Saginaw St., Lansing MI 10 culture 48906-5550. ©2011 FAITH Catholic. FAITH is a trade- mark of FAITH Catholic. – Michelle Sessions DiFranco Most Rev. Carl F. Mengeling Shawn Ochs is not Catholic, nor is her husband. 12 spiritual fitness FOUNDING PUBLISHER But when Shawn brought her children to St. Pius Rev. Charles Irvin 16 – Sister Ann Shields FOUNDING EDITOR School in Flint for the first time, she felt as if they had come 14 theology 101 – Rita Thiron For advertising information: home. Find out why this Pentecostal mom thinks a Catholic Call 517.853.7600 31 last word school is the best fit for her family. – Father Charles Irvin
forget the books of the Pentateuch – ever. (For those of you unfortunate enough not Who was your best to have had a class with Sister Pat, those are the first five books of the Bible.) schoolteacher? But Sister Pat taught more than dry facts. She had a love for Scripture and theology @ Elizabeth Solsburg is editorial director of that was contagious – these words had FAITH Magazine. She can be reached at
T. Gennara T. really shaped her life. When she left St. [email protected] Thomas, she went on to become a pastoral associate at St. Pat’s in Whitmore Lake. She ost of us have a favorite teacher. When we’re actual- modeled a life of ministry in the Church ly in school, it may be the teacher who is “easy” and that affected my decision to become a doesn’t demand a lot of work. Or the teacher who is director of religious education – at the same just plain fun. But, sometimes, with the perspective parish in which I’d attended high school. I had lost touch with Sister Pat until a of time and experience, we realize the fun teacher few years ago, when I was lucky enough to wasn’tM necessarily the one who taught us the most. visit her in the IHM motherhouse and get a chance to thank her for being the best I had many great teachers. But the one Pat taught freshman religion at St. Thomas teacher ever. If there’s a teacher like Sister who really had a huge influence on my life High School in Ann Arbor. When you got Pat in your past, you might want to look and career was Sister Patricia O’Toole. Sister out of that class, you were never going to him or her up and say, “Thanks!”
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, religious Jan. 4 | St. John Neumann, bishop Jan. 5 | St. André Bessette, religious Jan. 6 | St. Raymond Peñafort, priest Jan. 7 | Feast of the Baptism of the Lord Jan. 9 4 Why Catholic schools?
Bishop Earl Boyea is the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Lansing.
hy Catholic schools? Alexis de Tocqueville, a Frenchman, visited America in the 1830s and commented on practically everything. He said this about public schooling: “It cannot be doubted that in the United States the instruction of the people powerfully contributes to the support of the democratic republic; and such must always be the case, I believe, where the instruction which enlightens the understanding is not separated from the moral education which amends the heart …” There is the issue – the separation of the intellectual and moral formation of our young people. To- day, in most of our public education, it is almost impossible to provide a solid moral formation to go along with the textbook learning that is taking place. That is why, today more than ever, our Catholic schools play a critical role not just to prepare Catholic leaders for the future, but also to prepare solid citizens whose amended hearts will help to lead our country along right paths.
The third council of Baltimore in 1884 noted: “… it can is truly inspiring. Still other parents make use of our parish hardly fail to happen that the young, steeped in the secu- catechetical programs (which on average instruct and form lar spirit from childhood, generally become by degrees our young people for 30 hours a year) and then make and without their being aware of it, not only lovers of the great efforts to supplement that parish work with additional blind world, but by that very fact also haters of Christ and formation at home. Parents are to be highly congratulated opponents of the Church.” That is why that same council for fulfilling this solemn duty so admirably. You are trying to urged all parents to do everything they could to send their keep the mind and the heart of your child in union with the children to Catholic schools. mind and heart of Christ. Clearly, parents have the responsibility to provide for the In the Diocese of Lansing, we have our own duties. One education of their children, is to make sure that all of us not just so that they may in this diocese see that the earn a living in the future, Catholic education of the but so that they will be well next generation is the re- from the bishop from formed as they make their sponsibility of us all. That is way to heaven. Where will why every parish that does parents find that combina- not have a school is being tion of intellectual and moral taxed a small amount to fund formation? It really takes a partial need-based scholar- lot of sacrifice on parents’ ships to attend our Catholic parts to provide this for their schools. Another duty is to children. make sure that our schools Some parents make great are striving to become ever sacrifices to transport their more Catholic, by seeking children at a distance and excellence in every arena forgo other things in order and by becoming every day to pay for the tuition of a community of disciples of their children in a Catho- the Lord Jesus. lic school. Others engage Please pray for the in the amazing journey of ongoing daily reform of our providing home school- D. Quillan Catholic schools and for ing for their offspring. The the blessings of a Catholic dedication and sacrifice Bishop Boyea gives his homily during the Catholic Schools education for all our young involved in that enterprise Mass at St. Mary Cathedral in January, 2010 people.
St. Hilary, bishop and doctor of the Church Jan. 13 | St. Anthony of Egypt , abbot Jan. 17 | St. Fabian, pope and martyr Jan. 20 | St. Agnes, virgin and martyr Jan. 21 | St. Vincent, deacon and martyr FAITH Magazine / January/February 2011 / www.FAITHmag.com 5 My boss is a great guy, but My boss canot spell Q not a great T. Gennara speller. I’ve seen things can I fix his erers without embaresing him? go out under his signa- Nick Synko is a professional career and workplace issues coach. ture that are filled with For more information, visit SynkoAssociates.com and CareersThroughFaith.org. grammatical errors. Is there any way to tactfully correct him without as a team and utilize each other’s skills. 1 Corinthians chapter 12 making him resent me? makes a related point: Now the body is not a single part, but many… if an ear should say, “Because I am not an eye I do not belong to the body,” it does not for this reason belong any less to the body. If the whole Your question reminds me of one of my favorite Mark body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were Twain quotes, “I have no respect for a man who can hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God placed the spell a word only one way.” His perspective, parts, each one of them, in the body as he intended. If they A although funny, is not one usually smiled were all one part, where would the body be? upon in a professional environment. From the tone of your question, I take it that you under- Said otherwise, to optimize organizational stand that correspondence represents both performance, we need each other’s uniqueness the writer and the organization. Therefore, and individual strengths to make the whole work grate grahmer and correct spilling is indeed “body” complete. No one of us is as capable importent. Okay, enuff. [sic] as all of us. In the final analysis, deciding whether to life The easy answer: In today’s world, most bring up the issue of how your skills can everyone is using a computer to write corre- improve your boss’ correspondence depends spondence. With built-in software that auto- upon whether he has previously been open to matically corrects or flags most misspelled words, input from you. Is there evidence that he under- letters and e-mails with such mistakes are readily stands that teams optimize their performance when correctable, unless a person simply is choosing to ignore they rely upon each other’s strengths? If so, then test the those flags, or has not turned on the software’s automatic grammar waters by suggesting a few edits on a document he has recently and spell checker. First, cover these bases. produced. However, unless you are fairly certain he will be open to Challenge alert: From the way you asked your question, I your suggestions, let it go – for the moment. In the meantime, wait assume spelling is a personal strength of yours. Since you also until he asks for your editing input; you will then have the opportu- mentioned he is a “great guy,” you obviously respect him for his nity you are seeking. Once he understands the “value add” of your other positive qualities. That is a great start in realizing we all pos- skills, I bet he will take notice and use them to enhance the “whole sess a mix of strengths and weaknesses and that we need to work body” – or, in this instance, the organization.
FAITH Books’ new release: Happiness: Only in the Next By local author David Paul Eich $ Inspired by the movie, The Song of 14 Bernadette, this book reminds us that we can spend an eternity trying to figure out how to be happy in this world or make choices that will enable us to experience eternal happiness. On sale now www.FAITHCatholic.com
St. Vincent, deacon and martyr Jan. 22 | St. Francis De Sales, bishop and doctor of the Church Jan. 24 | Feast of St. Paul, apostle Jan. 25 | Ss. Timothy and Titus, bishops Jan. 26 6 also a sense of loss that they are not How can I find my birth mother needed in the same way. Your desire to seek the woman who gave birth to you without hurting adds another layer of change during this time of transition.
T. Gennara T. my real mom? Mom will always be Mom. There Dr. Cathleen McGreal is a psychology professor and certified spiritual advisor. are some things in life that go without saying – but why not say them anyway! I was adopted when I was just a baby and raised in Your mom carried you in her heart a wonderful family. Although I consider my adoptive through all the minor events in your parents to be my ‘real’ parents, I would like to meet life (“No, you can’t see that movie or Q the woman who gave birth to me. I have so many you’ll have bad dreams all night!) and the major traumas (“Mom will be right questions! However, my adoptive mother seems apprehensive there when you wake up after Dr. Jones about the idea of me meeting my birth mother. Is it wrong for fixes that broken bone.”) One way to me to do this? If not, how can I minimize the hurt to my adop- minimize the chance for hurt is to focus tive mother? on what the two of you share.
When I was little, I would ask Don’t become too preoccupied. my Grandma Esta to tell me Remember to devote time to your journey her “whole name.” Orphaned parents while you are searching for A early in life, she was adopted your birth mother. Continue your family by her mother’s best friend, who changed rituals and favorite activities. Keeping her first and last names. Her story was your mom in the loop will be of mutual heart-tugging, but she ended up in just benefit; she may be able to provide
parenting parenting the right family, with just the right name. useful information regarding specific Your desire to know about your own details of your birth and will feel less story is natural; you and your mom may apprehensive about the process. be able to provide emotional support for Whatever the outcome of your one another since you don’t know where quest to find your birth mother, you the answers to the questions will lead. have your mom, who will be there for goodbyes at college or help children you with the memories of your child- Reasons behind apprehension. As adjust to “real” jobs. A significant person hood stored in her heart, following the children reach the end of the teen years enters your life and they watch you fall in example of Our Blessed Mother: “She and enter young adulthood, parents love. Parents feel a sense of satisfaction kept all these things, pondering them need to do a lot of letting go. They say “launching” children into the world, but in her heart.” (Lk 2:19)
One of my friends keeps tagging my I don’t want to be photo on Face- on Facebook Q book. I don’t want my picture all over the Internet. how do I keep my friend How can I get her to stop with- from putting me there? out damaging our friendship? Dr. Gelasia Marquez is a psychologist and family counselor.
The unauthorized publication of photos in the familiarize yourself with Facebook’s privacy policies. different social networks of the Internet is After that, you will be ready to sit down with your friend, becoming more and more a concern. Many not only to discuss your feelings regarding your photos A people believe it is a matter of common being exposed in the Internet, but also to firmly request courtesy and common sense to request permission that she move your photos to a private category. before publishing any information about another person I don’t believe your friendship will be damaged by
what gets my goat online. doing so, but, if it happens, remember that you have the All social networks on the Internet have privacy policies right to have your personal integrity respected – having to be followed by their members and that are enforced by unauthorized photos of yourself published on the Internet the social network organization. So, first of all, you should falls into that category.
St. Angela Merici, virgin Jan. 27 | St. Thomas Aquinas, priest and doctor of the Church Jan. 28 | Feast of the Presentation of the Lord Feb. 2 | St. Blaise, bishop and martyr; St. Ansgar, bishop 7 He said She said what do they do?
Deacon Tom Fogle and JoAnne Fogle
T. Gennara T. help prepare couples for marriage. your marriage matters “He wants my e-mail password – that’s private!”
Sandy says: Sam has been bugging me to give him the password to my e- mail account. I often chat with friends via e-mail about things in their lives I’m sure they’d rather Sam not read. And I do believe I should be able to have some privacy. My refusal to give him access to my e-mail is causing a rift between us. “What is she keeping secret?”
Sam says: We’re married – and phrase back what you heard of the deeper problem in their so we share everything. That’s my and, if needed, let the one relationship. It might be best philosophy. Does Sandy not trust me to speaking clarify any mispercep- if both Sandy and Sam were keep her friends’ secrets? I’m not planning to sit and read tions. Then switch roles and to reflect on the “real reason” her e-mail every night; I just don’t think we should be repeat the process until both this has become an issue and locking each other out of parts of our lives. people understand the other’s then share it with each other. feelings. During the process, Is it that Sandy is afraid Sam Maybe the of this issue. If Sandy has Sam’s Sandy and Sam should be will not approve of the discus- first ques- e-mail password, then it would mindful of the respect and hon- sion Sandy is having with her tion asked be appropriate for Sam to have esty owed to each other. They friends? Is Sam afraid Sandy should be, hers – if you trust each other, will experience a deeper level of is keeping secrets or talking “Is this the only instance where why does it matter? trust in their relationship and about their relationship “out of privacy is demanded, or are On the surface, it appears discover their communication school?” Sam and Sandy would there other areas? For example, that Sam does not trust Sandy; skills will improve on other top- best serve each other out of do Sam and Sandy open postal he needs to know her every ics as well. love and consideration by re- mail and packages addressed to detail about her life. Likewise, We believe the lack of trust flecting on the trust as it relates each other, or is that considered it appears that Sandy does not is a result of some deeper issue to their relationship; e-mail is private? Do they have individual trust Sam with the conversa- that is not being dealt with; the only the medium, trust is the bank accounts, individual credit tions she has with her friends. e-mail is only a manifestation heart. cards, etc.? If e-mail is the only It looks like there is a lot of “privacy” issue and the other distrust going on in Sam and areas are shared, we can under- Sandy’s relationship. One way A Marriage Enrichment Conference stand why Sam is confused with to successfully discover the root Presented by St. Patrick’s “I Do For Life” the inconsistency in the rules. of the problem is to approach it Marriage Ministry To start, Sam and Sandy together and to do so prayer- should talk about the feelings fully. Take a lead from Scripture, St. Patrick Catholic Church, Brighton involved. How does Sandy feel James 1:19-20: “Be quick to lis- Feb. 12, 2011 about Sam’s request? How does ten, slow to speak, and slow to 8:30 a.m. - 3:15 p.m. Sam feel when Sandy does not become angry …” Sharing your (Doors open at 7:30 a.m.) wish to share it? Then each of deepest thoughts and feelings Conference rate: $65/couple them should answer the ques- with each other requires each to For more information and registration, go to: tion, “why” do I feel that way? It listen without interruption. www. idoforlife.org appears that trust is at the root After listening, gently para-
St. Blaise, bishop and martyr; St. Ansgar, bishop Feb. 3 | St. Agatha, virgin and martyr Feb. 5 | Blessed Pius IX, pope Feb. 7 | St. Jerome Emiliani, priest; St. Josephine Bakhita, virgin Feb. 8 | St. Scholastica, virgin Feb. 10 T. Gennara in the know with Fr. Joe 8 A Q that true? for anewparish.Is not allowedto“shop” ocese of Lansing, for example, ocese ofLansing,forexample, ish you wish.TheCatholicDi- allowed to register atanypar and takepartintheMass. Catholic church inanycountry faith –thatwe canwalkinto a that ispartofthebeautyour “catholic” meansuniversal, and church intheworld. Theword to goto MassinanyCatholic Now, insomeareas, you are First ofall,you are allowed ... it depends. ... itdepends. wanted to hear, but be theanswer you OK, thismay not us wewere church told of alocal The pastor Is itOKtoparishshop? Dear Fr. Joe: @ 48906 Or:[email protected] Our Lady ofLourdes Feb. 11| St.Cyril, monk andSt.Methodius, bishopFeb. 14 |The sevenfounders oftheOrder ofServites,religious Sendyourquestionsto:“IntheKnow withFr. Joe”FAITH Magazine, 1500 E.Saginaw, Lansing,MI - The word itselfcomesfrom a ish. It’s basedongeography. what placedyou inyour par to wherever you live, that is Whenyou boundaries. moved are thendividedinto parish divided into regions, which “dioceses.” Thesedioceses are seven different areas called here inMichigan,we have by theChurch. Forexample, into lotsofgeographiczones sacraments. ability to participate inother mayic boundaries affect your some ofthesecases,geograph- in your In geographicparish. choose, you may onlyregister can goto Masswherever you some dioceses,althoughyou affiliation.However,parish in allows peopleto choosetheir The world isdividedup What’s ageographicparish? - reside inaparish’s boundaries needsus. Eucharist andthe need theEucharist Not goingisabigdeal–we ebrations thatare heldthere. unity arecel- theeucharistic munity andthesource ofits talents ofthecommunity. and receiving thegiftsand offering your giftsandtalents yourself inyour community, andactivelyparish!) involve (everyone shouldregister ata that you willregister there be “your parish.” Itishoped which you live isassumedto the equivalent ofacounty. is fact, inLouisiana,aparish defines your neighborhood. In for neighbor–itessentially derivative ofatheGreek word However, to beclear, ifyou The highpointofthecom- in As aCatholic,theparish derstood him?Have you asked sure you justhaven’t misun- spoken to thepastor to make short ofleaving. Have you all theoptionsopento you make sure you have explored preaching theword ofGod, the pastor ornot iscruel you? more “socially acceptable”to to beamongpeoplewhoare oradesire of angerorpride on earth,orare you actingout reality ofGod’s kingdom here to morethe fullyexperience ing motivated byareal desire working” foryou. Are you be- is“not why itisthattheparish time prayerfully considering does, infact,work foryou. for aCatholicchurch that nothing wrong withlooking and it’s “notworking,” there is says tothebartend- er, “Hey,couldIget shakes his head shakes hishead A french fry walks A french frywalks If you are leaving because You needto spendsome The bartender The bartender a sodaplease?” into the bar and into thebarand looks at him, looks athim, food here.” don’t serve don’t serve and says, “No, we “No,we
B. Patten B. Feb. 17 FAITH Magazine / January/February 2011 / www.FAITHmag.com 9 him to clarify his preaching? If you have done so, and did not receive a helpful response, then you may need to find a All you need new spiritual home in a differ- ent parish. If you are leaving is love because the community is cold or distant or in some other Read more of Paul Jarzembowski’s thoughts on ways is not welcoming, that’s www.spiritualpopcorn.blogspot.com. understandable, too. A word of caution with that, however: Do you see a possibility of being the rom dates to drive-in mov- they do have moments where we see true love: person who takes the parish out ies to films about young Rose and Jack surrendering the life they once of cold and distant and into the lovers, romance and cin- knew for the sake of the other in the epic Titanic wonderful land of welcoming (1997); Linus Larabee struggling to put aside his and warm? Maybe that is what ema have gone together massive fortune just to be with the love of his life God is calling you to do. for well over a century. in Sabrina (1954, remade in 1995); and Duke and If you are leaving because you F Allie sharing a truly sacrificial love across time just don’t like what the pastor Perhaps you might remember watching Hum- and memory despite the growing darkness of is saying – maybe his homilies phrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman’s characters say- Alzheimer’s in The Notebook (2004). make you a little uncomfortable ing their goodbyes while standing on a fog-swept And for couples who have lost the connec- – perhaps you need to think tarmac at the end of Casablana (1942). Or maybe tion with each other, a good romantic movie deeply before walking away. you were caught up in the evolution of a friend- also can be a catalyst for the rich intimacy that Sometimes, what we need to ship to committed love with the titular characters God calls all married couples to share. Seeing hear and what we want to hear in Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan’s romantic comedy, love grow and flourish in films such asWest Side are two different things. Maybe When Harry Met Sally (1989). Story (1961) or Sleepless in Seattle (1993) can be you need to be challenged? If A number of great movies over the years have a great way for all of us to shout like Solomon: you leave because what the had a way of capturing the mystery and anticipa- “With you we rejoice and exult. We extol your priest is preaching is what the tion of romantic love, not to mention the fallout love – for it is beyond wine. How rightly are we Church teaches, you should from relationship crises, the ebb and flow of to be loved!” (Song of Songs 1:4) spiritual absolutely take this to prayer. everyday life and the struggles Whatever your parish situa- that emerge from sickness, age tion, remember that the parish or death. is made up of other people like Unfortunately, there also
you – that we are all brothers are many other films that have popcorn and sisters in the Lord. Togeth- painted a false picture of what er, in the love of Christ, we are love and commitment can, called to build up his kingdom and should, look like. They on earth. Enjoy another day in showcase relationships built God’s presence! on foundations of sex and physical attraction, but fail to $15 acknowledge the true depth of self-sacrificial love. “No greater love is there than this,” Jesus reminds us, “than to lay down one’s life for one another.” (John 15:13) The movies tell us “love” is many things, but rare is the film that captures the vocation of sacrifice and selflessness that we, as Chris- tians, believe is central to every successful relationship. On sale now When reviewing all the www.FaithCatholic.com romantic movies ever produced, many of them include levels of Now available intimacy that we know are not for your Kindle at depictions of God’s vision for www.amazon.com marital relationships. However,
Feb. 17 | St. Peter Damian, bishop and doctor of the Church Feb. 21 | The Chair of St. Peter, apostle Feb. 22 | St. Polycarp, bishop and martyr Feb. 23 10
What I learned from a pretzel FAITH Magazine / January/February 2011 / www.FAITHmag.com 11 will never forget the afternoon God spoke to me through the Google search engine on my computer. Soft Pretzels It was one of those chaotic days with three deadlines, a house turned upside down and a 5-year-old relentlessly For this project, you will need: chattering on about the dinosaurs she learned of at active dry yeast school. Amid this frenzy, I did what many women do when they • 2 packets I (roughly 4 teaspoons) are stressed: I ate something. I dumped a bunch of bite-sized • 1 teaspoon white sugar pretzels into a bowl and set them down, high enough for my • 1 ¼ cups warm water arm’s reach, while low enough for my daughter to share. (110-115 degrees) • 5 cups all-purpose flour The intended ef- • ½ cup white sugar fect was realized. Her • 1 ½ teaspoons salt monologue abruptly left • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil the prehistoric realm. • ½ cup baking soda Through a mouth stuffed • 5 cups hot water with a brontosaurus-sized • ¼ cup kosher salt (for topping) portion of pretzels, she asked, “Why are pretzels In a small bowl, dissolve yeast shaped like a twisted and 1 teaspoon sugar in warm water. heart?” Let stand for 8-10 minutes or until A plume of dry pulver- mixture begins to foam. ized pretzel left her mouth In a large bowl, mix together flour, as she spoke, settling strips of dough and sic shape, with the three ½ cup sugar and salt. Make a well in on her chest, lap and formed them into what holes, represents the Holy the center and add the yeast mixture the floor before her. She resembled a child’s arms Trinity of the Father, Son and oil. Mix and form into flexible, culture barely noticed, and I crossed in prayer. His and Holy Spirit. slightly tacky dough. If it feels too barely heard the question. fellow brothers caught How fascinating it is dry, add two tablespoons or more of “I don’t know honey,” on and began using the that a decision made by a water. Knead the dough until smooth I droned dismissively, twisted little breads as a monk so many centuries (about 7 to 9 minutes). Place the returning my atten- way to reward children ago, to help educate chil- ball of dough in a large bowl lightly tion to my computer. when they learned their dren about prayer, would coated with vegetable oil. Turn and But I soon felt guilty prayers. The monks still have its intended coat the dough in the bowl and cover for blowing her off like called the little bread a effect hundreds of years with plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm that. And, of course, the pretiola, Latin for “little later in the technological place for about an hour or until guilt lead me to realize reward.” The pretiola later world of today on a family doubled in size. I probably don’t spend became brachiola, Italian thousands of miles from Preheat oven to 450 degrees and enough time teaching for “little arms.” Eventual- his origin. But it did. I line a large baking sheet with parch- my children, especially ly, the famous little bread turned to my daughter, ex- ment paper. In a large saucepan, bring at an age when they made its way to Ger- plained this faith-confirm- 5 cups of water to a boil and dissolve are so eager to learn. many, where it was called ing origin of the pretzel’s baking soda. Keep a lid on saucepan I decided to “Google” the brezel or pretzel. shape, and added my own and reduce heat to a simmer. the origin of the pretzel. I even learned that with- twist, telling her, “Every In the meantime, turn dough out And what I discovered in the Catholic Church, time you eat a pretzel, you onto a lightly oiled surface and divide hit me like a ton of pretzels have maintained should say a prayer for into 10-12 equal pieces. Roll each bricks. It was as if God a religious significance your mommy.” piece into a ½ inch rope and form into confirmed what I was and a spiritual meaning So long as she remem- a pretzel shape (see photo reference). feeling about my kids. through their ingredients bers that, I’ll keep buying Using a flat spatula, dip each pretzel It is said that around and shape. They were pretzels. Even better, I will (one by one) into the boiling water for 610 A.D., a once made with only flour, teach her how to make a couple of seconds and place on the humble Ital- water and salt and could them, similar to the ones baking sheet. Sprinkle with kosher salt ian monk be eaten during Lent at those monks made centu- and bake for 8-10 minutes or until baker took a time when Christians ries ago. And maybe, just golden brown. Top off with melted his re- were forbidden to eat maybe, those prayers will butter or enjoy with a favorite dipping main- dairy products, lard and help make my days less sauce. ing eggs. The pretzel’s clas- hectic! T. Gennara T.
By Michelle Sessions DiFranco | Photography by Philip Shippert 12
forgive?Why should you FAITH Magazine / January/February 2011 / www.FAITHmag.com 13 hy should we forgive each want to be part of the Christian and I will not remember your other? Aren’t some things sim- people, but they want to follow sins.” (Is.43:25) ply unforgivable? their own rules or to choose Where would we be if God which of God’s commandments did not forgive us so complete- Forgiveness is one of those they like and which they wish ly? We would be doomed. Who issues that no one wants to to ignore. could carry the load of his or talkW about because few think they really can live a Remember, when the Lord her sins? Not one of us could. life of genuine forgiveness. We think we can forgive asks you to forgive, he has But Jesus forgave and banishes the small stuff – an unkind remark that was care- already forgiven us a lot. He has our sins. We are set free by his lessly given, an oversight on a guest list, a failure to taught us to do it by first forgiv- death on the cross. But, first, we ing his enemies – those who need the humility to acknowl- return a very small amount of borrowed money, a slandered him and persecuted edge our sin and seek forgive- generous deed not acknowledged by the recipient. him and insulted him publically ness. Once that is done, God But it’s hard to imagine forgiving the bigger things – again and again and again. Even wipes away our transgressions our name or reputation seriously damaged by false in the midst of the most extreme and we can begin again. rumors, a job lost or denied due to false gossip, torture and agony, he asked the Then he tells us: “Now that money lost through unfair business practices, di- Father to forgive those who “do you are forgiven, forgive one not know what they do.” another as I have forgiven you.” vorce, death of loved ones due to slipshod medical But, secondly, the Lord has, That act of forgiving those who practice, fatal car accidents, murder. How could we every time we come to him in have offended us becomes our forgive things like those? repentance, forgiven us com- act of faith and gratitude in pletely and, even more, forgets Christ’s death and resurrection. Jesus taught us to pray God to treat you the way you our sins! Did you know that? But, you may say, there is just
(in part) “… forgive us our have treated others when you Look at this passage from Isaiah: no way! That’s too hard. And it spiritual trespasses as we forgive those have been offended, ridiculed, “I am he who blots out your is, if you try to do it under your who trespass against us.” In betrayed? This is where the true transgressions for my own sake own strength. So try this: other words, this is what we are disciple gets separated from the asking God every time we pray “camp follower.” Camp follow- 1. Come to God humbly and thank him for his mercy. the Lord’s Prayer: “Lord, I want ers are those who call them- 2. Ask for the grace and the power to forgive others fitness you to forgive me as I forgive selves Christian, but the Gospel and he will give them. others.” Do you? Do you want they follow is their own. They
Spiritual exercise: for now, I want you to notice some- initiative. (And, if it really works, both thing about these verses I quoted: In of you should meet one another along Let me give you two passages to the first, if you have sinned, you go. the way.) That’s the ideal. pray about and apply to your per- That is, you take the initiative. That, I Frankly, brothers and sisters, I want sonal life: think is something easily understood. to experience God’s forgiveness. If Matthew 5:23 “So if you are But, look at the second passage: It the price for that is that I forgive oth- offering your gift at the altar and tells us that if you have been sinned ers, then God will give me the grace there remember that your brother has against (in other words someone has to do that. something against you, leave your gift hurt you badly) we are still to take the there before the altar and go; first be initiative to bring about reconciliation. I am sure this article generates reconciled to your brother and then (Don’t wait in a corner, pouting, think- a lot of questions about particular come and offer your gift.” ing that it is the other person’s respon- situations. So, I suggest, first of all, to Matthew 18:15 “If your brother sibility). In short, if you have sinned, read my booklet and then send your sins against you, go and tell him his you go and try to initiate reconciliation; questions to me at ashields@ fault, between you and him alone. If he if you have been sinned against, you renewalministries.net or Renewal listens, you have gained your brother.” go and try to initiate reconciliation. Ministries, 230 Collingwood, There is much to teach in these two There’s no wiggle room. And God Suite 240, Ann Arbor, MI passages and you can find a more never asks something of us without 48103. complete teaching in a booklet I wrote giving us the power to exercise it. So, “Forgiveness is not the called, Why Forgive? One copy of the the first thing we do when we have opposite of justice, but it is the booklet is available to you free by call- been hurt in some way is to ask God opposite of resentment and ing 1.734.662.1730 Ext. 129. But, for peace and the wisdom to take the revenge” – John Paul II. T. Gennara Sister Ann Shields is a renowned author and a member of the Servants of God’s Love. Questions can be addressed to Sister Ann Shields, Renewal Ministries, 230 Collingwood, Suite 240, Ann Arbor, MI 48103 14
The new English translation of the Roman Missal is seen at its presentation to Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican April 28.
Who does the actual translating from Latin to English? In 1963, the bishops Translating the of the United States joined 10 other English-speaking countries and formed Roman Missal a group of linguistic scholars called the International Commission on English Rita Thiron is director of the Office of Worship for the in the Liturgy (ICEL). They prepared
T. Gennara T. Catholic Diocese of Lansing and a member of the board of the translations for the Missal, the Liturgy Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions. of the Hours and all our sacramen- tal rites. Their work was guided by a or more than 2,000 years, the Church has paid careful document Comme le Prévoit (issued attention to how our prayer is composed and recorded. by the Consilium and Congregation After all, the words of our prayer express the words of for Divine Worship, Jan. 25, 1969). This guideline permitted translators our belief – words matter. to use “dynamic equivalence” – not The Roman Missal is the book that contains the word-for-word translation, but phrasing wordsF used at our Mass. In 1969, Pope Paul VI promulgated the that better suited the cadence of each first edition of the Roman Missal after Vatican II. A slightly revised vernacular language. second edition appeared in 1975. In 2000, Pope John Paul II pro- ICEL never ceased to work on the mulgated the third edition. (Not a lot changed, but there were new missals and other liturgical texts. But when the third edition of the Roman texts for the many saints whom he had canonized.) As usual, this Missal was released, it was quickly fol- liturgical book was released in Latin and then conferences of bish- lowed by a new set of guidelines for the ops all over the world began to translate it into various languages. translators – Liturgiam Authenticam: On FAITH Magazine / January/February 2011 / www.FAITHmag.com 15 the Use of Vernacular Languages in the Publication of the Books of the Roman Symbol of the Liturgy. This guideline required a more literal translation. Some key points in month – Unicorn Liturgiam Authenticam are worth noting: According to legend, no hunter • Scriptural allusions should foster could take a unicorn by force, but it a correspondence between bibli- could be captured by trickery. The cal and liturgical texts hunter was required to lead a virgin • Appreciating a word chosen by to a spot the unicorn was known to the early Church Fathers in the frequent, where she was left alone. context of their debates The unicorn would sense her purity • Appreciating “sacral language,” and run to her, falling asleep in her that is, we don’t address God in lap. The unicorn is thus a symbol of everyday speech purity and of feminine chastity. It has • Using a consistent manner been used as an allegory of the An- of rendering an expression nunciation and of the Incarnation of throughout the text Christ, who was born of a virgin. It is • Carefully ordering words, subor- most often used as an attribute of the dinate and relative clauses and Virgin Mary. preserving parallelism • Translation of terms as in the original – same person, number Guided by these stronger norms, the world were submitting their texts to Rome and gender conferences and ICEL divided the new in English, French and German. Still other • Using a rich variety of theologi- Roman Missal into 13 manageable sec- language groups continue to translate texts. cal vocabulary, especially in titles tions – the Order of Mass, Proper of Sea- The USCCB received the first recog- theology 101 addressing God sons, Proper of Saints, etc. From February nitio for the Order of Mass in June 2008, • Using a masculine pronoun for 2004 to November 2009, ICEL submit- then the 12 remaining sections received a the Holy Spirit; a feminine pro- ted each translated section to the bishops. recognitio on March 25, 2010. Now the noun for the Church At each stage, words were debated and painstaking task of making sure that every • Certain expressions in the refined, amendments made, and drafts line is perfect is underway – all punctua- Church’s patrimony are to be went back and forth. tion, capitalization, and word order. Soon, respected, for example, et cum Finally, the United States Conference of the texts will be sent to publishers who will spiritu tuo and mea culpa, mea Bishops (USCCB) approved each section create worthy books for our use at Mass. culpa, mea maxima culpa and sent the text to the Holy See for a It takes a long time to do such holy work. • Exclude any prejudice or unjust recognitio, or final approval. Words matter. The words of prayer matter discrimination Meanwhile, other countries around the even more. • Respect literary and rhetorical genres – speeches, poetry, nar- For the complete history of the liturgical books, go to www.FAITHmag.com ratives, etc. and click on Theology 101.
Who is St. Gregory Nazianzus (330-390)
St. Gregory Nazianzus is the Doctor of Theologians. He was the bishop of Constantinople and is widely considered the most accomplished rhetorical stylist of the Patristic Age. He is famous for his writings and sermons on the Trinity, which continue to influence theologians today. He is also noted for his contributions to the field of pneumatology (the theology concerning the nature of the Holy Spirit), as he was the first to use the idea of “procession” to describe the relationship between the Spirit and the Godhead.
Along with St. Basil the Great and St. Gregory of Nyssa, St. Gregory Nazianzus is known as one of the Cappadocian Fathers.
His feast day is Jan. 2. 16
AA PentecostalPentecostal mommom bringsbrings herher childrenchildren
“home”to“home”to St.St. PiusPius SchoolSchool inin FlintFlint 17
Diocese of Lansing ach school day, Shawn Catholic Schools by Region Ochs and her children, Sam
Northwest regioN: and Sarah Goldman, pile Clinton/Shiawassee Vicariate E into the family car for the 25-minute Most Holy Trinity School, 4-8 Principal: Anne Hufnagel 545 N. Maple St., Fowler, drive to school. 48835-0349 Phone: 989.593.2616 E-mail: [email protected] Beginning their journey in the quiet Website: www.mhtparish.com/ School suburb of Fenton in Genesee County, St. Paul School, K-8 Principal: Merry Jane Robertson they meander across Grange Hill Road 718 W. Main St., Owosso, 48867-2612 Phone: 989.725.7766 to the expressway, then north to Flint E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.spsowosso.org Township, to the place that Shawn says, St. Joseph School, PK-6 Principal: Tomi Ann Schultheiss 201 E. Cass, St. Johns, “Felt like home from the minute I walked 48879-1834 Phone: 989.224.2421 E-mail: [email protected] in the door.” Website: www.stjoecatholic.com
St. Mary School, 1-6 That place is St. Pius X Catholic School, Principal: Raymond M. Rzepecki 209 N. Westphalia, P.O. Box 270,
Westphalia, 48894-0270 a small parish school with 216 students cover story Phone: 989.587.3702 E-mail: rmrzepecki@ stmaryschool.us in kindergarten through 8th grade. Website: www.stmarychurch.net
Eaton/Ingham Vicariate In the 20-mile radius around her home St. Mary School, K-5 in one of Flint’s quaint bedroom commu- Principal: Linda Yeager 905 St. Mary Blvd., Charlotte, 48813-2217 nities, there are dozens of other elemen- Phone: 517.543.3460 E-mail: stmaryprincipal@ sbcglobal.net tary schools Shawn could have chosen Website: www.stmaryschool charlotte.catholicweb.com for her children. In fact, she looked at St. Thomas Aquinas School, K-8 Principal: Rod Murphy several of them, and even enrolled Sam 915 Alton Rd., East Lansing, 48823-2749 Phone: 517.332.0813 in two different schools in her effort to E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.stthomas AA PentecostalPentecostal mommom aquinasparishschool.org find the right place. St. Michael School, PK-8 Principal: Mitzi Luttrull “But when I visited St. Pius, I felt in my 325 Edwards St., Grand Ledge, 48837-2110 heart that was where we should be,” bringsbrings herher childrenchildren Phone: 517.627.2167 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.stmichaelgl.org she recalls. “In fact, I’ll never forget get- Immaculate Heart/ St. Casimir School, K-8 ting in my car after I toured the school, Principal: Angela Johnston 3830 Rosemont, Lansing, 48910-4525 because I just sat there crying. But they Phone: 517.882.6631 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.ihmlansing.org were tears of joy because I finally found Resurrection School, PK-8 “home” Principal: Jack VonAchen “home” the place where we belonged.” toto St.St. PiusPius SchoolSchool inin FlintFlint 1527 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, By Marybeth Hicks | Photography by Jim Luning 18 cover story Catholic community. and are growing upinthesecure setting ofasmall now in the seventh and fifth grade, respectively, Sarah begankindergarten there. Thechildren are November ofSam’s first-grade year. Thenext year, been there.” name, andthat’s been thecaseinallyears we’ve that buildingseemedto knowevery studentby wasn’t theonlyone,” Shawn says. “Every adultin greeting eachstudentbynamealong theway. “She welcomed Shawn andledheraround thefacility, Sisterolic School.Then-principal KathyAvery asm amongmanyoftheteachers shemet. schools, andfeltdisheartened bythelowenthusi- insome by thelackofdisciplineandseriousness ity ofteaching sheobserved. Shealsowastroubled andthequal- ofschools’academiccurricula rigor the studentsintheircare. ment onthepartofteachers andadministrators to educators,ment, kindandnurturing andcommit academic program, apositive environ learning - Shawn knewwhatshewaslookingfor–asolid search foraneweducationalhomeherchildren. prompted herto engageinanurgent, full-fledged people cared abouthimpersonally.” enrolled myson,Ijustdidn’t getthatfeeling his interests atheart.InboththeschoolsIhad people whogenuinelycare abouthimandhave your childfortheday thatheissurrounded by searching school. fortheright weeks before Shawn concluded she had to keep as aclassroom volunteer, itwasonlyamatter of attention thatsheobserved. Spendingmostdays with the lack of personal Sam, but still struggled school himfortheremainder oftheyear.” setting. After thefirstsemester, Idecided to home- near ourhome,butIwasvery unhappywith the enrolled. “Sam started in the public kindergarten and charter schoolsinwhichhersonhadbeen love, somethingshehadn’t seeninthepublic al, strong educationformychildren.” advantage becauseofthat.Iwanted thattradition - went to CatholicschoolsandIthinktheyhadan ways waspositive. “Growing up, mystepbrothers been raisedinanorganized religion. Goldman, isJewish,andSamSarahhaven’t husband,Michael but notCatholic.Herformer Shawn andherhusband,MattOchs,are Christian, “homecoming” to St. Pius X, it is “unexpected.” Shawn enrolled SamandSarahatSt.PiusXin That is,untiltheday shetoured St.PiusXCath- But invisitafter visit,Shawn questionedthe publichighschoolEnglishteacher,A former Shawn aswell, hadotherconcerns which “As aparent, you wantto feelwhenyou leave The nextyear, Shawn choseacharter schoolfor She alsowanted anatmosphere ofnurturing Yet Shawn’s impression ofCatholicschoolsal- If there’s aword to Shawn’s describe emotional - Website: www.queenschurch.com E-mail: [email protected] org/School/StGerard/Home.aspx org/School/StGerard/Home.aspx Website: E-mail: [email protected] 1100 W. GrandRiver, Okemos, Website: www.stgerardlansing. Queen of Miraculous Medal Queen ofMiraculousMedal E-mail: [email protected] Principal: Thomas P. Maloney Website: www.resschool.com Principal: Frances R.Herring 501 N. Marshall St., Lansing, 501 N.MarshallSt.,Lansing, Website: 811 S.Wisner St.,Jackson, Website: www.jcsstjohn.org Principal: Michelle Piecuch 220 N.Cedar, Williamston, Evangelist School, PK-6 St. Martha School, PK-8 St. Martha s St. GerardSchool, PK-8 St. Mary Star of the Sea oftheSea Star St. Mary 405 E. North St., Jackson, St.,Jackson, 405 E.North 4433 W. Willow, Lansing, Principal: SuzannePenn E-mail: schoolprincipal@ Principal: KathyTarnacki Phone: Phone: Phone: 517.321.6126 Phone: 517.267.2100 Phone: 517.487.0439 Phone: 517.655.4038 Phone: 517.784.1714 St. Mary School, PK-5 St. Mary Principal: JuliaHurlburt Website: www.lansing stmarywilliamston.com outher Principal: LizHartley E-mail: Jackson Vicariate Central HS, 9-12 Central HS, queenschurch.com Lansing Catholic Catholic Lansing lansingcatholic.org E-mail: E-mail: spenn@ 48917-2138 48912-2397 48912-2239 48864-3015 49203-1577 48895-1125 49202-3350 School, PK-6 st-martha.org St. John the St. Johnthe School, K-6 www.stmarywilliamston catholic.org www.st-martha.org 517.349.3322 517.782.2664 .com maloney@ N lhartley@
r egio
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In fact,asShawn pointsout, there are manynon- and so accepting of me. They are really supportive.” I’m notCatholic, buttheyhave beenso welcoming ers withwhomsheattends theliturgy. “They know ting intheparking lotwiththeclosegroup ofmoth- kids do.” ing andit’s great. Ifeelincluded,justasknowmy would stay in my seat. But now I go up for a bless- too.I “Forthefirstfew Communion, years, during the cartogether attheendofday.” children. Itgives ussomegreat things to talkaboutin wonderful because theydirect thehomilytoward the the exposure to astrong are faith.And the priests so ish, itissoimportantto meto provide themwith growing up as Pentecostal andtheirfatherbeingJew- velop intheirlives. asenseofspirituality With me day morning,” Shawn says. “Ifeelithelpsthemde- to attend all-schoolMass. husband Matt at his Grand Blanc office, Shawn stays Pius Xandheadbackhomeorto work alongsideher On Wednesdays, ratherthandrop herchildren atSt. After Mass,it’s notunusualto findShawn chat isgrowingThat senseofspirituality inShawn, “I love goingto church with mykidsevery Wednes- Wednesdays are Shawn’s favorite day oftheweek. Mom’s favorite day - 19
116 E. Wesley, Jackson, 49201-2341 Phone: 517.784.8811 How has E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.jcsstmary.org St. Pius Jackson Catholic School grown? Middle School, 7-8 Principal: Anthony Shaughnessy 915 Cooper St., Jackson, St. 49202-3396 For three straight years Phone: 517.784.3385 Pius X Catholic School in Flint E-mail: tonyshaughnesy@ hotmail.com has done what many public and Website: www.jcsjcms.org charter schools have struggled to Lumen Christi High School, 9-12 do. They have grown. On July 1, Principal: Patrick Kalahar 2008, I walked into my office for Catholic students along with her children in the 3483 Spring Arbor Rd., Jackson, 49203-3686 the first time as the new principal. I school community. Phone: 517.787.0630 Principal R.J. Kaplan says working with the 32 E-mail: [email protected] turned to my secretary, said good Website: www.jcslumen morning and asked one question: non-Catholic students at St. Pius X offers the oppor- christi.org tunity to evangelize by simply living out the Catholic What is our enrollment?” Secretary Lenawee/Hillsdale Vicariate faith to which the school is committed. Criss Laurin replied, “132 students “As a Catholic school, our mission is to prepare Sacred Heart School, PK-7 Principal: April McCaskey enrolled as of today.” our children to be full and active members of our 208 S. Market St., Hudson, Church,” Kaplan says. “But we also welcome non- 49247-1320 Today, enrollment our 8th-grade stu- Catholics; they simply do not receive the sacra- Phone: 517.448.6405 E-mail: [email protected] at St. Pius X stands dents. The science ments. They do go through the formal studies of Website: www.laforestnet.com/ at 215 – includ- curriculum also has the prayers and sacraments like every other student church/school.htm ing pre-school been adjusted to and, in this way, they gain a richer understanding of easterN regioN: and a new toddler meet current high our faith.” Livingston Vicariate program. Enroll- school standards. While students are made to feel included, Shawn ment management One change that agrees there’s no pressure for non-Catholics to con- St. Patrick School, K-8 Principal: Jeanine Kenny is something that the students have been vert simply because they attend a Catholic school. 1001 Charles Orndorf Dr., staff cares deeply most excited about “My kids are learning about Catholicism on an in- Brighton, 48116-2308 Phone: 810.229.7946 about, but it is our is the addition of tellectual level, and it’s wonderful for them to see E-mail: [email protected] Catholic identity and an interactive white faith in action and to incorporate prayer into their Website: www.stpatschool.org curriculum that are board called The daily lives. But at 10 and 12, they don’t talk about Holy Spirit major goals. Promethean Board. converting. They’re normal kids – they complain Catholic School, PK-8 Principal: Anna M. Loewe We at St. Pius X One change just like anyone about sitting through church. 9565 Musch Rd., Brighton, in Flint are work- parents have been “I feel I’m doing something wonderful for my chil- 48116-8841 Phone: 810.231.9199 x214 ing on meeting the most excited about dren by sending them to St. Pius X,” Shawn says. “It’s E-mail: holyspiritschool@ needs of students is the use of a an environment where they tie everything back to holyspiritbrighton.com Website: www.holyspiritrcs.org and parents, both grading program God, whether its behavior issues or discipline or just today and in the that sends parents the struggles that kids have. And I also love that the St. Joseph School, PK-8 Principal: Kathleen M. Freeman future. Our staff up-to-date informa- various holidays are actually celebrated religiously. 425 E. Washington, Howell, is putting several tion about students’ It’s an atmosphere where Christmas is about the birth 48843-2346 Phone: 517.546.0090 x 200 initiatives in place academics. of Jesus and, in the spring, we have Easter vacation, E-mail: freeman@ that will add to the Many families not spring break.” stjosephhowell.com Website: www.school. educational experi- are turning to us The Catholic school environment also helps stjosephhowell.com ence of our stu- because they know Shawn to hold the popular culture at bay, giving her St. Mary School, PK-8 dents. In response how successful kids the gift of childhood innocence. Despite spend- Principal: Veronica Kinsey to the changes in Catholic educa- ing 50 minutes each day in the car, Sam and Sarah 10601 Dexter/Pinckney Rd., Pinckney, 48169-8950 the algebra require- tion has been for don’t watch movies or wear headphones on the way, Phone: 734.878.5616 ments for high children since the but spend the time talking with their mother about E-mail: mrskinsey@ stmarypinckney.org school students by creation of the the events of the day. Website: www.edline.net/pages/ 2011 made by the educational system “Sometimes in the afternoons when I pick them up, St_Mary state of Michigan, in the United States. I take the dog and get to school a little early. Those days Washtenaw Vicariate for example St. Pius are great because the kids all gather around to pet the St. Francis of X has created a new – By R.J. Kaplan, principal animal. Assisi School, PK-8 math program for of St. Pius School “It’s so worth the drive,” Shawn says. “St. Pius is Principal: Sara J. Collins part of our family.” 20
Teaching in a Catholic school inspired Sheila to become Catholic
s Sheila Hunter travers- the other preschool teachers. Her name was Su- es the long, light-filled 2270 E. Stadium Blvd., Ann zanne, and she was Catholic. She left to take a job Arbor, 48104-4825 at the local Catholic school, Holy Rosary Acad- hallways of Brighton’s Phone: 734.821.2200 St. Patrick School each E-mail: [email protected] emy in Nashville. She loved it, and we stayed in Website: www.stfrancisa2.com/ close contact. day, she always ends up school whereA she belongs—in her classroom. St. Thomas the Apostle After she’d been there a couple of months, School, PK-8 my story It’s been the same throughout her life, Principal: Anthony Moskus she invited me to visit and to meet the prin- 540 Elizabeth St., Ann Arbor, cipal, Sister Mary Colman Burns. she says. Over the years, the Nash- 48104-1222 I was being ville, Tenn., native has experienced Phone: 734.769.0911 set up – I just didn’t know it. When I went to visit, I E-mail: tmoskus@ stopped in to say “hello” to Sister. We chatted about the joy of raising her own children, the stthomasannarbor.org Website: www.saintts.com the school, and I thanked her for letting me come. challenges of serious family and per- Father Gabriel Richard sonal illnesses, the love of commu- High School, 9-12 Then she called to offer me a job. I said, Principal: Brian P. Wolcott nity, a conversion to Catholicism and 4333 Whitehall Dr., Ann “But I’m not Catholic. I was raised as a Southern 32 years in Catholic education. FAITH Arbor, 48105-9395 Baptist.” She said, “We want to form our children Phone: 734.662-0496 into good Catholics, but, most of all, we want to talked with Sheila about her life as a E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.edline.net/ teach them to be little Christs for one another.” Catholic school- teacher. pages/Fr_Gabriel_ Richard_HS That made such an impression. I said I would be willing to try. I always wanted to be a teacher. When my Northeast regioN parents dropped me off for my first day of school, Genesee Vicariate I went in to teach fourth grade, and I was nervous. I was afraid I would make a mis- they said I walked into the classroom and never St. John the Evangelist, JK-8 turned back. Never said goodbye. It was just that Principal: Katherine White take or offend someone. Shortly after I started 514 Lincoln St., Fenton, instant, “this is where I belong” kind of feeling. 48430-1808 teaching, Pope John Paul I passed away. I pan- I went to Middle Tennessee State University and Phone: 810.629.6551 icked because Sister came on the intercom and E-mail: [email protected] finished in three years. I was in a hurry. I wanted Website: www.stjohnfenton said, “Teachers, today I want you to pray the ro- to get out into the classroom. .com/1/255/index.asp sary for the election of the new pope.” And here’s
St. John the Evangelist - PK-K little Southern Baptist me, expected to pray a ro- My first job was in a public school, but, after Director: Lori Peppin sary. So I looked around the classroom and I said, a few years, I left to have children. 505 North Dayton Street By the Davison, 48423-1334 “OK, boys and girls, who would like to lead the time my daughters were 2 and 4, I was ready to Phone: 810.652.0304 rosary?” Fortunately, four hands went up, and I E-mail: preschool@ go back to work. I took a position at a day-care stjohndavison.org said, “OK, Steve, you may lead the rosary.” And center and became very good friends with one of he did a lovely job. by Margaret Ann Cross | Photography by Tom Gennara 21 The next year, I moved to sixth grade. When view, and she gave me the job. I started teaching the fourth-graders I taught caught up to me in Website: www.stjohndavison.org here in the fall of 2000, and I love it. sixth grade, we had a priest from a monastery Holy Rosary working in the parish. He would come around and Elementary School, K-8 Last year was difficult for me physically.I do classroom Masses. By that time, I was com- Principal: Deborah Hodges had a stroke and was lucky to have a full recovery. 5191 Richfield Rd., Flint, fortable going to Mass. The only part I regretted 48506-2114 I also had heart sur- was that I had to stay in my seat when everybody Phone: 810.736.4220 gery, and I snapped E-mail: [email protected] else went to Communion. I loved Ash Wednesday Website: www.holyrosaryflint.com right back from that. “When some- because I could get ashes, too. But it shook me up a St. John Vianney School, PK-8 one chooses Principal: Kathleen Slattery little, and I had some The other big influence was that my hus- 2319 Bagley St., Flint, sort of a faith crisis, as to teach in band was diagnosed with a very severe 48504-4613 Phone: 810.235.5687 we all do. I was able a Catholic mental illness, and it totally changed our E-mail: [email protected] to talk to our pastor, lives. For some reason, I couldn’t talk to the peo- Website: www.sjvkids.org and by him just listen- school, they ple at my church about it. If I tried to, the impres- St. Pius X School, PK-8 ing and saying a few know they Principal: R. J. Kaplan sion I got was that, “Oh, we don’t talk about things G-3139 Hogarth Ave., Flint, things to me, it made won’t make like that.” No one seemed willing to listen to me 48532-5129 all of the difference. Phone: 810.235.8572 as much or to calm my fears. E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.saintpiusx When someone money. But But at school, it was totally different. I would be parish.com chooses to teach in we receive called to the phone, and he would be having an epi- Father Luke M. Powers a Catholic school, Catholic HS, 9-12 countless sode and would need to go to the hospital. Once my Principal: Thomas H. Furnas they know they friends found out, it was, “Do you need to talk about G-2040 W. Carpenter Rd., won’t make as treasures.” Flint, 48505-1098 it? Is there something I can do?” That was a com- Phone: 810.591.4741 much money. But munity gathering around. It spoke volumes to me. E-mail: tfurnas@ we receive countless powerscatholic.org Website: www.powers treasures. And we’re able to have such a big im- During those years when he was so sick, I catholic.org pact on the children. It’s not just in religion class began to truly enjoy my time at Mass. I went St. Robert that we try to instill those beliefs and values in our with the children every day, and I looked forward Bellarmine School, PK-8 students. They listen. Sometimes, we wonder if Principal: Susan C. Sharp to the beauty of the ritual and the calm, peaceful 214 E. Henry, Flushing, they are listening, but they do. feeling that I received. Soon, it began to mean 48433-1551 Phone: 810.659.2503 more to me than when I would go to my own E-mail: [email protected] It’s been an interesting ride, but the whole church, in which I was very active. Website: www.strobertschool.com time I have been in Catholic schools, I have never
Holy Family School, PK-8 felt that I needed to be anywhere else. I never felt any pressure to convert, but one Principal: Michele Jahn 215 Orchard St., Grand Blanc, day, my close friend Mary, another teacher, 48439-1374 asked me if I had ever thought about going Phone: 810.694.9072 E-mail: [email protected] through RCIA. I said not really, that I had always Website: www.hfsgb.org been Baptist. Then she asked me, “Do you hunger St. Mary School, PK-8 for the Eucharist?” And I just stopped and said, “Of Principal: Dennis R. Winchester course.” She said, “Eh, you’re ready. I’ll be your 11208 N. Saginaw St., Mt. Morris, 48458-2005 sponsor.” So she and her husband sponsored me Phone: 810.686.4790 and my husband and my two daughters, who were E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.saintmarys in the fourth and sixth grades at the time. catholic.com
It was 1985 when we decided to go through Private/Other: RCIA, and the girls were very excited. They St. Joseph Academy, PK-8 Principal: Sister Patricia had never been baptized, so at the Easter Vigil that Fischer, OP year, they were baptized. We all entered the Church Huron Valley at that time. I have never, ever regretted it. Not once. Catholic School, K-8 Principal: Tim Kotyuk
Sadly, my husband and I divorced. When my Spiritus Sanctus Academy older daughter moved to Michigan for graduate (Ann Arbor) K - 8 school and got married, I decided it was time for a Principal: Sr. John Dominic, OP change. I sent my resume to St. Patrick School on Spiritus Sanctus Academy (Plymouth) K - 8 a Thursday. On Monday, I got a phone call from Principal: Sr. Maria the principal. She said she didn’t know how long Guadalupe, OP the resume had been sitting on her desk, but I was For contact information visit just the person she needed. I came up to inter- www.FAITHmag.com
For information on Catholic schools, visit www.dioceseoflansing.org 22 presence of Jesus Christ in the bread and wine of the Eucharist is particularly dis- turbing, other disconnects are brought out by these various polls. For instance, 60 percent of American Catholics in gen- eral indicate a desire to learn more about their religion. One could surmise that American Catholics might demonstrate a comparable commitment to their religion since it is an important factor in fulfilling this desire to grow one’s knowledge. Yet the CARA survey on sacraments reported only about 23 percent of adult Catholics fulfill their obligation to attend Mass every week. Another example of confusion among Catholics concerns the statistics about the relativity of morals. A disturbing 63 percent of American Catholics in general and nearly half of practicing Catholics (46 percent) believe mor- Belonging is believing als are relative. This stands in stark contrast to the teaching of the Catholic Participation in faith increases knowledge Church. The Church holds there are absolute and unchanging moral truths. he Catholic Church is catechetical by nature and mis- For example, there are some acts that, sion. Pope John Paul II, in the apostolic exhortation by their very nature, are incapable of Catechesi Tradendae, explained that “Quite early on, being ordered to God and, therefore, are the name catechesis was given to the totality of the incapable of being ordered to the good Church’s efforts to make disciples, to help men and of the person. These “intrinsic evils” are always and everywhere immoral and womenT believe that Jesus is the Son of God so that believing they include such acts as abortion, euthana- might have life in his name, and to educate and instruct them in sia and in vitro fertilization. this life, thus building up the body of Christ.” When asked about this, Sal Della Bella, director of faith formation for the Over the years, the term catechesis not been doing very well. The survey Archdiocese of Louisville, Ky., suggested has come to refer specifically to “an consisted of a nationwide poll of 3,412 that these so-called disconnects are not education in the faith of children, young Americans conducted from May 19 that surprising. He describes today’s people, and adults which includes espe- through June 6 of this year. While the culture as one where personal autonomy cially the teaching of Christian doctrine headline that dominated the survey’s re- is in ascendency. “People are making de- imparted, generally speaking, in an or- lease focused on the fact that atheists/ag- cisions based on their personal feelings ganic and systematic way, with a view to nostics were among the highest-scoring and beliefs and not simply on what the initiating the hearers into the fullness of groups, the survey unwittingly affirmed Church teaches. In other words, while Christian life.” (CCC, # 5) Yet, whether one the existence of a troubling catechetical people may articulate a desire to know subscribes to one understanding or the reality in the Catholic Church. what the Church teaches on a particular other, the purpose of catechesis remains The Pew survey asked 32 general reli- subject, it does not follow that they will the same: to pass on or echo the teach- gious questions. Americans, as a whole, necessarily agree with or act in accor- ings of Christ and to assist those who answered 16 correctly. Catholics, as a dance with it.” would follow Christ in living out these whole, averaged only 14.7. Perhaps even teachings. In other words, catechesis more surprising was the performance of What can be done? seeks to impart orthodoxy (right belief) Catholics on questions that concerned so that followers of Christ might engage the Bible and Christianity specifically. At the core of the issue seems to be a in orthopraxis (right action). Mormons, Protestants and atheists/ag- distrust of everything. In this informa- How effective has the Church been nostics all scored better than Catholics, tion age, people seem acutely aware of in executing this mission? A Sept. 28, as a whole. the misinformation or the “bias” behind 2010, survey on U.S. religious knowl- every piece of knowledge. Della Bella edge conducted by the Pew Research On confusion and disconnects speculates that this translates into a dis- Center’s Forum on Religion and Pub- trust of organizations in general, whether lic Life suggests that the Church has While the confusion over the real corporate, political or religious.
By Douglas Culp 23 23 special report 9% 2% 46% 54% 36% 55% 52% 14% 32% Practicing Catholics Practicing Catholics Practicing Catholics participation as child Private school – however, those – however, school Private attending private religious school score no better than private nonre- ligious school Reading of books other on religion than Scriptureseldom (48 percent read other books or visit websites about own religion) 6. 7. 41% 29% 11% 63% 37% 19% 13% 48% 34% American Catholics American Catholics American Catholics The “Practice” Effect “Practice” The Believe morals are relative Believe morals are Desire to learnabout their religion Desire Relative Very true Very Consider themselves spiritual, not religious Consider themselves spiritual, Unchanging Not at all true that contribute to religious knowledge 7 factors that contribute to religious Very interested Very Somewhat true Regular attendance at religious education classes or youth group The Pew study identified the following as factors that seem to Pew The increase the level of religious knowledge: 5. Not very interested Not at all interested 1. Level of education – the single best indicator 2. Reading Scripture about religion with friends 3. Talking and family 4. High levels of religious commit- ment Somewhat interested The survey The also found that a full 45 percent of Catholics do not know the Church The factors that the Pew survey the Pew factors that knowledge all sug- increasing religious enumerated as The The February 2010 Marist Poll, a joint undertakingFebruary Marist Poll, 2010 The Marist College Institute by the teaches that the bread and wine are more than mere symbols,teaches but actually become the bodyis a finding that was substantiated and blood of Christ. It by an earlier poll on - sac ramentalamong U.S. Catholics commissioned by the United States belief and practice Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and conducted by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) in 2008. In that polled statedand wine are only symbols that the bread results are all study, of Jesus. These 43 percent of Catholics the real presence of Christ in the teaches the more stunning since the Catholic Church is bothEucharist the source and summit of the faith. gest that religious knowledge is closely related to one’s practice of the religion. It seems practice closely related to one’s knowledge is gest that religious Scripture someone who reads obvious that and other books, to their faith, is committed talksshares and about and participates their faith, programs life and education in parish more aboutwould know bear this out. religion – and the numbers their professed of American of Columbus, contrasted the beliefs Opinion and the Knights for Public the results: and practicing Catholics and found among Catholics in general For more information, visit www.cara.georgetown.edu For - .com / January/FebruaryMagazine FAITHmag / www. 2011 FAITH 7.9 6.7 6.5 5.4
Mormon Atheist/Agnostic Average number of 12Average Protestant as whole Catholics as whole If this is true, the real challenge of of challenge is true,If this the real The Pontifical Council on Culture, in Council on Culture, The Pontifical saints of our time, espe- “The great answered correctly questions answered about the Bible and Christianity Bella is Della to according catechesis “How do you the question, addressing build trust an environment?” in such is to The primary purpose of catechesis Jesus Christ. with build a relationship it is of this, as is at the foundation “Trust and it takes time relationship with any, Catechesis, Della Bella states. build,” to must be patient and must “be- therefore, gin not necessarily presenting with the of facts and information, but with an en- Bella added, “Cat Della of Love.” counter echesis must focus on helping people echesis must focus on by teaching the Church’s appreciate to the ‘why’ and considering and presenting the Catholic faith.” not just the ‘what’ of - its concluding document of the 2004 ple this sentiment by echoed nary assembly, bring the saving the need to pointing to dialogue with message of the Gospel into people in moments of joy and hope, grief The council identified these and anxiety. as the “anchor points for handing on the how does the council propose And faith.” these into that faithful Christians enter most effectively to moments in order way” the “better us to It directs catechize? in 1 Corinthians wrote of which St. Paul 13: the witness of charity. their lives offered cially those who have with the host of united for the poor, up the most make saints of the Church, in the hearts evoke to eloquent argument questions about the of men and women response: it offer an adequate God and to In other words, is Christ the Beautiful…” the truth a personal, living witness to of the Gospel, in communion with the as people face faith community, entire sufferingtremendous and experience becomes the key to joy overwhelming winning their trust. This trust can then for hoping and the reasons rise to give foundation living that make up the very of our earthly pilgrimage. 24
Maintenance to mission: transforming our Catholic schools 25 special report - “Catholic “Catholic schools should be doing what every Christian should be doing – helping learn children to love their God and their faith. It has to be about Jesus.” - - 1) leadership and mission; 2) academic The planning teams will focus on the following will focus on the following planning teams The issues: excellence and faith integration; 3) and Catholic culture; 4) evangelization identity and enrollment; and 5) stewardship, governance, and finance. Father Steve Mattson is Superintendent of Catholic Father We are beginning the the beginning are We be formed will soon that will be charged Planning teams will be finalized for the planning teams statements The charge by the challenge. “Rather than a is energized Steve Father ing bold initiatives, born of prayer, the possibilities for our for our the possibilities born of prayer, ing bold initiatives, limitless. We schools (and the souls who inhabit them) are pursue need transformational change and the time is right to to wait.” simply cannot afford it. We seoflansing.org) It underscores the urgent practical and spiripractical and - the urgent underscores It seoflansing.org) vision a bold and outlines change, call for for the tual reasons has been Steve diocese. Father education in our for Catholic principals meeting with and will soon be and teachers, talk priestsmeeting with to endeavor. exciting about this planning process strategic the vision help make real to for transformational change. transfor knows Steve Father mational change demands work, time and a lot of hard begin. to he is eager but says is seek of the process “Part ing the ideas and suggestions parishes, school of parents, consecrated leaders, clergy, the and all men and women, - as gathering rel as well laity, data that will form evant the basis for recommendations for change. Not everything can be changed at once, and committed we are to bear fruit. But our efforts will take time mission- to transform our schools into effort making every to focused ministries for the glory of God.” current practices, exploring with reviewing best practices in - recommenda and developing the country, dioceses across that influ- the myriad systems be made to tions for changes to ence life in our parishes and schools. 2011. Then, on in January meets with pastors Steve Father after members of the will invite Steve Father behalf, Bishop Boyea’s By June on the various planning teams. serve Catholic faithful to their findings and present will be asked to 2011, these teams which will be planning team, the strategic to recommendations made up of individuals who possess the skills, commitment, and lead the change effort. The expectation is that needed to energy within a year. plan will be developed a formal strategic choose bold action. By enact “we he says, hospice approach,” Schools for the Diocese of Lansing.Schools Contact him at [email protected]. - (May (May (America .com / January/FebruaryMagazine FAITHmag / www. 2011 FAITH Magazine had a had a Magazine FAITH wo months before Father Steve Steve Father before months wo role new on his took Mattson - of Catho as Superintendent of for the Diocese lic Schools Lansing, In it, Bishop Boyea made clear his com- In it, Bishop Boyea Father Steve is grateful for the many excellent principals for the many excellent is grateful Steve Father priests and to sent out a letter On Dec. 8, Bishop Boyea - “Catho voice: added his own Steve In that issue, Father other edu- with seven gathered Steve Father Last summer,
Archbishop Timothy Dolan, for example, reflecting on the on the Dolan, for example, reflecting Timothy Archbishop T mitment and vision for Catholic schools: “Il- mitment and vision our Bishop Boyea wrote, luminated by faith,” for “an unfolding of places are Catholic schools - and our baptismal prom our baptismal grace get help their children parents ise.” They “help age, our Catholic the present to heaven.” In graduate students who will schools seek “to so that the culture to our bring a new order us in Jesus Christ can be salvation won for by our society and the world.” shared for is room knows there in our schools, and yet and teachers as they not as effective If any of our schools are improvement. and formingmight be in evangelizing disciples of Christ, he them. abandon of the faithful cannot be to the response says, that please transform them in ways demands that we “Faith any of our chil- to have cannot afford The Church our Lord. in the schools without a firm grounding from graduate dren truth that sets them free.” that calls for transformational a report with change educators to in our schools. The document is entitled, “Maintenance - (www.dioce Our Catholic Schools.” Mission: Transforming Christianlic schools should be doing what every should be and their their God love learndoing – helping children to He described the challenges be about Jesus.” faith. It has to families in our parishes which include “evangelizing face, we a deeper faith and ... make fundamen- help them come to to their faith and Catholic education.” tal connections between challenges of funding and He acknowledged the tremendous to helping every his commitment and stated affordability, the our Catholic schools “serve the ways Catholic appreciate common good.” members of the laity and interested clergy, religious, cators, real the very address to a path forward consider prayerfully to chart a challenges facing our schools and parishes, and to course for transformational He has been encouraged change. and other bishops who by the commitment of Bishop Boyea about the impor statements made powerful recently have tance of Catholic schools. tance of Catholic schools. the case boldly: “It is time to stated situation in New York, our schools for the 21st cen- and promote our nerve recover our schools The current hospice mentality – watching tury. confidence.” a renewed to way slowly die – must give special issue devoted to Catholic schools to Catholic schools issue devoted special Magazine, September 13, 2010) 13, 2010) Magazine, September 2009). 26 community Visit ourwebsite, www.lansing- [email protected]. for moreinformation ore-mail night. Call517.321.7886 andgame Jan. 29,euchre party in Lansingandbrunch following; a.m. MassatResurrectionParish coming events:Jan.9,9:30 30s-50s tojoinusforourup- invites allsinglesagemid- CatholicSingles Lansing Jan.3. before [email protected] at 517.342.2497ore-mail office Please callthedisabilities isrequired. St., Lansing.RSVP Madonna Hall,228N.Walnut celebration andprogramat to attendtheChristmas their familiesarewelcome abilities inthedioceseand Jan. 8,allpersonswithdis- 231.9199. Holy SpiritChurch at810. 18. For information,contact adults and$5forstudents12- Brighton Rd.Tickets: $10 7878 Arts, for thePerforming show attheBrightonCenter his theoriesinamulti-media Rick Larsonashepresents of theMessiah?Comehear by Godtomarkthecoming unique spiritualeventprovided ofBethlehem?WasStar ita Jan. 2,3p.m.,What wasthe things todo: Catholic Charities For informationandtoregister, call517.782.2551. Steps forStepfamiliesisaLansingDiocesemarriageprepprogramremarriagecouples. tothecoordinatorBobVogel. thecenterandtalk For information,contact support. andparticipant workers foremploymentandtoensuretheirjobretentionthroughservices www.cristo-rey.org –IthasanEmploymentandTraining Program designedtoprepare Flint, 48501. ourworkbymakingadonationtoCatholic Outreach, P.O. tosupport partnership Box815, day, Wednesday andFriday from9:15a.m.-11:30a.m.and1:15p.m.-3:30p.m.Joinin Mon- forfoodisonawalk-inbasis, Genesee Countyresidentsofallreligions.Assistance member withanyformsofdementia.Nofee. 6:30 p.m.atIndependenceVillage inBrighton.Itisforpeopleprovidingcareafamily charities.org –AnAlzheimer’s GroupmeetsthesecondTuesday Support ofeach month, gram forremarriagecouples.For informationandtoregister, call517.323.4734. StepsforStepfamiliesisaLansingDiocesemarriagepreppro- stvcc.org –Feb. 26,Smart CatholicCharitiesofJackson, LenaweeandHillsdaleCounties–Feb. 12,Smart CristoReyCommunityCenter, 517.372.4700or 1717N.HighSt.,Lansing, CatholicOutreach, 509N. Grand Traverse, Flint,810.234.4693–Serves CountyCatholicCharities,517.545.5944orwww.livingstoncatholic Livingston - St.Vincent CatholicCharities, 2800W. Willow, 517.323.4734orwww. Lansing, tion – If God is for us, who tion –IfGodisforus,who Project 2o3:JointheRevolu- 810.631.6305. prayer. For moreinformation,call and following thepresentation each evening to thehospitality welcome toattendandinvited priests fromChicago.Allare directed bytheRedemptorist will hostaparishmission St. Francis Xavier, Otisville Jan. 16-18at6:30p.m., winter events. catholicsingles.com, formore Feb. 26,4 p.m.,A Milestone Wedding Mass Anniversary Jan. 21-23,April1-3,Aug5-7,Sept.30-Oct.2.For library. Current studyisthe 7 p.m.-8p.m.in the parish young adultfaith sharing from the upperrooms;adultand group from7p.m.-9p.m.in school andhighschool youth Wednesdays hasmiddle lous Medal,Jackson on 2011 Retrouvaille of Lansing weekendretreat 2011 RetrouvailleofLansing website, www.retrouvailleoflansing.catholicweb.com. more information,call517.290.5596orvisittheir dates atSt.Francis RetreatCenter, DeWitt: QueenoftheMiracu- January/February January/February Café events cial management program cial managementprogram the debtreductionandfinan- Jan. 19,St.Gerardwillbegin com. Amber Zelleyatalzelley@gmail. For moreinformation,contact andmore. fellowship, 2o3band experience therevolution.Pizza, high school teensarewelcometo inMt.Morris.All 20 atSt.Mary at St.MatthewinFlintandMarch Shepherd inMontrose,Feb. 20 ing eventsare:Jan.16atGood days, 5:30p.m.-8pm.Upcom- againstus?Sun- can stand
great adventure–theGospelofLuke. Study oftheGospelMatthew, Thursdays, has a Bible St.Michael, GrandLedgehasaBible will be celebrated at St Mary Cathedral, 219 Seymour Ave., Lansing. For more information, contact the diocesan Family Life Ministry Office at 517.342.2470. Family Cathedral, 219 Seymour Ave., LifeMinistry the diocesan Lansing. Forwill be celebrated at StMary moreinformation, contact ence Room. 6-March 24intheConfer- 10 a.m.-12p.m.fromJan. office at517.265.8938. theparish information, contact days at10:30a.m. For more Morning Prayer GroupThurs- has a St.Joseph,Adrianhasa in support of St. Louis ofSt.Louis Children” insupport Angel forOurAdultsand presents “BeAGuardian American ClubofLivonia Jan. 30,noon,theItalian oflansing.catholicweb.com. website atwww.retrouvaille 517.290.5596 orvisitour For moreinformation,call at St.Francis RetreatCenter. Retrouvaille programweekend marriages. Joinusatthenext designed tohelphealtroubled is aChristianpeerministry isfying Marriage.Retrouvaille Romantic GiftEver –aSat- Jan. 21-23,theMost aphoto. and attach soldier [email protected] Please e-mailthenameofyour Appreciation fortheMilitary. X, FlintwillhaveaMassof Jan. 22,4:30p.m.,St.Pius healing. you inyourjourneytoward personwhocanassist mental compassionate andnon-judg- a Be assuredthatyouwillfind Beth Bauerat734.369.3470. Diocese,contact the Lansing chel’s Vineyard Retreatsin For Ra- informationabout stfrancisa2.org. at 734.821.2125ormlucas@ Lucas Marty information, contact grade –offered.For more program –Pre-K through5th for adultsandteens.Children’s more than30differenttopics Fitness: LivingtheSacraments; by Dr. GalipeauonFaith Jerry ence. Keynote presentation 4th ParishCommonConfer- Francis ofAssisiwillhaveits Jan. 22,9a.m.-3:30p.m.,St. parish at517.323.2379. the sions andregistration,contact Ramsey. For informationonses- – Peace University by David Peace UniversitybyDavid
FAITH Magazine / January/February 2011 / www.FAITHmag.com 27 nated will be used for mission Feb. 26 – Attention All La- 2011 Catholic Deaf Mass schedule for St. Mary rosary supplies. dies, “A Call to Holiness, A Cathedral, 219 Seymour Ave. and St. Gerard, 4437 Life Journey” – This Lenten W. Willow Hwy. Feb. 16, 5:45 p.m.-7 p.m., season prepare yourself for IHM-St. Casimir will host Easter. Guest speakers will Jan. 9, 4 p.m., St. Mary Cathedral; Jan. 22, 4:30 a preschool/kindergarten touch your hearts with their p.m., St. Gerard; Jan. 30, 4 p.m., St. Mary Cathedral; carnival for children who will message of God’s love and Feb. 13, 4 p.m., St. Mary Cathedral; Feb 26, 4:30 p.m., be within the ages of 3-5 by renew your spirit. Followed by St. Gerard; March 13, 4 p.m., St. Mary Cathedral; March fall. You and your preschool and Mass at 4:30 p.m. Hosted by 26, 4:30 p.m., St. Gerard; April 10, 4 p.m., Location kindergarten children are invited St. Mary, 807 St. Mary’s Blvd., TBA; April 24, 9 a.m., St. Gerard; May 7, 4:30 p.m., St. to come and join in the fun. Small Charlotte. Tickets $10, include Gerard; May 15, 4 p.m., St. Mary Cathedral, Jun. 4, 4:30 snacks will be served. lunch. Week of the event $15. p.m., St. Gerard; and Jun. 12, 4 p.m., St. Mary Cathedral. Questions and reservations, Feb. 19, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., contact Denise Droscha at 2011 Flint Deaf Mass schedule for St. John the Praying with Body, Mind and 517.543.6647 or denise. Evangelist, 600 N. Adelaide St. Spirit: A Call to Hope will be [email protected]. at St. Paul of the Cross Retreat Jan. 2, 10 a.m., Chapel; Jan. 23, 10 a.m., Church; Center, 23333 Schoolcraft, De- March 5, come unmask the Jan. 30, 10 a.m., Chapel; Feb. 20, 10 a.m., Chapel; Feb. troit. Engage your whole self in possibilities at Mardi Gras 27, 10 a.m., Church; March 9, 5:30 p.m., Chapel; March prayer by using your body, mind – hosted by the St. Francis of 13, 10 a.m., Church; March 20, 10 a.m., Chapel; April and spirit along with movement. Assisi Catholic School Educa- 17, 10 a.m. Chapel; April 21, Holy Thursday, 5 p.m., For more information, contact Ja- tional Trust Fund at the Four Chapel; April 22, Good Friday, 4 p.m., Chapel; April 24, nene Ternes at 734.429.7754 Points Sheraton in Ann Arbor. Easter, 10 a.m., Chapel; May 8, 10 a.m., Chapel; May or visit her website, www.prayer- Enjoy dinner, entertainment 22, 10 a.m., Church; May 29, 10 a.m., Chapel; Jun. 5, in-motion.com. and an auction. Contact Col- 10 a.m., Chapel; and Jun. 26, 10 a.m., Chapel. leen Pierce at 734.821.2208 Feb. 19, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m., to register or information. Christ the King, Ann Ar- Or visit ww.stfrancisa2.com/ Center, a caring community for Marriage Ministry. Cost: $65 bor will hold a Holy Spirit school/etf11/. residents with developmental dis- per couple. For information or to Seminar. Cost: $15, includes abilities. This event is a culinary register, visit www.idoforlife.org. lunch and materials. A set of talks St. Jude, DeWitt – Breakfast extravaganza with appetizers, on the Holy Spirit and personal Bible Study is back on the desserts and a soup and salad Feb. 12-13, mission rosary prayer. For information or to menu! All high school youth bar. To register or volunteer, call makers from Immaculate register, call 734.426.5514 or are invited to join us Friday 734.953.9724 or e-mail mail@ Heart of Mary Parish, 3815 [email protected]. mornings at 6:30 a.m. in stlouiscenter.org. S. Cedar St. in Lansing, will the Community Center for a hold a Valentine’s bake sale Feb. 23, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m., breakfast and an opportunity to Feb. 4-5, Holy Redeemer, and religious gifts sale after a retreat day for persons discuss the Sunday readings Burton’s Council of Catholic the 4:30 p.m. Mass on Sat- who are sight-impaired/ with friends. We conclude by Women is holding a Spring urday and all Sunday-morning blind at the diocesan center in 7:05 a.m. to give you time to Scrapbooking Crop. Registra- Masses. Lots of pies, cakes Lansing. Fee is $10. Registration get to school. If you plan to tion deadline is Jan. 28. For and candy, as well as beautiful, required. Contact Joann Davis attend, please contact Sue at information or to register, call hand-crafted gift rosaries and at 517.342.2497 or jdavis@ 517.669.8341 ext.20 by 5 Beth Clark at 810.250.6012 faith-building gifts. All funds do- dioceseoflansing.org. p.m. Thursday. or e-mail theclarkconnection@ yahoo.com. Bread of Life Retreat Residence, 4901 N. Dix- Feb. 5, 6 p.m.-10 p.m., 5th Retreat centers boro Rd., Ann Arbor, 630.417.1984 or www. annual Rainbow Homes eucharisticlife.org/retreat_residence.html Silent Auction and Dinner Weber Retreat Center, Adrian, 517.266.4000 Jan. 16-Feb. 13, Oblates of the Virgin Mary, at Immaculate Heart of Mary or www.weber.adriandominicans.org directing the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius for Parish, 9815 S. Cedar in Feb. 25-26, Committed: Can we stay? How do men and women – eight-day retreats, presenter Lansing. Dinner tickets are $30 we wish to grow? A retreat for married couples. Father Dennis Brown, OMV. per person and can be reserved by calling 517.740.0293. To St. Francis Retreat Center, DeWitt Dominican Center Marywood, Grand Rapids, donate items for the auction, 866.669.8321 or www.stfrancis.ws 616.643.0371 or register online at www. call 517.699.8454 or e-mail Jan. 13, Healing from a Broken Place: Explor- dominicancenter.com [email protected]. ing the Role of Pastoral Care for Trauma Survivors. Thurs., Jan. 13-March 3, 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m., Presenters and speakers are experts on medical Spirituality for men – listening for God knows what. Feb. 11, St. Mary School in diagnosis and mental health providers together with Jan. 19, 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m., Living in the mean- Pinckney will present an clergy. time: A gathering of ladies-in-waiting. anti-bullying program to the Jan. 21-23, Retrouvaille Weekend Retreat for Wed., Jan. 19-Feb. 16, 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m., students. Marcia McEvoy will troubled marriages. For information, e-mail 3053@ Grief: When mourning dawns. be the presenter. For informa- retrouvaille.org. To register, call 517.290.0314. Jan. 29, 2 p.m.-5 p.m., Letting go of stress. tion, contact the school office at Feb. 11-13, Singles Retreat. Jan. 29, 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m., Spirituality for 734.878.5616. March 18-2, REFLECT Catholic Singles Women – Women of God: Making a difference; Retreat for Mid-Life Singles – You are invited to Tues., Feb. 8-Feb. 22, 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Par- Feb. 12, 8:30 a.m.-3:15 register for a life-changing weekend retreat. For enting: peaceful, harmonious family life. p.m., a Marriage Enrichment rates and details, call 989.450.0993 or visit Thurs., Jan. 6-Feb. 24, 7 p.m.-8:15 p.m., Conference presented by St. www.reflectretreat.com or e-mail us at reflect. Beginning Yoga; and Thurs., Jan. 6-Feb. 24, 5:30 Patrick, Brighton’s “I Do For Life” [email protected]. p.m.-6:45 p.m., Continuing Yoga. will be celebrated at St Mary Cathedral, 219 Seymour Ave., Lansing. For more information, contact the diocesan Family Life Ministry Office at 517.342.2470. 28 local news local news Chapter that the current leadership team was elected. Chapter thatthecurrentleadershipteamwaselected. congregation forthenextsixyears.ItwasduringthisGeneral delegates toelectnewleadershipandsetthedirectionof the General Chapter. for These formal gatheringsareopportunities the MassofHolySpirittoopencongregation’s 2010 2010,whenhecelebrated campus hadbeeninFebruary Congregation sincenewmemberstookoffice. tomeetformally withtheGeneralCouncilof opportunity Sisters’ campusinNovember. The pastoralvisitwashisfirst conscientiously, zealouslyanddiligently. outtheirministerialwork demonstrated awillingnesstocarry sented themselvestobespirituallyandpastorallydirected setbythedioceseforacademicformation,repre- standard K.Amatohavereached a Janet M.CassidyandDeborah enbergh, Todd A.Dubinski,GlennaC.Diskin, D.Gale,Lisa with sixlayecclesialministersonNov. 6.SharonL.Hard- ed theriteofcommissioning and severalpriestscelebrat- op EmeritusCarlMengeling Albers Fund, andtoSueLewisforCatholicCharities. Hudgins presentchecks toFather Tom Wasilewski forthe seminarians. Inthephoto,BobMatejewskiandFather David Albers Fund tohelpdefraythecostoftuitionforundergraduate Charities ofLenaweeandJackson CountiesandtheBishop in Adrianbenefittedtheparish’s boiler fund,aswellCatholic Dominican Sisters Bishop BoyeavisitsnewleadershipofAdrian the Lord To loveandserve Catholic CharitiesandBishopAlbersFund St. JosephParishSummerFestivalbenefits Bishop Boyea’s lastformalvisittotheAdrianDominican The proceedsofthesummerfestivalfromSt.JosephParish BishopEarlBoyeapaidavisittotheAdrianDominican BishopEarlBoyea,Bish- cal Theological Seminary inDetroit.cal Theological Seminary pleted herdoctorate attheEcumeni- in thetribunal,hassuccessfully com- completes doctorate Judge EileenJaramillo EileenJaramillo,oneofthe judges – DeborahAmato Her dissertation isentitled: Her dissertation and Chaplain Kimberly Yancy. Dr.Bass, JCL, UriasBeverly, D.Min., neliese Sinnott,OP, Msgr. Ricardo wasgiven byDr.dissertation An- Canon Law in the Roman Catholic Catholic Roman the in Law Canon Diocese of Lansing. Lansing. of Diocese tor of substance abuse tor ofsubstance Health.” Mental Genesee CountyCommunity Resource Geneseeand organizations– most vital project bytwoofthearea’s excited tobejoinedinthis Michael Parish …We are thelegacyofSt. safeguard help andcreatinghope, our missionofproviding extend are nowabletoboth of CatholicCharities.“We presidentandCEO Schultz, Vickygreat topassup,”said wastoo The opportunity wanted todoforalongtime. agencies. service a fullspectrumofhuman project thatbringstogether ambitious communitycenter building andlaunched an ofChoiceProgramSchool ownership oftheSt.Michael onthe Counties hastaken Shiawassee andGenesee partnership community center launches new Catholic Charities jacksonforlife.org. Cindy Smith,517.937.6786,theadultadvisors,orwww. annual March forLifeandaremakingplanstoattendagain. three memberswenttoWashington, forthe D.C.,last January 10,000 diapersforthePregnancy ResourceCenters.Thirty- Jackson StudentsforLife Approval ofher Catholic Charitiesof Kristie direc- Schmeige, “This issomethingwe’ve For information, contact KathyPotts,For 517.262.746, or information, contact Students at Lumen Christi High School collected more than collectedmorethan StudentsatLumenChristiHighSchool Teaching Teaching – Jan Hoffbauer present. churchesand Orthodox alsowere the Baptist,Lutheran,Episcopalian Diocese ofLansing.Pastors from lic laity, clergyandreligiousfromthe doctoral defense.Mostwere Catho- Thirty-two peopleattendedtheThirty-two might need.” they nearly anyotherservice or or agameofbasketball, playcards meal, readabook, complete aresume,eathot personal needsitems, wash theirclothes,receive ashower,to comein,take will bepossibleforsomeone It will trulyoffereverything. new communitycenter. “It fromthe services recovery willoffer supercenter.” CMH the concepta“recovery iscalling atCMH, services 29 29 local news Set
and mobile pantry a Noelle Garcia For information onFor Noelle and David the World on Fire. Flight into Egypt how to bring their min- istry to your parish, visit www.mqministries.com. New ministry website McHugh, music director in at Most Holy Trinity and her hus- Fowler, band, David McHugh, youth ministry coordi- in nator of St. Patrick Portland, have launched their new ministry website. travel all over the country speaking to audiences of all ages about the Catho- lic faith through testimony and music. Noelle has two CDs through World Library that Publications she and David co-wrote, Catholic St. John Vianney St. Pius X’s • School and the Flint River • huge success • And More! partners with Huron com for FAITHmag. Log on to www. local news coverage, including: extended Valley Ambulance to reduce Valley non-emergency 911 calls WITH Housing joins Catho- lic Social Services • CSSW •
.com / January/FebruaryMagazine FAITHmag / www. 2011 FAITH St. Francis Camp, located in Jerome on Goose Lake, was Camp, located St. Francis Dick Sosin, for the last nine Camp Dick president of St. Francis If any individual is interested in sponsoring a camper or She celebrated her reception She has a BA degree from Sister Elaine is currently serving as pastoral coordinator at St. Sister Elaine La Bell will cel- Sister Elaine La Bell St. Francis Camp celebrates 25 years a Catholic fra- founded by the International Order of Alhambra, the cognitively impaired. ternal organization dedicated to assisting could never have stayed in existence without theyears, said, “We Knights of Columbus. In the last seven yearsfinancial help of the alone, the various councils and the State Council have provided more than $200,000 to assist in operations and maintenance.” make a donation, please e-mail Mike Carpenter at mike_ [email protected]. ebrate 50 years as a Domini- ebrate 50 years as a 6. can Sister March into the order of St. Dominic in Grand Rapids in 1961. Aquinas College, Grand Rap- ids; a certificate of theology from St. NorbertPere, College, De in pastoral studies from Loyola University, and a master’s Wis.; Chicago. She taught of for 14 years in the cities high school Mt. Pleasant, and Manistee. She founded and Bay City Traverse, Ministry held posi- Program; Youth directed the Bay City Vicariate tions in pastoral ministry for youth and then adults in Cheboygan and Beal City; and served as pastoral associate in Carrollton. Otisville. Xavier Parish, Francis Sister Elaine’s 50th Sister Elaine’s anniversary Contractors broke ground The Knights of Columbus Councils in Jackson were the first in the state were the first in Jackson Councils of Columbus for to raise funds Knights The For more information For The Jackson Area Knights of Columbus placed fourth of Columbus Knights Area 13,000 councils out of more than Jackson The support initiative, contact of Columbus ultrasound Council at your the Knights the Knights To – Joseph Yekulis St. Louis Center in ground Chelsea breaks for next 50 years of service Knights of Columbus raise money to save lives to save money raise of Columbus Knights on a new Administrative/ Conference Room addi- tion for St. Louis Center’s residential campus for persons with developmen- tal disabilities. newest The addition will provide for a redesigned public entrance, additional office space and private conference rooms for parents and counselors to meet with residents. Accord- Enzo Addari, ing to Father “This SdC, administrator, new addition will enhance our work and allow us to better organize our new services in the future. As programs for our special population evolve, we will have to be able to work with new technologies and this has become difficult for us to do in a 1960s-era building. By restructuring our facilities, we will be able to provide therapeutic services for our residents that will al- low us to work closer with the families we serve.” visit about St. Louis Center, www.stlouiscenter.org. an ultrasound machine to save machine an ultrasound unborn babies from abortion. lives have been saved 25 So far, in Jackson. use of this life-savingthrough the Women at the Center for device competition based in an international worldwide effort. on this fundraising alum- Lumen Christi Artznus Stephen the effort spearheaded the ultrasound machine. money and purchase to raise of Columbus by the Knights the award was presented to the Jackson During Mass in October, stateKnights’ representative, Thorne. Paul at [email protected]. Thorn parish or e-mail State Director Paul Program 30 1 2 3 4 Relationship CARA board ap- Pro-life group Church responds to between Cuba points Jesuit priest reported babies growing numbers and the Church as new executive saved from abor- of Hebrew-speak- What in improving – Cuban director – Jesuit Fa- tion during cam- ing Catholics – The President Raul Castro ther Thomas P. Gaunt paign – Campaign Latin Patriarchate of the world? attended the inaugura- was named executive Director Shawn Jerusalem published tion of the first new director of the Center Carney for the group the first catechisms The top 10 Catholic seminary in for Applied Research 40 Days for Life in Hebrew to assist in more than 50 years in in the Apostolate at announced at the teaching religious edu- Catholic news events Havana. Georgetown end of the 2010 fall cation to the children University. campaign that more of the seven com- this month than 500 babies were munities of Hebrew- saved from abortion speaking Catholics in during the event. their vicariate.
Bishop Boyea celebrates funeral Mass for victims of abortion ary 2010” contained individual bags of terminated innocents. local news After contacting Miller, they returned to n Nov. 20, Bishop Earl Boyea celebrated a funeral the clinic where, Veneklase states, “We Mass at St. Mary Cathedral for 17 victims of abor- didn’t discover more babies in bags of tion – children who had been discovered in a trash that nature, but all medical waste and receptacle behind an abortion clinic in Lansing. instruments of abortion were being About 1,000 mourners packed the cathedral. And thrown out in these common bags.” During his homily, Bishop Boyea said MonicaO Miller, PhD., director of Citizens for a Pro-Life Society, that a funeral testifies to what God can stated, “It is a testimony that abortion is very real – that we really do: “God can raise the dead. God can represent an army, a contingent of soldiers who are called by God change our lives.” to reverse the injustice of abortion.” Lansing police rerouted traffic and blocked streets for parking and the procession to the cemetery. The Knights On Feb. 26, 2010, Chris Veneklase, ceptacle. Curious that a medical waste of Columbus led the line of vehicles in a who has prayed outside the Woman’s truck remained absent from the clinic, bus donated by Dean Trailways. Choice abortion clinic for the past 2 Veneklase retrieved a bag that didn’t “In addition to serving the Mass, we years, discovered that employees were belong with your “everyday” garbage. also wanted to be at the cemetery to throwing trash in a common waste re- The large storage bag marked “Janu- present the final farewell salute, which 5 6 7 8 9 10 31 New audio version Dogma is 60 Catholic Charities Bishop martyred Attack on Iraq Pope Benedict XVI of the Catholic Bi- years old in 2010 USA presented by communists church an example makes his mark ble is endorsed by – Crowds thronged centennial medals beatified in Roma- of intolerance on the Sacred the Vatican – “Truth St. Peter’s Square to Catholic schools nia – Archbishop toward Christians College – The pope of social work – Robu of Bucharest – Archbishop Francis announced 24 new
& Life Dramatized in 1950 to hear top ten Audio Bible New Pope Pius XII give Thirteen Catholic said the honoring of Chullikatt said the members of the Col- Testament” consisting the Church its most schools of social the Latin-rite Bishop incident underscores lege of Cardinals – of 18 CDs, was en- recently proclaimed work were honored Szilárd Bogdánffy the need to ensure 20 are younger than dorsed by the Vatican dogma – the As- for their dedication from Romania’s Hun- that all religions and 80 and, therefore, and has a special sumption of the to the field of social garian minority will all believers have “the eligible to vote in a foreword by Pope Blessed Virgin Mary. work and the mission focus attention on the most basic right to papal conclave. Benedict XVI. of Catholic Charities fate of Christians from religious freedom and during the organiza- various ethnic and worship.” tion’s 2010 Centen- religious backgrounds nial Celebration. under communism. How much do you know about what you believe? T. Gennara Father Charles Irvin is the founding editor of FAITH Magazine and is retired.
f you were in a group of people talking about religion and were asked a question about an important point in Catho- lic teaching, would you be embarrassed to say that you didn’t know the answer – that you didn’t know why Cath- olics believe as they do? If some in the group were ridicul- Iing an important Catholic teaching, would you want to be able to effectively respond?
When I was in high school, a non- Communion, our answer to the question Catholic school, I was challenged in that is both personal and communal. The next manner on a number of occasions – all question that inevitably follows is, “Why of which prompted me to find answers do you believe that Jesus Christ is truly that made sense to me. After high school, and really present in the consecrated last word we call the bridge,” said Dennis Hen- when I was in college, the questions were host?” Your answer to that question is of derson, master, fourth degree knight, for of a deeper and more extensive nature. great importance. The content of your Father Louis Hennepin Province. “Even Somewhere along the line, I came to answer is a precious moment that can though their last bus was scheduled realize that in such discussions I was not bring the soul of your questioner into for another run, the Kellie Dean family simply representing myself. I was repre- contact with Christ. This is of weighty made it available to us to carry up to 52 senting the Catholic Church. Perhaps my significance far beyond just sharing your knights at no charge.” questioners were talking about their own personal faith. “This grave is not only a place of personal questions and beliefs, but when There are other questions dealing with healing for women who have had abor- they were questioning me, I was not. why we hold Mary our Mother in such high tions, but it also, in some ways, is an If you are Catholic, you hold a shared regard, why we venerate the saints, why indictment of our country to allow this belief, not just your own personal opinion. we champion the unborn, why the Catholic slaughter to continue under the law,” Each one of us bears a shared faith, a Church has a pope, and so forth. Perhaps said Miller. “What you’re looking at here faith handed on to us by our family of faith, the questions are not as important as our is the tiny remnant of 50 million-plus a belief that comes down to us through belief about Holy Communion, but they are innocent human beings who have lost 2,000 years of our Catholic tradition. It’s important nevertheless. their lives in our legalized slaughter. It’s important for you to know and understand Do you have some learning to do? Your a tragedy, it’s a sorrow.” the reasons for our beliefs. knowledge of our Catholic faith isn’t just for As the coffin was lowered, a white For instance, when we are asked if your own benefit; it is for the benefit of oth- dove was released as a reminder of our we believe we receive the true and real ers as well. That’s why we’re here for you in destiny to a life with God. body and blood of Jesus Christ in holy FAITH magazine.
Photography by Don Quillan notes:
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