Serving the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend April 29, 2018
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Provided by Bishop Luers High School St. Vincent de Paul Bishop Luers High School football team members gathered in the Chapel of Saint Francis of Assisi earlier this school year to present letters, which were read Society of aloud, and roses to their mothers. Ceremonies like this one, in Fort Wayne, are components of a comprehensive Catholic school sports culture program called St. Joseph County SportsLeader, which devotes itself to encouraging virtuous behavior among student athletes. Dinner underscores value of BY DEB WAGNER Painting of saint blessed safety-net organizations wo years ago Bishop Luers Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades Page 11 High School Principal Jim THuth, who was assistant venerates a relic of St. José principal at the time, attended Sánchez del Río at Our a SportsLeader conference in Cincinnati, Ohio, to learn about Lady of Guadalupe Church, the Catholic, virtue-based for- Warsaw, April 8. The bishop mation program for coaches. He became eager to bring it the Fort conferred the sacrament Wayne school, and at the begin- of confirmation to candi- ning of the 2017-18 school year it was implemented. dates at the parish and then Athletic programs at Bishop Luers have long incorporated the blessed a painting of the Catholic faith, but SportsLeader recently canonized Mexican offers an intentional way for student-athletes to grow their martyr, seen behind him. Catholic faith and shape their character, as well as witness to the community that watches the competitions. In July, the Bishop Luers ath- letic coaches gathered to learn about program initiatives car- ried out through the curriculum, prayers and videos specifically designed to form leaders and teach virtue. Lou Judd, director of SportsLeader, spoke about the
SPORTS, page 16 Provided by Maria del Castillo 2 TODAY’ S C ATHOLIC April 29, 2018 TODAY’S CATHOLIC Lay down your weapons, say Mexican Official newspaper of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend P.O. Box 11169 bishops after second priest murdered Fort Wayne, IN 46856
BY DAVID AGREN PUBLISHER: Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades
MEXICO CITY (CNS) — Yet another Mexican Editorial Department Catholic priest has been murdered in his par- PUBLICATIONS MANAGER: Jodi Marlin ish — the second such lethal attack against clergy in the country in less than a week. PAGE DESIGNER: Francie Hogan Father Juan Miguel Contreras Garcia was BRAND SPECIALIST: Molly Gettinger shot dead in the St. Pius of Pietrelcina par- NEWS SPECIALIST: Mark Weber ish in the Guadalajara suburb of Tlajomulco de Zuniga. An April 20 statement from the Business Department Jalisco state prosecutor’s office said Father Contreras was confronted and shot in the BUSINESS MANAGER: Stephanie A. Patka sacristy. Two assailants subsequently fled in BOOKKEEPING/CIRCULATION: Geoff Frank a compact car. No motive for the attack was [email protected] offered. The attack on Father Contreras fol- Advertising Sales lowed the April 18 murder of Father Ruben Jackie Parker Alcantara Diaz in the northern Mexico City [email protected] suburb of Cuautitlan Izcalli. Father Alcantara was attacked April 18, just prior to the 7 p.m. Mass at Our Lady of Carmen Parish, the Website: www.todayscatholic.org Diocese of Izcalli said in a short statement. 260-456-2824 The Mexican bishops’ conference issued a call for action on the violence consuming the country and impacting the church. Published weekly except second “We are making an urgent call to con- Sunday of January; and every other struct a culture of peace and reconciliation. week from the third Sunday in June These regrettable occurrences call all of us to through the second Sunday of a much deeper and more sincere conversion. September by the Diocese of Fort It’s time to look honestly at our culture and Wayne-South Bend, 915 S. Clinton St., society in order to ask ourselves how we lost P.O. Box 390, Fort Wayne, IN 46801. respect for life and the sacred,” said an April Periodicals postage paid at Fort Wayne, 20 statement issued by the conference. IN, and additional mailing office. “We ask the Catholic faithful to accompa- ny their priests with prayer, above all, in the CNS photo/courtesy Father Greg Luyet POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: pastoral service of the communities they are Father Ruben Alcantara Diaz, pastor of Our Lady of Carmen Parish in Cuautitlan Izcalli, Mexico, was stabbed Today’s Catholic, P.O. Box 11169, Fort entrusted to,” the statement continued. to death in his parish April 18. He is pictured with two unidentified women in 2015 in Mexico City. Wayne, IN 46856-1169 “We ask those that do not appreciate and or email: [email protected] take away life for any reason to look up to prior to the attack, according to Mexican historic high levels in 2017 and the violence the kind face of God, to not only lay down media. The assailant alleged abuse in his MAIN OFFICE: 915 S. Clinton St., Fort consuming large swaths of the country has their weapons, but also hatred, rancor, ven- shouts and fled the scene, the newspaper not spared the Catholic Church. Wayne, IN 46802. Telephone 260-456- geance and all destructive feelings.” 2824. Fax: 260-744-1473. Reforma reported. His whereabouts remains The Catholic Multimedia Center has count- Father Alcantara, who was also the BUREAU OFFICE: 1328 Dragoon Trail, unknown. ed 23 priests killed in Mexico since December Mishawaka, IN 46544. Telephone 260- diocesan judicial vicar, was accosted by the Attacks on clergy have become common 2012, when the six-year administration of 456-2824. Fax 260-744-1473. assailant and was involved in a discussion in Mexico, where the homicide rate reached President Enrique Peña Nieto began.
News deadline is 10 days prior to publication date. Advertising deadline is nine days before publication date. Pope meets with commission on child protection
Today’s Catholic may be reached at : BY CAROL GLATZ An unidentified speaker from Today’s Catholic, the advisory panel said, “I hope P.O. Box 11169, Fort Wayne, IN our visit will help the PCPM to 46856-1169; or email: VATICAN CITY (CNS) — In its develop a wider network of sur- [email protected] efforts to help advise the pope, vivors who are willing to advise the Roman Curia, bishops’ con- and support the ongoing work (ISSN 0891-1533) ferences and local churches on (USPS 403630) of the commission in a similar protecting minors from abuse, way.” a Vatican commission listened The panel’s contribution was to abuse survivors from Great meant to reflect the papal com- Britain and discussed the results mission’s “ongoing commitment of Australia’s public inquiry to ensuring that the thoughts into its country’s institutional and contributions of people responses to abuse. who have been abused inform The plenary assembly of the CNS photo/Vatican Media all aspects of the commission’s Pontifical Commission for the Pope Francis listens as Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley of Boston, president of the work,” the statement said, as Find us on Facebook Protection of Minors April 20-22 Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, speaks during a meeting well as “help the commission was the first gathering with a www.facebook.com/todayscatholicFWSB with members of the commission at the Vatican April 21. to develop effective ways to group of new members appoint- integrate the voice of survivors Follow us on Twitter ed in February. into the life and ministry of the @diocesefwsb Pope Francis met with the the Doctrine of the Faith. outcome of the Australian Royal church.” commission members in a pri- The pope said he wanted to Commission,’ on ‘The U.N. In February, the pope recon- vate audience April 21 and had confirm the commission’s stat- Convention on the Rights of the firmed Cardinal O’Malley as Follow us on Instagram met the day before with Cardinal utes, which were issued April 21, Child,’ and on ‘The role of faith president, reconfirmed seven @diocesefwsb Sean P. O’Malley of Boston, who 2015, “ad experimentum” for a communities in overcoming of the 14 founding members, is president of the 17-member period of three years, according abuse trauma.’” and named nine new members, Download the app commission. The commission to a press statement by the com- Members also listened to the including Teresa Kettelkamp, App Store or Google Play: TodaysCatholic secretary is U.S. Msgr. Robert mission April 22. survivor advisory panel of the a former colonel in the Illinois W. Oliver, a Boston priest, canon During their meeting, accord- National Catholic Safeguarding State Police and former director lawyer and former promotor of ing to the statement, members Commission from England and of the U.S. bishops’ Secretariat of justice at the Congregation for “heard presentations on ‘The Wales. Child and Youth Protection. April 29, 2018 TODAY’ S C ATHOLIC 3 South Korean bishop hopes North- Public schedule of Bishop South summit brings results Kevin C. Rhoades Sunday, April 29: 11:45 a.m. — Mass with Confirmation and SEOUL, South Korea (CNS) — decessor’s footsteps by venturing the church is not free from this Rite of Reception into Full Communion, Basilica of the Sacred Bishop Peter Lee Ki-heon of to the North Korean capital in scourge,” he said. Heart, University of Notre Dame Uijeongbu has been waiting 2007. “The sense of struggle and Tuesday, May 1: 12:30 p.m. — Meeting of Priest Retirement years for this moment, with the But both of those meetings divisiveness inside South Korean Board, Archbishop Noll Center, Fort Wayne leaders of the two divided Koreas ultimately went nowhere, with society is a huge obstacle to the Tuesday, May 1: 7 p.m. — Confirmation Mass, St. John the poised to meet for a historic the signs of rapprochement future (success) of the Korean Baptist Church, New Haven summit just inside South Korean crumbling only to be replaced by people.” Wednesday, May 2: 11:30 a.m. — Christ Child Society territory April 27. threats of war amid occasional The upcoming summit will 20th Anniversary Luncheon, Parkview Mirro Center, Fort Wayne Ucanews.com reported Bishop volleys of gunfire across the mark the first time a North Wednesday, May 2: 2 p.m. — Blessing of Offices of Ampro Fleet Lee, president of the Korean Demilitarized Zone that sepa- Korean leader has set foot Systems, Fort Wayne bishops’ Committee for the rates the two countries. inside South Korean territory Thursday, May 3: 7 p.m. — Confirmation Mass, St. Mary of the Reconciliation of the Korean Bishop Lee said he expects in decades. Kim Jong Un, North Assumption Church, Avilla People, released a statement the upcoming summit will bear Korean supreme leader, is due to Friday, May 4: 10:30 a.m. — Meeting of Hispanic Apostolate, April 13 expressing his belief more fruit, aided by the prayers meet incumbent South Korean Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, Warsaw. that the summit would end of parishioners. President Moon Jae-in in the Friday, May 4: 5 p.m. — Mass with Blessing for Notre Dame decades of struggle and open a “Our prayers are making an South Korean side of the Joint Master of Divinity Program, Ryan Hall Chapel, University of new era of peace on the penin- incredible miracle through God, Security Area, just south of the Notre Dame sula. who makes the impossible pos- DMZ. Saturday, May 5: 9:30 a.m. — Baccalaureate Mass for University of “Now the Korean Peninsula sible,” he said. While much of the recent Saint Francis, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Fort Wayne is entering an important time of The Korean Catholic Church thaw in diplomatic relations turbulence,” Bishop Lee wrote declared its “first of year of has been cloaked in secrecy, it in the statement titled, “Your peace” in 2015 while com- indicates a strong de-escalation will be done, on earth as it is in memorating the 70th year since following months of rhetoric heaven.” Korea split. That campaign saw between Kim and U.S. President Call to prayer for life, marriage and “With the inter-Korean sum- Catholics come together to pray Donald Trump, as both threat- mit, as well as the ensuing sum- for peace every day at 9 p.m. ened each another with missile religious liberty Holy Hours mit between North Korea and the Bishop Lee asked parishioners strikes. • St. Joseph Church, 1300 N. Main St., Bluffton: Prayer for U.S., expectations are growing to keep faith. Kim made a secret visit Life, Marriage and Religious Liberty takes place at 5 p.m. and that the 65-year-long confronta- “We still have many obstacles to meet Chinese President Xi ends with Mass at 7 p.m. on the second Wednesday monthly. tion and struggle will end and a to overcome during the upcom- Jinping in Beijing in the first • St. Charles Borromeo Church, 4916 Trier Rd, Fort new era of peace will come,” the ing dialogue. Please keep pray- week of April, his first trip out- Wayne: A Holy Hour all Fridays at 7 p.m. in the chapel. statement read. ing for everlasting peace on the side North Korea since taking • Queen of Peace Church, Mishawaka: Adoration and This will be the third major Korean Peninsula. Our solidarity over the leadership. Exposition every Saturday prior to Mass at 5:30 p.m. inter-Korean summit, decades in prayer will be a solid corner- Moreover, it recently came to • St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Decatur: Eucharistic after the Korean War ended in a stone for peace,” he said. light that Trump sent the head exposition on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 4:30-6 cease-fire. He also asked Catholics to of the CIA on an equally secret p.m. and on Thursday from 9-10 a.m. and 4:30-8 p.m. It comes in the wake of for- check the “hostile” attitude that meeting with Kim a few days • Our Lady of Good Hope Church, 7215 Saint Joe Rd., Fort mer South Korean President Kim has crept into Korean society later to pave the way for a sum- Wayne: A holy hour for religious liberty beginning with a rosary Dae-jung meeting former North since the end of the Korean War. mit between Trump and Kim, at 9:30 a.m. every Tuesday. Korean leader Kim Jong Il in “Due to the long ‘Cold War’ which is expected to take place • Chapel of Divine Mercy at The Life Center, 2018 Ironwood Pyongyang in 2000, and former era in Korea, the hostile atti- sometime in May. Circle, South Bend: Eucharistic Adoration Tuesday and Friday South Korean President Roh tude against others has become from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Wednesday from 2-6:30 p.m. Moo-hyun following in his pre- deeply rooted in our society, and Safe Environment training: Parents’ frequently asked questions the skills they need to protect I get the ‘creeps’ from one This is a clergy problem. themselves without frightening of the volunteers at Church. He Child sexual abuse is a wide- them. Keeping children unaware always has his hands on kids spread societal problem, not a of the dangers around them does Catholic clergy problem. The not keep them safe. Predators in one way or another. What more people who are trained to count on children not knowing should I do? recognize the warning signs of what to do. Listen to your gut. Offenders an offender, the safer children give warning signs that knowl- are. In the aftermath of the cler- I believe morality should be edgeable adults can use; your gy scandal, the Charter for the taught in the home, not in gut often picks them up. You Protection of Children and Young school. Does my child have to s the Catholic Church a child counselor experienced are not accusing someone of People requires the Church to continues to prioritize the in child abuse matters. Call the abuse, you are communicating train both adults and children to attend these training classes? Asafety of young people victim assistance person in your your concern about inappropri- prevent child sexual abuse. This You are right, morality is best who are practicing the faith, diocese. ate behavior. Let the diocesan/ is not because the Church thinks taught in the home, but this is the U.S. Conference of Catholic eparchial victim assistance or all adults are the problem. It is personal safety training, not Bishops has organized and My child came home and told safe environment coordinator because the solution to prevent- morality class and not sex edu- made publicly available many about being shown pornogra- know of your concerns. Let the ing child sexual abuse depends cation. Catholic moral theology resources for clergy, Church staff, supervisor of the program know on caring adults knowing what compels us to keep children safe. phy. What should I do? to do. Parents are the primary educa- Church representatives, lay min- Call the police. There is no of them as well. Keep reporting isters and parents. Among these your concerns until someone tors of their children, and those good reason for an adult to My children are too young to who do not want their children is the following list of questions share pornography with chil- hears you. Your courage to report frequently asked by parents those types of incidents may be hear this. Aren’t you destroying to participate in the school or dren. Assure your child that they religious education portion of about how the Church is realiz- are not in trouble, that they did very helpful. Reporting can let the ‘innocent period’ of their ing this objective the person know their behavior the training may opt out. They the right thing by telling you. If development? should still receive the parent necessary, help them process the is unacceptable, and it lets them Teaching children about What should I do if I suspect my know they are being watched. portion of the training for assis- experience by talking about your boundaries and safe touches tance in how to teach their chil- child has been abused? feelings toward pornography and If it is poor judgment, this gives Call the police or social servic- is not sex education. There are dren to be safe. why it is wrong. If the child was the person the opportunity to many safety issues we teach es department in your commu- shown pornography at school, change the behavior. children: bike safety, water Information provided by the U.S. nity. Reassure your child that he/ let school officials know about she did nothing wrong and that safety, fire prevention, driver Conference of Catholic Bishops. For it as well. Call the victim assis- training, etc. Personal safety pro- more information, visit www. he/she did the right thing by tell- tance person in your diocese. Why do I have to be trained? ing you. You may want to find I did not do anything wrong: grams should have age appropri- usccb.org/issues-and-action/ ate lessons that give children child-and-youth-protection/faqs. 4 TODAY’ S C ATHOLIC April 29, 2018 Mother killed on Southwest flight was firm believer in Catholic schools
BY CAROL ZIMMERMANN when the plane was forced to one she touched can never be make an emergency landing fully measured.” in Philadelphia after its engine It also called her “the bedrock WASHINGTON (CNS) — Tributes exploded in midair and shrapnel of our family. She and Mike from business leaders and politi- hit the plane breaking the win- wrote a love story unlike any cians alike described Jennifer dow beside her. other. Her beauty and love is Riordan — the 43-year-old pas- Riordan was pronounced dead evident through her children,” senger who died April 17 from at a hospital from blunt trauma and the statement asked that in injuries suffered on Southwest to her head, neck and torso, a her memory people remember to Flight 1380 when its engine spokesman for the Philadelphia “always be kind, loving, caring exploded — as a devoted mother, Department of Health announced and sharing.” community leader, mentor and April 19. The statement echoes volunteer. As news of the tragedy Riordan’s own advice from what Riordan, a Wells Fargo execu- spread, the assistant principal she said in 2015 after she was tive from New Mexico, was a at Annunciation School where presented the Bill Daniels Award “thoughtful leader who has long the two Riordan children attend, for Ethical Young Leadership by been a part of the fabric of our sent an email to parents confirm- the Samaritan Counseling Ethics community,” said Tim Keller, the ing Riordan’s death and simply in Business Awards. mayor of Albuquerque. Susana adding: “At this point, the fam- “As a parent, I’ve said to my Martinez, governor of New ily needs all the prayers we can kids, ‘Be kind, loving, caring and Mexico, described her as “an offer.” sharing, and all good things will incredible woman who put her Santa Fe Archbishop John C. come to you,’” Riordan told the family and community first.” Wester said: “Our hearts go out Albuquerque Journal, about the But statements about Riordan to the family of Jennifer Riordan, award. “Integrity embodies the that were closer to home for the who lost her life yesterday, April spirit of those four things, as CNS photo/Marla Brose, Albuquerque Journal parishioner of Our Lady of the 17, during the tragic plane acci- well as high morals. It’s about Jennifer Riordan is seen in this 2015 file photo. Riordan, a Catholic wife and Annunciation Catholic Church in dent.” The archbishop also said knowing the difference between mother from Albuquerque, N.M., was a passenger on a Southwest Airlines Albuquerque and mother of two he would “pray for the repose of right and wrong, and choosing to flight and died from injuries she suffered when one of the plane’s engines children at Annunciation School her soul and for her dear loved do what’s right, even when it’s broke apart and burst into the cabin through a window. were issued by her family, who ones.” very difficult to do what’s right.” called her their “bedrock,” and Annunciation School posted a Not only was Riordan dedicat- she’d even have time because “Jennifer wanted to do things her children’s school, which statement on its Facebook page ed to her job and school volun- she did so much. to make a difference, not just at described Riordan as an “integral saying the school was “devastat- teering, but she also volunteered “She was just thoughtful work and in the community, but member of our school commu- ed to lose an integral member of with several local nonprofit and probably the most positive just in general, she wanted to nity.” our school community,” noting groups and boards. person I’ve ever met,” he told make things better,” Larranaga Riordan, who grew up in that Riordan often volunteered at She served on the boards Catholic News Service on April said. Vermont, attended Christ the the school and also served on its of Junior Achievement of New 19, adding that people who And that spirit continues. King Elementary School in consultative council. Mexico and New Mexico First didn’t know her well might have Earlier that day, he received Burlington and graduated from “She was seen on campus and was appointed by New thought she was fake because a phone call from someone Vermont’s Colchester High almost daily supporting her Mexico’s governor to a board “no one could be that positive in Michigan who didn’t know School in 1992. She married her beautiful children. She provided focused on boosting volun- and upbeat.” Riordan but wanted to do some- high school sweetheart, Michael encouragement to everyone with teerism in the state. Riordan told him over a year thing in her honor. The donor, Riordan, in 1996 at Christ the whom she came in contact. Her She was still on the board ago that Catholic education who attended Catholic schools, King Church, according to the positive motivating spirit will be of directors at The Catholic saved her life, saying she had said he was impressed by what Burlington Free Press daily missed,” the statement added Foundation, a nonprofit Santa Fe been “going down a path with he read about her. newspaper. before concluding with the prom- archdiocesan organization that other people and friends” and “That’s just the type of person The couple had spent ise that the school community links donors to parishes, schools her mom changed that direc- she was,” always making a dif- nearly two decades living in would “keep Jennifer and her and organizations in need, and tion by sending her to a Catholic ference, is Larranaga’s view of Albuquerque. Michael is a former family in prayer.” had planned to attend a meeting school. the phone call. chief operating officer for the city A statement issued by the with the group in late April. So even though she had a lot He said even though there of Albuquerque and Jennifer was Riordan family said: “Jennifer’s Ed Larranaga, the founda- going on, she wanted to help will likely be a private funeral for a vice president for community vibrancy, passion and love tion’s president, said he asked Catholic schools through the Riordan, he is sure there will be relations with Wells Fargo. infused our community and Riordan, who had been his friend foundation and by sending her a public memorial as well at the She was returning from reached across our country. Her for 15 years, if she’d be on the children to Catholic school, he convention center because her a business trip in New York impact on everything and every- board, but he also wondered if said. “impact was that great.”
Catholic Home Missions Collection supports essential pastoral programs WASHINGTON—The U.S. even the most basic pastoral approved over $9.4 million in Conference of Catholic Bishops’ resources,” said Most Reverend grants to assist 83 dioceses and annual Catholic Home Missions Paul D. Etienne, Archbishop of eparchies for 2018. Appeal will be held in parishes Anchorage and chairman of the Currently, there are 83 across the country over the week- Subcommittee on Catholic Home dioceses and eparchies that end of April 28-29. The Catholic Missions. “As members of the qualify for support from the Home Missions grants assist Body of Christ we are called to Subcommittee on Catholic Home dioceses and eparchies that help our neighbors and build Mission – over 40 percent of all would otherwise struggle due to the faith. Your generosity to the U.S. dioceses. Home mission difficult geography, impoverished Catholic Home Missions Appeal dioceses are located across the populations and limited resourc- has made the Church in the United States, including the Deep es. CHM funding supports essen- United States stronger.” South, Appalachia and the Rocky tial pastoral programs, including The Subcommittee on Catholic Mountains, as well as in U.S. ter- religious education and youth Home Missions oversees the ritories in the Caribbean and the ministry, priestly and religious Catholic Home Missions Appeal Pacific. formation, prison ministry, and as part of the USCCB Committee lay ministry training. on National Collections. The sub- “Too many of our broth- committee’s grants are funded by More information about the collec- ers and sisters in the United donations to the annual collec- tion can be found at www.usccb. States do not have access to tion. In 2017, the subcommittee org/home-missions. Know someone who misses the paper? Tell them to subscribe today at www.todayscatholic.org or call 260-399-1454. April 29, 2018 TODAY’ S C ATHOLIC 5 Fewer refugees accepted into US impacts Catholic resettlement
BY CHAZ MUTH to work, and our staff are able humanitarian impact of the clo- to place them into jobs, usually sure can’t be measured, she said within their first 90 to 120 days it has been “felt and seen” in WASHINGTON (CNS) — War, in the country.” northeast Iowa. famine and gang violence have The refugees end up fill- “Our refugee resettlement created the largest global refugee ing a void in the job market, agency was a hub for refugee population since World War II, especially when there is low families to relocate to northeast yet the U.S. has drastically cut unemployment, said Marjean A. Iowa because they had a U.S. tie the numbers of refugees it will Perhot, director of refugee and or connection to the area,” she accept, causing the reduction immigration services for Catholic said. “It is beneficial for refu- and closure of Catholic resettle- Charities Archdiocese of Boston, gees to be resettled in a location ment programs nationwide. whose organization has only where they have family and sup- Nearly 20 U.S. Catholic received 12 refugees so far this port systems to help them inte- refugee resettlement programs fiscal year, causing them to lay grate to their new country.” have closed in the past two off one employee and lose three Catholic Charities Spokane, years and dozens of others have others through attrition. Washington, was considering scaled back their efforts because “It’s not like they are taking restarting its refugee resettle- there are fewer refugees being jobs away from U.S. citizens,” ment program, which was admitted into the country, said Perhot told CNS. “They are often shut down after the attacks Richard Hogan, director of reset- taking jobs that employers are on the World Trade Center and tlement services for Migration having a hard time filling.” Pentagon in 2001, said Robert J. and Refugee Services, an arm of The refugee resettlement pro- McCann, president of the organi- the U.S. Conference of Catholic gram is a practical avenue for zation. Bishops. welcoming the stranger, a ten- However, that’s unlikely now The U.S. State Department ant of Catholic social teaching, given the current political cli- authorized the resettlement of Harlan-Yuya said. mate, McCann said. 85,000 refugees in fiscal year “Because these individuals It’s important to note that the 2016. have been persecuted or fear U.S. is not on track to reach the In fiscal 2017, it authorized persecution due to their race, 45,000-refugee target by the end 110,000, which began during the nationality, religion, social group of September, which had been last year of the Obama admin- membership or political affilia- set by Trump, said Ted Bergh, istration. However, the State tion, they deserve our welcoming chief executive officer of Catholic Department ended up permitting spirit, hospitality, and support,” Charities Southwestern Ohio, only 53,716 refugees to enter the she said. whose organization resettled country by the end of the fiscal After 77 years in opera- 333 refugees in 2016, but has year. tion as the primary refugee resettled only 120 so far in fiscal President Donald Trump took resettlement agency in northeast 2018. office three months into the Iowa, Catholic Charities of the “We hope that more refugees 2017 fiscal year and his admin- Archdiocese of Dubuque, Iowa, will be arriving soon,” Bergh istration made it clear it wanted was forced to close its refugee told CNS. “The suffering of refu- to reduce the number of refugees resettlement program at the gees waiting to find a home and the country would take in. end of January, Tracy Morrison, resume their lives should not be The number of refugees executive director of that agency, allowed to continue.” authorized for admission to the told CNS. This Catholic Charities agency U.S. in fiscal year 2018, which “The primary reason for our is trying to find a way to keep its began Oct. 1, 2017, was cut to closure was due to the federal staff and maintain the capacity 45,000, but the State Department CNS photo/Baz Ratner, Reuters An Ethiopian asylum-seeker carries an infant in the Dambala Fuchana refu- government’s significant cut- to welcome refugees when arriv- has admitted only 10,548 in the back in the number of refugees als return to prior levels, he said. gee camp near the Ethiopian-Kenyan border town of Moyale, Kenya, March first six months. allowed to enter the United “The United States was once Catholic Charities agencies 27. States,” Morrison said. “This the leader in the world for receiv- traditionally resettle roughly 25 number was reduced by more ing refugees and we hope this percent of all refugees admitted than half. Given the reduction in distinction is revived,” Bergh into the U.S. each year and the throughout the world. extreme vetting to ensure they refugees legally permitted to the said. “This reflects Catholic social decreases in numbers have been There are currently 66 mil- don’t pose a terrorism threat. United States, our agency could teaching that guides our efforts felt, said Jim Kuh, senior director lion forcibly displaced people in They also have maintained that not meet the minimum threshold to always act for the common of immigration and refugee ser- world, many of them living in accepting more refugees is too of resettlements required to keep good and with respect for the vices for Catholic Charities USA. refugee camps, often waiting costly and becomes a drain on our program open.” human dignity of all men and “There is not a Catholic several years to either return to American resources. Though Morrison said the women.” Charities program that has not their homeland or to be accepted Several officials at Catholic been impacted in some way,” into countries that have agreed Charities agencies throughout Kuh told Catholic News Service, to resettle them, in order to re- the U.S. told CNS they know of adding that the “picture is not a establish a dignified life, Kerwin no serious crimes committed by pretty one.” told CNS. the refugees resettled by their CONGRATULATE Catholic organizations The U.S. was only accepting organizations and the $1,125 in charged with resettling refugees a small fraction of these people federal funding they receive for YOUR have laid off or transferred as each year under the best circum- each person helps with food and many as 300 employees as a stances and the drastic cuts are shelter while they are getting GRADUATE direct result of the reduced num- making more of the world’s refu- settled into the country. bers, Hogan said, adding that gees continue to live in tempo- In addition to providing eco- his department hasn’t received rary conditions where they can’t nomic relief to refugees, Catholic with updated data since November, work, they are often separated Charities programs assist them meaning that figure may be from their families and unable to with navigating health and higher. rebuild a semblance of a normal, school systems, receiving tempo- The cause for alarm isn’t as productive life, he said. rary cash assistance, tutoring for much about the layoffs as it is Trump administration policies the youth, English as a second about the humanitarian impact, involving refugees is a rejec- language for adults, orientations said Donald Kerwin, direc- tion “of a hierarchy of issues of to help with cultural adjustment Contact Jackie Parker tor of the Center for Migration concern to the Church,” Kerwin and even clinical counseling, Business Sales Manager Studies in New York. The inter- said. “These issues involve life, said Shalaina Harlan-Yuya, national migration think tank they involve human dignity, they director of refugee services for [email protected] was established in 1964 by the involve flourishing. People are Catholic Charities Fort Worth. 260-399-1449 Congregation of the Missionaries being killed by gangs, they’re “More than 90 percent of of St. Charles, Scalabrinians, a being persecuted.” refugee families become self- community of Catholic priests, Administration officials have sufficient within six months of Reserve your ad space today! nuns and laypeople dedicated to reasoned that the lower num- arriving in this country,” Harlan- serving migrants and refugees bers of refugees will allow more Yuya said. “Refugees are eager 6 TODAY’ S C ATHOLIC April 29, 2018 in Italy in 1954, is a professor A painful history and head of the department of strengthens bond of fundamental theology at Rome’s Pontifical Gregorian University; Church in the US and El Laetitia Calmeyn, born in Belgium ews riefs in 1975, is a consecrated vir- Salvador N B gin and teaches theology at the WASHINGTON (CNS) — Miami College des Bernardins in Paris. Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski She is a nurse specializing in was on Capitol Hill in early April palliative care and received her with a delegation of four high- Barbara Bush recalled for ‘unwavering love, devotion’ doctorate from the John Paul II ranking Salvadoran prelates in Pontifical Theological Institute. tow, including the first cardinal to family, community in the country’s history. They Italy grants citizenship to spoke with U.S. lawmakers, as Archbishop Wenski emphatically Alfie Evans in attempt put it, “with the same voice,” to convince politicians on both sides to guarantee his care of the aisle to restore protections VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The that would allow two groups of Italian government has granted Salvadoran immigrants to contin- citizenship to Alfie Evans, a seri- ue to stay and work in the coun- ously ill British toddler, in a last- try legally. Since the time of the minute effort to prevent doctors bloody civil war in El Salvador in in England from withdrawing the 1980s, bishops in the United life-support. The Italian foreign States have sought counsel from ministry, in a brief note April 23, the bishops in El Salvador about said Angelino Alfano, the foreign what to do and say on their behalf minister, and Marco Minniti, the at the highest levels of power interior minister, “granted Italian in Washington — from Congress citizenship to little Alfie. The to the president of the United Italian government hopes that States. During the April visit by being an Italian citizen would the Salvadoran prelates, a group allow the immediate transfer of of Salvadoran parishioners and the baby to Italy,” the foreign their U.S. supporters advocated ministry said. The baby’s parents, for a different set of challenges: Tom Evans and Kate James, lost voicing their support for TPS and their latest legal battle April 23 DACA recipients and supporting to prevent doctors from remov- the voice of the bishops, who said ing Alfie’s life support when the a mass return of the beneficia- European Court of Human Rights ries of the immigration programs refused to intervene. Doctors in would pull the country into an the U.K. have not been able to even bigger crisis. make a definitive diagnosis of the 23-month-old child’s degenera- Don’t be ‘couch tive neurological condition, but CNS photo/Kevin Lamarque, Reuters they have said keeping him on potatoes,’ get up and life support would be “futile.” A HOUSTON (CNS) — Former first lady Barbara Bush “was a model public servant and set high court judge backed a lower evangelize, pope says a standard for her unwavering and loving devotion to both family and community,” said court’s ruling that the hospital VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Christians can go against the wishes of the must be willing to move where Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, offering his prayers and “heartfelt con- family and withdraw life support. the Spirit leads them and not dolences” to the Bush family. Wife of the nation’s 41st president and mother of the 43rd be benchwarmers on the side- Chinese Catholics lines of efforts to evangelize, president, Bush died at home in Houston on April 17 surrounded by family. She was 92. Pope Francis said. Evangelization She was laid to rest on grounds of the Bush Presidential Library at Texas A&M University warned to follow rules “isn’t a well-thought-out plan of proselytism” but rather an occa- in College Station. She is pictured in a 2006 photo. on religious affairs sion in which the Holy Spirit HONG KONG (CNS) — Catholics “tells you how you should go to in China’s Henan province have bring the word of God, to carry busy and distracted world. So Pope commemorates April 20. Pope Francis arrived been warned that venues will be Jesus’ name,” the pope said in many people today “do not have in the morning by helicopter in closed if they do not adhere to the his homily April 19 during morn- enough time to listen to God’s life of beloved Italian the town of Alessano, located in revised regulations on religious ing Mass at the Domus Sanctae voice,” he told about 400 members the southern Italian province of affairs. Ucanews.com reported Marthae. “A ‘couch potato’ evan- of the Benedictine Confederation bishop who served poor Lecce, where Bishop Bello was that a clampdown on religious on April 19 at the Vatican. In this born and buried. gelization doesn’t exist. Get up VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The freedom has intensified in the and go! Be always on the move. hectic world, Benedictine monas- province in recent months, with teries and abbeys “become like Church needs courageous men Go to the place where you must and women like Italian Bishop In ‘historic’ move, pope crosses removed from churches, speak the word (of God),” he said. oases where men and women of minors banned from entering all ages, origins, cultures and reli- Antonio Bello of Molfetta, who The pope reflected on the day’s imitated Jesus’ closeness to names three laywomen churches, Church-run kindergar- first reading from the Acts of the gions can discover the beauty of tens closed and children expelled silence” and regain their bearings the poor and the downtrodden, to doctrinal congregation Apostles in which the apostle Pope Francis said. Visiting the from Mass. Now Henan Chinese Philip, after being commanded so they can be “in harmony with VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Patriotic Catholic Association and creation, letting God re-establish birthplace of the beloved bishop by an angel, preaches the Gospel affectionately known as “Don Francis appointed three women Henan Catholic Administration to an Ethiopian eunuch and bap- a proper order in their lives,” he as consultors to the Congregation Commission have jointly issued said. St. Benedict, their order’s Tonino,” the pope said Bishop tizes him. Comparing the event to Bello’s life and ministry “remind for the Doctrine of the Faith. a circular, warning worshippers a wind that carries seedlings and sixth-century founder, acted as a It marks the first time women to take the new rules seriously. guiding light during an age that us to not theorize closeness to the plants them, Pope Francis said it poor, but to be close to them as and laypersons were named as It warned people to follow “the was a beautiful account of how was marked by “a deep crisis of active contributors — not sup- principle of religion and educa- values and institutions,” Pope Jesus did. Don Tonino did not do God works in evangelization. this because it was convenient or port staff. The Vatican newspa- tion separation” and the revised Francis said. “He knew how to dis- per, L’Osservatore Romano, called regulations on religious affairs. cern between the essential and the because he was seeking approval, Benedictine abbeys can but because he was moved by the the decision to appointment the It said no religious venue should secondary in spiritual life, firmly women “historic.” The Vatican hold training sessions and no placing the Lord in the forefront. Lord’s example. Out of love for offer hectic world oasis Him, we find the strength to rid announced the appointments children should be brought to May you, too, his children in this April 21. Linda Ghisoni, born church by parents. “It was only time of ours, practice discernment ourselves of the garments that of peace, pope says get in the way so that we can in Italy in 1965, is one of two propaganda and education previ- to recognize what comes from the women Pope Francis named to be ously, but now there is a red line, VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Holy Spirit and what comes from dress ourselves in service, to be Francis asked the world’s ‘the church of the apron, which undersecretaries of the Dicastery a high-pressure line, so take it the spirit of the world or the spirit for Laity, the Family and Life seriously,” the circular said. Benedictines to continue to offer of the devil,” he said. is the only priestly vestment oases of peace and silence to a recorded in the Gospel,’” he said in 2017; Michelina Tenace, born April 29, 2018 TODAY’S CATHOLIC 7 leagues from across the United Holy Cross College States, including our partners in hosts national departments of corrections, who are committed to educating incar- consortium cerated students,” stated Holy Cross College Provost Dr. Justin NOTRE DAME — Holy Cross round the iocese A D Watson. “This endeavor affirms College and the University of our Catholic mission of reaching Notre Dame hosted the 2018 out to the marginalized and the Convening of the Consortium for forgotten.” the Liberal Arts in Prison in early As a member of the BPI April, led by the Bard College ‘If I were a rich man’ Consortium, Holy Cross College Prison Initiative from upstate has worked together with the New York. University of Notre Dame and the Consortium representatives Indiana Department of Corrections from across the country met for a since 2013 to guide and over- site visit to Westville Correctional see the Westville Education Facility, where they had the Initiative. Through this academic opportunity to meet Holy Cross collaboration, faculty from both College students enrolled in the institutions offer a wide range Moreau College Initiative, former- of courses that lead incarcerated ly Westville Education Initiative. students to earn Associate and Colleagues who lead similar Bachelor of Arts degrees from programs at Yale, Washington Holy Cross College. University-St. Louis, Goucher, “This program has deepened Grinnell, Wesleyan-Connecticut, the academic ethos of our com- Bennington, Hampshire and the munity,” said Dr. Michael Griffin, University of Iowa later gath- senior vice president at Holy ered at Holy Cross College for a Cross College. “From the begin- reception to kick off three days ning, what impressed us is the of planning sessions and meet- fact that the intellectual life is at ings with consortium members. the heart of this endeavor. The Representatives from the Vera focus is on developing top-notch Institute of Justice and Koch Provided by Emily Diehm student-scholars, and it just Industries, as well as direc- Jose Solis portrays the namesake fiddler in a recent St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School drama turns out that some of the best tors and commissioners from prospects are incarcerated, so we the Indiana, Tennessee and club Junior Broadway version of the musical “Fiddler on the Roof,” mounted as the Fort bring the collegiate life to them.” Connecticut departments of cor- Wayne school’s 2018 production. Teachers Nancy Laudeman and Kristin Spoltman led the For more about Holy Cross rections also shared their work. College, visit www.hcc-nd.edu. “It was an honor to host col- students in presenting the shows April 13-14. Blessed Sacrament Church takes shape in Albion
The parish altar has been in constant use since 1941 and has now been rebuilt and refinished. It carries the seal of the Oblates of Mary the Immaculate from Boston, who were the first to serve the parish. The Stations of the Cross are also from the 1941 Blessed Sacrament Church, which formerly stood on Albion’s Courthouse Square. Each is housed in a new, meticulously handcrafted frame comprised of 30
Photos provided by Father J. Steele, CSC individual parts that The new Blessed Sacrament Church in Albion is rapidly gaining form and structure, thanks match the new finish to generous parishioners and a surprise gift announced in August of last year. Completion on the altar. of the project is slated for this August, when a dedication will take place. 8 TODAY’S CATHOLIC April 29, 2018 Film aims to help young singles reclaim ‘social script’ for how to date BOSTON (CNS) — Going out on hypersexualization of culture dates to get extra credit might also moved sexual intimacy to sound like an easy way to boost the forefront and moved court- your grade in professor Kerry ship to the background.” Cronin’s class at Jesuit-run Some basic rules Cronin gives Boston College. to students before they go on a But the extra-credit assign- date are these: The date has to ment is a serious attempt to be 45 to 90 minutes long with help college students understand a person of legitimate romantic what dating really is and the interest, in other words not just need to develop meaningful rela- a friend; the student has to pay tionships in a day and age when and has to make the invita- the “hookup culture,” slang for tion in person, not via email, brief sexual encounters, has Facebook or text message; the become prominent on college date cannot involve alcohol, campuses and in society at large. kissing or sex; the date must be A few years ago, the popu- arranged within three days of lar professor of philosophy asking a person out; and the stu- at Boston College noticed the dent must have “a definite and decreased dating trend among simple plan for the date” and her undergraduate students. CNS photo/David Bolen, courtesy The Dating Project not have the other person decide “And I thought, ‘Well, this is Boston College students Matt and Shanzi are seen in the documentary “The Dating Project.” what the date activity will be. crazy,’” she said. “So, I started “The Dating Project” was cre- asking students to go on what I ated in partnership with Paulist refer to as ‘traditional dates’ as real people trying to find love she said in an interview with date itself and, finally, how they Productions, Mpower Pictures part of an extra-credit assign- and happiness in an age of swip- Catholic News Service and other felt about asking and going on a and Family Theater Productions, ment.” ing left or right.” media outlets. “traditional” date. and is distributed by Pure Flix The Dating Project was born When she established the In other words, it’s not that Cronin thinks the “social and Fathom Events. Megan and now it is the subject and “dating for extra-credit” assign- young people don’t want to date, script” for dating has been lost, Harrington, who is Catholic and title of a new documentary that ment idea, Cronin said, she they don’t know how, so in 2004 having “fallen off the radar” single, is writer and producer. had a one-night-only national found that for her students, she set out to make a difference since the late 1980s and early “’The Dating Project’ is a showing in 600 cinemas on April the act of going on a date was with her extra-credit assignment. 1990s, “when the hookup cul- funny, insightful, and ‘must-see’ 17. “The Dating Project” website, complicated, even more than She has been giving talks on ture took hold,” she said. Other film for any person trying to www.thedatingprojectmovie.com, she thought it would be. The dating and giving out dating factors that have changed the navigate the single life in today’s has information about theaters, problem? With the popularity of assignments to students since dating game include a grow- culture,” Jackie and Bobby Angel, tickets and a trailer of the film. hookups, the culture pushes peo- then, and hundreds of students ing party scene, young people authors of “Forever: A Catholic The film follows Cronin and ple to have sexual intimacy very have gone on dates and written looking to do things in groups Devotional for Your Marriage,” five single people, ages 20 to early in a relationship, according up reflections on those dates. more than just as couples and said in a testimonial about the 40, in their own quest to find to Cronin. Many young people She also has spoken about this an arrested adolescence keeping film. authentic love and meaningful are not looking for that but do topic at more than 60 universi- people from making a commit- They added: “We wish we relationships. Cronin’s dating not understand dating. ties around the U.S. and she ment. could share this documentary philosophy helps them find more Add to that the major role hears the same themes from “The culture stepped further with every young person we fulfilling and lasting relation- that social media, primarily tex- students at those talks that she along into that, and for a while, know, so they can have the ships. ting, plays in communicating reads in her students’ reflections. dating was running parallel with knowledge and confidence As a news release about the with one another, leaving many After the assignment, Cronin’s the culture, and then dating to reclaim what dating is all film notes, “There is no script. young people with almost no students have to write about sort of dissolved,” she told the about!” There are no actors. These are basic skills for social interaction, how asking for the date was, the National Catholic Register. “The
Interview with the producer — The ancient art of relationships: ‘The Dating Project’
BY CLAIRE KENNEY rary dating landscape.” sponding messaging. It’s a challenge, she said, that “There is an incredible oppor- has a domino effect. tunity to create a movement n April 17, select theaters “I really believe it’s the most in the Church whereby young in the Diocese of Fort important social justice issue of adults are provided with spiritual OWayne-South Bend fea- our time — the area of relation- and practical tools to navigate tured the documentary film “The ships,” Harrington said. “There the dating and relationship Dating Project.” Produced by is such a disconnect … If we landscape,” Harrington said. Megan Harrington and Catherine don’t get dating right, it impacts “Unfortunately, the culture is Fowler Sample, the film follows marriage and family. The dis- speaking loudest in this area five single young adults and how cussion needs to start at home. (of relationships) and it’s time they navigate dating amidst a The fundamental foundation is to take back the date. The stage culture that defines it as “hook- family.” has been set for the Church, ing up” instead of “asking out.” When creating the film with with the beauty of its teaching, As detailed in the film, the Mpower Pictures, Harrington to tackle this topic in a real and nature of the hookup culture and Sample’s goal was to “reach authentic way.” facilitates a disposable mindset, people where they are,” as Father David Guffey, CSC, where commitment is minimal Harrington described it. national director of Family and a genuine human relation- “When they watch this film, Theater Productions, also served ship nonexistent. we wanted them to be able to on the production team of “The “Those highlighted in the film relate — whether they were reli- Dating Project.” As a Holy Cross are from all different walks of gious or not — because we are priest who earned his bachelor’s life, but some of their struggles all human beings with feelings and master’s degrees from the are the same because we all live and emotions,” Harrington said. University of Notre Dame, he in the same culture,” Harrington This film serves as an avenue spent some time in the South Provided by thedatingprojectmovie.com explained. “This culture brings for addressing the topic of how The new film “The Dating Project” challenges the framework of contempo- about very particular challenges to date. Furthermore, the Church rary romantic relationships by following five young couples as they go on when navigating the contempo- has a role in facilitating corre- DATING, page 9 more-traditional dates. April 29, 2018 TODAY’S CATHOLIC 9 Mysterious injury no match for faith of graduate student, family
BY JILL A. BOUGHTON the recommendation of the Mayo extremely understanding and doctors, Marissa spent the sum- accommodating. By her senior mer in a teen pain rehab center. year, Marissa set her sights on ear the end of her eighth- This was not the first time college, considering a career in grade year at St. Pius McNulty had suffered with a medicine, since that field had NX School in Granger, daughter. Twenty-six years prior, impacted her life so much. Not something happened to Marissa Lilah was born at midnight via immediately accepted at Notre Koscielski. What seemed like a emergency C-section. Within half Dame, she began in the Gateway tailbone injury sustained during an hour of Lilah’s birth, McNulty program, enrolling jointly at Holy gymnastics led to paralysis and said she snapped out of the Cross College and Notre Dame. a lack of feeling on her left side. anesthesia, knowing she had a She worked hard enough to com- Not only did Marissa’s young job to do. She remained awake plete her college degree in three body react in dramatic ways to during the 13 hours of Lilah’s years, graduating in 2017 with a standard treatments and medi- short life. “I know it was God’s major in mathematics. cations, doctors were unable to Grace and gift to me to bond By this time, Marissa was come up with a definitive diag- with her, to comfort her, and well on her way to developing nosis. They predicted Marissa to witness her passing.” Again a mobility aid that could attach would never walk again. during Marissa’s grave illness, to a walker, lifting a person’s Marissa and her mother, “I experienced so many gifts of leg and setting it back down, Maureen McNulty, refused grace,” McNulty testified. thus helping retrain brain path- to acquiesce. Instead, they Mother and daughter often ways that promote independent embarked on an odyssey that found comfort in the beautiful movement. Her therapist at stretched their faith to its limits. chapel at St. Marys Hospital, Mayo Clinic told her a device “We could not have made this part of the Mayo Clinic complex. like that could help amputees. incredible journey without faith in Shared suffering forged bonds She entered Notre Dame’s God and a very supportive com- of mutual ministry with other Entrepreneurship, Technology, munity,” said McNulty. “Every families. Typical was their arrival & Innovation program, where time something hard would come at the hotel after the long, pain- she will earn a master’s degree at me, I’d eventually step back ful drive from South Bend, which in technology and entrepreneur- and realize I had to ‘let go and let Marissa could only tolerate by ship this spring and then work God.’ By nature, I’m a fixer, but lying on her back with cushion- full-time in her new company, this was beyond my control; all I ing against bumps. She was too Enlighten Mobility. could do was trust God.” exhausted to go out for dinner; During the same period, The youngest of four living but McNulty felt the need for a McNulty had to deal with other children of Maureen McNulty hot meal. After snapping at each family challenges, with the and Matthew Koscielski, Marissa other, they agreed to check the wholehearted support of St. attended St. Anthony de Padua vending machine in the lobby for Pius X Parish. She enrolled in School at the South Bend parish something they could heat in the Notre Dame’s nonprofit admin- where Maureen had grown up. microwave in their room. istration program. As a family However, she felt called to be As they neared the lobby, member battled addiction, she part of the first class to graduate they smelled pizza. The fam- was inspired to create Bedrock from the new St. Pius X School ily who had ordered it not only Financial Health, a program to in Granger, so she transferred shared the pizza but also gave help recovering addicts get a at the beginning of her seventh- the mother and daughter much- handle on their finances. grade year, enrolling before it was needed perspective. The family’s Throughout the journey, even clear there would be enough mother was ill, and they had just Marissa’s situation was brought students to compose a class. “We learned that no treatment was before many prayer groups, and had a terrific experience at both Provided by Maureen McNulty available for her. mother and daughter say they schools,” said McNulty. Marissa Koscielski will graduate with a master’s degree in technology and During this long ordeal, felt the prayers of many of the Marissa had been involved in Marissa found it difficult to faithful holding them up. They gymnastics from the age of 9, so entrepreneurship this spring from the University of Notre Dame, something she and her mother, Maureen McNulty, have prayed for following a mysteri- keep up with her schoolwork at remain extremely grateful. she joined the team at her new Marian High School. She reluc- The bottom line for McNulty? school. Then came the injury that ous, debilitating health problem that struck Marissa in middle school. tantly dropped more challenging “I know God has a plan for me! puzzled her doctors and left her in courses and even enrolled in an Our challenges aren’t over, but excruciating pain. What was caus- Whatever it was, she then began Exploratory surgery revealed and online academy for two semes- I’m at peace. I know I’m not ing her bizarre symptoms? Was it to develop hematomas in her back. removed a benign fatty mass on ters. The Marian administra- alone. Amazing things are hap- Lyme disease? An unknown virus? Finally, mother and daughter her spine in 2012. Then she began tion and Marissa’s classmates pening around me all the time.” An infection? A nerve injury? headed to the Mayo Clinic in 2010. slowly learning to walk again. On were “awesome,” said Maureen,
DATING, from page 8
Bend area and now resides in Mexico: Los Angeles. When asked what he hopes members of the Diocese of Fort Our Lady of Guadalupe Wayne-South Bend glean from the film, Father Guffey said: “While the film will appeal to everyone, it invites people to July 19 - 23 consider the value of dating prac- tices that align with the Church’s taking care of each other View St. Juan Diego’s Tilma, visit teachings. St. Dominic’s Church, and “It challenges single people is what community is all about. the Chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary called to marriage to ask some- all while celebrating Mass daily. one to go on the kind of date WE’RE PROUD TO SERVE our community dedicated to helping families create a with personal, compassionate care. As your unique and meaningful memorial that truly that they can feel good about Dignity Memorial® professionals, we’re celebrates the life it represents. afterwards,” he went on to say. Find all Odyssey information: “The Dating Project” will be By Leonel3548 (own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons RedeemerRadio.com/Travel made available for purchase and possibly shown in additional the- aters in the future. To schedule a screening of “The Dating Project” D.O. McCOMb & SOnS in your area of the diocese, visit Funeral Homes 95.7 FM | 106.3 FM | App FORT WaynE www.thedatingprojectmovie.com. Contact or provide nancial support at [email protected] 260-426-9494 4618 E. State Blvd., Suite 200 Fort Wayne, IN 46815 260.436.9598
M4545_8119_DOMcComb_PNT_Comm_10-5x10-5_C.indd 1 9/9/16 10:18 AM 10 TODAY’S CATHOLIC April 29, 2018 Michael Thomas, witness to God’s grace
BY JENNIFER MILLER for the yearly prize and being ing gift upon gift” from God questioned for the nomination. during this time of his conver- Miller simply said, “Michael is sion. Toward the end of college, his August, Michael the best theology student in my though, the priesthood “sud- Thomas will be ordained class,” because he always had denly became a possibility.” Tto the Sacred Order of the the highest grades and most He took a different intern- Diaconate and profess Final inquisitive questions. Thomas ship to better pursue a time of Vows with the Community of recalls being proud of “beating “quiet waiting,” and heard God Holy Cross. God willing, in a Catholics at their own faith” asking then for him to enter the year, on Divine Mercy Sunday, but recognizing that, while he seminary and the priesthood. he will be ordained a Holy Cross was intrigued, he was still also Eventually he replied internally, priest. Both sacramental events resisting. “I hear you. I will do that.” are incredible witnesses to God’s During his sophomore year He was suspicious of his grace, alive in Thomas’ life. he read the “Bread of Life” dis- own zeal as a new convert, but Becoming a Catholic priest courses. The question “What speaking to other Holy Cross was not an obvious choice for good is it if you have faith and priests, such as Father Drew Thomas. Born and raised in don’t have works” intrigued Gawrych, CSC, allowed him Lakeville, he was the eldest of him, as did “So believe in God to freely enter the Community two children who lived in a lov- is one … well done, so does the of Holy Cross in 2011. “I was ing, Christian home. His fam- devil.” Then he realized that the drawn to Holy Cross by the holi- ily faithfully attended Trinity Catholic interpretation of the ness and happiness of the Holy Evangelical Free Church on Eucharist was correct, and the Cross religious and seminarians Miami Street in South Bend, only Biblical interpretation; he I knew — I wanted that life! although his mother, Rebecca, began “longing for that.” The emphasis on community life was raised Mennonite. Due to His senior year, an apolo- and the mission to education” his parents’ work schedule, getics class taught by Kathryn also resounded with Thomas. Thomas began his formal edu- Wales was formative. On an He spent his novitiate year cation at St. Joseph School, intellectual level, Thomas’ ques- in Colorado Springs, Colorado, which offered a strong, all- tions had been answered, and with much quiet, prayer and day kindergarten program. He he became angry, as he recalls. “the great gift of a wood chop- attended there through eighth “It (Catholicism) was all right. per,” cutting up logs. He found grade, continuing on to Saint … I knew I was going to have through “even tough things, or Joseph High School. to do something.” Joining an times or nervousness, an energy As one of the few non-Cath- Catholic book club, he began to carry through it.” Returning olic students at his elementary reading more apologetics and to South Bend, Thomas was school, Thomas remembers classic Catholic novels such as able to spend time once again the impact of the catechesis he “Brideshead Revisited,” and with his dear parents and sister, received as “enrichment, not discussing them with fellow stu- grateful for their constant love a big deal.” He was a “pretty dents and teachers. and desire to be close. religious” child anyway, praying The second semester of his The past years of contin- before meals, going to church Provided by Moreau Seminary senior year, Thomas said to ued discernment at Moreau with his family every week and Seminarian Michael Thomas, who is preparing to be ordained a Holy Cross himself, “If I am going to be a Seminary have continued to be loving his grandparents, who deacon, grew up in a faithful Christian, but not Catholic, family. His journey Christian, then the only way a great gift for Thomas. “The read Bible stories to him and his to the Catholic Church has been one of predominantly grace, he feels. that makes sense is to move past four years have been beau- younger sister. His grandmother forward is to become Catholic. tiful and difficult — I see I have was an American nurse who fell Otherwise I will have to decide learned how to love God and in love with a Lutheran, German on the page. The religious that faith with the live witness he not to be a Christian. To stay give thanks to God. I continue theologian and taught herself he would meet in the school, now recognized. where I am, separate from the to imagine how to give my life the language to help edit his and their example, captivated As he grew older, his imagi- Eucharist and separate from back to Him. I dearly love South papers. Their constant care and him. The character of Friar nation became shaped by the communion with this Church, is Bend, and there is no place I academic learning were inspir- Tuck in the book “Robin Hood” different Catholic liturgies and absurd. I anticipated suffering, would rather be right now.” ing for young Michael. also caught his attention, and devotions he attended — such and being separated from my Thomas currently lives out In the third grade, Thomas he pondered the friar’s jailing as the Stations of the Cross and family.” faithful witness to Christ, study- recalls his teacher asking the because of his defense and love weekly Mass — even though Going down to Bloomington ing for his master of divin- students to keep a prayer jour- of the poor. Thomas began to he did not always participate. for college at Indiana University ity degree and serving at St. nal. In it, Thomas wrote, “I wonder if there were Lutheran But he knew the liturgy, and it to study political science and Adalbert and St. Casimir par- want to be a missionary and monastic groups he could join, slowly and quietly formed him. philosophy that fall, Thomas ishes in South Bend. He helps love God,” drawing a big heart thereby combining his family’s Around fourth or fifth grade, he also joined RCIA. He was wel- in both the parish and school, remembers asking permission comed into full communion with transforming the youth group to go pray near the tabernacle the Church that Easter. with Father Ryan Pietrocarlo, in the church, back behind the With great joy and peace for CSC, as well as teaching cat- screen, as “somehow I knew finally having wrestled and cho- echism and leading retreats for LITTLE FLOWER HOLY HOUR God was there.” sen the Truth, Thomas suffered faculty and staff. Thomas is Thomas grew in wisdom and with having to tell his parents. grateful for the wisdom, wit- understanding, and his ques- For his mother, it wasn’t about ness and brotherhood of an tions of the faith developed as doctrine, but rather all about incredible community of Holy well. “Every question I had, the family. His mother felt he Cross men at the parish, namely there was way more behind was being “overly intense. Let Father Paul Ybarra and Father May 1 it,” it turned out. In Catholic other people worry about that,” Pietrocarlo, as well as fellow doctrine class as a freshman at she said. seminarian Pablo Quan. Saint Joseph High School, he As the summers at home Currently Thomas is a 7 p.m. loved to argue with his teacher, between semesters of college fourth-year seminarian, in his Jennifer Carrier. He found it were now stressful, Thomas final year of theology at the interesting how “internally began spending time at South University of Notre Dame. He cohesive, in a very sophisticated Bend Catholic Worker and the will soon take further steps to Fort Wayne, Indiana system” theology was, and drop-in shelter at Our Lady of continue the life of grace offered St. Mother Theodore Guerin Chapel “how freedom and sin worked.” the Road. Thomas found a niche so lovingly, so continually by with Deacon Thomas Zehr Issues of justification, the pope serving there, marking friends the God that knows well the and Mary were still issues from and discussing theology along- plans He has for him. Thomas his Protestant upbringing, but side folding laundry and towels. continues to be most grateful, he studied and accepted the The summers were “among the he said, for the “beautiful life” doctrines well enough to twice happiest times of my life.” offered to him. receive a school theology award. The idea of the priesthood St. Adalbert School Principal Please, come and pray for vocations to had always been present and Joseph Miller, at the time anoth- “ruminating about” in Thomas’ the priesthood and consecrated life. er of Thomas’ theology teach- head. He recognized “receiv- ers, remembers suggesting him April 29, 2018 TODAY’S CATHOLIC 11 St. Vincent de Paul Society hosts auction, dinner
BY CLAIRE KENNEY to bring miracles to me and those around me. That is a great message to hear and to share.” n April 19, the St. Vincent Last year, gifts to the soci- de Paul Society of St. ety fed 53,255 individuals, OJoseph County hosted its clothed 8,981 people, distributed annual Legacy Dinner. The din- $16,704 worth of furniture, ner supports the mission of the enrolled 13 participants in its society, which has served St. Bridges Out of Poverty program Joseph County since 1904, and and provided $28,789 in finan- includes an auction. cial assistance in St. Joseph Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades County alone. opened the evening with an During her remarks at the invocation and some introduc- Legacy Dinner, Watson explained tory remarks, noting that “the how support gained by the event St. Vincent de Paul Society of influenced these good works. St. Joseph County does not only “All of this was made possible give food and clothes. They give through the generosity of donors love.” like you,” she said. “That is what Keynote speaker for the tonight is about — it’s about evening was former NFL offen- coming together to do good, to sive lineman Shawn Harper. help those who are struggling Growing up on the south side of in our community. Supporting Columbus, Harper and his fam- the St. Vincent de Paul Society is ily leaned on organizations with Photos provided by Anne Hosinski Watson truly an investment in our com- missions similar to that of St. The annual St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Joseph County Legacy Dinner and auction raises funds for public pro- munity.” Vincent de Paul. These organi- grams and assistance. Harper echoed Watson’s senti- zations impacted his ability to ments. overcome the hurdles of poverty on organizations (similar to St. and others, including those from not-for-profit,” Stern said. “I “I thank you for the obedi- and significant learning disabili- Vincent de Paul).” charitable organizations, whom am just lucky that I was able to ence, the faith and the dedication ties. Over the course of his pre- he thanked for “seeing the king volunteer at the event and be a to change the trajectory of peo- “I was held back in second sentation, Harper detailed how in the kid.” small part of helping the com- ple’s lives,” he said. “It’s about grade … couldn’t complete a his lifelong dream of becoming Local high school student munity.” coming together to do good for sentence until I was in college an NFL football player eventu- Madeline Credi received recogni- Debra Hughes and her hus- the community.” … watched my father leave ally fueled his motivation for tion for her work with the St. band, Chris, who attend St. Mary “When you invest in people, when I was 4 or 5 years old,” creating a better life for himself. Vincent de Paul Society of St. of the Annunciation Parish in you create dividends,” she went Harper explained. “Mom raised He went on to say that he also Joseph County. Executive Director Bristol, were two of the approxi- on to say. us by herself, and we depended attributes his success to mentors Anne Hosinki Watson pre- mately 300 in attendance. By giving those in need the sented Credi with the St. Louise Hughes was very much inspired basic tools for success, the St. de Marrilac Young Vincentian by Harper’s words. Vincent de Paul Society invests Scholarship. “His story is fantastic, how he in people. Those they invest in Employees from Gibson, the got from where he was to where are then more readily able to company responsible for process- he is by a series of events so help others and give back to ing payroll and benefit admin- amazing as to be miraculous,” the community themselves. The istration for the society, volun- Hughes said. “I believe that is Legacy Dinner propels this cycle, teered at the event. Samantha how God works, that He takes and the support from it helps the Stern was one such volunteer. the difficulties of my life that I society realize its mission. “St. Vincent is a wonderful offer Him and turns them around
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tephen Hawking died last and reason. According to the knowing for sure month. He was a brilliant rules of this game, we are not Sand influential physicist allowed to appeal to forces or INTELLECT hen Oprah Winfrey was responsible for, among other actors outside this closed system. first asked the question, TWENTY things, the conclusion that black He proposed that the universe AND VIRTUE Wthe talk-show queen holes emit energy that we now came into being by a random was left tongue-tied. call “Hawking radiation.” quantum fluctuation, something She was doing a live SOMETHING This is not supposed to hap- like the way bubbles of steam television interview with the late pen, because the gravity of black form and expand in boiling JOHN GARVEY film critic Gene Siskel to promote holes is so strong that it doesn’t water. her film “Beloved,” and he even allow light to escape. But, you might fairly ask, claimed it does. At least not if concluded by asking, “Tell me, CHRISTINA CAPECCHI (That’s why they’re black.) And it fluctuation in what? Where does we are interested in finding an what do you know for sure?” creates some problems for quan- the boiling water (in this anal- answer to the question Gottfried “I got all flustered and started me to be — of all things — a tum mechanics that we still have ogy), or the primeval atom (the Wilhelm von Leibniz famously stuttering and couldn’t come student of the human race. What not solved. bubble), come from? What was asked: “Why is there something up with an answer,” Winfrey a fountain of youth, a lifelong In his later years, Hawking there before the fluctuation? rather than nothing?” Hawking’s later wrote. But since that day, adventure. attracted a lot of attention for Hawking proposed to answer answer (it’s random) is not very she’s never stopped posing that But you don’t need a press his speculations about how this question from within his satisfying, especially to the sci- question — to others and to badge to witness the storytelling. the universe began. Though an closed system as well. Don’t entific mind. herself. When you give someone your avowed atheist, he was for 32 think of time like a model rail- We would all do well to If she can borrow the question full attention, undergirded by years a member of the Pontifical way track, he said, with someone observe the limitations of our from Siskel, so can I. genuine curiosity, it will almost Academy of Sciences. On many at the beginning to set the trains disciplines in making claims In my journalism career, always be rewarded. If you can points of cosmology, he agreed going. Rather, think of time like about what we can prove. I have never ceased to be come up with good questions, with more faithful members of a globe, and the beginning of the Hawking was playing a game astounded by the generosity you won’t be disappointed. the academy. universe like the South Pole. To that did not allow us to speak of strangers when I request It is the Catholic response, He believed, for example, as ask what is south of the South about God, and there’s nothing an interview — a cold call the simplest and surest way to most physicists now do, that Pole is a meaningless question. wrong with that. But there are disrupting a hot dinner, a knock affirm the dignity of another. the universe began in a stupen- Science and religious belief important questions that lie out- on the door on a Saturday What’s your name? Where are dous Big Bang about 14 billion must be consistent, but they are side the physical sciences, and morning, a formal sit-down or a you from? How long have you years ago. The Big Bang theory different disciplines. Anglican despite his enormous contribu- quick conversation in the back been here? was first proposed by a Catholic Archbishop James Ussher, pri- tions, he didn’t provide much of a church or the corner of a Every now and then I priest, George Lemaitre, elected mate of all-Ireland in the 17th help in answering those. store or the middle of a long line encounter a kindred spirit, a to the Pontifical Academy 50 century, once calculated from Old outside in the wee hours of a fellow interviewer masquerading years before Hawking. Hawking Testament chronologies that the blustery Black Friday. in scrubs, an apron or tattered also believed, as Lemaitre pro- world began on Oct. 23, 4004 One minute we’ve never met, gardening jeans. My sister-in- posed and Edwin Hubble demon- B.C. This is probably not right. the next they’re entrusting me law is among them. She works strated, that the universe is still The ages and generations with their last name and age and in palliative care, a difficult field expanding from this initial event. in the Bible accounts are likely occupation, fielding questions to which she brings a bouquet Physics doesn’t, and probably symbolic, not literal. On the they can’t possibly prepare for or of compassion, listening with can’t, tell us what caused the Big other hand, Lemaitre wisely predict. the utmost sensitivity. Just as Bang. This is the point on which warned Pope Pius XII against I don’t know exactly what steadily as she amasses medical Hawking and the Church part opining in public that the Big to make of this great goodness. knowledge, so too does she company. Bang proved the truth of Catholic except to say we crave patch together a more complete Like many scientists, faith. Physics can’t observe and conversation, connection, and we understanding of humanity. Hawking was a positivist, inter- test the action of God. want to be helpful. ested in explaining everything Neither can science make God Whatever the reason, it fills by relying on sensory experience unnecessary, as Hawking once me with gratitude and allows CAPECCHI, page 13 The Lord sustains His faithful and blesses their labor At last accepted, in this readers as “little children.” Reflection again invites us to celebrate THE weekend’s reading he returns Obviously, adults composed the the victory of Jesus over death. to Jerusalem. With his choleric epistle’s audience, or most of In Acts, First John and the If faithful, if in the Church, the SUNDAY personality and religious fer- the audience. Still, the epistle Gospel, the Church calls us to Mystical Body, we are with vor, now bursting with belief in employs this term of endear- absolute faith in, and deep love Jesus. He is the vine. We are the Christ, he openly debated with ment. Those who follow Jesus for, God, in Jesus — risen to life branches. In union with Christ GOSPEL Greek-speaking Jews. indeed are God’s “little children,” after dying on the cross. Jesus is we live and are strong, nourished Paul himself was well- little in their vulnerability and the cornerstone of our faith and by the Eucharist. MSGR. OWEN F. CAMPION educated. From Tarsus, he was need for God. of our lives. not a product of the Holy Land, St. John’s Gospel supplies Part of the Lord’s legacy is although he was an ethnic and the last reading, part of the long the Church. The Church does not, Fifth Sunday of Easter religiously observant Jew. He discourse by Jesus given the or should not, merely mean an John 15:1-8 spoke Greek, the language of the Apostles at the Last Supper. This earthly, visible and coincidental empire and of scholarship. reading has a deeply Eucharistic entity that we can take or leave. he Acts of the Apostles, Paul’s intensity made enemies undertone. At the Last Supper If we truly are with Christ, then again this Easter season, for him. The Christians took him Jesus gave the Twelve the wine we are part of the Church, and READINGS is the source of the first for his own safety to Caesarea, that became, through the Lord’s T vice versa. Sunday: Acts 9:26-31 Ps 22:26-27, 28, reading for Sunday. It highlights the Roman capital of Palestine, power, the blood of Christ. The Church is the Mystical 30, 31-32 1 Jn 3:18-24 Jn 15:1-8 Paul. In an earlier passage, a place now in ruins on the Wine, of course, is the product Body of Christ, a phrase rich Monday: Acts 14:5-18 Ps 115:1-5, not read in this liturgy, the outskirts of modern Tel Aviv. of grapes. Grapes grow on vines. in its references to Paul’s own intensely devoted Jew, Paul, after From Caesarea, a seaport, the In this reading, Jesus says, “I thoughts. It then also is the vine. 15-16 Jn 14:21-26 having persecuted Christians, Christians sent him home to am the true vine.” All who love Members of the Church are its Tuesday: Acts 14:19-28 Ps 145:10- miraculously experiences the Tarsus, for his personal security. the Lord are the branches. God branches. 13ab, 21 Jn 14:27-31a presence of Jesus on the way to An important statement in protects the vine, even by cutting Vines and branches involve Wednesday: Acts 15:1-6 Ps 122:1-5 Damascus. this reading is in its final verse. away branches because of sin. a living relationship. The vine Jn 15:1-8 Paul instantly converts to It says that throughout the entire Thus Jesus warns that no vine nourishes and holds the branch- Thursday: 1 Cor 15:1-8 Ps 19:2-5 Jn Christianity. Eventually the area the Church was at peace can bear fruit if it separates itself es. Cut away from the vine, the 14:6-14 Christian community accepts and making progress. Notice that from the true vine of God. branches die. This Church offers Friday: Acts 15:22-31 Ps 57:8-12 Jn him, although understandably the term “Church” is used. Being by and in the Blood of us divine nourishment, the some Christians were nervous, For the second reading this Christ completes and strength- 15:12-17 eucharistic Blood of Christ, and it Saturday: Acts 16:1-10 Ps 100:2, 3, 5 considering his record of perse- Easter weekend, the Church ens this bond between vine and unites us to the Lord. cuting them. He had been quite offers a selection from the First branches. On this weekend, the Church Jn 15:18-21 hostile to followers of Jesus. Epistle of John. It refers to its April 29, 2018 COMMENTARY 13
A little boy meets a pastor SCRIPTURE SEARCH®
remarkable video of Pope was dead. A nonbeliever, he’d For April 29, 2018 Francis answering a young had his children baptized, how- AMID 1John 15:1-8 and John 15:1-8 Aboy’s deeply personal ever. The weeping boy wanted to question was posted by Catholic know if his father was in heaven. Following is a word search based on both the Second News Service recently. The pope gave a moving THE FRAY Reading and the Gospel for the Fifth Sunday of It moved many viewers to response, praising the little boy Easter, Cycle B. The words can be found in all tears. for his courage, and saying that It also moved some Catholics his father was a good man. directions in the puzzle. to fits of sarcasm and anti-papal “That man did not have the gift GREG ERLANDSON CHILDREN SPEECH TRUTH gibes, which left me wondering: of faith, he wasn’t a believer, but What is happening to some of he had his children baptized. He CONDEMN KNOWS PLEASES HIM how his father lost his life. The JESUS LOVE COMMANDED our pew mates? had a good heart,” the pope said. children there have seen more of THE SPIRIT VINE BRANCH The video was produced by “God is the one who says who life’s cruelty than most their age. Robert Duncan and showed a goes to heaven.” The pope’s message was that FRUIT PRUNES THE WORD visit by Pope Francis to a sprawl- He then told the children that God was a loving father. That He UNLESS DO NOTHING THROWN ing, decrepit housing complex God has “a father’s heart. God did not abandon His children. BURNED MY WORDS BECOME on the outskirts of Rome. During has a dad’s heart.” That He loved them. these visits, the pope often takes The pope reassured little The reaction to the video of questions from the children. Emanuele. “Does God abandon this encounter has been quite BECOME DISCIPLES On this visit, a young boy His children?” The children in positive. Surprisingly, however, named Emanuele, perhaps 9 or the audience shouted no. “There, there has been a strong minority CH I LDRENOGJK 10 years old, approached the Emanuele, that is the answer,” who felt this was more evidence OOUNLESSNEMW microphone. But nerves got the the pope told the boy. “God that the pope was not up to snuff best of him, so the pope asked surely was proud of your father, when it comes to doling out doc- MANOHCP I S I YL him to “come and whisper it in because it is easier as a believer trine. MNVDEEHUHTWT my ear.” That scene alone was to baptize your children than to Some thought it was a quite touching, as the little boy baptize them when you are not a contrived photo op. Perhaps AEAFETSSTTOH buried his head into the pope’s believer. Surely this pleased God Emanuele was an actor, like NBECOMEEUHRE shoulder and whispered his very much.” those student activists after the question. With such a young and grief- Florida high school shooting who DEHNOSNSREDS But then the pope, with stricken boy, this was not a were accused falsely of being cri- E EOHA I UWTWS P Emanuele’s permission, told the moment for high theology. In sis actors. crowd that Emanuele’s father that district of Rome, who knows Others accused the pope of DDNEVEROOOF I teaching error: “Unfortunately, LELRTLPNTRKR the pope lied. According to the Bible, his dad, as a nonbeliever, LPT I URFKTDH I is in hell.” ANANABRANCHT “This pope did not tell the boy the truth,” wrote another. © 2018 Tri-C-A Publications www.tri-c-a-publications.com Such certainty about who is or is not in hell is not entrusted to anyone in the Church, as the Saint of the Week Catechism of the Catholic Church rightly explains. And no pastor of any sort would crush the heart of a little boy who had lost his father. Yet today in social media such discourse — and worse — is, unfortunately, quite common. In his newest apostolic exhor- tation, “Rejoice and Be Glad,” Pope Francis warns about “net- works of verbal violence.” “Even in Catholic media, lim- its can be overstepped,” he said. A little boy in Italy encoun- tered a pastor at a moment of great worry and sorrow. For this, all of us should be able to put down our brickbats for a moment and rejoice and be glad.
Greg Erlandson, director and editor- CNS photo/Paul Haring in-chief of Catholic News Service, Pope Francis embraces Emanuele, a boy whose father died, as he visits St. can be reached at gerlandson@ Paul of the Cross Parish in Rome April 15. catholicnews.com.
CAPECCHI, from page 12 I asked a well-traveled, high- every step of my journey,” my profile Catholic sister. “We’re grandma replied. Catherine of Siena This spring I’ve posed Gene called to be God’s love in the I asked a 101-year-old nun, 1347-1380 Siskel’s question to a variety of world,” she told me. When you who cast her eyes aside and Feast April 29 people, seeking bread crumbs answer that call, she added with flashed a half-grin before she from the communion of future a laugh, prepare for “surprises.” spoke. “I know for sure that I’m Catherine was the 24th of 25 children of a Sienese dyer; her mystical saints here on earth. I asked my mom and her going to die. That’s the only experiences and raptures began at age 6. She refused to marry, and What do you know for sure? mom. thing I know for sure.” about 1367 joined the Third Order of St. Dominic. She attracted a like- I asked a retired bishop, who “I know that once the heart If I may add my own, it would minded group in Siena for prayer and good works, and devoted her immediately spoke of service. “It has stretched, you never quite be this: I know for sure we are last five years to church unity and ending the scandal of rival papacies. empties the heart of selflessness are the same person,” my mom here to lean on and learn from and then fills it up with love, if Though she experienced the pain of the stigmata, it became visible answered. each other. only after her death at 33. And, in an odd division of relics, her body you are open to that. You cannot “I know for sure that through look upon service as a drudgery, my long life, I have been guided is in a Roman church, while her head is in a Sienese church. Named a you must look upon it as a and protected by an amazing Christina Capecchi is a freelance doctor of the church in 1970, Catherine is a patron saint of Europe and beautiful opportunity of loving, God, who has loved and writer from Inver Grove Heights, Italy, and the patron of fire prevention, nurses and nursing. and that is all there is to it.” understood and forgiven me Minn., and editor of SisterStory.org. 14 TODAY’S CATHOLIC April 29, 2018 ‘The Devil and Father Amorth’
BY JOHN MULDERIG He also includes an incom- plete portrait of Father Amorth that asserts but does not explore NEW YORK (CNS) — In this age the priest’s sanctity. This will be of media saturation, there can’t a source of disappointment for be many human activities that Catholics in the audience since have yet to be captured on film the jaunty, compassionate cler- or videotape. gyman — whose sense of humor According to William Friedkin, extended to constant mockery of director and narrator of “The the Evil One — appears to war- Devil and Father Amorth” (The rant a more penetrating study of Orchard), however, his brief, his personality and work. mostly straightforward documen- More attention devoted to tary includes just such a novelty: Father Amorth, moreover, would the first authorized footage of a have helped to offset the inevi- Catholic exorcism. table grimness of the rite at the That claim will serve as a sell- heart of the proceedings. ing point for some, a red flag for At times, Friedkin appears others. Safe to say, this is unset- slightly breathless with enthu- tling fare ill-suited to the very siasm for his own material, and young or the faint of heart. Christopher Rouse’s churning Friedkin, director of 1973’s score also hints at sensational- “The Exorcist,” follows the case ism. But overall, the tone is of an Italian woman who was CNS photo/LD Entertainment respectful and sober-minded. ministered to by Pauline Father Pauline Father Gabriele Amorth performs an exorcism on Christina in the documentary “The Devil and Father Gabriele Amorth, chief exorcist of Amorth.” the Diocese of Rome from 1986 until his death in 2016 at 91. doctor treat a suffering patient. cinate at least some viewers. and the situation that inspired it. The film contains mature themes, There’s an intrusive feeling to Yet this glimpse into the Friedkin surrounds this cen- He adds interviews with, among potentially disturbing images the portion of the movie in which world of absolute darkness tral encounter with a curious others, Auxiliary Bishop Robert and a rude gesture. The Catholic Friedkin records Father Amorth’s seems, for the most part, artisti- blend of other items. He starts E. Barron of Los Angeles, open- News Service classification is ninth attempt to rid this lady of cally — or perhaps it would be with a look back at William Peter minded neurosurgeons and more A-II — adults and adolescents. her demons. The effect might be better to say journalistically — Blatty’s fact-based 1971 novel, insistently materialist psychia- Not rated by the Motion Picture compared to that of watching a justified. And it will certainly fas- the source of his famous feature, trists. Association of America. Book appeals to hipster Catholics with spiritual swagger
BY REGINA LORDAN stuff, life and the attraction. The aptly called rediscoveries are explained and unfolded by re you a Catholic hipster? interesting laypeople, as well Are you a bespectacled by a Salesian sister and dioc- Afoodie, black skinny jeans esan priest. Each topic is given and Chucks-wearing Catholic a saint, prayer and activity. “sneaking a peek at your brevia- Hipsters love homework, right? ry app during your work meet- Well no one really does, but this ing,” as the book teases? homework is easy, meaningful Then yes, you are a Catholic and involves pilgrimages, simple hipster, and yes, “The Catholic matching games, art projects and Hipster Handbook: Rediscovering praying. Cool Saints, Forgotten Prayers, With chapters like “Catholic and Other Weird but Sacred Weird on Twitter,” “What About Stuff” by Tommy Tighe is for you. Beards,” “Taking Pope Francis to Does this stereotype annoy the Farmers Market” and “The you and does the whole idea of a Local Craft (Catholic?) Brewery Catholic hipster seem odd? It doesn’t Scene,” there is no wonder “The matter, this book is still for you. Catholic Hipster Handbook” Just as the world is saturated CNS appeared on several top book These are the covers of “The Catholic Hipster Handbook: Rediscovering Cool Saints, Forgotten Prayers and Other Weird with stereotypes about hipsters lists floating around the internet. but Sacred Stuff” by Tommy Tighe; “Catholic Puzzles, Word Games and Brainteasers” by Matt Swaim; and “Christian and Catholics (and perhaps now Fresh and original, fun and Catholic hipsters?), the market is clever, the book is laden with Labyrinths: A Celtic Coloring Book” by Daniel Mitsui. saturated with books for Catholic authentic Church teaching, beau- to keep Catholics focused on Written by Tommy Tighe, quizzes, code scrambles and let- moms, grieving, spirituality, his- tiful prayers, meaningful reflec- Catholicism by sharing her founder of CatholicHipster. ter games. The games will hone tory, the saints and the Gospel. tions and spiritual refreshment. favorite Catholic apps. Author com, with the help of contribu- your Bible and Catholic fact skills It is not exactly overflowing with In “O Scapular, My Scapular,” and founder of the popular tors including Leticia Ochoa as well as provide several hours literature that purposely identi- Sarah Vabulas, author and pod- CatholicMom.com, Hendey also Adams from Sirius XM, musician of entertainment. fies with Catholics with a certain cast host, discusses the meaning reminds readers about the impor- and comedian Matt Dunn and “Christian Labyrinths” is a type of spiritual swagger. behind her beloved scapular. tance of silencing technology to Salesian Sister Brittany Harrison, coloring book that marries a love This book will speak to the On one side is the image of the “simply be in the astounding the voices are diverse and bring of coloring with intricate tile Catholic who is ready to appre- Sacred Heart of Jesus, on the presence of the greatest designer something very interesting to the patterns and Bible verses and ciate the absolute coolness of other is an image of Mary. the world has ever known.” (brunch?) table. Try it out and prayers. Interestingly, each page Catholicism: It is countercultural, Vabulas said wearing the Her cool saint is St. Eligius, reinvigorate your faith life with a contains a hidden mistake, add- it’s ancient (more ancient than scapular almost daily has given who “would have been an app breath of fresh air. ing to the challenge and intrigue those ancient grains on your her the opportunity to answer designer had he lived in modern In the mood for more alterna- of this unique collection of color- avocado toast), and there is so curious questioners about the times.” This patron saint of gas tive ways to engage your faith ing pages for adults. much to celebrate, discover and relationship between Mary and station workers was a priest, life? Try out “Catholic Puzzles, Lordan has master’s degrees explore within the faith to deep- Jesus. She notes the history of bishop and skilled metalworker Word Games, and Brainteasers” in education and political science en spirituality and life. the scapular and its symbolism who used his access to royalty by Matt Swaim and “Christian and is a former assistant inter- “The Catholic Hipster to live a life focused on Jesus to help the poor. Her activity? Labyrinths: A Celtic Coloring national editor of Catholic News Handbook” augments these through prayer and the sacra- Spend some time with an elderly Book” by Daniel Mitsui, both Service. She is a digital editor at glorious features of the Church ment of reconciliation. person and help them learn published by Ava Maria Press. Peanut Butter & Grace, an online and organizes them into ways to Lisa Hendey’s contribution something new about their tech- “Catholic Puzzles” is collec- resource for Catholic family cat- rediscover the Church’s attitude, includes practical applications nology. tion of mind-bending but fun echesis. April 29, 2018 T O D A Y ’ S CAT H O L I C 15
REST IN PEACE Decatur Betty N. Swindler,97, Angela Mary What’s Happening? William A. Braun, Saint Anne Chapel Stajkowski, 91, Our 85, St. Mary of the Lady of Hungary Steven Wayne Brown, Assumption 63, Sacred Heart Margaret T. Horvath, WHAT’S HAPPENING carries announcements about upcoming events in the diocese. View Donaldson 91, St. Jude Monroeville more Catholic events and submit new ones at www.todayscatholic.org/event. For additional list- Sister Magdala Oswald, Shirley A. Hoover, 52, Leonard M. Szymanski, ings of that event, please call the advertising sales staff at 260-399-1449 to purchase space. PHJC, 86, Catherine St. Rose of Lima 65, Holy Family Kasper Home New Haven Wabash Mishawaka Catholic preschool and Lourdes Ball Dinner Dance Child volunteers also provide Fort Wayne Charles Henry Katherine E. kindergarten open house SOUTH BEND — The Knights tutoring and mentoring to stu- Melveena C. Gabriel, Comstock, 89, Donaldson, 83, MISHAWAKA — The St. Bavo of Columbus Council 553 will dents at St. Adalbert School. For 91, Cathedral of have the annual Lourdes Ball questions or more information St. John the Baptist St. Bernard Campus, 524 W. 8th St., of the Immaculate Mishawaka Catholic School will Dinner Dance Saturday, May 5, call Kristy Botich, 574-291-7523. have an open house Sunday, from 5-11 p.m. at the hall, 553 Conception Notre Dame Sister Miriam David, April 29, from 3-4:30 p.m. Learn E. Washington St. Mass at St. Disabilities Expo coming to Coliseum Michael L. Serrani, 82, CSC, 95, Church of Our about the preschool program Joseph Catholic Church will be FORT WAYNE — The dioc- St. John the Baptist for ages 3/4 and 4/5 as well as followed by speaker Father Jacob esan Ministry for Persons with Lady of Loretto Kindergarten. Tour the school, Meyer, silent auction, steak din- Disabilities will participate in the Carol R. Klinger, 85, South Bend meet the teachers and learn how ner and dancing to DJ Sound Disabilities Expo at the Memorial St. Therese your child can become a saint FX. This event will raise funds Coliseum on Saturday, May 12, Clarence E. Spitz, 88, for the 2018-19 school year. Visit to send a pilgrim to Our Lady of from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Diocesan Vicki Antoinette St. Hedwig http://www.mcmish.org. Lourdes Shrine in France. staff and members of the grass- Ward, 58, Cathedral Daniel C. Kelver, 80, roots ministry Building Inclusive of the Immaculate Christ the King Day of Reflection Christ Child Society of South Bend Parishes will be on hand to dis- Conception cuss initiatives in parishes and MISHAWAKA — A day of reflec- ‘information coffee’ Rita Bogucki, 92, tion will be held at St. Francis SOUTH BEND — An “informa- across the diocese. Contact Mary Nicholas F. Palermo, Holy Family Convent Wednesday, May 2 tion coffee” and tour of the Glowaski at 260-399-1458 or 88, Our Lady of Good Submit obituaries to from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The Christ Child clothing center, 308 [email protected]. Hope [email protected] theme for the day is “Pentecost.” S. Scott St., will be Wednesday, Bring a Bible. The cost of the May 9, at 9:30 a.m. Volunteers day is $20 and includes lunch. give three hours a week on Register by Friday, April 27, with Wednesday mornings from Sister Barbara Anne Hallman at August to December providing 574-259-5427. new clothing to children. Christ
Rummage Sale Most Precious Blood Church 1505 Barthold St., Fort Wayne In 46808 Mohr Hall in the School basement May 3 and 4, Thursday and Friday 9am to 5pm May 5, Saturday 9am to 1pm, bag day
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BobMonte_DivineMercy_Jan2018_6x8vert.indd 1 2/16/18 11:09 AM 16 T O D A Y ’ S CAT H O L I C April 29, 2018 example, when the virtue was with their coaches. he spoke to his daughter entirely before and after games. Athletes SPORTS, from page 1 self-control, the coaches spent Joseph Klinger, a junior, in Spanish, and no one else really are encouraged to express them- some time discussing with was admittedly skeptical of the understood what was being said selves in overtly Catholic ways, implementation of the program’s their athletes its meaning and program at first, but he said he — but there was not a dry eye to which so far has been received four pillars: virtue, mentoring, circumstances that might offer is now very impressed. “Many be found. Each player hugged her well by the competition. In girls ceremony and Catholic identity. an opportunity to demonstrate things are number-based. teammate and vowed to love and soccer this year, the team cap- Judd noted: “Coaches are the virtue of self-control. The SportsLeader focuses on team support her the rest of the school tains from both schools met among the most impactful lead- coaches recognized when ath- building and relationships with year, during her father’s absence. for pre-game meetings, and the ers in today’s world. Our hope letes exhibited the virtue and coaches, and I feel comfortable Midway through the season opposing teams were invited at SportsLeader is that if we can commended their efforts. At the going to them with anything.” a second ceremony takes place to join Bishop Luers players in help strengthen the faith, the end of the school year, select The third pillar is ceremony. with mothers. The athletes write prayer on the field at the conclu- virtue, the leadership of coaches, athletes are presented with the There are two ceremonies for letters of appreciation to their sion of the game. Every visit- then those coaches can bring it Kneeling Knight Award for their each team: The first ceremony is moms and have an opportunity ing team, including the public to and transform the athletes. If exemplary fortitude. when the athlete’s father presents to open up to them in front of schools, participated in the you can transform the athletes Senior Kat Knapke looks his athlete with a team jersey, others. “It’s hard,” Huth said, prayer. within a school, we’ll transform forward to getting a new virtue reaffirming the love and apprecia- “but I think it’s going to be Bishop Luers High School the school. If we can transform each week and reviewing virtues tion he has for his child in front worth the journey when we get Athletic Director Kevin Godfroy the coaches and athletes there, of previous weeks with her team- of the other fathers and other to the end.” sees great potential in the we can transform this country, mates, because “it breaks down athletes. Everyone soon learns, The fourth and final pillar is school’s relationship with and the United States can trans- what it means to be a good through this emotional ceremony, Catholic identity. “We’re going SportsLeader — particularly the form the world.” teammate and have good sports- that every father cares for every to act as a Catholic family at strength in evangelization and Huth believes SportsLeader manship.” athlete — which, in turn, makes games, and we’re going to help community building. “I think it will enable the school’s athletic The second pillar of the pro- for a more cohesive team. This each other with that,” Huth said. will be a great opportunity for program to bring students into a gram is mentoring. Coaches was very beautifully displayed “The concept of our Catholic relationships to be built between closer relationship with God. meet with individual athletes or recently, when an exchange identity, ‘who we say that we our families, by seeing the emo- SportsLeader promotes a vir- small groups on a weekly basis, student and volleyball player’s are,’ to the community will be tional ties they have with their tue each week that the teams at which the coaches learn more father found himself needing to shown through the actions of own children and help connect incorporate into their meet- about their athletes and the ath- return to Mexico shortly after the our students.” each other.” ings, practices and games. For letes build a strong relationship ceremony. During the ceremony, The program includes prayer As South Sudan war drags on, churches try to help displaced BY PAUL JEFFREY burned many local communities. Father Mangu said things are much calmer now, as most of the AU, South Sudan (CNS) SPLA soldiers have been trans- — In a land where tra- ferred out, replaced by national Wditionally you’d look for security troops who wear a dif- a steeple and a cross to identify ferent color uniform and who a church, today in South Sudan Church officials say are generally you’re just as likely to find a trusted by the local population. church by looking for a collection He blamed the former head of dirty, tarp-covered rustic huts, of the SPLA, Paul Malong, for where the internally displaced sending what the priest dubs have sought refuge from the coun- “Malong’s militias” to Wau. try’s seemingly incessant fighting. “They were not real soldiers. Father Marko Mangu lives in They just picked them up in the the middle of such a jumble of villages, trained them for a few precarious shelters. As diocesan days, gave them a gun and set coordinator for the Diocese of them loose,” he said. Wau, Father Mangu lives on Malong was fired last year the grounds of the Cathedral of and later abandoned the coun- St. Mary, where almost 10,000 try. On April 10, he announced internally displaced people — no from exile that he was forming a one knows an exact number — new opposition party, the South continue to find refuge. That Sudan United Front. More than 40 different armed groups oper- number is down from the height CNS photo/Paul Jeffrey of the violence in 2017, when ate in the country today, mak- A child swallows an oral cholera vaccine at a displaced persons camp at the Holy Family Catholic Church in Wau, South more than 16,000 people sought ing regionally supervised peace safety inside the compound’s talks even more complex and Sudan, April 17. The church has provided food, shelter material and health care, and the presence of clergy and crumbling walls, but priestly pri- difficult. A resumption of nego- religious has fostered a sense of relative safety for the families who first occupied the church grounds when fighting vacy is still just a memory. tiations scheduled for April 26 in enveloped the city in 2016. “It’s a challenge to live here. Ethiopia have been indefinitely The problems are endless. You postponed. “They are training more, and the camps,” Father Mangu said. placed people — he knows the either have to be a priest or The peace process was dealt as soon as they’re ready, they’ll “And even if we keep those exact number — who continue to someone extremely committed to a further body blow by the death be sent to more villages around problems at bay, it is not a good seek safety in the shadow of the the people, or you will get tired April 20 of Gen. James Ajongo, here so that people will feel more situation to be crowded together church. With help from groups and quit,” Father Mangu told Malong’s successor as head of secure about returning home. like this. If you’re a big boy, to like Solidarity with South Sudan Catholic News Service. the military. He reportedly died We cannot tell people to go back be in the same room with your and the Catholic Medical Mission Since civil war began to rip in Cairo after a short illness. home if we’re not sure that they mother-in-law and your grand- Board, he provides water, food, apart South Sudan’s fragile As the peace process stalls, will be safe,” said Father Mangu. mother is not acceptable. It’s not medical care, education and hope democracy in 2013, roughly one- Father Mangu said the new Angelina Polu, a member of our African culture. But people to the community. third of the country’s 12 million national security troops in Wau the Balanda tribe, says her son are forced to live like this. To “Life is better than last year. people have been forced to flee are well-disciplined and come was killed by SPLA soldiers. She stay alive they have to be there. People can walk two kilome- their homes. In Wau, Father from a variety of tribal back- lives on the cathedral grounds They ran from danger. They saw ters from here without being Mangu said the national conflict grounds, thus ratcheting down with her grandson. their friends and family slashed attacked,” he said. “But they’re took on starkly ethnic overtones tension in the city. “I want to go home, but there and killed. So although life is afraid to go much farther. If when soldiers of the Sudan “None of them moves with are too many guns out there. difficult, it is better to face the they go back to their villages, People’s Liberation Army, mostly guns unless they are on duty. And my house is gone. The challenges here than to return to the soldiers will accuse them of members of the dominant Dinka And if national security finds you Dinkas took it,” she said. a dangerous situation where you sympathizing with the rebels. tribe, attacked a mixture of local stealing someone’s roof, they In the meantime, conditions can lose your life.” So they stay close to the church, opposition groups and members will arrest you. If you resist, they in the cathedral compound Some 250 miles to the south, where they feel safe. But because of other ethnic communities in will shoot you. They have shot — and at three other Catholic Father Victor Babie also lives they can’t travel to their fields 2016. More than 400 people many soldiers who they caught churches that host the displaced surrounded by the internally dis- to plant and harvest, they can’t were killed and some 120,000 stealing roofs,” he said. in Wau — remain worrisome. placed. As the priest in Riimenze, feed themselves. It falls on the had to seek refuge in churches There aren’t yet enough “We are afraid of outbreaks a once-sleepy village near the Church, with help from the and a nearby United Nations national security forces to go of meningitis and measles and border with Congo, he’s also United Nations and NGOs, to base, as soldiers looted and around, however. other contagious diseases in the de facto mayor of 7,030 dis- find them food.”