C21 Resources

A SERVICE OF BOSTON COLLEGE winter 2005

in this issue Hope is about that which is ultimate The Virtue of Hope —God—but it is not unrelated to the events that make up the substance of our lives. Indeed, hope transfigures A Time for BY DONALD DEMARCO largely vanities. They will not furnish them precisely because it relates them us with what satisfies our deepest to their ultimate meaning. Hope is Hope longing. They are transitory; we are ultimate and immanent. But it is also n Pope John Paul II’s Tertio immortal. essential, for no human being can Millennio Adveniente, published The Holy Father reminds us that endure its opposite—despair. in 1994, the Holy Father speaks good hope—or true hope—directs us In his great poem, The Divine ope can seem to be both of the importance of hope in fragile—“the thing with to our final goal which gives ultimate Comedy, Dante penned what may be the context of “crossing the meaning and value to everything that his most celebrated line when he Hfeathers that perches in threshold of the new millennium.” I is part of our lives. Therefore, as he inscribed over the entranceway to the soul,” as Emily Dickinson called He indicates that these “crossings” goes on to say, the infernal kingdom these words: “All it—and yet persistent—“it sings the imply a measure of difficulty as well tune without the words, and never hope abandon, ye who enter here” as a need for purification. In this new millennium, Christians are (Lasciate ogni speranza, voi ch’en- stops at all.” “Good” hope, to use St. Paul’s called to prepare for the Great Jubilee The Catechism offers a delicate trate). The immediate meaning, that qualifying adjective, must be distin- by renewing their hope in the defini- hell is a place of absolute finality web of explanations to unfold the guished from the many false hopes tive coming of the Kingdom of God, meaning of this virtue. Hope is rooted where hope is no longer possible, that surround us daily and are a preparing for it daily in their hearts, is clear enough. in the aspiration to hold onto our constant source of temptation. We in the Christian community to which faith and in the desire for happiness But there is a subtler and perhaps hope for wealth, beauty, fame, success, they belong, in their particular social more important meaning that that God has placed in the heart of and a comfortable life. But these are context, and in world history itself. everyone. Continued on Page 2 It takes as its model Abraham, who trusted in God’s promise against all expectation. Hope unfolds in Jesus’ proclamation of the beatitudes as a description of the Kingdom that God is creating. And it finds its guarantee in the salvific death and resurrection of Jesus. Christian hope is thus both an act of steadfastness, of holding on against odds or appearances, and a surrender, a giving in to that power, God’s power, so much greater than our own. “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering,” the Letter to the Hebrews urges, “for he who promised is faithful.” What better virtue to ponder during this difficult season in the life of the American Catholic Church, as it seeks to move beyond the crisis that has engulfed it? Thus this fifth issue of C21 Resources offers reflec- tions and personal stories by a range of Catholic writers suggesting reasons for hope.

The Editors

BOSTON COLLEGE | C 21 RESOURCES | WINTER 2005 1 The Virtue of Hope Dateline: C21 Resources Continued from Page 1 pertains not to the inhabitants of often do not grasp real hope until its Colorado executive editor hell but to those whose final des- impostor has been dashed by disap- J.A. Appleyard, S.J., tinies have not yet been determined. pointment. The disillusionment that This slightly veiled meaning informs often occurs within marriage is not Springs Vice President for University people about how they can book pas- the death of hope if through it the Mission and Ministry sage to hell. For if hell is a place couple learns to accept the lack of editor without hope, then by living with- perfection in each other and embraces Richard Higgins out hope one is preparing for eternal the demands of true love. Hopeful signs tenancy in hell. When we live with- Real hope is not crushed by disap- advisory board out hope, we take on the hopeless pointment. In fact, it is in difficulty in one congregation Ben Birnbaum condition of hell, and at the same time that hope often is born. As Chesterton Patricia M. Chang make it our logical destiny. What we said, “As long as matters are really need, therefore, is an endless hope so hopeful, hope is a mere flattery or Patricia De Leeuw that our lives do not come to a hope- platitude; it is when everything is BY MELISSA MUSICK NUSSBAUM Jack Dunn less end. hopeless that hope begins to be a Mary Ann Hinsdale strength at all. Like all the Christian he Catholic Church in Richard Keeley It Takes Work virtues, it is as unreasonable as it is Colorado Springs usu- Robert R. Newton The fact that hope is essential to indispensable.” ally flies under the radar. Hallie Sammartino Di Schino man by no means makes it easy to We are a small diocese, Judith Wilt acquire. The hope of which John carved out of Denver’s Paul writes in both Tertio Millennio Good hope offers us archdioceseT in the 1980s, with a tra- consulting editor Adveniente and Crossing the Threshold dition of strong lay leadership. We John L. Mahoney of Hope, also published in 1994, is realism, patience and the are a diocese of soldiers and peace something we must attain, secure, activists, and our cathedral’s long designer and purify through considerable courage to go forward. association with the Marian House Progressive Print Solutions difficulty. Soup Kitchen next door means that One of the stormiest, if not the the bishop’s Church is also the parish stormiest, cape in the world is the for the Catholic homeless. It is my C21 Resources is published by Boston Capes of Good Hope, located near Good hope, therefore, has the parish, too. We are welcome there, College’s Church in the 21st Century the southern tip of Africa where the qualities of realism, courage, patience, all of us. We are not one in politics, Initiative, in partnership with the powerful currents of the Atlantic and and the willingness to embrace diffi- but politics doesn’t call us together. We publications from which these articles Indian Oceans converge. When culties. By contrast, what we might are called by Christ, in whom we are one. have been selected. C21 Resources Portuguese navigator Bartolomeu describe as “easy hope” lacks these When I gather Sunday mornings is a compilation of the best analyses Dias discovered this cape in 1488, he virtuous qualities and is merely a wish with other parishioners at St. Mary’s, and essays on the Church’s crisis and called it, fittingly, the Cape of Storms. for better things that has the aura of it is the least American hour of my search for renewal. They are pub- Later, King John II of Portugal vanity or fantasy. week. Like all the American women I lished with the intent of stimulating renamed it “Cape of Good Hope” in Hope is ultimate and immanent, know, I take my purse everywhere. discussion and thought among bishops, anticipation of finding a sea route to essential and difficult, natural and When I pick up my son at school and priests, religious, and lay members of India. Vasco da Gama later proved supernatural. It may well be compared, bring cash for a sports fee. When I the Catholic community. the king right when he sailed around as the Pontiff states, citing St. Paul, stop to fill the car with gas and buy a the cape and discovered the long- with a mother in labor, for the moth- gallon of milk. But at Mass there’s sought passage to India. er, anticipating the birth of her child, nothing to buy. I walk there, hands In this narrative, history and sym- incorporates all of these elements. open and outstretched, like a beggar. bolism come together. The hope of The whole world is groaning under I’m not trading dollars for services; finding a sea route to India was even- the weight of vanity. It is yearning to what’s offered on the altar isn’t for tually fulfilled because hope had been give birth to everlasting life and to sale. At Mass, I bow. Americans don’t kept alive. This is the historical fact. share in the glorification of the sons bow. We walk tall through our lives, But added to this is the symbolism of God. As the Holy Father reminds erect, unbending, Gary Cooper at that the hope was a good hope inas- us, ours is “a time of great trial, but high noon. But at Mass, I bend and much as it was forged in a climate of also of great hope.” bow, kneeling like a servant, on my difficulty. The stormy cape provided knees like a slave. Not an American Keep track of lectures, panel the crucible in which hope was tested Dr. DeMarco is professor of philosophy at moment, but a Catholic moment, discussions and all events and purified so that it could emerge Holy Apostles College and Seminary, one in an unbroken chain of moments, sponsored this spring by the as “good hope.” Cromwell, Conn. He is the author of Sunday after Sunday, from first-cen- Woody Allen once remarked that many books including The Many Faces tury Jerusalem to twenty-first century Church in the 21st Century “marriage is the loss of hope.” If he of Virtue and The Heart of Virtue. Colorado Springs. at our Web site meant that marriage brings about the So it was a surprise to find ourselves www.bc.edu/church21 loss of vain and unprofitable illusion, Reprinted with permission from Lay in the national news, interviewed by he is correct. But disillusionment is Witness magazine. Copyright 2003 by reporters looking for that most not the same as the loss of hope. We Catholics United For the Faith, Inc. American invention, the sound bite,

2 BOSTON COLLEGE | C 21 RESOURCES | WINTER 2005 about that most American ritual, voting. one loaf, pray the same prayers, sing about these differences, the same How does a Catholic live? Pray? Marry? Republican? Democrat? Angry? Happy? the same songs, make the same con- differences discussed endlessly on Raise children? Make a home? Care The bishop, yes or no? Communi- fession of sin. There is one cup in television and in the newspapers. It is for the widow and the orphan, the cated or ex? We are talking about my parish: one cup for the soldiers not because they don’t matter, but elderly and the unborn? See the face our bishop’s latest statement barring shipping out for Iraq and one cup because they simply matter less than of Christ in all its distressing disguis- prochoice politicians and even voters for the activists indicted for trespass- who we are and what brings us togeth- es? These are not peculiarly American from Communion, but neither ing on military property. The mayor er, the work we have been given to do: questions, but they are Catholic ones, exclusively nor primarily. doesn’t live in a shelter, but he kneels to be the Body of Christ, fed by the and we at St. Mary’s, those of us who in St. Mary’s with those who do. The Body of Christ, rooted in the heart of gather at God’s generous table, are All Are Welcome man who supports school vouchers Christ and his Church, going out in still learning to live the answers. We Most of my life is broken into shares the sign of peace with the the world to be Christ for the world. are like the Ephesians under John the divisions of property and occupation teachers’ union member who opposes We have to learn to care for one Apostle. St. Jerome says John preached and memberships. Who can buy him. The Republican nurse stops another and to pray with one another, only one sermon, “My children, love here, work here, belong here? My after Mass to tell my ailing Democ- learn together to care for the sick one another.” Elders went to him vote is an exercise in further division. rat mother that she will come by her and to clothe the naked, to welcome pleading for a new lesson. He listened, No politician runs on the Catholic house to help next week. And, from the stranger, and to feed the hungry. saying, “Of course, but first we must ticket or holds herself accountable what I see on Sundays, we are still This is the work of our lives, the work learn this one.” only to Catholics. One question walking together, singing together that will take a lifetime to learn. Our we’re asking is based on the com- on the way to Communion. bishop, Michael Sheridan, has raised Melissa Musick Nussbaum is a writer promise that is politics: What if both In a city where the Bijou Com- an important question: How should who has taught Scripture at St. Mary’s candidates are proabortion? Which munity protests the military down- American Catholics vote? Catholics Cathedral in Colorado Springs for vote endangers one’s immortal soul? town every Friday as soldiers from who say one’s baptism can mean nineteen years. We’ve learned at St. Mary’s that Fort Carson pass by, we’ve had to little or nothing in public life need Communion gathers up these bro- learn the lesson of every family—how to reconsider what happens in those Reprinted with permission from Commonweal. ken shards and makes us whole. No to get along despite our differences. waters. But there are, I believe, ques- Copyright 2004 by Commonweal Magazine. one is preferred; all receive from the We at St. Mary’s don’t talk much tions prior to the bishop’s. Namely:

behavior of bishops and other Church Leadership that emphasizes service Servant Leadership leaders has virtually destroyed this first has come to be called servant covenant. leadership. Jack Lowe, CEO of Whether in business or in the TDIndustries, an employee-owned Church, all leadership is about build- construction company, remarks, To survive the present moment, the Church’s ing relationships, and the key to all “Trustworthiness, which requires leaders need to become its servants successful relationships is trust. The character and competence, can only old paradigm of leadership in which flourish with leadership that trusts, the bishops were formed creates stress supports and encourages. At TDIndus- and fear rather than trust. Instead of tries, we call that servant leadership.” BY CARL KOCH responds will determine whether the focusing his attention on parishioners, Servant leadership has its roots in Church can regain its moral authority a pastor keeps looking over his Jesus, the Gospels and the early fter the terrorist attacks and heal the wounds. The course of shoulder to see what his bishop Church, a church that collectively on Sept. 11, 2001, action taken by Church leaders will wants, and too many bishops hold a called forth its leaders. In his letter Southwest Airlines was reveal their character and test their finger in the air to see how the winds On Social Concern (1987), Pope John the only airline that made courage and wisdom. Their decisions are blowing from Rome. Paul II wrote that “all systems of a profit, kept all its will shape the future of each leader, In a growing number of organi- government are challenged to evaluate workersA on the job and actually and also the future of the Church zations, this old paradigm is being themselves in light of Gospel values.” adhered to its full flight schedule. community. replaced, and for good reasons. “All systems of government” should The next year, while other airlines James Autry, past president of the Supervisors were looking over their include Church government. cut thousands of jobs, Southwest Meredith Group and author of The shoulders at the middle managers In this conversion moment, bishops hired thousands and for each of those Servant-Leader (2001), rightly claims instead of helping employees do should look to Southwest Airlines, jobs had more applicants per opening that the old covenant in business is their jobs well. As a consequence, Toro, TDIndustries and other com- than Harvard had for its freshman dead: If you do a good job and work the people most essential to making panies that have adopted servant class. One of the key factors in hard for a company, you will have a a business successful—the customers leadership. Robert Greenleaf, in his Southwest’s success is that servant- job and that company will look after —were poorly served. book, Servant Leadership: A Journey leaders guide it. At this critical time your interests. Those days in the The companies known for excellent into the Nature of Legitimate Power in the Church, bishops and other business world are gone. service, great value and loyal cus- and Greatness (1977), describes a Church leaders could learn many The scandals in the Church have tomers and employees replace the servant-leader: “The servant-leader lessons from Southwest Airlines done the same thing to the covenant pyramidal paradigm with a circle. is servant first.... It begins with the and other companies committed that faithful members once had with The president empowers, supports natural feeling that one wants to to servant leadership. their leadership: If you pay, pray and and provides resources for the vice serve, to serve first. Then conscious The present, defining moment obey, you will be ministered to with presidents, who do the same for the choice brings one to aspire to lead.” offers the Catholic community an competence, respect and trust and managers, all the way to the The servant-leader makes “sure array of choices. How the community guided on the way of salvation. The employees who serve the customers. that other people’s highest priority

BOSTON COLLEGE | C 21 RESOURCES | WINTER 2005 3 needs are being served. The best test, the byzantine method of selecting in groups.” Servant-leaders invite model for leadership. One of his core and difficult to administer, is: Do bishops. people into dialogue and discernment beliefs is: “The leader’s role is to those served grow as persons? Do Our times invite Church leaders because they realize that more good create an environment...of trust [that] they, while being served, become to develop the 10 characteristics of a can happen in an organization with leads to more risk-taking, innovation, healthier, wiser, freer, more Jesus-like servant-leader described the willing commitment of all orga- and creativity. The empowerment to autonomous, more likely themselves by Greenleaf: listening, empathy, nizational members. James MacGre- solve problems produces better solu- to become servants? And what is the awareness, healing, persuasion, gor Burns put this point succinctly: tions.” By empowering employees, effect on the least privileged in soci- conceptualization, foresight, com- “Leadership mobilizes, naked power Melrose brought Toro back from ety; will they benefit, or, at least, not mitment to the growth of people, coerces.” near collapse to strength. Empower- be further deprived?” building community and steward- In 1991, on the 100th anniversary ment is something that many Church Robert Bennett, formerly head of ship. This list would be an excellent of Pope Leo XIII’s encyclical Rerum leaders could learn from Toro and the Church’s National Review Board foundation for the formation of Novarum, Pope John Paul II declared, Southwest. for the Protection of Children and priests, bishops and lay leaders for “The Catholic Church values demo- Young People, pointed out that ser- the Church. Let me comment on cratic systems that ensure the partic- All Are Called vant leadership is not the style of just three of the 10 characteristics. ipation of citizens.” But how many We need to reclaim the Church of most bishops: “An individual bishop 1. Listening. To help people times have bishops reminded dissenting Matthew 18. Michael Crosby, in is virtually an absolute power; they become freer, wiser and more au- voices that the Church is not a democ- The Dysfunctional Church (1991), are virtually unaccountable. I think tonomous, a leader must understand racy? How many dioceses have fought describes how Matthew 16 took cen- that this is a major cause of the them—through attentive listening. bitter wars against unionization? ter stage: “You are Peter, and on this problem. The exercise of authority Ann McGee-Cooper, a manage- How many priests have been exiled rock I will build my Church...I will without accountability is not servant ment consultant for many servant to the diocesan equivalent of Siberia give you the keys of the kingdom of leadership; it is tyranny.” leadership companies, including because they raised discomfiting heaven.” This passage propped up Any Church leader needs to ask: Southwest Airlines, remarked, “The questions? the old paradigm of leadership. Cer- How would Jesus lead? His answer is servant-leader works to build a solid While condemning violence against tainly Peter was a key figure in the consistent: “If anyone wants to be foundation of shared goals by women, the U.S. Conference of early Church, but so were Mary first, he must be the last and the ser- listening deeply to understand the Catholic Bishops concluded: “Domes- Magdalene and James, Paul and Lydia: vant of all”; “I am among you as one needs and concerns of others.” tic violence is any kind of behavior those gathered in Jesus’ name—in the who serves”; “The greatest among When Southwest Airlines entered that a person uses to control an Church of Matthew 18. you must become like the youngest, negotiations with its pilots’ union, intimate partner through fear and In Matthew 18:18-20, Jesus tells and the leader like one who serves.” Jim Parker, the C.E.O., sat at the intimidation.” But Church leaders his followers: “Whatever you bind Or consider the Gospel of John: table. One of the pilots remarked, have often used fear and intimida- on earth will be bound in heaven, Jesus washes the disciples’ feet and “The biggest complaint in the in- tion to destroy perceived opponents, and whatever you loose on earth will says, “I have set you an example that dustry is that management doesn’t even the most faithful. be loosed in heaven....For where you should do as I have done for listen to employees. But you can’t 3. Stewardship. This arguably two or three are gathered in my you.” If bishops or anyone else are say that at Southwest. The top guy includes all of the other nine charac- name, I am there among them.” to lead as Jesus led, they must be- is in the room.” Servant-leaders know teristics of a servant-leader. In his book Clearly, Jesus empowers the assem- come servant-leaders. that the success of their organization Stewardship (1993), Peter Block says: bled believers: women and men, old depends on trusting relationships “Stewardship is...the willingness to and young, poor and rich. Servant as Prophet built on a foundation of respectful be accountable for the well-being of Crosby concludes: “When, for The word servant in these Gospel listening. the larger organization by operating the sake of tradition, Peter’s power passages refers to the “Suffering Ser- The epistle attributed to St. James in service, rather than in control, of to bind and loose is absolutized in a vant” passages in Isaiah and means admonishes, “My beloved, let every- those around us. Stated simply, it is way that subordinates the power of “slave of the king,” a close advisor one be quick to listen, slow to speak” accountability without control or the other members of the Church, and confidant of the ruler, someone (1:19). This is sound advice for any- compliance....Stewardship is the the word of God itself can be nulli- with great responsibility. This ser- one in leadership, whether bishop or choice for service. We serve best fied in order to preserve abusive vant must be a prophet and a healer. C.E.O., pastoral associate or sales- through partnership, rather than power patterns in the institutional- So Jesus and anyone claiming to lead person. Every seminarian and lay patriarchy.” ized Church.” in his name hold responsibility and leader should have to complete Servant-leaders give account and Now is the time for servant-lead- intimacy with God and must be training in attentive listening, and expect to be held accountable, because ership in the image of Jesus to re- prophetic voices and healers of the new bishops should take refresher this is part of a trust relationship. emerge in the body of Christ, to be community. Only service and sacri- courses. If Church leaders listened Sometimes the only way an account formed in all who aspire to leadership. fice will lead to the moral credibility better, perhaps there would have been is given to the people by bishops is But all who would aspire to lead first and trust essential for leadership. no need to create Voice of the Faithful at the point of a court order. With- come as servants. And may servant- Servant leadership is hardly the and Call to Action. out open disclosure of information leaders remember to “be not afraid.” model of leadership fostered in the 2. Persuasion. Larry Spears, and involvement of the people of Jesus goes before us. Church, especially in clerical circles. director of the Greenleaf Center for God in Church governance, no Church Even the lexicon used for leadership Servant Leadership, says servant leader can claim to be an accountable Carl Koch directs the master of arts betrays it as monarchical and mili- leaders persuade “rather than using steward. program in servant leadership at Viterbo taristic, a leadership style for feudal one’s position of authority, in making In addition, stewards empower University, La Crosse, Wis., and times, when the masses were illiter- decisions within an organization. others because they realize their in- coordinates programs at the Franciscan ate peasants. We still call cardinals The servant-leader seeks to con- terdependence with all humanity, all Spirituality Center, also in La Crosse. “princes of the Church,” and some vince others, rather than coerce God’s creatures and the holy earth. still live in palaces. Secrecy shrouds compliance.... The servant-leader is Ken Melrose, the president of Toro, Reprinted with permission from America. Vatican and diocesan finances and effective at building consensus with- unselfconsciously names Jesus as his Copyright 2004 by America Press Inc.

4 BOSTON COLLEGE | C 21 RESOURCES | WINTER 2005 Among Clergy, Signs of a Strong Morale

For all the wounds and trauma, survey finds Catholic priests satisfied with their calling

BY STEPHEN J. ROSSETTI agreed. Only 6 percent were think- “opportunity to work with many While the crisis has not caused a ing of leaving the priesthood. When people and be a part of their lives.” large majority of priests to say that n the wake of the sexual abuse asked if they would do it all over In my own post-crisis survey, 92 their own morale is bad, it has been crisis, more than a few people, again and join the priesthood, 83 percent of the priests endorsed the a source of pain for priests in gener- including priests, are convinced percent said yes. These are very statement, “Overall, I feel fulfilled al and for some in particular, and it that the morale of priests is positive results. ministering as a priest.” has surfaced issues that negatively bad. In a letter dated Dec. 12, Priestly satisfaction rates in previous In short, priests like doing what affect morale. What are some of I2003, 69 priests of the Archdiocese surveys have also been high. A priests do and find great satisfaction these painful issues for today’s priests? of New York wrote to Cardinal pre-crisis study of over 1,200 priests in it. Their lives are filled with Edward Egan, “We need to tell you in 2001 was sponsored by the National sacraments, preaching and being Relationship with Authority again what you already know; the Federation of Priests’ Councils with the people; and they find it Much of the recent criticism has morale of the New York presbyterate (“Evolving Visions of the Priesthood”, intensely rewarding. This was true focused on bishops. The priests is at an all-time low.” Such sentiments Liturgical Press, 2003). The results before the crisis; it was true during surveyed were given the statement: have surfaced in other dioceses as well. were similar: only 5 percent reported the crisis; and it is true after the crisis. “The Church crisis has negatively Given the pounding that priests they were thinking of leaving the Since morale is a subjective per- affected my view of Church leader- have taken in the media over the last priesthood; 88 percent said they sonal perspective, I asked the priests ship.” Fifty-three percent agreed. couple of years, low morale would would choose priesthood again; and directly to rate their own morale. Clearly, the crisis has hurt priests’ not be surprising. In addition to 94 percent said they were currently Given the statement, “My morale is perceptions of Church leadership in reporting the sexual deviances of a either very happy or pretty happy. good,” a strong 83 percent of the general. But when speaking about few priests over the past 50 years, their own bishops, the results were the media at times have intimated strongly positive. Three-quarters that the priesthood itself is dysfunc- said, “I have a good relationship tional and prone to sexual problems Priests like doing what priests do. Their with my bishop” 66 percent “approve and that priests are poorly prepared, of the way my bishop is leading the living in an unhealthy clerical envi- lives are filled with sacraments, preaching diocese” and 75 percent agree with ronment, stunted by celibacy, and the statement, “Overall, I am satis- generally in bad shape. No wonder and being with people, and they find that fied with my bishop.” In assessing people are saying priests’ morale is approval rates for people in authority, bad. such percentages are high. For But is it really? To collect data on intensely rewarding. This was true before example, in a recent CNN poll of morale, I passed out a written survey 5,000 adult workers in the United at nine diocesan convocations of the crisis; it was true during the States, only 43 percent reported clergy between September 2003 and that they were “happy with their January 2004. Two more dioceses crisis; and it is true after the crisis. current boss.” mailed the survey to their priests in On the other hand, only 26 per- February and March of 2004. The cent of surveyed priests believed that dioceses surveyed ranged from coast “priests with allegations of abuse are to coast and included some of those In the midst of the crisis, The priests agreed. And despite the being treated fairly by the Church,” hardest hit by the crisis. Los Angeles Times conducted its intense media scourging, 84 percent and only 43 percent believe that A total of 834 priests responded, own survey of 1,854 priests, which it endorsed the statement, “I am proud they will be dealt with fairly if they 725 diocesan priests and 109 reli- published on Oct. 20 and 21, 2002. to be a priest today.” are accused of misconduct. As one gious priests, the latter ministering At that time, 91 percent of the priests But when priests were asked about priest said, “I am one phone call in the dioceses. The total represent- were satisfied with the “way your life the morale of other priests, there away from the rest of my life being ed about 64 percent of all priests in as a priest is going these days,” and was a precipitous drop. Given the over.” Whether this is an accurate the 11 dioceses. Since this study was 90 percent said they would do it all statement, “Morale in the priesthood perception or not, it is important, conducted after the media crisis had over again. is good,” the endorsement rate because it threatens the bond of waned in most areas, it should pro- In the pre-crisis N.F.P.C. study, dropped to 40 percent. Apparently trust between bishop and priest. vide a good sampling of how priests when asked more specifically about priests believe that other priests are are feeling in the wake of the crisis. what they found of “great impor- hurting and suffering because of the Vocations, Workload and Morale tance” as a source of priestly satis- crisis. Any discussion of priestly morale Satisfaction Is Strong and Consistent faction, 90 percent endorsed “joy of The crisis has indeed taken some today ought to take into account the In this survey, the priests were administering the sacraments and measurable toll on priests. When concerns priests have about being given a statement, “Overall, I am presiding over liturgy,” 80 percent asked if they feel that “people now overloaded with work. Ministry has happy as a priest.” Of the 834 priests, endorsed “satisfaction of preaching look at [you] with suspicion,” 29 always been a kind of “bottomless 92 percent either agreed or strongly the word,” and 67 percent endorsed percent of those surveyed said yes. pit.” But this bottomless pit has

BOSTON COLLEGE | C 21 RESOURCES | WINTER 2005 5 become even more threatening with lives and ministries as priests make a satisfaction and happiness of our St. Luke Institute in Silver Spring, the recent declining numbers of difference in the world, 90 percent priests. In this survey, 95 percent Md., is a psychologist and a consultant to priests and increasing numbers of said yes. When given the statement, professed to have a “personal rela- the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Catholics. When given the statement, “I am committed to the ministry of tionship with God (or Jesus) that is committee on child sexual abuse. “I feel overwhelmed with the amount the Catholic Church,” the response nourishing to me.” We are blessed of work I have to do,” 45 percent was almost unanimous: 96 percent to have such strong men of faith Reprinted with permission from America. of the priests agreed. said yes. In the end, our priests serving the people of God. Copyright 2004 by America Press Inc. But priests are still strong supporters believe that their lives are well spent of vocations. When given the personal and make a difference in other peo- Rev. Stephen J. Rossetti, president of statement, “If I had a nephew, I would ple’s lives. Many of our young people encourage him to become a priest,” are looking for just such a life. They 74 percent of the priests sampled want their lives to matter, and they agreed. And 74 percent said they would be blessed to be introduced to actively encourage prospects to a life of priestly service. become priests. This is another Choosing Hope strong sign of positive morale. Peo- Celibacy and Morale ple who are negative about their Mandatory celibacy has long been For Elie Wiesel vocations are unlikely to encourage named as a sore spot in priestly morale. others to follow in their footsteps. In Only slightly more than half in this BY MARY ENDA HUGHES, S.S.N.D. surveys done by the U.S. Confer- current survey, 55 percent, endorsed ence of Catholic Bishops, 78 percent the statement, “I support the of the newly ordained report that requirement that priests live a celi- But the reality of God bate life.” But only a small portion of is love the priests sampled, 17 percent, in- dicated that they would marry if given which is the reason for the miracles Nevertheless, the chance. And 70 percent said, that we keep wanting, “Celibacy has been a positive experi- almost half of priests ence for me.” Thus, when assessing so now in the after-time their own celibate lives, a clear let the small ones happen report feeling majority remain appreciative and and not escape our knowing contented. Imagine giving the overwhelmed with following statement to married despite the shattered cities couples throughout the United and the weeping seas States: “Marriage has been a positive the amount of work that somehow experience for me.” Would 70 percent they have to do. say yes? we will hear the stars The overall morale of priests in come out this country is high. Priests them- selves say that their own morale is as well as see them, before they entered the seminary, good. And these high rates of satis- for then the lovely a priest had directly asked them faction have been consistent over Spirit Wind that takes us to consider priesthood. This direct several years and different surveys. encouragement of vocations by priests The priesthood is a rewarding life that despite the shattered cities is an important vocational tool. offers much satisfaction. At the end and the weeping seas Some in the public believe that of the day, priests know from their revealing sudden love priestly morale is bad and that the own experience that their lives and life of a priest is lonely and unfulfilling. ministry make a difference in the world. in broken places This negative perception certainly This is not to say that our priests will not be lost has a detrimental influence on voca- are not facing serious challenges. Many tions. But surveys of morale suggest feel overwhelmed with the amount of will not be lost in us that this perception is not true. I work. Also, in the wake of the crisis, in case suspect that priestly satisfaction rates some priests believe they are now there are no words are as high as in any profession, if being viewed with suspicion. Priests not higher. For example, in the pre- report having a good personal rela- in the silence viously cited CNN poll of 5,000 tionship with their own bishops, and of a still Americans, only 63 percent said they a strong majority approve of their possible were “happy with their current job,” leadership. But most priests do not as opposed to 90 percent of the priests trust the current process for dealing brand new in the diocesan surveys, who said they with allegations of sexual abuse. world were happy in their current ministry. Despite all that has happened, these Perhaps one of the most needed voca- men are resilient and are proud to be tional tools is to get the word out about priests today. Sister Mary Enda Hughes is a poet who lives in Boston. how satisfied our priests are. There is one other factor that might When asked if they believe their help to account for the enduring

6 BOSTON COLLEGE | C 21 RESOURCES | WINTER 2005 The Priceless Gift of the Priesthood

BY WILLIAM P. LEAHY, S.J. examining the pattern of my life, I of Harvard University or Stanford But I trust that God and his believe I freely and positively chose University. Perhaps not. But as a people will sustain me and my fellow love being a priest. To be a to be ordained, obviously not know- priest I was glad to be there to offer priests, now and in the future, and priest is to be given a precious ing all that would be asked of me as whatever comfort I could. that my vocation, with all of its gifts, gift and invited to serve peo- a Jesuit priest but at the same time Such moments have been part of will never cease to be the wonderfully ple and work for the greater trusting in God’s grace. my life as a priest, and as a result I fulfilling experience that it is for me glory of God in a special way. So much of the grace and freedom feel truly blessed by God. today. II realize that such convictions may that I believe is part of my life has I do not deny that there have strike some as inconceivable in come to me through my fellow been times of suffering and sorrow Rev. William P. Leahy, S.J., is the today’s world, but they are true for Jesuits. They have profoundly influ- in my life. Like so many others, I president of Boston College. me and for so many men who have enced me, and I owe them a tremen- feel betrayed and saddened by the chosen to minister as priests in the dous debt. shameful incidents of sexual miscon- Reprinted with the permission of the author Catholic Church. I have never met a finer group of duct committed by some priests, so from the April 17, 2002 issue of The Boston I am a Jesuit priest because of the men, and they have given me far devastating and harmful, especially Globe. grace of God, not because I have more than I deserve or have a right to children and their families. earned or merited such a vocation. to expect. I have been privileged to When I review my life, I see evidence know a great number of excellent priests, men who are deeply human the Church in the 21st century online courses and generous. The quality and com- mitment of their lives speak so I felt God drawing me eloquently to me about priesthood. How Can Parents Share Their Faith With Their Children? They do not promote themselves or toward the priesthood, continually tell you about their latest achievements and insights. Instead, Discuss this question with religious education experts in an online they have a self-possession and Boston College learning community. not as a duty, but as a simplicity about them. They do not seek for themselves, but give to Parents Handing On the Faith personal invitation others. They are ministers in every This non-credit course examines the challenges of raising children sense of the word. I wanted to accept. The Gospel of Matthew urges, Catholic in today’s less cohesive, more individualistic society. “The gift you have received, give as Moderated by Dr. Barbara Radtke, in collaboration with Professor a gift.” These words apply to the Thomas Groome, the course uses online resources and small group priesthood. It is a gift, a grace to be discussion to explore everyday “teachable moments” for sharing faith. of grace and freedom, freedom as used prudently and wisely, of course, defined by the Jesuit theologian Karl but nonetheless one that does not • March 28 through April 22, 2005 Rahner: “the power to decide about allow for holding back or refusing to oneself and to actualize oneself.” get involved with the human situation. • Register by March 22. Cost: $75 Ever since I can remember, there To be a priest requires living a life has been a sense that I would some- marked by faith, integrity, and service, • Site open for exploration and online tutorial starting March 11 day be a priest. I recall a moment in and it offers the possibility for doing Iowa when I was 7 or 8. My broth- so much good and for helping make Course offers: ers, sisters, and I were talking about God more present in our world. • A focus on integrating faith in everyday life what we would be when we grew up. One day this winter I visited the I said that I wanted to be a farmer or parents of a recent graduate of • Four weeks with a facilitator in a small discussion community a baseball player, but privately I told Boston College whose son, like 20 • An initial week to explore the Web site and become comfortable my mother that I thought I would other alumni of our university, was with the online environment be a priest. killed in the attack on the World That early desire for the priest- Trade Center. • Ongoing technology support hood has always been with me, not In grief and pride they told stories • Ability to sign on, use resources, and post messages 24/7 as something oppressive or robbing about their son, and showed me me of my freedom but as an invita- photographs, awards, and diplomas Note: minimum Internet connection requirement is 56K. tion. I entered the Society of Jesus that chronicled his young life. (the Jesuits) because I wanted to, They were speaking to me, I Register online at bc.edu/church21/c21online or call Maureen Lamb at because I felt God drawing me to it. knew, as the president of the institu- Nothing in the years since has ever tion their son had loved but also as a 800–487–1167. made me want to change my mind. priest. They asked if I would like to Ordination was not a time when I go upstairs and see their son’s bed- Cosponsored by The Church in the 21st Century and The Institute for was plagued with doubts or appre- room, which they had kept exactly as Religious Education and Pastoral Ministry. hensions. Rather, after listening to he had left it. Perhaps they would myself, my deepest desires, and have asked the same of the president

BOSTON COLLEGE | C 21 RESOURCES | WINTER 2005 7 ‘Why I am Still Catholic’

A converted explains what sustains him in a troubled Church

BY RICHARD K. TAYLOR another. We practice collaborative entirely lay-led and has no ordained says that such organized Catholic ministry between laity and the ordained. clergy. But some of the finest, most efforts represent the most powerful was raised in the Quaker faith At times in our spirited liturgy, it is dedicated and, yes, holy people I lobby for justice and peace in this and became a Catholic in 1982 as if we are catching glimpses of the have ever met are priests and nuns. whole country. at age 49. For the first time in radiant Church as the living As much as I may be appalled by The preferential love for the poor, these subsequent 22 years, Christ meant it to be. what a few clerics do, it is priests so central to Catholic social teaching, many longstanding Catholic I find that goodness and beauty in and sisters who, again and again, also finds expression in hundreds of Ifriends are telling me they are seri- the small “c” (universality) of my parish have shown me the face of Christ. Catholic hospitals and thousands of ously considering leaving the Church. and of Catholicism in general. Like When I’m not reacting negatively Catholic social service agencies Others say they are hanging on by no other Church, Catholicism em- to some pronouncement that seems throughout the country. My own their fingernails. Most of these braces people of all cultures, races, absurd, I also appreciate the existence inner-city parish has over 20 min- friends are active in their local ages, classes and nationalities. I know of the teaching magisterium of the istries, mostly run by lay people. In parishes. They serve as eucharistic that some parishes are mostly one Church. For all its human faults, our services to the homeless and ministers, lectors or soup kitchen race, but rarely are they one class. heavy-handedness and sometimes marginalized, it sometimes seems as volunteers. These are faithful people I’m blessed to see this in my own arrogance, I believe it is largely though Jesus himself were coming who are grieving over a Church they inner-city parish. When we gather responsible (along with the Holy directly to us in what Blessed Mother love. for worship, I watch young and old, Spirit) for upholding the truth that Teresa called “the distressing disguise They say it is very hard, even whites, blacks, Latinos, Asians and is in Christ. The magisterium helps of the poor.” heart-wrenching, to be Catholic people of various other ethnicities keep us on track. It helps hold us these days. Everywhere they turn, reverently coming together. The together and contain our tensions, Christ as Anchor there are painful realities that under- homeless, released prison inmates rather than splitting us apart, as Many years before becoming cut their commitment to the Church: and persons with mental and physical has happened so often in Christian Catholic, I “accepted Christ as my sex abuse scandals. Bishop cover-ups. disabilities are welcomed, along with history. It helps us honor Jesus’ Lord and Savior,” as our evangelical Retrogressive changes in the liturgy. people who are well-off. People of prayer “that they may all be one” friends would say. For me, a deeply The fading hope that women’s lead- all sexual orientations praise God (John 17:21). lodged anchor of my Catholicism is ership gifts can ever be expressed in together. I know that this wonderful I find tremendous goodness in the the absolutely central place it gives ordination. The lowly status of the universality will happen again and centuries-old tradition of Catholic to Jesus Christ. Every time we meet, laity, whose talents, intelligence and again, “24/7,” as the Mass is celebrated social teaching, which Pope John we not only reaffirm our faith in experience are largely disdained by around the world. Paul II and others before him have Christ but are nourished and chal- the hierarchy. The Church, these I love the sacraments, and I love articulated so well. I love its affirma- lenged, by Word and Eucharist, to longtime Catholics say, treats them the Mass. I can’t imagine my life tion of human dignity, social justice live out our Christian faith in daily like children. without the ability on any day to and the common good, its protection life. So they ask themselves: Why do I join my brothers and sisters—along of the unborn, its linkage of faith with At times the Church has expressed stay? Why am I still Catholic? When with the angels and saints and choirs works, and the wisdom it gives its faith in horrendous ways. At times I try to answer this question for of heaven—in praising and thanking about how to transform the world it has taught untenable things, like myself, I find that I am troubled and God. I can't imagine not being nur- to be more like the reign of God. I supporting slavery or demeaning often outraged by the same things tured by the body and blood of Christ. know of no other religious body Jews. On occasion, it still supports that alienate my Catholic friends. that has the depth of Catholic social the untenable (for example, its For now, though, the basic answer is Not Only Mass teaching. teaching against contraception and that so far as I can discern, this is The Mass is central, but it is only And it’s not just talk. Every year I women’s ordination). But at its best, where God calls me to be. I believe part of the immense spiritual richness go to a conference organized by the it has never wavered in upholding its that the good, the true and the of Catholicism that I treasure. In U.S. Catholic Conference, the bish- core belief in Jesus Christ. At its beautiful in the Catholic Church still addition to the liturgy we have the ops’ administrative arm. Social best, it has held Jesus before humanity, far outweigh the bad, the false and lives of the saints and mystics, the action directors and community not only theologically but embodied the ugly. great prayer traditions, devotion to activists—500 or more priests and in Christ-filled human beings who Here is my inventory of the good. Mary, spiritual direction, the multi- vowed religious and lay people— take up their cross and follow him. First and foremost, I find enor- plicity of retreat centers, the won- come together with bishops and Catholicism is a marvelously, unam- mous goodness in my local parish, derful books on spirituality—all have other Catholic leaders to learn about biguously Christ-centered faith. I find St. Vincent de Paul in Philadelphia. helped me enormously in my spiritual each other’s work for peace, justice that very good, true and beautiful. (I'm sure many Catholics would say journey. Where would I be without and the integrity of creation. They Many of my disheartened friends the same about their own parishes.) them? represent tens of thousands of other may find it hard to believe that in spite In spite of our many human failings, In addition, I value the priesthood Catholics from their home dioceses of the rigid directives often sent from this is a place where people of faith and vowed religious life. That is a big with the same commitment. My Rome, the Catholic Church is amaz- really are trying to be disciples of step for a person raised in eastern friend Jim Wallis, a Protestant leader ingly open to positive change. The Christ and to love God and one seaboard Quakerism, which is and editor of Sojourners Magazine, Mass is now in the vernacular, not in

8 BOSTON COLLEGE | C 21 RESOURCES | WINTER 2005 Latin, as it had been for centuries before. Biblical scholarship, which ‘Why I Choose to Stay’ had been rejected for so long, is now accepted. The laity is affirmed as having a baptismal dignity equal to that of priests. The Church no longer A woman tells of the hope and ‘tough grace’ that impels her to remain sees itself as the one and only path to salvation. The Church has confessed its mistake in holding the Jewish people responsible for Christ's death BY CHRISTINE SCHENK the liberating and inclusive practice U.S. parishes are without a resident and, in this pope, is reaching out to of Jesus. priest, there are more priests older repair the breach between Judaism eople sometimes ask me These women and men won’t leave than 90 than younger than 30, and, and Christianity. All these positive why I stay in the Catholic because they refuse to allow the in- for the foreseeable future, ordina- changes have occurred just in the Church since there seems stitution of Catholicism, a source of tions will lag far behind priests who last 50 years. to be no future for women so much good in their own lives, in resign, retire or die. in ministerial roles. With their communities and in the world, While priests become increasingly Worth Struggling For Pthe current papal administration to succumb to its own demons. But scarce, we have an abundance of These reforms make me believe firmly rejecting any talk of women how to work for Jesus’ inclusive women ministers. Over 82% of all that the injustices in which the priests, even to the point of invoking practice in an institution whose paid lay ministers (which some esti- Church is involved today can and infallibility, hope for Women’s equality leaders would rather silence you than mate number as many as 100,000) will be changed. As Rev. Martin in Church decisionmaking seems speak to you? How to work in an are women. Another 35,000 women Luther King affirmed, “the arc of bleak indeed. And it isn’t only docu- institution that chooses secrecy, serve as Catholic chaplains (85% of the moral universe is long, but it ments such as Ordinatio Sacerdotalis blindly protecting priest sex abusers the total), not to mention the tens of bends toward justice.” Already, that suppress women’s perspectives. rather than address factors such as thousands of female parish religious out of the sexual abuse scandals New requirements listed by the the dramatic decline in priests and educators, Catholic school teachers have come not only creative groups General Instruction on the Roman Missal rampant clericalism among bureau- and pastoral musicians. like Voice of the Faithful but books, restricting when lay people may cratic decision-makers? We are talking about a lot of peo- conferences and prophetic voices preach effectively silence women ple here...as in female people serving calling for a profound transfor- ministers’ proclamation of the good Women Fill a Gap the Catholic Church. As in fe- mation so that the Church can news in parishes small and large even A closer look at some statistics male people whose gifts are under- more nearly be like the communi- though many pastors have encouraged about Catholic infrastructures, both utilized, whose perspectives are not ty of Jesus’ vision. I think a them to preach. in the United States and worldwide, sought, who are excluded from deci- Church like that is worth strug- Punitive actions taken by individual may provide some perspective. sion-making from Vatican offices gling and sacrificing to help bring bishops and the Vatican against According to the recently released to many parish committees. These about. women like Sister Carmel McEnroy, Annuario Pontificio, at the end of 2001 faithful women ministers form a Many of my questioning Catholic Sister Barbara Fiand, Rev. Mary there were 1.06 billion Catholics in vast intertwined network that un- friends feel deep anger toward the Ramerman, Sister Joan Chittister and the world but only 405,067 priests. dergirds the Church’s mission from Church along with despair that it others who seek to keep the conver- The Church’s mission is being carried Auckland to Zambia. If for no other will ever change. I don’t think anger sation open have sent a chilling out by 2,813,252 catechists, 792,317 reason than survival, these female against injustice is a bad thing. St. message to loyal Catholic women and professed nuns, 139,078 lay mission- ministers have developed excellent Augustine said: men who serve the Church: Don’t aries, 54,970 religious brothers who working relationships with Catholic Hope has two lovely daughters: tell us what you really think, or you are not priests, 31,512 members of men, including priests, deacons and Anger and Courage. could lose your job. You could be secular institutes, 29,204 permanent lay leaders. Anger that things are not what excommunicated. deacons and 4,649 bishops. To my To turn to the academy for a they ought to be; With winds like these blowing knowledge, the Annuario Pontificio moment, we must recognize the Courage to make them what they through Catholicism, why would has not included gender in its demo- remarkable contribution of contem- might be. any self-respecting woman want to graphics of catechists, lay missionaries porary female theologians, biblical If we stop with anger, we'll be stay? And why would any responsible and members of secular institutes. scholars and liturgists such as frustrated and tempted to withdraw. parent want their daughters and sons However, if only 50% of these were Rosemary Ruether, Monika Hellwig, We need courage, I think, to make to learn the ways of God in such an women (which is probably a low Elizabeth Schussler-Fiorenza, the Church what it might be. And openly sexist institution? estimate), we see that of the 4,270,049 Phyllis Trible, Sandra Schneiders, prayer. And love. The short answer is grace. Tough people serving in the apostolate Elizabeth Johnson, Barbara Reid, grace. Not the cheap, sappy, sweet worldwide (including bishops, priests Jane Schaberg, Mary Collins, Diana Richard K. Taylor is a grandfather of variety that some associate with the and deacons), at least 2,284,238 Hayes, Catherine LaCugna, Miriam nine children and an active member of term. This tough grace takes God at people or 54% of the total are Therese Winter, Jeannette Rodriguez, St. Vincent de Paul Church in God’s own liberating Word and fully women. Mary R. Thompson, Elaine Pagels, Philadelphia. In the 1960s, he worked expects Jesus’ Spirit to finally break As of 2002, there were 44,874 Mary Catherine Hilkert, Anne Carr, on staff for Martin Luther King, Jr. down those brittle hierarchical walls priests in the United States, a 24 Catharina Halkes, Florence Gilman, surrounding our contemporary Vatican percent decline from 1965. But the Bonnie Thurston, Lisa Sowle Cahill, Reprinted with permission from The National Jericho. Only this time, the person “ministry gap” widened as the num- Ida Raming, Diane Bergant, Phyllis Catholic Reporter. Copyright 2004 by the blowing the horn is not only a solitary ber of Catholics actually increased Zagano, Joan Nuth, Margaret National Catholic Reporter Publishing Co. Joshua, but hundreds of thousands by 27% from 46.6 to 62.2 million Mitchell, Margaret Farley, Joan of Catholic men and women who know in 2002. According to a recent U.S. Chittister, Pheme Perkins and myriad their full giftedness for making real Bishops’ Conference study, 27% of others who for the first time in

BOSTON COLLEGE | C 21 RESOURCES | WINTER 2005 9 history, are turning a female lens isters, Catholic teachers, sisters, of Catholic people hungry for In the end, the question for us toward biblical study and Catholic priests, deacons and even the occa- contemporary biblical scholarship today may be the same one posed by theology. sional Catholic bishop. These women and hungry for an adult understanding Jesus to his first disciples: “Who do These new insights are providing and men took (and often creatively of and relationship to Jesus Christ— you say that I am?” If our response wonderfully fresh understandings of adapted) resources developed and a Jesus whom they now understand continues along the chauvinist lines how radically inclusive is the God of distributed by our dedicated Future- much better because they see with of recent Vatican pronouncements, I Abraham (and Sarah), Isaac (and Re- Church cadre of writers and staffers. new eyes the historical context of his would say there is not much of a becca), Jacob (and Rachel). And that They sponsored innumerable work- life and death. Even more, they ask future for women ormen in the God is rightly imaged not only as shops, educational programs and and discover what the power of his Church, let alone for Christianity. “He” but also as “She Who Is” in prayer services about the inclusive resurrection might mean for them, But it will not be so. Our witness to Beth Johnson’s seminal work on God practice of Jesus. In the past five for women, for oppressed minorities the inclusive practice of Jesus, in the in feminine metaphor. For the first years, they have involved more than and for the Church. power of the Spirit, will shape our time, women and men are discovering 80,000 people worldwide in an esti- future much more than any decree there were women disciples in Jesus’ mated 1,500 celebrations of the feast The End Is the Beginning from any Vatican bureaucrat. Galilean entourage. For the first of St. Mary of Magdala and sponsored One of my favorite poets, T.S. Jesus’ real name was Yeshua, Ara- time, women experience themselves monthly prayer and study groups Eliot, once wrote: “in my end is my maic for Joshua. I think I hear some as equally called and chosen to pro- using our Celebrating Women beginning.” In the end, the future of walls creaking right now. claim the good news of Jesus’ victory Witnesses resources which contain women in our Church is inextricably over sin and death as did Mary of essays and prayer services written by entwined both with their beginnings Christine Schenk has master’s degrees in Magdala on that first Easter morning. experts about women who resisted (where coequal leadership flourished midwifery and theology. She is director of But to return to my earlier question: patriarchal values of their time be- for the first three centuries) and with FutureChurch, a coalition of parish-based How to work for Jesus’ inclusive cause of belief in Jesus. Our project the future of the Church as institution. Catholics seeking full participation of all practice in an institution whose lead- partners, Call to Action and its 41 Women are the Church as well as Catholics in the life of the Church. It ers would rather silence you than regional networks, have given our men, so I would say their future as advocates opening ordination to all speak to you? work an entree in many places it Church is assured. The Catholic called to it by God and the people of God. For the past seven years, I have otherwise would not have had. Church as an institution, however, been privileged to work with more I myself have given many parish has no future at all without ongoing Reprinted with permission from The than 8,000 parish-based Catholics scripture workshops on Jesus’ inclusive recourse to the saving mystery of American Catholic. Copyright 2003 by The including lay leaders of small faith practice, providing a sort of “Scripture Jesus Christ, whose own Spirit will American Catholic. communities, spirituality, justice and 101” orientation to invariably fasci- free us from the demons of sexism, adult education groups, women min- nated adult Catholics. I met hundreds clericalism, apathy and despair.

Lourdes Diary

BY JAMES MARTIN, S.J. aging me to join the knights and to meet them at Baltimore-Wash- the Rosary. The in-flight movie, not dames on their annual trip to Lourdes. ington Airport three hours before surprisingly, is “The Song of And though I have a great devotion our 7:00 p.m. charter flight, which Bernadette,” which I had not seen part one: donning to St. Bernadette and had just read will fly directly to Tarbes airport, a for many years. It corresponds rea- the black cassock Ruth Harris’s excellent study, Lourdes: few kilometers away from Lourdes. sonably well to the original story of Body and Spirit in a Secular Age, I We are greeted by a sea of people, the apparitions at Lourdes, though it turned down his kind invitation. Too mostly middle-aged or elderly, some stints on the natural toughness of busy, I said. wearing silver medals dangling from Bernadette Soubirous. In Lourdes, ere’s something you But last summer he called while I red ribbons denoting the number of Ruth Harris points out that don’t hear every day was directing a retreat, a time when pilgrimages they have made. Scat- Bernadette assiduously turned down from a Jesuit,” I said one naturally feels more open and tered in the crowd are men and pleas to imitate the physical actions to a friend living in a free. This time, he invited me in women in wheelchairs or looking of the Virgin (like making the Sign Jesuit residence at earnest, along with two Jesuit friends, painfully thin. Other couples cradle of the Cross) and, more famously, HFordham University. “I’m here to to work as chaplains on the next children obviously suffering from refused to accept gifts, despite her pick up a cassock for my trip to trip. “Sure,” I said. “Sign us up.” either illness or birth defects. These appalling poverty. Far from compro- Lourdes.” Finding companions was easy. are, as I already know from Ruth mising her image, such toughness The pilgrimage to Fordham was Two friends, Brian, a priest who Harris’ book, the malades, the sick, makes her in reality a more convinc- in preparation for a seven-day works at a retreat house, and George, the main reason for the journey. ing saint than does the film’s portrayal. pilgrimage to the little town in the who would be ordained a month Their trips have been paid for by the French Pyrenees where the Virgin after our trip, signed on immediately. order—a wonderful act of charity. Mary appeared to the 14-year-old Everyone, including the malades, Thursday, April 29 Bernadette Soubirous in 1858. Two boards the plane cheerfully. We land after a long flight, a years ago, a friend who is a member Wednesday, April 28 The flight begins unlike any I’ve sleepless one for me. The bus ride of the Order of Malta began encour- The Order of Malta has asked us been on, with a bishop leading us in from the airport, through a rainy

10 BOSTON COLLEGE | C 21 RESOURCES | WINTER 2005 countryside studded with tall poplars, silence, and as I approach I am met many members of the Order of simple, the prayers strike me as pow- is full of lively conversation, and we drawn to the obvious peace: serenity Malta, as well as many of the malades. erful, particularly as I notice a frail quickly arrive at our lodgings, the seems to radiate from Massabieille. The term here is not pejorative. man helped over the slippery ground Hotel Saint-Sauveur. It looks as if all Hundreds of people are gathered be- “We’re all malades in one way or by his companion. “Lord, I know the hotels and shops at Lourdes fore the space—malades in their blue another,” says a bishop on pilgrimage what you are telling me,” says the boast religious names, and it is carts, a Polish priest with a group of with us. text for the Fourth Station. “To startling to see a shop selling tacky pilgrims praying the Rosary and a The range of illnesses they live watch the pain of those we love is souvenirs named after Charles de young backpacker in jeans kneeling with is stunning: cancer, AIDS, harder than to bear our own.” Foucauld, who lived in extreme on the ground. Many stand in line to Lyme disease, dementia, birth Tonight’s Rosary procession is as poverty in the desert or, worse, a walk through the Grotto. Joining them, defects. At lunch, I sit with a couple moving as last night’s, if this is possi- knickknack shop huddled under a I run my hand over the smooth wet from Philadelphia. The woman ble. Somehow, in the midst of this sign that reads “L’Immaculée rock and am astonished to spy the suffers from a disease I have never huge crowd, Brian, George and I are Conception.” After lunch our group spring uncovered by Bernadette. I heard of, which has left her, in her spotted by one of the officials of the (perhaps 250 of us) processes to am filled with wonder at being here. late 30’s, unable to walk easily and Domaine that is, the sprawling area Mass in what will become our usual As I pass beneath the Virgin’s statue, prone to a host of painful physical surrounding the Grotto and the formation: the malades, seated in I notice a host of tiny flowering ailments. She and her husband are basilica. “Vous êtes prêtres?” he asks. small hand-pulled carts, are in front, plants of marvelous variety under aware of the seriousness of her con- “Are you priests?” When I nod, he accompanied by companions, followed her feet, and think of medieval tapes- dition, but they are consistently pulls us through the crowd to the by the rest of us. tries. friendly, happy and solicitous, and I steps of the basilica. There we join A letter we received prior to Dogtired after dinner, I wander like them immediately. other priests who gaze out at the departure said: “Your cassock can be over to the Grotto. Purchasing “Oh, I’m fine,” she enormous throng, just then raising worn anywhere at anytime. It will be two candles, I pray for my says. “I’ve been their voices in the “Lourdes Hymn” useful for the Mass in the Grotto family. I place the tapers laughing since I got in the damp night air. ...and of course during all the pro- among an array of can- here. So many An English priest turns to me and cessions....” Rather than risk giving dles huddled under a funny things have says, “The universal Church looks offense, Brian, George and I have metal shed, whose wall happened!” As well tonight, doesn’t it?” scrounged up some Jesuit cassocks, bears the inscription, we process to and we decide to wear them today. “This flame con- Mass, Brian Far from an embarrassment, as I had tinues my prayer.” and George part two: grotto at expected, the black cassock somehow Nearby, quietly de- feels right in Lourdes. As we cross pilgrims are scribe the massabieille the square in front of the basilica, I congregating conditions notice brown-robed Franciscans, in time for faced by white-robed Dominicans and even a the evening other Saturday, May 1 black-and-white Trappist. While the Rosary pro- malades his morning I am plain Roman collar makes me feel cession. In a they have waiting for a turn at priestly, the cassock helps me to feel short time met. the baths here in very Jesuit. thousands of Lour- Lourdes. On long After Mass in the ornate basilica, people light des, of course, wooden benches under someone suggests a visit to the their small is famous for its healing aT stone portico sit the malades, the Grotto, which I had mistakenly white can- waters, though nothing in the sick, along with their companions assumed was far off. But the Church dles and words of Mary to St. Bern- and other pilgrims. Flanking me are is built directly atop the rocky out- begin walk- adette suggests this. (She merely two men from our pilgrimage with cropping, and when I go around the ing together said, “Go drink of the spring and the Order of Malta. One, a fortyish corner, passing huge racks of candles as an announcer declaims the prayers bathe yourself there.”) The short red-haired man, is strangely quiet. for sale, I am shocked to come upon and mysteries of the Rosary in French, paperback guide we receive wisely Later I learn that he is suffering it. In Bernadette’s time Massabieille English, Spanish, Italian, Polish and counsels against expecting physical from a form of dementia brought on (the word in the local patois means German. Slowly we process around healings. As we would discover, spir- by Lyme disease. His caring wife “old stone”) was where pigs came to the huge oval pavement before the itual healing is the more common suffers greatly. Carved in the stone forage and garbage washed ashore basilica. After the first decade, the outcome for pilgrims. But I pray for wall are the Virgin’s words to St. from the Gave River. Now, under crowd begins to sing the “Lourdes actual physical healing for the malades Bernadette: “Go drink of the spring the massive bulk of the gray Church, Hymn.” anyway, especially the ones I know, and bathe yourself there.” Every few is the site familiar from holy cards As the first Ave Maria is sung out here and at home. minutes the Ave Maria is sung in and reproductions in local churches: over the square, tens of thousands of In the afternoon, our group goes another language. sinuous gray rocks hover over a plain pilgrims lift their orange-flamed to the Stations of the Cross located After an hour, the three of us are altar, before which stands a huge candles in unison, and I am over- on the side of a steep hill. The life- called into a small room surrounded iron candelabra. In the small niche come by this profession of faith: sized figures are painted a lurid gold. by blue-and-white-striped curtains. where the apparitions occurred, a malades and the able-bodied, of all The knights and dames assist many Once inside, we strip to our under- statue of the Virgin is surrounded by ages, from across the world. It seems of the malades along the rocky ter- shorts and wait patiently on flimsy the words spoken to Bernadette on a vision of what the world could be. rain in a cold drizzle. We are handed plastic chairs. From the other side of March 25, 1858: “Que soy era a small booklet called Everyone’s another curtain I hear the splashing Immaculada Concepciou.” Way of the Cross, and I groan in- of someone entering the bath, and in The area before the Grotto is Friday, April 30 wardly, expecting banal sentiments. a few seconds he emerges with a marked off by signs requesting By now, Brian, George and I have But I am wrong. If the writing is wide grin. As I wonder if the legend

BOSTON COLLEGE | C 21 RESOURCES | WINTER 2005 11 that Lourdes water dries off “mirac- to the underground Church for a seriously ill, turn their expectant unlikely as a bathroom. After all, the ulously” is true, another curtain solemn Mass for the Order of Malta, faces to the cardinal. He puts them original apparitions at Lourdes oc- parts. A smiling attendant invites me whose members are gathered in Lourdes at their ease instantly, and says that curred in a filthy place where pigs inside: “Mon père.” for their annual visit. we all feel like sardines, and not to came to forage. When I enter the Inside a small chamber three men There are scores of priests in the worry about standing up during the lobby, an elderly man from our group stand around a sunken stone bath. sacristy, dozens of bishops, and even Mass, since sardines don’t have to. asks to speak with me about some- My high-school French comes in three cardinals. The entrance pro- Everyone laughs. Yesterday, the car- thing that happened to him in the handy and we chat amiably. One vol- cession, which makes its way through dinal led a huge eucharistic proces- baths this morning. unteer points to a wooden peg and, tens of thousands of malades, com- sion near the Grotto. It is a marvel This rational and sensible Catholic after I hang up my undershorts, he panions, knights, dames, pilgrims, to see a priest who can preach both has come to Lourdes after a long quickly wraps a cold wet towel students and everybody else, is to thousands and to a handful of illness. (I’ve changed some of the around my waist. (“I think they kept almost alarmingly joyful. High above people. He offers a short, moving details here, but not the essentials.) them in the freezer for us,” says one the floor, mammoth screens show homily on the meaning of suffering, Through tears he says that after of the malades at lunch.) Another the words of the hymn, which, now and I think of the incongruity of visiting the baths, he was in the carefully guides me to the lip of the in English, now in French, now in it all: we are here because of a poor men’s bathroom and heard a woman’s bath and asks me to pray for the Italian, now in Spanish, now in 14-year-old girl. voice say, in a few words, that his healing I need. When I cross myself German, are taken up by the throng. sins were forgiven. The bathroom they bow their heads and pray along At Communion time I am handed a was entirely empty, and there are with me. gold ciborium brimming with hosts obviously no women anywhere near Two of them gently take my and am pointed to a young Italian the men’s baths at Lourdes. arm and lead me down the steps guard who carries a yellow flag. He Before coming to Lourdes, he into the bath, where the water is has a girlfriend in America, he had prayed for this grace. Despite a cold, but no colder than a swimming explains, and maybe she could call recent confession, he still felt the pool. “Asseyez-vous,” one says, and I you if she needs to talk? Flag aloft, weight of his sins. In response, I tell sit down as they hold my arms. Here, he leads me into a sea of people him that there are many ways that praying in this dimly lit room, in who engulf me and stretch out their God communicates with us— this spring water, held by two kind hands for Communion, as if it’s the through insights, emotions, memo- people, I feel entirely separated from most important thing in the world, ries—and that while people rarely the rest of life. And then—whoosh— which of course it is. report this type of experience, it is they stand me up and point to a statue Later on, walking with a Franciscan On a rainy afternoon, I spend a not unheard of. Something similar of Mary, whose feet I kiss. Then I’m priest, I am asked by a French few hours in a vaguely Gothic build- represented a pivotal event in Moth- handed a quick drink of water from a pilgrim to hear a confession. So we ing with a white-and-blue sign out er Teresa’s life. He is surprised when pitcher. sit on a stone bench in the sun, and front: Confessions. Before the I say that I was just thinking that a As a volunteer shakes my hand, when we have finished, I look up. A building is a statue of St. John Vian- bathroom wouldn’t be such a bad another asks for a blessing. So, wear- little line has formed. An Italian man ney kneeling. In a narrow hallway, place for a religious experience. And ing only a towel, I bless the men, sits down next. Before giving a people sit placidly on benches out- though it’s unexpected, it makes who kneel on the wet stone floor penance, I tell him that while I side doors that announce confessions sense: a grace received in a clear and and cross themselves. “The first time might not understand everything he in English, Spanish, French, Dutch, distinct way while on pilgrimage. you’ve blessed someone without your is saying, God does. German and Italian. There are more Besides, I say, your sins really are clothes?” asks one, and we laugh. Germans than anyone else. Every forgiven. I dress quickly and rush over to few minutes someone pops into my “What did the voice sound like?” the Grotto at Massabieille where Monday, May 3 English cubicle and asks hopefully, I ask. “Oh,” he says, “very peaceful.” our group is celebrating Mass. And, At 6:30 this morning, a group of “Deutsch?” Early the next morning, before yes, the water dries from my skin us leave for the house of St. Bernadette our flight home, I make a final visit immediately. Soubirous. Her house is called the to the Grotto. Even before dawn, cachot because it had been a jail be- Tuesday, May 4 there is a Mass being celebrated, and fore her destitute family had moved Tomorrow we will return to the pilgrims are already here, kneeling Sunday, May 2 in. In René Laurentin’s biography States, so I decide to return to the before the space, running their A gargantuan Church, called Bernadette of Lourdes, he notes that baths today. Inside is a gregarious hands over the rock, praying the the Basilica of St. Pius X, was in this dank, four-by-four-meter attendant I have met before, and Rosary and hoping for healing, as built underground in 1958 near the hovel, two beds served six people. with a broad smile he shouts out, they have been doing since 1858. Grotto of Massabieille, where the ap- Before we arrive, a sister has “Mon ami!” Amazingly, the other An orange sun rises over the paritions took place. It seats arranged the cachot for Mass, which volunteer spies my cassock and says, basilica, and the bells chime the first 25,000 people but can hold will be celebrated by Cardinal “You are a Jesuit? Then you know clear notes of the “Lourdes Hymn” 30,000. The concrete structure Theodore McCarrick, of Washington, my family.” When I look confused, as I cross the square. would resemble an enormous oval D.C., who has joined our group for he says, “I am Polish and my name is parking lot were it not for huge por- a few days. Because of the room’s Kostka.” So I am helped into the Rev. James Martin, S.J., is an associate traits of saints, perhaps 10 feet size, only the malades and their bath by mon ami and a member of editor of America and editor of Awake high, that line the walls. One banner companions can fit, along with the the family of St. Stanislaus Kostka, My Soul: Contemporary Catholics reads “Bienheureux John XXIII.” cardinal, another priest, myself and one of my Jesuit heroes. on Traditional Devotions. The French word for “blessed” the two Jesuit friends who have In the afternoon, brushing my means, literally, “well-happy” and come with me to Lourdes: one a teeth in the hotel bathroom, I think Reprinted with permission from America. seems a far better one than our own. deacon, one a priest. As the Mass that if Mary were to appear today, it Copyright 2004 by America Press Inc. In the morning our group processes begins, 30 people, many of them would probably be in a place as

12 BOSTON COLLEGE | C 21 RESOURCES | WINTER 2005 A Radical Message for the People of God

BY COLLEEN CARROLL CAMPBELL show our love for God by loving and ability (LG, nos. 13, 17). the equal dignity of all people, and serving our neighbors. These radical teachings are liber- their leadership constitutes only one ike so many other teach- The Council fathers expand on ating and challenging. Yet the splen- part of the Church’s mission. Lay ings of the Second Vatican this truth throughout the chapter, as dor of these truths has been dimmed people also have a mission: to grow Council, the central they explain the origins and the in the eyes of many orthodox Catholics, in holiness and spread the Gospel to lessons of the second nature of the People of God. Jesus who have seen others use these their families and communities. The chapter of Lumen Gentium Christ, they write, has instituted a teachings to justify liturgical abuses, People of God must work together Lhave been widely misunderstood and New Covenant through His blood. a disregard for doctrine, and a disdain for the glory of God, as the Council caricatured. Catholics seeking to He has established His people as “‘a for the Magisterium. Though Lumen fathers urged: “Each individual part remake the mystical body of Christ chosen race, a royal priesthood, a Gentium unequivocally affirms the contributes through its special gifts into a representative democracy have holy nation, a purchased people... teaching authority of the Pope and to the good of the other parts and of seized on this chapter’s description who in times past were not a people, the bishops, many dissenting theolo- the whole Church.” of the Church as “the People of God.” but are now the people of God’” gians and Catholics with a “progres- Such unity and cooperation is a That description, they say, justifies a (LG, no. 9). sive” agenda have argued that the far cry from the rancor and division radical rethinking of the Catholic This communion does not yet Church’s communal nature demands we see in so many corners of the faith. include all mankind, yet “[a]ll a leveling of its hierarchy and majority American Church today, where In one respect, at least, they are men are called to belong to the new votes on everything from women’s power struggles and ideological bat- right. tles have fractured faith communities The teachings of Chapter Two, and damaged our Christian witness. “On the People of God,” are radical Rather than working to humbly —in the best sense of the word. To serve the Body of Christ and bring be radical is to return to one’s roots; God does not make men holy and save the Good News to the world, many to get back to basics and revisit one’s Catholics have spent the past four foundations. Lumen Gentium (LG) is them merely as individuals. Rather, God saves decades wrestling against Church indeed a radical document, and its teachings and railing against the second chapter contains some of its us as a family. While this ‘family’ does not yet hierarchy. As a result, evangelization most radical truths. Those truths do and religious education have been not repudiate the hierarchy of the include all mankind, Vatican II reminds us that, woefully neglected. An entire gener- Church or its doctrines. Rather, they ation of Catholics has grown up challenge all Catholics to embrace nevertheless, all are called to belong to this without a firm grounding in the their specific roles in the Church faith. And the culture has grown and use their talents to make Christ new People of God. ‘Though there are many more hostile to Catholic moral known and loved in the world. teachings, which so few Catholics After exploring the mystery of the nations, there is but one People of God.’ explain, defend, or even understand. Church in Chapter One, the Council Pope John Paul II, recognizing Fathers turn their attention in this problem, has spent his prophetic Chapter Two to the Church’s human pontificate sowing the seeds of a and communal dimensions. They New Evangelization. Again and open with a Scripture reference, again, he has called Catholics to join then offer this striking summary of People of God...though there are ordination to the morality of abortion. him in bringing the Gospel to the God’s salvific plan: many nations there is but one After all, they say, we are the ends of the earth—and to their own People of God, which takes its citi- People of God. We are the Church. backyard. His invitation echoes the God, however, does not make men zens from every race, making them And there must be no divisions Great Commission at the end of holy and save them merely as citizens of a kingdom which is of a between us, no differentiation of roles, Matthew’s Gospel, and the radical individuals, without bond or link heavenly rather than of an earthly no decisions without the consent of truths proclaimed in this chapter, between one another. Rather has it nature” (LG, no. 13). the “governed.” which reminds us that we all have a pleased him to bring men together as Here again is a foundational truth Faithful Catholics rightly object responsibility to spread the faith. As one people, a people which acknowledges of our faith: We are all equal in dig- to this unbiblical view of the Church. St. Paul says, and the Council fathers him in truth and serves him in nity before God. With that equality Both Scripture and Tradition affirm repeat, “Woe to me if I do not preach holiness (no. 9). comes responsibility: All of us, whether that Jesus established His Church on the Gospel!” priests, religious, or lay people, have the rock of Peter, to whom He gave Both the Holy Father and the This truth—that God saves us as a duty to proclaim the Gospel and the keys to His kingdom. The Pope Council fathers place special emphasis a family—is radical. It calls us back serve the Church. The Church is and the bishops, as successors to on the role of lay Catholics in this to the Old Testament roots of our “made up of different peoples” and Peter and the apostles, have the God- new evangelization. In the second faith, where the Lord called the “composed of various ranks,” yet given authority to interpret Scripture, chapter of Lumen Gentium, the Jewish people His own. And it “[t]he obligation of spreading the establish doctrine, and guide the Council fathers remind readers of reminds us of our New Testament faith is imposed on every disciple of People of God. the importance of passing on the roots, where Jesus calls all of us to Christ, according to his or her Their authority in no way diminishes faith within the family, which they

BOSTON COLLEGE | C 21 RESOURCES | WINTER 2005 13 call “the domestic Church”: In it Colleen Carroll Campbell is a former parents should, by their word speechwriter to President George W. The Infinity of Now and example, be the first preachers Bush and author of The New Faithful: of the faith to their children; they Why Young Adults Are Embracing should encourage them in the voca- Christian Orthodoxy (Loyola Press, tion which is proper to each of 2002). If we tire of the day-to-day grind, it may be them, fostering with special care vocation to a sacred state (LG, no. Reprinted with permission from Lay Witness because we are only half present 11). Magazine. Copyright 2004 by Catholics United Our families are fertile ground for For the Faith, Inc. the new evangelization. So are our neighborhoods, our workplaces, and BY DANIEL O’LEARY horizon. Like a mother to her baby our towns and cities. No place or or a cellist to her instrument, like a situation is exempt from the call of CHECK OUT t 84, Samuel Beckett painter to his canvas or a priest to Christ to spread the Gospel. We was asked about the his altar, the litter picker, with need not always use grand gestures possibility of his re- meticulous dedication, stoops care- or elegant words: The most power- THE CALENDAR tirement. “What!” he fully to renew the face of the earth. ful witness often comes in the form exclaimed, “Me? of “small things done with great Retire?A Never—not with the fire When I go back to Ireland I’m OF EVENTS AND love,” as Mother Teresa said. Our in me now!” Not all of us are that always struck by the Angelus lives overflow with opportunities to lucky. In my travels, I meet teach- broadcast on television. It is a do these small things—whether we WEB ARCHIVE ers and priests for whom the original valiant effort to recover a kind of are driving through rush-hour traffic, vision of their vocation has all but timing and fine-tuning of the way chatting with colleagues at the water disappeared. There seems to be a we are present to whatever we are cooler, or nursing a baby in the middle OF THE CHURCH universal kind of ennui, a deep- doing at that moment. At twelve of the night. However humble our seated sense of pressure, that is and at six, the bells are tolled. circumstances may be, they offer us IN THE driving people to retire as soon as During the pealing, workers from a opportunities to perform acts of love possible. Equally worrying, whether variety of professions are depicted that build up the Body of Christ. ST it has to do with increasing as lifting their heads and pausing The Lord has called us to partici- 21 CENTURY bureaucracy, target-setting or for the length of a few breaths. pate in His plan of salvation, by appraisals, the very soul seems to You sense they have shifted their witnessing to His love in the world. have dropped out of the world of awareness to another place. They His call may lead us to grand under- work for many. have moved, for a moment, inside takings in the public eye or to unseen How do we restore a new energy themselves, drawn to a horizon sacrifices in the confines of our own to our lives by finding a lost bal- deep within their own soul. It does homes. No matter where we are ance and poise? Is there a way of not seem to be so much a distraction called to proclaim Christ, we should building into our days a ground, a as a way of living more fully in the heed St. Paul’s advice to the Philippians: centre, and a reminder of what is present moment, of being more The Church in the 21st at the heart of all our endeavours, present and devoted to the imme- Have this mind among yourselves, something that would provide a diate work of their hands and eyes. which was in Christ Jesus, who, context and a balance against though he was in the form of God, Century plans lectures, which to measure and nurture our did not count equality with God a energies? An extraordinary thing is thing to be grasped, but emptied panel discussions, and that it isn’t really the amount of himself, taking the form of a ser- work we do that wears us out. St. Benedict told his vant, being born in the likeness of Burn-out has more to do with the men. And being found human form other events at Boston absence of enthusiasm and dedica- monks to hold pots and he humbled himself and became tion. When we work with a passion, obedient unto death, even death on College this spring. Keep everything changes. When our pans in the kitchen a cross (Phil. 2:5-8). heart is in our work, the work itself track of these, and view becomes a kind of extension of our with the same respect Jesus has freed us with the truth hearts. Taking pride in what we do that we are the adopted sons and transforms the weariness. and reverence as chalices daughters of God, equal in dignity video and audio record- with one another and bound together Empty Monday faces behind wet are held at the altar. by His love. Our proper response to ings of past events by windscreens inching their grim way that freedom and equality is not a along the A64 into Leeds. The power grab or a fixation on Church work that awaited was already politics, but humility, gratitude, and visiting our Web site, destroying them. And then I saw service. The People of God owe him, as I see him almost every day. I had a similar awareness when I thanks to the Council Fathers for www.bc.edu/church21. On the verge of the soulless car- joined the Benedictine monks at reminding us of that radical truth. riageway, his face is beautiful with Pluscarden near Aberdeen for six Maybe now, after 40 years of turmoil, attention. He is holding the details weeks some years ago. The regu- we are ready to live it. of his day against an infinite larity of the relentless bells calling

14 BOSTON COLLEGE | C 21 RESOURCES | WINTER 2005 them from working to praying, and decades of their lives.” as to return to them filled with more been on holy ground. back again, was such a grounding When talking to parents, teachers reverence and wonder. St. Benedict, habit. It felt as though both exercises and priests, I often tell this story. It for instance, kept reminding his cel- It is Moses in the desert, fallen to his were being connected; that their transforms the way we see things. It larer to hold his pots and pans in the knees before the lit bush. It is the man sources, in the deep centre of each is what the Incarnation has revealed. kitchen with the same respect and throwing away his shoes, as if to enter monk’s being, were now revealed as It is what the Sacraments are for. It reverence as the chalices and ciboria heaven and finding himself astonished, equal aspects of the same transcend- is why God created the world—so are held at the altar. opened at last, fallen in love with ing presence. Thus graced and that we would one day tumble to the The Angelus rings out over the solid ground. graceful, this “physical mindfulness” amazing reality that lies beneath countryside of Ireland, not to dis- would dissolve the edges between what we too often term as “ordinary”. tract the people from their daily Whyte goes on to observe that the their work and their meditation, as labor into a more heavenly reality. antidote to exhaustion is not neces- they repeatedly recovered the It rings out only so that the forgetful sarily rest. The antidote, he claims, rhythm and the seasons of their days eyes of their souls can be reminded is wholeheartedness. We often get and nights, their bodies and souls. of the treasures of grace at their fin- so tired because of the gap between There is a story that I love which When our heart is in gertips. As the Prophet said, beyond our true powers and the work we do, illustrates the grace of this awareness. the boredom and pain, work has a between the possibilities we sense Two men were building a wall—long our work, the work divine dignity around it. It is love and the opportunities we have. In and high—one at each end. When made visible. This is what the other words we are not really present asked what he was doing, the first becomes a kind of Eucharist accomplishes for us each to what we are doing. “You are only brickie replied that, for a start, he Sunday. It parts the veils and reveals half here,” he writes, “and half here had no interest whatever in his work. extension of our hearts. to us that the liturgy of the Church will kill you after a while.” He offers A wall is a wall is a wall. He was bored serves only the liturgy of Life, that a delightful metaphor when he com- and listless. Brick after brick, day after all work is holy work; that the sacred ments on a Rilke poem about the day, month after month. He longed place we search for is the very ground awkward way a swan walks until it is for Fridays; he hated Mondays. With on which we stand. That every bush transformed once it sinks down into no interest or involvement, his work That is why the story about the two is a burning bush. its element, allowing the flowing was slowly killing him. workmen is called “The Infinite In his book Crossing the Unknown water to reveal the true harmony it “I’m creating a cathedral,” mur- Horizon.” There is an infinite hori- Sea, David Whyte suggests that what always carried. mured the other man. “This is the zon to every single, routine, menial opened the heart of Moses was not South Wall of it. I’ve seen the plans. task we perform. The heavens hearing God’s voice from the bush Rev. Daniel O’Leary is a parish priest It will be such a beautiful building. I reverberate to the least of our saying “You are standing on holy of St. Wilfrid’s Church in the North can’t believe I’m part of it. When I whispers or acts of love. ground,” but the moment he looked Yorkshire town of Ripon, England. watch the young children playing The men in the monasteries lay down and realised not only that he around here, I can see them and down their tools and obediently and stood in God’s presence, but that he Reprinted with permission from The Tablet. their own children, worshipping beautifully walk away from their had been standing in that presence Copyright 2003 by The Tablet, Ltd., UK. in this holy and lovely place for the fields, desks, and benches, only so all his life. Every step of his life had Contributing Publications

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BOSTON COLLEGE | C 21 RESOURCES | WINTER 2005 15 Countless Small Victories

Maryknoll lay missioners touch lives and are transformed

BY RANDY YOUNG of the first missionary groups to send where they became members of a people to become knowledgeable in young Catholic families overseas for makeshift refugee village set up by these critical fields. (She later became t a time of great turmoil extended periods of service. The lay the government for citizens who had a nurse practitioner herself.) “We within the U.S. Catholic missioners brought their skills and lost their homes in landslides (a learned so much from the people we Church, a determined the Gospel of compassion and love, common occurrence during the were with for 10 years in South group of people has carved quietly compiling a record of success country’s rainy season). “We lived in America,” notes Patti. “It allowed us out an enviable record of wherever they went. In 1994 the a barrio on the edge of the city with to bring back to our parish in the achievementA in some of the most Vatican directed the growing lay no running water,” Gerry remembers. United States a totally different per- challenged regions of the world. missioners organization to become “It was a difficult adjustment for us spective on ourselves as citizens, and Maryknoll Lay Missioners —131 people autonomous and self-supporting. at first, but our neighbors were a real as Catholics.” Kim and Patty LaMothe in 17 countries—is the Church’s largest Since that time, the Maryknoll Lay inspiration, and we soon became vital found their work as missioners in and fastest-growing lay mission Missioners have been working to members of their small Christian East Timor—which gained its inde- group in the United States today. build a base of financial support and community.” pendence from Indonesia in 1999 are now largely dependent on contri- Gerry called on his background in amid a wave of violence—to be a Driven by a sense of faith, purpose butions from private individuals to ministry (he holds a master of divinity transforming experience. “I deliber- and community, these missioners are fund their work. Their agenda brings degree), working with an existing team ately chose a helping profession as a affecting the quality of life for people the missioners face-to-face with some of Maryknoll priests and lay missioners young woman,” says Patty, a teacher, in Africa, Asia and Latin America. of society's most impoverished mem- to set up a small Christian community “but didn’t realize the full impact of Their work is resulting in measurable bers in marginalized areas around that choice until I began working improvements in health care, education, the globe—areas that often have no with marginalized societies around the environment, human rights and potable water, electricity or plumbing. the world.” Patty currently teaches economic development in a host of Maryknoll's lay missioners not only English as a second language to third-world enclaves. At the same confront, but openly embrace this teachers and health care workers in time, members of the lay missioners challenge. “Our fundamental work is East Timor, as well as to two high are transforming their own lives, to serve the poor,” says Gerry Lee, school classes, while her husband often dedicating themselves to help- co-director of Maryknoll Lay Kim’s carpentry skills are also in ing the extremely needy in areas Missioners, “and the way we do it is great demand. Patty’s real passion, within the United States, like the by living with, working with, and though, is running a mobile library South Bronx and Appalachia, once totally immersing ourselves in the that brings books and educational they have finished their Maryknoll lives of needy people.” Maryknoll Lay materials to youngsters in 10 primary assignments overseas. Missioners agree to serve one tour of schools. “When I see the eyes of stu- “Lay missioners are putting into three-and-a-half years, renewable every dents and teachers light up, I know practice the dream of the Second three years thereafter. Two-thirds of I'm in the right place,” she says with Vatican Council that the whole the missioners serve for more than enthusiasm. Church should be ‘missionary’—lay one tour, and about a third for more Marj Humphrey would not trade men and women working alongside than 10 years. They range in age places with anyone else. This priests, brothers and sisters in a from 24 to over 65, and about half indomitable lay missioner is helping powerful spirit of unity and global have school-age children in tow. to ease the intense sadness and suf- outreach,” says Joseph Healey, M.M., in the barrio. At the same time, he fering of children left orphaned by Living the Mission who has served with Maryknoll in began pressing for greater civil and AIDS in Africa. Based in Kitale, a East Africa for 33 years. Gerry Lee and his wife, Patti human rights for its inhabitants, who rural town of 50,000 in northwestern McKenna, along with their four- and often found themselves under the heavy Kenya, Marj runs a small clinic and Maryknoll's Unique Role five-year-old daughters, left a com- thumb of the government. Gerry school assistance program for orphans, The partnership did not develop fortable life in suburban Boston in also found time among his multiple meeting their basic education and overnight. The Maryknoll lay mis- the summer of 1984 to become projects to teach photography to a nutrition needs. As the AIDS epi- sion program was created in 1975 as members of the Maryknoll Lay group of youths. They eventually got demic continues to destroy African part of the 90-year-old Maryknoll Missioners. Like all new members, involved in video and today, as young families, “we’re discovering more organization. Today that movement they first received four months of adults, run a small Church radio and more children raising children,” includes the Maryknoll Society (priests theological and cross-cultural training station. Patti drew on her training as Marj observes. “Our mission is to and brothers), the Maryknoll at Maryknoll’s headquarters in an early childhood teacher to bring a message of hope to the families, Congregation (sisters), the Maryknoll Ossining, N.Y. That was followed by help establish a modest elementary and especially the children, affected Lay Missioners and the Maryknoll another eight months of language school to be run by parents of the by AIDS.” Affiliates. training and cultural orientation in children. She chose to focus on In her own ministry, Dr. Susan Maryknoll holds a unique place in Cochabamba, Bolivia. Their initial nutrition and health care educa- Nagele brought desperately needed the Catholic Church: it became one assignment was Caracas, Venezuela, tion, training medical care to as many as 120 people

16 BOSTON COLLEGE | C 21 RESOURCES | WINTER 2005 a day in a village in southern Sudan, “What’s really impressed me, Parish Practice an African country ravaged by famine, though, is how most of them left starvation, disease, civil war and very good jobs and homes in the slavery. As a family physician and United States to live with the poor Maryknoll lay missioner, Dr. Nagele in forgotten corners of the world. A mantra for all mothers decided nearly 20 years ago to pass I’ve seen their lives transformed, and up the amenities of the modern I’ve seen their children become world to live with and care for peo- young men and women with incredi- ple whose greatest preoccupation is ble generosity of spirit. This has had BY JULIETTE LANGE day-to-day survival. “I’ve come here a tremendous impact on my own life.” full-time mother, at home often because this is where God wants me Indeed, the core strength of ridiculously busy, with the dullest to be,” Dr. Nagele told ABC’s Maryknoll over the years has been t was halfway through the chores and sometimes feeling quite “Nightline” as part of a special story the intense dedication and faith of eighth chapter of C.S. Lewis’ isolated, cut off and left behind by the network prepared in 1999 on its people. This is reinforced, says The Magician’s Nephew, which I the outside “grown-up” world? But this extraordinary woman. “I’ve had co-director Gerry Lee, by the fact was reading with Lydia, my it is. Being at home full-time is a a lot given to me, and I want to be that Maryknoll has the longest-term eight-year-old, that I became privilege: your timetable is mostly able to give some of it back.” members of any lay mission group Ihooked. It is the bit when Aslan— your own to organise. The baby Clearly, the success of Maryknoll today. “We encourage people to the lion, king, and creator—sings goes down to sleep; rather than do is measured one small victory at a come for three years or for 30 years,” Narnia into being: some more clearing up, some more time through the work of missioners he elaborates. “They know that if ironing, a window opens for a like Dr. Nagele, Marj, Kim and Patty. they choose a life of service, we will In the darkness something was hap- moment of prayer, beginning with Others, like Phil Dahl-Bredine, are support them—as well as their families pening at last. A voice had begun to the “Our Father” and then moving at the helm of ongoing projects with —in every way we can.” sing. It was very far away and to the mantra. Because the number of applicants, Digory found it hard to decide from For years, I “sounded” it and fol- all of whom are rigorously screened, what direction it was coming… lowed it. Now it seems rather that it is so great, Maryknoll Lay Missioners There were no words. There was is a matter of joining myself to it—a Maryknoll's core are preparing to add a second cate- hardly even a tune. But it was, shift of attention away from the gory of missioners to accommodate beyond comparison, the most beauti- inner chatter to the almighty reso- strength, over the the growing demand for its services ful noise he had ever heard. It was nance, the Aslan roar, forever there, overseas. so beautiful he could hardly bear it. but usually masked by the din of my Many of these new recruits will own voice. years, has been be embarking on a lifelong journey, It reminded me of the Hindu The meditation over, you take as evidenced by the over 400 lay peo- legend that recounts how God created into the day a truth known. An ordi- the dedication of ple who have served with Maryknoll the earth by sounding it—a sounding nary moment revealed in truth as over the years and whose spirit of which continues to hold it in being. vibrant and sacred. A truth that fol- its people. service translated into continued It spoke to me, too, of my experience lows you as you strap the baby into work with the poor, the sick and the in meditation. the car and set off for the weekly needy even when their Maryknoll Meditation—often associated with shop, or when you pop into the local tours ended. Kip Hargrave is a per- Buddhism and Hinduism—is also an shopping centre before you pick up the potential to benefit vast groups fect example. When he and his wife, ancient Christian practice: the repe- the children from school. A little of people. Phil, for example, is Terry, returned to the United States tition of one word, a mantra. You stillness; a pause; a place where teaching reforestation skills and after working with families in deso- concentrate on that one sound – not everything around you sings the practices to residents of Oaxaca, a late regions of Bolivia, he turned his its meaning—in order to still the same song—the silence of cut flow- mountainous region of Mexico that sights to helping poor immigrants mind. There are moments when ers on the table, the twitter of birds was stripped of its soil by over-farm- and migrant workers in inner-city there is only sound; only rest; an in the garden, but also the untidy ing but is now making a comeback. Rochester. experience of love, wholeness, gift. heap of clean clothes to be folded, David Rodriguez is exercising his “Most members of the Maryknoll But in general—while aware of the clatter of the dishwasher and the ministry by working with small Lay Missioners come back to careers guarding against wanting success or hum of the computer in the corner. coffee farmers in the backwaters of they left behind in the states, but even progress in the practice—just You find that this truth extends to Bolivia and Venezuela. He is helping they come back in a very changed keeping the sound present for half all those other mums pushing their these campesinos—who are barely way,” points out Gerry. “They’ve an hour and watching the movement buggies and coping with petulant able to survive because of the fierce touched the lives of countless numbers of the mind is a tiny experience of toddlers; to the retired ladies; to the global competitive pricing of coffee of people overseas, but just as detachment, a holding of your pre- older schoolchildren conspicuously —to bring in additional income by importantly, they’ve transformed occupations at arm’s length, a tiny out of class for a couple of hours— diversifying their crops. It is a job their own lives by reaching a level of look away from yourself. It is a to that world, in short, that is out for which David is well suited: he human fulfillment that few others on moment quiet enough to turn to and about while most are at work. was one of 11 children raised in a this earth will ever know.” God and—as Mother Teresa put it You criss-cross them, silent yourself mud-and-palm-thatched house in a —“to listen to God listening to me.” but bathed in that hubbub, happy poor village of farmers and fishermen Randy Young is a freelance writer living It is easy to think this ancient and light-hearted in a great sense of in eastern Venezuela. in New Jersey. practice is reserved for wise, far-away connectedness with all these people “In my 19 years as a Maryknoll Buddhist monks or cloistered nuns you do not know yet whom you love missioner, I’ve worked alongside Reprinted with permission from America who have chosen a path that excludes as you mill about with them in this some remarkable people,” he says. Magazine. Copyright 2004 by America Press Inc. care for a family. How can medita- very ordinary way. You share with tion be of help in the life of a them, as they rush through all those

BOSTON COLLEGE | C 21 RESOURCES | WINTER 2005 17 things to do and places to be, the our schools and teachers, for our Patterns of the day will shift again neither sow nor reap, they have great business that is life, sustained sick. Our prayers, all the more pow- and we’re on to another phase. neither storehouse nor barn, and yet and held in being by the breath of erful for our being there together, Horrors thrust at us from our radios God feeds them. Of how much more God. are important: they make a differ- and television screens on the one value are you than the birds!” How The 9 a.m. Monday Mass kicks it ence—it is hard to know how, but hand; frustrations and often crushing wonderfully reassuring is this all off. In schools and offices, the they do—to the desk-bound world. anxieties met within the everyday on reminder of the balm of the natural rest of the world settles down to Half an hour later we disperse, each the other. There is another type of world, its cycles so evident in the desks; but a handful of us collect in to our day, our own busyness. roar from a different kind of animal rolling seasons, and the awareness the side chapel. Some are on their It is the search for God in prayer that often seems impossible, even of the privilege of your own mother- way to work, others on their way that transforms motherhood—in the irresponsible, to ignore. But just hood as part of that ever-repeating home from a night shift. There is a home and in the community—into a when it threatens to engulf you, you miracle—a role that is yours alone, heavily pregnant woman; another, royal spiritual path. It always fright- remember the discipline and sit. The and yet so universal that your every- like myself, with a baby still young ens me to see how quickly, without sounding is often terribly faint—the day tasks, banal in their repetition, enough not to disrupt; Sir Ann, the it, that sense of gift, that joy in the mind is a crowded place—but the reach into the past and far into the parish nun, ever encouraging, smil- everyday, is covered up by the grey- mantra, the song, remains a steady future to include all mothers and all ing and kind; Mary, who organizes ness of life. call to joy. Later, at the school gate, mothering. The fleeting “now” of the soup run. And nods from others A mother needs an interior life, when you meet your children, it my motherhood, I realise in meditating, you recognise in the life of the parish not least for the sake of her children. comes to you then that what they is an eternal matter. and in whose smile you sense a deep How can a mother teach her children need most from you is that you spiritual wealth. that the meaninglessness of the enjoy them and that you live to the Juliette Lange is a mother of four and Together, with our warm priest, modern world is not all there is if full the sheer fun that it is to be writer who lives in London, England. we pray, wrapped by the silence, by she is not living beyond it herself? their mother. the presence, by the song. We pray Who else will teach them? “Consider the ravens,” Jesus tells Reprinted with permission from The Tablet. for the Church, for the world, for Nothing stays the same for long. his disciples in Luke 12. “They Copyright 2003 by The Tablet, Ltd., UK.

Hope’s Deep Roots

An essence so vital that neither failure nor disappointment can stop it

BY PAT MARRIN apocalyptic tone as well: For the dignity and charismatic empower- roots. These can survive even the future to come, the present needs to ment of every member of the Church apparent and temporary felling of ope is the thing with get out of the way. Breakthrough —all of this flowed into the new great promise. feathers,” Emily entails breakdown, especially when ecclesiology. Because I have hope, I will work Dickinson reminded us. needed change has been blocked, It was, as has often been remarked, to create the future I believe must I presume she meant stalled, resisted. Hope is the energy the work of the Holy Spirit. And come. The essence of hope is that that there is some- that opens doors, pushes ahead in despite foot dragging by those who even failure and postponement cannot Hthing fragile about hope, because it spite of resistance. Hope tells us move as deliberately as Civil War prevent this future. Dorothy Day is necessarily about things that are where the energy of time and history re-enactors, and despite what may be once said that, in the end, beauty not here yet. We nourish hope, is going, how to let go of things that a very long “last hurrah,” by restora- will conquer the world. I am nour- cooperate with it, nudge it forward don’t work any more and go there, tionists in high places, the substruc- ished by her example, her hard work, by trusting in it, going with it. regroup. tures of the renewal are in place, her willingness to endure the long “Despite the facts,” someone a bit Let me voice one hope I have unstoppable, the only future God loneliness that leads to love in com- more hard-edged once said, “we are about the Church. Vatican II marked is offering us. I rejoice in this thing munity in the worst of times. I hear still hopeful.” The prophet Isaiah a miraculous and startling revolution with feathers called the Holy Spirit. hope whispering in the flutter of witnessed what appeared to be the in the identity and direction of the Where do I find hope? Hope does wings. Something wonderful is collapse of God’s promise to protect Catholic Church. It was not about not mean avoiding the truth. Taking about to happen, and it has feathers. his people from destruction. Yet, doctrine or mission, but about iden- the long view of history, even the even as the prophet pondered the tity—ecclesiology, the very nature apparent destruction of the dream Pat Marrin is the editor of Celebration, fallen tree, he saw renewal sprout and structure of the Church. does not prevent the prophet from an ecumenical worship resource and from the severed stump. Below The recovery of the liturgical life seeing deeply. Cut off at ground sister publication of National Catholic ground, the roots of the promise of the primitive Church, a renewed level, the stump will sprout. The Reporter. were firm and deep. Keep hope alive, understanding of sacraments as hidden roots will supply life to the he urged a broken, dispirited people active encounters with God through recovered shoot. The promise will Reprinted with permission from Celebration. heading into exile. Jesus Christ, a recapturing of the prevail even against cataclysm and Copyright 2003 by National Catholic Reporter There is a liturgical season devoted gospel of divine life, the centrality of loss. Our Church and our nation, Publishing Company. to hope, Advent. But Advent has an baptism and the recognition of the both in their own spheres, have deep

18 BOSTON COLLEGE | C 21 RESOURCES | WINTER 2005 Blue Making Capital Watching the colors under my BY PAUL MARIANI wife’s paintbrush I cannot in conscience spend time on poetry, neither have I the inducements and inspirations that make others compose. Feeling, love in particular, is the great moving power and spring of verse and the only person that I am in love with seldom, especially now, stirs my heart sensibly and when he does I can- not always ‘make capital’ of it, it would be a sacrilege to do so. Then again I BY BRIAN DOYLE oceanic, riverine, airy, the color of have of myself made verse so laborious. carefree and of holy cloaks, the true he most interesting color of blood and curses, the color - Gerard Manley Hopkins in a letter to Robert Bridges, February 1879 and powerful sentence of the calm Jewish teenager who ever said to me was held in her dewy womb a son, an terse and spoken on a Idea, a death foretold, a murder she For six weeks I’ve tried lassoing the wind hill over the sea by a would be forced to watch, craning and come up with nada, zip & zero. Oh, I know slight,T stunning woman: Yes, she her neck to watch him sag and what moved me then, what sweet whisperings to the mind, said, firmly, and off we went to be bleed, one of a thousand crucifixions but could not make those protean shapes sit still, though married. that foul afternoon, one of a billion God knows I’ve tried. Sunday Mass. The eight. Since then I have become a student since, and how many millions of My wife there next to me, thinking her own deep of her taut sentences, which are always mothers have wept over the pale thoughts. Congealed light on the pews, cold as Fate, riveting. I like to do the dishes because bodies of their dead children? candles guttering, half the parishioners half asleep. it’s order amid disorder, that was one She was a child herself when the of my favorites, and If beavers are vision came and her belly filled with And the priest up at the pulpit, embellishing a story taken smart, we should be worried, which mystery, and who she was really, from one of those Chicken Soup series for the soul. absorbed me for weeks, and Strong deep in her heart, is as lost now as I kept glancing left, then down, then right. Forsaken emotion is the only defense against her husband’s character, the two of the place, as if the Good News had dropped down some black hole, dangerous complacency, which is true, them long ago turned to symbol, and Color stole my heart, which is their blood leached away and replaced paralyzed by what the papers had been screaming now of scandal, indifferent to whatever the poor priest had to say. revelatory, but lately it is her sen- with legend. Then, suddenly, up there at the altar, I caught a shadow tences having to do with her paintings But she bore that Child and loved stirring, as if struggling up the hill under the heaving sway that fascinate me, two in particular, him dearly, and the wonder-weave of both having to do with the color her patience comes untorn through of thornwood. Young Isaac, carrying kindling for a fire, the years; so it is that when we think branches his shaken father had ordered him to fetch. of the holiness of women and moth- The figure trembled in the ether, then gave way to yet another, ers we think of her, wrapped in her whose wrists they’d roped to a wooden crossbeam (poor wretch), blue cloak, smiling against loss and horror and death, and against those as he too stumbled toward the distant rise. But what savage inevitable wounds we so often had this to do with where I found myself? Everything, whisper not to Him but to her, and I guess. Or nothing. Depending on the view. True, the rot of the beholder went deep, deep, but deeper went the blessing: isn’t that odd and wonderful? that so often so many so desperately dream the thought that God had spared the first from death, but not of a calm Jewish girl whose whole life the other, who among the trees had begged his father not to drink was a river of yes? the cup. All that history in a blink, as the one went on to populate Turquoise, cobalt, cerulean, ultra- a nation, while the other—nailed to that wood—rose from the stink marine, azure, cyanine, hyacinth, indigo, smalt, wistaria: I watch the of death, promising to lift us with him. I looked around blues under my wife’s paintbrush, I the Church, knowing what I know of death: the death of mother, savor the high-beam blue flash of father, friends, the death of promise, of vision run aground, her eyes, I listen, I watch the cat-grace death of self, of all we might have been, death of that ideal other, of women and girls, I think of the the bitter end of all. Nada, zip...Except for that loop in time, when Jewish girl, I think holy holy holy something gave: a blip of light across the mind’s dark eye, if you blue. The bluer they got, the longer holy holy. can call it that. But what, if not a good man going under? Then they got, she said of the legs of a child struggling to raise himself again, bent on doing what he had to do. in one of her paintings, a remark I Brian Doyle is the editor of Portland chewed on for a long time, and then, Magazine at the University of Portland, airily, I used to be into yellow but lately in Oregon. He is the author of five I’ve been into blue, which made me books, including Leaping: Revelations Paul Mariani is professor of English at Boston College and the poetry think of blue as a riff, a country, a & Epiphanies and Spirited Men. editor of America magazine. meal. Reprinted with permission of the author. So much more than a color, blue Reprinted from Portland Magazine with —a mood, a music, a tonal sadness, permission of the author.

BOSTON COLLEGE | C 21 RESOURCES | WINTER 2005 19 Refracting the Light

Glimmers of hope seen in the broad spectrum of young adult Catholics

BY MARY ANNE REESE are not mutually exclusive; and some teerism and work that “makes a they often turn to university and other important factors, like race, ethnicity difference” often draws concern from singles-friendly parishes. Therefore hey are married, sin- and socio-economic status, are not parents and others whose emphasis this group makes great efforts toward gle, divorced and of developed here. Nonetheless, I have is financial security. tolerance and inclusion. every nationality and found this framework helpful for Gifts: This group works tirelessly Gifts: The Church in Search devotes ethnic group. Their understanding young adults and for to meet needs and to do what needs time and energy to community- ranks include profes- developing ministry with them. to be done, without expecting to change building and ministry. A majority of sionals,T laborers, students, military the world immediately. They work them lead and regularly participate and immigrants. Some are straight, The Church in Mission seamlessly alongside those who are in regional young adult groups and some gay, some are parents and This group is primarily motivated much older and younger, since service weekend retreats. some have disabilities. The common by the image of Jesus who directs us ministries are often multigenerational. ground is that they are Catholic to wash one another’s feet. Oriented As a result of people deciding to The Church Youthful young adults, defined by the U.S. to service since their 8th-grade marry later (if at all) and the growing Each year high schools produce a bishops as men and women between large number of young adults who the ages of 18 and 39. They also have come through youth ministry have in common an abundance of programs. Many go on to college and gifts, energy and heart. Young adult Catholics are motivated by are served by Newman Centers, In their 1977 pastoral letter Sons touching base with their parishes and Daughters of the Light, the U.S. during breaks and summers. bishops stated strongly that the the image of Jesus directing us to wash one “Church Youthful” people fall into Church wants and needs a stronger the age range 18 to 23, and they are connection with young adult Catholics. another's feet. Oriented to service since 8th-grade accustomed to having ministry built So the question becomes: Who are around their own schedules. The these Catholic young adults? And confirmation, they have carried this passion campus 10 p.m. Mass is one example. how can the Church best minister to These young adults grew up in a and with them? through their high school and college years. Church that served as an extended Several years ago, when I started family. the Archdiocese of Cincinnati's young Many have immersed themselves Challenges: Parishes as well as adult ministry, I asked Eric Styles, a youth and campus ministries could 24-year-old college senior, what the in service projects or long-term volunteer serve the Church Youthful by guiding Church should understand about his them from a Church in which min- generation. He pushed back his long programs like the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. istry was focused on their lifestyle dreadlocks and responded: “Just know and was even done for them to a that we’re not all the same. And our place of ever greater responsibility generation has many gifts to offer and leadership. the Church.” Gifts: The Church Youthful brings Since then, hundreds of young adult confirmation, members of this group divorce rate, the Church is now home unlimited energy and a can-do atti- Catholics who have crossed my path have carried this passion through to a large contingent of single and tude to the community. They have have confirmed Eric’s observations. their high school and college years. divorced adults, typically over the age the physical stamina to lead all-night Young adult lifestyles, motivations Many have immersed themselves in of 30. Many of them have experienced junior high lock-ins or construct booths and spiritualities cover a broad spec- service projects or in long-term volun- suffering and loneliness in life and are for the parish festival. They see trum, with distinct colors as well as teer programs like the Jesuit Volunteer dissatisfied with the bar scene and opportunities rather than limitations, subtle nuances and shades. To make Corps. Demographers call this the superficial relationships that this and their enthusiasm is infectious. such breadth more manageable, I have segment the millennial generation, culture offers them. This group is developed a framework of eight groups whose first wave is now graduating often drawn to the Church as a place The Church Apologist into which I believe most Catholic from college. The book Millennials to find friends with similar values, The “Church Apologist” group is young adults fall. Rising: The Next Great Generation, potential partners, and activities to especially filled with awe for the This framework, of course, has by Neil Howe and William Strauss, fill their calendars. transcendent God, and its members limitations. It is based on observation profiles this group in detail. Challenges: Young adults in the are dedicated to personal prayer, and experience rather than hard sci- Challenges: Members of the “Church in Search” embrace main- learning and spreading fervor for ence. Each individual is unique and “Church in Mission” meet the stream Catholic spirituality, but Catholicism among Catholics and to some extent defies categorization, challenge of making countercultural because of their single status they non-Catholics alike. Colleen Carroll and many individuals fit into more choices in our consumption-driven have difficulty finding a home in the explores their faith in her recent book than one group. These descriptions society. Their preference for volun- average family-oriented parish, and The New Faithful: Why Young Adults

20 BOSTON COLLEGE | C 21 RESOURCES | WINTER 2005

Are Embracing Christian Orthodoxy. to different ideas and to new methods elements from African culture or the universities. They are encouraged to To counterbalance the often murky of prayer. Members of this group Baptist tradition as they inhabit urban come, “whether your faith life is standards of our culture, members of make committed leaders and partici- neighborhoods in a creative class confused, conflicted, committed or the Church Apologist take comfort pants, especially for retreats and environment. In fact, the Church anywhere in between.” The peer-led in the clarity of the new catechism catechetical events. Creative is most comfortable in mul- retreat then offers a chance to step and the teaching of Pope John Paul ticultural and university parishes. back from the stresses of modern life II. They see Christianity in combat The Church Busy Challenges: The Church Creative and “sort out what you believe.” with evil in the world and their lan- The “Church Busy” consists mainly is like other groups: they are busy, James Joyce once characterized guage evokes military imagery, speaking of young professionals, married cou- with time and choices spread out the spirit of the Church thus: “Here of prayer warriors and soldiers of ples and young parents, whose days among creative outlets and other comes everybody.” He could have Christ. Their prayer centers on and nights are filled with career, responsibilities. The broad pastoral been talking about the broad spec- traditional devotions like eucharistic travel, family and civic and social tent of our Church must be maintained trum of today’s young adult Catholics, adoration and the rosary. commitments. While they value their so it can respond to the differences with the wide variety of spiritualities, Challenges: Church Apologist Catholicism, they are unlikely to and questions this group brings. gifts and challenges they present to people can experience tension within attend events that take up an entire Gifts: Not surprisingly, the Church ministry. From as far back as the less traditional families and faith weekend or to participate in regional Creative develops ministry programs days of 1 Corinthians 12, we have communities because of their views gatherings. Their Church involve- and prayer services that are artistic known that different people and and the vigor with which they promote ment is usually limited to parish and innovative. Additionally, they groups possess certain gifts to benefit them. ministries that occur on Sunday. are in a position to invite to the the whole body of Christ. Just as the Gifts: These young adults are highly They may also engage in short-term Church similar young people who are Dominicans claim the gift of preach- motivated and capable of seeking out ministries, like marriage and bap- unchurched, alienated or seeking a ing and the Sisters of Mercy service, the many spiritual resources available tismal preparation or support spiritual connection. each of these Catholic young adult to them, like Steubenville programs, groups for mothers. groups brings unique riches to the Youth 2000 and membership in Challenges: Not surprisingly, the The Church Disconnected faith community—riches to be mined, movements like Opus Dei or tradi- biggest challenge to ministry with A final group of young adults that polished and put to good use. tional religious communities. With this group is time. For this reason, it poses a challenge to ministry is the Furthermore, in addition to their wholehearted dedication, the is best to offer them focused programs “Church Disconnected.” This group capitalizing on their own gifts, the ministries they create can grow and or short-term projects. The Church grew up Catholic and may even have young people in each group can become self-sustaining over the long Busy needs to feel supported and graduated from Catholic high school grow and develop through exposure haul. affirmed in both their workplace and or college, but for a variety of reasons to the complementary charisms of marriage and parenthood as an aspect —or no discernable reason at all— the others. For example, the “Church The Church Devotional of ministerial life. they are now distant from the Church. in Mission” can find rest in the con- Because of outward similarities Gifts: The Church can benefit from It is difficult to draw firm conclusions templative stillness of the “Church and their preference for traditional tapping the experience and competence about why they are disconnected or Devotional,” who can in turn touch piety, it is easy to confuse young these young adults are developing in how to reach out to them. Some are a unique face of Christ through adults of the “Church Devotional” other realms. focused on advancement at work, Christian service. with those of the Church Apologist. They may not wear all-black or while others are busy building inti- The task of inviting, welcoming The two groups differ, however, in sport tattoos, but many in this group mate relationships or hanging out and ministering with such a broad several respects. First, the Church embrace liberal values, politics and with friends. Some are put off by spectrum of young people may seem Devotional is less attuned to internal spirituality with an artistic expression. Church teaching; others simply daunting. The U.S. bishops’ young Church politics; they therefore seem The “Church Creative” is educated find services boring and the insti- adult ministry pastoral begins by surprised that their prayer practices and well read, and likely to frequent tution irrelevant. apologizing for past failures in this would cause some to label them art films, alternative concert venues Church leaders, parents and area, and others have proposed that “conservative.” Second, they are less or peace demonstrations. Tom Beaudoin grandparents often wring their hands Church communities make “a prefer- interested in drawing others into wrote much about this group in over what to do about the Church ential option for the young.” Many their particular spirituality or belief Virtual Faith: The Irreverent Spiritual Disconnected. One pat response is, national and local efforts are under- system. Many immigrants, particularly Quest of Generation X. “They'll come back when their first way to develop young adult ministry, Asians and Hispanics, fit into these The Church Creative values prayer child is baptized.” Tom Beaudoin is but the roads and the road maps at two groups. and contact with God, and these skeptical about this laissez-faire this stage are still under construction. Challenges: The Church Devotional young adults are known for treating approach, however, because nonde- Still, this much is clear: the Church is less inclined than the Church parish and even denominational nominational megachurches now needs all its “sons and daughters of Apologist to join traditional move- boundaries with fluidity—worshiping actively reach out to them. Whether the light” to show forth the glory of ments, and they often look to parishes at a Mass one week, a Buddhist temple they will return to Catholicism is an the rainbow. and regional ministries to help them the next and a nondenominational open question. learn about and share their faith. megachurch the third. They value The Church Disconnected is Mary Anne Reese is the coordinator of “Theology on Tap,” a popular pro- independent thinking, and might be mission territory—a fertile field for young adult ministry for the Archdiocese of gram that brings presenters into local heard quoting papal pronouncements carrying out Christ’s commission to Cincinnati, Ohio, as well as a writer bars to interact with young adults on about the death penalty or debt relief spread the Good News. Heeding that and lawyer. She is the author of Doing matters of faith and Church, helps on one hand while questioning call, Jesuits of the Chicago Province What Comes Naturally: Jobs, Career meet the social and educational needs teaching about homosexuality or are actively responding. Charis and Vocation, a young adult guide to of this group. women’s ordination on the other. Ministries retreats, which boasts discernment. Gifts: Church Devotional people In my area, a number of African- several hundred participants in its have a deep desire to grow closer to American Catholics fall into this first three years, targets recent alumni Reprinted with permission from America. Jesus. They are well read and open group, sometimes blending in of local Catholic high schools and Copyright 2003 by America Press Inc.

BOSTON COLLEGE | C 21 RESOURCES | WINTER 2005 21 A Hope for His Bishops

John Paul II urges Church leaders to be ‘more open to collaboration with all’

The following is excerpted from a papal enabled the Church to preserve her returns to her origins in a conscious Every act of ecclesiastical governance, address on September 11, 2004 to the integrity, independence and fidelity reappropriation of the apostolic tra- consequently, must be aimed at bishops of Pennsylvania and New Jersey to the Gospel in the face of threats dition and a purifying re-evaluation fostering communion and mission. on their annual visit to report to Rome. from within and without. of her institutions in the light of the In view, then, of their common pur- Among the topics that Pope John Paul Gospel. pose and aim, the three munera of II discussed in his fraternal welcome was Be Models of Holiness In the present circumstances of teaching, sanctifying and ruling are a concern that the American bishops had Building on the rich reflection on the Church in America, this will clearly inseparable and interpene- earlier voiced about a “crisis of confidence” the episcopal munus regendi occa- entail a spiritual discernment and trating: “when the Bishop teaches, in their leadership following the clergy sioned by the Council, and in light critique of certain styles of governance he also sanctifies and governs the abuse scandal. The pope told them to of the challenges of the new evange- which, even in the name of a legitimate People of God; when he sanctifies, have faith in the authority of their office, lization, the recent synod of bishops concern for good “administration” he also teaches and governs; when as teachers of the faith, but also to build insisted on the urgent need to recover and responsible oversight, can run he governs, he teaches and sanctifies” hope among the people of God by prac- a fuller and more authentically the risk of distancing the pastor (Pastores Gregis, 9; cf. Lumen Gentium, ticing a more authentically collaborative “apostolic” understanding of the from the members of his flock, and 20, 27). style of leadership in their respective dioceses. episcopal office. The bishop is above obscuring his image as their father all a witness, a teacher and model of and brother in Christ. The Impetus to Renewal holiness, as well as a prudent adminis- In this regard, the synod of bishops Experience shows that when oday our considerations trator of the Church’s goods. The acknowledged the need today for priority is mainly given to outward turn to the munus sacred power that he legitimately ex- each bishop to develop “a pastoral stability, the impetus to personal regendi, the power of ercises should be rooted in the moral style which is ever more open to col- conversion, ecclesial renewal and governance by which authority of a life completely shaped laboration with all” (Pastores Gregis), missionary zeal can be lost and a the successors of the by his sacramental sharing in Christ’s grounded in a clear understanding of false sense of security can ensue. apostlesT have been set apart by the consecration and mission. Indeed, the relationship between the minis- The painful period of self-examina- Holy Spirit as guardians of the flock “all that the Bishop says and does terial priesthood and the common tion provoked by the events of the and shepherds of the Church of God. must reveal the authority of Christ’s priesthood of the baptized (Lumen past two years will bear spiritual As the Church’s constant tradition word and his way of acting” (Pastores Gentium). While the bishop himself fruit only if it leads the whole attests, this apostolic authority is a Gregis). As a result, “a renewed remains responsible for the authori- Catholic community in America to a form of service to the body of Christ. appreciation of the bishop’s authority tative decisions which he is called to deeper understanding of the Church’s As such, it can only be inspired by will not be expressed by external make in the exercise of his pastoral authentic nature and mission, and a and modeled on the self-sacrificing signs, but by an ever deeper under- governance, ecclesial communion more intense commitment to making love of the Lord, who came among standing of the theological, spiritual also “presupposes the participation the Church in your country reflect, us as a servant (cf. Mark 10:45) and, and moral significance of this min- of every category of the faithful, in every aspect of her life, the light after stooping to wash the feet of his istry, founded on the charism of inasmuch as they share responsibility of Christ’s grace and truth. disciples, commanded them to do as apostolicity.” Bishops need to be for the good of the particular Church Here I can only state once more he had done (cf. John 13:15). esteemed as successors of the apostles which they themselves form.” Within my profound conviction that the The existence of an unequivocal not only in authority and sacred a sound ecclesiology of communion, documents of the Second Vatican right and duty of governance entrusted power, but above all by their apostolic a commitment to creating better Council need to be carefully studied to the successors of the apostles is life and witness. structures of participation, consulta- and taken to heart by all the faithful, an essential part of the Church’s divinely In our meetings, many of you tion and shared responsibility should since these normative texts of the willed constitution (cf. Lumen Gentium). have expressed your concern about not be misunderstood as a concession Magisterium offer the basis for a As a ministerial power, given for the crisis of confidence in the to a secular “democratic” model of genuine ecclesial renewal in obedience building up the body of Christ, this Church’s leadership provoked by the governance, but as an intrinsic re- to the will of Christ and in conformity sacra potestas must be seen as one of recent sexual abuse scandals, the quirement of the exercise of episcopal with the Church’s apostolic tradition. the hierarchical gifts bestowed upon general call for accountability in the authority and a necessary means of the Church by her divine founder, Church’s governance on every level strengthening that authority. Excerpted from the papal text posted at and thus a constitutive element of and the relations between bishops, The exercise of the munus regendi www.Adoremus.org, the Web site of the Society that sacred tradition which contains clergy and the lay faithful. I am con- is directed both to gathering the flock for the Renewal of the Sacred Liturgy, a private everything passed down from the vinced that today, as at every critical in the visible unity of a single profession nonprofit group that works with the Vatican and apostles as a means of preserving and moment in her history, the Church of faith lived in the sacramental many Catholic organizations. Its aim is to “redis- fostering the holiness and faith of will find the resources for an authen- communion of the Church and to cover and restore the beauty, the holiness, the the People of God. History amply tic self-renewal in the wisdom, vision guiding that flock, in the diversity of power” of the Church’s liturgical tradition. demonstrates that the firm and sage and zeal of Bishops outstanding for its gifts and callings, towards a com- exercise of this apostolic authority, their holiness. The Church is only mon goal: the proclamation of the particularly in moments of crisis, has authentically “re-formed” when she Gospel to the ends of the earth.

22 BOSTON COLLEGE | C 21 RESOURCES | WINTER 2005 Theology on Tap

Providing nourishing soul food to young Catholic appetites

BY PHYLLIS M. HANLON community, notes Cusick. stay close to your people, what you Massachusetts adopted a diocesan-run The program runs in four-week try to do is offer them response to Theology on Tap program in January n the surface, the scene sessions, although the structure and their needs in their style,” says Cu- 2003, when the Diocese of Worcester is not unusual—a group venues vary. Meetings can be held in sick. “What we’ve attempted to do is launched its first session. According of young men and any location that will accommodate showcase, through our speakers, the to Sister Betty Paul, director of youth women laughing and a small-to medium-size group of leadership of the Catholic Church.” ministry for the diocese, her office talking in an informal adults. The Chicago groups generally Chicago has what they call a “faculty” had been seeking effective ways to Osetting while munching snacks and gather in a parish hall, where food comprising close to 90 speakers, reach the young adult community, sipping beer. Dig a little deeper, and beverages can be served. Re- including clergy, laity and young and this program offered an ideal however, and you will find that a freshments range from simple appe- adult peers. The number of speakers “adult faith formation opportunity.” unique objective unites these indi- tizers to full-course meals or themed in programs in other parts of the After purchasing the training manual viduals. A burning hunger, not for buffets. “We have a parish in one of country varies according to specific and working out the details, meetings physical nourishment or socializa- the older Italian neighborhoods that need and availability. were scheduled at a centrally located tion, but rather for spiritual has created a café with lights, tables, Forty-nine parishes and campuses downtown restaurant to attract young fulfillment has drawn these young waiters and music,” says Cusick. “It’s in the archdiocese of Chicago cur- adults from surrounding towns. “We adults together. Born out of a need become a happening.” Attendance at rently host Theology on Tap. Of the don’t have a lot of parishes with 20 for programs specifically geared to- Theology on Tap ranges anywhere five dioceses involved in the program, to 25 young adults. If we did, the ward 20- and 30-somethings who from 15 to 150, depending on the Cusick notes that 160 churches offer parish could run its own program,” feel disconnected from the Church, caliber of the speaker, the appeal of 368 nights of input for young adults says Sister Paul. This particular for- Theology on Tap attempts to bring the topic, the amount of advertising with a total of 96 speakers. Nationwide, straight talk about faith issues and and the time of year. 381 parishes and organizations in 44 how they relate to everyday living to As expected, certain topics tend to states, and parishes in three other this spiritually starved generation. draw larger crowds. Cusick notes that countries, have asked permission to For many, the interactive In 1981, the Rev. John Cusick, this generation as a whole struggles host Theology on Tap, according director of young adult ministry in with developing and maintaining to Cusick. “This is the most ex- format seems more like a Chicago, created Theology on Tap quality relationships in their lives. tensive outreach to young adults in an effort to strengthen the tenu- Issues surrounding spirituality and anywhere in the nation,” he says. dialogue than a lecture. ous thread that holds young adults relationships naturally top the list of This overwhelmingly positive re- to the Church and to minister to the favorites. Subjects relating to Scrip- sponse “continues to validate both unique, mature needs of people be- ture and how it applies to everyday what secular and religious data say yond high school. Cusick identifies a life usually attract higher numbers. about this generation,” notes Cusick. mat has proven successful, judging chasm between the teen years and In most cases, he reports, the meet- Some of the Theology on Tap pro- by attendance numbers and feedback. middle age and feels that Theology ings are populated with individuals grams around the country are based Some young adults find their way on Tap can bridge that gap and who have an unabashed curiosity on the original concept but are not into Theology on Tap indirectly. provide a positive experience of the about all things Catholic. registered as official hosts of the Chris Horner was a full-time pas- Catholic Church—its traditions, Organized much like a traditional programs. toral assistant and deeply involved in practices, beliefs and spirituality— adult education class, Theology on Annunciata Parish in the Archdio- parish activities in the Archdiocese for the young adult generation. Tap sessions include socialization, cese of Chicago has been involved of St. Louis several years ago when Believing that “good ministry presentation, input, a short break, with Theology on Tap for the last he learned of the program. He and doesn’t happen, but is planned,” discussion and conversation, and a four years. James Taylor, who served other members of a local prayer Cusick wrote a 100-page manual question-and-answer period. Even as co-host for one of those years, group began to attend meetings and that explains how to deliver the though the time frame should not sought to connect with his faith on a found the experience educational as Theology on Tap program, including exceed two hours, flexibility is im- different level and felt that the pro- well as energizing and uplifting. suggestions for speakers, topics, portant. “We encourage parishes not gram enabled him to accomplish Attendees were similar in age and venues and format. According to to throw anybody out because often- that goal. Noting that everyone faces level of spirituality, which enhanced Cusick, all the details have been well times good conversation only begins a different set of issues in life, Taylor the overall experience, according to thought out; some might seem in- when formality ends,” says Cusick. says this program provides a forum Horner. significant, but on closer inspection In seeking speakers, two criteria for open discussions of faith issues At St. Leo’s parish in Oakland, they reflect an underlying ideological are key: the potential speaker must and how to apply them realistically Calif., Michael Fitzgerald was drawn position. Every aspect of the program have something of value to say and on an individual basis. “You can to the concept of Theology on Tap attempts to convey a positive, wel- must have a passion for the topic. connect to faith in a real way that is through his involvement with the coming attitude toward young adult “These are young adults who are appropriate to the time of your life,” Church’s adult Christian initiation Catholics. With such careful attention looking for substance and we try to Taylor says. The interactive format program. Originally intended to to detail, the program communicates communicate that effectively. We are seems more like a dialogue, according provide candidates with a positive to the young adult that he or she is constantly staying in tune with the to Taylor, than a lecture. experience, Theology on Tap has important to the life of the Catholic young adult generation. When you Unlike Chicago’s parish approach, created a bridge between secular

BOSTON COLLEGE | C 21 RESOURCES | WINTER 2005 23 recreation and more religious activities sessions. He hopes that attendees will faith. Searching for connection to ago was people 25 to 40. Oftentimes for many individuals both inside and learn something that will help nourish other young Catholics, she heard today, the age group 25 to 40 is outside the parish, according to their own lives in the Church. “We about Theology on Tap from friends. missing,” Cusick says. “As a Church, Fitzgerald. In this particular program, are opening them up to what I like After attending a couple of meetings, we have to learn to regenerate parish the parish keeps two goals in mind. to think is the richness and the vari- she felt she had found a way to life and Church life.” “We want to present topics in ety of the Church’s teaching,” says regenerate that link. “Theology on Even though the program has Catholic theology and thought,” says Father Scirghi. Having worked with Tap meetings keep your faith on existed for 23 years, Cusick notes Fitzgerald, “and to engage a young young professionals in Boston, New your mind during the work week, that success takes time. “Too often adult audience in an exchange of York and Oakland, Father Scirghi rather than just focusing on God on we adopt the American mindset that ideas on faith.” Fitzgerald, along acknowledges their superior academic Sundays,” she says. The opportunity it’s got to be perfect and feel good with Natalie Ackerman, a first-grade capacity, but he finds their under- to socialize with other young right from the first moment. To me, teacher at the parish school and Rev. standing of the Church and its tradition Catholics in this setting also ap- this is like building blocks,” he says. Thomas Scirghi, S.J., a professor of limited. “These people are asking pealed to Quigley. “You work in a As the Catholic Church continues liturgy at the Jesuit School of Theol- for more, for a deeper understanding, secular world. It’s good to connect the process of maintaining strong ogy in Berkeley, Calif., hope to draw especially as they marry and then with others who think like you do.” ties with all generations in the global young adults back into the active have children. They want to pass More important, she sees the pro- community, Theology on Tap is practice of their Catholic faith. something on.” gram as a positive response on the delivering a healthy dose of spiritual “Typically, Theology on Tap has Natalie Ackerman cites the com- Church’s part to the needs of young sustenance for young adult appetites. more than just a positive influential munity-building feature of Theology people. “Theology on Tap rein- effect on an audience that might be on Tap as one of its most beneficial forces the pope’s focus on youth. It’s Phyllis M. Hanlon is a freelance writer wandering around in their spiritual aspects. “It’s a very welcoming setting, a good way to complement his whose work has been published in a journey,” says Fitzgerald. and melts away those structured vision,” Quigley says. variety of business, medical, academic, In addition to helping coordinate feelings,” she says. Although the wisdom, expertise general interest and religious publications. the program, Father Scirghi offers For the 26-year-old publicist and knowledge of all parishioners is his services as speaker. He presents Nicole Quigley, moving to Washington, important, Cusick emphasizes the Reprinted with permission from America. easy-to-understand analogies between D.C. from her small hometown need for input from younger mem- Copyright 2003 by America Press Inc. Catholic practices and symbols and presented a challenge in many ways, bers of the parish. “The backbone of everyday living at Theology on Tap particularly when it came to her Catholic parish life 30 to 35 years

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