January/February 2013

feature story

Siobhan gave her son

loving parents

Anthonyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Art of Autism special report

The 40th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade parenting journey

My daughter likes the baby sitter more than she likes me!

contents 6 yourlife The Magazine of the Catholic Diocese of Lansing

Most Reverend Earl Boyea PUBLISHER

Rev. Dwight Ezop

EDITOR AND CHAIRMAN

Jan./Feb. 2013 • Volume 14: Issue 1

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FAITHTM (USPS 019993) is a publication of FAITH Catholic, Diocese of Lansing, 1500 E. Saginaw St., Lansing, MI 48906-5550. FAITHTM is a membership publication of the Catholic Diocese of Lansing and is published monthly except for February and August. To purchase a subscription, log on to FAITHmag.com. If you have a change of address, please contact your parish. Periodicals postage paid in Lansing, MI and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to FAITHTM, 1500 E. Saginaw St., Lansing MI 48906-5550. ©2013 FAITH Catholic. FAITH is a trademark of FAITH Catholic.

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Roe v. Wade

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19 yourstories 19 my story $20

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special report

12 in the know with Father Joe How do I keep my New Year’s resolution to be holy? 13 special report Theology of the Body 14 spiritual fitness Lent – a time for conversion 16 theology 101 The Catechism of the Catholic Church

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12 yourfaith J. Luning

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table of contents

6 work life My boss won’t let me be friends with the people I manage 8 parenting journey My daughter likes the baby sitter more than she likes me! 8 conflict resolution My siblings are rude to my fiancée. They need to stop. 9 marriage matters She says: “He is spending us into the poorhouse!” He says: “It’s my money – I should be able to spend it however I want.” What do they do? 10 culture A real American hero

cover story Siobhan gave her son loving parents

24 feature story Anthony’s Art of Autism

Liturgical Calendar: Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God Jan. 1 | Ss. Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, bishops and doctors of the Church Jan. 2 |

from the editors

My biological mother’s greatest gift to me

Near the end of January each year, I find myself reflecting with gratitude on the gift of life I have been given. Although my birthday is in September, January usually has the greater significance for me when it comes to reflecting on the fact that I have been alive for 47 years, for it is likely that my life began in my biological mother’s womb near the end of January 1965. I can only speculate about the circumstances in which my biological mother found herself pregnant with me. Since I was born in Ann Arbor, near the campus of the University of Michigan, I have always thought that my

T. Gennara

Father Dwight Ezop is editor of FAITH Magazine and pastor of the Catholic Community of St. Jude. E-mail: editor@ FAITHmag.com.

saint of the month

Look back to move forward St. Giuseppe Maria Tommasi Feast Day: Jan. 1

birth mother was probably a university student. I assume that my biological father was also a student. I have always assumed my conception was an unplanned and likely an unwelcome surprise in the young lives of my biological parents. Certainly the cultural and social pressures of an unplanned pregnancy in the mid 1960s would have been very different and much harsher than what many young, unmarried women experience today. Because of her age at the time and the pressures she could well have felt, I assume my biological mother felt as though she had relatively few alternatives. One alternative would have been awful. Had she followed that path, I would not be

here to write this. Another alternative would have meant being born into a set of circumstances in which she must have felt that she could not have provided for me as she would have wished. I am forever grateful that these were not the only possible outcomes at the beginning of my life. Although what I have shared up to this point is based largely on speculation and intuition, what I do know is that my biological mother was eventually connected with a social worker named Mrs. Berry, who worked at Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County. It was through Mrs. Berry that a young couple named Jan and Gene Ezop, who had been exploring the possibility of adoption, were given

We live in a culture obsessed with the “new,” with a predictable anti-tradition attitude that dismisses the past as outdated and equates anything that appears “old” with staleness and irrelevance. Progress demands a complete rupture with the past and is to be favored at all cost, even when that toward which we hope to progress is unclear,

FAITH Magazine / January/February 2013 / www.FAITHmag.com

the gift of their first son. Through an act of incredible generosity on the part of my birth mother, I was given the gift of life. By the dedicated work of a social worker, my life was connected with that of a young couple who wanted a child. Through the love and nurturing of that couple – my mom and dad – I have enjoyed the gift of life that my biological mother gave me. Through these combined gifts, I have enjoyed the gift of living a life which a young girl thought – perhaps quite rightly – she could never have provided for me. Not only was my birth mother’s choice for my adoption life-saving, it was also life-giving and life-altering for me. It was a courageous decision on her part to experience pregnancy and childbirth with their joy, discomfort, pain and emotion. I hope and pray that she knows she did the right thing – her courage and love have made my life and living possible. If I seem a little wistful at the end of January each year, you know why. And so, our journey in FAITH continues.

unarticulated and undefined. However, any student of history, especially the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church, will quickly discover that, in reality, very little is ever “new” in human thought. For example, recourse to the Church Fathers can easily demonstrate that there are no “new” heresies, only recycled and

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, religious Jan. 4 | St. John Neumann, bishop Jan. 5 | Epiphany of the Lord Jan. 6 | St. Raymon

75th CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF LANSING

Anniversar y

the

Diocese

Lansing

The Diocese of Lansing celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. Throughout the year, we’ll be presenting pieces of our history, thanks to our diocesan historian, Msgr. George Michalek.

Father Frank P. Carroll’s last Christmas

he life and death of Father Frank P. Carroll of Holy Maternity of Mary Parish in Dowagiac shows the impact that devotion to a feast can have, in his case that of the Nativity of the Lord.

On Dec. 25, 1918, Father Carroll was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Detroit. In 1928, he was assigned to Dowagiac, which in 1937 became part of the newly created Diocese of Lansing. Besides being ordained on Christmas Day, Father Carroll began the custom of building a crèche outside at Christmas when he was at St. Theresa in Detroit. He continued in Dowagiac. He also took part in the Christmas lighting contest in Dowagiac every year. It is not uncommon among priests

repackaged “old” heresies. St. Giuseppe Maria Tommasi (1649 – 1713) understood this truth and this fact led to his being canonized in 1986 by Blessed Pope John Paul II and his being named a patron of Catholic liturgy. Known for both his scholarship and his work with the poor, St. Tommasi was an example of the unity between wisdom and charity. Born into a princely family, he officially renounced his claim to the principate and his rich patrimony to enter the Order of the Clerics Regular Theatine, founded by St. Cajetan of

to pray that they die while celebrating Mass, since that is as close to Jesus on earth that it gets. That is what happened with Father Carroll 13 years after coming to Dowagiac. You can guess on which day it happened. During the Christmas Eve midnight Mass, 1941, after he had recited the Credo, Father Carroll sat down while the choir sang. He began to sway, then gently fell before the altar. He was carried to the sacristy. Dr. Kenneth Pierce, who was in the congregation that night, went to the sacristy to help, but Father Carroll already was dead. Father Bernard I. Mullahy, C.S.C. professor at Moreau Seminary at Notre Dame University, who had been assisting Father Carroll during December, was summoned from the rectory. He gave Father Carroll last rites, then finished the Mass. One of the altar boys fainted when the death of Father Carroll was announced to the worshippers. Father Carroll had been ill for several years, but had continued his duties to the parish, as well as to Sacred Heart of Mary Mission in Silver Creek and, for several years, St. Ann Catholic Church in Cassopolis. He had told a parishioner

Thien in 1524. He studied everything from Greek and Hebrew to Arabic and Chaldaic and used his knowledge of these languages to collect titles of the Psalms. He also was a devoted student of the Scriptures and the Church Fathers and researched deeply the ancient ecclesiastical discipline and liturgy. Perhaps surprisingly, he was also known as a reformer of the liturgy. However, his efforts at reform were not directed to the introduction of the new, but to the restoration and maintenance of the old.

the day before his death that he was feeling extremely tired. Father Carroll was born Sept. 18, 1889, in Kalamazoo. He attended Mt. St. Mary’s Seminary in Cincinnati. The funeral Mass was sung on Dec. 29 by Father Thomas Carroll, a brother, of St. Rita Church in Detroit, in the presence of the Most Reverend Joseph P. Albers, bishop of Lansing.

In fact, many of the liturgical norms established by the Second Vatican Council already had been proposed by St. Tommasi: the present-day form of the Liturgy of the Hours, the distinction and use of the Missal and Lectionary, and the use of the vernacular language – just to name a few. His legacy of liturgical reform, scholarship and humble service to the poor serves as a reminder that we are all called to be servant to the Word first so that others might be led to Jesus Christ through our work.

yourlife My boss won’t let me be friends with the people I manage

I used to go out to lunch with a coworker, but I’ve been promoted to manager and my boss has made it clear that he does not consider socializing “between the ranks” to be appropriate. How do I handle this with my co-worker?

You’ve been promoted to manager because you’ve demonstrated good judgment. In our Catholic tradition, the habit of good judgment is called the virtue of prudence – the perfected ability of right decision-making. Prudence is the master virtue which helps us to be fair, courageous and self-disciplined. Prudence is smart, purposeful and practical. Now that you’re a manager, you need prudence more than ever. You’ll be facing bigger and more complicated situations that require bigger and better thinking. So let’s consult with a really good thinker and management

expert, St. Thomas Aquinas. St. Thomas identifies eight essential parts of prudence. The first on his list is experience or memory. Experience is a powerful type of knowledge, namely of the past – to be brought to bear for the future. “Memory of the past is necessary in order to take good counsel for the future.” Bosses need, and usually have, more of this knowledge. The second part of prudence is understanding or intelligence. This is a kind of knowledge of the present. Understanding applies universal principles to particular situations. Your boss is applying an intelligent principle

FAITH Magazine / January/February 2013 / www.FAITHmag.com

to your new situation for everyone’s benefit. The third part of prudence is docility. This word sometimes gets a bad rap, but true docility is eagerness to learn, particularly from people with more experience and understanding. “Hence in matters of prudence man stands in very great need of being taught by others, especially by old folk who have acquired a sane understanding of the ends of practical matters.” We only have time for three: experience, understanding and docility. Now what? 1. B e docile. It is the mark of docility to be ready to be taught. Pick your boss’ brain to understand his directive. What’s the downside of socializing between ranks? What’s the advantage of drawing the line? You don’t just want him to boss you; you want him to mentor you.

Jim Berlucchi is the executive director of the Spitzer Center, whose mission is to build cultures of evangelization (www.spitzercenter.org). 2. Seek understanding. Your boss isn’t just anti-social. He’s applying a principle that bosses shouldn’t selectively fraternize with their subordinates. Ask him to fill in the blanks as to why it’s “inappropriate.” 3. Accept aging gracefully. As you age, you actually do become wiser. It’s one of the perks! Once you understand the thinking behind the directive, it’s not a directive. It’s your own decision. And you’ll figure out a good way to talk with your new subordinate. Really, that’s the easier part.

St. Francis De Sales, bishop and doctor of the Church Jan. 24 | The Conversion of St. Paul, apostle Jan. 2

Celebrating Catholic Schools Week Jan. 27 – Feb. 2 Everyone is invited to the All Schools Mass Jan. 28 10 a.m. at St. Mary Cathedral, Lansing

CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF LANSING

Presider: Let us pray that every person within the Catholic Diocese of Lansing will come to know and love our Lord Jesus Christ in a personal way, Grow in maturity as a disciple of Christ, Become actively engaged in the full life of the Church, and joyfully utilize his or her gifts for the building up of the kingdom of God and the salvation of souls.

ACCEPTtheCHALLENGE.org The DIoCeSe of LanSIng

CatholiC Men’s ConferenCe Feb. 23, 2013 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Mass with Bishop Earl Boyea speakers: Dr. Scott Hahn Al Kresta Dcn. Harold Burke Sivers

ome Holy Spirit, fill the hearts

of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created and you shall renew the face of the earth. O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit, we may be truly wise and ever enjoy his consolations. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Best Western Plus 6820 S. Cedar St., Lansing MI 48911 Aug. 2012 - Dec. 2013 www.dioceseoflansing.org

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parenting journey

My daughter likes the baby sitter more than she likes me!

My daughter seems to like the day-care provider better than she does me. As a mother, I’m happy that they have a good relationship, but I’m still jealous.

A Russian proverb notes that, “Jealousy and love are sisters.” The powerful love that you have for your daughter has led you to begrudge another positive relationship in your child’s life. But, at the same time, you are happy because you long for the best for your daughter. Your awareness of the ambiguity of your feelings is the first step in resolving your mixed emotions.

Remember, secure attachments don’t mean identical relationships. J. Clasien De Schipper and her colleagues in the Netherlands point out that secure attachments toward day-care providers are based on the sensitivity of the caregiver toward the group of children. The attachment involves interactions that are positive within the group setting. Your interactions as a mother involve an attachment based on sensitivity toward your own child. The provider loves children and is responsive to your daughter as such. But your daughter will get older, and other children will replace her in the loving day-care

group. Your daughter will always be an irreplaceable member of your family. What do you feel that you are missing? Take time to consider what you feel that you are missing in your relationship with your daughter. Those jealous feelings might involve specific activities that are important to you. Is there a way to increase the frequency of those experiences that are high on your list of priorities? When you feel insecure and jealous, take a moment to pray for guidance and insight. “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.” (Phil 1:9-10)

Dr. Cathleen McGreal is a psychology professor and certified spiritual director.

My siblings are rude to my fiancée. They need to stop. My siblings don’t like my fiancée; they are making our engagement miserable. How do I get them to act more polite?

up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1) In other words, first you need to know and understand the reasons for your siblings’ attitudes towards your fiancée. In a non-defensive way and using I statements you could put into words your feelings. Don’t push for answers or jump to conclusions. This must

conflict resolution be a listening and a thinking session for you. Then, it will be your turn to share the positive qualities that moved you to select her as your wife-to-be. Ask your siblings to listen to you as you have listened to them. The non-threatening interchange of opinions, feelings and reasons, on both sides, will bring about, if not their acceptance of your chosen fiancée, at least the respect that you and your fiancée deserve.

S. Kendrick

Experts agree that squabbling between siblings teaches them to balance their competitions, learn rituals of making up, and can provide experiences to acquire the necessary skills to be part of other social networks. “A mild answer turns back wrath, but a harsh word stirs

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Reframe the relationships. Your question indicates a sense of insecurity when comparing your relationship with that of the day-care provider. Instead of thinking of yourself and the caregiver as competitors for your daughter’s

affection, begin to visualize ways that you are partners with similar goals. Love is not a limited commodity. A person who is happy and secure is likely to share that sense of well-being with others. During the early years, a key aspect of development is building a belief that the world is trustworthy because parents, extended family and other caring adults are there to provide support. The fact that your daughter has a warm relationship with her day-care provider shows that you are providing a safe and loving environment during the times that you cannot be available. Give yourself a pat on the back for making a good choice!

Dr. Gelasia Marquez is a psychologist and family counselor.

FAITH Magazine / January/February 2013 / www.FAITHmag.com St. Blaise, bishop and martyr; St. Ansgar, bishop Feb. 3 | St. Paul Miki and Companions, martyrs Feb. 6 |

She

says:

“ He is spending us into the poorhouse!”

“It’s my money – I should be able to spend it however I want.”

Sharon says: I found out that Jack has spent us into a huge debt without my knowledge. Apparently, he’s been visiting department stores with our credit card, as well as making large purchases. I feel betrayed; it’s like financial infidelity.

says:

Jack says: I earn the money – I should have the right to decide how to spend it. I don’t know why Sharon is getting so bent out of shape – it’s not like we are homeless because of it.

What

do they do?

arriage is not about “mine-is-mine and yoursis-yours,” it is about working together, sharing responsibilities and making joint decisions that benefit the family unit. Marriage is about selfless giving and not selfish taking. We are not surprised Jack and Sharon are experiencing issues surrounding their finances because the three constantly recurring marital challenges involve time, sex and money. the priorities of money and how it is to be spent. There is nothing wrong with Jack having a right to spend money being brought into the household, but the same is true for Sharon. Who gets to spend it doesn’t matter, as long as both agree to it and the decision is not made unilaterally. Without making a big scene, one approach Sharon might wish to take is to share with Jack, choosing her words carefully, her concerns about the money Jack has spent and the impact it is having on their relationship. In turn, Jack should be ready to share with Sharon why he saw the need to put them into debt. Both Sharon and

Jack should be prepared to acknowledge a possible issue that would be helped best by a professional. Choosing the most effective words when sharing your concerns is important and should not be taken lightly. Scripture reminds us, “In the same way the tongue is a small member and yet has great pretensions. Consider how small a fire can set a huge forest ablaze.” (James 3:5) This is what strong negative words will do for your relationship; they can be devastating. Both Sharon and Jack appear to have strong feelings about this issue and both need to be sensitive and compassionate when discussing it. As marriage partners, respect and consideration are at the top of the list of prerequisites for a successful dialog. With this is mind, the reasons behind this issue has the potential to surface. T. Gennara

Finances are a crucial topic on the “must-discuss” list for all engaged and married couples. As with most marital challenges, finance issues need to be handled together – as a couple. Making joint decisions about finances are just as crucial as discussing your sexual desires and protecting the prime time you spend together. Finance issues should not be about who makes the money or even who spends the money, as it has more to do with how to manage it for the present and future. The independence as a family unit is tied to successful planning and handling of money. It is a fact that most households have two breadwinners these days; some from necessity and some from desire. Consequently, it is really crucial that both husband and wife make time to talk to each other about

your marriage matters

Deacon Tom Fogle and JoAnne Fogle help prepare couples for marriage.

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culture

A real American

mericans love to root for the home team. We celebrate our nation’s historical heroes and their contributions to the world. As a country, we cheered as our Olympians fought for gold in London last year. We naturally want our own to succeed and be recognized. And we saw this enthusiasm among Catholic Americans when two of our very own North American holy women were canonized saints last year by Pope Benedict XVI. And, of course, this should make us proud.

One of the two canonized, St. Marianne Cope, was a German-born American who became a member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Syracuse, N.Y. There, she worked at St. Joseph’s Hospital, where she gained a lot of experience that would eventually help her

in her ministry. Later on, she received a letter requesting help at hospitals and schools in Hawaii and to assist those suffering from Hansen’s disease. Many other religious institutes had declined, but Mother Cope willingly volunteered to care for the lepers on the island of

FAITH Magazine / January/February 2013 / www.FAITHmag.com

Molokai, Hawaii. She faithfully devoted much of her remaining life there and “sacrificed for the salvation of the souls of the poor Islanders.” Jan. 23 is St. Marianne Cope’s feast day. Now, Hawaii is a much more hospitable place in January than my part

of the country. But the tropical setting would have been little consolation to the conditions she faced, as she cared for these suffering victims. Just as in the time of Christ, the lepers she nursed and fed were not only afflicted with the disease, but also with the sense of isolation and abandonment it brings. Over time though, her hard work and love did make the island of Molokai a brighter and more cheerful place for those who were sent to live there. Of course, there is nothing wrong with cheering for

Blessed Pius IX, pope Feb. 7 | St. Jerome Emiliani, priest; St. Josephine Bakhita, virgin Feb. 8 |

an hero Hawaiian chicken kabobs 4 boneless chicken breasts (cut into thick pieces) 16 large pineapple chunks 2 medium sized onions, quartered and layers separated Âź cup soy sauce 1 tablespoon sesame oil 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 4 cloves crushed garlic 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger 2 tablespoons brown sugar Freshly ground pepper 4-5 skewers

For basting

Âź cup soy sauce 3 tablespoons melted butter

Directions

new and foreign environment. I picture her nursing and feeding these people with medicine and food that was likely quite different from what she was used to at the hospital in Syracuse. This Hawaiian-inspired dish includes ingredients that St. Marianne Cope would have served to nourish those she cared for. I am sure you will enjoy the recipe. But, in so doing, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s remember an American hero of whom we can all be proud and a saint to celebrate and from whom we can ask intercession: St. Marianne Cope.

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sports figures. And those who risk their lives here and overseas to defend us are truly brave and heroic. But, in the largest and truest sense, when we measure our performance toward our ultimate earthly goal, which is holiness through faith, sacrifice and love, the saints are the ones who give us so much to cheer, to be proud of and to emulate. They are the truest of heroes. In adapting to the local customs and traditions of the people she served, St. Marianne Cope had to implement her mission and purpose within a

Make the marinade. In a large airtight container or zipper storage bag, combine chicken pieces, soy sauce, sesame oil, Worcestershire sauce, crushed garlic, grated ginger and brown sugar. Place in the refrigerator overnight. Preheat broiler (high heat setting). Arrange marinated chicken pieces, onions and pineapple chunks onto the skewers, alternating the ingredients. Place on a baking sheet lightly sprayed with vegetable oil and add a bit of freshly ground pepper. Broil on high for 6-8 minutes, basting the kabobs a couple of times. Rotate, and broil for an additional 6-8 minutes, basting a few more times. (cooking time will vary depending on the oven and oven rack placement). Serve over a plate of brown or white rice.

Michelle DiFranco is a designer and the busy mom of two children.

St. Scholastica, virgin Feb. 10 | Our Lady of Lourdes Feb. 11 | Ash Wednesday Feb. 13 | St. Cyril, monk and St. Methodius, bishop Feb. 14 |

Photography by Philip Shippert

yourfaith in the know with Father Joe

Dear Fr. Joe: It seems that once again, we’re approaching another new year and, more than anything, I want to use the new year to really grow spiritually. I always have great goals to do better, but never seem to hit them. Can you help me?

Ahhhh – the New Year and its resolutions! I think your experience is one that many share – including me! Based on my own past struggles and resolutions, I do have some advice that I hope will help you. I think the first, and perhaps best, step in this situation is to realize that you, like everyone else, need help. One of the consequences of original sin is that we are flawed creatures who wrestle with doing what we know we need to do. The Apostle Paul captured a lot of the frustration of trying to do the right thing in this passage from Romans 7, which starts on verse15: “I don’t understand myself; I do not do the good I intend to do, I do what I hate” Through the rest of Romans 7, St. Paul walks through the struggle of his desire to do the right thing and his inability to do

it. He goes on to say that, when he’s not frustrated by his inability to do what is right, he’s frustrated by how prideful he gets when he does get it right! It’s the crazy trap we all wrestle with. So, what’s Paul’s answer? He ends up thanking God because all of these troubles force on him the truth that can save him: Jesus is the answer. St. Paul found that his frustration with his sin compelled him to turn to Jesus, and this, I think, is a great part of what made him a saint. So we who, 2,000 years later, have the same problem as St. Paul, can find hope in the same answer: Jesus! It’s not a failure on our part to need God’s help, it’s reality. And by living in that reality, we draw all the closer to holiness. So, any goal that you and I have related to holiness simply must begin with our need for Jesus and his Holy Spirit to take our desires and make them possible. What’s the best way to connect with Jesus and his Holy Spirit?

FAITH Magazine / January/February 2013 / www.FAITHmag.com

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How do I keep my New Year’s resolution to be holy?

That would be prayer. It would seem, then, that we have arrived at our first goal: we will be men and women of prayer in 2013. There is no goal we can set or thing we can do that will accomplish more for the kingdom of God in our lives and the world around us than prayer. I recognize that prayer can be tough. For me, I’m a bit of a “mover.” I like to move around and have a tough time standing or sitting still. My first real efforts at prayer often ended in a frustration that I couldn’t just sit there for long periods of time; when I did, my mind went everywhere but toward God. I struggled with this for a long time. One day, I talked to my folks about it. My mom gave me a great prayer. She told me that, as soon as I got up, I should begin praying “Lord, let your Holy Spirit pray within me.” Then, when I sat down to prayer, say it again as I started. I got into that habit and now, years later, not only can I sit still and at peace, but I really need to! God is amazing. That simple prayer can help guide you toward a really healthy and whole prayer life. Also, if 300 more people pray that prayer, I think my mom gets a toaster oven or something. All kidding aside, one of the blessings of this prayer is the recognition built within it that prayer is not just about our effort or will power, but about God getting it done in us and for us. Once we’ve decided that any progress in holiness needs to start on and center around prayer, we should set one or two realistic, concrete and measurable goals toward our prayer life in 2013.

Send your questions to: “In the Know with Fr. Joe” FAITH Magazine, 1500 E. Saginaw St., Lansing, MI 48906 Or: JoeInBlack@priest.com An active and healthy prayer life is one that is both personal and communal. Personal prayer is time with just you and God. This is when you present yourself and some dedicated time to the Lord and let him take it where you need. Make sure your goals here are realistic – what amount of time will challenge you, but not present such a huge jump that you are going to fail? Set your goal around that idea. In terms of communal prayer, I’m assuming you go to Mass every Sunday. If not, then that’s something you’ll really need to do right away. I have written about this in the past, and probably will write about it again, but suffice it to say that we need the community and the community needs us. What you’ve asked here is a beautiful thing and I hope you can see that there is no reality we can conceive of where God would not be pleased with your desire to make 2013 a year of growth in holiness. With that in mind, you can be sure that God with you and in you will guide you toward the life you were made for: sainthood in Jesus. Enjoy another day in God’s presence!

The Seven Holy Founders of the Order of Servites, religious Feb. 17 |

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special report

We know God through our sexuality

id you know that in and through your body you are given a gift and a task to be a window into eternity? Blessed Pope John Paul II states that “the body and it alone is capable of making visible the invisible, the spiritual and Divine.” Humanity, he said, is called to reveal God in and through the body.

John Paul gave a series of 129 “Wednesday audiences” in Rome between 1979 and 1984 on this very topic, which have come to be referred to as the Theology of the Body. He summoned all humans, inviting us to contemplate the beginning of creation in Genesis where we see the original plan of God for

man and woman. Pope John Paul II continues to take us on a journey through time revealing the disunity with God, with each other, and, indeed, within our very selves that became the aftermath of the “original sin.” He also explores the results of the grace offered when the fullness of divinity was united with humanity in the person of Jesus Christ. Christ opens for us a door not only back to the beginning, but forward into the heavenly (eschatological) destination of man and woman. Christ’s covenantal love for his bride, the Church, shown through his total self-gift for her on the cross, reveals to us the key to true spousal love in matrimony and reveals, as well, the true spousal love found in consecrated celibacy for the kingdom. Often the Church is misunderstood and thought to be prudish in regards to sex and sexuality, but John Paul’s exploration reveals that, far from rejecting the body and its sexual essence, God’s plan is to reveal through our sexuality an insight into the very nature of God himself. Theology of the Body hinges on the very understanding of the meaning of love, life and our sexuality being a reflection of God, who is an eternal exchange of love among Father, Son and Holy Spirit, an eternal exchange of gift. Our call to image him through living the truth of the spousal meaning of the body is meant to lead us to our ultimate destiny and the fulfillment of all our desire, which is nothing less than the marriage of mankind with God. Theology of the Body seeks to discover the meaning of our existence as bodily creatures who are both male and female and who are called to union with each other and with God. The language we speak with our bodies in sexual union, as well as that spoken in consecrated celibacy, is meant to proclaim truth: revealing who God is, who we are and how we are called to live. The body is a window into the divine through reciprocal giftgiving, holding nothing back and receiving the other totally. All are called through a vocation (marriage, holy orders or consecrated life) to make an irrevocable commitment to an “other” for a lifetime. It is through this radical gift of self that all are able to peer into the divine. Through this work of Blessed John Paul, we come to see God’s desire from the beginning of time to marry us in light of man’s call and destiny of being a complete spousal gift! Jesus Christ revealed in his human body the mysterious love of his Father for all of mankind. It is also through our bodies that we, too, are called to reveal the total gift of love that God is. God is meant to be seen in the world, and the ultimate meaning of our bodies (ourselves) is to be that image of him to others.

Father John Linden and Dawn Hausmann are avaible throughout the diocese to give vocational presentations that are based on an understanding of John Paul II’s Theology of the Body. jlinden@dioceseoflansing.org | dhausmann@dioceseoflansing.org

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spiritual fitness

The Thirteenth Station: Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross.

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Year of FAITH – Year of PRAYER

conversion

“Y

et even now,” says the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping and with mourning; and rend your hearts, not your garments. Return to the Lord, your God for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love…”

Lent begins on Feb. 13 this year – very early. Lent is a time of conversion – a time to return to the Lord in whatever ways you have turned against him: in your attitudes, your conversations, your plans and goals, even in your hopes and dreams. Are you in any way choosing to do what you want, rather than what the Lord wants? You have this month to examine your conscience based on the areas I just listed. Prepare for Lent so that when Ash Wednesday arrives, you are ready to get down to the great work of conversion. I call it a great work because when you cooperate with the Lord – not hiding your sin, not excusing it, not minimizing it, but facing it straight on – you will be amazed at the freedom the admission brings you. We spend so much energy hiding and excusing our sins and transgressions, even burying them, that we have little energy or room in our lives for all the good things God wants to give us. Try to go to confession even before Lent begins so that you can spend the six weeks of the Lenten season actually participating in the act of conversion with the power of God’s grace. Yes, there is confession available during Lent – take advantage more than once if you can. But I want to suggest that going before Lent can be very good, if you have taken time to see the areas of your life that block God’s grace. It enables you to begin Lent with a clear conscience. Lent is much more than facing sin. That’s just the first step. God has so much of his life to share with you. We want to hate sin as God does because God knows that sin impedes his presence and his action in our lives. By sin we say no to God! Let’s get rid of it as soon as, and as often as, we recognize it. The second suggestion is to pray the Stations

of the Cross as often as you can during the six weeks of Lent. When someone we love has gone through a horrible experience, we want them to share it with us that we might, in a certain way, comfort and support them. When we make the Stations of the Cross, we accompany Jesus on his torturous journey to Calvary – step by major step. As we accompany him in our walk, station by station, the path that he walked, we begin to see more clearly what he has done for us and we are drawn to give him comfort. The greatest comfort we can give him is repentance for our sins – clearing out our lives from those sins that brought Christ to Calvary in the first place. The stations can be prayed privately, as well as with parishioners during a Lenten service. But they can often be prayed alone in the church – any hour that the church is open and Mass is not being celebrated. Most parishes will have prayer books or booklets available to accompany your “journey” around the church – step by step with Jesus. I have included the listing of the 14 Stations of the Cross. Ponder each one for a few moments. Then pray: one Our Father, one Hail Mary, one Glory be … (Other prayers are available through the booklets I mentioned.) Three other areas that you might want to explore during Lent: Learn to grow in thanksgiving to God by daily thanking him for all the blessings that have come to you. We are such a self-focused people that we center our thoughts much more on what we don’t have than on what we do. Such ingratitude blocks us spiritually and we can miss the graces God is pouring down upon us because we want or think we need something else. Look at what God has given you, done for you. Thank him – daily! Third, in the area of fasting: How about doing this for Lent? Fast from selfish thoughts and acts. Fast from jealousy and envy. Fast from greed. Fast from negative speech. The verse from the prophet Joel, quoted at the beginning of this article asks us to rend our hearts, not our garments. In other words, let our sacrifices during Lent be simple and quiet and unobtrusive. Don’t let the world know what you are giving up and God, who sees all, will reward. Finally, as you walk through Lent, love others with the love you receive from God. Sit at the fountain of life and drink deeply and then you will have much to give!

T. Gennara

Lent – a time for

Sister Ann Shields is a renowned author and a member of the Servants of God’s Love. Questions can be addressed to Sister Ann Shields, Renewal Ministries, 230 Collingwood, Suite 240, Ann Arbor, MI 48103

Prayer Intention for the Year of Prayer: “for a greater respect for human life.” The First Station: Jesus is Condemned to Die. The Second Station: Jesus Carries his Cross. The Third Station: Jesus Falls the First Time. The Fourth Station: Jesus Meets his Mother. The Fifth Station: Simon Helps Jesus Carry his Cross. The Sixth Station: Veronica Wipes Jesus’ Face. The Seventh Station: Jesus Falls the Second Time. The Eighth Station: Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem. The Ninth Station: Jesus Falls the Third Time. The Tenth Station: Jesus is Stripped. The Eleventh Station: Jesus is Nailed to the Cross. The Twelfth Station: Jesus Dies on the Cross. The Thirteenth Station: Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross. The Fourteenth Station: Jesus is Laid in the Tomb.

St. Peter Damian, bishop and doctor of the Church Feb. 21 | St. Polycarp, bishop and martyr Feb. 23 | First Sunday of Lent Feb. 26

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theology 101

The Catechism of the Catholic Church Part 2 of a year-long study of the Catechism

n his 1992 Apostolic Constitution, Fidei Depositum, Blessed John Paul II indicated the Catechism of the Catholic Church “is a statement of the Church’s faith and of Catholic doctrine, attested to or illumined by sacred Scripture, the apostolic tradition and the Church’s magisterium.” He went on to declare it to “be a sure norm for teaching the faith.”

actions of the Church’s liturgy and in the seven sacraments.” Again, the Catechism depicts the gifts God has freely given to us for our salvation and then invites us to respond in faith by our participation in these gifts. It is a dynamic that repeats itself in the next two sections as well.

The structure

Humanity was created by God for eternal life in communion with God, or beatitude. Because this is the end for which humanity was created, this section explores both beatitude and the ways of reaching it. We only can be truly alive when our lives are in harmony with that for which we were created.

The Catechism is built upon the four pillars of catechesis: the baptismal profession of faith, the sacraments of faith, the life of faith and the prayer of the believer.

The profession of faith The Catechism states that Christians are to confess their faith before humanity. Consequently, the Catechism begins by expounding revelation, the process by which God “addresses and gives himself to man,” and the faith by which humanity responds to God. In other words, the Catechism follows the same structure of the entire spiritual life: we first receive, and then we respond. Like life itself, God first gives freely in order that we might

have life more fully in communion with the Trinity, our destiny – but we have to choose to respond to this gift by receiving it. It is this “yes” to God’s gift of revelation that the Catechism hopes to foster and deepen through an exposition of the faith. Consequently, the profession of faith “summarizes the gifts that God gives [humanity]: as the Author of all that is good; as Redeemer; and as Sanctifier.” It does this through the exploration of God’s self-revelation to us as the triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The sacraments of faith This pillar of the faith explains how God’s salvation, “accomplished once for all through Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit, is made present in the sacred

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The life of faith

Prayer in the life of faith Relationship with God is rendered meaningless with the absence of prayer. Prayer is the foundation upon which the life of faith is built and finds its ongoing support. For this reason, the last part of the Catechism deals with the meaning and importance of prayer for the believer. It also provides a commentary on the perfect prayer, the “Lord’s Prayer.” It is perfect because it was given to us by

Year of FAITH – Year of PRAYER

Jesus Christ himself and its seven petitions summarize “all the good things which we must hope for and which our heavenly Father wants to grant us.”

In their own words … The “Fathers” of the Second Vatican Council – Pope Paul VI

Additional resources The Catechism does not provide any adaptations of doctrinal presentations and catechetical methods required by “differences of culture, age, spiritual maturity, and social and ecclesial condition.” This faithful adaptation is left to those responsible for instructing the faithful, primarily the bishops, and for particular catechisms. Examples of responses to this need for the adaptation of the Catechism include the Compendium of the Catechism of the flocknote.com/ catechism Catholic Church and the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults. The Compendium employs a question and answer format with only the “essentials” of the Catechism to facilitate ease of use. The U.S. Catechism for Adults was issued by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2006 as a “local” catechism. This catechism is designed to help the U.S. reader better relate to the lessons of faith through the use of stories of individuals from the U.S., sidebars, discussion questions, meditation and prayer.

Pope Paul VI was elected to the papacy on June 21, 1963. He re-opened the Council, which had automatically closed per canon law with the death of Pope John XXIII. He also was charged with interpreting and implementing the Council’s mandates after the Council closed. On the significance of the closing of the council “This is a unique moment, a moment of incomparable significance and riches. In this universal assembly, in this privileged point of time and space, there converge together the past, the present and the future – the past: for here, gathered in this spot, we have the Church of Christ with her tradition, her history, her councils, her doctors, her saints; the present: for we are taking leave of one another to go out towards the world of today with its miseries, its sufferings, its sins, but also with its prodigious accomplishment, its values, its virtues; and lastly, the future is here in the urgent appeal of the peoples of the world for more justice, in their will for peace, in their conscious or unconscious thirst for a higher life, that life precisely which the Church of Christ can and wishes to live them.” – closing speech for Vatican II on Dec. 8, 1965

“To appreciate it properly it is necessary to remember the time in which it was realized: a time which everyone admits is orientated toward the conquest of the kingdom of earth rather than of that of heaven; a time in which forgetfulness of God has become habitual, and seems, quite wrongly, to be prompted by the progress of science; a time in which the fundamental act of the human person, more conscious now of himself and of his liberty, tends to pronounce in favor of his own absolute autonomy, in emancipation from every transcendent law; a time in which secularism seems the legitimate consequence of modern thought and the highest wisdom in the temporal ordering of society; a time, moreover, in which the soul of man has plumbed the depths of irrationality and desolation; a time, finally, which is characterized by upheavals and a hitherto unknown decline even in the great world religions.” – address to the last general meeting of Vatican II on Dec. 7, 1965

Catechism quiz S. Olson

Q: Doug Culp is the CAO of the secretariat for pastoral life at the Diocese of Lexington, Ky. He holds an M.Div. from Mundelein Seminary in Chicago.

The central mystery of the Christian faith and of Christian life is the mystery of the… a. Incarnation b. Trinity c. Resurrection d. Annunciation

(b) Trinity – “It is the mystery of God in himself. It is therefore the source of all the other mysteries of faith, the light that enlightens them.” (CCC 234)

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from the bishop

Year of FAITH – Year of PRAYER

How faith can be deeper

after doubt

Carlson Productions

ust before being ordained a deacon back in 1976, I was on a private retreat. It was the final preparation for the great sacrament of holy orders. Suddenly, I was struck with the most severe doubt that has ever come upon me. I did not believe that Jesus was really present in the Eucharist! The Eucharist had always been the center of my life and certainly was to be even more so as a deacon and then as a priest. I was in a panic.

Bishop Earl Boyea is the fifth bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Lansing.

My retreat director, who also happened to be my confessor and spiritual director at the time, Fr. Doug Osborn, counseled me to simply rest in the faith which had sustained me all the years of my life, that this was a serious temptation, and that God’s grace would help me through. He was absolutely right. The great gift of faith, which God has given us in our Baptism, is always under attack from temptations of the devil. How is it that we can resist these temptations and thus allow that gift of faith to flourish in us?

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The first and most effective way is to desire this — to want to believe and to want to live a life of faith. Without this desire which opens our hearts to the work of the Holy Spirit, we will be closed to God’s action in us. If we have trouble even desiring this, then we should pray to have this desire, that is, to want to want to have the gift of faith. Secondly, oftentimes a very serious block to our growth in faith is our becoming too content with sin in our lives. God has great trouble working in us if we do not want to fight our own sinfulness. Sin is fun! And many of us do not want to give up that fun. But sin will not make us happy — it may make us entertained, but not happy. When we come to realize this, we will repent. What God asks is not that we be completely free of sin. That will not happen this side of the grave. Rather, we have to repent of our sins, seek God’s grace, and desire to do the good. Thirdly, we may at times claim to disagree with an element of our faith, such as my struggle with the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Stubbornness could have locked me into my doubt and there would have been no way out. At those times it is important to rest in our life-long faith, and in the faith of others around us. It is important to seek to understand our faith as handed on to us by the Church over these past 2000 years. That, of course, takes humility. We must admit that when we do not understand something we are willing to seek the wisdom of the Church and that we will be patient until we do understand that. Finally, faith requires an abandonment, a letting go and a handing over of ourselves into the hands of God. We all have doubts. In fact, doubts can be preparations for a deeper grasp of our faith and a more profound living out of that faith. Sisters and brothers, let us desire with all our hearts that faith in God, in his Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Spirit which will allow us that happiness which we all seek, a happiness without end.

yourstories my story

ro-life activist leader Dr. Monica Migliorino Miller has written a controversial book, Abandoned. The book tells details of Monica’s years of fighting for the rights of babies who were aborted.

She shares, “The deaths are hidden. They

are the victims of abortion. They are small and cannot be seen. The book is trying to peel away the veneer of violence done to unborn children.” Monica says it is humbling as an author to know that she wrote about events that she experienced during years of being a pro-life activist. There were burials of victims that were found in trash bins. She spent time in jail because of her convictions. “The primary theme of the book is the legal protection for the unborn. The book gets to the heart and history. It explains what it means to defend the unborn,” Monica says. She tells, “Life begins at conception. The law supports abortion. The incoherency does not make sense. There is a real image of these human beings unjustly put to death.” Dr. Miller and her husband, Edmund, have three children. Abandoned can be ordered through St. Benedict Press or at www.saintbenedictpress.com.

Dr. Monica Miller

fights for the rights of unborn babies 20 24 28

Siobhan gave her son the best gift-loving parents Anthony’s art 40th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade

Siobhan gave

her son

loving parents

ax Renock is a lucky boy. He has three extended families who love him.

Living with her parents in Livonia, Siobhan (pronounced Sha-vaíun) Kava was 25 when she learned she was pregnant. Though unexpected, Siobhan recognized the wonderful gift God had provided as she cared for the growing child in her womb. Thirty miles away, in Saline, Devon Renock and Bevin Kovalik had been unable to conceive, so they reached out to the adoption services provided by Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County. “We can’t explain it, but we weren’t able to get pregnant and we were getting older. We always said we would adopt later, but it became obvious that we were meant to adopt earlier than planned,” says Devon.

FAITH Magazine / January/February 2013 / www.FAITHmag.com

By Michael Spath | Photography by Jim Luning

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cover story

As Catholics, Devon and Bevin turned to faith during those trying next few months as they submitted paperwork, attended meetings and then waited. And waited. And waited. 22

“Going through the waiting and the not knowing if we’d become parents, I’ve never had to have so much faith in my life,” says Bevin. “I had to believe in it, and believe God was looking out for us and wanted this for us, and would make it happen.” “My grandmother had recently passed away and we looked to her as a guardian angel also, and we believed

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good things would happen for us.” In December 2009, with Max due in March, Siobhan prepared to tell her parents, Mark and Maureen, and her brother, John, fearing the worst. Instead, the family rallied around Siobhan and her son. “I was so scared to tell my dad especially, but he was so understanding, and my entire family was just so great,”

Siobhan says. “I wanted to keep him, but, as a family, we asked, ‘What do we want for him?’ and I really wanted him to have a mom and a dad like I did, and I was not in a place to do that. “When we went to Catholic Social Services, they didn’t push me, but they asked me questions like, ‘If you keep him, how often will you have to work? How much time will you be able to spend with him?’

By Michael Spath | Photography by Jim Luning

“They put it into perspective for me that I wasn’t in a place where I could provide for him financially and also provide for him as a mother. It’s almost like I could do one or the other, but not both.” Though she still harbored some questions, Siobhan began the adoptive process, and with her mother and father, carefully sifted through 30 cover letters in narrowing her choice to a handful of applicants. Devon and Bevin, with the uniqueness of their names, caught her eye. And as she delved more into their personal history, she felt a strong connection to them. “She’s Irish and my grandma’s Irish, and he’s Polish, and my dad’s side is Polish, and his aunt and uncle from Pennsylvania have a pierogi shop and I make homemade pierogis, and not that any of that really matters, but my heritage was big for me growing up, and it was for them too,” Siobhan says. “Everything just fit into place. I could tell they were really great people. Before I met them, I didn’t think anyone could be his mother better than me, but God must have put them there because we just totally clicked. I told Bevin, ‘He was meant to be yours from the beginning,’” Siobhan added. There was no time to waste. Kava selected the Renocks in early March, and Max Emmet Renock (named Emmet by Siobhan while she carried him) was due later that month. “It was amazing. Sheer happiness. Excitement. Intense emotion,” Bevin says. “I would imagine it’s like finding out you’re pregnant,” added Devon. Siobhan had asked for, and the Renocks agreed to, a birth plan that included personal time with Max. When she went into labor, difficulties arose. Max was stuck under Siobhan’s ribcage, with his umbilical cord

Devon and Bevin with their son, Max

Siobhan, and her family with Max

wrapped around his neck, arm and torso. He was in distress, and the doctors performed an emergency C-section. “I remember just saying, ‘If you’re going to take somebody, take me. Let him be OK,’” Siobhan says. Max’s Apgar score – a method to assess the health of a newborn on a scale of zero to 10 – was under a one at first, but quickly improved. Due to the nature of the

birth, Siobhan and Max were hospitalized for three days, giving mother and son, and grandparents and uncle, the opportunity to bond before Devon and Bevin took Max home. Siobhan was again having second thoughts, but, in conversation with Mark, Maureen and John, they all agreed Max’s brightest future was with his adoptive parents. “I couldn’t imagine him not

Catholic Charities In addition to adoption services, Catholic Charities agencies provide numerous services to assist families in nurturing life. For more stories about their important work, visit dioceseoflansing.org/catholic_charities as well as: For more stories about how Catholic Charities help families, visit: http://tinyurl.com/transportation-for-sick http://tinyurl.com/NFP-instruction http://tinyurl.com/adoption-program http://tinyurl.com/counseling-assistance http://tinyurl.com/aid-to-the-poor

coming home with me, but nothing had changed; I was still not in the best position to take care of him,” says Siobhan. “And here was this couple that was married, that had a house, that wanted so badly to have a child and was so ready to love him with every part of who they were.” Max went home with Devon and Bevin on March 26, 2010, four days after he was born. That was not the end for Max and Siobhan, though. Participating in an open adoption, the Renocks and Kavas have melded three families into one, providing Max with the ultimate support system, while giving Siobhan the opportunity to remain a part of his life. “It’s pretty unique to have the relationship with Siobhan and her family,” said Bevin, who shows Max pictures of Siobhan and the Kavas when she reads him his bedtime stories. “We’re doing this for him so that he knows where he comes from,” Devon says. “Everything from medical history to ancestry. We want him growing up knowing his story, knowing how he came into our lives and how much he’s loved by Bevin and me, and our families, and by Siobhan and her family.” Not a day goes by that Devon, Bevin and Siobhan don’t think about how great God’s intentions are – that Siobhan brought a healthy Max into the world, and that Devon and Bevin were there to give Max the life she wanted for him. “Bevin gave me a shamrock necklace, which has three leaves, and she said, ‘Max has three parents. He’s always going to know you. He will always be a part of your life.’ “I gave birth to him, and I love him more than anything, but I believe he was always meant to be with them.”

For more information about adoptions, go to dioceseoflansing.org/catholic_charities_agencies

my story

Anthony’s Art of Autism

nthony Stornant Collar is repeating lines from Disney movies and tasks from his to-do list as he circles the counters of his family kitchen. The room buzzes with Anthony’s chatter and the conversations of cousins and aunts preparing food for the open house they will soon host. At the heart of it all, Anthony’s mother, Stefeni, welcomes guests and guides the preparations for the open house exhibit featuring artwork and related products for Anthony’s business, Art of Autism. The air crackles with excitement, but with plenty of helping hands to kick off the event, Stefeni takes a moment to share her son’s story. “As a baby, Anthony was different from his older brother and sister. When I looked into his face, he would turn his eyes away as if he was unable to make the connection. I learned later that his entire nervous system is hypersensitive. Sight, sound, smell, taste

and touch affected him so strongly that even eye contact was too much for him to handle. Also, he wasn’t speaking, unlike my first two children, so we decided to have him evaluated. “When we got the final diagnosis on Anthony’s autism, I wasn’t surprised, but I was heartbroken for him. I always will remember my husband, Alonso, telling me that God will give us some very

FAITH Magazine / January/February 2013 / www.FAITHmag.com

special angels to help us along our way. Sure enough, he was right. Angels have surrounded our family constantly since Anthony was diagnosed at age 2. “His first teacher, Michelle Angell, has especially blessed our lives. On Anthony’s first day of school, he was crying because he didn’t want to be there. I was crying because I didn’t want to leave him. Mrs. Angell took Anthony’s hand, sat him down and gave him

By Nancy Schertzing | Photography by Tom Gennara

paper and a crayon while I looked on with my camera. I have a photo of him crying, then a photo of him drawing. The next photo is of Anthony handing Mrs. Angell his picture and smiling! “From that moment, drawing became Anthony’s favorite method for calming, entertaining and self-expression. He carries his sketch book anywhere he might become over-stimulated or where he has to communicate with a world that focuses heavily on speech. He didn’t learn how to speak until about 4, and, to this day, Anthony’s conversation skills are very limited. When he says a full sentence, we all pay attention because we know he has something important to say. “Anthony speaks through his art. His computer skills and IQ are off the charts, but people don’t always see that because of his difficulty communicating verbally. He draws his concepts with paper and pen then colors the pictures with Sharpie markers. Finally, he scans the images into his computer and edits them until they’re exactly as he envisioned. His world comes alive in his drawings. “When I think about angels in Anthony’s life, I think of how his brothers and sisters – Alina, Alonso Jr. (Bonz), Ashleigh and Alexander – protect, love and care for him unconditionally. They read his body language and speak for him when he has no words. They hold his hand to protect him from danger, and push him to develop to his full potential. Our family always has stressed the importance of being the best you can be with the gifts and talents God has given you. We believe that when you put God first, there is nothing you can’t do. This is so true for Anthony as he continues to use his Godgiven talents to accomplish things in his life. “My husband, Alonso often says he has two vocations: his family and his medical work. The love he has for his family keeps us connected in the good times and bad. He truly exemplifies the word ‘father,’ and Anthony is so blessed for this. “I have always known that my vocation was motherhood. I think the greatest gift parents can give their children is the love they share for each other. I am forever grateful that Alonso is my husband and the father of my children. To be a mother, especially Anthony’s mother, is one of my life’s greatest gifts. “Other angels in our life include our families – both of whom live close to us.

Anthony working on his art

I come from a family of 10 children, so Anthony always has aunts, uncles and cousins around. Alonso’s and my parents have played a huge part in our lives. One of Anthony’s first drawings shows Thanksgiving dinner with Mom and Dad at the head and all their kids and grandchildren seated along the sides of a very long table. Everyone is smiling. “He loves to draw our family and friends gathered together. Whether we’re around a campfire, on the beach, in front of the fireplace at Christmas, it doesn’t matter. Everyone is happy being together. Happiness is Anthony’s essence and his gift to so many! “Of course, life isn’t without trials. Six years ago, we lost our oldest son to brain cancer. Really, in times like that, God’s grace is all that gets your family through. As we stood around Bonz’s hospital bed, Anthony looked at us all and very clearly kept repeating, ‘Don’t cry. Bonz is happy in heaven.’ It was as if he was giving us a message from his big brother that Bonz was OK and he wanted us to be, too. “The next morning I woke early enough to see the morning star shining brightly on the horizon. I called the kids to join me at the window to admire its beautiful light streaming from the heavens. As we stood there, Anthony said very clearly, ‘That’s Bonz’s wishing star.’ And it still is to this day! “There you go! When we’re struggling and looking for hope, God sends the strength we need to make it through. I think in that way Anthony has been the main angel Alonso predicted. He keeps our family focused on what’s really important, making us stop

Anthony’s gallery

to appreciate things we might normally overlook in the beautiful world around us. He also helps bring out aspects of ourselves we didn’t even know existed – especially how much love we have to offer and how to dig deep enough to give it all we’ve got! “Life is not easy for Anthony as he deals with his autism, but he doesn’t let it stop him! He loves life purely and simply. Waking each morning filled with joy, he takes on each day with a spirit that does not fail! He brings out the best in us all. “As a parent, I have this hope that my children will grow to be the best they can be, especially as messengers of God’s word. When we received Anthony’s autism diagnosis, I asked his doctor what we could do for our son. He said simply, ‘Offer him the moon and the stars and see where he goes with it.’ Anthony, because of who he is and what he is about, has taken the stars and given back more than I could ever have imagined. We are grateful each day for the inspiration and hope Anthony’s message provides: There is so much joy and love to share even without the spoken word!”

For information about the diocesan ministries with persons with disAbilities please visit www.dioceseoflansing.org

yourcommun things to do: Jan. 15, a trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts’ Fabergé Exhibition will depart at 10 a.m. from St. Francis of Assisi, Ann Arbor and return at 4:30 p.m. Cost is $31. Lunch at 11:30 a.m. not included. Register early. For information, contact Scott Wright at 734.821.2121. Jan. 24-25, National Prayer Vigil for Life, an all-night pro-life prayer vigil before the March for Life held at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. For information and to view the schedule, visit www.usccb.org. Jan. 30, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., St. Paul of the Cross Retreat Center in Detroit will have the Blessings and Challenges of Women in Mid-life. Cost is $50. To register, call 313.535.9563. For more information, visit www.prayer-in-motion.com. A New Year’s Eve dinner dance with the Misty Blues at St. Agnes in Fowlerville with dinner and door prizes; cost is $35 per ticket with a table of 8 for $250. All are welcome. For more information, call 517.223.8684. Attention single men and women mid-30s-60s – are you looking to meet new people? Lansing Catholic Singles invites you to our upcoming winter events including: Happy hour, Mass and dinner, Super Bowl party and attending a Blackthorn concert. For more information and a complete calendar of upcoming events, call 517.321.7886 or email lansingcatholicsingles@ live.com. New members always welcome. Feb. 2, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., the 15th annual Liturgy and Music Conference, featuring Msgr. Richard Hilgartner, executive director, USCCB Secretariat for Divine Worship, will be at St. John the Baptist Church in Howell.

Feb. 9, 5 p.m.-11 p.m., St. John Church and Student Center will have a Friends’ dinner dance at 327 MAC Ave., East Lansing. For information, call 517.337.9778 or email sjsecretary@elcatholics.org. Feb.10, following the 11 a.m. Mass, St. Thomas Aquinas, East Lansing will have the third annual Intergenerational Lenten Preparation Program – for all ages. Presenter is Craig Pohl, diocesan director of New Evangelization. Lunch included and child care available. For information, contact Deacon Al Weilbaecher at 517.351.5460 or al@elcatholics.org. St. Francis Xavier Parish Mission, Otisville, Feb. 17-20, 6:30 p.m. Led by Father Greg Schmitt. Feb. 23 from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Christ the King, Ann Arbor will have a Holy Spirit Seminar. Registration starts at 8:15 a.m. Seminar begins with 9 a.m. Mass. Cost of $15 includes brunch, lunch and printed materials. You can pre-register at www.ctkcc.net, 734.426.5514 or ortiz4519@ earthlink.com. March 8-10, a REFLECT Catholic Singles Retreat for adults 30s-50s looking to grow in faith at St. Francis Retreat Center in DeWitt. Cost is $145 for room, meals and materials. New members are welcome. For information, contact the REFLECT team at 989.450.0993 or reflect.michigan@gmail.com.

Dates and locations for the 2013 Rites of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion: • Feb. 16, 9:30 a.m., St. Mary Magdalen, Brighton (Genesee and Livingston counties) • Feb. 16, 2 p.m., St. Andrew, Saline (Washtenaw, Lenawee and Hillsdale counties) • Feb. 17, 2 p.m., St. Martha, Okemos (Shiawassee, Eaton, Ingham, Clinton and Jackson counties)

FAITH Magazine / January/February 2013 / www.FAITHmag.com

Parish Lenten activities: Feb. 15-March 22, Fridays, 4:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., St. Patrick, 5671 Whitmore Lake Rd., Ann Arbor will have Lenten fish fries in its parish hall that include: Alaskan Pollack, potato or macaroni ‘n cheese, salad bar, beverage and dessert. Cost: adults $8, seniors $7 and children 5-11 $6.50. Every Friday during Lent, St. Casimir Men’s Club will host a fish fry. Serving All-You-Can-Eat fried perch, smelt, baked fish, French fries, coleslaw, roll, butter and beverage for lunch, noon-1p.m., and dinner, 5 p.m.-7pm. Cost: adults $10, seniors $9, children 6-11 $6; and 5 and under free. Feb. 15 and Feb. 22, 4 p.m.-7:30 p.m., St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Howell will have fish fries. Feb. 20-March 20, Wednesdays, 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m., St. Thomas Aquinas Church, East Lansing will have a Lenten Soup and Substance Speakers Series in Father Mac Hall, beginning with prayer and meal, and followed by presentation. Fridays during Lent, 4:30 p.m.-7 p.m., St. Catherine Labouré, 211 Harmon Ave., Concord will have soup and salad dinners that offer two choices of homemade soups with a salad bar, grilled cheese and grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Cost is by donation, with takeout available. Feb. 15-March 22, Fridays, 4 p.m.-7 p.m., St. Robert Bellarmine in Flushing will have fish fries. For more information, contact the parish office at 810.659.2501. Feb. 15-March 22, Fridays, 4 p.m.-7:30 p.m., St. Mary Men’s Club of Pinckney will have Lenten fish dinners. Cost: Adults $9, seniors $8, children under age 12 $4 and a $30 family plan. Menu includes: baked or battered fish, choice of potato, coleslaw, beverage, dessert and more. Starting Feb. 15, 7 p.m., on Fridays during Lent, SS. Charles and Helena Parish in Clio will have Stations of the Cross.

Bishop Boyea’s Jan.-March 2013 confirmation schedule: • Jan. 22, 7 p.m., St. Rita, Clarklake • Feb. 10, 2:30 p.m., St. Mary Cathedral (Immaculate Heart of Mary, St. Andrew Dung-Lac and St. Casimir, Lansing) • Feb. 11, 7 p.m., St. James, Mason • Feb. 20, 7 p.m., St. Joseph, St. Johns • Feb. 27, 7 p.m., St. Mary, Chelsea • March 20, 7 p.m., St. Martha, Okemos

nity Protecting God’s Children for Adults Feb. 12, 6:30 p.m.9:30 p.m., Protecting God’s Children Awareness Session for Adults will be at St. Mary, Westphalia. Pre-register online, at www.virtus.org. Please don’t contact the parish to register.

Diocesan men’s conference Feb. 23, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., all men of faith are invited to the 2013 Diocese of Lansing Men’s Conference at the Best Western Plus Hotel, 6820 S. Cedar St. in Lansing. Guest speakers include the renowned biblical scholar Dr. Scott Hahn; Catholic evangelist Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers; and Al Kresta, nationally recognized Catholic apologist and radio show host of Ave Maria Radio.

Knights of Columbus 2013 holy hours The Diocese of Lansing’s Knights of Columbus are sponsoring holy hours in the 2013 Year of Prayer with eucharistic exposition, prayer and benediction at four regional parishes on two occasions. The dates and locations are: Lansing area at the Cathedral, Jan. 4 and March 1, 12:30 p.m.; Flint area at Holy Redeemer, Burton, Feb. 1 and March 1, 7 p.m.; Jackson area at Our Lady of Fatima, Michigan Center, Jan. 29 and March 5, 7 p.m.; and Ann Arbor area at St. Mary, Chelsea, Jan. 29 and March 5, 7 p.m.

Catholic Charities Catholic Charities of Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale counties, 517.782.2551 or www.catholiccharitiesjacksonhlenaweehillsdale.org Jan. 11, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. and Jan 12, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., a WE C.A.R.E. marriage preparation class will be held at Queen of the Miraculous Medal Parish, Seton Hall, 606 S. Wisner St. Register four weeks prior to the class. Livingston County Catholic Charities, www.livingstoncatholiccharities.org or 517.545.5944 Two classes of WE C.A.R.E marriage preparation class at St. Patrick Parish, Brighton. Dates: Feb. 22, 6:30 p.m-9:30 p.m. and Feb. 23, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., or March 5-6, 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Cost is $75. Registration is four weeks prior to the class. Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County, www.csswashtenaw.org or 734.971.9781 ext. 421 Jan. 18, 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. and Jan. 19, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., WE C.A.R.E. class for engaged couples at St. Mary, 14200 E. Old U.S. Hwy.12, Chelsea or Feb. 1, 6:30 p.m.- 9 p.m. and Feb. 2, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at St. Patrick, 5671 Whitmore Lake Rd., Ann Arbor. For information or to register, call 734.971.9781 ext. 421. St. Vincent Catholic Charities, www.stvcc.org or 517.323.4734, ext. 1700 Two classes of WE C.A.R.E. marriage preparations: Feb. 2 and 9, 9 a.m.-noon at Cristo Rey Parish, Guadalupe Hall, 201 W. Miller Rd. or Feb. 16 and 23, 9 a.m.-noon at Church of the Resurrection in the rectory basement on the corner of Michigan Avenue and Rumsey. To register, call 517.323.4734, ext. 1700 four weeks prior to the class.

40 Days for Life – Lansing prayer campaign The campaign begins Feb. 13 and runs through March 24. The campaign has a three-fold objective: to pray and fast for an end to abortion; to conduct a peaceful prayer vigil in front of the abortion clinic Womancare clinic, 1601 E. Grand River in Lansing, 12 hours per day; and to do local community outreach to help people understand what impact abortion has on all of us. Stay connected with 40 Days for Life-Lansing at www.facebook.com/pages/40Days-for-Life-Lansing/189148421118339?ref=hl.

Retrouvaille Retreat 2013 schedule: If you are considering separation or divorce, Retrouvaille can help you put the pieces back together and rebuild a loving relationship. The program in Lansing begins with the weekend of Jan. 18-20 at St. Francis Retreat Center in DeWitt and continues with six follow-up sessions, which will be held on Saturday evenings at St. Casimir Church in Lansing. If you can’t attend the January weekend, there are retreat weekends on April 12-14; Aug. 2–4; and Oct. 25–27. For more information, call 800.470.2230 or 517.290.5596 or visit www.retrouvaille.org.

Cultivating God’s Garden Through Lent Margaret Rose Realy is the coordinator and originator of the garden society at St. Francis Retreat Center in DeWitt, where she and volunteers build and maintain gardens of prayer and memorial on the 95-acre site. She has written homilies and commentaries for the Diocese of Lansing, the gardening column for the Jackson Citizen-Patriot newspaper and is a contributing columnist for CatholicMom.com. Margaret’s upcoming book, Cultivating God’s Garden Through Lent, will be released Jan. 2 through Patheos Press. Her first book, A Garden of Visible Prayer: Creating a Personal Sacred Space One Step at a Time, was released March 2011 through FAITH Catholic Publishing.

Cultivating God’s Garden through Lent

Margaret Rose Realy

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these two decisions continue to provide the basic legal framework on abortion, even though the court continues to hear and rule on cases dealing with abortion. One of the more recent cases came in 2007. The case was prompted by the passage of the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003, which President George W. Bush signed into law. The law banned what is known as intact dilation and extraction, whereby the baby is partially removed from the mother’s body in order to be killed prior to full extraction. The court upheld the law, marking the first time since 1973 that the court allowed a ban on any type of abortion.

special report

40th anniversary of

Roe v. Wade

n Jan. 22, 2013, the nation will mark the 40th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s controversial Roe v. Wade decision – a controversy that still rages on today.

A brief history In 1965, all 50 states had bans in place against abortion, although some 20 states made exceptions to save the life of the mother, in cases of rape or incest, or if the fetus was deformed. However, the power to determine the legality of abortion was soon wrested from the states by the

Supreme Court. In 1973, the Supreme Court declared most existing state abortion laws unconstitutional in its Roe v. Wade decision. In particular, the court ruled against any legislative interference in the first trimester of pregnancy and limited restrictions that could be applied to abortions in later stages of pregnancy.

FAITH Magazine / January/February 2013 / www.FAITHmag.com

The Roe decision remained basically unchanged until the 1992 case of Planned Parenthood v. Casey. In this case, the court upheld Roe, especially the fundamental right to privacy regarding the abortion decision. At the same time, it replaced the trimester system established by Roe with the point of fetal viability as defining the state’s right in restricting abortions. It also lowered the legal standard to which states could be held in placing restrictions on abortions from “strict scrutiny” to “undue burden.” Together,

The central issue The legality of abortion revolves around the fundamental question of when human life, or personhood, begins. In 1973, the Supreme Court sidestepped the issue by citing the common law tradition of not recognizing the unborn “as persons in the whole sense.” Consequently, the unborn did not enjoy the legal protection to life provided by the 14th Amendment. The Church’s position In contrast, the Church’s position on abortion is grounded in the Fifth Commandment given to Moses on Mt. Sinai: “You shall not kill.” Quoting the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith instruction, Donum Vitae, the Catechism of the Catholic Church (2258) explains that “Human life is sacred because from its beginning it involves the creative action of God and it remains for ever in a special relationship with the Creator, who is its sole end. God alone is the Lord of life from its beginning until its end: no one By Douglas Culp

can under any circumstance claim for himself the right directly to destroy an innocent human being.” As it specifically regards abortion, the Catechism (CCC 2270) states that human life is to be respected and protected “absolutely from the moment of conception.” The Catechism (CCC 2271-72) goes on to say that direct abortion (abortion “willed either as an end or a means’) is gravely disordered and is, in fact, quoting the Vatican II document Gaudium et Spes, an “abominable crime” that constitutes excommunication from the Church latae sententiae or “by the very commission of the offense.” All of this is to say that the Church teaches that the direct destruction of innocent human life is an intrinsic evil. An intrinsically evil act is an act that is incapable of being ordered to the good. Neither the intention (end) of the act nor the circumstances accompanying the act can ever justify or properly order such an act. Impact on society The legalization of abortion in the United States has led to the destruction of more than 54 million unborn children since 1973. Pope Benedict XVI described the logical social impact of such anti-life policies in his 2009 encyclical Caritas in Veritate. For example, when he deals with the question of population growth, he argues that viewing population growth as a negative stands contrary to the “inalienable values of life and family.” Predictably, such a “disordered” anti-life notion will produce only a more “impoverished” notion of life and family. He cites declining birth rates (below replacement levels in many countries) as leading to strained social wel-

fare systems, increased costs, decreased savings and investment, reduction of laborers, and increased social isolation of smaller families. All of these factors diminish the quality of life of the individual, family, and society and will ultimately lead to the death of all three. The United States is beginning to face these very fruits. Nor is it a surprise that the diminishment of respect for human life that occurred with the legalization of abortion has carried over to a diminishment of respect for human life at other stages (take for example, the legalization of embryonic stem cell research and of physician-assisted suicide in Oregon, Montana and Washington).

A new challenge to the Church The advocacy of expanding abortion access has led now to the current direct challenge to the Church’s freedom of conscience. The infamous Health and Human Services mandate arising from the passage of health-care reform legislation basically forces Catholic employers and Catholic institutions to provide coverage of contraceptives, sterilization and abortioninducing drugs. A narrow definition of what constitutes a religious employer makes exemption for the Church and Catholic institutions like charities, schools, universities and hospitals impossible if they are to remain truly Catholic.

The rule took effect on Aug. 1, 2012, with enforcement against some religious employers delayed until August 2013. Cardinal Timothy Dolan, archbishop of New York and president of the USCCB, characterized the “extension” as signifying that “we have a year to figure out how to violate our consciences.” The USCCB website (www.usccb.org) provides a link that allows people to contact Congress directly regarding this issue. In addition, it recommends concerned citizens to get informed by reading the USCCB FAQs regarding the HHS mandate and the select news releases the site provides.

abortion by the numbers

Percent of women having abortions because they became pregnant by rape or incest

26 73

Seconds that elapse between abortions in the United States

Percent of women who have had an abortion that report a religious affiliation

79 84.6

Percent of Americans opposing the current abortion-on-demand policy

Percent of abortions performed by curettage (dilation and evacuation by suction)

*Statistics from Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life (2012), Marist Poll (2011), The Guttmacher Institute (2005), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2008)

local news

The little fir that grew into a Michigan Christmas tree

The massive tree began life in Fred Watson’s backyard when he brought it home in a paper cup from Kresge’s Five and Dime. On Nov. 2, when

the tree was carefully cut down for travel to Lansing, it was 75 feet tall and weighed 22,000 pounds. The roots of the tree’s past

St. Mary and St. Ann parishes merge St. Mary Parish in Charlotte and St. Ann Parish in Bellevue have merged. Both parishes will maintain their worship sites. These two parishes have had a long relationship and the merger will help strengthen St. Mary Parish it. It began in 1918. St. Mary received Father Jordan as its pastor. St. Ann was a mission and Father Jordan went there twice a month to St. Ann Parish say Mass and perform other pastoral activities. By May 1923, Father Duffy, the pastor, received permission from Bishop Gallagher to build a church. The church cost $5,250 and was dedicated Mar. 4, 1924. Father Francis Mossholder, the current pastor of St. Mary and St. Ann parishes, said that though the 100 families at St. Ann have never had a resident priest they have a real sense of ownership and will continue to maintain their religious education. – Jan Hoffbauer

St. Robert Robotics Team headed to state competition — again On Nov. 10, the St. Robert School FIRST Lego Robotics team qualified for the state championship for the third year in a row and qualified for the state tournament. The winner from that tournament will move on to the world competition, which will be held in St. Louis, Mo. in April of 2013.

New Powers High School construction underway The construction of the new Powers High School, Flint is underway. Located immediately off I-69 from the Hammerburg Road exit, at what is currently the Michigan School for the Deaf and Blind, the construction is expected to be completed for the 201314 school year. For more construction updates, visit www.powers.catholic.org.

Siena Heights University Choir to sing at the Vatican From Dec. 27 to Jan. 6, the Siena Heights University Choir will perform in Rome, Siena, Florence and Assisi. One of the highlights of the trip will be singing at a Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. The choir will perform locally Jan. 13 at 2:30 p.m. at Holy Rosary Chapel at the Motherhouse of the Adrian Dominican Sisters in Adrian.

The 2012 State Christmas tree traveled north to Lansing not from a tree farm but from the Jackson yard of St. John the Evangelist parishioners Anthony and Stephanie LaPorte. The 75-foot tall Concolor Fir is the tallest Christmas tree ever displayed and the first tree south of Lansing to be selected for the honor of Michigan State Christmas tree.

and present family are deep in St. John the Evangelist Parish. Fred Watson graduated from St. John the Evangelist High School after his family moved to the Jackson area from England when he was 12. His wife Marguerite also was a St. John’s graduate. Anthony went to St. John’s Elementary and graduated from Jackson’s Lumen Christie High School, and now his two children attend St. John’s. With such a strong connection, Anthony asked Associated Pastor Father Robert Pienta to say a prayer over the tree and the men taking it down.

FAITH Magazine / January/February 2013 / www.FAITHmag.com

Diocese compliant with charter A recent audit conducted by Stone Bridge Business Partners on behalf of the USCCB Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection found the Diocese of Lansing to be in compliance with the provisions of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. The diocese is audited on an annual basis, and is consistently found to be in compliance.

Diocesan Women’s Conference a huge success More than 1,000 women attended We Hold this Treasure, the Catholic Women’s Conference, held in Lansing on October 27. Keynote speakers included By Mary Kay McPartlin

Why do we believe life is sacred from the moment of conception?

re those who hold belief in the “sanctity of life” a bunch of fanatics? Why do they hold the position that human life is sacred?

We are made in the image and likeness of God. “So God created human beings in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” (Gen 1:2627) Therefore, what it means to be a person is found in the fact that we are endowed with minds and hearts. God knows and God loves, and so being in his image and likeness we know and we love. This means that the sanctity of human life will not be recognized without a prior recognition of the sanctity of God and his creating love. This is true from the moment of conception. The DNA coding and the genetic make-up of an adult person is the same as it was when that person was first conceived and came into being. We also need to recognize that God made each one of us to love him. We are created by Love, and we are made for love. Our very nature cries out to love and to be loved. Our very being cries out for our need to be loved by God and to love him in return, the source of our being. When does a person become a person? Only after being born?

last word

When does a person begin to be? The answer is found in the very beginning of a person’s existence, an existence that was given by Love himself, made for being loved, made for loving others and made to be loved by God. “You have made us for yourself, O Lord,” said St. Augustine, “and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” Psalm 8 sings of the worth and holiness of every living person in its magnificent reflection on the connection between God’s grandeur and the glory of being one of his sons and daughters: When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what are mere mortals that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than gods and crowned them with glory and honor. Father Charles Irvin is the founding editor of FAITH Magazine and is retired.

The Diocese of Lansing celebrates its 75th anniversary this year

CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF LANSING

Do you recognize this cemetery? Christina King, Erin Looby Carlson, Father Ben Luedtke and Elizabeth Ficocelli. Bishop Earl Boyea celebrated Mass for the attendees, and music was provided by Melanie Rea. There was also a special appearance by Magic Carpet Theatre. In addition to Mass, there was an opportunity for reconciliation and adoration. To read biographies of the speakers, visit www.lansingdiocesecwc.com.

If you recognize this cemetery, drop us a line on our Facebook page. Answer next month! Last month’s answer: St. John, Fenton

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notes:

Diocesan Women’s Discernment Retreat April 13-14, 2013

Join us for a Women’s Discernment Retreat at Camp De Sales, 1134 Venture Dr. in Brooklyn. The retreat starts at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, April13 and ends at 1 p.m. Sunday, April 14. If interested, contact Dawn Hausmann, director of Consecrated Vocations 517.342.2506 email dhausmann@dioceseoflansing.org.

For more details, visit www.dioceseoflansing.org/vocations.

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