January/February 2017

parenting journey

MY 4-YEAR-OLD IS BITING KIDS AT PRESCHOOL theology 101

WHAT DO YOU SAY WHEN... A co-worker asks you about being Catholic? worklife

MY BOSSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; POOR PLANNING MAKES MY JOB HARDER

WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT HUMAN TRAFFICKING? An interview with Professor Bridgette Carr

FROM THE BISHOP

BISHOP EARL BOYEA

is the fifth bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Lansing @BishopBoyea

Carlson Productions

STANDING ON TWO LEGS

WE ARE STANDING ON TWO LEGS! In 2012, our diocese set out on a journey to deepen our discipleship and then transform that discipleship into outreach to those neighbors and friends of ours who are “former” Catholics, that is, to help make us missionary disciples. In fact, one might say that we are never really disciples of Jesus unless we are sharing him and inviting others to know him, and then walking with them along his way. A good 1,800 of your fellow parishioners joined in a two-day assembly to reflect upon and undergo some very basic training in how to call by name these other Catholics in our midst. They came from every parish, and you may wish to contact one of them to help you become a missionary disciple as well. The key place where all of us will find support for and a challenge to reach out to our brothers and sisters is our parish. And if there is to be a great re-awakening of the faith in our communities, it will take place in our parishes, largely due to the efforts of the laity. I once read an article that spoke of the first great evangelization being conducted by the apostles, the first bishops; then the second great wave was by the priests who went as missionaries into various parts of Europe and Asia. The third great wave took place when the new worlds were discovered and religious order missionaries were especially prominent in proclaiming the Good News. This New Evangelization will require the work of the laity — living and speaking the Gospel message of Jesus Christ in the places where you work, live, play and assemble. Obviously, for this to take place, we need to do a better job of equipping you for this mission. That happens in your parish. I wrote of two legs. The second is our capital campaign, the first for our diocese in its history. The largest single component of the campaign is to strengthen your parish. I invite all of you to consider how you will leave a legacy that the next generation and the one after that will find helpful for their own faith life. Others before us built the parishes we enjoy today; let us leave them in even better condition for our descendants. This campaign also will assist in the pension support of our elderly priests, in paying for the formation of future priests (our seminarians), in promoting better adult and youth catechesis and evangelization, in making a deeper commitment to our Catholic Charities, who carry out so much of our works of mercy, and in providing more scholarship help to those in need to take advantage of our Catholic schools. The campaign, which seeks a five-year pledge, will also pay for the 2017 Diocesan Services Appeal, which will not take place, and, hopefully, will provide some starter money to get air conditioning in the cathedral. As you can gather, that last one is low on my priority list. All of these activities should help our parishes be even better places to celebrate the sacraments and our faith, and thus make all of us better missionary disciples. We had a very successful pilot phase for 16 of our parishes in the fall of 2016. Now, your parish will participate either in the January grouping or the July grouping of this year, 2017. Please be prayerful about how you can make a sacrificial offering, and then how the Lord might give you the courage to reach out to those Catholics out there whom we really want to come home.

This New Evangelization will require the work of the laity – living and speaking the Gospel message of Jesus Christ in the places where you work, live, play and assemble.”

FROM THE EDITOR

How our parish school LED A STUDENT TO CONVERSION

T.Gennera

N JULY OF THIS PAST YEAR, I became pastor of St. Mary Parish in Charlotte. Like a number of parishes around our diocese, St. Mary is blessed to have a parish school as part of its ministry. To some, it may sound a bit strange to think of a parish school as part of a parish's "ministry," but it has been my experience, having been pastor of two different parishes with schools, that it is vitally important for our parish schools to see themselves as ministry fields, rather than as private schools that happen to be Catholic. I was reminded about why this is so important on the very first day of the current school year.

FATHER DWIGHT EZOP

is the editor of FAITH Magazine and pastor of St. Mary Parish, Charlotte and St. Ann Church, Bellevue Email: editor@ FAITHpub.com.

Beyond the need to provide good academic formation, our parish schools must be places where our students receive good spiritual formation, too. That is true for both Catholic as well as non-Catholic students.”

On that day, we gathered the entire student body, as well as school faculty and staff and a number of parents and grandparents, for the first Mass of the school year. Because it was the first day of a new school year, there was a lot of excitement in the air. Students were gathered, renewing friendships, new students and faculty members were being welcomed to the school community, and it was my first Mass with the school community in my new parish assignment. The Mass was a beautiful way to ask for God's blessings and guidance for our school community as we embarked on a new academic year. To the best of my recollection, the Mass went well – but I honestly don't remember it as clearly as I might. In part, that might have something to do with my now 51-year-old memory banks, but I think it also has something to do with the fact that an incident that happened after Mass has stuck in my mind since that first day of school. At the conclusion of any school Mass, I have always made it my practice to visit with the kids on their way out of church. That day, I was exchanging greetings and "high fives" with the students as they made their way from the church to the parish hall for lunch. As part of that exiting stream of students, one of our middle schoolers stopped and greeted me and then asked me very plainly, "Father Dwight, can I be baptized and become Catholic?" I have had lots of school students ask me lots of questions through the years. This was the first time that anyone had ever asked me that one. Beyond the need to provide good academic formation, our parish schools must be places where our students receive good spiritual formation, too. That is true for both Catholic as well as non-Catholic students. The young person who asked me that question on that August morning will be baptized and welcomed into the Catholic Church at Easter this year. Fellow students and his classroom teacher will be helping him to prepare for that day. Truthfully, though, they have been helping in the process for some years now. Why else would a young person, of their own accord, ask to be baptized and be brought into full communion with the Church? The school community – its students and teachers, staff and families, have been encouraging, by their example, and through their lived faith, the spiritual journeys of countless students through the years. Having a school as part of a parish community is a sacrifice. It is a sacrifice of financial and other material resources. It requires a dedicated faculty and staff who are often not financially compensated for their true worth. Parents and grandparents, general parishioners, and parish service organizations like the Knights of Columbus sacrifice so much in time and treasure in order to support a parish school. Many will ask whether such sacrifice is "worth it." My experience of the first day of school this year tells me that the answer to that question is an unqualified "Yes". And so, our journey in FAITH continues.

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FAITH HELPS

DISCIPLESHIP

For personal reflection or small group discussion Parenting journey

• Although the child in this scenario is only 4 years old, bullying can happen at all ages, even with adults. Reflect on Romans 12:17-21 to learn what St. Paul says about how to conquer evil.

Work Life

• Do you ever feel that you are being forced to work long hours because of other people’s actions? Discuss how you might broach this subject with a supervisor at work. Seek counsel from Proverbs 29:11.

Theology 101

• Has someone ever asked you why you are Catholic? How would you answer? Discuss how you might be able to use the evangelization pillars of prayer, invitation, witnessing and accompanying to help bring someone back to church, or help someone discover the richness of our faith.

Cover story

• Beth Reamsnyder says in her interview with FAITH that the children at Sacred Heart school receive a classical education that points students to the truth – the truth of God. What kind of impact do you believe such an education could have on your children or grandchildren?

FIND MORE ONLINE GO TO FAITHPUB.COM TO FIND ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS AND RESOURCES

INSIDE JAN./FEB. 2017

COVER STORY BETH’S MISSION: MAKING SAINTS HOW THIS PRINCIPAL’S LITTLE SCHOOL IS A POWERHOUSE P. 18

YOUR LIFE

6 marriage matters

He says: ‘She is always texting, even during dinner.’ She says: ‘I can multi-task; what’s the problem? What do they do?

parenting journey

My 4-year-old is biting kids at preschool

work life

YOUR FAITH

YOUR STORIES

10 in the know with Father Joe Apologetics or Apologizing?

12 theology 101

What do you say when ... A co-worker asks you about being Catholic?

13 spiritual fitness

Lectio Divina – Praying through the year with Scripture

My boss’ poor planning makes my job harder

Men’s conference for Tom is opportunity for spiritual growth

23 interview

What can you do about human trafficking? An interview with Professor Bridgette Carr

P. 8

FOLLOW FAITH PUB SHARE YOUR FAITH WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND FOLLOWERS

24 my story

‘Prayer changes us’ Ruth knows the power of prayer

8 culture

Enjoy authentic paczki before observing Lent

PLUS

9 goodlife

Embrace your Catholic values in online dating

22 my story

30 pope watch P. 14

What Pope Francis has been saying and doing recently 5

YOUR LIFE MARRIAGE MATTERS

HE SAYS:

She is always texting, even during dinner Jennifer is always texting, even during dinner. I’d really like to have an uninterrupted conversation occasionally, particularly at meals. I feel as if she’s never fully focused on us.

SHE SAYS:

I can multi-task; what’s the problem?

SEE THE THINGS TO DO SECTION ON PAGE 26 FOR INFORMATION ON THE SEVENTH ANNUAL MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT CONFERENCE TO BE HELD ON FEB. 4 IN BRIGHTON

ONE OF THE GREATEST GIFTS we can give our loved ones is our undivided attention. WHAT DO As Pope Francis recently wrote to married THEY DO? couples, “Listen patiently and attentively to everything the other person wants to say. … Do not be rushed, put aside all of your own needs and worries, and make space.” The pope lamented: “How often we hear complaints like: ‘He does not listen to me’” and ‘Even when you seem to [be listening], you are really doing something else.’” (Joy of Love, no. 137) When Mark wants to talk, Jennifer actually is doing something else. She’s texting her colleagues at work. Jennifer may think she can multi-task. But multi-tasking is really just trying to do two things at the same time. More likely than not, neither will be done well. Work deserves our full attention during working hours. Our family deserves our full attention when we are home. Employers feel free to encroach more and more on family time 6

because technology has made workers more available. A boss or colleague who would never have dreamed of calling another employee at home after they left the office sees nothing wrong in texting or emailing. But it’s important to maintain a healthy work/life balance. We work to provide a good life for ourselves and our families. Work shouldn’t prevent us from having a good life. A healthy ordering of priorities is first God, then family,

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I have a lot of people who need to get hold of me, often for work. I can multi-task and check texts and listen to Mark at the same time. I don’t see the problem.

MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT

and lastly work. Jennifer and Mark might want to institute a no-technology rule, at least for mealtimes. No matter how important Jennifer’s work is, she can carve out an hour of uninterrupted time with her husband. Mealtime gives family members a chance to strengthen the emotional connection between them, nourishing hearts and souls as well as bodies. A few decades ago, the question was whether to put the television on or answer the telephone during dinner. The easy answer was no. The same thing applies with smartphones. Technology is meant to serve us. We don’t have to be at the service of our own technology.

Note: Nothing in this column is meant to provide psychological or medical diagnosis, treatment or opinion.

DR. MANUEL P. SANTOS AND KAREE SANTOS

are co-authors of The Four Keys to Everlasting Love: How Your Catholic Marriage Can Bring You Joy for a Lifetime (Ave Maria Press, 2016).

YOUR LIFE WORK LIFE

MY BOSS’ POOR PLANNING MAKES MY JOB HARDER YOUR LIFE PARENTING JOURNEY

MY 4-YEAR-OLD IS biting kids at preschool

A and realistically.

Cagily, gingerly, persuasively T. Gennara

My 4-year-old has been getting in trouble at preschool for biting some of the other kids. He’s

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normally really sweet-tempered, but this is worrying us. How do we make sure he doesn’t become a bully?

My daughter, Erin, had learned to “use her words” to express feelings, but one afternoon a child responded aggressively. She ran to me and said, “I used my words and he didn’t care!” Childhood aggression can be considered through a developmental perspective.

T. GENNARA

Biting during the toddler years. Toddlers are just learning effective ways to communicate. If Harper grabs a toy from Logan, then his angry response may be biting. Adults can console the victim and provide feedback to the biter: “It’s not OK to bite Harper. That hurt her. We only bite food.” Sometimes, adults can intervene before the biting occurs by suggesting ways to share: “Harper would like a turn. Why don’t we take turns with the red truck and the blue truck?”

You’ve seen that meme that says, “Lack of planning on your part doesn’t constitute an emergency on my part.” That’s the story of my life at the office – my boss’ poor planning results in rush projects and late days for me. How can I address this to achieve a change?

DR. CATHLEEN MCGREAL

is a psychology professor and certified spiritual director.

Biting during the preschool years. As children get older, they can use their words to express frustration and anger. Your son is biting at an age when others have learned to respond with language. Ask the preschool teachers whether there are particular contexts that are associated with the biting. Find out how they redirect his behavior and then use the same strategies at home. Avoid responding to aggression with aggression. Sometimes friends recommend giving children “a dose of their own medicine.” Biting children to teach them not to bite isn’t effective; it doesn’t help develop inner control. Instead, work with the preschool director to develop a plan to reduce your son’s biting. If no change is seen in his biting behavior within a month, consult your pediatrician to see if there is an underlying problem. Pray Isaiah 54:13 as you make parenting decisions.

• Cagily. I once reported to a high-level executive who JIM BERLUCCHI made a very clumsy public is the executive comment. He wasn’t aware director of the that it bombed. Embarrassed Spitzer Center. for him, I pondered what to do, and made a calculated risk based on two considerations. First, I gauged him to be humble. And two, he was passionate about being an effective leader. So I decided to roll the dice. • Gingerly. I figured the best approach for both of us was a delicately stated note that included the wording for a suggested apology. I submitted it with perspiration. It worked! He later apologized to the same group. They broke into applause as I wiped my brow. It was a rare win, win, win – for him, his audience, and me. • Persuasively. Appeal to your boss’ self interest. How would better planning benefit him and the output of your office? Cite an example of when he planned well, and its effect. How could your own performance and product improve (and better reﬂect on him) with improved planning? • Realistically. Bosses usually don't like corrective input from their subordinates. If they did, they would invite it. Plus, it can backfire. The boss can conclude that you’re the problem; that you’re not nimble and ﬂexible. And even if he does receive it, making the change will probably not be easy. If that’s the case, gird your loins, grit your teeth and build your resilience. David’s boss, King Saul, chased him all over Israel to kill him. If you can’t take it, seek a better option. 7

YOUR LIFE CULTURE

PACZKI

1 cup lukewarm whole milk 1 package active dry yeast 1/3 cup sugar 2 ½ - 3 cups all-purpose flour 2 egg yolks ½ teaspoon vanilla 3 tablespoons butter (melted and cooled slightly) Canola oil (for frying) Any fruit jam (optional for filling)

ENJOY AUTHENTIC

PACZKI

BEFORE OBSERVING LENT

T. Gennara

OR THOSE WHO may not be familiar with paczki (plural, pronounced ‘POON-shkee’), they are Polish pastries that are inextricably linked with Fat Tuesday celebrations. The closest American analogy to the paczek (singular, pronounced ‘PON-check) is the jelly-filled donut. But if you refer to a paczek as a donut in front of a true Pole, they will promptly correct you. They truly are a superior delight when authentically made.

MICHELLE DIFRANCO

is a designer and the busy mom of three children.

There is another observation to be made about paczki and their role as a herald to Lent. Our Polish neighbor used to say, “Eating one makes you happy, eating three makes you sick.” I never understood where eating two paczki went in that little anecdote, but I think we get the idea. Paczki are good, and all that is good comes from God. Enjoy one, and thank God for the sweet things he provides us in life. But consume too much, and you won’t really be thanking anyone for anything. So try a paczek – but not three – and have a blessed Lent!

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Heat milk in a small saucepan and let cool to lukewarm. In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in milk and let stand for 5 minutes. Add 1 cup of flour. Stir with a wooden spoon until smooth and let stand for about 30 minutes or until bubbles have formed. In a small bowl, whisk the egg yolks until frothy. Add sugar, salt and vanilla and continue to whisk until combined. Add the sugar/egg mixture to the bubbly dough and vigorously mix with a wooden spoon. Add melted butter and continue to stir. Gradually combine remaining flour until a slightly sticky but soft dough comes together. Knead a few times and form dough into a ball. Place dough in a large greased mixing bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Place in a warm area until dough has doubled in size (40-50 minutes). Roll dough to a ½-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface. Cut out dough rounds using an upside down coffee mug and place onto a parchment lined cookie sheet. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise for another 30 minutes (in a warm place). Heat a deep skillet with 1 ½-inches of canola oil (to about 350 degrees). Place 3-4 paczki in skillet (at a time) and fry for about 2030 seconds or until golden brown on each side (using tongs to flip). Repeat process for remaining paczki. Gently place on paper towel-lined plate and then dip into granulated or powdered sugar. Using a piping bag, fill paczki with fruit jam of choice.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHANE FOLKERTSMA

YOUR LIFE GOODLIFE

Embrace your Catholic values in

ONLINE DATING

s the “perfect” love story the one that begins with the chance meeting in the coziest of coffee shops, and moves perfectly through conversations with strategically and respectfully placed flirtations that lead to “happily ever after”? Not

at all. How are you supposed to meet “the One” in an era that keeps our eyes on our phones and our thoughts on everybody and everything except what’s in front of us? Why not try an online dating site? Here are a few tips to get you started. 1. Be smart. Don’t give out personal identifying information. Be open without giving away your address and phone number – even a fact like your employer shouldn’t be shared until you’ve actually met. 2. Be realistic. It’s easy to fall for the idea of who someone might be when you aren’t face-to-face. Just like you would if someone walked up to you in a coffee shop, protect your emotions and your heart before you leap into all the incredible scenarios of how perfect your life would be together. 3. Be honest. Use a site like CatholicMatch.com that gives

you a personality inventory about things that really matter to you. Be real with yourself. If you really want someone who enjoys going to Mass daily or who loves to be involved with their family, put it out there. 4. Pray. Put it all in God’s hands. Pray for your future spouse and ask God to give you eyes to see who he provides for you. In the end, it’s all in God’s time. Relax and work on getting to know yourself and strengthening your relationship with Christ. He will provide. He always does. BY CYNTHIA KAAN

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YOUR FAITH

APOLOGETICS OR APOLOGIZING? Q

DEAR FR. JOE: Whenever I hear people talking about apologetics, I get confused. It sounds like apologizing, and I don’t think we need to apologize for our faith! What am I misunderstanding?

T. Gennara

IN THE KNOW WITH FATHER JOE

FATHER JOE KRUPP

is a former comedy writer who is now a Catholic priest. @Joeinblack

into: Catholic apologetics. So, what is Catholic apologetics? Defined loosely, it is an attempt to use reason, Scripture and tradition to defend the Catholic faith and/or teaching. We can use apologetics to explain Catholic teaching or doctrine to those who have “why” type questions. We can also use apologetics to defend our faith when an atheist or non-Catholic Christian asks for more information from us. Now that we have an understanding of what apologetics is, I hope we see that apologetics is, to some extent, the call of every Catholic. In 1 Peter 3:15-16, we see these words from our first pope: “Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who defame your good conduct in Christ may themselves be put to shame.” We can and should use these words as a fuel to guide us into a deeper knowledge of what we believe and why we believe it. With that in mind, my first challenge here is to grow in understanding our faith. There are so many resources out there that I dare say it would be a crazy thing for me to attempt to whittle it down into a list. Get on Google and type “Catholic apologetics.” Go to your library and look for good Catholic resources. Pick one topic and research it so that you can understand the reason we believe what we believe. In 1926, a noted Catholic apologist named G.K. Chesterton wrote “The difficulty explaining why I am Catholic is that there are 10,000 reasons all amounting to one reason: that Catholicism is true.” You’ll find that to be accurate once

A to do than you would think, because the word is First, let’s define apologetics. It’s a tougher thing

ﬂexible enough to be used in a few ways. These days, when we say we are apologizing, what we are usually doing is asking someone’s forgiveness in an informal way: “I apologize for laughing when your team fumbled and my team scored.” Believe it or not, its original usage was different: to apologize meant to explain one’s behavior or to defend oneself. In fact, the word ‘apology’ comes from the Greek word apologia, which means “speak in return, defend oneself.” The first time I heard of this was when I read Socrates’ Apology, which was his public defense at his trial for numerous charges. Socrates stepped forward, addressed each of their charges and explained why he was innocent, or, in some cases, why he was guilty, but why what he was guilty of was a good thing. Over time, the usage of the word has evolved and, as I typed earlier, we tend in common speech to use it to mean, “I’m sorry.” However, the original intent of the word has remained, and it is used in religious and philosophical schools. For example, we have what you probably ran

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that truth is strong and doesn’t need our manipulations or anger. People will move toward Catholicism because of the truth and beauty in it, not because we humiliated them, beat them down and/or argued better than them. This sort of virtuous behavior will in and of itself be a profound witness to those who have eyes to see and ears to hear. A good Catholic apologist knows that love must be the only reason we engage in a discussion/argument about our faith. Share with those who ask out of genuine curiosity. Share with those who ask because they want to know. Walk away from the need to win and make sure you only engage out of love and/or because of love. In short, we don’t have to bite at every piece of bait thrown in front of us. Always, always, always remember that truth is a person: Jesus Christ. We do not want to abuse truth or use it as a weapon to bludgeon people who irritate us. If someone asks questions and sincerely wants to know, meet them in that holy curiosity and bring truth with you. Share what you’ve learned with joy and good humor. Let God do the rest – it will blow you away. Enjoy another day in God’s presence. BOB PATTEN

you dive in – our ancient faith is beautiful! So, now you are “armed.” You have a deeper understanding of our faith and you are ready to defend that faith with your learning. In a sense, you have the “Why?” and now you are looking for the “How?”. In my opinion, a key guiding factor in how to defend our faith is to remember the words of the lesser-known saint, Kenny Rogers. He once said “You’ve got to know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em, know when to walk away, know when to run.” With the advancement of social media, our society has become much more combative than I remember us being in the past. Our social media feeds are filled with anger, criticism, virtue signaling and all sorts of noise. Right now, if a person were to develop an interest in the Catholic faith and got onto Facebook or Twitter to see what Catholics are saying, they’d see a lot of Catholics posting about why Pope Francis is wrong or how priests are celebrating Mass wrong. They’ll observe a whole lot of complaining and anger, but not much love. In my opinion, we are our own worst enemy. Apologists stay away from that complaining, nitpicking and angry world, because they understand

Q: What did the left eye say to the right eye? A: Between you and me, something smells.

YOUR FAITH THEOLOGY 101

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What do you say when ...

A CO-WORKER ASKS YOU ABOUT BEING CATHOLIC?

Albert L. Winseman, in his book Growing an Engaged Church: How to Stop ‘Doing Church’ and Start Being the Church Again, writes that engagement is ultimately tied to how deeply one feels about something, a feeling that leads to commitment. It involves getting and giving; belonging and growing. Winseman also identifies indicators of engagement. Some of these indicators are knowing what is expected of us, having spiritual leaders who care about us as people, having our spiritual needs met and feeling that our participation is necessary for the mission. Boredom, or disengagement, can occur when these indicators are in short supply. This is why it is so important to focus on the spark of desire expressed in the co-worker’s statement. For example, if it is the peace you seem to get from the Mass that is attractive to her, to what do you attribute this peace? It is upon this spark that you can begin to engage your co-worker in dialogue, learn about her and, hopefully, grow with her.

This year, Theology 101 will focus on the topic of evangelization. Specifically, the task will be to offer some ways of approaching various questions Catholics may encounter from co-workers, family and friends regarding the practice of the faith. Of course, we must remember that nothing can replace the power of witnessing to the Good News through our own actions and words, combined with our willingness to accompany others on their faith journey.

S. OLSON

THE QUESTION: My co-worker told me over lunch that she was raised Catholic and used to go to Mass, but gave it up because she found it boring. She said she wishes she could get out of it what I do – what can I say to encourage her?

DOUG CULP

is the CAO and secretary for pastoral life for the Diocese of Lexington, Ky. He holds an MA in theology from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.

Your engagement with your co-worker about what it is the co-worker believes you get out of Mass can provide an opportunity to evangelize, or share the Good News, about the Mass. Of course, you want to evangelize in a way that will hopefully lead to the co-worker’s desire to re-engage with the Mass. Ideally, the Mass, in the sharing of God’s word and Christ’s body and blood, builds a community that cares for one another, belongs to one another and supports the spiritual growth of its members. In other words, the Mass involves getting and giving; belonging and growing.

DIGGING DOWN

FANNING THE FLAME

This is an interesting comment. On the one hand, this co-worker has given up going to Mass because it was boring. In other words, she lost interest in the Mass. On the other hand, she looks at you, who presumably attends Mass regularly, and sees in you something that she desires. The question, of course, is what is it that she finds so desirable in terms of what she thinks you get out of Mass? So the starting point is determining what has actually piqued her interest, rather than focusing on the reasons she found the Mass boring.

When someone expresses the desire to get from the Mass what you get from the Mass, consider the following:

BUILD UPON THE FOUNDATION OF DESIRE

Accompaniment and dialogue are keys, as the faith journey of each person must be respected and honored.

Boredom ultimately involves problems of engagement. 12

FULL CIRCLE

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1. Invite them to attend Mass with you. 2. Invite them to a prayer group or a Bible study. 3. Encourage them to explore a Catholics Returning Home program, and go with them. 4. Create a safe space for them to continue to discuss their faith journey with you.

YOUR FAITH SPIRITUAL FITNESS

LECTIO DIVINA Praying through the year with Scripture

When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at home. Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, even around the door, and he preached the word to them. They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him. After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Child, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there, asking themselves, “Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming. Who but God alone can forgive sins?” Jesus immediately knew in his mind what they were thinking to themselves, so he said, “Why are you thinking such things in your hearts? Which is easier to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, pick up your mat and walk’? “But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth” – he said to the paralytic, “I say to you, rise, pick up your mat and go home.” He rose, picked up his mat at once and went away in the sight of everyone. They were all astounded and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.” (Mk 2:1-12)

After you have read these verses, pause and ask God to show you what he wants you to see, to understand, to imitate. Then read the passage again, slowly, out loud. Then read my commentary below, slowly.

SISTER ANN SHIELDS

BRING YOUR LOVED ONES AND FRIENDS TO JESUS DAILY AND INTERCEDE FOR THEM. PRAY DAILY AND NEVER GIVE UP. NEVER GIVE UP!

T. Gennara

is a renowned author and a member of the Servants of God’s Love. @srannshieldssgl

Notice that the paralytic’s friends find a way to bring him to Jesus. A way to express the same concern in our day is this: Bring your loved ones and friends to Jesus daily and intercede for them. Pray daily and never give up. Never give up! God hears every word of your prayer, but he never violates the free will he gave each of us. Therefore, we keep praying until the loved one yields to what God is offering. In the passage, Jesus turns to the paralytic and says, “Your sins are forgiven you.” The man was hoping for physical healing, but look at what God had in store for him! Jesus gave him what he, perhaps, didn’t even know he needed most – the forgiveness of sin, which then set the stage for physical healing as a sign that God had healed the far deeper wound. How do we deal with our own sin? Do we go quickly to Jesus and ask for mercy, ask for forgiveness, or do we just hide and excuse ourselves? Sometimes that approach can lead to self-hatred or loss of hope. Remember that Jesus always forgives, and always desires to bless. Another very important point of the drama is this: Right in a holy and miraculous moment when the crowd is rejoicing, the Scribes express anger! They don’t ask Jesus genuine questions; they don’t seek to learn and understand. We, sometimes, can act like this. Perhaps God is showing us something about ourselves that we don’t like — do we turn away? Ask God to help us to humble ourselves and be honest with him. Don’t let pride keep you from the gifts God has for you. As you read this article, perhaps Jesus is offering you forgiveness or healing of some kind, and you may ignore it because it means facing yourself – asking the questions that reveal your own pain. Maybe it is a lack of faith; maybe there is little hope in your own heart of God’s love for you. Remember this: God wants, in Christ, to befriend you and bring you to peace and joy in his presence. May this reflection draw you closer to him, where he can speak to your heart and give you his peace. 13

MIKE FRIESEMAN

FOR TAYLOR, ‘EVANGELIZING IS A RELATIONSHIP’

HAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE to be in tune with God? For Taylor Feldpausch, of Westphalia, being “in tune” is having the ability to open his mind and heart to God. Every morning, Taylor wakes up an hour before his wife, Jessie, and their four kids. His wife, he says, is a silent force of prayer and a huge support to him. During that hour, Taylor spends his time in prayer and reﬂects on daily readings and God’s will. Taylor’s faith impacts his daily life, and he says it is a lens through which he sees everything. “The customers I deal with, my co-workers, my

– CARI ANN DELAMIELLEURE-SCOTT

Craig Pohl talks about funding evangelization programs

EVANGELIZING/LIVING THE FAITH

itness to Hope will W provide support for successful parish programs that support evangelization. What types of programs are likely to be supported? Encounter opportunities such as Alpha, Life in the Spirit seminars, Christ Renews His Parish, ChristLife, Cursillo, High School Kairos and more will be supported. Support also will be given to discipleship group initiatives, parish welcoming formation and leadership training. Can you give some examples of successful evangelization programs from around the country? Success can be a little difficult to measure, since it relates to individuals’ personal conversions. Yet the majority of evidence I’ve seen out there suggests that all of the encounter opportunities I mentioned above bear the most tangible fruit. How will parishes be able to receive funds? We haven’t yet decided on exactly how funds will be appropriated, but I’m sure it will have similarities to how our existing evangelization grant program works, where the diocesan grant money subsidizes a large portion of the expenses to help a given parish put on an evangelistic event. How do you see this effort affecting the work being done through the two previous diocesan assemblies and the one to come? I think the timing is perfect. God has blessed us with a special grace of renewal in our diocese, and I believe Witness to Hope is an important part of what God is doing. There is a lot of new energy and vision among the faithful of our diocese for advancing the mission of God. With that new energy and vision come a lot of new ideas. Increasing our resources to help those new ideas birth new initiatives is one of the best ways we can cooperate with the graces we’re being given in this time. Will these funds help us reach out to the growing Latino community and other new groups to our area? Absolutely. Several of our diocesan offices are working together at intentionally branching out into the Latino communities of our diocese. Bishop Boyea has asked us all to keep asking the question of how we can involve and reach out to the Latino community in everything we’re doing. I am confident there are many good things to come on that front.

TOM GENNARA

wife, my children, I view it all in the lens of how would Jesus deal with this situation? If I get in the way, the day looks slightly different,” he says. Once Taylor leaves his house, he spends his 30-minute car ride praying a rosary, and he completes his routine with a praise and worship song. “That’s the last pump-up item before I go into work,” he says, laughing. In Taylor’s office is a crucifix, which is a simple hint that he is Catholic. If those hints are left for people to see, he says, “Things start bubbling up in [people’s] lives” because “they need something more.” “One of the things I always try to do is just go out of my way to smile,” Taylor says. “It’s normally just pure grace that you can actually have a pep in your step and be able to smile at people. Push your problems to the side and show genuine interest in them. I think through that they start to notice something different.” Sharing his faith stems from prayer, and Taylor has been praying for his co-workers for quite some time. Recently, God has started making cracks in his coworkers’ hearts, and for some, Taylor has gained more ground in bringing them closer to Christ. “I can only do so much to bring people to him. Really, it’s [God] who works on their hearts. I try to pray for God’s will to be done in their hearts before I share my faith with them. Slowly but surely, if those people are the people we’re supposed to meet, they’ll say something,” he says. Evangelizing is a relationship, and that relationship can be rocked if we “over-catechize,” he explains. “I think sometimes that can actually hurt people who are already deeply wounded because it pushes them further away … A lot of people aren’t ready for that. They need Jesus to heal their wounds. We need to accompany them on the journey, to listen to where Jesus is bringing us to help them come to him,” he says. Over the years, Taylor has used various resources to grow in his faith – from Formed.org to the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology. He says it is important to learn as much as you can and be confident when sharing the faith. “I think we need to not get caught up in evangelization for evangelization sake,” he says. “I think the key to staying humble in it, from what I found so far – and I don’t claim to know it all – is just getting in touch with the compassion that God feels for people.” Taylor closes his day of faith with nightly prayers with his family. He and Jessie also teach their children about how to live like saints. “I think through teaching them and showing them that it’s through a life of prayer, through knowing God – that they can bring him to others,” Taylor says.

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T’S NOT QUITE ENOUGH to say Beth Reamsnyder is faithful. More accurately, she is full of faith. Beth talks about the role of faith at Sacred Heart, which she and Father Joe Krupp, the pastor, say is the core of the school’s mission: “The purpose of this school is to form saints. We are full of imperfections, and it may seem like sainthood is only for a selectively chosen few. However, that is not the case. We put in his capable hands what we are not capable of doing by ourselves. When you know that, you know he has you, whatever challenges you’re facing. “We are called to sainthood because his love is perfect and he perfectly desires us to be with him for eternity. He desires us to be his own, his saints. 19

YOUR STORIES

“T

HIS SCHOOL IS A TESTAMENT to God’s desire for his saints. It’s a powerful little school that has been operating since the beginning of the Great Depression in 1928. It understands how to love and suffer and give. And that spirit of selflessness, giving and stewardship is reflected back by the community.

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“We are blessed beyond measure by people in this part of Michigan. Hudson used to be a manufacturing town, but many of the factories have closed and workers were forced to move away. Many who stayed commute to neighboring cities, yet they make a joyful sacrifice and invest in our community and in our children’s futures. That sacrifice and investment are returned tenfold in hugs! Everyone who visits is lifted up by our kids. “Our school is like ‘The Little Engine that Could,’ working hard for the community and praying for our neighbors. It’s everything a Christian school should be. The people who work here give everything in the missionary spirit of Catholic education. They see future saints in our children. And our kids are prayer warriors like nobody else – praying together daily, attending weekly Mass and lifting up community intercessions. “When I started teaching here in 2012, we had 36 students. This year, we opened with 84 kids. It’s all because we let God in! They are his kids that he brings to us from home or public schools, Hudson or neighboring communities. We provide a classical education and give students a deeper understanding of the cardinal virtues – prudence, justice, temperance and fortitude. “Those virtues also form the foundation of our discipline policy. When you give the child the virtue, the vice will die. When a child misbehaves, we identify what the child is struggling with. Then we pray about it and walk through it together, sharing their struggle. Behaviors that caused problems dissipate, and our parents

COVER STORY

recognize and are thankful for this growth,” she says. Beth’s faith is the rock of her personal life, as well: “It’s part of raising children to be saints. The end-game is to be with God in heaven, so we have to begin with the end in mind. Wherever God’s calling, you have to be a saint pursuing it. When terrible things happen in your life, you will never make sense of it without keeping sainthood in mind. “I know this. My husband, David, and I have two children – Charles (13) and Cora (5) – and six in heaven. Three miscarried after Charles, and three since Cora was born. After suffering those early miscarriages, we were delighted and nervous when I became pregnant with Cora. We lived in Baltimore at the time and went to the best Catholic hospital we could find. “When the doctor there told us our baby wasn’t developing in utero, we were concerned. When another examination indicated the baby was three weeks behind developmentally, the medical staff thought there were probably other complications. They offered to do a D&E and urged us to test my amniotic ﬂuid for other defects. But we pushed back. ‘So what if our baby is blind?’ we told them, ‘We’ll learn Braille!’ We decided to change hospitals. “Our new doctor ordered an amniocentesis, but honored our decision to let the pregnancy continue. The test showed that my amniotic ﬂuid was clean, and after just 38 weeks’ gestation, Cora was born weighing three pounds, 15 ounces. My placenta was huge and misshapen, but our daughter was normal. “Our doctor pulled us aside and said, ‘She’s little, but she wants to fight. We’re not going to stop fighting, because she’s not going to stop fighting.’ Cora was in neonatal intensive care for two weeks, then we took her home and never looked back. Now

she is a petite kindergartener here at Sacred Heart. Inquisitive, chatty, loves gymnastics – Cora is going to conquer the world and rename it tomorrow! And she adores her big brother. “She certainly renamed my world of being a mom, a teacher and a human being. Those roles were forever shifted with her birth. Thinking about it now, that may be where I began to form my belief of keeping the end in mind,” she explains. Beth sees her role as an intentional disciple; this is what she is called to do. She says, “We are all called to be who we are created to be. We’re not here to fix anyone. We’re perfect as we are. Whether we’re dealing with loss, joy, death, birth or any challenge, our life can’t make sense outside the lens and the truth of God. Here at Sacred Heart, classical education is what we do because it points us

back to that truth. “It’s not about me or my faith, it’s about preparing the next generation to discern Christ’s voice in all that’s going on. We let them know we’re not perfect, and we’re not supposed to be. But if we let God Our school is like ‘The Little in, he can make Engine that Could,’ working sense of our beautiful messes. hard for the community and “Faith, the lens praying for our neighbors. It’s of Christ, teaches everything a Christian school us to handle our should be.” challenges and joys by handing them over to God. We trust that he’s got control and calls us to be with him in heaven. As a mother, a Catholic educator and a faithful person, I’m always keeping that end in mind.”

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BETH REAMSNYDER IS MARRIED TO FATHER DAVID REAMSNYDER, WHOSE JOURNEY FROM ANGLICAN PRIEST TO CATHOLIC PRIEST WAS TOLD IN FAITH MAGAZINE IN DECEMBER 2013. YOU CAN READ MORE ABOUT HOW, IN SOME CIRCUMSTANCES, A MARRIED MAN CAN BECOME A CATHOLIC PRIEST HERE: WWW.DIOCESEOFLANSING.ORG/FROM-ANGLICA-PRIEST-TO-CATHOLIC-PRIEST

YOUR STORIES MY STORY

Men's conference for Tom is opportunity for

SPIRITUAL GROWTH

OM WENZLICK HAS BEEN INSPIRED. First, to attend a men’s conference almost a decade ago in Detroit, then to attend men’s conferences in Lansing regularly, and, finally, to help jump-start a local men’s conference in St. Johns. BY MICHAEL SPATH PHOTOGRAPHY BY MIKE FRIESEMAN

“When men get together in this type of environment, it’s bigger than just being together. It’s about practicing your faith, but also just feeling connected to other Christians in your community that maybe you didn’t know were there,” says Tom. “There is such power in the community, and if these conferences can reach just one man, and transform his life, they are successful.” Tom and his wife attended a couples’ retreat at St. Francis Retreat Center in Dewitt close to 10 years ago, and during the spiritual exercises, he admitted to the conference’s leader he had serious doubts about his

2017 MEN’S CONFERENCE 22

ability to pray, especially with his wife. “I said to him, ‘You can tell me all you want about praying, but I don’t know how to do it. I don’t know what you mean about praying with my wife. I sit there. It’s uncomfortable. It’s not easy. I can’t do it.’ “Before we left the retreat, he brought everyone together, told us to look into our wives’ eyes, hold their hands in ours, and he took us through a single prayer so we knew how to do it. I thought that was incredible,” he remembers. Tom continues: “But even then, and I know I’m not alone from hearing the stories of so many through the years, I was struggling with my faith. I was going to Mass, but I always left church thinking there had to be more. We can’t just attend Mass and then go about our lives. I wanted to be a better man for my wife, for my family, for my God – and so when I heard about the men’s conference, I told myself this was my opportunity.” After attending a men’s conference in Detroit, Tom was hooked – hooked on the spiritual growth he walked away with, and the desire to continue to strive for greater development. He then attended a men’s conference hosted by the Diocese of Lansing. Tom says that the individuals there came for many different reasons: “It’s kind of funny in a way. Many of us are faced with the same issues, dealing with some of the same problems, struggling to balance work and family, but when you ask why they came, you get so many different answers. I believe this is God’s plan. Just as iron sharpens iron, so does one man help to sharpen another man. I try to set a goal of leaving a conference with one thing to improve my life … sometimes that one thing comes from the guy sitting next to me instead of the conference speakers. We men are full of valuable life experiences. Sometimes it just takes sharing with another man to improve another’s life.” Tom is a member of a men’s group in St. Johns, which hosted a successful conference this past fall. Tom says, “Many men came away with a deeper desire to grow closer to Jesus, and we also added a few tools to our spiritual toolboxes. “I heard recently that if you want to change the world, change a society, and if you want to change society, change families, and if you want to change families, change the man, and to change the man you need more than just going to Mass weekly,” he says. “The Holy Spirit is in all of us, but if we don’t plug in and turn it on and mix it up, we’re not going to see that Spirit within us. And getting together with other men is a great way to become engaged.” Tom is looking forward to joining the upcoming Diocese of Lansing Men’s Conference in February.

THE 2017 MAN EVENT WILL BE HELD ON FEB. 25 AT OUR LADY OF FATIMA PARISH IN MICHIGAN CENTER. MORE INFORMATION CONCERNING THE EVENT CAN BE FOUND AT WWW.THEMANEVENT.ORG.

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YOUR STORIES INTERVIEW

GETTY IMAGES

So often, people use human trafficking and sex trafficking as synonyms and they’re not. How can victims be identified? One of the things you want to ask yourself, especially for labor trafficking, is whether the price point of the thing you’re consuming is significantly lower than what you would expect. How can you lower a price point? By exploiting labor. One thing you can look for: Can the wait staff talk to you? An example of a reallife case: One of my clients, a victim, said that one of University of MIchigan Human Trafficking Clinic Professor her clients in the salon she worked in had been Bridgette Carr is the founding director of the Human Trafficking coming to her for years. Clinic at the University of Michigan Law School. The clinic educates One day, the woman said students and also provides free legal services to victims of human to her, “You know what, trafficking. It is the only one of its kind in the United States. Sally, you’ve been 18 for three years,” and laughed. Professor Carr will deliver the keynote address at a Human If you see this girl and she Traﬃcking Conference, sponsored by the Michigan Catholic looks school-aged, but Conference, on Feb. 11 at Lansing Catholic High School. has been telling you that she’s 18 for three years, that’s a pretty good red flag that something is going on. How did you become involved in the issue of human She was just repeating what the trafficker told her to do. traﬃcking? This was not my dream or my vision for my Another example: A nail salon where all the technicians are life. I went to law school really focused on helping refugees. women and the only man is at the cash register and you’re One day, I received a call that a couple of women – foreign not allowed to give any money directly to the women. nationals in Detroit – needed a lawyer. And when I heard You might ask yourself, "Why?" People want to make about the case, I said, “Oh, that’s human trafficking, that’s not trafficking into this very exotic thing, but all of us have that what I do. I help people who are harmed in other countries feeling that something’s not right. For children, we have who get here, not people who get here and are harmed.” both labor trafficking and sex trafficking. They’re used But, they needed a lawyer. In fall of 2009, I launched the in hair salons, restaurant work and agricultural work. For Human Trafficking Clinic with this much broader umbrella, so men, we see them used in restaurant work, landscaping, that we could attend to whatever needs came up and also agricultural and seasonal work. make sure that U.S. citizens are served.

WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT HUMAN TRAFFICKING?

An interview with Professor Bridgette Carr

Who does the Human Traﬃcking Clinic serve? Our clients are victims of sex trafficking and labor trafficking. We see cases that involve foreign nationals, citizens, men, women and children. When we say we are a human trafficking clinic, we really mean it under the full scope of the definition of human trafficking. Why do we hear more about sex traﬃcking as opposed to anything else? Unfortunately, it’s in the media and it seems to be the dominant thing people talk about.

What is the best thing for people to do if they have a suspicion? If you think you can talk to the person safely and they understand English, you can give them the number to the National Human Trafficking Hotline: 888.373.7888. If you can’t have a safe conversation and/ or they don’t speak English, you can call that number yourself and report your experiences. It’s a resource center as well, and as they gather information over a number of calls, they can then hand that over to law enforcement, who will be able to do an investigation.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE HUMAN TRAFFICKING CONFERENCE, SEE PAGE 31.

BY DENYSE SHANNON

“HANDING IT OVER TO GOD WITHOUT RESTRICTIONS OR INSTRUCTIONS CAN BE HARD. BUT THERE’S A VALUE IN PRAYING FOR PEACE WITH WHATEVER COMES.”

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YOUR STORIES MY STORY

‘PRAYER CHANGES US’ RUTH KNOWS THE POWER OF PRAYER “I BELIEVE IN MIRACLES. That’s all I can say.” Ruth Pline has run out of ways to describe the power of prayer in her life and her experience leading the St. Jude Prayer Group in DeWitt. BY NANCY ROSEBUSH SCHERTZING PHOTOGRAPHY BY TOM GENNARA

It doesn’t matter who is asking or where they come from. It doesn’t matter how specific or how vague the request is. God knows what to do with it!”

“I’ve had others say, ‘Oh my Gosh, I couldn’t pray myself, but I knew others were praying.’ That knowledge gave them a lot of peace in the face of terrible circumstances. “I know how they feel. At 13 years old, our daughter, Rachelle, was riding her bike in our neighborhood when she was hit by a pick-up. The truck rolled her under its carriage, then threw her out sideways. She landed unconscious on the shoulder of the road next to her bike. “I wasn’t home, but our neighbor ran over as soon as it happened and held her. She thought Rachelle was dying. Within minutes, another neighbor put a call out to our St. Jude Prayer Group, asking members to pray for Rachelle’s healing and protection. “Sitting in that hospital, engulfed in grief and worry for your child, you can’t even pray. Usually, my prayers are like, ‘Listen to me, God. This is what I think!’ This time, I just didn’t have the words. “But prayer changes us without our even knowing it. All those people on the prayer line were praying for Rachelle and our family.

We were connected to them and to God’s power through them. But in asking for their prayers, we were opening ourselves to a higher power as well. “I would imagine people pray in many ways. Some gather their families and pray, or they have a list of specific prayers they read. For me, it’s not just saying the rosary or attending Mass. Prayer has become a habit, a continuum of life. During the course of the day, I’ll think of the requests on the prayer line and ask God to hear their prayers. At any Mass I attend, I will verbalize the requests of the prayer group and will always add ‘and all the intentions on the prayer line’ to the Prayers of the Faithful. Surgeries, cancer diagnoses, drug rehab – it doesn’t matter who is asking or where they come from. It doesn’t matter how specific or how vague the request is. God knows what to do with it! “Most of us in the prayer group know God hears us when we pray. But I want to make it very clear that it’s not about us or our prayer lives. We’re just the instruments that get it going. Some of us live outside the area. Some aren’t even Catholic. It doesn’t matter. It’s about a community coming together to invite God’s healing to come through us into the lives of those who ask for it.

“Very often, we get thank-you notes from people who say, ‘I knew people were praying,’ or ‘We made it through because we knew someone else was praying when we couldn’t.’ “In our case, Rachelle survived the accident. In fact, the doctors found that she had nothing broken but a cracked pelvis. Today, she’s a mother with four children of her own. “But it’s important to understand that praying through the prayer line isn’t the same thing as asking for miracles. If people are open to prayers, asking for God’s help is where the healing begins. Praying to get through or for acceptance, comfort and strength is powerful. “Handing it over to God without restrictions or instructions can be hard. But there’s a value in praying for peace with whatever comes. Think about the Our Father. Jesus taught us to pray ‘Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.’ That’s where prayer begins and ends. “I don’t know how many people have been helped by the prayer line. Numbers don’t matter, because if one person needs prayer and one person is praying for them – that’s what’s important. I know, and I’m so grateful for the prayers we received in our time of greatest need. And yet, I think when you stop looking for proof that your prayer is answered ... that’s when it is answered most powerfully.”

CALLED BY NAME LEARN MORE VISIT STJUDEDEWITT.COM/ PRAYER-LINE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PRAYER GROUP AT ST. JUDE, AS WELL AS TO SHARE A PRAYER REQUEST.

Do you know someone who has left the Church? The first pillar of evangelization – helping to bring someone back to church – is prayer. To learn more about the four pillars of evangelization – praying, witnessing, inviting and accompanying – and to obtain your personal evangelization plan, visit www.dioceseoflansing.org/2016assembly-highlights or contact your parish. 25

YOUR LIFE THINGS TO DO Jan. 6-8, Retrouvaille of Lansing weekend retreat at St. Francis Retreat Center, DeWitt: Allow the Lord to be the center of your marriage, and transform the decision to love, commit, trust and forgive in your relationship. For information/register, contact Larry and Beth Bauer at 734. 369.3470 or lpbbauer@yahoo.com or visit retrouvailleoflansing.com. Tues., Jan. 10 to March 28, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Financial Peace University will be held at St. Michael Parish, Grand Ledge in the Siena Room. For information, call 517.627.8493. Jan. 13, 7-9 p.m. in the church and Jan. 14, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in the parish activity center, a grief support workshop, “Grieving with Great Hope” at St. Francis of Assisi Church, Ann Arbor. Special guest speakers. Cost of $20 includes lunch. For information, contact Kelly Hernandez at 734.821.2122 or khernandez@stfrancisa2.org. Registration form available at stfrancisa2.com/sign-up-forms. Jan. 20 and Feb. 17, 7 p.m., St. Mary Queen of Angels Parish in Swartz Creek will host its Euchre Tournament fundraiser sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. For more information, call 810.635.3684. Jan. 27, 4:30-6:30 p.m., pasta dinner fundraiser and kickoff for Catholic Schools Week at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School, 915 Alton Rd., East Lansing; dine in or takeout; children/students/seniors

$5 and adults $7; serving pasta with marinara meat or cheese sauce, salad, breadsticks and cookies. God is calling you to a unique purpose in life, a work of love that only you can do. The Called and Gifted Workshop will teach participants about the charisms given to you by the Holy Spirit at baptism and start you on a process of lifelong discernment. Registration is open. For details and information, visit dioceseoflansing. org/evangelization-lay-formation. Feb. 4, St. Patrick in Brighton will host the seventh annual Marriage Enrichment Conference with the theme of “Everybody’s Got Something”; speakers include Catholic talk show host and bestselling author Teresa Tomeo and her husband, Deacon Dominick Pastore; cost is $65/couple and includes breakfast and lunch. To register and for more information, visit idoforlife.org. Feb. 8, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Lansing Catholic High School is hosting its winter Prospective Family Night. Open to families with children of any age to learn more about what LCHS has to offer. To register, contact Admissions Coordinator Karen Gavin at 517.267.2102 or karen.gavin@lansingcatholic.org. Feb. 11-12, a retreat for engaged couples will be held in Holly by Catholic Engaged Encounter of Mid-Michigan, a Christian marriage preparation ministry based on Catholic teachings and values. For more dates or to register, visit lansingcee.org or contact Sue and Wayne Fransted at 810.588.4181 or info@lansingcee.org.

RETREAT CENTERS ST. FRANCIS RETREAT CENTER, DEWITT, STFRANCIS.WS or 866.669.8321 • Jan. 20, 5:15-9:15p.m., married and engaged couples learn to love each other in the little things of everyday life. “At the evening of life, we shall be judged on our love” – St. John of the Cross. Presenter is Tony Sperendi. • Feb. 10-12, a retreat for divorced Catholics: An “Adventure into the Interior Life” is for those who ask – “Will I ever fully heal from divorce?” • Feb. 16, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Becoming a

LEARN ABOUT THE CHARISMS GIVEN TO YOU BY THE HOLY SPIRIT AT BAPTISM AND START ON A PROCESS OF LIFELONG DISCERNMENT

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ENJOY A POLISH DINNER

Saint: Our Deepest Desire. With great love and mercy, the Lord invites each one of us to be his blessed ones. Learn the keys to happiness and sanctity. Presenter is Tony Sperendi. WEBER RETREAT CENTER, ADRIAN REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED, CALL 517.266.4000 or WEBCENTER.ORG • Jan. 19, Feb. 16 and March 16, 1:30-3 p.m., Women Reading the Scriptures series: Do women read the Scriptures any differently than men? How much do you know about the women who appear in the Bible? Attend this series and you will be able to answer these questions. Cost: Freewill offering.

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Feb. 17-19 and Aug. 11-13, Diocese of Lansing Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat weekends: Those who have experienced an abortion can be assured that they will find a compassionate, nonjudgmental and welcoming staff to assist them in their journey toward healing. The retreats provide a pathway to discover God’s help to transform guilt and grief into forgiveness and freedom. For more information, call 888.456.HOPE or email nlc@recurrectionlansing.org. Feb. 22, the Davison Knights of Columbus will host their 33rd annual seminarian dinner and auction: Social hour is 5:30 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m., followed by short presentations and auction. For tickets or to donate handcrafted items or services, call Kasey Hall at 810.653.4090, Mark Corcoran at 810.471.7256 or Carl Knieper at 810.569.1245. Feb. 22, two basket-weaving classes will be offered at St. Mark the Evangelist, Goodrich, one at 2 p.m. and the other at 6:30 p.m., both in the parish center. Cost is $24 and beginners are welcome. To register, contact the parish office at 810.636.2216. Feb. 24, 4-7:30 p.m., St. Joseph, Howell’s Knights of Columbus will have a Polish dinner in Thompson Hall. Cost: $11 adults, $10, seniors 62+, $7 ages 8-12 and $5 ages 3-7. For information, call Joe Kirk at 810.227.4925. Feb. 25, 5:30 p.m., St. Michael Parish School, Grand Ledge is holding its annual Mardi Gras Carnival in the school gym. For information, contact school office at 517.627.2167. March 24-25, Fri., 6 p.m. to midnight and Sat., 9 a.m.-9 p.m., the CCW Spring Crop at St. Mark the Evangelist, Goodrich. Lots of new products and prizes to win. Cost: $35 for Sat. only and $45 for Fri. /Sat. To register, call the parish office at 810.636.2216. March 31-April 1, St. Francis Retreat Center, DeWitt will have a Retrouvaille retreat – a lifeline to help couples heal and renew their marriage. Cost is $350 per couple. To register, contact 800.470.2230 or retro4lansing@comcast.net.

PILGRIMAGES Please join Father Gordon Reigle, pastor of St. Robert Bellarmine, Flushing on a 100th year anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima pilgrimage through Spain and Portugal. The cost is $3,439 per person. For information, contact the group coordinator, Suzanne Krisak, at 248.931.0194, or visit pilgrimages.com/krisak. May 15-27, Holy Land pilgrimage with Father John Linden, vocations director, Diocese of Lansing; Hiking with Jesus will be an opportunity to draw closer to Jesus by walking where he walked in Galilee with his disciples. Cost is $3,500 per person. For information, contact group leader Kevin Perrotta, 734.678.5590 or k6f3p8@yahoo.com.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF JACKSON, LENAWEE AND HILLSDALE COUNTIES, CATHOLICCHARITIESJLHC.ORG or 517.782.2551 JACKSON or 517.263.2191 ADRIAN Two We C.A.R.E. marriage preparation classes will be held at Queen of the Miraculous Medal, Jackson: Jan. 20, 6-9 p.m. and Jan. 21, 9 a.m.noon; and March 24, 6-9 p.m. and March 25, 9 a.m.-noon. Both Friday and Saturday of the same weekend must be attended to complete the class. CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY, 517.545.5944 or LIVINGSTONCATHOLICCHARITIES.ORG Have you considered becoming a foster parent? Livingston County Catholic Charities seeks loving stable county residents to become foster parents. Foster care informational meetings will be Jan. 16 and Feb. 20, 5-7 p.m. at 2020 E. Grand River, Ste. 104, Howell. To RSVP, contact Carrie at 517.545.5944 or fostering@livingstoncatholiccharities.org. There is no cost to become a foster parent. CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF SHIAWASSEE AND GENESEE COUNTIES, 810.232.9950 FLINT or 989.723.8239 SHIAWASSEE Feb. 3, 4-7 p.m., Soup Per Bowl 2017 is a fundraiser for Center for Hope warming center, North End Soup Kitchen and Flint Catholic Charities’ other meal programs. For more information or details about this event, please visit catholiccharitiesflint.org or call John Manse at 810.785.6911. March 24, 6-9 p.m. and March 25, 9 a.m.-noon, a We C.A.R.E. marriage preparation class for engaged couples at St. Joseph, 9450 Duffield Rd., Gaines. To register, call 810.232.9950 for a registration form and mail it with a check for $75 made payable to Catholic Charities to 901 Chippewa St., Flint, MI, 48503. CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES OF WASHTENAW COUNTY, 734.971.9781 or CASSWASHTENAW.ORG We C.A.R.E., a marriage preparation communication and relationship enhancement program for engaged couples, will be held: March 3, 6:30-9:30 p.m. and March 4, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle, Ann Arbor; and March 17, 6:30-9:30 p.m. and March 18, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at St. Mary, Chelsea. For information or to register, call 734.971.9781, ext. 421 or visit csswashtenaw.org. ST. VINCENT CATHOLIC CHARITIES, 517.323.4734 or STVCC.ORG If you want to help families in need, this winter organize a special collections drive through your church or business for blankets, twin-sheets, linens, winter coats, boots, snow pants, laundry baskets and other household supplies. If you decide to have a drive, contact Outreach and Events Coordinator Rhonda Abood at 517.323.4734, ext. 1205 or aboodr@stvcc.org. Looking for ways to express your faith? St. Vincent has six different programs that focus on assisting local children and families living in crisis and providing them help to transform their lives. To give back to those less fortunate, schedule a tour and take a Journey of Hope to learn more about Catholic Charities at stvcc.org/journey-of-hope.

JANUARY/ FEBRUARY CAFÉ EVENTS Jan. 16, 6 p.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas in Father Mac Hall, 955 Alton Rd., East Lansing, Alpha Program introductory dinner: Wondering if there is more? Do you have questions about Jesus? You don’t have to be Catholic to attend. For information, contact the parish office at 517.337.9778. Jan. 3-March 28, Tues., 10 a.m., St. Joseph Shrine, Brooklyn will have CATHOLICISM: The Pivotal Players, a multi-part film series that illumines saints, artists, mystics and scholars who not only shaped the life of the Church, but changed the course of civilization. This 13-week series has an introductory session and two sessions for each of the six pivotal players. Cost for workbook is $24.95. Register with Diane Dover at 517.467.-2106 or sjshrine@frontiernet.net. Jan. 17, 7 p.m. and Jan. 22, 2 p.m., a new group of people seeking to learn about the Catholic Church will begin meeting at St. John Church and Student Center in East Lansing. Individuals can choose the time they want to attend. For information, contact Pete Ries at 517.351.5460, ext. 1328 or pries@ elcatholics.org. Third Saturday of the month, 7-9 p.m., beginning Jan. 21 and ending May 20, Lumen Veritatis Lecture series in Lansing Catholic High School Auditorium is an adult evening beginning with appetizers, followed by an hour talk, Q&A and ending with dessert and fellowship. For more information, visit Lumenlansing.org. Feb. 22, 7 p.m., all are welcome to attend a presentation and Q&A session on “The Compatibility of Faith and Reason” by Dr. Victor Salas, professor of philosophy at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. Dr. Salas will be speaking at St. John Church and Student Center, near the MSU campus, 327 M.A.C. Ave., East Lansing, downstairs in McDevitt Hall. For more information, visit elcatholics. org or stjohnmsu.org. March 19-21, 6:30-8 p.m., St. Mary, 157 High St., Williamston, will have a parish mission, “Take My Hand,” with presenters Ralph Martin, Peter Herbeck and Sister Ann Shields. Come and join others in celebrating the redeeming love of Jesus. For information, contact the parish office at 517.655.2620. March 26, a Mass for Families of Miscarriage and Child Loss at St. Patrick Church in Brighton. For information, call the parish office at 810.229.9863. 27

ST. MARY, WILLIAMSTON STUDENTS HELP FLOOD-RAVAGED BATON ROUGE SCHOOL Homelessness represents much more to the children of St. Mary School, Williamston than just a word in the dictionary. To them, homelessness means a call to action, a call to help peers in need. Beginning in late August, inspired by Pope Francis’s call for mercy, the schoolchildren have participated in a threephase program to raise money for the children of Southeast Middle School in Baton Rouge, La., many of whom were left homeless by August’s massive floods. In September, each child donated $1 to dress out of uniform, with proceeds benefitting the Baton Rouge project. In mid-October, phase 2 began with parents donating baked goods that were sold to school families and parishioners in connection with the annual book fair. The last phase finished in late October after a two-week period of collecting bottles and cans from the community. In all, $500 was collected by the school to support the children of the Baton Rouge school. Mrs. Penn commented, “Our school motto is: 'We love to learn. We learn to love.' The children sure put this motto into practice.”

NEW LIFE CENTER HELPS HOST PRO-LIFE FUNDRAISER About 200 pro-life friends and family from across Michigan attended the movie "Voiceless" at an event co-hosted by Cecilia Tombelli, director of Project Rachel and coordinator of the New Life Center in Lansing, and Richard Budd, the director of the Office of Marriage and Family Life for the diocese. This was a fundraiser for Shared Pregnancy and Pregnancy Services, crisis pregnancy women's clinics in Lansing and East Lansing and for Hannah's House, a Christian, homeless shelter for pregnant mothers and their children. The New Life Center offers an eight-week class, “Forgiven and Set Free,” to help women heal from the effects of abortion. For information or to register, call its confidential helpline at 888.456.4673

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D. QUILLAN

On Nov. 13, 2016, Lansing Bishop emeritus Carl F. Mengeling presided at the Mass marking the close of the Jubilee Year of Mercy at St. Mary Cathedral, with hundreds in attendance. Echoing Pope Francis’ words, the bishop emeritus said we are reminded, “God is pleased by every act of mercy because in the brother or sister that we assist, we recognize the face of God which no one can see. Each time we bend down to the needs of our brothers and sisters, we give Jesus something to eat and drink; we clothe, we help and we visit the Son of God.”

D. QUILLAN

CLOSE OF JUBILEE YEAR OF MERCY IN THE DIOCESE OF LANSING

CONGRATULATIONS TO ST. VINCENT CATHOLIC CHARITIES

50TH REUNION OF O’RAFFERTY HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1966 The reunion of the class of 1966 was held Oct. 1, 2016, at Eagle Eye Golf Course near Lansing. Eighty-eight people attended, including 60 classmates and two teachers. There was a table for memorabilia and a memorial table with names and pictures of 20 classmates who have passed away from the original graduation class of 149 students. Those attending had an enjoyable time, reminiscing and catching up with one another.

In November, Bishop Boyea received a letter of recognition and a certificate from Most Rev. Eusebio Elizondo, auxiliary bishop of Seattle and chairman of the USCCB Committee on Migration, honoring the refugee resettlement staff of St. Vincent Catholic Charities for their work in refugee settlement. Bishop Elizondo’s letter stated: “On behalf of the USCCB Committee on Migration and all the bishops of the United States, we express our deepest appreciation for the hard work and tremendous dedication of your refugee resettlement program staff. … This is a great accomplishment and one in which you should take great pride. We commend your diocese in particular as one that went beyond 100 percent of the original number of refugees projected. In answering God's call to welcome the stranger, the staff and supporters of St. Vincent Catholic Charities’ Refugee Services program settled 776 individuals from 14 countries in fiscal year 2015-2016.

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THREE AMERICAN BISHOPS ELEVATED TO CARDINALS Three American bishops were elevated to the College of Cardinals on Nov. 19: Archbishop Blase J. Cupich of Chicago; Bishop Kevin J. Farrell, prefect of the new Vatican office for laity, family and life; and Archbishop Joseph W. Tobin of Newark. In the Holy Father’s homily, he said: “My dear brothers, newly created Cardinals, the journey towards heaven begins in the plains, in a daily life broken and shared, spent and given. In the quiet daily gift of all that we are. Our mountaintop is this quality of love; our goal and aspiration is to strive, on life’s plain, together with the People of God, to become persons capable of forgiveness and reconciliation.”

“Let us remember with gratitude the cloistered and monastic religious who pray for the Church and the world.”

“Mercy is not a parenthesis in the life of the Church; IT CONSTITUTES HER VERY EXISTENCE, making tangible the profound truths of the Gospel.”

Pope Francis @Pontifex, Nov. 21

Pope Francis @Pontifex, Nov. 28

ALL PRIESTS CAN FORGIVE ABORTION Continuing the special dispensation that was begun during the Year of Mercy, all priests now have the power to forgive the sin of abortion, rather than just bishops and designated confessors. Pope Francis extended that permission indefinitely in the apostolic letter Misericordia et misera released on Nov. 21. Although the Holy Father reiterated that “abortion is a grave sin,” he went on to say, “There is no sin that God’s mercy cannot reach and wipe away when it finds a repentant heart seeking to be reconciled with the Father. May every priest, therefore, be a guide, support and comfort to penitents on this journey of special reconciliation.” FAITH Magazine | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 | WWW.FAITHPUB.COM

S THE BISHOP OF SMYRNA in the second century, St. Polycarp (69-155) was one of

SAINT OF THE MONTH

the most important leaders of the early Church. Smyrna was an important city in Asia Minor because Christianity had taken root there very early on.

ST. POLYCARP

First heard the Gospel from Jesus’ apostles Feast Day: Feb. 23

And how did Polycarp first hear the words of the Gospel of this new religion? By sitting at the feet of St. John the Evangelist at a young age. As one of the first disciples of the apostles, especially John, Polycarp was taught the truth from eyewitnesses to Jesus. Imagine that! He heard firsthand about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, and became a devoted follower. St. Polycarp is known for squelching heresies that cropped up in the new Church in the early years after Jesus’ death. Although it is believed he wrote many letters to early Church members during the course of his life, his letter to the Philippians is the only one that has survived. In his letter, he exhorts the Philippians to virtue, details the duties of deacons and presbyters and encourages members of this early community to persevere “in hope and patience.” At a time of great persecution of Christians, he was martyred by being stabbed with a spear. He died from this wound only after a crowd attempted to burn him at the stake, but his body was not consumed by ﬂames.

DID YOU KNOW? On the day of his martyrdom, St. Polycarp refused to denounce Jesus, saying: “Eightysix years I have served Christ, and he never did me any wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?”

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