March 2013

0 F

DIOCESE

OF

LANSING

P o p e

BenedicT X V I

pas to r , s c h o l ar , po n t iff

special section

Reuters

Statement of Bishop Earl Boyea, Diocese of Lansing Pope Benedict has been and remains a very good father to the Catholic communion throughout the world. He has been a wonderful teacher, shepherd and man of prayer. The clearest sign of his care for the Church is this most recent action: his decision to resign the papacy. His sense that he can no longer be the effective missionary and evangelist has led him, in deep love, to hand this great task given him by Jesus Christ to another. On this day of Our Lady of Lourdes when we are asked to be very mindful of the sick, we offer prayers for our Holy Father’s good health and many years. We also pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit that God’s will may be done in the choice of Benedict’s successor.

Pope Benedict often cited the significance of eternal truths and he warned of a dictatorship of relativism. Some values, such as human life, stand out above all others, he taught again and again. It is a message for eternity.

He unified Catholics and reached out to schismatic groups in hopes of drawing them back to the church. More unites us than divides us, he said by word and deed. That message is for eternity.

– Cardinal Timothy Dolan, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

FAITH Magazine / Special Section / www.FAITHmag.com

Inside: 33 Papal resignations: A historical perspective 34 Pope Benedict XVI By the numbers 34 What lies ahead?

34 Our Monsignor on the street: Rome report 35 What is next for the Church?

35 The new evangelization 36 Pope Benedict XVI a timeline 36 Who are the eligible U.S. electors?

P o p e

BenedicT X V I

Reuters

pa s to r, s ch ol ar , pontif f

By Elizabeth Solsburg & Doug Culp

B

efore he became pope, he was well-known as the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, an office that was formerly called the Inquisition. He is also, according to those who know him best, a humble and gentle man, an accomplished pianist who loves

Mozart, and a pastor whose greatest gift is his ability to listen.

On Oct. 11, 2011, Pope Benedict XVI declared in an Apostolic Letter, Porta Fidei (the “door of faith”), that a “Year of Faith” would begin on Oct.11, 2012 and conclude on Nov. 24, 2013 (Solemnity of Christ the King).

The start of the Year of Faith marked the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council and the 20th anniversary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. It is hoped that the year will be a time for Catholics to study and reflect on the documents of the Second Vatican Council and the Catechism for the purpose of deepening their faith.

A great place to start for Catholics during the Year of Faith is the Evangelization and Catechesis section of the USCCB website (www. usccb.org). Catholics will find catechetical resources, prayers and other resources that can be viewed and downloaded for free.

However, most importantly, the U.S. bishops encourage Catholics to pray daily, study Scripture and celebrate weekly Sunday Mass.

ous essays, sermons and reflections over the years, cementing his scholarly reputation.

In March 1977, Pope Paul VI named him archbishop of Munich and Freising; he was elevated to the College of Cardinals in June of the same year.

Perhaps his most prominent position prior to the papacy has been that of prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. It is in this role that Cardinal Ratzinger was responsible for defending the orthodoxy of Church teachings.

Despite his difficult role as the enforcer of Church doctrine, Pope Benedict XVI is known to colleagues, neighbors and friends as a gentle, pastoral man with a dry sense of humor. As Cardinal Ratzinger, he lived quietly in an apartment in Rome, walking to work every day and chatting with those he passed in the streets. He is respected for his ability to listen intently and thoughtfully, even to those with whom he disagrees.

As the pope, Benedict XVI travelled extensively and wrote extensively. He authored a trilogy of books on the life of

Reuters

The Year of Faith

Joseph Ratzinger was born in Marktl am Inn, Germany in 1927. He celebrated his 78th birthday on Apr. 16, two days before he was elected to the papacy. He is now 85 years old. The son of a cook and a policeman, he felt his life was immersed in the paschal mystery from his birth on Holy Saturday and his baptism the next day in the newly blessed Easter waters.

During the turbulent years of World War II, the Ratzinger family moved into successively smaller communities in an attempt to avoid involvement with the Nazi party. They were not completely successful; young Joseph was drafted into the German army for a while, but deserted near the war’s end and spent time in an American prisoner-of-war camp.

He studied philosophy and theology; was ordained, along with his brother Georg, in 1951; and earned a doctorate in theology in 1953. For years, he was a professor of theology at various universities in Germany. He quickly became renowned for the depth and breadth of his intellect and, in 1962, was selected by Cardinal Joseph Frings of Cologne to be his consultor during the Second Vatican Council. He published numer-

FAITH Magazine / Special Section / www.FAITHmag.com

Pope John Paul II with Cardinal Ratzinger

Continued on page 33

From a drug house to N.E.W. Life at St. Luke’s

Rachel’s story parenting journey

Shouldn’t my kids dress up for Mass?

spiritual fitness

Let’s make Lent count

theology 101

What are the ways we know God?

th e D i o C e s e o f l an s i n g

CATHoLiC MEN’S CoNfErENCE

Mas s with Bishop Earl Boyea

feb. 23, 2013 - 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. s p eak e r s

r e g i ste r o n l i n e

ACCEPTtheCHALLENGE.org B e st w e ste r n p lu s • 6820 s. Cedar st. • lansing Mi 48911

Dr. Scott Hahn Al Kresta Dcn. Harold Burke Sivers

www.dioceseoflansing.org

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.

contents 6 yourlife The Magazine of the Catholic Diocese of Lansing

Most Reverend Earl Boyea PUBLISHER

Rev. Dwight Ezop

EDITOR AND CHAIRMAN

March, 2013 • Volume 14: Issue 2

Patrick M. O’Brien

PRESIDENT/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Elizabeth Martin Solsburg

DIRECTOR OF CUSTOM PUBLISHING/ EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Cynthia Vandecar

MARKETING MANAGER

Patrick Dally

ART DIRECTOR

Michelle Hildebrandt WEBMASTER

Jillane Job

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

InnerWorkings

PRINT MANAGEMENT

Jim Berlucchi | Michelle Sessions DiFranco | Kevin Duffy | Doug Culp | Dcn. Tom and JoAnne Fogle | Bob Horning |Rev. Charles Irvin | Paul Jarzembowski | Rev. Joseph Krupp | Dr. Gelasia Marquez | Dr. Cathleen McGreal | Nancy Schertzing | Sister Ann Shields CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Derek Melot

PROOFREADING

Carlson Productions | Tom Gennara | James Luning (cover) | Michael Schimpf | Philip Shippert | Don Quillan CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Bob Patten | Chris Sushynski CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATORS

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.

Most Rev. Carl F. Mengeling FOUNDING PUBLISHER

Rev. Charles Irvin FOUNDING EDITOR

For advertising information:

12 yourfaith 12 in the know with Father Joe How can we forget that our son stole from us?

14 spiritual fitness Let’s make Lent count!

16 theology 101 What are the ways we know God?

19 yourstories

Call 517.853.7600

30

last word – laws and marriage

table of contents

6 work life I thought I was a guest at the company party, not the butler!

8 parenting journey Shouldn’t my kids dress up for Mass?

8 conflict resolution More people need to respect stay-at-home moms.

9 marriage matters She says: I believe we should pray always.”

He says: “Sarah does nothing but pray – I’m worried she is becoming scrupulous.” What do they do?

10 culture A prayer for battle.

19 my story Father Mark Thelen, Legionary of Christ 20 cover story From a drug house to N.E.W. Life at St. Luke’s – Rachel’s story 24 feature story Melvin and Silvia’s marriage was saved by Retrouvaille 30 last word Laws and marriage

20

19

24

Liturgical Calendar: Third Sunday of Lent March 3 | St. Casimir of Poland March 4 | Ss. Perpetua and Felicity, martyrs March 7 | St. John of God, religious March 8

3

from the editor

Bless me Father, for I have sinned …

“F

ather, it’s been 20 years.” “Father, it’s been 35 years.”

“Father, it’s been a real long time since I’ve been here.”

There aren’t words adequate to the task of describing how it feels to be a confessor when someone steps into the reconciliation chapel and awkwardly begins to explain that it has been a very long time since she or he experienced the sacrament of reconciliation. I feel deeply honored. I am slightly scared. I am moved by the other person’s courage – the courage it took to simply step through the door. I am humbled to be able to share God’s compassionate forgiveness with a child who has wandered away but who, for whatever mysterious reason, has chosen to return. I have a better sense of what it must have been like for the prodigal father.

T. Gennara

I have to admit that some of the most intensely beautiful and God-filled moments in my priestly life have occurred in the context of this most misunderstood sacrament.

Each time I prepare to celebrate reconciliation, I realize I am treading on holy ground – the ground of individual and community life, the ground of lives lived in the presence of God. Yet time and again, I have been given the

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

Strive for Perfection St. Angela of the Cross

Feast Day: March 2

4

FAITH Magazine / March 2013 / www.FAITHmag.com

special privilege of witnessing God’s unrelenting love soften the hearts and minds of so many who, in fear and trepidation, made that choice to walk through the door and enter into the reconciling presence of God. If it’s been a while since you last experienced reconciliation, I encourage you to come back to the sacrament. During Lent this year, the priests in the parishes of our diocese will be working hard to provide more opportunities for the sacrament of reconciliation.

Perhaps the last time

St. Angela of the Cross (18461932) founded the Institute of the Sisters of the Company of the Cross in Seville, Spain, and had established more than 20 convents by the time of her death. Known for her humility, Mother Angela, as she was called, lived a life of contemplative prayer and direct service to the poor. However, this is not to say the road to sainthood was easy for her.

A fervent devotee to the rosary from an early age, St. Angela asked to enter the Discalced Carmelites when

you didn’t have a positive experience, especially if the confessor seemed brusque or distracted. I’m sorry if that was the case. Don’t let the human foibles of one such as me keep you from experiencing God’s tender mercy. We priests can be painfully human at times.

Don’t worry if it’s been a while and you’re unsure about what to do or say when you come to receive reconciliation.

Simply let the priest-confessor know that and then allow him to guide you through the sacrament. No one will think any less of a person for being open and honest. Please don’t let fear or misunderstanding keep you from reconciliation.

The sacrament of reconciliation is not easy I suppose, in part, because it’s often hard to ask forgiveness and sometimes even more difficult to believe we have been forgiven. The season of Lent offers us the opportunity to explore these deep mysteries of our faith as we seek God’s mercy, making our celebration of the Resurrection and new life at Easter all the more beautiful. And so our journey in FAITH continues.

she was 19. After she was refused admission due to poor health, she began caring for destitute cholera patients during an epidemic, upon the suggestion of her spiritual director, Father José Torres Padilla.

Three years later, she again tried to enter religious life. She approached the Daughters of Charity in Seville and was admitted, though her health was still poor. Despite the efforts of the sisters to help her improve, her condition remained fragile and she left the order during her novitiate.

St. Frances of Rome, religious March 9 | Fourth Sunday of Lent March 10 | Fifth Sunday of Lent March 17 | St.

75th CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF LANSING

Anniversar y

of

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.

Our earliest Catholic cemeteries

I

of

n the first years of the third century, St. Callistus was ordained a priest by the pope and placed in charge of the cemetery that was the catacomb of the popes.

The catacombs on the Appian Way today bear the name of Pope Callistus.

The setting aside of the land in which to bury the faithful in consecrated ground has long been the practice of Catholic Christians.

When Catholic immigrants came to this country, they wanted their loved ones to be buried in holy ground to await the resurrection. A number of Catholic communities set aside burial grounds shortly after their arrival in our diocese.

In 1831, the first English-speaking

Convinced that God had a plan for her life, she made a private vow to live the evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty and obedience on Nov. 1, 1871. In 1873, St. Angela received her mission. During prayer, she saw an empty cross in front of the cross of Jesus. She relates that she immediately understood that God was asking her to join him on the cross and thereby be “poor with the poor in order to bring them to Christ.” Two years later, she was joined by three other women and the community had

Catholic community in Michigan, St. Bridget’s (now St. Patrick) in Northfield Township outside Ann Arbor opened a cemetery in the 80 acres purchased

by Peter Desnoyers of Detroit for the fledgling community on Sept. 2, 1831. Seven years later, Catholic burial grounds were opened on the “Priests Forty” in Green Oak Township in Livingston County. The cemetery, through the

years, has been known by many names, including the Monahan, Irish and Paddy Town Cemetery. The Germans in Westphalia opened a cemetery near their log church the same year. It was used until 1843.

The year1834 saw cemeteries open near Dexter on the northwest corner of the intersection of Dexter Townhall Road and Quigley, and in Freedom Township in Washtenaw County. One acre of land was purchased for $3. The site known as the Original Catholic Cemetery is at the intersection of Schneider and Bethel Church roads. The land was sold to Dr. (Bishop) Frederick Reese of Detroit for use as a burial place for German Catholics.

An additional burial ground was opened in 1840. In August 1837, Father Bernard O’Cavanaugh of Holy Trinity Parish in Detroit had purchased land on Brophy Road north of Hartland in Livingston County. This same property was deeded to Bishop Reese of Detroit on Aug. 8, 1840.

This transaction was not recorded until April 1858. All records of early burials have been lost; the last burial on this site took place in January 1905. The cemetery is cared for by St. John the Baptist Church in rural Howell.

its birth.

Our tradition teaches us that the spiritual life consists of “faith seeking understanding.” It is only by our believing first and by our living in conformity to this belief that our understanding can open up through the gift of God’s grace. Being poor in spirit, exercising chastity in all of our relationships, and obeying the commandments of Jesus become the “way” for us to enter more deeply into that communion with God for which we were created.

. Cyril of Jerusalem, bishop and doctor of the Church March 18 | St. Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary March 19 | St. Turbius de Mogrovejo, bishop March 23 | Palm Sunday March 24

5

yourlife work life

I thought I was a guest at the company party, not the butler!

Q

Our office invited clients and all of the workers to a party to celebrate the company’s anniversary – it sounded great until I found out we are supposed to work doing things like checking coats, etc. And of course, it’s all gratis – the dinner is our only pay. Is this fair?

a

Sounds like the party is more for clients than for employees, but then again – without clients there are no employees.

of an employee right?

Your disappointment is understandable. You were looking forward to a work-free,

Maybe you can reframe your fairness concern.

Is it unfair to show appreciation to the clients who pay for your company’s services and provide you income?

Is it unfair to enjoy solidarity with your co-workers, providing cheerful service in a festive setting?

Is it unfair to increase your stock with your employer by showcasing your good attitude and professionalism at an important client event?

Is it unfair even if you didn’t get a dinner?

You suggest that an injustice is being done to you. If justice is: to give to the other his due, what are you owed that you’re being deprived of, a violation

6

FAITH Magazine / March 2013 / www.FAITHmag.com

carefree evening. But don’t equate your letdown with a grievance, making you bitter toward your employer and spoiling the occasion. There’s nothing but downside with that scenario.

Employers notice and really appreciate workers who go the extra mile. Outstanding employees don’t balk at pitching in. They readily handle extra assignments and aren’t too

Jim Berlucchi is the executive director of the Spitzer Center, whose mission is to build cultures of evangelization (www.spitzercenter.org). puffed up to do a lowly task – especially when it’s under their pay grade. They’re eager to serve and do so happily. If there’s not much work to do, they’re actually frustrated.

So what kind of employee do you want to be?

I have a friend who’s a devout Christian and successful consultant. One of his clients owns a construction firm that hosts an annual customer appreciation lunch. It’s a big job for the employees. They cook, set and serve tables, greet and clean up. It’s a big job.

Though he’s not a customer, my friend was invited. He accepted, but also asked to help. This highly paid professional ended up chopping vegetables and stirring gumbo in 90-degree heat, but he enjoyed every minute of it. He was not unaware that he was indebted to his client. They pay for his services.

So don’t be a grump.

Check those coats with a smile. Enjoy yourself. Love your customers. Compliment your co-workers. Thank your boss for a nice dinner.

And make sure you have seconds. You deserve it.

Holy Thursday March 28 | Friday of the Passion of the Lord March 29

Y O U R

L I F E

intentions – don’t seek the admiration of others through your family’s attire!

Instead, choose clothing that shows respect for the Mass. Talk to your teens about possible clothing choices that would reflect their personal styles while conveying modesty and respect. There are attractive “non-dress” choices for young women that are appropriate. Your sons may compromise by wearing nice slacks rather than jeans. Look through the ads together to brainstorm ideas for alternate clothing choices.

parenting journey

Shouldn’t my kids dress up for Mass?

Q

My kids fight me about getting dressed up for Mass – I think the girls should wear dresses and the boys should wear dress pants. They think clean jeans are fine. Now that they are teens, the battle is getting worse.

a

At our parish, I’ve noticed that younger children are dressed in ways that reflect the style of their parents – and they tend to be dressed alike. Preschool-aged brothers wear sweaters with the same patterns in contrasting colors. Sisters have similar hair styles and dresses. As children approach the teen years, however, there is more variation. Disagreements regarding style and taste are common among parents and adolescents. But it is possible to avoid a weekly battle before Mass.

Respect and reverence, not status and attention.

Double check your own

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

More people need to respect stay-at-home moms

conflict resolution

I am a stay-at-home mom and I feel as if my vocation is not respected. Why don’t people see being a mother as a valuable career?

8

Parents participate with God in renewing humankind. Thus being a mother and being a father is a sacred action of life and love throughout their children’s life.

Some mothers, along with their husbands, make the decision to remain at home to

FAITH Magazine / March 2013 / www.FAITHmag.com

care for their children. They are not better or worse than those mothers who decide to bring their children to daycare facilities, hire nannies to take care of their children, or those who have older or unemployed family members take care of their children while they go to work.

Both stay-at-home mothers and working mothers have the same dignity because of their participation in God’s plan.

S. Kendrick

Maternity is not a career, aptitude or inclination. Maternity is a gift and a call from God. Through maternity and paternity, God shares with us his creative power. Psalm 139:13 states, “You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb.”

T. Gennara

Explain the reason for wearing your “Sunday Best.” In the past, special clothes were reserved for significant occasions, such as going to church.

Clothing choices helped distinguish

these experiences from everyday events.

Our choices regarding dress continue to reveal our attitudes toward different events. When we attend weddings, we pay particular care to our own clothing, acknowledging the significance of the day to the bride and groom. Mass is a community celebration in which we gather to praise God and eat at the Lord’s Table.

Share your perspective about this with your teenagers during a family meal in the middle of the week so there is time to mull over one another’s comments.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. It is said that St. Augustine was surprised when he learned that Christians in Milan did not fast on Saturdays as the Christians in Rome did. He mentioned this to St. Ambrose and received this advice: “When I am at Rome, I fast on a Saturday; when I am at Milan, I do not.

Follow the custom of the Church where you are.” Members of your households should respect local customs. In Italy, your daughters would be expected to cover their shoulders with a cardigan or shawl.

In the U.S., sleeveless dresses are considered appropriate on warm summer days. Check to see if your expectations match those of your parish community. Help your teens make choices that reflect their own styles while respecting the sacred nature of a house of worship.

Dr. Gelasia Marquez is a psychologist and family counselor.

Holy Saturday March 30 | Easter Sunday the Resurrection of the Lord March 31

She

says:

He

“ I believe we should pray always.”

“Sarah does nothing but pray – I’m worried she is becoming scrupulous.”

Sarah says: I really love attending Mass once or twice a day, plus saying the rosary and reading Scripture. I believe we are to pray always. Jim is getting annoyed with this – am I supposed to stop being a good Catholic because it irritates him?

H

Jim says: It’s not about being a good Catholic – Sarah does nothing but pray, read the Bible, or talk about the Church. She lost her job this year, and so it fills all of her time – and I mean all. I am worried that she is becoming scrupulous.

What

do they do?

ow we compensate for a loss varies among all peoples, genders and cultures. It is difficult to articulate the proper way to grieve a loss because grieving is highly individualistic. Loss creates a hole in our being and we tend to fill holes with activities; Sarah has chosen to fill it with religious practices. purpose. She may therefore, feel a need for more prayer and more nurturing, not only from God, but from Jim as well.

Losing meaningful work can be a tremendous blow to a person’s self-worth and esteem. Throwing oneself into another activity (church included) is a natural reaction in an attempt to regain selfworth; not realizing that self-worth is not dependent on what we do, but who we are. Society tends to equate worth with the amount we can physically produce or mentally absorb, instead of how much we are being Jesus to others by loving them and caring for them.

It is normal and acceptable to turn to God for assistance during times of trial, but not at the expense of damaging our relationship with our spouse. Our sacramental marriage part-

your marriage matters ner should not be abandoned; quite the contrary, our partner should be allowed to help us through our traumatic events for they touch both of the partners, not just one of them. We would recommend Jim take the opportunity to open a dialogue with Sarah by asking her to share with him her petitions to God. What is it that she is asking of God? Jim also might wish to accompany Sarah in reciting the rosary in the evening before starting a dialogue, remembering to include affirmation of her worth to him personally and remembering the words of Scripture, “... encourage one another and build one another up.”

(1 Thessalonians 5:11) At this juncture in Sarah and Jim’s relation, it is more about helping Sarah regain her feet and feeling comfortable grieving her loss. Being sensitive to each other’s feelings and honesty in discovering what Sarah is searching for will go a long way in re-establishing their coupleness.

T. Gennara

Sometimes we over-compensate at the exclusion of other responsibilities and duties. In this case, it appears Sarah has forgotten her vocation of marriage and the strength she could attain from including her spouse in the grieving process. Being a “good Catholic” is commendable, as God desires each of us to be in a life-giving relationship with him. Keeping him in our thoughts and prayers each day and making him a part of our daily routine is a right action. As a married couple, we have the opportunity to find God in each other – his love, his forgiveness and his nurturing.

Approached lovingly and with sincerity, Sarah may discover that Jim could assist in helping her find the peace or answers she is searching for. When we lose something dear to us, such as meaningful work, we look for something to ease the pain associated with the loss. It would not be abnormal for Sarah to experience some depression following a loss and to try desperately to search for strength and

says:

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

Pass along FAITH Magazine to a friend. Visit www.FAITHmag.com to purchase a gift subscription

9

Y O U R

L I F E

culture

T. Gennara

A prayer for battle Michelle DiFranco is a designer and the busy mom of two children.

10

J

ust a few months before our wedding, my husband and I attended a retreat for engaged Catholic couples. On so many levels, it was very impactful and really helped prepare us for the vocation of marriage.

The amazing priest at this retreat painted a pretty powerful image in our minds – one that we have not forgotten during our life together.

He described our forthcoming marriage as a tower. It is a shining, white and seemingly

FAITH Magazine / March 2013 / www.FAITHmag.com

impenetrable tower that is beautiful because it is made

by God. But from the moment

we say, “I do”, Satan begins his endless walk around the outside of the tower, look-

Read more culture at:

ing for a way in. If we neglect the tower’s maintenance, over time, cracks will form.

So how do we make certain the tower is not neglected?

How do we protect our marriage? The first and most direct way is through prayer.

The priest at the retreat stressed that frequent, regular prayer said together and on behalf of the marriage is critical. And I am certainly grateful

for his jolting depiction of marriage to keep me “on my toes” throughout our life together.

Well, eight years later, our son and daughter would be taught a certain prayer at their new school, and it wasn’t until then that I started saying it regularly. Just as this priest’s lesson had awakened me years ago, the prayer they say at every school Mass reminds me of the spiritual protection we all need at all times, married or not. It is the prayer to St. Michael the Archangel.

St. Michael the Archangel, Defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.

May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell, Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

I find this prayer to be valuable in reminding me of the threats we face and the responsibility we all have as baptized Catholics. Certainly modern medicine, technology and entertainment have created a world that is much more comfortable and convenient than in ages past. But our modern creature comforts and their many distractions can lull us into complacency and mask from our senses, the real spiritual threats that surround us. I find it helpful to have a visual reminder on hand at all times, to help call on the intercession of a holy archangel in our spiritual defense. Here are a few ideas that can help us to keep this prayer in our daily lives. St. Michael the Archangel, pray for us!

Prayer card and bookmark For both projects, you will need: • 5” piece of suede craft lace • 2 jump rings (jewelry section of arts and crafts store) • 1 ribbon clamp (jewelry section of arts and crafts store) • 10” of ribbon (same width as ribbon clamp) • Needle nose pliers • Hole punch • 2 1/2” x 4” piece of patterned cardstock • Glue stick • Hot glue gun or double stick tape • Craft knife & ruler • Printer • 2 St. Michael the Archangel Medals (can be purchased for less than a dollar at a Catholic goods store or online) For the prayer card: Using needle nose pliers, bend jump ring just enough to attach to hole on top of medal. Bend it back to close and set aside. Type and print prayer text to fit within a 2 ½“ x 4” area.

Trim and adhere to piece of patterned cardstock. Punch hole near top of the finished card. Fold suede lace in half and place folded end through the hole about one inch. Place the other ends trough jump ring on the medal. Pull tight to secure the medal over the top of the prayer card.

For the bookmark: Type and print prayer text to fit within a 1½“ x 6” area. Trim and adhere to piece of patterned cardstock.

Set aside. Attach ribbon clamp to bottom of ribbon and use pliers to close. Attach jump ring to medal and then attach medal to ribbon clamp. Using hot glue gun or double-stick tape, adhere finished ribbon to back of card stock. Trim the top if necessary.

Photography by Philip Shippert

11

yourfaith in the know with Father Joe

How can we forget that our son stole from us?

a

I’m so sorry that this happened with your son. It is such a painful thing when people whom we love hurt us or let us down. I thank God for your response to this situation: forgiveness is a command from God to us and, like all of God’s commands, it is good for us. Let’s get right to it.

First of all, I invite you to remember that forgiveness is a process. When you forgave your son, that was a blessed a beautiful moment, one that began you on a process that will culminate in your freedom from this past event. Sometimes, this process will be easy, other times it will be hard. For me, I draw great comfort from God’s word to us in Philippians 1:6 “He who started a good work in you will see it to completion.”

That is a sentence that offers us so much hope. God will finish what he started in you!

Along the way, you can be sure there will be moments like the one you are experiencing, in which you need

12

to consider how forgiveness plays out, and ask yourself, “What are the consequences of my forgiveness?” These are the moments when I’d suggest you remember a couple of things. First, the fact that you are wrestling with these kinds of questions means that you want to do the right thing in the right way at the right time: the very definition of a moral act. It can, in a sense, serve as your proof to yourself of what God already knows and sees: you desire to love and obey him well. The second thing I invite you to remember is the power of prayer. You can, when trying to figure out how forgiveness should play out in a specific circumstance, pause a second and pray a simple prayer asking the Holy Spirit to guide your decisions, words and actions. Trust in God’s desire to lead you through this and in your ability to follow that guidance.

In terms of moving on and forgetting that this happened, I don’t know if that is a good idea for anyone involved. For-

FAITH Magazine / March 2013 / www.FAITHmag.com

T. Gennara

Q

Dear Fr. Joe: Our son stole a lot of money from us. He has apologized, and we forgave him, but I don’t really feel I can trust him. What does forgiveness look like? Should I just move on and forget this happened?

getting that it happened robs your son of an opportunity to know how deep your love for him goes. If we act like nothing happened, then what did we forgive? Not only that, but we must be conscious of the fact that one of our obligations is to protect our God-given human dignity and, at times, it is only by remembering that we can prevent ourselves from being unnecessarily wounded again.

Think of it this way: it was/ is our sin and guilt that caused Jesus to go to the cross and suffer so badly. We know that, in the midst of the horrible suffering he endured, he proclaimed his forgiveness for us. There is no question that Jesus not only forgives us, but advocates for us to the Father. Yet, when we read about his appearances to the disciples, the scars to his hands and side are visible – they are eternally a part of him. When we see those scars now, we remember how much he loves us and how his love conquered our sin.

You and I live in a fallen world and, sometimes, we participate in that fallenness by wounding people and other times by being wounded. This process leaves scars on us and, if we allow the Spirit to work, our sense of them can be our reminder to be conscious of what we’ve been forgiven for and of how deep the love of God and others can run. We need to remember what we’ve forgiven and what we’ve been forgiven for and rejoice in the

If you’d like to submit a question for Father Joe to consider in a future column, please send it to: joeinblack@ priest.com. Father Joe is unable to personally answer questions. love of God that makes both of those things possible.

And this leads us to trust – when do you trust your son again? In this case, while we celebrate the free gift of forgiveness that God offers, we remember that trust is something that is earned. A part of Wisdom is the Holy Spirit entering into our experience and showing us how to learn from it. I would encourage you to be appropriately wary until trust is earned again.

So, in the end, I hope we see that forgiveness looks like the hard edged gift that it is.

It’s a commitment we make to surrender our wounds to the Lord and ask Him to heal us and show us how to live in the present.

We don’t pretend we were never injured or that we never injure: we learn those lessons we have to learn and allow these things to be one of the vessels through which God heals us.

Enjoy another day in God’s presence.

morality everyday

Catholic News Service

An embryologist removes frozen embryos from a storage tank.

Why is in vitro fertilization wrong?

T

he desire for spouses to have a baby is a powerful and natural desire. Babies give tremendous meaning to life and bind the spouses together in the lifetime project of raising and then mentoring their offspring. Those couples who are unable to conceive understandably suffer a great deal; often they can hardly stand to be around those who are pregnant or have infants. They are right to try to seek some way to remedy whatever is causing the infertility.

What couples need to realize is that there are moral and immoral ways of conceiving a child. Many of the new reproductive technologies violate both the nature of marriage and the dignity of the child. We hope most Catholics understand that it would be wrong to use the sperm or ova of someone other than one’s spouse to conceive a child. It is moral to become a parent only through a completed act of sexual intercourse with one’s spouse.

To conceive a child with the reproductive material of someone other than one’s spouse makes that person a kind of substitute for one’s spouse.

Sometimes people ask why it isn’t moral to use artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization (IVF) if it involves the spouses’ ova and sperm? The problem here is that the conception takes place not as the result of an intimate act of complete self-giving, but as the result of an act of a technician. It is really the technician who has impregnated the mother rather than the husband. Here the child becomes a product of technology and is often subject to various “quality control” criteria, particularly when using IVF.

With IVF, many ova are fertilized in a petri dish. Usually the technician chooses the best ones to implant and discards or freezes the rest. Those remainders may be used by other infertile couples or be donated for embryonic stem-cell research, which results in the death of the child. If multiple embryos successfully implant, sometimes the wife aborts the “excess” ones to avoid gestating numerous babies at the same time. All of these realities violate the dignity of the child – who should be received from God as an inestimable gift, not as something to be discarded, passed on or killed.

One moral option is NaPro technology, developed by the Pope Paul VI Institute in Omaha, Neb. It is a new form of fertility assistance that works by helping a woman’s fertility cycle become as healthy as possible. There are also techniques for maximizing male fertility. These methods aim at restoring fertility and allow conception to take place through an act of complete self-giving.

And, of course, adoption of children is another way of building a family. The cross of infertility is great, but God will shower with blessings those who respect his laws

Janet E. Smith holds the Father Michael J. McGivney Chair of Life Ethics at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit.

Pass along FAITH Magazine to a friend. Visit www.FAITHmag.com to purchase a gift subscription

13

Y O U R

F A I T H

spiritual fitness

Read more spiritual fitness at:

14

FAITH Magazine / March 2013 / www.FAITHmag.com

Year of FAITH – Year of PRAYER

I

n this Year of Faith, let’s make Lent “count” in a particular way. Let me explain: A lot of things go in and out of our minds, almost 24/7. The daily “traffic” is enormous: books, magazines, Internet, radio, iPhones, videos, personal conversations, music, disagreements and arguments, banal sitcoms, negative humor, ridicule of people, lies, verbal attacks on ourselves and others. Do we exercise any control over this barrage? We can, you know.

Read carefully this Scripture passage from Paul’s Letter to the Philippians: “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

Now, an overall assault on what you allow in your mind is not a wise way to go about this.

We start with one area. One area that you know allows negative input into your thoughts; negative input that most often has a detrimental emotional effect.

Lent is traditionally a time to fast, to give alms (care for the poor) and to pray. I would propose that for this Lent you consider “fasting” from one or two areas of media input – maybe a particular TV program, website, radio program or magazine that, if you are honest, you know causes you to experience anger or mockery, pessimism, sarcasm, dissatisfaction of one

kind or another, or disregard for others. In other words, it “But now put them all produces bad fruit. away: anger, wrath, malice, Then, in its place, make a deslander and foul talk from cision to actually read one good your mouth. book or listen Do not lie to to a good one another, faith-filled CD. seeing that Secondly, read Lent is trayou have a psalm daily ditionally a put off the and read the time to fast, old nature Gospel for the to give alms with its day. Do this (care for the practices, each day for poor) and to and have six weeks and put on the I can almost pray. I would new nature, guarantee that propose that which is beyour underfor this Lent you ing renewed standing of consider “fastin knowlwho you are ing” from one edge after in God’s sight or two areas of the image of will increase. its creator…

You will begin media input Put on then to see more as God’s clearly your chosen ones, purpose in holy and beloved, compaslife and how God wants to use sion, kindness, lowliness, you for the good of others. Lent meekness and patience, is a time to assess where we are: forbearing one another to continue on the right path or and if one has a complaint to get back on the right path to against another, forgiving God. Don’t let this Lent be like each other; as the Lord has any other season of the year. It forgiven you, so you also is special; there is great grace

(Col 3:12-17)

You were literally made new in baptism. You are a son or daughter of God. In this life, you and all Christians are called to reveal the beauty and the wisdom, the love and the mercy of our Father in heaven. If we follow the two Scripture passages given here, and put into it the necessary sacrifice to change our thinking and our speech, we really will become disciples of Christ in the New Evangelization!

Ask the help of the Holy Spirit. He hears your prayer and is more eager to help than you are in asking! Plans and projects have their place but if we are not converted ourselves how can we be bearers of the best news anyone could ever hear? This Year of Faith is a great season of grace in the Church if we open our hearts, our minds to receive it. Six weeks of sacrifice for new life, new faith, new hope. I don’t know of a better offer!

At the end of Lent, would you send me a paragraph or two (no more) telling me of the change in your life and the graces that have come to you/your family/among friends during this Lenten season?

T. Gennara

Let’s make Lent count!

must forgive. And above all these put on love which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body; and be thankful …”

for conversion available. But God will never force you. You have free will. Don’t drift. Take a stand. Make a choice. (Remember, in your reading of Scripture, the word has real power; it imparts great grace to desire change and imparts courage to do it. Read Scripture daily – it is the living Word!

The second area of fasting to consider is this: your speech.

What you say, what topics you introduce into a conversation or an argument or a heated discussion of some kind or in a time of relaxation and recreation will reflect in some way how and what you are thinking. Again, listen to Paul:

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 Pass along FAITH Magazine to a friend. Visit www.FAITHmag.com to purchase a gift subscription

15

Y O U R

F A I T H

theology 101 Icon depicting the Emperor Constantine and the bishops of the First Council of Nicea (325) holding the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed of 381.

What are the ways we know God?

S. Olson

Part 2 of a year-long study of the Catechism

‘Natural’ ways of coming to know god 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.

16

T

he 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.

FAITH Magazine / March 2013 / www.FAITHmag.com

“The desire for God is written in the human heart, because man is created by God and for God; and God never ceases to draw man to himself.” According to the Catechism, this truth enables humanity to approach

the knowledge of God from creation – both through the physical world and the human person.

For instance, “starting from movement, becoming, contingency, and the world’s order and beauty, one can come to a knowledge of God as the origin and the end of the universe.” Likewise, the human person can come to this same knowledge that he or she is not the first principle nor the final end through a consideration of the person’s “openness to truth and beauty, his sense of moral goodness, his freedom, and the voice of his conscience, with his longings for the infinite and for happiness.”

Knowledge of God, however, is different from intimacy with God. It is one thing to know that there is a God and quite another to enter into communion with God. Communion requires not only God’s self-revelation to humanity but also the gift of God’s grace in order for humanity to receive this revelation in faith. Why is this so?

The limits of reason While humanity can come to know with certainty there is a God through the natural world by the “light of human reason,” reason alone is not sufficient. The Catechism turns to Pope Pius XII and Humani Generis for the explanation: “the truths that concern the relations between God and man wholly transcend the visible order of things … The humanw mind is hampered in the attaining of such truths, not only by the impact of the senses and the imagination, but also by the disordered appetites which are the consequences of original sin.” In other words, because the “vision” of humanity is distorted by original sin, God’s revelation must enlighten reason in order for humanity to truly understand not only those truths which exceed limited human reason, but also for those “religious and moral truths which of themselves are not beyond the grasp of human reason.”

The stages of revelation God reveals his divine plan of communion

Year of FAITH – Year of PRAYER

to humanity gradually. This is the very nature of relationship, i.e. it is a process of ongoing, ever-deepening self-revelation. For God, the invitation to communion was extended from the very beginning with the creation of the world and his manifestation of himself to our first parents in the Garden of Eden.

Though our first parents ultimately rejected God’s invitation, God did not abandon his divine plan. Amidst the shattering of humanity by sin, God again sought out humanity and entered into a covenant with Noah after the flood promising to gather his children into one, or communion.

The gathering of humanity began to unfold in God’s call to Abram “from his country, his kindred, and his father’s house, and makes him Abraham, that is, ‘the father of a multitude of nations.’” The patriarchs, prophets and other figures from the Old Testament were entrusted with the call to prepare for the day “when God would gather all his children into the unity of the Church.”

The next stage saw God form Israel by freeing the people from Egypt and establishing a covenant with them through Moses at Mount Sinai. God revealed to them his law “so that they would recognize him and serve him as the one living and true God … and so that they would look for the promised Savior.”

The people were then formed in the hope of salvation and the expectation of a “new and everlasting Covenant” through God’s acting through the prophets. The prophets preached a “radical redemption” and the salvation of all the nations, a hope carried especially by the poor and humble.

The culmination of God’s revelation to humanity occurs in Jesus. “Christ, the Son of God made man, is the Father’s one, perfect and unsurpassable Word. In him he has said everything.” This revelation of the extent of God’s love for us and his will for us to enter into communion with him has reached its finality with the Word made flesh. However, “it remains for Christian faith gradually to grasp its full significance over the course of the centuries.” *Quotes come from the Catechism (26-67) unless

Pope John Paul I Born Albino Luciani, Pope John Paul I reigned as the pope for only 33 days. He was elected on Aug. 26, 1978, and died on Sept. 28 the same year.

On the role of the Church in the wake of the Second Vatican Council “As the Second Vatican Council (to whose teachings we wish to commit our total ministry, as priest, as teacher, as pastor) has said: ‘Destined to extend to all regions of the earth, the Church enters into human history, though it transcends at once all time and all racial boundaries. Advancing through trials and tribulations, the Church is strengthened

by God’s grace, promised to her by the Lord so that she may not waver from perfect fidelity, but remain the worthy bride of the Lord, until, through the cross, she may attain to that light which knows no setting.’ (Lumen Gentium, 9). According to God’s plan: ‘All those, who in faith look towards Jesus, the author of salvation and the principle of unity and peace, God has gathered together and established as the Church, that it may be for each and everyone the visible sacrament of this saving unity.’ (Ibid) “The Church, in this common effort to be responsible and so respond to the pressing problems of the day, is called to give to the world that ‘strengthening of the spirit’ which is so needed and which alone can assure salvation. The world awaits this today: it knows well that the sublime perfection to which it has attained by research and technology has already reached a peak, beyond which yawns the abyss, blinding the eyes with darkness.

It is the temptation of substituting for God one’s own decisions, decisions that would prescind from moral laws. The danger for modern man is that he would reduce the earth to a desert, the person to an automaton, brotherly love to planned collectivization, often introducing death where God wishes life.”

On the relationship between his mission as pope and the Second Vatican Council “We wish to continue to put into effect the heritage of the Second Vatican Council. Its wise norms should be followed out and perfected. We must be wary of that effort that is generous perhaps but unwarranted. It would not achieve the content and meaning of the council. On the other hand, we must avoid an approach that is hesitant and fearful – which thus would not realize the magnificent impulse of the renewal and of life.”

– All quotes from Pope John Paul I’s “Urbi et Orbi” radio message on August 27, 1978

Catechism quiz

Q: A:

The living transmission of the truth of the Gospel, accomplished by the Holy Spirit, is called what?

Tradition – Through Tradition, “the Church, in her doctrine, life, and worship perpetuates and transmits to every generation all that she herself is, all that she believes.” CCC 78

otherwise noted.

Pass along FAITH Magazine to a friend. Visit www.FAITHmag.com to purchase a gift subscription

17

Year of FAITH – Year of PRAYER

What are indulgences?

Carlson Productions

I

n the last issue of FAITH, you received some information about indulgences. This was in response to the Holy Father’s offer during this Year of Faith as we make a pilgrimage to one of the churches in our diocese. Let us look a bit at the foundations of the teaching about indulgences.

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

18

The first principle is the communion of saints based on St. Paul’s teachings about the body of Christ. (cf. Romans 12:5) We believe that the faithful on earth, the saints in heaven, and the dead in purgatory are all united in the body of Christ, so that our sins on earth hurt the communion of the body and the holiness of the saints in heaven helps the communion of the body.

A second principle is that we can actually suffer for one another’s benefit – “in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the Church.”

(9 Col 1:24) Thus our every good action not only benefits ourselves by making satisfaction for the damage our sins have done but, if we wish, they can benefit others. We, in imitation of Christ, are able to offer ourselves and our sufferings for others.

A third principle is that sin has two consequences. It destroys (mortal sin) or weakens (venial sin) our communion with God and the Church and it deserves punishment, either eternal (mortal sin) or temporal (venial sin).

This is a matter of justice. Confession and absolution heal the communion with God and the Church and thus remove our guilt. In addition, it removes our eternal punishment as well and, if it is a truly sincere conversion, our temporal punishment.

Most of us, however, do not undergo such a sincere conversion. Thus, there are the daily acts of charity, prayer, and penance to change our lives and make up for the damage we have done to the communion of the body of Christ which slowly purifies us of that temporal punishment. This process will be completed in purgatory, if not here on earth. This is also where we can help one another by our sacrifices.

A fourth principle is that there is a superabundance of grace available to pay for all the sins of the world. Christ’s own satisfaction for us and our sins is inexhaustible (cf. I Jn 2:2). This

FAITH Magazine / March 2013 / www.FAITHmag.com

from the bishop infinite treasure has been given to the Church.

A fifth principle is based on changes in the sacrament of reconciliation. In the early Church, the very long (often years or even a lifetime) penance had to be completed before being fully reconciled to the Church. As time passed, psalms, almsgiving, pilgrimages and other actions served to replace these years of penance. In addition, absolution was then given before completing the penance, which is the norm today.

A sixth principle is that the Church has the authority to dispense the infinite treasure of grace to Christians in order to help them convert and heal the damage their sins have done to the communion of the body. The Church received this authority in the power to forgive sins (Jn 20:22-23) and the power of the keys. (Mt 16:19) Thus the Church can establish means for the remission of punishment due to sins already confessed, either fully (plenary indulgence) or partially (partial indulgence), upon the completion of certain acts of penance, prayer or charity.

Pope Sixtus IV (1476) also stated that we could gain such remission for the dead, which meant that the Church would beg God’s mercy to help free sinners in purgatory from their temporal punishment.

Many errors have been committed in the area of indulgences, all condemned by the Church, such as buying indulgences, forgiveness for current or future sins (in fact, indulgences do not forgive any sins, but only remove punishment due sins), people gaining indulgences for others for a fee, false indulgences, promises of getting into heaven for the living or the dead.

Unfortunately, many of these abuses contributed to the Protestant Reformation.

Paul VI clarified Catholic teaching by eliminating the “days” and “years” formerly associated with indulgences, and instead focused on the availability of the treasury of grace to all who earnestly seek conversion of heart through the ministry of the Church. Every indulgence requires that the baptized be forgiven in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. They are a reminder to us that we are never alone in our journey of conversion to God, but that the entire Church assists us out of the abundance of Christ’s own sufferings, which the Church generously mediates.

yourstories Father Mark Thelen, Legionary of Christ

my story

20

24

INSIDE:

20

From a drug house to N.E.W. Life at St. Luke’s – Rachel’s story

24

Melvin and Silvia’s marriage was saved by Retrouvaille

On Dec. 12, 2012, Mark Thelen of Ann Arbor was ordained as a priest for the Legion of Christ by Cardinal Velasio De Paolis, C.S., the papal delegate for the Legionaries of Christ and Regnum Christi. The ordination took place at the Basilica of Saint John Lateran in Rome.

Father Mark is the son of Brian and Mary Ann Thelen, and the oldest of five. He is a graduate of Father Gabriel Richard High School and the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum in Rome. He and his family are members of St. Thomas Parish, Ann Arbor.

The Legion of Christ, a religious congregation of the Catholic Church, is present in 22 countries. Its members include three bishops, 920 priests and more than 2,000 religious, novices and students in its apostolic schools, as of December 2011.

Father Mark says, “I know I have barely even begun to walk his way, God’s way.

I might still be in Rome, still studying, and my work still mainly involves an office, but that ‘Follow me’ echoes louder than ever.”

To read more about Father Mark, visit tinyurl.com/FrMark Photography by Thomas Shannon

19

20

FAITH Magazine / March 2013 / www.FAITHmag.com

21

“I

was born addicted to crack cocaine. My mother was addicted to heroin. As soon as I was born, the state took me from my mother and gave custody to my grandmother ... also a heroin addict.” Rachel Harris is sitting in the conference room of St. Luke’s N.E.W. Life Center in Flint, talking openly about her life. Her jet black eyes betray no self-pity.

“I spent the first two weeks in the hospital waiting for my grandmother to come get me. When I was 2, I went to live with my mother and her boyfriend. He was very violent and my mom was very mean. She and my two older sisters used to beat me.

We went to school – but not really, because we were always hungry and tired.

“Basically I was raised in a drug house.

I grew up watching people OD on our floors. I remember one time coming home from school and seeing a man dead in our bathroom. My sisters and I were crying, but my mom rushed in and worked on him and brought him back. Eventually those incidents stopped being a big deal.

“When I was 11, the state sent me to live with my Aunt Lisa. She tried so hard to help me, but by then I was too far gone.

I ran away and got placed in the Adrian Training School.

“Getting sent to Adrian was a real blessing. I got three meals a day, plus they taught us life skills. I was diagnosed as bipolar with psychotic tendencies and put on meds. I did great there for three years and really got my life together.

“Eventually, I was released from Adrian and went to work. After Hurricane Katrina, I went to New Orleans to help with the clean-up. I met Keith there and got pregnant. He was addicted to meth and was very violent. When he found out I was pregnant he took me to live with his mother in Kentucky.

“At nine months along, I knew I just couldn’t live like that anymore. I left for my mother’s house, hoping to have my baby around family. Only problem was, my mom wouldn’t take me in. She said I’d have to find a shelter.

“Nine months pregnant! I was really desperate and started calling around, but there was no shelter space anywhere in Flint.

They were all full. I lived on the street for a few days and then I called Keith because I didn’t know what else to do. He came and took me to the hospital. When our daughter, Harley, was born, the state took her immediately and placed her in foster care.

22

FAITH Magazine / March 2013 / www.FAITHmag.com

“The next six months I lived at the YWCA shelter. I met some women there who were really nice. They talked to me and included me in their plans, so I trusted them. One day when one of them told me to go to a convenience store and wait for our other friend, I didn’t think twice.

“When she told me to follow her to a nearby house, I went in with her and looked around, happy that her friend had invited us in. When she told me to grab a laptop off the desk, it was the first time I realized she didn’t know the people who lived there. When the police pulled up, we started to run, but they caught me fleeing the scene. I was convicted on home invasion and sentenced to eight months in jail.

“That was the best thing that could have happened to me. After I served my time, I had to attend New Path, a program designed to help offenders re-enter society.

They teach life skills to help you get a job and find a home. New Path brought a lot of changes to my life!

“First, it’s where I met Don and fell in love. We had our daughter, Olivia, and are making our life together. He treats me like a queen and takes great care of our family.

“New Path also led me to the St. Luke’s N.E.W. Life Center. I can’t even begin to describe what the N.E.W. Life Center has done for me! Its Life Change program guided me to work on self-esteem building, anger management, personal care, exercise and even volleyball. They also taught me basic life skills like cooking, gardening and simple home repair, plus CPR, parenting, nutrition, budgeting, job searching and basic computer skills.

“I earned my GED, and now I’m taking college courses Mondays and Wednesdays.

They helped me regain parenting rights for Harley, and now they take care of her and Olivia when I’m at class. In addition to school, I work in the N.E.W. Life Center Food Pantry on Tuesdays and Thursdays – packing and distributing bags of food.

“Working the food pantry has given me an opportunity to give back. It’s just wonderful! You should see the gratitude people

“Working the food pantry has given me an opportunity to give back. It’s just wonderful! You should see the gratitude people show when we hand them the food they need to live or to feed their kids. I know how they feel. I’ve been there – just like them. Just like their children. show when we hand them the food they need to live or to feed their kids. I know how they feel. I’ve been there – just like them. Just like their children. I am going to school to become a social worker so I can work here and help other women just like me.

“Every worker here has a story, and we’re all here for each other through thick and thin. We keep each other safe and give each other support that none of us ever had before. You can’t understand how important it is to be surrounded by good, loving people when you’re trying to come back from a life like I had!

“The best part is that anybody can do it.

Don’t settle! No matter what you’ve been through, the N.E.W Life Center showed me you’re never truly stuck unless you want to be. Go out and find the people and resources to help.

“St. Luke’s N.E.W. Life Center changed my life. It can change others’, too.”

St. Luke’s N.E.W. Life Center The home for St. Luke’s N.E.W. Life Center is the former Lawndale Elementary School and it’s doors opened on March 4, 2002. On that first day, 12 women and their children entered the center to begin their journey by committing themselves to a three-year program of growth and preparation in order to become selfsufficient providers for their families.

Under the guidance of Sister Carol Weber, Sister Judith Blake and a host of volunteers, these women learned parenting skills, sewing, self-esteem building, life skills, communication skills training, anger management, CPR, goal-setting and budgeting.

Visit www.stlukenewlifectr.com.

By Nancy Schertzing | Photography by Jim Luning

See more of Rachel’s story at:

23

Y O U R

S T O R I E S

our story

Melvin and Silvia’s marriage was saved by

Retrouvaille

M

elvin Morales won the lottery. In 1999, two days before his first wedding anniversary, Melvin received word that the U.S. government drew his name in the visa lottery. He could apply to emigrate from Cuba to the United States.

Three months later, he and his wife, Silvia, stepped off the plane into the frozen landscape of Lansing.

24

FAITH Magazine / March 2013 / www.FAITHmag.com

“It was 82 degrees when we left Miami,” Silvia shudders and smiles. “Michigan’s February weather was a shock! But we chose Lansing because Catholic Charities Refugee Services offered an apartment rent-free for up to three months and donated a car. They also provided an orientation program with other assistance to help us get started.

With their help, we both found work within a month.”

“During that time I got pregnant with our son, Robin,” Silvia smiles.

Melvin nods. “We were using the Natural Family Planning (NFP) practice, but we weren’t using it the right way.”

“Three years later, we used NFP to conceive Stephanie,” says Silvia. “We settled into life here, busy with our children and jobs. We felt happy even though we missed our families back in Cuba.” Silvia explains. “Five years after coming to the U.S., we became citizens.”

“Then we applied to bring our families to us,” says Melvin. “My mother came, and my brother with his family. Silvia’s sister settled here, too. Eventually my mother and brother moved to Miami because the cold was too much for them.”

“In many Latin homes, family, kids, is the first priority,” Silvia notes.

Melvin agrees. “I was raised to recognize that the parents are above everything else.”

“When we weren’t working, we spent all our free time with our children. Little by little, without realizing it, we lost each other.

“We didn’t ever talk,” Silvia explains. “We lived together, but didn’t really know each other.

Feelings were never shared. I started to keep everything to myself – my wounds and my needs.

I lost interest in knowing how he was feeling.”

Melvin recalls that time: “I was living my life as a single person.

If I went to play baseball, I would

By Nancy Schertzing | Photography by Tom Gennara

turn off my cell phone so Silvia couldn’t bother me.

“My feelings for her never stopped. They just got masked. We had good days and bad days, but always the conflict was there.”

“Communication was completely lost,” Silvia adds.

“I was thinking about moving down to Miami. My brother was divorced and living with my mother there. I thought we could move down there to be closer to family. Silvia refused,” he says.

Silvia shakes her head. “We had a big fight. I said we have “The weekbuilt our life here. Why would end was truly we want to start all over again life-changing! when we had worked so long to I learned a make this life?

“Two weeks later I went lot of things to Mass, so upset. I can still I didn’t know remember the Gospel reading – about Melvin, Jesus went to Peter’s house and about myself cured his mother-in-law. Then and about he took her by the hand and our marriage. she got up and started serving them. As I listened to that story, I found feelings I started planning how I would I didn’t know I leave Melvin. During the Mass, had or that MelI was going over in my head vin was having. how I would take the kids and It also helped figuring out how I could supto see that we port them.

“Then, as Father lifted the cup weren’t alone. with Jesus in it, I saw the image Other couples of Jesus hanging on the cross were there dobehind him. At that moment ing the work something inside me said ‘NO! and spending I am Melvin’s wife, and I am time on their going to love my husband.’

“Jesus gave me the grace to marriages, too.” say no. It was his words in my head. I decided then that I would fight for my marriage.

“I had seen Retrouvaille brochures in the back of our parish, but when I looked after Mass the brochures were gone. A few days later, I called the St. Francis Retreat Center to ask about Retrouvaille. They told me they had scheduled a weekend in June for Spanish speakers.”

Melvin, who has been listening quietly next to his wife, begins to share. “When Silvia told me about the weekend, I thought, ‘If she wants to fix our marriage it’s up to her.’ I figured Retrouvaille wouldn’t help, but I agreed to attend the weekend retreat just to please Silvia.

“Once we were there, I started to hear others’ stories. My conscience told me that my marriage wasn’t what I wanted it to be.”

Silvia jumps in, “The weekend was truly life-changing! I learned a lot of things I didn’t know about Melvin, about myself and about our marriage. I found feelings I didn’t know I had or that Melvin was having. It also helped to see that we weren’t alone.

Other couples were there doing the work and spending time on their marriages, too.”

Melvin nods. “For me the post-sessions really put a cap on the experience. For the next six weeks, we met with other couples ev-

Retrouvaille Retrouvaille (pronounced “retro-vi” with a long I) is an international community of people committed to helping married couples heal and strengthen their marriages. They achieve this by providing tools, support and personal examples for transforming failing marriages into vibrant covenants of life and love.

Retrouvaille helps couples living in the pain and disappointment of marital problems by engaging them in a weekend retreat and six follow-up sessions designed to empower husbands and wives with the tools to communicate effectively, forgive and move forward into a brighter future as a married couple.

Retrouvaille is a nondenominational, faith-based organization dedicated to serving as a life-line for troubled marriages of all faiths and creeds. Learn more about local opportunities at www. retrouvailleoflansing.catholicweb.com or contact caring host couples at 1.800.470.2230 or 517.290.5596.

The Lansing community is seeking Spanish-speaking couples to work with Silvia and Melvin to serve Latin couples in need. If you think you can help, call them at 517.402.1624 or email them through the Retrouvaille website’s Contact Us page at www.retrouvailleoflansing.catholicweb.com/index.cfm/contact. ery weekend to continue the work we had begun during the retreat.

Little changes started. I began listening to Silvia. Before, I didn’t listen. I had the answers.

“We began to spend more time as a couple. And we learned to forgive and to heal our wounds.

“Retrouvaille gives you the tools to work on your marriage. No advice. No professional counselors. The host couples are regular people who want to give back what they have received from the program.”

“Now we want to give back,” Silvia says. “We share our story in Spanish, and hope to find other Spanish speakers to host a Retrouvaille weekend with us. I don’t think I would have gone if the weekend was only in English. I needed to experience it in my native language.”

She leans forward. “Marriage is a treasure and a vocation worth fighting for.”

Melvin nods. “If you feel you need help, it’s there at Retrouvaille.

Don’t hesitate. Don’t think you don’t need it.” He turns to look at his wife, eyes full of gratitude as if he’d won the lottery … again.

Pass along FAITH Magazine to a friend. Visit www.FAITHmag.com to purchase a gift subscription

25

yourcommun community

things to do: Feb. 13 through Mar. 24, you are invited to join other Christians for 40 Days for Life Lansing – 40 days of prayer and fasting for an end to abortion; and to stand and peacefully pray during a 40-day vigil in the public right-of-way outside WomanCare, 1601 E. Grand River, Lansing. For information, contact Cecilia Tombelli at 40daysforlifelansing@gmail.com.

Singles mid-30s-60s: Looking to meet new people? Lansing Catholic Singles upcoming March events: attending a Lenten fish fry at a local parish and a euchre party/potluck. For more information and a complete calendar of upcoming events, email lansingcatholicsingles@live.com or call 517.321.7886. New members always are welcome.

Mar. 2, 5:30 p.m., 6th Hooray for Hollywood Auction will be held at St. Pius X Catholic School, G-3139 Hogarth Ave., Flint, in the community room. For information or tickets, contact the school at 810.736.6511 or www.spxparish.com.

Mar. 8, 6:30 p.m. until 1 p.m., Mar. 10, a High School Youth Ministry Retreat at FaHoLo Camp and Conference Center, Grass Lake. Everyone will leave as a group from St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Ann Arbor.

For information, contact Jen Delvaux at jen@stfrancisa2.org or 734.821.2126 or visit www. stfrancisa2.com.

Mar. 15-16, St. Mark CCW Spring Scrapbook Crop, Mar. 15, 6 p.m.-10 p.m. and Mar.16, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Cost: Fri, $10, Sat. $35 and $45 for both – includes space, meals, snacks, raffle prizes and more Contact Cindy Bell at 248.660.4931 or cabsandkids@aol.com.

26

Catholic Charities Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County, www.csswashtenaw.org or 734.971.9781, ext. 421 – Mar. 8-9, WE C.A.R.E. marriage preparation class will be offered at St. Joseph Parish, 3430 Dover St., Dexter and Mar. 22-23 at St. Mary, 14200 Old US 12, Chelsea. Cost is $95. For a registration form, visit www.csswashtenaw.org.

St. Vincent Catholic Charities, www.stvv.org or 517.323.4734, ext. 1700 – The Immigration Law Clinic at St. Vincent Catholic Charities is now offering affordable expert tax preparation to the community. To discuss the cost of your possible tax preparation, contact Rebecca Lair, attorney at law, at 517.323.4734 ext. 1802 or lairr@stvcc.org.

Catholic Charities of Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale counties, 517.782.2551 or www. catholiccharitiesjacksonhlenaweehillsdale. org – Mar. 22, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. and Mar. 23, 9 a.m.-noon, a WE C.A.R.E. marriage preparation class will be held at Queen of the Miraculous Medal in Jackson. Registration is four weeks Mar. 16, 9 a.m.-9 p.m., 12hour crop at St. Paul, Owosso’s Father Kolenski Hall, lower level of the church, sponsored by the St. Paul School eighth-graders.

The proceeds will be used to help with the cost for their 8th grade trip. Cost: $40 per person includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. Contact Char at 989.413.8838 for registration, questions and payment.

Mar. 17, the Friends of Father Pat Jackson House are hosting the annual St. Patrick’s Feast at St. Andrew the Apostle in Saline.

Mass is at 11:30 a.m., followed by a lunch of Irish food and a program. The proceeds benefit Father Pat Jackson House, a supportive living environment for pregnant teens, young mothers and their babies. Tickets are $75 for adults.

prior to the class. Mar. 23, Smart Steps for Stepfamilies, a diocesan marriage prep program for remarriage couples will be held at Catholic Charities, 199 N. Broad St., Adrian. To register, call 517.782.2551.

Livingston County Catholic Charities, www.livingstoncatholiccharities.org or 517.545.5944 – Apr. 13, LCCC’s 9th annual Salute to the Stars fundraiser will be at St. Joseph Church, Howell. The event will include dinner, presentation of awards to this year’s Stars, comedy show starring Michigan’s own Billy Ray Bauer, a raffle and more. To become a sponsor, make a donation, purchase tickets or for more information, please contact Julie at 517.545.5944 ext.120.

Catholic Charities of Shiawassee and Genesee Counties, www.ccsgc.org or 810.232.9950 – Mar. 14, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., 901 Chippewa St., Flint, will have a St. Patrick’s Day Box Lunch Sale with corned beef and Swiss sandwich on rye, pickle, coleslaw, chips, and dessert, all for $6. Drive-thru or free delivery in Genesee County for a lunch order of 10 or more. To reserve your box lunch, call 810.232.9950 ext. 226, or visit www.ccsgc.org

For information, please contact lkeinfeldt@csswashtenaw.org.

Apr. 4-5, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Apr. 6, 9 a.m.-noon, Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 9565 Musch Rd. in Brighton will have a rummage sale. For information, contact Michelle Nold at 248.231.1283.

Apr.13, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., (registration 8:15 a.m.), Christ the King in Ann Arbor Parish Center will have “Beyond the Upper Room” seminar. Fee of $15 covers brunch, lunch and handouts. It is designed for those who have attended Holy Spirit or Life in the Spirit seminars.

For information or registration, call Olga at 734.426.5514 or ortiz4519@earthlink.net.

Apr. 13-14, Sat., 8:30 a.m. until

Sun., 1 p.m., there will be a Diocesan Women’s Discernment Retreat at Camp De Sales, 1134 Venture Dr. in Brooklyn.

Contact Dawn Hausmann, director of Consecrated Vocations at 517.342.2506 or email dhausmann@dioceseoflansing.org. For more details, visit www.dioceseoflansing.org/vocations.

April 19, 7:30 p.m., the Knights of Columbus and St. John the Evangelist Parish in Davison will host a Davis Haas and Lori Ture live concert. Ticket is $10; at the door $15. Contact Rudy Bolf for information at 918.295.1017. April 20, 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., a Music Workshop will be offered at the parish.

Cost is $15 and registration is required. Contact Julie Richards at 810.653.2377.

Nov. 4-14, 2013, a pilgrimage to Italy, Mass in St. Mark’s Basilica to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the founding of St. Mark the Evangelist, Goodrich. Itinerary includes Rome, Venice, Florence, Siena and Assisi. Cost: $3,995 per person. Register on line or by mail no later than Apr. 1. Contact Departure Point Travel at 800.764.6836 or visit dp4travel.com.

FAITH Magazine / March 2013 / www.FAITHmag.com

nity Read more things to do at:

Café

Lent Activities:

Mar. 2, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Praying with Body, Mind and Spirit will be at the Lial Renewal Center, 5908 Davis Rd., Whitehouse, OH. Cost is $45.

To register, call 419.877.0432.

For information, contact Janene Ternes, 734.429.7754 or visit www.prayer-in-motion.com.

Mar. 3-6, 7 p.m., Immaculate Conception Church in Milan will host a parish mission titled “Discovering God: Right Here, Right Now.” Presenter will be Father Geoff Rose, OSFS of Mark 5:11 Ministries and chaplain of Lumen Christi Catholic High School in Jackson. For information, contact the parish office at 734.439.2030.

Mar. 15, 7 a.m.-8:30 a.m., 6th annual Business Breakfast Forum at St. Francis Parish Activities Center, 2250 Stadium, Ann Arbor. Presenter Jeff DeGraff, professor at University of Michigan Ross School of Business, will speak about “Innovation You: Spirituality at Work.” For more information, contact Janene Ternes at 734.821.2122 or jlternes@stfrancisa2.org.

Fridays during Lent, 4:30 p.m.-7 p.m., St. Catherine Labouré, 211 Harmon Ave. in Concord will have soup and salad dinners. Offering two choices of homemade soups along with salad bar, grilled cheese and grilled PB and J sandwiches.

Cost is by donation and takeout is available.

Fridays during Lent, Feb. 15-Mar. 22, 5 p.m.-7:30 p.m., St. Francis of Assisi, 2270 E. Stadium Blvd., Ann Arbor, will have Lenten fish dinners. Cost: adults $9, seniors $8, children 6-11 $5, and under five free. Take-out is available.

Feb. 15-Mar. 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 and beverage. Cost: Adults $8, seniors $7 and children 5-11 $6.50. Desert is extra.

Tuesdays in Lent, 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., in the family center, St. Joseph Shrine, Brooklyn, will have a Vatican II series. Also, Mar. 24 at 4 p.m. it will have a Seder meal. For information, contact the parish at 517.467.2183.

Mar. 1, 8, 15 and 22, St. John the Baptist, Howell will have Lenten fish fries. Menu includes fried or baked fish, shrimp, clams and homemade clam chowder, pizza and mac and cheese. Cost: adults $7-$9.50 and children $4.50.

Retreats Weber Retreat Center, 1257 E. Siena Heights Dr., Adrian, 517.266.4000 or www.weber.adriandominicans.org – Mar. 23-27, Sat., 1 p.m. to Wed., 1 p.m., Holy Week Retreat: Standing up for love – a global journey through Holy Week.

St. Francis Retreat Center, 703 E. Main St., DeWitt, 866.669.8321 or www.stfrancis.ws/ – The retreat center will host a traditional Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend Apr. 26-28. To

Mar. 11, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Livingston County Catholic Council on Aging’s Lenten Retreat will be at St. Mary Magdalen, Brighton. Father James Lothamer will talk about the “The New Evangelization: What’s It About and Why Now?” For more information, contact Jaynee at 517.545.5944 or Sister Joyce Hoile, OSF, 810.229.8624.

Mar. 13, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., St. Patrick, Brighton will have a Women’s Walk Lenten Evening of Reflection. Women of all ages are invited to experience this rewarding ministry, which will begin with Mass followed by refreshments and a presentation. For information, contact the parish office at 810.229.9863.

Mar. 17-20, 7 p.m., Immaculate Heart of Mary, Lansing is hosting Dr. Ralph Martin, Sister Ann Shields, SGL and Peter Herbeck from Renewal Ministries for a Lenten Parish Mission. All are welcome to attend.

Contact Leah Hinman at lhinman@ihmlansing.org, Jen Brown at brownj@ihmlansing.org or call the parish at 517.393.3030 for more information.

Mar. 13, St. John Catholic Church in Howell will be having a lent speaker, Father Ben Luedtke, who presently serves Mother Teresa’s Missionary Sisters of Charity. His enthusiasm for the faith and his devotion to Our Lord and Our Lady touches the minds and hearts of all who hear him. For more information, contact the parish at 517.546.7200.

Fridays, Feb. 8-Mar. 22, 4:30 p.m.-7 p.m., St. Mary, Charlotte’s Knights of Columbus Lenten fish fries. Includes: baked and fried fish, coleslaw, fries, drink and other sides. Cost: adults $9, children $4, family special husband/wife and children 5-12 $25.

register or information, visit www.wwme.org, contact Harry and Karen Porter at 888.628.7433 or email hrporterhouse@hotmail.com.

Marywood Dominican Center, 2025 Fulton St. E., Grand Rapids, 616.454.1241 or www.domicancenter.com/catalog – Mar. 1, Apr. 5 and May 3, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., Create, Pray, Heal – register for individual sessions; Mar. 6-22, Wednesdays, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., The Artist’s Way Workshop; Mar. 6, 13 and 20, 7 a.m.-9 a.m., Becoming a Biblical Man Workshop; and Mar. 9, 8:30 a.m.noon, Women of God: Influences from African Spirituality

Pass along FAITH Magazine to a friend. Visit www.FAITHmag.com to purchase a gift subscription

27

Diocesan Nun Run Dawn Hausmann, director of vocations to consecrated life, arranged a Nun Run to help women in the Diocese of Lansing discern whether they have a vocation to the religious life.

“We have 25 awesome women from age eight to their 20’s.

They are here to ponder in their heart as Mary did. When they are where they are meant to be, they will feel peace. It will be where God speaks to them,” Dawn says.

Cecilia Tombelli, Church of the Resurrection, Lansing, parishioner was one of the drivers for the event. She is the mother of four daughters and felt the Diocese of Lansing had great insight in offering a Nun Run. Several of the women are students at Michigan State University, East Lansing, and the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

One of the women participants said that while discerning religious life it is good to see what different religious lives are like.

The group celebrated Mass and had meals with different Michigan religious orders. They spent time with the Servants of God’s Love, Ann Arbor; the Daughters of St. Mary of Providence, Grass Lake; the Dominican Sisters, Adrian; the Sisters of Mercy, Alma; and with two consecrated virgins.

FOCUS’ national conference SEEK2013, the national conference for FOCUS, the Fellowship of Catholic University Students, was held in Orlando, Fla., Jan. 2-6. Some 6,200 Catholic college students and young adults from around the country attended.

Among those was a group from the Diocese of Lansing.

The attendees came together to ask questions and, like guides along the way, learn from one another where wisdom and experience lead. It also was an opportunity to grow in their faith.

To learn more about FOCUS, visit www.focus.org.

Cathedral’s centennial celebrations begins In December 2013, Lansing’s cathedral, at 219 Seymour Ave., will mark its 100th anniversary. In anticipation of that remarkable milestone, celebrations began Dec. 9 and 10, 2012. Sunday Mass on December 9 honored the establishment of the cathedral. A reception followed that Mass, with food, entertainment and family activities. A special vesper service was held as well.

On the following day, Bishop Earl Boyea, joined by Bishop Carl Mengeling, fourth bishop of Lansing, cathedral rector Msgr.

Bernard Reilly, and diocesan chancellor

28

FAITH Magazine / March 2013 / www.FAITHmag.com

John Trecha – Eagle Scout John Trecha is a member of Troop 219 in Fenton and a parishioner at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Howell. He recently earned the highest rank in Boy Scouts and became an Eagle Scout.

In order to earn the rank of Eagle Scout, John had to provide leadership for a project that benefits the community. John chose to build a prayer/meditation area for his parish cemetery. John spent more than 200 hours working on the project and received donations from family, friends and members of the parish to complete it.

St. Robert Robotics Team brings home a trophy in state tournament On Dec. 8, 2012, the St. Robert FLL Robotics Team competed in the First Lego League (FLL) tournament at Carman Ainsworth Middle School in Flint. They were one of 47 qualifying teams that participated. Teams came from all over Michigan and ranged in size from two to 10 members. The competition covered all three FLL areas: the robot game, the core values and the project.

The St. Robert team earned a trophy – the Judges’ Award.

This award recognizes a team that does very well in all three areas of the competition, but does not place first or second in a specific category. This is a great honor, especially with respect to the many seasoned teams that participated.

Congratulations to Mustangs Team 205 – Maxx Catterfeld, Andrew Jandernoa and Will Bush – and to their mentors: Andrea Pinter, Waris Wright and Luke Hartmann.

Msgr. Steven Raica, celebrated the Mass of the Dedication of a Church.

Calling the cathedral an “architectural treasure, and a source of great pride for our parishioners,” Msgr. Reilly invited all members of the diocese, as well as the parish, to join in the various memorial celebrations throughout the coming year. As the home church of the bishop, the cathedral acts as a central church for all members of the diocese. For up-to-date information on all the centennial celebration plans, check the cathedral’s website: www.stmarylansing.org.

While the church building was dedicated originally in 1913, it did not become the cathedral until the Lansing Diocese was formed in 1937.

St. Mary School children’s garden

local news

One year ago, Adam Boston, a student at Charlotte High School and alumni of St. Mary School, asked the school if they would brainstorm ideas for his Eagle Scout project. The staff knew immediately what they wanted: a children’s garden – a garden where they could take their students for faith, prayerful thinking and natural science.

So began the design and development of their children’s garden. After months of planning, design and overwhelming support from St. Mary School and Parish, what was once a courtyard of weeds and dirt became an area where students, staff and parish members could feel the softness of lamb’s ear, smell the sweetness of lavender and see the beauty that God provides.

The school and parish feel grateful to Adam Boston, Eagle Scout, for making their dream a reality.

St. Patrick School’s rosary garden St. Patrick School in Brighton has a walkable rosary garden that the students built. It has circle stones that make up the rosary and bricks to make up the cross. Each year, the students drawings of the mysteries are placed in stands around the garden to protect them from the weather.

Mrs. Elaine Cooney, who spearheaded the garden, enlisted the help of Rob Baldwin, a local iron worker, to make the stands for the garden. It became quite a journey of faith for him.

Rob listened to Gregorian chants and prayed over each piece of metal he forged. He added gold to represent God and blue beads for our Blessed Mother. The metal stands Rob forged through fire and prayer not only enhanced the garden, but also mean a great deal to St. Patrick School.

St. Vincent Catholic Charities has a new director of development Cindy Herfindahl joined St. Vincent Catholic Charities (STVCC) in November, 2012 as its new director of development. After 28 years working in higher education development at Michigan State University, Cindy wanted to change her focus to working with a nonprofit.

Her goal was to work in an organization that helps children and families. STVCC fit this goal perfectly.

In her new role, Cindy will help strengthen St. Vincent Catholic Charities development efforts through cultivating stronger community partnerships. Cindy has vast international experience, having lived in Chile and Ecuador. Her travels have taken her to points on several continents, most recently to South Africa. She speaks Spanish and looks forward to opportunities to use this language in her work.

Stephen Berkemeier receives Youth Leader Award Stephen Berkemeier, member of St. Mary Star of the Sea Church, Jackson, received the Youth Leader Award at the Youth Jamboree in Lansing.

The Lumen Christi senior says, “It is a huge honor to receive this award. It is a combination of efforts. I was helped by the youth minister Lisa Dublinski and her husband, Mike.”

In addition to all the activities at school and church, Stephen is an active member in Scout Troop #424. He is working toward his Eagle Scout award.

“I have a few more badges to earn. I hope to replace the kneelers at church. I want to get the Knights of Columbus to help,” he says.

He lives his faith by caring about other students and is a member of the National Honor Society.

Students for Life At the University of Michigan, Students for Life joined Bethany Christian Services in sponsoring Catelynn and Tyler, reality TV stars of “16 and Pregnant” and “Teen Mom,” to share their personal encounter with unplanned pregnancy and their choice of adoption.

Tori Criswell, president of Students for Life said, “Our mission is to bring a culture of life on campus.” She talked about Arbor Vitae, a women’s center on campus, who works with women with unplanned pregnancies.

Dawn Baker, the pregnancy counselor for Catelynn and Tyler, talked about the different kinds of adoption and said she works with birth moms of all ages. After an MTV video was shown, the couple talked about their decisions. They chose the adoptive parents and have a relationship with them and their daughter Carly. In open adoption, the birth parents and adoptive parents exchange letters and photos.

Catelynn said, “I never regret adoption. It is reassuring to see Carly with her parents.”

Tyler added, “I was impressed with how strong Catelynn was and the sacrifice she made for our child.”

Pass along FAITH Magazine to a friend. Visit www.FAITHmag.com to purchase a gift subscription

29

last word

Laws and marriage

T

he Church has its laws about the sacrament of matrimony and the state has its laws about marriage.

The first thing we note is that there is a separation between Church and state. One cannot govern the other. Since laws enshrine values, we realize that the Church has its values it wants to protect and the state has its set of values. What is the difference?

Our American legal system has devolved from English common law. Common law is based upon societal common practices recognized and enforced by the judgments and interpretations of courts. These legal precedents become laws governing future decisions in disputes involving the same or similar circumstances. Laws based on codes are also a part of our American legal system. Thus we have, for instance, the Uniform Code of Military Justice, statutes governing bankruptcy and the Internal Revenue Code, to mention a few.

Code law enshrines values that the lawgiver wants to foster and protect. Its basic movement is “top down.” Common law

30

FAITH Magazine / March 2013 / www.FAITHmag.com

enshrines values that are derived from the common practices of people. The basic movement is “from the bottom up.”

Regarding civil laws and marriage, we see that the state regards marriage as a contract, a contract treating of property rights, inheritance laws and the protection of partners and children.

The interests of all need to be protected because contracts can be rescinded or broken. The Church on the other hand regards the

sacrament of matrimony as a covenant between the partners, not simply a contract. A covenant cannot be broken. It can, however, be recognized as never having existed in the first place. Because that is so, the Church has a legal process designed to determine whether or not parties to a marriage validly entered into a covenant commitment that is the sacrament of matrimony or a marriage having those same values. God created the institution of marriage and so all marriages, Catholic or not, are subject to divine law.

There are those who claim that the Church “annulments” are nothing but “Catholic divorces.” But is that so? Actually I don’t like the word “annulments” because it implies that something that existed no longer exists and so Catholics seek to have their marriages annulled.

In fact there was a civil marriage and the Church doesn’t decree that it never existed. The better view is to say that Catholics seek a Declaration of Freedom to Marry, something that is the result of a determination that the parties never validly entered into what the Church regards as a covenant commitment either in the sacrament of matrimony or in a natural marriage where one or both parties were not baptized. Nothing is “annulled” because essential elements of a covenant were not present in the first place. Finally, at the deepest of levels, we note that holy Communion is sometimes called the wedding feast of the Lamb. In it, Jesus marries us in his everlasting covenant commitment to us. It is in this that the Church sees the sacrament of matrimony.

Thus it is by no accident that St. John opens his Gospel with the wedding feast at Cana and closes it with the Lord’s Supper. The two wedding feasts bracket God’s gift of himself to us, a wonderful reality that civil law has nothing to do with but which Church law guards with the highest of protections. The sacrament of matrimony is at the core of God’s sanctifying and redeeming love for us, a love that defines who we are and a love that is everlasting.

Father Charles Irvin is the founding editor of FAITH Magazine and is retired.

Father Charles Irvin writing scholarship for high school seniors

$1,000

Write and win f r o m

t h e

b i s h o p

Reflections on 10 years as a bishop s p e c i a l

r e p o r t

A guide to faithful citizenship – your vote matters

and publication in

magazine

See your English or Theology teacher or your parish director of religious education for more information. Entries due: April 1

What do you do to ...

THE WORLD

a better

notes:

Applications are available at www.glcef.org or your school office • Application Deadline is March 18, 2013 • Eligible grades are 6th-10th at any Diocese of Lansing Catholic school

Follow FAITH Magazine online: p l e a s e

r e c y c l e

• $750 scholarships for students in grades 6th, 7th and 8th • $1,000 scholarships for students in 9th and 10th grades

Digital Editions on FAITHmag.com

CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF LANSING

Reuters

Jesus Christ.

His reign (Apr. 19, 2005 – Feb. 28, 2013) was marked by a call both to restore traditional Catholic practice and worship in order to correct erroneous interpretations of the Second Vatican Council and to return to fundamental Christian values in order to counter growing secularization around the globe. He also often identified relativism with its denial of objective moral truth as the central problem of the 21st century.

These concerns informed many of his major initiatives as pope. He relaxed restrictions on celebrating the Latin Mass; he reached out to the Society of St. Pius X, a traditionalist, schismatic group, in hopes of accomplishing their return to communion with the Holy See; and he issued an invitation to Anglicans disillusioned with recent decisions by the Anglican Church to join the Roman Catholic Church.

In addition, Pope Benedict XVI affirmed the New Evangelization by establishing the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization in 2010. He followed this by declaring a Year of Faith, which continues thru Nov. 24, 2013.

After retirement, Pope Benedict will spend some time at Castel Gandolfo while a cloistered residence in the Vatican is renovated. He will then move into the cloister, and spend his time in prayer and contemplation.

As the 265th leader of the Catholic Church, Joseph Ratzinger took the name of Benedict. It is the name of the founder of the Benedictine Order, a saint known for his intellectual prowess and for saving Western civilization. St. Benedict is the patron of Europe, a continent Pope Benedict broods over as its adherence to Christianity shrinks. He may have chosen this name as a sign of his desire to strengthen and save the Church in Europe.

And the name Benedict means, “blessing.” His papacy has been a blessing for the Church.

The Law The Code of Canon Law addresses papal resignation in Canon 332 paragraph 2:

“Should it happen that the Roman Pontiff resigns from his office, it is required for validity that the resignation be freely made and properly manifested, but it is not necessary that it be accepted by anyone.”

Papal resignations: A historical perspective While the history of papal abdication is sketchy, at best with various conflicting accounts, all agree that it is rare. No definitive John XVIII Benedict IX Celestine V Gregory XII example of a pope resigning can be cited prior to 1009 when Pope John XVIII is said to have died as a monk in Rome in 1009. However, even with this case it is unclear whether the pope actually resigned.

The first clear case of a pope voluntarily vacating the Chair of Peter occurred in 1045 when the ill-reputed Pope Benedict IX sold his office to John Gratian in order to, as some say, be free to marry. However, he soon regretted his decision and sought to depose Gratian, who had taken the name Pope Gregory VI. King Henry III intervened in the conflict and deposed both men, along with an antipope (Sylvester III) who Benedict had successfully expelled in 1044, and named a new pope, Clement II. Undeterred, Benedict again seized the Chair of Peter in 1047 before being driven from it in 1048.

Then in 1294, Pope Celestine V resigned after only 5 months (July 5 – Dec. 13) as pope. As he was a hermit, his election came as a surprise. However, he quickly fell under the influence of King Charles of Naples, which, when coupled by his inability to deny any request made to him, threw the Curia into disorder. Concerned about the effects of his decisions and with his own soul due to his lack of time for exercises of piety, Celestine V became the first to actually raise the question of whether a pope could resign. The canonist charged with determining the validity of such a step agreed that it was possible. Soon after, Celestine V acted on the new determination and resigned.

Finally and most recently, Pope Gregory XII resigned in 1415 in an attempt to end the 40-year period known as the Western Schism during which three people (Gregory XII, Antipope Benedict XIII and Antipope John XXIII) all claimed the Chair of Peter.

For continued coverage of the papal transition, visit www.FAITHmag.com

33

Pope Benedict XVI By the numbers

Pope in history, after Blessed Pope John Paul II, to enter a synagogue

New doctors of the Church named

Encyclicals published

Age of the pope at resignation

New saints that were to be canonized by Pope Benedict XVI

followers on Twitter at time of resignation announcement The next pontiff will face a plethora of challenges.

Attacks on the sanctity of life, marriage, family life, and religious liberty are just the tip of the iceberg. Here are some others: Ongoing clergy sex abuse scandal | Abortion | Same sex marriage | Human trafficking | Rise of radical Islam | Pervasiveness of apathy toward religion/ practical atheism | Persecution of Catholics and other Christians throughout the world | Assaults on freedom of conscience

34

What lies ahead?

The process of electing a new pope will begin after the Holy Father officially ends his papal reign. The cardinals must meet in conclave no earlier than 15 days and no later than 20 days after the Chair of Peter is vacated. The purpose of this provision is to allow time for cardinal electors to make the journey to the Vatican. The cardinals will remain in conclave until a new pope is elected.

As for Pope Benedict XVI, the spokesman for the Vatican Press Office, Father Federico Lombardi, has indicated that the pope “will move to the papal residence in Castel Gandolfo ... When renovation work of the monastery of cloistered nuns inside the Vatican is complete, the Holy Father will move there for a period of prayer and reflection.”

In terms of his name, official title, and status, Msgr. David-Maria Jaeger, OFM, a professor of canon law at Rome’s Pontifical University Antonianum, told Vatican Radio in an interview dated Feb. 11, 2013, “We lack a law, so far, on the status of a former pope, of someone who resigned the papacy.” He continued, “It is possible either Benedict XVI in the next few days or his successor will make such a law, because many questions must be asked: What is the proper title by which to address a former pope? What are his immunities and prerogatives? There is a question of his international standing. All of this has to be settled ... There was never

The pope in his own words “The one who holds the office of the Petrine ministry must be aware that he is a frail and weak human being – just as his own powers are frail and weak – constantly in need of purification and conversion.”

“The Pope is not an absolute monarch whose thoughts and desires are law. On the contrary, the Pope’s ministry is a guarantee of obedience to Christ and to his Word. He must not proclaim his own ideas but rather constantly bind himself and the Church to the obedience of God’s word.”

– May 7, 2005, Basilica of St. John Lateran, on occasion of his taking possession as Bishop of Rome

any need to deal with it.”

This, in effect, means all we really know is the pope will remain a bishop until his death as he was ordained such through the sacrament of holy orders. Whether or not he will remain a cardinal or whether his title will be “Bishop of Rome, emeritus” as Vatican Senior Communications Adviser Greg Burke suggested in an Associated Press story by Nicole Winfield dated Feb. 12, 2013, will be determined by his successor.

Our Monsignor on the street: Rome report Msgr. Jerry Vincke from the Diocese of Lansing is currently stationed in Rome at the North American College. We asked for his perspective on the resignation of Pope Benedict.

You are a Lansing priest and live in Rome, what are your thoughts about Pope Benedict XVI’s pontificate?

Two words come to mind: love and humility. He began his pontificate with the encyclical “God is Love,” which began with the words from St. John, “we have come to believe in God’s love for us.” He wanted every human person to believe in God’s love for them, and not the counterfeit.

Pope Benedict is a model of humility for the whole world.

Msgr. Jerry Vincke I remember in his first homily that he gave as pope he asked people to “pray for me that I may love Jesus more.” That really struck me – here is a man who is already very saintly asking in humility for help.

What was the reaction to the pope’s announcement? All of us at the College were

FAITH Magazine / Special Section / www.FAITHmag.com

together. If a cardinal receives two-thirds of the votes, he is the new pontiff.

• If there is no winner, another vote is taken.

What is the smoke: The threaded ballots are burned, with chemicals to turn the smoke white if there is an election, and black if there is not.

What if they can’t decide: If there is no election after 13 days, the cardinals may suspend voting for a day in order to pray and discuss. This can occur multiple times.

Who can be elected: Although the next pope will almost certainly be a member of the College of Cardinals, any man who is will to be baptized, and ordained as a priest and bishop, could be elected. He does not need to be present for election to occur.

very surprised. I was stunned at first. And then there was a full range of emotions – sadness because we’ll miss him, a sense of happiness for him, and excitement over what comes next.

There was a sense of peace, too, knowing that the Holy Father prayed deeply over this decision and that the Holy Spirit was guiding him.

One could see over the last several months that he was slowing down somewhat. It was hard to see, just like it’s hard to see our parents slow down.

What memories do you personally have meeting him? I met the Holy Father during our bishop’s Ad Limina visit. I was incredibly excited to meet him. When our bishop introduced me, he had an interest in my work as a spiritual director for the North American College and the importance of forming seminarians. He is a gentle soul. I remember something that Bishop Mengeling once said of him: “he is as bright as ten brilliant theologians, but has the simplicity of soul of a child making his first Holy Communion.”

What do you think the challenges will be for the next pope? Obviously there seems to be a lot of upheaval in the world with violence (and the threat of wars) and economic instability. I think the new Holy Father will continue to do what Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI did, and that’s promote peace, the dignity of the human person, and ultimately, hope in God who will never abandon us. God is love, and the great drama in life for the world and each person is how we respond to this Love.

The new evangelization Pope Benedicts XVI viewed the New Evangelization as critical to combating the “dictatorship of relativism.” Drawing from Pope Paul VI’s apostolic exhortation Evangelii Nuntiandi (1974) and the teaching of Blessed Pope John Paul II, he called the Church to re-propose the Gospel to regions “still awaiting a first evangelization” and to regions where the roots of Christianity are deep but that have experienced a “serious crisis” of faith due to secularization.

This work was to be new, not in content, but in ardor and methods. For example, the pope was the second pope on Facebook and became the first pope ever on Twitter (@Pontifex).

Reuters

The Vatican has announced that a conclave will be called, perhaps as early as Holy Week.

What is a conclave: From a Latin word meaning “with key,” it normally takes place 15-20 days after the pope’s death. The College of Cardinals sets the exact date. By law, the conclave begins in the Sistine Chapel. The cardinals will celebrate the Votive Mass and begin the election process Who participates: Cardinals who are younger than 80 have the right to vote for the next pope. They are attended by cooks, housekeepers and medical personnel. Everyone involved must swear an oath of secrecy.

What happens: The cardinals are locked in, to prevent any outside influence on their voting.

Election takes place by secret ballot. Blank ballots are prepared and distributed. The electors write the name of the candidate on the lower half and fold it in two.

• Each of the active cardinals – those under 80 years of age – walks to an altar in order of seniority and pledges to perform his duty with integrity.

• Each cardinal then places a folded ballot containing his choice onto a small disc made of precious metal and drops it inside a chalice.

• The ballots are read by three scrutineers, or tellers, who are selected by lot. As the names on the ballots are called out, one of the scrutineers threads the ballots

Reuters

What is next for the Church?

Pope Benedict XVI posts his first tweet using an iPad tablet.

For continued coverage of the papal transition, visit www.FAITHmag.com

35

Pope Benedict XVI – a timeline April 19, 2005: Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, was elected as the successor to Pope John Paul II. April 24, 2005: Papal Inauguration Mass in St. Peter’s Square, during which he was invested with the pallium and the Ring of the Fisherman.

May 7: He took possession of his Cathedral Church, the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran.

During his papacy Pope Benedict XVI has undertaken 24 apostolic journeys abroad.

August 2005: Travelled to Cologne, Germany for the 20th World Youth Day. Subsequently, he has taken 23 additional apostolic journeys, the most recent to Lebanon in September 2012. He has travelled to countries in Europe, Latin America, Africa, Australia, the Middle East, to the USA and has been welcomed as a guest at the United Nations in New York. He also has undertaken 30 apostolic visits within Italy.

Dec. 25, 2005: First encyclical, Deus Caritas Est, released.

Nov. 2, 2007: Second encyclical, Spe Salvi released June 29, 2009: Third encyclical, Caritas in Veritate released Feb. 11, 2013: Announced he will retire from the papacy, the first pope to do so since Gregory XII in 1415.

Who are the eligible U.S. electors?

The following U.S. cardinals are under the age of 80 and eligible to vote for the next pope: Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archdiocese of Philadelphia, emeritus Cardinal Roger Mahony, Archdiocese of Los Angeles, emeritus Cardinal William Levada, Roman Curia, emeritus Cardinal Francis George, Archdiocese of Chicago Cardinal Edwin O’Brien, Roman Curia Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. Cardinal Sean O’Malley, Archdiocese of Boston Cardinal Raymond Burke, Roman Curia Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston Cardinal James Harvey, Roman Curia Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archdiocese of New York

Rigali

Mahony

Levada

George

O’Brien

Wuerl

O’Malley

Burke

DiNardo

Harvey

Dolan