April 2006

THE MAGAZINE OF THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF LANSING

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editor “he has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives ... ” visiting those in prison f r o m

t fh r eo m e d ti ht o e r e d i t o r

he first time I celebrated Mass in a prison took place shortly after I was ordained. I was asked to celebrate Mass for the men who are incarcerated in a high-security prison located just outside Ann Arbor. The night was cold, snowy and dark. Upon arrival, I and the other members of our group went through the requisite security checks and safety instruction. Each of us was issued a panic button that was to be kept with us at all times. We were then escorted by a guard to the classroom where Mass would be celebrated. As we made our way into the facility, we went through successive doors, passing security monitoring stations and a host of guards. Having never before been inside a prison facility of that nature – one which houses a variety of violent offenders, most of whom will spend their lives there – I can honestly say that I had never before felt so fearful and yet so safe. While others began the process of preparing things for Mass, I was led to an adjoining area where I was given the opportunity to share the sacrament of reconciliation with a number of inmates. After an hour or so, it was time for our celebration of the Eucharist to begin. Because of a misunderstanding on my part, I quickly discovered that I had prepared for the wrong set of Scripture readings for that Mass. I had prepared for the weekday’s readings. The readings that we used were instead those of the approaching Sunday. The Gospel passage for that night was not the one for which I had crafted a homily, but, by God’s providence, was instead the reading from Luke’s gospel in which Jesus, coming to the synagogue in Nazareth, reads from a scroll of the prophet, Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to How exactly does proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, one proclaim liberty and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.” (Luke 4:18-19) How exactly does one proclaim liberty to captives when most of them will be held to captives when captive in prison for the rest of their lives? Even more haunting was how that night’s parmost of them will be held captive in ticular Gospel reading concluded, with Jesus saying quite clearly, “Today, this Scripture prison for the rest passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” I don’t recall much of my homily from that night, but I do remember that I did not stand there in silence. Because one is held captive in of their lives? prison for life does not mean that there is no possibility for growth and change with God’s help. That evening, I discovered that God had been working mightily in the lives of many as they shared their stories of faith and hope, stories of conversion and contrition, stories of hunger for God’s life and love poured out in the Eucharist. On a fundamental level, their stories of faith were no different than those of any of the rest of us. All of us are held captive by something – some by the walls of a prison, others by addiction. Some are held captive by the need for power, prestige or success, others by the need for approval. Some are held captive by systemic injustice or cruelty, others by chronic and debilitating illness. All of us experience the captivity of sin. Yet into our daily lives strides Jesus, with his Gospel of freedom from captivity and freedom from sin – won for us in the paschal mystery we celebrate in Easter. We are called to carry that Gospel message of freedom and that mystery of dying and rising into our daily living, even as the daily lives of others carry them to us. And so our journey in FAITH continues.

T. Gennara

–Fr. Dwight Ezop is Editor of FAITH Magazine and pastor of the Catholic Community of St. Jude.

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inside 30 what you’ll get out of this issue • Dear Fr. Joe: Where was Jesus’ soul while he was in the tomb? 6 in the know with Fr. Joe – Fr. Joseph Krupp

• He wants to risk it all for a new business. She wants to save for retirement. What do they do? 8 your marriage matters

– Deb McCormack

• What’s a kid to do? Who makes the decisions about a child’s time? 9 the parenting journey – Dr. Cathleen McGreal

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s t o r y the gift of a child – how Father Pat Jackson House helped Sharonda turn trouble to joy. Sharonda was young, pregnant and had nowhere to turn. Find out how the Father Pat Jackson House in Ann Arbor helped change life for Sharonda and for her beautiful little boy.

– Margaret Ann Cross

p r o f i l e Vic Lopez took on the KKK and won a town’s appreciation. What are the decisions that make us who we are? Community activist Vic Lopez was named the 2004 Howell Citizen of the Year – in large part because of the stand he took against racism in his hometown. Vic shares his story about the turns in the road that shape our lives. – Rose Robertson

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Courage under fire – on his way to work, Chet pulled a man from a burning truck. Chet Czubko risked his life to rescue a man from a flaming truck after a highway accident. Find out how his faith helped him overcome his fear and become a hero. – Bob Horning

• Your whole self – how spirituality makes for a better workplace. 11 work life – Tim Ryan • A step-by-step guide through the church’s liturgies. 12 theology 101 – Elizabeth Solsburg

• I was in prison and you visited me. 14 from the bishop – Most Rev. Carl F. Mengeling

• Freedom in forgiveness – how letting go helps us. 24 spiritual fitness – Fr. Bill Ashbaugh

• Soup for the soul. 26 culture – Michelle DiFranco • FAITH’s exclusive interview with the director of Hoot, based on a Newbery-winning book. 30 exclusive – Elizabeth Solsburg • Saying goodbye to my mother – the devastation of Alzheimer’s and the mercy of God. 31 last word – Fr. Charles Irvin

Easter April 16 | St. Mark, Evangelist April 25 | St. Peter Chanel, Priest and Martyr April 28 | St. Louis Mary de Montfort, Priest April 28 | St. Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Doctor April 29

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The Magazine of the Catholic Diocese of Lansing

Most Reverend Carl F. Mengeling PUBLISHER

Rev. Charles Irvin FOUNDING EDITOR

April 2006 • Volume 7 : Issue 3

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Rev. Dwight Ezop EDITOR IN CHIEF

Patrick M. O’Brien MANAGING EDITOR/CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Elizabeth Martin Solsburg ASSISTANT EDITOR/STAFF WRITER

Patrick Dally ART DIRECTOR/WEB DESIGNER

Jillane Job SUBSCRIPTIONS/SECRETARY

Patricia Oliver SECRETARY

Rev. William Ashbaugh Michelle DiFranco Marybeth Hicks Elizabeth Johnson Rev. Joseph Krupp Deb McCormack Cathleen McGreal John Morris Rick and Diane Peiffer Rose Robertson Tim Ryan Allena Tapia Sara Teller CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Derek Melot Margaret Perrone PROOFREADING

Tom Gennara Christine Jones James Luning (cover) CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Vicki Bedard Wayne Case Patricia Garcia Mary Jo Gilliland Diane Nowak Margaret Perrone James Rhadigan Ricardo Rodriguez Dcn. David Rosenberg Rev. James Swiat Peter Wagner Sharon Wimple

Olympic skier attracts media attention for devotion to faith, family With a holy man on her skis and her husband and 4-year-old son close behind, a cross-country skiing Olympian from Gunnison, Colo., has taken Turin by storm. In just the first few days after the Olympics began, Rebecca Dussault had done interviews for big-name Italian and U.S. media outlets. “I think it’s because of my faith,” said Dussault. A devout Catholic, Dussault had the name of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati on all the skis she was using during her two

We want to hear from you! weeks of competition, which captivated the media. But people have also been fascinated with how this 25year-old wife and mother has juggled Olympic training with child-rearing and a home life. “I’m paying witness to how life doesn’t end after marriage and childbirth,” she said. “You don’t have to give up everything in order to follow your dreams, but you do have to be stubborn.”

in the beginning

by Chris Sushynski

Tell us what you think. We want to hear your opinions – about articles in the magazine, happenings in our church or anything you want to share. Send your letters to: Editor FAITH Magazine 209 Seymour Ave. Lansing, MI 48933 Or send us an e-mail: esolsburg@ faithpublishingservice.com Please make sure to add a line granting us permission to print your letter or e-mail. Your thoughts and ideas matter – please share them with your brothers and sisters in FAITH.

Explore your FAITH

ADVISORY BOARD

FAITH Publishing Ser vice Rev. Dwight Ezop CHAIRMAN

Patrick M. O’Brien PRESIDENT/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Beverly Sherman SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER

Enomhen Odigie GRAPHIC/WEB DESIGN

InnerWorkings PRINT MANAGEMENT

FAITHPublishingService.com FAITH™ (USPS 019993) is a membership publication of the Catholic Diocese of Lansing, 300 W. Ottawa, Lansing, MI 48933. Published monthly except February and August. Subscription rates are $15 per year. Individual issues are $2.50. Send all subscription information and address changes to 209 Seymour Ave., Lansing, MI 48933; 517. 342.2595; fax 517.342.2537 or e-mail jjob@dioceseoflansing.org. Periodicals Postage Paid at Lansing, MI or additional offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: FAITH™, 209 Seymour Ave., Lansing, MI 48933. ©FAITH Publishing Service. FAITH is a trademark of FAITH Publishing Service.

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“I understand what you’re saying, but the order says ‘One Golden Calf’”

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Find daily changing Catholic news, Web exclusives and more on FAITHmag.com

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web saint s smart mom

St. Isidore

sometimes just leaves son alone

schoolmaster of the Middle Ages

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e’ve all heard that expression, “If they can put a man on the moon, why can’t they come up with a way to get a sixth-grade boy to tell his mother about his math grade?”

T. Gennara

Well, “they” did. At long last, the technology that permeates our culture has transformed the nature of parenting a middle school boy. I no longer must rely on my son to tell me how he’s doing in school. I can simply go to the World Wide Web and find out. Back in the day, moms and dads had to rummage through backpacks to discover what was happening in the classroom. This was messy. Between the dirty gym clothes and the leftover bananas, you could end up on antibiotics just learning how your son did on a social studies quiz. Not that you couldn’t simply ask, “How’d you do on the social studies quiz?” More often than not, however, the answer was “fine,” a subjective response, to be sure. So schools like ours have begun subscribing to online reporting services that let parents

log on to track their children’s work in every subject. Used in conjunction with teachers’ computerized grading systems, these services also allow parents to stay informed about daily assignments, projects and deadlines. Gone are the days of prying, guessing and rifling through tattered pocket folders in a quest for information about academic progress. We can point and click our way into the teacher’s official records. Naturally, a development that’s this good for parenting is a nightmare for your average middle-schooler, such as my son, Jimmy. He’s a good student, but even a conscientious young scholar has a bad day every so often. With online grade monitoring, no bad day goes unnoticed. –Marybeth Hicks

What happened with Marybeth’s son’s grades? Read more, along with exclusive essays and news briefs, only on FAITHmag.com.

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St. Isidore of Seville Feast Day: April 4 Born: c. 560 in Cartagena, Spain Died: April 4, 636 Claim to fame: Isidore is a doctor of the church, a saint known for his knowledge of the faith and his ability to share that knowledge through his teachings and writings. St. Isidore is called the “Schoolmaster of the Middle Ages” for his incredible contributions to education in sixth-century Spain. But more important than that, Isidore taught that learning was a means of coming closer to God and that education without faith was incomplete. Little-known fact: Isidore came from a whole family of saints. Two of his brothers, Leander and Fulgentius, and his sister, Florentina, are all honored as saints in Spain. What made him a saint: Isidore was known as the greatest teacher in Spain during the sixth and seventh centuries – a time when the rest of Europe was sliding into what is known as the Dark Ages. He helped establish seminaries in every diocese of Spain, and he wrote books on grammar, astronomy, geography, history, theology, biography and philosophy – as well as an encyclopedia, The Etymologies, that was used for 900 years. He also helped his brother convert the Visigoths to Christianity. Best quote: “The man who is slow to grasp things but who really tries hard is rewarded, equally he who does not cultivate his God-given intellectual ability is condemned for despising his gifts and sinning by sloth.” How he died: Isidore lived for almost 80 years. On his deathbed, he gave all of his possessions to the poor. Prayer: Because of his great and varied knowledge and his love of learning, St. Isidore has been proposed as the patron saint of the Internet and Internet users. The following prayer can be said before logging on to the Web: Almighty and eternal God, who created us in your image and commanded us to seek after all that is good, true and beautiful, especially in the divine person of your only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, grant that, through the intercession of St. Isidore, bishop and doctor, during our journeys through the Internet we will direct our hands and eyes only to that which is pleasing to you and treat with charity and patience all those souls whom we encounter. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. – Elizabeth Johnson

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dear Fr. Joe: Where was Jesus’ soul while he was in the tomb? i n

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Dear Fr. Joe: Where was Jesus’ soul during the three days he was in the tomb?

trangely enough, we think at least some of those days, he was in Toledo ... who knew? Seriously, though, the catechism directly addresses this in sections 631-637. I will summarize as best I can what is found there. First, we need to understand that Jesus did, in fact, die. “... Jesus, like all men, experienced death, and in his soul joined the others in the realm of the dead.” What happened to Jesus on Good Friday wasn’t something akin to death, but actual death. That is important because of what that death allowed Jesus to do. As the Son of God, he descended into death as the Savior, not just another person who died. The idea is this: that all death that occurred before the “Jesus event” led people to an afterlife called Sheol, where they were “deprived of the vision of God.” This was the case for both the good and the bad who had died. However, we do know that the afterlife was different for the good and the bad, as is shown in the story of Lazarus. Jesus said Lazarus was at “Abraham’s bosom,” and the rich man was “in torment.” (Luke 16, 22-26) So, before Jesus, everyone who died descended into Sheol; a place where they could not see God. The people who rejected God had a different experience there than those who followed and loved God. When Jesus died, he descended into that place and delivered those who knew loved and served God from Sheol into heaven. Remember, Jesus “did not descend into hell to deliver the damned, nor to destroy the hell of damnation, but to free the just who had gone before him.” (CCC 633)

Dear Fr. Joe: Did Jesus raise himself from the dead?

et’s start with Scripture on this one. First, Romans 10:9: “For, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” OK, here Paul shows us that God the Father raised Jesus from the dead.

FAITH Magazine

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fr.r. joe fr k n o w

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A young executive was leaving the office late one evening when he found the CEO standing in front of a shredder with a piece of paper in his hand. “Listen,” said the CEO, “this is a very sensitive and important document here, and my secretary has gone for the night. Can you make this thing work for me?” “Certainly,” said the young executive. He turned the machine on, inserted the paper, and pressed the start button. “Excellent, excellent!” said the CEO, as his paper disappeared inside the machine. “I just need one copy...” Now, let’s look at Romans 8:11: “If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also, through his Spirit that dwells in you.” Here, Paul tells us it was God the Holy Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead. But wait! There’s more! Now, let’s look at two passages from the Gospel of John. First, John 2:19-21: “At this the Jews answered and said to him, ‘What sign can you show us for doing this?’ Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.’ The Jews said, ‘This temple has been under construction for 46 years, and you will raise it up in three days?’ But he was speaking about the temple of his body.” And John 10:17-18: “This is why the Father loves me, because I lay

down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again. This command I have received from my Father.” When we read these passages, we see Jesus raising himself from the dead! So, which one was it? It was all three – the wonder and the mystery of our triune God working to raise Jesus from the dead. Enjoy another day in God’s presence. – Fr. Joseph Krupp

Send your questions to: “In the Know with Fr. Joe” FAITH Magazine 209 Seymour Ave. Lansing, MI 48933 Or: JoeInBlack@priest.com

April 2006

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quiz poll quiz great brandy and a devotion to God

FAITH asks:

in what year did the Christian Brothers begin?

what Easter candy is your favorite?

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Saint John Baptist de la Salle was born in Reims, France on April 30, WHAT YEAR? Saint John became a renowned educational pioneer when he founded the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools (Christian Brothers), an academic society of young men devoted to a life of religious service.

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We asked kindergarten students in Mrs. Minerath’s class at St. Francis Elementary School in Ann Arbor: “What is your favorite kind of Easter candy? Why?” This was one of our most popular questions with students – who were happy to spend time thinking about candy.

At 11:40 p.m. on April 14, WHAT YEAR?, the massive English ocean liner, fittingly named Titanic, struck an iceberg. Just under three hours after the collision, the infamous ‘indestructible’ ship was under the chilly waters of the Atlantic, where its remains still rest today. “To be or not to be, that is the question.” The famous playwright, William Shakespeare, was born in Stratford-upon-Avon sometime this month. Since no record of his exact date of birth exists, it is assumed to be April 23, WHAT YEAR?, in correspondence with his baptismal records. By signing the Louisiana Purchase on April 30, WHAT YEAR?, the United States acquired the Louisiana Territory (stretching from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains, and from the Gulf of Mexico to the Canadian border) from Napoleonic France for about 15 million U.S. dollars. Thirteen states were carved from the former territory.

Abby: My favorites are jellybeans, because they have a lot of sugar in them!

Dillon: Hmmm. Suckers, because they’ve got a lot of sweetness.

Maggie: Um, mints – because they’re minty!

Answers: 1651, 1912, 1564, 1803

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Filipinos remain hopeful as they help search after landslide Relatives of victims of a massive landslide in the central Philippines remained hopeful as they helped survivors and aided rescue efforts, church officials said. U.S. Marines joined the rescue effort in Guinsaugon village Feb. 20 as high-tech equipment detected sounds at the site of an elementary school buried in the mud Feb. 17, but rescue officials said they could not determine if the sounds were made by survivors or shifting mud. Bishop Precioso Cantillas of Maasin observed rescue operations in the village on the overcast morning of Feb. 20, reported UCA News, an Asian church news agency based in Thailand. From there he proceeded to St. Augustine Parish, about three miles away in Catmon village, to help coordinate aid and relief work. “You can really feel the people’s strong faith – even

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reporters and rescuers are commenting about it,” Bishop Cantillas told UCA News. The bishop said local residents were praying, and those he spoke with believed their relatives were alive. Some of the survivors were men and youths who were working or attending high school outside Guinsaugon, a village of 1,800 people, he said. By late Feb. 20, five children were among the 72 people confirmed dead; another 1,350 people were listed as missing. Guinsaugon had 500 houses, a town hall and a public elementary school, reported Father Amiel Borneo, the bishop’s secretary who is coordinating rescue efforts. He said parish workers were involved “in all areas of operations,” including helping to identify bodies. The priest said about 200 evacuees were staying at the St. Augustine parish house, while 700 other evacuees were being housed in the diocese’s Cristo Rey Regional High School in the city of St. Bernard. – CNS

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76% of Catholics say sacraments such as Eucharist are “very important.” CARA, Winter 2006

What do you think? Log on to FAITHmag.com then click FAITH forums to discuss this and other interesting topics.

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marri ma rriage age

he says ... she says ...

what should they do?

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Thoughts of love – Seek out inspirational literature. Read your favorite passages together or take turns reading to each other. The Song of Songs is a great biblical romance meditation. time

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Personal credit – Take care of your credit history with awareness and knowledge. Pay obligations on time and don’t overextend. Most importantly, order your credit report periodically for review.

eslie and Tom are both 40 and have been married for 10 years. Tom’s career path is causing difficulties in their relationship.

he wants to risk it all for a new business Leslie says: Tom and I have a wonderful relationship, except regarding his career. We’ve been married for 10 years and we are both employed in jobs that pay reasonably well. We had a rough financial period right Tom isn’t very happy with his job after we were married; but and wants to start now we’re able to pay our bills, his own business. save some money and donate I think we need to to our parish. Tom isn’t very be looking toward happy with his job and wants to start his own business. I retirement and keeping jobs with think we need to be looking toward retirement and keeping good benefits. jobs with good benefits. Also, I don’t know if Tom is fully aware of how time-consuming starting a new business can be; I’m afraid he won’t have any time for our family or parish activities. FAITH Magazine

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she wants to play it safe Tom says: I love Leslie, but I’m disappointed that she’s not more supportive of my dream to own a business. I’m tired of working for someone else and not being able to realize my ideas. I know I could be a success and I want Leslie to share in that. My family and parish are important to me, but I believe this is my last chance to make my lifelong dream a reality. After the business is up and running, I can focus on spending time with Leslie again.

T. Gennara

It’s about time – Prioritize your time together. Give “priority one” to each scheduled “date” time slot entered on your calendar. Make the entries in ink to ensure lower priority items don’t rise to become “number one”.

April 2006

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One way to enrich your marriage is to participate in a Marriage Encounter weekend. Log on to www.wwme.org for more information

who makes the decisions about a child’s time? p a r e n t i n g

j o u r n e y

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they need to compromise When a man and woman marry, they become one. This doesn’t merely apply to physical relationships – it means they enter into a partnership with God. Leslie and Tom need to spend some time talking and praying about what is best for their family in this decision. In general, men are risk-takers, while women seek security. This is exemplified by the different approaches Leslie and Tom are taking as they contemplate this decision. Tom wants to risk everything to start a business, while Leslie favors a safe approach that will ensure their retirement. This is a time for comproIn general, men mise. Starting a business is a major endeavor. Tom should are risk-takers, pray for the wisdom to discern while women whether this is something God seek security. This is exempli- is calling him to do. On a pracfied by the differ- tical level, it would be a good ent approaches idea for Tom to consult with people who have succeeded Leslie and Tom are taking as they – and failed – at owning busicontemplate this nesses. Starting the business as a part-time endeavor may decision. allay some of Leslie’s financial fears, as the couple can assess the viability of the enterprise without completely giving up Tom’s job. Before committing to the business full-time, they should have 12 months of Tom’s pay in a savings account. Leslie may want to find ways to become involved in the business as well, so that this can be a business partnership as well as a family partnership. Or, she may simply support Tom emotionally and prayerfully as he pursues his dream. It is important that both Leslie and Tom communicate regularly and honestly about the viability of the business and the impact it is having on their relationship. Tom will need to find ways to make time to spend with Leslie and to continue drawing spiritual sustenance from his parish and the sacraments. While the business may be Tom’s dream, his marriage with Leslie is God’s dream for both of them. – Cheval Breggins

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In the mood – With any surprise, you may need to allow your spouse some time to get into the same romantic mood. It may not turn out to be a good time for him or her. Accept whatever happens. Intentions that demonstrate your love never go unnoticed.

n 1974, it looked like the career of Los Angeles Dodger pitcher Tommy John was about to end, but innovative surgery returned him to the mound – a procedure followed by other major-leaguers. But now, fourinch “Tommy-John” scars are appearing on the arms of adolescents. While it’s exciting to be a 12-year-old pitching inning after inning, a child doesn’t understand the long-term consequences of overuse injuries. Travel teams and tournament schedules are different from the old days of Little League and its weekly pitching restrictions. So it’s up to parents. Our children participate in a variety of enriching extracurricular activities, but, we must help them maintain the balance that keeps these events captivating rather than holding our children captive. “... educate them in the right use of their reason and freedom”(CCC #2228). As they grow, children begin to make decisions regarding how to use their time. As our catechism points out, developing autonomy is a part of the education provided by parents. Explain the reasoning process behind your decisions at a level that your children can understand. This gives them a model for problem solving as they make more decisions on their own.

T. Gennara

what’s a kid to do?

marriage resources:

When a child wants to give up an activity. If a child wants to give up an activity she’s appeared to enjoy in the past, listen carefully to the reasons. Perhaps there is teasing that is making the situation untenable. Maybe it takes more effort than the child assumed. If it is a short-term commitment and there is no harassment involved, then finishing is a reasonable solution. If years of training are involved, then give the decision some time. It may be more difficult for parents to give up the dream of the potential college scholarship and the future career than it is for the child to give up the activity! And remember to pray about these decisions.The time we spend in prayer, in our relationship with God, helps free us from society’s demands and teaches us God’s wisdom. As St. Therese of Lisieux wrote, “For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.” – Dr. Cathleen McGreal

2/28/06 3:25:22 PM

top10 what in the world?

clergy wonder

the top-10 Catholic News events this month

how to deal with effect of Ford job cuts in their areas

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Pope Benedict’s first major meeting with top Roman Curia officials. Sources said it focused on a proposal to reconcile with followers of the late French Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, who rejected Vatican II.

Olympic games. Pope Benedict XVI greeted the thousands of athletes, organizers and visitors who have flocked to Turin for the XX Olympic Winter Games.

Gospel to go. While official sponsors of the Winter Olympics are handing out bagfuls of freebies, churches are distributing a special Olympic edition of St. Mark’s Gospel.

Ex-priest’s killer found guilty. A jury convicted Joseph L. Druce in the 2003 prison slaying of John J. Geoghan. Geoghan, a former Boston priest, was the serial child molester whose January 2002 conviction sparked the national clergy sexual abuse scandal.

Red tape prevents aid. The Catholic Church is facing bureaucratic hurdles in providing assistance for tsunami survivors in eastern Indian islands, said a priest in charge of relief work.

Stay of execution. Three days after four Catholic bishops appealed to Maryland’s governor to spare the life of convicted murderer Vernon Evans, the state’s high court delayed Evans’ execution for at least several months.

Changes to Chicago’s sex abuse policies. Cardinal Francis E. George promised changes Feb. 2 in the way the Archdiocese of Chicago handles allegations of sexual abuse by priests after he had to remove two pastors from their parishes in the past month.

Abortion controversy in Australia. A group of Australian Catholic doctors has resigned from the country’s two leading medical organizations in protest over support the groups have given to the abortion drug RU-486.

Nun wins Super Bowl tickets as greatest football fan. Sister Mary John Tintea, a Daughter of Charity, was named Good Morning America’s greatest football fan in America.

Slave trade continues around the world. So says Mary DeLorey of Catholic Relief Services. It is estimated that the victims of human slave trafficking number between 700,000 and 2 million. They are “primarily women and children.” FAITH Magazine

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Workers assemble a Ford F-150 pickup truck at the Dearborn Truck Plant in Dearborn, Mich., in this 2005 file photo.

s Ford Motor Co. announced its intent to close 14 manufacturing plants and cut up to 30,000 jobs over the next six years, clergy in cities affected by the plant closings wondered how they were going to help their parishioners whose jobs and livelihoods were at risk.

Father Michael Savickas said he would remind parishioners affected by the planned closing of Ford’s assembly plant in Wixom, a Detroit suburb, of the symbol of the church as an anchor. “Our faith is a fixed point we can hold onto when things are changing around us,” Father Savickas, pastor of St. William Parish in nearby Walled Lake, said soon after hearing the Jan. 23 announcement that the huge plant within his parish boundaries would close as part of the automaker’s “Way Forward” restructuring plan. Faced with a declining share of the U.S. car market and losses on its domestic business, Ford’s sweeping plan includes closing five plants by 2008, including Wixom. Father Savickas said he knows about 100 of his parish’s 2,350 families include Ford employees, but was not sure how many of

them are employed at Wixom. But he added that many more parishioners could be affected. “This will probably have an even larger impact on people who work for other companies that are suppliers to the plant, or those in service businesses such as restaurants that depend on business from the plant’s workers,” he said. The Wixom plant stands just outside the parish boundaries of St. James Parish in the suburb of Novi, and its pastor was already asking parishioners to pray for the Wixom workers at weekend Masses prior to the announcement. Father George Charnley, St. James’ pastor, said he believes the church has a solid message of hope for those affected by the planned closing. “As Catholics, we’re always hope-filled and relying on the Lord,” he said. – Robert Delaney/CNS

April 2006

2/28/06 3:25:50 PM

worldwork world w work your whole self –

how spirituality makes for a better workplace.

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w o r k

Faith, family are priorities for 16-year-old Olympic figure skater Sixteen-year-old Olympic figure skater Kimmie Meissner may dazzle audiences and judges with her tripleaxel jump, but off the ice, the high school junior is about as grounded as they come. While her rigorous practice schedule leaves no time for signature high school moments, the teenager still leads a relatively normal life. She goes to church on Sundays – the family belongs to St. Ignatius Parish in Hickory, Md. – and she goes running with her dogs, watches television and snuggles at night with her cat, Ozzie. “Her love of skating has been as gripping as the toe pick on the blade of a figure skate. “Skating makes me so happy,” said the young Olympian. “I’m not just doing it for a medal.”

Dan works in a large office complex in a support role.

– Jennifer Williams/CNS

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T. Gennara

Turkish troubles: Vatican works to reinforce Christian-Muslim harmony The killing of an Italian missionary priest has raised fears that Turkey, long one of the more moderate Muslim countries, could become a new home for Islamic fanaticism. Father Andrea Santoro, 60, was murdered in his church by a youth who yelled “Allahu akbar” (“Allah is great”) before firing his gun, according to officials. The slaying deeply troubled Pope Benedict XVI, who will travel to Turkey Nov. 28-30 on what was originally designed as a visit to the Orthodox Christian community. Now, the pope will focus on Christian-Muslim harmony. It was unclear whether the priest’s accused killer was influenced by the widespread outrage and demonstrations by Muslims over publication of European newspaper cartoons that satirize the prophet Mohammed.– By John Thavis/CNS

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an says: It was tough to come to work some days, not because I was unhappy in my work, it was more so about the overall atmosphere among my team. There was little enthusiasm and people just wanted to keep to themselves. I, like many of my co-workers, would sometimes get discouraged and feel unfulfilled and incomplete. On top of all this, the boss was on our backs because there had been complaints about the quality of our work. It’s tough to motivate employees when there is little sense of purpose. Often, we felt like we were treated as tools rather than people. I wanted to change this atmosphere but wasn’t sure how. One day, I happened to mention to a co-worker that I’m a religious education teacher at my church and she revealed that she was a practicing Christian as well. Someone else overheard us talking one day and joined in the discussion because he’d been questioning his faith. A number of us now get together regularly to share our faith and support one another. The whole atmosphere is much more positive, even for those who aren’t directly involved in our discussions. There is a greater sense of fellowship and purpose; we believe that we were brought together for a reason. This change in attitude has also improved the quality of our work, and thus made our boss’ job much easier.

The expert says: In their book, A Spiritual Audit of Corporate America, Dr. Ian Mitroff and Elizabeth Denton surveyed employees to discover how spirituality impacts their sense of self in the workplace. They found that, in many cases, people believe that the lack of spirituality at work significantly diminishes their sense of wholeness in life. One of their key findings revealed that people do not want to compartmentalize or fragment their lives. Mitroff and Denton conclude: “Unless organizations become more spiritual, they

cannot reap the benefits of the full and deep engagement of their employees, their so-called most valuable resource.” (p 7) Dan, his co-workers and his boss discovered this truth. It is becoming more and more apparent that spirituality cannot be separated from who we are as humans. A sense of wholeness (holiness) is critical to being productive in whatever we do. I’m not suggesting that you run out and begin preaching at work, but you do need to leave yourself open to and be aware of the other “seekers.” When you find one, you’ll find two, and before you know it, you’ll be amazed at how we begin to come out of the woodwork. – Tim Ryan

2/28/06 3:25:58 PM

theolog g

the liturgy of the word

a 9-part exploration of the church’s public prayer t h e o l o g y

1 0 1

t h e o l o g y

1 0 1

standing Standing has always been a gesture of deep respect. We stand in the presence of royalty, when we meet dignitaries, or when we’re introduced to someone. Many people still stand to greet women or their elders. It is only natural that this respect would flow into our liturgical life, as well. Standing to pray was the usual posture in the Jewish temple and synagogues: Jesus spoke of the hypocrites who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and his parables about the Pharisee and the publican both mention them standing to pray. Thus, during the Mass, we stand during the reading of the Gospel, we stand during many of the prayers and, in the United States, the norm for the reception of holy Communion is standing. FAITH Magazine

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who ’s in the s anctuary?

Lector (reader): Generally, a lector is a member of the parish trained to proclaim the Scripture readings from the Old and New Testaments. He or she approaches the ambo reverently, and reads in a clear and loud voice from the lectionary. The term ‘lector’ also refers to one of the minor orders to which a man is ordained on the road to the priesthood.

The Second Vatican Council reformed the way the Liturgy of the Word was structured. The church created a three-reading cycle plus a responsorial psalm, drawing from the Old Testament, the New Testament and, of course, the Gospels. In this way, we are exposed to a rich variety of readings throughout the year. The Lectionary, the book containing the readings, is arranged in a three-year cycle.

T. Gennara

w h y d o w e d o t h a t ?

he Mass is divided into two major parts: the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The Liturgy of the Word is the part of the Mass that is most reflective of our Jewish heritage. In the early church, Christians attended Sabbath services on Saturday, where they heard readings from the Torah, the Prophets and the Law. They sang psalms and worshipped God. The next day, the church gathered in homes for the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. After Christians were banished from the synagogues, Scripture from the Old Testament was added to the Sunday gathering, along with the telling of the Gospel stories, thus forming the roots of the Liturgy of the Word as we know it today.

April 2006

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gy y 101

w h a t ’ s

h e

w e a r i n g ?

bible quiz

prophets at the time of the Exile b i b l e

1. The first prophet to question God’s ways of governing the world.

2. The only prophet who received his calling during the Babylonian exile. 3. One of the few kings of Judah praised in the Deuteronomic history because he instituted religious reforms based on a book of the covenant found in the temple. 4. Both priest and prophet,

q u i z

he was called by God when he was just a boy and was initially reluctant to say “yes.”

5. A prophet who lived and preached before the Exile. 6. The prophet who spoke directly of the events surrounding the fall of Nineveh. 7. A prophet who calls the people to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God.

Isaiah

a. Nahum b. Micah c. Isaiah d. Jeremiah e. Habakkuk f. Josiah g. Ezekiel

answers: 1:e; 2:g; 3:f; 4:d; 5:c; 6:a; 7:b

Cycle A proclaims the Gospel of Matthew; Cycle B, Mark; and Cycle C, Luke. The Gospel of John, with its emphasis on the resurrection, is read throughout the Lent and Easter seasons, and also during Advent and Christmas. In the Easter Season, the first reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. During the rest of the year, the first reading is from the Old Testament, the The Second second from the letters of the Vatican Council New Testament or Revelation. reformed the way The readings culminate with the Liturgy of the the Gospel. Word was strucA homily follows, which extured.The church plains the Scripture readings created a threeand helps us draw parallels reading cycle plus with our daily lives, so that a responsorial we can apply the teachings psalm, drawing we’ve just heard. from the Old TesWe then recite the Nicene tament, the New Creed, a brief statement of our Testament and, of most fundamental beliefs. We course, the Gos- profess our faith in God the pels. In this way, Father as creator, in his son we are exposed Jesus, in the Holy Spirit and in to a rich variety of the basic tenets of the church. readings through- We then offer prayers for out the year. all the needs of our world, our country and our local community. We join our voices together to ask the Lord to “hear our prayer.” Through prayer, singing, the hearing of Scripture and the contemplation of the lessons learned, we have prepared ourselves to present our gifts to the Lord and enter into the next phase of the Mass, the Liturgy of the Eucharist. By Elizabeth Solsburg | Illustrations by Bob Patten

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stole

w h a t ’ s t h e s e a s o n ?

Easter Easter is the most profound celebration of the church’s year. It begins with the most beautiful liturgy of the year, the Easter Vigil Mass. During the Easter Vigil, catechumens are baptized and candidates from other faiths welcomed. The season of Easter lasts 50 days, until Pentecost. It is to be celebrated as a continual feast day – one “great Sunday.” The liturgical color for Easter is white.

The stole is the long strip of material that hangs around the neck of a priest during the performance of sacramental functions. It is also worn diagonally across the chest by deacons who are assisting at Mass. There is a small embroidered cross in the center of the stole, which the priest kisses before donning it. The stole is a symbol of the office of priest or deacon. w h a t ’ s

i n

t h e

c h u r c h ?

ambo:

he ambo is the podium or lectern from which the readings are proclaimed. It takes its name from a word meaning elevated and is based on the raised platforms from which rabbis read. The ambo should be stationary and located in a place where the ordained ministers and lectors can be easily seen and heard by the assembly.

2/28/06 3:26:38 PM

“I was in prison and you visited me.” Bishop Mengeling’s passion for prison ministry t h e

b i s h o p

Christine Jones

f r o m

Bishop Mengeling celebrates Mass at the Washtenaw County Jail.

he only childhood recollections I have about prisons came from grown-ups – the sensational escape of the “enemy number one” gangster John Dillinger from our county jail in Crown Point was around-the-clock talk for awhile. Then there was the talk about a young man from our area who served time in The U.S. Penitentiary at Leavenworth, Kansas. FAITH Magazine

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After ordination, I knew that prison ministry would be part of my life. But like the majority of new priests, I had never visited a prison. That changes very quickly for parish priests. My first experience of prison ministry occurred after several months as a new parish priest. An inactive family phoned for a priest to visit their 18-year-old son in prison. None of the priests knew the family or the son. The pastor figured I could relate better and be more

effective with this youth since I was only eight years older. Besides, it was time for me to “dive” into prison ministry. So I got the assignment. Of course, I was fearful and anxious about another first in my priestly ministry. I soon found out that he and I were in the same boat. He too was fearful and anxious about his first offense and first time in prison. He was also nervous about the strange priest visitor. The ice was broken when we

April 2006

2/28/06 3:26:43 PM

bishop

J. Luning

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I’m happy to share several extraordinary spiritual experiences of prison ministry. They show the tested, yet enduring, faith of these men and women, the hope that keeps their present and future alive and the fraternal love that is often a life-preserver that saves from drowning.

love. I come to tell you that God loves you and wants you to follow a path of rehabilitation and forgiveness, of truth and justice. I would like to listen to each of your personal stories. What I cannot do myself can be done by your chaplains who are at your side in Christ’s name. I extend my cordial greetings to them and to all who carry out this most demanding task in the prisons of the world. I also express my appreciation to the volunteers who work with the chaplains in being close to you.” Later, after the Angelus, he spoke to the crowds: “This morning I had the joy of meeting the inmates of Regina Coeli Prison for the great jubilee. It was a touching moment of prayer and humanity. Looking into their eyes, I tried to glimpse the sufferings, anxieties and hopes of each one. I knew that in them I was meeting Christ, who identified with them in the Gospel, saying, ‘I was in prison and you came to me.’” I’m happy to share several extraordinary spiritual experiences of prison ministry. They show the tested, yet enduring, faith of these men and women, the hope that keeps their present and future alive and the fraternal love that is often a life-preserver that saves from drowning. I was visiting one of the largest prisons in Michigan to celebrate Mass, which was attended by about 75 men. After distributing the Eucharist, I turned to the little congregation, but I saw no faces. The men on their knees were communing with their Savior. Faces

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Christine Jones

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told each other how much we were afraid. The Lord handled the rest. I learned that day how much I needed to develop sensitivity, listening and patience. It was a good first of many to come. Most of us can never forget one of the most shocking events of our time. On May 13, 1981, after his public audience, the pope was being driven around St Peter’s Square in an open vehicle, greeting thousands of pilgrims and visitors. Suddenly, someone in the crowd repeatedly shot Pope John Paul II. Within eight minutes, the pope was treated for multiple wounds in Gemelli Hospital. After six hours of surgery, he remained in critical condition. After 77 days of recuperation, the pope returned to the Vatican. The fleeing gunman, a terrorist named Mehmet Ali Agca, was detained in the square and arrested by police. The court sentenced him to life in prison. Most of us can also vividly recall a second remarkable and sacred moment that deeply affected believers and caught the world’s attention. It happened on Dec. 27, 1983. In a prison cell, Jesus’ words, “I was in prison and you came to visit me” came alive in the humble and tender witness of John Paul II forgiving and embracing Mehmet Ali Agca. Later that day, the pope said, “Today, I was able to meet my would-be assassin, whom I again forgave.” During Jubilee 2000, Sunday, July 9 was designated Jubilee in Prisons. During Mass in Rome’s Regina Coeli Prison, the pope said: “I greet each of you prisoners with fraternal affection. I stand before you as witness to God’s

were hidden in hands or arms as they bent over a chair or table. The communion at that Mass continued. Time didn’t matter. The stillness in that vast place was broken only by weeping. It was one of the most profound experiences I have witnessed. Yes! They, like us, have much to commune about with Our Lord. The men in this large prison are blessed with a steady presence of priests, deacons, religious and lay men and women. At every Mass I celebrate, baptisms, professions of faith and confirmations are also celebrated. The Catholic community in this prison is strong. Some men are leaders in music or Bible studies and some are liturgical ministers. During Jubilee 2000, Pope John Paul II decided to give each bishop of the world a pectoral cross to celebrate the pope’s own 25th anniversary. I decided to share the cross with everyone at all gatherings, especially confirmations. Before Mass at the prison, I described meeting with the pope and showed them the cross he placed in my hands. The eyes of the 40 or so were fixed on that cross. They watched as I lifted the chain and cross over my head and held it out to them. I wanted each man to hold in his hand the cross Pope John Paul II had placed in my hands. The first was a little hesitant, but then eagerly grasped the cross and kissed it; he was weeping. The cross passed reverently from hand to hand – to some this might seem a little thing, but to these men it was a grace. – Most Rev. Carl F. Mengeling is the fourth bishop of Lansing.

2/28/06 3:27:00 PM

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2/28/06 3:27:07 PM

r y

On his way to work, Chet pulled a man from a burning truck. When he noticed the flames, it looked as though they were heading right for him. He pulled off to the right shoulder of the road and called 911, as others were also doing. Chet Czubko, Jr. had been stopped in construction traffic on Interstate-94 near U.S.-127 on his way to work. A glance in his rearview mirror revealed flames behind him filling the morning sky. A huge diesel truck and its trailer had run over a smaller truck that was at the end of the line of traffic. Within minutes, Czubko found himself trying to rescue one of the drivers in the accident that involved several vehicles. This is his description of what happened on Oct. 20, 2003, at 7:20.

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By Bob Horning | Photography by Jim Luning

2/28/06 3:27:21 PM

attempted to throw the chain over the door, I missed. Again, it seemed like I was going so slowly and time was going so fast. The flames leapt out the window and burned my forehead. “Oh, no. I have to do it again,” I thought to myself. It was so hot. This time the hook went over the door. I reached inside to grab it so I could hook it to the chain. Somehow my hand didn’t burn. I stepped back from the heat to pull the chain. Two men had appeared to help me.

The traffic quickly cleared ahead of me, so I could have gone ahead – but I couldn’t. I had to go see if anyone needed help. As I neared the wreck, the man in the truck that was hit was leaning out the window, looking directly at me, and yelling for help. The inside of his vehicle was burning. I saw two guys unsuccessfully trying to pull him out, and two others use fire extinguishers on him and his truck, to no avail. I could see the driver’s life ebbing away. It was white hot inside the truck by now. Everyone was giving up, watching helplessly, frustrated at failing to get him out. But I felt like we had to keep trying. When I noticed his door slightly ajar, I yelled for a chain, knowing there had to be one among all those big trucks. The door would have been too hot to touch with my hands. One of the truck drivers ran to get a chain, but to me it was as if he moved in slow motion. Every second was critical. The first time I FAITH Magazine

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Being raised Catholic, I have a concern for life. Life is precious. I will do what I can to preserve it. Maybe that’s why I wasn’t afraid — I know Someone will take care of me.

We couldn’t get the door open. We never did. But something else happened. As a result of seeing me still trying, not giving up, two more men came up to try to pull him out. This time it worked. Reflecting back, we think maybe Mr. Titler’s seat belt harness had been holding him in; but now, perhaps, it was melted away. His clothes had burned off from his chest down and his remaining clothes were on fire. He was laid down on the road and the last two fire extinguishers were used on him. I yelled for some water to put on his burns. A woman nearby handed me a wicker basket filled with bottled water. I opened one and attempted to pour it over Mr. Titler, but someone waved me off. By that time, the rescue driver showed up on eastbound I-94, but he stopped far short of where he was needed. I had to run toward him and get him to come to where Mr. Titler was. The first thing the medical people did was pour water on him to ease the pain. When the action slowed, I noticed that my head was hot and hurting. I rode in the ambulance, with some of the others who were injured, to Foote Hospital in Jackson. On the way, I called work and said I

April 2006

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wouldn’t be in; then I called my wife, Mary Anne. At the hospital, I began getting chills, so they gave me blankets. My forehead skin was bubbling as my wife walked in. They put salve on it and wrapped my head in bandages. The doctor said I needed to go to the University of Michigan burn unit in Ann Arbor. Afterward, we picked up my car from the accident site, then went home to Grass Lake. Channel 6 TV in Lansing met me at a local truck stop to interview me. My two boys, Nicholas and C.J., were proud of their dad, especially after they saw me on TV. The next day I thought I could go to work OK, but when I got there, my face began swelling, causing my eyes to swell shut. Apparently, the body reacts by sending water to the burned areas to help the healing and that caused the swelling. I missed three days of work. Every morning, for two weeks, I had to put new salve and bandages on my head. My forehead eventually grew new skin, and now looks like it did before. During the rescue, I didn’t even think of being afraid. I was sure the vehicle wouldn’t explode because the gas had already escaped from the tank and was burning off. Everyone asks how I had the presence of mind to think of using a chain. They say most people panic in those situations and can’t think. All I knew at the time was what would happen to Mr. Titler if we did nothing. If it had been me in the truck, I would have wanted help. I keep telling people that I’m not the one who pulled Mr. Titler out. What I did do was try once more, give one more spark of hope when everyone had given up. I am proud of what I did in that it spurred others on. Otherwise, he would have died right there. The one thing it taught me was “don’t ever think there’s nothing you can do.” Being raised Catholic, I have a concern for life. Life is precious. I will do what I can to preserve it. Maybe that’s why I wasn’t afraid — I know Someone will take care of me. Mr. Titler had burns on 75 percent of his body, and, over time, they tried numerous skin grafts. He died eight months later in the intensive care unit at UM Hospital.

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m i n i s t r y

BeFrienders Ministry is a program of lay pastoral care found in many parishes. If you are grieving or need a listening ear, check with your parish to see if there is a BeFrienders group available. If you feel called to volunteer for this caring ministry, call your parish’s BeFrienders representative.

The hardest thing for me was all of the recognition. Fr. Tom Smith of our parish, Our Lady of Fatima in Michigan Center, mentioned in his homily about the firefighter heroes in California at the time. Then he said that we have our own hero in our parish – our organist. They gave me a standing ovation. I’m not used to that. It makes me feel uneasy to be called a hero. I’m still Chet Czubko. And every time I would see Mr. Titler’s mother, she called me her angel. During the rescue, I can’t say I felt God’s presence exactly, but what I did feel was something that he brought about – a sense of community – a bunch of truck drivers, construction workers, and myself – an accountant, who had never met, coming together to do something outstanding. It was a unique feeling. There was a bond. As my wife noted, she was not only proud of me and impressed that I was so levelheaded, but also with the courage we all had working together as a team. In the time since the accident, I continue to understand more the preciousness of life. You don’t know when it could end. Mr. Titler was on his way to work just as I was. Another minute and it could have been me. Time with my family seems more important now. Would I do it again? Absolutely. Chet’s story was shared in several local newspapers. Likewise, he received the American Red Cross “Everyday Hero” award, the Jackson County Citizen Award, and a State of Michigan Special Tribute, signed by legislators and the governor.

2/28/06 3:27:51 PM

the gift of a child how Father Pat Jackson House helped Sharonda turn trouble to joy p r o f i l e

haronda Purnell sits on the floor in her apartment and pulls open a cardboard box of food dropped off by her church. Sifting through its contents, she hands her 3-year-old son, Traye, the butter and other items that need to go into the refrigerator. Traye, who’s middle name, Iniko, means “born during troubled times” in Swahili, puts them away and comes back to snuggle on his mom’s lap. “I have a lot of support,” says Sharonda, 20, a single mother who counts on a wide group of friends and family to help her manage a busy life. Her days include working as a caregiver in an intensive care unit at the University of Michigan Health System and – when she can fit it in without taking too many hours away from her son – pursuing a nursing degree. All in all, it’s a long way from the troubled times of a few years ago, when she became pregnant at 17. Life then had slipped out of control, Sharonda remembers. Raised by her grandmother, Sharonda grew up in Delaware. Her mother arrived when Sharonda was 13 to take her to Michigan. She settled into her new life, earning good grades, playing basketball and making plans to become a pediatrician someday. She participated in summer science programs at the University of Michigan and apprenticed at a health center in Ypsilanti. Still, she missed her grandmother and her old friends. And she couldn’t forgive her mother for leaving her when she was young, so they argued constantly. Then her stepfather made Sharonda quit the basketball team when he found her smoking. “It was too much,” she says. “I left home on my 17th birthday, Thanksgiving night. The first semester of my senior year was all a blur.” She continued to go to school, but she moved from couch to couch and smoked marijuana and drank alcohol every day. Her grades fell.

FAITH Magazine

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April 2006

that houses teenage mothers and provides a range of services to help them build solid lives. Father Pat’s asks much of teens. They are required to go to school, work during the summer, save a percentage of the money they earn, In the midst of the turmoil, she and care for their children indepenlearned she was going to have a dently. Preparing meals and finding baby. “I said to God, ‘This, too?’” child care, for example, are their Yet Sharonda stopped drinking own responsibility, says program and smoking as soon as she found supervisor Christina Rivest. out. At first, she moved in with her A staff member is always on boyfriend, who was several years the premises, and rules abound. older than she was, and his mother. Everyone has chores to complete, But, now sober, she realized she and curfew is at 10 p.m. “For many needed a different environment for of the girls who come here, it’s herself and her child. She applied more stability than they’ve ever had to the Father Patrick Jackson House before,” Christina says. in Ann Arbor, an organization For Sharonda, it was a refuge. By Margaret Ann Cross | Photography by Christine Jones

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profile was just the beginning, not an end.” “Moving into Father Pat’s gave me Real clarity hit on Sept. 20, 2002, a way to get myself together for my the day Traye was born. Sharonda baby, and it kept me away from the says, “I knew what I had to do. I things I didn’t need to be around,” knew God was telling me that I had she says. “I needed to establish been messing up for too long, but myself.” he had forgiven me and it was time She spent her days in school or to move on. I don’t have any regrets. at work – “I always tell Traye he Today, my only, ‘What if?’ is, ‘What graduated from high school with if I had had an aborme,” she says – and spent some nights in I knew what I had tion?’ I can’t imagine it. her room crying. She to do. I knew God Really, I didn’t have to make a choice about began to understand was telling me whether to keep Traye that God had been that I had been because you can’t good to her, she says. messing up for pick and choose what “I don’t know where too long, but he I would be if I hadn’t had forgiven me God gives you. Traye gotten pregnant, maybe and it was time to is everything to me. I never would have made killed in a car accident. move on. it without him.” Before, I had been high Sharonda spent nearly two years all of the time, trying to forget my problems.” at Father Pat’s. She went to educational sessions that the program Committed staff members at offered on budgeting, signing leases Father Pat’s, such as Helen Criglar, and other practical topics, some of helped her through the early days. them taught by law school students. “Miss Helen told me, ‘You aren’t a And she took parenting classes, dummy. You are going to do someeverything from baby massage thing with your life,’” Sharonda class to how to communicate with says. “I knew that. I knew that this

Father Pat Jackson House in Ann Arbor.

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r e s o u r c e

What is Father Pat Jackson House? Established in 1984 and now a division of Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County, Father Pat’s is located in a house in an Ann Arbor neighborhood. The non-denominational program offers a home to up to five girls and their children at a time – most from Ann Arbor and surrounding counties, but others from throughout Michigan and nearby states. Each girl gets a bedroom, which includes a crib, and they share common areas such as the living room and kitchen. Many teens who stay at Father Pat’s plan to keep their children, though some opt for adoption. Most of them are in contact with their families, and their parents or guardians are required to sign them into the program. For more information or to find out how you can help, call 734.971.9781.

children. “I was yelled at as a child, but I learned that you need to talk to them,” Sharonda says. Sharonda and the other residents relied on one another at Father Pat’s, too. She watched babies while her friends went out, and they watched Traye when she worked double shifts at Glacier Hills Retirement Community. She saw from other young moms that kids needed boundaries and that you need to spend quality time with them. She still keeps in touch with some of the moms – and still baby-sits their kids when she can. When Sharonda moved into her own apartment, she was happy to shake some of the rules of Father Pat’s. She’d stand on the balcony at 10:01 p.m. just because she could. She says she’s come this far, though, in part because of all she gained from the program. Her goal has changed from becoming a pediatrician to becoming a registered nurse, and she’s happy with her decision. Her job at the University of Michigan challenges her every day. “It’s fastpaced and difficult. I love it. I’m a caregiver at heart.” Being a single mom will never be easy, she says. But friends and family help. Traye’s grandparents on both sides adore him – and she gets strength and support from her church family at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Ann Arbor. “I have come a long way, but I still have so much more to go,” Sharonda says. “It’s very tight financially, but Traye’s so young, he doesn’t know we’re struggling. He just knows that his mom rolls around on the floor and plays with him.” Her son’s middle name means “born during troubled times,” she points out, not “living them.”

2/28/06 3:29:16 PM

Vic Lopez took on the KKK and won a town’s appreciation m y

s t o r y

my ys

hat are the decisions that make us who we are? Community activist Vic Lopez was named the Howell Citizen of the Year – in large part because of the stand he took against racism in his hometown. Vic shares his story about the turns in the road that shape our lives.

I have lived in Howell for 31 years. When I first moved here, it immediately felt like home. I worked for UPS then and turned down a transfer because we liked it so much. When you turn down transfers, you don’t progress. So after a few years, my wife and I started a retail business. I got involved in a group that eventually became a full-time chamber of commerce. With that group, I helped co-found the annual Michigan Challenge Balloon Fest and the annual Festival of Lights Parade. What I am most proud of, though, is my involvement in establishing the Livingston 2001 Diversity Council. This council formed in 1988 after we had an actual cross-burning in Howell. That cross-burning was another life-changing event for me. I wouldn’t think something like that would ever happen today. It was very disgusting and the biggest injustice I ever saw. Our primary goal, in forming Livingston 2001, was to be a low-profile group that worked to provide education and programs to teach diversity by the year the kindergartners of ’88 would graduate, which would be 2001. I think we’ve done a lot of good over the last 16 years. That was why when a Klu Klux Klan robe was put up for auction and displayed in a storefront window, I got involved. We worked so hard to eliminate the negative image of Howell being racist, and then suddenly there’s a KKK robe in a window on our main street. That surprised me – shocked me actually – and it sent the wrong message. I thought we had come further than that. So instead of just sitting back, sticking the issue under the rug and hoping it would go away, we took a stand. That storeowner is a business person and has the FAITH Magazine

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right to sell his product, but he’s still a corporate member and has a responsibility to our community. All retail has a responsibility to do good for the community and this was not something good. I want everyone to understand that the good people of this community do not promote racism.

m i n i s t r y

For more information about fighting racial and ethnic discrimination, contact the Office of Black Catholic Ministry at 517.342.2496.

The Klu Klux Klan did come to town about 10 years ago and they put on quite a demonstration. If the Diversity Council had not been in existence, we wouldn’t have known how to handle it. We tried to make it a non-event and encouraged people to stay away. We hung ribbons on trees as a sign of peace and held a candlelight vigil the night before. I have no idea why the Klan chose Howell, but their leader stood on the steps and screamed hateful things against everybody. They left, not making an impression on anyone in Howell, because no one really showed up to watch it. I cannot begin to imagine how different the outcome would have been had the Diversity Council not been in place to prepare our community. I have seen so much love and justice within our Diversity Council and in other places because of it. This group of people discusses value issues and By Rose Robertson | Photography by Tom Gennara

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story t what we can do to improve our community in that regard. There are other committees in town that work to improve the community, but the Diversity Council is more about moral issues; they seek justice. They have no other reason to be there. Theirs is a work of love based on convictions that are just beautiful. I have always believed people to be good and that there are more good people than bad people. People are where we find hope. If you ask them to do things, they’ll respond. I think most people are just waiting to be personally invited to get involved. But if you don’t ask, they’ll just go on with their personal lives. So I get up every day and ask myself what I can do to make someone else feel good. That is why I enjoy volunteering. It gives me a chance to do something good for my community. As a business person, I think I should give something back. It is a joy to work with the people in Howell who have become my family. There are so many who work hard to make this a great town, which was why I was so surprised when I got the Citizen of the Year award. I am very proud of my award, which has probably been the highlight of my professional career. I always hoped that no matter how small it would be, my life would make a difference. There have been times I said I should have stayed with UPS, because I could have retired 10 years ago. But if I had, I wouldn’t be at this spot in life right now. When I die, I hope God will say that I did a good job on earth and that for whatever reason he put me here, I hope I fulfilled his wishes.

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We are called to feed the hungry.

Catholic social teaching – what does it tell us?

great crowd had followed Jesus and the Apostles to the mountains. Knowing the crowd was hungry, Jesus asked Philip about getting food for them all. Philip answered that they had not enough money to buy food for everyone. Andrew spoke up and said, “There is a young boy here who has five barley loaves and two fishes ...” Jesus took the loaves and fishes, blessed them and fed the multitude with 12 baskets left over. This event tells us a great deal. The boy who offered his five loaves and two fishes saw what can happen when we give all we have to Jesus. The multitude was fed with this boy’s generosity; and what happened to the 12 baskets left over? Don’t be surprised if the boy received his bread and fish back – and more! But that is not the end of the story. Jesus goes on to tell us what it really means It is good to feed to feed the hungry and give drink to the thirsty. A few verses later, Jesus gives the discourse on the those who are Eucharist. He tells the crowd, “Do not labor for the hungry and give food that perishes, but for that which endures unto drink to those who life everlasting” He continued, “I am the Bread of are thirsty; we call that a corporal Life. You who come to me shall not hunger, and work of mercy. you who believe in me shall never thirst.” But, to satisfy the It is good to feed those who are hungry and more profound give drink to those who are thirsty; we call that a hunger and thirst; corporal work of mercy. But, to satisfy the more profound hunger and thirst; to quench spiritual dry- to quench spiritual ness and alleviate spiritual emaciation, we are also dryness and alleviate spiritual emacalled to spiritual works of mercy. These include ciation, we are also praying for the living and the dead, converting sinners, instructing the ignorant and counseling the called to spiritual doubtful, comforting the sorrowful, bearing wrongs works of mercy. patiently and forgiving those who have wronged us. We can begin by inviting our friends and family to join us at Mass. When we offer ourselves at Mass, as the boy offered his bread and fishes on the mountain, we will not be left wanting, but will be filled with sanctifying grace – and more! The corporal and spiritual works of mercy provide us with the lens though which we should examine Catholic social teaching. Without spiritual works of mercy, we can swerve into secular humanism, and to neglect the corporal works of mercy is a denial of the sacredness of the incarnation, when Jesus became fully human. –Vince Gale, Diocese of Lansing Department of Catholic Charities

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freedom in forgiveness – how letting go helps us. s p i r i t u a l

“I

am forgiven! I am forgiven! I am forgiven!” The young man had just stepped out of the reconciliation room and was jubilant. He had gone through a long struggle with serious sin and the priest had asked him to keep coming back to the sacrament each week until he was free. It took time, but he grew in trust of God and experienced a new freedom he never thought possible. Before this, his relationship with God had been weak to non-existent. He was raised in a Catholic home, and even went to Catholic school, but he never really practiced his faith from his heart. He just went through the motions. In some ways, he was successful – from a worldly point of view. He was making good money as a young professional, and had a bright career future. However, his high school and college habits had stayed with him and had gotten worse. He had gotten involved in drinking, drug use and inappropriate sexual activity for years – now many of those activities were addictions. His thoughts were ever focused on when it would be time for the next fix. At times, when he would allow himself to consider FAITH Magazine

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spiritu p

f i t n e s ss p i r i t u a l

f i t n e s s

his choices, he was deeply disappointed in himself. He felt alone and too embarrassed (or proud) to admit he had a problem he could not handle. His emptiness grew, as did his despair. He was in a prison of his own making and at this point it seemed as if he were serving a life sentence. Then, one Saturday, he found his way into the church. He had drunk himself sick the night before and felt miserable. He came to church because he did not know what else to do. He remembered having a sense of peace and well-being in church when he was young. He knew there was something very good and right about it. And so there he was. The church was quiet

and dark. A few candles burned near a statue of Mary. As he sat, he began to cry. He felt he did not really belong there nor deserve to be in such a good place. An old priest came into church and went into the reconciliation room. The light above the door came on – the priest was ready to hear confessions. The young man sat in the pew and became anxious. He felt he ought to go in and talk to the priest, but he was afraid. He considered his life and all the choices he had made. He had been bold enough to do many wrong things, why not be bold now and try to do something right? He was in church after all. Nothing in that reconciliation room could hurt any more than the pain he was already in. The young man looked up at the crucifix, and saw what Jesus had gone through. He also saw himself. His sin had

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ual fitness u e wounded and scarred his own soul. He knew he deserved his pain, but Jesus was innocent. The young man prayed, “I am sorry Jesus. I know my sins put you on the cross. Please forgive me, Lord. Help me, Lord.” He went in to see the priest. He went in with despair and a great weight on his back. He went in like a dead man. He came out as if he were Lazarus raised from the dead. The old priest was kind to him and did not say much. He just told him to keep coming to church and to keep coming back to this sacrament each week if he could. Each week he returned faithfully, even though he sometimes fell. He kept coming back. As the months went by, he began to experience more and more freedom. His sins no longer held him bound. He

found he was thinking differently – about himself, the world, his family and friends. Hope was blazing in him and he was experiencing the promise of Jesus being realized. “If the Son sets you free, then you are free indeed.” (John 8:36) This young man knew he was forgiven. His faith was in Jesus and the forgiveness that Jesus gave him He felt loved and realized it was God loving him. If the young man could have done flips of joy in church, he would have. This young man gave me permission to share his story. We all have a story. We have different difficulties, different struggles and different sins. But each one of us is meant for freedom. Scripture is filled with songs of praise like Canticle of Zachariah: “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel. He has come to his people

This young man knew he was forgiven. His faith was in Jesus and the forgiveness that Jesus gave him He felt loved and realized it was God loving him. If the young man could have done flips of joy in church, he would have.

spiritual exercise

ur spiritual exercise this month is to deepen our awareness of being forgiven. The more aware we are of this forgiveness, the more freedom we will have. Jesus suffered, died, and rose to set us free. I would strongly encourage a good sacramental reconciliation as a part of this exercise. Find a place where you can pray. You may want to go to a place where you won’t feel embarrassed to speak your words out loud. I encourage you to do so. You may wish to pray the following prayer, but if you can express your own prayer of praise to God, all the better!

All praise to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit. Ever blessed be your most glorious name. I was held captive, but you have set me free. I was sick and dying, and you have

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and set them free. “(Luke 1:68-69) When the people of Israel were freed from slavery in Egypt, they sang a “new song” to the Lord. They exalted God’s saving power. (cf Exod 15) King David and other psalmists wrote beautiful hymns of praise and thanksgiving to God for deliverance and freedom. One of my favorities is Psalm 32, “You took away the guilt of my sin ... you are my shelter; from distress you will preserve me; with glad cries of freedom you will surround me.” Instead of being surrounded by reminders of our sin and guilt, God surrounds us with “glad cries of freedom.” My brothers and sisters, if you have been forgiven by God, you are free! Remember that. – Fr. Bill Ashbaugh

brought me back to life. I was falling into the pit, but your hand caught me. You placed a rope around me and have lifted me up. You have bound me to yourself by an everlasting covenant sealed with the very blood of Jesus Christ your Son. All praise to you, God my Savior. Although I abandoned you, you have never abandoned me. You called me, and your voice broke through my deafness. Your presence fills me. You have forgiven me and your forgiveness is surer that the ground beneath me or the air I breathe. It is sturdier than the mighty mountains and far larger than the sea. My words and thoughts can never express how good and awesome you are. Hallowed be thy name. O Holy Spirit, your truth sets us free. Holy Spirit keep me in truth. Fill me with the truth and obedience of Christ; then I shall always be free. All glory and praise to God the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Who was, who is, and shall always be, forever and ever. Amen.

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FAITH Magazine

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April 2006

2/28/06 3:30:31 PM

c u l t u r e

SOUP L f o r

t h e

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et’s face it. We have all experienced times when we’ve been mid-burger at the fast-food drive-thru and suddenly remember that it’s both Friday and Lent. We think, “Oops!” and either toss it out the window or continue eating it in guilt and promise God it will never happen again. Recipe

The Lenten customs of fasting, prayer and almsgiving are a challenge. The fasting part, especially, since we live in a society where self-discipline is lacking and we’re constantly being bombarded with distractions. I gotta tell you – I was pretty distracted the Friday I bit into that cheeseburger at the drive-thru. But what if we changed our perspective a little? What if we substituted the word “simplicity” for “fasting?” Fasting is about giving something up, but it boils down to living with less and giving more. Fasting is merely accepting what we need rather than what we want and thus living more simply. It is ironic that “simplicity” should be difficult. But in a culture that tells us we can have it all, living simply is quite hard. Here is something that can help. I’ve always thought that soup is a good thing to have around during Lent. Soup itself is a very simple meal and a true timesaver for those of us who – well – just don’t have the extra time. The fact that it is simple can also serve as a reminder of what the church calls us to do: to take a look at our lives to see how we can live with less and give more to God. It forces us to think of those who don’t have a lot to eat and, in turn, creates an inner hunger for a closeness to God. My favorite is the standard chicken noodle soup. Problem is, we can’t have it on Fridays during Lent. So, why not chicken noodle soup sans the chicken? Here is a recipe that puts a unique spin on the standard noodle soup. It is very quickly made, which means you won’t have to resort to the fast-food drive thru to save time (along with the possibility of screwing up your Lenten promises). Whether you give some to a Catholic friend or stock up your own pantry for the Lenten season, this simple soup mix can help us stay on the task of being disciplined to please God.

Fasting is about “giving something up,” but it boils down to living with less and giving more.

Bowtie Soup Mix • 3 cups of bowtie pasta (farfalle) • 3 1⁄2 tablespoons instant vegetable bouillon • 2 tablespoons of dried minced onion • 1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes • 1 teaspoon dried thyme • 1 1-lb clear cellophane bag (can be purchased inexpensively online or at a candy-making supply shop) In a clear cellophane bag, layer the bowtie pasta with the dried herbs and bouillion in between. To give as a gift, tie bag with raffia or ribbon to add a decorative touch. On your package of dried soup mix, add these simple directions:

Bowtie Soup In a large pot, bring 10 cups of water to a rapid boil. Add contents of bag, 1⁄2 cup chopped carrots and 1⁄2 cup chopped celery. Reduce heat and boil (stirring occasionally) until vegetables and pasta are tender. (approximately 20 minutes). Top off with croutons or parmesan cheese for extra flavor.

By Michelle DiFranco | Photography by Joe Vaughan

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2/28/06 3:30:42 PM

Kit White wins gifted educator award

he Greater Lansing Catholic Education Foundation (GLCEF) awarded Kit White the 2006 Mother Seton Gifted Educator Award. Mrs. White, principal at St. Mary School in Williamston, received a $2,000 award for professional development and was recognized in ceremonies at St. Mary’s during Catholic Schools Week. Mrs. White has been principal at St. Mary School for seven years. Prior to that, she was an elementary school teacher at St. Joseph Elementary School in Howell. “Mrs. White fosters an environment of children being children,” said Michele Strasz, mother of a fifth-grader at St. Mary. “In a society where many schools push kids too quickly to be mini-adults, she encourages the children to learn through play, and fosters a sense of family, community and prayer. She also has assembled a team of teachers with tremendous skills ...”

A new book from Aunt Dee’s Attic Author Dianne Ahern and illustrator Katherine Larson (Today I Was Baptized, Today I Made my First Communion) have teamed up for a new pre-teen series called Adventures with Sister Philomena, Special Agent to the Pope. The first book, Lost in Peter’s Tomb, is now available in Christian bookstores and gift shops, or online from amazon.com. You can also visit www.auntdeesattic.com to order directly from the publisher or get more information.

Genesee County Catholic schools all-county Mass Students from seven Catholic elementary schools in Genesee County participated in an all-county Mass to celebrate Catholic Schools Week. This collaborative effort was facilitated by Holy Redeemer School and DuKette School. Mass at Holy Redeemer Church was followed by a pancake breakfast prepared and served by the Holy Redeemer Knights of Columbus. Plans are to continue this as an annual tradition.

Liturgy and music conference at St. Mary Magdalen Nearly 200 people attended the 9th Annual Liturgy and Music Conference on Feb. 4, at St. Mary Magdalen Parish, Brighton. This year’s conference focused on the sacraments of initiation, and the keynote speaker is a worldrenowned expert in that area. Dr. Nathan Mitchell, professor of theology and liturgical studies at the University of Notre Dame, inspired conference-goers during his two plenary sessions. He stressed the servant role demanded of all the sacraments of initiation, saying, that we must all “... become foot washers. We can’t think our way into a new way of being church; we must act our way into a new way of thinking.” Various workshops of specific interest to individual ministries were also offered. FAITH Magazine

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News from Calcutta – from the journal of Beth Montgomery Beth Montgomery of St. Thomas Parish, Ann Arbor, is spending a year in Calcutta with Mother Teresa’s order. She is sending back reports for all our readers. “... Everything over here has been a little more challenging lately, perhaps simply the effect of normal daily stresses building up – such as lice, food poisoning, pollution and exposure to a world of poverty hitherto unknown. “... I wrote about Sundari a long time ago – she’s 37 years old, one of the first Mother found and brought in. She’s bedridden – cannot even move from side to side due to severe physical handicaps. She cannot speak, but understands both Bengali and English. A smile freely given means the world to her – such joy on her face from such a small gift ...”

April 2006

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things to do Your faith begins at birth, is the topic of the Flint Region Council of Catholic Women Spring Retreat, March 25 at St. Matthew, Flint, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Call Illene Pender, 810.640.1723 or Pat Grubaugh, 810.686.2221 for more information or to make reservations. A $12 donation is requested.

rated. Pre-registration is required; call: Lansing area: Suzie at 517.267.9273 or Karen at 517.449.3906 Jackson area: Pam at 517.784.7585 Brighton: area Mary Jo at 810.229.0040 Flint area: Suzie at 517.267.9273

The 10th Annual Lansing Squares, a fundraiser to support the Greater Catholic Education Foundation, will be held Sat., April 22, from 5:30-10 p.m. at the Lansing Center. For ticket information, contact www.glcef.org or call 517.485.8333.

A Spectacular Garage Sale will be held April 29, 9 a.m.3 p.m. at Holy Family Parish, Grand Blanc. For more information, call 810.694.2276.

Beginning Experience of Lansing will offer a spiritual weekend for people who are widowed, divorced or sepa-

Popular speaker Steve Ray is coming to St. Catherine Laboure Parish, Concord on May 1. His lively conversion talk has attracted national attention. Steve will be speaking at 6:30 p.m.; call 517. 524-7578 for more information. a $5 discount for registration by March 22.

april café events

REFLECT, an encounter weekend for single adults, aged 30-50, will be held at St. Francis Retreat Center in DeWitt, April 21-23. Cost is $140. For more information, visit www.stfrancis.ws or call 866.669.8321 to register.

Catholic formation and education session every Sunday at 9:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Shrine, Brooklyn. Reflections on the Mysteries of the Rosary, a new series from Little Rock, will be offered at St. Gerard Parish, Lansing, beginning March 27. For more information, call 517.323.2379. Our First Vocation is to Love, a Diocese of Lansing conference for young adults ages 18-35, will be held Sat., April 1 from 11:15 a.m. to 10 p.m. at St. Thomas Parish, Ann Arbor. Contact 517.342.2484 for more information. Cost at the door is $35 for young adults, $45 for married couples and $20 for students. There is

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april readings Sunday, April 2 Fifth Sunday of Lent Jer 31:31-34 Ps 51:3-4,12-15 Heb 5:7-9 John 12:20-33 Or for the Scrutinies: Ezek 37:12-14 Ps 130:1-8 Rom 8:8-11 John 11:1-45 or 11:37,17,20-27,33b-45 Sunday, April 9 Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion Mark 11:1-10 or John 12:12-16 (procession) Isa 50:4-7 Ps 22:8-9,17-18a, 19-20,23-24 Phil 2:6-11 Mark 14:1-15:47 or 15:1-39 Thursday, April 13 Holy Thursday Evening, Mass of the Lord’s Supper Exod. 12:1-8,11-14 Ps 116::12-13, 15-16bc,17-18 1 Cor 11:23-26 John 13:1-15 Friday, April 14 Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion Isa 52:13-53:12 Ps 31:2,6,12-13,15-17,25 Heb 4:14-16;5:7-9 John 18:1-19:42 Saturday, April 15 Holy Saturday, The Easter Vigil Gen 1:1-2:2 or 1:1,26-31a Ps 104:1-2a,5-6,10,1214,24,35c or

At the St. Francis Retreat Center Secretaries and Administrative Support Assistants Day April 27, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. $30 includes lunch. Facilitated by Mary Tardif and Fr. Larry Delaney. Mother-Daughter Retreat, the Attitude of Gratitude, May 12-13. $75 per person. Facilitated by Father Larry Delaney, Esther Brown and her daughters.

Ps 33:4-7,12-13,20,22 Gen 22:1-18 or 22:12,9a,10-13,15-18 Ps 16:5,8-11 Exod 14:15-15:1 (Ps) Exod 15:1-6,17-18 Isa 54:5-14 Ps 30:2,4-6,11-12a,13b Isa 55:1-11 (Ps) Isa 12:2-3,4bcd,5-6 Bar 3:9-15,32-4:4 Ps 19:8-11 Ezek 36:16-17a,18-28 Pss 42:3,5bcd;43:3-4 or, when baptism is celebrated, (Ps) Isa 12:2-3,4bcd,5-6 or Ps 51:12-15,18-19 Rom 6:3-11 Ps 118:1-2,6ab-17,22-23 Mark 16:1-7 Sunday, April 16 Easter Sunday, The Resurrection of the Lord Acts 10:34a,37-43 Ps 118:1-2,16ab-17,22-23 Col 3:1-4 or 1 Cor 5:6b-8 John 20: 1-9 or Mark 16:1-7 or, at an afternoon Mass, Luke 24:13-35 Sunday, April 23 Second Sunday of Easter or Divine Mercy Sunday Acts 4:32-35 Ps 118:2-4,13-15,22-24 1 John 5:1-6 John 20:19-31 Sunday, April 30 Third Sunday of Easter Acts 3:13-15,17-19 Ps 4:2,4,7-9 1 John 2:1-5a Luke 24:35-48

Evangelization Minute

ecause of our baptism, each of us is called to share the gift of faith we have received through the generosity of God. That sharing need not be complicated. For many of us, the most effective place for sharing faith is with co-workers, neighbors, or friends. The first ingredient is simply to be a person of faith who lives out basic Christian values in one’s daily life. If we are fair, if we show respect for everyone, if we don’t gossip, etc., the witness of our lives will be noticed. – Pete Ries, Director of the Office of Evangelization

2/28/06 3:31:28 PM

Wil Shriner’s new movie is a real “Hoot” based on the Newbery honored book about saving the environment e x c l u s i v e

excl

Glenn Watson/Hoot Productions, LLC

he changes schools quite a bit. In Florida, he sees a barefoot, running kid and he becomes intrigued. He explores what the kid is up to, and finds out he’s trying to save these little owls from being buried by a pancake house that’s under construction. They join forces and try to thwart the evil developer. A common theme in Florida – developers. Carl Hiassen is a champion of what’s left to be enjoyed, especially for those of us who Wil Shriner hopes his new movie will draw attention to the environment. grew up there. I moved to Florida in the ’50s and il Shriner – actor, lived there through high school comedian and direcand went to college there. That tor – directs a new was before I came to Hollywood to seek fame and fortune. movie based on the

Newbery-award-winning book, Hoot. FAITH talked to Wil about this story of several young friends’ efforts to save an endangered species of owl.

Tell us a little bit about the movie. I know it’s about saving endangered owls. The film is beautiful. It’s really a salute to Florida and its beauty. It’s based on Carl Hiaasen’s book about a young boy who moves from Montana to Florida; FAITH Magazine

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April 2006

You have a Catholic background, right? That’s right. I was altar boy of the year back at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Beverly Hills when I was a young boy. What do you get for being altar boy of the year? I got a trip to Catalina, which I gave to my twin brother, Kin. He was

also an altar boy, and I think I had plans for the weekend of the trip, so I gave it to him. I was an altar boy back in the Latin days, so I still say, Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa. And I remember Dominus vobiscum. Et cum spiritu tuo. That’s all I remember. And you have two children? Yes, I have a girl who’s in high school and boy who’s in college. I know you adapted the screenplay for this movie – how faithful is it to the book, which won Newbery honors? I was very interested in keeping it true to the book. When I sat down with Carl, with whom I immediately hit it off, and with Jimmy Buffett, Carl said he’d been very unhappy with the script for one of his books for grown-ups. So my promise to him was to keep the movie loyal to the book, and not to try to reinvent the book for the movie. Have you had the movie kidtested? Yes, we had a preview and there were an amazingly large number of kids who had read the book. And they were all very much experts on small things we’d changed. They wanted to know what happened to the scene where Mullet Fingers catches a fish with his bare hands while hanging off the bow of a sunken shrimp boat. Well, we did it in a mangrove, because to sink a shrimper would be really expensive. There were a few things we had to change to keep our schedule going. I understand your son worked with you on the movie. Yes, he was a production assistant and he loved it. He wanted to quit college and finish the movie. I Interview by Elizabeth Solsburg

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lusive s e

saying goodbye to my mother the devastation of Alzheimer’s and the mercy of God l a s t

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Glenn Watson/Hoot Productions, LLC

V Producer/song-writer Jimmy Buffett with some young cast members.

lobbied everyone on the movie to tell him he should go to college. He’s a sophomore and he went back to college and told everyone about working with our director of photography, Michael Chapman, over the summer. They were studying Raging Bull in my son’s cinematography class and Michael had been the DP on that as well. My son felt quite honored to have worked with a legend. Chappy, on the other hand, said, “I feel old when they study me.” What drew you to this project? Well, Jimmy Buffett is a friend of mine and he said, “Read this book and tell me what you think.” I read it and said, “It would make a pretty good little kids’ movie.” And he said, “Well, that’s what I thought too, and I have the rights. So, what do we need to do to make this happen?” As Floridians who grew up there, Carl and Jimmy and I all saw the effects of the pollution and development and pushing the Everglades back. So, in the film, I was attracted to the message of a kid standing up for

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something he believed in. I know Jimmy Buffett wrote some original songs for the movie – how important is that to the film? Jimmy wrote several songs and his band, the Coral Reefer Band, plays them for the film. It’s a neat soundtrack, because it’s not a big, orchestral, John Williams kind of score. It’s really Buffettesque, with a lot of the feel of Florida in the movie. What’s the primary thing you want to express by making this movie? I think the movie sends a great message that if you see an injustice, and you can’t do anything about it by yourself, you can join forces with others and have a positive outcome.

irginia was in her late 70s when it began. She became forgetful of recent events and had good memories of events long ago. Then she gradually began to isolate, stopped reading, stopped attending events and only visited with friends when they visited her. She lived alone in an apartment, a home she had lived in for more than 46 years, took in stray alley cats and rarely cleaned her living spaces. When I went to her apartment and started cleaning, she became angrily upset, accusing me of thinking she was “sloven.” In her younger years, she was an accomplished miniature painter of quite some renown. A few years ago, I donated all of her miniature paintings in my possession to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, where they may now be viewed. During the last 20 years of her life, she no longer painted her beautiful miniatures. Virginia was my mother, and I was her only child. Alzheimer’s disease had gradually taken her from me. In the end, I don’t think she even recognized me, although her caregivers claimed she did. The onset of Alzheimer’s had been so insidious and subtle that I never had the opportunity to say “goodbye” to her. Finally, toward the end, I was praying that God would take her home to him so she could once again live in beauty and happiness. He answered my prayers by taking her on my birthday, Jan. 6, 1991, as well as giving me the gift to be with her on that afternoon – when she quietly and simply stopped breathing and was gone. In that moment, I suddenly realized that I no longer had a home. Home had always been where my mother was, and now she was gone. At age 58, I felt like an orphan. I was an only child. People think only children are spoiled, but when it comes to making tough, momentous decisions – decisions such as putting a parent in a nursing home or telling a doctor to perform a life-threatening surgery – an only child has few people to turn to for support and help. Having no brothers or sisters adds a special loneliness to one’s life. Jesus was an only child. His relationship to his mother and his Father in heaven became very real for me. And so it was to Jesus, his mother, and to our Father in heaven that I turned and found God’s comfort. – Fr. Charles Irvin

2/28/06 3:31:39 PM

209 Seymour Ave. Lansing, MI 48933 Online:

www.DioceseofLansing.org www.FAITHmag.com

The Outreach Mass: Sundays On TV:

Flint: Lansing:

FOX 66 10 a.m. WHTV, UPN 18 10 a.m. WLAJ, ABC 53 at 6 a.m.

On Radio: Mass, 11 a.m. on WJIM 1240 AM

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