April 2014

inside: Special Report: Canonization of John Paul II and John XXIII and: Pope Francis’ year of “firsts” spiritual fitness: Find time to reach out to others

Sunday is one of God’s great gifts to us

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ust the other day, I was visiting with a parishioner who was reminiscing about what Sundays were like as a child. It brought back my own fond memories of Sundays as a kid growing up in Saginaw. Sundays always started with Mass at 7:00 a.m. at St. Thomas parish. Of course, that really meant the day began much earlier in order to get everyone ready for church, but we were always on our way out the door by 6:40 a.m. I don’t recall this being a problem as a child, but I know it offered some challenges as a teen. I still grumble a bit when I think that the pastor changed the time for the first Mass on Sunday from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. shortly after I graduated from high school.

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Mass was always followed by family breakfast. Most often we would gather around the kitchen table, sharing pancakes or waffles and all the goodies that go with them.

Only rarely and only for very special occasions did we have breakfast at a restaurant.

Breakfast was a time to chat, read the newspaper, and think about preparations for the remainder of the day’s events.

Breakfast was followed by Sunday-morning chores and perhaps time for some homework. There might be a snack late in the morning, but we were all waiting for the big event of the day: Grandpa Ezop’s arrival.

Each Sunday, at precisely 1:00 p.m., my grandfather would pull into the driveway in his great yellow Buick LeSabre. Even though we had most likely just visited him at home on Saturday, grandpa’s clockwork Sunday arrival was something we eagerly from the editor anticipated. Usually there would be a little treat for me and my brother – and always Father Dwight Ezop is editor of FAITH Magazine and pastor of St. John the Evangelist something special for Freckles, our dog. in Fenton. Email: editor@FAITHpub.com.

Many Sundays we would all pile into the cavernous Buick, while dad would pilot it on a trip through the countryside. In the spring and summer, there were often trips to the local nursery to purchase plants and supplies for the beautiful gardens that surrounded my grandpa’s home. Other times, we would simply drive out into the country to see the rich farm land or see the crops, growing in the fields. Summer and fall meant trips to local farm stands for fresh produce or a nearby orchard for crunchy apples. We rarely, if ever, went shopping on those Sundays – because it was Sunday.

The great Buick’s safe return to our driveway meant that dinner was next. This was an opportunity to gather at table, share a good meal, and listen to my dad and grandpa as they shared stories about work, or about what it was like to grow up during the Depression, or what things were like during the War. Dinner was followed by dessert and then it would be time for Grandpa’s departure for home. With leftovers in hand, he would climb into the Buick, toot the horn, and be on his way. Then it was time for dishes and homework.

As I think back on those days, they seem so idyllic. As a whole, Sundays were special days in our family. Those days offered us the gift of time to grow in relationship with one another as we shared a meal together. Those Sundays also provided us with the same opportunity to grow in relationship with God, as we shared in the Eucharist that began our day.

Sunday is not like any other day of the week. Sunday is a great gift to us from God. Perhaps this is why God calls us to set it apart, to make it special, to use it as a time for rest and growth – to grow in relationships both divine and human, each of them holy. And so, our journey in FAITH continues.

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FAITH Magazine • April 2014 • www.FAITHpub.com

Discover the hidden treasure

St. Bernadette | Feast Day: April 16 Every once in a while we are able to catch a vivid glimpse into the mind of God. When this happens, we see that God’s ways are not the world’s ways. The life of St. Bernadette (1844–1879) provides us with a stunning example of this.

Bernadette’s life is hardly the kind of story the world takes note of or celebrates. She was a frail child from an impoverished family in Lourdes, France, and yet St. Bernadette was chosen to receive and to communicate a great treasure to humanity.

On Feb. 11, 1858, God’s mother appeared to her, dressed in blue and white. She smiled at Bernadette and made the sign of the cross with a rosary of ivory and gold. She would appear to Bernadette 17 more times, telling her to pray for sinners, to do penance and to have a chapel built in her honor.

Many people did not believe Bernadette when she spoke of her vision and she had to suffer much. However, after Our Lady told Bernadette to dig in the mud, from which a spring began to flow, many came to believe – because miracles happened with this water.

St. Bernadette eventually became a nun but she remained humble and did not want to be praised. The hidden treasure that was the life of St. Bernadette managed to yield the harvest of the Marian shrine at Lourdes, which attracts more than 5 million pilgrims each year. She was canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1933.

Liturgical Calendar: St. Francis of Paola, hermit April 2 | St. Isidore, bishop and doctor of the Church April 4 | St. Vince

contents

April 2014

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yourlife

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work life Trouble with naptime at the office – and not just with my co-worker’s kids parenting journey Does my 4-year-old have to give up her security blanket? conflict resolution How can I tell my mom I don’t like “surprise” visits?

your marriage matters He says: “I want to go hiking and camping on vacation” She says: “A vacation means a nice hotel on the beach” What do they do?

culture Rediscover Sunday, family time and pot roast

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COVER STORY After prison, Doris gained a new life and a new faith

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yourfaith

in the know with Father Joe 10 I don’t like my pastor what can I do about it?

fitness 12 s Fpiritual ind time to reach out to others

101 14 t Theology he Third Commandment – Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy

yourstories

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J. Luning

profile of an evangelist

Jen guides others to discipleship

my story One day in the convent – Celeste’s life as a postulant Ann Jacob MANAGING EDITOR The Magazine of the Catholic Diocese of Lansing Volume 15: Issue 3 www.FAITHpub.com Most Reverend Earl Boyea PUBLISHER Rev. Dwight Ezop EDITOR AND CHAIRMAN

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ent Ferrer, priest April 5 | Fifth Sunday of Lent April 6 | St. John Baptist de la Salle, priest April 7 | St. Stanislaus, bishop and martyr April 11 | Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord April 13

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yourlife Read more work life at:

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melaniereyesphotography

Trouble with naptime at the office

and not just with my co-worker’s kids

Q:

I have a co-worker who falls asleep at her desk every afternoon.

I’d like a little paid nap too, but I feel like a tattletale bringing this up to our supervisor. It does, however, feel unjust to me. Should I just wake her up every day, ignore it or do something else?

a:

“A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the arms to rest – Then poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like a brigand.” (Proverbs 24:33) Would you really like a paid nap?

Employers tend not to pay a premium rate for them. Trade in your irritation for motivation to be ever more diligent in your own work and enjoy the rewards that come with productive work. Remember the admonition in Proverbs 10:4, “The slack hand impoverishes, but the busy hand brings riches.”

It’s easy to fixate on a co-worker’s laxity, and you’re better than that. Forget about reforming her or reporting her.

That’s not your job and you’d be asking for trouble. Again from Proverbs: “Whoever meddles in the quarrel of another is one who grabs a passing dog by the ears.” (26:17) Your feeling of injustice is commendable, but this “quarrel” is really 4

FAITH Magazine • April 2014 • www.FAITHpub.com

between the employee and supervisor.

Let it take its natural course; as for you, let sleeping dogs lie.

Q:

My co-worker often brings his kids to the office after school, or on a snow day. For the most part, they sit quietly in his office and read or play video games, but I just don’t feel it’s appropriate to have kids in the office. Am I off-base?

a:

You’re not off-base. This is a good example of the type of irritant that gets people thinking about starting their own business. The office is not a library or video arcade. Offices are designed for adults who get paid to do the work that adults do. It’s inappropriate to regularly bring children into the workplace.

But since it’s apparently not an issue with your employer, it’s doubtful you will have success raising the subject with your super-

work life Jim Berlucchi is the executive director of the Spitzer Center, whose mission is to build cultures of evangelization (www.spitzercenter.org).

visor. It sounds like the kids are not disruptive and your work is not undermined. You might do best to simply make your peace with it. Or start thinking about starting your own business – probably not day care.

Q:

I work in an environment where making any mistake at all is not tolerated. It’s making me a nervous wreck – how do I cope?

a:

Don’t. Your nervous-wreck condition is telling you volumes about your tolerance to work in a mistake-free zone. Pursue other employment or a line of work without that kind of pressure.

What do you think?

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Holy Thursday April 17 | Passion of the Lord April 18 | Holy Saturday April 19 | Easter Sunday April 20 | Divine Mercy Su

D. Quillan

The spirit of Christ is part of what motivates those who work and volunteer at CRCC. “Anyone who needs help, will receive help. That’s how we operate here. Everything we do is with Catholic faith in mind,” Joe says.

Joe Garcia, the new director of Cristo Rey Community Center, on “doing Christ’s work”

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very day when Joe Garcia arrives for work as director of Cristo Rey Community Center (CRCC) in Lansing, he visits the chapel. It’s one of the many blessings Joe finds in his personal ministry.

“It’s very special,” Joe says. “Every business should have a place where one can get on their knees and reflect.”

The history of Cristo Rey, “Christ the King” in Spanish, resonates with Joe, and he admires how Latinos during the 1960s went to the diocese to help reach out and minister to a growing Spanish-speaking population.

“They said, ‘We really should have a centralized location, a brick and mortar, where our new neighbors can have access to resources.

They need a church, where they can practice their faith,’” says Joe. “The diocese listened. It was a recognized need – people helping people, being very Jesus-like. That’s the original motivation of Cristo Rey Community Center, and the current motivation.”

The ministry of Cristo Rey Community Center has spread beyond Latinos, who are no longer the largest demographic on the north side of Lansing, and embraces all those in the area struggling to provide the necessities of life for themselves and their families. The center has a health clinic, drop-in centers for youth and seniors, food bank, prescription drug program, English as a Second Language (ESL) classes and outstanding counseling services.

The spirit of Christ is part of what motivates those who work and volunteer at CRCC. “Anyone who needs help, will receive help. That’s how we operate here. Everything we do is with Catholic faith in mind,” Joe says. “We’re here to do Jesus’ work.

The demographic has changed, but our mission has not.”

Joe believes that people often disregard the vulnerable among us. Growing up in Michigan as the child of Mexican migrant

workers, he has experience living with limited financial resources. But, as someone who holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree, Joe also knows that limited resources don’t limit what a person can achieve. His parents’ Catholic faith has helped guide him, and so has their strong work ethic.

“People aren’t looking for handouts, they are looking for hand-ups. They want to do things for themselves. Cristo Rey sees itself as an entity helping people to become sustainable,” says Joe. “We’re not judging. We don’t turn anyone away. We are here to provide. The center certainly brings value. We need to assure it’s always here, and must flip every stone to find ways to amp up our ability to address unmet needs.”

Because of his work experience with both nonprofit and forprofit entities, Joe understands that success for CRCC is dependent on balance. “Providing services for the poor isn’t profitable, you have to be resourceful and communicative,” he says.

With limited finances, success depends on finding financial support, community partners and cultivating a strong volunteer network.

“We have a good volunteer base, we just need to broaden it.

We need professionals to volunteer,” says Joe. “People with backgrounds in finance, medicine, human resources, risk management and policy development.”

Joe wants to see CRCC do more to help our community. “I would like us to feed more people. I would like us to clothe more people. I would like to help more people with their basic needs,” Joe says. “I’d also love for us to offer a traditional employment program that also educates people on how to keep a job. Many individuals who come from multi-generationally poor backgrounds simply do not know how to navigate in the work environment.”

“At the end of the day, we at CRCC help people,” says Joe. “It’s incredibly meaningful. This is how I would like to be remembered, doing Christ’s work.” – Mary Kay McPartlin

Visit www.cristo-rey.com for more information, for volunteer opportunites or to make a donation.

unday April 27 | St. Peter Chanel, priest and Martyr; St. Louis Grignion de Montfort, priest April 28 | St. Catherine of Siena, virgin and doctor of the Church April 29| St. Pius V, pope April 30

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Q:

My husband thinks our daughter is too old for her security “blankie” and wants to throw it out. Is 4 really too old?

And how should we handle this?

©iStockphoto.com/emholk

Does my 4-year-old have to give up her security blanket? discomfort, a transitional object helps to regulate emotions.

The social context. When we think of security blankets, many of us recall Linus, one of the Peanuts characters. Charlie Brown and other characters often told Linus that it was time to get rid of the blanket. Although Linus persisted in his Although there were several attachment, it is likely that your daughblue blankets in our home, there ter will begin to need her blanket less was only one “blue blankie” as far as frequently as time goes on. The culture our daughter, Erin, was of childhood is powerful and concerned. The comfort children socialize one anand warmth it provided went other. Few 4-year-olds would beyond the physical into comment on her “blankie,” a realm of psychological but the social context will comfort. Psychologists have encourage change as she studied the importance of gets into kindergarten and transitional objects, such as parenting first grade. blankets or stuffed animals, journey for more than 60 years.

Parental concerns. Talk Dr. Cathleen After these objects are no to your husband about his McGreal is longer used to offer security, concerns regarding your a psychology professor and they may remain cherished daughter’s attachment to her certified spiritual belongings. blanket. Since she is 4 years director.

old, the blanket probably has Stress reduction. Many become worn and frayed. Is children use their transitional objects in the physical appearance of the blanket ways that help soothe and reduce stress. embarrassing to him? Does he think her In times of change in a child’s life or behavior indicates an undesirable depenan unfamiliar situation associated with dency that reflects on his parenting skills?

a:

T. Gennara

Q:

My mom “surprised” me by flying in for a visit. I had other plans for that weekend, and her unannounced trip really threw a monkey wrench into them. How can I prevent this from happening again without making her feel rejected?

a:

Regrettably, some parents have difficulty understanding that their adult children have the right to live their own lives and make their own plans – and they must be respected. There are two possible reactions to this situation, and both have merits.

The first reaction might consist of receiving your mom with the love and respect she deserves, then engaging in a conversation

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FAITH Magazine • April 2014 • www.FAITHpub.com

in which you discuss how important it is to you as an adult to have your own plans, responsibilities and schedule. conflict resolution You can emphasize that you would Dr. Gelasia Marquez is a psychologist and family counselor. rather communicate about plans than be surprised. This allows you to turn the annoyance of this situation into an opportunity to raise the level of understanding between you.

The second reaction (which does not necessarily exclude the first) is to incorporate your mother into your weekend plans and appreciate your time together. Remember the words of Leviticus 19:3, “Each of you revere your mother and father.”

S. Kendrick

How can I tell my mom I don’t like “surprise” visits?

If the public display of the “blankie” is of deep concern to him, try to associate it with special times in the house, such as bedtime prayers and stories. As a couple, decide on alternate ways to encourage your daughter’s ability to soothe herself and regulate emotions.

Discourage your husband from throwing away the security blanket. Healthy children have attachments to transitional objects and the need for them fades over time. Just as your daughter enfolds herself in her “blankie,” enfold her in love in your prayers: “And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection.” (Col. 3:14)

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He says

SHe says “A vacation means a nice hotel on the beach”

Joe says: I really want to go hiking in Yellowstone for our vacation, but Callie is set on a four-star hotel near the ocean. I think the solution is separate vacations, but you’d think I had suggested calling a divorce attorney by the way Callie acted when I brought up the idea.

Callie says: How can Joe think that hiking and camping constitute a vacation? That sounds like torture, especially when we can afford to do something nice. I don’t want separate vacations; I just want him to come along with me to the beach.

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©iStockphoto.com/diego_cervo

“I want to go hiking and camping on vacation”

What do THEY do? oe and Callie should not see this vacation as a “make-or-break” point in their relationship; instead, it should be viewed as more of a “stop along the way” in their journey and not the “destination.” It is an opportunity to come closer together; it is not an unsolvable problem. Scripture reminds us that there is a right way and a wrong way to seek our desires: “You ask but do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” (James 4:3) to grow as a couple, remembering that “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

(James 4:6)

T. Gennara

gain? What needs are being satisfied?

What married couple has not enFor example, if the desire is to spend countered Joe and Callie’s situation?

Couples don’t always have the same idea time together and rekindle their closeness, then a place where intimacy can be of what constitutes a good vacation. found would be called for. If the desire What Joe and Callie have forgotten is is to be somewhere warm, then location that being married is not about making would trump venue. If the desire is our spouse think, act and choose to catch up on some reading, exactly as we would (how then, again, venue is not boring would that be), but to complement one as important. The key Being another, which calls for both of them is to married is not for consideration of try to articulate what about making our each other’s views they hope to gain spouse think, act and through an unselfish from this particular choose exactly as lens. vacation, knowing we would, but to Although Joe and there are future vacacomplement one Callie are to be comtions in store. another. mended for recognizTherefore, it is the ing their need for rest manner in which one deals with needs and and time away from their desires that is important. The usual work routine, this conmotivation for any action can be flict appears to be taking the edge wrong, especially if one does not pray off their excitement. properly, but seeks only selfish enjoy They may find it more useful to forget ment. If Joe and Callie would seek unabout the “venue” and focus instead on their wishes and desires. In other words: derstanding from the Holy Spirit, they may discover their persistence in getting What does each desire to achieve with their own way is not helping them a vacation? What does each hope to

your

Joe and Callie marriage need to discuss matters this dilemma Deacon Tom and share their and JoAnne feelings, not Fogle help prepare couples about what for marriage. they individually hope to gain from the vacation, but about how they individually can help each other attain what he or she desires. The focus should be on the other, and not on self. Once Joe and Callie focus their listening with an open, loving heart in consideration of the other’s desires and feelings, they will be more responsive to, and intent on pleasing, the other. In that simple step of focusing on the needs of the other, they may find they have decided upon one of the best vacations ever, as they see joy and love in each other’s eyes.

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Photography by Shane Folkertsma

Rediscover Sunday, family time

pot roast AND

“T

he rediscovery of this day [Sunday] is a grace which we must implore, not only so that we may live the demands of faith to the full, but also so that

we may respond concretely to the deepest human yearnings. Time given to

Christ is never time lost, but is rather time gained.” (Pope John Paul II, Dies Domini, Day of the Lord)

In this quote from Blessed Pope John Paul II’s apostolic letter Dies Domini, he is speaking about Sundays. In our modern hustling, bustling world, this day of the week is treated quite differently than it once was. In the not-too-dis-

tant past, most Catholics truly reserved the entire day for rest and prayer. Today, though, there is a growing tendency to “fit in” or plan Sunday Mass around everything else, rather than to plan everything else around Mass. The attitude

of “getting Mass out of the way” so we can get stuff done around the house, go shopping or watch the football game has become far too common, leaving precious time with our Lord on the sidelines.

Sadly, I am guilty of this

Sunday Pot Roast

Season the entire cut of beef with salt and pepper. In a large Dutch oven (with lid), heat the 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil (on medium to high heat). Sear the meat on all sides until a nice brown crust is visible on the outside. Add the wine first and then the beef broth and crushed tomatoes.

Evenly distribute the vegetables and herbs around the roast. Drizzle with a bit more

extra virgin olive oil and season with additional salt and pepper. Cover with lid and reduce heat to very low. Cook culture for about 3 ½ to 4 hours (bastMichelle DiFranco is a ing every 30–45 designer and the minutes with juices busy mom of two children. from pot) until beef is tender.

Carefully remove roast from pot and slice on a cutting board.

Remove herbs and discard. Arrange sliced roast and vegetables on a large platter and serve with the juices from the pot.

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T. Gennara

• 3-4-pound boneless chuck roast • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (plus more for drizzling) • Salt and pepper •1 16-ounce can crushed tomatoes •¼ cup dry red wine •1 ½ cups beef broth •2 medium onions, quartered •3 -4 garlic cloves, roughly chopped •2 cups baby carrots •5 -6 red skin potatoes, quartered •1 ½ cups sliced button mushrooms •2 -3 sprigs fresh rosemary •3 -4 sprigs fresh thyme •2 -3 bay leaves

for this and other recipes

new reality. The more time that passes, the busier I seem to get, and the thought of devoting each and every Sunday to rest and prayer makes me feel panicky about the work I would not be getting done.

Not God’s work, but my work.

I am grateful, therefore, for the eloquent reminder from Dies Domini. I also am thankful for the example set by my grandparents in terms of how they respected the Lord’s Day. Some of my father’s fondest memories from childhood are of his Sundays at home with his family. They started their day with early Mass, then came home to relax and spend the day quietly and peacefully with family and friends. They concerned their minds and their discourse with matters of faith, and they forced themselves to let go of the work and stress that waited for them as a new week began. They occasionally treated their minds and bodies to an afternoon nap. And they also prepared a certain meal on Sunday, which, for some reason, was reserved for that day of the week. For my dad’s family, it was a hearty pot roast.

As we approach the Easter season, we are reminded that Sunday centers our lives on Jesus’ resurrection. My father would remind me that the Ten Commandments do not become less relevant with time, and the Third Commandment should be heeded as earnestly as the rest: Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

I know it will be a challenge to forgo the list of to-do’s that collect during the week, but if my kids can one day reminisce about how Sundays were spent with family and prayer, and be able to rest the way my father does, that is more important than my tackling of whatever other tasks swirl about us in today’s busy world.

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yourfaith T. Gennara

in the know with Father Joe If you’d like to submit a question for Father Joe Krupp to consider in a future column, please send it to: joeinblack@ priest.com. Father Joe is unable to personally answer questions.

Q: Why did the scarecrow win the Nobel Prize?

A: Because he was outstanding in his field.

I don’t like my pastor what can I do about it?

Q:

Dear Father Joe: I have some serious concerns about the way my priest is running our parish. What do I do about it? And when do I go to the bishop to ask him to transfer our pastor?

a:

These are two great questions that I hope one answer will address. As people who love our faith and are invested in the way our local parish lives it, it is inevitable that we will run into situations where we argue or differ over something.

This can actually be a good thing as, right at the root of the problem is the fact that we all have emotion tied to our experience of the local Church: if no one cared, that would be the real tragedy.

Right now, it seems to me we are in a contentious time in the history of the Church. The Internet seems overrun with people

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FAITH Magazine • April 2014 • www.FAITHpub.com

who want to fix the Church and who seem more than willing to sacrifice charity, or even basic Christian ideas, in their pursuit of more followers for their cause. It’s a tragedy.

In the midst of this is the call from Jesus to respect each other and show reverence for the presence of Jesus in all who follow him. This idea can be shown in the very real issue of how to deal with people, particularly pastors, with whom we disagree. How do we, as lovers of Christ, handle these conflicts?

As we look into this, I want to share a great quote from St. Augustine: “In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty. In all things, charity.”

So the first step, as always, is to pray. If you’re a world class worrier like I am, then whatever troubles you have with your priest tend to pop into your head quite often. Each time one does, offer a prayer to God. Say something simple like, “God, I give this person to you.” Praying is not a lack of action or a copout – it’s a concrete response to pain. By offering the situation and/or person to God, we are allowing the Holy Spirit to come in and start the process of convicting and healing.

As a priest who is serving as pastor right now, I know I need prayer from God’s people. I make mistakes, I forget things, I can lack charity, love sin – I can get overwhelmed by all the loud voices out there that want to shape me as a priest. Sometimes, it’s very hard to figure out which one is the Holy Spirit. I know that people, some of whom may not like me, are praying for me to be holy, to be a good priest and a saint, and that fills me with joy. It can be really hard to pray for people we don’t like, but it’s always a good thing for us to do.

After prayer, the next step is to make sure you are avoiding gossip. There is so much talk out there, so many wounds that never had to happen simply because we don’t talk to each other as much Illustration by Bob Patten

From death to life From Lent to Easter

Palm Sunday: April 13 | Holy Thursday: April 17 | Good Friday: April 18 | Holy Saturday: April 19 | Easter Sunday: April 20

For liturgies near you, visit www.MassTimes.org as we talk about each other. Be bigger than that! Each time you are invited to “discuss Father,” offer a simple reminder to people that talking about it won’t make it better, but prayer will.

The next step is to go see your priest. Ask for some time to talk about what is going on and ask questions when you get there. A simple rule for your discussion can be this: You don’t know what you don’t know. By asking questions instead of accusing, you leave room for the truth to come out.

Now, in all of this, I hope one thing is clear: I’m not approaching this as if you are wrong and the priest is right – not at all.

I’m just making sure that you and I focus on controlling the one thing we are called to control: ourselves. It may very well be that your priest is in serious need of being “dealt with.” It may very well be that he has abandoned charity or prayer and is simply acting like a CEO. It may very well be that he is wrong, or you are wrong, or you are both wrong – who knows? What we do know is that the only way we’ll find out is by following the process given to us by Jesus.

By approaching this situation in the way you have, you are obeying the directive that Jesus gave us in Matthew 18. You are giving your priest a chance to explain why he does what he does and seeing if the two of you cannot reconcile and work together with Jesus for the salvation of the world. It may be that this process ends well and a new love and respect is born between you two. It may be that this makes it all much, much worse. If that happens, what do we do now?

This is when you take the next step and contact your bishop.

Write him a letter that you sign and explain what you see and how you have responded so far. Ask him for a response to your

letter. If you’re feeling particularly helpful, enclose an envelope with a stamp and your address on it!

Like many people, our bishops are busy. It may take him a bit to get back with you – make sure you pray while you wait. Pray that the Holy Spirit guides your bishop to respond in the way Jesus wants him to. Pray that you and your priest can reconcile and work together. Pray that wounds will be healed and situation restored.

It may be that the bishop addresses this issue in private with your priest and that you never find out the specifics. If, after a reasonable time has passed, you haven’t received an acknowledgement of your letter, you may want to call the bishop’s office to ensure the letter was received. At that point, you might also request a meeting to discuss the issue if it does not appear to have been resolved. Remember, your goal is not to fix the situation, but to be faithful to what God has called you to: addressing the issue.

I hope this is helpful. As both a layperson and a priest, I’ve been involved in situations like these and it can be very painful.

I pray that God lead and guide you each step of the way.

Enjoy another day in God’s Presence!

What do you think?

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Find time

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few weeks ago, I came across an article that astounded me. You may have seen it. In January, a 15-year-old Pakistani boy was on his way to school with a cousin. A man stopped and asked the boys for directions to the school they were attending. They pointed to the school and the man went on. The 15-year-old then told his cousin that he thought the man was a suicide bomber and needed to be stopped. While others backed away, this young man challenged the bomber. He caught up to him and begged him not to detonate the bomb he was sure the man was carrying. The stranger became agitated and pulled the cord, killing himself and the boy. About 2,000 students were in that school, but no one there was hurt.

Reaching out to others takes time – and today we just don’t seem to have enough time. Let’s take time this Lent to find a concrete way in which we can deny ourselves by putting the needs of others – especially the poor – before our own.

T. Gennara

not just in material ways, but by listening, by In an interview, the boy’s father said how showing respect, by demonstrating mercy and proud he was of his son. He said, “My son compassion. We must see each person’s infinite made his mother cry, but saved hundreds of dignity, especially when they can’t see it themmothers from crying for their children.” selves because of sin, severe hardship, tragedy Very few of us in life will be faced with such or hopelessness. choices, such decisions. But Reaching out to others this Lent is an appropriate takes time – and today we time to ask ourselves: How just don’t seem to have willing am I to sacrifice for enough time. Let’s take time the needs of others? How this Lent to find a concrete willing am I to go out of way in which we can deny my way to help another in spiritual fitness ourselves by putting the distress? Jesus clearly told us: needs of others – especially “Love one another as I have Sister Ann Shields is the poor – before our own. loved you.” Am I willing to a renowned author and a member of the Servants of And remember that “the put others first and me secGod’s Love. Questions can poor” includes those who ond? Jesus gave his life for us be addressed to Sister Ann Shields, Renewal Ministries, may not be financially poor. that we might live eternally.

230 Collingwood, Suite 240, What about the disabled, He sacrificed everything.

Ann Arbor, MI 48103. You can order her new book, More of the the mentally challenged, the Are we really his disciples?

Holy Spirit, for $12 at sinner who needs forgiveAre we willing to follow him www.renewalministries.net. through the cross – whatever ness – from you? What about the ostracized in your form it may take – so that own family or extended family? What can others may be saved – not only in this life but you do about generations of feuding in your for all eternity?

Pope Francis has made it very clear that family? When are you going to end it? Who we, as Christians, need to reach out beyond is going to be the first to reach out, to make a our comfort zone to meet the needs of others, bridge, to cancel debt?

Spiritual Exercise

©iStockphoto.com/Spiderstock

There are so many ways in which we can honor the Lord this Lent and put our own relationship with him and with others on a more solid foundation. There are many lonely, broken people who simply need befriending. They are all around you if you have eyes to see, a willing heart to

listen and a willingness to be present with them – to spend time you think you don’t have so that wounds can be healed. Simply ask the Lord to show you how.

Be the Lord’s servant this Lent in a particular way, to a particular person.

If you take up this challenge for Lent, you will become more of a true disciple of Christ and a more generous and

compassionate human being. If you are willing to tell me of your successes and failures (and there will be both), write to me at the address above. Your identity and the identity of those you serve will be protected, but I may be able to use your stories in future articles so that your example can lend courage and hope to others to step out and love, as Christ has asked.

Follow Sister Ann Shields on Twitter @srannshieldssgl

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The Sabbath: woodcut by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld from the 1860 Die Bibel in Bildern

The Third Commandment Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy

“I

have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, by loving the Lord, your God, heeding his voice, and holding fast to him.”(Dt 30: 19-20)

The gift of the Ten Commandments “is the gift of God himself and his holy will.” Specifically, the “10 words” are the words of God that “point out the conditions of a life freed from the slavery of sin.” They show us a path of life that sums up and proclaims God’s law and will “make explicit the response of love that man is called to give to his God.” The third gift: Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

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FAITH Magazine • April 2014 • www.FAITHpub.com

The “third word” refers to the gift of God making the Sabbath holy. The first creation story of the Book of Genesis recounts God’s creation of the world. It explains how, on each of six days, God brought forth another aspect of the created order until the world was complete. God then rested from his work on the seventh day, blessing it and making it holy.

The beauty of the Sabbath lies precisely in the fact that the source of its holiness is God, not us. It is set apart by God for

God and is thus goodness itself, so we can then trust fully in its sanctity.

Further, because God is the source, this gift is about love.

And it is in this love that the true richness of the commandment comes to the fore.

For example, in Exodus 20:10, God explains to Moses his view of what it means to fulfill this commandment: “You shall not do any work, either you, your son or your daughter, your male or female slave, your work animal, or the resident alien within your gates.”

In other words, all are to partake of the goodness and abundance of the Lord on his day. All creation belongs to God, not us, and therefore is sacred, made holy by God just like the Sabbath. It follows, then, that no one would be excluded from the rest and benefits of this day.

The proper response Since the essence of the commandment is that God rested from his work on the seventh day and made it holy, a proper response to this gift is simply to do the same.

The Catechism teaches that the Sabbath was entrusted to Israel to keep “as a sign of the irrevocable covenant.” It was a day set apart not only for rest from work, but also for the praise of God in thanksgiving for the gift of creation and his saving actions on behalf of Israel.

For Catholics, the Sabbath, along with the totality of the Law, prefigures and prepares for the Christ event, which fulfills the Sabbath and the Law. The Gospels all recount

S. Olson

entrance into the that Jesus rose from synagogue as to the the dead on the first The Ten Commandments legality of curing day of the week. “BeBible geography facts someone on the cause it is the ‘eighth day’ following the Sabbath (other The Desert of Sin – The Desert of Sin, also known as the Wilderness of Sabbath, it symbolpassages put the Sin, lies between the city of Elim and Mount Sinai, according to the Book of izes the new creation question in Jesus’ Exodus. (16:1) It was the sight of the “grumbling” of the Israelites against Moses ushered in by mouth). Jesus ultiand Aaron after their escape from Egypt and of God raining down manna from Christ’s resurrection. mately gives us the heaven in response.

For Christians, it has definitive answer The wilderness forms a wedge between the gulfs of Suez and Aqaba, taperbecome the first of and reveals to us ing south to the mountains near Sinai. The area covers more than 20,000 all days, the first of the will of God on square miles, or double the size of the Promised Land east and west of Jordan. all feasts, the Lord’s the matter: “Clearly, The annual rainfall (except in drought) is between 10 and 20 inches. Acacia, Day – Sunday.” good deeds may be tamarisk and palm trees are the primary trees and grow in valleys.

The celebration performed on the of Sunday, then, Sabbath.”

Did you know? fulfills not only Put another the moral comway, goodness “Sin” in the name “Desert of Sin” does not mean “sinfulness.” Since the word mand inscribed and mercy shall literally signifies “the moon,” many biblical scholars believe the name probably by nature in our flower even on the refers to the Semitic moon deity, Sin, who was worshipped widely around the hearts to worship Sabbath, for it was entire periphery of pre-Islamic Arabia, the Levant and Mesopotamia.

God, but also the God’s goodness and moral command of mercy that created the Old Covenant, “taking up its rhythm the Sabbath. The Sabbath was created so to eat as they walked through a field on and spirit in the weekly celebration of the that we might participate in the life of God, the Sabbath. Jesus reminds the Pharisees Creator and Redeemer of his people.” This, that King David’s men had once eaten who is Good itself and therefore our greatof course, occurs in the Sunday Eucharist, est good. This is to say the Sabbath was the holy bread, normally reserved for the which “is the foundation and confirmation priest, and that the Law allowed priests created so that we might have life and have of all Christian practice.” it more fully, which is the very aim of any on Temple duty to break the Sabbath rest true act of mercy. Consequently, works of without guilt.

The way of life Jesus then says something of utmost im- mercy also constitute appropriate activities on the Lord’s Day. portance: “I say to you, something greater The Third Commandment teaches us – Quotes are from the Catechism of the Catholic Church than the Temple is here. If you knew what (2168–2195). that the way of life demands the celebrathis meant, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice’ (a tion of the Lord’s reference to Hosea Day. “Sunday is the 6:6), you would not day on which the The Ten have condemned paschal mystery is Commandments these innocent celebrated ... and is Quiz men. For the Son to be observed as of Man is Lord of the foremost holy The story of the Sabbath.” Now, theology 101 day of obligation the Israelites’ Mark’s version (2:27) in the universal journey from of the incident Doug Culp is the CAO and secretary for pastoral life for the Diocese of Lexington, Ky. Church.” slavery in includes another He holds an MA in theology from Catholic In addition, Egypt to the statement by Jesus Theological Union in Chicago. everyone should Promised right before the last enjoy “adequate Land has a sentence above that rest and leisure to cultivate their familial, large cast of goes straight to the heart of the matter: cultural, social, and religious lives.” This characters.

“The Sabbath was made for man, not man means refraining from work or activities Test your for the Sabbath.” that “hinder the worship owed to God.” knowledge of biblical figures and Jesus’ response affirms that God is the In the Gospels, Jesus actually was acname this person: sole source of the holiness of the Sabbath cused of breaking this commandment on and that God’s intention for all creation is a couple of occasions. One such incident Q: This Levite was gifted with for it to share in his goodness and mercy. is related in Matthew 12:1-8 (see also eloquent speech and a “golden” In the story of what immediately followed Mark 2:23-28 and Luke 6:1-5). The pastouch. this encounter with the Pharisees over the sage tells us about Jesus responding to A: Aaron (brother of Moses, grain, Matthew 12:9–13 (see also Mark the protests of the Pharisees against his pictured above) 3:1–6, Luke 6:6–11, and John 5:1–8) disciples for pulling off heads of grain tells us that Jesus is questioned upon his Share your FAITH with your friends and followers on

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SAINT POPE JOHN PAUL II: On April 27, Pope Francis will declare John Paul and John XXIII to be saints. Both were very human, but also became friends of Jesus Christ. If they can do it, so can we.

I always knew he was a saint!

I

knew he was a saint! The several times I met John Paul II, it was clear to me that this very human man was close to God, was a friend of God, was holy, was a saint. Now it is also clear that he was human, a sinner and perhaps at times mistaken in his judgments about people. Nonetheless, this merely helps us all the more to see that we too, we who are sinners, can also live close to our God.

Carlson Productions

needs of those around us, especially the poor. Most of all we need As we move closer to our diocesan assembly this November, quiet in order to hear. A desire for that kind of knowledge of Jesus one of the calls to each of us is to develop our relationship with is the beginning of the process of his friendship with us.

Jesus. Some may wonder what exactly that is.

Once we know Jesus we are going to love him – what is not to It seems to me that all too often we mystify what a friendship love? But our love must be for him and for his with God is like. Frankly, it seems that it is Father since that is how he wants us to love him. like any other friendship, that is, any other real Our love for him is not to see what we can get and good friendship that we may develop. The out of him. If that is our stance, then we really ingredients are easy: we get to know the person; do not know him at all. He has already given us we spend time with the person; we love the himself completely – gaze often on the cross! person; we are willing to do anything (that is Our love of Jesus will lead us to want to give good) for that person. from the bishop ourselves away in whatever manner he chooses.

God wants us to know him. That is why he This is a friend who love us, gives himself to us sent his Son, Jesus Christ—in order to show us Bishop Earl Boyea is the fifth bishop of the Catholic completely, would never lie to us, and wants us the face of God. Read the Gospels and get to Diocese of Lansing in heaven. We have a true friend whom we can know more about Jesus and how he not only trust completely with our lives. That, of course, shows us his Father in heaven but also shows us what it really means for us to be human. for us sinful human beings is easier said than It is, of course, never sufficient to know about someone. We have done. So let us pray for greater courage to be the friend of Jesus to enter the story, engage the person, and feel a presence. This is he is seeking. where we need to spend time with Jesus. We do this, certainly, at On April 27, Pope Francis will declare John Paul and John Mass. We need to pray, to be quiet with the Lord, to share our needs XXIII to be saints. Both were very human, but also became and concerns with him and to listen as he places in our hearts the friends of Jesus Christ. If they can do it, so can we.

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FAITH Magazine • April 2014 • www.FAITHpub.com

Follow Bishop Boyea on Twitter @BishopBoyea

yourstories

J

Jen guides others to discipleship en Brown’s work as coordinator of evangelization and discipleship for Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Lansing, is her true calling. She finds joy helping parishioners discover how to use their talents to love Christ and share Jesus’ love with everyone each day.

“I never dreamed a job like this would be possible,” Jen says. “I believe one of my charisms is that of evangelization, where I am able to introduce people to the person of Jesus Christ. And if I ever get worried about it, I know the Holy Spirit will give me the courage and words I need.”

Jen’s passion for Christ is the center of her strong faith.

She helps parishioners become intentional disciples of Jesus through love, solid formation and understanding.

“Why wouldn’t people want to be loved by Christ? It’s the best thing ever.” says Jen. “We have to share the truth with people. Only Christ can really love us.”

Profile of an

EVANGELIST

Read more: Find out more about how Jen guides IHM parishioners to develop a deeper relationship with Christ at www.FAITHpub.com.

To learn more about evangelization and discipleship in the Diocese of Lansing, contact Craig Pohl in the Office of the New Evangelization at the diocese (517.342.2509), or contact your pastor or parish office.

Follow FAITH pub on

By Mary Kay McPartlin | Photography by Tom Gennara

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FAITH Magazine • April 2014 • www.FAITHpub.com

“In the Bible, Jesus says ‘Seek and you shall find. Ask and it will be given.’

One day, it hit me, that through Rainbow Ministry, God had already given me what I asked for.

These people are doing what the Bible says. “

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As a young girl growing up in southeast Arkansas, Doris Speed took a shine to the shy boy next door.

“I like that Willie Thomas,” she announced to her sisters one day. “I’m fixin’ to go over to the fence and give him a kiss.” Overhearing her boast, Doris’ mother set about immediately to change her daughter’s plan the only way she knew how – by taking a belt to her.

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“I have nine brothers and 12 sisters,” Doris explains, showing very little emotion. “My mom had rules. Our house was spotless. She was the disciplinarian, whipping us with cords or switches to keep everybody in line. Sometimes I thought she was a little mean. My dad was real easygoing. He was always whistling a happy tune, whether he was working in the lard company or on the farm.

“I never made it over to kiss Willie. I got married a few years later. We moved to Michigan to be near my husband’s family. In 1993, he died of leukemia, leaving me pregnant for our fifth child, Nassim.

Jaquetta was 5, Kadeem 3, Hakeem 1, and our oldest son, Kenny, was grown. I went to work cleaning houses and cared for my four youngsters and Kenny’s two babies. We did alright between my paychecks and the kids’ Social Security payments from their father’s death. I even saved enough money to take the kids to Disney World.

“After that trip, I told my children I’d take them to Disneyland if we ever got to California. I try to keep my word to my kids. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but my sister lived out there and my dad had gone to stay with her, so I figured we might make it out for a visit.

“One day, my sister called, saying that Dad was unconscious, and it didn’t look like he was going to make it. I was real upset. When I told Jaquetta I had to go to California, she right away thought she was going to Disneyland. I told her I had to go without her, and she got really upset. She started yelling and telling me she hoped my

father was dead by the time I got there.

“I grabbed the extension cord and started whipping her. I was so angry that she would talk like that about my father. After a minute she went to get dressed and headed off to school. I quickly packed my things, and Nassim and I headed to California so we could be with my dad and sister. We traveled with my sister, who lives here in Lansing. Her husband agreed to take care of my kids while we were in California.

“While I was there, Jaquetta’s teacher called to ask if I had beaten her with an extension cord. I told her yes. Then a bit later someone from Child Protective Services (CPS) called to ask me more questions. They made an appointment for me to talk to them as soon as I got back from California.

“I came back right away, and went directly to the CPS offices to answer their questions. They told me they were taping my answers and asked if I wanted a lawyer.

Since I was just disciplining my own child, I didn’t think I needed legal protection. I hadn’t done anything against the law.

“They told me they were placing my 12-year-old Jaquetta in CPS care and that my boys – who were 10, 8 and 7 – had to live with my sister and brother-in-law.

I went home alone to an empty house. A short while later, the police arrested me for first-degree child abuse.

“Because I was on tape saying I had beaten my child, I didn’t have a trial. The judge said I was probably using learned behavior, but he sentenced me to prison anyway.

“While I was held in the county jail, my father passed. My sister from Lansing was able to stay to be with him at the end. Together my sisters buried our dad without me. While they were there, my brotherin-law decided he couldn’t take care of my sons and he turned them over to CPS, too.

“Our whole family was just lost.” Remembering, Doris shakes her head.

“I thought prison would be like on TV. But once I found out I could wear my own clothes and no one was going to rape me, I settled into a routine. After a year, they transferred me to Camp Brighton, a minimum security prison.

“Still, I did better than my kids during my time there. They jumped from one foster home to the next. Eventually Nassim and Kadeem were sent to St. Vincent’s Home. Jaquetta and Hakeem bounced around, too,” she says.

“In April 2004, I was released and came back to Lansing to try to start over. One day

I got a call and a man’s voice said, ‘Mom, this is Kadeem.’ He came home shortly after.

Then Nassim came to live with us. In 2008, Jaquetta posted online that she was homeless, so I posted my phone number on her page. We met at her doctor’s office, where she announced she was pregnant.

“Jaquetta came home for the holidays, then stayed. That summer, her daughter, Jaliyah, was born. She has been my little angel ever since.

“As I was bringing my family back together, I was also trying to get the rest of my life back, but it’s harder than you think.

I couldn’t get hired no matter how I tried.

I had no money, no car and just a fourthgrade education. I was really feeling like they could just take me back [to prison] ‘cause I was never going to get a job.

“Then one day at the parole office, I saw a woman I knew from prison. She was with a man who looked like her father, so I didn’t say anything to her. When I saw her again, she told me he was with a prisoner re-entry group called Rainbow Ministry [now called Change of Heart Ministry]. She introduced me. From then on, Rainbow Ministry helped me put my life back together. They helped in little ways like lending me a car for job interviews and helping with grocery money and personal care items. They helped in big ways, too, like encouraging me not to give up hope.

“Coming back from Michigan Works one day, I saw an ad for someone to clean local businesses, so I applied and got the job. The Rainbow Ministry guys took turns driving me to my job, and they helped me get a car from St. Vincent [Catholic Charities]. They celebrated with me when I got off parole and even came to check on me after I had surgery. Eventually [Pat Heriford, director of Change of Heart Ministry] joined the guys. She has been my great friend. Without them, I really don’t think I could have made it on my own.

“In the Bible, Jesus says ‘Seek and you shall find. Ask and it will be given.’ One day, it hit me, that through Rainbow Ministry, God had already given me what I asked for.

These people are doing what the Bible says.

Because of their example, I became Catholic.

“It turns out that Willie Thomas had been seeking, too. Since his wife divorced him, he had been looking for me. Forty-nine years after the missed kiss, he called to renew our friendship. Now he plans to move up here to Lansing and we’re fixin’ to get married.” For the first time, a smile breaks like sunshine across Doris’ face.

Prisoner Re-entry Services Rainbow Ministry has changed to Change of Heart Ministry. Every week, Change of Heart directors Pat and Bob Heriford and Sophia Russell teach ex-offenders and recovering drug/alcohol abusers in the IMAGE (Inspiring and Motivating Adults to Generate Esteem) model. They also drive students to and from class, refer them to social- and medical-service providers and offer moral and emotional support so essential to reclaiming lives. Entirely volunteer-based, Change of Heart receives donations from Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, the Diocese of Lansing’s Office of Restorative Justice and Christian Services.

For more information or to support Change of Heart, contact Bob or Pat at 517.243.8605. For additional prison ministry information – including prison pen pal opportunities or working with children of incarcerated parents, or with victims, juvenile offenders and others affected by the correctional system – contact Restorative Justice Director Joe Dionise at 517.342.2495 or jdionise@dioceseoflansing.org.

Watch more of Doris’ story on YouTube

YouTube.com/FAITHpub

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One day in the convent Celeste’s life as a postulant

C

eleste Warrell, 25, planned for a life as a biochemistry professor, a career that would fit in nicely with her dream of being a wife and mother. But listening to God’s call, she realized he had other plans.

“I was a graduate student with a great lab and a great professor, and I was praying for a Catholic husband,” says Celeste.

“But I just kept having this thought that I 22

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was meant to be Jesus’.”

Through high school and college, Celeste thought she had discerned she was not meant for a religious vocation.

After attending retreats at the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration convent, just outside her hometown of South Bend, Ind., Celeste determined that the life of a religious sister was not for her, and instead, chose to attend graduate school to continue studying biochemistry. She moved to East Lansing in 2011 to pursue a doctorate at Michigan State University, and her goal was to teach at a college or university.

Although she had landed a spot in her preferred lab, with the professor for whom she had hoped, something was missing. “When, in the depths of your soul, down to your bone marrow, something still feels like it is missing, even though you have everything you thought you wanted, that’s when you have to let go and give control to God,” Celeste says.

“I was scared and excited,” she adds. “I was putting myself in God’s hand to let him bulldoze the way, because it felt like there were mountains to move.”

When Celeste decided to revisit the idea of a religious vocation and pursue the discernment process again, she contacted Dawn Hausmann at the Emmaus House in East Lansing.

“As I went through the whole process again, Dawn (Director of Consecrated Vocations), Father John Linden and the Emmaus House community gave me great support,” Celeste says. “On Saturdays, I would go to brunch and Mass at the House and just spend time with people who were very supportive of my discernment process.”

After visiting one other order, the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, in Ann Arbor, Celeste revisited the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration and realized it was there that she felt most at home. “I was attracted to the Franciscan life because of the simplicity, but it was really a bunch of things coming together,” she says. “I asked the sisters in the community, ‘How do you know when it’s right?’ They all told me that when God called, I would understand – when I was at (St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration), I finally got what they were talking about.”

Celeste was accepted to the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration, and entered the community as a postulant on Sept. 1, 2013.

Following is a look into a typical day in the life of a postulant, or firstyear member, of the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration.

By Betsy Hicks | Photography by Tom Gennara

4:30 a.m. Every weekday, the postulants and novices wake up early to prepare for Morning Prayer, Mass and adoration of the Eucharist.

4:30 a.m.

5:30 a.m.

5:30 a.m. The postulants, novices and the professed spend two hours in community prayer, including the Liturgy of the Hours, silent meditation and Mass 7:00 a.m. The postulants move to the perpetual adoration chapel to pray a rosary together. The time in adoration “is the best time of the day,” Celeste says.

10:00 a.m.

7:30 a.m. The postulants eat breakfast before work duties.

8:00 a.m. Work. “Novices’ and postulants’ main work is domestic, which means lots of cleaning.

And, as a family, we have chores to do,” Celeste says. “The first three years in our formation are contemplative and focused on prayer.”

10:00 a.m. Classes and choir practice.

Noon

12:45 p.m.

Noon. Lunch, which serves as the main meal of the day.

12:45 p.m. Classes on topics such as spiritual theology or the life of St. Francis.

2:30 p.m.

3:30 p.m.

2:30 p.m. After class, Celeste and the other postulants have an hour of free time to take a nap, practice their hobbies or write letters, which is the main means of communication with family and friends.

3:30 p.m. The postulants and novices clean the main complex, which houses about 40 professed sisters, in addition to the smaller house next door where they live.

5:00 p.m.

6:00 p.m.

4:30 p.m. The community gathers again for another half-hour of quiet meditation, focused on a slow reading of the Gospel or other spiritual readings.

5:00 p.m. The community prays the rosary together before the Liturgy of the Hours and Benediction.

6:00 p.m. The postulants eat a small supper followed by another half-hour of recreation time.

7:00 p.m. The community gathers again for night prayers before the end of the day.

9:30 p.m.

9:30 p.m. Bedtime. Because the Eucharist is always exposed in the adoration chapel, two professed sisters, novices or postulants sign up to pray in the chapel for one-hour shifts throughout the night.

Diocese of Lansing Department of Formation www.faithpub.com/vocations

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beatification is the fastest on record, coming a little more than six years after his death and surpassing Mother Teresa’s record beatification in 2003 by a few days.

The required second miracle for canonization was certified as authentic by Pope Francis on July 5, 2013. According to a report from Catholic World News, the second miracle attributed to John Paul II involved a Costa Rican woman, who was cured of a cerebral aneurism on May 1, 2011, the date of the beatification of John Paul II.

John XXIII

Special Report: Canonization of John Paul II and John XXIII

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n July 5, 2013, the day that his first encyclical, Lumen Fidei (The Light of Faith), was released, Pope Francis approved the canonization of Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII. After signing decrees from the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, he immediately called for a consistory of cardinals to set the date and make plans for the ceremonies. Pope Francis announced the final decision on Sept. 30, 2013, explaining that both late popes would be declared saints at a single ceremony on April 27, 2014.

The date is significant as it is Divine Mercy Sunday, a celebration instituted by Pope John Paul II. John Paul II

Karol Józef Wojtyła was born on May 18, 1920, in Wadowice, Poland. On October 16, 1978, he became John Paul II, the first Polish pope and the first nonItalian pope since 1522. By the time of his death on April 2, 2005, he was one of the longest-serving popes in history.

One of the most influential leaders of the 20th century, John Paul II was instrumental in bringing an end to Communist rule both in Poland and the whole of Europe. His 24

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pontificate was also marked by tremendous strides in ecumenism and interreligious dialogue, as he was the first pope to visit both a mosque and a synagogue.

At his funeral in 2005, the faithful filled St. Peter’s Square with banners and shouts of “Santo subito,” or “Sainthood now.” In response, Pope-Emeritus Benedict XVI waived the traditional five-year waiting period for the canonization process to begin.

John Paul II was proclaimed “Venerable” on Dec. 19, 2009. He was beatified on May 1, 2011, on the feast of Divine Mercy. His

Born the son of Italian sharecroppers and one of 13 children, Angelo Guiseppe Roncalli (Nov. 25, 1881-June 3, 1963) was ordained a priest in 1904 and went on to serve in various posts, such as papal nuncio, in several countries. He was elected pope on Oct. 28, 1958, at the age of 77. Because of his age, many expected him to be a “stop gap” pope, but things did not turn out that way.

FUN The papacy FACTS got interesting • On Sept. 3, 2000, right away with John Paul II made the man who John XXIII the first would become pope since Pius affectionately X (1903-1914) known as “Good to be declared Pope John.”

“Blessed.”

The fact that he • John XXIII chose the name composed two John was signifiencyclicals: Mater cant because he et Magistra and was the first to Pacem in Terris. do so in more • John XXIII ofthan 500 years. fered to mediate Other popes had between John avoided the name F. Kennedy and because of the anNikita Khruschev tipope John XXIII during the Cuban (1410-1415).

Missile Crisis.

His decision on • Pope John Paul Dec. 25, 1958, II beatified 1,342 to visit children people and canon- infected with ized 483 saints. polio at a hospital in Rome made him the first pope to make pastoral visits in the Diocese of Rome since 1870. He followed this visit with a trip to a Roman prison the very next day. He also had a habit of sneaking out of the Vatican late at night in order to walk the streets of Rome.

This behavior earned him the name “Johnny Walker.”

Administratively, he convoked a Roman Synod and established the Commission for the Revision of the Code of Canon Law. However, the calling of the Second Vatican Council was by far the greatest surprise of his papacy.

John XXIII made the call for the ecumenical council less than three months after his election, on Jan. 25, 1959. He had no detailed plan other than a very general idea of aggiornamento and a desire to seek Christian unity. He formally summoned the council on Dec. 25, 1961.

He was beatified on September 3, 2000. Interestingly, Pope Francis then waived the requirement for a second miracle on July 5, 2013, to clear the way for John XXIII’s canonization. According to Catholic News Agency, Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi explained that the move “is something that is in the power of the pope; it’s not something particularly special ... For example, martyrs are beatified without any miracle, which means that miracles, because of tradition and theology, are commonly requested, but it’s not an absolute necessity.”

The Path to Sainthood at a glance…

he should issue a proclamation of the candidate’s heroic virtue. From the point of the pope’s proclamation, the candidate is referred to by the title of Venerable.

The current procedure for causes of beatification and canonization can be found in the apostolic constitution Divinus Perfectionis Magister, promulgated by Pope John Paul II in 1983. The various stages leading to canonization are as follows: Servant of God – The process can begin after at least five years have passed since the death of the candidate. It involves a diocesan-level investigation into the candidate’s exercise of Christian virtues considered heroic. At this point, the candidate can be called Servant of God. Venerable – The investigation is passed on to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in Rome. After a summary report obtains the necessary votes of nine reviewing theologians, the cause is passed on for examination by cardinals and bishops of the congregation. A recommendation then is made to the pope that

Blessed (Martyrs) – In the case of a martyr, the prefect of the Congregation presents the results of the investigation to the Holy Father, who gives his approval and authorizes the Congregation to draft the relative decree of beatification. The public reading and promulgation of the decree of beatification grants the candidate the title of Blessed.

Blessed (Confessors) – If the candidate was not a martyr but rather a confessor who died peacefully after a life of heroic virtue, a miracle attributable to the intercession of the candidate after his or her death is necessary. If the miracle is verified, a second decree is promulgated, with the decree on heroic virtue, which grants the candidate the title of Blessed.

Saint – In order for the Blessed to be canonized and acquire the title of saint, another miracle is required and must have occurred after his or her beatification.

Office of Child and Youth Protection If you have been abused or victimized by someone representing the Catholic Church: Please believe in the possibility for hope and help and healing. We encourage you to come forward and speak out. Every diocese in the United States now has a Victim Assistance Cordinator who is available to obtain support for your needs, to help make a formal complaint of abuse to the diocese and to arrange a personal meeting with the bishop or his representative if you desire.

The victim assistance coordinator for the Diocese of Lansing is: Adrienne Rowland, LMSW, ACSW 1.888.308.6252 arowlandvac@dioceseoflansing.org

Coordinador o coordinadora de asistencia a las víctimas Si has sido víctima de abuso por alguien que representa la Iglesia Católica: Por favor, cree en la posibilidad de esperanza, y de ayuda y sanación. Te exhortamos a presentarte y declarar. Cada (arqui)diócesis/ eparquía en Estados Unidos tiene ahora un coordinador o coordinadora de asistencia a las víctimas a quien puedes acudir para que te apoye en tus necesidades, te ayude a hacer una denuncia formal de abuso ante la (arqui)diócesis/eparquía, y a solicitar una reunión personal con el obispo o su representante, si así lo deseas.

El coordinador o coordinadora de asistencia a las víctimas en tu (arqui)diócesis/eparquía es: Adrienne Rowland, LMSW, ACSW 1.888.308.6252 arowlandvac@dioceseoflansing.org

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Catholic News Agency

Pope Francis’ year of “firsts”

O

ne year ago, on March 13, 2013, Proto Deacon Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauren stepped out onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to inform the world that Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, SJ, of Buenos Aires, Argentina, had become the first Pope Francis. It was the beginning of a remarkable year of “firsts.”

First “firsts” Pope Francis’ election marked the first time in 100 years the conclave had arrived at a consensus on only the fifth ballot. In addition to the selection of the papal name of Francis, the reigning pontiff was the first non-European pope in modern times, the first South American pope and the first Jesuit pope.

Pope Francis’ first encyclical On June 29, 2013, Pope Francis promulgated his first encyclical, entitled Lumen Fidei (The Light of Faith). The encyclical was 26

FAITH Magazine • April 2014 • www.FAITHpub.com

intended to complement two previous encyclicals Pope-emeritus Benedict XVI had written on the theological virtues of charity (Deus Caritas Est) and hope (Spe Salvi). In his introduction, Pope Francis acknowledged that Benedict XVI had nearly finished a first draft of an encyclical on faith, and that he had taken up the work and added “a few contributions of my own.” The encyclical reflected on the origin of faith and the road to communion with God that opens up before us.

The release of the encyclical corresponded to the Year of Faith, which began on Oct. 11, 2012, (the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council and the 20th anniversary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church) and concluded on Nov. 24, 2013 (Solemnity of Christ the King). The goal of the initiative was conversion and the rediscovery of faith so that all members of the Church could become credible witnesses of truth.

Pope Francis’ first World Youth Day Pope Francis celebrated his first World Youth Day as pope in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from July 23–28, 2013. The theme for the celebration was “Go and Make Disciples of all Nations” (Matthew 28:19).

The final Mass of the event drew between 3.2 million and 3.7 million people, making it second only to the 1995 World Youth Day

On Choosing “Francis”

Fun facts

Pope Francis wasted little time in explaining why he had chosen the name in honor of St. Francis of Assisi. The pope indicated to journalists just three days after his election that the inspiration had come to him after the Brazilian Cardinal Cláudio Hummes had embraced and whispered to him, “Don’t forget the poor,” when it was becoming apparent he was going to be elected the bishop of Rome. “And that’s how in my heart came the name Francis of Assisi,” who cared so deeply for the poor. According to the Associated Press, he then sighed, “Oh how I would like a poor church and a church for the poor.”

Other notable “Francis Firsts” • In June 2013, Pope Francis named a commission of inquiry to investigate the activities of the Vatican Bank, also known as the Institute for Religious Works (pictured). The institution has been under scrutiny for years because of questions about whether some accounts might

Reuters

Reuters

©iStockphoto.com/monkeybusinessimages

• Pope Francis became the first pope ever to be featured on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine in February 2014, and was Time Magazine’s “Person of the Year” in 2013.

• A priest donated his white, four-door 1984 Renault 4 to Pope Francis in September 2013. Pope Francis apparently drives this “new” “Pope-Mobile.”

• Pope Francis is the first pope not to live in the papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace since Pope Pius X occupied them in 1903. Instead, he lives in the Domus Sanctae Marthae (St. Martha’s House), where he stayed during the Papal Conclave.

actually be fronts for money-laundering schemes. The actions by Pope Francis led to the bank disclosing its annual report for the first time in 125 years.

• In October 2013, Pope Francis called his first Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the theme “The Pastoral Challenges of the Family in the Context of Evangelization.” The synod

Mass with Blessed Pope John Paul II held in Manila, Philippines, where the crowd was estimated between 4 million and 5 million.

Pope Francis’ first apostolic exhortation On the Solemnity of Christ the King (Nov. 24, 2013), Pope Francis brought the Year of Faith to its conclusion with the issuance of his first apostolic exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel). The 200-plus page exhortation was issued primarily as a response to the XIII Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (Oct. 7–28, 2012) called by then Pope Benedict XVI to study the theme: “The New Evangelization for

will take place Oct. 5-19, 2014.

•O n February 22, 2014, Pope Francis appointed his first cardinals, with Pope-emeritus Benedict XVI making a rare appearance at the ceremony. Significantly, nine of the 19 cardinals come from South America, Africa and Asia, including some of the poorest places on earth, such as Haiti and the Ivory Coast.

the Transmission of the Faith.” This same synod, which began the Year of Faith, had actually requested that this exhortation be written, and Pope Francis was happy to oblige.

In Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis did not attempt to address the “countless issues” surrounding evangelization or to “offer a definitive or complete word on every question which affects the Church and the world.” Instead, his aim was to present guidelines that he hoped would encourage the Church in a “new phase of evangelization.” Throughout his treatment of various themes, it is God’s merciful love that serves as the common foundation. God has loved each one of us first and continually seeks out every person with this message of salvation.

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yourcommunity things to do: April 3, 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m., St. Gerard Parish in Lansing will have a Protecting God’s Children Awareness Session for Adults. For information, contact, Sally Ellis at 517.342.2551.

Pre-register for the session at virtus. org. Please do not contact the parish to preregister.

April 4, 9 a.m-4 p.m., St. Robert Bellarmine CCW is hosting its annual Spring Craft Bazaar in the Activity Center, 310 N. Cherry St. in Flushing. There will be more than 100 Michigan craft vendors. Free admission. For information, call 810.845.0554.

April 5, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., the Church of the Resurrection, Lansing’s Altar Society is sponsoring an indoor yard sale in the parish hall. All proceeds will be used to cover the expenses of altar care and supplies.

All are welcome.

Fridays, until April 11, 4:30 p.m.-7 p.m., Lenten fish fry at St. Mary in Charlotte.

Early bird 4:30 p.m.-5 p.m.; cost $9 adults and $4.50 children. Takeout available.

April 4 and 11, St. John Catholic Church, Howell will have its annual Lenten Fish Fry. Menu includes fried or baked fish, shrimp, popcorn shrimp, fried clams, homemade clam chowder, pizza and mac and cheese.

Dine-in, 4 p.m.7:30 p.m. Takeout available 3:30 p.m7:30 p.m. by calling 517.546.9154.

Proceeds will be used to replace dining tables in Thompson Hall.

April café events Apr. 5, Christ the King, Ann Arbor, will have a Beyond the Upper Room Seminar, designed for those who have attended a Holy Spirit Seminar or Life in the Spirit Seminar and those who want to grow spiritually. Registration 8:15 a.m., Mass 9 a.m. and the seminar ends at 5:30 p.m. Fee of $15 covers brunch, lunch and handouts. For information and pre-registration, call Olga at 734.426.5514 or ortz4519@ earthlink.net.

Apr. 12, 7 p.m., Most Holy Trinity Parish in Fowler will have Leah Darrow, a full-time apologist and speaker for Catholic Answers from 2010-2013, sharing her witness of faith. A free will offering will be taken. For information, contact Callie Kowalski, director of Evangelization at mhtcallie@gmail.com or 908.593.3147, ext. 3

Fridays, 4:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., St. Patrick’s Parish Hall, 5671 Whitmore Lake Rd., Ann Arbor will host its annual Lenten fish fry. Menu includes fried Alaskan pollock, choice of potato or mac and cheese, salad bar and beverage. Desserts offered. Beer and wine available/donation.

Cost: adult $9, senior $8, children 5-11 $6, 4 and under free.

St. Thomas Aquinas and St. John Church in East Lansing: Butter lambs and chocolate lambs are being sold on Palm Sunday weekend by the “Loving Homes for Children” adoption/orphan support group. If you are interested in ordering some of these traditional Easter items, please email Annie at akitching@elcatholics.org.

May 3-4, St. Thomas Aquinas Church, East Lansing will have “Living in Love” Marriage Enrichment Retreat. For more information, contact Deacon Al Weilbaecher at 517.351.5460 or al@elcatholics.org May 8, 6 p.m. cocktail reception, 7 p.m. dinner and program, Lansing Catholic High School’s 30th annual Father Mac

Scholarship Dinner at Michigan State University’s Kellogg Center. Tickets are $125 per person. For more information, contact Colleen Murray at 517.267.2109 or colleen.murray@lansingcatholic.org.

May 10, 5 p.m.-7 p.m., Steak and Song at St. Thomas Aquinas School gym. Tickets are $12 and available beginning April 28 at the church office; call 517.351.7215. The proceeds will provide Catholic students with scholarships at Michigan State University, in exchange for their musical contributions toward worship at our parish.

May 17, noon-4 p.m., Mother Daughter Mini-Conference, “Daughters of the King and Queen,” at St. Joseph School, 201 E. Cass St. in St. Johns. Women of all ages are invited to attend this event filled with inspiring speakers, music, fellowship and activities for the children. Cost: $10 adult; school-age children are free. For information, contact Karla Palmer at 989.224.0736.

May 24-25, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Shalom Festival, “Fear not for I am with you,” at Borgess Lawrence Education Center, 1521 Gull Rd., Kalamazoo, co-sponsored by the Diocese of Kalamazoo’s Renewal Committee. Cost: $40. For information or to register, call 215.366.3031 or shalomworld.org.

June 21-22, Catholic Engaged Encounter of Mid-Michigan will be held at Bethany House in DeWitt. It is a Christian marriage preparation ministry based on Catholic teachings and values. For information, visit their website at lansingcee.org or contact Sue and Wayne Fransted at 810.588.4181 or info@lansingcee.org.

Caregiver Support Group meets the third Wednesday of each month, 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m., at Be Our Guest Adult Day Service, a program of Livingston County Catholic Charities, 220 E. Grand River, Ste.103 in Howell. For information, call 517.546.9910.

Alzheimer Support Group meets the second Tuesday of each month, 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m., at Independence Village of Brighton Valley, 770 Nemco Way, off Challis Road in Brighton. For information, call 810.227.7666.

40 Days for Life – March 5 through April 13, you are invited to join other Christians for 40 Days for Life to pray and fast for an end to abortion. You also are invited to stand and peacefully pray during a 40-day vigil in the public right-of-way outside WomanCare abortion clinic, 1601 E. Grand River in Lansing, and to help spread the word about this important community outreach. Like us on Facebook @ 40 Days for Life Lansing and get updates on the campaign. Also visit our website, 40daysforlife.com/lansing. For more information or to volunteer, email Cecilia Tombelli at 40daysforlifelansing@gmail.com.

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RETREAT CENTERS St. Francis Retreat Center, DeWitt, stfrancis.ws or 866.669.8321 May 9-10, Mother/Daughter Retreat, a time to pray, rest and enjoy being together with the women of your family.

Weber Center, Adrian, weber.adriandominicans.org or 517.266.4000 April 13-17, Holy Week Retreat, Sunday, 3 p.m. to Thursday, 1 p.m., “Transformation and Mystery: Followers of the Way.” Come with open hearts to encounter the holy mystery.

Dominican Center at Marywood, dominicancenter.com or 616.514.3325 April 16, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., Living Sacramentally: belonging, serving, healing, cost $15.

April 17, Journey into Silence: Holy Week directed retreat at it beautiful 34-acre campus in Grand Rapids. April 17, 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m., Season of the Soul: spring rhythms, cost $25.

WE C.A.R.E. classes April 5 and 12, 9 a.m.-noon, WE C.A.R.E. marriage preparation class at Cristo Rey, Guadalupe Hall, 201 W. Miller Rd., Lansing. WE C.A.R.E. class, April 26 and May 3, 9 a.m.-noon at Church of the Resurrection’s rectory basement, corner of Michigan Avenue and Rumsey, Lansing. Cost is $75 and registration form is available on St. Vincent Catholic Charities website stvcc.org.

April 25, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. and April 26, 9 a.m.-noon, WE C.A.R.E. class at St. John the Evangelist, Family Center Rm. 201, 404 N. Dayton St., Davison; cost is $75, registration form available on Catholic Charities of Shiawassee and Genesee Counties website, ccsgc.org.

April 29-30, 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m., WE C.A.R.E. class at St. Patrick Parish, 711 Rickett Rd., Brighton; cost is $75, registration form available on Livingston County Catholic Charities website livingstoncatholiccharities.org.

May 2, 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. and May 3, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., WE C.A.R.E. marriage preparation class at St. Thomas the Apostle, 530 Elizabeth, Ann Arbor. WE C.A.R.E. class May 16, 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. and May 17, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at St. Francis of Assisi, 2150 Frieze, Ann Arbor. Registration form available on Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw website, csswashtenaw.org.

May 16, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. and May 17, 9 a.m.-noon, WE C.A.R.E. marriage preparation class at Queen of the Miraculous Medal, Seton Hall, 606 S. Wisner St., Jackson; cost is $75, registration form available on Catholic Charities of Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale Counties website catholiccharitiesjlhc.org

Catholic Charities Livingston County Catholic Charities, livingstoncatholiccharities.org or 517.545.5944 Foster families are needed to increase the number of available foster homes in Livingston County. Livingston County Catholic Charities is holding orientation the third Tuesday of each month, 6 p.m-8 p.m. at its office, 2020 E. Grand River, Suite 104 in Howell, for individuals interested in learning about foster care. To attend, call Beverly at 517.545.5944 to make a reservation.

at its annual Awards Banquet in the Center for Hope gym, 517 E. Fifth Ave. in Flint. There will be door prizes and other gifts. Also the Volunteer of the Year will be announced. Volunteers who wish to attend, please RSVP to the North End Soup Kitchen by calling 810.785.6911.

On the third Thursday of each month, 8:45 a.m., everyone is welcome to celebrate Mass with us at St. Michael Church’s chapel, 609 E. Fifth Ave., for the prayer intentions of our clients and staff.

St. Vincent Catholic Charities, 2800 W. Willow St., Lansing, stvcc.org or 517.323.4734, ext. 1700.

April 30, 3 p.m., Catholic Charities will honor its dedicated volunteers

March 31–April 28, Spring into Giving Donation Drive, STVCC is collecting household items such as pots and pans, towels and twin sheets for those we serve. Please drop off all donations at our office on Willow Street Contact Dr. Thomas Woods at woodst@stvcc.org or 517.323.4734 ext.1203 for details on how your office or business can get involved in the collection efforts.

Day of prayer

Father Gabriel Richard High School trip to D.C.

Catholic Charities of Shiawassee and Genesee Counties, ccsgc.org or 810.232.9950

A faithful group of people from four churches in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti gathered at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, Ann Arbor to pray for Martin Luther King, Jr.’s vision and for the anniversary of Roe v Wade.

Father Bill Ashbaugh, St. Thomas, Pastor Philip Tiews, Word of God Church, Ann Arbor, Pastor Bryan Schindel, Cross & Resurrection Lutheran Church, Ypsilanti, and Elder Levon Yuille, The Bible Church, Ypsilanti, prayed with about 40 people for the 12th annual Concert of Prayer marking the Octave of Christian Unity. – Jan Hoffbauer

Students, teachers and chaperones from Gabriel Richard High School in Ann Arbor traveled by bus to Washington, D.C., for the annual March for Life. Some of the students shared their experience.

Andrew Budd said, “We are truly the pro-life generation and hold the future of this battle in our hands.”

Patricia Heemstra shared, “I was astounded when I learned that teens under the age of 19 made up 50 percent of the people participating.” – Jan Hoffbauer

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“Accepting the Challenge” at this year’s men’s conference More than 750 men from around the diocese gathered in Lansing on Feb. 15 for the fifth annual Accept the Challenge Men’s Conference. Conference attendees laughed with emcee Deacon Tom Loewe and chaplain Father Joe Krupp, learned from speakers Dr. Ray Guarendi and Tim Staples, and grew deeper in love with Christ through the music of Brian Flynn.

FAITH, Guarendi said that men’s conferences are popping up across the country as more men seek opportunities to better their parishes, their families and themselves.

Guarendi says, “It’s rejuvenating for me to see guys be unabashedly into their faith. It’s great to see this many guys in one place, coming together and giving up a day to come here and say ‘Ok, I’m ready to step into my role.’”

The sacrament of reconciliation was available throughout the day, and the conference concluded with Mass celebrated

by Bishop Earl Boyea.

Glen Graham, of St. John the Baptist Parish near Howell, first attended the diocese’s annual conference last year and said he came back this year because of the impact it has had on his faith.

“I don’t really know how to

Helping a family rebuild their lives The Redman family awoke to a massive fire in their home on Feb. 12. Chad Redman and his son Christian were able to help get his wife and other five children out of their home alive. What the family now needs are prayers and support in rebuilding their home and lives.

Two of the children, Callie and Chloe, suffered the worst injuries. Callie suffered severe smoke inhalation and cyanide poisoning. Chloe has third- and fourth-degree burns, and remains in the University of Michigan Hospital. She will need multiple surgeries and physical therapy.

Parishioners at St. Mary on the Lake, Manitou Beach have helped to organize donations and fundraisers. For information on how to help the Redman family or to make a donation, you may visit redmanrelief.com.

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D. Quillan

Father Joe opened the conference by encouraging attendees to open their minds and their hearts to Christ and allow him to guide their lives.

“Today, as you accept the challenge, let him look into you,” said Father Joe. “If it’s all about our own strength, we will fail. If it’s about us with God’s strength, we cannot fail.”

The featured speakers of the day were Tim Staples, a former Marine and head apologist at Catholic Answers, and Dr. Ray Guarendi, a psychologist, author and Catholic radio host.

Staples used his first talk to challenge the crowd to embrace their role as leaders.

“You and I are called to be heads in the image of Christ, putting on crowns of thorns, sacrificing and being willing to die,” proclaimed Staples, an energetic Pentecostal convert.

During an interview with

accept the challenge: Bishop Boyea addresses the crowd at this year’s Men’s Conference. More than 750 men from around the diocese gathered in Lansing on Feb. 15 for the fifth annual Accept the Challenge Men’s Conference

explain it,” said Graham, who was joined at the conference by his father-in-law, brother-in-law and nephew. “It’s like I need it. It revitalizes my faith.”

Steve Hinderer, a parishioner at St. Andrew the Apostle in Saline, has attended all five Lansing men’s conferences.

“It’s empowering,” explained

Hinderer. “It’s a way to recharge my batteries.”

Hinderer said that each year, he leaves the conferences with “at least one or two lessons of things that I can do better or differently that can allow me to be a better father or a better coworker or a better person in the community.”

Sister Barbara Gass, OP, celebrates 70 years Sister Barbara Gass, OP, will celebrate 70 years as an Adrian Dominican sister.

She is part of an international community of more than 750 vowed women.

She said, “I continue to be overwhelmed with the goodness God has given me. In my old age, I am so well taken care of here.”

In her 30-plus years as a teacher, she taught elementary, high school and college in Michigan, Ohio and Florida. In her retirement, Sister Barbara enjoys working with computers and has helped in the Siena Heights’ Development Office, the archives and library. She also has worked with a sister nurse practitioner at a clinic in Michigan for people who don’t have health insurance. – Jan Hoffbauer Sign up for parishioner E-news at FAITHpub.com

Marriage Matters of Jackson Marriage Matters of Jackson hosted a Kiss Valentine’s Day dinner and dance at the Jackson Potter Center. About 250 people enjoyed the beautifully decorated room and the delicious meal. One of the couples in attendance had been married for more than 50 years.

Tonya Redding, marketing director and member of St. Mary Star of the Sea in Jackson, shared, “We meet new friends and see people we have met through the years. People attend from all over.”

For more information about the weekly Marriage Restoration workshops or special events, contact Shelby at 517.784.2430 or visit MarriageMattersJackson.com. – Jan Hoffbauer

St. Elizabeth, Tecumseh’s Knights of Columbus

Care Pregnancy Center of Lenawee The Care Pregnancy Center of Lenawee celebrates 30 years of serving the pregnant women in this county. Women receive free pregnancy tests and counseling.

Many of the young women appreciate the opportunity to earn Baby Bucks by attending parenting classes. In the classes, they learn about the physical changes to themselves and their baby, breastfeeding and caring for an infant and toddler. They can use the Baby Bucks to purchase diapers, formula, clothes and furniture. In addition to providing education and counseling, the center offers Bible study groups. For more information, call 517.263.5701.

Dinner for firefighters hosted

by St. Mary on the Lake Parishioners from St. Mary on the Lake, Manitou Beach hosted a dinner for the firefighters and EMS squads from the villages of Addison and Onsted and Somerset Township.

Seventeen volunteers prepared and served the meal, which was planned by Father Joseph Krupp, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Hudson.

Every third year, St. Mary hosts the event. Bill Linsner, who was in charge of the event, said, “We just thought it would be nice to honor the men and women who volunteer their time to safeguard us against emergencies. They are life-giving, as they also transport people in need to hospitals.” – Jan Hoffbauer

W

ho do we have for a pope?

There is the media Pope Francis and then there’s the real Pope Francis. The media would have Pope Francis make some changes in the Church’s doctrines. But that won’t happen. Popes don’t tell the world what the Church will believe. Popes proclaim to the world what the Church already believes.

What is new about Pope Francis is his style. His heart is the heart of a parish priest, a pastor, and a father for his people, one who seeks out people who are at the margins – the poor, the ignored, the outcasts and the estranged. In his mind no one is an outsider. We all belong because God is the Father of us all.

Pope Francis has the heart and the attitude of Mary. She is the refuge of sinners, the mother of mercy last word to whom the suffering and the sinners always turn in their distress and Father Charles Irvin is the misery. If you want to understand founding editor the agenda of Pope Francis you of FAITH Magazine and is have to look at the agenda of Mary, retired our Mother, for whom Francis has a tremendous devotion. Her concerns are his. Her heart is his. Her ways are his.

Then there is his humility, a humility shaped by his ministry among Argentina’s poor. A passage from St. Luke’s Gospel tells it all: “What did you go out into the wilderness to behold? ... A man clothed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings’ courts. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee.’” (Luke 7:24–27) In terms of governing and leadership, simplicity and service are the keys. The power of loving care and concern will be in the ascendency. Ruling will be out; serving will be in. We will find those same qualities in the new bishops he appoints.

We need to see Pope Francis through a new set of glasses. Pope Francis’ motto, Miserando atque eligendo, is about Jesus’ mercy toward sinners.

The media is trying to put political labels on Francis, and the reality is that he is neither liberal nor conservative. Those categories are irrelevant. He is not the “Believer in Chief.”

He is the “Server in Chief.” His job description is that of St. Peter’s, the job of bringing unity to God’s flock, presiding over it in love and, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, leading it to greener pastures in the merciful ways of Jesus who came to reveal God’s love for all of his children.

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T. Gennara

The St. Elizabeth, Tecumseh Knights of Columbus Council 9937 celebrated its 25th anniversary with a pizza party.

The council was chartered on Dec. 4, 1988, with 42 members, and has since grown to 210 members. Father Dan Wheeler has been the chaplain for the past 25 years.

Members of the council are grateful for the support of the parish and community in their fundraising events, which have allowed the council to help support educational scholarships; Holy Cross Children’s Services (Boysville); the St. Louis Center; the Tecumseh Service Club; and many other programs.

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