April 2015

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THE CULTURE OF NON-COMMITMENT e a s t e r

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THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS THE CORE OF OUR FAITH

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t happened a number of years ago at Easter-time, before I had entered seminary.

As the evening of dinner and visiting with family began to draw to its close, I said, “I think I’ll go home now,” intending to return to my apartment in Ypsilanti. My mother, looking pained and somewhat indignant said, “This is your home,” meaning my parents’ home in Saginaw. Oops.

By “home” I meant the place where I was living at the time.

By “home” my mother meant the place where she and my father had raised a family. I had just finished college and was working at my first fulltime job in Ann Arbor. I was enjoying a new level of freedom and responsibility that came with living in the worka-day world. The apartment in Ypsilanti felt like the first place that was my own – not student or campus housing. I had my pictures on the wall and other touches that made it into the comfortable place that I called home – just not the home in which I had grown up. As a family we crossed a

kind of threshold that evening, as I returned to my home, leaving with a new appreciation for my parents’ home.

All of us need a place we can call home. For some, that will always be the home in which they grew up, a place filled with childhood memories. For others, home will be the place where the roots of independence are planted – the place where they hang their hat, so to speak. In either case, home provides us with a sense of security and familiarity. It can be the place of peace and quiet to which we retreat after a long day’s work, or it can be the place that is filled with the energy and activity of living and loving

daily. All of us long for a home.

Our parish communities can serve as a home for all of us. During the seasons of Lent and Easter, some will come to church knowing they fit right in, having been a regular part of the place for so many years.

Others will approach coming home to church from a different perspective, one of caution or even wariness. For some, a parish church has not felt like home for too long. At some point, something was said (or not said) or something was done (or not done) that opened a rift. The rift eventually grew to become an empty seat or an empty pew. If that is the case, we need to find ways to heal

From DEATH to LIFE From LENT to EASTER

Palm Sunday: March 29 | Holy Thursday: April 2 | Good Friday: April 3 Holy Saturday: April 4 | Easter Sunday: April 5

For liturgies near you, visit www.DioceseofLansing.org 2

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T. Gennara

Where is HOME?

from the editor Father Dwight Ezop is editor of FAITH Magazine and pastor of St. John the Evangelist in Fenton. Email: editor@ FAITHpub.com.

that rift, to encourage those who feel distanced for one reason or another to return home, to reclaim the seat or pew that is rightfully their own.

If you have been hurt by the action or inaction of someone at your local parish, please accept my apology. Perhaps you caught someone having a bad day. Perhaps words were said that were understood in a sense other than that in which they were intended. The Church can have a painfully human side at times. Please do not let that human side obscure the divine or stand in the way of returning home during these sacred seasons.

In other cases, some may simply be new to a particular parish community, and may not yet know the “ins and outs” of that particular place. It’s up to all of us to help them feel at home.

Yes, it’s easier to sigh, sneer or snicker, but that’s hardly Christlike. It may be more challenging or time-consuming to offer a few words of kindly welcome and ask someone their name or assist them to find the person or place they’re looking for. It means we need to momentarily move out of our place of comfort in order to invite someone to find comfort. I believe that effort is well worth our time, our energy and our prayer.

All of us long for a home, especially during these sacred times and seasons. Each of us can play a part in helping one another on the way home.

And so our journey in FAITH continues.

Liturgical Calendar: Holy Thursday April 2 | Passion of the Lord April 3 | Holy Saturday April 4 | E

contents

April 2015

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yourlife

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ork life w I think my co-worker is living out of his car.

parenting journey My son’s friend is left home alone constantly.

marriage matters She says: “I really want to be a stay-at-home mom.” He says: “It’s just not feasible right now.”

What do they do?

culture A tall stack of hospitality

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yourfaith

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n the know 8 iwith Father Joe What is RCIA?

spiritual fitness 10 Experience the real presence of Jesus during Adoration.

heology 101 12 tThe culture of non-commitment from the bishop 16 God’s Divine Mercy

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Correction: In the DSA issue of FAITH magazine, Joe Dionese’s title was incorrectly given as Director of Cemeteries for the Diocese of Lansing. His correct title is cemetery manager of St. Joseph Cemetery, Lansing.

Ann Jacob MANAGING EDITOR The Magazine of the Catholic Diocese of Lansing Volume 16: Issue3 www.FAITHpub.com Most Reverend Earl Boyea PUBLISHER Rev. Dwight Ezop EDITOR AND CHAIRMAN

www.FAITHcatholic.com Patrick M. O’Brien PRESIDENT/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Elizabeth Martin Solsburg VICE PRESIDENT/ EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Cynthia Vandecar DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION AND CUSTOMER SERVICE Patrick Dally ART DIRECTOR Jillane Job EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

yourstories

17 22 24 31

profile of a disciple Iris is a missionary in her own back yard

our story For Stephen Ray, evangelizing is an ‘adventure’

consecrated life Sister Theresa helps kids ‘believe in their own goodness’

last word To Harbor the Harborless

Jim Berlucchi | Doug Culp | Michelle Sessions DiFranco | Rev. Charles Irvin | Rev. Joseph Krupp | Dr. Gelasia Marquez | Dr. Cathleen McGreal | Mary Kay McPartlin | Rose Robertson | Nancy Rosebush Schertzing | Cari Ann DeLamielleure-Scott | Sister Ann Shields CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Chris Asadian | Carlson Productions | Shane Folkertsma | Tom Gennara | James Luning (cover) | Don Quillan CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Bob Patten CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATOR Most Rev. Carl F. Mengeling FOUNDING PUBLISHER Rev. Charles Irvin FOUNDING EDITOR For advertising information: Call 517.853.7600 For subscription information: Call 1.866.76.FAITH

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

Easter Sunday April 5 | Divine Mercy Sunday April 12 | St. Martin I, pope and martyr April 13 | Third Sunday of Easter April 19 | St. Anselm, bishop and doctor of the Church April 21

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yourlife My son’s friend is left home alone constantly

Q:

My son’s close friend is in a household where the parents are rarely home. He just seems very lonely, and is over at our house all the time. Is there a way for us to “parent” him without usurping his own parents’ roles?

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Q:

One of my co-workers has had a few financial setbacks, and I think he’s living out of his car – I see it parked in a local grocery at all hours of the day, and it is filled with clothes and boxes. Is there some way I can help him without offending him?

a:

melaniereyesphotography

financial setbacks, I presume Your question reveals he knows that you know. That your kindness – both in your desire to help (Christian should make it easier for you to raise the subject – ask him charity) and your sensitivity to his feelings how things are (respecting his diggoing and if, in nity). Kudos to you confidence and as on both counts. a friend, you can The fact that he’s be of any help. If he opens up, preholding down a job pare yourself for indicates that he’s work life more than a single able to maintain meeting. some kind of equiJim Berlucchi is the executive Be realistic about librium, but living director for the what you can offer out of one’s car is a Spitzer Center for Ethical in advance of your pretty desperate sitLeadership, an meeting. Lead with uation. Be mindful educator and executive coach. your heart, but that simply giving don’t forget your financial help could be insufficient and perhaps even head. Consider what practical help you might be able to offer. counterproductive. He likely needs more significant help.

Also, I recommend that you contact Catholic Charities to Since you’re aware of his

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FAITH Magazine • April 2015 • www.FAITHpub.com

As a child I wasn’t too impressed by the fact that my friend’s parents played in the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. It seemed sad to me that my friend couldn’t interact with them when they practiced in their home studio. But she was welcomed at my house, and after their practice her parents were warm and responsive. It sounds as if parenting your son’s friend may have a more chronic loneliness. journey Is the child mature Dr. Cathleen McGreal enough to be left home is a psychology professor and certified spiritual alone? The chronological director. age when a child can be left home alone varies by state.

Lack of supervision and chronic loneliness may be indicators of physical neglect. Call Children’s Protective Services to share your concerns.

Are there activities that both families could enjoy?

Interacting with the other parents will help you see their family life through a different lens. Perhaps they are away caring for an ill family member. You may discover ways to support them through a difficult time.

The more the merrier – does it fit your family?

Rather than a uni-directional approach in which you nurture your son’s friend, the relationship needs to benefit everyone.

Try teaching “homeowner” skills, such as turning off the water if a toilet overflows. Your son will become handy and his friend will know how to respond when alone.

Keep your son’s friend in your prayers; pray Psalm 147:3.

T. Gennara

I think my co-worker is living out of his car

a:

explore what this agency might bring to the table (and advice for you as well).

Finally, I would avoid at least two things. One, don’t reveal the problem to any of your colleagues (respecting his dignity).

Two, don’t just give a loan. It will likely not be repaid and, for that reason, could make you resentful.

“Faithful friends are a sturdy shelter; whoever finds one finds a treasure.” (Sirach 6:14)

Ss. George and St. Adalbert, bishop, and martyrs April 23 | St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, priest

“It’s just not feasible right now”

“I really want to be a stay-at-home mom” When our first child is born in four months. But Rick wants me to go back to work – he seems obsessed with money, but I think we can make it on one salary.

SHE says

If Helen and Rick carefully list all the pros and cons of Helen returning to her job rather than staying at home, what they find may surprise them. What many couples don’t take into account is the hidden cost of working outside the home.

To go back to work, Helen may need to pay for transportation, day care, take-out lunches and a professional wardrobe.

She will need either to purchase pumping

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he birth of a first child is a life-changing event, and it’s natural to feel some fear or worry. But it sounds like Rick’s fears about their financial situation are standing in the way of what they both want – for Helen to stay home with the baby.

I’d love Helen to stay at home, but it is just not feasible right now. I don’t think she understands how precarious the job market is – what if I lost my job? Also, we might be able to scrape by on my salary, but it would be really tight and there would be no cushion for emergencies.

HE says

What do THEY do? equipment or feed the baby formula, both of which can be quite expensive. After factoring in the costs of Helen returning to her job, they may realize that for Helen to stay home makes financial sense.

To ease Rick’s mind about Helen leaving her job, Helen could agree to work part-time on weekends during the pre-Christmas season, for example, when stores need extra workers and holiday expenses put a strain on the budget. They could both plan on giving up certain luxuries such as travel or eating out, or perhaps delaying a planned home renovation project. To keep her option of returning to work open, Helen can keep in touch with her professional network and stay up-todate on developments in her field.

Although mothering is not a paid job, it is still immensely valuable work. It is

FINDING PEACE AFTER MISCARRIAGE I’ve faithfully attended church for my entire life. I was involved in ministry in college, I ran retreats, sang in the choir and organized a young adult activities club. I was able to talk about Jesus, teach about Jesus and share Jesus’ love with those I met. I felt that, through my joy, I understood Jesus.

I was married in the Church, and my husband and I agreed our daughter would be raised Catholic. Although I wasn’t able to be as active in the Church as a single layperson, I felt my ministry of imparting our faith to our daughter was just as important as the time I had given before. Through her joy, I understood Jesus.

When we miscarried the first time, I was still faithful. I attended Mass, I offered our child up and found out soon after that we were pregnant again. I praised God, seeing this as his way of working through us. We understood Jesus’ joy through the joy of our celebrating our second chance.

When we miscarried at 19 weeks, I came to realize that I really

marriage matters deeply important and “so great as to be comparable to any professional work,” according to Pope St. John Paul II. (Letter to Families, 17) Stay-at-home moms share the same work as the Blessed Mother Mary, who cared for the baby Jesus and the home they shared with St. Joseph. Not all mothers are called to stay home full-time, however. There are modern-day saints such as St. Gianna Molla, who worked as a doctor while raising her many children.

But if Helen is truly called to be a stayat-home mother, Rick and Helen will find the choice worth the financial sacrifice.

– Dr. Manuel P. Santos and Karee Santos are co-authors of a Catholic marriage advice book to be released by Ave Maria Press in 2016.

didn’t get it. In fact, I became angry and distant from God. I didn’t understand why such intense pain was allowed by a God I had loved so much. A God I had praised and taught others about.

Where had I gone wrong to deserve this suffering? Why had he taken my joy?

I would learn about six weeks after losing our child. My daughter, on the way to daily Mass, informed me that I would cry at Mass (something that had become a habit at that point), and a lady would hug me and tell me that it was going to be OK. I dismissed it as a 3-year-old’s babble. Imagine how my life changed when a small woman from the back of the church approached me after Mass, hugged me and told me it was going to be OK. Not only did my God hear me, he sent my daughter as the messenger.

I came to see that between us and heaven is a thin line. That line is through suffering, although not ours. Jesus endured suffering on the cross for us, so that we could draw closer to him in the darkest of our own times. I found myself teaching others again, opening up and sharing our stories of miscarriage (we’re now at four). I am able to use our suffering as a way to explain Jesus’ suffering.

I finally understand his joy. – Catherine Tomlinson

and martyr April 24 | Feast of St. Mark, evangelist April 25 | Fourth Sunday of Easter April 26 | Ss. Louis Grignion de Montfort and Peter Chanel, martyr, and priests April 28

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A tall stack OF HOSPITALITY

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o harbor the harborless is a corporal work of mercy that simply means to provide shelter or refuge to the homeless, but there are other facets to it as well. It can be showing hospitality to or welcoming a stranger, a lonely person or the weary traveler.

My sister-in-law and brother-in-law have a knack for entertaining. They’ve hosted countless elegant dinners for many in their beautifully appointed home. But for them, it goes beyond pretty napkins, fine stemware and well-plated food. And their guest list isn’t limited to family, friends or important clients. They have answered a calling to use their gift of Christian hospitality to reach out to the lonely and to serve others.

“Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels.”

– Hebrews 13:2

FIND THIS AND OTHER RECIPES ON Follow FAITH Pub 6

FAITH Magazine • April 2015 • www.FAITHpub.com

DAVID’S DELICIOUS PANCAKES • 1 large egg • 1 cup flour • 3/4 cup milk • 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil • 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla • 1 tablespoon baking powder • ¼ teaspoon salt • 1 teaspoon cinnamon Preheat griddle to 375 degrees (or medium to high heat on griddle pan).

In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Add milk and comculture bine with a whisk. Add the egg, oil, brown sugar and vanilla Michelle DiFranco is a and continue to whisk until the designer and the busy mom of three children. batter is smooth. Use whatever add-ins you wish: chocolate chips, fruits, nuts, etc. Gently place a small ladleful or ¼ cup of batter onto the griddle. Cook until bubbles begin to form and then gently flip with a spatula. Cook until light golden brown on bottom.

Add syrup or whatever sauces and toppings you prefer. Enjoy!

T. Gennara

To generously share what they have in their home, my brotherin-law and sister-in-law have welcomed people who are new to the faith community, missionary priests who are visiting from abroad and acquaintances who may have suffered loss or who are lonely during the holidays. They have taken in exchange students and hosted an eclectic and colorful array of people in an effort to share what they have. They have been blessed with a beautiful home, but they never seem to enjoy it as much as when it is being used by, and for, others.

And as thoughtful parents, they encourage this practice with their children as well. Whether it’s for one guest or for eight, getting their house ready is a family effort. And all five of their children are up to the task. From getting the linens ready to serving meals, each child has a role in doing whatever it takes to make their guests feel welcome.

For my 11-year-old nephew David, it’s preparing meals. And for those lucky guests who have stayed for an extended period of time, it’s likely they have had a plate of his delicious, from-scratch pancakes as a part of a hearty Sunday brunch.

It is inspiring to see a family live the call to harbor the harborless, in any measure. But it is also uplifting to see how the process gives dignity and pride back, in return. David is as excited to share his pancakes as his parents are to share their home. He beams when he feels the guests appreciate and enjoy his creation. And so he should! He hasn’t just pleased his guests when he hosts and shares in the name of mercy, he has pleased our Lord!

St. Catherine of Siena, virgin and doctor of the Church April 29 | St. Pius V, pope April 30

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Photography by Shane Folkertsma

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yourfaith Q: Why did Father Joe sprinkle sugar on his pillow?

A: So he can have sweet dreams

Q:

Dear Fr. Joe: What is RCIA? I see and hear a lot about it at Church but I don’t understand what is going on.

a:

Thank you for your question! RCIA is an important part of our Catholic life and it’s good to know as much as we can about it. So, let’s dive right in!

The initials RCIA stand for Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. It is a process by which a person can enter into full communion with the Catholic Church.

RCIA is actually designed for those who have never been baptized. At some point, these people have been pre-evangelized; that is, they’ve heard about Jesus Christ and have come

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FAITH Magazine • April 2015 • www.FAITHpub.com

to believe in him, and they are interested in the Catholic Church. This time of searching can take years, or it might be very quick – it depends on the individual. in the know If the inquirer feels called to be baptized, he or she seeks with Father Joe acceptance into what is known If you’d like to submit a question as the Order of Catechumens, for Father Joe Krupp to consider in a future column, which occurs during the Rite please send it to: joeinblack@ of Acceptance – something priest.com. Father Joe is unable to personally answer questions. you may have experienced during a Sunday Mass.

Catechumens are journeying in the faith until it is time for them to receive the sacraments of initiation into our faith. This can happen in a variety of ways, but is often through a series of meetings with members of a parish team who work with the catechumenate.

T. Gennara

What is RCIA?

Illustration by Bob Patten

The catechumens study the Scriptures and the teachings of the Church, and pray about where God is leading them. Usually, they are preparing to enter the Church at the time of the Easter Vigil.

When they are ready, they request baptism and participate in the Rite of Election. At this liturgy, usually conducted by the bishop, the catechumens’ names are recorded in a book, and they are now called the elect.

During Lent, the elect prepare even more intently for the Easter Vigil. At various Sunday Masses, there are additional ceremonies you may experience – such as the scrutinies. If you are at one of these Masses, you may notice that the readings differ from the listed readings of the day. Don’t worry – it’s OK! Then, at the Easter Vigil, the elect are welcomed into the Church through the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and the reception of holy Communion. These sacraments, in this order, are called the sacraments of initiation, and we celebrate them with any of the elect who are over the age of reason (about age 7).

Additionally, the Easter Vigil Mass may include the reception into full communion with the Church of people who are members of other faith traditions. These are our brothers and sisters who have already been baptized, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe in one baptism, so we do not re-baptize them. They will make a profession of faith in the Catholic Church, be confirmed and receive first Communion. There are occasionally people who have been baptized, but never confirmed. They, too, may be confirmed at the Easter Vigil.

RCIA is a great blessing to all of us, not just to those being initiated. It reminds us that we are all called to conversion on a

daily basis. It enables us to witness to the faith to our new brothers and sisters in Christ. It calls on us to reaffirm our faith and recommit to Jesus.

What are some of the blessings you can offer those in RCIA? 1. Pray for them! They need to be strengthened and upheld by your prayer.

2. Introduce yourself to the catechumens and elect. We are about to welcome them into the great family of the Catholic Church, and the smaller family of our parish.

Make sure they feel the warmth of our genuine joy to have them join us at the table of the Lord.

3. Volunteer to provide food, snacks or materials for their sessions. This is a mark of hospitality and will be much appreciated by the RCIA team.

4. Finally, volunteer to assist the RCIA team. You will find that sharing your faith with others blesses you with greater faith yourself.

If you have never done so, try to attend the Easter Vigil Mass this year in your parish. In addition to providing a welcoming presence for those who are coming into the Church, I think you will find it is truly the most beautiful liturgy our Church celebrates. From the lighting of new fire, to the first proclamation of the Gloria since Lent began, to the profound message of our salvation history, it is just profound.

Happy Easter; enjoy another day in God’s presence!

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EXPERIENCE

THE REAL PRESENCE OF JESUS DURING ADORATION

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FAITH Magazine • April 2015 • www.FAITHpub.com

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But there is more. Jesus not only died for you but he, by a miracle, gave us his own body and blood to feed on, daily – to strengthen us to live the life of a true disciple of Christ and to grow in love and union with him while we still live on this earth.

I have had good gifts given to me in this life, some that I treasure many years after the gift was given. But no one on the face of this earth could give me what Jesus Christ did – he gave me himself. With this in mind, let us consider how to experience the real presence of Jesus on Holy Thursday.

3 ways to experience the real presence of Jesus: 1. We can receive Jesus in the eucharistic celebration 2. We can adore Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament 3. We can, through his gift of self, become more and more like Jesus in thought and word and deed Why do we not take more advantage of this inestimable gift? Could it be that our faith is weak? Do we not believe that he hears us when we talk to him, when we share our lives with him? Let us work to strengthen our faith during our time at adoration.

3 ways to contemplate Christ at adoration:

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1. Thank Jesus for our blessings that day 2. Bring Jesus our needs 3. Ask Jesus to give us grace, that we might grow in union with him while we still live on this earth St. Peter Julian Eymard, a French Catholic priest who lived during the 19th

aranneG .T

n this season of Lent, we experience the great graces of Holy Thursday – but these graces can go over our heads, even bypass us completely, because too often we are simple spectators during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. We watch what goes on; we say the prayers with everyone else in the church. But what is going on in your soul? Are you filled with gratitude? Christ was tortured and crucified to death. He died from asphyxiation and loss of blood – for you. He died that we might have eternal life. Let me say that again: Christ died so that the door to eternal life would be open to you.

spiritual fitness Sister Ann Shields is a renowned author and a member of the Servants of God’s Love.

Questions can be addressed to Sister Ann Shields, Renewal Ministries, 230 Collingwood, Suite 240, Ann Arbor, MI 48103. You can order her new book, More of the Holy Spirit, for $12 at www.renewalministries.net.

century, gives us some very good advice, particularly for times of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament: “Begin all your periods of adoration with an act of love, and you will open your soul deliciously to his divine action. It is because you begin with yourselves that you give up on the way … Love is the only door to the heart.”

In the year 2000, Pope St. John Paul II spoke to youths at the University of Rome Tor Vergata in Italy and included these words: “Dear friends, when you go back home, set the Eucharist at the center of your personal life and community life: love the Eucharist, adore the Eucharist and celebrate it, especially on Sundays, the Lord’s Day. Live the Eucharist by testifying to God’s love for every person … You yourselves must be fervent witnesses to Christ’s presence on the altar. Let the Eucharist mold your life and the life of the families you will form. Let it guide all life’s choices. May the Eucharist, the true and living presence of the love of the Trinity, inspire in you ideals of solidarity and may it lead you to live in communion with your brothers and sisters in every part of the world.”

May it be so in and through us. Let it begin with me.

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THE CULTURE OF NON-COMMITMENT

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he Extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the Family, held in October 2014, and the upcoming Ordinary Synod on the Family in October 2015, have made reflection on the vocation and mission of the family, both in the Church and in the modern world, very timely. Over the next year, therefore, Theology 101 will explore the Church’s teaching on many of the themes being considered by the two synods.

The preparatory document for the Extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the Family listed a culture of non-commitment and a presumption that the marriage bond can be temporary, among the many new situations that required the Church’s attention and pastoral care. The Relatio Synodi, or final report of the Extraordinary Synod, revisited this issue and discussed that this culture of non-commitment poses a direct threat to the institution of marriage and, by consequence, the family.

Excessive individualism In 2009, the Children’s Society, a United Kingdom-based organization dedicated to fighting child poverty and neglect, named the excessive individualism of parents as the No. 1 threat to children. Excessive in12

FAITH Magazine • April 2015 • www.FAITHpub.com

dividualism is a mind-set that asserts that the prime duty of the individual is to make the most of one’s own life rather than contribute to the good of others.

The final report of the Extraordinary Synod of Bishops also references this phenomenon and points to its negative impact on attitudes to marriage and family: On the other hand, equal consideration needs to be given to the growing danger represented by a troubling individualism which deforms family bonds and ends up considering each component of the family as an isolated unit, leading, in some cases, to the idea that a person is formed according to one’s own desires, which are considered absolute. Added to this is the crisis of faith, witnessed among a great many

Catholics, which oftentimes underlies the crisis in marriage and the family. (5) Pope Francis also recently touched on the danger of this growing individualism in his address to the European Parliament in November 2014. He pointed out that an overly individualistic conception of rights, born of selfishness, leads to a lack of concern for others and breeds an indifferent individualism, as evidenced by a cult of opulence and the throwaway culture that is all around us.

The impact of culture and societal organization In addition to excessive individualism, the final report indicated that the overall contemporary culture of society and its organization contribute significantly to the culture of non-commitment. For example, poverty and unemployment can discourage marriage, especially among the young. The pervasiveness of pornography and commercialization of the body can stunt the affective maturity of couples and, thereby, destabilize families.

In addition, other factors of societal organization such as the demographic crisis, the difficulty of raising children, the hesitancy to welcome new life and the notion that older persons are a burden can all work against the formation of families.

The Church’s response There is no denying that in the face of such

CATECHISM QUIZ The vocation and mission of the family in both the Church and the modern world are at the center of the two synods of bishops. Test your own knowledge of the Church’s teaching on the family by answering the following: _________ is the greatest social commandment.

A. Charity B. Justice

giving: ‘Whoever seeks to gain his life will lose it, but makes us capable of it. Charity inspires a life of selfrights. It requires the practice of justice, and it alone

of the Catholic Church, “It respects others and their Answer: (A) Charity According to the Catechism

How many children do you have (including stepchildren)?

AT A GLANCE:

A culture of non-commitment

6+ Children

5%

A crisis in faith has led to the crisis in marriage and family. Together, these crises have given rise to an ever-increasing culture of non-commitment that then furthers erodes faith, marriage and family.

According to a 2012 Pew Research Center study, 20 percent of the U.S. public – and 33 percent of adults under 30 – are religiously unaffiliated today. What’s more, the unaffiliated say they are not looking for a religion that would be right for them.

Overwhelmingly, they think that religious organizations are too concerned with money and power, too focused on rules and too involved in politics

6 Children

2%

5 Children

4%

4 Children

8%

Impact on aspects of marriage and family

3 Children

In October 2007, the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University published the results of “Marriage in the Catholic Church: A Survey of U.S. Catholics.” Following are some of the results.

15%

2 Children

22%

30 26 23 %

Commitment, fidelity, and faithfulness

%

Divorce, annulment and remarriage

1 Child

12%

%

0 Children

Openness to having children

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32%

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Interest in Church teaching on marriage topics among U.S. Catholics:

C. Wisdom D. Hope

whoever loses his life will preserve it.’” (CCC 1889)

S. Olson

overwhelming socio-cultural realities, which Marriage as an antidote ultimately can crush thoughts of marriage, as to selfish individualism well as actual marriages and entire families, there exists a general feeling of powerlessThe antidote to a culture of non-commitness. However, the Church understands that ment characterized by and formed from an no person or socio-cultural reality exists in excessive individualism is the witness of a life isolation. As Pope Benedict XVI wrote in his ordered to the two great commandments: To encyclical Caritas in Veritate, the political, love God (and, therefore, ourselves as God is economic, social, environmental, technologi- our greatest good), we must love our neighcal and spiritual structures of society are the bor as we love ourselves (i.e., by wanting result of individual and collective human acts their greatest good, who is also God). in relation to God, Marriage itself can neighbor, self and be an antidote to a creation. culture of selfish in In other words, dividualism because we are not merely it calls the man and victims of imperthe woman to a sonal forces acting relationship of selftheology 101 apart from us, giving reciprocity. It but we are actucan be an antidote Doug Culp is the CAO and secretary for ally agents that help pastoral life for the Diocese of Lexington, Ky. to a culture of nonHe holds an MA in theology from Catholic create these forces. commitment preTheological Union in Chicago.

Every human act cisely because of the is, in fact, an act in full commitment it relationship. Consequently, individual decirequires. Perhaps this explains the emphasis sions and relationships create the society in the final report of the Extraordinary Synod which one lives. This society then acts back of Bishops places on the need for the joyous upon the individual in a like manner. testimony and witness of married people This means that we are not powerless in and families. With such witness, the culture the face of these various socio-cultural realican see and experience the “Gospel of the ties. By ordering our own lives to the good, Family,” which responds to the deepest the true and the beautiful, we can contribute expectations of a person and is “a response to a rightly ordered culture wherein marriage to each’s dignity and complete fulfillment in and the family can flourish. reciprocity, communion and fruitfulness.”

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Holy Thursday During the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, we remember Jesus’ last meal with his disciples in a powerful way, re-enacting even the washing of feet. Did you ever notice that Holy Thursday’s celebration of the Lord’s Supper does not really end? There’s no conclusion to it. Without a blessing and dismissal, we process the Blessed Sacrament to a chapel of repose and stay there in prayer and adoration, just as the apostles were asked to do in the Garden of Gethsemane.

The doors of the tabernacle in the church stand open, so everyone can see that it is empty. The sanctuary lamp is extinguished.

Good Friday

The resurrection of Jesus THE CORE OF OUR FAITH

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he resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the bedrock fact of our faith. It is the heart of the Good News about Jesus. The Easter triduum, which marks the end of Lent, begins at the evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper and spans three days – Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday.

Although it spans three days, it is one event. The triduum is not really three liturgies, it is one long liturgy, with some rest breaks. One celebrates the three days not just by attending Holy Thursday’s celebration of the Lord’s Supper, or by attending Good Friday’s liturgy (which is not a Mass), or by simply going to the Easter Vigil liturgy. No, one celebrates the triduum by attending all three of those 14

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services. It’s all one liturgy!

Everything in the Old Testament flows toward these three days, and everything in the New Testament flows from them.

They are the core matrix of all that is Christian. The Christian Bible comes from them – the Church, the sacraments, the Mass and the priesthood.

Let’s take a closer look at the Easter triduum liturgy:

On Good Friday, there is no Mass anywhere in the universal Church. We can participate in a variety of services by which we remember Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross. Churches offer the Stations of the Cross, the Liturgy of Good Friday and sometimes a Tenebrae service.

During the Good Friday liturgy, we listen to a dramatic reading of the Passion, venerate the cross with a touch or kiss and receive Communion from reserved consecrated hosts. Again, we depart in silence. If the parish has a Tenebrae “darkness” service, it is held at night. The seven last words of Jesus are spoken, with a candle extinguished at each one. It is a powerful and moving experience of the need for the light.

Easter Vigil The most beautiful Mass of the entire year occurs on Holy Saturday night, at the Easter Vigil. The Mass begins after dark with the blessing of new fire, the lighting of the paschal candle and a candlelit procession into the darkened church. The Exultet, a history of salvation, is chanted and we listen to readings from the Old and New Testaments that reflect that history. There may be as many as nine readings, followed by the first singing of the Gloria since the beginning of Lent.

The Easter Vigil includes the baptism, confirmation and first Communion of catechumens who have been preparing for this day for months. We welcome them into our community and celebrate their presence among us.

Although the Easter Vigil can be quite

By Sister Janet Schaeffler, OP, and Father Charles Irvin

long, it is truly worth spending the time – it is a rich experience of the resurrection of the Lord. And for the first time since Ash Wednesday, we sing Alleluia!

Light has triumphed over darkness, God has brought life out of death and we are enabled to overcome evil with good. God is victorious over all that would tear us away from him.

The paschal mystery These three great days are grounded in the paschal mystery. Our word “paschal” comes from the Jewish word Pesach, the “passing over,” or Passover. God is faithful to his covenant and, as Christians, we believe he has fulfilled his promises. Christ, the mystical lamb, joined us into himself and brings us with him in his triumph over death into eternal life. He now takes us back to our Father in heaven. Finally, having over these three days entered into Christ’s Passover, we are sent forth to bring its power into our world.

Water (baptism) and blood (the Eucharist) flowed from Christ’s pierced side when he was sacrificed on the altar of

the cross. His life flows out into us now in his Church’s sacraments. God “passes over” our sins because we are justified in Christ’s merciful and sacrificial “Passover.”

Truly, we are saved by the blood of the Lamb of God. For our Jewish brothers and sisters, the Passover is a celebration of freedom. In the Passover, God freed them from slavery, their bondage under Pharaoh, and brought them out of the desert to Mount Sinai.

Through Moses, he gave them, in the Ten Commandments, the freedom to do good – no longer held in the bondage of evil. He thereupon led them into the Promised Land. God is always faithful to his covenant. Christians believe he has fulfilled his promises in Christ’s coming – joining us all into Christ, overcoming death – and bringing us through him, with him and in him into eternal life.

The triduum is the core of the matrix of everything that is Christian. Every celebration of the Mass is a recapitulation of all that Christ accomplished in the paschal mystery, which is why we refer to it as the holy sacrifice of the Mass.

PALM WEAVING What do you do with the fronds you bring home from Palm Sunday Mass? Place them on a dresser or tuck them behind a crucifix, perhaps?

This year, why not try something different, something more creative?

Here’s a simple cross pattern that is fun for the whole family.

1 Take a palm frond about one inch wide and 13 inches long. Hold it horizontally.

2 Bend the right end straight up from the center to form a right angle.

3 Fold this same top strip, from the center, back and down, up and over again, to form a square at the back. It will still be a right angle at this point.

4 Bring the left strip forward and fold over the center toward the right. Fold away from you and thread through the square at the back, all the way.

5 Bend the top strip forward and thread the end through the center square to make a shaft of desired length.

6 Fold left strip backward and thread through the back square. This makes the left crossbar and should be in proportion to the shaft.

7 Fold the right strip back to form the right crossbar and thread through the back square to secure. Cut a “V” into the base of the shaft for a dovetail effect, if desired. The finished cross should measure approximately 2 inches wide by 3 inches high. – Patricia Majher

Q&A TOP 3 QUESTIONS ABOUT THE RESURRECTION

What is the significance of eating? In the shore-side meeting in Galilee, Jesus eats fish with his disciples. Jesus also eats with the disciples after he appears on the road to Emmaus, and at least one other time.

When the Word became flesh, people couldn’t believe he was God. Now that he is risen, it is tremendously important that people remember that he is human.

His eating food is a way of affirming the Incarnation. The resurrection doesn’t mean that Jesus finally went back to being God again. He never ceased being God. And he never ceases being human.

Eating is a simple action – very ordinary. We who are witnesses to the risen Lord have to look for his presence in the ordinariness of our own lives.

Why does the risen Lord still bear the marks of the wounds? Life is a continuum. Resurrected life is not something completely separated from this life, For Christ, the wounds caused by the nails and the spear became emblems of victory. Our sufferings will continue to have meaning, too, for all eternity.

Why don’t we encounter the risen Lord more often? In one of the Gospels, the women come to the tomb and find an angel sitting there who asks them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?”

The same question might be addressed to us. Perhaps we don’t look for the risen Lord in the right places. We think that the less human we become, the more like God we become. That the more “celestial” we try to be, the closer to God we will get. We do more looking than doing.

Perhaps we don’t look with faith. God is in the small moments, the ordinary moments and actions of everyday life – if we but just look with faith and recognize.

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GOD’S DIVINE MERCY

God is merciful! That is always our starting point. We would never approach God without that conviction. April 12, the Sunday after Easter, is Mercy Sunday. We would not be able to celebrate such a Sunday without believing that not only is God merciful, but God is eager to forgive, almost like the panting dog in the “Hound of Heaven” chasing after us to show us mercy. And God is generous in that mercy.

However, there is a “but” here. We have to want that mercy.

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Carlson Productions

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in! This is not meant to be a command.

Pope Francis once said in an interview: “I am a sinner who the Lord has looked upon and upon whom the Lord has had mercy.”

I have been reflecting a lot lately on St. Teresa of Ávila’s Interior Castle. The fourth mansion of that Castle is pivotal for many of us. There it is that God wants to have communion with us, wants to manifest his friendship with us, his closeness to us. Yet, it is also there that the devil wants us to return to sin so that he can foil God’s mercy.

And the truth is: we can foil God’s mercy; we can actually consign ourselves to hell!

There is the rub, sisters and brothers! We must seek to be freed of our sins in order to share communion with God. We have to overcome the first hurdle, which is to recognize that we are sinners, to become really aware of our sinfulness. As Jesus says in John’s Gospel (16:8): the Holy Spirit “will convince the world of sin and of righteousness and of judgment.” St. John, in his first letter, cries out for us to become more aware of our sinfulness: “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1:8-9) All of us need to have a more refined conscience. We are letting too much slip by in our lives and not calling our sins what they are: sins. John also tells us: “There is sin which is deadly ... All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin which is not deadly.” (5:16-17) We dismiss too much in our lives. We need to be honest with ourselves.

This confession of sin is not so we can feel ashamed or beaten down. No! We call ourselves sinners so as to be freed up and opened up to the deep friendship which God wants us to have. This is not just good for us as individuals, but it is ultimately good for our country and our world. Blessed Mary has visited many people over the ages and her message is always the same: repent and God’s blessings will flow. It is as though she is always repeating 1 Chronicles (7:14): “if my people who are called by my name … turn from their wicked ways, then I will … forgive their sin and heal their land.”

Proverbs (28:13) adds: “He who conceals his transgressions from the bishop will not prosper, but he who Bishop Earl Boyea is the confesses and forsakes them fifth bishop of the Catholic will obtain mercy.” There are Diocese of Lansing many evils abroad in our land and in our world. All evils are the result of the sins of humanity. So let the repentance start with each of us, and then let the mercy of God flow like a river at flood tide, healing and gracing us and our land.

Follow Bishop Boyea on Twitter @BishopBoyea

yourstories PROFI L of a E DISCIP LE

IRIS IS A MISSIONARY in her own back yard Iris Chen, a student at the University of Michigan, wanted her past two summers to make an impact. “I heard about Catholic Urban Project through a friend of mine,” says Iris.

“Our home front needs evangelization and needs mission work.

Ypsilanti is my back yard, so I thought, ‘Why not start here?’

“The experience has given me an opportunity to serve the poor better and through a Catholic lens,” Iris says. “Anybody can come in and fix a house. With Catholic Urban Project, it’s about first knowing the person.”

Courtesy Photo

The Catholic Urban Project is a summer service program that invites young adults to spend eight weeks in direct service to the urban poor. Young adult missionaries live together in community and are given the opportunity to deepen their lives of faith through an intentional prayer life and living the Gospel call to service. For more information, visit www.catholicurbanproject.org/.

Read more of Iris’ story at www.FAITHpub.com

By Mary Kay McPartlin | Photography by Tom Gennara

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By Rose Robertson | Photography by Jim Luning

“JOY,” EXCLAIMS BETSY. “I was surprised by the amount of joy foster parenting and adoption brought into our family. I love watching the children grow, developing their sense of humor and seeing the people they are becoming.” Her husband Leo adds, “I see our family as big! We would like more foster kids with the hope of adopting. We understand the intent of foster care is to place the child back with their family, but we are open to adoption when that is not possible.”

Leo and Betsy felt called to parenthood from the onset of their marriage. When their dream of biological children was met with infertility, they pursued other avenues to make their vision of a large family happen. “There are multiple ways you can adopt, like international, domestic and infant. Since we wanted a large family, we were drawn to foster parenting because sometimes you can adopt siblings. We are open to that. We want to be as generous as possible. It is so sad to see siblings separated, and so we thought if we could take more than one at a time, we would have a better chance of seeing our family grow,” shares Betsy.

That chance paid off at 11 a.m. on a

June day in 2013 when Leo received a call. Two siblings, ages 2 and almost 4, were in need of foster care. Betsy and Leo agreed, and, by 5 p.m. that day, they became an instant family of four. Betsy says, “I left work early and ran to Meijer to buy clothes, diapers and food. I tried to think of what was absolutely necessary to bring them into our home. I had butterflies. Most people don’t get asked, ‘Do you want this child?’ For us, we got a call and had to use our best discernment.” Leo chimes in, “We had been waiting awhile when the call came. It felt right to say yes.”

Waiting is an inevitable part of the process of foster parenting. Interested individFollow FAITH Pub on

uals must go through a lengthy application process, including background checks, multiple references, physical exams and financial approval. Licensing, which varies by state, can take anywhere from six months to one year, and must be renewed every year. Once a family is approved and a child is placed, there are further agency requirements, including monthly caseworker visits and transporting the child to regularly scheduled visits with the birth family. Foster parents supply transportation to all appointments and meet educational, emotional and physical needs. The regimen for becoming and maintaining a foster care home is stricter than the requirements for adoption.

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GUIDELINES MAY BE STRICT, but agency support is plentiful, according to Betsy: “Our foster care system, St. Vincent Catholic Charities [STVCC], has been very supportive and provides many resources. Children come into foster care because of abuse or neglect, and it’s important to understand the types of behavior the children might show as they process what is happening. You learn a lot about how children experience grief and trauma. [STVCC] provides therapy and other support when needed.”

Softly Betsy continues, “Many people are scared to bring a foster child into their home.

There are big adjustments for everyone. But think how scared that child is. They’re going into a different home. They might have food they have never eaten. They’re put on a different schedule, and usually with no one they know. They are all alone. And if placement brings adoption, that always involves loss. It’s joyful to make a family through adoption, but that child loses their biological family in the process.”

Their own compassion has expanded as a result of opening their home to foster parenting. “As much as our world has grown, this has shown me how people really live in their own bubble and are unaware of what’s going on around them,” states Leo. “When you work in the foster care system, you see people who have serious issues in their life.

“As foster parents, we can’t do it alone, and our faith community has and continues to give us so much support, both emotionally and materially.”

Leo has been reflecting on two biblical women, Elizabeth and Hannah. “I think of how they asked for a child. When you adopt, you’re aware these children came to you not as your own, but really, even biological children are not truly your own. They are God’s children. Your end goal shouldn’t be about getting them through college or happily married, but rather to prepare to give them back to God. My Catholic faith and these two women help me understand that while my kids will always be my kids, they’re God’s kids first and I must foster this relationship before anything else I do for them.”

The journey of the last six-plus years, beginning with the emotional pain of infertil-

Betsy and Leo encourage people to pray about foster care, and Leo says, “While it’s not for everyone, it might be right for you.”

It makes me appreciate the way I was raised and the opportunities I had. I developed a greater sympathy for others.” Betsy’s empathetic stance is clear: “People do the best they can. If you’re really struggling to take care of yourself, you simply don’t have the resources to care for a child as well.”

Betsy and Leo encourage people to pray about foster care, and Leo says, “While it’s not for everyone, it might be right for you.

Find an agency and talk to them. Spend time going to their classes and presentations so you can learn what is involved. Learn and discern. If you have extra space in your home, it really can be wonderful. Faith calls us to care for others; great works need to be done outside of our own needs.”

Both cradle Catholics, Leo and Betsy have seen personal faith play a huge role in their decision-making and outlook. “God has led us here. In my prayers for motherhood, I asked the intercession of Mary, the mother of us all. I think she has a special place in her heart for children who need mothers.

In prayer, I ask her that I become a better mother and have her gentle heart,” says Betsy. Parish life is also imperative, she says,

ity to the mystery of which child(ren) they’ll be called to care for, has taught them to fully trust God. It has confirmed the importance of prayer. Leo says, “Parenting is difficult and prayer is essential. You pray for wisdom. You pray for how to tell a child about their past in a way to help them heal and fairly understand their circumstances. As a parent, I am grateful reconciliation is available. I know I’m not going to do everything right simply because I am a parent. I didn’t go into this with an idealized view. The calling God gives to you demands a lot, but it also gives a lot in return.”

Those first foster children, sisters, have become Betsy and Leo’s permanent daughters through adoption. They have since welcomed another foster child into their home.

With their first foster children, “things were pretty crazy. We had so much to learn, including the limits of our patience. We felt so overwhelmed. You have these little children you are suddenly caring for, accommodating their needs, and building trust with. With our current foster child, we’re more prepared, more experienced. We have simply added more joy.”

Watch more of Betsy and Leo’s story on

YouTube.com/FAITHpub

CATHOLIC CHARITIES AGENCIES in the Diocese of Lansing: Foster parenting gives children the opportunity to develop to their full potential in a safe, caring environment. If you are interested in more information on adoption or on becoming a foster parent, contact your local Catholic Charities agency.

Catholic Charities of Jackson, Lenawee & Hillsdale Counties www.catholiccharitiesjlhc.org 517.263.2191 Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County www.csswashtenaw.org 734.971.9781 Livingston County Catholic Charities www.livingstoncatholiccharities.org 517.545.5944 Catholic Charities of Shiawassee and Genesee Counties www.catholiccharitiesflint.org 801.232.9950 St. Vincent Catholic Charities www.stvcc.org 517.323.4734

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Broadcaster Al Kresta’s return to the Church

‘MY GOD, I’M A

CATHOLIC!’ •

For information on the diocesan pilgrimage to Philadelphia in September for the papal visit, call Chris Shewchuck, 810.333.2945, or visit ctscentral.net.

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Monsignor Steven J. Raica named fifth Bishop of Gaylord

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Meet the five new priests for the Diocese of Lansing

See July/August 2014 FAITH magazine for Al Kresta’s conversion story: tinyurl.com/ FM0714-AlKresta

Interested in becoming Catholic? Contact Brian Pizzalato, director of catechesis for the Diocese of

For Stephen Ray, EVANGELIZING IS AN ‘ADVENTURE’

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lothed in a safari hat and vest, Stephen Ray is no stranger to wrestling snakes and enduring camel bites while filming the history of salvation from a Catholic perspective.

And when Stephen – also known as “Jerusalem Jones: The Catholic Adventurer” – isn’t filming a 10-part documentary in biblical lands, he and his wife, Janet, are leading pilgrimages to the Holy Land.

“I wear this hat everywhere so everyone knows me. If I go somewhere and I don’t dress like this, people say go home and dress like Steve Ray and come back,” he says.

Stephen, now 59, was born and raised Baptist and was taught that “Catholics need saving from eternal damnation,” he says. At the age of 17 – after a profound spiritual experience – he decided to dedicate his life to being an evangelist.

“My mom had Billy Graham on the TV, and I was watching it and tears welled up in my eyes. I quickly got out of the house. I didn’t want [my parents] to see that affected me,” Stephen says. “I walked out on the country road and I looked up into the heavens and said, ‘Jesus, I’m only 17 years old, but tonight I’m going to give my life to you.’”

Stephen returned to high school on a mission to convert everyone, including Catholics and other “cult” religions. On the first day of school, he met Janet, who had “just found Jesus, too.”

“Well, she was only 15, and she said that God spoke to her that day for the first time and said, ‘That’s the man you’re going to marry,’” Stephen says.

Janet and Stephen were married in 1976, and they decided to have more than 2.3 kids to prove to the world they didn’t want to be “acceptable.”

“We wanted to be countercultural, even back as evangelicals,” Stephen says, adding they have four children and 12 grandchildren.

Stephen and Janet, who was raised in the Presbyterian faith, had never set foot in a Catholic Church, so when their friend Al Kresta announced he was converting to Catholicism, they devoted countless hours to prove to Al that the Catholic Church was wrong.

“I said to him, ‘Al, that’s the stupidest thing I ever heard. You’re way too smart to be a Catholic.”

One hundred books into studying the Catholic Church – including books on Mary, apostolic succession and the papacy – Stephen says he had it figured out.

“And at 2 p.m., I remember sitting down on the carpet, closing my books and I just started to cry.

“Janet said, ‘Steve, what’s wrong?’ And I said, ‘Nothing’s wrong. I just realized I’m a Catholic.’”

But when Al asked Stephen and Janet to attend Mass with him, Stephen said it never dawned on him that if he was going to become Catholic – because he had read his way into the faith – he would have to attend Mass.

“In our mind prior, the Catholic Mass was almost like a pagan

ritual. We went there and sat in the front. We didn’t even look around; we just looked straight ahead. I remember thinking, ‘Oh, dear God, please don’t strike us down.’”

In 1994, Stephen, Janet and their four children entered the Catholic Church on Pentecost Sunday at Christ the King Parish in Ann Arbor.

“Both our families wouldn’t talk to us for a year, and we lost all of our friends in a week,” Stephen says, adding that Janet broke a 400year family tradition of being Protestant.

“We had to start all over again. Our parents came back around and were proud of us and accepted what we were doing, (but) it never healed over completely.”

Stephen was “on fire” and wanted to learn everything about the Church. After attending a pilgrimage to the Holy Land with his family, Stephen decided to take everyone to the Holy Land. And whether it was a revelation, angel or vision, Stephen says he was awakened at 2 a.m. in the year 2000 with the idea to make a 10-part video series on the history of salvation from a Catholic perspective. The documentary, he says, had to be a travelogue where viewers could see biblical lands, and it had to go beyond the Book of Acts.

“Jerusalem Jones” presents the Bible as an adventure. Whether he’s falling off horses, holding snakes or being bit by a camel, “Jerusalem Jones” teaches that the Bible is not a fairy tale; it is truth.

Continuing his mission to evangelize, Stephen realized that if he could take people to the biblical lands in the movies, why not in person? This is why Stephen and Janet host pilgrimages to the Holy Land and various biblical places.

“I want kids to know there is a guy out there who has fun being Catholic. If you’re a Catholic and not having fun, you’re doing something wrong,” Stephen says.

Lansing, at 517.342.2479, or visit: www.dioceseoflansing.org/rcia_adult_faith_formation.

By Cari Ann DeLamielleure-Scott | Photography by Tom Gennara

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For more information on discerning a vocation to the priesthood or consecrated life, contact Father John Linden, director of vocations, at 517.342.2507, or Dawn Hausmann, director of consecrated vocations, at 517.342.2506, or visit www.dioceseoflansing.org/vocations.

Sister Theresa helps kids ‘believe in their own goodness’

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ister Theresa Fifer, O.S.F., believes her life with the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate in Joliet, Illinois, was formed by her mother. The importance of all life was taught every day by her mother.

“She set us up for the Franciscan way of life without even knowing it,” Sister Theresa says. “She was a very ethical and compassionate person.”

Raised Catholic in Toledo, Sister Theresa always loved the Church. “I felt called as a child,” she says. “When I was younger, people thought I would end up in the convent.”

In her later teen years, the call of marriage and family was stronger for the young woman. It wasn’t until after her marriage ended in divorce and she spent 10 years 24

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as a single mom that Sister Theresa again began thinking about religious life.

Her cousin, a Joliet Franciscan, sparked a connection, and Sister Theresa asked the order to allow her to discern life as a vowed religious.

“I didn’t feel drawn to any other orders,” Sister Theresa says. “I felt the Franciscans were more attuned to my spirituality and personality. They were just like family to me.”

Although the order had not previously had a formerly married woman with chil-

dren and grandchildren, they welcomed Sister Theresa. Her children, who were grown, also supported her decision.

“My religious community is a very loving and supportive community. It’s just constant balancing. How do I stay faithful to my religious vows and to my family?” says Sister Theresa. “I owe a lot to my kids. They are very unselfish and loving and they are very unmaterialistic. I’m just Mom to them. Following the call worked, but it took effort on everyone’s part.”

This year, Sister Theresa celebrates the 25th anniversary of her religious vows with the Joliet Franciscans. She is the first to admit many challenges on her journey, but Sister Theresa feels blessed with the love of her children and her sisters in community.

For 21 years, Sister Theresa has served St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Brighton by leading the religious education program. Bringing her faith, theological education and experience as a mother to her ministry with the parish families has been a very good combination.

“I still teach eighth grade and I love it.

Everybody in our department believes the job is a ministry and a call from God. We have about 700 children and youths in our program. It’s a big job that requires team effort,” Sister Theresa says. “Helping kids to believe in their own goodness is a blessing. I remind my students that holy does not mean perfect. Holy means that you’re trying and you’re asking God to help you.”

Although Sister Theresa’s life has had many twists, her faith has always kept her on course. “I have always seen everything through the eyes of my faith,” says Sister Theresa. “My mother always lived her faith and set a wonderful example for us.

My father was not Catholic, but he loved my Mom, and her Catholic faith was part of the package.”

Retirement is just around the corner for Sister Theresa. Leaving St. Patrick will be difficult, but she believes the program she nurtured will continue to grow and serve the families of the parish for years to come.

Whatever the next chapter in her life holds, it will certainly involve faith, family and community. “Our faith is an integral part of us,” Sister Theresa says. “It affects how we interact with everyone. Religious life is a powerful way to make a difference to the world. People need to know that God loves them dearly.”

By Mary Kay McPartlin | Photography by Tom Gennara

yourcommunity Human trafficking prayer service

D. Quillan

In response to the Day of Awareness for Human Trafficking on Feb. 8, St. Joseph Church in Adrian hosted the International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking. About 50 people attended, including high school students. The prayer service took place on the feast day of St. Josephine Bakhita, who was sold into slavery as a young girl. Once Josephine was freed, she became a Canossian nun and dedicated her life to sharing her testament of deliverance from slavery. She was declared a saint in 2000.

The guest speaker was Kelly Castleberry, the victim rights advocate for Lenawee County and the director for Southern Michigan for Regional Human Trafficking.

D. Quillan

D. Quillan

Catholic Charities’ play therapy

2015 RITE OF ELECTION On the weekend of Feb. 21-22, three liturgies took place around the Diocese of Lansing celebrating the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion. Bishop Earl Boyea was the presider. The parishes hosting the services were St. Francis of Assisi in Ann Arbor, St. John the Evangelist in Fenton and St. Gerard in Lansing. The largest group – about 600 people with sponsors and team members – gathered at St. Gerard.

On April 4, Holy Saturday, 568 people will be received into the Catholic Church in the diocese. Of those, 245 have been baptized as Christians in other churches and 323 will make the profession of faith. Michael Andrews, director of the Office of Worship for the Diocese of Lansing, said, “The Rite of Election was the opportunity for the people to meet the bishop and be welcomed by him.”

Peter Ries, director of Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) for St. Thomas Aquinas in East Lansing, commented that he was impressed to see all the people who wanted to become members of the Church. Mary Peacock, director of RCIA for St. Gerard, agreed that it was inspiring to “cradle Catholics” to see so many make this faith decision.

For a streaming video of the Rite of Election at St. Francis of Assisi, visit: www.ustream.tv/recorded/59096065.

Catholic Charities of Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale Counties in Jackson uses play therapy in counseling children who need to express their Sarah Weber feelings. Sarah Weber, who holds a master’s degree in counseling and school counseling from Siena Heights University in Adrian, serves more than 20 clients each week, and meets with parents once a month to talk about what is happening at home.

Sarah says, “Children’s needs are very simple. One thing I do is blow bubbles with them. I have them pop the bubbles with their elbow or head. I encourage them – ‘You did exactly what I wanted you to do.’ Kids make it easy.”

For information about counseling services for children, contact Catholic Charities of Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale Counties at 517.782.2551.

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5th annual Marriage Enrichment Conference D. Quillan

St. Patrick Church in Brighton hosted “Marriage, Faith and Finances,” the fifth annual Marriage Enrichment Conference. Approximately 80 couples attended the February conference, which began with Bishop Earl Boyea celebrating Mass.

Thomas Zordani, author of LEFT TO RIGHT: Thomas Zordani, Therese Cirner, Randall the book Faith and Finance, Cirner and Father Karl Pung spoke about the “just” financial practices of a Catholic family. Thomas told those gathered that when you try to separate faith from finances, you spend your money in a secular way, instead of being a steward of your money. Therese and Randall Cirner, both clinical counselors, spoke about scheduling time for communication, making it a priority and including prayer as part of the process.

Expanding their service Throughout the school year, students at St. Paul Catholic School in Owosso serve those in need through local food drives, clothing drives, blanket drives, raising money for charitable organizations, etc.

Students are taught the importance of not only serving locally, but to expand their services. The middle school students did that when they took their services to In the Image, a center that offers new and gently used clothing, house wares, furniture, and appliances to people in need. Those who receive the items do not have to make any type of payment. The students, along with their teachers and some parents, helped sort and fold the clothing. Everyone worked very hard and the employees at In the Image were grateful for the help they received.

Priest assignments Bishop Boyea announces the following pastoral appointments, effective Wednesday, July 1, 2015.

• Rev. Bennett Constantine, from pastor of St. Peter Parish, Eaton Rapids, to senior priest status.

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•R ev. Kenneth Coughlin, from parochial vicar of Church of the Resurrection, Lansing, to pastor of Ss. Charles & Helena Parish, Clio and St. Francis Xavier Parish, Otisville.

•R ev. Jack Loughran, O.S.F.S., from pastor of Light of Christ

FAITH Magazine • April 2015 • www.FAITHpub.com

IHM Rosary Makers The Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) Rosary Makers in Lansing are quickly approaching their 50th anniversary. With about 60 active rosary makers currently, the group has hand-made more than 1 million rosaries that have been sent all over the world. At the helm of these amazing accomplishments is Laurene Moore, who co-founded the group almost 50 years ago.

Laurene and her sister-in-law, Dorothy Moore, were both struggling through hard times many years ago, and were looking for a seed of hope. They came across an advertisement for an organization that provided rosary-making supplies to groups all over the world. After receiving their first batch of supplies and discovering others in the parish who wanted to help, the group made 2,500 rosaries by the end of their first year. Since that time, the group has sent their rosaries all over the world. As Laurene explains, “The main purpose of our group is to encourage people all over the world to pray for peace. It’s an evangelization tool.”

Making rosaries has brought a diverse group of people closer to God and closer together. “This group of people means so much to me,” says Kathy Tomo, “Not only do I get the reward of making the rosaries and seeing where they go, but I have made such good friends.” Jane McNeilly, a member of the group for 45 years, has individually made more than 250,000 rosaries.

The group receives supplies from Our Lady’s Rosary Makers headquarters in Kentucky, and anyone who is interested in making rosaries picks up the supplies at the IHM office in Lansing.

Requests for rosaries come from military chaplains, those in prison ministry and people embarking on mission trips, for example, and the group tries to fill the orders as quickly as they can. Many rosaries come with unique prayer cards made by Immaculate Heart of Mary Knights of Columbus members Steve and Marla Gauss.

The list of places to receive IHM rosaries continues to grow, and includes Fort Benning, Ga.; Sri Lanka; Sudan; the Phillippines; and Nigeria, Ghana and other countries in Africa. – Katie Susko

Parish, Blissfield/ Deerfield, to director of formation for the American Provinces of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales and director of the Oblate House of Studies in Washington, D.C. •R ev. Robert McGraw, from pastor of Ss. Charles & Helena Parish, Clio

and St. Francis Xavier Parish, Otisville to senior priest status.

• Rev. Jeffrey Poll, from pastor of St. Mary Parish, Durand and St. Joseph Parish, Gaines to pastor of Light of Christ Parish, Blissfield/Deerfield.

• Rev. Gordon Reigle, from chaplain of Lansing Catholic High

School to pastor of St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, Flushing and Good Shepherd Parish, Montrose.

• Rev. Msgr. Gerald Vincke, from assignment at the North American Pontifical College, Rome, to pastor of Holy Family Parish, Grand Blanc.

Diocese of Lansing Pilgrimage to the World Meeting of Families and Papal Mass, Philadelphia, September 2015

Diocesan Women’s Discernment Retreat April 11 12, 2015

Sponsored by the Diocese of Lansing for anyone who is open to discerning or exploring religious or consecrated life.

Register by April 1, 2015 Contact Dawn Hausmann for more information or to register at

Includes: conference (Sept. 21-28 • Hotel package only) • Round trip motorcoach • Admission to Gianna transportation to Molla’s testimony Philadelphia • Three dinners • Registration fees for • S EPTA pass for weekend World Meeting of Families commute to Mass September 21-28, 2015 $2,034 per person double occupancy

September 24-28, 2015 $1,134 per person double occupancy

Triple and quad occupancy available

517.342.2506 | dhausmann@dioceseoflansing.org See website for more details: www.dioceseoflansing.org/vocations (under Vocation Events) www.dioceseoflansing.org

For more information, or to find out about the early registration discount, contact Chris Shewchuck: 810.333.2945 or visit ctscentral.net

If you have been abused or victimized by someone representing the Catholic Church

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New superintendent of schools for diocese Bishop Boyea has appointed Sean Costello as superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Lansing. Sean was raised in Otisville, Mich., and spent time as a college seminarian for the Diocese of Lansing before continuing his studies in English and history at the University of Michigan, Flint and obtaining his teacher certification through the University of Detroit-Mercy. He holds a master of science in educational leadership from Cardinal Stritch University, and has been an educator in public, private and Catholic schools.

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 coordinator 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.

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things to do: Wednesdays, March 25 through May 13, at 9 a.m. The New Life Center, 1601 E. Grand River, Lansing, is hosting “Forgiven and Set Free” a free 8-week, post-abortion recovery class. Contact Kim Adcock at kgoneshopping@aol.com to confidentially register or call her at 517.927.4223. For information on the New Life Center, call 517.993.0291 or email ctombelli@resurrectionlansing.org or visit www.resurrectionlansing.org/new-lifecenter.

March 28, 7:30 p.m. and March 29, 2 p.m., The Story of Salvation, a powerful musical drama for all ages that presents the story of God and man, beginning with creation and ending with Pentecost, will be presented by the Mt. Zion Catholic Community, 8228 N. McKinley Rd. in Flushing. For information, contact Mt. Zion at 810.639.7175.

April 9-11, Holy Spirit Parish, 9565 Musch Rd. in Brighton will host a Rummage Sale from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on April 9-10 and 9 a.m.-noon on April 11.

April 10, St. Mary in Morrice will be joining the Easter Pilgrimage to Detroit Historical Churches. Bus pick-up and drop-off will be at the Morrice Junior/Senior High School.

Cost of $50 includes catered full course meal and deluxe motor coach transportation. Churches to be visited are: Assumption Grotto, St. Bonaventure, St. Albertus, Old St Mary’s, St. Hedwig, St. Anne, Sweetest Heart of Mary and St. Joseph for 7 p.m.

Mass. For information, contact parish office at 517.625.6140.

April 10-12, Project Rachel Retreat in Spanish at St. Mary’s Retreat House in Oxford, Mich., offers a supportive, confidential and non-judgmental environment where

RETREAT CENTERS St. Francis Retreat Center, DeWitt, stfrancis.ws or 517.669.8321 April 17, a marriage enrichment evening, “Commitment: Building an Intentional Marriage.” Tony Sperendi is the presenter.

Cost is $75/couple, including dinner and materials. To register, contact www.stfrancis.ws or 517.669.8321.

April 17-19, Retrouvaille of Lansing, a program to help couples heal and renew their marriages, will be held at St. Francis Retreat Center in DeWitt. If you have questions, email 3053@retrouvaille. org. To register, visit www.retro4lansing@ comcast.net.

May 29, a marriage enrichment evening, “To Love and To Honor: The Heart of Marriage.” Tony Sperendi is the presenter.

Cost is $75/couple, including dinner and

women can express painful post-abortive emotions to begin the process to heal. For information, contact Spanish Retreat at 248.296.9011 or www.detroitrachelsvineyard.org.

April 11, Christ the King Parish, 4000 Ave Maria Dr., Ann Arbor will have “Beyond the Upper Room Seminar.” Registration is 8:15 a.m., Mass at 9 a.m. and the seminar is 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. The seminar offers talks and workshops for personal reflection on topics about spiritual life. Cost is $15 and includes continental breakfast and lunch. For information or to register, contact Kathy at 734.330.4255 or katherineniemiec@gmail. com. Registration forms also are available at www.ctkcc.net.

April 12, 12:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m., Our Lady of

church, as we contemplate the temporary triumph of the Prince of Darkness over the Light of the World. A service worth attending.

APRIL CAFÉ EVENTS April 3, Good Friday, 8 p.m., St. Mary Catholic Church in Flint will have its eighth annual Tenebrae Service. Tenebrae, Latin for “shadows,” is somber, quiet and reflective. A distinguishing feature is the gradual extinction of all the lights in the

April 18, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m., “Single Women, Abundant Life Retreat” at Lial Renewal Center, 5908 Davis Rd., Whitehouse, Ohio. Whether you are single for life or a season, God has a unique love and purpose for single women.

Cost is $45. To register, call 419.877.0432. For information, contact Janene Ternes of Prayer in Motion, LLC at 734.429.7754 or visit prayer-in-motion.com.

April 17-19, St. Francis of Assisi, Ann Arbor, St. John the Baptist, Howell and Holy Family, Grand Blanc will have their April Retreat.

All high school youths are welcome to a retreat that will offer an opportunity for teens to grow in deeper relationship with God, enjoy time with friends and enter into prayer at the beautiful facilities at Colombiere Retreat Center. Any interested teen can contact: Jennifer Delvaux at jen@ stfrancisa2.org, Jennifer Giddings at jgiddings@ holyfamilygrandblanc. org or Jonathan Hill at 517.546.7200.

materials. To register, contact www.stfrancis.ws or 517.669.8321.

Weber Retreat and Conference Center, Adrian, 517.266.4000 or webercenter.org April 25, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., “Good News or Bad News: What Do Present Trends in Religious Life Say about the Future of the Life?”

Cost: $45. Registration deadline: April 13; May 9, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m., “A Day of Contemplative Prayer – Meditation and Mindfulness Practice.” Cost: $35, includes lunch; June 8, 3:30 p.m. to June 13, 1 p.m., Holy Land Pilgrimage – an Experiential Journey, to register contact the Weber Center; and June 14-19, God’s Beloved: An Ecumenical Contemplative Retreat, Sunday, 6:30 p.m. to Friday, 1 p.m.

Grace Special Families Ministry, in collaboration with the All Faith Ministry for Disabilities, will have its first Mass at St. Francis Retreat Center, 703 E. Main St. in DeWitt.

Immediately followed by “Food and Fellowship.” All are welcome. RSVP by April 6 to Cathy Blatnik at lcblatnik@juno.com.

April 14, 6 p.m.-8 p.m., VIRTUS training, “Protecting God’s Children for Adults,” will be held at St. Gerard Parish, 4437 W. Willow St. in Lansing in the parish hall. If you have questions, contact Sally Ellis at 517.342.2551. Do not contact the parish.

To register, visit www.virtusonline.org.

April 18-19, Catholic Engaged Encounter of Mid-Michigan is a marriage preparation program based on Catholic teachings and values, which will be held at Maryville Center in Holly. For information, visit lansingcee. org or contact Sue and Wayne Fransted at 810.588.4181 or info@lansingcee.org.

April 19, 1 p.m.-3 p.m., St. Martha School, 1100 W. Grand River Ave. in Okemos will have an Open House where prospective families can learn about the school. For information, call 517.349.3322.

April 22, 6 p.m., St. Michael Parish School in Grand Ledge will hold a Middle School Information Night. To register, call St. Michael Parish School at 517.627.2167.

April 25, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, 506 N. Union St. in Tecumseh will have a Mom2Mom Sale in the parish center, which includes gently used clothing (babies to teens), books, toys, furniture and also a bake sale. For information, contact Nance Schlanderer at 517.423.6003.

April 25, 9 a.m.-noon, St. Michael Parish in

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FAITH Magazine • April 2015 • www.FAITHpub.com

CATHOLIC CHARITIES St. Vincent Catholic Charities in Lansing, stvcc.org or 517.323.4734 April 1–30, St. Vincent Catholic Charities’ “Spring into Giving Donation Drive” is collecting household items such as pots and pans, towels and twin sheets for those it serves. Please drop off all donations at 2800 W. Willow St. in Lansing. Contact Dr. Thomas Woods at woodst@stvcc.org or 517.323.4734, ext.1203 for details about how your office or business can get involved in the collection efforts.

Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County, 734.971.9781 or csswashtenaw.org Interested in becoming a foster parent? CSSW offers foster care for children who have been separated from their birth families for reasons of abuse and/or neglect. CSSW licenses foster families to provide a safe, loving, temporary home until the child is able to be reunified with her/his birth family. Foster care orientations are held the second and fourth Thursday of each month. This month: April 9, 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. and April 23, 9 a.m.-noon at 4925 Packard Rd., Ann Arbor. For information or to RSVP, please call 734.971.9781, ext. 448. There are no fees associated with becoming a licensed foster parent.

WE C.A.R.E. marriage preparation program will he held April 17-18, May 1-2 and May 15-16. Please call 734.971.9781, ext. 421 or visit csswashtenaw.org for registration information.

Catholic Charities of Shiawassee and Genesee Counties, ccsgc.org or 810.232.9950 Flint and 989.723.8239 Owosso April 15, 3 p.m., Catholic Charities will honor hundreds of dedicated volunteers at its annual Awards Banquet in the Center for Grand Ledge is hosting its fourth annual Scrap Metal Collection in the church parking lot. Members of its Earth Care team will be there to take donations. Start saving your scrap metal now.

April 25, 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m., Steak and Song at St. Thomas Aquinas School’s gym in East Lansing. Enjoy a steak dinner and entertainment. Tickets are $12 in advance for adults and $15 at the door. Children’s tickets are $7. To make reservations, call the parish at 517.351.7215.

Hope’s gym, 517 E. Fifth Ave., Flint. Volunteers who wish to attend should RSVP to its North End Soup Kitchen, 810.785.6911.

April 24-25, WE C.A.R.E. marriage preparation classes will be held at St. John the Evangelist in Davison. Registration is $75. Call 810.232.9950 for more information.

All are welcome to join Catholic Charities in prayer the third Thursday of each month at 8:45 a.m. to celebrate Mass in the chapel of St. Michael Church, 609 E. Fifth Ave. in Flint.

Catholic Charities of Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale Counties, 517.782.2551 or catholiccharitiesjlhc.org Volunteer opportunities for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) — especially drivers for the RSVP Transportation Program and to run and organize the Personal Needs and Linen Closet. If interested, call 517.782.2551.

Interested in becoming a foster parent? Orientation classes will be held the first and third Monday of every month from 6 p.m. to 8:30 pm. Upcoming dates are: April 6, April 20, May 4 and May 18. For information or to RSVP, call Amanda at 517.263.9460, ext. 143.

Livingston County Catholic Charities, 517.545.5944 or livingstoncatholiccharities.org Caregiver Support Group meets on the third Wednesday of every month from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Be Our Guest Adult Day Service, 220 E. Grand River, Ste. 103 in Howell. Respite service is available, please pre-register if care is needed by calling 517.546.9910.

Two WE C.A.R.E. marriage preparation classes will be held: May 9, 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. and May 9, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at St. Patrick Parish in the Adult Faith Formation Center, Rm. A, 711 Rickett Rd., Brighton; and June 20, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at Livingston County Catholic Charities, 2020 E. Grand River, Ste. 104, Howell. Cost is $75. Pre-registration with payment is required.

Limited class size. Register early by calling 517.545.5944.

June 1 and for the next seven weeks, Catholic Community of St. Jude’s grief support group will begin a new session “The Journey from Grief to Hope,” and will meet in the Community Center. Pre-registration is required by calling 517.669.8335, ext. 18 or at the parish website stjudedewitt.com. Call for more information.

April 25, Coffee at 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., St. Michael Parish, Grand Ledge, Women’s Breakfast, in Fellowship Hall. Guest speaker is Chris Maniaci and the theme is “Nurturing Your Garden.” All are welcome to attend.

June 13-14, Engaged Encounter Weekend, an in-depth, private, personal, marriage preparation experience within the context of the Catholic faith and values, will be held at St. Francis Retreat Center in DeWitt. Cost: $235 per couple, which includes meals, supplies and overnight stay. Registration will close on, and payment must be received no later than, May 29. To register, visit www. lansingcee.org.

April 29, St. Michael Parish School in Grand Ledge will hold a Kindergarten Preview Day. To register, call St. Michael Parish School at 517.627.2167.

i.d. 916 is a community for Lansing-area young adults in their 20s and 30s in any vocation who are seeking to become intentional disciples of Jesus Christ. This is done through

monthly talks, small groups and more that are focused around four pillars: conversion, communion, orthodoxy and mission. For more information about our events or if you’d like to join, visit facebook.com/groups/id916Lansing/ or id916lansing@gmail.com.

C E L E B R AT I N G 2 0 Y E A R S

1993 – 2013

FIND A CATHOLIC CHURCH ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD

Pilgrimage – Nov. 8-17, join Father Mark Rutherford and John and Marjorie Jeter on a 10-day Catholic Family Pilgrimage to Italy. Pilgrimage includes roundtrip airfare from Detroit to Rome, daily Mass and professional Catholic European tour escorts. Some of the daily sightseeing includes Assisi, the National Shrine of St. Maria Goretti in Nettuno, the eucharistic miracle of Orvieto and the Sunday noon Angelus with Pope Francis. Space is limited. Call Corporate Travel Service at 313.565.8888, ext. 121 or 150, or visit www.pilgrimagesbycts.com for reservations and information.

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pope watch

Focusing on families, Ukraine and 20 new cardinals

Pope Francis greets Pope emeritus Benedict XVI during a Mass to create 20 new cardinals on Feb. 14.

Reuters

On families

Reuters

What POPE FRANCIS has been saying and doing recently

Reuters

Speaking to more than 9,000 people gathered in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis focused on the family. He talked about the importance of brothers and sisters, and how a special bond is formed within the family unit. In the family, Pope Francis said, siblings learn “the human coexistence that one must live out in society.”

In the same way that family members help each other, he said, Christians care for the weak and the poor “because the words and example of the Lord tell us that we are brothers and sisters.”

Pope Francis puts the biretta on newly elevated Cardinal Francis Xavier Kriengsak Kovitvanit during a Mass to create 20 new cardinals at a ceremony in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican.

On Ukraine

With the new cardinals

Pope Francis urged Ukrainian Catholic bishops to be united and work together to be a clear moral voice for peace in their war-torn country. He urged Latin- and Eastern-rite bishops not to become politicized, but instead said, “there are socialcultural situations and human tragedies that are waiting for your direct and positive contribution.” He went on to say: “In these circumstances, what is important is to listen carefully to the voices that come from the places where the people who are entrusted to your pastoral care live.”

During his homily at Mass with the 20 new cardinals, Pope Francis urged them to reach out to those who may be on the margins of the Church and the periphery of society. Going out in search of the lost, he said, “does not mean underestimating the dangers of letting wolves into the fold,” but it does mean “rolling up our sleeves and not standing by and watching passively the suffering of the world.” “The way of the Church is not to condemn anyone for eternity,” he said, but “to pour out the balm of God’s mercy on all those who ask for it with a sincere heart.”

“DO YOU REALIZE HOW MUCH YOU ARE WORTH IN THE EYES OF GOD?” – Message to youth on Feb. 17 for local celebrations of World Youth Day.

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FAITH Magazine • April 2015 • www.FAITHpub.com

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DEVELOP A ‘DRIP’ MENTALITY St. Isidore of Seville Feast Day: April 4

St. Isidore of Seville (560-636) is the Doctor of Education. He is known as the schoolmaster of the Middle Ages. He was the archbishop of Seville for more than 30 years, and is honored by Spain as a preserver of the Catholic faith.

However, none of these accomplishments was necessarily foreseeable when Isidore was young. His older brother, Leander, had charge of Isidore’s education, and Isidore could never please him.

He was sitting near a rock one day when he noticed water dripping onto it. The drops carried no force and did not seem to affect the stone at all. However, upon closer examination, Isidore realized that the drops had, in fact worn holes into the rock over time.

He resolved right then and there to keep working at his studies, with the confidence that his many small efforts would someday pay off in learning. It obviously did, as Isidore eventually became known as the greatest teacher in Spain.

Along the path to holiness, we too can experience challenges and obstacles. When we suffer a setback spiritually, the temptation to quit can be very strong. Then there is the desire to do something great – something big. When being famous or well-known seemingly carries such value, it can be hard to perform the small, anonymous acts of holiness upon which the essential virtue of humility is constructed.

To combat such dominant cultural forces, we would do well to develop a “drip” mentality – patiently showing up, persevering and doing the “work,” trusting that the Holy Spirit will ceaselessly “drip” onto our hearts of stone and transform them, slowly, quietly and without notice, into hearts of holiness.

TO HARBOR THE HARBORLESS

W

e have all seen TV and newspaper images of people who have no homes and are living in makeshift shelters on the streets or in public parks. Who cares for them? Where can they find decent places to live, even if temporarily? Pope Francis would remind us that they should receive our love and care. One thinks of the dreadful things that are happening to the refugees and victims of terrorists in the Middle East.

T. Gennara

see them in your church. No one is At Christmas, we hear over and over talking with them. You can sense they again the story of Joseph and Mary feel somewhat lost. They’re just there, finding no room in Bethlehem’s inn “checking things out.” and giving birth to Jesus in an animal The temptashelter, laying tion is to do him in an animal nothing. We can, feeding trough. however, give Shortly after Jesus’ them a friendly birth, they had to greeting. We can flee into Egypt, make them feel where they lived welcomed, let as aliens for three last word them know we are years.

Father Charles Irvin is the founding interested in them There are others editor of FAITH Magazine and is retired. and that there is who are spirituroom for them in ally homeless and have no safe harbor, no spiritual this inn, your parish family’s home. We shelters to protect them in the midst should be motivated by the words and of this world’s moral chaos and spiriactions of Pope Francis, who recently tual storms. On occasion, you might opened the Vatican to the homeless for

free haircuts, shampoos and personal care. Put on the attitude of Pope Francis. Make your heart like Christ’s.

It was once popular, and hopefully it still is, to ask: “What would Jesus do?”

Well, we know what he did when he was on this earth: He went to those who were the “outsiders,” those who were living on the margins of his religious world and welcomed them into his heart. Like the outcast woman who was being stoned for her sins, Jesus gave her shelter. Like the woman at the well, Jesus gave her a “home” in his heart.

Shouldn’t we be doing the same?

As for those who actually have no home, you might consider helping out with Habitat for Humanity. Perhaps there is a chapter where you live. Perhaps your parish can start a chapter and actually build a home for a homeless family. Perhaps your parish can “team up” with other local Christian churches and civic organizations to start a Habitat for Humanity chapter.

There is nothing quite as sad as having no house to live in, no home to share with family and loved ones.

Blessed are those who care for the homeless, for they are serving as Christ’s hands in the world.

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