April 2019

PARENTING

Help your children be ‘sibling strong’ THEOLOGY 101

Encountering Jesus in Confirmation SPECIAL REPORT

The Protection of Minors in the Church

BONUS SPANISH CONTENT

BRINGING JESUS TO JAIL FOR 27 YEARS

DALE LA VUELTA PARA

ESPAÑOL

Carol Ann says ‘God isn’t finished with me yet’

FROM THE BISHOP

BISHOP EARL BOYEA

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

Carlson Productions

MINISTERING TO OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS

ALLOW ME TO WRITE BRIEFLY about two important parts of my ministry as your bishop: visiting those in prison and also visiting our migrant workers, two topics developed at length in this issue of FAITH magazine. It is my hope that this may motivate some of you to engage in these corporal/spiritual works of mercy.

We have, as you know, many county jails. Local priests, deacons and laity visit them regularly. We have found that some county sheriffs are more accommodating than others, but those who visit and take holy Communion to the prisoners report great spiritual satisfaction. We also have one federal penitentiary in our diocese, at Milan. My yearly Mass and visit there is a great grace for me. The men there are so appreciative that it is really very humbling. Again, local clergy and laity cover the regular Masses and visits the rest of the year. I particularly enjoy the occasional confirmation here and at the other prisons.

We also have several state penitentiaries, many located near Jackson and Adrian. Again I try to get to each of these once a year. We have one women’s prison located near Ann Arbor, which I visited for the first time last year. I had thought that the women there were being visited by a bishop from Detroit, since most of the lay involvement comes from the Archdiocese of Detroit. Finding out that has not been the case, I felt deep remorse, especially when one lady told me she had been there more than 30 years and had not seen a bishop. Mea culpa!

Another beautiful part of the ministry of this diocese is our service to the many migrant workers who serve on the many large farms especially in Livingston, Lenawee and Clinton counties. My Spanish is quite poor, which makes the work done by so many volunteers quite impressive to me; they do not let language be a barrier. I try to imitate them.

Deacon Ray Pizana and his wife, Grace, have been involved in this ministry for many years. Their loving work was recognized by the Holy Father back in 2012 when they both received the Benemerenti Medal from Rome. Of course, they do not make this generous gift of themselves for a medal but out of love.

Their lives, and the lives of so many migrants and prisoners, call out to all of us to share ourselves with those whom Jesus calls his brothers and sisters. God give us the grace to respond generously.

3

FROM THE EDITOR

Allow yourself to

BE TRANSFORMED S

OME YEARS AGO, I shared with you the story of the service project that was part of my preparation for the sacrament of confirmation. It involved serving as a vol-

unteer at Saginaw Community Hospital, which was, at that time, the place where many of the indigent elderly of Saginaw County found dignified housing and healthcare. What began as a one-summer commitment as a volunteer turned into three years of service.

During those years I met some wonderful and fascinating people whose stories and life experiences remain with me to this day.

T.Gennera

When I first volunteered, I was met by Adele Mount, the hospital's director of volunteers. Over the course of several days, she trained the group of volunteers of which I was a part, and helped us to become familiar with the hospital, its residents and patients, and the basic roles and responsibilities of hospital volunteers. She then accompanied each of us FATHER as we made our first visits. One of the greatest lessons she taught me DWIGHT EZOP was that sometimes the best work a volunteer does happens when they is the editor of just show up to visit a patient. Mrs. Mount, as we volunteers referred to FAITH Magazine her, made us mindful that many of the hospital's residents had few, if any, and pastor of surviving family, and because of this they received few regular visitors.

St. Mary Parish, This was the role that we volunteers were to fulfill. In most cases, she Charlotte and shared, all we had to do to make a visit a success was to sit with a resiSt. Ann Church, dent, introduce ourselves and ask them simple questions such as where Bellevue they were from or where they grew up. In most cases, that was enough Email: editor@ to start a conversation that could go on for some time. It was through FAITHpub.com. such conversations that I grew to know a number of residents and their stories. As I look back upon those experiences, I do so with gratitude and see how in many ways they have shaped my priestly ministry. I am also grateful to Mrs. Mount for the lessons she taught and the witness of her steadfast dedication to serving the hospital's residents.

During one of my final visits, as I prepared for my high school graduation, I stopped to thank Mrs. Mount for the help, guidance and inspiration she provided during my time as a volunteer. In our conversation, I shared how important she was to the hospital's residents, staff and volunteers. In turn, Mrs. Mount let me know why she was so committed to her work at the hospital. She shared that at one time she had been one of the hospital's patients, having been in the physical rehabilitation unit for a long period of time as she recovered from a health crisis. Visits by hospital volunteers had been a very uplifting and important part of her stay. With her health restored, she had the opportunity to make sure that others would benefit from the visits and work of the volunteers she would help to train and coordinate.

I often reflect on the lessons which Mrs. Mount taught me and so many other volunteers.

Perhaps the most important of those was the lesson of her own life and dedication. She chose to learn from a challenging time in her own life, and allowed that experience to transform her and deepen her commitment and resolve to serve others. Mrs. Mount was a woman of deep faith in God. Her faith gave her strength and trust to allow her life to be transformed. In turn, she helped to support and transform the lives of so many people during her years of service.

As we make our way to Easter, let us pray that God's goodness and grace will continue to transform each of us, allowing us to minister to and to care for one another through the new life that each of us finds in our celebration of the Resurrection. And so our journey in FAITH continues.

4

FAITH Magazine | APRIL 2019 | WWW.FAITHMAG.COM

YE A R OF

PR AY E R Forming Missionary Disciples ST. IGNATIUS LOYOLA’S DAILY EXAMEN St. Ignatius Loyola’s Daily Examen is a powerful tool to help you prayerfully review your day.

Take 15 minutes each evening this Lent to see God in the everyday.

1. P lace yourself in God’s presence. Look back on the events of the day. Ask the Holy Spirit for clarity and understanding.

2.

Pray for the grace to understand how God is acting in your life. Walk through your day in the presence of God and give thanks for his gifts in your life.

3.

Review your day and pay attention to specific moments.

Did your actions bring you closer to God or move you farther away? Ask yourself when you were aware of God’s presence, and whether you considered your options and freely followed God’s will in specific situations.

4.

Ask for forgiveness and healing. Express sorrow for those times when you failed to follow God’s will, and ask for his help for the next time.

5. L ook toward tomorrow.

Ask for God’s grace for tomorrow’s challenges. Seek God’s guidance. Ask for help and understanding.

INSIDE APRIL

The Magazine of the Catholic Diocese of Lansing APRIL 2019 VOLUME 19: ISSUE 3

www.FAITHpub.com Most Rev. Earl Boyea PUBLISHER

Rev. Dwight Ezop

PARENTING

Help your children be ‘sibling strong’

BONUS SPANISH CONTENT

THEOLOGY 101

Encountering Jesus in Confirmation SPECIAL REPORT

The Protection of Minors in the Church

BRINGING JESUS TO JAIL FOR 27 YEARS

DALE LA VUELTA PARA

ESPAÑOL

Carol Ann says ‘God isn’t finished with me yet’

FIND US ONLINE AT FAITHMAG.COM

EDITOR AND CHAIRMAN

CONNECTING PEOPLE WITH JESUS AND HIS CHURCH WWW.FAITHCATHOLIC.COM

COVER STORY BRINGING JESUS TO JAIL FOR 27 YEARS – CAROL ANN SAYS ‘GOD ISN’T FINISHED WITH ME YET’ P. 14

Patrick M. O’Brien PRESIDENT/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Elizabeth Martin Solsburg VICE PRESIDENT/EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Kayla Simon CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Ann Jacob MANAGING EDITOR

Cynthia Vandecar DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION AND CUSTOMER SERVICE

Marybeth Hicks MARKETING DIRECTOR

Patrick Dally

FOLLOW FAITHMAG SHARE YOUR FAITH WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND FOLLOWERS

YOUR LIFE

6 marriage matters

She says: “Matt never says ‘Thank you.’” He says: “Sarah knows I appreciate her” What do they do?

10 in the know with Father Joe Why do Catholics oppose abortion?

Encountering Jesus in Confirmation

8 grow

Love is the essence of the ‘Parenting Journey’

Most Rev. Carl F. Mengeling FOUNDING PUBLISHER

Confirmation retreats sow the seeds of faith and discipleship

Rev. Charles Irvin FOUNDING EDITOR For advertising information, contact Tom Gaskin Call 517.853.7648 or email tgaskin@faithcatholic.com For subscription information: Call 1.866.76.FAITH

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P. 18

Carlson Productions | Rey Del Rio | Shane Folkertsma | Mike Frieseman | Tom Gennara | Sarah Moore Kuschell | James Luning | Don Quillan

18 DSA

Practice the virtue of humility

9 go

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

I don’t like how my employee does his job

P. 10

DIRECTOR OF TECH AND DIGITAL MEDIA

Jillane Job

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

YOUR STORIES

work life

YOUR FAITH

Mike Jones

Jim Berlucchi | Doug Culp | Mary Gates | Rev. Joseph Krupp | Sue Parker | Steve and Bridget Patton | Rose Robertson | Nancy Rosebush Schertzing| Sheri Wohlfert

12 theology 101

7 parenting Help your children be ‘sibling strong’

ART DIRECTOR

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 FAITHpub.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. ©2017 FAITH Catholic. FAITH is a trademark of FAITH Catholic.

P. 20

5

YOUR LIFE

MARRIAGE MATTERS

Perhaps Matt actually has been attempting to commuWHAT DO nicate gratitude to Sarah in THEY DO? his particular way, but she’s not perceiving it – that is, not in her own particular way. If so, some re-learning could help.

SHE SAYS:

HE SAYS:

Sarah knows I appreciate her

Matt never shows any gratitude.

I don’t think he appreciates me – in fact I feel taken for granted.

I just don't remember to say thank you for everyday things. Sarah knows I appreciate her – why do I need to say it every time?

GETTY IMAGES/STOCKNROLL

Matt never says “Thank you.”

6

FAITH Magazine | APRIL 2019 | WWW.FAITHMAG.COM

In his best-seller, The Five Love Languages, Dr. Gary Chapman explains that marriages sometimes go haywire if the two have different “languages” for expressing and receiving love. Say, for instance, that Spouse A’s primary language is Acts of Service, while Spouse B’s is Words of Affirmation. Imagine the scene of mutual frustration of Spouse A complaining that he is indeed showing love and gratitude by remodeling the bathroom, even as Spouse B complains that her husband won’t ever verbally communicate his love and gratefulness for her.

The solution is for each to learn to the language of the other so that both can 1) better hear what the other is trying to say, and 2) better speak to the other – that is, in a language that he or she will understand.

STEVE AND Matt, it’s clear that, despite BRIDGET PATTON your best efforts, Sarah is just not hold master’s feeling appreciated. But the good degrees in news is that she’s provided you theology and with her blueprint. So, just get in counseling and the habit of saying thanks to her serve as family daily for simple things. Even if it life ministers for feels unnatural or dumb to you the Diocese of to thank her for making dinner or Sacramento. taking out the trash, it would be sweet music to her ears.

By the way, expressing gratitude on a regular basis is a good thing for any marriage. Pope Francis emphasizes the importance of three basic words in marriage and family life: please, thank you, and sorry: “Let us not be stingy about using these words, but keep repeating them, day after day … The right words, spoken at the right time, daily protect and nurture love.” (Amoris Laetitia 133) Finally, Sarah, it’s great that you’ve helped Matt understand your language of love, but be open to hearing the ways that he really has been attempting, in his own way, to communicate love and gratitude to you. Why not get Chapman’s book and read it together? Spoiler alert: the other three languages he identifies are Receiving Gifts, Quality Time and Physical Touch.

PARENTING

WORK LIFE

I don’t like HOW my employee does his job It all depends on WHAT is the HOW that GETTY IMAGES/WEEKEND IMAGES INC

the other WHO (namely you) doesn't like.

OK, I’m also confused by that sentence.

I couldn't help it. I just read Horton Hears a Who! to my grandson …

Just “not liking” how someone does his job sounds very flimsy. Does his talking too fast, tapping his fingers on his desk or wearing a tie-dye shirt annoy you?

These are examples of aggravating, but petty and irrelevant concerns.

On the other hand, if he’s undermining or violating company values, that’s a different story. Do you not like his discourtesy toward customers and co-workers, his regularly showing up late, his open disrespect for protocols or authority?

These are examples of HOWs that merit your dislike, and should be corrected.

Many supervisors have told me that they manage by getting out of the way.

They recognize the value of giving leeway to the many and varied ways that people work. Makes sense. People are, indeed, many and varied. So why force them into cookie-cutter behaviors when we can affirm expressions of their unique dignity?

I tend to agree with that approach.

People operate best when they have the freedom to do their work in a manner that’s most natural to them. And that’s good, unless what’s “natural” is objectively objectionable – disrespect, gossip, outbursts of anger, etc.

It only remotely relates, but I’m reminded of Joshua. He didn't like how two men were prophesying in the Israelite camp.

He pleaded with Moses to forbid them.

Moses refused: “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all of God’s people were prophets.” (Nm 11:29) We might translate: “Would that all of those employed do their job.” That's a nice problem.

Help your children be ‘sibling strong’ Some of the greatest lessons I learned in life I credit to my brothers. Often our siblings are the ones who teach us how to negotiate, cooperate and communicate. They help us learn to find our way, hold our ground and be each other’s keeper. Great sibling relationships need to be nurtured, and teaching siblings about love, loyalty and lifelong friendship is important work. Here are a few ideas for helping your children be “sibling strong.”

TEACH THEM TO BE KIND. Sure, siblings are going to give each other a hard time once in a while, but they should be the first to mention each other’s successes and achievements. Writing down a kind word or compliment is the perfect way to lift each other up and share a little sibling love.

Writing kind affirmations is sometimes easier and more timely than waiting until you have the chance to sit down and talk.

SHERI WOHLFERT

is a Catholic school teacher, speaker, writer and founder of Joyful Words Ministries. Sheri blogs at www. joyfulwords.org

MAKE TIME TO LAUGH AND PLAY. Send them outside to play ball, play board games, play cards, put on a show – whatever your kids enjoy. Make sure you create time for them to be together so they can laugh, play, learn how to compete with sportsmanship and learn to compromise in the face of conflict. Encourage them to create games or activities they can all enjoy. Be sure to let this time together be sibling directed and created.

HAVE THEM WORK AND SERVE TOGETHER. Along with individual chores, it’s important to have tasks that require teamwork. Folding laundry or cleaning up the kitchen together after dinner provides the perfect environment to practice cooperation and sharing.

Playing and working together gives siblings an opportunity to discover each other’s strengths, weaknesses, likes and dislikes. Stand back and let them find their way as they learn how to compromise and delegate. More than a few meaningful and memorable conversations came about as I stood at the kitchen sink doing dishes with my brothers.

T. GENNARA

JIM BERLUCCHI

Parents aren’t the only ones responsible for nurturing and helping children grow into great humans and strong disciples; siblings play an important role in that work, too, so be sure to teach them how.

is the executive director of the Spitzer Center for Visionary Leadership.

7

YOUR FAITH

Practice the virtue of

GROW

as a disciple of Jesus

“Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”

(Jn 8:7)

M

Y MOM HAD A WAY OF CUTTING TO THE CHASE In a dozen words or less. Her goal was to help us get to heaven, so she always said there was no time for mess-

ing around. One day, I came home so excited that I had been given a solo part for an upcoming concert. Her response still sticks in my mind like a label on a jar! She smiled, told me she was proud of me and kissed my forehead. A millisecond later she said, “Now, don’t let it go to your head! Pridefulness isn’t pretty on anybody!” That was her style: love hard and speak the truth.

Humility is not a sign of weakness or passiveness – it’s the opposite.

True humility allows us to see and act like Jesus.”

8

This passage from John’s Gospel challenges us to check our focus, as Jesus cast a beacon on humility. True humility calls us to look inward instead of out. It challenges us to focus on our own sinfulness and relationship with the Father.

Competition and comparison can be the norm, but those are not the things that will win us the rewards of heaven. St. Augustine said, “It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels.”

If sainthood is our mission, then humility seems to be one of the tools of the trade. Humility is not a sign of weakness or passiveness – it’s the opposite. True humility allows us to see and act like Jesus.

Remember Jesus' words in Luke

FAITH Magazine | APRIL 2019 | WWW.FAITHMAG.COM

14: "For every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted." Here are some ideas for helping us grow in humility.

•T alk about yourself as little as possible. If we believe God truly knows us and the desires of our heart and our focus is to please him, rather than those here on earth, this makes perfect sense.

• Choose the more difficult or less appealing jobs. There is great humility in doing the task nobody else wants to do.

• Don’t worry about other people’s business, don’t talk about other people’s business and don’t even be curious about things that don’t concern you.

•R ecognize your talents, gifts and graces, then promptly thank God for them and move along.

We should use them well, but the ambition to be the best or be recognized is not going to build our humility.

Humility keeps us grounded, balanced and rooted in the Lord.

It also helps us “look up,” instead of being tempted to “pick up” stones we have no business throwing.

PRAY: Spend some time prayerfully considering where you might need to grow in humility. Pray about gossip, pride, comparison and competition, asking the Father to help you identify any area you can change or surrender. If you’re really up for a challenge, begin to pray the Litany of Humility.

STUDY: Scripture is full of wisdom and direction on humility.

Look up one of the words above that might be tugging at your heart, and find some encouragement in God’s word.

ENGAGE: Choose one of the suggestions above and put it into practice. Maybe you could volunteer for a task at your parish that is more difficult or undesirable, such as the clean-up crew, as a way to practice humble service.

SERVE: The greatest way to shift the focus from ourselves is to shift it to others. Start a conversation with someone with the purpose of genuinely listening, or generously offer one of your gifts or talents to build someone up.

BY SHERI WOHLFERT

GO

evangelize

Love is the essence of the

‘PARENTING JOURNEY’ F

OR THE PAST 19 YEARS, Dr. Cathleen McGreal has been on a journey, and she’s taken the readers of

FAITH magazine along for the ride. Author of the “Parenting Journey” column since February 2000, Cathleen has offered her expertise, pulling from her role as a professor at Hope College and Michigan State. She’s shared anecdotes and personal family stories with readers, who appreciate her knowledge and frankness while enjoying the gift of her writing.

“I have a lot of empathy toward people. When I read these scenarios of people’s lives, I can imagine it. The column is a perfect fit with my Ph.D. in psychology and my roles as wife, mom and certified spiritual director – it all comes together.”

As the “Parenting Journey” is coming to an end, with Cathleen’s new and cherished role as a grandmother to twin boys Joey and Liam, she’s thinking back over the years of columns that reflect readers’ questions and stories, signs of the times and Cathleen’s own family life.

“I always tried to connect with readers’ everyday life and culture.

My first column (titled “I Love You with All My Heart”) included a baseball metaphor – everyone wants to be the pitcher, but you need the catcher, too.

When you’re listening to someone, which is a necessary part of love, you need to be both.

It’s a lesson in love.

With each column, I identified a direct action suggestion – sometimes Scripture, the

Cathleen McGreal, shown here with her grandsons Joey and Liam, is retiring from writing the “Parenting Journey” column for FAITH.

BY MARY GATES

catechism or a liturgical reference. And I wanted my advice to be research-based, so people knew this wasn’t just my opinion.

Ultimately, my aim was that the reader was getting something reliable and scholarly – and always with a direct link to our faith.”

Cathleen’s writing melded her expertise with her personal witness. “It’s been important to me to share significant experiences that I’ve had, because that helps others, too.

One assignment I had was to address and help comfort grieving children, and the editors didn’t know that I was a kindergartener when my dad died. The other assignment they gave me that was particularly familiar was the topic of the loss of a baby: We lost our first baby and, at the time, the doctor told me he didn’t know if we would ever have biological children. We had four children, but it changed my perspective and helped me connect with compassion. We all have different experiences and the more I share mine and give of myself, the better I am at ministry. I wanted to catch people where they are. I think that’s a healing part of ministry.”

Cathleen’s face lights up when speaking about her own journey of parenting to her and her husband’s four children.

“They are all throughout the columns. As kids, they had mixed feelings because their friends or people would mention it, but I was careful not to cross a boundary.”

Ultimately, Cathleen’s witness has been one of love of God, family and others. “I tried to make the columns based on love because that’s the essence of parenting and the parenting journey.

Parents and kids are on the same team. We want joy for your future and want you to follow the path that God has for you because that’s what brings greater joy.”

As she reflects with gratitude, Cathleen looks forward with great anticipation to what is to come. “I’m on a different journey now. It’s a good time to move on from the parenting column because I am starting this grandparenting journey, and it’s even better than I could have imagined. It’s nice to see my daughter and son-in-law doing so well with their boys. It’s truly the continuity of love and family. One of my favorite quotes is from St. John of the Cross, who said, “in the evening of life, we will be judged on love alone.’ I find that very powerful and try to write and live that truth. It’s all about love.”

PHOTOGRAPHY BY EMILY JAYNE PHOTOGRAPHY

9

YOUR FAITH IN THE KNOW WITH FATHER JOE

to him through the sacrament of reconciliation and receive the mercy that he is literally dying to give you.

You belong to God and nothing can change that: let him heal you.

Why do Catholics oppose abortion?

The Catholic Church has, from its beginning, equated abortion to nothing less than the taking of an innocent human life. We’ll start with the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCKPHOTO

2270 Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person – among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life.

2271 Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion.

This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable.

Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law.

Dear Father Joe:

Why do Catholics oppose abortion?

E

ACH TIME OUR CULTURE ATTEMPTS to normalize an evil, we, as Catholics, need to take the time to see why something T. Gennara

is good or bad, right or wrong, moral or immoral. This way, our response to the questions that arise are, in the words of Scripture, FATHER JOE KRUPP

“strong, loving and wise.”

Before we get into it, I want to be sure and let you know that, if you are reading this and have participated in an abortion in any way, God loves you. I pray that right now, as you read this, you sense the love our God has for you and his hunger to heal you of this 10

Don’t be distracted!

wound. It is exceedingly rare that anyone does an evil for evil’s sake: sometimes, we feel desperate, sometimes, we decide without thinking. All of us have sinned and fallen short, but no one reading this is beyond the reach of our Father’s mercy: have hope! Come

FAITH Magazine | APRIL 2019 | WWW.FAITHMAG.COM

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

I have discussed this issue extensively with people and often, others will ask questions about abortion that take us from the core issue. Ultimately, there is only one question that matters in this discussion: Are we talking about a human life?

If the being in the womb is a human, then this is not primarily an issue about bodily autonomy.

If the being in the womb is a human, then we are not talking only about the mother’s rights.

If the being in the womb is a human, then no law can give a person a right to take that life.

It’s that simple, morally speaking.

To me, we have to ask three questions: 1. If that which is in the womb is not human, what is it?

2. When does it become human?

3. Who makes that determination?

The way our laws work right now, it is quite literally true that the being in the womb is only human if a more powerful human determines it to be so. Folks, that is an exceedingly dangerous position to take. As Christians, we recognize that giving another human the power to confer or revoke personhood always has dreadful and long-lasting consequences for the individual and for society.

What about the death penalty and immigration?

What about all the other issues we face?

Those issues, and many, many

From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person – among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life.”

others, are important, too. This is why I embrace the battle cry that we must be more than antiabortion, we must be pro-life.

With that, let’s be clear: There is no moral equivalent in American politics right now that matches up to abortion. For example, there were 25 executions in the U.S. last year. We average that many abortions every 11 minutes.

Again, if we are talking about a human, abortion is the taking of a human life. If we are not talking about a human, what is it?

What can we do?

First, and you will grow weary of me saying this, we must pray.

We must pray like mad for God to end this legalized horror in our country. We must pray that God hold back his judgment on us.

We must pray for the many lost who procure abortions because they simply don’t see better options or because they were

desperate or deceived. We must pray for them, that they seek and receive mercy from God and us.

Second, we must be pro-life.

You and I need to live in our human community as shining examples of people who respect all life. The way we talk, the way we act … all of it must shout that we believe each person we encounter is filled with the dignity of God. We are not called to be solely anti-abortion, but pro-life.

Third, we must be ready. In my lifetime at my parents’ house, they took in dozens and dozens of people who needed help. As a priest, I have been blessed to encounter many such people in every parish I’ve served, and I invite us to continue doing the same and step up our game!

God is calling, let’s answer with love and vigor.

Enjoy another day in God’s presence!

11

YOUR FAITH THEOLOGY 101

In the sacrament of baptism, a catechumen (a person of at least seven years of age who is asking for baptism) or a godparent (a person who actually speaks for an infant or small child asking for baptism) is asked during the celebration of the sacrament: “What do you ask of God’s Church?” The proper response to this question is simply: “Faith!”

This is a recognition that the faith required for baptism is not a perfect and mature faith. On the contrary, it is only a beginning of a life of faith that is then called to develop. As the catechism states, “for all the baptized, children or adults, faith must grow after Baptism.” (CCC#1254)

THE SACRAMENT OF GROWTH

TOM GENNARA

ENCOUNTERING JESUS IN

CONFIRMATION Pope Benedict XVI once said, “... the faith is not a theory, a philosophy, or idea; it is an encounter. An encounter with Jesus.”

All living things grow. For example, while the life of the plant is already present in the seed, it takes time for this life to develop and fully emerge: “first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.”

(Mk 4:28) Of course, the seed will also grow of its own accord, out of the sight and control of the farmer.

This is important to note since Jesus affirms that, “This is how it is with the kingdom of God.” (Mk 4:26) It should come as no surprise, then, that St. Thomas Aquinas taught that the effect of the sacrament of confirmation on the spiritual plane of life corresponds to this same law of growth we see in operation on the physical plane. Confirmation, through the infusion of the fullness of the life of the Holy Spirit, further energizes the seed of faith planted in baptism to grow into that fullness of communion with Christ for which we were made. And like the seed of a plant, this growth also takes place out of our sight and control.

It is this encounter with Jesus in the sacraments that is the focus of this year’s Theology 101.

DID YOU KNOW… In the first centuries of Christianity, confirmation and baptism were celebrated together. However, as infant baptisms became more common and numerous and the dioceses grew (both in size and number of parishes), the bishops were often unable to be present at every baptismal celebration.

In response, the Eastern Church kept the sacraments together, with the priest conferring confirma12

tion, a practice that emphasizes the unity of Christian initiation.

In contrast, the Western Church wanted to reserve the completion of baptism to the bishop, which led to the temporal separation of the two sacraments. The Western Church believed this practice “more clearly expresses the communion of the new Christian with the bishop” and connects the new Christian with the “apostolic origins of Christ’s Church.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1290, 1292)

FAITH Magazine | APRIL 2019 | WWW.FAITHMAG.COM

YET, ACTION IS REQUIRED While the physical seed of the plant and the spiritual seed of faith grow on their own, action is still required.

In the case of the former, the seed must be sown. This is an intentional act on the part of the farmer. Then, the farmer must nurture, protect and water the plant as it grows. For the latter, we must say “yes” to the sacrament of confirmation. We must choose to receive the gift of the fullness of the Holy Spirit into our lives so that the seed of faith planted in our baptism might mature. Then, we must nurture, protect and nourish the life of the Spirit as it grows within us.

ATTITUDES THAT DEVITALIZE While we cannot coerce the life of faith to grow, there are certainly attitudes that can negatively im-

TIMELINE: Major developments in the practice of confirmation 16: 12-13)

•J esus promises Paraclete (Jn 16: 7-16; Acts 1:5)

• Descent of Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4) •D isciples lay hands on new Christians, baptize with the Spirit (Acts 10:44-48, John 3; 2 Cor 3; Eph 1:13; Acts 8:17)

NEW TESTAMENT • Holy Spirit is present at Jesus’ baptism (Mt 3: 13-17; Jn 1:33-34)

as one of seven sacraments at Council of Lyons, 1274

3RD TO 6TH CENTURY •T he word “confirmation” is first used at the Council of Orange in 441; notes that chrism should be used only once 6TH TO 13TH CENTURY •C onfirmation named

15TH TO 17TH CENTURY • Council of Trent: confirmation defended as sacrament; defends use of chrism; affirms bishop as ordinary minister

• Vatican II places confirmation again in context of fullness of initiation, rather than ritualizing a rite of passage or maturity • Sacraments are a sign of God’s grace • Called for reform of rite

18TH TO 19TH CENTURY • 1897 Leo XIII: Confirmation before first Communion 20TH CENTURY • 1910 Pius X: Communion at age of reason, confirmation after

pact its ability to grow. For example, it has been said that confirmation is a sacrament in search of a theology. This attitude diminishes the significance of the sacrament, making it possible for some to question the necessity of the sacrament altogether.

For others, especially many of our young people, confirmation can come at a time when their interest in participating in the sacramental life of the Church is lukewarm, or even waning altogether. For these, reception of the sacrament is hardly a voluntary choice. For those who do Through this go through with receiving the sacrament, sacrament, confirmation can be we receive viewed as a graduation from faith an increase formation (and sometimes the Church), as spiritual adulthood has in that grace been reached. Both these attitudes we received short-circuit the life of faith for, as a at baptism wise priest used to say, “faith won’t that enables grow if you don’t want to know.”

Then, there are those who are us to live in on fire with the faith at the time holiness as a of their confirmation (we see this daughter or especially with those entering son of God.” the Church through the RCIA process). In their zealousness to grow in holiness and communion with Christ, they can sometimes attempt to hasten their development through some exertion of their own. This violation of the law of growth, of course, can lead to impatience, to anxiety over results, and possibly to the giving up of hope altogether that the seed that was infused

•C onnection to bishop, apostolic origins of Church (CCC 1292) • 1971 Pope Paul VI promulgates new rite of confirmation; writes apostolic constitution – Divinae Consortium Naturae

AN ‘AGE’-OLD QUESTION Sacramentally, an adult is someone who is 7 years old or older, as this is considered the age of reason. So when an adult fully enters the Church at the Easter Vigil celebrated by the bishop, they are baptized, if they haven’t already been baptized, confirmed and receive their first Eucharist (in that order) at the same Mass.

Now, as modern transportation has made travel easier for bishops, some dioceses have adopted the model of the Easter Vigil Mass for those baptized before reaching the age of reason. These dioceses celebrate confirmation and first Eucharist at the same Mass. In addition, they have “restored the order” of the sacraments of initiation by conferring confirmation before the reception of first Eucharist, as is done at the Easter Vigil.

with strength at confirmation will ever germinate.

How many times do we see those who enter into communion with the Church fall away again?

The crucial point is that the life of faith that is planted at baptism, strengthened at confirmation, restored to health in reconciliation, and nourished by the Eucharist is fragile. Its growth can be stunted and even destroyed by our indifference and mortal sin.

Christ instituted the sacrament of confirmation through his sending of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles at Pentecost. Through this sacrament, we receive an increase in that grace we received at baptism that enables us to live in holiness as a daughter or son of God. Like all the sacraments, confirmation is a gift to us by Christ out of love so that we may have life to the full.

S. OLSON

OLD TESTAMENT • Ritual anointing of king or prophet (1 Sm

DOUG CULP

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

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YOUR STORIES

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BRINGING JESUS Carol Ann says ‘God TO JAIL isn’t finished with me yet’ FOR 27 YEARS CAROL ANN WILKINSON DOESN’T LIKE BEING TOLD WHAT TO DO. Raised in Denver with two brothers, she is the model of a Western maverick leading the way. In the 1950s, when other co-eds were studying education or nursing, Carol Ann pursued anthropology ... then dropped out to travel through Europe pursuing her own cultural studies.

In the 1960s and ’70s, like other moms, she helped out at her kids’ school ... but Carol Ann invariably ended up leading the organizations where she volunteered.

BY NANCY ROSEBUSH SCHERTZING PHOTOGRAPHY BY JIM LUNING

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In the 1980s, when her children were launched into successful lives of their own, Carol Ann started looking for the next effort that needed her leadership. Given her record of blazing her own trail, it’s not surprising that God answered her at a silent retreat.

She remembers back to that time. “I remember standing in front of the mirror thinking, ‘There is no life in my eyes.’ Everything was alright in my life. Bill and I had a great marriage. We had raised our children in the faith at St. Thomas Aquinas in East Lansing. I attended Mass every Sunday and volunteered in different ways.

Still, I didn’t have a purpose.

“I realized I was letting my spiritual life retire, so I decided to go on a retreat. Even in school, I hated to be forced into learning what I didn’t want, so I chose 16

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a silent retreat at a Jesuit retreat house in Wisconsin. I didn’t know exactly what I was searching for, so shortly into my visit I began to pray, ‘Jesus, what do you want from me?’ The answer, ‘Surrender,’ came to me clearly. So I did.”

She laughs, “God’s call knocked me off my proverbial horse!

Throughout the retreat, our readings centered around captives and prisoners. One of our retreat director’s sermons was about ministering to people in prisons. I discovered after our time together that he had been involved in prison ministry for years.

“This was before prison ministry was a well-established thing, but I could see that God was clearly calling me to it! He answered my prayers and pointed me squarely toward service of our incarcerated brothers and sisters. This was before the Diocese of Lansing had fully established its Prison Ministry Program, so I set out to develop my own way to serve.

“I had never been in a prison or had a loved one incarcerated.

Since I didn’t know much about their lives, I depended very much on my prayer life to guide me. God led me to a parenting program called Love and Logic.

“It has a strong faith component and teaches sound life lessons beyond parenting. The Ingham County Jail agreed to let me come in as an independent volunteer to lead Love and Logic classes for the inmates. I bought the program, brought the books into the jail and began my ministry.

“As I worked with the men and women locked away from society, I could clearly see that anger management was as much a pressing issue as parenting. I searched again and found a great anger management program.

Eventually, I incorporated elements of meditation and skills-building as we went along.

“Domestic violence is a common thread in this population. I don’t know many of them who haven’t experienced some form of abuse. The whole gamut is right there before your eyes, and it’s easy to see where it ends.

“Yet all I ever see is their sweetness. I have 20 men on my list and 11 women who attend session every week. I don’t always realize it, but some of the things I say might be the first time they’ve ever heard it.

Phrases like ‘Take it to the cross’ or ‘God loves you’ can seem strange at first.

“We did a session on developing conscience, and I asked people to tell me their heroes. I heard Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., etc. But one man said, ‘When I was a kid, my hero was Al Capone.’ That exercise made him rethink the priorities he had grown up with.

“These people change as they work through these programs! I see them use Love and Logic on each other, and I feel their spirits enliven in the classroom.

They have a real opportunity to change their lives there, and many take advantage of it.

“Personal change is victory over sinfulness. It gives purpose to them and to me. I’ve always felt my mission – not my ministry, but my mission – is giving them hope. But how do you get to hope with all the chaos in their lives? I don’t know how the inmates were raised or what their standards were growing up. But sharing the Scripture and a spiritual life with them once a week has opened my eyes and helped me see just how extraordinary that relationship with God is. Seeing it spread as goodness, hope, gentleness and kindness just confirms that this is what God wants me to do.

“I love the inmates and they know it. They think of me as a favorite mom, aunt or grandma. That alone is healing for them. It is a great pleasure to share God and Jesus very personally with them through my ministry.

“This is where I came alive 27 INTERESTED IN PRISON MINISTRY? Contact: years ago! Through changes and Deacon Ken Preiss, director of challenges, I love being there for the Office of Permanent Deacons the people God sends to me. And of the Diocese of Lansing at I’m still going strong at 84, so kpreiss@dioceseoflansing.org or what does that tell me? God isn’t 517.342.2451 finished with me yet!”

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YOUR STORIES DSA

Confirmation retreats sow the seeds of faith and discipleship H

ER DECISION WAS RISKY. Ellen Ward, director of religious education at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Ann Arbor, wanted to change

the established eighth grade confirmation retreat from one day, at the parish, to a full weekend at St. Francis Retreat Center in DeWitt. Though it took some selling to convince reluctant parents, the change proved fruitful. “Everything went beautifully. They loved it. From then on, word of mouth made registration easy,” she says. Fifteen years later, no one questions the rationale, and participation has doubled.

St. Francis Retreat Center, purchased by the diocese in 1988 and heavily supported by the DSA, is home to Bethany House, a spiritual life center built specifically for youth. Ellen says, “When we take kids out of a world consumed with activities to Bethany House, we can give them space to let go of their responsibilities, relax a little and open themselves to the Holy Spirit. An overnight does that.”

Confirmation classes at St. Francis of Assisi include both Catholic School students and those who attend religious education. Being relative strangers, they are reluctant to mingle. The retreat format is prepared for this, and begins Friday evening with pizza and icebreakers, important functions to acquaint the youth and allow them to begin feeling comfortable with each other. The students also construct crosses, an activity initiated by Father David Rosenberg, director of the retreat center and a team leader for the retreats. The first evening concludes with adoration, where the newly made crosses are blessed and presented to the retreatants.

Saturday brings a full day of learning about the Holy Spirit and the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit through songs, skits, activities, reconciliation and Mass. Kids are randomly mixed together and Ellen says, “As they relax and mix, you can see them coming together as a group. We must be doing our job correctly because when we are on retreat, we can’t tell who is religious ed and who is Catholic school.”

The apex of the retreat is adoration on Saturday night, an intimate experience held by the fireplace in the gathering space at Bethany House. Ellen says, “Father David will expose the Eucharist, we’ll have song and individual prayer. This is where we find genuine openness, and where kids will share about having a real encounter with the Lord.”

Sunday morning includes follow-up on Saturday’s experiences, one last presentation, lunch and then 18

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2019

Diocesan Services Appeal

back on the bus to head for home, taking with them the seeds of faith, discipleship and new friendships sown on that powerful weekend.

This is not the end of their confirmation preparation, but only a midpoint. Ellen says: “We know retreats pump kids up and we want to harness that energy, so we moved our retreats away from the end of the process. Students begin weekly classes in January of their seventh-grade year, and are confirmed in the spring of their eighth-grade year. We hold our retreats in October and November of their eighthgrade year so they can pour the energy they come back with into their Church, their studies, service and other activities we have.”

The students are not the only ones affected by the retreat experience. While parent/sponsor chaperones do not directly participate in the retreat activities, they certainly see and reflect on what is happening. Ellen says: “I hear all the time how they are getting as much out of it as the kids. They have said how much the experience renewed their faith, or how they had their doubts, but a powerful experience of the Holy Spirit pulled them through. The time at the retreat seems to enliven their faith.”

The seeds of the retreat center experience continue to scatter. What an evangelical gift!

YOUR DSA DONATION SUPPORTS The DSA supports educational programs in the diocese that range from elementary through high school levels and college through young adult ministries. They include: •A nnual High School Youth Conference and Middle School Youth Rally.

• Adult faith formation • Ministry training for youth leaders at the annual Diocesan Youth Leadership Camp held each summer.

• Resources, education and

support for the formation of catechists and teachers.

• Support for Bethany House, the diocesan retreat center for youths.

• Ministry and educational support for directors of religious education and coordinators of youth ministry.

BY ROSE ROBERTSON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY TOM GENNARA

“When we take kids out of a world consumed with activities to Bethany House, we can give them space to let go of their responsibilities, relax a little and open themselves to the Holy Spirit. An overnight does that.�

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THE PROTECTION OF MINORS IN THE CHURCH I

N A SUMMIT THAT BEGAN with listening to the survivors of sexual abuse by clergy, the presidents of bishops’ conferences focused on three areas of concern

during their meeting in late February: Responsibility, Accountability and Transparency.

Three speakers presented commentary on one of the concerns each day. The bishops then gathered in small groups for discussion following each presentation.

The three days of presentations and discussion concluded with a penitential liturgy and a eucharistic concelebration with Pope Francis. At the end of Mass, Francis presented guidelines for moving forward for the bishops, concluding, “From today, the Church’s aim will thus be to hear, watch over, protect and care for abused, exploited and forgotten children, wherever they are.”

In a press briefing on the final day of the summit, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, who moderated the gathering, announced that Pope Francis will release a new set of laws and guidelines on the protection of children for the Vatican City State in the near future, and a handbook that “will help bishops around the world clearly 20

understand their duties and tasks” with regard to abuse.

EXCERPTS FROM POPE FRANCIS’ CLOSING REMARKS Pope Francis issued “a heartfelt appeal for an all-out battle against the abuse of minors both sexually and in other areas, on the part of all authorities and individuals, for we are dealing with abominable crimes that must be erased from the face of the earth.”

After citing statistics on sexual abuse of minors that he called “a universal problem, tragically present almost everywhere,” Pope Francis challenged the bishops to an honest and repentant assessment of the Church’s situation: “The brutality of this worldwide phenomenon becomes

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Pope Francis speaks at the Vatican during the last day of the four-day meeting on the global sexual abuse crisis.

all the more grave and scandalous in the Church, for it is utterly incompatible with her moral authority and ethical credibility.

“I would state clearly: if in the Church there should emerge even a single case of abuse – which already in itself represents an atrocity – that case will be faced with the utmost seriousness.”

EXCERPTS FROM CARDINAL DINARDO’S STATEMENT AT CLOSE OF MEETING

If in the Church there should emerge even a single case of abuse ... that case will be faced with the utmost seriousness.”

From Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, archbishop of Galveston-Houston and president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: “We owe survivors an unyielding vigilance that we may never fail them again.

“Achieving these goals will require the active involvement and collaboration of the laity.

The Church needs their prayers, expertise, and ideas. All of the models discussed this week rely upon the good help of God’s people.

BY SUE PARKER

VATICAN MEDIA/CNA

SPECIAL REPORT ON VATICAN SUMMIT:

“There is an urgency in the voice of the survivors to which we must always respond.”

GUIDELINES TO FIGHT ABUSE Building upon the World Health Organization’s “Seven Strategies for Ending Violence against Children,” Pope Francis identified eight areas to guide the Church in developing her legislation for the fight against abuse to “turn this evil into an opportunity for purification.”

1. T he protection of children: A change of mentality is needed to combat a defensive and reactive approach to protecting the institution and to pursue the good of the community by giving priority to the victims of abuse in every sense.

2. Impeccable seriousness: The Church will spare no effort to do all that is necessary to

We owe survivors an unyielding vigilance that we may never fail them again.”

bring to justice whosoever has committed such crimes.

The Church will never seek to hush up or not take seriously any case.

3.

Genuine purification: The Church thus restates her firm resolve to pursue unstintingly a path of purification, questioning how best to protect children, to avoid these tragedies, to bring healing and restoration to the victims, and to improve the training imparted in seminaries.

4. Formation: Requiring criteria for the selection and training of candidates to the priesthood that are not simply negative, concerned above all with excluding problematic personalities, but also positive, providing a balanced process of formation for suitable candidates.

5.

Strengthening and reviewing

guidelines by Episcopal Conferences: Reaffirming the need for bishops to be united in the application of parameters that serve as rules and not simply indications.

6. Accompaniment of those who have been abused: The Church has the duty to provide them with all the support they need, by availing herself of experts in this field.

7.

The digital world: There is a need to encourage countries and authorities to apply every measure needed to contain those websites that threaten human dignity, the dignity of women and particularly that of children.

8. Sexual tourism: Combatting sexual tourism demands that it be outlawed, but also that the victims of this criminal phenomenon be given support and helped to be reinserted in society.

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YOUR COMMUNITY

MIKE FRIESEMAN

On Feb. 16, the Diocese of Lansing’s Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist celebrated the completion of their new religious house in the Diocese of Austin, Texas – Our Lady of Guadalupe Convent. Bishop Boyea attended the grand opening and blessed the convent.

The house represents the order’s first national expansion beyond its motherhouse in Ann Arbor, and a step forward in the sisters’ founding vision to spread the witness of religious life across the country.

At the blessing, Mother Assumpta Long, OP, announced the name of the facility to honor the patroness of the Americas.

MIKE FRIESEMAN

DOMINICAN SISTERS OF MARY, MOTHER OF THE EUCHARIST OPEN NEW CONVENT IN TEXAS

RITE OF ELECTION

MIKE FRIESEMAN

On Sunday, March 10, the Rite of Election was held at three sites throughout the diocese, including St. Gerard parish in Lansing. Presided over by Bishop Carl Mengeling, the Rite of Election is the ritual that marks our catechumens’ entry into the final phase of their preparation to receive the sacraments of initiation at the Easter Vigil. Following the Rite of Election, they are called “the elect,” since they have been elected by the Church (in the person of the bishop) to become members.

BILL KASSEL’S AWARD-WINNING NOVEL MY BROTHER’S KEEPER THE 2019 MEN’S CONFERENCE

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The 2019 Diocese of Lansing Men’s Conference, The Man Event, was held on Feb. 23 at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Michigan Center. The theme focused on how to live a Christ-centered life in today’s world by wearing “the armor of God.” (Eph 6:10-18) Attendees heard several moving testimonies, and Bishop Boyea presided at Mass. A BBQ lunch, adoration and confession were also offered, and music was provided by Brian Flynn and his band. For one first-time attendee, “it was a day well-spent,” while a few veterans of the conference agreed it was the “best one yet.”

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In 2018, Bill Kassel’s My Brother’s Keeper, a novel about the family of Jesus, received the Catholic Arts and Letters Award from the Catholic Writers Guild.

The novel explores how Christ’s ministry affected Jesus’ relatives. The story is based on the traditions that maintain Joseph was a widower with children when he married Mary. The novel doesn’t question Christ’s divinity or the Gospels, but offers a retelling of the Christian story with well-rounded believable characters. To purchase, the book is available as a paperback or Kindle edition on Amazon.

Make your DSA gift today at WWW.DIOCESEOFLANSING.ORG

THINGS TO DO Diocese of Lansing Cursillo Movement: Curious or interested in the Lansing Cursillo Movement? Weekly group meetings are Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. at St. Mary Cathedral parish hall on the second floor.

An elevator is available. Come to a meeting and be informed by friendly Catholics. Details about retreats scheduled for early 2019 are available at the meetings. For information, contacts are: Laura and Gary Landgon, 517.484.1812 or lmcwl@yahoo.com; Dee Webb at 816.935.6843: and Frank Webb at 816.308.3477 or berniewebb321@gmail.com.

April 11, 7 p.m., Martha’s Sisters of St. Peter Parish in Eaton Rapids invites all women, ages 18 and older, to the THRIVE evening in the parish hall.

Light refreshments will be served. The guest speaker is Melanie Rae, musician and songwriter, from the Women’s Catholic Conferences. Bring a friend, sister, niece or daughter and join us for an inspiring evening of praise and worship.

For information, contact Jessica at SPCEatonRapidsFaithFormation@gmail.com.

Livingston Vicariate Men-onFire Ministry monthly men’s night: April 11 – speaker Father Steven Mattson; and May 16 – speaker Father James Loew.

Begins with Mass at 6:15 p.m. (women are welcome to attend Mass) and the speaker is at 7 p.m., followed by food and fellowship. Contact Rory Clark with questions at 810.333.2746.

April 13, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., St. Elizabeth Catholic Church Rosary Altar Society is planning its 13th annual Mom2Mom Sale in 24

their Parish Center at 506 N. Union St. Gently used clothing babies to teens, books, toys, furniture and more will be for sale. The event is open to the public. Admission/donation is $2. For table rental or further information, call Nance Schlanderer at 517.423.6003 or 517.281.1051.

April 14, All Faith Ministry for Disabilities, a nondenominational and ecumenical disability ministry, and the Diocese of Lansing’s Special Needs Ministry are hosting a Special Needs Mass at the St. Francis Retreat Center, 703 E. Main St., DeWitt. Mass begins at 2 p.m., followed by light refreshments. Please RSVP by April 9 to Cathy Blatnik at 517.381.1410 or at lcblatnik@juno.com.

Everyone is welcome.

April 25, 6:30-8:30 p.m., the Shared Pregnancy Women’s Center is hosting its annual Lifesavers celebration and fundraiser at the Grand Ledge Opera House, 121 S. Bridge St. Admission is free. There will be a silent auction throughout the evening, children’s crafts, face painting, and more with a short program at 7:15 p.m. featuring client testimony and awards presentation. Join the fun and support Shared Pregnancy so it can continue helping women in unexpected pregnancies and families with young children in the Lansing area. For information, visit sharedpregnancy.org or 517.484.1882.

April 27, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., calling all crafters, home-based business owners and entrepreneurs – are you looking for a means to share your products and services? Join us for a Neighborhood Small Business Expo and Commu-

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nity Marketplace at St. Peter Catholic Church’s parish hall in Eaton Rapids. All proceeds for the event will help support the parish. Table rental is $40.

For information, call Jessica Schaub at 517.663.4735 or online at spceatonrapids.org.

April 27-28, a Catholic Engaged Encounter (CEE) of Mid-Michigan weekend will be held in Holly. CEE is a Christian marriage preparation ministry based on Catholic teachings and values. It emphasizes the relationship of the couples in terms of their sacramental commitment. To register and for more information, visit lansingcee.org, info@lansingcee.org or call Sue and Wayne Fransted at 517.740.4132.

May 7, noon to 1:30 p.m., the Lansing Catholic Lawyers Guild will be hosting its annual spring luncheon at St. Mary Cathedral Parish Hall. Peter Herbeck from Renewal Ministries will be the speaker. If you would like to attend the luncheon, please RSVP by sending an email to lclguild@gmail. com. Registration deadline for the luncheon is April 20.

All are welcome. If you have a question, call Diane Arzberger 517.402.2880 .

May 16, 6:30 p.m., St. Casimir, Lansing will have its annual card party in the Holy Family Center. Come play cards, board games or just visit with friends and enjoy desserts and beverages; door prizes and raffles throughout the evening, and a $500 top prize.

Tickets available at the door at 6 p.m. For information, call the parish office at 517.482.1346.

May 16-19, St. Peter, Eaton Rapids’ Ox Roast Festival includes Mexican food night,

live bands, fantastic food, beverage area, raffles and much more. For information, contact the parish office at 517.663.4735 or spceatonrapidsoffice.gmail.com.

May 18, St. Michael School in Grand Ledge’s 27th annual golf outing at the Grand Ledge Country Club. For information or questions about golfing, volunteering or sponsorship, please contact Lynnie Stewart at 517.614.3410 or lyn11nie@yahoo.com.

May 19-21, St. Joseph Parish Retreat at 109 Linden St. in St. Johns. Tim Francis with You Shall Believe Ministries is the presenter and will focus his presentation on the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.

For information, contact the parish office at 989.224.8994.

May 31-June 2, Retrouvaille Lansing weekend program: Give yourself the gift of a stronger couple relationship by attending Lansing Retrouvaille at the St. Francis Retreat Center in DeWitt. Learn new tools for love, commitment, trust, forgiveness, conflict management, intimacy and communication. For information or to register, contact Larry or Beth at 734.879.0427 or toheal4give@outlook.com.

Save the date: June 17-21, 9 a.m.-noon, St. Martha, 1100 W. Grand River Ave., Okemos, invites you to join its “Cat Chat’s Cathletics” Vacation Bible School. Activities are geared for children ages 4-10, and would like to have older children as team leaders.

Cost is $10 per family and a package of cookies. For more information and to register, visit the parish website at st-martha.org.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF JACKSON, LENAWEE AND HILLSDALE COUNTIES, JACKSON: 517.782.2551 and ADRIAN: 517.263.2191 or CATHOLICCHARITIESJLHC.ORG April 26, 9 a.m.-noon, Lenawee County Child Advocacy Center hosts Stand against Child Abuse: Multidisciplinary Prevention Training at the Adrian Armory, 230 W. Maumee St. The keynote speaker is Jenna Quinn, author of Pure In Heart: A Memoir of Overcoming Abuse and Passing Jenna’s Law. For questions, call Amanda Davis Scott at 517.662.3442, ext. 1201.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF SHIAWASSEE AND GENESEE COUNTIES, FLINT: 810.232.9950 and OWOSSO: 989.723.7239 or CCSGC.ORG April 17, 2 p.m., Catholic Charities will honor hundreds of dedicated volunteers at its annual Awards Banquet in the dining room of the Center for Hope, 812 Root St. in Flint. A homemade meal, door prizes, 50/50 raffle and entertainment will be enjoyed by our hard-working volunteers. Volunteers who wish to attend, please RSVP by April 8 to the North End Soup Kitchen at 810.785.6911.

Calling all Easter Bunnies: The North End Soup Kitchen (NESK) will distribute more than 150 Easter baskets and feed more than 250 people on Easter Sunday. Contributions of baskets filled with candy and small toys would be greatly appreciated. If you plan on donating Easter baskets, please call the NESK office at 810.785.6911, or drop off your donation at the North End Soup Kitchen, 735 E. Stewart Ave., Flint, Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thank you for your support.

LIVINGSTON COUNTY CATHOLIC CHARITIES LIVINGSTONCATHOLICCHARITIES.ORG or 517.545.5944 May 4, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., a WE C.A.R.E. marriage preparation class will be held at the Catholic Charities office, 2020 E. Grand River, Ste. 104, Howell. Cost is $75 per couple. Registration and payment are required prior to class. Size is limited, register early. For information or a registration form, call 517.545.5944 or visit livingstoncatholiccharities.org.

RETREATS WEBER RETREAT AND CONFERENCE CENTER, CALL 517.266.4000 or WC.RETREATPORTAL.COM/EVENTS • April 14, 6:30 p.m., and April 18, 11 a.m., Holy Week Retreat: Beginning the Journey Together. You are invited to set aside time to contemplate the movement of Jesus’ last days, in the context of his life and your own. Twice daily gather for common prayer, preaching and reflection. Cost: $130 commuter; $425 single; and $325 double.

MAY CAFÉ EVENTS WASHTENAW COUNTY CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES, 734.971.9781 or CSSWASHTENAW.ORG Two WE C.A.R.E. marriage preparation classes, both days must be attended: May 3, 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m., and May 4, 9 a.m.12:30 p.m., St. Mary, Chelsea, 14200 E. Old US-12, Chelsea; and May 17, 6:30-9 p.m., and May 18, 9 a.m-12:30 p.m., St. Francis of Assisi, 2150 Frieze, Ann Arbor. Cost is $95 per couple.

Registration and payment are required prior to class. Size is limited, register early. For information or a registration form, call 734.971.9781, ext. 421 or visit csswashtenaw.org.

May 19, 2 p.m., a new group of people seeking to learn about the Catholic Church will begin meeting at St. John Church and Student Center in East Lansing. These will be interactive sessions, so please bring your questions.

Invite someone you know to consider this opportunity. For information, contact Pete Ries at 517.351.5460, ext. 1328 or pries@elcatholics.org.

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Ministrando a nuestros hermanos y hermanas

FLIP OVER FOR

La Fiesta de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe de Diciembre de 2018

ENGLISH

“Ya no somos extranjeros.”

Un llamado a ser vecinos ayudando a sus vecinos

‘SOMOS LO MISMO’

Para Ray y Grace, servir a la comunidad migrante es su segunda naturaleza

NOTA DEL EDITOR

Permítanse ser

TRANSFORMADOS H

ACE ALGUNOS AÑOS, compartí con ustedes la historia del proyecto de servicio que fue parte de mi preparación para el sacramento de confirmación. Se trataba

de servir como voluntario en el Saginaw Community Hospital, que era, en ese momento, el lugar donde muchos de los ancianos indigentes del condado de Saginaw encontraban viviendas y atención médica dignas. Lo que comenzó como un compromiso de un verano como voluntario se convirtió en tres años de servicio. Durante esos años conocí a algunas personas maravillosas y fascinantes cuyas historias y experiencias de vida permanecen conmigo hasta el día de hoy.

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“Ya no somos extranjeros.” Un llamado a ser vecinos ayudando a sus vecinos P. 7

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T.GENNERA

‘SOMOS LO MISMO’ Para Ray y Grace, servir a la comunidad migrante es su segunda naturaleza

La primera vez que me ofrecí como voluntario, me recibió Adele Mount, la directora de voluntarios del hospital. A lo largo de varios días, entrenó al grupo de voluntarios del que formé parte y nos ayudó a familiarizarnos con el hospital, sus residentes y pacientes, y las funciones y responsabilidades básicas de los voluntarios del hospital. Luego nos acompañó a cada uno de nosotros en nuestras primeras visitas. Una de las mejores lecciones que me enseñó fue que a veces el mejor trabajo que hace un voluntario es cuando solo se presentan para visitar a un paciente. La Sra. Mount, como los voluntarios nos referimos a ella, nos hizo conscientes de que muchos de los residentes del hospital tenían pocos o ningún familiar, y, debido a esto, recibieron pocos visitantes regulares. Este fue el papel que los voluntarios debíamos cumplir.

En la mayoría de los casos, ella nos dijo que todo lo que teníamos que hacer para que una visita fuera un éxito era sentarnos con un residente, presentarnos y hacerles preguntas sencillas como de dónde eran o en dónde crecieron. En la mayoría de los casos, eso fue suficiente para iniciar una conversación que podría durar algún tiempo. Fue a través de tales conversaciones que llegué a conocer a varios residentes y sus historias. Cuando recuerdo esas experiencias, lo hago con gratitud y veo cómo de muchas maneras han moldeado mi ministerio sacerdotal.

También estoy agradecido a la Sra. Mount por las lecciones que me enseñó y el testimonio de su firme dedicación a servir a los residentes del hospital.

Durante una de mis visitas finales, mientras me preparaba para mi graduación de la escuela secundaria, me detuve para agradecer a la Sra. Mount por la ayuda, dirección e inspiración que me proveyó durante mi tiempo como voluntario. En nuestra conversación, compartí lo importante que ella era para los residentes, el personal y los voluntarios del hospital. A su vez, la Sra. Mount me hizo saber por qué estaba tan comprometida con su trabajo en el hospital. Ella compartió que una vez había sido una de las pacientes del hospital, habiendo estado en la unidad de rehabilitación física durante un largo período de tiempo mientras se recuperaba de una crisis de salud. Las visitas de voluntarios del hospital habían sido una parte muy inspiradora e importante de su estadía. Con la recuperación de su salud, tuvo la oportunidad de asegurarse de que otros se beneficiarían de las visitas y el trabajo de los voluntarios que ella ayudaría a capacitar y coordinar.

A menudo reflexiono en las lecciones que la Sra. Mount me dio a mí y a muchos otros voluntarios. Quizás la más importante de ellas fue la lección de su propia vida y dedicación. Ella eligió aprender de un momento difícil en su propia vida, y permitió que esa experiencia la transformara y profundizara su compromiso y resolución de servir a los demás. La Sra. Mount era una mujer de profunda fe en Dios. Su fe le dio fuerza y confianza para permitir que su vida se transformara. A su vez, ella ayudó a apoyar y transformar las vidas de tantas personas durante sus años de servicio.

Mientras nos acercamos a la Pascua, oremos para que la bondad y la gracia de Dios continúen transformándonos a cada uno, permitiéndonos ministrar y cuidarnos el uno al otro en la nueva vida que cada uno de nosotros encuentra en nuestra celebración de la Resurrección. . Y así continúa nuestro viaje en la FE.

PADRE DWIGHT EZOP

es el editor de la Revista FAITH y párroco de la Iglesia de Santa María, Charlotte y la Iglesia de Santa Ana, Bellevue. Correo electrónico: editor@ FAITHpub.com.

COLUMNA DEL OBISPO

EL OBISPO EARL BOYEA

es el quinto obispo de la Diócesis Católica de Lansing @BishopBoyea

Carlson Productions

MINISTRANDO A NUESTROS HERMANOS Y HERMANAS

PERMÍTAME ESCRIBIR BREVEMENTE acerca de dos partes importantes de mi ministerio como su obispo: la visita a los que están encarcelados y a nuestros trabajadores migrantes, dos temas desarrollados extensamente en este número de la revista FAITH. Espero que esto pueda motivar a algunos de ustedes a participar en estas obras de misericordia corporales/espirituales.

Tenemos, como ustedes saben, muchas cárceles del condado. Sacerdotes, diáconos y laicos locales las visitan regularmente. Hemos encontrado que algunos alguaciles del condado son más complacientes que otros, pero aquellos que visitan y llevan la Santa Comunión a los prisioneros reportan una gran satisfacción espiritual. También tenemos una penitenciaría federal en nuestra diócesis, en Milan. Mi misa anual y mi visita allí es una gran gracia para mí. Los hombres allí están tan agradecidos algo que me llena de humildad.

Nuevamente, el clero local y los laicos cubren las misas regulares y visitan el resto del año.

Particularmente disfruto la confirmación ocasional aquí y en las otras prisiones.

También tenemos varias instituciones penitenciarias estatales, muchas de ellas ubicadas cerca de Jackson y Adrian. Nuevamente trato de llegar a cada uno de estas una vez al año. Tenemos una prisión para mujeres ubicada cerca de Ann Arbor, la cual visité por primera vez el año pasado. Pensé que las mujeres allí eran visitadas por un obispo de Detroit, ya que la mayor parte de la participación laica proviene de la Arquidiócesis de Detroit. Al descubrir que no ha sido así, sentí un profundo remordimiento, especialmente cuando una señora me dijo que había estado allí durante más de 30 años y que no había visto un obispo. ¡Mea culpa!

Otra parte hermosa del ministerio de esta diócesis es nuestro servicio a los numerosos trabajadores migrantes que prestan servicios en las muchas fincas grandes, especialmente en los condados de Livingston, Lenawee y Clinton. Mi español es bastante pobre, lo que hace que el trabajo realizado por tantos voluntarios me resulte bastante impresionante; no dejan que el lenguaje sea una barrera. Intento imitarlos.

El Diácono Ray Pizana y su esposa, Grace, han estado envueltos en este ministerio durante muchos años. Su amoroso trabajo fue reconocido por el Santo Padre en 2012 cuando ambos recibieron la Medalla Benemerenti de Roma. Por supuesto, no hacen este generoso regalo de sí mismos por una medalla sino por amor.

Sus vidas y las vidas de tantos migrantes y prisioneros nos llaman a todos a compartir de nosotros mismos con aquellos a quienes Jesús llama sus hermanos y hermanas. Dios nos dé la gracia de responder generosamente.

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‘SOMOS LO MISMO’

Para Ray y Grace, servir a la comunidad migrante es su segunda naturaleza

D

esde Levítico 19:33-34 hasta Hebreos 13:2 y Mateo 25:35-46, la Biblia tiene más de 100 mensajes donde Dios nos llama a tratar a los forasteros como locales, a los extranjeros como a los ángeles, a “el más pequeño de nuestros hermanos” como a Cristo. Pero para Ray y Grace Pizana, esas enseñanzas son secundarias. Han ministrado a los trabajadores agrícolas migrantes durante décadas simplemente porque, como dicen, “somos lo mismo”.

ARTÍCULO DE PORTADA POR NANCY ROSEBUSH SCHERTZING FOTOGRAFÍA POR REY DEL RIO

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Ambos nacidos de familias campesinas migrantes, Ray y Grace aprendieron de niños el trabajo agotador de seguir las temporadas para cosechar los cultivos.

Comprendieron los desafíos de construir una vida de fe mientras se trasladaban de una ciudad a otra. Trabajar en los campos junto a sus familias trajo dificultades, alegría y una profunda fe en la familia y en Dios. “Éramos diez hijos e hijas”,

FAITH Magazine | ABRIL 2019 | WWW.FAITHMAG.COM

recuerda Grace, “viviendo en una casa sin electricidad. Nunca pasamos hambre. Nunca usamos ropa sucia. No teníamos cosas que otros niños tenían, pero nunca se me ocurrió que éramos pobres. Mi madre fue increíble”.

Ray asiente. “Para mí fue mi abuelo. En los campos, a menudo me decía: ‘¿Ves cómo provee nuestro Dios? Escucha la brisa y puedes sentir al Señor’. Era un hombre santo que cuidó de mí y de

mi familia con tanto amor. Siento que él y el Señor me llevaron a mi ministerio. Desde que comencé en 1965, el ministerio de migrantes ha sido significativo en mi vida.

“Como muchos, dejé la escuela en el octavo grado para ayudar a ganar dinero para nuestra familia. Me sorprendió que la gente me alentara a inscribirme en el programa de diaconado de la diócesis en 1980.

Yo era el único hispano y tenía la menor educación de todos.

La mayoría de las veces me sentí indigno, pero el Padre Doug Osborn me dijo: ‘Ray, no te preocupes.

Llegará a ti cuando lo necesites’.

“En el tercer año, cuando el sacerdote nos preguntó si queríamos completar nuestro entrenamiento y ser ordenados, podía sentir el llamado de Dios desde lo más profundo. Prácticamente grité ‘¡SÍ!’

“Al día siguiente, mi esposa viajaba con su hermano, dos sobrinos y nuestro nieto para visitar a familiares en Texas cuando un semirremolque los detuvo. El coche

COURTESY PHOTO

COURTESY PHOTO

se incendió. Los cinco murieron”.

Ray sacude la cabeza. “Por mucho tiempo peleé con el Señor. Le dije: ‘Si así es como tratas a las personas, no quiero servirte’. Mis hermanos diáconos fueron ordenados sin mí.

“Luego, aproximadamente un año después de su muerte, me paré en la tumba de mi esposa y confesé que estaba cansada de luchar con el Señor. Le dije: ‘Ya no puedo hacerlo’. Salí del cementerio y fui a mi trabajo de jardinería.

Mientras intentaba sacar algo de las cuchillas de mi cortadora, una voz me hizo mirar hacia arriba.

Ante mis ojos era una visión de mi esposa! Ella estaba sonriendo y dijo: ‘Estoy bien, querido’.

“La paz se apoderó de mí”.

Décadas más tarde, los ojos de Ray todavía brillan con asombro. “Le dije al Señor en ese momento: ‘¡Nunca más dudaré de ti!’ Unos meses después, Grace entró en mi vida”.

Grace sonríe. “Había estado buscando respuestas sobre nuestra fe, y una amiga me dijo que

Muchos vuelven año tras año.

Podrían ser mis hijos y quiero que se sientan como en casa con nosotros”.

hablara con su hermano. Ella dijo que él sabía todo sobre la Iglesia”, se ríe. “Me había divorciado 17 años, trabajando y criando a mis hijos. La vida no había sido fácil, pero estaba bien.

“Ray y yo debemos haber pasado tres o cuatro horas hablando ese primer día. No lo sabía, pero después de irme, ¡se dirigió directamente a su hermana y me preguntó si tenía novio! No pasó mucho tiempo antes de que supiéramos que el Señor quería que estuviéramos juntos.

“Cuando se abrió la nueva clase, Ray volvió a ingresar al programa de diaconado. Nos casamos unos meses antes de que él fuera ordenado tres años después. Como diácono, proporciona educación religiosa y orientación espiritual, asiste con la misa y cuida de los trabajadores migrantes a quienes servimos.

“Yo cuido de ellos también.

Tenemos cinco mujeres que aman hornear, y juntas les preparamos

cenas después de la misa. Les gustan nuestros espaguetis, la sopa, el molé, el pollo y el arroz.

Cada junio, antes de que lleguen los trabajadores, hacemos una cena de tacos en St. Elizabeth [en Tecumseh]. Aunque solo tenemos unas 800 familias, Santa Isabel apoya generosamente nuestro ministerio. Los feligreses vienen y proporcionan toallas, sábanas, artículos personales y dinero para que podamos dar a cada trabajador un paquete de atención para ayudarlos a comenzar la temporada.

“A lo largo de los años nuestro ministerio ha cambiado. Ya no tenemos muchas familias. Ahora, en su mayoría, son hombres mayores de 18 años que vienen a trabajar durante unos tres meses en las granjas. Muchos vuelven año tras año. Podrían ser mis hijos y quiero que se sientan como en casa con nosotros”.

“Ellos son nuestros hermanos”, dice Ray simplemente. “Somos lo mismo.”

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ternura, mirando su cara, irradia un sentimiento de su abrazo y amor; un sentido de pertenencia y bienestar y de orgullo por nuestra cultura y religión. Cientos de personas llenaron la Iglesia de Cristo Rey a lo largo de los días con el rezo de devociones, cantos con sentimiento desde el corazón, un espíritu de alegría, el aroma de las rosas y una fiesta tradicional. ¡Viva la Virgen de Guadalupe, la Patrona de las Américas!

La Fiesta de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe de DICIEMBRE DE 2018 C

elebraciones de la Fiesta a Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe en Diciembre, una celebración

profundamente enraizada en el corazón de los inmigrantes Mexicanos.

Padre Fred Thelen, párroco de Cristo Rey

Toda la atmósfera estaba llena de alegría y esperanza, y en verdad nos brindó ese sentimiento de comunidad que Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe quería que viviéramos.”

En mis 25 años en Cristo Rey, éste año, ha sido de principio a fin, la mejor de las celebraciones para nuestra Señora de Guadalupe.

Comenzamos con la novena patrocinada por el equipo de RCIA y sus participantes. Unos Mariachis de Holland acompañaron el rosario, y después de eso hubo una recepción con mucha comida.

La iglesia estaba casi llena y eso movilizó las cosas a lo grande. La novena continuó con muchos asistentes cada noche. Las Mañanitas del 12 de diciembre a las 6:00 am tuvieron 100 asistentes y los Caballeros de Colón organizaron un gran desayuno después de esto. Y por supuesto el gran final fue la Misa del Día de la Fiesta a las 7:00 pm, la cuál es siempre la celebración más especial honrando a La Virgen. ¡Viva la Virgen de Guadalupe!

Vicenta Vargas , estudiante interna del Ministerio Hispano/ Latino, una estudiante del

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Susana Chapa, coordinadora del Ministerio Hispano en la diócesis

último grado universitario de la Universidad de Michigan, de la parroquia de St. Mary´s Student en Ann Arbor

La celebración de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe este año fue verdaderamente bonita. Hicimos una novena que acabó el 12 de Diciembre, en la cuál rezamos el rosario como comunidad y cantamos canciones a Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe de 6:30 a 7:30 cada mañana. El día 12, comenzamos la misa con el Mariachi que le cantó a la virgen y luego un grupo de nosotros hicimos una procesión con banderas de cada uno de los países de América. Esta era una manera de presentarle a nuestra Señora de Guadalupe a toda Norteamérica, Centroamérica y Sudamérica como una comunidad.

Toda la atmósfera estaba llena de alegría y esperanza, y en verdad nos brindó ese sentimiento de comunidad que Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe quería que viviéramos.

Andrea M. Rodriguez, una feligrés de la Parroquia de Cristo Rey

La Iglesia de Cristo Rey ha estado celebrando a nuestra Señora de Guadalupe durante más de 50 años.

Estando en la presencia de nuestra Santa Madre, cuidándonos con

En la Parroquia de San José, en St. Johns, el Padre Tim Nelson, presidió una hermosa y conmovedora ceremonia para Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. Con la generosa ayuda del coro de la Iglesia de Cristo Rey, cantamos con el sonido de las guitarras y el acordeón a Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. Después de cantar, rezamos un Rosario con cinco misterios que no eran los tradicionales, sino que cada uno de ellos nos recordaba acerca de la aparición de Nuestra Señora a San Juan Diego en 1531. Después de eso, el Padre Tim, celebró la misa y al final compartimos atole (una sabrosa bebida tradicional mexicana, hecha con harina de maíz y leche), galletas y dulces mexicanos.

Gabriela Miranda de la Parroquia de San José en Howell

Para mí, ¡hubo tres momentos que me hicieron sentir orgullosa de ser una Mexicana Guadalupana!

Primero, ¡La procesión al comienzo de la misa! Pude observar a nuestra comunidad ofreciéndole esas rosas, llenos de amor y esperanza, llenos de gratitud. Segundo, cuando el padre nos recordó lo afortunados que somos porque nuestra madre celestial hubiera aparecido en las Américas; ella, que es nuestra madre del cielo y que intercede por nosotros. Y tercero, ¡cuándo durante la misa, voltee la cabeza y vi a una feligrés Americana cantando con gran alegría!

“YA NO SOMOS EXTRANJEROS.” UN LLAMADO A SER VECINOS AYUDANDO A SUS VECINOS. EL CONSEJO AMERICANO DE INMIGRACIÓN, www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/, dice lo que los inmigrantes significan para Michigan.

El 51.1 % de los inmigrantes el Michigan están naturalizados como ciudadanos americanos y son electores potenciales, 86.4% de los niños con padres inmigrantes en Michigan son ciudadanos y se considera que el 86.6% de los niños con padres inmigrantes en Michigan dominan el idioma inglés.

Su contribución a la economía es fuerte: • Los Latinos y Asiáticos en Michigan tienen un poder adquisitivo de $21.6 Billones • Los inmigrantes indocumentados pagan $125.9 millones en impuestos al estado de Michigan.

• Michigan perdería $3.8 billones en actividad económica, $1.7 billones en ingreso bruto del producto del estado y aproximadamente 20,339 empleos si todos los inmigrantes indocumentados fueran removidos.

Los hechos no mienten, es un beneficio económico para nuestro país tener inmigrantes y ellos son una parte esencial de la economía del país.

La Misión de USCCB con relación a los Servicios de Migración y Refugiados dice: “Fundamentados en nuestra creencia en Jesucristo y la enseñanza católica, los servicios de Migración y Refugiados cumplen con el compromiso de los Obispos católicos de proteger la vida y la dignidad de la persona humana. Nosotros servimos y abogamos por los refugiados, asilados, migrantes, niños no acompañados, y las víctimas del tráfico humano.” Nosotros, como católicos estamos llamados a proteger y acoger a quiénes por razones económicas, de medio ambiente, sociales o políticas se ven en una situación que los lleva a migrar.

Las causas que llevan a las personas a migrar incluyen: persecución, violencia, guerra, salarios bajos, falta de trabajos, sequía y hambruna, contaminación, desastres naturales, entre otras.

Las enseñanzas de la Iglesia Católica con relación a la migración, están claramente expuestas por la USCCB en

la carta pastoral de “Ya no somos extranjeros” (tinyurl.com/ Ahí vemos que todas las personas tiene el derecho de encontrar oportunidades en su país de origen que les permitan vivir con dignidad y cubrir ciertos derechos humanos básicos como la educación, servicios de salud, salarios justos, etc.; cuando las personas no pueden cubrir estos derechos básicos , -- tener un empleo que les permita sobrevivir y proveer a su familia , cuando son perseguidos por su ideología política o sus creencias religiosas, o por otras razones, tienen el derecho de migrar--.

La Iglesia nos enseña también que las naciones soberanas tienen el derecho de controlar sus fronteras, pero las naciones más ricas que tienen los medios para alimentar y proteger a su población, tienen una obligación mayor de ayudar a las personas que están migrando de otras naciones y solicitando refugio o asilo.

Los inmigrantes esperan encontrar una vida mejor para sus familias; también esperan encontrar personas amigables y que estén dispuestas a darles la bienvenida.

Como Católicos debemos preguntarnos qué tan acogedora es nuestra comunidad parroquial hacia los inmigrantes y refugiados. “Ya no somos extranjeros” como ministerio es una manera en la que podemos comprometernos y responder con obras cuando los inmigrantes están enfrentando situaciones difíciles o simplemente necesitan ayuda para tener esa vida mejor que soñaron tener en los Estados Unidos.

Hay muchas maneras en las que podemos ayudar al inmigrante: dado que la ley del estado les prohíbe tener una licencia de conducir, podemos llevarlos a la Iglesia, a una cita médica, a su cita en la oficina de inmigración, o a visitar a algún familiar en la cárcel. Orar con ellos cuando la deportación es inevitable, dado que el día de la deportación es muchas veces también el día en que una familia se separa. Ayudarles con la logística ante la deportación, apoyar sus negocios, dar apoyo financiero, abogar por leyes pro inmigrantes, apoyarlos en los medios sociales, educarlos para que sepan qué hacer y a quién contactar en situaciones graves.

“Ya no somos extranjeros” es una cuestión de ayuda al prójimo en la que, a nivel parroquia creamos redes de ciudadanos Americanos o residentes legales, que están dispuestos a ayudar con sus talentos a los inmigrantes vulnerables.

Nos da la oportunidad de responder al llamado de Jesucristo a amarnos los unos a los otros y el llamado del Papa Francisco de ir afuera como discípulos misioneros al encuentro de los que están alejados y acompañarlos.

FM0419p26).

Reproduced with permission from the American Immigration Council, “Immigrants in Michigan,” 2017

POR SUSANA CHAPA VARGAS

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