May 2019

INSIDE

Diocesan assembly still bearing fruit with upcoming EWTN program AND

‘Evangelization is being present and able to get people involved’

‘Now we can be

together with Jesus' Joaquin’s first Communion brought his dad home

SPECIAL REPORT

Christus Vivit

FROM THE BISHOP

BISHOP EARL BOYEA

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

Carlson Productions

DISCERN GOD’S WILL IN YOUR LIFE

ONE OF THE MORE INTERESTING (to me) parts of Christus Vivit, the letter on young adults sent out by Pope Francis, deals with discernment. This is found in chapter nine. The Holy Father notes that we are in a culture of “zapping.” Age must be catching up with me but this is an unknown term to me. His point is that we are simply responding to any stimulus out there and not really reflecting on it.

Any discernment is about figuring out God’s “unique and mysterious” plan for each one of us. But we must start with this truth: Jesus is a friend who wants only what is really best for us. If we don’t start here, then we will not hear God’s voice in our hearts or if we do hear it, we will fight it. In the same way that we always want what is best for those we love, so God only wants what is best for us.

If our hearts and minds really believe this, then we can move on to the second stage.

Here we need lots of silence and prayer. Why is this so? Because coming to know the will of God for me means I have to listen, and listening takes practice and silence. To what shall we listen? First of all, we need to listen to the yearnings of our own hearts. There is great truth to be found there. God plants those yearnings. Now to be sure that our hearts are leading us the right way, we need to have confidence that our hearts are not corrupt. We are all sinners and thus we are easily tempted to seek things and yearn for things that are not really good for us. That is why we need to make sure that we have our hearts formed

by God, by his Church, by the Scriptures. These will help us purify our hearts and listen to their real yearnings.

Second, we need to listen more attentively to the voice of God, present through the Scriptures and in prayer. No real discernment can take place without spending a good amount of time in prayer, being attentive to the very love of God for each of us individually, and being attentive to God’s direct presence to us and in us. God will speak to us if we really want to know his will for us. If we are really only interested in knowing God’s will so we can decide later if we want to follow it, we will never really hear God’s voice. We need complete openness to God and a willingness to follow the Spirit where he would lead us.

Third, we need to listen to others. Those who truly care for us and for our good, those who themselves seek to know God’s will in their own lives, can offer us an objective, outsider’s view of ourselves. Pope Francis even tells us that we waste a lot of time asking ourselves, “Who am I?” Instead, we need to ask ourselves, “For whom am I?” Others can help us see the answer to this last question. The Holy Father continues, “Of course, you are for God. But he has decided that you should also be for others, and he has given you many qualities, inclinations, gifts, and charisms that are not for you, but to share with those around you.” (#286) In the end, discernment of God’s will for us eventually places before us a choice. Will we follow Jesus or will we not? If we have truly been practicing the kind of listening discussed above, the choice will be easy. Living out that choice will not necessarily be easy. However, we have the confidence that God does not ask of us something for which he does not also provide the grace to do. Frankly, this discernment process is not limited to the times of our youth. We should be discerning God’s will for us till the day we die. But each time we should trust the Lord who loves us and take the leap to do that. Each life will entail many leaps, each one being a leap of faith.

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FROM THE EDITOR

Hunger for

THE EUCHARIST

T.Gennera

“WHAT ARE YOU HUNGRY FOR?” It was a question my mother would ask the members of our family from time to time as dinner-time would approach. My mom returned to working full time outside the home while I was in high school, so she would usually plan dinner menus for a week at a time. In turn, that generated the weekly grocery list. However, once in a while, Mom would turn to us and ask what we would like for dinner – especially if there was a favorite that we might like. Her question would lead to a special meal, prepared with loving care.

FATHER DWIGHT EZOP

is the editor of FAITH Magazine and pastor of St. Mary Parish, Charlotte and St. Ann Church, Bellevue Email: editor@ FAITHpub.com.

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Several years ago, following the conclusion of a Mass at which the dismissal of catechumens (those to be baptized) and candidates (those to make a profession of faith) had taken place, a concerned parishioner approached me and asked quite bluntly, “Why do you make them (the catechumens and candidates) leave? That doesn’t seem very welcoming!” In response, I shared that the purpose of the dismissal of the catechumens and candidates is not meant to be rude or exclusionary. Instead, the dismissal serves several functions. First, with the assistance of a trained catechist, it offers the catechumens and candidates an opportunity to reflect on God’s Word as they have just heard it proclaimed at Mass. It is also meant to acknowledge that they are not yet ready join us in the celebration of the Eucharist.

Their catechist-led dismissal is meant to continue to form their understanding of the Eucharist and to intensify their hunger and desire to receive it once they are fully initiated into the Church at the Easter Vigil. In a sense, it is like my mom’s question: What are you hungry for? Hopefully, over time, our catechumens and candidates come to understand that they hunger for the Eucharist as real food for their journey of faith.

In this month’s issue, you will meet Gregorio Escutia and his son, Joaquin. As Joaquin was preparing for his first Communion, he also realized that his dad, who had been baptized as a Catholic as a child, hungered for Eucharist, too – even if Gregorio did not realize it at the time. Joaquin’s love and hunger for the Eucharist were intertwined with his love for his dad, and it made all the difference. Gregorio was fully initiated into the Church through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (the RCIA) at the Easter Vigil in 2018.

What are you hungry for? I hope that all of us hunger for the Eucharist and all that it offers. The Eucharist is a source of forgiveness, unity, love, self-sacrifice, loving service, spiritual and physical nourishment, and so much more. The celebration and reception of the Eucharist is both the source and the summit of who we are as a people of faith. May we always hunger for the Eucharist as we continue our journey through these days of Easter and beyond. May we also do what Joaquin did for his dad, and lead others to this greatest and most precious gift – Jesus’ gift to us and to many for the salvation of the world. And so, our journey in FAITH continues.

FAITH Magazine | MAY 2019 | WWW.FAITHMAG.COM

YE A R OF

PR AY E R Forming Missionary Disciples THE MAGNIFICAT The Magnificat is prayed every day during Evening Prayer (Vespers) in the Liturgy of the Hours (the Church’s official daily prayer).

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior.

For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed.

The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him.

He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart.

He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly.

The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty.

He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy, according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.

(Luke 1:46-55)

FIND MORE ONLINE GO TO DIOCESEOFLANSING.ORG TO FIND ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ON THE YEAR OF PRAYER

INSIDE MAY

INSIDE

The Magazine of the Catholic Diocese of Lansing MAY 2019 VOLUME 19: ISSUE 4

www.FAITHpub.com Most Rev. Earl Boyea PUBLISHER

Rev. Dwight Ezop

Diocesan assembly still bearing fruit with upcoming EWTN program AND

‘Evangelization is being present and able to get people involved’

‘Now we can be

together with Jesus' Joaquin’s first Communion brought his dad home

SPECIAL REPORT

Christus Vivit

FIND US ONLINE AT FAITHMAG.COM

EDITOR AND CHAIRMAN

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

COVER STORY

Patrick M. O’Brien PRESIDENT/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Elizabeth Martin Solsburg

‘NOW WE CAN BE TOGETHER WITH JESUS’ – JOAQUIN’S FIRST COMMUNION BROUGHT HIS DAD HOME P. 16

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 ART DIRECTOR

Mike Jones DIRECTOR OF TECH AND DIGITAL MEDIA

YOUR LIFE

Jillane Job EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

Jim Berlucchi | Doug Culp | Michelle DiFranco | Mike Frieseman | Cynthia Kaan | Rev. Joseph Krupp | Steve and Bridget Patton | Rose Robertson | Nancy Rosebush Schertzing | Sheri Wohlfert CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Carlson Productions | Shane Folkertsma | Mike Frieseman | Tom Gennara | Sarah Moore Kuschell | James Luning | Don Quillan CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

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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

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.

6 marriage matters

He says: ‘Her sole focus is our child.’ She says: ‘It’s our most important job!’ What do they do?

7 parenting Nurture sibling relationships work life How do I deal with someone who’s taking credit for my work?

8 culture

Piece of Cake YOUR FAITH

10 grow + go

• Do simple things with great love • ‘Evangelization is being present and able to get people involved’

12 in the know with Father Joe Why are there so many different Bibles?

14 theology 101 Encountering Christ in the sacrament of the Eucharist

FOLLOW FAITHMAG SHARE YOUR FAITH WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND FOLLOWERS

YOUR STORIES

20 DSA

Diocesan assembly still bearing fruit with upcoming EWTN program

22 special report Christus Vivit

PLUS

P. 11

24 goodlife

I’m afraid my friend might be depressed

25 saint of the month 30 church in the world

P. 20

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YOUR LIFE

HE SAYS:

Her sole focus is our child

Shane is missing the point: our child is only young for a while – it's our most important job.

GOD SO APPRECIATES the all-encompassing atten-

WHAT DO THEY DO?

tion a mother gives her child that he uses it as an analogy for his own attention to us: “Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child

of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you.” (Is 49:15)

STEVE AND BRIDGET PATTON

hold master’s degrees in theology and counseling and serve as family life ministers for the Diocese of Sacramento.

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The depth and fierceness of the parent-child bond was not only created by God, it indeed reaches to the core of our identity as creatures made in his image, that is, as images of the eternal, love-sharing, living, giving triune family of divine persons.

But did God intend that intense love of a mother (and a father) for their child to supersede their love for one another? In a certain way, yes, but in a more important way, no.

Yes, the Church does teach that even though marriage is a great blessing to the man and woman, they are nevertheless to understand and welcome children as the “supreme gift” of their marriage.

(Guadium et Spes, 50) And what a great need there is to proclaim this to our modern world, which tends

FAITH Magazine | MAY 2019 | WWW.FAITHMAG.COM

GETTY IMAGES

Now that we're parents, all Deanne focuses on is our child.

I think we need some balance.

SHE SAYS:

It’s our most important job!

to view children either as burdens to a couple’s comfort or, at best, as optional add-ons to a beautiful lifestyle.

But it is a mistake for any parent to treat her relationship with her child as more important than her relationship with her spouse. God did not make these relationships to be competing, but complementary.

It has been wisely said that the best thing a father and a mother can do for their child is to continuously nurture their marriage. A child’s deepest sense of security and identity is rooted in the stability and vibrancy of his parents’ love for one another. In short, their love is the foundation of his life.

Beware, too, that focusing on the child(ren) at the expense of the marriage can linger on after they are no longer young, and even up until they finally leave home. It is not uncommon for such empty nest parents to barely know one another and have to figure out what their marriage looks like without children.

So, make your marriage your priority. Not only will you be happier, but your child will thrive and love you even more!

Nurture sibling relationships I

N THE LAST COLUMN, I offered some tips on how to help your children be “sibling strong.”

Often our siblings are the ones who teach us how to negotiate, cooperate and communicate. They GETTY IMAGES

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 a few more ideas.

Show support for each other. Make sure siblings attend each other’s events. It’s important to support and encourage each other, and knowing a sibling is giving up some personal time to sit in the bleachers or auditorium to be a part of something that is important sends a powerful message about loyalty and priority.

Teach them to say the important things. Simple greetings and courtesies have a great impact. Make sure siblings say good morning and good night to each other. Occasionally hearing your sibling say “I love you!” is tremendously affirming, encouraging and powerful. “Please,” “thank you” and “excuse me”

How do I deal with someone who’s taking credit for my work?

So what’s wrong with that? Have you been talking to my ghostwriter?

Here are four tactics, in diminishing order of nobility.

Congratulate. Play along. Go out of your way to compliment him for his every claim of your accomplishments. “Jack, your competence and productivity amaze me. It’s almost like you do the work of two people (hint, hint)! And here (cite the example) you did it again. Maybe I take you out to lunch to get your advice on productivity?”

Don’t forget the sibling glue – prayer! Model, remind and encourage siblings to pray for each other daily. Begin each morning asking each child what they have going on that day, and through notes or texts remind your kids to pray for their sister taking a test at 2 p.m., or for their brother before his game at 7 p.m. Praying with and for each other becomes even more powerful after a disagreement or conflict. We need to teach our children to desire their sibling’s holiness and build each other up.

Siblings play an important role in helping one another grow into great humans and strong disciples; be sure to help them along that path.

Conciliate. Take it in stride. It’s easier said than done, but don’t let it bug you.

Don’t make his problem (self-delusion, self-promotion) your problem. Sooner or later his ruse will come undone, along with his reputation. You will rightfully enjoy the admiration that is due you for being above it all – magnanimous. It is good sense to be slow to anger, and an honor to overlook an offense. (Prov 19:11) Confront. Challenge him in no uncertain terms. Make it clear that you’re not going to take it, will call him out if it happens again, and expose his phony claims. You may surely reprove your neighbor, but shall not incur sin because of him. (Lev 19:17) “Jack, you and I both know you’re stealing my thunder.

Do it one more time and I’ll expose you as a fraud – and with evidence.”

YOUR LIFE PARENTING

SHERI WOHLFERT

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

Connive. Beat him at his own game.

Start taking credit for his accomplishments (if he has any). But if you do, you’ll diminish yourself in the process, and it will probably backfire anyway.

Conniving is a temptation, not a tactic, but it does have its appeal. See that none of you repay evil for evil, but always seek to do good. (1 Thess 5:15) Whatever your course, there’s one person who should be well aware of your accomplishments – your boss. Most likely he/ she is already aware, but don’t assume so.

Taking credit where credit is due is not boasting; it’s truthfulness.

T. GENNARA

YOUR LIFE WORK LIFE

aren’t just polite words for strangers either. Speaking and responding politely to these words teaches respect and compassion.

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

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Piece Cake of

CULTURE

Whether you are going to eat a healthy carrot stick or a Garfieldsized slice of carrot cake, it’s good to ponder the sweetness and joy that comes from the discipline and sacrifice of a true Christian life.

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FAITH Magazine | MAY 2019 | WWW.FAITHMAG.COM

PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHANE FOLKERTSMA

“Vegetables are a must on a diet. I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread, and pumpkin pie.”

T

– Jim Davis, ‘Garfield’

HE CREATOR OF THE CYNICAL, yet beloved, orange cartoon cat, Garfield, had a humorous way of proclaiming the fictional character’s passion for comfort food. While his favorite was la-

sagna, Garfield loved just about any type of food he could get his paws on. But all humor is grounded in some bit of reality, and it is because we can relate to the impossible desire of getting healthy vegetables in the sweet form of desserts that we laugh with Jim Davis’ cartoon.

T. Gennara

But there is something to be said about our human nature that wants to “have our cake and eat it too.” I’m reminded of a recent Lent when my husband “abstained” by eating king crab legs. Hmmm … not quite the sacrifice we should be enduring for Lenten penance. Like Garfield, MICHELLE my husband was trying to get the healthy benefits of the DIFRANCO Lenten fast in a tasty and gratifying form. is a designer and And yet, in other ways, our Lord does ask us to blend the busy mom of the “sweet” with the “sour” in our lives. At times, our three children. faith calls on us to find pleasure amidst the hardships and sacrifices of life. We are not supposed to bring attention to the challenge of our fasting and almsgiving, but to offer it joyfully, and to be happy amidst our own sacrifice.

And even in their persecution, anguish and death, the saints model for us joyful acceptance of their fates, so long as they were endured in his name and for his glory. In truth, what is spiritually good for us can in worldly ways seem less sweet, but also be a source of inner joy, comfort and peace.

I think of this often, especially in this month of May, which is of course dedicated to our Lady. The Blessed Mother’s life was by so many accounts painful: the potentially scandalous pregnancy, the harrowing and frightful flight to Egypt, and the torturous execution of her beloved, innocent son.

So much pain and sacrifice. But amidst all that, she is pure peace and joy and for us all, a source of hope and love!

I understand that this juxtaposition, which works in our spiritual lives, does not translate to food. There isn’t really a “healthy” form of carrot cake as Garfield suggests. And for many of us, vegetables in their healthy form are a form of sacrifice. But whether you are going to eat a healthy carrot stick or a Garfield-sized slice of carrot cake, it’s good to ponder the sweetness and joy that comes from the discipline and sacrifice of a true Christian life.

The following recipe is a favorite that has brought sweetness and joy to many of our family gatherings.

As we approach Mother’s Day and continue to celebrate the Easter season, may it bring the same to yours!

Super Delicious Carrot Cake

1 ½ cups vegetable oil 4 eggs 1 cup white sugar 1 cup brown sugar 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons cinnamon 3 cups finely grated fresh carrots

1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (plus more for garnish)

Cream Cheese Frosting

1 8-ounce package of cream cheese (softened/room temp) 1 stick butter (softened/room temp) 4 cups powdered sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla ¼ teaspoon salt

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350°. Grease and flour two round pans and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl cream together the vegetable oil, eggs and sugars (brown and white).

In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Add to wet ingredients and beat until combined (do not overmix). Fold in the grated carrots and pecans/walnuts until incorporated. Add to prepared pans and bake for 30-35 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

While cakes are cooling, make the frosting. Combine all frosting ingredients and blend until smooth. When the cake is completely cooled, place one cake, domed side down, on a platter. Spread 1/3 of the frosting evenly over top.

Place the other cake domed side up, on top. Spread top and sides with remaining frosting. Garnish with pecans or walnuts.

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YOUR FAITH

GROW

GETTY IMAGES

as a disciple of Jesus

Do simple things with great love This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

(Jn 13:35)

W

HEN I WAS A LITTLE GIRL, I wanted to be a ballerina. I had no dance talent, but thought if I

wore all that pink, fluffy, fancy stuff I would surely be a ballerina. Some professions such as law enforcement, the military or medicine are easy to identify by what they wear, but how can you spot a disciple of Jesus?

They don’t have pink tutus or stethoscopes or badges to set them apart – but John’s Gospel tells us you can spot them by the way they love.

Love is not just sappy, kissyface, gooey stuff. Hollywood gets it wrong, social media gets it wrong and television gets it wrong – so it’s no wonder we’re all a little fuzzy when it comes to figuring out what love really looks like! The kind of love John was writing about is the real-deal kind of love. Love is mercy, and mercy means forgiveness and forgiveness means choosing the Father’s way. Love allows us to see people as their Creator sees them, and when we look through

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FAITH Magazine | MAY 2019 | WWW.FAITHMAG.COM

his lens, love becomes giving and not taking.

When it comes to discipleship, actions are better than words.

Words can be twisted and misinterpreted, but actions are concrete and powerful. When we think about the loving ways we live out our discipleship, it’s important to think small. Most of us will not be called to build a hospital, start an orphanage or open a school to serve forgotten children. We just need to do simple things with great love.

Recently I sat in a huge, old, gorgeous cathedral and I was captivated by its beauty, but I was more deeply touched watching some people show the love of Christ. I watched the woman in front of me reach over to touch the shoulder of a hurting friend.

No words were spoken, just a simple touch and a look that was steeped in compassion. As I was gazing at the stunning stained

glass windows, I was distracted by a man who used his necktie to play peek-a-boo with a restless toddler in front of him whose mom was trying desperately to hold on to his wiggly body.

As I listened to the first reading, my gaze shifted to the usher as he welcomed a disheveled, frazzledlooking old woman and took her frail arm and escorted her to a seat as if she were the most honored guest. She wore years of worry on her brow, but as that usher put out his arm and led her to an empty seat, you could see the look of gratefulness and peace on her face as she settled in to listen. Loving deeds speak louder than words … so let’s be quiet and get busy!

Pray: Spend a couple of days praying with this verse and ask God to put people in your path who need a little action-packed, quiet love!

Study: Read or watch something about the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. Choose one that touches your heart, and make a plan to offer the love of Christ through that work of mercy.

Engage: Make it your mission to be welcoming. Hold the door open for someone, slide over and welcome someone into your pew, or offer the love of Christ to those sitting around with a friendly, genuine smile. We need to be friendly and loving as we welcome each other into Our Father’s House.

Serve: Offer Christ’s love to someone who can’t repay you.

Offer to drive someone to church, distract a fussy child during Mass, or contribute to or volunteer to help an organization that serves those in need.

BY SHERI WOHLFERT

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE RESOURCE WAREHOUSE IN FLINT, TURN TO PAGE 26.

GO

evangelize

‘ Evangelization is being present and able to get people involved’

Bill Fritz, a retired Delphi Special Investigations Audit Manager, volunteers five days a week verifying electrical and electronic donations at the Catholic Charities Mid-Michigan ReSource Warehouse located above the North End Soup Kitchen in Flint. He splits his time between Michigan and Montana.

PRAYER: I rely on God for a lot of things, and I know that he’s gotten me where I am.

I try to talk to God, and ask for his help in all that I do.

I start the day with prayer and try to end the day with prayer. There are so many needy people out there, and I know they all don’t have

prayer in their lives. I know they all don’t all have God in their lives, but the needs are there. I see that need and I pray for those people.

WITNESS: Whether I’m in church, singing in the choir, or joining with the other retired people who get to-

INTERVIEW AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY MIKE FRIESEMAN

gether after Mass and shoot the breeze, I try to proclaim the benefits of what we’re doing here at the warehouse because I want them to get involved and be as excited about this project as I am. I just know how much good this does for people in need.

INVITATION: I invite those I meet with to join in and see what good they can do. Not just for the warehouse, but also for the needy who take advantage of the North End

Soup Kitchen. I’m trying to show them what I’m doing.

That there’s work they can be doing as well.

ACCOMPANIMENT: When I’m in Montana, we have a food program for disadvantaged kids in the community during the summertime.

To me that’s evangelization, being present and being able to get people involved.

To me, it’s working with different people and trying to assist them as we serve side by side.

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belonged in the Bible was a process that began way back in time, and continued until the fifth century A.D. We believe that God led his people through the process to determine what writings were divinely inspired and which ones weren’t.

In the end, our Jewish heritage passed on to us two versions of the Hebrew canon that we call the Old Testament, one including the deuterocanonical or apocryphal books and one without those books.

When Christianity really began to take shape, the leaders of the Church gathered numerous times to pray and discern which early Christian writings were divinely inspired and which Old Testament canon to use.

To determine which Christians writings were divinely inspired, the discussion tended to center around four questions:

GETTY IMAGES/LOKIBAHO

1. Was the author an apostle or did they have a close connection with an apostle?

2. Is the book being accepted by the Body of Christ at large?

3. Did the book contain consistency of doctrine and orthodox teaching?

4. Did the book bear evidence of high moral and spiritual values that would reflect a work of the Holy Spirit?

WHY ARE THERE SO MANY DIFFERENT

BIBLES? Q

DEAR FATHER JOE: Why are there “Protestant Bibles” and “Catholic Bibles”? What’s the difference and how did that happen?

YOUR FAITH IN THE KNOW WITH FATHER JOE

12

A

OK, let’s get right to this one!

First of all, we need to remember that the Bible is a collection of books. No one sat down and said “I’m writing Scripture!”, there was no such idea for them to build on. Instead, the Holy Spirit directed certain people throughout history to record the wonderful deeds of the Lord and directed them to write it in a certain way. Discerning what writings

FAITH Magazine | MAY 2019 | WWW.FAITHMAG.COM

Using those questions and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, in 419 A.D., the Church gave us “the last word” on what books comprise the Bible: The 46 books of the Old Testament (including the seven deuterocanonical books) and 27 books in the New Testament.

This was and is the Catholic Bible.

The first break from the canon of the Bible came when Martin Luther broke communion with the Catholic Church. One of the decisions he made was that people should only use the canon of Scripture that excluded the deuterocanonical books. That version of the Bible is the one we commonly call the Protestant Bible. It removes the following books: 1. Tobit 2. Judith 3. Wisdom 4. Sirach (or Ecclesiasticus)

5. Baruch 6. 1 Maccabees 7. 2 Maccabees 8. Some part of Daniel & Esther

These books that were removed are called the deuterocanon (“second” canon). Luther and other Protestant theologians removed them because, at the time, they did not have copies of them in Hebrew, only in Greek. Those books had always been included in the Greek version of the Old Testament,

Q

Father, I keep getting mailings from Catholic groups that send me medals, coins and other blessed things and I don’t know what to do with them. I keep putting them in a box because I don’t think I can throw away anything that is blessed, right?

I cannot tell you how many times I run into this question: you are not alone!

Right now, as I type this, I am looking at a Ziploc bag of medals, “religious coins”, bookmarks and crosses that were sent from religious organizations seeking donations.

I am not at all a fan of these practices because people often don’t want the things they receive, but don’t know how to dispose of them. To help do what I can, I encourage people to give them to me and I do any number of things to properly dispose of them.

First, I work with my local funeral homes and we bury them under people’s caskets. It’s a nice way to dispose of potentially sacred things in sacred ground.

Second, I simply collect them and, when I have a large enough collection, I bury them myself out on the Church property or somewhere else that is sacred ground.

Third, I find a Church that is doing renovations and ask them to place them in the ground there, underneath new walls or foundations.

If you can work with your pastor on any of these ideas, great! But it’s not always practical, and not every pastor has the same level of access to resources. Please don’t expect that every priest is able to take your religious medals and dispose of them. If none of these options are available, bury these items in your yard – perhaps near a statue of Mary or St. Francis.

As best you can, try to keep all these things together so that nothing gets lost. If you worry that you have unintentionally disposed of such things, let that go and proceed with the idea I’ve given you and you’ll be fine.

T. Gennara

which was called the Septuagint. The Septuagint was widely used by Jewish people who had had to leave the Holy Land – the Jews of the Diaspora. We now have manuscripts, or partial manuscripts, that show at most, if not all, of the deuterocanonical books were written in Hebrew or Aramaic.

If you haven’t yet checked out the wonderful books of the Bible listed above, please make sure to do so: I think they are amazing! For more information about them, check out the notes in a good study Bible such as the New Revised Standard Version, or get hold of a good Bible commentary.

FATHER JOE KRUPP

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

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S. OLSON

YOUR FAITH THEOLOGY 101

GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCKPHOTO

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.

Encountering Christ in the sacrament of

THE EUCHARIST

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

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

Hunger and thirst are powerful states. They are the concrete expressions of the body’s innate desire for life. They indicate a need that demands to be satisfied.

They are incessant, calling out for our attention continuously, and in ever greater intensity through discomfort and pain. Ultimately, the price for failing to satisfy our hunger and thirst is death from starvation or dehydration.

We all know this. Hunger and thirst, in varying degrees of sever14

ity, are common human experiences. However, just as our physical bodies need food and water in order to live, our souls also need food and drink, the spiritual food and drink of righteousness, if we are to enjoy eternal life in communion with God.

THE FOOD AND DRINK OF RIGHTEOUSNESS In Matthew’s Gospel, righteousness has to do with the saving

FAITH Magazine | MAY 2019 | WWW.FAITHMAG.COM

DID YOU KNOW …

Catholics are obliged to receive the Eucharist at least once a year, preferably during the Easter season.

At the same time, the Church strongly encourages Catholics to receive the Eucharist on Sundays, feast days and even daily.

–C atechism of the Catholic Church (1389)

activity of God. In other words, to fulfill all righteousness is to submit to the plan of God for the salvation of the human race. Our model for what this looks like is, of course, Jesus Christ.

Christ showed us what it means to live in righteousness through the witness of his very life. His incarnation, his living among us and sharing a full human existence, and his subsequent death on the cross all witness to Jesus’ complete submission to the Father’s plan for salvation. This plan, which was the will of the Father, was the spiritual food and drink which sustained Jesus on his earthly mission: “My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to finish his work.” (Jn 4:34) And through his submission to the Father’s will, Jesus became the living sacrifice, or the very means for this salvation to be realized.

If we are to be of the “same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing” (Phil 2:2) as Christ, which is the point of a life of faith, we, too, must empty ourselves in humble obedience and commit ourselves to doing only God’s will. We must do this until this desire emerges from our inmost being and overtakes us, incessantly demanding to be filled lest we perish from the starvation and dehydration that results when we are cut off from God, the sole source of life.

FOR THEY WILL BE SATISFIED If the salvation of humanity from the bondage of sin so that we may have life in eternal communion with the Holy Trinity is the plan of the Father, then Jesus Christ, through his submission to this plan, is the heart of the plan.

The Gospel of John makes this clear. It quotes Jesus as saying, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will

never thirst … For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.” (6:35; 40) Later in verse 51 of the same chapter, he continues, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.”

If this is true, the Eucharist, the source and summit of the Christian life, has in fact become the food and drink that alone satisfies. A profound intimacy of communion with the Divine takes place when the body and blood of Christ, who takes away the sins of the world, are received by the believer. This moment is truly a foretaste of that eternal communion for which we are destined.

Put another way: to hunger and thirst for righteousness is to hunger and thirst to do the will of God. The will of God is the salvation of humanity accomplished through Jesus Christ, the same Jesus who offers us his body and blood in atonement for the sins of the world. To hunger and thirst for righteousness, then, is to hunger and thirst for the Bread of Life that alone can satisfy our hunger and thirst for eternal life. This same Bread of Life is offered to us freely through the grace of God in the Eucharist. What a gift!

TIMELINE: Major developments in understanding the Eucharist THE EUCHARIST

BY ANY OTHER NAME …

The Eucharist by any other name is still the Eucharist. Still, the Church’s use of different names for the Eucharist expresses the inexhaustible richness of the sacrament. For example, the Eucharist is also known as the Lord’s Supper, the Breaking of Bread, the Eucharistic assembly (or synaxis), the memorial of the Lord’s Passion and Resurrection, the Holy Sacrifice, the Holy and Divine Liturgy, Holy Communion and even the Holy Mass (Missa).

– Catechism of the Catholic Church (13281331)

30-33 AD – PUBLIC MINISTRY OF JESUS • Meals are important – the wedding feast at Cana, feeding of the 5,000, dining with sinners and tax collectors

•J esus institutes the Eucharist at the Last Supper and commands his disciples to “Do this in memory of me.” (1 Cor 11:23-25, Mt 26: 26-29; Mk 14: 22-25; Lk 22: 14-20)

•P ost-Resurrection Meals The disciples walk with Jesus on the road to Emmaus, but recognize him only in the breaking of the bread (Lk 24:13-35). Christ prepares breakfast on the seashore. (Jn 21:1-14) NEW TESTAMENT Eucharist as fulfillment of Christ’s command. Paul scolds Corinth about its Eucharistic practices (1 Cor 11: 17, 22, 26-34) and reminds them that “every time we eat this bread and drink this cup we proclaim the death of our Lord.” (11: 26) 9TH TO 10TH CENTURY • Latin is being used at Mass • Priests begin to give Communion in mouth 11TH TO 12TH CENTURY • Great attitude change • Eucharist not something to eat and drink, but an object to be reverenced

•D ecline in reception of Communion – people don’t consider themselves worthy 13 TO 15TH CENTURY •P ope Leo IV established the Feast of Corpus Christi in 1264 16 TO 17TH CENTURY • Visits to Blessed Sacrament – tabernacles built near altar • Processions with Blessed Sacrament carried in container • Exposition of Blessed Sacrament so faithful might gaze at it followed by benediction Council of Trent (1548-1563) • Defines Transubstantiation • Order of Mass becomes uniform and in Latin (Missal of Pius V, 1570) 20TH CENTURY 1910 Pius X advocates frequent Communion; allows reception at age of reason (age 7) 1963 Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (see 1-14, 47-56) • Reform of the Mass, including return to vernacular language 1973 Immensae Caritas • Permits extraordinary ministers for distribution of Communion • Restores reception of Eucharist in the hand

GETTY IMAGES/AVALON_STUDIO

The fruits of the Eucharist The Eucharist produces many wonderful fruits: • I ntimate union with Christ (the principal fruit) • Nourishment for the preservation, increase and renewal of the life of grace received at baptism • Cleansing of our past sins and preservation from future sins – both mortal and venial • Strength for our charity, which wipes away our venial sins • Unity within the Church • Commitment to the poor – Catechism of the Catholic Church (1391-1397)

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YOUR STORIES

‘Now we can be

together with Jesus' Joaquin’s first Communion brought his dad home

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I can say that my son inspired me to find a way to restore my relationship with Jesus that had faded from my life.

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J

OAQUIN ESCUTIA wears a Captain America t-shirt as he watches cartoons in his living room.

His mom, Raquel, and dad, Gregorio, sit nearby working on their laptops as their son enjoys his first day of spring break. When his little brother, Gabriel, comes home from daycare, Joaquin’s family will be together – just the way he likes it.

“Dad was the only one in the family who couldn’t take Communion,” he remembers. “My teacher told me that there was a wall between Jesus and me. Every time you sin, rocks get added and the wall gets bigger. Then when you do reconciliation, the wall comes down and you can be with Jesus.

“I was feeling like the wall was getting bigger and bigger.

When I went to reconciliation I said, ‘My dad is on the other side of the wall.’ But now, he can be with Jesus and me too!”

Gregorio shifts a bit in his seat. “I’m not one for words,” he says simply. “I think that’s one thing my dad left with me – The Machismo Way. But I can say that my son inspired me to find a way to restore my relationship with Jesus that had faded from my life.

“As a child, my mother was Baptist and my father Catholic. I was baptized Catholic, but my faith home was a little Baptist church where my grandfather was a preacher.

I loved going to Bible school every Sunday! Sometimes my grandfather gave the lesson. Always, I was surrounded by my mother, aunts and uncles. Jesus was so real to me!

“Then when I was 12, Grandpa came out of church after a service and collapsed on the sidewalk from a massive heart attack. After our patriarch was gone, Mom and I didn’t attend church very often. My aunts and uncles dispersed to other churches, and that part of my life just kind of washed out.

“My father often told me ‘Mijo [my son], come to Mass with me,’ but I didn’t take him up on it very often. Even when we moved to Mexico, where his family was all Catholic, my faith life just kind of faded. Work and school and friends became my priority. Except for Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving, I didn’t go to church much.

“At 18, I decided to move back from Mexico to get a job and live near my mother’s family again. My school transcripts from Mexico didn’t count toward a degree here, so I earned my GED and took a few classes at Lansing Community College. Eventually I built my career as a construction and gas operator for Consumers Energy. I met and married Raquel in a ceremony at City Hall, and we built a great life together.

“We had Joaquin and welcomed Gabriel first as an infant foster child and now as our son. I even started attending Mass at Cristo Rey with Raquel and my father after he and Mom moved back. Like my father, I always went to church just to go to Mass then be on my way – kind of like a job.

“But one day Joaquin came home from second grade at St. Mary School [Charlotte] so excited to make his First Holy

Communion and reconciliation. The books and stories he shared … I don’t know how to describe it. They just lit something inside me, something that helped me remember the joy I felt as a young boy in love with Jesus.

“Those memories and that feeling just rushed, overwhelming me. Oh my gosh, I remember it still! I decided to enroll in RCIA (Right of Christian Initiation of Adults) so Joaquin and I could join fully in the Mass at the same time.

“Attending classes and learning more about my faith, I realized I had been seeing in gray. Through RCIA, I gained clarity and could see things in color again. It felt really emotional, having the spirit of Christ with me along this path.

When Joaquin made his first Communion and I was confirmed at Easter Vigil, it was one of the best things in my life. When Gabriel was baptized the following Sunday, I felt so blessed.

“Having someone there inspires you … I saw that in my son going through his first Communion process. Watching him and attending my own classes helped me evolve as a person and have a better spiritual life. I feel a lot more connected with Joaquin. I’d like him to remember we did this together.

“Unfortunately, my dad wasn’t able to celebrate with us.

He died in a car accident last year while he and Mom were traveling in Mexico. He was never one for watching us play Little League or do sports – more like go to work and make sure we were all fed and loved. Dinners and vacations were how he showed us he loved us. And he and Mom gave us the gift of family in their 45 years of marriage.

“I already said Dad left me with the Machismo Way, so I don’t show emotion easily. But I think a lot when I’m driving for work, and sometimes I feel a little tear inside me looking for release. I say little prayers, and sometimes that tear finds its way out.”

Still in his Captain America shirt, Joaquin smiles. “If I were to make a super hero, I’d say Dad is Flash. He doesn’t run fast, but he thinks fast. When he managed to make his reconciliation and Communion, he actually got up to me.

Now we can all be together with Jesus!”

Interested in joing the Church? Contact your local parish or visit WWW.DIOCESEOFLANSING.ORG/FIND-A-PARISH.

BY NANCY ROSEBUSH SCHERTZING | PHOTOGRAPHY BY REY DEL RIO

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DIOCESAN ASSEMBLY STILL BEARING FRUIT WITH UPCOMING EWTN PROGRAM PROGRAMÂ DSA

Craig Pohl and Father Joe Krupp offer announcements after Mass at the assembly.

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FAITH Magazine | MAY 2019 | WWW.FAITHMAG.COM

A

TERM SUCH AS “never before” does not deter Craig Pohl, diocesan director of new

evangelization, in being a visionary. Case in point: the diocesan-wide Made for Happiness Assembly held last fall: “In the history of our diocese, we had never done anything on this scale. We had never done a eucharistic procession in downtown Lansing, let alone a four-mile one. Were we dreaming too big to hold it in the Breslin Center?

How many people would stay for an all-day event?

Would we encounter protestors during the public procession? The idea was so foreign, people were telling us our plan was crazy.”

All the angst dissolved when the anticipated 10,000 participants swelled to 15,000, and the fourmile procession was peaceful and joyful. “We were pleasantly surprised with how the day came out.

People just rose to the occasion. Our identity in Jesus Christ came across extremely clear at this conference.

We came to realize one of the greatest successes of this event was just getting everybody in the diocese together for the purpose of celebrating Jesus as our core and focusing on our mission.”

The Made for Happiness Assembly was the final of three gatherings focusing on discipleship and evangelization resulting from Bishop Boyea’s pastoral letter, Go and Announce the Gospel of the Lord.

However, as Craig points out, these assemblies are the beginning, not the culmination, of an ongoing effort to renew and re-energize Catholics: “We affected a culture shift. Our clergy, lay ministers and the faithful know with utmost certainty we are heading in a very distinct direction of training disciples and reaching out to those separated from the Church. This last gathering was not just a visual sign that we follow Jesus, but also a moment to renew and re-center ourselves on who we really are.”

Craig acknowledges this assembly could not have happened without the assistance of DSA funding, dollars that accrue because of faithful Catholics who support the local Church’s efforts by tithing to the yearly appeal. “In essence, Catholic contributors footed the majority of the bill and enabled us to offer this great assembly free of charge,” Craig says.

Prior to the assembly, Craig worked closely with Ava Maria radio, based in Ann Arbor, to air the entire day live so homebound Catholics could participate.

Word of this massive undertaking eventually piqued the interest of the national TV network, EWTN (Eternal Word Television Network), which is producing a video to share globally. The one-hour program, narrated by Bishop Boyea, shares the impetus, design, themes

and theory behind the assembly’s execution. As the bishop speaks, footage from the Made for Happiness Assembly plays in the background. Video from each speaker is included.

“The airing of our assembly by EWTN will help the wider Church Diocesan see the great benefit in gathering Services people from their dioceses to Appeal re-center the mission of their local Churches on Christ. With the climate impacted by scandals in and around the Church, this type of event can help return us to our foundation. More than anything, it inspires people to keep taking steps forward in the new evangelization.”

The fruits produced by the assembly are a catalyst for forward thinking. Parish ministers are finding a stronger link with the parishioners who attended.

Clergy and lay ministers are dreaming bigger in terms of how they can do evangelization. The day’s energy created a spark of creativity that lingers in the hearts of the lay people. Participants discovered new ministries during the assembly, and report they are regularly reading the little pocket Bible they were given free of charge. Craig says that not a week goes by without someone commenting on how an experience at the assembly still engages them.

The radiant spirit of joy and happiness was experienced by those present. It permeated the day.

“This was the work of the Holy Spirit, not something we could fabricate. People told me how impressed they were with what a happy day it was. The 700 assembly volunteers were instructed that their biggest job, next to praying for the success of the day, was to smile. We wanted to link very closely with the theme of the assembly, Made for Happiness. By conveying to people how happy we were that they were there, the feeling became contagious. It was simply thrilling to watch faith-filled happiness in Christ snowball.”

2019

BY ROSE ROBERTSON PHOTOGRAPHY

BY TOM GENNARA

STAY TUNED! Details about the upcoming EWTN special are not yet available.

When they are known, the information will be posted on DIOCESEOFLANSING.ORG or in the magazine if time permits.

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DANIEL IBÁÑEZ/CNA

Discerning our Vocation

SPECIAL REPORT:

CHRISTUS VIVIT

O

n April 2, 2019, Pope Francis’ latest apostolic exhortation was published. As always, the name of the exhortation, Christus Vivit (Christ is Alive!), comes from the first several words of the document in its Latin edition. The exhortation is addressed to both young people and the entire people of God, and relies heavily on the reflections and conversations that occurred as a part of last year’s Synod on the Youth, which had considered the age group from 16 to 29.

WHAT IS “YOUTH”?

Throughout the apostolic exhortation, Pope Francis takes great care to avoid the temptation to lapse into error when talking about the importance of youthfulness in the Church. He wants to distinguish the joy of youth from a false cult of youth, a notion 22

FAITH Magazine | MAY 2019 | WWW.FAITHMAG.COM

In Christus Vivit, the pope offers three key ingredients to discerning our own vocation:

often used to manipulate young people.

For example, he argues 1. A certain degree of that to be truly wise, a young solitude and silence; person must both be open 2. An openness to to the future, and capable of listening; and learning from those who have 3. A willingness to ask more experience. He urges ourselves questions the Church to break free from such as, “Do I know those things that entrap her in myself? What brings the past and cause her to grow joy or sorrow to my old. However, he warns the heart? How can I Church against “thinking she serve people better?” is young because she accepts everything the world offers her … sets her message aside and acts like everybody else.” Later in the exhortation, Pope Francis warns against the error of confusing beauty with appearances, of a spirituality without God, and of the reduction of young people to a homogeny that refuses to acknowledge individual cultural identities.

Pope Francis offers a vision of youth informed by one basic truth: “being young is not only about pursuing fleeting pleasures and superficial achievements.” He teaches that the purpose of youth is to learn of “generous commitment, whole-hearted

BY DOUG CULP

dedication, and sacrifices that are difficult but ultimately fruitful.”

Pope Francis understands youth as being more than a period of time. Youth, he asserts, is a state of mind. This is why an ancient institution like the Church can renew its youthfulness.

He elaborates on what this looks like by setting up Mary as the “supreme model for a youthful Church” and by examining the witness of several “young” saints.

CHRISTUS VIVIT AT A GLANCE In Christus Vivit, Pope Francis acknowledges three areas of particular importance that the synod examined: the digital environment, migration and abuse. His purpose is not to offer new conclusions, but to call for greater analysis and development of responses to these realities.

Dear young He offers a message specifically to all young people, people, a message containing the three truths: please, God loves you, Christ sacrificed himself to do not be save you and Christ is alive! Pope Francis believes that the profound appreciation of bystanders this message can lead to an encounter with in life. Get Christ that is capable of sustaining one for the involved! entirety of her/his Christian life.

Jesus The pope suggests that living the years of our youth in the transforming light of the was not a Gospel means acknowledging youth as a time bystander. of both dreams and decisions; of both living He got in the present moment and making the most involved.” of the opportunities life offers; of encounter with the friend who is Jesus; of growing mature (174) physically, intellectually, and spiritually; of growing in generous and merciful love; of making a commitment to serve and transform the greater community; and of being a witness of the Gospel wherever one happens to be. At the same time, he is clear that youth is not an “in-between time.” Rather, the youth are the “now of God.” He then closes the exhortation with chapters on youth ministry, vocations and discernment.

The Pope Francis Collection Since his election to the papacy on March 13, 2013, Pope Francis has issued the following documents: •L umen Fidei (2013 Encyclical on the Light of Faith) • Evangelii Gaudium (2013 Apostolic Exhortation on the Joy of the Gospel) • Laudato Si’ (2015 Encyclical on the Care for our Common Home) • Amoris Laetitia (2016 Post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation on Love in the Family) • Gaudete et Exsultate (2018 Apostolic Exhortation on the Call to Holiness in Today’s World) • Christus Vivit (2019 Post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation to Young People and to the Entire People of God)

Youth Volunteers needed FaithFest is back in 2019 and has become Michigan’s premier family festival of faith!

Our FaithFest youth volunteer program, "the Servant's Way," presents a unique opportunity to develop tomorrow’s leaders. Participation in "the Servant's Way" involves a two-day commitment: Friday, June 21st, and Saturday, June 22nd at FaithFest. On Friday, participants help set up the grounds. The day includes Mass and ends with dinner and a concert. Participants then work a shift during FaithFest.

Contact Bert or Mike at 517.669.8321 for more information or to register your group.

Discounted group rates Have a larger group headed off to FaithFest this summer? Did you know about "Stuff the Bus?" This group package deal includes 50 FaithFest general admission tickets at a 50% discounted rate ($750).

Parishes and ministry groups can sell the tickets to members at full price as a fundraiser, or let your group enjoy FaithFest at a great discount.

Stuff the Bus groups do not need to arrive together – wristbands can be provided in advance. Each group taking advantage of this discount will have a reserved hospitality room on site for personal belongings or to retreat from the sun.

Visit WWW.FAITHFEST.COM for more information.

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D N E I R F Y M D E D I S A S R E F R P A E D I’M E B T H G I M

GOODLIFE

Resist the urge to “fix it.” Depression is a journey one travels without consent; there is no quick fix and nothing to be fixed by someone else. An outstretched hand that never tires is a great way to offer support.

3

Depression can be a sensitive topic for those who struggle, as well as for those who care about the struggling. How can we help?

Recognize depression in the sudden withdrawal from friends and otherwise typical habits, along with a sense of extreme weariness. Cancelled plans and repeated refrains of “not feeling well” may also be red flags. Gently ask if they would like someone to accompany them to a doctor appointment. Do not push if they decline.

1

Show up. Those who are in the thick of it can’t, or won’t, ask for help. Calling, texting or popping over with coffee or a meal are great ways to remain a steady presence.

2

Do not take it personally.

You are not to blame, nor should you add to the hurt by suggesting so.

4

Hold them close in prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit to provide opportunities to shed Christ’s light over their current darkness.

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t all. No ize fits s hing e t n t o n porta is not n im io e s h s T d. pre ryone. his lea gs, de for eve st thin follow k o – r o m b r w e e l il Lik eav tion w de lov ugges sus ma e J each s .

E R E THE is to B 24

FAITH Magazine | MAY 2019 | WWW.FAITHMAG.COM

BY CYNTHIA KAAN

M

SAINT OF THE MONTH

ST. MADELEINE SOPHIE BARAT FEAST DAY: MAY 25

ADELEINE SOPHIE BARAT (1779-1865) was only 10 when the Reign of Terror began in France.

Fortunate to receive an extensive education at a time when Catholic education had almost ceased throughout the country, Madeleine became a champion of education for all as the founder of the Society of the Sacred Heart. By the time of her death in 1865, the order had opened more than 100 schools on four continents.

Madeleine enjoyed a comprehensive education from her brother Louis after he returned home from the seminary, while waiting to be ordained. Madeleine studied history, mathematics, science, Latin and Greek under Louis’ guidance. By the time she was 15, Madeleine had studied Scripture, theology and Church history.

When Louis renounced his allegiance to the revolutionary state in 1792, he escaped to Paris and took Madeleine with him. As

Madeleine continued her studies, she discerned a call to become a Carmelite nun. But after meeting Joseph Varin, who wished to begin an educational order based on the Jesuits, she instead took vows with three other women to start the Society of the Sacred Heart, an order dedicated to making known the love of God revealed in the Heart of Christ through the education of young women. At age 23, Madeleine took her vows and opened the first school; she soon became the Superior of the Order.

Madeleine led the order for the remaining 65 years of her life with an unusually collaborative style for its time. Dedicated to extending a knowledge of God’s love to the poor, Madeleine established a “free” school for the poor for almost every new school that opened. At the time of her death in 1865, more than 3,500 sisters of the Society of the Sacred Heart were operating schools in Europe, North Africa and North and South America.

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MIKE FRIESEMAN

YOUR COMMUNITY

Catholic Charities in Flint opens warehouse for nonprofits C

ATHOLIC CHARITIES of Shiawassee and Genesee Counties recently announced the opening of the

Mid-Michigan ReSource Warehouse, the first of its kind in Michigan. The Warehouse is designed to help nonprofit organizations better serve their clients by providing resources for these organizations to supply their facilities and clients with a range of goods at little or no cost to the organization.

Registered 501c3 organizations become members for an annual fee of $100, and can then visit the Warehouse that acquires products from more than 26 different retail stores in 26

FAITH Magazine | MAY 2019 | WWW.FAITHMAG.COM

Michigan that contribute to the Warehouse. Typically, items start at 80 percent or more off the original cost. Clothing, small appliances, household items, tools, outdoor supplies, and toys are among the items available. The Warehouse opened in January of this year, and already has nearly 100 members. Nonprofits from west of Lansing to Port Huron, north from Mt. Pleasant to Ann Arbor have joined the Warehouse.

Products to Mid-Michigan ReSource Warehouse are provided through a partnership with Local Retail Stores and Good360, a national nonprofit based in Washington, D.C. Good360 works with companies that have products to donate, and matches product donations with nonprofits that can use those goods to serve their local communities. Many donated items are brand new; some are new items that have been returned but may have damaged boxes. All electronics are tested to ensure they are in working condition. To become a member, or to donate, visit www.catholiccharitiesflint.org/mmrw/ or call John Manse at 810-785-6911.

IF YOU HAVE BEEN ABUSED OR VICTIMIZED

BY SOMEONE REPRESENTING THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

Task Force on Race and Catholic Schools presents final report to Bishop Boyea The Task Force on Race and Catholic Schools presented its findings and recommendations in a final report to the bishop at a conference on April 16. The task force, formed in March of 2018, was led by Dr. Joan Jackson Johnson and included educators at diocesan Catholic schools, clergy and lay people from around the diocese. Over the past year, the task force heard the stories, perspectives and concerns of the public at listening sessions in Lansing, Ann Arbor, Flint and Jackson. It also consulted Church documents, including the United States Bishops’ recent letter on race, Open Wide Our Hearts, and spoke with educators from Catholic schools in other states.

“We were charged with our future,” said Dr. Johnson as she addressed the group’s main concern: what Catholic schools can do going forward to better include people of color and racial minorities and to ensure they are treated with love and respect.

The group recommends that the diocese pilot a program called “Facing History and Ourselves” at Lansing Catholic High School for a year before introducing the program at schools throughout the diocese. The free program, designed to teach students to value diversity of thought and identity, includes curriculum and resources for students, as well as professional development for educators and administrators.

In his closing statement, Bishop Boyea said, “I ask forgiveness for the times when we have not done enough or stood by silently when we should have acted.” He also expressed his gratitude for the task force’s work and stated that he and his staff would review the report and its “opportunities for our schools to better listen to, understand, and meet the needs of racial and ethnic minorities within our communities.”

Memorial Day Masses at Catholic cemeteries MONDAY, MAY 27 AT 10:00 A.M. • Old Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 1101 Ballenger Hwy., Flint.

Father Tom Firestone will preside. Bring lawn chairs. In the case of inclement weather, Mass will be held at St. John Vianney Church, 2415 Bagley Street, Flint.

• St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, 2520 W. Willow Hwy., Lansing. Most Reverend Carl Mengeling, bishop emeritus of the Diocese of Lansing, will preside. A tribute to veterans at the Memorial will follow immediately after Mass. Bring lawn chairs. In case of inclement weather, Mass will be held at St. Gerard Church, 4437 W. Willow Hwy, Lansing.

Please believe in the possibility for hope and help and healing.

We encourage you to come forward and speak out.

If I have been the victim of child sexual abuse by someone representing the Catholic Church, whom should I contact?

Contact the Victim Assistance Coordinator for the Diocese of Lansing, Cheryl Williams-Hecksel, LMSW, 888.308.6252 or cwilliamshecksel@dioceseoflansing.org.

What if I am an adult victim of sexual harassment, abuse, or other types of harassment by someone who works for the Catholic Church?

Contact the Lighthouse Incident Reporting service, 844.446.0009, or Lisa Kutas, Human Resources Director, 517.342.2511 or lkutas@dioceseoflansing.org.

THINGS TO DO May 2-3, noon to 6 p.m., St. Joseph Melkite Catholic Church, 725 W. Mt. Hope, Ave., Lansing will host its 27th annual Middle Eastern Food Festival featuring its savory combos, homemade sweets and more. Dine in or takeout, credit cards are accepted. For information and pre-orders, call 248.238.8843.

Open during construction on Mt. Hope Ave. May 4, Holy Spirit Parish in Brighton Women’s Guild will present a matinee featuring the comedy “Saints and Sinners”

by Vicki Quade. Lunch served at noon and the show at 1 p.m.

Tickets are $30. To purchase, call Yvonne at 810.599.1468 or Joan at 810.923.3660.

May 7, 12 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 email to lclguild@ gmail.com. Registration deadline is April 20. All are welcome. If you have a question, call Diane Arzberger 517.402.2880 (c).

May 10, 6-8:30 p.m., the Hands of Mary Rosary Makers will host a spring social at the Immaculate Heart of Mary’s Parish Family Center, 3815 S. Cedar St. in Lansing. Join us for a meal, watch demonstrations and learn the different ways to make rosaries.

Everyone is welcome. For information or questions, call the parish office at 517.393.3030 or TheHandsofMaryRosaryMakers@ outlook.com.

May 17, 7 p.m., St. Robert Bellarmine, Flushing, will host Father Paul Erickson and the Encounter Ministries’ team, which will lead an Encounter Healing Service. Come spend the evening in the healing power of God. No registration needed. For information, call the parish office at 810.659.2501.

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, contact Lynnie Stewart at 517.614.3410 or lyn11nie@yahoo.com.

May 19, the Diocese of Lansing’s Special Needs Ministry is 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.

MAY CAFÉ EVENTS Faculty/Community Book Group: Meets each month on the first and third Wednesday to discuss a book. The book for May 1 and 15 is Rome Has Spoken: A Guide to Forgotten Papal Statements, and How They Have Changed Through the Centuries by Maureen Fiedler and Linda Rabben. All are welcome to join. Meetings are downstairs in Room 12 at St. John Church and Student Center, East Lansing.

May 19, 2 p.m., a new RCIA group of people seeking to learn about the Catholic Church is at St. John Church and Student Center in East Lansing. These are interactive sessions. So please bring your questions and invite someone you know to come. For information, contact Pete Ries at 517.351.5460, ext. 1328 or pries@elcatholics.org.

June 18, July 17, or Aug. 8, 7-8:30 p.m., St. Mary's Church/Campus of Holy Family Parish in Adrian will host a Catholic Biblical School of Michigan (CBSM) Information Night. All are welcome to learn more about an in-depth study of the Bible led by expert instructors that will begin Tuesday evenings in September in Adrian. For information, visit cbsmich.org or contact colleen@cbsmich.org.

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Please RSVP by May 14 to Cathy Blatnik at 517.381.1410 or at lcblatnik@juno.com. Everyone is welcome.

May 20-21, 6:30-8:30 p.m., St. Joseph Parish, 109 Linden St., St. Johns, will host “Do you believe in Miracles?” presented by Tim Francis with You Shall Believe Ministries. Tim’s presentation will focus on the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. For information, contact the parish office at 989.224.8994.

St. Agnes, Fowlerville, will have a casino trip to Battle Creek Firekeepers: May 21, 9 a.m., breakfast, 10 a.m., bus leaves. Cost is $35 and includes roundtrip bus transportation; $20 in free slot play; and $5 toward dining, slot play or gift shop. For reservations to participate or information, call the parish office at 517.223.8684.

May 22, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m., the Millennial Church Conference will be held at St. Agnes, 855 E. Grand River Ave. in Fowlerville. Cost $15/ person or $10/person for groups of 3+. For more information, visit millennialchurchconference. com and register online at millennialchurch2019.eventbee.com.

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, forgiveness, conflict management and communication. For information or to register, contact Larry or Beth at 734.879.0427 or toheal4give@ outlook.com.

June 1, 9 a.m., St. John, Howell’s Knights of Columbus golf outing at Chemung Hills Country Club in Howell. For information, visit facebook.com/kofc8169. For questions, contact Mike Babiuk at 248.388.5660 or michaelbabiuk@ mac.com.

June 2, 11 a.m., the annual Diocese of Lansing’s Mass for Persons with Disabilities will be celebrated

by Bishop Earl Boyea at St. Mary Cathedral, 219 Seymour Ave., Lansing. An interpreter for those who are deaf and hard of hearing

will be present. A light luncheon will follow in St. Mary Cathedral Parish Hall. To attend the luncheon, please RSVP by May 24 to Cathy Blatnik at lcblatnik@juno.com or 517.381.1410 with your name and the number of people attending.

June 7, St. Joseph Parish, Dexter will host Fairway to Heaven golf outing at Stonebridge Golf Club in Ann Arbor. To play or sponsor a hole, visit stjos.com. For questions, call 734.426.8483.

June 13 and 14, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., and June 15, 8-11 a.m., St. Francis of Assisi Parish will have its annual Rummage Sale at the Parish Activity Center, 2250 E. Stadium, Ann Arbor. For more information, call 734.769.2250 or visit stfrancisa2.com.

June 29, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and June 30, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Our Lady of Guadalupe, 2316 W. Coldwater Rd., Flint, will host its Fiesta Mexicana with authentic Mexican food, raffle, Mexican bingo, vendors and great entertainment. When time is closer, visit ologflint.org for information or call the parish office at 810.787.5701.

SAVE THE DATE: The Diocese of Lansing will have three Rachel’s Vineyard Retreats for post-abortion healing.

• Ann Arbor area: July 12-14 and Nov. 22-24. For information or to register, contact Beth Bauer at 734.879.0427 or toheal4give@ outlook.com.

• Lansing area: Aug. 9-11. For information or to register, contact the New Life Center at 517.993.0291 or nlcrachelsvineyard@gmail.com.

RETREATS ST. FRANCIS RETREAT CENTER, DEWITT Two retreats, includes snacks, Mass and lunch, directed by Tony Sperendi: •M ay 15, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., “Easter Glory: Mercy, Happiness and Heaven" refocuses your spiritual life on the everlasting parting gifts of Jesus and learn from the wisdom of the Church and saints. Cost is $65 and $55 for seniors 60+.

• May 19, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., “Healthy Habits for Married Couples” will enrich and renew your vocation to each other and the Lord. The cost is $99 per couple.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF JACKSON, LENAWEE AND HILLSDALE COUNTIES, JACKSON: 517.782.2551 and ADRIAN: 517.263.2191 OR CATHOLICCHARITIESJLHC.ORG •H ave you thought about being a foster parent – would you like to find out more? Foster Parent Orientation is an information meeting for prospective foster parents. It includes information about what foster care entails and the qualifications to become a foster parent. There is no cost to attend or become a foster parent.

The next orientations are May 2, 11 a.m. and May 16, 5:30 p.m. An RSVP is needed before attending an orientation, call Devyn Trester at 517.740.2635.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF SHIAWASSEE AND GENESEE COUNTIES, FLINT: 810.232.9950 AND OWOSSO: 989.723.7239 or CCSGC.ORG • Catholic Charities invites you to the event of the season: May 4, Genesys Banquet Center, 805 Health Park Blvd., Grand Blanc.

Join us and be part of a growing community invested in saving and changing lives. View uniquely designed chairs by local groups who have supported our mission. Cocktails at 6 p.m. Dinner and program at 6:30 p.m. Live auction at 7:30 p.m. auction. Tickets are $100 and will be entered into a drawing for the chance to win up to $5,000. For information on sponsorships or to purchase tickets, call Joan Clarke at 810.232.9950, ext.710, jclarke@ccsgc.org or visit catholiccharitiesflint.org/chairity.

LIVINGSTON COUNTY CATHOLIC CHARITIES, LIVINGSTONCATHOLICCHARITIES.ORG or 517.545.5944 •B e Our Guest Adult Day Care provides respite care for caregivers offering 24-hour specialized care for loved ones that suffer from dementia and forms of dementia such as Alzheimer’s. It provides recreational and social activities for participants. Guests receive a hot meal, medication reminders, daily supervision and activities to meet their needs. Open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. For information or to set up a tour, contact Suzi Snyder at 517.546.9910.

CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES OF WASHTENAW COUNTY, 734.971.9781 or CSSWASHTENAW.ORG • Two We C.A.R.E. marriage preparation classes: June 14, 6:30-9 p.m. and June 15, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at St. Andrew the Apostle, 910 Austin Dr., Saline; and July 12, 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m. and July 13, 9 a.m.12:30 p.m., at St. Mary Student Parish, 331 Thompson, Ann Arbor.

Cost is $95 per couple. Registration payment is required prior to class. Size is limited, register early. For information or to register, call 734.971.9781, ext. 421 or visit csswashtenaw.org.

ST. VINCENT CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF LANSING • Dine and Donate Fundraiser: Eat for a good cause and support St. Vincent Catholic Charities while enjoying delicious food. 20% of all proceeds from dine-in and take-out will benefit St. Vincent’s. No online order payment, payment must be in the store. Customers must show a print or electronic version of the flyer for St. Vincent Catholic Charities to receive credit. May 21, 4-9 p.m., Applebee’s, 5400 W. Saginaw Hwy., by the Lansing Mall. June 18, 7 a.m.-2 p.m., For Crepe Sake, 221 S. Washington Square, Lansing. Visit our facebook page for more information.

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CNS PHOTO/KAREN CALLAWAY/CHICAGO CATHOLIC

CHURCH IN THE WORLD

Catholic and Muslim leaders meet

Catholic and Muslim leaders met in late March in Chicago to discuss how to improve relations between these two major world religions.

They reflected on a document on the topic of human fraternity, which was signed in February by Pope Francis and Sheikh Ahmad el-Tayeb, a leading authority for Sunni Muslims throughout the world. After the meeting, Chicago Cardinal Blase J. Cupich spoke of three steps to building fraternity: establishing and nurturing dialogue, striving for cooperation in daily life, and working toward mutual understanding of one another's beliefs and practices. He went on to say: “Authentic dialogue requires that we strive to remove the barriers of pretense and subterfuge that so often accompany speech.”

Chicago Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, co-chair of the National Catholic-Muslim Dialogue, gives his reflections at a public session March 25, 2019, at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.

CNS PHOTO/VATICAN MEDIA VIA REUTERS

Pope honors Italian missionary

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Sister Maria Concetta Esu, an Italian nun from the Congregation of the Daughters of St. Joseph of Genoni, was honored recently with a medal from Pope Francis after a General Audience at the Vatican. Sister Maria Concetta, who is 85, has been a midwife in Africa for almost 60 years, and in that time has delivered thousands of babies. Pope Francis met Sister Maria Concetta on a visit to the Central African Republic in 2015, and spoke of her “tireless” efforts on behalf of children, mothers and families. He thanked her for “the work you have done in the midst of our African brothers and sisters, in the service of life.”

FAITH Magazine | MAY 2019 | WWW.FAITHMAG.COM

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR MAY: The Church in Africa, a Seed of Unity That the Church in Africa, through the commitment of its members, may be the seed of unity among her peoples and a sign of hope for this continent.

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