June 2009

w o r k

l i f e

I am in pain.

I just can’t do this job anymore

p a r e n t i n g

j o u r n e y

How do I get my child to go outside to play?

f r o m

t h e

b i s h o p

Encouraging spiritual perfection

Lives full of joy

Theresa, Virginia and Paul @

from the editor

I

Father Dwight Ezop is editor of FAITH Magazine and pastor of the Catholic Community of St. Jude.

E-mail: editor@FAITHmag.com.

met Theresa Marshall in 1997, when I was a fresh-from-seminary parochial vicar at St. Thomas Parish in Ann Arbor. Theresa was one of the dedicated volunteer sacristans who helped make sure every Mass ran smoothly – who knew where to find the vestments, who placed all the markers in the sacramentary and who made sure the chalices were polished to a high gleam.

Before I met her, someone on the parish staff mentioned that Theresa was a member of one of the oldest and most venerable vocations in the church – she was a consecrated virgin. I didn’t know any other consecrated virgins, so I wasn’t sure what to expect – someone very serious and quiet, perhaps. Perhaps a “stick in the mud.”

Theresa shattered any stereotype I might have held about the vocation of consecrated virgins. She is a bundle of high energy, lively humor and has a joyous love of God. Her smile lights up a room even brighter than it lights up the cover of this month’s issue of FAITH. It is impossible not to respond.

Her special education students have

correction

St. Robert Bellarmine, Flushing Principal: Susan Sharp SRSOffice@aol.com 810.659.2503 Student population: 254 Grades: We-3 through Grade 8 Classrooms per grade: 1-2 per grade Student/teacher ratio: 20:1 Tuition: We-3: $612 Elementary range: $3,359 Educational philosophy: St. Robert Catholic School believes that each child is a unique gift from God, and that a relationship with God should be fully integrated into the life of every student. In partnership with parents, we provide

experienced God’s love through Theresa – she overwhelms them with that love, as God himself overwhelmed her. They respond with joy and with stories of determination and success.

In a quieter way, the learners at the Adrian Rea Literacy Center also experience the transforming power of God’s love through the patient tutoring of teachers like Sister Virginia. As they develop literacy skills, they also grow in confidence. They can apply for jobs, read grocery labels and experience the word of God first-hand in the Scriptures.

Like all of us, these women spent time searching for the vocation to which God was calling them. Both said “yes” to the surprising path God

a distinctly Catholic Christian education in a safe, loving environment where students are challenged to grow spiritually, intellectually and socially.

Arts curriculum: Spanish (Pre-K-8), art, advanced art, general/vocal music, choir, band, drama, a spring musical, as well as Robotics, Clay Club, Computer Club, Drama Club and Math Club.

Special needs: Services available from Flushing Community Schools include, speech therapist, special needs testing, school psychologist, school social worker, and GISD testing.

Autism testing and services are handled through GISD. A reading specialist and a mathematics specialist are full-time employees at St. Robert School, as well as a teacher with an endorsement in learning disabilities.

Sports: Participation is through the Flint Area Catholic School League (FACSL).

The league requires no cuts and that all athletes play during each game.

We offer 7/8 boys’ football, 7/8 boys’ and

had set before them.

In that, they are much like St. Paul, who is the subject of our special report this month, as we conclude the year dedicated to his life. Saul thought he was on the path that God had set before him, until a radical experience of the love of Jesus Christ transformed his journey, his life and even his identity. As Saul became Paul, we also need to become new creatures in Christ. We do this by being constantly open to the love of God being poured out on us.

As we begin to bask in the warmth of summer, let us also remember to bask in the warmth of God’s love – and to radiate that love to others. And so our journey in FAITH continues. girls’ cross country, 5-8 girls’ basketball, 5-8 boys’ basketball, 7/8 girls’ volleyball, 5-8 boys’ baseball, 5-8 girls’ softball, 7/8 track Testing: Iowa Test of Basic Skills.

What would you like prospective students and parents to know? Building a firm foundation in faith is the main mission of our school.

Through Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, service opportunities and daily religion classes, students are immersed in their faith and learn to live their faith. Students are likewise challenged with high academic expectations and receive guidance to reach their individual potential. Our goal is to graduate saints.

In the May 2009 issue of FAITH Magazine, we inadvertently printed St. Pius information for St. Robert School. FAITH regrets the error.

The enrollment chart on page 10 was also in error – St. Robert had a 42.8 percent enrollment decrease since 1994-95.

Liturgical Calendar: St. Justin, martyr June 1 • Ss. Marcellinus and Peter, martyr June 2 • St. Charles Lwanga and companions martyrs June 3 • St. Boniface, bishop and martyr June 5 • St. Norbert, bis

FAITH Magazine / June 2009 / www.FAITHmag.com

A total gift to God Why Theresa became a consecrated virgin

– Nancy Schertzing

18

what you’ll get out of this issue

22

24

Feature

St. Paul Special Report

What if you couldn’t read?

How would you get a driver’s license? How would you fill out a job application? At the Adrian Rea Literacy Center, Sister Virginia Corley and other volunteers help bridge the literacy gap.

As we wrap up the year of St. Paul, FAITH presents a final look at the man who was a pivotal figure in spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Read more about his life and death – and how he shaped the church we know today.

– Elizabeth Solsburg

– Father Charlie Irvin

– Doug Culp

12 theology 101 How priests’ lives are changing.

– Cardinal Justin Rigali

5

8

12

St. Michael, Grand Ledge Principal: Mitzi Luttrull mitziluttrull@stmichaelgl.org 517.627.2167 Student Population: 143 Grades: Developmental Kindergarten - 8 Classrooms per grade: 1 Student/teacher ratio: 16:1 Tuition: $2,015 to $4,720 Educational Philosophy: We believe that all children are gifts from God and are to be treated with love and respect. We believe that all children can learn and as teachers, we need to teach to their modality and level of understanding.

14 spiritual fitness Who are you – in Christ? It’s more important than what we do! – Sister Ann Shields 31 last word St. Paul The Catholic Apostle – Father Charles Irvin

8

culture Good to the last leaf – Lebanese-style salad – Michelle Sessions DiFranco

Arts Curriculum: We offer music and art through the shared-time program with Lansing and Grand Ledge Public Schools. Liturgical music is provided by us.

Special Needs: Services are provided to our children through our public school, Grand Ledge. We have no one diagnosed with autism.

Sports: Our children in 5th through 8th grades participate in boys’ and girls’ basketball through the Catholic Youth League. Our children are known for their hard work and good attitudes throughout the league. Last year, our 6th grade girls won the CYL tournament.

Testing: Our children in 3rd through 8th take the Iowa test. Our students do very well in comparison to their predicted scores. After leaving middle school, students excel at both Grand Ledge and Lansing Catholic High School.

What else would you like prospective students’ parents to know about your school? At our accreditation visit, we were called the “Hidden Gem.” We provide a warm, safe environment that is Christ-centered led by

state-certified teachers. Our small class sizes make us an outstanding choice. We received the distinction last April of being a “green school.” We stress being good stewards of God’s earth.

In the May 2009 issue of FAITH Magazine, St. Michael School information was inadvertently omitted. FAITH regrets the error.

shop June 6 • Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity June 7 • St. Ephrem, deacon and doctor of the church June 9 • St. Barnabas, apostle June 11 • St. Anthony of Padua, priest and doctor of the church June 13

columnists

5 money tip Look for smart, cheap ways to protect yourself. – Ted Zale 5 work life I am in pain. I just can’t do this job anymore – Nick Synko 6 parenting journey Too little play? Not enough? How do I make sure my child is getting it right? – Dr. Cathleen McGreal 7 marriage matters He says: Her mom needs to go to a nursing home. She says: I can take care of Mom in our home. What do they do? – Tom and JoAnne Fogle 10 in the know with Fr. Joe If God knows everything, what is the point of free will? – Father Joseph Krupp 11 fact or fiction Each person has the right to act solely according to his or her own conscience when it comes to making moral decisions.

inside this issue

Theresa knew God was calling her to a religious vocation – but it became clear he was not calling her to a religious community. Instead, Theresa became a consecrated virgin. Find out more about how this energetic special-education teacher lives her life with Jesus.

The Magazine of the Catholic Diocese of Lansing

Is it morally acceptable to see the movie

Angels and Demons?

What do parishioners say?

“It’s OK, but you have to make your own decisions about how it will affect your faith.” – Janet

Author Dan Brown has sold more than

1.5 million copies of his book, Angels and Demons.

Director Ron Howard, actor Tom Hanks and author Dan Brown pose for photographers at the world premiere of the movie “Angels & Demons”

faith by the numbers

What did you say online?

57% 23% 12% 8%

Yes, it’s just fiction.

No, it maligns the church.

I’m not sure.

What’s Angels and Demons?

“I don’t know – I don’t know anything about it and I didn’t read the book The DaVinci Code.” – Shannon “Yeah, it’s OK – it’s not real, so it doesn’t really matter if you see it.” – Chris

What does the Vatican newspaper say?

According to L’Osservatore Romano, the official newspaper of the Vatican, the film and the book are both “modest” and “rather innocuous.” An accompanying review said that viewers “must face two hours of harmless entertainment that has little to do with the genius and mystery of Christianity, without getting beyond the usual stereotypes.”

The review said the film was “pretentious,” but actually complimented the “dynamic direction” and “splendid photography,” and said the computer and studio reconstructions of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica, which were off-limits to filming, were “magnificent.”

legislative advocacy

Visit FAITHmag.com to vote in our next poll: Is it ever acceptable to use torture to get information from prisoners of war?

How can you affect legislation? Become part of the Catholic Legislative Advocacy Network When you go to www.

FAITHmag.com, you will see a link to the Michigan Catholic Conference’s Catholic Legislative Advocacy Network. Sign up to receive timely e-mail alert when your advocacy is needed on important issues as they move through the legislative process.

This is an easy way to be informed and be involved. Sign up today!

Most Reverend Earl A. Boyea PUBLISHER

Rev. Dwight Ezop

EDITOR AND CHAIRMAN

June 2009 • Volume 10: Issue 5

FA I T H P u b l i s hing Ser vice Patrick M. O’Brien PRESIDENT/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Elizabeth Martin Solsburg DIRECTOR OF CUSTOM PUBLISHING/ EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Joanne Eason DIRECTOR OF MINISTRY MARKETING

Patrick Dally ART DIRECTOR

Lynne Ridenour

GRAPHIC DESIGNER/WEBMASTER

Janna Stellwag Abby Wieber

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Jillane Job EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

Patricia Oliver SECRETARY

InnerWorkings

PRINT MANAGEMENT

Cari Ann DeLamielleure Andrew Peltcs EDITORIAL INTERNS

Doug Culp Dcn. Tom and JoAnne Fogle Rev. Joseph Krupp Dr. Gelasia Marquez Dr. Cathleen McGreal Nancy Schertzing Sister Ann Shields Susie Skowronek Michelle Sessions DiFranco CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Derek Melot

PROOFREADING

Carlson Productions Tom Gennara Sheri Kendrick James Luning (cover) Scott Solsburg

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Wayne Case Michael Eichhorn Mary Jo Gillilland Diane Nowak Margaret Perrone Joseph Reid Rev. Bernard Reilly James Rhadigan Ricardo Rodriguez Dcn. David Rosenberg Rev. James Swiat Rev. Jerry Vincke Peter Wagner Sharon Wimple ADVISORY BOARD

FAITHTM (USPS 019993) is a publication of FAITH Publishing Service, Catholic Diocese of Lansing, 300 W. Ottawa, Lansing, MI 48933. 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 onto FAITHmag.com. If you have a change of address, please contact your parish.

Periodicals postage paid at Lansing, MI or additional offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to FAITHTM, 209 Seymour Ave., Lansing, MI 48933 ©FAITH Publishing Service. FAITH is a trademark of FAITH Publishing Service.

FAITHPublishingService.com

Most Rev. Carl F. Mengeling FOUNDING PUBLISHER

Rev. Charles Irvin

FOUNDING EDITOR

Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ June 14 • Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus June 19 • Immaculate Heart of Mary June 20 • St. Paulinus of Nola, bishop June 22

FAITH Magazine / June 2009 / www.FAITHmag.com

Q

I’ve worked hard in construction my whole life. But now that I’m 50, I just don’t have the physical energy to put in a full day without a lot of pain.

I need to work for years yet – what do I do?

Seek medical help

Ask others at work for ideas Next, have you talked with your coworkers or the management team to inquire if your work responsibilities can be fairly adjusted? I understand you still want to do it all yourself. However, perhaps now is the time to experience God’s help offered through others. Many of God’s people are in the construction trades – ask for their ideas.

Consider another job within the industry What are other job alternatives within the industry? Is

Look for smart, cheap ways to

Ted Zale is a veteran financial counselor.

O

minous headlines about layoffs.

“For sale” signs and plummeting stock markets. Everywhere you turn lately, you see a test of your financial faith. Never fear. Here are common-sense tips to survive the current money crunch:

Nick Synko can be reached at nsynko@synkoassociates.com

it time to bid on a heavy equipment operator’s job? Is it time to go back to school and study OSHA regulations to become a safety specialist? What about learning new computer skills and moving into construction management? Are there jobs with suppliers or customers to consider?

There are always options. Ask. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do, even though you may not want to do it.

Finally, one additional thought may also apply to your situation. When I lived with pain, I repeatedly petitioned God for a miraculous healing. It was going to be “God and me” who directly worked out this situation. Then it all got to be too much and I had to see an orthopedic surgeon. The pain was soon gone.

Today, my new hips are perfect. God heard my prayers; he healed me through the hands of Dr. “L.” At the same time, God did even more, He taught me that we tough guys over 50 need to learn to rely on the talents he has given to others to help us.

No matter how you choose to handle your pain and career challenge, asking others to help is the answer. God will bring the right people and answers to you. working is a serious blow at any time. In this economy, it could be a knockout punch – if you’re not prepared. It’s minimal investment for maximum protection. “You’re actually shooting yourself in the foot One of the best is buying by not taking advantage of it,” Zale said. “Long-term disability long-term disability insurinsurance has always been a ance from your employer. good deal and it always will Generally, the premiums are a just few dollars per month (Za- be. A lot of people think, ‘it’s le’s cost $5.50 per pay period) not going to happen to me.’

Then, when they need it, (the to purchase some serious coverage) isn’t there.” piece of mind. Suffering an injury that prevents you from

• Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist June 24 • St. Cyril of Alexandria, bishop and doctor of the church June 27 • Solemnity of St. Peter and St. Paul, apostles June 29

money tip

protect yourself.

I just can’t do this job anymore

work life

Have you seen a doctor? Are you taking appropriate pain medications? Have you tried pain management classes? Have you done all that is within your and your doctor’s control to address the situation? God gave us medical professionals to help us – yes, even us tough guys over 50 who think we know it all can use help once in a while.

I am in pain T. Gennara

A

Before replacing both hips, I lived with arthritis pain for years; therefore, I feel qualified to address the subject of work, pain and the constant energy drain. Let’s begin by praying that God will help you address the following three areas.

Too little play? Not enough?

How do I make sure my child is getting it right?

Dr. Cathleen McGreal is a psychology professor and certified spiritual advisor.

parenting journey

Q

My child doesn’t want to do anything but watch TV. How do I get her to go outside to play?

A

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “It is a happy talent to know how to play.” The inertia of watching TV works against this “happy talent.”

How do you counter it?

Try to match your suggestions to her interests.

The novelty of an old-fashioned rolling hoop might intrigue

Q:

My son is obsessed with football – to the exclusion of everything else, including schoolwork. How do I get him to achieve some balance?

A:

Your son is probably familiar with Alex Smith, the former University of Utah quarterback. Smith was the No.

1 overall draft choice the year he went to the San Francisco 49ers. But your son might not know that Smith’s world contained much more than football. Alex earned his bachelor’s degree in economics at the age of 20 and then went into the master’s program! In the NFL, he gave half a million dollars to his alma mater!

Heather Simonsen’s biography on Smith might interest your son and expand his

A

activities they have turned down.

The next time you invite one of them to do something and they will not commit, you can say, “I have noticed that every time I invite you

outlook (as well as his reading skills!).

Make sure he understands that student athletes are scholars who achieve in the classroom to play on the field. Football players work together just like families do; he has a role to play with certain tasks. Give him clear-cut guidelines for schoolwork and responsibilities, monitoring his performance. Then, get out there and throw the football!

How do I ask for

what I want?

Dr. Gelasia Marquez is a psychologist and family counselor.

to do this, you say ‘maybe’”; or “I get the impression that you are just waiting to see if anything better comes along.”

Your friends will probably react with surprise and may say things like, “I haven’t noticed that” or

“You’ve asked me with little time to make up my mind” or “I am just not interested in that – can we do something else?”

With this conversation, you can begin to explore each other’s likes and dislikes, and find activities you will both enjoy and to which you are both willing to commit.

S. Kendrick

what gets my goat

Q

Lately, I have noticed that many of my friends have developed an annoying habit of refusing to make commitments to activities. They always say, “Maybe” to any plan. I feel as if they are just waiting to see if anything better comes along. How should I handle this?

Since you say you have a lot of friends exhibiting this behavior, the best way to handle it is to confront them, one by one. First, I suggest that you write down a list of the friends that usually say ‘maybe’ and jot down the

a girl who likes American Girl bedtime stories, but another child would hate this toy! Remember to keep in mind activities that you’ll enjoy, too, because being with parents or grandparents can be a great incentive. How about creating a backyard obstacle course and crawling through big cardboard boxes? Buy a tub of chalk, let her decorate the sidewalk and then take photos to post on the refrigerator! Draw a hopscotch and teach her how to play. Invite her friends over for specific outdoor activities. Monitor your own choices, too. A family walk after dinner could be a memory she cherishes for a lifetime. And attending Mass as a family brings everyone closer together!

FAITH Magazine / June 2009 / www.FAITHmag.com

Her mom needs to go to a nursing home

I can take care of Mom in our home

He said | She said

Gina says: This is my mother we’re talking about!

She took care of me when I was little and needed her; Deacon Tom Fogle and JoAnne Fogle help prepare couples for marriage. now, it’s my turn. I think Jim is just inconvenienced by our children’s marriages. Most of us are sensitive to that scenario. having someone around who needs care – he seems to think life is all about fun on the weekends. I am not putting my mother in Yet, when it is our parents who need us, we feel strongly that we should be their primary care-givers because, as Gina said, some home – I can take care of her myself. And frankly, I think “Mom took care of me when I was little and now it is my turn.” it does the kids good to know that this is what’s expected. Does These are admirable words and highly commendable, but are of Jim want them putting us in a home when it’s convenient? little consequence if Gina’s actions destroys her marriage to Jim. Having an invalid parent in the house affects all members of the house, not just the primary care-giver. Jo and I would highly recJo and I are at the age where we have experienced this scenario firsthand. None of ommend Gina and Jim have a discussion about their own wishes for how they would want their children to treat them if they are us wish to put ‘Mom’ into a nursing home incapacitated. Once that is agreed on, apply the same solution or extended care facility; however, someto Mom. She may or may not understand, but your children times it is necessary for the health, welfare and safety of ‘Mom’ will learn a far greater lesson than what they are seeing currently and for our immediate families. Scripture tells us to honor our – that Grandma is tearing their parents’ relationship apart. mother and father, but it should not come at a price beyond We would also recommend that Jim and Gina seek the input reason – such as destroying Jim and Gina’s relationship and of medical professionals and social workers. They are skilled family unit. Honoring your mother and father is not the same in handling these situations, provide an objective view and can as letting them become the focus of our own family unit, in the provide valuable information that may help with the decision same way that children should not become the center of the making process. But the best person to turn toward for assisfamily unit. The core of every family unit is the husband, wife tance is God. Through prayer, tell him your fears and expectaand God. When we marry, a new core begins as we leave our former families to become our own family unit. The first task of tions. Pray for empathy and understanding, and pray for his guidance and wisdom to do what is best for your relationship a married couple is to emotionally separate from their families of origin. We can honor our fathers and mothers, but that is not and your family unit. It is possible that an alternative solution may work best. Such as bringing mother to the house for a few the same as including them as core members of our new family hours during the week or on an afternoon when the family can unit. The older and more fragile our parents become, the more gather and give mother some extra love and care that she may likely we will try and include them within our core family unit relish at this stage in her life. Whatever the solution is, it should – often with devastating consequences for the couple. This is not be at the expense of Jim and Gina’s relationship. Mother beginning to show with Jim and Gina. would not appreciate it.

As parents, we would not want to be the cause of splitting up

what do they do?

your marriage matters

Jim says: Gina’s mother came to live with us a couple of years ago.

At first, everything was fine, but now Mom is losing her mental faculties and doesn’t even know where she is most of the time.

She’s wandered out of the house before, and I’m afraid she’s going to injure herself. She’s also become extremely irritable and loud – the kids don’t even want to be in the house on weekends anymore. I think it’s time she went to a facility where she can get more care.

Good to the last leaf Lebanese-style salad

By Michelle Sessions DiFranco | Photography by Philip Shippert

M

culture

ost moms struggle with the daily dinnertime trauma of getting their kids to eat vegetables. On the list of things kids are predisposed to resist, eating greens is up there with going to Mass.

Little Johnny Hale was an exception, however. He was ecstatic to eat his greens. In fact, when it came to his Lebanese grandmother’s amazing salad, eating a couple of helpings wasn’t enough. He and his grandmother would fight over what was left at the bottom of the bowl, sopping up the dressing with a piece of bread.

Why was Johnny an exception? It all started in a humble kitchen in Lebanon decades earlier when his great-grandmother assembled fresh greens and vegetables from her garden. Using healthful ingredients and strong, sharp-flavored accents, her recipe was in itself a tribute to the bounty and beauty of life; living vegetables from the Mediterranean sun combined into a colorful harmony of taste and texture. And in gratitude to God for such bounty, she topped off each salad by drizzling the dressing in the sign of the cross before mixing it all together.

Today, little Johnny Hale is no longer little. He is happily married with a family of his own, and they, too, enjoy the very same salad his great-grandmother passed down. They are the hereditary recipient of a recipe that began generations prior and, like John’s grandmother, they are happy to share it with others.

John is my brother-in-law and I can attest that he is still glad to finish off any remaining greens from the salad bowl after every family dinner.

So what was it that made little Johnny devour his grandmother’s salad and all its healthy veggies? If you tasted the salad, you might conclude the answer is obvious. Or maybe with each cross of oil cast upon the greens, his grandma prayed for obedient grandkids. But there is probably something more. John says his grandma let him be a part of the preparation. She shared with him the heritage behind the dish and made him proud of his origins and traditions. Her enthusiasm for the whole endeavor was contagious.

What a lesson! Maybe if we tried this same approach before each Mass, kids would be more eager to inherit that incredible gift, too.

Lebanese-style salad 2-3 hearts of romaine, chopped (depending on size) ½ cup scallions, chopped 3-4 Roma tomatoes, diced 1 cucumber, diced 1-2 cloves of garlic, minced 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (or more if desired) 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar (or more if desired) 1-2 lemon wedges Salt and pepper to taste

Directions: In a large mixing bowl, throw in the greens, scallions, tomatoes, cucumber and minced garlic. Drizzle on the oil and red wine vinegar. Squeeze the juice from the lemon wedges all over the salad. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Toss well and enjoy with good artisan bread.

FAITH Magazine / June 2009 / www.FAITHmag.com

Using healthful ingredients and strong, sharpflavored accents, this recipe is a tribute to the bounty and beauty of life; living vegetables from the Mediterranean sun combined into a colorful harmony of taste and texture.

10 Dear Fr. Joe:

T. Gennara

If God knows everything, what is the point of free will? @

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

Q

Since God knows everything, then he knows what we are going to do next and if we are going to heaven or hell; what does that mean for free will?

This is one of the hardest questions I’ve had to work on – what a great challenge you gave me! Let’s dive right in.

We start by saying “God knows everything” and think that means God knows what we are going to do next.

I’m afraid its much more amazing than that: When we say God knows everything, we mean God knows every possibility. That, my friend is mind-bending.

Look at it this way: You and I and everyone you know live in linear time. In a nutshell, linear time is the way we experience reality. It is defined by constant motion. We are always moving forward; we remember the past (usually badly!) and move forward toward the future. We use the word “now,” but when is “now?”

When it comes to the past, we can only remember it; we can’t go back there. When it comes to the future, we can only guess what’s going to happen and again; we can’t get there.

With me so far?

So, we linear-time creatures are extremely limited

in the know with Fr. Joe

A

So, this summer, I had some work done on my knee. As I was recovering from surgery, the surgical nurse approached and asked me how I was feeling.

I told her, everything went well, though I sure didn’t like the four letter word the doctor used in surgery. “What did she say?” he asked.

“Oops!” I answered. in our ability to experience time. We have a vague, amorphous “now,” which doesn’t really exist, an almost non-existent means of predicting the future and a highly inaccurate recollection of the past, with no ability to “re-enter” it. Basically, we experience time as a scroll – time, quite literally “unfolds” for us.

So, how does God experience time? Well, we’re not God (I’ll leave out the obvious joke), so all we can do is explain our best guess.

Here’s how I do it: You and I experience time like a scroll, but God sees all of time and history as one moment, like you see this page in the magazine.

As you read this, there is a

seemingly infinite number of possibilities open to you. You could rip the page out of the magazine and burn it (that may be the best option for you); you could keep reading, move on to a better column (the salad recipe looks good); all sorts of options. If you think about it, no matter which option you choose, it creates a whole bunch of different options for the people you will encounter.

For example, let’s say you decide to read this article and then share later with someone what you read.

They then have the choice to discard it or embrace it and that changes the options of all the people they will meet.

Now, the crazy part is that there are more than 6 billion people on the planet, all of whom are constantly changing each other’s options.

Until heaven (God willing), we’ll never really know the effects of our everyday decisions and actions (this is why I’m a regular at confession).

Now, brace for the brain melter: When God sees our time and history, he doesn’t just see all that has happened and will happen, God sees every possibility. God knows everything that could possibly happen next, how it changes the entire future of the human race and each possibility along that tree. It’s astounding to think about.

This is just one more reason to be in absolute awe of God. So, now, when we land back into the hard-core reality of our own lives, hopefully we can see that we are truly

11

FAITH Magazine / June 2009 / www.FAITHmag.com

Each person has the right to act solely according to his or her own conscience when it comes to making moral decisions.

fact or fiction?

Unfortunately, this teaching has been used to justify relativism and subjectivism. The primacy of conscience seems, at first glance, to support claims that moral decisions reside with the individual and are therefore personal and beyond the scope and judgment of church authority. In fact, recent surveys of U.S. Catholics iden-

A Decade of FAITH FAITH Magazine will be 10 in 2009! As we gear up for this important anniversary, we are going to be looking back at some of the great stories from the past decade, and finding out, “And then what happened?”

In April 2007, we found out how Linda “baked away the blues” at her Sweetie-licious Pie Pantry in DeWitt. A stop at Sweetie Pie’s became a popular destination.

And then what happened? In 2009, Linda won the $5,000 Best of Show prize in the Crisco National Pie Championships / Food Network Pie Challenge for “Tom’s Cheery Cherry Cherry Berry Pie.” Congratulations, Linda!

Sweet How Linda baked away the blues

Life

I am a coalminer’s granddaughter who grew up loving tradition and celebrating good food and family. I had no idea these were gifts until God folded them into a perfect plan for me.

Sweetie Pie is a business that’s really more about loving people than making money. It will be nice to make money someday, but, for now, I truly believe my girls [co-workers] and I are doing ministry work here. Our customers need to be cherished. When they come to our shop, that’s how we try to make them feel.

I know what it’s like to need that. What it’s like to wonder how you’re going to get up and face another day. I know how it feels to wonder if God has a plan, and why life has to be so hard!

A few years after my husband, John, and I were married, we both lost our jobs. We had no health insurance and, though I had a degree in elementary education, I couldn’t find a teaching job. In the midst of all this, I became pregnant with our first child. I truly believe now that God gave us Ellie to give us hope and take our minds off our troubles. But at the time, God’s plan wasn’t so clear!

Though I would have loved to have time with my newborn daughter, I needed to find a job immediately after she was born to pay the bills. I went to work in state government. Although the work was unsatisfying, I loved the people I met. I also was able to hone my baking skills at the office in weekly bake-offs, where my treats were always favorites.

By Nancy Schertzing | Photography by Jim Luning

10 years of FAITH

free. God is not a puppet master, pulling our strings, but a mighty, omniscient God who looks at each thing we could do and meets us there when we make our choice.

When I was a younger man, I remember a great quote my folks gave me: “I don’t know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future.”

You are free at every moment. Free to choose to love, free to choose to sin.

Whatever our future, God is there, waiting with all the love and grace we need to be who He has called us to be.

Let’s choose wisely.

Enjoy another day in God’s presence!

tify the church’s moral teaching as only peripheral to what it means to be Catholic.

However, this view ignores an essential pre-condition for the appeal to conscience: proper formation. The Catechism instructs that conscience “must be informed and moral judgment enlightened… [as a] well-formed conscience is upright and truthful” (1783). A moral conscience seeks to do good and avoid evil. Consequently, the lifelong education/formation of the conscience is crucial in helping people to withstand the negative influences of society and the temptation to “prefer their own judgment and to reject authoritative teachings” (1783).

In short, the Word of God, the Holy Spirit, the witness and advice of others, and the authoritative teaching of the church are all needed to aid and to guide the proper formation of conscience. – Doug Culp

fact or fiction?

Here are the facts: The primacy of conscience is at the heart of the church’s moral teaching. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that a person must not be forced to act contrary to or be prevented from acting according to his/her conscience, “especially in religious matters” (1782).

12

How priests’ lives are changing Cardinal Justin Rigali is the archbishop of Philadelphia. He serves on many committees at the Vatican, and attended the Second Vatican Council. FAITH is honored to ask this eminent Catholic churchman and scholar some questions about the Catholic Church in the new millennium.

Q

As the number of clergy decrease, how do you see the role of the parish priest evolving or changing?

Well, first of all, we know from our faith exactly what it is that Jesus established. We understand the purpose of the priesthood because Jesus himself taught this to us. He taught us about the eucharistic dimension of the priesthood – “Do this in memory of me.” He taught us about the pastoral aspect of the priesthood – to lead people as the good shepherd, because he is the one Good Shepherd. Now, in doing this, there are many aspects, but we must always remember the principal aspects. These aspects can develop over the years. There are many consequences, many things in the daily life of a shepherd that can vary. A pastor is called to do many things. But already in the Acts of the Apostles, it was clear that the apostles were not able to

A

Church of the month The power and vitality of the Christian faith have long inspired tremendous works of art on the part of believers. One has only to consider the beauty of many of our principal churches to realize the transcendent beauty of our faith. For example, consider:

St. Patrick Cathedral St. Patrick’s Cathedral is a neo-Gothic cathedral

in New York City. It is the seat of the archbishop of the Archdiocese of New York and is located in midtown Manhattan across from the Rockefeller Center.

Origin: The land on which the present cathedral sits was purchased for $11,000 on March 6, 1810, as a site for a Jesuit school for young Catholic men. This school failed. In 1813, the land was

sold again to Dom Augustin LeStrange, abbot of a community of French Trappists.

With the downfall of Napoleon in 1814, the Trappists returned to France, abandoning the property.

On Oct.6, 1850, Archbishop John Joseph Hughes announced his intention to erect a new cathedral to replace the old St. Patrick Cathedral. The new cathedral was designed by James Renwick, Jr. in the Gothic Revival style. Work was be-

St. Patrick’s Cathedral

13

Are you a heretic?

Do we choose our parents?

do everything. So the church came together and said, “We’re going to establish the diaconate, and the deacons are going to handle some of the things we can’t handle.

Because we have to dedicate ourselves to things that are essential to the priesthood, namely prayer and the ministry of the word.” (cf Acts 6) And the height of the ministry of the word is the eucharistic ministry.

So, all throughout the centuries, we always have this: The priest has his principal activities to which he must be very faithful. At the same time, he is called to do, as Jesus did, many things. The priest is never isolated, because he is assisted by

gun in 1858 and completed in 1878. The cathedral was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1976.

Notable Features: •T he Stations of the Cross – won a prize for artistry at the World Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893.

•T he Pipe Organs – The Chancel Organ and the

What is at stake?

Value and dignity of each human life and the doctrine of creatio ex nihilo (creation out of nothing)

What is the truth?

This teaching of the pre-existence of our souls is a prevalent theme in a great deal of New Age literature.

However, it is actually a form of a very old platonism. It is a seductive doctrine because it promises to help us give meaning to our individual life situations and a sense of control, i.e. I chose to be

deacons and, especially since the Second Vatican Council, we have a wonderful emphasis on the role of the laity in the church.

Q

Do you see the parish priest’s role becoming more focused on the sacraments and less on administration?

Well, actually, this is the way it always has been.

From the beginning, the apostles were faced with many things to do, but there was

A

Grand Gallery Organ have a combined 177 stops and 9,838 pipes.

•B urials – The crypt under the former high altar holds the remains of the eight past archbishops of New York, Pierre Toussaint and Archbishop Fulton Sheen. In addition, the funeral Masses of Babe Ruth, Vince Lombardi and Robert F. Kennedy were celebrated at St. Patrick’s.

going through this trial or this death because of my mission for this life.

At the same time, it devalues the significance of actual human life because it is “pre-determined” and any current life may just be one life out of many we will enjoy since this view holds open the possibility of reincarnation.

Compare this with the church’s teaching that each one of us was created by a loving God “out of nothing” to enjoy a unique life of communion with God – a life that did not exist before and we will never exist again on the earth.

always a distinction between the things they alone could do and the things that they can get help to do.

It is a positive thing for priests to be assisted in so many ways – they are assisted by people who belong to the church and who therefore have a calling to build up the church.

So whatever deacons or laity can do is a great blessing, because the sacramental role of the priest – his prayer, his eucharistic enactment, the ministry of the word and the administration of the sacraments – is his principal role. Whatever gives, it can’t be this.

– Elizabeth Solsburg and Douglas Culp

Words of wisdom – can you complete the proverb?

The Sacred Scriptures teach us “to get wisdom, to get understanding!” (Proverbs 4:5) Now it is time to put yourself to the test to see how far along you are in this quest by completing this proverb. Remember, no peeking into your Bible!

The eyes of the Lord are in every place ________________ a. but he loves the one who pursues virtue. b. he makes even his enemies be at peace with him. c. keeping watch on the evil and the good.

theology 101

A notable author and “spiritual” teacher explains in one of his books that we each choose our parents before our birth in consultation with God, based on

our own specific mission. Predominantly, our choice of parents is based on what we need to learn in our lifetime and on what they need to learn.

(Answer: c – Prov 15:3)

A theology professor once remarked that there were no new heresies, just old ones repackaged. To test the truth of this statement, consider this recent real-life scenario and see if you can name the error involved:

14

Who are you – in Christ?

spiritual fitness

T. Gennara

It’s more important than what we do!

D

Sister Ann Shields is a renowned author and a member of the Servants of God’s Love. Questions can be addressed to Sister Ann Shields, Renewal Ministries, 230 Collingwood, Suite 240, Ann Arbor, MI 48103

o you really know who you are in Christ? Do you really understand your identity? Don’t answer those questions quickly.

Often people respond to such questions by giving name, family background and work/profession. But a true disciple of Christ knows that who we are in Christ is infinitely more important than what we do.

Reflect on the following: “Brothers and sisters: for those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through whom we cry, ‘Abba, Father!’ The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God and, if children, then heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.” (Romans 8:14-17) “For this reason, I kneel before the Father, from whom every

family in heaven and on earth is named, that he may grant you in accord with the riches of his glory to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner self and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:14-19) This month is particularly rich with great feasts: the most Holy Trinity, the feast of Corpus Christi, the feast of the Sacred Heart, the feasts of Saints Peter and Paul. This month also celebrates the conclusion of the Year of Saint Paul.

These are feasts that pour forth incredible grace for you and for me. But how can we receive when we do not understand who we are, what we were born for and what we are called to be?

Saint Paul does a marvelous job of summarizing our identity in Christ: the first in his letter to the Romans. Take a look at that first passage given above. There are five key words or phrases that define who we are in Christ: 1) sons and daughters; 2) spirit of adoption; 3) Abba, Father; 4) heirs of God; and 5) destined for glory.

15

saint of the month

For 37 years, I have had the Do you believe? That is the quesprivilege of bringing Gospel truths to tion. God will give you the grace to people on six continents. The biggest believe if you turn your hearts and obstacle I have found to embracyour whole lives over to him. Many ing our identity in Christ is not sin, people say, “Well, it’s too late for me but disbelief or unbelief. I am a son/ – I’m too old, I’ve sinned too much. daughter of God my Father. That God would never accept someone relationship is real. Jesus Christ died like me.” Those are lies that come on the cross for me in order to break from the pit of hell. God loves you the bonds of sin and death – to give and called you his son/daughter. He Apostle of Germany me new life in Christ – if only I put never turns away from you or stops Saint Boniface my faith in him. God, my Father, will thinking of you for a moment. If he not lie; he is faithful to his promises. did, we would cease to exist. No, he Feast Day: June 5 Do you honestly believe that at your cries out for you, “Come to me all Patron saint: of Germany and baptism, when you received the living you who labor and are heavily burthe Netherlands, brewers, file cutwater of Christ in your soul, that you dened. Come to me and I will give ters and World Youth Day became God’s true son or daughter? It you rest.” Ask God to “activate” the Meaning of name: Bonifacius is not a metaphor; it is the truth. He gift of faith to believe his promises from the Latin bonum “good” and fatum “fate.” claimed you for his own; he poured – the gift given to you in baptism. forth into your being the gift of the But God also gave you free will and Claim to fame: To show a Holy Spirit – whose hunger and thirst so you need to assent personally to crowd how utterly powerless for the Father would cry out through this gift, tell the Lord you want to were the gods in whom they you, a living temple of the Holy Spirit. “begin” to live as a person of true placed their confidence, Boniface felled an oak tree sacred to the And by your baptism, you have the faith. Ask God for the grace – daily. pagan thunder-god Thor. The right and the privilege of calling him Try a little exercise. Choose to live people were astonished that no Abba, a term of great affection in the one day as though these promises thunderbolt from the hand of East. you are able to call God Papa, are really true. What would you do Thor destroyed him, and many Daddy, Abba. This is part of your differently? How would you think converted to Christianity.

Why is he a saint? At the inheritance here. This is your identity, about those things that concern you? age of 30 he became a priest. your dignity!

What priorities would you have?

He became a missionary and You, by baptism, became an heir of Would they be different than the worked to Christianize the the kingdom of heaven. When you die, Frankish Empire during the 8th ones you have today. Try it for one you will experience the fullness of an day. And then, for another. century. He not only expanded and built churches throughout eternal relationship with the source of St. Paul absolutely knew the truth Germany, but ensured that all truth and beauty and love. of what I have written. Paul prayed the political authorities and This is no fairy tale. This is the for his beloved Ephesians that they rulers were firmly committed to truth. We cannot fully comprehend it, might be filled with the fullness of Christianity. but if we put our faith in the one who God himself, to know the love of Best quote: “In her voyage created us and saved us and fathers us, across the ocean of this world, Christ that surpasses all knowledge. the church is like a ship pounded life here will look very different.

This is how Jesus prays for you; this by the waves of life’s different The Father wants you to know him is how the saints pray for you! The stresses. Our duty is not to and he has given you of his Spirit – the abandon ship, but to keep her on key is faith to believe that what God family Spirit who will lead you into says and promises is true. These course.”

How he died: He baptized all truth; the truth that God is your promises are for you. Stop and read a great many Frisians and Father, that his son, Jesus, is your the verses above of that prayer now. summoned a general meeting for savior and your shepherd, the one One day, “there shall no more be anyconfirmation. A group of armed who by offering his life redeemed you thing accursed, but the throne of God inhabitants appeared who killed from hell that you might have eternal and of the Lamb shall be in it and his the archbishop. According to their law, the Frisians had the right to life in the Family of God. This is real, servants shall worship him, they shall kill him, since he had destroyed brothers and sisters. Not fairy tales, see his face and his name shall be on their shrines. not pious stories to make a point. We their foreheads. And night shall be no are joint heirs with the Son of God; we more; they need no light of lamp or sun will inherit heaven if only we put our for the Lord God shall be their light and faith and trust in him they shall reign forever and ever.” (Rev. 22:3-5) Live your life now by He never said there would be no suffering. He never said faith in the Son of God who loved you and gave himself for you that life would be easy. He did say that if we were willing to so that others, seeing your life of faith, will be drawn to put their suffer in this life for the truth, for what is good and right – just trust in God . “Come, Holy Spirit, enflame the gifts given us in as Jesus did – then we would receive everlasting life where all baptism and confirmation, especially the gift of faith.” Let us run sorrow ends and be filled with the fullness of God himself. the race of faith together and pray for one another.

16

FAITH Magazine / June 2009 / www.FAITHmag.com

wonderful role of women in the church needs to be more appreciated, especially since so many great and holy women are the first and best collaborators in the mission of Holy Mother Church today.

Fourth, we all need to promote vocations, first of all to holiness, but also to holy marriage and to the priesthood and the consecrated life. We all too rarely see our lives being played out as a response

The Year of the Priest begins

J. Carlson

Encouraging spiritual perfection Bishop Earl A. Boyea is the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Lansing.

to God’s call to us to become holy, to of dedicated laywomen continue their become saints – and thus to help others professional careers in the world and at to achieve this same goal. To help us do the same time give their sexuality as a that we need the witness of holy married gift back to God in love of Jesus Christ. couples and of priests and consecrated They remind all of us that God must be men and women. Talk about these our first love. We are very blessed in this things in our homes and at our parishes. diocese to have some wonderful conseAnd especially pray, pray that the Lord crated virgins. Pray too for them and for of the harvest will send more harvesters their vocations. into his fields.

Finally, additional prayers should be offered for your own priests, for their holiness, for an inner renewal and re-discovery of their own proper identity, Bishop Boyea holding a very young seminarian recruit for a strengthin Davison, MI. ening of their

snapshot

Notice, this special year is not primarily about celebrating our priests or honoring them or loving them more, but rather encouraging their spiritual perfection. How do we go about this?

First of all, we need to reflect upon the priesthood as an awesome gift given to the church by Jesus at the Last Supper in order to continue the Eucharist for all ages. Caught up, as we often are, in the all-too-human frailties of the bishop and the priest, we can lose sight of the treasure hidden in these clay vessels. And since this is a treasure not of their own making, but rather of the Lord’s making for the sake of his bride the church, we need to affirm that inner, deeper reality.

We all need to celebrate priesthood itself.

Second, the priest stands in the place of Jesus Christ. He has been called an alter Christus (another Christ). This is one of the most significant ways Jesus chose to remain in our midst, particularly during the Eucharist and the celebration of the other sacraments. It is Jesus who renews the sacrifice of his own body and blood on the altar at every Mass; it is Jesus who forgives our sins in confession; it is Jesus who gives us healing and encouragement during the anointing of the sick; it is Jesus who baptizes us and confirms us and marries us and ordains us. Again, this happens in and through us sinful priests.

We need to practice seeing Christ as celebrant during these events.

Third, Jesus chose men and the church continued this choice for those to be ordained his priests. As Pope Paul VI and Pope John Paul II have made clear, we are not free to make a change in this choice of the Lord’s. This has nothing to do with the worthiness of those ordained. After all, Mary was far worthier than any of the apostles, yet our Lord did not choose her for this role. The

fraternity among themselves, for their growth in zeal for the mission of the church, and for me to be an effective father and brother to the priests of our diocese. And in addition to all this, if you wish to honor your parish priests, it seems to me that such a noble desire would not be out of place in this year of the priest.

It is also noteworthy that this year we ordain Father Mark Rutherford on June 13. He is the first priest I have the honor to ordain, my proto-priest as it were.

We have some fine seminarians in the wings. They are currently studying at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, Blessed John XXIII Seminary in Boston, the North American College in Rome and St. John Vianney Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. Many of them are home for the summer. Give them your encouragement.

This issue features one of our Consecrated Virgins. This group

from the bishop

he Cure D’Ars, a saintly priest in Ars, France, in the 1800s several times ran away from his parish. On any given day, any priest may jokingly say that he is quitting. Yet, that saint always returned, or at least was returned, to his ministry in his parish. Pope Benedict has designated the year from June 19, 2009, to June 19, 2010, as the Year of the Priest, “in order to encourage the striving for spiritual perfection of priests, on which, above all, the effectiveness of their ministry depends.”

17

FAITH Magazine / June 2009 / www.FAITHmag.com

19

20

cover story

It was a snow day, so I didn’t have to report to school. I decided to take some prayer time, so I went to church and prayed before the tabernacle.

As I knelt there, I could feel eyes on me. I kept my head bowed, but I opened my left eye ... nobody there. I opened my right eye, and still no one was there.

while living and working in the world.

There is no particular job attached to it, no special clothing to wear and no abbot we report to. Our local bishop is our father and guide, and our consecration cannot be rescinded. We’re in this for life.

We live as brides of Christ, working our careers, serving the church and praying for clergy. We spend two to four hours every day in prayer, but we live fully in the world

I closed my eyes again and I saw Jesus coming toward me.

He stopped at my left side and just sat there, smiling. Just then, I was hit with this feeling, like a heavy blanket covering me from head to toe.

I opened both eyes. I could feel myself covered in this, and I wanted to see it, or at least see if someone had come in and put something on me. The church was empty.

When I closed my eyes he was still there smiling. He said, ‘I love you so much.’

All I could say was ‘O…K,’ but we sat there together for a while longer – him smiling, and me dripping in this feeling. It felt like about 10 minutes, but I found out later it was about three hours.

For a long time, I couldn’t tell anyone about it. But I couldn’t get that feeling off me! It didn’t wash off

(canon 604).

or wear away.

Theresa Marshall laughs a full belly laugh. This elementary special education teacher has clearly grown comfortable walking around in Jesus’ love. So comfortable, in fact, that, in 1989, she dedicated her life to him as a consecrated virgin.

A lot of people don’t realize it, but consecrated virginity is a vocation that dates back to the time of the apostles and martyrs. Some teachings say St. Matthew was martyred because he consecrated a virgin.

We make the promise to live in single-hearted devotion to Jesus

I like to think of us like the Marines – the few, the strong, the proud. It is a unique vocation that is not for the faint of heart. It’s a spiritual battle out in the world, and we are thrust into the middle of it. Your love life with Jesus carries you.

God does miracles in my classroom. People call it the Miracle Room because we’ve had amazing success in my 24 years of teaching the most extreme kids — cognitively delayed with severe disabilities or children with autism. I teach the elementary-level students with the goal of eventually having them join their peers in general education classes.

We have a lot of kids with autism who come to us – sometimes violent and withdrawn. It’s not un-

By Nancy Schertzing | photography by Jim Luning

21

FAITH Magazine / June 2009 / www.FAITHmag.com

common for kids to come to us crying, screaming and biting or kicking. But, after a short time in our room, they become calm and are oftentimes able to participate in mainstream classrooms.

I am certified to work with children with cognitive impairment and autism, so I use my training to help them. But God gave me a gift for teaching, and when I meet a new student, I pray, ‘This child is like a puzzle to me, Lord. I don’t know what to do.’ Sometimes the answer just comes to me in the form of insights.

Growing up, faith was a huge part of our family life. My nine sisters, five brothers and my parents all prayed the rosary every day, and we always had priests and nuns at our house. My parents still attend daily Mass.

In third grade, I told my mother, ‘I think God wants me to be a nun.’

She said, ‘Oh, Theresa, every little Catholic girl wants to be a nun at some time in her life, but most don’t.’ She encouraged me to get my education, but I continued to feel called.

In high school, I joined a charismatic youth group and asked one of our Sisters of Notre Dame to be my spiritual advisor. It was amazing to get direct attention from an adult and to talk about prayer life and family life!

She was a blessing.

I went to the University of Maryland and went on to get my master’s in special education from the University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan University. I stayed involved in the charismatic movement and I continued to feel God’s call.

I kept telling God, ‘Close the door if I’m not supposed to go into this order or that.’ Every time I thought I had figured it out, he shut the door. Friends tried to set me up with men, but I just couldn’t go there.

I was staying on top of my jam, lovin’ Jesus and all.

One day I was talking to my pastor about feeling called, but never finding the door open when I was ready to walk through. He had just

Just the FAQs What is the main work of the consecrated virgin? Primarily, the work of the consecrated virgin is prayer. She should pray for families, priests and Christian unity.

Can one be consecrated in a diocese outside of one’s own? No, but one should progress toward the consecration with a spiritual director and prayer so that eventually one may be able to receive the consecration properly.

Who is the proper community for the consecrated virgin living in the world? Your community is your parish and you should live out your vocation in the world.

Why do the consecrated virgins not wear veils? Part of the rite is to show espousal to Christ and an optional symbol of this is the veil. She may wish to wear a veil, subsequently, during Mass

or on the anniversary of her consecration. However, to wear a veil in daily life seems to be part of a habit, and a consecrated virgin living in the world should not be wearing a habit, which is a sign of removal from the world in a religious institute.

How can one start to prepare to receive the consecration? One should start with the prayer life of a consecrated virgin: Divine Office, rosary, daily Mass, visits when possible to the Blessed Sacrament.

Read the rite of consecration and the lives of the

virgin saints.

Is there an age limit for woman to receive the consecration of a virgin? No, there is no upper age limit. At the other end of the scale, there is no certain age that one should have attained before one can receive the consecration.

Dioceses may choose to set a minimum age, but the important point is that the woman be of mature character, that she have lived in tranquil continence for a number of years and that from all indications she will persevere in perpetual chastity.

For more information about consecrated virgins, visit www.consecratedvirgins.org.

happened to read an article about consecrated virgins. He held out the article and said, ‘I think this was meant for you.’ When I read it, everything was clarified!

Bishop Povish was my bishop at that time, so I got his OK to move on it, and began making wedding plans. Consecrated virgins have a full marriage ceremony with the gown and ring and all. It’s all in the Canon 604.

In the middle of all this, I was keeping my prayer time and work schedule. One day I went before the tabernacle to pray, and BOOM, I had a vision that came and went. Jesus put a

cloak on me, and it turned into a wedding dress. I looked up and said, ‘Are you sure you want this [life]?’

The vision lasted only for a second, like a flash. But after that there was this big YES! inside me all the time. I was so happy! I lost about 12 pounds in the months leading up to my wedding, I was so delighted. On the day of my consecration, the church was full, but it was like it was just me and Jesus in that church.

That was 20 years ago, and I still feel that intensity of healing, freeing love from Jesus. I wish everyone could know him like I do.

22

Teaching adults to read Sister Virginia’s third career

feature story

S

ister Virginia Corley has been a teacher and a nurse. Since September 2008, she has been working at the Adrian Rea Literacy Center. Every week, she meets with three learners to help them improve their reading skills. Compared to the youngsters she used to teach, she says these adults actually catch on faster, because it is easier for them to make associations to concepts. Most of the learners with whom Sister Virginia works have been open to correction, and can laugh at themselves. One of her learners left school in ninth grade and is now trying to catch up. Her self-esteem is building and people are telling her she could go to college – and she is beginning to believe they are right. The learner’s current goal is to get her GED.

Sister Virginia also has found that her nursing skills come in handy. One of the learners is a diabetic; she helped him learn to read food labels so that he could take care of his health.

What she loves best is watching learners’ accomplishments and their sense of achievement. She says their amazement at their own growth is a gift to her.

Her biggest challenge is being patient – letting each learner proceed at his or her own rate. She has to accept each of their accomplishments and find the balance between praise and challenging them to grow.

Of her current learners, she is the

most proud of Tammy. Tammy knows she can keep moving forward – she wrote her first paragraph before Christmas, and it was posted on the board in the literacy center’s tutoring room.

All the learners and tutors meet in rooms and a computer lab at the Adrian Rea Literacy Center, housed within the Adrian Dominican Sisters’ motherhouse. The center is dedicated to the memory of Sister Mary Richard Rea, OP, and is supported by her family, among others. Its purpose is to provide educational programs for basic literacy and English as a second language adult learners in need of literacy skills. One

of the advantages of the center’s location is the available pool of retired sisters, who are certified teachers and often have experience in literacy tutoring.

In February 2006, the Sisters created the Dominican Rea Literacy Corp. as an umbrella for all of its literacy centers. There are two in the Diocese of Lansing – the Adrian center and the St. Luke N.E.W. Life Literacy Center in Flint. Centers also have been established in Chicago, Florida and Detroit.

In 2007, the Domincan Literacy Center, located on the east side of Detroit, served 363 learners with 287 volunteer tutors.

By Elizabeth Solsburg | photography by Scott Solsburg

23

The numbers are alarming The need for ministering to those who have literacy challenges has become critical: •A mong the 30 OECD free-market countries, the U.S. is the only nation where young adults are less educated than the previous generation. (National Commission on Adult Literacy, June 2008)

istockphoto.com

• In the U.S., the national Adult Literacy Survey estimated that 40-44 million adults, 21-23 percent of the adult population, function at the lowest level of literacy skill.

• In Michigan, 18 percent of the adult population reads at Level I, the lowest level.

What if you couldn’t read?

Miguel learned how from the Adrian Dominicans

W

hat if words on a page were nothing more than meaningless squiggles? Street signs would be meaningless, grocery labels gibberish. How would you get a driver’s license? How would you fill out a job application?

Add difficulty with speaking English, and you also have problems asking for directions, talking with your doctor and attending your child’s parent-teacher conferences.

That describes Miguel Sanchez’s life – until he found the Rea Literacy Center at the Adrian Dominican Motherhouse.

Miguel immigrated to Lenawee County several years ago, looking for work. His father and mother had divorced, and his father refused to pay for Miguel’s education. Miguel saw his mother working a full-time job, followed by evenings spent cleaning other people’s houses to supplement the family’s meager income. Miguel knew he could not ask his mother for more money, so he joined his brother and sister-in-law, and found a job milking cows. His wife and young daughter stayed in Mexico City until Miguel could afford to bring them here. For four years, he could not afford to travel to see them.

Every penny from his job was saved to reunite his family.

Because he could not read or speak English well, Miguel had a difficult time getting ahead. Then, through St. Mary

Parish in Adrian, he heard about the Rea Literacy Center.

For the last year, Miguel has been coming to the literacy center twice a week – once for English literacy class and once for a two-hour session in the computer lab. The computer sessions focus on understanding short vowels and verb endings – particularly tricky components of the English language.

He works individually with Sister Rita – and lights up when he talks about her. “She is my teacher, my friend, my mother.

Since my mother is not here with me, she represents her.” The only area where Sister Rita cannot compete with his mother is in cooking – “My mother’s food is the best and I miss it.”

Within the year, he has learned to speak English much better – and to read. He can now translate for his wife when they are shopping or at the doctor’s office. In the past, the family had to rely on his 11-year-old daughter, Maria, for that task.

Miguel also has been promoted at work; now he is a supervisor. And he is taking classes in mechanics so that he can get an even better job. He believes that will also “set a good example for my daughter – it is never too late to learn.”

Miguel is grateful to the Adrian Dominican Sisters for all the help they have given him and are now giving his wife.

He credits one of the Sisters at St. Mary Parish for directing him to the literacy program, and says he loves his parish.

“At St. Mary’s, we are together, Hispanic and American – there is no difference.”

Bilingual and Spanish Sunday Mass in Diocese of Lansing are: St. Mary of Good Counsel, Adrian, 11:45 a.m.; St. Mary Student Parish, 2 p.m.; Our Lady of Guadalupe, Flint, 9 a.m.; and Cristo Rey, Lansing, 9 a.m. and noon.

24 customs, regulations and laws, specifically those who were following The Way, the way of Jesus Christ.

Paul had a conversion experience later reported in the Book of Acts: On one such occasion I was traveling to Damascus with the authorization and commission of the chief priests. At midday, along the way, O king, I saw a light from the sky, brighter than the sun, shining around me and my traveling companions. We all fell to the ground and I heard a voice saying to me in Hebrew, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goad.’ And I said, ‘Who are you, sir?’ And the Lord replied, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. Get up now, and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness of what you have seen of me and what you will be shown.’ (Acts 26:12-26) A further account appears in Acts, chapter 9.

Who is St. Paul

and why do we call him an apostle?

Year of St. Paul

By Father Charles Irvin

P

ope Benedict has declared this to be the Year of St. Paul. In this special report, we explore some of the facets of the Apostle to the Gentiles – the man who, other than Jesus, is most responsible for the spread of Christianity.

Some ask, “Why is St. Paul considered an apostle if he never actually met Jesus?”

An apostle is an appointed messenger of the founder of a movement, a commissioned officer representing the authority of the one in whose name he is sent. One does not make himself an apostle; rather, one is commissioned by the authorities sending him.

The original Twelve Apostles were commissioned by Jesus as the College of Apostles, sometimes called The Twelve.

Paul shared in their relationship with Jesus.

Saul, a Jewish Pharisee, had been sent by his religious authorities to stamp out what was seen as a Jewish movement that was deviating from orthodox Jewish

In the years that followed, Paul repeatedly checked out his teachings with the Christian leadership in Jerusalem and then went on to establish a number of Christian communities throughout Asia Minor (today’s Turkey). Subsequently, false teachers appeared among them, particularly those who demanded that Christians should observe the laws and practices of the Pharisees. Paul disputed them, claiming he shared the authority and teachings of the apostles. (See Acts, chapter 15).

To delve into the topic more extensively you need to go to the Book of Acts, Chapters 9 and 15; Paul’s Letter to the Galatians, chapters 1 and 2; and Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians, along with his letters to the other churches he founded.

The question “Why is St. Paul considered to be an apostle?” is a good one; it leads to another important question that should be addressed to all preachers and teachers – “By what authority do you preach and teach?” Many claim to be Christian preachers and teachers, but cannot demonstrate that they are teaching what the apostles taught. If St. Paul was challenged to do so, and successfully met the challenge, so, too, should any other professed Christian preacher and teacher.

FAITH Magazine / June 2009 / www.FAITHmag.com

Did St. Paul hate women?

Or is he getting a bum rap?

Some of St. Paul’s more controversial teachings revolve around the concept of wifely submission.

What did he really mean?

S

t. Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians 5:21-31 really upsets folks, particularly women. In it St. Paul wrote: Wives should be subject to their husbands as to the Lord, since, as Christ is head of the church and saves the whole body, so is a husband the head of his wife; and as the church is subject to Christ, so should wives be to their husbands, in everything. Husbands should love their wives, just as Christ loved the church and sacrificed himself for her…

What is overlooked is the burden laid on husbands to sacrifice themselves for the sake of their wives. The thought ends with St. Paul declaring: This is why a man leaves his father and mother and becomes attached to his wife, and the two become one flesh.

As for being subject, the verse just before “Wives should be subject to their husbands…” is this: Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.

St. Paul gets a bad rap. He was not a “woman hater” as some have so superficially claimed. Quite the opposite. In St. Paul’s thinking, the wife represents the church and men should sacrifice themselves for their wives as Christ did for his bride, the church. That’s hardly the theology of a woman hater!

Once again this demonstrates the problem many biblequoters have; they fail to see their bible quotes in the full contexts that surround them.

Love, law and St. Paul Sometimes, we think of St. Paul as being focused on rules – what’s the real story?

On the surface, St. Paul appears to be edgy, tough and, well, hard-nosed. He was not one with whom one easily relates. A Pharisee who famously converted after the risen Christ encountered him on the road to Damascus with the mission of stamping out the Christian movement, Paul lived with a total commitment to love. He loved Christ and he loved the converts who followed him in The Way. He was a doctor of the law, a teacher of the law, a Pharisee who knew the 612 commandments of the Torah by heart. Later, as a follower of Christ, Saul (now Paul) governed his life on the love of Christ and the rules of love. In Christ, we are to love our selves, our family, friends, aliens, the poor, the outcast, everyone, yes, even our enemies. Only with God’s love can we do all of that.

There are those who claim that religion is nothing but observance of a lot of laws, rules and regulations. Many see Catholicism as nothing but a collection of “Thou shalt nots” while conveniently overlooking the gentleness and compassion found in the church’s members and in its great saints.

In his epistles, St. Paul writes again and again of love. In Chapter 13 of his First Letter to the Corinthians he wrote of love in words that are read throughout the centuries in countless wedding ceremonies: “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels… but do not have love, I am nothing.” What follows is a profound look into what it means to love.

Only one who knows all about love could have written it.

Paul, for all of his sufferings, and the toughness required to endure them, was an apostle of the heart of Jesus. Tough love is, after all, love. It is not merely sentimental fluff. It is found in commit-

Paul was beheaded – Peter was crucified The two greatest apostles were also two of the church’s earliest martyrs. As the great pillars of the early church, their martyrdoms are celebrated as a joint feast day. Why were their executions different?

Peter and Paul were both martyred and buried in Rome. Peter was crucified head down during the reign of Emperor Nero sometime around the year 67A.D. Paul was beheaded about the same time. We don’t know which one was martyred first.

Nero was carrying out a terrible persecution against the Christians at the time. But why did Peter and Paul suffer martyrdom in two different ways?

St. Paul was born with the name Saul. His parents were living in Tarsus at the time. Tarsus is located in what today is southeast Turkey, but at the time of Paul’s birth was part of the Roman Empire known as Asia Minor. Paul, then, was born a Roman citizen.

According to Roman law, if Roman citizens were to suffer capital punishment, they had to be put to death by the sword (hence pictures and statues of St. Paul depict him holding a sword).

Death by the sword was quick and thought to be relatively painless. It was one of the “entitlements” of being a Roman citizen.

The word “caput” in Latin means “head;” that’s why we speak of capital punishment.

Non-Romans, on the other hand, were to be executed in other ways, crucifixion being the most terrible of them all.

Crucifixion was a deliberate act of terror designed to terrorize all who witnessed it. It was unbelievably and excruciatingly painful; a very cruel, long, lingering and horrible way to die.

Legend has it that Peter, crucified in an arena located at the foot of Vatican Hill, requested that he be crucified head down so as not to die as Christ did. His tomb is located directly below the papal altar in St. Peter’s Basilica. St. Paul was buried in a site outside the walls of ancient Rome. The Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls locates the site.

25

26

community

things to do: St. Joseph Shrine in Brooklyn presents Growing Through Uncertainty, 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m. on June 5. In response to the economic times, the BeFriender Ministry is sponsoring this evening. There will be four speakers giving short presentations on the following topics: finance, employment/career, health/stress, and relationships and faith. Dinner is included; please RSVP to 517.467.2106.

The Council of Catholic Women will have its annual rummage sale June 19-20 at St. Robert Bellarmine, 310 N. Cherry St. in Flushing.

Catholic Engaged Encounter weekend at St. Joseph Retreat Center in Jackson. Begins June 27 at 8 a.m. and ends June 28 at 5 p.m. For information or to register, call Wayne and Sue Fransted, 517.522.5121.

Alzheimer’s caregiver support group is a monthly discussion group that meets the fourth Thursday of each month and offers support, education, problem-solving and guest speakers. Open to all family and friends of those

Parish Festivals Sacred Heart, Hudson Spring into Summer Festival, June 5-6, dinners, cash raffle, children’s games, poker, wheels, live music and dancing.

St. Joseph, Adrian Parish Festival, June 19-20, food, children’s rides, games, raffle, bingo, music and entertainment.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Flint Fiesta Mexicana, June 26-28, Mexican food, vendors, entertainment, carnival, bingo, raffle, children’s games and Mariachi Mass Sunday at 9 a.m.

June Café events St. Mary, Mt. Morris will be hosting catechist training classes. Register by calling the Religious Education office at 810.686.3920. Pre-registration is required. June 17 is Topic #18, New Testament Gospels and June 24 is Topic #19, New Testament Acts and Letters.

Catechist formation and adult education offerings: All are invited to attend two presentations in the lower level of St. Matthew Church in Flint. Cost is $7 per presentation. Pre-registration is required. To register, contact Dr. Connie McClanahan at 810.232.0880 or e-mail cdcmc2@yahoo.com: June 20, Peggy Wescott, director of religious education, will present “Mystery of the Triune God,” 10 a.m.-noon. Marinell High, director of religious education, will present “Moral Development/ Conscience Formation,” 1-3 p.m.

The St. Francis School of Discipleship will offer Sacraments Part 2: Healing and Vocation beginning June 24 and will run for 6 weeks until July 9. There is a $20 fee for non-parishioners. Register online at www.stfrancisa2.com. Click the signup page or contact Marty Lucas at 734.821.2125 to register or for more information.

Finding My Voice, Singing My Truth: A Summer Solstice Celebration for Women, is June 20, 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Dominican Center at Marywood, 2025 E. Fulton St., Grand Rapids. To register call 616.454.1241 or visit their Web site www.dominicancenter.com.

suffering from memory loss.

For more information, call 1.800.272.3900.

You are invited to come celebrate 60 years for the love of children and families, noon - 2 p.m., Aug. 1 at St. Vincent

Catholic Charities Children’s Home gym and garden.

Retrouvaille formation weekend, June 26-28, at St. Francis Retreat Center, Bethany House, DeWitt. This weekend is for couples who have been

through the program and are ready to discern to see if they want to become more involved in the Retrouvaille program.

For more information, contact Allan and Teresa Wilcox at 517.290.5596 or at retro4lansing@comcast.net.

Vacation Bible School Immaculate Heart of Mary, Lansing will celebrate Bible School June 22-24 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Ages three to grade 6 are invited to participate. On June 24, families will gather to share in a potluck meal. The evening will conclude with a program presented by the children. If there are questions, call JoAnn Angers at 517.393.3033.

Vacation Bible School will be held at St. Elizabeth, Tecumseh June 22-26 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The children will sing at the 10:30 a.m. Mass on June 28, followed by a family celebration at the parish center. It is open to ages four through grade 5. The cost is $15.

St Joseph Shrine, Brooklyn will have Vacation Bible School Aug. 3-7. Check the parish bulletin for registration information.

St. Andrew, Saline will have Vacation Bible School June 15-19 from 9 a.m. to noon. The program is entitled Adventures with the Apostles, with a focus on the church around the world.

Each day’s activities will focus on a different part of the world: Africa, Asia, North and South America and Europe.

St. John the Baptist, Howell will have Vacation Bible School July 20-24 from 9 a.m. to noon. The program is entitled Rome, Paul and the Underground Church. Cost is $40 per family, including parents, or $3 per person per day. It is open to children in preschool to grade 5.

FAITH Magazine / June 2009 / www.FAITHmag.com

Religious ASL Week, July 26-31, at DeSales Center in Brooklyn. Cost is $360. For more information, contact Rose Smith at 517.342.2532 or rsmith@ dioceseoflansing.org.

Weber Retreat Programs, 1257 E. Siena Heights Dr., Adrian, 517.266.4000 or www. webercenter.org. July 20-24, Scripture Study Week; July 27Aug. 1, Lands of Dominic is an armchair pilgrimage retreat.

The International Catholic Deaf Association Conference will be in Cleveland, Ohio, from July 1721. There will be special liturgies, workshops and entertainment for the Catholic deaf community. Contact rsmith@dioceseoflansing.org or 517.342.2532 for information.

Fr. Gabriel Richard High School Annual Alumni Golf Outing is June 8 at Fox Hills Golf & Banquet Center, Plymouth. For details, please contact Deborah Haller, FGR alumni director, at alumni@fgrhsaa.org or call 734.662.0496 x 210.

St. John Student Parish alternative spring break experience – faith and social action Each year for five days in March, more than 100 Catholic Spartans spend their spring break serving others throughout the U.S. and around the world. The Alternative Spring Break experience at St. John Student Parish is a weeklong service program that connects students to those in need. Ryan Hayes worked at the Musicians Village in New Orleans and describes his trip as “one of the best experiences of God I’ve ever had. He revealed himself through one of the greatest acts we can perform through and for him, the act of service to others.”

A number of trips are offered each year and many places, such as New Orleans, Philadelphia, New York and Alabama, are visited annually. During the 2008 and 2009 Alternative Spring Breaks, students worked with Habitat for Humanity to rebuild homes destroyed by hurricanes in Foley and New Orleans; and members of the parish community assist with fundraising, planning and volunteer as chaperones on the trips.

Immaculate Heart of Mary floor hockey athletes win best sportsmanship award Immaculate Heart of Mary-St. Casimir School is proud to announce that two IHM Eagles floor hockey teams – the 6-and-under and the 8-and-under – are winners of the firstever annual Best Sportsmanship Award given by the City of Lansing Parks & Recreation Department for the 2009 floor hockey season.

The IHM Eagles are one of 56 teams participating in the Lansing Parks & Recreation youth sports leagues. This is the first year Lansing has rated teams on sportsmanship and granted awards to the teams that demonstrated the greatest sportsmanship.

“We are so proud of our floor hockey athletes – our IHM Eagles – and our coaches and parents, who remind us all that, whether in victory or defeat, character counts,” said IHM Principal Judy Meerschaert. “Congratulations to the players, parents and coaches for a job well done!”

local news

St. Louis Center Memorial Golf Outing is July 18 at 9 a.m.

Shotgun start at Pierce Lake Golf Course in Chelsea. If you would like to join us, please register by filling out our www.stlouiscenter.org/ files/Memorial Golf Outing Registration.pdf or call 734.475.8430.

If you have any additional questions or would like to volunteer, e-mail us at mail@stlouiscenter.org.

Fifteen students decided to spend spring break in Flint.

They made sandwiches at the North End Soup Kitchen, sorted donations at the Outreach Center and painted the interior of a house for the Flint Shelter.

They also worked at St. Luke’s New Life Center, which has a special program run by Sister Carol and Sister Judy. St. Luke’s assists women to get back on their feet and re-enter society. The students put in a dropped ceiling, organized donated clothing and spent time with children who came in for tutoring after school.

“We scored a spot on the news and people lavished praise and thanks on us for spending our free time in Flint,” said Amanda Palmieri, a senior from Roundtail, Vir. “But it wasn’t our group that deserved all of that praise. We just got a taste, a sample of what life is like in Flint, but there are people there, right now, living and breathing the city and service. The nuns at St. Luke’s, Father Tom Firestone, Steve Wolbert and his father, Dave, and everyone who does it day-in and day-out – they don’t ask for thanks or praise, but they deserve it 100 times over for being beautiful, giving people and for their selfless dedication to service.”

Hoffman Photography

Pilgrimage to Israel/Holy Land with Father Andrew Czajkowski, St. John the Evangelist, Davison, Nov. 10-19. Cost: $3,479.

There are 30 seats available. For information, call 810.653.2377.

Alternative spring break – service to others

Hoffman Photography

Safe Environment – Called to Protect for Youth – Train the Trainers workshops, is 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Principals, DREs, CYMs and staff who will be teaching the material are required to attend one of these sessions: Aug. 18, Lansing Catholic Central High School; Aug. 19, Father Luke M. Powers High School, Flint; Aug. 20, Father Gabriel Richard High School, Ann Arbor; or Aug. 21, Queen of the Miraculous Medal School, Jackson. The registration form may be downloaded from the Safe Environment Web site at www. dioceseolansing.org/safe_environment/Praesidium_called_to_protect.pdf.

27

28

local news

St. Louis Center in Chelsea’s third annual blessing of the bikes St. James, Mason parishioners Richard Ellison and his wife, Sheila Fitzgibbons have been scuba divers for 25 years. Richard and a few other Michigan residents have the highest level of certification as course director. Sheila is a master instructor.

Because of Richard’s love for scuba diving and traveling, he started Aquatic Sports Ltd. in Mason 15 years ago. They escort other interested divers on diving trips. Fiji is their favorite destination.

They attend Mass a couple times each week at their home parish or at

Gov. Granholm visits North End Soup Kitchen Catholic Charities’ North End Soup Kitchen, located at 735 Stewart Ave. in Flint, welcomed Michigan Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm April 17.

On hand to greet the governor were Catholic Charities’ President/CEO Vicky L. Schultz and NESK Director Jon K. Manse.

“We are excited by the governor’s visit,” stated Vicky Schultz.

St. Louis Center in Chelsea. Sheila has been involved there for many years. Now both help the boys and adults with development disabilities who live at the center.

In 2007, Richard and Sheila, both avid motorcyclists, saw a way to minister to bikers and assist the center.

They initiated the Blessing of the Bikes in conjunction with a fund raiser.

On April 26, the third annual blessing took place According to Shelia, “We are very pleased with this year’s event which brought in more than 160 riders. The priests from the Servants of Charity are great hosts, and our riders appreciate receiving the Lord’s blessing for a safe season.”

“Our volunteers contributed more than 23,384 hours of service to the Soup Kitchen last year.

It seems fitting that the governor acknowledge their hard work as we prepare to celebrate National Volunteer Week April 19-25.

People in this area have an amazing giving spirit.

Even now, when the financial situation is so dire, people will come forward to lend a hand or make a donation. It is inspirational. These people make a differ-

ence every day.”

As NESK Director Jon Manse explains it, “Nearly 6,300 volunteers from across the area contributed more than 23,000 hours to our programs last year. Our volunteers do everything from cooking and serving meals at the Soup Kitchen to sorting clothes and distributing personal needs items at the new Outreach Center and everything in between. We couldn’t do the work we do without our volunteers.”

Servants of Charity close out centennial year with special celebrations The Servants of Charity Congregation of priests and brothers was founded on March 28, 1908, by Blessed Father Louis Guanella, an Italian priest who made it his life’s work to care for poor children and the suffering and dying. In March, the Servants of Charity held two major celebrations at the Shrine of St. Joseph in Grass Lake. The first was the Feast of St. Joseph on March 19, celebrating the feast day

Father Bill Turner (center), poses with the priests who concelebrated his 30th Anniversary Mass. (L to R) Father Addari, Father Alphonse, Father Bill, Father Stawasz, Msgr. Howard, and Father Werner.

Father William Turner celebrates 30th Anniversary Since the celebration of a 30-year milestone comes along only once in a lifetime, what do you give to someone who already “has it all?” In the case of Reverend Dr. William J. Turner of St. Mary Catholic Church in Chelsea – priest, educator, author, vocalist and raconteur – donations of canned goods and checks were collected for Faith-In-Action, a local nonprofit agency that serves the needy. As a part of his 30th anniversary celebration, a Mass and parish dinner were held in Father Bill’s honor on March 28. The highlight of the evening was a “parish celebrity roast” – where several parishioners, friends and family members took their turn at the podium to tell light-hearted Father Bill stories.

Father Turner closed out the evening with a popular Italian jingle – with English translation – about the Knights of Columbus and St. Mary Parish’s Lenten fish fries. He finished by warmly thanking everyone for sharing his 30th anniversary, for their gifts to Faith-In-Action and he expressed the hope that everyone at St. Mary would be back to do it all over again for his 35th anniversary.

of the foster father of Jesus; the second was called “A Day to Remember: Closing of the Centennial Celebration.” This second celebration was held on March 24, and more than 100 people were in attendance for this special event.

The Mass that closed out their centennial year was led by Msgr. Steven Raica of the Diocese of Lansing, and concelebrated with seven members of the Servants of Charity Congregation, Father Tim Krzyzaniak of St. Mary, Manchester and Father Gordon Reigle of St. Andrew in Saline. Msgr.

Raica spoke about Father Guanella’s service to others who

FAITH Magazine / June 2009 / www.FAITHmag.com

29

Father Gabriel Richard High School’s hall of fame dinner This year’s hall of fame inductees gathered April 25 at Father Gabriel Richard High School in Ann Arbor.

Begun in 2004, the hall honors members of the FGR family for their service to the school, the diocese, the church and the community.

This year’s honorees were Katherine Heemstra; William and Mary Claire Anhut; Father Ed Fride; Joe and Cathyrine Sesi (posthumos); and Sister Dorita Wotiska, O.P. Sister Dorita has been a force behind the scenes for many years supporting the high school and ensuring that the new campus would be built. In accepting her award, Sister Dorita told the audience, “You are a

Hall of Fame Honorees: (left to right) Father Ed Fride, Sister Dorita Wotiska, Mary Claire Anhut, Bill Anhut, Yvonne Sesi and Joe Sesi (not pictured Katherine Heemstra).

community of builders … not just a village of people.” Although Sister Dorita is retiring from her position as superintendent of Catholic Schools, her influence and commitment to Catholic education in the Diocese of

Holy Family Grand Blanc’s old church doors are new again!

saw Christ in their presence. Father Dennis Weber, SdC, concluded the service by thanking the audience for their great support of the Servants of Charity in the community.

For more information on the Servants of Charity and their ministry, please visit their Web site at www.servantsofcharity.org.

At right: Msgr. Steven Raica and Father Paul Oggioni celebrate Mass.

Siena Heights University students are honored On April 24 at the Honors Convocation held in Lumen Ecclesia Chapel at Siena Heights University, Louanne Alber, Laurie Cooper, Glenna Diskin and Richard Thomas became permanent members of the Theta Alpha Kappa National Honor Society for Religious Studies/Theology. TAK is part of the Alpha Epsilon Pi Chapter at Siena Heights University.

Theta Alpha Kappa is the only national honor society serving the needs of those involved in the study of religion and/or theology at both the baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate levels of higher education.

local news

Holy Family’s church doors on Saginaw Street have greeted parishioners for 50 years. They were in bad shape. Joe Novajosky, 83, a parishioner for more than 40 years and a carpenter, could no longer stand the look of the weathered doors and offered to refurbish them. It had been estimated that replacing the doors would cost the parish upwards of $20,000.

The doors were taken down on Sept. 17, 2008, and were replaced with temporary doors built by Joe. He spent the next several months working on the doors in his garage. The Holy Family maintenance staff helped out every time Joe needed to turn over a door – each weighs 250 pounds.

The oak veneers on the outside of the doors were in such bad condition they had to be replaced. Joe selected mahogany as the replacement veneers. He attended a special seminar to learn a finishing technique to help maintain the wood. Each door has 10 stained glass windows, with moldings. Forty sets of moldings were replaced – a total of 480 pieces.

Lansing will remain an example to all.

Liz Schoch, director of development at FGR, commented, “Without Sister Dorita and her support, this building would not have been built. We are profoundly grateful to her.”

1

30

What in the world?

The top-10 Catholic news events this month

2

Taliban targets Christians in Pakistan – Anti-Christian violence in Karachi left 15 people wounded and resulted in the houses of 15 Christian families being set on fire, putting Christians on alert as the Taliban increases its influence in Pakistan.

2009 priest appointments and transfers Reverend Steven Anderson from parochial administrator of St. Mark the Evangelist, Goodrich to parochial administrator of Good Shepherd, Montrose. Father Anderson continues as chaplain at Father Luke M. Powers Catholic High School, Flint.

local news

Reverend William Ashbaugh from pastor of St. Joseph, Howell to pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle, Ann Arbor.

Reverend Charles Canoy from administrator of St. Thomas the Apostle, Ann Arbor to parochial vicar of St. Andrew the Apostle, Saline.

Reverend James Conlon, director of Bethany House, DeWitt to pastor of St. Mary, Westphalia.

Reverend George Daisy from weekend assistance at Holy Redeemer, Burton to weekend assistance at Immaculate Heart of Mary, Lansing.

Reverend Louis Thomas Ekka from full-time parochial vicar of St. Robert, Flushing to shared duties as parochial vicar between St. Robert, Flushing and St. Mary Queen of the Angels, Swartz Creek.

Reverend Edmond Ertzbischoff from pastor of St. John the Baptist, Ypsilanti (to merge with Transfiguration) to pastor of St. Joseph, Ypsilanti.

Reverend Joseph Krupp from chaplain of Lansing Catholic Central High School to parochial vicar of St. Thomas Aquinas, East Lansing and chaplain of St. John Student Center, East Lansing.

Reverend Timothy MacDonald to part-time chaplain of Father Luke M. Powers High School, Flint. He continues as pastor of Holy Redeemer, Burton.

Reverend Steven Mattson is appointed chair of the diocesan

The foundation has provided $100,000 in scholarships this year to families in the Northwest Region

New United States priests mirror America – The ordination class of 2009, men from dioceses nationwide, show that the call to serve God is heard at all ages – respondents include attorneys, financiers, teachers and farmers.

Reverend Gary McInnis from sacramental minister of Good Shepherd, Montrose to weekend assistance at Holy Redeemer, Burton.

Reverend Monsignor Michael D. Murphy resigns as rector of St. Mary Cathedral, Lansing and retains appointment as diocesan moderator of the curia.

Reverend Jeffrey Njus from pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle, Ann Arbor to parochial vicar of St. Mary Cathedral, Lansing.

Reverend Michael O’Brien from parochial vicar of Immaculate Heart of Mary, Lansing to parochial vicar of St Thomas Aquinas, East Lansing.

Reverend Robert Pienta continues as parochial administrator of Our Lady of Fatima, Michigan Center.

Reverend Jeffrey Poll from parochial vicar of St. Patrick, Brighton to parochial vicar of Queen of the Miraculous Medal, Jackson.

Reverend Gordon Reigle from parochial vicar of St. Andrew, Saline to chaplain of Lansing Catholic Central High School.

Reverend Bernard Reilly from pastor of St. Mary Star of the Sea Parish, Jackson to rector of St. Mary Cathedral, Lansing.

Reverend Cecilio Reyna from pastor of St. Mary, Westphalia to pastor of St. Mary Star of the Sea, Jackson and chaplain of Sacred Heart Pastoral Center.

Reverend Phillip Schmitter is appointed pastor of Christ the King, Flint.

Reverend Paul Schwermer is resigning as pastor of Holy Rosary, Flint to serve in hospital chaplaincy for the Genesee Vicariate.

Reverend David Speicher from pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, East Lansing to pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Howell.

and has given $70,000 for each of the past several years. It also gives out Gifted Educator awards and donor restricted funds.

If you are in need of tuition assis-

@

Pope approves heroic virtues for 10 on path to canonization – Included on the list is Sister Dulce Lopes Pontes, known in Brazil as the “good angel,” who died in 1992.

4

Department of Education and Catechesis and superintendent of Catholic Schools. He continues as pastor of St. Mary, Swartz Creek.

Bishop Earl Boyea announces the following priest appointments and transfers to take effect July 1, 2009:

Greater Lansing Catholic Education Foundation – tuition assistance

New survey by Pew forum on religion and public life on why Catholics leave the church – The survey shows that most adults who left the church did so by age 24.

3

tance support but did not have the opportunity to apply for a grant through the Foundation, please speak directly with the principal and/or pastor of your Catholic school.

Call the Greater Lansing Catholic Education Foundation office if you have questions, 517.485.8333 or by e-mail at glcef1500@glcef.org.

7

8

9

10

Pope asks Bolivian officials to discover why cardinal was attacked – Pope Benedict XVI has called on Bolivian officials to shed light on the attack against the president of the Bolivian Bishops’ Conference, Cardinal Julio Terrazas Sandoval.

Notre Dame donors protest President Obama’s presence at commencement by withholding funds – A press release from ReplaceJenkins. com said the Web site has received over 900 pledges from alumni and donors promising to withhold future donations.

Holy Father meets with Prince Charles – The pope held an audience with Prince Charles and discussed “human promotion and development of peoples, environmental protection and the importance of inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue for furthering peace and justice in the world.”

Vietnamese government continues targeting Catholics – State media have “fiercely attacked” two Redemptorist priests, accusing them of critically damaging national unity and blocking the national construction and development process.

Russian Orthodox Church asks antidiscrimination conference to consider Christianophobia – The deputy head of the Moscow Russian Orthodox Church, has asked the conference to introduce to the list of threats the notion of Christianophobia in addition to anti-Semitism and anti-Islam.

Ninth Mexican state thwarts future attempts to legalize abortion – The legislature of the state of Quintana Roo has approved a law protecting human life and guaranteeing the rights of the unborn, from conception to natural death.

31 Top ten

6

5

St. Paul

Father Charles Irvin is the founding editor of FAITH Magazine and is retired.

H

ave you ever wondered why the church thinks St. Paul is so important? There are a number of reasons, of course, but to my mind his importance can be traced back to a moment in which the church became universal – catholic. In 50A.D., the church opened to non-Jews, to the world of the Gentiles. In particular, with open arms, it welcomed those who lived in the Greco-Roman world. One can hardly overemphasize the importance of that event and the pivotal role that Paul played in that dramatic moment. Ever since then, the Catholic Church has been a missionary church, a worldwide church Because I cannot give you a little word capsule that adequately conveys what happened in that Council of Jerusalem, I ask you to go to your New Testament and read chapters 10 and 15 in the Book of Acts.

As you read those accounts give your imagination over into picturing yourself as one of the participants and a witness to what transpired. That’s the best way of “seeing” what happened.

Pay particular attention to the

dynamic relationship between St. Peter and St. Paul and the roles they played.

Peter and Paul, as you know, eventually took the church to Rome where they were martyred. The Christian church did not remain settled in Jerusalem or in the Middle East. St. Paul did not remain settled in any particular place or region. God had big plans for him; God had big plans for his church. Because Paul responded so generously

to God’s call we now worship God and receive Christ’s Body and Blood, thanks to St. Paul, in a worldwide church.

One can bring to mind famous people in the history of the world:, Julius Caesar, Queen Cleopatra, Genghis Kahn, Christopher Columbus, and so on. But surpassing them all in importance is Jesus Christ, followed by St. Peter and St. Paul. Were it not for St. Paul, in all likelihood there would not have been a Catholic Church.

St. Paul is known as The Great Evangelizer, the one who brought the message of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles. You and I are likewise evangelizers. What we receive at Mass we are to take out into the world that surrounds us, bringing with us, in what we do and in what we say, the presence of Jesus. Call upon St. Paul in your prayers to give you the courage, the wisdom, and the words to do what he did, and bring others to know the happiness and joy of living with the spirit of Christ within us in his sacraments.

last word

This year, Queen of the Miraculous Medal Church in Jackson celebrates not only its 75th anniversary but its rededication. Bishop Earl Boyea, Pastor Robert McGraw and 14 priests from as far away as New York concelebrated the May 3 Mass with nearly 600 people in attendance.

Father McGraw stated the parishioners’ responses to the new worship space included comments, like “welcoming, warm and inviting.” Father McGraw expressed his gratitude on behalf of the Queen of the Miraculous Medal parish to the other Jackson area Catholic parishes. He especially thanked St. Mary Star of the Sea, which is in the process of merging with St. Stanislaus Kostka, and Pastor Bernard Reilly, who opened their doors to the Queen of the Miraculous Medal faith community. “We … learned that no matter where we might gather to celebrate Eucharist, Queen of the Miraculous Medal Parish is alive and active in the Spirit.”

T. Gennara

Queen’s 75th anniversary year is marked by rededication

The Catholic Apostle

32

notes:

sharin

p l e a s e

r e c y c l e