June 2010

2 T. Gennara

Rest, relaxation

and time to spend with God

The Magazine of the Catholic Diocese of Lansing

Most Reverend Earl Boyea PUBLISHER

Rev. Dwight Ezop

EDITOR AND CHAIRMAN

June 2010 • Volume 11: Issue 5

FA I T H Catholic

Father Dwight Ezop is editor of FAITH Magazine and pastor of the Catholic Community of St. Jude. E-mail: editor@FAITHmag.com.

Elizabeth Martin Solsburg

letters

from the editor

wise priest I know once told me that sometimes the most important time of Mass happens 10 minutes before Mass begins, or 10 minutes after the final blessing. He made use of that time before or after Mass to visit with people as they were coming or going from church. I saw the value in that practice and have tried every week to make sure that I do likewise. After a recent Sunday Mass, I was visiting with a young person and her family. Like most kids, she is looking forward to the end of the school year and anticipating summer break. As our conversation continued, it soon became clear that “break” was perhaps too generous when it came to describing her summer. After listing the camps and other activities she has planned, I could see that for this young person, summer will be about exchanging one set of activities for another. For her, this summer will be about trading days filled with school work for days filled with different kinds of work – most of it fun, no doubt, but they will be days filled with activity. I hope those days also include some extra time spent with God. As we make our way into the more relaxed days of summer, it’s important for all of us to I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the editors and writer of FAITH Magazine for the opportunity to tell the story of my life. It was a very difficult decison for me to make, as it was reliving the sadest and most tragic parts of my life, which I had hidden for so long. With encouragement from Elizabeth and Nancy, I felt honored to be the voice for my Donauschwaben ethnic history and their almost complete genocide.

Patrick M. O’Brien PRESIDENT/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

remember that part of the joy of summer can be found in taking time for rest and recreation. Summer days provide the opportunity for God to recharge our batteries, so to speak. Slowing down to enjoy the beauty of these days allows us to enjoy the world which God created, in all its beauty. These summer days also provide us with the opportunity to permit God to “re-create” us. The busy-ness of everyday life can make spending regular time with God a challenge. The hustle and bustle that can be part of other times of the year also places emotional demands on us. Spending time in God’s presence through prayer and participation at Mass can be a powerful and restorative experience. The summer may also provide us with the opportunity to make a retreat, spending a few days in a more concentrated experience of prayer. Summer can offer us the opportunity to reestablish a kind of balance that will see us through the more demanding times of the year. I’m looking forward to this summer. In addition to the wedding rehearsals and weddings, the Sunday and daily Masses, and the other celebrations that will be part of parish life, I plan to make some extra time to spend with God. Mixed in with time for family, travel, ongoing formation, retreat and relaxation, I hope the extra time will be an opportunity for God to go to work on me, so God might continue to work through me. I pray this summer provides those same opportunities for all of us. And so our journey in FAITH continues.

Both of them were very sensitive to my concerns about making my life story public. The publication has given me freedom to talk about my experiences, as well as enabling connections with survivors of similar stories. I have received numerous communications in support of my situation, which verified to me that the decision to tell my story was correct. For me it was clear that my faith and God presented me this avenue to educate others about how atrocious wars can be.

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

InnerWorkings

PRINT MANAGEMENT

Doug Culp Cari Ann DeLamielleure Dcn. Tom and JoAnne Fogle Paul Jarzembowski Rev. Joseph Krupp Dr. Gelasia Marquez Dr. Cathleen McGreal Andrew Peltcs Todd Schulz Sister Ann Shields Michelle Sessions DiFranco CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Derek Melot

PROOFREADING

Carlson Productions Tom Gennara James Luning (cover) Don Quillan

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 Catholic, Diocese of Lansing, 1500 E. Saginaw St., Lansing, MI 48906-5550. FAITHTM is a membership publication of the Catholic Diocese of Lansing and is published monthly except for February and August. To purchase a subscription, log on to FAITHmag.com. If you have a change of address, please contact your parish. Periodicals postage paid in Lansing, MI and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to FAITHTM, 1500 E. Saginaw St., Lansing MI 48906-5550. ©2009 FAITH Catholic. FAITH is a trademark of FAITH Catholic.

Most Rev. Carl F. Mengeling FOUNDING PUBLISHER

Rev. Charles Irvin

FOUNDING EDITOR

Let us pray to the Lord to give us a safer world. – Hely Merle Benner

faithcatholic.com

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

FAITH Magazine / June 2010 / www.FAITHmag.com

At St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, children with special needs, and their families, find support through Our Lady of Grace Special Families Ministry. Meet one of those families, the Schneiders.

“I want what they have” Raffy’s journey to the Catholic Church

Priests and sacraments – the last of our series on the Year for Priests

4 from the bishop Protecting our children – Bishop Earl Boyea 8 parenting journey My grandchildren are annoying! – Dr. Cathleen McGreal 9 marriage matters She says: “We got married too young – I want to try the single life.” He says: “What about us?” What do they do? – Tom and JoAnne Fogle 10 culture Sundae School – Ultimate ice cream sundae pie – Michelle Sessions DiFranco 12 in the know with Fr. Joe Is there one ‘right’ way to receive Communion? – Father Joseph Krupp

Special Report:

An update on the sex abuse scandal – The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People

13 spiritual popcorn Behold, I make all things new! – Paul Jarzembowski 14 theology 101 Singing at liturgy – What is sung liturgy? Part 3 of a 14-part series – Rita Thiron

16 spiritual fitness Celebrating the feasts of summer – Sister Ann Shields 31 last word What does an engaged parish look like? – Father Charles Irvin

It’s all about T. Gennara

relationships Elizabeth Solsburg is editorial director of FAITH Magazine. She can be reached at esolsburg@FAITHcatholic.com

ummertime – and the living is easy. The words to the famous song make me think of long evenings on the patio and days by the lake. And as everyone who has had a five-minute conversation with me lately will attest – it makes me think of camping. Around January, I start looking through the camping catalogues. Around March, I start thinking about reservations in state parks and National Forests. By May and June, I can hardly stand to be indoors. If you’re looking for me on a summer weekend, you’ll find me by the fire. Someone asked me what the attraction is – a friend who equates camping with nothing but black flies, mosquitoes and rain. And did I mention sleeping on the ground?

His idea of experiencing the great outdoors is sipping a tasty cocktail on the patio and sleeping in a three-star hotel. For me, it’s not just about being outside.

It’s about spending time with my husband and children in a place where there is no cell phone service, no television, nothing to interrupt our time together. It’s a time to renew and refresh our relationships. Because all the important things in life are about relationship – with each other, with ourselves, with God. Several of our columnists this month talk about relationships. In Parenting Journey, Cathleen McGreal discusses the delicate balance grandparents need to walk when correcting a misbehaving grandchild. In What Gets My Goat?, Gelasia Marquez gives some tips for dealing with a boyfriend who’s unwilling to propose. Tom and Jo Fogle advise a couple who married young – and now the wife wants to give the single life a try again. And Sister Ann Shields, in Spiritual Fitness, walks us through some thoughts for celebrating June’s summertime feasts. I’ll be celebrating those feasts with my parish family at Mass. The rest of the time, you’ll find me at camp.

t of Corpus Christi June 6 | St. Ephrem, deacon and doctor of the church June 9 | Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus June 11 | Immaculate Heart of Mary June 12 | St. Romuald June 19

columnists

what you’ll get out of this issue

inside this issue

From frustrating to fulfilling – why Mass got better for this child with special needs

from the bishop

J. Carlson

ne can never apologize enough. The evils inflicted on body, mind, emotions, and most of all the souls of those abused by clergy are long-lasting and horrendous. So again, I say to anyone so abused, my deepest apologies. The Catholic Church in the United States has learned a great deal about how to help create and preserve a safe environment for our young people. Perhaps our parishes are now the safest places for them to be. There are annual audits (some on-site and some by documentation) that remind us to continue to enhance this care of our youth. It is probably fair to say that our good work in this area can be of benefit to many others in society who have not yet created such an environment. Our diocesan policies can be found on the diocesan Web site (www.dioceseoflansing.org).

Recently, there has been a spate of articles about similar situations in Ireland, Austria, Italy, Germany and other countries. They are experiencing what we have already gone through. We have offered our sister churches the benefit of our experience. It is probable that the special norms for handling these cases in the United States, which the Holy See approved back in 2002, may become norms for the whole church. That would be a good thing. Some may accuse the media of fomenting all of this. While there may be cases of the media misrepresenting some situations, in all honesty, it is hard to believe that we in the church would have addressed this matter as seriously as we have except at the prodding of the media. So, they deserve our gratitude for bringing these evils and this sinfulness and these crimes into Bishop Earl A. Boyea is the fifth bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Lansing. the light. Certainly, there have Our diocese, like the rest of the country, continbeen cases where some are trying to tie these matters to ues to provide support for counseling for victims of Pope Benedict. This is an unbelievable reach against a clerical abuse. We continue to have a hot-line to man who has worked very hard to address these abuses. report incidents and we encourage victims to Others have responded to such press reports with contact that number documentation that demon(888.308.6252). We strates that the original acOne of the most difficult ashave a Review Board that cusations against the Holy pects of the entire abuse interviews those who are Father are clearly misreadvictims and then advises ings of the facts. He needs crisis is that the very many wonderful the diocese on the credibilour prayerful support. and good priests feel tainted. We are ity of the accusations. We One of the most difficult in the midst of the Year for Priests, a continue to report matters aspects of the entire abuse to local prosecuters and time to pray for the deeper conversion crisis is that the very police. We continue to remany wonderful and good of our priests and to encourage them priests feel tainted. We are spect the privacy of those in their ministry. victims who do not want in the midst of the Year for their pain made public. We Priests, a time to pray for continue to have retreats at our retreat house for those the deeper conversion of our priests and to encourage abused. None of this will ever undo what was done. None them in their ministry. We in this great Diocese of Lanof this will suddenly heal the wounds. sing are blessed with very fine priests and a tremendous None of this will atone for our sins and mistakes. We group of seminarians. Please pray for them and love do all this because it is the right thing to do. And we man- them. They only want to give their lives praying for you age to do this within the limited means of the diocese. and loving you as well.

Protecting our children

St. Aloysius Gonzaga, martyr June 21 | St. Paulinus of Nola, bishop June 22 | Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist June 24 | St. Irena

FAITH Magazine / June 2010 / www.FAITHmag.com

The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People

By Douglas Culp

he church in the U.S. is no stranger to the scandal of sexual abuse. Intrinsically evil, sexual abuse, especially of minors, is an act of violence that betrays the trust of the victim and violates the dignity and respect owed to them as a human being. Sadly, the scandal currently spreading through the universal church expresses the reality that the horror of sexual abuse knows no geographic boundaries. In response, dioceses in the U.S have made a concerted effort over the last decade to have zero tolerance policies for abusers – removing them from ministry and reporting them to legal authorities. They have put into place programs to prevent sex abuse, provided for victims and submitted to independent audits to ensure ongoing compliance with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. Bishops worldwide are encouraged to meet with victims of clerical sex abuse, just as Pope Benedict XVI has done, said the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. “There is nothing that helps bishops or priests learn about

By the Numbers A 2009 audit shows that:

2.1 million clergy, employees, and volunteers in parishes received safe environment training.

The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People

This document, originally drafted in 2002 and revised in 2005 by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), sought to begin the hard work of reconciliation and restoring trust through a commitment to creating and maintaining a safe environment for children and young people. The Charter addresses each of the following: outreach to victims or survivors of sexual abuse in the hope of facilitating

5.2 million

children were prepared to recognize abuse.

$6,536,109

was spent in 2009 on therapy for the victims of clergy sexual abuse.

naeus, bishop and doctor of the church June 28 | Solemnity of Peter and Paul, apostles June 29 | First Martyrs of the church in Rome June 30

1,887,000 church volunteers and employees went through background checks, 166,000 educators, 52,000 clerics and 6,000 candidates for ordination.

special report

An update on the sex abuse scandal

this problem better than meeting with the victims and hearing their stories,” U.S. Cardinal William J. Levada said in a televised interview April 27. Pope Benedict XVI has met with victims several times, and “that’s an example to bishops,” he said. ... Concerning the recent resignation of bishops over their handling of sex abuse cases, Cardinal Levada said he would not be surprised if there were more resignations to follow. He said the standard by which bishops are expected to address clerical sex abuse is “not new, but it’s being applied more rigorously than in the past.” “I will look forward to helping my brother bishops around the world see what can be done if you take good concrete steps, put things out on the table, make sure that you’ve got a program to educate your priests and screen for any problem areas as you are admitting priests and have a good program for (a) safe environment,” he said.

6 What are the numbers in the Diocese of Lansing?

USCCB Statistics for 2009 Categories

Number to be trained

Number trained

Percentage trained

Priests

38,098

37,974

99.7

Deacons

14,723

14,654

99.5

Candidates for Ordination

6,249

6,120

97.9

Educators (school teachers)

167,101

166,258

99.5

Employees

246,532

243,237

98.7

Volunteers

1,656,400

1,634,206

98.7

Children

5,469,997

5,294,665

96.8

Children opted out by parents

Percentage of total children

76,940

1.4

healing and reconciliation; appropriate response to allegations of sexual abuse of minors; accountability to the Charter’s procedures; and protection of the faithful going forward. The Charter established the Office for Child and Youth Protection, which is charged with providing the “focus for a consistent, ongoing and comprehensive approach to creating a secure environment for young people throughout the church.” This includes reporting on the implementation of the Charter based on independent compliance audits. A National Review Board was created to “assist in the assessment of diocesan compliance with the Charter and to commission studies on the sexual abuse of minors.” The Board issued a Report on the Crisis in the Catholic Church in the United States and commissioned the John Jay Report, which examined the nature and scope of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy between 1950 and 2002.

Total Number

Number Trained

Number of Background checks completed

Children and Youth

26,130

24,653 (1,417 opt outs; 60 absent when lessons were taught)

N/A

Priests (active only)

179

Deacons (active only)

100

Candidates for Ordination

Educators (school teachers/ principals)

750

Diocesan Employees

Parish/ School Employees

1,558

Volunteers

6,296

4,837*

Category

* (1,459 volunteers were not required to complete a background check due to the nature of their volunteer work. Diocesan policy is volunteers who regularly have four or more hours contact with minors on a monthly basis are required to complete a background check.)

Essential Norms

Dealing with Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Priests or Deacons in 2005. These norms provide each diocese/eparchy in the United States with the foundation for putting into place In addition to the Charter, the USCCB approved as “parprocedures to respond promptly to all allegations of sexual ticular law” the Essential Norms for Diocesan/Eparchial Policies abuse of minors. The norms require dioceses/eparchies to have the following: a written policy, a St. Francis Retreat Center in DeWitt holds redesignated person to coorditreats for victims of clergy sex abuse. The retreats are nate assistance for the immeconfidential, with an emphasis on healing. For more infordiate pastoral care of permation, contact Father Larry Delaney at 866.669.8321. sons claiming to have been There is a healing retreat scheduled for May. Please call sexually abused as minors by the retreat center for specific information and to register. priests or deacons; a diocesan Additionally, the retreat center offers retreats for men review board composed of and women who were sexually abused. Defying Victimat least five persons; and a Father Larry Delaney hood, a retreat for men, is scheduled for May 23. Beyond protocol for dealing with the Survival, a retreat for women, is scheduled for June 7-9, with a follow-up day on Sept. 19. investigation of allegations Visit www.stfrancis.ws and handling of the accused priest or deacon.

A time to heal

Total number of Virtus training sessions held in the Diocese of Lansing 584 since August 2003. Five sessions currently scheduled.

FAITH Magazine / June 2010 / www.FAITHmag.com

Safe Environment As part of the Charter, churches, schools and youth organizations must ensure that all children and youth under their care are kept in the “safest and most secure setting possible.” Consequently, safe environment programs have been developed and mandated to assist parents, children and those who work with children to prevent harm to young people. The USCCB lists several components of any effective safe environment program:

For Parents The USCCB is clear that parents have the right to insist their parishes and schools are in compliance with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. All parishes and schools should be able to show parents that the clergy, employees and volunteers who work with children are familiar with the warning signs of offenders, what to do if they have a concern about someone and how to report suspected abuse. In addition, a zero tolerance policy has been in place since 2002, which calls for the removal of any cleric against whom a creditable accusation has been made regardless of when the offense occurred. For additional information on this topic, visit the USCCB Web site www.usccb.org. A number of resources have been posted there in order to assist parents and parishes in creating safe environments for children and young people.

What does the charter say? To read the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People in its entirety, go to www. usccb.org/ocyp/charter.shtml.

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

@ The victim assistance coordinator for the Diocese of

Lansing is Adrienne Rowland, LMSW, ACSW. To contact her, call 1.888.308.6252 or arowlandvac@dioceseoflansing.org.

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

@ El coordinador o coordinadora de asistencia a las

víctimas en tu (arqui) diócesis/eparquía es Adrienne Rowland, LMSW, ACSW – 1.888.308.6252 o arowlandvac@dioceseoflansing.org.

special report

•A code of conduct for clergy and for any other paid personnel and volunteers in positions of trust who have regular contact with children and young people. • Criminal background checks and training for all adults who work with children, including clergy. • A training program for children that includes age appropriate materials pertaining to personal safety.

My grandchildren

T. Gennara

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

Q parenting journey

I hate to say it, but my two grandchildren are brats. When they are over here, they talk back to my husband and constantly interrupt me. They won’t leave us alone for even a minute so that we can talk with our daughter – and she does nothing to correct them. I can’t stand it anymore – what can I say to her or to them?

Both of my grandmas were actively engaged in busy lives. Sometimes we were the focus of their attention, but often we were incorporated into their activities by completing “parallel tasks.” When they were cooking, we made small-scale versions called the “cook’s treat,” which we could consume ourselves. When Grandma Esta was working on her stamp collection, out came our child-size books to fill in with her leftover stamps. When adult friends visited them, an old-fashioned toy or game that had belonged to our parents emerged out of nowhere. Adults set the context and I never knew for sure what grandparents would be up to next. Special requests might be honored or they might not. They didn’t always pull out what I hoped for and there were disappointing moments. But it was an interesting con-

trast to the predictable daily routine that parents were more prone to!

Keep boredom at bay! An R. I. Fitzhenry quote gives a clue on how to change the household context: “Uncertainty and mystery are energies of life. Don’t let them scare you unduly, for they keep boredom at bay and spark creativity.” It sounds as if your grandchildren are interrupting your conservation with your daughter because they are bored or seeking attention. • When they arrive, plan an interaction that involves all three generations. For example, have pizza dough spread out on pans with tomato sauce and toppings ready to put on. Let your grandchildren each make a pizza, help-

Although professionals in the area stated that some of the reasons that men have for not proposing have something to do with the trio of money, job security and self-confidence, I would like to follow a different path to answer your concern.

In Malachi 2:14, we see marriage as a holy covenant before God. The dictionary defines covenant as a promise usually under seal between two parties. Since you have already set your mind about marrying your boyfriend, I suggest these questions as a help to clarify

Clarify the purpose of the visit Your daughter and her two children are visiting your home. But it sounds as if you really want time to spend talking with your daughter. It is likely that keeping track of her children distracts your daughter. Would she feel comfortable letting Grandpa care for the grandchildren while you go out to lunch with her? And then reversing the arrangement next time? This will give each of you a time to get to know your grandchildren as individuals as well. Hopefully, over time, your grandchildren will come to bring you joy: “Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children. (Proverbs 17:6)

My boyfriend won’t propose Dr. Gelasia Marquez is a psychologist and family counselor.

more your thoughts: • Have you two discussed getting married as the end of the dating time? • Does getting married mean the same for both of you? • Are you two sure that there are more agreements than discrepancies in the values behind your decisions, your

expectations in life and your daily routine issues? After this brief discerning process, if you still consider that “he is the man,” you can take the initiative and invite him to dialogue about the same questions to find out if you two are ready to propose to each other, “Will you marry me?”

S. Kendrick

what gets my goat

I have been dating the same guy for the last three years. I love him and he says he loves me. We are in an exclusive relationship, and we aren’t getting any younger. All of our friends are getting married; I want to, too. How can I get him to pop the question?

ing them settle in. • Copy photos of your daughter when she was their age. Let each grandchild make a photo book to “surprise” mom with before they leave. The grandchildren will need to be in a corner so mom doesn’t see what they are up to! • Plan different activities for each visit so that they don’t know what to expect.

FAITH Magazine / June 2010 / www.FAITHmag.com

“ We got married too young – I want to try the single life.” Sarah says: Pat and I got married when I was only 18. I was eager to get out of the house and away from my parents. I thought getting married was the best way to be a “grown-up.” I love Pat, but now I’ve realized I missed all the fun of my 20s. Maybe we made a mistake – I feel as if I’d like another chance at the single life.

“What about us?” T. Gennara

Pat says: I don’t know what’s gotten into Sarah – we’ve been married for 12 years and suddenly she wants to be a teenager again. For heaven’s sake, we have two children – what are they supposed to do while she “finds herself?” And what about us? I am stunned and don’t know where to turn.

He said | She said what do they do?

your marriage matters

We are reminded Deacon Tom Fogle and JoAnne Fogle help prepare couples for marriage. of words in a hymn their nuptial vows and define what it means to say, “for better that are applicable to married couples, “Turn to me and be and for worse.” Describe to each other what the words mean. glad…there is no other, none besides me…” Without stating Recommit to each other to be life partners and then immedithe obvious, it appears the fire of their marriage has dwindled to an ember. What is most needed now is to put some logs on ately add some spice into their marriage! Sarah obviously is missing something in her relationship with Pat, and it is up the fire and get the flames roaring hot again! to both of them to discover and communicate what that is. To get flames hot again, Pat and Sarah would do well to The simplest way to begin is to make two lists – one list of focus on each other, and not focus on others outside their marriage or what may appear to be lost opportunities. It is our what Pat desires from Sarah and one list of what Sarah desires from Pat. Take a day or two to compile the lists, then take belief that, as married couples, we can either look at a glass a quiet evening when both Sarah and Pat can be alone and half empty and lament because it isn’t full enough, or we can exchange the list and read them with love. Once read, each, look at the same glass and be thankful for what we have and in turn, should define each desire so there is no mistake of optimistically look at what the future will bring! the intent. While one spouse is defining his or her desire, the Without getting too personal, this scenario strikes close to other spouse should be listening intently and without interhome for Jo and me. Jo was 19 when we were married and rupting. Each will have plenty of time to ask for clarification. I was 18; and, yes, 47 years later I can still remember those The interaction shared about your hopes and dreams can be days like they were yesterday. Did we miss a lot? I am sure nurturing to both of you as you will learn new things about some would say absolutely, but to us, we gained so much each other and be help-mates in fulfilling those hopes and more! I would not trade being married for anything and I expectations. most certainly do not wish to repeat my teenage years. Verbalizing these innermost thoughts and feelings about your There is nothing wrong with asking “what if” about the desires, letting yourself be vulnerable, will let the other in on past, but you can’t roll back the hands of time and try to recreate years and situations that have gone by. For starters, you who you are. Pat and Sarah: Remember that it was God who brought you together and it was God who blessed you with now have two children; you don’t just walk out the door and say, “Excuse me, I’m going to be single now, go raise yourself!” children. Now it is your turn to be a good example to them by being the best married couple you can possibly be. So what should Sarah and Pat do? First, they should revisit

Sundae School T. Gennara

Ultimate ice cream sundae pie

culture

By Michelle Sessions DiFranco | Photography by Philip Shippert

t’s funny what we remember from school. I’ll never forget the poster that hung on the door of my third-grade classroom. It was a photo of a multi-layered, two-foot-tall sandwich and it read, “Life is like a sandwich - the more you add to it the better it becomes.” At the time, the poster made sense, but I don’t think I was greatly affected by it. Maybe it was hard to respond to such a lesson in the third grade since so much of my life was pretty much arranged for me. Or maybe the visual of a ridiculously tall sandwich that I could never get my jaws around, stuffed with ludicrous amounts of cheese, lettuce, and cold cuts, was just too silly for me to take seriously. And yet, here I am, decades older, and not only do I remember the poster, but I also must acknowledge how its message resonates with me. In particular, I’ve found that getting involved in my parish is the greatest testament to the axiom on that poster. The more one puts into their parish life, the better it benefits them, their family, and others. Granted, becoming more

involved takes time, resources, energy and faith, but the payback is enormous and in ways we never expect. For example, my parents were involved in Marriage Encounter talks and teaching catechism. Not only did it deliver the intended benefit of helping to bring others closer to God, but it enriched their own faith and their

marriage. It had the unintended and long-lasting benefit of equipping them to counsel their children with marriage matters and elements of catechesis. In reflecting on their example, I can’t help but see how important it is to follow it in my own parish life. It involves more than just showing up regularly for Mass. Using the gifts that God has given me to serve the church means going out of my comfort zone to contribute talents and time. Getting involved in the parish, whether it’s through Scripture studies, ushering, singing in the choir, working the pancake breakfasts, etc., puts you in touch with a group of people who share faith and a desire to support others. It kindles friendships and a sense of community. Now, maybe a sandwich isn’t the best analogy for this theme. Too much stuff on a sandwich makes it unrealistically tall and, frankly, if we are trying to reach the attention of third-graders, there are other things that will resonate better. Like an ice cream sundae! Now there’s something that a person of any age would love. So I suggest the following treat to help today’s lesson sink in: “Parish life is like a sundae; the more we add to it, the better it becomes.”

Ultimate Ice Cream Sundae Pie • Prepared chocolate cookie pie crust • 1 pint vanilla ice cream (softened) • 1.5 quart container vanilla, chocolate, strawberry ice cream (Neapolitan) • ¼ cup mini chocolate chips • ½ cup caramel topping • Jar of hot fudge topping (warmed before serving) • Can of whipped cream • 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries • ¼ cup chocolate candies (minis) • ¼ cup chopped pecans • Rainbow sprinkles Spread entire container of softened vanilla ice cream evenly in the bottom of the prepared pie crust. Pour the caramel topping over the ice cream layer. Sprinkle the mini chocolate chips over the caramel. Cover and place in freezer for 15-20 minutes to harden. Remove from freezer. Scoop vanilla, chocolate, strawberry ice cream balls and arrange close together on top of frozen layers. Return to freezer for an additional 30 minutes or until ready to serve. Drizzle on warm hot fudge and top off (each piece) with strawberries, whipped cream, chocolate candies, pecans and sprinkles before serving. Enjoy!

FAITH Magazine / June 2010 / www.FAITHmag.com

Anothe

r idea:

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12 Dear Fr. Joe:

T. Gennara

Is there one ‘right’ way to receive Communion? @

Q in the know with Fr. Joe

Send your questions to: “In the Know with Fr. Joe” FAITH Magazine, 1500 E. Saginaw, Lansing, MI 48906 Or: JoeInBlack@priest.com

Recently, at church, someone told me receiving communion in the hand is disrespectful. Is this accurate? How should I receive communion?

I’ve gotten this one and variations on it from a few readers – I hope my information helps. Before we dive into the “how” and the “why” though, I’d like to take a moment and explain why these are important issues and not “nit-picking.” We call the Eucharist the blessed sacrament.

All of our sacraments are amazing, but when we talk about the Eucharist, we are talking about the one from which all the others flow. It is the most potent spiritual medicine available to us. Because of its amazing power and beauty, we are always to use one word above all others in relation to it: reverence. Here’s a pretty powerful passage from Paul’s first letter to

the Corinthians: “Therefore, whoever eats the body or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 11:27) So, with that in mind, how are we to receive? According to the laws of the church, there are two ways we can receive Communion: on the hand or on the tongue. To be clear, both ways of receiving are approved by the church. The folks who told you receiving Communion in the hand is a mortal sin were wrong. So, if we receive on the

hand, how do we do it? Look at this quote from St. Cyril of Jerusalem: “When you approach holy Communion, make the left hand into a throne for the right, which will receive the king.” Pope Paul VI added, “Then, with your lower hand, take the consecrated host and place it in your mouth.” For those who receive Communion on the hand, please be sure and follow this practice. Receiving one-handed or cupping the hand is not the right way to receive. For those who receive in the mouth, the key is

Mass

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all under

FAITH Magazine / June 2010 / www.FAITHmag.com

Behold, I make all things new! Read more of Paul Jarzembowski’s thoughts on www.spiritualpopcorn.blogspot.com.

EVERETT

ver the past decade, a number of movie and television franchises have been “rebooting” themselves. From Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins a few years ago to J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek last year to the A-Team and Karate Kid revivals coming to a multiplex near you this summer, the reboot trend is as popular as ever.

When it comes to these kinds of films, it seems that we love the feeling of going back to younger days, when we first experienced these cultural moments for the first time. Do you remember reading your Batman comics as a kid? Or watching William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy as Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock in the original Star Trek epsiodes? As a child of the 1980s, I can vividly recall the fun and excitement of watching the crew of the The A-Team blast through the screen in their signature black and red-striped van. (This summer, you can be sure I’ll be the first one in line on the day that reboot opens.) There is a risk in seeing these movies, though. Sometimes a fresh take on an old classic not only honors the past, but points the way to the future. Other times, however, especially when audiences come with high expectations, the revision can’t compete with the original. Some might reject change – either at the movies or in their lives – to avoid a possible disappointment. As the saying goes, “better the devil you know than the one you don’t.” In the Book of Revelation, the author envi-

sioned the reign of God as something new and unexpected. To use the language of the movies, Jerusalem and the whole world were about to get a reboot: “I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away.” (Rev. 21:1) A new future had arrived and God proudly proclaims, “Behold, I make all things new!” (Rev. 21:5) The past is sacred – and, for many, quite comfortable, like old episodes of The A-Team or the Karate Kid movies of the 1980s. But the future is just as sacred and important. These reboots remind me of the first lines of the famous “Serenity Prayer,” God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference. Whether it’s as simple as watching a rebooted movie this summer, or as complex as dealing with drastic new changes in our life at work, with family and friends, or even within our faith communities, let us pray for the strength and wisdom we need.

spiritual popcorn

to tilt your head back and extend your tongue so that there is no danger of the host falling. Simply opening your mouth is not safe or sanitary. This practice also is affirmed by our history – Pope Leo the Great referred to receiving in the mouth when he wrote about the sixth chapter of the Gospel of John. In both cases, focus on being reverent. I’ve seen both Communion-in-the-hand and Communion-in-themouth folks approach the Eucharist with tremendous respect and honor; and I’ve seen the opposite as well. Our posture in approaching the Eucharist needs to be different, as well: We should stand ready – alert and prepared to receive Jesus attentiveness and love in our hearts. Our “Amen” should be loud and clear – a strong affirmation of our communal belief. I’ve received letters from folks about priests not allowing them to receive Communion on the hand and from folks whose priests do not allow them to receive on the tongue. The priest has no authority to do such a thing on either side. I would suggest you politely share with your priest your concerns and ask him to change his personal rule. If not, then I would follow up with a letter to the bishop. For those of you who have a strong opinion about how others should receive, I invite you to focus on how you and your family receive. Don’t worry about others. Jesus promised that he would guide us as a church and we need to cling to those words. It’s not our duty to save the church, but to let Jesus save us through it. Enjoy another day in God’s presence!

theology 101

mystery we celebrate. The bishops at Vatican II recognized this when they noted that the “full, conscious and active participation of the people was the aim to be considered before all else. (SC 14ff)” The new Order of Mass had more than a dozen parts that could be sung, as well as numerous options for the priest celebrant. No longer were the people to be silent spectators. Liturgical music’s primary role, then, is ministerial – it serves the liturgy. It allows the people to be more actively engaged, harmonizes with the liturgical season and day and supports the structure of the given rite. It allows the rite to unfold without overshadowing the ritual words and actions. (Sing to the Lord, 68) Sometimes music accompanies a ritual action (Lamb of God); sometimes it supports a ritual action (an entrance hymn); and sometimes it is the ritual action (the Gloria).

What do we sing?

Singing at liturgy T. Gennara

What is sung liturgy? Part 3 of a 14-part series

Rita Thiron is director of the Office of Worship for the Catholic Diocese of Lansing and a member of the board of the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions.

hen they crossed through the Red Sea, the Old Testament people praised God in song. (Exodus 15) The psalmist tells of people who danced and sang with timbrels and harps. (Ps 149) Long before the role of the cantor emerged in synagogue practices, the people publicly chanted prayers and cantillated the Torah. Jesus and his disciples sang on their way to the Mount of Olives. Paul told the Colossians to “sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” (3:16) Generations of Christians since have composed music to praise God – a simple melody or a polyphonic masterpiece, accompanied by large orchestras or a crude drum, voiced by a soloist or an assembly of thousands. Why sing? We value music. It engages the heart, expresses emotions and stirs the soul in ways that the spoken word cannot. But

music is not merely an optional decoration of our liturgy. It is integral to it. We do not sing at liturgy, we sing the liturgy! Since music expresses and fosters faith, it allows us to more deeply enter into the

Not every part of the Mass is sung, but among those that are, we can recognize various categories. Knowing what they are helps us to appreciate some ancient traditions, to choose music wisely and to give priorities to what should be sung. Dialogues are exchanges between the presider and assembly, e.g., The Lord be with you. And also with you. They are part of the presider’s communication with us and they both signify and bring about communal celebration. (STL 115) Acclamations are “shouts of joy” from the assembly and, by their very nature, should be strong and musically appealing. Among these are the Gospel Acclamation – an Alleluia and verse before we listen to the words of Jesus. (In Lent, another verse replaces it.) We respond to the General Intercessions with Lord, hear our prayer or some other sung response. We “interrupt” the Eucharistic Prayer several times with our acclamations. We sing the Holy, holy, holy at the conclusion of the Preface. The memorial acclamation (e.g. Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again) expresses our faith in the paschal mystery. In the Great Amen, we offer our final assent to the full Eucharistic Prayer. The psalms are “the voice of Christ and the voice of the church at prayer.” (STL 116, quoting Laudis canticum, Paul VI, 1970)

Since they are songs of praise and peti-

15 tion, they are meant to be sung. The original place for hymns in the liturgy was actually the Liturgy of the Hours. A four-hymn structure was first added to the Latin Mass to allow participation. Now, vernacular hymns may be used to accompany the entrance, the presentation of the gifts, Communion, and, if desired, a recessional. These processional songs create a sense of community. The entrance song helps us to enter into our celebration and prepares us to hear the word of God. (GIRM 46) The Communion hymn fosters a sense of unity as we partake of the sacrament of unity. Supplemental songs have no specified texts. These include a prelude, a preparation hymn, or the song after Communion. (GIRM 164) Other parts of the Mass also may be sung, including the Lord’s Prayer; the Profession of Faith or Creed may be sung, but a simple setting should be used. (GIRM 68) The Gospel also may be chanted.

How do we choose music? Many parishes are blessed by trained pastoral musicians who, with the pastor, coordinate liturgical music. Liturgies always are prepared as a whole, not by selecting distinct elements. So music is chosen by looking at the readings and prayers of the Mass, as well as any ritual action it may demand.

Every year, Catholics from around the globe travel to religiously significant locations in order to deepen their understanding and appreciation for the Catholic faith, to venerate Mary and the saints, to ask for intercessory prayers and to express gratitude. Here is just one of the many places you might want to make a pilgrimage.

Ephesus, Turkey

“In this world, God loves nothing more than the liberty of his church.”

St. Anselm (around 1033-1109) St. Anselm is the doctor of scholasticism. He was a Benedictine monk who held the office of archbishop of Canterbury from 1093 to 1109. He is called the founder of scholasticism, the theological movement that brought a rigorous application of logic to the reflection on the deposit of faith. He is famous for his origination of the ontological argument for the existence of God and his work Why God Became Man, which outlined his “satisfaction” theory of the atonement. St. Anselm was also the first in the church to oppose the slave trade in England. The anniversary of his death is celebrated on April 21. Those who prepare the music take the following into account: The liturgical judgment – Is this music capable of serving the structural and ritual aspects of the rite? Does it match the ritual action, e.g., are we singing of holy Communion at Communion time? Is this antiphon or verse called for

Ephesus, in modern-day Turkey, remains the bestpreserved classical city and contains the largest collection of Roman ruins in the eastern Mediterranean. About 15 percent has been excavated, but the ruins that are visible give some idea of the city’s original splendor. As a strategic coastal gateway to the East, Ephesus grew to be the second-largest city in the Roman Empire. However, Ephesus also was an important center for Christianity. St. Paul lived in Ephesus for a time and one of his letters to the Christian community at Ephesus is included in the

in the liturgical books? The pastoral judgment – Does this music draw the people closer to the mystery they celebrate? Does it help form their faith? Does it respect the age, culture, language, or education of a particular assembly? The musical judgment – Does this piece of music have the aesthetic qualities to bear the weight of the mystery being celebrated? Is it worthy music? Neither popular songs nor songs with cheap or trite musical styles are suitable for liturgy. While the church may applaud Gregorian Chant, the church has never adopted any one particular musical style, but has admitted styles of music from every period. (SC 123) To these three qualities, we might add the “theological judgment” so that one may carefully examine all lyrics in light of sound doctrine.

Who sings? The simple answer to this is that we all do! Bishops, priests and deacons have texts that are assigned to them. Skilled cantors, choirs and instrumentalists lead our singing. But the assembly is the primary musical minister. All of us participate in sung liturgy – young or old, gifted with a great voice or not, we all must raise our hearts and voices to God in song. After all, all liturgy anticipates the heavenly liturgy and we are just warming up for the heavenly choir!

Scriptures. Ignatius of Antioch also addressed a letter to the Ephesians in the early 2nd century and legend has it that both St. John and the Virgin Mary lived in Ephesus near the end of their lives.

Notables: The House of the Virgin Mary is believed to have been the last home of Mary, the mother of Jesus. In 1967, Pope Paul VI visited the site and confirmed the authenticity of the legend.

The Church of Mary, which lies close to the harbor of Ephesus, was the setting for the Council of Ephesus in 431. The Basilica of St. John was built by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century and stands over what is believed to be the burial site of St. John.

House of the Virgin Mary.

pilgrimage destination

Pilgrimage destination of the month

Who said that?

FAITH Magazine / June 2010 / www.FAITHmag.com

Celebrating the

feasts of summer

his month, we are going to do a bit of a different reflection. June is so rich with tremendous feasts: Feast of Corpus Christi (the Body and Blood of Christ) on June 6; the Feast of the Sacred Heart (June 11); and the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (June 12).

I want to focus on these three feasts because I so often hear people say that they do not know God’s personal love for them; they do not believe their sins are forgiven; they experience being isolated or alone, on the outside in so many ways.

The feasts this month are gifts from God – antidotes to the lies that cripple and destroy. What I would like you to do this month is to reflect on these three feasts and the attached Scriptures and see where you need to open your heart and mind more fully to the love God has for you. Pope Urban IV told us in a very succinct statement that “Eating wounded us (the apple) and eating healed us Corpus Christi procession (the Eucharist).” God so loved you that he chose to remain with you by giving you his own body and blood to nourish you. Celebrate this love on the Feast of Corpus Christi (the Body and Blood of Christ). Moment for reflection: Read John 6:22-71. Read also Luke 24:13-35. Ask God for the grace to understand how loved you really are. May this feast mark the beginning of a deeper faith. May praise and thanksgiving rise from your heart.

On Friday, June 11, the church celebrates the great Feast of the Sacred Heart. Our Lord appeared many years ago to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in France. He revealed himself with his heart like a burning furnace of love. He said to her, “Behold this heart which has so loved men and is so little loved in return.” God did not say he had Sacred Heart of Jesus done everything (though he had) when he died upon the cross for us, when he gave us as food his own body and blood, but he continues to reveal his love through his saints, pleading for us to believe. Moment for reflection: Do you believe in the personal love that God has for you? Read John 15:7-11; John 17:20-26, especially verses 23, 26. Also, read Romans 8:35-39. Remember, too, in God’s great love, God forgives and forgets! When we confess our sins in the sacrament of reconciliation and are truly repentant, God forgets. Don’t continue to carry the load of guilt and fear and regret. God’s love enables you to walk in “newness of life.” Receive it. The third feast is the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. All of us need a mother. God has given us his own mother. Remember the words at the foot of the cross. He said to his mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then he said to his disciple, “Behold your mother.” When Christ gave John his mother, he was giving her to us, to walk with us, to help Immaculate Heart of Mary us on the journey back to him (See John 19:25-27.) May we entrust ourselves more and more to Mary, who will inevitably lead us deeper and deeper into the heart of God. May you open your heart this month more and more to the personal love of God for you.

spiritual fitness

Moment for reflection: Do you think your sin is too great to be forgiven? Do you have thoughts that isolate you or make you think you’re the low man or woman on the proverbial totem pole? Do you harbor resentment or desire for revenge? Thoughts like these are lies of the devil, seeking to rob you of trust, of confidence in God’s love and forgiveness.

T. Gennara

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

Sister Ann’s new book, To be like Jesus, Reflections on the Gospel of Luke, is available from www.renewalministries.net or by calling 734.662.1730

cover story

deally, going to Mass provides a spiritual sanctuary, with an experience of holy Communion and a sense of community with fellow parishioners. But for some parents of children with special needs, such as autism, it’s often a source of stress, isolation and embarrassment. That’s precisely how Amy Schneider felt when she and her husband, Bob, started attending Mass with their daughter, Sarah, a 10-year-old with autism.

Sarah, like many children with autism spectrum disorder, has sensory issues and is easily disturbed by certain sounds. The tones of the organ at the couple’s previous parish, for example, pushed Sarah into emotional meltdowns starting when she was about 3. “Whenever they played the organ, she’d start sobbing and we’d have to take her out,” Amy Schneider says. “It just wasn’t going to work.” Fortunately, the family found a fresh start at St. Thomas Aquinas in East Lansing, where the Our Lady of Grace Special Families Ministry helps build awareness, improves understanding and meets the needs of children with special needs and their families. “The whole community felt welcoming to us,” said Amy Schneider, who recently assumed the duty of leading the special families ministry. “It was the support from other families, knowing they were going through the same struggles we were.” The St. Thomas Aquinas special families ministry was started with about a dozen families that faced similar challenges and shared a desire to help their children in faith formation and sacramental preparation. They also were searching for support, friendship and acceptance.

FAITH Magazine / June 2010 / www.FAITHmag.com

A Guide for Visual Learners Mass can feel mysterious and overwhelming to any person unfamiliar with its rituals and routine. That’s especially true for someone with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a group of complex developmental brain disorders. Many people with ASD have trouble regulating their emotions in social situations or settings that feel strange. Often, the result is an outburst of frustration or anger that embarrasses family members and can create tension among the congregation. After experiencing those struggles with her son, Margaret Froehlke decided to help unravel the mysteries of Mass for children with autism. Founder Margaret Froehlke’s son, Brennan, is a child with ASD and Down syndrome. When he first began attending Mass as a preschooler, Brennan had trouble managing his emotions during the liturgy. Confused and frustrated, he often acted out, turning the family’s sacred Sundays into a constant struggle. “It was overwhelming,” Margaret says. “Brennan would scream and have behavior issues without warning. It was very stressful and upsetting for our whole family. “I sometimes felt people were judging us as not being able to control our child and that he was spoiled. But really, they just didn’t understand what was going on with him and they didn’t know what to think.” Over time, Brennan learned the routine of the Mass. But Margaret wanted to help other families avoid similar frustrations at St. Thomas Aquinas. That’s why she eventually helped launch the Our Lady of Grace Special Families Ministry to help build awareness, improve understanding and meet the needs of children with special needs and their families. “The goal is to make families of children with special needs feel welcome,”

Froehlke and Sue Stelzer, working with FAITH, have produced a booklet for children and adults with autism – or anyone else who learns best visually. Mass, A guide for visual learners is a photo-rich book with clear text, explaining each part of the Mass. Amy Schneider says her 10-year-old daughter, Sarah, totes the book to Mass at East Lansing’s St. Thomas Aquinas Parish each Sunday. “There are a lot of pictures of what’s happening and what’s going on in the Mass,” Schneider says. “It’s very helpful for them and reduces their anxiety about being at church.” Froehlke teamed with Father David Speicher, the former pastor at St. Thomas Aquinas

(now at St. Joseph in Howell), and fellow parishioner and photographer Sue Stelzer to provide a step-by-step pictorial explaining the order and components of the Catholic Mass. Photographs are especially effective because people with ASD are visual learners, she says. Stelzer’s photos were shot from both the altar and the pew to provide both perspectives. People with ASD and other special needs find more spiritual value and enjoyment from Mass when their understanding grows, Froehlke says. “The routine and structure of the universal celebration really make sense for them,” she says.

says Margaret, who moved to Denver in 2008. “If you don’t feel welcome at church, where are you supposed to go for support? And these families need our congregations as part of their support systems.” The centerpiece of the ministry has long been monthly “Super Bowl Sundays,” bowling parties after Mass at Holiday Lanes in East Lansing. Fun and friendship are the main agenda, followed by food provided with funding from the Knights of Columbus. There also are religious education classes geared toward children with special needs and an altar server “buddy” program. Margaret also helped produce an educational video, Autism: Beyond the Label, and recently published Mass, A Guide for Visual Learners, a book designed to help older children and young adults with ASD – and other special needs – learn the basic structure of the Mass. “Now, Brennan absolutely loves church,” Margaret says of her son, who is now 16. “It’s his favorite thing in the world.” Under Amy’s leadership, the ministry continues to offer its monthly Sunday bowling program, which has drawn families from all over the Lansing Diocese.

(To learn more, contact Amy at amyschneider@cablespeed.com.) “It’s a good way of having support for families, getting together and building friendships,” she says. The St. Thomas Aquinas Our Lady of Grace Special Families Ministry also uses student volunteers to mentor children with special needs in religious education classes and help them perform altar server duties. The package of programs is making a positive impact on the parish, Amy says. “Mass can be very hard for a child with autism,” she says. “If the child is out of his or her routine ... sounds or visuals could set them off and they have a meltdown. I know other families who’ve stopped going to church because they just can’t deal with it. That’s why it’s important to have support and know our parish is welcoming.”

Mass, A Guide for Visual Learners can be ordered at www.FAITHmag.com.

Amy talks about her great parish at www.FAITHmag.com For more information about ministries to persons with disabilities, contact jdavis@dioceseoflansing.org.

Mass, A Guide for Visual Learners

Mass,

“I want what they have”

my story

Raffy’s journey to the Catholic Church

s a teenager growing up in the Phillipines, Rafael “Raffy” Urgino figured he was pretty much like any other teen. And he was, until he met some people he envied. During a week in 1999, after living with several lay missionaries from Ann Arbor, Raffy started to envy what they had.

“I remember, very clearly, it was a Saturday – almost the end of the week I had spent with them,” Raffy recalls. “We were all singing and I remember thinking: I want whatever they have. They seemed so much happier than I was. And that’s when I began to pray – hard.” As his conversation with God ensued, Raffy says he felt God saying: “This relationship is something that’s always been available, but you haven’t done anything with it.” “I almost immediately had a sense of God,” he recalls. “It was so powerful that I ended up weeping. I remember knowing – at that point and for a fact – that God was real. I had grown up and been given the faith and being told to believe, but for the first time I felt it.” One may hear that story and think that Raffy is right where he’s supposed to be: serving as director of evangelization, discipleship and service at St. Mary Queen of Angels Parish in Swartz Creek. He would wholeheartedly agree, but his path from the Philippines to Michigan was anything but direct. “From that point (in 1999) forward, every other decision I made was influenced by that experience,” Raffy says. “I helped my father with retreats. I helped serve. I joined a group called Youth for Christ. I can look back and pinpoint the day – that was it.” From the Phillippines, Raffy moved first to Arlington, Va., where he attended Marymount University. After that, he went to graduate school. Raffy recently finished graduate studies at the Franciscan University of Stubenville in Ohio. As he searched job postings, Raffy says he looked for teaching jobs, and in parishes as a director of religious education.

By Eileen Gianiodis | Photography by Tom Gennara

FAITH Magazine / June 2010 / www.FAITHmag.com

He thought there might be something more, though. thing we do leads us to him.” “I felt the Lord saying be open to more than teaching,” he says. Father Steve says that Raffy’s position at the parish reflects the As he scanned additional ministry positions, Raffy found the sort of Christian that he was before he took the job. post at St. Mary Queen of Angels in Michigan. To his dismay, “That’s why he is such a good fit,” Father Steve says. “He loves though, the deadline for applications was more than a month Jesus and he wants other people to love Jesus, too.” past. Best of all, Father Steve says, Raffy fits very well into the team “The job description was what I had always been doing, but of ministers at St. Mary Queen of Angels. there was now a focus on a parish. It was exciting, but the op “When Raffy was hired in September (2009), he began workportunity seemed lost,” he says. ing with Joe Philip and me to create opportunities for retreats, Luckily for him, St. Mary Queen of Angels was still looking for holy hours of adoration and intercessory prayer and small for a director of evangelization, discipleship and service. group fellowship. He and Joe have been a great team working “I e-mailed questions to Father Steve (Mattson). We ended at our parish and also helping at the Newman Center at the up talking by phone and I could sense his passion for the faith. University of Michigan-Flint.” That was very important to me,” Raffy says. “I had the oppor The team’s efforts are bound up with evangelization, Father tunity to meet some of the parishioners here and I could sense Steve explained. They collaborate with each other and voluntheir passion for the faith. For me, it was important that the teers to create opportunities for people to encounter Jesus and people I worked with have passion about what they’re doing – grow in their knowledge and life of faith. no matter where I was.” Parishioners at St. Mary Queen of Angels have welcomed Raffy, On Sept. 8, 2009, Raffy started his job in Michigan. He brought his young wife, Josette, and two sons, Joseph Raphael and Gabriel. Working with the Diocesan Advisory Committee for Evangelization and collaborating closely Father Steve Mattson, with the Office of Multi Cultural Evangelization, we seek to work with our parishes and other pastor at St. Mary Queen of diocesan agencies to reach out with good news to all. We sek to provide for our people links to Angels, explains that adding programs, resources, conferences and ongoing opportunities to encounter Jesus in word and a director of evangelization, deed. We pray that we may be faithful bearers of the good news so that good news that we may discipleship and service to inspire you to bear witness to: the parish’s ministry team • Those who have not heard or have not never been part of our faith-filled community was something he and other • Those, who, for whatever reason, have left our fellowship, that they would find welcome in our members of the staff talked communities to receive Jesus once again in sacrament and word. and prayed about. • Those, with whom you do share your faith, that they may share with you an encounter with Jesus “We took encouragement and his church, such that they would answer the call to Christian discipleship. from Pope Paul VI, who says Office of Evangelization director, Pat Rinker, 517.342.2485, prinker@dioceseoflansing.org that ‘evangelizing is the grace Office of Evangelization secretary, Margaret Grima, 517.342.2555, and vocation proper to the mgrima@diceseoflansing.org church, her deepest identity’,” he says. “As we prayed, we sensed that the Lord wanted St. Mary Queen of Angels to move from a ‘maintenance’ mode to Father Steve says, but they have also spent more time learning that of our ‘mission’ as Christians, to spread the good news.” about and sharing their faith as a result of the team’s work. Father Steve said the parish ministry team feels just as blessed “Our parishioners have responded to the many opportunities to have Raffy on their side. we’ve had for formation and for having prayerful encounters “Raffy has a great deal of experience helping people young with Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit. Our times of prayer and old open their hearts to the Gospel,” Father Steve says. “He and adoration on Friday nights have been a powerful means of has an intimate knowledge of God, a zeal for souls, is filled with sharing the good news,” Father Steve says. the Holy Spirit and has a gift for communicating the message of Father Steve said he has heard of other positions like Raffy’s the Gospel in ways that are winsome and effective.” around the diocese, but stops short of calling it a trend. “The more I thought about it, the more I saw the Blessed “There are a few other parishes in our diocese where staff Mother’s fingerprints all over this move,” he said. That realizamembers coordinate the work of evangelization, which I think tion led Raffy to dedicate his work at St. Mary Queen of Angels is a great development. It might become a trend – I hope so,” to Mary. he says. He’s halfway through his first year, Raffy said that working And how will Raffy define success? with parishioners and their families is wonderfully rewarding. “I will be faithful in the Lord’s plan for me and my family,” “I’ve seen amazing things happen … people are changed he says. His role at St. Mary Queen of Angels has brought his when they experience God,” he said. “We’re trying to ignite a education and passions together. passion,” Raffy says. “Pope John Paul II said that we don’t have “It was almost like a song that you didn’t have the tune for, to change the program, we need to preach the truth, live it and but all of a sudden you get it and it all clicks into focus on the sacraments. God’s priorities don’t change, everyplace.”

Diocesan Office of Evangelization

2010

For more information, contact Pat Rinker at 517.342.2485. The Diocesan Office of Evangelization is another ministry supported by the DSA.

DIOCESAN

SERVICES

APPEAL

Priests and

the sacraments By Doug Culp | Photography by Don Quillan

Q: A:

What sacraments does a priest confer on people? A priest can confer the sacraments of baptism, reconciliation, Eucharist, matrimony and anointing of the sick.

is his role in Q: What conferring sacraments?

The role of the priest in conferring sacraments is more than simply that of performing a pastoral service. The United States Catholic Catechism for Adults makes clear that the role of the priest â&#x20AC;&#x153;ensures the continuity of the

ministry Christ entrusted to the apostles.â&#x20AC;? The priest is the sacramental bond that ties the liturgical action to what the apostles said and did. Through the apostles, the priest is the also the bond to the words and actions of Christ who is the source and foundation of the sacraments. Because it is a sign of the real presence of Christ, the priesthood has a sacramental nature all its own, i.e. the priest is a sign of what is really happening. Acting in the person of Christ (in persona Christi), the priest takes on the role of Christ, who alone can confer the freely given graces of the sacraments. In this way, the priest guarantees it is really Christ who acts in the sacraments through the Holy Spirit for the church.

FAITH Magazine / June 2010 / www.FAITHmag.com

For example, when the priest says Mass, it is Christ himself who is truly offering the eucharistic sacrifice. Likewise, in the sacrament of reconciliation, the priest is the sign and instrument of God’s merciful love for the sinner. As such, he must encourage the faithful to come to the sacrament and he must seek out the lost sheep in the same manner as the good shepherd. The priest is not the master of the sacraments or of the freely given gifts of grace conferred by the sacraments. He is the servant of the sacraments who needs to unite himself to the intention and charity of Christ.

This special presence of Christ through the priest is not to be understood as exempting the priest from human weakness, error or even sin. However, the Holy Spirit does guarantee the real presence of Christ in and through the act of the priest when it comes to the sacraments. In other words, the priest’s shortcomings and sins cannot impede the fruit of grace. The sacraments confer the grace that they signify when celebrated worthily in faith – they are efficacious. However, the sacrament does not depend on the righteousness of either the celebrant or the recipient, “but by the power of God.” As the catechism states, it is Christ who “acts in his sacraments in order to communicate the grace that each sacrament signifies.” This is what the church means when it declares that the sacraments act ex opere operato (by the very fact of the action’s being performed.)

can’t the priest confer Q: Why the sacrament of confirmation?

Crosier: The bishop carries a tall hooked staff called a crosier. In the Western church, it is shaped like a shepherd’s crook to symbolize the bishop’s role as the shepherd of his flock. Crosiers dating from as early as the fourth century have been found in catacombs. By the Council of Toledo in 663, the crosier is mentioned as a liturgical implement.

How has Hollywood depicted Catholic priests?

Thinking about the priesthood? Contact Father Jerry Vincke, jvincke@dioceseoflansing.org. Another ministry supported by the DSA.

DIOCESAN

SERVICES

APPEAL

father on film

Ten years before Pope John Paul II became the first non-Italian pontiff in centuries, Anthony Quinn starred in The Shoes of the Fisherman, an epic film based on Morris West’s novel of the same name. Quinn played Kiril Lakota, a priest in the USSR who is released from political imprisonment in Siberia – and then is elected pope. Pope Kiril is portrayed as a brave priest who suffered greatly for his faith. A number of subplots include the marital issues between a journalist and doctor, as well as the theological investigation of a young priest philosopher. In addition to Quinn, the cast includes Sir Laurence Olivier, Sir John Gielgud and David Janssen.

2010

The United States Catholic Catechism for Adults explains that in the early church the bishop was always the ordinary minister of both baptism and confirmation. Rapid growth and expansion soon made it impossible for the bishop to be present at all the celebrations of baptism, so the power to confer that sacrament was entrusted to priests and deacons. However, the bishops in the Latin Rite church chose to retain their role in the initiation of new members into the church by continuing to be the ordinary minister of confirmation. While the bishops can, and sometimes do, entrust confirmation to a priest under various circumstances, the practice of the bishop celebrating confirmation helps to more clearly express the communion of the new Christian with the bishop and his or her unity with the apostolic origins of the church. It should be noted that this is not the practice in the Eastern Rite churches (which are part of the Catholic Church) where a priest confers confirmation, or chrismation, at the time of baptism. In many churches, this is followed immediately by reception of Communion. This practice places an emphasis more on the unity of the three sacraments of initiation than on communion with the bishop.

B. Patten

what is he wearing?

Since the priest acts in the person of Q: Christ, what happens to the efficacy of the sacraments if the priest is not free of sin

Catholic Charities

able for you. If you, or someone you know, could benefit from Respite Services, please contact Leslie at 517.782.3878,

St. Vincent Catholic Charities is in need of new and gently used household items. When you make a donation to St. Vincent Catholic Charities, the items go directly to helping people in need. STVCC does not resell any donated items. It needs housing items, such as furniture and basic kitchen materials. Most needed items at this time are pots, pans (cooking ware) and sofas. Donated items are tax deductible. All items can be dropped off Mon. - Fri., 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 2800 W. Willow, Lansing. For more information visit their Web site at www.stvcc.org.

Vision of Hope Tours on the Road – Catholic Charities of Lenawee is looking for local church groups, businesses or service clubs to allow us to share how we are making a difference in your community. We will highlight our goals of Providing Help and Creating Hope to those in need while sharing stories that will both inform and inspire you. Consider having us speak at your next meeting or event. We’ll come to you or you can come to us. Contact Carrie Burgett at 517.263.2191 for more information.

Catholic Charities of Jackson County’s Respite Services offers trained, dependable volunteers to give a gift of time to family caregivers of homebound adults. To qualify for this service, the caregiver or the homebound adult must be 50 years old or older. At Catholic Charities of Jackson County, our programs and services are provided on a sliding fee scale. We will work with you to determine a payment option that is afford-

things to do:

community

Protecting God’s Children Awareness Sessions for Adults: June 5, 9 a.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle, Ann Arbor and Aug. 10, 1 p.m. at the Diocesan Center, Madonna Hall, Lansing. For more information, contact Safe Environment Coordinator Sally Ellis at 517.342.2551. Pre-register for a session at www.virtus.org. Please do not call the hosting parish to pre-register. Retrouvaille Retreat will be June1113 at St. Francis Retreat Center in DeWitt. For information or to register, contact Teresa and Allan Sonfilippo Wilcox at 517.290.5596. Father Gabriel Richard FGR High School’s 21st annual Golf Outing – Irish Open – is scheduled for June 11 at Fox Hills Golf and Banquet Center. All

June Café events

Catholic Charities of Jackson County will be hosting Help and Hope Tours at their 407 S. Mechanic St. location in Jackson. Upcoming tour dates are July 12 and Aug. 2. Each one-hour tour begins at noon and free lunch will be available for those interested in a tour and learning more about the organization.We serve all people and all guests are welcome. Please reserve your lunch, by calling Lisa Gross at 517.262.0466.

proceeds from the auction will be used to support Catholic education at FGR. To register, call 734.662.0496 x 210 or visit www.fgrathletics.com and click on golf outing.

end will be June 26-27. To register, please contact Jim and Beth Sabin at 517.750.9898 or visit the Web site at www.lansingcee.org.

Immaculate Heart Summer Scripture Days 2010 Grow Your Busiof Mary of Lansing ness with Onwill host a Flag Looking for more understanding of line Marketing Day Blood Drive the Gospels? Come join us at Sumis a free seminar – come support mer Scripture Days as we examine offered on June our community on the Gospel of John, “My Peace I Give 12 at St. Francis June 14, 2 p.m.You” Chapters 11-21. Empower your of Assisi Parish 7:30 p.m. in the knowledge by attending, Aug. 10–12 Activities Center Parish Family at St. Francis Retreat Center in DeWitt. (PAC), 2250 E. Center. If you have Register before July 30, 2010 by Stadium Blvd., questions, call contacting Diane at 517.342.2465 or Ann Arbor from; JoAnn Angers at darzberger@dioceseoflansing.org 10 a.m.-noon, 517.393.3033. presented by Marian Strozie. For tickets, register Lansing Deaf Mass Schedule at www.MyMarketingTicket.com or in June at St. Mary Cathedral, 219 734.681.0669. Seymour St. and St. Gerard, 4437 W. Willow Hwy. : June 5, 4:30 p.m. St. GeAn Engaged Encounter weekrard; June 13 and 27, 4 p.m. at St. Mary Cathedral; and St. John the Evangelist, 600 N. Adelaide St. in Fenton: June 6, 20 and 27.

Taizé, a meditative, common prayer service composed of song, Scripture and silence, is celebrated one Friday evening each month at St. Mary Magdalen in Brighton. To be notified by email monthly of the date and time, please send request to Diane Kubus at liturgist@saintmarymagdalen.org and you will be placed on the distribution list.

Generation Christ group is a young adults group, ages 18-35, seeking to grow closer to Christ at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Ann Arbor. It meets every Sunday at 7 p.m. in the Parish Hall. All young adults are welcome. For information, contact the parish at 734.761.8606.

FAITH Magazine / June 2010 / www.FAITHmag.com

Chip-in Fore Children Golf Outing – benefiting the families at the Father Patrick Jackson House and Washtenaw Child Advocacy Center will be June 18 at Lake Forest Golf Club in Ann Arbor. Cost $100 per golfer, $400 per foursome and $35 to attend award banquet only. For reservations and sponsorship opportunities, call Catholic Social Services at 734.971.9781 x 313. St. Francis of Assisi Parish will have a Rummage Sale June 16-17, 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. and June 18, 9:30 a.m.11:30 a.m. at St. Francis School’s gym. For more information, visit the parish Web site at www.stfrancisa2.com or call 734.769.2550. Regional Youth Rally for teens attending Franciscan University of Steubenville Youth Conferences this summer will be held at St. Mary Church in Williamston on June 17. For information, call Adam Janke, DRE at 517.655.2520 ext. 8.

At our retreat centers St. Francis Retreat Center, DeWitt – 877.669.8321 June 7-9, Beyond Survival, is a weekend of healing for women who have experienced sexual abuse will be facilitated by Patricia Martin and Father Larry Delaney. Weber Retreat Center in Adrian – 517.266.4000 or www.adriandominicans.org/WeberCenter. Private Directed Retreat, July 26-30. This retreat will provide time and space for solitude, personal prayer and optional participation in campus liturgy and Tuesday evening peace prayer. Each participant will meet daily with a Spiritual Director. Cost is $325, which includes room and meals and daily spiritual direction. Register by July 1 at 517.266.4000 or www.adriandominicans.org/WeberCenter. Dominican Center at Marywood in Grand Rapids, June 13-18, Journey into Silent Retreat, at St. Francis Retreat Center, DeWitt. Mark your calendars for celebrating the 25th anniversary of our Diocesan Youth Leadership Camp for high school youth. A DYLC Reunion will be Aug. 7 at St. Martha in Okemos – inviting this year’s campers and other recent attendees and leader teams to join together in celebrating a quarter century of forming young Catholic disciples.

A REFLECT Singles Retreat for people in their mid-30s to mid-50s – July 23-25 at St. Francis Retreat Center in DeWitt. Cost is $158 single occupancy and $138 for double. This covers meals, lodging and materials. For registration information, call 989.450.0993 or reflect.retreat@ gmail.com.

Parish Festivals: Our Lady of Guadalupe, 2316 W. Coldwater Rd., Flint will have Fiesta Mexicana 2010 from June 25, 3 p.m.-11 p.m.; June 26, noon-12 a.m.; and June 27, noon-10 p.m. Admission is $2 and 12 and under are free. There will be a carnival, kids’ games, Mexican bingo, Folkloric dancers and authentic Mexican food.

Vacation Bible School

Our Lady of Fatima, 913 Napoleon Rd. in Michigan Center, will have Vacation Bible School from June 22-24. For more information, call the parish office at 517.764.2088. Vacation Bible School will be held at Immaculate Heart of Mary, Lansing June 21-23 from 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Children from age 3 to grade six are invited to participate. Registration forms will be available after the Memorial Day weekend. If you have questions, call JoAnn Angers at 517.393.3033. Holy Family in Grand Blanc will have Vacation Bible School June 28-July 2. To volunteer or register, call the Religious Education Office at 810.694.9072 x101. St. Mary, Mt. Morris will have Vacation Bible School for

St. Joseph Shrine in Brooklyn will have Vacation Bible School Aug. 9-13 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The theme is Rainforest Adventure. For more information, contact Diane Dover at 517.467.2106. St. Pius X, Flint will have Vacation Bible School Aug 3-5 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. This year, the theme is High Seas Expedition. For more information, contact VBS Coordinator Ken Preiss at 810.235.8574. St. John in Howell will have Vacation Bible School June 21-25 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The theme is High Seas and the Expedition. VBS is for preschool-grade 6, with adult formation included. For more information, call Anne at 517.546.7200. A one-day Vacation Bible School will be at St. Casimir Parish in Lansing on June 23 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; lunch and snacks provided and dinner at 5:30 p.m. for parents and children. Attendance is free. For more information, call Julie Smith at 517.482.1346.

vacation bible school

St. Matthew, Flint will have Vacation Bible School for 4 to 8-year-olds in the field house – June 21-25 from 10 a.m. until noon. Son Treasure Island is this year’s theme. Children must be pre-registered. Please call the parish office at 810.232.0880 on or before June 1.

children pre-K-grade 6, Aug. 2-6, from 9 a.m. to noon. Follow Jesus on a life-changing adventure with Bible stories, crafts, games and songs. For more information, contact Janet Cassidy at 810.686.3920.

28 St. Joseph Shrine’s Stations of the Cross Jesus came with his disciples to a country place – Gethsemane – where he asked them to watch with him and pray. St. Joseph Shrine, Brooklyn parishioners traveled to a country place on Good Friday to pray as they walked the Stations of the Cross outside. Carol Zarnick greeted everyone with, “Inside or outside?” She then handed them the appropriate Stations of the Cross booklet. Father Carl Simon led the congregation down the steps toward the lake. The stations, built in 1932, include stones gathered from all over the world.

Seeker of Justice

local news

Catholic Charities of Lenawee presented Kate Hayes with the Seeker of Justice Award at their annual Donor and Volunteer Appreciation Dinner on April 22 for her extensive work with Right to Life. Kate also is very active at her parish, St. Joseph Shrine, where she coordinates the Homebound Ministries Program and takes the Eucharist to parishioners. The Knights of Columbus of St. Elizabeth Parish hosted the dinner, which featured Father Dave Hudgins of St. Joseph Parish, Adrian as the keynote speaker.

Siena Heights celebrates 90th anniversary Siena Heights University is celebrating the 90th anniversary of its founding as a college by the Adrian Dominican Sisters. Siena Heights started as a school for women, but broadened its mission to include men in 1969. The university has more than 2,350 undergraduate and graduate

The 14th annual Rose Mass On March 13 the Lansing Guild of the Catholic Medical Association presented the Diocese of Lansing’s 14th annual Rose Mass for Catholic health-care workers at Holy Family Church in Grand Blanc. Bishop Earl Boyea was the celebrant. Professor Janet E. Smith of Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit was the keynote speaker. The St. Camillus Award presentation immediately followed at the Atlas Valley Country Club.

Antonio Francesco Denver, Colo., sculptor Antonio Francesco spent time at St. Mary of Good Counsel in Adrian recently. “I worked with 16 parishioners to plan the sculpture I am making. As people walk into the office they will be greeted by the hands of Mary,” he said. Antonio made separate two-dimensional panels showing the Blessed Virgin’s hands – the annunciation, the birth of Jesus, the crucifixion, the assumption and the fifth panel, Mary’s hands extended. A graduate of Julliard and the University of Michigan, Antonio taught ballroom and line dance lessons each Friday. – Jan Hoffbauer students. They offer associate, bachelor, master and specialist degrees. Although the main campus is in Adrian, they have degree

Catholic Charities of Livingston County celebrates 25 years of service Livingston County Catholic Charities cel-

completion sites in Ann Arbor, Southfield, Benton Harbor, Monroe, Battle Creek, Lansing, Jackson, Port Huron and online.

ebrated their 25th Anniversary on April 17 at St. Agnes Church, Fowlerville. Bishop Earl Boyea celebrated the Mass in a packed church on Saturday afternoon. The Mass was

Tenth international youth forum in Rome Michael Krupp, a member of both Mount Zion Catholic Community and Youth to Youth Catholic Evangelization, attended the 10th International Youth Forum in Rome March 24-28. Michael represented the Catholic Fraternity of Charismatic Covenant Communities and Fellowships from around the world. followed by the sixth annual “Salute to the Stars” dinner and award presentation. The 2010 Salute to the Stars honorees included: Dori Sabourin, Deacon Jim Chevalier and Ron White.

Mark Robinson, director of LCCC, presented the Seeker of Justice Award to Barbara Dine for her work as founder and director of the Fowlerville Family Impact Center.

FAITH Magazine / June 2010 / www.FAITHmag.com

A special seminarian visits Holy Family School

Easter candle blessing for Holy Family School students

Ryan Delaney, a seminarian at St. John Vianney Seminary in St. Paul, Minn., spent a couple of days with our fifth and eighth grade students. Ryan is our first Holy Family School graduate to go into the seminary. Ryan met with our fifth-graders and shared what it is like to be a seminarian and to have a vocation. The students learned about discernment and what a breviary, cassock and surplice are. Ryan shared the path that he will take to become a fully ordained priest.

St. Joseph Academy recognized for outstanding achievement in regional science fair Two students from St. Joseph Academy in Adrian recently received high honors at the Southeast Michigan Science Fair. The 52nd annual Southeast Michigan Science Fair took place on March 12-13 at Washtenaw Community College. The event was sponsored by the University of Michigan and Washtenaw Community College, in cooperation with public and private schools in the five county regions. Clare Kucera, eighth-grader at St. Joseph Academy, won first prize in the Junior Individual Physical Science Division. Kanan Pandya, grade 8, won first prize in the Junior Individual Life Science Division.

St. Joseph, Adrian’s Lenten gift “Every year during Lent, the middle school grades 6-8 present a gift to our parish in the form of a small stage production. This year they performed two skits,” said Mary (Laura) and John the Greater (Dominic Di Pietro) Chris Connor, a catechist at at the foot of the cross, as St. Joseph Parish, Adrian. Jesus (Joe Hoag) dies. The first was a multimedia presentation of their interpretation of Footprints in the Sand. The second skit was A Discussion at the Last Supper Table.

St. Joseph Academy celebrates national reading month St. Joseph Academy students spent the month of March reading to celebrate National Reading Month. Students read for a total of 50,846 minutes, which equates to more than 35 days of reading. For every hour students read, they received one ticket to enter a drawing for prizes. Multiple prizes were donated by local businesses. “It is such a joy to watch our students discover new worlds through reading,” said Principal Sister Pat Fischer, OP. “It never ceases to amaze me what the students at St. Joseph Academy can achieve.”

First annual Ave Maria Catholic Education Award On March 6, Huron Valley Catholic School presented its first annual Ave Maria Catholic Education Award to Thomas S. Monaghan. The award is intended to honor those who have made significant contributions to Catholic education. Monaghan is the chairman of the Board of the Ave Maria Foundation, which was established in 1983 to assist a variety of Catholic charities.

Book Bowl competition winners The St. Robert School 5th/6th grade Book Bowl Team won first place at Baker College against 15 other teams in the annual Book Bowl competition. The 7th/8th grade team came in fourth place.

St. Robert student wins essay contest St. Robert eighth-grader Lauren Neumann won second place in the Michigan Knights of Columbus essay contest. The topic was “The Power of Prayer in My Life.”

St. Robert School’s journalism students St. Robert School’s journalism students publish a monthly school newspaper, The Mustang Monthly, as well as monthly church bulletin inserts. They are now working on historical/informative magazines about the school, church, alumni and programs. This group of seventh- and eighth-graders is proof that the arts of writing, reporting and photography are very much alive and well.

Catholic Schools news

Holy Family School fourth-graders did a special Easter preparation. The children decorated a candle with their families. On April 1, these candles were blessed by Father Ken Coughlin, pastor of Holy Family. For this special blessing ceremony, the children processed down the aisle of the church with their candles lit and listened to special readings.

What in the world? The top 10 Catholic news events this month

Requiescat in pace Father Tom McDevitt Father Tom McDevitt was born Oct. 5, 1932 in Jackson, Mich. He attended Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit and the Institute Superier a the University of Louvain,

Bishops of Spain support Pope Benedict – In his inaugural address for the 95th plenary assembly of the Bishops’ Conference of Spain, Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco Varela of Madrid reiterated the Spanish bishops’ support for Pope Benedict XVI as the media continue their campaign against him.

New Catholic TV station launches in Pakistan – Good News is the name of a new Catholic satellite channel launched by the Archdiocese of Karachi in Pakistan. The new station will be available via satellite throughout Asia, Africa, Oceania and Europe.

Pope meets abuse victims, expresses shame, sorrow for their suffering – Pope Benedict XVI met with eight victims of priestly sex abuse in Malta and promised them the church would do all in its power to bring offenders to justice and protect children.

Belgium. He was ordained June 29, 1958. Father McDevitt served as parochial vicar at St. Agnes Parish, Flint; St. John Student Center, East Lansing; and Holy Rosary Parish, Flint. He was the pastor of St. Anthony,

New Web site to help promote vocations – The U.S. bishops are launching a Web site to help laity and clergy promote vacations. ForYourVocation.org will host discernment resources for men and women.

Hillsdale and St. John Student Center. As a senior priest, he served as a spiritual director for retreats at St. Francis Retreat Center, DeWitt and for the Retrouvaille Program. Father McDevitt died May 3, 2010.

St. Vigilius of Trent

saintlocal of the news month

Feast Day: June 26

Vigilius was born a patrician, a person of exceptional education and refinement.

Theodosius and Maxentia went 3 for 4 in sainted children.

Vigilius of Trent was born in about 353 to patrician parents: Theodosius and Maxentia. Throughout his life, he was revered for sanctity and learning – and became friends with St. John Chrysostom when they were both studying in Athens. He is the author of the work, De Martyrio SS. Sisinnii, Martyrii et Alexandri. His family was apparently quite holy, since his brothers Claudian and Magorian also are recognized as saints. In 380, Vigilius returned to Trent, where he was acclaimed as bishop. He vowed to end paganism in his diocese.

Vigilius vowed to end paganism in his diocese.

Vigilius led campaigns to convert idolators and Arians.

Vigilius evangelized tirelessly. When he was in the Rendena Valley with his brothers and another priest, Vigilius threw a statue of Saturn into the river. As a result, he was stoned to death. He is considered to be the first martyr to be canonized by a pope. – Illustrations by Chris Sushynski

Religious leaders urge Arizona governor to veto anti-immigrant bill – Arizona’s three Catholic bishops have issued a statement calling on Gov. Jan Brewer to veto recent legislation targeting undocumented immigrants. The bill was subsequently signed into law.

Wisconsin shrine celebrates installation of a relic – The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse in April held Mass during the installation of a first-class relic of St. Gianna Molla.

Cardinal Cooke’s sainthood cause advances – Investigations into the life of Cardinal Terence Cooke, former archbishop of New York, have begun the Roman phase of his path to canonization.

Mexican bishops’ conference acknowledges priests under threat – Mexico’s bishops’ conference stated that priests had suffered threats of violence, kidnapping and extortion from Mexican narcoticstrafficking cartels.

Kenyan church leaders withhold support of country’s constitution – Kenyan religious leaders said they will reject the proposed new constitution during a referendum in June because it would legalize abortion and keep in place Islamic courts.

Pope marks fifth anniversary, joining cardinals for lunch – Pope Benedict XVI marked the fifth anniversary of his election with a formal luncheon with 46 cardinals in Rome, thanking God and the cardinals for their help in carrying out his ministry.

St. Joseph Academy, Adrian

look like?

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

hat makes for a parish that is vibrant, dynamic and fully animated by the Holy Spirit? Much, of course, depends upon the vision and attitude of the pastor. His modus operandi is quite determinative, fortunately and unfortunately. Prescinding from that, what do we find in vital parishes that are fully engaged in the life of the church? Several areas are key in an alive parish: its life of worship, the parish’s educational and formational activities, its social service and outreach efforts and its ecumenical contacts. In each of these areas one finds a warm, open and hospitable atmosphere that is obvious and felt in an animated parish. In the Second Vatican Council’s document on the liturgy, we find: “Mother church earnestly desires that all the faithful be led to that full, conscious, and active participation in liturgical celebrations which is demanded by the very nature of the liturgy. “The members of the assembly, therefore, should not be passive observers; they should be active, engaged in their proper and necessary roles in the celebration of Mass. They don’t just pray, pay and obey. The Council’s Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity is a document that needs to be read and re-read. It is a constitutional document in which the world’s bishops declared: The laity derive the right and duty with respect to their apostolate from their union with Christ their Head. Incorporated into Christ’s Mysti-

cal Body through baptism and strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit through confirmation, they are assigned to the apostolate by the Lord himself.

They are not simply deputies of the pastor. In its decree on the life and ministry of priests, the council stated: Priests must sincerely acknowledge and promote the dignity of the laity and the role which is proper to them in the mission of the church. They should scrupulously honor that just freedom which is due to everyone in this earthly city. They should listen to the laity willingly, consider their wishes in a fraternal spirit, and recognize their experience and competence in the different areas of human activity, so that together with them they will be able to read the signs of the times. Much more needs to be said on this topic; the work of the Second Vatican Council, particularly in the enlivening of parishes, is far from achieving the council’s vision. In truth, the work and the development of the council in this area have only just begun. How about establishing a parish study group, one whose focus is on deepening your parish’s awareness of just what Vatican II’s vision was all about? You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? (Matthew 5:13-16)

last FAITH word at 10

Saint Joseph Academy in Adrian, Michigan (sponsored by the Adrian Dominican Sisters) has a well-respected Montessori program for children, and works with the Adrian Dominican Montessori Teacher Education Institute to certify teachers in the Montessori method. The Montessori Children’s House Program at Saint Joseph Academy (campuses in Adrian and Tecumseh, Michigan) is the only private school in Michigan accredited by the American Montessori Society. It is part of an elite 10 percent of Montessori schools nationally to have earned this prestigious recognition. St. Joseph Academy’s programs include the Montessori Toddler Program (18 months - 3 years, Adrian campus only) and the Pre-Primary classrooms (3 - 6 years, including Kindergarten). The kindergarten-age students continue learning in multi-age classrooms. For more information, visit www.sjaschool.org.

What does an engaged parish T. Gennara

In last month’s issue of FAITH, our sidebar on Sister Anthonita Porter contained some errors about the Montessori Program at St. Joseph Academy, Adrian. FAITH regrets the errors; a correction follows.

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