June 2011

work life

I suspect an office scandal.

Do I tell the boss? culture

a blessing for the home our story

Gabriel Project gives practical assistance to women facing crisis pregnancies

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FAITH Magazine / June 2011 / www.FAITHmag.com

contents 6 yourlife PUBLISHER

Rev. Dwight Ezop

EDITOR AND CHAIRMAN

June 2011 • Volume 12: Issue 5

Patrick M. O’Brien

PRESIDENT/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Elizabeth Martin Solsburg

DIRECTOR OF CUSTOM PUBLISHING/ EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Cynthia Vandecar

MARKETING MANAGER

Patrick Dally

ART DIRECTOR

Lynne Hsu

GRAPHIC DESIGNER/WEBMASTER

Jillane Job

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

InnerWorkings

PRINT MANAGEMENT

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

Derek Melot

PROOFREADING

Carlson Productions | Tom Gennara (cover) | James Luning | Philip Shippert | Don Quillan CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Bob Patten | Chris Sushynski CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATORS

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. ©2011 FAITH Catholic. FAITH is a trademark of FAITH Catholic.

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T. Gennara

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table of contents

6 work life I suspect an office scandal. Do I tell the boss?

8 parenting journey Is a gift for good behavior reward or bribery?

8 conflict resolution How can I stop my sister from puttting Dad in a nursing home?

10 culture a blessing for the home

12 yourfaith 12 in the know with Father Joe What exactly are the principles of social justice?

14 theology 101 The presidential prayers – propers 13 spiritual fitness divine mercy – How to accept God’s forgiveness

19 yourstories 19 profile ‘Turn on the TV – that’s where we’re going’ 20 our story Gabriel Project gives practical assistance to women facing crisis pregnancies

T. Gennara

Most Reverend Earl Boyea

T. Gennara

The Magazine of the Catholic Diocese of Lansing

John went from executive to missionary – Find out why he gave up a successful career to help children in the Philippines.

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Liturgical calendar: St. Justin, martyr June 1 | Ascension of the Lord June 2 | St. Charles Lwanga and companions, martyrs June 3 | St. Norbert, bishop June 6

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2011

ed nd te ex

A fully restored classic in a six-disc Blu-ray/ DVD combo pack.

“Like” FAITHmag on Facebook and win a free commemorative edition! A random selection will be made from all facebook users who have “liked” FAITHmag by July 1.

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maximize your business potential with one of mid-Michigan’s largest magazines

C O M M O N CONFERENCE

In service of the family of God

September 29 – October 1, 2011 at the Lansing Center saint of the month

St. Irenaeus

He helped decide what books went in the Bible Irenaeus was born in the 2nd century A.D. During a time when others converted as adults, Irenaeus was raised as a Christian.

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FAITH Magazine / June 2011 / www.FAITHmag.com

He became a piest and then Bishop of Lyon. His writings emphasized the importance of early church traditions and apostolic succession.

Irenaeus also focused on unity by encouraging all Christians to follow the same theological doctrine. He challenged the growing belief of salvation by knowledge, or Gnosticism.

During a time when the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John varied in popularity and reverence, Irenaeus established all four as canonical scriptures

Irenaeus was raised as a Christian.

– Story and illustrations by Chris Sushynski

St. Ephrem, deacon and doctor of the Church June 9 | St. Barnabas, apostle June 11 | Pentecost June 12 |

Washington

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FAITH by the numbers

New Vermont Hampshire

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California

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Colorado

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Kansas Missouri

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South Carolina

New Mexico Arkansas Mississippi

Alabama

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44%

It’s Annual Meeting time!

A

of Americans say they volunteered time to an organization in the past month – Gallup

round our office, May Meeting is a high point of the year. Editors from our client publications all across the country come to Lansing for two days of editorial brainstorming, planning for the next year’s columns, and learning from one another. magazines, 17 of them for dioceses. We also publish magazines for Catholic organizations – and our circulation exceeds 1.4 million.

We are honored to spread the Gospel message to so many people through our effective magazine format, excited to be part of a growing company, and thankful to all of you for your support in passing on the FAITH. T. Gennara

When I started at FAITH seven years ago, we had one client magazine – La Fe, the magazine of the Diocese of Laredo, Texas. It was an exciting time – we were thrilled to be bringing the FAITH magazine format to other dioceses to help them spread the good news. And we couldn’t believe our circulation was up to 300,000.

Today, we publish 24

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

He listened to suggestions for church traditions.

66% of Americans say they helped a stranger in need in the past month – Gallup

64% of Americans say they donated money to an organization in the past month – Gallup

According to our online survey:

46% 13% 31% 10% of readers of readers of readers of readers

volunteered at their parish in the past month

His writings stressed the importance of apostolic succession.

volunteered for another organization in the past month

donated money to their parish in the past month

helped a stranger in need during the past month

The works of Irenaeus, available on the original tablet device.

St. Anthony of Padua, priest and doctor of the Church June 13 | The Most Holy Trinity June 19 | St. Aloysius Gonzaga, religious June 21 | St. Thomas More, martyr June 22

5

work life

Do I tell the boss?

Q

I recently heard from one of my co-workers that two of the people working in my office are having an affair – and both of them are married!

I haven’t actually seen them together, but I’m really shocked by their behavior, and I feel as if management should know about it. Should I tell my boss?

a

Joining in on office gossip, reading tabloid magazines, or listening to the latest scandal on the evening news is something we all do at times. Jesus strongly cautioned us about just such activities.

Don’t misunderstand. I’m not condoning an affair. I am asking, “Why do the faults of others so readily grab our attention?” It may be that the misfortunes or mistakes of others make us feel better about our own life; we say to ourselves, “Thank goodness,

that’s not me.”

Recall the passage in the Bible when the woman is caught in

Conviction or Complacency?

Conviction or complacency, taking a stand or walking away, or having the courage to do what’s right, can be challenging. But, sooner or later, you will be faced with this choice. Ask yourself: 1. When was the last time someone’s complacency made you happy?

2. Does a person who won’t

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take a position instill a sense of confidence or trust? Do you know any “happy” cowards?

3. And how many people are pleased with today’s political process, business climate, educational outcomes, justice system, media cover-

FAITH Magazine / June 2011 / www.FAITHmag.com

adultery and the crowd cries out for her stoning. Jesus responds to the crowd by challenging anyone who is without sin to cast the first stone. Jesus did not condone the woman’s sin of adultery, but he went to her with compassion and forgiveness and told her to “go and sin no more.” (cf. John 8:111) His point was so clearly made that there is no room for ambiguity: not one of us is perfect, we have all fallen short.

Therefore, my answer to your question is that you not be the one in the crowd who throws the first stone. The fact that you have heard what is going on between your co-workers makes it a pretty good bet that others have too, including management.

If you have an existing friendship with either co-worker, such

9 marriage matters

10 culture

T. Gennara

I suspect an office scandal.

8 parenting journey

P. Shippert

yourlife

inside:

Nick Synko is a professional career and workplace issues coach. For more information, visit SynkoAssociates.com and CareersThroughFaith.org. that he or she may open up to you about the affair, then follow Jesus’ example. Be compassionate and encourage this person to end the relationship. If this person chooses not to open up to you or to not end the affair, then stay out of it. Pray for God’s grace and look for a way to demonstrate your genuine concern — not just confront what they likely already know they are doing wrong.

Now here’s the flip side of your question. At work this week, catch someone in the act of doing something right. Then make a point of telling that person you’ve noticed — or better yet, let management know. That’s the kind of “stone” we all need to throw more frequently.

living a joyful life age, health-care access, religious environment or entertainment industry?

The author of Revelation 3: 15-16 gives us this warning: “I know your works; I

know that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.”

David Eich’s new book, Happiness: Only in the Next, is available now at www.FAITHmag.com

Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist June 24 | The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ June 26 | St. Cyril of Ale

A Garden of Visible Prayer CREATING A PERSONAL SACRED SPACE ONE STEP AT A TIME

Margaret Rose Realy

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exandria, bishop and doctor of the Church June 27 | St. Irenaeus, bishop and martyr June 28 | St. Peter and St. Paul, apostles June 29 | First Holy Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church June 30

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Y O U R

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parenting journey

Is a gift for good behavior

sibling and see if she wants to pick out a story for you to read. Remember that rewards don’t have to be material possessions!

Reward or bribery?

Q a

I sometimes give my children a gift for good behavior – for example, buying them a new toy for a great report card.

To me, this is a much better approach than just meting out punishment for negative behavior. My mother tells me that this is bribery – I say it’s a reward. Who’s right?

Our local library ran summer reading programs for gradeschool children and I registered our children as soon as school got out. As books were completed we returned to the library for rewards like stickers and bookmarks. Were my children being bribed into keeping up their reading skills over the summer? Or were they rewards for positive educational behavior?

What is the difference between bribery and a reward? In some

Look for positive behaviors that are the opposite of the negative behaviors. If you punish the negative behaviors that still doesn’t tell children what you want them to do. Finding a positive behavior to reward that will prevent the negative behavior from occurring in the first place is more effective.

Notice when he puts away toys the first time you ask and give him a big smile saying, “Great job!” Catch a preschooler being thoughtful to a toddler

about the experiences that you enjoy just for the sake of the activity itself. God has blessed your child with unique talents and interests; and blessed them with a joy in those activities that is its own reward. In fact, that joy is the best reward. Let these activities develop without the outside influence of rewards.

It can take away some of the enjoyment if the outside world regulates and reinforces interests that simply bring us joy!

It may seem that all your children should be on the same reward system in order to be fair. But they might have different intrinsic interests and need a different incentive system. See if there are reasons to tailor your approach based on your child’s interests.

T. Gennara

ways, it’s all about the timing. When you offer someone a bribe, you give them something they want to make them do something you want. If I handed my child an ice cream cone and then said, “Now, go read a book” that would be a bribe.

The summer reading program that my

children participated in was an incentive program. Read a book and earn a bookmark as a reward. The difference is that the desired behavior has to be accomplished before the reward is given.

If something is intrinsically motivating to your child, then you don’t need a reward! Think

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

How can I stop my sister from puttting Dad

in a nursing home?

conflict resolution

Q

My sister is ready to put my dad in a nursing home because she says he’s getting too hard to care for. I live far away, but I send money every month for Dad’s care. He does not want to go to a nursing home. Is there some way I can avoid having my father end up there?

a 8

FAITH Magazine / June 2011 / www.FAITHmag.com

care of an elder is left to one person, it can easily become overwhelming.

Then talk with your sister. Maybe you can hire a person to help several days a week or find a senior day care center where your dad can spend quality time with others his age.

If the nursing home is the only viable option, it is important to speak with your father and his physician about the decision.

S. Kendrick

Placing a parent in a nursing home is an emotional task for everyone in the family, not only for the primary caregiver.

First, consider why your father may need to go into a nursing home: Does he have poor health that requires nursing care that your sister cannot provide at home?

Second, prayerfully consider your sister, who is the primary care-giver. When the day and night

Dr. Gelasia Marquez is a psychologist and family counselor.

She

“My house isn’t my own.”

SayS:

he

“She needs to accept my past.”

Sarah says: When Bob and I got married a few years ago, I moved into the house he and his late wife had shared. Because his children were still fairly young and living with us, I agreed not to change anything about the décor or furnishings in order to maintain familiarity for them. But now that they are adults, I’d like to replace some of Cathy’s things with my things. Bob won’t hear of it, and I’m tired of living in a shrine to his dead wife.

W

Bob says: I love Sarah, but she has to realize that I loved Cathy too – and Cathy was the kids’ mom. I know they are grown, but they still come home for holidays, and I don’t think they’d be happy to find their mother’s things replaced. Sarah needs to accept my past if we’re going to have a life together.

What

e can understand Bob’s desire to maintain some familiarity for his children after the death of Cathy by not replacing too many items right away.

What is more admirable is that Sarah agreed to move into Bob and Cathy’s home, agreed to not make any changes, and has allowed this situation to continue for a good number of years.

do they do?

ries of Cathy in his home. Bob’s insistence on continuing to maintain his home the way it was with Cathy is not conducive to building a marital relationship with Sarah. To paraphrase Matthew 6:24 and Luke 16:13: You cannot serve two masters at the same time. Neither is Bob helping his children move on with their lives by maintaining “things as they were.”

However odd this situation may appear, it is not unusual. We both agree with Sarah that it is time for Bob to move forward in his thinking and actions.

Generally a home is a reflection of the woman who lives there. Sarah has been very understanding of Bob’s concern for his children. It is very thoughtful of Sarah to consider Bob and the children in that way; in fact it borders on saintly actions!

But now that the children are grown and living on their own, it is time for Bob to realize that Sarah has decorating ideas of her own that she would enjoy implementing. After all, she did not insist they get their own house to start their life together; she accepted his children and his home as they were.

It is time for Bob to respect Sarah’s wishes and desire and embrace T. Gennara

For Bob to expect Sarah to “accept my past” is unreasonable if it also includes maintaining Cathy’s décor and furnishings without regard for Sarah’s desires. His not wanting to change anything in the house leads us to suspect that after all these years Bob desires to hang on to his memo-

SayS:

your marriage matters some changes she has been patiently waiting to accomplish. It is quite possible that if the children were asked, they most likely would agree with Sarah that the time has come for a change. One word of caution to Sarah, however: Some of the items within the house also may have a special meaning to Bob and a wholesale purging of Cathy’s décor or furnishings should be undertaken with gentleness and consideration. Change is difficult, but Sarah and Bob need to share their feelings about this situation and really listen to each other.

Their relationship is now the most important relationship to consider and honoring each other by focusing their attention on building “their” relationship to the fullest would be a sign of unbridled love for each other. Scripture gives us guidance in these situations that we should heed: “Let love be sincere … love one another with mutual affection; anticipate one another in showing honor.”

(Romans 12:9-10)

Deacon Tom Fogle and JoAnne Fogle help prepare couples for marriage.

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Y O U R

L I F E

culture

a

blessing for the home

I

t happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens break open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, “You are my beloved Son: with you I am well pleased.� (Mark 1:9-11)

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FAITH Magazine / June 2011 / www.FAITHmag.com

Photography by Philip Shippert

Holy water font For this project, you will need:

Paint the edges of the wood tray and let dry. Paint and decorate the wood cross and set aside. Trim and apply the scrapbook paper background on the inside of the tray (using glue stick). Using the cement/epoxy, affix the cross toward the top of the inside of the tray (leaving enough room for the votive/tea light holder at the base). Spray the entire decorated wood tray with polyurethane to add some sheen and protection. Let dry for 20-30 minutes. Apply the cement/epoxy to the back and bottom edge of votive/tea light holder and adhere to the bottom of the finished tray (as shown). Allow project to completely dry (before hanging on wall). Affix picture hanging hardware of choice on back of tray (toward the top) and hang near a doorway. You may wish to adhere a few glue dots or a tacky mounting strip on the back, so font doesn’t move on the wall.

T. Gennara

That beautiful (Moses striking the passage taken rock, the lancing I have seen other from the Gosof Christ’s side, pels appears on etc.). But whenCatholic homes place a framed art print ever I think of holy holy water fonts we received as a water and baptism, outside of doors in wedding gift from somehow St. John their houses. They my grandmother always comes to can be purchased and uncle. It is a mind first. And, for at a Catholic supply depiction of Jesus that reason, I have being baptized in decided to make store but you will the River Jordan something with my pay a hefty price for

by St. John the kids to teach them a really nice one. So Baptist. The artsome about this why not make one? ist emphasizes great saint. water stylistically to I have seen other remind us that it is Catholic homes not only life-giving place holy water physically, but also spiritually, as it was fonts outside of doors in their houses. made holy by Jesus at his baptism. I am They can be purchased at a Catholic sure I will think of this image come June supply store, but you will pay a hefty price 24 when, almost six months after the Feast for a really nice one. So why not make of the Baptism of our Lord, we mark the one? The instructions are at right and Feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist. getting the holy water is pretty simple.

After living as a hermit in the desert for Take a flask or small container to your some time, John began his ministry of church and retrieve some from the urn preaching when he was 30. He attracted marked “Holy Water” (or a baptismal large crowds along the banks of the font) near the entrance. If we can River Jordan and baptized them be diligent enough to keep the font with water as a call to repentance. filled with holy water, it gives us He then proceeded to baptize the chance to bless ourselves and Jesus, as we’ve learned receive as many graces from the scriptures. as we can inside our own Certainly water’s house. It also can remind symbolic and physius of our own baptism cal importance appear and how we can rededielsewhere in our faith cate our life to God.

• Small, unfinished wood tray or mosaic frame (found in the wood craft section of any arts and crafts chain) • Unfinished wood cross • Small, lightweight glass votive or tea light holder (for vessel) • Acrylic craft paint • Scrapbook paper for decorating • Any printed religious imagery • Scissors or craft knife • Glue stick • Polyurethane or clear acrylic spray • Metal/jewelry/hobby cement or epoxy • Picture hanging hardware

Michelle DiFranco is a designer and the busy mom of two children.

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yourfaith

14 The presidential prayers

16 Divine mercy

in the know with Father Joe

Dear Fr. Joe:

Q

a

At Mass on Sunday, one of the intentions was for social justice. I hear this term all the time in church – what does it mean?

So, last issue, we I hesitate to go into it too heavily, looked at the idea of yet, at the same time, can you resocial justice. This ally say too much about human month, we are going to continue dignity? Each person is sacred. that discussion by looking at So sacred, that even the possibilthe themes of Catholic social ity of life compels us to discourteaching. This comes to us from age any act that will attack our bishops and is easily acceshuman dignity. Abortion would sible on their web page, www. be the most grievous example of usccb.org/ attacking husdwp/projects/ man dignity, socialteachwith cloning, ing/excerpt. embryonic shtml. Once stem-cell reagain, because search, the our political death penalty Get the free mobile app at dialogue is and others to http://gettag.mobi so strident follow. right now, I’m The secScan the above tag asking us all to ond principle with your mobile device do ourselves is the call to to read the principles of a favor and, family, comCatholic social teaching before we read munity and from the USCCB. further, pause. participation.

Pray for the In this point, grace to let our our bishops faith inform our politics, instead remind us that the human perof the opposite. son is not only sacred, but also Done? Good! Let’s get right to social. In all that we do, marriage it. and family are to be understood The first principle of Catho- as the foundation for our society. lic social teaching is the life and Our laws must protect these dignity of the human person. We interrelated ideas of family and hit this pretty hard last issue, so marriage. All of us are called to

12

FAITH Magazine / June 2011 / www.FAITHmag.com

T. Gennara

What exactly are the principles of social justice?

work together for the common good, especially looking to protect the poor and vulnerable.

The third principle of Catholic social teaching is rights and responsibilities. Basically, in this principle, we remember that the previous two principles require us, as Catholics, to follow through with what we believe by acting in a responsible manner regarding our duties and responsibilities “to one another, to our families and to the larger society.”

Here we are challenged to act not just in our self-interest, but in the interest of all. God wants our world bigger, not smaller.

The fourth principle is the option for the poor and vulnerable. I can’t say it better or clearer than our bishops: “In a society marred by deepening divisions between rich and poor, our tradition recalls the story of the Last Judgment and instructs us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first.” What a challenge! Especially in these tough economic times, God wants to challenge us to stretch further, not easier. We aren’t called to sit in judgment of the poor and vulnerable; at no point does God call us to that. We are called to help those we can in any way that we can. Check out Matthew 25: 31-46 if you really want to get shaken up.

The fifth principle of Catholic social teaching is the dignity of work and the rights of the workers. I love the summary statement here – “The economy

Send your questions to: “In the Know with Fr. Joe” FAITH Magazine, 1500 E. Saginaw St., Lansing, MI 48906 Or: JoeInBlack@priest.com must serve people, not the other way around.” Here, the bishops summarize the basic rights of workers: “productive work, decent and fair wages, the organization and joining of unions, private property and economic initiative.” This statement is part of a long tradition in the Catholic Church and one of which we should be proud.

Solidarity is the fifth principle.

This reminds us that we are all God’s children. We are challenged by our faith to be people who promote peace and the goodness of all of God’s children throughout the world, whether they are in “our country” or another. God will not ask us if we were good Americans, he will ask us if we cared for his little ones.

We come now to the last principle of Catholic social teaching: care for God’s creation. Our bishops remind us that this is a requirement for our faith – that God’s mandate to us to care for the earth may be inconvenient at times, but is vital to appreciating the great gift God gave us when he gave us this world.

So. There it is. You’ll notice that both Republicans and Democrats are both affirmed and challenged and, in that, we

EVERETT

spiritual popcorn

Unleash the child within

D

o you remember your childhood experiences of summer? Did you play little league or chill out by the pool on lazy afternoons? Did you go out on long bike rides or save up your coins for a trip to the ice cream shop?

When we were kids, the world was our playground. School was out and summer meant a little bit more relaxation. Even if we had a summer job, the money we earned would often go towards baseball cards, comic books, or fast food lunches.

There was an air of mischief and innocence wrapped together with more time with our friends to do nothing but “hang out.” And when the temperatures got really hot and steamy, there always were

Read more of Paul Jarzembowski’s thoughts on www. spiritualpopcorn.blogspot.com.

our jobs or any expression of Our faith is who we are and faith confront some of what I’ve our public lives, we are to speak we are better for it. If those held as my position on various the truth that our faith is much in power don’t buy that, they things. In the end, I know I’m of what makes us what we are. shouldn’t be in power. better for it and I invite you to We have a duty to bring the I’ve learned a lot researching join me in letting God transform entirety of ourselves to the politi- these last two articles and it’s our hearts and our minds! cal process and, in doing so, shaken me pretty hard to let the Enjoy another day in God’s we are bringing an amazing truth of our presence … addition to it. When we let our faith inform our vote and our political stances, Father Joe’s book, Smart Answers and we are bringing with us Bad Jokes, is available now at the wisdom and tradition www.FAITHmag.com. It’s also availof 2,000 years of thinkers able for your Kindle at www.amazon.com smart answers and doers. &bad jokes Draft

DO NOT PRINT

fr. Joe Krupp

was born in

a priest who proves

God has a sense

of humor

as director of Campus ministry. a regular on Catholic tv and in FAITH magazine, fr. Joe loves to read and teach, as well as watch football. he prays for the Lions regularly.

& bad jokes from

raised in the north flint area, juggler in a wee town as a circus called His brief career montrose. father to an unly short due Joe traveled with lines, cut tragical Youth to Youth involving power Catholic pleasant incident prominence for 10 years, evangeliz evangelization to national Fr. Joe rose ing Catholic as the Fifth youth with skits, 80’s, serving in the mid music and personal of five den“four out testimonies. after to rest dentist in the graduating from . Not content years UM-Flint, Fr. tist” surveys Joe took six Joe went on to Fr. on his laurels, sacred heart seminary on his lauto not rest in detroit, off in order period in his michigan. ordaine after this d in 1998 what he rels. Shortly for the diocese currently writting of Lansing, he life, he is seller” named to be best served at numerou calls a “sure s parishes on Made Me Great”, and How it the weekends “Humility d by a second while working be followe as chaplain at Lansing which will Humble Men Three Most Catholic The volume “The high school in How I Trained and Lansing, healing in the World michigan. as Fr. Joe enjoys t of July 2009, Other Two.” problems brough fr. Joe, a former solving all wolverine, has the world, h and writing swift dispatc embraced his of books to him with inner spartan on the backs when the bishop If you his own blurbs assigned is not looking. him full time when the editor Fr. Joe, you can’t. to michigan contact to wish state universi unreachable. ty to serve He’s simply

smart answers

fr. Joe Krupp

are being offered a gift – the gift of letting God stretch us beyond our personal political affiliation and to serve as agents of change in our homes, workplaces and country.

There are those out there who will try to tell us that faith and politics don’t mix. They are wrong. If we are somehow capable of divorcing our faith from our politics, then I suggest we have no faith. To those who would tell us to keep our Catholicism out of our politics,

air-conditioned movie theaters to cool us down for a few hours.

As our world gets more anxiety ridden, and as the simplicity of childhood seems farther off in our rear-view mirrors, a trip to those air-conditioned theaters can help unleash the child within, or, at the very least, nostalgically remind us of those summer days.

In Super 8, out this June, director J.J. Abrams taps into the wide-eyed wonder

of Steven Spielberg’s fantasy tales of the 1970s and 1980s – with a story that follows a group of young friends as they look deeper into the mystery of a local train wreck. Cowboys & Aliens, a sci-fi western that opens in July, features the imaginative meeting of two favorite childhood toys – extraterrestrials and cowboys – in the Old West. And the animated sequels to Kung Fu Panda and Cars, which open this summer, might remind us of the cartoons of our own younger days.

These films can move us to be childlike.

In the Scriptures, when the adult disciples were battling over their superiority and importance, Jesus called over a child and said, “Unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Mt. 18:3-4) Recalling our childhood can remind us of simpler days when we weren’t squabbling over politics, workplace ambition or making money. Looking back like this can help us be more like children, with eyes wide open and a deeper appreciation for God-given things such as warm summer breezes and the aroma of freshly popped popcorn.

So go out, watch a movie and unleash your inner child. Then, as Jesus says, you can truly be ready for the kingdom of heaven.

from a priest who proves God has a sense of humor

Collected column s from faith

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Photography by Don Quillan

What will we be praying at Mass?

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theology 101

The presidential prayers – propers

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our times during the Mass, the priest, who presides over the assembly in the person of Christ, addresses God in the name of all those present. We call these the presidential prayers because they are voiced by the presider. (GIRM 30) Foremost among these is the Eucharistic Prayer, but three other orations (ora, “to pray”) are offered that are proper to the Mass – that is, they are particular to the liturgical day or rite.

We encounter the first one at the conclusion of the introductory rites.

First, the priest says “Let us pray” and in the silence that follows, we focus on the fact that we are in God’s presence and call to mind all the intentions we may bring before the Lord this day.

Then the priest begins the opening prayer, or the collect,”so called because it “gathers together” the silent intentions of the faithful. (GIRM 54) Like all Roman Rite prayers, it is marked with noble simplicity and clarity of expression. The collect concisely expresses the character of this particular celebration. It has three major parts – the address (“Heavenly Father,” “Almighty God”), the petition (“Grant that we may …) and the conclusion, which acknowledges the mediation of Christ.

The conclusion changes depending on the rest of the prayer.

The collect

In the current translation, we hear the phrase “We ask this through …” But there are no words for “we ask this” in the Latin original, so in the new translation, the priest will merely say “Through Christ our Lord …”

We make the prayer our own by responding “Amen.” This is a great Aramaic word. It sounds the same in Latin.

It means “so be it” or “it is so.” With this word, we assent to what is true. (cf. Deut

These prayers have a rich history and are part of the rich heritage of the Church.

All of them have undergone a new translation so we may hear a phrase that is new to us.

27:15; 1 Cor 14:16)

At the beginning of the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the gifts of bread and wine are brought forward. After they have been placed on the altar and the accompanying rites completed, the priest invites us to pray that these gifts may be acceptable to the Father. He then prays the prayer over the offerings. (GIRM 77) There is evidence that the Church has prayed a prayer over the gifts since the 11th century. For many centuries, the prayer was recited quietly and was called “the secret.” But in the reforms of Vatican II, the name of the prayer and its manner of recitation were restored.

In the Mass, only one prayer over the offerings is said and it ends with the shorter conclusion: “Through Christ our Lord.” Again, if Jesus has been mentioned in the prayer, the concluPrayer over the offerings

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• If the prayer is addressed to God, it will conclude with “Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever.

• If the prayer is directed to the Father, but the Son is mentioned as the end: “who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.”

• On the rare occasions when it is directed to the Son, the prayer ends with “You live and reign with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God forever and ever.”

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.

sion changes. As before, the people unite themselves to the entreaty and make the prayer their own with the acclamation, “Amen.”

After the distribution of Communion, the people pray together silently or sing a hymn of thanksgiving. (GIRM 164) “To bring to completion the prayer of the people of God, and also to conclude the entire Communion rite, the priest says the prayer after Communion, in which he prays for the fruit of the mystery just celebrated. (GIRM 89) He uses the shorter conclusion “Through Christ our Lord.”

Again, this will vary depending on the totality of the text. We affirm the prayer with our “Amen.”

These prayers have a rich history and are part of the rich heritage of the Church. All of them have undergone a new translation so we may hear a phrase that is new to us. Listen attentively to the rich theology they contain and to the petitions that they address to the Father. Then give the prayer a sincere and hearty “Amen.”

The prayer after Communion

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spiritual fitness

divine mercy How to accept God’s forgiveness

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n May 1, we celebrated the Feast of Divine Mercy and Pope John Paul II’s beatification. For weeks, I have been pondering the significance of this feast for the whole Church and the fact that Blessed John Paul II was beatified on the feast he established! God is underlining the significance of this feast for us, proclaiming throughout the world that we need the mercy of God and that it will be given to all who ask.

Spiritual exercise

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The mercy of God is lavish, overwhelmare always true. If we express our sorrow, ing and infinite. No matter what we have go to confession, and ask for forgiveness, it done wrong, God will forgive those who will be given! How deep and rich and wide come to him in repentance. Not only does is the mercy of God. St. Faustina, to whom God forgive wholeheartedly, but, in his the Lord revealed the depths of his mercy, mercy, he forgets! He does not hold it over heard these words from Christ: “I desire us. “It is I, I, who wipe out, for my own sake, that the whole world know my infinite meryour offenses; your sins I remember no cy. I desire to grant unimaginable graces to more.” (Isaiah 43:25) those souls who trust in my mercy.” (Diary of St. Maria Faustina, 687) Do we really understand what God did for us in sending Christ? Adam and Eve’s disOne of the major obstacles to receiving obedience against the mercy of God God was an ofis our own pride. fense that we, on Even if we reguour own, could not larly participate in make up for. It was the Mass and the an offense against sacraments, we When going to confession, don’t an infinite God – may be obeying just recite your failures. Take time and we are finite. the teaching of the beforehand to ask God for mercy, to deBut God, in his Church in order to clare to him that you want to face your sin great mercy, sent earn our way into squarely and admit your inability to make his Son to suffer God’s favor. We a permanent change without his savand die on our bethink if we just foling grace. He will give that grace if you half – to atone for low the rules that’s humbly ask for it. Gradually, the heavy our sin. The Father enough. But if that burden of trying to save yourself will be accepted Christ’s is the extent of replaced by a growing confidence that sacrifice and, in our motivation we God will aid you in turning away from sin turn, made you and can end up sterile and supply you with grace, confidence, me his sons and and empty – like and hope. God wants a relationship with daughters. We are the Pharisees of you. He is your Father, your Savior, the now heirs to the Jesus’ time.

Source of all love. Abandon yourself to kingdom – heirs It is the work him. Put all your trust in him! You will not of eternal life. of the Holy Spirit be disappointed.

That, brothers and within us to fill us sisters, is mercy. with a hunger and But because thirst for Jesus. we have free will, we have the “power” to As we do, we come to see more and more choose to accept or reject God’s mercy. that our sins and failings keep tripping us up; that, without help from God, great help, Sometimes when we sin, we may think: “I have sinned grievously against God and we will continue to fall into sin and turn there is no hope for me. God couldn’t away from him. It is Jesus, by his death and resurrection, who saved us and who goes forgive this sin: (Fill in the blank from your own life).” on saving us every moment, if we put all But, brothers and sisters, consider this our trust in him and not in ourselves. We passage from the book of Lamentations: cannot make ourselves good or holy. But, “His mercies never come to an end; they if we turn to him for help against sin day by day, God will be faithful to us! are new every morning.” God’s promises

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 For more reflections on prayer and a fuller treatment of this topic, see my book: Pray and Never Lose Heart, available from Renewal Ministries, 230 Collingwood, Suite 240, Ann Arbor, MI 48103. $12.

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from the bishop

A civilization of love –

the Feast of the Sacred Heart

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he Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is usually in June, but this year it falls on July 1. Christ’s pierced heart resonates with me and always has. On my coat of arms there is a stream of blood and water which flows from the side of the cross. This honors the heart of Christ which is the source of life for all of us, especially in the gifts of baptism and the Eucharist.

Reflecting on this heart of Christ, we are brought into his very desire to create a “civilization of love.” The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church notes that “Personal behavior is fully human when it is born of love, manifests love and is ordered to love. This truth also applies in the social sphere; Christians must be deeply convinced witnesses of this, and they are to show by their lives how love is the only force (cf.

I Corinthians 12:31-14:1) that can lead to personal and social perfection, allowing society to make progress towards the good.” (#580) It is in this context of a “civilization of love” that we embrace the mission of Jesus to proclaim good news to the poor. (Luke 4:18) This calls for the whole Church and all her members to have a preferential option or love for the poor.

The Compendium comments:

Carlson Productions

In the whole of her social teach-

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ing, the Church never tires of emphasizing certain fundamental principles of this teaching, first and foremost, the universal destination of goods. Constantly reaffirming the principle of solidarity, the Church’s social doctrine demands action to promote “the good of all and of each individual, because we are all really responsible for all.” The principle of solidarity, even in the fight against poverty, must always be appropriately accompanied by that of subsidiarity, thanks to which it is possible to foster the spirit of initiative, the fundamental basis of all social and economic development in poor countries. The poor should be seen “not as a problem, but as people who can become the principal builders of a new and more human future for everyone.”

It is good to meditate on some of the words in this quotation.

The universal destination of goods flows from the fact that God created the whole earth for all the members of the human family. God did not intend to exclude or favor anyone with this gift of creation. Thus every human being has a right to those resources which satisfy basic needs. St. John Chrysostom once preached on the Gospel text about Lazarus: “Not to enable the poor to share in our goods is

to steal from them and deprive them of life. The goods we possess are not ours, but theirs.”

The preferential option for the poor really comes from Jesus’ own lifestyle and his care for the poor. He preached on this himself when he proclaimed: “Blessed are the poor for yours is the Kingdom of God.” (Luke 6:20) From this flows the long tradition we have, as Catholics, of the practice of the corporal and spiritual works of mercy, for poverty can be found in the material arena, but also in the cultural and spiritual as well.

Yet, this care for the poor is also accomplished by addressing poverty’s social and political dimensions.

Subsidiarity has been a constant element of the Church’s social doctrine. Pope Pius XI explained this in his 1931 encyclical, Quadragesimo Anno (#203): Just as it is gravely wrong to take from individuals what they can accomplish by their own initiative and industry and give it to the community; so also it is an injustice and at the same time a grave evil and disturbance of

right order to assign to a greater and higher association what lesser and subordinate organizations can do. For every social activity ought of its very nature to furnish help to the members of the body social, and never destroy and absorb them.

Of course, all of this must be done with the deepest respect for the human person.

Finally, solidarity demands that our institutions rid themselves of structures which create divisions and instead create structures which promote genuine relationships with all peoples. This is based not on some good feelings we might have or not have for others. Rather, this flows from the concern which we all have for the common good and for the dignity of each and every human being. Here it is where we all must have a sense of giving ourselves for all others, of serving all others, even of dying for all others, all in imitation of Christ himself.

The Heart of Christ calls us to become his heart, flowing with his love for all.

Bishop Earl Boyea is the fifth bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Lansing.

FAITH Magazine / June 2011 / www.FAITHmag.com

yourstories ‘Turn on the TV – that’s where we’re going’

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eports describing the hurricane’s destruction in Florida’s panhandle were all over the news when youth minister Don Dalgleish called his teens. “Turn on the TV; that’s where we’re going.”

As many as 80 teens from four area parishes have gone on such week-long trips, with Don Dalgleish. They are put together by the National Relief Network, a Greenville, Michigan-based, nonprofit that coordinates disaster relief efforts. The group’s assignments range from cleaning up after tornadoes in Iowa and Indiana to helping flood victims in Tennessee and North Dakota. They have gutted homes in Louisiana, months after Hurricane Katrina, and painted homes in Alabama.

“The hardest part about volunteering is saying yes,” Don says. “Once you agree, God will provide what you need to do the job.” This is a message he often shares with young people considering the trip. And when they say yes, he tells them to keep an eye on the weather.

For more about youth ministry in the Diocese of Lansing, contact Pat Rinker, prinker@dioceseoflansing.org.

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Don Dalgleish CYM at St. Joseph Parish, Dexter

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They saved my life ... Gabriel Project gives practical assistance to women facing crisis pregnancies

By Margaret Ann Cross | Photography by Tom Gennara

John went from executive to missionary – Find out why he gave up a successful career to help children in the Philippines.

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S T O R I E S

our story

They saved my life ...

Gabriel Project gives practical assistance to women facing crisis pregnancies

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hen tiny Trinity Skye Masters was born earlier this year, she already had three real-life guardian angels on her side.

“They are lifesavers,” says Dawn Helgeson, Trinity’s mother.

Carol Gatti, Bonnie Mark and Debbie Vaughn are volunteers of the Gabriel Project, a nationwide, pro-life effort that offers practical assistance to women facing crisis pregnancies. They are actually given the name “angels” in the group. St. John the Evangelist Parish in Fenton launched a Gabriel Project chapter 18 months ago and has helped many moms resolve a range of issues. Some

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need only a small bridge to solve their problems, such as baby items and rides to physician appointments; others need housing or financial or legal help.

When Dawn came to the Gabriel Project, she had just been evicted from her apartment and learned that she was pregnant. She shares her story with us: “My family was camped out at a campground where they were letting us do work to stay there in a tent. My aunt saw a bumper sticker on a vehicle about an organization offering help with pregnancy, and she gave me the number. I called, and it went to the main office of the Great Lakes Gabriel Project in Indianapolis. They told me there was a group working in our area and gave me Carol’s number.

“When I first met Carol and Bonnie, they took me out to breakfast.

We made a list of what my needs were. At that time, it was housing

By Margaret Ann Cross | Photography by Tom Gennara

and transportation. Carol helped with the deposit to move into an apartment. We had been homeless for five months. It was absolutely wonderful to have shelter again. They got us our vehicle, too. It was a donation to Carol’s church, to the Gabriel Project. My angels give us rides to appointments, and basically all of the baby stuff I have is from them: the crib, the bouncy seat, the changing table and most of Trinity’s clothes.

“They’ve prayed for me, and they pray for my family. I pray a lot more now, and my 12-year-old daughter, Lindsey, prays a lot more.

Lindsey is just amazed by the miracle of life. She was in the room when her sister was born. She’s been the youngest her whole life and has only had brothers. Now she has a baby sister. Being a big sister is a big deal for her.

“I have a home now, and we are financially OK. Once we are more

financially stable, I would like to join the Gabriel Project and help people, too. It would be “I have a home really good to be able to give now, and we are back. That’s my plan. As Trinity financially okay. outgrows her bouncy seat and everything, I am just going to Once we are donate it all back to the Gabriel more finanProject. I know Carol will make cially stable, I sure it goes to somebody who will take care of it and really would like to need it. join the Gabriel “Carol and I go grocery shopProject and ping together at the beginning of the month Bonnie and I go help people, out to lunch just to get out of the too. house for a couple of hours. The same thing with Debbie. She has taken me to my doctors’ appointments and, on the way home, she stops and buys me lunch. They make sure that it’s not just, ‘Oh, I have to give you a ride.’ They make you very comfortable.

“I can talk to any one of them about anything. It’s more of a friendship than just an organization helping you. You create a lifelong bond.

We’ll be friends forever. If something is bothering me, I will call and talk to one of them. They are really there for me. They renew my faith and help me to deal with whatever I am facing. They remind me that everybody has struggles in life. They help me get through a lot of stuff.

“They saved my life. I was lost without them. I am so grateful. I can’t even say how grateful I am. There are not enough words. I don’t know where I would be if it wasn’t for their help.”

For more information on the Great Lakes Gabriel Project, visit www.goangels.org or call 1.877.734.2444. If you are interested in helping your parish start a Gabriel Project, potentially as a partner of St. John the Evangelist Parish, call Carol Gatti at 248.467.4106.

Contact the Life Justice Ministry at www.dioceseoflansing.org.

Get the free mobile app at

http://gettag.mobi

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he conference room at the Lansing Center is unfurnished and the lights are off. In the shadows at the edges of the room, roughly 60 teens sit crosslegged on the floor. Some are stretched out, their heads propped up on their hands as if settled in to watch a movie.

At the front of the room, standing a few feet in front of a projection screen is the most unassuming, unpretentious, unlikely missionary ever to walk among the poor.

By Marybeth Hicks | Photograpy by Tom Gennara

pines. “During the work week, I would stay at the company’s staff house, but, on the weekends, to get away from work, we stayed at nearby resorts,” John recalls. “That was when I grew to understand that the Philippines is a land of stark contrasts.”

John realized that at the edge of the hotel property – literally over a wall – sat a squatters’ village of ramshackle housing. “I realized that in the shadow of that luxury resort, families and children were living in unspeakable filth, poverty and hopelessness.”

Over the span of about 10 years and more than 100 visits to Manila, Cebu City and Toledo City, John learned what life is rep on the screen, an image of a rice paddy casts a dim glow across ally like for the poor children of the carpet – enough to see that the teens’ eyes are fixed on the the Philippines. Constant hununsettling photograph before them. Above the hum of the pro- ger and illness, scavenging for food in Dumpsters and landfills jector, the voice of John Drake narrates the compelling – often- and being forced into the sex disturbing – photographs. “This shack is home to a 48-year-old trades were common circumwoman and her 14 children. Two of those children died of malnutrition.” stances for thousands of children across the island nation. “It With each incredible, inexwas common for children to be plicable image, John explains sprawled out on the sidewalks why he gave up a life as a sucsound asleep. The locals would cessful American businessman simply step right over them as to rescue some forgotten chilif they weren’t even there. I was dren in a city half a world away. deeply troubled each time I saw John’s presentation for the a child living like this, but it was teen attendees of the 2010 everywhere.”

Diocesan Youth Rally is aptly Perhaps most disturbing entitled, “Why me?” In fact, he was the realization that thoutells the assembly of Catholic sands of children were sold in youth, “I went to the Philipsex slavery, including boys and pines to prove to myself that girls as young as five or six. “It what God was calling me to do is also not unheard of for adults could not be done.” to maim their own children As he tells his story, this is a so that they are more sympareasonable assumption. thetic beggars,” John says. “To Drake was a senior executive us, this is inconceivable, but in of CMS Energy, the holding corsome parts of the world, this is poration of Consumers Energy, simply an insidious product of where he worked for 32 years. poverty.”

During his tenure, CMS emJohn became known to the barked on an international growth plan, buying companies in 26 locals with whom he worked as the “the orphan guy” because of countries. John’s job as senior vice president of human resources his interest in helping the poor and displaced children of the city. expanded to include supervision of the company’s international “I became close to the people at our plant and to the children employees. nearby because I would walk around with my camera and take Throughout the 1990s, John made frequent trips across the pictures and then give them to the people.” globe to supervise CMS’ international interests. One of the loSeeing the abject poverty around him caused John to undercations was Toledo City in the Province of Cebu in the Philiptake his own small missionary projects, such as bringing donated

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boxes of medicine to a local orphanage.

In 2002, when CMS determined it would sell its international holdings, John made what was to be his last visit to Toledo City.

But hours before he was to leave, the mayor called him to a meeting and asked John to consider taking over a local orphanage called the Lingap Center.

On a tour of the facility, John found a dilapidated building that had originally been constructed as a slaughterhouse for pigs.

It was suitable only for condemnation – certainly not one appropriate to house orphan children. Yet more than 20 children were living in the squalor. Overwhelmed by the idea of doing something so difficult, John said only that he would think about it, and came home to Jackson knowing he would never take on such an impossible task.

For a year after that last visit to Toledo City, John thought and prayed about the request to build and operate an orphanage. “I

sands.”

“Education is the key,” John says. “If we can get these children educated, they have a chance for a better life.” To that end, John decided to enroll most of the children in a nearby private school. Incredibly, the Lingap Center now sends 14 children to college. “Most of these kids are remarkably talented and smart,” he says.

“They just needed someone to care about them; someone to notice they were even there.”

In only nine years, John and

It was common for children to be sprawled out on the sidewalks sound asleep. The locals would simply step right over them as if they weren’t even there. I was deeply troubled each time I saw a child living like this, but it was everywhere.” struggled with this for a long time,” John says. “I would wake up at night thinking about it. I couldn’t get those children out of my mind, but I was absolutely certain that there was no way I was supposed to get involved with this place. Finally, in 2003, I told my wife, Judy, that I needed to go back to the Philippines to prove to myself that it couldn’t be done.”

God proved otherwise.

“No matter what obstacles I identified as I researched this project, God simply removed them,” John says. From gaining the proper approvals to winning the support of the local pastor and school superintendent, to finding help with onsite management and accounting, people seemed to materialize out of nowhere to pave the way for John to go forward.

By 2005, the biggest obstacle was overcome – raising the funds to build a new facility. John and Judy, by then a full partner in John’s vision to operate the Lingap Center, had raised $300,000 to rebuild the facility and take over its day-to-day operations, a process completed in 2006.

That year, John took another radical step: He retired from his executive position at CMS to devote himself full-time to running the orphanage, whose residents refer to him as “Tito (Uncle) John.”

Working remotely from his home in Jackson and visiting the center four times per year, he keeps tabs on the 100 young residents with daily phone calls and e-mail to his full-time residential staff, which includes social workers, house parents, cooks and custodians.

For the first several years, John and Judy personally underwrote the operational expenses of the Lingap Center so that every dollar they raise is used to support the children who live there. In 2010, a five-member board of directors began to share the costs.

The center also now helps thousands more of Toledo City’s homeless children who benefit from outreach initiatives. For example, one initiative held in a local park provides reading, math and hygiene classes, as well as a healthy lunch, to homeless children every day. And a monthly Mass for street children has brought as many as 5,000 homeless youth to the center for a liturgy and 7,000 for lunch. “I am just amazed since the project began as an effort to save 26 kids in need,” John says. “We are now touching the lives of thou-

Judy’s impact in the lives of their orphan family is indescribable.

The Peace Corps and other international aid organizations have recognized the Lingap Center as an outstanding child development organization. John was even named an honorary citizen of Toledo City and then awarded “Citizen of the Year” by the president of the Philippines.

But recognition of his efforts isn’t what matters to John. Rather, the fact that people recognize and respond to the city’s homeless and abandoned children is all that matters.

During a decade of trips to the Philippines, John recognized the plight of thousands of children. More importantly, he recognized the hand of God to enable him to do something on their behalf.

Why John?

Why not?

How to help the Lingap Children’s Foundation The Lingap Children’s Foundation offers the opportunity to support its mission and ministry through a program called A Place at The Table. For as little as $25 per month, donors can Get the free mobile app at help to provide food, housing, http://gettag.mobi educational assistance and support to the 100 residents of Lingap Center – and thousands more homeless children of the Philippines who benefit through the center’s outreach efforts. For more information, visit www.lingapcenter.org.

Donations also may be sent directly to The Lingap Children’s Foundation, PO Box 1553, Jackson, MI 49204.

To help children in your area, scan the above tag with your mobile device or go to www.dioceseoflansing.org and click on the Catholic Charities agency near you.

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yourcommun things to do

things to do Mondays, 6 p.m.-8 p.m., free Marriage Restoration workshops offered at the United Way Center in Jackson – designed to address the tough times in a relationship. For information, call 517.796.5116 or www.MarriageMattersJackson.com.

June 3-4, a We C.A.R.E. Marriage Preparation seminar will be hosted by Catholic Charities of Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale Counties. Registration form is available at its website, www.catholiccharitiesjacksonlenaweehillsdale.org, under Services. For information, call 517.782.2551.

June 9, 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Transplant Support Group/Lansing Area will meet at Peoples Church, 300 W. Grand River in East Lansing, Centennial

June café events Diocese of Lansing Ministry Formation Program – Formation for Mission sessions: June 4, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. (lunch included), at St. Francis Retreat Center, DeWitt, cost $15. Topic: Gender, Church and Partnership in Ministry – presented by Dennis Sugrue, Ph.D. Registration: include name, phone, e-mail, parish and pay-

Room. Group meets the second Thursday of each month.

For information, contact Joan Smith at 517.351.2174 or joansmith@mindspring.com.

June 13-Aug. 26, 7 a.m.-6 p.m., St. Michael Childcare is enrolling for its 11-week summer childcare program. Activities include: field trips, creative arts, Spanish class and more.

For information or to register, contact Michelle Olson or Esther Chong at 517.627.2167 ext. 21 or childcare@stmichaelgl.org.

ment and mail it to Dept. of Formation, 228 N. Walnut, Lansing, MI 48933. Deadline: May 26. For information, contact Ann Rivet at 517.342.2510 or arivet@dioceseoflansing.org.

St. Joseph Shrine, Brooklyn’s Father Dave Hudgins has a session on the Mass every fourth Wednesday at 7 p.m. For information, contact the parish office at 517.467.2183.

June 15-16, 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. and June 17, 9:30 a.m.11:30 a.m., St. Francis of Assisi Parish’s Rummage Sale in the school’s gym, 2250 E. Stadium St. in Ann Arbor. For more information, call 734.769.2550 or www.stfrancisa2.com.

June 21, 10 a.m., Golf and Glory Outing at University of Michigan Golf Course, Ann Arbor, is a fundraiser for St. Louis Center, Chelsea. The event ends with a premium buffet dinner and live and silent sports memorabilia auctions. To

register or to volunteer, e-mail mail@st5louiscenter.org.

June 25-26, Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, Flint’s Fiesta Mexicana – June 25, noon-11 p.m. and June 26, noon-10 p.m. Raffle – grand prize $3,000 – drawing on Jun 26, 10 p.m. You need not be present to win. Food, vendors, entertainment, bingo tent and children’s activities – something for everyone.

June 26, Light of Christ Parish, Deerfield will have a Foundation

Sept. 1-4, the Office of Multicultural Evangelization invites you to join the 6th Woman of Hope-Shrine Pilgrimage to the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. Cost: $130 per person, roundtrip. Included: housing at Trinity College and some meals. For information, e-mail Ron Landfair, rlandfair@dioceseoflansing.org.

Catholic Charities Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County, 4925 Packard Rd, Ann Arbor, 734.971.9781 or www. csswashtenaw.org June 11, Smart Steps for Stepfamilies is a diocesan marriage prep program for remarriage couples. For information and to register, call 734.971.9781.

Catholic Charities of Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale Counties, 199 N. Broad St., Adrian, 517.263.2191 or www.

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catholiccharitiesjacksonlenaweehillsdale.org Vision of Hope Tours on the Road – Catholic Charities is looking for local church groups, businesses or service clubs to allow us to share how we are making a difference in your community. 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.

Livingston County Catholic Charities, 2020 E. Grand River, Ste. 104, Howell,

517.545.5944 or www.livingstoncatholiccharities.org June 15, 4:30 p.m.-6 p.m., Maintain Your Brain: How to Live a Brain Healthy Lifestyle. You will learn the basics of memory loss, how Alzheimer’s disease is diagnosed, the effects of Alzheimer’s on the brain and creating a fitness plan for the neck up. To register, please call the Alzheimer’s Association at 734.475.7043.

June 1, We CARE Marriage Prep’s new 12-month class schedule will be available at www.livingstoncatholiccharities.org with downloadable registration form.

Summer Scripture Days Aug. 9-11, the 18th annual Summer Scripture Days will be at Beth

nity Day Picnic. Please be sure to mark your calendar to attend.

For information, contact the parish office at 517.447.3500.

June 28, 1 p.m.-7 p.m., St. John the Baptist, Howell will have a blood drive. To make an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code HartlandSaintJohn.

St. Joseph Shrine, Brooklyn has a marriage enrichment group, Couples in Christ.

Meets the third Saturday of each month at 6:30 p.m. (potluck meal). For information, call the parish office at 517.467.2183.

St. Mary Magdalen Parish, Brighton’s preschool is enrolling for the 2011-2012 school year. Openings are available for 3-, 4- and 5-year olds.

Child must be three by Dec.1.

Please come and check it out and join the fun. Call the preschool at 810.229.0010 or www.saintmarymagdalen.org.

July 15, 5 p.m., Rockin’ the Spirit – a Christian Family Concert hosted by the Knights of Columbus Council 8605 at St. Agnes, 855 E. Grand River in Fowlerville. The entertainment includes Thicker Than Water, Still Water Creek Band, Michael Maher Band and others. Tickets are available at the gate or call Bob Kuch at 517.881.2411. Bring blankets for festival seating July 16, 8 a.m., Christ the King Parish, Flint will have a golf tournament at Genesee Valley Meadows Golf Course, 5499 Miller Rd. in Swartz

Vacation Bible School June 15-17, 9 a.m.-noon, Vacation Bible School at Most Holy Trinity Parish, 545 N. Maple St., Fowler in Msgr. Koenigsknecht Hall. For information, call Andrew Halfman, 989.593.3174.

June 20-24, St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, 310 N. Cherry St., Flushing will have Vacation Bible School – “Hometown Nazareth, Where Jesus Was a Kid.” For information, contact Elaine Baur, ebaur@ strobertparish.org or 810.659.8556.

June 20-24, 9a.m.-noon, Holy Family Parish, Grand Blanc’s Vacation Bible School – “Inside Out and Upside Down on Main Street” – for children PreK-grade 4. For information or to register, contact the Religious Education office at 810.694.9072, ext.101.

June 20-24, 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m., St. Elizabeth, 506 N. Union St., Tecumseh will be presenting the totally Catholic “PandaMania: Where children are wild about God.” Cost is $15 for the week.

Call 517.423.2447, ext. 6 for more information.

June 20-22, 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, 3815 S. Cedar St., Lansing will offer Vacation Bible School in the Parish Family Center. Three years old through grade 6 are invited to participate. Questions or to register, call JoAnn Angers at 517.393.3033.

June 27-30, 6 p.m.-8 p.m., St. John the Baptist, Howell will have Vacation Bible School. Dinner is 5 p.m.-6 p.m., optional.

Theme is “Pandamania – Where God is Wild about You.” Registration form available at www.stjohnthebaptisthowell. catholicweb.com

Creek. Fee is $65 per person, which includes everything such as skins, continental breakfast and a delicious dinner. Contact parish office for information, 810.233.0402.

July 16, Catholic Singles, mid30s to 50s, are invited to the must-attend event of the summer: a statewide picnic hosted by the Lansing Catholic Singles at noon in scenic Burchfield Park in Holt. Held rain or shine – cost is $7, plus park

entrance fee. Bring your own beverage – no alcohol – and a dish to pass. RSVP required.

For more information, e-mail LansingCatholicSingles@live. com or visit www.lansingcatholicsingles.com.

July 18, Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County invites you to its annual golf outing at Travis Pointe Country Club, 2829 Travis Pointe Rd., Ann Arbor. Cost is $130 per golfer or $520 per foursome. To

June 25, Knights of Columbus Council 3230 will host a vocation fundraiser dinner roasting Bishop Boyea at St. John the Baptist Church, 410 W. Cross St., Ypsilanti in Harvey Hall. Cost is $25.00 per person. Contact Tom or Margaret Tsilis at 734.572.1880 for tickets or information. No tickets will be sold at the door.

register, call 734.971.9781, ext. 313 or development@ csswashtenaw.org

At our retreat centers

daily spiritual direction – register by July 1.

St. Francis Retreat Center, DeWitt, 866.669.8321 or www.stfrancis.ws June17-19, Alcoholics Anonymous for Men, call Karl at 989.723.1706.

Dominican Center Marywood, Grand Rapids, 616.643.0371 or register online at www.dominicancenter.com June 5-10, Silent Directed Retreat at St. Francis Retreat Center, DeWitt. Cost is $380, single occupancy and meals. To register by phone, call 616.454.1241.

Directed Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius eight-day retreats for individuals or groups – June 4-12, Bread of Life Retreat Residence, 2011 4901 N. Dixboro Rd., Ann Arbor. For information, call 630.417.1984 or e-mail AnnArborRetreats@aol.com.

Weber Center, Adrian, 517.266.400 or www.weber.adriandominicans.org June 13-18, Holy Land Pilgrimage at Weber Center: An experiential journey.

Cost is $425 single occupancy and $325 per person double occupancy.

July 18-12, Private Directed Retreat. Each participant will meet daily with a spiritual director. Cost is $375, includes room, meals and

hany House at the St. Francis Retreat Center in DeWitt. For information and to register, call the diocesan Catholic Charities office at 517.342.2465.

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local news

Pueri Cantores Mass at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit

O

n March 5, choirs from schools around the region lifted their voices together to praise God as part of the Pueri Cantores Mass in Detroit.

Cardinal Allen H. Vigneron, archbishop of Detroit, was the celebrant, and Father Steve Mattson, superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Lansing, was the concelebrant.

St. Robert Bellarmine, Flushing’s and St. Mary Queen of Angels, Swartz Creek’s youth chorales participated for the first time this year.

Pueri Cantores is the national student chorale organization of the Catholic Church. Its choirs participate in regional, national and international festivals and Masses. Its purpose is to bring together youth choirs to raise the profile of music as an integral part of worship and in artistic settings in the church, school and home.

Prayer in motion Janene Ternes, founder of Prayer in Motion, LLC, was commissioned in 2003 as a spiritual director. She said, “It is through movement that people have a deeper connection to God.” She led a special Lenten Family Faith Formation event. Her theme for St. Mary on the Lake parishioners was “Returning to God.” Through prayer, the people made steps toward the cross, visualizing getting closer to Jesus. They waved their arms as palms. Janene believes that everyday movements reinforce the message of prayer.

St. Mary on the Lake, Manitou Beach parishioner Diane Sherry remarked that Janene’s presentation “… was fun, amazing and made you feel lucky to be alive during Lent. I liked how she tied Lent into what she was doing. She had everyone going – young and old.”

Janene leads church groups, adult retreats and other events to bring people to greater peace in their lives. If interested, contact her at www.prayer-in-motion.com. – Jan Hoffbauer

Pam Faust wins ‘Seeker of Justice’ Family and church members attended a special dinner where Pam Faust received the Seeker of Justice Award.

Sue Lewis, executive director of Catholic Charities of Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale Counties, presented Pam with the honor for her deep commitment to empowering the poor.

Jean Schaub, pastoral coordinator at St. Mary on the Lake, Manitou Beach, said “Pam brings the love of Christ to everyone. She honors each person as a special gift of God.” Six years ago, Pam started a prayer shawl ministry and has made more than 300 shawls. A hand written prayer is included with each one. – Jan Hoffbauer

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FAITH Magazine / June 2011 / www.FAITHmag.com

St. Paul School, Owosso has a giving spirit Students at St. Paul School in Owosso have been practicing almsgiving with a giving spirit. They have helped people in their community and in Japan. During March, they collected 124 containers of laundry detergent and donated it to St. Vincent De Paul. They also collected $472 and donated it to Catholic Relief Services to help those in Japan injured by the earthquake and tsunami. Next up is a food drive for the hungry.

St. Rita, Clarklake’s Holy Saturday celebration

Holy Trinity Student Parish’s alternative spring break Holy Trinity Student Parish, Ypsilanti’s alternative spring break was in the hills of West Virginia to serve with the community of Nazareth Farm. Students did home repair with the people of Doddridge County, while living the Gospel cornerstones of prayer, service, simplicity and community.

One student reflected that, “The service was rewarding and we learned skills that will last us a lifetime. At Nazareth Farm we experienced such a great sense of love and joy through the true community with others … This experience taught us that it’s not about having, but about being. We all met God in so many ways that week.”

Lumen Christi students learn about writing for FAITH Magazine Jan Hoffbauer, who is a contributing writer for FAITH Magazine, spoke to the Lumen Christi Catholic High School’s publications classes about writing for FAITH. The students in these classes write and take photos for the yearbook and the school newspaper. Ryan Dickinson, a senior, writes poetry and one poem was accepted for an anthology when he applied for a scholarship.

“How do you come up with a topic?” asked Paula Fries, who teaches the class. Jan explained that she reads about upcoming events in church bulletins and the local newspapers – and friends share information.

Connor Kirkpatrick, a junior, said he learned, “It is important to find the stuff you like in your life and surround yourself with people who make you – you.” – Jan Hoffbauer

On April 23, Reverend Lehr Barkenquest, OSFS, pastor of St. Rita, received six catechumens and two candidates into full union of the Catholic Church. It was an important day for all of them.

Deacon Lou Weitzel met with candidates Steve Scouten and Theresa Ryan. Steve remarked that it had deepened his walk with Christ and Theresa said that her family is Catholic and she wanted to be part of God’s family and her family.

Carol Willoughby’s twins, Grace and Gage, picked the saint names of Ann and Peter. They were excited to meet with Bishop Boyea in Ann Arbor for the rite of election.

Jesper Drlicka said he went to Ann O’Neill’s house for religion homework and it was she who inspired him to become Catholic.

St. Rita Parish is happy to welcome these new parishioners to their church community. – Jan Hoffbauer

Father Paul Grehl explains the paschal triduum St. Joseph Shrine parishioners joined St. Mary on the Lake parishioners for their monthly Life After Fifty event. Father Paul Grehl, OSFS, and St. Mary on the Lake sacramental minister, gave an informative talk about the paschal triduum – one liturgy over three days.

Father Grehl shared his usual humor, along with memories from childhood, especially about the liturgy being prayed in Latin. Even though Christmas is his favorite, Easter is the greatest Church holy day, he said. – Jan Hoffbauer

TV Outreach Mass – new channel and time The Diocese of Lansing Outreach Mass has moved from Lansing Channel 18 to Lansing ABC-3. The Mass airs at 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. This change allows the Mass to be viewed by a larger audience and at two separate times – with no increase in cost to the diocese. This schedule change does not affect viewers who watch the Outreach Mass on Flint Channel 66. The Flint broadcast schedule remains the same: 10 a.m. on Flint FOX66.

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More things to do: To find upcoming Catholic events in your area or around the country, visit www. catholiceventfinder. com or point your smart phone here.

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catechesis on charity

What is charity?

An interview with Monsignor Anthony J. Figueiredo

M

onsignor Anthony J. Figueiredo is an official at the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, the Dicastery (curial office) of the Holy Father responsible for catechesis on charity and the Church’s charitable activity. He was the guest speaker for the 2010 Catholic Charities Day in the Diocese of Lansing hosted by Bishop Earl Boyea and the Department of Catholic Charities. At the event, he spoke on the often misunderstood relationship between charity and justice in light of Pope Benedict XVI’s encyclicals Deus Caritas Est and Caritas in Veritate. FAITH recently spoke with Monsignor Figueiredo.

What are some common misconceptions about the Church’s teachings on social justice? Perhaps the most common misconception is that the Church’s teachings are solely about changing social structures. This seems to be a direct result of the influence of liberation theology and of the protest culture. Consequently, the emphasis is on the externals

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of this world and the fight for social justice is waged here.

While not denying the Church has a role in changing systems of injustice, Gaudium et Spes is clear that justice is ultimately a matter for government, while the Church is called to shed light on politics, economics and injustices in society. Put another way, the Church is not reducible to

FAITH Magazine / June 2011 / www.FAITHmag.com

a justice-seeking organization. It is something more for the essence of the Church’s mission is charity. The Church is charged with opening up heaven; with giving God. If charity is taken out, the Church becomes like just so many other secular organizations.

How can we develop wellformed hearts to offer God’s

love to others? As Pope Benedict states, Christianity is not a matter of ideology, but about a personal encounter with the person of Jesus Christ.

We cannot love without first knowing we have been loved.

We must therefore put ourselves and others before Jesus through prayer, the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, adoration, and studying the great saints of charity.

It goes back to our baptism where the “old man” of the flesh who lives only for self must die and the “new man” clothed in the Holy Spirit must emerge donning the gifts of the Holy Spirit in order to bear fruit in the world. It is in this receiving of God’s great love for us that we learn to resist society which tells us that we must keep life for ourselves and not give it away.

Instead, we grow to understand what Christ meant when he said that if we are to save our life, we must lose it.

Do you give the most important gift – time?

I

n the commodities found in life’s marketplace there is an inflexible law: the fewer there are the more valuable they become, and the more there are the less value each one has. Currency is devalued when more and more of it is printed and put into circulation. The less in circulation, the more value each unit has.

So what does that have to do with life in our parishes, our families of faith? It’s all about time, our valuable time generously donated to our parish’s volunteer efforts. To be sure, we need to support our parish ministries with our monetary donations. But more so, our time is increasingly precious.

It’s no secret that most of us find that our commitments are being stretched, stretched because they require commitments over lengths of time greater than those that are simply occasional. This is particularly true for parents of school children. The demands

How are we to understand the notion of charity?

First and foremost, charity must be distinguished from much of what we typically understand by the word love. Pope Benedict does this in Deus Caritas Est as he differentiates friendship and romantic love from what the New Testament calls agape, which is a self-giving love for the sake or benefit of others.

Agape is not philanthropy, which gives from a surplus.

Rather, agape gives from one’s own sustenance as illustrated by the Gospel story of the widow’s mite. When we speak of charity, we are really talking about this agape love.

It is important to note, however, that charity necessarily entails our first receiving love before we can be called to give of ourselves for others because it is a divine gift from God, the greatest gift. God has loved us first and God teaches us what self-giving love, or

put upon them are greater than the supply of time that they have. Many parents live in near frenzied lives.

They greatly value their time.

In my days as a pastor I once printed this little ditty in my parish’s bulletin: “There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it.

last word Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody’s job. Everybody thought that Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn’t do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.”

The blame game accomplishes nothing. Loving generosity with your time accomplishes a whole lot.

Charitable contributions of your money are valuable and appreciated, but donating your valuable time is precious in the eyes of God. Love has no limits.

The Bible tells us that our treasure is where our heart is. Perhaps we should add: “Our treasure is where we invest our time.”

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

charity, truly is through the sacrifice of the cross and the gift of the Eucharist.

All have sinned, but have been justified freely by the gift of grace through redemption in Jesus Christ. In other words, What is justice? Our literal divine justice turns human understanding justice on of justice typiits head. In cally comes the case of from the Christ, we third century have a just jurist, Ulpian, man dying who defined for the guilty Get the free mobile app at justice as “the and the guilty http://gettag.mobi constant and receiving perpetual will a blessing. to render to Yet, this is Ministry Focus every man divine justice For more his due.” It because it is information, visit www. is really an rooted in, and dioceseoflansing.org approach to flows from, and click on Catholic justice that is the self-giving Charities. distributive in love of God. nature.

However, So what divine justice is quite differcan we say is the relationent from this aforementioned ship between charity and understanding and St. Paul’s justice?

Letter to the Romans (3:21-25) As understood in a Christian is quite instructive on this point: sense, justice precedes charity,

but charity goes beyond justice.

The notion that each person is to be given their due implies a limit with justice. Each is to be given their due and not one thing more. In other words, there is a stopping point with justice. In contrast, charity has no such limits. Charity goes much further than justice because it is a selfgiving love that gives even when it is not the other’s due.

The temptation with an over-emphasis on justice is that there is a tendency to always point the finger at someone or something else. For example, if we are to create a just society, the structures must change first for that is the real problem.

However, in the Gospels, Jesus tells us that evil comes not from what goes in the mouth, but what issues forth from the heart through the mouth. Jesus did not come simply to change external structures but to transform hearts by laying down his life for others.

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exclusive video

Father Charles Irvin Series: The Lord’s Prayer (part 1)

Father Charles E. Irvin, Diocese of Lansing, Michigan, reflects on words in the Lord’s Prayer. This first segment(out of 12) is about “OUR”.

Filmed at the Basilica of Holy Hill,Hubertus, Wisconsin.

Produced & Photographed by ChristianPeschken. Edited by Jonathan Lenoch, Christian Peschken.

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

CatholicTV featured videos Visit Rome with Father Reed, learn about living the Gospel of Life with Marianne Luthin and enrich your prayer life with Father James Martin.

Visit www.CatholicTV.com for more videos.

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FAITH Magazine / June 2011 / www.FAITHmag.com

Watch Father Joe Krupp on Blink Father Joe Krupp, awardwinning columnist and Diocese of Lansing priest, talks about about how God answers our prayers in a quick “Blink.”

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

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