June 2012

THE

MAGAZINE

OF

THE

CATHOLIC

DIOCE

Plus: How do I evangelize? | A year of faith, a year of prayer | What did Jesus tell us about God the Father?

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See Dt 15:7-8

contents 6 yourlife Rev. Dwight Ezop

EDITOR AND CHAIRMAN

June 2012 • Volume 13: Issue 5

Patrick M. O’Brien

PRESIDENT/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Elizabeth Martin Solsburg

DIRECTOR OF CUSTOM PUBLISHING/ EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

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MARKETING MANAGER

Patrick Dally

ART DIRECTOR

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EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

InnerWorkings

PRINT MANAGEMENT

Jim Berlucchi | Michelle Sessions DiFranco | Kevin Duffy | Doug Culp | Dcn. Tom and JoAnne Fogle | Bob Horning |Rev. Charles Irvin | Paul Jarzembowski | Rev. Joseph Krupp | Dr. Gelasia Marquez | Dr. Cathleen McGreal | Nancy Schertzing | Sister Ann Shields CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

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Carlson Productions | Tom Gennara | James Luning (cover) | 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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6 work life My friend lied on his resume – I don’t want to recommend him for a job 8 parenting journey Should our daughter compete in beauty pageants?

8 conflict resolution I really don’t like my father – I want to change my last name 8 marriage matters He says: “I am tired of arguing about politics!”

She says: “Then what can we talk about?”

What do they do?

10 culture Faith the size of a mustard seed potato salad

12 yourfaith 12 in the know with Father Joe How do I evangelize?

14 best homily Father Robert Schramm O.S.F.S., pastor of St. Mary Church, Adrian 15 morality everyday When is it appropriate to insert a feeding tube?

16 theology 101 What did Jesus tell us about God the Father?

18 spiritual fitness How do we have hope?

table of contents

24 Mike and Cindy share more of their story.

Only at www.FAITHmag.com T. Gennara

PUBLISHER

J. Luning

Most Reverend Earl Boyea

T. Gennara

The Magazine of the Catholic Diocese of Lansing

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21 yourstories 20 FAITH exclusive The Lucky One – An interview with Nicholas Sparks

21 my story Bob Barrett, man of action 24 cover story When their daughter died at 15 Mike and Cindy kept the faith

Liturgical calendar: St. Justin, martyr June 1 | Ss. Marcellinus and Peter, martyrs June 2 | Most Holy Trinity June 3 | St. Boniface, bishop and martyr June 5 | St. Norbert, bishop June 6

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from the editors

Passing on the faith

O

ver the last several years, I have offered a series of large-group Bible studies for adults in our parish community, usually during the seasons of Lent or Easter. This year, I decided to take advantage of the newly-released Catholicism series, a 10-part video and discussion series produced by Father Robert Barron of the Archdiocese of Chicago. Father Barron was one of my professors at Mundelein Seminary, and with the support of Chicago’s Cardinal Francis George, he has developed a new ministry to help evangelize adult Catholics.

It may sound a little odd that someone is evangelizing a group of people who already have heard the Good News of the Gospels, but if we stop and think for a moment, it actually makes perfect sense.

T. Gennara

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

In past columns, I have shared that while I was in college, I fell away from the active practice of my faith. There were several reasons for that, but they don’t really matter.

What matters is that, after a few years, I found myself thinking that something was missing from my life. After some reflection, it dawned on me what was missing was a regular relationship with God. I returned to attending Sunday Mass every week and sought out adult faith formation opportunities in the parish I had joined. And I began collecting and reading a series of books

saint of the month

St. Justin philosopher and martyr

Justin Martyr, was born at the end of the 1st Century, in a Roman settlement in Palestine.

His Greek education led him through various schools of philosophy and reason.

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FAITH Magazine / June 2012 / www.FAITHmag.com

and other resources that helped me rediscover the riches of our faith.

I suspect my situation was not unique. There are many adults who are seeking a better understanding of their faith. And there are often instances in which family members, friends or co-workers will ask us what we believe in faith and why. Knowing more clearly what we believe and being able to articulate those beliefs will go a long way toward being able to address questions that may come our way.

At this year’s Chrism Mass,

Bishop Boyea announced the promulgation of his first pastoral letter. Go and Announce the Gospel of the Lord encourages all of us to strive for a better understanding of our faith, so that we can in turn share that faith with those who are seeking a relationship with God, as well as with those who have moved away from the active practice of their faith.

The summer months usually are when we spend more time reading. Perhaps this summer, we can all spend a little time reading about our faith. If you don’t have one, pick up a copy of the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults. It’s readily available and is a very accessible catechism written by the U.S. bishops. In taking the time to review and deepen our understanding of the basics of our faith, we have the opportunity to make it more our own – a faith we can pass on for generations to come.

And so, our journey in FAITH continues.

In an turning point in his life, he met a man who discussed with him the accuracy of the biblical prophets.

Justin began to wear the toga of a philosopher, but went about teaching and explaining the works of Jesus Christ with all he met.

After a public debate in which Justin was more persuasive, his opponent turned him in for denouncing the Roman Emperor. He was tried and beheaded in 165 A.D. His feast day is June 1.

He takes on puzzling philosophical questions.

– Story and illustrations by Chris Sushynski

St. Ephrem, deacon and doctor of the Church June 9 | Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ June 10 | St. Barnabas, apostle

75th CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF LANSING

Anniversar y

of

the

Diocese

of

Lansing

The Diocese of Lansing celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. Throughout the year, we’ll be presenting pieces of our history, thanks to our diocesan historian, Msgr. George Michalek.

The oldest school in the Diocese of Lansing – Westphalia

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he oldest Catholic school in the diocese began in 1838 in Westphalia in a log church, with classes taught by Father Anton Kopp, the pastor of St. Peter Church (now called St. Mary).

Since the parish was comprised of immigrants from Germany, classes were taught in German. Eight to ten students were in the first class, but in the 1840’s enrollment increased sharply as more settlers arrived.

Father Kopp received eight dollars and several cents as salary from the state. Not so bad, when you realize that land cost slightly more than a dollar per acre. Shortly after, a male instructor was hired to teach in English.

Justin gets an icon painted.

In 1866, three Immaculate Heart of Mary sisters from Monroe were welcomed to town by a brass band, and took over teaching the girls, while men continued teaching the boys.

There were 140 students by then. After school ended in 1872, the sisters decided not to return because the growing enrollment made both the school building and convent inadequate. A two-story brick school and a new convent were built in 1873, and the following year the Sisters of Christian Charity began instructing the girls and younger boys.

For five days in June 1880, a year before she died, the foundress and

A pop-up book based on his life quickly failed.

first superior general of the order, Mother Pauline von Mallinckrodt, visited Westphalia. She was beatified in 1985 by Pope John Paul II. By 1894, all of the teachers were sisters and there continued to be a religious presence until the last sister/ principal retired in June 2000.

Beginning in 1906, parents were able to leave their children with the sisters at St. Mary’s Boarding House after Sunday Mass and pick them up after class on Friday. There were as many as fifty boarders during the winter months. The growth in number of a new phenomenon, the automobile, caused the closing of the boarding house in 1920.

The school expanded in 1908 from six grades to eight, then to ten in 1936, and by 1938 three girls graduated from the first high school class. In 1961, the high school stopped operating.

Today, St. Mary Elementary School comprises grades 1-6, with 12 teachers and 240 students.

Much of the information for this article is from Evelyn Weiland and the Westphalia Historical Society, and their book Of Pilgrimage, Prayer, and Promise, a history of Westphalia.

le June 11 | St. Anthony of Padua, priest and doctor of the Church June 13 | Most Sacred Heart of Jesus June 15 | Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary June 16 | St. Romuald, abbot June 19

work life

I don’t want to recommend him for a job

Q

A friend gave me his resume to pass along to my boss, and it’s overinflated. in fact, there are downright falsehoods on it. He’s already sent this out to other employers. Should I confront him?

You probably won’t confront him, because you haven’t already. I’m guessing it’s for one or more of three reasons: 1. He’s not that good a friend.

2. The falsehoods aren’t that big.

3. You’re thinking “confrontation.”

Friendship The best form of friendship helps each person become better. These types are marked by mutual love and honesty. Make up your mind.

What kind of friendship do you really want?

Falsehoods I’ve never seen a resume that doesn’t glow. The sheer omission of a hint of fallibility is a kind of falsehood. Resumes brim with exaggerated descriptors – “resourceful, creative, team player, visionary, pro-active, etc., etc.

If employers hired on the basis of resumes, we’d have zero unemployment.

Imagine going to confession with a spiritual resume approach? “Commend me Father, for I’ve not sinned. I’m humble, righteous, patient and kiss my mother almost every day. My penance, please?” Your friend has gone too far, but give him a break. It’s a resume. However, if he’s falsified things such as his education credentials or lied about previous jobs, you will need to move to the next step.

Confrontation It’s a thought that churns the stomach, so we avoid it like the plague. We like things pleasant. As St. Thomas Aquinas wrote, “We behave pleasantly to those among

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FAITH Magazine / June 2012 / www.FAITHmag.com

9 marriage matters

10 culture

T. Gennara

My friend lied on his resume

a

8 parenting journey

P. Shippert

yourlife

inside:

Jim Berlucchi is an educator, executive coach, speaker and author, Jim Berlucchi is the Executive Director of the Spitzer Center, whose mission is to build cultures of evangelization (www.spitzercenter.org). whom we dwell, unless at times, for some reason, it be necessary to displease them for some good purpose.”

Do you have a good purpose? Then don’t think of it as confrontation. Think of it as help.

You’ll be much more likely to talk with him. And, depending how skillfully you handle it, you might not even displease him. Tell him you want to improve his resume before passing it on. And you really do. Review it together, line by line. Where might it be stronger and more precise? Ask good probing questions, not to nail him on a falsehood, but to clarify his real accomplishments and talents.

When an inflated claim gets exposed, it’s an opportunity. Ask him what it would take to actually achieve that kind of claim.

How good would it feel? What concrete steps can he take – more education, working harder, making an action plan, etc.?

In other words, help him with his own self-efficacy – or earned confidence that comes from real achievement. Facts are infinitely better than fantasies. Go deeper than the resume. Help him with what really counts – his life and a better future.

St. Aloysius Gonzaga, religious June 21 | St. Thomas More, martyr June 22 | Nativity of St. John the Baptist June 24 | St. C

FAITH exclusive

The Lucky One An interview with Nicholas Sparks

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he Lucky One, released in theaters on April 20, is based on the best-selling book by Nicholas Sparks, well-known author of The Notebook. FAITH talked with Nicholas about his newest movie.

This movie has a lot to do with destiny. Is that something you believe in? Well, yes, but only in retrospect. I never believe it at the moment, because it isn’t destiny in the moment – it is coincidence. Life is filled with thousands of journey, and it is only in looking back at the decisions we made, consciously or not, that we see it as fate. Anything other than that would eliminate free will.

Have you had moments of destiny in your own life? Oh yes, without question. I met my wife when I was in college, during spring break in Sanibel Island, Fla. I went down there with three of my friends from Notre Dame, and as we were pulling into the condo that belonged to one of my friends’ families, we saw a group of girls walking past. After we got up to the condo, the girls called up and asked if they could use our bathroom, because they had mistaken the condo complex for a hotel. They came up and I met my future wife. We’ve been married 23 years now, and almost all of my female characters are my wife – intelligent, passionate women who are not wishy-washy, who are not defined by men, and who will do the right thing.

How has your faith shaped your life? I have a great relationship with God. We talk every day. Often it looks less like prayer and more like a lot of yelling on my part and a lot of listening on God’s part. I love that God is willing to put up with my whining and complaining, and still listens. I go to him to thank and to complain – it gives me great peace. I enjoy that he is having fun with me.

Are you a member of a parish? Yes, our family is registered at St. Paul’s Parish in Newborn, N.C. Did you come to learn something about our armed service persons while writing this? I don’t know that I learned as much as tried to show others the military people I know. We are surrounded by military bases here in North Carolina. Many of my friends have been deployed numerous times. My goal in this book was to say, “When they are over there, they are doing army stuff and serving their country. But that is a small part of the entirety of their lives. What always has been more compelling to me is what they do when they come back – how do they heal when they are home?

Can you tell us about your charitable foundation and the master of fine arts in creative writing program at Notre Dame that you sponsor? My wife and I feel philanthropy is important. Money is a big part of it, of course, but we also volunteer 20-25 hours per week in charitable endeavors. Philanthropy is everything. Education is critical, so the MFA is an important thing to us. We also have a college-prep school we founded to enable students to function in a world that is more international than ever before. We found that American schools generally are not set up to help students on a life journey where they may have to live in other countries. As we develop programs to address this, we are coming up with materials that we will make available to other schools for their use, including parochial schools.

All the teens want me to ask, “What is Zac Efron (the movie’s star) like? He is a terrific young man. He is genuinely nice, humble and down-to-earth. Your daughter would like him very much.

What do you hope people will see in this movie? I think you will see people you know and you will root for the characters and want them to be OK. No one is perfect, and I am not trying to glamorize their imperfections; I am trying to reflect the reality of their lives.

Note: The Lucky One is rated PG-13. It contains excellent messages about the power of love in the world, but does portray some relationships in a way not consistent with Church teaching.

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

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parenting journey

Should our daughter compete in beauty pageants?

Q

My wife wants our 6-year-old daughter to compete in beauty pageants, but I don’t think that it is a good idea. Is this a good experience for young girls?

a

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Hayley recalled her childhood participation in the Wee Miss Bamberg beauty pageant. She was given a consolation prize and told that she couldn’t compete because they had a white queen and a black queen. Since she was of Indian ancestry, there was no category for her.

Although this is an extreme example, in the world of beauty pageants, adult values that may be incomprehensible to a child are imposed during the evaluations of the girls.

Choosing activities. Your wife wants your daughter to enter the pageant culture. This can be time-consuming. Given the limited number of activities that your daughter can actively participate in, what will be given up?

The relationships can focus on mutual support rather than competition. This can be a time to encourage your daughter to explore different talents, rather than trying to develop a talent that will impress judges in a contest.

Prayerfully consider your decision. What direction for your daughter’s life would bring her closer to God? Take time to dis-

cern the best direction for your family.

“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.”

I had a really bad relationship with my father. Now that I am an adult, I want to change my last name. Is that wrong of me?

Differentiation of self is a healthy step in personality development and refers to one’s ability to separate one’s own intellectual and emotional functioning from that of the family, more specifically from the parental figures.

But you can do this without

FAITH Magazine / June 2012 / www.FAITHmag.com

changing your last name. You don’t have to let one person’s negative behavior define the meaning of this name for you. You can bring a new, positive meaning to your last name – one that is based on your own behavior.

Remember that Psalm 139 tells us before we belonged to anyone we were fashioned by God. He has called you by your name.

conflict resolution

S. Kendrick

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(Psalm 139:13-16)

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

I really don’t like my father I want to change my last name

Your last name has both a literal and emotional meaning. It sounds like you are facing difficulty with the latter.

Your desire to change your last name could be due to your effort to differentiate yourself from your father and/or your family of origin.

T. Gennara

Sexualization of girls. One of the concerns about beauty pageants is the focus on physical appearance, especially the adoption of adult standards of beauty.

The make-up and clothing of young girls

often mimic the sexy looks that are dominant in the adult world of fashion.

When little girls play dress up and put on pretend makeup, the experience is under their own control. This is far from the sultry look that some girls display during contests.

Dr. Gelasia Marquez is a psychologist and family counselor.

he

she

says:

says:

“Then what can we talk about?”

“I am tired of arguing about politics!”

Elizabeth says: If James and I can’t talk about politics, what else will be “off the table”? Shouldn’t a married couple be able to discuss, but disagree?

James says: As we’ve aged, Elizabeth and I have developed very different political philosophies. I don’t want to argue all the time, so I’ve gotten to the point where I’d rather just not discuss politics at all.

M

What

do they do?

aybe it is not the subject matter that’s the problem; maybe it is the manner in which it is discussed? We are reminded of the advice given in Proverbs 7:14, “The start of strife is like the opening of a dam; therefore, check a quarrel before it begins.” How is that possible with a polarizing subject such as politics? Having an effective communication process is a great place to start, followed by a trust level that neither spouse is going to convert the other spouse to their personal belief, followed by an agreement to disagree when a mutual understanding cannot be achieved. Sounds easy, but it is not. be better not to discuss them until some communication ground rules are wellestablished and practiced.

What bothers us the most is not the subject matter, but the lack of tools necessary to have a rational dialogue with each other.

When arguments result from attempted discussions, most likely it is because emotional, rather than rational, responses are given. When we respond from our emotional side of the brain, tension increases, anxiety results and effective communication plummets. James and Elizabeth should ask, “How

does this enhance our life as a couple?”

What will determine the end of the discussion – defeat by one or the other? When couples polarize into a winner and a loser, the cost to the relationship can be heavy.

There are no winners in this situation.

We suggest both James and Elizabeth table the discussion on politics until they have learned some effective communication skills dealing with sensitive issues and some rules to follow for navigating marital conflict; tools such as the speakerlistener technique, learning how to walk away from the discussion after a specific time limit so one’s brain can process all that was said, and learning how to listen, providing feedback, and talking without accusing or degrading your spouse. If both James and Elizabeth can agree to disagree, they can prove it to each other by ending their discussion with a 30-second kiss. Enjoy!

T. Gennara

Marriage is a union of two individuals with different backgrounds, likes and dislikes. Even though we continue to work toward being one in heart, soul and spirit we do not always become one in mind in thoughts, words and actions. There is a balance between togetherness and individuality that all married couples strive to maintain. It is in that balance that we learn to respect and honor each other’s positions and stances. Expecting each spouse to have the same political philosophies would be unrealistic because of our individuality.

We agree with Elizabeth that married couples should be able to discuss and disagree on certain matters; and we also agree that if political discussions always end in an argument over philosophies, it might

your marriage matters

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

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Y O U R

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culture

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FAITH Magazine / June 2012 / www.FAITHmag.com

Faith

the size of a mustard seed potato salad

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he Lord replied, “If you had faith like a mustard seed you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.” (Luke 17:6)

T. Gennara

In listening to that Gospel reading as a kid, my mind often drifted to, well, exactly how big is a mustard seed? I imagined it must be awfully small since Christ was making a point about how such little faith could do so much. But I had never seen a mustard tree, much less a mustard seed.

Then one day, years later, something happened. I was served a dish with mustard seeds in it. So that’s what they look like.

Finally I knew what Christ was thinking of when he uttered those words. I suddenly felt more connected with Jesus. I got that same feeling you might get when you are shown a keepsake or a photo of a deceased ancestor, and you find yourself examining something they once intimately knew and understood.

Well, I have never met anyone who is able to uproot a mulberry tree with a command, but there certainly are examples of

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

other people who have achieved miracles on mere Christian faith. There have been times in my own life when I have achieved, or received, the seemingly impossible. And when those moments occur; when I’ve found myself looking backwards to recognize that I’ve overcome terrible odds, overwhelming resistance or stifling fear for no other reason than I had put my faith in God, I again feel a heightened connection with our Lord.

Perhaps that is part of what Jesus meant in the Gospel passage. Maybe it’s not about what feats we accomplish because we have faith, but more how our faith brings us back to him. Because, after all, isn’t that what we are called to do – to know our Lord as intimately as possible and to become as connected as we can through our deeds and our faith? Yes, knowing that God carried us through because of our faith is perhaps a greater prize than overcoming whatever it was he helped us with.

And, by the way, for those of you who have never seen a mustard seed and might want to know exactly what Christ was picturing inside his mind 2,000 years ago, they can be found in the spice section of any grocery store. Pick some up. They go great in the zesty dish I referenced above.

Mustard seed potato salad

seeds • Salt and pepper to taste

• 2 pounds fingerling potatoes • 1 red onion, chopped • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil • ¼ cup red wine vinegar • ¼ cup mayonnaise (or salad dressing for a sweeter taste) • ¼ cup chopped dill • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard • 1 tablespoon brown mustard

Clean and slice potatoes into ½ inch thick round pieces. Boil until fork tender. Drain and let cool completely. Place in a medium to large salad bowl. Add chopped onion and set aside.

In a small skillet, heat the mustard seeds on medium heat until you start to hear them pop (about a minute). Remove

from heat and set aside. Whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, mayonnaise, dill, garlic, and Dijon mustard.

Pour the dressing over the potatoes and onion. Add the toasted mustard seeds and salt and pepper. Gently toss until completely coated.

This potato salad can be prepared a day ahead and is great served chilled at any barbeque.

Photography by Philip Shippert

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yourfaith in the know with Father Joe

How do I evangelize?

Q

I know we are supposed to evangelize, but I don’t know what to do. I’m rather shy and I don’t feel like I know much about the faith. Besides that, I know I am a bad example at times. What do I do?

a

What a beautiful heart you must have – to be so honest in both your desire to do what’s right and in your recognizing your limitations. I think I can help you here, so let’s get to it.

First of all, you are right, we are supposed to evangelize.

One of the first things Jesus says after his resurrection is what’s called a “commissioning statement.” The disciples are commissioned to go and tell people the good news!

But how do we do it? I’ve got some “rules” to help us with evangelizing.

Rule 1: Share as you are, not as you aren’t. God created you. Your personality is not simply a result of social conditioning or environment. When you were in your mother’s womb, God created you. So, the personality you have is a direct result of divine intervention in the world – use that personality as your guide to how to evangelize. If you are a quiet, shy sort, then God is probably not calling you to stand on a chair and shout Scriptures at people as they walk by. If you are a person who loves humor

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and a large social circle, then God wants you to use that humor and those social skills.

Rule 2: Lack of knowledge is one of the most easily cured problems. With all the forms of communication available to us, we can find out almost anything we need in order to be knowledgeable. We can read, we can learn. Beyond that, there also are some amazing podcasts out there that you can listen to and learn much from. There are so many great choices! We can literally inundate ourselves with Catholic information and inspiration.

Rule 3: It’s the little things. For a lot of us, the problem can be that when we think “evangelize,” we think of extensive travel or loud preaching. Some people are called to missionary evangelization, but if you have a job and family, odds are that God is calling you to evangelize in your everyday life.

Start at home by treating your spouse with respect and honor.

Treat your kids like the treasures they are – show them the importance and value of faith.

At work, be on time, work hard, avoid gossip, be kind to the outcasts – all of these things

FAITH Magazine / June 2012 / www.FAITHmag.com

18 spiritual fitness

T. Gennara

Dear Fr. Joe:

are forms of evangelization.

Rule 4: It’s not for the perfect, it’s for the flawed.

Sometimes, I think we worry about the fact that we are sinners, but our evangelization is like sharing with others why we like our doctor. She helped heal us when we were sick. Our faith is the same: We know we are sinners and what we’ve found is that there simply is nothing better than Jesus to heal our wounds. We can evangelize more through our repentance than we can through our perfection. Admit when you are wrong. Ask forgiveness of those you have wounded, intentionally or unintentionally.

Rule 5: It can never be just you. You need accountability and community. God didn’t create us to be lone rangers (unless you are the Lone Ranger, in which case, I loved your show). God created us to work together in and through community. Pope John Paul II wrote about this in his encyclical about the New Evangelization, and Bishop Boyea wrote about it in his pastoral letter – check them out!

Rule 6: If we don’t base our evangelization on a solid prayer life, we will fail. The Holy Spirit can and will speak to us: If we haven’t practiced listening, how will we know? Our day should start with prayer and continue with prayer. We should allow God to move in and through us, guiding our words and actions.

Just a few moments in quiet to start our day will make a big difference.

This list is not meant to be

16 theology 101

Send your questions to: “In the Know with Fr. Joe” FAITH Magazine, 1500 E. Saginaw St., Lansing, MI 48906 Or: JoeInBlack@priest.com exhaustive, but to serve as a guide. I hope it helps you.

I want to offer a couple of points for those moments when our evangelization turns specific. What to do when someone explicitly asks us about our faith?

First, tell your story. Tell them why your Catholic faith is important to you. Don’t try to convert them to your ideology or political leanings – bring them to Jesus. He’ll take care of the rest.

Invite them to Mass with you.

Make it a package deal: “Hey, how about you and your family come to the 9 a.m. Mass with me this Sunday? You can come by afterward for a brunch.”

When you are asked a question and you don’t know the answer, don’t be ashamed or get frustrated. Simply say “Wow, I don’t know that one, either; I’ll be sure and check it out!” The fact that you are honest about what you know or don’t know can be a good message to the person you are evangelizing.

There’s a whole world of people who need Jesus. Get out there and tell them about him!

And enjoy another day in God’s presence.

best homily

FAITH Magazine asked Father Robert Schramm O.S.F.S., pastor of St. Mary Church, Adrian

I

If you could give only one more homily, what would you say to God’s people?

would like you to try a little exercise: Please point to yourself. Have you done it? If so, where is your finger pointing?

If you are like most people, you pointed to your chest, i.e. to your heart, rather than to your head or some other body part. Why?

St. Francis de Sales sees the heart as our hidden center, a center that is beyond the grasp of our reason and beyond the grasp of others. It is the seat of the mystery that is each one of us.

For this reason, we say that only the Spirit of God can fathom the depths of the human heart and know it fully.

At the same time, the heart is the place of the most intimate kind of communion: with God in prayer and with each other when we are “of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing,” as St. Paul tells us in his Letter to the Philippians. (2:2) And it is not enough to simply talk about being united in heart as a people, as a Church. We must give this communion concrete expression. This does not mean we are called to mere activity for activity’s sake. On the contrary, we are called to be engaged, to be deeply and emotionally connected to the mission of Christ and his

Church. This commitment expresses itself in genuine care for one another, in sincere and quick reconciliation with each other when communion is broken, in reaching out to people beyond the borders of our particular parish, and in demonstrating a deep concern for the earth on which we live. This must be our legacy.

Someone recently gave me a copy of the book, Amish Grace.

It recounts events of a few years ago when a lone gunman entered an Amish school and began killing the children inside. In a final act of desperation, he turned a gun on himself. What struck me most was the witness of the families who had just lost their precious little ones to such a brutal and senseless act of violence.

Instead of giving into anger and cries for vengeance, they immediately sought out the wife of the gunman to express their forgiveness of the killer and to offer her comfort.

Can you imagine the life-changing effect we could have on the world if our parishes were places of this kind of forgiveness and witness?

Let’s pattern our hearts then on the life of Love. Love, like our hearts, is hidden. It is ultimately a mystery since Love is God whom eye has not seen. At the same time, Love must be made visible in overflowing abundance. Love looks like something.

When our hearts are united with this Love, we too will bear fruit “a hundred or sixty- or thirtyfold.” (Mt 13:23)

Based on an interview by Douglas Culp | Photography by Don Quillan

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Contact: Father John Linden, Director of seminarians

|

517.342.2507

|

www.dioceseoflansing.org/vocations

Responding to the Church’s need for ministers grounded in theology and professionally prepared for ministry, Siena Heights University and the Diocese of Lansing have collaborated to offer the Program in Theological Studies. This is a certificate program consisting of 12 courses equaling 36 hours of undergraduate theology credit.

• Flexible scheduling designed to meet the needs of adult students • Tuition help may be available from your diocese or parish with recommendation • Visit these websites to learn more: sienaheights.edu/Locations/DioceseofLansing.aspx dioceseoflansing.org/layministry/index.html

Contact: Deborah Amato | Diocese of Lansing | Director, Office of Lay Ecclesial Ministry | 517.342.2512 | damato@dioceseoflansing.org

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morality everyday

When is it appropriate to insert a feeding tube?

I

n the field of medical ethics, there are few topics more controversial than the issue of food and fluids provided by tube-feeding Both the law and many health-care providers view tube-feeding as “medical treatment,” but this needs to be examined more carefully.

“Treatment” is defined as “the application of remedies to relieve or cure a disease or disorder.” By contrast, food and water, whether taken by mouth or a feeding tube, are examples of basic life necessities. Like other necessities, such as warmth and hygiene, they don’t relieve or cure any disease or disorder. Instead, they prevent problems, and their absence leads to death. From a practical standpoint, food and water should be considered ordinary care, not medical treatment.

In their most recent edition of the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, the USCCB reaffirmed its position that food and water are to be considered ordinary care, and not medical treatment: There should be a presumption in favor of providing nutrition and hydration to all patients, including patients who require medically assisted nutrition and hydration, as long

as this is of sufficient benefit to outweigh the burdens involved to the patient.

Really, isn’t this statement just common sense? Food taken through a tube is no more “medicine” than an aspirin taken orally is “food.” Furthermore, viewing food and water as medical treatment can play into the mentality that anyone receiving any care is a burden, whether to himself or to others. This is especially ironic when, as is often the case in long-term care facilities, people who can chew and swallow if spoon-fed are sometimes tube-fed because it is less time-consuming for the caregivers. After months of this, a person may lose the ability to chew and swallow. This, then, can present the opportunity (or excuse) to remove food and water from the patient because the means of delivery are “artificial” and therefore more readily seen as “medical treatment.”

Although food and fluids are rightly considered to be ordinary care, this is not to say that the non-use or removal of a feeding tube always is unethical. When a person’s body can no longer process or assimilate food and water, (i.e. when the food no longer provides nutrition and the water no longer provides hydration), then their removal is permissible.

In a future column, we’ll look at what imminent death means, and when it is appropriate to remove a feeding tube.

By Jason Negri

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theology 101

What did Jesus tell us about

God the Father?

What did Jesus teach us about the Father that represented a radical departure from the Old Testament understanding of God? Does this mean the God of the Old Testament is no longer present or relevant?

It would be misleading to think that Jesus is revealing a different God from the God of the Old Testament. A popular uninformed idea is that in the Old Testament we find a God of wrath and in the New Testament a God of mercy and love. On the contrary, a highly held belief of the O.T. is that the God of Israel is a God of mercy and compassion, slow to anger and rich in loving kindness. Hosea 11:1-9 illustrates this compassion in a poetic oracle that relates how, in spite of God’s fidelity, the people repeatedly fail to keep the covenant. Finally, and after much anguish, God decides that Israel must be destroyed. But the divine attachment to Israel is too strong. God agonizes: “How could I give you up, O Ephraim or deliver you up, O Israel?” In the end, God cannot destroy the people because that would mean ending the relationship with them. Such destruction would be a human tit-for-tat solution to the divine dilemma, but the text ends with the reminder that God is not like us, nor is divine justice like ours. People didn’t get this until God’s Son came and showed us what God is like. As Hebrews 1:1-2 puts it: “In times past [i.e., in the O.T.], God spoke in partial and various ways to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he spoke to us through a son …”

Both testaments reveal what God is like.

The N.T. writers build on the knowledge of their O.T. forebears and accordingly re-

SEMInARY pROFESSORS TALk ScRIpTURE Father Robert Schoenstene, S.S.L., is an assistant professor, Department of Biblical Exegesis and Proclamation, University of Saint Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.

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Elizabeth Nagel, S.S.D., is a professor in the Department of Biblical Exegesis and Proclamation, University of Saint Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.

Vatican II

Q:

Why did Vatican II undertake the reform and promotion of the liturgy?

A:

1. To impart an ever-increasing vigor to the Christian life of the faithful; 2. To adapt more closely to the needs of our age those institutions which are subject to change; 3. To foster whatever can promote union among all who believe in Christ; and 4. To strengthen whatever can help all mankind into the Church’s fold.

It was in light of these overall goals that the council undertook the reform and promotion of the liturgy. It is through the liturgy, especially in the divine sacrifice of the Eucharist, that the work of redemption is accomplished and the faithful “are enabled to express in their lives and manifest to others the mystery of Christ and the real nature of the true Church.”

The liturgy builds up those in the Church and increases their power to preach Christ and show forth the Church to those outside until there is “one fold and one shepherd.” In other words, it is through the liturgy that the four goals might most readily be achieved.

Q: A:

Who regulates the sacred liturgy?

Sacrosanctum Concilium clearly states that the regulation of the sacred liturgy “depends solely on

apply earlier traditions to God’s latest divine intervention, namely, the Incarnation.

An example of this practice would be the evangelist Matthew’s citation of O.T. texts to show that in Jesus the deepest human longings and divine promises are fulfilled.

Concerning the relevance of the God of the O.T., an often forgotten fact is that the Old Testament Scriptures are Christian Scriptures. This is one reason why, instead of composing a new book of prayers, the Church continues to pray the Old Testament Psalms, which were originally addressed to Yahweh. Even the command “Alleluia,” so often repeated during the Easter season when the Church commemorates the Paschal Mystery, is a transliteration of the Hebrew “Hallelu-Yah” which means “Praise Yah(weh)!” – Professor Nagel

CNS

The introduction to the major conciliar document The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (Sacrosanctum Concilium) articulates the Council’s four over-arching goals:

the authority of the Church, that is, on the Apostolic See, and, as laws may determine, on the bishop.” Consequently, “no other person, not even a priest, may add, remove or change anything in the liturgy on his own authority.”

Q:

What impact did Sacrosanctum Concilium have on the language of the Mass?

A:

While the document was clear that the use of the Latin language was to be preserved in the Latin rites, it encouraged a wider use of the vernacular “in readings, directives and in some prayers and chants.”

Over time, between the closing of the council in 1965 until roughly 1971, restrictions on the use of the vernacular were progressively lifted in the face of bishops’ requests from all over the world. By 1971, the use of the vernacular in the Mass was left entirely to the judgment of episcopal conferences.

Jesus’ teaching about the Father did not represent a radical departure from the Old Testament understanding of God so much as it represented a deepening of this understanding. In the New Testament, Jesus reveals to us God’s inner life as a community of persons in basic unity. While this relationship of Jesus to the Father and the Holy Spirit represented something new to those who heard the Gospel preached, this Trinitarian relationship was already there in the Yahweh of the Old Testament. Likewise, this new revelation of God to humanity does not wipe out our understanding of Yahweh. The New Testament continues the Old Testament, rather than displacing it. – Father Sheoenstene

Catechism quiz

Q:

The morality of human acts depends on the object chosen (what is actually done), the end for which the object is chosen (why something is done or the intention behind the act), and the circumstances surrounding the action (including the consequences). For an act to be morally good, which of these sources must also be good?

A:

All three must be morally good. For example, if an object is evil in and of itself, no good intention or circumstances can justify the act. (CCC 1755) Interview and sidebars by Doug Culp

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.Hope

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spiritual fitness

L

ast month I wrote about the gift of faith: faith to believe that Christ died for you. Yes, you. Christ died for each of us – not for billions, but for each one of us in particular. You and I have no power to save ourselves for eternal life.

Only God, in Christ, in his infinite mercy, can do that for us. When you decide to believe this truth and put your will behind it, then hope begins to spring up in your spirit and in your heart and mind. If God is who he says he is, if he has made a way for me to eventually dwell with him forever in eternal happiness, then my hope is based on a solid foundation.

So often when we use the word hope, it is really a substitute for wishful thinking. “I hope the weather will be good tomorrow”; “I hope so and so will come to my graduation party; “I hope I can overcome this illness”; “I hope I get this job.” We are wishing that good things will happen, but we cannot guarantee that they will – we don’t have the power to make it so.

But when we talk about Christian hope, it is something very different. Christian hope

stands on the promises of Jesus Christ, as stated for us in the Scriptures. He who is the source of all Truth will not lie to us. We call it hope because we have not seen the fulfillment of God’s promises. But it is not wishful thinking; it is fact: God became man, suffered and died for me that I might not die forever. The eternal penalty for my sins was cancelled by Christ’s death on the cross. As long as I personally repent, my sins will be forgiven.

Through baptism, I have

Read the Scripture passage below out loud. Paul’s senSpiritual tences are rather long. Don’t exercise for the be deterred. Reading them out month of June loud helps. I want you to apply these words to yourself.

Let the word of God, which is living and active, penetrate your fear, your doubt, your anger, even hopelessness. Ask for more faith; ask for the gift of hope and it will be given you.God’s word, God’s truth has power to change you if you let it.

“For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of

T. Gennara

How do we have hope?

been joined to God’s family. I am a son or daughter of the living God. That’s not just a pious saying; that is reality because of God’s love and mercy. I do not have to labor under hopelessness, discouragement, depression. I am genuinely a child of God; cared for by a Father who wants only the best for me.

He has given me his Spirit as the first pledge of my inheritance. Think of it, the Spirit who is the love between the Father and the Son, is given to weak, sinful me, to guide me into eternal union with the source of all love. The Spirit is the first pledge. Infinitely more will be mine when I receive the crown of life from him. This is truth – not fairy tales; not pious reflections, but truth. On what will you put your hope: the stock market, titles, positions, honors, bank accounts, friendships? God can and does allow us to have many gifts in this life, but that is not where the foundation of our faith and hope should reside. All the things we strive for will end; only God and his promises will prove true for all eternity. On what will you put your hope?

Scripture assures us: hope, based on Christ and his promises, will not disappoint. This is what God won for you in Christ. (See Romans 5:5) This is our hope.

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 complete teaching: A free booklet, “Captured by Mercy” is available by calling 1.800.282.4789.

A CD, “Captured by Mercy” is available for $10. Order by writing Renewal Ministries, Att: Jan Sauter, 230 Collingwood, Suite 240, Ann Arbor, MI 48103.

(Check payable to Renewal Ministries) “Welcome the Spiritual Gifts” by Peter Herbeck is a free booklet. Order by calling 1.800.282.4789.

wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power in us who believe ... And you he made alive, when you were dead through the trespasses and sins in which you once walked ...

Among these we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of body and mind, and we were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with him and made us sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 1:15-2:10)

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from the bishop

A year of faith, a year of prayer

“T

he door of faith (Acts 14:27) is always open for us.” That is how Pope Benedict announced a Year of Faith, slated to begin Oct. 11, 2012, and end Nov. 24, 2013. Isn’t it interesting to have a Year of Faith, something which all of us have from our baptism? Yet, perhaps this is a great time to understand faith more deeply, especially as we here in this Diocese of Lansing engage in a concurrent Year of Prayer (Aug. 3, 2012- Dec. 9, 2013) for the deepening of our discipleship and the evangelization of others to faith in Jesus Christ.

Carlson Productions

Now faith is two things: It is a relationship with God (trust in God and abandonment to God’s will) and it is accepting the truth about God (belief in the truths God has revealed). Thus, we often hear the first one described in the form of the question, “Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus?” The second aspect of faith is often described in the form of the question, “Do you believe all that is contained in the Creed and in the Catechism?” Both of these questions must be answered positively if we are to say that faith is alive

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

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and active in our lives.

A relationship with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit means that we are deeply committed to growing in holiness, growing in the love which the Trinity – the three Divine Persons – have for each other, and which they share with us in baptism and the other sacraments. Jesus wants us to be his friends. Of course, in the face of the holiness of God, this means that we daily seek to convert from our sinful ways so as to be the best friends possible. As Pope Benedict notes, it is love of God and neighbor which moves us to that conversion from our normal selfish ways. That trust in the ways of God, in God’s love, means that we abandon our ways and seek only the will of God for us. St. Paul wrote to the Romans: “Man believes with his heart and so is justified, and he confesses with his lips and so is saved.” (Romans 10:10) Therefore, trust, which is the work of the heart, is necessary for us to say that we have faith.

However, the second part of

FAITH Magazine / June 2012 / www.FAITHmag.com

Aug. 2012 - Dec. 2013

that quotation also is needed: We are to profess our faith fully with our lips and our minds. Every Sunday, we proclaim the Creed, which is a very brief summary of the core elements of our faith. As Pope Benedict reminds us, “Confessing with the lips indicates in turn that faith implies public testimony and commitment.” This is a public behavior, not a private one. And to agree to something means we need to understand it (as best we can) and accept it.

Pope Benedict highly recommends that everyone make use of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which is an excellent summary of the contents of our faith, faith that grows out of the Scriptures and is deepened in the history of the Church, especially at the Second Vatican Council.

I encourage you to develop some study groups with your

neighbors or friends to review the Catechism or some shorter version of it. As you know more about God, about the Church, about the contents of our faith, you will find yourself falling more in love with the very God who has revealed all this to us.

The Sunday after Easter, we heard the reading from chapter five of St. John’s First Letter, which brings both aspects of faith – as trust and as belief – to the fore. Part of his conclusion is in these very fitting words: “And the victory that conquers the world is our faith. Who indeed is the victor over the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” Sisters and brothers, we are all invited to be such victors.

Holy Spirit will grant wisdom and courage to those engaged in this important struggle.

yourstories Bob Barrett, man of action

J

unipero Serra was a Franciscan priest who founded California’s first mission in 1769 – establishing missions and ensuring that laws were enacted to protect California’s native population from injustice. Serra was a man of action.

The Serra Club, named for the Blessed Junipero Serra, was established in 1935 in Seattle by a group of businessmen to promote more vocations to the priesthood, says Michigan Serra Club governor, Bob Barrett. Since then, Serra has established an international presence with 600 clubs worldwide – 300 in the United States. “We want to start a vocation committee at every parish,” Bob says. “We ask parishioners to attend an extra Mass a month for vocations.”

In addition, the Serra Club sponsors a program called the Traveling Chalice, where families sign out an unused chalice for a week and pray for vocations. The group also works to connect graduating high school seniors with the Newman Center at the college or university where they plan to attend.

The Serra Club wants to expand in Michigan – contact bobb@rcwa.net or visit www.serraus.org/.

I NS

:

I DE

When their daughter died 22 at 15 Mike and Cindy kept the faith

How the Holy Spirit 26 changed David’s life – The Catholic Charismatic Renewal

By Eileen Gianiaodis | Photography by Tom Gennara

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c o v e r

s t o r y

By Bob Horning Photography by Jim Luning

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M

Cindy irwin have spent most of their adult life caring for people, both professionally and personally – from their daughter with leukemia to their parents to strangers. ike and

Cindy has been a clinical nurse specialist at the University of Michigan Hospital, and became the first patient service manager in the state for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. She now works at Hope Clinic in Ypsilanti.

Mike is a field agent with the Knights of Columbus insurance program. He is “passionate about it and the way widows and orphans are taken care of, and about the Knights in general.” To him, his job is a vocation.

In 1983, their daughter, Krystie, was born. When she was diagnosed with leukemia at age 3, it was the beginning of a new level of

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care-giving, which would continue for decades.

Mike and Cindy decided right away that they would make life as normal as possible for Krystie. “We treated her and disciplined her as we would any child, so that she knew she had control in her life,” Mike says, “and because our prayer was that she would get well.”

When they took her for chemotherapy, or one of her more than 65 spinal taps, her parents would tell her to thank the doctor because even though the treatment was painful, he was trying to help, not hurt, her.

Like her parents, Krystie took her Catholicism seriously. She always had a rosary with her and prayed for sick people and animals.

When she was 11 and in the hospital on Ash Wednesday, she requested a tuna salad for lunch. When a chicken salad came instead, she dialed the head dietitian. She told her it was Ash Wednesday and she wouldn’t eat chicken. Within a half hour, she had the tuna.

From the time Krystie was 6 months old until she had a relapse at age 6, the Irwins were adult advisors to the youth group at their parish, St. Francis of Assisi in Ann Arbor. It was a social group, though definitely with spiritual foundations.

“The teens got along well because respecting one another was one of the rules, and, over time, it became a family,” Mike says. “For example, one year, a football player in the group had a championship game the night of the meeting. After winning, he came to be with us, instead of going to any of the many parties he could have to celebrate. When the kids asked him why, he said, ‘Because you are my real friends.’”

“God was there through it all,” Cindy says. “I was never alone. I didn’t regard it as my faith being tested; rather, my faith was my strength. Without it and a faith community, I wouldn’t have made it.”

It wasn’t just the Irwins serving the group, though. The youth made it a two-way street. They were thankful for the Irwins and aware of what they were going through, and that their income was limited due to providing care for Krystie. Mike and Cindy were spending thousands of dollars on medications, and were stressed about house and utility payments. The teens decided to hold a bake sale and to charge what the grocery stores would, instead of just a quarter or so. In one weekend, they raised $1,000 for the Irwin family.

During this time, Mike and Cindy’s aging parents moved in with them, although not all at once. Cindy’s father was on dialysis; Mike’s mother developed Alzheimer’s. In one stretch, between caring for them and Krystie, they spent 17 of 22 weekends in the emergency room. Over a span of 30 years, they always had at least one person in their home requiring constant care. party. “For those who die, there won’t be sorrow or illness or sufferWhen at one point they had gone for a month without a paying,” she says. “You’re upstairs with the Big Guy. It’s not the one who check, Cindy prayed for help during Mass. When they got home, dies that’s sad; it’s those left behind.” there was an anonymous certified check in the mail for $1,000 from Krystie died when she was 15. “someone you helped when they needed it.” It paid the bills, with “It’s unnatural for a child to die before her parents,” Cindy said. some left over.

“You prepare for it, but you aren’t prepared. You miss them. There’s Occasionally, in the midst of the constant care-giving and stress, nothing like losing a child.”

Cindy would tell God, “I know there is a purpose for all of this, but When she was buried, 100 cars were in the procession from St. I don’t know what it is right now. I need a break.” And God would Francis church to the cemetery. arrange things so that she had a break.

Mike has a quick response whenever he is asked to name the per“Krystie got tired sometimes, too, and frustrated,” Mike says. “She son he most admires: “Krystie. She went through pain and suffering let God know, especially the day she heard that the doctors were that wasn’t her fault, and did it with a good attitude.” running out of options. But she chose to live life and not feel sorry “God was there through it all,” Cindy says. “I was never alone. I for herself. She would say to us, ‘I know why I got cancer; I was put didn’t regard it as my faith being tested; rather, my here to help people.’ faith was my strength. Without it and a faith com“She had lots of friends – she went to parties munity, I wouldn’t have made it.” and dances. She even sold 400 boxes of Girl Scout Mike and Cindy continued to care for people cookies one year. She only missed Mass a few times after Krystie died because “there are people who when she was too sick. It was inspiring and gave us nobody wants to care for.” About a year after her strength to see her walking down the aisle at Mass death, in response to a request at Mass, the Irwins when she was hurting.” took a pregnant 14-year-old into their home for When she was 14, the doctors told her they Get the free mobile app at four months until the baby could be adopted. would have to remove three ribs, parts of her lung http://gettag.mobi Another time, a teen boy from an abusive famand the covering of her heart in order to save her ily situation stayed with them for a month. Cindy life. It turned into a 12-hour surgery, and five ribs For more information says, “It’s not like we go looking for people to help, were removed. When the doctor told her afterabout youth ministry but if someone asks us, we say ‘yes.’” wards about the two extra ribs, she was upset. A in the Diocese of Having gone through what they have, both say minute later, though, she kissed the doctor’s hand.

Lansing, visit www. they would do it again: “We had Krystie for 15 She remembered he was just trying to help. dioceseoflansing. years. We enabled our parents to have good care.

The surgery was successful in that it kept Krystie org or contact Pat And people have told us that our faith example has alive, but she began talking more about death and Rinker, prinker@ touched them in many ways.” her funeral, and that she didn’t want it to be a pity dioceseoflansing.org.

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my story

How the Holy Spirit changed David’s life The Catholic Charismatic Renewal

T

he Catholic Charismatic Renewal, which has influenced more than 120 million people worldwide, is often seen as beginning during a student retreat at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh in 1967.

David Mangan, now a parishioner at Christ the King in Ann Arbor, was there, and says that God changed his career and personal life as a result.

The “Duquesne Weekend” was Feb. 17-19. “We were asked to read the first four chapters of the Book of Acts and

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them at Pentecost, and that similar things David Wilkerson’s book, The Cross and were happening today. I asked the Switchblade, in preparation, myself where the power was since the subject of the in my life. After all, I had retreat would be the Holy The All Michigan Catholic been baptized and Spirit,” David says.

Charismatic confirmed and was “What struck me in Conference a good Catholic reading Wilkerson’s boy. I wrote in my book was that The All Michigan Catholic Charismatic Conhe believed God ference is July 27-29 at Holy Redeemer Church notebook, ‘I want in Burton. Speakers are Bishop Earl Boyea, to hear somespoke to him, and Father Mark Rutherford, Father Steve Anderson, one speaking in that if he obeyed, Father Peter Clark, Father John Ederer, Paco tongues – me.’” good things would Gavrilides, Mike Wicksall and Dan Lower.

David’s happen. I wanted prayer was about that in my life.

For more information and how to sign up, go to www.allmichigancatholicto be answered. “As “The message of charismaticconference.org.

I entered the chapel, the first two talks that I sensed the presence of weekend to the 30 of us the Lord so powerfully that I was that the disciples received ended up prostrate before the tabernacle. power when the Holy Spirit came upon

I entered into a depth of worship I had never known before. After a while, I left, a bit wobbly-legged. Right away, I had doubts about what had happened to me. I returned to the chapel to make sure, and the same thing occurred.”

Unsure of the validity of his experience, David told some of the leaders of the retreat and was assured that it was scriptural, even the speaking in tongues.

Much of the rest of the weekend he said was spent in a quiet and reflective, yet intense, experience of the Lord. “I was joyful, lost in Christ. I felt like I was being washed clean.”

At the close of the retreat, David found out that about half of the retreatants had an experience similar to his, now called the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

A result of the weekend was that prayer meetings began on campus and nearby and the news of people being baptized in the Holy Spirit spread to the University of Notre Dame, to East Lansing, then Ann Arbor and other campuses. The charismatic renewal was quickly spreading among Catholics.

David’s life was about to change further.

He had always told friends that he would never teach, especially high school.

His first job was as a mathematician at Westinghouse Atomic Power. Then he began feeling that God wanted him to be a teacher and to work with youth. “My immediate reaction was fear,” says David, “because that wasn’t my plan; but even

more, excitement, because I knew God was in it.”

After teaching in Catholic high schools in Pittsburgh, he moved in 1977 to Ann Arbor with his family to join an ecumenical charismatic community and to teach math and theology at Father Gabriel Richard High School. Between stints at Gabriel Richard, he was at Huron Valley School for 11 years and was its first principal.

After 44 years in education, David says that there aren’t many more important things he could have done than to help

History of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Pope John XXIII opened the Second Vatican Council in 1962, asking Catholics to pray for its success with the prayer, “May there be a new Pentecost in our day.”

Many saw the outbreak of the charismatic renewal among Catholics at Duquesne University in 1967 as an answer to that prayer. The renewal quickly spread to other campuses around the

bring the next generation to Christ. “I see lives being changed all the time as the result of a new or deeper relationship with the Lord. That’s the most exciting part.”

Much of that is through the student group he started at Gabriel Richard, “Faith in Action,” where, he says, students grow in their faith in the power of the Holy Spirit.

The other big change for David was in his family life. “The renewal drew me even more deeply into the Church,” he said. “I feel God wants me to be an example of what a Catholic layman should be and can do. For instance, my marriage with Barbara and everything in our life always has been centered around Christ.

We prayed with our five children at an early age to be baptized in the Holy Spirit, and, now as adults, they all are faithful Catholics and engaged in the Church.”

Based on his experience in the charismatic renewal, David wrote a book, God Loves You and There’s Nothing You Can Do About It. One chapter treats more fully the Duquesne weekend, and there are chapters on walking in the power of the Spirit, hearing the Lord and receiving spiritual gifts.

David sees the baptism in the Holy Spirit as a stirring up of the Spirit, which is given to Catholics in baptism and confirmation. “It’s not just for spiritual giants,” he said. “It’s for everyone. You can get to heaven without it, but why would you want to? Why not receive all that God has for you?”

country. Charismatic covenant communities in cities such as East Lansing, Ann Arbor, and South Bend, Ind., became important centers of support as the renewal spread.

National conferences, drawing 30,000 people, were held at Notre Dame University for many years, and prayer groups sprang up all over the United States and in many other parts of the world.

Cardinal Suenens, archbishop of MalinesBrussels, personally encountered the Char-

ismatic Renewal during a visit to the United States. His enthusiasm for the movement led him to explain it to the pope and the curia in Rome.

Pope Paul VI invited the Renewal to hold its world congress in Rome during the Holy Year, 1975, and he endorsed it in St. Peter’s Basilica on Pentecost Sunday.

It has since influenced more than 120 million Catholics around the world and received encouragement from popes and many national bishops’ conferences.

By Bob Horning | Photography by Tom Gennara

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yourcommun things to do

things to do June 1, 5:30 p.m., St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School’s Ice Cream Social and Car Raffle at 2270 E. Stadium Blvd., Ann Arbor. The ice cream social will be followed by the car raffle drawing at 8 p.m. Festivities will take place rain or shine. For information, call 734.821.2200.

June 1, 6 p.m.-8 p.m. and June 2, 10 a.m.-11 p.m., St. Patrick Shamrock Festival, 711 Rickett Rd., Brighton, with a 5K Run at 8 a.m. and a Spaghetti Dinner at 5 p.m. on June 2. For more information or to register for the 5K, call the parish office at 810.229.9863.

June 1-2, 5 p.m.-11:30 p.m., Sacred Heart Parish, Hudson’s 153rd anniversary Spring N-2 Summer Festival, Dinner Friday, Swiss Steak, and Saturday, BBQ chicken; kid games, concessions, bingo, Las Vegas party, cash raffle and more. For information, contact the parish at 517.448.3811.

June 13-14, 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m., and June 15, 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m., St. Francis of Assisi parish rummage sale in school

gymnasium, 2250 E. Stadium, Ann Arbor. For more information, call 734.769.2550 or www. stfrancisa2.com.

June 15, 4 p.m.-9 p.m., Church of the Resurrection in Lansing is marking its 90th anniversary with a Founder’s Day Feast and Festivities in the parish hall.

Pastors Msgr. Gabriels, Father Martin, Father Koenigsknecht and Father Fain will be honored. Also a bake sale, silent auction, food and family activities.

June 13, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., June 14, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and June 15, 9 a.m.-noon, St. Joseph Shrine Altar Society will have a rummage sale at the church. For information, contact the parish at 517.467.2183.

St. Francis of Assisi in Ann Arbor is hosting the annual meeting of Religious Action for Affordable Housing at its parish activities center, 2250 E. Stadium Blvd. June 21, 6:30 p.m., refreshments, 7 p.m.-8 p.m., program. Come and learn what local religious congregations are doing to address the need for affordable housing in Washtenaw.

June 22-24, Retrouvaille Spanish retreat weekend – a lifeline for troubled marriages – at St. Francis Retreat Center, Bethany House in DeWitt. For information or to register, call 800.470.2230 or www.retrouvaille.org/dates.

php?community=13053.

June 23, Knights of Columbus Council #8605, Fowlerville will have its annual charity golf outing at Wheatfield Valley Golf Course in Williamston. Cost is $65 per golfer.

Payment is due by June 15. If you have questions or wish to register, call Rod 517.548.4659 or Bob 517.521.3753.

Vacation Bible School June 25-29, 9:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m., St. Robert, Flushing will have Vacation Bible School, “Sky – Everything is possible with God,” in the parish activity center. Children ages 4 through sixth-grade are welcome. For more information, contact the parish office at 810.659.2501.

June 25-29, 9 a.m.-noon, St. Agnes Church, Fowlerville will have Vacation Bible School. For more information, call 517.223.8684.

July 9-13, 9 a.m.-noon, St. Patrick, Ann Arbor will host its annual Vacation Bible School. Tuition is $25 for one child and a family discount is $15 per child. To register, contact the parish office at 734.662.8141 July 23-27, St. Francis of Assisi, Ann Arbor will have Vacation Bible School. To register, visit www.stfrancisa2.com at sign up forms link or 734.821.2130.

Summer Scripture Days 2012 – Looking to better understand the Book of Revelation? Join us at Summer Scripture Days as Bishop Earl Boyea conducts our study of the apocalyptic literature. Empower your knowledge by attending Aug. 14-16 at St. Francis Retreat Center in DeWitt. Registration is required before July 27. Brochures are available in the church gathering space or contact Diane at 517.342.2465 or darzberger@dioceseoflansing.org

Catholic Charities St. Vincent Catholic Charities, 2800 W. Willow St., Lansing, 517.323.4734 or www.stvcc.org June 9, noon-6 p.m., St. Vincent Catholic Charities and other organizations will host the 5th annual joint celebrations of World Refugee Day and the Hunter Park Music Fest at Hunter Park, 1400 E. Kalamazoo St., Lansing. Come enjoy music, dance, art, food, family activities and more from around the globe, including a free music concert. For information, call 517.323.3734 ext. 1424 or visit www.allenneighborhoodcenter.org.

Catholic Social Services, 4925 Packard Rd., Ann Arbor, 734.971.9781 or ww.csswashtenaw.org, We C.A.R.E. diocesan communication and relationship enhance-

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For more information, visit www.

RAAH.org.

FAITH Magazine / June 2012 / www.FAITHmag.com

ment program for couples getting married: June. 8-9, St. Andrew the Apostle, 910 Austin Dr., Saline. Cost $95, early registration required; call 734.971.9781 ext. 421 or www.csswashtenaw.org.

Livingston County Catholic Charities, 2020 E. Grand River Ave., Suite 104, Howell, 517.545.5944 or www.livingstoncatholiccharities.org/.

We C.A.R.E. diocesan communication and relationship enhancement program for couples getting married: Jun. 21-22 or Aug. 3-4 at Catholic Charities office in Howell.

June 9, 7:30 a.m. registration, start time 8:30 a.m., 9th annual Run Against Drugs – Livingston County Community Alliances – First United Methodist Church, 1230 Bower St., Howell, rain or shine. Register online at www.runningfoundtion.com/RunAgainst?Drugs.html. Applications must be received by June 5

nity Lansing Catholic singles summer events Lansing Catholic Singles invites all mid-life singles in their mid 30s to 60s to: June 1 – Happy Hour at Barley’s American Grill in Lansing, starts at 5 p.m.

June 30 – Retro cruise and dinner aboard the Michigan Princess Riverboat on the Grand River in Lansing. Dinner from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., cruise and dancing from 8 p.m.-10 p.m. Cost is $18 for cruise only or $38 for dinner and cruise. Cash bar on board. Must RSVP and receive payment by June 22.

Lansing Catholic Singles also is hosting a statewide picnic for Catholic singles from noon to 5 p.m. July 14 at Burchfield Park’s North Bluff shelter in Holt, just south of Lansing, rain or shine. Bring your own beverage and a dish to pass; meat and buns provided. Cost is $7 plus park admittance. For information, phone 517.321.7886, email LansingCatholic Singles@live.com, or visit www.lansingcatholicsingles. com.

Thank you for 40 years of dedication to St. Robert School Miss Sharon Albertson has made her entire career at St. Robert School in Flushing.

She has taught first, second and third grade.

She has been a parish religion teacher, cross-country coach and choir director at St. Robert, as well.

In April, as part of the Earth Week celebrations at St. Robert School, the students surprised Miss Albertson by planting a flowering pear tree outside her classroom in her honor.

Every grade brought a perennial plant to put around the tree, and her current second grade class sang her favorite song, An Irish Blessing.

St. Gerard School student’s essay places fourth in the state Nate Brickner, an 8th grade student from St. Gerard School in Lansing, has been named one of the top ten finalists of the America and Me Essay Contest, sponsored by Farm Bureau Insurance. His essay placed fourth in the state.

The top 10 winners competed against more than 5,000 students from 400 Michigan junior high and middle schools.

Anti-Bullying Week at Queen of the Miraculous Medal Elementary School Denise Weber is a therapist at Catholic Charities of Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale counties and spends two days a week as a school social worker. Denise was approached by Queen of the Miraculous Medal’s principal, Liz Hartley, about the possibility of doing anti-bullying presentations in the classrooms. Denise came back with “Why not dedicate an entire week?” They decided to go for it.

When Denise contacted the Jackson Police Department, she found the help she was looking for. She discovered that the JPD did not have a program in place, but they were aware of a program offered through the Michigan State Police. Jackson Police Department Lieutenant Elmer Hitt contacted his friend, Trooper Dan Bowman with the Michigan State Police. Together, they worked out a partnership in which the JPD would assist the Michigan State Police and they offered their program free of charge. With the help of the school’s Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), the Anti-Bullying Week took place March 26-29.

The week included assemblies, poster contests and presentations in all 14 classrooms by Officers Elmer Hitt and Dan Bowman.

March 6-14, 2013, Lenten/Spring Pilgrimage to the Holy Land in the Year of Faith with Father Andrew Czajkowski of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Davison. Cost includes round-trip air, hotel, bus, guide, nine days and 14 meals. Cost per person: $3,349 (Double) before Sept. 6, 2012. For information, contact the parish at 810.653.2377. A brochure is available on the parish website www.stjohndavison.org.

At our retreat centers: Weber Center, 1257 E. Siena Heights Dr., Adrian, 517.266.4000 or www. weber.adriandominicans.org July 6-7, Dimensions of Earth-Keeping: Biblical, Legal and Practical; July 13-18, Contemplata Aliis Tradere Retreat; July 16-20, Private Directed Retreat will provide time and space for solitude, personal prayer and daily meeting with a spiritual director. Cost is $375, which includes

room, meals and daily spiritual direction.

St. Francis Retreat Center, 703 E. Main St., DeWitt, 866.669.8321 or www. stfrancis.ws June 28, 5 p.m.-8 p.m., Tea in the Gardens. Includes a walk in the gardens with a reception and slide show afterward.

Book signing by Margaret Realy, advanced master gardener and author preceding the event at the St. Francis Book Store. Tickets are $10 and available online at www.stfrancis.ws or the book store.

July 16-22, Directed Retreat: A time to renew and restore yourself and your relationship with God. July 27-29, Looking to grow in faith, meet new friends and feel you belong? Attend REFLECT Catholic Singles Retreat for those in their mid-30s to 50s at St. Francis Retreat Center in DeWitt. Cost is $133 for double room and $158 for single room – includes meals, lodging and materials.

To register, call 989.450.0993 or email reflect.michigan@gmail.com for more information.

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local news Catholic radio station has a new name Jackson Lansing Catholic Radio has taken on a new identity as Good Shepherd Catholic Radio. An agreement to purchase a local FM station has been submitted to the Federal Communications Commission. It has been established as a lay Catholic education apostolate to communicate Christian truth as expressed in sacred Scripture, sacred tradition and the Magisterium of the Catholic Church via radio.www.jlcr.net or www.gscr.org.

St. Francis of Assisi School to celebrate its 60th anniversary St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School will celebrate its 60th anniversary with a celebration Oct. 6, beginning with a 5 p.m. liturgy with Bishop Earl Boyea presiding. Afterward, a Re-Connection Party will take place in the school and parish activity center located at 2270 E. Stadium Blvd. in Ann Arbor.

To join the alumni directory, visit https://stfrancisa2.wufoo.com/ forms/welcome-alumni/. For more information, call the Development Office at 734.821.2208.

St. Louis Center residents hosted by Detroit Pistons Thanks to a new initiative from the Detroit Pistons organization and Pistons owner Tom Gores, the residents of St. Louis Center in Chelsea attended a Detroit Pistons basketball game at the Palace of Auburn Hills in March.

Catholic Social Services receives $400,000 grant Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County has been awarded a $400,000 Social Innovation Fund sub-grant from the Corporation for Supportive Housing to participate in a national demonstration project providing supportive housing and coordinated health care to homeless adults.

St. Mary teacher retires after 27 years Margaret Torongo, kindergarten teacher at St. Mary Catholic School in Pinckney, will be retiring at the end of the school year.

After the school year, she will have more time to pursue her genealogy hobby and enjoy the company of her husband, Tom, and their nine grandchildren. Margaret plans to take them on some of the same field trips she’s taken her kindergarten classes.

St. John School Educational Foundation awards four grants

St. Joseph Academy celebrates reading St. Joseph Academy in Adrian congratulated its elementary students for their March reading month accomplishments. Firstand second-graders read for a total of 9,121 minutes and third- and fourth-graders read for a total of 12,332 minutes.

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St. John School Educational Foundation presented St. John the Evangelist School in Davison with four grants in April.

These grants included funds for a kiln for the Arts Department, equipment for the athletics program, software and equipment for technology and scholarship awards.

If you are interested in contributing to the St. John School Educational Foundation, please contact Sylvia Randazzo at 810.629.6551 or foundation@stjohnfenton.com.

For more local news, visit www.FAITHmag.com

Faith is reasonable

last word

T

here are those who think faith is nothing more than blind acceptance, something that is unreasonable. I don’t. I think faith is something that is reasonable, because there is evidence that an answer will eventually come. Faith and mystery go together. After all, when you are dealing with a mystery, you are dealing with clues. It’s just that all of the clues do not yet add up to certainty. Faith and certainty cannot coexist in the same mind at the same time.

Faith and love are journeys into mystery.

Take love, for instance. When you love people, you believe in them. You believe in them even though there’s a certain amount of uncertainty involved. You can’t tell someone you love him unless you believe in him, and you can’t believe in someone, really believe in him, unless you love him.

Both faith and love are choices. Both are acts of the mind. They are not simply feelings, they are choices. Affection is a feeling, an emotion. One chooses to love, just as one chooses to believe – even though there

is a certain amount of mystery involved, even though there is yet more to discover and know.

How can our Creator become one of his creatures? That is a great mystery. Why does God love me? That, too, is a great mystery. But the evidence is that God has become human, and, moreover, the evidence

is that God loves me. All of our encounters with God are mysteries. We can ask “Why?” and we can ask “How?” but, in the end, the union between us is found in love and that union is the result of love – God loves me, and I love God. That is the core of all spirituality; God offers himself to us and we respond – the offer and the response being bonded together in love.

The great saints were all great lovers.

Their faith was great and their resulting love was greater still. It is love that gives us the assurance of our faith. In love we see what we could not see before.

Blaise Paschal famously declared: “The heart has its reasons the mind knows not of.”

Journey into the mystery – have faith in the love of God!

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

Victim assistance coordinator If you have been abused or victimized by someone representing the Catholic Church, please believe in the possibility for hope, 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. Her telephone number is 1.888.3086252; and her email is arowlandvac@dioceseoflansing.org.

The Diocese of Lansing celebrates its 75th anniversary this year Can you identify this parish?

CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF LANSING

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, 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.

La coordinadora de asistencia a las víctimas en tu (arqui) diócesis/ eparquía es Adrienne Rowland, LMSW,ACSW, 1.888.308.6252 or arowlandvac@dioceseoflansing.org

If you recognize this parish, drop us a line on our Facebook page. Answer next month!

Last month’s answer: St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Ann Arbor.

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notes:

:)A-ve th-e ~A-te!

Saturday, October 27, 2012 The Catholic Diocese of l ansing Presents:

Wt ~Cit( f~is frt~surt The First Annual Women's Catholic Conference 8:00

am to 4:00 pm

Best Western Plus in Lansing, Ml

www. La nsi ngD i oceseCWC.org

Follow FAITH Magazine online: p l e a s e

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CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF LANSING