June 2013

work life:

One team member’s sloppy work is making us ALL look bad special report:

Blessed John XXIII

The pope who called the Second Vatican Council theology 101:

Liturgy: Our grateful response to God’s great gift

How Amy forgave her husband’s killer

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contents 6 yourlife The Magazine of the Catholic Diocese of Lansing

Most Reverend Earl Boyea PUBLISHER

Rev. Dwight Ezop

EDITOR AND CHAIRMAN

June 2013 • Volume 14: 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

Michelle Hildebrandt WEBMASTER

Jillane Job

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

6 work life One team member’s sloppy work is making us ALL look bad 8 parenting journey To be confirmed? Who makes the decision?

8 conflict resolution How can we “spilt the check” so everything is fair?

9 marriage matters She says: “Our house is full of his junk!” She says: “I’m a collector, not a hoarder.” What do they do?

10 culture Selfish or shellfish?

12 yourfaith

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Derek Melot

PROOFREADING

Carlson Productions | Tom Gennara | James Luning (cover) | Michael Schimpf | 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. ©2013 FAITH Catholic.

FAITH is a trademark of FAITH Catholic.

Most Rev. Carl F. Mengeling FOUNDING PUBLISHER

Rev. Charles Irvin FOUNDING EDITOR

For advertising information: Call 517.853.7600

Correction In the May issue, we erroneously identified the author of Parenting tips from a priest and his wife and What can you do about bullies? as Doug Culp. The authors are Bob Horning and Dr. Cathleen McGreal, respectively.

FAITH regrets the error.

15 in the know with Father Joe What is the purpose of godparents?

16 spiritual fitness Prayers of perseverance and partnership – The Novena 18 theology 101 Liturgy: Our grateful response to God’s great gift

table of contents

20

24

20 yourstories 20 cover story “The knock on the door every police family dreads.” How Amy forgave her husband’s killer 24 my story How Dan’s faith journey led him to the Catholic Church 26 ordination 2013 Deacon ordination

13

Blessed John XXIII The pope who called the Second Vatican Council

26

Deacon ordinations

Liturgical Calendar: St. Justin, martyr June 1 | Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ June 2 | St. Charles Lwanga and Companions, martyrs June 3 | St. Boniface, bishop and martyr June 5

3

A summer of changes

from the editor

U

sually, the summer months have a different feel than the months of the school year. They can be more relaxed, ruled by a slower pace and filled with more opportunities for rest and relaxation. There might be a chance for some travel, spending time with family and friends we don’t see more often during other times of the year.

T. Gennara

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

This summer is going to be a bit different for me, as I move from serving as pastor of St. Jude in DeWitt to my new assignment as pastor of St. John the Evangelist parish in Fenton. I have already spent a fair amount of time sorting through my things to figure out what I will take with me, what will be donated to charity and what can be recycled. Soon, boxes will need to be packed, loaded and unloaded, and things put in place in a new location.

Then the real work will begin.

I will need to learn new names and faces, adjust to different schedules, and absorb a new parish history. I will need time to just listen and learn.

Somewhere in the middle of all this change, I will also need to make sure that I hold

saint of the month

Act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God

St. Germaine Cousin

Feast Day: June 15

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FAITH Magazine / June 2013 / www.FAITHpub.com

on to the patterns that help to anchor my daily life: prayer, time for quiet reflection, making more time to focus on my Sunday and daily preaching.

I will likely have to bring back a pattern I used early in my priestly life, making “appointments” with God and these other core responsibilities on my daily calendar for a while until I am able to establish new patterns and habits of prayer and reflection rooted in both a new place and new schedule. Although it might sound a little silly to make “appointments with God,” this process worked for me when I was first ordained and I am hoping it will work well for me in my new parish home.

Even though the summer can be a time of rest and relaxation, it is also a time of year that poses many challenges because our summer schedules can be so different from those that we keep during other times of the year.

With a slate of different activities planned for kids, the challenges of travels to see family and friends, and the more relaxed pace of the summer, I think it will be important for all of us to work at making

St. Germaine Cousin (1579-1601) is the patron for victims of child abuse and with good reason.

Weak and ill from birth with a deformed and paralyzed hand, St. Germaine lost her mother early. And like a Disney movie, she found herself with a cruel and abusive stepmother.

St. Germaine suffered from

those appointments with God. Sunday Mass and daily prayer are hallmarks of our Christian living. New or changed schedules may require us to re-establish or modify these God-centered habits so that we don’t lose them.

Travel to an unfamiliar destination can pose a particular challenge when it comes to attending Mass on Saturday evening or Sunday. Masstimes. org is a great response to this challenge. This easy-to-use website allows anyone to find Mass times at a nearby Catholic church simply by plugging in an address or ZIP code.

I’m looking forward to this summer and the opportunities that will be part of moving to a different parish. As I make this transition, I plan to make some extra time to spend with God. Mixed in with time for family, travel, ongoing formation, retreat and relaxation, I hope that the extra time will be an opportunity for God to go to work on me, so that God might continue to work through me. I pray that this summer provides those same opportunities for all of us.

And so our journey in FAITH continues.

malnutrition and from burns from her stepmother pouring boiling water on her legs. Predictably, as her health began to fail, she contracted a form of tuberculosis that exacerbated her frailty and increased her susceptibility to illness and disease.

The abuse culminated with St. Germaine’s banishment to the barn out of

St. Norbert, bishop June 6 | Most Sacred Heart of Jesus June 7 | Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary June 8

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.

When the words of the liturgy changed – in the 1960s

T

he Vatican II document, Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy: Sacrosanctum Consilium, specified some changes to the Mass that necessitated preparation in the dioceses. The Diocese of Lansing met that need by creating the Liturgical Commission in 1964. To keep the priests informed of the changes, demonstrations of Mass facing the people were held in regional locations in early 1965.

A “Liturgy and Architecture” Study Day was sponsored by the Commission, and architects from around the diocese were invited to attend. The keynote speaker, New York architect Robert Rambusch, was later chosen

by Bishop Zaleski to direct the renovation of St. Mary Cathedral.

In 1966, Bishop Zaleski continued to implement liturgical changes by granting permission for the reception of Holy Communion under both species on special occasions.

Father (later Bishop) James Sullivan took charge of the Liturgical

fear that she would pass her sickness to her stepbrothers.

Despite this abuse, however, St. Germaine remained steadfast in her dependence on God. With only a basic knowledge of the faith learned from the catechism, she made a rosary of knots and prayed simply: “Dear God, please don’t let me be too hungry or too thirsty. Help me to please my mother. And help me to please you.”

As she grew in holiness and trust in God, she also grew in mercifulness.

She was known for sharing her scraps

Commission in 1966 and, in 1967, it began to publish commentaries on the readings and intercessions for weekday Mass. FAITH Catholic continues that work today.

The Liturgical Commission met monthly and initiated multiple projects, including Survey of Liturgical Progress in the Diocese, in which priests were asked how their parishioners reacted to the liturgical changes. The results were published in May 1968 – 109 priests reported the changes were received enthusiastically, two priests reported a negative response, and 28

of food with beggars and offering them shelter in the barn in times of harsh weather and she grew in the spirit of forgiveness toward the woman who caused her such pain and suffering: her stepmother.

Throughout a life of hardship and abuse, St. Germaine’s devotion to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament was unshaken by what assailed her in life. It was because of her walking humbly with God that she was able to love mercy and act justly especially with the one person she had most reason to not love.

Diocesan Liturgical Commission, January 1969.

priests reported that the laity responded with indifference.

It was not enough to implement the directives of the Council. Bishop Zaleski, a well-trained theologian, wanted the faithful to understand the basis of the renewal. The creation of the Office of Renewal through Vatican II was announced in June 1966 and Father William Rademacher was its director.

Three-day training sessions were held for priests, religious and laity. Teachers in the Catholic schools were given priority for attending the sessions.

At the parish level, two formats for education were developed by a diocesan executive committee. The first was an adult education component that began with a 30-minute lecture followed by a 45-minute seminar.

From each seminar, proposals for the practical implementation of the conciliar decree were developed. Discussion groups in homes followed the seminar portion of the adult education segment.

In February 1968, the diocese held a Diocesan Renewal Congress at the Lansing Civic Center. Approximately 5,000 people attended and highlights of the Congress were shown on television stations in Flint, Jackson, Kalamazoo and Lansing. At the Congress, Bishop Zaleski endorsed the formation of a parish pastoral council in each parish by June 1, 1968.

Over the course of the initial two years of the renewal program, about 18,000 people participated.

8 | St. Barnabas, apostle June 11 | St. Anthony of Padua, priest and doctor of the Church June 13 | St. Romuald, abbot June 19 | St. Aloysius Gonzaga, religious June 21 | St. Thomas More, martyr June 22

5

yourlife work life

Q

a

I work on a lot of projects in a group. One of my colleagues is always late with her part, and often doesn’t do it correctly at all. This reflects badly on all of us, which is making my blood boil. What can I do?

You could handle this directly with her, the team or your boss. One might consider Solomon and Co.’s advice for the first option.

Proverbs 18:9 states, “One who is slack in his work is a brother to one who destroys.”

Your colleague’s shoddy work is beyond aggravating. It’s a cancer for your team and unjust to your employer. Her

6

failures diminish your personal and collective reputations and can even jeopardize your professional future.

Sirach 33:22 reminds us to “Excel in all that you do.”

Your standard of excellence is humanly and spiritually commendable. Therefore you’re on solid ground to confidently approach her straightforwardly. And soon. Don’t tackle the whole problem with all its

FAITH Magazine / June 2013 / www.FAITHpub.com

ugly history. Target the next or most recent incident and act.

Approach her as a friend.

“A pleasant voice multiplies friends and softens enemies, and a gracious tongue multiplies courtesies,” (Sirach 6:5).

Point out the incident and ask if you can help. Find out what’s going on. Rehearse what you might say in a comfortable setting. Your goal is love, and the Lord of love will give you just the right approach and words.

Keep in mind that she may simply lack the skill or training her tasks require. Procrastination and incompetence are often kissin’ cousins.

If she values wisdom, she’ll listen and you’ve gained a friend and perhaps a solution.

But it may not be that pretty…

melaniereyesphotography

One team member’s sloppy work is making us ALL look bad Jim Berlucchi is the executive director of the Spitzer Center, whose mission is to build cultures of evangelization (www.spitzercenter.org).

Don’t be shocked if she reacts defensively. Only lovers of wisdom actually appreciate correction. “The beginning of wisdom is the most sincere desire for instruction.” (Wisdom 6:17). If she rejects your input, go to your boss or your teammates with your concern.

“Do nothing without deliberation; and when you have acted do not regret it” (Sirach 32:19).

You can’t control the outcome, but if you follow the Bible’s ancient counsel, you can be at peace regardless – with lower blood pressure to boot.

Nativity of St. John the Baptist June 24 | St. Cyril of Alexandria, bishop and doctor of the Church June 27

Friday, Aug. 9

For ticket reservations with the Diocese, please call Bill Adler, Lansing Lugnuts at 517.485.4500 ext. 256.

Sunday, August 18, 2013 (3 p.m. – 6 p.m.)

Any single man interested in learning more about priesthood, and who will be going into at least his junior year of high school, or is older, is invited to spend an afternoon with Bishop Boyea at the Bethany House in DeWitt (703 E. Main Street Dewitt, MI 48820) for discussion, prayer and dinner.

Several priests, as well as most of the Lansing seminarians will be on hand – along with many men who are just like you – wondering about the priesthood.

Pastors often accompany men for this event so it is encouraged that you ask your pastor about it if you

are interested.

Please contact your pastor or Father John Linden, vocation director for the Diocese of Lansing, at 517.342.2507 or jlinden@dioceseoflansing. org to RSVP for this opportunity to learn more about the awesome call to priesthood.

Also check out our website at www.dioceseoflansing.org/vocations

Carlson Productions

Bishop’s Prospective Seminarian Dinner

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parenting journey

To be confirmed?

Who makes the decision?

Q

My son has decided he doesn’t want to be confirmed. Is there something I can do to convince him? Should I force him to go through with it?

a

Your strong desire to see your son confirmed is natural since our Church teaches that confirmation deepens the grace that we received at the time of baptism. But the use of force isn’t consistent with the sacred nature of confirmation.

The invitation – Come follow. In Matthew 19:21-22 we read about the rich, young man who approached Jesus. The man was seeking eternal life and

was keeping the commandments. But he chose not to respond to Jesus’ invitation. As disciples of Jesus Christ there are times that we say, “Yes” but there are other times that we walk away. Even Peter, the rock on whom the church was built, denied that he even knew Jesus.

A knowledgeable decision. It is reasonable to ask your son to become better informed before making a final decision.

His participation in the activities his peers are completing for the sacrament of confirmation will serve to increase his understanding of the sacrament. It may be that he decides to be confirmed after this process or he may still be adamant that he doesn’t want to be confirmed.

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

How can we “spilt the check” so everything is fair?

We went out to dinner with friends and did not drink – so we didn’t think we should have to pay as much of the share of the bill as the other guests, but someone told the waiter to “just split the check.” How could we have handled this – we ended up paying $30 each for two hamburgers!

8

bill before going out to dinner.

At the restaurant, the best method is to ask the server if he or she can provide your party with separate checks.

Even if the restaurant does

FAITH Magazine / June 2013 / www.FAITHpub.com

not provide this option, asking this question will show everyone that you are only willing to pay for your portion.

As the time approaches to receive the bill let your friends clearly know that everyone is responsible for paying for their own meals. If the group’s meals are charged to one friend’s credit card, make sure to pay them for your entire meal, including tip.

conflict resolution

S. Kendrick

It can be difficult to split checks fairly without antagonizing anyone in the process. To avoid any conflict you could talk openly with your friends about sharing the

T. Gennara

Assuming the role of disciple.

Although your son has reached an age when confirmation is expected, there are other attributes that need to be considered. Our Catechism notes that, “A candidate for confirmation who has attained the age of reason must profess the faith, be in the state of grace, have the intention of receiving the sacrament, and be prepared to assume the role of disciple and witness to Christ, both within

the ecclesial community and in temporal affairs.” (CCC # 1319) How did your son conclude that he didn’t want to be confirmed? Try hard to listen attentively to his reasons; it will be difficult because you have strong feelings about the issue, too. Take time to ponder what he says rather than responding too quickly. You may want to listen and then choose not to respond until after you have prayed for guidance. Thank him for being open with you and tell him that you need time before you respond.

Dr. Gelasia Marquez is a psychologist and family counselor.

St. Irenaeus, bishop and martyr June 28 | Ss. Peter and Paul, apostles June 29

She

says:

He

“ Our house is full of his junk!”

“I’m a collector, not a hoarder.”

Mary says: Tim is a hoarder – our house is beginning to look like one of those TV shows, and I can’t get my car in the garage.

I don’t know if I can live like this – how can I get him to get rid of his stuff?

O

says:

Tim says: I am a collector, not a hoarder. I know where all the elements of my collection are.

For example, I have an amazing group of vintage surfboards in the garage; they just need a little sealing and waxing to be really valuable. Mary needs to lighten up.

What

do they do?

ur experience is that a collector has an organized mess and a hoarder has a serious mess in need of serious help. A collector has a plan for their purchases whereas a hoarder just buys without an overall plan.

A collector devotes time and effort toward one or two “collectibles” and is disciplined in their approach, while a hoarder devotes time and effort in “collecting” as much as they feel is necessary and exhibits very little discipline.

your marriage matters can feel comfortable. Sometimes, it isn’t the amount of “stuff” we are collecting (or hoarding), it is really a matter how we are handling the feelings of our spouse. When we ignore our spouse’s feelings, it doesn’t matter what the issue is because our relationship will be in need of repair.

A solution that is 50/50 doesn’t work because that’s like keeping score. But, when each partner gives 110/110, each spouse is giving over and above what is needed. Scripture reminds us that, “Above all, let your love for one another be intense because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining.” (1 Peter 4:8-9) Tim and Mary may discover that when they find time to discuss their feelings first, a solution may come about very quickly.

When a couple learns to compromise, to find a balance, they will be communicating on a different level.

T. Gennara

multiple tools filling up the garage. It has Typically, a collector is comfortable in very little to do with the size of the house their own skin (with themselves) while and a lot to do with the perceived a hoarder is not and tries to fill a void with “stuff.” clutter. It is not unusual for Regardless, a collector one spouse to reach their Tim’s or a hoarder, Tim’s betolerance limit with a behavior havior is becoming an spouse’s “collectibles” is becoming an irritant to Mary and during marriage irritant to Mary and consequently it is which forces the consequently it is having having an impact on couple to readjust, an impact on their their relationship. It reorient and rethink relationship. It is now is now a problem that their purchases or a problem that Tim Tim and Mary need to trades.

Why, because and Mary need to address and find a muthere address. tually acceptable solution. are at If Tim’s collectibles are least two taking over the house, and an people who live attached garage counts as part of the in the house and findhouse, we can understand Mary being upset. ing a balance for the two of you is necessary so that both Almost every married couple we know experiences this issue in some degree; be it Deacon Tom Fogle and JoAnne Fogle help prepare couples for marriage. multiple pairs of shoes filling the closet or

Pass along FAITH Magazine to a friend. Visit www.FAITHpub.com to purchase a gift subscription

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Photography by Philip Shippert

Selfish or shellfish?

Y O U R

L I F E

culture

I

never used to like seafood. Particularly shellfish. Extra-particularly, raw shellfish.

Which never presented a problem on dates because no matter what briny, subaquatic, alien thing he wanted to ingest, I had the luxury of simply ordering something else.

But when one of my seafoodloving dates became my fiancé, and that particular fiancé became my husband, a problem arose.

Now that we live together, we no longer could enjoy different selections at dinner like during those happy days of courtship, restaurants and separately ordered dishes. Alas, now we cooked for ourselves. One dish.

To be shared.

So, either I unhappily choked down crustaceans, or he unhappily lived without. What was I to do? I knew this issue would fester over time and risk metastasizing into a source of frustration between us. But, there to give me guidance were some of the greatest words of wisdom my mother ever shared with me. She once said with indelible truth, “Love is a decision, not a feeling.” And how undeniable that is. Most married couples will admit that

T. Gennara

Read more culture at:

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

the “feelings” of love can evaporate after a while, and the “act” of love must take its place. In my case, the “warm fuzzy” feelings were to be replaced by “slimy, scaly” action.

So, on our first wedding anniversary as husband and wife I broke the long seafood-less marathon of meals that I had been preparing for a full year and fashioned a gourmet “surf and turf” of beef tenderloin and, yes, sea scallops. He devoured them.

It’s amazing how love works.

After an hour in the kitchen with a curled upper-lip, I was starting to bemoan the sacrifice I was making so that he could have a great meal. But in the end, the pleasure on his face, the humming as he ate and the gratitude in his eyes were more of a dessert than any restaurant could have prepared had we dined out that night. He was happy.

My mother’s definition of what Christian love really is never fades. I see it in how my husband decides to love me when the “feeling” isn’t there. And one thing is certain; when he decides to love me in unselfish ways, I always notice the warm fuzzy feelings quickly return. And for those shellfish? Let’s just say I’ve come to appreciate them more than I thought I ever would. How much so? Enough to consider this recipe worth sharing…

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Beef tenderloin and sea scallops • 1¼ cups balsamic vinegar • 1 clove minced garlic • 3 tablespoons butter (divided) • 2 beef tenderloin filets • 8 large sea scallops • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste • Chopped parsley for garnish In a small saucepan, bring balsamic vinegar and minced garlic to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and occasionally stir until reduced to half (18-20 minutes). Add a tablespoon of butter, give it a stir and set aside.

Meanwhile, prepare both the tenderloin filets and sea scallops by sprinkling with salt and pepper. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt a tablespoon of the butter. Add filets and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side (for medium) or to desired doneness. Place tenderloin filets on a plate and cover with foil to keep warm.

In the same skillet, melt the remaining butter on high heat. Cook scallops for 2-3 minutes on each side until caramelized.

Plate each filet and drizzle reduction sauce over top.

Place four scallops over each of the steaks and garnish with chopped parsley.

Serve with asparagus or green beans.

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yourfaith Year of FAITH – Year of PRAYER

The little-known Vatican II document on communication

from the bishop

F

Carlson Productions

ifty years ago, this fall, the Second Vatican Council fathers, together with Pope Paul VI, approved the first two documents of the Council. You have heard and will hear a lot about the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (Sacrosanctum Concilium) and we are certainly affected by the many changes in the Mass over these many years.

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

12

I wish to write briefly about the other, much shorter, document approved on Dec. 4, 1963, the Decree on the Media of Social Communication (Inter Mirifica). We don’t hear a lot about this one because it was not very helpful and did not get a lot of attention from the council fathers or from the public. In fact, it came up early in the council because the fathers wanted an easy text after dealing at length with some difficult ones.

Nonetheless, it is good for us to reflect on this since, in fact, we are using a communications medium right now, reading this issue of FAITH Magazine. And with the pope having a Twitter following of more than 6 million people, we Catholics are into the use of various media big time. The Gospel must be proclaimed through all the methods at our disposal.

The council fathers’ discussions in 1962 focused on a greater description of the role of the laity in the media and more discussion of the right, not of the Church in the media, but of humanity and of culture in general.

The Fathers also asked that the document be shortened (from its 114 paragraphs to its final 24) and that mention be made of some of the dangers media can pose for youth.

The revised text was presented to the fathers in late 1963. After two years, only one other text was ready – the one on Liturgy – and many felt it gave a bad impression that two years’ work had led to a single document, so the communications text was published.

However, there were enough objections to its rather stilted character that passing it left a

FAITH Magazine / June 2013 / www.FAITHpub.com

poor taste in many mouths.

This council text tried to accomplish two major goals: to provide some moral guidance on how media should be used and to promote the use of the media for the advancement of the Gospel.

The final text recognizes that media contribute to our “entertainment and instruction as well as to the spread and support of the Kingdom of God” but also can be used “contrary to the plan of the Creator” and thus to our own loss. (#2) Thus “the laity especially must strive to instill a human and Christian spirit into these media, so that they may fully measure up to the great expectations of mankind and to God’s design.” (#3) In our day of unfettered news, it is interesting to read that the information “that is communicated should always be true and complete, within the bounds of justice and charity.” (#5) We, as users of media, also have a responsibility to “fully favor those presentations that are outstanding for their moral goodness, their knowledge and their artistic or technical merit” and “to avoid those that may be a cause or occasion of spiritual harm to themselves, or that can lead others into danger through base example.” (#9) And all, especially the young, should learn moderation and self-control. (#10) The rest of the text addressed the Church’s use of media to spread the Gospel. It encouraged all in the Church to further this activity, especially by fostering good art and entertainment and programming, always however seeking high standards of excellence. (#14) The council did not envision the incredibly positive role that that laity would play in the Catholic press and radio and television and film and digital media and in the many other avenues for promoting the Gospel. We have indeed been blessed by those whose creativity and energy and financial support have been devoted to these arenas as we let the world know Jesus Christ and the love God has for us.

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Y O U R

F A I T H

special report

Quotable quotes It often happens that I wake up at night and begin to think about a serious problem and decide I must tell the pope about it. Then I wake up completely and remember that I am the pope.”

See everything,

overlook a great deal,

correct a little.

Blessed John XXIII The pope who called the Second Vatican Council

“Consult not your fears but your hopes and your dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential.

Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but with what it is still possible for you to do.”

– Quotes taken from tinyurl.com/JohnXXIIIQuotes

O

n June 3, 2013, the Church will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the death of the pope who opened the Second Vatican Council. Born the son of Italian sharecroppers and one of 13 children, Angelo Guiseppe Roncalli was ordained a priest in 1904 and went on to serve in various posts such as papal nuncio in several countries. However, to his great surprise, he was elected pope on October 28, 1958, at the age of 77. Because of his age, many expected him to be a “stop gap” pope, but things did not turn out that way.

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What’s in a Name?

Vatican II

CNS photo

Things got interesting right away with the man that would become affectionately known as “Good Pope John.” The fact that he chose the name John was significant, because he was the first to do so in more than 500 years. Other popes had avoided the name because of the antipope John XXIII (1410-1415).

This antipope had come to power during what is known as the Western Schism. His name was Baldassarre Cossa (1370-1419).

He was one of seven cardinals who deserted Pope Gregory XII in 1408 to follow antipope Benedict XIII from Avignon, France.

Then, at the Council of Pisa, both Gregory XII and the Benedict XIII were deposed and Alexander V was elected. Of course, both Gregory and Benedict ignored the council which left the Church with three claimants.

After Alexander V died, Cossa was elected pope and became John XXIII, though, he was eventually deposed.

With Roncalli’s declaration that he was John XXIII instead of John XXIV, he affirmed the status of the antipope as illegitimate.

Synod and established the Commission for the Revision of the Code of Canon Law. However, the calling of the Second Vatican Council was by far the greatest surprise of his papacy.

The Surprises Kept Coming John XXIII continued to surprise people.

His decision on Dec. 25, 1958, to visit children infected with polio at a hospital in Rome made him the first pope to make pastoral visits in the Diocese of Rome since 1870. He followed this visit with a trip to a Roman prison the very next day. He also had a habit of sneaking out of the Vatican late at night in order to walk the streets of Rome.

This behavior earned him the nickname, “Johnny Walker.”

Administratively, he convoked a Roman

John XXIII made the call for the ecumenical council less than three months after his election on Jan. 25, 1959. However, he had no detailed plan other than a very general idea of aggiornamento and a desire to seek Christian unity. He formally summoned the Second Vatican Council with the apostolic constitution Humanae Salutis on Dec. 25, 1961. However, he would not live to see the council to its conclusion.

One Final Surprise Liturgical celebrations typically fall on the anniversary of the death of a saint or blessed. However, true to form, Pope John XXIII’s celebration falls on October 11 – the anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council.

The Goal of Vatican II: Aggiornamento and Ressourcement

CNS photo/Giancarlo Giuliani, Catholic Press Photo

Pope John XXIII signs encyclical ‘Pacem in Terris’ in 1963

Notable Notes • On Sept. 3, 2000, John Paul II made John XXIII the first pope since Pius X (1903-1914) to be declared “Blessed.”

• The motto of John XXIII was “Obedientia et Pax” (Obedience and Peace).

• John XXIII composed two encyclicals: Mater et Magistra and Pacem in Terris.

• John XXIII offered to mediate between John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khruschev during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Pope John XXIII leads the opening session of the Second Vatican Council in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican Oct. 11, 1962.

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Aggiornamento literally translated means “bringing up to date” and referred simply to an adjournment of the Code of Canon Law. However, the project soon grew to encompass a wider process of Church reform and aggiornamento came to indicate a spirit of change and open-mindedness; a future-mindedness. In contrast, the term ressourcement described the quest to return to the sources, traditions and symbols of the early Church.

The “bringing up to date” of the Catholic Church arose from the very real need for theology to speak to the Church’s present situation. At the same time, the key to the relevance of Church’s theology in the present lay in the creative recovery of its past. The first step in aggiornamento had to be the rediscovery of all the riches of the Church’s 2,000-year history.

The goal of the aggiornamento was not a more accurate historical understanding of Christian origins, but a re-centering in Christ. Aggiornamento depended on “resourcing” the beginnings of Christianity so that the Church could think through the present situation in which the Church found itself in terms of that spirit and light the tradition, in all its fullness, can impart to us about what it means to be Church.

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• From his early teens, John XXIII maintained a diary of spiritual reflections that was subsequently published as Journal of a Soul.

1. The Holy Spirit 2. The Church 3. The gifts God gave you and your spouse 4. Your child’s godparents

in the know with Father Joe

What is the purpose of godparents?

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Dear Fr. Joe: We are about to have our first child and want to choose godparents. Do they have to be Catholic?

Why? What is the purpose of the godparent – isn’t it just an honorary title?

Thank you so much for your question! This is one of those elements of our Catholic faith that can get lost quite easily if we’re not careful, and your question can help us pause and look at what the Church means when she asks talks to us about godparents. Hopefully, by the end of this article, we’ll see that, while it’s a great honor to be a godparent, it’s far from an honorary title. Let’s jump in!

First of all: congratulations on your baby – what a blessing! In your love for each other, you and your spouse have cooperated with God and created something that

will outlive all the stars in the sky and even time itself: an immortal soul. Your love for each other and God’s grace have created something eternal – isn’t that amazing?

This gift of life is now yours to care for: an unspeakably sacred trust that God has given you. By bringing your baby in to be baptized, you are showing your gratitude to God for this gift and pledging to do your absolute best to raise your child to love and honor God with his or her whole being.

Every part of the baptism ritual speaks to this simple, but important idea: you are entering into a covenant with God through the Church to

I could write all day about the first three gifts, but we’ll focus on the fourth because that is what you asked about!

Church law has a lot to say on godparents and I’m not able to cover them all here. Instead, I’ll focus on a few key points and from that, see if we can’t understand the role a bit better.

A Godparent needs to be: • At least 16 years old • A Catholic who has been confirmed and receives the Eucharist • A Catholic who regularly attends Mass and actively participates in the sacramental life of the Church • A Catholic who lives his or her life in such a way as to be a good role model of a faithful Catholic So, what’s with all these rules?!

Think of it this way: someday your child will want to drive. (Scary day!) There are a lot of responsibilities associated with driving; a lot of

T. Gennara

raise up your child to be holy.

Your goal is nothing less than to raise a saint: someone to love and serve God above all things. God promises to love, protect and save your child and you promise to work with God in that through all you say and do.

Now, no doubt about it, this is a monumental task. In order to be faithful to such a great promise, you’re going to need some help. You have four things to help you in this (in no particular order):

If you’d like to submit a question for Father Joe to consider in a future column, please send it to: joeinblack@ priest.com. Father Joe is unable to personally answer questions. things one needs to learn well.

Because of that, you will make sure that your son or daughter has a good driving teacher – someone who obeys the rules and teaches their students to do the same.

With our faith, the stakes are so much higher – they are eternal! Your child needs a godparent to walk with them and teach them the truth and beauty of our faith – to remind them how important it is to follow Jesus and live the life of faith we are made for.

There are many well intentioned people out there who equate “being good” or “being nice” with being holy, but being holy is so much more than that. It is about placing our entire lives at the foot of the cross and letting Christ teach us how to live. Being holy entails recognizing that Christ has given us the Church as his vessel to show us the way to live our faith in these complicated times. Godparents need to believe this truth and teach it to our kids.

This holy person is not always easy to find, but such a person is always worth the search.

So, there we have it…I pray that God fill you with joy at the gift of new life you have been given and guide all of us into a deeper love and appreciation for the wonder of baptism!

Enjoy another day in God’s presence!

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Prayers of perseverance and partnership – The Novena

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want to offer you some reflections on a centuries-old custom in the Catholic Church – a novena.

A novena is a series of prayers that are said for nine straight days, usually as a prayer of petition but sometimes as a prayer of thanksgiving. The nine days recall the nine days that the Apostles and the Blessed Virgin Mary spent in prayer between Ascension Thursday and Pentecost Sunday.

Some of the well-known novenas in the Catholic Church are those to Mary that are prayed for nine days before a major feast. The novena to Divine Mercy established by Pope John Paul II which begins on Good Friday and ends nine days later on Divine Mercy Sunday is a much used novena in our time. There are many novenas to particular saints like St. Joseph and St. Jude. There are also well-known novenas to the Sacred Heart and Our Mother of sorrows.

Many people object to this form of prayer, saying, “Why not

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just go straight to Jesus?” Of course you can. But, think of it this way: When we are in difficulty and we need to approach the one in charge for a favor, we often take a friend with us for moral and spiritual support.

Or another way to look at this form of prayer is this: Jesus told us that whatever we ask in his name, he will do. That doesn’t just mean to say the name of Jesus verbally.

To ask in someone’s name is to ask according to their intention. If

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tions. A nine-day novena is a wonderful way to intercede. It is not that the prayers themselves are magic. We know that is not true; but when we take time to each day present our need before God with the appropriate prayers. If we I want to get a job or a new position, I often ask a pray the prayers with humble trust in our Father friend if I may use their name as a possible referand joined by others who already see the face of ence. We would not ask that of a person if they God, we grow in confidence and openness. were opposed to our request. So, it is with Jesus.

God will adjust our intention over the nine When we ask in his name for a favor, we have aldays. Why? Because as we spend ready discerned that as far as we can tell, time praying with faith, God has our request is in line with God’s more access to us. Why? Bewill; therefore we can petition cause our spirit becomes the Father to hear our prayer Many of more quiet and our ears because we are asking in us face situations are spiritually attuned the name of Jesus. that seem hopeless or to hear that “small, So, I pray in Jesus’ at least exceedingly difficult. still voice.” (1Kings 19:12) name – that is, accordWe want to grow in confidence He can speak to our ing to his will – but I and courage – especially when heart in some way often ask the Blessed we have done all we know to do, that lets us know we Mother or other saints to humble ourselves and come are not alone. to accompany my before God with our petitions.

Often, over the years, prayer. “We are surA nine-day novena is a my intention at the rounded by so great a wonderful way to beginning of a novena was cloud of witnesses.” (Hebrews intercede.

12:1) It is good to bring those modified by the end of it. to whom we have a special God had given me greater love devotion with us when we begin to for the person, a deeper underpray for something we need. The name of standing of the situation for which I prayed Jesus is all sufficient, all powerful but he weland what God wanted to see accomplished. comes many of his and our saintly brothers and A novena is a wonderful adventure. There sisters to join their prayer with his before the face is even a 54-day rosary novena to the Blessed of the Father. This is the body of Christ at work.

Mother which has brought countless blessings Many of us face situations that seem hopeless both to the one being prayed for and to the one or at least exceedingly difficult. We want to grow doing the praying. God will never be outdone in confidence and courage – especially when in generosity – he will be gracious and merciful we have done all we know to do, to humble to those who seek him. Intercessory prayer is a ourselves and come before God with our petigreat gift from God.

spiritual fitness

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

Year of FAITH – Year of PRAYER The Apostle Paul reminds us to “pray unceasingly” (1 Thess 5:17). Certainly, we all have concerns we bring to God in prayer. But during our diocesan Year of Prayer, we invite everyone in the diocese to focus on a particular intention for an entire month.

Remember it in your private prayer. Ask the intercession of Mary and the saints when you participate in devotional prayer. Offer your daily labor or a day of fasting. Add an intercession to those you offer in your liturgical celebrations. Use these prayers to begin a parish meeting, class or the school day. Or simply take the time each day to recite the prayer, perhaps adding an Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be.

June 2013 – for all clergy Lord God, to form a priestly people, you appoint ministers of Christ your Son and, by the Holy Spirit, make them bishops, priests and deacons.

Shower them with your grace and make them worthy co-workers in your vineyard.

Through their charity, may your compassion for the poor be made known.

Through their preaching, may the words of the Gospel bear fruit in human hearts.

Through the hands that minister your sacraments, may your people be renewed in the waters of rebirth, may sinners be reconciled, may the sick be raised up, and may all be nourished around your altar.

Give them a shepherd’s vigilance to seek out the lost; give them an apostle’s fervor to share the Good News; and give them a servant’s heart to build up the Body of Christ.

Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Adapted from the Roman Ritual: Prayer of Ordination

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Pope Francis preaches at Mass at the Vatican on April 23, 2013.

Liturgy:

Our grateful response to God’s great gift

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n Christian tradition, the word “liturgy” describes the participation of the People of God in the work of God. “Through the liturgy, Christ, our redeemer and high priest, continues the work of our redemption in with, and through his Church.” Liturgy refers to the celebration of divine worship, the proclamation of the Gospel and active charity – in other words, liturgy directs us to service to God and neighbor. In each of these, the Church shares in the one priesthood of Christ in both its prophetic and kingly aspects. Liturgy, as the work of Christ and an action of his Church, makes the Church “present and manifests her as the visible sign of the communion in Christ between God and men.”

S. Olson

The Father’s blessing

Doug Culp is the CAO and secretary for pastoral life for the Diocese of Lexington, Ky. He holds an MA in theology from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.

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In order to understand the importance of the liturgy in God’s plan of communion, it is necessary to explore the notion of blessing. Blessing is “a divine and lifegiving action.” God the Father is the source of blessing, which is conveyed in word (eu-logia) and gift (bene-dictio). God’s work is, in a word, merciful.

Mercy is only conceivable when a relationship exists in which one party has power over another. In order to show mercy, one must have power over the one to whom mercy is shown. For example, the expression “I throw myself at the mercy of the court” is the recognition by the accused that something or someone holds the power to decide

his or her fate.

God, of course, is omnipotent (all-powerful). However, the Father exercises this power by constraining rather than asserting it. This is because, as St. Bonaventure argues, the Father’s power is actually the humility of his love, a love that is so complete but one that does not dominate the other or absorb the other.

That the humility of love is real power can be seen in the case of Jesus Christ, simultaneously the incarnation of the Father’s love for humanity and his power.

The divine blessing and liturgy

The liturgy of the Church fully reveals and communicates the divine blessing by

Year of FAITH – Year of PRAYER

Henri de Lubac, SJ on Vatican II Henri-Marie de Lubac (1896-1991) was a French Jesuit priest and one of the most influential theologians in shaping the Second Vatican Council. He was named a theological expert for the council and a member of its Theological Commission. He was raised to Cardinal in 1983 by Pope John Paul II at the age of 87.

On the true renewal of the Church according to the intent of Vatican II – “…The second fundamental condition (for true renewal according to the intent of Vatican II) is the love and concern for Catholic unity. It is closely linked with the first condition: personal love of Jesus Christ.”

On challenges to this Catholic unity following the Council – “I would not be so concerned if this were something from outside the Church. But when each one takes as his mission to criticize everything, when each one sets out to rewrite dogma and morality according to his own wishes, the Church disintegrates.” – From an address given by Henri de Lubac, SJ, at the University of St. Louis on May 29, 1969 On the Mystery of the Church considering Lumen Gentium – How to perceive and grasp her real nature, this is still my question. The harder I try to see, the more I am forced to abandon my false analogies; I am dazzled by her profound truth – and I give up in despair any attempt to define her.

And even if I then ask her to define herself, her answer is a rich profusion of biblical images which I well understand are not mere teaching aids but so many allusions to a reality, in its essence always beyond the reach of my natural intelligence. Yes, even after the splendid achievement of logical, clear exposition that is Lumen Gentium, her most lucid self-definition yet, my meditation is still in the cul-de-sac of mystery.” – From The Church: From Paradox to Mystery by Henri de Lubac, SJ acknowledging and adoring the Father as “the source and the end of all the blessings of creation and salvation.” We are further filled with his blessings in his Word during the liturgy and through his Word, the “Gift” that contains all gifts, i.e. the Holy Spirit, is poured into our hearts.

However, as a participation in the work of God, the liturgy is also our response of “faith and love to the spiritual blessings the Father bestows on us.” So again we have this dynamic of God acting first and then we respond. The Church, in her liturgy, blesses the Father “for his inexpressible gift” in adoration, praise and thanksgiving.

At the same time, until the consummation of God’s plan, the Church “never ceases to present to the Father the offering of his own gifts and to beg him to send the Holy Spirit upon that offering, upon herself, upon the faithful, and upon the whole world, so that through communion in the death and resurrection of Christ the Priest, and by the power of the Spirit, these divine blessings will bring forth the fruits of life ‘to the praise of his glorious grace.’”

The work of Christ in the liturgy In the liturgy, the work of Christ by his Cross and Resurrection “abides and draws everything toward life. The Paschal Mystery

is not only a real event in history. Because he destroyed death and because Christ participates in the divine eternity, he “transcends all times while being present in them all.”

It is through his presence, with the power of the Holy Spirit, in the liturgy that the “dispensation or communication of his work of salvation” occurs. “Christ is always present in his Church, especially in her liturgical celebrations. He is present in the Sacrifice of the Mass not only in the person of his minister… but especially in the Eucharistic species.” This goes to the heart of the liturgy’s place in God’s plan of communion.

theology 101 eration of the Holy Spirit and the Church is achieved in the liturgy.” It is the presence of the Spirit that makes the Church the “great sacrament of divine communion which gathers God’s scattered children together.

Communion with the Holy Trinity and fraternal communion are inseparably the fruit of the Spirit in the liturgy.”

– Quotes from the Catechism (1066-1109) unless otherwise noted.

The Fruit of the Spirit in the Liturgy The Catechism captures the role of the Holy Spirit in the liturgy vividly: “he prepares the Church to encounter her Lord; he recalls and makes Christ manifest to the faith of the assembly. By his transforming power, he makes the mystery of Christ present here and now. Finally the Spirit of communion unites the Church to the life and mission of Christ.”

The Spirit is the agent of divine communion, working without ceasing to build communion where it does not exist and to restore it where it is broken. This same Spirit abides in the Church. It should come as no surprise then that the most “intimate coopLike FAITHpub on

Catechism Quiz Who is (are) the celebrant(s) of the sacramental liturgy? a. the bishop b. the priest with the help of deacons c. the servers, readers, choir members, etc. d. the whole community Answer: (d) The whole community, the Body of Christ united with its Head, celebrates. (CCC 1140)

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When with

he became an officer the

West Bloomfield

Police Department, Patrick O’Rourke told his wife, Amy, he would hear his badge number a lot. He told her it meant something in 10-code – like 10-4 means “I hear you.” But before long that meaning got lost in the joys and worries of Amy’s life as a neonatal nurse, mother of four and policeman’s wife. When she called him at See more of Amy’s story at:

work to pick up something or request a day off, Amy always felt proud to hear Pat respond

You can watch the full video of Amy’s talk on camera about forgiving Pat’s killer at tinyurl.com/ AmyNews7Interview. See messages and photos from her journey on her Facebook page, www.facebook. com/OfficerPatrickORourke.

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with his badge number over the radio. It wasn’t until tragedy struck that its meaning became so powerful for her.

By Nancy Schertzing | Photography by Jim Luning

Y O U R “Sept. 9, 2012, was a Sunday. That night, around 10 p.m., Pat responded with six fellow officers to a house where a lone gunman had barricaded himself into a second-floor bedroom. The family had heard a single shot and then silence, so they believed the man had committed suicide. The West Bloomfield PD planned to enter the home to help a potentially suicidal man.

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in-law sat next to the camera, and for six minutes I talked to her about feeling Pat’s presence, his forgiveness of his killer and how deeply he loved the Lord and our faith. When I finished I felt I “Pat’s sergeant assembled the officers behind an arrow-shaped, had done what Patty wanted. bullet-proof shield designed to protect multiple officers moving “Since that day at Mass, I have felt Pat come to me about five through a crowd. The officers went up a flight of stairs together times, at church and at home. When I needed him most, I have and down a hallway until they came to an elevated landing outfelt him lay his head on my chest or put his arms around me like side the master bedroom. When the team approached the door, he used to. His presence and our faith give me the strength I need not everyone could fit on the landing, so Pat stepped back. to keep going with confidence.

“Without warning, the gunman opened fire through the wall, “And, oh my goodness, I’ve been overwhelmed by the outpourspraying the hallway with his automatic weapon. One of the bullets ing of love and support! From the time they delivered the news pierced Pat’s neck, shattered his mandible and severed the artery to until after the funeral, one of Pat’s fellow officers stayed with us here his brain. He probably died without ever knowing what hit him. at home. We had over 6,000 people at Pat’s funeral. Our church set “About 1:30 Monday morning, I got the knock on the door up a meal train so we had meals delivered to our home for three that every police family dreads. If he was ever killed in the line months. We’ve been emotionally supported by the COPS organizaof duty, Pat had chosen his friend Officer Rick Trabulsy to deliver tion (Concern for Police Survivors) and look forward to healing the news. He and their colleague and friend Officer Tara Kane sat through the support programs they offer. Even the Detroit Tigers, me down and told me, but I couldn’t process it. It felt trapped in Lions and Red Wings invited the kids and me to games. The Tigers a nightmare. They took me to the hospital gave us jerseys embroidered with ‘O’Rourke’ so I could see Pat’s body for myself. and Pat’s badge number, 55, on the back.

“When I walked into his room, he just “A week after the funeral, I had a strong “Knowing how Pat was looked like he was sleeping. I walked over urge to listen to our family’s favorite Sugon fire for his faith, he to my beautiful Patty and held his hand in arland song called Little Miss. It’s about a would never want us to mine, stroking his fingers and talking softly. brokenhearted girl who keeps telling herblame God for his death.

After a while I put my head on his chest self ‘I’m OK. It’ll be alright again.’ Sobbing He would want everyone to to snuggle for the last time, knowing he when I started, I sang along several times run to church! He believed wouldn’t wake up. until my tears stopped. That night I visited “The next day was a blur of family and the station so I could spend time with the in leading people gently to friends and officers coming and going from guys who had been such rocks for us. As Christ through the way he the house. That Tuesday morning, I had the we were talking, I asked them to remind lived his faith and interacted overwhelming urge to go to Mass. Pat and I me what 55 meant in 10-code. When they with others. I believe, even attended Mass together every Sunday. Our told me 10-55 is code for ‘I’m OK,’ my heart now after his death, that he faith was an essential part of our marriage leapt. Pat had been talking to me through is still leading us. that we both cherished. that Sugarland song!

“I went into church and knelt to pray “Since then the girls and I have noticed all as usual, but this time I was crying. You the times that 55 comes up in the course of know how when you’re praying with your eyes closed you can our day – from checking the time at 55 minutes after the hour to feel your family around you even though you can’t see them? finding the number 55 pop up in the course of making difficult As I knelt there in prayer that morning I could literally feel Pat decisions or rough spots. I have a deep desire to help my children next to me. He was right there! I just couldn’t reach out and grieve properly, and I know Pat does too. Each of our girls has had touch him or see him, but I could feel him with me as always. several 55s from their dad.

Suddenly, I felt Pat impress upon me that he forgave his killer.

“Knowing how Pat was on fire for his faith, he would never Sitting there in church it was clear, and I was overwhelmed with want us to blame God for his death. He would want everyone the urge to tell the world. to run to church! He believed in leading people gently to Christ “I returned home after Mass still on fire to share Pat’s message, through the way he lived his faith and interacted with others. I but not sure how I would do it. Without even getting out of the believe, even now after his death, that he is still leading us. car, I started jotting down some notes. I tried speaking into my “He’s up there and can see the whole picture – especially how cell phone and recording myself. As I was working this way, my connected we are to each other. I think from his new perspective father came out to the driveway and knocked gently on the winhe wants us to stay on the path to Christ and find God’s purpose dow. He wanted to let me know that a reporter from Channel 7 in our lives. had arrived just before we did and was wondering if I had any “I can just see him watching over us. When heaven’s dispatch statement I wanted to make. God was providing the medium he asks, ‘Are you all set?’ Pat will answer: ‘55. I’m OK.’” wanted me use.

“The reporter didn’t even ask any questions. He just set up the For information about grief support, call your parish camera and invited me to say what was in my heart. My sisteror visit tinyurl.com/DOLoutofdarkness Follow FAITHpub on

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“I also decided to become public because I became weary of the criticism of how people perceive the Catholic Church’s teachings about homosexuality.

I want to be a voice that says, ‘Wait a minute. The Church’s teaching is good news. On every level.’ It’s motivated by God’s love for us.”

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church All the baptized are called to chastity. The Christian has “put on Christ,” the model for all chastity. All Christ’s faithful are called to lead a chaste life in keeping with their particular states of life. At the moment of his baptism, the Christian is pledged to lead his affective life in chastity. (2348)

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How Dan’s faith journey led him to the Catholic Church

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aniel Mattson is just like you and me. He is Catholic, baptized at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Lansing. He is a passionate disciple of God, citing Scripture and calling on the Lord through prayer. He is also attracted to men, and for many, this acknowledgment of the latter means he isn’t welcome in the Church.

Dan vehemently disagrees, and is trying to change the perception of both the men and women experiencing feelings of rejection in their lives, and from those who deem samesex attraction congregants as outsiders.

“I’ve been reticent about talking about this part of my life, but I feel called by God to speak about it, and my response to him is, ‘OK, I’ll talk about this because I think it’s good news,’” he says.

“I became Catholic because of the Church’s teaching on homosexuality, because I view it as freedom, where joy resides, and I want to share that with other people. I also decided to become public because I became weary of the criticism of how people perceive the Catholic Church’s teachings about homosexuality. I want to be a voice that says, ‘Wait a minute. The Church’s teaching is good news. On every level.’ It’s motivated by God’s love for us.”

After growing up Protestant, Dan turned to Catholicism because of its philosophy, finding salvation in the Church instead of condemnation.

“I think, unfortunately, the majority of the gay community reaches the conclusion that there is no place for them in the Church or that ‘The Church hates me,’ but I would argue there is a place for us, and it’s a place where the Church teaches us who we truly are and what it means to be made in the image and likeness of God,” Dan says.

Dan’s opinions on the matter are well sought out. He has been interviewed by the radio show Catholic Answers, offered his editorial in First Things and is routinely asked to give lectures and speak to groups, ranging from high school students to adults.

“There is a great need in the Church to speak more frankly about homosexuality, to not be afraid to talk about it.

“I know in the Protestant church I grew up in, it wasn’t talked about at the pulpit. I sat there in junior high and high school thinking, ‘I don’t know what to do with this in my

life. What does the church think?’ I cared about my faith, and I just didn’t feel like I could talk to anybody.

“If there is a kid like me, in 2013, and they come to the awareness that they are attracted to people of the same sex, the first person they’re going to talk to is not a priest, but someone in an online forum who is going to tell them how awful the Church is, how the Church hates gay people, and that’s not what we want.”

Advocating on behalf of the Church is not always well received by others in the samesex attraction community who have their

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feature story In the same manner, Dan embraces the belief that through the manifestation of his homosexuality, he has drawn closer to God and Jesus Christ, and he is trying to convey to same-sex-attraction Christians the opportunity to forge an equally strong relationship with God and the Church.

“I feel like part of my vocation is to propose [that] the Church’s ideals are not onerous, but are actually providing freedom to the individual, and some people will accept that and some people won’t,” he says.

Dan knows that many same-sex-attraction individuals take issue with the Church’s call to chastity, feeling that to deny oneself the comforts a heterosexual couple engages in spits in the face of the rights homosexuals are trying to achieve politically, but to them, he notes that it is God’s love above all that we are intending to seek.

“The problem with love is in today’s society we define it as, ‘You love me if you treat me the way I feel you should. If it reflects the

Courage and Encourage Courage is a spiritual support group helping Catholic men and women live in accordance with the Catholic Church’s teaching on same-sex attraction and/or behavior. Courage members strive to develop lives of interior chastity in union with Christ, through participation in the sacraments, prayer, fellowship and moral support. Encourage is a support group for family members of people with same-sex attraction. For more information, visit couragerc.org/ own intense opinions on the matter, but Dan feels there is great hope and acceptance emerging out of the Catholic Church today.

He wants those men and women questioning where they fit in to see that the doors are open and Jesus has extended his arms in ready embrace.

Like opposite-attraction Christians, there is some self-sacrifice required, and it is through living with unfulfilled desires that Dan has grown to know and to love God the way God intends for all of us to experience an intimate relationship with him.

“I like to think about my father who grew up without a dad, and he suffered through that experience, and I am convinced that was redeemed in my father’s life ultimately for the good of my father, and that suffering he experienced pointed him towards Christ as his ultimate source of happiness and fulfillment,” Dan says.

definition of love in my mind,’” Dan relays.

“I reference something from Pope John Paul II where he talks about the Church freeing us from being prisoners to our current culture. We live in this current culture, but the Church says we do not need to be held captive by that culture in terms of who you are.”

Whether we’re homosexual or heterosexual, we are bombarded by societal pressures, and we are more similar than different, redeemed through God’s love, a missive Dan will continue to preach.

“I don’t want to convey the idea that I am a bastion of heroic virtue,” he says. “I like to say that I’m a private in the trenches, not the general that has it all figured out.

“God knows what’s best for who we are.

I needed same-sex attraction in my life to make me aware of that. He allowed it for my good.”

By Michael Spath | Photography by Tom Gennara

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ordination 2013

Diaconal ordination, May 18, St. Thomas Aquinas Church, East Lansing.

Deacon Koenigsknecht promises obedience to Bishop Boyea.

Bishop Boyea imposes hands on Deacon Marsh.

Deacon Tom Fogle assists Deacon Drayton with his vestments.

Deacon Jansen administers the chalice during Communion.

Bishop Boyea presents the Book of the Gospels to Deacon Jong.

Deacon ordinations On May 18, Bishop Boyea ordained 16 men to the diaconate. The ordination Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in East Lansing was filled with more than 1,000 worshippers, along with more than 100 Diocese of Lansing priests and deacons.

Four of the deacons were ordained to the transitional diaconate – they are scheduled to be ordained to the priesthood next year. They are: • Deacon Todd Koenigsknecht, Most Holy Trinity Parish, Fowler, son of Agnes and Brian Koenigsknecht. Deacon Koenigsknecht attends Sacred Heart Seminary, and will serve at St. Mary Parish, Williamston, as a deacon.

• Deacon Gary Koenigsknecht, Most Holy Trinity Parish, Fowler, son of Ag-

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FAITH Magazine / June 2013 / www.FAITHpub.com

nes and Brian Koenigsknecht. Deacon Koenigsknecht attends Sacred Heart Seminary and will serve at St. Agnes Parish, Fowlerville, as a deacon.

• Deacon James Rolph, Christ the King Parish, Ann Arbor, son of Nancy and John Rolph. Deacon Rolph attends Sacred Heart Seminary and will serve at

St. John the Evangelist Parish, Davison, as a deacon.

•D eacon William Vincent Richardson, IV Church of the Resurrection, Lansing, son of Joyce and William Richardson.

Deacon Richardson attends Sacred Heart Seminary and will serve at St. Mary Student Parish, Ann Arbor, as a deacon.

Twelve men were ordained to the permanent diaconate. They are: • Deacon Randal Desrochers, St. Joseph Parish, Dexter. Deacon Desrochers and his wife, Carol, have four children.

He will serve at his home parish.

• Deacon David Drayton, St. Thomas/

Deacon Preiss and his wife, Karen.

Deacons lie prostrate during the Litany of the Saints

The new deacons for the Diocese of Lansing with Bishop Boyea, Bishop Mengeling, formation chair Father John Linden and director Deacon Gerald Brennan

The new deacons are embraced by their brother deacons.

St. John Parish, East Lansing. Deacon Drayton and his wife, Sherri, have four children. He will serve at his home parish with an additional special assignment at St. Vincent Catholic Charities, Lansing.

• Deacon David Jansen, St. Pius X Parish, Flint. Deacon Jansen and his wife, Peggy, have three sons. He will serve at his home parish.

• Deacon Joseph Jong, St. Mary Cathedral, Lansing. Deacon Jong and his wife, Frances, have three sons. He will serve at his home parish with special assignment to the Chinese community, particularly the Chinese students at Michigan State University.

Bishop Mengeling blesses the congregation.

The bishop greets the new deacons.

• Deacon Thomas Loewe, St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Ann Arbor. Deacon Loewe and his wife, Anna, have five children. He will serve at his home parish.

• Deacon John Marsh, St. Isidore Parish, Laingsburg. Deacon Marsh has five children. He will serve at his home parish.

• Deacon Michael Martin, St. Mary Parish, Chelsea. Deacon Martin and his wife, Marita, have six children, one of whom is deceased. He will serve at his home parish.

• Deacon Mark Millage, St. John the Baptist Parish, Ypsilanti. Deacon Millage and his wife, Marilyn, have three children. He will serve at his home parish.

• Deacon John Ozog, Christ the King Parish, Ann Arbor. Deacon Ozog and his late wife, Kathryn, have five children.

He will serve at his home parish.

• Deacon Kenneth Preiss, St. Pius X Parish, Flint. Deacon Preiss and his wife, Karen, have two children. He will serve at Holy Redeemer Parish, Burton.

•D eacon Richard Rymar, St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, Flushing. Deacon Rymar and his wife, Joanne, have two children. He will serve at his home parish.

• Deacon Devon Wolfe, St. Mary Magdalen Parish, Brighton. Deacon Wolfe and his wife, Erin, have three children.

He will serve at his home parish.

Photography by Melissa Norick

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yourcommun Cristo Rey Community Center

community

things to do: June 8, Father Dukette Council and Court 90 will be hosting a 70-year celebration of its Claverism Service at Christ the King, 1811 Seymour Ave., Flint, with 5 p.m. Mass followed by a dinner reception in Dukette/ Fedewa Hall.

June 22, 1 p.m.-4 p.m., the Diocese of Lansing’s summer retreat for persons with disabilities and their caregiver will be at the Diocesan Center, 228 N. Walnut St., Lansing in Madonna Hall. No cost. RSVP required, contact the Department of Catholic Charities at 517.342.2465.

June 24, 25th annual Cougar Classic Golf Outing sponsored

by Lansing Catholic High School at the Walnut Hills Country Club, 2874 Park Lake Road, East Lansing. Shotgun start at noon. Player fee: $125. It fills quickly, register early. Contact Colleen Murray at 517.267.2109 or colleen.murray@lansingcatholic.org.

June 29, noon – 5 p.m., Lansing Catholic Singles is hosting its

Cristo Rey Community Center, 1717 N. High St., Lansing, 517.372.4700 June 6 and 20, 8 a.m., the center has open food distribution and will have it every other Thursday until the end of the year. It is available to everyone. To receive a box of perishable food items, come to the center, sign in and bring a picture I.D. For information, call 517. 372.4700.

July 13, 9 a.m., the center’s Charity Golf Outing will be held at Wheatfield Valley Golf Club in Williamston. Cost is $80 per person for four man best ball event and includes cart, authentic Mexican food, gift bag, awards, raffle and silent auction. If interested in sponsoring or supporting the outing, contact Bob Vogel, Allen Lopez or George Alvarado at 517. 372.4700.

Aug. 25, the center is hosting its first annual Cristo Rey 5K. The first race is at 9 a.m. For more information, contact George Alvarado at 517.372.4700 ext. 128 or galvarado@cristo-rey.com.

Third annual state-wide picnic for Catholic singles, mid 30s-60s, at Burchfield Park’s North Bluff shelter in Holt, rain or shine. Bring your own beverage and a dish to pass. Meat and buns provided. Cost is $7 plus park admittance. RSVP by June 26. For more information, call 517.321.7886 or LansingCatholicSingles@live.com.

July 20, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., St. John Catholic Church, 2099 N. Hacker Road in Howell will host its fourth annual Car Show. General admission is $2 per car and show car entry fee is $20 per car. For information, please contact the parish at 517.546.7200.

Aug. 17, St. Casimir Parish will

Find out how to change your prayer life and enter into a deeper and closer relationship with Christ. Unbound: Freedom in Christ conference will be held at the Church of the Resurrection, 1531 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, the evening of July 12 through July 13. Neal Lozano, the author of the book Unbound, and his wife, Janet, will be presenting at the conference.

For more information, call the

Catholic charities

p.m. and Aug. 3, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Cost is $75. The classes fill quickly, please register early.

St. Vincent Catholic Charities, www. stvcc.org or 517.323.4734, ext. 1700 • June 8 and 15, 9 a.m.-noon, a WE C.A.R.E. marriage preparation class will be held at Cristo Rey Parish, Guadalupe Hall, 201 W. Miller Road in Lansing. Call 517.323.4734, ext. 1700 to register.

Catholic Charities of Shiawassee and Genesee Counties, www.ccsgc.org or 810.232.9950 • Offerings include: volunteer opportunities for youth throughout the summer months. To see how your youth group can serve those in need, call Rachel Pobocik at 810.265.7025.

• The third Thursday of each month, everyone is welcome to attend 8:45 a.m. Mass in the chapel of St. Michael Church, 609 E. Fifth Ave. in Flint with our staff and clients.

• July 12-13, WE C.A.R.E. marriage preparation classes will be held at St. Robert Bellarmine in Flushing. Registration is $75. Call 810.232.9950 for more information.

Livingston County Catholic Charities, www.livingstoncatholiccharities.org or 517.545.5944 • Two classes of WE C.A.R.E. marriage preparation will be offered at Livingston’s office, 2020 E. Grand River, Suite 104 in Howell – Jun. 20-21, 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.; or Aug. 2, 6:30 p.m.-9:30

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host its third annual “Come to the River” 5K Run/Walk and Kids’ Challenge Run during its Corn Roast Festival weekend. Entry fee is $20 through Aug. 12. For more information, contact the parish office at 517.482.1346 or register online at runningfoundation.com.

FAITH Magazine / June 2013 / www.FAITHpub.com

parish office at 517.482.4749 or email Ann Berger at liv4him2011@hotmail.com.

Aug. 5-6, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., St. Francis Retreat Center in Dewitt will have Protecting God’s Children facilitator training for adults. The diocese covers the cost of the training, including overnight stay at the retreat center and the Virtus Facilitator Manual. If interested in attending, contact your parish. For information, please contact Sally Ellis at sellis@dioceseoflansing.org.

Aug. 13-15, Summer Scripture Days at St. Francis Retreat Center in DeWitt. The First Evangelization will be studied.

Join us as Kevin Perrotta opens our eyes and hearts to grasp the love of Christ in our everyday lives. Register prior to Aug. 2.

Brochures are available in your church vestibule or contact Diane at 517.342.2465 or darzberger@dioceseoflansing.org Sept. 22-30, Father Mark Rutherford of Church of the Resurrection Parish, Lansing, invites you to come on pilgrimage with him to Bavaria, Innsbruck, Salzburg, Munich, Hitler’s Eagles Nest and more. Travel by luxury coach and escorted by a German guide. Cost of $3,299 includes airfare. If interested, call 313.565.8888. For pilgrimage details and complete itinerary, visit www.ctscentral.net.

nity Bishop Boyea has made the following modifications in assignments: • Rev. Pieter vanRooyen, from parochial vicar at St Gerard Parish, Lansing – previously announced as parochial administrator of Catholic Community of St Jude, DeWitt – now assigned to graduate studies, Rome, Italy, for the 2013 fall semester.

• Rev. Robert Irish, from service outside the Diocese of Lansing, to parochial administrator of Catholic Community of St Jude, DeWitt.

Vacation Bible School June 17-21, St. Matthew, 706 Beach St. in Flint will have Vacation Bible School. For information, contact the parish office at 810.232.0880.

June 17-21, St. Michael Parish in Grand Ledge will hold its morning Vacation Bible School. The theme is “Kingdom Rock: Where Kids Stand Strong for God.” Children 4 years through incoming fifth-grader are eligible to attend.

June 24-27, 6 p.m.-8 p.m., St. John Catholic Church, 2099 N. Hacker Road in Howell will have Vacation Bible School. Cost is $15 per person and $40 per family. Dinner will be available from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. for an additional fee of $3 per person each night.

June 24-28, St. Thomas the Apostle, 530 Elizabeth Street in Ann Arbor will have Vacation Bible School – Kingdom Rock – a program adapted by Our Sunday Visitor that will bring together 200 children and 60 volunteers to celebrate our Catholic faith.

Office of Child and Youth Protection If you have been abused or victimized by someone representing the Catholic Church: Please believe in the possibility for hope and help and healing.

We encurage you to come forward and speak out. Every diocese in the United States now has a Victim Assistance Cordinator 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 1.888.308.6252 arowlandvac@dioceseoflansing.org

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

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

June 24-28, 9:15 a.m.-noon, St. Robert Bellarmine in Flushing will have Vacation Bible School.

To register, call 810.659.8556.

July 8-12, 9 a.m.-noon, St. Patrick, 5671 Whitmore Lake Road in Ann Arbor will have Vacation Bible School, including a concert and ice cream social on July 11. For information call 734.662.8141 July 15-19, St. Joseph Shrine, 8743 U.S. 12 in Brooklyn will have Vacation Bible School. For information, contact Diane Dover, 517.467.2106 or ddover@frontiernet.net.

July 15-18, 9:30 a .m.-noon, the Catholic Community of St. John and Blessed Sacrament will have Vacation Bible School at the Blessed Sacrament Campus in Burton.

July 22-26, 9 a.m.-noon, St. Paul in Owosso will have Vacation Bible School. Children 4 years through fifth-grade are invited to participate. Grades 6-12 are invited to volunteer as group leaders. For more information, contact Deb Marston, Religious Education Office 989.723.1400.

Retreats Weber Retreat Center, 1257 E. Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, 517.266.4000 or www.weber.adriandominicans.org June 1, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m., “Immigration Law: From y’all come! … to Ellis Island … and now to “Secure Communities.” Workshop will provided information on immigration law. Cost $25, includes lunch.

June 28-29, Friday, 7 p.m. to Saturday, 8 p.m., “Letting Go and Leaning Forward”: This multimedia, interactive retreat will provide an opportunity to reflect on your life stance.

Dominican Center at Marywood, 2025 E. Fulton St., Grand Rapids, 616.454.1241 or dominicancenter.com/ June 10-14, 8:30 a.m.-noon, Mary, Mother of God and June 1014, 8:30 a.m.-noon, Summer Retreat: Writing as Spiritual Practice.

Cost is $200 for each retreat.

St. Francis Retreat Center, 703 E. Main St., DeWitt, 866.669.8321 or www.stfrancis.ws/ June 3-14, the Dominican Center at Marywood will have a two week directed retreat Practicum for Spiritual Directors. Cost is $1,395, $150 non-refundable deposit with registration. June 9-14, it also will have a Journey into Silence retreat. Cost is $395, single occupancy and meals.

Nov. 12-21, 2013, Msgr.

Steven Raica, Chancellor of the Diocese of Lansing and Deborah Amato invite you to commemorate the end of the Year of Faith on pilgrimage to Italy. Stops include Assisi, Florence and Rome.

Msgr. Raica’s 11 years of residency in Italy will greatly enrich a stunning and spiritual pilgrimage. cost of $3,859 includes airfare and other amenities. If interested, call 313.565.8888. For details and complete itinerary, visit www.ctscentral.net.

June Café events – July 8-12, Monday, 2 p.m.-Friday, 1 p.m., a private directed retreat will be available at Weber Retreat Center, 1257 E. Siena Heights Drive in Adrian. Each participant will meet daily with a spiritual director. Cost is $375, which includes room, meals and daily spiritual direction. Register at 517.266.4000 or weber.adriandominicans.org.

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29

local news

Father Bill Lugger will make the pilgrimage depicted in the film The Way.

Father Bill Lugger and the Camino de Santiago Father Bill Lugger, pastor of St. Casimir Parish, Lansing, is getting ready to walk with God in Spain. He is taking the northern route of the Camino de Santiago – the Way of St. James. He is planning on walking 10 to 20 miles a day and will stay in hostels.

The pilgrimage he is taking is the result of people talking about the trip. He says, “I saw the movie The Way. Then, while I was at my Mom and Dad’s for Christmas, I read an article about it in the AARP magazine. Later, I taught a class at Siena Heights in Adrian. Many of the students talked about it.”

Father Lugger received a month sabbatical from Bishop Boyea for the walk. He will share details and photos of the Way of St. James after the walk is finished in October.

For his pilgrimage, Father Lugger is asking for donations to be made to St. Casimir School and Advent House – a women’s shelter. If you are interested in making a donation, it can be sent to St. Casimir Parish, 815 Sparrow Ave., Lansing, 48910.

Father Gabriel Richard High School hosts Special Olympics Day Carolyn Campbell, a junior at Father Gabriel Richard in Ann Arbor, was in charge of Special Olympics Day at the school. Athletic director Hally Yonko says the students came up with the idea from their past participation through the Fellowship of Christian Athletics.

More than 100 Special Olympians and 30 coaches joined 545 students for the event. The fundraiser benefited Special Olympics in Washtenaw County.

Special Olympic students arrived from Chelsea and Saline; Ann Arbor schools, Ann Arbor Huron High and Willow Run. During the lunch break, they enjoyed Domino’s Pizza provided for the Special Olympic players by CEO Patrick Doyle. – Jan Hoffbauer

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FAITH Magazine / June 2013 / www.FAITHpub.com

American Red Cross volunteer appreciation Lynda Waldron, a parishioner at St. Mary Star of the Sea in Jackson, welcomed the American Red Cross volunteers to an appreciation event at the Steele Carriage House in Adrian.

Lynda is the supervisor of Volunteer Resources Center for the Great Lakes Blood Region.

Lynda said their work force is 97 percent volunteers – and it is they who make the organization what it is, able to offer blood service and health and safety service to the Armed Forces, AmeriCorps and other services.

In Michigan during 2012, almost 32,000 members took preparedness seminars and more than 2,300 responded to disasters. They assisted 2,920 Armed Forces families.

Council of Catholic Women’s “Spirit of Spring” retreat St. Catherine Labouré Parish, Concord, hosted the “Spirit of Spring,” a day retreat sponsored by the Lansing Diocese’s Council of Catholic Women.

Fathers Charles Irvin and Doug Osborn concelebrated Mass for those in attendance.

Eleven different parishes were represented.

Kathleen Petersen, St. Anthony Church, Hillsdale, talked about embracing the vocation of womanhood. The ladies made rosaries, bracelets and cards. Many officers of the diocese’s Council of Catholic Women attended, including Carolyn Morison, province director for the State of Michigan who visits seven dioceses. If you would like to learn more about the Council of Catholic Women and attend their upcoming Women’s Conference on Oct. 26, visit lansingdiocesecwc.com/Index.html.

Center for Bio Ethical Reform Approximately 25 Students for Life volunteers took turns braving cold weather to stand outside at Eastern Michigan University to share the Genocide Awareness Project (GAP). The students are part of a group called the Center for Bio-Ethical Reform.

The volunteers handed out information about abortion, including a United Nations definition of genocide: acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.” – Jan Hoffbauer

Living Alone

last word

I

f you have a friend who has recently experienced being divorced, or the death of his or her spouse, anyone who has lived with another but now finds themselves living alone, I invite you to step into his or her shoes and try to imagine what life must now be like. Those of us who are living in a family have so many daily concerns and things to do. There are appointments to be met, shopping to be done and events to attend.

Life these days is very busy and we have the daily experience of eating meals and doing many things with those who are close to us and living with us under the same roof.

All of that is suddenly no more for those who are living with loss and now are living alone. Solitude is chosen, loneliness comes upon us for reasons not of our choice. Try to imagine what is happing inside the one who is now living alone.

If you know of such a person, try to stay in frequent touch with him or her.

Invite that person into your home. Share meals; allow him or her to be a part of your family events. Invite a person who is now alone to share his or her thoughts and feelings with you. All those things were once a normal part of life – now they are gone. Pay attention to the onset

Shared pregnancy billboard unveiling ceremony draws a large crowd A crowd of 60 people gathered on the sidewalk of the Womancare abortion clinic at 1601 East Grand River in April to attend the ceremonial unveiling of the new Shared Pregnancy billboard across from the clinic. The group, many of whom had prayed and fasted during the recent spring 40 Days for Life Lansing campaign, listened to pro-life advocates who collaborated on the project. Bishop Earl Boyea attended the event and was the first to donate, offering $2,500 to pay for the first month’s rent.

The vinyl artwork for the

of depression. They don’t need your pity.

They need close support, your shared friendship, your ability to encircle them in the closeness of your love and friendship. God is, after all, a God of love.

Depression is subtle.

Many people hide their feelings of loneliness and depression because they don’t want to be pitied.

You need to discern the signs of depres-

sion. Isolation is one of them. Depressed people tend to isolate themselves. Loss of appetite is another sign. Sleeplessness is another. Negativity is another, particularly when the depressed person begins to speak negatively about himself or herself.

So also is the lack of motivation.

God made us to love and care for each other, and to protect each other. Husbands care for, protect and give of their time to their wives. Wives care for, protect and give their time to their husbands. God made us that way. That was his intention and purpose because he made us in his image and likeness. He did not make us to live in lonely isolation and depression.

So if you have a friend who has recently experienced divorce or the death of his or her spouse, anyone who has lived with another but now finds themselves living alone, surround them with God’s love. It is your special calling from our God of love.

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

Adams Outdoor Advertising billboard cost $800 and the monthly rental fee is $2,500. Pro-life groups are hoping to be able to pay for a full year of advertising to send the message of hope: “Pregnant? Scared? We can help. Call Shared Pregnancy at 517.484.1882. Free Ultrasounds. Free Pregnancy Tests. Long-term Support. For Qualified Clients.”

Cristo Rey Community Center, St. Vincent Catholic Charities will not merge The Catholic Diocese of Lansing has announced that Cristo Rey Community Center will not merge with St. Vincent Catholic Charities. A period of study has confirmed that the best way to serve the needs of the community is to keep the charities as separate organizations.

Bishop Boyea has asked Father Fred Thelen, pastor of Cristo Rey Parish, to assume a greater role in the governance of Cristo Rey Community Center. The parish and the center will likewise remain as separate organizations, but under the shared leadership of Father Thelen.

Sight Impaired/Blind Retreat The St. Louis Center in Chelsea hosted the Diocese of Lansing’s annual spring retreat for the sight impaired and blind. Dr. Richard Strife, a psychologist for the diocesan tribunal, was a guest speaker. He talked about the importance of being courteous, treating others as Christ. He reminded Like FAITHpub on

people that everyone is a child of God and made in the image and likeness of God. Those attending the retreat enjoyed a day of spiritual growth and a time to gather in communion with others.

For more information about upcoming events and programs for persons with disabilities, contact the Department of Catholic Charities at 517.342.2465.

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notes:

Join Us for Golf Wednesday, August 28, 2013 Hawk Hollow and Eagle Eye 10 a.m. shotgun start on both courses Honorary hosts Knights of Columbus Councils of the Catholic Diocese of Lansing

Individual Golfer Golfer Foursome

$175 $700

Tee Sponsorship

Golfer/Tee Sign Package

$300 $900

Not a golfer? Come join us for dinner $50 per person - Please RSVP! For registration and sponsorship, contact Lisa Weber at 517.342.2535 or e-mail Development@DioceseofLansing.org Golf brochure and registration form available online at www.DioceseofLansing.org www.dioceseoflansing.org

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