July/August 2008

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n a recent visit with Tim (not his real name), I came to meet an individual who was being held hostage by hurts and anger that dated back nearly to the beginning of his life. Now in mid-life, Tim was having fits of anger and outbursts of rage that were directed most often at his wife and their two children. Through the course of our discussion, Tim shared with me bits and pieces about his sad childhood. A time in his life that should have been one of happy memories was instead dominated by the recollection of the actions of a verbally abusive father and a mother who did very little to shield Tim from his father’s wrath. Over time, those words of anger, spoken by Tim’s father, slowly transformed into lasting memories. In time, those memories became like an anchor in Tim’s life, always dragging him back to the sadness, powerlessness and fear that marked so much of his growing up.

Tim was in his teens when his dad died, and he had never had an opportunity to let go of his hurt and anger in a healthy way. Instead, it was now manifesting itself in very unhealthy ways toward people who had nothing to with its origins. The anchor of Tim’s anger was threatening to hold Tim in the muck of past hurts, and it was keeping him and his loved ones from moving forward in a way that was loving, life-giving and mutually supportive. In order to move forward, we decided that Tim would have to do the nearly impossible – he would have to cut the anchor cable by working, over time, to forgive his father.

Slowly, Tim has managed to let go of the anger, the hurt and the frustration. He has let go of the anchor that was holding him back and which was dragging has family down with him. With God’s grace through the sacraments, Tim has begun the slow but steady process of healing. Instead of being held in place by the anchor of anger, Tim is now sailing forward into a new and transformed life, bringing his wife and children with him on the voyage. Yet, he has not forgotten the hurts of the past. Instead, he has chosen to learn from them so that he might be a better person, husband, father and man of faith.

Forgiveness is not an easy task, but it is necessary if we wish to move forward in life and faith.

Forgiveness is not the same as forgetting or pretending that awful things didn’t happen, when in fact they did. In the sacraments, God offers us the grace to heal and grow in such a way that we can leave behind past hurts so that we can move more fully into life. God also gives us the wisdom to evaluate the circumstances that led to those hurts, so that we might learn new ways of living which protect and uphold the dignity and goodness of all those around us. In choosing to forgive, we may still recall the hurts of the past, but we no longer allow them to have power over us. With God’s help, we can cut the anchor cable of unforgiveness and sail forward into new and renewed life. And so, our journey in FAITH continues.

Forgiving but not forgetting

T. Gennara

Why letting go of anger is good for us

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

FAITH Magazine

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July/August 2008 | www.FAITHmag.com

Liturgical Calendar: Blessed Junipero Serra, Priest July 1 | St. Thomas, Apostle July 3 | St. Elizabeth of Portugal July 4 | St. An

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Forgive you Father, for you have sinned Why Maggie forgave the priest who abused her In this very special cover story, FAITH interviews Maggie, a survivor of sex abuse by a Catholic priest. Maggie was only 12 when her parish priest abused her while she was in elementary school. Find out why Maggie forgave the man who harmed her physically, emotionally and spiritually.

inside

what you’ll get out of this issue

in the know with Fr. Joe

6H ow do we deal with a divorce in the family? – Father Joseph Krupp

marriage matters

8 She says: Mass is important to our family. He says: Not to me. What do they do? – Tom and JoAnne Fogle

parenting journey

9P arenting in any generation – Dr. Cathleen McGreal

special report

10 A time for healing: an update on the clergy abuse scandal. – Marybeth Hicks 12 Safe Environment: What is the church doing? What is the Diocese of Lansing doing? – Bob Horning

special report

25 Some of the parishes in Flint have closed and merged. Read this history of the churches and communities that nourished the Catholics of Flint for many decades. – Joanne Eaason

last word

31 Can we feel safe? There is a place for us.

– Father Charles Irvin

ortugal July 4 | St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria, Priest July 5 | St. Augustine Zhao Rong, Priest and Martyr and his companions, Martyrs July 9 | St. Benedict, Abbot July 11 | Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, Virgin July 14

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EDITOR AND CHAIRMAN

July/August 2008 • Volume 9: Issue 6

FA I T H P u b l i s h i n g S e r v i c e Patrick M. O’Brien PRESIDENT/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Elizabeth Martin Solsburg EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Joanne Eason DIRECTOR OF CREATIVE SERVICES

Vicki Wells-Bedard

DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING

Patrick Dally ART DIRECTOR

Lynne Ridenour

GRAPHIC DESIGNER/WEBMASTER

Abby Wieber

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Jillane Job EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

Patricia Oliver SECRETARY

InnerWorkings

PRINT MANAGEMENT FAITHPublishingService.com

Andrew Peltcs Susanna Skowronek EDITORIAL INTERNS

Dcn. Tom and JoAnne Fogle Katie Hicks Bob Horning Rev. Joseph Krupp Cathleen McGreal CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Derek Melot

PROOFREADING

Tom Gennara James Luning (cover) Donald Quillan Philip Shippert

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

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

FAITHTM (USPS 019993) is a publication of FAITH Publishing Service, Catholic Diocese of Lansing, 300 W. Ottawa, Lansing, MI 48933. FAITHTM is a membership publication of the Catholic Diocese of Lansing and is published monthly except for February and August. To purchase a subscription, log onto FAITHmag.com. If you have a change of address, please contact your parish. Periodicals postage paid at Lansing, MI or additional offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to FAITHTM, 209 Seymour Ave., Lansing, MI 48933 ©FAITH Publishing Service. FAITH is a trademark of FAITH Publishing Service.

Most Rev. Carl F. Mengeling FOUNDING PUBLISHER

Rev. Charles Irvin

FOUNDING EDITOR

www.FAITHmag.com FAITH Magazine

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The Dominican Sisters of Mary in final phase of their Michigan Motherhouse

Livingston County Catholic Social Services (LCCSS) received a grant in the amount of $1,200 from the Gannett Foundation for co-worker professional development and a grant in the amount of $15,000 from the Sisters of the Precious Blood, Maria Anna Brunner Fund for its Inter-faith Volunteer Caregiver Program (IVCP). Other funding for IVCP comes from the Area Agency on Aging 1-B, Livingston County United Way, the Diocese of Lansing and other fundraising efforts.

The Gannett grant enabled LCCSS to send three co-workers from the Be Our Guest Adult Day (BOGAD) program to the local Michigan Adult Day Services Association (MADSA) annual three-day seminar, July 23-25, at the MacMullan Conference Center in Roscommon.

The $15,000 grant from the Sisters of the Precious Blood will enable LCCSS to keep the program assistant for IVCP and maintain the current service level provided to clients. IVCP serves local senior citizens who are medically infirm and/or socially or geographically isolated. Many of those served are at or below poverty level with very limited means of assistance.

If you would like to volunteer, or for additional information regarding Livingston County Catholic Social Services’ Be Our Guest Adult Day Program, contact Pam Bolam at 810.229.9910. To volunteer for the Inter-faith Volunteer Caregiver Program or to learn more about the variety of services at LCCSS, call 517.545.5944.

In May 2008, the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist in Ann Arbor broke ground for the third time in just nine years as construction began on the final phase of their Michigan Motherhouse. “Over the years, our dynamic growth has required us to step out in faith on several occasions, always confident that our Lord will bless and provide for us,” said Mother Assumpta Long, O.P., prioress general of the community. The religious community was established 11 years ago. “With so many Sisters in our community and potentially large groups of women entering each year, we simply can wait no longer to expand our Motherhouse.”

The 36,000-square-foot expansion is expected to be completed by fall 2009. Site plans and renderings of Phase III construction are on the Sisters’ Web site, www.sistersofmary.org.

The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist are a Roman Catholic community of women religious founded in 1997 as a response to Pope John Paul II’s call for a new evangelization of the third millennium church. Today, the community numbers more than 80 Sisters. In addition to administering two private, K-8 Catholic schools in Ann Arbor, the Spiritus Sanctus Academies, the Sisters currently teach in elementary and secondary schools in the Charleston, Venice, Phoenix and Sacramento dioceses.

July/August 2008 | www.FAITHmag.com

Bishop Boyea throws the first pitch On July 25, Bishop Boyea threw out the first pitch at the Lansing Lugnuts game on Catholic Vocations night. The Knights of Columbus sponsored the event, which included Father Bill Lugger and the Singing Knights singing the National Anthem, religious sisters and seminarians throwing t-shirts into the crowd at mid-point of the 6th inning and fireworks after the game.

Children from Holy Cross Children’s Services, St. Vincent Home for Children and St. Louis Center were also invited.

history quiz

PUBLISHER

Rev. Dwight Ezop

Livingston County Catholic Social Services awarded two grants

M. Tiller

The Magazine of the Catholic Diocese of Lansing

Most Reverend Earl A. Boyea

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Courtsey Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist

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St. Bonaventure, Bishop and Doctor July 15 | Our Lady of Mount Carmel July 16 | St. Camillus de Lellis, Priest July 18 | St.

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Santa Brígida de Suecia

Feast Day: July 23 Patron saint of Sweden, co-patroness of Europe Canonized: October 7, 1391 Meaning of name: Exalted one

Día festivo: 23 de julio Santa Patrona de Suecia, Compatrona de Europa Canonizada: 7 de octubre de 1391 Significado del nombre: La Sublime

Claim to fame: Bridget’s father, Birger Persson, was one of the wealthiest landowners in the country. From an early age, Bridget showed a deep interest in religion. Her family fostered this as she grew. Following the death of Bridget’s mother, an aunt came to live with the family, and she encouraged Bridget’s faith and strong will. At age 13, Bridget married Ulf Gudmarsson. Although marriage had not been her first choice, she was happy. The couple had eight children, among them St. Catherine of Sweden. Bridget’s charity made her very well known in Sweden, and she was acquainted with a number of theologians. She even lived in the court of King Magnus Eriksson for several years.

Hechos que la hicieron famosa: El padre de Brígida, Birger Persson, era uno de los terratenientes más acaudalados del país. Desde muy joven, Brígida mostró un profundo interés por la religión y su familia fomentó esto a medida que crecía.

Luego de la muerte de Brígida, vino a vivir con la familia una tía, y ella animó la fe y fuerte voluntad de Brígida. A los 13 años, Brígida se casó con Ulf Gudmarsson, y aunque el matrimonio no había sido su primera elección, ella estaba feliz. La pareja tuvo ocho niños, entre ellos a Santa Catalina de Suecia. La caridad de Brígida la hizo muy famosa en Suecia, y ella conoció a muchos teólogos, y hasta vivió en la corte del Rey Magnus Eriksson por varios años.

What made her a saint: As a girl, Bridget sometimes had religious visions, including one of Mary placing a crown on Bridget’s head. Following her husband’s death, these visions became more frequent. She even believed that Jesus himself visited her. She also founded a convent at Wadstena and created a new order, the Brigittines. She journeyed to Rome to obtain commendation from the pope, which would make her order official. But she did not receive it. (Her daughter Catherine succeeded in obtaining commendation after Bridget’s death.) Bridget remained in Rome for the rest of her life and was known for her charitable and pious lifestyle.

Qué la hizo una santa: Cuando era niña, Brígida algunas veces tuvo visiones religiosas, una de María que colocaba una corona en la cabeza de Brígida inclusive. Luego de la muerte de su marido, estas visiones se hicieron más frecuentes, aún creyendo que Jesús mismo la visitaba. Ella también fundó un convento en Wadstena, y creó una nueva orden, la Brigidinas. Ella viajó a Roma para obtener una distinción del papa que oficializara su orden, pero no la obtuvo. (Sin embargo, después de la muerte de Brígida, su hija Catalina la obtuvo). Brígida permaneció en Roma por el resto de su vida, y fue conocida por su estilo de vida caritativo y devoto.

How she died: Upon returning from a pilgrimage with her children Catherine and Birger, Bridget became terminally ill. She died in Rome on July 23, 1373, and her remains were taken back to the convent she founded in Sweden. – Katie Hicks

Cómo murió: Al regresar de una peregrinación con sus hijas Catalina y Birgir, Brígida se enfermó gravemente. Murió en Roma el 23 de julio de 1373, y sus restos fueron llevados al convento que ella fundó en Suecia.

“She wore an itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny, yellow polka dot bikini…”

The bikini swimsuit made its debut in the fashion capital of the world, Paris, France, on July 5, WHAT YEAR?

Video Killed the Radio Star by the Buggles was the first video shown when MTV made its debut at 12:01 a.m. on Aug. 1, WHAT YEAR?

The mystic Teresa of Avila was the first woman doctor of the Catholic Church. She was presented this honor

by Pope Paul VI on July 18, WHAT YEAR? Answers: 1946, 1981, 1970

history quiz

St. Bridget created a new order,

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s, Priest July 18 | St. Lawrence of Brindisi, Priest and Doctor July 21 | St Mary Magdalene July 22 | St. Bridget of Sweden, Religious July 23 | St. Sharbel Makhluf, Priest July 24 | St James, Apostle July 25

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

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My sister and her husband divorced. This is the only couple in our family who has split up and we’re all trying to put it in the context of our Catholic faith. How do we deal with this without judging them?

We seem to have arrived at this point again, where our actions and laws have served to degrade the idea of marriage into a kind of “serious dating” that can be dissolved for any reason whatsoever.

We, as Christians, are called to be different; that is a fact. Societal attitudes about marriage are leading us down a dangerous road.

The church recognizes the sad reality that some marriages are destructive to the bodies, souls and dignities of the people involved. To protect the mental and physical health of the participants and their children, it is a tragic necessity for some couples to separate. To ensure that each of them is civilly protected and that children are provided for, it may be necessary for them to obtain a civil divorce.

Even after they are divorced by the state, the church considers them to be a married couple – though not able to live together – unless they obtain a decree of nullity. This is usually called an annulment – and it is the result of the church’s determination of the

July/August 2008 | www.FAITHmag.com

Dear Fr. Joe How do we deal with a divorce in the family?

sacramentality and validity of a marriage.

I guess to sum it all up, we are called always and everywhere to respect marriage. Sometimes, that translates into getting help and working through issues together and fighting for a marriage with all our hearts and souls. Sometimes, out of respect for marriage, we end it and protect our God-given dignity.

So, when someone in our family divorces, what are we to do?

You know I’m gonna type this: Pray. Pray for the family. Pray for any children born of this union.

Pray that God uses you to be as loving as Jesus.

In terms of judging, leave the judging of motives to God. God knows the human heart and knows your sister’s marriage better than anyone else involved.

To put it simply: You don’t know what you don’t know. We don’t want to pretend that we

know the totality of the situation or that we can know what is in people’s hearts and minds.

If your sister asks your opinion, offer it gently and lovingly.

Don’t pretend this isn’t hard for you and don’t forget this is hard for her, too. If, through what she shares with you, you believe she isn’t taking her marriage vow seriously, speak that in love if asked. If you can help without wounding your conscience, then do so.

When other family members try to speak to you about this, don’t tolerate gossip. Encourage everyone to pray for all involved and change the subject.

Talk about the Detroit Lions – who are simultaneously my favorite team and the source of my greatest suffering in life.

When it seems the time is right, and if you sense that it’s the right thing to do, talk to your sister about annulments.

Annulments exist not just so people can get remarried; they can and should be an opportunity to close some doors and begin the healing process.

God bless your heart for asking this question; it shows you care about your sister and respect and honor the family and the sacrament of marriage.

Trust that God, who started this good work in you and in your sister, will see it to completion.

(Phil 1:6)

Enjoy another day in God’s presence!

– Father Joseph Krupp

Ss. Joachim and Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary July 26 | St. Martha July 29 | St. Peter Chrysologus, Bishop a

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prenups What do you think?

According to many lawyers, prenuptial agreements have risen in popularity by: You had this to say iStockphoto.com

What does the church say?

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Tell us what YOU would do.

Log on to FAITHmag.com to vote.

On line at FAITHmag.com, we asked what you thought about prenuptial agreements.

40

% Yes you should – if the marriage ends after a short time, why should you reap the benefits of his family’s hard work?

49

% It depends – if he has children or other dependents to provide for, that should be spelled out in a prenup. Everything else should be joint.

We asked parishioners at St. Mary Student Parish if prenuptial agreements were OK and whether they’d sign one if asked:

Well, I would [sign one] because I think the person I marry would love me as much as I would love her. … I don’t think I would ever make the money to worry about it, as a teacher. – John

you said...

J. Luning

% No way – marriage is a partnership. What’s his is yours and what’s yours is his.

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, marriage is a permanent and irrevocable bond that occurs through the mutual consent of the spouses.

In order to be valid, that consent must intend all that the Catholic Church intends in the sacrament of matrimony. That includes the intention of permanence.

A prenuptial agreement that anticipates any possibility of divorce might render a Catholic marriage invalid. Prenuptial agreements that are designed to protect children’s inheritances in the event of one spouse’s death may be acceptable.

How did our readers vote?

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I’m personally not a fan of them, because of going in and having doubt. And also, if you’re not 100% confident going into a marriage and go into a prenuptial agreement, you should figure something else out. … It’s a red flag that something was going wrong. It’d bring up a question of commitment. – Chris

Why would you do that, it’s like preparing for something bad to happen. It’s like you’re waiting for a divorce. – Jennifer

I keep hearing mixed things about the death penalty. I know we should respect life, but do convicted murderers lose their rights – including that of living? Didn’t the Bible say something about an eye for an eye?

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F A I T H

Chrysologus, Bishop and Doctor July 30 | St. Ignatius of Loyola, Priest July 31 | St. Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop and Doctor August 1 | St Eusebius of Vercelli, Bishop and St. Julian Eymard, Priest August 2

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ate and Mike have been married for 15 years and have three children. They disagree about whether or not Sunday Mass attendance is really important.

Mass is important to our family

It’s not important to me

He said She said

Mike says: Look, I understand that Kate likes church, but for the life of me, I can’t see why. I find it boring and unnecessary. I can pray at home. I have no objection to her taking the kids on Sundays, but I’m an adult – I can make my own decisions.

what do they do?

If you have looked around church on a typical Sunday, you will see more mothers with their children than fathers with their children. When asked about it, most of the fathers give the same answer and have the same thought process as Mike does. Without question, if Mike’s boss at work said we are all (as a work group) going to gather at 9 a.m. to thank the corporation for providing us work, benefits and paychecks, most would not question it. Primarily because most understand we can not accomplish much in the work place without being part of a team – without being part of the work community. The same is true with “church.” We are a community and when we worship, we come to give thanks for our blessings and to support each other. Church is as much about relationships with others as is the work community. Once we understand the dynamics of relationship, the more value we will put on attending the formal church.

It might help if Mike understood the reasons why his home is called a “domestic church.” It would help him understand and place a value on the larger community he presently calls church and it would help him understand the important role he plays in passing on the faith to his children. We agree that Mike is an adult, but that has responsibilities attached to it, just like it has benefits. Yes, he can FAITH Magazine

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July/August 2008 | www.FAITHmag.com

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Kate says: Going to Mass is very important to me and to our family. We should all be going together, but Mike refuses. He stays home and reads the paper on Sundays, which is setting a terrible example for the children. How can I make him live up to the obligations of his faith?

make his own decisions, but as a father and husband, he does not have the luxury of thinking of only himself. He has an active role to play in the teaching of his children and in providing a proper role model. As a Christian parent, Mike does not have the freedom to “opt out” of his proper role to his children and his wife.

The Christian faith is passed on from one generation to another primarily within the home, not through some formal classroom setting. The father and mother are the principal teachers of their children, and it is up to both parents to ensure the faith is passed on by setting a proper example of what it means to be a Christian and a member of a community. Children learn by watching their parents’ behavior. It is important for Mike to realize he and Kate are role models for their children, whether they want to be or not. Parents can’t abdicate their roles or their responsibilities.

It might help also for Mike to know that, just like in his marriage relationship (all relationships for

St. John Mary Vianney, Priest August 4 | Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary in Rome August 5 | Transfiguration of th

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I do it myself!

Sound policy

How much insurance should I have?

How to deal with young children’s growing independence

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uring the collection at Mass young children come down the aisles to drop off their coins and items for the food pantry. Observing the parents holding little hands, it is striking how much variation there is in the timing of parenthood. Parents may be from GenX or GenY but they face similar challenges.

When it comes to parenting issues, the child’s age often is more important than the parent’s age!

Clothe yourselves with patience!

It’s delightful to watch the emerging sense of self-awareness as babies become toddlers. If you put a new hat on her head and she notices it in a mirror, she will reach up to touch her own head rather than reach for the “child” in the mirror. With this understanding comes autonomy, a desire to make decisions about one’s own actions. “Do it myself” becomes a common chant requiring an earlier starting times for the simplest of errands. Caring for a young child becomes embodied prayer, requiring stores of patience.

• Establish routines so that transitions from one activity to another are clear and there is predictability.

• Redirect children’s attention toward desirable activities.

• Give feedback on what you like about children’s behaviors: Catch them at their best rather than giving attention for negative behaviors.

Encourage Intrinsic Motivation.

New emotions can be seen as he looks proudly at a sock that is halfway on a foot or shows a look of shame if an older child teases that he uses fat “baby” crayons. Negative comments tend to hinder exploration and produce shame.

• Acknowledge intrinsic enjoyment of different activities. Smiles, hugs and eye contact show recognition of his feelings.

• External rewards may take away intrinsic pleasure as your child gets older. Self esteem often comes from selfevaluation rather than excessive external praise.

• Experiences of “flow” in which we are absorbed in challenging tasks occur during recreation and work. Make sure your child has age-appropriate chores .

Remember to be a Couple!

T. Gennara

T. Gennara

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It’s delightful to watch the emerging sense of selfawareness as babies become toddlers.

from your cheaper term premium and invest that in a mutual fund to yield a much greater return.

How much coverage do you need? Zale counsels his clients to buy enough to settle their debts — with a little wiggle room — when they die. “Buy only as much as you need to cover yourself,” he said. “You want to cover your debts, especially your mortgage, and provide for your spouse and your children.”

the matter), you will get back what you give. If you give nothing, you get nothing back! If Mike is getting nothing out of going to church, he most likely is not putting anything into it. We know that sounds harsh, but the truth sometimes hurts.

We believe that, with a little bit of education and rational discussion, Mike would see the value.

There is a value proposition here and we believe Mike has just not made the connection yet.

– Tom and JoAnne Fogle

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hether or not it’s in your wallet, it’s nearly always on your mind. Money — and how to manage it — is a topic many of us wrestle with daily. We turned to Ted Zale, a veteran financial adviser, for some practical pocketbook advice. Here are 10 tips that can help you today: Yeah, you know you need life insurance. It’s just so, well – boring and confusing. Whole life.

Term life. Universal life.

Zzzzzz . . . HEY, wake up! Allow Ted to take the mystery and monotony out of protecting your loved ones. Step one: Buy term life insurance.

Step two: See Step One. “We tell all our clients to buy cheap term insurance as opposed to whole life policies,” Zale says. “Insurance companies, bless them, are in business to make money. But whole-life, at best, might give you 3 percent a year as an investment return and for the first 10 or 15 years, there’s no benefit.”

This is insurance, not an investment. Take the money you save

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When you are busy being Mom and Dad, you may forget that you are first husband and wife. To keep yourselves on track: • Even if it is a 15-minute period each day, set aside time just for each other.

• Find a babysitter and have a date night; you deserve it!

– Dr. Cathleen McGreal

| Transfiguration of the Lord August 6 | St. Sixtus II, Pope and Martyr and his companions, Martyrs August 7 | St. Dominic, Priest August 8 | St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, Virgin and Martyr August 9

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Roman Catholic Diocese of L

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Office of the Bishop

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in Christ: your warm welcome to me as My dear brothers and sisters safe summer. I have appreciated and l cefu pea a g yin enjo are I hope you same for me. you daily. I ask that you do the difficulties and deep sorrow as your new bishop, and I pray for erie ited States has exp nced grave Un the d in rch chu our re, awa onscionable and damages a chil As you are The sexual abuse of minors is unc dal. scan se His . abu age sex dam gy l cler itua the spir the result of he also inflicts serious en a priest commits that abuse, therephysically and emotionally. Wh with God and the church. We are ship victim from a relation his es driv t tha lyst cata the be abuse can . e healing and to prevent this evil licity about fore highly motivated to provid nts, there has been far less pub eve erage of these sad cov ss pre ch mu iety be more attentive. n soc bee ole has wh re While the crisis and to help our this to to ond resp to e don has rch the Diocese of Lansing, in order the many good things the chu rch has taken, in the U.S. and in chu the s step the of few a to n ntio I would like to draw your atte able adults. ment for our children and vulner iron env safe a in inta ma create and

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States as a whole: ment training in 2007.

For example, in the United .6 percent) received safe environ (96 n dre chil lic tho Ca ion mill environment training.

• 5.584 ound cons and educators received safe dea sts, prie of t cen for ordination have had backgr per 99 than • More yees, volunteers and candidates plo em rs, cato ed. edu s, form con per dea checks • More than 1.3 million priests, 99 percent rate of background volunteers, this accounts for a of y gor /families. This is in addition to cate ims the vict for than es er ens Oth . exp y rap checks the in ion mill 1 $3 rchies have spent more than • Since 2004, dioceses/epa settlement costs. lts since Aug. 13, 2003.

In the Diocese of Lansing: ildren awareness sessions for adu Ch d’s Go ing summer tect Pro S: TU VIR d re sessions are scheduled for late mo Six e. ces dio • 14,783 people have attende this in held s tecting God’s Children session plete schedule at: • There have been 371 Pro 08-09 school year. View a com 20 the ing dur led edu sch be or fall and other sessions will essions.html. fe_environment/pgcawarenesss /sa org ing. ans eofl ces .dio ww http://w in the diocese. and tecting God’s Children facilitators Pro S: TU VIR d in 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007 tifie cer 61 are • There d’s Children facilitator training Go ing tect Pro S: TU VIR ted hos • The Diocese of Lansing has Saginaw have participated. ids, Kalamazoo, Marquette and Rap nd Gra of ironment training es ces Dio The .

2008 education have received safe env ious relig and s ool sch lic tho Ca an hers and 3,333 volunteers.

• 24,699 students in dioces g 1,834 employees, 908 teac udin incl ck, che d oun kgr bac a ed Center program facilitated by Pat • 8,346 people have complet through the St. Francis Retreat eats retr ling hea d nce erie exp e • Approximately 25 victims hav y.

Martin and Father Larry Delane recent takes that led to the scandal of ermined not to repeat the mis det is rerch was chu . him U.S inst The . aga t ory hist sex abuse brough I believe we learn from our r who had a credible charge of al iste ion min nat lay the or ore st bef prie g lon any , – h clergy sex abuse wit ling dea years. In the Diocese of Lansing for es ctic pra nd r diocese developed sou vulnerable adults are protected. moved from active ministry. Ou are ensuring our children and we on, n acti us oro vig and s yer iliation with those who have bee scandal broke. Through our pra to facilitate healing and reconc out ng chi rea are we m, gra pro Through our victim assistance within our church. few a of s’ good news. ons acti the by wounded tinue to be the bearers of Jesu con y ma we t tha y, istr min in us I ask you to pray for all of Peace of Christ,

+ Earl Boyea Bishop of Lansing FAITH Magazine

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St. Clare, Virgin August 11 | St. Jane de Chantal, Religious August 12 Maximilian

by Frances Todd Schulz | Photography by| St. Jim LuningMary Kolbe, Priest and Ma

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hen the priest sex abuse scandal broke in Boston in January 2002, America’s Catholics were shocked, dismayed and deeply hurt by what they learned. What sometimes appeared to be a cover-up of the illegal, immoral and habitual behavior of a number of dangerous predators violated the trust of the community of believers.

Only a united and determined response from America’s Catholic bishops could offer hope for the healing and reconciliation so desperately needed in the wake of such unacceptable behaviors.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) responded decisively. The bishops approved a Charter for the Protection of Children

what the church is doing to protect children from sex abuse

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A time for

What do U.S. Catholics think about the church’s policies? % strongly approve of the policy requiring dioceses to 78 report allegations of sexual abuse of a minor to the public authorities. % somewhat approve of the policy requiring dioceses to 11 report allegations of sexual abuse of a minor to the public authorities.

76 % strongly approve of the zero-tolerance policy.

13 % somewhat approve of the zero-tolerance policy. % strongly approve of the requirement to perform 70 criminal background checks on clergy, paid personnel and anyone whose duties include ongoing unsupervised contact with minors. % somewhat approve of the requirement to perform criminal background checks on clergy, paid personnel and anyone whose duties include ongoing unsupervised contact with minors.

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strongly approve of the diocesan screening require70 %ments for ordination. somewhat approve of the diocesan screening require14 %ments for ordination.

y Kolbe, Priest and Martyr August 14 | The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin August 15 | St. Stephen of Hungary August 16 | St. John Eudes, Priest August 19 | St. Bernard, Abbot and Doctor August 20

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and Young People (Charter) in June 2002, and revised and approved the charter again in 2005. The charter is the mandate to repair relationships and reinstate the trust of millions of American Catholics.

The goal of the bishops is to address four major areas by implementing the charter’s 17 articles – areas that reflect both the pastoral needs of the victims of sexual abuse and the protection of the church and its most vulnerable members. The charter seeks to: • promote healing and reconciliation with victims/survivors of sexual abuse of minors; • guarantee an effective response to allegations of sexual abuse of minors; • ensure the accountability of our procedures; • protect the faithful.

• creating a safe environment for children and young people; • healing and reconciliation of victims and survivors; • prompt and effective response to allegations; • cooperation with civil authorities; • disciplining offenders; • providing for means of accountability for the future to ensure the problem continues to be effectively dealt with through a national Office of Child and Youth Protection and a national review board.

In 2007, all [195] dioceses across the nation were audited for compliance with the charter and a list of those found lacking was published, reflecting the bishops’ commitment to maintaining total transparency with the faithful.

“Transparency is vital,” says Sister Mary Ann Walsh, spokesperson for USCCB. “After the shock that ran through the church, it is imperative that we act with complete transparency as we seek to restore trust.”

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To assure that the mandates spelled out in the charter are carried through, the bishops established the Office of Child and Youth Protection and assigned to it several tasks:

What do U.S. Catholics know about church actions to prevent the abuse of minors? % know that dioceses are to report an allegation of sexual 45 abuse of a minor to public authorities and cooperate with investigations of abuse. know about the zero-tolerance policy, whereby anyone 43 %credibly accused of abuse is removed from ministry. are aware that dioceses must report annually on their 15 %adherence to the charter. are aware of diocesan requirements for outreach to 32 %victims and their families.

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St. Pius X, Pope August 21 | The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary August 22 | St. Rose of Lima, Virgin August 23 |

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– you don’t just get over it. For healing to take place, we have to seek justice for victims. In this way, we seek to remove the events of the past as stumbling blocks for those who were abused,” Sister Mary Ann says. In this way, the church seeks justice by providng pastoral ministry to victims.

In addition, any instance of abuse that is substantiated will result in dismissal from active ministry, regardless of when the abuse took place. In fact, approximately 700 priests and deacons have been dismissed since 2002, indicating the seriousness with which the bishops have taken the sex abuse scandal. “It’s actually a very small percentage of priests,” Sister Mary Ann says, “though this certainly doesn’t diminish the seriousness of their crimes.

Where the church stands today Not only are priests called to ac The sex abuse scandal undercountability for behaviors they may standably caused many Catholics to have exhibited in the past, but today question the authority of the church; those entering the priesthood must however, the meet extremely The sex abuse scandal tragedy of the high standards. scandal also cre“The priestunderstandably caused ated an opporhood is a calling many Catholics to question for a person of tunity for major the authority of the church; high integrity,” changes in the way the church Sister Mary Ann however, relates to its says. “A priest is members. Among self giving, and the many policies certainly anyone and procedures who would abuse that have resulted someone for purfrom the revelaposes of his own tions of 2002 is sexual gratificathe prohibition tion is not self of confidentiality giving.” agreements designed to protect the But changes in the way the church reputation of a priest or deacon. Now, operates with respect to accused confidentiality agreements may be clergy are just one facet of the overall entered into only at the request of a reform program. A major component victim. is the drive to educate the faithful, In addition, the bishops adopted especially parents, teachers, religious policies that require any reported education personnel and volunteers instance of abuse to be investigated, who work with children. When adults regardless of when it may have taken know the signs and symptoms of place. The church will reach out sexual abuse they are able to respond to victims of abuse no matter how proactively. Another area of emphasis long ago the abuse occurred. “Justice is educating children on what to do requires that any kind of ill be adif they ever are victims of inappropridressed, no matter when it took place. ate behavior on the part of adults. By This kind of crime is far reaching training children to recognize inap The audit process documents how well each diocese is educating its population, securing a safe environment for the children in its care and maintaining accurate records to prove its success. Audits are only one way to re-establish credibility with Catholics, many of whom still struggle with the implications of the sex abuse scandal and a strong mistrust of church hierarchy. In addition, “audits are a way of keeping the church from becoming complacent on this issue,” Sister Mary Ann says. “By conducting audits each year and releasing an annual report, we keep the issue from working its way to the back burner. We keep it top of mind.” In this way, church leaders reassure the faithful that the lessons of the scandal are ongoing.

What do Catholics know about the scandal? % of Catholics know 30 that instances of abuse by priests were more common before 1985.

% of Catholics incorrectly 26 believe that instances of abuse have been more common since 1985.

% of Catholics 44 incorrectly believe that the prevalence of abuse was the same before and after 1985.

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the tragedy of the scandal also created an opportunity for major changes in the way the church relates to its members.

propriate behavior and to report it swiftly, a predator’s ability to do harm can be limited.

“The church has made clear that sexual abuse is a crime that calls for a very serious penalty. This is why our response has been so far reaching. Any violation of the sixth commandment on the part of a priest that involves a child simply will not be tolerated.”

ma, Virgin August 23 | St. Louis of France and St. Joseph Calasanz, Priest August 25 | St. Monica August 27 | St. Augustine, Bishop and Doctor August 28 | The Martyrdom of John the Baptist August 29

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CNS/Karen Callaway, Northwest Indiana Catholic

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What is the Catholic church doing?

What is the Diocese of Lansing doing?

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Church workers attend a training session for sexual abuse prevention and detection

ive years ago, in the midst of the sex abuse scandal in the Catholic Church, 100 priests, deacons and school principals met at Lansing Catholic Central High School for the first Virtus training session for the Diocese of Lansing.

“These are busy people with full schedules, and many of them weren’t enthusiastic about being there,” Sally Ellis recalls. Ellis was the newly appointed Safe Environment director of the diocese. “Three hours later, though, it was different. I knew from their response that they recognized what they had just experienced was going to fill a need for their people, and would be well-received when introduced to the rest of the diocese. One priest told me that it was one of the best things he had ever been required to attend.”

Since then, 371 Virtus: Protecting God’s Children awareness sessions for adults have been held in the Diocese of Lansing, with 14,783 total attendees. The goal is to raise the awareness of sexual abuse and present ways to detect and combat it. The program is mandatory for priest, deacons, seminarFAITH Magazine

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ians, employees of the diocese and those who work with children under age 18.

The Virtus training is an essential ingredient in preparation for the annual audits in dioceses throughout the country.

The audits check for compliance with the Charter for the Protection of Children and

Sally Ellis is the Safe Environment director of the Diocese of Lansing.

Young People, formulated by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Lansing had an on-site inspection this year, from July 14-17.

The audit is conducted by the Gavin Group, Inc. of Boston. William Gavin is a former FBI investigator, as are many of

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CNS/Karen Callaway, Northwest Indiana Catholic

the auditors. They interviewed Bishop Earl Boyea, Msgr. Michael Murphy (moderator of the curia), Msgr. Steven Raica (chancellor), three pastors, two school principals, the local prosecuting attorney, the diocesan attorney, Sally Ellis and others.

The Lansing Diocese has been in full compliance every year, and Ellis attributes that to the policies instituted by Bishop Carl Mengeling in the mid ’90s.

“He made background checks and training in the area of sex abuse prevention mandatory for clergy, prospective clergy and diocesan employees,” she says. “In 2000, he issued the Sexual Misconduct Policy and Procedures Manual.”

Ellis says that when she accepted her job, she didn’t realize the volume of work it would require. “Back then we were even doing background checks and fingerprinting ourselves in conjunction with the state police. Now fingerprinting is done electronically. But I am willing to do anything to help protect our children and to create a safe environment.

I’m glad I took the job and would do it again. Fortunately, now I have an assistant, plus each parish has a liaison that I work with.”

She finds the reactions of the parents who have gone through training especially rewarding. “One of the comments I hear most, because of what they learn themselves, is that all parents should be required to attend.

“Another thing I hear is that parents would like more information on Internet pornography and the problem of sexual predators on Web sites like You Tube and Facebook. Last year, Bishop Mengeling appointed a committee to address the pastoral challenges of pornography in our society.”

She is also pleased that people now call the diocese to report potential problems.

“It seems that coaches, neighbors and everyone are being observed more closely.

One woman called about a neighbor who owned every toy imaginable for kids, yet had no children himself. All of the kids wanted to play at his house. People are now much more aware as a result of their Virtus training, and are being responsible in notifying us.”

Personally, she is gratified to see the steps the Catholic Church nationwide has taken in response to the sex abuse scandal, and that other groups have been noticing the progress. “I receive calls from churches of different denominations who need help with their situation, but don’t have programs like ours. Same thing with day care centers.

“And during the U.S. congressionalpage scandal two years ago, where did Congress turn for help in dealing with it and potential future problems? To the Catholic Church. People are recognizing that we have made a big effort to clean up our mess.”

The Virtus program grew out of a forum

What do the participants say?

Deacon Jim Nicholson of St. Elizabeth Parish in Tecumseh has worked professionally with abused children for 30 years, and is a Virtus program facilitator for the diocese.

My response after attending my first session was, “Great. It’s about time someone is doing this. We need it.” I found the approach honest and healthy.

I knew that the typical person in the pew didn’t understand how sex abuse can happen, how kids can be lured into abuse,and how parents

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held in 1998 among experts to explore whether child sexual abuse could be prevented and, if so, how? Virtus’ stated goal is to “assist the church in being a safe haven for children and a messenger for preventing child sexual abuse within the church and society in general.”

The Protecting God’s Children program educates and trains adults about the dangers and warning signs of abuse, how to prevent it, and the methods of reporting suspicions of abuse.

According to their Web site, Virtus “works on the principle that child abusers seek to operate and abuse their power within nurturing, child-friendly environments where it is assumed that nobody would want to harm a child. Religious organizations of all faiths are an easy target.” Video interviews with victims and predators show how abuse can develop and the harmful consequences. There is also question and answer time led by a trained facilitator.

The Virtus program is one way the church continues its Gospel-based mission to protect children and vulnerable adults.

Touching Safety

A corresponding program is presented to children in kindergarten through 12th grade. The Touching Safety program is a vehicle through which parents, teachers, catechists and youth ministers give children and young people the tools they need to protect themselves from those who might harm them. The acronym PAN is used to discuss acceptable forms of touching: Public (not done in isolation), Appropriate and Non-sexual.

More information on any of these topics is available at http://dioceseoflansing. org/safe_environment.

could be blind to what was happening. Virtus makes it clear. The video interviews with the predators illuminate the deception, manipulation and secrecy that they operate in; and enables us to better recognize the red flags of potential abuse. The training equips us to become protectors of children and how to report suspicious activity. If we make a mistake, that’s OK; it’s better than doing nothing.

Abuse of children is not only illegal; it’s a mortal sin. It can do great harm socially, psychologically, physically; and to a person’s relationship with God. I am proud of the response of the Catholic Church and the diocese to this crisis. We aren’t just standing by. But we also must continue on.

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Maggie* has no idea why the priest at her elementary school singled her out. Was it because she was the tallest girl on the junior-high cheerleading squad? Was it because of her smile? Or was it just because she was the last one left on the courtyard playground after cheerleading practice that day? The day that Father X sexually abused her for the first time. She was 12.

For the next eight months, the priest assigned to the church at her parish school molested her regularly. He would find her alone. He would have her sent over to the rectory in the middle of a school day. When she tried to protest, she was told that it was an honor to be singled out by Father for special attention. She was 12 – so she went.

The abuse continued into eighth grade and only ended when Maggie and her family moved to a new town, a new school – a new diocese.

As soon as she could, Maggie left the church.

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I

I stayed away until it was time to get married. It was my obligation and duty to be married in the Catholic Church. That was what was expected of me, and so I had a big church wedding. Then I had my kids, and of course it was expected that they be baptized in the church, so I had them baptized.

But although she was physically present in the building, Maggie had no relationship with the church or with God. She had no trust in either one.

I put on this great front that everybody saw – a husband and children who were in catechism. I did what was expected of me and that was it. There was no attachment.

As victims often do, Maggie pushed the memories of what had happened to her away, buried them deep. She didn’t tell anyone – because Father told her she couldn’t.

He told me there was nothing wrong with what he was doing.

And he told me I was not allowed to tell. He represented God, he was the end-all. I had been taught to respect that; there was no questioning a priest. So when he told me there was nothing wrong, I had to believe there was nothing wrong. When he told me that I

*The subject’s real name is not being used, nor her photograph ide 8/11/08 6:12:42 PM

was grown. I was the baby and the only girl – she was sad that I never felt I could come to her and tell her.

Then I told my brothers.

They were mostly shocked. One brother had attended the same school and his reaction was, “Where is he? I’m going to go find him.” He was extremely angry.

I didn’t report the priest to the bishop; I wasn’t even sure how to do that. I was also afraid of what it would be like to tell – and I later learned what often happened to others who did so: They were horribly interrogated. They were re-victimized through the reporting, and that’s a tragedy. These are people who are not out looking for money, but who just want to do what’s right and protect other children.

At this point, the scandal had not hit the news. Maggie didn’t know anyone else who had been abused by a priest – she had no idea there was anyone else.

She had told the people who were most important in her life. They had believed her and supported her, but wanted to move on. Nobody really spoke about it again.

But Maggie had a lot of emocouldn’t tell, I knew I couldn’t tell. tions rolling around and nowhere to take them. That’s when a After they had moved into the Diocese of Lansing, she tried friend invited her on her first parish retreat at the St. Francis to forget. But you can only do that for so long.

Retreat Center in DeWitt. On the last afternoon of the retreat, When Maggie was 27, she finally told. participants were invited to take part in a healing service.

My husband had no idea when he married me that I brought this Anyone who chose to do so could ask the others to pray for baggage – this burden – into some healing she needed in I put on this great front that everybody saw our marriage. But it started her life. to surface; so he was the first I don’t know why, but I stood – a husband and children who were in cateperson I told. When I did, he up and walked to the front of chism. was loving and supportive, but the chapel and I said, “I need There was no attachment. everybody to pray for me, for my said, ‘That was in the past; let’s move forward.’ Neither one of healing, because I was sexually us fully comprehended what all abused by a Catholic priest.” the ramifications would be – I was opening a Pandora’s Box. I didn’t And you heard this intake of breath taking the air out of the room. I know it, but my journey was just beginning. saw my best friend in the back of the room sobbing and crying.

The next ones I told were my mom and dad. My father had been It was the first time that I had acknowledged it publicly. My a policeman for 30 years, so his reaction was to be so angry at the voice was shaking, I was trembling. I can’t say that I felt great about priest who had abused me. My mother’s reaction was great sorrow it, but looking back, it was that tiny baby step I needed to take.

– I think my mother’s heart just broke for her child – even though I Forgiveness had not entered my thought process yet. It was not

I did what was expected of me and that was it.

r photograph identified, in order to protect her privacy. This story may be disturbing to young children. Parental discretion is advised.

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even what I was thinking about. I was now starting to feel anger.

I was beginning the steps of grief: first you acknowledge it, you bargain about it, you get angry.

I was grieving loss: my loss of innocence, my loss of childhood.

The biggest loss was the loss of trust.

M

Maggie had felt alone until that day, but coming to that parish retreat opened a door.

When I went on that first retreat, I had never been at the retreat center before and I didn’t know Father Larry. When I got up and told my story, Father Larry said, “I want to talk to you.” He sat down with me and said, “Talk to me. What’s happened to you? You don’t have to tell me details, just tell me.” For the first time, I sat next to a priest and felt like I should feel in the presence of a priest – the care and the concern. He talked to me and he got angry about what happened to me. For the first time, someone who represented the church was angry on my behalf. He was just what I needed him to be that night; he let me talk, and no one had really let me do that yet.

My husband had had a hard time listening to me talk about this – his wife was wounded and he couldn’t fix it. I felt tremendous guilt about not revealing this before I married him – that I brought this as a burden into our marriage.

Finally, someone let me be mad out loud and was mad for me.

I needed someone from the church to say, “This was wrong. What happened to you was wrong. It was evil.”

Although Maggie continued to see Father Larry on retreats, she spent her 30s roiling in anger. When the national scandal broke in the secular media, her pain intensified. The news reports were filled with the story almost every day.

And every day, every time there was another victim, it was like opening the wound.

Every time I heard about it, I was re-wounded. Even now, when I hear of a new case, I feel the pain of it. But now, for me, it’s not as intense because I have journeyed so far. But in my 30s, it was like pouring alcohol in an open wound.

It was even worse when reports surfaced about the abusive priests who had been transferred, about the victims who were ignored.

The whole hiding of the scandal is appalling. It increased my anger and disbelief. And made it even harder to trust. I was shocked by the depth of the dishonesty; people knew and tried to hide. People knew and didn’t try to protect innocent children. And I had my own children by then, so I also felt the pain and anger of a mother.

M

Maggie had no idea where the priest who had abused her was or what he was doing, until one night when she was lying in bed with her teenage daughter, watching the evening news.

Suddenly, the face of the man who had abused her filled the TV screen. It was like he was there in her home. He was accused of doing to other children what he had done to her.

My mouth dropped and I said to my daughter, “You have to go now. I need you to go to bed now.” I needed to be alone to cry.

Immediately, a friend called to ask if I’d seen the news. And the next day, he was on the front page of the local papers. He denied everything and continues to deny it.

Maggie knew she needed her life to change; needed to move out of the anger that was tearing her apart on the in-

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side. She needed to forgive, but she didn’t know that yet.

The first step on that walk took place at two charismatic conferences she attended. At one of them, she realized the priest who abused her had taken even more than her innocence – he had stolen her name.

The priest who abused me always called me Margaret.

Nobody else ever did. My attitude was: “Nobody ever better call me Margaret!” I had registered for the conference under my full name, so my preprinted name tag said Margaret. When I was having a priest-author autograph his book, he looked at my name tag and started writing, “To Margaret.” I quickly said, “No – make it out to Maggie.”

And then I laughed, “Oh, you know, my parents only called me Margaret when I was in trouble.”

But that night, as I was falling asleep, I realized that my parents had never used my name in anger. Never. But my abuser always used my name, and it had become dirty and shameful and ugly to me. And it has been a process for me to reclaim it, but I did. It’s mine and I love it.

Then someone at the conference who knew her story came up to her and said something that would change her life and set her on another path.

“He’s going to go to hell for what he did to you.” And I had a light bulb moment. I said, “I don’t want him to go to hell for what he did to me.” And that was the first time I ever prayed for him. And to this day I pray for him – for his conversion.

He needs that conversion – he needs to repent. God already knows the truth.

But when you really think

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Pat Martin, who leads the healing retreats, presents Maggie with a candle. As part of the retreats, participants are presented with a candle as a symbol of God’s light in their lives.

A time to heal

retreat for victims of clergy abuse More than five years ago, Father Larry Delaney, the director of the St. Francis Retreat Center, approached therapist Patricia Martin with a proposal to facilitate healing retreats for victims of sex abuse.

By then, the clergy sex abuse scandal was being widely reported in the media, so Pat suggested the first retreats should be for those who had been abused by priests or any other official representative of the church.

Abuse by a priest differs from that of almost any other perpetrator, because of the significant damage it can do to the victim’s relationship with his or her faith, the community of the church and God. The retreats at St. Francis emphasize

is a process; there is no miracle cure. The goal of the retreats is to assist those who have been abused by acknowledging the abuse and its effect on their lives, but to begin to see themselves as whole persons with the potential for happy and healthy lives. By moving past anger, they can once again learn to love fully, because anger is a barrier to love. Four signs of this spiritual movement are: • an ability to see the potential for a good and loving life • positive feelings about themselves, with a lessening of shame • healthy relationships with others • a renewed trust in God.

“For the first time, I sat next to a priest and felt like I should feel in the presence of a priest – the care and the concern.” Father Larry’s compassion helped Maggie on the road to healing.

confidentiality and healing. Participants have usually been in treatment with a counselor prior to coming to the retreats; the focus is on spirituality. An important part of the weekend occurs when each person shares his or her story with Father Larry, Pat and the bishop. At that point, all three offer apologies for the roles played by parents, clergy and the institutional

church in the person’s abuse experience.

Pat confirms that the biggest hurdle a participant overcomes is the fear of setting foot through the door. One woman shared that halfway to the retreat house, she needed to stop and buy a bottle of wine. But once they are there, the process of healing can begin.

And Pat and Father Larry stress that healing

A healing retreat is scheduled for the near future. If you are interested in attending, please contact 866.669.8321 and ask for Father Larry or Pat Martin. One of them will call you back.

If you have been wounded by someone who represented the church, please consider allowing the church a chance to help you heal.

During the years of the retreats and the follow-up healing weekends, many abuse survivors have moved from anger to the “striving and thriving” stage. They are willing to reach out to others who have been abused and encourage them to attend retreats. They have served as greeters and prayer partners, and they offer each other encouragement through telephone contact and brief letters. Many have returned to the church after years away.

As Father Larry says, “What we’re doing here is part of the ancient biblical belief and practice that healing is possible and healings still take place.”

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The retreat was a watershed moment, in both a figurative and literal sense. Tears were shed, and the first steps of transformational journeys were taken. And the best thing?

Having each other. Because it is like a club we didn’t choose.

Although she leaves his fate to God, Maggie’s been told that You get a choice to be in a book club, but you don’t get a choice to Father X has been removed from ministry and is no longer be in the sex abuse club. But at this retreat, I found I had someallowed to represent himself as a Catholic priest. body in the club with me; there were people who had an inkling She had come to a point where she realized that she would of what I’d gone through. They knew how I felt; I knew how they need to heal and forgive in order to break the bond that tied felt. It is one of the most important components – having each her to her abuser. other. What Pat and Larry and the bishop do is amazing, but I knew that the man who abused me didn’t remember me, my sharing with each other is a gift. My husband and children and name. He had forgotten who I was; he had moved on. I had been friends cannot understand it. Only someone who has walked this held hostage by him for so many years – by what he did and by my walk can understand; and that is an important part of this healing anger. Because I never forgot his name and his face. process.

When she was on her annual parish retreat at St. Francis Everyone who has been on a healing retreat is invited to after the scandal had broken wide open, Father Larry apcome back for days of healing and reflection in the spring and proached her with some news, and a request. The bishop fall. Maggie says that it’s a good time to reassess how they are wanted a healing retreat for the victims of clergy sex abuse. doing – to offer continued support.

And when it was time to share stories, Father Larry encour I’ve seen people who have grown in the way they can begin to aged Maggie to tell hers in the hope that others would then forgive and come into a relationship with God, to find faith again. begin to open up and share their stories.

Sometimes it’s not in our church, though. People often say, “You I had been coming here for so many years that my car knew its were betrayed. How can you stay in the Catholic Church?” own way here. But coming that time was the most terrifying trip, It’s the Eucharist. Because the church down the road has great because it was for a whole difmusic and the pastor gives a The only thing you find on a healing retreat is great sermon, but there is no ferent reason. I knew that if I didn’t want to stay, I would leave love, compassion, caring, understanding. As Eucharist. The church is my – bishop or no bishop. my connection.

Father Larry says, there is no making excuses community, None of us knew each other Over the last six years, I’ve for what the church did. or each other’s stories– we were grown in love with my faith. coming in blind. There were six That’s a new thing for me. I of us – we sat in a small room love my faith, the depth and with Pat Martin, Father Larry richness of it. I love the connectand the bishop. edness of it. I don’t know where Then Pat Martin apologized I would be without my church. for all the parents who didn’t believe us when we were little, whom we And it’s not just the church – I am in relationship with God. didn’t feel we could tell when we were growing up. She represented Now, when Maggie thinks about her abuse, she thinks of our parents. And Father Larry apologized for all the priests who the story of Lazarus. When Mary and Martha sent for Jesus, he abused us, on behalf of all the clergy. And then Bishop Mengeling delayed in coming. And Lazarus died, just as Maggie’s childapologized for the church who wounded us, was not there for us, who hood died. But when Jesus went to Lazarus’ tomb, he wept. should have represented God for us.

And then he raised Lazarus.

Bishop Mengeling said, “Tell me what you want to tell me – how I now know – although I didn’t know it then – that all through the you feel, what happened, but no more than what you are comfortabuse, Jesus was there with me and he wept for the child that died that able with.” day. And through my healing and forgiveness, there is resurrection.

So, I sat there and Father Larry looked at me, and I thought, “Oh There are still struggles, though. all right – I’ll start.” And I told my story. On every retreat I’ve been Some of my abuse occurred in the confessional. I go to the sacraon, no one gives gory details. They’re too private, and nobody needs ment, but I never have the sense of freedom and release – of a to hear them. weight being lifted, that so many other people describe. And it’s a The bishop listened to everyone’s story that night, no matter place where trust is particularly difficult. I often find myself sitting how long it took. For some, it was half an hour. For one, it was with my hands clenched on my knees, my head down, on the edge of two hours, and she sobbed through all of it. The bishop was visibly my seat. One of my confessors has noticed, and will walk with me in shaken by what he heard. Because now the abuse had a face; it was a parking lot to make it more comfortable. the sobbing person in front of him.

One thing I remember so clearly about him is that he was so Maggie continues to forgive – an active and continuing humble and filled with sorrow. We sat around the table as a group process, not a one-time event. of wounded sheep who felt we had no shepherd. And here was a Forgiveness allows me to be free. It does not condone what happened man who was willing to step up and be our new shepherd. to me as being right, because that act was evil. Forgiveness does not about what hell means, I thought, “I don’t want that for him.”

She laughs a little.

Maybe some extra time in purgatory, though.

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There is no trying to whitewash it, make it less than what it is. It was wrong.

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mean that I’ve forgotten, because I can never forget. I don’t need to forget – it made me who I am.

But it means letting go of being bound by anger.

She comes back to healing retreats to help other victims – welcoming them at the door, walking them to their rooms, leaving a note and a bag of chocolates on their beds. Then, at the end of the evening, she shares her story.

She models the hope of a life without anger and bitterness.

I want people who are sitting out there,who need this, to have the courage to take the first step. I know that the hardest thing is driving in that driveway and walking in the door. I greeted a man on one retreat who was trembling so violently that he grabbed on to me and wouldn’t let go. He told me later that if it I hadn’t been there, he wouldn’t have stayed. He said, “I think I might need a beer” instead of chocolate. I said, “Help yourself.”

The only thing you find on a healing retreat is love, compassion, caring, understanding. As Father Larry says, there is no making excuses for what the church did. There is no trying to whitewash it, make it less than what it is. It was wrong.

The only reason you’re coming is for yourself – for your own healing and your own spirituality, and your own journey. This is a first step for a lot of us.

Maggie is a woman of great courage and great compassion. She has looked unflinchingly at evil and beaten it down through the power of faith, forgiveness and God’s healing grace. Her life transforms the horrible thing that was done to her as a child – What happened to me was a defining moment in my life, but it no longer defines my life. It’s not who I am.

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what in the world?

49th Eucharistic Congress

the top-10 Catholic news events this month

1

Bishops launch Pauline Year Web site – In conjunction with the Year of St. Paul, the USCCB has launched a Web site. Visit www.usccb.org/luturgy

2

Men beat Chinese Catholics in incidents related to construction work – A priest and three laypeople were beaten in two related incidents regarding construction work on land in the Shanxi province that the government had confiscated from the Catholic Church.

3

Catholics move to stop bill to legalize abortion in Brazil – The Commission of Constitution and Justice in the lower house of the Brazilian National Congress rejected a proposal that would decriminalize abortion in the world’s largest Catholic nation.

4

Critics say Massachusetts bill could aid growth of samesex marriage – The Catholic bishops of Massachusetts have opposed a bill that would repeal a 1913 law used to bar most out-of-state same-sex couples from marrying in the commonwealth.

5

Archdiocese of New Orleans closes 18 New Orleans parishes – In a post-Katrina realignment plan for the Archdiocese of New Orleans, Archbishop Alfred C. Hughes signed letters in July closing 18 parishes and either merging or changing their status to mission churches.

6

40th anniversary of Pope Paul VI’s encyclical Humanae Vitae – The encyclical, Humanae Vitae (Of Human Life), on artificial contraception and the role of procreation in marriage turned 40 July 25 and seems to be finding new life across the country.

7

Churches in Chad, Sudan, Djibouti appeal for more priests and religious – Catholic leaders in Chad, Sudan and Djibouti have appealed for more priests and religious. Nairobi Cardinal John Njue, president of the Kenya Episcopal Conference, said Sudanese and Chadian church officials personally wrote to him about their clergy shortage.

8

Colorado bishops urge faithful to ‘Get Out the Vote’ – The Catholic bishops of Colorado have launched a new campaign urging Catholics to help get out the vote this election season.

9

Reuters

Religious, peace groups say new U.N. agreement helps curb arms trade – Religious and peace groups heralded a nonbinding U.N. agreement on small arms that they said helps incremental efforts to curb the trade of illicit weapons.

10

Poll: more voters may back candidate who supports marriage amendment – The Family Research Council released results of a commissioned national poll that indicates 58 percent of probable voters in the 2008 presidential election are more likely to vote for a candidate who supports traditional marriage protection amendments that will be on the ballots in California, Arizona and Florida this November FAITH Magazine

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The International Eucharistic Congress was held in June in Quebec. Its theme was The Eucharist, Gift of God for the Life of the Word.

This experience of faith was held in a festive atmosphere since 2008 is the 400 anniversary of the founding of Quebec City. This is important because it both marks the first permanent French settlement and the foundation of the Catholic Church in Pope Benedict XVI speaks on giant North America. screens as people attend a Mass at Believers of all ages came together the Plains of Abraham during the from every part of the world to attend the International Eucharistic Congress congress. These pilgrims gathered for a closing ceremony in Quebec City week of celebrations at the “Eucharistic City” (ExpoCité) where most of the congress events took place.

The organizers hoped to “enable Christians all over the world to participate in this great faith event.” Pope Benedict XVI participated in the closing of the event via a satellite connection, delivering a homily at the closing Mass. – Tucker Cordan

Reuters

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Vatican approves new English translation for the order of Mass The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has received approval (recognitio) from the Holy See’s Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments for the new English-language translation of the Order of Mass (Ordo Missae).

This is the first section of the translation of the third edition of the Roman Missal. It includes most of the texts used in every celebration of the Mass, including the responses that will be said by the people.

In its letter, the congregation pointed out that while the texts are binding, the approval “does not intend that these texts are to be put into use immediately.”

Cardinal Francis Arinze, prefect of the congregation, explained the reasons for providing the text at this time. The purpose is to provide “time for the pastoral preparation of priests, deacons and for appropriate catechesis of the lay faithful. It will likewise facilitate the devising of musical settings for parts of the Mass.”

The more significant changes of the people’s parts are: 1. et cum spiritu tuo is rendered as “And with your spirit.”

2. In the Confiteor, the text “through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault” has been added.

3. The Gloria has been translated differently and the structure is different from the present text.

4. In the Preface dialogue, the translation of Dignum et justum est is “It is right and just.”

5. The first line of the Sanctus now reads “Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.”

6. The response of the people at the Ecce Agnus Dei is “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.”

24 July/August 2008 | www.FAITHmag.com 8/11/08 6:21:37 PM

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s has been reported throughout the past two years by the Diocese on Lansing in its ongoing Planning Tomorrow’s Churches process, some parishes throughout the diocese will need to close, merge and/or cluster. In June, Bishop Boyea, based on pastoral recommendations from the parishes involved and the Diocesan Coordinating Commission, implemented the merger of St. Agnes, St. Luke, Sacred Heart and St. John Vianney parishes in Flint, and the closure of Father DuKette School in Flint.

Flint parishes to

What’s inside a cornerstone?

On July 28, 2008, Msgr.

George Michalek, the archivist for the Diocese of Lansing, opened the cornerstone of Sacred Heart Parish in Flint in preparation for the closing of the parish. Inside were bills and coins, the scroll

The end of an era, but a future of hope

Though the bishop’s official report for the whole diocese will not be released until September, these parishes and Father DuKette School had particularly urgent issues due to increased financial strain. Had there not been a prompt response, those issues would have lessened the ability of other diocesan ministries to carry out the mission of the church.

With the merger of the four parishes, a new Catholic community has been established in Flint. It will have a new parish council and will be housed at St. John Vianney Church. The worship sites at St. Agnes,

dedicating the church, photographs and a touching letter from the young builder asking God’s blessings on his upcoming marriage. There were also letters describing what life was like in Flint on the day the church was dedicated – July 28, 1928 – by a coincidence of God, exactly 80 years prior to the day the cornerstone was opened.

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Registered Families

Church Capacity

1995

2005

Change ’95-’05

Percent change

Flint Parish statistics

Weekend Mass Attendance

St. Agnes

277

350

403

164

-239

-59.3%

St. Luke

126

1,025

250

126

-124

-49.6%

Sacred Heart

75

333

102

74

-28

-27.5%

St. John Vianney

632

600

1,011

688

-323

-31.9%

1,110

2,308

1,766

1,052

-714

Totals:

St. Luke and Sacred Heart have been closed. Each of these parishes offered specific ministries that continue to be vital to the Catholic presence in this area of the diocese, and the following ministries will continue to be offered and strengthened in this region: • North End Soup Kitchen (currently located at the Sacred Heart site) • North End Women’s (NEW) Life Center (currently located at the St. Luke site)

Additionally, Father DuKette School students are invited to attend St. John Vianney School. The diocese will provide the students who were enrolled in K-7 during the 2007-08 year with some diocesan subsidy to continue their Catholic education in any diocesan grade school.

It is natural to think of the church itself as the parish, since its walls have absorbed so many prayers, and it has been the site of such joy, sorrow and worship. But the church is only a building; a parish is the community of faithful believers. The members of these parishes – from a variety of backgrounds and experiences – will bring their ideas and customs to the new faith community. The diocese applauds the Flint region for looking at the data from its parishes with clarity of vision and with plans for the future. The new parish and school configurations for the north end of Flint hold great promise for a strengthened and renewed Catholic presence. They are to be commended for placing their highest priorities on service to God and neighbor.

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in 1946, closed in June 1960.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the parish population dwindled. The last resident priest, Father Alan Wakefield, was transferred in June 1986. The parish was then entrusted to a lay couple, Ken Berger and Patricia Robertson – a first for the diocese. Dr. Connie McClanahan became the parish’s pastoral coordinator until her retirement in 2001. Ethel Hooker became pastoral manager and has overseen day-to-day opperations ever since.

3 parish sites and one school close

History of St. Agnes Parish

History of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Flint The idea of a Slovak parish was discussed at a christening party hosted

by Mr. and Mrs. Michael Popovich on Nov. 29, 1925. In April 1928, ground was broken for the church. The first Mass was held in Father Murphy Hall at St. Michael Parish in downtown Flint. The presider was Sacred Heart’s first pastor, Father John Tresbock. The cornerstone for the church was laid on July 28, and the first Mass was celebrated in the building in September.

Father John Blasko became the second pastor in 1939. In 1942, he opened a grade school with the assistance of the Dominican Sisters from Pontiac. They taught 285 students in six classrooms. The Oxford Dominicans were still on staff when the school closed in 1970. The former assistant pastor, Father George Zabelka, returned to Sacred Heart in July 1955 as pastor. The recreation center was begun in 1957 and dedicated in March 1958. The high school, opened

In 1928, Bishop Michael Gallagher of Detroit authorized the purchase of 11 acres on Pierson Road to build St. Agnes Parish. Father Louis Hammer was sent as the founding pastor. The first Mass was held on July 1 in the Photoplay House on the grounds of the Flint Amusement Park. The first altar was a board across two sawhorses.

A temporary frame building was soon built, but was destroyed in a windstorm.

A two-story replacement, with the church on the ground floor and the rectory and hall on the second, was dedicated Oct. 29, 1930. The upper floor was converted to classrooms and the lower floor became the parish hall when a new church was dedicated in 1943.

A school was opened in 1942 and was staffed by the Sisters of St. Joseph from Nazareth. During Father Maurice Olk’s pastorate (1944-1968), 10 more rooms were built and a new high school followed a decade later.

In 1970, the high school consolidated with other parish schools to form Father Luke M. Powers High School. In 1971, St. Agnes Grade School closed. In the fall, the high school building opened as Donovan North Middle School and the

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grade school as Maurice Olk Elementary School. Donovan and Olk combined in 1977 and closed in 1980. Since August 1980, Father DuKette Catholic Elementary School has been located at St. Agnes.

The urban exodus of the early ’70s reduced St. Agnes’ population and, in 1977, St. Agnes joined with other urban parishes to form the Flint Catholic Urban Ministry (FCUM). As part of FCUM, St. Agnes hosted many revivals and missions. Bishop Kenneth Povish rededicated the renovated church in 1993 as the parish celebrated its 65th anniversary during Father John Klein’s pastorate (1984-1998). Father James Eisele, who led the St. Agnes community from 1998-2004, presided over the parish’s 75th anniversary in 2003. Father John Rocus served as pastor from 2004-2007. Father Steven Makranyi has served as pastoral administrator of St. Agnes since 2007.

construction continued.

Father Edward Donahoe oversaw the building of the office and rectory complex in 1961 and a six-room addition to the school in 1963.

The last building to be added to the complex was the permanent church, which was built in 1966.

Father Donald Eder served as pastor from 1969 to 1973 when St. Luke was part of the tri-parish team ministry that served St. Luke, Sacred Heart and Christ the King parishes. The team ministry concept was dissolved in 1973, and Father Robert Kolenski became pastor, remaining for five years.

On Oct. 12, 1975, Bishop James Sullivan celebrated the parish’s 25th anniversary Mass.

In June 1990, the last resident pastor, Father Bernard Reilly, was transferred, and Sister Jean O’Conner, IHM, became the parish’s first pastoral coordinator. Since July 1994, Sister Judith Blake, SSJ has filled that role.

History of St. Luke the Evangelist Parish On July 9, 1950, Father Raphael Dunigan became the founding pastor of St. Luke the Evangelist Parish. The first Mass for the new faith community was celebrated at the Haskell Community Center on Jan. 7, 1951. A school staffed by the Adrian Dominican Sisters opened in 1952.

The ’50s were a time of great expansion. Mass was first celebrated in the second temporary church in August 1954. A social hall, kitchen facilities and four classrooms were added to the school in 1956. The convent had a four-room addition built in 1959.

Even after Father Dunigan was transferred in March 1960, new

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History of Father DuKette Catholic School On Aug. 25, 1980, Father DuKette Catholic School was dedicated by Bishop Kenneth Povish at St. Agnes Parish under the joint sponsorship of the diocese and the parishes of the Flint Catholic Urban Ministry – St. Agnes, St. Michael, St. Luke, Christ the King and Sacred Heart.

Father DuKette School took over

the St. Agnes site after the Genesee Catholic Board of Education closed Maurice A. Olk Primary School and Donovan North Middle School. The school was renamed in honor of Father Norman A. DuKette, Flint’s first African-American priest, who served the area for more than 50 years, beginning a tradition of excellence in childhood education in a multi-racial setting.

The goal of the school was to provide quality education to the young people of the area and to serve as an instrument of evangelization in the neighborhood. It was a vision of hope in an area that was increasingly fraught with problems resulting from high unemployment, poverty and alienation. Throughout the 1990s, Father DuKette School was a delivery point for a broad array of human service programs – from tutoring to family food distribution to a teen center. The school earned a reputation for recruiting and training quality volunteers.

In 2000, the school’s enrollment saw a sharp decline due to an increase in the area’s charter schools. Enrollment in the 1998-99 school year was 240; by the 2007-08 school year, enrollment had slipped to approximately 36 students.

Father DuKette Catholic School will always be remembered for the outstanding impression its staff, parents, students and friends have left on the community and the lives of all those who ever graced its campus.

– Parish histories adapted from Living in Joyful Hope – A History of the Diocese of Lansing, Father Msgr. George C. Michalek)

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Requiescat in pace Deacon William Everett After a battle with cancer, Deacon William Everett passed away at home under the loving care of his family and Hospice of Jackson & Oaklawn, Sunday, June 15 at age 69. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Susan, and his two children, Julie Everett and William C. (Deborah) Everett. Deacon Everett was ordained a deacon for the Diocese of Lansing in 1990 and most recently ministered at Queen of the Miraculous Medal Catholic Church. He was a hospice chaplain and also served in the prison ministry. Deacon Everett was the RCIA director for many years and served as spiritual adviser for the Third Order of St. Francis.

Brother Bernard Spitzley celebrates silver jubilee Divine Word Missionary Brother Bernard Spitzley, SVD, 46, will celebrate his 25th anniversary in religious vows Aug. 17.

He was born in Westphalia, Mich., in 1954. He attended St. Mary School in Westphalia and began his training for religious life at Divine Word Seminary, Perrysburg, Ohio, in 1968. He graduated in 1977 from Divine Word College, Epworth, Iowa.

He served at Divine Word College, Epworth from 1981-90. He was appointed director of the society’s Wendelin House of Brother Formation in Washington, D.C. in 1990 and served in that capacity until 1999. He then volunteered to serve as a pastoral associate in the society’s mission church in Morant Bay, Jamaica.

The Society of the Divine Word is an international congregation of 6,000 Catholic priests and brothers working among the poor in 60 countries.

FAITH Magazine

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Deacon Edwin Schneider On June 3, a gentle and kind man entered God’s kingdom to enjoy eternal life. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, Ed Schneider was an inspiration to many with his spirituality and wisdom.

Ed was ordained a deacon on Dec. 5, 1987. Through his ministry, he spread his faith and love of Christ. He had a special calling to help ease the sorrow of those mourning the death of a loved one. A charter member of St. Gerard Catholic Church, Ed sang in the choir and was a lector and Mass server for 50 years. Ed leaves behind his loving wife of 60 years, Florence and children, Sandra (Kurt) Kuhn, David Schneider, Roger (Robin) Schneider, Patricia Schneider, Pamela (Calvin) Haan, Mary Beth (Michael) Clewley.

Father William (Bill) Lanphear, OSFS Father Bill died on June 19, after a brief illness. He was 70 years old. Father Lanphear was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Buffalo on June 29, 1963.

He professed his first vows as an Oblate in 1987 and his perpetual vows on July 19, 1990. His service in the Diocese of Lansing included Lumen Christi High School in Jackson, Holy Trinity Student Parish, Ypsilanti, and, most recently, the Pastoral Care Department of St. Joseph Hospital, Ann Arbor, while also serving on weekends at St. Mary Student Parish, Ann Arbor. Father Bill is remembered for his peace, and gentle pastoral care.

For those who wish, memorials in honor of Father Bill may be made to the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales Retirement Fund, 2043 Parkside Blvd. Toledo, OH 43607

St. Michael Grand Ledge honored as a Michigan Green School St. Michael Parish School in Grand Ledge recently earned the Michigan Green School designation in accordance with the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, Act 451 of 1994, Section 324.2511. St. Michael is the first elementary school in Eaton County to receive this designation and one of only three schools in the tri-County area to become a Green School.

St. Michael achieved this designation by surpassing the criteria required to become a Green School. Some of the school’s accomplishments include recycling an estimated 3,160 pounds of paper per year, recycling 100 ink jet cartridges per year, establishing unique recycling programs for items such as CDs, DVDs, athletic shoes and reading glasses, incorporating reuse programs in the school for newspaper and magazines, and initiating energy savings programs that have saved an estimated $1,000 in energy costs..

St. Michael is committed to the ideals behind the Green School Program and plans to expand environmental programs within the school, parish and community. Plans are under way to host a parish-wide athletic shoe recycling collection, establish a rain garden on school grounds and develop a composting program that would help fertilize the parish’s Garden of Hope, which grows vegetables for the local food bank.

“We are thrilled to be a leader in caring for our earth,” said Principal Mitzi Luttrull.

“To be designated as a Green School is quite an honor. Protecting our environment is something our whole student body can participate in. This is just the beginning of where we want to be in terms of taking care of the earth God entrusted to us.” For more information, contact Mitzi Luttrull at 517.627.2167.

28 July/August 2008 | www.FAITHmag.com 8/11/08 6:22:53 PM

World Youth Day was a life-altering experience

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hy would you brave a 14-hour overseas flight, nearly missed international connections, 50˚ weather in July, bland chicken stew, endless hours of waiting, over-crowded public transportation and, in general, two weeks of chaos?

Well, because World Youth Day is a life-altering experience.

You brave an overnight camp-out at a race course because conversing with people from Tonga, playing Uno with pilgrims from the United Arab Emirates, praying with 200,000 in a candlelight vigil and a concluding Mass with 450,000 is life changing. You learn more of the world, more of yourself, more of your faith and more of your God. You brave three hours of waiting on a concrete venue in the afternoon sun because you know that you want to have a good view of the giant screen when the living Stations of the Cross begin. You brave the cold wind off the bay because the sight of an Aboriginal man in traditional garb portraying Simon the Cyrene took your breath away.

You brave the unknown of a new

continent, of staying with host families, of being away from all that is familiar because you will find a home and family. You find a home with your host family during Days in the Diocese program. You find family with pilgrims from Spain, South Africa, the Philippines, Brazil and California.

We braved World Youth Day, not because we wanted a vacation, but because we were on a pilgrimage. We return with memories, friendships and a mission.

Pope Benedict, in his homily from the closing Mass at Randwick, said “Dear young friends, the Lord is asking you to be prophets of this new age, messengers of his love, drawing people to the Father and building a future of hope for all humanity.”

– Jennifer Delvaux is the coordinator of youth ministry at St. Francis Parish, Ann Arbor

Catholic Charities of Shiawassee present Seeker of Justice Award Catholic Charities of Shiawassee County recently held their first Community Awareness Breakfast. At the breakfast, the Seeker of Justice Award was presented to Raymond Scherer, 81, a long-time parishioner of St. Joseph Parish in Owosso.

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July/August café events Faith Journey: Study of the New United States Catholic Catechism for Adults meets the first and third Mondays of the month at St. Mary, Adrian. Call: 517.263.4681 for complete information.

Come view and discuss Father John Corapi’s videos on The Catechism of the Catholic Church at St. Thomas Aquinas, East Lansing, on Sunday afternoons, 5 p.m. - 6 p.m., in the first floor church conference room. To register or for further information, contact: Joe Jong at 517.332.7858 or thinbuda@gmail.com.

The next diocesan Cursillo men’s weekend is Oct. 23 - 26. The next women’s weekend is Nov. 6 - 9. For more information, call either: 517.265.2720, 517.265.6820 or 734.429.5675 or visit www.lansingcursillo.org.

Sunday By Sunday, a program that explores the Sunday Gospels, will be led by Fr. John Flynn at St. Matthew, Flint on Tuesdays, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.

For more information, call: 810.232.0880.

Catholic Charities wanted to give this award to someone who has had a positive effect and impact in the lives of the poor by action and deed. Ray has contributed countless hours as a skilled electrician to Shiawassee Habitat for Humanity. He has also donated 29 gallons of blood over the years and only quit because his doctor ordered him to do so. He serves as a eucharistic minister and a funeral luncheon worker and volunteers many hours at his parish of St. Joseph, Owosso where he attends Mass every day.

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things to do: The Gospel of John and the Johannine Letters is the material for the ongoing Wednesday morning bible study at St. Thomas Aquinas, East Lansing.

The group meets at 10 a.m. For more information, call Carol Ann Wilkinson at 517.351.6841.

Women’s Scripture Study will be at St. Mary, Adrian on Mondays at 10 a.m. in the Activities Center Lounge. Call 517.263.4681 for further information.

Spiritual Festival, Sept. 1214, St. Joseph in Howell. There will be speakers, praise and worship, and adoration. Please log on to stjosephhowell.com for more details.

To Encounter Christ, Sept.

26-28, will be in the Flint area. This is a faith experience for young adults. Scholarship assistance is available. For more information, call Pat at 517.342.2485.

The Young Adult Mass and brunch with the bishop is at Holy Redeemer Church, Burton on Oct. 12. Mass is at noon followed by lunch with Bishop Boyea.

St. Gerard Parish is hosting a Ministry Fair, Sept. 20-21.

The fair will showcase many of the ministries and services that are sponsored by the church.

All will gather in the parish hall

to share ideas and to welcome parishioners to participate in each ministry.

Ox Roast Festival at Holy Cross Parish, 1611 Oakland Ave., Lansing. It will be Fri., Sept. 26, 6 p.m. - midnight and Sat., Sept. 27, noon-midnight.

Includes: Ox Roast sandwiches, other delicious goodies, cash raffle, dancing and games.

St. John the Evangelist Fenton’s annual Applefest, Sept.

19-21. The St. John Applefest is the largest parish festival in the Diocese of Lansing. Includes large-prize raffle. Dates/times: Sept. 19, 3 p.m. – Midnight; Sept. 20, 7:30 a.m. – Midnight; and Sept. 21, 8:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. For more information visit www.stjohnapplefest.org/.

Harvest Festival at St. Joseph Parish. St. Joseph Parish in Ypsilanti is having its annual Harvest Festival on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008, from noon to 6 p.m. The festival includes games, entertainment, crafts, a live auction, raffle and barbecue chicken dinner. All are welcome to attend.

Catholic Charities of Jackson Help & Hope Tour for those interested in learning more.

Tours are held at noon on the first Wednesday of every month at 1522 Joy Ave., Jackson. Upcoming date for tour is: 9/3/08.

Please reserve your lunch today by calling Lisa Gross at 517.782.2551.

Sept. 9, Seminarian Golf

At the Weber Center For information or to register, call 517.266.4000 or go to www.webercenter.org:

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Outing Fund Raiser - Hawk Hollow and Eagle Eye Golf Courses. The sponsors are the Diocese of Lansing and the Knights of Columbus. For more information contact the Department of Formation, 517.342.2504.

Introduction to Natural Family Planning classes: St. Mary Magdalen, Brighton, Sept. 25, 7-9 p.m.; St. John the Evangelist, Davison, Sept. 28, 5-6 p.m.; St. Gerard, Lansing, Sept. 28, 4-6 p.m.; and St. Mary, Westphalia, Sept. 29, 7-9 p.m. Pre-registration is required for all participants. For more information call 517.342.2587 or nfp@dioceseoflansing.org.

Christians Concerned about Mental Illness, CCMI, monthly meetings will resume Sept. 23, 12-1:00 p.m. in the Diocesan Center, Lansing. The meetings will be held on the fourth Tuesday of each month from there after. Meetings are a chance to pray and share stories. For more information call 517.342.2497 or jdavis@dioceseoflansing.org.

Adult Faith Formation: If it Is Broken, Let’s Fix It!, Sept.

3, 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at the Diocesan Center. National speaker for adult faith formation Tom Zanzig is the presenter. For more information and to register please contact Margaret Grima at 517.342.2555 or e-mail mgrima@dioceseoflansing.org.

A new class in Spiritual Direction is now forming for

machine sewing. The directors will be Ann Hughes and Barbara Harvey.

Come and Paint Retreat, Sept. 19 - 21, Presenter: Mary Southard, C.S.J., a Sister of Saint Joseph of LaGrange, Ill.

The Holy Spirit: Towards a Mystical Cosmology will be offered at Weber Center, Adrian, Sept. 26 - 28.

Presenters: will be Sister Linda Gibler, OP and Father Don Goergen, OP.

Piece Work–Soul Work, Sept. 19 – 21. This quilting retreat will combine various techniques including, English paper piecing, appliqué and

Gratitude in Action: The 12 Steps of AA, A Serenity Retreat for Women Oct. 2-5. Presenters: Cora “Tommie” Dayton

Sept. 2008. Women, men, laity, religious and clergy of all faith traditions who are interested in deepening their understanding of the nature and process of spiritual direction may apply. New deadline for applications is Aug. 1, 2008.

For additional information and application materials please contact Rosemarie Kieffer, OP, at 313.387.9574 or e-mail info@dominicancenter.org.

Protecting God’s Children Awareness Sessions for Adults. Sept. 4, 6:30 p.m., St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Ann Arbor, Facilitator: Linda Miller. Sept. 9, St. Mary School, Charlotte, 6 p.m.; Sept. 9, St. Mary Magdalen, Brighton, 6:30 p.m.; Sept. 13, 9 a.m., St. Andrew, Saline, Facilitator: Peggy Greca. Sept. 18, 6:30 p.m., Queens School, Jackson.

Session will be in cafeteria.

Facilitator: Ruth Benner. Sept.

20, 9 a.m., St. Andrew, Saline, Facilitator: Peggy Greca.

Sept. 30, St. Gerard, Lansing, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 4, St. John the Evangelist, Fenton, 6:30 p.m.; and Oct. 21, St. Francis of Assisi, Ann Arbor, 6:30 p. m.

The duration of all the sessions is three hours. For more information, contact: Sally Ellis, 517.342.2551. If you would like to pre-register for a session please go to www.virtus.org.

Please do not call the hosting parish to pre-register.

St. Paul Parish, Owosso, 111 N. Howell St., is having its Harvest Weekend, Oct. 10-12.

and Rose Celeste O’Connell, OP. Pre-Retreat and Retreat (Thurs-Sun),a non-refundable deposit: $50. Please register

by Sept. 5.

Radical Amazement: Responding Contemplatively to the Universe Story Retreat; Oct. 10-12, Presenter: Judy Cannato, MEd, MA, CSJ-A, is a spiritual director at River’s Edge in Cleveland, Ohio. A non-refundable deposit: $50. Please register by Sept. 12.

30 July/August 2008 | www.FAITHmag.com 8/11/08 6:23:30 PM

tear here

c o m m u n i t y

l a s t

w o r d

Can we feel safe?

place as it is found in one’s spirit. It comes as a gift. And that being so, its effect is not simply bought, won, or achieved – it can only be received. But to be received it must be sought.

There are times of the year when Father Larry Delaney, Pat Martin and others who know about abuse and its effects are there to help you, or to help ones whom you know that are searching, searching for relief, peace and a recovered sense of wholeness.

Do yourself a favor. Give yourself this gift. Or show your love for those about whom you care by getting them in touch with our loving God in this place of recovery, strength and peace. God’s peace is found in his tender, loving mercies – if we let him give them to us.

Let him! Be yoked with him so that with him you can together pull your load through life.

There is a place for us

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W

e do not feel safe in today’s world. The economy is in chaos, terrorism looms up in our daily news reports, many of our marriages are in trouble, our teens are surrounded by forces from which we seem unable to protect them, our jobs are not as secure as they once were, our retirement accounts are shrinking in value and our emotional lives are anything but tranquil.

There are many among us who are especially disturbed by abuses they have suffered in the past; abuses which they recall every day and cause them personal insecurities about themselves. Their relationships with others are skewed because their feelings about themselves are anything but settled.

Where can they find a modicum of peace? Where can they find the peace and security they once had earlier in their lives? Where can The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack. they find relief from the besetting memories of the abuses they sufIn green pastures you let me graze; to safe waters you lead me; you fered in their pasts? restore my strength.

There is such a place. It’s called St. Francis Retreat Center in You guide me along the right path for the sake of your name.

DeWitt. There the gentle spirit of St. Francis resides, offering shelter Even when I walk through a dark valley, I fear no harm for you are at and more than shelter. It offers a new way of living, a healing spiritual- my side; ity for one’s renewed soul. your rod and staff give me courage. (Psalm 23) The peace of which I speak is not so much found in a – Father Charles Irvin tear here

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Tuesday, September 9, 2008 Hawk Hollow and Eagle Eye 10:00 a.m. shotgun start on both courses tear here

Honorary Hosts Knights of Columbus Councils of the Catholic Diocese of Lansing

For registration and sponsorship call 517.342.2503 or e-mail pohearn@dioceseoflansing.org D i o c e s e

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