July/August 2010

T. Gennara

2 We all have one thing in common

God calls

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

from the editor

Most Reverend Earl Boyea PUBLISHER

Rev. Dwight Ezop

EDITOR AND CHAIRMAN

July/August 2010 • Volume 11: Issue 6

FA I T H Catholic Patrick M. O’Brien

ecause cell phones have become so ubiquitous, many public spaces are now offering regular reminders about the necessity to silence or shut them off. A few years ago, we began offering a similar reminder before each Mass. A humorous form of this spoken reminder goes like this: “We do hope that God calls you during this liturgy, but it probably won’t be on your cell phone...” While I can’t take credit for the wording of that reminder, it often gets more than a few chuckles from the assembly. Hopefully, what folks are chuckling about is that God uses a variety of means, some of them perhaps unlikely, to issue a call to the faithful. I sincerely hope that folks aren’t chuckling because they think that God may not be calling them – no matter what means God might use to communicate with them. When I think back on how I sensed and finally responded to my own vocational call from God, I realize that God’s call came to me through a variety of both likely and unlikely means. Certainly, my parents and other family members were among those conduits for God’s vocational call, but so were some unlikely folks like teachers and co-workers who had no particular attachment to the Catholic church. I also know that I became aware of God’s call to me very early in my life – around the age of seven or eight. That call was a recurring, and sometimes relentless, theme that presented itself during my prayer over a number of years. God’s insistence through a variety of means finally wore down my resistance. Rather than ignoring it, I began to explore what a life of service within the church would mean. Soon, there would come internal, prayerful confirmation of God’s call, as well as external support from those who would help bring insight and clarity to my discernment process. At certain points along the path of discernment, I found it nearly beyond my ability to comprehend that God was calling me to a life of service within the church. After all, my discernment had made me aware of both my gifts and

The Magazine of the Catholic Diocese of Lansing

shortcomings. With my own unique limitations and failings, could God still want me to follow the path that would lead to priesthood? Family, friends, co-workers and trusted priest-guides helped me to see beyond my self-imposed limitations to a life of faithful and fulfilling service. In this month’s issue, you will meet a collection of people who have felt similar calls to service within the church, as laypeople and as those who are ordained. Their calls from God have taken many different forms. Those calls and their individual responses have led them on unique paths to a variety of states of life by which they offer their own God-given gifts and skills in service of the church. Each one is unique and yet all have one thing in common: God called; they answered. It can be scary to think that God is calling each of us to serve the church in a unique and beautiful way. Sometimes we are too aware of our faults and failings. Sometimes we would rather run away from God than take a leap of faith into the unknown. Yet, when we trust God and rely on both internal and external confirmation of his call, there exists the possibility of lives lived in loving service of God’s kingdom in any state of life to which God might guide us. And so, our journey in FAITH continues.

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Liturgical Calendar: Blessed Junipero Serra, priest July 1 | Feast of St. Thomas, apostle July 3 | St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria, priest July 5 | St. Maria Goretti, virgin and martyr July 6 | St.

FAITH Magazine / July/August 2010 / www.FAITHmag.com

Tony is a poet and a student. He’s also discerning whether God is calling him to the priesthood. Find out more about his life at Father McGivney House in Ann Arbor.

inside this issue

Is God calling me to be a priest? Tony’s discernment

what you’ll get out of this issue – Bishop Earl Boyea

5 work life No raise is really a pay cut – Nick Synko 6 parenting journey Are high pressure sports good for my child? – Dr. Cathleen McGreal 7 marriage matters She says: “I’m afraid my husband is an alcoholic.” He says: “What’s wrong with a few beers?” What do they do? – Tom and JoAnne Fogle 8 in the know with Fr. Joe Why can’t I go to Communion if I’ve committed a mortal sin? – Father Joseph Krupp 10 theology 101 ‘With hearts and hands and voices’ – full, conscious and active participation in the liturgy– Rita Thiron 31 last word My vocation as a priest – Father Charles Irvin

T. Gennara

I confess …

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

n my last column, I mentioned my interest in camping. I would call it a passionate interest, though some of my friends might characterize it as obsessive. This month, I have another confession. I am a total geek about poetry. Give me a minute and even the vaguest sign of interest, and I will go on about some of our poets laureate like a teenager about a rock star. Tony Zick, who you’ll meet on page 12, also is a poetry geek. I’ve been at coffee-house readings where Tony has performed to rousing applause, and I’ve caught a glimpse of him on the HBO special about the national Poetry Slam. But for me – and I think Tony would agree – poetry is an avocation, not a vocation. My vocation in life – the state to

which God has called me – is as a wife and mother. (Word nerd moment: vocation from the Latin vocare, to call.) In marriage,

God calls me to experience and express his love through my relationship with my husband. It goes to the very core of who I am – it is not just something I do. Tony is in the midst of discerning his vocation – determining whether or not God is calling him to the priesthood. It is a long and prayerful process. All of us have a vocation; through baptism, God calls all of us to a life of holiness. I don’t know about you, but that seems a little intimidating – when I think about holiness, I am definitely not the first person who comes to mind. But, as with any vocation, you don’t achieve perfection overnight. Ask any priest, sister, brother or deacon – or any husband and wife. A vocation is a lifetime commitment. When the scope of that seems overwhelming, I just focus on living the vocations of baptism and marriage one day at a time, striving to see God in each individual moment. All I can do is trust God to give me grace, with every breath and every prayer. Perhaps, in some small way, holiness will result.

. Augustine Zhao Rong, priest, and his companions, martyrs July 9 | St. Henry July 13 | Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, virgin July 14 | St. Bonaventure, bishop and doctor of the church July 15

columnists

4 from the bishop ‘I was a stranger and you welcomed me’

J. Carlson

‘I was a stranger

and you welcomed me’ Bishop Earl A. Boyea is the fifth bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Lansing.

from the bishop

hen a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. The stranger who sojourns with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the

provide the many millions of undocumented residents of this country, who are already contributing to our country’s economic health, an opportunity to earn citizenship. A broad and easy “amnesty” would simply create other problems of justice. So, they should be given an opportunity to earn legal status. Lord your God.” (Exodus 19:33-34) Perhaps this could include “I was a stranger and you welcomed me…as you did it to one of the paying a fine and any taxes owed, working, learning least of these my brethren, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25: 35, 40) English and then being processed after those who These words certainly resonate in my life. My great-greatare legally here. Something like this could sharply reduce the grandfather, Stephen Martin, completed the journey to these economic exploitation of workers in our country. shores in 1842, landing in New York. Almost immediately, he In addition, there must be a more generous system of legal purchased a large Bible, which has since fallen into my hands. entry. Clearly, the undocumented are filling jobs that others My family treasures this volume, in which is lovingly recorded do not want; these jobs need to be filled. If the current system our family information. Increasingly, Americans are a mixture of immigration prevents them being filled legally, this only of many nationalities, including various African, Asian, Euroencourages illegal entry. Change is needed to lessen the role pean and Latin American peoples who, each in turn, were of human smugglers and the death of the undocumented in our regarded as second-class southwestern deserts. beings by those who had We know that unjust Scarcely a day passes without arrived ahead of them. economic, social, and moral news or commentary about Scarcely a day passes conditions in other nations ofwithout news or commentary ten compel men and women immigration legislation. As Catholics, we about immigration legislato leave their homelands in seek to express God’s love for all. Thus tion. As Catholics, we seek search of opportunity, safety we are mindful of the welfare of all – those and freedom on our shores. to express God’s love for all. Thus we are mindful of the Respecting the sovereignty who are citizens, those who now live in welfare of all — those who are and prerogatives of other our midst without benefit of citizenship citizens, those who now live nations, we must encourage and those who seek to enter our country. the sort of reforms that will in our midst without benefit of citizenship and those who lessen the pressure for their seek to enter our country. We in the church do not spell out the citizens to leave behind home and family. particulars of any legislation. Rather, we deal with principles. Finally, any reform legislation must support the integrity of The overriding one is that immigration reform will only work if families. A deportation system that breaks up families is unworthe legislation deals with every aspect of the issue. thy of so great a nation. Likewise, we must acknowledge fully, All legislation should be designed to promote greater respect and not grudgingly, the rights and citizenship of young people for the rule of law and the control of our borders. We in the born in this country of parents who are undocumented. church do not support open borders. Every nation has a right Obviously, we in the Catholic Church have a special concern and obligation to secure its frontiers in order to protect all its citi- in this matter because so many of the recent immigrants belong zens. Nonetheless, this principle cannot be enforced in isolation, to the household of our faith. Still, our concern must be for every but must be linked to the following principles: stranger in our midst. Each of us has been, or is descended from Congress must locate a just and compassionate method to those who have been, strangers in this land we now call home.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel July 16 | St. Apollinarius, bishop and martyr July 20 | St. Lawrence of Brindisi, priest and doctor of the church July 21 | St. Mary Magdalene July 22 | St. Bridg

FAITH Magazine / July/August 2010 / www.FAITHmag.com

My company just announced that there will be no raises this year. I started this job Nick Synko can be reached at nsynko@synkoassociates.com. a year ago at what for the organization, for your department and for yourself. Once was supposed to be a probationary salary with a you feel you have a thorough understanding of these factors, ask to substantial raise after a year of good performance. meet with your manager to clarify any priorities upon which he or How can I go about talking to my boss about mak- she is focusing. Once you have that clarity, end your meeting with a ing an exception to the “no raise” rule in my case? statement of how you plan to invest extra effort to help achieve the

Considering retirement?

So you’re considering retirement? If you are, this is a great time to be reading this article. There are some helpful pieces of information that can get you away from the desk

and out on the beach. • Certain assets have age requirements to access them without penalties. For any age, find out the specifics of how

the rules apply to you. • Be aware that pension benefits require an election of how to receive payments with survivor options. You should talk with your spouse about the options – think about how much your spouse will have to live on. • Another big issue is Social Security benefits. Social Security income varies depending on when you elect to receive your benefits versus your normal retirement age – which varies according to your birth date. Another important thing to

note – between age 62 and normal retirement age, your benefits might be reduced if you decide to keep working. Check with a financial advisor or the Social Security Administration to make sure you are not inadvertently penalizing yourself. Happy retirement! – You can reach Chris Millio at christopher.g.millio@ampf.com.

get of Sweden, religious July 23 | St. Sharbel Makhluf, priest July 24 | Ss. Joachim and Anne July 26 | St. Martha July 29 | St. Peter Chrysologus, bishop and doctor of the church July 30

money tip

ith foreclosures still looming, and high levels of unemployment, it doesn’t seem like you’d be able to save a dime. But that doesn’t have to be you! We asked senior financial consultant Chris Millio for some common-sense tips to ride out the financial storm.

organization’s goals. Next, periodically meet with your manager to review your progress. Without overstating your case, you need to ensure that your efforts remain on target and are recognized. Once you have done so – repeatedly – across multiple evaluation factors, the choice as to whether or not you receive a raise is in the organization’s hands. If you receive a raise, you have achieved your objective. If you have not received a raise, then you have established several key performance factors that can be incorporated into both your resume and future employment interview discussions. In either case, by approaching your situation in this proactive manner, you are demonstrating you are worth more money, not just asking for more money. You asked, “How do I go about talking to my boss…?” Perhaps the answer is also found in James 2:14, faith and works. Although James was writing about salvation, it is not too far a stretch to see the applicability of his wisdom to your situation. Have faith and work hard.

work life

In my experience, there are situations where an organization will make an exception to the “no raises this year” rule; it is when an individual’s contributions are so outstanding that the organization wants to avoid the risk of the individual leaving for another opportunity. At the same time, I do not recall one instance of the policy being adjusted because someone initiated the conversation and asked for the raise. Should you do so, if the company is not inclined to offer a raise, you run the risk of shining a negative light on yourself. Consequently, you are left with two options: 1) secure a bettercompensated opportunity elsewhere – and continue to do your ultimate best at your current employer until you do so; 2) contribute through your present job at such a unique level that the value of your contributions is recognized and rewarded. I would begin the latter by reviewing the goals and objectives

T. Gennara

No raise is really a pay cut

Are high-pressure sports good T. Gennara

for my child?

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

Q parenting journey

I think sports are a wonderful team-builder. But I’ve noticed that some of the parents on my son’s soccer team are so focused on winning that they are screaming at 9-year-olds who make mistakes and calling the referees names. Is playing soccer doing more harm than good in these circumstances? How can I change things?

Asking whether sports are good for a child is a bit like a backpacker asking if wild berries are safe to snack on – “It all depends.” If the trail is winding through wild strawberries, then snacking is just fine. But eating handfuls of pokeweed berries is bound to lead to headaches, stomach pain and worse!

a consequence, Bratcher was banned from Daviess County (Kentucky) parks and playgrounds from 2003 to 2008. In Canada, in 2001, every single spectator was removed from an arena when PeeWee hockey fans screamed and threw objects at referees. Although your son’s games aren’t at this level, they aren’t positive experiences; stepping in to make a change is a good idea.

Sports spectators out of control.

Promote a healthy culture.

The National Association of Sports Officials reports abusive parents in nearly every sport. For example, Roger Bratcher was attending his child’s T-ball game when he didn’t like a call. He ran out among the 5- and 6-year-olds; when a scuffle began with the officials, a player received injuries to her face. As

Are there parent meetings you could attend to encourage healthy goals? Children shouldn’t be “in training” to earn a college scholarship! Their focus should be on learning how to work with one another toward a mutual goal, developing the sense of what it means to function as a group. Parents who are tempt-

You can begin by talking with him, explaining your reasons for asking to him fix the yard. Since I don’t believe that he will change his behavior right away, I suggest you “do unto others as you would like done unto you” and offer to help do the work.

For example, I wonder if he has those junk cars and old motorcycle because he doesn’t know what to do with them. You could find a business that buys or removes old cars –

Be creative! It may be that a particular team culture is set in cement. Can you coach a team? Then you can set the climate from the beginning. Bringing the Gospel to the field doesn’t require preaching – you can set a good example by the way you coach. Is your child interested in a different sport? See if another team has parents better attitudes. Keep working as an advocate for a healthy sports climate for your son because the psychological and physical benefits will bring him lifelong advantages!

I can’t sell my house with all the junk in my neighbor’s yard Dr. Gelasia Marquez is a psychologist and family counselor.

perhaps for parts. If your neighbor has a sentimental attachment to the junkers and the motorcycle, you could suggest that he move them to an area of the

S. Kendrick

what gets my goat

I’ve been trying to sell my house for the last three months. Several potential buyers have mentioned that they were put off by the junk cars and old motorcycle in my next door neighbor’s yard. Is there a good way for me to get him to clean things up?

ed to scream when they view a mistake need to remember that they can’t judge whether that child is doing well for his or her level of development. Each child has a different level of physical maturity that needs to be respected; childhood includes maturation of the corpus callosum, which facilitates integration of information across the two hemispheres of the brain, which is important in sports. Sports should help a child earn a sense of self-esteem for putting forth a good effort. Remember what Thomas Edison said: “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” We make mistakes when we learn new skills; we try out things that don’t work. Parents should try to catch every team member making good plays and yell out your support!

yard that is not visible from the sidewalk, and then use the opportunity to clear the rest of the yard. If you can’t take on this task yourself, perhaps you could offer to pay someone to do it. It would be worth the investment to get the house sold!

St. Ignatius of Loyola, priest July 31 | St. Eusebius of Vercelli, bishop and martyr Aug.2 | St. John Mary Vianney, priest Aug. 4 | Dedication of St. Mary Major Aug. 5 | Feast of the Transfiguration of th

FAITH Magazine / July/August 2010 / www.FAITHmag.com

“ I’m afraid my husband is an alcoholic.” Stephanie says: When we were first married right out of college, our social life seemed to consist of weekend drinking with our friends – sometimes a little too much drinking. But as we’ve all grown up, nobody seems to do that anymore – except Paul. He drinks a few beers every night and even more on the weekends. His behavior when he drinks is hard to take. I have asked him to stop – why won’t he?

“ What’s wrong with a few beers?” T. Gennara

Paul says: Stephanie is being ridiculous. Of course I’m not an alcoholic – I only drink beer. I could stop any time I wanted, but why should I? I don’t understand why Stephanie is suddenly making a big deal out of this. We both drank when we first met; now she expects me to drink nothing but soda.

He said | She said what do they do?

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

for both. This is not just Stephanie’s problem or Paul’s problem – it is a “we” problem that can only be solved in an environment of mutuality. Alcoholism is a disease. Because it is, we cannot self-diagnose. Like cancer or diabetes, it takes someone who is skilled in dealing with that form of disease to help identify it and help us deal with it. One such group of specialists, with a highly effective program, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), is found in almost every city and small town in the United States. If Paul truly does not believe he has a problem, then he should have no problem in seeking confirmation from a specialist! Make no mistake – even if Paul doesn’t believe he has a problem with alcohol, he does have a relationship problem with Stephanie. In our experience, if he has a problem with Stephanie, he most likely has a problem in his relationship with God! The sacrament of matrimony calls each spouse to be Jesus to each other – to forgive, to love and to help each other attain salvation. Paul and Stephanie can best do that through heartfelt dialogue where there is a focus on each other’s special qualities, a focus on the feelings behind the hurtful words, and upon how committed they are to living a covenantal marriage with each other until death. Open each dialogue with a prayer to the Holy Spirit asking for strength, wisdom and guidance in working on this issue together. To make your prayer more meaningful and heartfelt, include at least one reason why your spouse is so special today and thank God for allowing the two of you to be together.

he Lord Aug. 6 | St. Sixtus II, pope and martyr, and his companions, martyrs Aug. 7 | St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, virgin and martyr Aug. 9 | Feast of St. Lawrence, deacon and martyr Aug. 10

your marriage matters

The last time we checked, beer contains alcohol and therefore qualifies as a beverage that could contribute to one becoming an “alcoholic.” Tom believes there is a problem with definitions and Jo believes Paul receives too large of an allowance from Stephanie! Otherwise, how could Paul continue to afford the amount of beer he evidently consumes each day? Paul asked the question, “Why should I stop?” For starters, why wouldn’t you? Obviously, Paul must enjoy these constant arguments! Usually, when one person continues to drink to the point that it manifests itself as unacceptable behavior, there are underlying problems. We believe there are two related things Paul and Stephanie will need to address in order to keep their marital union intact – the spiritual and the practical. On the practical side, we know that when one spouse turns to alcohol or pills or food or TV or work or the Internet – or anything – to the point that it becomes addictive, there is usually something he or she is masking and doesn’t want to face. In most situations, addictive behaviors (in this case alcohol) mask unaddressed hurts that a person has not yet dealt with. Open, life-giving, supportive communication is essential for Paul and Stephanie. Within the context of their marriage, Stephanie can take the first major step by reassuring Paul of her love and support and her commitment to stay with him while they deal with the underlying issues together. A firm commitment to their marriage vows “in sickness and in health” is an absolute first step. Their commitment to each other is foundational to the success of getting over this obstacle in their relationship. Any problem that affects one spouse is a problem

Dear Fr. Joe: Why can’t I go to Communion

T. Gennara

if I’ve committed a mortal sin? @

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

Q in the know with Fr. Joe

So, why can’t I go to Communion if I have committed a mortal sin? Right. This one is a follow-up to a recent column where I explained what a mortal sin is and emphasized that we should not go to Communion without confession if we’ve committed a mortal sin. So, now we hit the why. One of the many ways we describe Communion is

“the source and sign of our unity with God.” We’re going to take that statement apart piece by piece and show how it answers our question. First, Communion is the source of our unity: St. Augustine (my favorite) wrote a LOT about this. When we receive the body of Christ, it strengthens us to be the body of Christ. It is a spiritual gift, a miracle – if you will, that God provides us with the strength to be in unity with him and his people. Communion is the

sign of our unity with each other: When we make the bread that will be consecrated, we are gathering together all sorts of elements and bringing them into one. Many grains of wheat are brought in and crushed into one reality. Next time you are at Mass, take a moment and look around. Look at all the different people gathered together to celebrate. Would anything but Jesus have brought us together? All our gifts and talents are merged into one community, united by God for the purpose of loving and

serving God – wow! Communion is the source and sign of our unity with God: The Eucharist is a sign of our unity with God. In all things, but particularly in Communion, God shares himself with us, holding nothing back. The Eucharist is a sign of that. God made, and makes, himself small so that we can receive him. That, in itself, is part of the reason it’s the source of our unity with God. Its spiritual, mystical reality changes our souls when we receive it. An early saint whose name eludes me described being in the presence of the Eucharist as being similar to working in the sun: We generally can’t feel the changes happening inside and outside of our body, but others sure can. So, when we look at these things, we begin to see why we can’t go to Communion if we have committed mortal sin. When we commit a

Two ants were in a sand trap watching a duffer flailing away. “Quick,” said one ant to the other. “Get on the ball before he kills us.” St. Clare, virgin Aug. 11 | St. Jane Frances de Chantal, religious Aug. 12 | St. Pontian, pope and martyr and St. Hippolytus, priest and martyr Aug. 13 | St. Maximillian Mary Kolbe, priest and martyr

FAITH Magazine / July/August 2010 / www.FAITHmag.com

On sale now www.FaithCatholic.com

Summer get-away into

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

ovies can be a great escape. From dashing into an airconditioned theater on a hot summer day to going headlong into the setting of an epic film, movies can whisk an audience to someplace other than here.

EVERETT

As you look at your own favorite movies, where do they take you? Are you transported to the First World War and the vast desert landscapes of Lawrence of Arabia, or to the Emerald City at the end of the yellow brick road in The Wizard of Oz, or to the beauty of the planet Pandora in the year 2154 in Avatar, or to autumn in New York City in the romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally? A good setting is one we never want to leave, even when the credits roll and the lights go up in the movie theater. From the fantasy lands of The Lord of the Rings to the beauty of the Italian countryside in Under the Tuscan Sun, movies give us a place to escape. Sometimes we want to escape from the routine of work, while other times we need to be comforted during a bad day at the office, or when we feel sick, or to ease the pain of a broken relationship. In the New Testament, Jesus himself takes time to escape from the crowds. The gospel writer Mark tells us that after a long day of non-stop preaching and healing, Jesus just needed to get away. “Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.” (Mk. 1:35) We need to escape. We need to retreat. This summer, when we long for a vacation, find a quiet time (perhaps before dawn, like Jesus,

before the kids get up or before you have to drive into work) and escape into the setting of a favorite movie. And while there, reflect on what makes this setting so special to you. Discovering this might reveal more about you than you realized. You might also consider taking a spiritual retreat, as well. Take a “Sabbath” day for yourself and rest for a while, away from all that burdens you. Jesus tells us: “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy-burdened, and I will give you rest” (Mt. 11:28). Escape in whatever way you need and be refreshed. However, as in Back to the Future, when Marty McFly needed to come back home to 1985 after his escape in time to 1955, so, too, must we go back to the world from which we escaped. After taking “Sabbath” time for yourself, let the wisdom and serenity you gained (either from your favorite film or from a weekend at a retreat center) spill into your everyday life and give you the peace you need every day.

Aug. 14 | Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Aug. 15 | St. Stephen of Hungary, Aug. 16 | St. John Eudes, priest Aug. 19 | St. Bernard, abbot and doctor of the church Aug. 20

spiritual popcorn

mortal sin, we quite literally offend God. Not only that, but we attack our own ability to connect with God and receive what we need to be healed of our sin and the damage it does to us. Because of that, we say we aren’t “in communion” with God. The catechism tells us that the damage a mortal sin inflicts is so extensive that it requires a special grace to fix it. And … our sins affect the body of Christ as well. We wound the community of Christians around the world when we sin. This is the easiest thing to prove, really: How many times has someone else’s sin messed with you? Our sin is a communal event – every time. A mortal sin damages the community in such a way that it requires a special grace to fix it. So, when we commit a mortal sin, we are not only out of communion with God and each other, but we’ve actually wounded our ability to receive what is needed to restore those relationships. This is where the sacrament of reconciliation comes in. Through this amazing sacrament, God gives us the grace and mercy we need to repair the damage that we have done. The priest is in the confessional for God and as a representative for the whole church. Enjoy another day in God’s presence!

‘With hearts and hands and voices’ T. Gennara

full, conscious and active participation in the liturgy

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

faithful be led to that full, conscious and active participation in liturgical celebrations, called for by the very nature of the liturgy. Such a participation by the Christian people … is their right and duty by reason of their baptism. In the reform and promotion of the liturgy, this full and active participation by all the people is the aim to be considered before all else. For it is the primary and indispensible source from which the faithful are to derive the true Christian spirit …. (SC 14, emphasis added) Indeed, that phrase, “full, conscious and active participation,” appeared no less than 31 times in the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy. What does this phrase imply? The council envisioned that we would be participating in the liturgy with our whole mind, heart and bodies!

D. Quillan

n Dec.4, 1963, inspired by the Holy Spirit, the bishops of the world passed the first of 16 documents that would be promulgated by the Second Vatican Council. Sacrosanctum Concilium, the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, was one of the four “constitutions” which defined vital issues of church teachings and practice. This constitution called for a reform of the liturgy. It did not mandate innovations, but restored ancient practices. It urged that “the rites be revised carefully in light of sound tradition and that they be given new vigor to meet the circumstances and needs of modern times.” (SC 4) The constitution began with a theological review of the nature of liturgy and its role in the life of the church. (1-13) It called for the improved liturgical formation of the clergy and the faithful (15-19) and

carefully detailed the principles which would guide the reform. (21-46) The chapters that followed gave specific norms for the reform of the Mass, the sacraments, the Liturgy of the Hours, the liturgical year, and more. And in all these important efforts, what was given highest priority? What was the goal to be considered before all else? It was the full, conscious and active participation of the people in the pews! The church earnestly desires that all the

… Pastors must therefore realize that when the liturgy is celebrated something more is required than the mere observance of the laws governing valid and lawful celebration; it is also their duty to ensure that the faithful take part fully aware of what they are doing, actively engaged in the rite, and enriched by its effects. (11) For centuries, the faithful “attended” or “heard” Mass in Latin. They devoutly listened as the priest recited texts in Latin. Only in the early 20th century were personal missals published to provide translations. And language was not the only barrier to participation. Frequently, the architecture itself separated us from the altar by great distances or communion rails. Often, the faithful simultaneously prayed the rosary or other devotions while Mass was being celebrated and they hungered for familiar clues like the ringing of bells. How did the Second Vatican Council bring about our greater participation? First, it encouraged “liturgical forma-

St. Pius X, pope Aug. 21 | St. Rose of Lima, virgin Aug. 23 | Feast of St. Bartholomew, apostle Aug. 24 | St Joseph Calasanz, priest Aug. 25

FAITH Magazine / July/August 2010 / www.FAITHmag.com

Pilgrimage destination of the month

Turin, San Giovanni Rotondo and Assisi, Italy Turin is a major city in northern Italy and capital of the Piedmont region. Often referred to as the “Capital of the Alps,” it is best known to Christians as the home of the Shroud of Turin, which

Roman Missal, 42)

Silence, too, is a means of participation. In silence, we recollect our sins and gather our prayers in the Introductory Rites. In silence, we reflect on the readings. In silence (or in song), we reflect on the great gift of Holy Com-

is a linen cloth that bears the image of what is believed to be the body of the crucified Jesus Christ. It is thought that the cloth was placed on his body at the time of his burial. The Shroud is kept in the royal chapel of the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Turin. San Giovanni Rotondo is a city in southern Italy. It is best known as the home of Padre Pio from 1916 until his death in 1968. It is also renowned for the hospital and medical research center (Home for the Relief of Suffering) that Padre Pio founded. The town of Assisi is in the Umbria region of Italy in the province of Perugia. It is the birthplace of St. Francis, who founded the Franciscan religious order in Assisi in 1208. St. Clare, the founder of the Poor Clares, also was born in Assisi.

munion. (GIRM 45) We participate, too, simply by listening attentively to the readings and the prayers and then responding to them with “Thanks be to God” or “Amen” or other acclamations. Too often, some will complain that they “don’t get much out of Mass.” The obvious response is “What did you put into it?” We never come to liturgy to be entertained, or worse yet, to judge the music or the homily. We are not there as strangers or silent spectators. We come together as a Christian community to encounter the living God. The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (48) best describes our participation. We are “instructed by God’s word and nourished at the table of the Lord’s body, we give thanks to God by offering the immaculate Victim, not only through the hands of the priest, but also with him. We offer ourselves as well, through Christ the Mediator, so that we may be formed day by day into an ever more perfect unity with God and with each other, so that finally God may be all in all.”

Notables: The Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Turin was built in the late 15th century. As mentioned earlier, it is the current resting place of the Shroud of Turin.

The Sanctuary of Saint Michael the Archangel is a Catholic shrine and sacred cave in Monte Sant Angelo near San Giovanni Rotondo. The Archangel Michael is said to have appeared there three times. It has been a Catholic pilgrimage site for centuries.

The Padre Pio Shrine at Santa Maria The delle Grazie Basilica of Church in Santa Maria San Giovanni degli Angeli Rotondo is (St. Mary of a popular the Angels) Catholic is located in The Cathedral of Saint John pilgrimage Assisi and the Baptist in Turin site, drawing encloses the approximate9th century ly 7 million little church, the Porziuncola. pilgrims every year. Padre Pio It was at the Porziuncola that was a member of the Capuchin St. Francis realized his vocation order and was known for his and founded the Franciscan care of the sick and for having order. The basilica also is home received the stigmata. He was to the Chapel of the “Transito” declared a saint in 2002. where St. Francis died in 1226.

pilgrimage destination

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

bered by useless repetitions; they [were to be] written within the people’s power of comprehension and, as a rule, not require much explanation.” (34) Most importantly, the liturgical books were to be translated into the vernacular so that the people could pray in their own language, just as they had for centuries before Trent. These translations were to be approved by each country’s conference of bishops and the Holy See. Fourth, since we pray with our whole bodies, we participate fully, consciously and actively with postures and gestures. We kneel, we sit, we stand, we process, we bow our head, we make the sign of the cross. These common postures and gestures are a sign of our unity when we are gathered for the Sacred Liturgy – they both express and foster our intention and spiritual attitude. (General Instruction of the

theology 101

tion with zeal and patience.” (19) The bishops knew that we would better participate if we understood the depth of the mystery being celebrated, the structure of the Mass, and the richness of the traditions behind our current practices. Second, they reminded us that liturgies are never private functions – they involve the whole body of the church, near and far, visible and invisible. (26) The liturgy is public and communal by its very nature, but it also concerns individual members in different orders and offices who exercise a variety of liturgical roles – bishops, priests, deacons, lectors, cantors and more. Third, the liturgical books themselves were reformed to promote active participation. The people were given more “speaking parts” and encouraged to take part in acclamations, responses, psalmody, antiphons, and songs. (30-31) Music, especially, allowed us to give fuller expression to our prayer. And the texts of these books were to be marked by “noble simplicity.” They were to be “short, clear, and unencum-

FAITH Magazine / July/August 2010 / www.FAITHmag.com

The words come slow so You better listen quick or You miss the fascination Of Anthony Zick. But you won’t miss his puns. See. Just from talking with Tony for two hours, I’m already writing poetry. Well – something like poetry anyway. By Bob Horning | Photography by Jim Luning

Tony Zick, 20, is a published poet, someone his high school writing teacher says “wrote some of the most moving and poignant poems I’ve had the privilege to encounter, and some of the most hilarious.” Poetry is one side of Tony, but there is more, which we’ll explore. (Notice the rhyme?) First, meet Tony the poet.

s a senior, he won a spot on the highly competitive

Ann Arbor Youth Poetry Slam team. One of his poems was chosen to be included in the Speak Green competition sponsored by the Sundance Institute at the National Youth Poetry Slam Festival. He also read a poem called The Pundit in Washington D.C., and, as his teacher said, had the audience rolling with laughter. Several of his poems have appeared in local magazines. Tony has been drawn to poetry since grade school. In high school, he took four semesters of creative writing, where every week the students had to present something to the class and have it critiqued. Tony usually chose poetry. His dad recalls that Tony used to stay up late listening to jazz and writing poetry. “I write poetry because I enjoy participating in beautiful things,” he says. ”It allows me to communicate the beauty of the human experience. It’s a way to share love that has resonated with me.” Though his laid-back personality and affinity for humor might hide it, Tony takes his poetry seriously. He reads and studies contemporary poets, and lately has been learning about poets from previous generations: T.S. Eliot, Auden, Yeats, Hopkins, Tennyson, Donne, Shakespeare. “My favorite could be John Donne because of the fire and wit in his short poems,” Tony says.

ony reworks a poem until it’s as good as he can

make it, but doesn’t consider it finished until he gets feedback from others. “I have come to peace with the critiquing,” Tony says. “Sometimes I’ll write something that I love, then I show it to a teacher or friend and out comes the red pen. Most of the time, I like my writing more after it’s been critiqued; it becomes more focused and less self-indulgent. Without help, I can’t improve at anything.” Jeff Kass, the writing teacher who has been so impressed with Tony’s poetry, says, “He crafts language with precision and concision and works to come up with fresh phrasing. He has great range as a writer. He pays close attention to the world around him and is able to find poetic moments and images in the sideboards of his house, the joy of creating puns, or pushing a van out of the snow.” As the years pass, Tony is formulating his concept of literature. He says, “It is using words in an imaginative way to create a snapshot of dramatic themes in life for others. By exploring the human experience from my perspective, I am inherently expressing who I am. I often try to convey a sense of Christian joy, whether the experience written about be tragic, humorous or ecstatic in nature.” Tony considers himself a poet first, though much of what he writes is meant to be performed, at a public reading or in competition at a poetry slam. At a slam, judges grade poets on both poetry and performance. The audience participates by snapping their fingers, cheering, or laughing; or booing the judges if they consider the score given to be too low. According to Kass, the student has changed the way the teacher understands performance poetry. In an article about Tony on Ann Arbor.com, Kass wrote, “I have learned that poets don’t have to use profanity in order to be heard. That writers can be both graceful and startling, often in the same poem. That there’s always a place for a good, or even a bad pun.” Ray Zick, Tony’s father, says “Writing poetry allows Tony the chance to reflect. He thinks deeply and thinks things through. Because he speaks slowly, people can assume his mind is slow, but it’s just that he is always processing. He chose Thomas Aquinas as

FAITH Magazine / July/August 2010 / www.FAITHmag.com

The Father McGivney House The Father McGivney House, across the street from the rectory of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Ann Arbor, was purchased by the Knights of Columbus in 2006 as a house of discernment. Living there means agreeing to

discerning the direction of your life, including the priesthood, and receiving spiritual direction from the priests. Many of the eight residents are altar servers, attend daily Mass and join the priests in praying the Liturgy of the Hours in the morning and evening, as their schedules allow. They also meet with the parish priests every Thursday to have dinner together, catch up on each others’ lives and hear about aspects of priestly

life. Twice a month, there is a formation talk, and the other two weeks they meet in small groups. “As one resident, now a seminarian, said, “I loved having access to the rectory chapel to pray before the Blessed Sacrament. Informal chats and occasional lunches with the priests gave me more insight into their lives and service. As I got to know them, I began to see myself doing what they were doing.” Father Bill, pastor at St. Thomas, says, “Tony has brought an amazing balance of humor and seriousness to the McGivney House. Humor in the connections of life that are ‘punny;’ or as Tony would say...”Oh, I mean funny;’ and seriousness in that it is clear that the house is about God and responding to him. I admire Tony for his courage to take a step of faith – be it to get up in front of a group and share a poem, or to say, ‘God may be calling me to the priesthood. I want to listen.’” “Living at McGivney House,” Tony says, “has provided spiritual stability for me. Being a part of a community makes it less easy to get caught up in and distracted by all that goes on in everyday life. I feel more mature than 10 months ago and have learned a lot about Catholicism from the other guys. They are a lot of fun, too.” So which is the real Anthony Zick? Priest or poet? If you ask his mother, Suzan, she will tell you that the two sides meld into one once you know his personality. “He is a gentle soul who loves God and loves people, and that comes out in his poetry and his spirituality. He is aware of what’s going on in the world through his interactions with people from all walks of life, Christian or not. He loves helping people (for example, he tutors writing two hours per week) and is sensitive to those who have been rejected or have trouble. He tries to make peace and make bad situations better.” Jeff Kass also notices traits common to priest and poet: “He listens completely to people who are talking to him. He’s honest and reliable, he’s sincere and authentic, a great person who is well worth listening to.” No matter what he does, Tony says “ I try to keep in mind throughout the day that Christ loves me infinitely without me earning it or being able to earn it; with that, I do my duties for love of him.”

“There is no greater thing I could do for love of God and others. If he wants me to say Mass in his name, what could be better?”

McGivney helps him “have a more disciplined prayer life. We have the opportunity to do the Liturgy of the Hours with the priests in the morning and evening. I spend time every day in prayer, whether it be reading Scripture, praying the rosary, or sitting in front of the Blessed Sacrament. “I am learning what a priest’s life is like by seeing them in action, and by being with them. The men at McGivney have dinner and discussion with priests on Thursdays. And, Father Bill Ashbaugh, through our monthly spiritual direction, has helped me grow in my relationship with the Lord. We talk about discernment directly and about personal things that affect discernment. “I notice a growing desire to be a father, whether spiritually or physically. And to do the things a father should do – love, reach out to people, bring Christ to others,” he says iving at

Tony reads one of his poems – at www.FAITHmag.com

For more information on vocations to the priesthood, log on to www.dioceseoflansing.org and click vocations.

cover story

his confirmation name because people once thought Thomas was a dumb ox. Tony has qualities suitable to a poet – he has always been devout, passionate and sensitive; qualities also suitable for a priest.” Which gets us to the other side of Tony. Or, is it the same side in a different light? For the last 10 months, Tony has been living at the Father McGivney House at St. Thomas Parish in Ann Arbor (see sidebar) in order to better discern a possible call to the priesthood. “God has worked in my heart to make my faith my own since late in high school,” he says. “Now that I’m growing more into an adult spiritual life, and have had the thought of priesthood in my head, I should at least give it a shot.” “There is no greater thing I could do for love of God and others. If he wants me to say Mass in his name, what could be better? But I want to do what God is calling me to do. I can’t say right now that I am leaning more toward the priesthood than marriage and career (teaching English or literature),” he explained.

From pupil to Sister Lauraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s path to religious life

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urning off her cell phone and her laptop wasn’t easy for Sister Laura Pressprich when she joined the Servants of God’s Love religious community last summer. The quiet and the new pace of life were in stark contrast to her days as a busy college student. Yet it also made it easier to listen to God’s call. The journey that brought the 23-year-old to the point of exploring the possibility of life in a religious order – as a postulant, she lives with the community but has not made a final commitment to take vows – had sometimes been filled with noise, including her own idealized visions of the future and society’s expectations of her as a single woman. But moments of great clarity and peace led her to consider taking this special path.

I started thinking about my vocation when I was 14 and in the youth group. I knew the sisters in the Servants of God’s Love community because they were closely tied with our parish. Some of them were my teachers, and I worked with them through volunteering. They were real-life examples of what religious life looked like. But I come from a family of seven kids, so the idea of choosing something different from the great life that I knew at home was pretty scary. Our society is so enthralled with the idea that romantic love is what fulfills you that to hear the Lord calling me to something else was difficult. I knew that a vocation is something that is supposed to give you a lot of peace and joy, but, during my teenage years, I couldn’t receive it with either. I went to Michigan State University and earned a degree in chemistry. When I entered college, my parents told me that my vocation at the time was to be a student. They believed the Lord was asking me to really put my energy into that. I also focused on building some strong Christian relationships. The Lord has blessed me with wonderful friends. At the beginning of my senior year, I was trying to decide whether to go to graduate school. But I had to take some really tough courses that semester, and I didn’t have time to think about what the next step was going to be. It really brought me to a place of just saying, ‘Lord, I don’t have time to try to control the situation. I need you to tell me what it is you have for me.’

He started by calling my attention to the virtue of hope, which is about trusting and believing in God’s promises. He drew my gaze especially to psalms and many passages that say, ‘Do not be afraid, I am with you.’ I had a better and better understanding of how steadfast his love for us is, and that he has lovingly constructed a plan for each one of us that will best get us to heaven. I started going to adoration a lot more, and I started meeting with the vocations director for the Catholic Diocese of Lansing, Sister Mary Ann, who is part of our order. She became a real spiritual mentor for me. At that point, I thought the Lord might be calling me to some sort of service to others, but I still really wanted to be married someday. Then Lent started, and I experienced the Lord’s pursuit of me in the Scriptures and in prayer. I knew that he desired me to come away with him and to grow in my relationship with him. I felt a specific calling to the Servants of God’s Love. My entire life had been in charismatic communal settings, and I took such reassurance that the Lord had guided me to a religious community that had the same focus. He wasn’t working in hairpin turns. He was very gentle and set the relationships around me so that when he called me, I was able to respond. As I was preparing to enter the community, I struggled with a lot of things. I wondered, if I join now, does that mean the next 60 years are already figured out for me? What will happen to my relationships with my family and friends? What about my things? And the Lord gave me so much peace. He had fostered all of these things just to bring me here. How could I doubt that he would continue to take care of everything? I am a postulant, and that is one of the great things about religious life. You can take the first year and say, “I think the Lord might be calling me here, and I want to know for sure.” There’s no commitment beyond the first year, which gives you a wonderful freedom to experience this life from the inside rather than from afar. There’s freedom, too, in knowing that the sisters want what the Lord has for me – whether it be this life or marriage. It has been an incredible adventure. We have 17 sisters, including me, and our works are dynamic and varied. We have teachers, nurses, caregivers, speakers and more. I work four days a week at Emmanuel House, which is a home for the elderly and is one of our ministries. The sisters are committed to communal life, which means that their whole focus is to become a family and to know the Lord’s love through one another. Prayer is the center of our lives, and everything is prioritized around that. When I walk into our chapel, I experience Christ there and I know I am in the right place. As with any vocation, our call is to understand his love and to live a life out of that. By Margaret Ann Cross | Photography by Tom Gennara

To learn more about religious life, contact Sister Mary Ann Foggin at mfoggin@dioceseoflansing.org, 517.342.2506

religious life

I grew up in Christ the King parish in Ann Arbor with a charismatic spirituality that helped me understand the Holy Spirit’s desire to participate more fully in our lives, especially in the Mass. It is a parish that focuses on the family and on relationships that draw you closer to the Lord through support of one another.

By Bob Horning | Photography by Tom Gennara

Meet the four new priests for the Diocese of Lansing

Left to right: Deacon Dan Kogut processes to the ambo with the Book of Gospels. Father Gerald Vincke, Director of Seminarians, testifies to the readiness of the ordinandi. Ordinand Pieter VanRooyen prom

FAITH Magazine / July/August 2010 / www.FAITHmag.com

n June 11, four men were ordained as priests for the Diocese of Lansing. We spent a few minutes talking to them about their vocations and what they hope for their priesthood. Father Anthony Strouse is from St. Mary Parish, Williamston. He is 26 and has been in Catholic schools since kindergarten. He will be serving as parochial vicar of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, East Lansing.

In high school, classmates at Lansing Catholic Central and others began asking me if I was going to be a priest. I attended a conference at Franciscan University in Steubenville with Father Bob Roggenbuck. I went up during the altar call for those considering the priesthood. The next year, I talked with the high school chaplain, Father Joe Krupp, quite a bit about the joys and challenges of the priesthood. I saw in him an unmarried man who was solid, true and happy. After graduation, I entered Saint John Vianney Semi-

Since I am self-confident and independent, I have been learning humility and how to rely on others. I found that can happen through simple things like sharing a room, which I never did because I grew up with two sisters. People living closely can grate on one another, so I had to adapt to get along. I enjoy spending time with people, especially families. As an intern, I saw that it was important to people when I showed up at events or went to their home. I enjoy talking about the faith – it is alive and exciting. I like talking to young people, too. They want to be treated as adults, to be respected, loved. They have a lot of questions. They are sharp and want to have dialogue about meaningful things, not just hear that “the church says so and so.” To young men considering the priesthood, I tell them to give it a try. Join the seminary. Don’t be afraid. You aren’t giving up your masculinity. It takes a real man to be a priest. There is fruitfulness and spiritual fatherhood as you care for the parishioners. The church needs more saints, more everyday witnesses in the world of the truth, joy and love that Christ brings us – and that only comes through a deep relationship with Jesus. I look forward to serving the people of God. My goal is to help them get to heaven. To the extent I help, I am a successful priest. Please pray for us.

mises obedience to Bishop Boyea and his successors. The ordinandi lie prostrate during the Litany of the Saints. Bishop Boyea lays hands on Ordinand Anthony Strouse. Priests lay hands on the four ordinandi.

ordination 2010

Church always has been an important part of my life and my family’s life. I sang in a choir since first grade, and became an altar server in fourth grade. After confirmation, I started thinking and praying about what to do with my life. I wanted to do something great. I figured I would marry, be a lawyer, maybe enter politics, have kids, cars and prosperity. But, I also instinctively knew that in order to be happy, it would be because I was doing God’s will.

nary in St. Paul, Minn., figuring God would let me know if he didn’t want me to be a priest. During that time, I studied in Rome for one semester, which helped solidify my vocation.

20 Father Mathias Thelen’s life direction changed in high school when he committed himself to Christ. His home parish is Most Holy Trinity in Fowler. He will be serving as parochial vicar of Queen of the Miraculous Medal Parish in Jackson.

ordination 2010

There is a prevailing sense of unworthiness about becoming a priest. But this is far outweighed by the confidence I have in Christ to work through me in celebrating the sacraments and preaching the Gospel. My only real strength as a priest will be my ‘yes’ to what Jesus asks me to do – my willingness to cooperate with him in serving his people, to lay down my life. God has gifted me with a love of God and the corresponding zeal to bring others to him. I believe that God is calling for a renewal for Catholics to experience being saved by Jesus. To this end, the role of the Holy Spirit is crucial. Preaching with faith and expectation of God’s action in our lives enkindles faith so that lives can change. Moved by the Spirit, Catholics are invited to understand and experience the Father’s love through a personal encounter with Jesus. It wasn’t until high school at a youth conference at Steubenville, Ohio, that I committed my life to the Lord. My love for Christ grew with my involvement with the youth group in Westphalia. In college, questions and challenges from anti-Catholics forced me to learn more about Catholicism. Before my conversion, I assumed I would be a math or

science teacher. Afterwards, I figured I would marry and be a Catholic apologist/evangelist because studying and teaching the riches of Catholicism brought me so much joy. While at Grand Valley State University, I met the girl of my dreams, but, at the same time, felt God calling me to something else. The toughest decision of my life was to turn my back on the life I had envisioned and transfer to Saint John Vianney Seminary. But it was the best decision of my life. For my relationship with Jesus has made celibacy less of a challenge than I thought it would be. For him and his purposes, celibacy is not only worthwhile, but desirable; without him, it would be a useless self-denial. Becoming a priest is like getting married in some ways. I am giving my life to Christ and laying down my life for his bride, the church. As a priest, the church will become my bride. When it comes to true love, no one thinks of the sacrifice involved as a loss. Rather, self-sacrifice is the essence of love, from which springs true joy. The more I experience God’s love for me, the more freedom I have to love and serve the bride, the church. It’s all about his love. Young men thinking of the priesthood (and the rest of us, too): Ask God every day that his will be done, so when you find it, you are ready to do it. Try to get to know Jesus in prayer and in the Scriptures. Give your vocation to Mary, who will take you by the hand and lead you in the way of her Son. No one can better help you open your heart to Jesus than his mother.

Left to right: Bishop Boyea, with the presbyterate behind him, prays over the ordinandi. The new priests are assisted into their vestments. Bishop Boyea anoints the hands of Father Mathias Thelen. M

FAITH Magazine / July/August 2010 / www.FAITHmag.com

Father Pieter Van Rooyen was born in South Africa, but came to the U.S. as a boy. His home parish is St. Thomas Aquinas in East Lansing. He will be the parochial vicar at St. Gerard Parish, Lansing. I entered Michigan State University on an Air Force ROTC scholarship, planning on becoming a doctor or joining the special forces. Things changed when I began attending an evangelical Bible study. I met men who had joy in following Jesus. The Gospel clicked for me, and I made a commitment to God. Jesus had answered the longing in my heart. That experience compelled me to study my own faith more. I went to the EWTN and Catholic Answers websites, and began reading the catechism which my grandmother had given me for confirmation (instead of the car I was hoping for). I also started going to confession more and to daily Mass. Soon, I began thinking about what Jesus wanted me to do with my life, and talked regularly with Monsignor George Michalek about it. I decided to drop out of ROTC, in case God was calling me to the priesthood; and, in fact, I did end up at Sacred Heart Major Seminiary in Detroit after graduation. I enjoyed the academics in seminary, especially the Scripture classes, and the chance to apply God’s word to my life. It was awesome being with 60-70 guys who are trying to follow the Lord and grow in holiness. I can’t wait to put into practice what I have learned. One of the toughest things was having parents who

weren’t supportive of my vocation at first. They were concerned for me, wondering how I could possibly be happy as a priest. Now, as they have seen me grow, they are both supportive. My father goes to daily Mass more regularly. My mother, though not a Catholic, is a committed Christian. Another hard thing was giving up the opportunity of having a wife and family. However, that allows the joy of an exclusive relationship with Jesus. It is humbling to become a priest. At times, I questioned my ability, but before the Blessed Sacrament, God gave me grace to go ahead, and showed me that the power is in him, not in us earthen vessels. (2 Cor 4:7) I have experienced life without God, then conversion and the grace of God’s power to change my life. So I see the importance of a radical commitment. I want to help others make that commitment, especially those who are just going through the motions. I think my friendliness and passion for Scripture will help. I want to preach well so that people can come to know Jesus more deeply. It is a chance to trust God for what I say to the parish every Sunday. I want to see the whole church, ordained and laity, have a personal relationship with the Lord. I look forward to serving people and helping them experience God’s love. In my spare time, I like reading fiction, especially classic literature with a Christian theme. I also enjoy backpacking, ultimate Frisbee and playing chess.

Mothers of the new priests bring forth the gifts. Father Thomas Wasilewski receives the paten and chalice from Bishop Boyea. Bishop Boyea embraces the newest members of the Lansing presbyterate.

22 Father Thomas Wasilewski was born in Poland and came to the U.S.in 1982 when he was 9. He and his family were political refugees. His home parish is St. Thomas Aquinas in East Lansing. He will serve as the parochial vicar of St. Joseph Parish, Adrian and St. Joseph Shrine, Brooklyn.

ordination 2010

I loved the processions, vestments, incense, all the cultural aspects of Polish Catholicism. When I arrived in this country, because so many of those things were missing, the church seemed secular to me. My father couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t find more than odd jobs, my family had a hard time fitting in, and by the end of high school, the faith had lost its reality for me. After graduation from Central Michigan University, I worked in the computer field for several years. I met some faith-filled evangelicals who helped me open up to God more. Later, when I was transferred to upstate New York, it was at first a place of darkness because I was apart from friends. I began going to Mass more often, and the very ordinary parish there became a place of peace for me. When I attended a retreat by the Paulist Fathers, I had a spiritual experience that gave me faith in Christ. Soon, I began asking God what he wanted me to do. My faith grew a lot over the next few years, and I had a growing desire to become a priest. I talked with Father Jerry Vincke, then Bishop Mengeling, and told them I wanted to give my life to the church completely. At seminary, I opened my heart to the healing and change God wanted to do.

Often I feel incredulous that I will actually be a priest, that God chose me despite my imperfections and my spotty past. I hope I can be of use to him and to his people, and be open to growing into the person and priest he wants me to be. I believe the church needs to do more to evangelize and support the people in the pews. The early church always formed close communities and that is something not always apparent today, especially at bigger parishes where folks can slip through the cracks. We need renewal movements, support groups and Bible study groups that attract more people, and allow more avenues for people to connect with the church and grow in faith outside the weekly Mass obligation. At the heart of all this, and before all of it, we need to invite people to a personal commitment to Jesus Christ. I have a special affection for all who have fallen away from the faith and may be on the way back. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to welcome them and encourage them. Also, I feel called to reach out to those outside the church and invite them to get to know Jesus and the Catholic faith. And I hope my Polish background will make me more sympathetic to the traditions of various immigrant groups in our church. When I have time, I like to read newspapers, spiritual books, especially about saints, classic fiction novels, Polish books, Greek plays. I like to mountain bike, go for walks, hang out at a coffee shop sipping cappuccino and visit friends and family.

Left to right: The newly ordained concelebrate the Liturgy of the Eucharist with Bishop Boyea presiding. From left: Bishop Carl F. Mengeling, Fathers Thelen, VanRooyen, Vincke, Wasilewski, Strouse, and Bishop Earl Boyea

lenna Diskin, a member of St. Patrick Parish in Brighton, feels that way about her call to serve as a lay ecclesial minister. Glenna is a pastoral associate and coordinator of the MATRIX youth ministry program. She began her current post in the fall of 2009 and started the Moments Around Teen Reflecting in Christ (MATRIX) program. “It has been a year of change and transition,” she says. “It has not been easy but through it all, it just feels so very right.” This fall, Glenna will be commissioned a lay ecclesial minister. The commissioning will formalize her already active ministry at St. Patrick’s. Since 1994, when Glenna became a member of the parish, she has been an RCIA sponsor, taught third grade faith formation, volunteered with the parish’s art and the environment committee and several other ministries over the next few years. On top of that, she is a wife to Michael and mother to three sons – Nathan, 23; Tyler, 17; and Alex, 12. Glenna says her call to become a lay ecclesial minister has been a discernment process including “prayer, formation, retreats, increased sacramental/liturgical practices and spiritual director that revealed my calling to ministry and service.” The vocational call to lay ecclesial ministry is rooted in baptism. Fully initiated Catholics, gifted to serve the faith community as public leaders, can formally become lay ecclesial ministers. To do so they must meet the following criteria:

Glenna started the formation program for lay ecclesial ministers in 2004 at Siena Heights University. She completed her studies last May.

Serving as a lay ecclesial minister A lay ecclesial minister publicly ministers in the name of and for the whole church, she says. “It is necessary that lay ecclesial ministers be recognized formally by the ordained leadership in the dioceses and parishes to ensure a strong relationship with the ordained ministry as well as other people in the communities that they serve.” Although the people she works with will benefit greatly from her call and commissioning, Glenna says her call gives her something too. “Serving God gives me an inner peace and joy for life,” she says. “This inner peace gives me the ability to respect each

person for who they are and to have patience as well as an open heart. The main reason I am called to this ministry is so I can, and the people I serve, can grow in a deeper relationship with Christ.” She cites her work with teens in her parish as solidifying the call. “I have known for the past few years that I was called to serve,” she says. “Since I began working with this tremendous community of teens, I have never smiled more, laughed more, danced more and been blessed more. They are wise, genuine and honest but more than that open to all that God has to offer them. This just has to be the ‘right thing to do’!”

By Eileen Gianiodis | Photography by Don Quillan

If you are interested in becoming a lay ecclesial minister, log on to www.dioceseoflansing.org or call 517.342.2512.

my story

• Must be authorized by a bishop or pastor; • Exercises leadership of a particular area of ministry; • Works in close collaboration with bishops, priests and deacons; and • Has received the appropriate preparation and formation for the responsibilities to which they are assigned.

Sometimes you just know when it’s right

permanent diaconate

aron and Kathy Petersen describe their home as “Catholic and loud;” with eight children, ages 20 to 2, no one would disagree. The pair have found a way to balance busy professional, family and spiritual lives, but they’ll be the first to admit that sometimes it seems too much. In fact, that’s exactly what some people told Aaron when, in 2003, he said he wanted to pursue his call to serve as a deacon. “I heard from many, initially, even from my own mother, that I should wait until my kids are grown before I move forward with the call to the diaconate,” he explains. “My first reaction to that feedback was that maybe they’re right. But the nagging was strong, so I continued; and besides, I thought: ‘How long should one delay God?’” For the 37-year-old, who was ordained a deacon last May, his answer was simple – he couldn’t delay the call – and, it had been going on since he was 12. Aaron, dean of men at Hillsdale College, describes his call to the diaconate in three “significant shouts” from God. “The first was when I was 12, the second was in college and the last one was when my daughter MaryEllen was born. Of course, God was ever-present and nudging me all along in small and subtle ways,” he says. At the age of 12, Aaron’s parents experienced some difficult times shortly after moving to Grand Rapids and joining St. Paul the Apostle. At some point during those times, the family stopped attending Mass together. “I remember thinking how wrong that was and decided to walk to church on my own,” he says. “That first day that I walked to church alone, I ended up being the only one at church when I arrived.” After realizing that he had forgotten about the time change, Aaron sat in the church alone. Soon, he realized that he was not alone. His sadness and hurt were replaced with a deep peace as he found himself staring at the flickering light of the tabernacle light and feeling

A life of service Why Aaron became a permanent deacon

Christ’s presence. “Sitting there in the peace of the real presence of our Lord, I felt a warmth come over me. The sunlight was coming through the window where I was sitting and shined on my seat. The window that the light came through had the Holy Spirit dove symbol in it. I remember it was a little weird, but I knew that it was not a coincidence,” he says. Aaron says he felt God telling him that God had a special plan for him. “A few minutes later the pastor, Father McGee, walked in and saw me. He asked me my name and asked me if I would serve for him, even though I had never served before. From that day forward, Father McGee took me under his wing,” he recalls. The next time Aaron heard God’s call was in college. As a football and baseball player at Hillsdale College, he had “put God on the shelf” during his college years.

“I probably had gotten a little too big for my britches. Here I was attending an excellent college that encourages seriousness about faith, but, somehow, I was lost, sad and confused – and right in the middle of a lecture hall with 40 other students,” he says. Aaron wondered what he would become. “And all of a sudden, out of nowhere, an image came to me – an image of me giving a homily in front of a large parish. I knew what God wanted of me – he wanted me to be a priest!” he says. “All of a sudden, a profound peace came over me.” After consulting with his Grand Rapids parish priest during school breaks, Aaron thought he would finish school and carry on to the seminary. But God’s plan wasn’t that either. “Within two weeks of being back at school, I met my wife, Kathy. On our first

For more information on the permanent dicaconate, contact Deacon Gerald Brennan, gbrennan@dioceseoflansing.org, 517.342.2451

FAITH Magazine / July/August 2010 / www.FAITHmag.com

date, I knew we would marry. The feelShe was not breathing well, and by the ings that came over me when we first met end of her first 24 hours, her lungs had were powerful – just as powerful, or more collapsed. so, than the feelings I felt when God gave Aaron recalls sitting in one of the me that image of my preaching,” he says. parents’ lounges at the hospital – alone, in It took almost six years until Aaron’s the dark. next clear call. During that time, he felt in “I had never experienced such quiet. conflict, he says. I began thanking The twists and “I was grateful God for the life of for the gift of my MaryEllen. I began turns in my wife, but for many to beg him to trust life had all seemed so years I could not her to me – to let random; but, as I went reconcile the two me keep her here gifts God gave for a while,” he through discernment and me in those two says. formation, I was able to months: the imAs he thought examine where I had been, about God’s gift of age of me being a priest and Kathy,” and notice that the pattern life, Aaron began to he says. think about the gift and pace of my footsteps In the summer of my own life. made a lot of sense. of 2003, having “I started asking been married myself, have I for seven years, Aaron says he began to been grateful for my life that God gave reconcile those two gifts. me? Have I been doing what he has When the couple’s fourth child and wanted of me? I began to recall all the first girl, MaryEllen, was born in July moments in my life where God was 2003, Aaron and Kathy were thrilled. But profoundly present, and then, how I the joy and excitement soon diminished had eventually turned my back on him, as the baby girl was taken to Toledo Chiland always made me the center of my dren’s Hospital only hours after her birth. world,” he says.

Aaron could feel a strong and powerful call to follow God. Over the course of their eight-day stay at the children’s hospital, MaryEllen got better. During those quiet days, Aaron tried to understand what God wanted of him, exactly. “On one of the last nights, I went for a long drive to think about it. It was in that car ride that the idea of the permanent diaconate was given to me. I had never really given the diaconate much thought. But, when I pictured it, and the deacon I knew, it made sense,” he says. Two weeks later, at the recommendation of a priest friend, Aaron, with the support of his wife and family, became involved more in his parish, found a spiritual director and began formal training in theology. He serves at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Hillsdale “The twists and turns in my life had all seemed so random; but as I went through discernment and formation, I was able to examine where I had been, and notice that the pattern and pace of my footsteps made a lot of sense. I learned that I had been in good hands all along. It was as if God was preparing me for his call – even when I was ignoring him,” he says.

By Eileen Gianiodis | Photography by Don Quillan

things to do: Attention single men and women age mid-30s-50s, Lansing Catholic Singles upcoming events include: July 18, 6 p.m. Mass at St. Gerard in Lansing followed by fellowship at Panera Bread in the Lansing Mall; and Aug. 21 day at Lake Michigan and Saugatuck. RSVP is required. For information, e-mail lansingcatholicsingles@live.com.

community

Holy Spirit, Brighton hosts an acoustic music jam called Spirit Jam on the fourth Friday of each month 7 p.m.-11 p.m. The church is located at the corner of Musch and Winans Lake Road. Call 810.923.3179 or e-mail mschlep@charter.net for more information. A Project Rachel Retreat is scheduled in Saginaw Aug. 20-22. For more information or to register, contact Sandy Buza at 989.797.6652, 800.453.2081 x652 or sbuza@dioceseofsaginaw.org. On Aug. 13-15, a Retrouvaille Retreat will be held at the St. Francis Retreat Center in DeWitt. For information or to register, contact Teresa and Allan Sonfilippo Wilcox

at 517.290.5596. Marriage Matters of Jackson will have a workshop, Marriage L.I.N.K.S., on Sept. 9, 16, 23 and 30 from 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m. at Cascades Manor House, 1970 Kibby Rd., Jackson. Cost is $45 per couple and includes dinner each week and all materials. For more information or to register, call 517.796.5116 or info@marriagemattersjackson.com. DYLC campers, recent attendees, and leaders: Mark your calendars to celebrate the 25th anniversary of our Diocesan Youth Leadership Camp for high school youth – the reunion will be Aug. 7 at St. Martha, Okemos.

At our retreat centers Dominican Center at Marywood, Grand Rapids, 616.643.0371 or www.domnicancenter.com The Spiritual Formation Program will be offered at three sites this fall: Dominican Center at Marywood, Grand Rapids; Mercy Center, Farmington Hills; and Washington Church, Toledo, Ohio. If you have participated in the spiritual formation program, please pass this information on to those who might benefit from it. St. Francis Retreat Center, DeWitt, 866.669.8321 July 11-17, a Directed Retreat affords you the opportunity to renew and restore yourself. July 23-25, 2010 Reflect is a singles retreat for adults in their mid 30s to 50s. For more information, go to the Reflect website. July 30-Aug. 1, a Singles Retreat – Surprised by the Tines-A Faith Response, presenter Father Larry Delaney and guests. July 30-Aug. 1, a Married Couples Retreat. Aug. 10-12, Summer Scripture Days. Call the Diocese of Lansing at 517.342.2462 for information or to register. Weber Retreat Center, Adrian, 517.266.4000 July 12-14, Biblical Words of Wisdom; July 14-16, Understanding Islam in America; July 16-18, Voices of our Biblical Mothers: Women of the Old Testament; July 19-24, Lands of Dominic Armchair Pilgrimage; July 26-30, Private Directed Retreats; Aug. 15-20, Comtemplata Aliis Tradere Retreat; and Aug. 27-29, Health care in Aging Communities.

On July 17, Christ the King Parish, Flint will have its annual golf tournament at Genesee Valley Meadows, 5499 Miller Rd. in Swartz Creek. A shotgun start at 8 a.m. Cost is $65 per person for a four-person scramble. For more information, please call the church office at 810.233.0402.

7:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m. For tickets, call 517.431.2287 or 517.467.6393.

Knights of Columbus, St. Joseph Shrine, are having a big band dance on Aug. 13,

St. Francis of Assisi in Ann Arbor is having a joint high school youth retreat with

July/August café events St. Matthew Parish, Flint will begin the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults in September. Please call the parish office at 810.232.0880 to register or for information. St. Joseph Shrine in Brooklyn will have Opportunities in the Sun - catechist formation and enrichment sessions, Aug. 6-7. Friday sessions are 4 p.m.-6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.; and Saturday sessions are 9 a.m.-11

a.m., noon-2 p.m. and 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Please bring a sack lunch with you. For information or to register, contact Diane Dover, 517.467.2106 or ddover@frontiernet.net. Taizé, a meditative, common prayer service composed of song, Scripture and silence, is celebrated one Friday evening each month at St. Mary Magdalen in Brighton. To be notified by e-mail of the date and time, please send request to Diane Kubus at liturgist@saintmarymagdalen.org and you will be placed on the distribution list.

several Livingston and Washtenaw county parishes Sept. 25-26. For more information, contact Jen Delvaux at 734.821.2126 or jen@ stfrancisa2.org. The Knights of Columbus, St. Stanislaus Kostka, 608 S. Elm Ave., Jackson will have a chicken barbeque on July 18 from noon to 3:30 p.m. Youth and young adults, join us for a Tigers vs. Rangers game July 21. Call Mary Lou Hahn-Setta, coordinator of Youth Ministry at St. Mary, Chelsea, at 734.475.3250. St. Matthew in Flint will have its annual parish picnic Aug. 15, 1 p.m. at Seven Lakes State Park in Holly. The hamburgers and hot dogs will

FAITH Magazine / July/August 2010 / www.FAITHmag.com

Parish festivals: Most Holy Trinity Parish in Fowler will be hosting its annual festival July 23-25 – with a parade, roast beef dinner and games for the kids. It concludes with a raffle drawing at 8 p.m. For more information, please call the parish rectory at 517.593.2162. St. Agnes Funfest in Fowlerville will have a Polish dinner and euchre tournament on Sept. 18. On Sept. 19, beginning at noon, there will be a chicken barbecue dinner, auction, children’s games, music and dancing. Christ the King in Flint – 21st annual African American Festival is July 17, noon to 8 p.m. – barbecue dinner, children’s games, musical entertainment, vendors, cash raffle prizes and much more. Sept. 26 at 12:30 p.m. – Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Lansing will host its annual parish picnic at Hawk Island Park – great food, fun and games for the whole family.

Livingston County Catholic Charities celebrated its 25th anniversary on April 17 at St. Agnes Church, Fowlerville. Bishop Earl Boyea celebrated the Mass in a packed church on Saturday afternoon. The Mass was followed by the 6th annual “Salute to the Stars” dinner and award presentation. The 2010 Salute to the Stars honorees included: Dori Sabourin, Deacon Jim Chevalier and Ron White. Mark Robinson, director of LCCC, presented the Seeker of Justice Award to Barbara Dine for her work as founder and director of the Fowlerville Family Impact Center.

St. Casimir, Lansing will have its Corn Roast Festival Aug. 6, 4:30 p.m. to midnight, Aug. 7, 2:30 p.m. to midnight and Aug. 8, 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. All are welcome. be provided. In addition to good food and fellowship, the afternoon will include games for all ages. St. Mary Queen of Angels, Swartz Creek’s Catholic Women’s Ministry, will have

a used book sale and raffle fundraiser at Roy’s Farm and Greenhouse, 2073 Morris Rd., Aug 1920, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Grand prizes include a Gateway Netbook, quilt and Pandora bracelet.

Vacation Bible School St. Mary, Chelsea will have Vacation Bible School Aug. 2-6 from 9 a.m.-noon. Open to 4-year-olds through fifth-graders. For information, call the Religious Education Office at 734.475.8164. St. Joseph Shrine, Brooklyn will have Vacation Bible School Aug. 16-20 from 6 p.m.-8 p.m.; theme is Rainforest Adventure. For information, contact the parish at 517.467.2106. St. Patrick, Ann Arbor will have Vacation Bible School July 19-23. For information or to register, contact the parish at 734.662.8141.

Midwest Academic Talent Search “Northwestern Midwest Talent Search Student” is a designation given students who score in the gifted category on standardized tests. This group of students is eligible to take the ACT and SAT as eight-graders, as well as qualify for gifted programs through universities throughout the country St. Robert School NUMATS scholars in 2009-10 are Luke Dreisen, Kellen Goggins, Kristin Hanzek, Chase Ross, Michael Sinanian, Lauren Neumann, Elizabeth Beiter and Andrea Tomczak.

Knights of Columbus essay winners St. Robert School students won the Knights of Columbus essay contest – “The Power of Prayer.” Lauren Neumann won first place, Elizabeth Beiter won second and Matt Weishuhn won third.

local news

St. Joseph Parish, Dexter will have its Summer Festival on July 17, noon to 10:30 p.m. and July 18, noon to 6 p.m., at its new church, 6805 Mast Road. Entertainment, kids’ games, Sunday chicken dinner, beer tent and more.

Catholic Charities of Livingston County celebrates 25 years of service

28 May crowning

news locallocal news

Third-grader stars in ‘Annie’ Mya McHallam is a third grade student at St. Robert. She was cast as Annie in the Bower Theatre Production of “Annie.” Mya sang and danced her way through this professional production in May.

Black belt at age 9 Daniel Fridline, a St. Robert’s fourth-grader, was the youngest student to receive his black belt at the Flushing Heian Karate Do. He achieved this rank in April at age 9 after five years of study.

Catholic Schools and Knights of Columbus dinner Tom Izzo, head basketball coach for Michigan State University ,was the guest speaker for the 3rd annual Jackson Area Catholic School and Knights of Columbus dinner. Izzo’s popularity brought more than 500 people to the fundraiser. He said success in his program is based on family, discipline and teamwork. He used his famous quote several times, “Listen to learn, and learn to listen.” According to Bill Devine, regional coordinator for the schools’ consortium, “The dinner brings the community together to support Catholic schools. Partnering with the knights is a great way to bring the parishes together and share the importance of Catholic education.” The fundraiser provided funds for the elementary schools – St. John the Evangelist, Queen of the Miraculous Medal, Our Lady of Fatima, St. Mary Star of the Sea – and Jackson Catholic Middle School and Lumen Christi High School. Eight Knights’ councils provided support for this event. According to Colleen McNeal, principal of Our Lady of Fatima School, Michigan Center, “The funds are used for tuition, computers, technology or whatever each school feels will enhance them.”

Our Lady of Fatima chickens “Life is exciting!” said Father Jeff Robideau, pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Church, Michigan Center. Father Jeff explained about respect for life, while he held a store-bought egg to a light and the children saw nothing. Then each week he held a fertilized egg and the children were awed by the process of life within the eggs. “Think how much we should be concerned about life in the womb of a mother?” Father asked. Out of 37 fertilized eggs he brought from a farm to the school, 16 chicks hatched and ten survived. The 70 children circled around to watch the miracle of birth happen for two chicks.

The children at St. Joseph School in Howell participated in the Crowning of our Blessed Virgin as queen of heaven and earth at the all-school Mass on May 12. Placing the crown of fresh flowers on Mary’s head was Melissa Bazany, eighth grade. Assisting Melissa was Bryce Williams and Christopher Limbright, also eighth-graders. Second-graders Lauren Luomala and Craig Stebbing were members of the May crowning court.

British Virgin Islands Scholarship winner St. Robert School eight-grader Lauren Neumann received the British Virgin Islands Scholarship offered through Sea Trek, Educational Travel. She will travel to the British Virgin Island in June on an allexpense-paid educational trip to study coral reefs conservation.

‘When should military heroes be honored?’ contest This was the topic of the veterans regional and then statewide contest. The winners were St. Robert School students Lauren Neumann (first place); Chase Ross (second place); and Michael Sinanian (third place). They received U.S. savings bonds and were recognized at the Veterans Day ceremony in Swartz Creek.

FAITH Magazine / July/August 2010 / www.FAITHmag.com

St. Michael fourthgrader is state champion in Taekwondo

St. Michael student organized Cuts for a Cause

Caleb Brickley, a fourthgrader at St. Michael School in Grand Ledge, has been recognized as state champion in Taekwondo through the American Taekwondo Association. Taekwondo teaches discipline, character and obedience. Caleb exhibits all these things in his classroom. His teacher, Mrs. Sue Quagliata, says, “One of the things I’m most impressed with is how humble Caleb is about his achievements. God has given him a great talent through his physical strength and his attention to detail.”

Veronica Mills, a sixth-grader at St. Michael School in Grand Ledge, organized Cuts for a Cause for girls to grow their hair all year and to cut it to make wigs for cancer patients. She got girls and several adult women interested. She asked the beauticians at Profiles Hair Salon, 315 Harrison St. in Grand Ledge, to donate their time to cut the hair and had little goodie bags for the participants to make it a fun day for them. This event is truly what we are about – helping others with gifts we’ve been given by God.

America and me essay winners

Michael Sinanian, St. Robert School eight-grader, is a semifinalist for the third year in a row in the Michigan Geography Bee.

Law poster contest winner National stamp design winners Ava Stravato and Allisson Haddad, both second-graders at St. Robert School, won a national designation for postage stamp design. The students received a monetary award, as well as a mounted print of their design, valued at $75.

The Genesee County Bar Association sponsored a law poster contest. Out of hundreds of entries, St. Robert School third-grader Brady Carlock won first place. The posters are on display at the Flint Public Library and can be viewed online at www.gcbalaw.org. Click on the public and law day.

local news

Michigan geography winner

Students wrote an essay on their Michigan hero and how this person affected them. Winners were St. Robert students Matthew Weishuhn (first place); Chase Ross (second place) and Michael Sinanian (third place).

St. John Vianney School has award-winning eighth-graders Eighth-graders at St. John Vianney have been busy entering and winning contests. Kacey Davidson won a citywide essay contest sponsored by the Human Relations Commission of the city of Flint for Martin Luther King Day. She read her speech at its annual awards banquet. Lauren Edmonds entered and won a poetry contest sponsored by Kroger in honor of Black History Month. Her poem told of the responsibility of today’s youth to make history as those who have gone before them have done. Mitchell Milne won the school-wide National Geographic Geography Bee and then went on to compete at the state level, taking 11th place in the entire state of Michigan. America and Me Essay Contest winners include Lauren Edmonds, Allie Cramer and Michaela DeNardo. Students also participated in the Knights of Columbus Council 695 contests for poster art, spelling, free throw shooting and essays (the winners are pictured here). These students are so ready for high school.

Pictured here are St. John Vianney Catholic School eighthgraders from left to right: Lauren Edmonds, Alexandria Brown, Michaela DeNardo, Ashley Lince, Olivia Hutchison, Kacey Davidson, Allie Cramer, Simonne Hudspeth, Gebriella Guerra, Katie Moynihan and Mitchell Milne.

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

Aid to the Church in Need donates to Christian television in the Middle East – Britain’s Aid to the Church in Need provided funding to a Christian satellite television network for the Middle East and North Africa to help reach more Christians in the countries where it broadcasts.

Vicki Wells-Bedard wins Catholic Communications highest award – even as she loses her ability to speak

Relics of St. Thérése will be in South Africa – From June 27 to July 12, the relics of St. Thèrése of Lisieux will travel around Johannesburg, corresponding with the time frame of the international World Cup sports event.

Rosary booklets distributed to Zambia inmates – Maximum-security prisoners and death row inmates in Zambia received booklets about the rosary through a joint initiative of two United Kingdom charities in response to inmates’ request.

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

to speak. Wells-Bedard was awarded the Academy’s highest honor, the Presidential Medallion, at the Academy’s convention on June 4. Tragically, the award came a year after her diagnosis with frontotemporal dementia (FTD-Picks), a degenerative disease that gradually robs patients of their ability to speak, interact, or care for themselves. There is no treatment, and the disease is terminal.

Wells-Bedard has served as communications director for two dioceses and was instrumental in growing many Catholic companies, including Catholic Web, Parish Soft and Lansing’s FAITH Magazine.

T. Gennara

After nearly a lifetime as a communications professional for the Catholic Church, Vicki Wells Bedard was honored by Catholic Academy for Communication Arts at the same time that she is losing her ability

St. Ignatius of Loyola

saintlocal of the news month

Feast Day: July 31 St. Ignatius of Loyola was born in 1491 in Loyola, Guipuzcoa, Spain. He had a military education and became a solider in 1517. While serving in Pampeluna, he was wounded in the leg by a cannonball, which left him partially crippled for the rest of his life. St. Ignatius receives military training in 1517.

Books read by St. Ignatius during his recovery.

During his recovery, St. Ignatius read two books: The Golden Legend, a collection of saint biographies, and The Life of Christ by Ludolph the Carthusian. Because of his readings, he took a vow of chastity and planned a pilgrimage. From 1522 to 1523, St. Ignatius lived in a cave. He then took a pilgrimage to Rome and the Holy Land where he focused on preaching to the Muslims. In the year 1528, he began studying theology and eventually received his degree.

From 1522 to 1523, he lived in a cave.

Combining spirituality and exercise, he left his opponents defeated, but blessed.

Based on his meditations, prayers, and visions, St. Ignatius of Loyola formed the Constitutions of the Society of Jesus which is now commonly known as the Jesuits. He died July 31, 1556 of poor health. Illustrations by Chris Sushynski

Vermont diocese to sell headquarters to settle abuse lawsuits – The Catholic Diocese of Burlington has settled lawsuits involving clergy sex abuse and put its administration building and a former Catholic summer camp on the real estate market to help cover the cost.

Vatican Supreme Court upholds closing of Boston parishes – The Vatican Supreme Court denied the appeals of parishioners trying to save 10 parishes in the Archdiocese of Boston from closing.

Bishops award nearly $1 million for church rebuilding – Projects aimed at rebuilding church infrastructure damaged by the recent earthquakes in Haiti and Chile will receive nearly $1 million from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Nun excommunicated over her decision on abortion – Mercy Sister Margaret Mary McBride, who concurred in an ethics committee’s decision to abort the child of a gravely ill woman, was “automatically excommunicated by that action,” according to Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted of Phoenix.

New Catholic Extension fund to aid U.S. mission work – The Catholic Church Extension Society has created the Sister Marquerite Bartz Fund to support the ministries of women religious around the country and named it for a nun murdered during a robbery at her home on a Navajo reservation.

top ten

5 Annual Path to Peace Award recipient – Mary Ann Glendon, a Harvard law professor, was presented with the annual Path to Peace Award by Archbishop Celestino Migliore, apostolic nuncio to the United Nations and president of the Path to Peace Foundation.

T. Gennara

My vocation as a priest Father Charles Irvin is the founding editor of FAITH Magazine and is retired.

A priest, it seems to me, is called by Christ to bring his loving and car-

ing heart to our broken world and to those broken by the trials and sufferings

of this world. There are times when we don’t have answers, times when the

Bishops launch campus Web site in response to pope’s call to ‘build a more just and fraternal world’

college students and campus ministers promote Catholic social teaching on campus. The Web site, “Transforming Our World: Our Catholic Faith in Action,” can be found at www.usccb.org/ campus. Site elements include principles of Catholic social teaching, prayer materials, small group resources, tools for action and multimedia

such as videos and podcasts. The home page features quotes from church leaders, ideas of the week and an invitation to site visitors to submit resources and ideas for possible features on the website. Collaborators hope the Web site will become an online clearinghouse featuring best practices to promote Catholic social teaching on campus.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development has collaborated with eleven Catholic organizations to create a new Web site to help

only answer that makes any sense is Christ’s love, care, compassion, and concern manifested in his own suffering. Reality is both harsh and glorious. The glorious gift of a priest is to be a part of bringing order out of chaos, meaning out of absurdity, good out of evil, love for the loveless, and life out of death. The gift a priest gives to others is wrapped in the Mystery of Christ. This is particularly so when we discover that the heart has reasons of which the mind does not know.

last word FAITH at 10

ack in 1959, I was a lawyer working in the trust department of a huge Chicago bank when, for no special reason, I made a weekend retreat at a suburban Franciscan retreat center. While on that retreat, I firmly believe the Holy Spirit moved me. The compelling thought was: “If Jesus Christ was the Son of God who came among us as one of us and suffered, died, and rose from the dead, then what he had to say to us, and give to us, was of supreme importance.” I knew then and there that I wanted to be a priest and bring his presence, power, and above all his love to others. Previously, I had suffered some terrible losses and was wrestling with questions about the goodness of a God who allows such pain, the presence of evil in our world, and wonderments about the meaning of life. Because of my own questionings, I knew I could help others deal with theirs.

notes:

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Hawk Hollow and Eagle Eye 10:00 a.m. shotgun start on both courses

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

For registration and sponsorship call 517.342.2535 or e-mail lweber@DioceseofLansing.org D i o c e s e Follow FAITH Catholic online: p l e a s e

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