October 2009

A fresh start

in times of darkness @

from the editor

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

hile the calendar marks January 1 as the first day of the new year, and the liturgical year begins the first Sunday of Advent, I feel that new year excitement now – in the fall. Children across the country have begun their annual adventures in learning. It is the first semester of school. This season has its own sounds and smells – the colors of new crayons, the smell of wax on classroom floors, the sound of pens and pencils scratching across paper. When I was a student, fall was the time of new beginnings, of fresh starts. Then, as a teacher, I relished the sight of my students, who were returning after a long summer. Despite the occasional grumbles and complaints, there was a freshness to their attitudes – and an eagerness to learn something new, to start the cycle again.

A decade of FAITH – save the date and come join the party! FAITH Magazine turns 10 in De-

In this issue, you’ll read about the 10th anniversary of the Office of Pastoral Planning – an outgrowth of our diocese’s Voices process. Through this, we have all worked together to have a fresh start in every parish – to infuse our Catholic communities with a renewed sense of purpose and vigor. It is a cember. We are celebrating with a party at the Kellogg Center at Michigan State University on December 9. Proceeds from this fundraising event will benefit

chance for new beginnings. You’ll also read about the promises a priest makes at ordination – a profound new beginning in his life. In this Year for Priests, FAITH is focusing on what we as priests are called to be – how we can serve God’s people as Sister Ann encourages all of us to do in her Spiritual Fitness column. It is somehow fitting that this time of newness coincides with the arrival of the coldest and darkest time of the year. It is a reminder to us that from the cold and dark of the tomb, Jesus – and through him, we – experience resurrection. He brings the light and warmth of his hope and love to all of us. And so our journey in FAITH continues. the Father Charlie Irvin Scholarship and FAITH. Look for more information at FAITHmag.com and in the November issue of FAITH.

local news

Bishop Boyea and Director of Vocations, Father Jerry Vincke, share a laugh at the Lansing Lugnuts Catholic Vocations Night baseball game, July 31.

Correction: In FAITH’s July/August issue, the Web site address for Mother Teresa House in Lansing was published incorrectly. The correct address is www.motherteresahouse.com.

Bishop Boyea reacts after throwing the first pitch at the 11th annual Lansing Lugnuts game on Catholic Vocations night, July 31.

In FAITH’s September issue, a “Things to do” event was published incorrectly. Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Lansing is not offering a senior fitness program. FAITH regrets the error.

FAITH Magazine / October 2009 / www.FAITHmag.com

More about Gardasil®

FAITH follows up on a Parenting Journey column from our July/August issue.

This year marks a decade of pastoral planning in the Diocese of Lansing. What was the process? Where are we now?

inside this issue

Planning tomorrow’s churches – 10 years of pastoral planning in the Diocese of Lansing

Father Joe interviews his amazing parents

Our answer priest, Father Joe, interviews his parents. If you’ve always wondered where Father Joe got his faith – and his sense of humor – read all about it here.

what you’ll get out of this issue

The Year for Priests

FAITH’s continuing special report on the priesthood.

6 spiritual popcorn Ghosts, goblins and guys with chainsaws. – Paul Jarzembowski

7 work life Always the package schlepper – never the driver. – Nick Synko

– Tom and JoAnne Fogle

10 in the know with Fr. Joe What is a practicing Catholic? 6

– Father Joseph Krupp

14 spiritual fitness Whoever wants to be great must be a servant. – Sister Ann Shields 31 l ast word A year for priests – please pray for all of us. – Father Charles Irvin

Theology 101 Why do we have deacons?

columnists

7 money tip I lost my job – what do I do first? 8 parenting journey Big changes are coming – how do we deal with them? – Dr. Cathleen McGreal 9 marriage matters She says: Our faith should be the most important thing in our lives. He says: It’s important, but she’s becoming a fanatic. What do they do?

More about Gardasil

FAITH follow-up

A follow-up to July’s Parenting Journey column

n our July/August Parenting Journey column, Dr. Cathleen McGreal wrote about the parenting implications of the HPV vaccine (Gardasil®). We have received several letters concerning this column, expressing concerns about the medical safety of the vaccine, as well as the morality of using it. Here are some further thoughts and information about the use of Gardasil®.

From our readers What an awful answer in the magazine FAITH! If you spent five minutes doing research [online] – search “Gardasil®” – you would see clearly how related the vaccine is to the modern death machine – which you seem to work for! You should have said “No, I would not recommend the vaccine for anyone as it has caused DEATH in young girls!” Search same site for info on the fall “Flu shot,” and you will see how linked it is to big money and death engineers! I urge you to think outside your educated elitist box! – Mrs. Jaglowski Dear Faith Magazine, I was saddened to read the article “Should my 12-year-old get the Gardasil® vaccine?” by Cathleen

McGreal last month. In it, she posits that the HPV vaccination (Gardasil®) is akin to the tetanus vaccination. Her article is matter-of-fact and positive. But as a person who has taken a look at the adverse side effects of Gardasil®, I would caution against such a simplified view. Since the introduction of the vaccine, many adverse side effects have been reported, from blood clots to Guillain-Barré Syndrome and even death – in more than 25 cases! While no studies have been completed definitively linking Gardasil® to the aforementioned cases, none have been done to conclusively rule them out, either. More importantly, there have been no conclusive studies on the long-term effects of this drug on the fertility and overall health of young women. In addition to the adverse effects, there is the argument of very limited efficacy in that Gardasil® only protects against four of the

For more information about the medical risks of Gardasil, please visit www.nvic.org/vaccines-and-diseases/hpv.aspx

FAITH Magazine / October 2009 / www.FAITHmag.com

dozens of strains of HPV. There is also the argument that teens who tend to practice risky behavior (like sex outside of marriage) at a greater rate than other subgroups of the populace will be more likely to do so if they are given an even greater false sense of security. Offering a “vaccine” against one of the most prolific STI’s could serve this purpose. – Thomas S. Frederick Saline, MI

From FAITH’s Dr. McGreal Regarding the medical issues – as with any vaccine, there are risks involved. Parents who are considering this vaccine should do so in conjunction with in-depth conversations with their daughter’s physician. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have added this vaccine to their recommended inoculation schedule for female children. While the vaccine does not protect against all forms of sexually transmitted disease, the CDC indicate it is effective at preventing the four strains of HPV responsible for the majority of cervical cancers. As with any sexually transmitted disease, the only sure form of protection is complete abstinence from sexual activity. However, according to the CDC, “… even people with only one lifetime sex partner can get HPV, if their partner was infected with HPV … and … it may not be possible to determine if a partner who has been sexually active in the past is currently infected.” The Catholic Church is clear in its teaching that parents should instill strong moral values in their children. This includes raising children to understand the gift of sexuality in the context of a loving, faithful, sacramental marriage – ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring.

From a public policy standpoint Catholic authorities such as the Illinois Catholic Conference stress that the vaccine should be given by parents’ choice and not mandated by the state.

From a moral theologian We asked noted moral theologian Dr. Janet Smith of Sacred Heart Seminary to address the moral implications of the vaccine, aside from its cost and/or medical risks. Her response: I believe Catholic moral principles permit parents in both having their daughters vaccinated and refusing to have their daughters vaccinated. Parents who have concerns about possible adverse side effects, who believe having their daughters vaccinated will send the message that they approve of non-marital sex or who believe their daughters will remain chaste before marriage and will not marry a man carrying the HPV, would be justified in refusing to have their daughters vaccinated. As an analogy, those going into areas where they may get shot (whether they are going into those areas responsibly or irresponsibly) should take precautions against injury – such as wearing bulletproof vests. Those who have their daughters vaccinated need to be careful to get the best medical information, which is not always

that available through the CDC I believe or the American Academy Catholic of Pediatrics, organizations moral principles which, unfortunately, are not invulnerable to the political permit parents in currents of the day. both having their Parents who believe their daughters vaccinatdaughters will remain chaste before marriage, or who have ed and refusing to concerns about possible have their daughadverse side effects, or who ters vaccinated.” will not marry a man carrying the HPV, and/or who believe having their daughters vaccinated will send the message that they approve of non-marital sex, would be justified in refusing to have their daughters vaccinated. (I would hope many parents could have such confidence about their daughters.) As an analogy, it would be a waste of money to buy bulletproof vests for those who are not at risk of getting shot and it would be foolish to buy them if, in doing so, one thought one was encouraging people to put themselves at risk. I believe the CMA has a reasonable position on the issue, though it is more enthusiastic than I am inclined to be about the vaccine: www.cathmed.org/issues_resources/publications/press_releases/cma_issues_statement_on_implementation_of_hpv_vaccine/

From the Catholic Medical Association The following is an excerpt from the Web site to which Dr. Smith referred: The Catholic Medical Association (CMA) – the nation’s largest professional organization of Catholic doctors – has released a position paper on implementation of the new vaccine for HPV, Gardasil®. The CMA encourages the use of this safe, effective and ethically acceptable vaccine, but, at the same time, rejects efforts at the federal level and in some states to mandate girls be vaccinated against HPV. … At the same time, Paul Cieslak, M.D., a CMA member with extensive public health experience, noted, “making school attendance conditional on HPV vaccination does not make sense, because girls who are not vaccinated pose no threat, as they would with communicable diseases, such as mumps, measles and polio, to other children attending school. “Raising vaccination rates is an important public health goal, but that doesn’t justify every measure that might get us there,” Cieslak commented. “Depriving children of an education in the name of a broad public health goal isn’t being fair to them.” … Still, the CMA supports widespread use of Gardasil® for girls and women in the age range for which the vaccine has been recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, because it is effective, safe and ethical to use, provided certain conditions are met. Patients and their parents should be given information sufficient to make an informed decision about the vaccine. In addition, the CMA statement explains, support for the vaccine and similar vaccines in the future, should not be used to undermine support for efforts to promote chastity and to reduce extramarital sexual activity.

6 Ghosts, goblins and guys with chainsaws

Why there’s nothing to fear Read more of Paul Jarzembowski’s thoughts on www.spiritualpopcorn.blogspot.com

spiritual popcorn

n every horror movie, whether it’s Dracula or Halloween, something is out to get us. It’s not just the Wolfman or the chainsawwielding stranger that jolts us – it’s the fear of that great unknown.

The Magazine of the Catholic Diocese of Lansing

Most Reverend Earl A. Boyea PUBLISHER

Rev. Dwight Ezop

EDITOR AND CHAIRMAN

October 2009 • Volume 10: Issue 8

FA I T H Catholic Patrick M. O’Brien PRESIDENT/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

face of fear and conquer it with hope and goodness. While spiders and the abandoned forest might give us a quick fright in real life, the fears that really test us are economic turmoil, job loss, health issues, uncertain futures, war and the certainty of death. The mere mention of this list alone might elicit some goosebumps. But our favorite horror movies show us there is truly nothing to fear when God is with us. With God, the Psalmist says, “you shall not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day… Because you have the Lord for your refuge and you have made the Most High your stronghold” (Ps. 91:5,9). No matter what lurks on screen or in your fears, God is the antidote to the worst horror we can imagine. Let us take courage like the heroes in scary movies and defeat the fears that come our way.

From the silent films of Lon Chaney to the Blair Witch Project, horror movies are a great thrill ride for brave viewers willing to sit in the darkness of the theater for two spine-tingling hours. But no matter what peaks our interest, it all boils down to fear. In the Scriptures, we hear a lot about fear. The Israelites trembled in fear before the mountain of God; Mary was frightened by the angel Gabriel; and the apostles hid in fear after the crucifixion. The most common response to all those occasions of fright is simply this: “Be not afraid.” In our favorite scary movies, no matter what odds are stacked against them, the heroes overcome their fear to defeat the devil in the darkness. In Aliens, Signourney Weaver goes back to face the Alien Queen to save a little girl lost on a distant planet. In The Silence of the Lambs, Jodie Foster bravely goes toe to toe with Anthony Hopkins’ Hannibal Lecter. And four guys don paranormal-fighting gear to save New York City from the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man in Ghostbusters. Characters like these show us the power that courage and love have over fear – and that God has given each of us gifts to confront our worst nightBela Lugosi plays the deadly vampire in the 1931 Dracula. mares and to look into the

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Liturgical Calendar: St. Thérése of the Child Jesus, virgin and doctor of the church October 1 | Guardian Angels October 2 | Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher, virgin October 6 | Our Lady of the Ro

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How do I fix an unfair work situation?

T. Gennara

Always the package schlepper – never the driver Nick Synko can be reached at nsynko@synkoassociates.com

I work delivering appliances for a local store. One of the guys I work with always has to drive the truck – which seems to leave me doing more of the loading and unloading. It’s not fair. How do I fix this?

I lost my job

what do I do first?

You’ve lost your job – and you are beginning to panic. How can you manage your finances to minimize the impact of employment

loss and maximize your financial security? Some basic steps include the following: • Check on your eligibil-

ity for health coverage under your spouse’s plan. If you don’t qualify, find out whether your company participates in COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act)

osary October 7 | St. Denis, bishop and martyr, and his companions, martyrs October 9 | St. Callistus I, pope and martyr October 14 | St. Teresa of Jesus, virgin and doctor of the church October 15

money tip

ayoffs. High unemployment rates. Everywhere you turn, money – or lack of it – is in the news. What are some steps you can take to maximize what you have and plan for the future?

coverage. Most employers are required to do so by federal law, but there are exceptions. And for some people, a federal subsidy will pick up a large portion of your COBRA payment. • File for unemployment benefits as quickly as possible. It takes some time to process the claim. • Continue to make timely payments on your debts – and avoid racking up any more.

work life

If you are new to your job, begin by asking your supervisor for general guidance about your job responsibilities and to what extent teamwork is expected. However, I anticipate from the tone of your question, that you have already done so and that the issue is more about your coworker’s motivation than a division of job duties. If this is the case, you are faced with an often routine challenge of the world of work. Yes, some coworkers are motivated, fair-minded and will ask, “How can I help?” Others, perhaps your co-worker, may have an unstated goal to do less and less. If you have already tried to address the situation, for the time being, you may have to look at the bigger picture of employee performance. In that sense, I am sure you realize that the proactive individual, hopefully you, is de-

veloping positive habits that will serve you well over your career. The “as little as I can do” individual likely does not understand that he is developing lifetime habits that may eventually lead to a series of poor performance reviews, dead-end jobs and eventual unemployment. In the case you describe, since you know what needs to be done, do it. Do it all, better than it needs to be done. Do it knowing you are developing lifetime habits that will provide for you and your family for decades to come. At the same time, realize you also are helping your company to succeed and, therefore, helping others there to a more secure future. Learning to do all that you reasonably can is the most productive of habits to develop. Yes, you could again address the situation with your co-worker; perhaps he did not see the obvious. I expect he does. Therefore, for now, do what you can to help yourself grow and pray that he will learn from the example you are setting. To be kind to those who do not understand, or even those who purposefully aggravate us, is perhaps the greatest of graces. Most of us want to challenge and change others immediately. At such times, ponder that our Father is always patient with us. He asks us to be the same with others. Our Father, who art in heaven… and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us…

Big changes are coming

How do we set ground rules for our adult son who’s moving home? How do we prepare our daughter for her new brother? Dr. Cathleen McGreal is a psychology professor and certified spiritual advisor.

Q parenting journey

My 22-year-old moved home for economic reasons after finishing college. He acts as if his bedroom is an apartment – am I being unreasonable in expecting him to let us know when he’s not coming home overnight? How about contributing to the household chores?

He has been living with peers who come and go on independent schedules. Student life gets started when parents are calling it a day. The student parish that I attend has

Masses at 9:15 p.m. just to cater to these late hours! Your son hasn’t readjusted his perspective now that he is back home. He is unreasonable maintaining the student lifestyle without any compromise. Be sure to set some

How do I prepare my daughter for a new baby brother?

Your daughter will be curious about your changing body. A library will have books at her developmental level to explain how he is growing inside you. Show her ultrasounds and photos from your pregnancy with her. Help her make a “Big Sister” photo album from her birth to the present, with places where she will put

I have been dating a guy who is really great, except for one thing – he is so “cheap.” He has never paid for my dinner or theater tickets, and my birthday gift from him was a coupon book for discounted meals at restaurants. He has started dropping hints about marriage, but I am not sure I can stand a lifetime of scrimping for no reason. How do I talk to him about it? Or do I just figure he is not the right guy for me? If you don’t like the way he is dealing with finances, you need to sit down and talk to him. Begin by talking about what your family’s

ways of spending money are. For example, “I grew up believing the money we spend in restaurants is better used eating at home, what about you?” After his response, you can add, “I

photos with her brother. If she has to give up a crib or move to a different bedroom, then make all those changes a couple of months before his arrival so that these transitions aren’t associated with his birth. Let her pick out a special blanket for his homecoming. Have Dad hold the baby when you return from the hospital so you can scoop her into your arms. Baby brother can give her a doll when he arrives home; she can care for it when you are nursing and caring for him. Ask your pastor if she can be included in some special way at her brother’s baptism.

My boyfriend is so cheap!

How can I get him to spend more?

Dr. Gelasia Marquez is a psychologist and family counselor.

noticed you never pay for my dinner or theater tickets and I wonder why you don’t?” Be prepared to listen to responses such as “I enjoy going out with you, but I don’t have enough money to cover

S. Kendrick

what gets my goat

limits as you allow him to regain his financial footing. He needs a plan so that he is making economic progress. Decide on the length of the stay. As an adult, he should pull his weight when it comes to household chores. It is reasonable for parents to know when everyone in the household is in for the night, not because you are “keeping tabs” on an adult child, but because unpredictable absences lead to thoughts of accidents and restless sleep!

both expenses.” Then you might ask, “How would you feel if I asked you to change this behavior?” If he’s unwilling, you need to think about whether you can live a lifetime “on the cheap.”

St. Hedwig, religious; St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, virgin October 16 | St. Ignatius of Antioch, bishop and martyr October 17 | St. John de Brébeuf and St. Isaac Jogues, priests and martyrs, and their companio

FAITH Magazine / October 2009 / www.FAITHmag.com

Laura says: Over the years, I have really grown in my love for the Lord and my desire to have a deep relationship with him. I would really like it if Steve would go to Mass with me on weekdays and would pray with me in the evenings – I think it would draw us closer together. Instead, I feel as if my faith is driving us further apart.

It’s important, but she’s becoming a fanatic Steve says: I think faith is important, too. We raised our kids as good Catholics and went to Mass every Sunday. We still do. But lately, Deacon Tom Fogle and JoAnne Fogle help prepare couples for marriage. Laura has been acting like a religious fanatic. The only books around the house are Catholic spiritual reading, the only our spiritual journey. At different points in our lives, we have movies she will watch are those with a religious theme and she a greater need to be closer to God through prayer and daily seems to spend hours praying. I miss having some fun with my contact. At other points in the journey, it may be enough to wife – she’s right, her faith is driving a wedge between us. briefly speak to him and then go about living our daily lives. If either one of us gets too far ahead or behind our spouse The first thing we noticed is both Laura in our spiritual development, then what Laura and Steve are and Steve agree that religious practices are experiencing can become common. I hate to state the obvious, driving them apart, instead of bringing but the solution most likely will be found halfway between them closer together. When both spouses the two positions. That means a compromise to a position recognize the particular wall that is keeping them apart, that is that will enable “bonding” with each other can be reached. a step in the right direction. If both see it, then they both have The over-exercised practice of religion can come between a joint project to remove it. Laura and Steve’s issue also points spouses as much as an over-emphasis of one’s work or play. to another realization – too much of a good thing can be detri- It is a beautiful blessing when our partner is excited about mental to your health. Our strengths can turn into our weakhis spirituality and it is natural to want to share that with the ness if they get out of hand. Laura and Steve jointly have a person we have committed to live out our lives with. Yet, the vocation in life as husband and wife. When they said “I do” on best approach is usually not on the side of being a zealot. We their wedding day, they started on a life journey. As Scripture would suggest Laura take a more gentle approach in sharing says, “Two shall become one.” That is not to say both spouses her enthusiasm and to gently shepherd Steve along in his own need to do everything together – they are not literally glued spiritual path. They don’t need to be at the identical point at into one piece. But it does mean each spouse’s role in life is to the same time, but as Hebrews 3:13 points out, they could lift up the other to God. Marriage is a calling from God that is “… encourage each other daily while it is still today.” The outward focused. Marriage is not intended to be a “living apart optimal word for Laura and Steve is “balance.” With balance together” agreement, where I can only think of myself. As a comes the opportunity to compromise and to satisfy each married couple, our salvation is tied closely with the salvation other’s needs, spiritual and temporal. There are some good of our spouses. My role and vocation as a spouse is to help my movies out there that do not have dramatic religious themes, spouse to get to heaven. When we totally focus on our own yet are socially redeemable. By sharing one of those movies, salvation, we will miss the boat. What is happening to Laura you will discover God’s hand at work in your relationship, and and Steve points to the fact we are all at a different point on that is what counts.

He said | She said what do they do?

ons, martyrs October 19 | St. Paul of the Cross, priest October 20 | St. John of Capistrano, priest October 23 | St. Anthony Mary Claret, bishop October 24 | Feast of Ss. Simon and Jude, apostles October 28

your marriage matters

Our faith should be the most important thing in our lives

10 Dear Fr. Joe: T. Gennara

What is a practicing Catholic? @

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

Q in the know with Fr. Joe

What does it mean to be a practicing Catholic? Do I have to believe everything the church teaches, or just most of it? And if I don’t go to Mass every single Sunday, am I still Catholic? It’s wild, but as much as we throw around the phrase “practicing Catholic,” it’s a hard concept to nail down. So, let’s get right to it. First of all, many times, in response to questions like this, the temptation is to slap down some guidelines and say, “Stick with these and you’ll be fine.” It just seems such an easy way to answer. The problem is, when we talk about faith, we are talking about relationship. When we talk about relationship, we lose something very special when we start explaining it as a list of what we must do and what we shouldn’t do. Think of it this way: Imagine your best friend approaches you with a pad of paper and a pencil. He asks you to sit down and then says ,“Listen. I want to be your friend. I know I should. Tell me, what is the minimum I can do in this relationship and still be considered your friend?” Sounds crazy, doesn’t it? That’s because it is. In the

lic faith gives us, it’s way too easy to fall into self deception. So, after a lot of looking around, here is a list that I’ll share with you. While researching this, I read a letter Bishop George Wiesner wrote for the Catholic Diocese of Prince George, British Columbia, and it was a great source of information. Anyway – here’s what we’ve got. Please don’t see this list as infallible or complete. There’s really no way to cover it all.

know why Noah didn’t Q: Dfisho you very often? A: He only had two worms. same way, when we look at our relationship with God, if our question is, “What is the minimum I can do and still be Catholic?” – we’ve got to stop and look at the core of the question. God wants a relationship with you. All our theology, all our sacraments, everything we do is all rooted in our belief that what God desires is a personal relationship with us, lived

out in a community of believers. Take some time and ponder that, because it’s pretty intense. And if we really understand this, it may take us out of minimalist thinking. Yet, even with all this, we do need a sort of list, don’t we? Part of the role of the church is to show us precisely what is needed. If we don’t hold ourselves to the standard the Catho-

• I n terms of the sacraments, a practicing Catholic has a very active sacramental life. He or she goes to Mass a minimum of once a week and lives Communion by being in union with the church and her teachings. Since we are talking Communion, we need to remember that the sacrament of reconciliation is a huge part of this. Anytime we have committed a mortal sin, we have to go to confession as soon as possible before we attempt to receive Communion. We also need to make it to Mass on our holy days of obligation. • Besides public prayer, a practicing Catholic prays every day in private. Each day, a Catholic responds to God’s call to personal communion through quiet time and reflection. A practicing Catholic prays with his or her family every day and never lets a schedule get Illustration by Bob Patten

FAITH Magazine / October 2009 / www.FAITHmag.com

Artificial contraception Every action that intends to is wrong imposrender procreation sible is intrinsically evil.

fact or fiction? fact or fiction?

Here are the facts: The church holds the unitive and procreative aspects of conjugal love to be equally essential. Marriage is ordered for both the good of the couple and the generation and education of children. It is not an either/or proposition (CCC 1652). It is only in safeguarding both of these essential aspects that the conjugal act is able to preserve in its “fullness the sense of true mutual love and its orientation toward [humanity’s] exalted vocation to parenthood” (CCC 2369).

fact or fiction?

In terms of the unitive aspect, the fullness of true, mutual love implies the total giving of oneself to the other – of not holding anything back. Contraception falsifies this total giving of oneself to the other – for something is held back. Regarding the procreative aspect, the problem with contraception should be obvious for it attempts to “render procreation impossible.” It clearly says “no” to life. Consider for a moment that the church believes God creates from out of nothing (creatio ex nihilo). In other words, we did not exist as a body or a soul prior to our conception in our mother’s womb. At that moment, however, we came into being. What does this say about the value of human life and the total giving of oneself out of love? The married couple’s generous saying “yes” to procreation represents the child’s only opportunity to exist and thereby grow into the knowledge of his/her destiny – to share in life with God for eternity! There can be no greater gift than giving the gift of life to another person if we truly believe in the goodness of God. (Note: It is important to point out that medical treatment in which the unintended secondary effect is sterilization, e.g. the removal of cancerous ovaries, can be morally licit according to the church.) wars. We support initiatives that help the poor and downtrodden and give our time and treasure to help care for the “least among us.” In short, every action – political or social – demonstrates a firm conviction that every person is a gift from God and must be treated in the same way we would treat Jesus. Well, I’m out of space, but not ideas! Perhaps you can use this article as a jump-off point for a discussion with your family and friends and see where God wants to challenge us. Enjoy another day in God’s presence!

A Decade of FAITH FAITH Magazine will be 10 in 2009! As we gear up for this important anniversary, we are going to be looking back at some of the great stories from the last decade, and finding out, “And then what happened?” In September 2003, FAITH’s cover featured Amber Smith and Neil Feldpausch, who were active participants at the Ark in Westphalia, a popular teen hangout run by St. Mary Parish. And then what happened? Amber and Neil were married May 27, 2006 at St. Mary. They currently reside in Westphalia; and have a 16-monthold daughter, Brianna. Neil is a teacher at St. Johns High School and Amber works from home for Classic Travel.

10 10 years years of of FAITH FAITH

in the way. •T he personal and communal prayer of a practicing Catholic compels her to go into the world and spread the Gospel of Jesus in the way she lives and loves. In terms of the social issues of our day, a practicing Catholic dedicates his financial, emotional and physical resources to those things that reflect the kingdom of God on earth. We help our parish continue to function and minister effectively. •A practicing Catholic votes and lives prolife: We do not support abortion under any circumstances or in any form. We oppose capital punishment and unjust

Why do we have deacons? Cardinal Justin Rigali is the archbishop of Philadelphia. He serves on many committees at the Vatican, and attended the Second Vatican Council. FAITH is honored to ask this eminent Catholic churchman and scholar some questions about the Catholic Church in the new millennium.

What are the roles of the deacon and lay ecclesial minister in the church today?

Well, the role of the deacon is a restored role that is now exercised by a number of very generous men who have embraced this. It is basically understood, when we go back and read the sixth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, how it was established. It was established to pitch in for the temporalities, administration and various forms of service the apostles needed a very important group of people to do. And these people were given a special sacrament, which was participation in the sacrament of holy orders. However, like the priesthood, the diaconate is a particular vocation to a specific service. But, over and above that, we have the laity and their service in the church. And they, too, offer service by virtue of a sacrament. That sacrament is baptism. So, a new understanding from Vatican II of the importance of baptism has led us to a new understanding of the con-

Church of the month The power and vitality of the Christian faith have long inspired tremendous works of art on the part of believers. One has only to consider the beauty of many of our principal churches to realize the transcendent beauty of our faith. For example, consider:

H agia Sophia Hagia Sophia, Holy Wisdom, is a former patriarchal basilica, a former mosque and now a museum

St. Peter Consecrates St. Lawrence as Deacon.

in Istanbul, Turkey. Famous for its massive dome, it is considered one of the greatest surviving examples of Byzantine architecture. It was the largest cathedral in the world and the religious focal point of the Eastern Orthodox Church for nearly 1,000 years.

Origin: Nothing remains of the first church that was built on this location, known as the Great Church, or Magna Ecclesia.

The site of a pagan temple, the church was built by Constantine the Great as a traditional Latin, colonnaded basilica. The church subsequently burned down. The construction of a second church was ordered by Theodosius II in 405, but it was destroyed during riots in 532. Several marble blocks from this second church have survived to the present day, and they are displayed in the

Hagia Sophia

garden of the current (third) church. The current building was constructed as a church between 532 and 537 AD by order of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian and was the third Church of the Holy Wisdom to occupy the site.

A theology professor once remarked that there were no new heresies, just old ones repackaged. To test the truth of this statement, consider this recent real-life scenario and see if you can name the error involved:

What is the meaning of life?

sequences of baptism. The laity are this vast force who actuate, in time and space, in the community of the church, the life of Christ. They live the life of Christ in their own vocations and they serve in the church. There is another particular role, that of ecclesial minister. An ecclesial minister is a lay person who has a particular job in the employment of the church. They have a particular role, which is extremely useful and helpful. However, the laity, as a whole, is this great majority of the people; their service is not only the service of lay ministers. Everybody is summoned to service in the church by reason of baptism. And then some people enter into a particular relationship of service and partnership in a parish or diocese, which is over and above. But the dignity of the laity as such

In 1453, the Ottoman Turks conquered Constantinople and converted the building into a mosque. It was converted into a museum in 1935 by the secular Republic of Turkey.

Notable features: •T he Marble Jar – a jar carved from a single block of marble brought from Pergamon during the reign of Sultan Murad III.

right to define one’s own concept of existence, of meaning, of the universe, and of the mystery of human life.”

What is at stake? God as the creator of, as the purpose for, and as the giver of meaning to life; God as a personal God infinitely concerned and involved in creation and the existence of objective truth. What is the truth? Atheistic humanism, deism and relativism can all be found in this statement. It manifests the pride of an atheistic humanism that seeks to take the place of God as the creator and comes from baptism and that enables everybody, not only the ecclesial ministers, to perform ecclesial work.

You are on the bishop appointment committee. When a bishop is appointed, how involved is the pope? Does he take the recommendation of the committee and the papal nuncio at face value or get actively involved? The pope is very much involved. Does he take recommendations? Oh yes! He takes recommendations, but they are recommendations

• The Imperial Gate – the entrance reserved only for the emperor. Above the portal is a depiction of Christ and Emperor Leo VI the Wise. •T he Loge of the Empress – the location from which the empress and the court ladies would watch the proceedings below. A round, green stone marks the spot where the throne of the empress stood.

center of life, rather than submitting to be the instrument of God. It almost presupposes the deist belief in a God who creates the world and then leaves it to run on its own like a clockmaker would. It betrays its relativism and subjectivism by asserting that the very meaning of liberty, the universe and life itself will vary depending on the human being defining it (a strangely objective statement of ultimate truth that defies its own assertion of relativism). from many different sources. The whole process for the appointment of a new bishop goes through many processes: in the diocese, in the nunciature, in Rome. It is eventually brought to the Holy Father with all the reflections and input of all of the participants in these processes. Then he makes the final decision. For a number of years, back in 1989-1994, I was the secretary of that congregation. I was the one who, together with the prefect, would take the results of all this to the pope and personally discuss all this with him. And in all this, we count on the help of the Holy Spirit – but with a great deal of human involvement. Although there are many viewpoints and opinions, it is a very worthy procedure. We trust God’s help in all of this, as we trust in it for all the major decisions of our lives, such as choosing a partner or discerning a vocation.

Words of wisdom – can you complete the proverb? The sacred Scriptures teach us “to get wisdom, to get understanding!” (Proverbs 4:5) Now it is time to put yourself to the test to see how far along you are in this quest by completing this proverb. Remember, no peeking into your Bible! Many curry favor with a noble, __________________ a. b ut the friend of the poor man deserts him. b. all are friends of the one who has something to give. c. but the rich one answers harshly.

theology 101

In 1992, the U.S. Supreme Court, in its ruling in Planned Parenthood v Casey, stated: “At the heart of liberty is the

FAITH Magazine / October 2009 / www.FAITHmag.com

(Answer: a – Prov 19:6)

Are you a heretic?

14 Let’s walk through this passage together verse by verse because Jesus is saying several things here that are very important for our daily lives. Here are two close followers of Jesus. They have walked with him for some time. Yet, their request is a selfish one. They want an assurance of position and power when Jesus enters his kingdom. They are obviously still thinking in a human, self-centered manner and they are bold to so directly ask for themselves. Put yourself in the place of James and John: What would you have requested and how would you have done it? What does your answer say about your priorities? Notice next that Jesus doesn’t respond to their request, but asks them another question. I am sure he looked at them intently because he was always trying to help them penetrate the superficial. But somehow, they didn’t see. Why do I surmise this? Because Jesus could read their thoughts. He knew what they were going to ask. I am sure he was praying that they could receive the powerful truths he was about to convey. (Whenever you read a Gospel passage where Jesus is asking people questions, put yourself in their place and answer the question as honestly as you can before you go on to Jesus’ answer. It will tell you a great deal about yourself.) If Jesus asked you the question: “What do you wish me to do for you?” what would you say? Would it be a selfish request? Would it be something to meet a personal need or of someone you love? There is a place for bringing needs, personal or otherwise, to the Lord. He loves to have us come to him with our needs. but is that the first thing you bring to the Lord? What he wants most is that you share eternal life with him! So, the first things we ought to be Sister Ann Shields is a renowned author and a member of the Serasking for are those things vants of God’s Love. Questions can be addressed to Sister Ann Shields, that can best help us to grow Renewal Ministries, 230 Collingwood, Suite 240, Ann Arbor, MI 48103 in a personal relationship with Jesus – overcoming sin, ames and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and growing in virtue, so that said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we we more and more look and ask of you.” He replied, “What do you wish me to do for you?” act like him. His Holy Spirit They answered him, “Grant that in your glory we may sit one longs to help us to hunat your right and the other at your left.” Jesus said to them, ger and thirst for the most “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup important things first. So, that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” stop here for a bit and think: They said to him, “We can.” Jesus said to them. “The cup that I drink, If Jesus asked me today what you will drink and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will he could do for me, how would I respond? be baptized; but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give, but is Now, we look at the discifor those for whom it has been prepared.” When the 10 heard this, they ples’ request: Oh my! Do you became indignant at James and John. Jesus summoned them and said hear yourself? They probably to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the reasoned they were sacrificGentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over ing much to follow him so them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be there must be some reward coming. It probably didn’t great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among help that their own mother you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served, was “egging” them on. (Matthew but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:35-45). 20:20-28) Nevertheless, their

Whoever wants to be great

spiritual fitness

T. Gennara

must be a servant

FAITH Magazine / October 2009 / www.FAITHmag.com

Blessed Mary Angela Truszkowska

the “star of the sea” Feast Day: Oct. 11 Patron Saint of: exiles and sick people

The Truszkowska’s were a devout Catholic family.

Best quote: “Help all without discrimination.”

She studied at home with a tutor and read constantly improving her intelligence and understanding. She spent a great deal of time in prayer and reflection, which would lead to a deep spiritual experience at the age of 23. She joined the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and worked with the poor while praying fervently each night to understand God’s will for her. She formed Poland’s first active-contemplative religious order, the Felicians, and sent sisters on missionary trips to the New World, America.

She endorsed a plan to send sisters to America.

She spent a great deal of time in prayer and reflection.

question shows they really don’t yet understand who Jesus is and what he is asking of his followers. They are up front about their request but their thinking is earthbound. What about yours? Are all your goals for this life only? How are you preparing for the life you will live forever? Jesus’ answer to their question – “You do not know what you are asking” – shows how far they yet have to go in the conversion of their minds and hearts. Notice, Jesus doesn’t just ignore their request or treat them as dumb for having asked. He teaches them, but they are slow to learn. His next question reveals how far they – and we – have to go. Can you drink the cup? In other words, can you fully share in my life and drink to the bottom the suffering and ridicule and mockery and hatred you will encounter? Can you drink the cup by fully laying down your life? Notice that, very glibly, they say, “We can.” How quick sometimes we are to promise God or others great deeds! Jesus tells the disciples, “You will drink my cup.” He knows that with all their frailty and self-centeredness, their hearts do desire to love him and be with him. He knows they will follow him to the end and will sacrifice all eventually.

Her motto was to help all, without discrimination. After years of suffering from tuberculosis, she died in 1899. She has been beatified, one of the church’s steps to canonization – the declaration of someone as a saint. – Illustrations by Chris Sushynski

God can work with good desires – as long as we clearly see our weaknesses and rely on him, not self, for the wisdom and strength to carry out what we promise. Note, too, that the other disciples were indignant: How could James and John make such a request? Probably, one or two wondered that, but I wonder if their indignation didn’t stem from a secret desire to ask the same. James and John had beat them to it. Think about that! But, Jesus also makes clear, “I cannot promise what you ask.” All of that is the decision of my Father. One more huge lesson remains in this passage: If you want to be my disciple, you need to serve humbly. You need to learn how to put the needs of others before your own. You need to be willing to give whatever service is needed – not just how you want to serve. Even, and perhaps especially, in positions of authority, we need to see that role as one of service – real service, however it is needed. We need to become more like our Master, who did not come to be served but to serve. James and John both learned their lessons very well. Can we?

saint of the month

Sophia Camille Truszkowski was born in Kalisz, a small city in central Poland, in 1825. Her parents, Joseph and Josephine Truszkowski, were of noble heritage, well-educated and devout Catholics.

FAITH Magazine / October 2009 / www.FAITHmag.com

“We believe” or “I believe”

J. Carlson

A look at the Nicene Creed Bishop Earl A. Boyea is the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Lansing.

“W

e believe” or “I believe.” Every Sunday we proclaim our faith by means of the words of the Nicene Creed. This creed is the result of controversies in the early church. Incorrect views about God and about Jesus led the church to articulate her faith at the Council of Nicaea (325 AD) and the Council of Constantinople (381 AD).

– Many thanks, for elements of this column, to Lynne Courter Broughton, “Begotten in Eternity, but Incarnate in Time,” Antiphon 13:2 (2009):132-158.

from the bishop

The English translation of this text event. It is not like saying, “Jesus was (and, in fact, the whole Mass) which born in Bethlehem,” even though the we have used for the past 40 years is same word, “born,” is being used. The now being revised. It is most likely that Son is always being born of the Father we shall be using these new texts by and the Father is always begetting the Fall 2011. Son. This new translation, while being “I believe,” is the correct translafaithful to the Latin, may cause some tion of the Latin, credo, and thus will difficulties which “begotten” in the replace the current, “We believe.” current translation did not cause. We This reminds us that this is how we will have to make sure we instruct one respond, as individuals, to the quesanother on the true meaning of “born” tions of our faith, in this context. even when we The second is“I believe,” is the make this resue of this phrase correct translasponse in unison is that “before with others. Our tion of the Latin, credo, and all ages” is more faith demands an thus will replace the current, faithful to the individual comLatin, ante omnia “We believe.” This reminds saecula. Again, mitment. The phrase, “of us that this is how we rehowever, we have all that is seen spond, as individuals, to the to be careful that and unseen,” has we do not read questions of our faith, now become “of this as an event all things visible that took place and invisible.” This is simply a more sometime long, long ago. Rather, we literal translation of the Latin, visibilium have to understand that this is an onomnium et invisibilium. going eternal relationship between the We currently say that the Son is Father and the Son which is beyond “eternally begotten of the Father.” The the ages or outside of time. new text will read “born of the Father Another major change in our text is before all ages.” Two issues are at work that the current words, “one in being here. “Born” is the normal translation with the Father,” will now be recited, of the Latin, natus est. However, it is “consubtantial with the Father.” This is a clear that the early church, and we as direct bringing into English of the Latin, well, do not think of this as a one-time consubstantialem patri. Even though

this is a difficult word, it is good for us to become accustomed to it, for it is a technical term. Everything that exists – rocks, plants and people – all have being and we all have that being in God. So to use the term “being” does not quite capture the uniqueness of the fact that the Father and the Son, together with the Holy Spirit, are of the same substance, that is, that there is only one God. Consubstantial can mean both “with the substance” of the Father and “the very substance” of the Father. “One in being” does not quite catch that. So we will have to add a new term to our vocabulary, but that is not such a bad thing. Another term we will have to learn is “incarnate.” Our current text reads, “he was born of the Virgin Mary,” while the new text will read, “was incarnate of the Virgin Mary.” This translates the Latin, incarnatus est … ex Maria Virgine. Again, this is simply a more precise translation. It also has the benefit of challenging all of us to grasp the significance of the incarnation of Christ, that is, his coming to us “in flesh.” God the Eternal and Almighty has loved us so much as to take on our flesh. This is such a fuller word than the simple word, “born,” in the current text. There are a number of other minor changes to the Creed. We will all probably have to use a booklet or Mass card for some Sundays before we can memorize this new translation of the Creed. That will give us an opportunity to look at the words, reflect upon them, and say them aloud as the expression of what we hold as the core of our faith.

r y

They really, really didn’t want to do this. As I type this, my mom and dad are preparing to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. The big focus for them is the Mass and making sure it honors Jesus, with minimal attention on them. So, you can imagine what happens when I let them know that FAITH wants me to interview them … This article represents a movement of divine will that I can’t comprehend: How the heck did we ever get them to agree to this? I don’t know, but I place it up there with the miracle of the loaves and fishes. Either way, I am honored and humbled to give you a snapshot of my folks, who I happen to think are the best people in the world. So, who are Martha and Gordon Krupp? They were married on July 11, 1959, at St. Michael Catholic Church in Maple Grove. Dad served his country in the Army and then worked delivering magazines for some time. After that, he moved on to General Motors, where he worked as an industrial pipe-fitter for 30-plus years. Mom has worked as a secretary, taught music and sewing and directed religious education programs and church choirs. Martha and Gordon Krupp had six kids – all of them astounding models of humility, most especially me. Beyond that, they took into their home so many people, we kids lose count trying to get all of their names on one sheet of paper. Sometimes, it was small families who needed help getting on their feet. Sometimes, it was a student who needed a family. Other times, it was a young person who simply wanted to live a life for Christ.

cover story

Why did you take in so many people? Was it a decision or did it just happen? Mom: Mom and dad helped the people next door and gosh, mom and dad had 13 kids. The example of my parents when we were kids was so important. We always lived on the farm and had things. They were always generous. I knew that people came to the door and talked in the kitchen to my dad and told him what they needed and he took care of it. The Holy Spirit enlightens your mind and makes you sensitive to see the needs of others. It’s not something you plan, if something comes along and you know it’s the Lord, you do it. Dad: For me, a lot of it was from your Grandma Krupp. She took in two or three young boys who were considered “troubled.” She watched over them for long periods of time, sometimes months. It wasn’t unnatural to me to have people come in. It seemed like a basic decision we made at some point in time and, after that, it just happened. It seemed at the time like a natural progression. Mom and Dad couldn’t be more different. Mom likes her chicken and rice, Dad calls steak and potatoes his favorite. Mom gave longer answers; Dad stuck to the short ones. But whatever their personality differences, they share one powerful activity – prayer. Mom and Dad can be found every morning

in their respective prayer places reading God’s Word and reflecting on it. They showed us kids how to pray and prayed with us every day after dinner – no exceptions. Mom: The best thing my parents gave me was my faith life. In everything, every function, the church was the focus. My mom and dad both prayed the rosary and other prayers together. When school was over, dad would go to the calendar and he would put a mark on every other week so he would know that on those Saturdays, he would take us to confession. Every time he went by the church, Dad always took off his

hat because Jesus was present in that church. In the fields, if we heard the bells ring, we prayed the Angelus. They were both people of prayer. They were both great workers. Dad: After we were married and for some years, I always prayed. Reading the daily Mass readings became a habit after your mother and I got to know about the Holy Spirit. I remember Father Cam saying that when we read the church readings, we are sharing with everybody in the church, everybody in the world – we are sharing those readings with them. It’s a unifying thing with the church. “Unifying thing with the church” ... you

Where we pray: Mt. Zion Pastoral Center • 8228 McKinley Rd., Flushing, MI, 48433 • 810.639.7175 • mtzion@centurytel.net

FAITH Magazine / October 2009 / www.FAITHmag.com

could define my parents’ life that way. From as early as I can remember, I knew that this was of prime importance to them: Unity with the church. What’s the best part of being Catholic? Mom: It’s a blessing to be under the authority of the Catholic Church. If we have questions about anything, we can always call and get the answer. Our authorities are always ready and able to help us and sort out things. We can be at peace and know we are not acting on our own, but by the guidance of the Holy Spirit through the church. It’s a great relief. Dad: I guess it seems like the church has got it all. The whole spectrum of what we need to be saved. It doesn’t always carry it off perfectly, but our church is the best vehicle to come closer to Jesus. So, then what is it about Jesus that you most want to imitate? Mom: Love, forgiveness, faithfulness – his courage. Most of all, his ability to do what the Father says. His openness and obedience to the Father are the first things. Dad: Courage is the word. In all the different situations, it was courage. It feeds into what Martha said about obedience. Who is your favorite saint and why? Dad: John the Baptist and St. Paul. I always liked them. John I think of as a wild man. He knew what his job was. Mom: Francis of Assisi. But when I die – and this might sound terrible – of course I think of Jesus, but I always think I want to see Paul. When I see Jesus, I hope he takes me to Paul.

What has been the biggest joy in life? Mom: So many things – the joy would be the gathering of you kids. You loved

In fact, my sister, Laure, remembers going to a drive-in movie with my parents and my brother, Paul. It was The Sound of Music. Suddenly, my mother was weeping profusely in the front seat. She turned to the kids and said, “See kids, this is what we want for you – to find the will of God and follow it.” Laure remembers thinking, “Geez, Mom, it’s just a movie!” Dad: When you kids were teens and you brought your guitars over to the house and sang and had fun. Those skits were

Catholic Charities Gordon and Martha were active foster parents for many years. For more information about foster care and for other volunteer opportunities, contact your local Catholic Charities agency:

the funniest things. Mom and Dad’s house served as a sort of Spiritual 7-11. They were open 24-7 to anyone who wanted to come over and have fun and pray. There were times when dozens of young people with guitars and budding acting careers paced the floors of their house putting on shows with a message for Jesus ... What do you hope God says to you when you reach heaven? Mom: Of course I’d like to hear “Well done, good and faithful servant.” And, if he says it, it’s because of his power at work, not my will. Dad: Well, ya made it. And you know, I think that’s just what they are going to hear.

• Catholic Charities of Lenawee – 517.263.2191 • Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County – 734.971.9781 • Outreach East (Davison) – 810.653.7711 • Catholic Charities of Shiawassee and Genesee Counties – 810.232.9110 • Catholic Outreach – 810.234.4693 • Livingston County Catholic Social Services – 517.545.5944 • Catholic Charities of Jackson County – 517.782.2551 • St. Vincent Catholic Charities (Lansing) – 517.323.4734 • Cristo Rey Community Center (Lansing) – 517.372.4700

how you can help

Of course they both like Paul – I’ve never met two more effective evangelists in my life. They evangelize as they are, not as they aren’t. Neither are the kind who shout about their faith. They simply discern God’s will and do it. Along the way, people get loved – especially young people.

the Lord and wanted to get together. The vocations, the marriages, your ordination. The way you kids follow God’s plans. I told each of you that God had a plan for you and it was up to you to find it and obey. Whatever your vocations, I just wanted you to find and follow God’s plan. That makes me happy.

Planning tomorrow’s churches 10 years of pastoral planning in the Diocese of Lansing

Data from those sessions were compiled and fashioned into the Diocesan Pastoral Plan, later approved at the November 2002 Common Conference. Sister Rita says over the past 10 years, the office’s many roles are united by one common theme: grassroots participation. “The most important factor is that all of our parishes have had grassroots participation in forming the plan for the diocese,” she says. “The establishment of this office stemmed out of a day of Throughout the planning process, Sister Rita says, goals planning for clergy,” she recalls. “When Bishop Mengeling were formed which direct established the office it was the office’s mission. Parishes the answer to the priests’ were teamed in groups of 10 question: Where are we goregions to write plans. Many ing?” parishes expressed exactly Sister Rita was named the the same needs. director of the office and has “The Holy Spirit swept the been there since its incepdiocese and said this is what tion. The Office of Pastoral we should be doing,” Sister Planning was established Rita says. Oct. 4, 1999 as a ‘ministry As the diocesan populaof continuing process of tions began to shift and listening, surfacing needs, clergy retired, Sister Rita assessing resources, plansays she recalls a conversaning and implementing a tion with Bishop Mengeling. faith-filled response.’ “We had to address the Since then, its role in elephant in the room,” meeting the needs of she says. “The goal was to parishes and parishioners ensure that the needs of all diocese-wide has been as our people were being met diverse as the diocese itself. wherever they were. The de Bishop Mengeling mographics and population used Pope John Paul II’s were changing. Through document, Novo Millena coordinating committee nio Ineunte as the office’s that worked for 30 months, guiding light. Its goal was a reorganizational plan for to deepen the faith and schools and parishes was spirituality of all Cathoidentified.” lics while inviting inactive Sister Rita Wenzlick, OP After the approval of Catholics to full and active Planning Tomorrow’s participation. “The pastoral planning process began in the fall of 2000,” Churches, the Office of Pastoral Planning has worked with parishes on merging, closing and clustering. It’s not an easy Sister Rita says. “We trained 700 facilitators and completed job, but one that has proved that the work done in a small 94 listening sessions to find out what were the challenges, office in Lansing affects parishioners all over the diocese. issues and opportunities facing the church of Lansing.” T. Gennara

pastoral planning

s the Office of Pastoral Planning celebrates its 10th year, Sister Rita Wenzlick, OP, remembers a time when it was just an idea.

As it celebrates 10 years, Sister Rita says the following highlights mark the decade of service: October 1999 Establishment of the Office of Pastoral Planning.

1999

November 2002 Development of the diocesan plan, promulgation of the plan at November 2002 Common Conference. Parish pastoral plans developed and implementation began

2000

May 2004 Diocesan Central Offices were restructured to reflect the plan with goal of effectively supporting parishes in implementation of pastoral plans. Studies of departments of Catholic Charities including Catholic Charities agencies, Restorative Justice Ministry, Hispanic/Migrant Ministry and Black Catholic Ministry were conducted.

2001

2002

2003

FAITH Magazine / October 2009 / www.FAITHmag.com

Saying good-bye is never easy – the church in Flint

T. Gennara

Saying good-bye to a place where you were married, or your children were baptized, made their first Communion; maybe your parents were buried from that church. Talk to Father Tom Firestone and it’s easy to see just how hard it’s been to merge three parishes in the Flint area. In spring 2009, closing Masses were held at St. Agnes, St. Luke’s and Sacred Heart in Flint. Parishioners from all three, make up a new parish now housed at St. John Vianney. Father Tom Firestone “There were a lot of people deeply disappointed and hurt in the whole process,” he says. But there is a bright side to the sadness. “There was a lot of parochialism in Flint,” Father Tom says. “We were awakened to the fact that our reach needs to extend beyond our parish walls, into our city. That’s where we are needed to be a servant.” “We were the first of all the mergers,” Father Tom says. “Working with the Office of Pastoral Planning helped us figure out what we could anticipate. We talked about how we reach people, how we contact them and make them feel welcome, what traditions does each parish have, what sacred items to keep. It helped us to prioritize all sorts of issues and traditions. Father Tom described a sand ceremony where parishioners from each of the four parishes poured colored sand into a jar – the sand was mixed to form another color. “It’s a lovely symbol of what we are becoming,” Father Tom said. “New ideas are coming up and we are really beginning to merge some of our traditions. “It’s been a good renewal,” Father Tom says. “This is the day when we begin anew.”

Restorative Justice

T. Gennara

marginalize anyone,” Metts, director of the diocesan Restorative JusMany of us give to tice Program. “We need those who have less – a to include everyone when few extra cans of food to we look at who are God’s the local pantry, an extra children.” backpack The when expanschool sion of the starts, mayRestorative be even Justice a day or Program two at the was an local soup outgrowth kitchen. of the For Tim diocesan Metts, and Tim Metts – wide volunteers pastoral plan, says Sister in the Restorative Justice Rita Wenzlick, OP, direcProgram, giving to those who have less means giv- tor of the Office. ing to those who have less The Restorative Justice Program offers prisonfreedom than most of us. ers, their families and “We don’t want to October 2004 Common Conference workshops reflect needs identified in by parishes in efforts toward Pastoral Plan.

From Bishop Boyea: Planning is always a difficult task, one which most people do not want to do. They would rather simply react as situations present themselves. The Diocese of Lansing did not do this. Indeed, we have even had an Office of Pastoral Planning for 10 years to help us look ahead and make some difficult choices and decisions. As all of you know, the implementation of any plan is equally difficult, but we need to proceed with this process of putting plans into action or it undermines the whole planning process itself. While plans are not written in stone and can even be mistakes, the presumption must be in favor of them. In our diocese, Sister Rita Wenzlick, OP, has been outstanding in her service to the people of God, and she, along with the planning commission of the diocese, deserves our deep gratitude. Now we can only pray that what God has begun in our midst will be brought to a fruitful completion.

October 2005 Study days were conducted to outline clergy and demographics projections and population shifts in Diocese of Lansing. December 2005 Coordinating Commission appointed to ensure that pastoral, sacramental and leadership needs of parishioners met where ever they are.

Diocesan-wide vocations campaign begins

2004

ex-offenders a variety of services, Metts says. For example, the Children of Prisoners program helps purchase Christmas gifts for those children whose parent is in prison and provides transportation for those who cannot go to see loved ones in prison. “A lot of people are fearful of volunteering with or around inmates,” Metts says. “There’s a large sense of fear when you talk about inmates. Generally speaking, though, when a volunteer does his or her first visit, they say that they received more from the visit than what they gave.”

From Bishop Carl Mengeling: The Office of Pastoral Planning was started in response to Pope John Paul II’s millennial request. He said, “Dear Brothers and Sisters, it is necessary for us to direct our thoughts to the future, which lies before us. Now is the time for each local church (diocese) to assess its fervor and find fresh enthusiasm for its spiritual and pastoral responsibilities.” And that’s why we did it. He said the whole church needed to do that, and being duly obedient and loving and fervent as we all are, we did it. And it certainly has paid off – the great payoff is that it became an involvement for everybody in the diocese. We had marvelous leadership in Sister Rita, who defined all the fundamental questions that needed to be asked.

2005

2006

2007

September 2008 Planning Tomorrow’s Churches is promulgated and begins.

2008

Year for Priests

What do priests have to promise? By Doug Culp | Photography by Tom Gennara

During his ordination at St. Mary Cathedral, Father Mark Rutherford promises obedience to Bishop Earl Boyea.

FAITH Magazine / October 2009 / www.FAITHmag.com

ordination, what are the Q: During promises the new priest makes?

B. Patten

a diocesan Q: Does priest take vows?

While priests in religious orders take vows – like poverty, chastity and obedience – diocesan priests make promises. In particular, they promise to live celibately and to be obedient and respectful to the bishop. The promise of celibacy is actually made by the ordinand when he is ordained a deacon. Right after the examination mentioned above, the ordinand places his hands in the bishop’s and promises obedience.

is obedience to Q: Why the bishop so important?

value does priestly celibacy Q: What have in today’s world?

The promise to remain celibate is considered a sacrifice of something good – marriage. It is not an avoidance of something unsavory and evil. The true value of celibacy rests precisely in its sacrificial nature. In seeking to be in union with Christ, the Latin rite priest promises to give up the good that is married life “for the sake of the kingdom of heaven.” (Mt 19:12) In a very real way, this promise of celibacy affirms the great @

The chasuble is the most visible of the vestments the priest wears at Mass. The chasuble is an adaptation of secular garments worn during the early church. The presider wore his newest and cleanest everyday clothes to preside at Mass. As secular clothing changed, the church reserved the chasuble for liturgical functions. Its name derives from the word, casula, or little tent, which it resembled in its ability to cover the whole person.

How has Hollywood depicted Catholic priests? We often hear complaints about how priests and the church are portrayed in the movies. Have things really changed? Take a look back at some priestly depictions from the 1930s and ’40s – an era some call the ‘golden age’ of filmed priest-heroes. It was a good year for priests on film in 1944. Bing Crosby starred in Going My Way and Gregory Peck portrayed Father Francis Chisholm in Keys of the Kingdom. Father Chisholm is a simple and holy man who spends his adult life in China spreading the good news. The film is based on the novel of the same name by A.J. Cronin. value of married love in an age that increasingly seeks to redefine and devalue it. At the same time, celibacy witnesses to a sex-obsessed culture that separates the sexual union from marriage that union with God is the highest model of love. DIOCESAN

Thinking about the priesthood? Contact Father Jerry Vincke, jvincke@dioceseoflansing.org. Another ministry supported by the DSA. SERVICES APPEAL

father on film

The bishop is regarded as a transmitter of the apostolic line, which remains an unbroken succession dating to the very beginning of the church. Every bishop can trace his own ordination back to one of the Twelve Apostles. Through the grace of the Holy Spirit, the bishop takes the place of Christ as teacher, shepherd and priest – acting as his representative. As such, the bishop has been constituted a true and authentic teacher of the faith. The priest, in a subordinate degree, is to be a co-worker of the bishop for the fulfillment of the apostolic mission entrusted to the bishop by Christ. The priest depends on the bishop in the exercise of his own proper power and becomes the support and instrument of the episcopal college. A priest can only exercise his priestly function in a diocese with the permission of the diocesan bishop. That’s why, for example, an out-of-state priest needs permission to officiate at a wedding in another diocese.

chasuble:

what is he wearing?

After the homily, the bishop will “examine” candidates to be ordained about their willingness to serve Christ and his church. The candidates respond by making five promises which, as retired Bishop Carl Mengeling once proclaimed, contain the entire identity and ministry of a priest. The candidate promises to faithfully discharge the office of priesthood in union with his fellow priests and bishop; to exercise the ministry of the Word and to preach the Gospel worthily; to celebrate the sacred mysteries of Christ, especially the Eucharist and the sacrament of reconciliation; to implore with his fellow priests and bishop for divine mercy to be bestowed upon the people entrusted to him by praying without ceasing; and to consecrate his life to God every day in a ever-growing union with Christ the high priest.

things to do:

community

St. Joseph Shrine, Brooklyn will have a bereavement series Oct. 4, 11 and 25 at 12:15 p.m. For more information, contact the parish at 517.467.2183. Lansing’s 18th annual Life Chain is Oct. 4, 2:30 p.m.3:30 p.m. We will gather along the north side of Grand River Ave. from Abbott Rd. to Williamston – meeting at Abbott Rd., Brookfield Plaza, Gift and Bible, St. Martha Church or Main St. in Williamston near St. Mary Church. Please join us or a Life Chain in your community. The Catholic Community of St. Jude will celebrate its 40th anniversary, Oct. 24, Mass will be at 5 p.m. followed by a reception. Oct. 25, Bishop Boyea Family Day Mass will be at noon at St. Mary Cathedral, Lansing. A luncheon will follow. All persons with disabilities from the diocese and their families are welcome to attend. RSVP Rose Smith at 517.342.2560 or rsmith@ dioceseoflansing.org. Finding HOPE through the trials of life – a program for women – at St. Joseph Shrine, Brooklyn will be Oct. 17, 9 a.m-4 p.m. There will be inspirational speakers in the morning, lunch and Janene Ternes in the afternoon. For more information, contact the

October Café events

St. Mary, Charlotte’s Men’s Bible study group meets Saturdays at 8 a.m. in the Luke room.

Christ the King, Ann Arbor will begin a Catholic women’s Bible study of Exodus on Sept. 21. There are two starting times: 8:15 a.m. and 8:45 a.m.. For more information, contact the parish office at 734.665.6040.

Lydia’s Room is a group of Catholic women meeting for support, strength and spirituality. For more information, contact Holy Trinity Student Parish, Ypsilanti at 734.482.1400.

St. Michael, Grand Ledge will have a Bible study of Revelation. Two choices: Wednesday evenings 7 p.m.-9 p.m., Sept. 9Dec. 2 and Thursday mornings, 10 a.m.-noon, Sept. 10-Dec. 3. For more information, call Sister Betty Gaiss, 627.8493. Oct. 6-9, the national meeting of the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions will be held at the St. John Retreat Center and Inn in Plymouth, Mich. Hosted by the Worship Offices of the Dioceses of Ohio and Michigan. For more information, contact the National FDLC Office (www.fdlc. org) or your local diocesan Office of Worship. Join the women of St. James, Mason for a rewarding women’s renewal event, Contagious Joy, Oct. 19, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. $20 fee includes a symbolic keepsake. To register, contact Rose Robertson, faith formation, at 517.676.9111. Queen of the Miraculous Medal, Jackson has an Adult Faith Sharing Group that meets every first and third Wednesday from 7 p.m.-9 p.m. for Bible study, life sharing and prayer. For more information, call Todd Gale at 517.783.2748. parish at 517.467.2183. Rosary Makers fall gathering and potluck luncheon is Oct. 11 after the 11:30 a.m. Mass at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 3815 S. Cedar St., Lansing. Everyone is cordially

parish festivals

Parish festivals St. Joseph Parish, Ypsilanti’s Harvest Festival is Sept. 20, from noon to 6 p.m. Raffle, chicken dinner, crafters, live entertainment, live auction, bake sale, train ride, children’s games and Harvest Sweet Café. Questions? Please call 734.461.6555. Oct. 11 is St. Elizabeth, Tecumseh’s Roast Beef Dinner – roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, squash, green beans, coleslaw, rolls and dessert. Raffle tickets are $1 each; prizes are $1,000, $400, $300 and $200. Raffle tickets are available at the door. Oct. 16-18 is St. Paul, Owosso’s Harvest Weekend – Friday: bake sale and fish fry; Saturday: live and silent auction and dinner; Sunday: Swiss steak dinner and raffle drawing.

St. Joseph Shrine, Brooklyn will have 12 sessions of Little Rock’s Gospel of Luke, Thursdays Oct. 1-Nov. 5, 1:30 p.m. and Feb. 4-Mar. 11. St. Patrick, Brighton will have the Great Adventure: Journey through the Bible Sept. 28–Mar. 22, 7 p.m.-9 p.m. in the Adult Faith Formation Center Room A. For information, call Marcia Strausbaugh at 810.229.9863, ext. 211. St. Robert Bellarmine, Flushing is offering Catholic Scripture Study International on Sunday evenings at 7:15 p.m. in the Multimedia Center. The Book of Genesis will be studied for 30 sessions. To register, call the parish office at 810.659.2501. St. Martha, Okemos will have a new 20week DVD series entitled, “Epic: A Journey through Church History.” It will be Sunday evenings from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. in the Knights of Columbus room beginning Sept. 13 and ending March 21, 2010. Cost for materials is $34. To register, please contact Katrina Iamarino at 347.3353 or irishstate@sbcglobal.net. St Catherine Labouré, Concord has Bible study every Sunday 6 p.m.-8 p.m.

invited. For information, call the parish at 517. 393.3030 or e-mail ihmrosarymakers@ copper.net. Beginning Experience retreats are for people who are widowed, separated or divorced. They are held in the Jackson area. The next weekend retreat is Oct. 2-4. If you are interested and would like more information, please call Nancy at 517.371.2397 or Karen at 517.449.3906. St. Mark the Evangelist, Goodrich will have a Fall Scrapbooking Crop Oct. 16, 6 p.m.-10 p.m. and Oct. 17, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Questions? Contact Karen Landsgaard at 810.636.3117 or Nancy Ellis at 810. 636.2410. A Retrouvaille weekend will be Oct. 16 at St. Francis Retreat Center in DeWitt. For more information, contact

Allan and Teresa Wilcox at 517.290.5596 or at retro4lansing@comcast.net. Oct. 16 and Nov. 14 Natural Family Planning classes will be at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Plymouth. Cost is $130 per couple. To preregister, please e-mail Jolynn Schafer at jschafer999@ comcast.net. An evening session on annulments will be held on Oct. 29, 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. at St. John the Evangelist Parish, Davison. Eileen Jaramillo, M.Div, JCL, a tribunal judge will speak on marriage as a covenant, invalid marriages and misinformation about annulments. The session is open to everyone. There is no need to register. Oct. 10-11, Catholic Engaged Encounter weekend at St. Joseph

FAITH Magazine / October 2009 / www.FAITHmag.com

Diocese of Lansing – Catholic Charities

Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw’s program Grandparents as Parents (GAP) is for a grandparent or custodial relative with parental Retreat Center in Jackson. For information or to register, call Wayne and Sue Fransted at 517.522.5121. The Marriage Enrichment Group at St. Robert Bellarmine, Flushing will meet Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. in the Multimedia Center. The group led by Deacon Pennell meets monthly to reflect and celebrate the gift of married love. Come join us! Respect For Life Committee at Saint Robert Church, Flushing is inviting the Catholic and other Christian churches to participate in the 40 Days For Life Campaign from Sept. 23Nov. 1. Please contact Teresa Cassady at 810.867.4422 or Keith at BeiterBunch@att. net; for more information visit www.40daysforlife.com.

Be Our Guest Adult Day Service offers therapeutic, cognitive and social stimulation on a daily basis. Take a break from 24-hour care-giving. Please call Livingston County Catholic Social Services and set up an appointment with Pam for further information, 517.546.9910. St. Vincent Catholic Charities of Lansing needs volunteers for its tutor/ mentor program. The volunteers assist with reading and academic skills for children ages 5-7 served by St. Vincent’s

month. For information, call 989.725.7980. ASL Masses in Oct.: Oct. 4 and 25, St. Mary Cathedral; Oct 4, 10 a.m. St. John, Fenton; and Oct. 11, 10 a.m., St. John, Fenton Knights of Columbus Hall. Protecting God’s Children adult training sessions are: Oct. 6, 6:30 p.m., St. Mary Parish, Westphalia; Oct. 7, 6:30 p.m., St. Martha, Okemos; Oct. 8, 6 p.m., St. John the Evangelist Parish, Davison; Oct. 8, 6:30 p.m., Sacred Heart Parish, Hudson; and Oct. 24, 9 a.m., St. Mary Student Parish, Ann Arbor. For more information, contact Sally Ellis, 517.342.2511. To pre-register for a session, visit www.virtus.org.

foster care and Children’s Home. For information, call Elyse Lee at 323.4734 ext. 1204 or e-mail leee@stvcc.org. The Cristo Rey Community Center offers free legal service in both English and Spanish, 1 p.m.-5 p.m., the third Wednesday of every month. The service is free to low-income persons and senior citizens for civil cases. To make an appointment, please call 517. 372.4700. Catholic Charities of Genesee County has a Survivor of Suicide group that meets twice a month and offers help, support and understanding in a caring, non-judgmental atmosphere for those who have lost someone to suicide. For information, call 810.232.9950; bilingual call 810.239.4417.

Theology on Tap Young Adult Sessions (ages 21-35) Hosted by St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Ann Arbor – all sessions are at the Arbor Brewing Company, 114 E. Washington, 7 p.m.-9 p.m. For information, contact Jen Delvaux at 734.821.2126. Hosted by St. Mary Parish, Chelsea, Mondays, 7 p.m.8:30 p.m. at the Chelsea Gallery, 115 S. Main, across the street from the Common Grill. Please feel free to invite friends. For information, contact Mary Lou Hahn-Setta at 734.475.3250. Theology Brewing© is hosted by the directors of religious education of the Jackson Vicariate. Held the first Thursday of each month, from 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. at Bullinger’s Pub and Restaurant, 501 Longfellow, Jackson (intersection of Wildwood and Ganson). All faith denominations are welcome. For information, contact Mark Smith at 517.788.6153. LANYARD, Lansing Young Adults Recreation and Devotion, hosts quarterly sessions of Theology on Tap at Sammy’s Lounge and Restaurant, 301 E. Jolly St. For topics, dates and speakers, contact Emily Crockett at 517.393.3030.

Good Shepherd in Montrose has a ministry of compassion group that offers visits, lap blankets and phone calls to the sick, elderly and dying. To learn more, call Carol Lawrence at 989.770.4602.

St. Paul of the Cross Retreat Center, 23333 Schoolcraft, Detroit – 313.535.9563. Prayer Retreat: Pray All Ways is Oct. 4, 1 p.m.-7 p.m., $40 includes light dinner. For further information, contact Janene Ternes at 734.429.7754 or visit her Web site at www.prayer-in-motion.com.

The National Catholic Youth Conference, entitled Christ Reigns, will be in Kansas City, Mo., Nov. 19-21. For information or to register to attend, contact Pat Rinker, director of youth ministry at the Diocese of Lansing, 517.342.2485 or e-mail prinker@dioceseoflansing.org.

Weber Center, Adrian – 517.266.4000. Oct. 14, Heartbeat, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., designed specifically for women Oct. 16-18, We Walk a Wide and Gracious Path, experience labyrinth prayer Oct. 23-25, Those Feisty Gospel Women, registration deadline is Oct. 1 Nov. 7, Praying with Body, Mind and Spirit: a Call to Hope, $45 (includes lunch); registration deadline is Oct. 5.

St. Paul, Owosso’s divorce support group meets from 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. on the second Monday of the

St. Francis Retreat Center, DeWitt – 866.669.8321 Oct. 7-9, A Time to Heal, a retreat for victims of abuse within the church. For information or to register, call Father Larry Delaney at 866.669.8321. There is no cost to participants.

Dominican Center at Marywood, Grand Rapids – 616.454.1241 or www.dominicancenter.com. Parenting: Hope for the Future, Tuesdays – 3 sessions, Oct. 6-20, 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m., $25. Grief: When Mourning Dawns, Wednesdays – 5 sessions, Oct.7-Nov. 4, 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m. Contemplative Outreach Retreat, Oct.16-17, $60 Mindfulness Retreat: a Day of Peace and Beauty, Oct. 10, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., $45 Knead a Friend, Oct. 17, $55 Yoga Fall Series II, Thursdays, Oct. 29-Dec. 17, $70, 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m.

Catholic Charities

Catholic Charities of Jackson County will be hosting a Help & Hope Tour on Sept. 9 at 1522 Joy Ave., Jackson. Each one-hour tour begins at noon and a free lunch will be available for those interested in a tour and learning more about the organization. Come meet new Executive Director Sue Lewis and learn more about how Catholic Charities serves your community. For more information, call Lisa Gross at 517.782.2551.

responsibilities for raising a minor child. The program provides support groups, educational workshops, counseling and family activities. For more information, please call 734.712.3625.

local news

Knights of Columbus’ Culture of Life Fund helps Center for Women in Jackson Local, state and national Knights of Columbus officials gathered in Jackson on July 25 to help dedicate a new $58,000 ultrasound machine at Jackson’s Center For Women. Eight Knights of Columbus Councils in Michigan’s Jackson County, Lansing Diocese, raised more than $12,500 to help fund the new ultrasound machine for the center. The Knights of Columbus Supreme Council matched the local council’s efforts to bring the project to fruition under the Knights of Columbus Culture of Life Fund. The Jackson project was the first of its kind funded by Knights Councils in Michigan. Similar projects are now under way throughout the state. The ultrasound will be used to create sonograms on young women who are considering abortion, with the hope that the image they see and the sounds they hear will help the women choose life over abortion. The Center for Women is a faith-based, nonprofit organization that offers free pregnancy testing and parenting programs for new and expectant mothers. Since 1988, the center has served more than 8,000 women. “It’s an amazing day for us,” said Center for Women Director Jasmine Bennet. “We feel speechless. We never dreamed we would have (an ultrasound) machine.”

Audience at dedication ceremony for new ultrasound machine at Center for Women.

Image on screen of new ultrasound machine in Jackson, Center for Women.

Mary re-visited – Catholic Charities plants a garden In June 1955, few could have imagined the changes in store for Flint. The Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters at St. Michael Convent had been in their new home for only five years. That year, they dedicated a shrine to Our Lady of the Golden Heart in the courtyard of the convent. The original statue, long since stolen, honored the appearance of Mary in a small Belgian farming town. Fifty-five years later, the school has closed and the sisters’ work has taken them elsewhere. Now Catholic Charities of Shiawassee and Genesee Counties occupy the convent and have begun planning a traditional Mary Garden and re-dedication of the shrine. On Aug. 13, volunteers from Home Depot began the initial cleanup of the structure. Mary Stevenson, director of marketing and fund develop for CCSG, remarked, “You wouldn’t believe how hard the volunteers from Home Depot worked. In

addition to cleaning up the shrine, they constructed a gazebo, play area and privacy fencing at our Holy Angels building across the street where our foster care and adoption services operate.” On June 9, 2010, Catholic Charities will invite the IHM Sisters, along with St. Michael alumni, parishioners and friends, to acknowledge the gift of Catholic education and pay tribute to Flint’s Catholic history when the shrine is re-dedicated. “We are excited by this project,” says Vicky Schultz, Catholic Charities’ CEO. “It is a chance for us to thank the women who dedicated their lives to educating the children of Flint and to bring to life a space for prayer and contemplation here in the heart of downtown.”

Governor’s Service Award 2009

(From L-R) Thomas M. Wegener, supreme director (Michigan), Knights of Columbus; John R. “Bob” Moody, Michigan state deputy, Knights of Columbus; Jasmine Bennet, director, Center for Women, Paul Thorn, Michigan state Respect Life co-chairperson, Knights of Columbus, cut ribbon dedicating new ultrasound machine

On June 19, Gov. Jennifer Granholm presented the Volunteer of the Year Award 2009 to William Yaeger, a Catholic parishioner who has been a member of St. Thomas Parish, Ann Arbor for the last 60 years. This award honors a Michigan citizen who has accomplished outstanding community service. At age 85, Bill Yaeger is going strong. For the last 22 years, he has worked as a volunteer Medicare /Medicaid Assistance Program counselor and as a federal tax aide volunteer. He works approximately 30 hours a week at his volunteer work, offering expertise, patience and kindness to hundreds of senior citizens and younger disabled adults who need assistance in finding the best Medicare coverage and Medicaid assistance possible. Latti, a 96-year-old blind woman who lives alone, “trusts Bill as if he were her own son.” Bill has been going to Latti’s apartment for the last 10 years, making sure her finances and Medicare/Medicaid assistance is secure. Barb Zaret, who worked with Bill as a volunteer for 20 years says, “Bill is selfless in a very rare way that enables him to do amazing things.”

FAITH Magazine / October 2009 / www.FAITHmag.com

Knights of Columbus present St. Thomas Aquinas School with more than $11,000 The Knights of Columbus from East Lansing Council 7816 recently presented Father Mark Inglot, pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Parish, with a check for $5,573.38. This brings donations to $11,660.61 from the Knights of Columbus during the 2008-09 fraternal year. These figures were released by Knights of Colum-

bus Grand Knight Jason Johnson. The majority of the donation is due to two golf outings. A thank-you goes out to all who participated in the outing and to all of the sponsors, including Dr. Mike Peters; BC Maintenance; Earthcom Inc.; Land Visions Inc.; Foster, Swift, Collins, and Smith P.C.; Lakeside Charter; JFP Benefit Management; Michigan Home Finance; Crippen Auto Mall; Integrated Services; Mid-Michigan Orthopedic Institute; and Signs by Design.

St. Mary Catholic School names Kinsey new principal

Office of Missions offers grant to Flint urban ministry

One of St. Mary Catholic School’s most beloved teachers is now its principal. Father Bill Wegher announced recently that Veronica Kinsey will lead the Pinckney school, beginning in the 2009-10 school year. Kinsey has taught at St. Mary for 23 years, mostly at the first grade level. “I have been very blessed to have people in my life who have helped me to develop my teaching skills and leadership abilities,” said Kinsey. “We have a great staff at St. Mary with a lot of experience, and I am privileged to be able to be a part of this amazing place. Although I will miss teaching first grade and being in the classroom every day, I feel that God is calling me to step up and be a part of the school in a new and exciting way.” St. Mary’s former principal, John Gilboe, left the school after two years for another principal position at St. Fabian School in Farmington Hills. His move was motivated by a need to work closer to his family.

The Flint Catholic Urban Ministry Inter-Faith Gospel Choir wishes to thank the diocesan Office of Missions for its grant. The choir was formed in 1982 by Father Roderick Brown, a former pastor of Christ the King Parish. Under the direction of Mrs. Demona Reed, the choir, comprised of 23 members, has shared its music ministry at diocesan, urban and citywide events. It has traveled to cities throughout Michigan performing concerts at special liturgies and many other public events. The grant will be used to continue to share their talent of music and give praise to God.

St. Mary Catholic School in Pinckney expanded its offerings this year to include a preschool-aged day care and a school-aged latchkey program. Children do not need to belong to St. Mary to take advantage of either program. The preschool-aged day care program is for children 3 to 5 years old. The latchkey program is for school-aged children. Current St. Mary teaching staff will teach both programs. The K-8 latchkey program will be available before and after school for up to 18 students. The morning session will run from 6:30 a.m.-8:10 a.m. The afternoon session will run from 3:30 p.m.-6 p.m. For more information, contact the school office at 734.878.5616 or e-mail Abbott at mrsabbott@ stmarypinckney.org @

The Greater Lansing Catholic Education Foundation is pleased to announce that Robert Harrison of Okemos is the 2009 recipient of its John and Frances Fuller Scholarship. A gift from the estate of John and Frances Fuller was used to create an endowment with the Greater Lansing Catholic Education Foundation that funds this scholarship. The scholarship funded by the Fullers is to assist with tuition for a graduating senior from Lansing Catholic High School in his or her first year of college. The Fullers intended this award for a student who exhibits Christian values and a good work ethic and provides service to his or her community. Robert Harrison was chosen by faculty mem-

local news

St. Mary Catholic School adds preschool-aged day care, latchkey programs

Foundation announces 2009 Fuller Scholarship winner

bers at Lansing Catholic High School to receive the $1,000 award. Robert will attend Michigan State University where he plans to study physics. For additional information on the Fuller Scholarship and other programs of the Greater Lansing Catholic Education Foundation, contact Danielle Casavant at dcasavant@glcef.org or visit www.glcef.org.

What in the world? The top 10 Catholic news events

First Latina confirmed to serve on Supreme Court – Judge Sonia Sotomayor became the first Hispanic on the Supreme Court, after the Senate confirmed her appointment Aug. 6. Sotomayor, 55, will be the sixth Catholic on the ninemember court.

Respect Life Program packet for 2009-10 is now available

world news

2 Mexican government apologizes for federal police drug raid during Mass – The Mexican government apologized after federal police burst into a parish and interrupted Mass in the western state of Michoacán to apprehend a drug-cartel suspect.

Sisters of Charity celebrate bicentennial – The Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph – the first new community for women religious in the U.S. – celebrated its 200th anniversary of establishment by St. Elizabeth Ann Seton – the first U.S. born saint.

Cuban-American confirmed as ninth U.S. ambassador to the Vatican – Catholic theologian Miguel Diaz was confirmed by the U.S. Senate Aug. 4 as the ninth U.S. ambassador to the Vatican. Diaz is the first Hispanic to serve in this position.

Vatican newspaper says Allied governments did little to stop Holocaust

Topics addressed in this year’s Respect Life Program reflect the diversity of pro-life concerns: the way ahead in building a culture of life, by Cardinal Justin Rigali; the essence of human dignity; assisted suicide; facts about contraception; infertility; and same-sex marriage. Articles are available as printed pamphlets on the Web site of the Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities (www.usccb.org/prolife) and on the CD included in each packet. In addition to the articles, poster and flier, the CD contains a liturgy guide, program models, memorable pro-life quotations and more in both English and Spanish. Begun in 1972, the Respect

Life Program brings church teaching on the value and dignity of human life to the Catholic community and the wider public. The program combines education, prayer, service and advocacy. Respect Life Sunday, Oct. 4, is observed in all of the 195 Catholic dioceses in the United States. The Respect Life packets may be ordered from the Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities by calling toll-free 866.582.0943 or by faxing orders to 301.779.8596. Downloadable copies of Respect Life materials from 1996 onward are posted in English and Spanish on the secretariat’s Web site at www.usccb.org/prolife/ programs/rlp.

The Vatican newspaper said the U.S. and British governments had detailed information about the Nazi plan to exterminate European Jews during World War II, but failed to act for many months and even suppressed reports about the extent of the Holocaust. The newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, contrasted Allied inaction with the quiet efforts undertaken by Pope Pius XII to save as many Jews as possible through clandestine assistance. The article, published Aug. 13, reviewed historical information in support of an argument frequently made by Vatican experts: While critics have focused on Pope Pius’ supposed silence on the Holocaust, little attention has been given to documented evidence that the U.S. and British governments ignored or minimized reports of extermination plans. The article quotes heavily from the diary of Henry Morgenthau, Jr., U.S. secretary of the treasury during the war, who said that as early as August 1942 administration officials “knew that the Nazis were planning to exterminate all the Jews of Europe.” Morgenthau cited a telegram dated Aug. 24, 1942, and passed on to the State Department, that relayed a report of Hitler’s plan to kill between 3.5 million and 4 million Jews, possibly using cyanide poison. The Vatican newspaper reproduced a copy of the telegram. Eventually, in early 1944, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt set up the War Refugee Board that was credited with saving tens of thousands of Jewish lives. But for 18 months before then, despite increasingly alarming reports, U.S. officials “dodged their grim responsibility, procrastinated when concrete rescue schemes were placed before them, and even suppressed information about atrocities,” Morgenthau wrote.

U.S. bishops launch Web site on health care reform – their position and concerns

care, includes letters from bishops to Congress, videos, facts and statistics, frequently asked questions and links for contacting members of Congress. The site will feature Web videos of USCCB policy staff discussing the bishops’ position on health care. Kathy Saile, director of domestic social development, outlines the general position and con-

cerns. Richard Doerflinger, associate director of pro-life activities, describes how abortion relates to the health-care reform debate. The page also contains facts and statistics about Catholic health care in the United States, which includes 624 Catholic hospitals, 164 home health agencies and 41 hospice organizations.

his year’s theme, “Every child brings us God’s smile,” comes from a homily of Pope Benedict XVI. The Respect Life flier explores this theme.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops launched a Web page promoting its support of “truly universal health policy with respect for human life and dignity.” The page, www.usccb.org/health-

5 Vatican City Web site celebrates its second year – The Web site allows users to get a closer look at Vatican City and is visited by an average of 1,800 users per day, totaling some 3 million since it was launched.

Kenyan president praised for commuting 4,000 death sentences – The head prison chaplain in Kenya applauded President Mwai Kibaki’s decision to commute the death sentences of some 4,000 prisoners, punishing them with life imprisonment instead of death by hanging.

Our Lady of Guadalupe ‘completely beyond’ scientific explanation, says researcher – Dr. Aldofo Orozco told participants at the International Marian Congress on Our Lady of Guadalupe that there is no scientific explanation for the 478 years of high quality-preservation of the Tilma.

Report shows decrease in abortion providers – The Center for Reproductive Rights has issued a report analyzing the continuing decline in abortion providers. According to the Guttmacher Institute, the number of abortion providers in the U.S. declined by 25 percent between 1992 and 2005.

St. John Vianney Parish hosts diocesan celebration of the Year for Priests

Vietnamese government blocks Catholic Web sites – Following international news coverage of its violent reactions to Catholic protests, the Vietnamese government has censored Catholic Web sites.

Vatican orders study of women’s religious institutes – Mother Mary Clare, who will head the visitation, says, “... the purpose of this visitation is to encourage and strengthen apostolic communities of women religious ...”

A year for priests

please pray for all of us

T. Gennara

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

ope Benedict XVI opened the special year, The Year for Priests, with a vespers service at the Vatican June 19 – the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the day for the sanctification of priests. He will close the celebrations during a world meeting of priests in St. Peter’s Square on June 19, 2010. The editors of FAITH asked me to write about what it means to be a priest. Volumes have been written on that topic, so all I can do here is give you a beautiful meditation composed by Father Henri-Dominique Lacordaire, OP, who was considered to be the greatest pulpit orator of the 19th century. He suffered in the aftermath of the French Revolution, filled as it was with bitter anti-clericalism. When I was ordained a priest back in June 1967, this meditation was printed on holy cards and given out by many of the newly ordained to friends, relatives and those attending their first Masses. Once again the saying is proven: gold is refined by fire.

A PRIEST To live in the midst of the world without wishing its pleasures; To be a member of each family, yet belonging to none; To share all suffering; to penetrate all secrets; To heal all wounds; to go from men to God and offer Him their prayers; To return from God to men to bring pardon and hope; To have a heart of fire for Charity, and a heart of bronze for Chastity to teach and to pardon, console and bless always. My God, what a life; and it is yours, O priest of Jesus Christ.

last word

The host was elevated. A hundred tenors and basses join in a mighty chorus, “All glory and honor is yours, Almighty Father, forever and ever!” And all the people sang their Amen. Some 100 priests of the Diocese of Lansing gathered together to celebrate the feast of their patron, St. John Vianney, on Aug. 4 at St. John Vianney parish in Flint. Pope Benedict XVI has declared this the Year for Priests, with St. John Vianney as their patron. Also in attendance were several seminarians, deacons and many of the faithful. Several youth of the parish, some of whom had graduated from St. John Vianney Catholic School, added their band instruments to the music of the enthusiastic choir. Bishop Boyea spoke to the priests about the life of St. John Vianney, the hardships he faced and his perseverance. He encouraged our priests to follow the example of their patron by being completely devoted to Jesus and in serving his people in their parishes. He quoted St. John Vianney, “A pastor should lead his parish to Heaven.” The chasuble worn by the bishop was specially made for this Mass; a Slabbinck product from Bruges, Belgium. The figure of St. John Vianney is emblazoned on the front of the chasuble in full color. After the Mass, the priests were treated to dinner in the parish hall, hosted by the seminarians.

notes:

Remember your deceased loved ones on All Souls' Day, Nov. 2 Â· St. joseph Cemetery 2500 W Willow, Lansing, Ml48917 New Calvary Cemetery 4142 Flushing Rd., Flint, Ml48504 Your local parish cemetery

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