October 2010

1 October 2010

T. Gennara

2 A personal thanks for the gift of life

and the gift of family

The Magazine of the Catholic Diocese of Lansing

Most Reverend Earl Boyea PUBLISHER

Rev. Dwight Ezop

EDITOR AND CHAIRMAN

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

October 2010 • Volume 11: Issue 8

FA I T H Catholic Patrick M. O’Brien

s you read this, I will have just celebrated my 45th birthday. As a youngster, birthdays were about gatherings with friends and family with the usual gifts and cake. As I’ve grown into adulthood, my sense of the anniversary of my birth has grown to include a unique mix of both joy and thankfulness. Each year, as my birth date passes I am aware that but for the loving actions of a few, I literally might not be alive to enjoy the gift of a new year.

PRESIDENT/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Elizabeth Martin Solsburg DIRECTOR OF CUSTOM PUBLISHING/ EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Michael Diebold DIOCESE OF LANSING DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

Michael Marshall DIRECTOR OF LITURGICAL PRODUCTS

Peter Wagner DIRECTOR OF FINANCE

Cynthia Vandecar MARKETING MANAGER

from the editor

Patrick Dally

At some point, a young woman decided to become a social worker. Eventually, she went to work for Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County as an adoption coordinator. In a manner which I will likely never completely understand, she crossed paths with a young woman who found herself with an unplanned pregnancy. That young woman, my biological mother, somehow found her way to Catholic Social Services. Perhaps her parents encouraged her to go there upon discovering their daughter’s pregnancy. It is equally likely that a friend or even a complete stranger encouraged her to offer her child for adoption. In the end, it doesn’t really matter to me precisely how the various connections were made. That a number of someones took the time and expended the effort to help that young woman find a life-saving alternative through Catholic Social Services is what matters a great deal to me. Of course, what matters most to me is that a young couple by the names of Jan and Gene

letters

Living on the Edge I recently received … FAITH magazine … Two of your articles have stuck with me. One is the Oil Spill in the Gulf. The other article was What is it like to be homeless? Teens in Saline who are living on the EDGE. I believe this article was well-meaning but not as sensitive as it could be. It is wonderful and necessary

Ezop were working with Catholic Social Services in order to adopt their first child. The fact that I can rejoice and be thankful for 45 years of life is no small testament to the kind of work that happens in our Catholic Social Services agencies across the diocese. On the pages ahead, you will read about some of the many ways that Catholic Social Services offers a variety of outreach programs that are rooted in the very best of our Catholic tradition. Adoption and fostering services, alcohol and substance abuse counseling, outreach programs that assist the elderly, as well as counseling programs for individuals, couples and families are but some of the many ways that the good people of Catholic Social Services work tirelessly on behalf of all the people of our diocese to heal, strengthen, and bring life to the Body of Christ. And so, with my personal thanks to God and so many others for another year of life and growth, our journey in FAITH continues.

for our youth to be active Christians and have a sense of solidarity with “our neighbor” no matter who or where … We have many homeless people in Washtenaw County, some belong to Catholic parishes FAITH magazine serves. To have smiling children posed with their box shelters doing service projects that were primarily described for

our sisters and brothers from the continent of Africa does not help affirm that we have homeless brethren right here. I believe that too often as Catholics, we feel we have to go softly into Catholic social teaching … Christ wants us live the Gospel and have joy doing so,getting both feet really dirty. – Mary M. Wakefield

ART DIRECTOR

Lynne Ridenour

GRAPHIC DESIGNER/WEBMASTER

Janna Stellwag Abby Wieber

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Jillane Job EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

InnerWorkings

PRINT MANAGEMENT

Doug Culp Dcn. Tom and JoAnne Fogle Bob Horning Paul Jarzembowski Rev. Joseph Krupp Dr. Gelasia Marquez Dr. Cathleen McGreal Nancy Schertzing Sister Ann Shields Todd Schulz Michelle Sessions DiFranco CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Derek Melot

PROOFREADING

Carlson Productions Tom Gennara James Luning (cover) Don Quillan

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Bob Patten Chris Sushynski

CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATORS FAITHTM (USPS 019993) is a publication of FAITH Catholic, Diocese of Lansing, 1500 E. Saginaw St., Lansing, MI 48906-5550. FAITHTM is a membership publication of the Catholic Diocese of Lansing and is published monthly except for February and August. To purchase a subscription, log on to FAITHmag.com. If you have a change of address, please contact your parish. Periodicals postage paid in Lansing, MI and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to FAITHTM, 1500 E. Saginaw St., Lansing MI 48906-5550. ©2010 FAITH Catholic. FAITH is a trademark of FAITH Catholic.

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FOUNDING EDITOR

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For the full text of this letter, please visit www.FAITHmag.com

Liturgical Calendar: St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, virgin and doctor of the church Oct. 1 | Guardian Angels Oct. 2 | St. Francis of Assisi Oct. 4 | Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher, virgin Oct. 6 | Ou

FAITH Magazine / October 2010 / www.FAITHmag.com

When tests showed Delfina’s unborn baby would not survive, she was pressured to get an abortion. Find out why Delfina chose life instead.

Meet the 30 new director of the formation department for the Diocese of Lansing

Father John Linden

inside this issue

“They told me to give up on my baby.” Why Delfina chose life

what you’ll get out of this issue

How Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Lansing helps people in need.

– Paul Jarzembowski

10 culture Once upon a time – make this vintage-style clock – Michelle Sessions DiFranco

12 theology 101 Why do we do that at Mass? The order of the Mass – Rita Thiron 14 spiritual fitness Praying with the saints of autumn – Sister Ann Shields

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Anniversaries

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

ou’ll find some anniversaries listed in the news section. They’re not wedding anniversaries – they are the ordination anniversaries of some of our priests. These are the men who have devoted entire lifetimes to the service of Christ and his church. They have worked in parishes, at the diocese – wherever they were needed.

Seeing this list reminded me of some of the truly holy men I have been blessed to know – the priests who have had an impact on my faith and my life. Some of them led by quiet example – like Father Ray Rademacher, who was one of the most down-toearth men I’ve ever known, and yet who radiated Jesus’ love for his people. Some rode motorcycles, some love cars, some played baseball at an almost-professional level, and some can talk about church history as if it was something that happened yesterday. They were, and are, very different men – but they had one common characteristic: They loved God and they loved God’s people. Much of what I’ve experienced of Christ’s grace has been through them, and I would like, belatedly, to say “thank you.”

ur Lady of the Rosary Oct. 7 | St. Denis, bishop and martyr, and his companions, martyrs Oct. 9 | St. Callistus I, pope and martyr Oct. 14 | St. Teresa of Avila, virgin and doctor of the church Oct. 15

columnists

4 from the bishop What are some of the different words we’ll be saying at Mass? – Bishop Earl Boyea 5 work life My daughter wants to be a poet! How can I change her mind? – Nick Synko 6 parenting journey How do I get my toddler to stay in bed? – Dr. Cathleen McGreal 7 marriage matters She says: “He’s gained weight and I’m not attracted to him anymore.” He says: “I’m too stressed to exercise. What do they do? – Tom and JoAnne Fogle 8 in the know with Fr. Joe How does the pope pick his name? – Father Joseph Krupp 9 spiritual popcorn What would St. Francis watch?

digital edition exclusive videos

Part 4

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

The Eucharist is the source and summit of our life. In the Eucharist, Jesus Christ gives us his body and blood, soul and divinity. Father Charlie Irvin explains the mystery of the Eucharist and its centrality in the church’s life. And the contemplative nuns at the monastery of Our Lady of the Valley take us on a tour of their altar-bread bakery – what goes into baking the hosts for Mass and why is it such an important part of the monastery’s life? This video is part of Father Charlie Irvin’s “Magnificent Seven” series on the sacraments.

CatholicTV featured videos This is a “series” of special programs, documentaries and short films focusing on Catholic moral issues. Making Sense Out of Bioethics “Test Tube Babies” features Father Tad Pacholczyk, Ph.D., and Elizabeth Lee as they co-host this show exploring the ethical challenges raised by the coming of a “brave new world” in science and medicine.

Watch Father Joe Krupp on Blink Father Joe Krupp, award-winning columnist and Diocese of Lansing priest, talks about the importance of forgiveness. Why should you do it and what do you get out of it? Father Joe presents Jesus’ teaching on forgiveness in a quick “Blink.”

What inspires us to wonder and awe? Catholic TV’s Matthew Weber explores an old seminary, and has an unexpected encounter with both.

Priests are men of prayer. Father Charlie Irvin focuses on the topic of prayer in this segment from his popular video series on the priesthood. Filmed at St. Francis de Sales Seminary in Wisconsin, this video gives insight into the formation of priests, their lives and their call to pray and serve.

4 J. Carlson

What are some of the different words

we’ll be saying at Mass? Bishop Earl A. Boyea is the fifth bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Lansing.

ome has approved our new translation of the Mass which will take effect in November 2011. Why the delay? It will take that long for the publishers to get the books set up and printed for us to use. In the course of this coming year, we are all invited to reflect upon the Mass and what we are doing when we participate in the Mass. Many opportunities to help us accomplish this will be offered both at the parish level and at the diocesan level.

D. Quillan

from the bishop

Today, let us reflect on one change which may seem quite significant. In the Eucharistic Prayers, which the priest prays at every Mass, he says over the chalice of wine, “Take this, all of you, and drink from it: this is the cup of my blood, the blood of the new and everlasting covenant.

It will be shed for you and for all so that sins may be forgiven.” The new translation will read: “Take this, all of you, and drink from it, for this is the chalice of my blood, the blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Again, this new translation is closer to the Latin. What will be most jarring for some people is to hear, “for many,” instead of, “for all.” A recent article in Antiphon (14:2, pp. 169-229) by Manfred Hauke on this difference of wording is excellent. He surveys the biblical texts, the various liturgical texts, and the testimony of church councils and theologians, and reaches some general conclusions. First of all, Jesus’ suffering and death was directed to the salvation of all, that is, God desires all to be saved and this was the way to provide that blessing. However, not all wish to be saved and thus some are not. Thus he quotes then-Cardinal Ratzinger: God “does not, by some magic trick, set aside our freedom but allows us to choose to enter into his great mercy.” Thus there is a difference between God’s will for universal salvation and what effectively will take place due to our freedom to say, “No.” Secondly, when we translate these words of Jesus from the Scripture, we should avoid interpretation and stick as exactly to the text as we can. Thirdly, neither the Greek, hyper pollon (in the Scripture), nor the Latin,

St. Hedwig, religious; St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, virgin Oct. 16 | St. Luke, apostle Oct. 18 | St. John de Brébeuf and St. Isaac Jogues, priests and martyrs, and

FAITH Magazine / October 2010 / www.FAITHmag.com

Our 16-year-old informed us that she is interested in pursuing poetry as a career. In Nick Synko is a professional career and workplace issues coach. this economy, that is For more information, visit SynkoAssociates.com and CareersThroughFaith.org the kiss of death! What ... you light up when ... you are in your zone when ...” can I do to help her pick a career path more I also recommend you begin a life or career dream journal likely to help her earn a decent living? with her. A written record of her thoughts and notes of your

pro multis (in the Latin Mass text), should be translated as “for all” but rather “for many.” This, in fact, is how the liturgies of East and West have always translated the Greek, that is, “for many.” It is the author’s contention, consistently recognized by most theologians over the past 2,000 years, that this text in the Eucharistic Prayer is directed to the apostles and those who will hear the apostles and believe. It is not about the sufficiency of Jesus’ sacrifice, which everyone recognizes as being “for all,” but rather this particular text in the Mass is about the efficacy of that sacrifice for us, that is, for those who will actually benefit from this pouring out, and that, we hope, will be many. Thus even in the heart of the Eucharistic Prayer, we are being invited to make a choice. We are being called to consume the body and blood of the Lord, which does not automatically bring us the fruit of Christ’s saving death and resurrection. We are being called to participate in this sacred meal, as St. Paul notes in his First Letter to the Corinthians (11:27-29): “Whoever, therefore, eats the bread

conversations will become a thought-provoking tool as she explores her life plans. Consider honoring her thoughts by purchasing her a bound, blank journal that is a tangible presence demonstrating her thoughts are important to you. Finally, be careful not to impose your own desires on her dreams. In our career counseling practice, I often meet people who made an unfortunate career choice because they were influenced by well-intentioned, yet misguided parents, teachers or friends. Surely, our children need our guidance. Yet, they also need the freedom to dream their dreams and hear for themselves the Lord’s calling. As the Parable of the Talents reminds us in Matthew 25:14-29, we all are given talents – which we are called to use, not bury. Encourage your daughter to discover her inner S.A.I.N.T. (Skills, Abilities, Interests and Natural Talents) and how she may use these gifts to help create God’s kingdom here on earth. She may not always choose the most lucrative financial path, but fulfilling God’s plan for her life is an eternal richness of a higher calling. or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself.” Hauke concludes: “Certainly all men are invited to this covenant, but no one is constrained. For the acceptance of the covenant, the free decision of the faith operating in charity is necessary…. [T]he immediate addressees of the making of the covenant [at the Last Supper] are not all men in general, but rather the disciples who believe in Christ: the blood of the Lord is shed ‘for you’ (Lk 22:20) and ‘for many.’ (Mk 14:24; Mt 26:28) The covenant is offered in a certain way to all men, but accepted only by many. This relationship between offer of salvation and efficacy of salvation is seen for example in the Epistle to the Hebrews: ‘…so that by the grace of God he [Christ] might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through suffering.’” (Heb:9-10)

d their companions, martyrs Oct. 19 | St. Paul of the Cross, priest Oct. 20 | St. John of Capistrano, priest Oct. 23 | Feast of Ss. Simon and Jude, apostles Oct. 28

work life

Although I understand your concern, don’t overreact to her news. Your daughter is at the age where she is discovering how she fits in the world of work. Expressing her thoughts to you is a healthy conversation; celebrate her God-given gifts and continue to encourage her process of selfdiscovery. She needs someone who loves her to provide confidence to her dreams; soon enough, others will begin offering challenging and, too often, negative feedback. Tell her about the many talents and gifts you see in her. Some of our greatest strengths come so naturally that we don’t even notice or value them. For this reason, it’s important to take note of the activities and occupations toward which she gravitates and does well. Periodically ask questions about what she likes about school, a job or hobby. Actively listen and watch her response, including her eyes, facial expression and tone of voice. Her heart and soul are just as likely to exhibit themselves in her mannerisms as in her words. When you note enthusiasm, tell her, “You have energy when

T. Gennara

My daughter wants to be a poet! How can I change her mind?

How do I get my toddler T. Gennara

to stay in bed?

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

parenting journey

About an hour after we put our 2-year-old to bed, she is up asking for water. Or a story. Or wants to come into our bed. If we put her back, she cries and carries on. What can we do to make her stay in her own bed?

Our bedtime routine was a favorite with our four children. It began with a slow trip up the stairway, saying goodnight to each relative’s picture along the way. Then, after taking baths and brushing teeth, the children would settle in for the cuddly part of the night. Here are some tips to make bedtime work for your daughter – and to get her to stay in bed.

Look at other parts of the day. It sounds counter-intuitive, but to see why your daughter is getting up, take a look at her naptime. She should be down to just one nap (of about one to three hours). Make sure her nap is early in the day, rather than close to bedtime. When does she wake in the morning? Her total sleep time, including her nap, is about 12 to 14 hours at

this age. Be consistent every day! If you keep her up later on weekends by taking her with you to visit friends, then it is difficult for her body to readjust. Having a baby-sitter come to your home will help keep her on schedule. Start cherished routines. Engage in quiet activities, rather than roughhousing, when bedtime is approaching. Children love lullabies; they will think your voice is enchanting! Take requests! My daughters begged for “The Castle Song” [Castle of Drom-

what gets my goat

ore] and my son was partial to “You Are My Sunshine.” Insert their names into the lyrics. Your child probably will become relaxed and drowsy after stories, songs and prayers. Here’s an extra tip for parents of infants: Sleep experts recommend that babies be put to bed when they are drowsy – don’t wait until they have fallen asleep in your arms. These babies are more likely to soothe themselves back to sleep after nighttime awakenings, just as they do when they first fall asleep. Start early and you may avoid the 2-year-old who’s up all night. Stuffed animal for security. Having a special nighttime sleeping buddy may help. We love the imaginations of toddlers and preschoolers, but not when that imagination leads to bad dreams. I used to give my children “alternate endings” so that their bad dreams turned out fine. Then I put them back to sleep with a new, cheerful dream. Remember to pray with your daughter before she goes to bed. She will turn to God for comfort throughout her life.

We’d like to host a big neighborhood block party – but the neighbors across the street are real “stick-inthe-mud” types and are likely to object to the street being closed off by the city. Is there a good way to persuade them to join in the fun and let us have ours?

It’s a party!

Having a block party can create a sense of family within the neighborhood – which leads to neighbors getting to know each other and caring for each other. This is a reflection of the Gospel message. Here’s what I suggest to

of organizing the first block party. They can share ideas with the neighbors, get their reactions and get commitments. Some neighbors may say, “We’re going to pass this time, but we don’t object.” But some neighbors may really object. If it’s a small minority, you should plan

help make this a success: In every neighborhood, there are two or three families who are closer to each other because they’ve lived there a long time, their children are friends or they belong to the same churches or civic groups. These families could assume the responsibility

Unless your neighbor is a stick-in-the-mud Dr. Gelasia Marquez is a psychologist and family counselor.

the party anyway. Decide how you will minimize the impact on their privacy. For example, make sure nobody cuts through their yard and that they can get their car in and out. Then, you will have honored their objections, but everyone can still have fun!

FAITH Magazine / October 2010 / www.FAITHmag.com

“ He’s gained weight and I’m not attracted to him anymore.” Susan says: Ken was fit and handsome when we got married. We used to spend a lot of time outdoors playing tennis and hiking. Now, the only exercise he gets is the weekly walk around the yard behind the lawn mower. The rest of the time he does nothing but watch sports on TV – and it shows. This is becoming a “deal-breaker” for me.

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“ I’m too stressed to exercise.” Ken says: Susan didn’t mention that I got a new job a couple of years ago. I work long days and have a threehour daily commute. When I get home, I am absolutely Deacon Tom Fogle and JoAnne Fogle help prepare couples for marriage. exhausted. All I want is a few minutes of quiet time on the couch in front of the TV before I go to bed and start the whole between the two of us, and then taking it to prayer, that we were we thing over again in the morning. I’d like a little support, instead able to come to a solution we could both accept. of constant nagging to work out. Ken and Susan, this is a time for the two of you to be open to each other in your communications. Ask what can you do for Tom says, “Most of us were fit and handeach other to keep your relationship number one in each other’s some when we got married, but time, our heart. We both believe the real issue for Ken and Susan is not natural maturing cycle and the stress associ- Ken’s weight! That is a manifestation of something deeper: a ated with daily life tend to modify us.” loss of feeling special in each other’s eyes. For example, if it was Along with the inevitable pull of gravity and the normal only about the lawn not being mowed, Jo suggests you could changes of time, having a new job with a long commute and hire someone to mow the yard, thus creating some time for the no time for exercise can take a physical toll and put a stress on two of you to go hiking, or play a game of tennis, or maybe just marriages, as well. planning a 30-minute walk twice a week so you can share some Ken and Susan need to become intentional about the adjustevents of your day. ments both need to make. The fact that Ken has a daily three Paradoxically, Ken also may find he has more energy just by hour commute most certainly will cut down on the time both expending a little energy. Even a short walk in the evening with will have to spend together nurturing their relationship. When Susan, after the daily commute, would be enough to gain additional we marry, the vows we take, in part, say, “in sickness and in energy. While they are walking and talking, they should refrain health.” Jo thinks they should also say, “... and especially when from put-downs and innuendoes. Focus, instead, on what made our bodies change due to difficult schedules and lack of the your relationship grow, why you fell in love with each other, why right activities.” you are proud of each other and what makes your spouse special. We remember all too well the time in our life together when Tom Remember that loving someone means helping them see new ways was faced with a long commute each day and the toll it took on our to grow. In fact, when you rekindle that special feeling for each family life and on our relationship. It, too, became a deal-breaker other, you will once again see Jesus in the face of your beloved and for us; it forced us into making a difficult, life-altering change. As Jo it will become a whole lot easier to forgive each other for the weight pointed out, it was only after a lot of heart-to-heart communicating redistribution that mother nature inflicts on all of us.

He said | She said what do they do?

your marriage matters

8 Dear Fr. Joe:

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How does the pope pick his name? @

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

Why do popes always seem to choose a previously used name? If they are doing so to honor a previous pope, how can we tell which one? Did Pope Benedict choose his name to honor Benedict I or Benedict XV, or someone in between?

Now there’s an interesting question! If you take a peek at the Bible, you’ll see that there are a few times where God changes someone’s name. Take a look at this passage from Genesis 32:

in the know with Fr. Joe

Jacob was left there alone. Then some man wrestled with him until the break of dawn. When the man saw that he could not prevail over him, he struck Jacob’s hip at its socket, so that the hip socket was wrenched as they wrestled.

What’s worse than finding a worm in your apple? Finding half a worm.

The man then said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go until you bless me.” “What is your name?” the man asked. He answered, “Jacob.” Then the man said, “You shall no longer be spoken of as Jacob, but as Israel, because you have contended with divine and human beings and have prevailed.” If you get a chance, be sure and read the whole chapter – it’s a pretty amazing story. So, Jacob, whose name meant

“laughter,” had his name changed to Israel, which means “wrestles with God” or “contends with God.” Here’s a passage from Matthew 16: When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.” Here, we see God taking Simon, whose name means “pebble” and changing his name to “Peter” which means “rock.” In both cases, God changed a person’s name. In the first, God changed Jacob’s name because of a momentous event. In the second, Jesus changes Simon’s name because he gave Peter a significant mission and purpose. Peter’s whole life changed and he became the rock on which Jesus would build his church. In the same way, when someone becomes pope, he experiences both of those things: a momentous event and a new mission. The momentous event is, of course, being named pope. The new mission is to continue to build on the rock that Jesus gave us. That’s the “why” of the name change. In regards to why they pick the names they pick, they do so to indicate the kind of pope they are going to be. They pray very seriously about what God is calling them to do as pope and then chose a name that will signify that special calling. On April 27, 2005, Pope Illustration by Bob Patten

FAITH Magazine / October 2010 / www.FAITHmag.com

Benedict explained why he chose the name Benedict: Filled with sentiments of awe and thanksgiving, I wish to speak of why I chose the name Benedict. Firstly, I remember Pope Benedict XV, that courageous prophet of peace, who guided the church through turbulent times of war. In his footsteps, I place my ministry in the service of reconciliation and harmony between peoples. Additionally, I recall St. Benedict of Nursia, copatron of Europe, whose life evokes the Christian roots of Europe. I ask him to help us all to hold firm to the centrality of Christ in our Christian life: May Christ always take first place in our thoughts and actions!

On sale now

What would

St. Francis watch? Read more of Paul Jarzembowski’s thoughts on www.spiritualpopcorn.blogspot.com.

f St. Francis of Assisi were around today, what would be in his Netflix queue? Perhaps one of the most “green saints” in Catholic tradition, Francis (patron of ecology, the poor and simple living) probably would rent movies that advocated a more responsible, peaceful approach to all God’s creatures. He might enjoy a big-budget action film like The Day After Tomorrow (2004), which depicted the catastrophes that might happen to the earth should the polar ice caps melt due to climate change; or an award-winning drama like Gorillas in the Mist (1988), the true story of Dian Fossey, who worked in Rwanda to protect the wildlife from illegal and cruel poaching. More recently, though, Francis might also have found a kindred spirit in the character of Jake Sully, who walked without fear amongst the Pandoran wilderness in James Cameron’s Avatar (2009). This is a movie that touches on several themes common to the life and ministry of St. Francis, although its inherent theology is not compatible with Catholicism:

What does St. Francis have to say? “Be praised, my Lord, through our sister Mother Earth, who feeds us and rules us, and produces various fruits with colored flowers and herbs.” “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love.” “No one is to be called an enemy. All are your benefactors, and no one does you harm. You have no enemy except yourselves.” “Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” Through a fictional alien landscape,

several critical Catholic social issues were raised, including ethnic and tribal genocide, ecological destruction and exploitation, lack of intercultural communication and the respect for the life and dignity of all God’s people (Na’vi or earth-bound). These were some of the social concerns that Francis encountered in the 12th and 13th centuries, which we continue to experience in our own time. In Avatar, the main characters were able to enter another world, just as Francis was able to walk into the Muslim camp during the crusades. To work toward real social justice, like Jake Sully or Francis of Assisi, we must cross borders and immerse ourselves in solidarity with creation, the poor and the oppressed. This might be an impoverished area of the world, the prejudice experienced in the local community or one’s own irresponsible carbon footprint. Wherever it is, let us walk like Francis and sow seeds of peace, reconciliation and incredible care for all of God’s creation.

spiritual popcorn

So, there ya go! Our pope chose his name to honor and emulate two different Benedicts. He chose Pope Benedict XV so that he could use his papacy to be a man of peace and reconciliation. He chose St. Benedict of Nursia so that he could help guide people to a deeper commitment to their Catholic roots. What a blessing we have in Pope Benedict! Let’s be sure and hold him in our hearts and prayers. Enjoy another day in God’s presence!

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FAITH Magazine / October 2010 / www.FAITHmag.com

Once upon a time T. Gennara

Make this vintage-style clock

By Michelle Sessions DiFranco | Photography by Philip Shippert

lbert Einstein once said, “The only reason for time is so that everything doesn’t happen at once.”

for. Sure, it is limited. Yes, it cannot be replenished. But that’s the point. If it were limitless, we would put off all the important things God wants us to do. Perhaps the problem is that our perspective on this matter is off, since we often don’t make good use of that great gift. We see time as a burning wick, limiting what our short lives can accomplish in the realm of temporal, worldly achievements (which ultimately leave us feeling unfulfilled in the end anyway). But, if we keep in mind our purpose – to love God and each other – we can see time differently. It is like the gasoline we carry for an important trip across the state. It is what we are given to use as efficiently and effectively as we can toward bringing our Lord’s kingdom to earth. It is, in short, what we must invest to get to heaven! Now, that doesn’t make deadlines go away. And it certainly doesn’t make the end of my life easier to accept when my time has run out. But, if it helps me make better decisions on how my time can be spent, and if it encourages me to do more for my fellow brothers and sisters, then maybe, just maybe, I can better answer that question, “What was God thinking when he invented that?”

For this project, you will need: • Cigar box • Clock mechanism with hands (usually around $5 at any arts-and-crafts store or online) • Scrapbook paper, trimmed to 8½ x 11” • Computer and printer • Scissors or craft knife • Glue stick (or double stick tape) • 1 small crucifix charm with loop removed (small wire cutter tool) • Metal/jewelry cement • Cordless drill, with appropriate-sized bit (look at size of mechanism’s diameter) • One AA battery Almost any found object can be turned into a really cool, decorative clock: A photo frame, wooden tray, collector’s tin or almost anything from the woodcraft section of an arts-and-crafts chain will work. I prefer the vintage/oldworld look, so I chose a distressedlooking cigar box. Don’t have one? Don’t worry. Use what you have. First, apply the main message or graphic on the face of the object. I printed out a quote on time (on 8 ½ x 11” scrapbook paper), trimmed it to its appropriate size and adhered it to the front of the box. Next, drill a hole where the clock mechanism and hands will be placed. Use your craft knife to carefully remove any loose wood or paper around hole. Position and adhere (w/ cement) the crucifix charm at 12 o’clock. You can add three other time markers at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock. Markers can be created with stickers, gemstones, paint or thumbtacks (just to name a few options). Finally, insert the clock mechanism through drilled hole (inside front or back of cigar box) and assemble according to the mechanism’s instructions. Install battery, set the time and close the box.

culture

Well, I’m not one to argue with a mind like Einstein’s, but, at my house, it usually seems that everything is happening all at once. And for busy adults, time is the ever-looming menace. Along with its schedules and deadlines, it is what ages us, runs out on us and cannot be stopped. Like mosquitoes, the flu and other earthly scourges, time is one of those things that makes us ask, “What was God thinking when he invented that?!” Seems such a cruel thing, time. Or is it? We often hear or speak the phrases, “There’s never enough time,” or “I’m not getting any younger,” and, my personal (and often-used) favorite, “Time is against me.” With so much jammed into our days as we try to accomplish everything under the sun, we end up asking ourselves, “Where did the time go?” But before we lament time and its ceaseless march, there is one way in which time is our greatest friend. Look at it through the eyes of our faith. Envision time as a gift given to us by God. Time is the currency we are given to spend entirely for what we were made

Vintage-style clock

12 borne witness to an “unbroken tradition.” For example, when St. Pius V promulgated the Missal of the Council of Trent (1548-1563), he ordered that some rites be restored “to the original norm of the holy Fathers” (Quo primum, 1570) referring to writers of the Patristic Age. Likewise, the bishops of the Second Vatican Council (1961-1965) built upon the Missal of Trent, this time aided by amazing discoveries of ancient church orders, fresh linguistic scholarship and research in liturgical history (cf. General Instruction of the Roman Missal 6-15).

D. Quillan

Why do we do that at Mass? T. Gennara

The order of the Mass

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

n the middle of the second century, St. Justin Martyr wrote to Antonius Pius explaining what Christians do when they gather for worship:

and the people assent, saying Amen; and there is distribution to each, and a participation of that over which thanks have been given, and to those who are absent a portion is sent by the deacons …” (First Apology Chapter 67 nos.3-5,

“ … And on the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together in one place, and the memoirs of the apostles and the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits; then, when the reader has ceased, the president verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these good things. Then we all rise together and pray, and as we before said, when our prayer is ended, bread and wine are brought, and the president in like manner offers prayers and thanksgivings according to his ability,

Those practices should sound very familiar to us in the 21st century. For what St. Justin is describing is very similar to our present day Liturgy of the Word and Liturgy of the Eucharist.

trans. Lawrence Johnson).

A witness to unbroken tradition Throughout church history, the structure of the Mass has undergone development from a variety of liturgical families, cultures and language groups, but we have steadfastly

Among other things, they restored the Prayers of the Faithful, embraced a fuller treasury of Scripture readings, added eucharistic prayers based on ancient anaphoras and restored the use of vernacular languages while preserving the use of Latin. In the next few years, we will see a new English translation of some of the texts we use at Mass, but the Order of Mass will stay the same. In future articles, we will examine each part of the Mass and the upcoming changes in the texts of prayers, but this issue will simply look at the current structure.

The Order of Mass – an integrated whole It helps now and then to step back and see how the Mass flows from ritual element to ritual element and how those parts make up a cohesive whole. “The Mass is made up … of two parts: the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. These, however, are so closely interconnected that they form but one single act of worship. For in the Mass, the table both of Christ’s word and of Christ’s Body is prepared, from which the faithful may be instructed and refreshed. There also are certain rites which open and conclude the celebration” (GIRM 28). The purpose of the Introductory Rites “is to ensure that the faithful who come together as one establish communion and dispose themselves properly to God’s word and

FAITH Magazine / October 2010 / www.FAITHmag.com

Pilgrimage destination of the month

the Eucharist by which his sacrifice on the cross is continuously made present. He took the bread and wine, gave thanks, broke the bread and gave it to his disciples. In his memory, we continue to take, bless, break and give in the Liturgy of the Eucharist. In the preparation of the gifts and the altar the priest receives our gifts of bread and wine. In our great prayer of thanksgiving – the Eucharistic Prayer – we offer God thanks and the simple gifts become the body and blood of Christ. In the fraction rite (while we chant the Lamb of God) we break the bread. And in the distribution of Communion, we receive from one bread and one cup. Some of you may remember the old formula of the Mass, ite missa est – “Go, it is the sending.” From that word “missa” we get dismissal and mission. From that word missa we get Mass. In our brief, yet profound, Concluding Rite we are still blessed and dismissed so that, nourished by word and sacrament, we may go out and tell the good news of our salvation. tilma of Juan Diego that bears the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, especially around her feast day of December 12.

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

Tepeyac, Mexico Tepeyac, or the Hill of Tepeyac, is located in Mexico City. It is the site where the Virgin of Guadalupe appeared to Saint Juan Diego in 1531. Believed to have been a pre-Columbian worship site for the mother goddess, Tonantzin, it has become one of the most popular pilgrimage sites for Catholics as millions visit each year to view the

The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe houses the original tilma of Juan Diego. It was built by the same Mexican architect who designed the Estadio Azteca. Because of the number pilgrims that visit the Basilica each year, it is considered second only to Vatican City in terms of sanctuaries important to Catholicism. It can seat 10,000 people with temporary seating available for up to 40,000.

The order of Mass of Paul VI Introductory Rites • Opening Hymn • Greeting • Penitential Rite (or Sprinkling Rite) • Glory to God • Opening Prayer (or Collect) Liturgy of the Word • First Reading • Responsorial Psalm • Second Reading • Gospel Acclamation • Gospel • Homily • Profession of Faith • General Intercessions Liturgy of the Eucharist • Preparation of the Altar and the Gifts • Presentation Hymn • Prayer Over the Gifts • Eucharistic Prayer Thanksgiving Acclamation(s) Epiclesis Institution Narrative and Consecration Anamnesis Offering Intercessions Final Doxology • Lord’s Prayer • Sign of Peace • Invitation to Communion • Communion Procession [and Communion Hymn(s)] • Prayer after Communion Concluding Rites • [Announcements] • Greeting • Blessing • Dismissal • [Closing Hymn]

theology 101

to celebrate the Eucharistic worthily” (GIRM 46). Even the procession of the presider and other ministers through the assembly, as we sing the opening hymn, is an act of gathering. We begin with the sign of the cross, recall our sins or the waters of baptism and sing the ancient hymn of praise, the Glory to God. The opening prayer (also called the collect since it “collects” all our prayers) sets the character for the whole celebration. On Sundays and festive days, the main parts of the Liturgy of the Word are the three readings and the chants between them – one from the Old Testament (except during the Easter season), one from the New Testament and one from the Gospels. Next, the homily explains the readings and relates God’s living word to our daily lives. We affirm our adherence to the Word by means of the profession of faith (cf. GIRM 55). Finally, we offer our petitions in the prayers of the faithful, praying for ourselves and the whole world. At the Last Supper, Christ instituted

FAITH Magazine / October 2010 / www.FAITHmag.com

Praying with

the saints of autumn

uring October, we celebrate some significant feast days: St. Therese of the Child Jesus (1), Guardian Angels (2), St. Francis of Assisi (4), Our Lady of the Rosary (7), St. Teresa of Avila (15), St. Margaret Mary Alacoque (16), St. Luke (18), Sts. Simon and Jude (28). Each saint reflects some particular aspect of God for us; their lives are intended to encourage us, guide us and inspire us to live for God. I am going to suggest we pay close attention to two of them this month: St. Therese of the Child Jesus and St. Margaret Mary Alacocque.

St. Therese of the Child Jesus

Pause and reflect: How can you grow in child-like obedience to God? During October, ask St. Therese to help that you, too, might follow her example.

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque St. Margaret also was a French religious sister, but was very different from St. Therese. Sister Margaret Mary lived in the 1600s. Christ appeared to her frequently, acting himself as her spiritual director, and confiding to her the mission of establishing devotion to his sacred heart. It was St. Margaret Mary who began the practice of a holy hour before the Blessed Sacrament and the first Friday devotions. Jesus himself called her the beloved disciple of his sacred heart. In showing Margaret Mary his burning heart, Christ said, “Behold, this heart which has so loved men and is so little loved in return.” In the midst of all these powerful revelations, she experienced the disbelief of her community and superiors, which led to tremendous suffering that she endured in humility and charity, offering it that God’s love might be known. In today’s world, most of us, even strong Christians and Catholics, do not begin to comprehend the love that God

has for each one of us. St. Margaret Mary suffered much – mentally, emotionally, physically – to proclaim the love of the sacred heart of Jesus for each one of us. Pause and reflect: I encourage you to read a good biography of both St. Therese and St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. Both men and women can benefit from the lives of these two saints. God offers them to us to widen our vision, to receive encouragement and wisdom to run on the path to holiness – and to run, so as to win!

Spiritual exercises: Ponder these Scripture passages: Matthew 18:1-4 “At that time, the disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them, and said, ‘Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.’ ” And John 14:15-21 “If you love me you will keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father and he will give you another Counselor, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees him nor knows him; you know him for he dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you desolate; I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me; because I live you will live also. In that day you will know that I am in my Father and you in me and I in you. He who has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me; and he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”

spiritual fitness

Therese loved the saints and wanted to be one. She wanted to be a missionary, yet knew God was calling her to the cloister. Instead of just dreaming about being a missionary saint, she allowed God to form her as he wanted. So, first, she submitted to God’s plan for her life. Then, as she entered into a more mature spiritual life, she realized how little and helpless she was to imitate the great saints, as she saw them: Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross. So she asked Jesus’ arms to be her elevator, to lift her up to God, the Father. In a very simple, child-like, humble spirit, she kept asking God for help, as a child would ask a loving parent. And God did not fail her! Her trust became so unbounding that, on her death bed at 24, when she was corrected for an irritable response, instead of falling into understandable self-pity, she just rejoiced: “O, another opportunity to ask forgiveness and rely on the mercy of God!” Her path to sanctity became known as the “little

way.” She showed how accessible true holiness can be for each one of us.

T. Gennara

Sister Ann Shields is a renowned author and a member of the Servants of God’s Love. Questions can be addressed to Sister Ann Shields, Renewal Ministries, 230 Collingwood, Suite 240, Ann Arbor, MI 48103

FAITH Magazine / October 2010 / www.FAITHmag.com

By Nancy Schertzing | Photography by Jim Luning

cover story

elfina thought she was in love. to her parents. This time, they welcomed their daughter with And at 17, thinking her boyfriend open arms, assuring her they would love her baby as their own. “My father said ... his granddaughter would be his princess, was the love of her life, she made and if I had a son he would be Grandpa’s boy.” Delfina smiles. a mistake. But the day she con- “My mother told me she would love my baby more than me,” firmed her pregnancy, she laughs. “That made me feel good, because I wanted her boyfriend told her What is anencephaly? my parents to love my baby. he loved another girl. Her father had warned her the young man would never be there for her if she became pregnant. Her mother had wanted to believe her daughter’s denials of pregnancy. When Delfina finally admitted she was expecting a baby, her father turned and silently went into his bedroom. Her mother angrily threw her out. For a few weeks, Delfina slept at friends’ houses, including the house where the father of her unborn baby was staying. During this time, she came to understand her father had been right. Her dream shattered, Delfina returned home

Rihanna Aeryn developed in utero without a brain, a condition called anencephaly. This neurological defect arises within 26 days of conception when the head end of the embryo’s neural tube fails to close. This causes the baby to develop with reduced or absent brain hemispheres, skull and scalp. Often a rudimentary brain stem is present, so some babies live a short time past birth. There is no treatment for this condition, which is always fatal. In the U.S., anencephaly affects about one in 150,000 babies. Though Aeryn’s family did not donate her organs, the church allows this practice, saying “It is most commendable for parents to wish to donate the organs of an anencephalic child for transplants that may assist other children, but this may never be permitted before the donor child is certainly dead.” – From Moral Principles Concerning Infants with Anencephaly, by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, reported in L’Osservatore Romano, Weekly Edition in English, 23 September 1998, page 6.

From then on they called the baby our baby – not mine, but ours.” Delfina’s first ultrasound showed her baby developing normally, except for a black spot in the skull. Her doctor immediately referred her to the hospital. Tests and subsequent ultrasounds confirmed that Delfina’s baby girl was developing without a brain. “Right after I learned I was pregnant,” Delfina recalls, “a friend encouraged me to have an abortion since the baby’s father wouldn’t be there for me. If I did it right away, he said, my parents wouldn’t ever have to know. Even if no one was

19 there for me, I would have my baby and raise “But I had alit by myself. ready decided. “Then when the doctor told us my baby I told them didn’t have a brain, he said I should think about having an abortion. He said she wouldn’t that if God live very long, and she might even die in my gave this belly. My mother said she didn’t want to see baby to me, our baby suffer. “But I had already decided. I told them that he’s going to if God gave this baby to me, he’s going to have have to take to take her away. I was not going to have an her away. I abortion. I was going to love her for as long as God gave me. was not go “My dad was crying. He’s the kind of man ing to have an who doesn’t cry in front of his children. But abortion.” that day he cried in front of me. “My mom called her sisters, friends, neighbors and family in Mexico, asking everyone to pray for a miracle. My family in Mexico had a Mass said for our baby. For the next six months, my parents, “The nurse told me she was gone, and asked if I’d like to hold brothers and I prayed every night that our baby would be OK. her one last time. I did. When she was back in my arms, my baby “On Feb. 9, I went to school like usual, but started to have started breathing again! It was rough breathing, but she hadn’t pains in my belly. They seemed to be coming about five minutes really died! This happened another time until my father held her apart, so I called my dad. He came and took me to the hospital, again, and her breathing evened out. Soon the priest came and and my mom joined us. I didn’t want to take anything for the baptized her there in our room. pain because my mom delivered her babies without pain medi“The nurses told me I had given my baby so much love that cines, but when they broke my water around 2 a.m., I almost she didn’t want to leave. I had been praying that God would gave in! give me another day with Aeryn, but I hated to see her suffer “The baby was ready to come out, but her butt was coming ing. So as I held her, I told my baby it was OK to go. I promfirst. I pushed for a while, and just as the doctor was putting on ised her I would be alright and I wouldn’t do anything crazy his gloves to try to turn her, I gave another big push and she was after she left me. there! It was 3:16 a.m. on Feb. 10. “At 10 that morning, Aeryn died in her grandma’s arms. My “I couldn’t hear her crying when she came out, so I asked my mom gave her to me to say my final goodbye. This time she was mom, ‘Did God give us the miracle we had asked for?’ She told really gone. The nurses took her to clean her up for the last time.” me ‘No. She has no brain.’ As soon as the nurses cleaned her up, “I didn’t know it, but my mom had a baptismal gown ready for they put a knit cap over her head and along the side of her face Aeryn and a crown of roses. In Mexico when a baby dies, they where her right eye should have been. have a special ceremony called De Coronacion, because we say “We had chosen the name Rihanna Aeryn – Rihanna for the the baby is an angel or a princess of God. Soon my mom’s friend singer and Aeryn because it means Queen of Air. As soon as her arrived with the gown and the women got her ready.” cap was in place, my mom gave me my Aeryn for the first time. On her hands they placed the rosary and tiny gold ring the “For me, she was the most beautiful baby ever. I was so happy nurses had given Aeryn. On her head, the baptismal gown bonshe was alive ... that I got to see her! She wasn’t perfect, but to me net rested with a wreath of small white flowers that became her she was beautiful. I didn’t see her as sick at all, just as my baby crown. They laid her in a hospital crib and surrounded her little body with baby’s breath. Then, one by one, each woman placed a that I had loved for so long. “Sitting there in the room with Aeryn was amazing! My dad single white rose with Aeryn in her crib. held her for a while, and he couldn’t stop talking! He told her Delfina stayed with her tiny princess all day and through a lot of beautiful things, like ‘You are my princess’ and that he the night until the funeral home workers came to take her for cremation. loved her so much. She tried to look at him, “When we found out my baby had no brain, and when she opened her eye I could see that I was so mad at God!” Delfina recalls. “I reit was green, like my uncle’s. She even drank If you have member my father said then, that maybe God from a special bottle the nurses gave me for had an abortion, needs another angel. After all our prayers for a babies with cleft palettes! Project Rachel miracle, we didn’t get the healthy baby we had “It was perfect. But after almost 24 hours, offers a healing wanted. I wanted her to be alright. But I think Aeryn began to shake, and she was having a ministry. Contact God does things for a reason.” hard time breathing. The nurses said she was them confidentially at “Maybe God did need an angel, and that’s why having heart attacks. They took her to give 517.745.5579 he took my baby. But he gave me a day with her, her some medicine to ease her pain, and she or at vgale@ and it was the most beautiful day ever. To see stopped breathing as they were trying to clean dioceseoflansing.org. her live – that was my miracle.” her up.

The Potter f brought to you by St. Vincent Catholic Charities

Catholic Charities in the U.S. traces its roots back to 1727 when the French Ursuline Sisters opened an orphanage in New Orleans. Catholic institutions were also established in major cities along the east coast, providing homes and education for children whose parents were lost to disease and tragedies common in early America. By the early 20th century, a Catholic Charities network had developed to provide social work and health care and serve as an advocate for the poor. The following stories illustrate some of the ways Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Lansing helps people in need.

The rest of the stories:

Rob, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Annâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, Minh and Deacon Jim

hen Mike and Missie Potter married, they wanted to have a large family. After their first two daughters were born, however, Missie had trouble conceiving again. Surgery and drugs didn’t help, so Mike suggested putting their money into a sure thing – adoption. In 1989, they received their license for foster care, and soon they had a 4-month-old boy to care for. When it didn’t work out for the Potters to keep him, they were heartbroken. There was good news, though: Missie was pregnant with their third daughter. Shortly after her birth, they were asked to take a 17-monthold boy, Micah, who had been severely neglected, had rotten teeth, and didn’t speak. When he was 4, they were able to adopt him. Then Missie gave birth to daughter number four. With five children, they closed their foster care license. But God had other plans for the Potters. They began thinking that Micah should have a brother, so they went to St. Vincent Catholic Charities in Lansing – and adopted Mason, Marcus, and a year later, Mack. Now they have four biological daughters, four adopted sons. It was two members at their non-denominational church in Holt who work at St. Vincent who recommended Catholic Charities to the Potters. “We have had such a good experience with St. Vincent,” Missie says. “Our licensing and adoption workers are amazing. They have helped us through the difficult adoption process with integrity and professionalism, always being straight with us. They show empathy and sympathy during the frustrating times, they value us as parents, and they love kids and care about them and their family. “And, a little thing – though it’s big because kids’ lives are at stake – they always return our phone calls in a timely manner. We recommend St. Vincent to others all the time because many people who want to adopt don’t know where to start.” Mike adds that “St. Vincent has always been there to give advice, be a resource for the adoption process, and help us to contact the right person at the county or state. They also provide workshops and support groups for those interested, and keep us up-to-date on the world of foster care and adoption. “Our sons received through Catholic Charities have been a ton of joy to me. Each one has their own personality, from helpful and wanting to learn, to reserved. One steams ahead and asks questions later. Our life would be radically different without them.” Missie says that their faith was important in their adoption decisions. “We are crazy about these kids, just like God is crazy about us. We are adopted into God’s family just as they are adopted into ours. We love having a big family, as do our children. We are learning to trust every day now that God will provide for us, both emotionally and financially.” Their family may increase by one more soon. Mike and Missie are trying to adopt the baby sister of three of the boys. By Bob Horning | Photography by Tom Gennara

Catholic Charities

family

How Catholic Charities helped Rob get

clean and sober

Catholic Charities

ob Gillespie started taking drugs and drinking alcohol at 16. He says it wasn’t because he had a bad childhood, but to compensate for being timid and his low self-esteem, and because he felt like he didn’t fit in with other people. Over the years, he went from drinking all night to selling marijuana, to taking 40 vicodin pills (a pain killer) per day when he opened his own repair business. From vicodin, he went to oxycotone, a synthetic heroin, which he ground into a powder and snorted. Then, to cut his cost in half, he began using a needle to inject the heroin. By this time, he was selling $4,000 to $6,000 worth of drugs every day to pay for his own habit, and had people working for him. In the midst of all this, Rob got married in 2004. He was 30 and he hated who he had become. “Every morning, I woke up mad,” he said. “I stuck a loaded gun in my mouth, and I had a syringe in the other hand. I wanted to die. Life was so miserable that one day I said to God, ‘Either let me die or help me.’” The next morning a bounty hunter from Tennessee (where he had a felony pending for drug dealing), broke into his house, handcuffed him, and took him to jail in Tennessee. For the next two months, he went through dextoxification, with convulsions, cramps and diarrhea, and lost 30 pounds. “Finally one morning.” Rob says, “I woke up feeling good physically, the best I had felt in years. I decided to never touch

drugs again.” Back in Michigan, Rob was looking at 14 years of prison due to his felonies. Instead, he was allowed to enter felony drug court. If he got through a year of therapy, drug testing, and monthly visits with the judge, the charges would be dropped from his record. That’s when Catholic Charities of Shiawasee/Genesee Counties came in. Rob thought he had to be a Catholic to receive therapy there, but found out differently. “My therapist was outstanding,” Rob says. “She is a recovering addict herself, so she understood me, and didn’t look down on me. She was the first therapist that I could trust. I stayed clean and finished drug court in September 2009. I am in a 12-step program now, and haven’t had a drink or drug since June 28, 2007. Vicky Schultz, county CEO of Catholic Charities, hired Rob to paint a room at the main office in Flint; then to paint practically the whole building. Finally, she hired him as a full-time maintenance worker at the soup kitchen. “Working there makes me feel good inside,” Rob said. “I was a menace to society; now I’m helping society. Catholic Charities is a Godsend. They do so much good for the community.” Rob’s goal is to get a master’s degree in social work and become a drug counselor. “I no longer have an obsession with drugs and alcohol. My struggle now is to be responsible and do things the right way. I still get angry and make bad decisions, but my story lets people know that if I can stay clean, anyone can. You just can’t do it by yourself.” By Bob Horning | Photography by Tom Gennara

FAITH Magazine / October 2010 / www.FAITHmag.com

save her marriage

Ann* (left) speaks with counselor Adrienne Rowland at Catholic Charities in Jackson County

or years, Ann* and her husband donated money to Catholic Charities in Jackson County because it was local and because they knew they did good work. So when her husband retired and marital problems came up during the adjustment to his being home all the time, Ann said to herself, “Why not try counseling there? “I had thought that their clientele was only the underprivileged, but it turns out that they accept people like me, too, who have insurance and can afford to pay. And they are as professional and capable as any counselor I have gone to. In fact, Adrienne Rowland, my counselor, is the best I’ve had. “At the beginning, since I was so upset, I went every week. Now I go once a month for maintenance, and will soon stop completely since I’m doing * Name has been changed

much better.” During the sessions, Adrienne pointed out that Ann’s marriage was emotionally abusive, which she hadn’t recognized. “I learned a lot about myself and about the banter we were engaged in,” she said. “As my self-image improved, I saw that I could set limits to our conversations and remind him that I was a person, too, when his treatment of me was unacceptable. I became a stronger person, and didn’t need to defend myself in inappropriate ways. I also learned that I wasn’t responsible for his problems, only my own.” Ann said that her husband strongly resisted the idea from Adrienne that he attend an aggression intervention group, but that he eventually agreed to go to a therapist he knew. “I give him credit for being willing to work on our marriage. This is a second marriage for both of us, so we bring a lot of baggage. But we have been married more than 20 years because we are both committed to making it work.” One thing Ann appreciated about the counseling is that Adrienne is Catholic, so they could talk about

spiritual matters. “Besides, Adrienne is comfortable to be with,” she said, “a good listener, and because she understands me, gives me valuable feedback. I appreciate that. That is better for me than someone who listens but doesn’t comment much. Yet, Adrienne does it in a way that she isn’t telling me what to do. She says, ‘Maybe you should try this,’ and then leaves it up to me. She also has recommended books and other resources that have helped me. “Though I am old enough to be her mother, she is a good fit for me, and I think she could help a person of any age. We have developed a friendship during the counseling, to the extent that Adrienne has asked me to help with the Project Rachel group that Catholic Charities of Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale Counties is starting.” Project Rachel is a national organization that helps post-abortive women. “My hope is that more people will take advantage of the counseling at Catholic Charities,” Ann said. “It has helped me be a better wife, and I want to be a good example to others.”

By Bob Horning | Photography by Tom Gennara

Catholic Charities

How Catholic Charities helped Ann

Minh Tran helps Vietnamese

refugees

Catholic Charities

inh Tran’s teenage years were typical in many ways. He spent much of the time frustrated by his parents, who wouldn’t allow him to sleep in and kept him busy with a seemingly endless list of chores and requests. But there was a higher calling to Tran’s teen angst – even if he couldn’t see it at the time. Tran’s parents – his late father Ban and mother Tinh – worked tirelessly to help families from their native Vietnam resettle in the Lansing area, just as they had done in the mid-1970s. For years, whenever a family arrived from Vietnam, the Trans greeted them at the airport to help ease the shock of their arrival in a strange new land. They helped the refugees navigate the difficult transition to an unfamiliar environment and language and secure the basic needs to start their journey in America. Minh, the youngest of eight siblings and the only member of his family born in the U.S., was nearly always drafted to serve as a Vietnamese-English translator. That meant waking up early to accompany his parents and

refugees who needed to break the language barrier to get jobs, enroll in school or apply for social services. Minh sacrificed sleep, his social life and many of his clothes, which would mysteriously disappear from his dresser – and later wind up on the backs of teens fresh off the plane from Vietnam. “I hated it,” Minh Tran, now 32, says with a laugh. “I had no idea why I was being made to do these things. I would get so frustrated. But my parents would say, ‘it will come back to you son.’ Lo and behold, now I see why they made me do those things.” Today, Minh Tran is honoring and building on his parents’ legacy of compassion and grace by serving on the board of directors for St. Vincent Catholic Charities, which provides a variety of social services, includ-

ing refugee resettlement in the Lansing area. Minh and his wife, MaryAnn – who live on Lansing’s west side with their daughter Emilynn, 6; and son, Evan, 1 – recently made a major donation that will help the charity continue its mission. He’s also coordinating a project to help families the Trans helped resettle to tell their stories. The Tran family fled Vietnam shortly after North Vietnamese forces captured Saigon on April 30, 1975, to end the Vietnam War. They were among tens of thousands of refugees trying to escape the country and its new communist rulers. “They lost everything,” Minh said. The Trans, who’d lived just south of Saigon, slipped out of the country on Ban’s fishing boat, with Minh’s mother and siblings stowed away in the bottom of the craft to avoid pirates or North Vietnamese patrols. They eventually reached a crowded refugee camp in Thailand, where violence was commonplace and begging for food was often the only way to survive.

“I am so blessed I was born here and I didn’t have to go through all that,” Minh said. “Just hearing the stories amazes me.” The family ultimately resettled in Lansing with the help of several families from Holy Cross Parish, which sponsored the Trans and worked through Catholic Social Services to ensure their arrival as one of the first Vietnamese families in the area. Adapting to colder weather and a new language was difficult. But slowly, the Trans made the transition and began to plant roots in their new home. Ban and Tinh raised their family with a strong faith in God and became heavily involved at Holy Cross Parish. Later, they helped found St. Andrew Dung-Lac, a Vietnamese parish of about 200 families. The Trans mentored the majority of the families in some fashion, Minh said. They provided food, clothes, translation, transportation and other basic needs. The Trans also happily shared their wisdom, hard-won lessons about making it in America and the importance of faith in strange new surroundings. “My parents just took it upon themselves,” Minh said. “They knew the new refugees would be more comfortable dealing with us than anybody else. It was just something they loved.” And that love was reciprocated by hundreds of refugees who considered the Trans to be adoptive “parents.” When Ban Tran died in February after a long-running battle with emphysema, thousands of mourners jammed the ceremony to honor the 87-year-old patriarch, Minh said. Minh’s mother, Tinh, 77, remains a driving force at St. Andrew Dung-Lac, which she helped renovate. She lives just a few miles from the church on Lansing’s south side.

By Todd Schulz | Photography by Tom Gennara

FAITH Magazine / October 2010 / www.FAITHmag.com

to be a friend

oe Mike is 96 and just moved into a nursing home, but Deacon Jim Chevalier still visits him and his wife, Irene, every week as part of the Livingston County Catholic Charities Friendly Visitor program.

Since his ordination to the diaconate in 2003, Deacon Jim has been involved in the program, following in the footsteps of his wife, Linda. “I bring the Eucharist to them and stay and talk. Most weeks, Joe and I toss a Nerf ball back and forth, maybe 300 to 500 times, and play a couple games of checkers. He enjoys it and it is good for his mind and body. I stay a couple hours each time. They are a joy to be around. They have been married 72 years and love Jesus. The aim of the Friendly Visitor program is to provide someone

Catholic Charities

Deacon Jim’s mission

for the client to talk to, and is one part of the Interfaith Volunteer Caregiver Program, which assists older or disabled adults, including those with social and/or economic needs, to remain independent and in their own homes. Someone can request a friendly visitor for themselves or for a friend, neighbor, or relative. The Mikes’ daughter called Catholic Charities after Joe had a stroke six years ago to see if there was someone who could visit him. “From the first time Deacon Jim came, he and Joe hit it off,” Irene says. “He is a very nice person, and even looks a lot like our son. Joe looks forward to his visit every week. When he comes, we say our prayers, he gives us the Eucharist, then spends time with Joe. I call the Friendly Visitor a silent program because a lot of people who could use it don’t know about it. It has been a blessing for us.” Another person Deacon Jim visited was a former minister. When Deacon Jim realized that their conversations were limited to weather and relatives, he decided to take the man out to lunch every week. For the next two and a half years, the change in setting helped the man to talk more, until he developed dementia and moved from the area. Before his involvement with the Friendly Visitor program, Deacon Jim did other work in the Caregiver Program. He regularly took elderly or disabled people shopping or to doctor appointments. Sometimes that meant a six-hour round trip to University of Michigan Medical Center for treatment. He also helped pack and deliver boxes of goods for the needy at Christmas time. Earlier this year, Deacon Jim was recognized for his service to Catholic Charities at their 25th anniversary dinner.

Coming next month: Washtenaw County Catholic Social Services provides respite for caregivers. Read our moving feature about Joe Lubens.

St. Vincent Catholic Charities, Lansing A volunteer information session is scheduled for Oct. 7, 6 p.m.-8 p.m. at the service center, 2800 W. Willow, Lansing. If you would like to attend the volunteer information session, contact Elyse Lee at 517.323.4734 ext.1204 or leee@stvcc.org.

Catholic Charities North End Soup Kitchen Serves an average of 750 meals a day. This is made possible through the help of

volunteers. Please consider donating your time and call 810.785.6911 or cpettit@ ccsgc.org. Catholic Charities of Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale Counties Oc. 21, 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. 5th annual Blessed Mother Teresa Society Fundraising Reception will be at Father Williams Hall, St. Joseph Parish in Adrian. RSVP by Oct. 14 to 517.263.2191 or cburgett@tc3net.com. Please Note: The date of this event has changed from previously published announcements.

By Bob Horning | Photography by Tom Gennara

things to do

Catholic charities:

Catholic Charities of Shiawassee and Genesee Counties In Genesee County, more than 50 percent of the grandparents over the age of 60 are responsible for raising children. If you know a grandparent caregiver in need of respite or supportive services, contact Greg Wilson at Catholic Charities 810.232.9950.

things to do: Sept. 24-26, Jackson Family Fall Festival will be at the St. John Catholic Middle School, 915 Cooper St. Raffle ticket for $3 – cash prize of $18,000 or car. Oct. 2, 6 p.m.-8 p.m. – Hannah’s House International Dessert Night and Silent Auction Fundraiser at Mt. Hope Church Garden Prayer Chapel, 202 S. Creyts Rd., Lansing. For tickets, call Stephanie Johnson at 517.482.5856.

community

Oct. 1-3, Retrouvaille, Español and English Oct. 22-24, is a program to help troubled marriages. For more information, call Jason and Amy Konz at 419.481.1116; 3033@retrouvaille.org or 800.470.2230. Website is www.HelpOurMarriage.com. 2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m., Oct. 3, 19th annual Life Chain, on the north side of Grand River Ave. from Abbot Rd. to Williamston. For more information, contact Ann Zygmontowicz at 517.352.7651. St. Mary Catholic School, Pinckney October events are: Oct. 2, Road Rally 6 p.m.; Oct. 6, Parent Presentation by Marcia McEvoy on Bullying Pre-

vention 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m.; Oct. 8, Consignment Sale 4 p.m.-8 p.m.; and Oct. 9, Consignment Sale 8 a.m.-3 p.m. 6:30 p.m., Oct. 4, St. Martha, Okemos will have Protecting God’s Children Awareness Sessions for Adults. For more information, contact Sally Ellis at 517.342.2551. You can preregister for a session at www. virtus.org. Please do not call the hosting parish to preregister. A Beginning Experience weekend will be held in Lansing Oct. 1-3 for individuals grieving the loss of a love one through death, divorce or separation. For more information, call 517.449.3906 or e-mail habusta@aol.com. 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Oct. 5, Learning to Live with Grief, seven-week grief group meets Tuesdays at St. John Vianney Church, 2415 Bagley Street, Flint. Fee is a free-will offering. For more information, call Sheila Kelly, LMSW, certified grief counselor at 810.874.6609 Immaculate Heart of Mary, Lansing’s Religious Education Program for 3-year-olds to sixth-graders will be taking registrations in September. Classes will begin the first week of October. If you have questions, call JoAnn Angers, director of religious education at

October café events Oct. 17-20, St. Gerard, 4437 W. Willow, Lansing will have a Parish Mission. Sessions each evening at 7 p.m.; teen sessions Sunday and Monday; dinner served at 5:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday; childcare and rides available, call the office at 517.323.2379. St. Martha, Okemos will study the Book of Revelations, Sunday evenings, 6 p.m. in the Knights of Columbus Room. Cost for materials is $27. To register, call Katrina Iamarino at 517.347.3353 or isishstate@sbcglobal.net. Praying with Body, Mind and Spirit: Finding Peace will be 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Oct. 16, at Visitation North Spirituality Center, 7227 Lahser Rd. in Bloom-

Pilgrimages: Medjugorje Pilgrimage Oct. 31-Nov. 10 with Father Bill Ashbaugh, who will once again join us as spiritual director for the trip. For more details on this affordable trip, please call Nancy Duey at 517.518.1222 or e-mail nancymedj@gmail.com. Mar. 23-31, 2011 – a Lenten pilgrimage to the Holy Land with Father Andrew Czajkowski, pastor of St. John the Evangelist, Davison. Trip includes round trip air, hotel, bus, guide and 15 meals. Cost per person, $2,999 (Double), taxes, $150. For info, call St. John Church at 810.653.2377.

517.393.3033. 5:30 p.m., Oct. 28, the seventh annual Benefactors Dinner, benefitting the St. John Church and Student Center Endowment for American Catholic Thought and Culture will be held at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center at Michigan State University. For further information, contact Katie Cervenak at 517.337.9778 or katie@ elcatholics.org.

or visit the website at www. lansingcee.org. St. Robert Bellarmine, Flushing has a new women’s divorce support group. For information, call 810-659.2501.

Genesee County will have its annual CROP Walk Oct. 10. If you would like to participate, please contact your parish.

Oct. 9, Lansing Catholic Singles fall events include: 4:30 p.m. Mass at Immaculate Heart of Mary followed by dinner at a local restaurant; Indian River color tour; shopping in Frankenmuth; dinner theater at Turkeyville and more. For more information, call 517.321.7886 or e-mail lansingcatholicsingles@live.com.

An Engaged Encounter weekend will be Oct. 9-10. To register, please contact Jim and Beth Sabin at 517.750.9898

11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Oct. 10, St. Elizabeth, Tecumseh has its annual roast beef dinner. A raffle will also be held.

field Hills. Cost is $45. To register, call 248.433.0950. St. Matthew, Flint’s Continuing Catholic Development program is called Family Faith Formation. It meets 9:45 a.m.-11:15 a.m., Sundays. For a complete 2010-11 schedule of meeting dates or to register, call the parish office at 810.232.0880. Immaculate Heart of Mary, Lansing has Bible study 7 p.m., Tuesdays and 9 a.m., Thursdays at in the parish office. For information, call Leah at 517.393.3030. 7 p.m., Oct. 7 is a lecture, “The Catholic Imagination and the American University” presented by Dr. Robert Orsi, author of The Madonna of 115th Street and Thank You St. Jude at the Michigan

State University Kiva in Erickson Hall. It is free and open to the public. St. John, Howell will have: Adult Faith Formation - Lunch with a Book. All you need is the love of a good story and a bag lunch. Classes are 11:30am-1 p.m. Tues. Oct. 12-Nov. 6. A Quick Journey Through the Bible. You can choose either, Tuesdays from 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Oct. 12-Nov. 30 or Wednesdays from 10:30 a.m. to noon, Oct. 13-Dec.1. For more information, e-mail Tim Carpenter at tcarpenter1@ parishmail.com or call the parish office, 517.546.7200. Father Dennis Brown, from the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, is starting a new lay group using The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. The group will meet monthly at St. Patrick, Ann Arbor for Mass at 6 p.m. followed by class, 7 p.m.-9 p.m. To learn more, contact David and Diane Eriksen, 248.437.9611 or deriksen@ cablespeed.com.

FAITH Magazine / October 2010 / www.FAITHmag.com

4 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Oct. 10, St. John, Howell’s Knights of Columbus will have an Oktoberfest Dinner. All are welcome. 5:15 p.m., Oct. 11, the annual Red Mass will take place in St. Mary Cathedral with Bishop Earl Boyea presiding. The St. Thomas More Award banquet will follow immediately after in the Cathedral Hall. Volunteers are needed for the Prisoner Pen Pal Program. It is a Catholic program of the Diocese of Lansing that has volunteers write letters to Michigan prisoners. For more information, contact Joe Dionise at the Diocese of Lansing at 517.342.2495 or jdionise@ dioceseoflansing.org. Marriage Matters of Jackson will have an All About Us - Fall Get-Away Marriage Retreat 5:30 p.m., Oct. 15, to 4 p.m., Oct. 16, at Camp Michindoh Hillsdale, 4545 E. Bacon Rd. For more information or to register, contact Marriage Matters of Jackson at 517.796.5116 or info@ marriagemattersjackson.com. 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Oct. 16, Praying with Body, Mind and Spirit: Finding Peace will be at the Visitation North Spirituality Center, 7227 Lahser Rd., Bloomfield Hills. Cost is $45. To register, call 248.433.0950. Oct 16, St. Catherine Labouré, Concord will have its annual craft show. For more information, contact Shelia Melvin at 517.474.1743. 9 p.m, Oct. 17, Frank Runyeon will be at Holy Family, Grand Blanc to present the Gospel of John and Hollywood versus Faith. For information call Jan Gravel at 810.694.9072 ext. 151.

6:30 p.m., Oct. 16, the Knights of Columbus at St. Patrick Parish, Brighton is presenting a Polish Dinner Dance at the St. Patrick Parish Life Center, 710 Rickett Rd. Advance reservations only. Cost: $30 per person. To register, please call the parish office 810.229.9863, ext. 217 or Don Sucher 810.231.3504.

9 a.m.-9 p.m., Oct. 30, St. Paul, Owosso will have a 12hour crop at Father Kolenski Hall; Cost is $40 per person. To register, send check payable to St. Paul School, with name, address and phone to Char Richardson, St. Paul Catholic School, 718 W. Main St., Owosso.

Oct. 23, St. Joseph, Dexter will have its Silent Auction 2010. This year’s theme is a tribute to great movies and Broadway musicals. Please call the parish office at 734.426.8483 or drop off donated items for the auction during office hours, Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1 p.m.-5 p.m.

Nov. 12-13, Holy Redeemer Catholic Council of Women, Burton is holding a Fall Scrapbooking Crop. Registration deadline is Nov. 9. If you have questions or to register, call Beth Clark 810.250.6012 or e-mail theclarkconnection@yahoo.com.

9 a.m.-4 p.m., Oct. 23, Elizabeth, Tecumseh will have its 30th annual Arts and Crafts Bazaar in the parish center at 506 N. Union. Admission is $1. Raffle for an Amish quilt with the country love theme. Tickets are $1 or six for $5. Vendor space is available by contacting Tina Skornika at 517.815.1556.

2010 Catholic Deaf Mass schedule for St. Mary Cathedral, 219 Seymour Ave., and St. Gerard, 4437 W. Willow Hwy.: 4:30 p.m.,Oct. 2, St. Gerard; 4 p.m., Oct. 17, St. Mary Cathedral; noon, Oct. 24, Bishop Family Day; 4:30 p.m., Nov. 6, St. Gerard; 4 p.m., Nov. 21, Location TBA; 4:30 p.m.,Dec. 11, St. Gerard; and 4 p.m., Dec 24, St. Mary Cathedral Crypt.

Noon, Oct. 24, Family Day Mass with Bishop at St. Mary Cathedral, followed by lunch. All persons with disabilities and their families from the diocese are welcome to attend. Cost $4 per person. RSVP required, call 517.342.2497 or jdavis@ dioceseoflansing.org. 7:30 p.m.-9 p.m., Oct. 26, an evening session on annulments will be held at Holy Family, Grand Blanc. Presenter is Eileen Jaramillo, MDiv, JCL, a tribunal judge. The session is open to everyone. There is no need to register

Saint Joseph Academy and Montessori Children’s House’s fourth annual Family Fall Festival 1p.m.-4p.m., Oct. 17, For more information on activities and pricing, please visit www. sjaschool.org.

6 p.m., Oct. 29, St. Martha School, Okemos will have the Mighty Miracle Masquerade and 17th annual auction at MSU University Club James B. Henry Center. A silent auction, entertainment and hors d’oeuvres, followed by a live auction. Bid items can be previewed at stmartha.maestroweb.com. Call 517.349.3322 to order tickets and for advertising opportunities.

Project 2o3 will be Oct. 17 at St. Robert Bellarmine and a lock-in Nov. 20-21 at Holy Family from 9 p.m. Saturday to 6 a.m. Sunday. Please contact Amber Zelley at Holy Family, Grand Blanc at 810.694.9072 ext. 153.

Oct. 31, St. Robert, Flushing will have a Super Salad Buffet and Bingo. Doors open at 12:30 p.m., salad buffett at 1:30 p.m. and bingo games begin at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 and are available at the parish office.

11 a.m., Oct. 24, St. Mary, Chelsea: Disagreements about how to parent children occur in all families, but when a child is disabled, disagreements can easily lead to conflict. Dr. Mary F. Spence will provide information that can reduce the degree of conflict. Contact Cathy Guinan, 734.475.8164 or ceguinan@aol.com Oct. 21, 12th anniversary celebration at Holy Spirit Oratory at Immaculate Heart of Mary, Lansing. Mass 6:30 p.m. followed by a talk on “Meeting Jesus through Eucharistic Adoration” by Father Jeffrey Njus.

2010 Flint Deaf Mass schedule for St. John the Evangelist, 600 N. Adelaide St., parish facilities: 10 a.m., Oct. 10, Chapel; 10 a.m., Oct. 31, Church; 10 a.m., Nov. 7, Chapel; 10 a.m., Nov. 21, Church; 11 a.m., Dec. 5, Chapel Mass and Christmas Party; 10 a.m., Dec. 12, Church; and 10 a.m., Dec. 25, Chapel.

Retreat Centers: Bread of Life Retreat Residence, Ann Arbor, 734.332.9733 Father Dennis Brown, OMV leads the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Contact him at AnnArborRetreats@aol.com. For information concerning retreats, email the Bread of Life at breadoflife@hughes.net or visit www.eucharisticlife.org. Weber Retreat Center, Adrian, 517.266.4000 Oct. 8-10, Quilting Retreat – Piece Work, Soul Work; 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Oct. 13, Gussy Up Your Spirit – Contagious Joy; 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Oct. 9, Blessed are the Peacemakers: Following the non-violent Jesus in a world of violence; Oct. 22-24, Walking Barefoot on Holy Ground; and Oct. 25-29, second session, Skills of Facilitating Workshops. Bethany House, DeWitt A Confirmation Retreat will be held Oct. 8-10. The retreat begins at 7 p.m. Friday and ends with lunch on Sunday. To book this date, please call Sheila at 517.669.8321 ext 11. Dominican Center Marywood, Grand Rapids, 616.643.0371 or register online at www.dominicancenter.com 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m., Oct. 2, Women of God; 6:30 p.m.8:30 p.m., Oct. 6, 13, 20 and 27, Faith and Meaning for a Culture Seeking Hope; 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Oct. 5, 12 and 19, Parenting: Peaceful, Harmonious Family Life; Oct 22-24, A Metta – Loving Kindness Retreat; Oct. 22-23, Contemplative Outreach Retreat; 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m., Oct. 26-May 3, Group Spiritual Direction; and 2 p.m.-5p.m., Oct. 30, Letting go of Stress Prepare for the Holidays

28 New team takes on leadership of Adrian Dominican Sisters

Catholic urban project launched

The Adrian Dominican Sisters marked the transfer of leadership to a new prioress and General Council during a special eucharistic liturgy held on July 3 at St. Dominic Chapel at Siena Heights University. The new prioress and councilors are: Sister Attracta Kelly, OP, prioress; Sister Tarianne DeYonker, OP, general councilor and vicaress; Sister Julie Hyer, OP, general councilor and administrator; and Sister Corinne Sanders, OP, and Sister Kathleen Schanz, OP, general councilors.

Catholic Urban Project is a summer service program for young adults, hosted and coordinated by St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Ypsilanti. In this eight-week program, students come together to live and serve in a particular urban setting. Foundational to the

experience are community living, faith formation and direct service to the local community. For more information about volunteering or making a donation, contact Rachel Thelen, director, 734.483.3360 or email rachel@catholicurbanproject.org.

local news local news

Camp de Sales The Western Province of the Oblates of St Francis de Sales hosted 11 eighth-grade boys from Nativity Prep School in Wilmington, Del., Eastern Province. The boys, who had never traveled to Michigan, were overwhelmed with the welcome they received at Camp de Sales, Brooklyn. “It is a pilot program that is tuition free. It is important for kids from the inner city to be exposed to God’s nature. We are a witness to Christ’s love. During evening prayer/reflection they are very profound in their sharing,” said Brother Dave Patterson. Reunion Retreats offered at Lawrence Lodge. If interested in a taking a retreat, visit the Lawrence Lodge website www.desales.org.” – Jan Hoffbauer

Diocesan Youth Leadership Camp

Merger creates Catholic Charities of Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale Counties

St. Mary on the Lake, Manitou Beach parishioner, Amelia Sibrt, attended the 25th annual Diocesan Youth Leadership Camp. She was among 88 campers and 12 leaders who were at Bethany House in DeWitt to enhance their leadership skills. “The highlight was the small group functions. We all got along great. We were cut off from the world and formed a new bond,” said Amelia. “It was a great faith experience for the young people. It will help them become leaders for their parish, school and community,” said Jean Schaub, St. Mary on the Lake, pastoral coordinator. The campers learned listening and communication skills and will go back to their parishes and become stronger leaders. – Jan Hoffbauer

Catholic Charities of Jackson and Catholic Charities of Lenawee have merged to form Catholic Charities of Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale Counties. Each agency brings a long history of serving families and individuals. The new name reflects the three counties that it now serves. The agency has three main locations. In Jackson, it provides services at 1522 Joy Ave. and 407 S. Mechanic Street. In Adrian, its office is located at 199 N. Broad Street; and it also provides services in Hillsdale County. The merger of the two agencies allows it to strengthen and expand the services Catholic Charities is able to provide to those in need. Anyone desiring to support the work of Catholic Charities of Jackson, Lenawee, and Hillsdale Counties can do so by contacting any of the three site locations. To learn more, please contact the Adrian agency at 517.263.2191 or the Jackson agency at 517.782.2551 to participate in a tour or visit its website at www.ccjax.org.

Habitat for Humanity and St. John the Evangelist Parish St. John the Evangelist parishioners have been involved with Habitat for Humanity since 1989, when the organization was formed in Jackson. Volunteer Del Thomas said, “I was waiting for a phone call to play golf, but

Jim had a better idea.” Jim Schneider has recruited many volunteers to help with everything that is needed to prepare the homes. They are especially proud of a house they recently finished. “We have completed our first fully compliant ADA home. The family was renting a two-story townhouse with the

bathroom upstairs. They have a 12-yearold boy with cerebral palsy who needed to be carried upstairs,” said Jim. The family provided the required sweat equity and was excited about their new home. If interested in getting your parish involved, contact Habitat for Humanity of Michigan at www.habitatmichigan.org.

FAITH Magazine / October 2010 / www.FAITHmag.com

Merger of parishes creates Light of Christ Catholic Church

Knights of Columbus Council 3027 raise $4,000 for vocations

its first pastor. Father Loughran acknowledged that the merger has been tough for many people. “Certainly it’s been difficult. People have a lot of history and affection for their parish communities,” he said. “But by and large I think it’s going very well.” The merger means operations can be streamlined with one parish council and one staff, and allows Father John to better serve his parishioners.

Youth group summer work camp The youth communities of St. Gerard in Lansing and St. Mary in Chelsea spent the week of July 25-31 in the Appalachian Mountains of Pennsylvania with Young People Who Care. YPWC is an organization founded in the 80s by the sisters of the Community of the Anawim in the Diocese of Erie. Each day, the youth began with Morning Prayer followed by an hour of picking in the blueberry patch. Most of the sisters’ income is dependent on the sale of blueberries. Following that, they were divided into teams that visited nursing homes, built handicap ramps, repaired roofs, painted, remodeled, tied vines in a vineyard and cleared home lots of brush and weeds. They were allowed one shower for the week and the rest of the time bathed in the Susquehanna River. The week was spent living in solidarity with the poor and being good stewards of God’s creation.

Msgr. George Michalek appointed judicial vicar Msgr. George Michalek was appointed judicial vicar for the Diocese of Lansing in May and the installation ceremony was held in June. As judicial vicar, he serves as a judge for the diocese in cases heard in the tribunal. The court hears cases involving marriage annulments, the investigation of possible miracles and advising the bishop on canon law.

Holy Spirit hosts the seminarians Seven of the Diocese’s seminarians – Neil Atzinger, Joel Downs, Gary Koenigsknecht, James Mangan, James Rolph, Daniel Westermann and Gabriel Yurko – did a walking pilgrimage to visit our parishes. They began at Daniel’s home parish St. Mary, Pinckney and walked to St. Joseph, Dexter; St. Thomas the Apostle, Ann Arbor; St. Patrick, Ann Arbor and then to Holy Spirit in Brighton where they were welcomed by Father John and the Knight of Columbus Council 7891 who hosted a potluck dinner in their honor. The final leg of their journey they visited St. Joseph, Howell, St. Agnes, Fowlerville and last St. Mary, Williamston where they stopped for the evening and had dinner.

“Each diocese has a court,” Msgr. Michalek said. “It’s just like the federal government; it’s divided into the executive, legislative and judicial branch wing of the Catholic system.” Some of his other positions are vice chancellor, archivist, vice president of Faith Catholic for the board of directors, trustee of the National Association of Catholic Diocesan archivists and Faithful Friar of Michigan District II Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus.

St. Louis Center’s 16th annual golf and glory dinner and outing The St. Louis Center Golf and Glory Outing combined forces with Paesano’s Restaurant and University of Michigan Golf Course in Ann Arbor to make this one of the premier golfing events in Washtenaw County. Starting with a spaghetti dinner at Paesano’s on June 21 and concluding with a premium golf outing on June 22, the friends and benefactors of St. Louis Center raised nearly $50,000 to benefit the developmentally disabled children and adult residents who call St. Louis Center their home. St. Louis Center is celebrating its 50th year of service in Southeast Michigan. For more information about St. Louis Center, visit www.stlouiscenter.org.

local news

July 10, the Knights of Columbus Msgr. Esper Council #3027 held its 5th annual ‘Returns’ for Vocations fundraiser. The council represents Most Holy Trinity Parish of Fowler. The group raised $4,000 to aid local seminarians by collecting returnable bottles and cans and monetary donations from the community. The event was a way for the community to ‘return’ support to their local seminarians. More than 70 volunteers participating in the collecting and sorting.

On July 1, St. Peter the Apostle in Blissfield and St. Alphonsus in Deerfield officially came together as one new parish with a new name – Light of Christ. After the merger, both church buildings will continue to operate with Masses and other ministries at both locations, but as one new parish community with Father John Loughran as

The new director of the formation department for the Diocese of Lansing

meet Father Linden

Father John Linden

ather John Linden is the new director of the Diocese of Lansing’s formation department. He succeeds Father Jerry Vincke, who is serving as a spiritual director at the North American College in Rome. FAITH sat down with Father John to find out more about him and about his work. Father John was born in Tecumseh in 1966. His family moved to Onsted and Father John grew up there and graduated from Onsted High School. He attended Ferris State University, Jackson Community College, Holy Apostles in Cromwell, Conn. and Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. As a seminarian, he was an intern at St. John Parish, Davison, and as a deacon, he served at St. Patrick Parish, Brighton. Since his ordination in 2007, he has been the parochial vicar of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Ann Arbor. What is the most encouraging or hopeful thing about vocations today? I am so impressed and encouraged by the faith that so many of the young men have in Christ’s love for them – and by their desire to convince others of his love. We have a lot of young men who are, primarily, so very humble, which is a very important characteristic in a priest. Humility gives the Lord room to work – like everything, it can be used for growth. What are your biggest challenges as the director of the formation department? I hope to make sure that the fear of my own weaknesses and inadequacies doesn’t get in the way of the Lord’s work. I realize how important it is for me to continue my own growth in believing that this is predominantly his work, not mine. As I think about how vital it is to keep in mind that I am

doing Christ’s work and not my own, I think of Bishop Mengeling’s Episcopal motto, “He must increase.” That keeps me focused on the real reason for everything I do. Another challenge for anyone who works in vocations is to help convince men that Christ may be calling them to the priesthood. Often, these men hesitate because they think they won’t be happy, or there is too much to give up, or they are just not worthy. I can tell them honestly that I have gained much more than I’ve given up – even though it’s not always easy, the rewards are great. And I also assure them that they only need to bring who they are to this process of discernment – Christ will supply the rest

What is your primary goal? I hope to form men who have Christ’s heart, who look on their flock with a shepherd’s care, patience, perseverance, firmness, gentleness and love. If you are inWhat about those called to lay ministry, terested in talkthe diaconate or religious life? I hope to ing with Father lead all who God is calling to work in ministry John about a within the church, whatever their particular vocation, please vocation, to be fearless, not disheartened. contact him at We believe Christ is present in all of us – we jlinden@dioceseoneed to allow Christ to flourish in our lives – flansing.org or call to give him permission. 517.342.2504. Photography by Tom Gennara

FAITH Magazine / October 2010 / www.FAITHmag.com

Jackson Lumen Christi Catholic High School partners with Siena Heights University

Immaculate Heart of Mary-St. Casimir School have unique new opportunities

Miraculous Medal, Jackson.

Bishop Earl Boyea announced the following priest appointments and transfers which took effect June 30, 2010:

Reverend Timothy Nelson – currently pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Flint to also serve as chaplain of Father Luke M. Powers High School, Flint.

Reverend Steven Anderson – from administrator of Good Shepherd, Montrose and part-time chaplain of Father Luke M. Powers High School, Flint to administrator of Holy Redeemer, Burton. Reverend David Hudgins – pastor of St. Joseph, Adrian to also be pastor of St. Joseph Shrine, Brooklyn. Reverend Prabhu Lakra – from parochial vicar of St. Gerard, Lansing to parochial vicar of St. Francis of Assisi, Ann Arbor. Reverend Timothy MacDonald – from pastor of Holy Redeemer, Burton to pastor of Queen of the

Reverend Michael O’Brien – from parochial vicar of St. Thomas Aquinas, East Lansing to administrator of Good Shepherd, Montrose and part-time chaplain of Father Luke M. Powers High School, Flint.

Father John Linden, director of Formation for the Diocese of Lansing, throws the first pitch at the 12th annual Lansing Lugnuts game on Catholic Vocations night, Aug. 20.

from parochial vicar of St. Francis of Assisi, Ann Arbor to chair of the Central Service Department of Formation and diocesan director of Seminarians. Reverend James Lothamer, SS – from pastor of St. Agnes, Fowlerville to senior priest status. Reverend Jeffrey Poll – from parochial vicar of Queen of the Miraculous Medal, Jackson to administrator of St. Mary, Durand.

Reverend Carl Simon – from pastor of St. Joseph Shrine, Brooklyn to parochial vicar of St. John the Evangelist, Davison.

Reverend Robert McGraw – from pastor of Queen of the Miraculous Medal, Jackson to pastor of St. Agnes, Fowlerville.

Reverend Charles Canoy – from parochial vicar of St. Andrew the Apostle, Saline, to faculty of Sacred Heart Major Seminary, Detroit.

Reverend Gerald Vincke – from chair of the Central Service Department of Formation and director of Seminarians to spiritual director at the Pontifical North American College, Rome.

Reverend John Linden –

Priest anniversaries

60 years Father Marian Lesniak

55 years Father John Canavan, Father Brendan Ledwidge and Father Paul Cummings

50 years Father Paul Grehl and Msgr. Robert Lunsford

45 years Father Nicholas Ritter, Father Roland Calvert and Father Frederick Taggart

local news FAITH at 10

Priest assignments

Mary Lynne Bridge Fosdick

The eighth grade students at Immaculate Heart of Mary-St. Casimir School will embark on a unique opportunity this year. Each quarter, the students will work extensively with an organization and assist in real-life situations that apply their knowledge

and challenge their critical thinking. Their first quarter will be working with a process engineer at Sparrow Health Care. They also will study the Mass with pastors Father John Byers and Father Bill Lugger, participate in a special project at the Michigan Historical Museum and work with endangered species through Michigan State University Extension Service.

top ten

Siena Heights University recently announced a partnership with Jackson Lumen Christi Catholic High School that will allow qualified LCCHS graduates to receive a guaranteed minimum of $5,000 in financial aid and additional dedicated scholarship commitments. Lumen Christi

becomes the first Michigan high school outside of Lenawee County to partner with Siena Heights. For more information about the partnership or about other scholarship opportunities at Siena Heights University, call 800.521.0009 or www.sienaheights.edu.

notes:

Monday, October 11, 2010

St. Mary Cathedral, Lansing | Mass at 5:15 p.m. | Dinner at 6:15 p.m.

25th Annual

Red Mass

Presentation of the Award Recipient:

Rev. Msgr. Michael D. Murphy

Moderator of the Curia, Diocese of Lansing

Honoring

Patrick R. Van Tiflin Lansing area Attorney

As he receives the prestigious Saint Thomas More Award

For more information or to RSVP, visit home.catholicweb.com/lansingcatholiclawyersguild or contact Robert Andretz at RobertAndretz@aol.com or Thomas Brennan Jr. at thomasbrennanjr@comcast.net

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