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World Youth Day

FAITH exclusive

from the bishop

“This is the year of the pope”

Interview with Martin Sheen

You have a right to be alive!

A n n u A l

e v A n g e l i z A t i o n

A p p e A l

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contents 6 yourlife PUBLISHER

Rev. Dwight Ezop

EDITOR AND CHAIRMAN

October 2011 • Volume 12: Issue 8

Patrick M. O’Brien

PRESIDENT/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Elizabeth Martin Solsburg

DIRECTOR OF CUSTOM PUBLISHING/ EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Cynthia Vandecar

MARKETING MANAGER

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ART DIRECTOR

Michelle Hildebrandt

GRAPHIC DESIGNER/WEBMASTER

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EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

InnerWorkings

PRINT MANAGEMENT

Cari Ann DeLamielleure | Michelle Sessions DiFranco | Doug Culp | Dcn. Tom and JoAnne Fogle | Marybeth Hicks | Rev. Charles Irvin | Paul Jarzembowski | Rev. Joseph Krupp | Dr. Gelasia Marquez | Dr. Cathleen McGreal | Andrew Peltcs | Sister Ann Shields | Todd Schulz CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

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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. ©2011 FAITH Catholic. FAITH is a trademark of FAITH Catholic.

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table of contents

6 work life Other employees can telecommute.

I’m resentful of that privilege 8 parenting journey The disaster zone my teen calls home 8 conflict resolution Someone was texting during the whole movie

10 yourfaith 10 in the know with Father Joe What do I say when someone dies?

12 spiritual fitness Too ‘connected’ to connect?

14 from the bishop You have a right to be alive!

15 yourstories 15 my story Craig puts God on your calendar 16 teen essay winner My brother’s cancer tested my faith 18 our story Daniele and Catey helping making houses into homes in Flint 20 cover story Teens visiting teens who are locked up – Zach, Craig and Ellen go to Boysville 24 FAITH exclusive Where Martin Sheen is headed 24 World Youth Day “This is the youth of the pope!”

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J. luning

Most Reverend Earl Boyea

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liturgical calendar: St. thérèse of the Child Jesus, virgin and doctor of the Church october 1 | St. Francis of Assisi october 4 | Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher, virgin october 6

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The Magazine of the Catholic Diocese of Lansing

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from the editors

Never too young to care

M

y niece, Amy, recently celebrated her 4th birthday. My sister-in-law, Michelle, asked her what she had planned for the year ahead. Amy told her mom that during her fourth year of life she wanted to learn how to swim without wearing her life-vest, be able to dive into a pool, know how to roller skate and ice skate, and learn how to read and do math. Other than that, Amy doesn’t have a thing planned for the year ahead! I have no doubt that Amy, with the help of her mom and dad, will achieve most, if not all, of her goals. with the rest of the parish, the kids had learned about the new compassion ministry that has been formed in our parish to help serve people who are grieving as the result of any sort of loss. Knowing that their classmates experience grief and losses of all sorts, the members of our youth group felt that being trained in offering a compassionate response in ways appropriate to their ages and the situations they encounter will help

saint of the month

away at age seven to become a martyr, but was found and returned home by an uncle.

St. Teresa of Avila

St. Teresa of Avila was born in 1515, Avila, Spain. Her family was of Jewish heritage, however, her father purchased knighthood and the family adopted Christianity.

Teresa was a reformer of the Carmelite order as well as a spiritual mystic, for which she experienced persecution. Her writing of The Way of Perfection is central to Spanish literature and Christian mysticism.

She was raised a pious Christian and ran

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

In the cloister, as she went through stages of silence, recollection, and devotion, as she found unity with God. She frequently experienced the “blessing of tears” during the final stage.

Doctor of the Church

young people at Boysville to learn how to form healthy, trusting relationships.

The young people of our parishes are capable of some pretty amazing things. Sometimes, we adults run the risk of stereotyping them, thinking that all they’re interested in is school, sports and social activities. Instead, they can have a pretty clear sense of how they are called to be about their Father’s business, responding to God’s grace and fostering important and life-giving skills and talents.

In the process of learning what they are truly about, they teach the rest of us about who God calls each of us to become. And so, our journey in FAITH continues. t. gennara

Recently, the young people in our parish youth group met to make plans for the year ahead. Sue Parker, our parish youth minister, shared with me that the kids had made an interesting request as part of their planning. I wondered what it might be – more social activities for the group, or a parish dance?

Perhaps they were thinking about setting up a ping-pong tournament. It turns out I was wrong on all counts. Along

them to be better friends and followers of Jesus. It’s hard for me to argue with that, so I am sure that before the year is through, a number of young people in our parish will be trained to offer compassionate support to their friends.

Zach, Ellen and Craig who are featured as part of this year’s teen issue of FAITH are taking part in some amazing work through their parish youth program. They are doing something that few adults might ever find the courage to do – visiting and offering day-long retreats at Boysville, a correctional facility located in the southern part of our diocese.

The goal of their work is to help the

teresa’s Father becomes a knight.

– Story and illustrations by Chris Sushynski

FAITH Magazine / October 2011 / www.FAitHmag.com

our lady of the Rosary october 7 | St. Callistus i, pope and martyr october 14 | St. tere

So am I supposed to go knocking on people’s doors and tell them about Jesus?

FAITH by the numbers

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et’s face it, when most of us hear the word evangelization, we picture earnest black-suited young men at our doors. I don’t know about you, but when that happens, I usually find myself looking for the quickest way to get the door closed without being completely rude. So when someone suggests that I should evangelize, I picture doors slammed in my face. re-evangelized, and we can do it. It may be as simple as mentioning a great homily you heard on Sunday, or how great the small faithsharing group at your parish is, or inviting them to Mass with you.

Most of all, it means practicing what we preach – a faith lived joyfully is powerfully attractive in a way that a knock on your door at 8 o’clock on a Saturday morning cannot match. t. gennara

But evangelization doesn’t necessarily mean we need to walk up to strangers and try to “close the deal” on getting them to hear the message of Jesus Christ. I am willing to bet there are people in your family, your circle of friends and your workplace who are members of a group that is becoming known as the “largest denomination” in the U.S. – Catholics who no longer participate in the life of the Church.

Those people need to be

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

Her favorite games as a child.

When I am

30 … 89% We asked 18-29-yearolds how they expected to live their faith when they were 30.

said they would attend Mass every Sunday

4%

7%

said they would attend Mass once a month

said they would attend Mass on Christmas and Easter

49 19.5

% of U.S. Catholics age 18-23 expect to attend Mass regularly when they are 30.

teresa, in the convent.

% of U.S. 18-23-year-olds identify themselves as Catholic, 7.1% less than when they were 13-17.

St. teresa was a reformer.

esa of Jesus, virgin and doctor of the Church october 15 | St. ignatius of Antioch, bishop and martyr october 17 | Feast of St. luke, apostle October 18

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yourlife

inside: 8 parenting journey 8 conflict resolution

work life

I’m resentful of that privilege

Q a

Some of my co-workers are allowed to telecommute, but I am not. I know it’s because of the nature of my job being different from theirs, but I can’t help feeling resentful that they have this privilege. How can I avoid showing my resentment when I see them in the office?

Every work situation has positives and negatives. I think the mistake you are making is looking only at what you see as the positives of telecommuting.

Have you asked any of those coworkers about the down side?

When I first started my career coaching business 20 years ago, I worked from home. At first, it was great to

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get up, put on casual clothing and not have to drive through rush hour traffic to an office.

Then my four children came home from school midafternoon and the quiet work environment ended abruptly.

After a year or so, the novelty of the home office started to wear thin. I definitely missed the day-to-day interactions with my colleagues.

Of course, that could just be me; I know others who love working from home. Not everyone’s personality is wellsuited to doing their job outside the office. Employees who operate well in telecommuting situations are those who prefer to work independently without the daily face-to-face contact of an office environment.

There are definite advantag-

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Other employees can telecommute

Nick Synko is a professional career and workplace issues coach. For more information, visit SynkoAssociates.com and CareersThroughFaith.org. es to working at the company location. Employees are more likely to receive specific feedback on their work performance, know more precisely what is expected of them and have opportunities to build solid relationships with other company personnel through team projects, casual conversations, etc.

Your question stated that the telecommuting employees have a different job from yours, which makes it an option for them. Do you have a desire and the option to do their job instead of yours? If so, apply for the next opportunity. If not, find the positives in your own work situation and remind yourself of them whenever the feelings of resentment begin.

The Tenth Commandment says, “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.” I think you could include in this your co-workers’ telecommuting privileges.

St. John de Brébeuf and St. isaac Jogues, priests and martyrs, and their companions, martyrs october 19 | St. paul of the Cross, priest october 20

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Monday, october 3, 2011

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

26th Annual

Red Mass

Presentation of the Award

Hon. MicHael F. cavanagH

Justice, MicHigan supreMe court

Honoring JosepH d. reid

ceo, capitol bancorp, ltd.

As he receives the prestigious Saint Thomas More Award

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

parenting journey

The disaster zone my teen calls home

Q a

My daughter is a slob. Her room is beyond messy; I wouldn’t be surprised to find penicillin growing in there somewhere. I have nagged, given time outs, grounded her – you name it; it hasn’t worked. How can I get her to clean up the disaster zone that is her bedroom?

When Sir Alexander Fleming was on vacation in 1928, he had no idea he would return to his lab to find mold growing on a plate that had accidentally been contaminated.

It’s reported that he said, “One sometimes finds what one is not looking for …” regarding his discovery of penicillin. During the same era, researchers studying parentchild relationships noted the conflicts that arose over keeping rooms clean, styles of dress and other personal preference issues.

The same tensions have occurred across the generations – and gave rise to the proverb, “Cleanliness is next to godliness.”

Although a clean room may not necessarily reflect a depth of spirituality, Scripture is filled with references to cleaning – check out Acts 9:32-10:23 for some examples!

Decide where to draw the line. There is a distinction between clutter and filth.

Old food containers, dishes and soda pop cans can attract insects or become moldy.

The “disaster zone” label will have to be negotiated. For a room to be considered clean, you may think of a neatly made bed, a desk with books and binders stacked at the edge and a floor ready to be vacuumed. Adolescents have quite a different image in

I was in the movie theater the other night and someone in front of me was texting during the entire movie. Although there was no sound, the backlit screen was pretty annoying. Other than the seething I did, how could I have handled this better? face social interaction.

There is no doubt this behavior is annoying, rude and really inconsiderate. The bright light of the cell phone is a distraction for those seated around it.

FAITH Magazine / October 2011 / www.FAITHmag.com

There are some people who have never learned to behave properly in a movie theater.

There are explicit and implicit behaviors and forms of courtesy that people must follow, such as refraining from talking and silencing cell phones.

Next time, don’t seethe. Say a quick prayer for patience, but then find an employee of the cinema, explain the situation and ask for an immediate solution.

S. Kendrick

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Enjoying the benefits. Schedule a regular time over the weekend for household chores. This isn’t punishment; it’s just part of life! It’s her responsibility, but help out during the scheduled time if she needs assistance staying on track. Having friends over to spend time in the clean room afterwards is a great way to follow up the chore time. Birthday or Christmas presents can include cute curtains, pillows or bedspreads that build on the theme of the room!

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

Someone was texting during the whole movie

Texting mania has become a cultural phenomenon; worse than that, it has become a primary mode of communication.

Our generation seems to be distancing itself from face-to-

mind! Once you decide what “clean” will be, help her figure out how to maintain it and what consequences will occur when it isn’t clean.

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Generate simple room makeover ideas! Why not focus on ways to help her plan some benefits of the cleanup by

focusing on some makeovers. Cling-on decals or colorful posters can give a whole new look. Craft stores sell wooden curio shelves that she can paint bright colors.

Find a college-style hamper with two sections: dirty clothes and clothes clean enough to wear again that used to be stored on the floor.

Dr. Gelasia Marquez is a psychologist and family counselor.

St. Anthony Mary Claret, bishop october 24 | Feast of Ss. Simon and Jude, apostles October 28

Follow Bishop Earl Boyea on

Facebook and Twitter • Follow FAITH magazine on Facebook and Twitter: search for faithmag • Follow the Diocese of Lansing on Facebook and Twitter • Sign up for parishioner e-news at www.dioceseoflansing.org • Go to www.faithmag.com for monthly digital editions of FAITH magazine • Free iPhone/iPad app for FAITH magazine: search for faithmag

yourfaith in the know with Father Joe

What do I say when someone dies?

Q

a

My friend’s wife just died, leaving him with three small children to raise. How can I offer comfort? What do you say to someone who’s experienced a real tragedy?

B. patten

This is a great question – it’s one that affords us a chance to look at how we can best help those we love deal with grief.

What I’d like to do is start with the whole idea of what to say and what not to say. This is a question many people ask about and the good is that the question itself shows that we want to love people well and support them rightly.

Like many priests, I feel like a bit of an expert on grief. Most priests deal with death on a daily basis. We sit with families in the immediate aftermath. We walk with

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them through the visitation and funeral process. We also tend to see them following the funeral and the slow mending process. All of my comments here flow from that experience.

So, what should we not say to the family of the deceased?

I want to be clear: In all of the examples I will offer of what not to say, I have no doubt our intentions are good. No one goes to a funeral

What do you call a sleeping cow?

A bull-dozer FAITH Magazine / October 2011 / www.FAITHmag.com

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Dear Fr. Joe:

or a wake and wants to say “the wrong thing.” But we should remember that our good motives aren’t enough.

When talking to the family of the deceased, our goal is not to process our own grief or sorrow, but to offer them our hearts, prayers and support.

We can work through our own grief with others or with the family at a later day when their pain is a little less raw.

First of all – and this is important – we have to realize that there is nothing you can say that will make the situation better. This is a terrible reality, but an important one and, honestly, the root of a lot of the unintentionally bad things we say to others in their darkest hour. We have to abandon the idea that there is something to be said that will end their pain.

With that in mind, I dare say we should avoid theologizing at this point. I’m always amazed at how many people are comfortable telling others that this death is

Send your questions to: “In the Know with Fr. Joe” FAITH Magazine, 1500 E. Saginaw St., Lansing, MI 48906 Or: JoeInBlack@priest.com what God wanted. You may be reading this and thinking, “But it was God’s will.”

I have two things to say to that: First, you have no idea if it was or not. God is not us. The issue of God’s will is an amazingly complex and philosophical one and best not left to be summarized in a four-word sentence. Also, and most importantly, ask yourself how this statement will help the person in grief?

Avoid speculating on the family’s future. I find this one takes two forms: statements of despair and statements about future prospects. By statements of despair, I mean “Oh what are you going to do?” or “How will you raise these kids?” Things like that. As a general rule, the person in grief doesn’t need us to help them remember how hard life is going to be. By statements about future prospects, I mean “Oh, you’re young” or “You’ll meet someone else.” These types of statements don’t help at all and may unintentionally bring more pain.

Don’t compare. Don’t say things like “I know how you feel,” especially if you haven’t

eveRett

spiritual popcorn

Alien inspiration

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ver the centuries, Halloween has conjured up all sorts of frightening images from Dracula to Frankenstein to Wolf Man. But ever since the 1950s, and especially in recent decades, movies have brought a new scary creature into the mix: extraterrestrial aliens.

Yet strangely enough, films featuring interstellar visitors can be incredibly spiritual – as these movies can tell us more about humanity than about the aliens.

Watch the reaction of humans in movies such as E.T. the Extra Terrestrial (1982), Starman (1984), District 9 (2009) or Super 8 (2011). A number of people in these films respond to otherworldly creatures with suspicion and violence; however, a few special characters have another reaction: they treat the outsiders with acceptance, compassion

experienced a loss exactly like theirs. If you are tempted to say, “I know how you feel,” it’s a pretty good sign that you don’t. Everyone’s pain is unique.

In the end, remember a great rule they gave us at seminary: If you don’t know what to say, don’t say anything at all.

There is a power to silence and a sincere affection expressed through a hug, a handshake or a knowing look. This may sound crazy, but if you don’t

and love (like Elliot with E.T., Wikus with the “prawns” and Joe with the unknown being living beneath his town). They take to heart God’s call to always welcome the stranger: “Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels.” (Heb. 13:2) Another spiritual thread running through alien movies is courage. When extraterrestrials are looking to invade the planet, frighten innocent people or destroy civilizations, a few individuals rise up to defend the defenseless and save

know what to say, tell them.

There is a vulnerability in the statement “I don’t know what to say” that shows the family you get it.

So, what do you say?

1. Express your affection.

Let the family know you love them and care about them.

Speak from your heart. Tell the family you care.

2. It’s also good to say something about the deceased: “He was a good

the day. Sigourney Weaver’s Ripley in Alien (1979) / Aliens (1986), and Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Dutch in Predator (1987) summoned the courage to stand up to their alien adversaries when all others fled or were abducted. They mirror prophets such as Amos, Jonah, Jeremiah or Daniel, who stood their ground against their opponents with the strength of God, who said of them: “Fear not, beloved, you are safe. Take courage and be strong.” (Dan. 10:19) Perhaps the most striking lesson we can learn from alien movies is how they inspire humanity to come together and put aside divisions when visitors arrive.

Klaatu implores the human race to end their violent ways at the close of The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951), while the U.S. president reaches out to people from all nations to stand together against the invading armies in Independence Day (1996) – all pointing us in the direction of the vision of Isaiah: “They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. One nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again.” (Isa. 2:4) So this Halloween, instead of being frightened by aliens, let the movies help us to welcome strangers and aliens, to be of good courage and to pray for peace on this or any other planet.

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

man.” “She was a woman of great faith.” “He lived his faith with such devotion.” “She lived with passion.” True statements about why the deceased person will be missed are a real source of blessing. They can remind the family how blessed they have been to have the person in their life.

3. In your words and actions, commit to them. Let the family know they will not walk alone in the future. Let them know you will be there

– not just in the immediate future, but in the long term, as well.

As a solid, overall approach to this, remember your goal is to, like Jesus, offer yourself to the family, pouring yourself out in loving service.

As usual, in all things, pray with all your heart, soul and mind for the family to know God’s love and your support.

Next time, I’ll talk us through how to help a family in grief after the funeral.

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Looking for Sunday Mass while on vacation? Scan the tag with your mobile device, or visit www.MassTimes.org.

FAITH Magazine / October 2011 / www.FAITHmag.com

Too ‘connected’

to connect?

We now have the ability to communicate with people from many different nations and, at times, accomplish great goals more quickly and efficiently. But, in the process, it is easy to allow the technology to govern us. If these tools “control” us, then what happens to our overall priorities?

In any gift that God ordains or permits, we are to become its steward. That is, the gift should serve those purposes for which we were created. As is often the case in the human condition, we get so fascinated by a new invention that what should be

used to serve the good ends up controlling us.

As human beings made in the image and likeness of God, we have certain priorities – our relationship with God, our relationships with others in family and work, our responsibilities and choices in rest and recreation, our care for one another and service to those in need. How does/can the new technology serve those non-negotiable priorities?

Where is the time for God to have access to me? Where do I pause in my daily life to ask myself – how am I serving my wife, my husband, my

spiritual fitness Spiritual exercise The new technology does enable us to do more things in a given day and to do them much faster. But what follows from that good is a rise in expectations for more things to be accomplished even faster. Examine yourself:

children, my friends? Where do I take time to listen to God so I can follow his will and receive the blessings that come with willing submission?

This is not a matter of pious luxury. It is a human necessity! We need to regularly ask ourselves: Who am I and where am I going? We should address these questions to ourselves and with a spouse or with truly good friends once or twice a year! Yes, once or twice a year – because in this age, the tyranny of the urgent can regularly overcome the truly important. If we don’t take concrete steps, we can end up filling our days with the “noise” of videos and games and music and “urgent” texting. This din can block out the quiet voice of God. We need to prioritize our day so the urgent doesn’t overpower the truly important.

Take a look at the shift in attitudes and priorities that are occurring because of “speedy” communication access.

• Do I even think about or consider the eternal priorities in the midst of the accelerating pace of daily life?

• Have I fallen into the trap that fast is always good; speed is the top priority?

• Is getting through the “to do” list in a given day the most important thing?

• Am I goal oriented to the exclusion of people?

• Anything that slows me down or keeps me from accessing what I need to get the job done is an “enemy.” Person, place, or thing? Have I fallen into this mind-set?

• I was created and baptized as a son or

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omputers, cell phones, iPads, iPods, Facebook, Twitter – all new technology, new concepts in our lives. While I agree with Pope Benedict that the Internet and other technologies should be used to foster communication all over the world and promote evangelization, I ask myself and others: Is that how it is being used in your life?

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 For more reflections on prayer and a fuller treatment of this topic, see my book: Pray and Never Lose Heart, available from Renewal Ministries, 230 Collingwood, Suite 240, Ann Arbor, MI 48103. $12.

daughter of God. In that reality is my dignity and my worth. My value is in who I am primarily and only secondarily in what I do. Do I believe this?

How can I use the new technology to teach and foster the above truths? How can I grow in the reality of who I am in God? How can I treat others in a way that reflects these truths?

We have a choice! What personal responsibility will you take to see that a gift from God doesn’t get twisted into a tool for the enemy?

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october is Respect life Month. visit www.dioceseoflansing.org for more information.

Y O U R

F A I T H

from the bishop

You have a right to be alive!

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ou have a right to be alive! This right did not come from your own willing it. It did not come from your family or from the government of from any other human being. You do not have this right because you are healthy or sane or able to breathe on your own or because you have full control of your body. No, you have a right to be alive because you are made in the image of God, who has given you this right.

Carlson productions

No one may take this right from you unless you forfeit it by attacking someone else. When you are an inconvenience or an annoyance to others, when your life is difficult for you or for others – those are not situations that give anyone the right to take

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your life from you. For you, like all those who have life, are presumed innocent until proved guilty. And we all know that no innocent life can be taken.

Now none of this means that your life will be easy. But you have a right even to a difficult life, if that is the life you have.

God did not cause your difficulties but gives you instead life itself and the grace and strength to do with this gift the very best that you can. This means that not even you can take away your right to your life. In one sense, your life is not your own. Your life is instead a very spark of the divine within you, for your soul

is created directly by God and your soul is what really gives you your human life.

God has given you this life and the right to this life in order that you may allow yourself to be loved into eternal life. This life then is a time of transition, a time of preparation, for the fullness of life which awaits us.

This does not mean that this life is unimportant. To the contrary, how we live now affects how we will live then.

Jesus loved life. Jesus is life.

Yet, Jesus poured out his life, real life, for us. That is the model for all of us. The great irony is that you have a right to be alive and

Jesus then asks you to pour out, in love and service, that very life for others. That is what we need to do with our right to be alive.

This, of course, means that all those others you meet, also have a right to be alive. All those others you encounter who are annoying or inconvenient or illegal or criminal or disabled or of a different social class or are just plain different are the very ones Jesus wants you to lay down your life for, not by abandoning your right to be alive, but by embracing life as Jesus did, with a fullness of love.

This is my message to all, including those not yet born.

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

FAITH Magazine / October 2011 / www.FAITHmag.com

yourstories Craig puts God on your calendar

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orking as the director of adult faith formation and evangelization for two parishes in Fowler and Westphalia, Craig Pohl wanted to be able to let people know when a great event was happening at a neighboring parish. “If a good speaker comes to St. Joseph’s Parish in St. Johns, I want to know about it,” Craig explained. “Why don’t we have a common calendar?”

“It’s not about the next big thing,” he says. “It’s about finding new ways to connect with God’s people.

So Craig headed online, convinced that someone had already had the idea and a tool would be available. ‘It turned out, nobody’s doing it,” Craig explained. Hundreds of manhours later, CatholicEventFinder.com was launched. The site allows users to enter their location and find a variety of Catholic events in their area. “You just put in your username and password and you’re good to go,” explained Craig.

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My brother’s cancer tested my faith

J. luning

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If you are interested in posting events, log on to CatholicEventFinder.com and set up an account. If you’d like more information or help getting started, contact Craig Pohl at craig@catholiceventfinder.com.

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zach, Craig and ellen go to Boysville

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exclusive – interview with Martin Sheen

By Kevin Duffy | Photography by Tom Gennara

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The 2011 Father Charles Irvin Essay Contest Winner

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Every year, FAITH awards a $1,000 scholarship to a high-school senior

FAITH Magazine / October 2011 / www.FAitHmag.com

in our diocese, based on an essay on a topic related to life in the church. Our goal is to promote insightful thought and excellent writing, and to encourage careers in Catholic journalism. There

are many ways to spread the good news of Jesus Christ, and good writing is one of them. We hope you enjoy this year’s essay by Adrienne Powell of Lansing Catholic High School.

Y O U R

My brother’s cancer

S T O R I E S

teen essay winner

tested my faith

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eb. 15, 2010, was like any other day, until I received a phone call that would change my life forever. My mother called to say my brother, Alex, was in the hospital. Upon hearing this news, I immediately drove to Sparrow Hospital. When I finally reached him, I broke into tears. He was on a gurney, trembling, in excruciating pain. When I looked into his eyes, I could see him fighting back the tears, but he was unsuccessful. At this moment, I realized there was something dangerously wrong with my brother. A few hours later, my thoughts were confirmed. The doctors had found a malignant tumor on his spine. The doctors said it was imperative they remove the tumor as soon as possible because they were scared my brother could become paralyzed. The thought of my brother being paralyzed scared me to death, but, later that night, I would find out worse news. My brother needed emergency open-heart surgery. The doctors had discovered a massive tumor inside his heart. I felt as if my life was crumbling.

That cold, snowy and eventful week in February changed me.

While I couldn’t understand why God had brought this awful disease of cancer upon him, I knew Alex was the strongest person I had ever known, so I was confident he could get through this roadblock. Since Alex and I only are 12 months apart in age, it was a common misconception that we were twins. As I look back to my splendid childhood, all I can think about is spending time with my brother. From playing games outdoors to riding bikes and playing dress-up, we were always together. My brother is the reason I had such a terrific childhood. I followed him everywhere and I thought the world of him. He was my best friend and he is the reason why I am the person I am today. Thinking that my brother was invincible, I presumed he could once again lead a normal life. I would soon find out that would not be the case.

Shortly after recovering from two major surgeries, Alex was about to start nine grueling cycles of chemotherapy. I remember asking my mom, “What is chemotherapy and how does it exactly work?” I would shortly find out all the answers since we frequently would travel to the hospital for Alex to receive his treatments.

The day before he started his first round of chemotherapy, Alex had a port placed inside his upper right chest. This is how Alex would receive the chemotherapy. Along with this new phase in our journey came new words I would soon become familiar with, such as adriamycin and ifosfamide, which are the names of the chemotherapy drugs. We had to keep track of his white blood counts, hemoglobin and platelets. With this came another new word, neutropenic. It meant a person has zero white blood cells – therefore he or she would not be able to fight off an infection. Alex would become neutropenic every so often. When this occurred, my mother would go crazy. She would make sure the house was spotless and we would have to clean all the time. I

didn’t mind cleaning if it meant that I was helping Alex – it was the least I could do.

My faith was tested once again this fall when Alex was diagnosed with brain cancer. What does this mean? How will this affect my brother? My brother was living at his dorm, trying to be like any other college student, but he wasn’t. Alex had cancer and now has 15 tumors growing in his head. I felt sad, scared and alone. I thought Alex had suffered enough and God would realize his tribulation.

Growing up, I always heard that cancer was awful and that many people die from it, but no one really understands the nightmares it causes until he or she witnesses a person they love suffering from it every day. There is not a single day that passes when I do not think about the health of my brother. It causes me great stress, but my faith has helped me through this terrible journey.

The fear of losing my brother is terrifying, but through my faith I am able to appreciate each day in a way I was unable to appreciate before. I miss running around and doing activities with my brother, but I have come to enjoy the peaceful time we spend sitting and talking together. The comfort of knowing that heaven is a place where nobody will suffer gives me peace.

I believe whatever happens to my family in this lifetime that we will all be reunited in heaven someday.

I recently told my best friend that I do not know how I would be able to get through this adversity without my faith. It has given me the opportunity to grow closer in my beliefs, rather than distance myself from the Church. Now, I thank God regularly that I have been fortunate enough to attend a Catholic school. It has helped me through the toughest time in my life. I am grateful my parents made the decision to send me to Catholic schools, where I am able learn about my faith.

At the time this essay was submitted, Adrienne Powell was dealing with the serious illness of her brother, Alex. A few days before this award was presented to Adrienne, we learned of Alex’s death. FAITH extends its sympathy and prayers to the entire Powell family.

By Adrienne Powell | Photography by Tom Gennara

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Y O U R

S T O R I E S

our story

Catey feels closer to God in Flint “Our leaders just know how to bring it all back around to our faith,” Catey says. Her experience at the Diocesan Youth Leadership Conference kicked off her four-year stint with the project.

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atey is one of dozens of teens who participate each year in the Flint Salem Housing Project which helps fix, paint, clean up and landscape homes in some of Flint’s low-income neighborhoods. The Central Michigan University sophomore, who lives in Ann Arbor, says that, for four summers, the Flint Salem Housing Project has been a “staple” of her summer. I feel a lot closer to God when I’m in Flint,” she says.

“I truly feel like a servant of God when I’m there.”

An active member of the St. Joseph Parish (South Lyon) youth group, Traylor says

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that the week is an opportunity to “work hard and play hard” and they wrap it all up every

FAITH Magazine / October 2011 / www.FAITHmag.com

night with a prayer circle.

“Our leaders just know how to bring it all back around to our faith,” she says. Her experience at the Diocesan Youth Leadership Conference kicked off her four-year stint with the project.

Although the budding journalist struggles to find the right words to explain the feelings she experiences during the week, Catey says there are always highlights. “My favorite aspect about Flint is the satisfaction I get from helping others.”

Working hard for no pay is part of Daniele’s summer fun All of the hard work in the middle of the summer is worth it. “The people that we do the work for are very thankful; they’re grateful and sometimes overwhelmed,” Daniele says.

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he 17-year-old’s work with the Flint Salem Housing Project is tough, in fact, it is work that Daniele Heiss had never done before. “Two years ago was the first time I ever painted a house; last year we did some really heavy duty yard work,” Daniele says.

All of the hard work in the middle of the summer is worth it. “The people that we do the work for are very thankful; they’re grateful and sometimes overwhelmed,” she says.

Daniele, a member of St. Joseph Parish (South Lyon), says she was encouraged to participate in the project by other members of her youth group. She says she’s more in touch with her faith thanks to the trips. It’s a

big part of why she keeps going back.

Daniele fondly recalls working with some of the people she helped. “We were painting this house and the two little boys who lived there really wanted to help us, so we let them,” she says. “Then the boys wanted us to paint their swing set. We did.”

For more information on the Flint Salem Housing Project, go to www.salemhousing.org

By Eileen Gianiaodis | Photography by Tom Gennara

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very two to three months for the past two years, a group of teens from St. Mary Parish in Chelsea have helped put on a retreat day at Boysville, a correctional facility for teens in Clinton that was started by the Holy Cross Fathers. Jon Schoonmaker, a counselor at the residential facility for boys, ages 13 to 17, facilitates the day with the goal of demonstrating and developing healthy, trusting relationships among the residents.

FAITH Magazine / October 2011 / www.FAITHmag.com

By Bob Horning | Photography by Jim Luning

Zach Rabbitt, 16, is a junior at Chelsea High School

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he first time I volunteered to go to Boysville was out of curiosity. I wanted to see a correctional facility and also find out what it would be like to talk to the kids who lived there. After going, I told Mary Lou Hahn-Setta, St. Mary’s youth director, that I definitely wanted to go back. I have been there eight of the nine times that our youth group has gone.

What kept me going back was that I wanted to be part of their changing life.

It feels good to help them see themselves as good kids, and that they just need to make a couple of different decisions to get their lives on the right track.

When we meet the boys, we mingle and discover what we have in common.

They tend to act tough at first and hold back from participating. Then we split into small groups – two or three each from Boysville and St. Mary. We do ice-breaker games such as telling each other what makes us happy or sad/mad, or take one minute to tell the others something about ourselves that nobody knows.

During lunch break, we play pool or table-tennis with the guys, or talk. Afterwards, Chaplain Jon sometimes will read a Gospel passage to everyone and mention how Jesus was there for the people in the story. Then, in our small group, I might continue by relating how God has been with me in certain situations.

The kids are aware that they have done something wrong, something major.

They think there is no remedy. But that’s not true. It’s amazing how they open up more throughout the day and become involved once they hear the truth. By the end, even the toughest-acting are smiling and taking part.

Chaplain Jon will tell us during the debriefing at the end how he has seen certain ones change, and will communicate days or weeks afterward to Mary Lou

“The kids are aware that they have done something wrong, something major. They think there is no remedy. But that’s not true.” how some were transformed so much that they were released from Boysville.

They don’t usually tell us how much they enjoy having us there, but we found out that once they were furiously cleaning their dorms for hours the day before our visit. If they aren’t on their best behavior beforehand, we don’t get to come.

Going on the retreat days helps me understand how God has been available for me by keeping me out of a predica-

ment like theirs. I see how much he has affected my life and can change theirs.

It’s awesome that God can speak to them through me and show his love.

It makes me want to let the Lord use me more, and to pray for them and others who I know are in tough spots. Serving at Boysville has been a great experience.

I recommend it to everyone. Anyone can do it. I wouldn’t be surprised if I do similar things later in life.

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Craig Keyes, 16, is a junior at Chelsea High School.

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y favorite part of the day is the power shuffle, when Jon asks questions such as, “Do you live in a single-parent home?”

Then those in the group who identify with it are asked to step across a line. It takes courage to step out because of the fear of rejection or ridicule; it can be emotional.

The exercise helps the Boysville youths to see there are others who have had similar things happen in their lives. It builds trust also, because when they come back across the line to the group, they are met with hugs and tears, just the opposite of what they have known in the past. They see that it’s OK to cry and to show their weakness and emotions. Afterwards, in our small groups, we talk about what was going on with them during the power shuffle.

I have been there five times and see the whole day is about building trust. As they come to know us through things like icebreakers, trust falls and catches and the small group discussions, they open up and relationships develop. Many of them think they need to be tough or fight to survive; we try to teach them to trust us, instead. As they do, they also will be able to trust each other more.

My aim each time is to remain openminded toward the boys, not to judge them. Both the Chelsea and Boysville youths form judgments when we meet.

That doesn’t help break down barriers. As we hear their stories, though, it’s neat to see how our perceptions change.

I love helping people. The first time I went, it was because I felt God calling me to help these boys. One time I went just to play basketball with them, because playing sports is a great way to connect. We did have a more spiritual component at the end.

Now I go to help myself, too. I like it when God is able to work through me. I want to explore my faith in all different directions, and this is another way of con-

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“Going to Boysville brings the awareness that everyone has problems, but that God can work through others to help.” necting with God. Going to Boysville brings the awareness that everyone has problems, but that God can work through others to help. In a way, I can be Jesus Christ on earth to these boys. That’s a great experience.

When they go back to their routine after the retreat day, they are changed. We hear from Jon about their improvement and, therefore, why we should keep going there.

FAITH Magazine / October 2011 / www.FAITHmag.com

Jon has an amazing rapport with the youths. He begins preparing them three weeks before we arrive. He and the staff do a great job, and it’s good that those of us from Chelsea can help them out. It has caused me to consider doing full-time youth work someday.

Seeing the home situations that most of the boys come from makes me feel blessed to have a great family and the support they give me.

Ellen Christie, 17, is a senior at Chelsea High School.

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y goal when we go to Boysville is to get them out of their shells and to give them hope.

I want to let them know they can change and there can be a positive life for them after Boysville.

When the boys first walk into the room, they may or may not make eye contact and shake hands with us. By the end of the day, most of them are involved and animated – a miracle in my eyes. Before Boysville, I believed miracles were only “water to wine” events; I didn’t realize that they could be something as simple as the strengthening of a relationship.

I first chose to go to Boysville because I always have been attracted to people in trouble. I like getting to know people’s stories and finding out about their past experiences, as well as their future hopes and dreams. I always have been interested in psychology; being at Boysville has spurred an interest in criminal justice, as well. I am now considering going into criminology as a career, which requires a degree in both criminal justice and some aspect of sociology, psychology or anthropology.

When I hear about a boy’s life, my initial reaction is almost always shock. As the day goes by, the puzzle of why they are the way they are begins to fit together. I have noticed that many end up in the facility as a result of violence to avenge violence, following the example they were shown or from the environment they grew up in.

I and the others from St. Mary do our best to show them what positive, healthy relationships look like – ones that aren’t greedy, judgmental or violent. It’s moving when those who wouldn’t even look at you at first can’t stop smiling by the end. We may never know completely how they were affected that day or far into the future.

After the retreat, I usually write a letter to the two or three boys in our small group and to a couple of others I have made a

“Before Boysville, I believed miracles were only ‘water to wine’ events; I didn’t realize that they could be something as simple as the strengthening of a relationship.” deeper connection with. It helps to continue the positive impact that the day had, and lets them know that, though the day is over, we still care. It might be a half-page long, or up to six pages, depending upon the situation. I mention something personal that they said and encourage them that God won’t give them more than they can handle and that he has plans for them.

Some respond, some don’t. One boy wrote back a touching letter thanking me for

talking to him and saying that he would be a friend forever, no matter where we are.

Boysville never gets redundant or dull.

It’s always fresh, exciting and moving. I never stop asking, “When do we get to go back.”

For more information on Boysville and Holy Cross Children’s Services, visit www.hccsnet.org

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Y O U R

S T O R I E S

FAITH exclusive

emilio estevez and his father, Martin Sheen, filming the Way

Where Martin Sheen is headed

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or centuries, pilgrims have walked the Way of St. James to the cathedral at Santiago de Compostela, the traditional burial site of the Apostle James. This year, Emilio Estevez wrote and directed The Way, a film about one modern pilgrim’s journey.

Emilio’s father, Martin Sheen, plays the lead role.

FAITH talked to Martin Sheen about the movie, and his own spiritual journey.

What is special about this story? It was written and directed by my son. For me, that was

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an important component of this – we shared a deeply personal experience in filming this.

FAITH Magazine / October 2011 / www.FAITHmag.com

I wanted to walk the Camino (Way) for a number of years. In 2003, I wanted to walk it with my grandson Taylor, Emilio’s oldest child. Taylor was my assistant on The West Wing, (a television series in which Martin plays President Bartlett) and we were in Ireland for work.

Taylor showed some interest in going with me, so he and Matt Clark and I went to Spain. We knew we didn’t have enough time to walk it then, but we rented a car and sussed out

the Camino for future pilgrimage. We got the car in Madrid and stayed in a refugio called El Molino on the Camino. The refugio was run by a family with a young daughter who is now my granddaughter-in-law – Taylor fell in love with her, married her and now lives in Spain.

When I came back from Spain, I told Emilio about the experience. He became transfixed with the Camino, and wrote a script for a movie about it.

Interview by Elizabeth Martin Solsburg

What’s the movie about?

It’s about a young man who leaves graduate school to become a practical anthropologist. He is in Spain, making the pilgrimage to the Catedral de Santiago de Compostela, the resting place of the Apostle James. His father, Tom, is an uptight, intolerant kind of guy whose life changes when he gets a call telling him his son has been killed. Tom decides to cremate his son’s remains and do the pilgrimage in his place.

Tom is a very macho, independent, American guy.

He wants to make the walk alone – and tries to shake off other pilgrims. Gradually, he comes to understand that we are all alike. We all have foibles and brokenness; that makes us human. Tom comes to embrace the community that walks with him. He learns that in our deepest needs and losses, we need community. Eventually, he becomes like a father to the other characters.

The message of the movie is that the real pilgrimage is interior, to transcendence. That’s where we really value our lives, and discover how deeply loved we all are. That is the core of life – knowing that we are loved, and that nothing we do will make that love go away.

When you know you are loved, and know others are as well, it’s harder to see others in a negative light.

What was it like being directed by son? Well, this was the third time. It’s a blessing, and I cherish it. This film was the best for us working together, because Emilio wrote it. He used a fascinating technique in the script – throughout the movie, he appears in the crowd, and no one sees him but Tom. The son is leading the father in the movie, as well as directing me in real life.

It works beautifully.

pilgrims in the Way walk together on the Camino

Did you get a chance to walk the Camino? We’d been over it for a few years to set it up, and got a chance to walk a lot of it, but not its entire length. We filmed it in 40 days and 40 nights, which has some obvious significance. Emilio reckons we walked about half of it – about 400 kilometers.

We trekked from the Pyrenees to Galicia. I have to say that it feels as if it’s uphill both ways.

Everyone along the way was making the pilgrimage for different reasons – most of them are not Catholic, but they walk for many personal reasons, often to do with loss. They have lost a child, a mate, or a job. Interestingly, when couples or friends start to walk, they separate and then meet at the end of each day to share their thoughts, experiences and emotions. They want to have the experience alone, and then share the experience together at the refugio at night. Each one has an experience that does not depend on the other. Everyone has a yearning to experience something deeply personal – they need to hear the inner voice, and not be distracted by the other voices. Pilgrims get in the rhythm of their own heartbeat and own thoughts. They have a deeply personal transcendence.

It makes the end of each day a celebration and the beginning of the new day an adventure.

There is a line in the movie about the difference between choosing a life and living a life? We often have to break free of our culture and be free of others’ opinions of us.

We have to identify ourselves.

Although our egos can get out of hand, their purpose is to help us to identify ourselves and know ourselves. We have our own minds, hearts and souls.

We also must take care of others – because, in the end, if we come to the kingdom alone, we must answer the question, “Where are the others?” By finding ourselves, we can inspire others. The herd mentality can be very dangerous – it takes someone to step outside of it to prevent group mistakes. And the peer pressure to be like everybody else prevents us from learning our true selves.

How has your faith shaped your life? I came back to the faith in 1981. I had been through a long and difficult journey, and faith is what saved me. I love it, and I love the Eucharist – it is the ultimate celebration and the great sacrament of joy in my life.

You have experienced a very difficult family situa-

tion with your son, Charlie, in a very public manner.

Many of us have similar experiences, but do not have to live them out in front of the whole world.

How did your faith help with Charlie? If I didn’t have my faith, I’d have experienced despair. St. Thérèse of Lisieux is one of my favorite saints – I have a daily devotion to her.

There is a prayer of hers on a card from Ireland, “Help us to realize that a Father’s love watches over us every day.

Even though we walk in the darkness, help us to realize everything is grace.” It helped me when Charlie was spinning south. If the only good that came out of it was helping me to depend more on the presence of God, then it is true that everything is grace.

We must accept the cup as offered. Our culture always is trying to alter the cup, but if you don’t lift heavy things, you won’t get strong. In life, the most valuable things cost the most.

We offer our son our love.

The most important thing for us is to know that we’re loved and that we cannot lose it.

What else would you like to tell us? The most wonderful part of this film has been meeting the people who are making a spiritual journey because of it. The Irish have a real devotion to this pilgrimage. I think they believe they’re the 13th tribe – they have such spirituality. There’s a society in Ireland called the Friends of St. James who encourage people to make the pilgrimage – they meet at St. James Gate in Dublin, which is also the gate to the Guinness Brewery. In everything, there is humor.

The Way is in theaters October 7.

Visit www.theway-themovie.com for more information.

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yourcommun things to do

things to do Oct. 1, 5:30 p.m., St. Michael, Flint will have a feast day celebration followed by dinner and a silent auction; and Oct. 15-16, a holiday decoration rummage sale. For more information, contact the parish at 810.238.2679.

Oct. 2-4, 7 p.m.-8 p.m., join St. Michael Parish in Grand Ledge for its fall parish mission, followed by refreshments. Father Joe Krupp will be the presenter. For more information, call 517.627.8493 or www. stmichaelgl.org.

Oct. 8, drawing for Lansing Catholic Fundraising Raffle to benefit academic programs and services – top prize is tickets for two to the 2012 Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta, Ga. Tickets are $50 each. For tickets, call Mary Frank at 517.267.2114.

Oct. 8, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., St. Patrick, Brighton presents The Jewish Roots to the Catholic Mass with Mark Neugebauer. Includes talk

by Father Ed Fride on the revised translation, music by Thicker Than Water and lunch. For information and tickets, www.thejewishrootstofthecatholicmass.blogspot.com.

Ticket is $25 before Oct. 1 and $30 at the door.

Oct. 9, 2 p.m.-4 p.m., at St. Francis of Assisi, Ann Arbor, an introductory meeting about Secular Franciscan – a canonical order of the Church for married or single men and women. For information or questions, contact Bob, 734.434.8161, or Marianne, 734.428.8578 or www. nafra-sfo.org.

Oct. 13, Anniversary celebration for Holy Spirit Oratory, IHM Parish, Lansing. Mass at 6:30 followed by a talk given by Fr. Mathias Thelen on St. Faustina and the Most Blessed Sacrament.

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Oct. 17, 7 p.m., Tapping into the Hidden Job Market, at St. Francis of Assisi Parish Activities Center, 2250 E. Stadium Blvd., Ann Arbor. With more than a decade of experience in the recruiting and staffing industry, Lisa Wiley Parker is now focusing on providing direct support to job seekers looking to navigate this challenging economy. She is helping to launch at Capital Area Michigan Works. Those looking for work have an ally in their quest to secure employment. Lisa also is an active blogger on job search strategies.You can find her work at: www.

RecruiterUncensored.com Register now for Tapping Into the Hidden Job Market at https://stfrancisa2.wufoo.com/forms/hidden-jobs-careers/ Oct. 16, noon-4 p.m., annual Harvest Dinner at St. Andrew, Saline’s parish hall – a wonderful roast beef dinner with all the trimmings.

Cost: $7 adults, $5 age 60 and over, $5 children 6-12. Carry-out service available. All are welcomed.

Proceeds go to St. Andrew’s Needy Fund.

Oct. 21-22, Marriage Matters of Jackson, Marriage L.I.N.K.S. Workshop at Comfort Inn, Chelsea. Cost is $75 per couple, and includes lodging, workshop and meals.

Times: Oct. 21, 7 p.m.-9 p.m. and Oct. 22, 9-a.m.-4 p.m.

Oct. 22, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., St. Elizabeth, Tecumseh’s Catholic Council of Women is sponsoring an Arts and Crafts Quilt Bazaar at the parish center, 510 N. Union St. Admission is $1. Raffle for an Amish-made quilt will be $1.

For vendor space, contact Tina at 517.815.1556.

Oct. 22, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., at Madonna University in Livonia,

Father Michael Depcik will host a workshop on the New Roman Missal for interpreters and deaf people who use American Sign Language.

For more information, contact Rose Smith at 517.342.2532 or 866.552.0427 or rsmith@ dioceseoflansing.org.

Oct. 22, Church of the Resurrection, Lansing’s Altar Society will have its annual bazaar and luncheon. For more information, call the parish at 517.482.4749.

Oct. 22, noon, St. Mary Cathedral, Lansing will have a Mass in honor of Blessed John Paul II. All are welcome to attend.

Oct. 22, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., “Reaching Out and Motivating Catholic Women” will be at St. Mary Cathedral Hall, second floor, Mother Seton Room, 219 Seymour St., Lansing.

Registration at 9 a.m.; cost is $15 and includes lunch. Presented by the Lansing Diocesan Council of Catholic Women. Mail checks payable to LDCCW to Hazel Grinnell,

Upcoming Protecting God’s Children Awareness Sessions for Adults – For more information, contact: Safe Environment Coordinator Sally Ellis at 517.342.2551 or sellis@dioceseoflansing.org – Oct. 6, 6:30 p.m., St. John Church and Student Center, East Lansing; Oct. 27, 6:30 p.m., St. John Church, Fenton’s school library; and Nov. 13, 12:30 p.m., St. Thomas Aquinas Church, East Lansing in Father Mac Hall.

October café events Oct. 15, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Engaging Aging: Praying with Body, Mind and Spirit at St. Paul of the Cross Retreat Center, 23333 Schoolcraft in Detroit. Cost $45. To register, call 313.535.9563. For information, contact Janene Ternes at 734.429.7754 or www.prayer-inmotion.com.

Oct. 28-30, Cristo Rey Parish, 201 W. Miller Road, Lansing, a three-day Koinonia Spiritual Retreat for adults 18 and older. When was the last time you spent the entire weekend with God? Wait no longer, the time is now. For information, contact Margie Krawczyk at 517.974.0295 or 517.394.4639.

FAITH Magazine / October 2011 / www.FAITHmag.com

St. Gerard Parish, Lansing will have JustFAITH, a 30-week journey through social justice issues using books, videos, conversation and encounters with those who live at the margins of society. Program is Monday nights, 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m., from September to April. For information, call Marcia at 517.627.4654 or Marjorie at 517.886.5758.

Discernment of Spirits Seminars: Father Dennis Brown, OMV, will facilitate an Ignatian study-discussion group delving into the grace, science, art and habit of discernment.

Group meets Wednesdays, Oct. 5 through June, 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m., at the parish center of St. Patrick Church in Ann Arbor.

If you would like to participate, email AnnArborRetreats@aol.com or call 630.417.1984. There is no required fee; free-will donations to the OMVs will be appreciated.

nity 210 Clinton St., Ovid, 48866.

Oct. 23, Lansing Catholic Singles invite all singles – mid-30s to 50s – to join them for 6 p.m. Mass at St. Gerard in Lansing, followed by dinner and fellowship at Houlihan’s at the Lansing Mall.

For information, contact LansingCatholicSingles@live.com or 517.321.7886. For a complete list of upcoming events, visit www.

LansingCatholicSingles.com.

Oct. 23, Family Day with Bishop for all persons with disabilities from the diocese and their families are welcome to attend a noon Mass at St. Mary Cathedral with lunch to follow at St. Mary Parish Center.

Cost is $4 per person. RSVP required. Contact Joann Davis at 517.342.2497 or jdavis@dioceseoflansing.org.

Marriage Matters Jackson introduces a workshop for seriously dating and engaged couples. Five Great Dates includes presentations on money management, goal-setting and more. Cost is $50 per couple and includes dessert or appetizer and beverages for all five weeks.

Workshops are 7 p.m.-9 p.m., Sept. 29 and Oct. 6, 13, 20 and 27. Register online at www.MarriageMattersJackson.com.

Oct. 30, 11:30 a.m., 60th anniversary celebration Mass at Holy Rosary Parish, 5199 Richfield Rd., Flint, with Bishop Boyea, followed by dinner in the parish hall.

Nov. 5-6, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., St. Mary, Williamston’s annual Swiss Steak Dinner and Craft Show – luncheon Saturday, noon-1:30 p.m. and Swiss Steak Dinner Sunday, noon3 p.m.

Nov. 19, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., the Queen of Angels circle at St. Gerard Parish is hosting its annual Fall Craft Show at 4437 W. Willow Hwy. in Lansing. It will be in Father Weber Hall, the lower level of the school building – look for signs. We are looking for crafters. If interested, contact the parish office at 517.323.2379.

Please come and get an early start on Christmas shopping.

Catholic Charities Catholic Charities of Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale Counties – Jackson 517.782.2551 and Lenawee/Hillsdale 517.263.2191 Oct. 7-8, We C.A.R.E., Fri., 6 p.m.-9 p.m. and Sat., 9 a.m.-noon, the marriage preparation program of the Diocese of Lansing. To register, call 517.782.2551.

Oct. 15, 6:30 p.m., Comedy Show and Fundraising Event, featuring clean Catholic comedian Jimmy Brogan, Performing Arts Center, 1247 E. Siena Heights Dr., Adrian, Tickets $30 per person; call 517.263.2191.

St. Vincent Catholic Charities, 2800 W. Willow St., Lansing, 517.323.4734 or www. stvcc.org Oct. 27, noon-1 p.m., please join us at the Radisson Hotel in Lansing for a fundraising event to ensure our services continue to help children, families and adults in our community.

RSVP is required by Oct. 14 to Rhonda Abood, 517.323.4734, ext. 1205 or aboodr@stbcc.org,

Are you a care-giver of an older adult?

The Interfaith Volunteer Caregiver Program of Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw is a free service for care-givers residing in Washtenaw County. Our trained volunteers visit the home once a week for 2-4 hours to give the care-giver a break. Persons interested in volunteering also are welcome. Please contact the respite program coordinator at 734.712.3625.

Catholic Social Services hosts Brunch at the Big House Oct. 16 at noon, please join Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County for a special post-game tailgate “Brunch at the Big House” event. Don’t miss this opportunity to mix and mingle with old and new friends at the University of Michigan’s Jack Roth Club Level 4. The event will feature a menu of delicious tailgate food and spirits, as well as a special raffle – all the while supporting the agency’s amazing programs that help thousands of families in need. Cost: $150 per person – corporate and individual sponsorships available. Call 734.926.0153 or www. csswashtenaw.org.

Retreat Centers St. Francis Retreat Center, DeWitt, 866.669.8321 or www.stfrancis.ws Oct. 5-9, Your Word is My Delight – a Catholic writers’ retreat; and Oct. 7-9, Beyond Survival – a weekend of healing for women who have experienced sexual abuse. No cost for attendees.

Weber Center, Adrian, 517.266.400 or www.weber.adriandominicans Nov. 4-6, Piece Work – Soul Work – a quilting retreat Dominican Center at Marywood, 2027 Fulton St. E., Grand Rapids, 616.454.1241 or www.dominicancenter.com Oct. 22, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Spiritual Health for Busy Women – a day retreat – cost $50; Oct. 24, 2011May 7, 2012, 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m., Group Spiritual Direction on Monday evenings – cost $160; Oct. 25, 2011-May 8, 2012, 4 p.m.-6:30 p.m., Group Spiritual Direction on Tuesdays – cost $160; and Oct. 29, 8:30 a.m.-noon, Women’s Spirituality: Women of God – Three Theresas, cost $35. Online registration, a complete list of fall programs and information available at http://dominicancenter.com/programs/.

Pilgrimages March 23-April 1, 2012 – The Shrines of Italy in10 days. Join Father Gordon Reigle, chaplain of Lansing Catholic High and St. Andrew Parish, on a trip of a lifetime. Cost: $3,667 from Detroit. Receive a $100 discount if a deposit is made by Oct. 24, 2011. Contact Suzanne Krisak at 248.931.0194 or skrisak@peoplepc.com for date/time of informational meeting.

July 25-Aug. 5, 2012 – Exploring Scotland and Ireland – roundtrip air from Detroit Metro, 12 days, hotel, 16 meals, taxes and fees – hosted by Father Andrew Czajkowski, St. John, Davison. Information night is Oct. 5 at 6 p.m. at St. John Family Center, Davison. Travel insurance available. For brochure/information contact 810.653,2377 or frandrew@stjohndavison.org Registration is now open.

For more things to do, visit www.FAITHmag.com

life chain Oct. 2, 2:30 p.m.3:30 p.m., Lansing’s 20th annual Life Chain – a peaceful prayer chain witnessing to the sanctity of life. People will gather along the north side of Grand River Avenue from Abbot Road to Williamston (meeting at Abbot Road, Brookfield Plaza, Okemos Road, St. Martha Church, Okemos or Main Street in Williamston near St. Mary) to thank God for babies saved and ask God’s blessings on pro-life counseling centers. Please join us or a Life Chain in your area.

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World Youth Day

“T

his is … the youth of the pope!” Hundreds of thousands of the “pope’s youth” came in droves from more than 170 countries around the world. The event culminated with the Saturday evening vigil and final Sunday Mass held on Aug. 21, when about 1.5 million people celebrated the Eucharist with Pope Benedict XVI.

“This is the youth of the pope!”

Among the pilgrims from the Diocese of Lansing were 23-year-old Andrea Gleason from Most Holy Trinity Parish in Fowler, and 21-year-old Austin Pline from St. Mary Parish in Westphalia. This was the first World Youth Day for both.

“Having all these different people from all over the world to share a common faith is quite breathtaking. It’s hard to comprehend the magnitude of what we are a part of as Catholics.

World Youth Day is unique to any other gathering in the world, and it was awesome to know I was a part of something much bigger than myself. I kept thinking of the phrase ‘ever ancient, ever new.’”

“I got to know myself better. I got to know God better,” says Austin. “Lifechanging” is a phrase often brought up by youth in describing their World Youth Day experience.

For some, such an encounter with the Lord comes with a call to consider their vocation.

Austin had “time to think about my potential future, just how God is calling me in different aspects of my life.” He sums up his experience this way: “This for me is the pinnacle of our faith. We get to see the Holy Father and celebrate Mass together. No matter what language you speak, no matter where you come from, we come here for one purpose, and that is the Lord and the love that has brought us together through Jesus Christ … It just puts a smile on your face.”

For Andrea, the core of this experience is Eucharist: “Before I left, I didn’t know what God had for me. I knew he brought me here for a reason. As I prayed about it, I realized it’s the Eucharist; that’s what draws us all together. I feel like, in this World Youth Day experience, I have grown in my appreciation for the Eucharist and for people of all different backgrounds coming together in this one faith to be firmly rooted.

I thought that was just amazing.”

World Youth Day is known for some tough pilgrimage conditions. The week leading up to it begins with pilgrims arriving in the host city on Monday. They check in at their place of accommodation, which usually is a parish, school or sport complex. The sleeping arrangements often entail pilgrims sleeping right next to one another on the floors of gyms, classrooms or large meeting rooms.

Andrea looks at the challenges that come up at World Youth Day in a positive light: “My experience has been difficult, but in a good way. It stretches you. It transforms you.

It puts you out of your comfort zone.”

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By Father Charles Canoy

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1. Fr. Andrew and the SSVM sisters lead us in song. 2. All smiles on our first day in the city of Madrid! 3. People camping out a day before the papal Mass. 4. A spontaneous linking of various flags from around the world by the youth celebrating in the streets of Madrid. 5. A group of Michigan pilgrims outside one of the main sites for English catechesis and Mass, the Palacio de Deportes. 6. Members of the Spanish family, Ortiz de Zuniga, gave Father Chas Canoy and seminarian and Michigan graduate Nate Haverland a break from their pilgrim food with tasty cuisine from the region of Galicia. 7. Two hundred of these confessionals, well-utilized during the weekday afternoons, were situated in the famous Parque del Retiro. 8. Sister Bethany of the Sisters of Life was a wonderful emcee for the Love and Life Center, the English-speaking site for catechesis, Mass, and various celebrations of the faith. 9. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, provided continuously throughout the week and in various places around the city. 10.

The youth joyfully anticipating the Holy Father during Thursday’s welcoming ceremonies for the pope at Plaza de Cibeles. 11. A crowd waiting for a glimpse of Pope Benedict. 12. Some of the over 1 million youth with ominous clouds rolling in just before Saturday evening’s storm.

For more information, video and photographs from World Youth Day, visit www.FAITHmag.com

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local news

From the Holy Land to Chelsea

Being Dominican The Weber Center, Adrian, was the site for a recent retreat weekend, “Being Dominican in the 21st Century.” Those in attendance spent the weekend listening to several speakers sharing the vision of the Gospel.

Reverend Timothy Radcliffe, OP, was one of the guest speakers and Sister Nancyann Turner, OP, shared, “I was so stirred by Timothy Radcliffe’s talk that we are made in the image and likeness of God. Creativity is a gift from God; by living in a creative way, we are able to plant seeds of hope.”

Sister Peg O’Flynn, OP and director of the Weber Center, said, “It was a truly a blessed event for the 145 brothers and sisters to begin again being Dominican.” The order has more than 750 sisters. – Jan Hoffbauer

Society of St. Vincent de Paul awards grants to Lansing and Livingston County The National Council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) awarded grants totaling $2,500 to help in Lansing and Livingston County. The money is part of the Society’s annual Friends of the Poor® grant program.

“We received $1,000 and will use it to purchase fuel cards,” said Julie Cyrus, who serves as president of the SVdP Conference at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Howell. The other grant of $1,500 went to the SVdP Conference at St. Casimir Catholic Church in Lansing. “Some of the people we help are the working poor and it’s critical for them to have various personal items so they can project an appropriate appearance and maintain their fragile employment,” said Ann Robinson, who wrote the grant application for the St. Casimir Conference.

Blessing of the “new” church On Aug. 21, with great joy, the parishioners of St. Andrew Dung-Lac Church in Lansing celebrated the blessing of their “new” church – the former Holy Cross church building. The liturgy and blessing were presided over by Bishop Earl Boyea.

A reception followed immediately after the Mass in the church basement.

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FAITH Magazine / October 2011 / www.FAITHmag.com

Rima Handal traveled from Bethlehem with five students to St Mary, Chelsea recently. They were sponsored by Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation. Hadal and her students stayed with families in Chelsea for three weeks. They had the opportunity to meet with Bishop Boyea and Archbishop Vigneron of Detroit. They did service work, enjoyed a trip to Cedar Point and saw a Detroit Tigers game.

“I want to thank Father Bill Turner, who is a friend of Father Emil Salayta at the Foundation, and St. Mary parishioners,” Handal said “… for their kindness.”

The students, who are Muslim, Catholic and Greek Orthodox, shared insights on the trip.

Amani Issa, said, “I learned lots of things and hope I can make a difference when I go back home.”

Izzat Salameh said her faith had become stronger and the trip had made her believe more in Jesus and the Church. Both Nelly Mitiri and Amira Anastas remarked that they were glad for the opportunity to participate in Vacation Bible School and become leaders; George Murad said it was an amazing experience. – Jan Hoffbauer

Knights of Columbus’ vocations night The annual Knights of Columbus vocations night was held at Cooley Law School Stadium on Aug. 5 during a Lugnuts game. Bishop Boyea threw an honorary first pitch and was followed by Sister Mary Boursen, Consecrated Virgin Judith Stegman, Seminarian James Magnan, Father Anthony Strouse and State Chaplain Reverend Father Todd Lajiness. Father Strouse, pleased that he did not embarrass himself in front of the crowd, joked that, “even though (the pitch) was about four feet wide, it never touched the ground.”

Following the honorary pitches, the Singing Knight of Flint, accompanied by Father William Lugger, pastor of St. Casimir’s in Lansing, led the crowd in the singing of the National Anthem.

Dawn Hausmann – new vocation coordinator

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awn Hausmann, St. Joseph Shrine, Brooklyn parishioner, is the new vocation coordinator for the Lansing Diocese. She is the daughter of Deacon Gene and Jean Hausmann. Dawn is a Michigan State University graduate in social work and has a degree from John Paul II Institute, Washington, D.C. “I feel we are all called to holiness. I will help people discern their vocation, as I am discerning my vocation. I will help

people while I am growing,” Dawn said.

Dawn added, “I will travel to the schools and churches in the

Cursillo 50th anniversary

I went on my 30th birthday.

My wife went three weeks later. Cursillo changed our family and our faith. The grace I received at confirmation was dormant until I made Cursillo.”

Bishop Earl Boyea celebrated Mass at St. John the Evangelist in Jackson. Pastor Jim Shaver shared the liturgy with retired Monsignor Vince Howard, Deacon Jim Nicholson, newly ordained Reverend David Rosenberg and about 75 people involved in Cursillo.

Steve Larsen, a parishioner at Queen of the Miraculous Medal in Jackson, is a Cursillo lay director. He said, “Cursillo is a worldwide movement that has been able to sustain itself for more than 50 years.”

Mike Dwyer and his wife, Barb, credit Cursillo for inspiring his family to have family supper talks about their good and bad points of each day.

Dwyer said, “I was lucky.

Lansing Diocese and promote vocation awareness and discernment and give chastity talks to teenagers, as well. Our vocational awareness is the greatest decision we will make in our life.”

She shared that God’s plan for our lives is the greatest joy in our lives. Dawn added, “Parents should help their children listen to God and respond to his call.”

Dawn can be contacted for vocational assistance at 517.342.2506 or dhausmann@dioceseoflansing.org. – Jan Hoffbauer

Christ the King icons In August, Ann Arbor’s Christ the King parishioners were surprised to see four larger-than-life icons hanging behind the altar.

For the last 18 months, Claudia Burns and Ruth Tapio planned and created the 7-feet x 4-feet icons and prepared for the installation.

Traditionally, icons are painted with egg tempera and gold leaf on small wood panels. Ruth and Claudia used acrylic paint and gold leaf on aluminum laminate panels to depict Sts. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Rev. Deacon Lawrence Hendricks of the Sacred Heart Byzantine Catholic Church in Livonia joined Father Ed Friede, pastor of Christ the King, at Mass, where he proclaimed the Gospel and joined in the blessing of the new artwork.

Sacred Heart Church’s Spanish Mass Father Mike Newman, OSFS, celebrated the Spanish Mass at Sacred Heart Church in Hudson recently.

Serving at the Mass were Nickolas and Olivia Welsch and Ruben and Daniel Gallegos, who served for the first time. Their parents, Ruben and Dolores carried up the offertory gifts. The boys had received their first Communion in May during the Spanish Mass. – Jan Hoffbauer

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