November 2012

When God calls, Dawn helps you listen INSIDE:

75 years of the Diocese of Lansing – a year-long celebration What are the differences among Judaism, Christianity and Islam?

Please join us for a day of faith, prayer, remembrance ... by visiting one of our most sacred places. "... it is pious tradition during these days for the faithful to go visit the graves of their dear ones and to pray for them.

Servant of God, Pope John Paul II

contents 6 yourlife The Magazine of the Catholic Diocese of Lansing

Most Reverend Earl Boyea PUBLISHER

Rev. Dwight Ezop

EDITOR AND CHAIRMAN

November 2012 • Volume 13: Issue 9

Patrick M. O’Brien

PRESIDENT/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Elizabeth Martin Solsburg

DIRECTOR OF CUSTOM PUBLISHING/ EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Cynthia Vandecar

MARKETING MANAGER

Patrick Dally

ART DIRECTOR

Michelle Hildebrandt

GRAPHIC DESIGNER/WEBMASTER

Jillane Job

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

InnerWorkings

PRINT MANAGEMENT

Jim Berlucchi | Michelle Sessions DiFranco | Kevin Duffy | Doug Culp | Dcn. Tom and JoAnne Fogle | Bob Horning |Rev. Charles Irvin | Paul Jarzembowski | Rev. Joseph Krupp | Dr. Gelasia Marquez | Dr. Cathleen McGreal | Nancy Schertzing | Sister Ann Shields CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

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

Most Rev. Carl F. Mengeling FOUNDING PUBLISHER

Rev. Charles Irvin FOUNDING EDITOR

For advertising information: Call 517.853.7600

12 in the know with Father Joe Why can’t we get married outside?

14 spiritual fitness Prayers for the dead 16 theology 101 What are the differences among Judaism, Christianity and Islam?

19 morality everyday Is smoking immoral?

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from the bishop Please go vote!

20 our story Married for life. Pat and Bob’s secrets for a successful marriage.

22 cover story When God calls, Dawn helps you listen 26 feature story Three brothers – three priests.

20 T. Gennara

20 yourstories

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T. Gennara

Carlson Productions | Tom Gennara | James Luning (cover) | Michael Schimpf | Philip Shippert | Don Quillan

12 yourfaith

J. Luning

Derek Melot

PROOFREADING

table of contents

6 work life Chatty Cathy coworker 8 parenting journey Do I have to change my cooking to vegetarian because my kids are vegetarian?

8 conflict resolution He’s abusive. She is making a mistake.

9 marriage matters He says: “She wants everything to be exactly even for their children.”

She says: “That’s not possible.” What do they do?

10 culture Leftovers redeemed.

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Liturgical Calendar: Solemnity All Saints Nov.1 | All Souls Day Nov. 2 | St. Martin de Porres, religious Nov. 3 | Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome Nov. 9

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CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF LANSING

O

75 years of the Diocese of Lansing a year-long celebration

n Friday, August 3, the diocese celebrated its 75th Anniversary with a Mass at St. Mary Cathedral in Lansing. The Diocese of Lansing was founded by Pope Pius XI in August 1937. The Most Reverend Earl Boyea, Bishop of Lansing, was the main celebrant of the Mass, and Archbishop Allen Vigneron of Detroit delivered the homily. Hundreds of priests, deacons, religious and laity of the diocese attended.

At the Mass, Bishop Boyea inaugurated a Year of Prayer for the entire diocese. – Photography by Don Quillan

Deacons line up to process into St. Mary Cathedral

Knights of Peter Claver

Bishop Boyea and concelebrants

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Bishop Boyea’s closing remarks

FAITH Magazine / November 2012 / www.FAITHmag.com

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For more Diocese of Lansing anniversary coverage, scan the above tag or visit www.dioceseoflansing. org/75th_anniversary_ of_the_diocese

Knights of the Holy Sepulchre

Cardinal Edmund Szoka

Bishop Boyea receives the gifts

Archbishop Allen Vigneron of Detroit

Some concelebrating priests and bishops with the Knights of Columbus

St. Leo the Great, pope and doctor of the Church Nov. 10 | St. Josaphat, bishop and martyr Nov. 12 | St.

75th CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF LANSING

Anniversar y

of

the

Diocese

of

Lansing

The Diocese of Lansing celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. Throughout the year, we’ll be presenting pieces of our history, thanks to our diocesan historian, Msgr. George Michalek.

Dwight Burdette

Saint Francis Cemetery crucifix, Freedom Township, Michigan.

Parishes where only the cemetery remains

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he only remains of three former parishes in the diocese are, appropriately, their cemeteries. More than a century ago, one of them was the scene of a grave robbery – the body of a priest was stolen by his own family.

The first cemetery is in Corunna. In 1845, Father George Godez came there from St. Peter in Westphalia to visit and to baptize. Ten years later, a wealthy Irish banker named Gallagher helped build the church, St. Mary. A

priest was in residence at the Corunna parish from 1857 until the 1870s. One of the pastors, Father Louis Van den Driesche (Van Driss), left to start the first church in Lansing, St. Mary, which eventually became the cathedral. One of Father Van den Driesche’s brothers was the founding priest of Assumption Grotto in Detroit.

The church in Corunna closed in 1907, though the rectory still stands as a private home. The cemetery is now a second active cemetery for St. Paul in Owosso.

Also around 1845, Father Godez, a Hungarian, visited the Irish settlers in Woodhull Township, and said Mass for them. In 1847, the log structure they built for meetings became St. Patrick Church. Missionary priests would come into Shiawassee County by horseback, and then could take the Lansing-Flint railroad, which came within one mile of the Woodhull Church.

The scattered Catholic families had to establish their own cemetery, not being welcome to use the Protestant one. When William Dunn converted to

Catholicism and then became a priest in 1894, it was scandalous to his Protestant family. He died within a year of his ordination and was buried by the bishop in the Catholic cemetery.

That same night, his family dug up the grave and transferred the body to the Protestant cemetery a few miles away in Shaftsburg. His tombstone does not even indicate he was ever a priest.

The church closed in 1932. In 1937, the land and buildings were sold and the church was renovated into a home. The cemetery is now owned by the diocese, but there have been no burials there in recent years.

In Freedom Township, Washtenaw County, Father Patrick O’Kelly first visited the German settlement in 1835.

In 1839, a church was built. In 1858, a brick church was erected, which was dedicated to St. Francis Borgia. The cemetery was blessed in 1871. The church merged with St. Mary, Manchester in 1931. Though there have not been any burials there in years, it is well-kept and known for its beautiful tombstones and wrought iron work.

. Frances Xavier Cabrini, virgin Nov. 13 | St. Albert the Great, bishop and doctor of the Church Nov. 15 | St. Margaret of Scotland Nov. 16 | St. Elizabeth of Hungary, religious Nov. 17

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yourlife

inside: 8 parenting journey

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9m arriage matters

work life

T. Gennara

Jim Berlucchi is the executive director of the Spitzer Center, whose mission is to build cultures of evangelization (www.spitzercenter.org).

Chatty Cathy coworker

Q

a

One of my co-workers does nothing but chat all day. She comes to my office door and just won’t shut up.

What do I do? – Beth

It seems really simple, but let me defer to my very old philosopher friend, Socrates. He invented the Socratic method of asking really good questions.

Socrates: Beth, has any solution occurred to you?

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Beth: Well, I’ve thought of shutting my door.

S: Doors are meant to shut out distractions. And why haven’t you done that?

B: It seems kind of rude. I don’t want to hurt her feelings.

S: You seem like a very fair person and sensitive to others’ feelings. I’m curious – do you

FAITH Magazine / November 2012 / www.FAITHmag.com

think it’s unjust to be rude?

B: It would make her feel bad.

S: Would that be unjust?

B: I didn’t say that. It would just be awkward and kind of mean.

S: Shutting the door would be mean?

B: Well, maybe not mean, but awkward for sure.

S: So it would be awkward, but not unjust?

B: Right.

S: What if you had to choose between the two?

B: I guess I’d rather be just, even if it felt uncomfortable.

S: You guess?

B: Well, no. For sure, I’d rather do the right thing even if it felt awkward.

S: Speaking of the right thing, who pays you for your work?

B: My employer, who else?

S: So your chatty co-worker doesn’t pay your salary?

B: Are you kidding me? She shouldn’t even get paid for all the time she wastes. Plus, she keeps me from doing my work.

S: Does that feel awkward?

B: Why are you talking about awkward again? We already covered that.

S: Well, it seemed important to you at the beginning, before you focused on justice, which is much more important.

So your co-worker not only doesn’t work, but hinders your work. Is that just to your employer?

B: It’s almost like she’s stealing from him; totally unjust and unfair to me, too.

S: Do you still feel it would be rude to shut your door?

B: That would miss the point.

I’m going to diplomatically tell her what I think. If she doesn’t change, I’m going to my boss. Still awkward – but just.

Thanks Socrates. I guess it was a simple problem.

S: Doing the right thing is often simple, but, in the long run, it makes life worth living.

Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Nov. 21 | St. Cecilia, virgin and martyr Nov. 22 | Blessed Miguel Austin Pro,

saint of the month

Feed the Hungry, Care for the Sick St. Martin de Porres Feast: Nov. 3 St. Martin de Porres (Dec. 9, 1579 – Nov. 3, 1639) was a lay Dominican brother from Lima, Peru. He was known to have been given many miraculous gifts such as levitation, bilocation, healing, and even the ability to communicate with animals. However, his greatest witness remains his charity.

St. Martin was born Juan Martin de Porres. He was the illegitimate son of a Spanish nobleman and a former slave. This translated into a life of poverty and hardship for the young Martin. However, at 15, he was admitted to a Dominican convent as a servant boy. As his duties grew, he was led to join the order as a tertiary. Initially, his race prevented him from becoming a friar, but this restriction was later overturned as a result of his piety and miraculous cures and he was admitted fully into the order.

He was later placed in charge of the infirmary where his care for the sick impressed his superiors. He also extended care to those outside the walls of the convent.

From a glass of water to offering his own bed to an aged beggar covered with ulcers, St. Martin sought to bring the Lord’s compassion to all who suffered from illness.

One story that demonstrates his unwavering commitment to those in distress concerns his encounter with a poor native. The native was bleeding from a dagger wound, so St. Martin took the man to his own room until he could be transported to the hospice he had set up at his sister’s house in the country. His superior was furious when he found out about the incident and reprimanded St. Martin for disobeying an earlier prohibition about lodging the sick at the convent. St. Martin only replied, “Forgive my error, and please instruct me, for I did not know that the precept of obedience took precedence over that of charity.” At that, the superior allowed him to continue his exercise of mercy uninterrupted. – Douglas Culp

CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF LANSING

COME HOLY SPIRIT Presider: Let us pray that every person within the Catholic Diocese of Lansing will come to know and love our Lord Jesus Christ in a personal way, Grow in maturity as a disciple of Christ, Become actively engaged in the full life of the Church, and joyfully utilize his or her gifts for the building up of the kingdom of God and the salvation of souls.

C

ome Holy Spirit, fill the hearts

of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created and you shall renew the face of the earth.

O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit, we may be truly wise and ever enjoy his consolations.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Aug. 2012 - Dec. 2013

, priest and martyr Nov. 23 | St. Andrew Dung-Lac, priest and his companions, martyrs Nov. 24 | Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe Nov. 25 | Feast of St. Andrew, apostle Nov. 30

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PBS noted that he became a vegetarian for health and economic reasons; this lifestyle change allowed him to buy more books since meat was so expensive!

parenting journey

Do I have to change my cooking to vegetarian because my kids are vegetarian?

Q

Our kids have decided to become vegetarians, which we think is ridiculous.

Should I try to force them to eat what we serve?

a

When two of my daughters became vegetarians, I began to search for recipes that would provide adequate nutrition. On the first day of a vegetarian cooking class, the instructor asked each participant to describe her favorite entree. When I revealed my preference for peppercorn steak, there was an immediate negative reaction. In retrospect, I should have declared my passion for eggplant parmesan. Family meals provide more than nourishment for our bodies; eating is a social activity that binds us together. This change in your children’s eating behaviors has thrown the family dynamic off kilter.

Maintain a flexible attitude. Keep the focus on developing good eating habits based on sound nutritional choices. Some individuals lean toward vegetarian diets, but occasionally eat fish or meat. Don’t tease your children about falling off the wagon. Ben Franklin fluctuated in his dietary habits over time, too. When your family says grace before each meal, pray that your time together may be a celebration of joy.

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

He’s abusive.

She is making a mistake My friend is reconciling with an abusive boyfriend. How can I help her avoid this mistake?

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of an abusive relationship is to realize that you have the right to be treated with respect and not to be physically or emotionally harmed by another person.

God expects us to love one another as ourselves – we therefore must not allow ourselves to be abused.

I suggest talking with her about the importance of mutual re-

FAITH Magazine / November 2012 / www.FAITHmag.com

conflict resolution spect. Respect in a relationship means that each person values who the other is and not only understands – but would never challenge – the other person’s boundaries.

Let her also know that you are there if she thinks her boyfriend is trying to control her, make her feel bad about herself, isolate her from the rest of your world, or – this is a big one – harm her physically or sexually. Then it’s time for her to get out, fast.

S. Kendrick

The dynamics of abusive relationships are not always clear for the person involved. Often they make excuses or misinterpret violence, possessiveness, or anger as an expression of love.

That is why only professionals trained in this field can have successful interventions with both the abuser and the victim.

The first step in getting out

T. Gennara

Why the change? What led to this decision? Is it based on moral grounds? Some Catholics advocate vegetarian diets based

on our catechism: “Animals are God’s creatures. He surrounds them with his providential care. By their mere existence they bless him and give him glory. Thus men owe them kindness. We should recall the gentleness with which saints like St. Francis of Assisi or St. Philip Neri treated animals.” (CCC 2416) If a person’s medical condition doesn’t preclude it, eating a plantbased diet may be seen as a kinder approach to the animals of God’s creation. Other individuals make this dietary change for health reasons. In its presentation on Benjamin Franklin,

Not so ridiculous as you might think. Adding more variety to your own diets might be a wise health habit. Animal proteins tend to be high in saturated fats.

Ask your kids to find some quinoa recipes and give them a try. One or two days a week, the entire family can explore new vegetarian recipes that are nutritionally sound.

On the other days, the kids shouldn’t expect to have their own personal chefs. Instead, they need to invest their own time into meal preparation since they will forgo the meat dish. Some meals can be made to serve both purposes. For example, pasta can be served with a choice of meat or meatless sauces. Salads can be prepared in saladbar fashion, with bacon added separately.

Dr. Gelasia Marquez is a psychologist and family counselor.

He

says:

“ She wants everything to be exactly even for their children.”

She

“That’s not possible.”

Lynne says: I was a middle child, and I never felt as if my parents gave me as much attention as they did my older sister or the baby. I don’t want our children feeling that way – we really need to make sure every child is given exactly the same amount of money/time/gifts. I just don’t believe Tony understands me.

Tony says: We have three children – Lynne was a middle child and wants to make sure everything is exactly even. Realistically, I just don’t take as many photos as I did of the first one. And I also think different kids have different needs. This is causing trouble in our marriage.

E

What

says:

do they do?

ven if each child is given an equal amount of money/ time/gifts as Lynne is suggesting, this will not solve Lynne’s issue, because this really all boils down to love and attention, not material items. The world is full of “middle siblings” who feel the way Lynne does, and that is unfortunate. Trying to recapture childhood and somehow “make right” the perceived wrong committed by her parents is unrealistic, and may even damage Lynne’s and Tony’s children in the process.

your marriage matters may receive more teaching time from one or both parents – because it is needed, not because of a preference.

Pray about these feelings you have and share with each other how to best handle the equality of all children. When we open our hearts and let the Holy Spirit lead us to a constructive solution, our children will be the better for it. As Proverb 3:5 reminds us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.”

Tony and Lynne need to communicate about this regularly so it does not become a hindrance to their own marriage relationship. Tony might consider that because Lynne experienced less affection from her parents in childhood, she may need more affirmation from him. The “photos” you want your children to call to mind in years to come is how much Mom and Dad loved each other. In doing so, the children will have an example for their own future marriages and loving memories that will stay with them forever.

T. Gennara

Some children children to feel have a greater need equally loved, since for assistance from she did not feel as Giving equal money parents, because loved as a middle and gifts would actuchildren are indichild. But one-onally be easy, but giving viduals who are born one time with chilequal time might be the with different gifts. dren, teaching them more difficult part, as We all have strengths and caring for them children’s needs differ and weaknesses. so they can experiEven if we don’t ence real acceptance considerably. want to admit it, and happiness, is parents tend to show worth more than all partiality to differthe material things ent children based on personality, the sibling in the world. It would be a great gift to the position within the family unit (first born, last whole family if Tony and born, etc.) and how the parent experienced Lynne spent time together childhood. In a perfect world, keeping it all talking about this idea and equal is a commendable goal, but it’s not sharing with each other what always easy or realistic. Giving equal money the ideal of equality really and gifts would actually be easy, but giving means. For example, a child equal time might be the more difficult part, as who has learning disabilities children’s needs differ considerably.

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

It is understandable Lynne wants all the

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FAITH Magazine / November 2012 / www.FAITHmag.com

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culture

Leftovers

redeemed

A

year ago, I prepared a last minute Thanksgiving feast for my husband, kids and myself. In the end, it was a lot of food for just four people and sure enough, we had a lot of leftovers. While I was grateful for God’s bounty, I wasn’t exactly jumping up and down at the thought of eating the same thing for the next four days. But letting even a morsel go to waste wasn’t an option, so I improvised that year and lovingly turned those mundane extras into something better.

There is beauty and joy in such things. Turning an inferior “has-been” into a shining star is somehow so fulfilling and therapeutic. As with the restoration of a rusty classic car or the renovation of a once-stately building, our human nature relishes the return of a forgotten and unremarkable outcast.

Michelle DiFranco is a designer and the busy mom of two children.

And so does our Lord. For without his redemption, our souls would be corrupt and unworthy – even worse than four-day-old turkey. But with Christ’s saving grace and redemption our souls can be made new and perfect and desirable again. So while Thanksgiving is a great time to pause and express our gratitude for what we have, I find that by creatively reworking the leftovers on the days that follow Thanksgiving, we participate in a great metaphor for redemption. And that is what we should all be most thankful for!

So when that surplus of turkey has run its course, introduce a few additional ingredients. You’ll realize that even the most unexciting leftovers can be redeemed.

Turkey Waldorf salad wrap (makes 2 large wraps)

3 tablespoons mayonnaise 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil Salt and pepper to taste 2 cups leftover turkey, shredded ¼ cup leftover cranberry sauce ½ cup diced apples ¼ cup chopped walnuts (or pecans) 2 slices of Swiss cheese Large bunch of dark greens or spinach Large whole wheat or white sandwich wraps In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard and extra virgin olive oil. Set salad dressing aside. In a larger mixing bowl, combine turkey, diced apples and walnuts.

Add the dressing, salt and pepper. Mix until well combined.

Spread 1-2 tablespoons

of cranberry sauce in center of wrap followed by a slice of Swiss cheese.

Scoop half of the salad mixture over the cranberry sauce and then top off with a small handful of greens. Fold each end toward the center (over the ingredients) and then roll tightly to form the sandwich wrap.

Photography by Philip Shippert

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yourfaith

inside: 14 spiritual fitness

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in the know with Father Joe

Q

Dear Fr. Joe: I recently became engaged and set up a meeting with our priest. We were excited about having our wedding at an outdoor chapel but the priest said we can’t. When we asked why he said he didn’t know! Why can’t we have an outdoor ceremony with a Catholic priest?

a

Getting married in the Catholic Church is a lifegiving process that can help you and your future spouse with all sorts of wonderful elements of the Catholic life and philosophy.

You’ll grow in your love and knowledge of each other and of the wonders of our faith.

You’ll also find that, in many Catholic churches, you’ll get some great help with planning the wedding ceremony itself.

With all this information, though, sometimes the “little basics” get lost. With your question, we’ll be able to look at some of those things.

For the Catholic Church, the desire is that each person within that parish see themselves as members of a parish family. Individual priests and pastors can come and go, but the people of God who register, attend and support a parish are the engines behind it all and a major part of the reason that parish exists. The goal, hope and prayer of the Church is that, when we find our parish, we have found our spiritual

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home where everyone there is, in a special and unique way, our brother or sister. Obviously, everyone on earth is our brother or sister, but in order to love more than 7 billion people as your family, you have to start within your biological family and parish family and move from there!

This brings us to the idea that, when a member of our parish family gets married, it’s an event that is for all of us!

We hold family events like this in our family home and all are welcome. Your marriage begins in your spiritual home, and is an opportunity for everyone in the parish to come and be strengthened and renewed by your love. This also provides you at your wedding with more people there praying for and with you and that, my friend, is a great blessing.

Most Catholics don’t realize that they are welcome to attend any wedding ceremony that happens in their parish, but they are. I think that part of the reason we’ve lost that knowledge, or this vision, is because we have moved further from

FAITH Magazine / November 2012 / www.FAITHmag.com

T. Gennara

Why can’t we get married outside?

the Catholic view of marriage and more into the “private moment” idea. The U.S. bishops’ website says this: “Like the other sacraments, marriage is not just for the good of individuals or the couple, but for the community as a whole” And that statement takes us to our next point: As Catholics, we believe that marriage is a sacrament: a sacred moment given to us by Jesus. When you celebrate this wonderful sacrament, we hold it in a space that is dedicated, sacred and consecrated. We have these three requirements because marriage is so important to us, so let’s take a look at each of them.

A dedicated space: We consider weddings so special that we recognize they should be done in a place that is set aside for them. Obviously, weddings do not need to be the only thing toward which the space is dedicated. You may point out that Las Vegas wedding chapels fill this requirement.

A sacred place: When we describe something as sacred, we are recognizing it as blessed by God or touched

by God. Many places that are not churches also fall into this category.

A consecrated place: The Church teaches us that, sometimes, we take a place (or even a person!) and set them aside from “common” use for

Send your questions to: “In the Know with Fr. Joe” FAITH Magazine, 1500 E. Saginaw St., Lansing, MI 48906 Or: JoeInBlack@priest.com sacred use. This is a movement of the Holy Spirit from the people of God through our clergy, which culminates in a ritual where we say, “This place is special”.

Your Catholic church building hits all three of these requirements and, in that, offers you and your fiancé a gift: a chance to start your married life together in a remarkable place – a place that is dedicated, sacred and consecrated for the purpose of you two coming together and entering into a sacred union.

The next time you step into your church, look around and ponder the wonder and the beauty of that building. See in it the culmination of the dreams and hopes of Catholics for many, many years. See how this space, built for worship of God, offers you something nothing else can. Hundreds, even thousands of couples have stood in that sacred and consecrated place and given themselves to each other and God, surrounded by those they love.

What better place to start your life together?

Enjoy another day in God’s presence!

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FAITH Magazine / November 2012 / www.FAITHmag.com

YEAR OF FAITH – YEAR OF PRAYER

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his month is the first full month of the Year of Faith proclaimed by Pope Benedict. This month gives us at least two wonderful opportunities to grow in faith and to remember in prayer our departed sisters and brothers.

formed you from the dust of the earth. May Holy Mary, the angels and all the saints come to meet you as you go forth from this life. May you see your Redeemer face to face.” (CCC 1020)

I share this part of the Catechism to show you the light of faith shining through all our prayers, which is/can be a comfort to those who are dying. We are actually going to see God face to face. There will be unparalleled joy; yet, at The first day of November is always celebrated the same time, we will see, as we could never as the Feast of All Saints. To read more about see on this earth, how our sins and failures the beauty of this feast day, and how you can more fully emulate the sanctity of saints, please have marred the face of Christ shining through us. If we are sorry for those times and have visit www.dioceseoflansing.org and click on the confessed them, they are gone.

Spiritual Fitness column link.

If not, we will spend some The second day of NovemTraditional purifying time in purgatory. ber is devoted to prayer for all Catholic prayers For all these reasons, we those who have gone before for the dead need to pray for the dying us. Somehow, in our generaand for those who have died. tion, we have lost sight of the Eternal Father, I offer you Sometimes, today, we too, need to pray for the dead. We the most precious blood quickly “canonize” someone are certainly not passing it on of your divine Son, Jesus, we love or someone who has to the next generation. Read in union with the Masses done great things. It’s fine to what the Catechism tells us: said throughout the world rejoice in their good deeds, today, for all the holy but don’t let it deter you from “The Christian who unites souls in purgatory, for praying for the dying and his own death to that of Jesus sinners everywhere, for those who have died. None views it as a step towards him sinners in the universal of us is perfect. All of us need and an entrance into everlastChurch, those in my own prayer to accompany us until ing life … when the church for home and within my own we each fully see his face. the last time speaks words of family. Amen. pardon and absolution over the I want to encourage you to dying Christian, seals him for Eternal rest grant unto read sections 1020-1050 of the last time with a strengthhim/her (them), O Lord; the Catechism of the Catholic ening anointing and gives him and let perpetual light Church. If you don’t have a Christ in viaticum as nourshine upon him/her copy, consider buying one. It’s ishment for the journey, she (them). May he/she (they) a great resource and source speaks with gentle assurance: rest in peace. Amen. of knowledge and inspiration.

Go forth Christian soul, Use this month to think of from this world in the name of and pray for those among your God the Almighty Father, who family and friends, especially those who are created you, in the name of Jesus Christ the dying or have recently died. It will be an act of son of the living God who suffered for you, in charity for which you will be eternally blessed. the name of the Holy Spirit who was poured The prayers in the sidebar of this column are out upon you. Go forth faithful Christian! just two of the traditional Catholic prayers for May you live in peace this day, may your the dead – and are often said at gravesides. home be with God in Zion, with Mary the May November be a blessing of growth in Virgin Mother of God, with Joseph and all sanctity and in the great work of charity: to the angels and saints. pray for others.

May you return to your Creator who

T. Gennara

Prayers for the dead

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 complete teaching: A free booklet, “Captured

by Mercy” is available by calling 1.800.282.4789.

A CD, “Captured by Mercy” is available for $10. Order by writing Renewal Ministries, Att: Laura, 230 Collingwood, Suite 240, Ann Arbor, MI 48103. (Check payable to Renewal Ministries) “FAITH: More Precious Than Gold” by Sister Ann Shields is a free booklet. Order by calling 1.800.282.4789

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theology 101

What are the differences among Judaism, Christianity and Islam?

Three major religions are rooted in the Abrahamic tradition: Judaism, Islam and Christianity. How do they differ from one another?

Recognizing the inherent limitations of speaking for another faith tradition, we can say that Judaism and Islam differ primarily from Christianity in an understanding of the person of Jesus.

For Christians, Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament promise. Judaism and Islam simply do not recognize the divinity of Jesus. For this reason, the monotheism

practiced by Judaism and Islam is different from the monotheism of Christianity.

Christianity has a Trinitarian understanding of the one true God because of Jesus’ divinity that is not shared by Judaism and Islam. In fact, Islam would describe Christianity as a tri-theist religion, rather than a monotheistic religion. – Father Schoenstene As was indicated last month, it is important to acknowledge the danger of being perceived as being too presumptive, simplistic or authoritative when attempting to speak about a faith tradition that is not one’s own. Consequently, we mention only

a few basic differences in how these three religions interpret Old Testament texts.

Though all three hold some views of the ancestor Abraham in common, they also interpret texts about him differently. For example, in Gen 12:1-3, God promises Abraham that he will be “a great nation,” “a blessing” and that “in him all the families of the earth will be blessed.” The Jewish understanding of the passage is that the “blessing” will be accomplished through Abraham’s descendants, the Jews. For Christians, Jesus and all who believe in him also are descendants of Abraham. And Islam interprets this passage to mean that God makes Abraham an imam, or a leader of humanity, and that the “blessing” comes through Abraham himself. – Professor Nagel

SEMINARY PROFESSORS TALK SCRIPTURE Father Robert Schoenstene, S.S.L., is an assistant professor, Department of Biblical Exegesis and Proclamation, University of Saint Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.

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FAITH Magazine / November 2012 / www.FAITHmag.com

Elizabeth Nagel, S.S.D., is a professor in the Department of Biblical Exegesis and Proclamation, University of Saint Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.

Vatican II

Q:

YEAR OF FAITH – YEAR OF PRAYER

What does Vatican II teach about the Church’s relation to Eastern Churches not in communion with the Roman Apostolic See?

The Decree on Ecumenism (Unitatis Redintegratio) states that the Eastern Churches hold a special position in terms of their relation to the Church. The East and West are bound together in a communion of faith and sacramental life that extends beyond the lamentable split that occurred centuries ago over disputes about dogmatic formulations and the dissolution of ecclesiastical communion between the Eastern Patriarchates and the Roman See. This makes the Church’s desire for a return to full communion all the more urgent.

Despite their separation from the Church, the Eastern Churches possess true sacraments, above all – by apostolic succession – the priesthood and the Eucharist, “whereby they are still joined to us in closest intimacy.” They also have other things in common with the West: a love for liturgy, a high regard for Mary and an honored place for the saints and those Fathers of the universal Church within their ranks.

The document acknowledges how the West has in fact drawn from the riches of the East in terms of liturgy, spiritual tradition and jurisprudence. It mentions the traditions expressed in Eastern monastic life that became the source

How would a Judaic or Islamic reading of the Old Testament differ from a Christian reading?

When it comes to reading the Old Testament, a Christian reading necessarily requires the lens of Christology, whether implicitly or explicitly. And yet, the Old Testament must be viewed in continuity with the New Testament, since both are of the Word.

Judaism, on the other hand, does not share the belief in the Incarnate Word. The Old Testament is read not with Christ in mind, but as the earliest inspired documents of their religious community through which they can see and better understand their present existence as a people.

Finally, an Islamic reading of the Old Testament would be very different from both a Christian and Jewish reading.

Islam thought of the Old Testament as becoming somehow defective. Therefore, any reading of the Old Testament would be a Koranic reading since Muslims believe the Koran is the true word of God that actually supplants the Old Testament.

Put another way, if a contradiction existed

Catholic News Service

A:

U.S. bishops from Eastern Catholic churches concelebrate a Latin-rite Mass at the Altar of the Tomb in the crypt of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican.

of Latin monastic life. Catholics are actually recommended to “avail themselves more often of the spiritual riches of the Eastern Fathers, which lift up the whole man to the contemplation of divine mysteries.” In addition, the decree points out that the basic dogmas of the Christian faith concerning the Trinity and the Virgin Mary were defined at ecumenical councils held in the East.

between the Old Testament and the Koran, the teaching of the Koran would be adhered to while that of Old Testament would be rejected. – Father Schoenstene The person of Jesus Christ and the meaning of his passion, death and resurrection are viewed differently by all three religions. For the Jewish people, Jesus cannot be divine because there is only one God, and for them his divinity presupposes the existence of two. Their Shema commands: “Hear O Israel, the

Lord is our God, the Lord is one” Deut 6:4. For Islam, too, the concept of a Trinitarian God implies the existence of more than one God. Both Judaism and Islam acknowledge that Jesus was a great prophet, but deny his divinity. Consequently, one basic way that a Christian reading of the Old Testament differs from that of Judaism and Islam in that Christians see another level of meaning in it, namely a Christological one which interprets texts in the light of the paschal mystery. – Professor Nagel

Catechism quiz

Q:

The Christian tradition comprises three major expressions of the life of prayer. Vocal prayer, such as praying aloud the Our Father, engages our senses and seeks to translate our feelings into external expression. Meditation is more a prayerful quest that involves thought, imagination, emotion and desire in an effort to appropriate a subject of faith by confronting the realities of our own life. What is the third expression?

A:

Contemplative prayer. It is a gaze of faith fixed on Jesus, an attentiveness to the Word of God, and a silent love. “It achieves real union with the prayer of Christ to the extent that it makes us share in his mystery. – CCC 2724 (See 2700 – 2719)

Interview and sidebars by Doug Culp

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Y O U R

F A I T H

from the bishop

Please go vote!

P

Carlson Productions

lease vote! That is not very controversial. Now try this: Please vote according to your conscience. Still, that is not too bad. Most of us do not want to violate our consciences. Now, how about this: Please make sure your conscience is well-formed. Ah, now we might be entering a more problematic area. For a Catholic, a well-formed conscience aligns us with the will of God, which we discern through close and prayerful attention to the teachings of Jesus, as recorded in Scripture and as taught by the bride of Christ, the Church.

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

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From that foundation, there are certain non-negotiable matters that all of us must consider. Will my vote further erode the protection of the unborn, or will it advance that protection? Will my vote protect the God-created institution of marriage, or will it promote redefinitions of marriage? Will my vote allow our Catholic institutions to enjoy the religious freedom guaranteed in the Constitution, or will it end many Catholic services offered to Catholics and non-Catholics alike? Will my vote support the Department of Health and Human Services in its attempts to define what it means to be Catholic, or will it help to undo that unconstitutional intrusion into the life of the Church? Will my vote advance immigration reform, or will it hinder it?

These are weighty questions and require of us serious reflection, because our vote can determine the answers to these matters, and so many more.

A well-formed conscience recognizes that there are some

FAITH Magazine / November 2012 / www.FAITHmag.com

To view the Michigan Catholic Conference Voters’ Guide, visit www.dioceseoflansing.org

activities that are always evil and should never be done, even as a means to achieve some other good. These activities include elective abortion, euthanasia, physician-assisted suicide, destruction of and experimentation on human embryos, depriving people of their religious freedom, samesex “marriage,� racial discrimination, and the production and use of pornography.

Concerning such activities, no one with a well-formed conscience, especially a Catholic, may promote or even remain indifferent to them.

We would commit moral evil if we were to vote for a candidate who takes a permissive stand on these actions that are intrinsically evil when there is a morally acceptable alternative. Of course, every candidate is human and no political party embraces all

our moral stances. Yet, this never gives us permission to stay home on Election Day or to dismiss the importance of key Church teachings. Even when the choices are imperfect, we still must keep before our eyes the teachings of Jesus Christ and his Church, especially regarding life, marriage and religious freedom.

So, please vote! Please vote with a conscience well-formed by fundamental moral principles. As faithful citizens, let us cast our votes through the lens of faith and bring to the public square our commitment to the common good. Let this, in fact, be an exercise of our religious liberty, our freedom to express our faith in public, to live out our Christian duties free from unjust governmental controls, and to promote the glorious heritage of freedom in our country for the next generation.

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morality everyday

Is smoking immoral?

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hat does the Catholic Church teach about the morality of smoking cigarettes? It certainly does not explicitly condemn smoking as intrinsically evil; indeed, it teaches that the use of tobacco could be temperate. The Catechism states: “The virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess: the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco, or medicine.”

(2290) This indicates that there could be some moderate use of tobacco that may be moral.

What does the Catechism have in mind? The occasional cigar or pipe smoking? Is the smoking of many cigarettes a day always intemperate? Usually?

Whether something is temperate or not depends upon a balance of goods and harms. Many of the things we do, such as playing sports, riding motorcycles or drinking alcohol, come with the risk of harm. Just because something threatens harm does not make it sinful.

We all now are fairly well educated on the harms of cigarette smoking; they are many and serious. It contributes to a large number of health problems and is a major cause of death.

Moreover, smokers are more likely to engage in alcohol abuse and a host of other risky behaviors. Smokers die 13 to 14 years earlier than others. Buying cigarettes is expensive, as is the health care to deal with it. Moreover, the fact that most smokers are addicted to smoking indicates that they have given up some of their freedom. All of that would seem to indicate smoking cigarettes is a sinful action for most everyone who smokes. Not a mortal sin, but a fairly serious venial sin.

What justifications could there be for smoking? I Googled the phrase “Why I love smoking cigarettes” and came up with an amazing number of justifications, ranging from being a stimulant, to a sedative, to a great aide for enabling – and preventing – social interactions. People claim it helps them look sophisticated, or helps them express rebellion or acts as a reward or motivation. Some use smoking to kill time, or like to see the smoke move in the air, or like to play with fire, among others.

Most of these goods could be achieved otherwise, in ways without the harms of tobacco smoking.

Very few of my friends smoke; one who does seems to need it much like others need an anti-depressant. When he tries to quit, his normal irritability skyrockets and his extremely high rate of productivity grinds to a halt. I have read of people with mental illness who are greatly calmed by smoking cigarettes; their tendency to violence is greatly curtailed. In such cases, the benefits from smoking may outweigh the harms.

But whenever the same benefits can be gained without commensurate harm, we have an obligation to use the harmless alternatives.

Janet E. Smith holds the Father Michael J. McGivney Chair of Life Ethics at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit.

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yourstories our story

Married for life Pat and Bob’s secrets for a successful marriage

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By Nancy Schertzing | Photography by Tom Gennara

c o v e r

s t o r y

When God calls, Dawn helps you listen p.22

Michael Schimpf

inside:

The MacDonald Brothers answered God’s call p.26

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hether fresh from the oven or out of a bag, chocolate chip cookies rank near the top of favorite comfort foods. There’s nothing exciting about these lumpy brown clumps we take for granted. Yet when I bite into a great chocolate chip cookie, I know it. I savor its sweet richness and the feeling of warm contentment that starts on my tongue and glows into my soul.

“We are so proud of all our children, grandchildren, and now our great-grandchildren,” Pat adds. “They’re a part of you. The love you have for them makes them so important.”

“We always tried to involve ourselves in what our kids did. We spent a lot of time in Canada when our boys got into hockey. I was president of the fathers’ group at our kids’ school and Pat was president of the mothers’ group for years.

“We have been able to give our time and finances – time mostly – to help make our schools, churches and other organizations better for others,” Bob says. “We have encouraged our kids to round out their lives by giving their time, too.”

Sitting at Bob and Pat Eady’s dining room table, I wonder how “And they do,” Pat agrees. “We’re very proud of how all of them many chocolate chip cookies have graced its surface in their 64 have been involved in their communities and children’s lives.” years of marriage. Their five children, 10 grandkids and six great Bob says, “When our grandkids ask us the key to a long margrandchildren probably wouldn’t remember amid all the wonderriage I tell them it’s not too complicated. It’s a give and take propoful food and warm memories. Chocolate chip cookies get lost in sition and sometimes you go through tough times. But I tell them: decades of Christmas Eve parties, birthday celebrations or “just Don’t ever go to bed mad,” because it’s a nice day” get-togethers. “... and always kiss each other goodnight.” Pat finishes.

In the 1940s, when Bob and Pat Eady attended high school to “It takes an effort to do that,” Bob says. “Sometimes you don’t gether, their chocolate chip cookies came from homes, oven-warm want to kiss goodnight. But you can’t just hope it’s gonna happen.” and served with love. Sharing them with siblings and cousins Pat nods. “Marriage takes work.” who lived nearby sweetened the cookies’ taste and flavored child “It isn’t something you just do,” Bob leans forward for emphasis. hood memories. When these high school sweethearts married in “You need to love it, and you need to love the person you’re mar1948, they settled near their families and began making their life ried to.” together the only way they knew how.

“And you need to have God in your life,” Pat adds. “Bob has “When we were growing up, it was part of the culture of Catho- been a strong, loving, wonderful husband and father.” She reaches lics. When you got married, you married for life,” Bob says. out to gently slap his leg as her eyes redden slightly. “If something “We came from close-knit families. Our parents stayed together happens to him, I will miss him terribly.” forever,” Pat explains. “Our brothers and sisters, our cousins and “I didn’t know you felt that way about me,” he teases. friends from high school all stayed together until death parted them.”

Pat rolls her eyes slightly and continues. “We’ve had a happy “There’ve been times when we haven’t been very happy,” says life, and I know I would go on. I don’t know about Bob. I don’t Bob, “but it never crossed my mind that I’d want to be with know what he would do. Some of our friends have lost their anybody else.” Pat nods in agreement. “I don’t think anybody else wives, and they’re so lonely it breaks your heart.” would put up with me,” Bob smiles.

“I know what I would do,” Bob responds. “I would go on living, “Oh, I don’t know about that,” Pat says, tilting her head and but I certainly would miss her. Who would make the bed in the smiling at her husband. “We’ve been pretty mornings?” They smile at each other. happy. And we’ve been blessed with very few “We’ve been together more than 64 years. I hardships.” think it would be harder to lose one another if “We had some hard times. Starting out in the we were younger,” Pate muses. “When you’re insurance business, you don’t make a lot. As the young, you don’t expect to die, but, as you grow children kept coming, things got a little tight,” old together, you feel more at peace. I think it’s Bob remembers. easier to accept.”

“But we managed. We put them all through As I wrap up my notes and get up from the Get the free mobile app at Catholic schools,” Pat adds. “Our faith is strong. table, Pat says, “I’m afraid our lives haven’t been http://gettag.mobi We try to live it.” very exciting. I hope you can find something to For information about “Our kids are very important to us. When our write about for your article.” marriage formation and son was flying around Vietnam in helicopters, Smiling, I hug them each in turn and head out enrichment in the Diocese we didn’t know if he would come home from from their kitchen. It may not be exciting, but, of Lansing, visit http:// the war or not. That was a rough time – lots of like a great chocolate chip cookie, the sweetness www.dioceseoflansing. prayers and sleepless nights,” Bob says, with Pat and richness of the life they’ve made together are org/catholic_charities. nodding in agreement. glowing their way into my soul.

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Dawn Hausmann

says

her work in the Diocese of Lansing is

God’s doing. She is the director of consecrated vocations for the diocese. In that role, she helps young people discern their call to a vocation in the Church.

Like all good stories, Dawn’s starts years ago. When she was a young girl, her father didn’t want her and her siblings to be spoiled; he wanted them to have a sense of mission.

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By Eileen Gianiodis | Photography by Jim Luning

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Dawn describes her job as “kind of like being a guidance counselor for one of the biggest decisions of people’s lives. I get to be a guide to the will of God, helping people hear the voice of the Lord, the calling of our God.”

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By Nancy Schertzing | Photography by Jim Luning

cover story “My father insisted that we were old enough to see the calling of our God.” the real world at 12 or 13, so we took a family trip to Tijuana, Mexico, to work in a migrant shelter for those who didn’t make it over the border,” she says.

While she was in college at Michigan State University, Dawn’s parish adopted a Ugandan parish. For many parishioners, that likely meant more money in the collection basket, more prayers and maybe even several care packages to the African parish. For Dawn, it meant a month off of college living in Uganda.

“It woke me up to the Third World reality, it was an eye-opener for me,” she says. “Kids who didn’t even have running water had so much joy. They were praising the Lord. They knew what it was to appreciate the joy of life. I learned from them that the stuff we have doesn’t make us happy.”

“I want to serve people,” she says, “I know I’m called to do that.”

She earned a degree in social work at Michigan State University and joined the Holy Cross Associates for a year, working in Colorado Springs. Living in community with four other women, Dawn served as an assistant to the director at a nonprofit agency. She helped coordinate volunteers and assisted with emergency needs.

“I loved the beauty of being with such joyous people who wanted to serve,” she says of her counterparts. “It was important for me to get to know the poor – seeing the beauty of them as people, brothers and sisters of Christ, serving them in such need, giving them what they need.”

But for Dawn, meeting the temporary or emergency needs as they occurred wasn’t enough.

“In Colorado, I had a hard time dealing with the Band-Aid approaches that we often need to provide. I wanted to help fix the root of the problem,” she says. “I wanted to reach families and the domestic church, – a preventative way of serving people and families.”

So after a year in Colorado Springs, Dawn joined the Salesian Lay Missioners and went to Bolivia to teach children about the Catholic faith. She also worked with a program there where she taught teenagers about chastity and taught mothers about NFP. After two years, she felt called to come back to the States. She earned a master’s degree in theology from the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for the Study of Marriage and Family in Washington, D.C. “I fell in love with John Paul II’s teaching on the theology of the body,” she says.

After graduation, “I was originally looking for a campus ministry position or marriage and family position,” But, instead, a friend told her about the job in Lansing, and she now works to help people discern their calling to a permanent state of life vocation.”

Dawn describes her job as “kind of like being a guidance counselor for one of the biggest decisions of people’s lives. I get to be a guide to the will of God, helping people hear the voice of the Lord,

Encouraging the youth to overcome fear by trust and faith in God and his will for them, Dawn helps young women and men discern their call, and determine a good fit for religious orders, different forms of consecrated life, such as consecrated virginity or the hermit life, or to whatever calling God leads them. But she maintains it’s not her job to help young men and women to discern God’s call; families and the Church play a role, too.

“It’s all of our jobs to help our youth understand what God has designed them for – and to help them not be afraid,” Dawn says.

“Our concept of calling has changed from decades ago. Today there seems to be much more active choice in discerning God’s will.

People don’t enter vocations because they think it is considered the ‘best’ one, but the one they feel God calling them to, which is truly the best vocation for them. God doesn’t crush our will. He designed us with desire in our hearts. God calls some of us to marriage, some to celibacy. God is the one who calls; our acceptance and positive response will bring us the greatest joy in life.”

It’s the response where Dawn has truly found the most joy in her own life, she says, saying yes to the calling of the Lord to a vocation.

And she finds great joy in “getting to be part of seeing other young women and men discern their call; seeing the joy is very rewarding.”

Whether it’s a “nun run,” where she takes young women to visit several different orders on a weekend, speaking to a large or small group, organizing retreats or talking to someone on the phone, Dawn says there’s no typical day for her.

“I worry about not reaching enough people,” she says. “We have such a big diocese and I’m very passionate about sharing the truth of vocations and helping people discern theirs.”

She does have faith, however, knowing that we “never know where we are assisting the Lord in planting the seeds and sharing the truth.”

Next year, Dawn will live in the Emmaus House in East Lansing, as the housemother. She also is discerning her own vocation, which is moving toward the life of a consecrated virgin.

“I do believe God’s calling me to a consecrated life, to be a Bride of Christ,” she says. “I hope that I will be an image of being his bride, in the midst of the world, to bring Christ to the center of the world, being a living reminder of the destiny of all of us, a people called to become united with God in heaven.”

Emmaus House The Emmaus House has openings for adult women who are interested in seriously discerning a vocation to religious life in a community. Located in East Lansing, directly across from St. John Chapel and Student Center, the house offers college-age women studying at Michigan State University or Lansing Community College an opportunity to grow in discerning a vocation, and in community prayer and parish involvement.

For more information on vocations to the consecrated life, contact Dawn at dhausmann@dioceseoflansing.org, 517.342.2506.

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our story

Left to right: Father Eben MacDonald, Father Tim MacDonald and Father Adam MacDonald

Three brothers – three priests

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n a June weekend, Eben, Adam and Tim MacDonald returned to their childhood parish of St. Michael’s in Flint for Mass. The only difference was that instead of serving as altar boys or participating from the pews, they concelebrated with Father Matthew Fedewa. As of June 2, the MacDonald family counts three priests in their family of six children. Father Eben, the oldest of the MacDonald children, was ordained June 2 in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, joining his brothers Father Adam and Father Tim, who were ordained in 2000. Father Adam is a vocation director for the Divine Word Missionaries, while Father Tim is the pastor of Queen of the Miraculous Medal in Jackson and administrator of Our Lady of Fatima in Michigan Center.

The celebration at St. Michael’s was a powerful one for the brothers, who have been the recipients of parish prayers and support over the years. Father Adam recalls looking at his brothers during the Mass, feeling emotional and thinking, “It’s unbelievable.” Seeing faces of family and friends, there to celebrate with the MacDonald family, the feeling of support and appreciation was palpable.

Celebrating Mass with Father Matt, the pastor at St. Michael’s during their childhood, was traveling full circle for the brothers, who consider him a source of inspira-

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tion in their journey.

“He is like Nathaniel in the Bible,” says Father Tim. “He never has a bad word to say about anybody.”

Father Eben credits Father Matt with gentleness, kindness and all the hallmarks found in a true Christian. Both he and Father Adam worked for Father Matt at St. Michael’s during their school years in Flint.

Father Adam recalls the important role Father Matt played in his realization God was calling him to the priesthood.

On Holy Thursday in 1986, Father Adam was asked to participate in the foot washing

FAITH Magazine / November 2012 / www.FAITHmag.com

ritual of the Mass. After Father Matt washed his feet and embraced him, the 15-year-old faced the powerful love of God with Father Matt as the physical conduit.

“I felt a real ‘felt’ presence of Christ,” he remembers. “It was a very intense experience.”

Family also was key for all three brothers in discovering they were meant to serve God as priests. An underlying current of faith and service was part of daily life in the MacDonald household.

“Our parents were both very active in the Church,” says Father Eben. Father Adam recalls there were not lectures or discussions

By Mary Kay McCormick | Photography by Tom Gennara

about faith, just witnessed behavior.

“It wasn’t so much the words, it was the actions,” Father Eben adds. “Faith is a part of life.”

The example set by Laurence and the late Rose Ann began with joyful and constant Mass attendance as a family. Faith deepened their Catholic life, with participation both in the Mass, as well as in the parish itself.

“To me, going to church on Sunday was as natural as breathing,” Father Eben says.

“It’s just who we are and what we did.”

Laurence and Rose Ann welcomed Father Fedewa, as well as other priests and religious sisters, into their home for friendship and fellowship. The brothers remember with fondness having the opportunity of knowing committed religious members as people, not just as aloof Church leaders.

Beyond life at St. Michael’s, Laurence and Rose Ann also reached out in the community to those in need. “They were always adopting people into our family,” remembers Father Eben. The brothers recall two blind men who lived in group homes and shared the holidays with the MacDonalds.

This outreach was done without fanfare and with a quiet grace.

“Christian service was a very powerful witness by our parents,” Father Eben says.

“Had they talked about it, being a typical kid, I would have tuned it out,” says Father Adam. “It was their lived example that spoke more powerfully than any words they might have said.”

The best gift Laurence and Rose Ann gave each of their children was the support and encouragement to live the life they were meant to live, whether that was the priesthood or a different calling.

“There was never any pressure to pursue this lifestyle over that,” Father Eben says.

“They just wanted me to be fulfilled and find my true calling.”

The call to religious life is a common thread running through the MacDonald family. Their mother discerned becoming a nun before her marriage, and their grandfather was in seminary until he experienced an injury.

As the oldest, Eben found himself, like many young people, wandering away from his Catholic faith while he was in college.

However, realizing something was missing in his life, he found the joy of his faith again and became very active in the youth ministry at St. Michael’s. He decided to discern religious life and entered the seminary for a year. Although he only stayed a year,

The MacDonald brothers with Father Matthew Fedewa

it had an impact. Visiting his older brother during that year of formation made an especially strong impression on Adam.

“It was very inspiring,” Father Adam says.

While Eben lived a secular life, his younger brothers found themselves drawn to the priesthood. Adam attended Divine Word College in Iowa. Over the years, he served as a missionary in the Philippines and in Japan. Around the same time, Tim entered the seminary to become a diocesan priest in the Diocese of Lansing, and was sent to Rome to study. The two brothers finished their seminary education at the same time. Adam requested ordination alongside his brother, so the two could share this special sacrament with each other and the rest of the family. Adam’s religious superiors granted his request, and the two brothers were ordained together in June 2000 at St. Mary Cathedral in Lansing.

For Eben, a move to the West Coast could not fully quiet the voice of the Holy Spirit whispering to him. For many years, he was very active in his parish in California. “I found myself day-dreaming at work about ‘What would I be doing right now if I were a priest?’”

When he found himself talking to people with great excitement and happiness about the parish life, where he spent only a few hours per week, as opposed to his successful job and financial security, Eben knew it was time to change direction. He gave up life in the secular world and entered the seminary to become a diocesan priest for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

The whole family, except Rose Ann, whose illness allowed her to be with Father Eben only in spirit, traveled to Los

Angeles to celebrate Father Eben’s ordination on June 2. His new life as an parochial vicar began July 1 at Sacred Heart Parish in Lancaster, Calif., in the high desert area of Los Angeles County. Sadly, Rose Ann died Aug. 7.

The bond of brotherhood among Fathers Eben, Adam and Tim strengthens them as priests. There is a built-in support network that helps with all areas of their lives – spiritually, as administrators, and in working as priests to spread the Word of God and the love of Christ.

“We’re never far from each other’s thoughts and prayers,” Father Tim says.

They all believe the priesthood is a sacred calling and hope families will begin to play a larger role in celebrating the vocation. Father Adam says interest in the priesthood is still strong in young men, but religious life is often seen as a loss for parents, and so the desire in many young men can be stifled.

“The Church always is rejuvenating,” says Father Tim. “This is still a life worth living.”

To see the joy and fulfillment in the MacDonald brothers as they live as priests, sons, brothers and men, there is no better inspiration for young men or older men to consider the priesthood as a vocation.

For information on priestly vocations, contact Father John Linden at jlinden@dioceseoflansing.org

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yourcommun community

things to do: Oct. 24, 7:30 p.m., Pam Stenzel, world-renowned speaker and wellknown author, will present a talk for teens on abstinence and the issues of sexuality at St. Andrew the Apostle, 910 Austin Drive, Saline. For information, contact Nancy Carter at 734.429.8467.

Lansing Catholic Singles invites all singles, ages mid-30s-60s, to join them for their November events: Nov. 4, 2 p.m., Scavenger Hunt followed by dinner and dancing; Nov. 10, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m., day retreat featuring Matthew Kelly in White Lake. Cost: $39; Nov. 16, 5 p.m.-7 p.m., Happy Hour at Tony M’s in Delta Twp. For more, call 517.321.7886 or email lansingcatholicsingles@ live.com. New members always welcome.

The Knights of Columbus invite you to a Holiday Craft Show, Swiss Steak Dinner and more at St. Mary Church, 157 High St., Williamston: Craft show, Nov. 3, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., with a luncheon noon-2 p.m.; and craft show, Nov. 4, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Swiss Steak Dinner from noon-3 p.m. For information, call Lynn 517.490.3242.

St. Pius X Catholic School in Flint is celebrating 50 years of Catholic education on Nov. 10, noon-4 p.m., with an opportunity to visit the school followed at 4:30 p.m. with a Military Mass of Appreciation on Nov. 11 at 11:30 a.m., Mass celebration of its anniversary, followed by a light lunch. All are welcome to attend.

Dec. 1, 7:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m., 2012 Nun Run can help answer questions you have and provide an up-close look at religious life with quick visits to convents throughout the Diocese of Lansing. You will have an opportunity to talk with the sisters and see how they live. For more information or to register, contact Dawn Hausmann at dhausmann@dioceseoflansing.org or 517.342.2506. hors d’oeuvres, followed by a live auction. Call 517.349.3322 to order tickets and for advertising opportunities.

Nov. 14, 2 p.m., at St. Joseph Shrine Family Center in Brooklyn, Sister Rosemary Abramovich, OP, will speak on Holiday Depression – what’s normal, what’s not and what we can do about it. For information, contact Diane Dover at 517.467.2183.

Nov. 17, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., St. Gerard annual craft show in Father Weber Hall, 4437 W. Willow Hwy. in Lansing. Crafters interested in reserving a booth for this event, contact the church office at 517.323.2379.

40 years

• Rev. Prabhu Lakra • Rev. Peter Clark • Rev. James P. Conlon • Rev. Geoffrey Rose, OSFS

• Patrick McDonald 25 years

50 years:

• Endre Doran • William Fudge • Joseph Kratofil • James Nicholson • Eulalio Pizaña • Kenneth Spaulding • Andy Tardif

• Msgr. Richard J. Groshek • Rev. Robert D. Kolenski

Questions regarding vocations? visit www.dioceseoflansing.org

25 years: • Rev. David E. Fisher • Rev. Francis George

Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw, www.csswashtenaw.org or 734.971.9781 ext. 421 We C.A.R.E., Nov. 9-10, for engaged couples at Holy Trinity, 511 W. Forest Ave., Ypsilanti and Dec. 7-8, at St. Thomas the Apostle, 530 Elizabeth St., Ann Arbor. Cost is $95. For information or to register, contact Catholic Social Services.

Nov. 17, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Smart Steps for Stepfamilies program is for blended families who are planning a new life together, with children residing

FAITH Magazine / November 2012 / www.FAITHmag.com

2012 Deacon Anniversaries:

10 years:

Catholic Charities

Nov. 10, 6 p.m., St. Martha School will have its annual auction at Walnut Hills Country Club, 2874 Lake Lansing Rd., East Lansing.

The evening’s theme is “There’s No Place Like Home,” and includes a silent auction, entertainment and

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2012 Priest Anniversaries:

in the home on a full or part-time basis. Cost is $75. Registration form is on the website. For information, contact Catholic Social Services.

St. Vincent Catholic Charities, www.stvcc.org Beginning Nov. 23, STVCC is asking the community to help the children and families it serves have a Merry Christmas by donating to its annual holiday giving program. Angel gift tags will be available in the local malls with the wish list of a child/family. Gifts purchased should be dropped off at St. Vincent by Dec. 17. For more information, call Thuy Pham at 517.323.4734.

November café events Nov. 6-Dec. 11, on Tuesdays, 10 a.m. or 7 p.m., St. Joseph Shrine, Brooklyn, will have “The Good News of God’s Mercy,” the Gospel of Luke, a six-week Bible series. To register, contact Diane Dover at 517.467.2183

or ddover@frontiernet.net.

Thursdays after 9 a.m.

Mass, St. Mary, Charlotte has young mothers’ Bible study. For more information, call Kira Tennes at 517.645.9781

Pass along FAITH Magazine to a friend.

Visit www.FAITHmag.com to purchase a gift subscription

nity Retreat Centers St. Francis Retreat Center, 703 E. Main St., DeWitt, 866.669.8321 or www. stfrancis.ws.

Nov. 16-18, Contemplative retreat – a quiet time for women.

Nov. 30-Dec. 2, Married couples retreat – time to spend with each other and God. Weber Retreat Center, 1257 E. Siena Heights Dr., Adrian, 517.266.4000 or weber.adriandominicans.org.

Nov. 17, Praying the Body, Mind and Spirit: Engaging Aging, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m., $45, includes lunch; and Nov. 25-29, Sun., 7:30 p.m.-Thurs., 1 p.m., “The Leap: King to Manager,” non-refundable deposit of $50 required to make reservation.

Dominican Center at Marywood, 616.454.1241; links to all fall programs and online registrations are at www.dominicancenter.com/ open-programs Nov. 6, 13, 20, 27, 6:30 p.m.9 p.m., Pillars of Steel: How real men draw strength from each other; Nov. 12-Dec. 17, five sessions, Grief: Mourning Dawns; Nov. 13, an evening of loving-kindness meditation; and Nov. 28, Men’s spirituality breakfast, topic is aging.

Mass for recovery – alcohol and other drugs schedule: St. Mary Student Parish, 331 Thompson St., Ann Arbor, invites all to attend a special Mass of prayer and healing for those with addiction and those who love them. Refreshments to follow in the Newman Lounge.

Masses will be held: Oct. 4, Nov. 8, Dec.6, 2012; and Jan 10, Feb. 7, March 14 and April 4, 2013.

For information, call Jim at 734.905.0992 or Robert at 734.395.3990.

local news The Chelsea Council was awarded the 2012 International Youth Activity Award by the Supreme Council of the Knights of Columbus and Supreme Knight Carl Anderson.

Chelsea Knights win 2012 international award for children’s peace project Father William Turner, St. Mary Parish, the Knights of Columbus Chelsea Council 3092 and the Chelsea community hosted five Palestinian teenagers and their adult chaperone from July 27-Aug. 22, 2011, in an effort to reach out to the Christians in the Holy Land from Bethlehem, who are caught in the middle of a conflict between two warring factions.

Following the students’ visit in August, St. Mary Parish welcomed the Latin Patriarch of

Arbor North Communion service St. Mary Star of the Sea, Jackson parishioner Mary Reska has been bringing the Blessed Sacrament to the residents at Arbor North for 10 years.

“They asked in the bulletin for someone to take Communion and I thought it would be a good New Year’s resolution,” Mary said.

The Catholic residents at the facility are happy that Mary has kept her resolution

Jerusalem, Fouad Boutros Ibrahim Twal, for a special visit and Mass on Sept. 24, 2011, along with Sir Rateb Rabie, the president and CEO of the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation, which coordinated the visit.

As a result, the Chelsea Council was awarded the 2012 International Youth Activity Award by the Supreme Council of the Knights of Columbus and Supreme Knight Carl Anderson on Aug. 8, 2012, as part of the events of the 130th Supreme Convention at the Hilton Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif.

each Monday.

Christine Wilson and Dorothy Maule, St. John the Evangelist Church parishioners, are grateful for Mary’s presence. Christine shared, “If you are disabled and unable to attend church, you can receive Communion here.”

Gertrude Burzynsky, Our Lady of Fatima, Michigan Center parishioner said that her children take her each week to her home parish. She receives Communion at Arbor North and said that once a month a priest from Queen

Come dine with Jesus A life-sized bronze sculpture of Jesus was installed at Holy Spirit Parish in Hamburg in September. It portrays Jesus seated at a marble table with 12 seats

of the Miraculous Medal Church, celebrates Mass for the Catholics in the complex.

As a Queen’s parishioner, Frances Burdick said that Communion is such a comfort. Two other St. Mary parishioners, Jack Wells and Catherine Jurrzcyk said that Communion is necessary and very important.

surrounding him. They represent the Apostles. The table is a place for people to dine or pray with Jesus in the Serenity Court on the parish grounds, above the cemetery.

The sculpture was created by internationally renowned sculptor Timothy P. Schmalz of Toronto. There are five “Come Dine with Jesus” sculptures in the United States; two of them are in Michigan.

– Jan Hoffbauer

local news New science and technology lab at IHM-St. Casimir School IHM-St. Casimir has received a generous $50,000 donation for its science and technology lab. In turn, the school community had to raise a match gift of $50,000 so work could begin as soon as school ended in June 2012. The two parishes’ faith communities worked hard and were able to achieve their goal. Many volunteers came throughout the summer to demolish, clean, paint and do whatever was needed. Through the generosity of both parishes, IHM-St. Casimir School is starting the 2012-13 school year with a new $100,000 science and technology lab where God is the center of each lesson. This new facility is state of the art. Experimental data is automatically shared with the technology and computers in the lab. Students and teachers are able to analyze and draw scientific conclusions to generate discussion and learning. The school and its students feel truly blessed.

Catholic education is a Racine family tradition Dr. Paul Racine and his son Nick share a special bond that goes beyond that of father and son. Paul graduated from the first “new” Powers Catholic High School, Flint, in 1971; Nick will be in the last graduating class in 2013 at the Carpenter Road location.

Paul says, “About five to seven schools were consolidated into the new Powers. I went from a small school, Holy Redeemer in Burton with a class of 60 students, to Powers … our class was more than 300.”

Nick, on the other hand, likes the small graduating class of about 130 students because they can all be friends.

– Jan Hoffbauer

Director for Citizens for a Pro-Life Society speaks Dr. Monica M. Miller, Ph.D., was the guest speaker at St. Thomas the Apostle, Ann Arbor recently. She is the director for Citizens for a Pro-Life Society and spoke about the importance of voting for pro-life issues.

Dr. Miller said that the right to life is No. 1 and wished all candidates were pro-life, but, since that is not the case, people have to be faithful when they go to the polls. She said voters need to examine the full range of issues in a moral framework.

Dr. Miller said the right to life is not only about abortion, but also fetal experimentation, cloning, embryonic stem-cell research, infanticide, euthanasia, assisted suicide, loss of respect for the elderly and handicapped and anti-capital punishment. So, when you go to the polls in November, she said let your conscience guide you to vote for the candidates who are pro-life.

– Jan Hoffbauer

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FAITH Magazine / November 2012 / www.FAITHmag.com

Holy Trinity Student Parish and St. John the Baptist merge

O

n Sept. 3, Holy Trinity Student Parish and St. John the Baptist Parish, both in Ypsilanti, merged. But work on the merger has been under way for some time.

New collection envelopes, the heading on the parish bulletin, and Mass and confession schedules all reflected the change on the weekend of June 30-July 1. Even before this, Father Philip Mayfield, PIME, pastor of Holy Trinity, and Father Robert Roggenbuck, pastor of St. John, had been working to prepare members of both parishes for the merger, and transforming Holy Trinity Parish into Holy Trinity Student Center.

Karmen Saran, director of special projects for the combined parish, says the merger is part of a “season of renewal” for the Ypsilanti community. She notes that St. John has seen a 60 percent growth in its membership over the last three years, and that the infusion of the “energy and excitement” of the student parish has carried the renewal even further. “Change is challenging, even positive change,” says Saran, “so it’s been inspiring and invigorating to see both St. John and Holy Trinity coming together as a Catholic community.”

Father Mayfield has returned to the PIME Community for further assignment. Father Roggenbuck serves as pastor of the newly combined parish.

We all need hope

H

ope energizes the powerful engines that drive our psychological, spiritual and emotional lives. If you and I have no hope, we are like a ship that’s dead in the water. Without hope, we tell ourselves that we might as well be dead. The goal of torturers is to deprive their prisoners of any hope. This is why Satan’s most deadly effort is to fill us with doubt, disillusionment and despair – in order to strip hope away from us.

In his epic poem, Dante Alighieri has this inscription over the gate into the Inferno: Abandon hope, all ye who enter here. He recognized, as we should, that life without hope is the life of hell.

The father of lies would have you believe that the Church is not kind, and that it makes unreasonable demands upon us. By way of extension, evil reasons, God himself is not kind and makes unreasonable demands upon us. This is why we, as Christians, have the greatest gift we can possibly give to others, the gift that offers redemption

to our world, the hope we have that springs from the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. In Christ’s resurrection, we have the promise that good will conquer evil and that love defeats hatred.

Hope is reasonable. It’s not merely a nice feeling or a nice sentiment. So why is it reasonable for us to have hope? We have hope because God

last word has sent us his beloved Son, who defeated doubt, disillusionment, despair and even death itself.

The history of our salvation reveals that God always is coming to seek us out and meet us. For us, as Christians, we see that God came to us in a definitive way when his self-expression, his Word, became flesh for us in Jesus Christ.

God’s promise to us was sealed in his blood in the new and everlasting covenant given to us by Jesus Christ in his Easter mystery. This being so, we need to realize that the Mass isn’t something we do – it’s something God does. God offers and we respond. That is the basis for our hope.

Hope is reasonable. It’s not merely a nice feeling, a nice sentiment. Hope saves us from passing into hell.

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

Victim assistance coordinator If you have been abused or victimized by someone representing the Catholic Church, please believe in the possibility for hope, help and healing. We encourage you to come forward and speak out. Every diocese in the United States now has a victim assistance coordinator who is available to obtain support for your needs, to help make a formal complaint of abuse to the diocese and to arrange a personal meeting with the bishop or his representative if you desire.

The victim assistance coordinator for the Diocese of Lansing is Adrienne Rowland, LMSW, ACSW. Her telephone number is 1.888.3086252; and her email is arowlandvac@dioceseoflansing.org.

The Diocese of Lansing celebrates its 75th anniversary this year Do you recognize this Catholic cemetery?

CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF LANSING

Coordinadora de asistencia a las víctimas Si has sido víctima de abuso por alguien que representa la Iglesia Católica, por favor, cree en la posibilidad de esperanza, de ayuda y sanación. Te exhortamos a presentarte y declarar.

Cada (arqui) diócesis/eparquía en Estados Unidos tiene ahora un coordinador o coordinadora de asistencia a las víctimas a quien puedes acudir para que te apoye en tus necesidades, te ayude a hacer una denuncia formal de abuso ante la (arqui) diócesis/eparquía, y a solicitar una reunión personal con el obispo o su representante, si así lo deseas.

La coordinadora de asistencia a las víctimas en tu (arqui) diócesis/eparquía es Adrienne Rowland, LMSW, ACSW, 1.888.308.6252 or arowlandvac@dioceseoflansing.org

If you recognize this cemetery, drop us a line on our Facebook page. Answer next month!

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notes:

CONSIDERING Take the RELIGIOUS Nun Run LIFE? 2012 The Nun Run 2012 can help answer questions you have and provide an up-close look at religious life. Young women are invited to visit convents throughout the Diocese of Lansing to have the opportunity to talk with the sisters and other consecrated women – to ask questions, see how they live, what they do and how they pray.

Sat., Dec. 1 from 7:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Meet at Emmaus House, located at 320 M.A.C. Ave., East Lansing, Mich.

For more information or to register, contact: Dawn Hausmann dhausmann@dioceseoflansing.org 517.342.2506

Nun Run 2012

The deadline for registration is Fri., Nov. 23.

VISIT. LEARN. DISCERN. Catholic Diocese of Lansing | www.dioceseoflansing.org/vocations

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