November 2014

special report:

50th anniversary of LUMEN GENTIUM from the bishop:

Vote your CONSCIENCE announcing:

The Year of CONSECRATED LIFE

THE POWER OF TRUTH

ome years ago, I heard a beautiful legend from Africa that has stuck with me. The story is about the struggle between truth and falsehood.

T. Gennara

Many years ago, Truth, Falsehood, Water and Fire were traveling through the lush countryside. As they journeyed, they came upon a herd of cattle with no one to care for it. Discussing the situation among themselves, they decided that the most logical thing to do would be to divide the herd into four equal parts – one each for Truth, Falsehood, Water and Fire. In the back of his mind, however, Falsehood decided on a plan that would gain the entire herd for himself. Calling Water aside, Falsehood said, “Beware! Fire is planning to burn the grass along the riverbanks in order to drive the cattle away from you and into his pasture.” “Is that so?” fretted Water. “Whatever shall I do?” Falsehood suggested, “Extinguish Fire! That way we can have his share of the cattle for ourselves.” Gullibly listening

May the stronger of us win!” And so Truth and Falsehood battled, day and night. As they clashed, great cracks to Falsehood, Water rushed forth, flooding of thunder rang across the valley below. Fire, extinguishing him. Falsehood’s plan They struggled mightily for many hours. seemed to be working. Sometimes it seemed as though Falsehood Taking Truth aside next, Falsehood would prevail, but at other moments, Truth whispered, “See this! Water has would drive Falsehood back. destroyed Fire and has taken his share of They still struggle against one another. the cattle. Surely we do not want to keep At times, it seems as though Falsehood is company with such a one as this!” “What the stronger of the two. Yet when all seems shall we do?” queried Truth. “Let us climb hopeless, Truth manages to prevail, never the mountain, taking all the cattle with us,” resting or surrendering. said Falsehood. And so they drove the So it is in our own lives. We know the cattle up the mountainside, climbing high power of truth. We know that it can set above the plain. us free. Yet we “Wait! Come also know that back!” cried Water, we can be easily who could not flow deceived by uphill to follow falsehood – those Truth, Falsehood crafty words that and the cattle. tickle our ears and from the editor Once they impair our ability to reached the top understand things Father Dwight Ezop is editor of FAITH Magazine and pastor of St. John the Evangelist of the mountain as they truly are. in Fenton. Email: editor@FAITHpub.com. with the cattle, So it seemed on Falsehood a hill in a land far turned on Truth, sneering, “See! I have from our own, when the One who is the fooled you all! I shall throw you from the Way, the Truth and the Life was hung on a mountaintop! You will never survive the tree to die our death. Yet we know that he great fall and so all the cattle will be mine. rose from the grave just three short days I shall win!” Truth answered, “I see that later as he promised. We know that Truth you have deceived us all, but I shall never lives so that we might live his life forever. be your slave. Let us battle here and now. And so our journey in FAITH continues.

REMEMBER ALL SOULS’ DAY Please join us for a day of faith, prayer and rembemberance ... it is pious tradition during these days for the faithful to go visit graves of their dear ones and pray for them.” – Pope St. John Paul II

NOVEMBER 2, 2014 2

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Liturgical Calendar: All Saints’ Day Nov. 1 | All Souls’ Day Nov. 2 | St. Martin de Porres, religious Nov. 3 |

contents

November 2014

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ork life w I’m swamped by too much email your marriage matters He says: “My fiancée is too stressed out about our wedding.” She says: “I just want our big day to be perfect.” What do they do? parenting journey Should I let my neighbor’s runaway daughter stay with us? conflict resolution I think my neighbor is dealing drugs culture Seasoned with sharing

5 7

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in the know with Father Joe Why do I have to do all this for my kids’ religious ed? spiritual fitness Seek reconciliation even when it’s their fault special report 50th anniversary of Lumen Gentium theology 101 The Eighth Commandment

10 12 22 14 J. Luning

COVER STORY Serving the incarcerated Deacon Jack is the ‘Way Maker’

yourstories

T. Gennara

Ann Jacob MANAGING EDITOR The Magazine of the Catholic Diocese of Lansing Volume 15: Issue 7 www.FAITHpub.com Most Reverend Earl Boyea PUBLISHER Rev. Dwight Ezop EDITOR AND CHAIRMAN

Cynthia Vandecar MARKETING MANAGER www.FAITHcatholic.com Patrick M. O’Brien PRESIDENT/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Elizabeth Martin Solsburg VICE PRESIDENT/ EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Patrick Dally ART DIRECTOR Jillane Job EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

our story When their son died suddenly, Ivy and Lisa called Catholic Cemeteries first my story Choosing life, thanks to Tim and the Ultrasound Initiative

Bob Patten CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATOR Most Rev. Carl F. Mengeling FOUNDING PUBLISHER Rev. Charles Irvin FOUNDING EDITOR For advertising information: Call 517.853.7600 For subscription information: Call 1.866.76.FAITH

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. ©2013 FAITH Catholic. FAITH is a trademark of FAITH Catholic.

St. Charles Borromeo, bishop Nov. 4 | Dedication of the Lateran Basilica Nov. 9 | St. Leo the Great, pope and doctor of the Church Nov. 10 | St. Martin of Tours, bishop Nov. 11

yourlife My fiancée is too stressed out about our wedding Elizabeth has turned into Bridezilla. One bridesmaid has quit the wedding, and I am pretty close myself. How do I get my sweet love back before we end up canceling the wedding?

HE says

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I’m swamped by TOO MUCH EMAIL

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Email has a way of taking on a life of its own, swamping us with unnecessary information, drowning us in minutiae, appealing to instant gratification and reducing productivity. Other than that, it’s terrific. As for your problem, the most sensible first step is a friendly, light-hearted appeal: “A gentle tongue is a tree of life.” (Proverbs 15:4) “Charlie, I need your help. I’m so swamped with emails I sometimes miss critical ones and it’s hurting my performance. Can you do me a favor and omit me in your group replies unless it’s critical? I’d really appreciate it, Pal. And work life someday, when I come into Jim Berlucchi is the my kingdom, which will be executive director for the Spitzer Center for Ethical email-free, I’ll give you a place Leadership, an educator and at my right hand.” executive coach. How could he refuse your charm, Dale Carnegie, Jr.? Well, he might. So, if he balks, ask your boss to add the topic of email overload to an office meeting agenda. The discussion could result in agreement on some protocols that lighten everyone’s load and increase focus and productivity. 4

FAITH Magazine • November 2014 • www.FAITHpub.com

I know Colin is upset with my stress over this wedding. But he’ll see when the day comes – it will be worth it when we have the perfect day!

SHE says

What do THEY do?

t’s so sad that weddings cause stress. Not the marriage – but the showy extravaganza of so many weddings today. What do you think when you hear someone say to a young couple on their wedding day, “This is the happiest day of your life.” Is the implication that it’s all downhill from here? Let’s hope not!

I have hundreds of emails to wade through every day – which is not helped by one person in the office who has a “reply all” mania. I sometimes miss actual important items that pertain to my job because I tend to glaze over when I come to his emails. What is my best approach to handle this?

I just want our big day to be perfect

Colin: Sit down with Elizabeth and tell her that: a) you love her, and b) you are concerned about how this stress is affecting her. Remember that this is your wedding, too, and more importantly, your marriage. Perhaps the two of you could think about scaling back your plans to a simpler wedding with family and a few of your closest friends. Think more about, “people who will be there for us and support us throughout our marriage” and less about “people I feel socially obligated to invite.” Elizabeth: Chill. This day will be perfect because you are joining your life with the man you love, in the presence of your closest friends and relatives and, most importantly, God. You are beginning a family! That is what makes the day perfect – not the dress, the shoes or the centerpieces on the table at the reception. Both of you need to sit down together, say a prayer for guidance, and decide what is more important – the wedding day or your marriage. If you can’t honestly say it’s the marriage, then call the whole thing off until you really understand what this vocation is all about.

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St. Josaphat, bishop and martyr Nov. 12 | St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, virgin Nov. 13 | St. Albert the Great, bisho

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T. Gennara

fuses help? Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.” (1 John 3:17-18) Your parenting willingness to open your home journey shows a desire Dr. Cathleen to act in a loving McGreal is a psychology way. Now, you professor and must determine certified spiritual director. the best way for your support to be expressed. Caring for a runaway child. Laws regarding runaways vary by state and by the age of the child. How long a child can stay varies as well. In some states it is illegal to “harbor” a runaway child by providing shelter. Also, consider the wellbeing of your neighbor’s daughter. What if she breaks her arm? Will you be able to authorize her care in the emergency room? Do you need to have power-of-attorney? Seek advice from a lawyer or social services agency for help with these legal aspects. Facilitating family interactions. The top priority is to reunite the family. Encourage them to reach out to one another. Is there a local Catholic Social Services whose goal is to reunite runaway youths with their families? Ask your pastor for a list of local psychologists. Sharing this type of information with your neighbors may help them as they try to communicate effectively with their teen.

Should I let my neighbor’s runaway daughter stay with us?

My neighbor’s teen daughter ran away from home and came to our house. I’ve called her parents and they are OK with her staying with us for a while – but what are my responsibilities? What should I be concerned about?

My mother’s warm heart led her to open our home twice in this way when I was young. As is frequently the case, these stays with our family were short-lived. It can be challenging to find the balance between compassion and societal concerns.

Love in truth and action. It is likely that you have become fond of your neighbor’s daughter over time and she obviously perceives your home as a safe haven. Scripture tells us, “How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet re-

My next-door neighbor appears to be running a drug operation out of his home. I’m afraid of the repercussions if I call the police, but I’m scared. What should I do?

First, it’s very important that you try to back up your “gut feeling.” “My neighbor appears” is very different from “I have witnessed/heard/found this … or this …” Observe carefully, and look for specific behaviors. Examples would be cars and pedestrians stopping at the home for brief periods; traffic that is cyclical – increasing on weekends or late at night, or periods of low activity followed by lots of vehicles for a period of a few days (most likely paydays); visitors who appear to be acquaintances rather

than friends; visitors who may sit in the car for a while after leaving the residence or may leave one person in the car while the other visits; conflict resolution and visitors who park Dr. Gelasia Marquez is a psychologist around a corner or a and family counselor. few blocks away and approach on foot. Next, share the odd behaviors you have observed with local law enforcement. Understandably, people are afraid that if they act, drug dealers will take revenge. This is a legitimate concern, and one that you should share with your local police. Remember to pray for strength: “… man has to struggle to do what is right, and it is at great cost to himself, and aided by God’s grace, that he succeeds in achieving his own inner integrity.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 2516) S. Kendrick

I think my neighbor IS DEALING DRUGS

op and doctor of the Church Nov. 15 | St. Elizabeth of Hungary, religious Nov. 17 | St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, virgin Nov. 18 | Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Nov. 21

PRAY FOR THE

DIOCESAN ASSEMBLY Please pray for your parish leaders as they attend the first diocesan assembly on Nov. 19-20 in response to Bishop Boyea’s pastoral letter, “Go and Announce the Gospel of the Lord.” We ask that God bless them as they engage in the New Evangelization.

Sisters and brothers, We all experience our walk with Christ in a personal way, yet those who describe themselves as being ‘on fire’ for Jesus encounter him in a meaningful way and then nurture their relationship with Christ so that they can continue to encounter him in daily life. We who are among the Household of Faith working within the Church can encounter Christ and lead the way of discipleship. In fact, this ought to be one of the benefits of committing our lives to ministry! This is why I have asked our diocesan team to create a unique two-day event especially for parish leaders.

Why?

What is on the agenda?

Our Diocesan Assembly will equip parish leaders with ideas, programs and practical tools to better prepare your parish for the New Evangelization.

This two-day conference will feature engaging and practical presentations and discussions about parish vision, teamwork, discipleship, evangelization and innovative parish programs. Presenters include:

Who will attend? This special two-day event is for pastors and parish leaders in the Diocese of Lansing, as well as heads of religious orders and diocesan agencies, school principals and theology teachers.

When and where? St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church 2201 S. Old U.S. Highway 23, Brighton, MI 48114 Wednesday, November 19, 2014 • 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, November 20, 2014 • 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 6

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• Bishop Earl Boyea • Deacon Ralph Poyo, president of New Evangelization Ministries • Father Michael White, pastor and author of the book Rebuilt • Dr. Dan Keating, fellow of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology and Associate Professor of Theology at Sacred Heart Major Seminary • Sister Ann Shields, conference and retreat speaker and Ave Maria radio host • Claudia Sailsman and Ileana Iglesias, directors of small group ministry, St. Edward Parish, Pembroke Pines, Florida • And conference hosts Craig Pohl and Marybeth Hicks

FIND THIS AND OTHER RECIPES ON

S. Folkertsma

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Seasoned with SHARING

T. Gennara

What I decided to do with those carrots was quick and easy. It’s a simple recipe my uncle shared with me several years ago. This delicious side dish has been enjoyed at many Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings with my extended family, so I wanted to share it with both my husband’s family and mine. Although the recipe turned out well, it wouldn’t have matculture tered how they tasted. In my daughter’s opinion, those were the BEST carrots she had ever eaten. Because she grew them, Michelle and she shared them, they were going to be excellent in her DiFranco is a designer and the mind (and, frankly, in my mind, too). Maybe that is one way in busy mom of which generosity and sharing give back. When we know our three children. contribution is being received and used, it gives us a sense of pride and satisfaction that is unique and rewarding. Like a fistful of carrots from a garden, even the simplest gifts seem to taste, look or feel better when they are shared. I hope my daughter will continue to share what is valuable to her – she certainly seemed to experience the joy that comes from sharing.

CARROTS WITH DILL •2 pounds carrots, julienned (or baby carrots quartered lengthwise) • 3 tablespoons butter • 2 tablespoons fresh chopped dill (or dried dill weed) • Salt and pepper to taste In a large non-stick skillet, melt butter. Add carrots and stir until they are well-coated. Add dill, salt and pepper. Cover and reduce heat. Cook for about 15-20 minutes (stirring occasionally) until they are tender.

S. Folkertsma

he impulse to share can start at a young age. I’ll never forget the one day my daughter came to my rescue when I realized, and then mentioned, I had no vegetables to serve with dinner. My eyes grew really big when I saw my then-4-year-old come inside the house holding a bunch of carrots she had just pulled from the garden. But what really struck me was the fact that they were her carrots that she planted and cared for over the previous few months. It was a project she and her dad had started together in the spring. I watched her put a lot of love and hard work into growing them, and she wanted to share them with her family.

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have; God is pleased by sacrifices of that kind.”

(Hebrews 13:16)

St. Cecilia, virgin and martyr Nov. 22 | Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe Nov. 23 | St. Andrew Dung-Lac, priest, and Companions, martyrs Nov. 24

yourfaith T. Gennara

in the know with Father Joe If you’d like to submit a question for Father Joe Krupp to consider in a future column, please send it to: joeinblack@priest.com. Father Joe is unable to personally answer questions.

Q: What kind of bird sticks to sweaters? B. Patten

A: A Vel-Crow!

Why do I have to do all this for my kids’ religious ed?

Dear Fr. Joe: My parish expects parents to jump through a lot of ‘hoops’ in order to have our children participate in religious education – I think the time and money commitments are unreasonable – what can I do?

Before we dive fully into this, I want to establish a common foundation: I’m assuming that you, like me, aren’t bothered by the fact that they are asking for money for the program, but that they are asking for too much. Obviously, some amount of money will

be asked of most people in this situation, just to cover costs associated with the program. Textbooks, paper and supplies cost money. Regarding the “hoops,” first ask yourself honestly if these are really unreasonable. Is the catechist asking for more than what

FAITH Magazine • November 2014 • www.FAITHpub.com

your child’s regular school teacher asks? If, upon genuine reflection, you believe that there are arbitrary requirements, it may be that this is their wounded response to the typical difficulties and challenges of being a catechist. Please allow me to explain what I mean and see if this might shed some light on how you can respond. It starts with the best of things: a hunger to share what gives life. Most people who teach and share the faith begin doing so simply because they have found such great joy in living the life of faith. They have an experience of God and are excited to share it. They volunteer to teach, complete their training, gather their materials and plan out how they can share the beautiful traditions and teachings of our Church in a way that will communicate it all effectively. Often, one of the first things people in that position experience is a kind of shocked sadness: not everyone is “buying in.” No matter how well you plan, no matter how much of yourself you put into it, there will always be any number of people who take it for granted and do the absolute minimum to get by. There will always be parents who put sports above faith in raising their kids and who seem to have their children in the program in order to jump hoops. As a teacher, it is utterly heartbreaking. Beyond that, teachers also run into those who attack: people who are either self-appointed theological police or those who fancy themselves as experts and advocates for a specific cause and wonder why you’re not teaching what they

St. Catherine of Alexandria, virgin and martyr Nov. 25 | First Sunday of Advent Nov. 30

think you should be teaching. They write emails, make calls and sometimes even engage in a sort of whisper campaign (gossip!) in order to reduce the credibility of those who teach. That, too, can be utterly heartbreaking. Beyond these, there are the usual heartbreaks and sorrows attached to any labor of love, and the pain and irritation can sometimes lead to an effort to control: a sort of “We’ll make you do this right,” and that, my friend, is where we get into trouble. If you’re a parent reading this and you have children in a religious education program, I pray that you respond to the woundedness of teachers with great love and sensitivity. Thank them regularly for their hard work and volunteering of time. Pray for them more than you do for most others. As best you can, commit yourself and your kids to the program, not simply doing what is convenient, but what is necessary for your child to know the faith and grow in the faith. If you are a catechist reading this, I invite you to remember that our job is not to “get results” from others, but to be

faithful in what God requires of us. This will keep us from adding layers and layers of requirements onto our programs for no other reason than to abrogate the pain that we forget is part of the mission. Yep. I typed that – Pain is a part of our mission. It’s too easy for us to see each instance of pain as a problem to be solved. Sometimes, pain is a part of the experience that we need to have. When we hurt because we are serving God’s People and they don’t seem to be responding, then we have been offered a special grace: a glimpse into the heart of God. Join your pain to his. Ask his forgiveness for the times you’ve responded half-heartedly or put him second, third or fourth in your life. Beyond that, let this Gospel passage from Luke challenge you as it does me: “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the rock, and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked

it. And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold.” As he said these things, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” (Luke 8:5-8) In this parable, Jesus is showing himself as a sower – a person who scattered seed. Sometimes He got results, sometimes He didn’t. What he doesn’t do is give up. As teachers, as sharers of the faith, we have to abandon the pride that compels us to need results and take joy in simply doing what God has told us to do. If you are a catechist reading this and you find yourself guilty of attempting to force results, don’t fret. Ask God’s forgiveness and get back on the horse. I would imagine that the vast majority of people who have taught the faith have done the exact same thing – I know I have. Dr. Peter Kreeft puts it this way: “We try too much and trust too little. Count the times God’s Book tells us to ‘try.’ Now count the times it tells us to ‘trust.’” I pray that God heal and strengthen all our wounded hearts and guide us toward deeper trust in him and in each other. Enjoy another day in God’s presence!

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Seek reconciliation EVEN WHEN IT’S THEIR FAULT

earing false witness? Well, that doesn’t apply to me. I have never been in a courtroom, I have never lied on the witness stand, so I have never borne false witness. But let’s look at it another way: What if you hear that someone you thought was a friend is spreading a half-truth or a lie about you? After a confrontation, the person admits to saying it, but thinks it’s no big deal and has no intention of apologizing for it. Your “friend” provides an excuse, but then shrugs it off and walks away. You are hurt, and then outraged. You find yourself getting very angry and saying, “Well, he/she is no longer a friend of mine; I am never speaking to that person again. I’ll never forget and I sure won’t forgive.”

T. Gennara

The following day you are at Mass, “Therefore, if you bring your gift to the singing hymns, listening to God’s word altar, and there recall that your brother and receiving Communion, all the while has anything against you, leave your harboring resentment in your heart. If gift at the altar, go first and be reconsomeone were then to ask you, “Are you ciled with your brother, and then come a Christian/a Catholic?” You would reply and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:23-24) with a wholehearted, “Yes! I go to Mass every Sunday, I sing in the choir, I teach “If your brother sins [against you], religious education, I am on the parish go and tell him his fault between you council … I think of myself as a good and him alone. If he listens to you, example of what it means to be a follower you have won over your brother. If he of Christ.” does not listen, take one or two others Yet I refuse to forgive. Am I truly Chrisalong with you so that ‘every fact may tian; am I a good Catholic? No, I am not. I be established on the testimony of two am bearing false witness by declaring that I or three witnesses.’” (Matthew 18:15-16) am what I am not. Now, we all make mistakes, we all sin. These verses make it clear that Jesus asks If we acknowledge that sin where us to seek reconciliation, whether we have appropriate, ask forgiveness sinned or someone has sinned and try to change, we against us. In other words, we are living as a good are never off the hook. The Christian. God initiative is our responJesus asks us knows we are sibility, according to to seek reconciliation, sinners. But if we God’s word. The goal is whether we have sinned refuse to repent the restoration of the for our sin, if we, relationship. or someone has sinned as in the case Today within against us. In other here, refuse to Christianity – both words, we are never forgive and have Catholic and Protestant off the hook. no intention of – a lack of forgiveness doing so, then we are in relationships is one of saying to the world, “I the greatest stumbling blocks can be a good Christian – to the health and growth of the Body of Christ. pleasing to God – and hold on As Pope St. John Paul II made clear in to resentments, and even foster in myself a desire for revenge.” If so, we are living a lie. his World Day of Peace message in 2002, forgiveness is NOT the opposite of justice, Look at these two Scripture passages:

spiritual fitness 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. You can order her new book, More of the Holy Spirit, for $12 at www.renewalministries.net.

but it is the opposite of resentment and revenge. Not only can resentment and desire for revenge destroy us personally, they create a wound in the Body of Christ. If the cause is serious and requires legal action, you, as a Christian, may take such action in the name of justice. But if you do so out of a desire for revenge, it will destroy the relationship and harm you. With such a motive, you will never be satisfied. Notice that both parties should take the initiative to help heal the wound by seeking reconciliation – both parties. That is God’s word, and doing things God’s way brings tremendous peace, even in very challenging circumstances. But if you harbor anger, bitterness and hatred while calling yourself a Christian, you are bearing false witness. We need to take God’s word seriously and let it reform us. Then, we will see God’s goodness and healing, whether we have sinned or someone has sinned against us.

Follow Sister Ann Shields on Twitter @srannshieldssgl 11

LUMEN GENTIUM: This Second Vatican Council document was issued on November 21, 1964, by Pope Paul VI

Quotable quotes from Lumen Gentium “… the Church, although she needs human resources to carry out her mission, is not set up to seek earthly glory, but to proclaim, and this by her own example, humility and self-denial.” (para. 8) “Though they differ essentially and not only in degree, the common priesthood of the faithful and the ministerial or hierarchical priesthood are nonetheless ordered one to another; each in its own proper way shares in the one priesthood of Christ.” (para. 10) “But by reason of their special vocation it belongs to the laity to seek the kingdom of God by engaging in temporal affairs and directing them according to God’s will.” (para. 31)

SPECIAL REPORT: 50th anniversary of Lumen Gentium

n November 21, 2014, the Roman Catholic Church will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the promulgation of the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium. This Second Vatican Council document was issued on November 21, 1964, by Pope Paul VI after the bishops assembled at the council approved it by a vote of 2,151 to 5. Did you know… Significant Church documents are known by their first words. In this case, Lumen Gentium is Latin for “Light of the Nations.” The first full sentence reads, “Lumen gentium cum sit Christus;” or “Christ is the light of nations.” 12

Lumen Gentium has eight chapters and primarily seeks to expound a rich understanding of the Church. It begins by considering the Church as a mystery. Because the Church is in Christ, its very nature is to be both a sign and an instrument of communion with God and of unity among all humanity. The Church, then, is trinitarian, as it is a reflection of the communion of the Holy Trinity. It is at once the people of God the Father, the body of Christ and the temple of the Holy Spirit. The document then proceeds to consider each of the following topics: the Church as the people of God, the hierarchical nature of the Church, the role of the laity, the call to holiness, the role of religious, the Church as a pilgrim Church and Our Lady. Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schweitz, OMI, also the former chairman of the U.S. Bishops’ Liturgy Committee, identifies five significant developments that have resulted from Lumen Gentium.

FAITH Magazine • November 2014 • www.FAITHpub.com

1. T he document’s emphasis on the fundamental call of all Christians to holiness prompted a spiritual re-awakening among the laity, as evidenced by the explosion of Bible study groups and prayer groups and the demand for spiritual direction. 2. The council’s emphasis on the Church as the people of God has led to a renewed understanding of the family as the “domestic church,” and the growth of small faith communities within the Church. 3. The document’s emphasis on the dignity and authority of bishops, especially in terms of collegiality, has given rise to the establishment of the Synod of Bishops, as evidenced by the Extraordinary Synod on the Family in October 2014. 4. The document’s authorization of the restoration of the permanent diaconate is a very significant development, especially in the United States where more than 15,000 permanent deacons now serve in active ministry. 5. Since the document made it clear that all the faithful are called to proclaim Jesus to the world by virtue of their baptism, there has been an increase in lay participation in the Church’s mission. Follow FAITH Pub on

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The Eighth Commandment

YOU SHALL NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS AGAINST YOUR NEIGHBOR

he “eighth word” of the Decalogue continues to reveal to us how God desires us to act in our relationships with one another. Specifically, we are to never misrepresent the truth. It is a command that “flows from the vocation of the holy people to bear witness to their God who is the truth and wills the truth.” Just as the Old Testament witnesses to God as the source of all truth, the New Testament testifies that the “whole of God’s truth has been made manifest” in Jesus Christ. In fact, Jesus Christ is the truth that came into the world to bear witness to the truth, even when it would lead to his death on the cross. To follow Jesus, then, is to “live in ‘the Spirit of truth,’ whom the Father sends in his name and who leads ‘into all the truth.’” It means witnessing to the truth of the faith even if it means our own death. In other words, if we are to live in communion with God, who is truth, we must consent to live in the truth. That is, we must consent to be a martyr (witness) for Christ by acting upright in our actions and speech. 14

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THE EIGHTH GIFT: You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor

Offenses against the truth Respect for human dignity requires the “putting away of all falsehood ... all malice and all guile and insincerity and envy and all slander.” Each of these realities results in injury to our brothers and sisters – and therefore to Jesus Christ himself, who has taught us that whatever we do to others we do to him. To this end, the Eighth Commandment forbids false witness and perjury. False witness takes on more seriousness when it is done publicly. In a court, when false witness is given under oath, it becomes perjury. These acts are offensive to God in part because they can contribute “to condemnation of the innocent, exoneration of the guilty or the increased punishment of the accused.” In other words, they can stand in the way of that justice which is called for by all the commandments. Recall that justice is the moral virtue that “consists in the constant and firm will to give their due to God and neighbor.” In terms of one’s neighbor, justice requires respect for the rights of each person and working

The most direct offense The most direct offense against the truth, of course, is lying. St. Augustine said, “A lie consists in speaking a falsehood with the intention of deceiving.” It consists in either speaking or acting against the truth “in order to lead into error someone who has the right to know the truth.” When we injure a person’s relation to truth and to his or her neighbor, we offend the fundamental relation of a person and of his or her word to the Lord. Perhaps for this reason, Jesus Christ denounced lying as the work of the devil: “You belong to your father the devil … there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he speaks in character, because he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44)

An unconditional right? The catechism makes it clear that the “right to the communication of the truth is not unconditional.” Fraternal love may require us to not reveal the truth to someone who asks for it in

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS BIBLE GEOGRAPHY FACTS The Jordan River is one of the world’s most sacred rivers and was the location of the baptism of Jesus Christ. With the lowest elevation of any river in the world, it rises at the SyrianLebanese border, flows south through northern Israel into the Sea of Galilee and eventually empties into the Dead Sea. Although the distance between its source and destination is 124 miles, the Jordan River actually covers 223 miles due to its winding course. Characteristics of the Jordan River include: a shallowness and swiftness that make it impossible to navigate; a high degree of salinity due to thermal springs on the western side of the Sea of Galilee; and a high concentration of gypsum. Today, the river is basically used for human purposes, but the flow is diminishing due in part to the high evaporation rate of the Dead Sea and human drainage. Wikipedia/T Bcrawford92

S. Olson

for harmony in human relationships so that equity with regard to persons and to the common good is promoted. Every attitude or word that is likely to cause unjust injury to a person is forbidden out of a respect for the reputation of that person. Rushing to the rash judgment of a person without sufficient foundation, detracting from someone by disclosing that person’s faults and failings to others who do not know the person without an objectively valid reason and harming the reputation of others through calumny all fall under the prohibition of this commandment. Detraction and calumny are especially grave because both offend not only the virtue of justice, but also the virtue of charity. Charity is the theological virtue by “which we love theology 101 God above all things for Doug Culp is the CAO and secretary his own sake, and our for pastoral life for the Diocese of Lexington, Ky. He holds an MA in neighbor as ourselves for theology from Catholic Theological the love of God.” In other Union in Chicago. words, charity is both the new commandment and the virtue by which we keep the commandments that Christ gave us. It is the greatest of the virtues because it disposes us to participate most intimately in the life of God, who is love itself. Detraction and calumny offend these virtues because they “destroy the reputation and honor of one’s neighbor.” This is clearly a violation of the virtue of charity. Further, because honor belongs to human dignity as its social witness, every person has the natural right to the honor of his or her name and reputation and to respect. Justice, then, requires respect for the honor of each person. In addition, flattery, adulation and complacency are forbidden when they are placed in the service of encouraging or confirming another in “malicious acts and perverse conduct.” Boasting, bragging and irony (when aimed at disparaging another person) also are considered as offenses against the truth.

DID YOU KNOW? Jordan literally means “flowing downward.” certain situations. For example, the good and safety of others, respect for privacy, the common good and the duty to avoid scandal might all be reason enough for discretion or for withholding the truth about what “ought not be known.” Further, no one “is bound to reveal the truth to someone who does not have the right to know it.” Other examples include the sacred seal of the sacrament of reconciliation, professional secrets (for example, those of officeholders, soldiers, physicians and lawyers) and even private information prejudicial to another. – All quotes from the Catechism of the Catholic Church (2464–2492) except as otherwise noted.

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS QUIZ The story of the Israelites’ journey from slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land has a large cast of characters. Test your knowledge of biblical figures and name this person/group: Q: “In the shadow of God,” this chief artisan of the Tabernacle was in charge of building the Ark of the Covenant. A: Bezalel (pictured)

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VOTE YOUR CONSCIENCE

y brothers and sisters in Christ, election time is almost upon us. We are fortunate to live in a place and time where our vote can have an enormous impact on our society. So, please vote! And more so, vote with a well-formed conscience, that is, a conscience that aligns with the will of God. How do we do that? First of all, through prayer and close attention to the teachings of Jesus, as found in Scripture and taught by his Church.

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When it gets down to specifics, the bishops of Michigan have formulated some questions you should ask about each candidate and issue – and you should ascertain the answers before you cast your vote. You from the bishop can find a lot of information at Bishop Earl Boyea is the www.micatholic.org. fifth bishop of the Catholic Here are some of the things Diocese of Lansing we should ask of each candidate, and should prayerfully consider his or her answer:

Education

• What is your position on broadening educational choice in the state by giving parents options beyond traditional public school for their children’s education? • What is your position on legislation that provides equitable educational benefits to students and teachers in nonpublic schools as compared to those received by public school student and teachers?

Human Life • What is your position regarding the 1973 decision from the United States Supreme Court that legalized abortion throughout the United States? • What is your position on the amendment to the state constitution that prohibits capital punishment in Michigan? • What is your position on Michigan law that prohibits assisted suicide? • What is your position on legislation to prevent federal agencies and states that receive federal funds from discriminating against health care providers who do not perform or participate in abortions (Hyde-Weldon Amendment)? 16

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Immigration • What is your position on keeping current levels of aid for refugees who are fleeing from persecution abroad and providing adequate funding for the U.S. refugee admissions and resettlement programs?

Marriage • What is your position on the 2004 constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman?

Poverty • What is your position on Congress reducing future unsustainable deficits in a manner that protects poor and vulnerable people by adequately funding programs that address hunger and joblessness, and that help people rise above poverty?

Religious Liberty • What is your position on requiring employers to provide employee benefits to which they are morally opposed, such as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services mandating coverage for objectionable contraception? • What is your position on legislation that would allow for faithbased organizations to provide services to the general public in a manner consistent with that organization’s religious teaching? • What is your position on legislation that would guarantee comprehensive freedom of conscience and religion for health care professionals, providers and institutions?

Restorative Justice • What is your position on allowing juveniles who were sentenced to life in prison without the opportunity for parole, prior to the Miller v. Alabama ruling, to have the opportunity for a parole hearing at some point in their sentence? Follow Bishop Boyea on Twitter @BishopBoyea

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After the death of their son, Ivy Davis, Jr – “Poppy” – the Davises found an unexpected helping hand in Joe Dionise, coordinator of the restorative justice ministry and manager of St. Joseph Cemetery in Lansing.

When their son died suddenly, Ivy and Lisa called Catholic Cemeteries first

hen Ivy Davis, Jr. – “Poppy” – died in Arizona at age 26 from heart failure, Lisa and Ivy Davis, Sr., parishioners at St. Mary Cathedral in downtown Lansing, found themselves facing unbearable grief while trying to navigate complex travel arrangements to bring their son home to Michigan for burial.

“We ended up at the cemetery first because we couldn’t get in at the funeral home due to a scheduling conflict,” says Lisa, “and we’re so grateful that we did.” Joe explains that families can purchase some burial needs directly from the cemetery, as well as markers. “Both,” he says, “are available at a savings from the packages that many funeral homes offer … Nobody should have to bury a child, but sometimes they do. And this is why it’s so important for us – in the “We weren’t getting good answers from anyone we talked to,” says cemetery ministry – to educate people, before they need us.” Ivy Sr. “I just kept saying, ‘Tell me what I need “They’ve been so good to us,” Lisa says. to do. We’re bringing my son home to bury “Helpful, honest, upfront and they took time For more information on what the him.’” The Davises felt like no one understood Diocese of Lansing cemeteries, with us. They’ve been so patient with us.” their pain. Then, they found an unexpected part of Catholic Charities, offer helping hand in Joe Dionise, coordinator of the Read more of the Davises’ story, and families, contact Joe Dionise at restorative justice ministry and manager of St. more about the Catholic cemeteries in the jdionise@dioceseoflansing.org or Joseph Cemetery in Lansing. diocese, at www.FAITHpub.com. 517.484.2500. Follow FAITH Pub on

By Eileen Gianiodis | Photography by Tom Gennara

FAITH Magazine • November 2014 • www.FAITHpub.com

By Rose Robertson | Photography by Jim Luning

AN INVITATION WAS ALL IT TOOK to propel Jack Flanagan down a road he had not envisioned traveling. In the 1990s, a friend invited him to help catechize to a weekly RCIA class at the Maxey Boys Training School in Whitmore Lake. In 2001, another invitation followed to minister at the Washtenaw County Jail (WCJ), closely followed by a third to minister at the Milan Federal Correctional Institution (FCI). Now retired from AT&T, Deacon Jack Flanagan devotes approximately 23 hours a week to jail/prison ministry. Jack ruminates, “God gently prepared me step-by-step for this ministry. Beginning with my work at Maxey, I have been led. Though I was initially reluctant to serve this way, God has a way of aligning our desires with his.” God’s desires began to manifest themselves to Jack in his 20s, when he became involved in the charismatic renewal. Later, as his sons grew, he served as a Boy Scout leader for 10 years. In 2009, he was ordained a deacon for the Diocese of Lansing. Jack ardently shares the major role family and marriage have played in his preparation for service: “Marriage and family are not just about raising kids, but about growing us up, too. We learn to love, be responsible and defer to the needs of others. A marriage vocation and its graces actually equip us for service beyond the home. God uses family to shape, form and mature us. This is God’s 20

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economy, taking the responsibilities of today to better prepare us for tomorrow.”

ack’s tomorrows are pretty well laid out. In addition to his weekly duties as deacon of Immaculate Conception Parish in Milan, he travels four days each week to Milan FCI and puts in at least a halfday ministering. He arrives early to prepare materials before he meets individually with inmates, attends staff meetings, prays with the team and finally offers a structured curriculum in the Life Connections Program. Life Connections is an 18-month faith-based

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program implemented by the federal government in an attempt to reduce recidivism by focusing on healthy re-entry into society and family life by connecting men with their faith tradition. Milan is just one of five federal prisons to offer the program. It is a starting place for many inmates, and offers classes in such areas as family life, emotional management and religious tolerance. “I often tell the guys, ‘Don’t believe all you think and feel. We may not see reality as it is; we see it as we are. There needs to be a moral compass for better decision-making because the decisions you make, make you.’” The hope is that the spiritual basis of Life Connections and the practice of virtues will inform that moral compass.

roups in the Life Connections Program are organized individually by faith tradition, serving Muslims, Catholics, Jews, and Protestants. A fifth group, called the Values Group, consists of Native Americans, Seekers, Buddhists, pagans and marginalized Christians not aligned with any denomination; this is the group with whom Deacon Jack works. As he puts it, “This group is the most challenging to work with; there is a growing number of secularists and atheists. Most do not come with any belief in God.” Milan FCI is only one correctional ministry for Deacon Jack. For 2½ hours every Wednesday evening, he can be found at the Washtenaw County Jail offering RCIA classes, and he meets individually with about 20 inmates. Jack proffers, “In the county jail, the men seem to be more desperate, looking for answers. Sin has a way of creating desperation in us. In a way, I see incarceration as a severe mercy God grants them to know this desperation. It provides an opportunity for them to reflect, pray and be reconciled.” Deacon Jack has assisted and witnessed close to 130 inmates join the Catholic faith over the 14 years he has served at WCJ. While the desperation within the county jail seems to be a catalyst to openness and hope, the innate nature of the prison system leads to the more negative emotions of anger, bitterness and depression. To prevent absorbing this toxicity, Jack has two mantras: “Matthew 25:36, ‘I was in prison and you visited me’; and John 14:6, ‘I am the Way.’ One day, as I was entering the prison, I was struck with this thought: I am the Way Maker. I make a way where there is no way. “This leads to my greatest challenge, which is simply to love. My prayer is: Lord, you love these men. Send me a measure of your love

so I can love with your love. God answers this prayer often! The Scripture verses, coupled with my prayer, create in me feelings of actual affection and warmth for the inmates. It is easier for me to look them directly in the eye and see them as men whose lives are broken, rather than as felons. Their wounded brokenness evokes compassion in me. There is a saying in the prisons, ‘Don’t hug a thug,’ but I find I experience a deep connection with these men and genuinely care about them.”

ack does not do this work alone. The framework for the teams among which he works includes a diverse ecumenical faith group of 5-9 people at the Milan FCI, and about 20 Catholics from six different parishes at the county jail. “These are people who understand that real success is measured by faithfulness, and has to be worked at day to day,” he says. These are people who understand Jack’s testimony: “Working among the prisoners keeps me desperate because it reminds me of my humble need for God in my life. This desperation has led me to daily prayer on my knees.” God is the ultimate member of their team. Every interaction within the jail or prison walls is precipitated by prayer, both individual and with the various teams. Deacon Jack stresses emphatically that this work has taught him to trust the Lord more, knowing deeply it is the Lord who assists him and walks beside him in this work. He recalls a profound experience of this certitude: “It was early Monday morning and I was taking the 12 a.m-1 a.m. Eucharistic adoration Holy Hour. When the next person on the schedule failed to show and the third was late, I found myself, at 2:10 a.m., sitting anxiously in the chapel because I anticipated being exhausted for prison work that day. I even considered not going. Though overly tired, I got up and wearily began my drive to Milan. As soon as I turned into the prison parking lot, it was like a bucket of grace fell on me! I suddenly had an abundance of energy, confidence, even humor. I was more than ready to begin my time with the guys. I stayed energized the entire time. God came to back me up and I knew he still wanted me doing this work.” Jack’s fervor is encapsulated in a quote he recalls: “It takes a daily miracle to keep a Christian Christian.” For Deacon Jack Flanagan, that daily miracle is encountering God in prayer, sacraments, family and the walls of the Washtenaw County Jail and the Milan Federal Correctional Institution.

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“I often tell the guys, ‘Don’t believe all you think and feel. We may not see reality as it is; we see it as we are. There needs to be a moral compass for better decisionmaking because the decisions you make, make you.’”

The Diocese of Lansing’s restorative justice ministry, a department of Catholic Charities, is dedicated to serving those in our diocese who are incarcerated or paroled, as well as others affected by the correctional system, who seek the fellowship and wisdom of Catholic clergy and laypeople. The office seeks volunteers for this ministry, including the Prisoner Pen Pal Program. For more information on the restorative justice ministry, contact Joe Dionise at 517.342.2495 or jdionise@dioceseoflansing.org.

For m informa ore tion on Ultraso the u n d Init www.lc ultraso iative, visit un LC Ultr asound d.org or find on Face book. Visit ww w.dioce life_jus seoflansing.o tice_m for infor inistry rg/ mation o n th ment of Catholic e DepartC Life Ju stice M harities’ inistry.

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CHOOSING LIFE, thanks to Tim and the Ultrasound Initiative

im Donovan was untouched by unplanned pregnancy until December 2011, when the Holy Spirit inspired him to make an unexpected trip to Brighton. Instead of making his normal sales calls, Tim visited the Pregnancy Help Clinic (PHC) to see if the Knights of Columbus could assist the clinic financially.

In 2009, the Knights of Columbus Supreme Council launched a matching fund program to assist pro-life pregnancy centers in purchasing ultrasound equipment. Tim was district deputy, and the reason for his trip to Brighton that wintry day was to introduce himself to the staff. A visit he thought would take 20 minutes ended up lasting three hours. During his visit, Tim’s already strong pro-life stance intensified, and the seed of the Livingston County Ultrasound Initiative (LCUI) was planted. His conversation with Executive Director Joan Hutchinson and Assistant Director Ann O’Reilly opened Tim’s eyes to the powerful ministry of PHC and other pro-life pregnancy centers. Their stories of women who didn’t understand or were afraid of the life they carried touched Tim’s heart. He thought of his family, especially his grandchildren, and how important choosing life is for him as a Catholic and family man. Tim wanted women to have support and guidance to make an informed choice about their unplanned pregnancies, and choose life. “The Holy Spirit is what inspired me,” Tim says. “I just happened to take a drive down to Brighton. I didn’t have any specific reason other than to introduce myself and offer assistance. I was completely humbled to the point where I thought, ‘I have to do something.’” Joan and Ann told Tim they were not currently in need of any assistance. Then, on Dec. 12, the clinic’s ultrasound machine stopped working. “They needed new equipment,” says Tim. “My brain started to tick a little bit.” Follow FAITH Pub on

Joan and Ann traveled with Tim to different councils in the vicariate to explain the ministry of PHC. “These guys could listen to me all day long and just blow me off, but when they hear from the people doing the work, it sticks in their head,” says Tim. “The staff of PHC live, eat and breathe this ministry every day.” The LCUI gathered couples from each parish and every council in the Livingston County vicariate, and worked together to raise money for the new ultrasound machine. “In January 2012, approvals were sent from the Supreme Council to begin raising funds for a new 3-D ultrasound machine for PHC in Brighton,” Tim says. “Gathering one to two couples from each parish in Livingston County was the beginning stage in the formation of the initiative. In less than three months, and with the help of many, we were able to raise $20,000 and place the new GE Logic P5 3D-4D ultrasound machine at PHC in April 2012. The center went from having 12 saves a year to 56 lives that are confirmed saves. “The new machine is making a difference,” Tim adds. “When the mother looks at a 3D image, she can see it’s a life inside her.” Once the LCUI’s goal was reached, Tim wanted the group to continue and assist other pro-life pregnancy centers around the state. He used his sales background to keep the members motivated and interested. “When you start things off, everybody’s excited,” Tim says. “We have to keep supporting these people. As long as we can continue to save lives, isn’t that what we are about as Catholics?” Tim knows who put him in Brighton that day in December, and who has guided the LCUI. “It took the Holy Spirit being active in my life to get this going in Livingston County,” he says. “Nothing was planned that day. That’s what made it special. Not only was it my faith that got me there that day, but I wouldn’t be able to do half of this work without my wife, Cindy. She has been there every step of the way. I wouldn’t have been able to be as effective without her support. I just can’t thank her enough for that.” He also is thankful for all the LCUI committee members who have banded together to make choosing life an easier decision for women facing an unplanned pregnancy, especially the work done by Joan and Ann and all those who work in pro-life pregnancy centers around the state. The LCUI is happy to accept applications for assistance from all over Michigan. Centers in Brighton, Detroit, Farmington Hills and Oxford have received financial support from the initiative. “Our success is about the cause,” Tim says. “That, and the couples from each parish who are part of the LCUI committee have gotten us to where we are today. Remember, ‘For with God all things are possible.’’’ By Mary Kay McPartlin | Photography by Tom Gennara

Catholic News Agency

Religious sisters at World Youth Day in Madrid in 2011

Announcing the YEAR OF CONSECRATED LIFE

n Nov. 29, 2013, Pope Francis revealed to 120 superiors general of men’s religious orders that consecrated life would be the Church’s focus for 2015. During the closeddoor meeting, Pope Francis reportedly asked the Church’s religious sisters, brothers and priests to “wake up the world” with their testimony of faith, holiness and hope, according to Catholic News Service. The focus was made official during a Jan. 31, 2014, news conference during which the prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, Cardinal Joao Braz de Aviz, outlined plans for the year-long celebration. The cardinal expressed the hope that Pope Francis will celebrate the year’s opening Mass on Nov. 21, 2014, because it is the day the Church designates a day of prayer for cloistered religious. In addition, he expected the year would conclude on the 50th anniversary of the promulgation of the Second Vatican Council decree on the renewal of religious life, Perfectae Caritatis. 24

According to Catholic News Service, the cardinal went on to say, ““We are also convinced that in these 50 years, consecrated life has followed a fruitful path of renewal – certainly not without difficulties and struggles. In this year, we want to recognize and confess our weaknesses, but we also want to show the world with strength and joy the holiness and vitality that are present in consecrated life.”

Religious orders and religious congregations In the Roman Catholic Church, religious orders and congregations, sometimes called institutes, are associations of men

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and women who Year-long dedicate their lives celebrations to prayer, service and devotion. Year of Marriage, Many also live as Nov. 2014part of a commuDec. 2015 nity that follows a specific religious Year of Faith, rule. They can Year of Prayer, include both Oct. 2012clergy and laity. Nov. 2013 Most make public vows of poverty, Year for Priests, obedience and June 2009chastity. Priests June 2010 who are religious are different from Year of St. Paul, diocesan priests, June 2008who do not take June 2009 vows. Religious congregations differ from religious orders mainly in terms of the vows that are taken. Religious orders take solemn vows, while religious congregations take simple vows. While the distinction between the two types of vows is at times unclear, an example would be that simple vows might permit ownership of property, while solemn vows do not. Religious women who make simple vows are called sisters (examples include the Redemptorists and Marists), while those who take solemn vows are called nuns (examples include the Benedictines, Franciscans and Dominicans).

The importance of consecrated life for the Church today Pope Francis eloquently summarized the importance of consecrated life for the Church today in his Angelus address on Feb. 2, 2014. The day is significant because it not only marks the feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, but it is also the Day for Consecrated Life. The consecrated are a sign of God in the different areas of life, they are leaven for the growth of a more just and fraternal society, they are the prophecy of sharing with the least and the poor. Thus understood and lived, consecrated life appears as what it really is: a gift from God, a gift of God to the Church, a gift of God to his people! Every consecrated person is a gift for the people of God on its journey.

MAJOR ORDERS AND THEIR CHARISMS

TYPES OF RELIGIOUS ORDERS The Roman Catholic Church recognizes different types of religious orders:

A religious order or congregation is distinguished by a charism, or particular grace granted by God to the institute’s founder or the institute itself. Here are just a few religious orders and congregations with their charisms:

Dominicans

Charism: Preaching and teaching

Benedictines

Liturgical prayer and monasticism

Missionaries of Charity

Serving God among the “poorest of the poor”

Franciscans

Poverty

Poor Clares

Poverty and action through contemplation

Jesuits Sisters of Notre Dame

Education and missionary work Deep experience of God’s goodness and care

Carmelites

Contemplative prayer

Augustinians

Genuine community life

Maryknoll Vincentians Salesians

Basil

Missionary work Champion needs of the poor Pastoral charity in missionary expansion

Benedict

A Trappist Monk walks to midday prayers at Saint Joseph’s Abbey in Spencer, Massachusetts

Reuters

Order/ Congregation:

• Monastic: Monks or nuns live and work in a monastery; the largest monastic order, which dates back to the 6th century, is the Benedictines. • Mendicant: Friars or nuns who live from alms and actively participate in apostolic work; the Dominicans and Franciscans are two of the most well-known mendicant orders. • Canons Regular: Priests living in a community and active in a particular parish. • Clerks Regular: Priests who are also religious men with vows and who actively participate in apostolic work.

THE EVANGELICAL COUNSELS Most religious institutes require the profession of the three evangelical counsels, or rules of life. These counsels are for those who desire the surest way to perfection. Canon law (c.599-c.601) explains the three counsels as follows: 1. Vow of Chastity entails the obligation of perfect self-restraint in celibacy for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. 2. Vow of Poverty refers to a life poor in both fact and spirit that requires both dependence and limitation in the “use and disposition” of goods according to the rules of the religious order. 3. Vow of Obedience requires the submission of the person to the will of the legitimate superior as to his or her place of living, schedule and rules of the order.

Augustine

Francis

GREAT RELIGIOUS RULES Religious communities are governed by a set of precepts known as the community’s rule. Four of the great religious rules guiding religious orders are:

1. R ule of St. Basil is one of the earliest rules for Christian living, generally followed by monastic communities of the Orthodox Church. This rule stresses that fasting should not interfere with prayer or work, and that work should be an integral part of monastic life 2. R ule of St. Benedict organizes the monastic day into regular periods of private and communal prayer, spiritual reading, work and sleep. The rule is followed by the Benedictines, Trappists and Cistercians, among others 3. R ule of St. Augustine stresses self-denial, moderation and care for the needy 4. R ule of St. Francis places emphasis on poverty and humility as one serves the Lord

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yourcommunity things to do: Nov. 1, doors open at 5:30 p.m., St. Paul in Owosso will have its Harvest Dinner and Raffle. Tickets are: adult $10 or $25 per family – 2 adults, children 12th grade and under. Questions, contact the parish office at 989.725.5215.

November café events St. Joseph Parish in Brooklyn will have a 13-week Bible study on Isaiah presented in two parts: lessons 1-6, Tuesdays, Nov. 4-Dec. 9, 10 a.m. and lessons 7-13, Tuesdays, Feb.17-Mar. 31, 10 a.m. Nov. 14-15, St. Francis of Assisi in Ann Arbor will have a young adult fall Columbiere Retreat. For information and to register, contact Jennifer Delvaux at 734.821.2126 or jen@stfrancisa2.org. St. Francis of Assisi, Ann Arbor has redesigned its Sunday eReflection to include a wider-range of authors – including those working in Catholic agencies and the community who live their faith in different ways. If you would like to receive it, please email Jennifer Delvaux at jen@stfrancisa2.org. St. John Church and St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in East Lansing, in conjunction with the Catholic African community, will have an African Mass each first Sunday of the month at 4 p.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas. The Catholic African community also will meet at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish in Lansing for Bible study and choir from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. each Sunday, except the first Sunday of the month. All are welcome to attend.

Nov. 1, 6 p.m., St. Michael in Flint will have its Silent Auction and Dinner. Tickets are $20 per person in advance or $25 at the door. For information or tickets, contact the parish office at 810.238.2679. Nov. 11, 6 p.m., St. Joseph Shrine, Brooklyn’s Caregiver Support Group will have massage therapists from Sacred Touch. All are welcome whether you care for a loved one fulltime, part-time or on an occasional basis. Please invite a neighbor or friend if interested. For questions, call Mary Smetana at 517.592.5759. Nov. 14, 6 p.m., St. Thomas Aquinas Parish School’s annual Faith and Fundamentals Celebration to support our school. Live and silent auctions, golf ball drop and fellowship at University Club of Michigan State University. Contact Chair@FaithFundamentals.info or visit FaithFundamentals.info for more information. Nov. 15, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., St. Gerard Autumn Craft Show will have 40 vendors and will be in Father Weber Hall, 4433 W. Willow Hwy., Lansing. For information, please call 517.323.2379. Nov. 15, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., St. Martha Council of Catholic Women will host its annual craft show, “Holiday Heaven: an Arts and Crafts Collection,” in the parish hall, 1100 W. Grand River, Okemos. Admission, parking and raffle are free. Concessions are available from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. For information, visit st-martha.org. Nov. 15, 6 p.m., 21st annual St. Martha School Auction at Spartan Stadium, Huntington Club, 4th Fl., 325 N. Shaw Lane,

Diocese of Lansing’s liturgies for the deaf: • 9 a.m., Mass, St. Thomas the Apostle, Ann Arbor, the first three Sundays of each month. • Nov. 8 and Dec. 13, 4:30 p.m., interpreted, St. Gerard, Lansing. • Nov. 30, 2 p.m. and Dec. 24, 4 p.m., Father McKenna, St. Mary Cathedral Crypt, Lansing. • Dec. 21, 4 p.m., Father Michael Depcik, St. Mary Cathedral, Lansing. • Catholic Community of St. Jude, DeWitt, offers interpreted Mass upon request, Sat., 5 p.m. and Sun., 8:30 a.m. or 11 a.m. Call Denise at 517.881.9641 by Friday morning. • Contact the following parishes for information and their schedules: Holy Redeemer, Burton, 810.743.3050 and St. John the Evangelist, Fenton, 810.629.2251.

FAITH Magazine • November 2014 • www.FAITHpub.com

East Lansing. Park in lot 79 on MSU campus. Silent auction starts at 6 p.m.; live auction starts at 9 p.m. Cost is $35/person. All proceeds go toward upgrading technology at the school. For tickets or more information, contact Tania at 517.223.3312. Nov. 16, 3 p.m., Christ the King Parish, 1811 Seymour Ave., Flint will host a concert performed by Sacred Heart Catholic Church’s Gospel Choir from Detroit. For information, contact the parish at 810.233.0402. Nov. 16, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., St. Mary, 2500 N. Franklin Ave., Flint will have a Christmas Fair. Raffle: first prize $700; second prize $300 and third prize 32” flat screen TV. Santa arrives at 1:30 p.m. Affordable lunches will be served. For information, contact the parish at 810.232.4012. Nov. 23, 2 p.m., Holy Rosary Parish, Burton will have Advent Tea by Candlelight in its parish hall, 5199 Richfield Road. You are invited as a guest or table hostess. Each guest to bring an appetizer or dessert to share. For information and to reserve a table, contact Beverly King at 810.768.3762 or the parish office at 810.736.4040. Dec. 6-7, St. Paul in Owosso with have its annual cookie sale. Proceeds will help the parish purchase candles, Communion host and altar linen care. For information, call the parish at 989.725.5215. Dec. 31, Celebrate the New Year with “A Knight to Remember” at St. Agnes in Fowlerville: 6 p.m.-7 p.m., happy hour, 7 p.m.-8 p.m., dinner, 8 p.m.-midnight, Seacruisers band. Cost of $25 per person includes party favors, door prizes, snacks, dinner, champagne toast and fun – cash bar available. For ticket information, contact the parish at 517.223.8684. Looking to meet new people? Lansing Catholic Singles, age 30s-60s, brings together friends for fellowship and fun in a faith-filled environment. For more information and a complete calendar of upcoming events, visit lansingcatholicsingles.com or 517.321.7886. Come join us the second Saturday of each month at St. Mary Cathedral Hall, 219 Seymour Ave., Lansing, for lunch and a monthly activity. Learn more about the Association of Catholic Women, which raises funds for each of the eight area Catholic schools. The group also participates in enjoyable activities from speakers to bingo to the annual Christmas party. For information about membership or attending a monthly meeting, please contact Mary Blair at mitz2me@ yahoo.com or 517.371.2637.

RETREAT CENTERS

Marriage Matters of Jackson Nov. 6, 6:30 p.m., How to Survive the Holidays … Together, at Spring Arbor University, Ralph Carey Forum: MMJ’s Shelby Raines will show you how to connect as a couple and let go of expectations while you hold on to each other. Enjoy a hopeful and helpful 45-minute presentation followed by time for questions and answers. Cost of $10/ person includes goody bag. Free Marriage Restoration workshops held each week, 6 p.m.-8 p.m., at United Way Center, 536 N. Jackson St. in Jackson. Designed to address the tougher times in a relationship, these mini-workshops provide skills and tools for couples to help them tackle some of the critical issues in a marriage. Topics change each week and couples can attend any and all sessions at no cost. Details are available at www.MarriageMattersJackson. com or 517.796.5116.

Weber Center and Conference Center, Adrian, 517.266.4000 or webercenter.org Nov. 8 and Dec. 6, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m., “Days of Contemplative Prayer: Meditation and Mindfulness Practice. Nov. 30-Dec. 4, Sun., 10 a.m. to Thurs., 1 p.m., “Advent Retreat: Advent’s Many Messages, Marvels and Mysteries.” Dec. 21, 3 p.m.-4:30 p.m., Winter Solstice Ritual Celebration: Darkness, a Portal Into the Light. St. Francis Retreat Center, DeWitt, 866.669.8321 or stfrancis.ws Nov. 21-23, Contemplative Retreat for Women. Cost: $135. Registration deadline Nov. 8. Dec. 5-7, Married Couples Retreat: Give Yourselves the Gift of Time. Cost: $250. Registration deadline Nov. 28. Dominican Center at Marywood, Grand Rapids, register online at dominicancenter.com/open-programs/ Nov. 5, “The Parable of a Good Samaritan,” cost $20; Nov. 11, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., “The Joy of the Gospel: Pope Francis the Writer, cost $15; Nov. 17, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., “Walking a Sacred Path: Fall Labyrinth Walk,” cost $20; Dec. 3, 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m., “Advent and the Gospel of Mark, cost $10; and Dec. 8, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., “Breathe and Be Well,” cost $15.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES Catholic Charities of Shiawassee and Genesee Counties, 810.232.9950 or ccsgc.org You can give the Gift of Hope this Christmas. Donate new toys, towels, socks and toiletries, as well as non-perishable food for Christmas Day, at Catholic Charities soup kitchens. Monetary gifts are also welcome – visit ccsgc.org. Join us for the fourth annual “NBC 25 Days of Giving” food drive benefitting Catholic Charities’ three soup kitchens. For food drop-off locations, visit us on Facebook, Catholic Charities Flint and Owosso, or ccsgc.org. Dec. 5-6, WE C.A.R.E. marriage preparation classes will be held at Holy Family in Grand Blanc. Registration $75. For information, call 810.232.9950. Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw, csswashtenaw.org or 734.971.9781 Nov. 13, 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County, 4925 Packard Rd. in Ann Arbor, will have Foster Care Orientation. Through the family-to-family approach, CSSW licenses foster families to provide a safe, loving temporary home until the child is able to be reunified with their birth family. For information or to RSVP, call 734.971.9781, ext. 448. There is no fee to become a licensed foster parent. WE C.A.R.E. marriage preparation classes Nov. 14-15, St. Thomas the Apostle, Ann Arbor and Dec. 5-6, St. Joseph, Ypsilanti. Registration $95. For information or registration, call 734.971.9781, ext. 421 or csswashtenaw.org. Livingston County Catholic Charities, 517.545.5944 or livingstoncatholiccharities.org The Engagement Group meets weekly, Mondays, 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.-noon and Fridays, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. It is a support meeting focused on co-occurring mental health and substance abuse issues. Each meeting is staffed by a licensed clinician and two recovery coaches. No appointment is necessary, but interested individual first must speak to ACCESS, 517.546.4216, to get authorized for the group. Open Enrollment – Medicare’s Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D) open enrollment is October 15, 2014 – December 7, 2014 with coverage starting January 1, 2015. It is important to research the different plans, even if you are currently enrolled in 2014,

as the plans change or your medication needs may have changed. You may also qualify for extra help with the monthly premiums or a lower co-pay. For assistance with selecting a plan and filling out the application or for more information, please contact Linda or Penny, Medicaid/ Medicare Specialists, at Livingston County Catholic Charities at 800.489.6107. In addition to scheduling appointments at LCCC, Penny and Linda have select dates to meet clients at the Brighton, Pinckney, Hamburg and Fowlerville senior centers. Appointments are necessary – call today! Catholic Charities of Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale Counties, catholiccharitiesjlhc.org or 517.782.2551 Roadmap to Graduation is a program for at-risk, homeless teens 17-18 that offers a Mentor Home in which to live, assists students with basic life skills and support which leads to graduation. For information about becoming a Mentor Home, a brochure is available at catholiccharitiesjlhc.com/roadmap/ or email agoetting.ccjlhc@gmail.com. St. Vincent Catholic Charities’ Holiday Giving Drive Nov. 21 to Dec. 12. It is not too late to be an angel to children in need this Christmas season. Join our Holiday Giving Drive. You can help adopt a teen, family or select an Angel Gift Tag from one of our Angel Trees found at local shopping malls and retail shops. For more information about how you can get involved, contact Dr. Thomas Woods at 517.323.4734 ext. 1203 or woodst@stvcc.org. November is National Adoption Month: Can you open your home to a child in need? St. Vincent Catholic Charities is looking for individuals and families willing to open their hearts and homes to children in foster care. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a foster or adoptive parent, please contact Natalie Marshall at 517.323.4734, ext. 1614 or marshan@stvcc.org. For more information about foster care, please visit our website: www.stvcc.org.

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New director of curriculum, assessment and instruction As the new director of curriculum, assessment, and instruction for the Diocese of Lansing school system, Therese Edwards has several goals, saying, “I want to move us forward in terms of our mission of providing excellent Catholic education.” Therese brings 34 years of experience as a teacher and building principal within the Diocese of Lansing schools. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a bachelor’s degree in music education, and also received a master’s degree in classroom teaching and curriculum development from Michigan State University. In her position, Therese will work alongside the director of formation and the director of youth ministry, and in conjunction with the director of catechesis to ensure the religious standards within the diocese are theologically appropriate. According to Therese, the diocese must continue to ensure solid foundations for the students, and provide a rigorous academic and faith-based program. “This is an exciting time to join the efforts of growing Catholic schools from maintenance to mission,” she said, “A huge reward is being able to be a part of Catholic schools, and help the formation of our youth to know and to love God.”

Diocese of Lansing’s medical mission to Guatemala Deacon Edward Peitler, from Charleston, S.C., spoke to the parishioners of St. Mary Star of the Sea Parish in Jackson about medical missions to Guatemala. He has traveled there more than 20 times and; on his last trip, he met Chris Root, director of Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Lansing. Both Deacon Edward and Chris traveled with Bishop Domingo Buezo Leiva of the Diocese of Izabal, Guatemala, and Father Anton Gresh from the Republic of Malta, who has served in Guatemala for 17 years. During the trip, they walked for more than two miles through mountainous terrain to visit a new parish; later, they traveled for an hour in a small motorboat to a church built by Father Anton. Bishop Boyea has committed the Diocese of Lansing to aid the people of Guatemala. Early next year, medical missionaries will travel there with doctors, nurses, pharmacists and translators. To learn more, contact Catholic Charities at 517.342.2465, or to make a donation, contact Dawn Lawless, Diocese of Lansing’s Office of Missions, at 517.342.2541 or missions@dioceseoflansing.org. 28

FAITH Magazine • November 2014 • www.FAITHpub.com

New parish auditor and project manager The Diocese of Lansing recently hired David Fleury as the new parish auditor and project manager. David, a father of two, graduated from Walsh College with a bachelor of accountancy, and earned his CPA in the state of Michigan. As parish auditor, David will be performing financial audits and risk assessments of the parishes and schools in the diocese, or hiring an outside resource to do so. His office has created a new accounting platform for the parishes to use, called Connect Now Accounting. “My goal for this position is to be a go-to resource not just for the parishes, but also for folks at the diocese,” he said, “I want them to know that I am an outlet that they can access to answer their questions.” Since he is new to the diocese, David mentioned, “There is the challenge of trying to develop a good rapport with the parishes, so that they have a sense of trust when I’m trying to assist them. My job is to protect them from potential financial issues.” David finds numerous rewards with his new position. “Wherever I go to work, there is Jesus. When I’m working, I have the opportunity to go to Mass, or at least sit in the sanctuary and pray a bit. The benefit of my job is unlimited.”

Diocese approves plan for parish offices at former abortion clinic An agreement between the Church of the Resurrection in Lansing and the owners of a building housing Lansing’s last, freestanding surgical abortion clinic put an end to business for the WomanCare clinic on Oct. 1. Bishop Earl Boyea has given his approval for Resurrection Parish to lease 4,100 square feet of space on the upper level of 1601 E. Grand River. The building, west of Wood Street, overlooks the Groesbeck Golf Course and currently houses Matrix Engineering and the abortion clinic. The plan to take over the space was conceptualized by Father Steve Mattson, pastor of Resurrection. Father Mattson said the decision to use the space for temporary offices will accomplish a two-fold purpose: “Our parish needs temporary space, because we are converting our rectory and current parish offices into a convent to make room for the incoming Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, who will be serving at Resurrection School and Lansing Catholic High School this fall. At this new location, the offices will allow us to both meet the needs of our parishioners and to affirm our comprehensive pro-life commitment to men and women in greatest need. We desire for our parish, including our presence at this new site, to be a place of hope and healing for all who have been wounded by the effects of sin in our world.” A portion of the space will be used to meet parish needs, and the remaining space is slated to become a hub for pro-life ministry.

Teaching canon law at the University of Detroit-Mercy

D. Quillan

Dominican sisters make final profession of vows Family and friends traveled from across the United States to attend the perpetual profession of vows by eight sisters of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, on July 30 at Christ the King in Ann Arbor. Bishop Earl Boyea celebrated the Mass, with many priests and deacons in attendance. Those making their final profession of vows were: Sister Mary Gabriel Whitney, Sister Michael Vincent Krestyn, Sister Maria Jose Acosta, Sister Miriam Holzman, Sister Marian McGlynn, Sister Agnes Maria Pineda, Sister Mary Rita Lumbrezer and Sister Imelda Marie Show. As professed women, they will share fully in the life and mission of their congregation. D. Quillan

Dr. Eileen Jaramillo, a tribunal judge in the Diocese of Lansing and a canonical consultant to religious communities, is teaching canon law at the University of DetroitMercy (UDM). Since UDM is a Catholic university in the Jesuit and Mercy traditions, the legal education integrates Catholic teaching, theory and practice. Dr. Pam Wilkins, dean of the School of Law, has seen a need for civil law students to have a background in canon law because they will encounter it when dealing with property, divorce, sexual misconduct and the seal of confession. Eileen also teaches canon law to ecclesial lay ministers and men studying for the permanent diaconate in the Siena Heights University Theological Program.

Spare change for retired priests at St. Mary Queen of Angels The children attending St. Mary Queen of Angels Vacation Bible School (VBS) this summer in Swartz Creek participated in a “Thank you, Father” mission. The kids were taught about the Caring for Our Treasured Gifts campaign, and were asked to pray and bring in their spare change to help build the senior priest residence in Burton. On Thursday morning of VBS, the children presented Father Tom Thompson and Father Joe Aubin with spiritual bouquets of their prayers and $475.01, which was raised from their spare change. They sang a “Thank you Father” song. Vacation Bible School at St. Mary uses the Kids for Jesus (K4J) program, and the theme this year was Circus of Stars, Spotlight on the Father. The children learned about five great saints and the sacrament of reconciliation was highlighted. They worked on the virtue of balance, learning to work, play, rest and pray each day. The week ended with Mass and a party.

Answers for page 31

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FOLLOW THE STIRRINGS OF THE SPIRIT Blessed Gaius of Korea Feast Day: November 15

ACROSS 1 M ajor O.T. figure known as the “weeping prophet” 3 C aptain in Roman army targeted by archers after his faith was discovered 5 Very deep; bottomless; also the name of a professional wrestler 7 Catholic entertainment giant known for his care of U.S. troops 8 “Bitter” star that sours the water in Revelation 9 “It can be printed” 12 F rench Church Doctor known for his battle against Arianism; 13 The history of the Apostolic Age is outlined in this fifth book of the N.T. 15 A “Little Way” to count one’s offering up to God 16 Founded the Poor Ladies; friend to St. Francis 17 Considered by many to be the greatest church in Christendom 18 Vatican II constitution that looked at art, music, and sacraments 19 Where there’s smoke in Mass, there’s this 20 Academic honorary society established by or directed by the Holy See See answers on page 29 30

DOWN 2 C entral prayer of the Mass 4 Member of the Knights of Columbus known as the Bambino 6 “Garland of roses” that serves as a traditional Catholic devotion 10 Pope St. John Paul II called these the two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth in this encyclical of the same name 11 The “hard work” necessary to combat the sin of sloth 14 An “elemental” symbol of persecution, purification, and even holiness

C E L E B R AT I N G 2 0 Y E A R S

1993 – 2013

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FAITH Magazine • November 2014 • www.FAITHpub.com

There are times in life when we feel what could be the soft, gentle stirrings of the Spirit calling us to an action. Of course, this is not to say that the end to which we are directed will be known to us before, or even as, we follow the promptings of the Spirit. This was certainly the experience of Blessed Gaius of Korea (1571–1624). He was given to a Buddhist monastery by his parents, but he eventually left in search of an ever-elusive peace. He lived as a hermit for some time, spending his days in meditation. Blessed Gaius was taken prisoner by the Japanese when they invaded Korea in 1592. As he was being transported across the sea to Japan, his party was shipwrecked. He was nursed back to health by a Christian in Kyoto. Upon his recovery, he returned to the life of a Buddhist monk in a famous pagoda in Kyoto. He once again failed to find peace, however, and became ill. Gaius left the temple and was introduced to Jesuit priests. He converted, was baptized and began his instruction in the faith. When he was shown a picture of Jesus Christ, he exclaimed that it was the very same man who had appeared to him all those years earlier in the cave. He spent the remainder of his life in service, especially to lepers. He helped missionaries by preaching in his native tongue to Koreans taken to Japan. In the end, he was arrested for harboring missionaries and was burned at the stake. His life witnesses to the power of a trusting docility in the Spirit – whether or not one knows the Spirit or knows where the Spirit will lead.

The truth, the whole truth AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH pope watch What POPE FRANCIS has been saying and doing recently

hen Jesus went up on the mountain with his disciples and taught them his famous beatitudes, he followed his discourse with a range of other teachings about the Ten Commandments and the Jewish laws of Moses.

Reuters

T. Gennara

One of Jesus’ teachings dealt with what we know of as the Eighth Commandment: You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. He expressed his teaching this way: “Again you have heard that it was said to your ancestors, ‘Do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow.’ But I say to you, do not swear at all …. Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ Anything more is from the evil one.” (Matthew 5:33–37) Jesus was telling his disciples that they should not appeal to any external authority to guarantee the truthfulness of what they say because everybody should already know for certain that they, the followers of Christ, are honest, truthful men of total integrity. The “father of lies” (John 8:44) aplast word pears to be very much at work in Father Charles our lives these days, with politiIrvin is the cians, within corporations and in founding editor of FAITH society as a whole. Our daily news Magazine and is is filled with reports of investigatretired. ing committees aiming to get at the truth. So many falsehoods swirl around us that it is easy to turn cynical and despair of ever hearing the truth. The standard oath administered in court trials in our country has always been: “Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?” The troubling question we face these days is this: Is that oath taken seriously and does it mean anything anymore? It appears now that it is taken seriously only after one is caught telling a deliberate lie. Only then is it consequential. To be sure, this is nothing new. After all, it was Pontius Pilate who stated: “Truth, what is truth?” and then proceeded to have Jesus crucified. So what can we do? The answer is to always speak the truth, the whole truth, plainly and as best we know it. As it was with the disciples, people who know you, a follower of Jesus in his way, truth and life, should always know that you are a person of integrity – one who speaks nothing but the truth.

Pope Francis signs a guest book upon arrival next to Albania’s President Bujar Nishani (left) in Tirana during his one-day pastoral visit to Albania

“Let no one consider themselves to be the ‘armor’ of God while planning and carrying out acts of violence and oppression.” This was the message Pope Francis delivered to diplomats at the presidential palace during his visit to Albania.

Reuters

From the pope:

Did you know? About 300,000 people attended Mass with Pope Francis in Mother Teresa Square in Albania.

“The more men and women are at the service of others, the greater their freedom.”

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