December 2010

i n s i d e

p l u s

Meet Paul Long Dear Fr. Joe:

the new director of the Michigan Catholic Conference

Mom doesn’t want life support – Is that OK?

T. Gennara

Faith can make your marriage stronger @

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Father Dwight Ezop is editor of FAITH Magazine and pastor of the Catholic Community of St. Jude.

E-mail: editor@FAITHmag.com.

from the editor

ven in the best of times, there are lots of things that place stress on marriages: pressures related to work and careers, the challenges of raising children, responsibilities associated with caring for aging parents and other issues related to extended family are but a few that come to mind. With the current sluggish economy, that usual list of stressors is being compounded by nagging worries about financial and job stability, heightened concerns about financial security in retirement and the more general fears associated with a fiscal climate rife with downsizing and foreclosures. Some couples feel as though they have been caught in a whirlpool of conflicting currents that are slowly, inexorably pulling their marriages apart. Even couples who at one time felt they had relatively solid marriages are finding themselves subject to these forces. Even the stress associated with holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas takes its toll.

Faith-based programs like Retrouvaille (pronounced ret-roh-vie) can be a definite help to couples who are being torn apart by a strained marriage. Retrouvaille, which in French means “rediscovery,” provides couples who are experiencing marital difficulty the opportunity and the skills to re-establish communication with one another, thereby creating a pathway for healing to take place with the assistance of God’s grace. After experiencing marital difficulties of their own, Allan and Teresa Sanfilippo Wilcox sought and found help through Retrouvaille. Not only did Retrouvaille provide a means of helping them restore their marriage, but it now has become a focus for both of them to assist other couples in rebuilding their relationships. You can read more about Allan and Teresa in this issue, and you can go to www.retrouvaille.org for more information and to register for a weekend in our area.

Not every couple finds themselves experiencing difficulties. Some may have entered a period of “blahs,” when the excitement that was a part of the first years of marriage has been replaced by the repeti-

tive patterns of work and family life. Other couples feel as though their marriages are basically on solid ground but hope for more. Programs like Marriage Encounter offer couples the opportunity to take time away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and responsibilities to spend time focusing on the most important people in their lives: one another. The bishops of the United States also have a terrific pair of websites designed to offer daily encouragement and tips for happy, healthy marriages. Their English-language site can be found at www.foryourmarriage.org, while its Spanish-language counterpart is found at www.portumatrimonio.org.

Both sites offer an up-to-date, rich and diverse variety of resources for both engaged and married couples.

As we enter into the beautiful weeks of Advent, I pray that all married couples might find and make use of resources like Retrouvaille, Marriage Encounter and many other faith-filled tools to bring about the healing, the deepened love and the joy that are all a part of these weeks leading us to Christmas. And so our journey in FAITH continues.

Programs like Marriage Encounter offer couples the opportunity to take time away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and responsibilities to spend time focusing on the most important people in their lives: one another.

Liturgical Calendar: St. Francis Xavier, priest Dec. 3 | St. John of Damascus, priest and doctor of the Church Dec. 4 | St. Nicholas Dec. 6 | St. Ambrose, bishop and

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FAITH Magazine / December 2010 / www.FAITHmag.com The Magazine of the Catholic Diocese of Lansing

Most Reverend Earl Boyea PUBLISHER

Rev. Dwight Ezop

EDITOR AND CHAIRMAN

December 2010 • Volume 11: Issue 10

18 Patrick M. O’Brien

PRESIDENT/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Elizabeth Martin Solsburg

DIRECTOR OF CUSTOM PUBLISHING/ EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

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24

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18 Whatever happened to ... Ken and Teresa? | 20 How NFP strengthened Mark and Jennifer’s marriage | 22 Meet Paul Long – the new director of the Michigan Catholic Conference | 24 Another journey to Narnia

Cynthia Vandecar

what you’ll get out of this issue

MARKETING MANAGER

Patrick Dally

ART DIRECTOR

Lynne Hsu

GRAPHIC DESIGNER/WEBMASTER

Jillane Job

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

InnerWorkings

PRINT MANAGEMENT

– Bishop Earl Boyea

5 work life – Nick Synko

6 parenting journey

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Derek Melot

– Dr. Cathleen McGreal

PROOFREADING

7 marriage matters

Carlson Productions | Tom Gennara | James Luning (cover) | Don Quillan

– Tom and JoAnne Fogle

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

8 in the know with Fr. Joe

Bob Patten | Chris Sushynski CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATORS

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

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FOUNDING PUBLISHER

Rev. Charles Irvin FOUNDING EDITOR

For advertising information: Call 517.853.7600

I have always wanted to take a cruise …

T. Gennara

9 spiritual popcorn – Paul Jarzembowski

Allan and Teresa were almost ready to separate when Allan read an article in FAITH about Retrouvaille, a program for people in troubled marriages. Find out how Retrouvaille helped save their marriage, and why they are now Retrouvaille coordinators.

Most Rev. Carl F. Mengeling

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– Father Joseph Krupp

Retrouvaille helped Allan and Teresa put their marriage back together

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

@

ctually, cruising doesn’t appeal that much to me.

But I have enjoyed many seafaring voyages on the Dawn Treader, C.S. Lewis’ famous ship. I don’t remember the first time I ever went to Narnia in the pages of Lewis’ books, but I remember that I was enchanted – and completely hooked.

Through the years, I believe I have read all of C. S. Lewis’ published work – fiction, essays, transcripts of radio talks. His down-

to-earth presentation of basic, or “mere,” Christianity answered questions I struggled with in college. His vision of heaven and

10 culture – Michelle Sessions DiFranco

12 spiritual fitness – Sister Ann Shields

31 last word – Father Charles Irvin

hell in The Great Divorce is still how I imagine those places to be. And master demon Screwtape’s letters to his apprentice nephew illuminated evil in its everyday aspects.

I always wished I could have met C.S. Lewis and said thanks.

So, you can imagine how lucky I felt to be able to interview Douglas Gresham, Lewis’ stepson and the co-producer of the newest Narnia film, Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

It was great to talk with someone who’d known Lewis so well, and who was committed to bringing his Narnian vision to life.

I loved hearing anecdotes about Lewis and his sense of humor. I still wish I could have met him, but this was the next best thing.

Of course, the other way I’ve met Lewis is through his writing, and now through the movies made from his books. Those books had a huge impact on my life – I hope he knows that, and knows that I am grateful.

d doctor of the Church Dec. 7 | Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Dec. 8 | St. Juan Diego, hermit Dec. 9 | St. Damasus I, pope Dec. 11

table of contents

4 from the bishop

Michelle Sessions DiFranco | 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 | Todd Schulz

4 eath and Life. Advent is a celebration of both of these realities. The first half of Advent calls to our mind the second coming of Jesus Christ, while the second half of Advent prepares us for the celebration of his first coming at Christmas. Allow me to say a few things about both of these aspects of this Advent season.

In the Creed every Sunday, we profess: “He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end.” We believe that God will send his Son once again to earth, this time to bring our earthly existence to an end. We do not know how this is to take place, only that it will take place.

And the primary purposes of this coming at the end of time will be to judge and to bring about the eternal reign of God. Most likely, most or all of us will be part of the dead at that point. Our souls will be in heaven or hell or in purgatory, because we will have undergone a personal judgment at our death. For the glorious final judgment to take place, all our bodies will be raised and transformed, just like Jesus’ body was at Bishop Earl A. Boyea is the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Lansing. his resurrection from the dead. Those who are living at the time also will be transformed. Then “the truth of each be more merciful than any kind of judging we might make, but that perfect mix of mercy and justice is a mystery to be man’s relationship with God will be laid bare” (Catechism, revealed to us. #1039) as the justice and mercy of God are made fully and It is a very good thing to ponder the last things, not in perfectly manifest to all. It is for this that we have lived. It some morbid way, but as a reminder to us that we need to is for this that we have searched. It is for this that we have tried to live like Christ, so that he will find in us a true sister make each day count. We know not the day nor the hour.

Our lives really matter. or a true brother.

One sure sign that they matter is that the Son of God Many of us forget that we will be judged, that we will be took on our flesh and lived among us. That, of course, is held accountable for our behavior and rewarded for our what we celebrate in the second half of Advent. God is not living in God’s grace. We picture God as so benign that far away – not some distant, uncaring power. Rather, God he does not care how we have lived. Yet, as John of the is close to us, Emmanuel, God is with us. Our life and our Cross states: “At the evening of life, we shall be judged death are wrapped up in Christ’s life and Christ’s death. on our love.” Now all of us pray that God’s judgment will As we go to our churches during this coming Christmas season and gaze upon the crib scene and see that weak child, let us recall the incredible love God has for us, to send his Son to live with us and to live and die for us. We are really important to God. Yet, God only invites us and offers us his grace. Then he takes very seriously the decisions we make. That is real love and mercy.

A Blessed Advent and Christmas to you all.

from the bishop

Advent

a celebration of death and life

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe Dec. 12 | St. Lucy, virgin and martyr Dec. 13 | St. John of the Cross, priest and doctor of the Church Dec. 14 | St. Peter Canisius, priest and

Q

FAITH Magazine / December 2010 / www.FAITHmag.com

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I was laid off six months ago and I haven’t had a nibble at all. I’m 50 years old, so my Nick Synko is a professional career and workplace issues coach. competition is much For more information, visit SynkoAssociates.com and CareersThroughFaith.org. younger and I don’t on the ball than most anyone in their 20s – and employers feel as if I have a chance. I’m too young to stop recognized it. working completely – how do I find a job?

In my experience, age is irrelevant if you have energy, en-

now what?

thusiasm, an up-to-date skill set and are ready to go to work with an upbeat attitude. However, if you disagree and believe your age is the significant factor in your present situation, well, then, you are likely correct – for you, that is. Age is both a fact and a choice.

So what can you do to act your youthful age?

• Upgrade and update – Begin exercising, update your eyewear, wardrobe, hairstyle, etc.

• Network – Use your years of experience to add creativity to your job search strategy and networking plan.

• Return to school – Update your job skills and knowledge by taking a class or two, or obtaining a certification.

Finally, be authentically you. Don’t try to be everything to everyone. Know who you are and what qualifies you to be in the game and speak to what makes you unique from your competition. Furthermore, remember you do not need 100 jobs; you only need one great job.

Finally, know that God has a purpose for you at all stages of your life. Enthusiastically seek that purpose with the knowledge he is the creator of all good things. You will likely find the job you are seeking when you combine your hard work with prayer and his blessing.

d doctor of the Church Dec. 21 | St. John of Kanty, priest Dec. 23 | Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord Dec. 25 | Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Dec. 26

work life

As a career coach, I have spoken with people in their 20s who think they are too old to move ahead with their careers. Judging by the impression they left, they were correct. I also recently coached a man in a career transition who was in his 60s; he told me that his new job is the keystone of his career.

The impression he left was that he was 60, but so what?

The best half of his career is yet to come. Another client in her 60s just found a job that she describes as “perfect.” I keep meeting such dynamic people. Just last week, I met an individual at a workshop who spoke with me afterward. He was 55 and had multiple leads before he accepted his new job. He was still going to school to update his skills, was training for a marathon, was well-dressed and groomed and attended the workshop to try helping others through sharing his career transition experience. He had more

T. Gennara

A

I got laid off –

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TV or not TV?

T. Gennara

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

parenting journey

Q A

I’ve read articles lately about how television can cause ADHD and other learning problems. I’m not sure I can handle no TV at all in our house. Is TV OK – how much is too much?

My daughter, Erin, shared her views about growing up in a home in which TV time was limited. Now she thinks of a TV as an optional household item. But she noticed that her sister, Kaiti, enjoys the freedom of being able to watch as much TV as she wants! Our concerns were not as much about the activity of television viewing per se, as they were the content of television programming, using advertising to influence children’s behaviors and the time that could be spent engaged in other activities. By considering these variables, you may be able to figure out how much time you think is too much in your own family system.

No TV is an extreme choice.

Parents want to make choices to keep their children healthy and there often are controversies about parenting issues.

You don’t need to eliminate TV from

your household in an attempt to avoid ADHD. Learning disabilities are complex; researchers are investigating the intertwining factors. For example, there seem to be genetic components, as well as environmental components. Lead poisoning might be one of the environmental concerns and playtime with old toys found in an attic would be an activity to be avoided if the paint is lead-based.

There is no reason that you have to avoid television. The answer is to find balance.

[Note: If you were reading the articles because you suspected that your child had a learning disability, then you would want to bring your concerns to the attention of your child’s physician.]

Make deliberate choices. Sometimes a TV is running non-stop from dawn till dusk! If you want interesting “background” stimulation, then make a deliberate choice. Commercials are

what gets my goat

Q

My father died several months ago, and my brother is the executor of his estate. He seems to have let the power of that go to his head. He is being really dictatorial about what mementoes of our parents we can have. I know Mom and Dad thought we would all talk together about how to divide personal property – how can we keep this from escalating into a family feud?

A

It is not easy to deal with the death of a parent.

Adding the stress of fighting with your siblings can make the situation unbearable. With some work, you can stop the fighting and spend more time as a family mourning the death of your father.

First, get together and share the spiritual and emotional inheritance your parents left. Maybe you can ask your pastor to have a Mass in memory of your parents. For it,

created to “grab” the attention of your children with catchy music or engaging visual scenes. Instead, go to the library and find music that enhances your interactions if you want something running “behind the scenes.” Surveys show that many U.S. children and youth have televisions in their bedrooms. Why not save the money? Share TV time with your children and explain the difference between commercials and the program; younger children often try to weave the story lines together. Help older children recognize advertising techniques. Explain content – including nonverbal messages that don’t fit with your family’s values.

What are you giving up? Think about the activities your family enjoys doing together. Some of these tend to disappear with too much TV. Preschoolers benefit more from bedtime stories than TV. Grade-school children might like to collect cards or stickers and arrange them in albums while you work nearby.

An after-dinner walk has health benefits for everyone! Activities that promote informal conversation draw your family closer and build memories to cherish.

We’re feuding over

my father’s inheritance

Dr. Gelasia Marquez is a psychologist and family counselor.

you will select those readings that reflect the legacy of your parents’ love and which will reflect their characters.

After the Mass, have a meal together and talk about your parents.

Try making these “siblings get-togethers” a regular event in order to talk about and heal the grievances that the whole issue of the estate brought to your family. Discuss the mementoes your parents left, and why they hold memories for you. Together, see if you can find a way to divide them justly.

St. Thomas Becket, bishop and martyr Dec. 29 | St. Sylvester I, pope Dec. 31

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He said She said

T. Gennara

what do they do?

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

“Our 15-year-old is pregnant – we need to help her raise the baby.”

Sheila says: We just found out that our 15-year-old daughter is pregnant.

She is determined to keep the baby. I want to make sure she finishes high school, and eventually goes to college. I want to do whatever I can to help her raise this baby. John is dead-set against it, and it’s causing us a lot of tension.

John says: I love my daughter, and I want her to finish her education, as well. And the best way to do that, as well as insure a good life for our grandchild, is to give the baby up for adoption. We have raised our family – I’m not up for taking care of an infant. Sheila is a softy. But I think we should issue an ultimatum: If you keep the baby, you are on your own.

This situation isn’t new; generation after generation has experienced the same seemingly impossible and unbelievable family rifts. Yet history has shown this situation does not have to be “terminal” to family relationships. Others before us have shown us how to turn what may appear at first to be a dead-end road into blessings beyond our imaginations.

It is a matter of perspective and a matter of love; unselfish love, as God loves each of us. Yes, it is heartbreaking to discover your 15-year-old-daughter had sexual relations and, as a consequence, is pregnant. But neither

John nor Sheila can remedy what has already happened.

They can, however, make a faith-filled decision to love as Jesus loved and to forgive as he forgives. Now is not the time to fix blame, but to search for what is best for God’s newly created human person. Now is the time to discern together (all three of you) honestly what is best for your new grandchild, your daughter and for your own marriage relationship. The best time to have this discussion is after the shock has subsided slightly so the “blame game” and “how could you do this to us” do not become a part of the conversation. Your daughter will need all the love and sup-

• How do you feel about encouraging her to give up your first grandchild for adoption?

• What impact does this situation have on your marriage relationship?

• Are you capable of raising another baby? Is your daughter mature enough to take on the

bulk of those responsibilities?

• What is the impact of another person to feed have on your finances?

• How can this situation be a blessing to your marriage and family?

If, after much discussion, John and Sheila decide to help, they need to set forth expectations for their daughter – ones she is capable of meeting. She will need to decide if raising her child is the best decision – not only for her, but for the baby. Would a loving, adoptive family be a choice everyone could live with?

She will have to grow up quickly and will have added responsibilities if she decides to raise her child. There are numerous other considerations that need to be addressed: What role, responsibility and involvement will the father of this child have? What involvement will the child’s paternal grandparents have in the raising of this child?

What are the legal issues to be addressed?

It is important to remember that every life is a blessing, and this child is a gift from God. No matter what decision you and your daughter make, now is the time to exercise the gift of hospitality by lovingly welcoming this child into existence.

your marriage matters

“We need to encourage her to give the baby up for adoption.”

port the two of you can muster.

She needs both of you to model unconditional love and unconditional sacrifice, as Jesus did.

Because it is a very sensitive issue to discuss, be practical and compassionate to each other.

We suggest John and Sheila earnestly pray for guidance from the Holy Spirit before beginning the discussion and be open to God’s guidance and peace that come from prayer so that they can calmly lead the discussion with their daughter.

If your daughter decides to raise the baby, it’s important to discuss openly and honestly the changes this will bring to her life and to yours. Even though your daughter is only 15, this is an adult situation and we recommend John and Sheila should begin speaking to her as an adult, remembering her maturity level is not on the same level as theirs.

Before the discussion begins, they should ask themselves some questions:

8 Dear Fr. Joe:

Mom doesn’t want life support Is that OK? T. Gennara

Send your questions to: “In the Know with Fr. Joe” FAITH Magazine,

@ 1500 E. Saginaw, Lansing, MI 48906 Or: JoeInBlack@priest.com

Q

My mother has instructed us not to use life support if she becomes ill. Is that morally acceptable?

in the know with Fr. Joe

A

This is such a complex and difficult issue. It’s a good thing that you are working through this now so that, when the issue becomes more immediate, you are able to clearly navigate these troubled waters.

To all who are worried about “end of life” issues, I encourage a frank discussion with your family about what your wishes and hopes are.

When struggling with the immediacy of approaching death, our hearts will be filled with sorrow and worry and, by having this discussion, we can free ourselves as much as possible to enter into our mourning with hearts, minds and souls in union with each other and the Church.

The Church gives us a solid, easy-to-read guide on these issues. You can find it on the Internet at the U.S. Bishops’ website. The name of the article is Ethical and Religious directives for Catholic Health Care Services (4th edition). You can find it at http:// www.usccb.org.

It’s a substantial article, and I really can’t reprint the whole thing here, but I’ll quote a bit of it, and mostly focus on “this is what this means…”

With that in mind, the first two points center around the idea of “proportional means.”

In a nutshell, we want to make sure our efforts to preserve someone’s life balance a reasonable hope of help that person without being too much burden for the family or community.

This ties into a key point about food and drink: We must provide nutrition and hydration unless the person is unable to absorb them or is near the moment of death.

The fourth point is very important for your particular question: we must respect the “free and informed judgment made by a competent adult” when it comes to removing extraordinary lifesaving procedures, as long as they don’t contradict what we read here.

In the next point, the Church reminds us that we

shouldn’t substitute our judgment for the judgment of the patient. When an adult, with a clear and informed mind or heart, makes their wishes known, we should always respect that, provided that what they want doesn’t contradict the Church’s moral teaching.

We simply must never euthanize someone. The Church defines euthanasia in the following way: “Euthanasia is an action or omission that by itself or by intention causes death in order to alleviate suffering.” Instead, we should make sure that those who seek euthanasia receive all the loving spiritual and psychological

care that they need.

When we talk about pain, the Church reminds us that we want to balance the importance of keeping the person “as free of pain as possible” with the person’s right to prepare for death while fully conscious. We can give dying people medication that will help their pain, even if it may shorten their life as long as our intent is to alleviate the pain. Here again, we remember that God can even use our pain to draw us deeper into our relationship with him and we shouldn’t hesitate to share this idea with those we love.

Next, the Church wraps a couple points together: we are encouraged to provide means for people to donate their organs and bodily tissue.

This is important. At the same time, we should make sure that the competent person who declares our loved one dead is not, in fact, a member

A duck walks into a drugstore and asks for a tube of ChapStick.

The cashier says to the duck, “That’ll be $1.49.”

The duck replies, “Put it on my bill!”

Illustration by Bob Patten

9 of the “organ donation team”.

Such a conflict of interest can cause undue pain and worry for the family.

To be clear, I’ve only briefly summarized this fairly important document here: I’ve left out points that don’t pertain directly to this issue and, in the interest of brevity, I’ve simplified things.

I strongly encourage everyone to read this excellent document and have a healthy discussion with your families about this.

When someone we love is suffering, it’s important that we remember and balance the amazing truth of their human dignity with our fervent belief that there is real spiritual value in suffering. This is a tough issue and armed with our love for each other and our common faith, we can get through this.

Don’t forget to talk to your pastor about this and seek his guidance as well!

In the meantime, be assured of my prayers Enjoy another day in God’s presence.

Get help on these questions any time, night or day

15

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

P

oor St. Joseph. In most Nativity scenes, in Christian tradition and even in the pages of Scripture, Jesus’ foster father, Joseph, has been nearly forgotten. His role is often portrayed as a supporting character in the Christmas story. But that changed in 2006 with the release of the film The Nativity Story. In that movie, Joseph finally gets his due.

$

On sale now www.FaithCatholic.com

This heart-warming religious story follows Mary and Joseph as they journey from living lives alone to becoming a real holy family. On the road to Bethlehem, as the young couple start falling in love with each other, Joseph turns to Mary and says, with a tone of sadness, “I wonder if I can teach him anything.”

Poor St. Joseph. It’s as if he foresees his forgotten status even before getting to the manger.

However, he isn’t alone. This concern can be a struggle for any of us in a teaching or mentoring role – but it’s especially hard for parents today.

The film, however, gives us hope. It gives us

hope because we know the man who the child Jesus would one day become. The Nativity Story shows us Joseph accepting a wife who could be stoned for adultery. It shows us a Joseph who was angry at the money-changers and Temple merchants for disrespecting a house of prayer. And it shows Joseph as a dutiful servant of God, walking with bloody feet for the sake of another.

As the Scriptures say, “The child Jesus grew up before Joseph and Mary and became strong, filled with wisdom and knowledge, and the favor of the Lord was upon them.”

(Luke 2:40) The Nativity Story paints for us a picture of Jesus who learned how to do all the things we love about him from a simple man who was full of doubts about his own role as the foster father of the Lord.

This film gives us hope that we, as parents and teachers and mentors, can have a profound influence on our children and students – by our actions, by our words, by our prayer, and by how we daily live out our faith.

No job is ever impossible. If poor St. Joseph could successfully raise the Son of God, then it is surely possible for each and every one of us to raise our children, teach our students or guide those in need to a future of greatness and wonder.

spiritual popcorn

Call the National Catholic Bioethics Center at 215.877.2660, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Joseph’s

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An Advent’urous design

Make this Advent centerpiece

F

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FAITH Magazine / December 2010 / www.FAITHmag.com

or several Advents now, I have felt that I should observe the tradition of using an Advent wreath outside of church and in my own home. I keep meaning to do it. It keeps not happening. There is some psychological barrier that has me dragging my feet when it comes to putting a simple Advent wreath on the kitchen table. I decided to analyze why I never actually end up doing it, and what might make it happen.

T. Gennara

By Michelle Sessions DiFranco | Photography by Philip Shippert

Advent centerpiece For this project, you will need: • Round unfinished wood charger plate • Small bottle of metallic acrylic craft paint • Paintbrush • 4 clear glass votive candleholders • Purple votive candles • 1 rose votive candle (or any shade of pink) • Real or artificial evergreen trims • Any other trims for placing around the votive candles Paint the unfinished charger plate and set aside to dry. You may need to apply a couple of coats. Arrange the four glass votive holders with votives inside. If you wish, affix bottom of glass votive holders with a dab of hot glue. This will keep them in place. Arrange the evergreen trims and any additional trims you wish.

Another idea: Don’t feel like painting one?

Charger plates come in many different colors and can be purchased inexpensively from any store that sells home goods.

culture

First, from a decorative viewpoint, the idea of placing an evergreen wreath horizontally on a dining room table gives me pause. Secondly, I am just going to say it, pink and purple are two of my least favorite colors. When they assume the form of asymmetrically positioned taper candles, they sort of make themselves a little too … obvious. I really think I am letting style and aesthetics overshadow my faith – and that is why I never actually get a wreath.

And so I internalize, sense some guilt and suddenly feel less Catholic.

Today, there But is it sacrilegious to want to change it up a bit? are several inTo put the brakes on beating myself up over this matter, I did some research. I must say, after doing terpretations of so, I feel somewhat relieved. the symbolism The Advent wreath dates back to pre-Christian of the Advent Germany and Scandinavia, where people used lighted candles in wreaths on cold and dark Dewreath. But cember days as a sign of hope (and in turn, thanks) as it stands for warmer, longer days. By the middle ages, in our CathoChristians adopted this tradition and used these candle-lit wreaths as part of their preparation for lic faith, the Christ’s coming into the world. meaning and Today, there are several interpretations of the symbolism symbolism of the Advent wreath. But as it stands in our Catholic faith, the meaning and symbolism are quite are quite beautiful. The evergreens signify continubeautiful. ous life, and the circle of the wreath (which has no beginning or end) symbolizes the eternity of God and everlasting life in Christ. The four candles represent the four weeks of Advent. The color purple is associated with royalty and those three candles symbolize Christ being the “Prince of Peace.” Rose is the color of the one unique candle, which is lit on the third Sunday, known as Gaudete Sunday, from the Latin word meaning “rejoice.” And, of course, when all the candles are lit, Christ, the light of the world, is near, illuminating our lives.

Beautiful indeed, but purple and pink are still not my favorite colors. However, now that I know what they represent during the Advent season, I just may “get over it” and have a whole new appreciation for them in my dining room. And if it’s done in a way that’s more to my taste, I will commit to making this the year we put one out in our home.

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The Lord is coming four weeks to get ready

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T

he readings for the First Sunday of Advent are a marvelous “launching pad” for living Advent. I’d like to show you a way to really live this season.

Read Romans 13:11-14 and Mt. 24:37-44. Pay special attention to these words: “Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. Be sure of this: If the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into. So, too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”

In our society, the first week of December begins a round of parties and plays, school events and musicals. All of them can be delightful. But what happens to the real Advent? If we lived in a truly Christian society, we would spend these weeks encouraging one another to grow in faith, to prepare our hearts to celebrate the infinitely merciful act of our God who would take on our flesh, to become like us in all things but sin, so that we could really see that we had a God who would do anything to convince us of his love. It is a miracle of love, so stupendous that our minds cannot take it in. Because we spend so little time reflecting on the miracle, God’s grace has little chance of penetrating our distractedness or indifference. God could just reveal himself and change us forever.

But that would overrule our gift of free will. So God places before us the unbelievable gift of himself in the flesh and asks us to accept him as our Savior. God, the only God, makes himself vulner-

Advent begins this year on Nov. 28. Spend the first week (15 minutes a day) taking stock of what it is in your life that most causes God to take a back seat in your life – or no seat at all! Be honest. As you think about the sin in your life, think, too, about what is the most problematic area – what’s the root? What’s the most basic cause of your sin? Pay attention to yourself, not what someone else causes you to do. What do you do that is at the bottom of most of your difficulties?

Then, take that to confession.

Do it now because God has

so much more to give you in preparation. You want to make sure that the house is clean early in Advent so you can receive all God desires to give. After you have gone to confession, ask God for the grace to see clearly the temptation in this area before you give in to it – in thought or word or action.

Each day of the second week (15 minutes), ask God every morning for grace to recognize when you are being tempted and to give you the grace to say “no” to that temptation in this area.

(Don’t try to cover all the areas of sin – that leads to discouragement. Just take

one area and the more you can attack the main root, the better it will be.)

In the third week, ask God to enter into your life more deeply; ask him to be your savior and, in a particular way, ask him to save you from sin in the area to which you are paying most attention. We cannot save ourselves, no matter how hard we try. Acknowledging that and relying on him will set you free with delight and hope in a whole, new way!

In the fourth week, thank him that he is your savior. Really, take time each day to express your gratitude

that he is giving you power to conquer sin – step by step.

Don’t be discouraged when you fall; just stand up, repent and keep going. Many of us have difficulty in expressing gratitude. Start practicing with the one to whom you owe the most gratitude – Jesus!

Prepare to welcome him more deeply into your heart and into your whole life – as your savior! Rely on him, turn to him in your needs (all the ways we need a savior) and this Christmas may well be the best Christmas you have ever known!

God bless you and count on my prayer.

Artwork: The Nativity, by Jacob de Backer

T. Gennara

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

spiritual fitness

How do we get ready?

able (able to be wounded) to his creatures. He gives all of himself and then lets us choose Advent is a time whether we will accept the gift to take stock – in or not. He makes himself vuljoyful anticipation nerable to indifference, coldness, rejection and mockery of a Savior who and waits for our response. loves to come What keeps you back from to our lives fully accepting Jesus as savior and lord of your life? It’s the through the joyonly source of true peace ful celebration and joy. of Christmas.

Jesus tells us in the readings for the First Sunday of Advent that greed and lust, drunkenness, rivalry and jealousy, indifference to eternal matters – all these make false promises that will never satisfy. On the other hand, allowing him to be the master of your life will bring true joy and peace. Really. God never lies! What he promises he will fulfill in your life – and mine.

Advent is a time to take stock – in joyful anticipation of a Savior who loves to come to our lives through the joyful celebration of Christmas. Not a day of tinsel and wrappings, but a day of holding and being held in the arms of a merciful Savior who came on this earth out of love for you.

Advent is a time to make our hearts ready to receive him – each year in a deeper and deeper way. If you’ve never done it, why not begin this Advent? If you have done it before, enter in this year more deeply to the saving work of grace in your heart that your Savior desires to accomplish.

By Eileen Gianiodis | Photography by Jim Luning

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M cover story

eeting Allan and Teresa Sanfilippo Wilcox is a lot like meeting any other couple with more than 25 years of marriage under their belts.

Then, you hear their story and realize they’re clearly not like any other couple.

A teary Allan admits that nine years ago he had an affair.

And a stoic Teresa agrees that those were rocky days in their marriage.

Allan told his wife he was leaving.

“I was so floored by it. I was blind-sided. I became really depressed,” Teresa says. “We didn’t really realize that we were in trouble.”

The next day, Allan pulled a FAITH magazine from his mailbox and read an article about another couple who worked to repair their marriage after an affair.

“I really believe that magazine was there because it was a sign. God put it there,” he says. “I fell away from my own values system and I thought that Teresa would not forgive me, but I knew that I had to try.”

After 24 years of marriage, Teresa says Allan was still her first love.

“I don’t know if God was there. Allan was my first love, my only love and I just didn’t want us to end like this,” she says. “I didn’t know if I could let him go.

“Something, maybe God, gave me the strength to begin to work it out,” she says.

When most couples would have been contacting divorce

attorneys to end their marriage, Allan and Teresa were figuring out how to save theirs.

The couple attended a Retrouvaille weekend in Detroit.

Though they entered with different expectations, both say the weekend was the start of something magical.

“I thought we would go, work on it and everything would be OK,” Teresa says.

“The weekend is not about solving problems, it’s about learning how to communicate,” Allan says.

Allan and Teresa were one of the couples who “nobody thought would make it.” Teresa says she was angry. And Allan didn’t think she Nearly everyone knows the statistic would forthat 50 percent of all marriages fail. give him.

If you Google the word marriage, “We you’ll find nearly 180 million hits on started to the word. They cover everything from talk about it getting married and finding the right and I started match to saving your marriage or findto not just ing an attorney to end it. blame AlAllan and Teresa Sonfilippo Wilcox lan,” she have some of their own numbers. The says. “I had couple coordinate the area’s Retrouto take some vaille program and serves on the responsibilinternational board for the organization. ity, too.”

In the last five years, 80 percent to The 82 percent of Michigan couples who

Retrouvaille can help

FAITH Magazine / December 2010 / www.FAITHmag.com

couple started to heal when they began to listen to each other.

“We did what we did to each other and we both share that burden,” Allan says. “I knew that God forgave me, and that Teresa forgave me, but it’s been much harder to forgive myself,” Allan says.

They had a strong connection to one of the couples who presented the weekend, and would become good friends.

They say that forgiveness wasn’t the only goal, it was healing their relationship.

“I knew that just participating would not be enough,” Allan says. “I knew that I wanted to heal and we heal when we tell our story.”

Allan and Teresa started presenting at Retrouvaille weekends in Detroit in 2002 and made it a goal to build a Lansing Retrouvaille community in 2004. They present on weekends in Lansing three (or four) times a year.

“We tell it all (during the weekends),” Allan says. “Because God needs us to, we have to be his voice.”

Teresa says that leading the Retouvaille weekends helps their relationship every time they present.

“The weekend is not about solving problems, it’s about learning how to communicate” “We have received so much more than we could ever give back,” she says. “And the best part is that I have my best friend back.”

Allan agreed and says that their ability to share their story with others is not necessarily of their own accord.

“God really helps us tell our story,” Allan says. “I ask God this: ‘Put your words in my mouth, and let me get out of your way.’ We tell about our journey back to God.” The weekends help couples find different ways of communicating, but they don’t fix all the problems, Allan and

Teresa say.

“We’re not perfect. We still argue,” Teresa says.

“We apologize sooner,” Allan says. “I always thought that apologizing meant I was weak.”

Retrouvaille is designed to take couples on a journey.

“We help couples understand why they do what they do,” Teresa says. “We talk about our families of origin and about making personal changes.”

“We have received so much more than we could ever give back.”

Allan explained that Retrovaille teaches couples about being free in their marriages: “It’s about being you, who you are in the relationship,” he says. “Despite the way you may be feeling, you need to make a decision to love each other. Feelings come and go.

If God is love, then love can’t be a flighty feeling. We make decisions to commit, to love, to forgive and to trust.”

Communication is more than just passing information back and forth, they say.

“You can’t grow intimacy without sharing more than just who’s going where,” Teresa says.

In fact, Allan and Teresa say they think every couple should go through a Retrouvaille weekend.

“After five, six, seven years, when the pressure hits, Retrouvaille works to help refocus and learn to communicate more intimately,” Allan says.

They say they have given a weekend to friends for their anniversary.

“They’ve told us that it was the best gift of their marriage,” Teresa says. “It’s amazing to see some people who haven’t spoken for five years before a weekend like this begin to communicate again. It’s a miracle.”

for anyone who is married.

The program consists of a residential weekend and a series of 12 post sessions over six weeks. The program is presented by a team of three couples and a priest or Christian minister in Christian multidenominational communities. The team couples, who have been through the program themselves, share their personal stories with the attendees.

Although they still don’t have a full team of presenters for the Lansing area,

Allan and Teresa are very proud of the fact that they have recently seated a full board of directors.

They were named to Retrouvaille’s International Board during the International Council meeting in Rome last year. They were humbled by an audience with Pope Benedict XVI at his summer home, Castel Gandolfo. In his address to them, Pope Benedict said, “I love to think of you as custodians of a bigger hope for the couples who have lost it.”

To find out more about Retrouvaille in the Diocese of Lansing, call 517.290.5596 or 1.800.470.2270 or visit www.retrouvailleoflansing. catholicweb.com.

Retrouvaille can help

attend a Retrouvaille weekend and embarked on the program are still together.

Retrouvaille is an international community of people committed to healing their marriages. The program began in 1977 as a French language weekend for hurting marriages in Quebec, Canada. It was adapted to English in Toronto, where the contents of the weekend were further developed and the post-weekend programs were strengthened. From 1982, Retrouvaille has spread through the United States, South America and into many other countries around the world.

The goal is to provide help for couples whose marriage is in trouble, though Allan and Teresa recommend it

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our story

18

Whatever happened to ...

Ken and Teresa?

F

AITH Magazine readers first met Ken and Teresa Roof in November 2003 when they shared their experience of healing and strengthening their marriage through the Retrouvaille program. Since they first attended a Retrouvaille weekend in 2001, the Roofs have dedicated their time, resources and passion to this program that did so much for them. Nearly a decade later, FAITH caught up with Ken and Teresa to see how their life has progressed since they first shared their story with us.

What’s new?

Eleven grandchildren – nine who’ve come into the world since 2003 – fill Ken and Teresa’s days with joy. “Five years ago, we moved to be closer to our grandchildren, and we’re very involved

in their lives,” Teresa explains. “Now that I am retired, I have the freedom to design my days so I can support my family and Retrouvaille. For me, it’s just the best years of my life.”

Ken nods. “I’ve cut back on my accounting practice in the last three years, so that now I can do most of my work

from home. Tax season is still pretty heavy, but the rest of the year is pretty light. We love being available to help when our grandkids need anything.

“But we’ve also reached a level of unity in our marriage that we didn’t have before. It’s so much more rewarding than the separate lives we were leading. If you don’t take steps to keep your marriage moving in the right direction, it slips,” Ken says simply. “We spend a lot of time in Retrouvaille, and that’s good medicine for our relationship. The exercises keep us account-

By Nancy Schertzing | Photography by Jim Luning

FAITH Magazine / December 2010 / www.FAITHmag.com

able and connected so we can live what we preach.

Teresa agrees. “Our relationship will never be finished as long as we’re alive.

I hope we can keep doing this for a long time. But that timing is up to God. “Together as a couple we rely on God much more. Our prayer life is as much a part of each day as our dialogue. Our unity isn’t just the two of us, it’s the three of us – Ken, me and God. “Instead of a separate spirituality, we speak from our hearts, talking about what we need from God, and what we can give – like caring for our grandchildren to give our kids time to be aware of their marriages.”

What have you learned?

“I’m inherently a very trusting person, and I tend to see the world through rose-colored glasses,” Teresa says. “I thought up until we separated that we had an ideal marriage. The night Ken moved out and told me our marriage was over, I told him that I had married him for better or for worse. ‘This is worse,’ I said, ‘but I entered into a covenant relationship.

Even if you go through the courts, I will be married to you forever.’

“The night Ken came to me and asked to work on our marriage again, I was scared and hopeful. It took a real effort for me to trust and not become skeptical and cynical. But each day it became clearer that he was going to be honest and talk to me about tough issues. I decided I felt comfortable being transparent. Now, I’m living the life I always dreamed of, but it’s realitybased. The life of dreams I thought I had was only real for me,” she says.

Ken touches Teresa’s leg. “Humans are relational animals. If we don’t have the relationship we want, we search for it. Too often we think we can just throw away what we have, like a pop bottle.

“I felt our marriage wasn’t giving me what I wanted. I didn’t think Teresa cared about me as much as other things and I didn’t have the ability to be more open. I forgot a lot of things I should have known better. I moved out, took my clothes and moved in with a third party. But during that whole time, I was so confused. Finally I realized I wasn’t being the person I

wanted to be. If Teresa hadn’t had the patience to let me go through what I did, we’d be divorced now.

“Sometimes the best lessons leave scars, and until you go through it you can’t understand. But I learned as someone who was tempted to throw away my marriage, it was better to work on the relationship I had than to search for a better one with someone else. If I hadn’t done the work it took to save this marriage, I really believe I would have just ended up in another failed relationship down the road,” he says.

How has Retrouvaille helped?

“For me,” Teresa explains, “the selfreflection piece of Retrouvaille is most valuable.”

Ken agrees: “Retrouvaille weekends

Putting marriage in FOCCUS

the marriage preparation inventory in the Diocese of Lansing In the Diocese of Lansing and in many other dioceses across the U.S., the FOCCUS tool is used as part of the marriage preparation program.

Couples are presented with statements and indicate whether they agree with them or not.

Ideally, their answers will be the same. The preferred answer is one that most couples have given, but there are not “right” and “wrong” responses. However, some responses are red flags that indicate to the FOCCUS facilitator or pastor that further discussion is needed.

This scientifically validated instrument helps couples ensure that they have talked about life’s important questions before the wedding day.

Sample questions are on our website, www.FAITHmag.com.

How would you and your spouse answer?

have meant we continue to examine ourselves and our marriage. We learn new things about ourselves and each other, and we can see what’s good for our marriage and not just what’s good for us as individuals. It’s so easy to go through your own life and not see your marriage as a unit. The real goal of marriage is unity.”

“We facilitate Retrouvaille weekends all over with different teams of couples and priests. The priests often tell us they never had anything practical to offer struggling couples before,” Teresa recalls. “While we met with our priest and different counselors, the Retrouvaille experience really did give us the tools we needed to heal and make our marriage strong.

“But couples don’t have to have failed marriages to come to Retrouvaille,” Ken adds. “The program is there to help troubled marriages, and the definition of ‘troubled’ is wide open.”

Teresa nods in agreement. “Everyone has different troubles that are causing them pain – financial issues, affairs, internet porn, addictions – whatever they are suffering from, that’s the biggest trouble in their world. We respect them immensely and we hope that somewhere down the line they will want to make changes. We want to put a lifeline out there to help, and we figure if they pick up one kernel from the weekend, it’s all worth it.

“We don’t work the miracles, God does. I believe the Holy Spirit brings people to us at the right time. But people have to go through their struggle and come to the program when they’re ready,” she explains.

If you could change one thing ...

“I know I needed to go through my experience to learn the lessons I did.

But I wish I had had more faith in Teresa. I wish I had trusted that she could handle my honest feelings, and that I could express them before our marriage fell apart,” Ken says.

Teresa pauses: “It sounds Pollyannaish, but I really can’t think of one thing I would change. I am at a more authentically rewarding and satisfying place than I could ever have imagined.

I wouldn’t choose to arrive here as we did, but we’re here now. And it’s where I want to be.”

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20

How NFP strengthened Mark and Jennifer’s marriage

S

eventeen years ago, the idea of an hour-long commute to Ford Motor Co. in Dearborn didn’t sound ideal to Mark Morris, who lives in Fenton. But he took the job, and, as the years went by, he discovered Catholic radio and began purchasing inspirational CDs that turned the time in the car into a way to learn about his faith. His wife, Jennifer, had been going to church with him, but was not Catholic. She asked him about certain Church practices, and he began to research what was behind his beliefs. He did quite a bit of reading, as well, and he often talked about what he was discovering with his growing family.

“I’m the kind of guy who likes to know things and how they work,” Mark

says. “I had my own questions about my faith and whether it was what I really

wanted to believe. The more research I did, the more I started to see the depth of

the teaching. And the more you learn, the more you want to share this stuff.”

One morning in 2005, as he drove to work, he heard a radio piece about Natural Family Planning. He called the number mentioned, and he told the woman on the other end of the line that he’d like to become an NFP instructor. The approach fit in with the Church’s teachings on Theology of the Body, which he had been studying, and he had been

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FAITH Magazine / December 2010 / www.FAITHmag.com

the life that we can bring forth from that love.”

By the last class, several months later, they were happily expecting their third child – a fully planned pregnancy in the truest sense.

They told their parents the news on Grandparents’ Day. Calvin, named for Jennifer’s father, who passed away, is now 3.

Practicing Natural Family Planning, which includes taking Jennifer’s temperature every day and monitoring fertility symptoms, has taught the couple to communicate in new ways. “It has increased our respect for each other,” Jennifer says. “Mark now realizes what is happening with my body, and that has led me to be more comfortable with him. He doesn’t feel like I am pushing him away at certain times of the month anymore.”

Mark explains, “I know exactly what’s going on with her now. This isn’t just about going natural and doing

what the Church says. This is a marriage builder, too.”

While abstaining from marital relations when that’s necessary can be difficult, “we respect the decision that we’ve made together for that month, and we are able to show our love and affection in other ways,” Jennifer says.

“You have to call on God in prayer during that time, too,” Mark says. “It’s brought us closer to God and to each other.”

Mark and Jennifer did additional training and now teach NFP as a couple. At the first in a series of three classes, they tell the story of how they came to practice NFP and what it has meant for them. “Marks speaks theologically, and I give the layman’s version, so our students see both sides,” Jennifer says. “It’s a very personal thing. We open up our whole life to them – spiritually, physically, everything.

But it makes us feel good.”

They have worked with a range of people, including a couple that had difficulty conceiving because of the wife’s irregular cycles and an engaged couple.

“One couple attended the class as part of their marriage preparation,” Mark says. “They didn’t know anything about Natural Family Planning, but they were so eager to learn. By the end of the classes, they were in awe of it; it was neat to see that transformation.”

Mark and Jennifer use what they’ve learned as a launching point for meaningful discussions with their own children about what God wants for us and the gifts he has given us. They also talk openly about their classes at church. The family often stays for hours at coffee and donuts after Mass at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Fenton, where Mark co-chairs the education commission.

“Everyone relates this to the old rhythm method, but it’s not that at all,” Mark says. “That was a mathematical model and was the same for every woman. But NFP recognizes that every woman’s body is going to do different things.” The Morrises teach NFP using materials from the Couple to Couple League (www. ccli.org). The classes are designed for all ages and religious backgrounds.

Teaching may come more naturally for Jennifer, who has always been outgoing, she says. But Mark’s work with others has come from a passion he’s discovered through the pursuit of knowledge and faith. “When I’ve learned something,” he says, “I’ve tried to be very open to it and to see the fruitfulness that comes with taking on the truth.”

By Margaret-Ann Cross | Photography by Tom Gennara

our story

looking for an opportunity to teach.

“I think she thought I was crazy,” he says. “She told me I had to be practicing NFP in order to teach it, so I signed Jenny and me up for a series of classes.”

The couple had two children at the time – Madalyn and Travis. They were raising the children Catholic, and when Madalyn had made her first Communion, Jennifer realized the importance of sharing a religion with her children and decided to become Catholic, as well.

When Mark told Jennifer about the classes, it surprised her, but she didn’t hesitate to agree. “I had been Catholic for a year at that time, and we were using contraceptives. We knew that it was wrong, and I don’t like taking medications. So I said, ‘OK, I’ll follow your lead. Take us down this path.’”

Mark had always wanted a big family, but Jennifer was going to the gym and training for bodybuilding at the time. “It was all about me,” she says. “I had loved being pregnant and that feeling of the baby kicking inside of me, but I had my body back and I wanted to keep it.”

So when they went to the first class, they believed they were looking for a healthy, effective and spiritually comfortable way to maintain the size of their family. But the NFP classes gave them the opportunity to discuss each month whether or not they were open to conceiving. It didn’t take long to realize they wanted to have another child.

“The NFP classes helped me realize that it wasn’t all about me,” Jennifer says. “It’s about us, as a couple, and the love that we share and

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Meet Paul Long

the new director of the Michigan Catholic Conference

A

fter 22 years as a public policy advocate for the Michigan Catholic Conference, Paul A. Long was appointed in September to succeed Sister Monica Kostielney as president and chief executive officer of the MCC. The MCC is the official voice of the Catholic Church in Michigan on matters of public policy.

Its mission is to “promote a social order that respects the dignity of the human person and serves the common good in the spirit of the Beatitudes and in accord with the teachings of the Catholic Church.�

Long received his bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University

in 1988. After working as a student in both the Michigan House of Rep-

resentatives and Senate, he joined MCC as a public affairs associate. In 1994,

he was appointed vice president for public policy, serving as the chief liaison between the church and state government.

In his new role, Long will oversee the operations of the MCC, including its public policy advocacy, as well as programs that provide retirement benefits and health, dental, disability and life insurance coverage

FAITH Magazine / December 2010 / www.FAITHmag.com

Sister Monica has an amazing presence of personality, and that means it will be challenging to walk in her footsteps.

But I also have a great deal of excitement about leaving a footprint, as well. I think there will be good continuity as we go forward.

I think we will do some things in new ways, but the conference will continue a tradition of excellence.

Congratulations on your new position as president and CEO of the Michigan Catholic Conference! Sister Monica is an institution at MCC, joining the staff there in 1973. Are you ready to take over for her? In all honesty, when the day finally comes when we are working here without her, it’s going to be very odd. I think we’ll all look around and say, “Isn’t she coming in today?”

mission in all areas.

What accomplishments are you most proud of in your first 22 years at MCC? Three things come to mind that I’m really proud of.

First, in 1998, we helped to pass the ban on assisted suicide in Michigan. Then, in the spring of 1999, we helped to keep a death penalty amendment off the ballot. Those are two efforts What is where the The the biggest Church’s challenge perspecConferyou see on is very ence is committed tive the horiclear and we to being a voice zon for the advocated for MCC? With- for the poor and positions that out question, protect life. disadvantaged the biggest I think the in these difficult challenge for third thing us is that this times.”

I’m most election year proud of is will bring a the earned new governor and essentially income tax credit that we an entirely new Legislature. supported in 2006, which was Another issue is our state’s really driven by the conference budget, which needs to be on behalf of the working poor. reviewed carefully in terms of what the state can truly proFinally, how does the vide for our neediest citizens. conference assure that The conference is committed the policies it promotes to being a voice for the poor reflect the doctrines of the and disadvantaged in these faith? Religion and politics difficult times. don’t always line up easily. Our board comprises all How do see yourself seven bishops from Michigan, making the transition from and they meet, along with othyour focus on public poler board members, to assure icy to the leadership role that the conference is pursuing of a CEO? That’s a quespolicies that are sound. Most tion straight from the search of all, we assure that all we do committee! I think it will be is consistent with the seven a smooth one. For one thing, principles of Catholic social Sister Monica also went from teaching, and that they serve policy advocacy to conference the common good. We aren’t leadership, so she proved it’s concerned with how the instia natural progression. I’m tutional Church is impacted, looking forward to working in but how the most vulnerable new areas of the conference among us is affected by public and to continuing to fulfill our policy.

The Michigan Catholic Legislative Advocacy Network is an online email program that facilitates direct communication between you and your elected officials. Go to capwiz.com/ micatholicconference/mlm/signup/ to join the network.

By Marybeth Hicks | Photography by Tom Gennara

feature story

for lay employees and clergy, as well as property and casualty coverage for the church throughout Michigan.

FAITH Magazine talked with Paul Long in September to find out what he sees in the future for the MCC, and how he’ll follow in the formidable footsteps of longtime leader Sister Monica.

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24

Another journey to

Narnia FAITH exclusive

A FAITH exclusive interview with Douglas Gresham, C.S. Lewis’ stepson and co-producer of the Voyage of the Dawn Treader

V

oyage of the Dawn Treader, the third movie in the Chronicles of Narnia series, based on the books

by C.S. Lewis, will be released in U.S. theaters on Dec. 10. FAITH spoke with Douglas Gresham, C.S. Lewis’ stepson and co-producer of the film.

How closely does the movie, Voyage of the Dawn Treader, follow the book?

That is an extremely difficult question to answer. There are a lot of challenges when you convert a well-loved book to film. Some things just have to change. I’m probably one of the most devoted of the Narnian purists, so change is anathema to me. But it’s unavoidable.

Some things have been added to increase the tension of the story. But, I can assure you that

all the things Jack was trying to say are in the movie. (Note: C.S. Lewis was “Jack” to his friends and family) Which one of the books is your favorite? Whichever one I’m reading at the time. At the moment, that would be The Magician’s Nephew and The Silver Chair.

Are the Narnia books your favorites, or one of the others? Well, one can’t quite

tion Jack wrote, his own favorite was Till we have Faces.

Will you be making The Magician’s Nephew into a movie? Which movie is next?

Everything depends on the support of Douglas Gresham moviegoers to determine do it that way – the books are whether there will be another so different. When it comes one at all. As is always the case, to his fiction, I loved the first we have to persuade sponsors science fiction books – Out of that it’s worthwhile. So, if you’d the Silent Planet, Perelandra like to have us make another and That Hideous Strength. I one, go see Voyage of the also love Mere Christianity and Dawn Treader and take your The Great Divorce. Of the ficfriends, your friends’ friends

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FAITH Magazine / December 2010 / www.FAITHmag.com

and even your enemies – you’re supposed to love them.

So, I guess the best answer is, “We’ll see.”

Which movie will be next if you do make one? It could be The Magician’s Nephew or The Silver Chair. I know there is a huge debate among American Narnian fans regarding the order in which one should read the books. The numbers were only on the spines for the American editions. I once asked Jack what he thought the order should be, and he expressed a preference for the Narnian chronological order.

In other words, The Magician’s Nephew would come first.

What was C.S. Lewis like as a stepfather? He was

terrific. What is so often missed in portrayals of him, both in writing and on film, is that he was a man of immense humor.

He was a raconteur. He was immensely fun – you couldn’t be in a room with him for more than 10 minutes without laughing. Even in the difficult years, there was a lot of laughter in that household.

What’s your favorite childhood memory of him? My favorite is a little odd. It’s about Jack and my mother. We’d been having a problem with trespassers in the woods. They tore up the trees; rubbished the place. When Mother was in first remission, Jack said he’d build a fence to keep them out and she said, “If they steal the fence, I’ll buy a shotgun.” After

the fence was stolen, she did indeed buy a small shotgun.

She started shooting anything that moved in the woods. One day, after most of the trespassers had disappeared, a young man appeared with a long bow.

Jack stepped in front of my mother – and the man pointed the bow at him. Mother said, “Darn it, Jack, get out of my line of fire.” The young man found himself staring down a barrel and decamped quickly. It taught me a lesson about my mother’s and Jack’s pure physical courage in facing down danger. I’d already seen their moral and emotional courage as they’d faced her illness.

I understand a fan from Michigan proposed to his girlfriend on the set. How

did that come about? Paul Martin, who writes the Narnianfans.com website, wanted to come over to the set. I told him, “Sure” and he wrote back and said he’d like to bring his girlfriend. Then he asked, “Could I propose on the set?” I said, “That will be great – we’ll get you on the Dawn Treader and you can do it properly. Paul and Courtney got on the boat when everyone was at lunch and he popped the question. She said “yes” at the top of her lungs.

Anything else you’d like us to know about the movie? It’s a very beautiful movie to look at. The director of photography is a genius and put together a lovely movie.

Dawn Treader is a beautiful and complex piece of work.

Interview by Elizabeth Martin Solsburg

26 December café events St. John the Baptist, Howell, Join Tim for “Catholics with Questions” Dec. 13 and 20, 7 p.m.

The topic for Dec. 13, “What is the message of the book of Revelation?” and for Dec. 20, “Why did God come to earth?”

Queen of the Miraculous Medal, Tuesdays QUEST Catholic Bible Study, 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m. in the parish library.

Current study is the Gospel of Luke.

St. Pius X, Flint’s Religious Education Program - Faith, Food and Fun – encourages families to learn and live their faith together around a meal, as a family. The New Testament has numerous occasions where Jesus taught around a meal and St. Pius X is follow-

things to do: Sept.-May, Christians Concerned about Mental Illness meet on the fourth Tuesday of each month at the Diocesan Center in Lansing. For more information contact Joann Davis at 517.342.2497 or jdavis@ dioceseoflansing.org.

community

For information about Rachel’s

ing the example of Jesus. For information, contact Cindee McColley, DRE, 810.235.8573

joansmith@mindspring.com.

St. John Student Chapel, East Lansing has a Men’s Prayer Group that meets the third Saturday of each month from 8:30 a.m.-10 a.m. in Room 15. All men of the parish are welcome to come.

Dec. 4, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Christmas Presence and Presents: Praying with Body, Mind and Spirit, at Weber Center, 1257 E. Siena Heights Dr., Adrian.

Presenter: Janene Ternes.

Cost is $45. To register, call 517.266.4000 to register.

St. Joseph, Adrian All young adults are invited for “Christ and Coffee” every Sunday at 11:30 a.m. at Starbucks (located in front of Wal-mart) for fellowship, worship and Scripture with other Catholic Young Adults from around the community.

For more information, contact Jessica Carson at 517.442.2068 or jcarson@sienaheights.edu.

Dec. 6, 7:30 p.m., at Christ the King, Ann Arbor there will be Witnesses to Hope meeting in the sanctuary. All are welcome. For more information, e-mail Sister Dorcee Clarey at witnessestohope@att.net.

St. Matthew, Flint has Bible Study – Understanding and Praying the Psalms – Sundays, 9:45 a.m.-11 a.m. in the Bride’s Room. For more information, call the parish office at 810.232.0880.

Dec. 6, 7 p.m., St. Mary School, 10601 Dexter Pinckney Rd., Pinckney will have its school Christmas Music Program.

St. John Vianney, Flint has Scripture Study Thursdays at 10 a.m. in the community room.

Vineyard Retreats in the Lansing Diocese, contact Beth Bauer at 734.369.3470. Be assured that you will find a compassionate and non-judgmental person who can assist you in your journey toward healing.

Dec. 4-5, Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, 3815 S. Cedar St., Lansing’s Rosary Maker’s Christmas Cookie and Candy Sale and Religious Gifts will be after all Masses in

the school hallway.

Lansing Area Transplant Support Group meetings are at People’s Church, 200 W. Grand River, East Lansing in the Centennial Room the second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. Next meeting is Dec. 9. Anyone interested in learning about organ donation and transplant is welcome. For more information, contact Joan C. Smith, 517. 351.2175 or

Feb. 20-Mar. 1, Visit to the Holy Land sponsored by the Dominican Center at Marywood in Grand Rapids and hosted by Sister Nancy Brousseau, OP and Sister Diane Zerfas, OP. For more information, e-mail nbrousseau@aol.com or call 616.560.4580.

10-day Pilgrimage to the Holy Land – April 1-10 – join Father Gordon Reigle, our spiritual director and also chaplain at Lansing Catholic High School, and St. Andrew, Saline on a trip of a lifetime. Cost: $3,549 from Detroit. For details, contact group coordinator Suzanne Krisak at 734.944.1599 or 248.931.0194 or e-mail skrisak@peoplepc.com.

Retreat Centers St. Francis Retreat Center, DeWitt 866.669.8321 or www.stfrancis.ws Dec. 3-5, Married Couples Retreat; Dec. 3-5, Alcoholics Anonymous Men – call Karl 989.723.1706; Dec. 7, An Advent Day of Prayer; and Dec. 9, Advent by Firelight – just for women.

REFLECT Catholic Singles Retreat for Mid-Life Singles – are you looking to grow in your faith life, meet new friends and feel like you belong somewhere? Single men and women ages mid-30s to mid-50s are invited to register for a life-changing weekend retreat at St. Francis Retreat Center in DeWitt March 18-20, 2011. For rates and details, call 989.450.0993 or visit www.reflectretreat.com or e-mail us at reflect.retreat@gmail.com.

Weber Retreat Center, Adrian, 517.266.4000 or www.weber.adriandomicans.org Dec. 1, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Forgiveness Creates our Future; Dec. 4, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Christ Presence and Presents: Praying with Body, Mind and Spirit; Dec. 10-11, Looking for Meaning in all the Right Places - A retreat for men; Dec. 6-10, third session, Skills for Facilitating Workshops; and Dec. 11, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Weaving Faith and Experience: Woman’s Perspective.

Dominican Center Marywood, Grand Rapids, 616.643.0371 or register online at www.dominicancenter.com Dec. 4, 2 p.m.-4 p.m., Rest – Restore – Renew; and Dec. 1, 8 and 15, 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m., Advent: Prepare the Way of the Lord

Dec. 8, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., St. James, Mason will host the annual Women’s Cookie Exchange – Sweets and Spirituality. Contact Rose at 617.676.9111, ext. 13 to register or for more information.

Dec. 9-12, National Conference on Catholic Youth Ministry will take place in New Orleans at Moral Convention Center. For more information and to register, visit www.nfcym.org.

Dec. 12, 6:30 p.m., St. Pius X, G-3139 Hogarth, Flint will have a Festival of Carols under the direction of Diane Pierce. For more information, call the parish office 810.235.8574.

The National Pro-Life March for Life in Washington, D.C., is Jan. 22, 2011. If interested, contact your parish office for details.

Jan. 16-18 at 6:30 p.m., St. Francis Xavier, Otisville will host a parish mission directed by the Redemptorist priests from Chicago. The presentations will center on liturgical symbols. All are welcome to attend. For more information, call 810.631.6305, Lansing Catholic Singles welcomes all singles age mid-30s-50s to join us for fun activities in a faith-filled environment. Jan. 9, 9:30 a.m.

Mass at Resurrection Parish in Lansing followed by brunch at Flapjack Shack in the Frandor Center. For more information call 517.321.7886 or e-mail lansingcatholicsingles@live.com.

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Catholic Charities of Jackson RSVP event

Catholic Charities

St. Vincent Catholic Charities, Lansing Dec. 14, experience a Journey of Hope. We will share St. Vincent Catholic Charities’ history, our services and our vision for the future. Preregistration is required. Please call 517.323.4734 ext.

1204 or visit our website www.stvcc.org for more information.

Catholic Charities of Shiawassee and Genesee Counties Do you have room for one more? We are looking for foster and adoptive families. Adoption information meetings are held in Flint on the second Tuesday of the month, from 6 p.m.7:30 p.m. For information, call Sarah Rankin at 810.232.9950, ext.

348.

Congratulations to Brian Flynn on his three Unity Awards Brian Flynn, director of music and Catholic recording artist/composer, won three Unity Awards from the United Catholic Music and Video Association at an event held in Calgary, Canada. The awards were Praise and Worship Album of the Year for his album, Beyond the Veil; Liturgical/ Sacramental Song of the Year for Panis Vere and Devotional Song of the Year for You are a Priest Forever. Brian’s album can be purchased at www.brianflynnmusic.com or at your local Catholic bookseller.

– Jan Hoffbauer

Lansing Catholic High School hosts fifth statewide Catholic cross country meet More than 700 Catholic high school runners from across Michigan converged at St. Francis Retreat Center in DeWitt on Aug. 28 for the fifth running of the Michigan Catholic Cross Country Invitational, a 5K meet exclusively for Michigan’s Catholic high schools. In all, 29 teams from 18 Catholic high schools competed in the meet, including 14 teams that qualified for the MHSAA meet in 2009.

The event, underwritten by the State Council of the Knights of Columbus, is the largest annual statewide athletic event for Catholic high schools. The meet is unique because it combines a competitive cross-country race across St. Francis Retreat Center with an afternoon of faith and fellowship.

Congratulations to the Loyola University LIMEX class of 2010 On Oct. 10, the 10th class to complete the Loyola University master’s degree program in pastoral studies from the Diocese of Lansing was honored at a graduation Mass at St. Mary Cathedral.

The seven adults began their studies in September 2006 and came from all walks of life – teacher, counselor, engineers and business. This group journeyed together for four years with a common purpose and goal in mind – a spiritual pilgrimage to deepen their relationship with Jesus in order to make a difference in the world through their ministry work.

Gearing up for Catholic House 2011 Fundraising has begun for a 2011 Catholic Build.

This is an opportunity for parishes to participate in the 2011 Catholic House with

Graduates are: Rich and Vicki Badics, Ken Preiss, Mary Gates, Lisa Miles, John Amthor and Margaret Grima.

Habitat. Through this renovation project, a foreclosed house will be transformed into a home for a local family. Opportunities range from on-site construction to lunch support to advocacy and outreach.

To get involved in this local mission project next spring, please e-mail Maggie Porter at mporter@ h4h.org. You can visit www. catholic-habitat.blogspot. com/ for updated progress during the coming months.

local news

Catholic Charities of Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale Counties – new website www.catholiccharitiesjacksonlenaweehillsdale. org; call 517.7822551 in Jackson and 517.263.2191 in Lenawee and Hillsdale We are looking for local church groups, businesses or service clubs to allow us to share how we are making a difference in your community. We will highlight our goals of Providing Help and Creating Hope to those in need, while sharing stories that will both inform and inspire you. Consider having us speak at your next meeting or event.

We’ll come to you or you can come to us.

Contact Carrie Burgett at 517.263.2191 for more information.

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program honored 300 volunteers at the “Heart and Hands, the Art of Giving” event.

The Volunteer of the Year award was given to Sigrid Howard who has volunteered for more than 20 years, donating more than 250 hours a month at the Allegiance Hospital Gift Shop.

The Veronika Award was bestowed on Pattie DochodaMogg for the work she does in identifying the needs of the elderly and finding people to help them. The RSVP Transportation Volunteer Award was received by Sandra Moher.

28 Our Lady of Fatima visits the Diocese of Lansing’s parishes

local news local news

A visit from “Our Lady” On Sept. 14, the statue of Our Lady of Fatima visited Holy Family School in Grand Blanc.

The statue custodian, William Sockey, shared the story of the miracle at Fatima with students and parishioners after morning Mass. He told the story of the three faith-filled children who saw Mary in Portugal.

During September, the Church of the Resurrection in Lansing was one of the Diocese of Lansing parishes that hosted the traveling international pilgrim statue of Our Lady of Fatima.

Blessed by Pope Paul VI, it was given to the United States by the Bishop of Fatima. The tour was sponsored by the World Apostolate of Fatima.

The pilgrim statue of the Our Lady of Fatima has been traveling across the world since 1947 to bring the message of hope and peace to millions of people. To learn more about the World Apostolate of Fatima in the United States, visit www.wafusa.org.

Holy Trinity School’s annual veterans celebration Nov. 11, Most Holy Trinity School in Fowler held its annual veterans celebration. This year’s event began with Mass at 8:15 a.m. celebrated by Bishop Boyea and attended by MHT students, veterans and their guests.

After Mass, there was a flag ceremony conducted by the school’s Girl Scouts; and breakfast was served to more than 200 veterans and guests.

Special guests at the event included Alan Kramer, World War II veteran; Jim Simon, commander of VFW Post 3733; and the keynote speaker, Bishop Earl Boyea.

St. Michael School, Grand Ledge St. Michael Parish School received a grant of $1,125 in August from the Capital Region Community Foundation for a playground. More rubber mulch was added to the existing mulch to ensure a safe fall-zone. Volunteers from the PTO and the Knights of Columbus spread the mulch in the necessary areas.

Jackson Family Festival Thousands of people enjoyed the 7th annual Jackson Family Fall Festival on the grounds of St. John Elementary and Jackson Catholic Middle School.

Those attending helped the Catholic community raise thousands of dollars to be put toward scholarships and special projects. The money will be divided between the Catholic schools and parishes belonging to the Jackson Area Catholic Schools Consortium.

– Jan Hoffbauer

An awesome day to be a Powers Catholic Charger On Sept. 29, in the middle of homecoming week activities, students at Powers Catholic High School in Flint took time to reach out to the community for their first “Charger Outreach.” The goal of the day was to empower the students by experiencing first-hand that they could make a difference.

The entire student body, accompanied by 58 parents and 42 staff members, traveled to 34 sites around Genesee County to perform community service. Sites included St. John Vianney, the Humane Society, Camp Copneconic, Habitat for Humanity, Whaley Children’s Center and the North End Soup Kitchen.

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FAITH Magazine / December 2010 / www.FAITHmag.com

Spirit of America

Sean Costello is new associate superintendent of schools Bishop Boyea and Father Steve Mattson are pleased to announce the hiring of Sean Costello as associate superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Lansing.

Sean was raised in Otisville, Mich., and spent time as a college seminarian for the Diocese of Lansing before continuing his studies in English and history at the

University of Michigan, Flint and obtaining his teacher certification through the University of Detroit-Mercy. He holds a master of science in educational leadership from Cardinal Stritch University and has spent time teaching in public, private and Catholic schools. Read an interview with him in an upcoming issue of FAITH.

Senior Appreciation Dinner The Senior Appreciation Dinner for Lenawee and Hillsdale Counties was held at St.Joseph Parish in Adrian. Bishop Boyea asked who the oldest person was and Margaret Robinette, 96, from St. Joseph Parish won the prize.

Sister Maryetta celebrates her 50th anniversary

Life after Fifty St. Joseph Shrine, Brooklyn and St. Mary on the Lake, Manitou Beach formed Life after Fifty.

This group will replace the Senior Adult Ministry the Shrine has hosted for three years with Pastoral Associate and Spiritual Director Diane Dover in charge.

The first joint meeting was at St. Mary with Jean Schaub, pastoral coordinator, giving a talk, “Fascinating Facts Which Formed Our Faith.”

Future gatherings will include social, educational, service and spiritual themes. Contact Kimberly Amthor at kamthor@yahoo. com or Denice Combs at denicecombs@comcast. net or the parish offices at 517.547.7496 for more information.

– Jan Hoffbauer

Sister Maryetta entered the Adrian Dominican Sisters after high school. She spent most of her ministry as a first- and second-grade teacher. In 1994, at the request of Father Dave Howell, she came to Brighton to begin the new parish of St. Mary Magdalen. The parish is grateful for her hard work and her ministry, which has enriched both it and the community.

New chapel for St. Mary School On Sept. 8, St. Mary School in Westphalia dedicated its new school chapel with the title Chapel of Our Lady Queen of Angels. The idea came from members of the teaching staff who felt that the school would benefit from a sacred space that could be used for times of prayer, class Masses and even catechism classes.

A St. Mary teacher, Mary Nurenberg, who was awarded the 2009 Mother Seton Gifted Educator Award by the Greater Lansing Catholic Education Foundation, designated her award to be used for the building of the chapel.

As part of the project, the parish was able to make use of many sacred items that were in storage, including two beautiful Victorian statues of angels, which give the chapel its name.

local news

The huge Spirit of America sign and thousands of U. S. flags at Unity Field were displayed Sept. 11 at the Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn.

To commemorate the 2001 attacks, the American Red Cross teamed up with MIS for a blood drive in which 1,330 units of blood were donated.

Sharon Jaksa, CEO and director of the Red Cross, is a parishioner of St. Peter in Eaton Rapids. – Jan Hoffbauer

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What in the world?

world news

The top 10 Catholic news events this month

Doctrine of Faith Congregation names Archbishop Wuerl – Archbishop Donald Wuerl of Washington D.C., has been named to guide the incorporation of Anglican groups into the Catholic Church in the United States.

National meeting of liturgists focuses on the Roman Missal One hundred and fifty-one delegates from 90 dioceses gathered in Alexandria, La., for the 41st annual National Meeting of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions. The meeting, jointly sponsored by the Federation of Liturgical Commissions and the

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Patients at Catholic hospital supply placentas for stem-cell research – With the permission of the new mothers, St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital in Tampa, Fla., collects placentas for use in stem-cell research that could benefit burn victims, diabetics and wounded soldiers.

DVD campaign urges traditional marriage be protected – Minnesota’s Catholic bishops sent a letter and DVD to Catholics in the state about the Church’s response to measures introduced in the state legislature that would change the definition of marriage to include same-sex couples.

2 United States priest chosen as superior general – Father Louis Lougen, OMI, was chosen to lead the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. He steps into the position from his role as provincial superior of the religious congregation’s U.S. province.

Bishops’ Committee on Divine Worship, assembled diocesan directors of worship and members of diocesan liturgical commissions to identify national and regional priorities in the area of worship; to provide an opportunity for the exchange of ideas among participants; and for prayerful celebrations of the liturgy.

In his report to the membership, the

chair of the FDLC Board of Directors Msgr. John H. Burton recognized Bishop Arthur J. Serratelli, outgoing BCDW chair, and Msgr. Anthony F. Sherman, BCDW secretariat executive director, for their tireless work on the Committee and for their support of the FDLC and its work. Bishop Serratelli will complete his term as chair of the BCDW after the 2010 November

Saint Dominic of Silos Feast Day: December 20

saint of the month

Dominic was born in Navarre Spain in 1000 A.D. As a boy, he worked as a shepherd.

As a young boy, Dominic worked as a shepherd.

He was forced to turn over monastery lands to King Garcia.

He became a Benedictine monk, and eventually was elected Abbot of the monastery of San Millan de la Cogolla. King Garcia III ordered him to give up monastery land. When Dominic refused, he was exiled to Castile.

King Ferdinand appointed him abbot of San Sebastian; Dominic rebuilt the dilapidated monastery.

He also saved Christian slaves from their captors, often paying their ransom himself.

Dominic reconstructs the dilapidated monastery.

He is the patron saint of rabid dogs.

Days before his death, he was quoted, “I spent the night near the Queen of Angels. She has invited me to come in three days where She is; therefore, I am soon going to the celestial banquet to which She invites me.”

St. Dominic is the patron saint of protection against mad dogs, rabies and hydrophobia.

– Illustrations by Chris Sushynski

Another bishop ordained in China – With the approval of both Vatican and Chinese government authorities, Bishop Peter Wu Junwei was consecrated as bishop of Yuncheng.

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Coins commemorate Australia’s first saint – The Perth Mint issued gold and silver commemorative coins of St. Mary MacKillop, who was canonized by the pope in September. She cofounded in 1866 the Sister of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart.

Baja California modifies state constitution to protect marriage – The state Congress of Baja California in Mexico approved a reform of the state constitution that recognizes marriage as the union between one man and one woman.

Google launches Latin translation tool – Google Translate, a service that can instantly translate entire Web pages or chunks of text into another language, has added Latin to its list.

Five justices and the vice president attend Red Mass – Five Supreme Court justices, along with Vice President Joe Biden, attended the unofficial launch of the court’s fall term at the annual Catholic Red Mass at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle.

Pro-life group objects to Nobel honors – A British pro-life group has objected to the awarding of the Nobel Prize for Medicine to Robert Edwards for in vitro fertilization, stating the technique is an abuse of scientific knowledge and has caused the deaths of embryonic human beings.

top ten

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ECR 2010/2 It is the position of the delegates of the 2010 National Meeting that in light of the realities of publishing the Roman Missal and in order to ensure that all liturgical ministers, in particular priest presiders and pastoral musicians, are able to adequately prepare for the season of Advent/ Christmas 2011, we request that the FDLC Board of Directors inquire to the BCDW to make available the liturgical texts for Advent and Christmas Seasons in adequate time for prayerful preparation.

The difference between happiness and true joy

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

“J

oy to the world!” That exuberant cry bursts out of our hearts when we begin to sing our famous Christmas carol. There is a certain vitality in the way we sing it, particularly the way we begin that carol in exultant elation. Our whole being gets caught up in it; our feelings and emotions jump up and join in as we sing out “Joy to the world!”

Contrast this, if you will, with the best our darkened world can offer. It tenders us mere moments of intoxication, a few minutes of feeling giddy, a frenzied climax to our moments of pleasure. Invariably those moments are followed by deflation and depression as the old darkness settles in on us once more. Getting high has no lasting quality to it, whereas joy is deep and lasting – something unexpected that changes lifetimes. At Christmas, we experience and reexperience God’s sudden advent in our lives, bringing with him a new reality in our relationship with him; a new bonding with him that can last forever if we are filled with good will and decide to live out his gift in our lives.

Imagine for a moment being with a couple who have been childless – a couple who thought they would never have a child and now have a newborn. The father will

now be a father forever. Who he is will be forever changed. From now on, the mother will forever be a mother. However much we may want to share their joy, we will never fully experience what they have experienced. Their joy is fundamental – so fundamental that it expresses a change in who they are at the core of their being.

The angels at Bethlehem announced they were giving us “glad tidings of great joy.” Their news was a message of deep and lasting joy, not one of fleeting happiness or momentary elation. Good feelings of happiness may come and go. Our “highs” can quickly leave us. The world will easily crush our feelings. Joy, however, is deep and abiding. Our joy rests in God’s profound and everlasting gift of himself to us in his boundless love for us.

May God’s peace be your joy, both now and forever.

last word

ECR 2010/1 It is the position of the delegates of the 2010 National Meeting that the FDLC Board of Directors shall establish an ad-hoc committee to develop materials to assist in a process of mystagogical reflection on the text and implementation of the Roman Missal. These resources will be available to members and by paid subscription to non-members online by first Sunday of Advent 2011.

Joy to the world!

T. Gennara

USCCB General Assembly and Msgr.

Sherman is expected to finish his work with the Secretariat early in 2011.

The national meeting schedule included intensive study on the Roman Missal with Msgr. Kevin Irwin and Father Paul Turner. More than ninety local priests joined the study, facilitated discussion and workshops. During the closing banquet, musician and composer Mary Frances Reza received the 2010 McManus Award.

During the meeting the delegates adopted two executive committee resolutions:

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