December 2014

work life:

Should I look for a new job? in the know with Father Joe:

What does the synod mean? year for marriage:

Don’t be afraid to strengthen your marriage

‘I LOOK AT RACHAEL AND SEE JESUS’

Janet and Dave’s daughter brings u nconditional love to their lives “ . . .

a n d

t h e y

s h a l l

c a l l

h i s

n a m e

E m m a n u e l . ”

(Matt1:23)

Where your treasure is, YOUR HEART WILL BE

How Americans celebrate Christmas

BY THE NUMBERS

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ome years ago, I happened to be passing through the church late one evening. As I was walking through the gathering space, I crossed paths with someone who was bringing a donation of food for the parish food pantry. As I greeted her, she said, “Oh, I wish you hadn’t seen me here.” Puzzled by her reaction, I asked, “Why is that?” She said, “I don’t like anyone to see me when I drop off my gift to the food pantry. I love knowing that I make a difference–I just don’t like the spotlight on me. I’d much rather work behind the scenes.”

T. Gennara

I suspect that’s true for many people.

The husband was a hard worker, while The work they do to build up God’s the wife stayed home to care for their kingdom is important to them. In fact, it’s children. They lived in a modest home in a small community, and the family vital in the truest sense of the word–it was active in the life of their parish. The brings their faith to life and it adds life to husband, who was the bread-winner, had their faith. At the same time, most folks an office job at a local company. While seek no recognition for what they do he was not part of because, for the the upper echelon vast majority, they of management, are doing what he worked hard their hearts tell each day, earning them is the right enough so the thing to do; and family could be for them, doing from the editor considered middle the right thing class. doesn’t merit any Father Dwight Ezop is editor of FAITH Magazine and pastor of St. John the Evangelist One day at extra attention or in Fenton. Email: editor@FAITHpub.com. lunch, several adulation. of the husband’s That’s a very co-workers challenged him, saying, positive way of thinking about the “You have a lot of potential. You have Tenth Commandment. You see, this good skills for your position, the boss commandment, which states, “You shall appreciates your work, and you work not covet your neighbor’s property,” hard. But you don’t work any overtime. is really all about our inner disposition In order to get noticed, you need to be toward others and their property–it is more willing to spend late nights here about where the focus of our heart is. As or come in earlier in the morning. Of Jesus reminds us, “Where your treasure course, it would also mean that you’d is, there will your heart be also.” (Mt 6:21) have to give up some time with your wife Is our focus–what motivates our inner and kids – maybe not go to as many self–on amassing goods and goodies? school activities or be less helpful around Or are we focused on what is good, not the house. That’s what you need to do for self, but good for others, in such a if you want to get ahead.” To which the way that we work with humility to build husband simply replied, “Ahead of what?” one another up, rather than tearing each As our hearts and minds move deeper other down? into the quiet of Advent, preparing for The drive to get ahead at the expense the great feast of Christmas, perhaps of others is a cancer that has infected our American society for a long time. Yet, we can spend time simplifying our lives rather than making them more complex. with God’s help, we can overcome that Perhaps we can focus our attention and pressure. At a parish mission, I heard energy on others–to do what is good for a story that helped put everything into them because it is good for us. And so perspective: There once was a young our journey in FAITH continues. family who tried to live an upright life.

CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS

FAITH Magazine • December 2014 • www.FAITHpub.com

65%

display decorations with a religious meaning

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reflect on the birth of Christ

%

– USA Today/Gallup

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62%

attend religious services on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day

Liturgical Calendar: St. Francis Xavier, priest December 3 | St. John Damascene, priest and doctor of the Church Decemb

contents

December 2014

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yourlife

ork life 4 wShould I look for a new job? your marriage matters 5 He says: “She is obsessed with

dieting.” She says: “We need to eat healthier food.” What do they do?

parenting journey My kids’ stepfather yells at them too much.

culture Treasures of faith an Advent project

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yourfaith

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8 10 12

in the know with Father Joe What does the synod mean?

spiritual fitness The hard work of forgiveness

theology 101 The Tenth Commandment – You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods from the bishop A year for marriage year for marriage Don’t be afraid to strengthen your marriage

follow up on the synod

Extraordinary Synod on the Family 2014 Final Relatio

14 24 15 16

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yourstories

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profile of an evangelist A busy teen on the path with Jesus

Ann Jacob MANAGING EDITOR The Magazine of the Catholic Diocese of Lansing Volume 15: Issue10 www.FAITHpub.com Most Reverend Earl Boyea PUBLISHER Rev. Dwight Ezop EDITOR AND CHAIRMAN

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

Patrick Dally ART DIRECTOR Jillane Job EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

Jim Berlucchi | Doug Culp | Michelle Sessions DiFranco | Dcn. Tom and JoAnne Fogle | Eileen Gianiodis | Rev. Charles Irvin | Rev. Joseph Krupp | Dr. Gelasia Marquez | Dr. Cathleen McGreal | Mary Kay McPartlin | Nancy Rosebush | Sister Ann Shields CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Carlson Productions | Shane Folkertsma | Tom Gennara | James Luning (cover) | Don Quillan CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

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

FAITHTM (USPS 019993) is a publication of FAITH Catholic, Diocese of Lansing, 1500 E. Saginaw St., Lansing, MI 48906-5550. FAITHTM is a membership publication of the Catholic Diocese of Lansing and is published monthly except for February and August. To purchase a subscription, log on to FAITHmag.com. If you have a change of address, please contact your parish. Periodicals postage paid in Lansing, MI and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to FAITHTM, 1500 E. Saginaw St., Lansing MI 48906-5550. ©2013 FAITH Catholic. FAITH is a trademark of FAITH Catholic.

ber 4 | St. Nicholas, bishop December 6 | Second Sunday of Advent December 7 | Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary December 8 | St. Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin December 9

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yourlife Tips for a family-oriented Christmas season ©DollarPhotoClub/Sergey Nivens

Continue the conversation on Follow FAITHpub

Should I look for a NEW JOB? melaniereyesphotography

Q:

Am I still in the right job? How can I discern when it’s time to move on?

a:

Try this checklist.

Sprinkled with Scripture.

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Jim Berlucchi is the executive director for the Spitzer Center for Ethical Leadership, an educator and executive coach.

prayer (week 3). It’s a keeper.

“Give me Wisdom, the attendant at your throne … Send her forth from your holy heavens … that she may be with me and work with me … and guide me discreetly in my affairs.”

Apply these principles • Never make a major decision in a state of desolation, anxiety or upset. (St. Ignatius) • Let peace be your guide.

Reasonable tranquility should accompany your

FAITH Magazine • December 2014 • www.FAITHpub.com

Deeply reflect • What is my ideal career goal?

• Where does my current job fit into that goal? Do I like what I do? Am I challenged and growing? Do I enjoy the people? Am I making a difference? Does it harmonize with my other priorities? Is the pay satisfactory?

• What does my ideal next job look like? When do I want to be there? How energized am I by the prospect? What skills do I need to merit it? What pay do I want to command?

Decide and act • “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” (Prv 16:3) • “A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul.” (Prv 13.19)

• Plan a holiday craft night. Decorate Christmas tree ornaments or cards with your family and send out to relatives.

Tips for a simpler Christmas • Make handmade gifts. Save money by crocheting a scarf or making homemade trail mix to give to family and friends.

• Cut down your shopping list. Agree with friends to give to charity this year, as a reminder that the Christmas season is about spreading the joy of God, not presents.

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Set the stage • Seize this thought: The Lord has perfect plans and timing for my job. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jer 29:11) • Reaffirm your resolve and excitement to do his will. “I delight to do your will O my God; your law is within my heart.” (Ps 40:8) • Seek the counsel of the Holy Spirit. My favorite and oft repeated prayer is from the Church’s Saturday morning

work life

decision.

• Seek advice. “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.” (Prv 15:22); “Plans are established by counsel.” (Prv 20:18)

• Commit to family meals. Promise to sit down with your family for one meal every day during Advent.

St. Damasus I, pope December 11 | Our Lady of Guadalupe December 12 | St. Lucy, virgin and martyr December 13 | Third S

We need to eat healthier food

She is obsessed with dieting

I have an ongoing struggle with my weight – and the holidays are particularly hard. I wish Andrew would be more supportive when I try to avoid all the fattening foods at his family’s Christmas dinner.

My mom goes to a lot of trouble to make all the holiday favorites at this time of year – I know they’re not on Cari’s diet, but couldn’t she let it slide for just one day?

HE says

What do THEY do?

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e don’t know of very many couples who navigate this particular challenge without one of them being irritated and one being hungry – sometimes both at the same time. The holidays can pile on the pounds – and the stress!

Cari, you are to be commended for trying to stick to your healthy eating plan, especially during the most calorie-laden time of the year. It’s tough to do that, and also avoid offending the hosts and cooks at various holiday dinners. Especially if it’s your mother-inlaw! However, you can preserve harmony in the family and avoid pigging out. Consider taking very small helpings of the many tasty

My kids’ stepfather YELLS AT THEM TOO MUCH My ex-wife married a man who is a much tougher disciplinarian than I am. He isn’t abusive, but they tell me he yells and screams a lot. What is the best way for me to deal with this?

a:

Your concerns about harsh verbal discipline are well-founded. Researchers Ming-Te Wang and Sarah Kenny studied seventh-graders whose parents used yelling, swearing and name-calling as a form of discipline. This predicted more conduct problems and depressive symptoms later

on. It could become a cyclical pattern; a child with conduct problems may lie to parents, damage property or engage in other behaviors that elicit even more yelling.

Build effective coping strategies. The research in this area is distressing; almost half of

dishes being offered and making marriage sure to compliment the person matters who made them. Remember the Scripture, “How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey.” (Psalm 119:103) Andrew, it’s hard to practice self-control, and it’s even harder when you don’t feel supported by the person who is supposed to be helping you—your spouse. Cari needs to hear that you are more supportive of her than you are concerned about your mother’s cooking. Say things like, “I am really proud of how well you are doing – what can I do to support you in this?” And don’t forget, “Wow, you look really pretty.” While your mother’s feelings are important, your primary role is no longer as son – it is as husband.

CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION ON Follow FAITH Pub

messages can they think about both fathers and mothers report when this happens? What will using harsh verbal discipline. As help their emotional regulation? a father, you cannot control the It is likely you will need to help behavior of the stepfather even though the disciyour children inplinary method is dividually because the best response ineffective. What will match each you can do is child’s developbrainstorm effective mental level and coping strategies temperament. with your children. parenting The Catechism of It is important that journey the Catholic Church they don’t buy explains the exinto the negative Dr. Cathleen McGreal is istence of angels: messages, which is a psychology “Beside each a difficult task to professor and certified spiritual believer stands an do when they are director. angel as proteccalled names. It will tor and shepherd be challenging for leading him to life.” (CCC #336) you, too. Remain calm as you Encourage your children to hear specifics about these events because your goal is to help your call on this support during times of stress. children cope. What internal T. Gennara

Q:

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SHE says

Sunday of Advent December 14 | Fourth Sunday of Advent December 21 | St. John of Kanty, priest December 23 | Nativity of the Lord December 25 | Feast of St. Stephen, first martyr December 26

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Read more culture at: Shane Folkertsma

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FAITH Magazine • December 2014 • www.FAITHpub.com

St. John, apostle and evangelist December 27 | Holy Family of Je

TREASURES OF FAITH – an Advent project

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On the day of his baptism, our son received a unique gift. It was a sacraments keepsake box; upon opening it, my sister gave us an explanation of its simple, yet meaningful use. She described it as a “treasure box” for any and all of the religious items our son will receive or use when receiving the sacraments of his faith. My husband and I had never before seen or heard of such a gift, and it really

started us thinking.

The sacraments arm us with the Holy Spirit. They give us the graces we will need to live as Christians in this world and help us to be “other-centered.” As Catholics, we are, through the sacraments, assisted to live a life for others, selflessly. If the world is going to surround our children with the messages of hedonism and gratification, and if their

T. Gennara

his last year, we were blessed with a new addition to our family. It was very unexpected and exciting for my husband and me, since we thought we wouldn’t be able to have more children. But along with the many joys of having a new baby, I am at times reminded of the huge and daunting responsibility of raising another child in today’s world. We parents face many challenges in a society that is ever more secular and materialistic. It’s hard to navigate and compete with the latest toys, fashion and electronics that our older children are told they “need” to have. And because so many kids these days do receive and flaunt their expensive things, we find ourselves reminding them often of the commandment, “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s belongings.”

world measures success with material wealth and how many things we collect, what could be better to counteract those forces than to bring our attention to the sacraments and how much more valuable they are than any physical thing the world might offer.

It was that idea that made the sacraments “treasure box” such a beautiful and meaningful gift. We decided culture that we would, as often as possible, Michelle DiFranco is a return to this designer and the item, reflecting busy mom of three children. with our son on the treasures within and the spiritual reality of what they represent.

This Advent season, take the time to create a vessel for some of the most valuable items your children recieve as Catholics.

• Ruler • Acrylic craft paint • Paintbrush • Decoupage glue • Craft cement • Craft spray varnish • Small Phillips head screwdriver

With a screwdriver, remove lock and hinges from wood box and set aside.

Paint top of lid and dowel end caps and set aside to dry.

Measure and trim scrapbook paper to fit cross and all sides of box (Helpful hint: for the irregularly shaped cross, trace it face down on the back of the scrapbook paper). Apply decoupage glue to all pieces and adhere to cross and box.

Let dry. Sand edges for a worn look and apply a coat of spray varnish to entire box, cross and dowel end caps. Let dry. Replace the lock and hinges on the box. Using craft cement, glue the dowel end caps to the bottom corners of the finished box. Lastly, glue the cross to the top lid. Allow the finished project to dry for 24 hours before use.

Shane Folkertsma

• Unfinished wood box • Unfinished wood cross • 4 unfinished dowel end caps • 12” x 12” pieces of scrapbook paper • Craft knife or paper trimmer

Shane Folkertsma

SACRAMENTS KEEPSAKE BOX

esus, Mary and Joseph December 28 | St. Thomas Becket, bishop and martyr December 29 | St. Sylvester I, pope December 31

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yourfaith T. Gennara

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

What does THE SYNOD mean?

Q:

Dear Fr. Joe: I keep reading conflicting things about the synod – some bloggers are saying it’s going to ruin the Church, some news stories are saying the Church is going to change a lot of teachings. What’s going on?

a:

Thank you so much for this question. This is an important time in our Church and, as far as I can determine, this is the first time we as a Church are having a synod in the Internet age. Because of that, the synod itself, while not a new phenomenon, is presenting us with uncharted waters to wade through. We’ve never, in our 2,000-year history, had a situation

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FAITH Magazine • December 2014 • www.FAITHpub.com

where there was such a capacity for the exchange of information. How do we chart these waters?

Frankly, I lack the space to go into what the synod is specifically doing or not doing (see pages 16-17 for a report on the synod). Instead, I’d like to look at our response to the synod Q: Why as the key to this question and did the answer it in the context of the insomniac Advent and Christmas Season get we celebrate this time of year. arrested?

When we look at the synod in light of the infancy narrative A: He resisted of Jesus Christ, I see within it a rest. an invitation to do two things: cast out fear and embrace trust.

We’ll start with the idea that we need to cast out fear. When we look at the birth of Jesus, we see three passages that stand out.

First, in Luke 1:13, the angel appears to Zechariah and tells him, “Do not be afraid.” In Luke 1:30, the angel of God appears to Our Blessed Mother and says, “Do not be afraid.” In Luke 2:10, the angels appear to the shepherds and the first words they speak are, “Do not be afraid.”

This is in stark contrast to the voices out there that would really love for us to click that link that takes us to their blog or news story – and nothing will prompt us to do so quicker than fear. These authors would like us to be very afraid that God would be so rude and bold as to shake us up a bit and cause us to re-evaluate our lives.

To this fear, we must let our God speak hope to us, and our hope is founded on Jesus who does not change. He promised to lead this Church and that promise is not contingent upon how faithfully we respond to it. To put it simply, Jesus promised that “The gates of hell will not prevail against [this Church]” and if the gates of hell won’t prevail against it, then 21st-century modernism has no chance either.

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I tend to worry that all these “Catholic blogs” and commentators In this season, we remember that Jesus was born in a manger, out there serve only to divert us from the task of personal holinot a palace. His birth was announced to shepherds, not princes. ness. As long as we can focus on the monumental institution that Our God is a God of the unexpected who acts for our benefit and is our Church, then we don’t have to go about the daily process of good: He is not limited by our ideas of what love is and what is loving. This truth of Jesus’ birth is a challenge to those who, in the conversion that we are called to.

My job is not to “fix the Church” or “protect the Church.” name of a human idea of love, want to use the synod gatherMy job is to allow God’s grace and Holy Spirit to ing as a time to promote change in the Church that guide me into deeper conversion each day and to the Church is not called to. These voices are the encourage all around me to allow that in their ones intent on re-creating the Church into their image and likeness, or into an image lives. If enough of us do that, the Church I invite us to and likeness that doesn’t challenge them will be holy because we will be holy. pray in this Advent personally. These voices tend to serve as This Christmas, remember that when St. and Christmas season a distraction to pull us from our duty Joseph and Our Blessed Mother arrived at to let God be God. I urge as God’s children to be obedient to his the place Jesus was to be born, they found us to pray to grow in trust in truth, not to what we want to be true. a crowded, noisy city where there was no We speak the truth to what we feel, room for their child to be born.

God. To put it simply, we either we don’t try to make sure that what we I urge you not to let your hearts betrust that God is leading his feel is the truth. What is the truth? God come that place. Turn off the noise. Tune Church or we don’t: it’s is in charge. God is leading us, God is out the fear mongers and the people who that simple. point their anger in a vaguely spiritual diguiding us, God is protecting us. Because of rection and call it “evangelization.” Their noise that, we need not fear and we need not mais chaos, and it crowds our hearts until there is nipulate circumstances, news stories or people to no room for Christ. achieve what we want.

Find peace in Christ’s love this season, and comfort in the To those who are promoting fear and to those who are pushing for changes that Scripture and tradition forbid, I invite us surety that he is leading his Church. Make your hearts quiet and ready for him to enter them, as he entered the world in that stable to pray in this Advent and Christmas season to let God be God. I urge us to pray to grow in trust in God. To put it simply, we either in Bethlehem.

Enjoy another day in Christ’s presence. trust that God is leading his Church or we don’t: it’s that simple.

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The hard work of

FORGIVENESS

the greatest gift you can give and receive 10

FAITH Magazine • December 2014 • www.FAITHpub.com

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he call to forgiveness, to reconciliation, to peace. This is the message of Advent in preparation for the great feast of Christmas. Last month, I wrote about the need for forgiveness. I wrote that we needed to learn what the Scriptures teach us and the need for each of us, if we are truly Christian, to respond to God’s admonitions and direction. If we are unable to do this, we face a life filled with the fruits of such a mindset: bitterness, hatred, desire for revenge, coldness and hardness of heart. I don’t want anyone to live in that kind of darkness, yet many do! So, let me begin by repeating the essential scriptural passages dealing with forgiveness:

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These passages go on to explain what to do if such initiatives don’t work. But I want to focus right now on the willingness to take the initiative whether you sinned or were sinned against.

I repeat those points in case you did not see the article last month. And I do so for another reason. This month is a grace-filled time to give and receive forgiveness; it is a time to heal and to be healed. You could give no better gift to your family and friends than the willingness to reconcile or to help another do that.

When we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we commit ourselves to forgiveness: “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” We are asking God to forgive us the way we forgive others. This should cause us to pause and to remember that God never asks anything of us for which he does not impart the grace, the assistance, to enable us to accomplish what Christ asks.

These are not just academic lessons to be pondered and then, perhaps, disagreed with and discarded. They are the words of a Savior who wants us to know life and peace and happiness – even here in this life. Will you try God’s way?

Last month I promised you a story to back up this teaching. I have several powerful examples, but space for only one: “By hard work, a single mother enables her only child to attend college. While in college, through a series of drug-related circumstances, her only son was shot and killed by another young man. Only a parent who has gone through a similar tragedy can grasp the power of all-consuming grief. Yet, through prayer, good friends Follow and ministry, that grieving single mother was able to walk into the Sister Ann Shields courtroom months later, go directly to the grandmother of the boy on Twitter: who had shot her son, a grandmother who had raised him and was herself stricken, put her arms around her and say, ‘We have both lost children.’” @srannshieldssgl In the midst of pain, when a person is able to identify with the pain of another and embrace that person, the destructive work of the enemy (the devil) is halted and healing can begin. That single mother went further and spearheaded a fundraising campaign to improve the neighborhood where a grandmother had tried to raise a grandson. Mercy is not cheap grace. It cost Jesus his suffering and his very life. It cost these women incalculable pain – yet their willingness to forgive and be forgiven ultimately made possible the planting of new seeds of life for others who would bear the fruit.

May this Advent – this time of waiting for the coming of the Lord – be a time where healing in our relationships begins and new hope arises in our hearts – and in the hearts of those we love.

T. Gennara

Matthew 5:23-24: So, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled with your brother and then come and offer your gift.

Matthew 18:15: If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.

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

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

Read more spiritual fitness at:

For more teaching and stories on forgiveness, see Captured by Mercy,

by Sister Ann Shields, SGL. To receive a free copy call 800.282.4789.

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Read more theology 101 at: THE COAT OF MANY COLOURS: Oil on canvas, by Ford Madox Brown (1821–1893)

The Tenth Commandment YOU SHALL NOT COVET YOUR NEIGHBOR’S GOODS

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he “tenth word” of the Decalogue brings a close to the Ten Commandments by summarizing “all the precepts of the Law.” It unfolds and completes the Ninth Commandment, which warns us against the danger of lust.

It contains the Seventh and Fifth Commandments because coveting the goods of another can lead to theft or violence. It also touches on the first three commandments because avarice is rooted in idolatry.

THE TENTH GIFT: You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods

Covetous desires Now, we all desire pleasant things that we do not have – and these desires are good in themselves. Further, there is nothing wrong with desiring to obtain things that belong to another, as long as we obtain 12

FAITH Magazine • December 2014 • www.FAITHpub.com

them by just means. The problem comes when our desires exceed the limits of reason and “drive us to covet unjustly what is not ours and belongs to another or is owed to him [or her].” It is precisely this problem that the Tenth Commandment hopes to help us avoid.

Specifically, the Tenth Commandment forbids the capital sin of avarice, also known as greed or covetousness. Avarice refers to an excessive desire, or inordinate love, for wealth, status and power. It is characterized by a willingness to make the accumulation of these things the center of our lives, the purpose for which we alone live.

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS BIBLE GEOGRAPHY FACTS

is a difference. Avarice cuts us off from our greatest good by attacking our relationship Bashan – In the Bible, with God directly. It leads us Mt. Hermon, viewed Bashan is described as the to grasp for and cling to the from Mount Bental in the kingdom of Og the Amorite, things of this world, to our Golan Heights the most northerly part of substituting the creature for the the land east of the Jordan creator in a base form of idolaRiver. It runs basically from try. In contrast, envy attacks Mt. Hermon to Mt. Gilead. our relationship with God by Famous for its oak trees, targeting our relationships Bashan included the fertile, wooded slopes of Jebel ed-Druze, with our neighbors. Envy does the rich plain of el-Chauran and the pasture lands of el-Jaulan. not simply coax us toward the Because of this, the area was also home to many great cities. idolatry of avarice. It not only It was taken by the Israelites upon their defeat of Og. wants to possess that which it perceives the other to have, but DID YOU KNOW? it desires that the other be deprived of that which he or she In Hebrew, one of the meanings of Bashan is “smooth.” It has. As Aristotle wrote, envy can also mean “soft, fertile land.” is pain at the good fortune of others. Envy is resentful.

Love of neighbor is replaced by the desire for the neighbor’s misfortune. In direct opposition to the commandments of love, envy leads to hatred of our neighbor. In short, envy is deadly precisely because of its total undermining of the two great commandments: envy is hatred of our neighbor which is hatred of God, which is hatred of self.

S. Olson

In Western culture, the mythical creature of the dragon is often portrayed as a hoarder of gold and jewels. The common image is of the dragon in a cave guarding a mountain of treasure. The irony should be clear: Why is the dragon so preoccupied with obtaining and protecting this treasure when it has absolutely no use for it?

However, the dragon guarding its treasure speaks to our own tendency to misdiagnose or misidentify our true fundamental need. This misidentification is at the very heart of avarice.

Greed is produced from a mindset of lack. Through primarily comparison (real or imagined), our appetite for possessing something we lack is awakened. This was exactly the play of the serpent against our first parents in the gartheology 101 den. As we know, the serpent Doug Culp is the CAO and introduced the man and woman secretary for pastoral life for the Diocese of Lexington, Ky. to lack through a comparison He holds an MA in theology with God. By suggesting that from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.

God was a competitor who was keeping something back from them, the serpent convinced them that they their true need was in acquiring the knowledge of good and evil; in being equal to God in all things. What’s more, the serpent persuaded them that it was a need they could satisfy on their own. The rest is history.

Once we make this move, that is, we identify a supposed lack in our lives and then look to fill this lack on our own, we set in motion a vicious cycle. Avarice naturally tends to ever greater levels of expression. In other words, greed produces even more greed because we will never quite satisfy our need for wealth, status and power. Why? Christianity teaches us that our true need, or our fundamental need, is not wealth, status and power. However, sin blinds us to this fact. Consequently, we vainly try to fill the emptiness in our hearts with ever greater amounts of things. And just like the dragon grows ferocious upon the approach of any would-be robber, we grow ever more ferocious when either real or perceived threats to our wealth, power and status are detected. Despite the ultimate emptiness of wealth, status and power, we become more intent on grasping and clinging to these precious jewels at all costs. The disorder of sin is thereby brought into full relief as the creature is fully substituted for creator.

wikipedia.com/user: Almog

The dragon’s treasure: need versus greed

The green-eyed monster The Tenth Commandment also forbids the deadly sin of envy.

Envy shares a great deal with its close relative avarice, but there

The remedy The antidote to avarice and envy is generosity. Generosity stands diametrically opposed to both. Whereas avarice and envy emanate from a mindset of lack, generosity flows from a mindset of abundance; of overflowing. This makes sense because generosity is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, who is God. And the fruits of the Spirit are an overflowing of love for the world as Love produces only love.

Humility, or meekness, also has a pivotal part to play in our combating these sins because of its disinclination towards resentment.

Of course, humility is both a natural outgrowth of poverty of spirit and an essential ingredient for poverty of spirit. Only one who has emptied himself or herself of the demands of the ego can desire the best for one’s neighbor because such a desire requires a person to not put his or her own self with its demands as primary.

– All quotes from the Catechism of the Catholic Church (2534-2550) except as otherwise noted

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS QUIZ The story of the Israelites’ journey from slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land has a large cast of characters. Test your knowledge of biblical figures and name this person/group: Q: This enemy of Israel was “mowed down” by Joshua as Moses raised his hands in approval.

A: Amalek (Pictured: “The Battle Between the Israelites and Amalekites”

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A year for MARRIAGE

H

ave you ever heard the phrase, “Gospel of the family”? It is new to me. The document which came out of the Synod of Bishops in Rome uses that phrase a lot. As whenever we use the word, Gospel, we are always to look to Jesus. Thus, the text points us to Matthew 19:8: “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning.” If we go back to the beginning, we see that God wants marriage to be permanent, the couple to cling to one another and be faithful to one another, and that there be an openness to life.

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Here in Michigan, the bishops have asked that the clergy and laity focus on marriage and family from November 2014 through December 2015. This is so appropriate because of the synod which just finished, the synod that will take place in October 2015 and the World Gathering of Families in Philadelphia in September 2015, which Pope Francis will attend.

We Michigan bishops ask that all of us consider, pray about and celebrate three themes: honoring sexual differences (“Man and woman, God created them”); showing compassion for children (“Each child has life, thanks to a mom and a dad”); and promoting the common good (“A strong society thrives on strong families”).

The first theme invites us to acknowledge that the “unique roles of husband and wife illuminate the beauty of sexual difference and complementarity. At every level of their identity (emotional, biological, physiological, social and spiritual) a husband and wife are called to speak the language of married love in generous self-giving. In this self-giving, the spouses discover who they are in a way they could not otherwise discover. The divine institution of marriage – a gift to man and woman – unites a couple together through life’s challenges and excitements, hopes and dreams, until death do they part. Jesus Christ, at the center of this union, makes this possible.”

The second theme recognizes that “God’s awesome call to engage in the adventure of creating a new human being begins when husband and wife participate in the loving act. In the procreation and education of children marriage reflects the Father’s

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

work of creation. Throughout history, man and woman through marriage contribute to humanity’s next generation by opening their lives and committing themselves to children.

Marriage as a lifelong faithful union creates the environment in which children experience the love and care of a father and a mother and become aware of their own dignity and prepare to face their unique and individual destiny.”

The third theme celebrates the fact that the “divine gift of marriage is a blessing to the couple, to their children, and to everyone who knows them.

The permanence and solidarity of a husband and wife ‘offers a sign of hope and a loving witness to human dignity, in a world where hope often seems absent and human dignity is often degraded.’ (Life and Love, p. 56) Marriage, a dynamic communion of life and love, makes the family the first school of social life: authority, stability, and a life of relationships with the family constitute the foundations for freedom, security, and fraternity within society (CCC, 2207). Marriage then is an indispensable good at the heart of every family and every society.”

So, my sisters and brothers, let us honor and celebrate the life which so many of you live. For your marriages and families are a blessing and grace to our Church and our society.

A Blessed Advent and Christmas to you all.

Follow Bishop Boyea on Twitter @BishopBoyea

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Don’t be afraid to STRENGTHEN YOUR MARRIAGE

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t was November when Brook Manchester asked her husband, Scott, to join her at an event called Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage. It was scheduled for Friday night and all day Saturday. A fervent University of Michigan football fan, Scott’s first reaction was … “What?!”

spouse every day just to tell them you’re thinking about them. I would say they have something about once a month.

“They can keep their events affordable because they do fundraising and grant writing. Their major fundraiser once a year helps cover a lot of their programming costs. Last year it was a prom theme dinner dance, but it varies from year to year.

“They also host conferences and smaller group sessions for couples interested in strengthening rougher marriages,” Scott adds. “We’ve seen some friends’ marriages change over the years, and we wish we could get them to come to something like that.”

Brook nods in agreement. “I’m not sure why people are afraid to come. You’re never singled out or even asked to share personal stories unless you want to.”

“Maybe they’re afraid,” Scott offers, “of what they’re going to find out about themselves and their relationship.

“When we were first married,” Scott explains, “I was in chiropractic school, working full time and studying practically around the clock. Our free time was really precious, so we made the most of it in silly and simple ways.”

Scott laughs now looking back. “It felt like a big sacrifice, but I went. We laughed so hard! The speaker had a really funny way to help us understand each other better. It was worth so much more than a football game.”

MARRIAGE MATTERS JACKSON “That was the first Marriage Matters event we attended,” Brook Started in 2006, the Marriage Matters relationship skills. MMJ receives non-material smiles. “We’ve also gone to other Jackson (MMJ) vision is to promote, prepare support from organizations such as the Diocese big things like Valentine’s Day dinand preserve healthy marriages.

More than of Lansing, which provides financial scholarships ner dances or weekend retreats.

90 percent of participants report a deeper for workshops and promotes MMJ activities.

But we have as much fun at the knowledge of and satisfaction in areas such as For more information on MMJ, visit little things like dinners and short communication, conflict resolution, and healthy marriagemattersjackson.com. presentations. They give us a great, inexpensive night out, and Brook laughs, “When we started out, we couldn’t afford an we come away with ideas to make our marriage stronger.” expensive night out. Even after Scott graduated and we started “They really have helped us understand each other better,” our family, we appreciated how fun and affordable Marriage says Scott. “Like that first weekend presentation – Mark Gungor was hilarious explaining how men think and how women think. Matters events were. They really helped us keep our connection with each other.”

I bought his CDs so I could go back and listen again.”

“I think the things we learned on those early dates helped “Marriage Matters gives us different tools we can put in our strengthen our relationship so that now when we’re going in dif‘tool box,’ as they call it.” Brook explains. “The things they host ferent directions with kids and work we still keep our marriage are affordable so couples from all income levels can attend. And strong,” Scott adds. they include good, practical tips. Simple things like text your For more information on marriage resources, visit www.dioceseoflansing.org/family_life_ministry To read more about Scott and Brook, visit www.FAITHpub.com

By Nancy Rosebush Schertzing | Photography by Tom Gennara

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Reuters

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he Third Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops was held in the Vatican from Oct. 5-19, 2014.

The theme for the assembly was “The Pastoral Challenges of the Family in the Context of Evangelization.”

The Extraordinary General Assembly was tasked with defining the “state of the question” and with collecting the bishops’ experiences and proposals “in proclaiming and living the Gospel of the Family in a credible manner.” The Ordinary General Assembly, scheduled for Oct. 2015, will next “seek working guidelines” in the pastoral care of the person and the family.

The final report On Oct.18, the synod released its much anticipated final report. An earlier mid-term report had generated a great deal of discussion and confusion both inside and outside the Church, especially with regard to the topics of homosexuality and the divorced and remarried. However, the final report clarified the mid-term report on the aforementioned topics, incorporated Scripture quotes (which were noticeably absent in the mid-term report) and focused more on the positive contributions Christian families can make to society.

Each of the 62 paragraphs of the final report was voted on by 181 of the 193 synod fathers. According to a Catholic News 16

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Agency/EWTN report, all the DID YOU KNOW? paragraphs received a majority of votes. However, not all According to the Vatican claimed a super-majority of News, synod participants two-thirds of the vote, which is came from five continents and required for official approval. included: 114 presidents of The same report went on to cite Episcopal Conferences, 13 an Oct. 18 press conference heads of the sui iuris Eastwith Father Federico Lomern Catholic Churches, 25 bardi, director of the Holy See heads of the dicasteries of the press office, as he explained Roman Curia, 9 members that for the purposes of the of the Ordinary Council of 2015 synod, the paragraphs the Secretariat, the secretary that failed to gain official apgeneral, the under-secretary, proval “cannot be considered 3 nominees from the Union of as dismissed, but primarily as Superior Generals, 26 ponparagraphs that are not mature tifical nominees, 8 fraternal enough to gain a wide consendelegates, 38 auditors (insus of the assembly.” cluding 13 married couples) Ultimately, the final report of and 16 experts. the 2014 synod is not a definitive document. It is important to note that, according to Canon Law (Canons 342-344), the Synod of Bishops consists of a group of bishops chosen from different parts of the world who meet at fixed times in order to foster unity, to offer counsel to the pope in matters of faith and morals, and to consider questions related to the activity of the Church in the world. The Synod of Bishops is subject directly to the authority of the pope, and is not charged with resolving questions or issuing decrees about them unless the pope specifically endows the synod with deliberative power and then ratifies the decisions of the synod.

Consequently, the 2014 final report serves only to set the stage for the 2015 synod, where it will function as that synod’s working document. Then, the 2015 synod will report to Pope Francis, who will issue a post-synodal apostolic exhortation that will seek to help the Church face the challenges of the family in today’s world.

Reuters

FOLLOW UP ON THE SYNOD Extraordinary Synod on the Family 2014 Final Relatio

By Doug Culp

HOW APROPOS! Ambrosius007 at English Wikipedia

Pope Francis presided at the beatification of Pope Paul VI on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014.

The ceremony was held at the conclusion of the Third Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops. The beatification could not have come at a more appropriate time given the fact that it was Pope Paul VI who permanently established the Synod of Bishops on September 15, 1965, in the Apostolic Letter, Apostolica Sollicitudo, as a way to provide for frequent, regular opportunities of the kind of episcopal collegiality emphasized during the Second Vatican Council.

THE “GREAT BOTH … AND …”

QUOTABLE QUOTES: Reuters

Our faith calls us to live in the tension that is the life of Christian discipleship; that is the way of the cross. The “Great Both…And…” of the Catholic faith helps us to do this by reminding us to avoid reducing reality to the security of a partial truth in order to escape from the possible tension of the fullness of truth, who is an “indivisible” person, Jesus Christ.

Pope Francis used this principle in his concluding speech to the synod on Oct. 18 as he described, for example, some of the temptations that confronted the participants: “One, a temptation to hostile inflexibility, that is, wanting to close oneself within the written word, (the letter) and not allowing oneself to be surprised by God, by the God of surprises (the spirit); within the law, within the certitude of what we know and not of what we still need to learn and to achieve. From the time of Christ, it is the temptation of the zealous, of the scrupulous, of the solicitous and of the so-called – today – ‘traditionalists’ and also of the intellectuals.”

THE LAW OF GRADUALNESS vs.

GRADUALNESS OF THE LAW The synod’s mid-term report caused uproar when it referred several times to the “law of gradualness” in its discussion of divorced and remarried Catholics receiving the sacraments of penance and Eucharist.

As it is used in Catholic moral and pastoral theology, the “law of gradualness”

encourages people to grow closer to God and his plan for our lives from an initial conversion to perfection in a step-by-step manner rather than in a single step.

However, this is not to be confused with “gradualness of the law.” Pope St. John Paul II, in his apostolic exhortation Familiaris Consortio, wrote: “[Married people] cannot however look on the law as merely an ideal to be achieved in the future: they

For more on marriage and family, visit www.FAITHpub.com

– Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster

“If there is not integrity in how we pray, how we worship, what we believe and how we provide pastoral practice, it will break down. What I have called for, in any amendments that I was able to provide, was to make sure that any creative pastoral practice being considered would be firmly grounded in good, solid theology.”

Then, Pope Francis immediately pointed to an equally debilitating temptation:

Reuters

“The temptation to a destructive tendency to goodness, that in the name of a deceptive mercy binds the wounds without first curing them and treating them; that treats the symptoms and not the causes and the roots. It is the temptation of the ‘do-gooders,’ of the fearful, and also of the so-called ‘progressives and liberals.’”

“You may have heard or read that this Synod has been about changing the teaching of the Church on marriage, family life or sexual morality. This is not true. It was about the pastoral care that we try to offer each other, the ‘motherly love of the Church’, especially when facing difficult moments and experiences in family life.”

– Archbishop Joseph Kurtz of Louisville and President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

must consider it as a command of Christ the Lord to overcome difficulties with constancy.

And so what is known as ‘the law of gradualness’ or step-by-step advance cannot be identified with ‘gradualness of the law,’ as if there were different degrees or forms of precept in God’s law for different individuals and situations.” (34) The 1997 Pontifical Council

for the Family put it this way in a handbook (Vademecum for Confessors): “The pastoral ‘law of gradualness’, not to be confused with the ‘gradualness of the law’ which would tend to diminish the demands it places on us, consists of requiring a decisive break with sin together with a progressive path towards total union with the will of God and with his loving demands.” (3:9)

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in every denomination, in 160 countries and 100 languages.

“Because it is such a basic course, focused on creedal Christianity, it is offered across denominational lines,” says Deacon Steve. “Our Holy Father and his predecessors have been encouraging us to encounter Jesus anew and bring people to Jesus as the early Christians did.

Alpha facilitates that encounter with Jesus, where people are invited to make a commitment to Christ, to drop their nets and I’m a cradle follow him.”

Catholic, and I The forhad a typical Catholic mat used experience growing up. by every I never knew God in parish a really personal starts with active Cathoway. lics reaching out to friends and family who are struggling or perhaps curious about God. “Almost all evangelization is relational,” says Deacon Steve. “That’s how it really gets done.”

“A typical evening is a meal, a talk from a DVD and a small group discussion. It’s pretty any people hunger for a relationship simple,” he says. “People show with Christ, and while most Catholic up and the course is a zero parishes offer great catechetical entry point where they can opportunities, in many instances explore the deep and profound it proves to be too much information for those just questions in life.” starting out on their spiritual journey or those who “We invite people to come and see the first night,” Deacon are “seekers,” according to Deacon Steve Mitchell, Steve says. “We promise not to national director of Alpha for Catholics. “With good call or bother anyone who isn’t reason, Catholics get very excited about our faith and interested. About 85 percent of want people to experience its fullness,” says Deacon the people come back and finSteve. “The tendency is, out of that excitement, to ish the course.” back up the Catholic truck and dump everything on Alpha is designed for the un-churched and de-churched, them at once, overwhelming people who are just but faithful Catholics are also curious, who want to dip their toe into the water. We touched by Alpha. “They must start with relationship, and the most important encounter God in a profound relationship is our relationship with God.” and personal way,” Deacon Steve says.

Between eight and 10 guests “The number one reason Deacon Steve says. people give for leaving our faith Alpha was created in England are hosted by two Alpha facilitators at each table. Facilitacommunities is, ‘I wanted to ex- in the 1980s for those searchtors, who receive training, are perience God and I didn’t find ing for a spiritual connection selected for their natural gift of him in the Catholic Church,’” with God, and is now offered

Deacon Steve and the POWER OF ALPHA

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hospitality.

“Our approach is like hosting a dinner at your home,” says Deacon Steve. “You get guests talking and facilitate a conversation. You don’t have to have all the answers. It’s a little unique that way.

“Once people finish the program, there is a hunger for more, an eagerness to go deeper. Encountering Christ brings transformation and reengagement.”

Some join Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), while others get active in service. Scripture is also of great interest for people after they finish Alpha.

“When people experience the Holy Spirit, they get hungry for Scripture,” says Deacon Steve.

“I’m a cradle Catholic, and I had a typical Catholic experience growing up. I never knew God in a really personal way. I was always afraid of God,” says Deacon Steve. “Many cradle Catholics have been given information about Jesus. Alpha introduces people to the Good Shepherd, which is possible because he is alive, raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. Alpha introduces people to Jesus, not the idea, but Jesus, himself.

“It’s exciting for me when grace is met by faith, that moment when a person’s faith comes alive,” he says. “Where people are born again is where they tend to hang out for a while. If we can bring them to spiritual rebirth and renewal in our Catholic communities, they will stay with us and become full, active, conscious participants.”

More information on Alpha can be found at www.alphausa/catholic.

By Mary Kay McPartlin

yourstories

Profile of an

EVANGELIST A busy teen on THE PATH WITH JESUS

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hannon Wohlfert’s senior year at Pewamo-Westphalia High School is busy with the usual activities – volleyball, marching band, National Honor Society.

It’s a typical teenager’s life, with one notable exception.

Shannon also defines herself a disciple of Jesus Christ. Every few weeks, she and her

discipleship group meet to pray, share, study and encourage each other in their walks with Jesus. It’s not organized by their parish, St. Mary’s in Westphalia. Nor is it a required part of high school religious education.

“It’s just something we do to help one another to really stay on that path with Jesus,” Shannon says.

“Our group is called Emmaus, based on the story of the disciples walking with Jesus on the road to Emmaus. We focus on our

Read more of Shannon’s story at www.FAITHpub.com

Contact your walk with him. parish for We get together information on to talk about all faith-sharing groups the things that in your parish are thrown at you community in high school – drinking, the sexual culture, even how to shop and dress modestly – and the group helps to keep you on track and avoid those things that could cause you to stumble.”

By Marybeth Hicks | Photography by Tom Gennara

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ACHAEL

LAWRENCE

WANTED

ICE CREAM. She had eaten dinner.

Combed her hair. Washed her face.

She was anxious for dessert, flashing a contagious smile at her mother, Janet, and sisters, Anne, Cecilia and Mary. They couldn’t resist the 9-year-old on this warm summer evening.

Truth is, they can almost never say no to Rachael because her requests come from a place of innocent joy. Born with Down syndrome, Rachael doesn’t know anger or hostility. She may grow frustrated from time to time, but she is an exuberant child, offering love to anyone she comes into contact with – family, friends, even strangers.

“When my kids come home from college, they don’t want to see me, they want to see Rachael,” Janet remarks. “She has this tremendous gift to bring love into your life.

By Michael Spath | Photography by Jim Luning

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HERE IS A GENUINE ACCEPTANCE she has of anybody. They could be grumpy or crabby and withdrawn, and that doesn’t faze her. She just greets people with a smile. It can be random people, at a grocery store, and she’ll lean in and give you a hug.

“She touches people.”

Most profoundly, she touches the Lawrences, who are parishioners at St. Patrick in Brighton, where Dave is a deacon.

Janet was 47 and her husband, Dave, 51 when Rachael was born in July 2005. They already had seven children, but as Dave studied to become a deacon, the two of them heard God’s call to welcome an eighth 22

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child into their brood.

However, complications arose.

Janet started hemorrhaging eight weeks before her due date, collapsing at the family’s Mattawan, Mich., home as blood pooled around her, creating a scene out of a horror movie. Janet’s sister, also pregnant, just so happened to be dropping her kids off at that time and found Janet. Dave, meanwhile, had taken some of

their children to Mass to lessen the burden on Janet.

“Praying on the way to the hospital, I didn’t even get through a Hail Mary; I thought I was losing the baby, but twice during the ambulance ride Rachael kicked me to let me know she was OK in there,” Janet says. “The doctor told me later on that had it been another five minutes, he would have lost us both.”

Dave had arrived at the hospital by then and was the first to talk to the doctor. He had the type of news to share that is often preceded by, “You better sit down for this.” Rachael had Down syndrome. While two of the other Lawrence children

Watch more of Rachael’s story on

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here was a real strong power that flowed through my heart and the Lord said, ‘I promise you that you will see my glory in Rachael’s life. And the second thing is, I’m not going to heal Rachael because she is not the one who is handicapped. The person who is handicapped is you because you’re judging her.’”

have autism, they are both high functioning. Rachael’s condition would have far greater consequences for the family.

“Here we are later in our lives, and this idea that this child will be a burden on the family, and what will happen when we die – who will take care of her?” Janet admits. “You’ll be saddled with this responsibility your entire life, and just those thoughts were totally unexpected because we’re a strong Catholic family.

“They were shocking. ‘Where is this coming from?’ It was a real attack of faith and doubt in God’s providence.”

Anne, 15, offered comfort to her parents.

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“Our mom and dad gathered us into the living room, and it was clear they were very upset, but when they told the rest of us, we were like, ‘OK, whatever. We’re still going to love her,’” Anne explains. “Maybe we didn’t understand the gravity of it, but it didn’t matter to us that she had Down syndrome. She was our sister.”

Dave’s faith was, perhaps, most severely tested. Some days, going through the motions of his daily prayer time with God, Dave prepared to barter with the Lord to heal his daughter.

“I remember putting my hand over Rachael in her neonatal intensive care unit crib and I pleaded with God to heal her.

I felt this real oppressive spiritual attack from the devil, ‘You trusted God and look what he gave you. He gave you damaged goods,’” Dave shares. “’You’ll never accomplish what you wanted to accomplish. You’ll never be free. You’ll be stuck.’

“Here I am training to be a deacon so I’m putting on this happy face, and yet inside I was so angry. It was really hard to fight those feelings,” he says.

“It was probably six or seven weeks after Rachael was born and I was sitting quietly in prayer. I wasn’t hit by lightning, but there was a real strong power that flowed through my heart and the Lord said, ‘I promise you

that you will see my glory in Rachael’s life. And the second thing is, I’m not going to heal Rachael because she is not the one who is handicapped. The person who is handicapped is you because you’re judging her.’ And then the floodgates opened.

“It was amazing. God was spot on. I was the one who needed healing. And with that acceptance, I was free to really embrace and love Rachael with all my heart,” Dave says.

Every day, his love for Rachael has grown. And every day, Rachael returns that love in kind to her parents, her brothers and sisters, and those with whom she comes into contact.

“There are moments when I am looking at Rachael and I see Jesus,” says Anne. “I just feel like God is looking at me through her.”

One by one, the Lawrence siblings believe Rachael has been a catalyst to live a better life, one more devoted to their faith and to God. Members of this large Dexter family are reminded, every time Rachael pours into them with a hug and a smile, just how blessed they are.

“Rachael is probably a lot closer to what heaven is like because she just freely gives love with no conditions,” Mary says. “It’s like that is why God made her – for the rest of us to see what it means to love like he does.”

Your parish community cares: When you are facing unexpected struggles, contact your parish for pastoral care and support.

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Reuters

A sign explaining the symptoms of Ebola stands inside a hall for arriving passengers at the international airport in Guatemala City.

Special Report: EBOLA OUTBREAK

R

ecent months have seen the outbreak of Ebola in several West African countries. Particularly hard hit have been Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. A Sept. 23, 2014, Fox News report cited the World Health Organization (WHO), which stated that the death rate among the infected in each of these countries is around 70 percent. The WHO reported on Oct. 17, 2014, that Liberia had the most reported cases at just more than 4,600.

Reuters

Alarm about the spread of the disease continues to grow around the world. The recent cases of a doctor in New York City contracting the virus after treating Ebola patients in Guinea, a Liberian man in Texas dying from the disease and the infection of health care workers has only heightened concern, as fear of a pos-

sible U.S. outbreak mounts.

What is Ebola?

Ebola, which was once known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, is a rare, infectious, deadly disease that affects primarily humans and non-human primates, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

(CDC). The disease is marked by fever and severe internal bleeding and is spread through contact with infected body fluids.

The African Ebola virus (five different strains have been identified) was first discovered in 1976 near the Ebola River in the now Democratic Republic of the Congo. The CDC reports that previous outbreaks of the

POPE FRANCIS ON THE OUTBREAK Pope Francis has added his voice to those calling for international efforts to respond to the outbreak and has urged the faithful to pray for those suffering from the ravages of Ebola. During a recent ad limina visit with

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disease have occurred in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, South Sudan, Ivory Coast, Uganda, the Republic of the Congo and South Africa.

How is Ebola spread?

The CDC explains that Ebola is spread through direct

bishops from Ghana, Pope Francis expressed, “I pray for the repose of the souls of all who have died in this epidemic, among whom are priests, men and women religious and healthcare workers who contracted this terrible disease while caring for those suffering. May God strengthen all health care workers there and bring an end to this tragedy!”

By Doug Culp

EBOLA

BY THE NUMBERS

12 18 TO

Predicted number of months the outbreak will last, according to U.S. scientists

12,750 Number of health workers called in by the World Health Organization to stem the outbreak

contact, through broken skin or mucous membranes, with the blood or body fluids of an infected person, with objects (needles, syringes, etc.) contaminated with the virus or with infected animals. The virus is not spread through the air or by water, or, in general, food – though, in Africa, handling wild animals hunted for food can result in infection if the animal had contact with infected bats.

The U.S. response The CDC has deployed several teams of public health experts to the affected West African region. Partnering with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the CDC’s Division of Global Migration and Quarantine also has established traveler protocols to help protect against further spread of the disease.

In addition, President Barack Obama has already sent 3,000 military personnel to West Africa to assist in medi-

4,555 9,216 Estimated Ebola deaths as of 10/17/2014

Reported Ebola cases as of 10/17/2014 Sources: World Health Organization Ebola Response Update, 10/17/14; World Post cited in 9/16/2014 Huffington Post; by Nick Robins-Early

cal training, distribution of aid and the building of health care facilities. According to the Huffington Post, the U.S. has plans to distribute 400,000 home protective kits to the four most affected African nations, and will set up 1,700 beds in Liberia to treat Ebola patients.

The Church’s response On Sept. 23, 2014, Des Moines Bishop Richard E. Pates, chair of the Committee on International Justice and Peace for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), was joined by Dr. Carolyn Y. Woo, president of Catholic Relief Services, in sending a letter to Ambassador Susan Rice, national security advisor to President Obama. In the letter, they urged the U.S. to urge donor nations “to increase their commitment to send disaster response teams and resources,” to make a long-term commitment to deal with the lack of capacity and resilience in the health systems of the affected

countries, to collaborate with the Catholic Church to help battle the disease, and to prepare for the humanitarian and long-term impacts of the outbreak.

Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the official overseas relief and development agency of the USCCB, has committed more than $1.5 million in private funds to continue its emergency response to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.

According to its website, CRS is currently partnering with the local Catholic Church, religious leaders and the Ministries of Health in all three countries on public awareness campaigns aimed at teaching the population about Ebola, its spread and prevention.

CRS staffers and partners are using the airwaves to disseminate critical messages about the virus, are training health volunteers to go door-to-door, especially in rural communities, and are distributing posters, fliers and fact sheets with educational information.

SYMPTOMS OF EBOLA • Fever (greater than 38.6°C or 101.5°F) • Severe headache • Muscle pain • Weakness • Diarrhea • Vomiting •A bdominal (stomach) pain • Unexplained hemorrhage (bleeding or bruising) Symptoms may appear anywhere from 2 to 21 days after exposure to Ebola, but the average is 8 to 10 days.

Recovery from Ebola depends on the patient’s immune response. People who recover from Ebola infection develop antibodies that last for at least 10 years.

– Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

HOW TO PROTECT AGAINST EBOLA Other than the obvious answer of avoiding areas affected by the 2014 outbreak and avoiding contact with blood and body fluids of infected people and animals, the CDC states that people can protect themselves from infection by frequently washing hands (chlorine apparently kills the virus on contact) or by using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

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yourcommunity things to do: Dec. 5, 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m., ladies of St. Thomas the Apostle, Ann Arbor will have Advent by Candlelight in the parish hall. To reserve a table, contact Rose Ann McGarty at 734.994.9080 or ramcgarty@aol.com.

Dec. 6-7, Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Lansing’s Rosary Makers Christmas candy/cookie and faith-building gifts sale in the parish school hallway. Lots of beautiful gift ideas to share with friends and family. Please come and help support this mission apostolate.

Dec. 6, after 8:15 a.m. and 5 p.m. Masses and Dec. 7, after 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Masses, Church of the Resurrection in Lansing will have a St. Nicholas Bake Sale. All baked goods are homemade. Coffee will be available while you shop. Questions, contact Judy Edwards at 517.449.1736 or gorretti76@ gmail.com.

Marriage Matters Jackson

Register online or call, marriagemattersjackson.com or 517.796.5116 Jan. 16, 7 p.m. to Jan. 17, 4 p.m., “The Second Half Weekend Workshop” at Chelsea Comfort Inn and Suites in Chelsea. If you are in or near the empty nest or if you nest has refilled, this seminar is for you. The second half of your marriage can be a time of incredible fulfillment no matter what the challenges are. Cost: weekend ticket, $150; workshop only $99, includes workshop and meals on Saturday, no lodging.

Jan. 27, noon to 1 p.m., “Tackling Debt” at Carnegie Library Auditorium in Jackson.

Whether you come alone or as a couple, you’ll learn ideas to help your relationship. Pack your lunch – and we will provide dessert. Cost for couple $10; individual $5. just-married, to family-busy, to empty nesters and been-married-forever couples. Child care provided. For information or to register, call Sandi Phillips at 810.229.8624.

Jan. 23-25, Spanish Retrouvaille of Lansing weekend retreat at St. Francis Retreat Center in DeWitt is for troubled marriages or couples who wish to establish better commu-

Dec. 6-7, St. Paul in Owosso with have its annual cookie sale. Proceeds will help the parish purchase candles, Communion host and altar linen care. For information, call the parish at 989.725.5215.

Dec. 12, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. and Dec. 13, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m., David Haas and Lori True are coming to St. Joseph Parish in Dexter a Friday night concert and a Saturday retreat Tickets are $15 for either the concert or retreat or $25 for both. Lunch is included in the retreat day fee. Tickets go on sale beginning the weekend of Nov.15 after all Masses through Dec. 7. Tickets also are available in the church office beginning Nov. 17. For information, contact Marinell High at marinell_high@stjos.com or Kelly Rizzo-McClain at Kelly_rizzo-mcclain@stjos.com or call 734.426.8483.

Dec. 31, Celebrate the New Year with “A Knight to Remember” at St. Agnes in Fowlerville: 6 p.m.-7 p.m., happy hour, 7 p.m.-8 p.m., dinner, 8 p.m.-midnight, Seacruisers band – cost $25 per person, includes party favors, door prizes, snacks, dinner, champagne toast and fun; cash bar available.

For ticket information, contact the parish at 517.223.8684.

Fridays, beginning in January at 6:30 p.m., St. Mary Magdalen Parish in Brighton will host “The Marriage Course - 8 Great Dates” for couples. Candlelit, catered dinners at tables for two and an excellent video format designed to enhance your marriage relationship. For

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December café events Korean Bible study for native Korean speaking men meets Thursdays at 7 p.m. in the Teacher’s Lounge at St. Francis of Assisi School in Ann Arbor. For questions or if interested in participating, contact Moon Seok Choe at mooneychoe@yahoo.com or 248.763.8982.

St. Thomas Aquinas, East Lansing, invites you to join an ongoing Bible Study “Life Eternal” on Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-11:45 a.m., in the Fireplace Room. For more information, contact Carol Ann at wwilca@aol.com or Al in the Catholic Formation Offices at 517.351.5460.

Dec. 12-13, St. Joseph Parish, 3430 Dover St. in Dexter will have a concert and retreat for Advent with composer David Haas and Lori True. For information, contact the parish office at 734.426.8483.

FAITH Magazine • December 2014 • www.FAITHpub.com

nication. For information or to register, contact Melvin and Silvia Morales at 517.402.1624 or go to www.retrouvaille.org.

Jan. 24, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., sixth annual Parish Common Conference for Adults, Teens and Children at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Ann Arbor – workshop session “Praying with Body, Mind and Spirit: Listening to God.” Come and experience a way to pray that deepens your focus through every day movements, music, Scripture, guided meditation and your whole self. For information, contact Janene Ternes at 734.429.7754 or PrayerInMotionJT@aol.com.

Feb. 7, St. Patrick Church in Brighton will host the fifth annual Marriage Enrichment Conference, “Marriage ... Faith and Finances.” Randy and Therese Cirner and Thomas Zordani will be the featured speakers. Cost is $65/couple including breakfast and lunch. To register and for more information, visit www.idoforlife.org.

Feb.7, Christ the King Church, Ann Arbor will have a Holy Spirit Seminar, which will include a series of talks about the Holy Spirit.

Registration begins at 8:15 a.m. in the church.

The seminar starts with Mass at 9 a.m. and continues in the parish center from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The cost is $15, which includes continental breakfast, lunch and materials.

Scholarships are available. To register early or for information, call 734.741.1224 or dag. spare@gmail.com.

Feb. 27, 4 p.m.-9 p.m. and Feb. 28, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., “Treasures of Our Faith” a weekend of healing and hope with Immaculée Ilibagiza at Most Holy Trinity Church, 545 N. Maples St. in Fowler. Cost: $57. To register and for a retreat schedule, go to immaculee.biz/ Treasures-of-Faith-with-Immaculee-Fowler.html.

Looking to meet new people? Lansing Catholic Singles, age 30s-60s, brings together friends for fellowship and fun in a faith-filled environment. For more information and a complete calendar of upcoming events, visit lansingcatholicsingles.com or 517.321.7886.

Catholic Charities Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County, 734.971.9781 or csswashtenaw.org • Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County offers foster care for children who have been separated from their birth families for reasons of abuse and/or neglect. CSSW licenses foster families to provide a safe, loving temporary home until the child is able to be reunited with their birth family. An information session on becoming a foster parent is Dec. 11, 5:30 p.m., at 4925 Packard Rd. in Ann Arbor. Questions or to RSVP, please call 734.971.9781, ext. 448.There are no fees associated with becoming a licensed foster parent.

• Dec. 5-6 and Jan 16.-17, two We C.A.R.E. marriage preparation classes will be held. For information or to register, call 734.971.9781 ext. 421 or csswashtenaw.org.

Catholic Charities of Shiawassee and Genesee Counties, 810.232.9950, 989.723.8239 or ccsgc.org • You can give the Gift of Hope this Christmas. Donate new toys, towels, socks and toiletries, as well as nonperishable food for Christmas Day at Catholic Charities Soup Kitchens. Monetary gifts also are welcome, to make a donation visit our website.

• Join us for the fourth annual “NBC 25 Days of Giving” benefiting Catholic Charities’ Community Closet, Warming Center and three Soup Kitchens. For donation drop-off locations, visit us at ccsgc.org or on Facebook Catholic Charities Flint and Owosso.

2015 Pilgrimage Father Andrew Czajkowski, pastor of St. John the Evangelist, Davison, will lead a pilgrimage to the Holy Land March 4-12, with optional four-night discover Jordan post-tour extension.

Includes roundtrip air, hotel, bus, guide, nine days and 15 meals.

For information, contact St. John Parish at 810.653.2377.

Brochures available at www.stjohndavison.org.

Father Gordon Reigle and Suzanne Krisak invite you to join them on a six-day pilgrimage, April 6-11, to the Croatian village of Medjugorje where Our Lady allegedly has appeared since June 1981. Based on double occupancy, the all-inclusive price is $2,459. For details, contact Suzanne Krisak at 248.931.0194 or skrisak@peoplepc.com, or view the flier at www.pilgrimage.com/krisak.

Father James McDougall, Diocese of Lansing, will lead a 12day tour/pilgrimage to Ireland June 7-18 to explore the culture and history, as well as Irish Catholicism. Tour highlights: 10 nights hotel, all accommodations with private bath. For information, contact group travel leader Tammy Scheuer at tscheuer@travelleaders.com or 517.285.2963.

St. Vincent Catholic Charities, stvcc.org or 517.323.4734 • Dec. 5, 6 a.m.-10 a.m.: St. Vincent Catholic Charities hosts its annual Community Appreciation Open House at 2828 W. Willow St. in Lansing. Free to the public. 99.1 WFMK’s Danny Stewart and Monica Harris will be broadcasting live at the event. Please come and enjoy a hot breakfast and see displays highlighting how your support has helped transform the lives of those we serve. For information, contact Rhonda Abood at 517.323.4734, ext. 1205 or aboodr@stvcc.org.

• St. Vincent Catholic Charities’ Holiday Giving Drive continues until Dec. 12. It is not too late to be an angel to children in need this Christmas Season. Join our Holiday Giving Drive. You can help adopt a teen, family or select an Angel Gift Tag from one of our Angel Trees found at local malls and retail shops. For more information about how you can get involved, contact Dr. Thomas Woods at 517.323.4734, ext. 1203 or woodst@stvcc.org.

POST AND SEARCH CATHOLIC EVENTS IN YOUR AREA. FREE. QUICK. SIMPLE.

Livingston County Catholic Charities, livingstoncatholiccharities.org or 517.545.5944 Free hot meals are available in Livingston County: • Sunday, 5:30 p.m.: The Fish & Loaves community meal is provided by rotating churches in the Brighton area. For information or each week’s location, call 734.718.6009 or 810.229.4377.

• Monday, 6 p.m.: Magdalen’s Kitchen at St. Mary Magdalen Parish, 2201 Old US 23, Brighton. For more information, call 810.229.8624.

• Wednesday, 6 p.m.: God’s Kitchen at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 425 E. Washington St., Howell. For more information, call 517.546.0090.

• Thursday, 6 p.m.: St. Agnes Catholic Church, 855 E. Grand River Ave., Fowlerville. For more information, call 517.223.8684.

• Saturday, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.: Bountiful Harvest, 803 W. Main St. in Brighton, serves a free breakfast.

Catholic Charities of Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale Counties, catholiccharitiesjlhc.org or 517.782.2551 • Volunteer opportunities are available Fridays to organize donations and stock shelves for the Personal Needs and Linen Closet. For information and to volunteer, contact Kyle Anne Jansen at 517.262.0466 or kjansen.ccjlhc@gmail.com.

St. Mary School celebrates 125th anniversary St. Mary Star of the Sea School in Jackson celebrated a major milestone in October – its 125th anniversary – as a continuously operated Catholic School using its original campus and school building. The school’s cornerstone was laid in 1889, and it opened that October as a secondary school staffed primarily by the Sisters of Charity from Cincinnati. Currently, St. Mary is a pre-K through grade 6 elementary school.

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St. Thomas More Academy celebrates 25th anniversary St. Thomas More Academy commemorated its 25th anniversary on Oct. 10 with Mass celebrated by Bishop Earl Boyea, followed by a presentation and light lunch.

St. Thomas More Academy, located in Burton, is a Catholic school for grades K-12. Founded on love for the Church and its teachings, the academy helps students to incorporate faith into their studies and daily lives. Its students consistently place above state and national averages on the ACT test with 90 percent of its graduates attending college.

For information about the school, visit stma-mi.org/joomla/.

Catholic Lawyers Guild celebrates 29th Red Mass Bishop Earl Boyea celebrated the Catholic Lawyers Guild of the Diocese of Lansing’s Red Mass at St. Mary Cathedral in Lansing. Those in attendance recited the Lawyer’s Oath of Commitment and promised to support the constitutions of the United States and Michigan.

The Red Mass dinner followed in St. Mary Cathedral’s parish hall. Maura Corrigan, Michigan Department of Human Services director and a former Michigan Supreme Court chief justice, introduced the 2014 St. Thomas More Award recipient, Lisa Gigliotti. Gigliotti is a division director and administrative law judge for the Michigan Administrative Hearing System and author of the Coraggio book series.

Most Holy Trinity featured on This is Life with Lisa Ling on CNN Most Holy Trinity Parish in Fowler will be featured on “This is Life with Lisa Ling” on CNN, which followed several priests from Fowler to capture their lives and duties, and also will include Craig Pohl, the diocesan director of the New Evangelization, and his family.

Since 1818, 22 priests and several religious sisters have come from Most Holy Trinity Parish; currently, seven active priests and a seminarian for the Diocese of Lansing are from this parish.

The episode will air on Nov. 16 at 10 p.m. on CNN and will include interviews with Father Eric Weber, Father Mathias Thelen, Father Todd Koenigsknecht and Father Gary Koenigsknecht.

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FAITH Magazine • December 2014 • www.FAITHpub.com

Servants of God’s Love Profession of Vows Mass Sister Rachel Benjamin and Sister Sarah Marie Draper made their Final Profession of Vows on Sept. 14 at the 11:30 a.m. Mass celebrated by Bishop Earl Boyea at Christ the King Catholic Church in Ann Arbor. A reception followed in the parish center. Nearly 1,000 people attended the celebration.

To read the vocation stories of Sister Rachel and Sister Sarah Marie, visit www.servantsofgodslove.net.

Right to Life of Michigan hosted its 41st annual statewide conference at the Radisson Hotel in Lansing. The conference included two general sessions, workshops and 125 local Right to Life affiliates. Ryan Bomberger, chief creative officer of the Radiance Foundation, was the keynote speaker and spoke on the “Social Injustice of Abortion.”

Pamela Sherstad, director of public information and education, Right to Life of Michigan, showed a film in her workshop titled, “How Words Shape the Abortion Debate.”

To volunteer or for more information about Right Life of Michigan, go to www.rtl.org/.

ValLimar Jansen

D. Quillan

Local artists recently displayed their works at St. Francis Retreat Center in DeWitt. Reverend Timothy Chon, director for the Ecumenical Center for Arts and Spirituality, exhibited his chalk on paper drawing, The Creation.

Cindy Evans, a parishioner at St. Martha Parish in Okemos, exhibited her painting, The Protector.

Sharan Egan, from St. Gerard Parish in Lansing, works with textiles and woven structure, and paints her own fabrics. Egan’s painting, Topsy Turvy, is made on soft white textile.

For more information about the art exhibit, go to www.spe-stfrancis.org.

D. Quillan

Michigan Right to Life conference

D. Quillan

St. Francis Retreat Center’s art exhibit

Dr. Mary Healy

2014 Women’s Conference a huge success On Saturday, Oct. 25, more than 825 women attended the Jesus is Calling conference in Lansing. They spent the day growing in their knowledge and love of Scripture with speakers Dr. Mary Healy, ValLimar Jansen and Matthew Leonard. Erin Looby-Carlson and Melanie Rea were back again along with Bishop Earl Boyea, who celebrated Mass with the attendees.

This year, through a number of benefactors, the women were delighted to discover a Bible in their goody bag!

Talks focused on the importance of Scripture in our lives – speakers included Dr. Mary Healy, who was recently named to the Pontifical Biblical Commission by Pope Francis.

ValLimar Jansen performed musical and dramatic retellings of several Scripture stories.

Save the date for the next Women’s Conference, Oct. 24, 2015.

Answers for page 30

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LEARN AND SHARE THE FAITH St. Peter Canisius Feast Day: December 21

ACROSS 5 O .T. prophet whose name means “God will strengthen” 6 D escribes texts that are not included in the New Testament canon 8 Dragon-slaying saint 9 Central governing body of the entire Roman Catholic Church 14 “Nothing stands in the way” 16 H oly water bucket 18 Prayerful expression of an attitude of gratitude 19 P odium on the “Gospel side” of the Church 20 Fourth-century Church doctor known for his catechetical lectures

DOWN

2 T his letter from Paul is first in order and longest in length 3 This “High Society” gal was a princess, actress and Catholic 4 Young saint “uncovered” in catacombs and revealed to be a martyr 7 From the Latin “ground to pieces”; an act of turning from sin 10 Favored by Charlemagne and place where German kings were crowned 11 Vatican II’s Decree on the Media of Social Communications 12 “That They May Be One” by John Paul II 13 Michael battles the devil, who is described as this in Revelation 15 Her name means “light,” though her saintly story is shrouded in darkness 17 The “actual thing that is done” in terms of moral theology

1 Catholic crooner who dreamt of a “White Christmas”

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

1993 – 2013

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FAITH Magazine • December 2014 • www.FAITHpub.com

See answers on page 29

FIND A CATHOLIC CHURCH ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD

St. Peter Canisius (1521–1597) was a Jesuit priest (and doctor of the Church) who lived in the turbulent times of the Protestant Reformation.

He was a critical figure in the restoration of the Catholic Church in Germany after the Reformation and he helped explain the faith in his preaching and writings in Austria, Bohemia, Moravia and Switzerland.

In Germany, he composed a catechism that defined the basic principles of the Catholic faith in the vernacular, thereby making them more accessible to readers in all the German-speaking countries. In addition, he served as one of the main Catholic theologians at the Colloquy of Worms in 1557 and as the main preacher in the Cathedral of Augsburg from 1559 to 1568. It is reported that his preaching convinced hundreds of Protestants to return to Catholicism. He continued to preach and write until his death at age 70.

Through all the trials of the Reformation, St. Peter passionately, patiently and persistently worked to clarify the teachings of the Church as the new Protestant doctrines were being promulgated. He stayed true to his firm belief that the honest explanation of the faith was much more effective in combating the effects of the Reformation than mounting polemical attacks against reformers.

Of course, in order to explain the faith, we must first learn and be formed by the faith. We must then be willing to share the faith with all people with the confidence that the word of God alone is effective and capable of transforming all hearts of stone.

PRESENCE, not presents, this Christmas

At the same time Christmas is all about giving, giving not only material things, but

T. Gennara

T

hou shalt not covet. Covet?

What’s coveting? Covet isn’t a word we use anymore in our ordinary conversations, so what does it mean? Think of lust or lusting. We know what that means. And we know what being acquisitive means and what “commercial Christmas” is all about. It’s all about getting what we want.

nothing in return. It has no limits. The pergiving our love and letting people know fect example of self-giving is Jesus Christ. that we care and cherish them. After all, God our Father gave us his presthe word “present” means that we are ence in his gift to us, his only son, Jesus personally present to the ones to whom Christ. The very presence of God comes we give our gifts. And since that is so, just to us in our own humanity. His Son took how present are we to them, really and on our humanity by becomgenuinely present to them? ing human, one just like us in Do we give them presents all things but sin. In receiving just to discharge a “duty” we him in his humanity, in holy feel we owe them? Do we Communion, Christ takes feel we have to meet some us back home to our Father sort of obligation we think we in heaven. It is through him, owe them? If so, the present last word with him and in him that our isn’t a gift from our heart, prodigal Father brings us it’s a discharge of a debt, Father Charles Irvin is the back home. a repayment of some sort. founding editor Could you receive any When you stop and think of FAITH Magazine and is greater gift? And what will about it, we are coveting retired. you give to God? Only you their respect. have the answer to that That isn’t what Christmas question, so you might want to think is all about. about what you are going to give God Love isn’t a contract; it’s a gift – a this Christmas. gift without any expectation of receiving How about giving him more of your anything back in return. Selfless giving is presence?

Godlike. Selfless giving seeks or covets

From the pope: “I have seen and I have heard – with joy and appreciation – speeches and interventions full of faith, of pastoral and doctrinal zeal, of wisdom, of frankness and of courage.”

pope watch What POPE FRANCIS has been saying and doing recently

– Pope Francis in his speech at the

Above: Pope Francis celebrates Mass to mark the opening of the Synod on the Family in St. Peter’s Square.

conclusion of the Synod on the Family on Oct. 18, 2014.

Did you know? The Synod of Bishops was established by Pope Paul VI in 1965 after the Second Vatican Council to continue the spirit of collegiality and communion present at the Council.

Left: Pope Francis gives a blessing during a special audience with Paralympic athletes in Paul VI Hall at the Vatican.

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Presider: Let us pray for all who are living the vocation of marriage, and also for those participating in the Synod on the Family, and all who will be gathering in Philadelphia for the World Meeting of Families.

PRAYER FOR THE YEAR FOR MARRIAGE Heavenly Father, your Son, Jesus, once part of a family, is a blessing for husbands and wives, for fathers and mothers and their children. Help our moms and dads to be faithful to each other and open to new life, your gift to them. Guide them to raise their children to be good citizens of both heaven and earth. Pour your Holy Spirit upon married couples to strengthen their bond, upon all families that they may face the challenges of our times with strength that comes from the Gospel, and upon our homes that they may be places of love and joy and thus a source of blessing for our Church and our society. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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