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WWW.CDOM.ORG H O L I DAY I S S U E 2 0 2 1
A Child is Born
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The Magazine of the Catholic Diocese of Memphis Bishop David P. Talley PUBLISHER
Rick Ouellette COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
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Amy Hall EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Silvia Vega MANAGING EDITOR AND TRANSLATION, HISPANIC CULTURE
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All Around You, LLC MANAGING EDITOR AND ADVERTISING/CIRCULATION MANAGER
Karen Pulfer Focht PHOTO EDITOR
Beth Simkanin
LIVE YOUR
STAFF WRITER
HOLIDAY ISSUE 2021 VOLUME 8: ISSUE 1
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Janna Stellwag GRAPHIC DESIGNER FAITH West Tennessee (ISSN #23299878) (USPS No. 096070) is published monthly 10 times per year except for February and August by the nonprofit organization, FAITH Catholic. FAITH West Tennessee is the diocesan publication of the Catholic Diocese of Memphis in Tennessee, serving more than 70,000 Catholics in West Tennessee. Periodical Postage paid at Memphis TN 38101 and other offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to FAITH West Tennessee, P.O. Box 341669, Memphis, TN 38184-1669. Serviced by Catholic News Service – Faith West Tennessee – March 15, 2012
4 Christmas Card contest 10 New Ears and New Eyes
during Advent and Christmas
11 The Bread of Life 12 Feature Story
For It’s in Giving, We Receive
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The sweet harmony of the Benedictines of Mary
FAITH West Tennessee magazine helps you live your faith in everyday life. iStock /jorge gonzalez
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KEEP IN TOUCH
Catholic Diocese of Memphis 3
Each year, Bishop David P. Talley and Bishop Emeritus J. Terry Steib individually send out Christmas cards. After the 2020 Christmas Cards were ordered, they decided “next year, we should send a joint card.” Where better to find the perfect Christmas Card than within the Art classes of the Catholic Schools across our Diocese of Memphis. Earlier this year, Margaret Scott and Kari Olesen, who manage the offices of Bishop Talley and Bishop Emeritus Steib, respectively, began a 2021 Bishops’ Christmas Card Art Contest across our Catholic Schools. THE PROCESS Each of the participating Schools in our Diocese held their own Christmas Art Contest. They were each allowed to send in five entries to be considered for the cover of the Christmas Card that the Bishops would send out for 2021. Students were asked to submit Nativity themed creations. All of the artwork that was submitted was beautiful and it was so hard to decide on the winning art. The Chancery staff participated by narrowing down the many selections to a “Top 11” (top 10 was just too hard!) for the Bishops to consider. In the end, the artwork of Kayleigh Villem, now a 12th grader at St. Benedict of Auburndale High School, was named the winner.
THE SU RPRISE This past Spring, just before school let out for the summer, Bishop Talley and Bishop Emeritus Steib joined Kayleigh’s family as well as Principal Morris, Fr. Dexter and a few people from the Chancery to surprise Kayleigh during her school day at SBA. Congratulations to Kayleigh!
Photos by Gragg Higginbotham
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Congratulations to our Top 10!
Brittney Nguyen
Lily Hogan
Cyrus Rector
Jazelyn Villareal
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Maddie Cochran
Caroline Dorian
William Hall
Mia Diaz
Sarah Light 9
COLUMN
New Ears and New Eyes
Whatever Is True, Good, and Beautiful
D
uring the Advent and Christmas seasons, the Mass readings do not include any passage from Matthew 13. Yet, in that chapter, Jesus provides us an incredibly important lesson, one that is very appropriate for these holy seasons. In the middle of that chapter, Our Blessed Lord tells us why He teaches in parables. He says the people He has come to save are void of spiritual sight and hearing, because “this people’s heart has grown dull, and their ears are heavy of hearing, and their eyes they have closed…” (Mt. 13:13-15). BY DEREK ROTTY
Derek Rotty is a husband, father, historian, theologian. He currently serves as Director of Evangelization & Discipleship at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Jackson, TN. Follow his other writings & videos at www. derekrotty.com.
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When we hear this passage, it is easy for every one of us to immediately begin searching for “those people” who are blind and deaf to God’s revelation. Each one of us has a tendency to think, “I got it right and everyone else got it wrong.” Yet, after a brief moment of pondering, God reveals something deeper. Instead of looking for “those people,” each one of us should be examining our own individual souls. Each of us must take stock of the ways that I have been blind and deaf to God’s ways; to the ways that He wants me to grow and bring His life to the world. Yes, there very well may be other people in our lives who cannot and do not hear and see God’s message. Still, more importantly, God wants each of us individually to realize
the ways that we have erected and maintained obstacles to charity and happiness. That’s why, in the Sermon the Mount, that great catechesis on Christian morality, Jesus teaches us to remove the beams from our own eyes before trying to remove splinters from others’ eyes (cf. Mt 7:5). It is easy to focus on others’ small problems, but it is more difficult to let the Holy Spirit root out the large spiritual problems in our own hearts. Each of us must remember, first, that mine are the eyes that cannot see and the ears that cannot hear! Advent and Christmas ought to be about praying for that, daily! Please do not think of this as bad news. We believe that the grace of God, manifest in the Person of
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Jesus Christ, can overcome all defects. This is why Jesus says to the apostles, “Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.” If I listen to Jesus, especially in the Church and the Scriptures, and gaze upon Him, especially in the Eucharist, then my deafness will be broken open and my blindness will be chased away (to paraphrase St. Augustine from Confessions, Book X, Chapter 27). Focusing on this during the Advent and Christmas seasons will allow God to grant each of us new ears and eyes. With those new ears and eyes, we will be able to walk with others toward the fullness that God intends for them. At every time of the year, but especially during Advent and Christmas, we need to ask the Lord for new eyes and new ears. We need to ask for His truth, goodness, and beauty so that we are able to live and flourish as He intends, and so that we can share these wonderful realities with others.
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DURING ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS
COLUMN
The Bread of Life “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” – John 6:51 The other day while meditating on a Nativity scene, I noticed a few sprigs of wheat next to Jesus in the manger. Within an instant, I connect the edible wheat in the manger (feeding trough) with Jesus as the Eucharistic Bread of Life. I then remembered that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, which in Hebrew means “House of Bread.” Why Bethlehem? Nazareth was the hometown of Joseph and Mary and since Mary was in her ninth month, they must have already prepared for Jesus’ birth in Nazareth. But Caesar Augustus changed their plans when he called for a census. So, they embarked on the cold four-day journey to a crowded Bethlehem where Mary “gave birth to her first-born son, wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.” Lk 2:7 Even though those were not the accommodations Joseph and Mary had in mind, they trusted in God’s Providence. They trusted God could use circumstances that seem lowly in the eyes of the world to give us the greatest heavenly gift: The Incarnation of the Word made flesh. This Christmas, I want to prepare my heart to be a manger for baby Jesus. To prepare for His coming, I have asked Joseph and Mary to join me on my advent journey. I look to their example to teach me how to surrender to whatever comes my way so that I can accept God’s will! I want the faith, trust, and humility of Joseph and Mary to help me know that “All things work for good for those who love the Lord…” Rom 8:28 BY BRENDA KINDELAN
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Reflect: St. Cyril of Alexandria from the 5th century said the manger points us to the Eucharist since through sin, men become like animals, “Christ lies in the trough where animals feed, offering them, not hay, but his own body as life-giving bread.” Pray: Jesus, you laid in the wooden manger, sat at the Passover table, died on the cross, and rose from the dead. Now, you truly are “God with us”, as the Eucharistic Bread of Life. O come, O come, Emanuel. O come rest in our hearts.
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FEATURE STORY BY BETH SIMKANIN
FOR I T’ S IN G I V I NG,
Beth Simkanin is a freelance writer with 20 years of journalism and public relations experience. She is a parishioner at The Church of the Holy Spirit in Memphis.
We Receive
One Couple’s Faithful Blessings Benefit the Catholic Diocese of Memphis For it’s in giving, that we receive. This brief part of the Prayer of St. Francis means that we are called to give our time, talents and treasure as people of faith who believe in God, and in return we receive many blessings from Him.
Mark and Laurie Sutton say they have received many blessings from the Lord – a strong, 36-year marriage, six beautiful children, three grandchildren and a permanent place they now call home that’s close to extended family. Mark says it’s through living their Catholic faith that they receive these blessings, which motivated them to reflect and give a significant financial gift to the Catholic Diocese of Memphis – $2 million. This gift will help secure the future of the Catholic Church in West Tennessee for many years to come through its United in Faith campaign. “We do feel blessed, and we believe those blessings are to be shared,” said Laurie. “First John 3:16 through 18 says, ‘By this we know love, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or speech but in deed and in truth.’ Giving is one way we help build up God’s kingdom here on earth and honor Him with what he has given us.”
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Family life The Suttons, both originally from Louisiana, grew up in families where Christ was the center of family life. Mark, a cradle Catholic, spent most of his young life in Southern Louisiana and Laurie, a Protestant at the time, moved all over the country because her father served in the Air Force. When Mark and Laurie started dating in college while attending Louisiana State University, they faithfully attended Catholic church together. Christ was an essential focus of their relationship from the beginning. This pattern continued when the couple married. They attended both Mass and a Baptist church service together on Sundays. It wasn’t until Laurie was pregnant with their first child that she decided to attend Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults classes. The couple wanted to bring their children up in the Catholic Church. Mark says it was important for the family to have a common faith and a routine of worshipping together.
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The family moved all over the U.S. and abroad because of Mark’s job with International Paper – even living in France for five years. The couple says the rock that kept their family a tight, faithful unit was Mass. “No matter where we lived, we could always attend Mass together,” said Mark. “It gave my family a sense of normalcy that no matter where we moved in the world, the Mass was still the same.” While attending Mass was key to their family’s relationship with Christ, Laurie made sure to teach all of their six children scripture. Mark says that he learned more about God’s Word through the Old and New Testament because of Laurie’s influence. “Our Catholic faith comes alive in the scripture,” said Laurie. “My Baptist upbringing helped me learn scripture, but my Catholic faith catapulted it to a new level. I can’t read John, chapter six, without seeing the Mass.” The family moved to the Memphis area in 2005. They consider Collierville, a local suburb, their home and are blessed to have extended family close by in Louisiana. They are active in their parish, The Church of Incarnation in Collierville, faithfully giving of their time, talent and treasure.
A long-term investment When the Suttons heard about the Most Reverend David P. Talley’s long-term vision for the future of the Catholic Diocese of Memphis through the United in Faith campaign, they were intrigued. The United in Faith campaign is a landmark financial endeavor, with a goal to raise $22 million in four years, to address the short- and long-term needs of 47 local parish and mission communities and diocesan ministries and vocations. It’s a significant undertaking and sacrifice. What intrigued the Suttons the most is the campaign’s longterm approach. “It’s the most strategic plan we’ve seen to fund critical vocations and ministries in our Church,” said Mark. “Our diocese hasn’t set up anything like this before. The campaign is designed to set up endowments with long-term programs funded by the investment income. If we use our resources wisely, the United in Faith campaign will fund these crucial endowments and benefit the Catholic Church in West Tennessee for a long time. It made a lot of sense to us.” The United in Faith capital campaign provides much-needed funds to local parishes for capital and maintenance projects and ministry support. Additionally, the campaign target for each parish includes the 2022 Annual Catholic Appeal. Once the Appeal goal is achieved, 50 percent of the funds collected by the parish will return to the parish. Fifty percent of the additional funds from each parish will go to fund long-term endowments for seminarian and diaconate education, youth/college/young adult ministries and priest retirement. Mark believes if managed well, these endowments will fund these diocesan ministries and vocations forever. One particular ministry endowment that hits close to home for the Suttons is youth/college/young adult ministries. After raising six children over the past 33 years, they know how critical young people are to the future of the Catholic Church, especially in West Tennessee where only four percent of the population is Catholic. “We believe that the future of our Church is with young people,” said Mark. “With the right leadership and resources, young people can find their purpose and become dynamic about their faith. We want them to thrive in the Church and be excited about being there, and we think the United in Faith campaign will give the Church the resources to do that.”
WAYS TO GIVE TO UNITED IN FAITH CAPITAL CAMPAIGN: PLEDGE ONLINE: www.unitedinfaithcampaign.org PLEDGE THROUGH MAIL OR PARISH OFFERTORY: Send in pledge card from home parish. Checks must be made payable to “United in Faith.” PLEDGE VIA TEXT: Text “United” to 901-450-5606 to receive a link to a secure giving webpage.
For donations of stocks and securities and gifts such as property, life insurance, wills, estate bequests or charitable remainder trusts, please contact Jim Marconi, director of development, at 901373-1273 or Jim.Marconi@ cc.cdom.org.
The time is now Laurie emphasizes that life presents challenges to us all, but it’s through faith that we remain steadfast through those challenges. Additionally, Mark says that the diocese has faced many challenges in recent years, including a leadership crisis and the pandemic, but the faithful have persevered, and now the diocese is blessed with a dynamic shepherd who wants to ensure that the parishes and the diocese prosper for many years to come. “Our Church in West Tennessee is already fragile, and now we are blessed with a bishop focused on growing our parishes and reenergizing congregations. It’s a critical time in our diocese and now is the time to respond to its long-term needs,” he said. The Suttons believe that their “No matter where gift to the United in Faith camwe lived, we could paign is a worthwhile investment in the diocese’s future. Their always attend Mass advice to those who are thinking together,” said Mark. of giving to the United in Faith “It gave my family a campaign is to pray. “If you are contemplating sense of normalcy that giving, then that is a sign that no matter where we you feel the conviction to do so,” said Mark. “Spend time in deep, moved in the world, thoughtful prayer. It’s through the Mass was still the our efforts today that we can same.” make a difference for the future of our Church.”
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The sweet harmony of the B E N E D I C T I N E S O F M ARY
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music notes by Getty Images/setory/iStock / Getty Images Plus
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Breaking the silence, the sisters breathe deeply. Then with ever so much control, they start singing in perfect unison. Without a word being spoken, the sisters intuitively know what Mother Cecilia is calling forth from them.
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Sweet harmonies fill the church as the sisters of the Benedictines of Mary record their latest album. The hand-painted arches of their church resonate the sound so beautifully that it falls gently on a listener’s ears. These are not just any singing nuns. These nuns are recording artists. These are chart-topping nuns who have had four albums reach number one on the classical Billboard charts. They were also the first nuns to be given Billboard’s Classical Artist of the Year award. It’s been more than three years
since their last album. The new album was released on Oct. 26, 2021. Every sister at the Abbey of Ephesus learns to sing. It is an integral part of life for the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, a cloistered order of nuns living by the ancient Rule of St. Benedict in rural Missouri. The lifestyle here may date from medieval times, but young women are flocking to this monastery. Candidates seeking a life of union with God, in prayer, are between 17
and 30 and they come from all over America. They leave behind a world driven by pop culture and enter a world guided by the wisdom of St. Benedict. It is also a humble life. These young girls spend time in a lovely orchard- filled with fruits and nuts. They milk cows by hand, gather eggs, make cheese and pull potatoes from the dirt. Self-sustainability is an ideal passed down from St. Benedict. They believe farm work keeps you dependent on God and that such work is conducive to simple prayer.
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Sister Scholastica adds that as the grounds they work become more cultivated and civilized, the women are literally working out their salvation. “We hope the ground of our own soul also becomes more cultivated and something beautiful for God,” she says. Memphis pastor Fr. Yoelvis Gonzalez says he loves their music and has all their albums. He visits them once a year and rests. “They have a wonderful retreat house for priests” he said. “It is always refreshing to be there, their holiness, hospitality and simplicity of life is inspirational. The sisters are very positive and joyful, and they radiate a certain peace and joy. “
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The nuns like to think they are clothing the priests with their prayers. Much of their work is dedicated to sewing vestments for priests from around the world including some priests from Memphis. Fr. Gonzalez, Father Clark and Msgr. Victor Ciaramitaro all have the Benedictines of Mary sisters make and repair their vestments. The chanting and the musical life inside the monastery are a large draw. The monastery has grown so fast that they’ve had to split up and expand.
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“We hope the ground of our own soul also becomes more cultivated and something beautiful for God.” – SISTER SCHOLASTICA 21
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“When the family grows large enough that we begin to lose sense of the family, it is time for some “repotting,” transferring portions to new soil” Sister Scholastica explains. So, some of the sisters have moved and have established another community in Ava, Mo., where they have purchased 350 acres. Catholic families wanting to live near the monastery have already purchased property from the sisters. Next spring, the Benedictines of Mary plan to break ground on a new large monastery and a church. The two groups of nuns have missed each other terribly, not just in day-to-day life but in song. Their separation prevented them from putting out another album. They tried to recreate their sound with some of the new sisters, but it just didn’t work. Mother Cecilia asked the superior of the Ava house if she could spare three sisters for a short time so that they could reunite at the Abbey and record together again. When the sisters from Ava showed up, they arrived in time for night prayers and snuck into the choir stalls so that when the rest of the sisters processed into the church, it was a huge surprise. It was a family reunion. “Once the Ava Sisters were here, we were back in our recording element. It was like old times” said Sister Scholastica.
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In mid-September the veterans of recording from both houses, along with a few new voices, came together to form something of a “Dream Team.” It has been a tradition for Mother Cecilia to write at least one original song for each CD. In hopes to put out an album this fall, she quietly waited for an idea. Just the day before the recording was to start, she was divinely inspired and composed original music, setting it to a poem written by Sr. Wilhelmina, their foundress, an African American who died at age 95 in 2019. The sisters very quickly learned their parts for the new song, “Hymn to Christ the King,” to record it live in the church. For two days, with afternoon sun streaming into the church, the sisters stood in a circle beneath a statue of Mary singing their hearts out until sunset.
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Seeking perfection, each time a throat cleared, a shoe squeaked, or the walls cracked in the background, their brows would furrow. Every little sound was coming through to the recording engineer. They would have to start over. At times they would take a break, walk the grounds and rest their voices. Then as they came together again and started fresh, they’d get a perfect take, they’d giggle, nod and smile because they knew – yes, that was the best take! “We draw our strength from being set apart from the world with God and the sisterly support of one another,” says Sister Scholastica. “The music seems to be a perfect means to reach out to the world that we are always holding up in prayer. There is no compromise of our life, but we can share what we have, and we are happy to do so.”
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WRITTEN BY KAREN PULFER FOCHT ©
Freelance Photojournalist in Memphis, Tennessee
“The nuns like to think they are clothing the priests with their prayers.” 25
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“The music seems to be a perfect means to reach out to the world that we are always holding up in prayer.”
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music notes by Getty Images/setory/iStock / Getty Images Plus
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Vida Familiar Los Sutton, ambos originarios de Louisiana, crecieron en familias donde Cristo era el centro de la vida familiar. Mark, católico de cuna, pasó la mayor parte de su juventud en el sur de Louisiana y Laurie, protestante en ese momento, se mudó por todo el país porque su padre sirvió en la Fuerza Aérea. Cuando Mark y Laurie comenzaron a salir en la universidad mientras asistían a la Universidad Estatal de Louisiana, asistieron fielmente a la iglesia católica juntos. Cristo fue un enfoque esencial de su relación desde el principio. Este patrón continuó cuando la pareja se casó. Asistían juntos a la misa y al servicio de la iglesia bautista los domingos. No fue hasta que Laurie estuvo embarazada de su primer hijo que decidió asistir a las clases del Rito de Iniciación Cristiana para Adultos. La pareja quería criar a sus hijos en la Iglesia Católica como familia. Mark dice que era importante para la familia tener una fe común y una rutina de adoración juntos. La familia se mudó a todo Estados Unidos y al extranjero debido al trabajo de Mark en International Paper, incluso viviendo en Francia durante cinco años. La pareja dice que la piedra que mantuvo a su familia unida y fiel fue asistir a misa juntos. “No importaba dónde viviamos, siempre podiamos asistir a misa juntos”, dijo Mark. “Le dio a mi familia un sentido de normalidad que no importaba a dónde nos moviéramos en el mundo, la misa seguía siendo la misma”. Si bien asistir a misa era clave para la relación de su familia con Cristo, Laurie se aseguró de enseñarles las 4
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Escrituras a sus seis hijos. Mark dice que aprendió más sobre la Palabra de Dios a través del Antiguo y Nuevo Testamento debido a la influencia de Laurie. “Nuestra fe católica cobra vida en las Escrituras”, dijo Laurie. “Mi educación bautista me ayudó a aprender las Escrituras, pero mi fe católica la catapultó a un nuevo nivel. No puedo leer el capítulo seis de Juan sin ver la misa “. La familia se mudó al área de Memphis en 2005. Consideran que Collierville, un suburbio local, es su hogar y dicen que tienen la suerte de tener una familia extensa cerca en Louisiana. Están activos en su parroquia, La Iglesia de la Encarnación en Collierville, dando fielmente su tiempo, talento y tesoro.
Una inversión a largo plazo Cuando los Sutton se enteraron de la visión a largo plazo del Reverendísimo David P. Talley para el futuro de la Diócesis Católica de Memphis a través de la campaña Unidos en la Fe, se sintieron intrigados. La campaña Unidos en la fe es un esfuerzo financiero histórico, con el objetivo de recaudar $ 22 millones en cuatro años, para abordar las necesidades a corto y largo plazo de 47 comunidades parroquiales locales y ministerios y vocaciones diocesanos. Es una emprenda y sacrificio importante. Lo que más intrigó a los Sutton es el enfoque a largo plazo de la campaña. “Es el plan más estratégico que hemos visto para financiar vocaciones y ministerios críticos en nuestra Iglesia”, dijo Mark. “Nuestra diócesis no ha creado
ARTÍCULO DE FONDO
nada como esto antes. La campaña está diseñada para establecer donaciones con programas a largo plazo financiados por los ingresos de la inversión. Si usamos nuestros recursos con prudencia, la campaña Unidos en la fe financiará estas donaciones cruciales y beneficiará a la Iglesia Católica en el oeste de Tennessee durante mucho tiempo. Para nosotros tenía mucho sentido “. La campaña de capital Unidos en la fe proporciona fondos muy necesarios a las parroquias locales para proyectos de capital y mantenimiento y apoyo ministerial. Además, el objetivo de la campaña para cada parroquia incluye la Campaña Católica Anual 2022. Una vez que se logre la meta de la ACA, el 50 por ciento de los fondos recolectados por la parroquia regresará a la parroquia. El cincuenta por ciento de los fondos adicionales de cada parroquia se destinará a financiar donaciones a largo plazo para la educación de seminaristas, jubilación de sacerdotes, ministerios de jóvenes / universitarios / jóvenes adultos y capacitación y educación diaconal. Mark dice que si se administran bien, estas donaciones financiarán estos ministerios diocesanos y vocaciones para siempre. Una investidura ministerial en particular que llega cerca de casa para los Sutton son los ministerios para jóvenes, universidades y adultos jóvenes. Después de criar a seis hijos durante los últimos 33 años, saben lo críticos que son los jóvenes para el futuro de la Iglesia católica, especialmente en el oeste de Tennessee, donde solo el cuatro por ciento de la población es católica. “Creemos que el futuro de nuestra Iglesia está en los jóvenes”, dijo Mark. “Con el liderazgo y los recursos adecuados, los jóvenes pueden encontrar su propósito y volverse dinámicos en su fe. Queremos que prosperen en la Iglesia y que estén entusiasmados por estar allí, y creemos que la campaña Unidos en la fe le dará a la Iglesia los recursos para hacerlo “.
MANERAS DE DONAR A LA CAMPAÑA DE CAPITAL UNIDOS EN LA FE: COMPROMISO EN LÍNEA: www.unitedinfaithcampaign.org PROMESA POR CORREO O OFERTORIO PARROQUIAL: Envíe la tarjeta de compromiso de la parroquia de origen. Los cheques deben hacerse pagaderos a “United in Faith”. PROMESA POR MENSAJE DE TEXTO: Textea “United” a el 901-450-5606 para recibir un enlace a una página web segura de donaciones. Para donaciones de acciones y valores y obsequios como propiedad, seguros de vida, testamentos, legados patrimoniales o fideicomisos caritativos restantes, comuníquese con Jim Marconi, director de desarrollo., a el 901-373-1273 o a Jim. Marconi@cc.cdom.org.
en hacer crecer nuestras parroquias y revitalizar las congregaciones. Es un momento crítico en nuestra diócesis y ahora es el momento de responder a sus necesidades a largo plazo “. Los Sutton creen que su donación a la campaña Unidos en la fe es una inversión valiosa en el futuro de la diócesis. Su consejo para aquellos que estén pensando en contribuir a la campaña Unidos en la fe es que oren. “Si está pensando en dar, entonces es una señal de que siente la convicción de hacerlo”, dijo Mark. “Pase tiempo en oración profunda y reflexiva. Es a través de nuestros esfuerzos hoy que podemos hacer una diferencia para el futuro de nuestra Iglesia “.
El Tiempo es Ahora Laurie enfatiza que la vida presenta desafíos para todos nosotros, pero es a través de la fe que nos mantenemos firmes a través de esos desafíos. Además, Mark dice que la diócesis ha enfrentado muchos desafíos en los últimos años, incluida una crisis de liderazgo y la pandemia, pero los fieles han perseverado, y ahora la diócesis ha sido bendecida con un pastor dinámico que quiere asegurarse de que las parroquias y la diócesis prosperen durante muchos años. “Nuestra Iglesia en el oeste de Tennessee ya es frágil, y ahora tenemos la bendición de un obispo enfocado 5
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PORQUE A L DA R ,
Recibimos
Las Fieles Bendiciones de una Pareja Benefician a la Diócesis Católica de Memphis Porque es dando, que recibimos. Esta breve parte de la Oración de San Francisco significa que estamos llamados a dar nuestro tiempo, talentos y tesoros como personas de fe que creen en Dios, y a cambio recibimos muchas bendiciones de Él.
POR BETH SIMKANIN
Beth Simkanin es una escritora independiente con 20 años de experiencia en periodismo y relaciones públicas. Ella es feligresa de la Iglesia del Espíritu Santo en Memphis..
Mark y Laurie Sutton dicen que han recibido muchas bendiciones del Señor: un matrimonio sólido después de 36 años, seis hermosos hijos, tres nietos y un lugar permanente al que ahora llaman hogar y que está cerca de la familia extendida. Mark dice que es viviendo su fe católica que reciben estas bendiciones, lo que los motivó a reflexionar y dar un importante regalo financiero a la Diócesis Católica de Memphis - $ 2 millones - que ayudará a asegurar el futuro de la Iglesia Católica en West Tennessee para muchos. años por venir a través de su campaña Unidos en la fe. “Nos sentimos bendecidos y creemos que esas bendiciones deben compartirse”, dijo Laurie. “Primera de Juan 3:16 al 18 dice: ‘En esto conocemos el amor, que dio su vida por nosotros; y debemos dar nuestra vida por los hermanos. Pero si alguno tiene los bienes del mundo y ve a su hermano en necesidad, pero cierra su corazón contra él, ¿cómo mora en él el amor de Dios? Hijitos, no amemos de palabra ni de habla, sino de hecho y en verdad ‘. Dar es una forma en que ayudamos a construir el reino de Dios aquí en la tierra y honrarlo con lo que nos ha dado “.
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WWW.CD O M .O RG E D I C I Ó N D E VAC AC I O N E S 2021
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