THE ARCHDIOCESE OF OMAHA
| SEPTEMBER 17, 2021 |
catholicvoiceomaha.com
INSIDE
archomaha.org
CONVERSING WITH THE LORD
MAN ON A MISSION
Gang unit officer, athletics organizer and Catholic education advocate are just some of the ways he’s served. PAGE 4
MIKE MAY/STAFF
Lisa Brandon and her four children, Emry, 12 (to her right), and (front row) Irick, 13, Kyler, 8, and Rylen, 5, kneel in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament Aug. 20 at St. Matthew the Evangelist Church in Bellevue. The parish has a growing devotion to the Holy Eucharist. See story on PAGE 8.
SALESIAN VOCATION
Brother’s road to religious life manifests the gentle, persistent call of God. PAGE 5
MULTIPLICATION FACTOR Fourteen people were given “talents” and challenged to step out in faith to make them grow for the glory of God and the good of neighbor. How did they fare? PAGE 6
Decisive or divisive?
The Catholic response to Critical Race Theory By Joseph O’Brien
For the Catholic Voice
For many, the election of Barrack Obama as the first African American President of the United States in 2008 represented a highwater mark of Americans’ willingness to see beyond the racial “color line.” Yet, little more than a decade after his election, Americans seem to be more divided than ever on the questions of race and how to understand them in areas of law, education, politics and culture. In particular, one approach to teaching about race – Critical Race Theory (CRT) – has provoked strong opinions on how racism is to be properly viewed and taught
in our country. For some, it’s a necessary corrective for past centuries of racism still ensconced in American culture. For others, it promotes the very sort of thinking it purportedly tries to fix. So what’s one to think? Does CRT offer an important, if not necessary, perspective in trying to
overcome racism in our nation? Or does it actually perpetuate racism? And if CRT is fundamentally flawed, does the Church offer a better approach to race and race education? WHAT IS CRT? From its origins in the 1970s
in the writings of several American legal scholars, CRT has now become a major force in cultural and academic politics. Many schools of higher learning, Catholic and otherwise, are integrating it or elements of it into classroom study and campus culture. RACE EDUCATION >> Page 10
CATHOLIC FAITH ON CAMPUS Catholic Voice
Each September, the Catholic Voice takes a special look at higher education from a Catholic point of view, examining current issues, especially as they affect Catholic colleges and universities. In this issue, we look at how one of today’s biggest and most challenging issues – that of race – is being addressed in classroom teaching and cam-
INDEX
News 2 Higher Education 10
pus life using two different perspectives: Critical Race Theory and the Church’s social teaching. That’s our lead story, beginning on PAGE 1 and continuing on PAGES 10-11 . Turn to PAGE 12 to read about how Catholic college students are living out their faith and showing mercy to those in need by using their training and newly-acquired occupational therapy skills while serving the homeless.
Spiritual Life Commentary
19 22
Finally, we examine the value proposition of Catholic higher education. Given its higher cost compared with public colleges and universities, we asked two Catholic college presidents to describe the “Catholic difference” offered by their institutions. And we talked to one parent who is happy that her son is finding the Catholic difference at a Newman Center while attending a public university. PAGE 13
Classifieds 25 Resurrection Joy 26
Calendar Local Briefing
29 30
| POPE’S MESSAGE |
2 « SEPTEMBER 17, 2021 VENUE
6450 Pine Street Omaha, NE 68106
5:00 PM TO 10:00 PM VENUE
VENUE
RAFFLE - $4,000+ IN PRIZES
6450 Pine Street 6450 Pine Street Omaha, NE 68106
Omaha, NE 68106
RSVP before October 1
Tickets, Contact Rose Flores, 402-551-0269, RAFLORES@ARCHOMAHA.ORG
EDDTORO/SHUTTERSTOCK
A young man reads the Bible in New York City’s Central Park in 2008. In his Sept. 5 Angelus address, Pope Francis said spending time in silence with the Gospel is like “medicine” for one’s spiritual life.
Pope Francis: Find time for the Gospel every day BY COURTNEY MARES Catholic News Agency
Pope Francis said Sept. 5 that silent prayer with the Gospel is the “secret to spiritual health.” “Do we remember to listen to the Lord? We are Christians, but sometimes with the thousands of words we hear every day, we do not find a few seconds to let a few words of the Gospel resound in us,” the pope said in his Angelus address. “Jesus is the Word: If we do not stop to listen to him, he passes on. ... But if we dedicate time to the Gospel, we will find the secret to our spiritual health.” Speaking from the window
of the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace, the pope told the pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square that spending time in silence with the Gospel is like “medicine” for one’s spiritual life. “Every day a little silence and listening, fewer useless words, and more of the Word of God,” Pope Francis recommended. He said that it is a good thing to turn to the Lord with prayer requests, but above all, it is important to listen to the Lord. “Jesus asks this of us. In the Gospel when they ask him what is the first commandment, he answers: ‘Hear, O Israel.’ Then he adds ... ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart ... and your neighbor as yourself ” (Mk 12:28-31). But first of all, he says, ‘Hear, O Israel,’” the pope explained. Pope Francis said that today many people have “an interior deafness” that Jesus can touch and heal. This “deafness of heart” can lead to a deadening of awareness of the needs of those around us, he said. “Taken up with haste, by so many things to say and do, we cannot find time to stop and listen to those who speak to us. We run the risk of becoming impervious to everything and not making room for those who need to be heard. I am thinking about children, young people, the elderly, the many who have less
need for words and preaching, and more to be heard,” Pope Francis said. “Let us ask ourselves: How is my capacity to listen? Am I touched by people’s lives? Do I know how to spend time with those close to me?” The pope said that this especially applies to priests, who need to be attentive to listening to the people in their parishes. He said it also applies to family life, where there can be a temptation to speak without really listening. At the end of his Angelus address, the pope prayed for the people of Afghanistan that they may be able to “live with dignity.” “In these troubled times that see Afghans seeking refuge, I pray for the most vulnerable among them. I pray that many countries will welcome and protect those seeking a new life. I pray also for the internally displaced persons and that they may receive assistance and the necessary protection,” the pope said. “May young Afghans receive education, an essential good for human development. And may all Afghans, whether at home, in transit, or in host countries, live with dignity, in peace and fraternity with their neighbors.” The pope also prayed for the victims of Hurricane Ida, one of the most powerful storms to ever make landfall on the U.S. mainland.
| NEWS |
SEPTEMBER 17, 2021
»3
LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS Catholic Cemeteries names new director
Prayer service for survivors of abuse
Deacon Steven Hill was named director of Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Omaha on Aug. 6, replacing Deacon Dan Keller, who retired recently. Deacon Hill brings 35 years of management and financial experience, most recently as finance director for St. Patrick Parish and Archbishop Bergan Catholic School, both in Fremont. Before that he held several financial services positions in the Chicago area. He and his wife, Linda, moved to the Gretna area in 2018. They have two married daughters and two grandchildren. Deacon Hill also serves on the Archdiocesan Investment and Administrative Committee and is a member of the finance committee for his parish, St. Charles Borromeo in Gretna. He was ordained a deacon for the Diocese of Joliet, Illinois, in 2016 and served at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Naperville, Illinois.
A Prayer Service for Healing from Abuse will be held Sept. 27 at St. Mary Church in Norfolk. The service, to pray for survivors of abuse and those who love them, will begin at 7 p.m. and will be led by Archbishop George J. Lucas. Similar services were held in 2017, 2019 and earlier this year. Hopes are that they become annual events, said Mary Beth Hanus, director of the archdiocese’s Victim Outreach and Prevention Office. Anyone injured by clergy or any form of abuse is welcome, she said. Refreshments will be served in the parish hall following the service. Contact Hanus at mbhanus@ archomaha.org or 402-827-3798 with questions or for more information.
Vocations holy hour set for Sept. 20 The Catholic faithful are invited to join Archbishop George J. Lucas for a Holy Hour for Vocations Sept. 20 at St. Margaret Mary Church in Omaha. The event begins at 6 p.m. with light refreshments and snacks and a presentation by Deacon Mike Conzett on “The Importance of Supporting Vocations and Discerning the Permanent Diaconate.” The holy hour begins at 7 p.m., led by the archbishop and Father Ralph O’Donnell, St. Margaret Mary pastor and Father Frank Baumert, senior associate pastor of St. Thomas More and St. Joan of Arc parishes in Omaha.
Campus ministry resource published As high school juniors and seniors discern their college plans, Catholic students considering Nebraska public colleges or universities have a new resource to aid their decisions. The recently-published Nebraska Catholic Campus Ministries Directory outlines the Catholic ministries available on those campuses to help them grow in their faith. These include Newman Centers and other Catholic ministries – some providing residential housing – which offer Mass, retreats, Bible studies, mission trips, service opportunities, community-building events and more. Print and digital versions of the directory have been sent to Catholic parishes and high schools throughout Nebraska and parts of Iowa, Kansas and South Dakota. The directory was published by Omaha’s St. John Paul II Newman Center in cooperation with the state’s three Catholic dioceses.
Archbishop to lead No archdiocesan annual pro-life event directory this year The annual Vigil for Life is set for Sept. 25 at St. Mary Church in Bellevue, led by Archbishop George J. Lucas. All are invited to help build the culture of life through prayer, beginning with Mass at 8 a.m., followed by exposition of the Holy Eucharist and a rosary procession to pray before the nearby Bellevue abortion facility. A reception will follow at the St. Mary Parish Center. The event concludes at 11 a.m. For more information, contact St. Mary Church at 402-291-1350, email rectory@stmarysbellevue. com, or visit omahavigilforlife.org.
Due to unanticipated circumstances including the loss of key staff members, the Archdiocese of Omaha Directory will not be published this year. Its publication in future years will be determined according to the evolving priorities of the Communications Office of the archdiocese. Much of the information in the directory can now be found on archdiocesan websites. To find a priest or chancery staff member, visit archomaha.org/directory/. For parishes, go to archomaha.org/find-aparish/. For Catholic schools, see lovemyschool.com/find-a-school/.
COURTESY PHOTO
Innovation Center dedication Archbishop George J. Lucas joins junior Shawn Pelchat (left) and seniors Mary Miller, Keegan Shanahan and Jeff Treu along with other students and staff at the Aug. 27 dedication of Daniel J. Gross Catholic High School’s new Innovation Center. A robot named Apollo (foreground), designed by Pelchat, helped cut the ribbon at the ceremony. The $1.95 million, 10,000-square-foot facility was designed as a flexible learning space and represents the first phase of several upgrades planned for the Bellevue school’s academic wing.
Msgr. Melvern Wiese ‘always a gentleman, always a priest’ BY SUSAN SZALEWSKI Catholic Voice
Msgr. Melvern Wiese, an archdiocesan priest for 64 years, has been l a u d e d as a man who was as big of heart as he was in stature, a true gentleman. M s g r. Wiese died Aug. 11 at MSGR. MELVERN Fr a n c i s c a n WIESE H e a l t h c a re in West Point. He was 90. “He treated everyone with kindness and gentleness,” said retired Father Gerald Gonderinger, a friend and the homilist at Msgr. Wiese’s funeral, which was held Aug. 19 at Ss. Cyril and Methodius Church in Clarkson with interment at Clarkson Catholic Cemetery. Msgr. Wiese, a Howells native, was ordained by Archbishop Gerald T. Bergan in 1957 and was named a monsignor in 2006. He served in about a dozen parishes across the archdiocese and taught theology, and some Latin, to students in
five high schools. “He was not a flashy person,” said Father Gonderinger, “but he got along well with everyone.” He was “always a gentleman, always a priest.” During their nearly 15 years of friendship, “I never saw him angry. … I never ran into anyone who was upset with him,” Father Gonderinger said. He loved being around people, his friend said. “He could carry on a conversation with anyone.” Early in his priesthood, Msgr. Wiese served as assistant pastor at St. Ludger Parish from 1957 to 1962; St. Philip Neri in Omaha from 1962 to 1966; St. Bernadette in Bellevue from 1966 to 1968; St. Peter in Omaha in 1968; and St. Mary in Hubbard from 1968 to 1969. As pastor, he served at St. John the Baptist Parish in Petersburg from 1969 to 1973; St. Peter de Alcántara in Ewing from 1973 to 1975; St. Ludger in Creighton from 1975 to 1986; St. Wenceslaus in Dodge from 1986 to 1997; Sacred Heart Mission in Olean from 1997 to 1999; St. Mary in Leigh from 1999
to 2007; and Ss. Cyril and Methodius from 2007 until his retirement later that year, when he became chaplain at St. Joseph’s Retirement Community in West Point. He also taught part time at the former St. Ludger High School in Creighton, the former Notre Dame Academy and Archbishop Ryan High School in Omaha, the former Sacred Heart High School in Emerson and St. Mary School in O’Neill. Msgr. Wiese attended Conception Seminary in Conception, Missouri, before finishing studies at the former Mount St. Bernard Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. He earned a master’s degree in divinity from Creighton University in Omaha in 1976. Msgr. Wiese was preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Eleanor Wiese; and brother, Wilfred Wiese. Survivors include brother and sister-inlaw, Maynard and Janet Wiese of Columbus; sister and brother-in-law, Dianne and Dennis Nadrchal of Fremont; sister-inlaw, Marjorie Wiese of Howells; and many nieces and nephews.
THE ARCHDIOCESE OF OMAHA
CATHOLIC VOICE Volume 119, Number 3
ARCHDIOCESE OF OMAHA Archbishop George J. Lucas 2222 N. 111th St. Omaha, NE 68164 402-558-3100 • 888-303-2484 Fax: 402-551-4212 Chancellor Deacon Tim McNeil 402-558-3100, ext. 3029 Vicar for Clergy and Judicial Vicar Father Scott A. Hastings 402-558-3100, ext. 3030
ARCHBISHOP GEORGE J. LUCAS Publisher DAN ROSSINI Editor / general manager MIKE MAY Associate editor SUSAN SZALEWSKI Feature writer JOHN DONAHUE Advertising representative LINDA STEHNO Business / circulation specialist
Copyright 2021 - All Rights Reserved. This information may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without written permission. The Catholic Voice (ISN 07744-9585) is published monthly by the Catholic Voice, 2222 N. 111th St., Omaha, NE 68164. Periodical postage is paid at Omaha, NE 68108. Subscription price: $26 per year outside the Archdiocese of Omaha and $19 per year within the archdiocese. Postmaster: Send address changes to the Catholic Voice, 2222 N. 111th St., Omaha, NE 68164.
SEND ALL CORRESPONDENCE TO:
THE CATHOLIC VOICE 2222 N. 111th St. Omaha, NE 68164 EMAIL tcvomaha@archomaha.org PHONE 402-558-6611 FAX 402-561-1210 WEBSITE catholicvoiceomaha.com
| NEWS |
4 « SEPTEMBER 17, 2021
One man’s life of service How God led Tony Espejo from the military to the police force, to the community and back to Church BY RON PETAK
For the Catholic Voice
A passion discovered and a faith renewed. Those words may best define the journey Tony Espejo has traveled for the better part of the last three decades. From gang officer for the Omaha Police Department to organizer of youth sports to advocate of Catholic education, Espejo has dedicated his life to making a difference in Omaha’s Hispanic community. It wasn’t always so for the South Omaha native. Graduating from Daniel J. Gross Catholic High School in 1989, Espejo, like so many young men at that age, lacked focus and direction. His time as a student at Creighton University was short-lived, as were his days at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Espejo then made a life-changing decision by enlisting in the Marine Corps at age 20. “What a rude awakening,” he said. “It’s where I grew up. I got my priorities straight. I had to in order to survive there.” After four years in the Marines, with its demands of discipline and responsibility, Espejo was a changed man. He set his sights on becoming a police officer in his hometown. Despite hundreds of applicants for very few jobs, Espejo liked his chances; he was a Spanish-speaking native of South Omaha. But he failed to make the cut in his first three attempts to join the force. “I was thinking about quitting and giving up, (but) one Friday afternoon the acceptance letter was in the mail,” he said. A REAL DIFFERENCE That was 2000 and it didn’t take a sworn officer of the law to notice the changes to the 20th and Q streets neighborhood where he grew up. Gangs and
graffiti, he said, “were all over the place.” In 2004, Espejo got a chance to make a real difference in South Omaha when he was assigned to the Omaha Police Department’s gang unit. But a year into his assignment, he said, he realized the gang problem was entrenched in South Omaha. It was then he asked himself, “How do I really make change?” Espejo turned to what he knew – athletics. The former football and baseball player at Gross Catholic started a free athletics program with the Latino Peace Officers Association. He put into practice what he heard at a gang seminar: “If kids play together at 11, it’s harder for them to kill each other at 16.” The program started with 90 players on six soccer teams in 2005. By 2019, 5,800 boys and girls ages 5 to 18 participated at no cost in soccer, baseball, flag football and CrossFit (strength and conditioning) under the Police Athletics for Community Engagement (PACE) flag. EXAMPLE OF GOOD Espejo, who retired in July from the police department, said a critical factor in making the program a success was the fact he was like the youngsters he set out to help. “I spoke the language (Spanish) and I was from the neighborhood. Deep down, these kids just need an example of what good looks like,” he said. Among that initial group of soccer players was Abe Ledesma, who met Espejo 16 years ago as a 14-year-old while kicking a ball around at Gifford Park in east-central Omaha. “A cop showed up (and) every time you a saw a cop you just panicked because we didn’t know any better,” Ledesma said. “He comes up to us and starts talking to us. He was friendly. He was
cool. He wanted to know if we wanted to put a team together.” Ledesma, who had never been on an organized team, took Espejo up on his offer and remained in the program until he aged out at 18. More importantly, he took to heart the lesson of giving back to his community: Today he’s the PACE soccer coordinator. “He knows how grateful I am for all the opportunities he has given me,” said Ledesma, now 30. “The best way for me to show him I’m grateful is to give back to the community, coaching and getting kids involved.” SOMETHING MISSING Despite the successful work he was doing in community athletics with PACE, Espejo still didn’t feel fulfilled. “I was super tired, super weak – there’s something wrong, I’m missing something. Something needs to carry me through this,” Espejo recalled. “I said to myself, ‘I need God back in my life.’” It was Good Friday 2013. His wife, Laura, and their two children were out of town on vacation, so Espejo did what he did so many years ago at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Omaha – he went to church. It was a place he hadn’t been for 20 years. “I went to St. Robert (Bellarmine Church in Omaha) on Good Friday and the place was packed. Everybody is standing in the back, every seat is full. “I happened to walk by an aisle in the back and there
MIKE MAY/STAFF
Tony Espejo, left, reviews the action Aug. 27 with Jeff Gassaway, flag football coordinator, during the Police Athletics for Community Engagement (PACE) flag football clinic for boys and girls ages 8-14. was a little old lady sitting there and she had a spot next to her. I said, ‘Is that spot taken?’ and she goes ‘No, we’ve been waiting for you.’ “I was all in. This is where I’m supposed to be,” Espejo said. He talked to his wife, a non-Catholic, about the pull back to the Church. At the suggestion of a friend, he spoke with Father Damien Cook, then pastor at Christ the King Parish in Omaha. Father Cook said he sensed the Holy Spirit at work. “Just to observe how much he came back to his Catholicism was just a beauty and a joy,” said Father Cook, now pastor at St. Philip NeriBlessed Sacrament Parish in Omaha. “He came back to Mass on Sundays and then started doing more and more within the community.” The Espejos, who now attend church together, soon enrolled their children at Christ the King School. They’re still attending Catholic schools to this day. PASSIONS CONVERGE In time, Espejo’s two passions – improving the lives of the children of his South
Omaha neighborhood and his commitment to Catholic education – converged at his high school alma mater. Though he didn’t realize the value of a Catholic education while he was a student at Gross, Espejo, now 50, said that’s not the case anymore. “If I went to public school, my life would have been absolutely, totally different,” he said. “Because I went to a Catholic school, that faith foundation was emphasized. It took many, many years for it to finally come back out for that divine intervention.” As a member of Gross Catholic’s board the last three years, Espejo wants to build the school’s endowment to ensure families in South Omaha have an opportunity for an affordable secondary Catholic education. “I really want to focus on helping these kids find their divine intervention,” Espejo said. “I see Gross Catholic as that center of hope in that area. It’s going to pay in the long run because it paid off for me in the long run.”
kathleen beckman’s book “a family guide to spiritual warfare shows how to recognize the enemy and secure your home.
MUST REGISTER FOR FREE LUNCH & CHILD CARE: https://stpatsfremont.weshareonline.org 402-721-6611 MIKE MAY/STAFF
PRESENTED BY: KATHLEEN BECKMAN
Tony Espejo, left, conducts drills during a flag football clinic Aug. 27 at Christie Heights Park in Omaha. Omaha’s Police Athletics for Community Engagement (PACE) sponsors clinics and games to increase youth participation in team sports, helping them stay out of trouble.
| NEWS |
SEPTEMBER 17, 2021
»5
A gradual, grace-filled road to religious life Brother Paul Hotovy professes temporary vows as a Salesian of Don Bosco BY SUSAN SZALEWSKI Catholic Voice
There was no Saul-like, on-theroad-to-Damascus moment for this Paul. No flash-of-light, fall-to-theground instant when he suddenly encountered Jesus. For Paul Hotovy, the road leading to Aug. 15 – when he became Brother Paul and professed his temporary vows as a Salesian of Don Bosco – was a gradual one. It was built on a solid Catholic foundation his family established, he said, and with the example that family members and others set for him. It was a foundation that he was able to return to after he started losing interest in the faith during high school and college. He fell back on that faith, Brother Paul said, when in his 20s he knew he had to live out the beliefs he was presenting to high-schoolers – or be nothing more than a hypocrite. After his profession of vows at the Marian Shrine in Haverstraw, New York, Brother Paul, 32, will continue formation to become a priest, taking philosophy and theology classes at Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology at Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey, and living nearby in community with other Salesians. He was well prepared when he entered the Salesians of Don Bosco in 2018, said Brother Tom Dion, coordinator of pre-novices at a Salesian community in Ramsey, New Jersey, where he first met Brother Paul. “He came to us as a very talented person who already had teaching experience,” as well as a deep desire to follow God’s will,
Brother Tom said. “He’s really excelled in our formation program, and we’re just very happy having him as part of our program. I’ve been really proud to watch him go forward and deepen his relationship with God and deepen his vocation.” FAMILY PRAYERS Brother Paul, the fourth of six children, was homeschooled before attending Mount Michael Benedictine School in Elkhorn. His family’s parish is St. Leo the Great in Omaha. Particularly influential to his vocation, Brother Paul said, was the family’s faithful observance of night prayers together. That practice started small when their children were young, by just sharing what they were thankful for that day followed by a Hail Mary and Glory Be, said Steven and Marguerite Hotovy, Brother Paul’s parents. The prayers grew as the children grew, they said, to include an act of contrition, the Prayer of St. Francis, Mary’s Magnificat, the Memorare, as well as prayers to St. Michael, St. Raphael, St. Gabriel, and more. “That practice really was important for my faith,” Brother Paul said. “It was just the family aspect of practicing the faith together. It wasn’t just Mass on Sundays. We had this communal moment every day when we prayed together. I honestly think, in hindsight, that was actually a very powerful thing.” The Hotovys said they saw hints as their son was growing up that he might one day embark on a religious vocation. Those signs weren’t always overt, his father
COURTESY PHOTO
Brother Paul Hotovy of the Salesians of Don Bosco is surrounded by family after professing his temporary vows at an Aug. 15 ceremony in Haverstraw, New York. Family members from left: sister, Judith; brother, Joel; parents, Steve and Marguerite; Brother Paul; and brothers Mark and Chris. Absent was a younger brother, Alex.
COURTESY PHOTO
With his parents alongside him, Paul Hotovy professes temporary vows as he becomes Brother Paul Hotovy of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The moment was powerful and emotional for all three of them, said his parents, Steve and Marguerite Hotovy of St. Leo the Great Parish in Omaha. said, but they noticed their son’s sense of detachment, a unique encounter he had with the Blessed Mother, and at least one incident when he expressed a desire to become a priest. Brother Paul said he grew up with a reverence for priests. “I remember as a kid – like 10, 11, 12 – I’d go to Mass on Sundays, and the priest was somebody I’d look up to. There was a lot of reverence around the priesthood. I also had a great-uncle who was a priest (the late Msgr. Myron Pleskac of the Diocese of Lincoln), and he was a really good priest.” LEARNING, DISCERNING Brother Paul graduated from Mount Michael in 2007 and in 2011 from the University of Notre Dame, with a bachelor’s degree in history. He earned a master’s degree in teaching through Notre Dame’s Alliance for Catholic Education, a program that gave him teaching experience at Pensacola Catholic High School in Pensacola, Florida, while he completed summer classes at Notre Dame. For five more years, Brother Paul continued to teach and minister to youths – works that aligned with the ministry of the Salesians and their founder, St. John Bosco. That time included going back to Nebraska, St. Leo and his alma mater, Mount Michael, where he was a resident assistant. Brother Paul’s years of teaching and helping youths were also a time of discernment. A pivotal time came during his five years at Pensacola. “The one really helpful thing for my vocation was being asked to help with retreats and give witness talks about faith and prayer and relationship with God,” he said. “And in that, I kind of realized my hypocrisy when I was trying to formulate this talk to help the young students take their faith seriously, but I wasn’t doing that myself. “I didn’t know as much about the faith, I wasn’t really practicing the faith, and it didn’t really have a lot of bearing on the decisions I was making outside of maybe going to
Mass on Sundays. So helping with retreats sort of exposed how much I really tried to practice my faith. And I’m the type of guy who wants to practice what he preaches.” Being surrounded by good people helped, Brother Paul said, including the religious sister who was principal at the Florida school and fellow teachers “who were much stronger Catholics than I was,” in addition to his older brother Mark back home, who had stepped up his faith life. ‘THE LORD PROVIDED’ Then 24 or 25 years old, Brother Paul headed back to confession, started going to Mass more frequently and read the Bible and other spiritual books. He had been dating “a really good young woman” and was thinking about marriage. But as he discerned in his new life of faith, he discovered an ever-increasing lure toward priesthood and religious life. “Which means I broke up with my girlfriend,” Brother Paul said. “It was tough,” he said. “Luckily we’ve stayed somewhat good friends since,” and his former girlfriend is now happily married. “Certainly the Lord provided for her and provided for me,” Brother Paul said. For about two years after the breakup, he didn’t actively explore his calling. “I wasn’t dating anybody,” he said. “I just kept praying, studying, reading books and what not.” He spent two years in Omaha and at Mount Michael, where he found silence, prayer and a spiritual director. PROVIDENTIAL ENCOUNTER Then he met Father Dominic Tran, vocations director of the Salesians of Don Bosco, who had been taking classes at Creighton University, residing at St. Leo and offering Masses there on the weekends. Brother Paul said he was hanging out near the sacristy after Mass at St. Leo, helping his brother Mark, who was the sacristan, when Father Dominic asked their names and bluntly asked them: “Have you
thought about becoming a priest?” Mark was dating someone at the time and wasn’t considering the priesthood, but his brother answered truthfully: “Actually, I have.” Marguerite Hotovy called the encounter with Father Dominic “incredibly providential.” It set off a couple get-togethers with the vocations director, the gift of a book on St. John Bosco, some emails and a visit to a Salesian community in New York. The next summer, Brother Paul volunteered at a Salesian camp for youths in Chicago and was given a further chance to taste life in a religious community. “Those were really good experiences for me,” Brother Paul said, “and ultimately I felt God calling me to join the Salesians.” He said he felt a passion for their mission of teaching and working with youth. His path toward priestly ordination will continue with two years of study at the seminary at Seton Hall, followed by two years of teaching at a Salesian school, followed by four years of studying theology. MOMENTS OF GRACE During Brother Paul’s years as a candidate in the pre-novitiate program in New Jersey, “he really jumped into the program and gave it his all,” Brother Tom said. Brother Paul stood out for his sincerity in wanting to know God’s plan for him, discovering that plan and wanting to learn more, Brother Tom said. “God has led him in a direction, and he’s followed.” Brother Paul said he’s grateful for the people who’ve helped him along the way, including his parents, late grandmother and other relatives. “I definitely see in hindsight, in different moments of my life, God’s grace,” he said. “There’s been a lot of people he’s placed in my life who’ve had a really powerful impact on me as a person, as a Catholic, as someone discerning religious life and the priesthood.”
| NEWS |
6 « SEPTEMBER 17, 2021
14 talents
Kingdom Assignment multiplies good works “Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.” – Matthew 25:21 By SUSAN SZALEWSKI Catholic Voice
Something happened. A well is being dug in South Sudan to bring fresh water to the people living there, with the promise of more wells to come. A poor, malnourished family in Mexico has received money for food and health care. A seminarian in India will have the cost of his education and formation paid for. A student whose family could no longer afford tuition at St. Columbkille School returned to school this year, thanks to anonymous donors. These works are just a sampling of the initiatives that 14 people helped bring about after stepping out in faith and accepting an assignment last spring to use $100 to help bring about the Kingdom of God. A lot of prayer, discernment and a display of God’s well-attested multiplication skills followed. But first, a look at how it all started: The Kingdom project began as most grand ideas do – with divine inspiration – this time sparked by a book that caught a deacon’s eye and Jesus’ parable of the talents. The deacon, David Krueger of St. Columbkille Parish in Papillion, had no idea where the seed money would come from. But God provided, beginning with a $30 check that normally wouldn’t have come his way. From that $30, the money grew bit by bit, mostly from odd jobs Deacon Krueger took on. A few months and many prayers later, he launched “The Kingdom Assignment” (inspired by the book of the same name by Denny and Leesa Bellisi) at a eucharistic holy hour May 18 at St. Columbkille Church in Papillion, days before Pentecost. The participants were asked to report back at another holy hour Sept. 7, the vigil of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. MORE PROJECTS Other results from the Kingdom experiment that were revealed that night: A wooden table, crafted by one of the participants with an inlaid rosary and miraculous medal, will adorn the entryway at St. Columbkille Church; costs were covered for an Alpha group, allowing young adults to explore their faith; parents are getting materials and support to bring their adult children back to
the Catholic faith; kitchens are being equipped for people with developmental disabilities; the “Culture of Pentecost” will be furthered through Ablaze ministry; people are feeding military families in need; and a couple will hand out anonymously $100 a month to various people in need. The Kingdom Assignment started humbly with the first $30, but it reaped more than $30,000 in return, Deacon Krueger estimated. That’s a conservative estimate, he said. Participants are continuing to ask for donations and are contributing their own money into their projects. “I guess $30 to over $30,000 is a decent return,” the deacon said, but more important is the spiritual return. “People were ignited. People were on fire,” said Ken Landolt, who witnessed the participants’ testimony and messaged his friends who couldn’t attend the Sept. 7 holy hour. “You could tell that when they told people they were spreading ‘the good news,’ but it wasn’t awkward or uncomfortable,” he wrote. “They were true disciples and didn’t even realize they were disciples. “Humble and kind,” is how Landolt, of St. Wenceslaus Parish in Omaha, went on to describe the participants. “The word anonymous was used a lot.” Deacon Krueger said he was struck by how much prayer went into each assignment. DIFFERENT TIMING Most of the participants didn’t know what they were getting into when they ventured forward in May. Praying before the Eucharist and a large screen image of St. Peter stepping out of a boat toward Jesus, they were asked: Who among us will step out of the boat? Who will come forward? Some jumped from their pew. Others approached more tentatively. On their way toward the altar they were instructed to pick up an envelope, which had been brightly decorated by young students at St. Columbkille School. Many of the volunteers appeared stunned to find the money inside. Then their mission was explained. Some participants were inspired to get right to work. Others agonized for weeks over what to do with the $100, praying to the Holy Spirit and the Blessed Virgin Mary for guidance. Bob Roegge, of St. Columbkille Parish, finished his assignment in just a few
days. Not coincidentally, Roegge said, days before the holy hour in May, his granddaughter told him of a classmate who would not be returning to the school in the fall because of financial difficulties. “So that caused me to think a little bit,” Roegge said. He approached the principal at St. Columbkille, Brandi Redburn, and learned there were several students whose families could no longer afford tuition, which was $2,550 per student. But registration was closing, and he needed to move quickly. Roegge put the $100 he received toward tuition and asked others to help. For three days he posted a signup sheet in the narthex of St. Columbkille Church for those at the morning weekday Mass to join his cause. In that time he raised $2,850. “I found there were some very, very generous people in our congregation,” said Roegge, who insisted on not knowing who benefited from his project. WEEKS OF PRAYER Peggy Wright, Joyce Stranglen and Jeanette Sterba and the other women of their prayer group at St. Columbkille spent weeks praying for what to do with the group’s $100. “We spent a good month, if not two, waiting to be hit over the head by the Holy Spirit,” Stranglen said. “And when nothing happened, we thought maybe he’s waiting for us to do something.” So the women began brainstorming about people in the community who could use some help, throwing out several ideas. But one stood out: an organization called Sheltering Tree that builds affordable housing for people with developmental disabilities. The women found out that a Sheltering Tree community, with two apartment buildings, is being constructed in Papillion. After learning how residents like to gather in the kitchens for smoothies or fresh-baked cookies, the women decided that they wanted to fully equip the two kitchens with pots, pans, towels, baking sheets, blenders, vacuums – the works. Now they’re fundraising for that cause. Kathy Pflug, of St. Thomas More Parish in Omaha, also didn’t immediately discern what to do. She explained her dilemma via Zoom at the Sept. 7 holy hour because she and her husband, Marty, were both quarantined at home after he contracted COVID-19. Both appeared on a screen as they spoke about their separate projects.
SUSAN SZALEWSKI/STAFF
Jacqueline Lusson, now 7, discovers a $100 bill tucked in an envelope, her “talent” to be used to further the Kingdom of God. With Jacqueline is her father, Jacob Lusson, at a May 18 prayer service at St. Columbkille Church in Papillion. They and other family members, all from St. Columbkille, used the money to help a family in Mexico that has been suffering from poverty and health problems. Earlier in May, standing at the foot of the altar with $100 in her hand was “terrifying to my introverted self,” Kathy Pflug acknowledged, “but exciting because I knew I would encounter Jesus and he would let me know what he wanted me to do with the money. “Day after day I fretted and prayed,” she said. “I felt our Blessed Mother would intercede for me and that whatever it was I was supposed to do would be something close to my heart.” MARY’S HELP For many years, the mother of 10 said, something had weighed heavily on her heart: “the anguish, despair and fear connected with some of my children being away from God and his Church. I knew that many, many other parents, grandparents and family members also are suffering.” One day, as she was walking, she prayed the Rosary, asking Mary if this was the direction to go for her assignment. “I didn’t get very far into the Rosary when a friend, whom I hadn’t seen in months, stopped her car and called my name. As we talked, she said it must be a God thing that we were talking, because she never drives up that street. As we caught up on our lives and our kids, she commented that I had been a help to her when her kids were struggling with their
faith. I took this as confirmation from our Lady that I was to continue to help others who are struggling with the same issues as me.” Pflug used her $100 to purchase copies of a book she wished she’d had years earlier, “Return: How to Draw Your Child Back to the Church” by Brandon Vogt. She and her husband are now starting a group at St. Thomas More for parents and others that focuses on praise and thankfulness, “knowing that God has our loved ones in his hands and under his watchful eye.” She said she hopes the group will flourish and spread to other parishes. MORE MULTIPLICATION The Kingdom Assignment continues with the many ongoing projects, and with new recruits as well. Two more people stepped forward Sept. 7, one who insisted on using his own $100 as seed money. God’s work that was accomplished through those who stepped forward is counter to what most people would propose, Deacon Krueger said. Looking at a list of possible projects, a committee or group might say: “These are all great ideas. Now let’s be realistic and see which ones we can do,” he said. “The Holy Spirit never got an MBA … but simply wants to work through his people and to do things for them, and to grow and to do more.”
| NEWS |
SEPTEMBER 17, 2021
»7
LIFE Runners witness to life in Tanzania BY KIMBERLY JANSEN For the Catholic Voice
“Remember the Unborn.” LIFE Runners don bright blue shirts printed with this slogan “to encourage, embolden and educate people … to defend life from conception to eternity,” said Pat Castle, founder of the worldwide pro-life movement and member of St. Matthew Parish in Bellevue and St. Columbkille Parish in Papillion. The jersey invites conversation, Castle said, and as a result, creates an opportunity to prevent abortion and help men and women heal from abortion. According to Castle, there’s a play on the word “remember.” “We’re remembering the unborn in terms of memorializing them, but we’re also remembering the unborn, so they’re not dismembered,” he said, referring to the reality of abortion. In July, LIFE Runners sponsored a trip to Tanzania at the invitation of Archbishop Paul R. Ruzoka of Tabora, a city in the north-central part of the east-African country. On the first part of the trip, which lasted a week, a group of six LIFE Runners visited the archbishop, two convents with orphanages, a seminary run by the Spiritan Fathers, the Ifucha Divine Mercy Shrine and the Serengeti wildlife region. Four LIFE Runners then spent another week climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, located near the northeast border of the country with Kenya. While in Tanzania, Castle encountered another population threatened by dismemberment: albino children. According to the United Nations, one in 1,500 children in Tanzania are born with albinism, a condition marked by lack of skin pigmentation, frequent blindness and vulnerability to skin cancer. Castle said these children are endangered even further by a local superstition that albino body parts contain magical properties. “Witch doctors think that by including a piece of an albino kid’s body in food or drink, it will bring good fortune,” he said. Castle explained that children have been dismembered and even killed for their fingers, toes and limbs, prompting the Tanzanian government to sponsor “safe havens” for their protection. Joined by his wife, Angi, his daughter, Paige, and three other LIFE Runners, Castle visited one such haven: the Matumaini Children Home run by the Providence Sisters for Abandoned Children. Although the facility is often called an orphanage, only nine of the 32 residents are actual orphans. In most cases, Castle said, parents surrender their children voluntarily to the sisters’ care with an opportunity to bring them home for a visit once a year. The LIFE Runners were captivated by the residents’ joyful spirit as they sang and gave
visitors smiles and high-fives, despite the armed guards outside, a reminder of their precarious situation. The children “were just lights,” Angi Castle said. “It was a really special place where life is being protected every day.” SIMPLE, HAPPY LIFE The landscape of Tanzania reminded the Americans of what life must have been like in biblical times. They marveled at people tending their gardens, selling fruits and vegetables, shepherding animals and bathing in roadside streams. Paige Castle, a senior at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, noticed the contrast between the average Tanzanian’s approach to life and a typical American’s desire to accumulate material goods as a means of finding happiness. “I think (the Tanzanians) had life figured out,” she said. “They have so little and yet they were so rich in faith and joy.” Bernadette Costello, a member of St. Gerald Parish in Ralston, agreed. “We’ve been conditioned so differently, but I feel like they live as intended,” Costello said. “I was so close to Christ when I was there.” Costello also enjoyed the Tanzanian cuisine. “They eat simply, but they know how to spice things up so everything tastes delicious,” she said. “You don’t have to add ketchup or ranch, which they don’t have.” COUNTERING SECULARISM At first glance it may seem unusual for Pat Castle and his fellow LIFE Runners to share their pro-life message in a country where abortion remains illegal, except to save the life of the mother. However, “there is money flowing into Africa to change culture,” he explained, referring to Marie Stopes International, a non-governmental organization providing abortion and contraception in dozens of countries around the world. Father Desiderius “Dezzy” Katabaro, national chaplain for LIFE Runners in Tanzania, confirmed the “influence of secularism” in his country. “Here in Tanzania, we cannot deny the so-called western values that are propelled under the guise of development and technology that most of the time don’t respect the principles of natural law and divine law,” Father Dezzy wrote in an email. “The message of pro-life here in Tanzania is timely and highly needed to bring especially the youth back to the divine meaning of the gift of life.” Castle recalled a similar conversation with Archbishop Ruzoka as they discussed the growing LIFE Runners chapter in the Archdiocese of Tabora. “He told me, ‘You bet we promote (the pro-life message) and talk about it, but we love the creativity where the kids can wear their witness,’” Castle said.
In fact, Castle noted that nearly a third of the 17,000 LIFE Runners worldwide are under the age of 22. “If we get a child in a shirt that says, ‘Remember the Unborn,’ the chances of them walking into an abortion facility are really low,” he said. “The chances of them encouraging a roommate or peer to choose life are high.” ‘CATHOLIC’ EXPERIENCE As the LIFE Runners team reflected on their trip, they were overwhelmed with gratitude, especially for the hospitality and experience of the universal nature of the Church. Even after traveling for years with the United States Air Force, Castle called the trip to Tanzania “one of the most universal ‘catholic’ experiences of my life.” Accompanied by Bishop Joseph L. Coffey of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, the group attended Mass each day, even on the Serengeti – a protected region in northern Tanzania for wild game such as elephants, giraffes and lions. Castle said their gratitude for the Eucharist increased when they learned that Father Dezzy pastored 28 Catholic “outposts” in the Archdiocese of Tabora and could only visit each one monthly to celebrate Mass. After returning to the United States, the group continues to remember their Tanzanian hosts. They’re raising money for two specific needs in the Archdiocese of Tabora: an altar for the new Ifucha Divine Mercy Shrine and a water storage container for the Matumaini Children Home. Castle explained that Tanzanians often walk miles daily to transport water that is collected during the rainy season and rationed for the remainder of the year. During their visit, the LIFE Runners personally experienced the lack of water as they used a bucket for bathing and washing clothes. “Often times in (American) culture, we don’t feel the reality of ‘Give us this day our daily bread,’” Castle said. In Tanzania “we really got to appreciate God’s gift of life and his provisions with a spiritual dependence on him.” Castle encouraged all people of faith to consider joining the LIFE Runners’ team. “We know that 78% of post-abortive mothers have said that if one person had encouraged them or they saw an encouraging sign, they wouldn’t have aborted their child,” Castle said. “That’s why we wear (the jerseys) out into the world.” “Everyone is qualified,” he said. “Running is optional.” To learn more about LIFE Runners, visit www.liferunners. org. To contribute to the altar or water storage projects, email exec@liferunners.org.
COURTESY PHOTO
Four LIFE Runners hold up their “Remember the Unborn” banner at the top of Mount Kilimanjaro in northeast Tanzania after reaching the 19,341-foot peak the morning of July 12. From left are Bernadette Costello; LIFE Runners founder Pat Castle; Bishop Joseph L. Coffey of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA; and Dolores Meehan, co-founder of Walk for Life West Coast.
LIFE Runners take Mount Kilimanjaro BY KIMBERLY JANSEN For the Catholic Voice
In the mountaineering world, climbers often leave stickers in designated spots along well-traveled routes. “The culture is very secular in mountain climbing, so they might put a marijuana leaf,” said Pat Castle, founder of LIFE Runners, a worldwide organization that promotes the sanctity of human life. When a small group of LIFE Runners recently summited Mt. Kilimanjaro in northeast Tanzania, however, they left “Remember the Unborn” stickers for other travelers to see. “Just as there are no atheists in foxholes, even atheists are vulnerable to the Holy Spirit at 15,000 feet,” Castle said, in reference to the fear and uncertainty climbers face at such high altitudes. “There’s an opportunity for tilling, watering and planting (spiritual seeds) getting ready to summit a 19,000-foot mountain.” Castle and his companions viewed the climb as an extension of their mission trip to the Archdiocese of Tabora in Tanzania the week before. “We evangelized the porters, the guides, anybody we crossed with our gear,” Castle said, referring to the pro-life slogan printed across the LIFE Runners’ winter coats. On a walk to the camp bathroom, LIFE Runner Dolores Meehan of San Francisco, California, responded to a derogatory comment from a European hiker who took issue with her jacket. “She educated him, loved him and gave him new insights,” Castle said. On the flip side, Castle rose early one morning and met an African ranger reading Scripture at basecamp. The LIFE Runners invited him to join them for the Liturgy of the Hours, and he became a LIFE Runner on the spot. The idea for the climb began with an invitation from Bishop Joseph L. Coffey of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, who had
attempted Mt. Kilimanjaro twice before – reaching the summit only once. According to Castle, the successful summit rate is 40%. Bishop Coffey proposed the adventure as a “spiritual pilgrimage” in addition to a physical challenge. Bernadette Costello was intrigued by the opportunity, even though she had never even taken a hike in the Rocky Mountains. “I don’t like my faith to be stagnant,” Costello said. But “I didn’t know what I was getting into.” Castle, who had run up Pikes Peak in Colorado and completed multiple marathons, hesitantly agreed to join. The six-day journey is always a challenging one, said Castle. However, as the group neared the mountain’s summit on July 12, the endeavor took a dangerous turn when a blizzard brought life-threatening temperatures and next-to-nil visibility. “My body got to the point where I didn’t know if I could take another step, and we still had two hours to go,” Castle said. Costello said she offered the physical suffering of exhaustion, extreme cold and heaviness due to low oxygen as a prayer for a friend in need. One of the times she fell on the ice became a particularly spiritual experience, she said. “As I fell, it was as if Jesus was with me falling, and his cross was over me,” she said. “In that moment, it was like he let me know (my friend) is going to be OK.” With the help of guides from the local Chagga tribe, the group did reach the summit, and they held the LIFE Runners banner at the top. Castle feebly offered the LIFE Runners’ cheer, “All in Christ,” and barely heard his teammates return in labored voices, “For pro-life.” “It wasn’t super loud, but God can amplify it,” he said.
| NEWS |
8 « SEPTEMBER 17, 2021
Bellevue parish building a strong devotion to the Holy Eucharist BY MIKE MAY Catholic Voice
For many children, special time with Mom or Dad may mean baking cookies, playing catch, a trip to the zoo or a Saturday morning donut run. But for the Brandon kids, it’s often a trip to visit someone waiting for them at St. Matthew the Evangelist Church in Bellevue. They are among the approximately 100 parishioners who regularly visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament for eucharistic adoration in their newly-constructed church’s adoration chapel. The parish holds adoration with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament weekly from 7 p.m. Thursdays through 8 a.m. Saturdays. And the parish is aiming to eventually offer perpetual adoration, said parishioners Donna Buell and Phil McEvoy, who are organizing the effort. “It’s been such a blessing for our parish,” Buell said. Parishioner Lisa Brandon said eucharistic adoration has been a great faith-building practice for her four children, ages 5 to 13. “We go on ‘adoration dates,’” she said. “We say, ‘Who’s going on a date with daddy for adoration this week?’ … Sometimes my husband (Mike) and I have adoration dates, too.” She described these times as opportunities to teach their children about and help them experience the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. “It’s so good for my kids just to be still before Jesus and to be able to go to him with all their desires, their
fears and their hopes, and just to share having that outpouring of themselves, then to be able to listen to what God is whispering to them.” “That’s why we go; we’re spending time with Christ in adoration, because it truly is Jesus,” Brandon said. And her children are accepting that “with that beautiful child-like faith.” “It’s so important for kids to be in his presence,” said Buell. “Our hearts are desiring Jesus, and to be in his presence is transforming. And to capture kids’ hearts when they’re younger, I think, is so important.” EXPRESSED DESIRE The impetus to begin regular eucharistic adoration came from a parish survey, in which numerous people expressed that desire, McEvoy said. In 2017 the parish began 24-hour first Friday adoration with exposition. “There were a lot of people doing the Rosary before Mass,” Buell said, “and out of that came this desire to have adoration. Mary always brings us to Jesus.” In time, adoration grew to be weekly, she said. “I just started asking the people who were doing the first Fridays if they’d want to do it every Friday, and a lot of people said yes.” Church norms require that someone be present at all times when the Blessed Sacrament is exposed, so filling each time slot with the recommended two people required Buell to actively invite people to take part. “I thought, how hard can that be? If Jesus wants it to
30% off Wedding Invitations with this coupon.
Over 60 Catalogs of Wedding Invitations Omaha’s Keg Beer Specialist Large Variety of Wedding Accessories The Chocolate Fountain
Beverage & Bridal Good through through Oct. 30,30, 2022 Good Sept. 2021
Omaha’s Quality Liquor and Beverage Caterer for over 30 years. 8510 K ST. • 331-5404
MIKE MAY/STAFF
Donna Buell and Phil McEvoy are working toward establishing perpetual eucharistic adoration at their parish, St. Matthew the Evangelist Parish in Bellevue. happen, it will happen,” she said. “So as we got going, it kind of snowballed,” McEvoy added. And that was early 2020, right before the COVID pandemic. Despite the temporary halt to public Masses, weekly adoration continued uninterrupted, Buell said. NEW INSPIRATION Late last year, St. Matthew Parish celebrated the long-awaited completion and dedication of its new church. The building has inspired even more people to spend time before the Lord in the church’s beautiful new adoration chapel. At this time the parish also expanded adoration hours to its current Thursday through Saturday schedule. One of those drawn to spend time in adoration was Johnny Hula, a University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) junior. “It’s a really beautiful place for adoration,” he said. During this past Lent, Hula, who was working from home at a college internship, was drawn to the beauty of the new church and began going there during lunch breaks to pray the Stations of the Cross.
He eventually stepped into the adoration chapel to experience the Lord’s presence. “It has given me a deeper reverence for the Blessed Sacrament, the Mass and the sacraments in general,” Hula said. “As Catholics, we believe that Christ wants to be truly present with us through the sacraments, and that’s a really cool thing. “And that’s been one of the greatest blessings – a deeper reverence and a deeper relationship with Christ.” Hula, who now lives at the St. John Paul II Newman Center near UNO, is continuing his practice of eucharistic adoration in the center’s oratory. UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament offers people the opportunity to personally encounter Jesus and receive his graces. At St. Matthew, people are allowed, and even encouraged, to prayerfully and reverently touch the monstrance that holds the Eucharist, McEvoy said. “We try to get people to be like the lady in the Bible who was hemorrhaging – she just touched Jesus’ cloak and she was healed – and not just
to sit back or kneel, but to go up there and touch the monstrance … to put your physical, mental or spiritual concerns there, and watch them go away.” “You can say, Jesus, here’s my issues. You know what they are. I’m done with them, they’re yours,” he said. Even though the Eucharist is only exposed during specific hours, people are encouraged to obtain an access card from the parish office and come to the church anytime for adoration, Buell said. And the goal is to be able to offer the opportunity to kneel before the exposed Blessed Sacrament 24-7. To promote the devotion, Father Leo Rigatuso, pastor, regularly emphasizes the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist during his homilies. “What we’re here for is Jesus,” he said. “He is the Savior. We need to stay focused on what we’re doing and where we’re going.” “There’s so many things going on (in daily life) … it’s so easy to get sidetracked. So to keep us mindful of what this is (Jesus in the Eucharist), everything is centered around Jesus and the time spent with him – everything we do flows from that.”
| NEWS |
SEPTEMBER 17, 2021
»9
St. Matthew’s new church fulfills parishioners’ dreams BY MIKE MAY Catholic Voice
For nearly 23 years, St. Matthew the Evangelist Parish has been setting up chairs and a portable altar in the school gym for weekend Masses, and taking them down again to be stored for another week. That all ended last Nov. 4 when parishioners joyfully celebrated the dedication of their new church by Archbishop George J. Lucas. After years of hoping and waiting to build their church, the project got a kickstart in 2017 from an anonymous parishioner, who paid off the $218,000 debt that remained from the construction of the gym 20 years earlier. That cleared the way for serious discussions and planning for construction of a church to begin, said Father Leo Rigatuso, pastor. The architectural firm Jackson-Jackson & Associates was hired to develop designs. “The thing we liked about them was they started bringing people together in small groups … to be participants in this process,” Father Rigatuso said. And the design that emerged was in the traditional style, with the altar
MIKE MAY/STAFF
MIKE MAY/STAFF
The new St. Matthew the Evangelist Church at 12330 S. 36th St. in Bellevue was dedicated by Archbishop George J. Lucas on Nov. 4, 2020.
The interior design includes seating for 700 and a 28-seat adoration chapel located behind the sanctuary with a tabernacle that opens from each side.
and tabernacle as the central focus, Communion rails, stained glass windows, exposed wooden ceiling beams, Stations of the Cross, statuary and other time-honored touches. “And we wanted it to be very open (so that) when you step into the room you get that ‘awe’ factor,” said Rick Holdcroft, parishioner and facilitator of the parish’s building steering committee. “I’ve had people every
arated from the sanctuary by a glass wall with a tabernacle that opens from each side. Also included are a new parish office and space that can be finished as a social hall in the future. The $8.6 million project began with a Sept. 9, 2018, groundbreaking, and immediately stalled due to an unusually rainy fall. Construction, with Boyd Jones Construction as general contractor, began in earnest the
weekend comment on the design of the church,” Father Rigatuso said. “They like the traditional look.” With seating for 700, the church was designed to take into account nearby residential growth, which is expected, he said. About 100 new families have already joined the parish in the past year, Holdcroft said. The building features a 28-seat adoration chapel sep-
BUSINESS CARD DIRECTORY INDEPENDENT BUSINESSES
THE ARCHDIOCESE OF OMAHA
INSURANCE
DENTISTS
PROTECTION THAT GROWS WITH YOUR DREAMS
SHARING MILESTONES IN MUSIC
ATTORNEYS
American Famiy Mutual Insurance Company, American Family Insurance Company, 6000 American Parkway, Madison WI 53783 006441—Rev. 11/15 ©2015
following spring and was completed in late 2020. The parish, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, was created in 1996 when the archdiocese assumed control of then-Cardinal Spellman School, naming it and the new parish St. Matthew the Evangelist. Cardinal Spellman School was built in 1963 by military personnel to serve families associated with Offutt Air Force Base.
Raymond Ekeh Agency 155 N 72nd St Omaha, NE 68114 (402) 561-9220 rekeh@amfam.com
147th & Maple Street 402.216.7298 MyOmahaDentist.com .
INVESTING
PHYSICIANS
3.7%
8 Year Flex Deferred Annuity $500 Minimum
Dr. Alfred T Longo, D.D.S., M.S.
Obstetric and Gynecologic Care in Harmony with Our Catholic Faith
K=N@ ANPEłA@
Dr. Meghann Longo Dietz, D.D.S., M.S. Omaha 170 N. 144th St. 402-496-9733 Bellevue 121 West Mission 402-291-0528
Karen Lauer-Silva, M.D., F.A.C.O.G
Main Office: Fremont, NE phone: 402-721-3133 Satellite Office: Wahoo, NE phone: 443-4191
HOME SALES
ELDER CARE
Gross & Welch PC, LLO Wills, Trusts, Special Needs Trusts, Elder Law & Taxation
William J. Lindsay, Jr.
WE’RE HERE FOR YOU • Choose Your Caregiver
Essential In-Home Elder Care
Attorney at Law
(402) 392-1500 wlindsay@grosswelch.com
Call for a Free Consultation
402.917.8225
Julie & Phil Labadie
Owners Parishioners-St. Mary, Bellevue
VisitingAngels.com/Omaha
America’s Choice In Home Care®
Grand Knight Council 13080
| HIGHER EDUCATION |
10 « SEPTEMBER 17, 2021
RACE EDUCATION: Americans wary of CRT in the classroom >> Continued from Page 1
The Cardinal Newman Society (CNS) of Merrifield, Virginia, is a Catholic organization committed to promoting faithful Catholic education especially in higher education. It recently published “Background on Critical Race Theory and Critical Theory for Catholic Educators.” Authored by Dr. Denise Donohue, CNS vice president for Educator Resources, the article explains the basic tenets of CRT. “Critical race theory asserts that America’s legal framework is inherently racist and that race itself, instead of being biologically grounded and natural, is a socially constructed concept that is used by white people to further their economic and political interests at the expense of people of color,” she writes. “Critical race theory is predicated on the belief that race is the fundamental pivot point of injustice and oppression with whites as the oppressors. It asserts that all nonwhites in the United States are victims of racism, even when it is not apparent, and that even supposed legal advances against racism like those during the 1960s civil rights movement ultimately protect a system that benefits whites.” Dr. Gregory Rutledge, an English professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) who also has a law degree, explained that CRT first emerged in the United States as a method of interpreting cultural presuppositions about race that inform the U.S. legal system. CRT was used, he said, by “lawyers breaking from the belief that legal systems will allow for true progress and seeking a better reading of the laws of culture.” Rutledge told the Catholic Voice that he employs CRT in his classroom as a lens through which to understand “the nuances of the text
and the context the author deploys.” He added that even before it became a legal theory, CRT was a strategy used in storytelling about race in African-American literature, as he discusses in his 2012 book “The Epic Trickster in American Literature.” “The best authors focus on this irony with an astute critical lens,” he said. “They have been doing so, I argue, since the late-18th century. In the 1980s, CRT arrived as law professors/lawyers saw standard civil rights legal action as a part of a larger cultural narrative that was the real Law.” CLASSROOM TO NEWSROOM How CRT moved from legal theory to the field of education and ultimately to the public square has much to do with those advocating it as a force for social change. In 1995, educational theorists moved CRT beyond legal scholarship, using it to better understand divergent educational outcomes or the “achievement gap.” One of these CRT pioneers, Gloria Ladson-Billings, penned the 1994 book “The Dreamkeepers: Successful Teacher of African American Children,” which is considered a breakthrough in incorporating CRT into the classroom. Since the mid-1990s, CRT has become popular in institutions of higher learning around the world, especially in English-speaking countries. In addition to education studies, it has been integrated into other academic fields, including political science, women’s studies, ethnic studies and communication. It wasn’t until 2020, however, that CRT became practically a household term. On May 25, George Floyd died while in the custody of Minneapolis police, and a subsequent trial ruled his death a homicide. His death led to worldwide condemnation and
CARDINAL NEWMAN SOCIETY
Dr. Denise Donohue, vice president for Educator Resources for the Cardinal Newman Society (CNS), headquartered in Merrifield, Virginia, is an expert on Critical Race Theory and Catholicism. She is author of CNS’s recently published “Background on Critical Race Theory and Critical Theory for Catholic Educators.” It is available at newmansociety.org/background-crt/.
caused months of riots, based on the perception that minorities do not receive equal protection under the law – a common conviction among CRT advocates. Less than three months later, on Sept. 4, President Donald Trump responded to what he saw as a movement to push a distorted vision of America as an irredeemably racist country, a way of reconceiving our nation that emphasized political identities and class conflict. He issued an executive order denying federal funding for sensitivity programs advocating CRT. The order denounced CRT-related programs as “divisive, un-American propaganda” and “racist.” With President Trump’s vocal opposition to CRT and the announcement of the formation of his 1776 Commission to promote “patriotic education,” CRT became a campaign issue in the 2020 election. It was widely discussed in TV news reports, newspapers and talk radio. As a result, by 2021 at least 10 states had passed legislation, introduced bills or taken other measures to restrict teaching CRT in public schools.
CONTINUING CONTROVERSY Even as institutions of higher learning around the country seem to be embracing CRT, Americans are generally wary of it being taught to their children. A recent poll indicates that a majority in the country does not want CRT taught in K-12 schools. Conducted by the Club for Growth, the poll reveals that 42% of Americans oppose teaching CRT, while only 29% say it should be taught at the primary school level. Another 28% are undecided on the question. Concern over CRT has also led Cornell Law School professor William Jacobson to create criticalrace. org. The website tracks U.S. colleges and universities integrating CRT or varying degrees of such programming into their curricula and/or policies. Listing more than 400 schools on a state-by-state interactive map, the website includes many Catholic colleges and universities. “This is not a list of schools to avoid,” the website states, “it is a database to provide parents and students with information from which they can make informed decisions as to what is best.” Two Nebraska universities – UNL and Jesuit-led Creighton University in Omaha – are listed on criticalrace. org. According to an Aug. 7, 2020, news release, UNL is undertaking a review of its curriculum and policies as part of its “continued pursuit of racial justice and aligned with the national call for an end to systematic racism.” After participating in the 2020 Institute on Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation led by the Association of American Colleges and Universities, Creighton announced that it was also reviewing its curricula and policies. Among its stated goals, the school is seeking to “institutionalize curriculum to incorporate racial justice dialogues into academic offerings.”
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA-LINCOLN
Dr. Jeffrey Rutledge, an English professor at University of Nebraska-Lincoln who also holds a degree in law, told the Catholic Voice that Critical Race Theory emerged in the United States in the 1970s to explain how the perceived racism inherent within American culture informs the country’s legal system – even laws and rulings intended to benefit minorities. RACE EDUCATION AT CREIGHTON Dr. Ngwarsungu Chiwengo, English professor at Creighton and faculty coordinator of its Black Studies Program, told the Catholic Voice that Creighton recognizes the need for promoting racial equality through classroom discussion. “What I try to teach students is that there are multiple interpretations of a text, that what really counts is not your position but how you are able to support your argumentation with textual evidence,” she said, explaining the need to present to students both a “Western” and an “Afrocentric” interpretation of classical literary texts. “I don’t go to the classroom necessarily to change students,” she said, “but to expose them to a different text, a different reading, and we are all responsible for determining what our values are.” As a Catholic institution, she said, Creighton is committed to diversity and inclusion, noting that the Black Studies Program, established in 1969, is informed by the school’s Catholic mission. “The Bible says that you’re supposed to love your neighbor as yourself,” Chiwengo said, so “it seems to me that you are talking about diversity and inclusion. You’re talking about racial equality – about racial and social justice.” While Chiwengo said she is not certain that CRT guides Creighton’s approach to issues of race, she would welcome it into the classroom as part of the overall effort to raise awareness of race-related issues. “Any discussion of race is good,” she said. “We in higher education are more exposed to Caucasian modes of thinking than other forms of thinking. If (CRT) is what we need to raise our awareness of issues, to understand race, then I don’t see why we shouldn’t use it.” UNL DEBATE But if Chiwengo sees CRT as a way to raise awareness about race, others see it as problematic not only for Catholic colleges and universities, but for higher learning in general. This past August, Jim Pillen, a member of the Univer-
sity of Nebraska board of regents and a member of St. Isidore Parish in Columbus, introduced a resolution that would ban the uncritical employment of CRT in the school system’s curricula. On Aug. 13, the board defeated his measure by a 5-3 vote. Local news accounts described the debate prior to the vote as emotional and heated, with many who voiced opposition to the resolution framing the debate as a question of academic freedom. According to an Aug. 14 report on the resolution’s defeat in the Omaha World-Herald, University of Nebraska President Ned Carter said, “Our students are not children. Our students are not at threat of having this discussion. They’re there to think for themselves.” Pillen, who is also a Republican candidate for Nebraska governor, told the Catholic Voice that his position on CRT was “mischaracterized.” “I understand academic freedom as well as any tenured faculty member, and academic freedom means it takes place on both sides of the desk in theory classes,” he said. “The thing that critics failed to point out and make crystal clear is that a theory class is not to be taught as doctrine; it’s to be debated. The word debate did not come up in any of the critical race theory proponent’s conversation” on Aug. 13. Like Carter, Pillen also thinks CRT has a place in classroom discussion, but ought not be indiscriminately imposed across the school system’s curricula. “I think CRT needs to be discussed in philosophy classes and other studies where different ideas are explored,” he said. “But there’s not a place for CRT in the college of engineering, for instance.” Pillen said that he intends to continue his opposition to CRT and will be making sure all students have a voice to express what they experience in their classes. “The next step is accountability through surveys,” he said, “and making sure what the leadership of the university told us is actually taking place on campus.” Continued on Page 11 >>
| HIGHER EDUCATION |
SEPTEMBER 17, 2021
» 11
>> Continued from Page 10
LIMITS OF THEORY Like Pillen, CNS’s Donohue, who has written and spoken extensively about CRT, argues that since it is a theory, it should be taught as such. “It is quite appropriate to teach college students about CRT,” she said, “but quite limiting if these were the only approaches used, since Catholic education’s hallmark is the pursuit of truth no matter where it lies. To be confined to the use of only one lens is not at the heart of Catholic education.” According to CNS senior fellow Dr. Daniel Guernsey, who has also written and spoken widely on the subject, CRT must be able to withstand traditional academic scrutiny as all theories should. “It’s not fair simply to make an asserted statement and claim that it is so because you say it is so,” he said. “It needs to go through the academic rigors testing for its accuracy, clarity, cogency, internal logic and ultimately its relationship to the truth – to reality.” From a logical standpoint, Guernsey said, CRT is problematic because its proponents tend to make circular arguments to defend it. “In circular arguments, one assumes the premise in one’s argument,” he said. “‘Well, of course this is true: Everyone is a racist. If you say you’re not a racist, that proves you’re a racist.’ “So, there’s that kind of attack on logic – which also comes under attack by some saying that logic itself is racist. It’s only some extremists who go to that level, but at the end of the day,
COURTESY JIM PILLEN
CARDINAL NEWMAN SOCIETY
Jim Pillen, a member of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents, introduced a resolution this past August to ban the uncritical use of Critical Race Theory (CRT) in the school system’s curricula. The measure failed on a 5-3 vote on Aug. 13. Pillen, who is also a member of St. Isidore Parish in Columbus, told the Catholic Voice that while CRT’s approach to fighting racism leads only to divisiveness, a more Christian approach would yield a greater sense of unity. “We have to love our neighbors as ourselves,” he said.
Dr. Daniel Guernsey, a senior fellow at the Cardinal Newman Society in Merrifield, Virginia, has written and spoken widely on Critical Race Theory (CRT). He sees it as a legitimate subject of study at Catholic institutions of higher learning – although he said that it should not be taught uncritically. “The important thing to realize is that CRT is a quasi-religious worldview,” he told the Catholic Voice, “and needs to be evaluated on those terms.”
especially in academia, if there is no truth – what are we doing?”
change, and the reform of our institutions and society,” the bishops also write, adding, “in Christ we can find the strength and the grace necessary to make that journey.” This same message ought to be front and center at Catholic colleges and universities, said Donohue. “Ensuring discussion at the higher education level of man’s relationship with God, his common origin and common destiny, that man was made for communion and unity, not division based on race, or any other type of social construct, will assist in this effort of passing on perennial Catholic teaching which has withstood the
POWER OF LOVE According to Pillen, CRT’s approach to addressing racial inequality is incompatible with Catholic teaching on a fundamental level. “There’s no question that there has been mistreatment of human beings from the beginning of time; that doesn’t obviously make it right,” he said. “There are inequalities today as there were 2,000 years ago. The only solution is that love conquers all. That’s how I was taught and that’s the solution. The solution isn’t telling
my grandchildren that they’re racist because they’re born white.” The message of Christian love is at the heart of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ 2019 pastoral letter against racism, “Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love.” “Racist acts are sinful because they violate justice,” the bishops write. “They reveal a failure to acknowledge the human dignity of the persons offended, to recognize them as the neighbors Christ calls us to love (Mt 22:39).” “What is needed, and what we are calling for, is a genuine conversion of heart, a conversion that will compel
enroll.divinemercy.edu/?frm=CATHOLICVOICEHALF
test of time,” she said. With the wealth of Catholic teaching readily at hand, said Guernsey, Catholic educators ought to be willing and confident to engage in the CRT debate. “We can be in discussion and debate with CRT proponents – and we should be,” he said. “All folks of good will who have tried to end racism need to have a discussion about the nature of forgiveness, guilt, meekness, the common good and justice. This is where we can enter with our Catholic worldview and fill a tremendous gap in the secular approach to racism and related injustices.”
| HIGHER EDUCATION |
12 « SEPTEMBER 17, 2021
College of Saint Mary students bring occupational therapy to homeless shelter BY SUSAN SZALEWSKI Catholic Voice
Marlis Soltani’s physical strength and flexibility, as well as her confidence, have surged in the past few months. She’s making better food choices, exercising regularly and learning other life skills. As a result, Soltani said, she’s lost 60 pounds, is seeing more of her neighbors and keeping her health problems at bay. What prompted the changes? Soltani – who lives in a transitional apartment at the Stephen Center homeless shelter in Omaha – met Kylie Widhelm, an occupational therapy instructor from the College of Saint Mary in Omaha, and three of her students: Audrea Severe, A’Leah Davis and Becca Meyer. For several weeks the students and their teacher have been providing individualized assessments and therapy as well as group classes for shelter residents, many of whom have disabilities. “I love these guys,” Soltani said. “I have health issues. I just don’t want any more.” The College of Saint Mary – led by its president, Sister Maryanne Stevens – and the Stephen Center developed a partnership earlier this summer, establishing more collaboration between the two institutions. That effort began with the occupational therapy department creating a clinical rota-
tion at the homeless shelter for fifth-year students who are about to graduate. From there, the college hopes to further involve other academic departments and extend more services to Stephen Center residents. BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS The collaboration has worked well so far, said Beth Ellis, community engagement manager at the Stephen Center, who also is a student at College of Saint Mary and a former resident in the shelter’s dual mental health and alcohol and drug addiction treatment program. College of Saint Mary has a culture that begins with building relationships, Ellis said. That culture is being shared as students get to know their clients at the Stephen Center, working 40 hours a week at the shelter during their rotation. “Being a student at College of Saint Mary’s, I fell in love with their culture and its connectedness and its support,” she said. “So I get to see these OT (occupational therapy) students from College of Saint Mary’s here on our campus with that same culture in areas where there may not have been as much connectedness.” Relationships help the therapists build trust, determine needs and help people to become more independent, Widhelm and her students said. Serving the wider community is part of the college’s Christian mission and vision, the instructor said, and leaders such as Ellis have helped align the similar goals of the shelter and the college. Residents and staff at the Stephen Center have welcomed the support. “I feel like it’s been so well received because we’ve had gaps in our programming here at the Stephen Center,” Ellis said. As an emergency shelter, the Stephen Center’s main goal
is housing, she said, but there are deeper needs. The College of Saint Mary’s occupational therapists assess residents and offer treatment that will help keep them from becoming homeless again, Ellis said. RANGE OF NEEDS The therapy covers a wide swath of physical and mental health issues and includes skills such as budgeting, housekeeping, cooking, parenting, career guidance, leisure activities, medication management and transportation. The age of the people treated at Stephen Center runs the gamut, from infants to the elderly. “We not only address the individual, but we address the family to make sure the family unit is successful,” Widhelm said. “Our ultimate goal is that these individuals will be successful in the community so that we don’t have to see them come back and need that emergency shelter again,” she said. Some of the older women who live in transitional apartments at the shelter had tended to isolate themselves, Ellis said. But now she’s seeing them involved in exercise classes and more. The therapists build relationships and encourage those women through their hardships, she said. “Now we have these young, vibrant girls on our campus who are creating this culture of let’s get out of our apartments, let’s have fun,” Ellis said. “That culture has already improved our campus.” “I think relationship is truly where it starts.” Charlotte Anderson, a resident in the shelter’s addiction program, has had multiple surgeries on her back, knees and shoulders. The occupational therapists have been helping her with exercises to strengthen those areas and ways to help her deal with pain, she said. Classes, including one that focused on career goals, keep her mind busy and help her from falling back into bad habits, Anderson said. UNDERLYING ISSUES Davis, one of the occupational therapy students, said
SUSAN SZALEWSKI/STAFF
College of Saint Mary student A’Leah Davis (right) helps a Stephen Center resident as she exercises with a resistance band on Aug. 31. Davis and two other occupational therapy students, Audrea Severe and Becca Meyer, have been working at the homeless shelter as part of a clinical rotation. Instructor Kylie Widhelm has been overseeing them. people might try to stigmatize the homeless, seeing them as lazy or less than human. Working with them, she said, she sees the underlying issues, such as trauma or drug and alcohol abuse. Meyer, another student, agreed. “I think just hearing their stories has been the biggest thing, and realizing these are things that could happen to anyone,” she said. “It’s a lot of unfortunate events.” Some people grew up in dysfunctional homes and never learned basic skills, such as cooking, cleaning or parenting, the therapists said. Some have lived on the streets for decades. “So we just come along beside them and help them use whatever tools to help them become successful,” Widhelm said. “There’s a statistic that at least 52% of the homeless population have a disability, whether it’s physical or psychological,” she said. “But I could say that it feels like even more than 52% here.” The occupational therapists’
job, Widhelm said, is “addressing any of those needs, any of those disabilities.” Severe, Davis and Meyer will move on from their rotation, and a new group of occupational therapy students will begin at the Stephen Center. Severe said she would like to pursue a career helping pediatric or mental health patients. Davis said she hopes to help children or the elderly, while Meyer said she hopes to specialize in sensory intervention for children, a way of treating them by stimulating their senses. Widhelm, meanwhile, will stay on year-round at the Stephen Center to provide guidance for more rounds of students. The lessons they learn from the homeless are invaluable, she said. “I think we’re getting just as much, if not more, out of this rotation than they are, to be honest,” Widhelm said. “Me included, by all means.”
Your JOURNEY to College BEGINS with Us Our free resources will help you get there.
EducationQuest.org 888.357.6300 402.391.4033
| HIGHER EDUCATION |
SEPTEMBER 17, 2021
» 13
Catholic colleges and universities educate the whole person BY MIKE MAY Catholic Voice
What makes a Catholic college or university Catholic? Is it more than the presence of a campus church or chapel, a theology requirement within the curriculum, and the presence of priests or religious faculty? And what makes it worth the extra cost compared with that of a public institution? According to the presidents of two Midwest schools, the value proposition of Catholic higher education involves a Catholic culture where students can pursue the fullness of truth while being formed in their spiritual lives and educated for a career. St. Pope John Paul II wrote in his 1990 apostolic letter on Catholic universities “Ex Corde Ecclesiae”: “Without in any way neglecting the acquisition of useful knowledge, a Catholic University is distinguished by its free search for the whole truth about nature, man and God. … It is in the context of the impartial search for truth that the relationship between faith and reason is brought to light and meaning.” In the document, he also wrote: “In a Catholic University, therefore, Catholic ideals, attitudes and principles penetrate and inform university activities in accordance with the proper nature and autonomy of these activities. In a word, being both a University and Catholic, it must be both a community of scholars representing various branches of human knowledge, and an academic institution in which Catholicism is vitally present and operative.” MAKING FAITH PRESENT For Stephen Minnis, president of Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, making that vision a reality involves creating an immersive Catholic environment for students. “The Catholic faith permeates everything that we do,” he said. “No matter where our students are, whether they’re in the dorm, the classroom, church, on the playing field, in the dining hall, on the sidewalk, we as an institution have a commitment to educate them within a community of faith and scholarship.”
With the availability of daily Mass, confession, eucharistic adoration, prayer services, plentiful religious art, and chapels currently being built in every dormitory, Benedictine works to make the Catholic faith present and accessible to students. “We, as humans, will always worship something,” Minnis said. “And if we don’t provide them an opportunity in every aspect of our college for them to worship God, they will find something else to worship – whether it’s the internet, social media, pornography or video games.” COST DIFFERENTIAL But that immersive environment comes with a cost. According to the College Board’s report, “Trends in College Pricing and Student Aid 2020,” on average, private undergraduate tuition was 3.5 times that of public institutions during the 20202021 academic year – $37,650 compared with $10,560. Factoring in room and board, Catholic colleges cost 2.3 times that of public education – $50,770 compared with $22,180. Given the higher costs, many Catholic colleges offer generous financial aid to help make Catholic education more affordable. For example, Msgr. James Shea, president of the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota, touts his school as one of the most affordable four-year Catholic universities in the United States. “No student comes to the University of Mary without receiving a scholarship of some kind,” he said. Those may include academic scholarships and need-based financial aid, resulting in an average tuition cost to students and their families of $17,000 per year. And graduates of Catholic high schools can benefit from University of Mary’s Catholic Scholars Program, Msgr. Shea said. “If you’ve made the sacrifice to send your daughter or your son to Catholic high school, we wanted to honor that and make sure that if they came to the University of Mary … that we’re going to give them free room and board as the minimum institutional aid.”
NEED HELP WITH COLLEGE PLANNING? EducationQuest Foundation is a nonprofit organization providing free college planning services and resources for Nebraska students and families. EducationQuest has offices in Omaha, Lincoln, Kearney and Scottsbluff where college planning specialists can help students explore careers, learn how to plan and pay for college, find scholarship resources and complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Free resources are also available at EducationQuest.org, including: · Activities Resume to track extracurricular activities and parttime jobs · College Profiles providing information about colleges in Nebraska and nationally · FAFSA Tools to simplify the financial aid application process · ScholarshipQuest to access more than 2,000 Nebraska-based scholarships · Videos to help students and families plan for college and complete the FAFSA To make an appointment for free help, contact EducationQuest’s nearest location: Omaha, 888-357-6300; Lincoln, 800-303-3745; Kearney, 800-666-3721; or Scottsbluff, 800-666-3721.
NEWMAN CENTERS For some Catholic families, paying the cost of private college still remains out of reach, but Catholic ministries such as Newman Centers, which offer opportunities for daily Mass, Bible studies, retreats, mission trips and Catholic fellowship, can reassure parents of a faith presence at a public college or university. Jenny Medinger of Lincoln said she expects her son, Simon, a freshman at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), to find nourishment for his faith while living in the residence hall at the St. John Paul II Newman Center. “It was unmistakable the feeling he and I got when we came and toured the residence hall, and we just knew right away that he belonged there.” It was a “sharp contrast” to the campus tour at UNO, where a more secular atmosphere prevails, she said. In addition to visual reminders of the Catholic faith, such as posters and crucifixes in the residence hall, “their (tour guides’) kindness and their welcoming attitude (made a difference) … it was just the Holy Spirit that did the rest.” “We’ve never encouraged our children to live in a Catholic bubble, and we’ve always exposed them to the world around them,” Medinger said. “But we know the importance of them having a safe place to express their faith and their beliefs without fear of retribution.” ‘HOLISTIC EDUCATION’ While praising the work done by Newman Centers at public institutions, Msgr. Shea said Catho-
UNIVERSITY OF MARY
Msgr. James Shea, president of the University of Mary, leads his students during the January 2020 March for Life in Washington, D.C. lic institutions can make the faith present, not only through faith formation activities, but as a regular element of academics as well. “We’re deeply committed to the holistic education of the human person,” he said. “We’re intent upon good Catholic formation while at the same time committing to excellence in technical training and career preparation.” Msgr. Shea cited his school’s top-rated nursing program as an example. “There’s great technical education, technical excellence there, but we’re able to do something, which I tell you for sure, that secular nursing education isn’t able to offer, which is the ethical formation necessary … to think carefully about the life and dignity of the human person, the sanctity of life from conception to natural death and what it means to have moral reasoning, and not
just political sentiment, about these hot button issues.” Benedictine President Minnis brought up Pope Benedict XVI’s description of the difference between public and Catholic colleges and universities during a 2008 meeting with college administrators. “He said, the difference between public institutions and Catholic institutions is that public institutions have the duty to inform the intellect, (but) Catholic institutions have the duty, not only to inform the intellect, but to inform the will, and have a duty to love (their) students. That’s the difference, and that’s our difference too. “If you truly love your students, then you’re going to do whatever you can to form them within the (Catholic) mission and educate them in a proper way,” Minnis said.
BENEDICTINE COLLEGE
Benedictine College President Stephen Minnis, second from left, poses with students, from left, Jack Edward, Levi Streit, Liza Trettel and Mike Shaneyfelt Aug. 25, following the morning Rosary in the Academic Quad in front of the Our Lady of Grace fountain on the first day of classes.
HAVE FAITH IN YOUR FUTURE Whatever your aspirations, the University of Saint Mary will help you achieve them. 30 majors, including top-notch health care, + Over business, and education programs + Small classes with dedicated faculty scholarships, including an annual Catholic + Generous high school award
Find your future. Visit stmary.edu today.
| NEWS |
14 « SEPTEMBER 17, 2021
Biden administration sues Texas over law restricting abortion BY MATT HADRO
Catholic News Agency
The Biden administration Sept. 9 sued Texas over its new law prohibiting most abortions after the detection of a fetal heartbeat. In a complaint filed in a federal district court in West Texas, the Justice Department said the state acted “in open defiance of the Constitution” in restricting “most pre-viability abortions.” “The Act is clearly unconstitutional under longstanding Supreme Court precedent,” Attorney General Merrick Garland stated Sept. 9. “The United States has the authority and responsibility to ensure that no state can deprive individuals of their constitutional rights through a legislative scheme specifically designed to prevent the vindication of those rights.” The complaint, reported by Bloomberg News, seeks a permanent injunction on state officials and “private parties who would bring suit under the law, from implementing or enforcing” the law. The Texas Heartbeat Act, SB8, requires doctors to check for a fetal heartbeat before performing an abortion. If a heartbeat is detected – which can be as early as six weeks into pregnancy – the law
prohibits abortions except in medical emergencies. However, the law is enforced through private civil lawsuits and not by the state. Abortion providers challenged the law in court, but the Supreme Court on Sept. 1 denied their petition to block the law from going into effect. In response, President Joe Biden called the law “an unprecedented assault on a woman’s constitutional rights,” and promised a “whole-of-government” effort to maintain abortion in Texas. He directed federal agencies, including the Justice Department, to review what actions could be taken “to ensure that women in Texas have access to safe and legal abortions as protected by Roe,” referring to the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion throughout pregnancy in all 50 states. Under the Texas law, plaintiffs may not sue women for illegal abortions. They may sue those who perform illegal abortions, and anyone who “knowingly” aids and abets an illegal abortion. However, the law forbids those who impregnate women who then have abortions from bringing lawsuits in those cases. Successful lawsuits can net at least $10,000 in damages under
the law, plus court costs and attorney fees. Instead of enforcing the law, the state of Texas “has deputized ordinary citizens to serve as bounty hunters,” the Justice Department officials alleged in their complaint. “It takes little imagination to discern Texas’s goal – to make it too risky for an abortion clinic to operate in the State,” the lawsuit argued. “Thus far, the law has had its desired effect. To date, abortion providers have ceased providing services prohibited by S.B. 8, leaving women in Texas unacceptably and unconstitutionally deprived of abortion services.” Vice President Kamala Harris met with “abortion and reproductive health providers and patients from Texas, Mississippi, Kentucky, and New Mexico” on Sept. 9 to discuss the Texas law. “The right of women to make decisions about their own bodies is not negotiable,” Harris said, according to the White House pool report of the meeting. “We need to codify Roe v. Wade.” In advance of the lawsuit, one pro-life leader called it “anti-democracy.” Pro-life leaders pointed out that the state legislature recently increased public benefits for low-income mothers, expanding
JORDAN VONDERHAAR/GETTY IMAGES
Abortion “rights” activists rally at the Texas State Capitol on Sept. 11 in Austin. Texas lawmakers recently passed SB8, which prohibits abortions in Texas after a fetal heartbeat is detected on an ultrasound, which can be as early as the sixth week of pregnancy. Medicaid coverage for new mothers and funding the Alternatives to Abortion program. “Texas is further leading in compassion for women and families with its $100 million Alternatives to Abortion state program and ten times as many pro-life pregnancy centers as abortion facilities,” said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the pro-life Susan B. Anthony List, on Sept. 9. Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City in Kansas, chair of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ pro-life committee, pointed to the bishops’ national outreach “Walking with Moms in Need” which helps parishes meet the needs of new and expecting mothers.
He cited the words of Pope Francis that “killing a child is never a solution to a problem.” “Tragically, the President, Speaker of the House, and other public officials have responded with statements that ignore our nation’s sacred interest to protect the life and health of both mothers and their unborn children, instead responding with radical pledges to mobilize the full force of the federal government to block all efforts to protect the life of the child in the womb,” he said. “As Catholics, we are committed to working and praying for the conversion of minds and hearts so all people will respect the dignity of the human person from conception to natural death.”
| NEWS |
SEPTEMBER 17, 2021
» 15
Catholic health leader decries ‘unjust’ federal vaccine mandate
High court halts execution of inmate requesting vocal prayer at his death
BY MATT HADRO
Catholic News Agency
Catholic News Agency
President Joe Biden on Sept. 9 announced a federal COVID19 vaccine mandate for many private employers, drawing criticism from the head of one Catholic health care ministry. “Coercing individuals into making a medical intervention is unjust,” said Louis Brown, executive director of the Christ Medicus Foundation and former acting deputy director of the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Deparment of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights, in an interview with Catholic News Agency Sept. 9. “And a vaccine mandate that could cause millions of Americans to lose their jobs, to be excluded from large swathes of civil society – to become, effectively, second-class citizens – seriously undermines the principle of human dignity and the civil rights foundations of America,” he said. President Biden said his administration would require employers with 100 or more employees to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations, or ensure negative COVID-19 tests weekly. The emergency rule is being developed by the Labor Department, Biden said. Those employers must give paid time off to workers to get vaccinated, he said, also appealing to entertainment venues to require proof of vaccine from customers. The president also issued an executive order requiring executive branch federal employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19, and mandating the same for federal contractors. Facilities receiving Medicaid or Medicare funding would also have to require the vaccine for staff, the Associated Press reported. “Many of us are frustrated with the nearly 80 million Americans who are still not vaccinated, even though the vaccine is safe, effective, and free,” Biden said in remarks at the White House Sept. 9. “This is a pandemic of the unvaccinated.” “We’ve been patient, but our patience is wearing thin. And your refusal has cost all of us,” he said to unvaccinated Americans. In his remarks, Biden did not specify if the Labor Department was crafting conscience accommodations for employees opposed to COVID-19 vaccines due to conscience concerns. The three COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in the United States have utilized controversial cell lines, drawn from fetal tissue from abortions believed to have been conducted in the 1970s. The vaccines produced by Pfizer and Moderna used the controversial cell lines in testing, while the Johnson & Johnson vaccine used the cell lines in both testing and production. However, the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, in a December 2020 note, said that use of COVID-19 vaccines with connections to the cell lines is morally permissible, if no better ethical option is available. “The moral duty to avoid such passive material cooperation” with
KEVIN DIETSCH/GETTY IMAGES
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks about combatting the coronavirus pandemic in the State Dining Room of the White House Sept. 9 in Washington, D.C. As the Delta variant continues to spread in the United States, Biden outlined his administration’s six-point plan, including a requirement that all federal workers be vaccinated against COVID-19. He is also instructing the Department of Labor to draft a rule mandating that all businesses with 100 or more employees require their workers to get vaccinated or face weekly testing. the abortions “is not obligatory,” the Vatican said, “if there is a grave danger, such as the otherwise uncontainable spread of a serious pathological agent – in this case, the pandemic spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes Covid-19.” The congregation went on to state that “vaccination is not, as a rule, a moral obligation and that, therefore, it must be voluntary.” For those refusing a vaccine “for reasons of conscience,” they must take precautions to avoid transmitting the virus, the Vatican said. Catholic health care groups have also opposed vaccine mandates, while noting that Catholics have been encouraged to receive COVID19 vaccines.
The Catholic Medical Association said on July 28 that it “opposes mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations as a condition of employment without conscience or religious exemptions.” The National Catholic Bioethics Center also issued a July 2 statement opposing mandated vaccination with any of the three COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in the United States. “The best ethical decision-making occurs when individuals have sufficient information for discernment and are able to reflect without undue external pressures placed on them,” they said. “Mandates, by their very nature, exert pressure that can be severe if employment or the ability to further one’s education are threatened.”
7000 Mercy Road Omaha, NE 68106
BY CHRISTINE ROUSSELLE The Supreme Court on Sept. 8 halted the execution of a Texas deathrow inmate who had requested his pastor be allowed to lay hands on him in the execution chamber. The inmate, John Henry Ramirez, was scheduled to be executed that night. The court also agreed to hear his case in its upcoming docket this fall, challenging the state’s prohibition of chaplains’ vocal prayer and physical contact with inmates inside the execution chamber. “The application for stay of execution of sentence of death presented to Justice Alito and by him referred to the Court is granted,” said the Supreme Court in an order issued late that evening. The case could be argued in October or November 2021, according to the court order. The order came about three hours before Ramirez was scheduled to be executed. He was sentenced to death in 2008 for the 2004 murder of 45-year-old convenience store clerk Pablo Castro. Ramirez argued that a Texas Department of Criminal Justice prohibition on audible prayer and physical touch in the execution chamber was an infringement upon his religious liberty. He sought to have his spiritual advisor, Pastor Dana Moore of Second Baptist Church in Corpus Christi, present with him as he receives lethal injection, and laying hands on him as he is dying. The court’s decision was praised by advocates for religious freedom. “We welcome the Court’s deci-
sion to set this case for argument this fall. This issue deserves the Court’s, and the country’s, full attention,” Eric Rassbach, vice president and senior counsel at The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, told Catholic News Agency Sept. 9. “We will urge the Court to recognize that the age-old practice of comfort of clergy is protected by the United States Constitution.” State officials argued that the audible prayer and laying of hands in the chamber would be disruptive and a potential security risk. Texas in 2019 banned spiritual advisors from the chamber, following condemned inmate Patrick Murphy’s request for a Buddhist chaplain to join him at his execution. At the time, Texas only allowed state employees in the death chamber, and the state did not employ a Buddhist chaplain. In April 2021, the state criminal justice department updated its policies to once again allow spiritual advisors of any creed to join condemned inmates in the execution chamber. Later, the department added a restriction that chaplains could not pray out loud. An amicus brief filed by The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty on Sept. 7 called the updated Texas Department of Criminal Justice policy a clear violation of Ramirez’s constitutional rights. “Given that focus on history, and the long tradition of audible prayer by clergy at the moment of death, the scope of the constitutional right is clear – audible prayer should be allowed,” the attorneys explained.
CSM.edu/Events
BLESSING OF THE PETS FEAST OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI MONDAY,
OCTOBER 4 5:30 P.M. CSM Prayer Circle
• Bring your pet or a photo of your pet for a special blessing at the CSM Prayer Circle (near 7000 Mercy Road entrance.) • Pets of all shapes and sizes are welcome.
OPENING RECEPTION:
CELEBRATING THE LIFE AND INFLUENCE OF FRIDA KAHLO
Whatever you do,
do it justice. Rooted in Jesuit values, Creighton’s 140+ academic programs do more to broaden your understanding of yourself, others and the world around you.
THURSDAY,
OCTOBER 14
For all those ready to work for the greater good, we say: Welcome to Creighton.
5 - 7 P.M.
creighton.edu
Hillmer Art Gallery
• This exhibit honors the iconic Mexican painter, Frida Kahlo. • Featured Artists: Jeff Spencer, CSM professor of fine art; Linda Perez Garcia, CSM Alumna’71; and more! • Exhibit runs October 14 through December 16 • Hillmer Art Gallery Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
| MEDIA & CULTURE |
16 « SEPTEMBER 17, 2021
Big Tech censorship of religion is real, critics say Those with politically incorrect views must prepare effective response Catholic News Agency
The power of major internet companies like Facebook, Amazon, YouTube and Twitter over public life is a particular threat to religious groups that focus on controversial issues like abortion, marriage and sexuality, several commentators said at a roundtable on internet censorship in August. These groups should prepare for the possibility of censorship and organize effective countermeasures, they said. “You might not know the hour nor the day you will be censored,” said Joshua Holdenreid, vice president and executive director of the California-based Napa Legal Institute. He said those involved in public debates “need to plan ahead and assume that if they are a religious organization or faith-based organization operating in the public square and focused on an issue that’s related to pro-life (topics), marriage, sexuality, Christian anthropology, they should just assume that they will eventually run afoul of these vague and arbitrary terms and conditions that exist with these Big Tech platforms.” The Ethics and Public Policy Center (EPPC), a Washington, D.C., thinktank that aims to apply “the Judeo-Christian tradition to contemporary questions of law, culture, and politics,” hosted the Aug. 26 roundtable
“How Big Tech Censors Religious Voices and How to Fight Back.” The roundtable follows years of debate and discussion about how major technology and media companies treat some religious voices. The most likely to suffer, Holdenreid said, aren’t necessarily organizations running soup kitchens or homeless shelters, but those who are “weighing in on the most important cultural issues” and “speaking the truth about certain issues that doesn’t align with what folks in Silicon Valley think should be appropriate for the digital public square.” His organization, the Napa Legal Institute, provides legal and financial education to faithbased non-profits on corporate, tax and philanthropic issues. Another roundtable speaker, EPPC president Ryan Anderson, saw one of his books delisted from Amazon in February 2021. The book, “When Harry Became Sally,” offers a philosophical and moral critique of transgender advocates’ claims. Anderson said his book ranked highly on bestseller lists and was listed for sale on Amazon for three years. In removing his book, he charged, the company did not follow its own procedures, such as contacting the author and publisher first to notify them and attempt to reach a solution. He also questioned Amazon’s
What will your legacy be?
RMC42/SHUTTERSTOCK
A smartphone displays apps associated with some of the biggest tech firms in the world: Alphabet, which owns Google (including Gmail) and YouTube; Amazon; Facebook, which also owns Instagram; and Twitter. claim that the book violated its content policy. “Well, how did the book not violate the content policy for the first three years?” he asked. “I didn’t go back and rewrite anything.” The book’s title refers to a popular 1989 movie “When Harry Met Sally,” which dramatized the view that men and women are so different they can’t just be friends. “Whereas today the argument is that men and women are interchangeable and that the concept of male and female is on a spectrum,” said Anderson, who is also the John Paul II
teaching fellow in social thought at the University of Dallas. NOT HATE SPEECH Those who have not read the book, Anderson suggested, might see him as “some bomb-throwing bigot who wrote a book making fun of transgender people” which in their view might justify a company like Amazon refusing to sell “hate speech.” Anderson characterized his arguments as measured and careful. He warned that policies that silence the voices of writers like him encourages more radical voices to see moderation as a failure.
Nancy Abboud is an organized person. She isn’t one to leave things to chance. Many years ago, when her family was young and her husband, David, traveled frequently, she worried about him and how it would impact her family if he were hurt or became sick. “Something bad could happen and where would we be?” Nancy thought. To alleviate some of her concern, she made sure that the couple met with their attorney to set up an estate plan that was right for their family. Providing for their children was an obvious priority. Providing for the parish that she loves and has been a part of for most of her life was also essential. Nancy’s strong faith was fostered and grown through her parish, Christ the King in Omaha. While she knows that it is ultimately Christ’s Church, she also recognizes that our priests and parishioners are responsible for its care. Nancy feels very strongly that she needs to be engaged in her parish and wants to encourage her fellow Catholics to do the same. “My faith is very important to me for starters, but Christ the King Parish is a very special place. The Church is (our) church… (it also belongs to) the people who belong there. It’s their church.” David passed away in 2014 but Nancy continues to provide in her estate plan for the people and organizations that mean the most to her. “I believe that if you belong to something and you care about something then you automatically are inclined to give,” said Nancy. “Some people give of their time, some give of their talent and some give of their treasure. Some can do all of those things. If you have the means to plan ahead and help an organization or your church or archdiocese, I would encourage you to prepare in your estate planning for that.” Learn more about how your legacy can make a difference right here in the Archdiocese of Omaha, by contacting: Tony LaMar Legacy Planning Officer, Archdiocese of Omaha Office of Stewardship & Development 402-557-5650 • ajlamar@archomaha.org
“It silences reasonable voices and then it radicalizes more extreme voices, which would have a really, really bad polarizing effect,” he said. Anderson said that while he understands when small bookstores or bookstores with a special focus decide not to carry certain books, Amazon has near-monopoly power. The company controls about 80 to 90% of all e-book sales and advertised itself and built market dominance as an “everything store.” It put many small booksellers out of business, then cited “an unarticulated content policy” to remove books retroactively, he charged. Anderson suspected the removal of his book was related to a congressional vote on the Equality Act. If this becomes law, it would recognize sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes, akin to race, in anti-discrimination law. MONOPOLY POWER In his view, it is “an abuse of market dominance to try to control public speech, in particular on a matter of huge public import.” Companies like Amazon and YouTube have become “so dominant in their spheres that there really aren’t alternative options,” he said. While the notoriety of the delisting incident gave Anderson’s book a sales boost, he warned that this was likely temporary and the removal would affect which books a publisher chooses to publish in the future. “What publisher is going to want to publish a book, knowing they might miss out on the market controller who has 70% to 80% of market share, right?” he asked. “We won’t even know what books never get published, which authors censor themselves, which publishers spike proposals, all out of fear that Amazon won’t sell it.” Continued on Page 17 >>
| MEDIA & CULTURE | >> Continued from Page 16
REFLEXIVE MUZZLE Also joining the roundtable was Carl Trueman, a fellow at the EPPC Evangelicals and Civic Life Program, a professor at Pennsylvania’s Grove City College, and the author of several books. He worried he was censored for his Aug. 7 lecture livestreamed on the YouTube channel of the Sacramento, California-based Immanuel Baptist Church. The livestream was repeatedly flagged for violating terms of service. It was first halted for alleged copyright violation, due to background music, then halted again for alleged content violation, “apparently relative to something I had said.” He believes the actions stemmed from a complaint from an online viewer, rather than an algorithm. “The lectures are now up in an unedited form, which would seem to indicate that nothing I actually said violated content,” he said. In his view, YouTube automatically assumes the guilt of many who are subject to complaints and does not give them opportunities to respond. Trueman said a similar incident took place in May when he was giving the same set of lectures to a Christian high school faculty in the U.S. South. The lecture was advertised on Instagram accounts but the accounts were suspended, reportedly until all references to Trueman and his lecture were removed. “It’s also very interesting that these Big Tech groups have such power to disrupt what are really fairly bland and what I would regard as run-of-themill presentations on topics of pressing public interest,” he said. He speculated that he faced these difficulties because of the content of his speech and of his 2020 book, “The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self.” “I historicize and relativize the kind of debates we’re hav-
ing about gender in the public square. That doesn’t fit with the dominant narrative that wants to see these things as fixed and as historically transcendent and wants to demonize anybody who doesn’t hold to that emerging dominant narrative as somehow bigoted and problematic.” Trueman said his work “challenges some of the myths by which the political progressives in the U.S. want to reorganize our society.” RISKS OF DE-PLATFORMING Organizations that are de-platformed could lose important work, data and social contacts. Holdenreid said it’s surprising how few people back up their contacts list and videos. People and organizations dependent on YouTube could lose “hundreds or thousands of hours of content” if they are locked out for alleged content violations. He said his Napa Legal Institute has produced white papers examining the risk of de-platforming. Terms and conditions of major services can be easily abused to remove many groups. One Napa Legal Institute report said that faith-based organizations or faith-based voices were being silenced, de-platformed, or censored “at a rate of at least once a week.” He also offered some advice for organizations at risk. They should identify core services that are dependent upon Big Tech, develop a short-term plan to respond if there are service interruptions, and develop a long-term plan to reduce dependence on platforms that have been, in his words, “particularly egregious against faith-based voices.” Faith-based leaders should “develop media relationships” and have a list of reporters likely to disseminate news of any de-platforming or service interruption. Organizations should also
SEPTEMBER 17, 2021
» 17
MICHAEL REYNOLDS/POOL/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES
The CEOs of three of the most powerful tech companies in the world testify remotely before the U.S. Senate Oct. 28, 2020, during a hearing to discuss reforming Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which makes online services immune from liability for third-party content. From left are Alphabet’s Sundar Pichai, Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg and Twitter’s Jack Dorsey. evaluate possible threats to their financial services that hold bank accounts or process donations. For some individuals and groups, access to financial infrastructure, donor infrastructure and communications structure is at risk. POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS Roundtable speakers reflected on the cultural and political context of these controversies. Trueman suggested that Big Tech functions as “a kind of giant therapist” that aims to help make people happy and comfortable, while a religion like Christianity “challenges people where they are” and that is something that “makes people uncomfortable.” He said Christians should still “speak with grace, speak in calm ways, be very careful to present those whom they’re criticizing in a way that those criticizing would recognize themselves.” Following these habits, he said, meant he had a “clear conscience” and knew that he’d not spoken disrespectfully or used inappropriate language that might have brought on any interference in the broadcasts. If Christians face any difficulties, he advised, “let’s just
make sure that it comes our way because it’s nasty people out to get us, and not because we have provided them with enough evidence to convict us.” Anderson noted that non-religious authors like Abigail Shrier have also faced difficulty. Her work has made secular arguments saying there is a lack of scientific and medical authority to justify transgender claims. She also recounts the stories of regret of those who undergo reputed gender transitions. Target stores have refused to carry her book “Irreversible Damage” and Amazon employees petitioned Amazon to de-list it. He worried that this was an effort to “discredit the opposition.” “They’re afraid that if people actually read the book and they learn the arguments, they might have second thoughts about transgender ideology as well,” he said. GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION Anderson sees a place for positive government intervention in disputes about the power of major companies in public life.
“Prudent public policies can serve the common good, and we have a variety of economic and other kinds of government regulations,” said Anderson. He noted the presence of anti-trust rules and regulations and the common carrier public accommodations discrimination paradigm, as well as “section 230 reform,” a communications law that governs internet sites’ legal liabilities for decisions related to their users’ content. He suggested Amazon might be comparable to a “company town” situation where excessive speech regulations have drawn legal scrutiny. Supreme Court decisions like the 1946 Marsh v. Alabama ruling sided with a religious pamphleteer arrested for trespassing on company-owned streets. Clare Morell, an EPPC policy analyst and host of the roundtable, said the common carrier approach to major internet companies would argue that a company that provides a vital public good must serve all comers and cannot discriminate based on religion, religious viewpoint or political viewpoint. State legislation could address some concerns of Big Tech critics, she said.
St. Stephen extend a s
St. Step Thank You! extend
St. St. Stephen Stephenthe theMartyr MartyrCatholic CatholicSchool Schoolwould wouldlike liketoto extend a special thanks to its 2021/2022 Premier, extend a special thanks to its 2020/2021 Home & Diamond & PlatinumDiamond Corporate School Association Sponsors. Without the support and Corporate Sponsors. Without generosity of these organizations, the support and generosity of many the initiativesmany of ourof these of organizations, Home & School Association the initiatives of our Home would & not be possible. Please help usbe School Association would not show our gratitude by supporting possible. Please help us show our these areaby businesses whenever gratitude supporting these area possible. businesses whenever possible. Lisa Kelly & Linda McGuire, NP Dodge Smile Station Pediatric Dentistry Outdoor Oasis Landscaping Exterior Remodel & Design Oriental Trading Company Quality Dental Care Infuze Creative WorldView Ltd Skutt Catholic HighPatera School Landscaping Patera Landscaping Skutt Catholic High School Alff Construction Oriental Trading Company
school.stephen.org
In Appreciation of Our Priests
To foster and promote vocations in the Catholic Church. For more information about the Serra Club of Omaha contact Sally O'Neill at oneill.sally7@gmail.com or call at 402.670.2409
| NEWS |
18 « SEPTEMBER 17, 2021
Afghan Christian’s plea to CNA: ‘You are my last hope’ BY SHANNON MULLEN Catholic News Agency
He says the Taliban executed his father. And his brother. Now they are hunting for him. “Please do something,” he wrote in a plea to Catholic News Agency (CNA). He is a young Afghan, one of countless thousands still desperate to escape his country. He is a doubly marked man. First, because he briefly worked for the U.S. military and other allied forces. Second, because he is a Muslim convert to Christianity. That is a capital crime in Afghanistan. “I hope you save my life.” His pseudonym is Kareem. CNA can’t publish his full name because of the peril he faces. Kareem first contacted CNA Aug. 24. By that time, he had bid a painful goodbye to his family and joined throngs of other Afghan civilians at the gates to Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, the Afghan capital. Along the way, he said, his mother called him with the news that the Taliban had killed his father and brother because both men, who were Muslim, had worked with allied forces during the war. Kareem shared his passport and other documents with CNA to corroborate his identity. Since then, two CNA officials – Kelsey Wicks, the news outlet’s operations manager, and Alejandro Bermudez, CNA’s executive director – have kept in regular contact with Kareem via email and WhatsApp, an instant messaging platform, while working in concert with humanitarian aid groups, religious liberty leaders and others to try to help him. ‘YOU ARE MY LAST HOPE’ CNA’s efforts on Kareem’s behalf are part of a larger story that has unfolded behind the scenes
during and after the U.S. government’s chaotic air evacuation of American citizens, journalists, military personnel and endangered Afghan civilians. More than 120,000 people were flown out of Kabul prior to the completion of the U.S. pullout Aug. 31, the U.S. government said. To date, some 40,000 Afghan refugees have arrived at U.S. military bases in the United States. But countless other endangered Afghans, including many Christians like Kareem and others in the Taliban’s crosshairs, were left behind. In the frenzy leading up to the Biden administration’s Aug. 31 exit deadline, Afghan civilians and their advocates turned to aid groups, well-connected insiders and anyone else they could think of asking for help, before it was too late. “We’re getting desperate calls, either from Afghanistan or from people who are getting them from Afghanistan, and we’re all reaching out to all of our contacts,” Susan Yoshihira, a former U.S. Navy helicopter pilot who heads a non-profit humanitarian organization, the American Council on Women, Peace, and Security, told CNA Sept. 3. In many instances, the fevered networking has yielded positive results. A group of nuns from the Missionaries of Charity and the disabled Afghan children they cared for were rescued and flown to Italy, for example. And an Afghan high school girls’ robotics team managed to make it to Qatar, and some all the way to Mexico. Yet in the tense countdown to the final U.S. pullout, such happy outcomes were offset by the gnawing realization that there simply wasn’t enough time or back-channel leverage to help countless others like Kareem. “Everybody’s exhausted,” Yoshihira said. “They haven’t slept, they’re tired, they’re
Last year, Catholic Charities served 156,000 people and distributed 1.4 million pounds of food.
Catholic Charities remains on the front lines in the COVID-19 pandemic – providing food to the hungry, safety to the endangered, and support to those who are suffering.
please stand with us and support our works of mercy, visit CCOMAHA.ORG or call 402.235.4931. Now more than ever, we need to answer the call. You can help us do that.
fraught, they’re getting frantic, desperate emails.” Kareem sent one of those desperate pleas to CNA. “Please help me,” he wrote. “I have no one without you. You are my last hope.” HELPING A ‘BROTHER IN CHRIST’ Helping Kareem is complicated for a number of reasons. While he worked at a U.S. military base, he was employed there for less than the one year of service time required to receive a special immigrant visa for Afghans who were employed by or on behalf of the U.S. government. And even if he had worked the necessary time frame and had all the required documents to prove it, the U.S. Embassy in Kabul that was processing visa requests has closed. For Wicks, Kareem’s plight lent a deeply personal dimension to the raw humanitarian disaster she saw unfolding in the news. “This man is our brother in Christ, and in his humanity, and he deserves all the love, the time, the attention in assisting him to safety that any member of our family would,” she explained. Kareem’s pleas to CNA coincided with rising aggravation with the Biden administration among refugee advocates for what they saw as a lack of resolve to help vulnerable Christians get out of Afghanistan. “I’ve got a list of hundreds of individuals desperate to get out … now being hunted by the Taliban or other groups,” Sam Brownback, the Trump administration’s religious freedom ambassador, told Real Clear Politics the first week of September. Two charities headed by conservative commentator Glenn Beck, The Nazarene Fund and Mercury One, raised more than $28 million to charter 20 airliners capable of ferrying thousands of Afghan Christians to safety. But Beck repeatedly charged that officials within the State Department and the U.S. military were obstructing the airlift, though he said that the charities still managed to fly some 5,100 Afghan Christians and other civilians to countries other than the United States. STUCK OUTSIDE THE AIRPORT Stuck outside the Kabul airport’s Abbey Gate, the main checkpoint for evacuees, Kareem was convinced prior to the Aug. 31 deadline that his life hinged on getting on one of the U.S. military and civilian airplanes he watched taking off, one by one, some only half-full. “Please help me,” he wrote in his first email to CNA. “I will be shot or hang(ed) I don’t know but talibaans looking also for afghans converted to christians. They will find me. I am begging you for help, any kind of help. I don’t want to die. Save my life.” (CNA has edited some of the punctuation in his messages for clarity.)
AAMIR QURESHI/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES
Taliban fighters patrol on vehicles along a street in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, on Sept. 2. Countless endangered Afghans, including many Christians, were left to the mercy of the Taliban after the United States completed its pullout from the country Aug. 31. On the morning of Aug. 27, “Taliban Wolfs are around Wicks was exchanging messages me. They will hunt and eat me,” with Kareem when she began re- he wrote. “My heart is swelling. ceiving news bulletins about a sui- What will these animals do to me? cide bombing at the Abbey Gate, Oh god,” he said. the same location where Kareem “I am a human. I have rights. was waiting for a miracle. I am a human,” he wrote. “I’m “There has been a blast at the not ready to die. I want to live my airport,” Wicks wrote. “Are you life.” okay? Wicks later compared her ex“(Kareem) are you there?” periences communicating with There was no response. Kareem with keeping vigil at the The suicide bomb attack by bedside of a loved one preparing a regional affiliate of the Islamic for death. State, ISIS-K, killed 13 U.S. ser“Each of us is called to acvice members and more than 100 company the suffering Christ. It Afghans. Scores more were in- might be someone you’re close to, jured. someone in your family,” she said. An hour passed with no word “God, in his Providence, asked from Kareem. Then two. Then that it be this person, 5,000 miles three. Wicks feared the worst. away.” Finally, a new message flashed It was difficult “to encounon her laptop screen: “Yes I here ter such darkness and to see the still hoping after blast on refugees depths of this evil so closely, that gate. I was on that gate at morn- a man would be hunted for his ing.” faith,” she said. “Oh my gosh,” Wicks wrote Kareem, for his part, clung to back. “I thought you were dead.” his human lifeline. “Please just “No I got lucky or maybe stay with me (a) little more. Just your prayer,” Kareem replied. “I talk to me,” he wrote. would send pictures but talibaans ‘JESUS IS WITH ME’ beating people.” Kareem remains in periodic Hours later, Wicks received a voice message from Kareem. He contact with CNA, but it is now said he was hiding in the corner of too dangerous for him to coma building near the airport. In the municate on WhatsApp, espebrief recording, his weak voice is cially in English. Wicks and Bershot through with loneliness and mudez continue to advocate for fear. “I am so hopeless that there him, but there is little else they is no one coming for me, to help can offer him now other than their prayers. me and save my life,” he said. Kareem told Wicks and Ber‘WHAT WILL THEY mudez he is grateful for their efDO TO ME?’ forts to help him. Kareem’s despair deepened as “You two (are) keeping me the hours and days passed by, with hopeful and strong these scariest no fresh hope of rescue. days of my life,” he wrote. In one especially trying peri“I wish Jesus give me more life od, Kareem developed a fever and to meet you one day,” he continbegan to consider surrendering ued. himself to the Taliban. “Please do “I will never blame you for some thing,” he wrote. this. You tried everything possible “Does Christian Life matters I know,” he told them. “I love you or not,” he asked. “I am suffer- two and others who tried to help ing every hour every day. I don’t me.” know what Jesus decided for me.” Most recently, Kareem sent Wicks and Bermudez tried to a video message to CNA, asking encourage him to hold on, and that it be made public if he should continued reaching out to their die. contacts. “We keep working and “It is hard to survive in this fighting. Stay hopeful, brother,” hell, because this land is not for Bermudez wrote. Christians,” he says in the nearly But Kareem was terrified. His eight-minute-long video. mind fixated on rumors that the He says that the Taliban have Taliban were torturing people the names of Christian converts with what he called “skin punish- whom they are hunting. ments.” At one point, Taliban sol“I know I am one on that list,” diers were whipping people out- he says. “But I’m not afraid. Jeside the airport gates with cables, sus is with me … Jesus is watching the Wall Street Journal reported. me.”
| SPIRITUAL LIFE |
SEPTEMBER 17, 2021
St. Joseph models the dignity of work
PRAYER TO ST. JOSEPH FOR SUCCESS IN WORK
Catholic Voice
In this year of St. Joseph, and during the month of September when we honor the value of labor, Catholics are called to reflect on the life of the saint. As patron of workers, St. Joseph models the dignity of labor and the contribution that honest and honorable work makes in the lives of Jesus’ followers, especially when they dedicate their efforts to God. In his Apostolic Exhortation on St. Joseph, “Guardian of the Redeemer,” St. John Paul II wrote: “Work was the daily expression of love in the life of the Family of Nazareth. The Gospel specifies the kind of work Joseph did in order to support his family: he was a carpenter. This simple word sums up Joseph’s entire life.”
» 19
RENATA SEDMAKOVA/SHUTTERSTOCK
A depiction of the Holy Family with St. Joseph at work from Sebechleby, Slovakia, painted by an Italian painter in the early 20th century. “Human work, and especially manual labor, receives special prominence in the Gospel. Along with the humanity of the Son
of God, work too has been taken up in the mystery of the Incarnation, and has also been redeemed in a special way. At the work-
bench where he plied his trade together with Jesus, Joseph brought human work closer to the mystery of the Redemption.”
Troy Foecking, FICF
J.G. Krawczyk, FICF, ChFC
Omaha, NE Call or text 402-216-9520 j.krawczyk@kofc.org Serving Papillion, Holy Cross, Mary Our Queen, Holy Name and Bellevue/St. Matthew the Evangelist councils.
Norfolk, NE Call or text 402-860-9166 troy.foecking@kofc.org Serving Norfolk (L-Z), Battle Creek, Elgin, Neligh, Wisner and Stanton councils.
Ryan Mascarello, FICF
Jeremy Borchers, FICF
Omaha, NE Call or text 402-203-0208 ryan.mascarello@kofc.org Serving UNO, Plattsmouth, St. Charles, St. Joan of Arc, Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, St. Vincent de Paul, St. Peter, and Immaculate Conception, Fremont, Valley, and North Bend councils.
West Point, NE Call or text 402-750-4775 jeremy.borchers@kofc.org Serving West Point, South Sioux City, Tekamah, Emerson, Pender and Lyons councils.
Noah Pfeifer, FIC
Roy Metter, FIC
Norfolk, NE Call or text 402-369-0489 noah.pfeifer@kofc.org Serving Norfolk (A-K), Albion, Humphrey, Cedar Rapids, Genoa, Clarkson, Leigh, Lindsay and St. Edward councils.
David City, NE Call or text 402-367-8132 roy.metter@kofc.org Serving Schuyler, Platte Center, Columbus/St. Isidore, St. Bonaventure, St. Anthony; David City, Bellwood, Shelby and Osceloa councils.
Doug Kelly, FICF
Kevin Weber, FICF
Omaha, NE Call or text 402-578-5563 douglas.kelly@kofc.org Serving Bellevue/Columban, Millard/St. John Vianney and St. Robert Bellarmine councils.
Gretna, NE Call or text 402-630-7877 kevin.weber@kofc.org Serving Gretna and Omaha/St. Wenceslaus councils.
Stewart Havranek, FIC
Omaha, NE Call or text 402-690-2568 stewart.havranek@kofc.org Serving St. Bernard, St. Philip Neri, #3019 Archbishop Ryan, St. Stephen the Martyr, Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Margaret Mary, St. James, St. Leo and Springfield councils.
Glorious St. Joseph, model of all those who are devoted to labour, obtain for me the grace to work conscientiously, putting the call of duty above my many sins; to work with thankfulness and joy, considering it an honour to employ and develop, by means of labor, the gifts received from God; to work with order, peace, prudence and patience, never surrendering to weariness or difficulties; to work, above all, with purity of intention, and with detachment from self, having always death before my eyes and the account which I must render of time lost, of talents wasted, of good omitted, of vain complacency in success so fatal to the work of God. All for Jesus, all for Mary, all after thy example, O Patriarch Joseph. Such shall be my motto in life and death. Amen.
GENERAL AGENT Neil Pfeifer, FICF General agent serving Northeastern Nebraska 1-800-379-0180 kofcins.com
ASSISTANT GENERAL AGENT Craig Pfeifer, FICF, FSCP, CLU, ChFC
Madison, NE Call or text 402-992-1156 craig.pfeifer@kofc.org Serving Wayne, Ponca, Hartington, Randolph, Madison, Bloomfield, Pierce and Crofton councils.
Your Name
your.name@kofc.org Serving local councils in the Archdiocese of Omaha. Would a position with the Knights Of Columbus be right for you?
LIFE INSURANCE • DISABILITY INCOME INSURANCE • LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE • RETIREMENT ANNUITIES
| SPIRITUAL LIFE |
20 « SEPTEMBER 17, 2021
Wisdom of God brings peace to our hearts, world READINGS FOR THE TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME
SCRIPTURE READINGS OF THE DAY SEPTEMBER 20 Monday: Ezr 1:1-6; Ps 126:1b-6; Lk 8:16-18 21 Tuesday: Eph 4:1-7, 11-13; Ps 19:2-5; Mt 9:9-13 22 Wednesday: Ezr 9:5-9; (Ps) Tb 13:2-4a, 4befghn, 7-8; Lk 9:1-6
SEPTEMBER 19
23 Thursday: Hg 1:1-8; Ps 149:1b-6a, 9b; Lk 9:7-9
Reading I – Wis 2:12, 17-20 Responsorial – Ps 54:3-6, 8 Reading II – Jas 3:16–4:3 Gospel – Mk 9:30-37
24 Friday: Hg 2:1-9; Ps 43:1-4; Lk 9:18-22
P
28 Tuesday: Zec 8:20-23; Ps 87:1b-7; Lk 9:51-56
25 Saturday: Zec 2:5-9, 14-15a; (Ps) Jer 31:10-12ab, 13; Lk 9:43b-45 26 Sunday: Nm 11:25-29; Ps 19:8, 10, 12-14; Jas 5:1-6; Mk 9:38-43, 45, 47-48 27 Monday: Zec 8:1-8; Ps 102:16-21, 29, 22-23; Lk 9:46-50
resident Harry Truman once said: “I do not believe there is a problem in this country or the world today which could not be settled if approached through the teaching of the Sermon on the Mount.” Though the variety of problems in the world has changed since the late 1940s, the cause of these problems remains the same. St. James tells us in this Sunday’s second reading, “For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every foul practice” (3:16). St. James provides us the solution in the next verse: “But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity” (3:17). If we take the Beatitudes, which Jesus delivered in the Sermon on the Mount, and read St. James’ remarks alongside them, we get a consistent message of how a Christian should live. To complete the picture, add the reflection on the characteristics of love that St. Paul gives us in 1 Corinthians 13, which we often hear at weddings. It is the love of God and the wisdom of God that the Spirit gives so that our world can become a more peaceful place. President Truman put his finger on a great truth here. Perhaps drawing close to the source of love and peace does solve our problems. Our world, our country, our cities and sadly even our parishes have become so bitterly divided over such trivial matters in these past couple of years. We should be more attentive
29 Wednesday: Dn 7:9-10, 13-14 or Rv 12:7-12a; Ps 138:1-5; Jn 1:47-51 30 Thursday: Neh 8:1-4a, 5-6, 7b-12; Ps 19:8-11; Lk 10:1-12
OCTOBER 1 Friday: Bar 1:15-22; Ps 79:1b-5, 8-9; Lk 10:13-16 2 Saturday: Bar 4:5-12, 27-29; Ps 69:33-37; Mt 18:1-5, 10 3 Sunday: Gn 2:18-24; Ps 128:1-6; Heb 2:9-11; Mk 10:2-16 or 10:2-12 4 Monday: Jon 1:1—2:2, 11; (Ps) Jon 2:3-5, 8; Lk 10:25-37 GRETA KEMPTON/PUBLIC DOMAIN
The presidential portrait of Harry S. Truman (1884-1972), who served as the 33rd president of the United States from 1945 to 1953. Scripture Reflections FATHER JOSEPH SUND
to spending time in prayer, both with Scriptures and in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. I promise that you’ll never find peace listening to talk radio, with its shouting and complaining about politics. All you will find is selfish ambition, which brings disorder to our hearts. Yet, as I draw close to the wisdom of God and his holy presence, their fruits will become clear in inner peace and will shine through the works and actions of my own life.
We might restate the words of President Truman even more simply with the words of Christ himself: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well” (Mt 6:33). Set aside time each day to do this. Cast aside selfish ambition and jealousy and seek the wisdom of God! Father Joseph Sund is associate pastor of St. Patrick Parish in O’Neill, St. Joseph Parish in Amelia, St. Joseph Parish in Atkinson, St. Boniface Parish in Stuart and Sacred Heart Parish in Boyd County. He is also campus minister at St. Mary School in O’Neill.
5 Tuesday: Jon 3:1-10; Ps 130:1b-4ab, 7-8; Lk 10:38-42 6 Wednesday: Jon 4:1-11; Ps 86:3-6, 9-10; Lk 11:1-4 7 Thursday: Mal 3:13-20b; Ps 1:1-4, 6; Lk 11:5-13 8 Friday: Jl 1:13-15, 2:1-2; Ps 9:2-3, 6, 16, 8-9; Lk 11:15-26 9 Saturday: Jl 4:12-21; Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12; Lk 11:27-28 10 Sunday: Wis 7:7-11; Ps 90:12-17; Heb 4:12-13; Mk 10:17-30 or 10:17-27 11 Monday: Rom 1:1-7; Ps 98:1bcde, 2-4; Lk 11:29-32 12 Tuesday: Rom 1:16-25; Ps 19:2-5; Lk 11:37-41 13 Wednesday: Rom 2:1-11; Ps 62:2-3, 6-7, 9; Lk 11:42-46 14 Thursday: Rom 3:21-30; Ps 130:1b-6ab; Lk 11:47-54 15 Friday: Rom 4:1-8; Ps 32:1b-2, 5, 11; Lk 12:1-7 16 Saturday: Rom 4:13, 16-18; Ps 105:6-9, 42-43; Lk 12:8-12
SeptemberFest 2021: Parish Fall Fes
SeptemberFest 2021:
Parish Fall Neri-Blessed Festival Saint Philip Sacrament P Saturday, Sept. 25 St. Philip Neri School 8202 North 31 S 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saint Philip Neri-Blessed Sacrament Parish $2,500 Grand Prize St. Philip Neri School • 8202 North 31 Street
Raffle to order Food $2,500“Wonder”ful Grand Prizemade Raffle Games and attractions “Wonder”ful made to orderfor Foodyoung and old
October 3 | S.S. Peter & Paul Church | Abie, NE Drive-Thru/Carry-Out | Dine-In a.m. p.m. • p.m. Silent Auction | Quilt Raffle | Country Store
11
$17 Per Meal
-3
Kids $10 (Under 12 Dine-In)
Games and attractions for young and old alike!
Petting Zoo Beer Gard Petting Zoo • Beer GardenBake Sale Country Store
Live Auction 4
Meal includes: Sauerkraut, Dumplings, Corn, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Salad, Pies, Kolaches, Rolls, & Drink
Country Store • Bake Sale
More info online: saintphilipneriblessedsacrament.org More info online: https://saintphilipneriblessedsacrament.org 8200 North 30th Street, Omaha, NE • 402-455-1289 th
8200 North 30 Street Omaha, NE 402-455-1289
WEST CENTER CHAPEL 7805 W Center Rd 402-391-3900
www.heafeyheafey.com
Walt Dworak
Our Legacy of Service Continues
BELLEVUE CHAPEL 2202 Hancock St Bellevue 402-291-5000
DWORAK CHAPEL 2466 S 16th St 402-346-1144
| SPIRITUAL LIFE |
SEPTEMBER 17, 2021
» 21
Header The Foundational Intimacy
Dates30,Last God’s Word: Sept. 9 a.m. – Oct. 1, 1 p.m. God’s Last Word: Schuyler, NE Love toNE the End. The Prophet Schuyler, Love to the End. The Prophet Come and new connections Hosea’s Embodied Faithfulness <Area fordiscover event/retreat description>between the EuchaFoundational Intimacy
Header The
Hosea’s Embodied Faithfulness for event/retreat description> rist<Area and marriage. In this presentation, married September 25, 10:00am – energetic 4:00pm Dates30, <Area for event/retreat description> Sept. 9 a.m. – Oct. 1, 1 p.m. couples are renewed in their love for the Eucharist and their September 25, 10:00am – 4:00pm Schuyler, NE
<Area forofevent/retreat description> Schuyler, NE marriage. Includes talks, personal and couple Schuyler, NE This with the Prophet Hosea will leave us Schuyler, NE sacrament <Area forday event/retreat description> reflection time, Mass and Reconciliation. Jim by andGod Maureen with aevent/retreat profound sense of being loved This day with the Prophet Hosea will leave us God’s Last Word: <Area for description> Come and discover new connections between the Eucha<Area for event/retreat description> Otremba have been guest speakers on EWTN and on Spirit beyond measure. It invites us to take a look <Area for event/retreat description> with a Register profound sense of being loved by God Love to the End. The Prophet Catholic Radio. now at www.StBenedictCenter.com. where we might mirror this faithful love of God. <Area for event/retreat description> rist and marriage. In measure. this energetic presentation, beyond It invites us tomarried take a look Father Joel Macul, OSB, STL, taught Scripture Hosea’s Embodied Faithfulness Header <Area for event/retreat description> couples are renewed in their love for the Eucharist andof their where we might mirror this faithful love God. at Tangaza College in Center Kenya and is the prior of From Here to Hope: Our St. Benedict <Area for event/retreat description> September 25, 10:00am – Mission 4:00pm of Mercy Dates
sacramentChrist of marriage. Includes talks,Register personal and thewww.stbenedictcenter.com King in Schuyler. at couple Father JoelPriory Macul, OSB, STL,now taught Scripture
Oct. <Area 14, 10 – 4 Retreats@stbenedictcenter.com p.m. NEdescription> forwww.StBenedictCenter.com. event/retreat Schuyler, Schuyler, NEa.m. at Tangaza in Kenya and is Maureen the prior of reflection time, Mass andCollege Reconciliation. Jim and Schuyler, NEforThis <Area event/retreat day 402.352.8819 withdescription> the Prophet Hosea will leave us
Christ theguest King Priory inon Schuyler. Register now <Area for event/retreat description> Otremba have been EWTN and on Spirit Pope Francis encourages usspeakers assense people ofof faith to be miniswith a profound being loved by God <Area for event/retreat description> <Area for event/retreat description> www.StBenedictCenter.com. Catholic Radio. Register now ters of at mercy in themeasure. world—to goatout into the streets Learn How to Live aSt. Wonderful Life beyond Itwww.StBenedictCenter.com. invites us totoshare take a look Benedict Center <Area for event/retreat description> the mercy of God with those on the margins of life. Today we October <Area 23, where 9:30am – October 24, 1:00pm for event/retreat description> www.stbenedictcenter.com we might mirror this faithful love of God. Dates will<Area How to Live a Wonderful Retreats@stbenedictcenter.com explore both practical and prophetic how to live Life for in event/retreat description> Schuyler, NELearn Father Joel Macul, OSB,ways STL, taught Scripture 402.352.8819 <Area for event/retreat description> St. Benedict Center God’s tender mercy in our daily lives. Fr.–Joseph Nassal, Dates October 23, 9:30am October 1:00pm at Tangaza College in Kenya and isofthe prior of Positive psychology helps us to reduce stress, to24, <Areaisfor description> CPPS, theevent/retreat author of 8 books, including The Conspiracy www.stbenedictcenter.com Oct. 14, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Schuyler, NE PACK-SHOT/SHUTTERSTOCK increase happiness, trust and resilience, and to Christ the King in Schuyler. Register now Schuyler, NE Compassion. Retreats@stbenedictcenter.com Register now atPriory www.StBenedictCenter.com. find purpose psychology and meaning in helps life. Joinus us to learn, Positive reduce stress, to 402.352.8819 A choir sings at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Reims, France. Liz Kelly reminds us that singing Schuyler, NE at www.StBenedictCenter.com. toincrease practice andSt. to grow! Lee Elliott, MS, is the at Mass is doing something for the Lord, not performing for an audience and bolstering one’s Benedict Center happiness, and resilience, and to St. Benedict Centertrust <Area for event/retreat description> Executive Director ofus theas Wonderful Project, Pope Francis encourages peopleLife of to beus minisreputation. It’s one of the many ways we can “love more and work less,” she says, thereby building www.stbenedictcenter.com www.stbenedictcenter.com find purpose and meaning in faith life. Join to learn, <Area for event/retreat description> Dates LLC. Father Todd Philipsen, isa theWonderful pastor of St. Learn How to Live Life Retreats@stbenedictcenter.com Retreats@stbenedictcenter.com up the Kingdom of God. ters of mercy in the world—to go out into the streets to share 402.352.8819 402.352.8819 toevent/retreat practice to grow! Lee now Elliott, MS, is the Patrick’s Parish inand Chadron, NE. Register at <Area for description> October 23, 9:30am – October 24, 1:00pm www.StBenedictCenter.com. the<Area mercyfor ofevent/retreat God with those on the margins of life. Today we Executive Director of the Wonderful Life Project, LLC. Father description> Schuyler, Todd Philipsen, is practical the NE pastor ofprophetic St. Patrick's Chadwill<Area explore in both and waysParish how toinlive forPositive event/retreat description> psychology helps us to reduce stress, to ron, NE.tender Register now at www.StBenedictCenter.com. <Area forincrease event/retreat description> God’s mercy inhappiness, our daily lives. Fr.and Joseph Nassal,and to trust resilience, <Areaisfor event/retreat description> CPPS, the author of books, including of St.8 Benedict Center at me once that shift had find purpose and meaning inThe life. Conspiracy Join us to learn, his year, I’ve been Your Heart, His Home www.stbenedictcenter.com taken place. Compassion. now to Register practice andattowww.StBenedictCenter.com. grow! Lee Elliott, MS, is the spending some time Retreats@stbenedictcenter.com When I pray with this 402.352.8819 Executive Director of the Wonderful Life Project, LLC. Father each day with St. LIZ phrase now – “Think more KELLY Todd Philipsen, the pastorCenter of St. Patrick's Parish in ChadSt.isBenedict Maximilian Kolbe. Before about loving than about ron, NE. Register now at www.StBenedictCenter.com. www.stbenedictcenter.com his martyrdom at Auschwitz working” – and recall this
Header
Header
From Here to Hope: Our Mission of Mercy
Header
T
Love more, work less
– he volunteered to take the place of another in the starvation bunker – he was spiritual father to many.
He spent his life making his mother, “Mamuzia,” as he would refer to the Blessed Mother (that’s Polish for “Mom”) better known and loved. “To the Sacred Heart through the Immaculata,” he would say. I pray his consecration to the Immaculata every day, which begs that we be made fit instruments to draw others to the Sacred Heart. His letters to his spiritual sons are especially moving and packed with wisdom. One of my favorite Maximilian morsels is this: “Think more about loving than about working.” What does that phrase call to mind? When I was living in Nashville in my late 20s and working as a singer, I attended a very large, very “hip” Nashville church where a number of famous musicians attended. At one point I was awarded a solo in the church choir. I had worked very hard to prove myself to the choirmaster who was, by any measure, world class. The song was especially well-suited to my low voice and centered
on loving Jesus with heart, mind and soul (emphasis on soul). So, landing this little solo was a big deal to me. I’ll never forget the first time singing it. It was the 9 a.m. Sunday service. As the song began, the great, languid cadence of a southern Gospel tune, I stepped up to the microphone and out came the first soulful phrase: “Jeeeee-sus! I love you.” In a flash, the choir director gave me this look; something like “uh-oh” spilled over his face. He could tell, even in a few notes, that I had been taken up with “performance.” I wanted to be impressive, and ironically, it was going to ruin the song. He stepped up to me quickly and whispered in my ear, “No, sing it for the Lord.” In an instant I knew exactly what he meant and where I had gone wrong. It would have been the same thing if St. Maximilian had whispered to me, “Don’t think about impressing people, think about loving Jesus.” My entire posture changed in that moment; something ugly and taut and trying too hard fell away. I was completely reoriented, and it showed in my voice. I could tell that the director sensed it too, because he beamed
Retreats@stbenedictcenter.com moment on stage in church 402.352.8819 St. Benedict Center (and maybe there shouldn’t be www.stbenedictcenter.com stages in churches, only altars!), Retreats@stbenedictcenter.com I beg for the grace to be more 402.352.8819 present and more loving in my work, more mindful of loving the Lord through the work he has given me in building up the Kingdom. What’s the first thing you would change if you THIS IS YOUR PROOF FOR AN UPCOMING ISSUE – PLEASE REPLY ASAP concentrated not on working, Please proofread very carefully. Once you okay this proof, your job goes but on loving? And not loving into production, and we are not responsible for any errors in typesetting or layout. prestige or money or adulation CatholiC VoiCe Please advise us of any errors, corrections or changes in the copy or layout. It is your responsibility to do the final proofing. or success, but Jesus and those – Advertising he places in your path? Please e-mail your approval or corrections to: tcvads@archomaha.org. Mamuzia, you inspired St. If you are unable to e-mail, please check one of the boxes below and fax to: 402-558-6614. Maximilian from the time NO CHANGES MAY BE TAKEN OVER THE PHONE O.K. to print a he was a child to love and Date: / / To: a (Signature) serve the Lord in joy, even NOT O.K. to print From: a as indicated. unto martyrdom. Pray for us, that we might learn what it means to love Jesus and others through our work, that we would concentrate on, not success or failure, but the sacredness of the souls around us. St. Maximilian, intercede for us, that we might know your selfless courage and great THIS IS YOUR PROOF FOR AN UPCOMING ISSUE – PLEASE REPLY ASAP love of the Blessed Mother proofread very carefully. Once you okay this proof, your job goes and the Sacred Heart of herPlease into production, and we are not responsible for any errors in typesetting or layout. Son, and live lives that make Please advise us of any errors, corrections or changes in the copy or them better known and loved. The Archdiocese of omAhA
The Archdiocese of omAhA
CatholiC VoiCe
layout. It is your responsibility to do the final proofing.
– Advertising Liz Kelly is the award-winning author of nine books in- Please e-mail your approval or corrections to: tcvads@archomaha.org. cluding “Love Like a Saint” If you are unable to e-mail, please check one of the boxes below and fax to: 402-558-6614. and “Jesus Approaches.” NO CHANGES MAY BE TAKEN OVER THE PHONE She speaks and leads retreats O.K. to print / / To: a throughout the country. VisitDate: (Signature) her website at LizK.org. NOT O.K. to print
From:
FREELANCERS WANTED! Do you have a passion for sharing the Good News? Do you like seeing your finished work in digital and in print? Do you have a few hours every month or so to help others grow in their faith? If so, freelancing as a writer and/or photographer for the Catholic Voice may be for you! See catholicvoiceomaha.com/freelancers/ for more information.
a
as indicated.
a
| COMMENTARY |
22 « SEPTEMBER 17, 2021
D
U.S. bishops relaunch ‘Civilize It’ initiative
uring the last presidential election cycle, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) launched a new initiative entitled “Civilize It.” The purpose of the initiative was to ensure that focus during the election cycle was given not only to the issues and candidates being debated, but also to how to engage in civil and charitable dialogue on what are often controversial political matters. In short, the U.S. bishops wanted to make sure Catholics were equipped to be and act as Christians in the public square, a place where noise and division too often abound. While the initiative’s resources were few, it was nevertheless important, impactful and insightful. It provided the basic tools that any person should have when discussing any topic, most especially politics. It underscored the importance of listening to understand those you are speaking with – especially your political “opponents” – and from this
Faithful, Watchful Citizens
TOM VENZOR
place of listening to be able to delve more deeply and authentically into the issues. As we prepare for the midterm election cycle, the USCCB is relaunching their “Civilize It” initiative. As stated in its promotional materials, “As a Church and a nation, we are polarized and divided. Pope Francis challenges us to respond to building a ‘better kind of politics, one truly at the service of the common’ (Fratelli Tutti, no. 154). We are called to overcome division, promote encounters with our neighbors, and seek the truth.” It is the desire of the U.S. bishops “to assist Catholics to counter polarization and division in Church and society by following the example of the Good Samaritan, who challenges us to ‘become neighbors to all’ (Fratelli Tutti, no. 80).” Our political discourse is rife with toxic exchanges. Vile exchanges of communication
in the context of politics are an age-old problem, one that has only been exacerbated by social media. But there is no reason this must be the norm – there is always hope and redemption. “Civilize It” seeks to flip this dynamic by calling on Catholics to be leaven in the culture. “Civilize It” invites us to enter into the fray of political discourse and to reveal a “better kind of politics,” a politics that respects the other person and does not seek to vilify them or their sincerely held beliefs. “Civilize It” seeks to charitably meet people where they are, create a culture of human encounter between persons, and from that position strive toward a mutual understanding of the truth and how we can best strive for the common good. If you, like me, have the tendency to be quick to judge or cast aspersions on your political “enemies” and find it difficult to be civil and charitable in how you conduct yourself during political debates and discussions, then I think you would do well to visit CivilizeIt.org and give some of the resources a look. Take them to prayer, give
Civilize It: A Better Kind of Politics is a nonpartisan initiative that seeks to assist Catholics to counter polarization and division in Church and society by following the example of the Good Samaritan, who challenges us to “become neighbors to all” (Fratelli Tutti, no. 80). Respond to Pope Francis’ call to build “a better kind of politics, one truly at the service of the common good” (Fratelli Tutti, no. 154) by pledging:
CHARITY CLARITY CREATIVITY Learn more and commit to #ABetterKindofPolitics at civilizeit.org.
USCCB
A promotional flyer for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ “Civilize It” initiative encourages Catholics to visit the CivilizeIt. org website. them a read and periodically return to them over the next year as our nation enters, once again, into the fray of election politics. As always, share them with family, friends, parishioners, political friends
and adversaries, and anybody else in need. Tom Venzor is executive director of the Nebraska Catholic Conference. Email him at tvenzor@necatholic.org.
Health education standards postponed – for now
D
espite overwhelming opposition, the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) dragged Nebraskans into another month of debate about their proposed Nebraska Health Education Standards. State Board of Education meetings have become dramatic, as board members tussle over procedural matters, citizens take the mic for public comment to expose a dysfunctional system, and two drafts of deeply flawed ideological content are scrutinized. None of this need to have happened; the NDE chose to pursue this work. More incredibly, they have prioritized it during the pandemic as families and schools are in crisis. Unfortunately, Nebraska is not immune to a wellfunded national movement to sexualize children, infringe on parent rights and normalize contraception and abortion. Local and state school boards around the country have become epicenters in the battle over a simple question: Who are the principal educators of children? As people of faith, we know there’s no debate. The Catechism of the Catholic Church is clear: Parents and guardians are the primary
Faithful, Watchful Citizens JEREMY EKELER
educators of their children (no. 2223), and we demand the government honor this. It is no surprise that from day one, the Nebraska Catholic Conference (NCC) has strongly opposed the comprehensive sex and sexuality education (CSE) sections embedded in the first two drafts of the proposed health standards. At the NCC’s website, necatholic.org, you can find a breakdown of the troubling content from March’s first draft. It included topics like gender fluidity in first grade, sexual orientation in third grade, hormone blockers in fifth grade, anal and oral sex in seventh grade, contraceptives in eighth grade, and much more. Despite significant cuts, the second draft released in July still contained CSE. For instance, seventh graders are taught that “sex and gender identity may or may not differ”; multiple obfuscations regarding sexually transmitted infections and “healthcare facilities” more than hint at Planned Parenthood involvement; and puberty blockers are barely hidden behind weak smokescreens
beginning in fourth grade (children are asked to consider how they can “manage” puberty). Our website also includes NCC feedback on this second draft. Fast-forward to the State Board of Education’s Sept. 3 meeting, where a proposal was made by the NDE’s Learning Committee to postpone all work on the health standards. Their empty rationale was that the health standards are distracting from COVID-related educational priorities. Recall that the NDE chose this work and forced the issue upon Nebraskans in the middle of the pandemic. This pause on the development of the health standards is not about COVID; it is about an ideological agenda that had hit a wall of prayer, parent voices and reason. In a show of their internal priorities, the board meeting was rife with board member pontification, the reading of internal emails detailing collusion with political activists, and debate that both displayed rifts within the board and critically questioned the accountability of the NDE to process and transparency. Ultimately, the board voted 5-1-1 (one absent) to postpone the work. Visit our website to see how your State Board of Education member voted.
SIMEZ78/SHUTTERSTOCK
The first two drafts of the Nebraska Department of Education’s proposed health standards contained sections on comprehensive sex and sexuality education, which the Nebraska Catholic Conference strongly opposed. While many celebrate this postponement as a victory for parental rights, we must remain vigilant. The health standards are shelved, not trashed. Board members, activists and the NDE will resume the health standards with a plan. Be on the lookout for updates and action items. Pay special attention to upcoming local elections. To conclude, I’d like to share some nuggets that have been exposed during this process. First, we know that the NDE actually began work on the health standards in the fall of 2019. This means they have placed energy and resources behind ideological CSE standards for two years, even as COVID has crippled schools. Secondly, the NDE has misled us: They initially claimed this work was not about CSE, but
now they and their supporters embrace it. Next, political activists like Women’s Fund of Omaha and Out Nebraska were invited to write and advise on the standards, while educators and experts who advocate for traditional marriage and abstinence were deliberately excluded. We all must demand more of the NDE and our State Board of Education. Transparency in process and content, as well as parent empowerment, are vital as we proceed. Finally, continue to pray for our children, our families, the NDE and the State Board of Education. Jeremy Ekeler is associate director of Education Policy for the Nebraska Catholic Conference. Email him at jekeler@ necatholic.org.
| COMMENTARY |
SEPTEMBER 17, 2021
» 23
Hannah Arendt, totalitarianism and the distinction between fact and fiction
I
am currently making my way through D.C. Schindler’s marvelous book, “The Politics of the Real: The Church Between Liberalism and Integralism.” This text will be of interest to anyone passionate about the vexed and much-discussed issue of the relation between religion and politics. But I would like to draw particular attention to the epigram that Schindler chose for his book, an observation that is meant to haunt the minds of his readers as they consider his particular arguments. It is drawn from the writings of Hannah Arendt, the 20th-century GermanJewish scholar most famous for her lucubrations on the phenomenon of totalitarianism, and it is of remarkable relevance to our present cultural conversation. She said: “The ideal subject of totalitarian rule is not the convinced Nazi or the convinced Communist, but people for whom the distinction between fact and fiction (i.e., the reality of experience) and the distinction between the true and the false (i.e., the standards of thought) no longer exist.”
OBJECTIVE TRUTH AND GOODNESS We might define totalitarianism as the controlling of every aspect of life by the arbitrary will of a powerful individual or group. If this is accurate, we see why Arendt worried about the blurring of distinctions between the real and the unreal, between truth and falsity. The objectively good and the objectively true have their own intrinsic authority – that is to say, they command, by their very excellence, the obedience of the receptive mind and the responsive will. So, for example, in the presence of mathematical truths, scientific data and philosophical arguments, the mind surrenders, and rejoices in its surrender. It does not arbitrarily impose itself on things as with totalitarianism; rather, the intrinsic truth of things imposes itself on the mind and thereby awakens it to its purpose. In the language of St. Thomas Aquinas, the intelligibility of the world actualizes the mind. In a similar way, the intrinsic goodness of things engages, excites and actualizes the will. Aquinas said that the will is the appetitive power corresponding to the intellect,
Word on Fire BISHOP ROBERT BARRON
by which he meant that the good, understood as such, is automatically desired. The point is that, once again, the subjective faculty does not impose itself on reality, making good whatever it wants to be good; rather, on the contrary, what is densely and objectively good commands the will by its own authority. And as I have argued often before, this acquiescence of the will is not a negation of freedom but the discovery of authentic freedom: the same St. Paul who said that he was a slave of Christ Jesus also said that it was for freedom that Christ had set him free. That apparent contradiction is in fact the paradox produced by the fact that the will is most itself when it accepts the authority of the objective good.
UNDERMINING OBJECTIVITY Now, does anyone doubt that we are living in a society that puts such stress on the feelings and desires of individuals that it effectively undermines any claim to objectivity in regard to truth and goodness? Does anyone doubt that the default position of many in our culture is that we are allowed to determine what is true and good for us? Some years ago, as part of a social experiment, a five-foot, nine-inch white man went on a university campus and randomly asked students passing by whether they would consider him a woman if he said he felt he was a woman. A number of students said they were OK with that. Then he inquired whether they would accept that he was a Chinese woman, if that’s what he claimed to be. One student answered: “If you identified as Chinese, I might be a little surprised, but I would say good for you – be who you are.” Finally, he wondered whether they would agree that he was a six-footfive Chinese woman. This last suggestion seemed to throw his interlocutors a bit. But one young man answered: “If you . . . explained why you felt you were six-foot-five, I feel like I would be very open to saying you were six-foot-five, or Chinese, or a woman.” Do you recall the AcademyAward-winning film “The Shape of Water,” in which a woman falls in love with an aquatic creature? The title of that movie gives away the
IGOR GOLOVNIOV/SHUTTERSTOCK
Adolf Hitler greets adoring fans from a convertible during World War II in Germany. According to German-American philosopher Hannah Arendt, “The ideal subject of totalitarian rule is not the convinced Nazi or the convinced Communist, but people for whom the distinction between fact and fiction (i.e., the reality of experience) and the distinction between the true and the false (i.e., the standards of thought) no longer exist.” game: a dispiriting number of people in our culture feel that the only shape is the shape of water – which is to say, no shape at all, except the one that we choose to provide.
DOOR TO TOTALITARIANISM With all of this in mind, let us return to Hannah Arendt. What opens the door to totalitarianism is, she thought, the radical indifference to objective truth, for once objective value has been relativized or set aside entirely, then all that remain are wills competing for dominance. And since the war of all against all is intolerable in the long run, the strongest will shall eventually emerge – and inevitably impose itself on the other wills. In a word, totalitarianism will hold sway.
Notice, please, that one of the features of all totalitarian systems is strict censorship, for an authoritarian regime has to repress any attempt at real argument – which is to say, an appeal to an objective truth that might run counter to what the regime is proposing. The great Václav Havel was the first president of the Czech Republic after the break-up of the Soviet bloc and a famously dissenting poet who had been imprisoned for his positions against communism. He commented that, through his writings, he had opened up a “space for truth.” Once that clearing was made, he said, others commenced to stand in it, which made the space bigger, and then more could join. This process continued until so many were in the space for truth that the
regime, predicated upon the denial of truth, collapsed of its own weight. I do believe that we are in a parlous condition today. The grossly exaggerated valuation of private feelings and the concomitant denial of objective truth and moral value have introduced the relentless war of wills – and evidence of this is on display in practically every aspect of our culture. Unless some of us open up a space for truth and boldly stand in it, despite fierce opposition, we are poised to succumb to the totalitarianism that Hannah Arendt so feared. Bishop Robert Barron is auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and founder of Word on Fire, a global media ministry. See wordonfire.org.
$10,000 GRAND PRIZE RAFFLE ➞12 - 6 PM
SEPTEMBER
➞FRIDAY - SUNDAY FREE SHUTTLE SERVICE FROM ST. ADALBERT TO OLL 12 - 6 PM
12
PM
to
26TH
9 PM
| COMMENTARY |
24 « SEPTEMBER 17, 2021
Vatican diplomacy can make a difference
T
his past June 25, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States – usually dubbed the “Vatican’s foreign minister” – told a press conference that he and his colleagues didn’t believe that the Vatican’s speaking out publicly on the massive repression underway in Hong Kong “would make any difference whatever.” I beg to disagree. Vocal Vatican advocacy for such basic human rights as religious freedom, freedom of speech, freedom of association and freedom of the press in Hong Kong could indeed make a difference. Let me count the ways. It would make a great spiritual and morale-boosting difference to courageous Hong Kong Catholics like my friend Jimmy Lai, currently in jail, and the noble pro-democracy barrister Martin Lee. These men rightly wonder why the sounds of silence prevail in Rome while they are being persecuted, prosecuted and imprisoned for living the truths taught by the Lord they follow and the Church they love. It would make a considerable difference to hard-pressed Catholics in both Hong Kong and mainland
The Catholic Difference
GEORGE WEIGEL
China. Many of these brave men and women feel abandoned by the Church’s central authorities, and they wonder why. They understand that what the Chinese communist government wants is not “dialogue” with the Vatican but the complete subordination of Catholicism to the Chinese party-state and its program of “Sinicizing” all religion. They do not accept the notion that truckling to totalitarians like Xi Jinping will eventually improve their situation, because they know that their struggle, like the Church’s struggle in central and eastern Europe after World War II, is a zero-sum game: someone is going to win, and someone is going to lose. It would make a difference to the future of evangelization in China. The Chinese communist regime is not immortal. When it goes, as it inevitably will, China will become the greatest field of Christian mission since the Europeans came to the western hemisphere in the 16th century. Comparative advantage will lie with those Christian communities that resisted the loathsome regime that
Experienced and compassionate care in the comfort of your home
As leaders in senior healthcare, St Joseph Villa Homecare provides outstanding skilled care, therapy and private duty care in your home. • RNs/LPNs • Rehabilitation Specialists - Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapy • Specialized care programs for Diabetes, Wound Care, CHF, COPD • Medication reminders • Assistance with daily living activities: laundry, housekeeping, meal preparation
Admissions 7 days a week! Medicare/Medicaid Approved Most Private Insurance Companies Accepted
402.926.4444
825 Dorcas Street • Omaha, NE 68108
www.delmargardens.com
IRIS TONG/VOICE OF AMERICA
Hong Kong entrepreneur, publisher and pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai heads to court Dec. 2, 2020, to answer fraud allegations. He was first arrested the previous August for alleged collusion with foreign forces – a crime under Hong Kong’s new China-imposed national security law. In April 2021, he was sentenced to 14 months in prison for “unlawful assembly” related to his role in a number of 2019 protests. collapsed, not with those that tried to find an accommodation with the unaccommodating. Shortly after Archbishop Gallagher’s remark, National Review editorialized in these terms: “In the future, when China is a free country, it will look back with nothing but disgust on the innumerable American corporations, institutions and celebrities that helped enable authoritarian rule under some cockamamie misconception that the Chinese people are perfectly content to live indefinitely without the basic freedoms we have taken for granted for more than 200 years.” No Vatican diplomat should want similar contempt to fall upon the Catholic Church. It would make a difference in restoring the moral authority of the Holy See in world politics. The Vatican has no real power, as the world understands power. Its capacity to shape events, either behind the scenes or at the table of international negotiation, is entirely dependent on the moral leverage it
can apply, especially in difficult and seemingly intractable situations. Thanks to the bold public witness of Pope St. John Paul II, such moral leverage was instrumental in shaping the revolution of conscience that preceded and made possible the Revolution of 1989 in east central Europe. Vatican moral authority was also crucial in resisting Clinton Administration efforts to have abortion on demand declared a basic human right at the 1994 Cairo World Conference on Population and Development. In both instances, speaking boldly, publicly and forcefully made a real difference, turning moral teaching into moral and political leverage. If that lesson has been forgotten in the 21st-century Vatican, it needs to be relearned. It would make a difference in promoting the Church’s social doctrine, which is too often a matter for the classroom rather than the public square. The resistance Church in Hong Kong and China is not taking its cues from
John Locke and Thomas Paine; it is living the basic tenets of Catholic social doctrine and its understanding of the right relationship between Church and state. That social doctrine has applications far beyond China, of course. But if it is seemingly ignored by the highest Church authorities in the hardest cases, then it remains of interest to academics only. It would make a difference in bringing Luke 22:32 to life in the contemporary Church. The Lord instructed Peter to “strengthen” his brethren. Peter’s brethren in Hong Kong do not feel strengthened by Peter and his closest collaborators in the Vatican today. They feel something quite the opposite. And that is perhaps the gravest reason why the Holy See should reconsider the sounds of silence with respect to Hong Kong and indeed all of China. George Weigel is distinguished senior fellow and William E. Simon chair in Catholic Studies at the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C.
| COMMENTARY |
SEPTEMBER 17, 2021
» 25
Is boxing morally acceptable?
I
n 1996 when Muhammad Ali lit the Olympic flame on international television, the issue of sportsinduced brain damage was raised to new prominence. Ali was one of the greatest boxers in history. His evident frailty and overt Parkinson’s tremors led many to question the sport of boxing and its future. Since then, countless other athletes, not only from the world of boxing, but from football, hockey, mixed martial arts, soccer and beyond, have shared tragic stories of debilitating sportsrelated concussions. Although many sports involve the risk of unintentional injuries, boxing for many raises the issue to an entirely different level. Indeed, it is important for us to inquire about the intended purpose or goal of boxing. Literature describing the ancient practice of boxing makes it clear that Greek athletes sometimes suffered permanent injuries or even died during tournaments. During Roman gladiatorial boxing events, they basically fought to the death. Any sporting activity where the declared goal is to kill one’s opponent would, of course, automatically raise serious moral objections. Modern boxing has no such goal, though certain elements of bodily harm and violence continue to characterize the sport. An average of 10 boxing deaths has occurred each year since 1900. Among the more serious forms of harm that can occur from competitive boxing is physical damage to the brain. From January 1960 to August 2011, for example, 488 boxingrelated deaths were reported, with approximately 65% of
Making Sense of Bioethics
FATHER TAD PACHOLCZYK
those deaths involving grave neurological damage.
GOAL OF BOXING TODAY If the goal of a professional boxing match is “just” to knock out the opponent to gain victory, the purpose of the competition itself still raises moral concerns, because participants are striving to inflict potentially serious harm to their opponent’s brain by causing a concussion, a type of traumatic brain injury. Suffering a concussion can result in a panoply of symptoms and problems, including fuzzy thinking, painful vision, harmful reactions to light, difficulties with memory and learning, and loss of the ability to focus. Sometimes repetitive brain trauma can result in progressive neurodegenerative disease with significant symptoms arising years later, including dementia. Our ability to recognize and understand traumatic brain injury is continuing to improve with time. Several proteins, released by nerve cells when they are damaged following a concussion, can often be detected as “fluid biomarkers” either in the blood or in the cerebrospinal fluid. Testing for the presence of these proteins can aid in identifying and confirming even mild traumatic brain injuries that may not be obvious on first assessment. Neurologists, of course, are among the first to emphasize that a concussion represents a serious medical condition. Treatment options generally remain limited, and tend to include the need for extended time to allow the neurological impairment to heal. $ WI 1 OF TH F TH AD IS M. AD
MID-AMERICA CENTER
ARTS
Ov
Ex 1 er hi 50 bi to rs
& Crafts
SHOW
OCTOBER 9-10 ADM. Just $6 MID-AMERICA CENTER (10 & under free) 2-day re-entry stamp COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA HUGE WIDE AISLES Sat. 9-5 & Sun. 10-4 FREE PARKING Where You Can Buy That Quality Handmade Product At An Affordable Price.
Garden Art, Oak Furniture, Paintings, Ceramics, Jewelry, Metal Art Sculptures, Pet Products, Etched & Stained Glass, Yard Art, Pottery, Blown Glass, Candles, Clothing, Floral Wreaths, Toys & Dolls, Baskets, Rugs. Glassware. Purses. Ornaments, Food and Many More Original Products. All Handmade by the exhibitor.
Callahan Promotions, Inc. 563-652-4529
For a chance to win $50 Gift Certificates visit our facebook page at Callahan Promotions, Inc. The CDC Recommends Wearing A Face Mask To All Indoor Events
Young athletes can be so desperate to compete, nevertheless, that they will say they are fine after suffering an injury even when they are not, and seek to return to the competitive event. A second insult to the brain, without allowing for full healing of the first, can significantly increase the risk for prolonged symptoms. SERGEY NIVENS/SHUTTERSTOCK
COMMUNITY OBLIGATION Considering the intensity of competitive pressure, particularly among young people who may have a limited ability to consider the consequences of their actions and the potential future effects of injuries, the question arises whether there isn’t a broader moral obligation in the community to “save players from themselves” and for those around them to refrain from applying undue pressure to perform on young athletes. Regrettably, undue pressure to participate sometimes arises from parents and coaches, and outside mediators are sometimes needed to assure that young people’s best interests are protected. One element of responsible gamesmanship in today’s sporting events involves the development and use of appropriate gear to protect athletes from accidental harm. Another involves the establishment of rigorous penalties for players and teams that intentionally seek to cause harm to their opponents during competitions and tournaments.
Father Tad Pacholczyk points out that if the goal of a professional boxing match is to knock out the opponent to gain victory, it raises grave moral concerns. This is because participants are striving to inflict potentially serious harm to their opponent’s brain by causing a concussion, a type of traumatic brain injury. MANIFEST CONTRADICTION For the sport of boxing, however, such measures reveal a contradiction. If one were to completely protect a boxer, for example, with appropriate body padding to avoid injury, the sport would lose much of its energy and appeal, since causing injury is central to the process of engagement. If one were to be penalized for intentionally seeking to harm the other boxer, as may be done for other sports like hockey, again, boxing would become eviscerated of much of its core. There are obvious meritorious considerations to boxing, like the intense training, personal discipline and resilience involved, all of which are clearly valid on their own terms. St. Paul even uses the analogy of boxing to describe the way we should exercise heroic discipline in the Christian life (1 Cor 9:25-27).
But while there are various elements that can attract us to the sport, the violent goal of the engagement remains gravely problematic at a moral level. The sport of boxing not only risks serious impairment and even death, but poses many uncomfortable questions for us regarding our own appetites as spectators, and our willingness to allow for certain elements of brutality and even barbarism in the practice of sporting events. Father Tadeusz Pacholczyk earned his doctorate in neuroscience from Yale and did post-doctoral work at Harvard. He is a priest of the diocese of Fall River, Massachusetts, and serves as the director of Education at The National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia. See www.ncbcenter.org and www.fathertad.com.
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS HOME IMPROVEMENT
GET RID OF IT! Haul-away, garage, basement, rental clean-out ... Commercial and Residential
Johansen Brothers Call Frank 402-312-4000
Rick’s Handyman Services Big jobs or small, I’ll do them all! Bonded and insured. Parishioner of STM
402-658-1245
rickfitzlerhomeimprovement.com
CONCRETE DRIVEWAYS
garage floors, sidewalks, patios, retaining walls, insured, references. 28 years of experience and a member of the BBB.
A+ Heartland Concrete
731-2094
R&R Construction “We do the Best for Less” General Contractor Commercial and Residential Painting-Carpentry-Siding-Windows Roofing-Room Additions-Remodels
402-734-4842
PAINTING WHITESEL PAINTING
30 years experience Insured Interior, exterior Deck refinishing Free estimates 402-359-7155 www.whiteselpainting.com
Classified ads will be accepted up until noon Monday, Oct. 4 for the Oct. 15 issue. All classified ads must be paid in advance, unless credit has been approved. Ad requests partially paid will receive an invoice for balance due. If ad requests are not fully paid within 30 days of receipt, any monies received will be returned. Ad requests sent anonymously and not fully paid will be considered a donation, without the ad being published. COSTS: Up to 5 lines $13.00, each additional line $2.50. Approximately 27 characters/spaces per line. Display classified open rate $24.95 per column inch. To place your classified ad, mail to: Classified Advertising, Catholic Voice, 2222 N. 111th St., Omaha, NE 68164; or visit catholicvoiceomaha.com.
REAL ESTATE
EMPLOYMENT
Stunning 3 bedroom 2 ½ bath 1800+ sq. ft. townhome. Located in the 90th and W. Center corridor: Brand new cabinets, stainless steel appliances and quartz countertops, 2 car attached garage, oversized utility room with huge storage. Nestled in a natural setting of oak and walnut trees. Contact Jamie at 402-397-1442.
Visiting Angels of Omaha – Non Medical Home Care, Is Now Hiring PT Caregivers, Great Pay Flexible Hrs. CNA a Plus But Not Required. Call 402.917.8225 VisitingAngels.com/Omaha
Angels Needed!
NOTICE “Notice is hereby given that Models By Tony LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability COmpany, has been organized under the laws of the state of Nebraska, with its initial designated office at 1711 North 132nd Avenue Circle, Omaha, NE, 68154. The initial agent for service of process of the Company is Anthony Schilling, 1711 North 132nd Avenue Circle, Omaha, NE, 68154.”
Find your next employee by advertising in the Catholic Voice classifieds Call to find out how!
LANDSCAPING
Complete Care of All Your Trees & Shrubs • Pruning, Shaping & Trimming • Maintenance Programs and Fertilizing • Insect & Disease Control • Cabling & Bracing • Certified Arborists • 1st Class Licensed and Insured
Serving the Omaha Area Since 1961
(402) 558-8198
www.hughestree.com
Parishioner at Mary our Queen
to advertise
| RESURRECTION JOY |
26 « SEPTEMBER 17, 2021 The following mortuaries place notices for their Catholic services in the Catholic Voice: Crosby Burket Swanson Golden, John A. Gentleman, HeafeyHoffmann-Dworak-Cutler, Korisko Larkin Staskiewicz, Kremer, John E. Johnston and Son, Roeder, all in Omaha; Bellevue Memorial Chapel, Bellevue; Stokely, West Point and Dodge. All survivors and locations are in Omaha unless otherwise indicated. If you would like to have your loved one included in Resurrection Joy, have your funeral home director contact the Catholic Voice, 402-558-6611. There is a nominal charge.
BLACK-Chantal M., 93. Graveside service Aug. 31 at Resurrection Cemetery. Survived by husband, Robert W. Black. HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK-CUTLER
ANDERSON-Virginia A., 92. Service Sept. 3 at the mortuary. Interment Calvary Cemetery. Preceded in death by husband, Jack S. Anderson; parents; brothers and sisters. Survived by children and spouses, Michaela and Alan Dorn, Mark S. and Beth Anderson; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews. Memorials to VFW Post 2503 Auxiliary. JOHN A. GENTLEMAN
BRAND-Steven E., 67. Funeral Mass Aug. 17 at St. Mary Church. Interment St. John Cemetery, Bellevue. Preceded in death by parents, Merle and Mary Ann Brand; sister, Linda Mahoney; nephew, Jamie Morey. Survived by wife, Linda Brand; son and daughterin-law, Dustin and Shannon Brand; daughter and son-in-law, Ashley and Jesse Norman; four grandchildren; brother, Merle Brand Jr.; sister and brother-in-law, Brenda and David Anson; nieces; nephews. KORISKO LARKIN STASKIEWICZ FUNERAL HOME
ANTONSON-Dean Lowell, M.D., 73. Funeral Mass Sept. 9 at St. Robert Bellarmine Church. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. Preceded in death by parents, Allen and Leona Antonson; siblings, Dennis and Robin. Survived by Jayne M. McClenahan; sons and daughter-in-law, Jeffrey, Mark and Holly, and David; one grandson; brothers and sisters-in-law, Ken and Elayne, Randall and Janet, and Michael; relatives; friends. Memorials to the Father Shane Education Endowment at St. Robert Bellarmine Church. HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK-CUTLER BARAJAS-Chaedon T., 23. Funeral Mass Aug. 23 at St. Leo the Great Church. Burial Evergreen Memorial Park. Survived by mother, Amy; stepfather, Shane Cleaveland; brothers, Christian Melgoza and Devon Cleaveland; sister and brother-inlaw, Sara and Stephen Wright; grandparents, Ruben and Mary Ann; uncle, Timothy; other family; friends. ROEDER MORTUARY BARDEN-Paul Anthony, Lt. Col. USAF (Ret.), 83. Funeral Mass Aug. 27 at St. Mary Church in Bellevue. Entombment St. John Mausoleum, Bellevue. Preceded in death by parents, Thomas and Agnes Barden. Survived by wife, Carol; children and spouses, Thomas Barden, Robert and Dawn Barden, and Colleen and Clayton Potter; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren. Memorials to American Diabetes Association or Parkinson’s Foundation. BELLEVUE MEMORIAL CHAPEL BARJENBRUCH-Kay F., 88. Funeral Mass Sept. 10 at Christ the King Church. Entombment Resurrection Mausoleum. Preceded in death by parents, Haven and Frances Iverson; sister, Constance O’Connor; brother, Lynn Iverson. Survived by husband, Dr. Kenneth Barjenbruch; daughter, Dea Cristea (Nick); son, Derron (Heather); Ken’s son, Brian; sister, Margaret-Mitzi (Joe); brother, Dennis (Pat); six grandchildren; nieces; nephews; friends. Memorials to Christ the King Church or Methodist Hospital Foundation. HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK-CUTLER BARONE-Bernard J., 58. Funeral service Aug. 30 at the mortuary. Entombment Calvary Mausoleum. Preceded in death by parents, Carmine A. and Lavina (Krueger) Barone. Survived by sisters and brothers-in-law, Barbara and Keith Cox, Connie and Scott Lyons, Diane and Chey Miller, and Debra Barone; Diana Flair; Katie and Tom Thiel, Luke and Lauren Flair, and Andrew and Macy Flair; five grandchildren; nieces; nephews. Memorials to the family. HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK-CUTLER BECKSTEAD-Marjorie Marie, 91. Funeral Mass Aug. 13 at St. Mary Church, Bellevue. Interment St. John Cemetery, Bellevue. Preceded in death by husband, Marion; parents, Allen and Cecilia Sebek; brother-in-law, Ben Myers. Survived by children and spouses, Rosanne Udron, Stanley and Janet Beckstead, Allen Beckstead, Joanne and Jeff Milos, Norris and Della Beckstead; 20 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; sister, Arleen Myers; nieces; nephews. Memorials to the family. BELLEVUE MEMORIAL CHAPEL BENAK-Marla Jean, 78. Funeral Aug. 27 at St. Mary Church. Preceded in death by parents, Joseph and Marie Prue. Survived by daughter, Betty Benak; sons, Richard and John Benak; former husband, John Benak; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; brother, Joseph Prue; sisters, Velma Douchey and Lynda Tomasello; nieces; nephews. Memorials to the family. KORISKO LARKIN STASKIEWICZ FUNERAL HOME
BOSE-Dorothy A., 107. Funeral Mass Sept. 4 at St. Mary Church, West Point. Burial St. Michael Cemetery, West Point. Preceded in death by parents, John and Katherine (Schmuecker) Bose; sisters, Elenor Goeken, Theresa Kloke and Catherine Bose; brothers, John, Anton and Arthur Bose. Survived by sister-in-law, Dolores Bose, Fremont; nieces; nephews. Memorials to St. Joseph’s Elder Services Foundation in West Point. STOKELY FUNERAL HOME
B R AW N E R- C l a ri t a Lenore “Claire,” 81. Funeral Mass Aug. 20 at St. Mary Church, Bellevue. Inurnment Aug. 21 Bellevue Cemetery. Preceded in death by parents, Martin and Mary Costello; nine siblings. Survived by husband, Leslie; children, Dennis Brawner (Stephanie), David Brawner, and Denise Slottje (Tim Zimmerman); nine grandchildren; nine great-children; siblings, Ed Costello, Joan Costello and Delores Wingate. Memorials to the family. BELLEVUE MEMORIAL CHAPEL BROGAN-Frank P., 85. Memorial Mass Aug. 12 at St. Robert Bellarmine Church. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. Preceded in death by parents, Francis and Genevieve Brogan. Survived by wife, Joan Brogan; in-laws, Norma Dendinger, Mary Ann O’Rourke, Donald Dendinger, Bishop William J. Dendinger; nieces; nephews; cousins. Memorials to St. Jane Frances de Chantal Church, 9701 Old Georgetown, MD 20814-1795. JOHN A. GENTLEMAN CARMONA-Beatrice L. “Bea,” 74. Funeral service Aug. 19 at St. Matthew the Evangelist Church, Bellevue. Survived by husband, James Carmona; daughters and sons-in-law, Laura and Tony Ceraolo, and Linda and Christopher Rozmarin; four grandchildren; one great-grandson and great-granddaughter on the way; brothers, Willard (Ulli) Dunn, and Nicholas Peddicord; extended family; friends. Memorials to Nebraska Humane Society. JOHN A. GENTLEMAN CHAPMAN-Dennis T., 77. Funeral Mass Aug. 20 at St. Patrick Church, Elkhorn. Interment Calvary Cemetery. Preceded in death by wife, Karen Chapman; parents, Frances and Tom Chapman. Survived by wife, Roseanne Emery; children and spouses, Kim and Tom, Tom and Cheryl, Beth and Mark Lichtenberg, Mike and Ana, Jim and Morgan, Mary and Danny; stepchildren and spouses, Jeanne and Rick Leeds, Kristin and Shane Hook, Meri and Kent White, and Tom and Sarah Emery; 11 grandchildren; 12 step-grandchildren; four great-step-grandchildren. Memorials to Holy Name Grade School, Marian High School, Heart Ministry Center Omaha or Creighton Athletics. HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK-CUTLER CRAIN-Elizabeth (Lane), 71. Funeral Mass Aug. 27 at St. Barnabas Church. Preceded in death by father, Richard Lane; grandparents, Judge Arthur J. and Ruth Stanley. Survived by husband, Bruce Crain; daughter and son-in-law, Celia and Jason Siebert; one grandson; mother, Carolyn S. Lane; brother, John Lane; nephew; cousins; aunts; uncles; friends. Memorials to P.E.O. International Educational Loan Fund (ELF). HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK-CUTLER DAVIS-James Martin, 75. Funeral Mass Sept. 4 at St. Wenceslaus Church. Interment Calvary Cemetery. Preceded in death by son, James Mellencamp Davis; parents, Ida and John M. Davis; sister, Angie Fleshman. Survived by wife, Sarah “Polo”; daughter and sonin-law, Tori and Jesse Sitz; one grandson; brothers, Richard and John Davis; sister and brother-in-law, Janie and Tom Welsh; brother-in law and sisterin-law, Mark and Marnie Mellencamp; cousins; nieces; nephews. Memorials to Nebraska Heart Association or a veterans group chosen by the family. HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK-CUTLER
DEJOY- Mary Beth, 51. Funeral Mass Aug. 30 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church. Interment Calvary Cemetery. Preceded in death by father, Edward V. DeJoy; sister-inlaw, Dee DeJoy. Survived by mother, Gloria M. DeJoy; sisters and brothers in-law, Terese Gibilisco; Gloria and Jeff Friend, Denise and Dan Dwyer, Francine and Ray Krause, and Michaelanne and Kennie Pagán; brothers, Edward S. DeJoy, Sam DeJoy and Vincent DeJoy; relatives; friends. Memorials to Our Lady of Lourdes Church or Special Olympics Nebraska. HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK-CUTLER DICKAU-Mark Lewis, 57. Memorial Mass Sept. 25 at Holy Family Shrine in Gretna. ROEDER MORTUARY EDNEY-Dr. James A., 72. Funeral Mass Aug. 18 at St. Cecilia Cathedral. Memorial service Aug. 20 at St. Nicholas Church of Belle River, Minnesota, followed by burial at the church cemetery. Preceded in death by brother, Joseph Edney; parents, Mary Jane and John Edney. Step-son Jacob Mertes and his wife, Sara Mertes, died in the same accident that took Dr. Edney’s life. Survived by wife, Deborah; children and spouses, Michael and Andrea Edney, Christine and Collin Johnson, and Daniel and Tiffany Edney; six grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law, Dr. John and Pat Edney; sisters and brothers-in-law, Mary Lynn and Greg Schwietz, and Dr. Joanne and David Edney-Coray; nieces; nephews. Memorials to the James Edney Scholarship Fund at Creighton Preparatory School. JOHN A. GENTLEMAN FARMER-Bradley T., 67. Funeral Mass Aug. 20 at St. Robert Bellarmine Church. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. Survived by wife, Theresa; sons and daughters-in-law, T.J. and Debby, Kevin, and Chase and Lacey; four grandchildren; sisters, Audrey and Cindy. Memorials to the family. HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK-CUTLER FAVARA-Michael F., 70. Funeral Mass Aug. 19 at St. Cecilia Cathedral. Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Survived by wife, Barbara; children, Aaron Favara (Erin Williams), Derek, Patrick and Michaela; brothers, Ron and Frank; other family, friends; colleagues. Memorials to American Cancer Society. ROEDER MORTUARY FITZGIBBONS-Josephine V. (Morello), 98. Funeral Mass Sept. 3 at St. Gerald Church. Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Preceded in death by husband; son; parents; sisters. Survived by daughter and son-inlaw, Geradette and Dan Geveshausen; two granddaughters, four great-grandchildren. Memorials to the family. HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK-CUTLER
GALATA-Mary R., 89. Funeral Mass Aug. 17 at St. Robert Bellarmine Church. Committal service Aug. 17 at Calvary Mausoleum. Preceded in death by parents, Matilda and Philip Galata; brother and sister-in-law, Fred Sr. and Louise Galata. Survived by nieces, Mary L. Ourada (Larry), Lori Kohler, and Julie Roccaforte; nephew, Fred Galata Jr. (Jody); relatives; friends. Memorials to the church. HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK-CUTLER
HOWARD-Kelli M., 47. Funeral service Aug. 21 at the mortuary. Interment Calvary Cemetery. Preceded in death by father, Michael Nolan; sister, Traci Strelko; niece, Nicole Strelko. Survived by husband, Todd; children, Taylor and Tanner; five grandchildren; mother, Roxanne Nolan; family members; friends. Memorials to the family. HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWOR AK-CUTLER
GALLAGHER-Thomas Francis, M.D., 89. Funeral Mass Aug. 17 at Christ the King Church. Interment Omaha National Cemetery. Survived by wife, Nancy; daughters and sonsin-law, Ruth and Mark Nelson, Ann and Joe Steele, Mary and Jim Jansen, and Clare and Rick Sansburn; six grandchildren. Memorials to Cathedral Arts Project or the Rose Garden at The Omaha Botanical Center. HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK-CUTLER
HUSTAK-Edwin J. Sr., 97. Funeral Mass Aug. 27 at St. Gerald Church. Entombment Holy Sepulchre Mausoleum. Preceded in death by wife, Mary Ann; son, David A. Survived by children, Sandra L. Hustak, Edwin J. Hustak Jr. and Kimberly S. Hustak; two grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; Cathy Rahmann. Memorials to the Josie Harper Hospice House. HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWOR AK-CUTLER
GASS-John F., 79. Funeral Mass Aug. 26 at St. Columbkille Church, Papillion. Interment Omaha National Cemetery. Survived by wife, Sally (Siedlik) Gass; children and spouses, Sheryl and Bill Lemieux, Richard and Michelle Gass, and Mark Gass; two grandchildren. Memorials to Community Alliance. HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK-CUTLER HIEBER-Donna L., 83. Funeral Mass Aug. 14 at St. Joan of Arc Church. Interment Calvary Cemetery. Preceded in death by husband, Erwin. Survived by goddaughter, Crystal Ann Lea; cousins; friends, Richard and Vicki Barrientos Sr., and Dennis and Joanne Mihelich. HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK-CUTLER HOPKINSON-Everett A. “Bud,” 88. Memorial service at the mortuary with inurnment at Resurrection Cemetery. Preceded in death by wife, Barbara; sons, David and Steven Hopkinson; grandson, Robert (bob rod) Rodrigues. Survived by daughter and sonin-law, Trish and Tony Rodrigues; daughterin-law, Deb Hopkinson; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren. Memorials to the charity of one’s choice. JOHN A. GENTLEMAN HOVER-Edward I., 71. Funeral service Aug. 25 at the mortuary. Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Preceded in death by parents, Arthur and Dorothy Hover; fatherin-law and mother-in-law, Joe and Marian Pane; nephew, Jesse Frazier. Survived by wife, Jerrie (Pane) Hover; sons, Matthew (Katie), Erich, and Andrew; two grandchildren; brother, John (Sandy); sister, Linda (Randall) Frazier; brothers-in-law, Tony Pane, Joe (Micki) Pane, and Mark (Lisa) Pane; sistersin-law, Angie (Tom) Waples, Mary Jo Pane, and Lu Pane; nieces; nephews. Memorials to the family. HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK-CUTLER
JACHYM-Jan (John), 86. Funeral Mass Sept. 3 at St. Thomas More Church. Interment St. John Cemetery, Bellevue. Preceded in death by parents and siblings in Poland. Survived by wife, Mary; children and spouses, Anna and John May, Marge and Dan Shukis, and John M. Jachym; six grandchildren. Memorials to the family. KORISKO LARKIN STASKIEWICZ FUNER AL HOME JOHNS-Richard F., 99. Funeral Mass Aug. 30 at Holy Cross Church. Interment Calvary Cemetery. Preceded in death by son, Thomas. Survived by wife, Eileen; children and spouses, Carol and Terry Tvrdik, Linda and Larry Orsi, Kathy and Don Tracy; daughter-in-law, Kathyrn Neubauer Johns; seven grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren. Memorials to Holy Cross Church or Siena/Francis House. HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWOR AK-CUTLER KETTLESON-James D., 73. Funeral Mass Aug. 25 at St. Mary Church in Bellevue. Interment Bellevue Cemetery. Preceded in death by parents, Creighton and Mary Kettleson; daughter, Nicole Kettleson. Survived by wife, Debbie; son and daughterin-law, Patrick and Jennifer Kettleson; daughter Alicia Kettleson; four grandchildren; siblings and spouses, Jerome and Bonnie Kettleson, Janette and Rick Buresh, Dianne and Arnie Strand, and Julie and Steve Tabor; nieces; nephews. Memorials to St. Mary Church or School or American Cancer Society www.cancer.org. BELLEVUE MEMORIAL CHAPEL
Continued on Page 27 >>
Remembering Pray for those interred in August
Msgr. Thomas D. Furlong Martha Ayala Susan M. (McConnell) Balkovec Bernard "Bernie" J. Barone Elizabeth W. (Whalley) Berigan Chantal M. Black Christy A. Blake Shirley A. Blessing David Lee Bogatz Frank P. Brogan Noah James Byrne Maren Claire Carlson Dennis T. Chapman William "Bill" W. Coacher Elizabeth A. Corritore Mary Elizabeth De Joy Bradley T. Farmer Michael Frank Favara Mary R. Galata Marisela Gomez Eduardo Gonzalez Jeanette (Kavanda) Grandgenett Gayle Marie Guilfoyle Ryan Anthony Guilfoyle Frank W. Haas Ann M. Heinson Donna L. Hieber Everett A. Hopkinson Edward I. Hover Kelli M. Howard Edwin J. Hustak, Sr. Richard F. Johns Daniel E. Johnson Donald F. Kane Joanne R. Kane Adam Albert Kirchofer Baby Koley Mary Bernadine (Colgan) Kuhfahl Alice Mae Lammers Ono Grace Lawson Florencio Lopez
Joan E. Lusienski Haas Josephine M. Maldonado Diane M. McCabe Jude F. McGargill Josephine I. McMillan Alyce J. Megel Gerald P. Meyer, Sr. Donald A. Moray, Jr. Bernice R. Murray Shawn M. Nahriri Phan C. Nguyen Briggs T. O'Neill Peter Thomas O'Neill Marvin Paul Olson, Jr. Carol Jean Peitzmeier Carolina Peña Santiago Theresa J. Pinkes Romayne T. Poeppe Paulette E. Rak Betty F. Rech John "Jack" E. Ryan Mary "Peg" (Whalley) Salisbury Thelma P. Sandiland Serrano Santos Galdamez Leonard S. Scigo Karen "Kari" J. Sidener James D. Skinner Louis Jerome Sobczyk Shirley Anne Storm Laurie J. Sutej Susan A. Theis Susanne (Bialy) Theis Walters Marjorie "Marge" J. Thielen Elaine M. Tolan Charles Peter Varela, Sr. Khai Q. Vu Mary Ellen (Roth) Walker Katherine C. Waring Arlis K. Wattier Mary "Tess" Wertzberger Donald F. Wilmes
Memorial Candlelight Mass
to pray for those interred in September 2021 & October 2020:
Monday, October 4, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. Holy Angels Chapel and Mausoleum in Resurrection Cemetery Rosary at 5 p.m. Five Locations: Calvary • Holy Sepulchre Resurrection • St. Mary St. Mary Magdalene
Main Office: 7710 W. Center Road 402-391-3711
| RESURRECTION JOY |
SEPTEMBER 17, 2021
» 27
Sainthood cause opened for ‘earthly guardian angel’ of Auschwitz Catholic News Agency
the Catholic weekly publication of the Diocese of Tarnów, writing 700 articles and editing the children’s supplement Króluj nam Chryste (“Christ, reign over us”). After the Nazi German invasion of Poland on Sept. 1, 1939, the editorial team offered its skills to the Polish underground movement. The Ges tapo, the Nazi secret police, arrested Łącka and other members of the team on April 16, 1941. She was held at the Gestapo STEFANIA headquarters ŁĄCKA in Tarnów and later at the local prison. She was interrogated and tortured, but did not reveal the names of any of her associates.
Łącka was transported on April 27, 1942, with 60 other female prisoners to Auschwitz, where she was assigned the number 6886. In June 1942, a female prisoner escaped the camp. The authorities forced the prisoners to stand in the roll-call square for two days waiting to discover who would be killed in retribution for the escape. Bishop Jeż’s edict said that Łącka was standing beside her friend, Helena Panek, as they awaited their fate. Łącka promised that if Panek was selected, she would go to her death with her. But the authorities were ordered not to proceed with their planned punishment. While caring for the sick, Łącka fell ill with typhus and was admitted to the camp hospital in block 23.
She recovered by the spring of 1943 and began working in the camp hospital as a nurse, using her proficiency in German to help her patients. “Risking her own life, she baptized newborns and ministered to people who were seriously ill,” Jeż noted in the edict. “She also watched over the dying, sweetening their last hours of life.” “She encouraged other female prisoners to pray together with the dying. Risking her own life, she also saved sick women during selection for the gas chamber or phenol injection by crossing them off the death list. Her fellow prisoners called her the ‘earthly guardian angel.’” She wrote a camp prayer book that survived the Second World War intact.
Łącka left Auschwitz with five companions on Jan. 23, 1945, days after the camp was bombed. She returned to her family home in Wola Żelichowska, where she attended daily Mass and helped her family. She began studying Polish philology at the Jagiellonian University in Kraków, but her health deteriorated and she was admitted to a hospital in the city in October 1946. She died on Nov. 7, 1946, at the age of 33. In his edict, Bishop Jeż said that Łącka’s spirituality offered an example for Christians today. “Stefania Łącka was distinguished for her high degree of the virtues of faith, hope, love, and moral virtues,” he wrote. “From the day of her funeral until now, her private cult has been growing.”
>> Continued from Page 26
MEGEL-Alyce Joann, 86. Funeral service Aug. 24 at the mortuary. Entombment at Resurrection Mausoleum. Preceded in death by parents, Lula (Rozmarin) and Fred Megel; brother, Robert Megel; sisters, Lorraine Haug Felker and Patricia Monson. Survived by sister, Jeannine Kracher, Papillion; nieces; nephews. HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK-CUTLER
OLIGMUELLER-Albert Theodore, 97, of West Point. Funeral Mass Aug. 14 at St. Anthony Church, St. Charles Township. Burial St. Anthony Cemetery. Preceded in death by wife, Evangeline; parents, Theodore and Carolina (Schmuecker) Oligmueller; brothers and sisters-in-law, William and Hildegard, and Anton and Marie Oligmueller; sisters and brothersin-law, Ann and Ed Meister, and Mona and Wilfred Meister; brothers-in-law, Edwin Ortmeier and Fred Hansen. Survived by daughters and son-in-law, Joanne and Tom Recker, Marilyn Oligmueller, and Diane Oligmueller; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; sisters, Agatha Ortmeier and Hilda Hansen. Memorials to St. Anthony Cemetery or the family for future designation. STOKELY FUNERAL HOME
RAGOLE-Georgia B. (Lynch), 90. Funeral Mass Sept. 24 St. Cecilia Cathedral. Interment Calvary Cemetery. Preceded in death by husband, Arthur C. Ragole; son, Timothy M. Ragole; parents; six sisters and three brothers. Survived by sons and daughters-in-law, Michael and Margaret Ragole, Patrick and Sherry Ragole; daughterin-law, Vicki Ragole; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews. Memorials to St. Cecilia Cathedral, 701 N 40th St., Omaha, NE 68131, or Scare Away Cancer, 14558 Portal Circle, La Vista, NE 68138 or scareawaycancer.org. JOHN A. GENTLEMAN
SOBCZYK-Louis Jerome, 85. Funeral Mass Aug. 13 at St. Gerald Church. Interment Calvary Cemetery. Preceded in death by parents, Andrew and Mary (Siderwicz) Sobczyk; sister and brother-in-law, Rosemary and Bob Teeple; son, Jerome; daughter, Laura; grandson, Samuel Sobczyk. Survived by wife, Donna (Camero) Sobczyk; children, Linda Wilkie (Bruce), Timothy Sobczyk, and Jeff Sobczyk (Diane Meysenburg); seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; brother, Robert Sobczyk (Kim); sister-in-law, Doris (Bill) Ferron; nieces; nephews; cousins. Memorials to the church or Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK-CUTLER
The sainthood cause of a Polish Catholic who dedicated herself to helping fellow prisoners at the Auschwitz concentration camp has opened. Bishop Andrzej Jeż of Tarnów issued an edict announcing the start of the cause of Stefania Łącka, who camp inmates referred to as their “earthly guardian angel.” Jeż said that he took the step after consulting with the Polish bishops’ conference and obtaining permission from the Vatican Congregation for the Causes of Saints. Łącka (pronounced “Wonska”) was born on Jan. 6, 1914, in Wola Żelichowska, a village in southern Poland. She attended a teacher-training institution, graduating in 1933. From 1934 to 1939, she worked for Nasza Sprawa (“Our Case”),
KIRKLAND-Marilou, 93. Services Sept. 4 at Christ the King Church. Interment Calvary Cemetery. Preceded in death by husband, John C. Kirkland; son, George; granddaughter Jon Marie; brother Eugene R. Witt; parents Henry N. Witt and Mariea Goodhard Witt. Survived by children and spouses, Marijohn Kirkland, Johnna Kirkland, John C. and Ann Kirkland, Victor and Renae Kirkland, Charles and Carolina Kirkland, and Mary Louise and Scott Ruff; 19 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews; cousins. Memorials to College of Saint Mary. JOHN A. GENTLEMAN LAMMERS-Alice M., 85. Funeral Mass Aug. 21 at St. Cecilia Cathedral. Private family interment. Preceded in death by sisters, Rita Lange, Betty Webb and Helen Soukup; brothers, Charles, Arthur and Father Ralph Lammers. Survived by sister, Dorothy M. Lammers; nieces; nephews; friends. Memorials to St. Cecilia Cathedral or OTOC. HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK-CUTLER LEAVITT-Leonard E. “Len,” 71. Funeral Mass Aug. 18 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church. Graveside service Omaha National Cemetery. Survived by mother, Elsie; wife, Kris; children, Angie (Jon), Matt and Jessie; five grandchildren; family friend, Jaycie; siblings, Bob, Sue, Russ and Therese; nieces; nephews; extended family. HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK-CUTLER LEICK-Michael Thomas Sr., 65. Funeral Mass Sept. 3 at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Humphrey. Survived by children, Tom and Jessica Leick, Tony Leick and Vicki Fuller, Erin Leick, Kelsey and Michael Fields, Amber Leick and Colin Downing; five grandchildren; friend, Anita Petersen. Memorials to the church.. HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK-CUTLER MARCHESE-Samuel J., 97. Funeral Mass Sept. 8 at Christ the King Church. Private interment Calvary Cemetery. Preceded in death by first wife, Elizabeth “Betty” Marchese; son-in-law, Dr. Charles Rush; parents, Lena and Sebastiano Marchese. Survived by wife, Lynn Dinsdale; children, Cathy Rush, Barb Marchese, Debbie Conry (Kyle), Tim Marchese, and Susan Marchese (Bob Billmeyer); 12 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; two step-daughters and their husbands, Liz White (Ross), and Isabell Gronbach (Michael); six step-grandchildren. Memorials to Creighton University Women’s Golf, St. Vincent de Paul School, Siena/Francis House, Food Bank or charity of one’s choice. JOHN A. GENTLEMAN McGARGILL-Jude F., 85. Funeral Mass Aug. 31 at St. Robert Bellarmine Church. Interment Calvary Cemetery. Preceded in death by wife, Mary E. “Betty” McGargill; grandson, Timothy Charles Schulte. Survived by wife, Barbara McGargill; children and spouses, Thomas and JoAnn McGargill, Daniel J. McGargill, Mary Colleen and John Ruzicka, Maureen and Mark Schulte, Carrie and Robert Schuyler, Kathy and Michael Lustgarten, Vikki Bosley, Pam and Don Goettel, Kelley and Robert Valle, Susan Daughton, and Carrie and Brett Hanson; 18 grandchildren; one great-grandchild. Memorials to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK-CUTLER
MESTL-Eugene, 88. Funeral Mass Aug. 31 at the Holy Cross Church in Beemer. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery. Preceded in death by parents, Lumir and Marie Mestl; grandson, Joshua Borg; two infant siblings; sister and brother-in-law, Virginia and William Meister. Survived by wife, Lavina; children and spouses, Gerald and Cathy Mestl, Carol and James Franzluebbers, David Mestl, Doris and Paul Troyer, Michael and Tracy Mestl, Kenneth and Cari Mestl, Iris and Joey Borg, James and Gina Mestl, Chris and Kim Mestl; brother and sister-in-law, Paul and Janet Mestl; 23 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews. Memorials to the family for future designation in Eugene’s name. MINNICK FUNERAL HOME MEYER-Gerald P. “Jerry,” 73. Funeral Mass Aug.19 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. Preceded in death by parents, Archie and Helen Meyer; brother, Tom Meyer. Survived by wife, Sharon Meyer; children and spouse, Julie and Richard Dickey, and Jerry Meyer Jr.; three grandchildren; siblings and spouses, Eileen Mace, Bobby and Dee Meyer, Ken and Sharon Meyer, David and Ann Meyer, Cindy and Paul Collett, and Marilyn Jenks; nieces; nephews. Memorials to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Our Lady of Lourdes Church. HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK-CUTLER MIXER-Barbara A., 80. Funeral Mass Aug. 11 at Christ the King Church. Burial Omaha National Cemetery. Preceded in death by parents, Eugene “Dutch” and Ruth DeJong; sister, Susan. Survived by husband, Gary P. Mixer; children, Daniel P. Mixer and Debra R. Mixer; 10 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren. Memorials to the family. HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK-CUTLER MORAY-Donald, 75. Services Aug. 21 at the mortuary. Private inurnment Calvary Cemetery. Preceded in death by parents, Donald A. Sr. and Helen (Cavanaugh) Moray; sister, Liz Moray; stepson, Daniel Ryan. Survived by wife, Beth Ryan; daughters, Michele Moray-Volk (Michael), and Brenna Moray; Cindy; stepson Kevin Ryan (Julie); five grandchildren; siblings, Kathy Allan, Margaret Spurr, Dave Moray (Micki), Theresa Crothers (Bill), Dan Moray, Anne Windsor (Shawn), and Bob Moray (Jan); sister-in-law Judy Smith (Mason). JOHN A. GENTLEMAN MURRAY-Bernice Rita (Sudbeck), 91. Funeral Mass Aug. 31 at St. Robert Bellarmine Church. Interment Calvary Cemetery. Preceded in death by husband, Leo John Murray; parents, Crescentia and William Sudbeck; sisters, Lorraine Hochstein and Frieda Schulte. Survived by children and spouses, Lori and Dr. Stephen H. Williams, Larry and Dr. Lisa Murray, Patrick and Diane Murray, Vince and Amie Murray, Lyn and James Bohan, Michael Murray, and Lisa and Daniel Krist; 20 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren. HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK-CUTLER
O’NEILL-Briggs Theodore, 10. Funeral Mass Aug. 13 at St. Robert Bellarmine Church. Survived by father, Todd; mother, Jen; brother, Baker; grandparents Carole and Gary Schmitz and Gay and Marty O’Neill; other family; friends. Memorials to the Briggs O’Neill Memorial Fund through American National Bank. ROEDER MORTUARY O’NEILL-Peter Thomas, 25. Funeral Mass Aug. 28 at Christ the King Church. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. Survived by mother, Colleen M. Gasik (Joe); father, Steven R. O’Neill; brother, Andrew O’Neill; sister, Cauren Johnson (Matt); grandparents, Rosie and Tom Laughlin, and Mary O’Neill; Jennifer Eppenbaugh; other relatives; friends. Memorials to the family. HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK-CUTLER PINKES-Theresa Josephine, 82. Graveside service Aug. 16 at Calvary Cemetery. Preceded in death by brother, Joe Stodolka. Survived by children and spouses, Carol and Joe Chizek, Richard and Debbie Pinkes, Nancy and Steve Finnern, Russell and Debby Pinkes, and Matthew and Lisa Pinkes; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sisters and brotherin-law, Catherine Leuck, and Loretta and Terry Jensen; brother and sister-in-law, John and Shirley Stodolka; sister-in-law, Rita Stodolka. HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK-CUTLER PIOTROWSKI-Martin Scott, Sr., 70. Funeral service Aug. 23 at St. Robert Bellarmine Church. Preceded in death by parents, Francis E. and Naomi G. Piotrowski; sister, Melanie A. Piotrowski Thompson. Survived by wife, LaVonne Jenson Piotrowski; children and spouse, Martin Scott Jr., and Brian Eric and Melissa; six grandchildren; siblings and spouses, Susan Malesa, Bill and Chris Piotrowski, and Paul and Juli Piotrowski; nieces; nephews. JOHN A. GENTLEMAN POEPPE-Romayne T., 76. Funeral Mass Aug. 30 at St. Bernadette Church, Bellevue. Private interment. Preceded in death by parents, Lucille and Theodore; brother, Lorin; sisters, Joan Schulte and Collette Monteros. Survived by brothers and sisters-in-law, Ray, Lee and Jo Ann, and Lynn and Mei Poeppe; sisters, Donna Wernimont and Lois Wenzel; Vici Sortino; children and spouses, Jacqueline and Joey Gray, Jeff and Jennifer Poeppe, and Tim Fonfara; four grandchildren; nieces; nephews. Memorials to the church. HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK-CUTLER
ROSS-Gayle M., 89. Funeral Mass Sept. 2 at St. Robert Bellarmine Church. Private interment. Preceded in death by husband, Robert; parents, Harold and Berniece Glienke. Survived by son and daughter-in-law, Erich and Jennifer; two grandchildren; brothers-in-law and sister-inlaw, Jerry Ross, and Tom and Shirley Ross; nieces; nephews. Memorials to St. Cecilia School. HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK-CUTLER SANDILAND-Thelma “Tillie” P., 96. Funeral Mass Aug. 30 at St. Gerald Church. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. Preceded in death by husband, Earl W., Jr.; parents, Lawrence and Frieda Peiffer; brother, Cletus Peiffer; sister, LaVonne Reis. Survived by children and spouses, Roxann and Michael Kieffer, David and Becky Sandiland, Debbie and Bob Walters, Mark and Julie Sandiland, and Greg and Julie Sandiland; 12 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren. Memorials to the Nebraska Heart Association. HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK-CUTLER SCHNITKER-Barbara J. (McGinn), 78. Memorial Mass Sept. 7 Mass at St. Patrick Church in Neola, Iowa, following her death March 16, 2020. Interment at Neola Cemetery. Preceded in death by husband, Frederick J. Schnitker; mother, Bernice McGinn; father, Lavern John McGinn; aunt and uncle, Marie and Phil Purdy. Survived by children, Karen Bera, Paul J. Schnitker (Clides), Mark J. Schnitker (Jeni); eight grandchildren; sisters, Rosemary, Patricia, Kathleen and Marie. HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK-CUTLER SHERMAN-Mary Lou, 86. Funeral Mass Sept. 1 at St. Vincent de Paul Church. Interment Parkview Cemetery in Hastings, Nebraska. Preceded in death by parents, Mary and Louis Schifani; husband, Donald Sherman. Survived by husband, Bob Donahue; children and spouses, Leslie and Karl Jackson, Monica and Greg Peter, David Louis and Mary Sherman, and Theodore Francis “Ted” and Audrey Sherman; 10 grandchildren. Memorials to Sisters of Loretto, St. Vincent de Paul for Masses, or Creighton University. HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK-CUTLER SIDENER-Karen J., 52. Funeral service Aug. 14 at LifeSpring Church in Bellevue. Interment Calvary Cemetery. Preceded in death by father, Steven Lentz. Survived by husband, Mark; sons, Christian Sidener (Hannah), and Colton Sidener (Olivia Falt); one grandson; mother, Allida Lentz; brother, Steven Lentz (Laura); nieces; nephews; aunts; uncles; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Scott Sidener (Gina), Shelly Lesley (Jason), and Heather Hawkins. Memorials to the family. HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK-CUTLER SIMON-Timothy John, 63. Funeral service Sept. 1 at the mortuary. Entombment Calvary Mausoleum. Memorials to St. John the Baptist Anglican Church Building Fund. HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK-CUTLER
SOSSO-Joanne Claire, 92. Funeral Mass Sept. 4 at St. Mary Church, Bellevue. Interment Bellevue Cemetery. Preceded in death by parents, William Patrick and Mary Agnes Duffy; 10 brothers and sisters and their spouses; husband, Robert G. Sosso; son, Martin Joseph Sosso; granddaughter, Anne Meri Sosso. Survived by children and spouses; Jerry and Marcia, Clare and Tom, Lawrence and Catherine, Corinne, Gregory and Kelly, Michael and Cristina, Gordon and Lisa, Joseph and Jenny, Paul and Jessica, Stephen and Lisa, Roberta and Matthew; daughter-in-law Christina; many grandchildren; great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews; sistersin-law, Pauline Bauer and Jan Duffy. Memorials to St. Mary Endowment Fund, Columban Fathers, Nebraska Right to Life, Poor Clare Sisters or Hospice House-The Josie Harper Residence. BELLEVUE MEMORIAL CHAPEL SWANEY-Mary Ann, 69. Funeral Mass Sept. 3 at St. Elizabeth Ann Church. Interment Calvary Cemetery. Preceded in death by parents, Francis and Rose Galas; brothers, Ray and Bob Galas. Survived by daughter and son-in-law, Christina and Tim Liermann; three grandchildren; brothers and sisters-in-law, Rich and Veronica, George and Kathy Galas; sister and brother-inlaw, Rita and Dave Treadway; sister-in-law, Patty Galas; nieces; nephews; family; friends. ROEDER MORTUARY TOLAN-Elaine Margaret (Kennedy), 100. Funeral Mass Aug. 31 at St. Gerald Church. Interment Calvary Cemetery. Preceded in death by husband, John Tolan Sr.; parents, Eugene and Lillian Kennedy; brothers, Cecil Kennedy (Loretta), James Kennedy, and Gene Kennedy; sisters Helen Halaszyn (Stefan), and Mary Myers (Ralph). Survived by children and spouses, John Jr. and Becky Tolan, Mary and Rick Treinen, and Mark Tolan; five grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Elaine Kennedy and Dorothy Kennedy; cousins; nieces; nephews. Memorials to Alzheimer’s Association, St. Gerald School, Creighton Preparatory School or charity of one’s choice. HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK-CUTLER WATTIER-Arlis K., 69. Funeral Mass Aug. 31 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church. Preceded in death by son, Jeremy Wattier; siblings, Francis Biernbaum, Galen Biernbaum, Keith Biernbaum and Carla Schmitt; parents, Arthur and Rita Biernbaum. Survived by husband, Michael; children, Brian (Nicole Snyder) Wattier, and Erin (Mark) Davies; five grandchildren; extended family and friends. Memorials to Pancreatic Cancer Research. JOHN A. GENTLEMAN WUERFELE-Michael L., 68. Funeral Mass Sept. 3 at St. Patrick Church, Gretna. Burial Omaha National Cemetery. Preceded in death by parents, Lawrence and Phyllis Wuerfele; brothers, Terry and David. Survived by wife, Sharon; children and spouse, Bridget and Jason Prenosil, Adam, and Dustin; two grandchildren; brothers and sister-in-law, Marvin and Ann, and Eddy; other family; friends; Rodrigo Mendoza. Memorials to the Knights of Columbus. ROEDER MORTUARY
| RESURRECTION JOY |
28 « SEPTEMBER 17, 2021
Relics of first Korean Catholic martyrs identified with DNA testing BY COURTNEY MARES Catholic News Agency
The relics of three of Korea’s oldest Catholic martyrs have been identified with DNA testing, the Diocese of Jeonju announced Sept. 1. The relics of Blessed Paul Yun Ji-chung and two of his martyr companions were confirmed by the Catholic Church after a monthslong investigation that involved historical research and DNA analysis. The martyrs – identified as Paul Yun Ji-chung, James Kwon Sangyeon and Francis Yun Ji-heon – were among the first of thousands of Catholics to be tortured and executed under the 500-year rule of the Choson dynasty. Their remains were discovered outside of Jeonju in South Korea during renovations of a historic Catholic site in Wanju county, according to a letter from Bishop John Kim Son-tae of Jeonju. “This discovery is truly a remarkable and monumental event. This is because our church, which has grown on the basis of the blood of the martyrs, has finally found the remains of those who occupy the first place in our history of martyrdom,” the bishop said. Blesseds Paul Yun Ji-chung and James Kwon Sang-yeon, both Catholics from a noble background, were beheaded in 1791 for violating Confucian rituals. Korean Christianity dates back to the 18th century, when Korean
scholars heard about the spread of the faith in China. They traveled to China to study Christianity under Catholic missionaries. They returned to their homeland to teach the faith, gaining thousands of converts even in the absence of priests. Paul Yun Ji-chung was a scholar from a noble family who was baptized in 1787, around the age of 28, after having studied Catholic teaching for three years. He evangelized and converted many of his family members, including his mother, who asked to have a Catholic funeral, rather than the traditional Confucian ritual, at the time of her death. This angered the royal court, who ordered his arrest along with that of James Kwon Sang-yeon. James Kwon Sang-yeon was from a renowned scholarly family in Korea. After hearing the Gospel, he abandoned all other studies to focus on Catholic teaching. He became a Catholic around the age of 36. A quotation attributed to him says: “I would prefer to choose the punishment of death rather than violate the Church’s teaching.” James Kwon was arrested and interrogated with Paul Yun in 1791. Both refused to renounce their faith or give up the names of other Catholics. They were beheaded on Dec. 8, 1791. Paul Yun was 32 and James Kwon was 40 years old. “They said that it is a great hon-
or to die for God under the blade of a knife,” the governor wrote in his report to the royal court. The families received permission from the governor to receive their bodies, and they soaked handkerchiefs in the blood of the martyrs’ wounds. There were healings reported at the time from the sick who touched the handkerchiefs. Francis Yun Ji-heon was the younger brother of Paul Yun Jichung, who catechized him. After his brother was martyred, Francis Yun was forced to leave his hometown, but continued to transcribe religious books and led many people to discover the Catholic faith. He was arrested in 1801 at the age of 37 and was subjected to severe torture and interrogation in the Jeonju governor’s office. “I cannot abandon the Church’s teaching which I have loved so much to the point that it has penetrated deep into my bones and become part of my very body. I have no choice but to say I will die for it 10,000 times ... I do not fear the national law because I believe firmly in the doctrine of heaven and hell,” he is recorded as saying. Francis Yun was martyred in Jeonju by being hacked to pieces on Oct. 24, 1801. His wife and children were exiled. Bishop Kim said in his announcement that a canonical process examining the evidence had concluded on Aug. 18 with a declaration that the relics of the three blesseds were authentic.
Deacon Mike Leick found his ministry in broken dreams Catholic Voice
Deacon Mike Leick was known for his big dreams and strong opinions. D e a c o n Leick, who had retired from service at St. Pius X Parish in Omaha, died Aug. 30 of complications from DEACON COVID-19. The MIKE LEICK 65-year-old had battled the virus for 13 weeks. A funeral Mass was held Sept. 3 at St. Francis of Assisi Church in his native town of Humphrey, with burial at St. Francis Cemetery. Deacon Leick, who was ordained in 2002, was passionate and motivated, but also experienced broken dreams, his former pastor, Father Damian Zuerlein, said. Ideas for his businesses and parishes – and even his marriage – didn’t always go as planned. “It was a hard process for him to come to the point where he could see that maybe the best thing he could do for people was to help others who had broken dreams as well, and he could walk with those who had broken dreams,” Father Zuerlein said. One way was through Beginning Experience, a minis-
try for the divorced and widowed, in which Deacon Leick became involved after finding help and healing after his own divorce. But perhaps especially in dying, Deacon Leick learned to surrender his will to God’s, said Father Zuerlein, who kept in contact with the deacon after both moved to different parishes following their service at St. Columbkille Parish in Papillion. While hospitalized, Deacon Leick participated in livestreamed Masses, including those at St. Frances Cabrini Church in Omaha, where Father Zuerlein is now pastor. After one Mass, Deacon Leick emailed Father Zuerlein about his homily on Jesus’ multiplication of the loaves and fish, and how Andrew and Philip failed Jesus’ test. “They thought it was up to them to make it (feeding the crowd) happen, and Jesus’ whole point was it wasn’t going to be up to them,” Father Zuerlein had explained. Deacon Leick took that to heart. He told Father Zuerlein: “I’ve been thinking, what do I have to do here to get well, when I just need to surrender to Jesus.” “Yup. That’s exactly right, Mike,” Father Zuerlein responded. “You can let go.”
Dominican Sister Donna Quinn served as teacher, advocate for women Catholic Voice
Sister Donna Quinn of the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa was an advocate for justice and equal rights, especially for women, for more than half of her 63 years of religious life. She also was a teacher, serving in the Archdiocese of Omaha at St. Cecilia School in Omaha SISTER from 1958 DONNA QUINN to 1962, before her career took her into other areas. Sister Donna died July 30 at St. Dominic Villa in Hazel Green, Wisconsin. She was 84. A remembrance service was held Aug. 10 at the Dominican motherhouse in Sinsinawa, Wisconsin. A funeral Mass was held at a funeral home in Chicago Ridge, Illinois, with burial in Holy Sepulchre Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleum in Alsip, Illinois.
A native of Chicago, she made her first religious profession in 1957 and her perpetual profession in 1960. She also was known by the religious name of Sister Caitriona. In addition to her service in the Omaha archdiocese, Sister Donna served as a teacher and administrator in elementary and high schools in Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota. She then taught and worked in public relations, development and admissions for Chicago area high schools and colleges. She also was a founding member and director of Chicago Catholic Women, and held leadership positions with several other women’s organizations in the Archdiocese of Chicago. Justice and equal rights became her passion as she dedicated 33 years to organizations promoting those causes and writing extensively on those topics, according to an obituary provided by the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa.
LEARN ROSARY MAKING Call for catalog and introductory offer or visit www.rosaryparts.com LEWIS & COMPANY
P.O. Box 268-K, Troy, NY 12181 800-342-2400
Flowers for All Occasions 509 W. Mission – 402-291-2889
| CALENDAR | EVENTS Magnificat-Omaha Fall Brunch: Sept. 18, 9:30 a.m. at St. Robert Bellarmine Church, 11802 Pacific St., Omaha. All women are invited to hear guest speaker Kendra Von Esh, radio host, inspirational speaker and author of “Am I Catholic?” For reservations, go to www. MagnificatOmaha.org. St. Michael Parish Annual Fall Festival: Sept. 19, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at St. Michael Church, 1315 1st Ave., South Sioux City. Enjoy delicious Hispanic food and many fun activities. For more information, go to www.smcsssc.com/parishnews, or contact Juan Morales at grupomfc.4@ gmail.com or 712-212-0826. Holy Hour for Vocations with Archbishop Lucas: Sept. 20, 6-8 p.m. at St. Margaret Mary Church, 6116 Dodge St., Omaha. Serra Club of West Omaha invites all for this special holy hour with Archbishop Lucas, Father Ralph O’Donnell and Father Frank Baumert. Includes guest speaker Deacon Mike Conzett, Rosary and silent adoration. Email westomaha@serrainternational.org for more information. Skutt Catholic High School Fall Musical – “James and the Giant Peach”: Sept. 23, 25, 30 and Oct. 2, at 7 p.m., and Sept. 26 and Oct. 3, at 2 p.m. at Skutt Catholic High School, 3131 S. 156th St., Omaha. Cost $8 adults, $6 K-12 students. For tickets, go to https://forms.gle/ YbCWuNnqcBHhVWCMA. Hope Connecting Hearts Nigeria “FUN”draiser: Sept. 24, 6-9 p.m. at St. Robert Bellarmine Parish’s Mainelli Center, 11802 Pacific St., Omaha. Help Father Kizito Okhuoya celebrate his 25th anniversary as a priest while raising funds for mission trips to his home country. Cost, $35 per person, $60 per couple, $75 per family. Includes dinner and drinks (excluding keepsake glass). Raffle tickets $5 each or six for $25. Register online at bidpal.net/hchn. Call 402-616-4484 or 402-980-2629 for more information.
SEPTEMBER 17, 2021
CATHOLIC COMMUNITY CALENDAR Your guide to activities & events around the archdiocese Catholic Community Calendar is a listing of events from the parishes, schools, institutions and organizations in the Archdiocese of Omaha. SUBMIT » Include date, start and end times, street addresses, description of event and contact information. Items published up to two times as space allows. Notices may be sent three ways:
email rectory@stmarysbellevue.com or visit omahavigilforlife.org for more information. Our Lady of Lourdes Annual Fall Festival: Sept. 26, 12-9 p.m. on the parish grounds, 2110 S. 32nd Ave., Omaha. Features raffle, silent auction, games, food, cash bingo, music and more. Ss. Cyril and Methodius Parish Fall Fest: Sept. 26 at St. John Neumann Hall, 420 Cherry St., Clarkson. Dine-in and takeout meals of chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, fruit salad, rolls and desserts available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost $12 adults, $6 kids, free ages 5 and under. Cash raffle, quilt raffle, country store and silent auction. See the unique baskets and auction items on Facebook. Online bidding starts Sept. 20; in-house bidding from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 26. Go to bit.ly/ sscyrilmethodiusclarkson or call 402892-3887 for more information.
Our Lady of Lourdes Fall Festival Rummage Sale: Sept. 24 and 25, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sept. 26, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at St. Bernadette Hall (lower level of church), 2110 S. 32nd Ave., Omaha. Call 402-3459288 for more information.
50th Annual South Dakota Right to Life Convention and Life Celebration Weekend: Oct. 1-3 at Sioux Falls First Church, 6300 W. 41st St., Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Empowering weekend of education, motivation and celebration of the sanctity of life. Doors open 6 p.m., Oct. 1, program at 7 p.m. Oct. 2, doors open 8 a.m., general session 9 a.m. Oct. 3, 2-3 p.m., Life Chain occurs simultaneously across USA/Canada as part of National Life Chain. Go to www. sdrighttolife.org, email righttolifesf@ gmail.com or call 605-743-0777 to register or for more information.
Archbishop’s Vigil for Life: Sept. 25, 8-11 a.m. at St. Mary Church, 2302 Crawford St., Bellevue. Mass with Archbishop George J. Lucas, Exposition of the Holy Eucharist and Rosary procession to Bellevue abortion facility. Reception follows. Take part in one of the most powerful pro-life events in the area. Call 402-291-1350,
Growing in Trust, Growing in Prayer: Oct. 2, 8-9 a.m. at Holy Cross Church, St. Edward’s Hall, 4810 Woolworth Ave., Omaha. A presentation by author and Catholic Voice columnist Connie Rossini. Learn how meditative prayer and trust in God can increase one’s peace in troubling times. No registration required. For more information call 402-553-7500.
MAIL » Catholic Community Calendar, Catholic Voice, 2222 N. 111th St., Omaha, NE 68164 FAX » 402-561-1210 EMAIL » tcvomaha@archomaha.org Notices cannot be taken by phone. DEADLINES » Deadline for the Friday, Oct. 15, issue is Monday, Oct. 4.
Annual St. Francis Parish Bazaar and Dinner: Oct. 3 at 203 S. 5th St., Humphrey. Kids run at 11:30 a.m.; turkey and sausage dinner served from 12-4 p.m.; booths open at 12:30 p.m.; antique and general auction at 5 p.m. with the big ticket drawing of 50 prizes concluding the auction. Enjoy games, beer garden and concessions. Creighton Model FertilityCare System – “Making Sense of Your Fertility and NaProTracking Your Cycles” Introductory Session: in-person sessions Oct. 7, Oct. 21 and Nov. 4, 7 p.m., at FertilityCare Center of Omaha at Saint Paul VI Institute, 6901 Mercy Rd., Omaha. Reservation required. Call 402392-0842 or email fcco@saintpaulvi.com for more information. St. Bernard Parish Annual Dinner and Auction: Oct. 8, 5-10 p.m. at Scott Conference Center, 6450 Pine St., Omaha. Includes social hour with silent auction, dinner and live auction. Proceeds to school tuition assistance fund. Call Rose at 402-551-0269 for tickets. His Global Love Prayer Communities – Healing Mass: Oct. 13, at St. Philip Neri-Blessed Sacrament Church, 8200 N. 30th St., Omaha, or livestreamed. Praise and worship at 6:30 p.m., Healing Mass at 7:00 p.m. Mass intention for breast cancer survivors and their families. Father Kevin Joyce will preside. Open to the public. View livestream at www. facebook.com/spnomaha. Call Marie at 402-451-1974 for more information. His Global Love Prayer Communities – Healing Mass: Oct. 15, at St. Bernard Church, 3601 N. 65th St., Omaha, or livestreamed. Praise and worship at 6:30 p.m., Healing Mass at 7:00 p.m. Father Kevin Joyce will preside. Open to the public. To view livestream, go to www.youtube.com, then type “His Global Love” into search bar and click on live video. Call Marie at 402-451-1974 for more information.
America Needs Fatima Rosary Rally: Oct. 16, noon-1 p.m. in Omaha’s Memorial Park, north side of Dodge St. near 60th St. A peaceful, prayerful, nationwide rally to pray, through the intercession of Mary, for a culture of life, religious liberty and the Church. Sponsored by America Needs Fatima. For more information see www.anf.org, or contact Christine at 402-880-4620 or Linda at 402-660-2213. Be Not Afraid Holy Hours – Consecration to Jesus Through Mary: Sundays, 6-7 p.m. at Christ the King Church, 654 S. 86th St., Omaha. Rosary and sacrament of reconciliation available. l Oct. 3 – Pope Leo XIII on St. Joseph l Oct. 31 – A Formula for HealingConsecration Novena
PARISHES St. Columbkille – Daily and Sunday Masses: Access recorded Masses via the parish YouTube channel at youtube.com/ channel/UCU4REcyq1E92mzUQElubYPA. St. Joan of Arc – Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Perpetual Adoration: Daily, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 74th and Grover streets, Omaha. Church open 24 hours. St. Robert Bellarmine – Daily Rosary and Mass for the Homebound: Monday through Saturday, 8:05 a.m. Rosary, 8:30 a.m. Mass; Sunday 11 a.m. Mass. All available on demand online at stroberts. com. Our Lady of Lourdes-St. Adalbert – Holy Hour for Priests and Vocations: Tuesdays, 8:45 a.m. in the Sacred Heart Chapel (perpetual exposition) at 2110 S. 32nd Ave., Omaha. Use northwest door by the ramp. Call 402-346-3584 for more information.
» 29
Christ the King – Tuesday Morning Prayer Group: 9:30-11 a.m. in the Parish Center, 654 S. 86th St., Omaha. Contact Kathy Havranek at khavranek@yahoo. com for more information. St. Stanislaus – Eucharistic Adoration: Saturdays, 4-5 p.m. before evening Mass at 4002 J St., Omaha.
SCHOOLS Archbishop Ryan High School – 50-Year Class Reunion: Oct. 23, Oak Hills Country Club, 12325 Golfing Green Drive, Omaha. Cash bar (no charge for beer and pop) opens at 5:30 p.m. with a buffet dinner at 6:30 p.m. Cost $35 per person (spouses and/or guests are welcome). Send reservation, including name of spouse or guest, and check payable to Ryan High Reunion, by Sept. 30 to Jim Stewart, 10417 Madison St., Omaha, NE 68127.
SPIRITUALITY CENTERS Cloisters on the Platte – The Stations of the Cross: Monday-Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Thursday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.; Sunday, 2:30-4 p.m. at 23332 Fishery Road, Gretna. The 2,500-foot-long outdoor walking tour of 14 sculpture stations representing Christ’s trial through his burial includes audio meditations. Contact Darla at darlakoch@cloistersontheplatte.com or see cloistersontheplatte.com for more information. Suggested donation $10 per person. St. Benedict Center, three miles north of Schuyler. Register online at stbenedictcenter.com. Call 402-352-8819 or email retreats@stbenedictcenter.com for more information. l Exploring the Seven Dwelling Places of St. Teresa of Avila: The Interior Castle: Sept. 24, 7:30 p.m. to Sept. 26, after lunch. Father William J. Jarema, MS, MDiv, MAS., explores St. Teresa’s work, The Interior Castle, where she pictured the soul as a beautiful mansion in which God resides in the centermost place. In the innermost of seven dwelling places, the person becomes united with God in continuous, conscious love. St. Teresa says: “Prayer is not thinking much but loving much.” Cost $219.14 (single), $201.78 (double) (Includes program fee, meal and taxes). l God’s Last Word: Love to the End. The Prophet Hosea’s Embodied Faithfulness: Sept. 25, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Prior Joel Macul, OSB, STL, discusses the Prophet Hosea and how Israel’s lack of fidelity to her relationship with her Lord is met repeatedly with God’s willingness to respond to her with forgiveness and reconciliation.Cost $46.23 (Includes program fee, meal and taxes).
St. Frances Cabrini Church 1335 S. 10th Street, Omaha
Semi-Annual
Sunday,
October 17
12 noon to 6 p.m. Proceeds support All Saints Catholic School Spaghetti and Meatballs, Salad, and Orsi’s Italian Bread
“The Best Sauce in Town!”
Italian sweets and other bake sale items Adults $10 Children $5 (4-11 yrs. old) Eat In or Carry Out
Serving the Omaha community for over 48 years. It’s a place for active seniors who want to enjoy all the advantages of a service-enriched setting. New Cassel integrates Christian values, individualized health-care, exciting life enrichment opportunities so seniors can remain active and provides delicious, healthy meals - all at an affordable price.
An Active Retirement & Assisted Living Community
(402) 393-2277 / 900 North 90th Street / Omaha, NE 68114 www.newcassel.org Sponsored by the School Sisters of Saint Francis
| LOCAL BRIEFING |
30 « SEPTEMBER 17, 2021
LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS SCHOOLS
Sacred Heart begins preschool program Sacred Heart School in Omaha began a preschool program this fall for 3- and 4-year-olds, answering a neighborhood need for early childhood education to help young children make the transition to kindergarten. With the addition of the Sacred Heart program, all three CUES School System schools, including Holy Name and All Saints, also in Omaha, now offer preschool through eighth grade classes. “We will utilize our program experience to make a positive impact for all families in our school system and make the transition into kindergarten seamless,” said Jennifer Sturgeon, CUES chief academic officer. Preschool classes are held Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and include play and story time, singing, large- and small-group learning, recess, snacks and other activities. “Our curriculum helps children grow and learn what they need to know to become ready for school,” said Sacred Heart Principal Mike Jensen. “This is in addition to learning positive values that create character and teach children how to become a good friend to others.”
PARISHES
Genocide survivor to lead retreat Immaculee Ilibagiza, Rwandan genocide survivor and New York Times best selling author of “Left to Tell,” will share her message of forgiveness, healing, hope and the power of prayer during a retreat Oct. 15-16 at St. Peter Church in Fullerton. She not only survived the genocide by hiding in a cramped bathroom with seven other women for 91 days, but was able to forgive her tormenters and her family’s murderers. The retreat includes
Immaculee’s witness of the power of prayer, miracles of the Rosary, and inspirational music. Ticket cost is $57 per person or $76 for two. To register or for more information, visit www. immaculee.com, or contact Shelly Babb at 402-910-6771 or shellybabb84@gmail.com, or Kathy Cruise at 402-649-2174 or heymom07@yahoo.com.
ORGANIZATIONS
Art exhibit opens CAP’s 2021-22 season
Cathedral Arts Project (CAP) is hosting the first art exhibit of its new season, which is now on display in the Sunderland Gallery in the Monsignor Earnest Graham Building, adjacent to St. Cecilia Cathedral in Omaha. The exhibit of oil paintings by Omaha artist Paula Wallace is titled “Things to Watch While You Drive,” and highlights vistas one might see while traversing Midwestern roads and highways. “Away from the clamor and clutter of the city, the vast dome of heaven and the crisp length of horizon give a sense of scale,” Wallace said in describing her works. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. The exhibit, which is free and open to the public, is on display through Sept. 26. For information or to purchase prints of Wallace’s artwork, call 402-551-4888 or 402-680-7350.
Catholic Answers Conference slated Spirit Catholic Radio will host its Catholic Answers Conference Oct. 9 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Wenceslaus Church in Omaha. Entitled “What is Truth,” the program will feature program hosts and frequent guests from the nationally-syndicated Catholic apologetics program “Catholic Answers Live,” broadcast Monday through Friday on Spirit
HOLY CROSS PARISH
A sad thing The Ten Commandments monument outside Holy Cross School in Omaha was destroyed in an act of vandalism during the nighttime hours of Sept. 6-7. Unfortunately none of the church’s or school’s security cameras captured the act, said Father Carl Salanitro, parish pastor. “My reactions are mixed,” he said. “Was it someone who was angry at the church, was it a random act, or some sort of protest? I’m perplexed. It’s a sad thing.” The monument was installed by the parish’s Knights of Columbus Council 11364 more than 10 years ago.
Catholic Radio. Speakers and topics include: Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers on “Meeting Jesus in the Beauty and Truth of the Catholic Faith”; Cy Kellett on “What Ever Happened to the Modern World”; Stacy Trasancos on “Evangelizing Through Science in a Culture Longing for Truth”; and Karlo Broussard on “Your Truth, My Truth: How to Understand and Refute Relativistic Thinking.” Cost is $22 per person and includes a continental breakfast. Tickets are available at https:// www.tickettailor.com/events/ spiritcatholicradio/555065. For more information, contact the radio network at kvss@kvss.com or 855-571-0200.
Surprise gift for expectant mothers More than 20 expectant mothers got a big surprise as they completed their New Moms
class Aug. 30 at Bethlehem House in Omaha. Christ Child Society gave each mother a brand new car seat to celebrate the organization’s 115th anniversary year. At first they were told that one of them would go home with the demonstration model. They were then told at the end of class to look for a “winner” sign under their chairs to see who the lucky mother was, and each of them had a sign. State law requires that infants leaving the hospital be placed in a properly installed car seat. The car seats that were given out, which retail for about $200 each, are premium seats that can be adapted as the child grows, from four pounds to 120 pounds. The Christ Child Society provides support services to newborns in need and their parents in the Omaha-Council Bluffs area, and Bethlehem House provides housing and hope to pregnant and parenting women in crisis.
Sistine Chapel exhibit coming to Omaha “Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition” opens Oct. 7 in Omaha’s Capitol District at 1100 Capitol Ave. This unique exhibition allows viewers to experience the greatest masterpieces of Michelangelo from a new perspective, displayed on floor to ceiling panels to facilitate up-close viewing. The ceiling paintings from the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel have been reproduced using licensed, high-definition photos and a special printing technique that emulates the look and feel of the original paintings so viewers can see every detail, brushstroke and color of the artist’s 34 frescoes. The exhibit, which runs through Jan. 1, will be open Thursdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with time slots available every 30 minutes. Viewing will take from 60 to 90 minutes. For more information or to purchase tickets, go to sistinechapelexhibit.com/omaha/.
ANNIVERSARIES
Celebrating the sacrament of marriage Leroy (Red) and Mary (Koch) Lampe celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on Aug. 28. They were married on that date in 1956 at St. Mary Church in Panama, Iowa. Longtime members of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Omaha, the couple have nine children, 22 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. A family celebration was held on Aug. 28th. Merv and Diann Vannier celebrated 50 years of marriage last month. They
were married at St. Adalbert Church in Omaha Aug. 14, 1971. Now members of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Omaha, the couple have a son, a daughter and three grandchildren. Bill and Jane stein) Hutfles marked 50 years of marriage Sept. 9. They were married on that date in 1971 at St.
(Hohn-
Cecilia Church in Hastings, Nebraska. The couple, who are members of St. Wenceslaus Parish in Omaha, have three children and four grandchildren. They are being honored with a card shower. Cards may be sent to: 16612 Dorcas Circle, Omaha, NE 68130. Joseph and Patricia (Pisci) Daniels celebrated their 50th wedding a n n ive r s a ry on Sept. 11. They were married on that date in 1971 at the former St.
Patrick Church in Omaha. The couple, currently members of St. Columbkille Parish in Papillion, have two children and six grandchildren. They planned to celebrate with a family vacation to Florida. Larry D. and Mary Lou (Czuba) Cook will mark 50 years of marriage in October. They were married on Oct. 2, 1971, at St. Stanislaus Church in Duncan, Nebraska. The couple, who are members of St. Patrick
Parish in Fremont, have two children and three grandchildren. Merle and Leola Riesselman will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary Sept. 25. They were married on that date in 1971 at Ss. Peter and Paul Church in Butte, where they are still parishioners. The couple have three children and 10 grandchildren. They will celebrate with a family dinner Sept. 25 and a Mass at their church Sept. 26.
| LOCAL BRIEFING |
JACK GUEZ/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES AND CNA
Big win for Skutt alum
USA’s Thomas Gilman poses on the podium with his bronze medal after his victory in the men’s freestyle 57kg wrestling competition in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Makuhari Messe in Tokyo Aug. 5, 2021. He defeated Iran’s Reza Atrinagharchi in the bronze medal match. Gilman is a 2012 graduate of Omaha’s V.J. and Angela Skutt Catholic High School, which displayed a large banner outside its building after the win to congratulate its alumnus on his accomplishment.
SEPTEMBER 17, 2021
» 31
COURTESY PHOTO
New fieldhouse at College of Saint Mary
Student athletes practice volleyball drills at College of Saint Mary’s new Lied Fitness Center Fieldhouse. The Omaha, all-women’s college built the 75,000-square-foot addition and renovated its existing 15,000-square-foot facility at a total cost of $18 million. The new combined facility, which opened last month, includes a competition-quality track, three basketball/volleyball courts, golf simulator, expanded weight room and strength training space, refurbished tennis courts, dance and fitness studio, and modern locker rooms.
#WHEREGREATNESSBEGINS Catholic Voice.indd 1
8/29/17 2:18 PM
The Archbishop’s Annual Appeal helps us in our daily work of resourcing and empowering leaders of our churches and schools to experience unity in Christ, to encounter Jesus, equip disciples and receive and live mercy. Your support of the Annual Appeal helps our parishes, schools and ministries to be communities of hope and transformation. Together, through the help of the Holy Spirit, we will create a culture of unity, evangelization, leadership and mercy.
Without your support of the Annual Appeal, our ability to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to coordinate efforts in parishes and schools across the archdiocese would be very limited. With your support, we can do things together as an archdiocese that no one parish or one individual person can do on their own. This helps us amplify the invitation that Jesus wants us to offer for more and more people to come to Him, to experience life in Him. Make your Annual Appeal gift today.
Archbishop’s
Annual Appeal
2021-2022
Visit archomaha.org/Appeal to make your gift. Or scan here.
STEWARDSHIP AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE 2222 N 111TH STREET I OMAHA, NE 68164 402.558.3100 I ARCHOMAHA.ORG
