7 NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS FOR CATHOLIC FAMILIES
ST. ANTHONY Messenger
JANUARY 2015 • $3.95 FRANCISCANMEDIA.ORG
A New Take on Catholic Schools Week Wrapping Up the Christmas Season Addiction and Grace
SPECIAL
SECTION
Thomas Merton 100 Years
Chicago Doctor Invents Affordable Hearing Aid Outperforms Many Higher Priced Hearing Aids Reported by J. Page &KLFDJR %RDUG FHUWLÂżHG SK\VLFLDQ 'U 6 &KHUXNXUL KDV GRQH LW RQFH DJDLQ ZLWK KLV QHZHVW LQYHQWLRQ RI D PHGLFDO JUDGH ALL DIGITAL affordable hearing aid. 7KLV QHZ GLJLWDO KHDULQJ DLG LV SDFNHG ZLWK DOO WKH IHDWXUHV RI FRPSHWLWRUV DW D PHUH IUDFWLRQ RI WKH FRVW Now, most people with hearing loss are able to enjoy crystal clear, natural sound—in a crowd, on the phone, in the wind — without suffering through “whistlingâ€? and annoying background noise.
New Digital Hearing Aid Outperforms Expensive Competitors 7KLV VOHHN OLJKWZHLJKW IXOO\ SURJUDPPHG KHDULQJ DLG LV WKH RXWJURZWK RI WKH GLJLWDO UHYROXWLRQ WKDW LV FKDQJLQJ RXU ZRUOG :KLOH GHPDQG IRU ³DOO WKLQJV GLJLWDO´ FDXVHG PRVW SULFHV WR SOXQJH FRQVLGHU '9' SOD\HUV DQG FRPSXWHUV ZKLFK RULJLQDOO\ VROG IRU WKRXVDQGV RI GROODUV DQG WRGD\ FDQ EH SXUFKDVHG IRU OHVV \HW WKH FRVW RI D GLJLWDO PHGLFDO KHDULQJ DLG UHPDLQHG RXW RI UHDFK 'U &KHUXNXUL NQHZ WKDW PDQ\ RI KLV SDWLHQWV ZRXOG EHQH¿W EXW FRXOGQœW DIIRUG WKH H[SHQVH RI WKHVH QHZ GLJLWDO KHDULQJ DLGV *HQHUDOO\ WKH\ DUH not FRYHUHG E\ 0HGLFDUH DQG PRVW SULYDWH KHDOWK LQVXUDQFH
Nearly Invisible! SAME FEATURES AS EXPENSIVE HEARING AID COMPETITORS
9 Mini Behind-The-Ear
hearing aid with thin tubing for a nearly invisible proďŹ le
9Advanced noise reduction to make speech clearer
9 Feedback Cancellation eliminates whistling 9 Wide dynamic range
compression makes soft sounds audible and loud sounds comfortable
9 Telecoil setting for use with compatible phones, and looped environments like churches
9 3 programs and volume
dial to accommodate most common types of hearing loss even in challenging listening environments
The doctor evaluated all the high priced digital hearing aids on the market, broke them down to their base components, and then created his own affordable version— called the MD+HDULQJ$LGŽ AIR for its virtually invisible, lightweight appearance.
Affordable Digital Technology 8VLQJ DGYDQFHG GLJLWDO WHFKQRORJ\ WKH MD+HDULQJ$LGŽAIR DXWRPDWLFDOO\ DGMXVWV WR \RXU OLVWHQLQJ HQYLURQPHQW ² SULRULWL]LQJ VSHHFK DQG GH HPSKDVL]LQJ EDFNJURXQG QRLVH ([SHULHQFH DOO RI WKH VRXQGV \RXœYH EHHQ PLVVLQJ DW D SULFH \RX FDQ DIIRUG This doctor designed and approved hearing aid comes with a full year’s supply of long-life batteries. It delivers crisp, clear sound all GD\ ORQJ DQG WKH VRIW ÀH[LEOH HDU EXGV DUH VR comfortable you won’t realize you’re wearing them.
Try It Yourself At Home With Our 45 Day Risk-Free Trial 2I FRXUVH KHDULQJ LV EHOLHYLQJ DQG ZH LQYLWH \RX WR WU\ LW IRU \RXUVHOI ZLWK RXU 5,6. )5(( GD\ KRPH WULDO ,I \RX DUH QRW FRPSOHWHO\ VDWLVÂżHG VLPSO\ UHWXUQ LW ZLWKLQ WKDW WLPH SHULRG IRU D IXOO UHIXQG RI \RXU SXUFKDVH SULFH
Can a hearing aid delay or prevent dementia? A study by Johns Hopkins and National Institute on Aging researchers suggests older individuals with hearing loss are signiďŹ cantly more likely to develop dementia over time than those who retain their hearing. They suggest that an intervention — such as a hearing aid — could delay or prevent dementia by improving hearing!
“SatisďŹ ed Buyers Agree AIR Is Best Digital Value!â€? “I am hearing things I didn’t know I was missing. Really amazing. I’m wearing them all the timeâ€? — Linda Irving, Indiana “Almost work too well. I am a teacher and hearing much better nowâ€? — Lillian Barden, California “I have used many expensive hearing aids, some over $5,000. The Airs have greatly improved my enjoyment of lifeâ€? — Som Y., Michigan “I would deďŹ nitely recommend them to my patients with hearing lossâ€? — Amy S., Audiologist, Munster, Indiana
For the Lowest Price plus FREE Shipping Call Today
800-873-0541 Phone Lines Open 24 Hours EVERY DAY Use Offer Code AR44 to get FREE Batteries for a Full Year!
www.MDHearingAid.com/AR44 100% MONEY BACK GUARANTEE
45 DAY RISK FREE TRIAL
BBB RATING
Proudly assembled in the USA from Domestic & Imported Components.
A Š2014
CONTENTS
ST. ANTHONY
❘ JANUARY 2015 ❘ VOLUME 122/NUMBER 8
Messenger ON THE COVER
SPECIAL SECTION T H O M A S M E R T O N : 10 0 YE A R S
Thomas Merton (1915-1968) is arguably one of the most influential American Catholic writers of the 20th century.
28 The Legacy of Thomas Merton 100 years after his birth, America’s best-known monk is still having an effect on Catholic thought, say these Merton experts. By Dan Morris-Young
Photo by Sibylle Akers Used with permission of the Merton Legacy Trust and the Thomas Merton Center at Bellarmine University.
34 Rediscovering Contemplation Merton was a prophet who put together mysticism and its political implications. By Richard Rohr, OFM
F E AT U R E S
D E PA R T M E N T S
14 Wrapping Up the Christmas Season
2 Dear Reader 3 From Our Readers
For Catholics, Christmas lasts more than one day. Here’s how you can keep the spirit alive. By Theresa Doyle-Nelson
20 A New Take on Catholic Schools Week
4 Followers of St. Francis Christian Reuter, OFM
6 Reel Time
14
8 Channel Surfing
These Iowa students bring fresh energy to this annual event. By Sue Stanton
State of Affairs
10 Church in the News
38 7 New Year’s Resolutions for Catholic Families
13 At Home on Earth It Takes a (Global) Village
January is a perfect time for parents to reinvigorate their children’s faith. Text by Rita E. Piro, illustrations by Mary Kurnick Maass
42 My Brother, Danny
Interstellar
19 The Spirit of Francis No Sourpuss Here
26 Editorial
20
Drugs plagued his life—but he never lost sight of God. By B.G. Kelley
Catching Up Our Church on Families
50 Ask a Franciscan Pope Francis, Big Bang, Evolution
46 Fiction: Second Chances
52 Book Corner Sacred Fire
Charity is always in style. By Christine Venzon
54 A Catholic Mom Speaks Time to Take a Stand
42
56 Backstory
ST. ANTHONY M
DEAR READER
essenger
Francis the Writer Many people are surprised to hear that St. Francis of Assisi left behind a fair body of writing—55 texts in the excellent volume Francis of Assisi: Early Documents, Vol. 1, The Saint, edited by Regis Armstrong, OFM Cap., Wayne Hellman, OFM Conv., and William Short, OFM. Francis had enough formal education to write in Latin, but Thomas of Eccleston, an English confrere, noted its primitive style. Francis’ writings were always sparked by a specific need, and he sometimes worked with collaborators who could cite Scripture references when Francis knew only the gist of a story or one of its colorful details. This year’s columns will examine 11 of Francis’ writings, explaining their content, context, and ongoing influence. What is often called “The Peace Prayer of St. Francis”—part of it dating to an 11th-century prayer, but later expanded and popularized during World War I—will not be included. This prayer certainly reflects Francis’ spirit, but we know that he did not write it. Francis’ writing was influenced most of all by the Scriptures. May we treasure them as God’s unique self-revelation!
Publisher/CEO Daniel Kroger, OFM Chief Operating Officer Thomas A. Shumate, CPA Editor in Chief John Feister Art Director Jeanne Kortekamp Franciscan Editor Pat McCloskey, OFM Managing Editor Susan Hines-Brigger Associate Editor Christopher Heffron Assistant Editor Daniel Imwalle Editorial Assistant Sharon Lape Advertising Fred Limke
Click here for Father Pat’s further reflections on Francis as a writer. Printing Kingery Printing Co. Effingham, IL
SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES If you have a question, concern, or problem with your subscription, we’re here to help.
Subscription and Billing Questions?
How to Subscribe
Toll-free phone: 866-543-6870 To help us better answer your questions about subscriptions, please have your address label on hand. If you have billing questions, please have your invoice available. Mail: St. Anthony Messenger P.O. Box 189 Congers, NY 10920-0189 Internet: StAnthonyMessenger.org/subscribe Fax: 845-267-3478
Want to subscribe or add a gift subscription? Call 866-543-6870, weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. (Eastern time), or visit StAnthonyMessenger.org/subscribe.
Subscription Prices United States, $39 per year; Canada and other countries, $69 per year. See website for digital rates and to order bulk copies.
Mailing List Rental Moving? In order to keep your subscription current, we need four weeks to change an address. Send us your new address, new telephone number, and old mailing label.
If you prefer that your name and address not be made available to select organizations, send your current mailing label to Mail Preference Service, St. Anthony Messenger, P.O. Box 189, Congers, NY 10920-0189.
ST. ANTHONY MESSENGER (ISSN #0036276X) (U.S.P.S. PUBLICATION #007956 CANADA PUBLICATION #PM40036350) Volume 122, Number 8, is published monthly for $39.00 a year by the Franciscan Friars of St. John the Baptist Province, 28 W. Liberty Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202-6498. Phone (513) 241-5615. Periodicals postage paid at Cincinnati, Ohio, and additional entry offices. U.S. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: St. Anthony Messenger, P.O. Box 189, Congers, NY 109200189. CANADA RETURN ADDRESS: c/o AIM, 7289 Torbram Rd., Mississauga, ON, Canada L4T 1G8.
To subscribe, write to the above address or call (866) 543-6870. Yearly subscription price: $39.00 in the United States; $69.00 in Canada and other countries. Single copy price: $3.95. For change of address, four weeks’ notice is necessary. See St AnthonyMessenger.org for information on your digital edition. Writer’s guidelines can be found at StAnthony Messenger.org. The publishers are not responsible for manuscripts or photos lost or damaged in transit. Names in fiction do not refer to living or dead persons. Member of the Catholic Press Association Published with ecclesiastical approval Copyright ©2014. All rights reserved.
2 ❘ J a n u a r y 2 0 15
St A n t h o n y M e s s e n g e r . o rg
FROM OUR READERS
Compelling and Comforting I thoroughly enjoyed James Breig’s article, “Bret Baier’s Tale of Faith and Healing,” from the November issue of St. Anthony Messenger. Baier’s experience of coping with his son’s struggle with heart disease, and the way he and his wife grew through their suffering, was such a compelling story. Even better was Jim Van Vurst, OFM’s, “How Catholics Understand Death.” It is just about the best article I’ve read on the subject. I plan to give copies to several people who are grieving. Keep up the good work! Nuala Timoney Pleasant Valley, New York
Give The Kitchen a Chance I just received the November issue of St. Anthony Messenger and was truly stunned by Christopher Heffron’s
What’s on Your Mind? Letters that are published do not necessarily represent the views of the Franciscan friars or the editors. We do not publish slander or libel. Please include your name and postal address. Letters may be edited for clarity and space. Mail Letters, St. Anthony Messenger 28 W. Liberty St. Cincinnati, OH 45202-6498 Fax 513-241-0399
ICONS © ISTOCKPHOTO/ ELIELI
E-mail MagazineEditors@ FranciscanMedia.org Facebook Like us! Go to: Facebook.com/ StAnthonyMessengerMagazine Twitter Follow us! Go to: Twitter.com/StAnthonyMag
Fr ancisca n Media .org
review of black-ish in the “Channel Surfing” column, and totally shocked that you allowed his review to be printed. Two weeks ago, ABC devoted the entire 30-minute episode to promoting the parents’ approval of masturbation for their young teenage son! What happened to masturbation being a mortal sin? To add to my dismay, in the October issue, Mr. Heffron slammed the Food Network’s The Kitchen, making a snide comment about the five hosts and stating that you should “look elsewhere” to be entertained. This show is clean, humorous, and entertaining, and does not deserve criticism for being so. Joni L. Madasz Medina, Ohio
Always Educational First, please let me thank you for your wonderful publication. It is a true blessing. The care and thoughtfulness with which it is produced are apparent. Getting the new issue of St. Anthony Messenger is a treat I look forward to each month. I particularly enjoy the column “Ask a Franciscan,” by Father Pat McCloskey, OFM. I always learn something new and I appreciate Father McCloskey’s empathetic tone and thorough explanations. In the November issue, a nurse who works in an intensive care unit for newborns wrote in to “Ask a Franciscan” and shared that some people have challenged her for taking care of babies who were conceived via in vitro fertilization (IVF). I was horrified that there are people out there who think that we should deny medical care to children because of how they were conceived! If these people are Catholic, it is doubly horrifying. Such a position is in total opposition to Catholic prolife teaching. If Catholics are saying such things, no wonder the public is
confused and skeptical about the truth of Catholic social teaching. Melanie Blatcher Bay Head, New Jersey
No Need to Apologize Regarding John Feister’s “Backstory” column from the November issue, I do not see where you had anything to apologize for given the fact that Susan Hines-Brigger’s article, “The Face of Human Trafficking” was presented as a single person’s testimony. This “concerned reader” needs to differentiate between cultural bias and actual events. We cannot let our concern for minorities overshadow the need to shine a light on these stories. Human trafficking is committed by any and all ethnic groups—the perpetrators in this article just happened to be Arab. I thought the story was very telling and served as a reminder that these crimes can happen anywhere and at any time. This is a cautionary tale and not a condemnation of any ethnic group. Jason McMahon, OFS Cincinnati, Ohio
Bravo to the Nuns on the Bus I recently picked up the September issue of St. Anthony Messenger and read, with great sadness, the letters to the editor. I could not help but think how little the writers know about their Catholic faith. Of the letters printed, I could only relate to the letter by Jim Hahn regarding the article, “St. Hildegard of Bingen: 12th-Century Feminist.” Mr. Hahn is someone with whom I can agree. Other letters were critical of the Nuns on the Bus, the supposed promoting of the gay lifestyle, etc. I applaud what the nuns are doing for the poor and disenfranchised. They should be commended, not criticized. Suzana Megles Lakewood, Ohio J a n u a r y 2 0 15 ❘ 3
F O L L O W E R S O F S T. F R A N C I S
‘Peace to This House’
A
s Catholics, we are challenged by our faith to look into the faces of the marginalized, and to see the light of God shining back at us. Our culture, though, seems to revel in blame and punishment. Father Christian Reuter, OFM, knows well the cycle of violence, and, over the last 13 years, has promoted an alternative approach through his work in prison ministry. A St. Louis native, Father Chris had relatives on both sides of his family who were Franciscans, members of the Sacred Heart Province. Inspired by his faith and his family, Father Chris entered a Franciscan seminary right out of eighth grade. Even the Franciscan robes had a special appeal to the young seminarian. “Initially, I was attracted by the brown Franciscan habit with its hood and white cord—much ‘cooler’ than a black diocesan cassock,” he says lightheartedly. Of course, there was more to the story. After being ordained as a priest in 1966, Father Chris served for 35 years in the Archdiocese of Chicago as a teacher and, later, as principal of Hales Franciscan High School. Serving a predominantly African American Catholic community in the Archdiocese of
Father Christian Reuter, OFM
Chicago, Father Chris was also the pastor of Corpus Christi Parish. His experience in education in the inner city of Chicago gave Father Chris a unique, albeit challenging, glimpse into the criminal justice system. “Church ministry in that environment often took me into police stations, courtrooms, prisons, and parole hearings,” he says. In 2002, after “a long discernment,” Father Chris switched gears and got involved with prison ministry. At the invitation of the then-bishop of Belleville, Wilton Gregory (now archbishop of Atlanta), Father Chris arrived in East St. Louis, Illinois, to start this new phase of his life as a priest. East St. Louis sits in the unfortunate position of number one on the FBI’s 2014 list of the 100 most dangerous cities in the United States. “[I] came to East St. Louis precisely because it fit the description of ideal Franciscan ministry—poor, crime-ridden, overlooked, and abandoned by both Church and society,” Father Chris explains. When he first started out in prison ministry, Father Chris was a little daunted by the grim setting of his work and the barrenness of prison chapels—often populated only by
STORIES FROM OUR READERS Semper Fidelis
© UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
Learn more about St. Anthony and share your story of how he helped you at AmericanCatholic.org/ Features/Anthony.
4 ❘ J a n u a r y 2 0 15
Upon completion of the intensive “Crucible” phase of Marine Corps training in 2008, my grandson presented me with the medallion that each successful recruit was given. He is currently on 100 percent disability after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Our local pastor blessed the medallion for me and it has been in my possession ever since—wherever I go, it goes with me. My wife and I were celebrating our 54th wedding anniversary when I reached into my pocket to make sure it was there. The medallion was gone! We frantically retraced our every move over the past two days, all the while praying to St. Anthony, but came up empty. Upon our arrival home—and still praying to St. Anthony—I went to my favorite chair, lifted the cushion, and there it was, wedged in the lining of the chair! Thank you, St. Anthony. You are always there for us! —T. Jerome Foley, Stillwater, Minnesota
St A n t h o n y M e s s e n g e r . o rg
Click here for more on prison ministry. Click the button on the left to hear an interview with Father Chris.
ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI
Prisoner of War We think so often of Francis as a peacemaker that we easily forget his early involvement in war. In 1198, he probably helped seize the Rocca fortress, ending the German emperor’s rule over Assisi. A year later, a civil war forced Assisi’s nobles into exile. In 1202, Assisi lost to Perugia, and Francis spent a year as a prisoner of war until his father ransomed him. Francis may have killed opposing soldiers; he had not always sought God’s glory and God’s kingdom. Wars caused him to become more reflective. –P.M.
© JBONE66/DREAMSTIME
a table and a few chairs. But, as he performed chaplain ministry in seven prisons across southern Illinois, he found that being caring and respectful toward prisoners injected light into an otherwise dreary place. Reconciliation is crucial to prison ministry, though it can be extremely difficult to nurture within a criminal justice system Father Chris considers “broken.” In our current system, “debts are never entirely forgiven, and people are caught in an endless cycle of vengeance and violence. Franciscan theology offers a way out of this.” As his experience in prison ministry has grown, Father Chris has taken on a more administrative role, coordinating about 50 clergy and laypeople in the Belleville Diocese. No matter what facet of prison ministry he is involved in, Father Chris has always kept in mind a quote from Luke 10:5 (repeated in the Rule of the Franciscan Order), where Jesus advises his followers to say, “Peace to this house,” whenever they enter a home. “I say it every time I pass through the bars and razor wire of a prison gatehouse.” —Daniel Imwalle
tal Digi as Extr
To learn more about Franciscan saints, visit AmericanCatholic.org/Features/Saintofday.
S T. A N T H O N Y B R E A D
Fr ancisca n Media .org
Send all postal communication to: St. Anthony Bread 1615 Vine St. Cincinnati, OH 45202-6498
J a n u a r y 2 0 15 ❘ 5
PHOTO BY FRANK JASPER, OFM
The National Shrine of St. Anthony is located in Cincinnati, Ohio. Consecrated in 1889, it includes a first-class relic of St. Anthony and serves as a center for daily prayer and contemplation. The Franciscan friars minister from the shrine. To help them in their work among the poor, you may send a monetary offering called St. Anthony Bread. Make checks or money orders payable to “Franciscans” and mail to the address below. Every Tuesday, a Mass is offered for benefactors and petitioners at the shrine. To seek St. Anthony’s intercession, mail your petition to the address below. Petitions are taken to the shrine each week. To post your petition online, please visit stanthony.org, where you can also request to have a candle lit or a Mass offered; or you may make a donation to the Franciscans or sign up to receive a novena booklet.
REEL TIME
W I T H S I S T E R R O S E PA C AT T E , F S P
Interstellar
Calvary The Railway Man The Hundred-Foot Journey The Giver Jersey Boys
6 ❘ January 2015
© PARAMOUNT
New to DVD
Matthew McConaughey stars in Christopher Nolan’s critically acclaimed space drama Interstellar. In director Christopher Nolan’s haunting, bold new film, monoculture (the cultivation of a single crop) dominates in an environment that can no longer sustain crop diversity. Even though corn is that one crop, it no longer thrives, and sudden, gigantic dust storms smother the population. Cooper (Matthew McConaughey) is a former NASA pilot who now runs a farm. He lives with his son and father-in-law, but is closest to his daughter, Murph (Mackenzie Foy), who hears voices and thinks her bedroom is haunted. They discover that the “ghost” is some kind of signal from another planet, supposedly created in a wormhole by alien intelligence. Murph is frightened and upset when her father rejoins NASA. Accompanied by a crew, Cooper and Amelia Brand (Anne Hathaway) take off in the Endurance, a spacecraft that will track astronauts who had previously gone to seek new worlds. But what will they find? McConaughey excels as a father and NASA expert. Christopher Nolan demonstrates, once again, his considerable futuris-
tic, apocalyptic, “otherworld” abilities to tell a complex story that means something. The considerable amount of science in the film held my attention. But what fascinated me was the main character in the film: time. Philosophy tells us that time is a mental construct with roots in reality, meaning it does not really exist. It is an easy step to consider God, for whom all time is the present. For God, there is no past or future. The film shows that time is a gift with moral implications. How we use time will determine the future of the world. A-3, PG-13 ■ Peril, mature themes.
The Theory of Everything Stephen Hawking (Eddie Redmayne) is a nerdy student of physics at Oxford in the early 1960s when he meets Jane Wilde (Felicity Jones), a literature student, at a party. They feel an immediate attraction. Stephen does not believe in God. Instead, he wants to discover an elegant theory for everything based in science. St A n t h o n y M e s s e n g e r . o r g
PHOTO BY LIAM DANIEL/FOCUS FEATURES
There’s Oscar talk surrounding Eddie Redmayne’s performance as Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything.
© 2014 SAHARA MOVIE STUDIOS
After a move to Cambridge to continue his doctoral studies in cosmology, he experiences muscle weakness and then collapses. He is diagnosed with ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease, and is given two years to live. Despite the grim prognosis, Jane wants to marry Stephen. They settle in and soon have two children. Stephen is invited to speak around the world about his theories, but his ability to talk deteriorates. Jane wants to finish her own degree, and as the pressures of caring for Stephen and the children mount, her mother (Emily Watson) suggests she join the church choir. There she meets Jonathan (Charlie Cox), who becomes a family friend and helps care for Stephen. Stephen gets a computer to help him speak, and Elaine (Maxine Peake) teaches him how to use it. She eventually takes over his care and becomes his travel companion. The Theory of Everything is a unique film because it is a romantic drama told alongside Hawking’s theories. Although Hawking maintains his good-humored atheism, I have to wonder if he considers it a miracle that he is one of the few people to ever survive ALS and live a long and full life. Not yet rated, PG-13 ■ Mature themes.
authorities are minimal. When Dilip manages to get a job as a janitor at the plant, he is thrilled because he can provide for his nagging and worried wife. Motwani (Kal Penn), the editor of the local paper, knows something is wrong at the plant. His headlines and investigative journalism irritate the authorities, but he never gives up. Things get worse at the plant. The president of the company, Warren Anderson (Martin Sheen), comes to inspect the plant, but he vacillates between demanding repairs and evading litigation and responsibility. One night in December 1984, the plant leaks poisonous gas. There is hardly any antidote, and the clinic is overrun. Almost all the characters are doomed. Director Ravi Kumar builds up the tension in a concentric fashion, looping in the victims and those responsible. The film also addresses the dignity of labor, because the power of profit over humanity is what often drives the global economy today. Not yet rated ■ Peril, mature themes.
Rajpal Yadav and Martin Sheen star in Bhopal: A Prayer for Rain, about the real-life Bhopal disaster in India.
Catholic Cl assifications A-1 A-2 A-3 L O
Bhopal: A Prayer for Rain Dilip (Rajpal Yadav) lives in the city of Bhopal, India, which grew around a gigantic Union Carbide plant that was built to produce pesticides, especially methyl isocyanate (cyanide). By 1984, safety hazards are beginning to escalate—which are overlooked by management—and inspections by the
Fr anciscanMedia.org
General patronage Adults and adolescents Adults Limited adult audience Morally offensive
■
The Catholic News Service Media Review Office gives these ratings. See usccb.org/movies.
■
Find reviews by Sister Rose and others at CatholicMovieReviews.org.
January 2015 ❘ 7
CHANNEL SURFING
WITH CHRISTOPHER HEFFRON
UP CLOSE
Mondays, 10 p.m., NBC Story lines that center on a character’s precarious juggling of personal and work crises have been a time-tested television formula for decades. From St. Elsewhere to NYPD Blue, half the fun is watching how the line between one’s professional and personal life can be blurred. But what happens when the arc of the story deals with one’s daily interactions with the president of the United States? State of Affairs seeks to find out. Katherine Heigl anchors this political thriller as Charleston, a CIA analyst who, aided by her dedicated team, delivers the president’s daily intel. Still mourning the mysterious death of her fiancé—who was also the president’s son—Charleston is a woman unraveling in her off-hours. She drinks too much. She’s sexually reckless. But at work, she has a laser focus. And her terse, one-on-one sit-downs with the president— played to perfection by Emmy winner Alfre Woodard—give the show its rapid pulse. Heigl is effective here as the damaged lead character. Smart and scarred, Charleston is the show’s tragic, all-too-human center, and Heigl plays her with grit and nuance. State of Affairs is strongest in its quieter moments, when Charleston, too proud to grieve publicly, lets down her guard and exposes her inner storms, in all their wounded fury.
A to Z Thursdays, 9:30 p.m., NBC A charming, if not a bit saccharine, relationship comedy, A to Z is about Andrew and Zelda (Ben Feldman and Cristin Milioti, who have great chemistry), two young professionals who struggle to set aside their 21st-century neuroses and navigate the waters of their budding romance. Andrew is a hopeless romantic looking for “the one,” while Zelda keeps her heart guarded. They are a mismatch that still works. Despite some crass moments, A to Z is a lighthearted look at love in its tremulous first few months. Feldman and Milioti are opposites who really attract.
Mulaney
PHOTO BY MICHAEL PARMELEE/NBC
FOX, check local listings The humorist and author Erma Bombeck once wrote, “There is a thin line that separates laughter and pain.” That statement could easily describe Mulaney. Starring Saturday Night Live alum John Mulaney as a struggling New York City comedian who weathers the highs and lows of trying to make it in show business, this uneven sitcom employs cheap tricks for shallow laughs. But here’s the punch line: the show just isn’t funny. Even the affable cast, especially Nasim Pedrad as Mulaney’s friend Jane, can’t save it. Rumors persist that Mulaney won’t be renewed for a second season. For this channel surfer, that isn’t surprising.
Katherine Heigl is a CIA analyst wrestling with personal demons in NBC’s thrilling new drama State of Affairs. 8 ❘ January 2015
St A n t h o n y M e s s e n g e r . o r g
PHOTO BY JESSICA BROOKS/NBC
State of Affairs
Grandson
Give Your The Strength of Faith with a Divine Symbol of Protection Hand-crafted in Solid Stainless Steel as Strong as Faith
Reverse Side is Engraved with: My Grandson, Be Strong in the Lord, for His Power is Mighty -Ephesians 6:10.
A Mighty Shield Victoriously Reveals the Power of Faith Saint Michael the Archangel possesses sanctifying grace and power. He is protector to those who call upon him and defender against evil. Now a bold new pendant, based on St. Michael’s victory, provides a profound reminder of the strength of faith just for your grandson. Fully licensed by the Vatican Observatory Foundation, our “Triumph of St. Michael” Grandson Dog Tag Pendant is a celebration of the patron saint of warriors and the almighty power of God.
An Exclusive Design with a Message of Faith for Your Grandson Hand-crafted of solid stainless steel as strong as faith, this pendant features a beautifully detailed sculpt of St. Michael the Archangel defeating Satan in the Battle of Revelations. The shield-inspired dog tag design shows St. Michael standing strong with the slain dragon at his feet. Rays of light emanate from the mighty warrior as a cross rises above him. A meaningful gift of faith your grandson will cherish forever, and an inspirational way for him to carry a bold symbol of strength and protection, the reverse side of the pendant is finely engraved with: My Grandson, Be Strong in the Lord, for His Power is Mighty -Ephesians 6:10. A 24" stainless steel chain completes the look.
Exquisite Craftsmanship... Exceptional Value A remarkable value at $99*, the pendant is payable in 4 easy installments of just $24.75 and is backed by our unconditional 120-day guarantee. It arrives in a velvet jewelry pouch and gift box along with a Certificate of Authenticity. Send no money now; just mail the Reservation Application. This limited-time offer is only available from The Bradford Exchange. Order today!
A Fine Jewelry Exclusive Only from The Bradford Exchange
Officially Licensed by the Vatican Observatory Foundation
LIMITED-TIME OFFER Reservations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Respond as soon as possible to reserve your “Triumph of St. Michael” Grandson Dog Tag Pendant.
www.bradfordexchange.com/19642 RESERVATION APPLICATION the
BRADFORD E XCHANGE
SEND NO MONEY NOW
Signature
j e w e l ry
Mrs. Mr. Ms. 9345 Milwaukee Avenue · Niles, IL 60714-1393
Name (Please Print Clearly)
YES. Please reserve the “Triumph of St. Michael”
Address
Grandson Dog Tag Pendant for me as described in this announcement, in the quantity checked below.
City
❑ 1 Pendant ❑ 2 Pendants ❑ 3 Pendants ❑ 4 Pendants
Please Respond Promptly
State
Zip
E-Mail (Optional)
01-19642-001-E10601 *Plus $9.98 shipping and service. Please allow 4-6 weeks after initial payment for shipment of your jewelry. Sales subject to product availability and order acceptance.
CHURCH IN THE NEWS
❘ BY DANIEL IMWALLE
CNS PHOTO/BAZ RATNER, REUTERS
Pope, Latin Patriarch Decry Attack
Israeli police officers carry the coffin of Officer Zidan Nahad Seif in the northern village of Yanuh-Jat November 19. Seif, a Druze, was wounded November 18 while trying to stop a synagogue attack by two armed Palestinians.
1 0 ❘ J a n u a r y 2 0 15
mined that the man, who was found hanging in his bus, committed suicide, relatives claim he was lynched. Given the violence and upheaval occurring in the region, the pope said he has been monitoring “with concern the alarming increase of tensions in Jerusalem and other areas of the Holy Land.” On the day of the attack, Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal reacted to the killings with a plea to end the cycle of violence plaguing Jerusalem. “We are praying and waiting. We are sad. We must, all people of responsibility, politicians and religious leaders, do our best in our positions to condemn this violence and avoid as much as possible the causes which lead other people to violence,” Patriarch Twal said.
US Ebola Victim, Catholic Doctor, Dies Dr. Martin Salia, a Catholic doctor originally from Sierra Leone, suc-
CNS/COURTESY MIKE DUBOSE, UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE
Early in the morning of November 18, two Palestinian men entered a synagogue in West Jerusalem armed with a gun, axes, and knives, and proceeded to attack the worshipers, reported Catholic News Service (CNS). Israeli police killed both men at the site of the attack, which resulted in the deaths of four worshipers and a policeman. Pope Francis, following his general audience on November 19, commented on both the attack and the widespread unrest in the Holy Land. “From the depths of my heart, I appeal to those involved to put an end to the spiral of hatred and violence and make courageous decisions in favor of reconciliation and peace. Making peace is difficult, but living without peace is a torment,” the pope said. Some have suggested that the death of a Palestinian bus driver— working for an Israeli cooperative— provoked the attack on the synagogue. While Israeli police deter-
cumbed to the Ebola virus on November 17 at Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, CNS reported. Salia was a permanent resident of the United States who had lived in Maryland before returning to his home country this year to offer his skills as a general surgeon at Kissy United Methodist Hospital in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Speaking in a recent interview with United Methodist Communications, Salia discussed his decision to return to Sierra Leone. “I see it as God’s own desired framework for me. I took this job not because I want to, but I firmly believe that it was a calling and that God wanted me to,” Salia said. It is unclear where or how Salia contracted the virus, since he also worked at three other medical facilities besides Kissy Hospital. He initially tested negative for the virus in early November, but a second test on November 10 concluded that Salia did, indeed, have Ebola. Following the diagnosis, Salia was flown to Omaha on November 15, where he died two days later, due to the advanced stage of the illness.
Dr. Martin Salia, a US surgeon originally from Sierra Leone, died of Ebola November 17, at Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. St A n t h o n y M e s s e n g e r . o rg
N E W S B R I E F S N AT I O N A L A N D I N T E R N AT I O N A L The number of Catholics in Latin America is declining, according to a recent report from the Pew Research Center. Thirty thousand people in 18 countries were interviewed over the course of five months to gather data for the report. In the late 1960s, over 90 percent of Latin Americans identified as Catholic. The Pew report shows that percentage has dropped to 69 percent, a steep decline over one generation in a region that claims almost 40 percent of the world’s Catholic population. Nineteen percent of those interviewed said that they left Catholicism to join evangelical churches, while another 8 percent listed no religious affiliation.
CNS/THOMAS R. DUBROCK, COURTESY THE MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, HOUSTON
CNS/GREGORY L. TRACY, THE PILOT
Franciscan and Dominican art from the Italian Renaissance is on display at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts in Nashville, Tennessee, reported CNS. The exhibition, titled “Sanctity Pictured: The Art of the Dominican and Franciscan Orders in Renaissance Italy,” will continue until January 25, and features paintings, illuminated manuscripts, and other items that date from 1250 to 1550. A number of the works of art depict St. Francis of Assisi. “Everybody loves Francis, and he’s definitely one of the superstars of the show!” said curator Trinita Kennedy.
Cardinal Seán O’Malley, OFM Cap., was featured in an interview on CBS’ 60 Minutes on November 16, where he spoke about the controversy regarding Bishop Robert Finn of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph. In September 2012, Bishop Finn was convicted of failing to report child abuse and sentenced to two years of probation. The cardinal, who is head of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, asserted that the Vatican should investigate the situation further. “It’s a question that the Holy See needs to address urgently,” said Cardinal O’Malley. On November 19, Cardinal O’Malley reflected on his experience being on 60 Minutes, writing in the op-ed section of The Pilot, the Archdiocese of Boston’s newspaper. “From the beginning of the process, I was aware that the questions would not be about the weather and the Red Sox,” the cardinal wrote. The 25th anniversary of the murder of six Jesuits, their housekeeper, and her daughter in El Salvador was commemorated in the capital city of San Salvador on November 16 by Jesuits and others from around the world. The eight victims were killed by a commando unit of the Salvadoran army in November 1989 on the campus of Central American University, where the priests taught. Panel discussions, cultural activities, multimedia programs, and a Mass filled up the remembrance over the course of a week. For more Catholic news, visit AmericanCatholic.org.
Salia leaves behind his wife, Isatu, and two sons, ages 12 and 20. In a statement, Isatu said, “We’re very grateful for the efforts of the team led by Dr. Smith. In the short time we spent here, it was apparent how caring and compassionate everyone was. We are so appreciative of the opportunity for my husband to be treated here and believe he was in the best place.” To date, five other doctors have been diagnosed with Ebola in Sierra Fr ancisca n Media .org
Leone, all of whom have also succumbed to the virus.
Cardinal Calls for Pope to Remove Topics for Next Synod US Cardinal Raymond Burke wants Pope Francis to take the topics of cohabitation, same-sex marriage, and Communion for the divorced and remarried “off the table,” according to CNS. Cardinal Burke spoke to over
300 participants of a marriage and family conference in Limerick, Ireland, on November 15. His address at the conference was given a little more than a week following what many see as a demotion from his role as head of the judicial arm of the Church to the largely ceremonial position as patron of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. Instead of spending time discussing the controversial issues, Cardinal Burke suggested that the J a n u a r y 2 0 15 ❘ 1 1
Prominent Catholics Applaud President’s Immigration Action
1 2 ❘ J a n u a r y 2 0 15
A woman at CASA de Maryland’s Multicultural Center in Hyattsville, Maryland, applauds November 20 after hearing President Barack Obama’s national address on immigration.
States in September 2015, reported CNS. “I would like to confirm that, God willing, in September 2015 I will go to Philadelphia for the eighth World Meeting of Families,” Pope Francis said. Pope Francis Confirms The pope’s statement did not US Visit in 2015 come as a surprise for many, since he has previously signaled his intention The pope announced on November to come to the United States both to 17 that he will be visiting the United the press and to Church leaders, such as Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput. “The Holy Father has said that he’s going to be coming to Philadelphia for quite a few months. He’s been telling me that personally, but for him to announce it officially that he is coming so early is really quite an unusual thing, so it’s going to re-energize our efforts,” the archbishop said. The particulars of Pope Francis’ US visit have still not emerged, but the pope hinted that his trip could include stops in New York City and WashingPope Francis and Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of ton, DC, as well. “Maybe the Philadelphia talk during his general audience in three cities together, no?” said St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican November 19. the pope. A ian] word avanti—get moving—is ample proof of that,” Cardinal Reinhard Marx, archbishop of Munich and Freising, said.
CNS PHOTO/PAUL HARING
second part of the synod on the family focus on what the Church actually teaches about marriage. Regarding Communion for divorced (without annulment) and remarried Catholics, Cardinal Burke said, “I fail to comprehend how—if marriage is indissoluble and someone living in a state contradicting this indissolubility of marriage—the person can be admitted to holy Communion.” With applause from the delegates at the conference, the cardinal—and former archbishop of St. Louis—went on to discuss his refusal to employ the phrase “traditional marriage.” “My response is: Is there any other kind of marriage? I fear that by using that terminology that we give the impression that we think that there are other kinds of marriage; well, we don’t,” Cardinal Burke said. Other Church leaders have expressed their excitement and approval regarding the synod’s proceedings, according to the National Catholic Reporter. “This pope knows exactly what he is doing, let no one doubt that. Francis wants us to move. His frequent use of the [Ital-
CNS PHOTO/TYLER ORSBURN
President Obama’s executive action on immigration— which will allow roughly 4 million illegal immigrants to legally stay in the United States and work—was met with praise by many US Catholic leaders following his November 20 announcement, reported CNS. “What President Obama did will provide relief for a significant number of people. . . . We still need Congress to act to provide comprehensive immigration reform,” said Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami. The archbishop is also chairman of the US bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development. Father Larry Snyder, president of Catholic Charities USA, released a statement celebrating President Obama’s action as a victory for human rights. “In the Gospel of St. Matthew, Jesus says that when we welcome a stranger in his name, we welcome his presence into our hearts. In the faces of these men, women, and children, we are called to see the face of Christ and provide a just and compassionate welcome in a way that represents their inherent dignity as fellow daughters and sons of God,” Father Snyder said.
St A n t h o n y M e s s e n g e r . o rg
AT HOME ON EARTH
❘ BY KYLE KRAMER
It Takes a (Global) Village
I
spiritual practices from both Western and Eastern spiritual traditions. The Epiphany teaches something important about caring for God’s creation, too. We will survive and thrive on this planet as a Open Your Mind whole human family, or not Consider taking part in at all. This means that East refugee ministry: it’s a great and West (and North and way to help those in need South) have to meet, like the and expand your own Magi met Jesus, and find world. common ground in a com-
1
mon cause. Once a week, try to cook a Such cooperation across meal from a totally differcultures isn’t just about conent part of the world. The crete projects like reducing Internet has great recipes, pollution or scaling up and you may discover renewable energy sources. I some interesting new grobelieve that much of today’s ceries while looking for environmental destruction ingredients. grows out of the emotional and spiritual woundedness Take a field trip to a differinside each one of us—and ent faith community. Sit on the flip side, environmenwith a Zen Buddhist group; tal healing will begin as we visit a mosque or synaexperience the grace of inner gogue or Hindu temple and transformation. learn what you can. Try to I am and will always be a include those of other faiths Catholic Christian conservain your circle of friends. tionist, but I’m realizing that I can also learn about grace from a Sufi mystic like Hafiz, and my own prayer life can benefit from the tools of Buddhist meditators. The environmental and personal challenges we face don’t stop at the borders of country or creed. But neither does the wisdom to solve them. That openness to all experiences is what our Church teaches. A
2
3
Kyle Kramer is the executive director of the Passionist Earth and Spirit Center in Louisville, Kentucky.
The Magi’s visit to Bethlehem is a powerful example of what happens when different worlds come together. Fr ancisca n Media .org
tal Digi as Extr
Click here to explore links on this topic. Click the button on the right to hear an interview with Kyle. J a n u a r y 2 0 15 ❘ 1 3
© SVEHLIK/PHOTOXPRESS
© PAT HASTINGS/ISTOCKPHOTO
n January, the Church celebrates the feast of the Epiphany, when the Magi came to visit the baby Jesus. We don’t know their exact origins; but the point is that, even though they came from foreign cultures and religious traditions, these “outsiders” were the first to understand that Jesus was someone special. It would take Jesus’ own people more than 30 years to recognize the same thing. With the visit of the Magi, two different worlds met, and everyone was enriched. I’ve been thinking a lot about the Epiphany lately, as I adjust to a new professional vocation. I am now executive director of a nonprofit organization that does spiritual formation, environmental education, and social justice advocacy. My previous job was in the deeply Catholic world of a Benedictine monastery and seminary. But my new position, even though it’s rooted in the Catholic tradition of the Passionist monastic order, entails reaching out to a very broad audience and incorporating
Wrapping Up the
ILLUSTRATIONS © SIGAL SUHLER MORAN/ISTOCKPHOTO
For Catholics, Christmas lasts more than one day. Here’s how you can keep the spirit alive. BY THERESA DOYLE-NELSON
I
T SEEMS TO HAPPEN year after year. The shopping is done, the decorations start to get irritating, Advent devotionals come to a close, and Christmas Day arrives. Mass is attended (thankfully by many who don’t regularly go!), presents are opened, and food is served. Then the season often slumps. Many have their trees down by December 26, and the Christmas season is pretty much finished.
14 ❘ January 2015
Perhaps you have noticed over the years that, in the Catholic tradition, the Nativity scene and other decorations stay up for a few more weeks! The Catholic Church’s Christmas liturgical season ends with the feast of the Baptism of Jesus, which usually falls on the Sunday after January 6. Then ordinary time kicks in. So, if you really are tired of your decorations, go ahead and take them down; howSt A n t h o n y M e s s e n g e r . o r g
Christmas Season ever, think about leaving up the Nativity scene for a while longer as a visible reminder that we are still celebrating our Savior’s birth.
ing Mass, look for St. Anastasia’s name within Eucharistic Prayer 1, and ask her to pray that you may be as brave a Christian as she was.
Honoring the Christmas Season from December 25 and Beyond
December 26 The “two turtledoves” listed for the second day of Christmas supposedly represent the two main parts of the Bible: the Old and New Testaments. Two turtledoves could also symbolize the two turtledoves or pigeons that Mary and Joseph brought to the Temple with Jesus for his presentation (Lk 2:24 and Lv 12:8). December 26 is also the feast of St. Stephen (Acts 6:5, 8-15, 7:54-60). Consider comparing some Old and New Testament passages that relate to Christmas. A few examples would be Micah 5:1 and Matthew 2:5-6 or Isaiah 9:5 and Luke 2:11. Another activity would be to make a fervent attempt to forgive and pray for one person in your life who has hurt you, in honor of St. Stephen’s forgiving martyrdom.
When a baby is born, a family is delivered an abundance of joy; visitors, presents, meals, cards, and goodwill trickle in for weeks. Surely, it would be reasonable to have a similar level of celebration in remembrance of the birth of Jesus. Using a Bible, a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), a saint resource, and a little bit of time, consider trying some of the following activities (or come up with relevant ideas of your own) during these weeks after Christmas Day as a way to show your continued joy over the birth of Jesus.
‘The 12 Days of Christmas’ To start with, consider paying a little extra attention to the classic song “The 12 Days of Christmas.” Some have asserted that it holds some disguised Catholic catechism lessons that were used during a time of Catholic persecution in England; however, this claim has not been proven. Whether the assertion is true or not, the song can nonetheless offer a fun way to ponder some good catechetical points. December 25 For the first day of Christmas, the “partridge in a pear tree” supposedly represents the birthday boy, the Son of God: Jesus. December 25 is actually the feast day of a handful of saints, as well—including St. Anastasia, an early martyr of the Church who is listed in Eucharistic Prayer 1. This day is pretty easy: make Mass your priority and maybe include a little extra time in the midst of stocking stuffers, wrapping paper, and food to read the story of the birth of Christ from the Bible (Mt 1:18—2:23 or Lk 1:26-56, 2:1-40). DurFr anciscanMedia.org
December 27 The “three French hens” can represent a few things: the three gifts of the Magi (Mt 2:1-12); the three theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity (1 Cor 13:13); the Trinity (Mt 28:19); or the three days from Christ’s crucifixion until his resurrection. This day also honors the feast of one of Jesus’ closest apostles, John. Some activities for December 27 might include reading the story of the Magi or exploring one of the theological virtues (CCC 1812–1829). One other idea would be to do something kind for a widow or childless woman, recalling how St. John took care of Mary upon the death of Jesus (Jn 19:2627). December 28 The “four colly/calling birds” on the fourth day of Christmas can bring remembrance to the four Gospel writers: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Intriguingly, “colly” (someJanuary 2015 ❘ 15
to hang a crucifix in your home (if you don’t already have one) as a visual reminder of the five wounds of Christ. An alternative task for December 29 would be to read one of the many psalms attributed to St. King David.
times sung “calling”) birds are blackbirds. The color of this bird could be considered a sad symbol for the fact that December 28 is also the memorial of the Holy Innocents—those poor baby boys in the Bethlehem area who were murdered by order of King Herod (Mt 2:16-18)—a black event indeed. Maybe you could skim over the subtitles throughout the four Gospels and read through one section that hooks your heart. It might also be a nice day to say a special prayer for any babies in your family in remembrance of the Holy Innocents.
December 29 Many claim that the “five golden rings” signify the Pentateuch—the first five books of the Old Testament: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Others assert it represents the five wounds of Christ. December 29 is also the feast day of an Old Testament saint: King David. The fifth day of Christmas might be a good day to randomly pick a chapter from the Pentateuch and read it slowly and deliberately. Another idea would be 16 ❘ January 2015
December 30 The “six geese a-laying” on December 30 are said to be a reminder of the six days God used to create the world (Gn 1:1-31). This sixth day of Christmas is also the memorial of Blessed Margaret Colonna—a woman of wealth from Palestrina, Italy, who chose a life of sacrifice over comfort by becoming a Poor Clare. On this day, consider spending some time taking a contemplative or family walk and find six beautiful things in nature that God has created. Or dig through a closet and pick out six items (or six bags of items) to donate to the poor, in honor of the life that Blessed Margaret Colonna lived.
December 31 The calendar year is wrapped up with “seven swans a-swimming.” These swans can help us to remember the seven gifts of the Holy
Spirit, the seven sacraments, or how God rested on the seventh day after creating the world (Gn 2:1-3). December 31 is also the feast day of St. Sylvester, who became pope in 314 and heartily encouraged the long-hoped-for acceptance of Christianity by Emperor Constantine. St. Sylvester supported the building of the original St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican (as well as other churches) in an effort to promote the faith. This would be a good day to: Look up Isaiah 11:1-2 to review the gifts of the Holy Spirit, brush up on the seven sacraments (CCC 1113, 1210), or on your way to a New Year’s Eve party, stop off at a church and say a quiet “thank you” to St. Sylvester for working hard to build special places of worship.
January 1 On the eighth day of Christmas, those “eight maids a-milking” can point to the Eight Beatitudes. Just as milk gives great physical nourishment, the Eight Beatitudes offer great spiritual nourishment. January 1 is also a holy day of obligation, honoring the motherhood of Mary. Besides going to Mass, if you have a chance, pull out your Bible and review the beatitudes (Mt 5:1-10)—maybe one will spur on a New Year’s resolution. Or read the Magnificat (Lk 1:46-55) as a way to ponder the greatness of Mary’s role as the mother of God. January 2 The “nine ladies dancing” for this day are believed by some to represent the nine choirs of angels: Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominions, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, St A n t h o n y M e s s e n g e r . o r g
Name of Jesus. Reading Exodus 20:1-17 to review the Ten Commandments might be a good activity on this day. Or perhaps spend time reviewing a handful of the following verses to remind you of the power of the name of Jesus: Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:17; John 14:6,26; Acts 2:38; Acts 3:6; Acts 4:30; Acts 8:12; 1 Corinthians 6:11; and Philippians 2:10-11.
Archangels, and Angels. January 2 honors a variety of holy ones including Blessed Stephana Quinzani from Soncino, Italy. Blessed Stephana had visions of saints, could read minds, and had the gifts of healing and prophecy. This ninth day of Christmas might be a good day to teach your children or a grandchild the Guardian Angel prayer (see below), or maybe ask Blessed Stephana Quinzani to pray for discernment about a problem with which you might be struggling.
Angel of God Angel of God, my guardian dear, To whom his love commits me here. Ever this day [night] be at my side, To light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.
January 3 Many say that the “10 lords a-leaping” are a prompt for Catholics to recall the Ten Commandments. January 3 is also the feast of the Holy Fr anciscanMedia.org
Click here to view more resources about the Christmas season.
tal Digi as t Ex r
The 12 Articles of the
Apostles’ Creed 1. I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, 2. and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, January 4 The “11 pipers piping” symbolize to some the 11 apostles who kept faith in Jesus. January 4 is also the feast of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, an American wife and mother who converted to Catholicism after her husband’s death and began a religious order dedicated to teaching the poor. Try taking 10 minutes on this 11th day of Christmas to read one section in the Bible describing the call of one or more of the apostles. A few examples include: Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 2:1317; Luke 6:12-16; and John 1:35-51. Or ask St. Elizabeth Ann Seton to pray that you might achieve a healthy blend of family and spiritual life. January 5 The “12 drummers drumming” remind many Catholics of the 12 main points outlining the Christian faith found in the Apostles’ Creed. They could also symbolize the 12 tribes of Israel. The Roman Martyrology lists 14 holy people for January 5; the last of these is St. Genoveva Torres Morales. She started an order of sisters in the late 1800s who worked to help downtrodden women in Spain. An edifying activity on this day might be to read out loud the Apostles’ Creed (see sidebar) with your family,
3. who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, 4. suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; 5. he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead. 6. he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; 7. from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. 8. I believe in the Holy Spirit, 9. the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, 10. the forgiveness of sins, 11. the resurrection of the body, 12. and life everlasting. Amen.
January 2015 ❘ 17
Word Incarnate—as a way to gently and prayerfully put the final touches on the Catholic Christmas season.
Special Sundays within the Christmas Season Besides the dates listed above, each Sunday during the Christmas season has some extra special meaning:
pausing at every fifth or sixth word. See if a family member can fill in the gap with the correct word. Or see how many of the 12 tribes of Israel you are able to recall (Nm 1:20-42). You could also ask St. Genoveva to pray for a woman you might know who is struggling in some way. January 6 In many countries, once the 12 days have passed, the traditional feast of the Epiphany takes place, celebrating the Magi’s visit with the Christ Child. In the United States, the Epiphany is a movable Sunday feast. January 6 is also the memorial of St. André Bessette, a humble porter who is credited with many miraculous healings. This traditional day of the Epiphany might be a good time to add the Magi to your Nativity scene (or give them a more prominent spot), and discuss with your family the sacrifices they may have made to visit the baby Jesus. Another act of devotion would be to ask St. André to pray for an ailment you might be suffering from.
Feast of the Holy Family (the first Sunday after Christmas) is a perfect day to focus on your family: go for a family hike or have everyone in the family write down one positive attribute of all other members of the family and share. Or say a special prayer for your family on this day; maybe grab a set of rosary beads and say the little prayer my husband learned as a child on each bead: Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, pray for us. Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord takes place on the Sunday between January 2 and January 8 (in the United States). During Mass, pay extra attention to the Gospel reading (Mt 2:1-12) and maybe, in honor of the gifts the Magi brought to the baby Jesus, present one
more gift to each family member on this day. On the feast of the Epiphany, consider making your gift religious: a medal, rosary, picture Bible, saint book, and the like. The Baptism of the Lord is on the Sunday after January 6, except when the Epiphany lands on January 7 or 8. In this case, the feast of the Baptism of the Lord moves to the next day (Monday), January 8 or 9. Share stories with your children from their Baptisms, or read and compare the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ baptism: Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22; and John 1:29-34. One other possibility on this last day of the Christmas liturgical season is to ponder and share at the dinner table the gifts Jesus has given you—health, a good school, family, a best friend, and more. A Theresa Doyle-Nelson is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University and California State University– Fullerton. Doyle-Nelson is a wife, mom, and lover of travel who writes from the Texas hill country. Her blog can be viewed on her website, TheresaDoyleNelson.com.
January 7 to around January 13 These last remaining days of the Christmas season can vary in number. January 13 used to be a set date for the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, but is now a movable feast and can occur on a variety of dates. Endeavor to do one special thing each day for this last phase of the Christmas season: Read about a saint of the day, a passage from Psalms, a chapter of the Bible or spiritual book; visit a church; or write down one blessing for each day. Make it your goal to somehow grow closer to the newborn Jesus—the 18 ❘ January 2015
St A n t h o n y M e s s e n g e r . o r g
THE SPIRIT OF FRANCIS
❘ BY FATHER PAT McCLOSKEY, OFM
CNS PHOTO/PAUL HARING
No Sourpuss Here
P
Fr ancisca n Media .org
“The joy of the gospel fills the hearts of all who encounter Jesus,” says this smiling pope.
tal Digi as t Ex r
Click here for more on Pope Francis and St. Francis.
Pat McCloskey, OFM, is Franciscan editor of this publication. His newest book, Peace and Good, was published by Franciscan Media in November.
Heralding the King After Francis returned his clothes to his father, he was walking in a forest and singing in French. Robbers demanded to know who he was. Francis replied, “I am the herald of the great King!” They beat him up and threw him into a snow-covered ditch. He got out and “began in a loud voice to make the woods resound with praises to the Creator of all” (1 Celano 16).
J a n u a r y 2 0 15 ❘ 1 9
ILLUSTRATION BY JULIE LONNEMAN
ope Francis radiates joy at public events (think World Youth Day in Brazil and similar gatherings in Korea and Albania) and in private meetings. His candid interviews with journalists for Catholic magazines and daily newspapers reveal a profound joy. Reporters who cover papal trips see that same joy when he answers their questions during flights back to Rome. So do people who receive a phone call from him in response to a letter they have written. “The joy of the gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus,” he writes to open “The Joy of the Gospel” (his November 2013 apostolic exhortation). He continues, “Those who accept his offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness, and loneliness. With Christ, joy is constantly reborn” (1). Pope Francis has coined memorable expressions such as “There are Christians whose lives seem like Lent without Easter” (6), “An evangelizer must never look like
someone who has just come back from a funeral” (10), and we must not allow defeatism to turn us into “disillusioned pessimists, sourpusses” (85). Pope Francis is no Pollyanna, refusing to take seriously threats to human dignity on all fronts. Consider this quote: “Today, our challenge is not so much atheism as the need to respond adequately to many people’s thirst for God, lest they try to satisfy it with alienating solutions or with a disembodied Jesus who demands nothing of us with regard to others” (89). Earlier he had written, “We have to state, without mincing words, that there is an inseparable bond between our faith and the poor. May we never abandon them” (48). Joy can indeed lead to deep compassion. A lifetime of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ reflects a deep inner joy and encourages the same among all Christians. A
A New Take on
Catholic Schools Week
© EGAL/ISTOCKPHOTO
PHOTO BY CHELSEA DELLACA
Seventh- and eighth-grade students (left to right: Carlina Bakken, Dalton McCarthy, Charlie Harrington, Elizabeth Atary, Will Donaghy, and Tess Bursch) provide the food, and happily serve meals to the unemployed and underemployed at Connection Café in downtown Des Moines monthly.
These Iowa students bring fresh energy to this annual event. B Y S U E S TA N T O N
F
OR THE STUDENTS at St. Theresa Catholic School in Des Moines, Iowa, the idea of knowing God and reacting to the call to evangelize as disciples is not put off until they are old enough for high school or college. For St. Theresa students, the day of Baptism is a day of commissioning into active missionary work. It is encouraged, celebrated, and practiced, and the seeds are planted as early as kindergarten— where those early sprouts get consistently watered and fed straight through to the eighth grade. It is a holistic approach in a culturally diverse city school where teachers, parents, parishioners, and pastor each assist in the training of what it means to live in an atmosphere of Catholic social teaching—day by day, week after week, and throughout the entire school year. Catholic social teaching is lived, thought about, and worked on in daily life; all that it means to be a disciple of Jesus at home, in the public arena, and around the world is infused into the education students receive. Wouldn’t we all like to know how much of an impact our Catholic work has on the life of another person or perhaps a child living on the other side of the world? In what can be such a slow process, we tend to want quick results and certainty that our efforts and hard-earned cash are never wasted. But at St. Theresa Catholic School, the kids know their efforts are worthwhile and productive. How? By making the most of a longbeloved tradition—Catholic Schools Week. Fr anciscanMedia.org
For St. Theresa students, it has become a week where age-appropriate inner conversion is encouraged; it’s a time for them to see themselves in relation to their family and their world. In order to accomplish this year after year, they receive tools they can grow up with, eventually placing knowledge into action. Money, space, time, role-modeling, and encouragement from all kinds of sources are sought to help this molding process. It is labor-intensive but the positive atmosphere generated within the school is palpable. According to teachers, students, and parents, it is both time and money well spent.
Parents in the Lead It is a lot of work to prepare, organize speakers, schedule space with teachers and their lesson plans, and obtain funding from skeptical parent organizations, but one lead parent organizer, Cindy Mumm, underwent her own conversion process after taking a 30-week JustFaith course in Des Moines. “After a year, I felt very strongly that Catholic social teaching should be practiced in schools—all grades—and so did other parents I talked with. We formed a Social Justice Resource committee hoping the teachers would tap into us. We worked a bit with the firstgrade class, but there was little progress. “One night, at a committee meeting, Brett Toresdahl, a Lutheran who sends his daughters January 2015 ❘ 21
PHOTOS BY CHELSEA DELLACA
(Above) Will Donaghy shares a sandwich as part of the lunch at Connection Café. (Above right) Katlyn Stein tends to the garden that provides food for the school kitchen.
to St. Theresa’s, spoke up. He was in charge of the school’s artist-in-residence program that had been going on for the previous two to three years. It consists of an artist coming for a week and working with all the grades. Brett suggested our group join efforts and have a joint week focusing on social justice,” says Mumm. The National Catholic Educational Association says that National Catholic Schools Week is the annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States. Schools typically observe this week with Masses, open houses, and other activities for students, families, parishioners, and community members. Through these events, schools focus on the value Catholic education provides to young people and its contributions to our Church, our communities, and our nation.
Up Close and Personal Since parents began Social Justice Week in conjunction with Catholic Schools Week in 2008, the results have been just short of breathtaking. Any number of speakers are brought in to perform, give talks, work with art projects, and tell stories about their work overseas or locally with the poor communities they serve. These are no ordinary speakers but ones who can speak from their direct experiences of service—from the CEO of the Food Bank of Iowa to the state leader of Catholic Relief Services. There are religious sisters who work with the local poor and immigrant communities, and performing artists who help the students rehearse and compose songs that deal with 22 ❘ January 2015
social justice topics. Artists-in-residence are invited to help students from every grade level create art projects centered on the issues of hunger and poverty. Each day of Social Justice Week brings home the mission of the Church as being in allegiance with the poor of the world. The kids meet the faces working in the field and, as Principal Ellen Stemler puts it, “These people are real, and because it is real, what they say becomes much more powerful.” Films on hunger are shown during the evenings of Social Justice Week to students, their families, and parishioners. This forms a foundation through which everyone works under a similar understanding of the mission for the week: to raise awareness of funding projects, cultures, and people coping with life within the various cycles of poverty. “Hunger and poverty are not just issues relating to food,” says Cindy Mumm. “The students are also taught [about] the many kinds of hunger—the hunger of loneliness and isolation or the poverty of spirit. It’s not just about money.” St. Theresa Parish has a year-round working committee of parents, teachers, and students who actively search out opportunities for Social Justice Week. This has resulted in a wide range of ongoing programs that have specific goals and targets for fund-raising throughout the year. The depth of commitment runs deep in this school of 295 students and 1,400 parish families. Where a school may have one project a year for fund-raising, or parish activities that may include one short-term goal, St. Theresa’s St A n t h o n y M e s s e n g e r . o r g
projects raise amounts of money that most parishes would envy. Over the past eight years, they have built wells in Tanzania and raised money for the John Paul II Orphanage in Haiti. As a parish, they are in their 10th year of a sister partnership with a parish in Togo, participating in a Des Moines diocesan-wide effort to help improve living conditions for seminarians at the Holy Ghost Seminary in the African nation. Locally, kids cook and serve food at a nearby homeless shelter every month and have participated in feeding families overseas by packaging food supplies for shipment. But in the midst of their global efforts, feeding the hungry isn’t limited to “the ‘other.’” Teachers at the school quietly identify students who, along with their families, may be in need of food over the weekend. Privately, backpacks are filled so that the children and their families don’t go hungry over the weekend, providing them with the nourishment they need to energize their learning the following school week. If clothing is needed, it is the teachers who pass the observed needs along to the principal, who then contacts those who can help directly and quickly. The practice of social justice, as difficult as it is to discern at times, here is institutionalized. “We build our curriculum into it,” says Principal Stemler. “We plug into the cultures here in our area and invite them to talk to the kids. This makes it real for them. The faith formation is built into everything we do. For example, math is built into it. We talk about feeding a child in Africa and have them calculate the math [involved]. We look at the Scripture and ask what does Jesus tell us on how to be productive in the world? Our kids really need a global perspective. And kids want to learn this. They want to learn more. Handouts just don’t do it.”
A Child Shall Lead Them One of the most successful projects the school completed during a particular Social Justice Week came from the inspiration of one student. St. Theresa sixth grader Joseph Seymour had been Fr anciscanMedia.org
Lowest Prices & Unmatched Value - Guaranteed!
Cuba ~ Its People & Culture Legal travel to Cuba for U.S. Citizens
8 days from $2799* Departs June 3, 2015. Discover legendary Cuba on a unique people-to-people educational exchange program. Start in Miami and spend one-night before your charter flight to Santa Clara where you’ll begin your exploration of this rich heritage island nation. Spend 2-nights in Cayo Santa Maria and 4-nights in Havana along with your full-time program of educational activities. Other highlights include Old Havana, Revolucion Plaza, Ernest Hemingway’s house, and visits to the scenic towns of Remedios and Santa Clara. Plus, Vinales, Pinar del Rio; musical and artistic performances; cigar rolling and more. This fully-escorted program includes round trip airfare from Miami to Cuba, 7-nights hotel accommodations, Cuban tourist visa, a full-time schedule of activities per itinerary, a YMT tour manager, National Cuban guide and 14 meals. YMT Vacations has been issued license CT-2013-301339-1 by the U.S. Department of the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control. *
PPDO. Plus $299 tax/service/government fees. Alternate 2015 departure dates available. Airfare to/from Miami is extra.
Grand Alaskan Tour & Cruise Explore Majestic Alaska
Hosted by Father Rock Travnikar, O. F. M.
12 days from $1949*
Travel with other Catholics!
Departs August 20, 2015. Discover Alaska by land and sea with pristine wilderness and breathtaking landscapes that starts in Anchorage. Visit the Iditarod Headquarters, famous for the annual sled dog race and Talkeetna at the base of Mt. McKinley. Tour Denali National Park, one of the world’s largest great frontiers and enjoy city tours in Anchorage and Seward. See bears, elks and eagles at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center before boarding Holland America’s ms Oosterdam for your 7-night cruise through the Gulf of Alaska and picturesque inside passage. Travel impressive Glacier Bay passing glaciers galore and sail to Haines, Juneau and Ketchikan. Disembark in Vancouver and enjoy a city tour before traveling to Seattle for your flight home. Mass will be celebrated some days on tour and offered daily on board ship. Your Chaplain is Father Rock, from Tampa, FL. He is the Coordinator of Pastoral Services of Rocky Creek Village. This will be his 4th trip with YMT. *
PPDO. Based on inside stateroom, upgrades available. Plus $299 tax/service/government fees. Alternate May - September 2015 departure dates available. Seasonal charges may apply. Add-on airfare available.
Call for Details! 888-817-9538 January 2015 ❘ 23
PHOTO BY CHELSEA DELLACA
Joseph Seymour provided the foundation and impetus for the parish and school to work with Mary’s Meals.
24 ❘ January 2015
to a Christ Our Life Conference where he heard how the Mary’s Meals project was formed. In a small shed in Scotland, a man by the name of Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow began Mary’s Meals after hearing that there were 300 million hungry children in the world. Joseph was shocked to hear how many children were going without food every day. But what also surprised him was to hear just how easy it can be to feed those in need. Joseph learned as he listened to Magnus that it was important for those who have more than they need to share with those who lack even the most basic things in life—such as food and education. Joseph went to the Mary’s Meals booth for more information. Feeling compelled, he bought five of the blue plastic
mugs offered by the agency. The mug size is the same as the serving of food a hungry child fed by Mary’s Meals receives each day. Using his own money, he purchased enough mugs for his teachers and the principal, knowing it would help him put forth Mary’s Meals for a fund-raising project. But he also had confidence that people would listen to what he had to say. “I knew my school was very open to helping people because of the things we’ve done in the past. I thought, Wow, these people would want to help. So when I brought the mugs to the teachers and set up a meeting with Mrs. Stemler, our principal, on how we should do something here at the school, she thought it was a good idea too.” The school decided to help, through the Mary’s Meals program, a group of schoolchildren in the African country of Malawi. Student council members and Joseph put their heads together to think up some ideas. St. Theresa’s had to decide how they would raise money to help build a kitchen in the Malawian school, which students’ mothers could use to make and serve lunch. A functioning kitchen would ensure that every child who came to school that day would receive one meal right in the school where they were taught their lessons. Joseph and the other students realized two important things: First, that every child should not go hungry when there is plenty of food in the world. And second, that any hope for the future involves educating children. St. Theresa fourth-grade teacher, Mrs. Mary Hingtgen, was an avid supporter of the program. “We prayed for Mary’s Meals every day,” she says. “We prayed that the money would come. We prayed for each child. We prayed for the workers in Mary’s Meals; we prayed for Magnus.”
Lasting Side Effects Before long, a phone call was placed to the Mary’s Meals coordinator of Iowa to come and pick up a check for over $14,000. St. Theresa School and parish together had raised the money to build a large kitchen, and, in October 2013, MacFarlane-Barrow arrived in Iowa to give a speech about Mary’s Meals at the Iowa Hunger Summit in Des Moines. But he also had another plan in mind. He wanted to visit the school that had raised so much money for Mary’s Meals. He wanted to meet the one person who brought up the idea to the school. He wanted to meet Joseph. “It was a big deal for me,” Joseph says, smilSt A n t h o n y M e s s e n g e r . o r g
ing. “He doesn’t do this very often. We had an all-school assembly that day and we all wore our T-shirts. I got to meet him and to get my picture taken with him. When I first heard of him and saw him in person, I had a different idea of what he was like, but then I got to see that he was just a humble and truly amazing person. I admire what he does.” Even today, students talk about the lasting impression of that particular Social Justice Week. The school’s Malawian project is still being prayed for almost two years after its completion. Now 13 years old, Adam Jackson, an eighth grader at St. Theresa’s, continues to process what he learned about the children he was raising money for. He says, “It’s amazing how many people got food and just how little people have to eat in one day. But it really changed me, too. It changed how I treat people now. We eat school lunches and you complain because you don’t get what you want, but those people, they don’t get to choose. They don’t get any choice.” Fourth grader Petra Knupp agrees. “You get to feel really blessed,” she says. “We always seem to want more here,” seventh grader Katlyn Stein says. “It really hits home when you see people your age going without anything to eat. You tend to relate. All they have is one book for a whole class. They have very few school supplies. No pencils— just sitting on hard benches. We in the United States are not restrained by limits of what our dreams can be because we have materials, money, and what you think you can do, you usually can.” Nine-year-old Mary Ann Wilkerson adds, “Why should I be complaining about anything? If we get a cold, we can stay home from school and take cold medicine, but they don’t have any of that so it could easily turn into a bigger problem. Sometimes I wonder, How did it go that way?” How does this approach to social justice impact the Church of the future? What kind of ideas do these young workers in the field bring forward and into their own relationship with the Church? Aren’t these disciples simply too young for this? Adam Jackson says, “I really do believe that this changes me. It gives me a different aspect of thinking and it makes me think about what I have that other people don’t have. I think Fr anciscanMedia.org
the future Church should really try for equality and I don’t [just] mean spiritually. I mean the Church should try and help all people have more in life—especially food.” Mary Ann Wilkerson is adamant. “I see in the future that everyone has the same amounts of stuff and food. Like what we have and that everyone is helping out and trying to help other people.” “I don’t want as many hungry people,” chimes in Petra Click here and the button Knupp. Quiet Katlyn Stein below for more about nods her head, speaking philoCatholic Schools Week. sophically. “We all know that
tal Digi as t Ex r
there’s a slight chance that everyone can be equal,” she says. “But we need to help them feel safe and secure and know that they have a friend. There is a saying that I like very much and it goes, ‘No matter what side of the world you’re on, everyone still sees the same stars and moon and sun.’” A Sue Stanton has been a nurse for 30 years and holds a BS in religious studies. An avid traveler and outdoorswoman, Stanton has written seven children’s books and has had articles published in various Catholic publications over the last 15 years.
“I wish to fit you for that world in which you are destined to live.” - St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
www.srcharitycinti.org www.facebook.com/sistersofcharityofcincinnati
January 2015 ❘ 25
EDITORIAL
Catching Up Our Church on Families We are in a time of reflection between the synods. How will families fare? The newsmakers at the recent synod on the family were marriage rules in general, specifically the presence of legalized gay marriages in society, and Church prohibitions against full participation by those divorced whose marriages are not annulled. But there were other, key questions that the synod fathers grappled with. How do we move a full and rich conversation about marriage into the heart of Catholic practice? Can we talk in a healthy way about human sexuality? (We all know that the Church is not the first stop for many seeking marital advice.) Can we speak more clearly about how families contribute to the fabric of society? How can we improve the tone of the official Church’s talk of family away from fingerwagging toward constructive engagement? How can the Church be a truthful witness against the forces that are harming families, yet not be perceived as out of touch?
Contentious Issues The synod had a broader participation than do most gatherings of Church leadership. The most obvious examples were the married couples—an especially appropriate development considering the topic. And these were no pushovers: the first couple spoke of the warm presence of same-sex couples in theirs and many family’s lives. There were plenty of parliamentary maneuvers, such as the interim report that caused an uproar among some synod members. The headline grabber was that a more accepting approach to openly gay people was promoted. The English translation was toned down toward “accommodation” and away from “acceptance.” There was a recommendation that divorced Catholics be received at Communion. Neither proposal received the two-thirds majority necessary to represent the synod. 2 6 ❘ J a n u a r y 2 0 15
In the end, at the specific direction of Pope Francis, these more contentious points were reflected in the final document, too, along with votes and names, showing how close the discussion was. The pope clearly wants the Church to reflect further.
We’ve Only Just Begun So now what? The coming months are a time for the Church, worldwide, to consider more deeply the themes that surfaced at the synod. Just how ought the Church to be more relevant and helpful to families today? Though we’re not looking for a popularity contest or an election-driving opinion poll, it nonetheless is important to ask the question, What is the sense of the faithful regarding the key issues? After all, it is that sensus fidei that is honored by our Church as the presence of the Holy Spirit among us. How does the Church understand the will of God regarding marriage? The pastoral life of those faithful whose marriage didn’t last? The appropriate role of families as a key place for nurturing the life of the Church? Our gay neighbors, cousins, brothers, and sisters who want to participate more fully in the life of the Church? How does the Church A year’s worth of reflecperceive the will of tion, and a second familythemed synod next fall, God regarding marwill not be the end of this, riage? by any means. Truthfully, we’re only starting to listen to new voices. We need to find broader ways to share the laity’s experience with our bishops. We need to move the breadth of questions for modern families more closely into the heart of the Church’s thinking. At the end of the day—the end of the second synod, that is—Pope Francis will write an exhortation that will carry the weight of Catholic teaching. As one Jesuit commentator wryly observed, the synods’ conversations of discernment are key, yet the final teaching will be that of the pope. —John Feister St A n t h o n y M e s s e n g e r . o rg
“Michael: Triumphant Warrior” Masterpiece Bronze Sculpture
Inspired by Renaissance bronze statuary, this fully-sculpted masterpiece depicts the valiant Archangel Michael after his defeat of the mighty dragon in the book of Revelation. His outstretched wings are adorned with the brilliant work of celebrated artist Howard David Johnson depicting the great battle. Hand-cast in cold-cast bronze and hand-painted with metallic highlights Dramatic artwork by the acclaimed Howard David Johnson in his sculpture debut! Handsome mahogany- nished base with golden title plaque
Exceptional value; satisfaction guaranteed Strong demand is expected for this exclusive cold cast bronze sculpture adorned with the vivid, classicallyinspired artwork of Howard David Johnson. Act now to acquire yours at the $69.99* issue price, payable in three installments of $23.33 each. Your purchase is fully backed by our unconditional, 365day money-back guarantee. Don’t risk disappointment. Send no money now. Just mail the Reservation Application today!
Howard David Johnson’s Renaissance-inspired artwork adorns the Archangel’s wings
Shown smaller than actual size of about 10 inches high
www.bradfordexchange.com/michael All images copyright 2014 by Howard David Johnson. All Rights Reserved Worldwide RESERVATION APPLICATION
SEND NO MONEY NOW
©2014 BGE 01-16771-001-BIRR Mrs. Mr. Ms. Name (Please Print Clearly)
Address
9345 Mi l w a uk e e A v en u e · N i l es , I L 6 0 7 1 4 - 1 3 9 3
City
Zip Please reserve the “Michael: Triumphant Warrior” Bronze Sculpture State 01-16771-001-E10603 for me as described in this announcement. Limit: one per customer. *Plus a total of $10.99 shipping and service. Limited-edition presentation restricted to 295 casting days. Please Please Respond Promptly
YES.
allow 4-8 weeks after initial payment for shipment. Sales subject to product availability and order acceptance.
SPECIAL SECTION
e was a prophet for a gener-
H
ation, perched on his Kentucky hillside, at the Trappist Abbey of Our Lady of Geth-
semani, writing prolifically, exchanging letters with spiritual seekers and social activist leaders, entertaining occasional visitors from far and wide in his simple hermitage. Brother Louis, as he was known in his Cistercian (Trappist) community, was himself a searcher. Born in France, in 1915, he lived a peripatetic early life in Europe and the United States, eventually finding what he sought when he discovered Catholicism. He thought early of joining the Franciscans, but was rejected due to his lifestyle preceding. He joined the Third Order while he taught at St. Bonaventure University in 1940-41. Then he moved on to the Cistercians, where he lived his vocation over the next 27 years. As you will see in Dan MorrisYoung’s excellent series of interviews, Merton’s writings, talks, and presence remain a modern phenomenon. His awareness and insight were so fundamental, so deep, as to ring true today. Our own Richard Rohr, OFM, as you’ll read here, finds Merton’s prophetic presence an enduring inspiration. During the dramatic transitions of midcentury, many turned to Merton to help make sense of it all. Moving from private spirituality to a broad, intense awareness of God’s presence throughout the human family, he hailed a renaissance of Christianity’s deepest practices: contemplation and action. –John Feister
28 ❘ January 2015
T H O M A S M E R T O N 10 0 Y E A R S
The Legacy of
Thomas Merton 100 years after his birth, America’s best-known monk is still having an effect on Catholic thought, say these Merton experts. BY DAN MORRIS-YOUNG
PHOTO BY SIBYLLE AKERS. ALL PHOTOGRAPHS USED WITH PERMISSION OF THE MERTON LEGACY TRUST AND THE THOMAS MERTON CENTER AT BELLARMINE UNIVERSITY.
P
EOPLE TALK about Thomas Merton’s impact on their lives as lifelong. Not a phase. Not a one-insight stand. Not a summer theological romance. This Trappist contemplative, thinker, writer, poet, artist, activist, and spiritual guide clearly touches others through a unique ability to engender almost visceral connections to spiritual truths— often by sharing his own struggles, weaknesses, and love for Christ and the Church. Christine Bochen, PhD, Patrick O’Connell, PhD, and other Merton enthusiasts say Merton has much to contribute today on topics from spiritual discernment and contemplation to religious friction and peace and justice. “It seems to me that Merton’s major and ongoing contribution to Christian thought and life is his recognition that the contemplative and active dimensions of the Christian life are complementary rather than contradictory or conflicting, that they grow in direct rather than in inverse proportion, and his singular ability to articulate this insight in its many ramifications in an especially attractive and inviting way,” observed O’Connell in an e-mail to St. Anthony Messenger. Professor of English and theology at Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania,
O’Connell and others underscore that Merton “emphasizes that the fostering of human dignity of every person, and, therefore, that a commitment to justice and peace, to care for all creation, to dialogue with those of other faiths or no faith at all, is not a peripheral or derivative aspect of Christian identity and discipleship, but intrinsically related to the core beliefs.”
Merton’s Legacy Born in Prades, France, in 1915, Merton would have turned 100 this coming January 31. He died on December 10, 1968, as a result of what is generally reported to have been an accidental electrocution outside Bangkok, Thailand, in the apartment where he was staying during a conference between Catholic monks of the East and West. Despite his premature death at 53, Merton exerted remarkable influence from “his perch” (scholar Jonathan Montaldo’s words) of 27 years in the cloister of Our Lady of Gethsemani Abbey in Trappist, Kentucky. His mass of work is staggering—scores of books, several collections of poetry, volumes of journals, tomes of correspondence, an autobiography, plays, a novel. He also created a large body of line drawings and photographs. January 2015 ❘ 29
The Seven Storey Mountain, his acclaimed autobiography, remains his best-known work. The book traces his journey from a nomadic and at times chaotic youth to his conversion to Catholicism and his joining the Trappists at Gethsemani in 1941. Merton wrote Popes John XXIII and Paul VI. Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI are said to have had Merton books in their libraries. And Merton followers see strong echoes of the mystic’s teachings in the words and actions of Pope Francis. Merton’s attraction appears alive and well. As his birth centenary approaches, numerous books and new collections of his works are appearing. Colleges and universities are adding Merton courses. CD and DVD sets about him are available. There are dozens of YouTube postings on the monk. A feature film, The Divine Comedy of Thomas Merton, is scheduled to begin production next spring. “Some two dozen new books have just been or will be published in 2014-2015, and some books on Merton are being reissued,” according to Bochen, professor of religious studies at Nazareth College in Rochester, New York, where she is William H. Shannon Chair in Catholic Studies. Bochen is also a founder and former president of the International Thomas Merton Society (ITMS) and chairs the organization’s Centenary Committee.
Marking the Anniversary
In a warm moment, the promise of a new life—and one so full of potential— shines and is captured in a photo of Thomas Merton’s mother, Ruth, holding her son in her arms.
30 ❘ January 2015
The ITMS will mark the centenary of Merton’s birth at its meeting next summer (June 4-7) at Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky. The school houses the Thomas Merton Center. The conference theme will be “Merton 100: Living the Legacy.” The keynote speaker will be Anglican Archbishop Rowan Williams— theologian, poet, and archbishop of Canterbury from 2002 to 2012. “In addition, there will be events all over the country and the world sponsored by ITMS affiliates, ITMS chapters, and others. For example, events are being planned in the United States and Canada, as well as England, Spain, Germany, Australia, and Brazil,” says Bochen, who has edited several volumes of Merton’s letters and a volume of the priest’s journals. In the United States, “there will be all sorts
of events ranging from exhibits and lectures to conferences, to retreats. For example, there will be exhibits at Columbia University, Harvard University, and the University of Kentucky,” adds Bochen, who coauthored The Thomas Merton Encyclopedia (2002) with O’Connell and the late Msgr. William H. Shannon. O’Connell, who, like Bochen, is an ITMS founder and former president, adds: “Merton repeatedly emphasizes the reign of God is already present, though hidden, in the world, and the vocation of every Christian, and particularly of the Christian community, the Church, is to live the future in the present, to witness to Christ’s victory, to make God’s love visible and tangible, in the particular circumstances of one’s own place and time.” O’Connell has edited six volumes of Merton’s monastic conferences. His editions of Merton’s Early Essays and of Charter, Customs, and Constitutions of the Cistercians, the seventh volume of the conferences, are scheduled for spring 2015 release. Merton scholar Jonathan Montaldo argues that “what attracts readers is Merton’s ability to translate traditional Christian contemplative ideas and practice into a contemporary idiom, and the fact that Merton teaches that all human beings are called to become their truest selves by finding their identities in God. The contemplative is ‘alive and awake’ to all facets of human existence. Merton’s view of prayer is expansive. One’s spiritual life is one’s daily life in all its particulars.” Much of Montaldo’s work as a writer, editor, retreat master, and conference director finds root in Merton’s life and teaching. “Merton’s honesty and his ‘compassionate St A n t h o n y M e s s e n g e r . o r g
transparency’ for his readers in facing his own weaknesses on his spiritual journey, his enthusiasm for an intense search for a religious meaning in human life based on his studies and personal experience, his inclusive appreciation of Western and Eastern traditions of monastic practice, and his still-relevant criticism of materialistic cultures are continuing testaments that draw readers to identify with Merton’s concerns and to utilize his teaching for the conduct of their personal and corporate lives,” wrote Montaldo, also a former ITMS president, in a note to St. Anthony Messenger. In compiling and editing a soon-to-bepublished volume of more than 100 essays on Merton, We Are Already One, Montaldo said he was “amazed at the depth of Merton’s influence on his readers” and how it “continued through their ‘senior years.’” The essays also contain “reflections by an entire new generation of Merton readers either still at university or in graduate studies or on the cusp of working careers,” Montaldo said, adding, “My sense is that Merton’s emphasis on the human person and his ability to make his reader identify with him in his personal journals have yet to be fully appreciated.” One contributing essayist is Franciscan Father Dan Horan, another Merton scholar and author of a new book, The Franciscan Heart of Thomas Merton: A New Look at the Spiritual Inspiration of His Life, Thought, and Writing. A doctoral student in systematic theology at Boston College, Horan says that “one thing that would give Merton pause today is how little things have changed in the almost 50 years since his death. There is still such division culturally, such social inequality, such vioFr anciscanMedia.org
lence, such internal Church embattlement. I think that would give him pause and that he would work as he did before to help bridge people on these issues.” Many point to Merton’s paradigm that dialogue, especially on a person-to-person basis, is fundamental. Montaldo explains: “Merton’s approach to others who did not share his convictions was always personal. His correspondence with Buddhists, Sufis, Jews, and atheists mattered most to him. . . . In approaches to other religions Merton wanted to find where he could say yes while recognizing there might be areas where, as a Christian, he would say no.” Horan agrees: “Merton saw St. Francis of Assisi as a model of interreligious dialogue. In 1219, Francis and a companion crossed the battle line of the Fifth Crusade to meet peaceably with Sultan Malek al-Kamil in Damietta, Egypt. Like Francis, Merton sought to reach out to his brothers and sisters of other faith traditions to learn from them but also to share the wisdom of his own Christian tradition.” Merton exerted wide influence in the civil rights and Vietnam War conflicts of the 1960s and 1970s, some describing him as the chaplain of the antiwar movement. Montaldo reminds us that during “the tensions of the civil-rights movement, his books were once literally burned in Louisville. The FBI and CIA had dossiers outlining his antiwar writings and his support of conscientious objectors.” Even though Merton took strong stands, he “strove to dialogue with those who did not share his convictions,” Montaldo underscores, adding: “He was often at odds with the anti-
(Left to right) Ordained to the priesthood in 1949, at the age of 34, Merton is an inspiration for many seekers who find the road to spirituality a winding one. Merton was a pioneer of interfaith dialogue, as evidenced by his multiple meetings with the Dalai Lama (and other faith leaders) while on his fatal tour of Asia in 1968. Among his many descriptors—from contemplative thinker to mystic—that of teacher points to Merton’s concern for future generations and the world they inhabit.
January 2015 ❘ 31
war tactics, like throwing blood on draft cards, since it made hawks more hawkish. Merton strove to be more Gandhian—my enemy is my friend.” Merton, says Montaldo, rarely left his monastery “because it was from this perch
used to this idea, you start more and more to concentrate not on the results but on the value, the rightness, the truth of the work itself.” “The shift from focusing not on the satisfaction of measurable results but rather on the value, rightness, and truth of the work we were doing required a major shift of perception,” reflects Forest. “We had to think of counseling prospective conscientious objectors in terms not merely of assisting them in their refusal to participate in a manifestly unjust war but, far more significantly, of assisting in the shaping of vocations in which the works of mercy were the main event. “What stood behind his conscientious objection?” asks Forest. “For Merton, the question of overwhelming importance was not political or ideological but simply what would Christ do? What weapons would he carry? What flag would he march behind? Who would he kill, and by whose authority would he be commissioned to kill?”
PHOTO BY JOHN HOWARD GRIFFIN
Ongoing Impact
From his “perch” at Our Lady of Gethsemani Abbey near Bardstown, Kentucky, Merton put forth bold insights about social justice, the evils of war, and the inherent value of the human being.
32 ❘ January 2015
that he could dialogue with all sides.” Montaldo points out that Vietnam War era activist James Forest was deeply moved by Merton. Forest was close to Merton, and says that during the last seven years of the priest’s life, “we exchanged letters on a more or less monthly basis.” In his essay in We Are Already One, Forest quotes from those letters, some of which urge the then-young peace activist to be clear on motives, convictions, and actions. And not to seek or expect tangible success. “Do not depend on the hope of results,” Merton wrote in a February 21, 1966, letter to Forest. “When you are doing the sort of work you have taken on, essentially an apostolic work, you may have to face the fact that your work will be apparently worthless and even achieve no result at all, if not perhaps results opposite to what you expect. . . . As you get
O’Connell says Merton’s words “still ring true today. For example,” observes the theologian, “when he has his concentration camp commander at the end of Chant to Be Used in Processions around a Site with Furnaces turn directly to his audience and say, ‘Do not think yourself better because you burn up friends and enemies with long-range missiles without ever seeing what you have done,’ one might find it quite likely that Merton could and would rewrite this sentence today to read: ‘Do not think yourself better because you obliterate friends and enemies with long-range drones while seeing on a computer screen what you have done thousands of miles away.’” Similarly, O’Connell continues, Merton “would have found the recent explosion of racial unrest in Ferguson, Missouri, only too familiar, and no doubt could repeat verbatim what he had written in the early 1960s—that it is not sufficient simply to absorb other races into the dominant social system: ‘A genuinely Catholic attitude in matters of race is one which concretely accepts and fully recognizes the fact that different races and cultures are correlative. They mutually complete one another. . . . White calls for black just as black calls for white.’” Merton’s embrace of give-and-take, discussion, and seeking common ground applies in spades when discussing enmities within the Church itself, say many. St A n t h o n y M e s s e n g e r . o r g
“Merton was himself no stranger to the culture wars of his own time, especially leading up to and during the Second Vatican Council,” says O’Connell. “He was a strong proponent of the Church’s renewal, but he was also someone who loved tradition and even had personal difficulty getting used to some of the liturgical changes even as he publicly supported them.” Bochen says that when she considers Church polarization, she is “reminded of a passage in Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander in which Merton speaks of conservatives and progressives. He considers himself ‘neither conservative nor an extreme progressive.’ He writes: ‘I would like to think I am what Pope John was—a progressive with a deep respect and love for the tradition—in other words a progressive who wants to preserve a very clear and marked continuity with the past and not make silly and idealistic compromises with the present—yet to be completely open to the modern world while retaining the clearly defined, traditionally Catholic position.’ “He is disconcerted by both extremes,” she says, adding, “As I think of the many divisions in American society, in the world, and in the Church, Merton’s vision of the unity of all humanity comes to mind in an often quoted
statement: ‘We are already one. But we imagine that we are not. And what we have to recover is our original unity. What we have to be is what Click here and we are.’ For Merton, this affirthe button on mation of fundamental unity is the right for not just a nice idea. It chalmore on Thomas lenges us to actions grounded Merton’s legacy. in the realization that differences need not seed division.” Montaldo concurs: “I have been moved by his courage to buck systems and swim against currents by his public support of racial jus- We are already one. tice, nonviolence, and peaceful coexistence But we imagine with all nations and religions.” What might surprise Merton if he were sud- that we are not. denly alive today? And what we have Horan says, “I would be interested to see to recover is our Merton’s reaction to the boom in technology. He was very skeptical of our consumeristic original unity. society’s push to introduce technology into What we have to be all aspects of our lives. . . . I’d love to know is what we are. what he might think about smartphones, the —Thomas Merton Internet, and Facebook! I’m not sure he’d be the biggest fan.” A Dan Morris-Young is a correspondent for National Catholic Reporter and author of Beatitude Saints (Our Sunday Visitor).
Secure your future with a Gift Annuity through the
Society of the Little Flower For over 80 years, annuities through the Society of the Little Flower have been safe and secure. With our excellent rate of return, you can be assured knowing that you will receive income for the rest of your life. Your annuity enables the formation and education of Carmelite seminarians and their worldwide ministries of faith, prayer, charity, and education. Your financial support continues St. Thérèse’s mission of “making God known and loved to the ends of the earth.”
Sample One-Life Gift Annuity Rates* Age 72 75 80 85 90+
Rate of Return 7.7% 8.1% 9.3% 11.0% 13.8%
❑ YES! Please send me my personalized annuity package.
Society of the Little Flower Office of Planned Giving 1313 N. Frontage Road Darien, Illinois 60561 Toll Free: 1-888-996-1212 www.littleflower.org/plannedgiving
Fr anciscanMedia.org
Name _______________________________________________________________ Address _____________________________________________________________ City ____________________________________ State ______ ZIP ______________ Telephone _____________________ E-mail _______________________________ Birth Date (For Single Life Annuity) _______________________________________ Birth Date (For Joint/Survivorship Annuity) __________________________________ Please call 888-996-1212 regarding the rate that applies to your situation. Don’t hesitate to request a free illustration for a one-life, two-life or deferred gift annuity. *Rates are subject to change. For U.S. residents only. SAM12015 January 2015 ❘ 33
THOMAS MERTON 1915
Born to Owen and Ruth Merton on January 31 in Prades, France, and later moves to New York.
1918
John Paul Merton is born.
1921
Ruth Merton dies.
1926-28
Thomas lives in France with his father.
1928-34
Studies in England (including the 1933-34 year at Clare College in Cambridge University.)
1931
Owen Merton dies.
1935-39
Studies English at Columbia University, earning a BA and MA.
1938
Baptized at Corpus Christi Church in Manhattan and later starts to consider a vocation to religious life.
1941
Teaches English at St. Bonaventure University in western New York. Enters the Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani in December, takes the name Louis, though he will continue to be known publicly as Thomas.
1943
John Paul Merton, a pilot, dies over the English Channel.
1948
Seven Storey Mountain (his autobiography) is published and quickly becomes an international best-seller.
1949
Ordained a priest and becomes a US citizen.
1950-60s
PHOTO BY ERIK ECKEL
1940-41
Thomas Merton spent half of his life at the Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani in Kentucky.
Serves in various offices at the abbey, maintains a huge correspondence, writes over 70 books and numerous articles, and becomes active in the civil rights and peace movements. Moves into a hermitage at Gethsemani.
1968
Visits Sri Lanka and India before attending an interfaith monastic conference in Bangkok. Is accidentally electrocuted on December 10. Buried at Gethsemani.
PHOTO BY ANTONIO G COLOMBO
1965
It’s a small grave marker among others outside the chapel: Father Louis Merton, died December 10, 1968. 33A � January 2015
St A n t h o n y M e s s e n g e r . o r g
Books about Merton from Franciscan Media • Simply Merton, by Linus Mundy • The Spiritual Genius of Thomas Merton, by Anthony Padovano
“I would see him as a person who made prayer and the search for God an overriding priority. He was always trying to get in touch with God, and he never stopped seeking to align himself with God’s ongoing call.” —Irenaeus Herscher, OFM (lifelong friend and librarian at St. Bonaventure University during Merton’s time there)
AudioBooks about Merton from Franciscan Media • The Intimate Merton: His Life from His Journals • The Franciscan Heart of Thomas Merton, by Dan Horan, OFM
“There was a certain ‘Franciscan spirit’ about him which extended to the flora and fauna around the monastery and hermitage, to say nothing of the birds—he could name them all. Letters were alive with events of a first crocus, his daylilies, and the rose hedge filled with birds.” —Sister Theres Lentfoehr, SDS (Salvatorian sister, poet, and friend)
AudioBooks by Merton from Franciscan Media
[The above two quotes are taken from “Thomas Merton: His Friends Remember Him,” by Jack Wintz, OFM (St. Anthony Messenger, December 1978.)]
• Contemplative Prayer • New Seeds of Contemplation • No Man Is an Island • Thoughts in Solitude
“Merton was so genuinely human. He was real. He detested phoniness and pretense. He said what he thought and tried to mean what he said. He knew loneliness, homelessness, and alienation.” —Msgr. William Shannon (edited Merton’s work and has written extensively about him.)
The Thomas Merton Center at Bellarmine University in Louisville (merton.org) has many Merton manuscripts and photos and is the home of the International Thomas Merton Society. Fr anciscanMedia.org
January 2015 ❘ 33B
SPECIAL SECTION
T H O M A S M E R T O N 10 0 Y E A R S
Rediscovering
Contemplation Merton was a prophet who put together mysticism and its political implications. PHOTO BY SIBYLLE AKERS. ALL PHOTOGRAPHS OF OR BY THOMAS MERTON ARE USED WITH PERMISSION OF THE MERTON LEGACY TRUST AND THE THOMAS MERTON CENTER AT BELLARMINE UNIVERSITY.
BY RICHARD ROHR, OFM
I
only saw Thomas Merton once. He walked in front of my family and me when we were visiting the Abbey of Gethsemani in early June 1961. I had read Sign of Jonah and Waters of Siloe in the high school seminary in Cincinnati, and already my youthful mind intuitively knew that this man was a prophet for my soul and for the Church in the world. So, on the day of my graduation and return to Kansas for the summer, I said to my parents, “Let’s take the southern route home. I have a place I want you to see.” Little did I imagine! I stood back in awe as Merton walked two sisters and their driver right in front of us. He was returning them to their car as we approached the old guesthouse. One of the sisters was Mother Teresa of Calcutta. When I later gave a retreat at the abbey, in 1985, I asked one of the brothers if I was just imagining this, and he said with a bit of disappointment (or was it resentment?), “Oh, we all heard that ‘the famous sister from India’ was visiting, but, of course, none of us got to meet her except the abbot and probably Merton!”
A Modern-Day Prophet Yes, I believe Thomas Merton was a true prophet, and I use that word in its classic sense, as one who sees at a higher level and thus, in effect, foresees. A biblical prophet is one who lives on the edge of organized religion as a truth speaker, and yet from the loving and experienced depths of that religion. Fr anciscanMedia.org
The prophet cannot be throwing rocks from outside, but must “pay his dues” and earn the right to speak what are—somehow—words from elsewhere! The message is invariably mystical and political at the very same time; it is a “synthesis of seeing” that God grants to anyone God chooses to speak prophetically. I am now convinced this is what religious life is meant to structurally allow and even foster— a prophetic and listening stance as opposed to a merely priestly one. Monks, nuns, hermits, and friars are a part of para-church communities, each with different things to pay attention to, various spiritualities that encourage depth and actual God encounter, and authority structures that protect, allow, and foster just such wisdom. Religious life is structurally set up to be “a room with a view,” and often a view that the common parish does not have time to inspire or generate. No wonder that the young Merton raced to a place like Gethsemani with such determination, fervor, and even overexcitement. A prophet intuitively knows that he or she cannot stand alone, but needs the wisdom and protection of a living faith community, and years of the deep listening and loving that many forms of religious life can ideally provide. What the prophet has to say is going to “uproot and knock down, destroy and overthrow, build and plant” (Jer 1:10), and in ways that scare into doubt the one who is saying it. No wonder that Moses stutters, Jeremiah begs January 2015 ❘ 35
mind and heart, and seeing “spiritual things spiritually” (1 Cor 2:13), had been lost in both theory and practice by almost all of us, even the contemplative orders. It was nobody’s bad will, but simply what happened after we separated from the Eastern Church in 1054, and then allowed the dualistic and calculating mind to take over after the Reformation and the wrongly named Enlightenment.
PHOTO BY THOMAS MERTON
The Contemplative Mind
He gave us back the contemplative mind. He told us, and he showed us, that we could live with the very ‘mind of Christ’ (1 Cor 2:16).
out of the role, and Isaiah’s lips are burnt with a live coal; no wonder John the Baptist must leave his priestly family for the alternative food and clothing of the wilderness. Thomas Merton, like almost no one else in our time, put together the mystical depths and the political implications of the Christian message. He did it in a way that confirmed for many of us a kind of “deep Christianity.” He wrote things that still now are showing themselves to be true and even central to spiritual truth. I find him read in every country and continent I have taught in, and quoted by sincere seekers of all Christian denominations and even other religions. Things he wrote in the 1950s and ’60s do not always feel dated. This surely means we are dealing with big truth and high-level seeing. Although there are so many aspects of the wisdom tradiClick here and tion that he recovered, there the button on the is only one that I want to comleft for more on ment on here. I believe that Thomas Merton Thomas Merton almost singleand Richard Rohr, handedly pulled back the veil OFM. and helped us see that we all had lost the older tradition of contemplation. It was no longer taught in any systematic way in the Church. Clergy, religious, and laity “recited” prayers and meticulously “performed” liturgies, but the older methods for quieting the
36 ❘ January 2015
In that same 1985 retreat that I mentioned, I asked my friend Brother Robert Bruno if the monks liked Thomas Merton, because I had picked up what seemed like a bit of “no prophet being honored in his own country” or what could have been inhouse jealousy from a few. Robert humbly and quietly said that it was true that many did not like him so much in the community. I asked, “But why?” And these were his words: “He told us that we were not really contemplatives! We were just introverts!” But, of course, he was pointing out the elephant in the monastic living room, as prophets are wont to do. Even contemplatives had no systematic training in what to do with their obsessive minds and errant emotions, just as Teresa of Avila had already complained in the 16th century. No one told them exactly “how” to deal with the distractions that followed them into the monastery. The daily schedule and monastic habit, and lots of chanted psalms, did not usually eliminate their old mind, their lonely hearts, and their unhealed emotions. Mere willpower and goodwill itself were not enough to do the spiritual warfare that they had entered into. Many left all forms of religious life, feeling they had been overpromised, deceived, or worse, that there was no accessible God to be found. If we should place a monument for Thomas Merton anywhere, it would be enough if it just said, “He gave us back the contemplative mind. He told us, and he showed us, that we could live with the very ‘mind of Christ’ (1 Cor 2:16).” A Richard Rohr, OFM, is founder and codirector of the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This article is copublished in We Are Already One: Thomas Merton’s Message of Hope—Reflections in Honor of His Centenary (1915-2015) (Fons Vitae Press). St A n t h o n y M e s s e n g e r . o r g
7 New Year’s Resolutions for Catholic Families
January is a perfect time for parents to reinvigorate their children’s faith. T E X T B Y R I TA E . P I R O
■
I L L U S T R AT I O N S B Y M A R Y K U R N I C K M A A S S
Who among us does not think of the new year as a time for a fresh start, an opportunity to wipe the slate clean and begin anew? Each January 1 (or maybe 2, or even 3) we hit the ground running, turning our back on those nasty bad habits that are doing nothing for us mentally, physically, or emotionally. While deciding to improve your lifestyle, take on a new project, or be more welcoming to an irritating relative or the neighborhood busybody is certainly commendable, how about making a few spiritual resolutions as well? 38 ❘ January 2015
The following ideas will allow your family to grow in faith with reverence and fun, while also enriching both your own and your child’s personal relationship with God and God’s people. Own your faith. Do not hesitate to identify your family as Catholics. Make a banner that proclaims your family as Catholics—“We are the Smiths, a Catholic Family.” Then take a photo of your family holding the banner, and display it in your home with pride.
1
St A n t h o n y M e s s e n g e r . o r g
Don’t hide the family Bible in the back of a closet or the bottom of a drawer. Keep it in a place of honor in your home, on the coffee table in the living room, or on the mantel over the fireplace with the family photos. Get into the habit of filling in the information, dates, and photos of important family and sacramental milestones with your kids as the events take place, sharing with them family history and memories.
2
Subscribe to your diocesan newspaper and as many Catholic magazines and publications as you can. Most of them have features geared to a variety of age groups. Read them with your younger children and share them with your older ones. It can spark real conversation among you.
3
Celebrate your child’s feast day or name day, as well as his or her birthday. If your child does not have a name that is associated with a saint, have your child pick one as his or her own, and perhaps select a Marian title or devotion as well. As your child grows older and develops new interests and needs, his or her choice may also change.
4
Fr anciscanMedia.org
January 2015 â?˜ 39
Make a big deal about Advent and Lent. Encourage your child to “do” during Lent, rather than “give up.” Acts of kindness are powerful reminders of the mission of Jesus. Take time to celebrate the wonderful holy days and saint days that occur during Advent—Nicholas on December 6 and Lucy on the 13th. Buy or make some toys for a Christmas charity on the feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8).
5
Don’t forget the dead! If loved ones are interred within driving distance, visit their graves a few times a year on birthdays, anniversaries, holy days, and holidays. Recall your memories of the role they played in your life. If your child has something in common with someone who has passed on, fill him or her in. “You know, Uncle Jim played the piano just like you” or, “My cousin Ann loved animals almost as much as you do.” If the person served in the military, try to visit the grave on Veterans Day or Independence Day.
6
Carry your faith into the summer and school break times. Just because school is out doesn’t mean your faith has to go on vacation, as well. There are many beautiful shrines, monasteries, churches, and cathedrals throughout the world, near all major cities, and maybe right in your own area. Include one or two during each family vacation. A
7
Rita E. Piro is a freelance writer from Queens Village, New York. She is the creator of the website catholicschoolhistory.com.
tal Digi as Extr
40 ❘ January 2015
Click here for more ways to grow your faith throughout the year.
St A n t h o n y M e s s e n g e r . o r g
LIGHTEN UP
“It’s good for you, lots of vitamin D.”
“Of course he’s patronizing. He’s a patriarch.”
Fr ancisca n Media .org
J a n u a r y 2 0 15 ❘ 4 1
My Brother, Danny Drugs plagued his life—but he never lost sight of God. BY B.G. KELLEY
PHOTO BY DOMINIK MARTIN/UNSPLASH; (BELOW) COURTESY OF THE AUTHOR
S The author’s younger brother, Danny, stands outside their father’s flower shop on the day of his first Communion.
42 ❘ January 2015
TAYING OFF DRUGS was too painful for my brother. And sometimes he wanted to put God on the witness stand to explain why. When Danny wasn’t doing drugs, he was tortured by a sense of failure and insecurity. And it showed, spreading across his terrified face like a black eye. Then he would take a hit. Drugs kept my brother where he wanted to be: safe and secure, laughing and joking, spraying false swagger like a crop duster. Danny and I were a decade apart. I was ’50s and he was ’60s. Scrubbed up and slicked down for a family photo, we looked alike. But we were as different as the music of Elvis and Dylan. It would stand to reason that nurturing from the same parents, church, schools, St A n t h o n y M e s s e n g e r . o r g
and neighborhood would make siblings similar, right? Well, no. The same discipline and restrictions can prompt rebellion in one sibling, but be welcomed by the other. My brother and I received the same love from our parents, our church, our schools, and our community. But we turned out drastically different. I got good grades in school, graduated college, never indulged in drugs, and enjoyed reasonable success as a basketball player, writer, and teacher. But Danny failed in school, drifted constantly from one menial job to another, got into drugs, and never achieved an ounce of success. Down deep, and despite his tortured soul, I knew Danny loved the Lord. As the head of our parish’s Catholic Youth Fr anciscanMedia.org
Organization program, he gave of himself tirelessly to the kids and to the program. “Christ gave his own life for me. I want to give something in his honor,” he once explained to me.
Gone Astray Then one day, when Danny was 18, he became derailed by a malevolent force: drugs. “Is there some uncontrollable impulse that drives you to indulge in selfdestruction?” I once asked him. He took another hit to get him through that question. Still, we remained connected—sometimes against our wills. I know Danny felt anonymous in my presence. He always placed hushed footsteps around me whenever I would take him out to
dinner or invite him over to the house for a meal. I once brought him onto my independent basketball team, and he helped take the team to a championship with his scoring and rebounding. After winning the championship, I told him we would have never won it without his contributions. Between the tears, he managed a smile. When Danny wasn’t attending Mass often, I would take him. When I did, I noticed a peace and calm in him. “Thank you, Billy, for bringing me to the Lord,” he would say to me.
Beginning of the End The opportunity to turn his life around came when our pop, a florist for 50 years, died. My father bequeathed to Danny the family business. I encourJanuary 2015 ❘ 43
Click here for more on addiction and ways to cope. Click the button below to hear one Catholic’s journey from addiction to healing.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE AUTHOR
B.G. Kelley (right) and his brother, photographed a year before Danny died, may have been as different as “Elvis and Dylan,” but they shared a lifelong love for their Catholic faith.
aged him to capitalize on this gift, even offering to run the shop for him so he could enter a drug-rehabilitation program and get himself straightened out. He took me up on the offer. When Danny returned from rehab, he seemed to be heading in a straight direction. He loved putting together flower arrangements in spectacular colors and designs. He was very creative.
But he was a bust as a businessman. He would forget to pay bills, order flowers recklessly, and fail to pay his taxes. Eventually, the business went bellyup. Danny went back to his old routine: drugs. That was the beginning of the end. One day I got a call. Danny had died of an overdose in a flophouse on January 25, 2003. He was 51. Among his
Lost and Found
Have You Seen Your Digital Edition?
FREE to
St. Anthony Messenger subscribers!
• Free to our print subscribers • Does not change your print subscription • Many digital extras • Register at StAnthony Messenger.org
Secular Institute of the Missionaries of the Kingship of Christ…living consecrated life in the Secular World!
Franciscan Spirituality… serving God and others. Contact Us: Vocations Director, www.simkc.org 44 ❘ January 2015
belongings was a note for me: “Billy, when I die, would you see that I get a Catholic burial?” My brother’s faith was always with him. At Danny’s viewing, I asked anyone who would like to say a few words about him to come forth. Fourteen people did, and they related stories of his generosity, humility, goodness, and faith. It was comforting. I am lucky to have those memories of my brother.
At the Mass at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church—how fitting since Danny often prayed to Mary to intervene in his life—sobs reverberated around the church as if it were an echo chamber. The homily was a scrapbook of memories and anecdotes filled with bits of human sunshine that illustrated my brother’s tortured life. His Catholic faith remained with him to the end. It was always a light at the end of his dark tunnel—a place of rest when rest was welcomed. At the gravesite, I placed a red carnation on the casket before it was lowered. I whispered, “Dan, we were different, yet we were the same.” As the limousine pulled away, I turned around and looked out at the hole in the ground, ready to swallow up my brother’s tortured life and take him to a heavenly one. A B.G. Kelley is a freelance writer and former college basketball player who has written and spoken widely about the relationship between spirituality and sports. St A n t h o n y M e s s e n g e r . o r g
POETRY
Alleluias
Just Like the Sidewalks
The low murmur in the church was constant, Humming that never let up Then A crescendo here there back again Building as the service went on It halted for a moment Then climbed to a fever pitch The crescendos constant loud and strong Then one final outburst like the final cannon shot Screeched through the air The Mass is ended The little ones have sung their alleluias
Just like the sidewalks I also am proud of the marks, Scars life bestows, That, despite pelting, I am still here. After all sleepless nights of fret, pang, days through a masher, God sends forth another day via the morning window: reborn world offering new beginnings, new deals, and necessary journeys, inside, where feelings dwell and it’s OK to hurt because even the clouds, sometimes, cry.
—Jacquelyn Lumb
Thoughts
—Herman Bush
Was today squandered or hours devoured? Were precious minutes wasted or spent frugally? For some, the day was final, For others, just beginning. Days are allocated, many or few. Cherish the day the Lord has made.
Prayer Lord, with roots deep in Your spirit, may our souls grow, lifting limb and leaf in love to light.
—Lillian M. Fisher
—Jim Littwin
dawn
Smiles
children learn in geography it is tomorrow somewhere for the edge of every now slowly shifts into yesterday however there is another, a more important lesson to be learned: tomorrow comes only after the soul’s now has worn the night of everything
Wherever the sun Smiles It is Smiling back at God.
—Marion Schoeberlein
—Sister Lou Ella Hickman, IWBS
Fr ancisca n Media .org
J a n u a r y 2 0 15 ❘ 4 5
Second Chances Charity is always in style. FICTION BY CHRISTINE VENZON NE LOOK through the window of St. Stanislaus’ Second Chance Thrift Shop dashed Rita’s hopes for the day. Shirley was at the register. Be kind, Rita reminded herself. She’s volunteering for a good cause, just like you. And somewhere a military school is missing a drill sergeant. Steeled with her cheeriest smile, Rita breezed into the shop. “Good morning, Shirley. Chilly out, isn’t it?” “It’s January,” Shirley said, taciturn as a Vermont farmer, without the rustic charm. Rita hung up her coat in the back room, dawdling. She’d worked with a dozen other parishioners at Second Chance, all more pleasant than Shirley. She’d considered asking the manager to avoid scheduling them together. But everyone had a cross to bear. Shirley was hers. Returning to the front, Rita found Shirley in her usual perch on a stool at the end of the counter, ivory horn-rims and tight, silver curls bent over a book. It was the text-heavy, blackcovered tome that had engrossed her for weeks, but Rita had learned that asking about it wasn’t worth the tight-lipped reply. Rita herself loved to read. But with so many empty hours at home, it was the last thing she wanted to do here. Was Shirley’s life so full that she looked forward to this time uninterrupted? She was private about that, too. She’d mentioned a husband, John, but little else. Lacking conversation, Rita tried to busy herself with work. The greeting cards always needed organizing. She thumbed through the baskets, looking for errant envelopes and birthday wishes infiltrating the sympathy cards. “Already did that,” Shirley said. “Oh.” What a blessing to have an efficient coworker. Rita
O
4 6 ❘ J a n u a r y 2 0 15
inspected the shelves of folded jeans—wouldn’t want a women’s petite consorting with the boys’ husky. “That, too. It’s been slow, you know.” It always was this time of year, Rita reflected. People were sated with stuff from Christmas— new stuff, shiny stuff—and Second Chances’ after-Christmas sales never drew the crowds that packed the big box stores. Yet this was when Rita most longed for company. Her sons and their families had filled the holidays with the bustle of joyful activity; now the postSt A n t h o n y M e s s e n g e r . o rg
ILLUSTRATION BY DANIEL HASKETT
holiday blues set in. The annual flight of friends who snowbirded in Florida never bothered her before, but suddenly it felt like betrayal; her first winter alone bloomed bleak and bone-chilling. She’d looked at an apartment in a retirement community—a tidy, spotless place where everyone seemed friendly and no one lacked for things to do. But the family home, with its 30-plus years of wear and tear, its rooms filled with things she’d promised to bring here, was too much a part of her. Fr ancisca n Media .org
H
ere was one job Shirley had overlooked: dusting the knickknacks in the front window. Rita warmed to the task, meditating in the tedium on the history behind each piece. Like this music box, a twirling ballerina that played “March of the Tin Soldiers” from The Nutcracker Suite. A gift for some budding Anna Pavlova, perhaps. Had her passion faded, or had she just tired of the song? Or this picture frame, proclaiming “Teacher of the Year.” How many tokens like this had its owner accumulated? J a n u a r y 2 0 15 ❘ 4 7
How many had Rita herself given? Her sons said everyone gave gift cards these days, which no one lamented as impersonal. As for the granny holding an apple pie with “World’s Best Nana” inscribed on the base—that was a road she could travel for hours. Enough, she thought, and started on the windowpanes. The scene outside offered little distraction: the downtown side street all but abandoned in midweek; the tattered line outside the Lighthouse of Love soup kitchen, warming like sparrows along the sunbaked brick wall, too depressing to look at. Finishing the sill, Rita noticed the cobwebs on the ceiling. She would need the step stool from the back room to reach them. Unless . . . She looked toward the register. Shirley was lost in her book. Rita smiled wickedly. Live dangerously; if it shook the unshakable Shirley, even better. Rita mounted the window’s deep bottom ledge, clutching the upper frame for support, like her grandson at the indoor rock-climbing place. She stretched until the cobwebs were just within reach—and a violent pounding rattled the glass.
O
“
h!” Rita cried. She reeled backward, missing the knickknack shelf by inches. Outside, a grizzled face scowled, cheeks rough with graying stubble, beetlebrowed eyes flashing consternation. An accusing finger wagged. A beefy man dressed head to toe in hunting
ANSWERS TO PETE AND REPEAT 1. Pete has chopped more wood. 2. The ax handle is longer. 3. The barn doors are closed. 4. The sky is cloudy. 5. The barn now has a chimney. 6. There are birds flying nearby. 7. A tree stump has appeared. 8. Pete’s coat has an extra button.
4 8 ❘ J a n u a r y 2 0 15
camouflage, an impressionistic print of tree limbs and autumn leaves, burst into the shop. “You shouldn’t be doing that!” he growled. “You’re gonna hurt yourself!” He came toward her. Rita froze— first with fear, then with confusion as he snatched the duster and proceeded to swipe the cobwebs like a painter possessed. He thrust it back at her. “There.” “Robert!” A woman appeared, a squat spruce tree in a delft blue wool coat over a long brown skirt, capped by a snowy braid coiled atop her head. “Robert, you know we’re supposed to stay together.” “You saw her, Bess. She coulda hurt herself!” Shirley arrived, stern-faced, unshaken. “Is there a problem?” “No,” Rita panted. “He was just . . . helping.” Bess sighed, exasperated. “I’m sorry. Robert has a seizure disorder. He has bouts of impulsive behavior. Robert, the Lighthouse starts serving in 20 minutes. Is that enough time to find a hat?” Robert bridled, chastened yet defiant. “Depends on how many hats they got.” He headed for the men’s clothing. Rita and Shirley exchanged looks. They were thinking the same thing, Rita admitted reluctantly, and it was not kind. “Remember, we have 911 on speed dial,” Shirley murmured, glancing at Bess. She returned to her post, eyeing Robert all the while.
H
“
e’s not dangerous,” Bess assured Rita. “Just a little rash sometimes.” “Oh?” George had been a genial, even-tempered CPA. Except for the last weeks of tax time, when he was prone to snapping and grumping. “It was an industrial accident,” Bess explained. “He was working construction and someone shot a nail in his head.” Rita blanched. Spare me the details, she thought. She gestured across the store with the duster. “We have women’s clothes over there. Maybe there’s something you need?”
“Dear, no, thank you. I haven’t much space. I’ve learned to travel light. Although, . . .” Bess smiled, almost girlish, and nodded toward a rack of clothing labeled “New Arrivals.” It was unsold inventory donated by the owner of a costume shop. “Those are adorable.” “Have a look,” Rita urged. Then, from the corner of her eye, she saw Shirley watching and shifting uneasily. She saw the one stone to kill two birds. “Try them on. Just for fun,” said Rita. “Oh, I shouldn’t,” Bess demurred. “But then I’m always doing things I shouldn’t!” Her voice trilled like a cardinal’s.
A
t the counter, Shirley stared and snapped her book shut. Rita reveled: direct hit. Bess flung a red boa around her neck. “Mah-velous.” She giggled and added a sombrero, deep-brimmed and trimmed with turquoise rhinestones. “Robert,” she called. “I found you a hat.” Robert’s head popped up over a carousel of belts. “Hmph. You look like a Tucson tourist.” Rita’s throat tightened. She and George had talked of wintering in Arizona. “Tucson?” “Yes,” said Bess. “That’s where we met, at the Pima County Fair last April. That was after the accident. Robert sold corn dogs and I ran the balloonpop game.” She returned the sombrero carefully, as if moved by the memory. “I was his favorite customer. Then I let it slip that I have a heart condition and shouldn’t be eating fried food. He cut me off, made me go to the chocolate-dipped banana stand instead. Like I said, he sometimes acts against his best interests. He did not sell many corn dogs. “We got to talking when things were slow. Two lonely people, feeling sorry for ourselves. Robert’s wife had just left him. Poor dear, she couldn’t handle it. His son is a geologist in Mexico, too busy to come visit. I never married. I was engaged, until I developed St A n t h o n y M e s s e n g e r . o rg
rheumatoid arthritis.” Rita was surprised: Bess spoke so freely. Maybe she was hungry for conversation, too. “What brings you to Jonesboro?” Bess snorted cheerfully. “Robert got it into his head that a grand life waited over the next hill. He talked about picking up and heading for the Florida Keys! I think he thought we’d build a hut on the beach and live on crabs and coconuts. “It was ridiculous, of course. But I couldn’t let him go alone. So I told him, ‘OK, but we’re going do this right.’ I went to the library and researched affordable places to live. We’re both on disability, and not very employable. Money magazine named this one of the best places to retire on Social Security alone. And it is. It has the college with the library and free lectures and a music series. But then you must know that.” She didn’t, Rita admitted. When the boys were young, she’d happily thrown herself into Cub Scouts and lunchroom duty and CCD classes. She and George would treat themselves to dinner out or have friends over. After he retired, they took the occasional day trip or weekend away. Since he died, she hadn’t wanted to do any of those things, or anything else. “But here I’m going on about myself. I didn’t even ask your name.” “Hmm? Oh. Rita.” Suddenly there didn’t seem like anything worth saying, except, “That’s a remarkable story.”
R
ita jumped as Shirley announced her presence. Her voice sounded especially sharp, her eyes especially narrow. She doesn’t believe it, Rita thought. Ever the skeptic. Granted, the source is not the most reliable. But can’t she surrender to the romance? For once, let herself get swept away? Bess looked toward the men’s clothing. Rustling indicated Robert was still perusing. She shook her head, as if to answer Shirley’s remark. “God is good. He showed us how we need each other. Robert helps with the housekeeping and shopping; otherwise I’d never go out. And I . . . well, you saw.”
Fr ancisca n Media .org
“Yes, I saw,” said Shirley. Based on her tone, Rita could just imagine what Shirley was thinking, and it was not kind: God would hardly smile on this relationship. Wasn’t Robert still married? Hadn’t his son heard of the Fourth Commandment? Had Bess considered a consecrated life? That’s what was wrong with the world, people thinking whatever made them happy was all right by God. And, Rita hated to admit, she was right. Shirley held up something in her hand. Rita recognized a brooch given by a parishioner after his wife died, a coral-colored cameo set in gold-plate filigree. Costume jewelry, but pretty. Elegant, Rita thought. She worked the brooch into Bess’s lapel. “A boa does not become you. This works better.” “Oh, it’s lovely! But as I was telling Rita, I’m on a very fixed income.” Shirley smoothed the lapel. “I’ll charge you exactly what we paid for it, which was nothing.” “Oh, I shouldn’t.” Bess stroked the brooch. “But I will!” Rita stared, dumbfounded, as Bess smothered Shirley in a bearish embrace. “My husband has Parkinson’s disease,” Shirley said. “Sometimes you have to treat yourself to something special. It helps.” Rita gaped. “I didn’t know.” “Now you do.” Bess nodded, wiping her eye. “Some days I’d like to sell him on eBay. But who would buy him?”
W
“
hat do you think, babe?” Robert appeared. He sported a British driving cap of charcoal-gray wool. “Very classy! Like Mr. Carson on Downton Abbey.” Bess pulled a pink clutch purse from an inside coat pocket. “This I must pay for. It’s a legitimate need.” Robert looked out the window. “They’re just going in. Hope they save us our table.” “I’m sure they will. We’re regulars,” Bess explained. “The food is so-so, but you can’t beat the company. We’ve made so many friends, and there are
always new people. You never know who you’ll sit next to.” “They’re lucky if they sit next to you,” Rita said. “Bless you, dear. You should join us sometime. Both of you.” Rita hedged. “Maybe we will.” “Don’t wait too long.” Bess’ eyes twinkled. “Gulfport, Mississippi, has a low cost-of-living index, too. And they say the soft-shell crabs are to die for!”
R
ita watched them cross the street. She’d been wrong: Bess didn’t want for conversation. She didn’t want for anything—anything important. “Interesting couple,” Shirley remarked. “Yes.” Rita smiled as Robert held the door for the line at the diner, gesturing to the men to take off their hats before entering. “The world is full of them.” A
Christine Venzon is a freelance writer from Peoria, Illinois.
So that his work might continue...
Support our Franciscan ministry of evangelization at FRANCISCAN MEDIA To contribute, send your gift* to: “The Franciscans” c/o St. Anthony Messenger 28 W. Liberty Street Cincinnati, OH 45202-6498 or visit www.AmericanCatholic.org/ donate *Your gift is tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
J a n u a r y 2 0 15 ❘ 4 9
ASK A FRANCISCAN
❘ BY FATHER PAT McCLOSKEY, OFM
Pope Francis, Big Bang, Evolution According to a news article, Pope Francis recently acknowledged the Big Bang theory and evolution. I was quite startled by comments I’ve heard about this story. I hope you can enlighten me on this matter. Last October 27, Pope Francis addressed members of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, during its fourday meeting entitled “Evolving Concepts of Nature.” As reported in Carol Glatz’s article for Catholic News Service, the pope said that the Big Bang theory and evolution do not eliminate the existence of God,
who remains the one who set all of creation into motion. Pope Francis added that God’s existence does not contradict the discoveries of science. According to the Academy’s website, he said: “When we read the account of creation in Genesis, we risk thinking that God was a magician, complete with an all-powerful magic wand. But that was not so. He created living beings, and he let them develop according to the internal laws with which he endowed each one, that they might develop and reach their fullness.” Pope Francis noted that God gave
What Is the Holy Spirit’s Name?
© SERGII DENYSOV/FOTOLIA
How do you explain the Trinity? We speak about God the Father and God the Son, but what name does the Holy Spirit have?
All human language about God is approximate and, therefore, not exhaustive. The language you cite is taken from the human family. The Gospel of John speaks of the Holy Spirit as paraclete (helper), as the one who leads the apostles into all truth (16:13). Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John represent the Holy Spirit as being present at Jesus’ baptism (3:16, 1:10, 3:22, and 1:32, respectively). The sequence for the feast of Pentecost includes many poetic descriptions of the Holy Spirit (for example, “Father of the poor” and “solace in the midst of woe”).
5 0 ❘ J a n u a r y 2 0 15
creation full autonomy while also guaranteeing a constant divine presence in nature and people’s lives. The world comes not from chaos but from “a supreme Principle who creates out of love.” The pope continued: “The Big Bang theory, which is proposed today as the origin of the world, does not contradict the intervention of a divine creator, but depends on it. Evolution in nature does not conflict with the notion of creation because evolution presupposes the creation of beings that evolve.” Rafael Vicuna, professor of molecular genetics and molecular biology at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, told academy members that the actual origin of life remains a perplexing question. In a newspaper interview, he later added: “I can know perfectly what a cell is made up of, but how it works deep down, what really is the dynamism that makes it move—that is, life—I don’t know. A refrigerator and a car are complex structures that move, but only with an immense amount of energy from the outside. Life, in its deepest essence, remains something that escapes us. Life is more than molecules.” The two very different creation accounts in the Book of Genesis reflect the most coherent physical explanations available to those authors. We know more now. The book’s theology of creation and its purpose, however, has never been surpassed.
The Church’s Infallibility Section 119 of Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation “The Joy of the Gospel” speaks of the Church’s infallibility. St A n t h o n y M e s s e n g e r . o rg
Most people speak of the pope’s infallibility. How are the two related? The whole section reads: “In all the baptized, from first to last, the sanctifying power of the Spirit is at work, impelling us to evangelization. The people of God [the Church] is holy thanks to this anointing, which makes it infallible in credendo [in believing]. This means that it does not err in faith, even though it may not find words to explain that faith.” At this point, section 119 cites paragraph 12 of Vatican II’s Dogmatic Constitution on the Church. “The Joy of the Gospel” continues: “As part of his mysterious love for humanity, God furnishes the totality of the faithful with an instinct of faith— sensus fidei [sense of the faith]— which helps them to discern what is truly of God. The presence of the Spirit gives Christians a certain connaturality with divine realities, and a wisdom which enables them to grasp those realities intuitively, even when they lack the wherewithal to give them precise expression.” The Catholic Church understands infallibility to be a negative guarantee; it cannot lead people into error on a matter that is essential to their salvation. A pope may teach infallibly under four conditions: 1) it is a matter of faith or morals, 2) he is teaching as the chief pastor of the Church, 3) he is teaching for the entire Church, and 4) he is clearly presenting this teaching as infallible. The worldwide college of bishops can also teach infallibly when it teaches in union with the bishop of Rome on a matter of faith or morals. Address Updates: The postal addresses in the November column, taken from the 2014 Our Sunday Visitor Almanac, were incorrect; updated information had not been sent to them. Contact the women’s division of the Missionaries of the Kingdom of Christ at P.O. Box 58160, Washington, DC 20037-8160. Contact the men’s division at 5223 River Road, Bethesa, MD 20816.
Fr ancisca n Media .org
Infallibility is another way of saying that the Church can recognize its genuine faith within a controversy— as it did at the Council of Nicaea (AD 325), when it taught that Jesus is consubstantial with God the Father. A teaching may be widespread and yet not infallible. For example, the Church has never taught infallibly about limbo, and we can thank the Church’s sensus fidei for that. Limbo solved a tiny problem for some theologians (can unbaptized babies be saved?) while creating a huge pastoral problem for the rest of the Church (how could a good and loving God allow an unbaptized baby to be separated from God for all eternity?). In a sense, infallibility resembles a person’s antibodies that can recognize what does not belong in one’s body and then make the appropriate response. In theological disputes over the centuries, a few people have sometimes had more zeal than good theology and pastoral sense. The Church’s sensus fidei helps correct any imbalance. A
Click the button above to hear Father Pat’s insights on Catholic topics.
Father Pat welcomes your questions! Send them to: Ask a Franciscan, 28 W. Liberty Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202-6498, or Ask@FranciscanMedia.org. All questions sent by mail need to include a selfaddressed stamped envelope. This column’s answers can be searched back to April 1996 at StAnthonyMessenger.org.
How to Subscribe to
ST.ANTHONY M essenger
St. Anthony Messenger is only $39.00 for 12 monthly issues. This price includes our digital edition: StAnthonyMessenger.org/DigitalEdition __ YES! Please begin my subscription. Ship to: Name ________________________________________________ Address _______________________________________________ City/State/Zip ___________________________________________ Payment Options (Choose one) ___ Please bill me $39.00 for 12 monthly issues. ___ Enclosed is my check or money order. ___ Charge my: __ Visa __ Mastercard Card #: __________________________ Expiration Date ______ Signature __________________________________________ Phone _____________________________ ________________ Mail to: St. Anthony Messenger, P.O. Box 189, Congers, NY 10920-0189 For fastest service, call toll-free: 866-543-6870, M-F, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern) To order a subscription online: StAnthonyMessenger.org/subscribe
J a n u a r y 2 0 15 ❘ 5 1
BOOK CORNER
❘ BY CAROL ANN MORROW
Sacred Fire
Most-Read Books Tagged “Catholic” at Goodreads.com Killing Jesus: A History Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit Francis Chan and Danae Yankoski Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion Gregory Boyle The Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic: How Engaging 1% of Catholics Could Change the World Matthew Kelly A Prayer Journal Flannery O’Connor
5 2 ❘ J a n u a r y 2 0 15
A Vision for a Deeper Human and Christian Maturity By Ronald Rolheiser Image Books 368 pages • $25 Hardcover/E-book Reviewed by JULIE DONATI, a married mother of three children. She has an MA in theology and teaches at St. Agnes Academy in Houston, Texas. As president of the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, one might imagine that Ronald Rolheiser, OMI, would write books on obtuse systematic doctrine. On the contrary, the best-selling author is noted for his many insightful books on Christian spirituality. Employing the wisdom of the classical mystics, Rolheiser describes three stages in spiritual development: essential, mature, and radical. His prize-winning first book in a trilogy, Holy Longing, was a detailed account of the initial stage—getting our lives together. His much-anticipated second entry, Sacred Fire: A Vision for a Deeper Human and Christian Maturity, addresses the next and longest stage—mature discipleship. Rolheiser’s intent is to address the issue, “Where do we go once the basic questions in our lives are no longer the restless questions of youthful insecurity and loneliness?” Written from a Catholic perspective, he gives solid, practical advice on how to “give our lives away.” Using anecdotes and personal examples, he reaches us where we are, in the muck and splendor of mature adulthood. Beginning with an overview of the three
stages, Sacred Fire devotes a chapter to the first stage—essential discipleship. This is particularly useful for those who have not read the first book or might need a refresher. Then the real journey begins. With his typical acuity, Rolheiser clearly describes mature discipleship in simple terms—what it looks and feels like and how it differs from our previous youthful stage. As he names the major struggles and crises that come with the adult years, I recognized myself in more than one example, which is precisely Rolheiser’s intention. By shining a light on our own particular struggle, we can begin to move beyond it. “Good spiritual writing, among other things, should help introduce us to ourselves,” he writes. Rolheiser does not leave us in a bottomless pit of guilt and despair, however. Like an intimate friend, he draws us into opening and examining our lives. Weaving six invitations from the life of Jesus, he calls us to move from goodness to greatness. Sprinkled throughout are nuggets of wisdom from a variety of contemporary Christian writers and his own lived experiences. I frequently found myself stopping to savor passages that offered profound insights. The section on drawing strength from prayer is an important primer that offers advice on how to sustain an active prayer life during these busy years, full of family responsibilities and job obligations. Proposing the act of blessing as a mark of true maturity, he suggests that blessing others is “the crowning glory of mature discipleship,” and examines what this entails both in the biblical context and in modern life. Rolheiser leaves us with his ten commandments for mature discipleship—condensed core principles to help us on our journey. In closing, he previews the inevitable final stage, radical discipleship, which is the subject of his next book. I would highly recommend Sacred Fire to use in a variety of settings. It would be perfect as a retreat companion, for private spiritual reading, or shared in a book club, where members could slowly savor a chapter per week. It is, in fact, one of those rare books that I will return to time and time again. St A n t h o n y M e s s e n g e r . o rg
BOOK BRIEFS
Welcome Prayer into 2015 Slowing Time Seeing the Sacred Outside Your Kitchen Door By Barbara Mahany Abingdon Press 208 pages • $15.99 Hardback/Paperback/E-book
Putting Education to Work How Cristo Rey High Schools Are Transforming Urban Education By Megan Sweas HarperOne 264 pages • $24.99 Hardcover/E-book Reviewed by MARK M. WILKINS, who teaches religion at St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. Cristo Rey schools, whose history is detailed in this volume, offer a corporate work-study program for each student. Every student works five days a month while job sharing with three other classmates. In return, the business sponsor pays the student’s tuition. Two principles of Cristo Rey schools are foundational. First, the school must be Catholic. While the earliest schools were sponsored by the Jesuits, a variety of groups now support the nearly 30 schools in the network. The other key is that all the students must be from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The mission requires a delicate balancing act between raising the bar in the classroom and serving these students. The network is growing, not only through God’s grace but also because administrators, teachers, and students are challenged to achieve success measured not solely through grades and graduation rates but through quantifiable metrics both in school and in the workplace. From its humble beginnings in one city— Chicago—a network of schools is transforming how education works and how work educates. It seems the real purpose of education has been recovered here. The author has told it well, interspersing personal stories among this readable chronicle. Fr ancisca n Media .org
Barbara Mahany invites us to embark on a journey through the seasons where she reveals God’s light in the everydayness of life.
A Year of Grace 365 Reflections for Caregivers By Laraine Bennett Our Sunday Visitor 384 pages • $16.95 Paperback/Kindle Laraine Bennett’s daily reflections, coupled with Scripture passages, inject fresh enthusiasm and perspective into a caregiver’s life.
Sacred Space The Prayer Book 2015 By the Irish Jesuits Ave Maria Press 384 pages • $15.95 Paperback/E-book Bringing prayer and Ignatian spirituality into our busy lives, the Irish Jesuits help us to make room for connecting with God.
Walk in His Ways A Monastic Journey of Life and Light By Br. Victor-Antoine d’Avila-Latourrette Liguori Publications 394 pages • $21.99 Paperback Benedictine Brother Victor-Antoine’s daily reflections guide us to be in tune with God. —D.I.
Books featured in Book Corner and Book Briefs can be ordered from
St. Mary’s Bookstore & Church Supply 1909 West End Avenue • Nashville, TN 37203 • 800-233-3604 www.stmarysbookstore.com • stmarysbookstore@gmail.com J a n u a r y 2 0 15 ❘ 5 3
A CATHOLIC MOM SPEAKS
❘ BY SUSAN HINES-BRIGGER
Time to Take a Stand
ILLUSTRATION BY MARY KURNICK MAASS
T
his month, thousands of people will gather in Washington, DC, for the annual March for Life. My 16-yearold daughter, Maddie, will be one of them. She’s going with her high school’s Saints for Life club to show her support for a cause about which she feels strongly. I have to confess, though, I was a bit perplexed when she first came to my husband, Mark, and me to ask if she could go on the trip. I knew she had joined this club, but I also realize that she is a teenager, and it seemed we had just recently had a talk reminding her that the world was bigger than just her. I wondered if she wanted to go just so she could 5 4 ❘ J a n u a r y 2 0 15
go on a trip with some of her friends. Or was she really invested in the purpose of the trip? So, I asked her why she wanted to go. She thought for a moment and then said, “I want to go to see what it’s like.” Aha! I knew it. This was more about just going on the trip and less about why she was going. But she wasn’t finished. “I want to go because someone needs to speak up for the babies who can’t speak for themselves. I want to be that someone.” Cue the proud mom.
Are They Listening? I always worry whether my kids are actually listening to the lessons Mark and I attempt to impart on them. I
am also painfully aware, however, that I can only teach them so much before they will begin to chart their own paths. So I am overjoyed that Maddie is making this step into establishing her own convictions and backing them up with her actions. As my kids get older, I remember something my mom told me once. I asked her how she handled three strong-willed girls who definitely had their own opinions on things. Her answer: “I prayed—a lot.” In hindsight, I remember the candles burning in front of the statue of Mary. I recall the sound of Mom’s rosary beads when I would pass her room at night. St A n t h o n y M e s s e n g e r . o rg
EVERY LIFE IS A GIFT
CNS PHOTO/PETER LOCKLEY
The March for Life began in 1974 on the first anniversary of the Supreme Court decisions in Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton. Planning for it, however, started in October of the previous year. A group of 30 pro-life leaders gathered in the Washington, DC, home of Nellie Gray to discuss how to commemorate the one-year anniversary of Roe. According to the March for Life website, the group had “a fear that January 22 would pass as any other day rather than allow for a moment to reflect upon how legalized abortion had hurt women and taken babies’ lives over the course of the year.”
Nellie Gray, who founded the March for Life in 1974, addresses the crowd during the annual rally on the National Mall in Washington, DC, January 24, 2011.
Suddenly, all those things are beginning to make more sense. I know I still have some time with my two youngest, but even 9-year-old Riley is beginning to develop her own opinions on things as she begins to encounter certain issues in school and life. She has been known to voice her opinion on any number of topics, from current events to the
stereotyping of boy-versus-girl interests. The best I can do is guide her, and lead by example. So that’s what I better make sure I’m doing.
Wake-Up Call One of my least favorite parenting lines is, “Do as I say, not as I do.” Yes, I probably have used it a time or two, but I still feel like it’s a cop-out.
Click the button to the left to listen to Susan’s “Marriage Moments.”
Because, let’s be honest, our kids are going to do what they see us do—no matter what we say. So what are we modeling for our children? Are we standing up for what we believe? Are we doing something regarding the issues about which we feel strongly? How we do that modeling may be different from what our children choose, but that’s OK. At least they’ll see us doing something, and know that they, too, need to do something. So Maddie is in DC this month with her father’s and my blessing— and prayers. The rest of our family will be at home in Cincinnati finding our own ways to honor the cause for which Maddie will be marching. I ask for your prayers for her and her classmates—as well as all those at the March. I hope from this experience Maddie will learn the concept of standing up for what she believes in, and that her voice is powerful and needs to be heard. A
Do you have comments or suggestions for topics you’d like to see addressed in this column? Send them to me at “A Catholic Mom Speaks,” 28 W. Liberty St., Cincinnati, OH 45202-6498, or e-mail them to CatholicMom@FranciscanMedia.org.
PETE AND REPEAT These scenes may seem alike to you, But there are changes in the two. So look and see if you can name ILLUSTRATION BY TOM GREENE
Eight ways in which they’re not the same. (Answers on page 48)
Fr ancisca n Media .org
J a n u a r y 2 0 15 ❘ 5 5
BACKSTORY
Answering Your Questions
T
he most popular column in this magazine since 1915—yes, we are celebrating its 100 years in 2015—is “Ask a Franciscan.” It’s always been written by a friar, and has always been a pastoral outreach
from the Franciscans to you, dear reader. It started as “The Wise Man’s Corner,” and was akin to other magazines’ advice columns. The advice here would be of a Catholic nature, offered by a priest who could help the faithful sort out difficult personal issues and
PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER HEFFRON
find answers to particular questions about Catholicism. At its best, the column takes those questions and turns them into opportunities to talk more deeply about our contemporary faith. The earliest Wise Man was the new editor in 1915, Forest McGee. His first columns answered questions about topics such as eating meat on holiday-Fridays and leaving Mass early out of necessity. Those types of questions have persisted over the century. There were recurring questions about the oncescandal of a Catholic attending a Protestant service, and about intermarriage between a Catholic and a Protestant—the World Wars had drawn everyday Catholics beyond their ghettos. One of Father McGee’s successors, from the 1940s, had a photograph of the Wise Man and “his assistant” atop the page—the assistant actually was himself this time, pipe in mouth. In more recent years, the Wise Man was late editor Norman Perry, OFM, whom many of our readers may recall.
The late Wise Man, Father Norman, raised his cowl for an exclusive reveal in 1993. Notice the Vatican II book and St. Francis—his beacons.
He wrote the column, anonymously, eventually under the title “Ask the Wise Man,” for 37 years, until 1999. His column outlived him by a few months—he worked ahead. He was followed by our own Franciscan Editor, Patrick McCloskey, OFM, who writes the column to this day. It was Father Pat who, bringing things up to date, changed the name to our current “Ask a Franciscan” and brought the friar’s identity clearly into the public eye. “Ask” (our shorthand) is always among our most popular pages, whether you all are reading with your own questions or just to watch Pat handle the occasional stumper. Ad multos annos!
Editor in Chief
5 6 ❘ J a n u a r y 2 0 15
St A n t h o n y M e s s e n g e r . o rg
REFLECTION
Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand, and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home. —Edith Sitwell PHOTO © CHAOSS/FOTOLIA
ST. ANTHONY M essenger
28 W. Liberty Street Cincinnati, OH 45202-6498
Rose o o off Reemembrance membrrance Bra racelet acelet Available from the Missionary Oblates Rose of Remembrance Bracelet
Follow us on Facebook facebook.com/oblatesusaorg
Thank y you ou for y your our g generous enerous suppor support! t! $10
$20
$25
$30
$45
$_____
Check/Money Order Credit Card # _______ _______ _______ _______ Exp. Date _______ /_______ /____ Signature (required) ______________________________ _________________________ Please send ___ Rose of Remembrance Bracelet(s). Bracelet #204160 ($10 suggested donation each)
Name ________________________________________ _________________________ Address _______________________________________ _________________________ City _____________________ State _____ ZIP _______ E-mail ________________________________________ __________________________
#M15ADA1A1
Missionar y Oblates of Mar y Immaculate National Shr ine of Our Lady of the Snows . $E -AZENNOD $R IVE s "ELLLEVVILLE ),
Donate Now Toll Free At:
1-888-330-6264 Mon. - Fri. 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Central
Or Visit: oblatesusa.org/ads