Meet the new University of St. Thomas president
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Tending the troops West St. Paul pastor to serve as National Guard chaplain By Susan Klemond For The Catholic Spirit
Starting this March, when Father Michael Creagan isn’t dressed in his black priest’s clerics as pastor of St. Joseph in West St. Paul, he will be wearing camouflage. The busy pastor isn’t getting ready for the next hunting season; rather, he’s responding to what he believes is an additional call from the Lord to serve military personnel and their families as a chaplain with the Minnesota Army National Guard. After Father Creagan is commissioned as a National Guard captain on Feb. 28, he will serve 500 soldiers and their families in the Bloomington-based 1/34th Brigade Special Troops Battalion (part of the “Red Bulls”) while he continues as pastor of St. Joseph. He will be one of just two Catholic chaplains ministering to the 11,000 service men and women in Minnesota — the fifth largest Army National Guard in the United States.
Offering support Father Creagan joins noteworthy chaplains in the state’s history — including Archbishop John Ireland, who served in the Civil War — as he prepares to bring the sacraments to Catholics in the battalion and to assist military personnel of all backgrounds during one weekend a month and two weeks of summer training. Initially he was concerned about whether he could take on the position while continuing in his duties at the PLEASE TURN TO SKILLS ON PAGE 4B
Dave Hrbacek / The Catholic Spirit
Father Michael Creagan, pastor of St. Joseph in West St. Paul, has accepted a new role as a Minnesota Army National Guard chaplain. He was scheduled to be commissioned on Feb. 28, and will continue serving as pastor of St. Joseph.
Five ways to evangelize during Lent The following is an edited version of a column that first appeared on the website of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, WWW.USCCB.ORG. During Lent, when your friends or coworkers express curiosity about Catholic customs and symbolism, use those moments as opportunities to evangelize. Following are common questions Catholics hear during Lent and some evangelizing answers.
CNS photo / Gregory A. Shemitz
■ Abstinence: “So why aren’t you eating pepperoni pizza on Friday?” You love pepperoni pizza. You eat it all the time. Suddenly, you can’t have it on Fridays? What could possibly be going on? It must be that Catholic thing, again.
Absolutely! On Fridays during Lent, we particularly remember the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. In memory of this great sacrifice, we continue the tradition of penance and sacrifice — abstaining from meat on Fridays is an outward manifestation of an interior reality: the conversion of our hearts. As Pope John Paul II has said: “In fact, the external aspects of fasting, though important, do not convey the full measure of the practice. Joined to the practice should be a sincere desire for inner purification, readiness to obey the divine will and thoughtful solidarity with our PLEASE TURN TO PALM ON PAGE 23B
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FEBRUARY 28, 2013 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT
Why priests are happy
That They May All Be One Archbishop John C. Nienstedt
For all the expectations placed upon them, priests today are experiencing surprisingly low levels of burnout and high levels of satisfaction with their lives
Continuing a long tradition of my predecessors, I look for a book to give to my priests every Christmas with the hope that they will find some enjoyment, insight and personal support for their public ministry or personal lives. I have to admit that this year’s choice of Msgr. Stephen Rossetti’s “Why Priests Are Happy” served as a perfect response to the mischaracterization in the media that priests, by and large, are a sad, lonely, overburdened, overworked and depressed group of men. With highly scientific and painstakingly well-researched data, Msgr. Rossetti establishes that, in fact, just the opposite is true. As a result of his 2009 scientific survey, Msgr. Rossetti found that 90 to 92.4 percent of the priests reporting agreed or strongly agreed that they are happy as priests, and 80 to 88.9 percent say that their morale is good. These statistics compare favorably to the 2009 Conference Board study of 5,000 American households that reported only 45 percent of the Americans surveyed were satisfied with their work. Considering the negative effects of the 2002 abuse crisis, the reported decline in vocations and the drubbing that mandated celibacy receives in the media, Msgr. Rossetti claims that these findings are quite remarkable.
The Catholic Spirit
The Catholic Spirit’s mission is to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. It seeks to inform, educate, evangelize and foster a spirit of community within the Catholic Church by disseminating news in a professional manner and serving as a forum for discussion of contemporary issues.
Archbishop’s schedule ■ Saturday, March 2: 5 p.m., Roseville, Church of Corpus Christi: Sunday Liturgy. ■ Sunday, March 3: 9 a.m., Richfield, Church of the Assumption: Sunday Liturgy. ■ Monday, March 4: 8:30 a.m., St. Paul, Archbishop’s Residence: Planning for “lectio divina” at the University of St. Thomas. 12 p.m., St. Paul, Archbishop’s Residence: Church of St. Timothy silent auction luncheon. 6 p.m., St. Paul, Archbishop’s Residence: Operation Andrew dinner. ■ Tuesday, March 5: 8 a.m., St. Paul, Chancery: Conference call with USCCB Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty. 9 a.m., St. Paul, Archbishop’s Residence: Scheduling meeting with staff. 12 p.m., St. Paul, Archbishop’s Residence: Retirement luncheon for archdiocesan civil chancellor. 1:30 p.m., St. Paul, Chancery: Archbishop’s Cabinet meeting. ■ Wednesday-Thursday, March 6-7: St. Paul, Minnesota State Capitol/Chancery: Minnesota Catholic Conference board meeting. ■ Monday, March 11: 2 p.m., USCCB Committee on Doctrine meeting: Conference call. ■ Thursday, March 14: 9:30 a.m., St. Paul, Chancery: Archdiocesan Catholic Schools Advisory Council meeting. 2 p.m., St. Paul, Chancery: Meeting with Development Committee. 6 p.m., St. Paul, Archbishop’s Residence: Miryam dinner.
Much of Msgr. Rossetti’s data comes from two studies he conducted in 2004 and 2009. The first involved 1,242 diocesan priests from various religious orders, representing 16 dioceses from across the United States. The second study expanded the work of the 2004 study to include 2,782 priests from 23 dioceses spread throughout the country.
he makes reference to earlier studies done by Dean Hoge, Kennedy and Heckler, Tom Nestor, the National Opinion Research Center as well as the John Jay Report commissioned by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The book contains 34 graphs and 50 tables. It claims to be the first such study of priests that compares them to the general population.
In addition, throughout his text,
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SARAH MEALEY Associate publisher
Are you preparing to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil? Do you have a good story to tell about how you discovered or rediscovered the Catholic faith? If so, The Catholic Spirit would like to hear from you and possibly highlight your story as part of our Holy Week and Easter issue, March 28. Please email a brief description about yourself and your journey of faith to CATHOLICSPIRIT@ARCHSPM.ORG (Write “Easter Vigil” in the subject line). Or mail your story to The Catholic Spirit, 244 Dayton Ave., St. Paul, MN 55102. In either case, please include your name, parish and a daytime telephone number at which you can be reached.
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“Redescubre: is a beautiful opportunity to reach out to Latino Catholics in the archdiocese and invite them, as Pope Benedict the XVI has asked us, to rediscover the journey of faith.” Marta Pereira, Latino ministry, Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis
Local News from around the archdiocese
FEBRUARY 28, 2013
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Redescubre: initiative making strides in Latino community The Catholic Spirit While most Catholics in the archdiocese may be familiar with the Rediscover: initiative through the free distribution last Christmas of the book “Rediscover Catholicism” and the current Rediscover: Speakers Series, they are likely less familiar with Redescubre: — the initiative’s Spanish-language counterpart. Redescubre: also included free book distribution, and it features a speakers series with talks on themes of meaning and belonging. The effort has been a good “way to help people find God or go back to him in their lives,” said Verónica Arias, who is a Redescubre: leader with her husband at Our Lady of Guadalupe in St. Paul. The book for Redescubre: is “Manual para el católico de hoy” (“Handbook for Today’s Catholic”) from Liguori Publications. The book, which includes a letter to the Latino community from Archbishop John Nienstedt, meets one of the key goals of local Latino ministry efforts, particularly among the immigrant community: “giving people the formation they need so they can understand and better live the faith that they already have,” said Marta Pereira, who works in Latino ministry as part of the archdiocese’s Office of Parish Services. A total of about 8,500 copies have been distributed at the 23 archdiocesan parishes that have Masses in Spanish and at 25 other parishes with immigrant populations, she said. Some parishes are hosting discussions about the book in group settings, and others had planned to host similar events during Lent, Pereira said.
Nurturing community Two identical Redescubre: talks were held in February at Our Lady of Guadalupe and Incarnation in Minneapolis. At total of about 800 adults came to hear Father Joseph Williams, pastor of St. Stephen in Minneapolis, speak on the theme, “Rediscover: the meaning of life. Find it in God,” Pereira said. The parishes provided child care during the talks for about 200 children. The events also featured music, including a special song titled “Redescubre” that was written by musician Cesar Cruz of Holy Rosary parish in Minneapolis who performed along with Kathy O’Brien of St. Stephen in Minneapolis. They hope to sing the song with young
Redescubre:
Jim Bovin / For The Catholic Spirit
Father Joseph Williams speaks at Incarnation in Minneapolis as part of the Redescubre: speakers series.
people at the second round of speakers series talks in March, Pereira said. The gatherings ended with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and then refreshments. “Everybody liked and enjoyed the talk,” said Arias, who was on the child care team at Our Lady of Guadalupe but listened to the presentation at Incarnation. “It made all of them think about what God’s plan is for them.” The next two talks — on the themes of belonging and community with Father Erik Lundgren of Divine Mercy in Faribault, where he works with the Spanish-speaking community — are slated for 10 a.m. March 9 at Our Lady of Guadalupe and 6:30 p.m. March 15 at Incarnation.
“The idea is to convey that immigrants or Latinos can find in the Church a real sense of community,” Pereira said. “It’s the same community that we all find, but for them, in particular, it’s so important because the Church offers them the place where they can be themselves without feeling like they’re aliens in a place where they don’t belong. It is the community of the universal Church, which offers them the treasure of the sacraments, in particular the Eucharist, the source and summit of our faith.” Many Latino immigrants have faced numerous hardPLEASE TURN TO REACHING ON PAGE 18B
Join us for a Lenten
Taizé Prayer
With Fr. Ray East and David Haas
Tuesday, March 12, 2013 New Brighton, MN
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church 835 2nd Ave. NW Father Michael Skluzacek 651-633-8333 6:15 p.m. Mass
Wednesday, March 13, 2013 North St. Paul, MN
St. Peter Catholic Church
2000 N. Margaret St. Father William DeZiel 651-777-8304 6:30 p.m. Rosary 7 p.m. Mass
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Location to be determined Go to www.alanames.org For more information
Exposition, Talk, Confession and Healing Service
Father Ray East is a priest in the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. He is the pastor of St. Therese of Avila Parish in the Anacostia neighborhood of Washington, D.C., and a nationally known speaker and preacher.
This prayer form comes from an ecumenical community in Taizé, France. It is contemplative in nature, filled with musical mantras, litanies, prayer, intercession and silence. Taizé Prayer has become popular in parishes and other communities of faith in the United States and other parts of North America.
7:00 p.m Monday, March 18, 2013 Cretin-Derham Hall Field House 550 S. Albert St., St. Paul 55116 Please use the entrances on Albert St.
Campus Minister David Haas is the Director of “Music Ministry Alive!” He is also a nationally known composer of liturgical music, workshop leader and recording artist.
This event is free and open to the public. A reception will follow
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THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • FEBRUARY 28, 2013
March for Marriage rally set for State Capitol March 7 The Catholic Spirit As advocates for redefining marriage prepare to introduce bills on the issue in the Minnesota Legislature, supporters of current state law regarding marriage will be voicing their views at a rally next week at the State Capitol. Minnesota for Marriage — a coalition that supports the definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman — is sponsoring the Minnesota March for Marriage rally and lobby day from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. March 7, with the rally on the Capitol steps from 2:30 to 3. The gathering will feature music and a slate of speakers, including Brian Brown, president of the National Organization for Marriage, and Teresa Collett, a professor of law at the University of St. Thomas. Participants are encouraged to set up appointments with their state lawmakers to tell them “respectfully but firmly” that they don’t want the state’s marriage laws changed, said Crystal Crocker, director of grassroots and messaging for Minnesota for Marriage. “We’re gathering together and energizing ourselves for this effort, but the most important point of the day is to go in and actually meet with your legislators,” she said. “They work for us and they should be meeting with us.” The Minnesota Catholic Conference is among groups that continue to talk to legislators about the importance of preserving the definition of marriage because of the benefits it provides to the community and individuals — particularly children, said Jason Adkins, executive director of the MCC, which is part of the Minnesota for Marriage coalition. “The real question is: Do we need an institution in civil law that connects kids to their moms and their dads. The answer to that is an emphatic yes,” he said.
For more information ■ The Minnesota Catholic Conference’s website — WWW.MNCC.ORG — features information and resources about the rally, marriage and how to advocate on its behalf. Click on “MN Catholic Advocacy Network (MNCAN)” to stay updated on policy issues and advocacy opportunities. ■ The Minnesota for Marriage website — WW.MINNESOTAFORMARRIAGE.COM — also features information about preserving traditional marriage. To receive emails about events and action items, email Crystal Crocker at CRYSTAL@MINNESOTAFORMARRIAGE.COM.
Next steps Gov. Mark Dayton urged lawmakers during his “State of the State” address Feb. 6 to pass a same-sex marriage law, and supporters have said they hope to craft a bill this session. The push to redefine marriage follows the defeat of the Minnesota marriage amendment last November when it garnered just under 48 percent of the vote. The measure, which was supported by Minnesota’s Catholic bishops, would have written into the state constitution existing law that defines marriage as a union between one man and one woman. While it’s clear that the 48 percent of Minnesotans who voted in favor of the amendment do not want the current marriage law changed, the intentions of some who voted against the amendment are less clear, Adkins said.
“There were people from our experience who voted ‘no’ and thought we should just leave things the way they were and that the status quo should remain,” he said. “We’re hearing from a lot of those folks now, and they are communicating that to legislators.” Additionally, some new legislators are from districts where the population voted overwhelmingly in support of the amendment, Adkins said, adding that “we’re talking to them about their constituents who believe they should preserve marriage.” Changing the definition of marriage would have serious religious liberty implications for Catholics and others who support traditional marriage, even if conscience protections are written into the legislation, he said citing
two cases in states where same-sex marriage is legal. In New York, for example, a Catholic hospital was sued by a lesbian couple demanding that the hospital provide benefits to the spouse of the woman who worked there. And, in Vermont, an innkeeper was fined for failing to accommodate a same-sex wedding reception. Currently, a vote at the Capitol to redefine marriage “could go either way,” Adkins said, so it is important for supporters of traditional marriage to contact their legislators and express their views. “We’ve got to get the people of Minnesota to say, ‘Keep marriage the way it is,’” he said. “Our message is: Don’t mess with marriage.”
Skills as priest will help in chaplain role CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B parish of 1,850 families, which he said is his top priority. But reassurance received in prayer, along with his chaplaincy training have given Father Creagan confidence that his service can benefit both institutions. “My immediate answer was ‘No, I am too busy,’ but after much prayer and reflection I found that was not the answer God was looking for,” said Father Creagan. “After the question was posed, I sensed a deep call from the Lord to serve the men and women in the Minnesota National Guard. They are responding to a great call to assist with the safety of our nation and state, and I am happy to support them in that role.” Father Creagan will serve as chaplain for eight years initially, at the discretion of Archbishop John Nienstedt. Though he hasn’t previously served in the military, Father Creagan was born on an Air Force base in Japan, where his father was stationed. A number of his relatives also have served, including his uncle, retired Air Force General Robert Reed, who will administer Father Creagan’s oath of commissioning.
Father Creagan was asked to be chaplain more than a year ago by State Chaplain (Col.) John Morris. The other Catholic priest serving Minnesota’s Army National Guard is currently deployed in Kuwait, and there is a void in the organization stateside for those desiring faith-based services. Father Creagan will be responsible for ensuring all the battalion members’ religious freedom, said Chaplain Morris, adding that along with providing for Catholic soldiers, he will make arrangements for those of other faiths to receive care. Other duties include counseling, teaching courses on ethics and advising the commander on the unit’s morale, he said. The challenges include responding to disasters and deployment, which is possible though not likely as the Middle Eastern wars are winding down, Chaplain Morris said.
Good for everyone Father Creagan said skills he has acquired in his nearly 16 years as a priest will help him as chaplain. “In some ways the [chaplaincy] work reflects much of what is done
in a parish with prayer, counseling, religious education and pastoral care,” he said. At the same time, the abilities and experiences he gains as chaplain, including ministering to veterans, administrative skills and leadership, will benefit the parish, Chaplain Morris said. “We in this battalion gain a very mature, experienced priest who’ll give really good counseling,” he said. “The Catholic soldiers gain a priest who’s accessible. The military gains a very skilled theologian, which is of tremendous value as we try to sort things out ethically and morally in today’s combat environment.” Captain Charles Beck, an officer recruiting technician who met Father Creagan during his chaplaincy training and who also will serve as a company commander with the same battalion, said this about the future chaplain: “He’s passionate about ministry. He’s also passionate about service which is kind of unique. He’s an articulate, intelligent man, very understanding. . . . He brings a tremendous amount of experience and knowledge to the chaplaincy of Minnesota.”
Obituary Deacon Swirtz directed the Propagation of the Faith office Deacon Lawrence Swirtz, 86, died Feb. 19. He was born Jan. 22, 1927 and ordained a permanent deacon for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis on June 10, 1978. Deacon Swirtz served at Holy Name in Minneapolis and St. Edward in Bloomington. He also served as the director of the local office of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith. The Mass of Christian Burial was Feb. 22 at the Church of St. Edward in Bloomington.
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Not a club, not a clique: SPO students live the New Evangelization Alumni and friends gathered Feb. 12 to benefit St. Paul’s Outreach Dianne Towalski The Catholic Spirit
When Sarah Spangenberg arrived at the University of St. Thomas for her first semester of college life, she was ready to be on her own. At least, she thought she was. But, when she heard her parents’ car drive away, she didn’t feel the independence she had been longing for. She felt more alone than ever. Spangenberg struggled through her first semester, meeting people and hanging out with different groups, but she really didn’t have any true friends. Her life changed, however, when she encountered Saint Paul’s Outreach. “It’s not a club, it’s not a clique, it’s not a fraternity — it’s true, authentic Christian living. It’s true friendship, true relationships and life to the absolute fullest,” Spangenberg said. “When I signed the household agreement, I thought I was joining in a household of like-minded college students so I could learn how to pray and make some friends. What I was really in for was an encounter with Christ and what the Church can really be.” Spangenberg, now a junior, told her story to a crowd gathered Feb. 12 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in St. Paul for the an-
Dianne Towalski / The Catholic Spirit
Sarah Spangenberg, a junior at the University of St. Thomas, gave a testimony during the St. Paul’s Outreach Benefit Banquet Feb. 12 at the Crowne Plaza in St. Paul.
nual Saint Paul’s Outreach benefit banquet. The event included dinner, testimonials and the presentation of the seventh annual Bishop Paul Dudley Servant Leadership Award.
Reaching out Saint Paul’s Outreach, more commonly known as SPO, is a Catholic ministry on
college campuses that began in St. Paul 25 years ago in response to the Church’s call for a “new evangelization.” There are now seven branches across the United States. SPO reaches out to college students with the life-changing power of the Gospel through building relationships and faithfilled environments.
Brandt Haglund, a member of the SPO staff at the University of Minnesota, also shared his journey to SPO during the banquet. Haglund aspired to be an ambassador to another country. He worked hard, received good grades — and had a good time. The son of an alcoholic, he grew up learning that to be a man meant to pursue success and pleasure. One weekend a former coach reached out to him and invited him to the annual Rector’s Bowl, a football game between the seminarians at St. Paul Seminary and St. John Vianney College Seminary. He was invited to a bar to hear a band play afterward. It would be his first encounter with SPO. “I was inspired by the maturity of the men and how they treated the women,” Haglund said. “Their joy and their zeal for Christ and his Church was contagious, but I thought, it’s good that this Jesus stuff is good for you, but it’s not really my thing.” He continued working toward his goal and ended up at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. But things didn’t go as planned and he was alone and far from family and friends. He decided to transfer to the University of Minnesota and thought that a fraternity sounded like a great idea. But then he remembered the group of SPO students he had met after the Rector’s Bowl. He conPLEASE TURN TO SAINT ON PAGE 23B
Hearing Tests Set for Senior Citizens Announcement — Free electronic hearing tests will be given all next week Monday thru Friday from 9 am to 4 pm. The tests have been arranged for anyone who suspects they are not hearing clearly. People who generally feel they can hear, but cannot understand words clearly are encouraged to come in for the test, which uses the latest electronic equipment. Everyone, especially those over age 55 should have an electronic hearing test once
a year. Demonstrations of the latest devices to improve clarity of speech will be programmed using a computer to your particular needs — on the spot — after the tests. See (and HEAR) for yourself if newlydeveloped methods of correction will help you understand words better. Tests will be performed at one of 20 convenient Greater Twin Cities Avada Hearing Care locations.
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“While he will step aside from that chair, while he may leave his Petrine office, he will never leave our hearts, which are filled with respect, admiration and love for him.� Cardinal Donald Wuerl in his homily Feb. 24 during a Mass of Thanksgiving for the departing Pope Benedict XVI
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Letters spell "Danke," German for thank you, as a crowd listens to Pope Benedict XVI lead the Angelus from the window of his apartment overlooking St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Feb. 17. CNS photo / Paul Haring
Conclave start date might not be known until after March 4 By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service
It is possible the world’s cardinals will not begin meeting at the Vatican until March 4, and they cannot set a start date for the conclave until they have met, the Vatican spokesman said. Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, said Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals, will send out letters March 1 — a Friday — formally informing the world’s cardinals that the papacy is
vacant and calling them to meet at the Vatican. “It is likely they will not meet Saturday or Sunday,” he said, so the meetings are unlikely to begin before Monday, March 4. As of Feb. 26, he said, it was impossible to say how long the cardinals would want to meet before they feel ready to announce a date for the conclave to begin. The formal convocation, he said, will be sent by email or fax for immediacy, but hard copies will be mailed to the cardinals’ permanent residences so they’ll have a copy for their archives. In addition, he said, while many cardinals were arriving
in Rome before the papacy ended Feb. 28, “the cardinals will not live at the Domus Sanctae Marthae,” the Vatican guesthouse used during the conclave — “until almost the eve of the conclave.” The rooms must be cleaned, the televisions and telephones disconnected and the place swept for listening devices, Father Lombardi said. “It’s completely normal.” Another reason why they don’t move in right away, he said, is because the rooms — either simple singles or suites — are distributed by lot once the majority of the cardinals are present.
While @Pontifex hibernates during time between popes, @TerzaLoggia set to fly
Pope Benedict to be ‘pope emeritus’ or ‘Roman pontiff emeritus’
By Carol Glatz
By Cindy Wooden
Catholic News Service
Catholic News Service
The pope’s @Pontifex Twitter fans will get two more tweets before the account goes Pope Benedict XVI will continue to be known as Pope Benedict and addressed into “hibernation” during the “sede vacante” period starting when Pope Benedict as “His Holiness,” but after his resignation, he will add the title “emeritus” in one of XVI steps down. two acceptable forms, either “pope emeritus” or “Roman pontiff emeritus.” Also, while the papal tweets go on hiatus, the Vatican’s Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, Secretariat of State will be preparing to launch its first said decisions about how the pope would be addressed tweet from its new Twitter account @TerzaLoggia. and what he would wear were made in consultation with The name “Pontifex,” meaning The new account, which had 2,000 followers and no Pope Benedict and with Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the tweets as of Feb. 26, will offer official news and informachamberlain of the Church, along with others. “bridge builder” and “pope,” tion, ideally starting during the “interregnum,” the period New attire was chosen to refer “to the between popes. After Feb. 28, Pope Benedict will continue to wear a While the exact launch date is not known, Greg Burke, office more than the person,” white cassock, but it will be a simplified version of the media adviser to the Vatican’s Secretariat of State, told papal vestment, mainly without the little white cape Catholic News Service: “Stay tuned. It’ll be sooner rather and highlights the leader of the piece on the shoulders, Father Lombardi told reporters than later.” Church and the Catholic Feb. 26. Temporarily inactive Pope Benedict will leave behind his emblematic red faithful. Meanwhile, contrary to some news reports, the @Ponshoes, Father Lombardi said. Instead, he will wear brown MSGR. PAUL TIGHE, tifex account will not be permanently shut down after shoes, beginning with loafers he was given as a gift last SECRETARY OF THE PONTIFICAL the pope resigns Feb. 28, but will merely remain inactive March during a visit to Leon, Mexico. COUNCIL FOR SOCIAL COMMUNICATIONS for the period of the “sede vacante.” The Jesuit said the pope has found the zapatos to be The name “Pontifex,” meaning “bridge builder” and very comfortable. “pope,” was chosen to refer “to the office more than the The safety of the pope emeritus will be ensured by the person,” and highlights the leader of the Church and Vatican police, Father Lombardi said. the Catholic faithful, said Msgr. Paul Tighe, secretary of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications. Three hours before his pontificate ends, Pope Benedict intends to fly by helicopter Tweets in nine different languages are scheduled to be sent during Pope Benedict’s to the papal summer villa at Castel Gandolfo. last general audience in St. Peter’s Square Feb. 27 and after his morning meeting with At 8 p.m. Feb. 28 — the exact moment Pope Benedict has said he will cease being cardinals Feb. 28, Burke said Feb. 26. pope — the Swiss Guards stationed at the main doors of the papal villa at Castel After the “sede vacante” begins at 8 p.m. Rome time Feb. 28, the profile picture Gandolfo will withdraw and close the doors, Father Lombardi said. and name of Pope Benedict on the @Pontifex site will be taken down and replaced The Vatican gendarmes will take over. with a graphic of the “sede vacante” symbol, which is a special striped umbrella exPope Benedict also will give the College of Cardinals his “fisherman’s ring” and tended over a pair of crossed keys. seal to be broken, as is usually done upon the death of a pope, the spokesman said. Vatican Radio said “@Pontifex will be available for use by the next pope as he may The pope will go back to wearing an episcopal ring he wore as a cardinal. wish.”
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THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • FEBRUARY 28, 2013
Weigel outlines challenges, opportunities for today’s Church The Catholic Spirit In his latest book, Evangelical Catholicism: Deep Reform in the 21st-Century Church, George Weigel, Distinguished Senior Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C., presents a wide-reaching look at the current challenges and opportunities confronting the Catholic Church. He shows how Counter-Reformation Catholicism is giving way to a new era in the Church that will challenge Catholics to live lives of greater integrity and passion and enter into mission territory daily. Weigel talked about the challenges and opportunities facing the Church today in a recent email interview with The Catholic Spirit.
“There is no Catholicism that can withstand
the assault of aggressive secularism that is not well-formed, sacramentally enriched, and biblically literate Catholicism.
”
GEORGE WEIGEL
What is “evangelical Catholicism”? It’s the Church of the New Evangelization: A Church that understands itself as a communion of disciples in mission, and in which every disciple understands himself or herself to have been baptized into a missionary vocation. Why does the Church need this approach? What’s so different about the world and the Church today compared to past generations? Fifty years ago, the Church could maintain itself and grow by sheer momentum: People were baptized into the Church and remained in the Church because there was no real tension between the Church and the culture, and the corrosive powers of secularism had not begun to cause massive doubt about fundamental truths of the Catholic faith. All that has changed. The culture is hostile and the Church has to be pro-active: it has to respond to John Paul II’s call at the end of the Great Jubilee of 2000 to “put out into the deep” — to become a Church of evangelical intensity in which every Catholic is a missionary who enters mission territory every day.
Bishops must be ever more effective evangelists themselves if their priests and people are going to be filled with evangelical zeal. And the evangelical intensity of this 21stcentury way of being Catholic will require radically converted lay apostles-to-the-world who are formed by a regular reception of the sacraments and by a regular encounter with the Word of God in the Bible. You talk about having a friendship with Jesus Christ as a key part of evangelical Catholicism. Why is this missing from so many Catholics’ lives today? Why is this friendship so important, and how does one enter into this friendship to begin with?
On many levels, evangelical Catholicism seems to resemble the reality and dynamics of the early Church — is that a correct way to view it? It’s certainly a recovery of certain dynamics of the early Church, which heard the Lord’s Great Commission and set about fulfilling it.
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Adult faith formation is essential. The Church is full of a lot of what I call, in the book, “baptized pagans:” men and women who think of themselves as “Catholic” but for whom that identifier doesn’t mean much in terms of religious practice, manner of life, or action as a citizen. There is no Catholicism that can withstand the assault of aggressive secularism that is not well-formed, sacramentally enriched, and biblically literate Catholicism. How did Pope Benedict bring the need for this new approach into sharper focus during his pontificate? What must the next pope do to sharpen the focus even further, particularly in the near term? Benedict XVI’s signature phrase, in his catechesis and preaching, has been “friendship with Jesus Christ,” which he has put squarely at the heart of the New Evangelization. If the next pope manifests a radical and transparent discipleship based on a deep personal friendship with Christ, the answer to the question that is every human life, the New Evangelization will move [to] . . . an even higher gear. Among the necessary reforms that you outline in the book, are there some more urgent and needed in the short term than others? I would think that the most urgent need at the moment is the acceleration of the appointment of evangelically assertive and compelling bishops throughout the Church. In your opinion, what will be the fruits of evangelical Catholicism over the next several decades and further into the future? Evangelical Catholicism aims at nothing less than the conversion of culture. If it succeeds in that, the Church will grow and a badly wounded culture will begin to be healed, with important and positive effects in American public life.
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“Beauty awakens the soul to act.” Dante Alighieri
This Catholic Life FEBRUARY 28, 2013
Opinion, feedback and points to ponder
THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT
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Evangelizing through beauty
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n his masterpiece “Brideshead Revisited,” Evelyn Waugh implicitly lays out a program of evangelization that has particular relevance to our time. “Brideshead” refers to a great manor house owned by a fabulously wealthy Catholic family in the England of the 1920s. In the complex semiotic schema of Waugh’s novel, the mansion functions as a symbol of the Catholic Church, which St. Paul had referred to as the “bride of Christ.” To Brideshead comes, at the invitation of his friend Sebastian, Charles Ryder, an Oxford student, devotee of the fine arts and casual agnostic. Charles is overwhelmed by the sheer majesty of Brideshead’s architecture and the sumptuousness of its artistic program, which includes magnificent Father painting and sculpture, as well as a Robert Barron fountain of Bernini-like delicacy and a chapel that was a riot of baroque decoration. Living within the walls of the manor, Charles mused, was to receive an entire artistic education. The beauty of the place would entrance Charles for the rest of his life, drawing him back again and again. In the course of his many visits, Charles came, of course, to know the inhabitants of the house: Sebastian’s strange and beguiling family. Especially through Sebastian’s mother, the aristocratic and devoutly Catholic Lady Marchmain, he became familiar with the moral demands of the Catholic Church, especially as they pertained to Sebastian’s increasing problem with alcohol. For many years, Charles joined Sebastian in his friend’s rebellion against these strictures, but in time, he came to appreciate their importance, indeed their indispensability. Finally, at the very close of the story, we learn that Charles, the erstwhile agnostic, had come to embrace the coherent philosophical system of Catholicism and to worship the eucharistic Lord, who was enshrined in the beautiful chapel at Brideshead. Many years after entering that chapel as a mere aesthete, he knelt down in it as a believer.
Commentary
Moving from beauty to truth This brief and utterly inadequate summary of Waugh’s narrative is meant simply to highlight a rhythm that happens, I would argue, in effective evangelization. The best evangelical strategy is one that moves from the beautiful to the good, and finally, to the true. Especially within our cultural matrix, so dominated by relativism and the valorization of the right to create one’s own system of meaning, commencing with either moral demand or the claim to truth will likely raise insuperable blocks in the person one wishes to evangelize. (Who are you to tell me how to behave or what to believe? How can you be so arrogant as to think that you should impose your thought patterns on me?) This is precisely why moralizing and intellectualizing are often non-starters in regard to persuasion. But there is something unthreatening about the beautiful. Just look at the Sistine Chapel ceiling or the Parthenon or Chartres Cathedral or Picasso’s “Guernica”; just read “The Divine Comedy” or “Hamlet” or “The Wasteland”; just watch Mother Teresa’s sisters working in the slums of Calcutta or Rory McIlroy’s golf swing or the movements of a ballet dancer. All of these work a sort of alchemy in the soul, and they awaken a desire to participate, to imitate and, finally, to share. Hans Urs von Balthasar, one of the great advocates of the aesthetic approach to religion, said that the
Bigstock.com
Interior of Sainte Chapelle in Paris, France.
beautiful claims the viewer, changes him and then sends him on mission. The pattern is more or less as follows: first the beautiful (how wonderful!), then the good (I want to participate!), and finally, the true (now I understand!). A young man watches a skillfully played game of baseball, and it awakens in him a profound desire to play as well as those whom he admired; and then the actual playing of the game teaches him, from the inside, the rules and rhythms of baseball. A completely inadequate way of drawing a kid into the world of baseball would be to start with a clarification of the rules or with a set of drills. Rather, show him the beauty of baseball, and he will want to play, and having played, he will know.
A different approach The same applies, more convincingly, in regard to religion. I might suggest that the evangelist start with the Sainte Chapelle or the life of Francis of Assisi or the Little Flower’s “Story of a Soul” or Thomas Merton’s “Seven Storey Mountain” or Gregorian chant, or perhaps best of
all, a carefully executed liturgy of the Roman rite. These would function in the manner of “Brideshead,” captivating even the most bored agnostic. Then, the wager goes, the captivation would lead to a desire, perhaps vague at first, to participate in the moral universe that made those artistic expressions possible. And, finally, the participation would conduce toward a true and experiential understanding of the thought patterns that undergird that way of life. First the beautiful, then the good, then the true. I wonder whether this winsome aesthetic approach might prove more fruitful in a postmodern culture so instinctively skeptical of dogma, either intellectual or moral. Father Robert Barron is the founder of the global ministry, Word on Fire, and the rector/president of Mundelein Seminary in the Archdiocese of Chicago. He is the creator of the award winning documentary series, “Catholicism.” Word on Fire will be releasing “The New Evangelization” documentary this year. Learn more at WWW.WORDONFIRE.ORG.
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THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • FEBRUARY 28, 2013
Commentary
/ This Catholic Life
Pope Benedict XVI: Pope of peace
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Faith in the Public Arena Jason Adkins
His World Day of Peace messages read like little primers on the Church’s social teaching
hen Pope Benedict XVI announced he was abdicating the papacy, the speculation immediately began about the qualifications of the next pope. Many, of course, have strong opinions. Whatever one thinks or hopes for in a new pontiff, it will be a blessing if the next pope is able to skillfully apply the perennial wisdom of the Catholic faith to the deepest challenges of our time, just as Pope Benedict XVI has done and for which he will long be remembered with gratitude. One particular collection of the Holy Father’s teachings stands out in this regard, namely, the eight messages he composed for the World Day of Peace, which is observed annually on Jan. 1.
Guided by justice, truth It is no surprise that Pope Benedict would have taken great care with his own hand to craft these messages. As he notes in his very first message for the 39th World Day of Peace in 2006, he chose the name Benedict in honor of St. Benedict, who laid the groundwork for a civilization of peace, and for Pope Benedict XV, who pleaded for peace during the endless slaughter of World War I. This pope was deeply committed to peace. But it was not “peace” in the bumper sticker sense, or understood simply as the absence of conflict, or in the “naïve optimism” of people who ignore the ever-present reality of sin in human affairs. Instead, peace for Pope Benedict XVI is, in the words of his teacher St. Augustine, the “tranquility of order.” Peace is “the fruit of an order which
has been planted in human society by its divine Founder, an order which must be brought about by humanity in its thirst for ever more perfect justice” (“In Truth, Peace,” Jan. 1, 2006, paragraph 3). In other words, peace finds its source in rightly ordered relationships — that is, those that are “just” — among them, the relationship between God and man, the relationship between men themselves and society, the relationship of nations, and the relationship of humanity to the created order. In this sense, we can properly understand the oft-quoted statement of Pope Paul VI, echoed by Pope Benedict XVI, that if you want peace, you must work for justice. Recourse to a standard of justice, and the acknowledgement of the presence of injustice, first depend, however, on the recognition that there are objective truths and principles that should guide human affairs, and that some things and acts are good and some are bad. So in his first Peace Day message, the Holy Father ambitiously reminded all of humanity that acknowledgement of the truth leads us on a path to peace. In subsequent messages, he called our attention to certain truths that have been questioned, undermined, or outright attacked in the world of culture and politics, particularly the dignity of the human person, the recognition of which is at the “heart of peace.” The dignity of the human person
is protected through observance of the natural law. Therefore, according to Pope Benedict, “the natural law should not be viewed as externally imposed decrees, as restraints upon human freedom. Rather, they should be welcomed as a call to carry out faithfully the universal divine plan inscribed in the nature of human beings. Guided by these norms, all peoples — within their respective cultures — can draw near to the greatest mystery, which is the mystery of God. Today too, recognition and respect for natural law represents the foundation for a dialogue between the followers of the different religions and between believers and non-believers. As a great point of convergence, this is also a fundamental presupposition for authentic peace” (“The Human Person, The Heart of Peace,” Jan. 1, 2007, paragraph 3). Certain principles follow from the natural law. The dignity of the human person is secured by: protecting the family, “a community of peace”; ensuring religious liberty, “the path to peace”; and combating poverty, which “builds peace.” Each of these was the theme of its own Peace Day message.
Other themes To be sure, important geopolitical matters were also a focus of these Peace Day messages. Pope Benedict XVI placed special emphasis on the “ecology of peace” — the proper relationship between humanity and the created order. An ecology of peace depends on the recognition of the interdepend-
ence of the “natural ecology” and the “human ecology.” According to the Holy Father, “experience shows that disregard for the environment always harms human coexistence, and vice versa” (“The Human Person,” paragraph 8). Other themes included: the potential for injustice and armed conflict due to the global competition for scarce natural resources; the importance of international humanitarian law; a reminder that just war criteria must be applied in armed conflict, and that there was a need for its continued development and re-evaluation in light of the presence of ever more destructive and sophisticated weapons; recognition of the rights of workers and the need for policies that foster universal employment; the need for ethical structures to govern currency and financial markets; and the conflicts caused by the growing gap between rich and poor. Taken together, Pope Benedict XVI’s World Day of Peace messages read like little primers on the Church’s social teaching. They offer a blueprint for promoting peace in our time by addressing some of the key challenges that undermine the “tranquility of order” — the just ordering of many different relationships. Personally, I think we can make few better acts of thanksgiving for Pope Benedict XVI and his pontificate than to study these important messages and re-commit ourselves to becoming people of peace. Jason Adkins is executive director of the Minnesota Catholic Conference.
The new Trojan horse: The HHS mandate and our religious liberty
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Commentary Father Timothy Cloutier
It is a ruse that plays on the sensibilities of faith — that is, on compassion, charity and fairness — as its disguise
nable to breach the walls of the City of Troy with a frontal assault, the Greek attackers constructed a giant horse and hid inside soldiers who would later, under cover of darkness, sneak out and open the gates of the city. The utter destruction of Troy and its passing from history was the result. The Greeks had played on the sensibilities and values of the Trojans as the basis for their ruse. The horse was the symbol and embodiment of what it meant to be a Trojan. The current form of the Health and Human Services Mandate (HHS) of the Obama White House is a Trojan horse for those who hold dear their constitutionally guaranteed exercise of freedom of religion. It is a ruse that plays on the sensibilities of faith — that is, on compassion, charity and fairness — as its disguise.
Heart of the issue On the surface of it, universal health care and affordable coverage sound good and desirable to anyone who professes faith in a loving and compassionate God and who embraces genuine concern for those unable to afford even a minimum of affordable health care for themselves and their families.
“In other words, we are being told: ‘You
can believe, preach and practice whatever you want in your churches, synagogues, mosques or temples, but you may not exercise your freedom of religion or of conscience anywhere else.’
”
FATHER TIMOTHY CLOUTIER
But it isn’t the provision for either that is at issue; it is what it mandates for people of faith, of any faith, that is the problem — the “soldiers” who will sneak out and undermine the defenses of the City of Faith.
clause” of the Constitution’s First Amendment, that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”
The Founding Fathers of this republic realized that, in the words of Thomas Jefferson, “No provision in our Constitution ought to be dearer to man than that which protects the rights of conscience against the enterprises of the civil authority.”
The first president of the United Sates, George Washington, stated that “the conscientious scruples of all men should be treated with great delicacy and tenderness; and it is my wish and desire, that the laws may always be extensively accommodated to them.”
This latest “enterprise of civil authority,” the HHS mandate, effectively overrides the “free exercise
The 44th president sees it quite differently. It is the intent of this administration to limit the exercise of
religion strictly to places of worship, banning the influence or practice of one’s faith in the social forum. In other words, we are being told: “You can believe, preach and practice whatever you want in your churches, synagogues, mosques or temples, but you may not exercise your freedom of religion or of conscience anywhere else.” Many of the provisions of the HHS mandate as it currently stands have nothing to do with authentic health care, but are a not-too-thinly-veiled attempt at the highest level of the federal government to restrict and undermine not only the free exercise of religion as identified in the U.S. Constitution, but the underlying freedom of conscience of people of faith in this country. This is to be accomplished by forcing religious employers to fund practices in opposition to their beliefs. The real issue here, then, is not one of forcing anyone to accept the teachings and doctrines of any faith group, since those teachings are not what are being debated. It is rather one of the federal government clearly attempting to force religious employers PLEASE TURN TO MANDATE ON PAGE 11B
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THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • FEBRUARY 28, 2013
Mandate not merely a ‘Catholic issue’
Celebration Ce ele el leb ebr bra rat ati tio ion on
Attack on human dignity
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10B — church-related or individuals — to apply their resources to the funding of practices contrary to their convictions. Religious employers of hospitals, clinics, schools, group homes, adoption agencies and many other outreach or ministerial activities would fall under this mandate. Believers would be forced to pay for the gamut of “preventive health care for women,” a disingenuous euphemism that includes abortions, contraceptives and abortifacients, and very likely the many ethically questionable and growing number of life-ending procedures. The question begs itself: How does this undermine religious freedom? If people of faith are forced to act contrary to their beliefs, it is obviously an untoward infringement of their freedom of conscience, but equally forces upon them a public counterwitness to their beliefs.
Nor are these serious issues and problems with the HHS mandate in its current form a merely “Catholic issue.” They will affect people of faith of whatever religion, and even those with none, whose moral consciences will be violated by its provisions. In 1979, Blessed Pope John Paul II, in his first encyclical letter, “Redemptor Hominis,” wrote: “Certainly the curtailment of the religious freedom of individuals and communities is not only a painful experience but it is above all an attack on man’s very dignity, independently of the religion professed or of the concept of the world which these individuals and communities have. The curtailment and violation of religious freedom are in contrast with man’s dignity and his objective rights” (n. 17).
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Colleges & Careers CATHOLIC SPIRIT
A Catholic Spirit special section
FEBRUARY 28, 2013
Catholic identity is key for new St. Thomas president we delivered on the promise? Have we educated people who are, as our mission statement says at St. Thomas, morally responsible leaders who think critically, act wisely and work skillfully to advance the common good? How do we demonstrate that?
Julie Sullivan, 56, was named earlier this month as the new president of the University of St. Thomas. She currently serves as executive vice president and provost at the University of San Diego, a Catholic university. A native of Florida, she is married with four adult children, two of them adopted from Ethiopia. She talked to The Catholic Spirit about the job she will take over on July 1. Sullivan will succeed Father Dennis Dease, who served as president for 22 years. She will be the first woman and the first layperson to hold the position.
What kind of relationship do you envision with the archdiocese and Archbishop John Nienstedt? I have had dialogue with the leaders of the archdiocese about a very open and supportive relationship. Bishop [Lee] Piché was a member of the search committee, and he played a very active and important role in the process. Then, during my visit to the University of St. Thomas, I was able to meet one-on-one with Archbishop Nienstedt. I was honored to have that opportunity, and I was very pleased with the warmth and openness of his welcome.
Tell us a little about your faith life. My faith life really permeates every aspect of my life. I feel that I am walking hand in hand, through my daily journey, with God. I feel that my faith really has been and will continue to be the source of my strength, my peace, my wisdom, my joy.
What did the two of you talk about in that meeting? We talked about mostly the importance of being able to have open communication and dialogue with each other.
To what parish do you currently belong? My husband and I attend Mass at Mary Star of the Sea, a parish in La Jolla [Calif.], which is where our home is located. What is the biggest challenge today regarding Catholic identity facing Catholic institutions of higher learning, and how do you plan to address that challenge? I could talk about this one for half a day. The curriculum and the learning experience in a Catholic university is fundamentally based on the Catholic intellectual tradition. We will need to
Dave Hrbacek / The Catholic Spirit
Julie Sullivan delivers remarks during a press conference Feb. 14 where she was announced as the next president of the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. Listening to her comments are Archbishop John Nienstedt, top row, second from left; Father Kevin McDonough and Bishop Lee Piché, both members of the Board of Trustees. At bottom right is Father Dennis Dease, who will retire as president June 30.
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Some people are worried that having a layperson as president — and not a priest, as has been the case up to now — is a sign that UST isn't as serious as it once was about its Catholic identity. How would you respond to people who have that concern? I think, first, I need to acknowledge and say I understand their concern. Whenever PLEASE TURN TO UST ON PAGE 13B
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Colleges & Careers
FEBRUARY 28, 2013 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT
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UST mission, Catholic intellectual tradition will guide Sullivan CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12B there’s a change, it’s our human nature to seek to determine what the impact of that change might be. I hope my appointment as a Catholic layperson will be seen — and this will take more time for some and less time for others — as a sign that the University of St. Thomas wants to be the best Catholic university we can be. I think that the Board of Trustees was very courageous and insightful to open their search to all Roman Catholics, lay or religious, men and women, in their desire to attract the best person for the position, knowing that a paramount responsibility of this position will always be to ensure that the University of St. Thomas nurtures, sustains and deepens its Catholic identity. The UST student body is diverse but includes many Catholic students. What kind of faith experience do you want Catholic students to have at St. Thomas? I want all students at St. Thomas to find the opportunities to learn more about themselves and their relationship with their God and to deepen their personal faith. I think that is why we attract nonCatholic as well as Catholic students. People who are seeking that faith journey are particularly attracted to the University of St. Thomas. Obviously, for our Catholic students, we have a special responsibility. They have come here knowing and seeking a special deepening of their faith at a Catholic university. My understanding of the mission and ministry programs at the University
LEAD. INFLUENCE.
of St. Thomas is that they are very active in helping our Catholic students in particular, but our non-Catholic students as well, on their faith journey. How is working for a faith-based institution different from working for one that isn't faith-based? I think you operate from a wider platform [at a faith-based school]. You’re now dealing with the whole person. You’re now dealing with the pursuit of truth through faith and reason. The dialogue is richer and broader, and I have found it to be very personally rewarding. And, I’ve also found it to be an enormously valuable educational experience for our students at a faith-based university. What will be your top priorities in your first year on campus? My top priorities are going to be to assess our strengths, assess our opportunities, determine the three to five priorities that we are going to rally around, and then begin to set the goals and develop the initiatives that it’s going to take to hold ourselves accountable for reaching those goals. Our priorities will be . . . very broad, things like our Catholic intellectual tradition, how it’s reflected in our learning experience, the academic rigor and excellence of our programs, the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit that’s reflected in our programs, our international engagement, engagement in the local community. You have two children from Ethiopia: Are they adopted?
Change your life.
Dave Hrbacek / The Catholic Spirit
Read more about the selection of Julie Sullivan, above, as the next president of the University of St. Thomas at THECATHOLICSPIRIT.COM.
Yes they are. My husband Bob actually adopted Almaz and Tadessa when he was a single person in the mid ’70s. He went to Ethiopia, initially in the Peace Corps. The Peace Corps left due to the unrest that was occurring during that time. It was a time of famine, and ultimately, of
the downfall of [then-Emperor] Haile Selassie. But, when the Peace Corps left, my husband stayed. He lived there for around five years and was teaching at the national PLEASE TURN TO NEW ON PAGE 14B
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CATHOLIC SPIRIT • FEBRUARY 28, 2013
Colleges & Careers
New president wants students to make a difference CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13B university there. He was speaking Amharic [national language of the country] and he tells me that he intended to stay there forever. However, when there was the coup — the emperor was ousted — he had to leave for his own personal safety. He had lived with an Ethiopian family during his time there, and the mother begged him to take one of the children, for fear that they were going to die of starvation. He said, “I can’t take one, I need to take two, so they’ll have each other.” He came back to the United States and went through what turned out to be a very difficult process for a single man to adopt international children. Having them in our lives and in our family, being just an integral part of our family, but then also having the richness in knowing their Ethiopian family as well, has been an immense source of joy. Our Ethiopian daughter Almaz now lives in Antwerp. She finished her MBA at the University of Michigan and worked in the banking sector in San Francisco and met her husband and married. He’s from Belgium, so unfortunately, they’re far away. They have two little girls who are adopted from Ethiopia. It’s really been special. And, our son Tadessa lives in North Carolina. Are you aware that right down the road is a Catholic women's university — St. Catherine University — that has a woman president, Sister Andrea Lee? Have you spoken with her? I am extremely aware of . . . St. Catherine University down the road. I have had
the opportunity to meet Sister Andrea Lee at some of the meetings of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities. The two of us share some very close and dear friends. One of the things that attracted me to this job was the opportunity to collaborate with a dynamic and creative and visionary person such as Andrea. And, I’m very anxious, as soon as I get settled in, to begin conversations with her on how we can collaborate. Certainly, as soon as I arrive there, I hope to cultivate what I hope will be a wonderful friendship and a wonderful partnership. I know Father Dease speaks extremely highly of Andrea and of his valuable collaboration with her. Tell us a little more about your work at the University of San Diego. What are you most proud of accomplishing there? One of my recent accomplishments was the designation of our campus by Ashoka as a Changemaker Campus. This designation is something I’m really proud of. There currently are 19 universities in the world so designated. I think Ashoka [a nonprofit organization based in Arlington, Va., USA, that supports social entrepreneurship] aspires to have 30 by the Year 2015. The reason I’m so proud of this is it is a designation that says we are achieving the outcome — we are inspiring and equipping students to challenge themselves and change the world. We are doing it, we are helping them become aware of the challenges of our society, of our community, of our world, and we’re helping, empowering and inspiring them to make a differ-
Send notice of your upcoming parish event to SPIRITCALENDAR@ARCHSPM .ORG
ence. At the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about for me. Would you like St. Thomas to also achieve that designation? I certainly hope so. But it’s something that has to be a community-embraced goal because the work of one person will not do it. You need a leader that advocates clearly, but you need all the grassroots efforts of your faculty and your students and your staff to achieve it. The rising cost of tuition is an issue at St. Thomas and elsewhere. What will you do to address that? That has been an issue I have certainly been very aware of and talking about and working with at the University of San Diego. We have worked extremely hard to keep our tuition increases as low as possible, and to be very judicious when we increase tuition. We constantly strive to articulate the value and relevancy of our education, but also that we are trying to deliver it at the most reasonable cost possible. Is there anything you’d really like our Catholic community here in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis to know about you? That I’m so looking forward to being a part of their community. Since this has been announced, I have discovered that I know many people with Minnesota roots and many Catholics who have enjoyed and still enjoy a wonderful faith community there. I’m just really looking forward to discovering it and being part of it.
Children’s Program of Northern Ireland Host Families Needed for Summer 2013! Open your heart and home for five weeks this summer to a 10- or 11-year old child from Northern Ireland. Over 5,000 Catholic and Protestant boys and girls from Belfast and the surrounding communities have experienced the hospitality of families like yours throughout the Program’s 40 years of operation. Children selected to participate will arrive in the Twin Cities on June 27th and depart on July 31st with a life time of memories. For more information, please call our office at (651) 405-1108 or check our website at www.cpni.org and/or our facebook page www.facebook.com/childrensprogramofni to find out how your family can participate.
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THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • FEBRUARY 28, 2013
ANNUAL REPORT
ARCHDIOCESE OF ST. PAUL AND MINNEAPOLIS FISCAL YEAR 2012
Letter from Archbishop John Nienstedt Dear Friends in Christ,
See pages 16B -17B for the financial summary information United in Faith, Hope and Love
The Catholics of this local Church are generous with their time, talent and treasure, and your giving spirit makes possible the many faith-filled good works carried out across our archdiocese. This sense of stewardship shines again in the annual financial summary report for the archdiocese, which I am pleased to present to you. This report covers the 2012 fiscal year, which ended June 30. The financial statements depict a steadily improving financial condition. Thanks to you, support for ministry across this great archdiocese remains strong. I am grateful to all local Catholics for their continuing and generous support not only to the Catholic Services Appeal, but also to their parishes in 2012. This generous support allowed our total revenue for the past fiscal year to slightly exceed revenue for the previous year, despite the persistent economic uncertainty. Parish assessments grew by 6 percent in fiscal 2012 as compared to fiscal 2011, and gifts to the Catholic Services Appeal grew by 11 percent in fiscal 2012 as compared to the previous year. Operating expenses increased 1.7 percent in 2012 over the previous year. This was due in part to continued improvements to data and accounting systems at the archdiocesan level that benefit parishes and schools across the archdiocese. The increase also reflects streamlining and augmentation of communications functions, enhancement of Catholic schools marketing efforts and foundational work for our Rediscover: evangelization and catechesis initiative. Your support made all of this and more possible. In addition to recent high-profile programs and initiatives of the archdiocese, there are the continued efforts to support our ongoing obligations to our entire faith community: ■ Support for clergy who attend to your sacramental and spiritual needs; ■ Support for the Catholic schools, as well as organizational support for faith formation and youth ministry programs that build up the faith of our young people; ■ Support for Latino ministry outreach to support the needs of local Spanish-speaking Catholics — including a new catechetical institute, a biblical institute and a leadership institute; ■ Support for the work of Catholic Charities to help the needy, the elderly, immigrants and at-risk youth; ■ Support for the many marriage, family, and life programs and events that serve to strengthen marriage, build up families and promote the dignity of life from conception to natural death; ■ Support for retired priests and religious after a life of dedication to others. There remains a certain level of risk associated with the sustainability of parish and school operations. Parish assessments support essential functions, so financial instability at the parish level can threaten this essential support. We are working with parishes and schools to improve sustainability through ongoing evaluation, greater accountability and improved collaboration as outlined in the 2010 Strategic Plan. We’ve made significant progress in this area. I wish to especially thank members of the Archdiocesan Finance Council for their continued diligence in financial oversight. And I wish to thank you for your continued support. Together, we are making this local Church stronger and more responsive to the pastoral needs of all of our brothers and sisters in Christ. Together, we can ensure a sustainable and vibrant future for the parishes, schools and other Catholic institutions across the 12 counties of the archdiocese. Together, we are making the name of Christ and his Church known and loved through our community united in faith, hope and love. Cordially yours in Christ, The Most Reverend John C. Nienstedt Archbishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis
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Annual Report
THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • FEBRUARY 28, 2013
The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis Notes to condensed financial statements for the years ended June 30, 2012 and 2011
Condensed Statement of Activities as of June 30, 2012 and 2011 2012
2011
$ 4,052,128 13,528,112
$ 3,316,849 12,709,785
7,586,403 5,681,255 1,227,658 8,180,559
6,859,208 5,466,881 3,610,690 7,987,814
40,256,115
39,951,227
Archdiocesan Programs General and Administrative Fundraising General Insurance Program
26,989,381 2,337,261 1,241,460 6,591,727
26,550,050 2,002,479 1,136,679 6,837,095
Total Expense
37,159,829
36,526,303
Revenue Contributions Parish assessments Catholic Services Appeal, net of parish rebates Program revenues, fees and other Investment income and gains (losses) General Insurance Program Total Revenue
Expense
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets $3,096,286 $3,424,924
Condensed Statement of Financial Position as of June 30, 2012 and 2011 2012
2011
6,666,786 — 8,635,064
$$ 12,758,008 167,835 8,106,228
1,980,540 18,822,143 9,150,469 419,061 10,304,976
7,423,029 18,452,313 4,846,981 210,537 9,562,209
$ 55,969,039
$ 61,527,140
Assets Cash and equivalents $$ Restricted cash Receivables, net of reserves Loans receivables from parishes and related entities, net of reserves Investments and interest in perpetual trusts General Insurance Program assets Prepaid expenses Land, property and equipment, net Total Assets
Liabilities and Net Assets Liabilities Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ General Insurance Program liabilities Catholic Services Appeal rebates to parishes Collections held for others Notes payable Deposits due parishes and other related entities
3,216,065 4,537,132 1,385,825 225,524 —
$ 5,457,880 4,662,453 1,723,437 568,525 5,740,000
3,670,963
3,537,601
$ 13,035,509
$ 21,689,896
Net Assets Unrestricted Designated to General Insurance Program 15,354,928 Other 23,465,950 Temporarily Restricted 2,338,570 Permanently Restricted 1,774,082
13,766,057 22,174,636 2,014,353 1,882,198
$ 42,933,530
$ 39,837,244
Total Liabilities
Total Net Assets
Total Liabilities and Net Assets
$ 55,969,039 $ 61,527,140
Organization The St. Paul and Minneapolis Archdiocese is an ecclesiastical division of the Roman Catholic Church comprised of 12 Minnesota counties. It was established in 1850 and elevated to an archdiocese in 1888. The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis (the “Archdiocesan Corporation”) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Minnesota as a religious corporation in 1883. The Archdiocesan Corporation exists as part of the jurisdiction of its archbishop over the spiritual and temporal affairs of the ecclesiastical division. While the Archdiocesan Corporation owns temporal goods (personal and real property) and conducts spiritual and charitable activities of its own, it does not own parishes, schools and other separately administered and organized operations of the Roman Catholic Church within the geographic area.
Basis of presentation The financial statements include all administrative and program offices and departments of the Archdiocesan Corporation. The financial statements do not include the assets, liabilities and operations of the parishes, schools and other separately incorporated and administered operations of the Roman Catholic Church within the archdiocese. The Archdiocesan Corporation is related to these organizations and entities through some common board members. The financial statements recognize restrictions on certain net assets of the Archdiocesan Corporation. Where contributions carry temporary or permanent restrictions on use, the related net assets are carried separately. The Archdiocesan Corporation secures comprehensive uniform risk protection for affiliated entities throughout the archdiocese, including parishes and schools through an activity known as the Archdiocesan General Insurance Program. The program has a separate committee of advisors. In addition to the accounts identified in the condensed financial statements, the program has $10.7 million of funded reserves that are co-invested with other funds of the Archdiocesan Corporation. While assets and reserves for the program are shown
on the financial statements of the Archdiocesan Corporation, they are held for the benefit of the program and its participants.
Financial statements The financial statements of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis for the above periods were audited by independent certified public accountants who rendered an unqualified opinion on the financial statements. The accompanying condensed statements of financial position and activities are prepared from the audited financial statements but, in the interest of brevity, do not contain a similar level of detail and are not accompanied by complete explanatory footnotes. Accordingly, the opinion of the independent certified public accountants is not presented.
Other programs The Archdiocesan Corporation acts as a conduit for special collections in the parishes designated by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (“USCCB National Collections”) or for local purposes. During 2012, $1.7 million was contributed by parish communities for such collections and sent to the Archdiocesan Corporation for remittance. This amount includes $200,000 for service of debt at the Cathedral parish resulting from the building restoration. The Growing In Faith Campaign was initiated in 2001 and is currently in the collection phase. While the Archdiocesan Corporation is not a direct beneficiary of the campaign, its development department manages the campaign effort and a separate cash function. The goal of the campaign was $115 million and as of June 30, 2012 approximately $110 million had been pledged which, after allowances and discounts, had an estimated realizable present value of $87 million. Pledges of approximately $80,000 were collected in 2012 and $1.3 million is expected subsequent to June 30, 2012.
Commitments The Archdiocesan Corporation has entered into a number of contracts with lending institutions to assist affiliated parishes and schools with credit for facility additions. This includes loan guarantees that aggregate approximately $69 million at June 30, 2012.
Annual Report
FEBRUARY 28, 2013 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT
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Archdiocesan finance officer report The following comments elaborate on the condensed financial statements of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012
Program Expenses 2012 — 2011
By John F. Bierbaum At June 30, 2012, the financial condition of the archdiocese is improved, and the financial result of activities in the fiscal year then ended resulted in a surplus of $3.1 million. The bulk of the surplus can be attributed to the insurance program ($1.6 million) and income from investments ($1.2 million).
2012 2011 Amount of program costs covered by net CSA Revenue
Revenue Total revenue for 2012 reached $40,256,000 as compared to $39,951,000 in 2011. The primary sources of revenue, parish assessments and the Catholic Services Appeal (CSA), were up 6 percent and 11 percent respectively in 2012. The increase in assessments is reflective of increased contributions at parishes during the modest economic recovery that began in 2010. CSA revenue, as reported, are after deductions for rebates to parishes and allowances. On a pre-deduction basis, the CSA generated $9.7 million, greater than goal and the prior year by $200,000. Net CSA income increased more than $200,000 because of a change in the methodology for setting parish goals and rebate qualification. Both speak to the generosity of the Catholic community despite the severe economic conditions and slow recovery. Contributions through unsolicited gifts and bequests increased $736,000 while returns on invested assets decreased $2,383,000 as rates moderated.
Operating expenses Operating expenses totaled $37,160,000 in 2012 as compared to $36,526,000 in 2011. Program costs increased $440,000, while other costs increased $194,000. Following is a narrative that explains the purpose of the various offices of the archdiocese. Accompanying the narrative is a chart depicting the expenditures by program, including a correlation of how CSA revenue was spent for fiscal year 2012 and 2011. The archdiocese accomplishes its mission through the following offices and programs:
Programs and other activities Clergy Services The role of this department is to assist the archbishop in the needs and supervision of clergy in all aspects of ministry and pastoral care which includes the following: • Center of Clergy Formation: Institute of Ongoing Formation for Clergy and the Institute of Diaconate Formation. Each entity of the center will provide an integrated approach to priestly and diaconate formation to include newly ordained priest gatherings, new pastors’ programs and ongoing formation opportunities for the presbyterate/diaconate. • Clergy education: St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity tuition, room and board; St. John Vianney Seminary room and board; Graduation Education program; continuing education; sabbatical program; international enculturation; and a bi-annual presbyteral assembly. • Chaplaincies: Hospital chaplaincy; prison chaplaincy; and oversight of the Comprehensive Priest Assignment Board. • Supervision of various specialized ministries: Support for above services and including the following offices and related organizations: International clergy, Leo C. Byrne Residence, retired clergy, Office of Vocations, and clergy medical and dental and other benefits and support. Community Services The agencies within this department help men, women and children most in need within the local communities, including the poor, hungry, homeless and those with special needs. The archdiocese provides cash and noncash support to Catholic Charities and CommonBond Communities (a housing agency for low- and moderateincome families, the elderly and the handicapped.) In addition, support is provided to parishes stressed by debt
or operational issues. Education The Department of Education includes offices that support the education and formation of children within the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. This support would include: Schools administration, catechesis and providing programmatic oversight of the Legacy Grant, an initiative supporting and transforming our Catholic urban schools. Major responsibilities of this department are to identify systemic needs of the Catholic school system and also to provide subsidies and grants to archdiocesan parish rural and elementary schools, archdiocesan high schools and the campus ministries programs. Parish Services and Outreach The Parish Services and Outreach department provides an outreach ministry to members of the archdiocesan community, many of whom are minority groups, specialized ministries and coalitions. Included are the offices of, or subsidies to: Hispanic ministry, Indian ministry, Venezuelan mission, and Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women. Additionally, included is the Office of Parish Services which supports the work of the Strategic Planning initiative, parish consulting archdiocesan offices, outreach ministries and parish personnel. Central Services The Department of Central Services provides support and services to the central corporation staff and the parishes. The department includes the offices of, or subsidies to: finance, accounting services, printing services, communications, computer services, metropolitan tribunal, human resources, special services, maintenance, other collections and diocesan dues. Additionally, this department provides administrative services to the General Insurance Program, the lay and priest pension plans, the archdiocesan medical benefit plan, and other centralized programs within the archdiocesan community. Marriage, Family and Life This department provides support by assisting the laity and parishes through the offices and programs of: marriage preparation, laity, family, youth and young adults, respect life, pro-life groups, biomedical ethics and outreach for disabilities. This year, the archdiocese also provided significant support for a broad coalition to support marriage in the state of Minnesota. In addition, World Youth Day, National Catholic Youth Conference and other youth events are coordinated through the staffing and support of the department. Community Relations This is the outreach and communications division for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, and it conveys the messages of the archbishop and the archdiocese to the faithful and to many others within the community. It also listens to these audiences and communicates
through a professionally staffed Communications Office and through distribution of assessment for The Catholic Spirit, the official archdiocesan bi-weekly newspaper.
Non-program and other General and Administrative The offices of the archbishop, bishops, moderator of the curia/vicar general, treasurer, administration and finance, and accounting services are included in the General and Administrative reporting. Adjustment of the carrying value of amounts due from parishes and other entities are reflected in the category. Development and Stewardship The Department of Development and Stewardship supports the programs of the archbishop’s Catholic Services Appeal; parish and school stewardship and development consulting; the stewardship conferences, workshops and parish tool kit; planned-giving support; and other archdiocesan fundraising initiatives, including the archdiocesan feasibility study and proposed capital campaign. The expenses within the Development and Stewardship category comprise the archdiocese’s fundraising expense. The CSA funds a portion of the costs associated with it. During 2012, the cost of fundraising was less than 10 cents for each dollar raised. General Insurance Program The General Insurance Program of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis provides comprehensive, uniform coverage of all of the parishes and related entities in the archdiocese, as well as the central Archdiocesan Corporation. The coverage includes building and contents, burglary, personal property, student accident, auto, public library, boilers and workers’ compensation.
Financial position Net assets of the Archdiocesan Corporation were $42,934,000 at the end of fiscal 2012, or $3,097,000 greater than a year earlier. The bulk of the increase was in unrestricted and temporarily restricted net assets. Permanently restricted net assets (endowments and perpetual trusts) decreased $108,000 due to a decrease in the market value of underlying investments which are managed by others. After adjusting the change in net assets for revenue and expense items that did not result in or require cash, operations in 2012 required cash of $629,000 principally due to the timing of payments of current liabilities. In addition to the $629,000 of cash used by operating activities, $5,740,000 was realized from the repayment of a loan by an elementary school and used to retire unPLEASE TURN TO ARCHDIOCESAN ON PAGE 18B
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FEBRUARY 28, 2013 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT
Archdiocesan finance officer report CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17B derlying archdiocesan debt. Cash was used in the amount of $1,619,000 to improve archdiocesan property, equipment and systems.
In summary During 2012, the quality of the archdiocesan balance sheet continued to improve, and significant progress in capacity was made in the year through investment in systems improvements in the areas of fundraising, database management and standardized parish accounting, as well as communication through the Internet. These improvements were possible because of the departmental restructuring that occurred in 2006 and 2007 and the focus on archdiocesan liability and asset management that ensued and continues. Since 2007, expenses in total have increased only 2 percent (or less than ½ percent per year) and a greater proportion of the expenses relate to programs rather than administrative costs. The focus on expenses would have been for naught if
there had not been an increase in resources through contributions, assessments and the Catholic Services Appeal. Those resources, which are directly related to the generosity and devotion of the Catholic faithful, have increased since 2007. The combination of expense control and increase in resources has permitted the archdiocese to reduce entirely external debt by $8.2 million, return $1.9 million in deposits to parishes, segregate an additional $1.9 million in assets for the benefit of the group insurance program and increase the working cash balance by $2.1 million in the last five years. During the same period, the contingent liability under guaranteed parish and school debt has decreased by $40 million. In short, the archdiocese is now in a substantially improved fiscal state. That improvement is important because of issues identified through the recent strategic planning effort around the viability of parishes and schools. The strategies identified by those plans are being implemented through dedication of considerable human and monetary re-
Reaching out to and inviting Latino Catholics is aim of Redescubre: initiative CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3B ships, but they still maintain a deep faith in God. “We want to say to them, ‘The Church is your home. The Church is your community. Here in the sacraments you find the strength and inner freedom we are longing for. It’s not just coming on Sundays. It’s about feeling part of the community. . . . You are a person in the image of God regardless of all the situations that are surrounding you, and he is the one who gives your life true meaning,’” she said. Redescubre: organizers hope to extend the initiative’s outreach in the future. In the meantime, the hope is to have a
large contingent of Latinos at the 2013 Rediscover: Catholic Celebration Oct. 12 at the St. Paul RiverCentre. Pereira said the Latino population is growing locally and around the country and “there is a need for people to understand we are in a very diverse Church.” “Redescubre: is a beautiful opportunity to reach out to Latino Catholics in the archdiocese and invite them, as Pope Benedict XVI has asked us, to rediscover the journey of faith and reaffirm the idea that the meaning and purpose of our lives, the sense of belonging, the strength, the true freedom and peace are already there in the beautiful gift of our Catholic faith,” she said.
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sources at both parish and archdiocesan levels. Unfortunately, unrelenting changes in demographics and economic resource distribution in the archdiocesan community means the situation continues to evolve even as existing plans are consummated. Meeting the challenges of that evolution will require that Archbishop Nienstedt and staff have a strong fiscal base from which to work to improve the mission of the Catholic community as a whole. This is my last annual message concerning the finances of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis as my retirement is now real. It has been an honor to serve Archbishop Flynn and Archbishop Nienstedt and you my brothers and sisters in Christ in this small capacity. John F. Bierbaum was chief financial officer of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis from 2005 to 2012, including the fiscal year covered in this report.
Cardinal welcomes opportunity to discuss mutual concerns with Obama Catholic News Service New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan in a letter to President Barack Obama accepted a White House offer to continue discussing the Catholic Church’s concerns about abortion, traditional marriage and federal rules governing implementation of the Affordable Care Act. “We accept your invitation to address these areas together, always with the civility we have both encouraged in public discourse,” the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops said in the letter Feb. 22. “We welcome specifically an opportunity to resolve the perplexing issue of the redefining of our religious ministries,” Cardinal Dolan wrote. “Surely we should be able to find some ground where neither of us is asked to compromise conscience.” In response to a call from Catholic News Service Feb. 26, a White House official said there was no immediate reaction from Obama to the cardinal’s letter. The cardinal also renewed good wishes and offered prayers for Obama as he prepared to tackle a long list of goals for his second term that were outlined in his inaugural and State of the Union addresses. Recalling a meeting with Obama at the White House, Cardinal Dolan pointed to the president’s stated desire “to cooperate with us for the good of our beloved country,” particularly in the Church’s educational, charitable and health care services. “The bishops of the United States cannot rest so long as the vital ministry the Catholic Church carries out — for people of all or no creeds — remains threatened due to an erosion or loss of the constitutional guarantee of the freedom to serve without violation of our faith,” he said. Cardinal Dolan said Obama’s second term “provides a special opportunity” to strengthen and promote marriage, family, churches and faith-based ministries of service in order to “keep the American dream alive and well for generations to come.” The letter also listed a series of issues in which the U.S. bishops are ready to work with Obama “for the good of all people who live in and love our nation.” Cardinal Dolan specifically mentioned the bishops' support for:
“We welcome
specifically an opportunity to resolve the perplexing issue of the redefining of our religious ministries.
”
CARDINAL TIMOTHY DOLAN In his letter to President Obama
■ Reasonable regulation of firearms. ■ Increased attention to the needs of mentally ill people. ■ Immigration reform. ■ Access to comprehensive, affordable and “life-affirming” health care, “which we believe includes the pre-born child, the undocumented and the dying.” ■ International assistance to the world’s poorest people. ■ Protecting the environment. ■ Education reform, including parental choice. ■ Developing a financially responsible federal budget that protects the poor, sick and elderly. ■ Peace in the Middle East and an end to the war in Afghanistan. ■ Efforts to strengthen family life and uphold the importance of responsible fatherhood. “These issues of mutual importance are hardly new. . . . All of them flow from God’s own holy word in the Bible and the truth about the human person revealed in Jesus as faithfully passed on by the Church,” Cardinal Dolan wrote. “They also resonate, as you have observed, from the most noble values of America, which the founders of our country identified in the Declaration of Independence as ‘self-evident truths,’” he added.
“The golden age is before us, not behind us.” William Shakespeare
From Age to Age FEBRUARY 28, 2013
A Catholic Spirit special section
THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT
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Lenten lesson: Living in the present moment
T
he irony of becoming older is that as we grow in wisdom, we hopefully become wise enough to know that we certainly don’t know everything. Indeed, the paradox is that as we grow older, we realize we must become more and more childlike in our dependence and Deacon abandonment to Dan Gannon God’s loving providence. This is what St. Therese of Lisieux called the “Way of Spiritual Childhood” — it is the secret (or perhaps just overlooked) path to holiness, touching God’s heart and love.
Reflection
This notion is perhaps revealed most beautifully by Our Lord when he says: “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me” (Matthew 18:2-5).
The truth is that being an older adult affords us new and unique opportunities to grow in holiness. But what is holiness? St. Thomas Aquinas says holiness consists simply in doing God’s will (simple in concept, but not in execution). St. Therese lived this out in her life, always recalling her complete, childlike dependence on God and doing little things with great love. As we age, we encounter increasing limitations and even sufferings in mind, body and spirit. Our bodies become less “cooperative.” We are tempted to muse about the past or wring our hands in fear of the future.
A blessing? Perhaps you have experienced loss of a spouse or other loved ones. Is growing older a blessing? Pope Benedict XVI referred to the growing population of elderly in the world as “a blessing for society.” He added, “One may enjoy good health in old age, but equally
Christians should not be afraid to share in the suffering of Christ, if God wills that we struggle with infirmity.” He spoke of the case of the suffering of Pope John Paul II late ST. THERESE OF LISIEUX in life, saying that it “was clear to all of us that he did so in union with the sufferings of our Savior.” His “cheerfulness and forbearance” in that time was a “remarkable and moving example” to all elderly. Especially as older adults, our holiness and treasure is to be found in the present
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moment. God wills, and has permitted us to be here in whatever particular circumstances we find ourselves. This Lent, let us find God’s grace in the “sacrament of the present moment.” Under every appearance, God’s will and consoling grace can be found, if we have faith. So it is very important for us as we find ourselves getting older to live in the present moment, where the Holy Spirit can act and fill us with his light, joy, peace and happiness, even amidst limitations and sufferings of mind, body or spirit. The present moment is where children live, isn’t it? They are not worrying about tomorrow or lamenting yesterday. They just “are!” So let us set aside all fear, for as St. John tells us, “perfect love drives out fear” (1 John 4:18) and abandon ourselves to God’s loving, providential care, trusting in him as a child does his father or mother. Deacon Gannon is president and CEO of Catholic Senior Services.
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20B
From Age to Age
THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • FEBRUARY 28, 2013
Pope Benedict leaves valuable witness for seniors As Ash Wednesday approached, I was thinking that this was going to be a Lent like most others. And then came the news on Feb. 11. Even as I pondered what a papal resignation signified, my thoughts drifted back to another season of high emotion — Lent 2005. A proud member of the John Paul II generation, I Sister will never forget the Contance Veit images of him publicly living out his last days like a long and deliberate way of the cross. Benedict XVI’s final papal Lent has an entirely different tenor. We Little Sisters of the Poor would simply like to offer profound thanks to God for the gift of Pope Benedict at a very challenging time in the life of the Church. We would like to thank him for the canonization of our mother foundress, Saint Jeanne Jugan, in 2009, and for imparting a message of hope to our sisters and elderly residents during a visit to our home in London in 2010. We would also like to reflect on Pope Benedict’s example from the perspective of women religious dedicated to the elderly. In visiting our residents in London, the pope readily admitted that he came among them as a brother who knows both the joys and struggles of advanced age. During a visit to an old age home in Rome in late 2012, he identified himself as “an old man visiting his peers,” even exclaiming that “it is beautiful to be old!” Rare is the public figure who so readily admits his own frailty. At the beginning of his pontificate, Benedict said that “Each of us is willed, each of us is loved, each of us is necessary.” It is worth pondering at any age, but especially as one feels his or her strength and abilities diminishing under the weight of old age. In his first encyclical, Benedict wrote about humility and service. Now he is showing us the way: “We are only instruments in the Lord’s hands; and this knowledge frees us from the presumption of thinking that we alone are personally responsible for building a better world. . . . . To do all we can with what strength we have, however, is the task which keeps the good servant of Jesus Christ always at work: ‘The love of Christ urges us on’ (2 Corinthians 5:14)” (“Deus Caritas Est,” n. 35). There can be no doubt that the love of Christ – and love for the Church – are urging Benedict XVI on as he pursues a life of prayer, hidden from the world. Like so many seniors whose daily Masses, rosaries and petitions serve as a hidden fulcrum lifting up the Church, Benedict will express with his life an insight shared by his predecessor in his “Letter to the Elderly” — “At the very time when their physical energies and their level of activity are decreasing, these brothers and sisters of ours become all the more precious in the mysterious plan of Providence.”
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Opinion
Sister Constance is director of communications for the Little Sisters of the Poor in the United States.
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The Catholic Spirit
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“Gardens are not made by singing 'Oh, how beautiful,' and sitting in the shade.” Rudyard Kipling
The Lesson Plan Reflections on faith and spirituality
FEBRUARY 28, 2013
THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT
Daily Scriptures
“In a very real spiritual sense,
Sunday, March 3 Third Sunday of Lent Exodus 3:1-8a, 13-15 1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12 Luke 13:1-9
we are all fig trees in need of cultivation and fertilization from our heavenly gardener, who is Christ. Through the Lenten springtime, we are cultivated through the sacrament of reconciliation and heartfelt prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
Monday, March 4 2 Kings 5:1-15b Luke 4:24-30 Tuesday, March 5 Daniel 3:25, 34-43 Matthew 18:21-35 Wednesday, March 6 Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9 Matthew 5:17-19
”
Thursday, March 7 Sts. Perpetua and Felicity, martyrs Jeremiah 7:23-28 Luke 11:14-23
DEACON JAMES PETERSON
Friday, March 8 St. John of God Day of abstinence Hosea 14:2-10 Mark 12:28-34 Saturday, March 9 St. Frances of Rome Hosea 6:1-6 Luke 18:9-14
Blooming in the ‘springtime’ of Lent
W
hile the season of spring is still a few weeks away in the eyes of the world, as Catholic Christians we already entered into our own springtime on Ash Wednesday. As a matter of fact, the word “Lent” was originally derived from the Old English word “lencten,” which means, “spring.” So the liturgical season of Lent is quite literally a springtime for us in our Christian journey. Like the popular notion of spring, Lent is a period marked by melting, warming and growing. Those frozen or unnecessary habits that Deacon lead us away from our James relationship with the Peterson Lord slowly melt away over the course of 40 days. Our cool hearts are warmed by the love of Christ as we strive to offer alms, fast from particular foods and drinks, and pray with greater devotion. Finally, our friendship with Jesus Christ grows as he enters into the spaces of our lives that were once filled by other things. In the world around us, it is pretty much a given that there will be snow melting, temperatures warming up and new life growing into being after the cold freeze of winter. However, for the interior springtime to take place within our lives, there needs to be a
Sunday Scriptures
Readings Sunday, March 3 Third Sunday of Lent ■ Exodus 3:1-8a, 13-15 ■ 1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12 ■ Luke 13:1-9
Reflection How are you cultivating your spiritual life this Lent? personal disposition on our part to receive the blessings of our God. Our readings for the third Sunday of Lent do a marvelous job of highlighting this fundamental truth. The second reading for Mass comes from St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians. The patron of our archdiocese wrote to the believers at Corinth about having a proper disposition with regards to the essential mysteries of the faith. Namely, we ought to approach the Eucharist with humility and gratitude. Our spiritual ancestors, the Israelites, wandered throughout the desert and were nourished by heavenly food (manna from the skies) and miraculous drink (water from rocks), but not all of them reached the Promised Land — a consequence of their ingratitude. We who receive the body and blood of our Lord Jesus — spiritual food and drink for our journeys — are called to be grateful and open to a loving relationship with him.
21B
Bearing fruit Within the Gospel according to St. Luke, our Lord Jesus lets us know how we can enter into a deeper relationship with him. He tells a parable about a fig tree in an orchard that had not borne any fruit in three years. Instead of cutting it down, the gardener of the tree wanted one more year to cultivate the tree and fertilize the ground. In a very real spiritual sense, we are all fig trees in need of cultivation and fertilization from our heavenly gardener, who is Christ. Through the Lenten springtime, we are cultivated through the sacrament of reconciliation and heartfelt prayer, fasting and almsgiving. We are then fertilized by the living Word of God through Sacred Scripture and most especially the Eucharist. Our eucharistic Lord acts as a Miracle-Gro for our souls, providing nourishment at the deepest level of our being and helping us to grow closer to him. For the remaining weeks of this liturgical springtime, may our hearts remain open to repent of our sinful ways so that we can bear fruit for the glory of God and the betterment of our brothers and sisters. Deacon Peterson is in formation for the priesthood at the St. Paul Seminary for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. His home parish is St. Hubert in Chanhassen, and his teaching parish is Immaculate Heart of Mary in Minnetonka.
Sunday, March 10 Fourth Sunday of Lent Joshua 5:9a, 10-12 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 Monday, March 11 Isaiah 65:17-21 John 4:43-54 Tuesday, March 12 Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12 John 5:1-16 Wednesday, March 13 Isaiah 49:8-15 John 5:17-30 Thursday, March 14 Exodus 32:7-14 John 5:31-47 Friday, March 15 Day of abstinence Wisdom 2:1a, 12-22 John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30 Saturday, March 16 Jeremiah 11:18-20 John 7:40-53 Sunday, March 17 Fifth Sunday of Lent Isaiah 43:16-21 Philippians 3:8-14 John 8:1-11
22B
The Lesson Plan
THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • FEBRUARY 28, 2013
CRS Rice Bowl shines Lenten spotlight on East Timor The Catholic Spirit One way that you can make a difference in the lives of our poorest brothers and sisters throughout the world is to become involved with CRS Rice Bowl. This Lenten program, which has been in place for more than 37 years, invites Catholics to act on their faith by helping people in need through prayer, sacrifice, solidarity and charity. CRS Rice Bowl asks that you eat a meal each week prepared with a recipe from a developing country to get a taste of the subsistence diet so many survive on. This week’s featured country is East Timor. When you try these simple meatless meals, you are urged to put the money into a symbolic “rice bowl” to
be donated to CRS through your parish at the end of Lent. Or you might watch a video or read a story to gain a better awareness of the hopes and dreams of those overseas. The Rice Bowl campaign collects about $8 million annually, with 25 percent of funds staying in local diocesan communities to fight hunger. The remaining 75 percent of the collection funds CRS anti-hunger efforts around the globe. Visit CRSRICEBOWL.ORG to find more ideas and resources to help integrate CRS Rice Bowl into your own Lenten observances.
ANA’S STORY
Photo by Jennifer Hardy / CRS
My name is Ana Correia and I live in East Timor, an island nation near Australia. I’m a volunteer at Klibur Domin, a tuberculosis clinic supported by Catholic Relief Services. I volunteer for many reasons. It’s important to help people and to stop the spread of TB. But I am happiest with the opportunity to learn new things. I couldn’t stay in school as long as I wanted to, so volunteering gives me the chance to keep learning and to help others with my knowledge. TB is a very serious problem in East Timor. The disease is easily spread among people living in houses with poor ventilation, which are common in our rural villages. As a volunteer, I walk long distances to different communities so I can share information about preventing and treating TB. Throughout my years of volunteering, I have identified many positive cases of TB and helped patients get the medical care they need. Last year CRS had an award ceremony for volunteers. At the ceremony, CRS gave me and my fellow volunteers cell phones. My phone will make it easier for me to contact the clinic when I find potential TB cases in remote villages. I love volunteering and never want to stop learning. I’m 25 years old now, and I want to continue learning and helping my community when I am a grandmother and even a greatgrandmother.
From Casimir to Joseph: Saints to remember during Lent By Father Michael Van Sloun For The Catholic Spirit
Several saints have feast days during this year’s Lenten season. Here are short profiles of some of them, along with suggested Lenten activities that recall their legacy. ■ March 4, St. Casimir (1448-1484) St. Casimir was the son of King Casimir IV of Poland. He was tutored in the faith by a priest, and he sought personal holiness from his youth. He refused his father’s orders when he was advised to marry and told to lead the army against Hungary. He was confined to a castle where he spent hours in prayer and ST. CASIMIR study, practiced the virtues and cared for the poor. He died of tuberculosis at the age of 26 and was buried in Vilna; many pilgrims who visited his tomb reported miracles through his intercession. To do: Go through the closet or garage, simplify by eliminating some possessions, and share with the less fortunate. ■ March 7, Sts. Perpetua and Felicity (d. 203) St. Perpetua was a noble woman and
St. Felicity was her servant. Both were in the process of converting to Christianity when they were ordered to renounce their newfound faith during the persecution of Septimus Severus. They were arrested and imprisoned as catechumens and were baptized in jail. They were martyred in Carthage, North Africa, in 203. To do: Offer prayers or support to someone on the journey to the Easter sacraments in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults program at your parish. ■ March 8, St. John of God (14951550) St. John was born in Portugal and moved to Spain. He spent periods as a mercenary soldier, shepherd and manual laborer, and he experienced a profound conversion at age 40. Some of his religious practices were so extreme that he was committed to an asylum, but later he was released. He was so disenchanted with the bad care given to the asylum inmates that he founded a hospital, and he gathered a group of coworkers who eventually became the Order of Hospitallers. He died in Granada, Spain, in 1550. To do: Do something for someone who is sick. Say a prayer for them, or pray with them. Visit a hospital or nursing home. Drive them to a medical appointment or the pharmacy. Run an errand. Do a chore. Make a phone call. Send a card.
■ March 9, St. Frances of Rome (1384-1440) Frances was a wife and the mother of three. She distinguished herself by her aid to the poor and sick, particularly during times of plague and famine. After her husband of 40 years died, she founded the Congregation of Oblates of Mary, and they followed the Rule of St. Benedict. Their charism was care for the destitute poor. To do: Make a special almsgiving donation to a food shelf, homeless shelter or relief agency. ■ March 17, St. Patrick (385-461) St. Patrick was born in Great Britain, captured by pirates and forced to work as a shepherd. After his captivity ended, he became a priest and later was appointed a bishop. He is the “apostle” of Ireland, and he tirelessly and courageously preached the Gospel. He made many converts. To do: Read an ST. PATRICK entire Gospel, one chapter per day, until the book is completed. Speak about Jesus to a nonbeliever. ■ March 18, St. Cyril of Jerusalem (315-386)
Cyril was born in Jerusalem into a Christian family. He was ordained a priest at age 30, was well-schooled in Scripture and was a brilliant teacher. He was chosen bishop of Jerusalem in 348. He battled the Arian heresy and was exiled from Jerusalem on three separate occasions for a total of 16 years. He wrote many homilies and catechetical lessons that explained and defended the faith, and he is a doctor of the Church. To do: Pray and reflect upon the Nicene Creed. Review the Church teaching that Jesus is both true God and true man (Catechism, paragraphs 464469). ■ March 19, St. Joseph Joseph is the husband of Mary, the stepfather of Jesus, a righteous man, a worker and a carpenter, and a member of the Holy Family. The angel of the Lord appeared to him on four separate occasions, and he obeyed God’s messenger every time.
ST. JOSEPH To do: Reserve time to be with a family member. Do a family activity together.
Father Van Sloun is pastor of St. Stephen in Anoka.
23B
THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • FEBRUARY 28, 2013
Palm Sunday good example of Catholic attachment to symbolism CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B brothers and sisters, especially the very poor.” Christ himself fasted and prayed in the desert. Through fasting and praying, we unite ourselves with the sacrifice of Christ and offer him reparation for our sins and failings. It’s a little thing to give him in the face of his ultimate sacrifice, but what a grace that our God accepts and loves little gifts. ■ External sacrifice: “So why exactly are you not eating candy for the next month?” This is a very popular penance during Lent, and the questions about it are just as popular. Heaven forbid you should avoid the cake at the birthday party! You love cake! But it’s Lent — a time for penance and sacrifice. Christ has said, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). Giving up something we enjoy strengthens our love for Christ and our resilience against temptation. As Pope Benedict XVI said in his Lenten address of 2009, “Through fasting and praying, we allow [Christ] to come and satisfy the deepest hunger that we experience in the depths of our being: the hunger and thirst for God.” It unites us with Christ’s own sacrifices and gives us a deeper appreciation of the blessings in our lives. ■ External sacrifice vs. internal conversion: “I don’t get it — all you do is give up candy?” Now, here is an interesting question. External sacrifices are the most obvious kind, so sometimes it does look like all we do is avoid chocolate. However, if you look closer, you’ll realize that fasting and abstinence have always gone hand in hand with two of their best friends: prayer and almsgiving. External sacrifice is a manifestation of interior conversion: “. . . interior conversion urges expression in visible signs, gestures and works of penance” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 1430). Interior conversion is where prayer and almsgiving come into play. In almsgiving, we show mercy and generosity to others, giving them a chance to experience the blessings we have. In prayer, we are communicating with God, asking him to bless and perfect our fasting and almsgiving: “. . . prayer is the living relationship of the children of God with their Father who is good beyond measure, with his Son Jesus Christ and with the Holy Spirit” (CCC no. 2565). It’s not just avoiding sweets. It’s glorifying God by growing in his Love. ■ Palm Sunday and symbolism: “Why are you carrying around tree branches?” Sometimes, one of the hardest things to explain as a Catholic is our attachment to symbolism. Palm Sunday is a great example of that. We come home from Mass holding palm branches, and we tuck them behind a crucifix or next to the picture of the Last Supper. To anyone who does not know our faith, it looks as though we stuck a few weeds on the wall — imagine their questions.
“Giving up something we enjoy strengthens our love for Christ and our resilience against temptation.
”
U.S. CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS
The truth behind this tradition, however, goes to the story of Palm Sunday, when the people heard that Christ was coming and “they took out palm branches and went out to meet him, and cried out ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, [even] the king of Israel’”(John 12:13). It was a tradition to spread palms before a king as he processed into his city. It was a way to welcome him, to show him glory and homage. Thus, Christ, the true King, was welcomed into Jerusalem. This fulfilled the prophecy in the Old Testament, which declared, “Behold: your king is coming to you, a just savior is he, humble and riding on a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9). It revealed that Christ was a great king, but also a humble king. The people greeted him with wild joy and cheers of Hosanna. But one short week later, they crucified him. We celebrate this feast and carry palm branches home with us to commemorate the great humility of our Lord, who loved us so much that he chose the cross for our salvation. ■ Observing Good Friday vs. Opening Day: “So, why aren’t you going to the baseball opener on Friday?” This year, several Major League Baseball teams will hold “opening day” celebrations on Good Friday with games starting at 3:05 p.m. While everyone else is heading to the stands, eager for hot dogs and home runs, all those Catholics are walking quietly toward churches. Why? Because at 3 o’clock on a Friday, on a hillside called Calvary, the Savior of the world took his last breath. All for love of us. “It was now about noon and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon because of an eclipse of the sun. Then the veil of the temple was torn down the middle. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Father, into your hands I commend my spirit’; and when he had said this he breathed his last” (Luke 23:44-46). At 3 p.m. on Good Friday, we take the time to reflect on what Christ has done for us, not only by fasting, but also by the various devotions that our churches offer: veneration of the cross, the reading of the Passion and the Stations of the Cross. On Good Friday, we spend our afternoon walking with Christ to Calvary, immersed in his love and mercy — and that beats any baseball game, any time.
Saint Paul’s Outreach offers college students encounter with Christ and the Church CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5B tacted SPO and filled out a household application. After graduation, Haglund stayed with SPO. “I’m grateful to God and SPO for helping me become the man that I am today. Not only have I grown in my relationship with Christ and love of his Church, but as a missionary I have the best job in the world,” he said. “As a [SPO] staff person at the University of Minnesota, I have the privilege of watching guys become the men that God is calling them to be.” Archbishop John Nienstedt told those gathered that they had chosen the right organization to support. “This is a wonderful organization and they’re doing tremendous work, and that’s the bottom line,” he said. “At a time when college students find their faith commitment being stretched and when they struggle with questions of morality and the practice of their faith, Saint Paul’s Outreach is there,” the archbishop said. The Bishop Paul Dudley Servant Leadership Award was presented to Catholic United Financial and its former president, Michael McGovern, for their generosity and support of SPO over the years. McGovern, a member of St. Dominic in Northfield, served as CUF president and chairman of the board from 1998
“We are thirsting to
be known, to be loved personally and to be accepted despite our shortcomings. Praise the Lord for SPO, because that’s what you get.
”
SARAH SPANGENBERG University of St. Thomas junior
through 2012. “I’m so grateful for all that you’ve done for the Church; it’s tremendous,” Archbishop Nienstedt said. “We are thirsting to be known, to be loved personally and to be accepted despite our shortcomings,” Spangenberg said during her testimony. “Praise the Lord for SPO, because that’s what you get. You learn that you are loved, that you are accepted despite your shortcomings, that you are known.” For more information about SPO, visit its website at WWW.SPOWEB.ORG.
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Don’t miss this concert! All are welcome! Come rediscover the beauty and strength of our Catholic Faith this Lenten Season
Generations of Faith Concert Featuring: Steve Angrisano, Dan Schuette, Curtis Stephan
Three powerful voices, one powerful faith!
7 p.m. — Sunday, March 10 •
Hospitality following
St. Michael’s Parish, 22120 Denmark Avenue, Farmington, MN Tickets: $15 Adult; $10 Children; $40 Family Pass (2 adults and up to 3 children under 18 yrs.)
24B
FEBRUARY 28, 2013 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT
Researcher cites strongest predictors for priestly happiness CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2B
priests and laity alike. Such friendships are essential, Msgr. Rossetti maintains, in building a happy and effective priestly life. In celebrating the 92.4 percent of priests who are happy, Msgr. Rossetti does not ignore the 7.6 percent who are not. In the analysis of the 14 factors, these priests fall at the bottom of the scale with admitted narcissistic traits or feelings of anxiety, depression or low self-esteem, who tend to “work out problems on their own.” These priests can be a serious concern for the Church, given their level of responsibility and visibility. Such individuals can cause great harm to others and garner much public notoriety for themselves.
“Being a ‘man of communion,’
One of the chief concerns he raises, however, is in regard to priests who have been ordained from nine to 20 years. His concerns are worthy of note and consideration. These are priests transitioning into the role of pastor, in which they are expected to be a good employer, an attentive plant manager, a fiscally responsible administrator, as well as a brilliant homilist, a compelling liturgist, a gentle confessor and a wise pastoral counselor. In addition, they find themselves living a lifestyle that has little societal support: “They are celibate in a sex-crazed society; they are leaders in an institutional religion when increasing skepticism is leveled at organizations and structural religion; they are CEOs of small corporations — that is, parishes — with very few years of experience; and they are Catholic priests at a time when the media continues to pound away in the public forum at the sins of a few” (p. 82). This cohort of priests ought to be the focused concern of bishops and personal directors. Msgr. Rossetti points out that when he was ordained, a priest had several assignments as an assistant to pastors who helped mentor them into that role. Today, younger priests are being appointed pastors without the advantage of that invaluable pastoral experience. Yet, for all the expectations placed upon them, priests today are experiencing surprisingly low levels of burnout and high levels of satisfaction with their lives. The natural question is: Why? Msgr. Rossetti posits 14 constitutive elements that, as a composite, point to a credible answer. Among the strongest predictors of priestly happiness is: ■ a sense of inner peace;
the priest must also be able to build up solid, close and healthy relationships with priests and laity alike. Such friendships are essential, Msgr. Rossetti maintains, in building a happy and effective priestly life.
Happy to serve
”
ARCHBISHOP JOHN NIENSTEDT
■ a relationship with God; ■ a view of celibacy as a personal call from God; ■ religious obedience in relationship with his bishop, and; ■ the frequency of his spiritual exercises, such as private prayer, Liturgy of the Hours, Marian devotion, spiritual reading and a regular, devout reception of the sacrament of penance/reconciliation. Being a “man of communion,” the priest must also be able to build up solid, close and healthy relationships with
In his foreward to Msgr. Rossetti’s book, noted journalist John L. Allan, Jr., offers the following recommendation to rank-and-file Catholics on the basis of Msgr. Rossetti’s research: “The priests of this country obviously love serving you and ministering to you, because otherwise there’s no way to explain why they’re basically happy, in the teeth of a culture which constantly tells them they’re not supposed to be. They love you; try to love them back.” I might add that, as a priest who is your archbishop, I am also deeply happy and feel powerfully blessed to be able to serve you, the People of God in this local Church. Indeed, my love for you is deepened each day in my daily remembrance of you in prayer. I ask that you keep me, and my brother priests, in your good prayers as well. God love you!
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NOTICE: Prayers must be submitted in advance. Payment of $8 per line must be received before publication. Thank you Lord Jesus, Mother Mary and St. C11929 Jude for prayers answered. H.B.
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“The perfect church service would be one we were almost unaware of. Our attention would have been on God.” C.S. Lewis
Overheard FEBRUARY 28 2013
Quotes from this week’s newsmakers
The journey continues
— From a letter by Christian leaders, including representatives of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, calling on President Barack Obama and congressional leaders to find a budget solution that protects the poorest Americans as $1.2 trillion in cuts in domestic and military programs over the next decade were set to kick in March 1
Above, catechumen Jacqueline Aleman, who is going through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults at St. Mark in St. Paul, greets Archbishop John Nienstedt during The Rite of Election and The Call to Continuing Conversion at the Cathedral of St. Paul Feb. 17. At right is Beatriz Panameno, one of Aleman’s sponsors. The rite marks the beginning of the final preparation of catechumens (those not baptized) for the sacraments of initiation, typically celebrated at the Easter Vigil. From the time of the Rite of Election until the time of their initiation, the catechumens are referred to as “members of the elect.” During the Call to Continuing Conversion, individuals who already are baptized and who are preparing for entrance into the Catholic Church are recognized. At left, catechumen Heather Kasel signs the Book of the Elect at Nativity of Our Lord in St. Paul Feb. 17. Kasel went to The Rite of Election and The Call to Continuing Conversion at the Cathedral of St. Paul that afternoon. A total of 214 catechumens and 473 candidates in the archdiocese are preparing for initiation.
The Minnesota Catholic Conference is a sponsoring member of Minnesota FoodShare, an organization that has worked for more than 30 years to fight hunger in Minnesota. Each year, the The FoodShare directs the Catholic Spirit March Campaign, the largest food drive in the state, and it recruits thousands of congregations, companies, schools and community groups to run local fund and food drives to restock almost 300 food shelves across Minnesota. In 2012, the campaign raised nearly $8.5 million and distributed more than 4.4 million pounds of food. The March Campaign is an easy way
News Notes
25B
“Moving from one crisis to another has slowed economic recovery and has kept Congress from finding a sound, moral path to fiscal sustainability. Other important issues go unaddressed, all the increasing cynicism about our political process. Congress’ actions should not provoke serious economic setback or push more people into poverty.”
RITE OF ELECTION:
MN FoodShare: Parish Lenten food drive opportunity
THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT
for parishes and others to participate in the efforts of Minnesota FoodShare. The food drive is especially timely during Lent, as this campaign provides an opportunity for Catholics to perform the first of the corporal works of mercy: feeding the hungry. Participating in the campaign is easy. Ask your pastor or social ministry coordinator to include your parish in the campaign. For more information, contact Minnesota FoodShare at (612) 276-1530 or visit the website at HTTP://MNFOODSHARE.GMCC.ORG.
Hill-Murray girls take 2nd in state hockey The girls hockey team at Hill-Murray High School in Maplewood finished second at the State Class AA tournament Feb. 23 at the Xcel Energy Center in St.
Paul. The Pioneers advanced to the finals with wins over Eagan (6-2) in the quarterfinals and Eden Prairie (2-1) in the finals. In the championship game, Hill-Murray lost to Minnetonka 3-1. It was the second consecutive state championship for the Skippers, who defeated Lakeville North 4-3 in six overtimes, which was the longest game in state hockey tournament history.
Local doctor named Trustee of the Year Dr. John Manion of St. Thomas the Apostle in south Minneapolis recently was named the 2013 Trustee of the Year by Aging Services of Minnesota, the state’s largest association of organizations serving seniors. He received the award Feb. 6 at a gathering
“While those who have done terrible harm to others deserve punishment, we urge a response that meets evil with a justice worthy of our best nature as human beings, enlightened by faith in the possibility of redemption and forgiveness.” — Baltimore Archbishop William Lori, speaking Feb. 14 to Maryland lawmakers in support of a proposed repeal of Maryland’s death penalty
in Minneapolis for the 2013 Aging Services Institute. Dr. Manion serves on the board of directors of St. Therese, a nonprofit Catholic organization that offers senior care and housing at three locations in the Twin Cities. He has served on the board since 1994 and has played a key role in carrying out the mission of St. Therese, according to the current president and CEO, Barbara Rode. “When I first came to Saint Therese as CEO, he took me on his rounds so I could experience first-hand how important individualized care is; that is the key to providing great palliative and hospice care,” Rode said. “His outstanding leadership on the board has helped guide the development of many programs designed to assist seniors and others who needed services.” Dr. Manion and his wife Patricia have five children.
26B
Calendar
THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • FEBRUARY 28, 2013
dinner and 7 p.m. musician Laura MacKenzie will perform on wind-powered folk instruments at 4537 Third Ave. S. Cost is $10. Call (952) 884-5165 or visit WWW.SECOND-SUNDAY.ORG.
Parish events ‘Healing with Feeling: Dean Magraw and the Siblings’ a concert at St. Joan of Arc, Minneapolis — March 3: 7 p.m. at 4537 Third Ave. S. Tickets are general admission and are $20. They are available at the door or by calling (612) 823-8205. Solanus: A Drama about the Life and Times of Venerable Solanus Casey at St. John the Baptist, New Brighton — March 8: 7 p.m. at 835 Second Ave. N.W. Cost is $8 in advance, $10 at the door and children under 12, $5. For information, call (651) 633-8333. ‘Parenting Teens: Building Strong Futures’ seminar at St. Agnes, St. Paul — March 9: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 548 Lafond Ave. Cost is $25 per person or couple. For information, visit WWW.SAINTAGNESSCHOOL.ORG.
Prayer/ liturgies Sant’Egidio Community Evening Prayer at St. Richard, Richfield — every Thursday: 7 p.m. at 7540 Penn Ave. S. Legion of Mary prayers in front of Planned Parenthood, St. Paul — Every Friday: 3 p.m. at the corner of Vandalia and Charles. For information, call (651) 439-9098. All night vigil with the Blessed Sacrament at Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Paul — March 1 and 2: 7 p.m. Friday to 8 a.m. Saturday at 401 Concord St. Annual Hibernian St. Patrick’s Day Mass at the Cathedral of St. Paul, St. Paul — March 16: 9:30 a.m. at 239 Selby Ave. Father Peter Laird will be the celebrant.
School events Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten tours at St. Rose of Lima School, Roseville — March 5: 9 a.m. at 2072 N. Hamline Ave. for information, visit WWW.SAINTROSEOFLIMA.NET. Annual Fat Lorenzo’s Spaghetti Dinner at St. Helena School, Minneapolis — March 9: 5 to 7:30 p.m. in the church basement at 3204 E. 43rd St. Cost at the door is $10 for adults and $8 for children and seniors, $35 per family.
Other events
Lenten dinners The following is a list of parishes and schools hosting fish fries or dinners during the Lenten season:
March 1: St. Peter School, North St. Paul — 4 to 7 p.m. at 2620 N. Margaret St. St. Richard, Richfield — soup supper from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at 7540 Penn Ave. S. Holy Family, St. Louis Park — 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at 5900 W. Lake St. St. Pascal Baylon, St. Paul — 4:30 to 7 p.m. at 1757 Conway St. Holy Cross, Minneapolis — 5 to 7 p.m. at 1621 University Ave. N.E. Holy Family Maronite Church, Mendota Heights — 5 to 7 p.m. at 1960 Lexington Ave. S. St. Matthew, St. Paul — 4 to 7:30 p.m. at 510 Hall Ave. St. Albert the Great, Minneapolis — 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the corner of E. 29th Street and 32nd Avenue S. Mary, Queen of Peace, Rogers — 5 to 7 p.m. at 21304 Church Ave. St. Peter, Forest Lake — 5 to 7 p.m. at 1250 S. Shore Drive. Sacred Heart, Robbinsdale — 4:30 to 7 p.m. at 4087 W. Broadway Ave.
Sunday Spirits walking group for 50plus Catholic singles — ongoing Sundays: For Catholic singles to meet and make friends. The group usually meets in St. Paul on Sunday afternoons. For information, call Judy at (763) 221-3040 or Al at (651) 482-0406. Singles group at St. Vincent de Paul, Brooklyn Park — ongoing second Saturday each month: 6 15 p.m. at 9100 93rd Ave. N. Gather for a potluck supper, conversation and games. For information, call (763) 425-0412. 50-plus Second Sunday Supper event at St. Joan of Arc, Minneapolis — March 10: 5 p.m. social hour, 6 p.m.
Mary, Mother of the Church, Burnsville — 5 to 7:30 p.m. at 3333 Cliff Road.
March 6 (Wednesday): Holy Cross, Minneapolis — soup supper from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at the Kolbe Center on 17th Avenue and 14th Street N.E.
March 7 (Thursday): St. Jerome, Maplewood — soup supper follows Stations of the Cross at 5:30 p.m. at 380 E. Roselawn.
March 8: Holy Cross, Minneapolis — 5 to 7 p.m. at 1621 University Ave. N.E. St. Joseph, New Hope — 5 to 7 p.m. at 8701 36th Ave. N. St. Jude of the Lake, Mahtomedi — 5 to 8 p.m. At 700 Mahtomedi Ave. Holy Family, St. Louis Park — 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at 5900 W. Lake St. St. Pascal Baylon, St. Paul — 4:30 to 7 p.m. at 1757 Conway St. Holy Family Maronite Church, Mendota Heights — 5 to 7 p.m. at 1960 Lexington Ave. S.
Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Paul — Mexican enchilada dinner from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at 401 Concord St. (enchiladas also sold by the dozen)
St. Matthew, St. Paul — 4 to 7:30 p.m. at 510 Hall Ave.
St. Bernard, St. Paul — 4:30 to 7 p.m. at the corner of Rice Street and Geranium Avenue.
St. Peter, Forest Lake — 5 to 7 p.m. at 1250 S. Shore Drive.
St. Michael, Prior Lake — 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at 16311 Duluth Ave. Menu also includes macaroni and cheese. Knights of Columbus, Faribault — 5 to 7 p.m. at 17 N.E. Third St. Knights of Columbus, Bloomington — 5 to 9 p.m. at 1114 American Blvd.
Singles
St. Pius V, Cannon Falls — 5 to 7 p.m. At 410 Colville St. W.
Nativity of Mary, Bloomington — 5 to 8 p.m. at 9900 Lyndale Ave. S. Immaculate Heart of Mary, Minnetonka — 5:30 to 7 p.m. at 13505 Excelsior Blvd. Epiphany, Coon Rapids — 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at 1900 111th Ave. N.W. St. Vincent de Paul, Brooklyn Park — Soup supper from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. at 9100 93rd Ave. N. St. Joseph, Hopkins — 5:30 to 8 p.m. at 1310 Mainstreet. St. Odilia, Shoreview — 5 to 7:30 p.m. at 3495 N. Victoria. Knights of Columbus, Shakopee — 5 to 7:30 p.m. at 1760 Fourth Ave. E.
St. Albert the Great, Minneapolis — 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the corner of E. 29th Street and 32nd Avenue S.
Sacred Heart, Robbinsdale — 4:30 to 7p.m. at 4087 W. Broadway Ave. Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Paul — Mexican enchilada dinner from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at 401 Concord St. (enchiladas also sold by the dozen) St. Bernard, St. Paul — 4:30 to 7 p.m. at the corner of Rice Street and Geranium Avenue. Knights of Columbus, Faribault — 5 to 7 p.m. at 17 N.E. Third St. St. Vincent de Paul, Brooklyn Park — Soup supper from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. at 9100 93rd Ave. N. Knights of Columbus, Shakopee — 5 to 7:30 p.m. at 1760 Fourth Ave. E. Knights of Columbus, Bloomington — 5 to 9 p.m. at 1114 American Blvd. St. Pius V, Cannon Falls — 5 to 7 p.m. At 410 Colville St. W. Mary, Mother of the Church, Burnsville — 5 to 7:30 p.m. at 3333 Cliff Road.
KC dinner to benefit St. John Vianney College Seminary at Knights of Columbus Hall, Bloomington — March 2: 5 to 8 p.m. at 1114 W. American Blvd. Suggested donation is $10 per person/$40 per family. Third quarterly meeting of the Minneapolis Deanery Council of Catholic Women at Epiphany, Coon Rapids — March 11: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1900 111th Ave. N.W. Theme is “A Lenten Journey” with Father Thomas Dufner. Also includes Mass at noon, lunch and silent auction. Cost is $13. Register by March 5 at (763) 536-0553.
Lent events KC Three-day Lent event at St. Richard, Richfield — March 1 to 3: Begins Friday with focus on Communal prayer. 8 a.m. Mass followed by eucharistic adoration until 5:30 p.m. Soup supper begins at 6 p.m. followed by Taizé prayer. Saturday focus is Encountering God. Hospitality at 8:30 a.m. and sessions on Labyrinth prayer and the Mass from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday focus is Service. Potluck meal at noon, then packing lunches for Sharing and Caring Hands. ‘The Novena of Grace: Lent, Loved Sinners and the Life of St. Francis Xavier’ at St. Thomas More, St. Paul — March 4 to 12: Weeknights at 7 p.m., Saturday at 4:30 p.m. and Sunday at 8 and 10:30 a.m. at the corner of Summit Avenue and Lexington Pkwy. For information, call (651) 227-7669. ‘Seven Encounters with Christ — A Desert Journey’ at St. Mary, Shakopee — March 7 and 14: 7 to 9 p.m. both nights at 2700 E. 17th Ave. Deacon Thom Winninger will speak. Lenten retreat: The Great Three Days in the Life of the Christian at St. Olaf, Minneapolis — March 9: 9 to 11:30 a.m. with Mass at noon at 215 S. Eighth St. Speaker is Marty Haugen. Admission is free. ‘The Passion of Jesus: Music, Word and Light’ performed at St. Mark, Shakopee — March 15 and 16: Musical prelude at 7:45 p.m., performance at 8 p.m. both nights. Friday night performance is in Spanish, Saturday performance is in English. Free admission. St. Mark’s is at Fourth Avenue and Atwood Street. Lenten evenings of renewal at St. Michael, Prior Lake — March 17, 18 and 19: 7 to 8:30 each night at 16311 Duluth Ave S.E. Father Geoff Rose, an Oblate of St. Francis de Sales, will be the guide for each evening. See WWW.STMICHAEL-PL.ORG for more information. Mothers and Daughters Lenten retreat at Immaculate Conception, Lonsdale — March 23: 6:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at 116 Alabama St. S.E. Presenter is Father Thomas McCabe on the theme “God’s Divine Mercy Found Fully in Jesus and His Catholic Church.” Call (507) 744-2829 to make a reservation before March 13.
Calendar Submissions DEADLINE: Noon Thursday, seven days before the anticipated Thursday date of publication. Recurring or ongoing events must be submitted each time they occur. LISTINGS: Accepted are brief notices of upcoming events hosted by Catholic parishes and institutions. If the Catholic connection is not clear, please emphasize it in your press release. ITEMS MUST INCLUDE the following to be considered for publication in the calendar: • Time and date of event. • Full street address of event. • Description of event. • Contact information in case of questions. E-MAIL: SPIRITCALENDAR@ ARCHSPM.ORG. (No attachments, please.)
FAX: (651) 291-4460. MAIL: “Calendar,” The Catholic Spirit, 244 Dayton Ave., St. Paul, MN 55102.
“Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.” Thomas Merton
Arts and Culture FEBRUARY 28, 2013
Exploring our church and our world
THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT
27B
Despite ban, Russian artists didn’t lose their spirituality By Bob Zyskowski The Catholic Spirit
A blood red river flows from the doors of the “Church of Saint Trifon,” an otherwise black and white work from 1979 by artist Tatiana Levitskaia. Alongside a horse-drawn cart, peasants — “Fiddler on the Roof”-like — make their way up to Calvary in Anatolii Slepyshev’s “The Procession,” a four-panel oil painted in 1983. “Protection of the Virgin,” “Altar” and “Holy Doors” are cast in the stark, angular geometrics of the Soviet Constructivist style in Petr Pushkarev’s black and red 1989 triptych. These are just a few of the 70 works now on display in south Minneapolis at the Museum of Russian Art in “Concerning the Spiritual in Russian Art: 1965-2011,” an exhibit of what is called nonconformist art, nonconforming to Communist ideology. Many of the works in the exhibit were part of the underground art scene in Moscow during the period when art with religious themes was banned from public display. In spite of the ban, the show’s program explains, many Soviet artists focused on forbidden religious themes in their art, refusing to conform to the anti-religious stance of the government. Other pieces were executed later, after “perestroika” and the fall of the Iron Curtain, and are expressions of faith and morality. Large pieces like Alexander Zakharov’s “Jonah” and Olga Bulgakova’s “Return of the Prodigal Son” are don’t-miss works. Anton S. Kandinsky’s dual images “Russian Soul — Russian Roulette” use
Images from the Kolodzei Art Foundation courtesy The Museum of Russian Art, Minneapolis
Peasants make their way up to Calvary in Anatolii Slepyshev’s “The Procession,” a four-panel painting from the Moscow underground art scene. “Russian Soul” (right, top) by Anton S. Kandinsky depicts the artist’s expression of society’s obsession with weapons. “Holy Doors” (right, below) is one third of a triptych by Petr Pushkarev. The Museum of Russian Art in south Minneapolis hosts 70 works in the exhibit “Concerning the Spiritual in Russian Art: 1965-2011” that runs through June 9.
life-like images of hand grenades decorated with gems to make a statement about society’s obsession with weapons. There are surrealistic watercolors of angels and death, creative enamels of the Last Supper and St. George, crude wooden crosses, mixed media, photography, video and a wonderfully ironic poster, “We Buy and Sell Souls.” Best of all, most of the pieces are accompanied by a brief explanation that help one understand what the artist was attempting to express.
If you go: The Russian Museum of Art at 5500 Stevens Ave. S is just off I-35W at the Diamond Lake Road exit. Museum is open daily except major holidays. Hours: Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sun., 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission: Adults $9; seniors $7 Tours: Free every Saturday at 1 p.m. and every Sunday at 2 p.m. Group tours available with prior notice; for details, call Lynda Holker at (612) 821-9045 or email her at lholker@tmora.org.
History Channel’s miniseries ‘The Bible’ begins March 3 By John Mulderig Catholic News Service
CNS photo/Nancy Phelan Wiechec
Producers Roma Downey and Mark Burnett introduce “The Bible” miniseries during a screening at National Community Church in Washington Feb. 5. “The Bible” airs on the History Channel this Lent starting March 3.
Considered strictly as a work of literature, few volumes can rival the Bible for high-stakes drama, intriguing characters, tumultuous action and sheer spectacle. So it’s no surprise that Hollywood turned to the Good Book early on — director Sidney Olcott’s short film “David and Goliath,” for example, was released in 1908 — or that Scripture-based stories remained a big-screen fixture well into the 1960s. The latest small-screen offering in the genre is the History cable channel’s 10hour miniseries “The Bible.” Created by the husband-and-wife team of Mark Burnett and Roma Downey, and narrated by Keith David — who has narrated many Ken Burns documentaries — this survey of salvation history from Genesis to Reve-
lation premieres with back-to-back episodes Sunday, March 3, from 7 to 9 p.m. Even with such a large canvas to fill, considerable compression is needed to encompass the many centuries that separate the Garden of Eden from St. John’s vision of the end times. This becomes obvious right at the start as the story of creation and the fall of Adam and Eve are recounted by Noah to his companions in the already storm-tossed ark. Among the early passages dramatized, two stand out as highlights: Abraham’s (Gary Oliver) interaction with his sons and Moses’ (William Houston) parting of the Red Sea. Both Ishmael’s exile and the preparations for the sacrifice of Isaac (Hugo Rossi) are poignant, while the computer-generated imagery used to recreate the separation of the waters represents technical wizardry at its best.
Whether in the interests of familyfriendly viewing or political correctness, the goings-on at Sodom are sanitized to make it seem that the locals are macho warriors looking to kill Lot’s (Antonio Magro) angelic guests rather than abuse them. A good deal of screen time is devoted to combat and, while much of it is stylized, there is some brutality and gore. Parents will have to assess whether children old enough to benefit from this shortcut to biblical literacy will also be able to take such mayhem in stride. Back-to-back installments of “The Bible” continue Sundays through Easter, March 31, 7 to 9 p.m. each night. Mulderig is on the staff of Catholic News Service. More reviews are available online at WWW.USCCB.ORG/MOVIES.
“Mane nobiscum, Domine!” “Stay with us Lord!” — Pope Benedict XVI’s prayer, quoting John Paul II’s Apostolic Letter of the Year of the Eucharist Wednesday, April 20, 2005
The Catholic Spirit gratefully acknowledges the support of the following who have made possible this tribute to Pope Benedict XVI. Meier, Kennedy & Quinn, Chartered Minnesota Knights of Columbus University of St. Thomas Academy of Holy Angels Benilde-St. Margaret’s School St. Louis Park, MN
Church of St. Paul, Ham Lake College of Saint Benedict Saint John’s University Cretin-Derham Hall St. Agnes School School Sisters of Notre Dame Central Pacific Province
Pope Benedict bids farewell
“Continue to pray for me, for the Church, for the future pope.�
CNS / Alessia Jiuliani, Catholic Press Photo
Pope Benedict XVI
Elected: April 19, 2005 ! Resignation: Feb. 28, 2013
After leading the Catholic Church for eight years, the pope is stepping down. Read more about his life, his service to the Church and what happens next in this special 8-page wrap-around section. Also for the latest updates, see pages 6B-7B and THECATHOLICSPIRIT.COM.
The Catholic Spirit February 28, 2013
2A
Pope Bids Farewell
THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • FEBRUARY 28, 2013
Pope Benedict: I am not abandoning the church By Francis X. Rocca Catholic News Service
In one of his last public appearances, Pope Benedict XVI told an overflow crowd in St. Peter’s Square Feb. 24 that his upcoming retirement does not mean he is abandoning the Church, but that he will be serving it in a new way, through prayer and meditation. At noon, the pope appeared at his window in the Apostolic Palace to pray the Angelus, a papal Sunday ritual that will not be repeated until after the election of a new pope. Despite the blustery weather, turnout was several times the usual for such occasions — easily more than 150,000, with some estimates as high as a quarter of a million. The crowd filled the square, except where prevented by barricades, and spilled out into the Via della Conciliazione. Many groups held signs expressing gratitude and affection — “You are not alone,” one read — and national flags from countries as far away as Brazil. Benedict was the “the rock: solid, strong and unwavering and yet kind and compassionate and loving at the same time,” said Balthazar Aguirre of Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Daly City, Calif. He and his two sisters took time off from work to come to Rome for the pope’s last week as the head of the universal Church. “Prayer doesn’t mean isolating one’s self from the world and its contradictions,” the pope said, in his commentary on the day’s Gospel reading (Luke 9:28-36). “Prayer leads one back to the path, to action. “Christian existence,” he said, “consists in a continuous climbing of the mountain for an encounter with God, in order to descend again CNS photo / L'Osservatore Romano via Reuters bearing the love and strength derived from it, Pope Benedict XVI prays in a private chapel during the closing so as to serve our brothers and sisters with the day of a spiritual retreat at the Vatican Feb. 23. same love of God.” If the relevance to his Feb. 28 resignation was not al- Church] with the same dedication and the same love with which I have done so till now, but in a way more ready clear, the pope made the connection explicit: “I feel that this word of God is directed in particular to suited to my age and strength.” Speaking these words, Pope Benedict was interrupted me, in this moment of my life. The Lord calls me to ‘climb the mountain,’ to dedicate myself even more to twice by applause, and afterward received an ovation 30 prayer and meditation. But this does not mean aban- seconds long. He smiled broadly, thanked the crowd, doning the church; on the contrary, if God asks this of and added, “Let us thank God for the bit of sun he has me, it is precisely so that I may continue to serve [the granted us.”
The mystery of the missing encyclical By Francis X. Rocca Catholic News Service
Pope Benedict XVI’s historic decision to resign at the end of February has astonished and perplexed the world in many ways, not least because of what might be called the mystery of the missing encyclical. In December, the Vatican spokesman, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, said that Pope Benedict’s fourth encyclical would be released in the first half of 2013. Treating the subject of faith, the encyclical would complete a trilogy on the three “theological virtues,” following “Deus Caritas Est” (2005) on charity, and “Spe Salvi” (2007) on hope. Then, on the day after the pope’s announcement, Father Lombardi announced that Pope Benedict would not issue another encyclical after all. The news was surprising because it suggested that Pope Benedict, a former professor who has placed a priority on his teaching role as pope, had abandoned the most prominent teaching project of his pontificate just before its completion. This, even though Father Lombardi said that the pope had pondered resignation for several months, and the Vatican newspaper reported that he first considered the move in March 2012. It was hardly plausible that so prolific an author might be suffering from writer’s block, even given the deteriorating “strength of mind and body” he cited in announcing his resignation. Three days after that announcement, Pope Benedict delivered a highly structured, 46-minute long public talk, without a prepared text and only occasionally consulting his notes.
But unlike an off-the-cuff speech, papal encyclicals are not one-man productions. Though the pope ultimately determines their content, they are typically the fruit of much behind-the-scenes collaboration with Vatican officials and often with outside consultants as well. Pope Benedict’s last encyclical, “Caritas in Veritate” (2009), appeared more than a year after its expected date, reportedly because of complications in this process. It is likely that such was the case again this time. Father Lombardi has suggested that the former Pope Benedict might eventually publish the document under his own name, in which case it would not rank as part of the papal magisterium. But it is at least as likely that his successor will take up and finish the task.
Bridging the transition Popes tend to honor their predecessors’ commitments, which is why everyone assumes that the next pope will travel to Rio de Janeiro for World Youth Day in July. Indeed, Pope Benedict’s own first encyclical, “Deus Caritas Est,” was started by his predecessor, Blessed John Paul II. If the next pope does finish the encyclical on faith, there is reason to think that his predecessor will be happy to have left it incomplete. A major papal document whose production bridged the transition between the two pontificates could serve as a reassuring sign of continuity after Pope Benedict’s practically unprecedented move. At the same time, since the next pope would undoubtedly stamp the encyclical with his distinctive priorities and style, it would exemplify Pope Benedict’s ideal of reform as “innovation in continuity” with Church tradition.
Changing rules, pope allows cardinals to move up conclave date By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service
In his last week as pontiff, Pope Benedict XVI issued new rules for conclaves, including a clause that allows the College of Cardinals to move up the date for the beginning of the conclave to elect his successor. However, the cardinals cannot set the date until after the pope leaves office Feb. 28. Pope Benedict also defined the exact penalty — automatic excommunication — that would be incurred by any noncardinal assisting the College of Cardinals who failed to maintain absolute secrecy about the conclave proceedings. The pope laid out the new rules in an apostolic letter issued “motu proprio” (on his own initiative) Feb. 22, the feast of the Chair of St. Peter. The Vatican released the document Feb. 25.
Additional provisions The changes affect the rules established in Blessed John Paul II’s apostolic constitution governing the election of popes, “Universi Dominici Gregis.” Under the current rules, which remain in effect, upon the vacancy of the papacy, cardinals in Rome “must wait 15 full days for those who are absent” before they can enter into a conclave and begin the process of electing a new pope. However, Pope Benedict inserted an additional provision that grants the College of Cardinals “the faculty to move up the start of the conclave if all the cardinal-electors are present,” as well as giving them the ability “to delay, if there are serious reasons, the beginning of the election for a few more days.” However, the conclave still must begin no more than 20 days after the start of the “sede vacante.” The date of the start of the conclave is to be decided by all the cardinals, including those over the age of 80, who participate in the daily general congregations or discussions that precede a conclave, said Archbishop Pier Luigi Celata, the vice chamberlain. He will assist Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone in the administration of the Church during the “sede vacante.” The cardinals must wait for every cardinal-elector to arrive or to have sent a legitimate excuse for their absence, such as for reasons of infirmity or serious illness, he told journalists. The date of the start of the conclave will then be determined by a majority vote, that is 50 percent plus one of the cardinals present, Archbishop Celata said.
Penalty stated The other major change to the rules is that the pope defined the exact penalty incurred by support staff assisting the cardinal-electors during a conclave if they break the oath of secrecy about the proceedings. The aides must swear to never lend support to or favor any outside interference in the election process. Under the old rules, the penalty for breaking the vow was to be determined by the future pope. Instead, Pope Benedict has rewritten the oath that staff will take, stating that they are “aware that an infraction will incur the penalty of automatic excommunication.” The penalty for cardinals who break the oath of secrecy, however, remains unspecified. The last-minute changes marked the second time Pope Benedict amended the rules established by Blessed John Paul in 1996. In 2007, Pope Benedict decreed that a pope is elected when he obtains a two-thirds majority, even when cardinal-electors are at an impasse, which effectively undid a more flexible procedure of moving to a simple majority.
Pope Bids Farewell
FEBRUARY 28, 2013 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT
Conclave 101: How a pope is elected By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service
The voting by cardinals to elect the next pope takes place behind the locked doors of the Sistine Chapel, following a highly detailed procedure that underwent major revisions by Blessed John Paul II and a small, but very significant change, by Pope Benedict XVI. Under the rules, secret ballots can be cast once on the first day of the conclave, then normally twice during each subsequent morning and evening session. Except for periodic pauses, the voting continues until a new pontiff is elected with at least two-thirds of the votes. Bishop Juan Ignacio Arrieta, secretary of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts, reviewed the rules with reporters at the Vatican Feb. 22. Introducing Bishop Arrieta, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman, said Pope Benedict at any minute might be signing a document with minor changes to the law, but the changes would make sense only if one knew the general laws for a conclave. Many observers had expected Pope Benedict to clarify that the cardinals have the option of beginning the conclave once all the cardinals are in Rome, even if that occurs sooner than the law’s required 15 days after the beginning of the “sede vacante,” literally the vacant see, left by the pope’s resignation. Bishop Arrieta told reporters that in his opinion the cardinals could make that decision on their own, without a change to the law, since the law was “clearly written with a ‘sede vacante’ because of death in mind.” However, he also said that as the church’s supreme legislator, Pope Benedict, before leaving, also could set the date for the conclave, “although I have no information that he would do so.”
‘Rigid and highly formal’ The written rules for the conclave, which have developed in reaction to the problems — political and moral — that have arisen throughout history, are “rigid and highly formal,” the bishop said. For example, he said, Pope Paul VI’s rules excluded cardinals who were 80 years old or older on the day the conclave began. Blessed John Paul changed the rule to 80 years on the day the papacy became vacant. The change ensured cardinals did not choose a conclave start date specifically to include or exclude a cardinal close to the age of 80. Under current rules, only cardinals who are under the age of 80 Feb. 28, the last day of Pope Benedict’s pontificate — can vote in the conclave. There were 117 cardinals eligible, but Feb. 21 Indonesian Cardinal Julius Darmaatmadja, the 78-yearold retired archbishop of Jakarta, announced he would not travel to Rome because of his health. In theory, any baptized male Catholic can be elected pope, but current church law says he must become a bishop before taking office; since the 15th century, the electors always have chosen a fellow cardinal. Each vote begins with the preparation and distribution of paper ballots by two masters of ceremonies, who are among a handful of noncardinals allowed into the chapel at the start of the session. Then the names of nine voting cardinals are chosen at random: three to serve
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Vatican Library official shares conclave curiosities Catholic News Service
CNS photo from L'Osservatore Romano
Archbishop Piero Marini closed the doors to the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican as cardinals began the conclave to elect a new pope on April 18, 2005, following the death of Blessed John Paul II.
Resources, prayers for pope and his successor available To help dioceses, parishes and other groups pray for Pope Benedict XVI and for the selection of a new pope, the Secretariat of Divine Worship of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has provided liturgical and musical resources as well as specific prayers. The resources and prayers can be found at WWW.USCCB.ORG/ABOUT/ LEADERSHIP/HOLY-SEE/POPE-BENEDICTXVI/UPLOAD/POPE-RESIGNATION-RESOURCES. PDF. — Catholic News Service
as “scrutineers,” or voting judges; three to collect the votes of any sick cardinals who remain in their quarters at the Domus Sanctae Marthae; and three “revisers” who check the work of the scrutineers. The paper ballot is rectangular. On the top half is printed the Latin phrase “Eligo in Summum Pontificem” (“I elect as the most high pontiff”), and the lower half is blank for the writing of the name of the person chosen. After all of the noncardinals have left the chapel, the cardinals fill out their ballots secretly, legibly and fold them twice. Meanwhile, any ballots from sick cardinals are collected and brought back to the chapel. Each cardinal then walks to the altar, holding up his folded ballot so it can be seen, and says aloud: “I call as my witness Christ the Lord who will be my judge, that my vote is given to the one who before God I think should be elected.” He places his ballot on a plate, or paten, then slides it into an urn or large chalice. When all of the ballots have been cast, the first scrutineer shakes the urn to mix them. He then transfers the ballots to a new urn, counting them to make sure
they correspond to the number of electors. The ballots are read out. Each of the three scrutineers examines each ballot one-by-one, with the last scrutineer calling out the name on the ballot, so all the cardinals can record the tally. The last scrutineer pierces each ballot with a needle through the word “Eligo” and places it on a thread, so they can be secured. After the names have been read out, the votes are counted to see if someone has obtained the two-thirds majority needed for election. The revisers then doublecheck the work of the scrutineers for possible mistakes. At this point, any handwritten notes made by the cardinals during the vote are collected for burning with the ballots. If the first vote of the morning or evening session is inconclusive, a second vote normally follows immediately, and the ballots from both votes are burned together at the end.
White smoke When a pope is elected, the ballots are burned immediately. The ballots are burned with chemical additives to produce white smoke when a pope has been elected; they are burned with other chemicals to produce black smoke when the voting has been inconclusive. The conclave is organized in blocks: three days of voting, then a pause of up to one day, followed by seven ballots and a pause, then seven more ballots and a pause, and seven more ballots. Slightly changing the rules in 2007, Pope Benedict said that after about 33 or 34 ballots without an election — about 12 or 13 days into the conclave — the cardinals must move to a run-off between the top two vote-getters. The two candidates may not participate in the voting, Bishop Arrieta said, and one of them is elected only once he obtains more than two-thirds of the vote.
Ambrogio Piazzoni, vice prefect of the Vatican Library and author of the book, “History of Papal Elections,” shared facts and curiosities with journalists at the Vatican: ! The upcoming conclave to elect a successor to Pope Benedict XVI “will be, technically speaking, the 75th conclave” in the history of the church, he said. He dates the conclaves — elections conducted while the cardinal-electors were closed off in a room — to Pope Boniface VIII, who was elected in 1295 and inserted the conclave rules into the Code of Canon Law. ! During World War II, Pope Pius XII, like several of his predecessors who were popes in times of war, left a document informing the College of Cardinals that if he were taken prisoner, he was no longer to be considered the pope, so the cardinals were to hold a conclave and elect a new pontiff. ! Pope Gregory XV, elected in 1621, was the last pope to be elected by “spontaneous acclamation” when all the cardinals, believed to be acting under the influence of the Holy Spirit, proclaim the same candidate to be pope. Piazzoni said almost immediately after taking office, Pope Gregory changed the conclave rules to require that such a “spontaneous acclamation” be confirmed immediately with a written ballot in the conclave. He also was first to rule that the cardinals must cast their votes secretly, in writing, rather than verbally. ! Election by acclamation is no longer considered valid, nor is the “election by compromise” in which the cardinals, after a stalemate, unanimously decide to choose a few of their members and delegate to them the power to elect a pope. The last pope elected with that method, Piazzoni said, was Pope Clement IV in 1265 who was elected by two cardinals. ! Pope Paul VI was the pope who clarified the exact moment when a candidate becomes pope: It is the moment he accepts his election, as long as he previously had been ordained a bishop. If the cardinals choose someone who has never been ordained a bishop, the ordination takes place immediately, then the election as pope becomes valid. ! When Blessed Gregory X was elected by a cardinals meeting in Viterbo, Italy, in 1271, he was not present and he was not even a priest yet. ! Pope Nicholas II, who served in 1059-61, was the pope who ruled that only cardinals were eligible to vote to elect a pope. ! “To put an end to discord” created when two or more candidates received a similar number of votes, Pope Alexander II in 1169 established the rule that a candidate must receive a two-thirds majority to be elected. ! Pope John Paul II was the first pope to specify that a conclave must take place in the Sistine Chapel. Previous popes recommended the chapel, but throughout history the conclaves have been held in a variety of churches in Rome and elsewhere.
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THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • FEBRUARY 28, 2013
Pontificate marked by teaching, call to retu Catholic News Service
D
uring his almost eight-year pontificate, Pope Benedict XVI impressed the world as a teacher, guiding Catholics to the sources of the faith and urging modern society not to turn its back on God. Citing his age and diminishing energy, the 85year-old pope announced Feb. 11 that he would be resigning effective Feb. 28 and would devote the rest of his life to prayer. As pastor of the universal church, he used virtually every medium at his disposal — books and Twitter, sermons and encyclicals — to catechize the faithful on the foundational beliefs and practices of Christianity, ranging from the sermons of St. Augustine to the sign of the cross. Having served in his 30s as an influential adviser during the 1962-65 Second Vatican Council, he made it a priority as pope to correct what he saw as overly expansive interpretations of Vatican II in favor of readings that stressed the council’s continuity with the church’s millennial traditions. Under his oversight, the Vatican continued to highlight the church’s moral boundaries on issues such as end-of-life medical care, marriage and homosexuality. But the pope’s message to society at large focused less on single issues and more on the risk of losing the basic relationship between the human being and the Creator. He consistently warned the West that unless its secularized society rediscovered religious values, it could not hope to engage in real dialogue with Islamic and other religious cultures. In his encyclicals and in his books on “Jesus of Nazareth,” the pope honed that message, asking readers to discover the essential connections between sacrificial love, works of charity, a dedication to the truth and the Gospel of Christ.
Speaking from the heart The German-born pontiff did not try to match the popularity of his predecessor, Pope John Paul II, but the millions of people who came to see him in Rome and abroad came to appreciate his smile, his frequent ad libs and his ability to speak from the heart. Although he did not expect to travel much, he ended up making 24 trips to six continents and three times presided over World Youth Day megagatherings, in Germany in 2005, in Australia in 2008, and in Spain in 2011. Talking about aging last March when he met the 85-year-old Cuban leader Fidel Castro in Havana, Pope Benedict told him, “Yes, I’m old, but I can still carry out my duties.” On a historic visit to the United States in 2008, the pope brought his own identity into clearer focus for Americans. He set forth a moral challenge on issues ranging from economic justice to abortion. He also took church recognition of the priestly sex abuse scandal to a new level, expressing his personal shame at what happened and praying with the victims. The pope met three times with former U.S. President George W. Bush, including a formal visit to the White House, and the two leaders found wide areas of agreement on pro-life and family issues. When President Barack Obama was elected, the pontiff sent him a warmly worded telegram and a promise of his prayers, but when they met at the Vatican the next year, the pope spoke clearly about the church’s objections to the administration’s policies on several life issues, including abortion and embryonic stem cell research. Pope Benedict was 78 and in apparent good health when elected April 19, 2005, but was said to have told his fellow cardinals that his would not be a long papacy like that of his predecessor. In an interview with the German author Peter Seewald in 2010, Pope Benedict said: “If a pope clearly
Pope Benedict XVI waves after celebrating Ash Wednesday Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican Feb. 13. The service was expe liturgical event of Pope Benedict’s papacy.
realizes that he is no longer physically, psychologically and spiritually capable of handling the duties of his office, then he has a right and, under some circumstances, also an obligation to resign.” As inevitable as his election seemed after Blessed John Paul died in 2005, his path to the papacy was long and indirect. Joseph Ratzinger was born April 16, 1927, in the Bavarian town of Marktl am Inn, the third and youngest child of a police officer, Joseph Sr., and his wife, Maria. Young Joseph joined his brother, Georg, at a minor seminary in 1939. Like other young students, he was automatically enrolled in the Hitler Youth program, but soon stopped going to meetings. During World War II, he was conscripted into the army, and in the spring of 1945 he deserted his unit and returned home, spending a few months in an Allied prisoner-ofwar camp. He returned to the seminary late in 1945 and was ordained six years later, along with his brother. In a meeting with young people in 2006, the pope said witnessing the brutality of the Nazi regime helped convince him to become a priest. But he also had to overcome some doubts, he said. For one thing, he asked himself whether he “could faithfully live celibacy” his entire life. He also rec-
Prayer for Pope Benedict XVI O God, true shepherd of all the faithful, look with kindness on your servant Pope Benedict XVI, whom you set as head and shepherd of Your Church. We give you thanks for your grace at work in him as he had led us by word and example: in his teaching, in his prayer and in his great love. Grant him your strength in frailty, comfort in sorrow, and serenity amid the trials of this world; and guide your Church, built on the rock of Peter, with the power of your Spirit as we continue on the path that leads to you. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Source: U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
ognized that his real leanings were toward theology and wondered whether he had the qualities of a good pastor and the ability “to be simple with the simple people.” After a short stint as a parish priest, the future pope began a teaching career and built a reputation as one of the church’s foremost theologians. At Vatican II, he made important contributions as a theological expert and embraced the council’s early work. But he began to have misgivings about an
emerging anti-Roman bia from below” run on a pa the direction of theologic — criticism that would later years. In a 2005 speech that s festo for his young papac what he called a “herm and rupture” in interpret break with the past. The reading the council throu form” in continuity with In 1977, Pope Paul VI of Munich and Freising, a John Paul called him to for the Doctrine of the Fa nearly a quarter century ence on issues such as lib from church teachings a ordination. As the newly elected po that he took the name Ben ory of Pope Benedict XV of peace” during World W to place his ministry at th and harmony among peo The new pope spent m
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rn to faith and preaching, in encyclicals, letters, messages, homilies and talks that eventually numbered more than a thousand.
‘Religion of love’ Surprising those who had expected a by-thebook pontificate from a man who had spent more than 23 years as the Vatican’s chief doctrinal official, Pope Benedict emphasized that Christianity was a religion of love and not a religion of rules. During the 2010-11 Year for Priests, Pope Benedict held up the 19th-century French St. John Vianney as a model of clerical holiness who struggled against the indifference and hostility of a militantly secular society. He convened a Synod of Bishops on Scripture in 2008, in an effort to move the Bible back to the center of individual spirituality and pastoral planning. He opened a Year of Faith in October, presiding over a synod focusing on the new evangelization and a revival of Christian faith in the secular West, one of the priorities of his pontificate. Some of Pope Benedict’s most memorable statements came when he applied simple Gospel values to social issues such as the protection of human life, the environment and economics. When the global financial crisis worsened in 2008, for example, the pope insisted that financial institutions must put people before profits. He also reminded people that modern ideals of money and material success are passing realities, saying: “Whoever builds his life on these things — on material things, on success, on appearances — is building on sand.”
Seeking common ground
CNS photo / Paul Haring
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Relations with Judaism and Islam were among the pope’s priorities, as was Christian unity. He took steps to improve dialogue with Orthodox churches in particular. The fate of Christian minorities around the world was one of the pope’s major concerns, especially in places like Iraq and other predominantly Muslim countries. The pope strongly defended the right to religious freedom in his speech to the United Nations in 2008. In early 2007, the pope turned his attention to China, convening a meeting of church experts to discuss ways to bring unity to the church and gain concessions from the communist government. A papal letter to Chinese Catholics a few months later encouraged bold new steps to bridge the gap between Catholics registered with the governmentcontrolled Catholic Patriotic Association and the so-called underground communities, whose leaders were frequently harassed or imprisoned by the authorities. One of the most important documents issued under Pope Benedict, and with his explicit approval, was a doctrinal congregation instruction on bioethics in 2008. The document warned that some developments in stem-cell research, gene therapy and embryonic experimentation violate moral principles and reflect an attempt by man to “take the place of his Creator.” The pope’s own writings frequently explored the relationship between personal faith in Christ and social consequences. His first encyclical, “Deus Caritas Est” (“God Is Love,”), issued in 2005, reminded all people that God loves them and called on them to share that love in a personal and social way. It won high praise, even from quarters typically critical of the church. Two years later, his second encyclical, “Spe Salvi” (on Christian hope), warned that without faith in God, humanity lies at the mercy of ideologies that can lead to “the greatest forms of cruelty and violations of justice.”
His third encyclical, “Caritas in Veritate” (“Charity in Truth”) was released in 2009 and said ethical values are needed to overcome the current global economic crisis as well as to eradicate hunger and promote the real development of all the world’s peoples. His three-volume work, “Jesus of Nazareth,” published between 2007 and 2012 in several languages, emphasized that Christ must be understood as the Son of God on a divine mission, not as a mere moralist or social reformer. The books argued that while Christ did not bring a blueprint for social progress, he did bring a new vision based on love that challenges the evils of today’s world — from the brutality of totalitarian regimes to the “cruelty
of capitalism.” Although he was expected to reverse a trend set by Pope John Paul, Pope Benedict did not slow the Vatican’s saint-making machinery, but he did immediately announce he would not preside over beatifications. Pope Benedict did make two exceptions to his new rule: the first to beatify Cardinal John Henry Newman during a September 2010 visit to England; and the second to beatify Pope John Paul in May 2011. While Pope Benedict asked Vatican experts to be more selective in picking candidates for sainthood, he ended up canonizing 44 new saints, including the Native American Kateri Tekakwitha and Mother Marianne Cope of Molokai.
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Pope Bids Farewell
CATHOLIC SPIRIT • FEBRUARY 28, 2013
Twelve
to watch as cardinals gather in
Cardinal Timothy Dolan
Cardinal Peter Erdo
Cardinal Marc Ouellet
Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi
Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga
Cardinal Leonardo Sandri
Cardinal Robert Sarah
Cardinal Odilo Scherer
Cardinal Christoph Schonborn
Cardinal Angelo Scola
Cardinal Luis Tagle
Cardinal Peter Turkson
Rome
By Cindy Wooden and Francis X. Rocca Catholic News Service
Wherever journalists and bookmakers may be getting the names on their lists of top candidates for the next pope, it’s not from the cardinals who will actually vote in the election. Both custom and canon law forbid the cardinals to discuss the matter in such detail with outsiders. Moreover, the true “papabili” — literally, pope-ables — are likely to emerge only after all the world’s cardinals — not just the 117 who will be under 80 and eligible to vote — begin meeting at the Vatican in the coming days. One thing is already clear, however: because of their experience and the esteem they enjoy among their peers, certain cardinals are likely to serve as trusted advisers to the rest in the discussions and election. Here, in alphabetical order, are 12 cardinals expected to have a major voice in the deliberations: ! Cardinal Timothy Dolan Conventional wisdom has long held that the cardinals will never elect an American pope, lest the leadership of the church appear to be linked with the United States’ economic and geopolitical dominance. But the extroverted and jocular Cardinal Dolan, 63, charmed and impressed many in the College of Cardinals in February 2012 when he delivered the main presentation at a meeting Pope Benedict XVI had called to discuss the New Evangelization. The pope himself praised the New York archbishop’s presentation on how to revive the faith in increasingly secular societies as “enthusiastic, joyful and profound.” ! Cardinal Peter Erdo Although not a familiar name in the press, Cardinal Erdo of Esztergom-Budapest, Hungary, 60, is a major figure among his peers in Europe, the church’s traditional heartland and the region of more than half the cardinal electors. He was elected to a second five-year term as president of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences in 2011. ! Cardinal Marc Ouellet Cardinal Ouellet of Canada, 68, is a member of the Society of St. Sulpice, whose members are, strictly speaking, diocesan priests but which is normally considered a religious order. Hence he is one of only 19 members of religious orders among the cardinal electors, who are overwhelmingly diocesan clergy. He is prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, which coordinates the nomination of bishops in Latin-rite dioceses around the world, so his work has brought him into frequent contact with most of his fellow cardinal-electors. As
president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, he is well acquainted with one of the church’s largest and fastest-growing regions. The former archbishop of Quebec, who taught at the John Paul II Institute at Rome’s Pontifical Lateran University, is also a well-respected theologian. ! Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, 70, of Italy, president of the Pontifical Council for Culture, was the prelate chosen by Pope Benedict to lead his 2013 Lenten retreat, which will make him a prominent voice at the Vatican in the run-up to the election. The cardinal, a scholar with little direct pastoral experience, has been leading the universal church’s efforts to develop a nonconfrontational dialogue with nonbelievers, trying to make Christianity intelligible to the modern mind and build a reason-based consensus on key moral issues. ! Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga Another religious, a Salesian, Cardinal Rodriguez Maradiaga of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, 70, is president of Caritas Internationalis, the umbrella group of national Catholic charities around the world. As a result, many of his peers have come to know the multilingual cardinal as the person spearheading assistance to the neediest of their people. He aroused controversy in 2002 with remarks about clergy sex abuse that struck some as overly defensive of accused priests and the church’s past policies. But he was already widely mentioned as a possible pope before the 2005 conclave that elected Pope Benedict. ! Cardinal Leonardo Sandri Argentine Cardinal Sandri, 69, was born to parents of Italian descent and has maintained strong ties with both Italy and Argentina. As prefect of the Congregation for Eastern Churches, he is familiar with the challenges facing Eastern Catholics and the pastoral concerns of the church in the Middle East. He has worked in the Vatican for more than a dozen years, and previously served as nuncio to Venezuela and then Mexico. His only experience in a parish was a brief assignment shortly after his ordination as a priest. ! Cardinal Robert Sarah Cardinal Sarah, 67, of Guinea is president of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, which promotes Catholic charitable giving. He has used his leadership to emphasize Pope Benedict’s teaching that Catholic charitable activity must not be simple philanthropy, but an expression of faith, rooted in prayer and Catholic identity. A scripture scholar and former diocesan bishop, he served nine years as secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. ! Cardinal Odilo Scherer Another leading voice of the South American church
is 63-year-old Cardinal Scherer of Sao Paulo, Brazil’s largest diocese. The son of German immigrants, he also has strong ties to Rome. He studied philosophy and theology at Rome’s Pontifical Brazilian College and Pontifical Gregorian University and worked as an official of the Congregation for Bishops from 1994 to 2001. ! Cardinal Christoph Schonborn Cardinal Schonborn, 68, of Austria has known Pope Benedict for almost 40 years, having studied under him at the University of Regensburg, Germany. Even before his former professor became pope, the cardinal was well known at the Vatican and in wider church circles. He was invited in 1996 to preach Blessed John Paul II’s Lenten retreat and was the main editor of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, published in 1992. As the church in Austria has struggled with declining attendance and calls for change in some of its most basic disciplines, Cardinal Schonborn’s response has received increasing attention, with some praising his prudence and pastoral sensitivity, and others calling for more decisive action. ! Cardinal Angelo Scola Cardinal Scola, 71, is the archbishop of Milan, Italy, the archdiocese led by both Popes Pius XI and Paul VI when they were elected. He previously served as patriarch of Venice, once the see of Blessed John XXIII. The cardinal, a respected academic theologian rather than a popular preacher, has longstanding ties to one of the new church movements, Communion and Liberation, which is based in his archdiocese. ! Cardinal Luis Tagle Cardinal Tagle of Manila, Philippines, 55, is one of the youngest and newest members of the College of Cardinals. Although he did not receive his red hat until November 2012, he had already made a name for himself at the World Synod of Bishops on the Word of God in 2008. This leader of one of the world’s fastest-growing churches is a popular speaker with a doctorate in systematic theology and has served on the International Theological Commission, an advisory body to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. ! Cardinal Peter Turkson Cardinal Turkson is the 64-year-old former archbishop of Cape Coast, Ghana, and current president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. The cardinal, a biblical scholar who was active in ecumenical and interreligious dialogue, has frequently appeared on lists of possible popes. He aroused controversy in 2011 with a proposal for a “world central bank” to regulate the global financial industry, and then in October 2012 when he showed bishops at the Vatican a video warning about the growth of Muslim populations in Europe.
Pope Bids Farewell
FEBRUARY 28, 2013 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT
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What the Church needs now
Synod gives clues to cardinals’ priorities By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service
One task facing the College of Cardinals already has been completed: A job description for the Catholic Church’s chief evangelizer already is written. He must be humble, but firmly grounded in church teaching; joyful and enthusiastic; willing to listen to and dialogue with others; and courageous in defending human rights, including the right to freedom of religion. Before the cardinals enter the Sistine Chapel to begin voting for a successor to Pope Benedict XVI, they will hold meetings in the Vatican synod hall to discuss the current needs of the church. Many of them sat in the same room for three weeks in October discussing the same thing, so they won’t be starting from scratch. Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals, and 52 of the 117 cardinals who are under the age of 80 and eligible to vote for a new pope participated in the Synod of Bishops on the new evangelization. While emphases may change when the cardinals meet after Feb. 28, it is unlikely they will try to reinvent the wheel and almost impossible that they will come up with a new topic for discussion. The synod discussions covered the most crucial issues facing the church around
A job description for the Catholic Church’s chief evangelizer already is written. He must be humble, but firmly grounded in church teaching; joyful and enthusiastic; willing to listen to and dialogue with others; and courageous in defending human rights, including the right to freedom of religion. the world: proclaiming the Gospel; catechesis; the meaning and role of the family; parish life; the role of new movements; liturgy and the sacraments; the clerical sexual abuse crisis; relations with other Christians; dialogue with other religions; challenges to religious freedom; the message of the Second Vatican Council; the challenges and opportunities raised by science and technology; and dialogue with nonbelievers. The topics were seen as key elements in living the Catholic faith today. And while no one gave a speech dedicated specifically to the administrative working of the Vatican bureaucracy and consternation caused by the “VatiLeaks” scandal that led to the arrest and conviction of Pope Benedict’s butler, synod members did discuss the values that must inspire the way the church works in the world.
Humility and prayer The new pope will have to be the Catholic Church’s chief evangelist and, discussing the qualities an evangelist must
have, synod members focused on humility, prayerfulness and a willingness to listen. Of course, they added other qualities as well, including a thorough knowledge of Scripture and theology and an ability to communicate, whether through languages or the new media — qualities that also are on most other people’s check list for a new pope. Cardinal Luis Tagle of Manila, Philippines, told the synod that evangelizers must imitate the humility of Jesus — who was willing to become human, to suffer and to die for humanity — and the love of Jesus, particularly for “those neglected and despised by the world.” Polish Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski, prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education, told the synod that the greatest obstacle a priest or theologian faces in becoming an effective evangelizer “is without a doubt pride, along with its natural ally, selfishness. The obsession with becoming great, original [and] important reduces more than a few to being ‘pastors who shepherd themselves and not their
flocks,’” as St. Augustine once said. Synod members also called for church leaders who radiate joy and enthusiasm and who are not afraid to use new media and new structures “to move from a pastoral strategy of maintenance to a pastoral position that is truly missionary.” As Australian Cardinal George Pell told reporters during the synod, church meetings can be well-planned and faith-filled, “but we need fire, energy — that’s what the new evangelization is all about.” “We’re in the midst of an enormous struggle between good and evil, faith and fear on a supernatural as well as a natural level,” he said. “We could do with a bit more bite.”
Hope, not pessimism Before the conclave, the cardinals obviously will discuss the serious problems and challenges facing the church today. But if they follow the synod’s prescription, they will look for a leader who chooses optimism over gloom. The synod’s final message said, “We are not intimidated by the circumstances of the times in which we live. Our world is full of contradictions and challenges, but it remains God’s creation. The world is wounded by evil, but God loves it still. It is his field in which the sowing of the Word can be renewed so that it would bear fruit once more.” They added, “There is no room for pessimism in the minds and hearts of those who know that their Lord has conquered death and that his Spirit works with might in history.”
Marathon not a
Sprint
Let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12:1
Learning to Pray the Liturgy of the Hours Presented by Deacon Joseph Michalak, Catechetical Institute Instructor
2013 Archdiocesan Men’s Conference Saturday, March 16, 2013 • 8 a.m. – noon Confession beginning at 7 a.m.
University of St.Thomas Field House
March 6 & 20 7-9 p.m. Holy Spirit Catholic Church 1406 Randolph Avenue, St. Paul This two-part series is free and open to all. You o are welcome to attend one or both sessions. Registration required. (651) 962-6891 or www.LearnandLive.Eventbrite.com
SOD059913
•
St. Paul Campus
Featuring: Archbishop John Nienstedt Glenn Caruso, University of St. Thomas head football coach Father Bill Baer, Men’s Chaplain Raymond de Souza, Director of Evangelization/ Apologetics for the Diocese of Winona Adults $20 • Students $10 Registration: www.archspm.org or call 651-291-4488 Walk-in registration available the day of the event
Sponsored by the Office of Marriage, Family and Life
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FEBRUARY 28, 2013 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT
Jesus Learning more about our faith The Catholic Spirit’s 4-page Rediscover: pullout section in each issue of 2013 highlights a new Rediscover: theme for you to reflect on and discuss with others. Coming up March 14: What are Jesus’s greatest teachings?
Who is Jesus? He is Lord, God with us
“J
HEART OF THE MATTER Father John Paul ERICKSON
esus Christ is Lord.” This statement is one of the first and most important creedal expressions of Christianity, and it remains a foundational premise for the Christian way of life. But what exactly does it mean? How we answer this pivotal question will affect in the profoundest of ways how we understand Christianity itself, and how we live it. One of the ways in which the Church, our mother and our teacher, shows us how to properly understand this expression is through the Nicene Creed, recited in most parishes each and every Sunday. Within this ancient symbol of the faith, the Church enunciates an astounding claim regarding the identity of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is, according to the Creed: “The Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; [and] through him all things were made.” This stirring statement of Christ’s identity reveals that the Lordship of Jesus extends far beyond political claims and earthly power and influence. The Lordship of Jesus is the Lordship of God Himself.
The Catholic Spirit • February 28, 2013
This claim of the Creed finds its origin within the Gospels and, indeed, throughout the New Testament. In fact, it is Christ’s own identification with God that ultimately leads to his crucifixion and death. The “sin” of Jesus is the sin of blasphemy, for he dares to do what only God can do — forgive sins. Christ’s claim of divine Lordship is affirmed by means of the resurrection and ascension into heaven, where he now reigns forever at the right hand of the Father.
Hallmark of faith A firm belief in the divinity of Christ has been a hallmark of the true Christian faith since its beginning some 2,000 years ago, and if we lose this dogmatic grounding, we have lost Christianity itself and have replaced it with a religion of our own making. Jesus cannot be reduced to the caricature of a political radical, or to the sad case of a very good person who is tragically put to death for his gravely misunderstood love for the poor and vulnerable. Such errors completely overlook the novelty of the Christian message revealed in the Lord Jesus: God has become Please turn to REVELATION on section’s second page
Rediscover-faith.org
“God has become one of us, and he has willingly endured the suffering of humiliation, rejection and death out of a love that saves and redeems.” Father John Paul Erickson
An invitation from Jesus
It should come as no surprise to us that in this modern environment the relevance of Jesus is being undermined and questioned. The reason is simple: The philosophy of Christ is very different from the prevailing philosophies of our modern culture. In fact, they are completely opposed to each other. And yet, the teachings of Christ and these modern philosophies both claim to be the key to the fulfillment of a yearning that is common to us all. I believe God wants us to be happy. I believe God gave us this yearning for happiness that constantly preoccupies our hearts. It seems he has placed this yearning within each human heart as a spiritual navigational instrument designed to lead us to our destiny. God himself is the author of our desire for happiness. As a father who takes a sincere and active interest in the lives of his CELEBRATING children, God sent his only son to respond to humanity’s yearning for CATHOLICISM happiness and to teach us how to satisfy that yearning. God sent his son into the world to reconcile us with himself, certainly, but he also sent Jesus to show us how to live. Matthew The philosophy of Christ is the ultimate philosophy of human KELLY happiness. It isn’t just a way of life; it is the way of life. At the same time, the philosophy of Christ is one of self-donation. This is the great paradox of God’s teaching. In our misguided adventures, we may catch glimpses of happiness as we live outside of the philosophy of Christ. You may even taste happiness for a moment living a life contrary to the philosophy of Christ, but these are stolen moments. They may seem real, but they are just shadows of something infinitely greater. “The life that Jesus never asked, “What’s in it for me?” He was not motivated by the individualist creed; he was motivated by a spirit of service. Jesus invites us to Far from advocating a hedonistic deification of pleasure, Jesus gently proclaimed a life of self-denial, saying, “Whoever wishes to live is very follow me, let him deny himself and take up his cross” (Matthew different from 16:24). certainly didn’t ask himself, “What is the least I can do and the lifestyle our stillHebring salvation to humanity?” No, he asked, “What is the modern culture most I can do?” For this is the question of the lover. The attitude of Christ forms a stark contrast to the philosophies of invites us to live.” individualism, hedonism, and minimalism. The life that Jesus invites us to live is very different from the Matthew Kelly lifestyle our modern culture invites us to live. Individualism, hedonism and minimalism — and their various sibling philosophies, such as relativism and materialism — encourage us to do whatever we want, wherever we want, whenever we want. Jesus, on the other hand, invites us to a life of discipline and discipleship.
Life of discipline Having appeared to Mary Magdalene after his resurrection, Jesus summoned the disciples to Galilee. When the 11 were gathered together on the mountain, Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of every nation” (Matthew 28:19). He did not say, “Go and make followers of every nation.” It is easy to be a follower, but to be a disciple means to be a student — to be humble, docile and teachable, and to listen. All this requires discipline. Christ invites us to a life of discipline not for his sake, but for our sake; not to help him, but to help us; not to make him happy, but to allow us to share in his happiness. Jesus said, “I have come that you may have life and have it to the fullest” (John 10:10). Discipline is the path that leads to “fullness of life.” There are four major aspects of the human person: physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual. When we eat well, exercise often and sleep regularly, we feel more fully alive physically. When we love, when we give priority to the significant relationships in our lives, when we give of ourselves to help others in their journey, we feel more fully alive emotionally. When we study our vision of ourselves and God, the world expands, and we feel more fully alive intellectually. When we take a few moments each day in the classroom of silence to come before God in prayer, openly and honestly, we experience life more fully spiritually. All of these life-giving endeavors require discipline. When are we most fully alive? When we embrace a life of discipline. The human person thrives on discipline. Are you thriving? Or are you just surviving? Discipline awakens us from our philosophical stupor and refines every aspect of the human person. Discipline doesn’t enslave or stifle us; rather, it sets us free to soar to unimagined heights. It sharpens the human senses, allowing us to savor the subtler tastes of life’s experiences. Whether those experiences are physical, emotional, intellectual or spiritual, discipline elevates them to their ultimate reality. It heightens every human experience and increases every human ability. The life and teachings of Jesus Christ invite us to embrace this lifegiving discipline. Kelly is an international best-selling author, speaker and founder of The Dynamic Catholic Institute.
The Catholic Spirit • February 28, 2013
What a friend Maple Lake By Dave Hrbacek The Catholic Spirit
For most of Jason Benkowski’s teenage years, he thought the Eucharist “was really cracker.” Though he had made his first Communion in his hometown of St. Joseph in the D of St. Cloud, the lessons about what he was consuming didn’t stick. A future wife and a game played at her aunt’s house changed that, however. When was 19, he met Monica, the woman he would later marry at her hometown parish of Timothy in Maple Lake. She was a devout Catholic with a lot of things to teach him. One of them was wha eucharistic adoration chapel was. He thought it was a place where people got married. In a sense, he was right. It was in the adoration chapel at St. Timothy where he for bond with Jesus, a relationship he now equates to the one he has with Monica. Initially, he agreed to come to the chapel one time during courtship days when she was filling in for her mother. He sa in silence, then asked a series of questions afterward. “[Jesus is] more her“She re-introduced me back into the Church,” said Jason, who had been away for about a decade, starting when his fa than just quit going to Mass when he was 9. “When we first met, I re somebody that didn’t take it too seriously. I just watched her, and how she you go and tell firm in her faith. And, it sparked questions in my mind. I w interested in going back, at least with her to Sunday Masses your wish list to. would go with her every once in a while. Then, I started ha questions.” You can tell him [more] Eventually, those questions led him to a priest, with who spent a half hour confessing the sins of his teenage years. D what your that time, his relationship with Monica became serious and secrets are, you couple married in 2008. A year later, their daughter Kara was born. Jason’s journey can ask him for continued slowly, with more questions along the way.
help. If I just sit Getting the message Then came a spark that drove him deeper into his faith a and listen, I’ll get relationship with Christ. It seemed innocent enough — a fa an answer. get-together at the home of Monica’s aunt, Jean Stolpestad, director of the Office of Marriage, Family and Life in the Regardless of Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. what I’m asking, I They called it an Epiphany Party, with the purpose to hel 30 relatives gathered there to make spiritual resolutions for will get an coming year. After joining together for a short prayer, each person reac answer. I can have into a basket and removed a sealed envelope. Jason’s “virtue personal read: “Love of the Eucharist.” That became his spiritual goa the year. conversations Problem was, he needed an explanation of the card’s mes “I didn’t know what it meant,” he said. “So, I just asked with him, just like Monica, ‘What is that? I don’t know what it is.’ Jean overhe a best friend.” and explained it to me. I didn’t really take it too seriously at
time.” Eventually, however, he decided to start going to an ador chapel, the natural place to develop a love of the Eucharist. And, through that experience, he came to know Jesus, the one present in what he had previously thought was just a wafer. “I try to go every couple of weeks,” he said, noting that St. In his ow Timothy is located just three blocks from his home. “Right now, I want to take up an hour if I can. But, we’re in the process of Visit Re moving, so it’s kind of difficult. Once we’re settled in the new watch a house, I would really like to take up an hour every week, if not
Jason Benkowski
talking a
Revelation, witness and beauty help us to Continued from first page one of us, and he has willingly endured the suffering of humiliation, rejection and death out of a love that saves and redeems. The crucified image of Christ stirs the soul because it is the image of a God who loves unto death, even death on a cross. The Risen One, the God made flesh, bears within his wounded hands the marks of the very worst mankind is capable of, bleeding evidence of our capacity for evil and apathy. And, yet, this Christ still extends these wounded hands in welcome and in mercy to all who call upon his name. Truly,
he is Lord, unable to be cruelty.
Revealed to us
How do we know th to God the Father in al can only come through subsequent response o of faith. But such an act is no hope that what we pro Rather, we look to the saints and martyrs who
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be able to stop at least for five to 10 minutes every day, just to think and say thanks for the day and the lessons I have learned.” When he does go to the chapel, “It usually ends up being an hour to an hour and a half,” he said. “I’ll say a Divine Mercy Chaplet while I’m there. I’ll talk to him [Jesus] about ssage. my personal [life], what’s going on in my life, and ask him for guidance.” This gradual process over the last few years has helped him rediscover Jesus along with eard the rest of his Catholic faith. He has gone from asking Jesus for things to talking to him t that throughout each day. “In the past couple of years, I’ve learned that he’s more than just the Lord,” Jason said. ration “He’s more than just somebody that you go and tell your wish list to. You can tell him what your secrets are, you can ask him for help. If I just sit and listen, I’ll get an answer. Regardless of what I’m asking, I will get an answer. I can have personal conversations with him, just like a best friend. wn words “It’s hard to explain. It’s just a really personal relationship. . . . I’m able to tell him anything without fear of being judged, or [worry ediscover-faith.org to about] what he’s going to think of me. He’s just happy I’m there a video of Jason Benkowski talking.”
about his fraith journey.
o know Jesus is the son of God
e conquered even by sin and human
hat Jesus Christ is the son of God, equal ll things? In the end, such knowledge h the gift of revelation and the f the human heart that we call an act
ot simply a leap into darkness, a pious oclaim on Sundays is actually the case. witnesses of so many compelling o willingly waged their lives on the
claim of Christ’s Lordship and see that our own faith is not in vain. We look to the power and beauty of Christian culture found in literature, architecture, painting and, most of all, music, and see that this Jesus may in fact be beauty made flesh. We look to the breathtaking scope and daring wonder of Catholic theology and the whole Tradition of the Church, and find its font in the preacher and teacher from Nazareth, who is also God, Truth itself. Who is Jesus? He is Lord, the God with us.
My heart turned to butter when I heard a tinny rendition of Brahm’s “Lullaby” pluck out of the small wind-up. I was 16 weeks pregnant, mining Craigslist for a crib mobile that would match the decals I had just ordered, and here was my giraffe-monkeyelephant combo dangling beneath a quaint music maker. Suddenly, I saw motherhood as one continual lullaby, all fluttering lashes and flushed cheeks, full belly and dry diaper. The Edina mom selling it was savvy enough to record 17 seconds of the pulsing wind-up and email the video. Sold! I must’ve played the video 10 times that Friday afternoon, and soon I was knocking on her front door, handing over cash and peeking at the dark-haired boys REFERENCE who had outgrown their nursery accouterments. POINTS My first baby gift, an adorable stuffed giraffe from Target, arrived shortly later, and my theme was secured. Christina Soon after, I learned our artsy neighbors three doors CAPECCHI up had decorated their daughter’s nursery with a giraffe motif. The same week I stumbled upon pictures of the nursery designed for actress Tori Spelling’s fourth child, decked out with dozens of giraffes, including a macramé mobile with papier-mâché giraffes she had made. And, just last week, my notyet-pregnant friend shared her For vision of the perfect baby reflection nursery: white crib, navy hues and a giant stuffed giraffe. What What is it about the gangly reminders of safari mammal that can swing its Jesus did you long, muscular neck into so have in your many American nurseries? How childhood bedroom? do those knobby knees and What were the first lessons about faith interlocking violin-brown spots that your parents taught you? beckon to pregnant Pinterest users? For all our plotting and planning, what had rendered us future-mamas so unoriginal? Was I missing something? The art of preparing a nursery has become big business, tugging on heartstrings and purse strings alike. The idea is so alluring — that creating a cocoon for your newborn can somehow lead to the perfect start. Safety, serenity and stimulation, all bound in those wall shelves and knick-knacks. I doubt my mom flipped through a single shelter magazine as she arranged my nursery. But she and my dad knew what mattered most, and when I envision my childhood bedroom, I see a framed painting of Jesus embracing a young girl, fingers pressed to her chubby cheeks, reverence in his eyes, delight in her smile. Before my parents presented Cinderella or the Cat in the Hat, they introduced my siblings and me to Jesus. They framed his image above our heads and expressed his love through theirs. The building blocks of our faith formation came in steady, palatable intervals, from “Yes, Jesus loves me” to John 3:16. And the message, like the painting, couldn’t have been more positive. At a young age we knew who Jesus was because we knew our parents’ love. We came to understand that he is the son of God, both human and divine, the ultimate gift to mankind. The parables came before the nursery rhymes, showing us Jesus in action: healing the blind man, multiplying the bread, calming the storm, praising the poor widow, soothing the restless hostess.
Passing along what I learned Today I know much more – that he is prophet, priest and king, that Jesus means “God saves” in Hebrew, that his time on earth was driven by a clear purpose from God, just as ours should be. But the fundamentals remain the same, still central to my adult faith: Jesus as forgiver and friend, the source of lavish love, the one who came so that we may have life to the fullest. Now it’s my turn to pass on the education, so I asked my mom to retrieve the Jesus painting from my childhood bedroom upstairs. It’s ready to comfort another child, the perfect nursery art. I think I can make room amid the giraffes. Capecchi is a freelance writer from Inver Grove Heights.
Father Erickson is director of the archdiocesan Office of Worship.
Rediscover-faith.org
‘The Rediscover: Hour’ set to begin on Relevant Radio The Catholic Spirit A new locally produced radio show debuting March 1 will give Catholics of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis another opportunity to connect with the Rediscover: initiative and other New Evangelization efforts in the local Church. “The Rediscover: Hour” airs live from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. every Friday Regan on Relevant Radio AM-1330, with reruns at 6 p.m. on Saturdays and 9 a.m. on Sundays. Korie Regan, a member of St. Peter in North St. Paul, and Paul Sadek, operations manager at Relevant Radio, are hosting the show, which is being produced by the archdiocese in cooperation with the station. “Relevant Radio listeners are very engaged in their faith, and they know other Catholics in their lives who are perhaps seeking a deeper engagement with the faith but don’t know exactly how to go about doing that,” said Rita Beatty, communications manager for the archdiocese and the show’s co-producer with Sadek. “The Rediscover: initiative gives people some different opportunities for invitation, and ‘The Rediscover: Hour’ supports that.” “The Rediscover: Hour” features a variety of live and pre-recorded segments that will vary from week to week,
including: ■ A short conversation with Archbishop John Nienstedt on a faith topic; ■ An “Invitation Situation” segment with Bishop Lee Piché spotlighting ways to invite others to reengage in the faith. ■ “Let’s Hear It From The Catholic Spirit,” a live phone interview with Catholic Spirit editor Joe Towalski, Sadek who will talk about the current issue’s Rediscover: section theme and other topics of interest in the paper; ■ “Answering the Call,” featuring interviews with local and national figures who are living out the call of the New Evangelization; ■ A segment highlighting how parishes, schools and other Catholic organizations are successfully implementing Rediscover: efforts along with offering tips to emulate their success; ■ A interview with Craig Berry, the archdiocese’s social and new media manager, who will update listeners about the latest developments on the Rediscover: website (REDISCOVER-FAITH.ORG), app and social media sites. ■ “What are Catholics Saying,” which will feature brief person-on-the-street-style interviews with local Catholics on a variety of faith topics; ■ A run-down of upcoming evangelization and cate-
chetical events in the archdiocese.
Igniting flame of faith Regan, a Rediscover: leader at St. Peter’s, was tapped for the show because she is “passionate about the faith and has a lot of energy,” Beatty said. “We thought she’d bring a lot to the radio show.” A wife, mother of three children and now first-time radio host, Regan said she “felt like it was the Holy Spirit at work, calling me to try something new.” “I hope [the show] helps reignite a flame in the heart of those listening and inspires them to get more involved and proudly proclaim their Catholic faith,” she said. “I hope listeners can relate to me and can learn from the people we have on the show and grow in their faith as well.” Sadek, who has previously hosted live radio programs, said “The Rediscover: Hour” is a good opportunity for Relevant Radio to foster its relationship with the archdiocese. The Rediscover: initiative is “one of the most ambitious things I have ever seen the local Church do in any of the locales where I’ve lived,” he said. “I think there are a lot of opportunities it raises that have been untapped by many of our people. I think one of the things we’re trying to do with the show and with the entire Rediscover: effort is to make people aware of those opportunities.” “The Rediscover Hour” replaces the show “CityWinds” that previously aired in the same Friday time slot.
Story of human race offers answers about where we belong The Catholic Spirit “Where do I belong?” is a question that humanity has asked since the dawn of time. The answer for Christians is that, ultimately, we belong to the Church that Jesus created and that we entered into when we were baptized, Father Michael Keating told about 1,200 people Feb. 18 at St. John the Baptist in New Brighton. His multimedia presentation — the second talk in the Rediscover: Speakers Series — was titled “Living in Communion with God.” He repeated the presentation Feb. 19 at St. John Neumann in Eagan and Feb. 21 at Our Lady of Grace in Edina. Father Keating, an associate professor in the University of St. Thomas’ Catholic Studies department, told the story of humanity — beginning with God, through his creation of the angels, the visible universe and then human beings, who succumbed to the temptations and lies of the devil, leading to “the fall” of humanity. God, however, was determined to win the human race back, Father Keating said. God did this by taking on human flesh himself. Jesus Christ preached and spoke words of love and obedience, and he invited people to repent and come back to God. He died on the cross but rose from the dead to conquer sin and death, Father Keating said. But it didn’t end there, he added. Jesus “set up a society, a resistance movement behind enemy lines who would be his hands [and] his feet, who would speak his word, who would have power over the devil to free people from their slavery and to bring them life. That resistance movement is what we casually call ‘the Church.’” People might be impressed by this story but feel it is far removed from their lives today, Father Keating said. People may
ask, “How does this connect to me?” The answer can be found in the sacrament of baptism, he said. “What’s happening when we come to that font . . . is that this [human] creature who has belonged by a kind of right to the prince of darkness is now being transferred to the prince of light. Jesus himself is coming and saying, ‘This one is mine.’” In this way, we get connected to the life of Jesus, he said. “Jesus clothed himself in our humanity and then he dragged our humanity right through death and into eternal life behind him. If we get connected to him, he’ll drag us right through death and into eternal life, which is why we laugh at death [and] which is why we are no longer slaves of the prince of darkness.” Today, the Church is made up of more than 1 billion people, men and women, old and young, of every race and ethnicity. It is the place we find communion with God as members of his body and where we strengthen that bond through the sacraments, Father Keating said. “If we un-
Making an impact
Dianne Towalski / The Catholic Spirit
Father Michael Keating spoke on “Living in Communion with God” Feb. 18 at St. John the Baptist in New Brighton.
derstood ourselves truly, this is the deepest desire of our hearts. This is the place we will find that long-desired home. This is the Church of Jesus Christ, and this is where we belong.”
All talks begin at 7 p.m. Overcoming Life’s Challenges Through God’s Grace Monday, Mar. 4 New Brighton: St. John the Baptist Tuesday, Mar. 5 Eagan: St. John Neumann Thursday, Mar. 7 Edina: Our Lady of Grace Presented by Father Andrew Cozzens
The Catholic Spirit • February 28, 2013
the way
Keeping God at the Center of My Life Monday, Mar. 18 Tuesday, Mar. 12 Thursday, Mar. 21
New Brighton: St. John the Baptist Eagan: St. John Neumann Edina: Our Lady of Grace
Presented by Deacon Joseph Michalak
Rediscover-faith.org
Justin Ollerich, a member of St. Mark in St. Paul who attended the New Brighton talk with his mother-in-law, said he liked Father Keating’s comparison of the Church to a resistance movement behind enemy lines because “our lives as Catholics are very much like a battle with ourselves and with the world” — one that too often is at odds with Gospel values. Dan Weinberger came to the talk alone but ran into his brother and some friends at the church. The sophomore at the University of St. Thomas, who is involved in youth ministry at the school and St. John the Baptist, said he plans to invite more friends to the next Rediscover: talk because it “changed my life when a friend approached me to come to something like this. It wasn’t a talk; it was a retreat, but that retreat changed my faith life forever.” Note: Listen to an audio recording of Father Keating’s talk at Rediscoverfaith.org.
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