The Catholic Spirit - December 2, 2010 by The Catholic Spirit Publishing Co.

Newspaper of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis

The Catholic Spirit December 2, 2010

Pope starts Advent with prayer for life

St. Paul parish welcomes newcomers from Myanmar

News with a Catholic heart

5 TheCatholicSpirit.com

‘IT’S THE FRAME OF OUR DAY’

Catholic News Service Pope Benedict XVI welcomed the beginning of Advent with a prayer for life and a defense of the human embryo. The pope presided over an evening prayer service at the Vatican Nov. 27, part of a worldwide pro-life vigil. He said it was an appropriate initiative to launch at Advent, the liturgical period in which the church prepares to celebrate the birth of Jesus. In a homily, he said the church’s teaching against abortion comes from its teaching about the dignity of every human life.

Science offers proof Regarding the human embryo, the pope said science itself has demonstrated the embyro’s autonomous capacity of interaction with the mother, the coordination of its biological processes, the continuity of its development and its complexity as an organism. “This is how Jesus was in Mary’s womb; this is how we each were in our mothers’ wombs,” he said. Pope Benedict emphasized that the threat to human life does not end at birth. He said children today are often subject to abandonment, hunger, poverty, disease, abuse, violence and exploitation. Faced with this “sad panorama of injustices” before and after birth, the church calls everyone to responsibility, he said.

Dianne Towalski / The Catholic Spirit

Alessandro Marchetti, a junior at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, prays the Liturgy of the Hours Nov. 23 in the Sitzmann Hall chapel. He said he has prayed the Liturgy of the Hours daily since he was a child.

Advent is a perfect time to start praying the Liturgy of the Hours and reaping the spiritual benefits that it offers By Maria Wiering The Catholic Spirit

It was 6:25 a.m. The vast majority of University of St. Thomas residence hall windows were dark and the campus was quiet, except for the hushed voices of a few students walking briskly to the chapel. Every weekday morning, students meet to pray morning prayer at 6:30 at the Florence Chapel in the basement of the Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas. On this particular morning, 14 students — five women and nine men — sat down, opened their prayer books and prayed aloud in unison, their voices filling the small, dimly lit room. Liturgy of the Hours (sometimes called “the Divine Office”) is the public, daily prayer of the church. Mostly comprised of Scripture — especially Psalms and Gospel canticles — it’s organized as a four-week cycle of prayers, which are said at certain hours of the day. In an apostolic exhortation on Scripture released Nov. 11, Pope Benedict spoke about the beauty and importance of Liturgy of the Hours, and he encouraged lay people to pray it. The Liturgy of the Hours began as a

Reasons to pray the Liturgy of the Hours

You’ll learn Scripture better. Most of the Liturgy of the Hours is from the Psalms. “The Psalms have always been the Christian prayer book,” said Deacon Joseph Michalak, the archdiocesan diaconate formation director. You’ll meet the Church Fathers and other saints. “In the liturgical calendar, the church introduces you to great characters — the saints . . . whereas most people would not engage the saints on a daily basis,” said biblical scholar Jeff Cavins. You’ll also foster proper Marian devotion, Deacon Michalak added. You’ll celebrate the seasons in the church year. Instead of thinking only in terms of winter, spring, summer and fall, you’ll incorporate Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter and Ordinary Time in your understanding of the movement PLEASE TURN TO SIX ON PAGE 23

prayer of the laity in the early church, and it is a means to “pray without ceasing,” which Paul urges Christians to do in his First Letter to the Thessalonians. Today, lay people are still interested in praying it, said Deacon Joseph Michalak, director of diaconate formation at the St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul. Those wanting to deepen their prayer life often ask how to pray it, he said.

Prayer to order the day Liturgy of the Hours includes prayers for morning, midmorning, noon, midafternoon, evening and night. The prayers change daily, according to the liturgical season. Most religious communities pray the Liturgy of the Hours, and priests are required to pray it. In praying the Liturgy of the Hours, “all of time becomes immersed in the Paschal mystery,” Deacon Michalak said. St. Thomas junior Alessandro Marchetti, 20, has been praying the Liturgy of the Hours since about the second grade, he said. His brother, a seminarian, introduced him to the practice. Now that Marchetti PLEASE TURN TO POPE ON PAGE 22

DECEMBER 2, 2010 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Changes in lay pension plan were necessary

That They May All Be One Archbishop John C. Nienstedt

As a church, we are committed to justice. At the same time, we have to make fiscally responsible decisions

Last Thursday, as you know well, our nation celebrated its annual feast of giving thanks for all the blessings we have received. It is the closest we come to a secular holy day — that is, a holiday not associated with a religious feast. While I reviewed with gratitude the countless blessings I have received in my life, I was, at the same time, conscious of the challenges I have been given as well. Earlier this week, I announced a decision to freeze our defined benefit pension plan for our archdiocesan employees on Jan. 31, 2011, and, at that time, to enhance their defined contribution plan (called a 403(b) plan), which is funded by their employer. This decision was based on a recommendation of the Lay Pension Task Force as well as the Archdiocesan Finance Committee. The reason behind it was to protect the accrued benefits in the defined benefit plan that had been, among other things, severely affected by the downturn in the stock market these past years. Surely this is a challenge as it involves a change in overseeing the investing of the 403(b) plan. At the same time, I believe the bottom line will prove to be a blessing. I say this because: 1. We have preserved all the retirement benefits our employees have earned to date; 2. We have put into place an enhanced 403(b) pension plan that is employer sponsored; 3. And, in going forward, present

“I see the present decision as a way of affirming our responsibility to provide for competitive salaries and benefits in a sustainable way over the long term.

”

ARCHBISHOP JOHN NIENSTEDT

More inside Read more about changes to the lay pension plan on page 6.

salaries are maintained and benefits are provided. In talking with other bishops and reading reports about other non-profits dealing with this same problem, I wasn’t completely surprised that our pension program would be affected. But still and all, it is a different situation when the news is announced. But, again, the good news for our employees is that: 1. They will receive all the retirement benefits that they have earned to date; 2. They will be enrolled in an enhanced 403(b) pension plan that is sponsored by their employer; 3. That going forward, their salaries are maintained and their benefits are provided. More information is available on our archdiocesan website or at our Archdiocesan Pension Hotline (651)

The Catholic Spirit Vol. 15 — No. 21 BOB ZYSKOWSKI Associate publisher

JOE TOWALSKI Editor

Materials credited to CNS copyrighted by Catholic News Service. All other materials copyrighted by Catholic Spirit Publishing Company. Subscriptions: $29.95 per year • Senior 1-year: $24.95 • To subscribe: (651) 291-4444 Display Advertising: (651) 291-4444 ª Classified advertising: (651) 290-1631 Published bi-weekly by the Catholic Spirit Publishing Company, a non-profit Minnesota Corporation, 244 Dayton Ave., St. Paul, MN 55102 (651) 291-4444, FAX (651) 291-4460. Periodicals postage paid at St. Paul, MN, and additional post offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Catholic Spirit, 244 Dayton Ave., St. Paul, MN 55102. www.TheCatholicSpirit.com •e-mail: catholicspirit@archspm.org •USPS #093-580

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Recent headlines claimed our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, in a recent interview, said that the use of a condom during sexual intercourse could be morally justified to prevent the spread of AIDS. The implication, of course, would be that this was a change in the church’s teaching on the immorality of contraception. In point of fact, this was not what the pope said and no change in church teaching was being proposed. I offer for your consideration an excellent column by Dr. John Haas, president of the National Catholic Bioethics Center, which succinctly addresses the issues. — Archbishop Nienstedt By John M. Haas, Ph.D., S.T.L. It is difficult teaching moral truth in a day of instant communication and media manipulation. The publication of a series of interviews with Pope Benedict XVI by the journalist Peter Seewald, “Light of the World,” is a case in point. In reading an advance copy of the book, one knew the mass media would immediately focus on one thing and one thing alone: the pope’s remarks on PLEASE TURN TO CONDOMS ON PAGE 11

Archbishop Nienstedt’s schedule

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.

MOST REVEREND JOHN C. NIENSTEDT Publisher

291-4503. As a church, we are committed to justice. At the same time, we have to make decisions that will assist us in meeting present responsibilities without compromising future economic security. I see the present decision as a way of affirming our responsibility to provide for competitive salaries and benefits in a sustainable way over the long term. Working for the church should not be like working for a non-profit business organization. Working for the church should be like working with family; we all pitch in to do what needs to be done. This present change gives me the opportunity to express my deep gratitude to our employees for their dedication and their personal commitment to the work they do. The mission of the church, which is the mission of Christ, is greatly enhanced by what they do day in and day out. I applaud their service and assure them of the support of our Catholic faithful.

The pope and condoms

■ Saturday, Dec. 4: 5 p.m., Deephaven, Church of St. Therese: Sunday liturgy. ■ Sunday, Dec. 5: 10 a.m., Excelsior, Church of St. John the Baptist: Sunday liturgy. 3 p.m., St. Paul, Church of Holy Spirit: Parish communal penance service. ■ Monday, Dec. 6: 6 a.m., St. Paul, St. John Vianney College Seminary: Holy hour and Holy Eucharist, followed by breakfast. 10:30 a.m, St. Paul, The St. Paul Seminary: Meeting with administration. 11:35 a.m., St. Paul, The St. Paul Seminary: Holy Eucharist, followed by lunch. 3 p.m., St. Paul, Chancery: Archdiocesan Mission Board meeting. ■ Tuesday, Dec. 7: 8:30 a.m., St. Paul, Archbishop’s Residence: Scheduling meeting with staff. 10:30 a.m., St. Paul, Chancery: Meeting with council members of Companions of Christ. 1:30 p.m., St. Paul, Chancery: Archbishop’s Cabinet meeting. 3 p.m., St. Paul, Chancery: Catholic Cemeteries meeting. ■ Wednesday, Dec. 8: 7 a.m., Minneapolis, Missionaries of Charity: Holy Eucharist. 12:15 p.m., St. Paul, Cathedral of St. Paul: Holy Eucharist and blessing of the Pietá. 3 p.m., Prior Lake, Church of St. Michael: Lay pension plan meeting. ■ Thursday, Dec. 9: 8:30 a.m., St. Paul, Archbishop’s Residence: Planning for “lectio divina” at the University of St. Thomas. 10 a.m., St. Paul, Chancery: Catholic Services Appeal planning team meeting. 12 p.m., Minneapolis, Our Lady of Lourdes Church: Minneapolis Serra Club’s annual Advent Mass of Thanksgiving for Vocations to the Priesthood. 5 p.m., St. Paul, Crowne Plaza: Catholic Charities Annual Dinner. ■ Saturday, Dec. 11: 10 a.m., Golden Valley, Church of the Good Shepherd: Advent penance service. 5 p.m., Fridley, Church of St. William: Sunday liturgy. ■ Sunday, Dec. 12: 10:30 a.m., Golden Valley, Church of the Good Shepherd: Sunday liturgy. 8 p.m., St. Paul, University of St. Thomas: “Lectio divina.” ■ Monday-Tuesday, Dec. 13-14: Catholic University of America board meeting in Washington, D.C. ■ Wednesday, Dec. 15: 3:30 p.m., St. Paul, Archbishop’s Residence: High tea with the St. Paul Winter Carnival royalty. ■ Thursday, Dec. 16: 3:30 p.m., St. Paul, Chancery: Archdiocesan Finance Council meeting. ■ Friday-Saturday, Dec. 17-18: Retreat at King’s House in Buffalo, Minn., for men interested in the priesthood.

“The significance of this event is not furniture in the sanctuary but the mysterious relationship, the intimate friendship [Christ] wants to have with us.” Bishop Lee Piché

Local DECEMBER 2, 2010

News from around the archdiocese

The Catholic Spirit

Youth tabernacle project raises awareness and funds bills, which they also collected after Masses. Inspired by the children’s efforts, two anonymous donors made gifts totaling nearly $2,500. “The most important outcome is their excitement about the move of the tabernacle and their growth and understanding about the Eucharist,” said St. John the Baptist pastor Father Michael Skluzacek. The youth’s enthusiasm has caught on with many adults in the parish and has created a bridge between the children and adults, Harmon said. “It’s an opportunity for both the adults and the kids, learning catechesis around something that is, for lack of a better word, historical for our parish.” Following Archbishop Harry Flynn’s encouragement that parishes place their tabernacle prominently in the sanctuary to symbolize Christ at the parish’s center, St. John the Baptist parish undertook the project of repositioning its tabernacle with the help of a significant gift several years ago, said Father Skluzacek. Since the current church was built in 1968, the tabernacle has always been located in a side chapel, Harmon said. “A lot of the kids had never been back there,” she said. “A lot of these kids saw it for the first time.’” The icon the children helped sponsor is being written by St. Paul-based iconographer Nicholas Markell, who also wrote the triptych icon for the church in 2002. When it is installed on Jan. 9, 2011, the Holy Spirit icon will be placed at the top of the triptych.

By Susan Klemond For The Catholic Spirit

For Morgan Ulven, a fifth-grader at St. John the Baptist School in New Brighton, it was a cause she was willing to clean her room for — and even donate money she received from her grandma. This fall, Ulven and the school and church’s 800 youth prepared for the Nov. 20 dedication of the parish’s tabernacle with prayer, instruction and sacrificial giving that netted enough to pay for artwork that will accompany the tabernacle in its new location in the sanctuary center. The kids learned about the tabernacle and Eucharist while they raised more than $5,600 toward an icon of the Holy Spirit and banner which will be displayed with the new baldachin — or ornamental structure — housing the tabernacle and the triptych icon of the crucified Christ set behind it. In the process, the rest of the parish caught their enthusiasm. “I was happy I got to participate,” Ulven said. “It’s something I get to see each Sunday. . . . I can kind of visualize Jesus present with us.” The tabernacle placed behind the altar is a continual reminder of God’s grace, said Bishop Lee Piché, auxiliary bishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis who blessed the tabernacle at the Nov. 20 liturgy for the Solemnity of Christ the King. “The significance of this event is not furniture in the sanctuary but the mysterious relationship, the intimate friendship he wants to have with us.”

Nurturing reverence

Getting youth involved Last spring, parishioner Linda Harmon had the idea to raise the children’s awareness about the tabernacle by involving them in the larger project. “When you stop and think about it, the kids are going to have the longest memory of this event of anybody,” she said. “If our children are there 30 years from now with their kids and they’re looking at this tabernacle, what a great thing to be able to share it with their kids.” Harmon and fellow parishioner, Noelle Olson, coordinated the education and fundraising program for students in the parish school, faith formation and youth group. Students prayed a prayer to the Holy Spirit, and

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Jim Bovin / For The Catholic Spirit

Bishop Lee Piché, auxiliary bishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis, blesses the tabernacle during the dedication Nov. 20 of the baldachin and tabernacle at St. John the Baptist in New Brighton.

learned catechesis and Scripture about the Eucharist. The project’s fundraising component wasn’t a contest, but students were encouraged to contribute coins and

The parish hopes to repeat the success of the children’s tabernacle project with future initiatives, Harmon said, adding that she and Olson will make their teaching materials available to other parishes that are moving their tabernacles. Just as the children gained greater awareness of the Eucharist, Father Skluzacek said he hopes repositioning the tabernacle will result in greater reverence for the Eucharist in the parish. “When people come into church they will see the tabernacle and they will see that it is a place distinguished and therefore they will see that this is a holy place and that Christ is truly present.”

Local

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • DECEMBER 2, 2010

New Prague pastor relieved by changes to merger By Pat Norby The Catholic Spirit

Father Kevin Clinton, pastor of St. Wenceslaus in New Prague, said he is feeling a bit less pressure since Archbishop John Nienstedt modified the merger plan among six parishes in the area. The new decree for the New Prague area merger removed St. Thomas in St. Thomas from merging with St. Wenceslaus in New Prague and merges it instead with St. Anne in LeSueur as the receiving parish. The rest of the merger remains the same, with St. Benedict, St. John the Evangelist, St. Joseph and St. Scholastica merging into St. Wenceslaus on Jan. 1. The St. John, St. Scholastica and St. Wenceslaus buildings will remain open. The changes affecting the New Prague area merger are one of two mergers modified by Archbishop Nienstedt in response to information received from parishioners in petitions to reconsider merger decisions announced last October by the archdiocese. The other modification involved a merger of parishes in northeast Minneapolis. The original decisions in the remaining 12 mergers were confirmed.

Decisions still to be made In the New Prague area, “It’s a win-win situation,” Father Clinton said. The parishioners at St. Thomas are not only geographically closer to LeSueur, but they also have closer relationships to the parishioners at St. Anne, he said. It also decreases — from six to five — the number of parishes for which the pastor is now responsible to blend into one parish that worships at three sites. One of the greatest challenges will be

“The facts are that even with two priests serving five sites, the five sites were not sustainable.” FATHER KEVIN CLINTON

where and what time to celebrate six Masses at three sites, after the last Mass is celebrated at St. Benedict, he said. Mass has not been celebrated at St. Joseph for the past two years. Many decisions are yet to be made by the transitional leadership coordination committee, made up of two representatives from each of the five parishes, along with Father Clinton, Deacon Bob Wagner and Father Dave Barrett, the regional associate pastor. “The facts are that even with two priests serving five sites, the five sites were not sustainable,” he said. One of the sites had 14 households. Another site had just 50 to 75 people attending the one weekend Mass offered. “People are grieving,” Father Clinton said. It is like a death within the faith community. However, he said, the creation of the new parish won’t change much in the way people worship. That is just a “legal modification,” he said. What is more important is the relationship of the people, who have the power to create something new and life-giving for the future. Father Clinton said he is getting a lot of support and advice from the archdiocese

and meetings with other pastors of merging parishes. “Archbishop Nienstedt spent a few years in the New Ulm diocese where he learned a lot about rural faith communities,” he said. “So, that is to our advantage. He is not unfamiliar with the dynamics that do evolve and can evolve.” The pastor also is grateful that there are no staff reductions with the merger, since the parishes outside of New Prague did not have any staff besides the priest and volunteers. Throughout the merger process, Father Clinton is keeping people updated through the parish bulletins, announcements from the pulpit and through lay leaders reporting to the entire parish community. “As much as we can, we are trying to take the best from each community and bring it into the new environment,” he said.

Changes in Minneapolis In another merger in Minneapolis, Archbishop Nienstedt confirmed his original decision, with some modifications, to merge Holy Cross, St. Anthony of Padua, St. Clement and St. Hedwig.

Modifications include that the combined parish community will be named Holy Cross, and the effective date of the merger will take place upon the retirement of Father Earl Simonson as pastor of St. Clement, which will take place by July 1, 2013. The archbishop also reaffirmed the Polish nature of the combined parish community, including the continued offering of Mass in Polish, and he stated that Mass will continue to be offered onsite to residents of Catholic Eldercare facilities adjacent to the church buildings of St. Anthony of Padua and St. Hedwig. Father Glen Jenson, Holy Cross pastor, was unable to comment on the changes in the merger before this issue of The Catholic Spirit went to press. Parishioners involved in the two revised mergers — in the New Prague area and northeast Minneapolis — have until Nov. 29 to appeal the changes to Archbishop Nienstedt. Parishioners in parishes where the mergers remain unchanged have until Dec. 3 to appeal the archbishop’s decision to the Vatican if they choose to do so. Archdiocesan staff members are working with pastors, lay leaders and parishioners at affected parishes during this time of transition, according to a news release from the archdiocese. Pending appeals, the first round of mergers go into effect on Jan. 1. Changes will roll out over the following months and years; they will not all happen at the same time. According to the archdiocese, 21 parishes are scheduled to merge into 15 receiving parishes, which will lead to a reduction in the number of parishes from 213 to 192.

Religious sacrified much to serve people in this archdiocese By Julie Pfitzinger For The Catholic Spirit

Sister Midge Breiter, a member of the School Sisters of Notre Dame who has coordinated the archdiocesan Retirement Fund for Religious for close to three years, recently talked with The Catholic Spirit about her ministry. During her life as a religious, Sister Breiter has taught elementary school, worked in pastoral ministry and also served as a parish administrator. She currently works SISTER MIDGE as a caregiver to the homebound in addition to her role with the RFR. On the second or third Sunday of Advent (dependent upon the parish), a collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious will be taken throughout the archdiocese. The annual nationwide appeal is sponsored by the National Religious Retirement Office in collaboration with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and other national organizations of religious. Ninety-five percent of all donations go toward the retirement needs in religious communities across the country. As parishes prepare to take up this annual collection, Sister Breiter commented on the work of the RFR, what she

has learned through her involvement and why she is committed to continuing in her role. When you became coordinator for the RFR three years ago, what did you quickly learn about the fund or the people it serves that you didn’t know previously? From the 1930s and 1940s, up to the 1970s, the religious only received stipends, but that didn’t include a salary or any health benefits. I also didn’t realize so many religious communities were institutionally funded. There were many parishes that participated in this funding, but many that didn’t. That was a surprise. What additional things have you learned in the past three years? I learned that donations to the RFR come not just from parishes, but from groups like the Council of Catholic Women, matching gifts from companies like 3M and other sources. There are also people who want to remember the religious in their wills. I’ve been asked for information about the fund from people who are doing their estate planning. What inspires you to continue to do this work? After 22 years of the RFR, people continue to realize it will take many years to

How to help A collection for the 2010 Retirement Fund for the Religious will take place in parishes across the archdiocese this month. Donations can also be sent directly to the National Religious Retirement Office, 3211 4th St. NE, Washington, D.C. 20017-1194. For more information, visit WWW.RETIREDRELIGIOUS.ORG.

catch up: fewer than 7 percent of the 573 religious communities are adequately funded. People continue to be so generous and that inspires me to continue. Tell me how the RFR specifically helped a religious or community. Many religious health care facilities are self-insured and the cost of basic necessities like prescriptions continues to go up. With the help of the RFR, some communities have been able to establish hospice care within their own facilities, so the contributions people make go directly to the care of the sisters, priests and brothers in their final days. When the fund was first started, it was to last just 10 years, but this will be its 23rd year. What changed over that time that makes it necessary to continue the collection? For many years, the religious re-invest-

ed the small stipends they were given into their ministries, which left them with little. Expenses continue to increase, the economy has declined and the cost of health care has caused a drain on religious communities. Two out of three religious are now retired and by the year 2019, it is projected that religious older than age 70 will outnumber those under 70 by four to one. Fewer are joining religious communities; there aren’t many of us out here working right now. What’s the most inspiring story you’ve heard from someone who has been a fund contributor? There was a man who attended Catholic school in the 1960s and while he said his parents paid to send him to school, he knew of many in the school whose parents couldn’t pay. He realized there is a need to help the religious who ran these schools. There was another woman who remembered that tuition was 50 cents per month at the Catholic school she attended in the 1950s, but some families couldn’t afford that and would bring food for the sisters instead. Parents made sacrifices to send their children to Catholic school, but the religious communities also made sacrifices. It’s a matter of justice when it comes to taking care of the religious now.

Local

DECEMBER 2, 2010 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Myanmar refugees bring new life to St. Bernard By Julie Carroll The Catholic Spirit

Father Mike Anderson waited patiently on the front steps of St. Bernard in St. Paul last Sunday morning, his purple vestments cloaking him from the November chill. Clanging church bells heralded the 10:30 Mass, but only a smattering of parishioners prayed silently in the pews. Minutes later, a yellow school bus pulled up to the curb, then another one behind it. The priest’s face lit up as he greeted dozens of people pouring off the buses into the church. About 400 Myanmar refugees have found a spiritual home at St. Bernard in recent months. For Father Anderson, the refugees’ arrival has been nothing short of a miracle, he said. “I think it’s the best thing that could have happened to us,” Father Anderson told The Catholic Spirit. “For 15 years, we’ve watched our parish rolls drop from 1,000 families to less than 400 families. . . . [The refugees] are a sign of new life.”

Come one, come all It all started a little over a year ago when one Catholic family from the Myanmar state of Karenni heard church bells ringing in the distance. The family members followed the sound to St. Bernard, where they began attending Mass regularly. One day, the couple invited Father Anderson to visit them in their home. “We had a very silent visit with each other because I didn’t know their language and they didn’t know mine,” Father Anderson said. “But somehow it began a bond.” As the seasons changed, the couple approached Father Anderson once again to ask him if he would like for them to continue going to Mass at St. Bernard during the winter. When Father Anderson replied he would, the couple said they would need help with transportation. Without hesitation, Father Anderson offered to drive the grateful couple to church in his Ford Taurus. Soon he began picking up other Myanmar refugees along the way. “Every Sunday they’d lead me to another person and another person, and pretty soon I brought like eight families to church one Sunday. They were sitting on each others’ laps,” Father Anderson said with a laugh. At a parishioner’s suggestion, Father Anderson decided to contract with a bus company to transport people to church.

Dianne Towalski / The Catholic Spirit

Father Mike Anderson greets refugees from the Myanmar state of Karenni as they get off a school bus to attend Mass at St. Bernard in St. Paul Nov. 28. The parish has arranged for transportation for nearly 400 Myanmar refugees that have started coming to Mass recently.

“I didn’t know how many people would come,” Father Anderson said, “but within two weeks we had 125 Karenni joining us every Sunday for Mass.” Since then, the refugee population at the parish has continued to grow. As word spread that St. Bernard was welcoming the Karenni, refugees from Karen, another Myanmar state with its own language and cultural identity, also began attending Mass there. Some families have come from as far away as Texas to join what they heard was a Catholic church that would welcome them, Father Anderson said.

New challenges While the refugees have been a tremendous blessing for St. Bernard, making the parish a welcoming environ-

ment for them has presented some challenges, Father Anderson admitted. One of the biggest challenges has been language. Most of the refugees have only recently arrived in the United States and are just beginning to learn English. Several members of the Karenni and Karen communities serve as interpreters to help with sacramental preparation and other needs. Then there are challenges that naturally arise from blending different cultures. While most long-time parishioners have welcomed the newcomers with open arms, a few have struggled, Father Anderson said. To help with the transition, Father Anderson said, “we’re doing different SEE CATHOLIC ON PAGE 19

Local

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • DECEMBER 2, 2010

Archdiocese announces changes to lay pension plan The Catholic Spirit The way the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis helps provide for the retirement of its lay employees — many of them teachers in Catholic schools — will change beginning in January. What has been a defined benefit pension plan for some 6,835 teachers, parish staff, archdiocesan staff, and retirees from schools, parishes, the chancery and other local Catholic ministries, will become a defined contribution plan, one in which the employer contributes a determined amount to the lay employee’s 403(b) Tax Deferred Annuity (TDA) account. The current defined benefit plan will be frozen, which means that the pension portion of vested lay employees’ retirement packages will be calculated on the amount they would be eligible for based on their eligible years of service and salary history as of Jan. 31, 2011. After that date, the defined benefit or pension will not continue to increase in value. Instead, the archdiocese will contribute an amount equal to 2.5 percent of an employee’s salary to the employee’s 403(b) account, enabling the employee to structure his or her own investment strategy with that portion of the retirement package. As with the current program, employees are vested after five years of service. The priests of the archdiocese are covered under a separate pension plan that

has a different funding formula, according to John Bierbaum, the archdiocese’s chief financial officer.

Two main causes Bierbaum explained that while the pension plan was over-funded in 2008, by 2009 the market collapse meant the pension fund was only 61 percent funded, a $38.8 million shortfall. Although gains in the market brought that funding up to 70 percent by January 2010, the growth of the plan’s obligations added to the need for the archdiocese to take action. More lay employees with longer years of service at higher salaries meant that the pension plan required a greater level of funding. The combination of the two factors caused the Pension Board of Trustees to consider several options, and Archbishop John Nienstedt accepted the recommendation to adopt the freeze-plus-definedcontribution option. At a meeting of priests and ministry leaders Nov. 27, he said two positives in the new retirement package are that vested employees don’t lose anything, and the new 403(b) contribution will continue to provide benefits. “I’m convinced it’s the best program to offer our people,” the archbishop said. “We want [our employees] to know how valuable they are to us.”

Several options considered A contributing factor is that the actual

employers of lay people — primarily parishes, but the archdiocesan central corporation as well, and ministries such as Catholic Finance Corporation and The Catholic Spirit — have been impacted by the economic downturn and would struggle to continue to increase their contribution to the plan. Earlier this year, the employer contribution to the pension plan was increased 50 percent, from 5 percent of employees’ salary to 7.5 percent. Bierbaum said a Pension Task Force comprised of members of the Pension Board, the Archdiocesan Finance Council, and at-large financial experts began last May to address the funding shortfall in the defined benefit plan. Among the options — but not the only ones — considered were: ■ Dropping the pension altogether, which would have greatly reduced the benefit to employees — current and retired. ■ Raising the employer contribution. It would have required increasing that contribution from 7.5 percent to 10-to12 percent, an amount that neither the parishes nor the archdiocese could afford. The pension freeze along with the 2.5 percent contribution to a 403(b) plan was seen as the best option to preserve the pension dollars employees have earned up to this point, and with the 403(b) contribution to help them continue to save

for their retirement. “The move to a defined contribution plan is changing responsibility for retirement funds from employer to employee,” Bierbaum said. “It sounds defensive, but we’re not the only ones doing this.” The Diocese of Gary, Ind., and the Archdiocese of Boston are going to the same plan, he said.

Impact of market felt Poor investment choices were not a factor in the pension fund deficit, Bierbaum noted. Investments in the pension fund — selected by an investment board — have out-performed the market overall during the past 25 years. An 18.6 percent return during 1984-89 and a 13.8 percent return from 1989-1994 turned into a 2.3 percent return from 19992009, mimicking the market to a great degree. Over the 25-year period from 1984 to 2009 the pension fund investment averaged a 10 percent return. The archdiocese began this week to inform employees of the change to the retirement package, and nine additional meetings are scheduled Dec. 7 through 17 at parishes and schools across the archdiocese Visit this story at THECATHOLICSPIRIT.COM for a list of meeting dates, locations and times.

365 Reasons for Hope I

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“The image that emerges is not that of a man isolated in the Vatican, but a pope who knows what is going on in the world and is willing to talk about everything.” Passionist Father Ciro Benedettini, vice-director of Vatican press office

Nation/World DECEMBER 2, 2010

News from around the U.S. and the globe

The Catholic Spirit

Pope comes into clearer focus in new book Comments about condoms received all the media attention, but the pope addressed many other topics — from sexual abuse to the need for a global ‘examination of conscience’

The pope laughed when Seewald suggested that he looked good enough to be a fitness trainer, and said he has to conserve energy during his busy days. Asked whether he uses an exercise bicycle a doctor had given him, the pope replied: “No, I don’t get to it at all — and don’t need it at the moment, thank God.” He said he spends his free time reading, praying and sometimes watching DVDs — typically with religious themes — with members of the papal household.

By John Thavis Catholic News Service

Pope Benedict XVI’s book-length interview sparked global attention, particularly for his comments suggesting that condom use might be acceptable in some circumstances. But he talked about many other topics. In the 219-page book, “Light of the World: The Pope, the Church For more on and the Signs of the Times,” the German pontiff spoke candidly on the pope’s the clerical sex abuse scandal, relacomments tions with Islam, papal resignation about and the “threatening catastrophe” facing humanity. condoms, The wide-ranging interview was see page 2 conducted by German writer Peter Seewald, who posed questions in six one-hour sessions last summer. The book was released Nov. 23 at the Vatican, but ample excerpts were published three days earlier by the Vatican newspaper. The book reveals a less formal side of the pope, as he responds simply and directly on topics as diverse as the joy of sex and the ban on burqas. Much of the conversation focuses on the pope’s call for a global “examination of conscience” in the face of economic disparity, environmental disasters and moral slippage. The pope repeatedly emphasized that the church’s role in a largely broken world is not to impose a “burden” of moral rules but to open the doors to God. Even before the book’s release, media attention centered on the pope’s remarks on condoms in AIDS prevention. While repeating his view that condoms cannot be the answer to the AIDS epidemic, the pope allowed that in some specific cases — for example, that of male prostitutes — use of a condom could be a step toward taking moral responsibility for one’s actions.

Sadness and optimism An entire chapter and parts of others were dedicated to the clerical sex abuse scandal. The pope called it “a great crisis” that left him “stunned by how wretched the church is, by how much her members fail to follow Christ.” “It was really almost like the crater of a volcano, out of which suddenly a tremendous cloud of filth came, darkening and soiling everything, so that above all the priesthood suddenly seemed to be a place of shame,” he said. He expressed optimism about the church’s recovery from the scandal, saying God continues to raise up Catholic saints. But he also said he understands why some Catholics, particularly victims, have responded by leaving the church in protest. “It is difficult for them to keep believing that the church is a source of good, that she communicates the light of Christ, that she helps people in life — I can understand that,” he said. The pope said media coverage of the abuse scandal was partly motivated by a desire to discredit the church. But he added that the church must be “grateful for every disclosure” and said the media could not have reported

Bringing God ‘back into the center’

Want to read more? For information about ordering “Light of the World: The Pope, the Church and the Signs of the Times” visit the online version of this story at THECATHOLICSPIRIT.COM.

Much of the book dealt with the pope’s strategy for presenting the church’s message in a largely skeptical world. The essential problem today, he said, is that the prevailing model of economic and social progress leaves out God, and thus omits the ethical aspect. Impending climactic disaster actually provides an opportunity to evangelize and promote moral decisions, he said. The problem, though, is that populations and countries seem unwilling to make sacrifices — which is where the church can make a difference, he said. It is urgent to “bring the question about God back into the center,” he said. “The important thing today is to see that God exists, that God matters to us and that he answers us.” He said the church can do this only if its own members live the faith in their daily lives. He said that simple task should be the priority today, rather than embarking on major initiatives like a third Vatican Council. The pope said the church’s task is threatened by a “new intolerance” that would limit religious expression in the name of non-discrimination, for example in banning the display of crucifixes in public schools, or in condemning specific church teachings. “When, for example, in the name of non-discrimination, people try to force the Catholic Church to change her position on homosexuality or the ordination of women, then that means she is no longer allowed to live out her own identity,” he said. In that regard, the pope said other religions face similar pressures. He said, for example, that he saw no reason for Western countries to ban the burqa, the Islamic veil, as long as it is worn voluntarily.

More views in this way “had there not been evil in the church.” The pope pointed to the church’s new rules and policies on sex abuse, but he appeared to acknowledge that more might have been done. He noted that in 2002, the Vatican and U.S. bishops established strict norms to curb sex abuse in U.S. dioceses. “Would it have been Rome’s duty, then, to say to all the countries expressly: Find out whether you are in the same situation? Maybe we should have done that,” he said. The pope was asked if he considered resigning in the face of such burdens as the sex abuse crisis. He responded: “When the danger is great one must not run away. For that reason, now is certainly not the time to resign.” But he added that if a pope is no longer physically, psychologically and spiritually capable of handling the duties of the papacy, he has a right and perhaps an obligation to resign. The pope spoke candidly of his age and health, saying his schedule of meetings and trips “really overtaxes an 83-year-old man.” “I trust that our dear Lord will give me as much strength as I need to be able to do what is necessary. But I also notice that my forces are diminishing,” he said.

On other topics, Pope Benedict had this to say: ■ He defended the 1968 encyclical “Humanae Vitae,” which taught that artificial contraception in marriage is morally wrong, but said the church needs to find ways to help people live the teaching and show tolerance to those who have problems with it. The pope noted that the church accepts natural regulation of conception. He said that method presupposes that couples take time for each other, and is far different from taking a pill “so that I can jump into bed with a random acquaintance.” In general, he said, the church has to return to the “genuinely Christian attitude” of joy, as well as discipline and responsibility, in sexuality. ■ He said dialogue with Muslims has improved during his pontificate, in part because Muslim scholars accept that Islam needs to clarify its relation to violence and its relation to reason. ■ The pope took issue with critics of the wartime policies of Pope Pius XII, saying that he “saved more Jews than anyone else” by quietly opening doors to church institutions. ■ He said he began distributing Communion on the tongue during papal Masses not because he was opposed to Communion in the hand, but to “send a signal” about respect for the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

Nation/World

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • DECEMBER 2, 2010

Contraception, sterilization are not preventive health services, panel told By Nancy Frazier O’Brien Catholic News Service

Contraception and sterilization should not be included among mandated “preventive services” for women under the new health reform law, a spokeswoman for the U.S. bishops told an Institute of Medicine committee in mid-November. “As you study the vital question of preventive services for women under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, I urge you to MCQUADE focus on services that will offer authentic care and save lives,” said Deirdre McQuade, assistant director for policy and communications at the bishops’ Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities. The Institute of Medicine’s Committee on Preventive Services for Women is charged with recommending to the Department of Health and Human Services a list of preventive services for women that will be mandated for all health plans under the new health reform law. HHS is to announce that list next August.

Pregnancy not a disease Addressing the committee at its first meeting, McQuade echoed a letter sent by the Office of the General Counsel of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to HHS Sept. 17. “The conference has a particular concern that contraceptives and sterilization

“To prevent pregnancy is not to prevent a disease — indeed, contraception and sterilization pose their own unique and serious health risks to women and adolescents.

”

DEIRDRE MCQUADE Assistant director for policy and communications for U.S. bishops’ Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities

not be mandated as ‘preventive’ services,” she said. “To prevent pregnancy is not to prevent a disease — indeed, contraception and sterilization pose their own unique and serious health risks to women and adolescents. “In addition, contraceptives and sterilization are morally problematic for many stakeholders, including religiously affiliated health care providers and insurers,” McQuade said. HHS’ interim final rules for women’s preventive services include such medical services as blood pressure and cholesterol screening; diabetes screening for hypertensive patients; various cancer and sexually transmitted disease screenings; routine immunizations; and counseling related to aspirin use, tobacco cessation and obesity. Those services “pose little or no medical risk themselves, and they help prevent or ameliorate identifiable conditions that would pose known risks to life and health in the future,” McQuade said. But the use of prescription contraceptives “actually increases a woman’s risk of developing some of the very conditions

Because

that the ‘preventive services’ listed in the interim final rules are designed to prevent, such as stroke, heart attacks and blood clots . . . , so a policy mandating contraceptive services as ‘preventive services’ would be in contradiction with itself,” she added.

Conscience concerns McQuade also said the mandated inclusion of contraception and sterilization would violate the freedom of conscience of those employers and insurers who object to them and of the insured who prefer that their policies not include them. “Thus the administration’s promise that Americans who like their current coverage will be able to keep it under health care reform would become a hollow pledge,” she said. The Institute of Medicine is “an independent, nonprofit organization that works outside of government to provide unbiased and authoritative advice to decision makers and the public,” according to its website. It is an arm of the National Academy of Sciences.

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Briefly Vatican says China is violating religious freedom The ordination without papal approval of a bishop in China inflicted a “painful wound” on the Catholic Church, and government pressure on other bishops to participate in the ceremony was a “grave violation of freedom of religion and conscience,” the Vatican said. Under close surveillance from local government officials Nov. 20, Father Joseph Guo Jincai was ordained bishop of Chengde — the first bishop ordained without papal approval in four years. Eight bishops in communion with Pope Benedict XVI laid their hands on Father Guo, whose ordination was illicit in the eyes of the church. Some of the ordaining bishops had been detained by government officials in the days before the ordination in an effort to force them to participate, reported the Asian church news agency UCA News.

U.S. seminary in Belgium to close The American College of the Immaculate Conception in Leuven, Belgium, will close at the end of this academic year because of the small number of seminarians and difficulties in obtaining qualified priests for its faculty. The decision to close in June 2011 was announced to the public Nov. 22 by Bishop David Ricken of Green Bay, Wis., who chairs the board of bishops of the American College. Founded in 1857 by the U.S. bishops and associated with the Catholic University of Louvain, the college originally had a dual purpose — to train young European men to become missionaries in the United States, especially for the immigrant population, and to offer U.S. seminarians “the philosophical and theological riches available at Europe’s oldest Catholic university,” according to the seminary’s website.

Pope creates 24 new cardinals Pope Benedict XVI created 24 new cardinals, including two from the United States, and called them to be strong in spreading and defending the faith and promoting peace and tranquility within the church. Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington and Cardinal Raymond Burke, prefect of the Vatican’s supreme court, joined other new cardinals from 13 countries Nov. 20 in formally professing their Catholic faith and fidelity to the pope. — Catholic News Service

“Communication is not simply one dimension of evangelization; without communication there can be no evangelization.” Archbishop Claudio Celli, head of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications

This Catholic Life DECEMBER 2, 2010

Opinion, feedback and points to ponder

The Catholic Spirit

Christophers: Lighting candles of hope for 65 years t’s better to light one candle than to curse the darkness.” If that saying is familiar to you, it’s probably thanks to The Christophers, a non-profit media organization founded in 1945 by Maryknoll Father James Keller. Born in 1900, he developed a missionary spirit and joined the Maryknoll Fathers to spread the Good News far and wide. On a 1928 trip through the Far East, he visited China and grew troubled at the growing power of communism. This, Tony Rossi combined with his experience of the Great Depression and two world wars, focused his belief on the potential of each individual to create a better world. Father Keller realized that the course of human history wouldn’t improve until more individuals took the initiative to follow Christ’s commandments in every facet of life. One day, he attended a meeting at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City. Upon entering the auditorium, all the lights were off and he couldn’t see a thing. The man accompanying him lit a match so he could find the light switch. Father Keller wrote in his autobiography: “The sight of that tiny flame made an indelible impression on me. Insignificant as it was, it was greater than the darkness. All that was needed to banish the darkness completely was to multiply that flicker of light.” That experience dramatized Father Keller’s belief in the Chinese proverb, “It’s better to light one candle than to curse the darkness,” which became The Christophers’ motto. He believed it echoed St. Paul’s advice, “Be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

“I

Commentary

Bearing truth of Christ In 1945, Father Keller officially took the concepts of God-given purpose, indi-

Photo courtesy of The Christophers

Bob Hope, left, golfer Ben Hogan, Father James Keller and Bing Crosby share a laugh in this undated file photo from The Christophers.

See it online To view the film “You Can Change the World” and to learn more about The Christophers, go to WWW.CHRISTOPHERS.ORG/YOUCANCHANGE THEWORLD.

vidual responsibility and constructive action and used them to form the foundation of the Christopher movement. He chose the name because it meant “Christbearer” in Greek. The goal was to encourage people to bear the truths of Christ to the world at large, especially in areas of influence such as government, education and media.

With a message that crossed denominational boundaries, Father Keller spread the word about The Christophers through speaking engagements and Christopher News Notes — bulletins showing how people can apply divine principles to modern life. In 1948, Father Keller’s book, “You Can Change the World,” was published. It became a bestseller and attracted Hollywood’s attention.

Hollywood connections With Academy Award-winning director Leo McCarey (“The Bells of St. Mary’s”) on board, a film entitled “You Can Change the World” was produced to reach a wider audience with the Christopher message. Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Jack Benny, Ann Blyth, Loretta Young

and other stars contributed their talents to creating this insightful half-hour movie. The advent of television led to Christopher films establishing a weekly presence on TV stations beginning in 1952. One popular presentation was “A Link in the Chain,” a story about a teacher who made a difference in his students’ lives. It starred actor James Cagney in his firstever TV appearance. The dramas evolved into a talk-show format in which Father Keller visited with different guests — some famous, some not so famous — to chat about their lives, work and how they saw Christopher principles at work in the world. Other initiatives (which are ongoing) included the Christopher Awards, a “Three Minutes a Day” book and the Christopher Leadership Course. Father Keller influenced many people, but one of the most notable examples is Joan Ganz Cooney. After hearing him speak about being a force for good in the media, Cooney pursued a career in television. She went on to create the PBS series “Sesame Street,” which has educated and inspired generations of children.

Making a difference As it was during the lifetime of Father Keller, who died in 1977, the world today is going down a dangerous road. Society is experiencing war, a decline in traditional values, and a spiritual drift away from God. But now, as then, the solution lies in each person’s ability to act as a Christopher, embodying the virtues of faith, hope and charity. As Father Keller said, “The efforts of even the least among us can be blessed with results that will exceed the fondest hopes of anyone. God is behind us. He will supply his grace in abundance. . . . It is a great time to live.” Tony Rossi is a radio host and producer for The Christophers.

Catholic newspapers have ‘irreplaceable’ role, pope says Catholic News Service Pope Benedict XVI said the Catholic press has an irreplaceable role in forming Christian consciences and reflecting the church’s viewpoint on contemporary issues. Despite the crisis in print media today, the Catholic newspaper still has a vital role to play in diocesan communications, the pope said. He made the remarks Nov. 26 to members of the Italian Federation of Catholic Weeklies, which represents 188 Catholic newspapers.

The pope said that while secular media often reflect a skeptical and relativistic attitude toward truth, the church knows that people need the full truth brought by Christ. “The mission of the church consists in creating the conditions so that this meeting with Christ can be realized. Cooperating in this task, the communications media are called to serve the truth with courage, to help public opinion see and read reality from an evangelical viewpoint,” he said. A primary task of the Catholic news-

paper, he said, is to “give voice to a point of view that reflects Catholic thinking on all ethical and social questions.”

‘Newspapers of the people’ The pope said the printed newspaper, because of its simplicity and widespread distribution, remains an effective way of spreading news about local diocesan events and developments, including charity initiatives. As “newspapers of the people,” he said, Catholic papers can also favor real dialogue between different social sectors

and debate among people of different opinions. “By doing this, Catholic newspapers not only fulfill the important task of providing information, but also perform an irreplaceable formative function” in the education of “critical and Christian consciences,” he said. The pope said Catholic journalists should give witness to their faith in their work. Their success as Catholic communicators will depend above all on their personal relationship with Christ, he said.

Opinion

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • DECEMBER 2, 2010

/ This Catholic Life

How are we serving the least among us? wo important anniversaries occur this week that deserve special mention.

founder of the Catholic Worker Movement — took the Gospel message to heart to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and welcome the stranger.

T Editorial Joe Towalski

Two notable anniversaries remind us what faith requires

Dec. 2 marks the 30th anniversary of the murder of four missionary churchwomen — Maryknoll Sisters Maura Clarke and Ita Ford, Ursuline Sister Dorothy Kazel and lay missionary Jean Donovan.

Answering the call

They were brutally raped and shot by five Salvadoran national guardsmen who ran the women’s vehicle off a road. Their crime? Serving the poor as Christ did, teaching them about their God-given human dignity and helping them deepen their spiritual lives at a time when El Salvador was devastated by civil war and their actions were perceived as a threat to the government.

Above: Clockwise from top, Maryknoll Sisters Ita Ford and Maureen Clarke, Ursuline Sister Dorothy Kazel and Jean Donovan.

Their deaths came less than a year after the assassination of Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero, another friend of the poor. This week — Nov. 29 — also marked the 30th anniversary of the death of another women who likewise made a commitment to serve the poor no matter the cost. Dorothy Day — a peace and justice activist, Catholic convert and co-

Left: Dorothy Day. CNS file photos

The examples set by Day and the martyred churchwomen challenge us to ask ourselves: How are we serving the least among us? Are we, like these women, willing to leave our comfort zones to make the name of Jesus known and loved in places and among people that need him the most? What risks are we willing to take? Of course, not every person is called to serve as an overseas missionary in countries where safety is a constant concern and violence a daily risk. And, like Day, we are not all called to start new, worldwide movements to serve the poor. We are called, however, to live out our faith in our daily lives and share the Good News with others — no small challenge in a secular culture that is often ambivalent and, at times, even hostile to what the church teaches. Accepting the challenge requires us, however, to move beyond our

comfort zones, to risk how others might perceive us, in order to speak up for what is right: protecting children in the womb, assisting the poor with their immediate needs and helping them exit poverty permanently, promoting state and federal policies that strengthen marriage and family life, welcoming immigrants and refugees into our neighborhoods and churches, defending the environment from pollution, and ending violence in all its forms.

Faith with consequences This Advent — the beginning of a new liturgical year for our church — is a good time to commit to a deeper prayer life and to prepare ourselves for Jesus’ coming at Christmas by following the examples set by the martyrs and saints who have gone before us. As one friend of the martyred sisters noted on this 30th anniversary of their deaths: “Faith does have consequences in the real world.” The sisters paid the ultimate price for their faith. What price are you willing to pay? What will you speak out about and stand up for in order to spread the Good News?

Facing fear of terminal illness leads to a more peaceful death In modern times, dying is more often portrayed as a cold, clinical reality to be kept at arm’s length, relegated to the closed doors of a hospital, almost hermetically sealed from the rest of our lives. When it comes to the event itself, we diligently work to avoid confronting it, addressing it or acknowledging it. Because of this cultural backdrop, patients receiving a diagnosis of a terminal illness can be tempted to indulge in unrealistic expectations about what lies Father Tad ahead, clinging to Pacholczyk unreasonable treatment options and hoping for highly improbable outcomes. The patient-survival curve for various terminal diseases often shows patients clustered around a median survival time of perhaps several months or a year or two, with survivability extending out along a more slender tail into the future for an ever smaller number of people. Yet rather often, that long tail seems to become the focus, even the obsession, of so many patients and doctors.

Making Sense Out of Bioethics

A long, thin tail of hope As Dr. Atul Gawande put it recently in a thought-provoking essay in The New Yorker: “There is almost always a long tail of possibility, however thin. What’s wrong with looking for it? Nothing, it seems to me, unless it means we have failed to prepare for the outcome that’s vastly more probable. The trouble is that we’ve built our medical system and culture around

“Terminally ill patients who discuss end of life treatments with their families and doctors more often opt for palliative care or hospice care, leading to more appropriate medical care near death, and better overall outcomes and satisfaction.

”

FATHER TAD PACHOLCZYK

the long tail. We’ve created a multi-trillion-dollar edifice for dispensing the medical equivalent of lottery tickets — and have only the rudiments of a system to prepare patients for the near-certainty that those tickets will not win.” One is reminded of the old platitude: “No one gets out of this life alive.” Because clinicians tend to view death in terms of failure, and because our medical system generally values doing something over doing nothing, even when it may be futile to do so, rational, measured decision-making at the end of life can become difficult. Dr. Gawande went on to say: “The simple view is that medicine exists to fight death and disease, and that is, of course, its most basic task. Death is the enemy. But the enemy has superior forces. Eventually, it wins. And, in a war that you cannot win, you don’t want a general who fights to the point of total annihilation. You don’t want Custer. You want Robert E. Lee, someone who knew how to fight for territory when he could and how to surrender when he couldn’t, someone who understood that the damage is greatest if all you do is fight to the bitter end.”

Rage or realism Trying every option in the face of terminal illness, pursuing all medical possibilities no matter how unlikely to succeed, and raging against death can easily become the default position in a culture that hesitates to acknowledge or discuss death openly. Yet, approaching our own mortality with a greater dose of realism helps us make better decisions about when to roll back the medical interventions and focus our energies on preparing for death. Hospice and palliative care can be important and helpful adjuncts in this process. When done well, these approaches allow us to focus on improving the remaining time for those with a terminal illness. Pain management, comfort care, acknowledgement of the coming death, family support and an opportunity for spiritual reconciliation are essential elements in these approaches. Far from abandoning the needs of patients, hospice and palliative care seek to properly acknowledge that, in some cases, efforts at curing should be scaled back, while efforts at caring for the patient should be scaled up.

Terminally ill patients who discuss end of life treatments with their families and doctors more often opt for palliative care or hospice care, leading to more appropriate medical care near death, and better overall outcomes and satisfaction.

Difficult discussions They also tend to spend less money and do not die significantly earlier. Rather, they often die more peacefully than those receiving aggressive interventions, which tend to be associated with a poorer standard of life and a worse bereavement adjustment. Our instincts so often tell us that facing death means facing fears about loss of control and dignity, increasing dependence on others, intractable pain, dying too soon (or not soon enough), increasing costs, being alone and fear of the unknown. Because we die only once, we have little or no experience to draw upon when these matters come upon us in the first person. Yet, when doctors and nurses are willing to have the hard discussions and say what they have seen, when families become willing to acknowledge death and mortality, and when spiritual preparations are allowed to hold priority of place, patients can better and more peacefully prepare for what lies ahead when they receive the summons of approaching death in the form of a terminal illness. Father Tadeusz Pacholczyk has a doctorate in neuroscience. He is a priest of the diocese of Fall River, Mass., and serves as the education director at The National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia. See WWW.NCBCENTER.ORG.

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • DECEMBER 2, 2010

Condoms neither effective way nor moral way to stop AIDS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 condom use and the struggle to prevent the spread of AIDS. Indeed, the first headline that I encountered after excerpts of the book were released was: “Pope OK’s Condoms.”

Setting the record straight Briefly, this is what the pope actually said: Condoms are neither the effective way nor the moral way to stop the spread of AIDS (the church “does not regard it as a real or moral solution”). He also said, “We cannot solve the problem by distributing condoms.” He states that the AIDS epidemic has resulted in large measure from the irresponsible and selfish use of sexuality. Then he expresses hope for the conversion of a sinner by suggesting that the use of a condom MIGHT be an expression of his concern for the “other.” This might be seen therefore as a first step toward loving and respecting the “other” so that he would eventually embrace a life of either fidelity or abstinence, the only approaches which have truly proven to be successful. There has been debate for years over the moral legitimacy of the use of condoms by discordant couples, that is, couples in which one member is HIV positive or has AIDS. There are two fundamental moral problems that stoke this debate. First of all, taking into account the high failure rate of condoms, would it be morally licit for a spouse to put his wife’s health and even life at risk for the sake of sexual intercourse? It is difficult to see how this could be justified. The marital act is to be love-giving and open to life. In the case of a spouse with AIDS, intercourse even with a condom could well be a potentially death-dealing act. The second fundamental moral problem has to do with the contraceptive character of condoms. It is true that the use of a condom in a single case might diminish the risk of the transmission of the AIDS virus but it could also have a contraceptive effect. The church’s unchanging and unwavering position on the immorality of contraception is well known. But there were some moral theologians who tried to argue that the condom was not being used to contracept but rather to lower the risk of spreading AIDS. The contraceptive effect was merely foreseen but not intended. With such an understanding, it was argued, the use of the condom would not actually be an act of contraception but of disease prevention. The matter continues to be debated among theologians but the more common opinion among moralists faithful to the magisterium is that the use of the condom would be wrong because it could endanger the life of the spouse and could be an act of contraception.

The pope’s example It is interesting that the pope entirely sidesteps this particularly vexing debate by the example he uses to consider condom use. He reflects on the decision of a (presumably homosexual) male prostitute to use a con-

In this 2009 photo, a nun supports a patient at a hospice for AIDS patients and other seriously ill people run by the Missionaries of Charity in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. CNS photo / Paul Jeffrey

“The interview with Pope

Benedict indicates no change in church teaching but is a renewed call for chastity and abstinence as the most effective means of fighting the spread of AIDS.

”

JOHN HAAS President, National Catholic Bioethics Center

dom. In such a case, there can be no question of the contraceptive effect of the condom. Consequently, his example does not relate to the debate over the use of condoms by discordant couples. But interestingly the pope does not really reflect on the question of the effectiveness of condom use in reducing the transmission of AIDS. He rather wants to reflect on the moral state of the person who would use it with the hope that that person would begin to assume moral responsibility for his sexual activity. There is no question that the church considers acts of prostitution and homosexuality to be gravely immoral and disordered. However, the church in her love of souls always looks for some indication that the sinner might “come to his senses.”

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In the case at hand, the pope says the use of a condom in a particular case MIGHT be “a first step in the direction of . . . a first assumption of responsibility, on the way toward recovering an awareness that not everything is allowed. . . .” Obviously this first POSSIBLE step in the direction of “moralization” cannot make an act of prostitution or homosexuality or contraception good. But it does indicate that the moral conscience might still be alive and might eventually bring one to conversion and new life. A careful reading of the text could not possibly lead one to conclude that the pope has approved condom use. He says quite explicitly: “It is not really the way to deal with the evil of HIV infection.” Indeed, it can aggravate it.

Researcher’s findings Professor Edward C. Green of the AIDS Prevention Research Project at Harvard University would seem to agree with the pope. He wrote in a recent book, “Affirming Love, Avoiding AIDS: What Africa Can Teach the West” (Matthew Hanley and Jokin de Irala, The National Catholic Bioethics Center, 2010): “In fact, [condom use] might actually contribute to higher levels of infection because of the phenomenon of risk compensation, whereby people take greater sexual risks because they feel safer than they really ought to because they are using condoms at least some of the time.” The interview with Pope Benedict indicates no change in church teaching but is a renewed call for chastity and abstinence as the most effective means of fighting the spread of AIDS.

DECEMBER 2, 2010 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

“Turn yourself around like a piece of clay and say to the Lord: ‘I am clay, and you Lord, the potter. Make of me what you will.’” St. John of Ávila

The Lesson Plan DECEMBER 2, 2010

Reflections on faith and spirituality

The Catholic Spirit

God came in flesh; is here now in spirit; he will come again St. Bernard of Clairvaux wrote of the three comings of Christ. The first coming happened when the Word took on human flesh in the Incarnation. The second coming happens, in a hidden way, in the individual souls of the faithful in the experience of conversion. The third coming will happen at his glorious return as the unmistakable king. On the second Sunday of Advent, we hear about all three comings: Deacon

Sunday Scriptures

Jonathan Kelly

The Incarnation: “A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse.” Isaiah gives Israel new hope when he prophesies: “that a bud will blossom,” which will reestablish the destroyed Davidic Kingship (the stump of Jesse). Upon him, the spirit of the Lord will rest: the spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel, strength, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord. Jesus fulfills this prophecy. He is called the Son of David and

unites the kingdom, and fully expresses the knowledge of the Lord, in himself. This is the classic passage that describes the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which are also most fully present in Jesus. Conversion: “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” John the Baptist knows the prophecies of Isaiah. He recognized the Incarnation when he leapt in his mother’s womb. He knows the first coming has happened and is now preaching repentance to prepare the people to receive the public ministry of Jesus and his baptism “with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” He is wearing camel hair and a leather belt. He is eating bugs and wild honey. He is intense, but it is working. Jerusalem, all Judea and the entire region are acknowledging their sins and going out to receive the baptism of forgiveness. They sought repentance in preparation for something greater, the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Their conversion is not simply a no to sin but an overwhelming yes to God and his order. It has pleased God to share the gifts of the Holy Spirit with his elect. The process of conversion includes growing in the appropriation of these gifts. Briefly, they begin with fear of the Lord, known as the root of all wisdom. This fear is not the

Readings Sunday, Dec. 5, Second Sunday of Advent ■ Isaiah 11:1-10 ■ Romans 15:4-9 ■ Matthew 3:1-12

For reflection Take time to discover Christ, hidden within you, this Advent through prayer, song and ritual.

fear of punishment, but is motivated by love to never offend the majesty of God. While fear is negative, piety is the positive filial desire to please God. Knowledge then informs us how to serve him. Courage gives us the strength to do it. Discerning how and when to use this strength is counsel. Understanding opens us to the mysteries of salvation and how to live by them. Finally, wisdom brings great peace as it enables the soul to taste the goodness of God and to see as he sees.

this world and its enticements are passing away. It eases our suffering because one day every tear will be wiped away. It inspires us to holiness because eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, the human heart has not been able to comprehend what God has prepared for those who love Him. “Now we watch for the day, hoping that the salvation promised us will be ours when Christ will come again in his glory” (from Preface 1 of Advent). With your mercy, come Lord Jesus!

The return in glory: “He will clear His threshing floor.” Christ’s return is always somewhere in our minds and sets the context for our lives. It tempers our successes because

Deacon Jonathan Kelly is in formation for the priesthood at the St. Paul Seminary. His home parish is St. Michael in St. Michael and his teaching parish is St. John the Baptist in New Brighton.

crops as well as some disappointing ones. Despite all his hard work, he seems to take it all in stride when things turn out poorly. I assume his attitude is rooted in accepting the truth that he can’t control the weather. Knowing and accepting what is simply beyond our control is one of the most freeing yet difficult lessons in life. Notice what or whom you might be trying to control and pray for the willingness to surrender to a power greater than yourself.

Friday, Dec. 17 Genesis 49:2, 8-10 Matthew 1:1-17 Pray in thanksgiving for all those who have walked before you, not in perfection, but in faith.

Monday, Dec. 13 Lucy, virgin and martyr Numbers 24:2-7, 15-17a Matthew 21:23-27 One way to avoid examining our own hearts is to question the integrity and authenticity of other people.

Sunday, Dec. 19 Fourth Sunday of Advent Isaiah 7:10-14 Romans 1:1-7 Matthew 1:18-24 “When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.” — Matthew 1:24 Joseph refused to publicly denounce Mary, despite her seeming betrayal, and chose, instead, the kind and reasonable solution of a quiet divorce. In the eyes of human beings, his decision was rooted in greater integrity and more kindness than we might imagine ourselves displaying in a similar situation. Yet, God called this upright man to enter even more fully into the mystery of faith and take Mary as his wife. We, too, might be called beyond our understanding of mercy and justice as we follow the God of surprises.

Daily Scriptures Sunday, Dec. 5 Second Sunday of Advent Isaiah 11:1-10 Romans 15:4-9 Matthew 3:1-12 “But a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse.” — Isaiah 11:1 We know from our own lives that great things often have unexceptional beginnings. Many of us look back with wonder as we realize that a lifelong friendship was born out of a chance meeting, or a casual introduction eventually led to marriage. Likewise, our salvation comes from something as unlikely as the birth of a vulnerable infant in an unremarkable town. This Advent, may we be especially aware of the many ways God continues to come to us in unexpected and hidden ways. Monday, Dec. 6 Nicholas, bishop Isaiah 35:1-10 Luke 5:17-26 What we might see as an obstacle might actually be an opportunity for a radical act of faith. Tuesday, Dec. 7 Ambrose, bishop and doctor of the church Isaiah 40:1-11 Matthew 18:12-14 In what ways do you resist receiving love when you feel lost and hopeless? Wednesday, Dec. 8 Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Holy Day of Obligation

Genesis 3:9-15, 20 Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12 Luke 1:26-38 Is there an area of your life in which fear of the unknown keeps you from following your deepest God-given desire? Thursday, Dec. 9 Juan Diego, hermit Isaiah 41:13-20 Matthew 11:11-15 A faith-filled word is more powerful than all our attempts to persuade, control or manipulate. Friday, Dec. 10 Isaiah 48:17-19 Matthew 11:16-19 We can always find a reason to reject someone who challenges us to change and grow. Saturday, Dec. 11 Damasus I, pope Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11 Matthew 17:9a, 10-13 What necessary suffering do you most run from? Sunday, Dec. 12 Third Sunday of Advent Isaiah 35:1-6a, 10 James 5:7-10 Matthew 11:2-11 “See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and late rains.” — James 5:7 Over the years, I have watched my son-in-law’s farm produce abundant

Tuesday, Dec. 14 John of the Cross, priest and doctor of the church Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13 Matthew 21:28-32 When we believe we no longer have to change, we have ceased to follow Jesus. Wednesday, Dec. 15 Isaiah 45:6b-8, 18, 21b-25 Luke 7:18b-23 Do our words and actions promote faith, hope and love, or suspicion, despair and hatred? Thursday, Dec. 16 Isaiah 54:1-10 Luke 7:24-30 Notice what attracts your attention.

Saturday, Dec. 18 Jeremiah 23:5-8 Matthew 1:18-25 A radical act of faith is rooted in trust, not presumption.

The daily reflections are written by Terri Mifek, a member of St. Edward in Bloomington and a certified spiritual director at the Franciscan Retreat House in Prior Lake.

The Lesson Plan

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • DECEMBER 2, 2010

St. John the Baptist prepares our way for Christmas By Father Michael Van Sloun For The Catholic Spirit

The Baptist’s featured role in Advent. St. John the Baptist plays a prominent role in the Scripture readings during the Advent season as the church prepares for the celebration of Christmas. He is not mentioned on the first and fourth Sundays of Advent, but he is a major figure on the second and third. While Jesus is always the main focus of the Gospel, during the middle of Advent, St. John the Baptist serves as the main supporting character. Christ has come, Christ is here, Christ will come again. During Advent, the church reflects on the triple comings of Jesus: his original coming on the first Christmas, his coming today and his final coming either at the end of our lives or at the second coming. John the Baptist is the one who announced his coming. God said, “Lo, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me. Lo, I will send you Elijah, the prophet, before the day of the Lord comes” (Malachi 3:1, 23). Jesus explained that Elijah had come in the form of John the Baptist (Matthew 17:12-13). The Baptist is the precursor, the forerunner, the one who goes ahead, the herald’s voice. A prophet like no other. John the Baptist is the intertestamental prophet, the prophet who bridges the Old and New Testaments. There are many great prophets in the Hebrew Scriptures, prophets like Elijah and Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel, but Jesus said, “There has been none greater than John the Baptist” (Matthew 11:11). The Baptist is the greatest of the prophets for a reason. The prophets of long ago did remote preparation; the Baptist did immediate preparation. The earlier prophets announced that the Messiah was coming; the Baptist announced that the Messiah was here. When Jesus did appear, the Baptist pointed to him and identified him as such, “Behold, the Lamb of God” (John 1:29, 36). A prophetic appearance. John the Baptist had a striking appearance. He wore clothing made of camel’s hair and had a leather belt around his waist (Matthew 3:4). His unusual garb links him directly to Elijah, the only Old Testament prophet to dress in this way (2 Kings 1:8). A prophetic message. The theme of the Baptist’s

preaching was, “Reform your lives!” He challenged his listeners to straighten out the crooked parts of their lives, to tear down the mountains of their evil doing, and to fill in the valleys of their shortcomings. He warned them: “Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees” (Matthew 3:10), a powerful metaphor in which the tree represents the unproductive sinner and the ax represents impending judgment. Now is the time to produce good works. Act swiftly to avoid being cut down and thrown into the fire. The Baptist urged the people to confess their sins and receive a baptism of repentance. The way to prepare for the coming of the Lord is to stop sinning and live a more virtuous life. A prophetic attitude. The Baptist avoided a great temptation. The voice of prophecy in Israel had been silent for hundreds of years, and the people went in droves out to the desert to hear him. With such a surge in popularity, he could have reveled in all of the attention, but he resisted the natural inclination to let the focus be on him. The Baptist humbly redirected the peoples’ attention from himself to Jesus: “The one who is coming after me is mightier than I” (Matthew 3:11); “I am not fit to loosen his sandal strap” (Luke 3:16); “I am not the Messiah” (John 1:20); and “He [Jesus] must increase; I must decrease” (John 3:30). A message ever-old and ever-new. The Baptist’s prophetic message is applicable to our spiritual preparation for Christmas. Advent is a time to prepare the way of the Lord, to clear away every obstacle that would prevent Jesus from coming to us, so that when Jesus comes to us today and on Christmas, he will have unimpeded access to our hearts. The Baptist wanted his listeners to renounce sin, be washed of their past impurities, and be in the state of grace when Jesus appeared. Likewise, if we wish to be well-prepared for the solemn feast of Christmas, we would be wise to renounce our own sins, to confess them in the sacrament of reconciliation, to be washed of our impurities through sacramental absolution, to do good works, and to be in the state of grace when Jesus comes today, on Christmas and our last day. Let us humbly keep Jesus as the main focus of Advent, Christmas and every day of our lives. Father Michael Van Sloun is pastor of St. Stephen in Anoka.

Father Michael Van Sloun

St. John the Baptist is depicted with an ax at the root of the tree in St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in Duluth.

Despite weaknesses, priests are conduits of Christ’s salvation, pope says By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service

Despite their human weaknesses, priests bring the saving power of Christ to the faithful through the sacraments and the word of God, Pope Benedict XVI said during his weekly general audience Nov. 24.

From the Vatican

Musicians in traditional attire entertain the crowd before Pope Benedict XVI’s Nov. 24 general audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican.

“The Eucharist is an extraordinary gift of love that God continually renews in us to nourish our journey of faith, reinvigorate our hope and arouse our sense of charity in order to become ever more like him,” he said.

CNS photo / Paul Haring

In his catechesis, the pope described the life of the 14thcentury doctor of the church, St. Catherine of Siena, a Dominican and a “woman of great holiness.”

should feel compelled to conform one’s life and one’s heart to the heart of Jesus, he said.

Just like St. Catherine, every Catholic

He asked that everyone let their hearts

Pope Benedict XVI

Love like Christ

be transformed “and learn to love like Christ, in familiarity with him, nourished by prayer, reflection on the word of God and the sacraments,” especially the Eucharist. People of every social standing were

fascinated by St. Catherine’s moral authority, he said. She exercised a “spiritual maternity” like that still benefiting the church, today, thanks to the dedication of many lay and consecrated women, said the pope. Such spiritual mothers encourage people to keep their thoughts and lives focused on God and prompt people to aim to live holier lives, he said. St. Catherine’s love for the Lord and his church was so great that even though she was aware “of priests’ human defects, she always had a great reverence for them: They confer, through the sacraments and the word, the saving power of the blood of Christ,” the pope said. Motivated only by her “deep and constant love for the church,” St. Catherine always encouraged priests and even the pope “to be faithful to their responsibility,” he said. St. Catherine teaches people today that authentic spirituality has Christ at its center, the pope said. Like the Italian saint, “let us learn to love Christ and the church with courage, intensity and sincerity,” he said.

The Lesson Plan

DECEMBER 2, 2010 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Gather around the Advent wreath to pray with family and friends

For The Catholic Spirit

The feast of St. Catherine of Alexandria, patron saint of St. Catherine University in St. Paul, was celebrated on Nov. 25 for many years. She was dropped from the liturgical calendar in 1969, but recently reinstated in the revised Roman Missal. St. Catherine lived in Alexandria, Egypt, during the fourth century A.D. Born into an upper-class pagan Roman family, she was blessed with intellectual genius and a fierce hunger for learning, as well as striking beauty. There are two legends about Catherine’s conversion to Christianity. In the first story, the Blessed Mother appeared to a hermit in the Egyptian desert. The hermit went to Catherine and showed her an image of the Madonna and Christ child, which led to her immediate conversion at the age of 18 and she became “mystically married” to the Christ child who placed a ring on her finger. In another version, the Christ child and the Blessed Mother appeared to her directly.

The Catholic Spirit

The following Advent wreath prayers for the second and third weeks of Advent are intended to help busy households make Advent a prayerful time during the rush of Christmas preparations. The language is fairly simple, to be used by groups of adults or adults with children, and options are noted to allow for participation by other members of the household. Leader: Today begins just the second week of Advent, our season of waiting and preparing for Christmas. In order to help each of us prepare our own hearts for the birth of Christ, we take these few moments again this week to pray together.

■ Read aloud: Isaiah 11:1-10; Romans 15:4-9; Matthew 3:1-12. (Leader may read all, or others in the household may each proclaim a reading.) ■ Leader: Do you ever feel like Christmas will never get here? The readings that the church has selected for this second Sunday of Advent just add to that sense of anticipation, teasing us about the wonders to come. The prophet Isaiah tells of the savior who is coming, how wonderful he will be, how things will change, how what we’ve come to believe and expect will all be different.

Advent: Week 3 — Dec. 12 Leader: With the beginning of this third week of Advent, we’re more than half way home to Christmas. We gather again to pray so that our hearts are truly prepared for the birth of the Child Jesus. ■ Light three candles on the Advent wreath. ■ Read aloud: Isaiah 35:1-6a, 10; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11. (Leader may read all, or others in the household may each proclaim a reading.) Leader: In our readings this third week of Advent, Isaiah again foretells the coming of the savior. He leaves us with a vision of how marvelous heaven will be for those who live a holy life. The letter from James is like something out of a

St. Catherine of Alexandria was a brave martyr By Father Michael Van Sloun

Advent: Week 2 — Dec. 5

■ Light two candles on the Advent wreath.

Incredible bravery

St. Paul tells the people of Rome to take hope in the fact that we don’t have to try to figure things out for ourselves, that Jesus — through his life and through his parables — left instructions for us — instructions, for example, about how to treat a neighbor and who our neighbor is. In the Gospel reading, Matthew shares the story of John the Baptist, this strange character who has come to prepare the way — and prepare us today — to be ready for the coming of the Lord. Repent, the Baptist warns, and be ready to prove you have repented. Closing prayer: (Leader may read all, or others in the

locker room speech in which a coach urges a team to be patient, to put up with the hardships that will come their way and not to complain. Matthew retells the story of Jesus explaining the role of John the Baptist to the curious crowds. He tells the throng — and us, too — that even as great as John the Baptist is, if we live so as to have a place in the kingdom of heaven, we will be even greater. Closing prayer: (Leader may read all, or others in the household may each read a segment.) ■ Dear God, you know that our hearts long for the joy and gladness promised by life with you. Help us to remember that you are with us always, and that our hearts will rest only when they rest with you.

household may each read a segment.) ■ Dear God, give us hope. Don’t let us settle for good enough but strive always and with everyone to be just and kind, and to work for peace. ■ Holy Spirit, guide the choices we make this week so that we remember the instructions Jesus left for us. Help us in our efforts to be wheat, not chaff. ■ Father in heaven, we offer thanks to you for this season of Advent, this reminder to prepare our hearts for the coming of your son into our world. ■ Come Lord Jesus. Open our eyes so that we see you in every person whose life touches our own. ■ Holy Spirit, guide the choices we make throughout this week. Help us endure hardship. Remind us to be patient. Stifle our tendency to complain. Help us realize how much we owe the creator for all we have and all we are. ■ Father in heaven, we offer thanks to you for sending John the Baptist to prepare the way for the coming of the savior. Help us to heed the Baptist’s message to repent and to renew our commitment to live in holiness. ■ Come Lord Jesus. So often we are impatient for your coming, yet we are fearful of living our lives as one with you. Come and ease our anxiety. Come and reward our patience. Come and remove our sorrow. Our communities and our world eagerly await the day of your birth.

Catherine preached about Jesus and the Gospel throughout Alexandria, while the emperor Maxentius was persecuting Christians. Catherine approached the emperor, scolded him for the persecutions, and voiced strong arguments against the pagan Roman gods. The emperor assembled 50 leading pagan philosophers to debate with her. Catherine won the debate and they all converted to Christianity. The angered emperor had all 50 burned to death, but spared Catherine because he lusted for her. Maxentius tried to seduce her, even though he was a married man. He promised Catherine that he would crown her his new queen, but she denied his advances. Rejected and mortified, the emperor had her beaten and thrown into prison. Intrigued by Catherine, both the queen and an army general secretly went visited Catherine in prison. Because of Catherine’s remarkable faith, both the empress, the general and 200 prison guards converted. Maxentius went berserk and had them all executed. The emperor planned to torture Catherine by stretching her body over a large spiked wheel. Miraculously, before the torture could begin, her shackles were loosened and the wheel shattered, reportedly by angels. So, she was beheaded. According to the legend, her body was flown by the angels to Mount Sinai where she was buried. St. Catherine is the patron saint of philosophers, librarians, university students, young women, preachers, apologists, lawyers, notaries and wheelwrights. She is also thought to have special intercessory power. Father Michael Van Sloun is pastor of St. Stephen in Anoka.

“I am quite optimistic that Christianity is on the verge of a new dynamic.” Pope Benedict XVI, from his new book ‘Light of the World: The Pope, the Church and the Signs of the Times’”

Arts & Culture 16

Exploring our church and our world

The Catholic Spirit

DECEMBER 2, 2010

Spirit cites century of keeping Catholics well-informed “In a year’s worth of issues of a Catholic newspaper, you’ll get a pretty good idea what that Catholic community cares about.” The quote is one I have kept for years on a sheet from a notepad, a relic from the talk of a speaker whose name will come to me in a few days. Those words were scribbled down because I thought they captured an essential characteristic Catholic newspapers ought to strive for: reflect the community you Bob Zyskowski write for. To put it another way: Tell their stories, report on their joys and their sorrows, write about what matters most to them. The quote came back to me over and over the past few weeks as I’ve been paging through back issues of The Catholic Spirit and its predecessor, the Catholic Bulletin, in preparation for this newspaper’s 100th anniversary. I’ve worked for four Catholic newspapers over the past 37-plus years — the past 27 here in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis — so scanning issues from the 1990s, 1980s, 1970s was a nostalgic trip. For a journalist, there are few better ego boosts than re-reading something with your byline — if, of course, you told the story well.

THECATHOLICSPIRIT.COM was titled “Why no meat on Fridays during Lent.”

New audience

Come celebrate with us We hope you will join our staff and the board of The Catholic Spirit to celebrate the newspaper’s 100th anniversary this Jan. 6 at “The Great Catholic Get-Together of 2011” at Nicollet Island Pavilion in Minneapolis. We’re planning an evening of recognizing past efforts and looking ahead at how today’s technology is going to enable us to continue to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ and help Catholics of this generation and those to come apply Catholic values to all the issues Catholics care about. To register, go to HTTP://TCS100.EVENTBRITE.COM, or call Mary Gibbs at (651) 2517709.

Reflection

James M. Reardon editing for a readership that still had a close connection to the lands from which they had emigrated, the Catholic Bulletin was very Euro-centric. Every issue of those yellowing papers seemed to carry a Page 1 report on the church from one country or another across the pond. There was some, but not a lot of, local church news and usually the “teachable moment” variety of columns by the Catholic Bulletin’s founder, Archbishop John Ireland. It was an era of striving for respect for Catholics living in a Protestant culture, for one thing, and our first archbishop was quick to defend Catholics and Catholic practice from the bigots in the secular world. There also was a cathedral to be built in St. Paul and a co-cathedral to be erected in Minneapolis at the same time. Lots of space went into promoting the progress on what are now the landmarks we know as the Cathedral of St. Paul and the Basilica of St. Mary as well as unabashed prodding to keep the coins rolling in to

European focus Turning the pages of some of the older issues of the Catholic Bulletin — back all the way to that first issue of Jan. 7, 1911 — gave me a pretty good sense of what Catholics of the past 100 years cared about. Of course, some of those cares changed through the decades. Back in the early days, with Msgr.

help pay construction costs for both churches.

A ‘workbook’ for Catholics Our archdiocesan newspaper has always been a teaching tool that aimed to assist the archbishop, pastors and parishes. What started early on with headlines like “How to assist at low Mass” and “Why we fast” (1911), remained in the decades that followed through the likes of items such as “Scripture offers no segregation support” and “Death penalty no crime deterrent” (1962), and it still does today in pieces like “Answers to questions on ‘Preserving Marriage’ initiative” and “Catch the contagious love taught by Mother Teresa” (2010). Former publisher Paulist Father Tom Comber used to call the Catholic Bulletin a “workbook” for adult Catholics, and The Catholic Spirit continues to play a role in providing adult faith formation. That role continues on an even broader scale 100 years later. The article that received the most attention ever on

From the post-World War II years through the last half of the 20th century there was a different flavor to the pages of the Catholic Bulletin and — since 1996 — The Catholic Spirit. Newsman Bernie Casserly led the way during his 25-year editorship that began in 1958. The news Catholics cared about was being made right in our own backyard — not over in Europe — and local events, local crises, local achievements took over the pages readers got in their mailboxes every week. Minnesota Catholics had plenty going on here that impacted their faith life, and those of us who wielded the editor’s pencil — yours truly for 12 years as well — strove to cover the issues our readers wanted or needed to know about. Whether it was carefully turning yellowing, 90-some-year-old pages, flipping through the back issues from my own early days here, circa 1983, or even going back through the past few years and the news that editor Joe Towalski has led with award-winning excellence, one overwhelming fact became evident to me: Catholic life is packed. A life of faith is packed. The variety of topics Catholics care about, the issues of faith and morals that Catholics struggle with and worry about, the number of great people and their inspiring stories make for an endless fount of raw material for a Catholic newspaper to capture and bring to the attention of the vital and active Catholic community we have here in Minnesota. That’s the way it’s been for 100 years now. Bob Zyskowski is associate publisher of The Catholic Spirit.

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Calendar Dining out Fish fry at Knights of Columbus Hall, Bloomington — Dec. 3 and 10: 5 to 9 p.m. at 1114 American Blvd. Cost is $10.95. Call (952) 888-1492 for reservations. KC chicken and rib dinner at Knights of Columbus Hall, Bloomington — Dec. 8 and 15: 5 to 9 p.m. at 1114 American Blvd. Cost is $12. Call (952) 888-1492 for reservations. Men’s Club dinner at Sacred Heart, Rush City — Dec. 4: 5:30 to 7 p.m. at 425 Field Ave. Tickets for the beef and pork roast dinner are $8.50 for adults and $5 for children 6 to 11.

DECEMBER 2, 2010 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT 439-9098.

Don’t Miss Christmas tree sale at Guardian Angels A selection of Fraser Fir, Balsam Fir and White Pine Christmas trees and 25 and 36-inch wreaths are for sale at Guardian Angels in Oakdale. Sale runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays at 8260 Fourth St.

The Catholic Spirit will not publish a Dec. 30 issue. Calendar items that would normally run in that issue will need to be submitted for the Dec. 16 issue. The deadline is noon, Dec. 9.

Craft and bake sale at St. Timothy, Maple Lake — Dec. 4 and 5: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sat. and 8 a.m. to noon Sun. at 8 Oak Ave. N.

KC brunch at Epiphany, Coon Rapids — Dec. 5: 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 1900 111th Ave. N.W. Menu includes pancakes, French toast, eggs and more.

Christmas boutique at St. Cyril, Minneapolis — Dec. 4 and 5: 2 to 6 p.m. Sat. and 10 a.m. to noon Sun. at 1301 Second St. N.E.

KC pancake breakfast at Blessed Sacrament, St. Paul — Dec. 5: 8 a.m. to noon at 1801 LaCrosse Ave. Cost is $7 for adults and $5 for children 6 to 12.

Christmas bazaar at St. Vincent de Paul, Brooklyn Park — Dec. 4 and 5: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat. and 8:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sun. at 9100 93rd Ave. N. Bakery, gourmet coffee. Sat. only there will be kid’s crafts and a sandwich lunch.

KC pancake breakfast at Presentation of Mary, Maplewood — Dec. 5: 8 a.m. to noon at 1725 Kennard St. Cost is $7 for adults and $5 for children 6 to 12. KC lumberjack breakfast at Mary, Queen of Peace, Rogers — Dec. 12: 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 21304 Church Ave. Features pancakes, French toast, eggs and more. Breakfast with Santa at St. Matthew, St. Paul — Dec. 12: 9 a.m. to noon at 500 Hall Ave. Tickets are $7 for adults and $4 for children under 12. Pictures with Santa are $3.

Parish events Christ Child luncheon at St. Ignatius, Annandale — Dec. 3: 10:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 35 Birch St. E. Cookies and candy will be available for sale. Proceeds go to pro-life charities. Tickets available at the door. Annual Christmas Village at St. Raphael, Crystal — Dec. 4: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 7301 Bass Lake Road. Features food, gift baskets, games and entertainment. ‘Messiah’ sing-a-long at St. Olaf, Minneapolis — Dec. 4: 6:30 p.m. at 215 S. Eighth St. Free event. Bake and craft sale at Our Lady of Lourdes, Minneapolis — Dec. 4 and 5: 4 to 7 p.m. Sat. and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sun. at 1 Lourdes Place. Features French meat pies, crafts and more. WWW.OURLADYOFLOURDESMN.COM. Christmas boutique and bake sale at Holy Name, Minneapolis — Dec. 4 and 5: After Masses Sat. and Sun. at 3637 11th Ave. S. Shop for decorations, gifts and treats. Christmas fair at St. Hedwig, Minneapolis — Dec. 4 and 5: After the 5 p.m. Mass Fri. and 8 to 11:30 a.m. at 129 29th Ave. N.E. Features crafts, baked goods and a children’s store where all gifts are $1.

Unique boutique at St. Austin, Minneapolis — Dec. 4 and 5: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sat. and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sun. at 4050 Upton Ave. N. Features knitted and crocheted items, cutlery, fresh nuts and more.

Knights of Columbus traveling rosary at St. Francis de Sales, St. Paul — Dec. 5: 2 p.m. at 650 Palace Ave.

Handel’s ‘Messiah’ at the Cathedral of St. Paul, St. Paul — Dec. 9: 7:30 p.m. at 239 Selby Ave. Features the Minnesota Orchestra, the Minnesota Chorale and soloists. Part of the Cathedral Music Series. Author Kathleen Norris to speak at St. Olaf, Minneapolis — Dec. 9: 7 to 8:30 a.m. at 215 S. Eighth St. Third in a series of Faith and Work breakfasts. Cost is $20 and includes a continental breakfast or box lunch. For information and reservations, E-MAIL CBISH OP@SAINTOLAF.ORG. Land of Lakes Choirboys Christmas concert at St. Katharine Drexel, Ramsey — Dec. 10: 7 p.m. at 7101 143rd Ave. Suite G. A dessert reception will follow. Free will offering.

Christmas boutique and bake sale at St. Odilia, Shoreview — Dec. 4 and 5: Noon to 6:30 p.m. Sat. and 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sun. at 3495 N. Victoria. Features bakes goods and Christmas gift ideas.

National Lutheran Choir Christmas Festival concerts at the Basilica of St. Mary, Minneapolis — Dec. 10 and 11: 4:30 and 8 p.m. Fri. and 8 p.m. Sat. at 88 N. 17th St. Tickets at the door are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and $10 for students. For information, visit WWW.NLCA.COM.

Christmas boutique and bake sale at Guardian Angels, Oakdale — Dec. 4 and 5: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat. and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sun. at 8260 Fourth St. N. Features more than 50 crafters. Santa visit from 1 to 3 p.m. Sat.

InVocation concert at Annunciation, Minneapolis — Dec. 11: 7:30 p.m. at 509 W. 54th St. A free-will offering will be taken to benefit House of Charity in Minneapolis. For information, visit WWW.INVOCATIONSINGERS.ORG.

Boutique and bake sale at Incarnation, Minneapolis — Dec. 4 and 5: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sat. with soup lunch and 8:30 a.m. to noon Sun. at 3801 Pleasant Ave. S. Also features a silent auction.

Christmas bake sale at St. Matthew, St. Paul — Dec. 11 and 12: Noon to 5:30 p.m. Sat. and 8 a.m. to noon Sun. at 500 Hall Ave. Holiday treats packaged for gift-giving.

Epiphany Studio theater performance of ‘A Miracle in Lanciano’ at St. Bridget of Sweden, Lindstrom — Dec. 5: Pizza served at 5:30 p.m. with performance to follow at 6:30 p.m. at 13060 Lake Blvd. Free will offering. Sunday Night Dinner at St. Peter, Richfield — Dec. 5: Dinner, followed by presentations. Choose between “The Gospel of Luke” and “Lights, Camera, Faith.” Last in a five-night series. 5:30 p.m. at 6730 Nicollet Ave. S. RSVP to (612) 866-5089. Christmas Faire at St. Leonard of Port Maurice, Minneapolis — Dec. 5: Breakfast served from 9 a.m. to noon at 3949 Clinton Ave. S. Cost is $7 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. ‘Following the Spirit: Helping Young Adults Figure Out Their Next Steps,’ at St. Jane House, Minneapolis — Dec. 6: 7:30 to 9 p.m. at 1403 Emerson Ave. N. First in a three-part series sponsored by Visitation Monastery. For information, call (612) 521-6113, ext. 4.

Taizé prayer at St. Richard, Richfield — Dec. 3: 7:30 p.m. at 7540 Penn Ave. S. For information, call (612) 869-2426. All night vigil with the Blessed Sacrament at Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Paul — Dec. 3 to 4: 7 p.m. Fri. to 8 a.m. Sat. at 401 Concord St.

Note to readers:

KC Belgian waffle breakfast at Guardian Angels, Chaska — Dec. 5: 8 a.m. to noon at 218 W. Second St. Cost is $7 for adults and $3 for children 5 to 12.

Prayer at the close of the day at Assumption, St. Paul — Sundays during Advent: 8:30 p.m. at 51 W. Seventh St. A half-hour ecumenical service sung by the Minnesota Compline Choir. For information about the choir, visit WWW.MINNESOTA COMPLINE.ORG.

St. Anthony of Padua women’s guild Christmas craft and bake sale at Catholic Eldercare, Minneapolis — Dec. 11 and 12: 3 to 7 p.m. Sat. and 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m Sun. at 817 N.E. Main St. Unique boutique at St. Austin, Minneapolis — Dec. 11 and 12: 2 to 6 p.m. Sat. and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sun. at 4050 Upton Ave. N. Features knitted and crocheted items, cutlery, fresh nuts and more. Gar Lockrem Community Choir Christmas concert at St. Jerome, Maplewood — Dec. 12: 3 p.m. at 380 E. Roselawn. A reception will follow. Free will offering.

Prayer/ liturgies Legion of Mary prayers in front of Planned Parenthood, St. Paul — Dec. 3 and 10: 3 p.m. at 1965 Ford Parkway. For information, call (651)

Advent Lessons and Carols at St. Mark, St. Paul — Dec. 5: 3 p.m. at 2001 Dayton Ave. Features parish lectors, adult and children’s choirs. Advent Evensong at St. Cecilia, St. Paul — Dec. 5: 7 p.m. at 2357 Bayless Place. VISTA orchestra Christmas Vespers at Convent of the Visitation School, Mendota Heights — Dec. 6: 6 p.m. at 2455 Visitation Drive. Free and open to the public. Advent day of prayer at Franciscan Retreats and Spirituality Center, Prior Lake — Dec. 8 and 15: 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 16385 St. Francis Lane. Conferences, confession, spiritual direction and Mass. Cost is $30. For information, call (952) 447-2182. Knights of Columbus traveling rosary at St. Columba, St. Paul — Dec. 12: 2 p.m. at 1327 Lafond Ave. Advent Service of Carols at St. Hubert, Chanhassen — Dec. 12: 3 p.m. at 8201 Main St. Features the music ministries of Family of Christ Church and St. Hubert. A reception will follow.

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:

Singles 50-plus Second Sunday Supper event at St. Joan of Arc, Minneapolis — Dec. 12: 5 p.m. at 4537 Third Ave. S. Includes social hour, supper and show and Christmas sing-a-long at 7 p.m. Cost is $10. Call (952) 884-5165.

School events Dance team jamboree for autism at Benilde-St. Margaret School, St. Louis Park — Dec. 4: 3 p.m. at 2501 Hwy. 100 S. Features the dance teams of Academy of Holy Angels, Benilde-St. Margaret, Hill Murray, Holy Family Catholic, New Ulm Cathedral, St. Cloud Cathedral and Totino-Grace. Tickets are $7 for adults and $4 for students and seniors. Proceeds to Autism Society of Minnesota. Community Christmas party at Immaculate Conception School, Columbia Heights — Dec. 9: 5 to 7 p.m. at 4030 Jackson St. N.E. Free bingo, caroling, food and a visit from Santa. For information, visit WWW .IMMAC-CHURCH.ORG.

SPIRITCALENDAR@ ARCHSPM.ORG.

(No attachments, please.) FAX: (651) 291-4460. MAIL: “Calendar,” The Catholic Spirit, 244 Dayton Ave., St. Paul, MN 55102.

DECEMBER 2, 2010 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Sharing and Caring Hands is CELEBRATING ITS 26TH YEAR OF HELPING PEOPLE IN NEED, Thanks to your generosity! In today’s hard economic times many people are poor through no fault of their own and need your help. • Your donations provide: • Meals • Shelter • Food • Clothing • Household goods • Beds • Toys • Medical & Dental Services • Glasses • Showers • Shoes • Help with Emergency Needs • A Safe Haven for People Living on the Streets. • Your generosity allows us to help thousands of people each week. • 93% of your donations go to serve the needs of the poor. We take no government funding and rely solely on your donations.

To learn more and see what a difference your tax-deductible donations make, or to donate online, visit our website: www.sharingandcaringhands.org Send your tax-deductible donation to: Sharing and Caring Hands, 525 No. 7th St., Mpls., MN 55405 Name______________________________________________________ Address ____________________________________________________ City/State/Zip _______________________________________________ ■ Check ■ Visa ■ MC Card#_________________________ Exp.__/__/__

___ $50 ___ $100 ___ $150 ___ $250 ___ $500 $___ Other

DID YOU KNOW. . . • Sharing and Caring Hands provides thousands of meals each week to the hungry adults and children in need. • Our Mary’s Place transitional family shelter has 92 free apartments for families in need of shelter. On average we house 340 children and 110 adults each night. They stay long enough to get back on their feet. • We paid for over 20,000 nights of shelter last year for single men and women in pay-to-stay shelters and families in area motels. • We provided eye exams and glasses for over 600 people last year, over 1/2 of them were children referred to us by schools. • We gave thousands of showers last year to people with no other access to bathing facilities. • We provide over a thousand beds each year to adults and children that would otherwise be sleeping on the floor. • We gave out over 11,500 bags of groceries last year to people in need.

Please help the poor and unfortunate. Assist the families and give help to the children.

Stay connected. Follow The Catholic Spirit on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CatholicSpirit

Note Immaculate Conception feast at Lonsdale church Those wishing to experience the feast of the Immaculate Conception may want to check out the parish by that name in Lonsdale. On display in the sanctuary is a painting that depicts the parents of Mary — Sts. Anne and Joachim. The idea was conceived by the pastor of Immaculate Conception, Father Troy Przybilla, and put to canvas by his classmate at the St. Paul Seminary, Eric Menzhuber. “I was praying in the church and the image kept coming back to me,” Father Przybilla said. “I couldn’t find an image of that. . . . There’s always the image of Mary, but never of St. Anne and St. Joachim.” The painting was finished a year ago and dedicated on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, Dec. 8, 2009. “What I wanted him [Menzhuber] to convey when he painted it is hope,” Father Przybilla said, adding that a prayer card with the image also was created. “I wanted there to be a sense of hope. St. Anne is the patron saint of barren couples who cannot conceive a child. “I was just told recently that there was a couple that has been trying to have a child for a long time. They couldn’t conceive. And, the woman who donated the money [for the painting] gave them this prayer card to pray. And, they’re pregnant with twins right now.” — The Catholic Spirit

0OF 'BNJMZ *O .JTTJPO #F BO ABOHFM MJLF 4JTUFS .BSHBSFUy Sister Margaret Mweshi is an “angel” to some 40 children in northern Zambia — revealing to each one, every day, the “Good News” of God’s love, just like the angel did that first Christmas. Sister Margaret runs a home where these little ones receive treatment and physical therapy for their disabilities. “I know that I have to do more than provide medical help,” she says. “I have to be a mother to them.” This Christmas, will you be an “angel” for the Missions? Will you support the work and witness of local Sisters through the Society for the Propagation of the Faith?

The Society for THE PROPAGATION OF THE FAITH yB 1POUJmDBM .JTTJPO 4PDJFUZ Enclosed is my Christmas giĞ for the Missions of $_________

Name ___________________________________________________ Address ________________________________________ City_______________________________State________Zip_______

Rev. Mr. Mickey Friesen 328 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55102-1997 www.givetothemissions.org www.onefamilyinmission.org

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • DECEMBER 2, 2010

Catholic community responds generously to refugees’ needs CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 things to try to keep the communities mixing with each other.” Separate Karenni and Karen choirs perform at Mass every Sunday, and some refugees have become altar servers. The parish also has hosted dinners to bring the various communities together outside of Mass. When some long-time parishioners witnessed Karen and Karenni youth serving at the dinners, “it really softened a lot of attitudes,” Father Anderson said. In addition, Father Anderson frequently writes bulletin articles about the refugees and integrates them into his homilies to give people a better understanding of the difficulties they have faced.

Hard lives Tens of thousands of people have fled Myanmar, also known as Burma, since the 1980s because of religious and ethnic persecution by the country’s military junta against various ethnic minorities, including the Karen and Karenni people. Most have lived in refugee camps across the border in Thailand, some for more than two decades, before making their way to the United States and other countries. The U.S. bishops’ Migration and Refugee Services has resettled many of them. “You hear horror stories,” Father Anderson said. “Since 1995, the Burmese government has changed its policies toward the ethnics not only to suppress their culture, but now to oppress them. They’ve been burning down villages, they set up land mines everywhere so people get blown up, . . . they shoot people point blank with no reason. “Now [the refugees] are coming here, and they need our help,” he added. They arrive in the United States with few belongings. Most are not prepared for a harsh Minnesota winter. “They come to church in their flipflops, and they wear wind breakers in the winter because they don’t have any winter coats,” Father Anderson said. When Father Anderson mentioned the refugees’ need for winter clothing to Father Tom Walker, pastor at St. Ambrose in Woodbury, Father Walker suggested they do a pulpit exchange one Sunday and clothing drive at St. Ambrose. So far, St. Ambrose parishioners have collected around 175 coats, plus boots, mittens, hats and other articles of clothing, which they delivered to St. Bernard in a Chevy Suburban with a horse trailer attached. Other parishes also have donated clothing for the refugees, Father Anderson said. “I think we’re going to be able to give winter clothing to everybody in the community.” To further help meet the refugees’

needs, St. Bernard has created a full-time refugee liaison position. Tom Flood, former dean of students at St. Bernard High School, which closed in the spring, began his new job at the parish Sept. 1. He assists at parent-teacher conferences with an interpreter, helps the refugees get established with a doctor, walks them through the process of getting their green cards, helps them find employment, and provides a number of other services. “I’m basically helping them get acclimated to life in Minnesota and life in the United States,” he said.

Home at last Karenni Shaw Reh, 24, joined St. Bernard a year ago after he moved to St. Paul from Missouri. Before that, he spent 14 years of his life at a camp in Thailand. As a child, Reh remembers hiding in the jungle to escape from Burmese soldiers when they came to his village. Reh left his family at the age of 9 to live in the

How to help If you would like to help the Myanmar refugees at St. Bernard, call Tom Flood at (651) 558-9303. Financial donations only, please.

refugee camp because his parents could no longer afford to send him to school, he said. “Life in the refugee camp was very hard,” he said. “It’s like a bird in a cage.” The refugees were not allowed to leave the camp and had to rely on meager food rations from the U.N. to survive. Now reunited with members of his family in St. Paul, Reh said St. Bernard has helped him a lot. “St. Bernard not only helps our people attend Sunday services, but it also helps us with social services,” he said. “It is really good for the Karenni people. They have really welcomed us.”

Dianne Towalski / The Catholic Spirit

Aye Aye Mo, left, and Cecilia sing in the Karenni choir during Mass Nov. 28 at St. Bernard. Behind them playing guitar is Tho Reh. (It is Karenni custom to not use last names.)

“Catholic education is an expression of the mission entrusted by Jesus to the church he founded.” “To Teach as Jesus Did”

Catholic Education 20

The Catholic Spirit

A Catholic Spirit special section

DECEMBER 2, 2010

School seeks to diversify, enrich students’ experience By Pat Norby The Catholic Spirit

Pat Lofton, principal of St. Thomas More School in St. Paul, strongly believes that Catholic education enrollment needs to be more representative of society. “Students who are well-to-do and students who are not as well-to-do should be going to school together,” he said. But, today, too often schools are divided along socio-economic lines. “In many respects, we [Catholic schools] are out-pricing ourselves for the average person and we have to come up with some alternate models of funding and outreach to make sure that Catholic education isn’t for a select few,” Lofton said. St. Thomas More, which is blessed with many families who can afford to pay full tuition, has been working toward increasing its racial and financial diversity since 2008, when it developed a strategic plan as part of its reaccreditation process. “Reflecting on our roots as St. Luke’s and Immaculate Heart of Mary schools, we recognized that our schools were far more diverse —particularly St. Luke’s — than St. Thomas More is today,” Lofton said. He cited the Summit Hill Neighborhood gentrification and the reopening of St. Peter Claver nine years ago as factors that have affected St. Thomas More’s ability to draw a more diverse population.

Planning for outreach As part of the school’s planning process, a school advisory committee began to develop an outreach initiative that structured tuition to welcome underserved students and their families. This year, the pilot program is serving eight children based on the financial need of their parents, who pay PLEASE TURN TO CATHOLIC ON PAGE 21

Dave Hrbacek / The Catholic Spirit

Pat Lofton, right, principal of St. Thomas More School in St. Paul, talks to students as they leave the building at the end of a school day. Lofton and the school have been working toward increasing the school’s racial and financial diversity since 2008 by helping underserved children enroll.

Send us your original and personal prayer Be a part of OUR history! Submit an original and personal prayer for The Catholic Spirit Prayer Book !

Deadline extended to Dec. 10 This Catholic Spirit Prayer Book is a new project we will be producing just in time to help us celebrate the 100th anniversary of our archdiocesan newspaper during 2011. Your entry might be a prayer for a special occasion for a typical life situation, for a specific special intention or need. Only original prayers will be considered, so don’t copy something from another source. Enter as many times as you like, but remember: 100 words or less. And hurry; the deadline is noon, Friday, Dec. 10. Submit entries either of two ways: ■ Go to THECATHOLICSPIRIT.COM. Click on “Web Extras” and then on “Prayer Book” and follow the instructions. ■ By mail to “Prayers,” The Catholic Spirit, 244 Dayton Ave., St. Paul, MN 55102. All entries become the property of The Catholic Spirit Publishing Co., and submission implies permission to publish your prayer in any and all Catholic Spirit

Catholic Education

DECEMBER 2, 2010 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Catholic schools support society by educating the underserved CONTINUED FROM PAGE 20 no more than half the tuition. Although the goal was to add 10 students, the committee is pleased with the result of its “very quiet outreach,” Lofton said. With student enrollment at 350 and capacity at 450, Lofton did not want to do a “big public” campaign and end up having to turn away kids due to space issues. “Our goal is to add students each year so that, in time, we have about 100 students that are part of this underserved population,” Lofton said. Adding a diverse population, he said, would do two things: ■ Provide an outstanding opportunity for those families who otherwise couldn’t afford it. ■ Enable the school to grow to its capacity. “In light of the [archdiocesan] strategic planning process that is taking place — and our school is one of those that has been asked to do a sustainability review — it seems that this approach will help us be sustainable down the road,” he said.

A contradictory goal St. Thomas More has what, at first, seems to be a contradictory goal: “To collect full tuition from every student who comes in.” However, Lofton added, the goal is to find donors who would offset the difference between what a family could pay and the actual cost of educating a child at the school. While looking at ways to fund the program, Lofton said he received support and helpful information from his friend, Sue Kerr, principal of Blessed Trinity Catholic School in Richfield, which has a similar approach to funding underserved

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CATHY CORNELL

students. “Ultimately, the goal is to identify donors among our community and among alums of St. Luke’s and Immaculate Heart of Mary, who would feel a desire to help out children who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford to go to Catholic school,” Lofton said. Because St. Thomas More has few students that receive free or reduced-rate lunches, it doesn’t qualify for funding from the Legacy Grant or the Friends of Catholic Urban Schools program. FOCUS has supported underserved students in urban Catholic schools through grants such as the $1 million Pohlad scholarship, said Cathy Cornell of the archdiocesan Catholic Schools Office. The archdiocese’s Legacy Grant provides assistance to urban schools for professional development; technology hardware, software and training; classes and scholarships for high potential students; testing, training and assessment for English Language Learners; and support for advancement and development.

Education contribution “We know that education is the best way out of poverty,” Cornell said. “Catholic schools are often the church’s most effective contribution to the poor and economically disadvantaged, especially in inner-city and rural areas. They

serve the common good of society by ensuring academic excellence. They develop the whole child by integrating the Gospel message into the academic environment through prayer, liturgy and service.” Catholic schools have a history of serving immigrant populations with respect and dignity, graduating close to 100 percent of their students and sending about 97 percent on to college, she added. Although the archdiocese does not have a way to financially support St. Thomas

More’s initiative, Cornell said the Catholic Schools Office is considering new models to help underserved children as well as Catholic education at large. “We recognize that we’re going to have to do this, somewhat, on our own,” Lofton said. “I’m confident that the generosity of this community will come through, because people here recognize the positive things that can come about, not only for the kids that are part of this program, but for every child that goes to school here.”

DECEMBER 2, 2010 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Pope encourages Catholics to re-embrace Liturgy of the Hours CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

lives in the Center for Catholic Studies-sponsored Catholic men’s house, he helps to organize daily morning prayer. “It’s the frame of our day,” said the Stamford, Conn., native, adding that the Catholic Studies men’s house residents are encouraged to pray night prayer on their own. For Marchetti, praying the Liturgy of the Hours is “entering into the divine rhythm,” he said.

Spreading its use Pope Benedict, like Pope John Paul II before him, has strongly encouraged Catholics to re-embrace this public prayer, Deacon Michalak said. In his apostolic exhortation “Verbum Domini” (“The Word of God”), Pope Benedict said the Liturgy of the Hours “sets forth the Christian ideal of the sanctification of the entire day, marked by the rhythm of hearing the word of God and praying the Psalms.” “In this way, every activity can find its point of reference in the praise offered to God,” the pope said. “Verbum Domini” was a response to a list of recommendations drafted by the world’s bishops at the end of the 2008 Synod of Bishops on the Word of God. The synod recommended promoting widespread use of the Liturgy of the Hours among all Christians. In “Verbum Domini,” the pope affirmed this message and called for religious communities and parishes to encourage lay people’s participation in such prayer. “This could only lead to greater familiarity with the word of God on the part of the faithful,” he said.

It’s common for lay people only to pray morning (“lauds”) and evening (“vespers”) prayers, and “Verbum Domini” encouraged the faithful especially to pray these two “hours.”

Good to pray, hard to learn? Deacon Michalak gave a presentation about the Liturgy of the Hours Nov. 16 to a crowd of 260 people at St. John the Baptist in New Brighton. The lecture was the first of two presentations on the Liturgy of the Hours sponsored by the Harry J. Flynn Catechetical Institute, which is overseen by the St. Paul Seminary. The second presentation will be given Dec. 7 from 7 to 9 p.m. at St. John the Baptist. It is open to the public. “In the language of the church, the Liturgy of the Hours is the bride praying with the bridegroom; it’s the body [of the church] praying with the head,” Deacon Michalak said, pointing to “Sanctosacrum Concilium,” a Vatican II document on the liturgy, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. “Verbum Domini” applied the same metaphors. The Psalms, which are the basis of the Liturgy of the Hours, are a “school of prayer” for Christians, said Catechetical Institute director Jeff Cavins. “They not only provide the believer with words for prayer, but [they] also teach them how to pray, and in what situations they should be praying . . . [including] discouragement, betrayal and joy.” When Catholics pray the Liturgy of the Hours — even when they pray it alone — they are praying with the entire church, he added. This idea appeals to Bob Conroy, a parishioner at St.

Michael in St. Michael and marketing consultant for Relevant Radio, who attended Deacon Michalak’s lecture. Conroy is gearing up for a 90-day pilgrimage in Europe, beginning in Rome in late December and including holy sites in Italy, Spain, Portugal, France and Ireland. He’ll be making the pilgrimage alone, so he plans to look to the Liturgy of the Hours to provide a rhythm to his day and connect him to others, if only in prayer, he said.

A flexible prayer Praying the Liturgy of the Hours takes time; morning and evening prayer both require about 15 minutes. It’s easy for the time commitment to discourage busy Catholics. “The nature of life is that it tends to want to have us slide away from those things that draw us closer to Christ and his church, so it’s hard always to find the means to overcome those daily obstacles,” Conroy said. Yet, Liturgy of the Hours makes prayer part of everything one does, he said. “[It] has value from being able to join with all the people who have ever prayed the prayers, all the people who ever will pray these prayers, and all the people who are praying these prayers right now.” Deacon Michalak recommends beginners pray the Liturgy of the Hours simply, with morning and evening prayers, or even just one per day. The prayer is flexible, he said, and it can be prayed in short or long versions. PLEASE TURN TO STRENGTHEN ON PAGE 23

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THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • DECEMBER 2, 2010

Susan Vigilante,

Strengthen your prayer life

author of

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22

Have coffee with

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Wednesday, Dec. 8, 9-11 am. Under the hot Italian sun Susan Vigilante wrestles with the great questions: the meaning of love in the face of betrayal, the agony of childlessness, and how a God of love can answer prayers with heartbreak.

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Cavins has prayed morning and evening prayer intermittently with his wife for about 16 years, he said. The couple routinely incorporate their own prayers and intentions, he said. “There’s always a benefit to praying this with someone else,” he said. The Liturgy of the Hours can be a confusing prayer method to learn by one’s self, Cavins said, which is one of the reasons the Catechetical Institute is hosting the lectures. At the Nov. 16 lecture, Deacon Michalak told attendees just to pray the prayer and not worry about whether or not they were praying the prayer perfectly. Even after regularly praying the Liturgy of the Hours for more than five years, Linda Corrigan, 58, doesn’t feel like an expert. It’s easy to lose one’s place in the rotation, or forget to use the special prayers on an important feast day. But Corrigan tries, she said, and she believes that God is pleased with her effort. Praying the Liturgy of the Hours helped Corrigan, a parishioner at Holy Name of Jesus in Medina, to build a regular prayer life, she said. She has long attended daily Mass, but now she also prays the noon Angelus and a Divine Mercy chaplet. She also makes time each day for spontaneous prayers of praise. “I’m guessing that praying the Liturgy of the Hours’ morning and evening prayers opened me up to receive the grace to pray more,” she said.

Old prayers, modern means Although the Liturgy of the Hours is traditionally prayed from either a fourvolume set or the single-volume “Book of Christian Prayer,” websites and smart phone applications offer another — and sometimes easier — means. Eschewing the sometimes cumbersome task of tracking one’s spot and flipping to different parts of a book for parts of the prayer, sites like UNIVERSALIS.COM/TODAY, DIVINEOFFICE.ORG and LITURGYHOURS.ORG lay out the daily prayers in easy-to-follow formats. Advent is the perfect time to start the Liturgy of the Hours, because it’s the beginning of the new liturgical year, Deacon Michalak said. “Advent is chiefly a time of preparing for the second coming of Christ, and we prepare for Christmas, the celebration of the first coming, as an anticipation of the second coming. The Liturgy of the Hours is an eschatological prayer — it’s a prayer that anticipates heaven.”

Six reasons to pray CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 of time. It’s ecumenical. Because it’s based in Scripture, some Protestants pray the Liturgy of the Hours, too. It’s universal. Catholics from both Roman and Eastern Catholic churches pray the Liturgy of the Hours. It will reduce your anxiety. “It sets our minds on things above, where Christ is,” Deacon Michalak said. — Maria Wiering

“We truly believe that this step is critical to making our world safer.” Massachusetts’ Catholic bishops, in a letter to the state’s two U.S. senators urging the Senate to ratify the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty between the United States and Russia by the end of the year

Overheard 24

The Catholic Spirit

Proceeds from priest’s collection of top columns will benefit Haiti Father Bernie Reiser now has a published book of the best columns he wrote during the three decades he was pastor at Epiphany in Coon Rapids. “Reiser’s Ramblings” offer his take on The everyday topics Catholic Spirit such as family, kindness, gratitude, prayer, helping others and staying focused on what’s important in life, according to promotions for the $20 book. All profits from the sale go to Haitian relief efforts sponsored by Reiser Relief Inc., a volunteer-run non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation founded by Father Reiser, who has been involved with Haiti outreach programs for more than 13 years. Among the projects Reiser Relief has taken on are a center caring for abandoned women who have no place to live, and a school program that has built classrooms and where children receive a daily meal at school. It has assisted in building and supporting medical community centers and sanitary blocks for sewage and provided support for clinics and small hospitals in Cite Soleil. Learn more — and buy the book — at REISERRELIEF.COM/BOOK.HTML.

News Notes

New Malta members Four parishioners from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis were inducted into the Order of Malta, American Association during a Mass with Archbishop Timothy Dolan Nov. 12 in New York City, where he is archbishop. Edward Kocourek and Suzanne Kocourek, both of St. Joseph in West St. Paul; Steven Hawkins of St. John Neumann in Eagan and Michael Stenquist of Our Lady of Peace in Minneapolis were among 110 new members invested as Knights and Dames of Magistral Grace. The Order of Malta, founded in 1099 as a lay religious Catholic order, seeks to sanctify members by defending the faith and service to the sick and poor. Read more online at WWW.MALTAUSA.ORG.

Quotes from this week’s newsmakers

DECEMBER 2, 2010

Totino-Grace wins 2nd straight football title Jeff Ferguson, coach of the football team at Totino-Grace High School in Fridley, talked with The Catholic Spirit photographer Dave Hrbacek after the team won its second consecutive Class AAAA state football title Nov. 27. Though you won the state championship last year, you lost some great players to graduation, including John Crockett, one of the best running backs in school history. What was your outlook for this season when you started practicing back in August? We really don’t point to anything other than preparing week by week. Our focus when we first started was preparing for Minnetonka [first game of the regular season]. We knew that that would be a big challenge to start the year, so that was our focus in terms of preparation. Did winning a state championship surprise you, especially doing it so convincingly? I wouldn’t say I’m surprised at all. We’re blessed with some pretty good players, and we’re also blessed with a whole bunch of really, really good kids. What we tend to see year to year is tremendous improvement from the beginning of the year to the end of the year. Our players really, really improve individually and as a team, and I think it’s a credit to them and to my assistant coaches. You have won six championships in the nine years you have been head coach. What are you doing with your teams that has created so much success? I think, to some degree, success does beget success. I think that we have a great culture here. It’s a nurturing environment. And, I think a lot of things have just fallen into place. We get great kids, the kids work hard, it’s important to them, they trust us, I have a great coaching staff, we get support from the parents, and I love the way our kids approach the playoffs. There’s not this sense of being uptight. Our kids just go out and play . . . with a sense of joy. It’s fun to behold.” You were an assistant to Dave Nigon, who won two state championships at Totino-Grace and repeatedly took his teams far into the playoffs, before replacing him as head coach. What have you learned from him? Dave was a great mentor to me, both as dean of students and as a football coach. I did play for Dave [before graduating from Totino-Grace in 1974]. His blueprint is all over the football program, just in terms of the foundation that he and Paul Gasner laid down. I got the job, I’m just trying not to screw it up. Last year, you were invited to a special celebration with Archbishop John

Photo by Whitney Stramer, Totino-Grace

From left, Totino-Grace seniors Xavier Fust (46), Jake Schauer, Tyler Steele and Alex Kreuser (holding trophy) celebrate their team’s 34-14 win over Rogers in the Class AAAA state football championship game Nov. 27 at the Metrodome. For the Eagles, it was their second consecutive state title and eighth overall.

Title track Here are the scores of the eight state championship games won by the TotinoGrace football team: ■ 1977: 36-12 over Rocori of Cold Spring ■ 1978: 17-14 over Apple Valley ■ 2003: 57-13 over Hutchinson ■ 2004: 27-6 over Sartell ■ 2006: 40-25 over St. Thomas Academy ■ 2007: 13-8 over Mahtomedi ■ 2009: 45-7 over Sartell ■ 2010: 34-14 over Rogers

Nienstedt. What was that like? It was outstanding. We started out with liturgy, so we celebrated and worshiped together. Then, we went in and had a very relaxed but nice lunch at his place. He has the big windows overlooking downtown and the river in St. Paul. We shared some pasta. And, he was really engaging and had lots of good questions for our guys and engaged them. And then, he gave us a tour of the facility. He was just very, very warm and really connected well with our players. I’ve got a lot of respect for his doing that. I think it’s a good move and a bright move on his part to connect with the younger members of the flock. I know our guys really appreciated that and I think they also enjoyed it and they enjoyed his company as well. Would you go if you and your team were invited back again this year? I’d love to be invited, absolutely. What things do you want every play-

er on your team to take away from their experience, regardless of their success on the field? I hope that they learn from our coaching staff what it means to be a loyal friend, somebody that can be counted on. I hope that, in some small way, their experience makes them a better son, someday a better husband, a better father, a better friend. I hope they know that there’s a whole bunch of guys that they could count on at any time, if they’re down on their luck or if they’re in need. It’s just that whole sense of being able to trust and count on somebody. What role does your faith play in the way you coach your team and work with your players? I feel so good and so lucky to coach in a place where we can pray with our players — and we do. We had three significant events this year for our team. [Senior] Joe Zrust lost a grandparent, Charlie Miller, a sophomore, lost a grandparent, then my mother [Genevieve Ferguson] passed away last month. The whole team came to the funeral, which was really heartwarming. I think [it’s] that sense of being able to pray, which we do before games and before meals, and just being in an environment where prayer and faith are a part of it, where players understand when you talk to them that we’re not doing this for personal glory. You don’t try to achieve things for personal glory, you want to honor your maker in doing the best you can in all things.