The Catholic Spirit - February 17, 2011 by The Catholic Spirit Publishing Co.

Newspaper of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis

Preparing for arrival of the ‘age wave’

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The Catholic Spirit

February 17, 2011

Archdiocesan annual report

B-Section TheCatholicSpirit.com

News with a Catholic heart

What’s cooking? Parish dinner parties By Julie Pfitzinger For The Catholic Spirit

Parishioners at the Church of St. Joseph in West St. Paul who attend monthly “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?” events often find themselves sitting around a dinner table with people they may have seen many times before, but have never met. Perhaps they attend the same Mass each week, even sit on the same side of the church, but have never had the opportunity to say more than a casual “hello.” Every second Saturday of the month, a group of six to 12 parishioners who have registered for the dinner program gather at one of five host homes to simply enjoy a meal and good conversation. what WORKS With close to 100 parishioners now participating in the program, launched in May 2010 by Patty Flynn and her husband, Bill, each month offers an opportunity to meet a different set of familiar faces and, even more important, the chance to build community. At a recent dinner gathering at the Flynns’ home in Mendota Heights, the group of four couples included Jim and Patty Rosno, members of the parish for seven years; Chris and Jo Burr, members for eight years, and Patrick and Ellen Poquette, who just joined St. Joseph in August. The Flynns have been parishioners for 16 years. “When we found out about ‘Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?’ at the parish stewardship fair in December, we were very intrigued by the idea,” said Ellen, who added that she and Patrick attended their first dinner last month. “We saw it as a way to meet people. We like to know who we are in church with every week.”

Passing along a good idea Patty Flynn credits her son, Billy, now living in Milwaukee, with introducing the dinner idea to his parents. While visiting a college friend in the Kansas City area, Billy attended a dinner and was anxious to tell Patty about the experience. “The next day, he called me and said, ‘This is the greatest thing — you have to start it at St. Joe’s,’” she

Dave Hrbacek / The Catholic Spirit

From left, Bill and Patty Flynn serve lasagna to Jo Burr and her husband, Chris, during a dinner the Flynns hosted Feb. 12 as part of a program at St. Joseph in West St. Paul called “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?” Parishioners volunteer to host dinner parties for other parishioners, with people rotating to different homes throughout the year in order to get to know more people in the parish. Also attending dinner at the Flynns were Patty and Jim Rosno and Ellen and Patrick Poquette.

said. “I thought it sounded like a really good idea, so I contacted the woman at St. Therese in Parkville, Mo., who has been organizing their dinner program for the last six years — they’ve actually had it in their parish for 26 years.” Flynn voluntarily coordinates the gatherings each month and puts together a list of guests for each host site. Participants can offer to host, but that’s not a requirement. Parishioners can join the program at any time but

are not obligated to attend a dinner every month. With the variety of schedules people have, Flynn said for now that five host homes are enough to handle the monthly demand, although she said that could change as the program grows. An e-mail reminder is sent a few days before the dinner with the address of the hosts’ home, and because the meals are all potluck, a request is made for each PLEASE TURN TO PARISHIONERS ON PAGE 4A

iPhone confession app ‘no substitute’ for sacrament By John Thavis Catholic News Service

A Vatican official said a new iPhone application can help Catholics prepare for confession, but cannot substitute for the sacramental encounter between a penitent and a priest. “Confession: A Roman Catholic App” for Apple’s iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch was recently released as a way for Catholics to prepare for and participate in the sacrament of penance. Some recent press reports, however, have suggested that the application could replace in-person confession. “It’s essential to understand that the sacrament of penance requires a personal dialogue between the penitent and the

confessor, and absolution by the confessor who is present,” Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman, told

reporters. “This is something that cannot be replaced by any application. One cannot speak of a ‘confession via iPhone,’” he said. Father Lombardi said the new application could be useful in helping people make an examination of conscience. In the past, he noted, Catholics would sometimes use written questions and answers to prepare for confession, and that’s something that could be done today with the aid of a digital device. The application, developed by a small firm in Indiana, is based on the Ten Commandments. It was designed in part for people who have been away from the church and want the opportunity to go to confession.

FEBRUARY 17, 2011 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Pope was devoted to people, prayer

That They May All Be One Archbishop John C. Nienstedt

Upcoming beatification of Pope John Paul II is source of great joy for me and so many others

I hope that the recent announcement by our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, that he would beatify his predecessor, Pope John Paul II, brought a sense of joy to the hearts of Catholics and nonCatholics alike. Personally, it was a source of delight for me. I had the privilege of working for Pope John Paul II in his Secretariat of State for five years. I met him on several occasions, and every time I came away impressed with his charismatic personality. He loved people, and that was evidenced by the way he warmed to every person and every crowd. At the same time, you could see that he was a man of intense devotion. Praying in his chapel before morning Mass, one often heard physical groans coming from him as he was deep in prayer.

Loved by youth I have told people that he was one of the holiest people I have been privileged to know. The thousands upon thousands of young people who came to his funeral in Rome must have thought so, too. They chanted, “Santo subito” before and after the sacred services: They wanted him to be declared a saint, and they wanted it done soon. Shortly after his election, Pope Benedict suspended the normal regulation of a five-year wait before beginning the standard process of inquiry into the candidate’s heroic virtue (Pope John Paul

“I have told people that he was one of the holiest people I have been privileged to know.

”

ARCHBISHOP JOHN NIENSTEDT

PLEASE TURN TO BEATIFICATION ON PAGE 23A

The Catholic Spirit The Catholic Spirit’s mission is to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. It seeks to inform, educate, evangelize and foster a spirit of community within the Catholic Church by disseminating news in a professional manner and serving as a forum for discussion of contemporary issues.

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The New Generation of Appliance Specialists

JOE TOWALSKI Editor

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Ministry Day set for March 31 “Seeing Easter” is the theme of this year’s annual Ministry Day, sponsored by the Coalition of Ministry Associations and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

At 9 a.m., Sutton will present Part 1 of “Seeing Easter.” Bishop Lee Piché will preside at an 11:30 a.m. Mass, followed by lunch and vendors.

Materials credited to CNS copyrighted by Catholic News Service. All other materials copyrighted by Catholic Spirit Publishing Company.

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.

More information and registration is available at WWW.ARCHSPM.ORG or call the Office of Worship at (651) 251-7727, or visit WWW.MYSTICALBODYMYSTICALVOICE.ORG.

The day begins at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, March 31, with registration, continental breakfast and vendors at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 9100 93rd Ave., Brooklyn Park.

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Subscriptions: $29.95 per year Senior 1-year: $24.95 To subscribe: (651) 291-4444 Display Advertising: (651) 291-4444 Classified advertising: (651) 290-1631

Learn more about the upcoming changes in the prayers of the Mass published in the third edition of the new Roman Missal, during a “Mystical Body, Mystical Voice” workshop. Implementation of the Missal is set for the first Sunday of Advent, the weekend of Nov. 26-27. Sign up for one of two presentations set for 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 28, at St. John the Baptist in New Brighton; or at the same time Friday, March 11, at Guardian Angels in Oakdale. Each workshop is sponsored by the archdiocesan Office of Worship. The workshop is designed to help guide diocesan and parish leaders and parishioners into a deeper, richer and more conscious participation in the new liturgy. It will be conducted by faculty from The Liturgical Institute of the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Ill. Advance registration is $50 per person or $45 per person for groups of three or more registering together. After Feb. 21, the cost is $55 per person. Registration includes lunch, refreshments and a copy of the book “Mystical Body, Mystical Voice: Encountering Christ in the Words of the Mass.”

Barbara Sutton, adjunct theology professor at St. John’s University in Collegeville, will lead participants through a prayer practice known as “visio divina,” using images from The Saint John’s Bible.

Vol. 16 — No. 4

BOB ZYSKOWSKI Associate publisher

Workshop to help prepare for use of new Roman Missal

Sutton begins Part 2 at 1 p.m. The retreat ends at 2:30 p.m. Angela Warner

Joe Warner

Third-Generation Appliance Specialists

Registration by March 15 is $20; after that date, $25 is due by March 25. Contact Emily Gorman at (651) 290-1616 or GORMANE@ARCHSPM.ORG for more information about registration or scholarships.

Clarification St. Paul s Edina s Woodbury Maple Grove s Apple Valley Rochester s Mpls. Outlet

.com w.Warn ersStellian

Marian Father Seraphim Michalenko, who will be presenting conferences on the Divine Mercy with Paul Regan beginning Feb. 19, will not be at the Feb. 23 presentation at St. Joseph in West St. Paul.

“CommonBond’s commitment to quality affordable housing is making a real difference in creating better, more vibrant communities for everyone.” Jeff Hultgren, Ryan Companies project development director

Local FEBRUARY 17, 2011

News from around the archdiocese

The Catholic Spirit

Couple helps build community at CommonBond apartments By Susan Klemond For The Catholic Spirit

Every morning, Elizabeth Langlois, 77, prays for her neighbors as they come and go outside the second-floor Maplewood apartment she shares with her husband, retired deacon Tom Langlois, 80. “I’m sitting here thinking, ‘Why am I looking out this window?’ I just really know it’s because I’m supposed to pray for all these people here,” Elizabeth said. People are a big reason why the Langloises believe they came full circle by moving in October into the newly opened Century Trails, a CommonBond Communities affordable housing development for seniors. On track to receive LEED certification for energy and environmental design, Century Trails offers 40 handicap accessible units for seniors, and features a community room and onsite laundry. The couple hopes to build community with residents of another nearby CommonBond Communities development called Trail’s Edge — which features 48 townhomes for families — just as they did when they lived with their seven children in a St. Paul housing development nearly four decades ago. This year, CommonBond Communities is celebrating its 40th anniversary as an affordable housing provider. The organization owns or manages 5,000 affordable rental apartments and townhomes throughout 50 cities in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa, according to its website.

Catholic connection Founded by the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis’ Urban Affairs Commission in 1971, CommonBond Communities is now a non-profit corporation

TheCatholicSpirit.com

Dave Hrbacek / The Catholic Spirit

Elizabeth, third from left, and Tom Langlois, residents of CommonBond Communities’ Century Trails senior housing, talk with Edmond Taye, left, Deaira Gresham and Ezekiel Olakunle, during a potluck at the CommonBond housing campus, which also features townhomes.

that continues to be connected with the archdiocese, while bringing together business, government and non-profit sectors on development projects. With its current capital campaign, the organization is raising funds to build or preserve 4,000 housing units. The Langloises had their first experience with affordable housing when they moved their family from St. Paul’s East Side to a townhome in Torre de San Miguel Homes, a development on the West Side of St. Paul originally designed to be a cooperative community. At that

time, it was not managed by CommonBond Communities. “We felt really called by God to go down there and bring our family,” Elizabeth said. The couple helped develop a sense of community at the 142-unit development, always keeping a 30-cup coffee pot on and encouraging residents to stop by. But the cooperative never developed because of management problems, she said. While at Torre de San Miguel Homes, Tom answered the call to the diaconate

and was ordained in 1976. The Langloises served in St. Paul and North Branch parishes and became accustomed to downsizing. “We simplified a lot,” Deacon Tom said. “We’ve kept the things that mean a lot to us. We haven’t really lost anything but a bunch of stuff.” In 1980, the Langloises moved to a single family home in St. Paul. Several years after they left, CommonBond Communities took over management of Torre de PLEASE TURN TO SENIOR ON PAGE 4A

Local

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • FEBRUARY 17, 2011

Celebrating

St. Maron Left, Archbishop John Nienstedt and Msgr. Sharbel Maroun, pastor of St. Maron in Minneapolis, exchange greetings after a Divine Liturgy at the church Feb. 13 celebrating the feast day of St. Maron and the 1,600th anniversary of the saint’s death. The anniversary celebration included a dance the night before. A pilgrimage to Rome is set for Feb. 17 to 24 for the unveiling of a statue of St. Maron in the Vatican. Below, Christian Maalouf, 4, enjoys a piece of cake during brunch after the liturgy. Dianne Towalski / The Catholic Spirit

Senior couple helps fellow residents get connected CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3A San Miguel Homes.

Creating community, again After they retired from active ministry in 2007 and found climbing stairs more difficult, the Langloises learned about Century Trails and were accepted into the new development. The new apartment is bright and beautiful, Elizabeth said. “I think CommonBond makes a nice place with dignity for people who sometimes are maybe in the last stages of life.” Also evident in CommonBond Communities’ work are values of human dignity, community, generosity and care for the vulnerable, said Paul Fate, president and CEO. “The organization really embodies a lot of Catholic social teaching,” he said. “I think the whole notion of how the most vulnerable are faring is at the core of why we do what we do.” The Langloises no longer provide the coffee but they’re helping residents get to know each other at weekly gatherings. CommonBond Communities has provided the environment for this community to develop, Elizabeth said. “I think they are very aware of people needing this connection with other people,” she said. “They want people to know that we’re not alone.”

Parishioners gather at each other’s homes for dinner, conversation CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A individual or couple to bring either an appetizer, salad or dessert. (The hosts provide the beverages and the main course.) There is also an entertaining element of mystery to the evening. Only the hosts’ address is provided and not their names; the names of the guests are neither shared with the hosts nor with the other guests. “We purposefully do not cheat and look up host names in the parish directory,” said Chris Burr with a laugh, but added that when they were sent to the Rosno home for another dinner gathering, they recognized the address of their longtime friends right away. The dinner events are for adults over the age of 21 and include both singles and married couples. Flynn said she knows of two older women who met for the first time at a dinner and have struck up a friendship; Jo and Chris Burr met a neighbor who lives at the end of their block at one of the gatherings.

Gift of building community Father Michael Creagan, pastor at St. Joseph and recent first-time dinner host, is an enthusiastic supporter of the new parish program. “In many ways, the local parish is like a family, and these events are certainly

Tell us ‘what works’ at your parish, school The Catholic Spirit is looking for story ideas for its “What Works” series. We want to hear from parishes and schools about an idea, plan, project or program that is currently showing successful results. Submitters should explain the purpose of the initiative and outline the steps that led to success. Our goal is to give parishes and schools an opportunity to share ideas for doing ministry more effectively and/or more efficiently. ■ E-mail your story idea to: WHATWORKS@ARCHSPM.ORG ■ Or mail your idea to: “What Works,” c/o The Catholic Spirit, 244 Dayton Ave., St. Paul, MN 55102. Please include your name, parish and daytime telephone number.

bringing our family closer together,” he said. “I am always impressed when I participate in the dinners and find people who are married, single, older and young. The Flynns have given a marvelous gift to our parish in orchestrating this program each month.” According to Patty Rosno, the large size of St. Joseph’s parish can make it challenging to meet fellow parishioners. “The idea of getting to meet other people in small groups is really appealing,” she said. “We’ve met new people every month.” Patty Flynn believes the casual, lowkey environment of the dinners is what has helped make the program successful. “When you are sitting around the table

together, everyone is part of the conversation. There is no agenda and people can just get to know one another in an informal way,” she said. “It can really become a basis for building relationships.” “I really think this is the single best thing I’ve experienced as part of parish life,” said Chris Burr. “You get the chance to talk to people for more than 15 minutes at a time. The conversations can bounce from sports to politics to religion, and you can just spend time with people.” The “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?” program will celebrate its first anniversary in May with a potluck gathering in the Great Hall at St. Joseph Church

Tips to start a dinner program ■ Talk with your parish pastor. ■ Place notices in the parish bulletin. ■ Set up an information/ registration table in the back of church after weekend Masses. ■ Set a regular day and time each month, but allow participants to opt out of any date. ■ Maintain a database of all names and e-mail addresses, with colorcoded index cards to set the groupings for each host home to mix the groups. ■ Questions? Contact Patty Flynn via e-mail at PLFLYNN6@ YAHOO.COM.

that all participants will be invited to attend. “When I was first trying to get the program off the ground, Bill said to me, ‘Patty, if God wants this at St. Joe’s, he’s going to find a way to make it work,’” she said with a smile. “So far, things have worked out pretty well.”

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • FEBRUARY 17, 2011

Permanent end to taxpayer abortion funding called long overdue By Nancy Frazier O’Brien Catholic News Service

The effort to make permanent a ban on federal funding of abortion is both long overdue and widely supported by Americans, an official of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops told a House subcommittee Feb. 8. Richard Doerflinger, associate director of the USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, was one of three witnesses testifying on the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, H.R. 3, before the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on the Constitution. “H.R. 3 is a well-crafted and reasonable measure to maintain long-standing and widely supported policies against active government promotion of abortion,” he said. “It consistently applies to all branches of the federal government the principle that government can encourage childbirth over abortion through its funding power, and that it should not

“H.R. 3 is a well-crafted and reasonable measure to maintain long-standing and widely supported policies against active government promotion of abortion.

”

RICHARD DOERFLINGER Associate director, USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities

coerce anyone’s involvement in abortion.”

Gaps and loopholes In his testimony, Doerflinger cited past surveys showing that the Hyde amendment — attached to annual Department of Health and Human Services appropriations bills since 1976 — has “consistently had the support of the American people,” with many wrongly assuming that “it is

Stewardship A Way of Life Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis Saturday, February 26 — 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Pax Christi Catholic Community, Eden Prairie

2011 ARCHDIOCESAN STEWARDSHIP CONFERENCE Stewardship a Way of Life: Building Vibrant, Engaged Communities To register call 651-290-1610 Featuring 3 highly regarded national experts: Father Daniel Mahan, executive director of the Marian University Center for Catholic Stewardship in Indianapolis, author of More than Silver or Gold: Homilies of a Stewardship Priest. Mr. Jim Kelley, president and chairman of the board of the International Catholic Stewardship Conference and director of development for the Diocese of Charlotte, NC. Author of The Stewardship Manual: A Guide for Individuals and Parishes Developing Stewardship as a Way of Life, plus Sustaining and Strengthening Stewardship. Ms. Leisa Anslinger, nationally recognized speaker and author of Forming Generous Hearts: Stewardship Planning for Lifelong Faith Formation.

already fully implemented at all levels of our federal government.” “The fact is that Congress’ policy has been remarkably consistent for decades, but the implementation of that policy in practice has been piecemeal, confusing and sometimes sadly inadequate,” he said. Gaps and loopholes have been found that allowed or could have allowed for the funding of abortions through the

Indian Health Service, state Medicaid funding to HMOs and Medicare reimbursements for nonelderly disabled people, he added. He urged Congress to “finally put a stop to this ungainly mechanism and simply apply the principle of the Hyde amendment across the federal government once and for all.”

Other witnesses Other witnesses at the hearing were Helen Alvare, an associate professor at George Mason University School of Law and a former USCCB pro-life spokeswoman, and Douglas Johnson, director of federal legislation for the National Right to Life Committee. The bill on which they were testifying would make changes in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to ensure that there is no federal funding of abortion and the conscience rights of health providers are protected.

M AG I T R AV E L Over 25 Years of Service Ireland April 25-May 5; Oct 17-27

Holy Land Jordan, Istanbul

English Garden Tour

May 1-11; Oct 21-31 Oct. 23-Nov. 2

May 21-31

Greece/ Greek Cruise\Istanbul Oct. 3-13

952-949-0065 • magitravelinc.com

Hearing Tests Set for Senior Citizens Announcement — Free electronic hearing tests will be given all next week Monday thru Friday from 9 am to 4 pm. The tests have been arranged for anyone who suspects they are not hearing clearly. People who generally feel they can hear, but cannot understand words clearly are encouraged to come in for the test, which uses the latest electronic equipment. Everyone, especially those over age 55 should have an electronic hearing test once

a year. Demonstrations of the latest devices to improve clarity of speech will be programmed using a computer to your particular needs — on the spot — after the tests. See (and HEAR) for yourself if newlydeveloped methods of correction will help you understand words better. Tests will be performed at one of 20 convenient Greater Twin Cities Avada Hearing Care locations.

Call 1-800-435-5189

Pilgrimage to the Holy Land with Fr. Schneider Join Fr. Robert Schneider on a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land! October 31 - November 11, 2011 This Pilgrimage also includes visits to Brussels, Bruges, Leuven and Cologne Germany. For more information go to: www.as-ic.org and click on pilgrimage or call Fr. Schneider at 507-469-9979

JUST FOR PRIESTS A Roundtable discussion and boxed lunch

Stewardship is an Integral Part of your Parish’s Mission Presented by Fr. Daniel Mahan

Friday, February 25, 2011 • 11:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Hayden Center • 328 Kellogg Blvd W. • Saint Paul, MN 55102

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

“The future starts today, not tomorrow.” Pope John Paul II

Nation/World 6A

FEBRUARY 17, 2011

News from around the U.S. and the globe

The Catholic Spirit

Priests fear Egyptian youths will leave church Briefly Young people wave flags atop an army vehicle at Tahrir Square in Cairo Feb. 12, a day after the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak. Two priests with strong ties to Egypt said they feared young Egyptian Catholics will turn away from the church because it did not back the protests that led to Mubarak stepping down.

By Barb Fraze Catholic News Service

Two priests with strong ties to Egypt said they feared young Egyptian Catholics will turn away from the church because it did not back the protests that led to the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak. “If we lose the youth in the church, then we are done,” said Father Makarios Isaac, an Egyptian-born priest of the Archdiocese of Toronto and an associate of Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers who is currently based in Kenya. Father Isaac, originally ordained for the Coptic Catholic Diocese of Minya, Egypt, and the former diocesan development director there, said the main Muslim and Orthodox leaders forbade participation in the protests. He said the Coptic Catholic patriarch of Alexandria, Cardinal Antonios Naguib, told protesters to go home. The priest said he feared young people will “turn their backs on the church” and say: “You never stood with us. . . . You never taught us to stand up for our rights.”

Discrimination a problem Maryknoll Father Douglas May, who worked in Egypt for 18 years of Mubarak’s nearly 30-year rule, said he thought “the Christian leaders in Egypt played it safe.” “I’m afraid that the church leadership has lost its credibility with the Christian youth over this,” said Father May, now stationed in Nairobi, Kenya. Both priests, who have indults to minister to Coptic- and Latin-rite Catholics, spoke of discrimination that Christians faced under Mubarak’s rule and that of his predecessor, Anwar Sadat. In separate interviews with Catholic

CNS photo / Dylan Martinez, Reuters

News Service in the days following Mubarak’s Feb. 11 resignation, they said that any permit to do with a church building — even repainting it — had to be signed by the former president. “We had to wait 21 years to get a permit,” said Father Isaac. Even after the permit was granted, he said, state or local officials could stop construction for “security issues.” Father May, who left Egypt in 2007 but still visits at least twice a year, said that in the town of Dalga, Coptic Orthodox literally worship underground because they have not had a permit for a church for 20 years. In the same town, a mosque was built next to a Catholic church, and local authorities closed down the church because Muslims complained that the long

Sunday liturgies were interfering with their noon call to prayer. He said that, as a foreign priest, he was often called in by the Egyptian secret police, which he said had spies at the Coptic Catholic seminary where he taught. Both priests also spoke of discrimination against Christians. In the Egyptian army, said Father May, discrimination against Christians was constant. “There’s a fair amount of conversion” to Islam in the military because of the pressure, he said. Father May said he thought it was too early to tell how things would turn out for Egypt’s Christians. “If Muslims and Christians can see that their destinies are linked as Egyptians . . . there’s a chance that this could get better,” he said.

Revised Bible provides more clarity, detail for today’s Catholic By Patricia Zapor Catholic News Service

The revised New American Bible that will be released on Ash Wednesday, March 9, may seem most notably different to casual readers for its efforts at providing context and clarity in how the passages fit together, according to the coordinator of its publication. “It will be like going from regular TV to high-definition,” said Mary Elizabeth Sperry, associate director of New American Bible utilization for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. “You’ll have the same programs but more clarity, more detail.” What is being called the New American Bible Revised Edition, or NABRE, will include the first revised translation since 1970 of the Old Testament. The New Testament translation is the same as in 1986 and later editions of the New American Bible. The NABRE also will include the updated Book of Psalms, which was revised between 1991 and 2010 and has been included in

versions of the New American Bible published since 1991. The new Bible will be available in an assortment of print, audio and electronic formats, from a variety of publishers. Individual publishers will roll out their versions on their own schedules. For instance, Oxford University Press announced its line of compact NABRE editions will be available by Easter, April 24, and its study Bibles will be on the market for fall 2011 courses. The NABRE’s publication will not affect what Scripture texts are used for Mass. The Lectionary translation has already been updated recently.

Closer to the original Sperry explained that some of the updating in the Old Testament resulted from developments in biblical scholarship since the last time it was translated. For instance, recent archaeological discoveries have provided better texts, which affected scholarly views on how certain passages should be translated, she said. The goal of retranslating the Old Testa-

ment was to “get it closer to the original language,” Sperry said. Scholars start with the original Hebrew or Greek text, for instance, rather than simply working from the 1970 New American Bible version or translations used in other Bible editions. For the most part, the changes will be hard to spot, except by those who are serious students or scholars, she said. In other places in the NABRE, even casual readers may catch the differences. She and Benedictine Father Joseph Jensen, executive secretary of the Catholic Biblical Association and one of the scholars who worked on the translation, noted an example of the type of changes everyday readers might notice: the disappearance of the words “cereal.” The goal when possible was “to make the language more contemporary,” said Father Jensen. In today’s culture the phrase “cereal offering” conjures up images of Wheaties and Cheerios, not the bushels of wheat type of offering that the term is intended to mean, he said.

WYD in Madrid announces pope’s August schedule When Pope Benedict XVI travels to Madrid for World Youth Day in August, he will hold special meetings with young university professors and with young religious sisters.In early February, organizers of World Youth Day 2011 published what they said was the pope’s “entire agenda” for his Aug. 18-21 trip to Spain. On his second day in Spain, Aug. 19, the pope will meet young religious sisters at the Monastery of El Escorial, about 27 miles north of Madrid. Afterward, he will meet about 2,000 young university professors there.

Bethlehem may be named Heritage site The city of Bethlehem has been nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage site by the Palestinian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. “This is a momentous event for Palestinians,” Hamdan Taha, Palestinian assistant deputy minister for antiquities and cultural matters, told Catholic News Service in a Feb. 8 phone interview. If the nomination is approved, Bethlehem would be the first Palestinian site to be recognized by UNESCO. But the plan faces a potential roadblock because Palestine is not yet recognized as a state and Palestinians are not yet members of UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee, which will consider that application. Palestinian leaders, however, said they have applied for membership.

Order of Malta offers hope to prisoners With its quarterly newsletter “The Serving Brother,” the American Association of the Order of Malta is trying to bring spiritual guidance and hope to the Catholics who make up 25 percent of the more than 2.3 million prisoners in the United States. According to Steve Caron, a Knight of Malta, the association has since committed substantial resources to provide Bibles, spiritual readings and volunteer labor to reach those behind bars with Christ’s message.

Nation/World

FEBRUARY 17, 2011 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Fervor, devotion, joy

Cardinal’s new book seeks to deepen love for the Mass

Parish Mass illustrates some of Kenyans’ gifts

Catholic News Service

CNS international editor Barb Fraze and visual media manager Nancy Wiechec are in Kenya on a trip funded by the Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States.

Washington Cardinal Donald Wuerl and author Mike Aquilina have teamed together to write a new book on the Mass, and they hope that their labor of love will enkindle a deeper love and devotion for the Mass among Catholics, and inspire them to share that love with others. Titled “The Mass: The Glory, the Mystery, the Tradition,” the book was published by Doubleday. Helping Catholics have a deeper appreciation for the Mass is the “starting point of the book,” Cardinal CARDINAL WUERL Wuerl said, noting that the introduction begins: “The Mass is what Catholics do. It’s the heart of Catholic life, for individuals and for the community.”

By Barb Fraze Catholic News Service

Mass was approaching the two-hour mark at St. Mary’s Church. Members of the choir were wiping the sweat from their brow under the heat of the corrugated tin roof. Some of the dancers were fanning themselves with the tri-fold papers that contained the Sunday readings. Yet 50 minutes later, when the announcements were over and the concelebrants had processed out, the choir members — accompanied by shiny red bongos, shakers and a Yamaha keyboard hooked up to an amplifier — were still singing, moving, gesturing, ululating — expressing their praise of God. The more than 50 choir members rehearse three times a week for one and a half hours each session. The choir boasts nearly the same number of men as women. When they sing, they don’t hold sheet music; they clap, raise their hands in praise, turn around, move their feet and arms.

Youthful church The St. Mary’s choir illustrates what Bishop Anthony Muheria of Kitui describes as three of Kenyan Catholics’ greatest attributes: fervor, devotion and, especially, joy. Choir members also represent the Kenyan church in their youthfulness. The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis has been in a solidarity partnership with the Diocese of Kitui for about six years. “I think our church in Kenya is visibly and organically young — both in spirit and in average age,” Bishop Muheria told representatives of U.S. diocesan mission offices Feb. 12, the day before the Mass. The joy, he said, is palpable and uplifting, and “the fervor and devotion of our Christians is admirable.” “Whenever you meet them in a prayer place, in a prayer setting, our people teach us, and I’m speaking [of] us as shepherds,” he said. The bishop said Kenyan Catholics are willing to give God their time. He said when he sits with them to talk, no one

Timely resource CNS photo / Nancy Wiechec

Young women sing and dance during Mass at St. Mary’s parish in the informal settlement of Mukuru Kwa Njenga in Nairobi, Kenya, Feb. 13.

gets edgy or looks at a watch. “On Sunday we come at 10 — they are willing to stay there until 2 — sometimes under the sun,” he said. St. Mary’s, in the Nairobi slum known as Mukuru, has about 10,000 parishioners, and about 2,000 attended the 10 a.m. Mass Feb. 13. The congregants sat on wooden benches in a church lit by natural light — only the altar area had small fluorescent lights — and the celebratory nature of the Mass was palpable. Young teen dancers wearing blue Tshirts that read “Save the Lord with joy” led the entrance procession. The congregation sang enthusiastically during the four-minute opening song as the priests processed up the three steps to the altar, under a drop ceiling framed by a valance decorated with brightly colored streamers.

Love for singing Throughout the Mass, the choir members in their brown or black skirts and pants and ivory blouses and shirts led the rest of the congregation in song. The congregants sang during the pro-

cession for the Book of the Gospels. They sang the responsorial psalm. They sang for five minutes after the homily, and each petition was greeted with a sung response. They sang during the collection and as the five collection boxes were carried in the offertory procession, with the chalice, hosts, baskets of vegetables, flour, rice, bread, toilet paper and other necessities to help the less-fortunate members of the parish — all of whom live in Mukuru. The choir, still accompanied by bongos, shakers and keyboard, sang during the handshake of peace, then went right into another song to accompany the liturgical dancers.

Lesson for others Msgr. John Kozar, national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States, was met with applause, cheers and drums as he greeted the congregants on behalf of their brothers and sisters in the United States. “I want to take you all back to America,” he said to cheers. “Do you know why? Because you can teach the people of America how to celebrate!”

The book was written to coincide with the use of the new English translation of the third edition of the Roman Missal, which begins in U.S. parishes Nov. 27, the first Sunday of Advent. In a review of the book, Msgr. Anthony Sherman, former executive director of the Secretariat of Divine Worship at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, says the cardinal and Aquilina have provided “us with an excellent and timely tool for a clear catechesis.” The book is “a clear, concise, and very accessible explanation of the Mass that allows Catholics to enrich their understanding about the sacred liturgy and the Eucharist,” he said. “‘The Mass’ is precisely suited for a broader liturgical formation for Catholics, something that is needed at this crucial time in the life of the church in the United States,” Msgr. Sherman said. He calls the book’s language “exceptionally clear.” “With powerful pastoral sensitivity, this book puts into the hands of the average parishioner a fundamental introduction to the Mass,” Msgr. Sherman added. “The Mass: The Glory, the Mystery, the Tradition” is available at Catholic bookstores and online. It was published by Doubleday and costs $21.99.

“The sin of prejudice is no stranger to our souls.” Catholic Bulletin editor Bernard Casserly in a 1963 editorial

This Catholic Life 8A

The Catholic Spirit

Opinion, feedback and points to ponder

FEBRUARY 17, 2011

Fighting for racial equality in the 1960s Each month during its centennial year celebration, The Catholic Spirit will look back at how the newspaper covered news and personalities significant to Catholics both locally and nationally. This month, in honor of Black History Month, the focus is on the civil rights movement of the 1960s.

he 1960s were tumultuous times for race relations in the United States. The preceding decade saw civil rights successes, such as the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kan., in which the justices ruled that segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. And the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks provided leadership and inspiration to the civil rights movement. But there were also sad events, including the racially motivated murder in Mississippi in 1955 of 14-year-old Emmett Till, as well as widespread prejudice, discrimination and denial of rights. Locally, the 1960s saw the displaceJoe Towalski ment of African-Americans from the Rondo neighborhood of St. Paul due to the construction of I-94 — forcing residents to move to other parts of the city where housing discrimination was common. In many cases, Catholics — priests, religious and laity — were supportive of racial equality. But there also were many Catholics reticent or opposed to the cause. During the 1960s, the Catholic Bulletin (the predecessor of The Catholic Spirit) devoted a significant amount of coverage to the civil rights movement in articles as well as editorials that advocated for justice and equal rights for black men and women. The following are a few examples of news coverage of key events from that time written by Bulletin journalists. Readers should note that although terms such as “black” and “African-American” are in standard usage today, the term “Negro” was commonplace when these articles were written.

Looking Back

■■■ On Aug. 28, 1963, about 200,000 people joined the March on Washington, where they heard the Rev. Martin Luther King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech. the Catholic Bulletin reported the following week that 58 Minnesotans were among those who “marched for jobs and freedom equality among the races” and met with the state’s congressional delegation. One of the 18 Minnesota clergymen attending the march was Father Ed Flahavan, who “‘won’ his trip in a drawing among seven Nazareth Hall priests who had contributed the money for one of them to go.” ■■■ On Sept. 15, 1963, four girls attending Sunday school in Birmingham, Ala., were killed when a bomb exploded at the 16th Street Baptist Church, a frequent location for civil rights meetings. Catholic Bulletin editor Bernard Casserly condemned the attack, noting that “only a madman could have been responsible for such a deed.” He wrote in an editorial, however, that everyone must make a commitment to ending the prejudice that fuels such terrible acts. “Who will throw the first stone at Alabama today?” Casserly wrote on Sept. 20, 1963. “The blind and unreasoning hatred that brought shattering death to four teen-age girls in Birmingham’s 16th Street Baptist church last Sunday morning is reflected in the hearts of every man who ever let prejudice color his

CNS file photo from St. Louis Review

Marchers in Selma, Ala., March 10, 1965, show support for voting rights for blacks.

emotions. It is easy to wax eloquent over the unconscionable slaughter of these children, but what would you say to the parents of Cynthia, Carol, Addie Mae and Denise? What could you tell them you had ever done that would help dry their tears. “Most of us, unfortunately, would have to remain mute. Most of us could only say, if we were honest with ourselves, that we have done little to erase the great stain of discrimination that has darkened the lives of our Negro brothers. The sin of prejudice is no stranger to our souls. . . . “We must do more than cooperate with ‘no discrimination’ laws. We must invite Negroes into our homes, our parishes, our social clubs and our businesses, and we must make them feel welcome. The only way to end centuries of prejudice and oppression is to begin by offering love and compassion. The fuse on the bomb that snuffed out four lovely young lives in Birmingham last Sunday was a long time sputtering. Let us look to it that no more are lighted.” A follow-up article noted that “students of St. Mark’s school, St. Paul, took up a collection among themselves . . . and sent $129.81 to Birmingham, Ala., to help rebuild the Baptist church.” ■■■ On Sept. 27, 1963, the Catholic Bulletin published an anonymous letter to the editor that was shocking for the hate and prejudice it revealed. The letter was in response to an editorial the previous week (see above) that called for whites to reach out to the black community and welcome its members into their homes and churches. “I just wondered if there isn’t something the matter

with you, that is your mind. Are you honestly advocating that we white people ask the Negroes in our homes?” asked the letter-writer from St. Paul, who went on to voice support for segregation and housing discrimination. The writer wondered if editor Bernard Casserly might be considering a run for political office and was trying to attract the “n***** vote.” Casserly, in an editorial in the same issue, said he was making an exception to the newspaper’s policy against publishing anonymous letters — no doubt because he believed this letter offered a teachable moment. If anyone thought the prejudice that existed in the South couldn’t be found in Minnesota, this letter would lay the doubts to rest. It also offered an opportunity to reiterate his past calls for social integration and fair housing laws. “The opinions expressed by our unknown correspondent indicate that the battle to wipe out discrimination is nowhere near over in the North,” Casserly wrote. “It is up to our police and courts to enforce the no-discrimination laws and our schools, churches and public information media to redouble their efforts to make our nation truly a land of the free.” ■■■ Catholic Bulletin news editor Albert de Zutter wrote about an experience in the Nov. 1, 1963 issue of the Catholic Bulletin that was, in part, a response to what recent editorials in the newspaper were calling for: whites and blacks getting to know one another better on a personal level. “My wife and I and some 35 other Twin Cities area PLEASE TURN TO BULLETIN ON PAGE 9A

This Catholic Life / Opinion

FEBRUARY 17, 2011 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Real presence is a four-sided reality ’ve been thinking a lot lately about published reports of fewer Catholics showing up for Mass on Sundays, some of them checking out of the church altogether. I wonder whether or not they miss the Eucharist. That raises the question of the effectiveness of Catholic catechesis relative to the centrality of the Eucharist to Catholic life. As those thoughts were running through my mind, I came across two publications. One is a magazine of the St. Petersburg (Florida) diocese called “Gathered, Nourished, Sent.” The January-February 2009 issue has an article by Bishop Robert Lynch, titled “The Living Eucharist: How Much Do We Really Believe It, and What Does It All Mean?” Good questions. What does the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist really mean? And if it means anything at all, why are growing numbers of Catholics saying, in effect, “No thanks; not interested”? The other publication is the January issue of Worship magazine, which carried a long review article by the editor, Benedictine Father Kevin Seasoltz, of a book by his Benedictine confrere and noted

Guest Editorial Father William Byron

Too many people fail to understand and appreciate the centrality of the Eucharist in Catholic life

“This four-way real presence should be a four-way stop sign halting the exodus researchers are tracking and journalists are reporting in the Catholic Church.

”

Jesuit Father William Byron

liturgist Father Anscar Chupungco titled “What, Then, Is Liturgy?: Musings and Memoir.”

Catechesis needed Bishop Lynch points out that “God is present to us in three ways: (1) in his word, (2) in his body and blood in the Eucharist, and (3) in one another.” Father Chupungco sees the Lord Jesus as being present in four ways, not only in the eucharistic elements (really present under the appearance of bread and wine), “but also in the presence of the priest through whose ministry he [Christ] now offers what he [Christ] formerly offered on the cross.” The third way in which Christ is present is when the word of God is proclaimed in the assembly — the

readings from Scripture. And the fourth is Christ’s presence “in the assembly of the faithful who are truly the body of Christ.” Wherever two or three are gathered in my name, I’m right there in their midst, said Jesus. These four modes of Christ’s presence in the eucharistic liturgy are, to say the least, insufficiently understood and vastly underappreciated in Catholic worshipping assemblies today. This four-way real presence should be a four-way stop sign halting the exodus researchers are tracking and journalists are reporting in the Catholic Church. For the good of the church, catechetical repair work is needed. Pastoral attention must be paid to this problem. It takes faith, of course, to see

Christ where only bread and wine are visible, but that’s what faith does for the believer. It gives sight where vision fails. It will take a lot of faith for the people to see Jesus in the person of an unsmiling priest, even those who try to make themselves more presentable at the altar and less unworthy of their calling to serve the faithful by offering sacrifice. That sacrifice is also a meal, and the people have to attend to their role in gathering around the table, not as isolated worshippers, but as brothers and sisters in the Lord, who recognize Christ in one another as well as in the breaking of the bread. Better readers (trained and auditioned) and improved sound systems can enhance awareness that Christ is present in the word, as will repetition of words and phrases from the Scripture just proclaimed in the follow-up homily that should be an extension of the proclamation. Much work needs to be done. Each of us can say, “Let it begin with me.” Jesuit Father William Byron, a professor of business and society at St. Joseph’s University, Philadelphia, writes for Catholic News Service.

Bulletin editor wrote in support of Civil Rights Act Continued from page 8A couples went visiting Sunday afternoon,” de Zutter wrote in his first-person account. “We all went to see couples we had never met before. Many of us also went to neighborhoods that were unfamiliar to us. All the visiting couples were white; our hosts were Negroes.” De Zutter went on to explain that on this “Home Visit Sunday” he and his wife visited two couples — Lafayette and Pauline Cullars in St. Paul, and Earl and Jaqueline Bowman in Minneapolis. It was the first time the de Zutters had ever entered the home of a black family. The couples talked about their families, jobs and homes. They shared snacks and beverages. The story de Zutter wrote is striking in its ordinariness and its focus on the simple interactions between two families who apparently enjoyed each other’s company. But, de Zutter added, “there were lessons to be learned about race, too: “That though the population of the area in which the Bowmans live is more than half Negro, Mrs. Bowman was refused admittance to an ‘open house’ at a home for sale; “That a Negro can wait and wait and still be ignored at a department store, and finally have to talk to the manager to get service; “That a Negro is often told, ‘You don’t want these shoes (or this car), they’re too expensive for you.’ “That a Negro often finds that all the tables in a half empty restaurant are ‘reserved’ except the one in the far corner, or perhaps one in a ‘private dining room.’ “‘Here in Minneapolis,’ I asked to make sure. “ ‘Right here in Minneapolis.’ ” ■■■ President Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on July 2 that year. It prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion and national origin, and it gave the federal government powers to enforce desegregation. Editor Bernard Casserly, while noting that much work was still needed to change minds and achieve true equality, was a strong supporter of the legislation. “It is hard to restrain our enthusiasm about the comprehensive Civil Rights bill of 1964,” he wrote just

before the July 4 holiday. “Its provisions are so far-reaching that we will be a long time taking its full measure. Immediately it will not dry the tears in Birmingham, heal the wounds in Little Rock, or stop the flow of blood in St. Augustine. But it is a new Declaration of Independence for the Negro and other minority group members — a pledge with legal guarantees that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” ■■■ During 1964 and 1965, the Catholic Bulletin published stories about the Mississippi Summer Project. In July 1964, the Minnesota Committee on Religion and Race called on churches to help raise funds for the Mississippi project and the 17 students from Minnesota taking part at that time in its efforts to register black voters and provide other support. After the Bulletin published an interview in March 1965 with three archdiocesan priests who visited civil rights workers in Mississippi, a fund to aid the workers was set up because of the interest generated by the article. A few weeks later, several archdiocesan priests and others from Minnesota participated in the civil rights marches in Selma, Ala. Only the last of the three marches made it to its destination of Montgomery, Ala.; the first, which began on March 7, 1965, became known as “bloody Sunday” because marchers were beaten with billy clubs and targeted with tear gas. “We are proud that Catholic priests from the Archdiocese of St. Paul . . . have demonstrated their commitment to love for their fellowman and equal justice under law by their visits to Selma,” wrote editor Bernard Casserly on March 19, 1965. “Many of those who could not go also testified to their concern by taking part in several rallies in the Twin Cities. Lay men and women were joined by priests in these demonstrations of sympathy. Even the black and white habits of our Sisters were seen for the first time expressing their involvement in the most dramatic problem of the day.” Later in the editorial, Casserly said: “Another practical value resulted from the presence of Northern clergymen

among the ranks of the marching Southern Negroes. One of the area priests who returned from Selma tells in today’s issue of the Bulletin how the whites were mixed among the Negroes along the line of the march. Why? So it would be more difficult for the state troopers and sheriff’s possemen to concentrate their blows on the Negroes.” ■■■ The death of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968 was covered in a number of stories and commentaries. Pope Paul VI called Rev. King’s assassination a “cowardly and atrocious killing.” Another story noted that hundreds of college students walked the length of Summit Avenue in St. Paul with a banner mourning King’s death. The same story noted that Coadjutor Archbishop Leo Byrne was among those attending Rev. King’s funeral in Atlanta. “Whether he was leading a protest march, standing in silent mourning, meeting with government officials, or staying in jail, Dr. King was always a representative of the [Christian] church,” wrote editor Bernard Casserly. “He challenged that church to do more than it was to help the victims of poverty and prejudice. He showed the church how to move actively into the area of civil rights by protests, marches, prayer-ins, picketing, lobbying and public pressure of all kinds. He was in the vanguard of church involvement in the marketplace. The American church will live long in his shadow.” ■■■ We have made great strides for racial equality during the four decades since these stories and editorials were written. But racism and prejudice still exist in our society, in many of our churches and in many of our own families. Archbishop Emeritus Harry Flynn wrote about the problem in a 2003 pastoral letter on racism, which can be accessed on the archdiocesan website at WWW.ARCHSPM.ORG. His letter and this look back at history offer a chance to educate ourselves and reflect on the issues our brothers and sisters faced in the past as well as the ones we still need to address today. Joe Towalski is editor of The Catholic Spirit.

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THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • FEBRUARY 17, 2011

Commentary

/ This Catholic Life

Church offers services to give back to seniors n the bulletin board in the kitchen at my parents’ home is a little cross-stitched sign that reads: “Growing Old is Not for Sissies.” As I watch my own parents rise to the challenges of aging, I can vouch for the truth of that saying. While there are many blessings that come with old age, life certainly does not get any easier when one becomes a senior citizen. It takes courage and tenacity to face the obstacles and frustrations of old age. As we see the pace of life get faster and faster, our seniors observe their own physical capacities slowing and diminishing. It’s more difficult to see, to hear and to move about. In an age that places a high value on youthful strength and vitality, the temptation is to regard our loved ones who are aging as somehow personally “less” than they should be. Truth is, they are probably more in tune with where God wants them to be than the rest of us are. At the beginning of this month, on Feb. 2, the church celebrated the beautiful feast of the Presentation of the Lord. The Gospel scene for that feast begins with a focus on the newborn Christ child, who is brought by his youthful mother, Mary, and foster-father, Joseph, to the Temple in Jerusalem. Some would conclude that the feast is all about the child. But Luke’s vivid depiction soon turns our attention to two senior citizens: Simeon, an old man who was waiting for death, and Anna, who, at the age of 84, is delicately described as “advanced in years” (Luke 2:36). The feast is as much about the elderly and their faith as it is about the child. Based on that Gospel, it is fair to say that our seniors have a unique and essential role in the unfolding

O Commentary Bishop Lee Piché

Seniors have unique and essential role in unfolding of God’s plan of salvation

See related story on page 17A of God’s plan of salvation. The wisdom gained through years of prayer and petition, the tempering of the will through their long and ardent longing for salvation, the patience to sit still and be present when the rest of the world is running around in pursuit of many things — are not these all the hallmarks of our senior Catholic faithful? It is in our own best interest to give careful attention to our seniors, whose gifts to the church are immense.

Meeting seniors’ needs Catholic Senior Services, about which you will hear more and more in the coming months, is an important part of the response of this local church in improving the attention we give to the needs of our seniors. The growing demands for services

occasioned by the aging of the “greatest generation” call for a better-coordinated response. We need to become increasingly more prudent, imaginative and cost-efficient in making available the necessary resources for adequate housing, health services, and physical and spiritual care along the whole spectrum of capacity, from assisted living to memory care, from transitional care to hospice care. The current and future affiliates of CSS — senior care providers such as Saint Therese Homes, Catholic Eldercare, Franciscan Health Services, Saint Therese Southwest — are coming together in a coordinated relationship to improve and extend the opportunities for the physical and spiritual care of our Catholic seniors. The Archdiocese of St. Paul and

Minneapolis has a deep interest in these initiatives, and, through CSS, hopes to provide better communication and cooperation between the various agencies so as to connect our seniors to the services they need more effectively and to assist our parishes in finding new ways to minister to our seniors. Among the goals of CSS and its affiliates are increased availability of affordable home care, parish-based senior housing, education around the particular needs and challenges of the aging, support for parish nursing programs, attention to the sacramental and pastoral care needs of seniors, promotion of intergenerational programs for the strengthening of the family of this local church, and information and support for adult children and other caregivers of seniors. Still in its infancy, CSS has a small staff of two. The executive director is Deacon Dan Gannon (a permanent deacon of the LaCrosse Wis. diocese), and the development director is Deacon Bill Heiman. If you have an interest in knowing more about CSS, or would like to learn how you can support these efforts, contact us at (651) 290-1621 or on the Web at WWW.CATHOLIC SENIORSERVICES.ORG. Working together, with the help of CSS, this archdiocese can do a great deal to assist our seniors in facing the many challenges of growing old, and in the process — by keeping them close to our worshipping communities, just as Simeon and Anna were constantly in the Temple — learn a great deal from their faith and wisdom. Bishop Lee Piché is auxiliary bishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

Appointing bishops, from Henry IV to Hu Jintao n Nov. 20, I traveled to Rome for a consistory of the College of Cardinals. It was a special event for me in more ways than one. Two of the 24 men named cardinals by Pope Benedict XVI are graduates of my institution, The Catholic University of America.

O Opinion John Garvey

Our duty to God is more important than even the obligations of citizenship

Most people know that the College of Cardinals elects the pope. But most do not know the origins of the college in a heated 11th-century dispute over the powers of church and state. Although the church has always maintained the right to appoint the successors of Peter and the apostles, it has not always worked that way in practice. The temporal rulers of Christendom swiftly insinuated themselves into the process after the fall of the Roman Empire, creating constant church-state struggles and opportunities for simony and other forms of ecclesiastical abuse. Church reformers sought to restore the integrity of the clergy and the church’s rightful power. They got their chance in 1056, when Henry III died and left the

Holy Roman Empire to his 6-yearold son. Three years later, Pope Nicholas II created the College of Cardinals, wresting from the young emperor the right to choose the bishop of Rome. Over the next 60 years, Pope Gregory VII and other reformers would challenge successive emperors — the young Henry IV, and then his son, Henry V — and eventually restore the church’s power over ecclesiastical appointments at every level.

Religious freedom This was a significant step toward Western ideas of limited government and religious freedom: limited government because it recognized that there were parts of our lives the government did not control, religious freedom because it acknowledged that the church and its affairs are one of these parts. These ideas were incorporated in the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution. The popular press often misreads the clause as a directive to keep the churches out of civic affairs. But for many of the framers,

it meant nearly the opposite — keeping the state out of church affairs. Not every part of the world has enjoyed this development in human thinking, as the pope reminded us on Christmas Day, when he brought up the controversial subject of the church in China: “May the birth of the Savior strengthen the spirit of faith, patience and courage of the faithful of the church in mainland China,” he said, “that they may not lose heart through the limitations imposed on their freedom of religion and conscience but, persevering in fidelity to Christ and his church, may keep alive the flame of hope.” The Chinese regime’s interference in the practice of the faith has been a continuing source of friction, but the pope was referring specifically to a recent event. On Nov. 20, the same day the pope elevated the new cardinals in Rome, the Chinese government (its president is Hu Jintao) conducted the ordination of Father Joseph Guo Jincai as bishop of

Chengde without a pontifical mandate. It also pressured a number of Chinese bishops to participate in the ordination, even though consecration without a pontifical mandate violates canon law and carries a penalty of automatic excommunication. This is a new face on a very old problem, and it serves as a reminder that our duty to God is more important than even the obligations of citizenship. James Madison, the author of our First Amendment, would have agreed. In his “Memorial and Remonstrance Against Religious Assessments,” he previewed for us the true meaning of the First Amendment: “It is the duty of every man to render to the creator such homage and such only as he believes to be acceptable to him. This duty is precedent, both in order of time and in degree of obligation, to the claims of civil society.” John Garvey is the president of The Catholic University of America in Washington.

This Catholic Life / Commentary

FEBRUARY 17, 2011 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

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Night in the cold leaves trio seeing stars hat kind of person would drive out into the country on a frigid winter night, get out of the car and stand in below-zero temperatures for three hours? “A special brand of idiot,” quipped Steve Baranski, who did just that during a recent cold snap that saw temperatures after sunset fall to below zero, with wind chills classified as dangerous. In this case, there were three such “idiots” — Baranski, Merle Hiltner and myself. We all gathered three miles north of Norwood-Young America on the western outskirts of the metro area at the Onan Observatory, nestled within Baylor Regional Park. Baranski and Hiltner are members of the Minnesota Astronomical Society and were there to turn me on to all things celestial. Our plan was to raise the roof — literally — and have our own little “star party.” That’s what they call club events in which they invite members and the general public to come and observe the heavens through highpowered telescopes that, in some cases, have computers to guide them to the brightest and boldest objects in the night sky. After carefully examining the Clear Sky Chart on the Internet, Merle told me that the night of Tuesday, Feb. 8, was a good bet for optimal viewing. Everything needed for a great star show was there — cloudless sky, dim moon phase (crescent) and minimal light pollution. Unfortunately, these conditions would come with a hefty price tag — a minus-20 wind chill. Hence, Baranski’s reference to idiots.

instead of a large poster of the Orion Nebula. Yet, as I learned on that night, observing celestial bodies has a way of drawing the mind to the One who created them.

W The Outdoors Dave Hrbacek Can observing the night sky draw one closer to God?

Starry sky, chilly night Another avid local astronomer has a similar description of those passionate about seeing the starry world under such brutal conditions. “Astronomers are crazy.” These

Heavenly show

Dave Hrbacek / The Catholic Spirit

Father Eugene Brown became an avid astronomer within the last five years and donated this dobsonian reflector telescope to the Onan Observatory, which is located at Baylor Regional Park near Norwood-Young America in the western suburbs of the Twin Cities.

are the words of Father Eugene Brown, who was the reason I found myself gazing through a telescope on that frigid night. A priest of the New Ulm diocese for 40 years, he is the editor of Gemini, a publication put out by MAS. Like Hiltner and Baranski, he, too, is a club member and avid astronomer. Actually, before going to Onan on Feb. 8, I had made two trips there the week before. Father Brown was there on both occasions, and had hoped to give me a view of the winter sky with a powerful telescope he had donated to the Onan Observatory. But, on the first night, it was cloudy, and on the second, we experienced technical difficulties — among them, Father Brown’s chilled hands that quickly turned inoperable when it came to adjusting a telescope. Hence, he urged me to try

again with a younger and more skilled astronomer — Hiltner. Still, this story is not complete without a spiritual perspective on star gazing from a priest who has always been fascinated by the endeavor and turned it into a fullfledged hobby within the last five years. As we prepared to brave the chill and observe the sky, I asked him how he connects his faith to his new avocation, which he has more time to enjoy now that he’s retired. “From the beginning of these five years I’ve been interested in astronomy, I’ve considered it almost a prayer looking through a telescope and learning about God’s creation and just marveling at the beauty,” he said. If Father Brown had any say in the matter, the Onan Observatory might have a crucifix on the wall

After helping Hiltner and Baranski roll back the metal dome of the observatory, the show began. First up was a telescopic view of the moon far beyond anything I had ever seen. The 100-power telescope zoomed in tight on what’s called the terminator line on the moon, which is where it transitions from the day side to the night side. The angle of light created a detailed, threedimensional view of the moon’s surface. It is the closest object in the night sky we observed, and is one of the most spectacular. “The moon is one of the things that stands apart,” Merle said. But, lest I think the best was now behind us, he quickly added, “You ain’t seen nothing yet.” With a list and a laptop loaded with stellar location data, the two astronomers went to work finding cool objects in their respective telescopes. The observatory has four total, one of which Baranski hooked up to a camera and recorded still images. Later that night, I did the same. Near the end of our three-hour session, I asked Merle what keeps him coming back to the observatory time after time, even on nights when it feels as cold as the dark side of the moon. “That’s easy — doing what we’re doing right now,” he said. “I get the biggest kick showing people stuff they’ve never seen before.” After several breaks in a small area at the rear of the observatory warmed by space heaters, he PLEASE TURN TO ASTRONOMICAL ON PAGE 12A

A little ‘inside baseball’ about Catholic press awards cross North America right about now, folks who work for Catholic newspapers, magazines, websites, newsletters and book publishers are leafing through all of their work from 2010. We do this every year about this time, deciding which of our stories, photos, columns, page designs, even ads, we are going to enter into the annual competition of the Catholic Press Association. We’re always pushing the deadline, gathering up to the last minute the copies and digital files we’ll send to CPA headquarters in Chicago, where they’ll be forwarded to the judges — this year from the journalism and communications faculties of Loyola University in Chicago and Marquette University in Milwaukee. Winning awards — being recognized by experts in our field — is really affirming for all of us here at The Catholic Spirit offices behind the Cathedral of St. Paul. But you probably don’t care.

A Commentary Bob Zyskowski Variety of stories in The Catholic Spirit a mark of quality

Readers matter more From what you tell us throughout the year, you look to us for a handful of things: ■ Authoritative information about what the church teaches on the issues that you face in 21st-century life. ■ Inspiring stories about people living out their faith, stories that give you hope in this troubled world. ■ Practical ideas that might be emulated in your parish, school or ministry. ■ Stories, photos, slide shows, videos, podcasts and blogs that bring out the goodness and beauty of things Catholic and just might help you and those you love get to heaven. ■ Meaty pieces in print and on the Web that give you something to reflect upon. Coincidentally, as I sought potential award entries recently, I found I was searching for just those attrib-

utes because that’s what I want The Catholic Spirit to deliver, too. For the top Catholic Press award — General Excellence — a publication must enter three consecutive issues. You can’t just have one super issue and walk away with the prize.

Something for everyone The three that I chose were published in April and May, and I chose them because they were packed with just the stuff you’ve told us you’re looking for. Warning: It’s a lengthy list, but stick with me on this. I’ll just give you the major headlines: ■ “Pope meets abuse victims, expresses shame, sorrow” ■ “Family relies on God, community, each other to create new farm” (part of our “Caring for Creation” series, which included a video of life on a farm near Marine-on-St. Croix) ■ “Sisters’ ministries exemplify God’s goodness” (Archbishop Nienstedt’s column)

■ “Nine couples say ‘I do’ at Assumption wedding” (Hispanic ministry news, with slide show of more wedding photos on the Web) ■ “Convention an opportunity to share practical tips, educational spirit” (coverage of the National Catholic Educational Association annual convention in Minneapolis in 2010) ■ “Bishop: Teaching young people is key in marriage battle” ■ “Carpenter mixes Gospel values into woodworking skills for kids” ■ “Federal judge rules national prayer day unconstitutional” ■ “An open letter to parents preparing children for baptism” ■ “Take these evangelization tools to your workspace” ■ “Businessman-turned-historian preserves Rome’s churches in photos” ■ “Pilgrimage for the senses” (travelogue through the Holy Land) PLEASE TURN TO THE ON PAGE 12A

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THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • FEBRUARY 17, 2011

Commentary

/ This Catholic Life

Astronomical views lead to spiritual experience CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11A brought me back out for one last look through the telescope. I was hardly prepared for the amazing sight bursting too far away for the naked eye to see in its celestial brilliance — a cluster of bright stars that backlit a huge cloud of stellar dust. It was the Orion Nebula. “I held off showing you the Orion Nebula until last,” he said. “It’s the grand finale, very spectacular. This is a very good night to see that nebula. When it spills from one end of the eyepiece to the other, that’s pretty good.”

In the end, all of the technical data about what a nebula is, how far the planets and stars are from Earth, how long it takes the light to travel to our eyes — none of that matters when you’re looking through a telescope. You’re just mesmerized by the mysterious show of light brought close by a device perfected by Galileo 400 years ago. And, you’re pulled into orbitary solidarity with astronomical enthusiasts, both past and present. With the first MAS public event scheduled in March, I vowed to return for another look, hopefully with my wife and four kids. The events are free and membership to MAS is only $28. Its website is WWW.MNASTRO.ORG.

That’s less than it would cost to take my family to any pro sporting event, and this would be like having season tickets. I think everyone should observe the heavens through a telescope like those at Onan at least once in a lifetime. This was only my second time. I would like to meet Father Brown again on a night when we are able to successfully see objects in the night sky with a telescope. I also would be curious to know: Can a priest say Mass inside an observatory? Dave Hrbacek is a staff photographer at The Catholic Spirit.

The Catholic Spirit continues to strive for excellence CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11A ■ “Proud to be priests” (excerpts of first-person commentary from 25 priests serving the archdiocese, with full text on the website) ■ “Priests we love” (readers’ reasons they value priests they know) ■ “Hennepin County schools composting to reduce organic waste” ■ “Country music songwriter turns focus on Virgin Mary” (about Randy Albright) ■ “Caregiver finds respite and support at St. Therese” ■ “Bishops ask parishioners to discuss state budget deficit.”

Here’s a surprise for you Note the variety in those stories. It’s one of the reasons

I thought these three issues from last spring were our best. But let me stop you there. The stories listed above were from just one of the three issues. The other two issues contain just as many important, informative stories covering just as many different topics. Here are just a few: ■ “Religion and science: Neither trumps the other” ■ “Arizona misses mark on immigration reform” (an editorial) ■ “St. Bernard prepares for final act with last school play” ■ “U of M offensive tackle defends unborn” ■ “Fighting poverty requires public and private partnership.” OK, I’ll stop. But there are dozens more. Those issues, by the way, carried our annual Salute to Grads and a special pull-out section with interviews of

Annulment Questions?

ine adl ded e D en ext

Staff members of the Archdiocesan Metropolitan Tribunal will be available for confidential consultation and to answer questions regarding the Declaration of Nullity process at the

Cathedral of St. Paul March 9, Ash Wednesday 11 a.m.-7 p.m. For more information contact the Tribunal at (651) 291-4466

author of

Breakfast with the Pope Is coming to St. Olaf’s Meet Susan and get your signed copy of ‘Breakfast with the Pope’ at the St. Olaf’s Bookstore, 215 S. 8th St., Minneapolis, Sunday Feb. 27 after the 10 am, 12 noon and 4 pm masses. All profits go to build the Blessed John Paul II School in Cambodia!

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.

A book you won’t be able to put down and will never forget! Readers LOVE Breakfast with the Pope! “grabbed my heart and didn’t let go” “deeply personal portrait of John Paul II” “hilarious, and heart-wrenching” “another Story of a Soul, modern Manhattan style” “a profound revelation of what it means to believe”

Bob Zyskowski is associate publisher/general manager of The Catholic Spirit. Write to him at ZYSKOWSKIR@ ARCHSPM.ORG.

Last Chance to Pay It Forward for LENT The Catholic Spirit is kicking off its fourth annual Pay It Forward project for this year’s Lenten season. The project is based on the New Testament parable of the stewards and its lesson that good stewards don’t just maintain what is given to them — they help it grow.

239 Selby Ave., St. Paul, MN

Susan Vigilante,

the men who would be ordained that year — with bonus coverage on THECATHOLICSPIRIT.COM that we didn’t have room to print. None of which guarantees, of course, that we’ll win any awards or once again finish in the top three among large-circulation diocesan newspapers, as we have for the past six years, four of those as No. 1. But the stories and photos in those three issues do meet the high expectations you have for a Catholic publication that comes into your home. That’s what really makes The Catholic Spirit a winner. Awards from Catholic journalism judges are simply icing on the cake.

Here’s how to participate: Tell us in no more than 300 words how you — individually or as a group of friends, family members or coworkers — would use your talents to “grow” $100 to help as many people as possible this Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday, March 9. The Catholic Spirit will select up to three ideas and give $100 to the author of each winning submission to put his or her ideas into action. The winners will have the 40 days of Lent to “pay it forward” and make a positive difference. Last year’s winners are not eligible. The Catholic Spirit will announce the winners in the March 3 issue and write about the winners’ experiences in the April 14 issue. Submit your ideas: ■ By e-mail to CATHOLICSPIRIT@ ARCHSPM.ORG. Please write “Pay It Forward” in the subject line. ■ By postal mail to “Pay It Forward,” c/o The Catholic Spirit, 244 Dayton Ave., St. Paul, MN 55102.

The deadline for entries is Tuesday, February 22. Please include your name, address, parish, e-mail and daytime telephone number so that we may contact you.

“A jealous ear hearkens to everything, and discordant grumblings are no secret.” Wisdom 1:10

The Lesson Plan 13A Prayer leads to Christian love and acts of kindness toward others FEBRUARY 17, 2011

ne of the toughest qualities to get right in life is having love for enemies. The greatest model of this was of course Jesus Christ himself, “Father forgive them, they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). The life of a Christian should consist of desiring to exemplify a love such as his: to love and forgive in the midst of excruciating pain and betrayal. How beautiful it would be to achieve such heights of charity, yet how hard it is to practice this. Nevertheless, this is what the Gospel calls each of us to do: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). Deacon Now, none of us John Knopik are God, yet little acts of charity in small matters can lead to bigger acts in tougher circumstances. Two verses from our first reading can help us evaluate the charity exercised in our own personal life: Do I “bear hatred

Sunday Scriptures

Reflections on faith and spirituality

Readings Sunday, Feb. 20 Seventh Sunday in ordinary time ■ Leviticus 19:1-2, 17-18 ■ 1 Corinthians 3:16-23 ■ Matthew 5:38-48

For reflection When was the last time that envy entered your heart? Recall how it separated you from God and how you resolved that feeling.

for my brother or sister in my heart”? (Leviticus 19:17); or in other words, do I have a “grudge against any of his people”? (Leviticus 19:18). “Hatred” and “grudges” can seem like harsh words. However, good Christians can exercise such behavior without even realizing it, even toward others who have caused them no harm. For instance, jealousy might arise within oneself from the clothes another might be wearing, maybe envy from the job position that someone else holds, or dissatisfaction about the

success of another over our own, etc.

Thursday, Feb. 24 Sirach 5:1-8 Mark 9:41-50 Even good things become an obstacle when we cling too tightly to them.

uncritical glimpse of ourselves as God sees us would transform us.”

Hatred poisons the soul While our inner being is lingering in disgust toward those we dislike, hatred moves to poison the soul deep within. Hence, instead of being happy for another, a Christian begins building a wall mortared out of hate and grudge-sludge. Ultimately, the Christian becomes the enemy and the other a victim. This is why prayer is so essential in the spiritual life. It not only leads to having a

The Catholic Spirit

constant awareness of personal thoughts deep inside oneself, but also leads to receiving the grace to love and forgive our own enemies, even toward individuals who simply annoy us. Often we get so wrapped up in our own wounds received (from others or from oneself), that the right thing to do is entirely forgotten: to love and forgive. “Do not the pagans do the same?” (Matthew 5:47). If Christians do not learn to love and forgive, should we expect the same from our heavenly father? What will then be the mark that distinguishes a pagan from a Christian? If love is not our outward display, will a cold shoulder win an enemy over to conversion? Therefore, a Christian should never tire from doing good unto others, especially toward our enemies. If you do this you can rejoice, for you are becoming true children of God (Matthew 5:45). Deacon John Knopik is in formation for the priesthood at the St. Paul Seminary for the Diocese of St. Cloud. His home parish is Our Lady of Lourdes in Little Falls and his teaching parish is St. Mary, Help of Christians in St. Augusta.

Daily Scriptures Sunday, Feb. 20 Seventh Sunday in ordinary time Leviticus 19:1-2, 17-18 1 Corinthians 3:16-23 Matthew 5:38-48 “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” — Leviticus 19:18 We might feel a pang of guilt as the faces of the people we dislike cross our mind, but chances are we don’t consider that, often, the person we have the most difficult time accepting is our poor wounded selves. We mistakenly assume that our judgments of ourselves and others reflect God’s judgment, and we dwell so much on our flaws that we cannot see the good that God sees. Monday, Feb. 21 Peter Damian, bishop and doctor of the church Sirach 1:1-10 Mark 9:14-29 Turning to a God we cannot control opens us to new depths of faith. Tuesday, Feb. 22 Chair of Peter, apostle 1 Peter 5:1-4 Matthew 16:13-19 Our faith journey will include moments of clarity as well as times of doubt and fear. Wednesday, Feb. 23 Polycarp, bishop and martyr Sirach 4:11-19 Mark 9:38-40 Arrogance and envy can blind us to the surprising ways of the Spirit.

Friday, Feb. 25 Sirach 6:5-17 Mark 10:1-12 Remember that although we may fail to live up to our highest aspirations, we are forgiven. Saturday, Feb. 26 Sirach 17:1-15 Mark 10:13-16 Notice how you react to situations in which you are aware of your powerlessness. Sunday, Feb. 27 Eighth Sunday in ordinary time Isaiah 49:14-15 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 Matthew 6:24-34 “I do not even pass judgment on myself.” — 1 Corinthians 4:3 If you are like many human beings and tend to be very hard on yourself, this quote from Paul to the community at Corinth might shock you. How many of us can honestly say that we leave all judgments up to God, especially the ones we have of ourselves? If we were to make a list of what we think about ourselves and what we believe God thinks of us, they would likely be identical. As Jesuit Father Leo Rock, put so well, “One

Monday, Feb. 28 Sirach 17:20-24 Mark 10:17-27 We have to admit that our hearts are divided before we can pray for the freedom to surrender. Tuesday, March 1 Sirach 35:1-12 Mark 10:28-31 When have you given up something only to receive it in another form? Wednesday, March 2 Sirach 36:1, 4-5a, 10-17 Mark 10:32-45 Discovering what lies in the depths of our hearts and minds will make us humble and teachable. Thursday, March 3 Katharine Drexel, virgin Sirach 42:15-25 Mark 10:46-52 Faith rooted in the experience of a loving God silences the critical and negative voices within and around us. Friday, March 4 Casimir Sirach 44:1, 9-13 Mark 11:11-26 Is there something that has become fruitless in your life of faith and must die so that something new might be born?

Saturday, March 5 Sirach 51:12c-20 Mark 11:27-33 Do we honestly want to enter more deeply into the heart of God, even when it challenges us to change? Sunday, March 6 Ninth Sunday in ordinary time Deuteronomy 11:18, 26-28, 32 Romans 3:21-25, 28 Matthew 7:21-27 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.” — Matthew 7:21 A friend tells the story of a young father who was spending a few moments of quiet time with the Lord, when his young daughter walked in the room looking for her shoes. The man was irate and began to shout “Can’t you see I’m trying to pray?” On the other hand, when Mother Teresa visited the United States, she occasionally stayed in the home of a woman who had a young family. On one occasion, the woman’s two little girls rushed into Mother Teresa’s room while she was praying. Instead of condemnation, they were met with hugs. Is our prayer making a difference in how we respond to the “interruptions” in our day? 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.

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THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • FEBRUARY 17, 2011

The Lesson Plan

Confirmation continues to support our faith journey By Father Michael Van Sloun For The Catholic Spirit

Confirmation is one of the seven sacraments that belongs to a special group of three sacraments known as the sacraments of initiation. The other two are baptism and Eucharist. The sacrament of confirmation is administered only once.

The effects of confirmation. Confirmation completes the sacrament of baptism. It marks a person for Christ and is a full outpouring of the Holy Spirit, an intensification of the gift of the Holy Spirit. Confirmation increases and deepens baptismal grace, unites the person more firmly to Christ and the church, and “gives a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly, and never be ashamed of the Cross” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 1303). The age for confirmation. At one time in the early church, all three sacraments of initiation were administered together, whether as an adult or an infant. Today, all three sacraments are administered together for catechumens as the culmination of the Rite of Christian Initiation, but separately for those who are baptized as infants. In the Latin Rite, the appropriate time for confirmation is “the age of discretion” (Canon 891). It is customary for the bishop to set the policy for the appropriate age in a particular diocese. It may be as early as second grade and as late as high school.

Age of Discretion

Preparation for confirmation. Confirmation is a major step in the life of grace, and those who desire to receive the sacrament should prepare themselves with study and prayer. Candidates should enroll in the sacramental

Dave Hrbacek / The catholic Spirit Bishop Lee Piché confirms Eric Knoblauch during Mass at St. Peter in North St. Paul Feb. 13. At left is his mother, Kathy. Eric was unable to attend a confirmation at the St. Paul Seminary, so Bishop Piché came to his parish.

preparation classes at their parish, and then attend each session, listen attentively to presentations, read the assigned materials, participate in the discussions, and fulfill their program requirements. Since the candidates intend to bind themselves more strongly to both Christ and the church, private and communal prayer is indispensible, personal prayer alone each day and communal prayer each weekend at Mass. A pre-confirmation retreat is highly recommended. Good works and community service are most worthwhile. Finally, it is necessary to be properly disposed and in the state of grace to receive the sacrament, so it is advisable to approach the sacrament of reconciliation first. The confirmation name. It is customary to choose a confirmation name, a third name to go with one’s first and middle names. It should be a faithbased name, typically the name of a saint, or the name of an angel like Gabriel or Michael, or a biblical name like Aaron or Sarah, or the name of a virtue like Faith or Joy. The name should identify the person as a disciple and serve as a model and inspiration to help the individual live a holier and more virtuous Christian life.

Ga brie l

The biblical basis for confirmation. Confirmation was established by Jesus. When Jesus died, “he breathed his last” (Luke 23:46), and as he commended his spirit to his Father, with his last breath he imparted his spirit to us. Then, when Jesus appeared in the upper room after the resurrection, upon entering, he said, “‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the holy Spirit’” (John 20:21-22). The gift of the Spirit that was bestowed upon the apostles on the first Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4) is the same Spirit imparted to each person who is confirmed.

The confirmation sponsor. Each candidate for confirmation is supposed to have a sponsor, someone they would choose who is able to vouch for their faith, offer spiritual support and guidance, and insure “that the confirmed person behaves as a true witness of Christ and faithfully fulfills the obligations inherent in this sacrament” (Canon 892). The specific criteria for eligibility is a person who is at least 16 years of age; a fullyinitiated practicing Catholic (i.e., someone who has received both first Eucharist and confirmation), and is not the candidate’s mother or father (Canon 874). If possible, “it is desirable to

choose as sponsor the one who undertook the same function in baptism” (Canon 893.1), a baptismal godparent, to emphasize the unity of the two sacraments (Catechism, No. 1311). The oil for confirmation. Initially, the Holy Spirit was conferred by the apostles by the laying on of hands (see Acts 8:17; 19:6), but very early in the history of the church, “to better signify the gift of the Holy Spirit, an anointing with perfumed oil was added” (Catechism, No. 1289). This oil is called sacred chrism, olive oil richly-scented with balsam and consecrated by the bishop at the annual chrism Mass. It is the same oil used to anoint the crown of the head at a baptism, the palms of the hands at a priestly ordination, and poured on the head at a bishop’s ordination. The minister of the sacrament, ordinarily a bishop, uses the sacred chrism to make a Sign of the Cross on the forehead while saying, “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.” A sacrament, not a diploma. Confirmation is nothing like a high school graduation. Graduation says, “I have nothing more to do. My job is finished here!” Confirmation says, “I’m just getting started, and I am ready to go!” A diploma says, “You have fulfilled the requirements;” “You have mastered the curriculum.” For a confirmed Christian, there is always more to do, always room for improvement. Graduates leave their building, only to return occasionally; while the confirmed return to church every week to worship. The graduating class disperses, while the confirmed bind themselves more tightly than ever to their parish community as well as the wider church.

Father Michael Van Sloun is pastor of St. Stephen in Anoka.

Gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit is associated with a number of sets of gifts and fruits. The sacrament of confirmation “increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit within us” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 1303). When a confirmed person cooperates with the graces that the Holy Spirit provides, the person makes spiritual headway with regard to each of these qualities or traits, and is progressively more willing to listen to and obey the promptings of the Spirit. The gifts of the Holy Spirit. There are seven gifts of the Spirit, six with a biblical basis, one without: “wisdom, understanding, counsel, strength, knowledge and fear of the Lord” (Isaiah 11:2); as well as piety, which was added to bring the list to seven. The Bible’s fruits of the Holy Spirit. There are nine biblically-based fruits of the Holy Spirit as given by St. Paul in his letter to the Galatians: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). The traditional fruits of the Holy Spirit. There are 12 traditional fruits of the Holy Spirit, some which overlap the biblical list: charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, longsuffering, humility or gentleness, fidelity or faithfulness, modesty, continence or self-control and chastity. Gifts to be used to bear fruit. All who are confirmed are equipped with the gifts of the Holy Spirit to live a virtuous and holy life, and sent forth to bear much fruit, something that is possible only when one stays firmly attached to Jesus, the vine (see John 15:1-8). The graces of the Spirit strengthen confirmed Christians to carry out their vocations for the good of others and the benefit of the Church and the world.

“Now, God be praised, that to believing souls gives light in darkness, comfort in despair.” William Shakespeare

Arts & Culture The Catholic Spirit

Exploring our church and our world

FEBRUARY 17, 2011

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March 13 youth event Play explores clues about Shakespeare’s faith offers prayer, praise The Catholic Spirit

By Julie Carroll The Catholic Spirit

One night. That’s all it might take to turn a young person’s heart to God, said Chris Kostelc, youth minister at Holy Name of Jesus in Wayzata. Kostelc and other youth ministers across the archdiocese are inviting teens in grades eight through 12 to attend interMISSION, an evening of inspirational talks, praise and worship music, and eucharistic adoration. The Sunday, March 13, event will be held at Holy Name of Jesus Church from 7 to 9 p.m. “A true conversion, the opportunity to wake up from . . . the everyday participation in the faith that doesn’t seem all that exciting to a high school student, can happen in one night, can happen through one talk, can happen through meeting Jesus Christ face-to-face in the Eucharist,” Kostelc said. “It’s hard to press pause in our lives,” he added. “Our lives are busy, so this is an opportunity to ‘un-busy’ them for two hours, to focus on something that’s bigger than us: the church gathered and Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.” The event, hosted by Partnership for Youth and Steubenville North, is modeled after the yearly Franciscan University of Steubenville youth conferences held in the archdiocese. The Catholic Spirit is a sponsor of interMISSION. Father Michael Schmitz, director of youth and young adult ministry for the Diocese of Duluth and chaplain at the Newman Center at the University of Minnesota Duluth, will be the keynote speaker. Twin Cities Catholic band Sonar will lead participants in song. Tickets are $5. For more information or to register, go to WWW.PARTNERSHIPFORYOUTH.ORG or call (952) 224-0333.

Was William Shakespeare Catholic? Many literary scholars have made the case that Shakespeare was Catholic during a time in England when to be Catholic was a serious crime. The evidence, they say, is hidden in Shakespeare’s own plays. Local theater company Epiphany Studio Productions will premiere “The Catholic? Shakespeare,” a two-person play exploring the Bard’s religious beliefs, Feb. 25 to 27 at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. Based on research by scholars Clare Asquith and Joseph Pearce, “The Catholic? Shakespeare” offers new insights into some of the best known scenes from Shakespeare’s most popular plays. For example, in “Hamlet,” said Jeremy Stanbary, Epiphany Studio Productions founder, playwright and performer, “Hamlet’s murdered father appears to him from an apparent state of purgatory. Hamlet’s response is to call upon angels as well as what at the time were actually banned prayers for the dead and St. Patrick, who just so happens to be the patron saint of souls in purgatory.” Two characters from Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” provide comedic narration between scenes, drawing out some of the history and allegorical themes that arise in Shakespeare’s plays. “You’re going to experience Shakespeare in a way that you never have before,” Stanbary said. “A lot of people are intimidated by Shakespeare, . . . but this play, I think, really offers new insights to Shakespeare in a way that people can grasp.” As to Shakespeare’s Catholicism, Stanbary added, “whether people are convinced or not is up to them when they leave the theater.”

‘The Catholic? Shakespeare’ Actors Jeremy and Sarah Stanbary will present “The Catholic? Shakespeare” at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 25 and 26, and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 27, at St. Thomas’ O’Shaughnessy Education Center Auditorium. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students, children and seniors. Advance purchase and group discounts are available. This play also is available for booking. For information, call (651) 336-3302 or visit WWW.EPIPHANYSTUDIO.COM/THE_CATHOLIC_SHAKESPEARE.

‘Gnomeo & Juliet’ weaves Shakespeare play into morality tale of good vs. evil William Shakespeare’s classic tragedy of star-crossed lovers morphs into an animated comedy in “Gnomeo & Juliet” (Touchstone), a slightly warped but ultimately winning film that offers good clean fun for the entire family. “This story has been told before, many times,” our narrator, a garden gnome in a pointy hat, tells us, “but never like this.” Indeed not: what with talking statues, a philosophical flamingo, a love-sick frog and a rock-and-roll soundtrack by Elton John and Lady Gaga, we’re definitely not in Kansas, let alone fair Verona. Joseph “Gnomeo & Juliet” takes several McAleer strands from Shakespeare’s play and weaves them into a clever morality tale wrapped around themes of good versus evil and the importance of family. In modern-day Stratford-upon-Avon, grumpy old Mr. Capulet (voice of Richard Wilson) lives next door to grumpier Miss Montague (voice of Julie Walters). He prefers the color red; she, blue. He lives at apartment number 2B (get it?), she’s also at 2B, but it’s crossed out (and therefore not 2B). Their rivalry extends to their backyards, where each maintains an elaborate garden filled with — you guessed it — smiling gnomes of every shape in their favorite colors. When the adults aren’t around, the gnomes come to life, a la “Toy Story,” and proudly tend their gardens, keeping a wary eye on each other across the fence. Juliet

Side Story” fashion, these intensify the blood feud between the young Reds and Blues, as they chant, “Let’s kick some grass.”

Love at first clink

Movie Review

CNS photo / Touchtone

Animated characters are shown in a scene from the movie “Gnomeo & Juliet.” The Catholic News Service classification is A-I — general patronage. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is G — general audiences, all ages admitted.

Capulet (voice of Emily Blunt) stands atop a tower, pondering her Red-bound fate and longing for adventure. “I can’t stay here tucked away on this pedestal all my life,” she laments. Meanwhile, Gnomeo Montague (voice of James McAvoy) is the big gnome on the Blue campus. He challenges Juliet’s cousin Tybalt (voice of Jason Statham) to drag races with lawnmowers in the back alley. In “West

Fate brings Juliet and Gnomeo together in an abandoned greenhouse, and it’s love at first ceramic clink — the result of their effort to kiss. “Will you build a garden with me?” Gnomeo asks. Family tensions and (literal) differences in color threaten to drive them apart, but a wise pink flamingo named Featherstone (voice of Jim Cummings) puts everything in perspective. The voice talent in “Gnomeo & Juliet” is first-rate, and ranges from the mighty (Maggie Smith, Michael Caine) to the bizarre (Ozzy Osbourne, Dolly Parton). Patrick Stewart is a standout as the statue of “Bill” Shakespeare in the local park, who shakes his head in despair as the gnomes subvert his tragedy with a happy ending. Directed by Kelly Asbury (“Shrek 2”), “Gnomeo & Juliet” is refreshingly free of the bathroom humor that dominates all too many movies for kids these days. Adults will enjoy the many puns and sight gags. The Catholic News Service classification is A-I — general patronage. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is G — general audiences, all ages admitted. Joseph McAleer is a guest reviewer for Catholic News Service. More reviews are available online at WWW.USCCB.ORG/MOVIES.

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Calendar

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • FEBRUARY 17, 2011

Dining out Fish fry at Knights of Columbus Hall, Bloomington — Feb. 18 and 25: 5 to 9 p.m. at 1114 American Blvd. Cost is $10.95. Call (952) 888-1492 for reservations. KC French toast breakfast at Knights of Columbus Hall, Bloomington — Feb. 20: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 1114 American Blvd. W. Free will offering. Pancake breakfast at Immaculate Conception, Columbia Heights — Feb. 20: 8:30 to 11:45 a.m. at 4030 Jackson St. N.E. Free will offering. KC Pancake breakfast at St. Thomas the Apostle, St. Paul — Feb. 20: 8 a.m. to noon at 2119 Stillwater Ave. Cost is $7 for adults, $5 for children 6 to 12. Takeout available. KC Pancake breakfast at St. Casimir, St. Paul — Feb. 20: 8 a.m. to noon at 934 Geranium Ave. E. Cost is $7 for adults, $5 for children 6 to 12. Takeout available. KC Chicken and rib dinner at Knights of Columbus Hall, Bloomington — Feb. 23 and March 2: 5 to 9 p.m. at 1114 American Blvd. Cost is $12. Call (952) 888-1492 for reservations. KC spaghetti dinner and bingo at St. Michael, Farmington — Feb. 26: 5:30 p.m. at 22120 Denmark Ave. Cost is $7.50 for adults, $5 for children 6 to 12 and $25 for families. Proceeds go to help seminarians. Pancake breakfast at St. Vincent de Paul, Brooklyn Park — Feb. 27: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 9050 93rd Ave. N. Cost is $7 for adults, $5 for children, under 3 are free. Also features a silent auction and raffle. KC pancake breakfast at Holy Name of Jesus, Wayzata — Feb. 27: 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 155 County Road 24. Free will offering, proceeds go toward a KC Life Memorial. KC waffle and pancake breakfast at Knights Event Center, Shakopee — Feb. 27: 8 a.m. to noon at 1760 Fourth Ave. E. Cost is $7 for adults, $5 for children 5 to 12.

Prayer/ liturgies Legion of Mary prayers in front of Planned Parenthood, St. Paul — Feb. 18 and 25: 3 p.m. at 1965 Ford Parkway. For information, call (651) 4399098. Knights of Columbus traveling rosary at St. Vincent de Paul, Brooklyn Park — Feb. 20: 2 p.m. at 9100 93rd Ave. N. Healing Mass at Lumen Christi, St. Paul — Feb. 21: Rosary at 7 p.m., Mass at 7:30 p.m. at 2055 Bohland Ave. Father Dennis Dempsey will be the celebrant. Knights of Columbus traveling rosary at St. Bernard, St. Paul — Feb. 27: 2 p.m. at 187 W. Geranium St.

Parish events ‘Adolescent Depression: I’m bored, leave me alone, and so what if my

Eagle Ave. Christian magician Brian Richards will use humor, magic and puppetry to motivate children to use prayer in their daily lives.

Read more online Due to the large number of submissions for each issue’s calendar and the limited space available, not all submissions are listed here. For a complete listing of calendar events, visit our website at THECATHOLICSPIRIT.COM.

grades aren’t great?’ at St. Pius X, White Bear Lake — Feb. 17: 7 to 9 p.m. at 3878 Highland Ave. Clinical social worker Linda Cherek will speak. ‘Nunsense II: The Second Coming’ presented at St. Bonaventure, Bloomington — Feb. 17 to 20 and 25 and 27: 7 p.m. all nights except Feb. 27, 2 p.m. Feb. 25 and 27 at 901 E. 90th St. Show is a collaboration between St. Bonaventure and Nativity of Mary in Bloomington. Cost is $10 for adults and $8 for kids, students and seniors. For information, call (952) 881-8671. Second in a two-part series on upcoming changes in the Mass at St. Helena, Minneapolis — Feb. 18: 7:30 p.m. at 3204 E. 43rd St. Father John Paul Erickson, director of the Office of Worship for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis will speak. Free will offering. Wine tasting and silent auction at St. Peter, North St. Paul — Feb. 19: 5 to 9 p.m. at 2600 N. Margaret St. Sample hundreds of wines from around the world. Cost is $20. Women’s Day of Reflection at St. John Neumann, Eagan — Feb. 19: 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 4030 Pilot Knob Road. “Women of Character, Molded into the Image of Christ,” will be given by Kate Soucheray. Cost is $20. For information, call (612) 382-8192. ‘A Night at the Opera,’ presented by St. Patrick, Edina — Feb. 19: 6:30 p.m. at the corner of Valley View and Gleason Road. Italian dinner, music and more. Tickets are $25. Order online at WWW.STPATRICK-EDINA.ORG. Morning of reflection at Guardian Angels, Oakdale — Feb. 19: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 8260 Fourth St. Given by Mary Treacy O’Keefe, founder of Well Within non-profit wellness center. Cost is $20 and includes lunch. To register, visit WWW.GUARDIAN-ANGELS.ORG. Cana dinner at Delano Catholic Community, Delano — Feb. 19: Begins with social hour from 6 to 7 p.m., followed by dinner at 401 River St. N. Cost is $25 per person. Call (763) 972-2077 for reservations before Feb. 5. Divine Mercy Conference with Father Seraphim Michalenko, MIC and Paul Regan at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Hastings — Feb. 20: Talks following the 6 p.m. Mass at 2035 W. 15th St. Christian singing group Praise Project in concert at St. William, Fridley — Feb. 20: 3 p.m. at 6120 Fifth St. N.E. Free will offering, proceeds to benefit Families Moving Forward. Organ recital at St. Olaf, Minneapolis — Feb. 20: 7 p.m. at 215 S. Eighth St. Gail Archer will be the guest organist. A reception will follow. Free will offering. Divine Mercy Conference with Father

Seraphim Michalenko, MIC and Paul Regan at St. Bonaventure, Bloomington — Feb. 21: Talks following the 8:45 a.m. Mass at 901 E. 90th St. Divine Mercy Conference with Paul Regan at St. Joseph, West St. Paul — Feb. 23: Talks following the 7:30 a.m. Mass at 1154 Seminole Ave. ‘Discovering Hidden Treasure: What Really Matters in Life, Faith, Community’ at St. Peter, North St. Paul — Feb. 23: 7 to 8:30 p.m. at 2600 N. Margaret St. Speaker is author Leisa Anslinger. ‘The Sound of Music’ presented by St. Odilia, Shoreview — Feb. 24 to 27: Thursday, 7 p.m.; Friday 7 p.m.; Saturday 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Sunday 2:30 p.m. at 3495 Victoria St. N. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. ‘Training the Trainers’ workshop for parents of teens at Nativity of Our Lord, St. Paul — Feb. 25 and 26: 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at 1900 Wellesley Ave. Presented by Linda Kracht, founder of FORTIFYINGFAMILIESOFFAITH.COM. COST IS $99. For information, e-mail LINDA @FORTIFYINGFAMILIESOFFAITH.COM. ‘Jesus, Son of God’ presented at St. Rose of Lima, Roseville — Feb. 25 to 27: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday at 2090 Hamline Ave. Cost at the door is $13 for adults, $6 for students, and children 5 and under are free. Discounts available on advance tickets, call (651) 6459389. Saturday Morning Breakfast for Men at St. Helena, Minneapolis — Feb. 26: Mass at 8 a.m. followed by breakfast at 8:30 a.m. and a talk at 3204 E. 43rd St. Featured speaker is Father Michael Keating. Cost is $5. Call (612) 729-7321 for reservations before noon on the 25th. Fundraising event at Holy Family Maronite Church, Mendota Heights — Feb. 26: 5 p.m. at 1960 Lexington Ave. S. Features bingo, tip boards and Lebanese food. Cost for bingo is $30. For information, call (651) 291-1116. First Wednesday speaker series, ‘A Journey to the Priesthood: A Call to Holiness’ at St. Michael, Stillwater — March 2: 6:30 to 8 p.m. at 611 S. Third St. Father Paul Kubista will speak. Pre-lenten retreat at St. Mary of the Lake, White Bear Lake — March 2: 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. at 4741 Bald Eagle Ave. Theme is, “God: The Source of All Gifts.” Speaker is author Steve McSwain. For more information about him, visit WWW.STEVEMCSWAIN .COM. For information on the event, visit WWW.STMARYS-WBL.ORG. ‘The Power of Prayer’ a children’s program at St. Mary of the Lake, White Bear Lake — March 2: 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the parish center at 4690 Bald

Singles 50-plus singles chicken dinner at St. Joseph, New Hope — Feb. 27: 5 p.m. at 8701 36th Ave. N. Includes social hour, dinner and entertainment to follow. Cost is $10. Call (763) 439-5940.

School events ‘Romeo and Juliet’ at Cretin-Derham Hall High School, St. Paul — Feb. 18 to 20: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at 550 Albert St. S. Cabin Fever Bingo Night at St. Vincent de Paul School, Brooklyn Park — Feb. 19: 6 to 9 p.m. at 9050 93rd Ave. N. Food and beverages will be available for sale. Sponsored by Boy Scout troop 52. VISTA middle school musical ‘Music Man Jr.’ at Visitation School, Mendota Heights — Feb. 24 to 27: 1 p.m. Thursday, 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at 2455 Visitation Drive. Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. ‘A Taste of Risen Christ School’ at St. Olaf, Minneapolis— Feb. 26: 5 to 7 p.m. at 215 S. Eighth St. Support students Mardi Gras Style. Tickets are $30. For reservations, call (612) 8225329, ext. 108. Carnival at Sts. Peter and Paul Academy, Loretto — Feb. 26: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 145 Railway St. E. Snack Shack, Prize Booth, Gonzo the Clown and more. Mardi Gras Gala at Our Lady of Peace School, Minneapolis — Feb. 26: 6 p.m. to midnight at 5435 11th Ave. S. Live and silent auctions, entertainment, free admission. Must be 21. For information, call (612) 823-8253. Open house at St. Michael, West St. Paul — Feb. 28: 6:30 p.m. at 335 E. Hurley St. For students entering grades K to 8. For information, call (651) 457-2510.

Other events Catholic Charismatic Renewal Office winter teaching conference at Epiphany, Coon Rapids — Feb. 26: 8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. at 1900 111th Ave. N.W. Free will offering. Conference includes lunch, so registration is required. Call (763) 571-5314. For more information, visit WWW. MNCRO.ORG. World Apostolate of Fatima annual Marian Congress at St. Joseph, West St. Paul — March 5: 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1154 Seminole Ave. Mass with Bishop Lee Piché at 8 a.m. followed by presentations, prayer and reflection. Concludes with a concert by Randy Albright. Register online at WWW.FATIMAONLINE.ORG or call (763) 5020792.

Calendar Submissions DEADLINE: Noon Thursday, seven days before the anticipated Thursday date of publication. Recurring or ongoing events must be submitted each time they occur. LISTINGS: Accepted are brief notices of upcoming events hosted by Catholic parishes and institutions. If the Catholic connection is not clear, please emphasize it in your press release. ITEMS MUST INCLUDE the following to be considered for publication in the calendar: • Time and date of event. • Full street address of event. • Description of event. • Contact information in case of questions. E-MAIL: SPIRITCALENDAR

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

“Never lose sight of the fact that old age needs so little but needs that little so much.” Margaret Willour

From Age to Age A Catholic Spirit Special Section

FEBRUARY 17, 2011

Catholic Senior Services and affiliates care for body and soul By Pat Norby The Catholic Spirit

As the coming “age wave” gains momentum, Catholic Senior Services is taking on a new role in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis to help area Catholic seniors and their families navigate their way through the health care tsunami. According to the Minnesota State Demographic Center: ■ This year, 10,000 baby boomers a day will turn 65 and the trend will continue for the next 20 years. ■ By 2030, one in four Minnesotans will be 65 or older — double the current number. ■ The number of people 85 and older will triple. ■ The need for long-term care will triple by 2050. PLEASE TURN TO PARISHES ON PAGE 18A

Read a commentary by Bishop Lee Piché on page 10A

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From Age to Age

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • FEBRUARY 17, 2011

Parishes called upon to care for rapidly growing elderly members CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17A ■ The ratio of family caregivers to older adults is dropping. ■ By the end of this decade, there will be as many people 65 and older as there are children in K-12 schools. ■ State government expenditures will shift from education to health care and services for the elderly. Since it was established by the archdiocese in 2007, Catholic Senior Services has promoted building senior housing on parish land. Recently, it has turned its focus on efforts to coordinate a consortium of Catholic senior care providers, said Deacon Dan Gannon, CSS director. “I think the trend and important development we see out there is the need for more coordinated home care services and those home care services that could provide not only health care but also pastoral care,” he said. “What we’re talking about is various models of collaboration that might exist or be created among the CSS affiliates to do home care — with parishes — providing pastoral care,” he said. The current CSS affiliates include Franciscan Health Community in St. Paul, St. Therese Southwest in Hopkins, St. Therese of New Hope and Catholic Eldercare in Minneapolis, which each have a representative on the new CSS board. “We’re also reaching out to other Catholic senior care providers in the archdiocese and inviting them in to join CSS — creating a broader affiliation,” Deacon Gannon said.

“What we’re talking about is various models of collaboration.” DEACON DAN GANNON Catholic Senior Services director

New care models One model, which opened earlier this month, is a parish-based senior housing that provides hospice care at St. Odilia in Shoreview. “It’s more than hospice — it can go out to two years — it’s palliative care,” said Barbara Rode, president and CEO of St. Therese of New Hope, which has partnered with the parish and Franciscan Health Community to provide care for both the body and the soul. “It’s a new concept,” Rode said. “The parish has been absolutely wonderful, between the volunteers that have been coming forward and the support we’re getting.” Although St. Odilia had a building that could be renovated to accommodate this type of senior care, other parish buildings may become available in the future to provide senior housing, Rode said. That not only keeps seniors in the parish, but helps build parish community, she said. Another model CSS and the affiliates are working on is home and communitybased services connected to a parish. “We’re working with CSS to be able to

go into the home and take care of people so they don’t have to leave their home,” she said. The model would have an affiliate in a geographical area work with a parish nurse or other representative to identify and coordinate needed services for parishioners, she said. “The best thing is that we [affiliates] all provide Catholic support through Mass and pastoral care,” she said. Although CSS and the affiliates have been working on this model for a while, it is still about six months away from implementation. “Our biggest delay is getting the legal structure,” Rode said. “We will be working with Franciscan Health Community, which already provides home care and hospice care.”

Educating the people Another area of focus is educational and spiritual programming around senior health care, Deacon Gannon said. Within the past month, CSS has coordinated two forums, one at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Hastings and another at Holy Name of Jesus in Medina. CSS plans to offer similar forums on a quarterly basis, he added.

Rode spoke at both parishes about caregiver support, assessing a loved one and helping people navigate the complex health care system, he said. Talks by pastors and Bishop Lee Piché focused on the spiritual growth of seniors and their caregivers, the deacon said. Caring for both body and soul is the mission of the church, he said. “We have a rich tradition of that.” CSS is helping coordinate the support and direction of the bishop and pastors with the expertise of Catholic senior care CEOs to connect to parishes and people. “That’s the role of CSS that is emerging, coordinating the affiliates in their discussions of what they could do better together, such as home care and that we have a complementary strategy . . . to provide parishes and parishioners and people in our Catholic community resources,” Deacon Gannon said. It also challenges parishes to ask if they are doing everything they can to minister to the seniors in the community. “We are all working together to create a continuum of care, so you have your housing, but you also have independent living, assisted living, nursing home care and all the way to hospice,” he said. “It’s not something we can look to the government to provide much help in.” For more information on parish-based care, programming or affiliation with CSS, visit WWW.CATHOLIC SENIORSERVICES.ORG or call 1-877-420-6461.

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From Age to Age

FEBRUARY 17, 2011 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Makin’ it real at Holy Angels Founding order brings slice of CSJ life to academy By Julie Pfitzinger For The Catholic Spirit

St. Joseph of Carondelet Sister Mary Lamski began her recent conversation with four students at the Academy of Holy Angels in Richfield in this way: “Ask me any question.” The junior girls, students in a Christian non-violence class taught by Paul Ruhland, came prepared to ask Sister Mary about everything from her call to vocation (which she said she first heard at the age of 8) to the many ways she has served God over the years, including her involvement in the peace movement during the 1960s in Chicago and her experience living in Jerusalem in the 1980s. As part of the trimester-long course, students in both Ruhland’s and Lisa Murphy’s classes, have had the opportunity to meet in small groups with either a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet or a CSJ consociate, a layperson who supports the sisters in their mission, actively participating alongside them in works of justice, community prayer or volunteering in their ministries.

Teaching through living The connection between the CSJ order and Holy Angels is a longstanding one — the school was founded by the St. Joseph Sisters in 1877. According to Murphy, the real-life examples of the lives of the sisters today, especially surrounding the topic of non-violence, are valuable teaching tools. “In our class, we talk about peacemakers like Martin Luther King Jr. and Gandhi,” she said. “The sisters are also peacemakers, always working for peace and non-violence, and they have such a connection to our school, so these conversations are very interesting for the students.” Mary Louise Menikheim is a consociate of the CSJs who told the students she took on that role not long after moving to the Twin Cities area several years ago. “I was searching for a community where I could have real companionship in terms of social justice,” said Menikheim, who previously worked in the Des Moines, Iowa, diocese in the social justice office and also has a particular interest in restorative justice. “The sisters are so loyal to the teaching of Jesus, but they aren’t afraid to ask the tough questions. They challenge the system.” Taylor Lemke asked Sister Mary about the role non-violence plays in the mission and spirituality of the CSJs, prompting her to recall an experience she and several others shared while living and working as a peaceful presence in a Chicago ghetto during the Vietnam war era. “I was one of 22 sisters living there at the time, using a large classroom as a dorm room,” she said. “People in the community knew us. One evening, rocks came flying through our windows, but fortunately no one was badly hurt.” She also talked about the years she spent living in Israel during the 1980s, working as a tour guide at the Via Dolorosa, where sometimes as many as 2,000 visitors a day

Dave Hrbacek / The Catholic Spirit

St. Joseph of Carondelet Sister Mary Lamski, second from left, talks with Academy of Holy Angels juniors Hannah Shea, left, Taylor Lemke and Emily Hoeppner Jan. 26 at the school. CSJ sisters and consociates came to the school to talk about their life as CSJs and the history of their order, which included the founding of Holy Angels. Also talking with these three girls was consociate Mary Louise Menikheim.

would come to the site. “The Old City of Jerusalem is about as big as a six-block radius from the Hub,” said Sister Mary, in reference to the Richfield shopping center located across the street from AHA. “I spent time working with people of all faiths — Christian, Jewish and Muslim — on issues of peace and non-violence.”

Peace work draws laity Jim and Mary Anne Seaton of Eagan have been consociates of the CSJs since 2003. Mary Anne was first interested in participating in the program after learning about it from her CSJ spiritual director. Soon, Jim, a retired deacon, also found himself drawn to the sisters and their work. “When I heard about all the justice issues the sisters are involved in, I really got caught up in it,” he said. “I grew up in a man’s world — active duty military, member of the clergy — and as a consociate, I’ve learned that women do things in

a kinder, more equitable fashion.” When asked by junior Sarah Pupkes how she sees God now that she has been serving as a CSJ consociate, Mary Anne told the students, “My vision of God really grew and I also see God more in Jim.” “You continue to grow in your ability to love God and your neighbor without distinction, which is the mission of the sisters,” said Jim. “Before we became consociates, life was more rushed for us and we were going in many different directions. Now, I think we are more in tune with the needs of other people.” Sister Mary also shared some of her wisdom with the students surrounding their own faith journeys. “Ask yourself, ‘Who am I?’ and ‘What is God calling me to do in my life,’” she said. “Think about the gifts you’ve been given and the ways you can share those gifts with others.” According to Emily Hoeppner, those are big topics to consider. “That’s a lot to do in four years,” she said with a laugh.

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Men’s Jubilees

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • FEBRUARY 17, 2011

Redemptorist priest enjoys multicultural parish By Dave Hrbacek The Catholic Spirit

Religious jubilarians

Father Pat Grile senses change is coming. As he celebrates his 40-year jubilee, the 65-year-old Redemptorist priest thinks his time as pastor of St. Alphonsus in Brooklyn Center may be coming to an end. He has served at the parish, which has seven other Redemptorists, for almost 12 years, which is longer than usual. “Normally, it’s a six-year cycle, then we get booted out,” he said. “I think it’s coming to an end [at St. Alphonsus] because my brother is now the provincial and I think he’s going to boot me out.” He said it with a laugh and no hard feelings toward his brother.

■ Christian Brothers of the Midwest (Burr Ridge, Ill.): Brother David Barth, 50 years (vows); Brother Robert Walsh, 50 years (vows). ■ Franciscans, Third Order Regular (Brooklyn Park): Father Edward Sabo, 50 years (vows); Brother John Kerr, 25 years (vows). ■ Conventual Franciscan Friars (Mount St. Francis, Ind.): Father Richard Kaley, 40 years (vows).

Looking back

Dave Hrbacek / The Catholic Spirit

Asked to reflect on a decade plus of ministry at St. Al’s, he noted the multicultural makeup that began more than halfway through his pastorate. In addition to the Caucasian parishioners, there now are three more ethnic groups — La-

Father Pat Grile, pastor of St. Alphonsus in Brooklyn Center, consecrates Eucharist during Mass at St. Alphonsus.

tinos, Africans and southeast Asians. He called the effort to blend the four communities “very interesting.”

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“I keep saying this is a universal church right here.

”

FATHER PAT GRILE

“You’re always trying to juggle,” Father Grile said. “One of the challenges is always trying to bring everybody in to the focus on the faith, and not to let people get too hung up on their ethnicity.” One of the Redemptorists, Father Joe Stenger, came to the parish six years ago fluent in Portuguese after serving in Brazil for 35 years. He decided to say Mass at St. Al’s in Spanish, and it grew from there. When another priest came four years ago who was fluent in Spanish, the parish decided to offer bilingual and Spanish Masses regularly. Eventually, Africans and southeast Asians made St. Al’s their parish as well,

■ Oblates of Mary Immaculate (Washington, D.C.): Father Robert Allie, 65 years (vows), 60 years (ordination); Father Joseph Ferraioli, 40 years (vows); Father Lon Konold, 40 years (vows). ■ Redemptorists, Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Denver): Father Patrick Grile, 40 years (ordination); Father Brian Johnson, 25 years (ordination). — List provided by the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis Look for women’s jubilees in the March 3 issue.

though there currently are no Masses offered in the languages of these communities. “Now, we have 800, 900, 1,000 [Latinos] at a Sunday Mass,” Father Grile said. “That’s what keeps us [Redemptorists] here, I think. Our school is a little United Nations. “It’s beautiful, it really is,” he added. “I keep saying this is a universal church right here. That’s what keeps it exciting, and it’s really what I love about it, too. I’m hoping that whoever would be my successor would follow that — unless I can convince my brother to [let me] stay.”

Colleges & Careers

FEBRUARY 17, 2011 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

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Bishop urges Catholic colleges to strengthen mission By Carol Zimmermann Catholic News Service

In an address to Catholic college and university presidents in Washington, Bishop Gerald Kicanas of Tucson, Ariz., praised them for making “Christ’s mission come alive and flourish” and challenged them to renew and strengthen their mission using guidelines established by the 1990 Vatican document on Catholic higher education. The bishop, who gave a keynote address during the Jan. BISHOP KICANAS 29-31 annual meeting of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, noted that much has changed in the 20 years since Pope John Paul II issued “Ex Corde Ecclesiae” (“From the Heart of the Church”). Bishop Kicanas said the initial concerns about the document “have lessened as universities and colleges learned that bishops seek communication and desire cooperation and collaboration.” He praised Catholic colleges for making efforts to strengthen their Catholic identity and incorporate church teachings into student life — especially through “pro-life groups, mission immersions, prayer and retreat opportunities, ethical and moral education in all fields.” But the bishop noted that there are aspects of “Ex Corde” that still need to be

LEAD. INFLUENCE.

more fully implemented, most notably, the need for teachers of Catholic theology to receive a mandate, or church authorization, from their local bishop. He said some Catholic colleges and universities have sought this mandate, but others have not. This inconsistency, he said, “could reflect some distrust or concern about undue interference or not seeing the importance of doing it.”

Critical to communion Bishop Kicanas stressed that involving the bishop with faculty members who teach Catholic theology is “critical to true communion in the church.” He said there is room in academic communities for “disagreement, debate and clash of ideas, even in theology,” but ultimately the bishop “is the authentic teacher of the faith” and is responsible for how that faith is interpreted. In a word to bishops, he said they should make sure they do not exercise this authority “harshly, unilaterally or without conversation and an effort to reconcile diverse teaching” especially since bishops and college leaders should be working together to “build stronger bonds and relationships.” Other areas stressed in “Ex Corde” that he said also need more focus include: making Catholic identity central in core curriculum, campus activities and symbols on campus; and encouraging campus ministry programs to reach out to more than just a small group of active members but to the college

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community at large.

al Catholic Reporter.

St. Catherine speaker

Schools need to promote “meaningful conversation” on the issue, Sister Miller said. St. Catherine University in St. Paul, for example, features a number of programs on Catholic identity, including a lecture series, faculty seminars and summer workshops.

Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Amata Miller, director of St. Catherine University’s Myser Initiative on Catholic Identity, spoke during a plenary session at the meeting. She told participants that Catholic identity must be infused into every dimension of a school’s curriculum and co-curricular activities, according to a story about her talk published in Nation-

At the meeting, Sister Miller received the Monika K. Hellwig Award for her lifetime contributions to Catholic higher education.

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FEBRUARY 17, 2011 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Cardinal urges social ministry workers to continue legacy By Patricia Zapor Catholic News Service

Telling an audience of Catholic social ministry workers Feb. 13 that they are “still contributing to writing the book on Catholic social doctrine,” the president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace offered historical context and encouragement for their efforts. “We are the heirs and inheritors of ‘Rerum Novarum,’” the 1891 encyclical by Pope Leo XIII considered the starting point of modern social teaching, said Cardinal Peter Turkson, the council’s president, speaking to the annual Catholic Social Ministry Gathering. The conference is co-sponsored by a dozen Catholic organizations, including various departments of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic Charities USA, JustFaith, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, the Conference of Major Superiors of Men, the Roundtable Association of Diocesan Social Action Directors, the Catholic Daughters of the Americas and Catholic Relief Services, among others. Cardinal Turkson explained that his role at the Vatican is to apply “Rerum Novarum” and the related social teaching documents of the past 120 years to the current challenges of church organizations that seek to address the world’s social needs. Sometimes that means reminding organizations of the differences between political involvement and the church’s

“To confront the problems of our world we must first study them, we must learn to see them clearly and recognize what constitutes injustice at every level.

”

CARDINAL PETER TURKSON

social justice obligations, he said. Church and state are distinct from one another, each serving its own sphere, he said. But the church must also “scrutinize the signs of the times” to ensure that its efforts and resources are meeting people’s needs, he continued.

Multicultural gathering The former archbishop of Cape Coast, Ghana, and the first cardinal from his country, Cardinal Turkson was warmly greeted for his speech by an audience that included dozens of Ghanaians, many wearing colorful traditional woven fabrics and elaborate head scarves of their native country. His talk was the opening plenary session of the four-day annual gathering of more than 300 social ministry workers from around the country. He traced the history of major social teaching documents since “Rerum Novarum,” noting that each arrived at a time of societal struggles in a changing world.

For example, Pope Leo’s encyclical came as the Industrial Revolution reshaped a previously agrarian society. In 1931, Pope Pius XI’s “Quadragesimo Anno,” marking the a 40th anniversary of “Rerum Novarum,” came amid the Great Depression, a worldwide economic crisis. Subsequent social encyclicals — Pope John XXIII’s “Mater et Magistra” (1961), Pope Paul VI’s “Populorum Progresso” (1967), Pope John Paul II’s “Sollicitudo Rei Socialis” (1987) and “Centisimus Annus” (1991) and Pope Benedict XVI’s “Caritas in Veritate” (2009) — have aimed to address the emergence of Marxism, the fall of the Berlin Wall and Eastern Europe’s political upheaval, and the contemporary struggles with globalization, underdevelopment and other “financial, economic, moral and anthropological crises.” In these documents, Cardinal Turkson said, “the insights of theology, philoso-

phy, economics, ecology and politics have been harnessed coherently to formulate a social teaching that places the human person (his total and integral development) at the center of all world systems of thought and activity.”

Continuing Christ’s work Quoting from “Gaudium et Spes,” the Second Vatican Council document on the church and society, Cardinal Turkson reminded the audience that “the church, which has long experience in human affairs and has no desire to be involved in the political activities of any nation, seeks but one goal: to carry forward the work of Christ under the lead of the befriending Spirit. Christ entered this world to give witness to the truth; to save, not to judge; to serve, not to be served.” Church and state are distinct from one another, but since the church “does dwell among men, she has the duty ‘of scrutinizing the signs of the times and of interpreting them in the light of the Gospel,’” he said, quoting the Vatican II document again. In “Caritas in Veritate,” Pope Benedict suggested ways “for building up the city of man with qualities closer to the city of God,” the cardinal said. Cardinal Turkson elaborated on those approaches, saying, for example, that “to confront the problems of our world we must first study them, we must learn to see them clearly and recognize what constitutes injustice at every level.”

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23A

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • FEBRUARY 17, 2011

Beatification set for Divine Mercy Sunday CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2A II had done the same for Mother Teresa of Calcutta). But His Holiness also stressed that the other requirements be followed carefully: There would be no short-cuts in this process, which is highly scientific and demanding of evidence. I am sure that the claim made by the French nun that her Parkinson’s disease had been cured through his intercession was reviewed rigorously. But when you think about it, why wouldn’t the late Holy Father want to intercede with a disease that had weighed so heavily on him in the last years of his life. Who could understand better than he what freedom from this debilitating illness would mean? As Catholics, we believe that a canonized saint is in heaven with the Lord, that the saint is able to intercede for the needs of the earthly church and respond to those needs, and that our heavenly brother or sister has merited public honor and devotional recognition by the church. The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that “by canonizing some of the faithful, i.e., by solemnly proclaiming that they practiced heroic virtue and lived in fidelity to God’s grace, the Church recognizes the power of the Spirit of holiness within her and sustains the hope of believers by proposing the saints to them as models and intercessors” (no. 828). Pope John Paul II, himself, said, “The saints have always been the source and origin of renewal in the most difficult moments in church history.” Until the fourth century, the cult of the

Archbishop Nienstedt’s schedule ■ Friday, Feb. 18: 8:30 a.m., Mendota, St. Peter Catholic Church: Archdiocesan staff Lenten retreat. ■ Saturday, Feb. 19: 5 p.m., Red Wing, Church of St. Joseph: Sunday liturgy. ■ Sunday, Feb. 20: 1 p.m., St. Paul, Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe: Sunday liturgy and dinner celebrating the parish’s 80th anniversary. ■ Monday, Feb. 21: 6 p.m., St. Paul, Archbishop’s Residence: Miryam Dinner. ■ Tuesday, Feb. 22: 8:15 a.m., Mendota, Church of St. Peter: Archdiocesan High School Religion Teachers Study Day. 9:30 a.m., St. Paul, Chancery: Archdiocesan Comprehensive Assignment Board meeting. 1:30 p.m., St. Paul, Chancery: Archbishop’s Council meeting. 6:30 p.m., North St. Paul, Church of St. Peter: Mass and reception celebrating patronal feast of St. Peter. ■ Wednesday, Feb. 23: 9 a.m., St. Paul, Chancery: Meeting of the Caleb Group. 11 a.m., St. Paul, Chancery: Meeting with Rev. S. Seraphim Michalenko, MIC, from Eternal Word Television Network regarding the Divine Mercy message. 7 p.m., Minneapolis, Basilica of St. Mary: CSA leadership dinner. ■ Thursday, Feb. 24: 1:30 p.m., St. Paul, Chancery: Catholic identity meeting with Archdiocesan School Research Commission. 3:30 p.m., St. Paul, Chancery: Archdiocesan Finance Council meeting. 6 p.m., St. Paul, Archbishop’s Residence: Operation Andrew Dinner. ■ Saturday, Feb. 26: 9 a.m., Eden Prairie, Pax Christi Catholic Community: 2011 Archdiocesan Stewardship Conference.

saint was intimately tied to the cult of the martyrs who died during times of persecution. St. Augustine, in the “City of God,” chapter 12, dwells extensively on the value of a saint’s intercession in his discussion on the miracles attributed to them.

Consoling prayer It is no coincidence that the date set for Pope John Paul’s beatification will be May 1, which this year is Divine Mercy Sunday, the feast on which the late Holy Father

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died. This pope did much to foster the Divine Mercy chaplet introduced by St. Faustina of Poland. Many people, including my own mother before she died, have found great consolation and encouragement from this prayer. One can only hope that as devotion grows for the soon-to-be Blessed John Paul II, devotion to the Divine Mercy will also increase throughout the church. God bless you!

Mardi Gras Festival

By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service

The Diocese of Rome launched a new website dedicated to the beatification and canonization of Pope John Paul II. Published in seven languages, the site — WWW.KAROL-WOJTYLA.ORG — offers news updates and background information on the late pope and his sainthood cause, as well as a live webcam of his tomb in the grotto of St. Peter’s Basilica. The website also announced that the beatification ceremony in St. Peter’s Square May 1, Divine Mercy Sunday, will be open to the public and no tickets will be required to attend.

Prayer available The evening before the ceremony, April 30, there will be a prayer vigil at Rome’s ancient Circus Maximus racetrack, it said. The website offers the diocesanapproved prayer asking for graces through the intercession of Pope John Paul in 31 languages, including Chinese, Arabic, Russian and Swahili. A miracle after Pope John Paul’s beatification would be needed for his canonization, which is a church declaration that the person is a saint and worthy of universal veneration. On Jan. 14, Pope Benedict XVI approved a first miracle attributed to the late pope’s intercession, clearing the way for his beatification. The approval came after more than five years of investigation into the life and writings of the Polish pontiff, who died in April 2005 after more than 26 years as pope.

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Overheard 24A

The Catholic Spirit

Quotes from this week’s newsmakers

FEBRUARY 17, 2011 “I follow the principles of my conscience, and I am ready to die and sacrifice my life for the principles I believe.”

Prayers for the sick

— Shahbaz Bhatti, Pakistan’s minister for minorities and a Catholic who refuses to stop speaking against his country’s blasphemy law even though he is a target for assassination by pro-Taliban religious extremists

“For over three decades, Americans have come together in what may be the only truly bipartisan agreement possible: That whatever our differences on the underlying question of legality, we agree that the federal government should not subsidize abortions with taxpayer dollars.” — Cathy Cleaver Ruse, senior fellow for legal studies at the Family Research Council and a former spokeswoman for the U.S. bishops on pro-life issues, testifying Feb. 8 on a House bill that would make permanent a ban on federal funding of abortion

“I hope my song encourages people to think of how they live their lives according to the Gospel call, to love and serve others.”

Dave Hrbacek / The Catholic Spirit

Bishop Lee Piché prays a blessing over Florence Stifter of St. Joseph in West St. Paul following a Mass at the Cathedral of St. Paul Feb. 11 in honor of World Day of the Sick. Bishop Piché celebrated the Mass and then blessed the sick, caregivers and health care workers with Lourdes water afterward. Two other priests did the same.

— Nick Cardilino, a University of Dayton campus minister whose original song, ‘Called to Glory,’ will be the anthem for the 2011 National Catholic Youth Conference in November

Father Kenneth Ludescher celebrates 50th anniversary Father Kenneth Ludescher will celebrate his 50th anniversary of priestly ordination on Sunday, Feb. 20, at St. Jerome Church in Maplewood. Archbishop Harry Flynn will concelebrate the 10:30 a.m. Mass.

Cathedral music director The Cathedral of St. Paul has hired Robert Ridgell as the new FATHER LUDESCHER music director, beginning July 1. Ridgell currently serves as organist at Trinity Wall Street in New York. Previously, he served at the Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt Lake City and the Cathedral Church of the Savior in Philadelphia. He is a graduate of Indiana University School of Music and Westminster Choir College in Princeton and currently a doctoral candidate at Rutgers University. An author, teacher, organ recitalist, choral conductor

and lecturer, Ridgell was a featured artist for the 2002 Winter Olympics.

News Notes

School gets paintings

St. Jerome School in Maplewood received three paintings of St. Jerome, made by local artists Margaret Schmit, Therese Canton and Danielle Dahl. The paintings, which hang in the school’s lobby, were made possible through a donation in memory of parishioner Betty Kaufenberg.

The Catholic Spirit

Spirit staffer returns John Wolszon, production supervisor at The Catholic Spirit, was to return to the Twin Cities on Thursday after a month-long trip to Egypt. In his latest update, sent Feb. 14, Wolszon said the protesters were making new demands, causing the

situation to heat up again. For more on his experiences in Egypt during the revolution that ousted President Hosni Mubarak, go to WWW.THECATHOLICSPIRIT.COM.

Parishioners help feed poor Later this month, parishioners of St. Patrick in Inver Grove Heights will assemble food packages for the Twin Cities-based nonproft Feed WOLSZON My Starving Children. The 19-cent meals include rice, soy nuggets, dehydrated vegetables and a flavoring. Their goal is to raise $50,000 to buy the food, which will go to hungry children around the world. Father Bob Hart, pastor, said the project is a good community builder for the parish.“It’s a way for our parish to be part of something important and to work with other churches,” he added.

Annual Report Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis Fiscal year 2010

Letter from Archbishop John Nienstedt Our financial results for the past fiscal year show an improvement Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

The Catholic Spirit 1B â&#x20AC;&#x201D; February 17, 2011

4-page pullout section

I am pleased to be able to share with you the annual financial report of the archdiocese for fiscal year 2010. As you know, financial transparency has long been an important value for this archdiocese, evidenced by the fact that we have published a complete annual report since 1967. Our financial results for the past fiscal year show an improvement from the previous fiscal year, as you will read in the accompanying financial statement, narratives and graphs. A substantial improvement in return on our investments, due in part to an improved market climate, helped cause this result, as did continued success with our ongoing ability to control expenses. Most importantly, this success has been achieved without diminishing our traditionally strong support of social assistance, educational efforts, family life, seminary training and missionary programs. And, of course, none of this would have been possible without the generosity of faithful Catholics throughout this local church. I also want to take this opportunity to underscore that, contrary to some misinformation in the media, no archdiocesan funds were spent for our 2010 statewide communication efforts on behalf of the traditional definition of marriage as a relationship between one man and one woman. All of the funds to underwrite this effort came from voluntary private contributions. Certainly the major operational and organizational initiative of fiscal 2010 was the finalization and communication of the most comprehensive strategic reorganization plan in the history of our archdiocese. The elements and the primary forces driving this strategic plan have been covered in considerable detail by The Catholic Spirit and related publications. What bears repeating, however, is that this plan seeks to align our physical and pastoral resources in such a way that a renewal can be undertaken in our collective efforts to catechize, evangelize and reach out in charity to our brothers and sisters in these 12 counties and beyond. This reorganization was made possible by the extraordinary efforts of so many of our priests, deacons, religious and laity who offered their input and ideas at our informational meetings during the past year. Please know that those efforts are meant to bear fruit in a more vital and stronger archdiocese for generations to come. For this, you have my deepest gratitude. In closing, I wish to thank you once again for your generous support of the archdiocese and its many programs, which are so crucial to the work of spreading and putting into practice the Gospel of Jesus Christ as well as allowing us to meet the spiritual and material needs of Catholics and non-Catholics alike in this local area. May God send his choicest blessings upon you and your loved ones as we enter this new year of his grace and favor.

Annual Report

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • FEBRUARY 17, 2011

The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis Condensed statement of activities for the years ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 2010 Revenues and Gains Contributions Parish assessments Catholic Services Appeal, net of parish rebates Program revenues, fees and others Investment income and gains (losses) General Insurance Program

Condensed statement of financial position as of June 30, 2010 and 2009 2010

2009

$10,870,065 166,552 7,834,251

$5,675,316 115,164 9,460,902

7,307,618

8,926,662

16,727,570 5,739,912 226,428 8,244,341

14,650,326 6,112,583 244,329 8,316,790

$57,116,737

$53,502,072

Liabilities and Net Assets Liabilities Accounts payable and accrued liabilities General Insurance Program liabilities Annual Catholic Appeal rebates to parishes Collections held for others Notes payable Deposits due parishes and other related entities

$2,383,878 4,662,304 1,794,198 402,844 6,039,998

$2,520,593 4,416,769 1,655,058 408,703 6,340,000

4,470,169

4,752,447

Total Liabilities

19,753,391

20,093,570

Net Assets Unrestricted Temporarily Restricted Permanently Restricted Total Net Assets

33,421,645 2,292,923 1,648,778 37,363,346

29,341,193 2,462,326 1,604,983 33,408,502

$57,116,737

$53,502,072

2009

$3,965,531 13,504,232

$3,709,734 12,155,966

7,390,161 4,742,283 2,992,414 7,851,142

6,479,979 4,740,619 (452,605) 8,396,111

Total Revenues, Gains and Other Support

40,445,763

35,029,804

Expenses Archdiocesan Programs General and Administrative Fundraising General Insurance Program

23,228,531 4,685,070 976,849 7,600,469

22,791,809 2,968,231 1,194,748 7,803,456

Total Expenses

36,490,919

34,758,244

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

$3,954,844

$271,560

Assets Cash and equivalents Restricted cash Receivables, net of reserves Loans receivable from parishes and related entities, net of reserves Investments and interest in perpetual trusts General Insurance Program assets Prepaid expenses Land, property and equipment, net Total Assets

Total Liabilities and Net Assets

Notes to condensed financial statements for the years ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 Organization The St. Paul and Minneapolis archdiocese is an ecclesiastical division of the Roman Catholic Church comprised of 12 Minnesota counties. It was established in 1850 and elevated to an archdiocese in 1888. The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis (the “Archdiocesan Corporation”) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Minnesota as a religious corporation in 1883. The Archdiocesan Corporation exists as part of the jurisdiction of its archbishop over the spiritual and temporal affairs of the ecclesiastical division. While the Archdiocesan Corporation owns temporal goods (personal and real property) and conducts spiritual and charitable activities of its own, it does not own or manage parishes, schools and other separately administered and organized operations of the Roman Catholic Church within the geographic area.

Basis of presentation The financial statements include all administrative and program offices and departments of the Archdiocesan Corporation. The financial statements do not include the assets, liabilities and operations of the parishes, schools and other separately incorporated and administered operations of the Roman Catholic Church within the archdiocese. The Archdiocesan Corporation is related to these organizations and entities through some common board members. The financial statements recognize restrictions on certain net assets of the Archdiocesan Corporation. Where contributions carry temporary or permanent restrictions on use, the resultant net assets are noted separately. The Archdiocesan Corporation secures coverage and comprehensive, uniform risk protection for affiliated entities throughout the archdiocese, including parishes and schools through an activity known as the Archdiocesan General Insurance Program. The program has a separate committee of advisers. In addition to the accounts identified in the condensed financial

statements, the program has $11.5 million of funded reserves that are co-invested with other funds of the Archdiocesan Corporation. While assets and reserves for the program are shown on the financial statements of the Archdiocesan Corporation, they are held for the benefit of the program and its participants.

that the pension plans were underfunded by approximately 35 percent at Dec. 31, 2009. Current contributions from parishes and other employing units are adequate to fund current obligations. The contribution rate to pension plans was significantly increased effective July 1, 2010.

Financial statements

Other programs

The financial statements of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis for the above periods were audited by independent certified public accountants who rendered unqualified opinions on the financial statements. The accompanying condensed statements of financial position and activities are prepared from the audited financial statements but in the interest of brevity, do not contain a similar level of detail and are not accompanied by complete explanatory footnotes. Accordingly, the opinion of the independent certified public accountants is not presented. A complete financial report is available upon written request to the Chief Financial Officer at 226 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55102.

The Archdiocesan Corporation acts as a conduit for special collections in the parishes designated by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (“USCCB National Collections”) or for local purposes. During 2010, $3.1 million was contributed by parish communities for such collections and sent to the Archdiocesan Corporation for remittance. The Growing In Faith Campaign was initiated in 2001 and is currently in the collection phase. While the Archdiocesan Corporation is not a direct beneficiary of the campaign, its development department manages the campaign effort and a separate cash function. The goal of the Campaign was $115 million and as of June 30, 2010 approximately $110 million was pledged which, after allowances and discounts, had an estimated realizable present value of $90 million. Pledges of approximately $500,000 were collected in 2010 and $1.8 million is expected subsequent to June 30, 2010. The Archdiocesan Corporation acts as agent for The Catholic Spirit in collection and transmittal of an assessment on parishes for subscriptions to the newspaper. During 2010, $1.1 million was paid to the newspaper.

Other Related Entities Benefits The Archdiocesan Corporation administers several independent activities that are organized as trusts for pensions and other benefits for affiliated entities throughout the archdiocese. There are individual trustee boards for these functions, namely the Pension Plan for Priests of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, Pension Plan for Lay Employees of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis Medical Benefit Plan Trust. At Dec. 31, 2009, these plans had actuarial present value of accumulated plan benefits of approximately $152 million. The value of the underlying invested assets were adversely effected by the severe general market decline that began in mid-calendar 2008 and partially corrected in calendar 2009, such

Commitments The Archdiocesan Corporation has entered into a number of contracts with lending institutions to assist affiliated parishes and schools with credit for facility additions. This includes loan guarantees and direct loans that aggregate approximately $66 million at June 30, 2010.

Annual Report

FEBRUARY 17, 2011 â&#x20AC;˘ THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Archdiocesan finance officer report The following comments elaborate on the condensed financial statements of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010

Marriage, Family and Life 4%

Community Relations 1%

Clergy Services 32%

Central Services 16%

By John Bierbaum At June 30, 2010, the financial condition of the archdiocese is improved, and the financial result of activities in the fiscal year, then ended, resulted in a significant surplus. Generating a significant surplus is not the objective of the organization and was due to non-operational returns. The results exceeded budget for the year by a considerable amount and are not likely to be repeated in future years. The bulk of the over-achievement is attributable to income and gains related to invested reserves. Before considering investment returns, operational activities resulted in a surplus of about $1 million. A surplus of that scale still exceeds the archbishopâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual objective and needs to be viewed in context of changes and challenges that have been faced over the last five years. The challenges include: 1. An operating expense pattern that was growing faster than revenue through the effects of inflation and program growth. 2. Revenue from the annual appeal, while still reflective of an incredibly generous Catholic community, had seemingly plateaued. 3. Share of parish giving through assessments, while growing in a nominal sense, was effectively decreasing due to a collection problem. The challenges, when taken as a whole, projected an impending financial crisis. Accordingly, corrective measures were adopted that included: 1. A significant reduction in staffing levels through voluntary attrition plans. The costs of that initiative occurred over several fiscal years and were fully satisfied in fiscal year 2009. In addition, support for a number of programs was reduced. In short, a step back was taken and maintained until other factors could be addressed. 2. A concerted effort was made to bring new direction and focus to the development and stewardship function. As noted below, those efforts bore fruit in fiscal year 2010. 3. Addressing the collection of assessment billings has been more difficult despite meaningful advances in understanding of the situations at individual parishes. The problem has not grown at the rate previously experienced but continues and, with completion of the strategic planning effort and the initial urgent school reviews, will receive renewed attention. Essentially, the archdiocese learned to live within its means through the above noted actions. That operating philosophy now needs to be adopted within parishes.

Revenues and gains Total revenue for 2010 reached $40,446,000 as compared to $35,030,000 in 2009. The revenue increase of $5,416,000 reflects the rever-

Parish Services & Outreach 10%

Community Services 13% Education 24%

sal of investment returns and an increase of $1.8 million from regular income streams, primarily assessments on parish income and the annual appeal. The principal sources of support for the archdiocesan activities are parish assessments and the Catholic Services Appeal, which increased by 11 percent and 14 percent, respectively. The increase in assessments is related to increased parishioner contributions in the parishes in 2008 before the economic downturn. The appeal received favorable response to better messaging and coordination of efforts.

Operating expenses Operating expenses totaled $36,491,000 in 2010 as compared to $34,758,000 in 2009. The increase largely resulted from the changes noted above in regard to allowance for doubtful account from parishes and other support items. In 2010, an expense of $3.1 million was recorded to recognize the potential for losses on amounts due from parishes, and $1.1 million was contributed to support the debt of the Cathedral. During 2009, provision was made for $1.2 million for potential losses, and $397,000 support was given for the Cathedral debt. Therefore, total expenses included a $2.6 million increase in parish-related expenses. Before considering parish-related expenses, operating expenses were $32,358,000 in 2010 and $33,116,000 in 2009. Of the decrease of $758,000, $203,000 is attributed to lower claims in the General Insurance Program. Noteworthy is a reduction in fundraising costs of $218,000 between years due primarily to bringing some record keeping functions in-house. The expense structure of archdiocesan staff and programs thus decreased by $337,000 from 2009 to 2010, or about 1.0 percent. It is important to note that archdiocesan support and subsidy of programs such as Catholic Charities, Hispanic and Indian ministries, prison and hospital chaplaincies, promotion of Catholic values in regard to family and life issues, encouragement and support of seminarians, aid to rural and inner city elementary schools, and secondary school tuition grants, as well as support of our Venezuelan mission remain at levels consistent with previous years. These programs are funded to a large extent (approximately 80 percent in the aggregate in 2010) by the Catholic Services Appeal. Without the generous response to the appeal that has traditionally been enjoyed, these programs could not be sustained.

Above is a chart that displays the purpose of archdiocesan program expenditures for 2010. The proportion of costs to the various programs is very similar to the preceding year as can be seen in the chart below.

Financial position Net assets of the Archdiocesan Corporation were $37,363,000 at the end of fiscal 2010, or $3,955,000 greater than a year earlier. The bulk of the increase was in unrestricted and temporarily restricted net assets, while permanently restricted net assets increased $44,000 due to an increase in the market value of underlying investments. After adjusting the change in net assets for revenue and expense items that did not result in or require cash, operations in 2010 generated $5,499,000 of additional cash, compared with a surplus of $1,250,000 cash in 2009. The difference between years was caused primarily by the improvements in activities discussed above. In addition to the $5,499,000 of cash sourced by operating activities, $192,000 was realized from the sale of donated real estate, and $790,000 was received in repayment of loans to parishes and schools. Thus, total sources of cash in 2010 were $6,381,000. Cash was used in the amount of $553,000 to improve archdiocesan property and equipment, $382,000 of parish deposits were repaid, and $300,000 of external debt was repaid. Thus the cash position of the archdiocese improved by $5,246,000 since 2009. The added liquidity will relieve pressure on cash balances that are experienced at certain times within a fiscal year. Further, the increase in cash will make it possible for the first time in a number of years to address specific parish and ministry issues. The archdiocese has for many years extended guarantees as credit enhancements for third-party loans to parishes and schools. The exposure to this contingent liability was reduced by $9 million to $66 million at the end of 2010.

In summary During 2010, the basic cost of operations has stabilized, and the quality of the archdiocesan balance sheet continues to be improved. However, the evaluation of the accounts due from parishes continues to raise serious questions about the financial viability of certain of the parish organizations. Because parish assessments are required for support of the archbishopâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s primary obligations and functions, the collection of assessments is crucial. Thus parish financial viability will continue to be a key focus in the coming years. John Bierbaum is chief financial officer of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

Annual Report

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • FEBRUARY 17, 2011

CNS photo/ /Gregory A. Shemitz

Thank you! “I wish to thank you once again for your generous support of the archdiocese and its many programs, which are so crucial to the work of spreading and putting into practice the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” Archbishop John Nienstedt