The Catholic Spirit - December 20, 2012

December 20, 2012 • TheCatholicSpirit.com

Merry Christmas!

Archbishop Nienstedt: Let us be wise Magi this Christmas — page 2

Jeff Cavins: What gift will you give to Jesus this year?

— page 12

See this year’s Christmas poster, essay contest winners — pages 10-11

Nativity scene at St. Paul Seminary. (Dave Hrbacek / The Catholic Spirit)

The Catholic Spirit

Newspaper of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis

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DECEMBER 20, 2012 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Let us be wise Magi this Christmas

That They May All Be One Archbishop John C. Nienstedt

As disciples of Jesus, we want to restore hope to those in poverty and offer our assistance

One of my favorite Christmas tales is O’Henry’s short story, “The Gift of the Magi.” It tells of a young married couple struggling to get by economically who sell their most precious possessions in order to buy a Christmas gift for the other.

As O’Henry recounts, they “most unwisely sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of their house. But . . . of all who give gifts, these two were the wisest. . . .

They are the magi.”

Standing in solidarity Unfortunately, the economic plight that faced O’Henry’s two young people will undoubtedly be the same reality for many of our fellow Americans this holiday season.

Poverty, unemployment, hunger, isolation and domestic abuse touch many individuals and families in these very difficult times. And the looming so-called “fiscal cliff” threatens to make a bad situation far worse.

Mothers and fathers struggling to find work wonder how they will provide for their children. Others have to work two or three jobs to get by. Some have lost their home or live in fear of that happening. Single parents bear these burdens alone.

In addition, more and more families must care for an elderly parent or relative that adds to their responsibilities.

This situation fosters a sense of powerlessness among those afflicted which can lead to a condition of spiritual dejection and despair, wiping away any feeling of hope or purpose for life.

As disciples of the Lord Jesus, we want to stand in solidarity with those who are so adversely affected. We ask what we can do to help restore hope to those in poverty, to assist the unemployed or the working poor, to build up the common good.

Our Catholic social teaching insists that economic structures and systems ought to be at the service of the human person, not the other way around. The economy should defend and uphold the dignity of individuals, marriages and families.

In point of fact, a primary indicator of the health of a given society is the stability of family life and the fidelity of strong marriages between one man and one woman.

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.

Vol. 17 — No. 26 MOST REVEREND JOHN C. NIENSTEDT Publisher SARAH MEALEY Associate publisher

JOE TOWALSKI Editor

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

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I invite parishes and individual Catholics to reconsider what we are doing to address the well-being of those who are suffering economically in these difficult times and to redouble our efforts and energy to extend a helping hand.

”

ARCHBISHOP JOHN NIENSTEDT

Poor economic conditions are definitely a threat to social well-being. And the growing disparity between the wealthiest and the poorest strata of society is a genuine source of concern.

Being good stewards In his encyclical, “Deus Caritas Est,” Pope Benedict XVI writes, “if reason is to be exercised properly, it must undergo constant purification, since it can never be completely free of the danger of a certain ethical blindness caused by the dazzling effect of power and special interests” (no. 28). Sin works against our best desires and obscures the capacity to make good judgments.

The virtues of justice, temperance, prudence and fortitude must be inculcated in the hearts and attitudes of employers and employees alike. We are all called to be effective stewards of life’s resources, recognizing that the needs of the one who is suffering is really greater than my own.

In the same document quoted above, Pope Benedict PLEASE TURN TO SACRIFICIAL ON PAGE 5

Archbishop’s schedule ■ Friday, Dec. 21: noon, St. Paul, Town & Country Golf Club: Archdiocesan staff Christmas luncheon.

7 p.m., Buffalo, Christ the King Retreat Center: Retreat for men interested in the priesthood.

■ Saturday, Dec. 22: 8 a.m., Buffalo, Christ the King Retreat Center: Retreat for men interested in the priesthood.

■ Sunday, Dec. 23: 9 a.m., St. Paul, Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe: Dedication Mass for new altar.

■ Monday, Dec. 24: 10:45 p.m., St. Paul, Cathedral of St. Paul: Office of Readings followed by Christmas Eve Midnight Mass.

■ Tuesday, Dec. 25: 9 a.m., St. Paul, Cathedral of St. Paul: Christmas Day Mass.

■ Wednesday-Thursday, Jan. 23, 2013: Providence, R.I., NAC class reunion.

■ Friday, Jan. 4: Boston, Mass., Episcopal ordination of the Most Reverend Robert Deeley as auxiliary bishop.

■ Saturday-Friday, Jan. 5-11: Tucson, Ariz., Region VIII bishops retreat.

“I don’t have any family here. But in this house, I feel like I have a family.”

Karen, a resident at Casa Guadalupana, a Catholic Worker house in St. Paul

Local DECEMBER 20, 2012

News from around the archdiocese

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

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Casa Guadalupana: shelter for families far from home

By Dave Hrbacek The Catholic Spirit

A young woman is eight months pregnant with nowhere to go.

She is far from home and looking for a safe place to deliver her child. After looking feverishly with her husband, they find a place just in time for her delivery.

They know this is only a temporary spot, and they will need to find a permanent home soon.

Sound familiar?

It’s the story of the Holy Family and birth of the Savior.

But in this case, it’s a story taking place in the present, not 2,000 years ago. And, the setting is St. Paul, not Bethlehem.

The mother and father are Latino — Karen and Elder (who asked that their last names not be used) — and they are more than 3,000 miles away from their native Nicaragua.

They have landed, not in a stable, but in a far more comfortable and homey place: Casa Guadalupana in St. Paul. A Catholic Worker house, it recently moved to the former rectory of St. Matthew in St. Paul.

With hundreds of volunteer hands and thousands of donated dollars, women and couples with children who might otherwise be homeless can find shelter, plus relationships that turn into new friendships — and more.

“It has been a great help to us,” said Karen, 33, through an interpreter. “I don’t have any family here. But in this house, I feel like I have a family.”

Helping those in need Karen came directly to Minnesota from Nicaragua in October 2011, with her husband Elder, 35, coming three years earlier.

The child Karen was carrying when they moved in to Casa in October actually turned out to be twins — a boy, Helder, and a girl, Krystal, born Nov. 8, coincidentally the birthday of Catholic Worker co-founder Dorothy Day. Elder has been working odd jobs to support the family, but it’s not enough.

That’s where Casa comes in. Staffed by volunteers and funded by donations, it reaches out to vulnerable Latinos (women or married couples) with children who need im-

Dave Hrbacek / The Catholic Spirit

From left, Casa Guadalupana residents Elder and Karen hold their newborn twins, Helder, left, and Krystal, who were born on Nov. 8. The couple is from Nicaragua.

mediate help. It is not designed as permanent housing, yet there is no established time limit for people to stay.

Even the briefest of tours makes it apparent this is unlike most other housing shelters. The 7,500-square-foot dwelling features craftsmanship by many contractors who donated labor, and lots of little touches by volunteers from local parishes who chose to band together to “sponsor” individual rooms.

One example is the second-floor nursery, which sits

just down the hall from the bedroom where Karen and Elder sleep.

A small plaque notes that this room was remodeled and furnished by volunteers from Guardian Angels in Oakdale.

But that is only part of the story. Casa founder Kim Anderson, who has served there for eight years and lived PLEASE TURN TO VOLUNTEERS ON PAGE 4

How has Jesus given you “a reason for hope?”

The Rediscover initiative — to be unveiled during the Advent season — invites fellow Catholics to rediscover a real and personal relationship with Jesus and re-engage in the full life of the Church.

In light of this, The Catholic Spirit is inviting Catholics who have rediscovered the depth and beauty of our Catholic faith to share their stories.

■ Were you sleepwalking in your Catholic faith for a time? If so, what woke you up from your spiritual slumber to re-engage with it?

Was there a trigger or perhaps a series of triggers over time? Was there a person who made a huge difference in your faith who challenged or encouraged you? What continues to nourish the fire of faith in your heart?

■ Are you a convert? Or were you away from the faith for a time? What happened that drew you to (or back to) Christ and his Church?

■ What

Share your story about how you rediscovered your Catholic faith

did it mean to you to come back into full life in the Church? How has it changed you or affected those around you?

Send your story — 300 words or less — to The Catholic Spirit: ■ By

email to: CATHOLICSPIRIT@ARCHSPM.ORG. Write“Rediscover Faith Story”in the subject line; or

■ By

postal mail to: “Rediscover Faith Story,”c/o The Catholic Spirit, 244 Dayton Ave., St. Paul, MN 55102.

If you know someone whose story will truly inspire, please encourage them to submit their story as well.

A selection of stories will be published in future issues of The Catholic Spirit and online at THECATHOLICSPIRIT.COM. Please include your name, parish and a daytime telephone number at which you can be reached if we have questions.

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Local

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • DECEMBER 20, 2012

Volunteers put hands, dollars to work for Latino families CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

Dianne Towalski / The Catholic Spirit

Yana Acosta and Berto Torres spend time at Casa Gualupana with their 5-month-old son Ricky.

Couple credits Casa for successful transition

By Dianne Towalski The Catholic Spirit

Casa Guadalupana is a house of hospitality rooted in the spirit of Dorothy Day and the Catholic Worker movement she helped found. Ask any of the 156 people that have stayed there since 2004, and they’ll say it’s also a family.

Yanelquis (Yana) Acosta and husband Adalberto (Berto) Torres have experienced the support of the Casa Guadalupana family and are giving back by coming to Casa and helping in any way they can. Acosta also serves on the home’s board of directors.

Originally from Cuba, the couple came to Minnesota in 2008 from Venezuela, where they were both working as physicians.

“We had the support also of all the friends and people that stayed here, they all gave us their support,” Acosta said. “It felt to us like a family. We had dinner together, we prayed in the evening together.”

They made the move to the United States because of difficult economic situations in both Venezuela and Cuba, even for doctors. They have family in Cuba that they help support.

They chose to stay with a cousin in Minnesota instead of relatives in Florida because they believed it would be easier to learn English in Minnesota.

Realizing they would not be able to work as physicians in the United States without taking the medical board tests, Acosta and Torres tried to find part-time work while they studied for the exams.

They were told they were over-qualified for every job they applied for. Then, after a month, the cousin they were staying with landed a new job and moved to Texas. The two were now jobless and homeless.

A new home A friend, a fellow Cuban who worked for Catholic Charities, introduced them to Casa Guadalupana founder Kim Anderson. They explained their situation to Anderson and were welcomed with open arms.

“Without Casa everything would be different,” Acosta said.

“When we came to Casa Guadalupana and we had the opportunity to study for 10 hours every day, for us that was like a dream come true,” she said. “We were able to pass the exams after two and a half years. But, without the support of Casa, it would have taken five or six years.”

A month into their stay at Casa, Acosta’s aunt, whom Acosta was very close to, died in Cuba. “My aunt was like a mom to me . . . and that was a really bad time for me. But I felt super support, even though I had only been here a short time.”

Anderson said Acosta’s “strong faith in that circumstance when she couldn’t be with her family was a tremendous inspiration to all of us here.” “[Torres and Acosta] are probably on the higher socio-economic possibility end than a lot of the families that come here, but their obstacles were no less intense, no less real or no less difficult,” Anderson added.

Torres passed the exams first and started a residency at Smiley’s Family Medicine Clinic in Minneapolis, one of eight residency programs offered by the University of Minnesota Medical School.

Just as Acosta passed her exams, she found out she was pregnant. Their son Ricky was born five months ago.

Since they moved out of Casa, they keep coming to the home to help however they can. “I’m trying to give to families here all that Casa has been to me,” Acosta said.

“Casa was lifesaving for us, and it will be for many other families.”

in the house up until recently, explained just how deep the ties are between the new room and the volunteers who put the finishing touches on it.

Walking into the small but fresh-smelling nursery, she immediately turned sharply to her right and pointed to a plaque on the wall dedicated to one of the Guardian Angels volunteers, Arthur Hoff. He represents the heart and soul of his parish’s volunteer effort at Casa.

“The night the group from Guardian Angels was gathering to plan how they were going to redo this nursery, Art had a stroke,” Anderson said. “They came anyway, and we prayed for him. Then, he passed not very long after that. But, his wife Lila said that one of the last things he said was that he wanted this project to be completed.”

And, completed it was, but with more-than-ordinary baby furniMore about Casa ture. Anderson noted that a rockCasa Guadalupana is a Catholic ing chair in the corner was donated Worker house that opened in St. Paul in by a grandmother who rocked her 2004 (a previous house with the same own children to sleep in it. The name had existed for several years same was true of a nearby crib and previously, and was closed). The daybed. And, there were the little location recently moved to the former plastic eggs placed carefully about rectory of St. Matthew in St. Paul. the room by a woman who later The 7,500-square foot home was diagnosed with cancer. She provides temporary housing for Latino continues to battle the disease towomen and couples with children who day. are unable to find housing via other Some of those same volunteers agencies and services. return to help in whatever way The home can support up to 16 they can. But they don’t always get people (three to five families) and to see the reactions of the women currently is interviewing candidates to and men who walk into this home fill existing vacancies. A total of 156 from far humbler living conditions people have lived at the home, with — in some cases, the streets of St. an average stay of four to six months, Paul. said founder Kim Anderson.

“Most of the families that come Casa is not funded by the to Casa are hanging on by their government or the Archdiocese of St. fingernails,” Anderson said. Yet, Paul and Minneapolis, but through their desperate circumstances seem private donations by individuals, only to amplify their reaction to parishes and other organizations. Two their new surroundings. live-in volunteers help the families with “The first mom who ever stayed daily needs, plus work to connect in this room [nursery], walked into them with agencies that can provide the room for the first time and further assistance. started crying,” Anderson said.

“And, she said, ‘You mean someone who doesn’t even know me made this for me? Why would they do that?’

She just couldn’t believe it, she couldn’t believe that total strangers would love her that much.”

Reliance on volunteers Love, in fact, is what drives people to invest in Casa. There is no such thing as a paid staff member.

Even Anderson, who logs countless hours at the house, in addition to her regular job, does not collect a dime. Her motivation comes from witnessing the gratitude — and tears — of vulnerable Latinos who come looking for shelter and end up finding the love of faith put into action.

“Those moments are why I do this,” she said, of her encounter with the young mother. “The Casa has a core of people who do all of these things. They do it for the same reason I do.”

Sometimes, the volunteers are touched as deeply as the families themselves.

Anderson described several skilled laborers who put in hours renovating the house, then stopped by on a Sunday afternoon on their motorcycles. Their tattoos suggested views that could be hostile toward immigrants.

But their demeanor toward the residents and staff of Casa said otherwise.

They were there on their own time not only to admire their work, but to ask if there was anything more that they could do. These workers, and many others, did it all for free, with some donating materials in addition to their time.

That’s precisely how $368,000 worth of renovation is done with only $55,000 worth of donations. Anderson repeatedly called that a miracle, and held it up as a key part of this story. And, this was a necessary miracle, as the house gets no money either from the government or directly from the archdiocese.

Yet, that does not at all mean that the local church is uninvolved. On the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Bishop Lee Piché came to celebrate and dedicate the newly renovated house. And, there were parishes like Guardian Angels and others that sponsored rooms and provided other meaningful donations.

Fittingly, the chapel on the main floor was sponsored by the Women’s Society of Our Lady of Guadalupe in St. Paul. A beautiful image of the patronness of the Americas that came from Mexico sits atop a wood altar.

No doubt, this is comforting to the young moms of today who find a welcoming home to raise children on foreign soil.

Local

DECEMBER 20, 2012 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Archdiocese in compliance with charter requirements The Catholic Spirit The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis was found to be in compliance with all articles of the “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People” for the 2011-2012 audit period, according to a letter from StoneBridge Business Partners of Rochester, N.Y., which conducted the onsite audit.

As part of the charter adopted by the U.S. bishops in 2002, the archdiocese and other dioceses in the United States undergo an annual, independent audit of their policies and procedures to ensure compliance with the charter’s provisions. Once every three years, the audit is conducted on site.

In other years, investigators gather data and other information.

This was the archdiocese’s second audit with StoneBridge. Previous audits were carried out by the Gavin Group of Boston.

Training, background checks

provisions of the charter. But this work also has really become a core mission of the Church and has broader value for the greater community as well.

”

ANDY EISENZIMMER

Annually, about 74,000 children in Catholic schools and parish religious education programs receive age-appropriate safe environment lessons.

Twice a year, he said, the archdiocese au-

The archdiocese’s commitment to safety

dits parish and school locations. In the fall, it asks for plans regarding what will be done to ensure compliance with safe environment and charter requirements. The spring audit shows what was accomplished.

“All this work affirms the bishops’ commitment to the provisions of the charter,” Eisenzimmer said. “But this work also has really become a core mission of the Church and has broader value for the greater community as well.”

These real estate agents can help you find your

Sacrificial love is key CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

“All this work affirms the bishops’ commitment to the

includes requiring safe environment training and background checks for all clergy, church employees and volunteers who have regular contact with children, said Andy Eisenzimmer, archdiocesan chancellor for civil affairs.

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states, “the Church cannot neglect the service of charity any more than she can neglect the Sacraments and the Word” (no. 22).

Thus, as we approach the great feast of Christmas wherein the Divine Son took on the form of a slave (see Philippians 2:7), I invite parishes and individual Catholics to reconsider what we are doing to address the well-being of those who are suffering economically in these difficult times and to redouble our efforts and energy to extend a helping hand.

Any act of kindness becomes an act of charity if it is informed by a sacrificial love in imitation of Jesus Christ.

So let us be wise Magi this Christmas, giving the kind of gifts that build up the common good.

God bless you! Merry Christmas!

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“He has brought a sense of God and the beginning of healing to everything he has done under considerable stress.”

Brian Wallace, director of communications for the Diocese of Bridgeport, Conn., speaking about Msgr. Robert Weiss’ outreach in the aftermath of the Newtown school shooting

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Nation/World THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

News from around the U.S. and the globe

DECEMBER 20, 2012

‘Sacramental sense’ of priest’s response after shooting called powerful

By Beth Griffin Catholic News Service

The “sacramental sense” of a Catholic pastor’s outreach after the horrific violence that took place at a Connecticut elementary school “has brought the church to bear in the most intimate and powerful way,” said the director of communications for the Diocese of Bridgeport, Conn.

“It’s hard to sum up how powerful his witness and testimony have been, both locally and nationally,” Brian Wallace told Catholic News Service in describing Msgr.

Robert Weiss, pastor of St. Rose of Lima Church in Newtown.

“He has brought a sense of God and the beginning of healing to everything he has done under considerable stress,” Wallace said in a telephone interview Dec. 17. “He was the first clergy present at the school, before the world knew what happened.

He kept his composure and he worked with families.”

Bringing comfort Wallace said Msgr. Weiss was “stunned by the faith of the parents who lost children. People who lose the most sometimes give the most.” He added that the courage, openness and determination of the parents is a gift to the priest.

Msgr. Weiss, his two priest associates, and men and women from the parish staff have “brought tremendous comfort to families,” Wallace said.

Efforts by CNS to reach parish staff members for interviews have been unsuccessful.

St. Rose of Lima has taken center stage in the aftermath of the shooting massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School Dec.

14, which left 20 children and seven adults dead.

Parishioners and community members gathered for a prayer vigil the night of the shootings and flocked to Sunday Masses seeking solace. They looked to Msgr. Weiss and his staff and other Catholic leaders for pastoral outreach in the aftermath of the violence.

Eighteen children died at the school and two others died after they had been rushed to the hospital. All of the children were first-graders. The adults included the principal and five teachers, as well as the gunman.

Police officials identified the shooter as Adam Lanza, 20, and said he killed himself as first responders arrived on the scene.

Nine funerals at parish Many of the dead were Catholic and were known in the St. Rose parish family.

Wallace said funerals for eight of the children and one of the adults were being scheduled at St. Rose. Two funerals took place Dec. 18.

Mary Sherlach, the Sandy Hook school psychologist, will be buried from St. Stephen Church in Trumbull, Conn., where she was an active parishioner. The shooter and his mother were members of St. Rose, but there are no plans at this time to hold funerals for either at the Newtown church, Wallace told CNS. The diocesan response to the tragedy is based on its experience with earlier traumatic events.

Its Catholic Charities agency has a crisis team that works closely with the diocesan safe environments staff.

“Catholic Charities has a very strong

CNS photo / Andrew Gombert, pool via Reuters

Msgr. Robert Weiss speaks to young women inside St. Rose of Lima Church during a evening vigil service on the day tragic events unfolded Dec. 14 in Newtown, Conn. At least eight of the children killed in the shooting rampage at nearby Sandy Hook Elementary were to be buried from St. Rose, a parish of 3,200 families and the only Catholic church in Newtown.

behavioral health component, staffed by Catholic professionals. Over the last 10 years, it has evolved as a resource to deal with crises,” Wallace said.

The first response is often presence and prayer, followed by helping people to cope, he continued. “Counseling may not be needed right away. There will be more help down the line.”

“Our Catholic Charities have worked with Catholic school teachers to give them a better handle on how to deal with their fears and our Safe Environments director has talked with some of the parents who lost children,” Wallace said. “The priests are grateful to have that help within our own system.”

Priests from neighboring parishes responded immediately to the crisis and

helped the pastoral staff at St. Rose console families and concelebrate Mass, according to Wallace.

Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore, who was bishop of Bridgeport from 2001 until March, when he was named to Baltimore, was in Rome at the time of the shooting. Wallace said the people of the parish are “very much in the bishop's heart and he will meet with them” in the near future.

Msgr. Jerald A. Doyle, the administrator of the diocese, celebrated Mass at St. Rose Dec 16.

Classes at the parish's K-8 school were canceled for the week in the interest of protecting the students from the sight of twice daily funerals at the church, Wallace said.

Sparring between federal judges, lawyers marks HHS appeal

By Mark Pattison Catholic News Service

In the first federal appellate-level hearing on a lawsuit challenging the HHS contraceptive mandate Dec. 14, spirited sparring between judges and attorneys marked proceedings that went twice their scheduled length.

In the hearing, conducted in Washington at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, lawyers could barely complete their sentences before judges asked questions challenging their assertions.

On one hand, the lawyer for Belmont Abbey College, a Catholic school in North Carolina, and Wheaton College, an evangelical school in Illinois, was asked if his appeal was premature since the federal

Department of Health and Human Services has said it has planned to finalize by next August a rule to accommodate religious employers that do not fit the mandate’s narrow exemption for churches.

On the other hand, the Justice Department attorney representing HHS was asked if he would support injunctive relief for the colleges until the new rule is put in place.

The HHS mandate — already the subject of more than 40 court challenges — requires employers, including most religious employers, to provide free coverage of contraceptives, sterilization and some abortion-inducing drugs free in employee health insurance. A narrow exemption applies only to those religious institutions that seek to inculcate their religious values and primarily employ and serve people of

their own faith.

It does not include a conscience clause for employers who object to providing such coverage on moral grounds.

Arguing issue’s ‘rightness’ To date, only one federal judge, in New York, has ruled against the government.

In the ruling, issued Dec. 5, the judge, Brian Cogan, said, “There is no ‘trust us, changes are coming’ clause in the Constitution.” Many of the lawsuits are still working their way through the court system.

Kyle Stuart Duncan of the Washingtonbased Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, representing the two colleges, said he was arguing on the “rightness” of the issue, not its timeliness. He also expressed his doubts about HHS modifying its rule by

August, saying, “We’ve never seen a notice of proposed rulemaking” regarding any modification.

The final rule on the mandate takes effect in August 2013. Last year the Obama administration put in place a yearlong period, called “safe harbor,” that protects employers from immediate government action against them if they fail to comply with the mandate.

It also proposed what it called an accommodation allowing those employers who object to providing contraceptives to pass on the costs of the mandated coverage to their insurance carriers or a third party, rather than pay for them directly.

But many dioceses are self-insured, and Catholic officials say the policy would offer no fundamental change.

“Dear friends, I am pleased to get in touch with you through Twitter.

Thank you for your generous response. I bless all of you from my heart.”

Pope Benedict XVI’s first Tweet on Dec. 12 using his new account @Pontifex

This Catholic Life DECEMBER 20, 2012

Opinion, feedback and points to ponder

Pope tweets to 1 million-plus followers

By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service

Pope Benedict XVI launched his very own Twitter account, sending a short inaugural message to his more than 1 million followers.

“Dear friends, I am pleased to get in touch with you through Twitter. Thank you for your generous response.

I bless all of you from my heart,” it said.

His tweet — 139 characters — went viral as the number of followers of @Pontifex and its seven other extensions grew by more than 5,000 new people an hour, a Vatican official said. Tens of thousands of followers retweeted the messages in the short minutes after they were posted.

After the pope gave his catechesis and blessing to those gathered for the general audience in the Vatican’s Paul VI hall, an announcement came over the speakers saying the pope was about to make his first tweet.

Officials placed a small wooden desk in front of the pope, and staff from the Pontifical Council for Social Communications placed a small tablet computer on top.

The pope put on his glasses as Thaddeus Jones, a U.S. official at the council, showed him the screen that already had the message prepared and loaded. The pope, with a tap, sent the greeting, which in English was just one character shy of the site’s 140-character limit.

Archbishop Claudio Celli, the council president, then showed the pope his @Pontifex accounts, which had amassed 1 million followers in the 10 days before the first tweet. The pope had difficulty navigating the site after pressing a screen button with a determined push, which the archbishop then remedied with a more practiced tap.

Answering people’s questions About 45 minutes later, after the pope left the audience hall, the first pair of tweets in a Q&A format was sent by Vatican officials. While the pope sees and approves each tweet, all tweets after his inaugural message are sent by Vatican staff.

The pope personally answered three questions from three different continents that were culled from tens of thousands of queries and comments tagged with the #askPontifex hashtag.

The first question was “How can we celebrate the Year of Faith better in our daily lives?”

The pope’s answer was posted two minutes later: “By speaking with Jesus in prayer, listening to what he tells you in the Gospel and looking for him in those in need.”

About three hours later, the next pair was sent: “How can faith in Jesus be lived in a world without hope?”

“We can be certain that a believer is never alone. God is the solid rock upon which we build our lives and his love is always faithful.”

The last pair of Q&A tweets followed another three hours later. “Any suggestions on how to be more prayerful when we are so busy with the demands of work, families and the world?” was the question. And the pope’s response was: “Offer everything you do to the Lord, ask his help in all the circumstances of daily life and remember that he is always beside you.”

Msgr. Paul Tighe, secretary of the social communications council, said they wanted to stagger the tweets so people waking up in later time zones would have something appearing near the top of their newsfeed.

The monsignor said he sifted through thousands of questions tweeted after the Vatican announced plans for the pope’s new account.

Though many were crude or hateful, “there were some wonderful, touching questions, very honest and very genuine,” he told Catholic News Service Dec. 12.

Some examples, he said, asked the pope “how to bal-

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

7

The good, bad, ugly: Church can’t shy away from Twitter’s Wild West

By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service

CNS photo / L 'Osservatore Romano via Reuters

Pope Benedict XVI posts his first tweet on his Twitter account @Pontifex Dec. 12 in Paul VI hall at the Vatican.

ance spiritual life and being busy, how to find the time to pray.”

The monsignor said the pope can’t be expected to answer every legitimate question submitted, but that is where other Catholics can step in.

The idea of launching the first papal tweets in a Q&A format also was meant to encourage other people to reach out and engage the world online, he said.

“We’re hoping other Catholics might engage with some of the questions” being asked, he said.

Posting regularly Among those surrounding the pope during his Twitter debut were two students from Pennsylvania’s Villanova University, Mika Rabb and Andrew Jadick, who have been interning at the communications council, helping the office on the Twitter project.

Claire Diaz-Ortiz, manager of social innovation for Twitter, also was by the pope’s side; she had worked closely with the Vatican in setting up the accounts. She was live tweeting during the pope’s audience and alerted the Twitterverse when the pope’s accounts crossed the 1 million follower threshold just “minutes before the pope sends his first tweet.”

Also flanking the pope was a young Mexican journalist, chosen to help mark the day’s feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The papal tweets will be posted with some regularity, but won’t be too frequent given the time constraints of the pope and the fact that each tweet needs his approval, Msgr. Tighe said.

Even though he won’t be physically sending the tweets, the messages “are pearls of wisdom coming from the heart of the pope’s teaching and coming from his own mind and ideas,” Msgr. Tighe said Dec. 5.

The pope’s Twitter accounts are in eight languages, including Arabic. @Pontifex is the English feed, while the other language accounts use an extension of the main handle. For example, the Spanish feed is @Pontifex_es.

The handle “Pontifex” was chosen because it means “pope and bridge builder,” said Greg Burke, media adviser for the Vatican Secretariat of State. The name suggests “reaching out” and bringing unity not just of Catholics “but all men and women of good will,” he said.

With Pope Benedict XVI’s new presence on Twitter, people from all over the world can now post papal messages with just the push of an on-screen button.

While many have welcomed the pope’s foray into the virtual world, his @Pontifex handles and “replyable” posts have also meant that rude and crude comments have come with the mix.

Twitter is “an open communications platform,” and the Vatican has readily embraced what the full-fledged exercise of freedom of speech entails, said Msgr. Paul Tighe, secretary of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, which organized and runs the pope’s eight language-based Twitter accounts.

“We knew there would be negative stuff,” he told Catholic News Service Dec. 13, the day after the pope first tweeted more than 1 million “followers.” The number of followers of the pope’s multi-language accounts nearly doubled to more than 1.7 million just 24 hours later.

Mostly positive The Irish-born Msgr. Tighe said that in sifting through the feedback, “what stuck with me most was all the lovely stuff,” the positive and genuine comments and queries in the midst of the ugly.

Just because there is a negative side to new media doesn’t mean the church should shy away, he said.

Social media has allowed people to be “very honest and even more than honest at times” in a very public way, he said. “But you can’t abandon it and leave it at that. We have to see its potential to do good” as a tool for evangelization and as a global forum for respectful dialogue and debate.

The wrong approach would be to “chase after all the negative, and then let it define who you are,” he said.

Pope Benedict, instead, has called on Catholics to engage online with respect and with a genuine and earnest spirit, the monsignor said.

He said the pope has even called on priests to do the digital dive, saying, “Let’s give a soul to the Internet, not just content.”

Opportunity to connect Msgr. Tighe suggested priests, religious and other Catholics “jump right in and answer people’s questions” that have been submitted using the @Pontifex and #Pontifex tags. Sometimes, veiled under the sarcasm or criticism, are signs of “a genuine searching,” he said.

“Just seeing what’s being said can help you think through how to engage with people more positively,” and it can offer insight into what prejudices or misunderstandings need addressing, he said.

“The church is more than Rome and the pope,” he said, so people should feel free to pitch in, lend a hand with the outreach and help “raise the level of discussion.”

The pope’s new Twitter accounts also are the pope’s way of encouraging people to engage, he said, and take part in the new evangelization in new ways.

8

Commentary

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • DECEMBER 20, 2012

/ This Catholic Life

Victims of the Newtown shootings Charlotte Bacon, 6

James Mattioli, 6

Daniel Barden, 7

Grace McDonnell, 7

Olivia Engel , 6

Emilie Parker, 6

Josephine Gay, 7

Jack Pinto, 6

Ana Marquez-Greene, 6

Noah Pozner, 6

Dylan Hockley, 6

Caroline Previdi, 6

Madeleine Hsu, 6

Jessica Rekos, 6

Catherine Hubbard , 6

Avielle Richman, 6

Chase Kowalski, 7

Benjamin Wheeler, 6

Jesse Lewis, 6

Allison Wyatt, 6

Rachel Davino, 29 Teacher Dawn Hochsprung, 47 School principal Anne Marie Murphy, 52 Teacher Lauren Rousseau, 30 Teacher Mary Sherlach, 56 School psychologist Victoria Soto, 27 Teacher Nancy Lanza, 52 Mother of gunman May their souls and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

CNS photo / Joshua Lott, Reuters

After Newtown: Moving from darkness into the light

Editorial Joe Towalski

The time has come, no matter your political views, to agree on common sense and necessary actions that will help curb violence

Why? Why would someone commit such a senseless act of violence against innocent children?

Why can’t we stop these school shootings from happening?

What’s wrong with us as a society?

These are among the difficult questions facing us in the wake of the brutal murder of 20 first-graders and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.

It’s shocking. Sickening. Unbelievable.

Unbelievable, until you recall that these kinds of shootings have happened in the not-too-distant past: at schools, in movie theaters, in malls.

And, it’s shameful.

It’s shameful because, too often, we have abdicated our responsibility as a society to take steps that would help prevent these horrible incidents from happening.

That’s not to say the perpetrators who commit these senseless acts don’t bear full responsibility for what they’ve done — they certainly do, and they will have to answer for it in this life or the next.

But it’s recognizing that we can do

more as responsible citizens, worried parents and concerned Christians to make our world, our communities and our schools safer places for everyone.

Denial, then anger Psychologists tell us that the first step in the grieving process is often denial. Many of us went through that last week. In the first hours after news broke about the Newtown shootings, we hoped the media got it wrong, that kids weren’t hurt, that it wasn’t as bad as we were hearing. Sadly, it was.

After denial comes anger — anger at the shooter, anger about why we seem unable to prevent massacres like this from happening, anger at elected officials who drag their feet rather than put politics aside to find real solutions.

It’s righteous anger, to use a biblical term. We are upset, and we should channel that anger into positive action.

The Newtown shooting has once again renewed the debate over issues such as gun control, mental health awareness and the moral health of

American culture. There are no easy answers about why such shootings happen or how to prevent them. But the time has come, no matter your political views, to agree on some common sense and necessary actions that will help curb violence and build safer communities: ■ We need to prevent the manufacture and sale of assault weapons and high-capacity clips that too often get into the hands of people with malicious intentions. The killer in the Newtown shootings used such a weapon. When a federal assault weapons ban was in place from 1994 to 2004, the number of such weapons used in crimes declined by more than 65 percent, according to the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence.

The U.S. bishops support “reasonable restrictions on access to assault weapons and handguns.” No civilian needs access to an assault weapon, and we must reinstate a ban on them without delay.

■ We need to improve access to, and funding of, mental health services. While we don’t know yet if the shooter in Newtown had a diagnosed

mental illness, surely he suffered some kind of mental breakdown to go into a school and kill kids. Surely, there must have been signs beforehand that something wasn’t quite right.

Most people with a mental illness are not violent, but there’s no question that some can’t access the services they need to stay healthy and, in some cases, loved ones worry about the threat of violence.

One blog post that went viral in the aftermath of last week’s shooting was by a mother who wrote about the frustrations of trying to access services for her increasingly violent, mentally ill 13-year-old son. We need to ensure such services — which face funding cuts as the year-end “fiscal cliff approaches — are readily available and affordable to those who need them.

■ We must also look in the mirror and acknowledge how we intentionally or inadvertently promote a culture of death — one in which human life and human dignity are degraded in ways that desensitize people and PLEASE TURN TO DARKEST ON PAGE 9

This Catholic Life / Commentary

DECEMBER 20, 2012 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

9

Envisioning a Minnesota without poverty

E

Faith in the Public Arena Peter Noll

Conference’s primary goal was to distill three key issues on which to focus attention during the 2013 Legislature

arlier this month a coalition called “A Minnesota Without Poverty” convened an anti-poverty conference involving some 40 non-profit advocacy groups to collaborate, reinvigorate and bring fruition to the recommendations of the Legislative Commission to End Poverty in Minnesota by 2020, issued in 2009.

As an advocate for the economically disadvantaged and marginalized, the Minnesota Catholic Conference was among the participating advocacy organizations.

This movement to help reduce poverty began in 2001 within the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis and quickly evolved into an ecumenical and interfaith initiative to end poverty.

In 2004, the Catholic bishops of Minnesota, together with religious leaders from across the state, signed “A Common Foundation: Shared Principles for Work on Overcoming Poverty.” This document laid the groundwork to create the Legislative Commission to End Poverty in Minnesota by 2020.

The primary goal of the conference was to distill three key issues on which to focus their collective attention during the 2013 Legislature.

Emerging priorities A Minnesota Without Poverty will release these three key issues soon, but consensus in some promising legislative areas began to emerge by the conclusion of the conference.

The majority of the group already stands behind a family economic security bill that would, among other changes, increase the minimum wage to $9.50 an hour from the current state rate of $6.15 for large employers and $5.25 for small employers.

Currently, the federal minimum wage of $7.25 for large employers trumps the lower state wage. Minnesota has a training wage of $4.90 applicable to any worker under 20 years of age for their first 90 days of employment.

Employees exempt from the Minnesota minimum wage include taxi drivers, babysitters, elected officials, firefighters and police officers, and any employee subject to the Department of Transportation’s regulations (truck drivers, mechanics, loaders, etc.).

Minnesota employers may not pay an employee under $6.15 per hour unless the employee or an occupation are specifically exempt from the minimum wage under state or federal law. According to a recent study, 4.5 percent of Minnesota’s hourly workers earn the minimum wage or less.

A second initiative to emerge from the anti-poverty conference is restoring work as a way out of poverty.

Most people living in poverty are actively seeking gainful, meaningful employment to support themselves and their families.

An additional initiative may be increasing financial assets for households falling 200 percent or more below federal poverty levels (i.e., $37,060 annually for a family of three). Specifically, there are three types of assets: home purchasing, post-secondary education and small

business capitalization.

More information about services provided by Family Assets for Independence in Minnesota can be accessed by visiting WWW.MINNESOTA FAIM.ORG.

Catholic perspective As Catholics, we believe that God has a special concern for the poor.

The Church calls on all of us to put the needs of the poor first. This preferential option for the poor must include full participation in society and the economy.

According to our Catholic faith, each person has a right to the necessities for living a decent life — food, housing, health care, education and employment.

Catholic social teaching holds that work is more than a way to make a living: it is a form of participation in God’s creation. Ultimately then, the value of work is grounded in the dignity of the human beings who do it.

Wages are a critical way by which we recognize that dignity.

In his encyclical letter, “Quadragesimo Anno,” Pope Pius XI did not

retreat from the teaching that workers were due the wages needed to support their families.

In their 1986 pastoral message, “Economic Justice for All: Catholic Social Teaching and the U.S. Economy,” the Catholic bishops of the United States emphasized the importance of full employment for all who seek work, which is predicated on the conviction that human work has a special dignity and is a key to achieving justice in society.

The bishops acknowledged that government has a prominent and indispensable role to play in addressing the problem of unemployment by coordinating general economic policies and job creation.

Along with our coalition partners and state lawmakers, the Minnesota Catholic Conference supports this sustained effort to help reduce poverty for the over half-million of our Minnesota brothers and sisters suffering today.

Peter Noll is education director for the Minnesota Catholic Conference.

Darkest day of year should prompt us to take action CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8 make it easier to envision and perpetrate violent and evil acts — not just mass shootings, but also the killing and abuse that happens every day in cities across America.

Violent video games, television shows and movies are one problem. A casual acceptance of abortion, euthanasia, the death penalty and torture (if it purportedly serves the national interest) is another. So is the secularization of society that often sees little value in the moral vision religion has to offer.

Building a culture of life How much more violence are we going to tolerate before we take meaningful action? How many more Newtowns, Auroras, Columbines and Red Lakes do we have to suffer through?

We are better than this, and one doesn’t need to look any further for proof than to the heroes that emerged from that hor-

“The waiting and darkness of Advent will soon

give way to the light and hope of Christmas and the promise that God is with us, will comfort us, and help see us through this challenge as he does all others.

”

JOE TOWALSKI

rible day in Connecticut: the teachers who helped saved the lives of children, the first responders who showed incredible courage and determination, and the local priests and other clergy who ministered to the grieving families.

We grieve with them, too, and we continue to pray for the victims and their loved ones.

We, too, are parents who care for our children and want to protect them from every harm. And, we are concerned

Catholics who want to curb violence as much as possible and help build a culture of life.

Nothing we can do can ever guarantee that an incident like the Newtown school shooting will never happen again. But we can take meaningful measures to reduce the likelihood.

The darkest day of the year is typically Dec. 21, the winter solstice. This year the darkest day happened a week earlier. But the waiting and darkness of Advent will

What do you think?

What is the best way to respond to the school shooting tragedy in Newtown, Conn.?

Send your responses to The Catholic Spirit: ■ By email to CATHOLICSPIRIT@ ARCHSPM.ORG.

■ To The Catholic Spirit, 244 Dayton Ave., St. Paul, MN 55102.

Please include your name, city, parish and daytime telephone number at which you can be reached if we have questions. We will print a selection of responses online and in a future issue of The Catholic Spirit.

soon give way to the light and hope of Christmas and the promise that God is with us, will comfort us, and help see us through this challenge as he does all others.

10

Chris

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Christmas Essays Peanut ornament The ornament on my family Christmas tree I like best is a glittered peanut shell with “Peanut” etched on it. I bought it in 2009 when my husband and I were expecting to become parents a month after Christmas.

After two unsuccessful pregnancies I had a lot of prayer and hope for this pregnancy to go full-term. Peanut was the nickname we chose for the baby since the gender was to be a surprise. I hung that ornament on our tree during Christmas 2009 because Peanut was already a member of our family as far as I was concerned. On January 27, 2010 Peanut was named Jonah Mikael. He was the start of hope for me.

The Peanut ornament hangs underneath our angel treetopper next to a Sprout ornament for his sister, Emma Jean, who was born a year later on February 1. This year we will have to add yet another ornament for Baby who is due in early April.

My favorite ornament is the one God gave to us and allowed us to start our own family Christmas traditions.

Chris Pos Con

WIN

Tamara Frank St. Michael, Farmington

Picture from India

The Catholic Spirit asked yo

Christmas is the season of hope and every year we look forward to spending time with family and friends during this wonderful holiday. Every ornament that I put on my Christmas tree has a special place in my heart.

The ornament on my tree that I value most is the one made by a little boy from India. It is a picture that he drew and gave to me when we invited his family to have lunch with us on Christmas Day. For this little boy, that lunch with us was the best thing that had happened to him. Growing up in India, we had a tradition to invite one family who does not have the resources to have a meal on Christmas Day. We gave clothes and food to this family on Christmas Day. We never exchanged gifts among family members, instead we gave gifts to one needy family and the picture this little boy gave me to show his appreciation for what we had done is the best ornament I have on my Christmas tree. This ornament makes me understand the true meaning of Christmas.

Celina Joseph St. Mark, Shakopee

A Christmas work of art

Christmas posters by complet family Christmas tree I like b

The 208 entries came from acro a panel of Catholic Spirit staff

categories: grades1-3, grade

Entries were judged for artist

Each winner rece

New this year, adults and you

above and submit a 200 word A selection of the 103 e Michaela Sandquist Category: Grades 10-12 10th-grader, St. Agnes School, St. Paul St. Columba parish, St. Paul

My preschool reindeer ornament is made up of a popsicle stick with my name written on it in that crazy font we all have when we are little, where we can’t really control the size of our lettering so it basically takes up the whole thing. Then there are two uneven googly eyes with a bunch of extra glue all around them. Attached to the top and sides are slightly random brown pipe cleaners that pose as antlers. Lastly there is a random, broken candy cane taped in the middle. I think there was another Christmas art project going on at the time with candy canes and I thought my project deserved one as well. I’ll confess to licking that candy cane more than a few times in my childhood.

It’s strange to like such a gross, ugly little ornament that really should have been thrown away years ago, but I like its uniqueness. Sometimes all the perfect store-made ornaments don’t show emotion or effort. My little preschool creation nestled among all those shiny, perfect ornaments reminds me of when I trembled with excitement as I handed my parents that little pile of glue and popsicle sticks and my pride when they hung it on the Christmas tree. It fills me with Christmas spirit and reminds me what Christmas is all about.

Ella Fredrickson Grade 8, St. Thomas More School, St. Paul

Angels watching over me The ornament on my family Christmas tree I like best is an angel that I got from my Uncle Mike. It makes me think of all the people watching over me. I know that all of the people watching over me are keeping me safe. I always put it up on our Christmas tree first because it is very special because he died and I know that he is watching over me and keeping me safe, like all of the angels and people that have passed away. My brother and sister got one too. That is why I chose the angels that my uncle gave my siblings and me.

Quintin Fitzgerald Grade 6 St. Rose of Lima School, Roseville

Catherine Link Category: Grades 7-9 8th-grader, St. Joseph School, West St. Paul St. Joseph parish, West St. Paul

stmas

DECEMBER 20, 2012

11

Christmas Essays Sparkly snowman and bear cub The ornament on my family Christmas tree that I like best is an ornament with a sparkly snowman embracing a little bear cub. They are both bundled up in winter gear. This is my favorite one on my tree because of the smiles and the pure joy and love that I can see on both of their faces. Christmas is about finding and sharing the joy and love of God the Father, and His Son, Jesus, whom we celebrate during this season. It is about simplicity and hope, and I think that this ornament really shows that spirit. It calls us to a deeper relationship with God, and encourages us to invite Jesus into our lives, because we too can find God and experience the peace of His embrace.

Let us leave behind the craziness that takes us away from God, and get back to the true meaning of Christmas, which is finding the joy of Jesus. Share your gifts so that others can also find love. Remember to smile, because, “They shall know we are Christians by our love.” Christmas is a wonderful time of year; enjoy it, and Merry Christmas!

stmas ster ntest

NNERS

Katie Adams Grade 7 St. Vincent de Paul School, Brooklyn Park

ouths in grades one to 12 to create

ting the phrase, “The ornament on my

Sister’s cross

est is ...” and then drawing a picture.

The ornament on my family Christmas tree I like best is two small sticks held together by some string (and some super glue), which form a cross. Sister Bernelle created it. Most everybody has one but this one is my favorite because Sister Bernelle works so hard for our school and created one of those stick-crosses for everybody in the entire school. That was about 200 students when Sister made them. She puts a lot of hard work into St. Dominic School and she doesn’t get many thank-yous. So this is my way of saying, “thank you Sister Bernelle!”

oss the archdiocese and were judged by members, who chose winners in four s 4-6, grades 7-9 and grades 10-12.

tic skill, creativity and reproducibility.

eives a $50 Visa gift card.

uth were invited to finish the phrase

Colton Swartwoudt Grade 8 St. Dominic School, Northfield

essay about their favorite ornament.

ssays submitted is printed here.

Abbey Schmitz Category: Grades 4-6 6th-grader, St. Therese School, Deephaven St. Therese parish, Deephaven

Peace on earth The ornament on my family Christmas tree I like the best is our family ornament, which says “Peace” on it. Peace reminds me of Christmas because God wants peace on Earth so he sent his son Jesus to make peace in the world. On my ornament, behind the word “Peace” is an angel with its arms outstretched.

The angel represents Gabriel to me. It reminds me of when Mary was told that she was going to be a mother to Jesus. My ornament has a gold border that surrounds it. These remind me of rays of light representing God shining down on us. This ornament is special to me because it has so many meanings to it. Just looking at it makes me remember what Christmas is really about.

Matthew Hansberry Grade 6 St. Therese School, Deephaven

My family ‘Thanksmas’

Josephine Sandquist Category, Grades 1-3 3rd-grader, St. Agnes School, St. Paul St. Columba parish, St. Paul

My favorite ornament is from South Dakota. The ornament is a round ball with a picture of a pheasant on it.

This ornament is special to me because it reminds me of my grandparents and cousins that live there. It also reminds me about my hunting trip with my brother, dad, uncles, grandpa and cousins. We hunt for pheasants and deer. My favorite thing about our hunting trip was the clay pigeon contest. I hit 10 pigeons my first year shooting with my cousins.

We got this ornament from my grandma in South Dakota.

My family celebrates “Thanksmas” at my grandparents’ house every year. “Thanksmas” starts with Thanksgiving turkey dinner and ends with the opening of our Christmas presents. Last year at “Thanksmas,” my Uncle Jake gave everybody helicopter rides.

This ornament reminds me of the crazy things that happen when I am in South Dakota.

I can hardly believe that one little ornament reminds me of all of those things. Things don’t have to be shiny or flashy to be good, all they need is a good story behind them. And that’s my favorite ornament.

Eric Rabenberg Grade 5 Most Holy Redeemer School, Montgomery

12

Christmas

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • DECEMBER 20, 2012

What gift will you give to Jesus this Christmas?

By Jeff Cavins For The Catholic Spirit

Though Christmas will soon be happening on the liturgical calendar, the rest of the world has already been celebrating Christmas with decorations in every shop window and every ad on television.

There is no event on the American calendar that is so anticipated, so planned for, as Christmas. Media production companies, marketing firms, mall administrators, food caterers, toy manufacturers and airlines were all thinking about and preparing for Dec. 25 long before most of us.

In truth, they have been preparing, not so much for Dec. 25 as for someone — namely, you. You were the object of their marketing meetings, their advertising campaigns, their flight scheduling and their menus. All this preparation on your behalf should leave you with quite a special feeling, right?

Unfortunately, many people feel let down after the holidays. Annually, Christmas mysteriously raises our expectations, hopes and desires. It’s as if there has been placed in our hearts a longing, a thirst and a hunger for something that we can’t quite put our finger on.

Seeking peace The truth is that “our hearts are restless until they rest in God.” This hunger and thirst for peace and contentment lies beneath the surface of our daily schedules all throughout the year. The anticipation of Christmas awakens the realization that we are created for something or, more accurately, for someone.

The challenge we face is that in the midst of the busiest time of the year, with shopping, office parties and concerts, the Church calls on us to clear the way for the King of Kings to enter our lives in a more profound way.

This is the message of John the Baptist in John 1:6-8, 19-28: “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord’”(v. 23).

As we read the Gospels, we begin to see that Jesus certainly had a busy life, but he had a pace to his life that kept him focused on his priorities. Just before his Passion he prayed, Father, “I glorified you on earth by accomplishing the work that you gave me to do” (John 17:4).

“Among Jesus’ daily

activities, prayer was a priority.

”

JEFF CAVINS

Setting priorities

John’s message announces that the Messiah is coming and, therefore, our lives must be redirected if we are to fully receive him. How ironic — it’s precisely in the most activity-laden time of the year that we are called to make room for the most important person in the world, Jesus Christ.

How do we simplify our lives this Christmas so that we can give ourselves to the priorities that we profess? One way that is tried by many is to place external templates upon our lives, like time systems. How many of us have eagerly pursued the organization of our new iPhone or Android?

Organizational tools are certainly helpful, but employing a time system assumes we have determined priorities.

Henry David Thoreau once said, “There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root.” What is the root problem?

Allow me to suggest that the true explanation of the complexity of our lives is an inner one, not an outer one.

Oftentimes, the outer distractions in our lives reflect an inner lack of integration. We are trying to be and do so much without our life being organized by a single person, mastering life within us, Jesus Christ. This Christmas can become simplified when there is one unifying principal in our lives.

During this Christmas, we need to recognize that Jesus has been the one we have been preparing to meet, but he is also the model we follow as we prepare to meet him.

Among Jesus’ daily activities, prayer was a priority. It is during prayer that we determine what is the most important thing, what we should give our time and efforts toward. In prayer we scratch off our agenda those things that are not necessary, and it is in prayer that we add those things that will help us more faithfully walk as sons and daughters of God. Have you ever wondered about the content of Jesus’ prayer? What did he hear from his Father? Listen to what the Catechism tells us: “His words and works are the visible manifestation of his prayer in secret” (CCC 2602).

What Jesus gained in prayer became the action items in his daily to-do list.

The excitement we initially experience when the Christmas season rolls around just might be an invitation to a time of intimacy with God. Prepare the way for God to come into your life this year by responding with prayer to your heart’s longing. “Whether we realize it or not, prayer is the encounter of God’s thirst with ours. God thirsts that we may thirst for him” (CCC 2560).

A new attempt at a healthy prayer life could just be your gift to the King. One thing is for sure: After all this waiting through Advent, if the only thing we receive is a few material gifts, our hearts will continue to be restless until they rest in God. Have a restful Christmas.

Cavins teaches Scripture and serves as executive director of the Archbishop Harry J. Flynn Catechetical Institute.

2012 Catholic Spirit

Christmas Basketball Tournament y

FIRST ROUND — THURSDAY, DEC. 27

y

3:00 p.m. — Wayzata vs. Hill-Murray 4:45 p.m. — Rosemount vs. Providence Academy 6:30 p.m. — Cretin-Derham Hall vs. St. Agnes 8:15 p.m. — Milwaukee Bay View vs. Holy Angels

FRIDAY & SATURDAY, DEC. 28 & 29

• Losers’ bracket games each day at 3:00 and 4:45 p.m.

• Winners’ bracket games each night at 6:30 and 8:15 p.m. www.saintpaulseminary.org SOD057613

Anderson Athletic Complex, University of St. Thomas Cretin and Summit Avenues, St. Paul

“When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb.”

Luke 1:41

The Lesson Plan DECEMBER 20, 2012

Reflections on faith and spirituality

Divine joy through Christmas greetings

T

here are a number of ways in which we convey our joy at Jesus’ coming into the world.

One way is by sending Christmas cards to family and friends. Some of you may have already sent or received Christmas cards. Some of you will send most of your Christmas cards after Dec. 25. They won’t be late; it’s the Christmas season through Jan. 13, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

Another way in which we convey our joy at the birth of the Savior is how we greet others on Christmas with the words “Merry Deacon Christmas.”

John Drees When we greet others with these words we desire to convey the deep joy we have. We want to share with others the excitement we have in Christ’s birth. When we visit family or friends, our greeting can bring out joy and delight in those we meet.

When Mary went to visit and help her relative Elizabeth, the Scriptures mention the power of Mary’s greeting to her. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, she was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Was there something special in what Mary said that led Elizabeth to be filled with joy? We don’t know exactly what Mary said. But whatever she said, her message had an impression on Elizabeth.

Readings Sunday, Dec. 23 Fourth Sunday of Advent ■ Micah 5:1-4a ■ Hebrews 10:5-10 ■ Luke 1:39-45

Reflection This Christmas, how can I best convey the love of Jesus through what I say and do in the presence of others?

Sunday Scriptures

Gift of the Spirit Surely, Mary’s greeting was full of joy.

But not just any joy: It was the joy she had in carrying Jesus, the Son of God, in her

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“As Mary spoke, the Holy Spirit spoke to Elizabeth’s heart,” writes Deacon John Drees.

womb. Elizabeth rejoiced, and her own child leaped in her womb because Mary came and brought her the Son of God in the Spirit. Joy is always a gift of the Holy Spirit, and that Spirit always brings us to Jesus.

This does not mean that Mary did not play a role in leading Elizabeth to be filled with joy.

Mary’s greeting was the vehicle of the Holy Spirit. The Lord used Mary’s greeting as an instrument of his divine work. As

Mary spoke, the Holy Spirit spoke to Elizabeth’s heart. Mary spoke externally, and the Holy Spirit internally. In the joy of the Spirit, Elizabeth encountered Jesus.

Mary’s greeting was of the Spirit and that same Spirit brought joy to Elizabeth’s heart.

The Lord can use our words in the same way.

When we speak and greet others this Christmas with words of joy, gladness and celebration, we want our tone and body language to match the joyful words that come from our lips.

But, most important, we want the Holy Spirit to speak through our words as the Spirit spoke through Mary’s. We want to share the love of Jesus.

Holy Spirit, place your divine joy and Christ, the cause of our joy, into those we greet this Christmas season.

Deacon John Drees is in formation for the priesthood at St. Paul Seminary for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. His home parish is St. Mary in Shakopee, and his teaching parish is St. Pius X in White Bear Lake.

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Christmas trees remind believers of light of Christ Catholic News Service The light of Christ hasn’t dimmed over the past 2,000 years, but Christians today must resist attempts to extinguish it, knowing that whenever societies have tried to pretend God did not exist, tragedy followed, Pope Benedict XVI said.

He made his remarks Dec. 14 during an audience with civic leaders and pilgrims from the town of Pescopennataro and the province of Isneria, which donated the 78-foot silver fir tree that became the Christmas tree in St. Peter’s Square.

Light still shines Isaiah prophesied the coming of the Messiah as “a great light for the people who walked in darkness,” the pope said. “God became human and lived among us to scatter the darkness of error and sin, bringing humanity his divine light.”

“This great light — of which the Christmas tree is a sign and a reminder — not only hasn’t dimmed with the passing of centuries and millennia, but continues to shine on us and enlighten each person who comes into this world, especially when we go through moments of uncertainty and difficulty,” the pope said.

Throughout history when dictators and ideologues have “tried to extinguish God’s light,” he said, “periods marked by tragic violence” and attempts to destroy human beings followed in their wake.

Daily Scriptures Sunday, Dec. 23 Fourth Sunday of Advent Micah 5:1-4a Hebrews 10:5-10 Luke 1:39-45 Monday, Dec. 24 Vigil of the Nativity of the Lord Isaiah 62:1-5 Acts 13:16-17, 22-25 Matthew 1:1-25 Tuesday, Dec. 25 The Nativity of the Lord (Holy day of obligation) (Dawn) Isaiah 62:11-12 Titus 3:4-7 Luke 2:15-20 Wednesday, Dec. 26 St. Stephen, the first martyr Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59 Matthew 10:17-22

Luke 2:22-35 Sunday, Dec. 30 The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14 Colossians 3:12-21 Luke 2:41-52

Church 1 John 2:22-28 John 1:19-28 Thursday, Jan. 3 The Most Holy Name of Jesus 1 John 2:29 — 3:6 John 1:29-34

Monday, Dec. 31 St. Sylvester I, pope 1 John 2:18-21 John 1:1-18

Friday, Jan. 4 St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, religious 1 John 3:7-10 John 1:35-42

Friday, Dec. 28 The Holy Innocents, martyrs 1 John 1:5 — 2:2 Matthew 2:13-18

Tuesday, Jan. 1 Mary, the Holy Mother of God (Holy day of obligation) Numbers 6:22-27 Galatians 4:4-7 Luke 2:16-21

Saturday, Jan. 5 St. John Neumann, bishop 1 John 3:11-21 John 1:43-51

Saturday, Dec. 29 St. Thomas Becket, bishop and martyr 1 John 2:3-11

Wednesday, Jan. 2 Sts. Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, bishops and doctors of the

Thursday, Dec. 27 St. John, apostle and evangelist 1 John 1:1-4 John 20:2-8

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Sunday, Jan. 6 The Epiphany of the Lord Isaiah 60:1-6 Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6 Matthew 2:1-12

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The Lesson Plan

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • DECEMBER 20, 2012

Golden opportunity for faith-sharing

By Father Michael Van Sloun For The Catholic Spirit

Disciples are sent to proclaim the Good News. Every day is a good day to share the message of Jesus Christ.

And, while regular days are good, Christmastime often is even better.

With so many Christian symbols in use and so many holiday events to attend, people may want to know more about the underlying reason behind the celebration and be well-disposed to learn more about the Christmas story.

Holiday time is a festive time, and with so many being of good cheer, there may be more openness to listening to faith-sharing.

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service

Some suggestions ■ Be joyful!

Advent is a season of joyful preparation, and the birth of Jesus is joy to the world! Christians are positive and upbeat, happy and cheerful. No one is attracted to crabbiness, pouting or grumpiness. A big smile and a bright mood set the stage for faith-sharing to happen.

■ Be kind.

Go out of your way to recognize others, greet them, be warm and friendly, be helpful, do favors, listen attentively, offer compliments and express encouragements.

No one is attracted to rudeness or snobbishness.

■ Be generous.

Christmas is the time for giving presents. It is also the time for hospitality. Do your best to be big-hearted. Wel-

Urging Catholics to “pick up the Bible” and read it during the Year of Faith, Pope Benedict XVI said the Scriptures recount the story of God’s love for humanity and the steps he took throughout history to save all men and women.

“That which enlightens and gives full meaning to the history of the world and of the human person began to shine in the grotto of Bethlehem. It is the mystery we soon will contemplate at Christmas: our salvation in Jesus Christ,” the pope said Dec. 12 during his weekly general audience.

A 100-member delegation from the Mexican state of Michoacan was among the 4,500 visitors and pilgrims at the audience; artists and craftspeople in the state created the Nativity scene already decorating the stage of the audience hall. With the audience being held on the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, people waved banners with the famous image.

Pope Benedict said the word “advent,” which means “coming” or “presence,” in ancient times was used to refer to the official visit of the king or emperor to a certain province.

“For us Christians, Advent indicates a wonderful and moving reality: God himself has crossed the threshold of heaven,” he said. With the birth of Christ, “he is the king who came down to visit this poor province, which is earth, and gave us the gift of his visit, assuming our flesh, becoming human like us.”

From The Vatican

Getting grounded Before we attempt to speak about Christ, we need to be well-grounded ourselves. The first apostles spent time with Jesus before they went on mission. During the preChristmas hustle and bustle, it is more important than ever for us to spend time with Jesus, to set aside time for liturgical and personal prayer.

Sunday Mass is indispensable. As we listen to Scripture and hear it explained, it is a time to review and expand our spiritual understanding. And, as we receive holy Communion, we are given the strength and courage we need to bring Jesus and his Gospel to others.

Personal prayer is also imperative. It is the way to deepen our personal relationship with Jesus. We cannot give what we do not have. Moreover, if faith-sharing is going to be convincing, it must be genuine and authentic.

Faith-sharing should be respectful and gentle, not pushy and aggressive. Jesus invited. He did not demand.

Jesus often began with miracles, tremendous good deeds, which led people to believe. Christmastime is the perfect time for us to do exceptionally good deeds, and if someone should open the door and ask “Why?” we should be ready to walk in with an explanation.

Pope asks Catholics to read Bible, recall history of God’s saving love

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come guests. Make them feel at home. Set out treats and beverages. Serve nice meals. Share thoughtful gifts. No one is attracted to stinginess. Should someone notice and ask, “Why do you give so much?” we can seize the opportunity and reply, “God has been incredibly generous to me” and then share how God has provided blessings.

■ Put up religious decorations.

Display a manger scene, put a Christmas star or angel on top of the tree. They can be excellent conversation starters and provide an opportunity to tell the Christmas story.

■ Give spiritual gifts.

Buy presents that can lead others to Jesus. Some examples would be the Bible, a prayer book, cross or crucifix, rosary, religious medal or CD of sacred hymns or praise-and-worship music.

■ Be ready to jump at the offer.

If someone should ask, “What would you like for Christmas?” don’t miss the opportunity! You might reply: “What would really make me happy would be if you would come with me to church this Christmas.” Then extend the invitation to the rest of the year and offer to help them learn more about their faith.

As we celebrate Christmas, let us be on the lookout for opportunities to share our faith in Jesus with others. After all, Jesus is the reason for the season.

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

God is with us From the creation of the world to Noah and the flood, from the call of Abraham to the giving of the law on Mount Sinai, the Bible is the story of how God repeatedly has acted in history to demonstrate his presence, his love for humanity and his desire to save all men and women, Pope Benedict said.

“Advent calls us to recall the history of his presence and always remember that God did not cut himself off from the world, he isn’t absent and he does not abandon us,” but “he comes to meet us in the different ways, which we must learn to discern,” the pope said.

“And we, with our faith, hope and charity, are called each day to recognize and give witness to his presence in a world that is often superficial and distracted.”

The role of Christians today, he added, is to make sure that “the light that lit up the manger in Bethlehem” shines through their lives.

As Christmas nears, we pray for courage to do God’s will Advent Week 4 — Dec. 23 The following Advent wreath prayer is intended to help busy households make Advent a prayerful time during the rush of Christmas preparations. The language is fairly simple to be used by groups of adults or adults with children, and options are noted to allow for participation by a variety of members of the household.

Leader: The fourth and final week of the season of Advent begins today, so we are almost there! As we near Christmas, we take these few moments in prayer so that we are better prepared to welcome the Christ Child into our hearts and into our lives.

■ Light all four of the candles on the Advent wreath.

■ (optional) Read aloud Micah 5:1-4a; Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:3-45.

Leader: This fourth week of Advent, the reading from the Hebrew Scriptures reminds us of how the birth of the Savior was foretold generations before.

The Jewish people waited many, many centuries for

a savior. And St. Paul won’t let us forget the reason for Christmas — that Jesus was born so that he could die and atone for our sins. The familiar story of Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth should make us reflect on how both of these women put their trust in God to give birth to sons. Do we have that kind of faith?

Closing prayer: (Leader may read all, or others in the household may each read a segment) ■ Father in heaven, help us learn to be patient. We know that you know our needs and will satisfy them in your time.

■ God above, as you found favor in the Virgin Mary and her cousin Elizabeth, help us live so that you find favor in our lives. Give us the courage to accept your will.

■ Along with Mary, help us, too, to say, “Yes, God. Do with me as you want. Make me your hands on earth.”

■ Holy Spirit, inspire us to live every day as if Christmas is just a day away.

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“Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens.”

J.R.R. Tolkien, from ‘The Fellowship of the Ring’

Arts & Culture Exploring our church and our world

DECEMBER 20, 2012

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

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Three books offer insights on church teachings ■ “One Faith, Many Faithful: Short Takes on Contemporary Catholic Concerns” by William J. Byron, SJ. Paulist Press (Mahwah, N.J., 2012) 138 pp., $15.95.

■ “How to Defend the Faith Without Raising Your Voice: Civil Responses to Catholic Hot-Button Issues” by Austen Ivereigh. Our Sunday Visitor (Huntington, Ind., 2012). 160 pp., $13.95.

He is a prolific writer on a wide assortment of topics.

This book is no exception; Father Byron offers 59 short essays on topics of religion and ethics, business and politics, education and

deputy editor of the British Catholic magazine, The Tablet. He is the founder of Catholic Voices, a group that prepares people to speak to the media on Catholic issues. The book is a product of that group.

■ “The Seeker’s Catechism: The Basics of Catholicism” by Michael Pennock. Ave Maria Press (Notre Dame, Ind., 2012). 150 pp., $6.95.

Reviewed by Daniel S. Mulhall Catholic News Service

Although similar in some ways, these three books are vastly different in substance and style.

Only one, “The Seeker’s Catechism,” fits the traditional catechism approach of offering questions and then providing answers, yet the other two are, in their own unique ways, catechetical. They each offer thoughtful yet easy-to-understand responses to questions of faith.

“One Faith, Many Faithful” is by Jesuit Father William J. Byron, a professor of business and society at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, and the past president at such distinguished Catholic institutes of higher education as the University of Scranton, The Catholic University of America and Loyola University in New Orleans.

family, and people and ideas. Each of the essays is clearly written and presented; each offers more than a few kernels for thought. This book would make for spirited conversations in book clubs and discussion groups, whether in or outside the church. Father Byron evangelizes here using the critical social issues of our time.

“How to Defend the Faith Without Raising Your Voice” by Austen Ivereigh is another book that will be of interest to book clubs and discussion groups. Ivereigh is a journalist and author on Catholic issues. He formerly served as a

Ivereigh’s premise is simple: Catholics are continually being asked by friends and colleagues to speak on behalf of the church; this book provides us with the language and information we need to present the church’s teaching to the best of our abilities. The book is “the result of a group of Catholics getting together to prepare themselves” to address important issues. It reflects the method they have developed to present answers “quickly, compellingly, and sound(ing) like a human being.”

The book offers clear, wellthought-out presentations on topics

of the church and politics, homosexuality, contraception, religious freedom, assisted suicide, sexual abuse by clergy and several others, all from a thoroughly Catholic point of view.

Michael Pennock’s “The Seeker’s Catechism” is a revision of the original book, first published in 1994. Pennock, who died in 2009, was a Catholic high school religion teacher for more than 35 years and the author of numerous high school religion textbooks. From this experience he developed a delightful way of explaining difficult and complex concepts in such a way that his reader would understand without feeling talked down to or belittled.

That style is clearly present here as he answers 210 questions about the faith. This is an abridged catechism, meaning that while it covers many important topics, it also ignores many more. It would make a valuable handbook for people entering the church and those looking for a personal reflection; it may not be complete enough to use as a text.

The book ends with a collection of standard Catholic prayers, which makes it an even more valuable resource for someone entering the church.

Also of interest ■ “The Seven Big Myths About the Catholic Church: Distinguishing Fact from Fiction about Catholicism” by Christopher Kaczor.

Ignatius Press (San Francisco, 2012). 164 pp., $17.95.

■ “The Best of Being Catholic” by Kathy Coffey.

Orbis Books (Maryknoll, N.Y., 2012).

168 pp., $17.

Mulhall is a speaker and writer on topics related to evangelization, catechesis and pastoral planning.

‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’

By John Mulderig Catholic News Service

Over 100 adult & youth singers and Vietnamese dancers from St. Anne/St. Joseph Hien join together to offer song and dance.

TheCatholicSpirit.com

“The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” (Warner Bros.), directed by Peter Jackson, is an epic 3-D adaptation of the opening part of Catholic author J.R.R. Tolkien’s 1937 children’s novel “The Hobbit, or There and Back Again.”

In this first installment of a trio of prequels to Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, also based on Tolkien’s fiction, a homebody hobbit (Martin Freeman) is reluctantly convinced by a wizard (Ian McKellen) to accompany and aid a group of dwarves (led by Richard Armitage) in their quest to recapture their ancient stronghold, a storehouse of fabulous wealth long ago conquered by a rampaging dragon.

The heroism of ordinary people and the potential for everyday goodness to subdue evil are the primary themes of the long, combat-heavy adventure

that follows. As the titular character proves his mettle, the corrupting effects of power are also showcased through his encounter with a cave dweller (Andy Serkis) who is obsessed with — and spiritually enslaved by — a magical ring.

Not for the easily frightened or those with short attention spans, Jackson’s sweeping journey across Tolkien’s imaginary world of Middleearth is an upbeat outing suitable for all others.

The movie features much bloodless action violence and some mild grossout humor. The Catholic News Service classification is A-II — adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Mulderig is on the staff of Catholic News Service.

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Calendar

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • DECEMBER 20, 2012

Dining out

Don’t Miss

Fish fry at Knights of Columbus Hall, Bloomington — Every Friday: 5 to 9 p.m. at 1114 American Blvd. Cost is $10.95. Call (952) 888-1492 for reservations.

Chicken and rib dinner at Knights of Columbus Hall, Bloomington — Every Wednesday: 5 to 9 p.m. at 1114 American Blvd. Cost is $10.95. Call (952) 888-1492 for reservations.

Parish events Christmas concert and Nativity play at Holy Family Maronite Church, Mendota Heights — December 20: 6:30 to 8 p.m. at 1960 Lexington Ave. S. Features traditional Christmas carols and Maronite hymns. Visit WWW.HOLYFAMILY MARONITECHURCH.ORG. Festival of Lessons and Carols featuring Father Michael Joncas at st.

Bartholomew, Wayzata — December 21: 7 p.m. at 630 E. Wayzata Blvd. Experience Child of Wonder, Love in Flesh, this year’s service of readings and music from the Incarnation season. No charge for this event. For information, visit WWW.ST-BARTS.ORG. Christmas family sing-a-long at St. Bridget of Sweden, Lindstrom — December 23: 6:30 p.m. at 13060 Lake Blvd. Features pianist Mike Hubbard.

Call (651) 257-2474 for directions. All are welcome.

Festive concert of carols and instrumental music at St. Mary, St. Paul — December 24: Begins at 4:50 p.m., before the 5:30 p.m. Mass at 261 Eighth St. E. ‘Bethlehem: A Hands-on Experience’

Cathedral Young Adults kicks off winter ‘Theology on Tap’ The ‘Theology on Tap’ winter series begins January 2 at The Glockenspiel Restaurant in St. Paul.

Doors open at 7 p.m. for “Grill the Priest” Father John Ubel, rector of the Cathedral of St. Paul, will speak and answer questions from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. followed by further discussion and fellowship.

All sessions are free of charge; however, drinks and food are not included. The event, sponsored by the Cathedral Young Adults group, will be held Wednesdays through February 6.

The Glockenspiel Restaurant is located at 605 7th St. W. at Mary, Mother of the Church, Burnsville — January 5 and 6: After the 4 p.m. Mass Saturday and after the 8:30 and 11 a.m. Masses Sunday at 3333 Cliff Road. During Epiphany weekend, experience the culture during the time of Jesus’ birth. There will be refreshments and activities for all ages. Everyone is encouraged to dress in costume.

Prayer/ liturgies Sant’Egidio Community Evening Prayer at St. Richard, Richfield — every Thursday: 7 p.m. at 7540 Penn Ave. S. Legion of Mary prayers in front of Planned Parenthood, St. Paul — Every Friday: 3 p.m. at the corner of Vandalia and Charles. For information, call (651) 439-9098.

Knights of Columbus traveling rosary at St. Agnes, St. Paul — December 23: 2 p.m. at 548 Lafond Ave.

All night vigil with the Blessed Sacrament at Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Paul — January 4 and 5: 7 p.m. Friday to 8 a.m. Saturday at 401 Concord St.

Singles Sunday Spirits walking group for 50plus Catholic singles — ongoing Sundays: For Catholic singles to meet and make friends. The group usually meets in St. Paul on Sunday afternoons. For information, call Judy at (763) 221-3040 or Al at (651) 482-0406.

Singles group at St. Vincent de Paul, Brooklyn Park — ongoing second Saturday each month: 6 :15 p.m. at 9100 93rd Ave. N. Gather for a potluck supper, conversation and games. For information, call (763) 425-0412.

Twin Cities Catholic Singles Christmas dinner/dance at David Fong’s Restaurant, Bloomington — January 5: Cocktail hour at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. and then dancing

at 9329 Lyndale Ave. S. Cost for the dinner and dance is $20, dinner only is $10. Make reservations by December 27, (651) 603-1412.

Other events ‘An O. Henry Christmas Musical’ at Open Window Theatre, Minneapolis — December 26 to 30: 7:45 p.m. December 26 to 29 and 2 p.m. December 30 at 1313 Chestnut Ave. For information and tickets, visit WWW.OPEN WINDOWTHEATRE.ORG. ‘Crossing the Threshold’ retreat at Benedictine Center, Maplewood — December 31 to January: The process of visio divina will be used to explore the story of John the Baptist, and help participants consider the ways of God and move more deeply into their desire to lead a more Christian life. Cost is $95 and includes lodging and meals. To register online, go to WWW.STPAULSMONASTERY.ORG and follow the link to the Benedictine Center. For more information, call (651) 777-7251.

Benedictine Center is at 2675 Benet Road in Maplewood.

11th Annual Catholic Conference sponsored by The Archdiocesan Association of the Holy Name Society at All Saints, Lakeville — January 12: Begins with Mass at 5 p.m. at 19795 Holyoke Ave. Dinner at 6 p.m. followed by presentation. The theme of this year’s conference is "Radical Catholic", featuring Chris Padgett, nationally known speaker, musician, song writer, author and convert to the Catholic faith. Conference is designed for parents and their teens.

Youth groups and confirmation classes are encouraged to attend.

Register by January 8. For information, visit WWW.NOMENSANCTUM.ORG.

Calendar Submissions DEADLINE: Noon Thursday, seven days before the anticipated Thursday date of publication.

ITEMS MUST INCLUDE the following: • 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.

life is good • Independent Catholic, coed Montessori PK–grade 6 • All-girls, Catholic, college preparatory grades 7–12

Winter Admissions Events Tuesday, January 8 at 7:00 p.m.

Upper School (Grades 9-12) Open House Tuesday, January 15 at 6:30 p.m.

Lower School (Grades Pre-K-5) Information Program Tuesday, January 22 at 0 p.m.

Middle School (Grades 6-8) Information Program Tuesday, February 5 at 9:30 a.m.

Lower School (Grades Pre-K-5) Admissions Morning For information call 651-683-1700 or visit www.visitation.net

NOTICE:

Look for The Catholic Spirit advertising insert from CATHOLIC

CHARITIES in all copies of this issue.

“Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been.”

Mark Twain

From Age to Age DECEMBER 20, 2012

A Catholic Spirit special section

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

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Knights chorus sharing joy of music for more than 5 decades

By Jennifer Janikula For The Catholic Spirit

From a Lutefisk-themed Christmas carol to Puccini’s “Ave Maria,” the Minneapolis Area Knights of Columbus Male Chorus has been sharing the joy of music with audiences for 55 years.

More than just the music, the chorus offers members camaraderie and an opportunity to serve others.

The Minneapolis Area Knights of Columbus Male Chorus was established in 1957. At that time, its primary purpose was to sing at special Masses honoring new officers for several Knights of Columbus councils.

One of the founding members, Raymond Herkenhoff, still sings with the chorus. It seems obvious that the joy of singing is what keeps him coming back every year, but he especially enjoys singing at mass.

“I love the Mass. It’s very special to me, and when I sing the Mass it’s for the honor and glory of God,” Herkenhoff

said.

Today, the chorus has 25 active members from seven different Knights of Columbus councils and nine parishes in the Minneapolis area. They continue to sing at annual Knights of Columbus installations but have added many other events to their schedule, including memorial services and Christmas programs.

Their repertoire of songs has expanded as well. The chorus continues to sing Mass music, but members have added other religious songs, Christmas carols and even a few show tunes to their performances.

The chorus spends most of December visiting nursing homes and other care centers. The Christmas program includes Christmas carols, lots of laughs, and even a visit from Santa. Residents at many care centers look forward to the chorus’ Christmas program each year, members said.

“More than 100 people gather in our PLEASE TURN TO CHORUS ON PAGE 19

Dianne Towalski / The Catholic Spirit

Members of the Minneapolis Knights of Columbus Male Chorus donned Santa hats for a Dec. 14 performance and sing-a-long for seniors at St. Therese Southwest Senior Care Community in Hopkins.

Mark Your Calendars and Join Us for a FREE Event Series!

Memories of 1938 January 7, 2013 2:00 pm

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The Towers · 1011 Feltl Court · Hopkins, MN 55343 For More Information Call: 952-960-5558 www.StThereseSouthwest.com

18

From Age to Age

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • DECEMBER 20, 2012

Caring for seniors is essential work of Church

By Deacon Dan Gannon For The Catholic Spirit

In his encyclical letter, “Deus Caritas Est” (“God Is Love”), Pope Benedict XVI makes an important connection between the sacrificial love God has revealed in Jesus Christ and how the charitable activity of the Church manifests God’s love and is essential to the life of the Church.

The Holy Father states: “As the years went by and the Church spread further afield, the exercise of charity became established as one of her essential activities, along with the administration of the sacraments and the proclamation of the word: love for widows and orphans, prisoners, and the sick and needy of every kind, is as essential to her as the ministry of the sacraments and preaching of the Gospel (“Deus Caritas Est,” n. 22).

Given this context, I believe we are challenged to reflect during this Advent and Christmas season on how we recognize and reach out in charity and service to seniors in our families, our parishes and those whom we touch in our local communities.

Pope Benedict exhorts us to ensure the grace of the sacraments and the Word of God we receive bear fruit in our charitable works for those in need. The love and life we receive from Our Lord must be proclaimed and shared in very concrete and practical ways.

How can we do this?

Treasure to the Church Seniors in our midst are in particular need these days, and seniors also represent a great treasure of the Church — a veritable treasure-trove of wisdom, experience and love to be tapped into and shared in our families and parishes.

Our seniors represent the fastest and largest growing segment of our population in the Church. By 2030, one in four Minnesotans will be age 65 or older — double the current number. The number of those age 85 years and older will triple. This year, 10,000 baby boomers a day will turn 65, and the trend will continue for the next 20 years.

Seniors in our midst desire to stay at home safely and longer, while remaining connected to their families and local parish community.

Pope Benedict reminds us of our obligation as Catholics to minister to the needs of others. We cannot delegate charity and care of our brothers and sisters to the government. It is a personal obligation for each of us to care for the whole person in both body and soul.

Our seniors deserve to be treated as we would treat Jesus Christ himself: “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40).

The needs of seniors and their families

must be critical elements of any parish ministry, and as an archdiocese we are beginning to take new action.

Catholic Senior Services is an archdiocesan-sponsored association of seven Catholic senior care providers in the archdiocese that are dedicated to facilitating better connections between seniors, parish communities and essential services.

We will be providing regular articles in The Catholic Spirit about senior issues, so please stay tuned. Visit WWW.CATHOLIC SENIORSERVICES.ORG or call the CSS Help Line at (877) 420-6461 for more information.

Deacon Dan Gannon is president and CEO of Catholic Senior Services.

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THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • DECEMBER 20, 2012

Chorus seeking new members Peacemakers defend, promote life, pope says in peace day message CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

chapel to watch the Knights perform,” said Steve Williams, director of therapeutic recreation at St. Therese of New Hope. “We absolutely love them, and they bring much joy to our residents.”

The “Big Sing” is another event chorus members look forward to each year.

The group has been a member of the Associated Male Choruses of America since 1964. The upper-Midwest district of the AMCA hosts an annual weekend gathering of more than 350 voices where members share music, fellowship and a spirit of service.

New voices welcome As the chorus continues to evolve, new voices are always welcome.

Currently, members range in age from 55 to 101.

“Getting new members is a major concern since our average age is 76 years young,” said Jerry Simcoe, the chorus’ general manager.

The chorus recruits most of its members from the choirs of Minneapolis-area parishes.

Simcoe jokes about his best recruiting strategy: “I always like to ask the wives if they’d like to get their husbands out of the house for two hours per week, nine months per year.”

New singers need to be male adults and practicing Catholics; they do not need to be members of the Knights of Columbus. Spouses regularly attend performances and are invited to the annual Big Sing weekend.

Join the chorus The Minneapolis Area Knights of Columbus Male Chorus performs a wide range of music, including classical, spiritual, seasonal and even a few show tunes. The chorus season runs from September through June with weekly practices and approximately 25 performances. You do not need to be a member of the Knights of Columbus to join. For more information, contact chorus general manager Jerry Simcoe at (763) 315-0657.

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service

True peacemakers defend human life at every stage of its existence and promote the common good through their economic policies and activities, Pope Benedict XVI said.

In his annual message for the World Day of Peace Jan. 1, Pope Benedict said attacks on human dignity and human rights — from abortion and euthanasia to limits on religious freedom, and from religious fanaticism to “unregulated financial capitalism” — undermine efforts to bring peace to the world.

The pope’s message was released Dec. 14 at a Vatican news conference led by Cardinal Peter Turkson, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.

Promoting life While reiterating Catholic teaching about the sacredness of every human life and about the dangers of an unregulated free-market economy, Pope Benedict’s message explained those teachings as logical, natural principles needed for a life marked by dignity and peaceful coexistence.

In fact, he said, some people may not even realize they are promoting a “false peace” when they urge the legislative adoption of “false rights or freedoms,” employing “the clever use of ambiguous expressions aimed at promoting

a supposed right to abortion and euthanasia.”

True peacemakers, the pope said, “are those who love, defend and promote human life in all its dimensions.”

“Anyone who loves peace cannot tolerate attacks and crimes against life,” he said.

Pope Benedict also said peacemakers need to take a new look at the importance of the traditional family in handing on the values that promote peace and in resolving problems and tensions that undermine peace.

“The family is one of the indispensable social subjects for the achievement of a culture of peace,” he said.

Cardinal Turkson, presenting the message, said Pope Benedict was being very concrete in helping people understand what it takes to promote true peace. “He calls attention to the most urgent problems, the correct vision of matrimony, the right to conscience objection, religious freedom as ‘freedom to’ (contribute to society), the question of work and unemployment, the food crisis, the financial crisis and the role of the family in education.”

As part of Pope Benedict’s discussion about religious freedom, he insisted governments recognize and uphold “the right to invoke the principle of conscientious objection in the face of laws or government measures that offend against human dignity, such as abortion and euthanasia.”

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20

Overheard THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Quotes from this week’s newsmakers

DECEMBER 20, 2012 “Our lives will never be the same. But neither will we have to face a single day without the strength and peace that only ARCHBISHOP LORI Christ can give to us. In that strength and in that peace, I am very much united with you today.”

— Baltimore Archbishop William Lori, the bishop of Bridgeport, Conn., from 2001 until he was named to Baltimore in March, in a letter read at all of the Sunday Masses Dec. 16 at St. Rose of Lima in Newtown, Conn.

“Anyone who loves peace cannot tolerate attacks and crimes against life.”

Above, Deacons Kevin Abakisi, Robert Abotzabire, Albert Wugaa and Peter Akudugu stand before Bishop Alfred Agyenta of the Diocese of NavrongoBolgatanga during their ordination to the priesthood Dec. 1 in Bawku, Ghana.

The four men studied at the St. Paul Seminary. (See story below.)

Left, Bishop Alfred Agyenta of the Diocese of Navrongo-Bolgatanga in Ghana poses with Deacons Kevin Abakisi, left, Robert Abotzabire, Peter Akudugu and Albert Wugaa as the four men prepare for ordination to the priesthood.

Photos courtesy of Father Nicholas VanDenBroeke

Local priests visit Ghana to attend ordination Several priests from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis recently traveled to Ghana to attend the ordination Mass of four men from that country to the priesthood. They completed their formation at the St. The Paul Seminary.

Catholic Spirit One of the priests who made the trip was Father Peter Laird, vicar general of the archdiocese, who served at the seminary as vice rector during part of the time the four men were there.

The men who were ordained (see photos above) were Fathers Kevin Abakisi, Robert Abotzabire, Peter Akudugu, and Albert Wugaa. Presiding at the ordination was Bishop Alfred Agyenta of the Diocese of NavrongoBolgatanga. Two of their classmates from the St. Paul Seminary attended the

News Notes

ordination at St. Anthony of Padua in Bawku on Dec. 1 — Father Nicholas VanDenBroeke and Father Evan Koop.

The two priests were ordained in May in the archdiocese, along with Father Ben Little.

“It was powerful because these four guys are good friends of mine who I’ve gotten to know over the last four years,” said Father VanDenBroeke. “It meant a lot to me to be able to be there for their ordination and to support them.”

Memorial service set for Father Bernard Reiser A service in memory of Father Bernard Reiser will be held at Epiphany in Coon Rapids Dec. 27, the one-year anniversary of his death. A 6:30 p.m.

Mass will be followed by refreshments and fellowship.

Several years ago, Father Reiser founded Reiser Relief, a non-profit organization, to provide relief, hope and dignity to the poor, elderly and homeless people of Haiti.

Since his death, family members have joined the Reiser Relief board and are committed to carrying on their uncle’s legacy in Haiti. His niece, Ann Brau, is currently serving as president of the organization.

“Father touched the lives of countless thousands of people statewide through his years as a priest, and we continue to receive correspondence and support from so many of them,” Brau said.

Reiser Relief, Inc., is currently raising funds to construct the Father Reiser Memorial Elder Care Facility in Titanyen, Haiti. More than half the funds needed for the project were raised on Give to the Max Day, an online giving event Nov. 15, organized by GIVEMN.ORG.

— Pope Benedict XVI, in his annual message for the World Day of Peace Jan. 1

“Governments might be able to live with this agreement, but people, the world’s poorest in particular, and the planet cannot.”

— Emilie Johann of the international alliance of Catholic development agencies known as CIDSE, on the lack of new, major action on climate change at U.N. talks in Doha, Qatar, beyond a Dec. 8 agreement to extend the Kyoto Protocol curbing greenhouse gas emissions