The Catholic Spirit - April 23, 2015

New schools direction 5 • ACCW vision 6 • Father Barron at UST 7 April 23, 2015 Newspaper of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis

thecatholicspirit.com

AUGUST

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A claims filing deadline has been set for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis’ creditors, including sexual abuse claimants.

Attorneys call it a step toward helping those who hurt and a plan for Reorganization.

See story on page 4

ALSO inside

A voice for kids with autism

The role of a deacon

Getting away from it all

With a song, St. Hubert student asks classmates to speak up for people with autism, including her brother — Page 6

Nearly 50 years after the Church resurrected the permanent diaconate, deacons still regularly get the question, ‘What does a deacon do?’

— Pages 14-15

After five decades, Dunrovin Retreat Center continues to focus on youth and the need for respite and quiet to hear God — Pages 17-20

Page Two

2 in PICTURES

“For us, the story of Marathon Monday 2013 should not be defined by the actions or beliefs of the defendant, but by the resiliency of the human spirit and the rallying cries of this great city. We can never replace what was taken from us, but we can continue to get up every morning and fight another day.”

Bill and Denise Richard, Catholics and parents of Martin Richard, the 8-year-old killed in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings, in a letter in the Boston Globe opposing the death penalty for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, who was found guilty on all 30 counts related to the attack that killed three people and severely injured 260 others at the finish line.

NEWS notes • The Catholic Spirit

Seven men to take next step on way to priesthood PRIESTLY HOOPS Father Patrick Barnes corrals the ball with pressure from Brandon Theisen (16) during the annual Priests versus Seminarians basketball tournament, which took place April 10 at Totino-Grace High School in Fridley. The priests defeated a team consisting of seminarians from the St. Paul Seminary, 48-47, in overtime to claim the championship. The seminarians earned the right to play the priests, which included men from the Archdiocese plus two from the Diocese of St. Cloud, by defeating the St. John Vianney team, 57-45. The event also included a three-point shooting contest between games. Dave Hrbacek/The Catholic Spirit

Seven men will be ordained as transitional deacons by Archbishop John Nienstedt during a 10 a.m. Mass May 2 at the Basilica of St. Mary, 88 17th St. N. in Minneapolis.

The seven to be ordained for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis are: Neil Bakker – teaching parish: Holy Cross in Minneapolis; home parish: Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul Michael Daly – teaching parish: Divine Mercy in Faribault; home parish: Lumen Christi in St. Paul Kyle Kowalczyk – teaching parish: Annunciation/Visitation in Minneapolis; home parish: St. Joseph in West St. Paul James Michael McClellan – teaching parish: Nativity of Our Lord in St. Paul; home parish: Divine Mercy in Faribault Matthew Northenscold – teaching parish: Immaculate Conception in Columbia Heights; home parish: St. Timothy in Maple Lake Mark Pavlak – teaching parish: All Saints in Lakeville; home parish: St. Agnes in St. Paul Joseph Zabinski – teaching parish: St. John the Baptist in Jordan; home parish: St. Charles Borromeo in St. Anthony.

Seminarians are ordained to the transitional diaconate before their last year of preparation for ordination to the priesthood.

Cretin-Derham Hall teacher to receive honor DRIVING RIGHTS From left, Nancy Schroedsen, Ruben Urrutia, Julio Martinez and Antonia Alvarez talk during a vigil in front of the State Capitol to promote legislation to allow immigrants living in this country who are not yet citizens to obtain a driver’s license. The vigil was scheduled to go until 10 a.m. April 22, with planned visits to state legislators to lobby for passage of the H.F. 97 driver’s license bill. Alvarez and Martinez belong to Sagrado Corazon de Jesus (Incarnation) in Minneapolis.

Dave Hrbacek/The Catholic Spirit

WHAT’S NEW on social media Prost! Check out Zenit’s photo of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI celebrating his 88th birthday Bavarian style, with his brother, Msgr. Georg Ratzinger; friends in lederhosen; and a stein of beer in hand April 16 at his residence at Castel Gandolfo, Italy.

Photos of St. Raphael, Crystal; the Basilica of St. Mary, Minneapolis; and a sunset near Christ the King Retreat Center in Buffalo were recently Instragrammed by The Catholic Spirit. Follow @TheCatholicSpirit.

“I’ve have always said shooting a turkey is like hitting a knuckleball,” writes Dave Hrbacek, Catholic Spirit staff writer/photographer and outdoor enthusiast, as he begins the tale of his daughter’s first turkey hunt.

The Catholic Spirit is published bi-weekly for The Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis Vol. 20 — No. 8 MOST REVEREND JOHN C. NIENSTEDT, Publisher ANNE STEFFENS, Associate Publisher United in Faith, Hope and Love

April 23, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit

MARIA WIERING, Editor

Cretin-Derham Hall social studies teacher Greg Poferl has been selected as the Teacher of Merit for 2015, Senior Division, for the Minnesota History Day Program. He will be honored for his accomplishments at the Minnesota State History Program Awards Night May 2 at the University of Minnesota.

Poferl, a 1964 graduate of Cretin High School, was chosen out of all high school teachers in the state who coordinate and mentor high school students’ projects for the Minnesota History Day competition. He now is the Minnesota nominee for the Teacher of the Year Award at the national level.

FROM our readers What an informative and interesting article on secular institutes and the consecrated life which was published in the April 9 issue of The Catholic Spirit. In today’s world it seems that this life would be especially suitable for many young women and men.

Thank you Maria Wiering for writing this article and for a clear explanation of what constitutes a secular institute. I have kept the article and will find it helpful (as a spiritual director) to share it with those who might be discerning some sort of religious life other than consecration in a traditional religious community.

Corrine Kindschy St. Mary of the Lake, White Bear Lake Materials credited to CNS copyrighted by Catholic News Service.

All other materials copyrighted by The Catholic Spirit Newspaper.

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have the distinct pleasure of welcoming the National Association of Diaconate Directors (NAAD) to the Archdiocese for their annual convention from Tuesday, April 21, through Friday, April 24. On their agenda for this gathering are preparations for their 2018 Congress, which will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the re-establishment of the permanent diaconate here in the United States of America.

In the sixth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles (read at Mass last Saturday), we find the early Church confronted with a disparity in the community that fell along cultural, linguistic and possibly theological lines. The Greekspeaking Hellenist widows, as opposed to the Aramaicspeaking Hebrew members, were being neglected “in THAT THEY MAY the daily distribution of ALL BE ONE food.” (v.1) The apostles Archbishop gathered the community John Nienstedt

together and decided that they would select seven men from among their number who were “deeply spiritual and prudent” (v. 3) over whom the apostles first prayed and then imposed hands on them (v. 6), thus setting them apart for special service.

Later in Acts, they are found teaching (6:10), preaching and working miracles (8:5-6), and baptizing (8:36-38). In St. Justin’s liturgy, deacons serve the holy Eucharist to those in attendance as well as taking holy Communion to those who are absent.

St. Paul in his address to the Philippians explicitly lists deacons among the hierarchy of that local Church. Tradition confirms their triple office as service to the altar, service to the Word and service in charitable works.

Historically, the Eastern Churches preserved the diaconate as a permanent and separate rank, among parish clergy and even in monasteries, while in the Latin Churches, the diaconate was eventually limited to only those men who were going on to the priesthood and thus required to observe the celibate state.

The Council of Trent actually discussed a restoration of the permanent diaconate and called for such a restoration “according to the practice of the ancient Church,” but it was never implemented until the Second Vatican Council took up the matter again.

In the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (par. 29), the Council Fathers reaffirmed the role of the deacon as serving the people of God in union with the bishop and his priests, with the three-fold munera mentioned above. The Council also expanded the liturgical roles of the Deacon to

Ministerio del diaconado, una dimensión especial de la iglesia Tengo el gran placer de dar la bienvenida a la Asociación Nacional de Directores del Diaconado (NAAD) a ésta Arquidiócesis para su convención anual que se llevará a cabo desde el martes 21 hasta el viernes 24 de abril. En su agenda para esta reunión se encuentran los preparativos para su Congreso 2018, donde celebrarán el 50 aniversario del establecimiento del diaconado permanente en los Estados Unidos de América.

En el sexto capítulo de los Hechos de los Apóstoles (leído en la Misa el sábado pasado), nos encontramos con la Iglesia primitiva que se enfrentó a un desacuerdo en la comunidad y que fue más allá de las fronteras culturales, lingüísticas y posiblemente teológicas. Las viudas helenistas de habla griega, en oposición a los miembros hebreos que hablaban arameo, no eran bien atendidas “en la distribución diaria de los alimentos.” (v. 1) Los apóstoles reunieron a la comunidad y decidieron que seleccionarían a siete hombres de entre ellos que fueran “profundamente espirituales y prudentes” (v. 3), sobre los cuales los apóstoles oraron primero y luego impusieron las manos sobre ellos (v. 6), estableciendo así diferencias especiales de servicio. Más tarde en el libro de Hechos, ellos se encuentran enseñando (6:10), predicando y haciendo milagros (8: 5-6), y bautizando (8: 36-38). En la liturgia de San Justino, los diáconos sirven la Sagrada Eucaristía a los asistentes y también llevan la Sagrada Comunión a los que están ausentes. San Pablo en su discurso a los Filipenses enumera explícitamente a los diáconos en la jerarquía de esa Iglesia local. La Tradición confirma su triple función al servicio del altar, al servicio de la Palabra y el servicio en las obras de caridad.

Históricamente, las Iglesias Orientales conservan el diaconado como grado permanente y rango independiente entre el clero parroquial e incluso en los monasterios; mientras que en las Iglesias Latinas, el diaconado eventualmente se limitó solamente a aquellos hombres que iban hacia el sacerdocio y requerían observar el celibato.

assisting at and blessing marriages, presiding over worship and the prayer of the faithful, administering sacramentals and conducting funeral rites.

As the Catechism of the Catholic Church points out, during the ordination of a deacon, it is only the bishop who lays hands on the candidate, “signifying the deacon’s special attachment to the bishop in the tasks of his ‘diaconia.’” By ordination, the deacon receives a special sacramental character or mark on his soul, configuring him to Christ, “who came to serve, rather than be served.” (Mk 10:45).

The laying on of hands can be conferred on married or celibate candidates, thus enriching the mission of the Church with various backgrounds and experiences. With reference to a married deacon, his spouse and children become a special source of support and assistance to him.

Finally, the presence of deacons in the Church should remind all of us that diaconia is not just one of many dimensions of the Church, but rather its essential dimension. The Church does not exist for her own sake, but for others and for the world. At her core, the Church is a servant Church.

This local Church has been greatly blessed with the presence and ministry of our permanent deacons. We welcome them, their brothers from across the nation as well as their spouses and family members, to the Twin Cities this week.

May their national gathering be a time of renewal and reinvigoration for them as well as an occasion to deepen the appreciation of the whole Church for the important role they serve.

God bless you!

El Concilio de Trento discutió el hecho de una restauración permanente del diaconado y llamó a tal restauración “ práctica de la Iglesia primitiva,” pero no fue implementada hasta el Concilio Vaticano II, donde abordaron nuevamente el asunto.

En la Constitución dogmática sobre la Iglesia (párr. 29), los Padres del Concilio reafirmaron el papel del diácono de servir al pueblo de Dios en unión con el obispo y sus sacerdotes, con los triples dones anteriormente mencionados. El Consejo también aumentó las funciones litúrgicas del Diácono para ayudar a bendecir los matrimonios, presidir el culto y la oración de los fieles, administrar los sacramentales y realizar ritos funerarios.

Como enseña el Catecismo de la Iglesia Católica, durante la ordenación de un diácono, es sólo el obispo el que impone las manos sobre el candidato, “significando la obediencia especial del diácono al obispo en las tareas de su diaconía”. Por su ordenación, el diácono recibe un carácter sacramental especial o huella en su alma, configurándolo con Cristo, “quien vino a servir, no a ser servido”. (Mc 10,45).

La imposición de las manos puede ser conferida a los candidatos casados o célibes, enriqueciendo así la misión de la Iglesia, con sus diversos antecedentes y experiencias.

Con referencia a un diácono casado, su cónyuge y sus hijos se convierten en una fuente especial de apoyo y respaldo para él.

Por último, la presencia de los diáconos en la Iglesia, nos recuerdan a todos nosotros que la diaconía no es sólo una de las muchas dimensiones de la Iglesia, sino, una dimensión esencial de ella. La Iglesia no existe por su propio bien, sino por el bien de los demás y del mundo. En su núcleo, la Iglesia es una Iglesia de servicio.

Esta Iglesia local ha sido-grandemente bendecida con la presencia y el ministerio de nuestros diáconos permanentes. Les damos la bienvenida a las Ciudades Gemelas a ellos, a sus hermanos de todo el país, así como a sus esposas y miembros de su familia. Su encuentro nacional puede ser un tiempo de renovación y revitalización para ellos, así como una oportunidad para profundizar en la apreciación de toda la Iglesia por el importante papel que ellos tienen. ¡Dios los bendiga!

From the Archbishop

Diaconate ‘an essential dimension’ of Church

ARCHBISHOP’S schedule Friday, April 24 11:30 a.m., Edina Our Lady of Grace: Mass and luncheon with Serra Ministry 5 p.m., St. Paul Cathedral of St. Paul and University of St. Thomas: National Association of Diaconate Directors Convention – Mass and banquet Saturday, April 25 8 a.m., St. Paul Cathedral of St. Paul: Mass for Rediscover: volunteers Sunday, April 26 1:30 p.m., Minneapolis Basilica of St. Mary: confirmation Monday, April 27 Noon, St. Paul Chancery: luncheon with the St. Paul Seminary Theology II seminarians 6 p.m., West St. Paul NET Center: NET Benefit Banquet Wednesday, April 29 Noon, Mendota Heights St. Thomas Academy: lunch and cadet review Thursday, April 30 Noon, St. Paul Archbishop’s residence: luncheon with presbyterate 3 p.m., St. Paul The St. Paint Paul Seminary: SPS and SJV seminary board of trustees meeting, evening prayer and Rector’s Council dinner

Saturday, May 2 10 a.m., Minneapolis Basilica of St. Mary: diaconal ordination for Theology III seminarians Sunday, May 3 8:30 a.m., Coates St. Agatha: Sunday Mass 2 p.m., St. Paul Minnesota Capitol to Cathedral: annual Archdiocesan Family Rosary Procession Monday, May 4 6 a.m., St. Paul St. John Vianney College Seminary: holy hour and holy Eucharist, followed by breakfast 11:35 a.m., St. Paul The St. Paul Seminary: holy Eucharist, followed by lunch with seminarians 7 p.m., St. Paul Cathedral of St. Paul: confirmation Tuesday, May 5 Noon, St. Paul Archbishop’s residence: luncheon with presbyterate 2 p.m., St. Paul St. Catherine University: St. Catherine University board of trustees meeting 7 p.m., St. Paul Cathedral of St. Paul: confirmation Wednesday, May 6 10 a.m., Mendota St. Peter: clergy study day 5:30 p.m., St. Paul University of St. Thomas: St. Thomas Day – Mass and dinner

April 23, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit

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Deadline set for filing claims against archdiocese

By Maria Wiering The Catholic Spirit People with sexual abuse claims against the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis should file their claims by Aug. 3 in order to be part of the archdiocese’s Chapter 11 Reorganization settlement, Judge Robert Kressel ruled April 16.

Richard Anderson, an attorney of St. Paulbased Briggs and Morgan representing the archdiocese, called establishing the Aug. 3 date “a step in the right direction.”

“It will help us to reach the ultimate goal, which is a consensual plan that fairly treats all parties and fairly compensates victims,” he said.

The Aug. 3 deadline was the date the archdiocese proposed. Its attorneys cited the need to set a claims filing date in order to move toward a plan for Reorganization, which will include a settlement for claimants alleging sexual abuse by clergy. They advocated for the August date to give them time to notify potential claimants while containing legal costs, making more funds available to help alleged victims/survivors.

With the date’s establishment, the archdiocese plans to launch a widespread campaign to make the date known to potential claimants, said Charles Rogers, a Briggs and Morgan attorney.

“The faithful can take comfort in the notion that the judge is providing for a fair and efficient process, and that the case is going to move forward as efficiently as possible,” he added.

In the courtroom, Kressel emphasized that the Aug. 3 date did not prevent claimants from St. Paul attorney Jeff Anderson speaks to media outside the U.S. Courthouse in Minneapolis April 16 following a filing later. “We’re not closing a window on hearing that set Aug. 3 as the filling deadline for claims against the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. anybody,” he said. “We’re setting a deadline for Anderson represents a number of claimants alleging sexual abuse by members of the clergy. Maria Wiering/ a timely filing of proof of claims.”

The Catholic Spirit An August date received pushback from The Aug. 3 filing deadline also applies to the attorneys representing some creditors. St. Paul archdiocese’s other creditors, including some attorney Jeff Anderson, who represents most of the current claimants of alleged sexual abuse by parishes and vendors with payments stalled due to Reorganization. clergy, argued that the date should be set in After the hearing, Jeff May 2016 to coincide with Anderson called Kressel the end of the state’s three“very mindful and very year lifting of its statute of sensitive to the needs of the The Catholic Spirit limitations on claims of child survivors and the privacy of sexual abuse.

The Archdiocese of St. Paul and ‘[The claims filing date] survivors.”

Because of the Minneapolis was granted an extension “It’s clear that there’s a psychological issues victims April 9 to file its Reorganization plan. U.S. will help us to reach real urgency for survivors of of sexual abuse face, Jeff Bankruptcy Judge Robert Kressel, who is abuse to know that there is a Anderson said, they needed the ultimate goal, overseeing the archdiocese’s Reorganization time limit for them to make as much time as possible to process, moved the deadline from May 16 their claim and come file claims. which is a consensual to Nov. 30. forward,” he added.

Kressel said he didn’t think Under the U.S. bankruptcy code, after Jeff Anderson emphasized a matter of months would plan that fairly treats petitioning Jan. 16 for Chapter 11 that he would also make a make a significant difference Reorganization, the archdiocese had 120 serious effort to make the for whether alleged victims/ all parties and fairly days in which to file a Reorganization plan, claim-filing deadline known. survivors would make claims and an additional 60 days where it alone “I’m going to do against the archdiocese, and compensates victims.” could solicit acceptance of a filed plan. After everything in our power to he emphasized that the that window of time, other parties, let the folks we know who claims filing deadline could Richard Anderson including creditors, would have been able have suffered in secrecy, be moved if necessary. to file plans. silence and shame for years, Among the reasons Kressel Also approved at the hearing was a never believing that they disagreed with aligning it request from the archdiocese to have more would be believed or they with the end of the state’s time to affirm its lease agreement with the could do anything, share lifted statute of limitations, St. Paul Seminary for the Byrne Residence, a he said, was that the Legislature could decide to the secret and come forward,” he said. home for retired priests adjacent to the He declined to give an exact number of extend the window. seminary along Mississippi Boulevard. alleged abuse claimants he currently represents, Kressel also ruled that the identities of Reorganization requires the archdiocese to but said it was “dozens and dozens.” claimants of alleged abuse would be protected, affirm or reject all current leases and, and only numbers would identify them in The archdiocese filed in January for because of the complexity of this lease, the public documents.

Reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. archdiocese asked for more time to affirm it.

Bankruptcy Code. “This is the fairest way to An attorney for the Star Tribune argued that In another motion, the archdiocese was redacted proofs of claim should be made public, resolve existing sexual abuse lawsuits as well as denied a request to pay its legal counsel and future claims while permitting the archdiocese but Kressel ruled that unless an alleged victim/ other professional fees every 60 days. The to continue essential ministry and support to survivor chose to make his or her claim public, judge will require that fees be submitted on local people, parishes and Catholic schools,” the entire file would remain private. He said he a 120-day basis. the archdiocese stated when announcing the was not convinced redaction could fully Reorganization. guarantee protection of the claimant’s identity.

Archdiocese gets more time to file Reorganization plan

April 23, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit

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By Anthony Gockowski For The Catholic Spirit Parishioners of St. Joseph in Rosemount saw prison ministry as an underdeveloped outreach, and are making strides to bolster it.

Along with St. Joseph’s pastor, Father Paul Jarvis, Kevin and Fay Connors are organizing monthly prayer services for prisoners and their families, as well as regular prison ministry workshops for Catholics who want to join the outreach.

They hope their apostolate spreads beyond the south metro, however, to the entire Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. The goal is to create a collection of parishes and faith communities in the Twin Cities to provide an ecumenical outreach to people who are incarcerated, the Connors explained.

The Connors led their first informational prison ministry committee meeting March 21, when 15 people made a yearlong commitment to lead the prison ministry outreach. The outreach is to begin with a four-day retreat during which participants will work closely with inmates and get to know their stories.

During the retreat, participants will “have the opportunity to see the physical and spiritual transformation of prisoners,” Father Jarvis said.

The retreat serves as the foundation for the monthly prayer services and workshops.

“You see how their reliance on Jesus increases as time passes,” added Father Jarvis, who has been helping launch the prison ministry outreach.

“They do not have the ability to leave the prison, so we bring our faith and Christ’s love and redemption to them.”

Kevin Connors

At the workshops, participants will be able to visit with inmates and offer spiritual counsel.

Participants are there to listen, said Father Jarvis. “We’re not trying to solve problems, and we’re not judging.”

The ministry includes its share of difficulties, Kevin Connors acknowledged.

“Some high security institutions do not allow any ministry because of the concern with security, or they simply do not have a large enough area in the facility to host the event,” he said. “Getting to prisons in more remote locations can also present some difficulties.”

Prisons also regulate the number of events they can host each year, Kevin said, which can make it difficult to minister consistently to inmates.

St. Joseph’s parishioners are not intimidated by the challenge.

“It is only when we actively live out Jesus’ teachings, especially those he outlined in Matthew 25, that we truly understand his teaching,” Fay said.

The couple will continue to host monthly meetings for committees promoting the ministry.

The Connors have participated in retreats at the Minnesota Correctional Facility for women in

Shakopee and plan to lead one soon at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Lino Lakes with the new prison ministry participants.

The ministry is a moving experience for both prisoners and ministers, Kevin said.

“At the women’s prison, we escort the participants to their seats at the table. There are usually one or two women we escort who break down in tears as we walk to their chair,” he said. “They say it was the first time in their lives they were treated with respect and dignity by a man.”

Parishes around the archdiocese have already committed to teaming with the Connors to spread the ministry, Father Jarvis said, listing Risen Savior, Burnsville; St. Thomas Beckett, Eagan; Our Lady of Grace, Edina; Mary, Mother of the Church, Burnsville; St. Patrick, Inver Grove Heights; and members of Cursillo, a Catholic apostolic movement.

The Connors hope involvement will only continue to grow. People who are incarcerated need more attention from the Church, Kevin said.

“They do not have the ability to leave the prison,” he said, “so we bring our faith and Christ’s love and redemption to them.”

Integration of the human person LiveFamily! focus

By Maria Wiering The Catholic Spirit In order to see marriage correctly, one needs to see “Catholicly,” Father Thomas Loya of the Tabor Life Institute told an audience April 11 at the 2015 LiveFamily! Expo.

A Catholic worldview understands that creation and liturgy make visible the invisible love of God, and that reality extends to marriage, he said in a keynote titled “Marriage — The Next Generation.”

“God united himself with his own creation in intimate love,” he said.

Using humor and colorful anecdotes, Father Loya, a Byzantine Catholic priest who ministers in suburban Chicago, spoke to about 75 people, mostly married couples, at St. Raphael in Crystal on the second of a two-day conference on families sponsored by the Cana Family Institute, the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, and the Diocese of St. Cloud.

In a Saturday morning

presentation, Father Loya said that God’s triune nature is the key to unlocking a Catholic worldview, because it reveals God as a relationship between persons.

He said understanding God and man’s relationship to him is at the crux of combatting societal currents eroding the meaning of sex and marriage, and the meaning of being male and female. He emphasized that being Catholic is not about following a set of teachings, but falling in love with God and recognizing that his moral parameters provide for a person’s flourishing.

He pointed to the first chapter of Genesis: “God created man in his image, in his divine image he created him, male and female he created them.”

“Right there is the only honest thing ever said about the human person,” Father Loya said.

“Everything else is a lie.”

He added: “We lie all the time.

We add something else to that.

‘God created man in his image, in his divine image he created him,

and sometimes we screw up, and we sin, because we’re only human, you have to understand.’ Does your Bible say that? Mine doesn’t. So why do we define our humanness that way? . . . The truth about humans is that we image God.” Humans are made to be a “union and communion” of persons, he said. “We are made for relationship.

We are made to love, spousally; to love as God loves. . . . That desire is what makes us most like God.” Being created male and female also defines a person, he said. “It’s not arbitrary,” he said. “It’s not a choice.”

Father Loya is a member of the Tabor Life Institute, which focuses on formation and education on the theology of the body, St. John Paul II’s writings on the human person.

The conference began April 10 with Mass celebrated by Bishop Andrew Cozzens and a keynote presentation from Curtis Martin, founder and president of FOCUS, the Fellowship of Catholic University Students, a national outreach to college campuses.

Catholic schools to be served by new missionfocused initiative

By Dave Hrbacek The Catholic Spirit

Local

Rosemount parish spearheading prison outreach

A new initiative by the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis for Catholic Schools is unfolding, Bishop Andrew Cozzens announced April 17. It is set to launch July 1.

Bishop Cozzens, the vicar for Catholic education, is rolling out a new plan that will transform the existing Office of Catholic Schools into a new Office for the Mission of Catholic Education.

The new office “is going to focus more directly on the mission of evangelizing our children, which is the primary mission of the whole Church,” he said. “I see the office becoming a resource for developing Catholic culture in our schools and for helping our teachers become even more excellent Catholic educators.”

The centerpiece of the plan, which has emerged from consultation Bishop Cozzens has been involved in over the past year, will be the hiring of a chancellor of Catholic education. The chancellor then will hire other key staff as necessary. Bishop Cozzens said he hopes to have a new chancellor on board by July 1. He does not yet know who in the current Catholic schools office will take on new roles with the transition.

“We’re going to post the job within the next couple of weeks,” Bishop Cozzens said. “We need a person who has both excellent educational expertise and excellent understanding of the Catholic faith and who understands what it means to form a Catholic culture in our schools.”

The chancellor will report directly to Bishop Cozzens and will be charged with implementing five “critical competencies” in Catholic education outlined in the proposal, including virtue, spiritual, apostolic (service), intellectual and vocation.

“Catholic formation encompasses much more than just making sure our schools have a faithful religion curriculum,” Bishop Cozzens wrote in his proposal. “Rather, it is making sure that our schools have within them a Catholic culture which forms the students in the dignity of the human person and a Catholic view of our world.”

Bishop Cozzens has spent the last year meeting with Catholic education leaders in the archdiocese.

Archbishop John Nienstedt appointed him to his post as vicar of Catholic education immediately after his ordination as auxiliary bishop in December 2013. That assignment has taken him to schools on a regular basis.

“I’m really grateful for all that our faculty, staff and principals do to make our Catholic schools great,” he said. “And, I’m excited at the opportunity to continue to strengthen them.”

April 23, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit

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ACCW hopes to boost support for local women

By Jessica Trygstad The Catholic Spirit

Florence Schmidt plans to make known the many roles of Catholic women in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

As the newly appointed president of the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women, she told attendees of the organization’s 83rd annual convention that their important work of supporting, educating and empowering women will be stronger when done together and more often.

“We are Catholic women for the archdiocese. We have to get out and spread the word,” Florence Schmidt said prior to the SCHMIDT convention. “I think it’s important that we help women Want to with their spirituality, but I also know more? think it’s important to help them educationally and that we help For more information them in service.”

The April 17-18 conference about the ACCW, drew more than 200 women to visit www.

St. Dominic in Northfield. accwarchspm.org Auxiliary Bishop Lee Piché or www.facebook. celebrated Mass on Friday, and Archbishop John Nienstedt com/SPMACCW. celebrated Mass on Saturday and presented the ACCW laywoman volunteer awards. Schmidt, a parishioner of St. Odilia in Shoreview, envisions bolstering the ACCW by connecting with groups throughout the archdiocese. One of her goals is to attend

Council of Catholic Women parish and deanery meetings to learn what women are interested in, what they want to know about the Church and how the ACCW can support them.

Being an organization for all Catholic women, Schmidt acknowledged the difficulty of catering to all — from single women to working moms to retirees. She said the organization will continue to reach out to many different women in a variety of ways in order to help them be more active in their faith. “We’re trying to build connections. I want to reach out to all ethnic groups. It’s part of our whole heritage. And we can’t become isolated. We have to reach out to the whole world,” said Schmidt, a retired Catholic school principal who served at Maternity of Mary-St. Andrew School in St. Paul and Our Lady of Peace School in Minneapolis.

The National Council of Catholic Women recently celebrated its 95th anniversary. It has served to unite women in all they do for the Church individually and in various groups, Schmidt said, adding that all Catholic women in the archdiocese — whether they belong to a parish or whether they pay dues — are ACCW members.

“Being a member can be as little or as much as you want, but know that we are there to support you,” Schmidt said.

“ACCW gives it that part where we come together, we can hear each other, we can draw strength from each other, and that’s what I want women to do. I want them to feel like they’re a part of something bigger.”

St. Hubert student’s song backs autistic brother

By Bob Zyskowski The Catholic Spirit

Taylor Laube, right, dedicated a song she wrote about autism awareness to her brother, Paul, left, who has autism.

Photo courtesy Laube family

How others view and treat people with autism seemed to Taylor Laube “a problem that needed to be fixed,” the sixth grader at St. Hubert School in Chanhassen explained.

The result is “Be Their Voice,” a song Taylor wrote that is getting play on YouTube — https://youtu.be/ XpNmcQBqXTE. St. Hubert is showing it in every classroom in April as a tool for Autism Awareness Month.

The song’s chorus is a challenge: “Life is easy for us; Think about those who don’t have a choice; Reach out a helping hand; Be their voice.”

Taylor dedicated it to her brother, Paul, a fourthgrader at St. Hubert who has autism. They are the children of Jordan and Cecilia Laube of Chaska.

Taylor said she remembers witnessing only one incident of Paul being treated poorly.

“I was younger,” she told The Catholic Spirit. “I was too afraid to speak up for what was happening.”

“Be Their Voice” came about from a school assignment.

“My inspiration was that the month of autism awareness was coming up and my music teacher asked me to try and write a serious song,” Taylor said. “This is what I thought was a problem that needed to be fixed.

“Music is one of my talents,” she added, “and I have to use my talent in a way that is meaningful and inspire others so we can change the way the world thinks of autism.”

April 23, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit

While the home video on YouTube is not a professional one — evidenced by the cameo appearance by Dawson, an autism-assistance dog for Paul — Cecilia feels her daughter created a “truly beautiful and a wonderful message to share with the world.”

The lyrics speak to that: Say something now; Don’t let them get pushed around; Say something now; Put yourself in their shoes; You have to choose; You’ve got nothing to lose.

The guitarist in the video is My Buan, a music therapist who works with Paul and gives Taylor guitar and singing lessons.

Taylor and a classmate were asked to prepare the morning announcements with a focus on autism April 17 at St. Hubert School, Cecilia said.

“This is exactly what Taylor’s song [and] video is intending to do,” she added.

The ‘meaning of work’ at heart of day for lay ministers

By Bob Zyskowski The Catholic Spirit Wherever Catholics work is where they are doing the “work of the Church,” where people are coming to know God and taking part in the salvation process, a seminary professor told a crowd April 14.

It is why “the work of human hands” — the phrase spoken by the priest on behalf of all as he offers God the community’s gifts and sacrifices at Mass — should take on great meaning for everyone, Deborah Savage said.

Savage, who teaches theology and philosophy at the St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, put the concept of human work in context for an audience of people who work at parishes and ministries in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

Although her talk was part of Spring Formation Day for some 200 people employed by the Church, Savage broadly defined work beyond what earns a paycheck to include daily tasks.

Her presentation was the first of a three-part series sponsored by the Coalition of Ministry Associations and the archdiocese. The second part, scheduled for Nov. 5 at Guardian Angels in Oakdale, will feature Sherry Waddell, author of “Forming Intentional Disciples.”

Savage, a St. John Paul II scholar, mined the late pope’s 1981 encyclical “Laborem Exercens” (“On Human Work”) and the teaching of the Second Vatican Council on the role of the laity in describing the relationship between human work and Christian faith.

What follows are takeaways from Savage’s talk:

• Work can be a job to put food on the table, a fulfilling career or a vocation, a response to a call to put one’s talents in service to one’s family and community. Work is an answer to a call to serve.

• Church ministers’ task is to help others discover their vocation — in some cases in the work they are already doing.

• Since people spend 60 to 70 percent of our lives in one place, what possibilities exist in that sphere that advance a relationship with God? • There is a temptation for fragmentation, to separate faith from life itself. That gap can become a way of life, the trap of a divided self. But the work of a Christian disciple is a 24/7 occupation.

• There is no gap between faith and work. Faith is to be lived in and lived out in whatever world people live it.

• Forget balance. People have to ask, how can I find a way to integrate my most deepest longings with what I do? The key to unlocking that door may be to understand the meaning of work.

• The vineyard that Christ talks of as described in Matthew 21-22 is the whole world, which is to be transformed into his kingdom.

• The worst sin in our society is not sexism or racism, but classism. Cleaning ladies and gardeners have as much dignity as the people who hire them.

• Work is the place to acquire and practice the virtues.

• A job well done is a form of beauty.

• Whatever gifts a person is given, he or she is to put them to work in transforming the world and returning all things to Christ.

• To save the world is not the dream of an idealist, that’s our job.

• The priests’ job is to nourish people and to encourage them to give it their best shot.

• A person’s work is a means of coming to know God. • Our days are defined by work. If you don’t work, you won’t be happy.

• Work is a fundamental dimension of human existence. It is in work that we carry out the ongoing work of human existence.

• Work is the key to the social question: How do you live in peace and justice? St. John Paul II says the key is to understand work.

• The value of work is found in the fact that the one doing it is a person.

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By Maria Wiering The Catholic Spirit They call it “Pastafarianism” — a farce religion constructed around the belief in a “Flying Spaghetti Monster” deity, “a fantastical, imaginary being for whom there is not a trace of physical evidence.” It stands in comparison to the Christian God, whose existence, Pastafarianists argue, is also unsupported by science.

This religion’s “adherents” are among those classified as “the New Atheists,” who, Father Robert Barron said at an April 9 presentation at the University of St. Thomas, are just like the old atheists, but nastier, because they hold religious believers in contempt.

They’ve also got the wrong conception of God, he said. “[God] is as far from a Flying Spaghetti Monster as it is metaphysically possible to be,” he said.

In arguing against the existence of God, New Atheists such as Richard Dawkins and the late Christopher Hitchens present God as “one being among many,” Father Barron said — a being with matter and form who exists in time, who is created.

The God Christians believe in is none of those things, he said.

By arguing against “caricatures of God,” the New Atheists attack straw men arguments, or arguments that misrepresent an opponent’s view, said Father Barron, whose academic work and online ministry Word on Fire bring him head-to-head with atheists trying to debunk God’s existence.

He acknowledged his presentation had a provocative title: “Aquinas and Why the New Atheists Are Right.” He contended that when atheists try to explain who God is — and get it wrong — Christians can agree they don’t believe in that god either.

“I’ve always found atheists of all stripes helpful, both spiritually and theologically, precisely in the measure they clarify what the true God is not,” Father Barron told a large audience in the university’s Wolfe Auditorium. “They expose and implicitly undermine new forms of idolatry.”

God as indefinable Father Barron’s presentation was hosted by the Classical Theism Project, led by Gloria Frost and Timothy Pawl, faculty members in the University of St. Thomas’ philosophy department. The project is funded by a $200,000 grant from the John Templeton Foundation.

“Classical theism” refers to an understanding of God as existing outside of the physical world, and is often conveyed through describing God as simple, eternal, immutable and impassible, and

Local

Father Barron: Atheists attack false concept of God “[God] is as far from a Flying Spaghetti Monster as it is metaphysically possible to be.”

Father Robert Barron

Father Robert Barron of Word on Fire Catholic Ministries presented “Aquinas and Why the New Atheists Are Right” April 9 at the University of St. Thomas. Courtesy Michael Ekern/University of St. Thomas essentially different from his creation.

Unlike atheists’ descriptions, God does not exist within the universe and operate alongside other agents in the universe, Father Barron said, and therefore cannot be simply a construct designed to fill the gaps of science as some atheists contend.

“I maintain that the exertions of the New Atheists in regard to God are, for the most part, an exercise in knocking down a not very impressive ‘straw god,’” he said. “A god who dwells in or alongside the cosmos, whose existence or non existence can be determined by scientific investigation, who himself can be susceptible to causal influence, who bears even the slightest resemblance to a Flying Spaghetti Monster and presides over the human project in a manner keeping with Kim Jong-Il presiding over Korea, is simply an idol of the worst type.”

St. Thomas Aquinas, a 13th century Dominican priest, outlines God’s essential otherness from creation in his seminal work, the “Summa Theologiae.” The work offers five logical arguments — commonly known as “the Five Ways” — to prove the existence of God. According St. Thomas, God cannot be understood as a being composed of matter or form, nor as one natural being in a series of beings. Rather, he argues, God’s essence is identical with his existence — which, as the Book of Exodus recounts, is revealed to Moses at the burning bush: “I am who am.”

St. Thomas also said finite minds cannot understand God’s qualities, Father Barron explained: God’s

immateriality and timelessness are incomprehensible to minds bound by matter and time. Jesus’ parables also confound conventional understandings of justice and compassion, Father Barron said.

“Because God brought the whole finite universe into existence, God cannot be an ingredient within the universe,” Father Barron said. “He must be ‘other’ in a way that transcends any and all modes of ‘otherness’ discoverable within creation.”

Even some descriptions some Christians use, such as “the highest being” are inadequate and false, he said, because they suggest God could be categorized among beings, which is impossible. God, he emphasized, cannot be “positively defined” — meaning that one can say who God is not, but not who God truly is. Likewise, there is some truth in atheists’ descriptions of who they see God to be, but not the whole truth.

Apologists, look back Understanding God’s “otherness” also illuminates God’s interaction with his creation, Father Barron said, which is not the tyrannical relationship some atheists purport. Because God is “otherly other,” he said, he can “lure” the human will into concert with his will, but still within the framework of a person’s free will.

“God delights in human freedom. God delights and glorifies in the integrity of the natural world. They’re not at odds with each other,” he said.

Father Barron added that Catholics must become better at articulating their belief in “a simple God whose otherness is

enhancing to the world and not competitive with it,” he said.

“I’ve become convinced that the Catholic Church in the years following Vatican II has become rather inept at presenting its own texture and intellectually satisfying understanding of God,” he said.

“We have to formulate a new fundamental In case you apologetics. . . . missed it Ironically, it’s the pre-modern Father Robert Barron’s doctrine of April 9 presentation St. Thomas “Aquinas and Why the Aquinas that New Atheists Are provides the Right” at the University surest of St. Thomas can be foundation for viewed on YouTube at this evangelical http://bit.ly/1yLmV6R. apologetics in our postmodern world.”

Father Barron is the founder of Word on Fire, known for its popular 10-part DVD series “Catholicism;” a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago; and rector and president of Mundelein Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Illinois.

The Classical Theism Project’s goals are to “help disseminate philosophy to folks who don’t know very much about it, with the hope of helping them understand the perennial conception of God in classical theism,” said Pawl, one of the event’s organizers.

“Classical theism is so important because it’s the perennial conception of the church,” Pawl added. “Most of the dogmas of the church depend in some way on this sort of conception of God.”

April 23, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit

Consecrated Life

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Pope warns religious against ‘crisis of quality’ in consecrated life

By Laura Ieraci Catholic News Service Despite fewer vocations to consecrated life, those responsible for formation in religious institutes must know how to say no to unsuitable candidates, so as to avoid a “graver crisis of quality” down the road, Pope Francis said.

During an audience with about 1,300 novice directors and other formation ministers at the Vatican April 11, the pope said seeing consecrated people “in such great numbers” would give the impression “that there is no vocations crisis.”

“But in reality, there is an indubitable decrease in quantity, and this makes the work of formation — one that might truly form the heart of Jesus in the hearts of our young people — all the more urgent,” he said.

The formation staffs were in Rome for an international congress April 7-11, organized by the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. The congress was one of several events organized for the Year of Consecrated Life, which Pope Francis opened in November. Its aim was to reflect upon the main aspects of consecrated life and the demands placed on formation today.

The pope described consecrated life as “beautiful” and “one of the most precious treasures of the Church.” He called it “a privilege” to be in formation work and to “participate in the work of the Father, who forms the heart of the Son, in those whom the Spirit has called.”

Novice directors and others responsible for formation must have “a great heart for the young, so as to form in them great hearts, able to welcome everyone, rich in mercy, full of tenderness,” he said.

He also noted that initial formation is only the first step of a lifelong process.

Rejecting the idea that young people today are “mediocre and not generous,” he said they need to experience that it is “more blessed to give than to receive, that there is great liberty in an obedient life, great fruitfulness in a pure heart, and great richness in possessing nothing.”

Knowing how to say ‘no’ He emphasized the need for formation staff members to be “lovingly attentive” to each candidate and “evangelically demanding” in every phase of formation so that the “crisis of quantity might not produce a much graver crisis of quality,” he said, adding that “this is the danger.”

Underlining the importance of vocational discernment, the pope noted that psychologists and spiritual directors have said “young people, who unconsciously feel they have something of an imbalance . . . or a deviation, unconsciously seek solid structures that protect them, to protect themselves.”

“And here is the discernment: knowing how to say no,” the pope said.

Just as formation experts accompany candidates upon entry to their institutes, sometimes they must also “accompany the exit, so that he or she will find a life path with the

April 23, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit

Vatican, LCWR announce successful conclusion of process to reform group

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service

A nun prays during an April 11 Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. The Mass was for participants in an international congress organized by the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. CNS necessary help,” he continued.

Those involved in formation also must imitate God in exercising the virtue of patience, the pope counselled.

“God knows how to wait. You, too, must learn this attitude of patience, which many times is a little martyrdom,” he said.

The pope noted the fine quality of many consecrated people. He said there is much to learn in particular from the faithful, years-long witness of missionary sisters and the wisdom among the aged. He said visiting elderly consecrated people would be good for young people, who seek wisdom and authenticity.

A sort of ‘purgatory’ Thanking the formation staffs for their “humble and discreet service,” he urged them not to be “discouraged when the results do not correspond to the expectations” and to learn from these “failures” as part of their own formation.

“It is painful when a young man or young woman, after three or four years (of formation) comes and says, ‘This is no longer for me. I found another love that is not against God, but I cannot (continue) and I am leaving.’ This is difficult. But this is also your martyrdom,” he said.

The pope said some religious who work in formation may live their charge as a burden. “But this is a lie, a temptation,” he said.

When they feel their work is not appreciated, he said, they should “know that Jesus follows you with love, and the entire Church is grateful.”

“Some say consecrated life is heaven on earth,” the pope said. “No. If anything it is purgatory!

But go forward with joy.”

The pope also said he is “convinced” there is no vocations crisis where consecrated people witness to “the beauty of consecration.”

“If there is no witness, if there is no coherence, there will not be vocations,” he told the group.

“This is the testimony to which you are called.

This is your ministry, your mission. You are not only ‘teachers.’ You are above all witnesses to the discipleship of Jesus within your proper charism.

And this can be done if every day you rediscover the joy of being disciples of Jesus.”

The Vatican approved new statutes and bylaws for the U.S. Leadership Conference of Women Religious, ending a seven-year process of investigating the group and engaging in dialogue with its officers to ensure greater harmony with Church teaching.

Conference officers met April 16 with Pope Francis, the same day the Vatican announced the conclusion of the process, which included oversight for three years by a committee of three bishops.

“From the beginning, our extensive conversations were marked by a spirit of prayer, love for the Church, mutual respect and cooperation,” said a joint statement of the LCWR officers and the U.S. bishops appointed by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith to oversee the conference’s reform.

LCWR promised that materials it publishes first will be reviewed to “ensure theological accuracy and help avoid statements that are ambiguous with regard to Church doctrine or could be read as contrary to it.” In addition, programs sponsored by the conference and speakers chosen for its events will be expected to reflect Church teaching, the statement said.

In addition, it said, the doctrinal congregation, the bishops and LCWR officers had “clarifying and fruitful” conversations about “the importance of the celebration of the Eucharist; the place of the Liturgy of the Hours in religious communities; the centrality of a communal process of contemplative prayer practiced at LCWR assemblies and other gatherings; the relationship between LCWR and other organizations; and the essential understanding of LCWR as an instrument of ecclesial communion.”

The new statutes, the statement said, sought “greater clarity in expressing the mission and responsibilities” of the conference as a body “under the ultimate direction of the Apostolic See” and as a group “centered on Jesus Christ and faithful to the teachings of the Church.”

After asking Archbishop Leonard Blair of Hartford, Conneticut, in 2008 to carry out the doctrinal assessment of LCWR, in April 2012 the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith called for the revision of LCWR’s statutes and bylaws. The reform, the Vatican said, was meant to ensure the conference’s fidelity to Catholic teaching in areas including abortion, euthanasia, women’s ordination and homosexuality. The organization’s canonical status is granted by the Vatican.

LCWR has more than 1,500 members, who represent more than 80 percent of the 57,000 women religious in the United States.

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By Jean Stolpestad For The Catholic Spirit Since the dawn of time, people have desired to find meaning and purpose for their lives. In our age of competing and conflicting philosophies, Catholics unabashedly proclaim a deep confidence in knowing the way, the truth and the life. We fully believe that we are created out of love, for love. We are made for joy.

Claiming this joy means seeking the way of God, who is the source of joy Jean both here on STOLPESTAD earth and for all eternity. In a world of anxiety and doubt, Jesus is trustworthy. In the midst of daily struggles and surrounded by temptations to follow “another way,” decidedly living God’s will produces an immeasurable gladness within us.

The most foundational reason for our human dignity lies in our call to communion with God. It takes an intentional act on our part to know God, to seek him and then to choose his will.

We have many notable examples from the lives of saints, who were more joyful when they clung to the heart of Christ, even in difficulty. We also have beautiful examples in our neighbors and friends.

Perhaps you know the story of a young husband and wife who were strongly pressured to have an abortion because the doctors feared their child was going to have severe medical issues. The couple refused and chose to endure a difficult pregnancy. Yet, they did not despair. They found joy even though they were concerned about what the future would bring. God’s love never ceases to call us on.

That child is now an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, Bishop Andrew Cozzens.

Our call to joy will be at the heart of our pilgrimage to the World Meeting of Families Sept.

22-28 in Philadelphia. Join us as we celebrate with the Holy Father, Pope Francis. Be inspired by some of the greatest Catholic speakers and thinkers of our time. Be a part of this historic event, which has the potential to shape the way we live marriage and family for generations.

Stolpestad is the director of the Office for Marriage, Family and Life for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

For family of disabled teen, daily struggles teach ‘incredible love’

By Dave Hrbacek The Catholic Spirit John and Ann DeJak take their oldest son, Thomas, out in front of their Richfield home and strap him into a stroller.

They make sure he’s bundled up on this brisk spring day. They also remember to take his bottle, which helps keep him calm.

He coos with delight as they head down the driveway and into the street. He flashes a big smile, then purses his lips to kiss his mother.

It’s an endearing scene, but a bit out of the ordinary — Thomas is 15 years old. Born with a condition John, left, and Ann DeJak of St. Agnes in St. Paul enjoy a walk with their son Tom, the oldest of affecting the joints called Arthrogryposis, he their eight children. Dave Hrbacek/The Catholic Spirit has limited use of his arms — he can do little more than swing them — and also has a developmental disability. His parents say he has the intellectual capacity of a 1-year-old, and that probably won’t ever change.

Despite Thomas’ need for around-the-clock care, Ann and John describe their son with joy, and say they did not waver in their desire to have more children. Seven more Second of a series: came after Thomas: John Paul, 14; Helen, 12; Julia, 10; Meg, 7; Joseph, 5; Anna, 3; Created for joy and Francis, 1.

The family belongs to St. Agnes in St. Paul, where three of the children go to school. John is headmaster and teacher at Holy Family Academy in Monticello.

“We wanted a large family,” said Ann, 41. “We were hoping for many children.

That was our thought from the beginning. “[Tom’s condition] didn’t change anything, quite frankly. We didn’t even wait long until the next one came along. We were very, very open.”

Thomas’ due date was Oct. 1, the feast day of Ann’s favorite saint, St. Therese of Lisieux. Four and a half months after Thomas was born — and just three days after his release from the hospital — Ann took a pregnancy test and found out baby No. 2 was on the way.

That child, whom they call “J.P.,” is very close to his older brother, despite having to crawl out of bed late at night when Thomas starts banging on his bedroom door.

The banging is one of Thomas’ most frequent methods of communication. He In partnership with the can’t use words, so he expresses himself with drumbeats on the doors. publications of all Minnesota “I love him, he’s awesome,” said J.P., who is homeschooled this year and plans to dioceses, The Catholic Spirit attend Holy Family Academy next year. “We play all the time.” is featuring an 11-part series For the DeJak family, tackling the daily chores associated with Thomas’ care draws on families based on the them to the heart of what their Catholic faith is all about.

World Meeting of Families’ “I think [in] taking care of such a dependent child, you get down to the nitty 10 themes. gritty of what love is, in terms of day in, day out caring [for him] despite the difficulty,” Ann said.

John put their lifestyle — and the opportunity to practice virtues such as patience daily — in simple terms.

Want to go?

“Being heroic is changing the diaper,” he said.

And washing the soiled bed sheets, Ann added, noting that laundry is a daily For more information chore. or to register for the local Despite the trials, there is unmistakable joy in their family life. It grows in the pilgrimage to the World Meeting midst of chaos that often leaves Ann and John with little time for themselves, and of Families, call 1-800-653-0017. no hope of a vacation from the demands that come with a fully dependent child.

To register for the World “I would say the joy is in the little things,” Ann said. “The joy is on Tommy’s face.

Meeting of Families, visit www.

The joy is in his freely given smooches all the day long. The joy is [in] those rare worldmeeting 2015.org. moments where you see the older sister helping the first-grade younger sister with For details, visit homework because they know mom is way too busy.” www.archspm.org/WMF. And, maybe most of all, the joy is in seeing how the children have rallied around their older brother who is unable to care for himself. It was most eloquently expressed in a first-grade letter written by Meg when her teacher asked students to describe their dreams for their lives.

“Meg writes as a first-grader, ‘My dream is to help my brother. I want to take care of him when I am older.’”

Ann said. “That’s something I didn’t teach. We just live it. We do it with joy.

“There are some days when it’s very, very difficult. But, part of the joy is the hope that we have for Tommy in the next life. This isn’t all for nothing. His suffering has great merit, and teaches incredible love.”

World Meeting of Families

God made us for love and joy

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April 23, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit

U.S. & World

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Cardinal George, 78, dies after long fight with cancer Catholic News Service Cardinal Francis George, the retired archbishop of Chicago who was the first native Chicagoan to head the archdiocese, died April 17 at his residence after nearly 10 years battling cancer. He was 78.

His successor in Chicago, Archbishop Blase Cupich, called Cardinal George “a man of peace, tenacity and courage” in a statement he read at a news conference outside Holy Name Cathedral to announce the death.

Archbishop Cupich singled out Cardinal George for overcoming many obstacles to become a priest, and “not letting his physical limitations moderate his zeal for bringing the promise of Christ’s love where it was needed most.”

A childhood bout with polio had left the prelate with a weakened leg and a pronounced limp.

Cardinal George’s funeral Mass was April 23 at Holy Name Cathedral and was followed by a committal service at All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines. The cardinal wished to be buried in the George family plot.

In an April 18 telegram to Archbishop Cupich, Pope Francis expressed his condolences to all in the Chicago Archdiocese and imparted his apostolic blessing. He recalled Cardinal George’s “witness of consecrated life” as a Missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate, “his service to the Church’s educational apostolate,” and his years of episcopal ministry.

“I join you in commending the soul of this wise and gentle pastor to the merciful love of God our heavenly Father,” the pope said.

Cardinal George was a philosophy professor and regional provincial, then vicar general of his religious order, the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, before being named a bishop of Yakima, Washington, in 1990. In 1996, he was appointed archbishop of Portland, Oregon.

Less than a year later, St. John Paul II named him to fill the position in Chicago, which was left vacant by the death of Cardinal Joseph Bernardin in November 1996.

By retiring in 2014, Cardinal George accomplished what he often joked was his

Cardinal spent part of 1970s in archdiocese The Catholic Spirit

Cardinal Francis George, who retired as archbishop of Chicago in 2014, died April 17 after a long battle with cancer. CNS/Karen Callaway, Catholic New World aspiration, to be the first cardinal-archbishop of Chicago to step down from the job, rather than dying in office, as his predecessors had.

Archbishop Cupich in his statement also noted that when the U.S. Church “struggled with the grave sin of clerical sexual abuse, (Cardinal George) stood strong among his fellow bishops and insisted that zero tolerance was the only course consistent with our beliefs.”

He observed that Cardinal George had offered his counsel and support to three popes. In Chicago, Archbishop Cupich noted, the cardinal “visited every corner of the archdiocese, talking with the faithful and bringing kindness to every interaction.”

Cardinal George was president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops from 2007 to 2010, which made him the public face of the bishops’ efforts to help shape what became the Affordable Care Act. Cardinal George participated in two conclaves — the first in 2005 when Pope Benedict XVI was elected, and the second in 2013 when Pope Francis was elected.

In 1973, years before becoming a bishop, Cardinal Francis George, a Missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate, served as the order’s Midwestern provincial superior and worked out of the headquarters at 104 N. Mississippi River Blvd. in St. Paul, according to Oblate Father Harry Winter, superior for the North Central District of the Midwest Area.

Then-Father George served in this capacity until October 1974, when he was elected vicar general of the Oblates and moved to Rome.

Oblate Father Jim Deegan, director of Christ the King Retreat Center in Buffalo, recalled visiting him there in 1980.

“Because he suffered from polio as a young boy, his one leg was shorter than the other,” Father Deegan said. “Our community provided him with a small car that would be easy for him to drive.

During our wonderful tour, I believe Father Francis hit every curb in Rome!”

Father Deegan first met Cardinal George in August 1965 when then-Father George was a newly ordained priest teaching philosophy in Pass Christian, Mississippi.

“He was a very brilliant priest and had the ability to communicate abstract concepts in a clear and understandable manner,” Father Deegan said. “He had time for everyone.

“Cardinal George was a very accomplished person, a man of deep faith and consistent prayer,” he added. He was no stranger to suffering with his experience of polio and his more recent nine-year experience of cancer. His focus was never on his suffering, but always on his love for God’s people and his great desire to serve the Church well.”

Flurry of briefs seeks to shape court’s look at same-sex marriage

By Patricia Zapor Catholic News Service When the Supreme Court takes up same-sex marriage cases from four states April 28, it will officially be considering just two constitutional questions.

But judging from the outpouring of friend-of-the-court or “amicus” briefs, the court is expected to affect the very definition of marriage in American society.

Around 120 amicus briefs filed with the court by the early April deadline offer the views of everyone from people who have sought same-sex marriages and states that support them to scholars and religious institutions that come down on both sides of the question, plus business leaders, sociologists and others who weigh in on the effects of different types of marriage. Among those are groups and individuals with views about the potential effect of a ruling on First Amendment rights and those with opinions about issues such as the use of sexual orientation change therapy.

The court has bundled appeals of

April 23, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit

lower court rulings about the laws of Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee under the title of the Ohio case, Obergefell v. Hodges. That case arose after the October 2013 death of John Arthur of Cincinnati. He and his longtime partner, James Obergefell, had married earlier that year in Maryland.

When the local Ohio registrar agreed to list Obergefell as the surviving spouse on Arthur’s death certificate — which is key to a range of survivor’s benefits — the state attorney general challenged the status because Ohio law bars samesex marriages.

Tanco v. Haslam, the Tennessee case, and Bourke v. Beshear, the Kentucky case, similarly challenge those states’ refusal to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions.

DeBoer v. Snyder, the Michigan case, does so based on a lesbian couple’s efforts to jointly adopt their children.

The Supreme Court ruled in 2013 that the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which defined marriage as between one man and one woman, is unconstitutional. The same day it sent back to lower courts a case that resulted

in California’s law barring same-sex marriage being overturned. Since then, four federal Circuit Courts have ruled that state bans on same-sex marriage are unconstitutional, while a fifth Circuit Court upheld such restrictions.

Between state laws and judicial rulings, same-sex marriage is now legal in 38 states and the District of Columbia.

In agreeing in January to take the cases, the Supreme Court said it would consider two constitutional questions: 1. Does the 14th Amendment require a state to license a marriage between two people of the same sex? And 2. Does the 14th Amendment require a state to recognize a marriage between two people of the same sex when their marriage was lawfully licensed and performed out of state?

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops filed a brief arguing that the state laws limiting marriage of heterosexual couples should be upheld because “as a matter of simple biology, the sexual union of one man and one woman is the only union capable of creating new life,” and that homes with a father and a mother are the optimal

environment for children. It said it is “reasonable and just” for states to treat heterosexual marriages as having more value than other kinds of relationships.

The USCCB also argues that laws permitting same-sex marriages redefine the traditional definition of marriage and would “needlessly create churchstate conflict for generations to come.”

The brief said that when government treats people differently on the basis of race, sex or national origin, “it discriminates on the basis of an immutable trait identifiable from conception or birth. In contrast, a decision to participate in a same-sex relationship is not a trait, but a species of conduct.”

The Catholic Church teaches that homosexual attraction itself is not sinful, though homosexual actions are sinful. It teaches that marriage is only a union between a man and a woman and that any sexual activity outside of marriage is sinful.

The Supreme Court is expected to rule on the cases before the end of its term in late June.

11

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service

Pope Francis accepts the final volume of a limited, fine-art edition of The St. John’s Bible at the end of an annual audience with the Papal Foundation at the Vatican April 17. The St. John’s Bible is a project of the Benedictine monks of St. John’s Abbey and of St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota. CNS/L’Osservatore Romano

Pope receives the final volume of Minnesota-created St. John’s Bible

By Laura Ieraci Catholic News Service Military tanks, oil derricks and cancer cells are among the contemporary depictions of the afflictions prefigured by the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse in a fine-art edition of the Book of Revelation given to Pope Francis.

The last of the seven volumes that comprise The St. John’s Bible was presented to the pope April 17 at the end of his annual audience with the U.S.-based Papal Foundation.

The last volume includes the Book of Revelation and the Epistles.

The St. John’s Bible, renowned for its handwritten text and vibrant illuminations, is a project of St. John’s Abbey and St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota.

“The original mission and energy behind [the Bible] was to really ignite the spiritual imagination of people in terms of Scripture,” said Benedictine Abbot John Klassen.

The abbot was joined by Donald Jackson, the Bible’s artistic director, Michael Hemesath, the university president, and Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington, president of the Papal Foundation, for the presentation to the pope.

Pope Francis seemed to appreciate the volume, raising his hands in joy at the visual depiction of the New Jerusalem, said Donald Jackson, the Bible’s artistic director.

Pope Benedict XVI received the first volume in 2008. The specialedition volumes given to the pontiffs are bound in calf-skin leather and are about 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide when opened; they

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weigh about 14 pounds each.

Noting that “most people are visual learners,” the abbot said the Bible’s colorful and layered illuminations are intended to stimulate readers’ “own visual imagination” and help them “begin to internalize and be in conversation with Scripture.”

Of the 299 seven-volume sets that have been printed, about 100 have been purchased by individuals and institutions, “not just Roman Catholic . . . for discussion, interfaith dialogue and prayer,” said Jackson, a Welsh artist, giving as an example the Anglican St. Martin-inthe-Fields Church in London.

With all of the art work completed and the volumes published, the project, which began in 1998, will continue in “smaller and simpler ways,” the abbot said. However, the goal will always be to offer people opportunities to reflect upon and integrate Scripture in their lives, he added.

The Apostles’ Edition of The St. John’s Bible received by the pope was a gift to the Holy See from the Papal Foundation, thanks to a $1 million donation from the Gerald and Henrietta Rauenhorst Foundation. The volumes have been entrusted to the Vatican Museums.

The volumes have been entrusted to the Vatican Museums.

A seven-volume St. John’s Bible with a simpler binding, called the Heritage Edition, was entrusted to the Vatican Library. The latter can be purchased for $165,000. Single illuminations and smaller-sized editions of the Bible are also available at www.saintjohnsbible.org.

Throughout history and around the globe, Christian, Muslim and Jewish women have been inspired by their faith to boldly and creatively engage in conflict resolution, peacemaking and reconciliation, said speakers at a conference in Rome.

While their faith traditions have been used by some people to subject women and downplay their role, claiming leadership roles in society “does not involve severing their religious legacy,” said Irene Kajon, who is Jewish and teaches philosophy at Rome’s Sapienza University. Kajon, who along with a Muslim and a Catholic woman, spoke April 14 at a conference organized by the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See. During the question-and-answer session of the conference on “Women’s Leadership in Conflict Resolution: Faith Perspectives,” many comments focused on perceptions of discrimination against women in Islam and in the Catholic Church.

Cardinal Peter Turkson, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, responded to charges of discrimination against women in the Catholic Church. As long as the question of women’s roles in the Church is “de-coupled” from the question of priestly ordination — something the Church believes it has no power to change — he said, much has been done and more can still be done to recognize women’s leadership potential and guarantee them a voice in decision-making processes.

Under the leadership of Pope Francis, “we are seeing a springtime for new leadership in the Church,” he said, citing a private conversation in which the pope told him he saw no reason why the new secretary of justice and peace and the next heads of the pontifical councils for the laity and for the family should not be women or a married couple.

Donna Orsuto, a professor at Rome’s Pontifical Gregorian University, told the conference “Christian women have taken leadership roles in conflict resolution.”

However, she told participants — including dozens of religious women — “oftentimes, though, their activities are hidden, especially in the case of women religious, because they simply do not draw attention to themselves.”

“This reticence among religious women — and also among some laywomen — is coupled with the reality that both the Church and society often overlook or underestimate the leadership role of women in conflict situations,” Orsuto said. “This is part of a wider problem that has to do with how women are treated in general.”

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12

For Year of Mercy, national shrine seals Holy Door Catholic News Service Bishop Paul Loverde of Arlington, Virginia, blessed and sealed the Holy Door at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington during the April 12 liturgy for Divine Mercy Sunday.

Bishop Loverde, who was the celebrant and homilist at the noon Mass, affixed a gold cross and the coat of arms of Pope Francis to the door.

The door will be opened Dec. 8 at the beginning of the 2015-2016 extraordinary Holy Year of Mercy.

St. John Paul II established the second Sunday of Easter as Divine Mercy Sunday in 2000 to emphasize the connection between the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the mercy and forgiveness that flow from the paschal mystery to his disciples.

Like St. John Paul II, who spent the early years of his pontificate preaching and writing on redemption and mercy, Pope Francis has focused on God’s “heart for those who are suffering” and the Church’s unique role in providing such care and compassion.

The holy year dedicated to the theme of mercy will begin on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, which is Dec. 8, and conclude Nov. 20, 2016, which is the feast of Christ the King.

Pope Francis asked that all dioceses around the world designate a “Door of Mercy” at their cathedral or another special church or shrine, and that every diocese implement the “24 Hours for the Lord” initiative on the Friday and Saturday before the fourth week of Lent 2016.

By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service

A worker places a gold cross on the Holy Door at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington during the April 12 liturgy for Divine Mercy Sunday. CNS

Term ‘genocide’ angers Turkey, while pope says memory leads to healing

By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide, Pope Francis said atrocities from the past have to be recognized — not hidden or denied — for true reconciliation and healing to come to the world.

However, Turkey’s top government officials criticized the pope’s use of the term “genocide” — citing a 2001 joint statement by St. John Paul II and the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church — in reference to the deaths of an estimated 1.5 million “It seems that the human Armenians during their evacuation by family refuses to learn from forced Ottoman Turks in its mistakes caused by the 1915-18.

Turkey rejects the accusation of genocide, law of terror, so that there and the government are still today those who try called its ambassador to the Holy See back to to eliminate their own kind Turkey “for consultations” April 12, with the help of some and the same day Pope Francis made his with the complicit silence statement. The government also of others who act as summoned Archbishop Antonio Lucibello, bystanders.” nuncio to Turkey, to lodge a complaint.

Pope Francis Before concelebrating the Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on Divine Mercy Sunday, Pope Francis greeted the many Armenian faithful who were present, including Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan.

The pope lamented the continued forced expulsions and atrocious killings of Christians in the world saying, “Today, too, we are experiencing a kind of genocide

April 23, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit

War of the sexes: Gender theory is the problem, not solution, pope says

created by general and collective indifference” and “complicit silence.”

Humanity has lived through “three massive and unprecedented tragedies the past century: the first, which is generally considered ‘the first genocide of the 20th century,’” struck the Armenian people, he said, quoting a joint declaration signed in 2001 by St. John Paul II and Catholicos Karekin II of Etchmiadzin, patriarch of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

The other two 20th-century tragedies were those “perpetrated by Nazism and Stalinism,” while more recently “other mass exterminations” have been seen in Cambodia, Rwanda, Burundi and Bosnia, Pope Francis said.

“It seems that the human family refuses to learn from its mistakes caused by the law of terror, so that there are still today those who try to eliminate their own kind with the help of some and with the complicit silence of others who act as bystanders,” he said.

Addressing Armenian Christians, the pope said that recalling “that tragic event, that immense and senseless slaughter, which your forebears cruelly endured,” was necessary and “indeed a duty” to honor their memory “because wherever memory does not exist, it means that evil still keeps the wound open.”

“Concealing or denying evil is like letting a wound keep bleeding without treating it,” he said.

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said the pope used “inappropriate” and “one-sided” language by describing the deaths of Armenians during World War I as genocide.

He said, “Only highlighting one side’s suffering during wartime and discriminating the others’ pain is not appropriate for the pope,” adding that it would fuel racism and anti-Turkey sentiments in Europe.

Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a written statement that Pope Francis’ references to events from 1915 as genocide “contradict historical and legal facts” and it claimed the Mass was “instrumentalized for political aims.”

Turkey says the deaths were due largely to disease and famine during the “relocation process” and that both sides suffered many casualties during the war.

Eradicating male and female identities does nothing to solve the problem of unfair or disrespectful treatment based on people’s gender, Pope Francis said.

“Getting rid of the difference is the problem, not the solution,” he said April 15 during his general audience in St. Peter’s Square.

The right way to solve the problems and conflicts in male-female relations is to have men and women “talk to each other more, listen to each other more, know each other better, care more for each other,” he said.

Pope Francis said that when God created humanity in his image, he did so for man and woman together, “as a couple,” in a state of sharing and harmony.

Sexual differentiation, therefore, exists not for creating conflict or a situation of subordination, but for reciprocity and fruitfulness — “for communion and generation, always in the image and likeness of God,” the pope said.

Modern culture has done much to open up a new and deeper understanding of men and women, “but it also has introduced many doubts and much skepticism,” he said.

“For example, I wonder if so-called gender theory may not also be an expression of frustration and resignation that aims to erase sexual differentiation because it no longer knows how to come to terms with it,” the pope said.

With gender theory, which argues that male and female characteristics are largely malleable social constructs, he said, “we risk going backward.”

“God entrusted the earth to the covenant between man and woman: its failure drains the world of affection and obscures the heavens of hope,” he said.

Pope Francis said the church and all Catholics carry a great responsibility in “rediscovering the beauty of the Creator’s plan.”

Men and women “must treat each other with respect and friendly cooperation,” and once this proper basis is created with God’s grace, solid marriages and families can be built, he said.

13 Pope to Summit of the Americas: Do more to help poor

With an obligation to lead and protect everyone in their nations, government officials cannot be content “to hope that the poor collect the crumbs that fall from the table of the rich,” Pope Francis said in a message to the Summit of the Americas. Thirty-five heads of state from North, Central and South America met April 10-11 in Panama City, Panama, for discussions under the theme, “Prosperity with Equity: The Challenge of Cooperation in the Americas.” The pope said he hoped the leaders would find ways not only to promote economic growth, but also to guarantee the rights of the poor to the “basic needs” of land, jobs, shelter, health care, education, security and a healthy environment — things “no human being should be excluded from.”

TURIN, ITALY

Shroud of Turin on display; city readies for pope, pilgrims The Shroud of Turin was unveiled during a Mass in the Turin cathedral April 19. Pope Francis authorized the public display of the shroud to help commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of St. John Bosco. The pope was scheduled to visit Turin June 21-22 and was to venerate the shroud. In St. Peter’s Square April 19, the pope said he hoped venerating the shroud “may help us all to find in Jesus Christ the merciful face of God and to recognize it in the faces of our brothers and sisters, especially those who suffer most.”

Catholic News Service

Masters champ, Jesuit prep school grad, remains humble

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By Seth Gonzales Catholic News Service Even after becoming the toast of the sports world, golfer Jordan Spieth, a 21-year-old Dallas Jesuit graduate, remained humble and down-to-earth as he worked the crowds at Augusta, handled the media, and bantered with morning and late night talk show hosts after his historic win.

That’s no surprise to those who know the new Masters champion, who set course records at Augusta, Georgia, from April 9-12 on his way to the iconic green jacket. They say he has kept family first, especially his younger sister, Ellie, who is autistic.

“He is just very genuine,” said Steve Koch, athletic director at Jesuit College Preparatory School in Dallas, which claims Spieth as a graduate of its class of 2011.

“He says what he believes. He believes in supporting others, taking care of others before he takes care of himself.”

Michael Earsing, the president of the Jesuit school, said that the foundation of family, balance and caring for others has no doubt created a different perspective for Spieth, one that will serve him well after winning the Masters.

“We talk about Ignatian balance in everything we do, and I think Jordan and his family are a really good example of that balance,” Earsing told The Texas Catholic, newspaper of the Diocese of Dallas. “When we talk

U.S. golfer Jordan Spieth hits off the sixth tee April 12 during the final round of play during the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Course in Georgia.

CNS/Reuters about balance, we talk about love.

We talk about how much he loves his sister, someone he loves and who has kept him grounded. We talk about how important life is to all of us as Catholics.”

At the Masters, Spieth became the second-youngest player to win and was the first to reach 19 under par in the tournament. His 28 birdies in the four rounds at the Masters are a tournament record. He is only the fifth player to lead from start to finish. He finished 18-under par, 270.

Spieth’s win at the Masters has inspired the Dallas Jesuit community, but perhaps none more so than the school’s golf team, which was preparing for a regional tournament during the Masters tournament.

Unlike other Masters champions who take the week off following the tournament, Spieth said that he would play the RBC

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That loyalty is not surprising for those who see Spieth on the national stage. They say he is the same young man with the same value system that he had embraced at Dallas Catholic schools, including his elementary school, St. Monica Catholic School.

“Jordan was always respectful to staff and students alike,” said Colette Corbin of the school’s Student Services Department. “He was one of those kids that would just stay and help clean up in the cafeteria if he saw that I was short on students helping. He was considerate of others’ feelings and tried to include other students that might otherwise not be part of a group.”

The canonization of Blessed Junipero Serra will give the United States its first Hispanic saint, which should help more Americans realize that the country was settled by both Hispanics and Anglos, said the secretary of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.

Guzman Carriquiry, the Vatican official who hails from Uruguay, told reporters he hoped the canonization would promote greater acceptance of

Hispanic Americans, recognition of the Catholic contribution to U.S. history and a more accurate understanding of how the United States became a country.

Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, announced April 20 that Pope Francis planned to canonize the 18th-century Spanish Franciscan missionary the evening of Sept. 23 during a Mass on the lawn of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington.

The announcement, and Carriquiry’s comments, came during a Vatican news conference about Pope Francis’ visit to the Pontifical North America College, the U.S. seminary in Rome, May 2 to conclude a study day about Blessed Serra. An “Anglo-centric” reading of U.S. history, Carriquiry said, ignores the fact that Spaniards explored much of its eventual territory and made important contributions to the histories of California, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana and Florida.

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14

P

ermanent deacons, as most Catholics see them, proclaim the Gospel at Sunday Mass and assist the priest presiding, often by accepting the offertory gifts, preparing the altar for the Liturgy of the Eucharist and, at the end of Mass, proclaiming, “Go in peace.”

Some Catholics — and non-Catholics, too — see permanent deacons in other activities, especially in prison ministry, pre-marriage instruction, preparing candidates for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, visiting the elderly and those in the hospital, and volunteering with charities that care for the poor and needy.

All those activities that permanent deacons are involved in are the practical answer to the question Deacon Joseph Michalak is very familiar with: “What do deacons do?”

The director of permanent deacon formation in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis smiled and said, “I get that question all the time.”

He has a PowerPoint slideshow that answers the question when he does workshops around the country.

Forty-four years after the first permanent deacons were ordained in the United States, however, the ministry remains relatively unknown and poorly understood.

Aiming to change that are those from around the country involved in preparing permanent deacons to be ordained and to serve. They are meeting at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown in Minneapolis April 2124 at the annual convention of the National Association of Diaconate Directors. It is expected to draw 300 deacons, their wives and diaconate candidates in formation.

Available ambassadors The theme of this year’s convention is “Deacon: Steward of Christ’s Mercy,” which resonated with Deacon Michalak.

He told The Catholic Spirit he wishes people understood two things about the permanent diaconate: “First, that it’s an integral, essential vocation for the Church — and I think for the new evangelization,” he said, “and that people understand that we are there for them, for the Church. We are ambassadors of Christ and available to be that mediator in counsel, in prayer and in presence.”

There is, however, reason for a lack of understanding or appreciation for the deacon’s role, he said.

“There is nothing unique that the deacon does that isn’t somehow already covered,” Deacon Michalak acknowledged.

The sacramental abilities to baptize, officiate weddings, administer the sacrament of the sick and proclaim the Gospel all can be done by a priest. Lay people can visit the sick, catechize and perform acts of charity.

“What we are to do is to embody or be the icon of Jesus the servant,” Deacon Michalak said.

Jesus served by obeying the Father, he said, so the deacon’s main role is “to image obedient listening and be sent to do what he who sends us asks us to do.”

In the ordination rite, deacons receive the Book of the Gospels from the bishop, signifying that they are the

What gives you the greatest sense of accomplishment as a

deacon?

The Catholic Spirit asked, and deacons answered

April 23, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit

“heralds of God, sent to proclaim the Gospel,” Deacon Michalak said.

“The deacon is the bishop’s man, the bishop’s helper,” he added. “The root meaning of deacon from the Greek is ‘one who is sent by the authority of another.’ Therefore, he is an ambassador, an envoy, a diplomat and mediator. It also has the meaning of ‘table waiter.’

“Practically, that means the deacon is to do whatever he is sent to do by the authority of the bishop,” Deacon Michalak said. When he’s given an assignment at a parish, “he’s assigned by the bishop to go help that priest dispense all the mysteries of grace to those in that place.”

Unseen servants

What do d

It’s a commo and local deacon

While Catholics typically see the deacon proclaiming the Gospel and preaching — his “Ministry of the Word” — and they see him assisting at Mass — his “Ministry of

By Bob the Altar” — what “stamps the deacon,” the formation director said, is his “Ministry of Charity,” work that often isn’t at the parish to which they are assigned and often goes unseen by parishioners.

“A lot of our deacons are involved in charitable work, things such as ministering to the poor or to troubled youth,” Deacon Michalak said, “and in our archdiocese deacons have pretty much taken over prison ministry.”

Permanent deacons are also supposed to be “animators” of the laity, Deacon Michalak said, modeling for lay people what it means to listen obediently and engaging them in parish outreaches.

“Because many deacons are married, people identify with us,” he said.“They see you’ve got all the challenges of family life and a job that they do, yet you’re ordered to this obedient listening and being sent forth.

“They say, ‘I don’t have time to do that. How do you do that?’ That’s the Deacon Joseph Michalak carries the Book of the Gospels March 26 at the Chrism Mass at main way I animate people” — by the Cathedral of St. Paul. Dave Hrbacek/The Catholic Spirit explaining how he responds to being sent to serve others, he said.

After being ordained a deacon in 2010, he initially

Relatable experience It helps that deacons are or have been in the work-a-day world. They’ve been in the trades, are businessmen or educators.

“People relate to them on that level,” Deacon Michalak said. “People generally like to hear deacons preach because they bring a different perspective. Father is not going to give an example in his homily of yelling at his teenage daughter, as we might.”

He added: “We are to ‘enthrone the Word of God in the world’ — that’s a phrase I like.”

Deacon Jim Marschall Coordinator of pastoral care / justice and service All Saints, Lakeville “Two words: connections and relationships. A significant part of my service as a deacon is assisting persons with making connections to resources that meet their needs. Sometimes those needs are spiritual; sometimes temporal, physical or emotional. Often the need involves some kind of healing. Hand in hand with this is building and encouraging relationships, most significantly, people’s relationships with Jesus Christ. It is my place to be an instrument for God to draw people closer to himself. Another way to say it might be, that I am to meet people where they are at and help them take the next step in their journey of faith, while keeping myself out of the way. Most of the time, I don’t get to see results.

However, these experiences invariably enrich my own relationship with Christ.”

wouldn’t wear a Roman collar when traveling, preferring to be anonymous, but Deacon Michalak said he has since changed his mind.

“If I wear a Roman collar and sit in an airplane, people’s stories emerge,” he said. “I’m embodying the Church for them. I can be an intercessor in prayer for them, a bridge to God.” He’s found it essential to wear the collar doing hospital visits. “I found when you walk into a hospital room with the collar on, people think, the Church,” he said. “People will seek the presence of the Church in their need.”

Deacon Steve Maier Police chaplain St. Francis de Sales, St. Paul

Deacon Russ Kocem Parish deacon Nativity of Our Lord

“I’m a police chaplain for St. Paul, so the most satisfying thing I do is help people in need, whether that’s a police officer or a victim. It’s showing the light of Christ to them in a gentle way.”

“It isn’t so much that we ‘d the presence’ of that which is of heart. Our challenge is not rather, our challenge is to be p . . . to become that which the Christ Jesus, by the love of th be present to in our ministry o entering of the mystery of Chr our presence to that or to who the joy of that which we even the Holy Spirit — joy — that accomplishment in all the thin where I say: ‘This is why I bec is so satisfying!’ ”

15

oes a deacon do?

only asked question, ns are happy to respond

b Zyskowski | The Catholic Spirit

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New director aims to spread understanding of deacons’ role Deacon John Belian said he should be better able to prioritize his work as the new director of the diaconate in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis after four listening sessions with deacons this spring.

Archbishop John Nienstedt appointed Deacon Belian to the position earlier this year. He’ll serve as a volunteer and on a part-time basis for at least one year, according to a letter from Bishop Lee Piché to deacons.

Deacon Belian, who ministers at Holy Cross in Minneapolis, succeeds Deacon Joseph Michalak, who for the past two years has held the position while also serving as director of deacon formation.

Deacon Belian’s principal responsibilities, Bishop Piché noted, are supporting the diaconal community and overseeing the community’s events, serving as a resource for permanent deacons and their wives, and providing consultation when requested for issues related to assignments.

Deacon Michalak will continue to direct the Institute for Diaconate Formation, which over time “has become more and more integrated with the St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity, sharing facilities, faculty and courses,” the bishop pointed out.

He added that after careful review and consultation, and with the full consent of seminary rector Msgr. Aloysius Callaghan, Archbishop Nienstedt has issued a directive that the deacon formation program become an institute within the St. Paul Seminary.

The IDF will be responsible for the selection and admission process, general catechesis and information on the vocation of deacon, as well as continuing education for ordained deacons.

Having a specific person for deacons to turn to for support is a key aspect of his new position, Deacon Belian said. He said the Deacon Council “does most of the heavy lifting” for the events of the diaconate community, which are social, educational and spiritual in nature.

If there is one new initiative he has in mind, it is to help people both inside and outside the Church understand the diaconate.

“We have to have a simple, straightforward but complete way to explain who we are and what we do,” he said.

mba

d, St. Paul

do’ as it is that we ‘become s to be done through charity to ‘be’ or to ‘do’ everything; present in a sacramental way Father, through his Son, he Holy Spirit is calling us to of deacon. . . . It is the rist Jesus Servant wherein om we are called becomes ntually do. It is in that fruit of I feel the most sense of ngs that I do as deacon and came a deacon! This is why it

From left, Nube Hurtado Nieto, Wilson Naranjo Romero, Deacon Ramon Garcia and his wife, Suzanne, pray before a pre-marriage session at St. Stephen in Anoka. The Garcias meet regularly with both engaged and married couples. Dave Hrbacek/The Catholic Spirit

Anoka deacon: Despite barriers, God called

By Bob Zyskowski The Catholic Spirit Deacon Ramon Garcia’s father died when he was young. At age 17, he started working to support his family in Mexico.

He was going to college at the same time, and watching his friends get married and beginning their adult lives.

“I had questions in my life at that time,” he remembered. “I tried finding my place in life. I needed a break, and a friend and cousin who lived in the United States said, ‘Come for a year.’ ” He was 21 at the time.

Twenty-six years later he is still here, married with three children, and an ordained permanent deacon in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

“My intention was to stay one year,” Deacon Garcia said. “God has another plan.”

Deacon Bob Bisciglia Pastoral minister St. Peter, North St. Paul

Deacon Darrel Branch Pastoral minister St. Gabriel the Archangel, Hopkins

“Being involved with individuals and families at very important times of their lives, preparing for and celebrating marriage and baptism, visiting the sick and the home bound. Meeting with families in their grief and planning funerals. Talking, sharing about faith and the presence of God in our lives! I have learned so much from the parishioners and staff at the Church of St. Peter in North St. Paul where I have been assigned for close to 10 years. I am especially blessed to be able serve with my wife, Anne, in marriage and baptism preparation, not to mention her invaluable critiques of my homilies!”

“What gives my wife and me a sense of accomplishment is our ministry to couples who struggle with infertility issues. When we started our infertility journey we had no place to turn for help or information.

We have been blessed with the opportunity to help couples come to terms with their infertility and walk with them on their journey.

“What gives me the sense of accomplishment is when I serve at Mass. Especially when I prepare the altar for the sacrifice of the Mass. It is a powerful and humbling experience.”

When he first came to the United States he worked in the kitchen of an Italian restaurant and began volunteering in youth ministry at Sagrado Corazon de Jesus, a parish in south Minneapolis that serves Spanish-speaking people.

“I felt hungry to volunteer,” Deacon Garcia said. “It’s an opportunity we didn’t have in Mexico. Something moved inside of me to volunteer.”

A veteran in Hispanic ministry in the archdiocese, Deacon Carl Valdez was among those who mentioned the diaconate to Garcia.

Father Lawrence Hubbard, who has long served the Hispanic community in the Twin Cities area, encouraged him, too.

“In Mexico, we didn’t have this vocation,” he said. “I was hungry to learn more about Please turn to DEACON on page 27

Deacon Phillip Stewart Administrator, Leo C. Byrne Residence Cathedral of St. Paul “To respond to your question for me is like trying to explain to someone what part of your favorite dessert of all time tastes best: ‘All of it!’ Because satisfaction comes when I am serving God’s Church through all my diaconal ministries, regardless of the challenge and/or sacrifice, especially those ministries that leave me wanting to do more.”

April 23, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit

Faith & Culture

16

Speaker: Responsible parenthood begins before baby Moral theology professor says Church’s teachings on sexuality promote meaningful, joyful life

By Susan Klemond For The Catholic Spirit Is “conscious parenthood” a new trend in enlightened Zen childrearing?

St. John Paul II had something else in mind almost 60 years ago: understanding that sex brings with it the possibility of conceiving a baby and allowing that knowledge to govern decision-making about sexual activity, said moral theology professor and author Janet Smith, who spoke April 16 at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul.

Not practicing conscious or responsible parenthood “is actually to be less than human because we’re capable,” said Smith, whose talk, “The Real Meaning of Responsible Parenthood,” was sponsored by the Siena Symposium for Women, Family and Culture and was attended by about 150 people.

Drawing from the 1968 encyclical “Humanae Vitae” and the writings of St. John Paul II,

Smith outlined a Church-based approach to courtship and parenting that involves giving oneself rather than using the Janet SMITH other, and accepting parenthood as good.

Smith, a professor of moral theology at Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit, Michigan, speaks internationally about Catholic teachings on sexuality and bioethics. She is especially known for her talks and writings on contraception.

R. Mary Lemmons, St. Thomas’ philosophy professor and Siena Symposium co-director, said Smith was invited to speak because of “her courage and dedication to promoting the truth of the Catholic vision for women and the family in today’s culture.”

The Siena Symposium is an interdisciplinary faculty group at St. Thomas whose interest is in developing the new feminism called for by St. John Paul II. Before her lecture, Smith was presented with the symposium’s

2015 Humanitarian Leadership Award.

Parents can show joyful life The mission of conscious parenthood is for spouses to recognize their duty toward God, themselves, family and human society, said Smith, who will give two talks at the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia this fall.

Through mutual self-giving, spouses form a communion through which they perfect each other to share with God the task of procreating and educating children, she said.

The danger is when men and women want each other for their own ends rather than affirming each other in the sexual act, Smith said. True love wants what’s best for the other.

People should choose a partner who they think will be a good parent, Smith said, adding that the union needs to be accompanied by both spouses’ willingness to be parents.

“It’s not just a baby on the other end, but you now have a lifetime response to this person,” she said.

Spreading the message about the beauty of Church teaching on

parenthood starts in the family, Smith said. She suggested that parents give their children positive examples of parenting and opportunities to be around babies.

John Vinton, a student at St. John Vianney College Seminary in St. Paul, said he liked Smith’s description of the beauty of loving the whole person for who he or she is.

Anne Meurer of St. John the Baptist in Jordan appreciated Smith’s discussion of love as a mutual sacrifice, she said, because some Catholic speakers don’t talk about reciprocity in a marriage.

“They don’t talk about the fullness of truth — the whole truth, which is not just giving until you’re exhausted, but [also], is the other person loving back?” she said.

When Catholics live the Church’s teaching on sexuality, people in the world see that they’re living a meaningful, joyful life, Smith said.

“You have to start on the inside to work out,” she said. “Catholics have to believe it first and then they have to go out and teach it to the culture. We’ve got a rationale, we’ve got a system, we’ve got an institution. If we don’t get our act together, there’s no way to change the culture.”

If you or someone you know has been sexually abused, your

The archdiocese’s Victim Assistance Program is also available to offer help compassionate assistance from an independent and professional local care

Theology Day. Find out.

Mary in History and Theology

Thursday, May 7 – Basilica of Saint Mary, 88 N 17th St, Minneapolis 6 p.m.: check-in, 6:30-9 p.m.: presentation A great deal of what we know about the Blessed Mother is simply a matter of faith and legend, but should that be a problem for contemporary Christians seeking clarification of the Church’s teachings? Through a historical and theological analysis of Mary, this presentation seeks to construct an understanding that draws heavily from the Tradition and moves it into the twenty-first century.

Father Michael Patella, OSB, was the chair of the Committee on Illumination and Text for The Saint John’s Bible. He is Professor of New Testament at the School of Theology·Seminary at Saint John’s University, where he also serves as the seminary rector and director of its Holy Land Studies program. As a New Testament scholar he has written in the area of Luke-Acts, Paul, Mark, and angelology.

Father Michael is also a member of the Catholic Biblical Association of America.

FREE but registration is required: www.csbsju.edu/sot or 320-363-3570

April 23, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit

17

Dunrovin Students on retreat canoe in the lake in front of the Dunrovin Christian Brothers Retreat Center near Marine on St. Croix. Inset: A student reads a book outside, and Christine Meeds, daughter of executive director Jerome Meeds, helps a camper get out of a kayak. Below, youth play outside. Courtesy Dunrovin and The Catholic Spirit file photos.

By Maria Wiering The Catholic Spirit n a warm spring afternoon, Nancy Russ sat on a bench, gazing out over the small, tree-lined lake on the grounds of the Dunrovin Christian Brothers Retreat Center near Marine on St. Croix. The only sounds were honking geese and branches rustled by a gentle breeze. A parishioner of St. Joan of Arc in Minneapolis, Russ, 72, said she has been coming to Dunrovin for 18 years and always feels a sense of peace there.

“I like Dunrovin because it’s close to the cities, and it’s far enough away that you can really be immersed in that meditative state,” said Russ, a hospice nurse participating in a four-day seminar for Healing Touch practitioners.

For five decades, the 52-acre retreat center has hosted thousands of retreats for youth, parishes and other groups and individuals. Although it still offers many retreats for adults, the center is refocusing on its original, Lasallian youthfocused mission. Last year, the center saw the largest number of retreats in 25 years and hosted 2,768 people, most of whom were youth.

“We have a lot of people come through our doors, but our heart is with the youth,” said Jerome Meeds, Dunrovin’s executive director.

“We have a lot of people come through our doors, but our heart is with the youth.”

Jerome Meeds

“We were founded as a youth retreat center.”

On nearly every weekend during the year and on summer weekdays, middle school and high school-aged youth attend retreats at Dunrovin.

Sometimes Meeds facilitates; other times, he’s simply a host for youth groups with their own program. Many come for confirmation retreats.

Just a few years ago, two-thirds of Dunrovin’s guests were adults. Now, about two-thirds are youth. Meeds and his staff have made a concerted effort to grow the center’s youth programs by adding summer camps and strengthening programing.

Meeds “has been creating the environment that has opened up a willingness to come out here, and that’s one of those word-of-mouth [efforts],” said Jim Noon, Dunrovin’s business administrator.

Retreats are essential for Catholic youth, Meeds said, because they’re designed to “spark” a person’s faith. They reach a young person in the way Catholic education and catechism classes often can’t, he added.

That spark “happens more naturally when you’re on retreat, when you back away from the Please turn to DUNROVIN on page 20

April 23, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit

Dunrovin

20

Dunrovin planning to take outreach into area schools Continued from page 17 pressures of the world,” he said.

“You’re backing away from the noise of the city . . . getting them unplugged so they can hear the voice of God, to experience his love, his mercy.”

In 2014, Dunrovin hosted groups ranging from St. Paul’s Outreach and Cretin-Derham Hall High School to St. Peter in North St. Paul and St. Vincent de Paul in Brooklyn Park.

In addition to retreats, Dunrovin hosts leadership training for youth, including the Dunrovin Leadership Institute Training Experience, or DLITE. Forty participated in 2014.

Teresa Kostohris was a participant in DLITE’s first year in 2009 and now manages the program on the Dunrovin staff.

Being part of DLITE taught her how to apply her faith to evangelization and service, she said.

Meeds’ training gave her confidence.

“With these kids, they’ve been preached at a lot, and that’s what we do. Our mission is to love them,” she said. “God really showed me that week the profound way he uses me.”

Kostohris, a parishioner of St. Joseph in West St. Paul, calls Dunrovin “a huge part” of her conversion, and said every summer she’s worked there has been a way to “get back to the basics” of faith and renew her trust in God. DLITE participants work at Dunrovin with inner-city youth from the Twin Cities and San Miguel School, a Christian Brothers middle school in Chicago’s Back of the Yards neighborhood. San Miguel sends students to Dunrovin

every summer for a five or six-day camp.

“Dunrovin is the highlight of my year so far,” a San Miguel student said in a 2013 video on YouTube.

“When you step off the bus, you know it’s going to be a great week.”

Dunrovin’s camp program “stretches and challenges” youth, Meeds said.

“What I’m finding is that young people want to be challenged,” he said.

Meeds plans to launch a retreat team this fall to help with high school programs and to host programs at local schools and parishes.

“My concern is that young people are leaving the Church in droves,” he said. “They get confirmed, and then that’s it. My philosophy is that we need to do something different. If same-old, same-old isn’t working, we need to change it up. Our style of retreat is very unique.”

Some parents and Church leaders tell Dunrovin leaders that the retreats have made a difference in how their youth act at home, Meeds said.

“That’s how you know you’re making a real impact,” he said.

Meeds is the retreat center’s first director who is not a Christian Brother. When he joined the staff 16 years ago, a few Christian Brothers still lived and worked at the center.

None do today, although Dunrovin continues as an official ministry of the Midwest District of the De La Salle Christian Brothers, based in St. Louis.

“Hospitality is our strong suit,” he said. “It’s an underlying charism of Christian Brothers. . . . If you meet a

Trust walks, where blindfolded participants must let a partner guide them, have been part of Dunrovin retreat activities.

Courtesy Dunrovin Christian Brother, he’s hospitable.”

He added: “When people come here, we love them as Christ would love them. We give them a great place to stay, good food, and probably most importantly, a warm welcome.”

That hospitality extends beyond Catholics to Protestant and Jewish retreat groups. Some have been coming for 35 years, Meeds said.

Christian Brother Bill Clarey, Dunrovin’s director from 1966 to 1969, said he implemented his background in teaching and counseling with retreat activities.

While there, he shifted the prevalent retreat structure from silence and lectures to conversation and introspective activities, and made the center available for retreats for some of the all-girls Catholic schools. Religion teachers often accompanied the students,

and school chaplains would hear confessions and offer Mass.

While working at Dunrovin, Brother Bill recognized the need for teen drug addiction counseling in the Twin Cities, and, after leaving, he began a center for drug addicts on Summit Avenue in St. Paul. Now retired after working in the counseling program faculty at the University of St. Thomas and St. John’s University in Collegeville, Brother Bill, 75, returned to Dunrovin as a board member.

Even after 50 years, he still admires the center and its grounds for its beauty.

“I just hoped the kids wouldn’t say, ‘I’m glad this is over.’ And it was the opposite. You could tell,” Brother Bill said of his time as director. “I don’t know if there was ever a bad retreat.”

45 years as Minnesota’s largest retreat center on beautiful 70-acre river bluff campus in Frontenac

Blessed are our subscribers . . . Thank you for your support!

April 23, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit

19

By Maria Wiering The Catholic Spirit In the mid-20th century, Catholic high school students were typically required to attend a retreat before graduation, and those attending schools run by Christian Brothers were no exception. The religious community ran several all-male Twin Cities schools, most of which have since merged or closed: Archbishop Brady High School in West St. Paul, Benilde High School in St. Louis Park, Cretin High School in St. Paul, DeLaSalle in Minneapolis, Hill High School in Maplewood and Archbishop Grace High School in Fridley.

By the 1950s, the Christian Brothers in the Twin Cities were searching for a place to establish a retreat center like the ones they ran in Chicago and St. Louis. In 1958, they responded to an advertisement in the Catholic Bulletin, The Catholic Spirit’s forerunner, listing the Dunrovin property for sale. They purchased the property and broke ground on a retreat center in April 1963. The first retreat was held in 1964 on Ash Wednesday for Hill High. Four months later, Archbishop Leo Binz formally blessed the center and grounds.

Prior to its purchase by the Christian brothers, the property was operated in the 1930s as Morning Glory Trout and Game Preserve. Located along the

St. Croix River 10 miles north of Stillwater, it “was known as a place where businessmen could get away from the city, fish in the trout pond, board their dogs and enjoy the great outdoors,” according to a history provided by Dunrovin.

R.M. Hadrath, founder of the Twin Cities-based food powder processing business Maple Island, acquired the preserve by the 1940s for a country home. According to local legend, the name sprung from Mrs. Hadrath’s tiring of the family’s frequent travels.

When they eventually made the property their permanent home, she said she was “done roving,” and the named turned into “Dunrovin.” They asked the Christian Brothers to keep it.

Dunrovin hit its stride as the popular retreat structure was in flux. Once silent affairs filled with lectures, retreats began to include more activities. The retreat center suffered, however, with the merger and closing of several Catholic schools and the end of a requirement for senior retreats, said Christian Brother Bill Clarey, who directed Dunrovin in the late 1960s.

When Jerome Meeds joined the staff with a background in Catholic camps, he saw an opportunity to revitalize and broaden the programing, he said.

Today, Dunrovin hosts guests most weekends and is seeking to bring in more guests on weekdays.

Dunrovin

Dunrovin once a game preserve

Youth at Dunrovin take turns swinging from a rope into the lake.

Courtesy Dunrovin

Who are the Christian Brothers?

The Catholic Spirit Founded in France by St. John Baptist de La Salle, the De La Salle Christian Brothers established their first permanent U.S. school in Baltimore in 1845. With the goal of “teaching minds and touching hearts,” the religious community is composed only of religious brothers; its founder was its only ordained member.

St. John Baptist de La Salle was born in Reims, France, in 1651. He was ordained a priest and began to instruct teachers, an outreach that evolved into the community of Christian Brothers. He died in 1719, was canonized in 1900 and named the patron saint of teachers in 1950. The word “Lasallian” is commonly used to describe his or the Christian Brothers’ influence or charism.

St. John Baptist DE LA SALLE

Remember when you came to Dunrovin . . .

Thank you to all who in the LaSallian Tradition “touched the hearts” of so many youth over these 50 years!

Thank you, Dunrovin

Dunrovin “Me” Help us celebrate by sharing your “Dunrovin Story” Call, write or schedule a visit

For your faithful service to our college seminarians.

(651) 433-2486 • dunrovin@dunrovin.org 15525 St. Croix Trail N Marine on Saint Croix, MN 55047

www.dunrovin.org www.vianney.net April 23, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit

Dunrovin

20

Dunrovin planning to take outreach into area schools Continued from page 17 pressures of the world,” he said.

“You’re backing away from the noise of the city . . . getting them unplugged so they can hear the voice of God, to experience his love, his mercy.”

In 2014, Dunrovin hosted groups ranging from St. Paul’s Outreach and Cretin-Derham Hall High School to St. Peter in North St. Paul and St. Vincent de Paul in Brooklyn Park.

In addition to retreats, Dunrovin hosts leadership training for youth, including the Dunrovin Leadership Institute Training Experience, or DLITE. Forty participated in 2014.

Teresa Kostohris was a participant in DLITE’s first year in 2009 and now manages the program on the Dunrovin staff.

Being part of DLITE taught her how to apply her faith to evangelization and service, she said.

Meeds’ training gave her confidence.

“With these kids, they’ve been preached at a lot, and that’s what we do. Our mission is to love them,” she said. “God really showed me that week the profound way he uses me.”

Kostohris, a parishioner of St. Joseph in West St. Paul, calls Dunrovin “a huge part” of her conversion, and said every summer she’s worked there has been a way to “get back to the basics” of faith and renew her trust in God. DLITE participants work at Dunrovin with inner-city youth from the Twin Cities and San Miguel School, a Christian Brothers middle school in Chicago’s Back of the Yards neighborhood. San Miguel sends students to Dunrovin

every summer for a five or six-day camp.

“Dunrovin is the highlight of my year so far,” a San Miguel student said in a 2013 video on YouTube.

“When you step off the bus, you know it’s going to be a great week.”

Dunrovin’s camp program “stretches and challenges” youth, Meeds said.

“What I’m finding is that young people want to be challenged,” he said.

Meeds plans to launch a retreat team this fall to help with high school programs and to host programs at local schools and parishes.

“My concern is that young people are leaving the Church in droves,” he said. “They get confirmed, and then that’s it. My philosophy is that we need to do something different. If same-old, same-old isn’t working, we need to change it up. Our style of retreat is very unique.”

Some parents and Church leaders tell Dunrovin leaders that the retreats have made a difference in how their youth act at home, Meeds said.

“That’s how you know you’re making a real impact,” he said.

Meeds is the retreat center’s first director who is not a Christian Brother. When he joined the staff 16 years ago, a few Christian Brothers still lived and worked at the center.

None do today, although Dunrovin continues as an official ministry of the Midwest District of the De La Salle Christian Brothers, based in St. Louis.

“Hospitality is our strong suit,” he said. “It’s an underlying charism of Christian Brothers. . . . If you meet a

Trust walks, where blindfolded participants must let a partner guide them, have been part of Dunrovin retreat activities.

Courtesy Dunrovin Christian Brother, he’s hospitable.”

He added: “When people come here, we love them as Christ would love them. We give them a great place to stay, good food, and probably most importantly, a warm welcome.”

That hospitality extends beyond Catholics to Protestant and Jewish retreat groups. Some have been coming for 35 years, Meeds said.

Christian Brother Bill Clarey, Dunrovin’s director from 1966 to 1969, said he implemented his background in teaching and counseling with retreat activities.

While there, he shifted the prevalent retreat structure from silence and lectures to conversation and introspective activities, and made the center available for retreats for some of the all-girls Catholic schools. Religion teachers often accompanied the students,

and school chaplains would hear confessions and offer Mass.

While working at Dunrovin, Brother Bill recognized the need for teen drug addiction counseling in the Twin Cities, and, after leaving, he began a center for drug addicts on Summit Avenue in St. Paul. Now retired after working in the counseling program faculty at the University of St. Thomas and St. John’s University in Collegeville, Brother Bill, 75, returned to Dunrovin as a board member.

Even after 50 years, he still admires the center and its grounds for its beauty.

“I just hoped the kids wouldn’t say, ‘I’m glad this is over.’ And it was the opposite. You could tell,” Brother Bill said of his time as director. “I don’t know if there was ever a bad retreat.”

45 years as Minnesota’s largest retreat center on beautiful 70-acre river bluff campus in Frontenac

Blessed are our subscribers . . . Thank you for your support!

April 23, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit

21 Catholic nursing homes cite staff shortages, aging baby boomers as imminent challenges

By Jessica Trygstad The Catholic Spirit Long-term care centers in Minnesota are among many entities vying for additional state funding, some of which could come from a $1 billion surplus. But as the legislative session continues until mid-May and with Gov. Mark Dayton prioritizing funds for early childhood education, it remains unclear what boost nursing homes might receive. Meanwhile, Catholic care centers in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis have said the lack of funding has them in crisis mode.

Barb Rode, president and chief executive officer of Twin Citiesbased St. Therese, said new funding hasn’t been designated for longterm care. Over the last several years, facilities have been in a freeze, only receiving a small increase for staff salaries.

Rode said among the senior care organization’s biggest challenges is the gap of what it costs to care for

someone and what that person pays, whether privately or through government assistance. According to Rode, St. Therese, which provides a variety of health services at its campuses in Brooklyn Park, New Hope, Shoreview and soon, Woodbury, loses up to $28,000 a day on Medicaid because of the rates set by the State of Minnesota.

“We feel as a Dan JOHNSON Catholic facility, it’s our mission to provide all types of care, whether it be affordable or market-rate, to the Catholic community and anyone who comes through our doors,” Rode said, citing a “tsunami of baby boomers” who will be among those needing care in coming years.

Dan Johnson, president and CEO of Catholic Eldercare in northeast Minneapolis, said when the state’s funding programs for nursing homes were instituted, there was a common belief that most people wouldn’t live past age

65. He said that by 2031, it’s projected that the number of people 85 and older will grow by 61 percent.

“We’ve heard so much about it, people are almost a little numb to that. But it’s coming,” Johnson said, adding that any other business can determine its needs in order to stay healthy.

Because the state-set rates dictate what facilities can charge and what they can make, Rode said the issue trickles down to compensating staff members, which she understands to be the only component of nursing home funding in Gov. Dayton’s budget proposal.

Rode said state increases for wage subsidies would help, but she fears it would be a “Band-Aid.” However, if legislators work to increase wages appropriately, it would make a “tremendous difference” for nursing assistants who want to have a career in the field but can’t afford the time or money necessary to further their education, even with scholarships that St. Therese provides.

“Nursing assistants who have families find it difficult to make it on their own. And that’s why we see so many of them working two and three jobs, which is really

GREEN LINE

GREEN LINE

unfortunate,” said Rode, who began her health care career as a nursing assistant. “I think a lot of times, we recruit and retain staff because of our mission. People . . . come to us because they want to do something good for someone else. It’s not always about wage.

But something has to change with the salaries. When you can work at Burger King and make more than caring for [the] elderly, there’s something wrong in society.”

Michael Shasky, Catholic Eldercare’s chief financial officer, agreed, highlighting the staff members who are called to do difficult work.

“We have such good people working here. We are so thankful for them,” he said. “But they can only stay if they can make it work for their family.”

Because care centers need to meet state and federal regulations of staff-to-resident ratios, less staff could mean not admitting as many residents, which is especially the case for rural facilities.

Johnson and Rode both said that compromising quality is not an option; they’d cut admissions rather than sacrifice care.

An essential part of that care is

From Age to Age

A push for funding: care centers doing more with less

Please turn to NURSING on page 22

OPENING JANUARY 2015: Minnesota’s first nursing home designed around the gamechanging GREEN HOUSE Model of Care.

All aboard for Midway Village - three new senior residences with the Green Line at the door!

Imagine living with the Fairview Avenue Green Line Station (and the rest of the world) right at your door! The Terrace at Iris Park is the first senior residence in town to offer Catered Living, a concierge approach to meeting your needs as they change. All apartments have already been spoken for, but you are welcome to join the wait list. There’s no obligation, and you’ll start building seniority so there’s a better chance that an apartment will be ready when you are. Midway Pointe has raised the bar on affordable Independent Living. As with The Terrace, all of its apartments have already been spoken for, but you are welcome to join the wait list. Someday, we hope to greet you with, “Welcome Home!”

Therapy pool

The Plaza

Call Deb Veit for the whole story! 651-632-8800 Or visit EpiscopalHomes.org

Episcopal Church Home - The Gardens will provide the closest thing yet to the experience of living in a private home with family caregivers.

It will consist of six 10-person homes. Every Elder will have a private room with private bath and enjoy four times more personal attention than in conventional nursing homes.

The GREEN HOUSE Model of Care is forever changing the face of LongTerm Care. It’s about time!

Call Deb Veit to learn more: 651-632-8800.

Or visit THE GREEN HOUSE PROJECT online.

thegreenhouseproject.org

April 23, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit

From Age to Age

22

Nursing homes say they won’t sacrifice care

The difference between growing up and growing old

Continued from page 21

By Erick Rommel Catholic News Service

pastoral. With 75 percent of Catholic Eldercare residents being Catholic, the center has a large pastoral care department, which is important for residents and their families, Johnson said.

At St. Therese, Rode said they spend $300,000 a year in pastoral care, which isn’t reimbursed and which St. Therese’s board has said wouldn’t be cut from the budget.

“For the Catholic community and many, it’s important for the spiritual aspect, especially at end of life in the years when people go through so much,” she said, noting that St. Therese has started an endowment fund for pastoral care from priests, religious sisters and the laity. “They bring to the community a sense of security and safety and peace,” Rode continued, noting that about 70 percent of all St. Therese residents are Catholic. “It makes all the difference in the world. If you don’t have that, what are we providing for the people when they’re leaving this world for the next?”

What has helped defray costs, Rode said, are the contributions from volunteers and donors.

Johnson said he’s grateful for the generosity that allows Catholic Eldercare to do what’s central to its mission.

“Our desire is to see that everyone, regardless of economic status . . . receive excellent, high quality care in facilities that are wonderfully maintained and [that residents] are treated with dignity and kindness,” he said.

Rode said it’s time for legislators to consider the entire segment of services for the community and focus on seniors. She and other leaders from St. Therese meet with legislators every year, participate in state and national government meetings, and have campaigns for staff members to contact legislators.

Johnson said that ultimately, government, private resources and families will need to partner to find ways to improve long-term care funding. He encourages people to think ahead to potential care needs.

There was a person with a young child who declared that she couldn’t find her keys. The 4-year-old, precocious as only a child can be, said, “I’ll find them for you for $5.”

The mother laughed and said, “For $5, I’ll find them myself.” She was speechless when the child replied, “Good luck. I hid them pretty well.”

Stories like that seem too cute and funny to be true. Ask any parent, however, and you’ll learn that children are capable of feats that are humorous when young but would often appear strangely creepy if re-enacted as an adult.

The age when we learn the boundaries that determine what’s appropriate varies.

There are children who act older than their years and there are childlike adults. Dealing with those who have yet to mature is difficult.

Growing up means letting go of trivial passions that consume our identity and changing how we want to be seen. It’s not uncommon to see a teen arguing passionately about a favorite band or type of food.

It’s rare to see an adult share the same passion.

Adults realize enjoyment does not decrease with a difference of opinion. They understand that those who don’t learn this lesson are often people to avoid.

Adults understand responsibility and also realize that mature and boring are not interchangeable words. While it’s important to understand the difference between serious and trivial, it’s equally important to never let go of the wide-eyed innocence necessary to discover and enjoy something new or funny.

It is possible to maintain childlike joy without acting like a child.

Never give up your sense of wonder. Never stop being amazed. Be surprised every day when you learn something new.

Growing up means many things, but it does not mean growing old.

Take time to understand the difference. It’s the key to a happy life.

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

The Upside of Downsizing Presented by: Diane Bjorkman, co-owner of Gentle Transitions Senior Move

FREE Move Seminar Thursday, April 29, 2015 1:30 PM 1011 Feltl Court · Hopkins, MN 55343 RSVP to Chrysauna Buan at 952-960-5558 or cbuan@greatlakesmc.com

NOTICE Look for The Catholic Spirit advertising insert from

GREATER MPLS COUNCIL OF CHURCHES in all copies of this issue.

April 23, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit

23 Sunday, April 26 Fourth Sunday of Easter Acts 4:8-12 1 John 3:1-2 John 10:11-18

Sunday, May 3 Fifth Sunday of Easter Acts 9:26-31 1 John 3:18-24 John 15:1-8

Monday, April 27 Acts 11:1-18 John 10:1-10

Monday, May 4 Acts 14:5-18 John 14:21-26

Tuesday, April 28 St. Peter Chanel, priest, martyr; St. Louis Grignion de Montfort, priest Acts 11:19-26 John 10:22-30

Tuesday, May 5 Acts 14:19-28 John 14:27-31a

Wednesday, April 29 St. Catherine of Siena, virgin, doctor of the Church Acts 12:24 – 13:5a John 12:44-50

Sunday, April 26 Fourth Sunday of Easter Readings • Acts 4:8-12 • 1 John 3:1-2 • John 10:11-18

Reflection This Easter season, how are you celebrating the Father’s extraordinary gift of love and mercy given in Jesus? How can you more deeply invest your own life in the welfare and destiny of Jesus’ flock?

SUNDAY SCRIPTURES Sharon Perkins

Thursday, April 30 St. Pius V, pope Acts 13:13-25 John 13:16-20

Focus on Faith • Scripture Readings

DAILY Scriptures

Wednesday, May 6 Acts 15:1-6 John 15:1-8 Thursday, May 7 Acts 15:7-21 John 15:9-11 Friday, May 8 Acts 15:22-31 John 15:12-17

Friday, May 1 St. Joseph the Worker Acts 13:26-33 John 14:1-6

Saturday, May 9 Acts 16:1-10 John 15:18-21

Saturday, May 2 St. Athanasius, bishop, doctor of the Church Acts 13:44-52 John 14:7-14

Sunday, May 10 Sixth Sunday of Easter Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48 1 John 4:7-10 John 15:9-17

For 50 25 Years of Faithful Service

Congratulations

Dunrovin Retreat Center

I’ve heard people voice some common misconceptions about small-business owners: They don’t have to work hard because they have employees to do the work for them, they can take time off whenever they want, they can work fewer hours than their hirelings, and they can command a larger salary with impunity.

Talk to the business owner, however, and you get a different story.

While the owner has the most to gain, he or she also has the most to lose. If an employee doesn’t show up for work, it’s the owner who takes up the slack. The owner works long hours with no overtime pay so that the business will turn a profit, and if income isn’t sufficient to meet payroll, the owner depletes his own savings or takes a cut in pay to cover the shortfall.

The owner, having the most “skin in the game,” goes to incredible lengths to protect his or her investment. The employee works for a paycheck — the owner works for the company.

Jesus makes this contrast in today’s Gospel when he compares the good

shepherd to a hired man who doesn’t own the sheep. The shepherd/owner has the most to gain and the most to lose, whereas the hired hand can choose to save his own skin by leaving the sheep vulnerable to attack.

Jesus the Good Shepherd views us not simply as mindless sheep to be rescued, but as beloved children of God to be treasured and protected. He has invested his total self in our welfare and as a pledge toward our eternal destiny.

During the Easter season, we celebrate a Lord and Savior who doesn’t work for himself but for his father, and who has quite literally demonstrated the father’s extraordinary love and mercy by putting his own skin — body, blood, soul and divinity — into the game with the highest stakes of all.

Having willingly laid down his life for his sheep at Calvary, he continues to do so until all his scattered sheep are safe under his care.

This Catholic News Service column is offered in cooperation with the North Texas Catholic of Fort Worth,Texas.

From your brothers and sisters at Community of Christ the Redeemer

Tell us about a really good Catholic business owner, manager, supervisor or boss, and we’ll tell everybody else.

Nominating is easy.

Go to: thecatholicspirit.com/LeadingWithFaith

LEADING

FAITH

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Jesus’ flock: not mindless sheep but beloved children

Contact Mary Gibbs with questions, 651.251.7709 or gibbsm@archspm.org

DO IT NOW: DEADLINE is June 19, 2015 Leading With Faith Award luncheon is AUGUST 13, 2015 at St. Catherine University

April 23, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit

Focus on Faith • Seeking Answers

24 SEEKING ANSWERS Father Kenneth Doyle Q.

I have always wondered why we read the Passion during Palm Sunday services. Palm Sunday is a day of rejoicing and jubilation, as we remember Jesus riding into Jerusalem amid throngs of cheering people.

But then we read the passion of Christ, which we also read again on Holy Thursday and, for a third time, on Good Friday.

There is no mistaking the fact that historically these events unfolded with Jesus arriving triumphantly into the city. We seem to be the only Christian denomination to turn Palm Sunday into such a sad and horrible day.

A. First, a correction. The narrative of the passion is not read on Holy Thursday; the readings at Mass on that day focus on the Last Supper — on Christ’s institution of the Eucharist and his washing the feet of the apostles. The passion of Jesus is read twice in the Catholic liturgy: once on Palm Sunday, when the account is taken from one of the synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark or Luke), and

again on Good Friday, when John’s Gospel is proclaimed.

On Palm Sunday, the Catholic liturgy is like an overture for all of Holy Week: At the beginning of the ceremony, palms are blessed and a short Gospel is read describing Jesus’ triumphal entrance into Jerusalem riding on a donkey. During the Mass, the Passion is read, often in three parts.

The liturgy for Palm Sunday begins in triumph, but quickly there looms the shadow of the cross. In fact, the joy of Christ’s followers on the first Palm Sunday was short-lived. The crowd in Jerusalem was swelled immensely that day by Jews who had gathered for the Passover celebration.

Many in that assembly were unaware that the savior of the world was in their midst, and those followers who honored him with palms were doubtless in the minority — as evidenced by his arrest just a few days later and the cries of the crowd for crucifixion.

For many Catholics, Palm Sunday is the only time they hear the Passion read, since the Good Friday liturgy is often held during

A girl holds palms before the start of Palm Sunday Mass celebrated by Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican March 29. CNS/Paul Haring workday hours and the congregation is much larger on Palm Sunday.

Q. I have been asked by several people who know that I am a Catholic whether the Church permits people to donate their bodies to a medical center after death. Their intent is to enable others to live longer if any viable organs can be used, or to provide the material for research that might prevent disease in the future. Following any procedures, the remains are then cremated.

A. The answer to your question is a resounding “yes.” In fact, in October 2014, Pope Francis met with the Transplantation Committee for the Council of Europe and called the act of organ donation “a testimony of love for our neighbor.”

That statement echoed the Catechism of the Catholic Church,

April 23, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit

which says in No. 2296 that “organ donation after death is a noble and meritorious act and is to be encouraged as an expression of generous solidarity.”

Likewise, the catechism states in No. 2301 that “autopsies can be morally permitted for legal inquests or scientific research.” In 1995, in his encyclical “The Gospel of Life,” Pope John Paul II called organ donation an example of “everyday heroism.”

The remains, after organ donation or medical research, must be treated with reverence and entombed or buried. In my diocese, our diocesan cemetery donates grave sites and burial services for the interment of the cremated remains of those who donated their bodies to science.

Father Doyle writes for Catholic News Service. A priest of the Diocese of Albany, New York, he previously served as director of media relations for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

25

Bob Zyskowski

patch of land on Rice Street in Little Canada is a Planned Parenthood clinic.

Oh.

Kept in the dark

Why was new Little Canada clinic hidden in the closet?

One of my wife’s favorite stories about growing up as one of the big sisters in her family has to do with the innocence of her younger sisters — and their guilt.

She was the baby sitter one day when the littler ones seemed awfully quiet. And, as any good baby sitter and any parent knows, that can mean mischief is under way.

As she called out to the girls, a muffled voice replied, “We don’t have water in the closet.”

Every time she tells the story we laugh at the naiveté of those little girls in the closet, but it’s an anecdote that opens another door, one that illuminates two things: The first is that we know pretty early on in life when we are doing something we aren’t suppose to, that is, we’re guilty.

The second is that we hope we can get away with it.

The water-in-the-closet anecdote came to mind with an incident in the Twin Cities suburb of Little Canada that Johanna Holub recently reported in the Lillie Review.

A patch of land was primed for development along Rice Street and Highway 36 last summer, and the corporate real estate firm The Davis Group purchased it with the intent to build a clinic on the site. The city administrator told the five-member Little Canada city council that he was told the development would be a “general practice” clinic, and that The Davis Group had a tenant “lined up,” but that tenant was yet to be named.

Who wouldn’t OK a clinic?

With those facts in mind, the city council approved the sale of the land July 9, 2014.

The following month, The Davis Group got approval to build after the city’s architectural review OK’d the plan for the new clinic, and construction is under way.

That would be the end of the story if — if — the clinic was the kind of clinic that the Little Canada city council had in mind when it approved the sale of the land.

You see, the clinic that’s going to occupy that new building on the

An incoming city council member said knowledge about the clinic’s tenant first came from an unusual call in mid-January from a Planned Parenthood executive who seemed to be gauging the temperature of the city for having one of its clinics in that suburban community.

The fact that the new building would be a Planned Parenthood clinic — not a general practice clinic as anticipated — became public knowledge recently when the mayor wrote his State of the City report in a newsletter sent to all Little Canada residents.

The mayor told Holub that a Planned Parenthood clinic wasn’t the ideal clinic the city council would have liked to see on the site, and he said there likely would have been “more of a discussion” back in July when The Davis Group was seeking approval of the purchase of the land.

The facts are, though, that the Planned Parenthood clinic complies with the site’s zoning, and a municipality wouldn’t be able to discriminate against specific businesses or organizations as long as the use of the building followed the zoning code.

But. Isn’t it interesting that the developer chose to keep the folks in Little Canada in the dark about the tenant it had lined up when it first

FAITH IN THE PUBLIC ARENA Jason Adkins

Commemorating the Voting Rights Act As we mark the 50th anniversary of the enactment of the Voting Rights Act, which is one of the most important and effective pieces of civil rights legislation enacted in this country’s history, more work needs to be done to ensure that racism and other inequities do not inhibit anyone from fully participating in community life.

For example, racial inequities in our nation’s criminal justice system impact voter participation. Many states, including Minnesota, disenfranchise persons with a felony conviction who have completed their time of incarceration but have not completed their full sentence, including periods of supervised release. In other words, even those who have left jail or prison and are living and working in the community and paying taxes cannot vote if they have not finished their period of probation or parole.

Disenfranchising felony offenders

disproportionately impacts minorities.

In Minnesota, approximately 7.4 percent of African-American and 5.9 percent of American-Indian Minnesotans are disenfranchised because of a felony conviction, as opposed to only 1.1 percent of white Minnesotans.

Catholic social teaching encourages greater attention to disparities that impact voting participation. The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church states that “participation in community life is not only one of the greatest aspirations of the citizen . . . but is also one of the pillars of all democratic orders and one of the major guarantees of the permanence of democratic life” (CSDC 190).

Historically, a felony conviction resulted in what is called “civil death”— a concept dating back to ancient Roman jurisprudence. By committing a crime, one had offended the peace of

“Planned Parenthood can keep spinning its benefits to women’s health, as they would call it, but everyone knows Planned Parenthood means birth control and abortion.” went to city hall for the approval of its land purchase and building plan?

Isn’t it interesting that Planned Parenthood wanted to test the climate in the community about its clinic?

It’s obvious why The Davis Group was less than forthcoming in working with Little Canada.

Planned Parenthood can keep spinning its benefits to women’s health, as they would call it, but everyone knows Planned Parenthood means birth control and abortion.

And even pre-schoolers know that if you’re doing something wrong, you’d better hide in the closet.

This Catholic Life • Commentary

GUEST COLUMN

Zyskowski, former editor and associate publisher of The Catholic Spirit, can be reached at zyskowskir@archspm.org.

the community and, therefore, rightfully lost the privileges of participating in civil society. Yet, when these rules barring the restoration of civil rights until the full sentence is completed were instituted, the criminal justice system looked a lot different from what it does today.

In 1858, when Minnesota became a state, there were 75 felony crimes enumerated in statute. Today, there are 368 (and the list continues to grow).

Only 30 people were in prison in 1858, and there was no probation system.

Today, there are approximately 16,000 people incarcerated in Minnesota, and 75 percent of felony convictions result in probation. Nearly 50,000 Minnesotans are on some form of supervised release and unable to vote.

Fortunately, a rethinking of the punitive criminal justice policies enacted in recent decades is occurring across the ideological spectrum.

Solidarity, a foundational principle of Catholic Social Teaching, is defined as “social friendship” (CSDC 103). In their document, “Restoration, Rehabilitation, and Responsibility” (2000), the U.S. Catholic bishops declared that in matters of criminal justice, solidarity “calls us to insist on responsibility and seek alternatives that do not simply punish, but rehabilitate, heal and restore.”

The premise of supervised release programs is that an offender and society are better off by re-integrating people back into our communities. If

offenders continue to be reminded, however, by the collateral consequences of a conviction that they are not like everyone else, how can we, as a society, expect that they will act as responsibly as everyone else?

Restoring the vote to those who are out of prison and living and working in our communities under supervised release can promote successful reintegration into the community, as voting can be a powerful, concrete and symbolic way to contribute to one’s community and to feel invested and empowered to play a positive role. In other words, it serves the common good. Fuller integration of people into their community and involvement in civic life logically results in stronger ties and feelings of empowerment, which can help to lessen feelings of disconnection and frustration that can contribute to future crime.

The Church should continue to be at the forefront of providing a policy framework that cuts through the false “either/or” rhetoric of criminal justice debates. It should emphasize the need to integrate the policy goals of restoration, rehabilitation and responsibility, not just retribution — and highlight the themes of justice and mercy for the disenfranchised and others on the margins of society.

Adkins is executive director and general counsel of the Minnesota Catholic Conference.

April 23, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit

Calendar

26 Dining out Spring salad luncheon — April 25: Noon2 p.m., Guardian Angels, 8260 4th St. N, Oakdale. $10.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Women’s Guild Victorian Tea — April 25: 1-3 p.m. in the church hall, 701 Fillmore St. NE, Minneapolis, 55413. Four-course meal, beverages and entertainment. Preregistration required: Send check and number of adults and children to address above by April 22. Adults, $12.50; children (10 and under), $6. For more information, call (612) 379-8827.

Blessed Trinity’s Fiesta Latina — April 26: 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Assumption Church, 305 E. 77th St., Richfield. Food, music, games. Information: www.btcsmn.org.

Taste of St. Mary — April 26: 11 a.m.-2 p.m., St. Mary Church, 261 E. Eighth St., St. Paul.

Ethnic foods, flea market and bake sale.

Questions: (651) 222-2619.

“Queen of May” dinner and auction — May 1: 5:30 p.m., 4030 Jackson St. NE, Columbia Heights, to benefit Immaculate Conception School. Reserve tickets: (763) 788-9062 or www.ICCSonline.org.

Music and entertainment “Hairspray” — April 24-26 and May 1-3: 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays.

Spring musical at Cretin-Derham Hall, 525 S. Albert St., St. Paul. $10 adults, $8 students and seniors.

“Walkin’ Shoes” — April 26: 7 p.m., St. Joan of Arc, 4537 Third Ave. S, Minneapolis. Kevin Kling, Dan Chouinard, Prudence Johnson reprise MPR touring show. $20. Tickets at the door, online at www.stjoan.com (concert series) or call (612) 823-8205.

Cretin-Derham Hall spring concerts — May 7, 12 and 20: Jazz band, 7 p.m. May 7; spring choral, 7 p.m. May 12; spring band, 7 p.m. May 20. 525 S. Albert St., St. Paul.

Concert for the More events online “The Grandparent Common Good — Presence – Is it a May 9: 1 p.m. at TheCatholicSpirit.com Role or Something St. Olaf Church, 215 S. More” — April 29: Eighth St., Minneapolis.

8:45 a.m. at Steiner Parish choir joins From Hall, Nativity of Age to Age Choral Our Lord Church, 1900 Stanford Ave., St. Paul.

Music Ensemble. Concert benefits Catholic Prayer, discussion, fellowship and refreshments Charities of with presenter Deacon Russ Kocemba.

St. Paul and Minneapolis and Exodus For more information, contact Lilee at Residence at St. Olaf Church. $20 adults, (651) 414-9367. $10 children ages 12 and under. Information and tickets, visit www.saintolaf.org/sacredRummage Sale — April 30-May 2: Preview music/concert-for-the-common-good or sale 4-8 p.m. April 30 ($1 admission); 9 a.m.contact Anne Susag at (612) 767-6214 or asusag@SaintOlaf.org. Tickets also available 6 p.m. May 1; 9 a.m.-noon May 2, $1 bag sale.

Holy Name, 3637 11th Ave. S, Minneapolis. at the door.

“Music for the Soul” — May 15: 7:30 p.m., South Metro Chorale spring concert featuring Faure’s “Requiem.” St. Richard, 7540 Penn Ave. S, Richfield. $12 adults, $8 seniors and students. Tickets at the door or online at www.southmetrochorale.org.

Parish events Auction gala — April 25: 6-11 p.m., St. Charles Borromeo School gymnasium, 2727 Stinson Blvd., Minneapolis. $20 per person. Auction list and registration: stchb.weshareonline.org/auctiongala.

St. Helena School “Run for the Roses” fundraiser — April 25: 6-11 p.m., St. Helena, 3201 E. 43rd St., Minneapolis.

Dinner, music, horse racing games, auction, etc. $35. Information, tickets: www. sainthelenaschool.us or (612) 729-9301.

CALENDAR submissions DEADLINE: Noon Thursday, 14 days before the anticipated Thursday date of publication.

Recurring or ongoing events must be submitted each time they occur.

LISTINGS: Accepted are brief notices of upcoming events hosted by Catholic parishes and institutions. If the Catholic connection is not clear, please emphasize it in your press release.

ITEMS MUST INCLUDE the following to be considered for publication in the calendar: • Time and date of event.

• Full street address of event.

• Description of event.

• Contact information in case of questions.

EMAIL: spiritcalendar@archspm.org.

(No attachments, please.)

MAIL: “Calendar,” The Catholic Spirit; 244 Dayton Ave. • St. Paul, MN 55102.

April 23, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit

Parish 125th anniversary mission — April 28-30: 7-8:30 p.m., St. Mark, 2001 Dayton Ave., St. Paul. “The Jesus of St. Mark,” with Father John Paul Erickson.

Free.

Treasure Hunt garage sale — May 1-2: 4-8 p.m. May 1 ($3 admission); 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

May 2; Haben Center, Benilde-St. Margaret’s, 2501 Hwy. 100 S, St. Louis Park.

Spring craft sale — May 2-3: 10 a.m.6 p.m. May 2, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. May 3, Guardian Angels Church, 8260 Fourth St. N, Oakdale.

Information: www.guardian-angels.org.

High tea — May 3: 2-4 p.m. St. Albert the Great, corner of E. 29th St. and 32nd Ave. S, Minneapolis. $10 adults, $5 children under 13.

Reservations by April 29. Call (612) 724-3643.

Supporting birth mothers — May 3: 5:30 p.m., St. Katharine Drexel, 7101 143rd Ave. NW, Ramsey. Author Judy Liautaud to share story of teen pregnancy and adoption with message of hope and healing. Includes light dinner and fellowship. Non-denominational.

Women 16 and older welcome. Free. RSVP by May 1 at stkdcc.org.

CCW Madonna luncheon and 500 card party — May 4: noon, St. Genevieve, 6995 Centerville Road, Centerville. $9. Information: (651) 429-7937.

Bloomington garage sale — May 5-7: May 5 preview sale 5:30-7:30 p.m. ($1 admission); May 6, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; May 7, half price at 9 a.m. and $2/bag from 12-4 p.m.

Ambrose Hall at St. Bonaventure Church, 90th Street and 10th Avenue, Bloomington.

Rummage Sale — May 6-9: Presale 5-8 p.m. May 6 ($1 admission); 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

May 7-8; 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; May 9, 8 a.m.-noon, Nicollet Campus gym of Blessed Trinity School, 6720 Nicollet Ave. S, Richfield. Information: www.btcsmn.org or (612) 866-6906.

Spring Fling — May 8: 5:30 p.m., St. Michael, 22120 Denmark Ave., Farmington.

Dinner, games. $50. Tickets after Mass and at the parish office. www.stmichael-farmington. org or (651) 463-3360.

Fit for Life 5k — May 16: 8 a.m. Mass at St. Henry, 1001 7th St. E, Monticello, 9:30 a.m. 1k kids’ fun run, 10 a.m. chip-timed 5k.

Fundraiser for Holy Spirit Academy. Information and registration: www.hsfitforlife.com.

Prayer and liturgy Healing Mass — April 28: 7 p.m.,

Immaculate Conception, 4030 Jackson St. NE, Columbia Heights. Information: (763) 788-9062 or www.ICCSonline.org.

Healing Mass — May 12: 7 p.m.,Holy Name of Jesus, 155 County Rd. 24, Wayzata.

Rosary at 6:30 p.m.

Retreats Celebrate women retreat — April 24-26: Villa Maria Retreat and Conference Center, 29847 County 2 Blvd., Frontenac. Keynote speaker Ursuline Sister Pauline Lorch. For information or to register, call (651) 345-4582.

Marriage Encounter weekend — May 1-2: Christ the King Retreat Center, 621 First Ave. S, Buffalo. Information: www.wwme.org.

Hope Day (Dealing with loss) — May 7: Christ the King Retreat Center, 621 First Ave. S, Buffalo. $40. Information: (763) 682-1394 or visit www.kingshouse.com.

Rachel’s Vineyard retreat — May 8-10: For women recovering from abortion. Contact rachels@rvineyardmn.org or (763) 250-9313 for location, information, registration.

Schools Risen Christ School Gala — May 1: 5:30 p.m., The Depot, 225 S. Third Ave., Minneapolis. Live and silent auctions, dinner.

Tickets: www.risenchristschool.org or call (612) 822-5329, ext. 102.

Other events “God’s Beauty – Paper Collage” — April 26-May 10: Artist reception April 26, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Pax Christi, 12100 Pioneer Trail, Eden Prairie. Works of Raynele Schneider.

Environmental issue presentations — May 1-2: “Imagination and Adversity,” 7-9 p.m. May 1, with H. Emerson Blake., $25.

“Monastic Wisdom for the Sake of the Planet,” 9 a.m.-2 p.m., with H. Emerson Blake and Victor Klimoski, $40 (includes lunch).

Register for either or both at www.stpaulsmonastery.org, call (651) 777-7251 or email benedictinecenter@ stpaulsmonastery.org.

Cerenity Senior Care-Marian open house — May 3: 1-3:30 p.m., 200 Earl St., St. Paul.

Reservations: (651) 793-2100 or anne.kolar@ bhshealth.org.

Growing Through Loss series — Tuesdays, through May 5: 6:30-9 p.m., St. Joseph Church, 13900 Biscayne Ave. W, Rosemount. Sponsored by Interdenominational Coalition of South Suburban Churches.

For information: (952) 890-0045 or growingthroughloss@gmail.com.

Grief support — Thursdays through May 28: 4 p.m., West Suburban Grief Coalition, Holy Name of Jesus, 155 Cty. Road 24, Wayzata. Free-will offering. For information: (952) 473-7901.

September Marian pilgrimage — Registration deadline May 31 or when seats are filled: Sept. 7-18 tour to Fatima, Lourdes, Paris, etc., with Father Mark Pavlik. Information and registration: catholicpilgrimagetours.com, (651) 245-9451 or LMS.totustuus@gmail.com.

27

Deacon Garcia: More men should consider diaconate Continued from page 15 what it meant to be a deacon.”

He and his wife, Suzanne, a teacher at Our Lady of Peace School in Minneapolis, were already taking part in the archdiocese’s Institute of Christian Life and Ministry, a faith formation program for adults, when the director of the diaconate, Deacon Rip Riordan, invited Garcia to apply for deacon formation.

“I felt many barriers — language, age, culture — but I felt God called me,” said Deacon Garcia, who was younger than most diaconate candidates. “There was a little fear, but Suzanne and I prayed about it and we decided to apply.”

For the Garcias, the diaconate has led to a full and fulfilling life. Since his ordination in 2008, Deacon Garcia and Suzanne have continued to work together just as they did at Sagrado Corazon.

They’ve been active in marriage preparation, Marriage Encounter, natural family planning promotion, small faith communities and eucharistic adoration. Now at St. Stephen in Anoka, they’ve taken on family catechesis, which this year involves 27 young people and 48 parents who meet with Deacon Garcia every Sunday.

Witness to miracles “One of the richest things in my life,” Deacon

Garcia said, “is to participate in parish life and to see couples who at one time were into drugs and domestic violence become leaders in the community. I say they are miracles, because they are now working with other couples in Marriage Encounter.”

He gives credit to the Holy Spirit for moving four or five couples to sacramentalize their marriages after living together for 12-15 years, and he sees the fruit of the strong relationships he and Suzanne have built with married couples.

“The community has become a family,” which fulfills one of immigrants’ deepest longings, he said.

One man told him, “I’ve been here for 10 years in the United States; I feel alone. I couldn’t find a community, and that made me feel alone, and now I feel I have a family,” he recounted.

Thanks to that family feeling, couples in the Hispanic community find godparents “not among their relatives,” Deacon Garcia said, “but among their new friends.”

He wishes, though, that more resources were available to help all those who seek his aid.

More hands needed Garcia points to the woman who said she was embarrassed to ask for help but had nowhere else to turn when her washing machine broke and her roof was leaking, and to the woman from

Honduras who came to St. Stephen to pray, and who shared with him that she and her children needed a place to sleep and the help of a lawyer for their immigration issues.

He has been in immigration court For more testifying on behalf of a refugee who said she came to the United States information because she and her children had been Information about threatened with death if they didn’t work for drug dealers. requirements He confided that he often sneaks away to become a for an hour of eucharistic adoration at permanent deacon St. Bonaventure in Bloomington near are at www.bit. their home, because when he tries to pray at St. Stephen, “within 10 minutes I ly/1E6zcTK. get the tap on the shoulder — ‘Deacon, there’s someone here to see you.’”

He simply said, “We have many limitations to how we can respond to these huge needs of the families.”

Encouraging more young men to learn about the diaconate is one solution, he added.

“To be a deacon, for me, is to be a person that is engaged and has close relationships with many families in the community, serving them, supporting them,” Deacon Garcia explained.

“The great thing is to have them discover their relationship with God. When they start to live the sacramental life, this is a great thing, a beautiful thing.”

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April 23, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit

28

The Last Word

Father Aren Jebejian, pastor of St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church in Chicago, speaks at the Cathedral of St. Paul during an ecumenical prayer service commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Armenian massacres April 18, as Archbishop John Nienstedt and Father Erich Rutten (far left) look on.

Jim Bovin/For The Catholic Spirit

By Anthony Gockowski For The Catholic Spirit

I

t’s been nearly 100 years since, broken in health, nerves shattered, her mind distressed by tragic memories, a 20-year-old Armenian girl arrived at the doorstep of her brother’s Minneapolis home.

Her name was Vartano Karagheusian, and she was a refugee from the Ottoman Empire.

Karagheusian was among many Armenians forced by a band of Turks to walk from her home to Aleppo, Syria. They lived off the land, she said, eating grass and leaves off the side of the road. They walked for four months, and one by one her countrymen dropped along the way.

Her mother died in her arms.

The Minneapolis Morning Tribune reported her story in 1920.

“We were their slaves,” Karagheusian was reported to have said.

According to the 95-year-old account, Karagheusian escaped from the death march and found work in a Turkish hospital. When the British captured Jerusalem, she disguised herself as a Turkish soldier and crossed British lines. The British sent her to Minneapolis and her brother, whom she had not seen for 12 years.

Armenians who did not survive were remembered April 18 at an ecumenical prayer service at the Cathedral of St. Paul. The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the Twin Cities’ Armenian Orthodox Church community and the Minnesota Council of Churches jointly hosted the event. Religious leaders included those from Twin Cities Episcopal, Lutheran, Methodist and Orthodox churches.

The prayer service was dedicated to the martyrs of the Armenian massacres and all martyrs of faith.

The Armenian Church plans this month to canonize Armenians killed in the genocide “who died for their faith and love of Christ,” Father Tadeos Barseghyan, pastor of St. Sahag Armenian Church in

April 23, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit

100 years later Twin Cities faithful remember Armenian martyrs

An ecumenical prayer service for the martyrs of the systematic killings of Armenians a century ago drew people to the Cathedral of St. Paul April 18. Jim Bovin/For The Catholic Spirit St. Paul, told The Catholic Spirit.

“It’s important for the religious community to come together as leaders, as people to preach the Gospel, who preach peace in the world, to . . . pray together for the martyrs,” he said.

Current parallels At the prayer service, Archbishop John Nienstedt called the systematic killing of Armenians “a brutal living nightmare” and an “affront against God and human dignity.”

“At the time, Pope Benedict XV and Vatican diplomats, as well as leaders of other Christian communities, tried to rescue the Armenians through diplomacy, humanitarian aid and refugee services,” he said. “But then, as now, international politics wavered, permitting the atrocities to continue and sometimes playing down or otherwise misrepresenting the real events, muffling the cries of so many defenseless brothers and sisters.

“And so today,” he added.

“I am thinking of situations currently for Christians and Yazidis

in Syria [and] Iraq, as well as Christians in Egypt, Libya and throughout the Middle East. I am thinking of threats to religious freedom happening in the free world, even here in these United States.”

Father Erich Rutten, chairman of the archdiocese’s Commission on Ecumenism and Interreligious Affairs, said the prayer service was an opportunity to honor the Armenians who died, but also contextualize current events.

“We also need to keep the memory of this tragedy, as well as others, alive in our world so that such killing does not happen again,” Father Rutten said. “There continue to be great challenges to peace and to religious freedom today.”

Father Barseghyan also said he saw parallels between what happened to the Armenians and attacks on minority religious and cultural groups in the Middle East.

He emphasized that the prayer service was for all martyrs, not only the Armenians.

“It’s not about creating a religious conflict or blaming somebody,” he

said. “It’s about telling the truth and condemning something that is not right.”

Vowing never to forget Starting in 1915, the Turkishmajority Ottoman government began a forced evacuation of Armenians from the empire, killing an estimated 1.5 million in the process. In one instance, 7,000 Armenians were massacred in a single attack on Cicilia, a stronghold for Armenian Ottomans, by Turkish and Kurdish troops.

According to scholars, political tensions exacerbated by an influx of Muslim refugees from the Balkan Wars into Armenian regions laid the groundwork for the massacres. On April 24, 1915, nearly 250 Armenian intellectuals were moved to holding centers near Ankara and later put to death. They are remembered annually on April 24, a day known as Red Sunday.

Turkish officials threatened survivors such as Karagheusian — who lived the rest of her life in Minneapolis — until the collapse of the Ottoman Empire beginning with the signing of the Treaty of Sèvres August 10, 1920. Earlier that year, Turkish forces sent a circular to the provincial authorities in Washington ordering the forcible conversion to Islam of the escaped Armenians, who were historically Christian. Conversion, it said, was the only way Armenians could obtain “the property which has been confiscated from them.”

At the prayer service in St. Paul, Archbishop Nienstedt said, “We gather today to make sure that we do not forget our Armenian brothers and sisters, whose lives, one hundred years ago, were cut so tragically short.

“We also gather in the hopes that, by remembering them, we can be more vigilant about the importance of protecting religious freedom today,” the archbishop said, “to put an end to such bloodshed, to vow that it will never happen again.”