The Catholic Spirit - June 30, 2022

June 30, 2022 • Newspaper of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis

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After Supreme Court’s landmark Dobbs decision, pro-life advocates say work is just beginning in Minnesota­­ — Pages 10-11 POST-SYNOD STEPS 5 | MARIJUANA DANGER 7-8 | SCHOOL CHOICE WIN 12 | CATHOLIC SOFTBALL LEAGUE’S GROWTH 14-15 PRIESTS CELEBRATE JUBILEES 16-17 | ‘BLEACHER BROTHERS’ WATCH TWINS 19

2 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

JUNE 30, 2022

PAGETWO NEWS notes A 23-mile Pedal Pilgrimage in the Diocese of St. Cloud Aug. 13 will include stories to recognize and prayers to seek the intercession of the late Father Dennis Dempsey, a priest of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis who was killed last year while bicycling on the shoulder of a county road in Rosemount. Dempsey, 73, was pastor of Risen Savior in Burnsville at the time of his death, where Pedal Pilgrimage founder and organizer Mike McNeil is parish administrator. Father Dempsey used his bike like most people use their cars, McNeil said, and it is fitting for the pilgrimage to recognize him.

The route starts at 3:30 p.m. near Assumption Chapel in Cold Springs, includes stops at several churches along the way and concludes with a 7 p.m. Mass at the chapel.

The Center for Mission recently announced several winners in its annual student essay contest. Hayley Goese, a second-grader at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School in Brooklyn Park, won the kindergarten through second-grade division by completing the sentence, “I listen to Jesus by …” and drawing a picture to illustrate her answer. Upper grades wrote from the theme: “How has listening to Jesus’ voice led you to live out the Church’s mission to continue Christ’s work?” Esther Hansen, a fifth-grader at St. John Paul II Catholic School in Minneapolis, won the third- through fifth-grade contest. Hansen and Goese each received a certificate and $50. Maggie Edel, an eighthgrader at St. Dominic Catholic School in Northfield, won for grades six through eight. Two ninth-graders tied in the ninth- through 12th-grade division: Catherine Lucca of St. Paul in Ham Lake and Giana DiPietro of St. Agnes Catholic School in St. Paul. All three winners received certificates and $100.

COURTESY SUE FINNEGAN

CAR BLESSING Father Marc Paveglio, pastor of St. Rose of Lima in Roseville, stands by a car he blessed for Bill and Joan Kocourek, parishioners of Pax Christi in Eden Prairie, where he previously served. The Kocoureks, who live in Lester Prairie, went to Mass at St. Rose on Father’s Day weekend, the same weekend their 1938 Chevrolet Master Town Sedan was part of the annual “Back to the ‘50s” classic car show at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in St. Paul. “The blessing was a blessing,” Joan Kocourek said. The image and message were inspired by their desire to “do something in thanksgiving to God,” said Bill Kocourek, a mechanic, who bought the car at age 16 in 1976.

A film shown in select theaters across the country June 21 helped kick off a three-year National Eucharistic Revival led by Bishop Andrew Cozzens of Crookston for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The movie “Alive” was shown in three theaters in Minnesota: Apple Valley, Eden Prairie and St. Michael. The film is about four people’s life changing experiences through adoration of the Eucharist. The showings included a bonus feature with Bishop Cozzens, who until December was an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

The St. Paul Province of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet has selected three of its members for its new leadership team. They will serve for five years beginning July 1.

Sister Catherine Mary Rosengren will continue her duties as the province’s treasurer as she joins the leadership team. She also has worked in the finance departments of several hospitals. Sister Katherine Rossini previously served on the leadership team from 2009 to 2017. She has been involved with Catholic school leadership. Sister Jill Underdahl has worked for nearly 30 years with young adults at the high school and college levels in spirituality, vocational discernment, social justice and English education.

After seven years of supporting the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis’s nearly 80 Catholic elementary schools with professional development, networking and program assistance, Edina-based Catholic Schools Center of Excellence is expanding to serve Catholic grade schools across Minnesota. The expansion is made possible by a $10 million investment from the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation.

PRACTICING Catholic

ALI KHARA, REUTERS | CNS

EARTHQUAKE AFTERMATH A Taliban helicopter takes off June 23 after carrying aid to the site of a magnitude 6 earthquake the previous day in Gayan, Afghanistan, that killed at least 1,150 people. The death toll is expected to increase as more than 1,500 people were injured in the quake. Pope Francis offered prayers for victims of the quake June 22, saying at his general audience the earthquake had hit just a few hours earlier. The Associated Press reported the disaster posed a major test for Afghanistan’s Taliban government, which seized power last August. Many international aid agencies left after the Taliban takeover. Catholic Relief Services, the U.S. bishops’ international relief and development agency, still has a presence in Afghanistan, but not in the area of the quake. “CRS staff continue to monitor the situation and will provide support as needed,” a CRS spokeswoman said.

As people prepare for vacations, enjoy family barbecues, jump on bicycles and spend time at the beach, The Catholic Spirit asks readers: “How do you stay engaged with your faith during the summer?” Send responses of 200 words or less to TheCatholicSpirit@archspm.org with “Readers Respond” in the subject line. Your reflection may be included in a future edition of The Catholic Spirit.

The Catholic Spirit is published semi-monthly for The Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis Vol. 27 — No. 12 MOST REVEREND BERNARD A. HEBDA, Publisher TOM HALDEN, Associate Publisher MARIA C. WIERING, Editor-in-Chief JOE RUFF, News Editor

On the June 24 “Practicing Catholic” radio program, show host Patrick Conley interviews Dr. Tod Worner, a writer, speaker, professor and internal medicine physician who gives tips for handling difficult conversations using the Gospel of Life while respecting the dignity of the person who disagrees. The latest show also includes interviews with Father Tom Margevicius, director of worship for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, who describes Mass entrance rites for his second episode of “Mass Class,” and a reprised interview from 2021 with licensed financial adviser Susan Wieneke, who shares financial tips for young people and couples. Find interviews after they have aired at PracticingCatholicShow.com or anchor.fm/practicing-catholic-show with links to podcasting platforms. Find Wieneke’s interview at tinyurl.com/yt774ke.

ON THE COVER Marie Keating of St. John Neumann in Eagan holds a pro-life sign at a June 24 rally in downtown St. Paul. More than 200 people gathered in downtown St. Paul to mark the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturn of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that found abortion to be a constitutional right, legalizing it across the country. In a decision written by Justice Samuel Alito, the high court June 24, in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, found that Mississippi’s law barring most abortions after 15 weeks — earlier than what was established in previous decisions — could stand. The decision overturned Roe and a subsequent case, Planned Parenthood v. Casey, placing abortion laws into the hands of state and federal lawmakers. Archbishop Bernard Hebda was among a dozen speakers at the rally, which was organized by Pro-Life Action Ministries in St. Paul. Read the story on page 11. DAVE HRBACEK | THE CATHOLICSPIRIT

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JUNE 30, 2022

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • 3

FROMTHEMODERATOROFTHECURIA ONLY JESUS | FATHER CHARLES LACHOWITZER

Summer time

W

e can treat summer as the great getaway from the other seasons in a busy life. Summer is a time of vacations, traveling, BBQs, baseball games and parades. Yet, in the world of nature, summer is a season of growth like no other. Nature’s vacation is in the

season of winter.

Spring may start the growing cycle, but summer is when the real growth takes place. Depending on weather and labor, the growth of summer determines the harvests of autumn.

In the spiritual life, agricultural imagery is found throughout the sacred Scriptures. The land, the planting, the tilling, the weeding and the yield, are given their comparisons to the garden of the soul.

Perhaps the most notable is Jesus’ parable “The Sower and the Seed.” (Mt 13:1ff).

The Scriptures also proclaim that Jesus Christ is God’s First Fruit until the end of time (1 Cor 15:20).

We are to imitate Jesus, and therefore we offer our First Fruits to our parish, diocese and the missionary

El verano

P

odemos tratar el verano como la gran escapada de las otras estaciones en una vida ajetreada.

El verano es una época de vacaciones, viajes, barbacoas, partidos de béisbol y desfiles. Sin embargo, en el mundo de la naturaleza, el verano es una estación de crecimiento como ninguna otra. Las vacaciones de la naturaleza son en la temporada de invierno.

La primavera puede comenzar el ciclo de crecimiento, pero el verano es cuando tiene lugar el verdadero crecimiento.

Dependiendo del clima y del trabajo, el crecimiento del verano determina las cosechas del otoño.

En la vida espiritual, la imaginería agrícola se encuentra a lo largo de las Sagradas Escrituras. La tierra, la plantación, la labranza, el deshierbe y el

activity of the Church. Again, we hear in the Scriptures, particularly the Gospels, that to work in the vineyards as disciples is to bear much fruit in the Kingdom of God (Jn 15:8).

While summer may be a season of less work and more play, it is hardly a season to go on vacation from our spiritual lives. Our growth in the faith during the growing season is necessary for a bountiful fall harvest. Sure, there are weeds — like sin, suffering and death — that require our labor to make sure that they do not become the only thing growing in our gardens.

If we find ourselves canoeing across some pristine lake, we can take time to behold the awe of natural beauty and offer a prayer of gratitude to God before we swamp the canoe. We can offer prayers of gratitude for the treasured presence of gathered family and friends from near and far. When it is hot and humid and we find ourselves sitting in our airconditioned homes with an ice-cold lemonade, we can pray a rosary or do some spiritual readings. We can make that extra effort in advance to actually find a Catholic Church for Sunday Mass while camping in

rendimiento se comparan con el jardín del alma. Quizás la más notable es la parábola de Jesús “El sembrador y la semilla”. (Mt 13,1ss).

Si bien el verano puede ser una temporada de menos trabajo y más diversión, difícilmente es una temporada para irse de vacaciones de nuestra vida espiritual. Nuestro crecimiento en la fe durante la temporada de crecimiento es necesario para una abundante cosecha de otoño. Claro, hay malas hierbas, como el pecado, el sufrimiento y la muerte, que requieren nuestro trabajo para asegurarnos de que no se conviertan en lo único que crece en nuestros jardines.

Si nos encontramos navegando en canoa por un lago prístino, podemos tomarnos un tiempo para contemplar el asombro de la belleza natural y ofrecer una oración de gratitud a Dios antes de inundar la canoa. Podemos ofrecer oraciones de gratitud por la preciada

some state or national park.

However we take time to make time this summer for our spiritual lives, whatever we water and feed and however we rid the garden of weeds, we can count on the waters of our baptism and the grace of holy Communion to know a summer of growth.

If a farmer has no market or if the cost of production exceeds what price will be paid for the produce, what incentive is there to work diligently for a harvest? However, if the market is the mission of the Church and the reward will always be greater than the sacrifice, then we not only have growth in our gardens, but we will also have the harvest to offer in gratitude to God for all that we have been given.

In this summer time, let us by the grace of God and the workings of the Holy Spirit tend to the garden of the soul and experience the summer growth that will bear fruit in a bountiful harvest.

For truly, as proclaimed in the Letter of St. Paul to the Galatians (6:9), we will reap what we sow. But if good seeds are sown, we need a summer of growth to truly reap the First Fruits of our spiritual lives.

presencia de familiares y amigos reunidos de cerca y de lejos. Cuando hace calor y humedad y nos encontramos sentados en nuestros hogares con aire acondicionado con una limonada helada, podemos rezar un rosario o hacer algunas lecturas espirituales. Podemos hacer ese esfuerzo adicional por adelantado para encontrar una iglesia católica para la misa dominical mientras acampamos en algún parque estatal o nacional.

Sin embargo, nos tomamos el tiempo para hacer tiempo este verano para nuestra vida espiritual, lo que sea que rieguemos y alimentemos y sin embargo eliminemos las malas hierbas del jardín, podemos contar con las aguas de nuestro bautismo y la gracia de la sagrada Comunión para conocer un verano de crecimiento.

Si un agricultor no tiene mercado o si el costo de producción excede el precio que se pagará por el producto,

¿qué incentivo hay para trabajar diligentemente por una cosecha? Sin embargo, si el mercado es la misión de la Iglesia y la recompensa siempre será mayor que el sacrificio, entonces no solo tendremos crecimiento en nuestros jardines, pero también tendremos la cosecha para ofrecer en gratitud a Dios por todo lo que hemos sido dados.

En este tiempo de verano, por la gracia de Dios y la obra del Espíritu Santo, cuidemos el jardín del alma y experimentemos el crecimiento de verano que dará fruto en una cosecha abundante.

Porque verdaderamente, como proclama la Carta de San Pablo a los Gálatas (6,9), cosecharemos lo que sembramos. Pero si se siembran buenas semillas, necesitamos un verano de crecimiento para verdaderamente cosechar los primeros frutos de nuestra vida espiritual.

Indigenous hope papal apology in Canada will push justice, healing in U.S.

By Michael Swan Catholic News Service A papal apology on Indigenous land in Canada is not irrelevant south of the border.

When Pope Francis visits Canada July 24-29, Oneida First Nation activist Daisee Francour and her colleagues at the U.S.-based international Indigenous nongovernmental organization Cultural Survival will be paying close attention.

“An apology for one nation, in a way it’s a win for all of our nations,” said Francour. “When I say ‘nation,’ I mean that as an Indigenous community — not necessarily the nation state or colonial state.

“There’s a huge opportunity, because the Catholic Church is just such an influential institution globally. There’s a huge opportunity to leverage, influence and push nation states like the U.S. government to join this collective process for justice, toward truth and toward healing.”

Francour and her colleagues,

Indigenous media across the United States and American religious orders and dioceses have been watching closely what has happened in Canada ever since more than 200 possible gravesites were detected at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School in May 2021. From the middle of the 19th century until the very recent past, the U.S. government financed and promoted more than 350 Indian boarding schools in 29 states.

Today the Minneapolis-based Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition is pushing state and federal governments, along with churches and religious orders who often operated the schools on the government’s behalf, to face up to a history of cultural genocide.

“As a country, we have yet to experience that apology,” said Francour.

“I guess my hope is that with this apology to First Nations folk in Canada ...

I’m hoping that will radiate both in the United States and across the globe.”

Local apologies have happened in the U.S. In 1994 Jesuit Father Jim Strzok, on behalf of the St. Francis Mission

on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota, tried to re-orient Jesuit missionary work there by apologizing for a history that was then barely spoken about.

“Often without trying to understand the unique goodness of Native American culture, boarding school staffs suppressed language and customs. Without properly appreciating the innate goodness of Native American spirituality, some practices were replaced. The priests, brothers and sisters at St. Francis Mission were a part of this. We did wrong,” Father Strzok wrote in an apology that appeared in local media.

In 1993 in Idaho, Father Peter Hans Kolvenbach, then-Jesuit superior general, issued a more general apology, and in 2018 the South Dakota Jesuits backed up their apology by returning more than 500 acres of land to the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. Last year in St. Joseph, Minnesota, the Sisters of the Order of St. Benedict issued an apology to the White Earth First Nation for trauma and cultural erasure visited on children who attended

the boarding school the sisters operated from 1892 to 1945, followed by the day school that continued to 1969. The sisters have opened up their archives and are fully participating in an oral history of the school.

Local and specific apologies matter, but they matter more once placed into the context of Pope Francis speaking for the universal Church, said Margaret Jacobs, University of Nebraska history professor and author. “An apology from the pope, something of that scale, will actually jump-start a process in the United States in which people who have never thought about it at all will say, ‘Oh my gosh, what’s the pope talking about?’” Jacobs said. “I’m hoping it could have the effect of igniting a lot of public discussion.”

Jacobs’ 2021 book documenting more than a century of massacres, forced marches, displacement, stolen land, boarding schools and adoption policies that tried to consign Indigenous Americans to history is called “After 100 Winters: In Search of Reconciliation on America’s Stolen Lands.”

4 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

JUNE 30, 2022

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DAVE HRBACEK | THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

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Archbishop Bernard Hebda delivers the homily during a Mass to celebrate Rural Life Sunday, which took place June 26 at the farm of Deb and Jack Lorentz of St. Pius V in Cannon Falls. It was the first time the annual event has taken place on a family farm since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Among the concelebrating priests were Father Terry Beeson, pastor of St. Pius V; Father Thomas McCabe, pastor of Holy Trinity in Goodhue; Father Stan Mader, pastor of St. Joseph in Waconia; and Fathers Roger Hessian, Martin Siebenaler and James Notebaart, retired priests of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

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THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • 5

Procession celebrates feast day, launches Revival

By Maria Wiering The Catholic Spirit Following 10 a.m. Mass June 19, hundreds of people streamed out of the Cathedral of St. Paul’s front doors and down its grand stone staircase behind a canopy carried over a monstrance bearing the Body of Christ.

The procession wound slowly around the Cathedral, with a brief period of adoration and a simple benediction in its courtyard before a bronze statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe, before returning to the stairs, where Archbishop Bernard Hebda held the monstrance aloft to bless the Twin Cities.

The procession marked the solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, also known as the feast of Corpus Christi, as well as the nationwide launch of the National Eucharistic Revival, a three-year initiative of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to revitalize Catholics’ understanding of and love for Jesus in the Eucharist.

“It’s a remembrance of what Christ left us for the journey,” Cathedral parishioner Jim Smith said of the Eucharist and the importance of the procession that day. “It’s something that people go to — they go to him. That’s critically important.”

Cathedral Rector Father John Ubel, who carried the monstrance in the procession, said it’s significant that the Revival follows the Archdiocesan Synod, a threeyear process of discernment for the needs of the local Church that culminated Pentecost weekend, June 3-5.

COURTESY DAN COLLISON

Hope Street for Youth in Minneapolis’ Hiawatha neighborhood will begin serving youth experiencing homelessness by the end of June.

MARIA WIERING | THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Cathedral of St. Paul Rector Father John Ubel blesses the faithful with the Eucharist in the Cathedral’s courtyard as part of a eucharistic procession June 19 in St. Paul marking the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ.

“I have great hopes for the Eucharistic Revival, that we can recover some of the zeal and enthusiasm of our forebearers,” he said. “I hope that with this kickoff, that people see the power of the holy Eucharist and that it really helps renew our archdiocese, especially falling upon the Synod. I think the timing is perfect.”

Synod implementation ‘how’ rooted in parish teams

By Maria Wiering The Catholic Spirit On the heels of the Archdiocesan Synod Assembly June 3-5, leaders of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis have asked parishes to form 12-member teams to create and execute a plan for implementing the Synod’s outcomes.

“They’re going to help create a new evangelization in this archdiocese,” Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Williams told parish leaders gathered June 24 at Guardian Angels in Oakdale for “Fueled by the Fire of Pentecost: We Held a Synod. Now What?” Several archdiocesan leaders, including Archbishop Bernard Hebda and Synod Assistant Director Father Joseph Bambenek, spoke at the event, which included Q&A, prayer and Mass.

Forming 12-member Synod Implementation Teams as a methodology “is not a program,” Bishop Williams said. Alluding to the Twelve Apostles, he added, “It’s the way of Christ. We have to be convinced that it works.”

“We’re starting with a mustard seed, … the mustard seed of 12.

That will then go out and invite more laborers, little by little,” he said.

The three-day Synod Assembly, held in St. Paul Pentecost weekend, was the culmination of a threeyear process of discernment for the future of the archdiocese that began with large-scale Prayer and Listening Events, which helped lead to the Synod’s three focus areas: 1. Forming parishes that are in the service of evangelization, 2.

Forming missionary disciples who know Jesus’ love and respond to his call, and 3. Forming youth and young adults in and for a Church

that is always young.

In the fall of 2021, Catholics discussed those focus areas in a six-part, parish-based small-group series, which shaped how the focus areas were considered in the Synod Assembly. Following daylong events with parish leaders in February and March, action ideas related to the focus areas were developed into 40 propositions that were discussed, BISHOP discerned and JOSEPH WILLIAMS voted on at the Synod Assembly. The results of the voting and written comments are expected to inform a pastoral letter Archbishop Hebda is writing and plans to release on or near the feast of Christ the King Nov. 20. That letter will be followed by an action plan anticipated in early 2023.

Before the pastoral letter is released, the archdiocese plans to form an Office of Synod Implementation, an Archdiocesan Synod Implementation Team to assist Parish Synod Implementation Teams, an advisory council to advise the bishops and the Office of Synod Implementation on pastoral and theological matters, and vicars for evangelization to provide encouragement and accountability to parishes as they implement the Synod’s outcomes.

Pastors are expected to create their Parish Synod Implementation Teams in collaboration with their pastoral council and staff. Those teams should include ex officio members such as deacons, school principals and parish council delegates. The teams are also expected to include parishioners and staff “distinguished by their

proven charism of evangelization and/or potential to draw others to Christ,” according to an infographic outlining the timeline for Synod implementation.

The creation of the archdiocesan Synod office, parish teams and other roles is designed to help the archdiocese bring about the Synod’s intended changes, said Bishop Williams, who served as the Synod executive committee chairman following his episcopal ordination in January. What the structure aims to avoid, he said, is the need for a group of people to gather 10 years from now to “dream the same dreams and have the same hungers” because the work of the 2022 Archdiocesan Synod never came to fruition.

Bishop Williams made clear that the archdiocesan and parish teams, which he described as part of an “apostolic structure,” are the “how” of Synod implementation.

The “what” that these teams will implement will not be known until Archbishop Hebda releases the pastoral letter, he said. But, he said, the teams ensure “that once the archbishop publishes this document, we’re ready to go with it. And we’re ready to implement that not just from above, but from below, in the parishes with your teams.”

He expects the work to be as diverse as the parishes. “While we’re going to propose there’s a relative uniformity in the methodology, there’s going to be great diversity in the expression, and that comes from you, the parish you know and love, with the vision of your pastor and the leadership teams that you already have in place,” he said. “It’s going to be your vision, your dreams that allowed this method to bear fruit.”

Youth emergency shelter finds new home

By Joe Ruff The Catholic Spirit The largest emergency shelter for youth in Minnesota will open in a new location in Minneapolis by the end of June, with space for 30 young people experiencing homelessness and services to assist them.

Run by Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis, Hope Street for Youth is now in Minneapolis’ Hiawatha neighborhood. For more than 20 years the shelter was part of Catholic Charities’ St. Joseph’s Home for Children campus in south Minneapolis, with space for 28 youths ages 18 to 24. But the campus is closing and the Hope Street building no longer meets today’s needs, Catholic Charities officials said.

“For more than two decades, our team at Hope Street has helped thousands of youth find safety and support during life’s darkest and most challenging moments,” said Michael Goar, president and CEO of Catholic Charities, at a June 21 news conference at the new location. “This new facility will enable us to strengthen our impact, helping more youth on their path to a stable and rewarding future.”

In December 2021, Catholic Charities learned about a former assisted living facility at 4140 Cheathem Ave. Investments including $2.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds from the city of Minneapolis, $2.5 million from Hennepin County, and $1 million from a donor allowed the nonprofit social services organization to purchase the building in March, Catholic Charities officials said.

The new building and its location are ideal for Hope Street’s programs, providing dignified shelter and the opportunity to find jobs in the area, as well as other support for young people working toward stability, Catholic Charities officials said. The average length of stay at Hope Street is 39 days.

Each of the new facilities’ 25 rooms, single and double, has a private bathroom. Indoor and outdoor commons areas provide space to build community and invite guests. Supportive services include food, clothing, laundry and medical care, as well as case management in mental and chemical health counseling, family reunification, parenting support and education, life-skills training and more to move youth forward in the housing continuum.

“We are proud to support the new Hope Street for Youth facility, which is a critical investment in our efforts to support people facing housing instability,” said Hennepin County Commissioner Angela Conley.

“Housing is a fundamental human right, and youth should never have to worry about having a safe place to lay their heads.”

“Hope Street is a model program that offers not only shelter but also an integrated safety net of support for young people experiencing homelessness,” said Jodi Harpstead, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Services.

“Committed staff walk alongside youth, supporting them as they learn life skills to thrive. This approach has the ability to change the trajectory of lives.”

6 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

LOCAL

JUNE 30, 2022

Father Evenson remembered for friendship

By Dave Hrbacek The Catholic Spirit Rick Evenson cherishes the last two-and-a-half months he spent with his uncle, Father Dennis Evenson, who died June 17 at Our Lady of Peace hospice care center in St. Paul at age 84.

As Father Evenson’s health declined in recent months, he called his nephew to ask if he would be his primary caregiver. Rick eagerly accepted the role, which led to a deepening of his relationship with his uncle greater than he could have imagined.

A notable event was the first time he took Father Evenson to radiation treatments for advanced bone cancer. On the drive back to the Leo C. Byrne Residence for retired priests in St Paul, where Father Evenson was living at the time, the priest made what Rick thought was an odd request.

“He said, ‘Ricky, can we stop over at this ice cream place over here,’” Rick recalled. “And, I said, ‘Sure.’ He wanted to get a root beer float, he wanted to share a root beer float with me.”

Why? Right after Rick was born in 1954, Father Evenson was sitting down at the kitchen table with his mother — Rick’s grandmother — having a root beer float when she told him about Rick’s birth. Rick was her first grandchild, and Father Evenson told Rick that “she was over the moon” about it.

That discussion “started a series of conversations where we bonded,” said Rick, 64, who lives in Cottage Grove with his wife, Bernadette (“Cookie”). “I learned more about him, I think, in the last two-and-a-half months than I ever knew my whole life. … I know he always treated me fairly, and he was a good man, but I never really knew him like I got to know him here (recently). And, I think the same goes for him because I know, at one point, he told me, ‘Ricky, I just can’t tell you how bittersweet this is. I’m so glad that we’re having this time together. But, now that I’m getting to know you, I wish we could have had more of a relationship.’ That was a beautiful thing to hear, and I’m very grateful for that.”

Father Evenson was born in St. Paul, the fourth of five boys. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Duluth in 1967 and began ministering in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis in 1985.

His first assignment was at St. Timothy in Blaine from 1985 to 1989. He was incardinated into the archdiocese in 1989, and served at St. Columba in St. Paul (1989-1992), Church of the Nativity in Cleveland (1992-1996), St. Dominic in Northfield

(1996-1997) and Annunciation in Hazelwood (19972008).

Rick calls his uncle the “embodiment of what Christianity should be about” and said he has talked to “dozens and dozens” of people who express similar sentiments. One of them told him a story about how Father Evenson helped a family from Mexico over a period of years. He met them on one of his many visits to the country, which included going to the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City — one of his favorite devotions.

“When he met them over 30 years ago, they were dirt poor, poverty stricken,” Rick said. “And, through his (financial) help, they became middle class — the whole FATHER family. And then, when they DENNIS EVENSON got COVID — there were three members of their family that got COVID — it was because of his generosity that they were able to get (treatment).”

Father Evenson was fluent in Spanish and spoke several other languages, Rick said. He also was a frequent visitor to Leaflet Missal in St. Paul, where he met and became friends with Keevin Furlong, a longtime employee who is married to Catherine Furlong, who runs the religious goods store with her two sisters. Father Evenson was an avid reader, and he visited Leaflet Missal sometimes weekly to search for books and have lively conversations with Furlong.

“He would come in and make his way down to my office, and we’d sit and chat,” Furlong said. “He became such a part of our family. He was at my kids’ first Communions, confirmations. I had him for supper here. He just always enjoyed a good meal, good friendship, good company.”

Because of his devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, Father Evenson would repeatedly ask for the latest book on the subject, Furlong said. Only a few weeks before he died, Furlong brought him a book published this year — which he read — called “Am I Not Your Mother: Reflections on Our Lady of Guadalupe” by Archbishop Luis Maria Martinez of Mexico City. The book is a collection of homilies and reflections by Archbishop Martinez, who died in 1956.

For Rick Evenson, his uncle’s most prominent quality was his positive attitude and sense of gratitude, even in the midst of suffering.

The funeral Mass for Father Evenson was June 27 at Maternity of Mary in St. Paul.

DAVE HRBACEK | THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

The Archdiocesan Catholic Center now belongs to the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, which recently purchased the building using part of a 2020 estate gift by James and Florence Trainor of St. Patrick in Edina.

Archdiocese purchases the St. Paul office building it’s been renting since 2017

By Maria Wiering The Catholic Spirit After renting an office building on St. Paul’s East Side for the Archdiocesan Catholic Center since 2017, the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis has purchased that building, Archbishop Bernard Hebda announced June 21 in a letter to priests.

“The building serves our needs well and I am pleased that we were able to work with the owner to purchase it at a fair price,” he wrote.

The ACC moved its offices to 777 Forest St., in St. Paul’s Dayton’s Bluff neighborhood, in February 2017. Archdiocesan staff previously worked from three buildings near the Cathedral of St. Paul. The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis sold those buildings in 2016 to increase the amount available to clergy abuse victim-survivors in its bankruptcy reorganization, which began in January 2015 and was resolved in December 2018.

The purchase of 777 Forest St., former 3M headquarters, was made possible by a 2020 estate gift by James and Florence Trainor, parishioners of St. Patrick in Edina. Archbishop Hebda said that when the archdiocese received the gift, he asked the Archdiocesan Finance Council Corporate Board to “evaluate best options for the bequest.” The purchase was among three uses of the funds. The archbishop plans to dedicate the ACC to the Trainor family in July.

Congratulations Fr. Taphorn

on your 25th Ordination Anniversary!

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JUNE 30, 2022

LOCAL

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • 7

High-potency marijuana, mental health challenges lead to son’s suicide

By Joe Ruff The Catholic Spirit Heather and Randy Bacchus have been grieving since their 21-year-old son, Randy Michael Bacchus III, took his own life one year ago in Colorado while suffering from cannabis-induced psychosis.

But the parishioners of St. Mary of the Lake in White Bear Lake, parents also of three daughters, are determined to share their story to help others understand the dangerous impact of high-potency marijuana that is replacing the less potent “weed” of the 1970s and beyond.

All this even as a bill before the Minnesota Legislature, passed by the House last year and moribund in the Senate this year, would make recreational marijuana legal and set up a framework to grow, package and sell the drug.

“We didn’t realize at the time what the weed really was,” said Randy Bacchus, 53, of their son’s marijuana use, which began at age 15. “Back in the day, the 1970s, ‘80s and ‘90s, THC (the psychoactive agent in cannabis) was about 2% to 5%. Today, the concentrates, a dab, or vape, is at 30%, 40%, up to 90%.”

“I thought it was quasi-harmless,” Randy said. But as their son’s struggles with marijuana grew — and the family tried to help him with counseling, a wilderness therapy session in Utah, changes in high schools, asking him to leave the house, also inviting him back into the house — they learned more about the drug he was using.

“It’s so strong, the potency,” Randy said. “Once he started smoking weed, we saw a real change.”

Their son, who struggled from a very young age with learning, anxiety and impulse control, felt marijuana helped him get through difficult

THC AND THE CHURCH This is the fourth in a four-part series on efforts to legalize recreational marijuana in Minnesota. The series explored Minnesota Catholic Conference’s opposition to the effort and moral grounds for opposition rooted in Catholic Church teaching. It also looked at failed promises of cannabis proponents and the push by large corporations in Minnesota and across the country to sell more marijuana. The series began in the Oct. 14 edition of The Catholic Spirit and continued in the Jan. 13 and March 10 editions.

times, his father said. But Randy and Heather noted an uptick in anxiety when they knew their son was not using marijuana. He grew both more aggressive and withdrawn. Marijuana appeared to make their son’s mental health challenges worse.

At age 18, graduated from high school, their son moved to Colorado in 2018. He had been accepted into the University of Colorado in Boulder.

His parents hoped he would find work and establish residency to lower tuition costs. The change began well, with their son landing a job in real estate leasing and attending a community college. But their son’s anxiety ramped up and he suffered from headaches.

He applied for and received a medical marijuana card. Recreational marijuana in Colorado was also legal.

By June 2020, their son was suffering from paranoia. He thought his roommate was “trying to do things to him that really didn’t make sense,” his father said. “We didn’t understand, but in hindsight …”

It reached the point where they believe their son had cannabis-induced psychosis, breaks from reality that can include hearing voices, which sometimes dictate behavior that people in their right minds would not

DAVE HRBACEK | THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Heather and Randy Bacchus hold a photograph of their late son, Randy Michael Bacchus III, in their home in Mahtomedi. contemplate. Their son was contrite, loving but at the same time paranoid and delusional in the days before he committed suicide in Denver in July 2021, his parents said.

“The irony is, my son thought marijuana was saving his life,” Randy said. “And it took his life.”

Reaching out in their pain, the Bacchuses found other families whose children have suffered similar fates from cannabis use, including Laura

Stack, founder of Johnny’s Ambassadors in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, near Denver. Stack’s son, Johnny, killed himself at age 19 in 2019, and she started her nonprofit organization to raise awareness and educate teenagers, parents and communities about the dangers of high-THC marijuana to adolescent brain development, mental illness and suicide.

PLEASE TURN TO MARIJUANA ON PAGE 8

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MARIJUANA CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7 High-potency marijuana impacts neural pathways in the brain, particularly in adolescent brains that are still developing, Stack explains on the group’s website, johnnysambassadors.org. The harmful combination of a still-forming mind and high frequency use of high-potency THC products equals cannabis-induced psychosis, Stack says. Repeated CIP incidents can trigger schizophrenia or other mental illness. Even when the cannabis is withdrawn, the psychosis remains.

“This is what happened to my beautiful boy,” she said.

Heather Bacchus has trained as an ambassador with Stack’s organization and hopes to speak at schools, and perhaps even testify before the Minnesota Legislature, about the dangers of highly potent marijuana. Stack said she knows Bacchus and understands what she — and many other parents — are going through. “She told me,” Stack said in an email interview about Bacchus’ efforts. “So glad to hear the stories are getting out.”

Her own son, Stack said, had no medical or mental health issues until he began using marijuana at age 14 at a party, when he was a freshman in high school. As their son’s involvement in the drug deepened, they turned to group programs, therapists, three mental health stays, inpatient and outpatient programs, she said.

“Three days before he passed, he came over for dinner,” Stack explains on her organization’s website.

“He lived in our condo a couple miles down the street and would often pop in for a home-cooked meal. ‘I need to tell you that you were right,’ he said to me.

‘Right about what?’ I ask. ‘Right about the marijuana.

You told me weed would hurt my brain, and it’s ruined my mind and my life. You were right all along.

I’m sorry, and I love you.’ He died by suicide three days later.”

Johnny’s Ambassadors has 7,500 people on its mailing list, from all over the United States. It has 10 doctors, therapists and researchers on its scientific advisory board — specialists in child psychiatry, addiction psychiatry, emergency and pain medicine, cannabis use and psychosis.

The board includes practicing clinical psychologist Aaron Weiner, who in his practice in Lake Forest,

LOCAL

JUNE 30, 2022

Illinois, specializes in treating people suffering from drug or alcohol use or behavioral addictions.

Recreational marijuana for people 21 and older has been legal in Illinois since 2020.

“I would say that as the advertisements have scaled up, as the industry has scaled up, we’ve seen marijuana use go up,” Weiner said in an email interview. “And certainly, the industry has a huge hand in this because they make more money the more (of it) they sell, and the more they normalize the product.”

The biggest danger of marijuana to adolescents is “a direct link between marijuana and brain health, in a negative direction,” Weiner said. “We know that when you put THC into the developing brain, it changes both the structure of the brain over time, as well as the function of the brain over time, in very negative ways.”

“Most people now will say, yes, marijuana use can cause psychosis, in a subset of cases,” he said.

The danger is not as high in adults because the brain isn’t growing after age 25, but addiction to marijuana and psychosis can happen to adults, too, Weiner said.

A recent study published in the journal Psychiatric Research found that there were 129,000 hospital discharges for marijuana-induced psychosis across the country in 2017, with a higher prevalence of such discharges in areas with more liberal cannabis legalization laws, Weiner said.

“That’s a really big deal,” he said.

While states legalizing recreational marijuana ban its use for all but adults, adolescents model what they see around them, he said. “That’s why we consistently see that recreational policies lead particularly to young adult use, ages 18 to 25. But then, we’re also seeing more and more evidence that youth use also goes up.”

Randy Bacchus said it is hard for him to step up and talk about the loss of his son. But he wants to help get the truth out about marijuana, a story not being told by companies that sell addiction, he said.

“I can really clam up,” he said. But relying on his faith has strengthened his faith.

“We can either become bitter or better,” he said. “I think we can get better.”

Heather said she and her husband “have a lot of energy. And we have a lot of pain. I’m taking that energy and making something good.”

LEGISLATIVE ACTION A failed attempt in May to move a bill that would legalize recreational marijuana in Minnesota from its stalled position in a Senate committee to full debate on the Senate floor does not mean efforts to put more pot on the streets are over, said Ryan Hamilton, government relations specialist with the Minnesota Catholic Conference, which represents the public policy interests of the local Church.

Support for legalizing recreational cannabis can be seen by the Democratic-controlled House passing the Senate proposal’s companion bill last year, Hamilton said. And while the procedural move this year in the Republican-controlled Senate did not come close to its needed super-majority vote, it still garnered 31 votes in failing 31-33, Hamilton pointed out. Someone is likely to introduce similar cannabis measures in the next legislative session, he said.

“There is support in the Legislature, obviously,” Hamilton said.

“But we still have time to provide the empirical information from other states that the harms of legalizing recreational cannabis outweigh any benefits.”

Harms include negative mental health impacts, particularly in youths and young adults, and diminished traffic safety as more people drive under the influence of marijuana, Hamilton said.

Efforts to keep recreational marijuana off the streets while supporting equal justice include introducing bills that address racial inequities in enforcing and sentencing for possession of small amounts of cannabis, Hamilton said. Trucking companies, school bus drivers, public safety advocates, insurance, food and beverage associations and others this year also joined forces in a group MCC helped found called Minnesotans Against Marijuana Legalization. Details are at minnesotansagainstmarijuanalegalization.org.

Seeing businesses oppose recreational marijuana helped stiffen the backs of Republican senators, Hamilton said. In addition to the coalition, other interest groups said they were not going to entertain the idea of legalizing cannabis, he said. Medical marijuana has been legal in Minnesota since 2014.

“On the upside, the issue is such that we have all those other states that have done this,” Hamilton said. “The proof comes out from that. Numbers don’t lie. This is not just a philosophical argument. Our position is backed by data and measurable harm.”

Nineteen states, Washington, D.C., and Guam have legalized recreational marijuana. Thirty-nine states and Washington, D.C., have legalized medical marijuana.

— Joe Ruff

Congratulations

Father Ben Little On your 10-Year Ordination Anniversary!

We are blessed to have you as our Pastor!

CONGRATULATIONS TO

FATHER THEODORE CAMPBELL ON 50 YEARS OF PRIESTHOOD

Thank you for your faithful service to the Lord, his Church, and our parish. Thank you for showing us the face of Jesus, our Good Shepherd.

We are truly blessed by the 32 years you gave to the flock in Golden Valley. We are praying for you!

JUNE 30, 2022

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • 9

Honoring 25 years of joyful, Catholic leadership.

Father Joseph Taphorn Rector and Vice President The Saint Paul Seminary

SAINT PAUL SEMINARY

Msgr. Stephen Gideon

Director of Worship, Instructor of Liturgical Theology, and Formation Director for Seminarians

semssp.org/sps

10 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

JUNE 30, 2022

NATION+WORLD

Minnesota’s Catholic bishops grateful for overturn of Roe v. Wade Archbishop: ‘We don’t need more abortion, more death. We need more love, more life!’

By Joe Ruff The Catholic Spirit As news spread of the U.S. Supreme Court overturning its 1973 Roe v. Wade decision on abortion June 24 in a case that stemmed from Mississippi’s law barring most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, Minnesota’s Catholic bishops and others responded with gratitude and concern.

“Along with women and men across our nation who respect the inherent dignity of each human life, the Catholic bishops of Minnesota give thanks to God on this historic day as the Supreme Court ends the injustice of the Roe v. Wade decision,” said Archbishop Bernard Hebda and Bishop Joseph Williams of St. Paul and Minneapolis in a written statement issued through Minnesota Catholic Conference.

“We are grateful that the Supreme Court has returned to state Legislatures and federal officials the ability to protect preborn children and save mothers and fathers from the untold pain of abortion,” said the bishops, joined by Bishops Andrew Cozzens of Crookston, Daniel Felton of Duluth, Donald Kettler of St. Cloud, John Quinn of Winona-Rochester and Msgr. Douglas Grams of New Ulm. “For almost 50 years, Roe grievously denied one of America’s founding principles: that all men and women — irrespective of their stage of development — are created equal, with God-given rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Forgetting this self-evident truth has resulted in the death of over 60 million preborn children and the wounding of millions of mothers and fathers,” the bishops said.

The Church is committed to helping women and men who are dealing with a crisis pregnancy, so they are not forced to choose abortion, the bishops said.

“We are proud that many of our Catholic faithful work in crisis pregnancy centers that create nonjudgmental networks of support for women,” they said in the statement. “These centers offer shelter, housing assistance, free diapers and clothing, pregnancy and parenting classes, community referrals, childcare, and other charitable assistance. Through our continued efforts to respect the well-being of both the mother and the child, we have been honored to accompany countless women and men tempted to choose abortion.

We have been privileged as well, through post-abortion healing retreats, to help parents who have chosen abortion to work through the pain they so often suffer.”

In a separate statement, Archbishop Hebda said he felt sorrow and gratitude as the court’s Dobbs decision places abortion laws in the hands of the states. Sorrow because the “violence of abortion is even discussed and debated as a good. How did our hearts become so hardened?

“I am saddened that some pregnant women feel their only option to a happy future involves ending their baby’s life,” the archbishop said. “I am saddened that there are so many people who promote abortion as the only ‘choice,’” and that abortion facilities are “primarily located in areas where people of color live and those women — and their babies — are targeted by an industry that profits from death.”

“But I am so grateful for the majority of Americans — especially our young people — who trust the science and know that we need to love and protect the mother and the baby she carries beneath her heart. That is why I am grateful,” Archbishop Hebda said.

The archbishop said his gratitude extends to all those who for nearly 50 years have supported mothers and fathers, despite verbal and physical assaults and threats.

“They have opened their hearts, homes and wallets to care for pregnant and new moms, the dads and their babies, and their extended families.”

“We don’t need more abortion, more death,” the archbishop said. “We need more love, more life!”

The archbishop called for continued support of those

Court ruling sends abortion law back to states

By Carol Zimmermann Catholic News Service In a 5-4 decision June 24, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned its nearly 50-year-old decision in Roe v.

Wade that legalized abortion in this country.

The court’s 213-page ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization was not totally unexpected due to the leak of an opinion draft a month earlier. The ruling emphasizes that there is no constitutional right to abortion in the United States.

The Dobbs case focused on Jackson Women’s Health Organization, an abortion clinic in Mississippi that challenged the state’s law banning abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy.

The court’s reversal of its long-standing abortion ruling brings abortion policy decisions to state and federal lawmakers. At least half of states plan to ban or restrict abortions with this decision in place, and 13 states have trigger laws put in place set to ban abortions right away upon Roe’s reversal.

“We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled,” Justice Samuel Alito wrote in the court’s majority opinion. Casey v. Planned Parenthood is the 1992 decision that affirmed Roe. Alito was joined by Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett.

The vote to uphold Mississippi’s abortion restriction was 6-3, with Chief Justice John Roberts voting with the majority. In a separate opinion, he said he would not have overturned the court’s Roe decision.

Alito, writing for the majority, said: “The Constitution makes no reference to abortion, and no such right is implicitly protected by any constitutional provision, including the one on which the defenders of Roe and Casey now chiefly rely — struggling with unplanned pregnancies, and for society to help meet basic needs such as just wages for workers, education for children, food, shelter and health care.

“We need to give of ourselves — more than our money — to mentor them and journey with them through the wonderful, difficult, joyous messiness of parenthood,” the archbishop said.

Archbishop Hebda and his brother bishops noted that the U.S. bishops have launched a nationwide initiative, Walking with Moms in Need, with a website at walkingwithmoms.com, to create additional avenues of support for mothers by way of Catholic parishes, ministries and crisis pregnancy centers. “We also pledge that our Catholic churches will be a sanctuary for women in crisis pregnancies. Any woman in a crisis pregnancy who comes to the door of a Catholic church in the state of Minnesota seeking assistance will be supported and, at a minimum, referred to resources where she can get help,” the bishops said.

“The Church’s contribution to public life walks with the two feet of justice and charity. Our direct assistance to women in crisis pregnancies through charitable and philanthropic efforts is fundamental in our endeavor to build an authentic culture of life,” they said. “But we also commit to working in our state Legislature to ensure that every child is welcomed in life and respected by the law.”

The bishops noted that Minnesota law is shaped by its own version of Roe v. Wade, in the form of the 1995 Doe v. Gomez decision in which the state Supreme Court characterized a state right to an abortion as a “broader protection” than Roe, including the right of low-income women to a taxpayer-funded abortion.

“Sadly,” the bishops said, “Gomez is unlikely to be overturned without a change in federal law or a state constitutional amendment.” Despite Minnesota’s legal landscape, people should continue to find ways to reasonably limit the availability of abortions, especially after viability, the bishops said. The state is one of a few

the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment.”

U.S. Catholic bishops who have supported a reversal of Roe immediately reacted positively to the court’s decision that comes at the end of this year’s term.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops called the decision a “historic day in the life of our country, one that stirs our thoughts, emotions and prayers.”

“We pray that our elected officials will now enact laws and policies that promote and protect the most vulnerable among us,” said the June 24 statement

by Los Angeles Archbishop José Gomez, USCCB president, and Baltimore Archbishop William Lori, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities.

“We give thanks to God for today’s decision ... This just decision will save countless innocent children simply waiting to be born,” said the New York Catholic bishops in a statement shortly after the court’s opinion was released.

Those on both sides of the issue were outside the court when the ruling came down and continued to gather in force throughout the afternoon with posters, bullhorns, hugging and shouting.

Crowds have been outside the court — blocked off now by security fencing — for days, anticipating this decision, just as they were when a draft of the opinion was leaked in early May. In remarks from the White House June 24, President Joe Biden said the court’s decision was “a sad day for the country in my view, but it doesn’t mean the fight is over,” and he urged Americans to respond with their votes in the upcoming elections.

He also urged demonstrators to “keep all protests peaceful,” adding: “We must stand against violence PLEASE TURN TO DOBBS ON PAGE 27 without limits on post-viability abortions, they said.

“We should also put in place, and keep in place, measures to help protect women from further serious injury arising from the risks already involved with an abortion,” the bishops said. “Such protections include, among other things, licensing abortion clinics and requiring that chemical abortions be procured only through a physician.”

The state also should commit resources to ensuring that women have the support they need to choose life, the bishops said. “Some pregnancy centers are supported in part by the state’s Positive Alternatives Grant Program, which promotes healthy pregnancy outcomes and assists pregnant and parenting women develop and maintain family stability and selfsufficiency,” they said. “In a budget that will reach $60 billion by 2024, our state allocates only $3.375 million for these services, even though the need is much greater.

The most recent round of funding requests totaled roughly $6.5 million.”

“The prospect of Roe being overturned has already sharpened partisan division on the abortion question.

As bishops, however, we have no interest in engaging as partisans, and we will continue to work to build common ground rooted in the principles articulated above. This is a matter of prenatal justice — giving to both mother and child that which is their due, namely, support and protection.

“But make no mistake: we will rigorously oppose efforts to expand the abortion license in Minnesota and we will work with people on both sides of the aisle to prevent Minnesota from becoming an abortion sanctuary state,” the bishops said.

“Abortion advocates want people to believe that abortion promises liberation, but instead, it leads to sadness, pain, and the death of a human being,” the bishops said. “We ask all Minnesotans to join our efforts to combat a throwaway culture, foster prenatal justice, and create a state where love prevails.”

NATION+WORLD

JUNE 30, 2022

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • 11

Pro-lifers cheer Dobbs ruling, pledge to support moms

By Joe Ruff and Maria Wiering The Catholic Spirit More than 200 people gathered June 24 in downtown St. Paul to mark the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturn of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that found abortion to be a constitutional right, legalizing it across the country.

Brian Gibson, executive director of rally organizer Pro-Life Action Ministries, based in St. Paul, noted that the pro-life rally was being held at a historic time, in the plaza of the Warren E. Burger Federal Building and Courthouse. A native of St. Paul, the late Burger was the Supreme Court’s chief justice when Roe v. Wade was decided, Gibson said. He and six other justices joined an opinion written by Justice Harry Blackmun, who grew up in St. Paul, to form the majority in the case.

“But we’re standing here today because that decision of 1973 is gone,” Gibson said, as the crowd clapped and cheered and held up signs showing a child’s face and proclaiming “I am human!”

Gibson, a lifelong Catholic, acknowledged the prayers and hard work of 49 years supporting women, men and babies in hopes of saving lives under Roe v.

Wade. But he gave all the praise and glory to God. “I hope all the cheering is for God,” he said. “It’s the Lord God Almighty who has brought this day to us.”

Speaking on behalf of the Minnesota Catholic Conference, Archbishop Bernard Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis said he would not have missed the rally for anything because he wanted to see the faces of so many who worked for the pro-life cause. The Church will work to build a just society where women in unplanned pregnancies can find support, and where children and families will find the health care and education they need, the archbishop said.

Archbishop Hebda was among a dozen men and women from several pro-life advocacy organizations who spoke or led prayer during the event. Grace Evans

KUHARSKI: RULING A ‘GIFT FROM GOD’

of the Minnesota Family Council in Minneapolis said that the day would “go down in history as one of the greatest victories for human rights in the history of our nation.”

“The opposition has no ground to stand on,” she said, passion apparent in her voice. “They’re desperate. They’re yelling at us. They know we’ve won. … The pro-abortion side is the side of violence, lies, discrimination, ableism, eugenics, misogyny, exploitation and death. Rest assured, we have everything going for us, and they have nothing going for them.”

Joe Langfield, executive director of Minneapolisbased Human Life Alliance, said that pro-life advocates are “following the science” by acknowledging the humanity of the unborn child.

PLAM Board Member Angela Erickson spoke while Gibson held her 3-month-old daughter, Veronica.

A former executive director of Options for WomenCornerstone in St. Michael, she pointed out that the Dobbs ruling came down on the solemnity of the Sacred Heart.

“We see God’s providence working. There are no accidents,” said Erickson, a parishioner of St. Anne in Hamel. “His (Jesus’) heart will prevail in our state as it has prevailed in our nation. In this we will see a recognition, not only of the image of God being born in every womb, but each beating heart will also be acknowledged and protected.”

Gibson ended the rally with a call for pro-life activists in Minnesota to roll up their sleeves. He pointed out that the Dobbs ruling ended abortion in North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin, and a recent Iowa Supreme Court ruling will soon end abortion there, too.

“Now Minnesota becomes an abortion destination state, and we’re going to have an influx of women being purposely brought in from these other states,” he said. “We have a lot of work in front of us. I tell you, we have a lot of hope in front of us as well.”

Congratulations VERY REV. JOSEPH C. TAPHORN, JCL

25

Before the Supreme Court released its decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization June 24, Mary Ann Kuharski, director of Prolife Across America, said she didn’t think it would make any difference. She would continue doing what she has been for decades: helping babies, helping moms and families in need of pregnancy assistance or post-abortion help.

But when she heard the news on her car radio that morning as she pulled into a parking lot, she broke down and sobbed. “It was a lifetime of work for my husband and MARY ANN I,” Kuharski said, work that started in 1970.

KUHARSKI Hearing that a number of states “will return to protecting both the babies and the mothers is a gift from God.” Under its current laws, Minnesota is expected to continue offering abortions, and Kuharski said the number of abortions offered in the state might increase as pregnant women travel from states that ban it. But the time needed to travel to Minnesota can give women the chance to think through their decision and possibly change their mind, she said.

And they might run across a Prolife Across America billboard, radio, print or online ad bringing positive messages and offering information and alternatives to abortion. Co-founded in 1989 by Kuharski, her husband, John, and another couple, the nonprofit seeks to create ads that offer an “atmosphere of life” in a “culture of death.”

Kuharski, a member of St. Charles Borromeo in St. Anthony, recalled a recent telephone call to her organization from a young woman who said she agreed to drive her friend more than three hours to have a scheduled abortion, but they saw a Prolife Across America billboard on the way, one with a message about a baby’s heartbeat. It promoted conversation during the drive, and by the time they reached their destination, they called Prolife Across America instead. “The conversion stories are amazing,” she said, “and it’s why I love being Catholic, because we believe in God’s mercy and God’s forgiveness, and we welcome converts.”

— Barb Umberger

Congratulations Very Rev. Joseph Taphorn

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12 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

NATION+WORLD

JUNE 30, 2022

Court: Tuition program excluding religious schools is unconstitutional

By Carol Zimmermann Catholic News Service In a 6-3 ruling June 21, the Supreme Court said a Maine tuition aid program that excluded religious schools violated the Constitution’s free exercise clause.

The opinion, written by Chief Justice John Roberts, said: “A state need not subsidize private education but once a state decides to do so, it cannot disqualify some private schools solely because they are religious.”

He also said the court’s decision in Carson v.

Makin stemmed from a principle in its two previous decisions, particularly the 2020 opinion in Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue. In that case, the court said the state of Montana could not exclude religious schools from receiving tax credit-funded scholarships under its school choice program.

The Maine case went a step further by asking if the state can prevent students from using state funds to attend schools that provide religious instruction.

Roberts stressed that a neutral benefit program that gives public funds to religious organizations through the independent choices of the recipients of those benefits does not violate the Constitution’s establishment clause.

During oral arguments last December on this case, several of the justices found fault with the state’s decision process in determining just how religious a school was in order to decide if the school could participate or not in the program specifically for rural communities.

Schools deemed as ones that could potentially “infuse” religion in classes were excluded while other schools deemed by the state’s board of education to be the “rough equivalent” of public schools — or religiously neutral — could take part in the tuition

program.

“That’s discrimination based on doctrine. That’s unconstitutional,” Roberts said at the time, which he essentially reiterated in his opinion.

Justice Stephen Breyer, in his dissent, stressed that the court has “never previously held” what it is saying today, “namely, that a state must (not may) use state funds to pay for religious education as part of a tuition program designed to ensure the provision of free statewide public education.”

Breyer, joined by Justice Elena Kagan and in part by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, said this decision pays more attention to the free exercise clause and not enough to the Constitution’s Establishment Clause.

Nichole Garnett, a law professor at Notre Dame Law School, who focuses on education policy, called the decision “a victory both for religious liberty and for American schoolchildren.”

“The majority makes clear, once again, that, when the government makes a benefit available to private institutions, it must treat religious institutions — including faith-based schools — fairly and equitably,” she said in June 21 statement.

She also noted that the opinion cements the constitutional principle that “requires government neutrality — and prohibits hostility — toward religious believers and institutions.”

Becket, a religious liberty law firm, similarly filed an amicus brief in this case, emphasizing that states have had a long history of excluding religious institutions from public benefits, often in part from the Blaine Amendments passed during a time of anti-Catholic sentiment in the 19th century.

The Blaine Amendment to prohibit direct government aid to educational institutions that have a religious affiliation was first proposed in Congress in 1875 by Rep. James G. Blaine of Maine.

SCHOOL CHOICE IN MINNESOTA Jason Adkins, Minnesota Catholic Conference executive director and general counsel, said that the Supreme Court’s ruling in its Carson v. Makin decision is a positive development in school choice efforts, which the MCC supports. “The Carson decision weakens the rationale that parental choice programs, especially education savings accounts, will fail a legal challenge and therefore should not be enacted,” he said in a June 23 email.

“Were a future Minnesota parental choice program to be challenged in federal court, it would be upheld. At the state level, the anti-Catholic Blaine Amendments, such as the one in Minnesota’s Constitution, have not yet been deemed completely discriminatory and, therefore, unconstitutional, but that day is likely coming. The Minnesota Supreme Court would have to engage in some major gymnastics to strike down a private school choice program.”

However, “the Legislature still needs to enact a robust parental choice program, such as education savings accounts,” he said. “Other than the K-12 income tax deduction, there is not yet a program (in Minnesota) that provides public assistance with private school tuition. Children should not be limited to quality educational options because of their ZIP code or socioeconomic status, and parents should be empowered to select a school that meets their child’s unique needs and the family’s values. Public education dollars should follow students, not systems.”

MCC is a partner in Opportunity for All Kids (OAK), which advocates for school-choice legislation.

— Maria Wiering

JUNE 30, 2022

HEADLINES u Vatican newspaper launches new ‘street’ edition. The Vatican newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, will expand its coverage in a new monthly edition that will give a voice to the poor and the homeless, the Dicastery for Communication said. The first copies of “L’Osservatore di Strada,” the newspaper’s “street” edition, will make its debut June 29, the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, and will be distributed to pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square after Pope Francis’ Angelus address. The publication will be available in print and online versions and will be published on the first Sunday of every month. Donations received for the newspaper “will be given entirely to needy who will be in charge of this service,” the Dicastery for Communication said June 28.

The goal of the monthly newspaper is “to give a voice to those who are usually not heard: the poor, people wounded by life, those who are cast aside and excluded,” the dicastery said in an announcement June 24. “It is a newspaper that recognizes and gives back the right to speak to those who contemporary society treats as ‘rejects,’ highlighting the legacy of experience, knowledge and values of which they are the guardians,” the dicastery said. u Supreme Court sides with coach in public school prayer case. In a 6-3 vote June 27, the Supreme Court ruled that a former high school football coach had the right to pray on the football field after games because his prayers were private speech and did not represent the public school’s endorsement of religion. “The Constitution and the best of our traditions counsel mutual respect and tolerance, not censorship and suppression, for religious and nonreligious views alike,” said the court’s majority opinion, written

by Justice Neil Gorsuch. Justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan dissented. Joseph Kennedy, former assistant coach at Bremerton High School, outside of Seattle, said his postgame prayers on the field cost him his job. u Pope hails nun killed in Haiti as martyr.

Pope Francis praised the life and work of Sister Luisa Dell’Orto, an Italian missionary who was killed in Haiti, and hailed her as a martyr. “Sister Luisa made a gift of her life to others to the point of martyrdom,” the pope said June 26 after praying the Angelus prayer with pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square. According to the Archdiocese of Milan, Sister Luisa, 64, a member of the Little Sisters of the Gospel of St. Charles de Foucauld, was murdered June 25 during an attempted robbery in the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, where she had lived for the past 20 years. u New York State Catholic Conference ‘troubled’ by court’s gun law ruling. An official of the New York State Catholic Conference expressed disappointment with a June 23 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturns a century-old law and asserts that there is a constitutional right to carry a handgun in public for self-defense. “We are troubled that the court has overturned a law dating back more than a century that has been largely accepted by the state’s population for all of that time,” said Dennis Poust, executive director of the conference, which represents the New York bishops on public policy matters. The court voted 6-3 to strike down the New York law requiring

NATION+WORLD anyone who wants to carry a concealed weapon for self-defense to demonstrate a specific need for doing so. u After Jesuit murders, Mexican bishops urge president to revise strategy. The Mexican bishops’ conference called on the country’s president to revise his security strategy as violence continues convulsing Mexico and claiming innocent lives, including clergy. The bishops’ statement followed the slayings of two Jesuits and a person they were protecting in their parish — a crime attributed to a local crime boss in a part of the country dominated by drug cartels, rife with poverty and long neglected by the state.

Jesuit Fathers Javier Campos Morales and Joaquín César Mora Salazar died defending their parish in Cerocahui, in the Copper Canyon of Chihuahua state, which serves the Indigenous Tarahumara population. The priests had opened the parish to a person fleeing a kidnapping June 20, according to Chihuahua investigators, but an armed individual burst inside and killed that person — identified as Pedro Palma, a tour guide.

u British bioethics center: “‘Very likely dead’ is not dead enough.” A Catholic bioethics institute criticized a decision by the High Court to allow doctors to withdraw ventilation from a brain-damaged boy on the grounds that he was very likely — though not definitely — dead. A representative of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales also weighed in, calling the case “very distressing.” “It seems extraordinary that questions of life and death should be matters of a balance of probability rather than determination beyond reasonable doubt,” said an undated statement posted on the website of the Anscombe Bioethics Centre, an institute serving the Catholic Church in the U.K. and Ireland. Archie Battersbee, 12, was found at home by his mother April 7 with a ligature around his neck after allegedly taking part in a social media challenge called “blackout,” in which people choke themselves up to the point that they pass out.

Doctors at the Royal London Hospital have concluded that Archie, who has not regained consciousness, is “brain stem dead.” But his mother, Hollie Dance, has legally contested

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • 13 their decision to withdraw his ventilation and harvest his organs on the grounds that he is able to communicate with her by squeezing her hand and that his heart is still beating. On June 20, the High Court granted Dance and Archie’s father, Paul Battersbee, permission to lodge an appeal against the judgment on one of nine submitted grounds, with the other eight dismissed as having “no merit.”

u Vatican makes archives detailing aid to Jews available online. Thousands of records detailing requests to the Vatican made by Jewish people persecuted by the Nazis will be made available online to the public, the Vatican announced. In a June 23 statement, the Vatican said universal access to the documentation, which has been available to researchers since March 2020, was made “at the request of the Holy Father.” The documentation, titled “Ebrei” (“Jews”), aims “to preserve the petitions for help from Jewish people all over Europe, received by (Pope Pius XII) during the NaziFascist persecutions,” the statement said.

14 • JUNE 30, 2022

Catholic Softball Group puts Jesus at the center of weekly gatherings on the diamond Story and photos by Dave Hrbacek The Catholic Spirit reaking up with a woman he thought he would marry led John Ondrey to form a Catholic softball league that has grown far beyond what he had imagined.

In 2015, after ending the relationship, he started thinking about ways to meet people who shared his Catholic faith. One evening during Lent, he was attending a Bible study at the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul with a group of young adults downstairs in Hayden Hall. Near the end of the gathering, he used one simple question to guide his next move.

“I just wanted to play softball” that summer, recalled Ondrey, 39, who belongs to St. Charles Borromeo in St. Anthony.

“So, at the end of the Bible study, I stood up and asked everyone: ‘Does anyone want to play softball?’ … A number of people raised their hands, and I got out a piece of paper and got their email addresses. And, I thought, ‘That was so easy. We just got a whole entire team — a coed team — and I just had to ask one time.’”

The very next day, during an event called Cathedral Sports Night, Ondrey made the same invitation, this time with his identical twin brother, James. Again, a bunch of hands shot up. In just two nights, they had recruited enough players to form two coed teams.

They joined a league in Roseville in 2015 with those two teams, and steadily added players over the next four years.

Then, in 2019, they formed their own league and named it Catholic Softball Group. They also formed a leadership team, including people like Peter Shutte, their classmate at Totino-Grace High School in Fridley who started playing in 2016.

This year, there are 16 teams and 192 players, representing 63 parishes, with leagues in the summer and fall. This year’s summer league, which features 16 games from 6-10 p.m. every Thursday through mid-July, filled up fast. John and James had to turn away 74 people because they did not have enough field space on the four diamonds at Pioneer Park in Little Canada.

Although the main draw is softball, the group is much more than that, the two brothers emphasized. CSG offers service projects like food packing at Feed My Starving Children, social gatherings, plus spiritual events like Masses, prayer gatherings and retreats. The entire array of activities attracts — and keeps — Catholic young adults who are seeking connections with other like-minded young adults.

MaryPat Thune is in her first year of CSG. Her involvement began at events taking place during the winter months, before softball started. She learned of the group after seeing a woman wearing a

Jo pra pla

Alex Schindler, left, of St. Lawrence Catholic Church and Newman Center in Minneapolis, shares a laugh with teammate Keta Smith, who is not Catholic, while they await a group photo during a break in the games. Their team is called Hot Cross Bats.

Catholic Softball Group sweatshirt. That steered her to a Google search and a very enthusiastic decision to join after visiting the group’s website, catholicsoftball.com.

“I just started going to events, and here we are,” said Thune, 25, who belongs to St. Vincent de Paul in Brooklyn Park and plays on a team called 3:16ers (a Scriptural reference to John 3:16). “God has changed my life in the best way. I have found the best community in the whole wide world, and I am so grateful for it.”

In addition to picking up a bat and a glove, Thune, who played high school

softball, carries a camera. She takes photos weekly at the games, and works with the person in charge of photography for the group, Gina Hansen of St. Joseph in West St. Paul, who has been taking photos the last three seasons and also played for two seasons. After only a few months of participation, Thune calls the group “absolutely beautiful.”

For some, it’s much more than that.

Justine and Chip Reisman met on the field at CSG in 2020 and struck up a friendship that led to their nuptials on Sept. 25, 2021. After their wedding ceremony at

Peter Shutte throws a pitch. He is a player, coach an player in the league, Sarah Thelen.

St. Rose of Lima in Roseville, they drove to Pioneer Park for a few photos. The fields already were a part of their romantic history, as they took engagement photos there also. They are one of five married couples who met at CSG, with the league also boasting four couples who are currently engaged.

Recently, the Reismans’ connection with CSG entered the second generation with the birth of their first child, CJ, June 13. But, that didn’t keep them off the diamond. Just three days later, the couple donned their jerseys and brought CJ to Pioneer Park for a night of softball

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • 15

his father, Scott Zipp, played in the fall league last year, and likely will play again this fall. Scott had hoped to play this summer, but the player limit was reached before he could sign up.

“It’s great, it’s a lot of fun — great time to just kick back, chill out, be competitive with a bunch of great young adults,” said Father Zipp, who showed some hitting skills during a recent Thursday night game. “It’s a wonderful group of people, and I just find so much joy to be here with all of them.”

At the moment, Father Zipp is the only priest playing regularly in CSG, but he’s hoping that will change.

“I’ve been inviting brother priests to join,” he noted, “and I think I got some who are going to join this next fall league, so I’m excited.”

But, with more recruitment of new players comes a downside.

Father Andrew Zipp connects for a double.

Signing up has become quite a squeeze.

James Ondrey said that registration for the upcoming fall season, which begins in August, opened June 8. Within seven days, 196 people had signed up, leading the Ondrey brothers and other league organizers to ponder the possibility of league expansion.

ohn Ondrey, left, joins his team for a pre-game ayer during Catholic Softball Group league ay June 16 at Pioneer Park in Little Canada.

“It’s just growing like crazy,” said Shutte, 40, of Immaculate Conception in Columbia Heights, the current league director who met his now-fiancée, Sarah Thelen of St. Peter in North St. Paul, in 2019 at CSG. “We’re trying to find more fields. We’re trying to find ways to get more people involved. Hopefully, we can do a men’s league this fall, which is our plan.”

Chip and Justine Reisman, who met at Catholic Softball Group, hold their son, CJ, who was born June 13.

nd league director who is engaged to another interspersed with showing off their newborn. Likely, he was the youngest fan in attendance.

At this event, that’s saying something.

Among the four adjoining fields with a shelter in the middle where a potluck dinner is served, there can be heard the sound of children playing and babies crying all through the evening. Some are children of players, with the Ondrey brothers pointing out that the league is open to singles and those who are married. The only requirement for membership is to be 18 years of age or older.

“The problem that we’re running into is that we keep telling our friends, and now it’s really hard to get on the roster because we can’t fit everyone,” said Leah Balster, 27, of St. Helena in Minneapolis, who started playing last summer.

Players do not need to be Catholic, though most of them are. But, make no mistake, faith and faith-based fellowship are at the center of all league activities, on and off the field. It has been that way since the beginning, and it is why the league formed in the first place, the Ondrey brothers said.

“We want to have real, authentic relationships with each other and grow closer to him (Christ) through this group,” said James, who, like his brother, is a parishioner of St. Charles.

“I think that’s why people are coming. It brings us hope. … We’re hanging out with other Catholics and we’re trying to become the people that God is calling us to be.”

The league is even drawing people who don’t play softball. Katie Hines of St. Pius X in White Bear Lake goes faithfully every week to cheer on the players and chat with them during breaks in the action. Like many others, she goes to non-softball events, too, and has found a place to deepen her faith and friendships.

Emily Rose of St. John the Baptist in New Brighton tags MaryPat Thune of St. Vincent de Paul in Brooklyn Park during the Player Appreciation Game June 16.

“I can’t even fully put into words how much CSG and this community mean to me,” said Hines, 28, who started attending CSG games last fall and has been to every softball event this year since the season opener April 28. “It was a huge blessing when I came across this community.”

She found out about it last year when a friend joined the fall league.

“I came to check it out and basically fell in love with the league, and the (softball) nights and the people, basically from the first night,” she said.

“I have been a part of it ever since. It made such a huge impact on my life to be a part of this incredible community that’s all here for the same reasons.

They’re here for the shared love of softball and the shared love of faith and of God.” Among the league regulars is Father Andrew Zipp, 29, who was ordained in 2019 and serves at St. Vincent de Paul, Thune’s parish, but will move to St. Mary of the Lake in Plymouth July 1.

This is his second year in the league, and

He added: “It’s been a great experience for a lot of people. We’re happy. … We want to do the most for the most people possible. We want to grow it (the league) the best we can.”

For the Ondreys, that means continuing to follow the Lord’s promptings.

“God keeps blessing it,” John Ondrey said. “We did not envision this when we first started, but God kept blessing it and kept saying, ‘Keep expanding, keep going.’”

The league will have playoffs in July, then take a short break before the fall league begins. On opening night Aug. 4, Archbishop Bernard Hebda will attend and offer an opening prayer and blessing.

The Ondreys also have invited him to throw out a ceremonial first pitch. That is a fitting way to start something that has become “sort of a ministry,” James Ondrey said.

“We encourage each other to follow him (Christ) a little closer, and to do his will,” he said. “So, if we can just draw a little closer to him as a result of this group, then I think we’ve done our job.

I’m just humbled ... to be a part of it. It’s a privilege to be in this position of leadership.”

He added: “This is where God has placed us, and we’re going to make the most of it. And, we’re going to try to do everything that God is calling us to do, and to use this for his glory.”

16 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

JUNE 30, 2022

FAITH+CULTURE

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Father Campbell: The liturgy is a highlight

Father Reding: Helping shape understanding of God

Father Little: Priesthood is beautiful and sacrificial

ather Michael Reding, pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle in Minneapolis, recently recalled one of the most memorable experiences in his 25 years of priesthood: celebrating six sacraments in just over an hour. A non-Catholic man married to a Catholic woman for 35 years asked for help with the process for the couple to be married in the Church.

Their “favor of the faith” case required canonical processes that took two years, Father Reding said.

Once complete, Father Reding baptized the man, confirmed him, celebrated reconciliation, celebrated Mass where the man received the Eucharist for the first time, validated his marriage and anointed him because, during the two-year wait, the man was diagnosed with cancer. Recently, Father Reding celebrated the man’s funeral Mass.

While the man’s wife may have been his biggest motivation, Father Reding believes the husband found a side of the Church that wasn’t pushing him away, but instead, was welcoming, receptive and caring.

Most days, a pastor’s influence on a community and people’s faith is one that is gentle and nearly imperceptible, Father Reding said. Aside from a mission preacher visiting or a retreat that’s “kind of a mountaintop experience,” a pastor’s influence is much more gentle and ultimately deeper and more substantial, he said. Having a relationship with a community over years “and hearing how you’ve really shaped people’s vocabulary about how they speak about their faith” — hearing his own words and how a pastor can fundamentally help shape people’s understanding and image of God, and who God is for them and their relationship with God — is what makes being a pastor the most satisfying, Father Reding said. “Being able to have that ongoing, gentle but deeply transformative relationship with them.”

Father Reding, 58, who has also led about 10 pilgrimages, with several to the Holy Land, described the transformation of people’s faith he has witnessed when they encounter “the person of Jesus” in the places where he lived. “Jesus was born here,” Father Reding said. “Jesus lived here. Jesus died here. Jesus multiplied loaves and fishes here. Jesus preached here.

The way in which it makes faith come alive for people is incomparable, and incredibly satisfying.”

Before his ordination, Father Reding remembers being asked by seminary leadership if he had interest in some type of specialized ministry, or continuing studies to someday teach at the seminary, or work at the archdiocesan chancery. Instead, he said, he is a generalist who loves the breadth of things that he gets to do as a pastor. “That’s really where my heart is,” he said. “That’s where I want to be. And, of course, as we’ve had fewer and fewer priests, it’s been the place where we really need guys.”

As a younger priest, Father Reding said, he didn’t fully appreciate how consuming it is to prepare for preaching. “I think it’s the most important thing I do all week,” he said. “It’s the part of my ministry that will reach the largest number of people, so it deserves a lot of time, but it also ends up for me demanding tremendous emotional energy.” He said each week he fears finding the right words, but in the end, “it’s the most satisfying thing that I do.”

en years into his priestly life, Father Benjamin Little said, priesthood has confirmed what he anticipated. “I knew it would be beautiful and sacrificial all at once, but until you actually live it, you don’t know how true that is,” he said.

“Sacramental ministry and preaching, in particular, are the real joys and the things you savor and you’re just in awe of, as a priest, that this is happening through me for God’s people,” he said. “And even the unexpected things you’re asked to do, things you take on, things you learn and forget, and learn again.”

Father Little, 38, pastor of St. John the Baptist in Savage, said parish administration and its responsibilities and needs, and friendships entered into with families, have enriched his life.

One family that impacted him greatly during his time serving at St. Michael in Farmington from 2015 to 2020 had a son diagnosed with a life-threatening brain tumor around the time a younger brother was to be confirmed. Father Little asked Archbishop Bernard Hebda for permission to confirm the younger brother “maybe quietly, given everything else that was happening within the family.” Instead, Archbishop Hebda came to a Mass at St. Michael and administered anointing of the sick to the older brother, JD, and confirmed the younger brother, Lucas, “and then walked with that particular family through the months that followed until JD went home to the Lord,” he said. A bond developed with the family simply because “we were there,” present in the moment, Father Little said. “And the Lord did a beautiful thing and JD’s memory is precious to me, and that closeness to the family.”

Father Little said Bishop Donald DeGrood, who was a priest of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis until his installment in 2019 as the bishop of Sioux Falls, also has been instrumental to his priesthood.

Following his 2012 ordination, his first assignment was as assistant priest at St. Peter in Forest Lake, where then-Father DeGrood served as pastor. Father Little said he developed “a deep relationship with him.”

He also succeeded then-Father DeGrood at St. John the Baptist, which has been a great blessing, Father Little said. Bishop DeGrood and many other priests have “modeled Christ for me as a priest,” Father Little said. “It’s Christ who I’m following and imitating, and hoping that others can see and know in me through my priesthood.”

His vision for his own priesthood has been to minister as a parish priest, which he loves. “I just … want to be more and more in awe of priesthood every day,” he said. Since childhood, priests have inspired him, he said, “and I want to keep going.”

As for advice to newly ordained priests and to seminarians, Father Little said, when serving the Lord, prepare for trials, but expect many joys as well.

“Ask the Holy Spirit to keep giving you the gift of awe at the priesthood you share with Jesus,” he said.

“Never close yourself off to the depth of relationship with the Lord and with his people. It’ll hurt sometimes, but it’ll bring a deeper joy than you could ever imagine.”

W

hen Father Theodore Campbell moved to his townhome in Plymouth about seven years ago, it didn’t take long before he was nominated to the homeowners association. “I’m on the board of directors here because somebody found out I was a priest and they figured out I knew a lot about buildings. Unfortunately, I have been involved in a few renovations,” he said with a smile.

So today in retirement, after serving as a priest for 50 years, “I’m the cop again,” he said.

Quick to laugh and engage in conversation, with a green thumb evident in the roses and other potted and hanging plants at his entryway, Father Campbell, 77, retired from full-time ministry in 2015 but continues to help parishes by celebrating Mass and hearing confessions.

A special Mass in early May helped him celebrate his 50 years in ministry. Held at the parish he served for 31 years, Good Shepherd in Golden Valley, it included one of his brothers presiding — Bishop Emeritus Frederick Campbell of Cleveland, Ohio, who was an auxiliary bishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis from 1999 to 2004. About 30 priests concelebrated.

The two brothers are about 18 months apart in age. They grew up with their siblings and parents in Elmira, New York, a city with many ethnic churches, Father Campbell said. He first attended “the Polish church” with his mother. His father had no church affiliation.

Unlike his brother, who entered seminary after high school, Father Campbell, 77, wasn’t interested until he started college. The late Cardinal Terence Cooke, archbishop of New York, ordained him a Paulist Father in New York City in 1972. It was the cardinal’s last ordination, Father Campbell said, as he was dying of cancer.

“He just wanted to do it,” Father Campbell said of Cardinal Cooke. “He was a generous man.” Father Campbell said he asked the cardinal for his personal blessing “because I thought, this guy is close to heaven and I want to get in a little bit later.”

Father Campbell was incardinated into the archdiocese in 1979. As a diocesan priest, he found the liturgy to be a high point, in part because it is “the one time most of your people are going to know you and how you act and how you do the things you do.”

Other highlights include preaching (using an outline instead of written text so sermons don’t sound like lectures) and not expecting any kind of special treatment from parishioners. And he is proud that he could hear advice from “all kinds of people” at the parish before making decisions, including members of the parish council, school board and finance committees. “The more you hear, the better it is,” he said.

Father Campbell said that in retirement he misses constantly being around people. Parish life was active, he said, from the time he walked into the building, with people coming into the school, at daily Mass and socializing afterward, and being in the church office.

“I loved it,” Father Campbell said. “I’d take a day off, but then I’d go with other priests or people to do something. It was an environment where you were constantly with other people.”

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— Stories by Barb Umberger and photos by Dave Hrbacek

8B • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT FAITH+CULTURE

JUNE 30, 2022

Congratulations jubilarians!

The Catholic Spirit is honored to celebrate the priests who are marking 10, 25, 50 and 60 years of priestly ministry this year. In addition to the jubilarians featured on page 16, the following men are observing these significant anniversaries of their ordination to the priesthood.

Congratulations to all of the priests — including those not listed below — celebrating milestone anniversaries this year. Religious-order priests, brothers and sisters marking jubilees will be celebrated in the July 16 issue.

10 YEARS

2012 ORDINATION Father Evan Koop, 40, has been a faculty member at The St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul since 2016. He also has ministered at St. Henry in Monticello (2020-2021), Risen Savior in Burnsville (2014-2016), St. Joseph in Red Wing (2014-2016), St. John Vianney Seminary in St. Paul (2014-2016) and St. Stephen in Anoka (2012-2014).

Father Nicholas VanDenBroeke, 36, has served as canonical administrator at Holy Cross School in Webster since 2020 and as parochial administrator and then pastor of Immaculate Conception in Lonsdale since 2017. He also has ministered at St. Nicholas in New Market (2020-2021), Epiphany in Coon Rapids (2016-2017), St. Michael in Kenyon (2014-2016), Divine Mercy in Faribault (2014-2016), Totino-Grace High School in Fridley (2013-2014) and St. John the Baptist in New Brighton (2012-2014).

25 YEARS

1997 ORDINATION Father David Barrett, 57, has served at St. Wenceslaus in New Prague (2009-2017), St. Scholastica in Heidelberg and St. Thomas in St. Thomas (2009-2011), Most Holy Redeemer in Montgomery (2005-2009), Assumption in St. Paul (2003-2005), St. Mary in Waverly (2002-2003), Mercy and Unity hospitals (2000-2002) and Presentation of Mary in Maplewood (1997-2001).

Father Michael Creagan, 51, has served as

pastor of St. Joseph in West St. Paul since 2008 and chaplain for the Minnesota Army National Guard since 2012. He also has ministered at Sacred Heart in Robbinsdale (2002-2008) and St. Mary (1999-2002) and St. Michael (1997-2002) in Stillwater.

Father Thomas Deziel, 59, has served as pastor of Annunciation in Minneapolis since 2020. He incardinated into the archdiocese from the Canons Regular of the Order of the Holy Cross, Province of St. Odilia in 2008. He also has ministered at St. Nicholas in Carver (2018-2020), Guardian Angels in Chaska (2017-2020), St. Peter in North St. Paul (20112017), St. Rita in Cottage Grove (2005-2011), Pax Christi in Eden Prairie (2005) and St. Stephen in Anoka (1997-1998).

Msgr. Stephen Gideon, 69, has served on the faculty of The St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul since 2020. Msgr. Gideon is a priest of the Diocese of Nashville.

Father Joseph Taphorn, 50, has served as rector of The St. Paul Seminary and ex officio vice president the University of St. Thomas, both in St. Paul, since 2019.

Father Taphorn is a priest of the Archdiocese of Omaha.

50 YEARS

1972 ORDINATION Father James Devorak, 77, retired in 2021 and is living in the archdiocese after serving as pastor of Immaculate Conception in Watertown since 2018. He also has ministered at Corpus Christi in St. Paul (20172018), St. Rose of Lima in Roseville (2017-2018), St. Gerard Majella in Brooklyn Park (20162017), Corpus Christi and St. Rose of Lima (2015-2016) and St. Bernard in St. Paul (2015).

Faher Devorak is a priest of the Diocese of New Ulm. Father Terrence Hayes, 80, has served as pastor of Our Lady of Victory in Minneapolis since 1993. He also has ministered at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School in Hastings (1995-2005) and then-St. Austin (1979-1993) and Annunciation (1972-1979) in Minneapolis.

Father Thomas Monaghan, 87, has

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • 17

NATION+WORLD

Pope apologizes for postponin

been retired since 2010, after serving at Incarnation in Minneapolis beginning in 1978. He also ministered at Sacred Heart in Cindy Wooden St.By Paul (1972-1978).

Catholic News Service

Father William Murtaugh, 76, has been pastorPope of Christ the King in Minneapolis Francis apologized to thesince 2019.

He incardinated archdiocese people of Congointo andthe South Sudan for in 1987 from the Congregation the to Blessed postponing his plannedoftrip their Sacrament, Province of St. Ann. He also countries July 2-7.

“Dear friends, regret, due has ministered at Paxwith Christigreat in Eden to problems with my leg,Becket I haveinhad to Prairie (2011-2019), St. Thomas postpone my visit to your countries,” Eagan (2008-2011), St. John the Baptist the pope said June 12 after reciting in New Brighton (1996-2008), St. Henry in the Angelus prayer with visitors in St. Monticello (1992-1996), St. Joan of Arc in Peter’s Square.

Minneapolis (1988-1992), Basilica of St. Mary “I truly feel great sorrow for having in Minneapolis (1984-1988), and St. John the had to postpone this trip, which means Baptist in New (1982-1984). so much to Brighton me. I apologize for this,” he

(1980-1981), Immaculate Heart of Mary in St. Paul (1980-1981), St. Peter in Richfield (1977-1980), Sacred Heart in Robbinsdale (1976-1977), Nativity of Our Lord in St. Paul (1973-1976) and St. Matthew in St. Paul (1972-1973).

60 YEARS

1962 ORDINATION

Father Rinaldo Custodio, 85, retired in 2005 after serving as assistant priest of St. John the Baptist in Burnsville since 1996. Father Custodio also has ministered at BenildeSt. Margaret’s high school in St. Louis Park (1994-1996), Immaculate Heart of Mary in Minnetonka (1976-1994), Most Holy July was still set. said.Philip “Let Rask, us pray with Father 75,together has beenthat, retired Redeemer in Montgomery (1973-1976), “At the request of his doctors, and the2021, helpafter of God andatmedical since serving St. Odiliaattention, of St. Mary in Minneapolis in order not to jeopardize the (1971results I will be able to be with you as soon as Basilica in Shoreview since 2007. He also has 1973), St. Raphael in Crystal (1970-1971), of the therapy that he is undergoing possible. Let us be hopeful!” ministered at the chancery and international for his in knee, the Holy Father has been Visitation Minneapolis (1967-1970) and The Vatican press office had clergy office (2009-2011), Presentation to Baptist postpone, with regret,(1962his announced June 10 that the visitofto St.forced John the in New Brighton Mary in Maplewood (2002-2007), The apostolic journey to the Democratic Congo and the ecumenical pilgrimage 1967).

St.to Paul Seminary in St. Paul (1982-2002) and Republic of Congo and to South South Sudan were postponed Daniel Friberg, has10. been retired Immaculate Conception in continued Columbia Heights Sudan,” Bruni said85, June The trip because Pope Francis to have Father since after serving pastor will2001, be moved “to a as later dateofto be (1972-1977). problems with his knee. On June 13, John the Baptist in Hugo since 1993. He the press office said Pope Francis would St.determined.”

Father Savundra, 75, has been June not Edwin lead the public celebrations Although Pope hasAcademy canceled also has ministered at Francis St. Thomas retired since serving parochial 19 for the2013, feastafter of the Bodyasand Blood high several sinceHeights mid-January and schoolevents in Mendota (1970-1993), administrator Sacred Heartthat in Rush of Christ, aatcelebration was City to begun in using wheelchair or a cane, St.has Augustine Southa St. Paul (1967-1970) since 2010.

A priestMass, from the Archdiocese have included a procession and and the had continued to insist St.Vatican Bridget in Minneapolis (1962-1967). of Mount Hagen, Papua New Guinea, who Benediction. that he would make the two trips in Father Forliti, 86, retired in 2004 after Matteo into Bruni, of the press July.Edward The Vatican press office published incardinated the director archdiocese in 2005, offi ce, did not mention whether the a detailed schedule for the Africa serving as pastor of St. Olaf in Minneapolis he also ministered at Nativity in Cleveland pope’s planned trip Conception to Canada in in late trip1992.

MayAfter 28 and released a list of the since retiring, he was chaplain at (2001-2009), Immaculate Cretin-Derham Hall high school in St. Paul Marysburg (2001-2009), St. Gregory the (2004-2015), and chaplain Catherine Great in North Branch (1999) and The chosen to support this at evilSt. and unjust law.”

University in St. Paul (2009-2018).

BeforeHealth St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul (1998-1999).

Among other things, the Reproductive retiring, heAct also ministered at the University Equity would permit on-demand abortion Father Eugene Tiffany, 76, retired in 2016 of St. Thomas in St. Paul (1985-1992), for a full 40 weeks of pregnancy and allow  Catholic lawmakers who voted for Colorado after serving as parochial administrator of abortions based in onMinneapolis discrimination(1977of sex, race St. Frances Cabrini abortion bill asked to not take Communion.

St. Boniface in Minneapolis beginning in or children with disabilities such as Down 1983), the chancery in St. Paul (1973-1977), In a June 6 open letter, the Catholic bishops 2012. He also has ministered at All Saints in syndrome.

Gov. Jared Polis signed the bill into Immaculate Heart of Mary in St. Paul (1970of Colorado asked those Catholic legislators Minneapolis Immaculate Conception April 4 just after it passed the state House “who live(2012), or worship in the state” and voted 1973),law and then-Nazareth Hall College and in Columbia Heights (2011-2012), the Equity and Senate. for Colorado’s Reproductive Health Seminary in St. Paul (1962-1970). chancery St. Paul (2008-2010), Holy Spirit Act “toinvoluntarily refrain from receiving holy Speaker at Washington Father Roy Lepak, 86, retiredanti-gun in 2000rally aftersays in St.Communion” Paul (2006-2009), St. Andrew and and until they publicly repent nation must ‘replace the hate.’

The son of St. Mark in St. Paul (2009), St. Olafinand Risen serving as an instructor and faculty member receive sacramental absolution confession.

Ruth E. Whitfield, at 86 the oldest victim of a burdenSchool, from their decision does not rest at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul Christ“The Catholic both in Minneapolis racially motivated mass shooting May 14 at a upon theAll shoulders of Lakeville priests, deacons 1966 to New 1994.York, He also ministered at the (2004-2006), Saints in (1992- or lay from Buffalo, grocery store, told a rally in Eucharist,” Center and Chapel at the University 2004),extraordinary Holy Trinityministers in SouthofSt.the Paul (1985- the Newman Washington June 11 that the nation needs to wrote.

“It rests upon(1981-1985), the consciences of Minnesota in Minneapolis (1963-1966) and 1992),bishops St. Henry in Monticello “lower” its weapons and “replace the hate.” and souls of those politicians who have Corpus Christi in St. Paul (1962-1966).

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FAITH+CULTURE

18 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

JUNE 30, 2022

Diocese takes first step toward possible cause for former FOCUS missionary Catholic News Service

B

ishop David Kagan of Bismarck announced June 16 the diocese will open an investigation into “the holiness of life and love for God” of North Dakota native Michelle Duppong, who died of cancer Dec. 25, 2015. She was 31.

At the time of her death, Duppong was the director of adult faith formation for the Diocese of Bismarck. Before that, she was a missionary for six years with the Fellowship of Catholic University Students, or FOCUS. She mentored hundreds of students on college campuses and her final assignment with FOCUS was on its inaugural team at the University of Mary in Bismarck.

“Michelle’s holiness of life and love for God certainly touched us here in the Diocese of Bismarck, at the University of Mary and throughout FOCUS, but hers is also a witness which should also be shared with the universal Church,” Bishop Kagan said.

He announced the diocesan investigation into her life and faith at the FOCUS new staff training at the University of Mary. The investigation could lead to her beatification and canonization.

Duppong grew up in Haymarsh, North Dakota, and earned a degree in horticulture at North Dakota State University in 2006. While there, she encountered FOCUS and the Catholic apostolate inspired her to serve as a FOCUS missionary after graduation.

In 2012, Duppong became Bismarck’s diocesan director of adult faith formation, “using her missionary zeal to bring others closer to Christ,” said a news release. On Dec. 29, 2014, Duppong was diagnosed with cancer “and battled the disease with perseverance and a patient, cheerful spirit” until her death.

The diocesan investigation, which involves the gathering of evidence about Duppong’s life and deeds, will include witness testimonies and the compilation of private and public writings. When this is completed, the next stage toward her

Congratulations and Prayerful Best Wishes Very reV. Joseph Taphorn 25 Years

as you celebrate of priesthood.

Your ministry inspires much gratitude.

Anniversary blessings from Msgr. Douglas L. Grams, diocesan administrator, and the clergy, religious, and laity of the Diocese of New ULM.

canonization cause is for the diocese to present the evidence to the Dicastery for Saints’ Causes at the Vatican.

If the documentation is accepted for consideration and her cause is officially opened, Duppong would then be considered a “Servant of God.” “From there, the cause could proceed at a steady pace, especially if there are no theological objections and Duppong enjoys what the church calls ‘the fame of sanctity’ — that she is venerated as a holy person,” the news release stated. In general, a verified miracle attributed to her intercession would be needed for her beatification and a second such miracle would be required for canonization.

A documentary titled “Thirst for Souls: the Michelle Duppong Story” is in the works. Its worldwide premiere would take place at SEEK23, FOCUS’ national conference, to be held Jan. 2-6 in St. Louis. The mission of FOCUS is “to share the hope and joy of the Gospel” on campuses and in parishes through Bible studies, outreach events, mission trips and discipleship.

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF MARY

North Dakota native Michelle Duppong, who died in 2015 at age 31, was a missionary with the Fellowship of Catholic University Students, or FOCUS, before serving as the director of adult faith formation for the Diocese of Bismarck. The diocese plans to open an investigation into her “holiness of life and love for God” which could lead to her beatification and canonization.

JUNE 30, 2022

FAITH+CULTURE

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • 19

‘Bleacher Brothers’ to visit all 30 MLB stadiums on evangelization tour

By Dianne Towalski Catholic News Service

people were, and he preached a language they could understand.”

Father Cole, a chaplain at Mount de athers Casey Cole and Roberto Sales High School in Macon, Georgia, “Tito” Serrano, both Franciscan and Father Serrano, who is assigned to friars, met in their second year of Siena College in Loudonville, New York, formation and bonded over their love of knew they wanted to do something baseball and their Franciscan vocations. similar, but not actually go out into the As kids, they both dreamed of visiting streets. They wanted to go where people Major League Baseball stadiums around gather. the country. Now the dream becomes a “So being baseball fans, Tito and I reality as the “Bleacher Brothers” hit the thought, let’s go to the other cathedral,” road.

Father Cole said. “We’ve got the After eight years of planning, they cathedral, the church, but the secular set out on an 11-week pilgrimage May cathedrals really are stadiums. The idea 19 to visit all 30 Major League Baseball was planted that once we became priests, ballparks, traveling more than 17,000 once we had the ability to travel a little miles to meet people where they are and bit, we’d do it.” preach the good news of Jesus Christ.

They will be in the stands for games in The two came to Minnesota to see the each city, connecting with others who Twins play the Colorado Rockies at Target share their love of baseball. They also Field in Minneapolis June 24. The Twins will visit Catholic schools, parishes and lost, 1-0. dioceses.

The following day they celebrated Mass “St. Francis didn’t just preach in at Immaculate Conception in Columbia churches,” Father Cole said. “He had a Heights, and then made their way to gift of finding God in even the ordinary.

St. Paul for a town-hall-style talk at the For 800 years the Franciscans have Cathedral of St. Paul. They also gave a continued this legacy. This trip is our way presentation to lay Franciscans June 25 in of carrying on what St. Francis started.”

Immaculate Conception’s fellowship hall.

“We’re at our best when we’re just “We’ll go to the stadiums, but then talking and when we’re able to banter invite them home,” Father Cole said. “So, and argue and debate and just engage in we’ll have Masses and we’ll have talks. normal conversation the way everyone I think we have about 30 talks planned else does,” Father Serrano said. “I think and then a handful of Masses. We don’t that’s what allows us to kind of lessen want to just have all the fun, but offer the distance between us.” some fruit as well.”

“Just because someone’s religious or The first stop on their stadium itinerary ordained a priest doesn’t necessarily was Miami to see the Florida Marlins mean that there’s now this chasm play the Atlanta Braves May 20. The tour between us,” he said. “We’re all children wraps up in Colorado with the Rockies of God, and we’re all called to be in vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers July 30. At relationship with each other, and that each stop, they offer a traditional talk or means intimacy and that means arguing a town-hall format. It’s up to the hosts to sometimes.” choose, but the priests prefer the town Baseball also is a good bridge between hall, Father Serrano said. the secular and the sacred, Father “In formation we learned about the Serrano said. history and tradition of the Franciscans,” Father Cole told The Central Minnesota “I think that this allows us to No. 1, Catholic, St. Cloud’s diocesan magazine. find places where a large number of “We heard stories about St. Francis people are gathered, but also at the preaching and evangelizing, and how same time broach the subject of why he didn’t necessarily go to churches. He we are creating this sort of false distance CathSpFL-C-2022.qxp_Layout 1 1/25/22 12:31 PM between Pa went to the city streets to preach where what is considered secular and

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Fathers Casey Cole, center, and Roberto “Tito” Serrano talk with Isaac Huss, a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Minneapolis, during their visit to Target Field June 24. The two Franciscan friars are in the midst of an evangelization tour, attending games at all 30 Major League Baseball stadiums around the country.

DIANNE TOWALSKI | THE CENTRAL MINNESOTA CATHOLIC

sacred,” he said. “Really, God is in all.”

Aside from the evangelization mission, the “Bleacher Brothers” are excited to see their favorite teams and players and visit different parts of the country on this trip.

Father Serrano is originally from Florida, so he started out as a Marlins fan. When the family moved to Arizona, his father, who was a die-hard baseball fan, announced that they would then be Diamondbacks fans. “My father spoke, and it was so,” he said.

Father Serrano also is hoping to meet one of his favorite players, Javier Báez, shortstop for the Detroit Tigers. He and Father Cole have field passes for their game in Detroit, so it may happen.

Father Cole said he was a Yankees fan

Congratulations on Your Retirement, Fr. Warren!

And happy 45th anniversary of priesthood!

You will be dearly missed at Saint Thomas More. We love you.

growing up, but lost interest in the team after shortstop Derek Jeter retired.

“I decided after a number of years of being a Yankees fan, to go the other direction, go National League with the lovable losers. So, I’m a Cubs fan and wouldn’t you believe it, within a year and a half, they won the World Series (in 2016).”

Father Cole hopes that being out in public in their habits will encourage people to ask questions, he said.

“I really just want people to know that if they see us, come up and talk to us,” Father Serrano said. “That’s why we’re there. We’re going to be in our habits the whole time so that we can be visible.

Let’s chat and let’s have an encounter with one another.”

FAITH+CULTURE

20 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

JUNE 30, 2022

Retired Bishop Pates settles on the shores of Rogers Lake

By Christina Capecchi For The Catholic Spirit

particularly attuned to people’s personal needs. He reached out to the poor. He was an advocate for those involved in union work. We’d go to restaurants and the waiter or waitress would say, “Archbishop, we’re so grateful for what you’re doing for us.”

You learn from your mentors the simple things: Take an interest in people, be their advocate, defend their causes.

Then, they give you a confidence to move into new situations.

Retirement has been anything but dull for Bishop Richard Pates, 79, former auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. After retiring as bishop of the Diocese of Des Moines and returning to the Twin Cities in 2019, Pope Francis tapped him first to serve as apostolic administrator for the Joliet, Illinois, diocese and then for the Diocese of Crookston. Now, Bishop Pates is living at the Roach Residence on the shores of Rogers Lake on the St. Thomas Academy campus in Mendota Heights.

Q You’ve had many adventures in

Q You’ve had a sort of non-retirement retirement as Pope Francis’ ringer!

A I enjoy being busy. I try to get the most out of every day.

Q What do you make of those two

post-retirement assignments to help dioceses in need?

A It was certainly unexpected! But I had

pastoral episcopal experience in other dioceses, which made the undertaking less daunting. You just have to go in, and sometimes there’s tension or difficulties during these transitions, so first you reassure people: Things are going to work out, it’ll be fine. We’ll deal with these issues one at a time. Secondly, you talk to as many people as you possibly can.

I had an open-door policy. One of the first things I did was give the priests my cell phone number so they felt they could always have access. They didn’t abuse it, but they used it, which was good.

Q It sounds like that approach worked well.

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A I’ve been really privileged in terms of

my mentors in the past. They’ve always had such a pastoral way. Msgr. Frank Curtin at Blessed Sacrament in St. Paul — my first assignment. He was very open to other people and had a great big heart.

He was experiencing cancer at the time, and he said to me, “You’re going to take all the weddings and I’m going to take all the funerals because at funerals they don’t talk back to you!” He wanted to avoid the mothers of the bride. I had 45 weddings that first year.

Archbishop Jean Jadot in Washington was extraordinarily bright. He was close to Pope Paul VI and gave me a remarkable appreciation for Vatican II. And Archbishop Flynn, who was pastoral to his fingernails. He was

I told him, “Well, don’t get too upset.

Nobody’s ever asked me that question in my 50 years of ministry, but they’ve brought me all sorts of personal concerns and issues. They want to know God is going to accompany them.”

People are attracted to the whole person, so it’s really a function of evangelization — to be able to communicate at that level, even in your homilies. We need to make the connection so people can move on to a deeper understanding of the faith and the sacraments.

priesthood, including being rector of St. John Vianney College Seminary.

How has that experience stayed with you?

Q We live in such divisive times. What

A One thing I learned early on is the

A Those fractures are very prominent

importance of the development of the human skills. It’s one of the four pillars of priestly formation. That is crucial today!

When I was in Iowa, Gov. (Terry) Branstad was president of Des Moines University, a medical school. He said to me, “When we recruit students, we get these students who are off the charts intellectually but unfortunately they have no bedside manner.”

For us, in terms of evangelization and serving people, it’s good to be well educated, to have strong principles, but some people tell me today that the ministers they encounter might be a little too rigid and might not be able to relate on a human level. That has the greatest impact.

A seminarian in Iowa told me that he could not define “homoousios” in a test. “Now, what am I going to do when people ask me?” he said.

can help families heal from rifts caused by politics and the pandemic?

today — very unfortunate and widespread. I like to talk about the truth.

There’s nothing as stubborn as a fact.

Truth is owed to a person because of that dignity as a child of God. To be a fully integral person, you also need to be one who is a person of the truth. I encourage people to ask: What are the facts? What is the truth of the matter? The devil is described as the father of all lies, and divisions occur because of the presence of the devil.

As a person that communicates, I try to be dedicated to the truth and do all my research. And as a person who lives in community, I want to have an integrated life — God gave me the gift of intelligence, and I want to honor that and always adhere to the truth.

Such independence is prized in the CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

The Church of Corpus Christi in Roseville extends our congratulations to

Fr. Michael Goodavish, celebrating 35 years of priesthood.

Thank you for your ministry with us.

God’s blessings as you continue to serve his people.

The Church of Corpus Christi 2131 Fairview Ave North Roseville, MN 55113 www.ccmn.org

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JUNE 30, 2022

RETIRED BISHOP

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE United States today, and people don’t really care about others. That’s the issue with vaccines: You don’t do it for yourself, but for others. It’s in the Scriptures, the letter of First John, to identify our relationship with Christ by the expression of love.

People can be so independent, and they’re in your face, “I don’t care what you say, this is what I have a right to do.” That’s true, but it’s not really about yourself. The greatest satisfaction we receive is when we’re in unity with our friends and our Church and our community.

Q What helped you deal with

contentious masking policies?

A Good communication is very

important. We look at what it means to be a Christian: to express love, to

put oneself on the line for another. We don’t want to agitate people more than necessary and try to utilize our wisdom in our conversations with others.

I’ve found young people are pretty reasonable about these things. I’ve always asked children: “Where’d you get the masks? Those are the most beautiful masks in the world.”

Q Does the Roach Residence feel like home?

A It does. I’m only 10 feet from the

shoreline. There’s wild fowl, ducks, turtles, lots of birds. The real pleasure is it has an expansive deck that looks over the lake. You can say your prayers out there and visit with people. It’s very enjoyable. Archbishop Hebda is right down the road at Vis. We see each other quite a bit.

Q Is life slower?

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • 21

A I think it is. I have a lot more

leisurely time for prayer. I have more time to let my heart and mind wander — it has surprising outcomes.

But at the same time, I’m involved in a lot of activities and that makes retirement more enjoyable. I just gave a five-day retreat for permanent deacon candidates in Kansas City, and I’m working on a project to build a new high school in Malawi in Central Africa.

You don’t want to sit around. You need to remain active. But you don’t have the daily responsibility as a bishop or a pastor — such a role is like being a parent, you’re called upon daily.

Q What’s the secret to a long life?

A First and foremost are relationships

with family and friends. The other thing is satisfaction in your life’s work or ministry. As Archbishop Flynn said, I would say, too: If he had a thousand lives, he’d live each one as a priest.

I try to learn from the wisdom of my parents and older people, and I try to siphon off some of the energy of young people, too. I’m still learning about life.

The experiences we have can teach us how to interact with people better, to be more sensitive, more kind.

Q What do you know for sure?

Q Would you ever sit down and write A What I know for sure is I still have your life story?

A Several people have suggested it.

Now that I have more leisure time, I’m thinking about it. I’ve given some thought to the different chapters I’d write.

a long ways to arrive at that point. I know the love of God in my life. He loves me, he created me, he only wants my good. He’ll never abandon me. I try to abide by that — and with others, too. I have to learn more all the time.

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LEFT PAGE 22 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

JUNE 30, 2022

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One recent example involves educational projects desperately needed in the African nation of Ghana.

“Each of the countries we work in is unique, has specific needs and is working to solve different problems.

In Ghana, the Church has identified education projects as a priority, and we are doing what we can to support that mission,” confirmed Jim Cavnar, president of Cross Catholic Outreach.

The Catholic Church’s interest in improving educational opportunities in Ghana is justified. While that country has made a lot of improvements to its education system in recent years, the poor still face many challenges in obtaining a quality education. Low education rates are believed to directly correlate to a higher incidence of childhood marriage, teen pregnancy, HIV/AIDS infection rates and poverty.

For rural students, daily commutes to and from school can be daunting and even unsafe. Some students don’t even attend traditional schools at the end of that journey — their education takes place underneath a tree, according to Cavnar.

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Cavnar added that young girls will benefit most from this support.

“Because they traditionally face greater hurdles to attending school than boys do, girls from the poorest families only receive 4 years of education on average,” he said. “That is unacceptable, and we should be doing everything we can to improve their access to education. In countries like Ghana, education isn’t just a matter of personal growth. It is essential to escape poverty. When we educate these children, we give them an opportunity to explore their talents and achieve their God-given potential.”

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Below: Ghana’s children are eager to learn, but they face incredible challenges. Schools need major improvements. Dioceses in the country are working hard to bring about that change, but they will need the support of American Catholics to succeed.

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by Serving as ‘Mission Partners’ Consistency and reliability have always been recognized as important character traits in American culture, and most of us bring up our children to uphold those values, especially in the workplace. We do that because we know consistency and reliability produce stability and help us weather the unexpected storms in life.

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“Their commitment to helping the poor on a monthly basis gives us a steady, reliable way to serve. Without them, the missions we support in the developing world would never know whether they could rely on us to help with long-term projects, and it would be much more difficult for us to respond to disaster situations. When we can depend on the

support of Mission Partners, we can move forward confidently and take on every challenge that’s put before us.”

Because monthly giving is so important to Cross Catholic Outreach’s work overseas, the ministry makes it as easy as possible for its donors to become Mission Partners. That option is included on appeals, on the charity’s website and in the brochures it distributes at Catholic parishes and in Catholic newspapers.

“Ultimately, we ask people to become Mission Partners because monthly

giving has a huge impact on the priests, religious sisters and Catholic lay leaders working in the trenches, fighting to end hunger and alleviate poverty,” Cavnar said. “When they face an unexpected crisis or a natural disaster strikes, the missions know they can come to us for help because our Mission Partners have provided the resources needed to overcome those immediate challenges.

We can make decisions in a matter of hours and send help within days — and the poor are blessed as a result.”

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THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • 23

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

American Catholics See Education as Key to Helping Poor Children Escape Generational Poverty Even before the American colonies became a sovereign nation, civic leaders began to explore new ideas that would create a brighter and more prosperous future for their descendants.

One of the goals they pursued involved establishing a more accessible public education system. The first taxpayersupported public school was opened in Dorchester, Massachusetts, and it offered access to free education as early as 1639.

Hundreds of years have passed since then, but the importance of accessible education has remained a vital part of the American dream — and this view is just as sacred to Church leaders working to better the lives of the poor in developing countries. In fact, many priests and religious sisters firmly

“...people are getting involved because they want poor boys and girls to have the same blessings their own children or grandchildren enjoy.”

Jim Cavnar, President Cross Catholic Outreach believe education is the best way to free families from hope-draining poverty.

“You might assume the priests and religious sister working in impoverished communities overseas are focused only on fighting hunger and providing safe water — and they are working hard to address those urgent needs — but they are just as eager to educate poor children because that’s the best way to break the cycle of poverty and put families on an upward trajectory in life,” explained Jim Cavnar, president of Cross Catholic Outreach, one of the leading Catholic ministries working to alleviate poverty in the developing world. “The only thing stopping these Church leaders from doing more is a lack of funding and resources. If we American Catholics help them, they can address the education problem — and do much more.”

Cavnar added that his ministry has received a lot of support for educational outreaches in recent years, and he commends compassionate Catholics in the U.S. who are making that need a priority. It is their support that ensures Church missions succeed.

“Some of these people are getting involved because they want poor boys and girls to have the same blessings their own children or grandchildren enjoy,” Cavnar said. “Others are familiar with the saying, ‘Give a man a fish and he eats for a day; teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime.’ They

For more than 20 years, Cross Catholic Outreach has been helping Catholic missions in developing countries expand their educational outreaches to the poor. Children who could not read or write have been blessed incredibly by these programs, and many have since gone on to college — breaking free of the cycle of poverty that had plagued their families for generations.

take that idea to heart and know that education will have a lasting impact.

Ultimately, both groups of donors value education because it restores the dignity of a person and opens doors to opportunity. When it is offered through the Church, it can have a lifetransforming spiritual impact as well.”

Cavnar speaks from experience.

He has been involved in Catholic international relief and development work for more than 30 years and has seen its impact in developing countries firsthand. In fact, Cross Catholic Outreach and its American donors have blessed the poor through educational projects in more than 20 countries over the years, and thousands of children have benefited dramatically.

“When educational options are so severely limited — as is often the case in very poor communities — many children grow up illiterate and have very few opportunities to better their lives. As those kids grow up and have families of their own, that terrible cycle of illiteracy and poverty often continues from one generation to the next,” Cavnar said. “When we provide the poor with education, we can break that trend and create a cycle of

blessings in its place. Our efforts help children escape the slums, and when they do, those young people often lift their parents and siblings out of poverty too. As educated kids become adults, they also make educating their own children a priority, and the good cycle we created continues.”

As with the other humanitarian efforts it supports — feeding programs, water system installations, housing initiatives and the like — Cross Catholic Outreach achieves its successes in education by empowering Catholic missions already working in areas of great need.

According to Cavnar, this resourcing of the Church’s existing work is both wise

and effective.

“The dioceses, priests and religious sisters we empower are perfectly positioned to help the poor. They just lack proper funding, supplies and equipment,” he said. “When compassionate American Catholics donate to Cross Catholic Outreach, we can supply those resources, and that makes the most of the in-country missions’ existing facilities and staff. It’s a very cost-effective way of helping the poor, and one of the projects we are working on now is focused on improving educational opportunities in Ghana, Africa.” (See the related story on the opposite page.)

How to Help To fund Cross Catholic Outreach’s effort to help the poor worldwide, use the postage-paid brochure inserted in this newspaper, or mail your gift to Cross Catholic Outreach, Dept. AC02037, PO Box 97168, Washington, DC 200907168. The brochure also includes instructions on becoming a Mission Partner and making a regular monthly donation to this cause.

If you identify an aid project, 100% of the donation will be restricted to be used for that specific project. However, if more is raised for the project than needed, funds will be redirected to other urgent needs in the ministry.

JUNE 30, 2022

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • 24

FOCUSONFAITH SUNDAY SCRIPTURES | FATHER MICHAEL SKLUZACEK

Sharers in his mission In May and June, I attended six different ordination liturgies in six dioceses, three to the diaconate and three to the priesthood. The priest formators at The St. Paul Seminary make an effort to assure that at least one of us is at each of the ordination liturgies of our seminarians being ordained. I try to get to as many as I can, both to support our students and to bolster my own missionary zeal. I always leave from an ordination liturgy with a renewed fervor for sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I leave with a greater sense of my mission to preach the Gospel.

In Sunday’s Gospel (Lk 10:1-12, 17-20), Jesus sends out the disciples to every town and village to proclaim the kingdom of God. They are to announce the kerygma, the message of salvation. They are sent on mission to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

That is what our newly ordained priests and deacons are sent to do, as they receive their missionary mandate from the bishop. In the ordination liturgy, the bishop prays the prayer of ordination over the new priests, which is addressed to God the Father: “Holy Father … Jesus made his Apostles, consecrated in the truth, sharers in his mission. You provided them also with companions to proclaim and carry out the work of salvation throughout the whole world.”

Our newly ordained priests and deacons are those companions of Jesus who are sent on mission “to proclaim and carry out the

ASK FATHER MIKE | FATHER MICHAEL SCHMITZ

Do I just not ‘want it’ enough to be a saint?

Q I had heard someone use this quote, “There is only one reason you are not yet a saint: You do not want to be one.” I have to admit that I’ve been trying really hard to be holy. If I don’t feel holy does that mean I just don’t “want it” enough?

A Thank you so much for this question. It highlights a number of things that we need to clarify.

First, one thing I have learned over the course of my life (and especially during my life as a priest) is that two different people can hear the exact same thing in entirely different ways. I also had heard this quote a number of years ago, and my internal response was, “Yes! Let’s go!” I received it as a challenge that was convicting and inspiring. But I know that there are people who can hear this quote and feel condemned and defeated.Where I might think, “Yes, these are some good areas in my life where I have not yet surrendered to Jesus … let’s do that,” someone else thinks, “How much more can I do? I’ll never be able to do enough. I’ll never be enough.”

There is a danger in both perspectives. For the person who, like me, is inspired by the thought, they will need to slow down and make the right changes. They will also likely need to make sure that they are not merely “quick to start and quick to stop” but actually follow through on their decisions. For the person who might become discouraged, they will need to be reminded of all that they have already done to open themselves up to the Lord and his grace; simply because there is room for growth does not mean that they haven’t grown already.

The second thing to note is this: The person who said the quote is making an important distinction. They are pointing out that there is a difference between “wanting” and “willing.” We all “want” many things, but we do not always choose those things. We might desire to be healthier, but we are not necessarily willing to make the choices that need to be made in order to be healthier. We might wish that we were in a better relationship with certain family members or friends, but are not willing to make the decisions that would lead to a better relationship. The person who stated that we

work of salvation throughout the whole world.” I love to see the excitement on the faces of those newly ordained men — excitement, after eight or more years of formation, finally to go out on mission to preach the Gospel. It’s an excitement mixed with trepidation, because they know what they are getting into. They know that they will meet resistance, hardship and even persecution. But they are thrilled at the prospect of sharing in the mission of Jesus, to “carry out the work of salvation.”

This missionary mandate, of course, is not just for priests and deacons; it’s for every baptized man and woman. Pope Francis taught, in “Evangelii Gaudium” No. 120, “In virtue of their baptism, all the members of the People of God have become missionary disciples.” So, if you are baptized, you are called by the Lord to share in his mission of proclaiming the Gospel to every town and village.

What a privilege that is. But, like those newly ordained men, we can be filled with trepidation. What if someone doesn’t like the message? What if they don’t like me delivering the message?

That’s why Jesus sent out the disciples two by two. We don’t share in the mission alone; we do it with a fellow disciple. Or, better yet, several fellow disciples. Parishes today are forming teams of missionary disciples to go out and share in the mission of Jesus — to evangelize. As Jesus said, “the harvest is abundant but the laborers are few.” Do you want to be among the few? Ask the master of the harvest to send you out to bring in his harvest. Share in the mission of Jesus.

DAILY Scriptures

Father Skluzacek is director of pastoral formation at The St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul and sacramental minister at St. Wenceslaus in New Prague. He can be reached at sklu9211@stthomas.edu.

Saturday, July 9 Is 6:1-8 Mt 10:24-33

are not saints because we do not want to be saints is highlighting the fact that we might “wish” we were saints, but are we making the choices that would help us grow in holiness?

And this leads to the third piece. There are three things that each one of us can examine in our lives and discover if we are choosing holiness. First, we need to ask: Are there any things in my life that are incompatible with God’s will for my life? Have I become comfortable with sin or the near occasions of sin as a regular part of my environment? If there are things in my life that are clearly harmful to my being able to love God and do his will, then I have to choose to get rid of them as much as I can.

Second, am I praying, fasting and giving alms? This trifecta of the spiritual life is a very handy metric for assessing whether or not I am making time for God, allowing him into my daily life and caring for others. If I am not praying, then there is no way possible for me to become holy. If those prayers do not translate into how I live my life (through self-denial and self-donation), then I might have “holy thoughts” during prayer but am not allowing God’s will to be lived in my daily life.

Third, am I participating in the sacramental life of the Church?

Do I go to confession regularly? Do I participate in the Mass as often as I can? If I remain distant from the sacraments, then I am not availing myself of the supernatural gifts that God has given to us.

Those three areas are going to be essential: actually making the choice for God, eliminating what is incompatible with God, and fostering my relationship with God. And yet, none of those things make us holy. None of those things make us a saint.

God is the one who makes saints. See, the quote is true, but it doesn’t tell the whole truth. Yes, we all need to choose God with our whole heart, mind, soul and strength. But we are only changed by the grace of God that comes to us through Christ Jesus. Our prayer might be quiet and reflective (or active and inspiring), but real prayer is always a work of God’s grace. Yes, we make ourselves available to God. Yes, we cooperate with God as much as we can. But God is the one who changes us.

One of the reasons why people can get so discouraged with their spiritual progress (or lack thereof) is because they mistakenly think that holiness is all on them. But God is the one who causes the growth. We are simply invited to show up and say yes.

The good news is: God wants you to be a great saint. He wants to give you absolutely everything you need to be holy. For your part, you simply need to show up and say yes.

Sunday, July 3 Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Is 66:10-14c Gal 6:14-18 Lk 10:1-12, 17-20 Monday, July 4 Hos 2:16, 17c-18, 21-22 Mt 9:18-26 Tuesday, July 5 Hos 8:4-7, 11-13 Mt 9:32-38 Wednesday, July 6 Hos 10:1-3, 7-8, 12 Mt 10:1-7 Thursday, July 7 Hos 11:1-4, 8e-9 Mt 10:7-15 Friday, July 8 Hos 14:2-10 Mt 10:16-23

Sunday, July 10 Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Dt 30:10-14 Col 1:15-20 Lk 10:25-37 Monday, July 11 St. Benedict, abbot Is 1:10-17 Mt 10:3–11:1 Tuesday, July 12 Is 7:1-9 Mt 11:20-24 Wednesday, July 13 Is 10:5-7, 13b-16 Mt 11:25-27 Thursday, July 14 St. Kateri Tekakwitha, virgin Is 26:7-9, 12, 16-19 Mt 11:28-30 Friday, July 15 St. Bonaventure, bishop and doctor of the Church Is 38:1-6, 21-22, 7-8 Mt 12:1-8

Saturday, July 16 Mi 2:1-5 Mt 12:14-21 Sunday, July 17 Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Gn 18:1-10a Col 1:24-28 Lk 10:38-42

Father Schmitz is director of youth and young adult ministry for the Diocese of Duluth and chaplain of the Newman Center at the University of Minnesota Duluth.

KNOW the SAINTS ST. JUNIPERO SERRA (1713-1784) A Spanish missionary who is buried in California, Miguel Jose Serra was born on the Mediterranean island of Majorca. He entered the Franciscans in 1730, taking the name Junipero to honor an original companion of St. Francis of Assisi. He taught after being ordained, but in 1749 volunteered for mission work among the Indians of Mexico and Texas. In 1767, the Franciscans under Father Serra took charge of the missions in Baja California, and in 1769 he accompanied a military expedition into Alta (upper) California, where he founded nine of the 21 missions stretching from San Diego to Sonoma. Canonized in 2015, he is the inspiration for Serra International, which encourages and affirms vocations. His feast day is July 1.

— Catholic News Service

JUNE 30, 2022

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • 25

COMMENTARY FAITH AT HOME | LAURA KELLY FANUCCI

How long, O Lord?

When my Uncle Jim was murdered, I wondered if this is what it would take for every American to care about gun violence: to lose someone they loved.

Now that another classroom of innocent children has been gunned down in the latest school shooting, I ask the same questions. How long, O Lord? Until every last one of us is grieving?

It’s easy to write about faith and family if you stay safe at home. Liturgical living, praying together, talking to kids about God — all of this is not without challenges, but it brings deep joy.

Yet what good is our faith at home if we do not live it out in the world? How can we keep going as parents and grandparents, sending our children out into a violent and unsafe society? What good is our pro-life stance if it does not cover all of life?

After comforting families in Uvalde, Texas, San Antonio Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller urged all Catholics to act: “The Catholic Church consistently calls for the protection of all life; and these mass shootings are a most pressing life issue on which all in society must act — elected leaders and citizens alike.”

We know there are no easy answers to this horrific evil. But this does not mean there are no answers. It means the work to change our society will be long, and hard, and will demand something from each of us.

Exactly what we would say about abortion.

The point is not to care less about any issue related to the sanctity of life. The point is to care about more, and to keep caring about more. More

CATHOLIC WATCHMEN | DEACON GORDON BIRD

Conversations about chastity

Chastity is a “moral virtue” and a “fruit of spiritual effort” that by our baptism enables us to imitate the “purity of Christ” as taught by our Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC, 2345).

Chastity as a gift from God is relevant in all situations.

Because these inter-related topics of chastity and purity can be, for many of us, so difficult and sensitive to discuss no matter the age, the earlier that dialogues around these virtues can happen, the better. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can determine those courageous moments to discuss the nature of the fruit of chastity, especially with those we are responsible for and love.

Transitioning from this past month’s devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Catholic Watchmen turn their prayer intentions to the purity of heart, soul, body and mind. We are asked to pray for purity and the natural order of sexuality. Furthermore, we pray that all — whether married, single or celibate — may embrace chastity to counteract the temptation toward lust, pornography, prostitution and crimes against humanity such as sex trafficking, which disfigure the dignity of women and men of all ages.

This is why chastity is such an important topic to discuss and understand, and a key virtue to embrace. It is relevant not only in our personal and home life: Chastity directly or indirectly impacts greater society because it has such an effect on us — bodily, psychologically and spiritually. Jesus hones in on the beatitudinal character of purity:

of the world, more of God’s beloved children, more of the evil and injustice that keep humans from full flourishing.

Compassion was made to grow, not shrink.

I first sent a child to school in 2012, the same year as the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary. Suddenly school no longer seemed safe, the sanctuary I thought it could be as a new parent, as a student who always loved school. I hugged my son tighter each morning and felt my stomach twist every time I watched him enter the school door.

Now I watch four of my children head off to school each morning — schools with caring teachers, strong communities and practiced safety plans. But like every parent I know, this week has been agonizing for me, rife with anguish and anxiety.

How long, O Lord? I want to keep praying. I fear the answer might be: as long as we keep doing what we’re doing, unwilling to change the status quo. But the past month has also taught me that what seems immovable can be moved.

The recent Supreme Court decision indicates that seismic change is on the horizon for abortion in this country. We can change what once looked impossible to change.

This week I had hard conversations with my kids about the school shooting. I prayed for the victims and sent money to their families. I called my representatives to ask how we can work for change from a public policy standpoint.

None of us can do everything. But all of us can do something.

May we do whatever we can before each of us knows this grief firsthand.

A parishioner of St. Joseph the Worker in Maple Grove, Fanucci is a writer, speaker and author of several books including “Everyday Sacrament: The Messy Grace of Parenting.” Her work can be found at laurakellyfanucci.com.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Mt 5:8). A pure heart is unblemished by evil and immodest thoughts. Being this mysterious center where thoughts and actions begin, a pure heart can fight all of the aforementioned temptations that, if they materialize, take many victims. Purity of heart as it connects to the virtue of chastity is about self-gift and mutual respect — in body and in spirit — when it comes to the selfmastery of our sexuality.

Many of us learn the value of virtue and the degenerate nature of vice from the school of hard knocks — sometimes later in life than most of us appreciate. We know or we eventually discover — like grasping the skill sets of speaking a second language or playing a musical instrument — that the earlier the learning and practice happens, all the better. Come what may, ascertaining the right moment for those courageous conversations: “when she is ready to understand” or “it’s time for him to learn” is challenging, so we pray for the gifts of the Holy Spirit, especially wisdom.

This is why Catholic Watchmen, so that we may be spiritual fathers like St. Joseph, are to teach, protect, and most important, live this virtue of chastity as it applies to each of us in our proper context — married, single or celibate. This virtue is “under that cardinal virtue of temperance, which seeks to permeate the passions and appetites of senses with reason” (CCC, 2341). Keep this understanding in mind when engaging others on this sensitive topic.

Blessed Mother, seat of wisdom, and St. Joseph, most chaste, pray for us!

Deacon Bird ministers to St. Joseph in Rosemount and All Saints in Lakeville, and assists with the archdiocese’s Catholic Watchmen movement. To receive a tool kit of Watchmen materials for start-up or existing ministry-to-men apostolates please contact him at gordonbird@rocketmail.com.

LETTERS

Public school seniors?

(Re: “Senior Profiles,” May 26) I wish you had included a fourth graduating senior, one from a public high school.

The published students credited their Catholic education with “deepening their faith and commitment to living out its principles.” What about the countless Catholic students that are off the radar attending public schools? Where is their chance to share their faith in education if they are omitted by The Catholic Spirit? Let’s acknowledge not all Catholics can or want to send their children to private education. Let’s also acknowledge that there’s social repercussions for such decisions and then reflect on the unfairness of this. Please consider broadening the scope of your questions in the future. Don’t throw softball pitches to professional hitters. Consider pitching to those who you don’t know if they’ll strike out, foul or knock it out of the park. I think you’d be surprised how many MVPs are playing in the minor leagues.

Hans Molenaar St. John the Baptist, New Brighton

Abortion and death penalty The May 26 issue letter “Death penalty positions” compares ad nauseam the death penalty to abortion. She (the writer) castigates Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone for his stand against preborn dismemberment. The death penalty is rare justice for a heinous crime by a guilty person. Abortion is a heinous crime against innocent life. Jesus Christ was the first Christian victim of capital punishment: “a Lamb led to the slaughter.”

Archbishop Cordileone recognizes this barbarity, by denying Nancy Pelosi the Bread of Life, saving her from profanation.

Abortion is the fatal strike against the core of creation.

Everett C. Dehmer Cathedral of St. Paul, St. Paul

Death penalty defense?

(Re: “Death penalty,” Letters, June 16) To the gentleman who recently defended the death penalty, writing, “God places such a high value on human life that he commands the death penalty for those who murder,” citing passages from Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy: I can’t wait until you meet this Jesus character later in the book. I won’t spoil it for you, but it’s quite the twist so make sure to keep reading.

Joe Eiden Annunciation, Minneapolis

Shame and modesty A few thoughts prompted by last week’s pieces on pornography and swimsuit modesty (Pope Francis’ quote on 2B, and “Feminine, modest: A better swimsuit” in Commentary, June 16). In Genesis 2:25, we read that Adam and his wife were both naked and yet felt no shame. Just a few verses later we find them covering themselves and hiding from God. Why? Adam explains, “I heard the sound of you in the garden and was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.” What caused this change? It was their encounter with the Father of Lies. Clearly the author of Genesis saw this shame as false and in no way God’s idea. Sadly, it has been passed down from generation to generation. Pornography capitalizes on our shame. It teases us with it. How else to explain people paying to watch someone else take off their clothes? Can you imagine striptease finding any market in one of the aboriginal cultures where nudity is the norm, where there is no shame in it? It is probably too late in the shame-game to ever return to Eden. But we should do our best not to instill this shame in our children. Yes, we must teach them modesty, but not because there is anything shameful about their bodies. Rather, it is a way to protect them in this fallen world.

Gary J. Mayer St. Peter, Forest Lake Share your perspective by emailing TheCatholicSpirit@archspm.

Please limit your letter to the editor to 150 words and include your parish and phone number. The Commentary pages do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Catholic Spirit. org.

26 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

JUNE 30, 2022

Why I am Catholic Catholic

By Cosette DeCesare

C

DAVE HRBACEK | THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

atholicism has been so much a part of my identity

By God’s grace, I entered long-term sobriety some years ago.

and familial heritage that I didn’t even know I took it

Once my head cleared, I was able to begin to dive into all the rich

for granted, but I did for many years. I was born Catholic

history and tradition I had inherited. Through the sacrament of

— a “cradle Catholic,” as they say. I am the accidental,

reconciliation and 12-step recovery I have been able to remove from

undeserving inheritor of a rich intellectual, religious and

philosophical tradition.

While I went through the motions very tepidly during my

my life very real obstacles to the grace that is available to all of us.

No longer is my position that of passive, tepid inheritor, but rather one of full participation. Old thinking still crops up from

youth, in my 20s and part of my 30s, I was simultaneously drawn

time to time, feeling like not going to Mass. I go anyway. Because

to the faith. Something prompted me to keep going to Mass and

at the very least I have never left Mass thinking, “I wish I had

participate in the sacraments despite my lukewarmness, even

not come. I got nothing out of that.” That has literally never

when I did not feel like it. It’s a discipline I embraced — to just keep

happened to me. I always leave with a sense of accomplishment and

showing up — and I am so glad I did.

satisfaction because I have just participated in a centuries-old ritual

I continued to show up to Mass and confession even while active in alcohol and drug addiction. Of course, I did! I went into the Church just as I was — broken, addicted, sinful and hurting. And this is exactly who the Church is for: not the perfect and pure, but the broken, addicted, sinful, hurting and messy humans that we are. God met me where I was at.

I met compassion and kindness in the priest opposite me in the confessional and in the eyes of my fellow communicants at the kiss

that has been handed down to me to benefit from. It’s actually gorgeous when you think about it.

DeCesare, 44, is a parishioner of Our Lady of Grace in Edina. She and her husband, Brian, have been married 22 years and have three daughters. DeCesare serves at her parish in eucharistic adoration, as an extraordinary minister of holy Communion in senior living facilities, and with a loaves and fishes program. Her hobbies include yoga and reading.

of peace at Mass during those years. I received the holy Eucharist, which I know was spiritual nutrition that provided me sustenance.

There is no telling how valuable this was to me during that particular time in my life.

“Why I am Catholic” is an ongoing series in The Catholic Spirit. Want to share why you are Catholic? Submit your story in 300-500 words to CatholicSpirit@archspm.org with “Why I am Catholic” in the subject line.

If you suspect abuse of a minor, your first call should be to law enforcement.

You are also encouraged to contact the archdiocese’s Victim Assistance Program at (651) 291-4475.

For confidential, compassionate assistance from an independent and professional local care provider, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, contact Canvas Health at (651) 291-4497.

JUNE 30, 2022

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • 27

CALENDAR FALL FESTIVAL GUIDE

Healing Retreat for Men and Women — July 15-17 at Christ the King Retreat Center, 621 First Ave. S., Buffalo. "Healing Through the Great Parables of Jesus" with Father Matt Linn. Suggested donation: $175. kingshouse.com

Watch for The Catholic Spirit’s July 28 edition for a guide to parish festivals this fall across the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

Details will also be listed at TheCatholicSpirit.com.

PARISH EVENTS “Terra Nostra/Our Earth” Art Exhibit — through July 4: 6–8:30 p.m. at the Basilica of St. Mary, 88 N. 17th St., Minneapolis. Join Catholic Artists for Environmental Justice for an exhibit about cherishing the earth that includes 44 works in a wide variety of media across two galleries. Participate in the Living Scroll Project and become part of future exhibits. mary. org

Shroud of Turin Presentation — July 13: 7–8:30 p.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary, 13505 Excelsior Blvd., Minnetonka. IHM is hosting a lifesized replica of the Shroud of Turin, one of about 50 copies in the world. Presenter Bob Bird will look at the significance, history and science of the Shroud. ihm-cc.org Taste of St. Mary — July 17: 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m. at St. Mary (Lowertown), 261 E. Eighth St., St. Paul. 10:30 a.m. Mass, lawn festival, kids/adult games, bake sale, flea market, raffles, variety of ethnic foods including enchiladas, egg rolls and rice, lasagna and tacos. Also, hotdogs, chips and more. Free parking (handicapped accessible). stmarystpaul.org All Saints (Lakeville) Garage Sale — Aug. 3-6 at All Saints, 19795 Holyoke Ave., Lakeville. Thousands of items are available: antiques, collectibles, clothing for all ages, household goods, furniture, sports equipment, and more. See daily sale hours, early-bird day, half-price day at allsaintschurch. com/garagesale.

WORSHIP+RETREATS Women's Silent Midweek Retreat — July 12-14 at Christ the King Retreat Center, 621 First Ave. S., Buffalo. "Amazing Grace." Suggested donation: $210, includes $50 deposit. kingshouse.com

The Blessed Solanus Casey Pilgrimage — July 30: 8 a.m.–5:30 p.m. A walking pilgrimage for the feast of Blessed Solanus Casey, to St. Michael, 611 Third St. S., Stillwater, where he was confirmed.

Full-day option beginning at St. Peter, 2600 N. Margaret St., North St. Paul, or an afternoon option beginning in Stillwater. Details at moderncatholicpilgrim. com/bl-solanus.

Ignatian Men's Silent Retreat — ThursdaySunday most weeks at Demontreville Jesuit Retreat House, 8243 Demontreville Trail N., Lake Elmo.

Freewill donation. demontrevilleretreat.com Taize prayer — Third Fridays: 7–9 p.m. at St. Paul's Monastery, 2675 Benet Road, Maplewood.

Simple chants based on the Scriptures and periods of silence. Refreshments follow. benedictinecenter.org Order Franciscans Secular (OFS) Third Sundays: 2–4 p.m. at St. Leonard of Port Maurice, 3949 Clinton Ave. S., Minneapolis. Learn about this group of lay Catholic men and women striving to observe the Gospel of Jesus Christ by following the example of St. Francis. 651-724-1348

OTHER EVENTS GAB in the Park — July 15; Aug. 19: 6–8 p.m.

Harmon Park, 230 Bernard St. W., West St. Paul.

Gifted and Belonging (GAB), a Catholic social group for young adults with and without disabilities, is hosting summer get-togethers at Harmon Park. Bring lawn chairs, favorite yard games or outdoor activities, snacks to share and beverage. For more information, contact giftedandbelonging@gmail.com.

Sunset Benefit Cruise — July 28: 5:30–9 p.m. at 525 South Main St., Stillwater. Dunrovin Retreat Center’s annual Sunset Benefit Cruise aboard Stillwater River Boat’s Avalon cruise ship. Event proceeds provide scholarships for underserved students to access life-transforming retreat experiences. Open to the public. Tickets must be

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

We cannot guarantee a submitted event will appear in the calendar. Priority is given to events occurring before the next issue date.

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

Included in our listings are local events submitted by public sources that could be of interest to the larger Catholic community.

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ONGOING GROUPS Natural Family Planning (NFP) — Classes teach couples the Church approved methods on how to achieve or postpone pregnancy while embracing the beauty of God’s gift of sexuality. For a complete list of classes offered throughout the archdiocese, visit archspm.org/family or call 651-291-4489.

Restorative Support for Victim/Survivor — Monthly: 6:30–8 p.m. via Zoom. These groups are open to all victim/survivors.

• Victim/Survivor Support Group for those Abused by Clergy as Adults — First Mondays • Support Group for Relatives or Friends of Victims of Clergy Sexual Abuse — Second Mondays • Victim/Survivor Support Group —Third Mondays • Survivor Peace Circle —Third Tuesdays • Support Group for Men who have been Sexually Abused by Clergy/Religious — Fourth Wednesdays For more information and details on attending the virtual meetings, visit archspm.org/healing. Questions? Contact Paula Kaempffer, Outreach Coordinator for Restorative Justice and Abuse Prevention, 651-291-4429.

DOBBS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10 in any form, regardless of your rationale.”

The Dobbs opinion is very similar to the leaked draft that called Roe “egregiously wrong from the start.”

Justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan wrote a joint dissent that emphasized the significance of the court’s previous decisions on this issue.

They added: “Whatever the exact scope of the coming laws, one result of today’s decision is certain: the curtailment of women’s rights, and of their status as free and equal citizens.”

They also noted their dissent “with sorrow — for this court, but more, for the many millions of American women who have today lost a fundamental constitutional protection.”

When the court announced last year that it would take this case, after considering it more than a dozen times since 2020, the justices said they would only review one of the three questions presented to them: “Whether all pre-viability prohibitions on elective abortions are unconstitutional.”

That point of viability — when a fetus is said to be able to survive on its own — was a key point in this case, because the Supreme Court had consistently ruled that states cannot restrict abortion before 24 weeks, or when a fetus could survive on its own.

A friend-of-the-court brief submitted by the USCCB stressed that abortion is not a right created by the Constitution and called it “inherently different from other types of personal decisions to which this court has accorded constitutional protection.”

Referring to the court’s major abortion decisions, the brief also warned that if the Supreme Court “continues to treat abortion as a constitutional issue,” it will face more questions in the future about “what sorts of abortion regulations are permissible.”

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28 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

JUNE 30, 2022

THELASTWORD

Building a ‘House of Bread’

PHOTOS BY DAVE HRBACEK | THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

ABOVE Bridgette Fink, right, helps customers at the St. Paul Farmers Market in downtown St. Paul where she sells bread on Saturdays. Helping her with sales is her sister, Grace, rear left.

Both belong to Our Lady of Grace in Edina.

LEFT Fink stands in the kitchen of her strorefront on West Seventh Street in St. Paul where she bakes bread that she sells at farmers markets.

INSERT A sample of Fink’s bread for sale at the farmers market in downtown St. Paul.

A young Catholic embarks on a mission to feed others

By Anna Wilgenbusch For The Catholic Spirit

“W

elcome to the space that will be the House of Bread,” said Bridgette Fink, standing in a small, empty storefront in the West Seventh neighborhood of St. Paul.

Behind her stood a room with old hardwood floors and two ancient industrial ovens. A long stainless-steel counter stretched out in front of her, which looked hungry for hands to knead dough on its gleaming surface. Her mattress lay on the floor nearby.

Overlooking it all was a huge painting of our Lady of Guadalupe — whose friendship, Fink said, inspired her to make a leap of faith to begin her own bread-baking business.

Fink — a joyful 24-year-old — grew up in a Catholic family of six in St. Louis Park, where she was homeschooled while attending Holy Family parish. When she headed to the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota, she intended to pursue a career in the sciences.

Before she graduated in 2020, her major initially oscillated between biology, radiology and respiratory therapy.

Although the desire to own a bakery has been on Fink’s heart since childhood, she had put the idea out of her mind to pursue a stable career. But throughout college, God continually reminded her of her desire to serve other people through food.

“It was the Holy Spirit just giving me little consolations for a very long, extended period of time, even up until this moment,” Fink said.

One such instance was when she baked cinnamon rolls for her coworkers one summer in college. The joy with which they received the baked goods left a lasting mark on her.

“In that moment, the Holy Spirit really gave me this consolation of a mission, that is part of my mission, to serve food. It was so particular,” Fink said.

But, the idea of baking as a career still seemed like a remote possibility. While anxiously awaiting her acceptance email into a respiratory therapy program, she went to a Marian grotto to pray. It was there, Fink said, when “this entire ‘Plan B’ came to my mind: I’m going to do philosophy and start a bakery.”

For the first time, the idea of the bakery seemed like a real possibility.

“That was another instance of God just revealing to me my heart,” Fink said. She had been captivated by

her philosophy classes, and when she ultimately chose to pursue a degree in philosophy, she said that it was “a commitment to my heart.”

Fink said that the modern dialogue that encourages one to “follow your heart” has a glimmer of truth in it — God places hopes and desires on people’s hearts that indicate their vocation.

“But it’s not just like, ‘Do whatever you want.’ It is, ‘Be faithful to what God has put on your heart,’” Fink said.

Immediately after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, Fink began teaching at Holy Family Catholic School. She loved the school environment, as well as having a stable income, but said that she could not shake the sense that she was being unfaithful to the desires that God had put on her heart.

A statue of St. Pope John Paul Il stood in the back of her classroom, and she felt as if the statue stared at her as she taught. Whenever she caught John Paul II’s glance, it was a reminder of the pontiff’s motto to “be not afraid,” which reminded her of her dream of opening a bakery. In November 2020, she took the leap of faith to begin her business.

During this time, she often thought of St. Peter walking on water toward Christ, and realizing that there was no turning back to the boat. For Fink, the decision to leave her job and begin her business was an act of complete reliance on Christ.

“Doing House of Bread on my own is worthless. …

I know that’s kind of strong, but it really is worthless unless Christ is with you in it,” she said.

She left her teaching job after a semester and began baking and selling bread to friends, coworkers and neighbors. She secured a cottage license that allowed her to sell her bread at the Minneapolis farmers market over the summer. In the fall, she began a bread subscription service and delivered bread to a small handful of subscribers on a weekly basis.

But in the winter months of 2021, without the income from the farmers markets, her bread profits were not enough to sustain herself financially. When a position for a temporary secretary at Our Lady of Grace in Edina opened, she accepted it.

In early 2022, Fink heard about a storefront for sale next to the Schmidt brewery building in St. Paul.

Given her limited budget, she was not hopeful about being able to purchase it, but she decided to look at it nonetheless.

To her surprise, the owner accepted her offer.

“Really?” Fink had responded when her offer was accepted. “It was just another undeserved gift,” she later reflected.

But the space still needed ovens. At the time, Fink was using her parents’ kitchen to bake.

FINDING BRIDGETTE’S BREAD Until House of Bread is ready as a storefront, Fink is selling bread at St. Paul farmers markets — this year at the Securian Market on Wednesdays (July 13-Aug. 31) and the Downtown Market on Saturdays (through Nov. 19) — and continuing her bread subscription service in the winter months. She will continue catering cakes and other desserts to weddings and events upon request. Learn more at her website, thehouseofbread.square.site.

“My plan was to ask Mary for them, and Mary would provide — and she did,” Fink said.

Holy Family parish remodeled its kitchen in the spring of 2022 and offered the old ovens to Fink.

Over the next two years, Fink plans to remodel the space into a restaurant that could offer upscale pub food as well as bread and coffee, with the goal of opening in 2024.

In the same way that Mary is a bridge to Christ, “I see this place as a bridge to the Catholic Church and God, ultimately, but something that is approachable for the everyday person who will walk in because they want good food,” Fink said.

Fink said she hopes to have art in the space that will provide all customers, regardless of belief, with an experience of truth and beauty.

Fink said the story of St. Isaac Jogues, a French Jesuit who ministered to Native Americans, inspired her to share the truths of the faith in a way that non-Catholics can receive.

“The Jesuits had to learn the Native’s world and enter it on their terms. I think it is an amazing witness to how you have to understand people and persons and be able to offer truth in a way that they are going to receive it,” Fink said.

Fink imagines a space that would be open for all meals and offer an energetic, inviting environment with live music in the evenings.

Her business and future restaurant’s name, House of Bread, encapsulates its mission.

“I named it after Mary, because she is the house of bread — she housed Christ — but also for Bethlehem,” Fink said. Bethlehem means “house of bread” in Hebrew. The name, Fink said, “was Christ revealing that this will be a place to encounter Bethlehem: Jesus, Joseph and Mary.”

Fink said the labor that she invests in baking can be sanctifying, and she related her work to the way in which Catholics can approach Christ in the Eucharist.

“Our entire lives are an extension of the Mass,” she said.

“This bread I am making is also an offering to Christ through Mary.”