Cologne school closes 6 • Military family memorial 8 • Consecrated virgin 20 June 4, 2015 Newspaper of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
thecatholicspirit.com
Ordained
Newly ordained Fathers Peter Hughes, right, and James Stiles break out in smiles at the end of their ordination Mass May 30 at the Cathedral of St. Paul. Joining them in the front pew are Fathers John Powers, left, T.J. McKenzie and Bruno Nwachukwu. Others who were ordained that day are Fathers Jake Anderson, Byron Hagan and Alvaro Perez. Dave Hrbacek/The Catholic Spirit
✦ Eight men ordained May 30 for local ministry • 4 ✦ Archbishop Nienstedt calls for prayers for priests in month of Sacred Heart • 3 ✦ Nine retiring priests reflect on decades of service • 9 ALSO inside
A year later
Marking a milestone
Icon explained
Number of Latino parishioners soars at St. Leonard of Port Maurice after evangelization efforts. — Pages 14-15
Bethlehem Academy celebrates 150 years as the archdiocese’s oldest Catholic school. — Pages 22-23
Brooklyn Center parish to share Redemptorist symbolism of Our Mother of Perpetual Help. — Page 26
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2 in PICTURES “I would like to proclaim to each person, each family, each community, God’s mercy, tenderness and love.” Pope Francis to the people of Bosnia-Herzegovina in advance of his June 6 trip to its capital, Sarajevo. It will be Pope Francis’ eighth trip abroad and the 11th country he has visited outside of Italy since his election in 2013.
NEWS notes • The Catholic Spirit
Corpus Christi procession in Minneapolis June 7 Bishop Lee Piché plans to lead a eucharistic procession 2-4 p.m. June 7 from the University of St. Thomas Law School to the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis. The event will begin with adoration at the law school chapel and include Gregorian vespers with the Rose Ensemble and benediction. It will be followed by an ice cream social. The procession is the archdiocese’s 19th and sponsored by the Office of Worship, the basilica and St. Thomas. For more information, call (651) 239-8574.
Annual widows day retreat June 27 in Edina 55 YEARS OF PRIESTHOOD From left, Talia Daly and her mother Lulu of Lumen Christi in St. Paul greet Archbishop Emeritus Harry Flynn after Mass at Carondelet Village in St. Paul May 23. Archbishop Flynn recently celebrated his 55th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood. Dave Hrbacek/The Catholic Spirit
Father Francis Hoffman, aka “Father Rocky,” executive director of Relevant Radio, will host the fifth annual Widows Day of Reflection 8:30 a.m-noon June 27 at Our Lady of Grace in Edina. With the theme “Widows: A Treasure of the Church,” the retreat will include Mass, coffee and donuts, two presentations from Father Rocky, and lunch with a personal testimonial. Registration is required. For more information call (952) 9293317.
National youth choir to perform in Farmington The National Catholic Youth Choir will perform 2:30 p.m. June 28 at the Church of St. Michael, Farmington. The concert is part of a tour of four Midwestern states June 23-30. This year’s concert theme is, “All Ye Nations Praise the Lord.” The NCYC includes 25 high school students ages 15-18 from 11 states and is sponsored by St. John’s School of Theology and Seminary.
Nominate business leaders who lead with faith The Catholic Spirit is seeking nominations for its annual Leading With Faith Awards, which recognize Catholic business owners, managers and supervisors who integrate their faith with their business practices. Awardees will be honored at an Aug. 13 luncheon at St. Catherine University in St. Paul. For more information, contact Mary Gibbs at (651) 251-7709. To nominate a business leader, visit www.thecatholicspirit.com/LeadingWithFaith. Deadline is June 19.
LEADING
with
FAITH
SURPRISE GIFT Sarah Hughes, center, sister of newly ordained Father Peter Hughes, right, presents him with a surprise gift minutes before his ordination Mass May 30 at the Cathedral of St. Paul — a handmade quilt, with one of the squares submitted by Archbishop John Nienstedt, left. The archbishop, who earlier had blessed the quilt, helped Sarah present it to her brother. Dave Hrbacek/The Catholic Spirit
WHAT’S NEW on social media Check out a video of Archbishop John Nienstedt “laying hands” on the ordinands — a central ritual in the ordination liturgy — during the May 30 Mass. Recent photos include a statue of Pentecost created by Peter Lupori, an artist and longtime St. Catherine University professor who died Dec. 16. His wide-ranging work is displayed throughout the archdiocese, including statues of St. Francis and Our Lady on St. Kate’s campus.
The Catholic Spirit is published bi-weekly for The Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis Vol. 20 — No. 11 MOST REVEREND JOHN C. NIENSTEDT, Publisher TOM HALDEN, Associate Publisher United in Faith, Hope and Love
June 4, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit
MARIA WIERING, Editor
Champions for Life Awards seeking nominations The archdiocese is seeking to honor Catholics who have demonstrated “outstanding service and commitment to the Gospel of Life” with its annual St. John Paul II Champions for Life Awards. Honorees will be recognized at a luncheon Oct. 8 at St. Peter in Mendota. To make a nomination, visit www.archspm.org. Deadline is Aug. 1.
Enrollment open for Amazing Parish conference The Office of Evangelization and Catechesis is encouraging Catholics to attend an Amazing Parish conference in Denver, which introduces them to an initiative that “aims to help Catholic leaders build amazing parishes.” The next conference is Aug. 11-12 in Denver, Colorado. For more information, contact Susanna Bolle at (651) 291-4411.
Materials credited to CNS copyrighted by Catholic News Service. All other materials copyrighted by The Catholic Spirit Newspaper. Subscriptions: $29.95 per year: Senior 1-year: $24.95: To subscribe: (651) 291-4444: Display Advertising: (651) 291-4444; Classified Advertising: (651) 290-1631. Published bi-weekly by the Office of Communications, Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, 244 Dayton Ave., St. Paul, MN 55102 • (651) 291-4444, FAX (651) 291-4460. Periodicals postage paid at St. Paul, MN, and additional post offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Catholic Spirit, 244 Dayton Ave., St. Paul, MN 55102. TheCatholicSpirit.com • email: catholicspirit@archspm.org • USPS #093-580
3 The Church’s devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus can be traced back to the early Middle Ages, but it took on a more scholarly understanding in 1928 with Pope Pius XII’s encyclical, “Haurietis Aquas,” which encouraged that more attention be given to the biblical, patristic and liturgical sources of this devotion to the pierced heart of Jesus, from which living waters of grace stream forth upon the Church. The expression “heart of Jesus” evokes a sense of the innermost core of the God-Man who emptied himself to take on a human heart in order to save humanity from sin. In his Sacred Heart, Jesus knows the same sufferings and sorrows that we know, but also the same joys and affections that we know. At the same time, the Sacred Heart of Jesus is different from our human hearts because his heart contains the heart of the Father in his divine love for every single human person. It is, therefore, a heart of infinite love. The feast of the Sacred Heart falls on June 12 this year. In the first reading from the liturgy that day, the prophet Hosea dramatically compares God’s love to the love of a parent for his child. Hosea has been called the prophet of God’s faithful love and pardon for the Jewish nation in exile. Even before the people had fallen into idolatry, God, within his merciful heart, had already decided to pardon and forgive them. Unlike human beings, God is not vindictive or judgmental. He remains loving despite the obstacles and infidelities he experiences. THAT THEY MAY In demonstrating his pardon, God as Father ALL BE ONE calls every person to be what he wants that person to be. In the second reading, St. Paul, writing to Archbishop the Ephesians, implies that there is a cosmic John Nienstedt dimension to his preaching about the love of God as found in Jesus Christ, a dimension that extends even beyond the Gentiles to include “the principalities and authorities in the heavens.” In Jesus Christ, a new world order has been established as a “new” humanity, that as a people now know no other mediator than Jesus Christ and no other source of heavenly blessings than that of his Bride, the Church. These verses serve to fulfill the prophecy of Ezekiel 40, who envisions a future eschatological temple. Now through the love of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, the assembly of the Church is built up, with each individual Christian disciple serving as a stone in this edifice whose foundation is solidly established on God’s redeeming love. In this new spiritual temple, St. Paul now bends his knee, just as he would have done in the old temple. Here the universalism of the Church is evident, where no one, neither Gentile nor Jew, nor man nor woman, is excluded, but all are invited to become God’s partners, rooted and grounded in the knowledge of God’s love. The source of this new world order or new spiritual temple is found in the Gospel for the feast day from St. John, in which the evangelist depicts Christ’s crucifixion. When the soldier thrusts his lance into Jesus’ side, “immediately blood and water flowed out.” Commentators have long seen the symbolism here of the blood representing his profound sacrifice, which continues through time in the holy Eucharist, and water representing the spiritual efficacy of that sacrifice, which continues through time in the sacrament of baptism. Salvation history at that moment passed into the sacramental realm. Thus, it could be said, and perhaps should be said, that devotion to the
Sacred Heart ultimately focuses on Christ’s Editor’s note saving mission of redeeming every human person. It is in this respect that the feast is Due to circumstances beyond our joined to the World Day of Prayer for the control, in this issue we were Sanctification of Priests. unable to include Archbishop G.K. Chesterton wrote, “All the empires Nienstedt’s column in Spanish. and kingdoms have failed, because of this inherent and continual weakness, that they We apologize for any inconvenience. were founded by strong men and upon strong men. But this one thing, the historic Christian Church, was founded on a weak man, and for that reason it is indestructible. For no chain is stronger that its weakest link.” He was writing about St. Peter here, but the truth can be applied to all popes, bishops and priests. We indeed hold the treasure of the Gospel in earthen vessels, and that fact underscores the reality that it is God’s Spirit that carries the Church, with God’s grace shining through human weakness. We are painfully aware of the damage that is done in the Church when a cleric fails to live a virtuous life. We also know well the tremendous good that moves human hearts when a cleric witnesses to the truth of the Gospel with zeal and fidelity. And so we come to the altar on this feast day to pray for the sanctification of priests. It is a prayer that nourishes the personal relationship that every priest has with Jesus Christ. It is a prayer on which the effectiveness of his pastoral activity depends. So let us pray ARCHBISHOP’S schedule for happy, holy, faith-filled bishops, priests and deacons. Saturday, June 6 And let us pray that as they grow 10 a.m., St. Paul in holiness, the whole Church Cathedral of St. Paul: Mass for World will more effectively radiate the Marriage Day and reception love of God, a love that is found in Jesus’ most Sacred Heart. Saturday-Monday, June 6-8 Please join with Catholics St. Louis, Missouri from around the archdiocese at Lay Ecclesial Ministry Summit the beautiful Cathedral of St. Paul as we gather in prayer for a Tuesday-Friday, June 9-12 renewal within our local St. Louis, Missouri Church and for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Spring sanctification of clergy. We will Assembly begin with solemn vespers in Friday, June 12 honor of the Sacred Heart at 7 8 p.m., St. Paul p.m. June 11 in the main body Cathedral of St. Paul: Closing of 40 Hours of the cathedral, followed by for the Sanctification of Priests devotion solemn exposition of the and Mass for the Most Sacred Heart of Blessed Sacrament. Adoration Jesus will take place throughout the night in the Cana Chapel of the Saturday, June 13 cathedral, and will continue 5 p.m., Bloomington throughout the day on June 12 Church of St. Edward: Sunday liturgy and in the main body of the church. reception Our time of prayer will conclude at 8 p.m. with a Mass, Sunday, June 14 in which I will preside, in 10:30 a.m., Minneapolis Church of Ss. Cyril and Methodius: Sunday honor of the Sacred Heart of liturgy Jesus. Bring your families and friends for this important time Monday-Thursday, June 15-18 of prayer. Most Sacred Heart of Rochester Jesus, have mercy on us! Archdiocesan Presbyteral Assembly God bless you!
From the Archbishop
Redemption for all is focus of devotion to Sacred Heart
OFFICIAL His Excellency, the Most Rev. John C. Nienstedt, has announced the following appointments in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Effective June 1, 2015 • Reverend John Mitchell, appointed Regional Vicar for Vicariate 1 (Northeast). This appointment is in addition to his current assignment as pastor of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Columbia Heights. • Deacon Charles Bobertz, appointed ad nutum episcopi to exercise ministry
of a permanent deacon at the Church of Pax Christi in Eden Prairie. Deacon Bobertz is a deacon of the Diocese of Saint Cloud. • Deacon Delvin Wilkinson, appointed ad nutum episcopi to exercise ministry of a permanent deacon at the Church of Our Lady of the Lake in Mound. Deacon Wilkinson is returning to ministry after a personal leave of absence.
Saint Mary in Stillwater. • Reverend Byron Hagan, appointed parochial vicar of the Church of the Epiphany in Coon Rapids. • Reverend Peter Hughes, appointed parochial vicar of the Parish of Saints Joachim and Anne in Shakopee.
Effective June 19, 2015
• Reverend Thomas McKenzie, appointed parochial vicar of the Church of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton in Hastings.
• Reverend Jake Anderson, appointed parochial vicar of the Church of Saint Michael in Stillwater and the Church of
• Reverend Bruno Nwachukwu, appointed parochial vicar of the Church of Saint Hubert in Chanhassen.
• Reverend John Powers, appointed parochial vicar of the Church of the Nativity of Our Lord in Saint Paul.
transfer from his current appointment as parochial vicar of the Church of Saint Hubert in Chanhassen.
• Reverend Alvaro Pérez Silva, PES, appointed parochial vicar of the Church of Saint Mark in Saint Paul.
• Reverend Joah Ellis, appointed parochial vicar of the Church of Saint Michael in Saint Michael. This is a transfer from his current appointment as parochial vicar of the Church of Saint Stephen in Anoka.
• Reverend James Stiles, appointed parochial vicar of the Church of Saint Odilia in Shoreview. Effective July 1, 2015 • Reverend John Drees, appointed parochial vicar of the Church of the Holy Name of Jesus in Wayzata. This is a
• Reverend Joseph Kuharski, appointed parochial vicar of the Church of Saint Stephen in Anoka. Father Kuharski is returning to the Archdiocese after completing graduate studies in Rome.
June 4, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit
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Archbishop to ordinands: Gift is not them, but Jesus By Bob Zyskowski The Catholic Spirit
Msgr. Aloysius Callaghan called the eight men ordained May 30 at the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul “a very dynamic group” that is “filled with the light of fire for evangelization.” “They have a great desire to reach out to people — that’s certainly timely,” added the rector of the St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity where the eight were trained. “The Church is blessed to have these men who are filled with the Spirit.” What’s next? Ordained by Archbishop John Nienstedt were Find out where the Fathers Jake Anderson, new priests are Byron Hagan, Peter serving in the Hughes, archdiocesan Official T.J. McKenzie, Bruno on page 3. Nwachukwu, John Powers, James Stiles and Alvaro More online Perez, a priest of the religious order Pro Ecclesia Read more about the Sancta. new priests and the It was standing-roomordination Mass, only for the ordination including Archbishop Mass at the 2,500-seat Nienstedt’s homily, at cathedral on the bluff TheCatholicSpirit.com. overlooking the Mississippi River and downtown St. Paul, and the 100-yearold church gleamed in bright sunlight on what Archbishop Nienstedt called “an occasion of joy and celebration.”
Left The eight ordinands — Byron Hagan, T.J. McKenzie, John Powers, Alvaro Perez, Jake Anderson, Peter Hughes, Bruno Nwachukwu and James Stiles — listen to Archbishop John Nienstedt deliver his homily during the ordination Mass May 30 at the Cathedral of St. Paul. Right Father Jake Anderson greets his mother, Lori Faymoville, after the ordination Mass. Dave Hrbacek/The Catholic Spirit In his homily the archbishop invoked words of wisdom from both Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and Pope Francis in offering advice to the new priests. He urged them to “plunge deep” into Christ’s love “and give him your love in return.” The archbishop said, “What we offer the people of God is not the gift of ourselves, but the gift of God, of Jesus Christ working through our personalities, flawed at times as they may be.” As Jesus is immersing himself in them, he told the newly ordained, “never cease to be immersed in the truth of the Gospel, in the truth proclaimed by the Church’s magisterium, as well as in the truth
that is found in selfless service to the poor, the sick, the lost, the forgotten, the stranger in our midst. Never put off until tomorrow the needs that come to your attention today, even if it means depriving yourself of something you justly deserve.” Father Thomas Margevicius, who has taught liturgy and worship to the new priests during the past four years, said any of the difficulties the Church might be going through have not dissuaded the eight from seeking the priesthood. “These men have decided to surrender themselves to the Lord’s service in the Church with intentionality,” the seminary
professor said. “They’re not naive. They see all the problems in the Church just as we all do, but they don’t let the problems dampen their enthusiasm to serve. On the contrary, the problems have aroused them to be good and holy priests.” Parents also expressed pride in the ordinands.“I’ve been praying for him since before he was born that he would go where God called him,” Marge Powers said as she waited to receive her son’s first blessing, an ordination day tradition, inside the cathedral. “John’s special everyday,” she added, “but this day is really special. I’m happy knowing that this is where God has called him.”
St. Francis of Assisi Parish will celebrate the pastoral ministry of its retiring Pastor Father Jerry Keiser with a retirement and 70th birthday party following the 10:30 a.m. liturgy of the Eucharist on Sunday, June 14 Noon – 2:00 Please join us for brunch and refreshments in honor of Fr. Jerry as he moves into this new season of his priestly ministry!
Heartfelt Congratulations to Archbishop Emeritus Harry Joseph Flynn on the 55th anniversary of his priestly ministry.
It is a privilege to be one with you “In Making Jesus Christ Known and Loved.” Bishop Richard Pates Bishop of Des Moines and Bishop Joseph Charron, C.PP.S. Bishop Emeritus of Des Moines
June 4, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit
5 By Maria Wiering The Catholic Spirit Addie Meyers wiped away tears as she described the role the Franciscan friars played at Sacred Heart in St. Paul, where she received her first Communion and later raised her children. Their examples of generosity, poverty and service inspired her daughter to do mission work in Haiti, she said. “It’s basic religion,” she said of the friars’ personable teaching and simple living. “It’s like a family,” added Kay Marlowe, a parishioner since 1970. After serving the Dayton’s Bluff parish for 106 years, the friars are returning responsibility for the parish to the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis at the end of June. Gathered in the church following daily Mass May 27, a small group of parishioners tried to find the right words to summarize their deep affection for the friars and the loss in their leaving. “They desired poverty. They took the vow of poverty, and they have just carried it out throughout their life,” said Joanne Schiltgen Moris, who has spent five decades in the parish. “They’re very sacred,” added Fa’autu Tavale, a parishioner since 1989. “They’ll be missed.”
Sacred Heart’s pastor, 79-year-old Father Eugene Michel, is undergoing cancer treatment and plans to retire after serving the parish for 12 years. The provincial of the St. Louis-based Franciscan Province of the Sacred Heart informed the archdiocese in January that it did not have a priest who could replace him. Parishioners say the Franciscans’ leaving does not mean Sacred Heart will cease being a Franciscan place, however. Father Michel agrees. “The Franciscan way of thinking is stamped all over this parish,” he said. He announced in March the friars would be leaving. For many parishioners, sadness over the loss of the friars and the loss of their beloved pastor are one and the same, said Sue O’Donnell, whose family became parishioners in the early 1950s when she was in third grade. Now a Sacred Heart secretary, O’Donnell said she long anticipated the change and is grateful the friars have served the parish as long as they have. Franciscans assumed responsibility for Sacred Heart from the archdiocese in 1909, less than three decades after the parish was founded in 1881. Like others, O’Donnell said the friars have inspired the parish’s generosity to the community.
Father Eugene Michel, who is retiring, is the final Franciscan friar to serve Sacred Heart. Maria Wiering/The Catholic Spirit “We have the poor giving to the poor,” she said, pointing to the parish’s food shelf, health care outreach and clothing drives. “There’s no money in this community.” The parish is sustained by renting its former school building to a charter school. Trinity Catholic School closed in 2009 after merging in 1992 with St. Patrick, St. Casimir and Sacred Heart schools. Sacred Heart school had been served by the School Sisters of Notre Dame, whose empty convent behind the school has long been for sale. Once a white, working-class parish, Sacred Heart has for decades been a hub for Latino Catholics. This spring, the majority of the 40 confirmands were Latino, as were all
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Sacred Heart bids final farewell to Franciscans
of its 80 first communicants. Father Michel, the only friar currently serving the parish, is bilingual, but he also understood the Latino immigrants’ culture, said Prisciliano Maya, who joined the parish 16 years ago and directs its Spanish youth and adult faith formation program. A Mexican immigrant, Maya said Latinos expect priests to handle not only their spiritual needs, but also to help with family and Sacred Heart is legal issues; be available to hosting a farewell bless cars, homes and event from 1-3 p.m. devotionals; and preside at June 21 with music quinceaneras, 3-year-old and refreshments at blessings and other the church, 840 Sixth important religious and St. E., St. Paul. cultural events. Father Goodbyes will also Michel wrote many letters be offered following to help with parishioners’ that weekend’s immigration processes. Masses: June 20, “If the new priest is coming 4 p.m. English, 5:30 with Pope Francis’ spirit, it p.m. Spanish; June will be fine,” Maya said. 21, 9 a.m. English, Despite parishioners’ 11 a.m. Spanish. uncertainty about the future,
Ending an era
most are hopeful. “We hope that we keep proclaiming the message of God . . . throughout the archdiocese and Minnesota,” added Maselino Tavale, Fa’autu Tavale’s husband, “that we want to keep the Catholic spirit and Franciscan spirit strong.”
Minneapolis Area Synod The bishop, pastors, and congregations of
the Minneapolis Area Synod of the ELCA congratulate
Most. Rev. Harry Flynn
on 55 years of priesthood. Thank you Archbishop Flynn, and God Bless You. www.mpls-synod.org
John 15:16
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Cologne’s St. Bernard Catholic School sounds final bell By Dave Hrbacek The Catholic Spirit Teacher Nellie Hennen asked a simple question of her nine firstand second-grade students at St. Bernard Catholic School in Cologne: “How many of you love your school?” Almost in unison, nine hands shot up into the air. The teacher flashed a smile, but her expression quickly turned sad. This would be the last day, May 28, that she could ask that question in her classroom — ever. It was the final day of classes for the school, which would close its doors for good the next day after a school picnic. The display board in front of the main office celebrating 135 years of the school’s history would be taken down. Parish and school finances, as well as declining enrollment, led to the school’s closure. As students in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade worked to clean up their classrooms and pack their belongings, teachers and principal Sister Jancy Nedumkallel reminisced and shed some tears. “They [students] are still praying for it not to close,” said Hennen, who has taught at the school for 31
years but is not the longest-tenured teacher there. “It’s very sad. I have a very hard time accepting it and moving on. All six of my children went here. Very hard — emotional. It was a fabulous school.” The staff of six teachers, including Sister Jancy who teaches religion, expressed great pride in a school that regularly produced top students at local high schools. “I feel very bad that the school is coming to an end,” said Sister Jancy, a member of the Franciscan Clarist Congregation who has been principal at the school for the last 12 years. “Out of these last 12 years, we’ve had eight valedictorians or salutatorians. Isn’t that something? That tells the quality of education they receive here. We don’t have the quantity, but we have the quality.” The school also has the loyalty of dedicated staff members like Sister Jancy, Hennen and Judy Glanders, who has worked for the longest time at the school — 39 years as a fifth- and sixth-grade teacher. “I love this school,” she said. “It’s my life. It’s been my life for 39 years. Our parish will have a big hole where the school used to be.” The teachers have put off
Franciscan Clarist Sister Jancy Nedumkallel, principal of St. Bernard School in Cologne, holds a basketball for a drawing May 28 at the school, which closed the next day. At right is pre-kindergarten student Adelynn Peterson. Each of the school’s 42 students received at least one ball in the drawing, as the school staff looked for creative ways to give away supplies no longer needed. Dave Hrbacek/The Catholic Spirit thoughts of where they will go next, but now have to address that question. So, too, does Sister Jancy, who has served in Catholic education in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis for the last 45 years. Before coming to St. Bernard, she was the principal at St. Therese in Deephaven, which continues to be served by her congregation. Another Clarist, Sister Pranitha
Parambil, has been at St. Bernard for the last nine years. For now, Sister Jancy and her staff will mourn the loss of a school that offered an intimate type of Catholic atmosphere that they will miss. “There’s no better place to be,” Hennen said. “I believe God has something out there for us. But, I also believe the community is going to feel some hurt.”
The pastor, the parishioners and staff of St. John Neumann Eagan, Minnesota
Proudly Thank and Congratulate Fr. Charles Lachowitzer on 25 years and Archbishop Emeritus Harry Flynn for 55 years of Holy Priesthood!
Archbishop Emeritus Flynn
May God reward you for your generous and joyous service to the people of this Archdiocese. From the parishioners of the Cathedral of Saint Paul
June 4, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit
God’s blessings and best wishes to Fr. Michael Skluzacek on your 35th Anniversary of Priestly Ordination. Congratulations and Thank You Archbishop Flynn for 55 years. 1101 Black Oak Drive | New Brighton, MN 55112 | 651-633-1686 www.bhinnsbruck.org
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By Bob Zyskowski The Catholic Spirit Saturday, June 6, will be a special day for the sacrament of marriage in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Couples celebrating 25 and 50 years of wedded life in 2015 will be honored at 10 a.m. Mass at the Cathedral of St. Paul. Archbishop John Nienstedt is to preside. The annual Archdiocesan Marriage Day Celebration will continue with a reception immediately following for families and friends. The event is free of charge. June 6 is also opening day of a special centennial exhibit, “100 Years of Marriage at the Cathedral of St. Paul.” The exhibit is billed as a walk through history as seen through 138 wedding photographs, from the first wedding in the “new” cathedral on April 14, 1915, to a wedding April 25, 2015. Couples who were married at the cathedral and their descendants were invited to share the wedding photos, which will be displayed timeline style along with a few wedding dresses from different time periods. Celeste Raspanti, the cathedral’s archivist who is co-chair of its centennial committee, has been collecting items for months for the exhibit, which will be on display in the cathedral’s lower level. “The word ‘honor’ is used so often by the people who sent in photos of their parents, grandparents or greatgrandparents,” Raspanti said.
The first couple to get married at the Cathedral of St. Paul were Adolph Schmit and Daisey Rettinger. The wedding took place April 14, 1915. Photo courtesy the Cathedral of St. Paul “People are so happy to honor their loved ones by having their wedding photos as part of this exhibit.” Some photos are identified in the exhibit simply with names and dates, but others have a story accompanying the pictures highlighting interesting weddingday experiences. The photos and the stories not only portray the history of the past century, Raspanti said, but also the value people placed on both the sacrament and the church in which they received it. The exhibit, she said, is “making a statement about what we believe about the sacrament of marriage as the coming together of a man and a woman and the founding of families.” After June 6, visitors will be able to view the exhibit from 12 to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, and after the 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Masses on Sundays.
Overnight vigil to pray for priests The Catholic Spirit Catholics from across the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis are invited to a firstever ’round-the-clock time of prayer June 11-12 for healing and renewal within the archdiocese and the sanctification of clergy. The Prayer Vigil of Reparation to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus will open with vespers at the Cathedral of St. Paul at 7 p.m. June 11, followed by adoration throughout the night and next day. The vigil will conclude with Mass at 8 p.m. June 12, the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Archbishop John Nienstedt will preside. During the overnight hours of June 11-12, adoration will take place in the Cana Chapel of the cathedral and will continue throughout the day June 12 in the main body of the church. Susan Steadman of St. Anne in Hamel conceived the idea for the vigil, which she said came to her in prayer four years ago. “It’s been on my heart since 2011,” she said. “It had nothing to do with the clergy abuse crisis.” But in light of allegations of child sexual abuse against priests in the archdiocese, she said a prayer vigil
for the sanctification of priests seems “fortuitous” and “part of God’s plan all along to renew us and strengthen us in our faith.” Steadman, an artist and teacher who in the past has served with the St. Paul Seminary’s Women’s Auxiliary, brought the vigil idea forward with the support of Father Joseph Bambenek, pastor of St. Pius X in White Bear Lake, and Father Steven Hoffman, pastor of St. Peter in Mendota. Father John Paul Erickson, director of the Office for Worship, said he hopes it becomes an annual event around the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. “We gather together as one in faith, hope and love with humble and contrite hearts before the heart of Jesus,” he said, “asking him to make us holy and to give us priests after his own heart.”
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Cathedral to honor marriages, open photo exhibit June 6
June is for the Sacred Heart In Catholic tradition, June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart. Devotion to the Sacred Heart dates to the medieval Church, but grew after St. Margaret Mary Alacoque received personal revelations related to it in the 1670s.
Former Benedictine priest acquitted of sex abuse charges The Catholic Spirit A jury found a former Benedictine priest who has served in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis not guilty of two counts of criminal sexual conduct May 26 in Hastings. Francis Hoefgen, 64, was tried in Dakota County on felony charges of child sex abuse that allegedly took place in the late 1980s and early 1990s at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Hastings where he was an associate priest until 1992, according to the archdiocese.
Hoefgen pleaded not guilty. In 1985, Hoefgen, then a member of St. John’s Abbey in Collegeville, began serving at St. Boniface in Hastings. The parish merged with Guardian Angels to become St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in 1987. Hoefgen is among priests named by the archdiocese as having “claims of substantiated abuse against them.” According to St. John’s Abbey, he was permanently removed from ministry in 2002 and laicized in 2011.
June 4, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit
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Dedication June 13 for tribute to state’s military families “Well, I’ve got some bad news you might not want to know. I’ve been shot.”
Story Stones Quotations from the State Capitol Mall, Minnesota Military Family Tribute
By Bob Zyskowski The Catholic Spirit A soldier from Washington County wrote the sentences above in a letter back home in 1968. They’re just a snippet of his letter, similar to 86 other snippets from military personnel to their families, or from their families to them, that are etched in stones on the mall in front of the Minnesota State Capitol. There’s a stone representing every county in the mall’s newest monument, the Minnesota Military Family Tribute, which will be formally dedicated June 13. Open to the public and free of charge, the 10 a.m. dedication will be followed by entertainment with country music artist Rockie Lynne and The Steele Family until 2 p.m. Bill and Teri Popp, members of St. Bartholomew in Wayzata, have led the effort to have the families of military personnel recognized for what they go through while a loved one is in the service. “The military people all choose to serve,” Teri explained, “but the family is for all intents and purposes drafted. “This is a small way to recognize the family for the sacrifices they
“Your Victory Garden must have been productive . . . just save us some sweet pickles.” 1942 Faribault County
Jodene Marquis (left) and Teri Popp of St. Bartholomew in Wayzata read a quote on a stone at the Military Family Tribute in St. Paul on the State Capitol Mall. Popp is the president and Marquis the volunteer coordinator of the Military Family Tribute, which will have a dedication ceremony from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 13. Dave Hrbacek/The Catholic Spirit
“Send me some woolen socks, a sweater and gloves. I’m OK, from Stalag 11.” 1943 Pennington County
make,” she said. “The tribute is a thank you to the families for their service.” The tribute has been seven years in the making, when Bill Popp was asked to speak at a welcome-back event for military personnel. “All the vets thanked him for expressing gratitude to their families,” Teri recalled, and the idea for a permanent recognition of military families was born.
Getting state approval was a two-year process; Minneapolisbased HGA won the bid to create the tribute. The Popps and a committee of some 50 others — including many St. Bartholomew parishioners — raised $1.2 million. Five years later, the stones sit just east of the veteran’s building on the State Capitol campus, sharing funny, serious and heartwarming slices of the lives of military families.
“We are all patiently waiting for your arrival . . . It’s hard being mother, father, housewife and referee.” 1988 Stevens County
St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Elko New Market
Father Michael A.Van Sloun
Congratulates Father Patrick Barnes On the Fifth Anniversary of his Ordination to the Priesthood. St. Nicholas would also like to
Congratulate Archbishop Harry Flynn on his Fifty-Five Year Anniversary.
His Excellency, The Most Reverend Glen John Provost, D.D., M.A., Bishop of Lake Charles, with the clergy, religious, and laity of the Diocese of Lake Charles
Congratulate The Most Reverend Harry J. Flynn on his 55 years of priestly service
To ADVERTISE in The Catholic Spirit call or email our sales representatives Dick Martens 651-251-7717 martensr@archspm.org
June 4, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit
Chris Pierskalla (651) 251-7714 pierskallac@archspm.org
Congratulations Most Rev. Harry Joseph Flynn on 55 years of priestly ministry
May God continue to pour out his spirit upon you. Bishop Robert Gruss, the Clergy, Religious, and People of the Diocese of Rapid City
9 By Bob Zyskowski The Catholic Spirit At the rectory table where he sits every morning as he prays and watches the sun rise over the St. Croix River, Father Jerome Keiser reminisced back 44 years to his final year at the St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul. He and his classmates were ordained on various dates in late May 1971. “In our deacon year we wore buttons that said, ‘Is it May yet?’ he recalled with a smile. “That upset the faculty.” After 14 years as pastor of St. Francis of Assisi in Lake St. Croix Beach, Father Keiser will turn 70 June 15 and give up his idyllic setting for morning prayer. He and eight other priests of the archdiocese have been granted retired priest status as of July 1. The others are Fathers Charles Brambilla, Theodore Campbell, George Grafsky, James Himmelsbach, Stephen LaCanne, Michael O’Connell, Thomas Sieg and Orlando Tatel. It is a group of men who have served the Church in a variety of ways. All have been pastors, and over the years most have taken on additional ministries. Father Himmelsbach, for example, was a U.S. Army chaplain in an airborne division, a duty that included jumping with the troops out of airplanes, and as pastor added spiritual direction as a coministry. Father Sieg taught homiletics at the St. Paul Seminary before
pastoring several parishes. Father Grafsky has spent most of his career in rural ministry and has long been a police chaplain. Father LaCanne has been a spokesman for justice in the Church and has been a hospital chaplain for many years; at St. Joseph Hospital he has been director of pastoral care. Father Tatel has served the longest of the group. A native of the Philippines where he was ordained in 1965, he’s been a priest for 50 years, serving parishes across the archdiocese since 1982. He was incardinated into the archdiocese in 2001. Father O’Connell isn’t too far behind Father Tatel, having served for 48 years. He served as the first moderator of the curia in the archdiocese and led the creation and development of the archdiocese’s permanent diaconate program. Father Campbell was named pastor of Good Shepherd in Golden Valley Oct. 1, 1983, and has led the suburban Minneapolis parish for more than 31 years. Only Father Richard Villano at St. Helena in Minneapolis has been pastor at the same parish longer. Father Brambilla was one who was primarily a parish priest, but he found plenty to do in that work. “I enjoyed all of my assignments,” he remarked days before leaving for a year of rest near a lake in Pine City. Father Brambilla acknowledged being “challenged” with church building, repairs, staff issues and capital campaigns, but found “God was there through it all, getting the work done.”
CONGRATULATIONS
TO
FR. TOM WALKER
ON
THE
Father Jerome Keiser is among nine priests of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis retiring July 1. Bob Zyskowski/The Catholic Spirit Father Keiser was a spiritual director at St. John Vianney College Seminary in St. Paul before serving at the archdiocesan mission in Venezuela for five years. “I always believed in blooming where you’re planted,” Father Keiser said. After a short time as an associate pastor, he said he was blessed to be able to serve at the archdiocese’s college seminary. The assignment allowed him to earn a degree in spirituality from Jesuit-run Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. “I picked up the Jesuit idea of finding God in everyday life, and that had a great influence on me,” he said. Father Keiser is still grateful for
the Spanish-language immersion he underwent to prepare for the Venezuelan mission. “It’s such a blessing to be able to speak a second language,” he said. He called serving the people of Venezuela “a terrific religious experience,” and when he got back to the United States he used his Spanish to say Mass for the criminals among the Marielitos, or Cuban boat-refugees, who were temporarily incarcerated in Stillwater. He still will say Mass in Spanish when called upon. Staying in the St. Croix Valley, Father Keiser will serve as chaplain at a retirement facility in Stillwater, where he will preside at Mass, always the most satisfying part of his priesthood, he said. With a varied priesthood of his own, Father O’Connell had difficulty pointing to just one part that was most satisfying. “Along with the privilege of presiding at Eucharist and the various sacraments for the parish communities that I have served and with friends and family,” he noted via email, “I’m grateful for the ever deepening theme of embedding justice into my ministry.” He didn’t stop there, however, listing as “very fulfilling for me” his involvement in starting the permanent diaconate program, his parish ministry, “especially at the Basilica of St. Mary and Church of the Ascension,” and “especially [in] regards [to] my ministry with vulnerable children,” and what he termed “the great opportunity of becoming importantly involved in interfaith work.”
Local
Retiring priests reflect on varied service to local Church
25TH ANNIVERSARY
OF YOUR ORDINATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD
June 4, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit
U.S. & World
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Pope: Abortion, malnutrition ‘attacks on life’
Key figure in families meeting investigated for alleged fund misuse
By Laura Ieraci Catholic News Service Abortion, abandoning migrants at sea, unsafe working conditions, malnutrition, terrorism and euthanasia are all “attacks on life,” Pope Francis said. In an audience with members of the Italian Science & Life Association May 30, the pope said “life is a gift” and urged more reflection on how people are treated throughout all stages of life. “The degree of progress of a civilization is measured precisely by its capacity to care for life, especially in its most fragile phases,” he told the association, which had gathered its members in Rome the previous day to mark its 10th anniversary. “When we speak of humanity, let us never forget the attacks on the sacredness of human life,” he said. “The plague of abortion is an attack on life. Allowing our brothers and sisters to die in boats in the Strait of Sicily is an attack on life. Death at the workplace, because minimum safety conditions are not respected, is an attack on life. Death because of malnutrition is an attack on life. Terrorism, war, violence, euthanasia as well, is an attack on life.” The pope affirmed the association’s work as important, especially in a society marked by a
Catholic News Service
Migrants are seen in a boat after being rescued in late April in the Mediterranean Sea. Abandoning migrants at sea, abortion, unsafe working conditions, malnutrition, terrorism and euthanasia are all “attacks on life,” Pope Francis said. CNS throwaway mentality, and urged its members to “relaunch a renewed culture of life.” It is thanks to scientific analysis, he said, that the Church reaffirms that “a just society recognizes the primacy of the right to life, from conception until its natural end.”
Nebraska bishops applaud death penalty repeal Catholic News Service Nebraska state senators overrode Gov. Pete Ricketts’ veto of a bill repealing capital punishment that had been supported by the state’s Catholic bishops. In a 30-19 vote May 27, the senators supported a bill that replaces the death penalty with a sentence of life in prison without parole. The bill had gained the support of Nebraska’s three Catholic bishops, who earlier commended lawmakers for their
historic vote May 20 to repeal capital punishment. They said then that support for the bill reflects the teaching of the Catholic faith and that use of the death penalty cannot be justified today. Ricketts vetoed the bill May 26, but legislators acted quickly. The 30 votes were just enough to override the veto. Under statehouse rules in the unicameral legislature, at least 30 of 49 senators must vote to overturn a gubernatorial veto. “Our support for this bill also flows from
our prayerful reflection on the words of Jesus Christ himself: ‘Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father,’” said the state’s three bishops, Archbishop George Lucas of Omaha and Bishops James Conley of Lincoln and Joseph Hanefeldt of Grand Island. Their joint statement was issued by the Nebraska Catholic Conference. With the vote, Nebraska became the 19th state to end the use of the death penalty.
Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, the head of the Pontifical Council for the Family and lead Vatican organizer of September’s World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia, is under investigation by Italian prosecutors for alleged embezzlement. Published reports in European media outlets say the investigation stems from 2011 when the archbishop led the Diocese of Terni in Italy, and diocesan funds may have been used improperly in a scheme to purchase then resell at a profit a 14th-century Italian castle. A diocesan financial officer at the time was also the head of an Italian firm that purchased the property, which today remains undeveloped. Prosecutors named the archbishop as one of the people being investigated. No charges have been filed. In a statement May 28, Archbishop Paglia said he has not done anything illegal. In Philadelphia, Archbishop Charles Chaput said in a statement May 29 that he was saddened to learn the news, “and will pray for him.”
The Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
archspm.org
June 4, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit
11 By Ana Rodriguez-Soto Catholic News Service
about the feelings of thousands of people who visit the shrine every day.”
The priest prayed an Our Father. The president lit a candle. And while gazing together at a revered image of Cuba’s patroness, the priest reminded the president of the suffering of Cuba’s people. “Only in the United States that’s possible,” said Father Juan Rumin Dominguez, rector of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Charity in Miami, as he recalled the whirlwind, completely unexpected visit of President Barack Obama early in the afternoon of May 28. “For me it was an honor and a sign that we live in a free country,” said Father Dominguez, himself a Cuban exile. “To be able to tell President Obama to his face
The shrine is a symbol of faith and hope for Cuba’s exiles since before their donated pennies paid for its construction in the early 1970s; now it is a first stop also for thousands of immigrants from Central and South America who continue arriving in south Florida. Obama is the first sitting U.S. president to visit. And Father Dominguez had barely an hour to prepare. He told him of the outdoor Mass in 1961, where more than 30,000 newly arrived exiles had gathered. “They felt sad, forsaken, they missed their homeland. They had come searching for liberty and at that moment, the image of the Virgin was brought in, a sign that they were not alone.”
U.S. & World
Obama makes surprise visit to shrine
President Barack Obama makes an unannounced stop to the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity in Miami May 28. Standing with the president is Father Juan Rumin Dominguez. The shrine is named for the patroness of Cuba and the Cuban people. CNS
Thank you
Congratulations
Deacon Joe Kittok for your commitment, including 15 years of Diaconate Ministry, to the Parish of St. Maximilian Kolbe, celebrating 150 years.
Most Rev. Harry Joseph Flynn IHM faculty and seminarians thank you for your 55 years of priestly ministry.
of Seminary 750 Terrace Heights Winona, MN 55987
The Parish of St. Patrick’s in Inver Grove Heights
congratulates
Heartfelt Congratulations! Most Rev. Harry Joseph Flynn
Fr. Bob Hart on 15 great years in the Priesthood.
on your 55th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood of Jesus Christ. With best wishes, Gene and Mary Frey
Thank you for your leadership, guidance and support! May God continue to bless you as you shepherd His flock. TWIN CITIES PREMIERE!
Practically Perfect in Every Way!
Reverend Robert J. Hohenstein (former student of Father Flynn at
The Diocese of Columbus extends heartfelt congratulations and prayers to
Mount St. Mary’s Seminary Emmitsburg, Maryland) and the
Parish Family of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Schenectady, New York Prayerfully extend
Congratulations and Blessings to Archbishop Harry J. Flynn On the occasion of his 952-934-1525 ChanhassenDT.com
TheCatholicSpirit.com
55th Anniversary of Ordination
as a Priest of Jesus Christ “Ad Multos Annos”
THE MOST REVEREND HARRY JOSEPH FLYNN in celebration of his 55 years of priestly ministry. May God’s abundant blessings continue to support him and his ministry.
Most Reverend Frederick F. Campbell Bishop of Columbus
June 4, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit
U.S. & World
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Dublin archbishop: Church needs ‘reality check’ after marriage vote By Michael Kelly Catholic News Service Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin has said the Church needs a “reality check” after Irish voters overwhelmingly supported same-sex marriage. Ireland was the first country in the world to put same-sex marriage to a popular vote. The May 22 poll was backed by 62 percent of the population. Same-sex marriage is now a constitutional right in Ireland. “I think really that the Church needs to do a reality check, a reality check right across the board, to look at the things it’s doing well, to look at the areas where we really have to start and say, ‘Look, have we drifted Archbishop away completely from Diarmuid young people?’” he told state broadcaster RTE as the MARTIN result became clear. He said the referendum result was “an overwhelming vote in one direction,” and he appreciated how gay men and lesbians felt after the endorsement of same-sex marriage — “that they feel this is something which is enriching the way they live,” he said.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, said the referendum’s outcome represented not only “a defeat for Christian principles, but [also] a defeat for humanity.” “I was very saddened by this result. The Church must take into account this situation but in the sense of strengthening its efforts in evangelization,” he said in Rome May 26 in response to reporters’ questions. German Cardinal Walter Kasper said the referendum is “emblematic” of today’s postmodern belief that “everything is equal,” which is in contrast to Church doctrine. “We cannot accept putting (such unions) on the same level with marriage,” he told the Italian daily Corriere della Sera May 27. The Church needs to find new ways and a “new language” to express its fundamental teachings about love, marriage, sexuality and the equal dignity and reciprocal “diversity of man and woman in the order of creation,” he said. “It’s necessary to be careful about not using expressions that can sound offensive without, however, hiding the truth,” Cardinal Kasper said. But marriage between a man and a woman is “the fundamental cell of society, the source of life for the
future,” and other forms of unions and surrogate pregnancies risk having “enormous consequences,” especially on children, he said. Regarding the fact that many Catholics in Ireland voted in favor of the same-sex marriage law, the cardinal said it shows the Church has been “too quiet on these issues. Now is the time to discuss them.” The Gospel and Church teaching are clear, he said, “but traditional expressions” and explanations “evidently no longer reach people’s hearts and minds.” Archbishop Martin described the result as a “social revolution.” “It’s a social revolution that didn’t begin today,” he said. “It’s a social revolution that’s been going on, and perhaps in the Church people have not been as clear in understanding what that involved. “It’s very clear that if this referendum is an affirmation of the views of young people, then the Church has a huge task in front of it to find the language to be able to talk to and to get its message across to young people, not just on this issue, but in general.” Archbishop Martin said it was important that the Church must not move into denial of the realities. “We won’t begin again with a sense of renewal by simply denying,” he said.
Australian bishops: Redefining marriage would be ‘serious injustice’ Catholic News Service Redefining marriage will be a “serious injustice” with farreaching consequences for all, Australia’s Catholic bishops warned as the push for legalizing same-sex marriage in the country appeared to be reaching a crescendo. On May 28, the bishops released a pastoral letter on same-sex marriage, which argues that it is “gravely unjust” to legitimize the false assertion that there is nothing distinctive about a man and a woman, a father or a mother; to ignore the importance for children of having a mother and a father, committed to them and to each other for the long haul; and to destabilize marriage further at a time when it is already under considerable pressure. Debate was expected to begin in the House of Representatives June 1.
CONGRATULATIONS ARCHBISHOP EMERITUS HARRY FLYNN On the 55th anniversary of your ordination as a Roman Catholic priest. Thank you for your longstanding support of the University of St. Thomas and its programs. You have done us honor as a loving shepherd and an inspirational leader, and we wish you Christ’s blessings in all that you do.
June 4, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit
THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS CONGRATUL ATE
FOR REACHING 20 YEARS OF PRIESTHOOD! WE APPRECIATE YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE VIKINGS, FATHER MIKE!
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UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF MINNESOTA In re: The Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis Case No. 15-30125 YOU MAY HAVE A CLAIM AGAINST THE ARCHDIOCESE OF SAINT PAUL AND MINNEAPOLIS On January 16, 2015, The Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis filed for protection under Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the United States Code.
The last day to file a SEXUAL ABUSE CLAIM, GENERAL CLAIM, or GOVERNMENT CLAIM against the Debtor is August 3, 2015. • If you were sexually abused by any person connected with the debtor, then you must file a claim by August 3, 2015. Sexual abuse, as used in this notice, includes molestation, rape, undue familiarity, sexually-related physical, psychological or emotional harm, or contacts or interactions of a sexual nature between a child and an adult, or a non-consenting adult and another adult. • If you are a person, entity, or Governmental Unit (as defined by Bankruptcy Code § 101(27)), and claim any right to payment or to an equitable remedy for breach of performance if such breach gives rise to a right to payment, then you must file a claim by August 3, 2015.
YOU MUST ACT NOW TO PRESERVE YOUR RIGHTS For more information on how to obtain and file a proof of claim and associated documents please: (a) visit the debtor’s website at http://information. archspm.org/; (b) visit the website of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Minnesota at http://www.mnb.uscourts.gov; (c) call the Debtor’s toll-free hotline at 866-868-4808; or (d) call the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors appointed in this case at 612-335-1407.
June 4, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit
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Welcome, neighbors Influx of new parishioners proves evangelization is more than a word at St. Leonard of Port Maurice By Jessica Trygstad The Catholic Spirit A church in the Bryant neighborhood of Minneapolis that was established in 1940 to serve black Catholics in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis has seen the number of Latino parishioners soar: from four to 65 families in just one year. And it all began with an ice cream social — which was followed by dinners, games and community prayer. The events opened the door to an influx of immigrants, and longtime parishioners embraced the growing pains of a changing church family to help them have a spiritual home.
Face of evangelization Last June, a program at the St. Paul Seminary, Evangelization In Action, brought five seminarians to St. Leonard of Port Maurice for six weeks. Sister Charlotte Berres, a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet, and Father Allen Kuss, who both work in pastoral formation at the seminary, devised a plan for the parish’s outreach with pastor Father Steve LaCanne, who wanted to welcome neighbors to the church. As part of the plan, parishioners hosted events four nights a week. Wednesday evenings were spent praying the rosary at the church’s grotto. “Every week, there was something outdoors that was open to everyone,” said Jeanette Sullivan, a 30-year parishioner who volunteers leading the parish’s faith formation program. Parishioners joined seminarians, going
two-by-two knocking on doors to welcome Spanish-speaking neighbors and others to parish events. Parishioners and native Spanish speakers Eric Cortes and his wife, Susana, were instrumental in breaking the language barrier. It was evangelization that Father LaCanne said every parish can and should do. “Evangelization is reaching out to the neighborhood,” he said. “Every parish can be doing evangelizing, and it’s not that complicated. . . . We have to get out of our boxes and realize we have good news to share.” Nic Feddema was a first-year seminarian last summer when serving at St. Leonard through EIA. “It turned out to be a really good program. We met a lot of people who never had contact with the Church,” he said, adding that in going door-to-door, the groups learned many people didn’t know there was a Catholic parish nearby. The parish made registration forms available at the events. Seminarians also handed out fliers for Risen Christ Catholic School in Minneapolis. Wednesday Mass attracted many from the Latino community who attended the other weekly events. But some started coming for more. Sullivan, who also helps maintain the parish’s records, said during the last year within its Latino community, 10 adults came into the Church through baptism and confirmation, about 30 secondthrough-10th-grade students and one adult
Children enter the church of St. Leonard of Port Maurice in Minneapolis May 3 to receive first Communi received first Communion, and three babies were baptized. “The purpose was to reach out and to listen to people’s faith stories, to listen to their needs and to offer prayer and support and an invitation to come to St. Leonard’s for one of these events, or to come join us at Sunday worship,” said Father LaCanne, adding that the seminarians, Sister Charlotte and Father Kuss ignited parishioners’ passion for the faith and vice versa. “But then the lay members were stirred up, and we got all excited,” he said. “This is a magnet parish [for Latinos] because of the neighborhood. It’s full of wonderful families and individuals who are seeking faith. There’s so much opportunity to evangelize.”
St. Leonard in the fall, the parish faced a challenge, but one that volunteers were happy to accept: with various considerations, finding ways to catechize and prepare its new members for the sacraments. Since some of the children didn’t even know the Sign of the Cross, it was back to basics. Father LaCanne and Sister Charlotte said it was the parish’s dedicated, longtime volunteers who led the charge.
Faithful adjustments
Once she collected forms from new parishioners, she realized a “yes” response to a question asking whether they had
Upon the seminarians’ departure from
“Lay involvement has to be bedrock to evangelization,” Father LaCanne said. “It’s not just the priest’s job. And it can’t be a staff job. It’s gotta be everybody’s [job].” Sullivan coordinated the faith formation classes while working a separate job. “I hardly had time to think,” she said.
Far left Father Steve LaCanne, pastor of St. Leonard of Port Maurice in Minneapolis, distributes the Eucharist during first Communion May 3. Jim Bovin/For the Catholic Spirit Left Jeanette Sullivan, center, talks with Eric Cortes, right, and his wife, Susana Jimenez Sandoval, in the grotto at St. Leonard of Port Maurice in Minneapolis. At left is Arlene, one of the couple’s three children. Dave Hrbacek/ The Catholic Spirit
June 4, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit
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New parishioners bring immigrant experience to faith community By Jessica Trygstad The Catholic Spirit
ion. Jim Bovin/For The Catholic Spirit received a particular sacrament sometimes meant instead, “yes, I would like to receive this sacrament.” Realizing how few knew English, they had forms translated to Spanish. She then determined how many teachers they needed, how many books to get and where they would have class. “Everything was a surprise to us. We learned to be flexible and to adapt. And a lot of the Latinos have adapted,” Father LaCanne said. “Integration means everybody adapts differently, but for the sake of the body of Christ.” Sister Charlotte, who continues to help teach at the parish, said what was remarkable was how the 75-year-old parish accommodated its new members in a short period of time. Although she admitted adapting could be a hassle, ultimately, it was a “beautiful lesson.” During Wednesday night sessions of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, Sister Charlotte based instruction on the mysteries of the rosary. Videos in Spanish and pictures of the scenes aided her teaching. With instruction for adults came providing activities for the children who accompanied their parents to classes. But that didn’t occur without difficulties, including discipline issues resulting from varying parenting styles. Being Latino, Cortes was tasked with addressing those issues. He said many of the Latino adults thought coming to church was like going to the park, and had to learn to use reverence and respect in the church. One of the longtime parishioners came to Sister Charlotte after a funeral and told her how the Latinos never picked up after themselves after using Church facilities. Sister Charlotte discovered that the Latino women didn’t understand the post-Mass
announcement about the funeral. Seeking a remedy, she asked some of the Latino women to help serve after funerals. “They did the next week, and later, that same parishioner told me how helpful the women were,” Sister Charlotte said. Father LaCanne now offers prayers in Spanish, and has a Spanish reading and song the second Sunday of the month. Wednesday evening Masses are celebrated mostly in Spanish. He learned that Latinos didn’t necessarily want a separate Spanish Mass because hearing English was helping them learn it. While he admits his Spanish is limited — not enough to preach a homily in it — “it all works because they see I’m trying, and we see they’re trying.” The parish now has missalettes in Spanish and English. “It is a challenge for the parish because the majority of our members are older, over 50,” he said. “They love the families and love to see the children, but with their hearing aids, they’re not sure if I’m speaking Spanish or English,” he added in jest. Sullivan said in addition to the 65 Latino households registered at the parish, the ethnic breakdown is about 20 black households and 80-90 white households. Many parish families have been there for 15 years or more. “The spirit is alive and well,” Father LaCanne said. “And when you’re following the invitation of the Gospel, especially as preached by Pope Francis to reach out, anything is possible.” Cortes said he sees the good in the work the parishioners are doing to bring others to the Church. “There will always be issues, but something good and beautiful happened,” he said. “It made me feel good to serve the Lord.”
St. Leonard of Port Maurice parishioner Eric Cortes, who emigrated from Mexico in 1999, explained how some people who have since immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico came from small towns without a church. Many didn’t have Bibles. Still others might have only received a second-grade education and may not read Spanish well. Most of the people who became parishioners of the Minneapolis church in the last year are Catholic, but “they were away from the Church. They concentrate on work and kids, and they forget about the faith,” Cortes said. “So when we invite people to come to church, we tell them about God, how important it is to be in church, that God loves them. Don’t forget about God.” In all of the parish’s efforts to reach more Latinos, Cortes credits his wife, Susanna, as being “the ear of God.” “Everyone talks to her about their problems,” he said. “She tells them they’re not alone. God is with us. Come to church.” She also tells them how important it is, especially for children, to receive the sacraments. Among the neighborhood’s Latino community, Cortes has seen many family issues improve since attending Mass and other events at the parish. Ultimately, families are happier because parents are communicating better, and children aren’t reflecting tension from home. Cortes said it’s the parish’s teaching and preaching about how love and Mary are important in families that entice the new members to keep returning for spiritual nourishment. “Now they know about Jesus’ life and Mary’s life, [and] how they suffered. And the lives like we’re living right now — we live suffering,” Cortes said. “That’s why people keep coming to church, to ask God for help and strength, and the grace of our Lord to keep going. . . . They don’t have that peace in their hearts until they come here. Now they come here and know the love of God. Their minds are different.” Father Steve LaCanne, St. Leonard’s pastor, said because Mexican families are coming to the U.S. simply to survive, they don’t have time to learn. And with many being undocumented, they have to keep moving. Mass isn’t always feasible when many work several jobs, often in restaurants and on Sundays. Cortes said fear is a roadblock even for the sacraments since marriage requires obtaining a license. “It’s apparent to me that I don’t know enough about the sufferings of our undocumented Latinos,” Father LaCanne said. “But most of the Anglo Church — we don’t have a clue about these issues. And if we’re really going to be Catholic — that means universally welcoming — we need to learn a lot more about our suffering members. They’re right here. . . . All we have to do is let them in, let them teach us their story, [and] we can help teach the Gospel story. “We’ve had to become more uncomfortable,” he continued. “We have forgotten as a country how to be an immigrant, and [are] judging who does and does not belong to the Church. We’ve got to keep moving. We’re a white Church in a rut. People in our Church need to hear the stories of our Latino friends, because these are great stories of suffering and faith. If we’re pro-family and pro-life, which, we as a Church we proclaim to be, [then] we really need to be reaching out — every parish — to reach out to our Latino brothers and sisters and welcome them in whatever way we possibly can because this is the mercy of Christ.”
June 4, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit
Analysis
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There but for the grace of God: Pope Francis on prisoners By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Pope Francis seems to describe his life in the Vatican almost as if he were in prison — at least as far as his freedom of movement goes. But that is not the first thing he cites when he talks about what he and prisoners have in common. When visiting a prison, he said, “I think to myself, ‘I, too, could be here.’ That is, none of us can be sure that we would never commit a crime, something for which we’d be put in prison.� Pope Francis’ comment to a reporter from a newspaper in Argentina in mid-May was just the most recent time he has spoken about how everyone makes mistakes, everyone sins, and if one’s personal history and circumstances were different, he or she could be that convict. “They haven’t had the opportunities that I have had of not doing something stupid and ending up in prison,� he told the newspaper, La Voz del Pueblo. “This makes me cry inside. It is deeply moving.� Continuing a practice he began as archbishop of Buenos Aires, the pope has spent plenty of time behind bars: He celebrated Holy Thursday Mass in a juvenile
Pope Francis greets inmates after celebrating Mass on Holy Thursday April 2 at Rebibbia prison in Rome. CNS detention facility in 2013 and at Rome’s Rebibbia prison in 2015; he visited the Poggioreale prison outside Naples in March; and in the summer of 2014, visited inmates during trips to both Calabria and Isernia.
Connecting with inmates Even as pope, he continues to make a phone call every other Saturday to young inmates he used to visit regularly in a Buenos Aires prison. He spent time May 30 with hundreds of children of Italian inmates, including some children who had lived in jail with their mothers. Italian law encourages house arrest for convicted mothers of small children or confinement with their children in supervised group homes. However, when that
is not feasible, the law allows children to live with their mothers in prison until the age of 6. When he goes to northern Italy in late June to venerate the Shroud of Turin, he is scheduled to have Sunday lunch with a group of juvenile offenders from the Ferrante Aporti facility. And, during his July trip to South America, he is scheduled to visit the maximum-security Palmasola prison in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Pope Francis’ talks to prisoners always focus on the wideness of God’s mercy. His talks about prisons always focus on the need to ensure incarceration is designed not only as punishment, but as a process of education and socialization preparing a person to
return to society and function as a law-abiding citizen. In a wide variety of settings, Pope Francis cites the 25th chapter of Matthew and its judgment day list: Did you feed the hungry, clothe the naked and visit prisoners? During a general audience talk in 2014, when he was explaining how the church is “a mother who teaches us the works of mercy,� the pope said he knew many people feel uncomfortable with the very idea of visiting someone in prison. They think, “It’s dangerous! They are bad people,� he said. “Listen up,� he told thousands of people gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the audience. “Each one of us is capable of doing the same thing done by that man or woman in jail. All of us are capable of sinning and making the same mistake in life. They are not worse than you and I!� He added: “Mercy overcomes every wall, every obstacle� and can instill new life and hope in others. While it may be easy to recognize a prisoner’s need for mercy and conversion, Pope Francis assures the inmates he visits that asking for God’s mercy and the strength to convert is the lifelong task of every Christian.
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17
Bob Zyskowski
Commitment leery? Ever been invited to an event — dinner out, an educational opportunity or entertainment of some kind — and responded hesitantly, not because you were already booked that day but because, well, something better might come along? Me, too. We seem to have trouble making commitments nowadays. Committing ourselves looms as a risk — a risk that we might not be happy with the choice we make and that we might be missing out on something that would make us “truly” happy, or at least happier. Perhaps that’s why we marvel at the longevity of others who have persevered in their commitments. We admire couples in lengthy marriages, folks like those who will be honored June 6 at the annual Archdiocesan Marriage Day Celebration. The fact that 40-50 percent of marriages today end in divorce makes it seem heroic to have kept promises for so long to
love and cherish one another ‘til death do you part. Catholics esteem our clergy and religious who have kept their vows for many years. In an age when people tend to change careers and jobs regularly, it’s remarkable that Archbishop Emeritus Harry Flynn has been a priest for 55 years. The good archbishop would be among the first to remind us that there are any number of priests and sisters — sisters especially — who have served even longer. But why?
Complicated questions Why, when we so value the commitments that others make, is it so difficult at times for us? Why have the number of priestly ordinations in the U.S. dropped from 994 in 1960 to 494 in 2014? Why, over that same 50-year time span, are there now twice as many Americans age 25 and older who have never married?
Why, in just the past seven years according to a Pew Research Center study, has the median age for a first marriage gone from 20 to 27 for women and from 23 to 29 for men? Answers are surely as complicated as the questions are numerous. Which is why you may have chuckled as I did when I read Brad Allen’s interesting piece in the Star Tribune May 17 about a different study that tied the current marriage rate to the financial climate. “Single adults,” Allen wrote, “can go into the market for everything from meals (dining out) and companionship (dating, going to the bars), to laundry and housekeeping. While it sounds terribly unromantic, the researchers’ premise is that two people will set up housekeeping and get married when the costs of staying single outweigh the benefits.” Are you joining me about now in echoing the song lyrics — “What about love?” While shedding light on the research, for which Allen deserves a tip of the hat, his piece doesn’t dismiss the possibility of love being a factor in the decision to marry, and that’s also to his credit. A topic for follow-up research, and not just for young adults, might ask, “What about commitment?” As much as we admire those who make commitments for their faithfulness, what is it that we fear? Is it risking rejection or criticism? Is it a fear of
taking on responsibility or liability? Do we not want to be obligated or tied down? Are we waiting for something better to come along?
Courage to choose On the “For Your Marriage” blog (www.foryourmarriage.org), the Catholic bishops of the United States offer a view through a Catholic lens of the commitment a couple makes in deciding whether or not to wed, but it works for all kinds of commitments: “Commitment is a choice to give up choices. Although this might at first sound limiting, it actually brings great freedom and depth. No longer does the committed person need to weigh which person or way of life will bring more happiness. Once committed, all one’s energy goes into making this commitment work.” And then there’s this from Sandra Schneiders’ book “Selling All”: “Commitment is both the highest achievement of and the greatest challenge to freedom that we face. Making a life commitment . . . requires enormous courage but also allows for the expression of a love that knows no bounds.” What about love indeed!
This Catholic Life • Commentary
COMMENTARY
Zyskowski is former editor and associate publisher of The Catholic Spirit.
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“If I had 100 lives to live, I would live every one of them as a priest.” – Archbishop Harry J. Flynn We are grateful for your 55 years as a priest.
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This Catholic Life • Commentary
18 TWENTY SOMETHING Christina Capecchi
The call of the birds: slowing down and tuning in “The only essential equipment for seeing birds is a pair of eyes. Good ears are a help too.” The first edition of “Birds: A Guide To The Most Familiar American Birds” smells like an old missal and reads like a manual for living well — birding as a hobby, a lifestyle and a meditation. Its intro is written in the voice of a sensible grandma, and the best lines in the 1949 Simon and Schuster book are the ones cut from the 1987 edition released by Golden Press: “Don’t be in a hurry to buy [field] glasses.” “Practice is essential. Go looking for birds as often as you can.” “Dashing through the woods will get you nothing but shortness of breath.” There is none of the panicky, pandering language used today by aging clubs in search of the next generation. No, this little cloth book lets you come to it. And what
June 4, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit
tremendous rewards await if you do. For the retail price of $1, it delivered 118 paintings, maps, measurements and the most lovingly gathered details. The book celebrates every centimeter: yellow-crowned, gray-cheeked, black-chinned, ruby-throated, rosebreasted, white-rumped. It conjures all their songs: “a low-pitched croak,” a “hoarse ‘quock,’” “harsh, rattling call,” “a deep, penetrating hoot,” an “unforgettable drumming sound.” “Birds” is not much bigger than an iPhone 6 Plus and feels like its antidote: a faded ticket to a bygone era, an invitation to simpler living through the tools we were born with, “a pair of eyes” and “good ears.” Rachael Butek, a 23-year-old from Colfax, Wisconsin, sees it that way. She doesn’t look like your stereotypical birder of the
silver-headed variety, but she can identify 100 birds by their song. Birding has changed the way she sees the world and deepened her Catholic faith, attuning her to the intricacy of God’s creation. “People underestimate the importance of beauty in our lives,” she told me. “It’s not practical, per se, but it is vital.” In her mind, most of us have blinders on, oblivious to the flights of fancy in our very own backyards. “More young people should be birders,” she says. “They’re all buried in their phones.”
“More young people should be birders.” Rachael Butek
Rachael has filled 10 journals with penciled-in notes and has witnessed an array of memorable moments: courting kinglets, dueling orioles, sipping hummingbirds, a stretching crow. Her favorite bird, she likes to say, is whichever one she’s currently watching. This summer Rachael is working as a wildlife technician for the DNR and surveying the Chippewa County Forest through dozens of
“point counts”: parking herself in a specific point for eight minutes, tallying the birds there and then moving on. She filled out her application for the internship during eucharistic adoration at St. John the Baptist in nearby Cooks Valley. She has the 7-to-8 Tuesday morning slot. “Having that hour of peace and solitude with Christ is very helpful to review my week, give thanks to God and get perspective,” Rachael said. God’s call in her life may not ring out as clearly as a song sparrow, but she’s allowing for the silence to hear its faintest hums. Like Rachael, the most vibrant young Catholics I know embrace elements of the old as they rely on the new. Their Instagram feeds show comic books and vinyl records, knitting needles and calligraphy, gardens, libraries, things that take time. They are compelled to insert the vintage in the modern, stimulated by the contrasts, drawn to the tactile in a touch-screen world. We can claim the oldest Christian faith, the one with the most patina, the first edition. We inscribe our name in its book, the ultimate field guide. Capecchi is a freelance writer from Inver Grove Heights and the editor of SisterStory.org.
19 “Let us engage in the eucharistic devotions, and let us remember that we break the bread in order to learn how to give our life for the well-being of the world.”
Johan van Parys
Eucharistic devotion should draw faithful to charity, community This year we celebrate the solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ on June 7. At the Basilica of St. Mary, we will mark the day with the celebration of the Eucharist, a eucharistic procession followed by benediction, and an invitation to participate in “Bread for the World.” We do all this because this great feast calls us to do three things: first, an authentic celebration of the Eucharist; second, a deepening of our devotion to the Eucharist; and third, a greater generosity in our own eucharistic presence in the world. First, the celebration of the Eucharist is widely accepted as the most important thing we do as Catholics. After all, the Second
Vatican Council proclaimed authoritatively that the Eucharist is the “source and summit” of our life. Thus, the better we celebrate the Eucharist, the better we are equipped to live out our Catholic calling. Second, though extremely popular in the past, eucharistic devotions such as eucharistic processions and holy hours have become somewhat rare as they leave many people indifferent or even apprehensive. Thankfully, these ancient devotions are gradually rediscovered and reintroduced, often at the request of young people. We have to be aware, though, not to consider these devotions as a litmus test for a person’s devotion to the real
Johan van Parys
presence of Christ in the Eucharist, in particular, and one’s commitment to Catholicism, in general. Third, St. John Paul II in “Mane Nobiscum” wrote that “our mutual love, and in particular . . . our concern for those in need . . . will be the criterion by which the authenticity of our eucharistic celebration is judged” because “at each Holy Mass, we are called to measure ourselves against the ideal of communion which the Acts of Apostles paints . . . sharing in spiritual goods but in material goods as well.” Therefore, let us celebrate the Eucharist well. Let us engage in the eucharistic devotions, and let us
remember that we break the bread in order to learn how to give our life for the well-being of the world; that we adore Christ in the Blessed Sacrament in order to learn how to see him in every person who dwells on earth; and that we share in the body of Christ in order to become the body of Christ. May the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ inspire a greater devotion to and participation in the body of Christ.
This Catholic Life • Commentary
GUEST COMMENTARY
van Parys is the director of liturgy and sacred arts at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis. This column previously appeared in the basilica’s newsletter.
Celebrating Father Michael Skluzáček’s 35 years of priesthood.
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Congratulations on 55 years of priestly ministry to Archbishop Harry J. Flynn From Bishop Peter F. Christensen and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Boise, Idaho Ad multos annos!
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June 4, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit
Consecrated Life
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Consecrated virgin calls being bride of Christ a ‘wonderful fit’ By Dave Hrbacek The Catholic Spirit After taking a vacation in June 1995, Dr. Linda Long returned to her job as a cardiologist at Regions Hospital in St. Paul with a ring on her finger. A patient noticed the jewelry and made a comment. “She was so excited for me,” Long said. “She said, ‘Oh, Dr. Long, you got married.’ And, I said, ‘Well, yes I did, but not in the usual way.’” In this case, the groom was not merely a man, but Christ himself. Long had gone to Rome to become what is called in the Church a consecrated virgin. Long took a few moments to explain this to her elderly patient, who had felt a particular joy that her doctor would finally find a spouse at age 50. But, the excitement soon vanished. “Her face fell because that was not what she had [expected],” Long said. But, it was precisely what Long desired at that time in her life. She was scheduled to celebrate her 20th anniversary on June 3 with a special Mass at St. Agnes in St. Paul celebrated by Bishop Paul Sirba of Duluth, a longtime friend. Although consecrated virgins were common in the early Church, the practice discontinued outside of
Linda Long likes the life of a consecrated virgin, which includes praying in a chapel in her Woodbury home. Dave Hrbacek/ The Catholic Spirit monastic life in the Middle Ages. The vocation was restored after the Second Vatican Council. Long was the first consecrated virgin in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Today, there are 10. Two others who were consecrated virgins in the archdiocese have died, including one May 27 — Julia Taube, 67, a parishioner of St. Paul in Ham Lake and a pastoral associate at Mary Mother of the Church in Burnsville. The Vatican does not track consecrated virgins in its annual collection of ecclesiastical statistics, but, according to the Michiganbased U.S. Association of Consecrated Virgins, there are about
3,000 consecrated virgins in the world, with 215 in the U.S. Long said she feels that her entire life preceding her consecration was pointing to that vocation all along, even though she was not raised Catholic and came to the Church as an adult. “For me, it’s been a wonderful fit,” said Long, now 70 and retired. [A] consecrated virgin living in the world is an active life. It’s not a primarily contemplative life, although very deeply prayer based.” This vocation allowed Long to have a cardiology career that spanned more than four decades, plus offer additional service to the medical community. The primary element of her life as a consecrated virgin is prayer. She prays Liturgy of the Hours and offers daily prayers for Archbishop John Nienstedt and other bishops in the Church. One thing that helps her pray now are the physical infirmities she endures, she said. “I started with inflammatory arthritis at age 42,” she said, noting that it has gotten progressively worse over the years and has decreased her level of energy and stamina. “It’s a life of offering my pain and also having more time for reflecting.” Long said that she gets together with the other local consecrated
God’s blessings and prayerful best wishes to
Archbishop Flynn on the Occasion of his 55th Anniversary of Priestly Ordination. Most Rev. David Kagan and the Diocese of Bismarck
June 4, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit
virgins at least once a year, and corresponds with them regularly. Every year, she attends a national convocation for consecrated virgins. This year’s event will be in August, and she plans to go. Another way she connects with the other women is to be a presenter, which she has done several times. During the rite, canon law requires that two women, either members of religious communities or consecrated virgins, act as presenters. Long’s consecration rite in 1995 took place in Rome, with Cardinal Paul Mayer officiating. She calls her short journey into consecrated life almost a miracle, in that the time from first bringing it up with her bishop to the rite was only a matter of a few months, versus the normal waiting time of one to three years. During the initial meeting with Archbishop Harry Flynn in April 1995, “I figured most of my interview would be explaining what [a consecrated virgin] is,” she said. “[But] the Holy Spirit was right there because Archbishop Flynn had been asked by his bishop in Albany [New York] when he was Father Flynn to be the spiritual director for the first consecrated virgin of the Diocese of Albany. “So, he knew all about it, and I didn’t have to explain anything.”
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By Jessica Trygstad The Catholic Spirit The University of St. Thomas in St. Paul tapped a man well versed in cultivating Catholic identity to direct its Center for Catholic Studies. When Michael Naughton started at the university in 1991, his doctorate in theology and masters of business administration guided his work connecting the Church’s rich social tradition with modern business practices. In directing the Center for Catholic Studies, he’ll be at the helm integrating academia with faith among as many of the university’s disciplines as possible. “Catholic Studies was never started to be its own discipline or enclave,” said Naughton, who had served as the center’s interim director since September and officially accepted the appointment in May. “It’s always attempted to be yeast and to connect to other fields and other areas.” As the center’s director, Naughton will oversee the center’s journal, “Logos”; the John A. Ryan Institute for Catholic Social Thought; the Habiger Institute for Catholic Leadership; and The Terrence J. Murphy Institute for Catholic Thought, Law and Public Policy, a collaboration with St. Thomas’ School of Law.
Role of Catholic Studies Despite its broad reach, Naughton said Catholic Studies is still a project in its infancy but forms its students into leaders able to link their faith with their professions and families, which Naughton called “a unity of life.”
Naughton’s work with colleague Robert Kennedy as a fresh faculty member in 1993 paved the way for their Michael involvement NAUGHTON with founding director Don Briel’s vision to develop a project incorporating Catholic principles into other disciplines. Because St. Thomas is known for its successful entrepreneurship, Naughton said Briel’s vision was to create a place for the university to try new things and not get lost in specialization. Naughton succeeds Briel as the center’s second director in its 20-year history. Kennedy oversees the Catholic Studies undergraduate and graduate programs. The oldest and largest program of its kind in the country, Catholic Studies has attempted to bring together theology, philosophy, history and literature, as well as business and law. “It’s not an alternative theology department,” Naughton said. “It’s an interdisciplinary way of being.” Naughton is quick to point out that Catholic Studies is not the only program at St. Thomas that fosters Catholic identity. He noted that there’s “vibrancy” in the university’s other departments. “There’s a lot going on, but Catholic Studies is attempting to really recover the specific contributions of the Catholic tradition, particularly in a way that’s fostering this
interdisciplinary engagement,” he said. “And it needs to be in cooperation and collaboration with all the other entities within the university, otherwise it can be simply a club, and that would be the death of Catholic Studies.” The center’s vision, he explained, is one expression of the renewal St. John Paul II envisioned in “Ex Corde Ecclesiae,” his 1990 document describing the mission and identity of a Catholic university.
Expanding reach With support from the university’s administration and donors, Naughton said he’d like to see Catholic Studies delve into areas that might not be an obvious fit, including enhancing its Latino leadership program and relationship with engineering. Naughton highlighted the center’s role in the new evangelization — finding new and creative ways of engaging people with the question of “how can we creatively and faithfully help people to bring the Gospel to the world?” Catholic Studies has worked with the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and with the United Nations’ Holy See offices in Geneva and New York. It is co-sponsoring a human and natural ecology seminar the first week of June to prepare bishops for Pope Francis’ message from his encyclical on the environment. Naughton also recently was appointed to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ domestic justice committee.
Monks record sacred music that is ‘part of air we breathe,’ says one Catholic News Service Once again the hills are filled with the sound of music, only this time the music soars from Benedictine monks rather than the Von Trapp family. In Norcia, Italy, about 70 miles northeast of Rome, there is an international community of monks who operate a craft brewery and spend hours a day chanting the Mass and the Divine Office. “It’s part of the air we breathe,” said Father Cassian Folsom, who founded the community. “There’s a lot of pollution in our world, and so the pure oxygen of Gregorian chant is like a breath of fresh air.” The monks of Norcia are inviting their friends from around the world to participate in their prayer through their recording, “BENEDICTA: Marian Chant From Norcia,” a sacred music CD centered on the theme of the life of Mary — the various stages of her life as celebrated in the Catholic Church’s liturgy. The CD, with an official release date of June 2, is being distributed by Decca/Universal Music Classics. Sacred music had not been sung by monks in Norcia in nearly 200 years, until 1998 when the community was resurrected by Father Cassian. Norcia is the birthplace of St. Benedict, the founder of the Benedictine Order. Two-thirds of the monks are from the United States. Others come from Brazil, Canada, Germany, Indonesia and Italy. The community has inquiries from men in Denmark and Poland.
Faith & Culture
New director says university’s Catholic Studies aims high in pursuit of faith and reason
CNS
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Bethlehem Academy
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Excellence aside, Bethlehem Academy celebrates 150 years of shaping souls By Jessica Trygstad The Catholic Spirit The oldest Catholic school in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis is gearing up for its 150th anniversary, remembering its humble start as a Dominican school and celebrating academic successes as well as students and faculty guided by their rich tradition of putting others first. With a “Family Reunion” theme, events for the yearlong celebration will kick off Aug. 7-9, surrounding the feast of St. Dominic, celebrated Aug. 8.
A progressive past What started as an all-girls academy on July 31, 1865, with just a small house, a cow and a piano, flourished into the sixththrough 12th-grade Catholic school in the heart of Faribault. The structure, animal and instrument were all that the five Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters had to start Bethlehem Academy, said Tom Donlon, the school’s president and principal. Bishop Thomas Grace of St. Paul had received word from Father George Keller, pastor of Immaculate Conception in
Faribault, that a mother’s dying wish was for her daughter to receive a Catholic education like her son. As a Dominican himself, Bishop Grace contacted Father Samuel Mazzuchelli, founder of the congregation of Dominican Sisters based in Wisconsin, to have them start a school to fulfill Catherine Murphy’s request. Bishop Grace sent the right man, as Father Mazzuchelli developed a rigorous curriculum for girls. “It wasn’t meant to be a finishing school, per se. It was really meant to be a school leading in the sciences and mathematics,” Donlon said. Coming from a large wealthy family in Milan, Italy, Father Mazzuchelli was known for his support of women’s education. Donlon said there’s one account of Father Mazzuchelli receiving a letter from some religious sisters saying that instead of teaching, they were serving priests. So he picked them up on a carriage and brought them to Benton, Wisconsin, where they could better use their skills. Each fall, Bethlehem Academy celebrates Founder’s Day, embracing not only Father Mazzuchelli’s dedication, but also his practice of daily prayer.
St. Joseph saves the day The Catholic Spirit Bethlehem Academy president and principal Tom Donlon said there were periods throughout the school’s 150-year history when it struggled. But one historical anecdote points to a savior who would become the Faribault school’s patron saint. During a cold, harsh Minnesota winter in 1868, the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters who operated the school had run out of firewood. Asking their mother superior what to do, she told them to take the students to the chapel to pray. While praying, a man came to the door and asked where they’d like the firewood he brought. Grateful, they helped him unload a big wagon full of firewood, and he left. Because no one in the community knew of their need, and no one knew who the man was, the sisters said it was a visit from St. Joseph himself.
Faribault has been blessed with Catholic Education for
150 years!
To lead, se & seek rve, inspire the truth
Love as Jesus loved
piritual rsonal, s ence e p e v To achie ademic excell & ac
Congratulations Bethlehem Academy on your celebration of 150 years! From everyone at Divine Mercy Catholic Church and School
June 4, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit
From left, teacher Brent Zubel helps juniors Joe Beckmann, Alex Dunn and Emily Crone with a project in Bethlehem Academy’s introduction to engineering class. They are setting up an anatomical model to understand bloodflow to and from the heart as part of their engineering curriculum. Dave Hrbacek/The Catholic Spirit
The Bethlehem Academy class of 1885, 20 years after its founding. Photo courtesy Bethlehem Academy Although lay instructors began teaching at the school in the 1960s, three Sinsinawa Sisters remain on Bethlehem Academy’s staff. Donlon said the school’s connection to the community is strong; seniors go on retreat to the mother house in Wisconsin, and the order retains its governance structure over the school.
Contemplative charism Donlon said four pillars guide the school community in “Catholicity” and the Dominican charism: prayer/contemplation, preaching/service, community and
study. Students in theology class spend 20 minutes a day in a eucharistic adoration chapel. “We don’t know who we are until we spend time in front of Christ to learn who we are,” Donlon said, adding that weekly Mass and regular opportunities for reconciliation are experiences that form the community. “The participation in that sacramental life is our lifeblood.” Current sophomore Breanna DeGrood said it’s her time in the adoration chapel when she feels most at peace during an otherwise Continued on the next page
Congratulations to Bethlehem Academy on your Sesquicentennial!
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23 Continued from the previous page
Feeding the brain, nourishing the soul Now educating female and male students, Donlon said the school takes to heart Father Mazzuchelli’s
All in a name Bishop Thomas Grace, the second bishop of the Diocese of St. Paul (serving 1859-1884), suggested the name Bethlehem Academy to the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters because, like the holy family, they were without a home, and would create one in Faribault. “The importance of the holy family is very much part of the fabric of the school,” said Tom Donlon, president and principal of Bethlehem Academy. “And it’s not accidental that when you ask students or parents, or any stakeholder, about the Bethlehem Academy community, you’ll hear folks say it’s like a family, it’s home. And those references that have gone on for generations just connect people’s experience to the founding.” students were tasked with making a wind machine not only to generate electricity, but also to create a more efficient system and analyze the gamut of the process’ complexities. Other cross-curricular learning and supplying each student with a laptop contributes to their success, Donlon said. “But the bigger part is that in a world under pressure and in a world where you need people making solid, core-Catholic, valuebased decisions, that’s the
difference. They would know that there’s something in the world that is a mission for them to complete, and that the mission is about others.”
Supporting students Bernt Halvorson, a 2009 alum and the school’s industrial arts teacher, said he always wanted to come back to the school to teach. “Going to school here really helped me realize how much teachers care,” he said. “And you don’t realize that until you’re gone . . . how much they were helping you.” Donlon said that part of the graduation tradition is a Mary ceremony that students lead. In addition to honoring the Blessed Mother, seniors give daisies to people who’ve made a difference in their lives. A few weeks ago, the school graduated 38 students. “For faculty, it’s so touching to know that you’ve made a difference in one person’s life. We forget that,” Donlon said. Halvorson noted that he realized the significance of the school’s 150th anniversary as some nearby towns were celebrating 125th anniversaries. “As a school marking its 150 years, it shows how big of a history we have, how much it’s grown,” Halvorson said. “And obviously people have loved it, or they wouldn’t have put forth effort or kept it alive as long as they have. It’s a vital part of Faribault and the Faribault history.”
Bethlehem Academy
hectic school day. She said what’s great about Bethlehem Academy’s student body is its acceptance and welcoming of new students. “We’re open to new people and love seeing people from other cultures, because we learn from them,” she said. To create an authentic, impactful Catholic Tom environment, Donlon said DONLON it’s essential that “Jesus Christ is the head of the school.” “It’s easy for us as humans to put ourselves first,” he said. “But the most important part, which is that Dominican charism, is contemplation — taking time each day to contemplate God’s will; contemplating the spiritual, but also the mysteries of the world. All that inspiration is under truth. [The school is] such a great place to be. It’s just wanting others to share in it, and keeping it financially affordable.”
approach to provide students with what will most shape them as individuals. “The value and experience of being at BA forms your character as such that that’s the most important piece — where we can be involved in that part of your life and in the choices you make,” Donlon said. No matter what vocation students choose, they need a core foundation, he added. Donlon said that while college preparatory schools rightly focus on academic excellence, sometimes students feel pressured to enter a four-year post-secondary school when really what would best suit them is a two-year program. That’s why Bethlehem Academy supports its students’ various needs and interests. “Many jobs need well-developed, articulate, problem-solver abilities, which wouldn’t necessarily require fours years of school,” Donlon said. Two years ago, after community members donated 3D printers to the school, teachers developed an engineering-focused program that parallels the technology with the industrial arts program. The school hired an industrial arts teacher to bring a renewed focus to the school’s industrial arts. In asking business owners what they need from students as part of the program, the school learned that equipment is secondary to the vision of an engineering program, so the business owners asked what the school wanted to teach. So the
Bishop Michael J. Hoeppner and all the faithful of the Diocese of Crookston
CONGRATULATE Most Reverend Harry Joseph Flynn on 55 years of priestly ministry!
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June 4, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit
Focus on Faith
24 SUNDAY SCRIPTURES Deacon Neil Bakker
Jesus is closest when we receive him in the Eucharist “Sing, my tongue, the Savior’s glory, of His Flesh, the mystery sing; of the Blood, all price exceeding, shed by our Immortal King, destined, for the world’s redemption, from a noble Womb to spring” (Hymn Pange Lingua, St. Thomas Aquinas).
present through his very Body and Blood in the most holy Eucharist. This desire has been eternally present and was foreshadowed in Moses’ proclamation, “For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is to us, whenever we call upon him?” (Deuteronomy 4:7). Brothers and sisters rejoice; we are that great nation! But you might be asking yourself: “If Jesus wanted to be close to us, why did he have to leave us and ascend to the Father?”
DAILY Scriptures
June 7 is the feast of Corpus Christi, the day we reverence, adore and give thanks to God for the tremendous gift of the Eucharist in our lives. Jesus so intensely desires to be near us that he makes himself Sunday, June 7 The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) Exodus 24:3-8 Hebrews 9:11-15 Mark 14:12-16, 22-26 Monday, June 8 2 Corinthians 1:1-7 Matthew 5:1-12 Tuesday, June 9 St. Ephrem, deacon, doctor of the church 2 Corinthians 1:18-22 Matthew 5:13-16
Wednesday, June 10 2 Corinthians 3:4-11 Matthew 5:17-19 Thursday, June 11 St. Barnabas, apostle Acts 11:21b-26; 13:1-3 Matthew 5:20-26 Friday, June 12 The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Hosea 11:1, 3-4, 8c-9 Ephesians 3:8-12, 14-19 John 19:31-37
SEEKING ANSWERS Father Michael Schmitz
Parents, don’t fear your child will become too naive Q. I want to raise my kids in the faith and help them navigate the world to make good decisions. Obviously, I cannot shelter them from everything, or they will grow up being naive. But I cannot just let them be completely influenced by the world, either. Any thoughts on how to let kids be a part of the world but not of the world? A. Let me begin by thanking you for this question. It is incredibly important, and many parents try to walk the line between protecting their children and overprotecting them to the point where they are naive. In fact, the desire to keep children from being too naive has led many parents to abandon their God-given role as guardian of their children’s souls. In the Rite of Baptism, immediately preceding the moment of baptism, the priest addresses the parents and godparents with these words: “. . . You must make it your constant care to bring him up in the practice of the faith. See that the divine life which God gives him is kept safe from the poison of sin, to grow always stronger in his heart.” I know parents who are so afraid that their child will grow up to be naive that they are willing to abdicate this duty and place their children’s eternity in jeopardy. I have heard parents justify June 4, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit
We find the answer in the letter to the Hebrews: “He entered once for all into the sanctuary, not with the blood of goats and calves but with His own Blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption” (9:12). In the Old Covenant, the sins of men were assigned to the animals that were sacrificed to God in the temple. The sacrifices of young bulls were “communion offerings to the Lord” (Exodus 24:5). Christ ushers in the New Covenant by taking on the sins of men and making himself the sacrifice. This is what it means to say that Christ is the Lamb of God; he is that new sacrifice. Now, having ascended to heaven, Christ is seated at the right hand of the father, and his priestly ministry endures, as does his sacrifice. He entered the heavenly sanctuary in order “to appear in the presence of God on our behalf” (Hebrews 9:24). He stands before the father, hands outstretched, displaying the manmade wounds inflicted upon him, interceding on our behalf.
Saturday, June 13 The Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary; St. Anthony of Padua, priest, doctor of the church 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 Matthew 5:33-37
Monday, June 15 2 Corinthians 6:1-10 Matthew 5:38-42
Sunday, June 14 Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Ezekiel 17:22-24 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 Mark 4:26-34
Wednesday, June 17 2 Corinthians 9:6-11 Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
Tuesday, June 16 2 Corinthians 8:1-9 Matthew 5:43-48
Thursday, June 18 2 Corinthians 11:1-11 Matthew 6:7-15
this by saying things like, “They’ll have to encounter it sooner or later . . . .” What a load of baloney. Study after study (and better yet, personal experience and common sense) reveals that children benefit from being protected from evil in the world. “But I don’t want my children to be too naive.” I understand that. But at the same time, I have yet to meet someone who was “too naive.” There are three potential consequences that might come from being too naive, and none of them are necessary. First, we might fear that our child will be so naive that they will be taken advantage of. They won’t know how the world works and will innocently trust someone who they ought not to have trusted. Just remember, “innocent” doesn’t mean “ignorant.” I’ve known people who were “simple” in this sense. Those folks weren’t innocent; they just weren’t wise enough to learn. But that is another issue for another day. The second fear is that the child might be self-righteous. That is a danger. But I have met more people who thought that they were better than others because they knew more sin than the other kids. It can cut both ways. Lastly, the fear parents have about their children being too naive is that they will be perceived as weird or different from the other kids. Question: Knowing what you know about the majority of youth and their behaviors, do you want your kids to fit in easily? Of course, you want them to be well-adjusted and able to get along with others, but that is something else. Do you really want children whose behavior is indistinguishable from other youth their age? I will offer some more practical advice in next month’s column. For now, trust in the fact that you love God, your spouse and your children. Let your family be their “safe haven in a heartless world.” 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. Reach him at fathermikeschmitz@ gmail.com.
It is through our participation in the most holy Eucharist that we are drawn up into Christ in heaven. The Lord is never more near us than when we receive him in the Eucharist. After having received our Lord in the Eucharist at Mass, take a moment in the pew to picture this closeness of Christ and how you are drawn up in him, into that heavenly banquet where he stands before the father on our behalf. “Down in adoration falling, this great sacrament we hail, o’er ancient forms of worship newer rites of grace prevail; Faith will tell us Christ is present, when our human senses fail.” Deacon Bakker is in formation for the priesthood at the St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. His teaching parish is Holy Cross in Minneapolis. His home parish is the Cathedral of St. Paul. Friday, June 19 St. Romuald, abbot 2 Corinthians 11:18, 21-30 Matthew 6:19-23 Saturday, June 20 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 Matthew 6:24-34 Sunday, June 21 Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time Job 38:1, 8-11 2 Corinthians 5:14-17 Mark 4:35-41
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25 Prayer and liturgy
Prenatal Partners for Life benefit dinner — June 9: 5:30 p.m. registration, 6 p.m. dinner, Anderson Student Center at the University of St. Thomas, 2115 Summit Ave., St. Paul. $75. RSVP by June 5 to (763) 7723868 or visit prenatalpartnersforlife.org.
65th anniversary celebration for Father Clayton Haberman — June 7: 10 a.m. Mass at Divine Mercy Church, 139 Mercy Drive, Faribault. A social with light lunch will follow Mass.
Music and entertainment “The Prince and the Pauper” — June 17-19: 7 p.m. June 17 and 19; 2 p.m. June 18, youth theater group, St. Joseph Church, 8707 36th Ave. N., New Hope.
Parish events Summer festival — June 13-14: 6-9 p.m. June 13, supper and bingo; 11 a.m.-3 p.m. June 14, lunch, DJ, silent auction, bingo, kids’ games and more. St. Gregory the Great, 38725 Forest Blvd., North Branch. Information: Lisa Isaacson, (651) 674-4056. Senior summer luncheon — June 16: noon, St. Richard, 7540 Penn Ave. S., Richfield. $5. No need to be a parishioner. RSVP by June 9 to parish office (612) 869-2426. Information: www.strichards.com. Thrift sale and craft sale — June 18-20: June 18-19, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.; June 20 ($5 bag sale), 8 a.m.-noon. Craft sale June 18-19 only. Immaculate Conception Church and School, 4030 Jackson St. NE, Columbia Heights. Information: (763) 788-9062 or www.ICCSonline.org. Live Auction in the Big Red Shed — June 27: 10 a.m., Mary Queen of Peace, 21304 Church Ave., Rogers. Information: mqpcatholic.org — click on “auction.” Cathedral Centennial Softball Tournament — June 27-28: times TBD at the Dunning softball fields, 1188 Concordia Ave., St. Paul. $200 fee per team due before game play. To register, send team name, manager’s name, address, email address and telephone number with check made payable to “Cathedral of St. Paul” to 239 Selby Ave., St. Paul, MN 55102. For more information, contact Deacon Phillip Stewart at (651) 2717138 or pstewart1396@gmail.com. Profits donated to Project Home.
Archdiocesan Corpus Christi Procession — June 7: 2–4 p.m. at the University of St. Thomas School of Law (Minneapolis campus) to the Basilica of St. Mary. Led by Bishop Lee Piché. Park free in the MCTC ramp next to the basilica and ride a free shuttle bus to the law school from 1:15–1:45 p.m. For more information, visit www.WalkWithHim.org or call (651) 239-8574. Northeast Minneapolis churches Eucharistic Procession — June 14: 3 p.m. beginning at Holy Cross, 1621 University Ave. NE. Procession to Ss. Cyril & Methodius, St. Anthony, St. Boniface, St. Maron and closing benediction at All Saints, 435 Fourth St. NE. Information: (612) 789-7238.
Retreats Summer silent directed retreat — June 22-28: At Franciscan Retreats and Spirituality Center, 16385 St. Francis Lane, Prior Lake. Directors include Father Jim Van Dorn, OFM Conv., Kris Joseph, Debbie Koop and Corrine Kindschy. Details and reservations: (952) 4472182 or Secretary@FranciscanRetreats.net.
Schools Holy Family Academy golf fundraiser — June 15: 10:30 a.m. shotgun start, Brookview Golf Course, 200 Brookview Parkway, Golden Valley. Information: www.hfamn.org or (952) 925-9193.
Summer camp Little Flowers Girls — July 10-12: St. Michael, Pine Island. For girls age 5+ and their mothers. One of three national summer camps for Little Flowers Girls Clubs. $50 per person. Information and registration: joan@ beholdpublications.com or (866) 305-8362.
Young adults Outdoor sports night — every Friday evening through September: 6 p.m. to
dark at Rahn Park in Eagan. Ultimate Frisbee, volleyball, soccer and other games. Ages 18 to 39 are welcome. Begin and end each night with prayer, continue fellowship at a nearby restaurant afterward.
Calendar
Dining out
Theology on Tap — Wednesday evenings June 17-July 22: 6:30 p.m. social hour, 7:30 p.m. speakers on faith and contemporary issues that directly affect young adults. Meet at O’Gara’s, 164 Snelling Ave. N., St. Paul. Sponsored by Cathedral Young Adults. Information: www.cathedralsaintpaul.org/cya.
Other events Dementia support group — June 9: 7-9 p.m., St. Paul’s Monastery, 2675 Benet Road, Maplewood. Information: (651) 777-7251 or benedictinecenter@stpaulsmonastery.org. Urban Mission Training Program — June 10-14: City Mission evangelization immersion. Lay ministry training and practical experience in evangelization. Hosted by Godtown and St. Vincent de Paul, St. Paul. Information: info@godtown.org or text John Tolo at (651) 231-6021. St. Therese Golf Classic — June 15: noon shotgun start, scramble format, Wild Marsh Golf Club, 1710 Montrose Blvd., Buffalo. Fundraiser for programs and services for seniors. $150. Information: (763) 531-5069 or Jthurston@sttheresemn.org.
More events online The CatholicSpirit. com
CALENDAR submissions DEADLINE: Noon Thursday, 14 days before the anticipated Thursday date of publication. Recurring or ongoing events must be submitted each time they occur. LISTINGS: Accepted are brief notices of upcoming events hosted by Catholic parishes and institutions. If the Catholic connection is not clear, please emphasize it in your press release. ITEMS MUST INCLUDE the following to be considered for publication in the calendar: • Time and date of event. • Full street address of event. • Description of event. • Contact information in case of questions. EMAIL: spiritcalendar@ archspm.org. (No attachments, please.) MAIL: “Calendar,” The Catholic Spirit • 244 Dayton Ave. • St. Paul, MN 55102.
Congratulations
Most Rev. Harry Joseph Flynn on celebrating 55 years of priestly ministry.
FPO: photo to be placed by publication
From all of us at St. Therese Southwest & The Glenn Senior Housing Communities, we extend our heartfelt “Thank You” for your dedication to the Catholic community.
901 & 1011 Feltl Court Hopkins, MN 55343 952.933.3333 www.StThereseSouthwest.com
5300 Woodhill Road Minnetonka, MN 55345 952.352.1000 www.TheGlennSeniorHousing.com
June 4, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit
26
Ancient icon focus of Redemptorist June mission The Catholic Spirit In 1866, Pope Pius IX gave an icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help to the Redemptorists with orders to “make her known throughout the world.” As the religious order approaches the 150th anniversary of that mandate, it is hosting the first in a national series of icon-focused parish missions at St. Alphonsus in Brooklyn Center. On the evenings of June 23-26, Redemptorists Father John Fahey-Guerra and Brother Dan Korn, an iconologist, will share the symbolism in the icon’s five key elements: Mary’s face, her hands, the Christ Child, the angels and the use of the color gold. The mission will conclude June 27, the feast of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, with 8 a.m. Mass. Titled “Mirror of Love,” the mission will begin each evening at 7 p.m. and include a Marian hymn and a solemn procession of the icon, intercessory prayer and a Scripture reading prior to presentations on the icon. The mission will be presented in English and Spanish. The Redemptorists, whose members serve St. Alphonsus, have declared 2016 the jubilee year of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, and have begun a three-
year celebration to honor the ancient portrayal of Mary and Jesus. The icon shows Mary holding the child Jesus in her arms. An angel appears on both sides of them, holding instruments of Christ’s passion. Mary sorrowfully gazes at the viewer, while Jesus turns toward an angel holding a cross and nails, while clinging to his mother. One of his sandals is loose. According to legend, the icon originated with St. Luke. Over the centuries, the icon and its related images have become known as Our Mother, or Our Lady, of Perpetual Help. The icon is now enshrined in the Redemptorist Church of St. Alphonsus in Rome. An object of widespread popular devotion, the icon is considered by many to be miraculous, and intercessory prayers to Mary under the title of Mother of Perpetual Help to be efficacious. For more information about the “Mirror of Love” mission, visit www. stalsmn.org or call (763) 561-5100. The symbolism of the icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help will be explained at St. Alphonsus in Brooklyn Center June 23-26. Courtesy the Redemptorists
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By Sister Candace Fier Remember the last time you saw a child receive a gift, and the joy and excitement on his face when he realized that the gift was his to rip open and discover the treasure within? Remember the child’s thank you facilitated by Mom and Dad? It was the gift that taught the child that someone loves him, and wants to give him joy. In essence, that child is each of us at the moment we begin our life. The freely given gift is our very life given by God. The joy and excitement of the gift was mirrored on the faces of our parents who had profoundly realized that by offering the gift of themselves in return to God and to each other, they had been able to bring forth the gift of this new life into the world. In the mystery of creation, Adam and Eve were given to one another by the Creator. In turn, they received each other as gift and became one flesh. Because their love was totally in harmony with God’s love, they could express their persons in and through their body as spousal love, a love that makes a total gift of self to the other. This blessing of being gift to one another demands, in the words of St. John Paul II, interior freedom and self-mastery. That is, the interior freedom that comes from opening our heart to what comes from God — trust, purity, integrity and honesty — and the self-mastery that is evidenced by self-sacrifice, generosity, nobility and fruitful love. Out of love, God created us for communion. Once we have opened ourselves to God in love, we are able to open ourselves to give and receive love from another. This is the beauty of sacramental marriage: Christ bringing about the communion of husband and wife that they may love one another as Christ loves the Church — selflessly, faithfully, and forever. Sacramental marriage offers husband and wife the grace needed to overcome the challenges and difficulties they encounter. It fosters forgiveness, fidelity, mercy and growth in the conjugal relationship. Its foundation is chastity, which allows husband and wife to live their sexuality with dignity and grace according to God’s covenant. This covenant remains a sign and promise of God’s presence if couples do the work of love each day: to say I am sorry with humility and sincerity, to say thank you with heartfelt gratitude, and to invite the other to continue to walk this journey of love, mercy and reconciliation with them today and always. Sister Candace Fier, ISSM, is the director of the Office of Family Life for the Diocese of New Ulm.
Married for 47 years, Sandy and Dick Tuszynski of Garvin credit Worldwide Marriage Encounter for helping them strengthen their marriage after the initial romance had worn off. Sam Patet/The Prairie Catholic
Worldwide Marriage Encounter helps couple’s marriage to thrive By Sam Patet For The Catholic Spirit Ten years into her marriage, Sandy Tuszynski was discouraged. The year was 1978, and the 33-year-old mother of two didn’t know what to do. Unlike her husband, who had steadily been advancing in his career at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the former librarian was at home, caring for two children under the age of 5. “It wasn’t what I wanted. Dick was gone a lot. And I still hadn’t seen my full value as a mom,” Sandy admitted. “He was being very successful, and I wasn’t sure what that meant for me as a wife and a stay-athome mom. Who was I apart from my husband and children?” Similarly, her husband, Dick, was concerned about the distance that had grown between them and wondered if their marriage would survive. “I know we were both pretty much in the slump,” Dick said. “I would be out in the field working … and praying to God for a solution to our struggling relationship. Later, I found out Sandy was also praying for our marriage.” The couple said God thankfully answered their prayers, sending them to a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend. Thirty-seven years later, the two are happily retired in rural Garvin, six miles west of Tracy in south Lyon County. Parishioners of St. Mary in Tracy, they have three grown children and six grandchildren. Like many others that had gone before them, Dick and Sandy realized that the romantic love that had started their relationship, as good as it was, wouldn’t be able to sustain it over a lifetime. That’s where Worldwide Marriage Encounter, or WWME, came in. It’s a three-day retreat experience for married couples that provides the tools they need to help their marriages flourish. “It gave us insight as to what we could be,” Sandy said. “A realization of what the Sacrament of Matrimony was all about,” said Dick, completing her thought. As the Friday of their WWME weekend approached, Dick and Sandy began to have second thoughts. The event was 45 minutes away from their home in Cambridge, and both of them had work to do. Still, they went. And almost instantly, they were hooked. One of the first things it revealed to them was that they didn’t communicate well. “We didn’t argue or bicker, we just clammed up and stuffed a lot of feelings,” Dick said. “Marriage Encounter … gave us the technique to share our emotions and feelings in a non-threatening way.” Not only did they learn about themselves and how to communicate with one another, but they also
World Meeting of Families
Spouses’ love for each other depends first on God’s love
realized that God had to be a part of their relationship. “Marriage is about more than just us,” Sandy said. “We had to bring God back into our relationship.” When they returned home, they began putting their new knowledge into practice. They regularly shared both their positive and negative feelings with one another. They began strengthening their religious practices, including praying together, reading the Bible, attending Mass and receiving the Eucharist frequently, Fifth in a series: and making use of the sacrament Two Become One of reconciliation. All this helped them acquire virtues, such as humility and mercy, that further strengthened their marriage. “I think we forgive more quickly,” Sandy said. “Sometimes if we’re upset, we first try to figure out what the issue really is before we become angry with each other. We are called to be merciful just as God is with us.” Judi Strege of Henning has seen the couple’s marriage flourish thanks to WWME. She and her husband, Jim, have been friends with them for nearly 40 years. “They worked hard on their relationship; it wasn’t something they took for granted,” Judi said. “If they had a disagreement, if something came up, they worked through it until they felt . . . that it was resolved.” No longer were Dick and Sandy in competition. Now they were serving one another, trying to help one another make it to heaven. “They’ve kept a good balance of their individual journeys with God, but they’ve also done it as a couple,” Strege said. “Dick is amazing, unconditionally loving me in spite of myself,” Sandy said. “He has been like wind beneath my wings. His love encourages me to seek God’s direction for my life and try new things.”
In partnership with the publications of all Minnesota dioceses, The Catholic Spirit is featuring an 11-part series on families based on the World Meeting of Families’ 10 themes.
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Want to go?
For more information or to register for the local pilgrimage to the World Meeting of Families, call 1-800-653-0017. To register for the World Meeting of Families, visit www.worldmeeting 2015.org. For details, visit www.archspm.org/WMF.
Patet is the reporter for The Prairie Catholic, the publication for the Diocese of New Ulm.
June 4, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit
The Last Word
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Flannery O’Connor: anything but hard to find Stamp, performance mark abiding interest in the Catholic, southern writer By Maria Wiering The Catholic Spirit
F
lannery O’Connor has been dead for five decades, but her influence is very much alive, as an honor from the U.S. Postal Service this week recognizes. The nod comes in the form of a three-ounce stamp with her portrait framed by the feathers of her beloved peacocks, the 30th in a series of literary arts stamps to be released June 5. Meanwhile, the Soap Factory in Minneapolis is collaborating with the Walker Art Center for performances of her novel “Wise Blood” opening June 4, billed as a “wild and immersive operaexhibition.” Recently, O’Connor also got a tip of the hat from fellow southerner and Catholic Stephen Colbert, who read “The Enduring Chill” April 22 before a live audience in Manhattan. This, for an author who in her short lifetime had to defend her The Soap Factory, a factorywork, especially to fellow turned-gallery and performance Catholics. The U.S. Postal Service space in Minneapolis, is described O’Connor as an author collaborating with the Walker Art “who crafted unsettling and darkly Center for an operatic production comic stories and novels about the of Flannery O’Connor’s “Wise potential for enlightenment and Blood,” 8 p.m. June 4-7 and 11-14. grace in what seem like the worst Tickets are $40. For more information, visit www.soapfactory. possible moments.” Those familiar with O’Connor’s org. Maria Wiering/The Catholic work such as “A Good Man is Hard Spirit
The U.S. Postal Service will issue a three-ounce stamp in honor of Flannery O’Connor June 5. Courtesy the U.S. Postal Service to Find” know those moments include a grandmother’s encounter with a serial killer in the woods, a woman’s death after being slugged with a purse, and a storm threatening an abandoning husband after his appeal to God “to wash the slime from this earth.” “She’s an iconoclast, a truly unique voice,” said Mary Reichardt, coordinator of faculty writing services at the University of St. Thomas who, during the 12 years she was part of the department of Catholic Studies faculty, taught O’Connor in a Catholic literature course. Born in 1925, O’Connor grew up Catholic in the Protestant South, her writing shaped by faith, her father’s death from lupus when she was 13 and her own diagnosis with the disease at age 25. A graduate of the Writer’s Workshop at the University of Iowa and fresh to New York City, O’Connor was forced by her declining heath to return to Milledgeville, Georgia, where she lived with her mother, wrote industriously and tended to flocks of birds. She authored 31 short stories and two novels, earning a smattering of awards before dying at age 39.
In her 2003 book “Exploring Catholic Literature” published by Sheed & Ward, Reichardt wrote that “all of O’Connor’s protagonists suffer from a grossly distorted perception of who they really are” and that a “reversal occurs with the sudden, violent influx of God’s grace.” “Her faith is integral to her works, yet she’s never dogmatic. She never preaches. She’s never sentimental. She rarely, if ever, uses Catholic characters or recognizable things like rosaries, or going to Mass,” Reichardt told The Catholic Spirit. “It’s the overarching faith that infuses her work deeply, well beyond the trappings of the obvious. She’s always dealing with fallen man, and what will redeem him or her.” O’Connor is revered far beyond Catholic literary circles; meanwhile, some Catholics — including students Reichardt recalls — find her work distasteful, violent and un-Catholic, echoing criticism O’Connor received while she was alive. “By and large, she was met by bafflement,” Reichardt said. “She got hostile letters from Catholics saying, ‘Your stories aren’t uplifting.’” Although she wanted to reach Catholics, O’Connor wasn’t interested in writing happy endings, Reichardt said. “What people don’t realize is how much religion costs,” O’Connor wrote in a letter. “They think faith is a big electric blanket, when of course it is the cross.” Reichardt suggested readers seeking an introduction to O’Connor’s work start with “Revelation,” published in her short story collection “Everything That Rises Must Converge” (1965). She also recommended “Mystery and Manners,” a collection of O’Connor’s essays and speeches that shed light on her vision. “She badly wanted to touch a Catholic audience. She thought she had that mission in life,” Reichardt said.
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June 4, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit