Unleash the Gospel Magazine: Spring 2021

THE WORD OF GOD SPRING 2021 A MAGAZINE OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF DETROIT

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SPRING 2021 VOLUME 2: ISSUE 4 P U B L I S HER

The Most Rev. Allen H. Vigneron, Archbishop of Detroit EX E C U TI VE E DITO RS

Father Stephen Pullis Edmundo Reyes ED I TO R I N C HIE F

Christine Warner

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

M A N AGI N G E DITO R

Casey McCorry A RT D I R E C TO R

Paul Duda

A D V E RTI SING MANAG E R

Michelle St. Pierre I L LU S T R ATO RS

Hope Acquilano Diego Diaz Zach Stuef P HOTO GR A P HE RS

Matthew LaVere Allison Livingston James Silvestri Danielle McGrew Tenbusch Naomi Vrazo Valaurian Waller Grant Whitty CO N T R I B UT ING W RIT E RS

Joe Boggs Patty Breen Father Charles Fox Daniel Gallio Father Boniface Hicks, OSB Father Matthew Hood Dr. Daniel Keating Father Joseph Kirckconnell Kate Lochner Katie McGrady Tommy McGrady Father Brian Meldrum Colleen Pressprich Cathryn Torgerson

Elizabeth Martin Solsburg P R ES I D E NT AND C E O

Rachel Matero GR A P HI C DE SIG NE R

5 ABOUT THE COVER AND CONTRIBUTORS 7 A MESSAGE FROM THE ARCHBISHOP

FE ATU R E S 8

LIVING WITNESS ‘Dropping the nets’ to seek the word of God

12 REAL TALK What is your favorite way to read the Bible?

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THE W ORD OF GOD Take and eat

20 THE W ORD OF GOD A blueprint for the day-to-day

P R AYE R 44 CONVERSATIONS WITH GOD St. Jerome’s love for Scripture 46 PRAYER 101 In the beginning 48 PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH FATHERS Knocking with persistence: St. John Damascus on the ‘paradise of the Scriptures’

D I S CI P LE S 52 FAMILY CHALLENGE Wrapping our family in Mary’s mantle 56

GRO WING IN VIRTUE Love first, love always

24 THE W ORD OF GOD In unmoored times, a rock to hold fast to

58 PURSUING HOLINESS Goodness in the effort

CU LTU R E

D E TR OI T

29 POETRY The Thought of God

64 UNLEASHED QUESTIONNAIRE Sarah Alvarez

30 MOVIE REVIEW You’ve read the book, now see the movie

66 PHOTO ESSAY Church of the Holy Family, Novi

EM A I L U S : utgmagazine@aod.org V I S I T U S O NL INE : unleashthegospel.org F O L LO W U S O N FAC E BO O K, INSTAGRAM T W I T TE R AND YO UT UBE : @utgdetroit

Unleash the Gospel (USPS 23690) is a membership publication of the Archdiocese of Detroit, published quarterly by the Archdiocese of Detroit, 12 State Street, Detroit MI 48226-1823. Application to Mail at Periodicals Postage in Detroit, MI and at additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Unleash the Gospel, 12 State Street, Detroit, MI 48226-1823. ©2020 Unleash the Gospel, Archdiocese of Detroit.

34 SACRED PL ACES ‘Come with an open heart’ 38 OUR HISTORY The most interesting priest in the world

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TO GET TO KNO W OUR CONTRIBUTING WRITERS BETTER, WE ASKED THEM:

What book of the Bible is your favorite and why?

J OS EP H BOG G S : The Letter to the Hebrews seems to emphasize the need to focus on the sacrifice and priesthood of Christ when we grow weary or fall into sin. I especially love one of the final verses: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (13:8)

THE WORD OF GOD SPRING 2021 A MAGAZINE OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF DETROIT

DESIGNED BY ZACH STEUF

THE COVER “Listening and responding to God’s word in the Sacred Scriptures must be at the heart of our efforts to unleash the Gospel.

One who is in love desires to know more and more about the beloved. Since all Scripture speaks of Christ, immersing ourselves in the word is a way to deepen our initial encounter and grow in our relationship with him.” (UTG Marker 3.2) The theme of this issue of Unleash the Gospel is “The Word of God,” focused on the role and significance of Scripture in the life of joyful missionary disciples. The speech bubbles around the Trinity symbol on the cover show that Scripture is how God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit communicate with us. It is in reading the Bible that we learn about God and his plan for us as individuals and a global Church.

PATT Y B REEN: My favorite book of the Bible is the Psalms. I think it is one of the most relatable books for people to begin praying with the Bible because it captures the whole experience of human emotion.

FATHER CHA RLES F OX: I especially love Luke’s account of Christ’s Nativity, the clarity and thoroughness of Luke’s writing, the way it “comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable,” the powerful revelation of Jesus as God and man, the promise of salvation for anyone who turns to Christ.

FATHER BONI FACE HI CK S : My favorite books of the Bible are the pair of letters by St. Peter. One reason is because those were St. Boniface’s favorites. In these letters, I discover that God’s love is so great that he wants us to become truly one with him.

FATHER MATTHEW HOOD : My favorite book of the Bible is the Gospel of Mark. The Gospel of Mark, written for the Church in Rome while undergoing persecution, is written with haste to help us recognize who Christ is and be willing to offer our lives with him.

D R. DA NI EL K EATI NG : One of my favorite books of the Bible is Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians. In this great letter, there is an awesome vision of what God has done in Christ through the Spirit.

FATHER J OS EP H K I RCKCONNELL: My top three are John, Romans and Philippians.

Whenever I read the Gospel of John, it seems to reveal the very heart of Jesus to me. Romans reminds me that everything is grace, while Philippians teaches me to persevere with joy, love and peace.

KATE LOCHNER: My favorite parts of the Bible are the writings from St. Paul. I find some of his writings to be so beautiful, even rhythmic.

KATI E MCG RA DY : I love the Gospel of Luke because it reads like a story and is the most relatable telling of Jesus’s life and ministry (for me).

TOMMY MCG RA DY : The Gospel of John is my favorite because it is poetic. To me, it reads more like a prayer journal than a history book, and I love that.

FATHER B RI A N MELD RU M: I like the biblical novellas like Tobit, Judith or Esther.

Not only are they great stories that can be read in a single sitting, but they show how God often works through the most unlikely of people and situations.

COLLEEN P RES S P RI CH: My favorite book of the Bible is Hosea. I love it because it’s so personal, an intimate account of love that is full of powerful imagery of God’s passionate love for his people.

CATHRYN TORG ERS ON: If I had to choose only one book, it would be either Genesis or the Gospel of John. Genesis lays the foundation for everything regarding the human condition and God’s promises. The Gospel of John is a literary masterpiece.

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“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20

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DEAR JOYFUL

MISSIONARY DISCIPLE! “READ THE DIVINE SCRIPTURES CONSTANTLY; NEVER LET THE SACRED VOLUME FALL FROM YOUR HAND.” ST. JEROME, EPISTLE 52,7 We in the Archdiocese of Detroit are on a journey of transformation, informed by Synod 16 and guided by the Holy Spirit to become a community of joyful missionary disciples. At the very heart of this effort is the word of God, the sacred Scriptures through which our Lord himself speaks to the Church and to each of her members personally: from his heart to ours. As Pope Francis affirmed in his 2013 apostolic exhortation, The Joy of the Gospel, true evangelization relies on Scripture: All evangelization is based on [the word of God], listened to, meditated upon, lived, celebrated and witnessed to. The sacred Scriptures are the very source of evangelization. Consequently, we need to be constantly trained in hearing the word.

The Church does not evangelize unless she constantly lets herself be evangelized.

Filling our hearts with the living word of God equips us to evangelize with compassion and conviction. When we read Scripture prayerfully, it becomes a dialogue of love as we listen to God’s heart through his word and we respond from our own heart in prayer. We are the “good soil” in the parable Jesus shares with his disciples, holding fast to the word and allowing it to bear fruit in our lives.

In January, and in unity with the universal Church, we celebrated the second annual Sunday of the Word of God, established by Pope Francis for the Third Sunday of Ordinary Time to encourage the prayerful reading of the Bible and greater familiarity with God’s Word. In this spirit, I shared with you my latest pastoral note, The Power of the Word of God. It is an invitation to our local

Church to become more saturated with the word of God, to be a Church whose members love the Scriptures, study them, pray them and live by them.

I commend the many members of the faithful who welcomed 2021 by undertaking a Grow Year Scripture Challenge, committing to read all or parts of the Bible this year as a way to be renewed in their zeal to study the Scriptures. Consider starting today; it is never too late to begin this transformational journey.

I hope this issue serves as inspiration and encouragement to further immerse yourselves into the living word of God, an effective engine to power evangelization.

As we let the Holy Spirit form us into the disciples we were born to be, let us come together in prayer over the Scriptures, inviting the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with joy and determination to continue unleashing the Gospel in our community.

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Colleen Vermeulen

LI VING WITNE SS

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KATE LOCHNER, WRITER • MATTHEW LAVERE, PHOTOGRAPHER

WHEN A BAPTIST FRIEND IN HIGH SCHOOL FIRST DREW COLLEEN VERMEULEN’S ATTENTION TO THE BIBLE, SHE COULDN’T YET SEE OR IMAGINE HOW THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS AT WORK, INTRICATELY WEAVING TOGETHER THE DETAILS OF HER LIFE, OR HOW HER FUTURE WOULD ULTIMATELY BECOME ROOTED IN THE LIVING WORD OF GOD. BUT ONE DAY, LONG AFTER HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION AND WITH A COUPLE OF DECADES IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR, THIS WOMAN WOULD LOOK BACK AND REALIZE IT WAS THE SCRIPTURES THAT HAD BEEN A PROMINENT DRIVING FORCE IN HER DISCOVERY OF JESUS.

A cradle Catholic, Colleen grew up in New Jersey. One of three children, she describes her family as “typical” in their religious practices and traditions.

They attended Mass together; she went to CCD. As she puts it, they did all the “normal Catholic things,” and yet she recalls, “I didn’t have very much of an active faith life growing up.” With her faith life on autopilot, she was missing that personal relationship with Christ.

But her first encounter with the Bible put her on the path to more intimately seeking him. “That was the start of me as a Catholic teen having that first intentional disciple moment, you know, that drop the nets and actually seeking and wondering about God.” In college, Colleen participated in the Army ROTC, a leadership program offered in select colleges and universities that equips young adults with military skills and career training.

After graduating, she served on active duty as an officer in the Army for six years. During this time as a young adult, she was searching for validation in her belief in the Church. “Scripture was invaluable because I was still in a seeking phase. The Holy Spirit hadn’t really yet shown me in that concrete, undoubtable way the truth of the Church. You know we say in the creed, ‘I believe in the Church.’ It’s something we put our faith in. And I was seeking.

I knew that Jesus was real, I knew that God was real, but I wasn’t sure about church yet.” It was during an Easter season Mass at St. Patrick’s in Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, where she was

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KATE LOCHNER is a writer and mom. Most of her professional career has been spent in marketing and content creation. She loves exploring her home state of Michigan and currently resides in the Metro Detroit area with her husband and three kids.

stationed, that she received that grace, and she experienced her full conversion to believing in the Church. Colleen was 24, and she remembers the moment vividly, “My parish priest did some wonderful preaching on Acts of the Apostles, which is read in the Easter season, and that was the confirmation that God wanted to give me. That listening to Acts of the Apostles, I could see and feel beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jesus calls his followers to be one, to be in fellowship and together in the breaking of the bread.”

Serving in the military gave Colleen

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the unexpected opportunity to diversify her spiritual life. She deployed twice overseas: once in Afghanistan and a 15-month deployment in Iraq. It was in thinking about what she was going to do spiritually while deployed that Colleen purchased her first copy of the Liturgy of the Hours. “By having a lot of the distractions of normal life back in the United States cut out,” she was able to grow in her spiritual life on foreign soil.

Being in a remote operating base on deployment, Colleen wasn’t often presented with the opportunity to

attend Mass. But on her way back from Afghanistan in 2006, she was able to participate in a noon Mass in the chapel tent at Manas Air Base in Kyrgyzstan, where it was just her and the priest in attendance. When it came time for the readings, the priest graciously went and sat in the chairs so Colleen “wasn’t proclaiming to an empty tent.” That moment struck her. Because, while the “Mass is the privileged place where the Church invites us to listen to the scriptures together,” there is a uniqueness in our relationship with Scriptures that allows the Lord to directly communicate to any one of us during a given time, whether at Mass with many or alone in prayerful reflection. Colleen recalls, “The true dialogue that God has with us in the Scriptures, especially at Mass, was so visually present to me by this unusual arrangement. While there are lots of people (usually) at a Mass, it’s still our Lord truly speaking to each one of us, as if we were the only person there.”

While on active duty, Colleen met her future husband, and after realizing they both wanted to settle down and raise a family, ultimately, they decided to leave active duty. It was around this time when Colleen began to question if God was calling her “to serve the Church in an intentional way,” since she had been extraordinarily active in her local parish while stationed in North Carolina. In 2010, both she and her future husband left active military service. Colleen enrolled in the master’s of divinity program at the University of Notre Dame.

In 2013, after moving to Southeast Michigan, Colleen once again took to prayer, where God was calling her next.

Now married and with a 6-month-old baby, Colleen was praying about what it means to be a parent and what it looks like to serve in ministry. She spent some time volunteering with a catechesis program, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, at her local parish, and a simple Google search led her to where she still serves today. “That’s how I first found out about the Catholic Biblical School of Michigan,” Colleen recalls.

A lay apostolate out of the Archdiocese of Detroit, the Catholic Biblical School of Michigan focuses on adult faith formation, specifically through Scripture in reading the entire “plan of salvation” from start to finish. Colleen spent her first few years there teaching. When the founding director, Deacon Jack Gardner, retired, she felt called to pursue this ministry role.

“I thought maybe this is a part-time way that I can serve and bring that leadership side of the Army together with wanting to share the faith and help people encounter God and grow in the Scriptures.”

The Bible can be intimidating, and often, people are unsure about where to start.

Colleen’s work with the Catholic Biblical

School of Michigan helps people grow as missionary disciples in understanding that they can meet Jesus in the Scriptures at any given point in their life. “It’s the living word of God, so not only were those human authors a long time ago inspired in their writing but as baptized people filled with the Holy Spirit, that Holy Spirit is given to us to help with the Church interpret the Scriptures, and so I can read a part of the Bible at different parts of my life, and God wants to speak to me in different ways.”

Now a mom with three busy little boys, Colleen has taken her love and knowledge of Scripture and has begun to incorporate it into their daily prayer life. Initially inspired by the Archdiocese of Detroit’s and the Diocese of Lansing’s Scripture Challenges, they started reading Mark’s Gospel together as a family. Her kids were enthusiastic about following along with the narrative, and so they’ve continued the practice with the kids choosing to read Luke’s Gospel next!

“Children have incredible insight into the Scriptures because their minds are not as

constrained by time and space and history and logic; they’re able to connect things in the Bible without that human limitation.”

But as she jokes, and as any mom is aware, “all families and all children are different, there is no silver bullet for family prayer, ‘cause what works right now might be different seven months from now.’”

At the helm of Colleen’s adult years, the Holy Spirit has continued to work, presenting opportunities and invitations to grow closer to God. Colleen has remained in the Army Reserve and currently holds the title of battalion commander of the Infantry Drill Sergeant Unit here in Michigan. From Jersey to the Middle East to Southeast Michigan, Colleen’s initial “drop the nets” moment has led her all over the world and landed her comfortably with her family of five, proclaiming the living word of God to those she encounters in her classrooms.

The views and photos in this article are the personal views and beliefs of the subject and not an endorsement of any religion or entity by the armed forces.

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RE A L TA LK

My favorite way to read the bible is during the stillness of the morning.

With coffee and quiet, I can take a moment to connect with myself and God’s ever-evolving plan for my family and me. One of my favorite Scripture verses is Luke 6:38: “Give, and it will be given to you.

They will pour into your lap a good measure — pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.” This verse is a great expansion on the Golden Rule, really.

WHAT IS YOUR

- LAWRENCE WALLER, ST. AUGUSTINE/ST. MONICA, DETROIT

FAVORITE

I fell in love with Jesus through reading the word. When I was 18, my friends and I would meet and have Bible study once a week in my buddy Mitch’s basement. We would read one chapter of the Gospel of Mark before coming, and then have a conversation about what Jesus said to us. I went to Mass every week of my life, but I had never actually read the Bible before. Each week, I’d simply read my chapter and then talk to God about what stood out to me. In that time, it felt like God spoke directly to me every single time I opened to read, and there was something about Jesus on the page that drew me to him and made me want to tell him all my secrets. I encountered the words on the page as real truths for my life. It was crazy.

That’s still my favorite way to read the Bible: to read one chapter, then talk to Jesus about how the words stir my heart. I find it to be a good mix of making progress through a given book I’m reading, and providing space to chat with Jesus about our relationship.

- BRENNAN MCHUGH, SHRINE OF THE LITTLE FLOWER, ROYAL OAK

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I have often tried to read the Bible with daily reflections, through Lectio Divina or reading a passage to learn more about the faith. Some years ago, I started a Bible class through Escuela de la Fe (School of Faith) where I have been learning and studying the Bible. This has been my favorite way to read the Bible. The class has helped me to understand more about Christian history, how the Bible was written, proper ways to read the Bible and other details on how the Old and New Testaments came to be.

Currently, we are studying the New Testament. The class allows me to read the Bible in the class and at home work on assignments. We get to work in a group and learn from each other through discussions at the end of each class.

I am very glad to have found this class and am thankful for all that I have learned from my instructor Norma.

This way to read the Bible has helped me understand God’s word, how he has shown his love for us in the past and how he is present in every aspect of our lives today.

- DIANA MARIA JIMENEZ, ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH, LAKE ORION

WAY TO READ THE

BIBLE?

We all have impactful moments in our lives that we return to and continue to unpack. I hope for my reading of Scripture to have the effect of rooting its events in my life like those moments, since they were that way for Mary, who “treasured these things in her heart.” My favorite way to read Scripture daily is to read a few verses of the life of Christ from one of the Gospels, then spend reflective time connecting it to something from the daily Mass readings. I set a plan a while ago to read the life of Christ in order over about three years. This year, I’m reading through the Passion narratives slowly in each of the four Gospels.

It helps me to read two different passages because I can imagine the experience of Jesus, sometimes related to what goes on in the Gospel of the day, like a flashback, or to imagine how events in the Gospel impacted the disciples in the moment or later. The conclusions naturally become applicable to the concerns of my daily life. The time spent in prayerful reading teaches me, over and over again, my role as a disciple.

- SISTER IMELDA MARIE, DOMINICAN SISTERS OF MARY, SECOND-GRADE TEACHER AT ST. ISAAC JOGUES

VALAURIAN WALLER, PHOTOGRAPHER

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I read the Bible every day. The Bible is not just leather, paper and ink, it is the living, breathing word of God. It is alive. If our Bibles are the living word of God, we need to be in conversation with him. We need to spend time with the Scriptures on a daily basis. It is part of our relationship.

We can’t leave our Bibles laying on the table and only pick it up when we need it. I find myself being aided in my daily life by what I have been reading in Scripture. It’s amazing. Although I read familiar passages over and over, they convict, console and encourage in different ways in different situations. By being in touch with the word of God, I can better identify how he is with me throughout my day-to-day life. For anyone wondering how to start, I suggest they try following the Lectionary on a daily basis.

Start with a little prayer then read the selections for the daily Mass. When something stands out in those readings you can read further in your Bible. I also have the Holy Bible app downloaded on my phone for when I’m on the go.

- DEACON LARRY PACZOWSKI, ST. MARY QUEEN OF CREATION, NEW BALTIMORE

My favorite way to read the Bible is to meditate on it and listen to God’s word for me. If I slow down, quiet my mind and really listen, God gives me insights that I would have never come to on my own. It is hard to stay faithful to praying with Scripture in this way on a daily basis, but when I do, I have so much clarity and peace in my life.

Growing up, the Bible wasn’t really part of my life, aside from hearing the readings at Mass. At one point, I really desired to pray more deeply and my pastor introduced me to the practice of Lectio Divina. It took a while to get the hang of it, but I stuck with it and had a profound encounter with God the Father while meditating on Psalm 139. It was at that point that I knew that God wasn’t just a Father, but my Father, and I was his beloved daughter. This was a game-changer for me and I immediately committed my life to God. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to study the Bible both formally and informally, and have found that you can never really exhaust the Scriptures. They are always new insights to be gained and new ways God speaks into the current circumstances in your life.

The Bible is my lifeline to God! - ANITA HOUGHTON, ST. JOHN VIANNEY, SHELBY TOWNSHIP

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THE W ORD OF GOD

TAKE and EAT What a peculiar command: take and eat the scroll! Perhaps this command seems odd, but searching the Bible and the writings of the saints, we realize that this is a common way to speak about the word of God. The prophet Ezekiel was given the same exact command (Ez 3:1-4), and the prophet Jeremiah said, “When I found your words, I devoured them; your words were my joy, the happiness of my heart, because I bear your name, Lord God of hosts.” (Jer 15:16) Saints such as St. Thomas Aquinas compared meditating upon the word of God to an animal chewing cud, because sometimes we have to “chew on,” or wrestle with, the word of God to receive deeper insight and grace. It takes patience, perseverance and an attentive heart that listens for the voice of God. Like our mother, Mary, we have to ponder the events of Jesus’ life in our hearts again and again. (cf. Lk 2:19) Even Jesus himself said that his food was to do the will of his Father. (Jn 4:34) It is very easy for us to understand

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“THEN THE VOICE WHICH I HAD HEARD FROM HEAVEN SPOKE TO ME AGAIN, SAYING, ‘GO, TAKE THE SCROLL WHICH IS OPEN IN THE HAND OF THE ANGEL …’ SO I WENT TO THE ANGEL AND TOLD HIM TO GIVE ME THE LITTLE SCROLL; AND HE SAID TO ME, ‘TAKE IT AND EAT;’ …

AND I TOOK THE LITTLE SCROLL FROM THE HAND OF THE ANGEL AND ATE IT.” (REV. 10:8-10) the Eucharist as spiritual food that nourishes our soul, but we probably do not think of the word of God as food as well. We must remember that Jesus is the Word of God (Jn 1:1) — more specifically, the Word made Flesh. (Jn 1:14) Consuming the word of God, through reading and meditating upon sacred Scripture, is also food for the soul. The word of God is not simply ideas or truths; it is a living word. It is true spiritual nourishment because it is a real encounter with our Lord Jesus Christ, the second person of the Holy Trinity.

NOT JUST FOOD BUT RELATIONSHIP In “Unleash the Gospel,” Archbishop Vigneron reminds us that “One who is in love desires to know more and more about the beloved. Since all Scripture speaks of Christ, immersing ourselves in the word is a way to deepen our initial encounter and grow in our relationship with him.” (Marker 2.2) Archbishop Vigneron makes it clear that the word of God is not

only an encounter with Jesus, but it is a way to a deeper relationship, a way to fall in love with him. To meditate on or pray with the word of God is to enter into a loving dialogue with God, which requires both listening and responding. In our rich Catholic tradition, different methods of praying with sacred Scripture have developed over the centuries. I want to highlight three of these practices to help us deepen our friendship with Jesus. I will only mention the first two briefly, pointing you to other resources to learn more, and I will spend more time on the third method.

The first method is Lectio Divina, which means “divine reading.”

This involves focusing on a smaller portion of sacred Scripture (e.g. the daily Gospel) and spending more time reflecting, pondering and “chewing” on that passage.

Archbishop Vigneron outlines the four steps of Lectio Divina in his pastoral note, “The Power of the Word of God.” Lectio Divina aims both at deeper understanding of the meaning of sacred Scripture and hearing God’s word for me personally this day.

The second method is Ignatian, or imaginative, prayer. Ignatian prayer uses the gift of your imagination to place yourself within the Gospel scene. Each of us has spiritual senses which correspond to our physical senses. This method of prayer, guided by the Holy Spirit, engages each of those senses. As you are immersed in the Gospel, the Holy Spirit helps you to see the face of Jesus, to hear his voice, to be touched by his healing grace and power, to taste his love and to smell the fragrant aroma of Christ. (cf. Eph 5:2) Over time, Ignatian prayer helps you to see Christ in all things as you go about your day.

The best way to learn this method is to attend an Ignatian retreat.

FATHER JOSEPH KIRKCONNELL, WRITER • ZACH STEUF, ILLUSTRATOR

FATHER J OS EP H KIR KCONNELL was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Detroit in 2014 and served as associate pastor at St. Paul on the Lake Parish in Grosse Pointe Farms.

He is currently studying catechetics at The Catholic University of America.

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Locally, Manresa Jesuit Retreat House offers individually directed Ignatian retreats. There are other places that offer longer and more intense retreat experiences, such as Broom Tree Retreat Center in Irene, South Dakota.

The third practice is Lectio Continua, or continual reading.

This very simply means reading larger portions of the word of God at a time.

For centuries, illiteracy, lack of access and a different understanding of the role of Scripture in the life of a disciple made it rare for Catholics to read the word of God on their own. While there can always be a concern about incorrect interpretation — because Scripture is written in various literary forms and expressing language from previous ages — we have nothing to fear when we read the Bible with the light of the Church’s authentic teaching in the magisterium.

My personal goal is to read four chapters daily; this takes about 15 minutes. But committing to even one chapter a day will bear fruit.

There may also be days when you decide to read for a longer period of time. Thirty minutes of reading the Bible can be just as powerful as spending 30 minutes in eucharistic adoration. Do not worry if you do not understand everything that you are reading. Simply by reading the Bible you are encountering Jesus and absorbing his presence. The word of God will “seep into your bones” and will shape your mind and heart. Without even intending to do so, you will start to ponder the word and to think with the thoughts of the Bible. You will take on the mind of Christ. The result will be that Jesus’

love will radiate and pour forth from your very being.

After proclaiming the Gospel at Mass, the priest or deacon prays these words quietly, “Through the words of the holy Gospel may our sins be wiped away.” Upon learning this prayer as I prepared to be ordained a transitional deacon, this prayer provoked questions like, “What does that really mean?

Isn’t confession the way our sins are wiped away? How does the Gospel wipe away sins?”

Sacred Scripture not only teaches, enlightens and strengthens us. It also corrects us and convicts us of sin. (2 Tim 3:16-17) Yet, the word of God corrects with gentleness by letting the light of Christ shine upon areas of our life that need to be brought to Jesus for conversion. Our Father does not seek to condemn us but to help us grow in holiness and to grow in the likeness of his Son. We in turn must make a decision to respond by surrendering our faults and imperfections to the Father through Jesus, and by humbly asking for the grace to change our lives accordingly.

Constant contact with the word of God helps us to be attuned to the voice of God and the will of the Father for our life. It shapes our attitudes and enables us to recognize his voice over so many other competing voices. The more we read the more we recognize attitudes, lies and habits that are not from God, and the more we recognize God’s inspiration, truth and consolation. (cf. 1 Cor 2:13-16) As that conversion takes place, we slowly begin to enter more deeply into the mysteries of Christ’s life, and into the very mystery of God, the Holy Trinity.

GARBAGE IN, GARBAGE OUT St. Paul taught the Romans, “Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Rom 12:2) If we are constantly exposed to the word of God, we will be better able to discern the thoughts and promptings that are from God. We will take on the very mind of Christ!

However, if the culture shapes our thoughts and minds, then that is what becomes our norm and rule of life. We will measure and judge everything in life by the ways of the world rather than by God’s guidance and direction.

When I received the ministry of lector in seminary, Archbishop Michael Byrnes reminded us of the adage “garbage in, garbage out.”

If we feed our souls with garbage, like some of the things we take in through the internet, television or social media (or whatever the source of the garbage may be), then garbage is what is going to come out of our heart through our words and deeds.

On the other hand, if we are feeding our souls with the word of God daily, then it is Jesus whom we will share in our conversations and in our actions. As we read and pray with Scripture, we enter more deeply into the very life of God. Like Mary, when we say “Yes!” to the word of God, Jesus begins to become “en-fleshed,” or incarnate, in our own lives. We become Christ’s eyes, hands, and feet in this life!

The word of God is food for the soul: take and eat!

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THE W ORD OF GOD

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A R C HDIOCE SE OF DET ROI T

A blueprint

FOR THE DAY-TO-DAY NO MATTER OUR AGE, GENDER OR STATUS IN LIFE, WE CAN FIND OURSELVES WONDERING: “WHY AM I HERE,” OR “WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO BE DOING?” WE MAY BE DISCERNING A LIFE-IMPACTING DECISION SUCH AS A CAREER CHANGE, OR AN EVERYDAY CONCERN LIKE HOW TO PREPARE MEALS WHILE ALSO ATTENDING ZOOM MEETINGS. WE MAY HAVE HEARD “GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE,” BUT WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? IS THAT ABOUT OUR CENTRAL SPIRITUAL QUESTIONS LIKE HOW TO GET TO HEAVEN OR WHETHER OR NOT TO ENTER RELIGIOUS LIFE, OR CAN IT IMPACT US IN THE DAY-TO-DAY AS WELL? CATHRYN TORGERSON, WRITER • ZACH STEUF, ILLUSTRATOR

When pondering the concerns of life, it is always beneficial to look at God’s word on the subject. We may wonder what 73 books of poetry, history, lament, genealogy and biography from 2000 years ago can possibly mean for our lives today. When we look at the Bible as a whole, however, what we discover is that several traits of God’s plan for humanity spring from its opening chapters and appear repeatedly in the other books. By exploring these, we can learn God’s intent in creating us.

The first two chapters of Genesis reveal that God created everything: the universe, the world and all the plant and animal life of the earth. Reading through this section, we hear repeated words and phrases that demonstrate the organized method of God’s creating.

With the creation of humans, the language changes.

God makes humans uniquely in his “image.” (Gn 1:26) Since this is not said about any other creature, it suggests men and women, while still creatures, are somehow closer to God than the rest of creation.

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, being made in God’s image is the foundation of our dignity. (CCC 357) Since we know God is good, moral, loving and wise, we discover that God’s plan in our creation is for us to be good, moral, loving and wise.

This dignity and these attributes may be a starting point for us to ponder when considering our lives.

God also gives humans responsibilities in Eden.

Like the animals, God “blesses” them and tells them to “be fruitful and multiply.” In addition, God tells the humans to “subdue” the earth and have “dominion” over the animals. (Gn 1:28) This is not permission to exploit the land and animals in a negative way, but rather to steward creation, harness it for good use.

Thus, God’s plan for humanity is to continue to nurture creation and participate in his creative actions.

This sharing of responsibility with God involves a combination of work, support and rest. Adam is to “cultivate” and “care for” the garden. (Gn 2:15) Cultivating references farming. The Hebrew word that we translate as “care” also means protect and guard. Thus, Adam is commanded to work! We might think of work as a punishment, but even in Eden, well-ordered work is part of God’s plan.

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The catechism points out that as creatures made in God’s image, we work just as God did, and our work is a duty and honors the gifts and talents God has given us. (CCC 2427) All work — whether in a field, home, office, hospital, retail store and so on — has value. God desires for us to work with him in our work.

While Adam is commanded to cultivate and care for the Garden, Eve is given a slightly different role. She is to be Adam’s “helper.” (Gn 2:18) The Hebrew behind this word suggests someone who stands next to another in support. It is often translated as partner, but never as slave or servant. Eve is to be a support to Adam so that together they can continue God’s work on earth.

There is also rest from work. As God rested on the seventh day, he later commanded humanity to rest with him. (Gn 2:2-3, Ex 20:8-11) Biblical resting is not about napping; it is about being present to, abiding with those around us. God commands humanity to take a day away from work to be present to one another, to creation and to him. Resting with God and with one another gives us time to renew, refresh and receive peace and grace for the work we are called to do.

In sum, the opening two chapters of Genesis reveal that God created humanity in his image, and he plans for us to continue his creative work while supporting and resting with each other and with him. As we explore further into the Bible, we discover more examples of God’s plan for us. All people, from anonymous peasants to named kings, share in certain responsibilities and ways of life that stem from creation.

As creatures made in God’s image, we are called to be holy as God is holy. (Lv 19:2) At its most foundational level, holiness means being set apart from things not of God. While only some people are ordained as priests to offer sacrifices, everyone is called to be holy by helping pass on the faith and resisting worldly temptations. This makes God’s people a priestly people as they live holy lives in the world day in and day out. (Ex 19:6; 1 Pt 2:9, 1 Pt 1:15, 2:5; Rom 12:1; 1 Cor 1:2; Eph 1:4)

Throughout the Bible, God raises up people to be prophets. They have many types of prophetic activities, including intercession (Abraham, Moses), working miracles (Elijah, Elisha), calling people back to God (Jeremiah, John the Baptist), praising God (Miriam, Anna), challenging leadership for leaving God (Nathan, Samuel) and even leading the military (Deborah).

These prophets look to the heart of relationship

with God where the covenant guides our choices.

Finally, there are those who God raises up to an executive level of stewardship: the judges and the kings.

An ancient king had the dual responsibility of protecting his kingdom and providing for it, thus following in Adam’s footsteps of cultivating and caring. It is the same type of position Peter is given in the Church. (Mt 16:18-19) These three roles of priest, prophet and king are all found in our own lives, and we are anointed to them in our baptism. (CCC 1241) As priests, we avoid temptation and bring God’s sense of holiness into everything we do. Many biblical characters offer examples of how to live this way as they seek to learn God’s ways, pray to God for help and live out God’s law and vision in their daily lives. This often includes making hard choices that go against cultural norms. God’s plan is for us to bring this same holiness into our lives and areas of influence today.

Biblical prophets were the mediators between God and the people. We live as prophets when we support others where they are in their journeys to God. Just as there are many roles for prophets in the Bible, we live our prophetic roles in many different ways today through such actions as service, intercessory prayer or having the right words to say. God’s plan is for us to be a light to others, and he wants the world to be blessed through us.

(Is 42:6, 49:6; Mt 5:14, Gn 22:18) These happen when we live our prophetic role.

We may find our responsibility as king the least obvious. Most of us are not leading nations, yet, like Adam, we are all called to steward well what God has given us. Biblical characters, from widows to kings, reveal that this happens in the day-to-day actions of life as we safeguard ourselves and those under our care, manage our resources well, take time to rest with God and use the gifts God has given to us.

The opening chapters of Genesis reveal God’s overarching plan for humanity, and the rest of the Bible explores that plan in specific times and places. Scripture provides us with inspirational examples of people who live God’s plan well. There are also dire warnings through what happens to and around those who do not.

Every book faces the challenge that we do not live in Eden anymore, but each also provides hope that we can still live within God’s plan if we remember how we were created and who we are called to be.

CATHRYN TORGERSON earned her M.A. in theology from Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. She is a founding member of the Catholic Biblical School of Michigan and is currently the director of curriculum and a full-time instructor. Cathryn has worked with youth and now loves to share the Good News with adults through adult faith formation and on retreats.

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THE W ORD OF GOD

FATHER CHAR LES F OX is a priest of the Archdiocese of Detroit currently assigned to the theology faculty of Sacred Heart Major Seminary. He is also a weekend associate pastor at St. Therese of Lisieux Parish in Shelby Township and chaplain and a board member of St. Paul Evangelization Institute, headquartered in Warren.

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A R C HDIOCE SE OF DET ROI T

FATHER CHARLES FOX, WRITER • ZACH STEUF, ILLUSTRATOR

In unmoored times,

“THE GRAIN THAT FELL IN GOOD SOIL STANDS FOR THOSE WHO HEAR THE WORD, AND HOLD BY IT WITH A NOBLE AND GENEROUS HEART, AND ENDURE, AND YIELD A HARVEST.” (LUKE 8:15)

They say that if you don’t like the weather in Michigan, just wait 10 minutes and it will change.

Especially during the spring and autumn months, it seems like any season can make an appearance at any time.

Our lives can also change in an instant. Our health, our financial security, our relationships and the political and social climate around us can change for the better or worse much more quickly than we would like. During this time of pandemic and other crises, change seems to come fast and bring grave and unusual challenges.

It’s no wonder so many people are struggling with intense anxiety these days.

Pope Benedict XVI was speaking to an assembly of bishops several years ago and offered an important insight about how to overcome

this kind of anxiety. Comparing the worldly things we can so easily become focused on with God’s word, he said: And all these things, which seem like the true reality on which we can count, are realities of a second order. One who builds his life on these realities, on objects, success, on everything that’s visible, builds on sand. Only the word of God is the foundation of every reality, fixed as the heavens and more than the heavens, is the reality.

Pope Benedict was referring to the end of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus makes clear the stakes involved in following his teachings. (Mt 7:24-27) Our response to God’s word is a matter of life or death. It is more consequential than any COVID-19 vaccine or political maneuver. Our response to God’s

word expresses what is in our hearts and it shapes our entire lives.

We cannot sit on the fence.

We are either disciples of Christ or people of the world. We are called to be disciples in the world, but we cannot be worldly people.

Disciples build their lives on a solid foundation, not vulnerable to the storms and shifting fortunes of life in this world. Worldly people rely on something that simply can’t support them — an empty promise.

When our lives are built on Christ and his word, the challenges we face can’t rob us of what holds eternal value: our union with God, with his Church and with each other. There is, of course, a legitimate concern we have for external things such as financial resources or our health, especially when we have other people to take care of. But we can’t let that concern morph into the kind

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TAKE THE SCRIPTURE CHALLENGE

READ THE FOUR GOSPELS, T H E N E W T E S TA M E N T, O R THE WHOLE BIBLE THIS YEAR.

"A Church alive in Christ is a Church whose members love the Scriptures, study them, pray them, and live by them."

—Archbishop Vigneron

Sign up at: unleashthegospel.org/scripture-challenge

WHEN WE FEAR FOR OUR PHYSICAL OR MATERIAL WELL BEING, WE ARE PRONE TO MAKE BAD DECISIONS. WHEN WE HAVE FAITH, WE ARE PRONE TO MAKE GODLY DECISIONS.”

of fear that undercuts God’s place at the center of our lives.

Here we can look to St. Paul as a heroic model. In Philippians 4:12, St. Paul offers a personal testimony: Brothers and sisters: I know how to live in humble circumstances; I know also how to live with abundance. In every circumstance and in all things, I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need.

How many of us can say the same?

When hardships come our way, do we face them graciously? Do we persevere in thanking God for his many gifts? I know that I have a lot to learn about graciousness in times of trouble, and I bet I’m far from alone.

One of my favorite TV shows over the years has been “Little House on the Prairie.” It’s a great family show, in which you inevitably laugh, cry and learn a lesson. One thing “Little

House” did an excellent job of was showing how a family can handle tough times graciously, keeping their faith, sticking together and refusing to give in to despair despite the intense challenges of pioneering life.

We may not live on the prairie, but life today has plenty of challenges.

We have an opportunity now to examine the whole way we look at life: • Do I let any worldly anxieties dominate my thoughts, my hopes, my decisions?

• Do I keep my focus on Christ even when times get tough?

• Do I love God’s word and respond with a wholehearted “yes,” building my life on the rock foundation of Christ and his word?

When we fear for our physical or material well-being, we are prone to make bad decisions. When we have faith, we are prone to make godly decisions.

For example, how often have financial problems been a catalyst for the disintegration of marriages and families? Faith tells us that people are more important than things — and that these are more than nice words! Faith motivates us to persevere in doing the right thing even when the wrong things are happening to us.

“Nothing is beyond my powers, thanks to the strength God gives me,” St. Paul writes in Philippians 4:13. And St. Paul didn’t just write those words; he lived them with every fiber of his being, until the day he was killed in Rome for his faith in Jesus Christ.

Jesus says that each of us is to receive his word “with a noble and

generous heart, and endure, and yield a harvest.” (Lk 8:15) There is no more noble and generous heart than Christ’s own Sacred Heart.

No one has endured as much as Jesus did as he suffered and died for us. And the harvest yielded by the cross of Christ is immeasurable and unsurpassable.

In other words, in order to receive the word of God as well as possible, and to respond to it as wholeheartedly as possible, we need to be as much like Christ as we can possibly be. Jesus is the Word of God who speaks words of everlasting life and calls his disciples to share his words to the farthest corners of the world. (Jn 1:1, Jn 6:68, Mt 28:19-20, Mk 16:15)

Though it is incredibly daunting to think of becoming like the Son of God, it is even more consoling to know that Jesus does not abandon us. He is Emmanuel, “God with us,” and he empowers us to become like him, to hear his word and respond with lives of faith, hope and love.

Christ especially empowers us in the Holy Eucharist, which is his body and blood. When we receive Jesus in holy Communion, we are transformed and become more like him. Our hearts are made noble and generous, we receive strength to endure whatever may come and to yield a harvest of holiness in our own lives and the lives of all we influence.

Like St. Paul, we can do all things through the strength God gives us.

No matter what trials we face in this life, we can triumph as spiritual champions. Our victory begins when we say “yes” to God’s powerful, soul-piercing, heart-shaping, deathdefeating, life-giving word.

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PO E TRY

THE TH OUGHT O F

It’s not the cunning (ring clutched in their paw And counting on invisibility) Who seem as gods, but those whose faces draw All eyes to them, whose great virility Will let none be.

The adolescent thinks how Zeus came forth In feathered raiment, fell in golden shower, Or, with Europa riding, plowed the swarth; His lust mounts every comely form with power To serve his joy.

What, with your being so absolute and full, A beauty without limit and a love That needs no object, like a seated bull In shade, that neither man nor fly can move, Don’t you get lonely?

That’s what our instinct thinks it knows of gods; It chafes at every hint of idle boredom; Prefers to go to war or play the odds; It’s heard the prophet’s voice, but then ignored him, Whose words annoy.

Our fathers thought it was implausible That you be anything but thought itself, Innascibile and incognosible, Far out of reach, perched on some starry shelf, You and you only;

And, when we do not hear your voice in turn, We think we have been set free from a coward, Too alien to make a young heart yearn, If good some time ago, a good long soured, Whose headstone crumbles.

Which struck me as unlikely, who’d incline,

Or, is our answer in your darkest silence,

If strong enough, to trample Hector down,

So near to us it throbs beneath each nerve,

Then glory, one boot pressed on broken chine,

And with its stillness cancels out our violence,

And with a glare send packing every clown

Waiting within the time that you conserve,

Who challenged me.

Till our thought stumbles?

BY JAMES MATTHEW W ILSON James Matthew Wilson has published nine books, including, most recently, The River of the Immaculate Conception (Wiseblood, 2019).

His essays and reviews appear regularly in The Catholic Thing and Catholic World Report.

HOPE ACQUILANO, ILLUSTRATOR

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MOVIE REVIEW

Jesus touches the leper in “The Chosen.”

NOW SEE THE MOVIE After reading a great book, I love to think

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When the Bible is brought to the silver

about how great it would be as a movie!

screen, it is always my hope that it is done

I enjoy imagining a live-action portrayal

well. However, it is usually incredibly

of the story. The same is true when I read

difficult for films to capture the events of

Scripture. Our love for Scripture should

Scripture both accurately and authentically.

lead us beyond merely studying Scripture

Many films can come across as overly

to being immersed in the world of the Bible.

reverential and somewhat boring. On the

For example, imagining the life of Christ —

other hand, some films try to reinterpret

his look of compassion and tenderness, his

events in an edgy or provocative way which

resolute willingness to face his Passion and

changes the meaning completely. Here are

his joy in sharing his life with his disciples

some films (and a TV series) that strike that

— allows Scripture to come alive in our

balance well and help us delve more deeply

lives and help us know Christ more deeply.

into the mystery of God’s word.

A R C HDIOCE SE OF DET ROI T

FATHER MATTH EW H OOD is a priest of the Archdiocese of Detroit. He currently serves as the associate pastor at St. Lawrence Parish in Utica.

2017 • Starring Jonathan Roumie, Shahar Isaac, Paras Patel • Directed by Dallas Jenkins

2000 • Starring Ralph Fiennes, Michael Bryant, Julie Christie • Directed by Derek W. Hayes, Stanislav Sokolov

I put off watching this series out of a concern that it would be a letdown.

However, after hearing from several people that they loved it, I decided to check it out — and I am glad that I did.

The series is the result of a crowd-funded effort to tell the story of the Gospels.

What makes this series so unique is its ability to capture the reactions of those who come to meet Jesus. Looking at how those respond to Jesus during his life is also what is most familiar to us as those who have chosen to respond to the Lord in our own lives. In the Gospels, there are many different reactions to Jesus. Some respond with anger or confusion while others respond with faith and surrender.

The one thing that never happens when someone meets Jesus is that they walk away bored or complacent. The series captures this reality well.

For those who have spent a lot of time praying and studying Scripture, the series maintains a closeness to the text of Scripture while also adding new elements that synchronize with the text itself. I found it particularly moving watching Jesus along the shores of Galilee as he calls the disciples to come and follow him after the miraculous catch of fish.

One of the other benefits of the series is the portrayal of Jesus by Catholic actor Jonathan Roumie. Roumie’s presentation of Jesus is gentle and approachable while also clearly inspired. The challenge of cinematic portrayals of Jesus’ life is the difficulty of showing both his humanity and his divinity. “The Chosen” not only shows an authentic image of Jesus but it even calls the viewer to respond in deeper faith.

For families looking for a way to invite their younger children to learn the Gospel and the life of Christ, the 2000 film “The Miracle Maker” is a great choice. The animated film uses plasticine figures, much like the “Wallace and Gromit” films, to depict the public ministry of Jesus. The film is still the only feature-length animated film on the life of Christ. While the style of clay animation might be jarring to some, there is an authenticity to the film that makes it very compelling.

1959 • Starring Charlton Heston, Jack Hawkins, Stephen Boyd • Directed by William Wyler The critically-acclaimed film “Ben-Hur” invites the viewer to enter into the world of Scripture and imagine the life of those during the time of Christ. It tells the story of Jewish nobleman Judah Ben-Hur. Incredibly successful during its release, “Ben-Hur” remains at the top of the charts for one of the highest-grossing films of all time. In the early parts of the film, Judah finds himself in Nazareth and is led to the point of dehydration. In his moment of thirst, he is given a drink from a mysterious stranger. Soon, Judah’s thirst develops into a thirst for vengeance against his childhood friend Messala. In this battle for vengeance, we see the classic chariot race that leads to the death of Messala. The death of his foe doesn’t satisfy his thirst. As the story of Judah’s life maps on to the life of Christ, Jesus is hardly ever seen and his face is never revealed, but it is clear that the two stories relate and impact one another. As Judah finds himself in need, he encounters Jesus along the way of the cross. Recognizing Jesus as the mysterious stranger who helped satisfy his thirst long before, Judah is able to offer Jesus a cup of water in the time of his greatest need. While the film is not explicitly based on Scripture, it still is a classic and worth a watch!

FATHER MATTHEW HOOD, WRITER • GORODENKOFF/GETTY IMAGES, PHOTO

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SACRE D PL ACES

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The front of the Our Lady of the Woods Shrine in Mio shows Our Lady of Lourdes appearing to St. Bernadette Soubious, shown kneeling before the shrine.

OPEN HEA RT ’

SHRINE ODS

I S A M O N U M E N TA

L CEL EBR AT I ON A C R U I L M O S U ’ S INTE ARY RCE OF M SSI ON IN O

UR

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A R C HDIOCE SE OF DET ROI T

DANIEL GALLIO, WRITER • DANIELLE MCGREW TENBUSCH, PHOTOGRAPHER

DANIEL GALLIO

A AV

VISUAL The pledge was this: If the Blessed Mother would help his struggling mission church of St. Mary in Mio, Michigan, he would build a shrine in her honor. By 1953, Mary was keeping her end of the bargain. The church, now a parish of the Diocese of Saginaw, was thriving.

Then a woman from Ann Arbor, a Lutheran surprisingly, shipped an unsolicited gift: a life-sized statue of Our Lady of Lourdes made of flawless Italian marble.

Surely a sign from heaven, thought Father Rakowski.

He picked up the borrowed shovels and in July 1953 broke ground.

Building materials from Mio-area citizens poured into the parish in support. Two years later, Our Lady of the Woods Shrine rose up from the parish grounds like a mighty mountain. Constructed of an incredible 25,000 tons of donated stone, it eventually grew to be 120 feet wide and 42 feet high, with six shrines honoring apparitions of the Blessed Virgin and three catacomblike grottoes.

About 20,000 pilgrims visited this massive work of faith and art on dedication weekend in September 1955. Our Lady of the Woods Shrine, deep in the Huron National Forest, continues to draw thousands of visitors yearly. Some come out of curiosity, others for spiritual renewal.

All leave tiny Mio, population 1,826, astounded at what they behold.

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What is striking about the shrine at first glance are the sweeping wings of its front elevation. The curved shape of the face, Jim Lemerand explains, is meant to symbolize arms that reach out to welcome all pilgrims.

Lemerand is a leader on the shrine’s Restoration Committee. The retired sergeant of the Monroe County Sheriff ’s Office gave me a tour of Our Lady of the Woods on a Saturday morning in mid-January.

Niches display imagery representing Michigan culture: a statue of St. Hubert, patron of hunters, represents the state’s hunting culture; a log its logging industry; a bear its abundant wildlife. A cascading waterfall symbolizes Tahquamenon Falls, while a second waterfall forms a pond beside an image of St. Bernadette. The pond represents the healing waters of Lourdes and also nearby Mio Pond.

At the peak of the face is the statue of Our Lady of Lourdes that inspired Father Rakowski. Two entrances lead into an interior Pieta grotto.

The visual impact of Our Lady of the Woods Shrine — with its mammoth size, stepped plaza, kinetic water features, multiple art objects and even wall clefts overflowing with evergreen shrubs — is practically overwhelming.

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Affectionately called Father “San” by parishioners, Father Santiago Hoyumpa has served as St. Mary’s pastor since 2012. After retiring from General Motors as an engineer, he felt the Spirit prompting him to the priesthood after his wife’s passing.

Father San celebrates Mass during warmer months at the marble altar recessed into the left wing. “We were going to schedule an outdoor Mass one Saturday per month,” Lemerand explains. “But with COVID, Father decided to switch to every Saturday night.”

The switch has been successful, with 150 worshippers attending the outdoor Masses on average. Since Our Lady of the Woods sits only two blocks from Mio’s downtown, the Masses are public witnesses for the faith.

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As we walk the grounds, Lemerand notes that visitors are so transfixed by the front elevation that they often miss the splendor of the rear. When spring hits, a spectacular display of perennial flowers and shrubs blooms around three shrines nestled along undulating slopes. The shrines honor appearances of Our Lady of Guadalupe, La Salette and Fatima.

“The real reason the shrine is here,” Father San says with great feeling, “is the apparitions of Mary. Her appearances are special memorials of her presence in our daily lives. They remind visitors that Mary is here to help us.”

Burrowed into the rear elevation are two grottos with shrines of the Holy Family, the Sacred Heart of Jesus and archdiocesan patroness St. Anne. Light from candles flicker against the rough stone of the low ceilings, making the grottos intimate places for prayer.

Readers will appreciate a stunning mosaic of Our Lady of Częstochowa, a gift in the 1950s by the Polish Women of Detroit.

The focal point of the rear elevation is a dynamic statue of Mary assumed into heaven. Pilgrims wandering the parish grounds discover spiritual landmarks such as a life-sized crucifixion grouping, a grotto of St. Francis and a statue of Our Lady as she appeared to St. Simon Stock.

“Visitors say over and over — ‘It is so beautiful.’ Protestant, Catholic, it doesn’t matter. And the beautiful thing,” Lemerand says, “is the shrine was built

by Catholics and non-Catholics working together.” Mio’s Baptist congregation, for example, donated the 24-feet-high steel tubular cross that hundreds of travelers pass by daily.

A statue depicting the Assumption of Mary sits near the top of the west side of the Our Lady of the Woods Shrine in Mio.

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A mosaic of Our Lady of Czestochowa was donated to the Our Lady of the Woods Shrine in Mio in 1954.

LGRIMS Y PI “They really respect us,” says Wendy Jardo of Mar Addai Parish in Oak Park. “They are so happy to see us.” Wendy has been making the pilgrimage since 2012.

“You really feel a sense of God’s presence.”

Wendy always buys something at the gift shop to support the shrine before the caravan leaves for the National Shrine of the Cross in the Woods.

Is Our Lady of the Woods a locus of healing? A woman recently shared that after praying at the Pieta grotto for Renee, a relative with lung cancer, the woman suddenly felt a tingling sensation. A week later, the woman received a call from her sister. Renee’s cancer “was completely gone.”

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Upkeep of Our Lady of the Woods is sustained almost entirely by fundraisers and donations. The parish benefits considerably from gifts placed in the church donation box by generous shrine visitors.

“I think Mary has really given us her blessing,” Lemarand says.

Vacationers learn about the shrine from pamphlets placed at Michigan travel stops. Other visitors come through organized tours.

The Sept. 14 feast of the Triumph of the Cross is an active day for bus excursions. Chaldean Catholics from Oakland County have been rolling up Interstate 75 to celebrate the feast day for more than 30 years.

In 2019, excited pilgrims filled seven buses, totaling nearly 400 people.

Carleen Aghos organizes the pilgrimage for St. Joseph Parish in Troy. “The shrine is beautiful, breathtaking,” Aghos says. “You feel like you are sitting with Jesus and Mary and all the angels.”

She praises the parishioners of St. Mary, who prepare a hot lunch for the Chaldean pilgrims and “meet us with welcoming arms.” Each pilgrim receives an individual blessing from Father San. “It is all very moving,” Aghas adds.

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Father San suggests to readers considering a visit to Our Lady of the Woods: “Come with an open heart.

Realize how important it is to ask Mary for her guidance.

“Because Mary always leads to her son. That is her job.

Jesus is the one we are after. And Jesus never says no to his mother.”

PLANNING YOUR VISIT Visit Our Lady of the Woods Shrine/St. Mary Parish at 100 S. Deyarmond St., Mio, Michigan 48647.

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THE PRIEST IN THE WORLD World War I battlefields, Henry Ford, rum-running gangsters and the KKK all met their match in the dynamo known as Father Vincent Toole.

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JOSEPH BOGGS, WRITER

AN AMERICAN ARTILLERY BRIGADE DEEP IN THE ARGONNE FOREST FOUGHT FOR THEIR LIVES. OUT OF 55 MEN AND FOUR OFFICERS, THE 308TH ULTIMATELY LOST 15 MEN ON THE FRENCH BATTLEFIELD, WITH THE REST EITHER WOUNDED

BY GUNFIRE OR SUFFERING FROM THE ILL EFFECTS OF CHEMICAL WARFARE. THE SURVIVORS RETREATED IN WHAT WOULD PROVE TO BE ONE OF THE DEADLIEST BATTLES IN THE HISTORY OF U.S. WARFARE.

The brigade’s surviving captain desperately desired to see his fallen men given a decent burial, though it seemed like an impossible task considering the woods were still under heavy fire.

The situation was brought to the attention of a Catholic chaplain named Vincent J. Toole. His commanding officer noted that the priest “at once volunteered to perform the last rites, absolutely without concern of the dangers involved.”

The chaplain, the captain and a few soldiers were driven by automobile towards the active battlefield and dropped off as close as possible. For two hours, as bullets ripped through the trees and deadly mortars exploded around them, Father Toole diligently took down records, performed the last rites and supervised the burial of the dead.

It was a heroic deed that would later earn the chaplain a Distinguished Service Cross.

Besides the Medal of Honor, it was the second-highest honor a soldier could receive. For any other priest, this military award would be as much national publicity you could expect to have in a lifetime. Yet, believe it or not, this was just one of many incredible feats from the life

of Father Vincent Toole, who served much of his post-war career in the Archdiocese of Detroit.

Before his “gallantry in action” in the Argonne Forest in October 1918, Father Toole attracted a national spotlight earlier that year from the trenches. During long periods of downtime in those muddy European ditches, the Catholic chaplain decided to pen a series of letters in defense of the pacifistic Henry Ford. The motorcar mogul from Michigan had stirred up quite a bit of controversy for his criticism of the European conflict. Toole’s letters ultimately were published in the New York World and quickly gained a national audience and Ford as a friend. He commended the carmaker on his “benevolent efforts to bring peace.”

Father Toole, however, made sure to call out Ford for his other controversial views. Ford argued that Jewish bankers were behind World War I and other problems plaguing America. Newspapers reported that the chaplain “took issue with Henry Ford on the Jewish question.” Father Toole told the New York Times, “There is no reason for our dividing into hostile camps, because of race, religion or for any other reason ... Mr. Ford is probably the foremost citizen

of Michigan. He has done great things for our state. We owe him a great deal. Yet for all that, we do not owe Henry Ford, or any other man, the right of attacking any group because of race or religion.”

Toole would subsequently make note in other interviews of all the positive contributions Jewish people made to the American war effort. His moral disagreement with Ford didn’t completely tarnish the admiration the carmaker had for the chaplain.

Newspaper reports indicate Ford attended church functions at Father Toole’s parishes.

By way of his military career, Father Toole also became a friend of former President Theodore Roosevelt. They began a pen pal relationship during the conflict, with Toole keeping him informed of the difficulties faced by the men on the front lines and Roosevelt sharing words of encouragement.

Ultimately, they teamed up together for the Third Liberty Loan campaign in New York and New England.

Roosevelt, Toole (who was home on leave) and other celebrities went on a barnstorming tour, encouraging the American public to contribute funds to financially support the war effort.

Once the fighting had ended on Nov. 11, 1918, the chaplain and the

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Father Tool befriended Henry Ford who he commended for his “benevolent efforts to bring peace.”

By way of his military career, Father Toole became a friend of former president Theodore Roosevelt.

JOSEPH BOGGS, a parishioner at St. John the Baptist in Monroe, currently serves as the co-chair of the Evangelization & Catechesis Committee for the Monroe Vicariate. He has been married to his wife Bridget for six years and teaches history at a public high school in Perrysburg, Ohio.

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former president once again unified their powerful voices, arguing that it was the actual soldiers and not the military officers who deserved recognition for winning the war.

When the former president suddenly died in his sleep of a blood clot a few months later, Toole asserted to the Detroit Free Press that one of the best ways to commemorate Roosevelt’s life was to support the common soldier and their families. “For the heroic dead, who died that we might triumph,” Toole stated, “many of them had dependents and all of them relatives and friends, for who everything possible should be done.”

Father Toole returned to lead the Catholic congregation of St. Mary’s Parish in Paw Paw, Michigan, following the war. He served there for approximately four years before Bishop Michael Gallagher called Father Toole to spearhead the development of St. Henry, a new

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Downriver parish in Lincoln Park, then one of the fastest-growing neighborhoods in the country. Henry Ford was building a massive new factory nearby on the River Rouge and Father Toole’s passion and charisma attracted Catholic factory workers and immigrants in droves to the new parish. He also led a bold fundraising campaign for parish building projects that supported the successful construction of a new church and recreational facilities.

Father Toole also had to confront racist ideologies during his assignment at St. Henry’s. In the 1920s, Lincoln Park possessed a large chapter of the Ku Klux Klan and several of the city’s policemen — including its police chief — openly admitted their membership.

In fact, one of these officers had shot and wounded a man in town for throwing rocks at a KKK member distributing racist pamphlets in the

Downriver region.

Newspaper reports in 1924 further indicate that tensions were simmering between Catholic immigrants and local KKK members due to a proposed state amendment that would ban parochial education.

To demonstrate their support for this bill and their animosity for Catholic schools, robed KKK members burned crosses throughout town and “plastered little red schoolhouse stickers all over” St. Henry’s Church. According to a 1959 essay uncovered by local historian Kathy Warnes, Father Toole did not back down to the intimidating efforts of the KKK. “Armed in his Army uniform and gun, he let it be known that he would defend church property in his own way,” asserted the essay. Fortunately, Toole never had to defend St. Henry’s and the amendment was defeated in a landslide vote.

Bishop Gallagher reassigned Father Toole to St. Clement in Dearborn in 1927, another newly developing parish. Once again, he quickly became popular with his new parishioners and spearheaded another successful fundraising campaign. The Detroit Free Press reported that the first two Sunday Masses celebrated by Father Toole on St. Clement’s property were in an auditorium designed to seat 800.

However, 2,196 people attended these first services, a record Sunday for any new parish in the vicinity of Detroit, the Free Press noted.

Father Toole quickly added two more Masses.

Another harrowing incident would garner the passionate priest even more publicity. Prohibitionera crime gripped the greater Detroit area for much of the late 1920s. Unfortunately, on the morning of June 1, 1930, two local officers were brutally gunned down by rum-running gangsters in Grosse Pointe Park.

Claude Lanstra, one of the murdered policemen, was a 24-yearold St. Clair Shores native and a Catholic parishioner at St. Gertrude.

Quickly, funeral arrangements were made at the parish and large swaths of the Detroit, Grosse Pointe and St. Clair Shores police departments would be in attendance. Father Vincent Toole was slated to preach.

Father Toole gave a powerful homily, one that directly confronted

the Prohibition-era crime that concerned so many locals. He emphasized that Lanstra should be commended for his courage and all officers in the pews ought to feel a sense of honor for their service in difficult times. However, the passionate priest primarily spoke about the “real plague” afflicting much of southeastern Michigan.

“Guerilla warfare is the order of the day. Casualties are coming in so fast they no longer are news,” the priest declared. “I charge that Prohibition is responsible for all this because Prohibition has made organized murder a lucrative profession. I charge that Prohibition is written on all the other gates of every penitentiary in the United States.”

His sermon was made even more effective since he fervently abstained from alcohol. Father Toole openly admitted, “I believe in total abstinence and always I have practiced it ... but Prohibition is as distant from total abstinence as this world is from the farthest fixed stars in the firmament. It is fanaticism run mad. It is a sinister plague which threatens to ruin our country.”

Father Toole’s passionate preaching against Prohibition was seemingly his last moment in the public spotlight. Besides parishioners’ obituaries and local newspapers remembering his courageous military service, the priest essentially disappears

from the historical record.

St. Clement’s parish history simply states that Father Toole died in 1951, with no indication of a cause. It is an uninteresting conclusion to the life of perhaps the most interesting parish priest in the history of the United States.

A decorated military chaplain, a friend of both Henry Ford and Teddy Roosevelt, protector against the KKK and a teetotaling enemy of Prohibition Father Vincent J. Toole deserves to be remembered not just for his incredible feats. He was a priest of incredible passion for what was good and true, a devoted servant to the evangelizing mission of the Catholic Church in the Detroit area and, above all, a pastor who truly loved Christ and the people in the pews.

PROHIBITION HAS MADE ORGANIZED MURDER A LUCRATIVE PROFESSION. I CHARGE THAT PROHIBITION IS WRITTEN ON ALL THE OTHER GATES OF EVERY PENITENTIARY IN THE UNITED STATES.” — FATHER TOOLE

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Our Lady of Fatima Shrine

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fatimashrinedetroit.org 734.281.1445 18637 Ray Street Riverview, MI 48193 Our Lady of Fatima Shrine and St. Joseph Bookstore Open Wednesdays and Saturdays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

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CONVERSATIONS WITH GOD

ST. JEROME’S

LO VE F O R S CRI P T U R E BEAUTIFUL IMAGES OF THE FOUR GREAT WESTERN DOCTORS OF THE CHURCH ARE HUGE AND VISIBLE FROM THE CHOIR STALLS WHERE I PRAY THE LITURGY WITH THE MONKS EVERY DAY IN OUR ARCHABBEY BASILICA. THEY ARE ARRANGED ON THE WALL GOING INTO THE APSE FROM FLOOR TO CEILING (A DISTANCE OF 65 FEET) WITH TWO ON EACH SIDE. ST. GREGORY THE GREAT AND ST. AUGUSTINE ARE ON ONE SIDE, AND ST. JEROME AND ST. AMBROSE ARE ON THE OTHER SIDE. ST. AMBROSE AND ST. AUGUSTINE ARE THE UPPER IMAGES, FACING EACH OTHER, AND THEY LOOK SIMILAR ENOUGH THAT I OFTEN FORGET WHICH IS WHICH. THE WAY I REMEMBER IS THAT ST. AUGUSTINE AND ST. JEROME ARE AS FAR APART AS POSSIBLE. THEIR RELATIONSHIP WAS A LITTLE ROCKY. THE EVIDENCE FOR THAT CAN BE FOUND IN A SEQUENCE OF LETTERS BETWEEN THE GREAT CONVERT WHO BECAME A PROLIFIC TEACHER AND THE WELL-ESTABLISHED VETERAN, SCHOLAR AND MONK WHO DID NOT NEED TO BE CHALLENGED BY THE YOUNG AUGUSTINE.

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St. Jerome edited and translated the Bible that became the Church’s official Latin text for the next 1,500 years. He wrote volumes of detailed commentaries on both Old and New Testament books. He lived a monastic life of solitude, study and hospitality, including many years in Bethlehem, where he only grew in his love for the Incarnate Word who was born there. He grew in holiness through both prayer and penance and so he is often pictured with a book of Scriptures or a rock for penance. In our basilica, he holds the rock. He had a strong temper and he regularly repented of the sins of his youth along with his daily infractions.

Pope Benedict XVI spoke about him at a General Audience on St. Jerome, Nov. 14, 2017: A passionate love for Scripture therefore pervaded Jerome’s whole life, a love that he always sought to deepen in the faithful, too. He recommends to one of his spiritual daughters: “Love Sacred Scripture and wisdom will love you; love it tenderly, and it will protect you; honour it and you will receive its caresses. May it be for you as your necklaces and your earrings.” (Eph 130, 20). And again: “Love the science of Scripture, and you will not love the vices of the flesh.” (Eph 125, 11) This emphasis on loving Scripture is a key note for St. Jerome. He fully immersed himself in the sacred text. He read it in the original languages of Hebrew and Greek.

He translated it. He studied it and the writings of others about it (he even reflected on the upstart critiques and observations of the young convert Augustine!) and he urged others to read it as well. It

was not a job; it was a passion. Most importantly, though, he prayed with sacred Scripture. He saw Scripture as an essential part of our dialogue with God. One cannot have a conversation without a conversation partner. St. Jerome wrote to a young Roman noblewoman, “If you pray you speak with the Spouse; if you read, it is he who speaks to you.”

(Eph 22, 25)

This insight is the foundation for the Church’s traditional prayer with sacred Scripture called Lectio Divina. This form of prayerful reading (literally “divine reading”) has been characterized by four stages: Reading the Scripture and asking what the text says in itself, meditating on the Scripture and asking what God is saying to me through this text, praying as a response to what God is saying to me and contemplating to rest in the Lord’s presence as I have this encounter with him.

It comes back to the basic insight that Scripture is God’s word to me.

We have to understand what the Scripture says in itself, as St. Jerome so diligently labored to do. But then it also has a particular application to my life. As a simple example, I recently heard someone apply Isaiah 9:6 to himself. Isaiah 9:6 says, “For to us a child is born …” In Isaiah’s particular historical context that “child” referred to a particular person, perhaps King Hezekiah, who was born for Israel.

St. Jerome went deeper through his study and had this insight about the text in itself: “The Septuagint [Greek translation of the Old Testament], in my opinion, terrified as it was by the majesty of these names, did not dare to say of a child that he must be called God.”

FATHER BONIFACE HICKS, OSB, WRITER • DIEGO DIAZ, ILLUSTRATOR

In saying this, he helps us to recover the awe that we should have for this child, whose true identity — God — the Old Testament authors did not dare to utter. In the New Testament’s fulfillment of the Old, that child referred to Christ, who was God and who was born for the whole world.

The fulfillment of all Scripture in Christ is a point that St. Jerome emphasized in his famous dictum: “Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.”

In the personal application, that “child” refers to Christ who was born for me. So when we meditate with this Scripture, we could read, “For to Boniface a child is born …” (insert your name instead of mine!) And then how do I look at this child? What does he mean to me? Do I feel the amazement of a parent who receives such a gift? I feel humbled that God would be so vulnerable as to entrust himself like that to me. From there I may find myself holding him tenderly close to my heart in amazement. That could move me to a contemplative rest where I should remain. There is no need to keep reading.

There is a way that such prayer can melt away anxieties, give us peace, strengthen us for our duty and redirect our attention to what is most important. That’s how St. Jerome read Scripture, studied it to understand its meaning and prayed with it so as to encounter God: hearing him, speaking to him and resting in him. His awareness of his past sins, his ongoing failures and his need for repentance helped him feel how necessary it was for him to spend that time with God in prayer.

The personal love he found in God’s word made such prayer possible.

(Commentary on Isaiah 3.9.16–17)

FATHER BONIFACE HICKS, OSB has been a monk at St. Vincent Archabbey since 1998 and currently serves as the director of spiritual formation and the director of the Institute for Ministry Formation at St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, Pennsylvania.

Together with Father Thomas Acklin, OSB, he is the co-author of Spiritual Direction: A Guide for Sharing the Father’s Love and Personal Prayer: A Guide for Receiving the Father’s Love, both published

by Emmaus Road Publications.

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PR AYER 101

Still, many ask, “How do I start reading the Bible?”

The short answer might be with Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning ...” Really, for most of us what is needed is not so much a starting point, but a plan. When you are planning a road trip, you ask, “Where am I going and how long do I have to get there?” So too, think of your journey through the word of God in the same way.

Hopefully, these short tips will help you begin your journey, and the more detailed reading guide for the Gospels will shed some light on the path: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path.” (Ps 119:105)

IN THE

Appearance on the Mountain in Galilee, painted by Italian painter Duccio di Buoninsegna in the early 1300s.

IN THE BEGINNING OF LUKE’S GOSPEL, AFTER WHAT SEEMS LIKE A LONG PERIOD OF SILENCE SINCE THE LAST OLD TESTAMENT PROPHET SPOKE, GOD’S WORD BREAKS ONTO THE SCENE. THE HOLY SPIRIT OVERSHADOWS MARY AND FILLS ELIZABETH, ZECHARIAH, SIMEON AND JESUS, WHO SPEAK SOME OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WORDS IN SCRIPTURE. (LK 1:35, 1:41, 1:67, 2:25, 4:1) THE PRESENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT BRINGS AN EXPLOSION IN BOTH PROPHECY AND THE PROCLAMATION OF THE GOOD NEWS. THE HOLY SPIRIT, HOWEVER, WAS NOT FINISHED WHEN LUKE LAID DOWN HIS PEN. THE HOLY SPIRIT SPEAKS THE GOOD NEWS TO THE CHURCH IN DETROIT TODAY, INSPIRING US TO PICK UP THE SCRIPTURES SO THAT WE CAN READ ABOUT “THE MIGHTY ACTS OF GOD.” (ACTS 2:11)

FATHER BRIAN MELDRUM was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Detroit in 2015 and served as the associate pastor at Our Lady of the Lakes Parish in Waterford. Before attending Sacred Heart Major Seminary, he was a music minister and theater director and member of St. Thecla Parish in Clinton Township. He is currently studying sacred Scripture at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

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emember, the Bible is a library rather than a single R book. Give yourself time “to check out” one of the books. If you want to read 1 Samuel, which contains 31 chapters, you could commit to a chapter a day and easily have read it in a month.

The Old Testament is the story of Israel and their place in salvation history from Genesis to Malachi, the last Old Testament prophet; yet this does not mean you have to read it in that order. Moving around can help you get through some challenging parts like lists of names and laws.

Remember that the inspired words of Scripture have God as their primary author, and yet God used the skills of the human authors and even literary genres to convey his divine word in human language.

Some parts of the Bible tell history (Samuel, Kings, Chronicles), while other parts are poetry (Psalms, Job, Song of Songs), prophecy, legal texts, letters (Paul, Peter, James) and even short stories (Ruth, Esther, Judith).

A reading plan where you devote yourself to about four chapters a day will take you through the Bible in a year. Most plans of this sort have you read two chapters of the Old Testament, a psalm (and later other parts of wisdom literature) and a chapter from the New Testament.

Remember, what is even more important than starting to read the Bible is stopping when you read the Bible, meaning that when a passage strikes, moves or even confuses you, stop and pray. Ask the Holy Spirit for light. The Bible is God’s word to humanity and God’s initiation of a conversation with you. When you stop while you are reading and talk to God about what you have read, God communicates his message of salvation to you anew.

You should seek the face of Christ on every page of the Bible because all that God has said and will say to you is revealed in the person of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. (Jn 1:14; Heb 1:1-2)

FATHER BRIAN MELDRUM, WRITER • WIKIMEDIA COMMONS, ARTWORK

A GUIDE ONE OF THE BEST PLACES TO START READING IS THE GOSPELS, THE BEGINNING OF THE NEW TESTAMENT AND THE HEART OF THE ENTIRE BIBLE. YOU KNOW THE GOSPELS WELL FROM SUNDAY (AND DAILY) MASS, BUT FROM A CLOSE, CONTINUOUS READING OF THE GOSPELS, YOU WILL DISCOVER YOUR ANSWER TO THE QUESTION THAT JESUS POSED TO HIS DISCIPLES LONG AGO AND TO YOU TODAY, “WHO DO YOU SAY THAT I AM?” (MT 16:15; MK 8:29; LK 9:20)

HOW LONG: Only 16 chapters! Mark moves the story along at an urgent pace.

Events are recounted in an almost rapid sequence by one of Mark’s favorite words, “immediately.”

WHAT’S UNIQUE: For all Mark’s brevity, he often gives the most vivid details in his narrative: Jesus feeds the 5,000 who sit down on the green grass; before stilling a storm at sea, Jesus was asleep on a cushion. (6:39, 4:38) Mark’s Gospel was most likely written first and was probably based on Peter’s eyewitness accounts.

WHERE IT BEGINS: There can be no doubt in Mark’s mind (or the reader’s!) who his Gospel is about: “The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God.” (1:1) Later, Peter makes his profession of faith: “You are the Messiah,” and finally the centurion at the cross does: “Truly this man was the Son of God!” (8:29, 15:39) WHERE IT ENDS: After Jesus’ resurrection, the women at the tomb are instructed to tell the Good News to the disciples. (16:6) They are afraid to tell anyone, so perhaps it is up to you after you read Mark’s Gospel to share the Good News.

HOW LONG: Matthew takes Mark’s basic structure, but expands and reworks it into 28 chapters.

WHAT’S UNIQUE: Jesus is the new Moses teaching the new law on the mountain. (chapters 5-7) Like the five books of Moses in the Old Testament (Genesis through Deuteronomy), Matthew’s Gospel has five parts: look for the notice “When Jesus finished these words …” at the end of each of the five sections. (7:28; 11:1; 13:53; 19:1; 26:1) Matthew’s infancy narrative highlights Joseph and Jesus’ revelation to the nations. (1:20; 2:14, 20, 2:11) WHERE IT BEGINS: In Jesus’ genealogy, Matthew shows that the covenant promises made to Abraham and David are fulfilled in Jesus.

WHERE IT ENDS: After Jesus’ resurrection, Jesus gives his apostles the Great Commission: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (28:19-20) These words are not only addressed to the first disciples, but also to you as a joyful, missionary disciple today.

HOW LONG: Luke adapts the structure of Mark’s Gospel into 24 chapters by supplying his own traditional material.

WHAT’S UNIQUE: Luke’s infancy narrative highlights Our Lady as “the handmaid of the Lord.” (1:38) Only in Luke will you find the parables of the “good Samaritan” and the “prodigal son and his brother.”

(10:30-37, 15:11-32)

WHERE IT BEGINS: Although not an eyewitness, Luke compiles his narrative in an orderly fashion from other eyewitness accounts. Luke does not reveal his sources,

but tradition tells us that he may have heard about Jesus’ early life from Mary, who “kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.” (2:19) WHERE IT ENDS: After Jesus’ resurrection, Luke relates the encounter between two disciples on the road to Emmaus and the risen Jesus who “was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.” (24:35) Luke begins in the Temple with the annunciation to Zechariah and ends with the disciples “continually in the temple praising God.” (24:53)

HOW LONG: John arranges his material in 21 chapters that present a unique portrait of Jesus.

WHAT’S UNIQUE: Where Matthew, Mark and Luke have miracles, John has signs; where the other Gospels recount Jesus’ teaching through parables, John utilizes lengthy discussions between Jesus and others; the others present the Eucharist in the context of the Last Supper, while John portrays Jesus as the Bread of Life magnificently in Chapter 6.

WHERE IT BEGINS: John’s majestic prologue, which evokes the first words of the Bible in Genesis, begins: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (Jn 1:1)

WHERE IT ENDS: After Jesus’ resurrection, John tells of Peter’s reconciliation with the Lord during breakfast on the seashore. John reminds you that not everything that Jesus said or did is included in the Gospel, but he prays that through what was included “you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.” (20:31)

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P RAYING WITH T HE C HUR CH FATHER S

K N O C K I N G with PERSISTENCE

St. John Damascus on the ‘paradise of the Scriptures’ 48

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DIEGO DIAZ, ILLUSTRATOR

(655-750), A DOCTOR OF THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH, IS OFTEN CONSIDERED THE LAST OF THE FATHERS OF THE CHURCH. HE WAS BORN INTO A CHRISTIAN FAMILY AND SERVED AS A YOUNG MAN IN THE ISLAMIC CALIPHATE IN DAMASCUS. DISSATISFIED WITH THIS CIVIC ROLE, HE WITHDREW TO THE MONASTERY OF MAR SABA NEAR THE CITY OF JERUSALEM, WHERE HE LIVED UNTIL HIS DEATH IN 750.

John (also known as Damascene) is best known for his effective defense of the use of icons in worship, distinguishing the “worship” due only to God from the “reverence” that we rightly show to holy things (icons, relics, etc.). John is also beloved in the Eastern Church for his hymn-writing and poetry. The selection below gives ample proof of his poetic abilities.

In the selection that follows, John opens by showing how the Scriptures (both Old and New Testament) witness to the Triune God. If we search the Scriptures, we will find what is good and profitable for our souls. Through feasting on the sacred Scripture, our souls will “grow fat” and bear rich fruit in every season.

Building on Christ’s words that call us to ask,

seek and knock, John portrays the Scriptures in terms of the garden of Eden, the place of Paradise, lush and rich with life-giving fruit for us. He weaves into this description the action of the Trinity — how through the Scriptures the Spirit (the Divine Dove) bears us to the Son and through the Son to the Father. John tells us not to quit reading even if we don’t understand. As we patiently seek, we will find. The end result is an insatiable delight in the grace we receive through sacred Scripture.

CO M M E N TARY BY D R . DA NI EL K EAT I NG Dr. Daniel Keating is an author and professor at Sacred Heart Major Seminary.

On the Orthodox faith (BOOK 4, CHAP. 17) [1]

The God proclaimed by the Old Testament and the New is one, he who is celebrated and glorified in Trinity, for the Lord said: “I have not come to destroy the Law but to fulfill it.” (Mt 5:17) For he accomplished our salvation, for the sake of which all Scripture and every mystery has been revealed. And again, “Search the Scriptures, for they bear witness to me.” (Jn 5:39) And the Apostle too says: “In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets; but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son.” (Heb 1:1-2) Through the Holy Spirit, then, both the Law and the Prophets, the evangelists, apostles, pastors and teachers spoke.

Therefore, “all Scripture is inspired by God and profitable” (2 Tim 3:16), so that to search the sacred Scripture is very good and most profitable for the soul. For “like a tree planted by streams of water” (Ps 1:3), so does the soul watered by sacred Scripture also grow fat and bear fruit in due season — which is the orthodox faith — and so is it adorned with its ever-green leaves, I mean with actions pleasing to God. And so, from the sacred Scriptures we are disposed to virtuous action and untroubled contemplation. In them we find exhortation to every virtue and dissuasion from every vice.

Therefore, if we are eager for knowledge, we shall also be rich in knowledge ... “For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” (Lk 11:10) So let us knock at the very beautiful paradise of the Scriptures, the fragrant, most sweet and lovely paradise that fills our ears with the varied songs of inspired birds, that touches our heart, comforting it when grieving, calming it when angry, and filling it with everlasting joy, and that lifts our minds onto the back of the Divine Dove, gleaming with gold and most brilliant, who bears us with his most bright wings to the only-begotten Son and heir of the husbandman of the spiritual vineyard, and through him on to the Father of lights.

Let us not knock casually, but with eagerness and persistence, and let us not lose heart while knocking, for so it will be opened to us. Should we read once and then a second time and still not understand what we are reading, let us not be discouraged.

Rather, let us persist, let us meditate and inquire.

From the fountain of paradise let us draw everflowing and most pure waters springing up into life everlasting. Let us delight in them, insatiably let us revel in them, for they contain the grace that cannot be exhausted.

1

t. John of Damascus, Writings, trans. Frederic H. Chase, Jr., S The Fathers of the Church, vol. 37 (Washington, DC: Catholic University of America Press, 1958, 373-75, adjusted)

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FAMILY CHALLENGE

Mary’s mantle 52

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COLLEEN PRESSPRICH, WRITER • VALAURIAN WALLER, PHOTOGRAPHER

ONE OF MY SHARPEST MEMORIES AS A CHILD IS OF MY GRANDMOTHER’S HOUSE. IT WAS WARM, COLLEEN PRESSPRICH is the author of Marian Consecration for Families with Young Children published by Our Sunday Visitor.

She and her husband live in Michigan with their four children and beloved grandmother. In between writing and homeschooling, Colleen can be found looking for her cup of (cold) coffee or reading, which she does any chance she can get. You can read more of her work at elevatortoheaven.com.

COMFORTING — ONE OF MY FAVORITES TO VISIT. AT THE END OF HER HALLWAY WAS A PRINT OF RAPHAEL’S “MADONNA AND CHILD,” THE SOFT COLORS AND WARM TONES OF WHICH ALWAYS MADE ME FEEL PEACEFUL AND COMFORTED, AS THOUGH MARY HAD THE WHOLE HOUSE WRAPPED UP IN HER MANTLE. GRAM LIVES WITH US NOW, AND THAT SAME PRINT HANGS AT THE END OF MY HALLWAY, A CONSTANT REMINDER OF OUR LADY’S PRESENCE IN OUR LIVES AND HER PROTECTION OVER OUR FAMILY. HAVING A DEVOTION TO MARY HAS NOT ONLY DEEPENED MY FAITH, BUT IT’S HELPED STRENGTHEN OUR FAMILY’S DOMESTIC CHURCH AS WELL. AS ST. LOUIS DE MONTFORT WROTE, “MARY ALWAYS LEADS US TO JESUS.” THIS HAS BEEN CERTAINLY TRUE IN OUR HOME. IF YOU’RE READY TO DEEPEN YOUR FAMILY’S RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR LADY, TRY THIS SEVENDAY CHALLENGE DESIGNED TO DO JUST THAT.

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MO

A D N

Y MAKE THE SPACE

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One of the best ways to get to know Mary is by reading the stories about her in the Gospels. Take some time to pull out your family Bible and read it together. See if you notice anything about Mary you never did before.

You’ll find her in the following passages: • The Annunciation Lk 1:26-38 • Mary’s Visit to Elizabeth Lk 1:39-56 • The Birth of Jesus Lk 2:1-20 • The Presentation at the Temple Lk 2:22-38 • The Finding at the Temple Lk 2:41-52 • The Wedding at Cana Jn 2:1-12 • The Crucifixion Jn 19:25-30 TAKE IT FURTHER: Take your time with Scripture and pray lectio divina as a family. You’ll find resources and an explanation of how to do that on the USCCB’s website (usccb.org). Lectio Divina can be tweaked for families with even the smallest children by adding guiding questions to your prayer time and modeling the process by sharing your own insights out loud. You can read more about how to pray Lectio Divina with children in Marian Consecration for Families with Young Children published by Our Sunday Visitor, which has a section devoted to praying with Mary and the Scriptures.

LEARN SOMETHING NEW WITH A LITANY Today’s challenge is to learn more about Mary by praying the Litany of Loreto. A litany is a prayer that is a series of petitions, and this one is all about Mary. Written in the Middle Ages and officially approved by Pope Sixtus V in 1587, it is full of beautiful names of Mary. You can find the Litany of Loreto on the Vatican’s website (vatican.va).

TAKE IT FURTHER: Choose one of the titles of Mary from the Litany of Loreto that was new to you and do some research into it as a family.

Find out why Mary is called by that particular name. Spend some time praying about why that name is meaningful to you.

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AY

TAKE IT FURTHER: Let your children carve out their own prayer spaces. In our home, each child has a little cubby corner in our library that they call their own.

They have each chosen an image of Jesus or Mary along with a few faith-based books and holy cards.

When I have my morning prayer time, they are most often found in their own prayer spaces looking at books and chatting with Jesus and Mary.

DIVE INTO SCRIPTURE WITH OUR LADY

SD

In order to begin a new devotion in our family, we need to make space — both physically and emotionally — for that devotion to grow.

If you walk through our home, you’ll see many pieces of religious art. Having something we can see and even touch helps engage us with our faith. As you get ready to go deeper with Our Lady, create a family prayer space within your home.

Transform a table with the simple addition of a beautiful tablecloth. Adding your family’s favorite books about the faith will draw everyone in and make spiritual reading easy to choose. Make prayer accessible by hanging your rosaries on hooks or putting them out in a bowl. Find a simple print or statue of Our Lady that you love to hang in your home. Let the sight of it remind you to stop and chat with her throughout your day.

TAKE IT FURTHER

HONOR YOUR MOTHER Throughout history, Mary has appeared to men, women and children all over the world, coming to them as a mom with a message. Read up on one of the Marian apparitions that are approved by the Church.

THURSD AY

You might want to consider: • Our Lady of Fatima • Our Lady of Lourdes • Our Lady of Knock • Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal • Our Lady of Kibeho • Our Lady of Guadalupe

To further nurture your family’s devotion to Mary, consider completing a Marian consecration as a way to continue honoring her within your domestic church.

Y

PRAY WITH OUR LADY Friday is the day of the week that we remember the Passion of Jesus, which makes today a perfect day for praying the sorrowful mysteries of the rosary and contemplating what Mary experienced that day. Depending on your family’s age and attention span, pray a decade or the full rosary.

TAKE IT FURTHER: Put together a spiritual bouquet for someone you love. If you’ve never done one before, a spiritual bouquet is a collection of prayers that you as a family promise to say on behalf of your loved one. Write them all out on a card and send it in the mail, or bring it by with an actual bouquet of flowers.

AT U R D

TAKE IT FURTHER: Park a few blocks away from the parish, and make the rest of your pilgrimage by foot, praying along the way for your family’s intentions.

HONOR THE SABBATH

SUND

Today take a moment after Mass, either in your pew or in front of your parish’s statue of Our Lady, and offer a prayer of gratitude for the week, and especially for the day of rest ahead of you. Ask Mary to intercede for you before the throne of her Son that your day might be peaceful.

AY

Pilgrimages don’t just have to be to far-off shrines.

We are blessed in the Archdiocese of Detroit to have many parishes named after Mary. Take some time today to go on a pilgrimage as a family to one of them — walk around, explore the Church and the grounds, take in the art and most importantly, spend some time praying and asking Our Lady to bless your family in a special way.

AY

MAKE A PILGRIMAGE

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TAKE IT FURTHER: Make a card or send a picture to your mom or grandma from you and your family to let her know you love her and are thinking of her.

IDA

If you’ve loved these challenges and want to continue liturgical living, check out the book 52 Sundays at 52Sundays.com or sign up to receive the weekly emails for free.

52 Sundays has great resources for your family to help you expand on what you heard at mass through fun activities, tasty recipes, the saints, fun facts and more.

TAKE IT FURTHER: Offer a decade of the rosary for your pastor who spends his Sunday ministering to others.

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GROWING IN VIRTUE

Love love

IN MY APARTMENT, I AM INTENTIONAL ABOUT WHAT ART I DISPLAY. I want my home to reflect what speaks to my heart as well as be an inviting, warm space to whoever enters. Above the kitchen table hangs a hand-painted blue and white sign that reads, “Love God. Love People.”

The fullness of Jesus’ message is captured in these four words. In the end, it all boils down to love of God and love of neighbor.

In St. Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus completely throws the religious leaders of his day by telling them that fulfillment of Mosaic Law is loving God above all things and loving your neighbor as yourself. (22: 3438) All of a sudden, the 616 laws for a “right relationship with God” are turned on their head when Jesus throws this curveball at them. Scandalized by such an offensive idea, the Pharisees and Sadducees continue to plot against Jesus and his teachings.

The 2021 world we live in today is wrought with divisiveness, shaming language and a severe lack of respect and kindness. There is a level of tension bubbling in the culture we have never seen before. The religious legalism of Jesus’ time is sadly still found and experienced within Catholicism. For these and other reasons, there is a greater need now more than ever for us as disciples of Jesus to be driven by the theological virtue of love.

Love, a word easily overlooked and forgotten, is the greatest virtue, according to St. Paul: “But now faith, hope, and love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (1 Cor 13:13) These are some practices I incorporate in my life as a single woman to help me tangibly live out the greatest commandment of Jesus.

PATTY BREEN has been working in lay ministry for more than 12 years and writes online at places like Blessed is She, Catholic Match and Verily. She is passionate about messy conversations at the intersection of faith, culture and ministry.

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USE PEOPLE’S NAMES One of the most striking lessons my dad taught me as a little girl was to thank people in service roles by name. We were in the check-out line at Meijer’s one day and my dad thanked the young man who bagged our groceries by his name. As we walked away, I remember what he said: “Always remember to thank these people. They often go unnoticed and are not acknowledged. You do not know the difference that could make in their day.”

To this day, I still thank the people in service roles I encounter: grocery baggers, the teenager working the Arby’s drive-thru, restaurant servers, etc. Using a person’s name is a simple way for them to feel seen, known and loved.

A HANDWRITTEN NOTE There is something special and loving about receiving a handwritten note or card from a friend. One of the ways I seek to love people in my life is by sending them a special card or note for their birthday.

Look at this current month. Which of your friends, co-workers or family members is having a birthday? Write out a note, letter or birthday card. Share what you most love, admire and respect about this person. Tell them what they mean to you in your life. Celebrate the gift he or she is in your life.

LOVING THE DIFFICULT PEOPLE It would be all sweet and dandy if we only had to love our neighbors we liked, am I right? However, the radical way of Jesus demands that we love our enemies — the people, neighbors, co-workers or family members — we do not love or find it very difficult to love. You know who I mean. The people who vote differently than you. Those

who share very different beliefs or ideas.

People who have hurt you or you find it difficult to forgive. The list goes on.

Ask Jesus who the people in your life are who you find it too difficult to love.

Sit with that knowledge in the stillness — even if it makes you very uncomfortable.

How is Jesus inviting you to love them right where they are? Because that is our calling, to love them right where they are, unloveable traits and all.

around the world, but we can always pray.

This is one way you and I can do that.

Already this practice is helping me more thoughtfully pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, while reminding me of people and situations God wants on my radar.

BE NEIGHBORLY

INTENTION PRAYER CALENDAR While my father was dying, he and my mom began a new tradition of picking a different person or situation each day of the month to pray for and offer up his physical suffering. The president, local priests, Archbishop Vigneron, those who are lonely or have no hope, the homeless, my siblings and our futures, people battling addictions, you name it. Kevin and Sheila had it covered until the day my dad died. My parents practiced the virtue of love in a hidden way known only to Jesus through the suffering they walked together.

Make an intention prayer calendar for yourself this month. Pray for each person or situation every day of the month.

Consider if there is an additional way you can love this person as you pray for them.

CHAPLET OF DIVINE MERCY Someone in my life recently taught me this practice as another to love and pray for people and situations in a hidden way. At the point of the chaplet when you pray, “Have mercy on us and on the whole world,” you instead offer a different petition each time.

I am all about ways I can pray for and love people I may never meet or encounter.

It helps remind me there is a much bigger world outside my tiny human realm that needs to experience the grace and compassion of Jesus Christ. We may not be able to tangibly change every situation

PATTY BREEN, WRITER • NAOMI VRAZO, PHOTOGRAPHER

Growing up, we never really knew the neighbors who lived near us. As I have gotten older and matured in my faith, I’ve become convinced a simple way to be Jesus in the world is by loving those nearest to us, the neighbors around our physical homes.

Do you even know your neighbors? Their names, family or anything about them?

Brainstorm some creative ways to get to know your neighbors. You can start simple by delivering a package of homemade cookies with a thoughtful note. Or maybe you can offer to help with shoveling or grass cutting. Start small and build upon that. Love is expressed in words and actions. Let’s be aware of the importance of both in the different places God has placed us.

WEEKLY HOLY HOUR There have been times in my life where this practice was stronger than others. I am working to get back to the practice of having a weekly date with Jesus at adoration.

Part of the commandment of love Jesus leaves us is to love God above all things, with all our heart, mind and strength.

We cannot love Jesus more if we never set aside time to be with him. It is the uncomfortable truth each disciple must acknowledge. We need Jesus in every situation and relationship in our lives.

We need to set aside time each week to be with Jesus. Adding the practice of a weekly Holy Hour to your life is a powerful way to love Jesus more and, more importantly, allow him to love you.

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PURSUING HOLINESS

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HO W DO YOU APPROACH POLITICAL OR MORAL DISAGREEMENT WITH THOSE CLOSE TO YOU, INCLUDING ON SOCIAL MEDIA? We believe in truth. Sharing the truth. Living the truth.

Loving the truth. But the truth doesn’t need us to defend it. The truth can certainly defend itself. Especially if we present it with charity, and recognize that proclaiming truth only really works when it’s shared with people we already know and love.

So sometimes, that means when we don’t agree with someone, we have to assess whether or not it’s even worth digging into with them. Would it just harm the relationship? Would we even have the chance to be heard or to dialogue before we’re shut down? Are we ourselves even open to hearing what they have to say, or are we just walking in with our own biases and preconceived notions?

Once we’ve figured that out, and really done a gut check on the entire situation, then we’ll dig in and try to dialogue. That’s the key thing, we think. Dialogue.

Discussion. Not debate. Not relying only on our opinion, but trying our best to listen and hear “the other side,” so that we then can share our own perspective and understanding.

The thing is, it’s entirely possible to love someone with whom you have profound disagreements. Whether it’s political candidate preference, or how to handle a specific policy within the world, or what to do about something that seems minor, but could actually turn into something quite big. The only way that relationship could ever flourish though, is to also be unafraid to come to a place where the truth can be shared — with distinct attention to loving them, listening to them and walking with them as we share it.

As for how to “do that” on social media? Don’t even try.

Our hard-fast rule (that we try to stick to) is that social media comment boxes, tweets and direct messages aren’t really the proper forum to dig into honest dialogue and fruitful discussion. If we don’t have that person’s phone number, or wouldn’t be able to meet them in person for dinner to talk, then it’s probably not our place to dig into that tough issue with them anyway.

Sharing the truth — especially hard truths — should be done with people you know and love. And social media, with its constant scroll and never-ending feed, is not always a place conducive to making sure things are said charitably, honestly and patiently.

ALLISON LIVINGSTON, PHOTOGRAPHER

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MASS WITH T W O YOUNG CHILDREN SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE. TIPS F OR SUCCESS?

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We walked into parenthood like most first-time moms and dads: convinced we knew precisely what we would do, how we would handle every situation and challenge, and imagined we knew exactly what would happen during x, y, or z.

And then we had a baby that didn’t eat, screamed all the time, puked nonstop. We realized that parenting is never a formulaic experience whereby you follow these or those game plans and come out the other side victorious. It is, instead, a constant recalibrating and reconfiguring of everything.

That attitude — recalibrate, reconfigure and try again — is how we approach Mass as a family. It’s almost like solving a puzzle, with conversations after Mass like, “This helped Rose stay focused, so we need to make sure we do that next week” or, “If we go at this time, Clare is most likely to nap, so let’s make sure that’s the priority for Sunday.” We know we aren’t perfect, nor will our participation in the Mass be perfect.

So knowing that, we walk in each week with as positive an attitude as we can. It’s all about recognizing there is goodness in the effort, that they won’t be this age forever, and we are building a habit and learning to pray together as a family. It’s not the end of the world if our quiet prayer time comes later in the day while the kids nap and we get a chance to talk about the Gospel, reflect on the homily or just debrief about how we can do better next week.

The best, and probably hardest, thing we can do as a family is try to sit quietly in a confined space for an hour on Sunday and talk to Jesus.

And we have no doubt that Jesus delights in us being there, and what we are teaching our children is invaluable and necessary.

KATIE AND TOMMY MCGRADY live in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Tommy is a science teacher and department head at a local charter school.

Katie hosts The Katie McGrady Show on Sirius XM The Catholic Channel and the Ave Explores podcast from Ave Maria Press. Together, they’ve written two books, are raising two daughters and wrangle a grumpy old dog, all while attempting to grow a vegetable garden in the corner of their back yard.

THIS YEAR HAS MADE COMMUNIT Y SEEM MORE IMPORTAN T THAN EVER. HO W DO YOU CARVE OUT SPACE F OR THAT WITH A YOUNG FAMILY ?

There’s a real gift in being able to talk and laugh with people who “get it.” Who knows what it’s like to be up three and four times a night with kids who just won’t sleep, who get the stress of budgeting for Catholic school tuition and saving for retirement and who know why it’s so important we at least attempt to pray as a family every night. It’s also a real gift to be close to people who aren’t in that phase of life, and be able to both welcome them into our family life, get their advice about how they once navigated it or simply share what our home and life is like.

All of us, but especially young families, thrive in community. Because there’s a comfort in knowing we aren’t navigating these waters alone, nor are we the first ones to do it. Friends, other families, the people in the pews we see each Sunday — these are people we rely on, lean on, communicate and gather with, simply because we know our family isn’t an island unto itself, and we’d fall apart without them.

For us, prioritizing community really changed in 2020; the people we’d do family dinners with, travel to see, welcome into our home — all of it shut down in the name of safety and caution.

We’ve learned to really value the relationships we have, and foster them with attention and care. Whether that’s Facetime calls, picnics at the park, making plans for the future and dreaming together about trips and dinners or just sitting together at Mass on Sunday, the people we love are people we pour into, and we’ve learned to not take that for granted anymore.

HO W HAVE YOU ADJUSTED TO MARRIED LIFE AS PARENTS AND HO W DO YOU PRIORITIZE EACH OTHER IN THE MIDST OF CHILDREARING CHAOS? When our first daughter was about 12 weeks old, we moved her into her nursery and crib for bedtime. Three months of having her in a bassinet within arm’s reach was enough. We needed space. We needed sleep. By night four, she fell asleep within a matter of minutes of laying her down, and suddenly it was 7:30 at night and we had time, just the two of us.

We immediately filled up two bowls with strawberry ice cream and went and sat on the back porch and talked for three hours — just catching up — not realizing how long it had been since we’d had a conversation that wasn’t focused on baby spit up, feeding schedules, sleep deprivation, diaper supplies or paying off the hospital bills.

That was the day we learned our top priority always needed to be one another, because only then would we actually be able to pour into our children the way they needed.

So, we try to keep it simple. Most afternoons we let Rose watch a show and we fix cocktails and sit in the living room, some Disney movie on in the background, and talk about our days.

Once a month, we go on a date (and in the time of COVID-19, we order take out, set up on the picnic table outside and laugh at the fact that we haven’t changed out of sweatpants in a week).

We pray together before bed, even if it’s just a quick “Hail, Mary.” We try to pick a show and watch it only with one another, even if it means waiting to turn it on till the other one gets home (a sacrifice, to be sure).

We married each other because we actually like each other. We’re friends. We enjoy one another’s company. We can laugh together, unpack big ideas together, debate with one another, disagree, come to reasonable conclusions. And we’re the best mom and dad we can be when we take the time to tend to and grow the friendship that anchors our marriage.

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Welcome to our family!

Contact Melissa at 248.656.6304 or allenmm@trinity-health.org to schedule a tour today! Visit BellbrookRochesterHills.org for more information.

873 W. Avon Road, Rochester Hills, MI 48307 | Bellbrook, where a neighborhood becomes family.

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SARAH ALVAREZ

WHAT WAS THE LAST BOOK YOU READ?

WHAT WORDS DO YOU USE TOO MUCH?

IS THE FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE EDITOR OF

I just finished reading The Mad Wolf’s Daughter to my younger two children.

It’s an adventure centering on a young girl in medieval Scotland trying to save her family from danger while wrestling with ideas like honor, loyalty and revenge. I highly recommend it for a read-aloud book for elementary-aged kids. The last book I finished for myself was Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler. It was the first book of hers I have read. It was very dark, but I found it hopeful. I’m looking forward to reading more of Butler’s work.

I say “of course” all the time and I hate it. As a reporter, I should ban it from my vocabulary because it means too many different things, does zero descriptive work and shuts down a conversation.

OUTLIER MEDIA, A SERVICE JOURNALISM ORGANIZATION IN DETROIT. SHE STARTED HER CAREER IN CIVIL RIGHTS LAW. BEFORE FOUNDING OUTLIER MEDIA, SHE WORKED AS A SENIOR PRODUCER AND REPORTER AT MICHIGAN RADIO, THE STATEWIDE NPR AFFILIATE. IN THAT ROLE, SHE COVERED ISSUES IMPORTANT TO

WHAT GIVES YOU THE MOST HAPPINESS? My family, followed closely by coffee.

WHAT’S THE FIRST THING YOU DO WHEN YOU WAKE UP IN THE MORNING?

FEATURED ON NPR, MARKETPLACE, THE

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST PET PEEVE?

CENTER FOR INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING,

I have so many it’s hard to pick just one. I’m one of those people who truly can’t stand certain noises — like the way it sounds when water is gulped down. I really try, but inside I’m screaming.

Since we’ve been working/schooling/ everything from home, all three of my kids come into my room in the mornings and hang out for a while as we all try to wake up. My husband is an early riser, but the rest of us struggle! They tell me about their dreams or what they think their day will be like. I know it is an incredible gift to have time like this and it’s my favorite time of the day.

IF YOU HAD UNLIMITED RESOURCES, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

WHAT TALENT OR SKILL DO YOU WISH YOU HAD?

Redistribute them equitably!

To have any talent would be amazing.

I have plenty of skills, but no actual talent.

LOW-INCOME FAMILIES, CHILD WELFARE AND DISABILITY. HER WORK HAS BEEN

BRIDGE MAGAZINE, THE DETROIT NEWS AND THE NEW YORK TIMES. SARAH DEVELOPED OUTLIER’S MODEL AFTER YEARS OF TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW JOURNALISTS COULD DO A BETTER JOB FILLING INFORMATION GAPS AND INCREASING ACCOUNTABILITY TO LOW-INCOME NEWS CONSUMERS. SHE LAUNCHED OUTLIER IN 2016, DURING HER

WHAT IS YOUR BEST QUALITY?

YEAR AS JOHN S. KNIGHT (JSK) FELLOW

I love to learn.

AT STANFORD UNIVERSITY. SHE LIVES IN NORTHWEST DETROIT WITH HER THREE

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST RISK YOU’VE TAKEN?

CHILDREN AND IS A PARISHIONER AT

I’m pretty risk averse as a general rule.

GESU CATHOLIC CHURCH.

WHAT VIRTUE DO YOU MOST ADMIRE IN OTHERS?

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE AUTHOR?

I really admire diligence and kindness, for very different reasons. I feel like diligence is the most democratic of the virtues, and yet it is a practice that can make you better at anything — even something as difficult as the other virtue I admire which is kindness. I think it takes a lot of discipline to be truly kind, but it seems people often treat kindness as if it’s a temperament, rather than a practice. A genuinely kind person is a gift in any community.

DIEGO DIAZ, ILLUSTRATOR

An impossible question. I love to read, and I always want to read authors I haven’t yet. Over the past few years, however, the books by Emmanuel Carrere have stuck with me the most.

HOW DO YOU WANT TO BE REMEMBERED WHEN YOU DIE? As an ancestor, my descendants feel they can draw strength or wisdom from just like I draw strength and wisdom from my ancestors, especially my grandmothers Mary Ann Jennings and Manuela Alvarez.

HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS? I’m incredibly grateful for the life I have, and I don’t strive for anything else. I feel successful when I’ve used my skills and my time to reduce the harm I see around me.

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PHOTO E SSAY

Novi

C H U RCH O F THE HOLY FAMILY I N N O V I W A S F OUNDED IN 1 9 7 4 TO S ERV E I T S RAPIDLY GRO WIN G COM M U NI T Y, WHICH IS N O W MA D E U P O F MORE THAN 3 ,3 0 0 H OU SEH O LDS. THE PARISH TRU LY FEELS LIKE A FAMILY, WI T H CHR IST AT THE CE NTE R OF T HEI R COMMUNAL LIFE. MA SSES A RE CE LEBRATE D IN BOT H ENGLISH AN D SPANISH E ACH W EEK EN D TO SERVE THE PARI SH’ S DIVE RSE COMMUN IT Y.

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The crucifix that hangs above the altar, placed at the forefront of the congregation that surrounds it in a semicircle formation.

This echoes the sentiment that all who enter the church are welcome and respected.

JAMES SILVESTRI, PHOTOGRAPHER AND WRITER

Associate Pastor Rev. Clifford Hennings consecrates the Eucharist during Mass on Sunday morning.

The Sunday morning congregation stands in reverence as Mass begins. In 2004, the group Seguidoras de Cristo e Hijas de Maria (Followers of Christ and Daughters of Mary) began organizing a monthly Spanish Mass. Since 2007, Mass has been celebrated in Spanish weekly on Saturdays at 6:30 p.m. Spanish Bible classes are also held at the church every Friday.

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Parishioners gather for food, videos and discussion during Alpha, a series of sessions exploring the Christian faith.

Each session includes several talks that address questions about faith followed by thoughtful conversations.

Alpha attendees discuss the themes of the talks, sharing and hearing each other’s perspectives.

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Parishioners raise their hands while praying the “Our Father” during Sunday Mass, following mask and social distancing guidelines for safe worship.

Father Bob LaCroix leads a Friday night Stations of the Cross, which is offered in person and online in both English and Spanish.

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C AT H O L I C F U N E R A L & C E M E T E RY S E RV I C E S

Be at rest with the family of your faith.

HE IS RISEN!

JOIN US FOR OUR SPRING OPEN HOUSE AND TOURS Sat u rd ay , M ay 1 , a n d Su n day , M ay 2

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