| LANSING, MICHIGAN THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE CHURCH OF THE RESURRECTION
RE SU RRE C TI O N MA G AZINE FALL 2021, VOL 2:2
NO SIN GREATER THAN GOD'S MERCY
TWO HEARTS BEAT AS ONE
WORD & SONG : THE PROPERS
One elpuo c serah rieht -t sop evitroba ye n r u o j f o g n i l a e h & s e n v i g r o f d n a dnes a egas m fo epoh ot .sreht o
A tsor y of walking the r oa d o f s u f e r i n g w i t h God and with each oth.er
Our cisum seirt sin m pleh su e cneir pxe e rom ylpe d eht la cig rutyile t sym fo eht Ch.hc ru
RESURRECTION MAGAZINE FALL 2021, VOL 2:2 PASTOR FR. STEVE MATTSON EDITOR SEAN O'NEILL MANAGING EDITOR BEN POHL ART DIRECTOR SARAH FINK
IN THIS
4
SEEKING UNITY OF PURPOSE & MISSION
6
NO SIN GREATER THAN GOD'S MERCY
8 10 11 12 14 15 16
Located in the heart of the city of Lansing, the Church of the Resurrection exists to help everyone in our parish family live in the light and hope of the resurrection.
FIND US AT
CORLANSING.ORG
ISSUE
FR. STEVE MATTSON
JOHN & DELLA SEELEY
TWO HEARTS BEAT AS ONE BEN POHL
EQUIPPING PARISHIONERS WHEREVER THEY ARE SEAN O'NEILL
WORD & SONG: THE PROPERS DAVID STATTELMAN
WHAT MAKES A RESURRECTION TEACHER BEN POHL
A PLACE OF ENCOUNTER MARIANNE VASIEVICH
OUR HEARTS BURN WHEN HE IS NEAR | AN ART MEDITATION MARY GATES
CARRYING | A POEM BRIAN FINK
Welcome to Resurrection Magazine! We have created this magazine to bear witness to what the Lord is doing in our midst. Our Risen Lord is blessing us richly, and we want to take this opportunity to share some of those blessings with you. Read and learn more about our parish and our rich Catholic faith! Please visit our website to read our past issues.
ON THE COVER
Fritz Von Uhde's Road to Emmaus (1891), pastel on paper. For a meditation on the painting, see page 15.
F
FROM THE
EDITOR
rom the articles in this issue of Resurrection Magazine a clear theme emerges. Our homeland is in heaven and this world is a foreign land that we have to navigate in order to get there. That may sound like rather sobering news, but as we shall see from the various offerings, God is faithful, loving, and eager to help us to get to heaven through the grace that he provides in our everyday lives. That theme is picked up by Fr. Steve in his article on page 4 where he reflects on the difficult times we are all living through, but how “the Lord is with us, and we have each other,” so that, despite our hardships, the bedrock of our lives remains love of God and love of neighbor. In fact, it is the love of God that empowers us, especially when we see him work in miraculous ways in our lives. Jim Fountain experienced God’s loving help in his own life and God’s answer to his wife, Piper’s, prayers when he was brought back to life after his heart had stopped for over three minutes. His story on page 8 is a testimony to the way God reaches down just when we need him most and an encouragement to us all to place our trust completely in Him. But God also wants us not just to survive in this world, but to thrive. He is constantly trying to woo us back to Himself through the wonders of creation and the beauty of music and the arts. David Stattelman explains, on page 11, how at the Church of the Resurrection we are striving to provide an experience of beauty through liturgical music. David explains how we have created a seamless experience of rich liturgy which we hope
will enable all who attend to encounter God at a deep level. A similar encounter opportunity is provided by the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, which teaches children the elements of the liturgical signs and symbols and how they too point to what is most important in our spiritual life, a relationship with Jesus. You can read about that on page 14; while on page 12, Ben Pohl explains some of the qualities that make up a Resurrection School teacher, with firsthand testimonies from those who have been under their care. God shows His love for us and we respond, in turn, by loving Him back. And yet, God also insists that we love our neighbor as ourselves. A practical way of reaching out to those most in need in our midst is exemplified in the article on Rachel’s Vineyard (page 6), a ministry for those who have been touched by the evil of abortion. An outreach of a in March of this Resurrection Life its origins, format,
different sort was initiated year with the launch of Podcast and we explain and content on page 10.
And lastly, we have a stunning poem on the back page by parish and school staff member Brian Fink; and a commentary on the cover art by Mary Gates, which provides a poignant reflection on the encounter with Jesus on the road to Emmaus. We hope you enjoy this issue of Resurrection Magazine!
3
Fritz von Uhde |
The Last Supper | 1886 | oil on asnvc
FR. STEVE MATTSON
SEEKING UNITY OF PURPOSE & MISSION
T
A CALL TO FIX OUR EYES ON OUR TRUE HOME
his past summer we had the following opening prayer or collect for the 21st Sunday of Ordinary Time:
O God, who cause the minds of the faithful to unite in a single purpose, grant your people to love what you command and to desire what you promise, that, amid the uncertainties of this world, our hearts may be fixed on that place where true gladness is found. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
4
with me. I have even been tempted to memorize it, because I want to never forget that I am called to help you (and myself) love what [God] command[s] and to desire what [God] promise[s].
Most of us, including priests, often take the opening prayer at Mass for granted. But like the readings and the psalms, they are worth reflection and meditation. This particular collect stirred my heart, coming as it did the week before the new school year began.
Of course, we all know that God has given two great commandments: to love the Lord our God with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. And it is painfully obvious that our fulfillment of the great commandments is anything but perfect. Thankfully, God does not expect us to be able to fulfill them merely by trying harder. Instead, the key is grace. The only way any of us can fulfill those great commandments is to be nourished and transformed by the Eucharist we receive each week (or day). Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and He offers Himself as food for this journey.
It focused my mind and heart and has stayed
Given
recent
developments,
including
the
UPCOMING FORMATION COURSE
SPIRITUAL GROWTH THROUGH STUDY WITH DR. JOHN YOCUM | OCTOBER 21, 28 & NOVEMBER 4 This course explores the ways in which good spiritual reading can enhance our life of faith, draw us closer to God and inspire us to greater love of neighbor. It provides a rationale for why reading spiritual works should be a regular part of our growth in the Christian life and why it is indispensable that we feed our minds with the things of God. It also provides practical guidelines for what to read and how to read
it and recommends an approach that is aimed at spiritual growth and not merely a cerebral exercise.
geopolitical crisis in Afghanistan, the physical suffering in Haiti, and the challenges of ongoing struggles with the COVID-19 pandemic, we need the Lord to give us wisdom and grace.
reveals itself as a “vale of tears.” For their sake and for ours, may we live in the conviction that there is a better place, a perfect place, in which, if we love well, God promises to welcome us one day. The life of heaven touches us each time we pray the Mass, as we anticipate the wedding banquet of the Lamb, and receive Jesus, who is there in heaven as food for our journey here below.
But even in “normal times,” filled as they are with challenges, difficulties, frustrations, and concerns, we can easily become distracted or discouraged, tempted even at times to despair. Thankfully, the scriptures and liturgical prayer of the Church never pretend that all is well in our earthly lives. No. Our faith is realistic, acknowledging the painful reality that this is not heaven.
"We Christians believe that heaven is our true home. We are pilgrims here." That is not to say there are not moments of great love, joy, and peace. Indeed, as the school year begins, I am grateful to hear the joy-filled sounds of children on the playground! But there is sadness too. In fact, even for young children, life here below
Our Speaker, Dr. John Yocum, has a Doctorate in Theology from The University of Oxford. He has taught Theology at Oxford, at Loyola School of Theology in Manila and currently teaches at the Sacred Heart Catholic Seminary in Detroit.
Seen in light of the hardships of life on earth, the collect beautifully and poignantly continues: that, amid the uncertainties of this world, our hearts may be fixed on that place where true gladness is found. We Christians believe that heaven is our true home. We are pilgrims here, journeying together amid these uncertainties, these heartaches, and the suffering. Thanks be to God, we are not alone. The Lord is with us, and we have each other. As we move through this school and formation year, let us strive to be unified in purpose and recommit to helping each other love the commands of God and desire what He promises, seeing everything and everyone from the perspective of eternity that we might live and love well as witnesses to the truth we find in Christ. With gratitude for the Eucharist, Father Steve
5
JON & DELLA SEELEY
NO SIN GREATER THAN GOD'S MERCY
M
ONE COUPLE'S POST-ABORTIVE JOURNEY TO HEALING & FORGIVENESS SENDS A MESSAGE OF HOPE TO OTHERS
y husband Jon and I are post-abortive and attended our first Rachel’s Vineyard in 2004. After 24 years of silence and not dealing with our choice to abort our daughter, Mary Elizabeth, God truly blessed us with this retreat. He showed us how to confront the truth of this terrible choice, and to know His love, mercy, and compassion. For the first time in our lives we were able to share with each other our deepest feelings of regret and to dismantle our troubling secret in an environment of emotional and spiritual support, as well as complete confidentiality. We were trapped for over 24 years in shame, anger, pain and not forgiving ourselves and accepting God’s Mercy. We now know there is no sin greater than God’s Mercy.
reality of Christ in an intimate way and respond to Him. This is all confidential and nothing is ever forced.
The Rachel’s Vineyard retreat helped us to have faith, hope, love, and joy in our lives again. I promise anyone that if you enter this process for healing, your life will change for the good. You will experience an end to isolation, despair, and hopelessness and find freedom. Throughout the weekend there are spiritual exercises called “living scriptures.” The exercises serve to re-enact stories from scripture and help us find Jesus truly present through the Word. Each participant has the opportunity to experience the
Throughout the weekend there is a time where participants, if they have not done so already, give their child a name. This is such a precious time for fathers and mothers to acknowledge and understand the personhood of their child. God tells us, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you.” (Jer 1:5), and, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name: you are mine” (Is 43:1).
"We were trapped for over 24 years in shame, anger, pain and not forgiving ourselves and accepting God’s Mercy.
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING
“At the end of the retreat, I felt relief and hope! Release from the feeling of being terribly unworthy and hopeless. It was incredible to see that so many others felt the same way and gathered their courage to come on the retreat.” -Anonymous, Rachel's Vineyard retreat participant
6
On the last day of the weekend retreat we recognize our child by having a memorial service for them. We all receive a birth certificate when we are born. We know that we are not just a clump of cells as Planned Parenthood and others would have us believe. During the service, participants recognize their child, that they are his or her parents, and they spiritually present their child to God. Afterwards, parents can write a letter to their child. Here is the letter that Jon and I wrote to our daughter, Mary Elizabeth:
We know there is so much hurt and pain from the trauma of abortion, but there is amazing healing for all at these retreats. Our Rachel’s Vineyard team is so thankful to our God above for allowing us to offer this beautiful healing ministry and to see God’s future of love, hope, and mercy for so many participants. Our team trusts that in the future God will bring many more to our Rachel’s Vineyard healing retreats. Our God loves us more then we can even imagine and He does indeed heal our wounds.
Our Precious child Mary Elizabeth, We are writing this letter with deep love and asking you our precious little girl to forgive us for taking away your life with us here on earth. We were so wrong to take away what GOD had created. We know you were denied so much and words cannot even describe how much we miss you. We had no right to deny you the right to live just because it was a convenience for us. You do have a wonderful sister Angela and a wonderful brother Nathan. We are sorry we denied you to be with them. There is not a day or night that goes by that we do not think about what we took away from you. You are with us always in our hearts. Please accept our apology and look over our family. We hope one day to see your beautiful face. Love, Dad and Mom
ABOUT RACHEL'S VINEYARD
T
heresa Burke, Ph.D., started one of the first therapeutic support groups for post-abortive women in 1986 after founding The Center for Post Abortion Healing. In 1994, Rachel's Vineyard: A Psychological and Spiritual Journey for Post Abortion Healing was first published. It was a unique support group model for counselors, offering a very concrete, emotional experience for men and women who were grieving the loss of their aborted children. In 1995, Theresa adapted and expanded the curriculum into a format for weekend retreats. Soon individuals seeking healing began to travel from other states to experience this very effective healing process. Without a budget, office, or advertising, Rachel's Vineyard became a grassroots national outreach. By word
of mouth only, the retreats began to spread across the country because of the retreat's dramatic effectiveness, from 18 retreats in 1999 and growing to 35 retreats in 2000. In 2003, Rachel’s Vineyard became a ministry of Priests for Life and its board was structured accordingly. Currently, Rachel's Vineyard has grown to over 1000 retreats annually, held in 49 states and 70 countries, with many new sites in development. The Rachel's Vineyard healing models are used by mental health professionals, post abortion ministries, crisis pregnancy centers, pastoral care and faith-based outreach programs. To learn more about Rachel’s Vineyard, please visit www.rachelsvineyard.org. Della Seeley is coordinator of Rachel’s Vineyard in the Lansing area.
7
BEN POHL
TWO HEARTS BEAT AS ONE
I
JIM AND PIPER FOUNTAIN SHARE THEIR STORY OF WALKING THE ROAD OF SUFFERING WITH GOD AND WITH EACH OTHER
t is said that as a couple grows older together, they take on each other's mannerisms, they can finish each other’s sentences, and sometimes even start to look like each other! The beauty of marriage shines forth in these most natural of ways. But ever since God sanctified marriage by making it a sacramental covenant, He has given grace for couples to grow in unity of heart. This story, appearing to be about the healing of Jim Fountain’s natural heart, is perhaps even more truly about the healing and union of Jim and Piper Fountain’s spiritual hearts. Jim was 51 – a cyclist, hunter, fisherman – and no one would have considered him unhealthy. The year was 2005 and a stress test revealed a greatly enlarged heart, and a leaky valve that needed surgery. Cleveland Clinic performed it and, after being released, Piper drove Jim to their friend's home where she had been staying before making the trip back to Michigan. Jim was pretty weak, “It took 1520 minutes to get from the car up to the bedroom. The recovery was a long struggle. I had no energy, and endured spiritual attacks, hallucinations from drugs, depression, pain, lack of appetite. It was six months before I started feeling better.” A routine checkup up a year later revealed that the repairs had failed. A second surgery for a valve replacement was scheduled. “During this time,
8
God was really working on me. There were some things in my life that I had kept secret from Piper financial stuff. Jesus led me to bringing everything into the light, and asking for forgiveness. God was healing our marriage! After years of impasse, there was a breakthrough, new freedom and deeper love. That was a really big deal for both of us!” Jim’s second surgery, again at Cleveland Clinic, took place during Holy Week 2007. “After the surgery I went into atrial fibrillation… and I was paranoid that my heart was going to undo all the surgeon’s work and break apart since it was beating so fast. These fears came in the middle of the night, when all of a sudden, I felt this heavy hand on my shoulder. I opened my eyes and it’s my surgeon, in real life. He looks at me and says, ‘Jim, your heart is strong, it’s not going to fall apart…I did a good job, just relax.’ I hadn’t spoken a word, but God comforted me on the spot. A miraculous intervention! “Now it’s Good Friday, and I’m still in AFib. Piper brings me Communion and says that Jesus is now part of my cells. I’m pondering, ‘Lord, only say the word and your servant shall be healed.’ Right as I say that, I feel my heart go into normal sinus rhythm! A Eucharistic miracle!” Easter Sunday, Jim was discharged and he and Piper returned to their friend’s house. But this
time, Jim was not only able to get out of the car by himself, but carry his suitcase up two flights of stairs and join in the family’s Easter festivities. After that happy day, there was no pain at all! The Lord had brought healing to Jim’s heart, both physically and spiritually. A real Easter miracle! Fast forward to the fall of 2020. Jim and Piper made a quick trip up north near Traverse City to visit Piper’s Dad and her cousin. But that night, Jim couldn’t sleep because of difficulty breathing and fits of coughing. Suspecting COVID Piper took him to Munson Hospital in Traverse City. Hospital staff sent her back to the car, and tested Jim. Piper took the time of waiting to pray all 4 mysteries of the rosary, asking Mary’s intercession. The COVID test was negative, but Jim was admitted. Piper went back to her Dad’s and returned to the hospital in the morning. The next two days of testing revealed that Jim’s heart valve had failed, and he was in congestive heart failure. Several doctors had assembled to tell them their results and during this Jim interrupted, “I’m passing out!” His monitor alarms sounded; the doctors checked - no pulse! ‘Code blue’ was called, the crash cart was rolled in and doctors and nurses emerged from all over, filling the room and hallway. A doctor immediately began chest compressions. Soon they brought out the shock paddles and administered them three times. Jim had been gone for three and a half minutes, but somehow came back. Jim’s memory of this, “in the blackest black I had ever seen, and worst tortuous pain, I was screaming at the top of my lungs, ’Mary please ask the Father to take away the pain, I can’t take this, if it’s my time I am ready, but if not please ask Him to take away the pain...but Piper said that I never made a sound!” In the midst of this whirlwind Piper pushed herself back into a small space against the wall out of the
way of all the commotion and felt totally at peace. She knew to always trust God, but this time was different. Could she lose her husband? Could her heart for Jim, which had grown so strong through these trials, be left without his? She alerted all her Christian supports - and asked for urgent prayers. Jim was so fragile that it was even unclear that he would be stable enough to endure new valve surgery at all. Of great comfort was Fr. Mitch Roman, a local priest, who came to administer last rites. He reminded Jim and Piper to trust and not fear. “We’re all on a journey to heaven, so we can put our lives in God’s hands. This is our faith.” Piper clung to the word of God. “I asked people to pray John 14:14, ‘If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.’ God provided so much support and preparation. Just the day before our trip, I had attended the Work of Christ’s women’s conference. (The theme was: Dwelling in the shelter of the Most High). A brother had given a word to the women beforehand that God was saying: ‘Each woman will be blessed and get what she needs because of my deep, personal, and intimate love for them.’” Jim survived the night and an emergency surgical team was ready in the morning. Most doctors would not have attempted a third open heart surgery, but a renowned heart surgeon “just happened” to be on staff and agreed to it. During the 6-hour surgery, Piper and her daughters Shauna and Sophie waited at a coffee shop for the doctor’s call. They just finished up the Divine Mercy Chaplet when the doctor called to say that Jim had made it through! “It had been raining all day, but as we left the coffee shop the sun came out and a big rainbow was shining up in the sky. All glory to God, Who keeps His promises!” Jim had made it! The Lord was with Him, but also the helpmate He had given Jim when they met some 46 years ago. After all these years, and perhaps now more than ever, their two hearts beat as one.
9
SEAN O'NEILL
EQUIPPING PARISHIONERS
WHEREVER THEY ARE
O
AN EXCITING DEVELOPMENT “BUILT TO MOVE PARISHIONERS TOWARD A MATURE CHRISTIAN LIFE”
ne of the things that has become apparent to me over the last year is that many of our parishioners are hungry for spiritual growth and want to enter more deeply into the life of the Spirit. Our formation program and this magazine are just two of the vehicles that we use to supply that need. In an effort to provide further ways for parishioners to engage with formative content, in March of this year we began broadcasting Resurrection Life Podcast. The podcast is an exciting development built to move parishioners toward a mature Christian life. Each podcast episode has a simple format, divided into three segments. The first segment is what I like to call the “talking heads” segment, in which Fr. Steve and podcast-savvy parishioner Rich Budd discuss various aspects of Catholic life. Segment two is a reflection on scripture or on an aspect of the spiritual life given by me. The last segment features a piece of Catholic culture. This format allows us the opportunity to do a number of things. It lets us explore subjects that are relevant to the Christian life, as well as giving us the chance to interview various people who are relevant to those topics. It also enables us to present content from our formation program in a way that is accessible to parishioners, without their having to wait for an in-
person course to be offered. In segment three we aim to show that Catholic life encompasses not only overtly “religious” concerns, but also cultural elements such as poetry, literature, and music. So far, some of the topics covered include healing, baptism, priestly ordination, Lent, Easter, and the pandemic, and throughout the episodes we have been able to present reflections on various psalms, explore the need for prayer and solitude in our lives, and spotlight the tradition of fasting and abstinence. We have also uncovered a wellspring of poetic talent in our parish community, and we hope to expand that culture segment to also include original music, short stories, and even brief plays written and performed by members of the parish. There has been some very encouraging feedback from listeners, who seem to appreciate the format as well as the content. The hope is that we can provide more interviews and a variety of cultural offerings through this medium which we trust will enrich the lives of our parishioners. The podcast can be found on the usual platforms such as Apple and Spotify, and each show runs to approximately 45 minutes. If anyone would like to request a specific topic, give us feedback on the shows, or contribute to the cultural segment, we can be contacted at podcast@corlansing.org.
LISTEN ON OUR WEBSITE
Visit our website to listen to the latest episodes of Resurrection Life Podcast!
CORLANSING.ORG/RESURRECTION-LIFE-PODCAST
10
DAVID STATTELMAN
WORD & SONG:
THE PROPERS
DRAWING FROM MUSICAL TREASURES BOTH OLD AND NEW, WE EXPERIENCE MORE DEEPLY THE LITURGICAL MYSTERY OF THE CHURCH
A
t the Church of the Resurrection, we state unequivocally that we are authentically Catholic and that we worship in a way that is both reverent and beautiful. From the point of view of a parish musician, it can be difficult to determine what is truly reverent and beautiful because the concept of beauty can be so subjective and in our culture, a wide range of musical repertoires surround us. We can, however, rely most assuredly on the traditions of the Church and the symbiotic relationship between the sacred texts and musical chants that have developed over the centuries.
(“propers”) including the Introit, Gradual, Offertory and Communion propers, with each having an antiphon sung at the beginning, followed by a series of verses, and concluding with the antiphon repeated. For example, for centuries on the third Sunday of Advent, the Introit (entrance) Antiphon was “Gaudete in Domino semper” or, “Rejoice in the Lord always”, and the whole Mass began with that chant. This is how the third Sunday of Advent became known as “Gaudete Sunday.” The theme of rejoicing continued throughout the readings, antiphons, and texts of the rest of that Sunday’s Mass.
Whether we attend a Mass at our local parish or anywhere else in the world, the structure of the Mass will be familiar to us. For example, we can expect to hear the same readings that are being read in every other Roman Catholic Church in the world. This is because each Mass has readings that are considered “proper” to the particular day or feast. What many do not realize is that, in addition to the day’s proper readings, the Church has also chosen specific chants and texts. It is this group of chants and texts that we refer to specifically as “The Propers.”
At Church of the Resurrection, we have sought to incorporate the antiphons to honor the tradition of the Church, while also recognizing the changes in liturgy post-Vatican II. To meld these approaches, we have integrated both the antiphons and hymns into our celebration of the Mass, with the choir or small groups (scholas) typically singing the propers and the congregation joining in hymns and the sung responses of the Mass. To help parishioners better enter into this tradition, the St. Isaac Jogues missal contains all the readings and antiphons for the Sunday Mass.
Most of us are familiar with the processional, offertory, communion, and recessional hymns. Liturgists and musicians call this the “fourhymn sandwich.” It is actually, in terms of the history of the Church, a relatively new phenomenon. Prior to Vatican II, there were not hymns as we know them. There were instead a series of proper chants
In short, our goal is to incorporate the use of the propers in order to facilitate a greater experience of the deep liturgical mystery of the Catholic Church. Pulling from the great musical treasury of the Church, we are able to create a seamless and integrated celebration of the liturgy that is as beautiful as any Cathedral, stained glass window, or painting.
11
Fritz von Uhde |
Let the Little Children Come to Me| 1884 | oil on asnvc
BEN POHL
WHAT MAKES A RESURRECTION TEACHER FORMER STUDENTS SHARE HOW THEIR RESURRECTION TEACHERS HAVE HAD A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THEIR LIVES
W
hen we look back at our childhood, we can almost certainly name our favorite teacher, or a teacher who made a significant impact on our lives. But teachers often never hear about the impact they made, nor the memories impressed upon the students they serve day in and day out, year after year. I was blessed this fall to be able to gather responses from recent Resurrection School alumni who shared their answers to the questions, “What makes a Resurrection teacher?” and “What is your favorite memory of a Resurrection teacher?” I hope you enjoy their inspiring and sometimes humorous responses! Nearly every response to the question, “What makes a Resurrection teacher?” began with a testament to their faith. They can be summed up by the response of one 2019 alumnus: “They are all in for Jesus.” He
12
continues: “The teachers at Resurrection care about our learning and education but what they value most is bringing people to Jesus who is the way, the truth, and the life.” This commitment to Jesus Christ resonates beyond 8th grade graduation: “They genuinely care about their students and helping them to learn what matters in all aspects of life…They still inspire me to always be kind and virtuous and to pursue God in all things.” Resurrection teachers are also known for their personal care for their students: “A Resurrection teacher cares more about the outcome of the person [than just] a letter grade.” An alumna of 2018 put it beautifully by connecting the faith of our teachers with their personal care: “[They] make sure each student knows they are cared for not only by them but most importantly by God.”
This was perhaps most poignantly noted by an alumnus of 2015 who recalls his favorite memory from Resurrection School: “I would say it was the love Mrs. Jacobs showed my class when our classmate Miles died. It was a difficult time, but the love she showed us and the space we were given to grieve was a testament to the love of Christ.”
"They still inspire me to always be kind and virtuous and to pursue God in all things." Communication and personal touches were also a highlight: “A Resurrection teacher is someone who looks out for all of their students and teaches them while also forming relationships with each individual.” And, “[They] are unique due to their attention to detail and personal communication with their students.” An alumnus of 2021 was particularly moved by a simple, everyday action: “Back in elementary school, there was a project where we were required to draw organisms into
categories. When I got my project back, there was a note in the back that complemented my drawings. I was so happy that someone appreciated my drawings, and that comment inspired me to pursue drawing. I still have that drawing and kept it as a memento.” As you might expect, there was some good-natured humor in their responses as well: “Res teachers have a certain type of humor that the whole class gets.” One graduate says they mostly hear “dad jokes or puns.” Another 2021 alumnus remembers this classic “dad moment”: “During one of Mr. Fink’s classes we were talking about the industrial revolution and then out of nowhere he went on a tangent…about how he wanted to build a house out of old pre-industrialized materials and do it all by hand.” Resurrection teachers can also have a competitive side, as one graduate recounts “watching Sr. Mary Gabriel play floor hockey.” He had “never seen a sister be so aggressive in a sport. She and [a student] were fighting for the puck. She moved into his zone faster than he anticipated and his glasses fell to the floor, where they broke. Moral of this lesson, never expect mercy in a sport, even if they are a religious sister.” There were many responses just like these, witnessing to the lasting impact of the faith and love of our Resurrection School teachers. As one 2019 alumna put it: “A Resurrection teacher not only teaches, but builds amazing memories with their classes and helps contribute to making Res an amazing school.”
13
MARIANNE VASIEVICH
A PLACE OF
ENCOUNTER
“P
IN CATECHESIS OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD, RESURRECTION CHILDREN DEVELOP A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS
urple and green and red and white are the colors of the year.” These are the words you might hear sung by our 3-5 year-olds on the first floor of Resurrection School. They are getting ready to process into a special room where they will experience the joy of the Lord and feel His peace. The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) is a program started in the 1950’s by three laywomen in Italy to engage children in a special place with structure, time, and quiet to meet the Good Shepherd through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. This all happens in a space called an “atrium.” When I first visited one, I was in awe as I was surrounded by all the elements of my Catholic faith: the altar, the Baptismal area, the Cenacle (Upper Room), a prayer table, the Good Shepherd, and more. I was drawn to this sacred place of peace and beauty prepared especially for children. I wanted to know how it served to foster their faith. After plenty of specialized training, we now have an atrium and a vibrant CGS program at Resurrection. We are also one of only a few parishes in our diocese to have a CGS program for pre-K through fifth grade. In CGS, children listen to the Word of God from the Bible and the Liturgy. Sessions occur weekly and are led by a catechist and helpers. The
atrium is a meeting ground between God and the child. The children meet the true Teacher in this atmosphere of peace and abundant joy. The children are excited to come into the atrium; they really want to be there and can’t wait to spend time with the One who is love. Unlike in a regular classroom, there are no tests or grades. Instead, it’s all about encountering and building a relationship with the Good Shepherd. The catechist presents the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit does the rest! The catechist and children discuss and share the Scripture messages as revealed to them by the Holy Spirit. The time in the atrium is joyful for children as they grow in relationship with Jesus. Children respond in their own unique way as they contemplate the message Jesus has for them. The response could be a drawing, a painting, a prayer, a song, a tracing, or some practical life work inspired by the Good Shepherd. The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, based on Scripture and Liturgy, helps foster a personal relationship with Jesus Christ at an early age. At Resurrection, we are blessed to have catechists, helpers, and a supportive administrative team to continue the CGS tradition begun over seventy years ago. Please pray that all of our children come to know Jesus as their Good Shepherd through our CGS program.
WHAT WE LEARN ABOUT IN THE ATRIUM
The major topics for ages 3-5 and 6-9 include: Prayer, The History of the Kingdom of God, The Holy Bible, The Mystery of the Incarnation, Moral Life, Parables and Maxims, The Mystery of Christ as the Good Shepherd, The Paschal Mystery, Sacramental Preparation, and more.
For our 9-12-year-old children, topics include: The History of the Kingdom of God, the Old Testament , Moral Life in the Kingdom of God, and further topics explored at greater depth. Each level builds on earlier presentations to enhance the child’s spiritual development.
LEARN MORE ABOUT CGS For more information, visit contact Marianne Vasievich at mvasievich@corlansing.org or visit cgsusa.org.
14
Fritz Von Uhde |
Road to Emmaus | 1891 | eltasp on aper
MARY GATES
OUR HEARTS BURN
WHEN HE IS NEAR
A REFLECTION ON THE COVER ART AND THE EXPERIENCE OF WALKING WITH THE RESURRECTED ONE
E
ven in their unbelief, He comes. Unrecognized, unnoticed, He comes. He is near - walking alongside - gentle and forgiving, inviting and merciful. What are you talking about? About despair, about lost hope, about promises that seem to be left unfulfilled. They are slow to believe, foolish, unseeing. I am slow to believe, foolish, unseeing. How often, Lord, do you walk alongside me unrecognized, unnoticed? And yet they want Him to stay. And yet I want Him to stay. For our hearts burn when He is near. And in our brokenness, we long to be loved and healed and made whole.
Their eyes are opened when He breaks the bread, and they go, proclaiming what is true. Proclaiming the One who is truth. He longs for my eyes to be open, too. For me to see Him in bread broken, blood poured, sacrifice made present. For me to see him in neighbor, in promise, in sacrament. He longs to meet me in my unbelief, my foolishness and my blindness, and to walk alongside me. Open our eyes, Lord - to Your love that heals and summons and sustains - so that our lives proclaim what is true: You, the resurrected One are near, just as You promised. And Your love endures forever.
15
BRIAN FINK
C A RRY I NG
CO R L A NS I NG . O R G |
1 5 0 E M I C H I G A N AV E N U E
. L A NS I NG , M I C H I G A N
. 48912 |
(517) 482-47 9