SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 | PTDIOCESE.ORG
feature story
Walking in the footsteps of Christ
feature story
Teens share Christ’s love with orphans
feature story
Students go above and beyond to make a difference
THE H EART OF A SELF L i ESS CHILD
Compassionate, personalized care has a new name. Sacred Heart Health System is now known as Ascension Sacred Heart. That’s more than 100 years of history rolled into one exciting, new beginning. ascension.org/florida
Š Ascension 2019. All rights reserved.
522319_FLPEN_CatholicCompass_PensacolaFtWaltonDestin_0901_BrandThisIsNowThat_8x10-25.indd 2
7/29/19 8:57 AM
INSIDE this issue
Leslie, Nick, Claire and Emmett Perez.
THE HEART OF A SELFLESS CHILD
16
COVER STORY
6 feature story
Walking in the footsteps of Christ
8
6
8 feature story
Teens share Christ’s love with orphans
10 culture
“Golumpki” — Stuffed cabbage rolls
12 feature story
Students go above and beyond to make a difference
14 feature story
Los estudiantes van más allá para hacer la diferencia
16 cover story
The heart of a selfless child
20 special report Christus Vivit
22 around the diocese 23 in know with Father Joe 24 celebrate us 26 marriage matters 27 things to do
10
The Diocese of PensacolaTallahassee encourages anyone who may have been abused, or who is aware of abuse by a priest, deacon or church personnel to report it so that we may help individuals in the healing process and better ensure the safety of all. All information supplied is maintained in strictest confidence, except where disclosure is required by law. For victim assistance, visit www.ptdiocese.org/reportabuse 3
FROM THE BISHOP
Dear Friends in Christ, Hello from your bishop! Another school
BISHOP WILLIAM A. WACK, CSC
Queridos amigos en Cristo, Hola de parte de su Obispo! Ya se acerca otro año
year is upon us. Where did the summer
escolar. ¿A dónde se fue el verano? Una vez más
go? Once again our school buildings are
nuestras aulas están llenas de cientos de jóvenes
filled with hundreds of young people,
llenaran nuestras escuelas, aprendiendo y creciendo en
learning and growing in the faith. Those
la fe. Esas mismas escuelas — y otros edificios en nuestra
same buildings — and many others in the
diocesis — también se ocupan durante los Domingos,
diocese — are busy on Sundays as well, as
cuando nuestras comunidades se reúnen para formar
the community comes together to form
a los niños en la fe católica. Sea en nuestras escuelas,
our children in the Catholic faith. Whether
nuestras aulas de catequesis, o nuestros hogares, todos
it is in our schools, religious education classrooms or in
queremos cumplir el mandamiento de Cristo el maestro:
our homes, we all hope to fulfill the command of Christ
“Vayan y ensenen a todas las naciones, bautizándolas en
the teacher: “Teach all nations, baptizing them in the
el nombre del Padre, del Hijo, y del Espíritu Santo”. (Mt 28)
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
Por favor mantengan a nuestros maestros, alumnos, catequistas y personal de escuelas en sus oraciones.
(Mt 28)
Please keep our teachers, students, catechists and
La oracion es poderosa y es una manera muy bella de
school staff members in your prayers. Prayer goes a
poder mantener contacto con aquellos que trabajan en
long way in assisting others, and it is a wonderful way of
las aulas y en sus casas. Le doy eco a las palabras de
staying connected with those who are doing the work in
San Pablo: “Doy gracias a mi Dios en cada recuerdo de
the classrooms and in their homes. I echo the words of
ustedes, orando siempre con alegría en cada una
St. Paul: “I give thanks to my God at every remem-
de mis oraciones por todos ustedes, debido a su
brance of you, praying always with joy in my
asociación al evangelio desde el primer día hasta
every prayer for all of you, because of your
ahora. Estoy seguro de esto: que el que comenzó
partnership for the gospel from the first day
una buena obra en usted continuará haciéndolo
until now. I am confident of this: that the one
hasta el día de Cristo Jesús”. (Fil 1: 3-6)
who began a good work in you will continue to
Aunque muchos de nosotros ya no somos estudiantes
complete it until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Phil 1:3-6)
en el sentido formal de esa palabra, Dios nos invita a
Even though many of us are no longer students in the
todos a acercarnos a él: “Acérquense a mí, todos los
formal sense of that word, all of us are invited by God to
que están cansados, y les daré descanso. Tomen mi
draw near to him: “Come to me, all who are weary, and
yugo sobre sus hombros y aprendan de mí, porque
I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon your shoulders
soy manso y humilde de corazón ... ”.
and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart
de compartir nuestra fe católica con otros, debemos
…”
conocerla bien nosotros mismos. A través de la oración,
(Mt 11:28-29)
Before we can hope to share our Catholic
Antes
faith with others, we must know it well ourselves.
el estudio, la lectura de las Escrituras y la celebración
Through prayer, study, the reading of the Scriptures
de los sacramentos, crecemos en nuestra comprensión
and the celebration of the sacraments, we grow in
y amor a la fe que se nos ha sido transmitida. Debemos
our understanding and love of the faith that has been
recordar: no solo estamos llamados a ser apóstoles
handed on to us. We must remember: not only are we
(testigos de Cristo); También somos discípulos
called to be apostles (witnesses of Christ); we are also
(seguidores de Cristo).
disciples (followers of Christ). Dios los bendiga, God bless you, +Bill
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(Mt 11: 28-29)
The Catholic Compass | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019
+ Bill
God is with us every step of the way What’s not exciting about going back to school? Parents are happy to get back into a normal routine in which the sound called “quiet” reemerges. Children are happy about returning to school to see their friends and meet new ones. They also look forward to enjoying their after-school activities again. However, the new school year can leave parents exhausted. The routine of getting up at the crack of dawn to make breakfast, pack lunches and make sure your children brush their teeth can be daunting. And, when they return home, the hard work – including helping with homework and transporting them from one activity to another – continues.
It’s easy to get lost in the busyness of life. We are reminded in all circumstances to keep our eyes elevated on Christ. He is with us always. If we are too busy to stop and notice what God is doing in our lives because our hearts are too busy, we will miss the opportunity to see the good he is doing in us. The Serenity Prayer can help us refocus our attention when life seems hectic and out of hand. God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; enjoying one moment at a time; accepting hardship as the pathway to peace. Taking as Jesus did this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; trusting that he will make all things right if I surrender to his will; that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with him forever in the next. Whatever stage of life you’re in, embrace each phase, knowing that God is with us every step of the way.
St. Joseph Cupertino Feast Day: Sept. 18
While St. Joseph of Cupertino is probably most known for his life marked by mystical visions and levitations, he is also a patron saint for students and for those taking exams. As a young boy, he was often so lost in his own world that the other children picked on him. They called him “bocca aperto,” meaning “mouth agape,” as he was often seen wandering aimlessly with his mouth hanging open. Joseph had a reputation for being absent-minded and awkward. He struggled to read, which made his studies very difficult. It’s said that a sudden noise, such as the ringing of a church bell, would make him drop his schoolbooks on the floor. His attempts to make conversation with companions were a constant struggle. He would often stop in the middle of a sentence, failing to find the right words. Even those who wished to be kind to him found him something of a trial. One day, he encountered a friar in the village, begging for bread. He thought to himself, “I may be horrible at everything, but surely, I could be good at begging for bread.” He was initially rejected by the Franciscans, but with persistence, he joined the Capuchins. Unfortunately, they sent him away only eight months later. He could not seem to do anything right, often dropping piles of dishes and forgetting what he was told to do. Eventually, he was able to secure a
FROM THE EDITOR
SHARMANE ADAMS
SAINT OF THE MONTH
post taking care of a stable in a Franciscan convent near Cupertino. He grew in holiness, and his aptitude for penance, humility and obedience were finally recognized. Joseph began his studies for the priesthood. While traditional study was very difficult for him, Joseph was blessed with a great deal of knowledge from prayer. In a crucial moment during his seminary exams, the examiner happened to ask him to explain the only thing he knew well, and so he was able to pass the exam. He was ordained in 1628. St. Joseph was blessed with a remarkable closeness with God, and the Holy Spirit worked many miracles through him. Prayer to St. Joseph Cupertino for success in exams O Great St. Joseph of Cupertino who while on earth did obtain from God the grace to be asked at your examination only the questions you knew, obtain for me a like favour in the examinations for which I am now preparing.In return, I promise to make you known and cause you to be invoked. I will also imitate your life of prayer and devotion Through Jesus Christ our Lord. St. Joseph of Cupertino, Pray for us. Amen. 5
g n i k l a W
t s i r h C EPS of
T S T O O F e h t n i
The pilgrims walk nine miles across the countryside to the holy site of Emmaus-Nicopolis.
FEATURE STORY
FATHER TIM HOLEDA
is chaplain at the Catholic Student Union at Florida State University and the diocesan director of vocations and seminarians.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAELA GOLDSTEIN 6
“SISTER, NO WORRIES! One day I will lead a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, and I will make sure you get to come!” I was trying to console my disappointed friend and campus ministry co-worker, Sister Della Marie Doyle, TOR. She had just found out her planned trip to the Holy Land had been cancelled. This was the second time in two years that she had an opportunity to go to Israel, yet circumstances prevented her from going. I felt badly for her, so I made a promise, not realizing she already had a new inspiration. “I think it would be great to take some college students from the Catholic Student Union (CSU) to the Holy Land,” Sister Della Marie said. “Would you be interested in doing that?” she asked. “Absolutely,” I responded, thinking this was something far off and would likely not materialize. When I realized that Sister Della Marie was referring to May 2019, which was less than three months away, I assumed it wouldn’t happen. How could she possibly put together a pilgrimage in so little time? I soon learned that God must really love Sister Della Marie and the students of CSU, because things began to come
The Catholic Compass | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 | WWW.PTDIOCESE.ORG
together very quickly. In less than two weeks, we had the required number of student commitments, airplane reservations, a guide for part of our trip, lodging, etc. On May 7, the two of us, along with 12 young people from Florida State University, departed from Tallahassee to Israel on the trip of a lifetime. This was not an ordinary pilgrimage with chartered buses, hotels and fancy restaurants. Our luggage consisted of a hiking backpack and a daypack. We were going to hike, camp and prepare our own food purchased at local grocers and markets. This was no vacation; it was a true pilgrimage. A spiritual adventure! Our guide was a priest from the Community of the Beatitudes, Father Anthony Ariniello, a native of Colorado, who has been leading these trips with youth for years. He lives with his community in the holy site of Emmaus and throughout the year provides opportunities for young adults and college students to serve and experience the Holy Land. He is a wonderful priest who worked tirelessly to lead us in prayer, Scripture readings and songs. Father Anthony taught us history and even some Hebrew. A few days into the trip, while we were staying on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, we ascended partway up the Mount of Beatitudes and stopped near an outdoor altar with some stone benches. Father Anthony pulled out a
Students from the Catholic Student Union at FSU, Father Tim and Sister Della Marie stand near the Dominus Flevit (Latin, the Lord wept) Church on the Mount of Olives.
Father Tim and Father Anthony celebrate Mass in the manger of the Nativity.
Pilgrims take time to pray in Gethsemane. The rock is the site where Jesus was at prayer during the agony in the garden.
small monstrance with the Blessed Sacrament, and we spent some time in eucharistic adoration in silence. As I adored our Lord in the host and gazed out over the Sea of Galilee, I began to feel enormous gratitude swell up in me. I reflected on my life – the blessings, the difficulties, my sins, my unworthiness. Yet, here I was with these incredible people adoring the Lord on this mountain as his priest! I would never have predicted this beautiful moment months earlier, but, somehow, God brought this about for us. There was a strong sense of awe and wonder at how God is present, in charge and taking care of each one of us. I was overwhelmed with the beauty around me, the life we all share and the gift all of it is every day. A few days later, we visited the Garden of Gethsemane, and I was able to pray and reverence the rock that Jesus prayed on right before his Passion began. I reflected on Jesus in the garden. Perhaps he could see the guards
and torches approaching from his place on the Mount of Olives? What was he thinking? We know that he prayed for the Father to take this cup from him, the cup of suffering, but ultimately, out of love for us all, he accepted and said, “Yes.” He said “yes” because he trusted the Father, and he, though innocent, shouldered our burdens and took them to the cross. At this point, I recalled what I had experienced a few days earlier by the Sea of Galilee, and desired very strongly to make my own “yes” to whatever the future held. A future that may be full of joy and successes, but also disease, pain, failure and suffering. How can we, who are not innocent, not say “yes” to the Father? God showed that he was intimately involved in our trip many times, such as when our group during the Via Dolorosa finished the 12th Station of the Cross (Jesus dies) and reverenced Calvary at precisely 3 p.m. That was completely unplanned. Jesus is reality. He is here, right now, in your life. We should not be afraid to give our “yes” to him and to entrust our entire lives to him. Before I visited the Holy Land, many of our priests had shared with me how life-changing it can be to go. When you are in Israel, the places and names of things in the Bible become very real. When I read the stories of Gideon or the Transfiguration at Mount Tabor, of Abraham buying a plot of land to be buried in at Hebron, the baptism of Jesus or the many events that took place in the Jordan River, I can now visualize these places in a new way. Christ has become that much more intimate and real in my life as a result. My hope is that I can regularly accompany or help facilitate students and young adults going to the Holy Land so that they can experience their own intimacy with Christ in the places he walked. Father Anthony told us, “When one goes to Rome or some of the other great sites, one is proud of their faith, and they see the glory of the Church. But the Holy Land is different; she is like the mother who sends you out on a mission after you visit her.” 7
"My faith in God has become stronger, and I realize now that I should be grateful and happy with what I have."
John Paul Cameron is thankful that the Lord brought him to the Dominican Republic to meet baby Edelyn.
Teens share Christ's love with orphans “BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE.” It sounds simple, but, for most of us, it’s not easy. The youth group at Good Shepherd Parish in Tallahassee, however, sure did make it look KATHLEEN GROBE is a
parishioner at the Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More, where she serves in various ministries, including the parish Council of Catholic Women.
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easy during a week-long mission trip to the Dominican Republic. Working with children with disabilities shone a new light on their Catholic faith and showed them that they could indeed make a difference.
A graduate of Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio, and Syracuse University in New York, Kelly Colangelo serves as director of youth ministry, guiding the activities of some 125 teenagers and young adults for the parish. Under her guidance, the students jour-
The Catholic Compass | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 | WWW.PTDIOCESE.ORG
Lindsey Scaringe stops during a walk for a picture with baby Ruth.
neyed to the island nation to work with children with physical and learning disabilities. Father Mike Foley, Good Shepherd pastor, accompanied them, as did Deacon Troy Fulford. “We have been going to the Dominican Republic for the last few years,” Kelly said. “We love the organization we work with, and they offer everything we desire in an international mission trip. We work with a Catholic organization called Mustard Seed Communities (MSC),” she added. MSC began in 1978 as a home for children with disabilities who had been abandoned on the streets of Jamaica. “Today, MSC provides loving and lifelong care to more than 600 children and adults with disabilities, children affected by HIV/AIDS and young mothers in crisis across Jamaica, Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, Zimbabwe and Malawi,” their website reports.
FEATURE STORY
Deacon Troy Fulford, Father Mike Foley and Kelly Colangelo enjoying spending time after lunch with the Mustard Seed children.
Perhaps the most important thing MSC provides is the opportunity to see poverty and learn compassion firsthand. It helped the youthful missionaries put the beatitudes and works of mercy into practice. “Mustard Seed Communities exposes our teens to the reality of poverty in this developing world and is deeply grounded in spirituality. It is a Catholic-based mission program that provides opportunities for direct service with the poor in addition to daily prayer, (eucharistic) adoration and reflection. Every mission has a story, and the people you serve and the experience of serving will be a story you share for years to come,” Kelly said. “The main work the teens participate in throughout the mission week is interacting with the children in the orphanage. The children at Mustard Seed are severely handicapped and disabled. They were abandoned. We are committed to caring for and loving the children throughout the week,” said Kelly. It seems that the students who made the trip embraced the teachings of MSC wholeheartedly. For them, the trip was indeed a life-changing journey, one they will never forget and one whose lessons they will carry with them for a long time to come. “I wanted to go on this trip because I wanted to help kids in need, and I heard God calling my name!” said Alli Estrera, a freshman at Tallahassee’s Lincoln High School. Even though she enjoys traveling and working with children, Alli said she was nervous before the mission. “But it turned out way better than I expected. I definitely grew closer to God by seeing just the little things that made the kids so happy. For example, just by saying, ‘Hola, hola’ to a baby made her smile; talking to a little boy made him laugh; and seeing the staff happily interact with the kids,” she explained. “My faith in God has become stronger, and I realize now that I
should be grateful and happy with what I have,” she added. Two others who made the trip shared similar sentiments. Josh Santos, a student at Tallahassee Community College, wanted to experience the problems of poverty firsthand. “I wanted to see what people have to go through every day,” he said. “I’m so happy I went on this trip, and if I could go again, I would. I learned how lucky I am to have little things like air conditioning and to be able to feed myself. I learned how I could see the eyes of God in children.” Kennedy Kate Brown, a student at Chiles High School in Tallahassee, said she “wanted to get closer with God and serve others. I’ve wanted to do something like this for a long, long time. I realized that God has a plan for every one of us and that everything happens for a reason.” At Good Shepherd, missionary work is more than just one annual activity. Throughout the year, youth group members assist at countless parish events and serve in soup kitchens and shelters in Tallahassee. Most recently, they helped with cleanup after Hurricane Michael. In early August, before they went back to school, the students headed out on another trip, this time to New Orleans’ Ninth Ward, where residents are still recovering from Hurricane Katrina. “You can’t learn this stuff. It has to be experienced,” Father Mike said. And it would seem that the teens from Good Shepherd have learned much from their mission experiences.
Kennedy Kate Brown and the children pause for a moment to smile for the camera.
I’ve wanted to do something like this for a long, long time. I realized that God has a plan for every one of us and that everything happens for a reason.”
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Golumpki
Stuffed cabbage rolls Father Rick Dawson and a few of his friends shared a wonderful dish recently at a luncheon at St. Margaret of Scotland in Defuniak Springs. Golumpki is a traditional Polish dish that is often prepared by Polish Christians for weddings and holidays. The name comes from the Polish word Gołąbki, which means “little doves,” as the rolls resemble little doves with wings tucked under. If you are craving something hearty, golumpki is the perfect dish that is warm and comforting during the fall and winter months.
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The Catholic Compass | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 | WWW.PTDIOCESE.ORG
CULTURE
Stuffing: • 2 lbs. ground beef • ½ lb. ground pork • ½ lb. Italian sausage • 2–3 lbs. bacon • 2–3 cups cooked rice • 1 large onion diced or pured Cabbage: 2-3 heads
Sauce: • 1 jar spaghetti sauce or 4 cans tomato paste • Water (thin sauce to more of a liquid) • garlic powder to taste • onion powder to taste • ¼ cup brown sugar • salt and pepper to taste
Cook one pound of bacon in a sauce pan until crisp. Remove bacon and set aside until later. Put all ingredients of the sauce into the same sauce pan in which you cooked the bacon. Bring to a simmer and allow it to stay hot. Combine the beef, pork and sausage in a large mixing bowl. Combine until thoroughly mixed. Add cooked rice and crumpled bacon and mix. Add onion and mix thoroughly. Sprinkle each of the rest of the spices over the entire top surface of the meat mixture. (Note: Do not be afraid to be very liberal with the spices. The meats and rice will absorb them and leave the mixture bland if you do not add enough.) Remove and discard outer leaves of the heads of cabbage. Remove the center stalk. Boil each head of cabbage until the leaves begin to separate from the head and soften. Carefully “trim” the main stalk of each leaf to allow it to be wrapped easily, being careful not to rip the leaf. Peel leaves off one by one, and, after trimming the back stem, set them aside to cool until they can be handled. Take a large pan and coat the bottom with the sauce mix. Then place “an ice cream scoop” full into the center of each leaf. Starting with the trimmed stem, begin to roll the meat mixture into each leaf, starting at the stem. About halfway, fold in each side of the leaf and continue to roll it forward until the mixture is covered and the leaf is tight. Set each cabbage roll “face down” in the sauced pan, where the leaf ended when rolling, and repeat. Then cover the layer with more sauce. If you are making multiple layers, make sure each is tightly rolled and each layer is covered with the sauce. When finished, cover the top first with partially cooked bacon and then with the dry outside leaves of the cabbage heads. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for about 2 hours, or until the meat is thoroughly cooked inside.
Spices: • minced or powdered garlic • Montreal steak seasoning • Nature’s Own seasoning blend • parsley flakes • 1 cup brown sugar • 2 bullion cubes • salt and pepper • McCormick brown sugar • Bourbon seasoning (optional)
FATHER RICK DAWSON
is the pastor of Blessed Trinity and St. Margaret of Scotland.
Serve the dish of cabbage rolls with the extra sauce saved during the preparation. Be careful when removing the dish from the oven to not spill the liquid (extra sauce), but instead add it to the sauce being served. Makes about 1-2 dozen cabbage rolls. Freeze remaining rolls. The flavor gets better with time.
Abortion can change your life: anger, depression, grief, and even despair. Is this YOU?
December 13-15, 2019 CONTACT: 850-210-6526
e c n e r e f f i d a e k a m to Y
Students go above and beyond
M
ost high school students are content to simply complete the work that is asked of them in order to pass their classes. This is a commendable achievement, and we celebrate our graduating students every year. Some students, however, go above and beyond our standard expectations by participating in clubs, extracurricular programs and even volunteer projects.
E Michelena O’Rourke
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The Catholic Compass | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 | WWW.PTDIOCESE.ORG
Michelena O’Rourke, a senior at Maclay School in Tallahassee, is one of these students. She and several of her friends and classmates have shown us the incredible impact that an extra measure of dedication and hard work can bring. These high school students have dedicated their Saturday mornings to offer free tutoring to children in Gadsden County. The vision for this project began in Maclay’s Spanish Honors Society (SHS). Michelena, elected as president of SHS her junior year, desired to see the club members’ Spanish skills used in a way that could help the community. As a parishioner of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Quincy, she was aware of a need for Spanish-savvy tutors in Gadsden County, an area with a large Hispanic community. She then shared her vision with the SHS sponsor, Kathy Moody, and Father Mike Somers, pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle, and plans began to form. In January 2019, the student-led tutoring program at St. Thomas the Apostle began with five children receiving tutoring. The program quickly grew to 27 children. In addition to the volunteer tutors from the SHS, Michelena recruited other top academics from Maclay and other high schools in the Tallahassee area. The tutors offer support in basic reading, writing and math for the younger children, and they’re also able to provide tutoring for more advanced students in middle school and high school. Michelena has received full support from Father Somers, and many younger students from the St. Thomas the Apostle community have signed up to receive tutoring. A key aspect of Michelena’s vision for the program has been the one-on-one tutoring relationship. “We
Tutors and students play games during a break.
g
Freeze tag is a favorite game that has helped break the ice between the tutors and students.
" The biggest strength of the tutoring program would be the bond that the students and tutors have created."
wanted to keep the tutor and student linked together to provide consistency in the academic subjects and in the mentoring effort,” she described. Kathy affirms that the program is “very rewarding for both the students and the mentors.” She also commends Michelena for her impressive initiative in starting this program. “Michelena planned everything and took care of all the details.” Kathy has loved seeing the commitment from these volunteer tutors. In addition to giving up their Saturday mornings, some are even driving more than 40 miles one-way to participate. “It is a win-win activity,” Kathy said. “The high school students are learning to give and share their time, knowledge and energy with the children, and the children are learning so much.” She finds it so rewarding to see the smiles on the faces of the tutors and the children as they bond while working together. “This experience will make a difference in many lives and families involved in the program,” she said. Many children in the program have shown improved grades and behavior. They’ve gained confidence in their ability to think, solve problems and interact with others. Plus, two unique communities have been brought together, forming lasting friendships. “Through this, we have all learned from each other,” said Michelena. One student was able to bring an ‘F’ grade in algebra up to an ‘A’ in only four months. “My tutors and I have learned that by giving we receive,” said Michelena. These tutors have shown
FEATURE STORY
MORIAH SEAMAN
is the communications coordinator at the Pastoral Center. He is a writer, photographer, husband and father. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JERRY O’ROURKE
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an incredible commitment to this program. Even on the weekends of prom and the Sadie Hawkins dance, the tutors still showed up at St. Thomas bright and early on Saturday morning. “The biggest strength of the tutoring program would be the bond that the students and tutors have created,” she said. “I honestly believe this is what keeps everyone eager to come back every week and motivates the students to excel in school.” The 2019-2020 school year will be Michelena’s final year at Maclay. Since her freshman year, she’s held leadership positions in several clubs. In addition to her current role with the SHS, she is also the president of the Mentor Club and the Anchor Club, and she recently co-founded a discussion club called Middleground. The impressive list of her academic and extracurricular achievements continues to grow, and she has participated in several community service trips and projects as well. All this to say, extra dedication and hard work speaks for itself, and Michelena’s work with this new tutoring program is helping to change lives. Michelena hopes to recruit more tutors so that even more children will sign up. “I also want to ensure that, after my graduation, the program continues to thrive under the sponsorship of the Spanish Honor Society and Maclay School,” Michelena said. As she looks forward to another year, Michelena is thankful for all the joys they’ve experienced so far: “the smiles, the laughter, the love and the learning!” 13
a i c n e r e f i d a l r e c a h Z
Los estudiantes van más allá para
pUn tutor ayuda a una estudiante con su tarea de lectura.
L
a mayoría de los estudiantes de secundaria se contentan con completar el trabajo que se les pide para aprobar sus clases. Este es un gran logro, y celebramos a nuestros estudiantes que terminan la escuela cada año. Sin embargo, algunos estudiantes superan nuestras expectativas al participar en clubes, programas extracurriculares e incluso proyectos de voluntariado. Michelena O’Rourke, estudiante de último año de la escuela Maclay en Tallahassee, es una de estas estudiantes. Ella y varios de sus amigos y compañeros de clase nos han demostrado el increíble impacto que puede tener un grano extra de dedicación y trabajo duro. Estos estudiantes de secundaria han dedicado sus sábados por la mañana para ofrecer tutoría gratuita a niños en el condado de Gadsden. La visión de este proyecto comenzó en la Sociedad Española de Honores (SHS) de Maclay. Michelena, elegida como presidenta de SHS en su tercer año,
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The Catholic Compass | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 | WWW.PTDIOCESE.ORG
deseaba ver cómo se podía potenciar el español que aprendieron los miembros del club de manera que pudieran ayudar a la comunidad. Como feligrés de la parroquia de Santo Tomás Apóstol en Quincy, era consciente de la necesidad de tutores expertos en español en el condado de Gadsden, un área con una gran comunidad hispana. Luego compartió su visión con la patrocinadora de SHS, Kathy Moody, y el Padre Mike Somers, pastor de St. Thomas the Apostle, y comenzaron a formarse planes. En Enero de 2019, El programa de tutoría
Una estudiante disfruta pasar tiempo con su tutor después de la escuela.
"La mayor fortaleza del programa de tutoría es el vínculo que los estudiantes y tutores han creado." dirigido por estudiantes en St. Thomas the Apostle comenzó con cinco niños que recibieron tutoría. El programa creció rápidamente a 27 niños. Además de los tutores voluntarios de SHS, Michelena reclutó a otros académicos de primer nivel de Maclay y otras escuelas secundarias en el área de Tallahassee. Los tutores ofrecen apoyo en lectura, escritura y matemáticas básicas para los niños más pequeños, y también pueden proporcionar tutoría para estudiantes de secundaria y preparatoria más avanzados. Michelena ha recibido el apoyo total del Padre Somers, y muchos estudiantes más jóvenes de la comunidad de St. Thomas the Apostle se han inscrito para recibir tutoría. Un aspecto clave de la visión de Michelena para el programa ha sido la relación individual entre tutor y alumno. “Queríamos mantener unidos al tutor y al alumno para proporcionar consistencia en las materias académicas y en el esfuerzo de mentoría”, describió. Kathy afirma que el programa es “muy gratificante tanto para los estudiantes como para los mentores”. También elogia a Michelena por su impresionante iniciativa para comenzar este programa. “Michelena planeó todo y se ocupó de todos los detalles”. A Kathy le encantó ver el compromiso de estos tutores voluntarios. Además de renunciar a sus sábados por
ARTÍCULO DE FONDO POR MORIAH SEAMAN FOTOGRAFÍA DE JERRY O’ROURKE
la mañana, algunos incluso conducen más de 40 millas de ida para participar. “Es una actividad en la que solo se puede ganar”, dijo Kathy. “Los estudiantes de secundaria están aprendiendo a dar y compartir su tiempo, conocimiento y energía con los niños, y los niños están aprendiendo mucho”. Le resulta muy gratificante ver las sonrisas en los rostros de los tutores y los niños mientras forman lazos al trabajar juntos. “Esta experiencia hará impacto en muchas vidas y familias involucradas en el programa”, dijo. Muchos niños en el programa han mostrado mejores calificaciones y comportamiento. Han ganado confianza en su capacidad de pensar, resolver problemas e interactuar con los demás. Además, dos comunidades únicas se han unido, formando amistades duraderas. “A través de esto, todos hemos aprendido unos de otros”, dijo Michelena. Un estudiante pudo llevar una calificación de “F” en Álgebra a una “A” en solo cuatro meses. “Mis tutores y yo hemos aprendido que al dar recibimos”, dijo Michelena. Estos tutores han demostrado un increíble compromiso con este programa. Incluso los fines de semana del baile de graduación y el baile de Sadie Hawkins, los tutores seguían apareciendo en St. Thomas tempranito el sábado por la mañana. “La mayor fortaleza del programa de tutoría es el vínculo que los estudiantes y tutores han creado”, dijo. “Sinceramente, creo que esto es lo que mantiene a todos con ganas de volver cada semana y motiva a los estudiantes a sobresalir en la escuela”. El año escolar 2019-2020 será el último año de Michelena en Maclay. Desde su primer año, ha ocupado puestos de liderazgo en varios clubes. Además de su papel actual con el SHS, también es la presidenta del Mentor Club y el Anchor Club, y recientemente cofundó un club de discusión llamado Middleground. La impresionante lista de sus logros académicos y extracurriculares continúa creciendo, y también ha participado en varios viajes y proyectos de servicio comunitario. Todo esto para recalcar que la dedicación extra y el trabajo duro hablan por sí mismos, y el trabajo de Michelena con este nuevo programa de tutoría está ayudando a cambiar vidas. Michelena espera reclutar más tutores para que puedan inscribirse aún más niños. “También quiero asegurarme de que después de mi graduación, el programa continúe prosperando bajo el patrocinio de la Sociedad Española de Honor y la Escuela Maclay”, asegura Michelena. Con vistas a este próximo año, Michelena se siente agradecida por todas las alegrías que han experimentado hasta ahora, “¡las sonrisas, las carcajadas, el amor y el aprendizaje!” 15
E A H R T E H O T FA i 16
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COVER STORY
“I was blown away by Claire’s care and compassion for others. To accomplish what she has, at such a young age, speaks volumes as to the kind of girl she is.”
Claire presents hospitality packs and Higgy Bears to the Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery Department at Studer Family Children’s Hospital. (Pictured with Claire are Jennifer Buzzelli, Dana Wert, ARNP and Dr. Tracy Roberts.)
S S C i E H L I LD SELF
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COVER STORY
Claire receives routine exams from Dr. John Ferris at Nemours.
G
oing back to school for 10-year-old Claire Perez wasn’t as frightening as it was last year. In the summer of 2018, Claire became ill with the flu. A chest x-ray at Nemours Children’s Specialty Care in Pensacola showed that her spine was curved. Although she has been a patient of Nemours for several years for various orthopedic issues, this was the first time she was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic scoliosis.
SHARMANE ADAMS
is the editor of The Catholic Compass. PHOTOGRAPHY BY MORIAH SEAMAN
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“After I got (diagnosed with) scoliosis, I felt like I was the only one that had it because no one at my school had it. I got scared every time I thought about it, and I would cry. I was sad, and I thought it would be bad if I couldn’t play sports,” Clarie said. Claire, a fifth-grader at St. Paul’s Catholic School, is a member of the Pensacola Children’s Chorus and also of the Junior Sailing Team at the Pensacola Yacht Club. Claire’s scoliosis causes her spine to curve, so she wears a Charleston Bending Brace eight to 10 hours a night to correct the curvature. Thanks to the effectiveness of the device, she can participate in normal activities during the day. After Claire’s diagnosis, her mother, Leslie, researched her condition and found many resources for parents and children from the Children’s Scoliosis Foundation. At Claire’s one-year follow-up appointment, she surprised Claire with a hospitality pack and Higgy Bear from the foundation. The Higgy Bear, which is designed to cheer up children with scoliosis, had a brace and an x-ray that matched Claire’s. She named her bear Pickles. “Pickles are curvy like a spine, and I just love pickles,” said Claire. “When I got my Higgy Bear, I started thinking about raising money for other patients. I wanted
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other kids with scoliosis to receive a hospitality pack and bear so that they can have the same feeling I have. I feel like God was calling me to do this for other people. I prayed to him to give me the strength to ask people to donate,” she added. With her family’s help, Claire started the Twisted Tortoise Fundraising Campaign. Claire chose the name because she thought it was catchy, and her favorite animal is a turtle, which has a shell she says represents her brace. Leslie spoke with Anne Knox, founder of the Children’s Scoliosis Foundation, about her interest in partnering with Claire on the project. “When Leslie contacted me, I thought that Claire must have a very big heart. The first few months when a child is diagnosed with scoliosis can be very difficult for a family as they face an unknown future and prepare for a new reality. Some patients turn inward and focus on themselves and what they are dealing with or missing out on, which is understandable; but Claire immediately thought about others and how she could make life easier for the children who were going to be diagnosed next,” Anne said. As people heard about the Twisted Tortoise campaign through social media and a neighborhood lemonade
“When I got my Higgy Bear, I started thinking about raising money for other patients. I wanted other kids with scoliosis to receive a hospitality pack and bear so that they can have the same feeling I have.”
stand, Claire was able to collect donations to put in the bags. She has raised more than $3,000, which provides hospitality bags and travel vouchers for patients who need care outside the area. Claire has assembled 30 patient hospitality bags, which include free Higgy Bear coupons, water bottles, coloring books, stickers, toothbrushes, medical kits and more. The first 20 bags were donated to Nemours. The remaining bags were donated to Studer Family Children’s Hospital in Pensacola. Each bag costs about $50. “Until Claire came along, we had been sending individual bags out to families who contacted us and requested them. We hadn’t considered providing bags to hospitals so that they would be ready for children who were about to be diagnosed. Now we are sending the bags and materials directly to Claire, and she is assembling them, writing special notes to the children and hand-delivering them to hospitals. She is also providing information about our travel grants: We are putting a travel grant in place at each hospital so that families who cannot afford to travel for care can apply for travel reimbursement,” Anne said. Lauren Higginson, creator/owner of Higgy Bears, donated Higgy Bears to give to Nemours and Studer Family Children’s Hospital. “I was so impressed when I first heard of Claire’s ambitions. Her mom, Leslie, told me that Claire wanted to find a way to get Higgy Bears to more children with scoliosis. I was blown away by Claire’s care and compassion for others. To accomplish what she has, at such a young age, speaks volumes as to the kind of girl she is. She is one of the most impressive young ladies I have ever met,” Lauren said. Once Claire started the campaign, she realized that a lot of people have scoliosis and that she doesn’t need to be afraid. “God made you just the away you are. God makes no mistake. He knows who you are, and he knows you can get through anything,” Claire exclaimed. Leslie knew there was a need to raise funds and distribute the hospitality packs and travel vouchers to Nemours
when she found out how many children are braced each month. Nick, Claire’s dad, and Leslie were excited to help Claire with her vision. “When Nemours found out about Claire’s outreach, they were impressed that a 10-year-old would organize something like this. They invited Claire to give a presentation to approximately 80 staff members at a town hall meeting,” Leslie said. Claire admits that she was nervous when she presented at the town hall meeting. “God told me not to be scared and to be proud of myself. I felt like I was showing off doing all of this stuff. I prayed to God and asked him if I started to feel like showing off to please help me. He told me, ‘You aren’t showing off, you are doing a good thing,’” she said. “Claire has inspired us to reach beyond helping individuals that contact us. We are now working with Claire and her family to start regional programs that proactively reach out to scoliosis care providers to let them know about the resources that we provide. Now we realize that we are the Foundation, but it is people like Claire that will help us build,” Anne said. Each year, more than 100,000 children in the U.S. are diagnosed with scoliosis. According to the Scoliosis Research Society, the majority of children are diagnosed between the ages of 10 and 15 with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.
Top: Dr. John Ferris, from Nemours Children’s Specialty Care, discusses Claire’s scoliosis diagnosis. Bottom: Higgy Bears are created for patients with the hopes of making scoliosis “bear-able.”
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DANIEL IBÁÑEZ/CNA
Discerning our vocation
SPECIAL REPORT:
CHRISTUS VIVIT
O
n April 2, 2019, Pope Francis’ latest apostolic exhortation was published. As always, the name of the exhortation, Christus Vivit (Christ is Alive!), comes from the first several words of the document in its Latin edition. The exhortation is addressed to both young people and the entire people of God, and it relies heavily on the reflections and conversations that occurred as a part of last year’s Synod on the Youth, which had considered the age group from 16 to 29. WHAT IS ‘YOUTH’? Throughout the apostolic exhortation, Pope Francis takes great care to avoid the temptation to lapse into error when talking about the importance of youthfulness in the Church. He wants to distinguish the joy of youth from a false cult of youth, a notion
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In Christus Vivit, the pope offers three key ingredients to discerning our own vocation:
often used to manipulate young people. For example, he argues 1. A certain degree of that to be truly wise, a young solitude and silence; person must both be open to the future and capable of 2. An openness to learning from those who have listening; and more experience. He urges the Church to break free from 3. A willingness to ask those things that entrap her in ourselves questions the past and cause her to grow such as, “Do I know old. However, he warns the myself? What brings Church against “thinking she joy or sorrow to my is young because she accepts heart? How can I everything the world offers serve people better?” her … sets her message aside and acts like everybody else.” Later in the exhortation, Pope Francis warns against the error of confusing beauty with appearances, of a spirituality without God and of the reduction of young people to a homogeny that refuses to acknowledge individual cultural identities. Pope Francis offers a vision of youth informed by one basic truth: “Being young is not only about pursuing fleeting pleasures and superficial achievements.” He teaches that the purpose of youth is to learn of “generous commitment, wholehearted
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dedication and sacrifices that are difficult but ultimately fruitful.” Pope Francis understands youth as being more than a period of time. Youth, he asserts, is a state of mind. This is why an ancient institution like the Church can renew its youthfulness. He elaborates on what this looks like by setting up Mary as the “supreme model for a youthful Church” and by examining the witness of several “young” saints.
On youth ministry Pope Francis emphasizes that the whole community needs to be involved in the evangelizing of the youth, and that the youth must take on a greater role in pastoral outreach. He makes clear that young people themselves “are agents of youth ministry,” and identifies two main courses of action.
CHRISTUS VIVIT AT A GLANCE In Christus Vivit, Pope Francis acknowledges three areas of particular importance that the synod examined: the digital environment, migration and abuse. His purpose is not to offer new conclusions, but to call for greater analysis and development of responses to these realities. Dear young He offers a message specifically to all young people, people, a message containing the three truths: please, God loves you, Christ sacrificed himself to do not be save you and Christ is alive! Pope Francis believes that the profound appreciation of bystanders this message can lead to an encounter with in life. Get Christ that is capable of sustaining one for the involved! entirety of her/his Christian life. Jesus The pope suggests that living the years of our youth in the transforming light of the was not a Gospel means acknowledging youth as a time bystander. of both dreams and decisions; of both living He got in the present moment and making the most involved.” of the opportunities life offers; of encounter with the friend who is Jesus; of growing mature (174) physically, intellectually, and spiritually; of growing in generous and merciful love; of making a commitment to serve and transform the greater community; and of being a witness of the Gospel wherever one happens to be. At the same time, he is clear that youth is not an “in-between time.” Rather, the youth are the “now of God.” He then closes the exhortation with chapters on youth ministry, vocations and discernment.
The works of Pope Francis Since his election to the papacy on March 13, 2013, Pope Francis has issued the following documents: umen Fidei (2013 encyclical on the Light of Faith) •L vangelii Gaudium (2013 apostolic exhortation on the •E Joy of the Gospel) audato Si’ (2015 encyclical on the Care for our •L Common Home) moris Laetitia (2016 post-synodal apostolic •A exhortation on Love in the Family) audete et Exsultate (2018 apostolic exhortation on •G the Call to Holiness in Today’s World) hristus Vivit (2019 post-synodal apostolic exhortation •C to Young People and to the Entire People of God)
1.
Outreach: the way we attract young people to an experience with the Lord
How can we be more effective in our outreach? Trust the young people to find appealing ways to come together and use the grammar of love rather than the language of preaching at. 2.
Growth: the way we help those who have already had that experience to mature in it
What do we need to do here? Try to awaken and consolidate the experience of the encounter with Jesus, and include formation with the two main goals of developing the kerygma and of growing fraternal love, community life and service.
QUOTABLE QUOTES FROM CHRISTUS VIVIT
“ “ “
In a word, true youth means having a heart capable of loving, whereas everything that separates us from others makes the soul grow old.” (13) Those of us who are no longer young need to find ways of keeping close to the voices and concerns of young people.” (38) nd if you see a priest at risk, because he has lost the A joy of his ministry, or seeks affective compensation, or is taking the wrong path, remind him of his commitment to God and his people, remind him of the Gospel and urge him to hold to his course.” (100)
“
I ask young people not to expect to live without working, depending on others for help. This is not good, because ‘work is a necessity, part of the meaning of life on this earth, a path to growth, human development and personal fulfilment.” (269)
“
A vocation, while a gift, will undoubtedly also be demanding.” (289) BY DOUG CULP
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AROUND THE DIOCESE
New principal at St. Paul Catholic School in Pensacola Blair Hodge has been promoted to the role of principal at St. Paul Catholic School, where she has served as the assistant principal since 2015. Blair holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of West Florida and a bachelor’s degree in applied biology from the Georgia Institute of Technology, where she graduated magna cum laude. Prior to her role as assistant principal at St. Paul, Blair taught middle school science at St. Paul and was instrumental in creating a vertically aligned middle school curriculum. Blair’s 16-year tenure in education, with 11 of those years in Catholic education, at both the high school and middle school levels, reflects her various teaching roles, including Advanced Placement and honors biology. Additionally, she has served on various leadership committees and is committed to serving her school and ensuring the continued success of Catholic education. Blair and her husband have been active parishioners at St. Paul Catholic Church since moving to Pensacola eight years ago. Their three children, Lilah, Parker and Tyler, have all attended St. Paul Catholic School. Lilah graduated from St. Paul in 2018. Parker is in fifth grade and Tyler is in third grade. Blair is proud of the many outstanding opportunities St. Paul offers its students and looks forward to continuing to work with the students, families, teachers and administrators to uphold the strong Catholic values and time-tested traditions of Catholic education.
Previous educators discern religious vocations Patricia Young previously served as athletic director at St. John Paul II Catholic High School in Tallahassee. Patricia is an alumna of Trinity Catholic School and St. John Paul II High School. She has worked for St. John Paul II for six years, teaching American and world history, algebra and pre-calculus. She was also the volleyball coach. For the past six years, Patricia has been discerning religious life. She moved to Connecticut in August to continue the discernment process as a postulant with the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. 22
She believes strongly that the St. Paul community is responsible for the complete formation of the students so that they may grow closer to God, while acquiring the skills and virtues necessary to be successful adults who will positively impact our world while spreading God’s love.
New principal at St. John the Evangelist Catholic School in Pensacola Dana Donahoo is the new interim principal at St. John the Evangelist Catholic School, where she has taught second grade for the past three years. Dana attended Flagler College in St. Augustine, Fla., and Studio Arts Centers International in Florence, Italy, earning a bachelor’s degree in studio art and art history. Dana has been an educator for 26 years. She taught art in grades pre-K through graduate school, and high school Advanced Placement art history and history. She has been a classroom teacher for grades K-2. Her administrative experience includes department chair, associate head, lower school division head and head of school. Dana is passionate about supporting student learning. As an administrator, she developed and facilitated curriculum change to enrich and enhance teaching and learning, with the goal of putting students first. Dana is a parishioner at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. Her time at St. John School has been a rewarding and joyful experience. Dana is dedicated to the mission of guiding students developmentally and academically.
Chris Holcomb served as youth minister at Little Flower Catholic Church in Pensacola for eight years. He also taught mathematics and religion at Pensacola Catholic High School. Chris attended both Little Flower and Pensacola Catholic High School. This past summer, Chris was accepted as a seminarian in the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee. He is currently attending St. Vincent De Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach, Fla.
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IN THE KNOW WITH FATHER JOE
I don’t think people at Mass should dress ‘LIKE THAT’
GETTY IMAGES/E+
I’d like to make something clear right off the bat: I’m not going to give you a dress code for Mass. I’m not doing it for a lot of reasons, the most important of which being the simple rule, “You don’t know what you don’t know.” Let’s say you’re at Mass and someone comes in dressed in a manner that you consider inappropriate – and believe me, in my experience, those standards run a very wide gamut. The easiest thing would be to draw conclusions, lament their state of dress and soak in self-righteousness. That’s the easiest thing to do, but not the right thing. The fact is, you don’t know what is happening in anyone else’s life, you don’t know what kind of circumstance they’ve just come from – we could fill books with what we don’t know. Here’s what I think is the best approach; a guide of two things to consider when looking at how we dress for Mass. Those are the dignity of the celebration we are attending and the dignity of the human person. We’ll start by pondering the celebration: When we celebrate Mass together, we are there to worship God. We are there to thank God for who he is and what he’s done. We are there to receive him through the body of Christ that is the gathering of his people, through the word of God that is our sacred Scripture and through reception of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament that is the Eucharist. We are there as God joins heaven and earth in a triumphant song of praise, and this is a privilege beyond imagining. We remember Jesus’ Passion, death and resurrection; we thank him for saving us from our sin. This celebration is all about God and it is filled with dignity and joy. When we talk about the human person, we need to remember that we are, first and foremost, God’s children. We are, in the words of Pope St. John Paul II: “The sum of the Father’s love for us.” Through Jesus, we are inheritors of a heavenly kingdom that we didn’t earn, but that is ours purely by God’s gift. We are blessed to carry within our very selves the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. We
recognize his Spirit dwelling within us. We have been appraised, and God declared us as worth all his blood and all his breath. This is who we are and this is who every human we meet is. These two things – who we are and what we are doing – come together and offer us a chance to let our dress reflect the wonder of both who we are and what we are doing when we walk into church. Practically, I think it’s easy for us to forget the importance of prayer in addressing what we see. If you are at Mass and see someone whose dress is distracting or disrespectful in your opinion, you can respond with two prayers. First, pray to let go of the distraction and focus on why you are there. Remember that this is about you, and not about them. What is distracting to one person may be completely respectful to another. Second, pray that God bless and guide the person who distracted you. Condemnation and anger are always less effective than prayer and focusing on the only thing we can control in this circumstance: our response. This is, by all accounts, a very contentious topic. If tradition holds, I will get angry letters from people who will either say I wasn’t strong enough or that I have just successfully chased people out of the Church. To both of those extremes, I invite you to ask God to keep your mind and heart focused on what he has put in your life to control and let go of the desire to control other people’s choices or situations. Whatever we wear to Mass, I pray that it reflects the dignity of the celebration of the Eucharist and the dignity of what it means to be children of God. I pray that we, “Above all, clothe [ourselves] FATHER JOE KRUPP with love, which binds is a former everything together in comedy writer perfect harmony.” T. Gennara
THANK YOU FOR THIS QUESTION! This is an issue that pops up fairly often and it’s good for us to pause and consider things like this.
(Col 3:14)
Enjoy another day in Christ’s presence.
who is now a Catholic priest. @Joeinblack 23
CELEBRATE US
11TH ANNUAL CATHOLIC CHARITIES TENNIS TOURNAMENT The 11th annual Catholic Charities Tennis Tournament was recently held in Tallahassee. The fundraiser benefited neighbors in need.
MOREFEST 2019 St. Thomas More in Pensacola hosted Morefest 2019. The theme was “Country Western” and featured live music, food and activities for the entire family.
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FACULTY BACK TO SCHOOL MASS The faculty of five Catholic schools in Pensacola gathered for a back to school Mass and luncheon prior to the new school year.
TOTUS TUUS A team of four college-age missionaries served parishes in our diocese this summer at a weeklong youth program called Totus Tuus. Parishes included were St. Rita, Corpus Christi, Christ Our Redeemer, St. Sylvester and Sacred Heart Cathedral. Totus Tuus is dedicated to sharing the Gospel and promoting the Catholic faith through catechesis, Christian witness and eucharistic worship.
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MARRIAGE MATTERS
JACK SHOWS A REFRESHING HONESTY and sense of WHAT DO humor about an issue that’s THEY DO? awkward for many couples. Since men and women are different, they often take a different approach to spirituality. Men may be inspired by images of spiritual combat, viewing spiritual growth as a deeply private struggle. Women may prefer to see prayer as establishing a relationship, as a vulnerable sharing of the heart.
SHE SAYS:
HE SAYS:
I want to join a faith-sharing group
I don’t want to sit around talking about my feelings
I want to join a small group at church that is for couples, but Jack is refusing to even give it a try. I think this would help us grow in our faith together.
I actually think I’d prefer a root canal to sitting around and talking about my feelings. Can’t Amy think of a different way for us to grow in faith?
Note: Nothing in this column is meant to provide psychological or medical diagnosis, treatment or opinion.
©DOLLARPHOTOCLUB/MICHAELJUNG
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Individual people have different spiritualities. A small group meeting doesn’t have to feel as bad to a man as a root canal, however. Pope Francis recently praised prayer groups as “not only meeting centers to be at ease with friends and to be consoled somewhat, but hotbeds of divine love.” (Pope Francis address, Feb. 8, 2016) Faith-sharing groups for couples also offer a chance to form close friendships with other people who share a vocation to Catholic marriage. Having like-minded couple friends provides immense support for a marriage. A faith-sharing group is not the same as group therapy or a 12-step program such as Alcoholics Anonymous. Participants can approach the experience more casually. No one will force Jack to talk about his feelings! Many small groups follow a structure based on a book or workbook, so people can discuss the written materials, instead of their personal experiences. Some small groups are more free-form and resemble prayer circles. In either case, speaking up usually isn’t required. Even if everyone is expected to pray out loud, Jack can ask the group to pray for a “private intention,” without saying anything more explicit. Additionally, if Jack wants to share his spiritual life with his wife in greater depth, they could choose a spiritual book to read together and discuss. They could also pray a rosary together at home, assigning a prayer intention for each decade, or even attempt to pray out loud more spontaneously. Listening as Jack reveals his personal prayer intentions may create the spiritually intimate relationship Amy craves, all while maintaining the privacy Jack needs.
DR. MANUEL P. SANTOS AND KAREE SANTOS
are co-authors of The Four Keys to Everlasting Love: How Your Catholic Marriage Can Bring You Joy for a Lifetime (Ave Maria Press, 2016). The Catholic Compass | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 | WWW.PTDIOCESE.ORG
THINGS TO DO
BASILICA OF ST. MICHAEL CONCERT SERIES
ST. ROSE OF LIMA FALL FESTIVAL
When: Sept. 13, 7-8 p.m.
When: Sept. 27-29
Where: Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel, Pensacola
Where: St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Milton
What: The Basilica of St. Michael Concert Series continues with a program performed by four members of the Pensacola and Mobile Orchestras. The quartet is composed of violin, viola, cello and oboe. The performance will include selections from Mozart, Faure, Elgar and Gershwin. For more information, contact G. Michael McCracken at 850.438.4985 or office@stmichael.ptdiocese.org.
CATHOLIC RENEWAL CONFERENCE — AWAKE AND GIVE PRAISE
What: All are invited to the 38th annual St. Rose of Lima Fall Festival, a wonderful family-friendly event! Come taste great international foods and enjoy live music all weekend. Also enjoy indoor bingo, big rides and many arts and crafts vendors! Parking and entry are free; no registration required. For more information, contact Kate Lewis at 850.623.3600 or fallfestival@srl.ptdiocese.org. Event Schedule: • Sept. 27, 4-9 p.m. • Sept. 28, 11 a.m.-9p.m. • Sept. 29, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
When: Sept. 20-22 Where: St. Anne, Gulf Breeze What: The annual Catholic Renewal Conference is a weekend for everyone, from non-Catholics to lifelong Catholics, seeking Christ. It is a time to refresh and renew your faith Prices starting at $2,499 ~ with Airfare Included in this price and to experience God with hundreds of others who desire from anywhere in the USA to grow deeper in their relationship with God. This year’s Several trips to different destinations: the Holy Land; Italy; France, Portugal, theme is “Awake and Give Praise.” Join us for Mass, adoration Spain; Poland; Medjugorje, Lourdes, Fatima; Ireland, Scotland; England; and talks given by Bishop Wack, CSC,Turkey; Father Mark Austria, Germany,William Switzerland; Greece, Viking Cruises; Caribbean Cruises; Prague;ofOur of Guadalupe; Colombia; Brazil; Goring, Sister Lucy ofBudapest; the Disciples theLady Lord Jesus Christ Argentina; Domestic Destinations; etc… and Father Nicholas Schumm. The event is family-friendWe also specialize in custom trips for Bishops, Priests, and Deacons. ly. Clergy and religious are provided with free registration. Hablamos Español 508-340-9370 Individual registration is $20, while family registration is $35. 855-842-8001 www.proximotravel.com Registration closes on Sept. 10, but on-site registration will anthony@proximotravel.com Call us 24/7 be available for $25 for individuals or $40 for families. For more information, visit www.pt-dccr.org or contact Michaela The Catholic Compass is delivered to more than Warren at 850.485.0841 or ptdccr@gmail.com. 26,000 households throughout the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee. Whether you’re looking ROAD TRIP TO EWTN, SHRINE & GROTTO to promote your business or a special event, The Catholic Compass is the perfect way to get the word out! When: Sept. 27-29
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Where: EWTN Shrine and Grotto, Birmingham, Ala. What: The Diocesan Council of Catholic Women would like to invite the ladies of the diocese on a road trip to EWTN, Shrine and Grotto in Birmingham, Ala. Cost is $125.00, which includes Fri. lunch and Sat. lunch/dinner. Hotel is $89.00 per night. A chartered bus will depart at 9 a.m. on Sept. 27 from St. Margaret Parish in DeFuniak Springs. Call Mary Sauvageau at 850.651.1459 to reserve your seat! Registration with payment must be received by Thurs., Sept. 12. All the information, including the registration form and itinerary, can be found at www.ptdccw.org.
For more information, contact: Sharmane Adams Phone: 850.435.3528 Email: thecatholiccompass@ptdiocese.org
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THINGS TO DO
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL WALK FOR THE POOR When: Sept. 28, 7:30-11:30 a.m. Where: Pensacola Catholic High School What: The 11th annual St. Vincent de Paul Walk for the Poor raises money for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, who help the less fortunate of our community, providing emergency food and supplies, rent assistance and more. This event will feature live music, food and drinks, face-painting, crafts and more for the family! For more information, contact Celeste Bell at 850.393.7733 or FOPWalk@gmail.com.
A PEEK BEHIND THE DEMENTIA CURTAIN When: Sept. 30, 5:45-7:30 p.m. Where: Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church, Pensacola What: You are invited to this unique opportunity to hear three extraordinary men share on the topic of dementia. Brian LeBlanc was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s in his early fifties. Mr. LeBlanc is an international advocate and speaks openly and honestly about his challenges battling Alzheimer’s. He brings his faith and a message of hope and inspiration. Matthew Estrade, author of “The Peace with Dementia Rosary” will lead the rosary at 5:45 p.m. He’ll later speak about the inspiration for his book and how he’s been called to work in the field of gerontology, specifically with dementia-related illnesses. Dr. Rodney Guttman, UWF professor and Alzheimer’s researcher, will discuss the earliest signs of dementia, strategies to prevent Alzheimer’s and some of the most recent research on the topic. For more information and to register, contact Elizabeth Arthur at 850.572.1298 or nolhealthministry@gmail.com.
Spanish, lunch and exhibits. This year’s theme is “I Am With You Always: So Go to Teach, Heal and Serve,” featuring keynote speakers Kevin Dowd (English) and Deacon Santi Molina (Spanish). The cost is $30 per person. For more information, contact Sister Margaret Kuntz at 850.435.3523 or kuntzm@ptdiocese.org.
FLORIDA RESPECT LIFE CONFERENCE When: Oct. 11-12 Where: The Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche at Mission Nombre de Dios, St. Augustine, Fla. What: You are invited to attend the 2019 Statewide Florida Respect Life Conference “In the Heart of Our Mother.” National and state speakers will inspire and educate you with their expertise, sharing powerful fact-filled lectures that will lead us to a nurturing love which we can bring to others, creating a Culture of Life. Guest speakers include Bishop William Wack, CSC, Bishop Felipe Estévez and many others. Registration deadline is Sept. 20. For more information, call 904.262.3200 or moliver@dosafl.com.
‘TIS THE SEASON HOLIDAY BAZAAR When: Oct. 26, 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m. and Oct. 27, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Where: Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church, Pensacola What: You are invited to a fundraising bazaar for charity. Shop a wide variety of fall and Christmas items as well as homemade baked items. On Saturday, a soup and salad lunch will be available from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. for $5. You can also enter a raffle for a homemade quilt for $1 per ticket or six tickets for $5. For more information, contact Mary Bailey at 850.293.6334.
BISHOP RICARD CONFERENCE When: Oct. 5, 8:30 a.m.-3:45 p.m. Where: St. Sylvester Catholic Church, Gulf Breeze What: This day-long conference is for all who serve in ministry in our parishes across the diocese. Parish pastoral and finance councils, adult faith formation leaders, RCIA coordinators and teams, family life ministers, youth ministers, catechetical leaders, music ministry leaders, Hispanic ministry catechists and all adults interested in learning how to take their ministries above and beyond are invited to attend. After beginning with Mass, the conference will include keynote speakers and breakout sessions in English and
For all events, including those events that were submitted after press time, visit ptdiocese.org/calendar. 28
The Catholic Compass | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 | WWW.PTDIOCESE.ORG
Prices starting at $2,499 ~ with Airfare Included in this price from anywhere in the USA Several trips to different destinations: the Holy Land; Italy; France, Portugal, Spain; Poland; Medjugorje, Lourdes, Fatima; Ireland, Scotland; England; Austria, Germany, Switzerland; Greece, Turkey; Viking Cruises; Caribbean Cruises; Budapest; Prague; Our Lady of Guadalupe; Colombia; Brazil; Argentina; Domestic Destinations; etc… We also specialize in custom trips for Bishops, Priests, and Deacons. Hablamos Español www.proximotravel.com anthony@proximotravel.com
508-340-9370 855-842-8001 Call us 24/7
S U N D AY R E A D I N G S Bishop William A. Wack, CSC PUBLISHER
Sharmane Adams EDITOR
September/October 2019 Volume 11: Issue 5 CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Sharmane Adams, Douglas Culp, Father Rick Dawson, Kathleen Grobe, Father Tim Holeda, Father Joe Krupp, Dr. Manuel P. Santos and Karee Santos, Moriah Seaman SPANISH TRANSLATIONS
Deacon Santiago Molina CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Kelly Colangelo, Michaela Goldstein, Jerry O’Rourke,Moriah Seaman FAITH CATHOLIC
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The Catholic Compass (USPS 025-402) is a membership publication of the Catholic Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, 11 North B Street, Pensacola, FL 32502. Published six times a year. Subscription rates are $18 per year. Individual issues are $3. Send all subscription information and address changes to: The Catholic Compass, Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, 11 North B Street, Pensacola, FL 32502, 850.435.3500 or email thecatholiccompass@ptdiocese.org. Periodicals postage paid at Pensacola, FL or additional offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Catholic Compass, Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, 11 North B. Street, Pensacola, FL 32502. ©The Catholic Compass, Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee.
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September 1: Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time SIR 3:17-18, 20, 28-29; HEB 12:18-19, 22-24A; LK 14:1, 7-14 September 8: Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time WIS 9:13-18B; PHMN 9-10, 12-17; LK 14:25-33 September 15: Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time EX 32:7-11, 13-14; 1 TM 1:12-17; LK 15:1-32 September 22: Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time AM 8:4-7; 1 TM 2:1-8; LK 16:1-13 September 29: Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time AM 6:1A, 4-7; 1 TM 6:11-16; LK 16:19-31 October 6: Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time HAB 1:2-3; 2:2-4; 2 TM 1:6-8, 13-14; LK 17:5-10 October 13: Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time 2 KGS 5:14-17; 2 TM 2:8-13; LK 17:11-19 October 20: Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time EX 17:8-13; 2 TM 3:14-4:2; LK 18:1-8 October 27: Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time SIR 35:12-14, 16-18; 2 TM 4:6-8, 16-18; LK 18:9-14
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