T H E
M A G A Z I N E
O F
T H E
C A T H O L I C
D I O C E S E
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G A Y L O R D
May/June 2018 www.dioceseofgaylord.org
GO O D L I FE
It’s summertime — do I volunteer or get a job?
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T H EO LO GY 1 01
We believe in the Holy Trinity. What does that mean?
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F EAT U R E STO RY
Connections: Teens embrace Catholic leadership as a lifestyle
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n o c I A
g n i t i r w
OUL S E H OF T Y E N JOUR
PLUS THE 2018 CATHOLIC SERVICES APPEAL
FROM THE BISHOP
Shining Christ’s Light Every time someone enters the Church through baptism, there is a beautiful moment when a baptismal candle is lit from the Easter Candle and handed to the person (or to the parents of a child), accompanied by these or similar words: “Receive the light of Christ. This light is entrusted to you to be kept burning brightly ... [W]alk always as a child of the light.” These are powerful words meant to accompany us throughout our lifetime. How do we keep the light of Christ burning brightly? Every year, our Catholic Services Appeal (CSA) accomplishes much more than we can ever imagine. Joining together to embrace this annual campaign helps make our light shine brighter because we accomplish more for the mission of Christ in unity than we can individually. For this, and for the many other ways that discipleship is embraced in our lives, we chose the theme “Shining Christ’s Light” to focus on our good works. Here is just a sampling of initiatives where those who support CSA are “Shining Christ’s Light”: • CSA provides the technical support for Catholic Education to thrive around the diocese. Every time I have a chance to visit a school, I can see the impact it is making for future generations of young people to take their rightful place as citizens in our society. We encourage and support school leadership to equip students with the essential tools of faith and reason, so they can face a world with increasing challenges. • CSA enables us to provide weekly Mass for shutins through the broadcast of Sunday Mass from the cathedral. In that way, we are reaching those who are unable to be present physically, but are able to be part of our extended parish/diocesan family. I often receive letters of gratitude for this ministry. • CSA helps to support the broader formation of clergy, religious leaders and parishioners through retreats and programs held at the Augustine Center and Madonna House of Prayer in Alpena, the Spiritual Companions Program to form spiritual leaders as well as ongoing courses through the Center for Catholic Studies and the Rose Resource Center or Cursillo weekends. Interest in spiritual growth, deepening one’s prayer life and understanding of our faith are growing all across the diocese. Support of these initiatives strengthens us to become, as Pope Francis coined the term, “Missionary Disciples”! It makes our
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evangelization efforts yield bountiful fruit. • CSA has a broad outreach to build solidarity with our brothers and sisters struggling in Latin America, Central and Eastern Europe, Africa and elsewhere through our support of this unified appeal. • CSA sustains the formation of seminarians and ongoing formation of priests, deacons and pastoral administrators. Through it, we build excellence in ministry and renewal of our vocations. • Many parishes add on a local project or program so that any funds received over the parish target are applied to that local need. Additional testimonial stories of how the CSA is “Shining Christ’s Light” locally, across our nation and internationally can be found in this issue of Faith and online. It is an exciting way for us to keep the “flame of faith alive” because, together, we are doing something that may be hard for one person or parish to accomplish alone. It is for these reasons, and to ensure the ongoing mission of Christ, especially in Northern Michigan, that I personally support the CSA. Together, we make Christ’s light shine more brightly! Finally, attached to the pledge envelope this year is a prayer intention card. I invite you to send it to me so that I can retain your thoughts and prayers in my chapel. It enables me to know people around our diocese a little bit better. For me personally, I have the great joy to be in prayer for your needs and concerns. It is one way I can have spiritual solidarity with you. Together, we can do more by “Shining Christ’s Light”! Through the prayers of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, the patroness of our cathedral and diocese, may our Lord bless the people, institutions and parishes throughout the Diocese of Gaylord to give him praise, honor and glory through our response to this annual appeal.
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MOST REVEREND STEVEN J. RAICA
is the fifth bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Gaylord.
The magazine of the Catholic Diocese of Gaylord Copyright 2018 WWW.DIOCESEOFGAYLORD.ORG ALSO FIND US ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER
MAY/JUNE 2018 VOLUME 3: ISSUE 3 PUBLISHER
Most Rev. Steven J. Raica EXECUTIVE EDITOR/ DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
Candace Neff
COVER PHOTOGRAPHY
Chris Grosser
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
4 10 12 16 22 26
Most Rev. Steven J. Raica Doug Culp Michelle DiFranco Chris Grosser Elizabeth Johnson Cynthia Kaan Father Joe Krupp Candace Neff Steve and Bridget Patton Sister Ann Shields
MAY/JU NE
2018 2. FROM THE BISHOP
Shining Christ’s Light
PRESIDENT/ CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Patrick M. O’Brien
4. MARRIAGE MATTERS
She says: A vacation means a nice hotel on the beach He says: I want to go hiking and camping on vacation What do they do?
VICE PRESIDENT/ EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Elizabeth Martin Solsburg GRAPHIC DESIGN
Rachel Matero
PRINT MANAGEMENT
InnerWorkings
To advertise in FAITH along Michigan’s 45th Parallel, contact Candace Neff at 989.732.5147 or cneff@dioceseofgaylord.org
5. GOOD LIFE
It’s summertime — do I volunteer or get a job?
FAITH along Michigan’s 45th Parallel (USPS 16810) is a membership publication of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gaylord, 611 W. North St., Gaylord, MI 49735. Published bimonthly. Send address changes to: FAITH along Michigan’s 45th Parallel, 611 W. North St., Gaylord, MI 49735 or email cneff@ dioceseofgaylord.org. Periodical postage PAID in Gaylord, MI or additional offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to FAITH along Michigan’s 45th Parallel, 611 W. North St., Gaylord, MI 49735. © 2018 FAITH along Michigan’s 45th Parallel, Diocese of Gaylord.
6. IN THE KNOW WITH FATHER JOE
How can I be a better Catholic?
7.
LIVES OF THE SAINTS
James the Lesser?
8. THEOLOGY 101
We believe in the Holy Trinity. What does that mean?
10. SPIRITUAL FITNESS
Lectio Divina: Praying through the year with Scripture
12. COVER STORY
Icon writing: A journey of the soul
16. SPECIAL REPORT
Shining Christ’s Light in the Diocese of Gaylord — CSA 2018
20. FEATURE STORY
The breadth of Catholic Human Services: Counseling services impact individuals and communities
22. FEATURE STORY
Building bridges: Permanent diaconate program spans service to God, bishop and God’s people
24. FEATURE STORY
Connections: Teens embrace Catholic leadership as a lifestyle
26. CULTURE
Flaming foods put us in the spirit of the Holy Spirit
28. POPE WATCH 29. THINGS TO DO 30. LOCAL NEWS 31. LAST WORD
Truly, a Holy Week
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YOUR LIFE MARRIAGE MATTERS
DIEGO_CERVO
SHE SAYS:
HE SAYS:
A VACATION MEANS A NICE HOTEL ON THE BEACH How can Joe think that hiking and camping constitute a vacation? That sounds like torture, especially when we can afford to do something nice. I don’t want separate vacations; I just want him to come along with me to the beach.
I WANT TO GO HIKING AND CAMPING ON VACATION I’m glad that Terri loves her work, but we have waited for this period in our lives for a long time. I think it’s time for us to be together.
JOE AND CALLIE should not see this vacation as a “make-or-break” point WHAT DO in their relationship; instead, it should THEY DO? be viewed as more of a “stop along the way” in their journey and not the “destination.” It is an opportunity to come closer together; it is not an unsolvable problem. Scripture reminds us that there is a right way and a wrong way to seek our desires: “You ask but do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” (Jas 4:3)
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What married couple has not encountered Joe and Callie’s situation? Couples don’t always have the same idea of what constitutes a good vacation. What Joe and Callie have forgotten is that being married is not about making our spouse think, act and choose exactly as we would (how boring would that be), but to complement one another, which calls for consideration of each other’s views through an unselfish lens. Although Joe and Callie are to be commended for recognizing their need for rest and time away from their usual work routine, this conflict appears to be taking the edge off their excitement. They may find it more useful to forget about the “venue” and focus instead on their wishes and desires. In other words: What does each desire to achieve with a vacation? What does each hope to gain? What needs are being satisfied? For example, if the desire is to spend time together and rekindle their closeness, then a place where intimacy can be found would be called for. If the desire is to be somewhere warm, then location would trump venue. If the desire is to catch up on some reading, then, again, venue is not as important. The key for both of them is to try to articulate what they hope to gain from this particular vacation, knowing there STEVE AND BRIDGET PATTON are future vacations in store. hold master’s Therefore, it is the manner in degrees in which one deals with needs and theology and desires that is important. The counseling and motivation for any action can be serve as family wrong, especially if one does not life ministers for pray properly, but seeks only selfish the Diocese of enjoyment. If Joe and Callie would Sacramento. seek understanding from the Holy Spirit, they may discover their persistence in getting their own way is not helping them to grow as a couple, remembering that “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (Jas 4:6) Joe and Callie need to discuss this dilemma and share their feelings, not about what they individually hope to gain from the vacation, but about how they individually can help each other attain what he or she desires. The focus should be on the other, and not on self. Once Joe and Callie focus their listening with an open, loving heart in consideration of the other’s desires and feelings, they will be more responsive to, and intent on pleasing, the other. In that simple step of focusing on the needs of the other, they may find they have decided upon one of the best vacations ever, as they see joy and love in each other’s eyes.
GOOD LIFE
IT’S SUMMERTIME — DO I VOLUNTEER OR GET A JOB? Sometimes, parents and teens disagree about how to spend the lazy summer months. Kids may see that time as an opportunity to explore an interest area, while parents understandably might be looking for their child to start bringing in some cash. What to do? Following are some thoughts to consider as you discuss this together.
EXPERIENCE MATTERS. If the volunteer position is in an area of interest for a future career, this type of experience would be invaluable.
FAITH FORMATION MATTERS. If the position is one that will expose you to other Catholics who are living their faith in the “real world,” this will help create a heart for Jesus in all things.
FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS. Is it possible to volunteer as well as have a part-time job? It may be a sizable sacrifice of time between the two, but it would certainly be a memorable summer!
FAMILY RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS. What about helping out in ways that are not financial? Extra chores? No new clothes or nights out? You might have to make some sacrifices.
Parents, you’ve clearly done an amazing job of modeling volunteer work. And kids, kudos to you for wanting to spend your summer volunteering rather than hanging out at the beach or the mall.
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YOUR FAITH
How can I be a
BETTER CATHOLIC? Q
DEAR FATHER JOE: I came into the Church last year, and I really want to be the best Catholic I can. I read a lot, and visit Catholic websites. But I’ve noticed that, on the internet and in my own parish, there are so many mixed messages. What’s the right way?
T. Gennara
IN THE KNOW WITH FATHER JOE
FATHER JOE KRUPP
is a former comedy writer who is now a Catholic priest. @Joeinblack
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A
Great question — I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately, especially in light of the Gospel about St. Thomas and his doubts. When I read this Gospel, I often wonder what those days right after the resurrection were like. Here was St. Thomas the Apostle, the only guy not ruled by fear. His brothers stayed in the Upper Room, afraid — but not him, he was out and about. Either way, he’s out and Jesus comes. Jesus appears to the 10 remaining disciples who were present and speaks to them. Thomas comes home, perhaps with food, perhaps from talking to people about Jesus — who knows? Either way, he returns to find that his friends have lost their minds. They tell him that Jesus has risen from the dead. Now, during the next six days, there is no doubt that Upper Room got very small: arguments, recriminations, finger-pointing, yelling, questioning. Should
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Thomas have chosen to believe the ridiculous, he’d have to have wondered why Jesus didn’t appear while he was there. It must have been a nasty six days. Whatever the case, somewhere in there, Thomas tells his brothers what it would take for him to believe: If he puts his finger in the nail marks and his hand in Jesus’ side, then he’ll believe. Finally, Jesus comes again. He starts off by saying, “Peace be with you,” as he has three times before. He then speaks to Thomas and doesn’t chastise him or reprove him; instead, he meets his criterion — sort of a “This is what you need? Oh, then do it.” Thomas probes the nail marks. He physically places his hand inside Jesus’ body, and then proclaims him as God. As you may know, Thomas was faithful, even to the point of death. When you go home today, look at a map. See the distance between Israel and southern India. Tradition tells us that Thomas walked it and brought people there to Jesus. He preached and taught until he was tortured to death with spears. He held that faith so well. Back to that Upper Room now. Jesus says “Peace be with you” three times. The Greek word Jesus uses for “peace” refers not to an inner contentment, but a
communal relationship. He’s addressing the fights that have occurred among the disciples, and the fights that will come. He’s declaring “peace” after what must have been six days of war. His very resurrection is such a colossal event that it changes all the rules: It unifies them in a way not many other things could. Wherever they go from that day forward, they are bound by the wonder and beauty of having seen Jesus risen from the dead. Their fight with each other is over — they are commissioned to go into the world in unity and forgive sins in his name, bringing people to God through their testimony. This unity speaks to us today. We are here because of that moment. Look around your parish. Look at who is there. What would bring us all together on Sunday mornings other than our firm, heartfelt conviction that he is risen and that he calls to us? What a wonderful and amazing thing that is. We believe something unbelievable: God took our sins and guilt upon himself and died, killing those things with him. He rose from that death and calls us to enter into a deep We believe personal relationship with him, something lived out in a Catholic community unbelievable: of believers. Within this community, we must be patient and loving God took our with the process of conversion into sins and guilt which each one must enter. upon himself Fear can never be a part of this and died, process of conversion. We don’t need to be afraid of our doubts or killing those of other people’s doubts. Be confithings with dent enough in what we believe to him. hold it up to our intellect with humility and love. If someone comes to you with their doubts, don’t be angry with them. Instead, gently walk with them until they see the beauty and wonder of what Christ teaches. If you struggle with doubts, share them with a knowledgeable, patient and loving person within this community. Ask them to bring you to truth. Here is our chance to understand that God’s mercy is not just about what we’ve done wrong, but in how right God wants us to be in mind, soul and body. We can be confident in what Jesus teaches us — confident enough that we are patient with those who struggle, especially ourselves. Mercy requires that we understand that conversion is a process, a process that begins with our struggles and ends with our crying out to Jesus in wonder and awe, “My Lord and My God!” What better thing can we say than that? Enjoy another day in God’s presence.
LIVES OF THE SAINTS
JAMES THE LESSER? WHAT A NAME! WHY JAMES THE ‘JUST’ IS BETTER FEAST DAY: MAY 3 The refrain of an old song declares, “Every Tom, Dick and Harry’s name is Jim.” If you’re reading the New Testament, you certainly might agree. There’s Jim — er, James, that is — the son of Alphaeus; James, the brother of the Lord; James, the son of Mary, brother of Jesus; James, the brother of Jude; James the Lesser; and James, the bishop of Jerusalem. Hard to keep them all straight? Not really. They’re all the same person, the saint known as James the Just. James, whose feast day is celebrated May 3, was called “the Just” because of his great holiness. He is the author of the Letter of James, which instructed Jewish converts throughout the world about how to live a holy life, including the importance of good works as an expression of faith. James was called by Jesus to be a disciple at some point after the call of James, son of Zebedee, which led to his identification as James “the Lesser.” He, along with John and Peter, were considered pillars of the early Church, and St. Paul met with him about how best to carry on the mission of the Church. He was one of the first to see the risen Christ. According to one legend, after the crucifixion, James said that he would fast until Christ returned. The resurrected Jesus appeared to him and prepared a meal for him himself. While James was among the Church leaders who said that Gentile converts to Christianity did not have to follow the Jewish laws, he chose to follow not only the traditional Jewish practices, but went beyond to the stricter Nazarite vow. He did not drink wine or eat meat; he did not cut his hair or anoint himself with oil; and he never wore sandals or any clothes besides a single linen robe. Writers described his knees as being as hard as camels’ hooves because of all the time he spent on them in prayer. James was martyred in the year 62. Although he had the respect of most people, some of the scribes and Pharisees were jealous of his hold over the people. He was thrown from the walls of the Temple for refusing to renounce his faith in Christ, then stoned and clubbed to death after he fell, still praying for those who were killing him. He is usually shown in art holding a book and a club. He is the patron saint of pharmacists, fullers and hatmakers, all of whom use clubs in their work.
BY ELIZABETH JOHNSON
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We believe in the
Holy Trinity.
What does that mean?
O 8
ur being made for communion with God makes perfect sense, since God has revealed himself to be communion — a Trinitarian communion: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This mystery of the one God, three persons is “the central mystery of Christian faith and life.” As a mystery of faith, however, the Trinity is inaccessible to reason alone. What we can know of this mystery is entirely dependent on God revealing who he is to us.
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THE HEART OF COMMUNION We began this series with the assertion that the key to our happiness is to live in communion with God for whom we were made, i.e., to be of the same mind, love, heart and thought (see Phil 2:2) as God. Who better to reveal to us the mind, love, heart and thought of God than the Word of God, the very Second Person of the Trinity? Christ, precisely because he is God, is in perfect communion with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Consequently, he is the Way into this communion (remember we receive first, then only can we respond), the Truth of this communion and the Life that is the fruit of this communion. And Jesus preserved this communion throughout his earthly mission. In the desert, he refused to turn the stones into bread, choosing instead to live by the word of God. After Peter urged him to turn away from Jerusalem so as to avoid persecution, Jesus rebuked Peter for thinking as a human rather than like God. In Gethsemane, Jesus surrendered his will to the Father’s will. Even on the cross, he responded to challenges and taunting by commending his spirit into the Father’s hands. In other words, he emptied himself in obedience to the Father’s will so that all might be saved (healed, whole, one, in communion). He also faithfully taught only what he heard from the Father. (see Jn 8:26 and Jn 8:28 for examples) In this way, he not only taught us perfectly and fully about the mind, love, heart and thought of God (i.e., who God is), but he showed us the extent
YOUR FAITH THEOLOGY 101
THE DOGMA OF THE HOLY TRINITY In closing, the Church teaches the following about this “central mystery” of our faith and life: • The Trinity is One. Each person of the Trinity is fully and wholly God. The catechism explains, “The Father is that which the Son is, the Son that which the Father is, the Father and the Son that which the Holy Spirit is, i.e., by nature one God.” • At the same time, the divine persons are really distinct from one another. “God is one but not solitary.” The names of each person are not simply designating modalities. • The divine persons are relative to one another. Because God is One, the real distinction of the persons resides “solely in the relationships which relate them to one another.” As God is one nature, the relationship of the three presents no opposition. In other words, they are in perfect communion (of the same mind, love, heart and thought) because they are one. And this again is why Jesus Christ is the perfect revelation of God. – Quotes from the catechism (200-260) unless otherwise noted.
S. OLSON
Throughout the divine revelation of the Old Testament, God is revealed to be one. The Shema, a central prayer of the Jewish faith, captures this fundamental truth, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord.” (Dt 6:4) Additionally, God revealed to Israel that he is truth and love, as “abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” God even revealed his name to Israel. “A name expresses a person’s essence and identity and the meaning of this person’s life. God has a name; he is not an anonymous force.” This is critical because the disclosing of his name makes it possible for us to know him more intimately. God is YHWH (I AM WHO I AM). This mysterious name “expresses God as ... infinitely above everything that we can understand or say ... and he is the God who makes himself close to men.” At the same time, in the last installment, we learned the culmination of God’s revelation to humanity occurs in Jesus. “Christ, the Son of God made man, is the Father’s one, perfect and unsurpassable Word. In him, he has said everything.” This revelation of the extent of God’s love for us and his will for us to enter into communion with him has reached its finality with the Word made flesh.
to which God loves, cares and thinks about us. Through him, God is revealed to be a Trinitarian communion. The catechism explains that “Jesus revealed that God is Father in an unheard of sense: he is Father not only in being Creator; he is eternally Father by his relationship to his only Son who, reciprocally, is Son only in relation to his Father.” Further, Jesus reveals that God is Spirit when he promises to send the Holy Spirit to be with the apostles and the Church “to teach them and guide them ‘into all truth.’”
DOUG CULP
is the CAO and secretary for pastoral life for the Diocese of Lexington, Ky. He holds an M.A. in theology from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.
CATECHISM QUIZ Which of the following is not one of the “senses” of Scripture? a. Literal b. Common c. Moral d. Allegorical Answer: (b) Common — There are two senses of Scripture: the literal and the spiritual. The spiritual sense is further subdivided into the allegorical, moral and anagogical senses. (CCC 115)
WHO IS GOD?
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LECTIO DIVINA P R AY I N G T H R O U G H T H E Y E A R W I T H S C R I P T U R E
T. Gennara
SISTER ANN SHIELDS
is a renowned author and a member of the Servants of God’s Love. @srannshieldssgl
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YOUR FAITH SPIRITUAL FITNESS
GOSPEL FOR PENTECOST SUNDAY On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”
First, let’s take a look at something we often overlook in our fast-paced society. Each Sunday since Easter has been marked this way: the Second Sunday of Easter, the Third Sunday of Easter, etc. Easter is not just a special day in the year. The Church sets aside the Sundays from Easter to Pentecost as a six-week Easter celebration! Easter doesn’t celebrate a oneday occurrence. The resurrection of Jesus Christ changes everything. He has conquered death for us by his death on the cross; he has risen from the dead to show us that his death on the cross has triumphed over death forever. We die an earthly death, but if we believe in him, we will rise to eternal life. God in his mercy cancelled our eternal debt by dying for us. Therefore, we should celebrate. Begin by changing the way you think about Easter. We celebrate for six weeks, and then there is still more. READ MORE: To order More of the Holy Spirit, by Sister Ann Shields, visit www.renewalministries.net.
(Jn 20:19-23)
With those thoughts in mind, let’s take a look at this passage from the Apostle John. Jesus has died, but all kinds of stories are circulating: some disciples say they have seen Jesus; Mary Magdalene tells them the tomb is empty, and then Jesus appears to her. She first thinks Jesus is the gardener, and then he calls her by name and that changes everything. She knows his voice saying her name. She runs to tell the other disciples. But the disciples find it hard to believe the reports they are hearing; they saw his cruelly beaten body; some of them buried him. He is dead, but others say he is alive. On top of that confusion, they are terrified what the Jews are going to do. They have locked the door for fear of the Jews. Can you imagine the turmoil, the confusion — how might you have responded? So right then in the midst of all their emotions — fear, doubt, hope, cynicism — Jesus appears to them. He wishes them peace — the gift they needed most right then. Then Jesus shows them the wounds he bore for them. They
rejoice — it is Jesus! Right then, Jesus commissions them to preach the Gospel: “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” But then Jesus breathes on them, imparting the Holy Spirit — giving to them and then to us his Spirit to dwell in us, to guide us and to lead us safely home to him forever. Truly. These are not symbols: The Holy Spirit is the love between the Father and the Son, a love so great that it is the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity. And Jesus gives us his Spirit so that all we need to live and preach the Gospel in the context of our own personal lives is given to us. Notice, at the end of this passage, God gives them the power to forgive sins so that we can always have hope — no matter how we sin. If we repent, Jesus will remove our sins through the ministry of a priest; it is unparalleled mercy which God imparts to us through his Holy Spirit. There is so much to rejoice in. Each of us in baptism became a temple of the Holy Spirit. Each of us, when we were confirmed, received the gifts of the Holy Spirit that we might grow in holiness and might be gifted in particular ways to help bring others into an understanding of the lavishness of God’s love and his gifts to each of us. By his Spirit, we are given the unfathomable blessing to live and walk in an ever-deepening union with him. Mystery? Yes. But true. Again, God shared himself with us, through his Spirit, that we might enter into a deep and personal relationship with the Father and the Son.
Easter doesn’t celebrate a one-day occurrence. The resurrection of Jesus Christ changes everything.
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YOUR STORIES
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n o c I
g n i t i wr
UL O S E TH F O Y RNE U O J A
Their colors are deep and rich, like the earth and its minerals. THEIR FIGURES ARE SIMPLE AND RIGID. THEIR SPACES ARE SHALLOW.
BUT NOT IN THE NEGATIVE WAY THE WORLD DEFINES SHALLOWNESS. RATHER, THEY ARE PURPOSEFULLY SHALLOW SO AS TO GUARD THE GAZER AGAINST THE EMOTION AND DRAMA OF THIS WORLD.
The viewer must understand: These religious icons are not primitive art. They are visual prayer. Likewise, their creation is prayer — “a writing of faith,” says Jane Cardinal, who has been praying with icons for decades. “Icons are a type of fasting for the eyes,” explains Jane in one of the handouts she shares during her annual icon-writing retreat at the Augustine Center northeast of Petoskey. “Drama is suppressed. A gesture merely hints at worldly emotion summoning you to see more deeply, and to take the inner voyage to understand in the still-
ness of your heart. This is where communion begins far beyond the painted surface.” Jane has been teaching iconwriting workshops in Conway since 2013. Novices quickly learn images are written, not painted. “This is not meant to be a creative journey,” notes Jane. “These images are a reflection of the word of God, rather than an exploration open to interpretation.” Now a parishioner at Holy Cross, Cross Village, Jane first learned about religious icons when she and her brother were precocious, artistic teenagers living in a college town
STORY BY CHRIS GROSSER • PHOTOS BY CHRIS GROSSER AND CANDACE NEFF
and he researched iconography. The transmission of faith via art especially intrigued her brother, who eventually entered a monastic order (later exiting to become an architect). “He would share with me items on the origin of the art form, its types, its veneration,” notes Jane. She marvels now that the specialty supplies used in icon writing were readily available at the college bookstore. “I was very fortunate,” she says, recalling those days of growing up in a Catholic household in East Lansing. “My mother was an extremely faithful and excellently good woman. She was social and beautiful,
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“These images are a reflection of the word of God, rather than an exploration open to interpretation.” but her values were straight and upright.” Theirs was an intellectually stimulating life, a life in which they were encouraged to express their faith “in community, in home and in your heart.” As a youth, Jane found religious art “spellbinding.” Churches and cathedrals housed beauty that saturated the senses. Later, she says, as church interiors became more austere, “I missed the baroque. I liked the extravagance of the celebration. It was a rarefied atmosphere; a little diamond of the historic tradition of faith on display.” Graduating from Michigan State University, Jane embraced her talents. She and her husband, Robert, lived in Los Angeles and then
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moved to the foothills of Yosemite. She built a career as an artist and designer of licensed character art (Hello Kitty and Sesame Street works can be found in her portfolio). When the little stone church they attended prepared to celebrate its centennial, Jane offered to write an icon of its patron saint, St. Anne. God had reopened for her the door to iconography. The voice was always there, she says, though she didn’t recognize it as prayer that led into visual prayer. “Visual prayer is not something we’re schooled in.” In Vancouver, she studied with Russian master iconographer Vladislav Andrejev. Initially, she was skeptical, she admits. She expected
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he would help her refine her technique, “but it was his understanding of the spirituality that directs every step of the process of writing an icon that was compelling. “It’s one thing to paint an icon and quite another to create a window into heaven,” observes the Good Hart resident. “Writing an icon can be likened to climbing a spiritual ladder to glimpse, through focused veneration, the perfection of God and his works. Every step in its creation process recalls those of God in creation.” Upon retirement, Jane could have gone into commission and gallery work. “Sure, I was good at it, but what was it worth?” she asks. Instead, she heard the call to iconography. “This is not about throwing away art. This is about, ‘What bucket do I want to fill?’” For her, the choice was clear. Jane views her own faith as a mystery. “It’s my breath. It’s my life,” says the 76-year-old. “I am it and it is me. There is no reason for me without it. It’s the glue, the dimension of everything I say and do.” Icon writing has enriched that faith. “It’s been a subtle, slow build.” The reading and preparation required to teach workshops invites
her to express that faith more fully. Faith is revealed in each of the icons uniquely written by retreatants. It is a “sifting process.” An image written by a class member with a slight case of Parkinson’s disease “shook,” says Jane. “It was alive with love. It was beautiful. “It’s hard for many to understand that this process is not about competition as to who executes the most lovely image; it’s a journey of the soul. “The gift of faith emanates from the hand of the faithful person.” That’s why monastic orders in the sixth century directed humble, prayerful, good men to write icons, adds Jane. “The goodness is in what you’re giving to the board,” she explains. “It’s always sharing with your heart and your spirituality.” It is authentic. Icon writing is immersion in prayer. “It is as deep as you wish it to be,” says Jane. “Through the eyes of the venerated, you can be absolutely within that cathedral with you and with them. “It’s really about those virtues of that individual, their faith — to live up to that, (to know) the joy of giving. It’s not about engaging” with the icon, but prayerfully focusing on the virtues of the holy person whose image one is writing. “You go over it in your mind, walk with it in your heart to find out what’s there,” she says of the process. “Sometimes it’s frightening to discover what is, or isn’t, there.” The writer’s faith “percolates through this medium,” if they are open to listening — to self, heart and soul, Jane adds. Silence is central to the weeklong retreats, and to icon writing in general. “Silence is beyond measure as opposed to recitation of stuff.” Prayer, Jane offers, requires a real connection. “You explore details of your day, your life, how it reflects — or doesn’t — what you honor in your
heart as you’ve been taught. It’s like going to confession interiorly. “You need to take the time to walk within yourself. That’s what this is about. Take the time to meet you, who you truthfully are; what you should in fact be directed to. Contemplate, ready, do, then evaluate it. If you can do that, you can build a worthy life path,” she says. The retreat opens daily with Mass celebrated by Father John Fischer, who travels from the Archdiocese of Cincinnati to attend the workshop. At week’s end, he blesses the icons, which are then considered sacramentals. Icons are neither sold nor are they signed by the writer. “It’s not about me,” Jane notes. Most of the more than 100 icons Jane has written have been gifts to friends, parishes, churches, schools and monasteries in the Diocese of Gaylord, across the United States, in Europe and in Africa. (See related story.) She worked seven years on the 4-1/2-foot-by-3-foot Stations of the Cross that hang in Holy Cross Church in Porterville, Calif., where her friend Msgr. Scott Daugherty is pastor. They were sketched on napkins and planned over breakfasts. “It is evangelization at a different level,” Jane acknowledges of icon writing. “That can’t be trivialized. It’s not a wall decoration. It’s a lot more. It’s what you can bring to it. “Icons don’t hang on the wall; they’re suspended in you.”
THE PROCESS Icon writing is “a journey of the soul,” notes iconographer Jane Cardinal, and requires thoughtful reflection in each step: • Reviewing in contemplation the step to be attempted • Readying one’s tools, sequence and focus • Executing the step • Contemplating the results; did I lose focus? “Don’t try to ‘get it right,’” says Jane. “This is not a thing you must learn or try to perfect. It’s a path that never ends. You are not required to ‘do’ anything but to come to God in attentive silence with a gift of profound love and surrender to his will.” PRAYER AROUND THE WORLD Several of Jane’s icons and paintings have been given as gifts and may be found, among other places, in: • Sligo, Ireland • Nigeria • Albuquerque, N.M., Santa Maria de la Vid Abbey • Fresno, Calif., St. Paul’s • Mackinaw City, St. Anthony’s • Paintings of Bishop Baraga hang in L’Anse, St. Solanus in Petoskey and Indian River’s Cross in the Woods • Painting of the Last Supper, chapel of St. Mary Cathedral, Gaylord COMING UP • What: Icon-Writing Retreat • When: June 10-16, 2018 • Where: Augustine Center, Conway (north of Petoskey) • Contact: Sister Chris Herald, 231.436.5561
“The gift of faith emanates from the hand of the faithful person.” WWW.DIOCESEOFG AY LO RD .ORG
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Shining Christ’s Light . . . e nt r u ste d to u s to b e ke p t b u r n i n g b r i g ht l y
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FAITH along Michigan’s 45th Parallel
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W
hen I joined the Diocese of Gaylord staff this past August, I knew I had my work cut out for me as I undertook the great responsibility to coordinate our Catholic Services Appeal
(CSA) effort. I knew it would be a big job; I was being called to serve and support our parishioners, our parishes, all of our ministries — nearly everything we do together! As my beloved Nana would say, “Holy cannoli!”
Maybe you’re wondering just who this new name and face is to the Diocese of Gaylord. I grew up primarily in the southwest side of Michigan, with a few years spent in north-central Ohio. I met my husband Kevin while attending college at Michigan Technological University. (Go Huskies!) We graduated college in the early ‘90s, found jobs, got married and settled back here in Kevin’s hometown of Gaylord, where we still live today. We have two sons: Matthew is completing his second year of college and Andrew is a senior at St. Mary Cathedral High School. We’ve been incredibly blessed to have called Northern Michigan our home for the last 25 years. After working for a regional accounting firm as a marketing consultant, I joined the staff of St. Mary Cathedral and, for the past 13 years, served in various capacities for both the parish and school. Never in a million years did I think this was where I would ultimately end up, but I have found so much joy and fulfillment from sharing my gifts and talents within my parish, school and community. I am excited to bring
YOUR FAITH SPECIAL REPORT
TINA MAKAREWICZ
is the Catholic Services Appeal coordinator for the Diocese of Gaylord.
the experiences and the insight I have gained through all those years to this new position. I began acclimating myself with this (I’ll admit, slightly intimidating) new responsibility and all that goes into planning, educating, promoting and implementing the Catholic Services Appeal (CSA) every year. Since I had conducted the appeal in my own parish for the last 10 years, I thought I knew everything there was to know about CSA. What else could there be, right? It’s quite simple: Our diocese has a budget that supports the numerous ministries and good works throughout Northern Michigan and around the world; the parishes all conduct appeals to raise their fair portion to support the mission of our diocese; and parishioners give to help their parish reach its target and to ensure our good works continue. It’s that simple, right? WRONG! Each year at this time, we strive to help increase awareness of the multitude of ministries — locally, nationally and internationally — that are supported through our offerings to the CSA. But to make CSA a true “service” appeal, we need to dig deeper — not just into our pockets, but personally and spiritually as well. As Catholics, we are one faith family with a mission of continuing the works of Christ. It is our duty to be as generous as possible, sharing all that God has gifted to us. Our theme for the 2018 Catholic Services Appeal is “Shining Christ’s Light.” (Incidentally, this theme was chosen to coincide with our Mutually Shared Vision [MSV] and the 2018 Diocesan Conference titled “This Little Light of Mine — Shining Christ’s Light: Sunrise to Sunset,” which will be held in Gaylord on Sept. 20-21.) In his first encyclical, Pope Francis called on the baptized to be a “Light of Faith.” We must not hide our light under a bushel basket, but let the light of Christ be reflected through us.
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You and I are called by name to be witnesses to Christ’s light in the world. You and I are a part of the body gifted by God to carry out Jesus’ ministry in our own unique ways. We are asked to look deep into ourselves to discover our gifts and reflect upon how we are sharing them with others. I’m not just talking about financially, but also about our time and self-giving. Sometimes those things are even more valuable and difficult for us to sacrifice. I don’t think I am alone in the fact that sometimes it takes a considerable amount of poking and prodding from our Lord for me to quiet myself from the noise of the world and listen to him — to really hear what he is asking of me. We need to give ourselves a sound check every now and then. Every day we have opportunities to truly live out our baptismal promises. How do we respond? It is important we recognize that all of us who make up the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Gaylord can indeed rejoice in the countless ministries we accomplish together through our gifts to the Catholic Services Appeal. We really are a family rich in good works. I am truly and deeply inspired each day I come into the office as I learn of the incredible ministry being carried out in our parishes, and here in the chancery, too. That’s what I love so much about this magazine. FAITH along Michigan’s 45th Parallel is such a beautiful instrument for sharing our good news. It’s because of your prayers and financial support it reaches all of the Catholic households of our diocese and beyond. Years ago, CSA was expressed as “Many Campaigns in One” — and that still holds true today. Through your gift to CSA, many campaigns and ministries are funded rather than having numerous special collections. What we are able to accomplish through our collaborative efforts is truly awe-inspiring. I hope you
To learn more about the Catholic Services Appeal, the 2018 Diocesan Conference and the Mutually Shared Vision (MSV), visit www.dioceseofgaylord.org.
will join me in taking some time to pray about how we each support our own parish to reach its monetary CSA target this year, while also reflecting upon the ways we already support — or could support — our parish with our gifts of time and talent. Through the grace of God and with your help, we will continue to share our stories and good works. May we inspire each other, and through our participation in the Catholic Services Appeal, keep Christ’s light burning brightly within our diocese, in this beautiful tip of the mitt that we all call home.
2018 CATHOLIC SERVICES APPEAL BUDGET: $3,496,371 Below is a summary of the different ministries, programs and support that help to enrich parish life, inspire future generations, strengthen families, advance Church leadership, nurture the ordained and consecrated life and provide local and international outreach: Worship, evangelization and catechesis ($1,610,058)
10.4%
Clergy life, vocations support and seminarian education ($198,625)
18.5% 46.1%
Mission and outreach (local, national and international) ($676,159) Diocesan and parish services, stewardship and administration of our Church ($647,004)
19.3% 5.7%
Diocesan building, grounds and maintenance ($364,525)
Detailed budget information may be obtained from your parish or found on the diocesan website.
CONVENIENT WAYS TO GIVE
PLEDGE
Complete your pledge card or envelope and return it to your parish. Several payment options are available, including cash/check, credit card and Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).
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Visit www.dioceseofgaylord. org to learn more about the CSA and make a gift online by selecting “Make a Gift.” Giving online is safe and secure. Make a one-time gift or set up recurring monthly payments.
FAITH along Michigan’s 45th Parallel
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Contact us if you have any questions about the CSA or supporting the Diocese of Gaylord: 989.732.5147.
GIVE EARLY using the enclosed pledge envelope to give your parish a jumpstart on its CSA target. Be sure to complete all of the information on the envelope, including your parish name and city, and return to your parish office or in the offertory basket.
GIVE LATER when you receive CSA information from your parish.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS WHY SHOULD I GIVE TO THE CATHOLIC SERVICES APPEAL?
HOW MUCH SHOULD I GIVE?
Pope Francis tells us that true power lies not in taking care of our wants, but in humbly taking care of the needs of others. It is through the annual Catholic Services Appeal that we, the people of the Diocese of Gaylord, respond in love to God by supporting the programs and ministries that serve our friends and neighbors throughout the northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan and around the world. As Christian stewards, we are called to receive God’s gifts gratefully, cultivate them responsibly, share them lovingly in justice with others and return them with increase to the Lord. Through the Catholic Services Appeal, we have the opportunity of living a life of stewardship by supporting and strengthening the many ministries and services funded through the appeal as well as selfless giving to the people who are most in need. “As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” (1 Pt 4:10)
As Christian stewards, your gift should be made after prayerful consideration and in thanksgiving for all that God has given to you. The Catholic Services Appeal is the primary means of support for the many diocesan-wide ministries, programs, services and good works of our faith community. CSA is a call to stewardship that encourages annual giving to the Diocese of Gaylord at 1 percent of household income. It is based on making gifts that are not equal in size, but are equal in sacrifice. Your contribution to the CSA is vital to our shared mission to spread Christ’s message of love and mercy to all. The following chart is offered to help you plan your gift:
HOW DOES MY PARISH AND COMMUNITY BENEFIT FROM MY DONATION? The ministries and services supported by the CSA exist to complement the work of your parish. The CSA helps to fund the education and training of your parish leaders — priests and lay people alike — as well as the faith enrichment of those who seek to dig deeper into their faith. Gifts to the CSA provide parish support and resources directly and indirectly through diocesan staff, programs and services, saving valuable time and resources. People in local parishes and communities benefit from the televised Mass, outreach initiatives and a wide variety of specific ministries. Together through one collaborative effort, we, as a diocesan family, are able to do what one parish alone could not. In addition, 100 percent of the funds collected over a parish target will be returned to the parish for its own programs and services.
HOW ARE THE ANNUAL CSA BUDGET AND PARISH TARGETS DETERMINED? The diocesan budget for the 2018 Catholic Services Appeal is recommended by the diocesan Finance Council after reviewing the services and programs needed that the CSA supports. The individual parish targets are determined through a formula which takes into consideration both the specific parish’s ordinary income and its number of parishioners. The calculation provides the amount of the total diocesan CSA budget set for that parish.
HOUSEHOLD INCOME
1% GIFT
10 MONTHLY PAYMENTS
$15,000
$150
$15
$25,000
$250
$25
$30,000
$300
$30
$40,000
$400
$40
$50,000
$500
$50
$75,000
$750
$75
$90,000
$900
$90
$120,000
$1,200
$120
$150,000
$1,500
$150
$180,000
$1,800
$180
$200,000
$2,000
$200
SHOULD I MAKE A PLEDGE OR A ONE-TIME GIFT? Making a pledge allows you to spread your gift throughout the year, which may make it easier for you to pay, and help you to give a larger gift. Pledge statements are sent out monthly by the diocese unless requested otherwise. These are simply reminders and not bills. You have the flexibility to pay your pledge at any point before the end of the appeal year. If your situation changes, you may also adjust your pledge. At the same time, please know that one-time gifts are always accepted and very much appreciated.
IS MY DONATION TAX-DEDUCTIBLE? Yes, every gift donated to the diocese is tax-deductible. At the end of the year, we send an acknowledgement letter for tax purposes.
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The breadth of Catholic Human Services CO U N S E L I N G S E RV I C E S I M PAC T I N D I V I D UA L S A N D C O M M U N I T I E S
“T
here’s no way I would be where I’m at today and able to do the job in nursing I’m able to do if God hadn’t opened — and closed — doors and led me on this journey,” says Marilyn Gibbs.
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One of the doors he opened for her was the door to counseling at Catholic Human Services (CHS). Marilyn is a registered nurse who first learned of CHS because the agency served as the provider for her employer’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP), a job benefit that offers counseling and educational services. Looking back on that now, she can see the hand of God was at work. After concluding her EAP sessions, Marilyn chose to continue with counseling. The care and patience she experienced at CHS have been invaluable, she says: “It’s helped me with my depression, with my career, with my faith. I think it helps me to share with patients and with other students.” Despite some anxiety about discussing something as personal as counseling, Marilyn felt called to chronicle how tapping into CHS has positively impacted her life. “Sometimes those hard things that are
FAITH along Michigan’s 45th Parallel
good for us ask us to stretch a little bit. I not only know how CHS has touched my life, but I know they’re an important part of our community,” says the 57-year-old who juggles multiple professional obligations. “That’s really the bottom line. I’m glad CHS is there for me and for our community. It is a faith-based organization that is there to help with a wide range of needs and instill that love of God,” she says. She’s learned a lot from her counselor, Sarah Hegg, LLP, CAADC. “She’s taught me how to look at things that happened in my life, how to look at them differently so I can be a better person,” she adds. “Without her helping me with those skills, I wouldn’t have finished my master’s degree (in community health nursing); I wouldn’t have been able to work through the stressors. I don’t know where I would be without her and CHS. “I can help people with health issues that they’re struggling with to see the bigger picture, help them
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to reframe (those issues).” That’s what CHS has helped Marilyn do — reframe issues. The skills she’s gained through counseling have been essential to her career. Now a case manager with Adaptive Counseling & Case Management, her background includes work in school and camp, corrections, long-term care and nursing education. Working at Grand Traverse County Jail, she says, solidified her call to community health nursing and compelled her to further her education. “They have many struggles — a lot of mental illness, addictions, a lot of challenges,” she says of that population. “They are going to be released and go back and live in the community; go to our churches; their kids will go to our schools; they’ll shop at our grocery stores. “They’re not always afforded the opportunity to be treated respectfully and (with) understanding (for) the challenges they’ve had in their lives. I feel like that’s where I have a lot of compassion. I don’t really care why they’re there. It doesn’t matter to me. I’m not there to judge them. I have my own challenges. I don’t need to add to that.” Her faith complements the Nursing Code of Ethics — or vice versa. “It’s about treating people with respect and dignity, regardless of their background,” she notes. As an adjunct professor for Spring Arbor University, Marilyn is excited to be able to draw on her faith to teach Community Health Nursing and her latest class, “Spiritual Dimensions of Health Care.” “I don’t have to be afraid to talk about faith and the importance of faith in nursing,” she notes. “I’m able to touch those students. It validates the importance of spirituality in their nursing practice.” Marilyn’s faith has always been important to her. Born in Onekama, she was baptized and raised
Methodist. She joined the Catholic Church after daughters Kate and Molly were born in Marquette. Her husband was Catholic. “Some things happened and I just felt drawn to become Catholic,” she says. When they divorced, Marilyn moved to Interlochen, where Kate enrolled in the Arts Academy and Marilyn became the camp nurse. Time passed. She remarried, moved to Texas, returned to Michigan, divorced and relocated to Interlochen again. Through it all, she held on to her faith. Even while living in Texas, she was reminded of God’s love for her. Father Ken Stachnik, pastor at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Traverse City, where Marilyn had been and is now a parishioner, left voicemails every now and then. Always, they closed with, “God bless you, and know you are loved.” She tucked that knowledge into her heart and delights yet today when a sporadic recording with the same signoff hits her voicemail. Knowing someone cares is important: The voicemails tell her someone does; the help she’s found at CHS says so, too. That help comes, in part, through a subsidy from Catholic Services Appeal (CSA) dollars from parishioners across the Diocese of Gaylord. Until her counselor approached her about sharing her experience to help promote awareness of the link between CSA and CHS, Marilyn says, she hadn’t realized the connection. (See related story.) “One thing I want to say about CSA is, it’s important to know what it does for the community. If you don’t really know or understand what it does or how it contributes to the community, it’s difficult to put a value on what you’re asked to give above and beyond what maybe you normally do. “I was really fortunate to connect with CHS.”
STORY AND PHOTO BY CHRIS GROSSER
Marilyn Gibbs says she would not have finished her master’s degree in Community Health Nursing without the help of CHS counseling.
THE CSA-CHS CONNECTION Catholic Services Appeal (CSA) dollars transform families and individuals. CSA funds earmarked for Catholic Human Services (CHS) literally save marriages, keep families together, save jobs and improve quality of life for hundreds, said Chip Cieslinski, president and CEO for CHS. He’s grateful to generous CSA supporters for their part in that success. CSA allocates about $380,000 annually to family counseling and open adoption services CHS offices offer in all 21 counties of the diocese. While the funds are a small portion of the agency’s $5 million budget, said Cieslinski, they are critical to helping the agency fulfill its mission of “providing hope-filled social, emotional and spiritual support to all people.”
In 2017, CHS served 632 people whose counseling was partially subsidized by CSA, he reported. CHS uses a sliding fee scale based on a formula of household income and the number of people that income supports. CHS serves anyone in need, regardless of denomination. “We’ve seen an increase in need,” Cieslinski acknowledged; therefore, CSA dollars get thin quickly. “We typically turn away 150-200 people and refer them to a handful of secular agencies that they can afford.” Truly appreciative of CSA support, Cieslinski agreed increased CSA support would financially enhance CHS’s ability to serve more families. Also to that end, he is working to find other donations and revenue streams to accomplish that goal. Learn more about CHS services at www.catholichumanservices.org
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BUILDING BRIDGES PERMANENT DIACONATE PROGRAM SPANS SERVICE TO GOD, BISHOP AND GOD’S PEOPLE
M
ike Roy has spent years building bridges. As a police officer, he built bridges between law enforcement and community. As a college instructor, program director and academic adviser, he built bridges between students and the career world.
Now, as a candidate in the deacon formation program, he’s striving to build yet another bridge: “Deacons are the bridge between the bishop and the local communities’ needs,” Mike says. “The bridge is built of service: deacons are servants to God working to meet the needs of the people and servants to the bishop as he shepherds the diocese. This particular Saturday finds the 64-year-old Presque Isle resident in the Rose Resource Center Library in the Gaylord Pastoral Center, where he has just completed his latest formation class: “Sacrament of Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick and Viaticum.” That’s 15 classes down, 23 to go. In his second year of
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the diocese’s permanent diaconate program, Mike is a “candidate” — one step advanced from deacon “aspirant,” the designation given men when first they begin this journey. He has at least three more years before he might be ordained. The path to here has been anything but direct. And yet, he feels he’s walking the path he was meant to take. Way back when he was freshly graduated from Alpena High School, Mike had considered a religious vocation. He spent 18 months with the Benedictines at St. Meinrad Archabbey in Indiana, but eventually followed his father’s footsteps into law enforcement. For 15 years, he worked with the Alpena Police Department. Along the way, he earned a master’s degree in criminal justice and became an instructor, then director of the Criminal Justice Program, at Alpena Community College. “Difficulty led me in this direction,” Mike says of his path. He explains he’d sought counsel from his parish priest, Father Richard Schaeffer, regarding a challenge with one of his grown daughters, and received “some real good advice.” Priest and parishioner met biweekly and got along well. “I told him, ‘I have a feeling the Lord wants me to do something, but he won’t tell me what it is.’” Father Schaeffer suggested prayer. Mike prayed, and then one Sunday as he was ushering
YOUR STORIES FEATURE STORY
at St. Bernard’s, a “Vocations” flier on the bulletin board jumped out at him; so did the word “deacon.” “That’s it,” he thought. But he resisted — until “a daydream” convinced him God, indeed, was calling him. He contacted Deacon Paul Fifer, director of deacon formation, who, after receiving a letter of recommendation from Mike’s priest, led him through the lengthy application process. Mike became an aspirant, a period of the program to explore exactly what the diaconate is all about. “A selection committee interviews you, and your wife,” he adds, expressing appreciation for his wife of 42 years, Diane. “A lot of credit in my formation goes to her,” he says, noting she is “chief editor” for the papers he writes. As Mike continues his studies, he’s come to realize how much there is to the faith into which he was born. “Now I know and understand so much more and that’s deepened my faith. “The more you learn about the Church (you come to understand), what we believed in the first century we believe now. The truth is the truth. We may refine its understanding, but truth doesn’t change. “Our faith is universal; our faith is such a beautiful, spiritual faith that once you study, understand and read what the early fathers had to say ... you see it’s a beautiful, practical religion for every time.” Such awareness develops through classes, prayer and relationship with God and others. Mike values the mentorship of Deacon Fifer, who shares his own experiences of “being in the trenches” and what being a deacon really means. “So much of it is about building a relationship with God; listening to the whisper of the Lord and recognizing it,” says Mike. He enjoys serving others, visiting nursing homes, the hospital and the homebound. “What better service than to bring them the Lord in holy Communion?” There is plenty of work for deacons, his pastor at All Saints has assured him. On this path to the diaconate, Mike has gained perspective. “I’ve gone from thinking, ‘I’m a pretty good person,’ to really thinking about sin and humanity and realizing everybody is a fallen person, and that we all sin.” Only after that epiphany could he grasp “the immense mercy God has for us and just how much he loves us.” God’s love, he’s learned, is dynamic. “He’s done all he can for us and all we need to do is accept and follow him. But he accepts your choice: If you choose to reject him, he’ll honor that. If you choose to love him, better yet.”
STORY AND PHOTO BY CHRIS GROSSER
CSA SUPPORTS DIACONATE PROGRAM 3 TIMES OVER On his journey to becoming a permanent deacon, Mike Roy is making use of three programs and resources the Catholic Services Appeal (CSA) supports. Among them: The Rose Resource Center Library, in the Gaylord Pastoral Center, is a library and bookstore. It is open to anyone from the diocese’s 77 parishes or the local community. Mike spends lots of time there. CSA dollars purchase books and materials available for loan, according to Wayne Winter, director of faith formation and evangelization for the diocese. While catechetical leaders, catechists and people in faith formation typically make use of the resources, the library has books, DVDs, videos and periodicals suitable for families, children and all laity. Spiritual, historical and canonical materials are among them. “Our diocese is very progressive and puts a high priority on evangelization,” says Mike. “This is very much an evangelization resource.” The library houses more than 5,380 books, 350 DVDs, 1,875 VHS tapes. It also houses 400 reference books (that cannot be checked out). Books and other Catholic items may be ordered and purchased through the bookstore. Generally open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (closed 1-2 p.m. for lunch), visitors are urged to call ahead to confirm those hours. The permanent diaconate program now includes four candidates and three aspirants. CSA helps subsidize vocational expenses. “I appreciate everything CSA does for us,” Mike said. The Center for Catholic Studies (CCS) offers a catalog of 100 classes and workshops on spirituality, discipleship, theological history, Scripture, liturgy, morality, social justice, canon law, youth ministry and academics for the permanent deacon program. CSA covers stipends, mileage, supplies and food for instructors, notes Wayne. Additionally, CSA monies reduce fees for hundreds of students enrolled in CCS classes who are seeking certification or auditing a class. A number of offerings, like the Hidden Treasures series, are free and offered in the various vicariates of the diocese. CSA also pays CCS’s affiliation with the University of Dayton, considerably reducing fees for online courses for anyone in the diocese who wishes to take them.
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S N O I T C E NN
CO
nce
erie p x E p i h ers
ic Lead l o h t a cC uthenti
An A
Connections/CLI alumni (l-r) Tyler Haggart, April Johnson, David Johnson and Drew Jaskowski.
Teens Embrace Catholic Leadership as a Lifestyle It can be tough being a Catholic teenager in today’s world. “So many people have so many new ideas that don’t agree with our Catholic (values),” says 16-year-old Tyler Haggart. But Tyler, like hundreds of teens from across the Diocese of Gaylord over the past 25 years, has gained valuable tools for living and leading as a Catholic through the Christian Leadership Institute (CLI), recently rebranded Connections. Seventeen-year-old David Johnson, another CLI alumnus, says it became easier to stand up for his beliefs publicly after his retreat
ATTEND CONNECTIONS • When: July 16-19, 2018 • Where: Augustine Center, Conway, north of Petoskey • Who: 9th-12th-graders interested in embracing Christian leadership skills & growing their faith • Cost: $225, includes all meals, lodging and materials • H ow to register: Call Pattie Rioux, 989.362.3162; July 1 deadline
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experience in 2015. “Now it’s like, ‘I’m Catholic — deal with it!’” He’s blunt and fun, and so is his faith. He’s excited to network with peers who share that same faith. His sister, April, returned from the same retreat with a newfound connection to her faith. “I learned I was a strong leader already, but I had a lot of work to do faithfully,” she explains. Her faith has flourished in the three years since CLI. Fifteen-year-old Drew Jaskowski of Roscommon notes his Connections Retreat last year helped him better communicate about his faith. Additionally, it allowed the St. Michael, Roscommon youth group member to meet Catholic teens from across the diocese’s 21 counties, including Tyler, David and April from the neighboring youth group at Our Lady of the Lake, Prudenville. “I learned how to talk to people,” Tyler says, noting his 2015 retreat
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emphasized communication and Christian conflict resolution. “The communication aspect of that really helped,” he adds, explaining he’d attended Our Lady of the Lake (OLL) Catholic School through eighth grade, then found himself thrown into public high school. “I learned how to be a quiet leader,” offers David, who admits he likes to talk. Through exercises at the retreat, he learned a more balanced approach to leadership. “Now I’m a leader by example and a vocal leader. Sometimes just doing the right thing is not going to solve a situation; other times, it’s more appropriate to say something. I’m better at judging what to do.” The teens agree the retreat was worthwhile, even if, initially, they’d been apprehensive. “I didn’t want to be with a bunch of new people,” confesses 17-yearold April, “but I’m glad I did it. I would encourage (attendance).” She and David both sacrificed working their summer jobs at an area golf course to go. “I was glad to go,” he says. “I’d never been to anything like this before,” says Tyler, who laughingly admits he attended because his mother made him. “I’m glad she did.” “I didn’t have a whole lot going on,” smiles Drew, who, as an incoming freshman, was one of the youngest retreat participants last year. Two of his older siblings are CLI alumni. Connections/CLI is open to students who have completed eighth grade, but not yet their senior year. “It’s 100 percent worthwhile,” says Tyler, adding, “You have to try and you have to talk to people when you do go. Make it worth your while.” “I’ve made close friends I still keep in contact with today,” notes David. And while Connections/CLI is a one-time opportunity for these teens, the experience lives on in them.
YOUR STORIES FEATURE STORY
“It’s a lifestyle, really,” explains David. “If you live as a Christian leader, it’s not just when it’s convenient. It’s a lifestyle.” “I think it’s going to help me to focus on what’s important in my life,” Tyler offers when asked where he expects his faith to take him. “I know that I will be Catholic the rest of my life and involved in the Church. Who knows — maybe someday I’ll be a priest.” “I see it taking me past my comfort zone, having been part of CLI,” proclaims David. “It (his faith) will help me to do things I wouldn’t be able to do or want to do.” Drew agrees: “It will take me out of my comfort zone to do things I might not like to do but in the end I will.” “I’ve already seen a lot of opportunities to be a leader in my school,” offers April, “and a lot of opportunities coming.” Her faith will help her to make better decisions. “It will take me in unexpected directions. I don’t really know yet where, but I know it’s going to be good.” Youth coordinators Deb and Tim Harris of St. Michael’s and OLL, respectively, along with Tracey Haggart at OLL, praised the generous support of parishioners and clergy, Father Richard Schaeffer and Father Rolando Silva, for helping area youth with the expense of attending CLI.
RETREAT OFFERS CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP SKILLS AND NETWORKING “It’s made a tremendous impact on their faith,” Pattie Rioux says of the Connections/CLI (Christian Leadership Institute) experience more than 1,000 teens have enjoyed in the Diocese of Gaylord over the past 25 years. “Not only is it a great experience when they actually go through it in their high school years networking with other teens throughout the diocese, but they go off to college and many, many times they call or write and say they just ran into somebody from CLI.” They’re connections that last through college, into adulthood, marriage, having children, says Pattie, diocesan director for the retreat. “They’ve maintained a strong faith journey and, truthfully, I believe the Connections/CLI experience has had a big impact on that.” Connections/CLI is a four-day summer retreat of prayer, worship and social justice discussion for students in grades 9-12. It’s designed for both natural leaders and those who would like to be. “They learn the components of group dynamics, conflict resolution, communication skills, how to handle things in a Christian manner ... This is
teaching them the elements of Christian leadership. It is a lifestyle,” says Pattie. It recognizes the struggles teens face, and teaches them how to stand strong in their faith and feel free to pray. It all happens in a very casual setting: This year’s retreat will be at the Augustine Center, north of Petoskey. “There are meals, a comfortable place to sleep, pray and play.” Teens need only bring “a willing attitude to grow in your faith.” Connections helps teens “to embrace strong Christian leadership skills; to grow in your faith and be comfortable sharing your faith in your everyday life.” It promises fun and the chance to meet teens from across the diocese. The experience opens the doors to youth networking activities and opportunities. Many alumni attend diocesan youth retreats, the National Catholic Youth Conference (which draws 25,000 teens), youth rallies and more. Cost should not prevent attendance. The Catholic Services Appeal offers three scholarships, and several parishes also are generous in helping youth to attend.
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TYLER HAGGART, 16 Junior at Houghton Lake High • LIKES: Wrestling, fishing, soccer • MEMBER: Our Lady of the Lake, Prudenville • 2015 CLI alum • FUTURE: Environmental studies at University of Windsor
DREW JASKOWSKI, 15 Freshman at Roscommon High • LIKES: Hunting, fishing, on golf team • MEMBER: St. Michael’s, Roscommon • 2017 Connections alum • FUTURE: Engineering
STORY AND PHOTOS BY CHRIS GROSSER
APRIL JOHNSON, 17 Senior at Houghton Lake High • LIKES: Piano, community service, competitive cheer • MEMBER: Our Lady of the Lake, Prudenville • 2015 CLI alum • FUTURE: Elementary education at Central Michigan University
DAVID JOHNSON, 17 Junior at Houghton Lake High • LIKES: Soccer, wrestling, running • MEMBER: Our Lady of the Lake, Prudenville • 2015 CLI alum • FUTURE: Physical therapy at Central Michigan University
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CULTURE
FLAMING FOODS PUT US IN THE SPIRIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Among the symbols of the Holy Spirit that are mentioned in the Bible — e.g., clouds and light, water and fire — perhaps the most enduring of these is fire. “Fire symbolizes the transforming energy of the Holy Spirit’s actions,” says the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and cites as examples the experience of the prophet Elijah, who “arose like fire” and whose word “burned like a torch,” and, of course, the tongues “as of fire” which rested on the disciples’ heads at Pentecost — the first confirmation of the early Church. In honor of the inaugural celebration of this sacrament, we bring you recipes that incorporate fire and bring a dramatic conclusion to any meal. Two of these are ice cream dishes and can be made in a matter of minutes. The last recipe — apricot rum cake — must be baked, brushed with an apricot glaze and then flamed. Plan on starting this dessert at least two hours before you want to serve it. If you like, you can even bake the cake several days ahead of time, and flame it later.
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CHERRIES JUBILEE INGREDIENTS: • 2 lbs. fresh cherries • 1 ½ cups cherry juice • ½ cup orange juice • ¼ Tsp vanilla • 1 cup brandy • ½ gallon vanilla ice cream
APRICOT RUM CAKE INGREDIENTS: • ¼ cup dried apricots, coarsely chopped • ¾ cup light rum • 1 16 oz. can apricot halves, drained • 1 cup butter • ½ cup sour cream • 4 eggs • 2 Tsp vanilla • 2 cups sugar • 3 cups flour • ½ Tsp salt • ½ Tsp baking soda • 1 12-oz. jar apricot preserves DIRECTIONS: In a small bowl, combine dried apricots and ½ cup of the rum; let this stand for 20 minutes. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour a 10-inch tube pan. In a blender or food processor, purée the apricot halves. Stir in the dried apricots, which have been soaked in the rum. In a large bowl, beat eggs, butter, sour cream, vanilla and sugar until well blended. Add the flour, salt, baking soda and the apricot mixture. Beat at low speed until just combined. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake 1 hour and 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan 5 minutes. Loosen the edges of the cake and invert onto a metal serving platter with a rim. Next, heat the preserves. Strain and stir in ½ cup of the rum. Brush this glaze over the cake, repeating every few minutes while the cake is cooling until all the glaze is used. When ready to serve, warm the remaining rum until the fumes rise. Ignite with a long match and carefully pour over the cake. When the flaming is complete, cut and serve the cake.
FIRE SAFETY TIPS Use an 80-proof liquor Never pour spirits from a bottle into a pan that is near an open flame. Ignite fumes above the liquid, not the liquid itself Let the flame disappear (all alcohol has burned off at this point) Have a fire extinguisher handy
STORY BY PATRICIA MAJHER • PHOTOGRAPHY BY PHILIP SHIPPERT
DIRECTIONS: Wash and de-stem cherries, but save 16 of the best-looking cherries whole, with stems, for garnish. On a cutting board with a paring knife, roll the cherries under the knife to cut them in half cleanly, and remove the pits. Put the cherries into a stainless steel skillet with the cherry juice, orange juice and vanilla. Over medium-low heat, cook the cherries for about 10 minutes until they are softened. Taste a few of them; if they seem sour, add up to 2 tablespoons of sugar. Spoon the ice cream into 8 bowls and place two of the perfect-stemmed cherries in each for garnish. Pour the brandy into a measuring cup, and then carefully into the pan with the cherry mixture. Let it heat for 30 seconds, then touch a long match to the fumes above the pan and flame them. After the flames have disappeared, spoon the cherry mixture over the ice cream and serve immediately.
BANANAS FOSTER INGREDIENTS: • 10 Tbsp butter • 8 Tbsp brown sugar • 2 Tsp cinnamon • 6 Tbsp banana liqueur • 8 bananas, cut in half lengthwise, then halved • ½ cup light rum • ½ gallon vanilla ice cream DIRECTIONS: Melt butter in a stainless steel skillet. Add sugar, cinnamon and banana liqueur and stir until sugar melts. Add bananas to sauce and sauté until bananas are soft and browned. Add rum and heat until just bubbly, then flame the fumes above the mixture with a long match. Place ice cream in 8 bowls and top each with 4 pieces of banana and sauce. Serve immediately.
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REUTERS
Pope Francis confesses during the celebration of the Sacrament of Penance in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican March 9, 2018.
ROSARY GIVEN TO JAILED PAKISTANI CHRISTIAN
WHAT POPE FRANCIS HAS BEEN SAYING AND DOING RECENTLY
BE PATIENT AND COURAGEOUS IN YOUR PRAYER In a homily on March 15, Pope Francis spoke of the need for courage and patience in intercessory prayer. He said, “If I want the Lord to listen to what I am asking him, I have to go, and go and go — knock on the door and knock on God’s heart.” The Holy Father referred to the day’s reading from the Book of Exodus, in which Moses spoke to the Lord and pleaded with him not to destroy his people, and the Lord relented. Just as Moses spoke truthfully to God and implored him to spare his people, so, too, must we be committed to our prayer. He said: “This is intercessory prayer: a prayer that argues and has the courage to speak directly to the face of the Lord, who is patient. Patience is needed in intercessory prayer. We cannot promise someone we will pray for them, pray only an Our Father and a Hail Mary, and then leave it at that. No. If you agree to pray for someone else, you must take this [other] path. And patience is needed.”
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What would happen to us if God did not always give us the chance to START OVER AGAIN? @Pontifex March 11
CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
POPE WATCH
The family of Asia Bibi, a Christian Pakistani woman jailed for nine years for blasphemy, visited the Vatican recently. The anti-blasphemy law is known to be used against religious minorities. During their visit, Pope Francis gave Asia’s daughter a rosary for herself, and one to give to her mother, and assured her of his prayers. For the first time since being jailed, Asia has been allowed to keep a rosary in her cell. Asia has said that it is a “miracle” she is allowed to keep the rosary, and that “this rosary will be of great consolation for me, just as it comforts me to know that the Holy Father prays for me and thinks of me in these difficult conditions.” The visit was arranged by a papal charity that supports persecuted Christians.
YOUR COMMUNITY
THINGS TO DO
CALLING ALL WOMEN The Gaylord Diocesan Council of Catholic Women invites all women to the 2018 Annual Convention on Wednesday, May 9, at the Cooney Conference Center in Gaylord. This year’s theme is “Mary Undoer of Knots” and will feature Elizabeth Gengle from St. Francis Xavier Parish in Petoskey as the keynote speaker. Come and be inspired as we learn more about Mary, her obedience to God and how she can help us undo the “knots” in our lives. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. with the program beginning at 9:30 a.m. The cost for the day is $20 and includes lunch. Registrations and checks (payable to Gaylord DCCW) should be sent to Ruth Grant, 5574 W. Weir Road, Oscoda, MI 48750, by the end of April. For more information, contact Ruth at 989.739.2363.
2018 DIOCESAN CONFERENCE Save the date for the 2018 Diocesan Conference taking place September 21-22 at Treetops Resort in Gaylord. Entitled “This Little Light of Mine: Shining Christ’s Light, Sunrise to Sunset,” the conference will focus on ways to “shine your light” in all facets of life and will even feature special breakout sessions for teens. Our Friday night keynote speaker and emcee/musician for the weekend is internationally-renowned singer-songwriter Jesse Manibusan, author of “Open My Eyes,” a hymn that has been published in many languages for both Catholic and Protestant churches around the world. Dr. Timothy O’Malley, Ph.D., director of the Center for Liturgy at the University of Notre Dame, will present on Saturday. Special break-out sessions on a variety of topics will also be featured. Bring your family for a weekend of faith and fun and take advantage of the special lodging and golf rates offered by Treetops. More information is available at www.dioceseofgaylord.org. Watch for a full schedule, list of presenters and registration forms that soon will be available.
ROME PILGRIMAGE Join Bishop Steven J. Raica and Father Peter Wigton on a pilgrimage to Italy to celebrate the Ordination to the Diaconate of Mitchel Roman, seminarian for the Diocese of Gaylord, on Sept. 27, 2018. This pilgrimage includes tickets to the diaconate ordination at St. Peter’s Basilica, a reception at North American College and dinner with the newly ordained deacon, Papal Audience (pending the Holy Father’s schedule) and Vigil at North American College, tours of many of the religious sites and churches of Rome, Vatican museums, trip to Assisi and much more. The pilgrimage takes place Sept. 21-29 and includes airfare, seven nights lodging, daily breakfast, four dinners, daily Mass in historic churches and more. Price is $3,704 per person based on double occupancy, with some discounts available. Brochures are available at most parish offices or may be downloaded from the Diocese of Gaylord website at www.dioceseofgaylord.org. For detailed information, contact Corporate Travel Service at 866.468.1420.
JUST WORKS FOR TEENS The annual Just Works experience for young people (grades 8-12) will be held July 23-27 at the Augustine Center Retreat House in Conway, Michigan. Throughout the week, participants will be introduced to concepts of peace and justice, Catholic social teaching and the scriptural background for teaching through presentations, sharing, experiential simulations, prayer and community living. Just Works challenges young people to live out the Gospel’s call to peace and justice in their personal lives. Cost is $250, which includes lodging, meals and all materials. For more information or a registration form, contact Wayne Winter, director of Faith Formation and Evangelization, at 989.732.5147 or wwinter@dioceseofgaylord.org, or log on to the diocesan website at www.dioceseofgaylord.org.
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FATHER WAYNE DZIEKAN NOMINATED FOR LUMEN CHRISTI AWARD Each year the Catholic Extension Society (CES) conducts the Lumen Christi Award program. Lumen Christi is Latin for “Light of Christ.” This annual award is presented to a woman religious, priest or lay person who has demonstrated how the power of faith can transform lives and communities. Recipients have devoted their lives to serving the poor in the most under-resourced dioceses in the U.S. and to fostering Catholic communities that build faith, inspire hope and ignite change. The Diocese of Gaylord’s 2018 nominee is Father Wayne Dziekan. Ordained in 1994, Father Wayne serves as the director of the diocesan Secretariat for Justice and Peace and also serves as sacramental minister and canonical pastor to St. Helen Parish in St. Helen. In the course of his ministry, Father Wayne travels throughout the diocese and the state teaching about Catholic social doctrine, oversees the efforts of the partnership between the Diocese of Gaylord and works extensively with the migrant and immigrant community. He strives to address trust and civil rights issues between the community and law enforcement and advocates for immigration policies that are in line with Catholic social doctrine. Overall, Father Wayne seeks to contribute to the growth of the Catholic faith through evangelizing witness and action. As a nominee, Father Wayne will receive a $1,000 grant. The winner of this year’s Lumen Christi Award will be announced in the fall and is accompanied by a $50,000 grant, with the honoree and nominating diocese each receiving $25,000 to enhance a specific area of his or her ministry. Past Diocese of Gaylord nominees have included: Father Harry Speckman and Tom McMahon (2013), Msgr. Francis Murphy (2014), David Martin (2015), Sister Augusta Stratz, RSM (2016) and Silvia Cortes-Lopez (2017). To read more about the efforts of CES to assist mission dioceses, log on to www.catholicextension.org.
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MATAGALPA MISSION Thirteen people representing the Diocese of Gaylord traveled to our sister Diocese of Matagalpa, Nicaragua, March 22-29 to assist with medical care to our sisters and brothers there. Led by Dr. Christopher Milan (family practitioner) from Gaylord, the team included Dr. Courtney Casper (gynecologist); Dr. Jerry Evans (pediatrician); nurses Carolyn Foster, Suzanne Lindbert and Kathleen Lear; massage therapist Carol Brow; and Joyce Milan, Rudi Edel, Zachary Edel, Danielle Edel, Barbara Evans and high school student Brendan Delaney. They worked together with local doctors and dentists to provide care to more than 867 patients and filled more than 2,700 prescriptions over four days. It was also the first time one of our medical groups was able to travel with the medical vehicle purchased through a project between the two dioceses. The volunteers making the trip pay their own expenses (travel, immunizations and incidentals); and carry medicines and medical supplies purchased here and in Nicaragua with funds from donors in our diocese. Lodging, meals, transportation in-country and other mission support is provided by the people of the Diocese of Matagalpa. On Palm Sunday the group joined Bishop Rolando Alvarez and parishioners of St. John the Baptist Parish in Muy Muy for the Palm Sunday procession and Mass. “That medical vehicle is amazing,” Dr. Milan said repeatedly. “We were astonished at how well it traveled the roads of the diocese, even in the more remote areas.” Dr. Milan and Rudi Edel have traveled together many times with medical outreach groups to Matagalpa and both said this was one of the best trips yet. “I was especially glad to have participants from other parts of our diocese on this trip, Milan said. “Everyone did a great job and the team was very moved by the experience.”
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TRULY, A HOLY WEEK
LAST WORD
I’VE BEEN PREPARING THIS ARTICLE in my head all through Lent as I’ve watched three very special people in my life prepare to enter full communion with the Catholic Church. Now that it’s Easter, I’m putting pen to paper. On March 18, youth of St. Michael Parish in Roscommon presented a shadow dramatization of the Stations of the Cross. Each station was portrayed with a narration, a reflection by “Jesus” and a hymn as each scene was recreated. Time for silent meditation at each station was provided before the next station began. The only time the silence was broken during the depiction of a station was when the mallet hit the wood of the cross as Christ was nailed to it. “It was a very moving experience,” said parishioner Deb Bailey.
FAITH ALONG MICHIGAN’S 45TH PARALLEL ONLINE Did you miss an issue of FAITH along Michigan’s 45th Parallel? Did you want to share a story with a friend? All prior issues of this magazine are available online by going to www.dioceseofgaylord. org and clicking on the link for “FAITH Magazine.” There you will find digital issues which can be read online or downloaded for personal use or to share with others. With your support, we continue to “spread the faith.” T H E
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www.dioceseofgaylo in the know with father joe Is religion really the cause of all the world’s problems?
feature story Faith blossoms into rosary garden
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FEATURE STORY
Blessings for those who protect and serve
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FEATURE STORY
Voices of love
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SPECIAL REPORT
V Encuentro
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‘I want what they have’ SPECIAL REPORT
BVCC delegate s a ys o f p a r i s h p apage r t12n e r s i n E l C a c a o , N i c a r a g u a Father Solanus Casey beatified in Detroit
IN THE KNOW WITH FATHER JOE
Why should I go to Holy Week services?
IN THE KNOW
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WITH FATHER JOE
Should we send our kids to Catholic school?
a family
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P R AY S Chittle, the GTACS Together with Erick and Kim daughter. He did. family asked God to save their
V ENCUENTRO AN INVITATION TO HISPANICS
TO BECOM
MISSIONARY DISCIPLES E
I’ve known Suzy since she was a young teen; she’s married and has a teen of her own now. She’s a delightful person, has a beaming smile, tons of energy and she’s emotional, feeling things very deeply. She’s always been a woman of great faith and has talked about joining the Catholic Church on and off for years. But this year a co-worker invited her to Mass and she had a different experience from those that had come before. CANDACE NEFF This was the year that everything seemed to “click” for her. is the director of God was at work in her heart in ways she had never expericommunications enced before. Over the course of Holy Week she told me, for the Diocese “It’s funny. This isn’t something I am doing because I have to, of Gaylord and or want to, or was asked to do. I simply need to. I don’t have executive editor any other explanation.” Perhaps the most heartwarming thing of FAITH along she said was that she finally felt “home.” Michigan’s Then there was my nephew and his mother. Bonnie is an 45th Parallel. amazing woman, a nurse by training but mostly retired now. She keeps a garden, sews and crafts — and did so even while she was working 12-hour overnight hospital shifts. Rob is her fourth son and has lived with cerebral palsy since birth. She takes care of him too. I have often marveled at how much more this woman can accomplish than I can in the same 24 hour day. When I asked Bonnie why she decided to join the Church now, she said, “It is very close to the Lutheran religion that I grew up with, but I feel such a closeness to God here. After my first confession ever, I’m at peace with a lot that has happened in my life. I feel it was just meant to be and really feel that God has called us to be Catholic,” she added. And then there’s Rob. People in Gaylord know Rob well. He has been wheelchair bound for all of his 32 years. He has great physical limitations, but is smart, joyful, clever, funny, and stretches himself to his farthest limits. Speaking is difficult for him. Rob loves hockey and has worked with the high school hockey team for as long as I can remember. He volunteers at the hospital and got a standing ovation at his high school graduation. He told me he woke up one day and “just knew” he wanted to be Catholic. At the Easter Vigil, when Bishop Raica anointed him with Sacred Chrism and proclaimed, “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirt,” Rob was overwhelmed and with tears running down his face, replied “Amen.” Then the Bishop shook his hand, saying, “Peace be with you.” Many in his RCIA class and those assembled at the Cathedral also broke into tears as Rob loudly responded, “And with your Spirit!” These are just three of the new Catholics who joined the Church at the Easter Vigil. There were six more at St. Mary Cathedral; 81 more (that I know of) from other parishes in our diocese; and an additional 30,000 more in the United States alone — each with their own story. I would encourage you to find your new parishioners, welcome them, talk with them and walk with them, because they’re not “done” yet. They now begin the final period in the RCIA process, Mystagogia. Then, let us continue to journey together, learning and growing together, because when seeking and encountering Christ in our lives, none of us should be done yet.
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Roman Catholic Diocese of Gaylord 611 W. North St. Gaylord, MI 49735