SEAS by Faith Catholic Custom Publishing Samples

INSIDE March/April 2018

FROM THE PASTOR

PASSING OF THE

TORCH

2. FROM THE PASTOR

Passing of the torch

3. GOOD LIFE Bishop George Leo Thomas

I can’t keep up with the lifestyles of my friends

Bishop Joseph A. Pepe

4. MARRIAGE MATTERS

He says: The kids moved out, and now she’s never home She says: I just want to stay active in the community What do they do?

T H E S T. E L I Z A B E T H A N N S E T O N PA R I S H C O M M U N I T Y is excited to welcome a new bishop to our diocese. After 17 years, the Most Rev. Joseph A. Pepe will be stepping down as the bishop of the Diocese of Las Vegas. Anticipation as to who his successor would be has been growing since last June, when he celebrated his 75th birthday, the mandatory age of retirement for all Catholic bishops.

WORK LIFE

Should I blow the whistle on safety violations?

5. PARENTING

On May 15, 2018, Bishop George Leo Thomas, appointed by Pope Francis, will be installed as the third bishop of our diocese. Bishop Thomas comes to us from Montana, where he served as bishop in the Diocese of Helena for nearly 14 years — the most recent of his long list of responsibilities and achievements since being ordained a priest in 1976. Call it a coincidence, but it seems appropriate the appointment of Bishop Thomas was announced during the Lenten season, a time of preparation and renewal. So, while readying ourselves for the celebration of Easter and the renewal of our baptismal promises, preparations also began for the passing of the torch, so to speak, to a new bishop; a move into a new era within our diocese. Bishop Thomas will be entrusted with the care of the 37 parishes, missions and shrines within the Diocese of Las Vegas. His responsibilities will include teaching, governing and supporting the faithful of these communities — duties he will share with the priests and deacons who serve under him. In the early Church, bishops were chosen by the local clergy, approved by nearby bishops and given their authority by the bishops who supervised the election

and performed the ordination. Bishops from the most important sees would look to Rome for endorsement. Today, the process normally begins at the diocesan level and works its way through a series of consultations until it reaches Rome. It is a process bound by strict confidentiality and involves a number of important players — the most influential being the apostolic nuncio, the Congregation for Bishops and the pope. It can be a lengthy process, sometimes taking nearly a year to FATHER complete. BEDE WEVITA More than 600,000 is the pastor of Catholics belong to the St. Elizabeth Diocese of Las Vegas; Ann Seton quite a large flock. Church. But Bishop Thomas is known for providing exceptional pastoral care to the people he serves, and we look forward to supporting him as our spiritual leader. Over the next couple of months, as the transition takes place, we thank Bishop Pepe for his nearly 50 years of service to the people of God, and we welcome Bishop Thomas and all that the future holds for the Diocese of Las Vegas.

My daughter is bullying a friend online. What can I do as a parent to stop her?

6. IN THE KNOW WITH FATHER JOE

Why is it still Easter?

7. POPE WATCH

Love is the engine driving hope on life’s bumpy road, says pope

8. THEOLOGY 101

Pentecost: How the Church began

9. DISCIPLESHIP 101

It’s all about relationship

10. SPIRITUAL FITNESS

Draw closer to the Blessed Mother this May

11. CULTURE

A Mary garden — simple and symbolic

12. GOOD LIFE

How to manage loan debt

13. CONFLICT RESOLUTION

My neighbor is mentally ill and constantly yelling

14. UPCOMING EVENTS 2

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church • MARCH/APRIL 2018

Progressive dinner parties. This is a fantastic way to allow everyone to be in control of how much they spend during your gathering. You may choose to find budget-friendly appetizers while some of your friends make expensive masterpieces.

GOOD LIFE

I CAN’T KEEP UP with the lifestyles of my friends

Join a community recreation team together. Get some exercise, enjoy friendly competition and enjoy getting to know a different side of each other.

Volunteer together. Build a house with Habitat for Humanity or contact Catholic Charities to see how you can help in a soup kitchen. It just may be addicting and become a tradition with you!

Hit up local happy hours or coffee shops with live music. Talk about easy on the wallet!

Take turns hosting game nights at home. This is such an easy and fun way to really connect.

Island vacations. Expensive dinners. Quick weekend getaways. Sounds fun, right? But what if your bank account doesn’t match that of your friends?

BY CYNTHIA KAAN

GETTY IMAGES

UNSPLASH.COM

Know that time together is more important than the amount of money spent together. Shed the burden of caring what others may think of you and pray for friends who love you as you are — not as your checkbook is.

UNSPLASH.COM

Try some of these ideas when seeking ways to spend time together.

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YOUR LIFE WORK LIFE

YOUR LIFE MARRIAGE MATTERS

Should I blow the whistle on safety violations? SHE SAYS:

THE KIDS MOVED OUT, AND NOW SHE’S NEVER HOME

I JUST WANT TO STAY ACTIVE IN THE COMMUNITY

Our youngest child just moved out! I was looking forward to having more relaxing time with Pam. But she seems to be gone all the time. I’m feeling more alone than I expected at this time of our lives.

I really miss all the kids’ activities, and I’ve realized all of our friendships revolved around them. I am trying to stay active in the community so I don’t turn into a recluse — which is what I think Jack is looking for.

IT’S TYPICAL TO EXPERIENCE “empty nest” syndrome when the youngest child moves out, but each parent reacts differently. Particularly if they stayed home to take care of the children, mothers often take the hardest emotional hit when the kids finally leave. The transition can feel like the loss of a job or even the loss of an identity. WHAT DO THEY DO?

DR. MANUEL P. The temptation is to escape the suddenly SANTOS AND silent house and fill the hours with substitute KAREE SANTOS activities, like what Pam has done. But silence are co-authors is a powerful aid to interior growth. God does of The Four Keys not speak to us in the rushing wind; instead, to Everlasting he speaks most loudly in the still, small Love: How silence. (cf. 1 Kgs 19:11-13) Pam and Jack can Your Catholic treat this time as a great gift that gives them Marriage Can the breathing room to discern, through prayer, Bring You Joy for what God wants from this next stage in their a Lifetime (Ave lives. And although their parenting role has Maria Press, changed, Pam and Jack still remain connected 2016). to their children, just in a different way. With the kids out of the house, the focus will naturally shift more to the marriage. If Pam and Jack have grown distant over the years, now is the time to reinvigorate their relationship. If any problems have been swept under the rug, now is the time to fix them. Scripture advises men who grow older to “rejoice in the wife of your youth.” (Prv 5:18) Wives obviously ought to rejoice in their husbands, too! If Pam draws closer to Jack, he can help heal the loss she feels from the absence of the children. They can both look for new ways to add fun, spontaneity and contentment to their marriage. They can volunteer together, do home projects, take long walks, travel or just spend time together reading the newspaper at the breakfast table or curling up with a good book in front of the fireplace on a cold evening. This is a chance to take a new direction together and make their marriage even stronger than it was before.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church • MARCH/APRIL 2018

My workplace has several machines where safety guards have been removed, plus a few other things I am pretty sure are OSHA violations. My boss told me to just ignore them and do my work, but I’m afraid someone is going to get hurt. I’m also afraid I’ll be fired if I blow the whistle. What do I do?

For starters, I’m assuming from your question that your company doesn’t have a stated policy or protocols for dealing with safety matters, or recourse to an ombudsman or human resources department. That being said, you have two legitimate fears — one for the common good (safety), and one for your personal good (job preservation). How can you protect others without jeopardizing your livelihood? This is a classic dilemma, and not easy. The relevant principle is as follows: primary responsibility for the common good is vested in the authority. You’ve already done the right and smart thing by talking to your boss. No safety hound, this man. The fact that he neither gave an explanation about the removal of guards nor any assurance is a real bad sign. But at least you’ve fulfilled your basic duty.

DOUBLE DUTY? You could see if a co-worker has the same concern. If so, would he or she be willing to independently (and kind of informally) raise it with the boss? The response probably won’t be different. Plus there’s a hazard. The boss might sniff you out as the source. And speaking of sniffing, aggravating a boss is like picking up a passing dog by the ears. (Prv 26:17) You get the point. You might get bitten. TRIPLE DUTY? You and your co-worker, and maybe others, could raise the issue to your boss in writing. Don’t copy a third party on this first pass. If nothing else, this might scare him into action. While it probably won’t enhance your job security, it might not directly threaten it. IF THAT DOESN’T WORK, AND YOU WANT TO PRESS ON, your last and laudable option is to “blow the whistle.” A whistle has a jarring impact, so try to make it melodic, with tact and respect. For instance, a few of you can write a polite note to the next higher up, not as a demand, but as an inquiry.

T. Gennara

HE SAYS:

JIM BERLUCCHI

is the executive director of the Spitzer Center.

YOUR LIFE PARENTING

Q: My daughter is bullying a friend online. What can I do as a parent to stop her?

T. Gennara

DR. CATHLEEN MCGREAL

is a psychology professor and certified spiritual director.

Most of us can remember childhood incidents that led us to feel isolated. At recess, my classmates and I occasionally would sing, “Nobody likes me, everybody hates me, guess I’ll go eat worms .…” The somber, yet gross lyrics captured the attention of children over generations. In fact, in 1905, Charles Scribner’s Sons published an illustration of a forlorn child sitting on his porch steps, head sunk onto hand. The “worm song” captioned the picture. But bullying differs from occasional squabbles because it is a persistent behavior repeated again and again. Your awareness of your daughter’s behavior provides you with the opportunity to intervene in the bullying.

BULLYING CONTEXTS. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 16 percent of high-schoolers are cyberbullying victims. Most bullying still occurs in schools, buses, playgrounds and neighborhoods; cyberbullying may co-occur with these contexts or occur only electronically. Cyberbullying isn’t as evident to parents and teachers. It follows the victims into what are

safe havens from face-to-face bullying: bedrooms, family rooms and even vacation trips.

DISCUSS THE BULLYING. Ask your daughter how the bullying began and what forms it takes. Is she part of a group that bullies? Has she been coerced into joining in? Is she a victim in a different context? Listen carefully as she describes her activities. Explain that you plan to become familiar with the apps and internet sites that she uses — and that you will monitor her activity. Taking away access to a phone or computer tends to make the issue go underground, but monitoring can guide her in positive use of technology.

PARTNER WITH THE SCHOOL. Counselors, teachers and principals can help when they understand the dynamics of student relationships beyond the classroom. Does your daughter display difficulty regulating her emotions at school? Does she react to classmates as if they have hostile intentions even when the intentions actually are benign? Is she targeting students who are different from

the rest of her classmates? Some schools have strategic interventions to address bullying. If your daughter’s school doesn’t, this is the time to promote one.

REPERCUSSIONS FOR THE BULLY. Help your daughter understand that she will face consequences. If the classroom becomes a hostile environment for the victim, then it is the bully who needs to be moved. Also, information posted on the internet may be available in searches years later. As a young adult, her college or career plans may be impacted by her online cruelty. It may be useful to ask your parish staff for a referral to a psychologist who focuses on adolescents. Cyberbullying takes many forms, such as spreading rumors, isolating or embarrassing someone or taunting. All of these run contrary to the loving message of our God: “Whoever loves his brother remains in the light, and there is nothing in him to cause a fall. Whoever hates his brother is in darkness; he walks in darkness and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.” (1 Jn 2:10-11)

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WHY IS IT STILL EASTER? YOUR FAITH IN THE KNOW WITH FATHER JOE

I don’t understand why the Church will still be celebrating Easter in May. Why isn’t Easter over at the end of Easter Sunday?

T. Gennara

FATHER JOE KRUPP

is a former comedy writer who is now a Catholic priest. @Joeinblack

I think if we take a few minutes to really look at Easter, we’ll understand why it encompasses a whole season in the Church, not just a day. At Easter, we look not just at what Jesus did for us in the resurrection, but also what he did to us. When I was a younger man, I traveled to Jerusalem and I went to the place where they laid Jesus’ body. It was an extraordinary experience to place my hand on the stone. I was blown away with the realization that this was the place where Hope was born. This was the place where God proved his love was stronger than all the hate and sin of the human race. As followers of Jesus, we are called to embrace daily the reality of taking up the cross and following him. We are conscious of this reality. We carry it in our hearts.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church • MARCH/APRIL 2018

We ponder this when we encounter suffering in our lives. We focus on “offering it up” and joining our pain to his pain. Daily, we remember that following Jesus comes with a cost, but this beautiful Easter season is a time for us to remember in a special way what that cost yields. To do this, we’ll go back a bit and start from the Incarnation. In the mystery of God becoming man, Jesus embraced the human condition; he made it his own. He took every part of the human experience and drew it into the divine. Dr. Peter Kreeft put it this way, “The first time Jesus wept, human tears became holy.” In tying himself so perfectly to the human condition, he made it possible for us to go to heaven. He walked through the darkest of human experiences and transformed

them into divine experiences. Had he done nothing more than this, we would still worship him. We would still call him Lord. Lent focuses this reality. During Lent, we spent 40 days walking with Jesus through his Passion. We did so to allow him to tie us more deeply to himself. This is important. We need to be more like Christ. We need to allow him to train our minds and hearts to embrace his priorities, to reject what the world and the devil and our flesh say is important. The more we become like Christ in mind and body, the better we are at following him. And so, we set ourselves about the best task we could ever be commissioned to — to follow Christ. We follow him through the difficulties of our lives and through the joys. We follow him through those glorious moments where, for even a moment, we understand. We follow him through those dark and difficult days where we do not understand, but we trust. We respond to Christ entering our condition and transforming by walking with him through his suffering and death. As we recognize Christ walking with us, as we walk with him in a unique way during Lent, as we follow him through his suffering and death, we realize something extraordinary: he’s been leading us to heaven. We carve seven weeks out of our lives to ponder and celebrate the fact that we’re following Jesus to a specific destination. This is not a random journey where God adapts to the changing circumstances of our lives and tries to “make it all work out.” This has been, and always will be, an intentional journey toward the kingdom of heaven.

POPE WATCH

In the resurrection, we realize Jesus not only took on the human experience and joined it to the divine, he invites us into the divine with him. Our Preface prayer at Easter Masses reminds us that, through his resurrection, Jesus has “thrown open the gates of heaven to his faithful. For his death is our ransom from death and in his resurrection, the life of all has risen!” We carry this in our hearts and allow the truth of it to change us. He has so united himself to us that we who follow him carry his resurrection in our body and in our soul. The resurrection power of Christ lives in us. We have all stood at too many graves and wept over the horror of death. We have all stood in the face of circumstances and situations that seemed so powerful as to overwhelm us. We have all pondered our lives and believed that we would always be hurt and damaged. We have all suffered because of our sins, and we have suffered because of the sins of others. At some point, we have all decided that hope was gone. The Easter season is the time when we hold those moments up to the lens of the resurrection, and claim the hope that Christ gives through his resurrection. We have hope that Christ has brought, and will continue to bring, life out of death. We embrace the wonder of an invincible, all-powerful God taking on all the sin and pain of the human race, putting it to death on the cross and rising because his love is stronger. In the words of the Apostle Paul, we are “more than conquerors” because of Christ. In this Easter season, ask God to strengthen in us the hope that we who follow Jesus are following him to the kingdom of heaven. Enjoy another day in God’s presence.

Love is the engine driving hope on life’s bumpy road, says pope VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The cross, loving service and humble sacrifice are the only way to overcome evil and give hope to the world, Pope Francis said. Those who love their own lives and always hunger for more are the losers, the pope said at his weekly General Audience. Rather, those who readily serve others and “live God’s way” are the winners, who “save themselves and others, becoming seeds of hope for the world,” he said. This seemingly illogical process is the source and strength of Christian hope, Pope Francis said, continuing his series of talks on the unique nature of this hope. Jesus explains the new kind of hope he offers in a verse from the Gospel according to St. John when he says, “Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life.” It is only when a seed splits apart and opens up that it can give rise to new life that grows and gives abundant fruit, the pope said. Jesus himself followed this process by “falling to the earth” from his celestial glory as a small baby, like a tiny grain of wheat. “But that was still not enough. To bear fruit, Jesus lived love all the way, letting himself be broken by death like a seed under the earth. Precisely there, at that extreme point of his lowering himself, which is also the highest point of love, hope germinated,” sprouting forth because of the power of love, he said. That is why with his death and resurrection, God made everything new, transforming “our sin into forgiveness, our death into BY CAROL GLATZ © CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

resurrection, our fear into faith. That’s why, there on the cross, our hope was born and is always reborn.” That is why Jesus is the one who can always turn every single dark moment into light, “every defeat into victory, every disappointment into hope,” he said. “Hope overcomes everything because it is born from the love of Jesus who made himself be like a grain of wheat on earth and died to give life” — a life full of the love that comes from hope. When people begin to choose God’s way, they soon discover the victorious path in life is the life of a seed and humble love, he said. “There is no other way to defeat evil and give hope to the world.” Real love must follow the cross and sacrifice, not as its goal, but as the necessary path to true glory and new life, the pope said. “This is what mothers do, they give another life, they suffer (with labor and birth), but then they are joyful and happy because they have given birth to another life.” “Love is the engine that drives our hope forward,” and people need to learn to love more and more each day. One can see how a life built on having and possessing, rather than giving and serving, leads nowhere, the pope said. Voracious greed is never satisfied — the more one has, the more one wants and “that is a terrible thirst.” Instead, “it’s wonderful to help others, serve others,” he said, because though it may be tiring, “the heart fills with joy and hope.” The pope asked people to contemplate the crucifix every day and tell Christ, “With you, nothing is lost. With you, I can always have hope. You are my hope. “Bit by bit, we will realize that hoping with Jesus is learning to already see the plant inside the seed, Easter in the cross, life in death.”

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Pentecost

How the Church began

he catechism describes the Church as both the “means and the goal of God’s plan” of communion. The word itself means a convocation or assembly (Latin ecclesia, from the Greek ek-ka-lein, to “call out of”).

In the Old Testament, ekklesia designated the assembly of the Chosen People, especially on Mt. Sinai, where Israel received the Ten Commandments and was established by God as a holy people. The early Christian community adopted the name because it recognized itself “as heir to that assembly.” In terms of Christian usage, the word “church” has three inseparable meanings: the liturgical assembly, the local community and the whole universal community of believers.

YOUR FAITH THEOLOGY 101

S. OLSON

ORIGIN, FOUNDATION AND MISSION

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.

God, the Father, created the world for the sake of communion, a communion brought about by the “convocation” of people in Christ, or the Church. The Church then is “the goal of all things” that was prepared for in the Old Testament and instituted by Christ in his work of accomplishing the Father’s plan of salvation in the “fullness of time.” The Church “is the reign of Christ already present in mystery.” It is a kingdom that is presented to all humanity in word, in deed and in the presence of Christ. It is “born primarily of Christ’s total self-giving for our salvation, anticipated in the institution of the Eucharist and fulfilled on the cross.” On Pentecost, the Church was revealed to the crowds and the work of spreading the Gospel throughout the

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church • MARCH/APRIL 2018

world began. “... The Church in her very nature is missionary, sent by Christ to all the nations to make disciples of them.” However, the Church is also ultimately a mystery — in history and visible while, at the same time, outside of history, transcending it and invisible. Quoting the Vatican II document Sacrosanctum concilium, the catechism states, “The Church is essentially both human and divine, visible but endowed with invisible realities, zealous in action and dedicated to contemplation, present in the world, but as a pilgrim, so constituted that in her the human is directed toward and subordinated to the divine, the visible to the invisible, action to contemplation, and this present world to that city yet to come, the object of our quest.” In short, the Church is the mystery of humanity’s union with God. The Church’s structure is completely ordered to the holiness of its members as its purpose is this communion with God. It therefore is like a sacrament — a sign and instrument — of communion with God and of unity among humanity. It is Christ’s instrument for the salvation of the world, the visible plan of God’s love for humanity because God “desires that the whole human race may become one people of God, form one body of Christ, and be built up into one temple of the Holy Spirit.”

THE PEOPLE OF GOD

According to the catechism, the people of God is distinguishable from all the other religious, ethnic, political and cultural groups of history. It is a “chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation.” (1 Pt 2:9) Membership is gained not by physical birth, but by faith in Christ and baptism, i.e., of the Spirit and of water. Its head is Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit flows through it. The people of God has the dignity and freedom of the sons and daughters of God. Its law is the commandment to love as Christ loved us and its mission is to be salt of the earth and light of the world. Its destiny is “the kingdom of God which has been begun by God himself on earth and which must be further extended until it has been brought to perfection by him at the end of time.” The people of God likewise participates in the three offices of Christ: priest, prophet and king. It bears responsibility for the mission and service that flow from these offices. – Quotes come from the catechism (748-865) unless otherwise noted.

YOUR FAITH DISCIPLESHIP 101

IT’S ALL ABOUT

RELATIONSHIP The 2008 Pew “U.S. Religious Landscape Survey” found that the majority of American adults who change from their childhood faith do so in a series of steps rather than a single giant leap. This holds true for former Catholics too. Very few people wake up one morning and decide, “I think I’ll become a Baptist today.” All the evidence is that people feel dissatisfied and consider leaving for a couple of years before actually taking the first step, and that the majority pass through two or three religious changes before settling into a new spiritual home. Most people have mixed feelings about leaving the faith of their childhood. They are unsure of leaving and unsure of where to go after they leave. In other words, changes of faith are, for most people, a journey and a search, not an instant, simple, and painless abandonment of belief. The truth is that at this very moment, millions of Americans, including many ex-Catholics, are open to the faith of Jesus Christ and his Church. Consider those who we know who are either actively searching or at least passively scanning the horizon for spiritual alternatives:

•T hose who were raised without a faith and who are exploring their options. • Those who have left a childhood faith but “haven’t found the right faith yet.” • The millions of “religious unaffiliated” who know religion is important, pray regularly, and wander in and out of our congregations. • Catholics who have left the faith but have not yet adopted another religious identity and are searching. • Dissatisfied Catholics who haven’t left but are considering doing so. These people are already seeking. Our job is to reach out deliberately and intentionally to help them find the pearl of great price.

IT’S ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIP When Pew researchers asked American adults a series of questions about the kind of God they believed in, a startling pattern emerged: Nearly a third of selfidentified Catholics believe in an impersonal God. I had always blithely assumed that when people said that they

SHERRY ANNE WEDDELL

created the first charism discernment process specifically designed for Catholics in 1993. In 1997, she co-founded the Catherine of Siena Institute, an affiliated international ministry of the Western Dominican Province, and currently serves as Executive Director. Sherry has developed numerous unique formation resources that are used around the world.

believed in God, they meant a personal God. What other kind of God is there? Not so. Only 60 percent of Catholics believe in a personal God. Twenty-nine percent said that God is an “impersonal force.” Eight percent responded that God was “other,” or “both” personal and impersonal, and one percent didn’t believe in God at all. It is especially sobering to learn that when Pew surveyors asked the question, “Which comes closest to your view of God: God is a person with whom people can have a relationship, or God is an impersonal force?” only 48 percent of Catholics were absolutely certain that the God they believed in was a God with whom they could have a personal relationship. So it should be clear that retaining a Catholic identity does not mean that someone necessarily believes in the God at the heart of Catholicism. How much of our faith can make sense to millions of Catholics when the bedrock foundation — belief in a personal God who loves us — is not in place? Where does all this leave us? Certainly one of the most fundamental challenges facing our Church is this: The majority of adult Catholics are not even certain that a personal relationship with God is possible. In short, statistical reality bears out this prophetic passage from Pope John Paul II’s Catechesi Tradendae (On Catechesis in Our Time): It is possible for baptized Catholics to be “still without any explicit personal attachment to Jesus Christ; they only have the capacity to believe placed within them by Baptism and the presence of the Holy Spirit.” (Forming Intentional Disciples: The Path to Knowing and Following Jesus, Sherry A. Weddell, Huntington, Ind: Our Sunday Visitor, 2012, pp. 42-44, 46.)

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YOUR FAITH SPIRITUAL FITNESS

Draw closer to the Blessed Mother this May

onor your mother and ask her to lead you closer to her Son. She wants nothing more than to help you do just that. May is traditionally the month in the calendar year set apart for special devotion to Mary. But as you can see from the list of feast days at right, almost all of

the months celebrate some aspect of Mary’s life. What a way to honor our heavenly mother! But, sadly, I find that most Catholics can usually only name one or two feasts out of so many. This means that Mary does not play much of a part in our daily lives.

O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you my prayers, works, joys and sufferings of this day in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world. I offer them for all the intentions of your Sacred Heart: the salvation of souls, the reparation for sin, and the reunion of all Christians. I offer them for the intentions of our bishops and of all Apostles of Prayer, and in particular for those recommended by our Holy Father this month. The Rosary, which is the prayer given to us to intercede through Mary for all our needs and our crosses, is very powerful. As a good mother, Mary hears the prayers of her children. Are we too “sophisticated” to pray the Rosary? Some will say, “Oh, that was for my childhood, but now that I am an adult, I don’t need to go to my mother!” What a sad mistake. Let’s take a look at Scripture. The mother of God had to learn to submit her will to God’s plan and it was not easy. But once she knew clearly what God’s will was, she embraced it, as we hear in Luke 1:38: “Be it

done unto me according to thy word.” Sometimes, when we see what needs to happen in our lives, we don’t like what we see and we try to avoid making any SISTER ANN decision, or we make the deciSHIELDS sion we would like to make and is a renowned ignore asking God what his will author and a is for us. Come to your mother. member of the Ask her to help you make the Servants of right decision. She will. And you God’s Love. will know peace and happiness. @srannshieldssgl Sometimes, when we have sinned grievously, we are so embarrassed that we try to hide or excuse ourselves or just try to ignore it. That is no way to happiness. Ask the Blessed Mother to pray for you; ask the Holy Spirit to give you courage to be honest with yourself, with God and with others, as needed. A mother’s prayers are delicate and simple and Mary, our mother, will never stop praying for you to repent of your sin, to be set free and to become more and more her Son’s disciple. There is plenty of help for conversion, for repentance, for wisdom, for courage. Your mother, by her prayer, will guide you to the source of all help. Mary, our mother, knew what it was to carry the cross of suffering: hardship; exile; loneliness; the agonizing, horrible death of her Son; the taunts; the gossip; the hatred directed toward her Son … She can teach us so much about the way to carry our cross. Will you draw close to her so she can teach you?

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church • MARCH/APRIL 2018

T. Gennara

That is a mistake that needs to be rectified. The traditional morning offering dedicates our day to the Lord through the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Pray this prayer every morning; Jesus, your Lord and Savior, hears every word. And his mother, in her quiet, simple but powerful way, will lead you closer to God.

One way to grow in your relationship with Mary is to look at the feast days listed here. Choose one or two or three. Make them special days this year in your personal life. Honor your mother and ask her to lead you closer to her Son. She wants nothing more than to help you do just that. JAN. 1: The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God* JAN. 8: Our Lady of Prompt Succor FEB. 2: Presentation of the Lord in the Temple FEB. 11: Our Lady of Lourdes MARCH 25: Annunciation MAY 13: Our Lady of Fatima MAY 31: Visitation JUNE 27: Our Mother of Perpetual Help AUG. 15: Assumption* AUG. 22: The Queenship of Mary SEPT. 8: Birth of Mary SEPT. 12: The Most Holy Name of Mary SEPT. 15: Our Lady of Sorrows OCT. 7: Our Lady of the Rosary NOV. 21: Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary DEC. 8: Immaculate Conception* DEC. 12: Our Lady of Guadalupe *Holy day of obligation

YOUR LIFE CULTURE

A Mary garden — simple and symbolic

ay is an exciting time of year for my husband and me. Summer is around the corner, and we are in full planning mode for our outdoor space. May also happens to be the month of Our Lady, and, coincidentally, among our favorite of outdoor spaces is our Mary garden. A trellis of roses along the back side of our house partially encloses a

statue of our Blessed Mother. And surrounding her, we enjoy the juxtaposition of soft lavender and intensely bright marigold in full bloom by the time summer arrives. But the flowers are chosen for more than just their beautifully contrasting colors. There is meaning and symbolism behind them.

Build a container Mary garden • Elongated wood box (store-bought or DIY) • Fleur-de-lis (wood embellishment) • Wood glue • 3 terra cotta pots (to fit inside) • 3 miniature rose plants • Potting soil • Hand shovel

It is best to purchase the terra cotta pots before buying or building a rectangular wood box. Six-inch pots are best for miniature rose plants. When selecting a box, make sure the three pots fit inside. Drill three small holes on the bottom of the box for water drainage. Paint or stain the fleur-de-lis wood embellishment (or leave unfinished). Adhere to the box. Plant miniature roses and water regularly.

T. Gennara

Mary gardens date back to medieval times, and the many flowers and herbs of Our Lady are symbolic of her virtuous life. The Madonna lily represents her purity, and medieval imagery often depicts her with these in hand. Roses, the queen of flowers, represent Mary, the queen of heaven; and many accounts of Marian apparitions reference the spontaneous scent of roses at the instant of the miracle. Other traditions associate marigolds with Mary’s simplicity, and lavender was a common “keepsake” of the Holy Land by returning crusaders, as it recollects Mary’s flight into Egypt with Joseph. A Mary garden does not necessarily require a great deal of space, either. I was once impressed with one growing in a flower box outside of an apartMICHELLE ment window in the city. DIFRANCO The beauty of a container is a designer and garden is that they can be the busy mom of made for exterior windows three children. or for indoor display to brighten even the rainiest of spring days. If you have a green thumb and enjoy the garden like we do, consider adding a container Mary garden to your other horticultural endeavors this spring. The one you see here is for indoor display (near a window). Statues of Our Lady come in small sizes, and there are many flowers and herbs with symbolic ties to her. I have opted to embellish mine with the fleurde-lis, a symbol of the Trinity, as the band across its base represents Mary, who participated in making the three-in-one present here on earth. I also think three pots carry the Trinity theme nicely, though the art and the expression are entirely open to your design.

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YOUR LIFE GOODLIFE

HOW TO MANAGE

LOAN DEBT Have your payment taken directly from your bank account. This may sound painful, but it’s not as bad as feeling that money in your hands for a few seconds before watching it slip through your fingers once you realize it’s not actually disposable income.

F YOU ARE LIKE MOST MILLENNIALS, you probably have student loan debt. In fact, the average 2016 college graduate was given a parting gift of more than $37,000 in debt. (studentloanhero.com) How are you supposed to be a cardcarrying member of the adult world — meaning decent furniture, your own apartment, real dishes instead of paper — when you have this monstrosity of debt hanging over your head? Here are a few tips to get you started. Work for a not-forprofit or government employer to potentially qualify for public service loan forgiveness. If you choose to work for either of these employers, you could have the balance of your student loans forgiven. Serving in a full-time AmeriCorps or Peace Corps position could qualify as well. As Christians, we are called to live out our faith — that extends to our chosen professions as well.

Go through studentloans.gov to research loan consolidation. Be careful about consolidating your loans through someone who offers to do so for a fee. The U.S. Department of Education does not charge for loan consolidation.

Remember that regardless of where we are in life, we are called to charitable giving. This does not have to be solely monetary — it can be donating clothing and goods that you are no longer using. Look for ways to glorify God in giving with a happy heart as you work on repayment, and your efforts will be blessed. – CYNTHIA KAAN

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church • MARCH/APRIL 2018

The magazine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church WWW.SEASLV.ORG ALSO FIND US ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER

MARCH/APRIL 2018 VOLUME 2: ISSUE 2 PUBLISHER/EDITOR

Father Bede Wevita, pastor COVER IMAGE

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Jim Berlucchi Doug Culp Michelle DiFranco Carol Glatz Cynthia Kaan Father Joe Krupp Dr. Gelasia Marquez Dr. Cathleen McGreal Dr. Manuel P. Santos and Karee Santos Sister Ann Shields Sherry Anne Weddell Father Bede Wevita

My neighbor is mentally ill and constantly yelling

PRESIDENT/ CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Patrick M. O’Brien VICE PRESIDENT/

I have a neighbor who is constantly yelling and screaming — although he lives alone — and is clearly suffering from a mental illness. We can hear him through our apartment walls and it is pretty disturbing — how do we handle conflict with someone who is mentally ill?

Millions of people in the United States suffer from some form of mental health problem. It’s possible that your neighbor is in the category of someone who does not have relatives or caretakers to help him, and is not being treated properly for his disorder. Mental health is an integral part of overall health — it is more than simply the absence of disorders.

YOUR LIFE CONFLICT RESOLUTION

Although you may not be able to engage your neighbor in a constructive dialogue, you could contact the administration in your building to discuss your concerns for your neighbor’s well-being. Perhaps the management company in your building will have some family contact records. Another option is to contact your local police department or community mental health center. In the meantime, let us all pray for those who lack basic mental health, and do not have relatives or caretakers to help them. As we read in James 5:15, “And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up.

DR. GELASIA MARQUEZ

is a psychologist and family counselor.

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Elizabeth Martin Solsburg GRAPHIC DESIGN

Rachel Matero

PRINT MANAGEMENT

InnerWorkings

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Roman Catholic Church’s magazine (USPS 2097) is a membership subscription of the Roman Catholic Church of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, 1811 Pueblo Vista Dr., Las Vegas, NV 89128. Send address changes to: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Roman Catholic Church, 1811 Pueblo Vista Dr., Las Vegas, NV 89128 or email pattyjanura@ seaslv.org. Standard postage PAID in Las Vegas, NV or additional offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Roman Catholic Church, 1811 Pueblo Vista Dr., Las Vegas, NV 89128. ©2018 St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Roman Catholic Church.

To advertise in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church’s magazine, contact Patty Janura, coordinator of communications and stewardship, at pattyjanura@seaslv.org, 702.804.8326 (phone) or 702.228.8310 (fax).

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FARMERS’ MARKET Our Farmers’ Market is held one Saturday morning each month. The next markets will be held April 28, May 19 and June 23 from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. in the church parking lot. All food is complimentary. Bring your own bags and helpers to carry them.

YOUR COMMUNITY UPCOMING EVENTS

At SEAS, we offer great opportunities to fellowship, to learn more about our Catholic

FOR THOSE WITH INFANTS

faith, and to participate in parish life! Look through our list of upcoming activities and events and see if something catches your eye!

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION, APRIL 22 AND 29 Come support our little ones who will be receiving their first Eucharist on Sunday, April 22 and Sunday, April 29 at the 8 a.m., 10 a.m. and noon Masses. HOLY HOUR FOR VOCATIONS Join us in praying a Holy Hour for Vocations with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament every last Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. in the Mater Dei Chapel.

BAPTISM PREPARATION CLASS Parents and godparents requesting the sacrament for infants and children up to 7 years of age are asked to attend this class, which is usually held every first Tuesday of the month from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the church. Please note, due to the Easter holiday, class for the month of April will be held on Tuesday, April 10 at 6:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Contact Marcie Wilske at mwilske@seaslv.org (702.804.8370) for more information. BLOOD DRIVE, MAY 13 SEAS will host a blood drive for United Blood Services on Sunday, May 13 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Walk-ins are welcome! BUSY HANDS CRAFTERS MINI SPRING SALE, JUNE 3 Stop by the Parish Hall on Sunday, June 3 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to see all the Busy Hands Crafters have to offer: specialty gifts for Mothers’ Day, wedding and baby showers, floral decorations, team scarves, kitchen towels and so much more! Proceeds benefit our parish.

FOR THE TEENS

GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE

GET MORE OUT OF YOUR FAITH

CATHOLIC BASICS Wanting to get more out of your faith? These 30-minute sessions on Catholic belief and practice offer an opportunity for faith sharing and catechesis. Usually held every second Sunday of the month, sessions convene in the PP VI classroom of the Parish Hall at 9:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. COFFEE & DONUT HOSPITALITY, APRIL 8 Join us for complimentary coffee and donuts in the Parish Hall after the 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Masses. CONFIRMATION MASS, MAY 12 Come support our young adults and adults who will receive the sacrament of confirmation on Saturday, May 12 at 6 p.m.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church • MARCH/APRIL 2018

BECOME AN ADVOCATE

JR. HIGH AND HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH GROUPS If you are a teen who wants to experience faith, fellowship and fun, while providing service to your community with other youths, contact Meghan Hernandez at mhernandez@seaslv.org (702.804.8313). Jr. High Youth Group usually meets Sundays from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Youth Room. High School Youth Group usually meets Wednesdays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Youth Room. MEMORIAL DAY, MAY 28 In observance of Memorial Day, the church offices, Kairos Gift Shop and Mater Dei Chapel will be closed on Monday, May 28. The church will close after daily Mass, which will be celebrated at 9 a.m. MENTAL HEALTH & WELLNESS MINISTRY For those who suffer from mental illness, as well as those who do not, it can be difficult to navigate through all that is going on in our world today. People can feel overwhelmed, isolated and even traumatized by current and/ or past events. Sometimes we feel no one understands how difficult it is to cope. To this end, SEAS is offering a chance for those who need this support to come together in a safe place to talk and to listen to one another. The support group usually meets every second and fourth Wednesday of each month from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the SJ XXIII classroom in the Parish Hall. For more details, contact Laura Jensen at callmecatholic2@gmail. com or leave a message at the church at 702.228.8311. NEVADANS FOR THE COMMON GOOD (NCG) Learn how you can be an advocate for the most vulnerable in our community at the NCG meeting on Wednesday, May 2 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the SJ XXIII classroom in the Parish Hall. For more details, contact Patti McGuire at pmcguire@seaslv.org (702.804.8311).

NEW LITURGICAL MINISTERS INQUIRY MEETING & HANDS-ON TRAINING Two formation sessions are required for parishioners interested in serving as liturgical ministers: a general information session and a hands-on training session. If you would like to participate in Mass as an extraordinary minister of holy Communion, lector, sacristan or usher, please RSVP to Marcie Wilske at mwilske@seaslv.org (702.804.8370) to attend the following:

FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN BECOMING LITURGICAL MINISTERS

April sessions: • General Information — Wednesday, April 11 at 6 p.m. in the PP VI classroom in the Parish Hall • Hands-on Training — Wednesday, April 18 at 7 p.m. in the church May sessions: • General Information — Wednesday, May 9 at 6 p.m. in the PP VI classroom in the Parish Hall • Hands-on Training — Wednesday, May 16 at 7 p.m. in the church OUTREACH MINISTRY VOLUNTEER MEETINGS Monthly introductory/training meetings are held for people interested in volunteering in our Outreach Ministry. Contact Patti McGuire at pmcguire@seaslv.org (702.804.8311) for more information about upcoming meetings on April 12 and May 10 in the Parish Hall. Meetings are held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and repeated from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. PSALMS II BIBLE STUDY, APRIL 9–MAY 23 This seven-week course is a continuation of Psalms I class and focuses on a selection of 28 psalms divided into three different categories: Royal Psalms, Psalms of Lament and Psalms of Declarative Praise. Completion of the Psalms I class is NOT a prerequisite. Classes begin April 9 and will be held in the SJ XXIII classroom in the Parish Hall on Mondays from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. and repeated Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Register in the gift shop or contact Marcie Wilske for more information at mwilske@seaslv.org (702.804.8370). RCIA CLASSES The process of becoming Catholic is known as the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). It is a gradual process of information, spiritual formation and inner transformation through which adults learn about Catholic belief and practice and discern possible initiation into the life of the Catholic Christian community. If you are interested in learning more, or sitting in on our RCIA classes, contact Marcie Wilske at mwilske@seaslv.org (702.804.8370).

ENJOY THE MASS FROM HOME

FOR THE KIDS

JOIN A BIBLE STUDY

FOR YOUNG ADULTS

ST. THERESE CENTER HIV/AIDS OUTREACH DRIVE, JUNE 2-17 This year, our Outreach Ministry will once again collect personal hygiene items for the St. Therese Center. Donations of shampoo/conditioner, soap, toothpaste/ brushes, deodorant, etc., can be left in the church gathering space donation bins. Please, only full-size items, no sample sizes. Contact Patti McGuire at pmcguire@ seaslv.org (702.804.8311) for more information. TV MASS FOR THE SICK AND HOMEBOUND By attending and participating in the taping of TV Masses, you show our brothers and sisters who cannot come to church that they are still an important part of our worshipping community. Upcoming TV Masses are tentatively scheduled to be taped on April 12, May 10 and June 14. Visit www.seaslv.org for details, and to confirm dates and times. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL This summer, our Youth Ministry is excited to host two weeks of Vacation Bible School for children in grades K-6. Week 1 will run June 11-15 and Week 2 will run July 30-August 3. Contact Meghan Hernandez at mhernandez@seaslv.org (702.804.8313) for more information. WINE & CHEESE HOSPITALITY, APRIL 14 Join us for complimentary wine and cheese in the Parish Hall after the 4 p.m. Mass. YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY DINNER If you are in your 20s or 30s and would enjoy fellowship with other young adults at potluck dinners, Scripture study and service opportunities, come to the next Young Adult Dinner on Friday, April 20 at 7 p.m. in the Youth Room. For more details, visit www.seaslv.org or contact Meghan Hernandez at mhernandez@seaslv.org (702.804.8313).

See a complete list of upcoming events and activities at seaslv.org

WWW.SEAS LV.ORG

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church 1811 Pueblo Vista Dr. Las Vegas, NV 89128

LOVE

YOUR

Neighbor as Yourself Leviticus 19:18

The Catholic Stewardship Appeal (CSA) is the vehicle through which the Diocese of Las Vegas continues to do the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. The diocesan goal of CSA this year is $2,700,000. Each parish shares in theBuilding goal, and the Cu their share is assessed according to their financial ability based on theirAssisting Sunday our P Collection (Ordinary Income). Once the individual parish goal has been reached, Caring for Our 100 percent of the funds beyond the goal are rebated back to the parish. Nurturing Vocations, Forming ourSeton Faith Last year, the assessment for St. Elizabeth Ann Church was the CSA Campa (55% of theofCSA Campaign) $272,030. A total 666 families and individuals pledged $379,356.50, surpassing our assessment. As of January 2018, $374,368 has been Love of neighbo collected our parish hasnow received rebate $102,338.50. Love and of neighbors anda for theoffuture in We want the care of our re to thank and praise all who participated in this appeal. With this rebate, Vocation and Seminary Formation. Vocation their lives in se we will replace both the church and parish hall sound systems. formation for priesthood is a journey and For 2018, our CSA assessment is $270,820. Once that assessment Vegas is anothe formation takeswill at receive least four years after a BAthat amount. is reached, the parish the funds raised beyond face of love as Wein hope to use these funds and the rebate from next year’s Catholic college. We need to encourage vocations Twenty cents Stewardship Appeal for our 25th anniversary Parish Refurbishment Project, as well as support those in formation assists our reti which will include painting the church and enhancing our liturgical settings. currently. Twenty-eight cents of every Please prayerfully consider sharing your blessings and give selflessly to The face of ou CSA in a spirit of love the Lord. you are able to give, know dollar you giveforhelps toWhatever form priests. we are humbled by your expression of support for the work of Christ. Catholic Chariti For everyof dollar you give to CSA, here is what you help Love neighbor nurtures the faith andfund in the serving across Diocese of Las Vegas:

For every dollar you give, here is what you help to fund.

spiritual growth of all in Faith Formation, include Meals o Youth Ministry and Hispanic Ministry. In NURTURING VOCATIONS AND FORMING OUR FAITHthose in need e addition to all• Twenty-eight the programs provided cents of every dollar you give legal refugees to form priests. to again through the year,helps we toare excited far away from th • Eighteen centsConference of every dollar you to host our Annual Diocesan in give helpscents from ev deepen the faith of children, youth and adults. of funds September of 2018, where last year 1,000 • Nine cents of every dollar you give providesgives help and people from our the parishes came together presence of the Catholic Church on the Our neighbors UNLV campus. with top national speakers. Next year’s communities wh Conference site enables us to increase the BUILDING THE CULTURE OF LIFE AND FAMILY, people to indepe size of the Conference in order to provide ASSISTING OUR PARISHES AND MISSIONS, but the distance the opportunity CARING for even more people FOR OUR RETIRED PRIESTS to • Twenty cents ofand everyeducation dollar you give assistsdrive to the nex gather for personal formation our retired priests. of funds Your CSA cont in our faith. Eighteen cents of every dollar • Seven cents from every dollar you give offers poorer rural pa you give to CSA helps to deepen the faith help and hope. from every doll of children, youth andcents adults. • Seven from every dollar you give helps Gospel present keep the Gospel present in rural Nevada. • in Three you give promotes Love of neighbor thecents faceofofevery our dollar ministries the culture Newman of life. In promoting the at UNLV at the Catholic Center. education and Nine cents ofCOMMUNICATING every dollar you give THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH programs and ke provides the presence ofevery thedollar Catholic • Four cents of you give provides state. Three cen the Sunday TV Mass. Church campus. of funds on the UNLV • Three cents of every dollar you give supports promotes the c

55%

The love of neighbor is demonstrated by Catholics through the Diocese of Las Vegas as CSA 2018 funds the ministries that make love visible.

37%

communication through the website.