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eek not to understand that you may believe, but to believe that you may understand. sL Augustine
The educational philosophy of our American schools is to teach our children using the scientific method. This means only that which can be objectively verified with empirical evi¡ dence is considered to be ~true,~ all else being merely theory. Consequently, objedlve facts are the only truth. But let's stand back and ask ourselves: Is that true? What, then, of those things we know to be true using the vehicle of poetry? What about art - doesn't it likewise communicate truth to us? Literature? Psychology? In other words, does the scientific method hold a monopoly on truth? Obviously not! Paradoxically, our Catholic faith is based on the evidence given to us from "out there," and by "out there" I mean those realities that exist outside of our minds and independent of our awarenesses. Its important that you and I understand that at the same time there are many of todays illuminati who are insisting that the only truth that matters is the truth that I know on my own. In other words, only those things that I say to be true are in fact true! The only feelings that matter are my own feelings. Subjective relativism is the controlling philosophy. Throughout the centuries, Catholicism has invested enormous resources in colleges, high schools and ele¡ mentary schools. This has all been done because our Catholic faith is based on solid evidence. The Catholic mind examines objective reality and comes to the conclusion that certain things ere probable and, therefore, should be believed. Anything is possible; it is whats probable that counts. Furthermore, say that there are certain absolutes, certain things that are universally true -which is to say that your mind and my mind can know and accept certain things as true because we know them and understand them the same way. Two apples plus two apples amount to four apples is but one obvious example. Reason, however, doesn't exist simply for ltseH. Truth for truth's sake is a nice idea, but it is incomplete. Any piece in a jigsaw puzzle exists by itself but does not acquire its full meaning unless fitted in with the rest of the pieces. Which is to say that reason, all by itself, can lead us astray. Any existing thing cannot only be used, it can also be abused. Catholics believe that God expressed His mind, His will and His love In His Word. God our Father made His Word incarnate so that we could know, reason, understand and love as God made us to - as well as for His purposes. Which is to say we need to see, know, understand, judge and act in the Light of the World, in the Light of Christ. Reason unaided can lead us to do unreasonable things, a statement that is self-evident and verified in our daily news. Faith can and should be our guide. ED
faith Volume 2 : l11ue 1 ~2001
Most Reverend Carl F. Mengeling PUIIUSHI!It
Rev. Fr. Charles Irvin EDITOR IN CHill'
Rev. Fr. Dwight Ezop UIOCIATE EDITOR IN CHIEI'
Patrick M. O'Brien MANAGING EDITOR CREATIVE DtRECYOR
lt has been on my mind for
Kathy Funk UIISTANT ltiiTOR
Mollie Lauffer Clti!AliVE AII!DITORW. ASSISTANT
jillanejob SUascRIPnOHSIUCRUARY
Evelyn Weitzel SUIIKJIIPI'IOHS
Rev Fr. William Ashbaugh Evelyn Barella Elizabeth johnson Rev Fr. joseph Krupp Ronald Landfair Dr Cathleen McGreal jennifer Niester Most Rev. Kenneth]. Povish Nancy Schenzing Michael Sullivan Rita Thiron CONTAtBunNG WRITERS
Margaret Perrone PIIOOI'JII!ADIHG
Christine j ones james Luning Peter Glendinning CONTRIBunHG PHOtOGRAPHERS
james Luning, Photography ON1HEconR
Wayne Case Mary Delano David Fenech Pauicla Garcw
Rev Fr. J. Thomas Munley Diane Nowak Margaret Perrone james Rhadigan Michael Rizik Ricardo Rodriguez Rev. Fr. j ames Swiat Sharon Wimple ADVISORY BOARD
Rev. Fr. Karl Pung WEll MINISTRY
Tim Strandberg, Parish Systems WU SITE DESIGN, MANAGEMENT
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Send your le"ers to: Editor, FAITH Magezlne :JOOW.O"awa Lansing, Ml48933 or via e·mall fn:lrvln@n:.nel
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months now for me to let you know how much I appreciate FAITH. Because I live in Ann Arbor; I had also been gelling the publication Credo. How I wish that everyone got FAITH instead! Keep up the good work! Cynthia Prolaa Hadgea
We absolutely love FAITH Magazine and all the people who make it what it is! I will be giving FAITH for Christmas to loved ones who live elsewhere. There is nothing lihe ill We are
excited when it comes in the mail and have been able to share its articles with many people. We just can't tell you how much it means to us!!!! It~ an incredible publication that will help Eric and I keep our young Catholic family glued together. We are proud to be Catholic and proud to get FAITH each month! Jennifer Eyler
I wanted to say how much we enjoy your magazine. It always has articles that are timely and personal. I also use them often
in my high school religious edu· cation class as the basis for discussion groups and the fall issue directed toward teens was terrific! Monica J. Horocleczny
Special Announcement for Teachers:
Introducing FAITHhelps A teaching coms-nlon for FAITH Magazine. lt'a free to rellgloua educators end youth mlnlatera. By the -y, thla alao lndudea ell or you parenta out there. H- do you get FAITHhelpS7 Download It from our Web aile: FAITHmeg.com; or, - Qll •mall It to you eech month. Contact Palrfck O' Brien et pobrfe@dloceHoftenalng.org
Welcome Fr. Dwight
Top 10 Bo
FAITH Magazine's New Associate Editor in Chief
1 Spirituality and Health Care, Reaching Toward a Holistic Future By John Shea
We have been given a gift this Christmas/ Epiphany Season. Fr. Dwight Ezop has joined the st.aff of FAITH Magazine as Associate Editor in Chief. Fr. Dwight is very talented in a number of ways. In addition to being an all "A" student at Chicagos Mundelein Seminary, he served as editor in chief of the universitys magazine, The Bridge. He brings to his new position at FAITH expe· rience as a teacher, writer and priest. Fr. Dwight will assist the staff in planning, writing and editing. Fr. Dwight was born in Saginaw on Sept. 9, 1965. He is the oldest son of Gene and jan Ezop. In 1988, he graduated from the
University of Michigan with a BA in French. Fr. Dwight studied for the priesthood at the University of St. Mary of the Lake, Mundelein Seminary and was ordained for the Diocese of lansing in 1997. He served as parochial vicar of St. Thomas the Apostle, Ann Arbor, after his ordination. Currently, he is pastor of the Catholic Community of St. jude, DeWitt. Bishop Mengeling and the magazine staff have warmly welcomed Fr. Dwight. We hope you do, too.
In todays culture, interest in the spiritual continues to grow. And as it does, the interaction between health care and spirituality increases and changes. How should the two interact? How might they enrich one another? To begin with, suggests author jack Shea, each side needs to speak to the other not only from its own internal viewpoint, but also with the particularities of the other in mind. To advance such a dialogue, he describes six spiritual interests that have arisen within health care, explores the
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Fe:Jst o f t h e 8;1pt1 sm of t he Lord j.u ~
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\l~!~~!:.~d:~~ H~~. ~Goodbye spiritualities, and then considers how these oudined interests and spiritualities might interact. In time honored spiritual tradition, the author concludes with eight spiritual imperatives, which serve as an invitation_to further exploration of the growing Telationship between spirituality and heahh care.
2 Facing Death Stories of Spiritual Response to Serious Illness
By John H. Chapman, M.D. 3 May I Walk You Home?
Cou rage and Comfort for Caregivers of the Very Ill Stories by Joyce Hutchison, Prayers by Joyce Rupp 4 Compassionate Caring for the Sick and Dying
riJ'
Sara Arline Thrash
Working Your Way through L.nss By Ch ris Ann Waters
6 Good Grief
By Granger E. Westberg 7 Waterbugs and Dragonflies
Explaining Death To Young Children By Doris Stickney 8 Theology for Beginners
By F.]. Sheed 9 Proclaim Jubilee!
A Spi rituality for the Twenty-
First Century By Maria Harris 10 The New Millennium Spiritual Joumey
By Editors at Skylight Paths
faith'
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For These Books and More from the St. Aanc:ls Rella Canter Book Store. loa on tD
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eknow with F. oe A couple of years ago, some friends and I went camping up North near Canada. After having spent a week In "the wild," we decided to drive over to Canada
for pizza at the place where our friend worked. Pulling up to the Customs booth at the border, I felt the pit In my stomach. They ad like we are at war with Canada or something. The Customs officer asked me all the usual questions. "Where do you live?" "Lansing," I answered. "What Is your business In Canada?" "Well," I said, "we came here to get pizza!' He looked at us strangely and said "You drove all the way from Lansing to get pizza?"
Deer Fr. Joe: What Is the deal wHh God and science? I hear alllcJnds of questions about the two, and everybody seems to c:onlnldld each other. What Is tha truth?
Faith and Science. Sometimes it seems like we're crossing into enemy territory when we talk about the two. "Basic scientific research, as well as applied research, is a significant expression of mans dominion over creation. Science and technology are precious resources when placed at the service of man ... By them-
selves however, they cannot disclose the meaning of existence and of human progress." (Catechism of the Catholic Church and look at number 2293) Good stuff comes from that Catechism! The point is this: we are foolish if we try to live in faith at the expense of scientific knowledge. We are foolish if we ignore faith and worship science. Francis Bacon says, "A little science pulls man away from God. A lot of science brings him back." We have confidence in God and the fact that knowledge of His creation will point to Him. The scientist who learns all he or she can is worshiping God, because knowledge of God's creation is knowledge of God. The catechism reminds us that science can take us only so far. In God alone does the human person find the meaning of life and progress. jesus and His Kingdom have to be at the center of what we learn for it to be truly worship. Scientific findings are not threats to our faith; they are, instead, opportunities to discover more about this wonderful creation and about God. Let's not fight the inevitable or worship the unlikely. Instead, we can be a pan of helping science and faith to join hands in worship of God.
Dear Fr. Joe: Are any great scientists Christians?
of knowledge. If it is true, then it will teach us something about God. Here is an There are tons. Ready for example. Although the Big this? The author of the Big Bang Theory may contradict Bang Theory? A Catholic the words of Genesis, it does priest. It's true! ~But Father," not contradict the message of you may say, ~how is this the creation account in possible?" Its very possible Genesis. What is important and a perfect example of about the creation account in how 1 answered Genesis? Six days? Rest on the first ques- the seventh? What happened tion. We must each day? The order of creation? No.What is important is that a loving God created everything out of nothing and only for reasons of love. God created us in His image. These facts are what make the jewish/Christian account of creation unique
from any other creation accounts. Einstein said that if the Big I~!W-M Bang occurred, the odds of it being random are similar to that of an explosion occurring in a print shop that resulted in a complete set of encyclopedias. It just ain't gonna happen. For more amazing Christians in the world of science, check out Blaise Pascal, Sir Isaac Newton, Copernicus - and the list goes on! Enjoy another day in God's presence! .d) Send your Questions lo: "In the Know with Fr. Joe" FAITH Magazine 300 W. OHawa, Lansing, Ml 48933
or E·MaU JoelnBiack@prlest.com
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FAITH Magazine
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JanruJry 2001
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ve years Celebrating Bishop Mengeling•s 5th Anniversary After Bishop Kenneth Povish retired, Msgr. Carl F. Mengeling of the Diocese of Gary, Ind. was chosen by Pope john Paul II to become the fourth bishop of the Diocese of lansing. jan. 25, 2001 will mark the fifth anniversary of the Most Rev. Carl F. Mengeling's episcopal ordination. Those five years have been a busy time for Bishop Mengeling and the diocese.
Bishop Carl F. Mengellng Highlights of the Last Five Years:
L His energetic and indefatigable Christ-centered evangelistic preaching of God's Word. 2. His care and concern for the priests of the diocese. 3. His initiation of FAITH Magazine, the first official publication of the diocese.
4. His establishment of the Office of Pastoral Planning along with the launching of our Diocesan Strategic Planning Process. 5. His many building projects, panicularly: • Bethany House • Mother Teresa House • The new Fr. Gabriel Richard High School in Ann Arbor.
-~~-~-1~~-~~-_Q-~~-~~Y--~~-~~-t~E_!~~-~-~~~-~?-~~~-y__~f-~~~~Q~E__ Pictured above Ia â&#x20AC;˘ atelned gla11 wind- depletion of the BepUam af the Lord from SL John the BepUat, YpallenU
ou're second nature to me now, like breathing out and breathing ln. This line from an old show mne made me think about faith and its role in our daily living. What breath is to the life of the body, faith is to the life of the person. Indeed, faith is the "living breath" of genuine human relationships. With that in mind. here are some reflections about human faith, something to be good at. and about divine faith. Our very nature as human persons impels us toward laith as essential for our fulfillment and happiness. Without laith we choose to be alone as human persons. life without faith is isolated and lonely if our notions about faith are limited solely to relationship with things: "I believe in something'' or W I believe in this statement or that proposition." Rather, l~hat I believe is secondary. Instead, real relationship flows from a
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Photog111phy by Chrlatlne Jonaa
genuine and complete notion of faith . Faith is primarily related to persons. We can say, "I believe you~ or "I believe in you. Faith Is the only way to enter Into the mystery of another person and the mystery of God. FaHh opens us to who another person Is, Inviting us to explore the mystery of the who. At the same time, truly knowing who another person is remains impossible unless the other freely chooses to reveal who they are. Faith is a relationship to and with persons. Without faith, the other person remains a mystery to us and is dosed to us. Our ability to say, "1 believe you~ or, "1 believe in you" of another opens the door to knowing the other. Far more, however, it opens us to mutual knowing and loving. Its true that we can love a "what~ 1 can Jove my car, my home, autumn leaves, sunsets and more - but none of these M
0 can love me in return. It is faith that enables me to know and love a "who" and to be loved in return. What I can observe about another person is not enough. I can know the what- a persons age, height, eye color, shape, voice, race, mannerisms, etc. I want to know who a person is- but how do I do this? Who the person is remains a mystery unless the person begins to reveal that mystery to us. A person is known only if they disclose their "self" to us. It is a tragedy for the human person and a betrayal of true love when the what is separated from the who in human relationships. Faith and "mystery" are inseparable. The only way we can enter into the mystery of another is by faith. Unfortunately, the reality of mystery is often blurred by our tendency to link mystery with the unreal, the untrue or the imaginary. For some, mystery is synonymous with myth, legend, or fairy tale. Yet we live surrounded by mystery. Each person is a unique and profound mystery. Each day we
t Faith and mystery call for the willingness to give. A person can only say, "I believe you" and, "I believe in you" when the other freely chooses to offer the gift of self. It is this gift of self that permits us to know and love another as that self is revealed to us. When two persons come together, a relationship is possible. It is our openness to the mystery of another that draws us into the fullness of mystery - God. Since I am a mystery and others are mysteries, it should be no surprise that God is a mystery, too. God and we are real in every sense and we are intimately linked. Mystery is the very fabric and dynamic of our personal life. Mystery summons forth our freedom and power to know and to love. Entertng Into the mystery of another and shartng the mystery of self Is an ongoing gift. It Is not a rtght. Another word for this amazing gift Is grace. As with the human person, so too with God: it is not
enough to know the what only. Yet as soon as we desire to know who God is, we again confront a mystery. Like the ancient philosophers Plato and Aristotle, we can deduce some notions about the supreme being, a creator, a first cause. We can know some of the what, but loving a what is very lonely. As with a human person, so with God. We want to know "whowand begin a relationship of knowing, loving and living. We want to know: pass hundreds of persons who are What does God think of me? mysteries to us and whom we will Why did God create me? Does --------------------- never know. We know what each God love me? Does God forgive person Is. but we often do not me? and much more. know who each truly Is. In truth, we say, "I believe in you" Mystery, gift and faith are the or, "I believe you" to only a handful of persons. This mutual stuff of our humanness and hapexchange leads us to varied levels of relationship with those piness. It's "second nature to me around us. Each of us freely reveals the mystery of who we now, like breathing out and are only to those we choose -and they are breathing in: Uke human faith , not many. divine faith is a gift that opens us Mystery engulfs each person, and we don't even know to the mystery of God. It enables ourselves perfectly. Since there is so much we don't know us to know and love God. God, who is Mystery, freely offers about others or about ourselves, we can be relieved by the gift of who God is, enabling us to say "I believe you" and "I believe in you." This can only happen in one way Jesus' admonition, "Do not judge, or you shall be judged." He took us off the hook. jesus reassures us that we don't our way! God reveals to us who He is humanly, our way. have to mess with judging others. We fail miserably because God became one of us. jesus reveals humanly who God is. we don't see the whole picture and we don't know enough As one theologian puts it, "jesus is God with a face." In ~on it all out. Since only God sees all and penetrates all turn, jesus invites us to respond to His gift of self by saying mystery, jesus encourages us to leave judging to God. to Him, "I believe you" and "1 believe in you." ~
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Râ&#x20AC;˘-ber, you belong to something - your local p.1rish
www.FAITHmeg.com
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FAITH Magazine
As Director of the McAuley Cancer Center at St. joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor, Dr. Stella speaks from years of experience. His patients, Eileen Green and Louise Imber, sit at the table looking at him with respect and sincere fondness as he shares his thoughts and experiences. "Sometimes you can help by completely wiping out someone's cancer, and they go on to live a long happy life. I've had patients like Louise," he nods across the table. "When I sent her off for her experimental treatment, I real¡ ly never thought I'd see her again:' Louise grins broadly and they chuckle together.
This 56-year-old mother of eight has a severe form of lung cancer which started in her left lung and moved to her right. Dr. Stella treated her for 18 months and had done everything he could, but despite his best efforts, the cancer kept growing. In September 1999, he referred Louise to a cancer trial in Detroit as a last hope. Over a year later she sits across the table from him smiling and celebrating her latest screening which showed no cancer in her body. Louise has clearly thrived under the experimental treatment. A devout Catholic, she has also benefited from the countless prayer circles and rosaries her family and friends have organized. She has a devotion to Fr. Solanus Casey, a Detroit friar who has been declared holy by the Vatican. Praying for God's will, she asks Fr. Solanus Casey to intercede in hopes that she can raise her 12-year-old daughter and guide her children, former foster children and grandchildren a while longer. She almost giggles as she tells Dr. Stella they're going to Rome together for Fr. Casey's canonization.
back as the first grade class she taught in 1956 have contacted her to express their support and offer prayers. She speaks regularly with many former students and fellow cancer patients, sharing friendships and helping some with their problems as they help her. A woman of science as well as faith, she came to Dr. Stella asking only that he be honest with her about her condition. While she prays regularly that God's will be done, she expects that Dr. Stella Is working to lengthen her life not necessarily cure her cancer. uThis was not on my agen-
da, but it was obviously on God's," Eileen explains. "I'd say my cancer is another bend in the road, but all part of the journey. I have the opportunity now to learn how people struggle with illness, and I wouldn't have had the opportunity to meet people and pray with and for them (without my cancer). It's another mission in my life's journey." Like Eileen, many of Dr. Stella's patients are simply seeking more time. Eileen jokes that she needs more time to clean out her closets. Other patients need more time to rifts among family members or accomplish some goal they've always longed to achieve. As their doctor, Philip Stella sometimes points out that time is running short. His oncology practice enables him to help these patients meet death at peace with themselves and their families. He considers this form of healing as important as the cures he accomplishes through medical science. Whether from his jesuit training at the University of Detroit High School, or From the devout to the nonsplrltual, Dr. Stella has had his six months working with Mother Teresa in Calcutta, patients who have Inexplicably recovered from what was Philip Stella has a profound respect for the spiritual as well diagnosed as tennlnal cancer. He calls these recoveries as the physical side of life. mlrades, and believes these people have some special And sometimes Dr. Stella's patients help him. He laughs purpose for their lives. Sometimes he even admonishes about his first day at I<alighat, the house for the sick and them before they leave his office a final time by saying, uGod dying destitute in Calcutta, when Mother Teresa's nuns has a purpose for you. Go out there and find out what it is." brought forward a woman dying of advanced tuberculosis. At 69, Eileen Green has had countless affirmations that Young Dr. Stella fell upon her, administering CPR and shots, she is accomplishing God's purpose for her. A widow, forinserting a chest tube and suctioning her lungs. He worked mer Adrian Dominican nun, teacher, university professor furiously and chemist, Eileen has been amazed at the outpouring of love she has received since her cancer diagnosis in August 1999. Former students from as far
using every technique he had learned in medical school, his internship and his justcompleted fellowship at Mayo Clinic. As the woman began breathing again and color returned to her cheeks, Stella turned around, full of pride - only to meet the horrified stares of the Missionaries of Charity Sisters. These women had devoted their lives to helping the poorest of the poor die with dignity, and this young American doctor had clearly missed Kalighats mission. A few days later the woman died peacefully of her TB, surrounded by the loving prayers of the Sisters. Dr. Stella has never forgotten the lesson he learned that day. Uke his hero, Mother Teresa, he prays every day that God will make him worthy to serve his patients according to God's will - not his own. And "Vhen It Is God's will that his ..,.Ytlents should die. he sees In their passing â&#x20AC;˘ beauty un,... vealed to him earlier In his life. "As a person's body deterio-
rates and fades, there's something about their soul that gets stronger," he says. "1 can't explain it. But somehow I know that's the part of us that lives on after the body is gone. 1 see that in my patients, and it gives me strength." Eileen and louise have been listening intently as Dr. Stella speaks, Their faces reveal deep emotion. For a moment all are silent, resting in the glow of the afternoon sun. Outside, sap begins to stir in the core of the trees. The rhythm of life begins anew. ~
EXPERTS IN SCIENCE AND FAITH SQUARE OFF â&#x20AC;˘ FAITH Magazine hosted a roundtable discussion between Catholic scientists and theologians. Participants: Fr. nm Dombrowski, D.Min., Director of Ethics for SL Joseph Mercy Heellh System ol Ann Arbor; Dr. William 'Rusty' Chavey, a family medicine prac.tilloner; Mdtael Moreland, alheologlan and law ~ Dr. 1.rnne M~ a urologist; Fr. Thomas Firestone, pastor of SL Mary Student Parish, Ann Arbor, and an altomey; Fr. Randy Phillips, pastor of SL Unus Parish, Dearborn Helghls; and MJc:hael Sullivan, FAITH Magazine, who served u modendor. FAITH M~g:ulnc
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Remember, you belong to aomothlng - your 10C81 pottsh
Complied by ~ funk Photogr1phy by Christine Jones
hat Is the relallonshlp between sdence and fallh In cu times? Fr. Randy Phillips: Cenainly
the relationship is far better than it was during the first pan of the 20th century. At that time, science was looked upon as superstition and thought-control. Religions looked upon scientists as atheists Godless. Now there is more respect. Faith revolves around the search for meaning in one's life.
two children. However, when Cain slew Abel, Abel went and slew a woman from another tribe - another tribe . ... God came along and put a soul
We have the ability to evolveGod built
Fr. nm Dombrowski:
Doctors see themselves as scientists .... They don't really have all the answers. I see as medical students go on and become members of the senior faculty that their appreciation grows for spirituality. Dr. Lynne McCormack:
If they (patients) don't have a basis in faith, they tum to medicine first. If a patient has a faith-base, they tum to medicine and God. Were Adam and Eve the first humans? Fr. Tom Firestone: The Holy
Father says (that creationism and evolution) are compatible realities. People do make distinctions.
,.. s:;;..,.
Fr. nm Dombrowski: I
from Theology 10 1 that Adam and Eve had
weeks ago on the lloor of the Black Sea which was from around the time of Noah. If we begin looking at those as metaphors, where do we stop? Where do we draw the line? Would a clone of a human being have a soul? Dr. Lynne McCormick: Yes,
clones would have souls. Clones are twins. Michael Moreland:
Sometimes we worry unnecessarily (about some matters) - we're not talking that a soul is a physical reality. It comes from God. News has centered around conjoined twins In
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England who are to be sep· arated against their parents' wishes. What Is the answer to the Issue of the twins from a theological standpoint?
(Editor:S Note: TI1e twins have
since been separated and one died as a result.) Fr. nm Dombrowski: Its
tough to lose a child. Most reasonable people will say that the twins are two children. But, doggone it, it's hard to lose one. The other child will grieve the loss (of her sister). Dr. Lynne McCormick:
Maybe their souls are joined as their bodies are.
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(Medicine) manages the pain so the patient can get on with what they need to do as their days come to an end. Dr. Lynne McCormack: Once a patient gets to hospice, there is acceptance that is the end of his or her life. Fr. Tom Firestone: Suffering is a redemptive action. Sadly, our society doesn't much value suffering, which requires a great deal of faith and prayer. ... Take for example a father, or patriarch, that is dying. We are also talking about mental suffering. So many things don't get done until someone dies.
What about the dlgntty of death? How do faith and sdence look upon pain and suf· faring? Fr. nm Dombrowski:
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Sometimes we need to face the reality of suffering. Fr. nm Dombrowski: jesus was on the cross for three hours and it was over. When my mother died over 18 years ago, the emotional pain was from her suffering. However, it was redemptive - her death was a celebration of joy for me. Dr. Rusty Chavey: Science has allowed us to take away pain but some say that also lengthens life. However, it gives a patient time to reconcile. Michael Moreland: The Vatican's document on euthanasia states that not all patients must suffer as Christ did. Dr. Rusty Chavey: A col-
league and friend - an evangelical Protestant - was diagnosed with colon cancer. Her
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cancer was viewed (by her religious beliefs) as a sign her sinfulness and how shameful she was. Dr. Lynne McCormack: To withdraw treatment is not the same as denying treatment. Mlc:hael Moreland: There is a distinction between killing and letting one die - intention and how you let one die. Dr. Lynne Mc:Cormlc:k: We can't make decisions for them (patients). 1 have seen patients refuse a lot of things and then want to go back. Part of the American belief is that we are going to live forever. Fr. nm Dombrowski: There's always the question, 'Who are you to play God?' Some feel that doctors have been doing that for a long time. What are "near death" -"' experiences? Do we know~ 1 sc:lentlflcally how to explain
Introducing a New Column: Can Ou" Work Help Our FaHh?
work --
are called by our baptism to live the Gospel and to follow Christ in our daUy lives. But how realistic is that? Can we actually practice our faith in our daily work? Here are three ways our work can help us deepen our relationship with God:
By Michael W Sullivan, SFO
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WoJtdna with Others: Be lna~matlonal
Chiist became human to be with us - to be Emmanuel. If we are to follow Him, then we also need to be with each other. We'tleed to work with others, cooperate with them, serve them, participate and experience our life together with them. When we share our ideas and abilities and allow oth· ers to do the same, we become the face of Christ on eanh for them and our work truly becomes holy. 2 CreatiVIty: Building the Klnadorii of God
We can use our talents, gifts and daily opponunities to renew the world and to work with God to build the kingdom on eanh. Pope john Paulll has said that the Church FAITH Map:lne
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"sees it as Her particular duty to form a spirituality of work which will help all people to come closer to God through their work." (On Human Work, 1981) Our primary job is to be a disciple of Christ. We are all called to be good stewards of the personal gifts and talents we have received and to freely use those gifts to follow Christ and to do the will of the Father. Our daily work is the opportunity we have been given to participate with God's will in even the most ordi~ nary of daily activities. As Catholics we are called to renew our world, our society, and our workplace with such generosity that we become living examples of the Gospel message of Christ. Our work not only allows us to provide for ourselves and our f~lies, but also provide for all of society, especially the poor and the marginal who have no voice of their own. 3 Challenging Injustice: RildempUon
Be aware of the suffering and injustice that we experience everyday in our work and daily life. Christ did not condemn organizations and structures, but He did demand that they fulfill the good purpose for which they were intended. We must confront and challenge dysfunctional policies, prac~ tices and values that dehumanize and harm people. When we pray the Lord's Prayer, we are asking for the grace to
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these? Are these real expences of an afterlife, nsltlonal place or easily explained sdentJRcally? Dr. Lynne McConnlck: Its
not a 'near death' experience. Its a 'near eternal' life experience. Fr. nm Dombrowski: I've had one myself. During my last knee replacement operation, my blood pressure dropped. I was in a black and white tunnel and it was very peaceful. ... I've also had patients tell me patients that I have never met - that they recognize me and could describe what I was wearing (while I was in the room at the time they were experiencing a near death situation). Some have told me about sitting on a monitor and watching what is happening to them. I believe that (near death periences) are real but ,lso they are profoundly com· forting. I'm a real believer! ~
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Live Chat Thursday, January 25 9 a.m. • 2 :30 p.m. and again from 7 p.m. • 8 p.m. only on
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stand up and relieve the injustice and suffering we find in our daily work life when and where we can. We also must pray to God to bless and make whole the sufferings which we cannot change and which only God can redeem. When we see injustice or suffering in our workplace, we can ask ourselves the following questions: • Am I causing or contributing to the injustice? Stop! • Can 1 change the situation? Act! • Is this a situation that I cannot change? Offer it to God and ask for His mercy. What is your daily work like for you? Do you see opportunities to freely practice your faith in these or other ways? What are the obstacles or supports that you experience at work? Lat us know your thoughts. You c.n e-men Mlc:hHI SulllvM .t sulllvanmwOeol.com, or sullvananclsullvanOurthllnk.net Michael W. Sullivan, SFO, is a lay member of the Secular Franciscan Order, St. joseph Fraternity. He is a member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Ann Arbor. and president and co.)under of Sullivan and Sullivan, Inc.., a management consulting !firm spedaliring in helping members offamily-owned businesses worn better together.
culture
By Ronald Landfair -· o_holography by James Luning \.,: ) Jod Preparation by Teresa O'Brien
"Wade in the water, wade in th e water children. Wade in the water, don't you know that God's gonna trouble the water:' Cake. Icc cream. Balloons. They're the stuff that birthday dreams are made of. Your birthday is considered your "special day," the first day of your life. But is it really the most significant day of your life? For some, yes. But for oth· ers, there is another day that marks the beginning of such "new life:· It is the day of their baptism. Baptism is the door to Christian life. It is the sacra· ment of spiritual rebirth. The baptized person is '} corporated into Christ, '- · · ~nd cleansed of all sins through the use of appropriate ritual words and the symbolic action of washing with water. They become a member of the Mystical Body and receive the graces of supernatural life. Well, I went to the water one day to pray. Don't you know that God's gonna trouble the water. And my soul got happy and I stayed all day, Don't you know that God's gonna trouble the water. Lyrics from an old Afrlcan·Amorican Spiritual
Oatmeal Cookies ---------~--------------
1 cup butter 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar 1/2 cup granulated sugar 2 eggs lsp. vanilla . 1/2 cups all purpose flour ' ·tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. cinnamon
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1/2 lsp. salt 3 cups quick oats 1 cup chopped nuts (optional) Heat oven to 350". Beat butter and sugars until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. Combine, and then add flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt to mixture. Stir in oats. Drop by tablespoons onto ungrcased or parchment· lined cookie sheet. Bake 1 0 ·12 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool. Yield: 4 dozen cookies
bag, pipe an L·shape for arms, and put a chocolate chip at the end for the hands. With tip #16, and a zig·zag motion, make hair around the peanut butter cup. Use tip #1 03, to form a ruffle around the cookie for the girl angel, and the #3 tip to make the vest for the boy angel. With a small amount of icing, place candy eyes on face. With #3 tip and red icing, make a smile. Sprinkle with while edible glitter. Baptism An niversaries
Cookie Angels -------~----------------
12 oatmeal cookies (cnn be homemade or pre·made cookies) 6 Reese's ~ Peanut Butter Candy Mini·Pieces, cut in half 1 can while frosting Food colorings of choice 24 Reese's R Peanut Butter Chips and/or milk chocolate chips 1 sheet edible rice paper 12 gold·foiled chocolate coins 24 candy eyes Edible glitter White pastry bag with dec· orating tips 1 0, 1 03, 16, and 3 (Some ingredients can be purchased in any cake and candy supply store) Frost cookies with frosting. Cut rice paper into angel wings, and place to the top of the iced cookies. With a small amount of icing, place chocolate coin on top of cookie for halo (if the coin is too large, cut in half). Cut a mini·peanut butter cup in half for the face, and place under the coin leaving some of the coin showing for the halo. With tip #1 0 and pastry
----------·------------Mt. Zion Pastoral Center of Flushing is a community comprised of more than 60 families. Groups and fami· lies celebrate baptisms together, as a communal function. Godchildren or nieces and nephews who might share common bap· tismal dates actually share in celebration together. Heidi Krupp notes, "A for· mer chaplain observed in his homilies and Bible study sessions that this is what it (baptism) is sup· posed to do - to set us apart os we are birthed into the family of God:' Begun nearly 10 years ago, such recognition of baptismal anniversaries is both a regular part of indi· vidual celebration as well as a faith practice of the entire community at Mt. Zion. "I have four godsons and we will have cake and ice cream on their dates of baptism," says Heidi. "I make a big posterboard and put different symbols on it referencing things like water, how we arc baptized as priests, prophets and king. We pull out pictures
of their baptisms and we recall the stories surrounding them. I remember how my niece (as a baby) could not take her eyes off the pascal candle, She kept her eyes on it during the entire ceremony:· Heidi invites all Christians to remember their baptismal call. ''Remember that we are called to be intercessors, to serve and he God's spokespersons:· Christine Jones of St. John Student Parish, East Lansing, also recognizes the date of baptism as a cause for celebration. "Right now, I do it for two of my nephews and one 1 other family friend,' Christine says. "Next year, I'll do it for my newborn daughter as well. " I think it's im portant to acknowledge their baptism into Christ's family, as it shows that they are one of Jesus' special children:· Jones has a unique way to celebrate a baptism anniversary through the gifts she gives. "I always try to stick with the theme of water when buying presents as baptismal gifts to remind them of the impor· lance of the sacrament,'' she explains. "I have to make cards because I can't find any anniversary car ds for baptism:· For Heidi and Christine, the sacrament of Christmn baptism calls us to cele· brate the familiar old refrain with new lyrics. For them, the lyrics are: Happy Baptismal Date t o you! Happy Baptismal Date to you! Happy Baptismal Date to you! Happy B aptismal Date to you!
II ~nyono ever asks you whether or not you ore a "bom•ogaln" Christian, answer YES! If you were baptised, you were "bom·ogaln" In Ctuisl.
community SUNDAY READINGS JanUiry 7 Solemnity of tlte Bpfphany oftlte Iwril laeiah 60:1-8 Psalm 72:2, 7-8, 1D-18 liphelianl3:2-31. 5·8
Matthew 2:1-1 2 J•nuary 14
Second Sunday In Ordfnary Time Isaiah 82:1-5 PAlin 98: 1·8, 7·1 0 1 Coririthiana 12 :-4--11 John 2: 1-1'1 J~21
rifriSIU!day In OriiMry :z'fmc: Nehemiah 8:~ 5·8, 8-10 PaaJm 19:8-10, 115 1 Corinthians 12:112-80 l:.Uka 1:1-4, 4~,, +21 Janu.ry28 f011rth S~~ In Ordfnary TI~~te Jeremiah 1:-4--5, 17-1 9 Pa}llm 71 :1 ;8, l!H 7 1Corinllilni12:31 ~1S:1 S or 13:4-13 . . . 4 :21·30
JANUARY EVENTS Four local YoulhiYoung Adult grants will be avaHable for up to $500 each for parish groups participating in projects that work to change the conditions that cause poverty. To receive an application, call lisa Strother or Suzie Wetherell at (517) 342·2463. The deadline for submissions is Jan. 5. The Knights of Columbus Council of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, Burton, will host a fish fry Friday, Jan. 5, at the parish school. Dinners will be served from 4·7p.m. Bishop Carl Mengeling ia extend· ing an invitation to a celebration of the Eucharist closing the Jubilee Year 2000 on Saturday, Jan. 6 , at 5 p.m. The M888 will be held at St. Mary Cathedral and a reception will follow at the parish hall.
Voc;atlons Awareness Week will be celebrated Jan. 7· 12. The Office of Vocations for the Diocese of Lansing will sponsor a Vocation Fair Sunday, Feb. 18, at St. John Student Parish, East Lansing. Representatives from many ralj. gious congregations as well es diocesan vocation offices will be available to discuss options for those interested in exploring a vocation. A concert featuring the Christian rock group Who Do You Say that I Am? will also be held at the fair. For information on voca· lions or the fair, call Sr. Carla Moeggenborg at (517) 342·2506. St. John Student Parish, East Lansing, will hold a labyrinth prayer -lk Monday, Jan. 8, from 6 :30·8:30 p.m. All are welcome to join in for a time of personal prayer and reflection. Join members of the music min· iatry program at St. John Student Parish, East Lansing, as they con· tinue to celebrate the Christmas season with a special presentation of John Purifoy's Touched by a Child, Touched by a King Thursday, Jan. 11 , at 7 :30p.m. The cantata features beloved carols intertwined with new music. Following the presentation, sample sugary Christmas delights and join in a aing·along of popular songs and some not so·well·known carols from Germany, South Africa, the Netherlands and the Caribbean. Livingston regional Basic Foccus/Spowor Couple Training will be held Jan. 15, 22 and 29 from 7·9 p.m. at St. John Catholic Church, Hartland. This training is for newly recruited Foccus Couples or any couple that has not received Foccua training. Register by calling Family Ministry at (51 7) 342·2458. Bishop Carl Mangeling and his Christian Initiation Steering Committee invite all parish initia· tion teams to a day of prayer and formation Saturday, Jan. 20, from 8 :30 a.m.-3 ·30 p m. at St. Michael Church, Aint. The day will include morning prayer, an address by the bishop, a plenary session on the history of the catechumenate,
FAITH is available on audiotape by requesl
12 workshops, and an experience of the rites for the period of Purification and Enlightenment. Priests, deacons, RCIA diractora (for adults and children), catechists, sponsora, musicians, liturgists, and hospitality committees are encouraged to attend. Brochures have been mailed to parishes. For information, please call (517) 342· 2480 or (517) 342·2502. Adult Singles and Young Adult Ministry Mass and luncheon with Bishop Carl Mengeling will be held at St. Mary Cathedral Sunday, Jan. 21, at 12 p.m. Lunch will follow at Madonna Hall with Bishop Mengeling talking on topics of interest to singlas and young adults. To register, call the Adult Singles and Young Adult Ministry Program at (517) 342·2494. The 38 grade schools and four high schools of the Lansing Diocese will celebrate Catholic
Sclwols: Heralds of Good Nnvs during the annual Catholic; Sc:hoola Week Jan. 28·Feb. 3. An All Schools Mass will be held at St. Mary Cathedral Monday, Jan. 29, at 10 a.m. Bishop Carl Mengeling will preside. Worldwide Marriage Encounter of Lansing will host the organization's Wortd Marrtaga Day CelebniUon Saturday, Feb. 3. The event will begin with 4:30 p.m. Maas and a renewal of marriage vows at St. Thomas Aquinas Pariah, East Lansing. Bishop Carl Mengaling will preside at the Mass which is open to couples of all faiths. A din· ner dance will follow at Michigan State Univeraity'a Kellogg Center. Reservations are required for the dinner and will be accepted until Jan. 26 by calling Blaine or Dawn Simon at (51 7) 485·4724.
"The Pusion of St. Marie, a Theater Piece b Chlri:MI" wu a glfUo ttJe City of F.lint for the Jubilee Yelr, and It wu not lilce ~pillion pi¥. Pniimed In modem dreea and lOng recently, "The Pulion of St. Mark" ~'t lrjng to re-crilata hiMcwy, but trilld to lfiterpret the meaage of Mark's ~for the Fliflt c:ommurllty, wlic:h hie eiperi! enced ita ahera of govemmtlflt8l p,roblema and poor ir'n9 c!uring the P.Mt year, aald F.r. Gary Mdrinia. "FFIiit his hid Ha Mrd timalland Marl<'a meaage il-lirMtj." The cast Mil COIYipC*Id of . .ilhb~ of local Cllholia and f.'riltaltant churcheL rl lOOO
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Sponsored by the Diocese of Lansing's Office of Blade Catholic Ministry, this Blood Drive is the finll coordinated effort of ita kind in the United Slates. Be a part of living his· tory and give the gift of lifa for others. Saturday, Jan. 13 • St. John Student Center, East
I Lansing, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. • Great Lakes Regional Blood Center 1800 E. Grand River Avenue, Lansing, 9 am. 3 p m. • Red Cross Donor Room, 14 0 1 Grand Traverse Avenue, Flint, 9 a.m.·3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14 • H<*t Redeemer, 8u1on, 9 am·3 pm. Monday, Jan.15 Martin Luther King Jr. Day • Immaculate Heart of Mary Pansh, Lansing, 2 p.m.·B p m. • St. Agnes Catholic Church, Aint. The All Ministers Retraat will be 9a.m.·3 p.m. held Feb. 5·8 at St. Francis • First Umted Method1st Church, Retreat Canter. Fr. Douglas 1230 Bower Street. Howell, Osborn, pastor of St. John Vianney 2 pm·B pm. Parish of Aint, will serve as pre• St. John the Evangelist, Jackson, senter. For information or to regia· 9 a.m·3 pm. ter for the retreat, contact Mary • Great Lakes Regional Blood Tardif, Director of the Diocese of Center, 1800 E. Grand River Lansing's Lay Ministry Program, at Avenue, Lansing. noon 6 p m. (517) 342·2512 or via e-mail at • Red Cross Donor Room, 140 1 mtardi@diocaseoflansing.org Grand Traverse Avenue, Aint, 1·7 p.m.
can (517) 342·2500.
NaUonal Movie Review Line To find out if a movie meets your standard and values before you go to the theater, call the Catholic
Communications Campaign National Movie Review Line at (800) 3 t t4CCC. The reviews will tell you the aertainment values and moral qualities of current releaaea as well as a video ol the week.
Sl John Student Parish Pilgrimage The Catholic Student Organization of St. John Student Pariah recently sponsored a walk· ing Jubilee Pilgrimage from their East Lansing church to St. Mary's Cathedral. A group comprised of university students, young professionals from the parish as well as a family of four from St. Thomas Aquinas Church welked, prayed, sang songs and chatted during the four-mile trek to the Cathedral. Stopping at WomanCare, a clinic that performs abortions, the pilgrims prayed the rosary for all women, children, and men who suffer because of abortion. "The weather was gorgeous and the company realy made the pilgrim~'r' ~. ~-real experience," said Katie ~the pilgrimage coordinator. The group topped the day off by attending Mass at the Cathedral.
Vocations Awareness Week Jan. 7·12 The following are lips for parents in helping to nurture voca• tlons in their children from the earliest years to adulthood:
The earliest years • Let your children see you pray. • Show evidence of God's love for your child - people, beauty of nature, good things that happen. The primary level • Read about jesus calling His apostles to follow Him. • Read and talk about Mary's ~yes ~ to God. The Intermediate level • Talk about the various roles the ministers in your church provide for the parish family. • Talk about using talents to serve others.
The junior high level • Be realistic about the Church and clarify the things they have questions about. • Engage in open and healthy conversatio ns with your child ren about their hopes and d reams. The high school level • Discuss all options for your childs future. Encourage them to consider a life of service in Church ministry. • Be real when you talk about vocations to the Church. Vocations do require sacrifice but also offer great rewards.
Flints Christ the King Parish for 50 years. The school operated as SL. Agnes School from 1942 to VIsitors enjoy spirit, song during all•school Mass the early '70s before it became overseen by the area ;;~~:~;;;,:~~~-----------Catholic Board of Education. The Catl10lic Times The board was prepared to close down the school in 1980 when the Flint Catholic You know that good feel· Urban Ministry. composed of lng you get when you step five Flint area parishes, out of church after a partie· decided DuKette would ularly uplifting service? operate as a mission school. Take that feeling and multi· ply It by 1 0 following an According to Wilson, the all·school Mass with school has a mission to DuKeHe catholic School evangelize, but also to students at SL Agnes respect the many different Church In FllnL religious denominations of Just ask the Flushing St. DuKette students. Wilson way that is intended for Robert School football team said Dominique Hightower, young listeners. During which was recently invited a seventh-grader at DuKette Communion every student to attend Mass at St. Agnes and altar server for school comes forward to receive a with their fellow DuKeue Mass, is not a Catholic but special blessing even if he or team members. expressed a desire to convert. she is not a Catholic. "When Mass was over, the "He said he felt so differ"Father reads the Gospel St. Robert kids didn't want ent standing up there on the and we share it in the form of to leave," said Gail allar with Father," Wilson music with the congregation," Negrinelli, principal at "He said, 'I want to be said. said Helen Wilson, who DuKette. "They wanted to Catholic; I want to take teaches religion and music at celebrate Mass at their Communion.' DuKette Catholic School. school in the same way." "Things like that excite me," "The little kids like coming Much of the excitement over Wilson added. together to pray and sing. Mass at St. Agnes stems Dominique, who is a mem"Visitors say, 'Can we get from the toe tapping gospel ber of the SL. Robert-DuKette this spirit in our school?' songs sung during Mass and Mustang football team, spoke They love everything the uncoached accompanyDuKeue stands for, and they to Fr. Eisele about this desire ing clapping hands that to become a Catholic. While want to take that feeling shows DuKeue students are school officials respect back to their school." happy to celebrate Jesus. Dominique$ religious back· On Nov. 4 DuKeHe Despite the fact that only ground, the boys family has catholic School celebrated 10 of the 186 students at to give the situation decided Its 20th anniversary with a DuKette School are Catholic Mass, reception and open consideration. and not one student is house. Then Nov. 1o called "I feel fortunate to stand white, schoolchildren sing for another celebration up there and lead the kids from the heart and listen Fr. Norman DuKeHe's birth· in song," Wilson said. day. Fr. DuKette, the first attentively to Fr. Jim Eisele, "We're bringing the kids to black priest in the Diocese pastor of St. Agnes, who Christ. relays the Word of God in a of Lansing, was pastor at "What else is therer
Dukette School observes 20t anniversary ----------------------
Health and Faith By Barbara White, M.A. Parish nurse ministry Is
a holistic practice blending wellness of body·mhtd·splrtL The parish nurse does not perform any invasive procedures. She is, however, a health educator, a health counselor, a referral agent and liaison with parish and community resources, a facilitator of volunteers, and an integrator of faith and health. Hospital systems now recosnize the value of the faith~ based ministry. Michele Schultz, Director of the Genesys Parish Nurse Program, says that as 1\1~ health care Is becoming V..JI high tech, we need heaHh care that Is high touch. The parish nurse can be the thread supporting the parishioners in their continued wellness. As program director of the Health Care and Social Ministry of Catholic Social Services of Lansing/St. Vincent Home, Inc., I am privileged to be working with the parishes of the Lansing region of our diocese to develop and support the parish nursing program. Through the support and direction of the pastoral care department of Ingham Regional Medical Center, the Greater Lansing Health Ministries Consortium (GLHMC) was begun three years ago and has 14 mem· hers. Learn more about thetf. GLHMC by visiting ~ members.aol.com/glhmc
ocalnews Seeker of Justice Bishop Povish honored for working toward social justice By Evelyn Barella The Catl1olic Times
Bishop Kenneth J. Povlsh, retired bishop of the Lansing Diocese, received the Dr. Albert Wheeler Seeker of Justice Award at the Catholic Campaign for Human Development's (CCHD) Celebration of stlc:e dinner Nov. 2. ~No one is a stranger to shop Povish," said Bob Smith, chairman of the Department of Catholic Charities for the Lansing Diocese. "He is a humble man, but also a fighter." Smith said Bishop Povish is not only a fighter for social justice, but also a fighter when it comes to his personal struggle with cancer. Smith recalls a time when, as a new priest, Bishop Povish worked in a social service agency. "He said he couldn't be a social worker or work in an agency because he couldn't stand to see women cry," Smith said. Bishop Povish was so compassionate and felt so strongly about helping those in poveny that he voted to establish CCHD during his st year as bishop of rookston, Minn. , in the early '70s.
When Pope Paul VI appointed Bishop Povish to serve the Dtocese of Lansing in 1975, one of the first areas where he concentrated his efforts was the reorganization of the Catholic Charities office. ln july 1983, the Peace and justice Ministry was formed and, as a result, helped to positively motivate parishioners. Today, Bishop Povish remains concerned about four main issues Americans face : black and white, war and peace, bread and butter, and air and water. Presented annually, the Lansing Diocese's Seeker of justice Award was established in 1991 to mark the international celebration of 100 years of Catholic social teaching. The premiere award was given to Dr. Albert Wheeler, a founding member of the CCHD. Following that initial pres¡ entation, the award was renamed in his honor.
FIVe Men Ordained to Transitional Diaconate Five men were ordained to the transitional diaconate Nov. 18 at St. Mary Cathedral. Bishop Mengeling called the five seminarians "a jubilee gift of themselves to the Church." The five new deacons are Palrtc:k Agunwa, St. Agnes, Flint; Roy Homing, St. john, Fenton; and David Hudgins, Gerald Gawronski, and John Rocus, all of St. Thomas the Apostle, Ann Arbor. Eric Weber, a seminiarian from Most Holy Trinity, Fowler, was ordained to the transitional diaconate Oct. 5 in Rome. The new deacons will be ordained to the priesthood next june.
The newly ordained deacons, clockwise from lop left: Deacon Agunwa, Deacon Homing, Deacon Gawronski, Deacon Weber, Deacon Rocus, and Deacon Hudgins
We Remember
from the Office of Cemel.eties Missionary of the Month Therese Hesllp of the Legionnaires of Christ has worked as an edUAtor In Monterrey, Mexico for the last three years. Therese Is from St. Augustine Pllrish In Deerflekllbwnshlp <HoweiO. Ten Masses wiU be offered by priests of her ntHglous order for those ~who were burled In our diocesan cemeteries In November. If you would like to have memorial Masses offered by mlulonarfes for your deceased loved ones, send stipends to: Diocese of Lansing, 300 West OttaWII Sm.et, Lansing, Ml 48933. Please make the check PIIY8ble to "Missionary of the Month:' If you know a son or daughter of the Lansing Diocese currently MI'VIng In a mission. please forward their names to the Missionary of the Month Program, 300 West Ottawa Street, Lansing, Ml 48933. The nthlng Comnilttee of St. JoHph'a Parish, Dexter will be gifting a portion of their envelope proceeds each month to the uMiulonary of the Month." www.FAITHmag.com
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january 2001
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FAITH M~g:~ztnc
t eworld Eating right: Theologians debate virtue of fast food, slow dining
Human dignity at core of bioethics, cardinal says DEERFIELD. U1 (CNS)-
Only when doctors and scientists consider the digniaround the table for holiday ty of every human being can they tap the potential of the feasts this year, theologians genetics revolution and in Italy were debating avoid its pitfalls, Cardinal whether such formal and drawn-out meals were moral- Francis E. George of Chicago told members of ly superior to fast-food fare. the Center for Bioethics and Massimo Salani, who Dignity. Human teaches at a theological All humans are made in institute in Pisa, struck a nerve when he declared that the image of God from the moment of conception, said the invasion of Europe by the cardinal. McDonald's and other He delivered a talk on quick-stop eateries signaled "Christian Vision for Moral the "complete neglect of the Decisions in Bioethics~ at sacred nature of food." the organizations annual Burgers and fries are cerconference recently at tainly not a "Catholic" type Trinity International of meal, he told the Italian newspaper Avvenire recently. University in Deerfield. "Our increasing knowl"Personally, I don't like edge and ability to tranthe food of McDonald's in a scend physical restraints city like Rome, which has also hold the potential for exquisite cooking. BUL it's a offenses against human digquestion of taste - let's not nity,~ the cardinal said, bring religion into it," said to practices such as pointing Swiss Fr. Georges Cottier, vitro fertilization and artiin the papal theologian. By john Thav~:~ (CNS) ficial insemination, in which what some call "spare embryos" are created and often destroyed. Only by being open to the humanity of every individual, and embracing a Christian ethic for the good · of all, can society avoid the traps of labeling some individuals unworthy of life, the cardinal said. VATICAN CITI (CNS)-
As Americans gathered
Atlanta Braves slugger credits cancer recovery to Mary ATI.ANTA (CNS) -
An initial meeting with Atlanta Braves first baseman Andres Galarraga reveals a confident man with a smile few can resist talking about. His baseball career - which includes 356 homers, 1,253 RBls and four All-Star games - gives plenty to be happy about. But Galarraga would say his smile is born of something deeper: trust in God and a belief that Mary mterceded to help cure him of cancer.
The 39-year-old native of Venezuela, who lives in West Palm Beach, Fla., was diag- A nosed with non-Hodgkins •Jl lymphoma, or cancer in the lymph system, in February 1999. Although doctors were optimistic about his potential for recovery, Galarragas first reaction was different. "I thought I would be dying that day," he said in an interview with The Florida Catholic, newspaper of six Florida dioceses. The most difficult thing
Archbishop McCarrick to head Archdiocese of Washington, D .C.
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Archbishop Theodore McCarrick, 70, of Newark, N.J., h as been named the new head of the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. He replaces Cardinal James A. Hickey, 80, who formally resigned for reasons of age. ' ).
By Mlchdrc Matlin (CNSJ
For more C&thollc news, subscribe to lltc Calltoflc Times, an authorized news waekly of the Diocese of Lansing (517) 793·7661 or subscribe by e-mail ctedltone@aol.com
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Atlanta Bn~ves' first baseman Andres Galarraga. shown sliding Into home plate. credits his recovery from non路 Hodgkin's lymphoma to Mary's Intercession.
was to tell his daughters, Andria, 15, Katherine, 8, and Andrianna, 2, that their father had cancer, he said. Galarraga said it was his familys positive attitude, coupled ~th their prayers to God \1/J!Jd requests for Mary's intercession, that helped him to stay strong through the course or his illness. One day, he said, someone suggested he should buy white roses to honor the Mystical Rose. "We couldn't find white roses at the time so we bought some orange instead," he said. He told his wife he didn't think the color mattered much. DetroH Cardinal Adam Maida, flanked by Boston Cardinal Bamard Law and Washington, D.C. Cardinal James Hickey, cuts the rib路 bon for the preview open-
He said three of the dozen orange roses turned white. His wife later rubbed some crushed petals from the bouquet onto his back. Convinced of Marys intercessory role on his behalf, Galarraga said, "I feel like it is the Virgins and Gods will that I am still going and here playing the game." Although he missed the entire 1999 season, by that September Galarraga was able to travel with his teammates again. Tests in December showed he was cancer-free. Galarraga takes no credit for himself. He said he learned at a young age to thank God for everything. "When I play baseball路or win an award, I thank God. My father was always like that and so I am and so l do the same with my kids,n he said. By )uti(lit Glasow (CNSJ
lng of the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center In Washington Nov. 12. The lnten~ctlve museum and study center will open to the public In March. teNs>
eLastWord ... Baslc Principles of Life Science vs. Rdigion? Not. Most Rev. Kennett! J. Povlsh
A basic principle of science is this: For every effect !:here is a cause. 1 leamed路l:his in !:he ninth grade in General Science, and it was sttessed again in the first week of the eleventh grade in Physics. Thomas Aqui~. !:he great philosopher-theologian, stressed this principle way back in the lBI:h century to sbow how it is a proof of the existence of God. Aquinas noted that there was movement and cW!,nge in the worla and asked what caused it. A ball will stay put unless someone touches it or somel:hing pushes it, Aquinas said. We have to say that !:he eanh and the planets had to be moved by some prior power or mover or they would long ago have perished. The effect (movement) has to have a cause. You can't go back, back, back in an infinite series of causes. Somewhere there had to be a beginning. Was it !:he ~Big Bang"? If so, what caused !:he Big Bang? Aquinas would have said it had to be the First Mover, itself unmoved; and he called that Mover God. Darwin and his followers offer rather convincing arguments to show that man (homo sapiens) evolved bodily from !:he primates, !:he apes. Apes in tum evolved from a lower form, lets say !:he dog. The dog evolved from !:he squirrel, !:he squirrel from !:he bird, !:he bird from the grasshopper, !:he grasshopper from the worm, the worm from !:he amoeba, the tiniest and simplest one-ce1\living thing. ~ did tliat tiniest, simplest, one-cell living thing come from? It was an effect- and had to have a cause. You can't go back, back, back in an infinite series of causes. Somewhere life had to have a beginning. Aquinas would have said it had to be the creator, itself uncreated; and he called that Creator God. Since God is the aul:hor of both, !:here really cannot be contradiction between true science and true religion. Conflicts have arisen in !:he past century, however, because of the positions of the biblical fundamentalists who insist that !:he Scriptures must be taken literally in everything !:hey ~y about geography, physiology, philology. anthropology, biology, etc. The Scriptures teach religion, not science. The sacrea writers were people of their own time, and.they reflect the views of the people of their time on secular matters. So they tell a charming. well-arranged Middle Eastern story that is not even original with them, about !:he heavens and the earl:h created in seven i:lays of 24 hours each about 5800 years ago. The eanh iS.fiat and is !:he center of !:he universe, !:he sun rises and sets, and the.sky is blue because there is water up there that comes down as rain. The first woman was formed from the first mans rib, etc. All this is the substance of the Creationism vs. Evolution battle that goes on in the American Bible Belt. But our religion tells us we can believe in evolution if !:he eviCience for it convinces us, because, if it is true, God had to start it and guide it. All glory anc1 praise to Him! In fact, we believers owe a lot to the world of Science. In the past century, Science has shown the universe to be a bigger, grander, more amazing complex than.we moderns could ever have imagined. We can only bow our heads and say, "To !:he King of the ages, who is immortal and invisible, the one only God, be honor and glory forever.~
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300 W Onawa Lansing, MI 48933 Cdebr:~ting 2,000 years of Christianity