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Catholic Schools What is the state of our Catholic Schools? What are their successes and _ challenges?
work life
how do I do the right thing and still earn a profit? establishing a purpose for your work
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editor Bertha’s gentle soul a model of God’s love f r o m
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uring the summer between my freshman and sophomore years in high school, I met one of the gentlest souls I have ever known. Her name was Bertha, and she was a resident in the county nursing home at which I was volunteering as part of my confirmation service project. At the age of 89, Bertha was the oldest person I had ever had the pleasure of knowing. The lessons she shared with me that summer have stuck with me despite the nearly 30 years that have since passed.
Bertha grew up on a farm in central Michigan. She often spoke fondly of her childhood and the dedicated work ethic that her parents fostered in Bertha and her siblings. At a young age, Bertha developed rheumatoid arthritis – the kind that gnarls the hands and fingers, twisting them and painfully enlarging the joints. The arthritis eventually affected her hips, knees and ankles so that, by the time Bertha reached early middle age, she was severely crippled. She made a slow progression from walking with a cane to crutches and finally to a wheelchair. When I met Bertha, she was confined to an electric wheelchair that she was able to direct with a small joystick. It was easy to tell when Bertha was in pain, but she never said a word. The occasional grimace would cross her face and she sometimes groaned faintly, but those were the only outward expressions that telegraphed Bertha’s daily agony. I found it astounding that she never I found it all the more astounding complained or asked for pity. I found it all the more astounding that Bertha had discovered amazing ways by which she was able not only to cope with her limitations, that Bertha but turn them to a kind of advantage – not so much for herself, but for her fellow had discovered amazing ways by residents. which she was able One of the many skills Bertha had learned as a child was to crochet beautifully. It was amazing to watch her hands as they would slowly yet deftly create beautiful afghans not only to cope with her limitations, as gifts for her fellow residents and for sale in the nursing home gift shop. Bertha felt but turn them to a strongly that there was nothing more comforting than a warm, hand-made afghan, kind of advantage and she loved knowing that she was doing what she could to make the best of a bad – not so much for situation. I also came to admire her self-styled form of efficiency that was revealed herself, but for her in her own wise words, “If you cant walk, you’ve got to make every step count.” She was a victor, not a victim. fellow residents. I took some time that summer to find out how much yarn was needed to make an average afghan. With a few careful questions, a little research and some figuring, I was astonished to discover that Bertha crocheted, on average, about 15 miles of yarn each year. That figure paled in comparison, however, to the gentle, uncomplaining and gracious way in which Bertha chose to deal with her limitations. The spiritual works of mercy encourage us to bear wrongs patiently. Through her own faith-filled and gentle witness, Bertha taught me that God’s grace can help us to do that and much more. After all, as she would say, if we can’t walk, we’ve got to make every step count. And so our journey in FAITH continues.
T. Gennara
– Fr. Dwight Ezop is Editor of FAITH Magazine and pastor of the Catholic Community of St. Jude.
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inside 22 what you’ll get out of this issue
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• Dear Fr. Joe: forgive and forget? 6 in the know with Fr. Joe
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s t o r y “It’s the disease, not the person.” The challenges and joys of taking care of Grandma. Pam Bolam’s grandmother inspired her to become a caregiver for people with Alzheimer’s. – Nancy Schertzing
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s p e c i a l r e p o r t The state of our schools. A special report about the future of Catholic education in the Diocese of Lansing.
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What color is God’s skin? Deacon Oliver Washington’s experience of being black and Catholic. From his decision to convert to Catholicism to entering the diaconate, Oliver Washington’s faith has shaped his life – overcoming obstacles that included racism. Read about his journey in the Catholic Church. – Nancy Schertzing
– Fr. Joseph Krupp
• She’s a nag; he’s a slob – what to do when you don’t agree about housekeeping. 8 your marriage matters – Deb McCormack
• How to build a parenting consensus when you disagree. 9 the parenting journey – Dr. Cathleen McGreal
• How do I do the right thing and still make money? Establishing a purpose for your work. 11 work life – Tim Ryan • A step-by-step guide through the church’s liturgies. 12 theology 101 – Elizabeth Solsburg
• What I learned from my uncle who fought in World War II – for the Germans. 14 from the bishop – Most Rev. Carl F. Mengeling
• White martyrdom – how we can ‘lay down our lives for our friends’ every day. 24 spiritual fitness – Fr. Bill Ashbaugh
Liturgical Calendar: Ash Wednesday March 1 | St. Casimir March 4 | Sts. Perpetua and Felicity, Martyrs March 7 | St. John of God, Religious March 8
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letters ette
The Magazine of the Catholic Diocese of Lansing
Most Reverend Carl F. Mengeling PUBLISHER
dear editor:
Rev. Charles Irvin FOUNDING EDITOR
March 2006 • Volume 7 : Issue 2
l o c a l
Rev. Dwight Ezop EDITOR IN CHIEF
n e w s
l e t t e r s
Patrick M. O’Brien MANAGING EDITOR/CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Elizabeth Martin Solsburg ASSISTANT EDITOR/STAFF WRITER
At St. Francis Retreat Center
Patrick Dally ART DIRECTOR/WEB DESIGNER
Jillane Job SUBSCRIPTIONS/SECRETARY
Patricia Oliver SECRETARY
Rev. William Ashbaugh Michelle DiFranco Marybeth Hicks Elizabeth Johnson Rev. Joseph Krupp Deb McCormack Cathleen McGreal John Morris Rick and Diane Peiffer Rose Robertson Tim Ryan Allena Tapia Sara Teller CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Derek Melot Margaret Perrone PROOFREADING
Tom Gennara Christine Jones James Luning (cover) CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Vicki Bedard Wayne Case Patricia Garcia Mary Jo Gilliland Diane Nowak Margaret Perrone James Rhadigan Ricardo Rodriguez Dcn. David Rosenberg Rev. James Swiat Peter Wagner Sharon Wimple ADVISORY BOARD
FAITH Publishing Ser vice Rev. Dwight Ezop CHAIRMAN
Patrick M. O’Brien PRESIDENT/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Beverly Sherman SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER
Enomhen Odigie GRAPHIC/WEB DESIGN
InnerWorkings PRINT MANAGEMENT
FAITHPublishingService.com FAITH™ (USPS 019993) is a membership publication of the Catholic Diocese of Lansing, 300 W. Ottawa, Lansing, MI 48933. Published monthly except February and August. Subscription rates are $15 per year. Individual issues are $2.50. Send all subscription information and address changes to 209 Seymour Ave., Lansing, MI 48933; 517. 342.2595; fax 517.342.2537 or e-mail jjob@dioceseoflansing.org. Periodicals Postage Paid at Lansing, MI or additional offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: FAITH™, 209 Seymour Ave., Lansing, MI 48933. ©FAITH Publishing Service. FAITH is a trademark of FAITH Publishing Service.
Subscriptions: 1.517.342.2595
Msgr. William Fitzgerald facilitated an Advent Day of Prayer on Dec. 8 More than 70 people listened to his talk on “moving into the light during Advent.” Sabbath Time Retreats at St. Francis Retreat Center, funded by a Lilly grant, provide spiritual renewal for ministers of all denominations. The recent retreat, Dec. 5-7, had 34 guests, some of whom were parish staff and some who were chaplains for at-risk youth.
Ann Martinuzzi St. Mary, Pinckney
s n a p s h o t
Matthewdavid Bradbury looks over FAITH while his mother registers the family at IHM Parish in Lansing.
in the beginning
Dear Editor: I am always offended when I hear the term “cradle Catholic.” Why do you promote a term that is offensive to the 21.33 million of us who have never drifted from the traditions and teachings of the church since our baptism and confirmation? ...Your message to our kids is that they are not as good as converts ... simply because we were born into a Catholic family. ...
by Chris Sushynski
To the editor: I love FAITH Magazine; I read it cover to cover. ...What upsets me is when you start an article and at the end you tell us if we want to finish the story or want more information about said story we have to consult your Web site. ... Paul Martin Queen of the Miraculous Medal, Jackson
To the editor: ... I felt compelled to respond to one of the top 10 Catholic news segments. ...I don’t believe in punishing a whole group for the wrongdoings of a few, which is what our church is doing by prohibiting homosexuals from becoming priests. Being homosexual does not make someone a child molester, just as working for the post office doesn’t make someone a gun-toting lunatic ... Karen Renehan
Dear Fr. Ezop: I belong to the Diocese of Saginaw, which should envy such a magazine. I enjoyed your editorial in the December issue. Your articles of Catholics returning to their faith are inspiring and essential ... Thank you for your mission! Alice Fortier Saginaw, Mich.
St. Frances of Rome, Religious March 9 | St. Patrick, Bishop March 17 | St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Bishop and Doctor March 18 | St. Joseph, Husband of the Virgin Mary March 20 | S
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s web s saint ai St. Colette
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f all the traits my husband brought to our gene pool, one of the strongest is the “pack rat” gene. All four children got it. I didn’t realize it would carry so readily from one generation to the next. Yet it turns out that the propensity to display the plastic bowling trophies you earned as a child in the 1960s recurs and is evident in your offspring, who cling to their old Beanie Babies as if to a life preserver.
T. Gennara
There’s probably some biologi- tended family had collected and stored every term paper, prom cal term for this trait (“pack-ratdress, winter coat, Ping Pong tedness”?). Also, it probably paddle and paint can with which reflects some deep-seated psythey had ever come into contact. chological manifestation, such as It took a 15-yard Dumpster and the irrational fear of letting go of a 12-foot moving van to clear out broken watches or pilled sweaters. Whatever its roots, the inabil- all the stuff, a good portion of which now sits in my basement, ity to look at a dilapidated board neatly packed in U-Haul boxes, game and see it as anything but refuse is most certainly a function awaiting the assessment of a future generation. of heredity. On the other hand, I inherI know this because when my ited the gene from my parents widowed mother-in-law passed that compels a person to donate away several years ago any article of clothing that and left her home hasn’t been worn in a year, and belongings to and especially any pair of my husband, her pants that collects dust only child, we while waiting in the closet had to clean for your hips magically her house. to reduce themselves This was a home in which to a former size. three generations Which brings had lived, and me to the day I where, I discovcleaned closets. ered, an entire ex– Marybeth Hicks What happened in Marybeth’s closet? Read more, along with exclusive essays and news briefs only on FAITHmag.com.
helped reform the Poor Clares s a i n t
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St. Colette Feast Day: March 6 Born: Jan, 13, 1381 Died: March 6, 1447 Claim to fame: St. Colette, or Nicolette, as she was sometimes known, was a religious reformer who founded 17 Franciscan convents and brought many others back to their original rule, despite much opposition and abuse. She traveled throughout France, Savoy, Burgundy, Flanders and Spain spreading her message. One branch of the Poor Clares is known as the Colettines in her honor. While she was blessed in her mission by the schismatic Pope Benedict XIII, who professed her as a Poor Clare and made her superior of all Franciscan convents she might found or reform, she worked with St. Vincent Ferrer to heal the papal schism and return the papacy to its rightful path. Little-known fact: Colette’s parents were nearly 60 years old when she was born in 1381 in Picardy, France. She was named Nicolette in honor of St. Nicholas of Myra. What made her a saint: Colette was attracted to religious life from the time she was a child, and she let nothing stand in her way: not her guardian’s wishes that she marry; not her rejection by two different religious orders; not even the abuse, slander and accusations of sorcery with which she met when she tried to preach her message of religious reform. Colette, as a follower of St. Francis of Assisi, had a great love of animals. She was also deeply devoted to the mysteries of Christ’s passion, fasting every Friday while meditating on the Passion. Lowest/scariest moment: While Colette was an anchoress – a kind of hermit who was walled into a cell which had as its only opening a grilled window into a church – she had visions of St. Francis of Assisi, who told her to reform the order of St. Clare to its original severity. When she was unsure about following the vision, she was struck blind for three days and mute for another three days. She took these trials as a sign that she needed to follow St. Francis’ bidding. Best quote: “If there be a true way that leads to the everlasting kingdom, it is most certainly that of suffering, patiently endured.” How did she die: While in a state of ecstasy after receiving holy Communion, St. Colette foretold the date of her own death. She died of natural causes on March 6, 1447, in Belgium. She was 66 years old. Prayer: St. Colette, you followed your heart and worked to make your vision a reality, even though many others opposed your work. Help us to persevere in the face of challenges, and to always follow God’s will for us, even when it seems impossible to do. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. – Elizabeth Johnson
20 | St. Toribio de Mogrovejo, Bishop March 23 | The Annunciation of the Lord March 25
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dear Fr. Joe: forgive and forget? i n
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Dear Fr. Joe: I am really confused about forgiveness. I know we are supposed to forgive everyone, but does that mean I have to stay in the relationship? My marriage counselor is telling me something different. Please help.
W
ow, great question and tough issue. The amazing thing is, I just had this discussion with some of my students and they were so relieved by what I am about to tell you. I hope and pray this helps. I am going to take you through three steps in this answer, and they look something like this: 1. We are to forgive always and everywhere. 2. While we are always called to forgive, we may not be called to reconcile. 3. Forgiveness is a process, not a moment. OK, we must always forgive. Jesus, by his word and example, demands this of us; he doesn’t suggest it. The catechism gives us some great words on this subject in sections 2840 and 2845. In it, the church reminds us that if we don’t forgive others, we harden our hearts to the ability to receive forgiveness. Interestingly enough, we also learn in this section that something that can help us be more forgiving is to receive forgiveness in the sacrament of reconciliation ourselves, but we’ll get into that later. Section 2845 reminds us that God’s power to forgive is without limit, which should give FAITH Magazine
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Four high-school boys afflicted with spring fever skipped morning classes. After lunch, they reported to the teacher that they had a flat tire. Much to their relief, she smiled and said: “Well, you missed a test today so take seats apart from one another and take out a piece of paper.” Still smiling, she waited for them to sit down. Then she said,”First question: Which tire was flat?” of that event. We don’t need the us hope. When we have trouble other person’s cooperation to do forgiving, we can call upon the this; we only need our desire to strength from heaven that is beforgive and our ability to call on ing offered to us each moment God. That is it. by God. Reconciliation Now, while we are called to forgive, we Reconciliation oc- requires two people and God. Reconcilimay not always be curs if and when called to reconcile. we recognize that ation starts when the other person asks our To forgive somethe person who one means, in one hurt us was acting forgiveness. Reconsense, to let go of ciliation occurs if and out of character her power to control and will not attack when we recognize that the person who us. Reconciliation is our dignity again. hurt us was acting a restoration of the out of character and will not relationship. It works like this: attack our dignity again. This is When we forgive someone, we let go of the power of his hurtful big here. If someone asks our actions or words over us. We ac- forgiveness, but continues to live knowledge that it happened and and act in a way that is harmful to our human dignity, we must that it hurt, and we call on God forgive him, but we cannot recto help us let go of the power
March 2006
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quiz poll quiz holy day or party day? when was the first St. Patrick’s Day Parade? h i s t o r y
FAITH asks:
is it hard to forgive someone who does something wrong?
q u i z
The first St. Patrick’s Day parade was held on March 17, WHAT YEAR? St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, is honored with a holy day and national holiday in Ireland and with parades and green beer in the U.S. Founder of the famed New Deal, implemented during the Great Depression to create jobs and bring relief to American citizens, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was chiefly responsible for bringing the economy out of its prolonged slump. Also well-known for his “fireside chats,” this U.S. president was inaugurated on March 4, WHAT YEAR? He came, he saw, he conquered! The great Roman dictator Gaius Julius Caesar was assassinated by 60 conspirators led by fellow politician Marcus Junius Brutus and the great war commander Gaius Cassius Longinus on March 15, WHAT YEAR? Built from 1887 to 1889 as the entrance arch for the Exposition Universelle, a World’s Fair marking the centennial of the French Revolution, the Eiffel Tower has become the most famous symbol of Paris, France. This 986-foot tower was officially opened on March 31, WHAT YEAR?
p a r i s h
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FAITH asked fourth-grade students at St. Mary School, Pinckney, the following questions: “Do you think it’s hard to forgive someone who does something wrong? Why?” Here’s a sample of what they had to say.
Luke (age 9): “Not most of the time, because I know that Jesus is with me and I know he will help me.”
Rebecca (age 9): “Yes, because I would be sort of scared to go up to that person and say, ‘I’m sorry.’”
– Sara Teller Answers: 1762, 1933, 44 B.C., 1889
oncile with him. We have to remember this – each person has to protect her God-given human dignity. Any pattern of behavior that contradicts our knowledge that we are worth God’s last breath is not something with which we can be reconciled. You are called, always and everywhere, to protect your human dignity. Finally, we must remember that forgiveness is a process, not a moment. The first step in the process of forgiveness is the desire to forgive. It is quite possible to be so hurt by someone that we don’t even want to forgive her. If this is the case, then we can pray for the desire to forgive. Either way, whether we have the desire to forgive, or are praying for the desire to forgive, we have started on the process of forgiveness. The next step takes place in our daily prayer. Here, each day,
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we ask for the grace to forgive the person; to let go of the hurt and pain and to move on. We keep this up until we know we are free. Along the way, it is good for us to keep two things in mind: First, we don’t have to pretend that we are not hurt. That is not forgiveness; that is lying. If someone hurt us, and we are trying to forgive her, then we don’t have to pretend that we have already. Now, if we hurt someone and need his forgiveness, then we need to be sure and give him the space and time he needs to work through it himself. Second, we need to be vigilant. Whenever we remember the pain or the moment that hurt us, we need to be strong and speak to it with the power of the Holy Spirit. For example, we can say “Jesus, help me to let go,” or whatever we need to do in order to live free.
This process may take a long time; or it may not take nearly as long as we think. The important thing is not that we “complete this task”, but that we are faithful in our efforts to try and forgive. I will pray for you. Keep in mind that there will come a day when we recognize that, through God’s grace, we have gotten stronger and are ready to move on. Now, here’s a cool thing: God’s forgiveness of us is effortless and instantaneous. Enjoy another day in God’s presence. – Fr. Joeseph Krupp
Send your questions to: “In the Know with Fr. Joe” FAITH Magazine 209 Seymour Ave. Lansing, MI 48933 Or: JoeInBlack@priest.com
Julia (age 9): “I think it’s very hard to forgive someone ... because if someone really hurt your feelings, or something like that, you feel they shouldn’t be forgiven.” o n l i n e
43% of Americans are “unchurched.” Gallup Poll 9/12/05
What do you think? Log on to FAITHmag.com then click FAITH forums to discuss this and other interesting topics.
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marri ma rriage age g
he says ... she says ...
what should they do?
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Use the element of surprise carefully with no expectations or strings attached. Don’t go overboard. It is always better to discuss any larger, more expensive surprise, like a big trip or cruise, before finalizing all the arrangements. time
Plan time together. Create a formal plan by making an entry on your calendars. Schedule at least one time slot a month; or better yet, one slot a week. Label it: “Our date.” Schedule a minimum of three hours for each slot. m oney
For two weeks, keep track of every purchase you make with cash. Find out where you’re wasting money and where you can cut back.
S
arah and John have been married for three years. They share many common interests, including movies, camping and being outdoors. They love spending time alone together, but there is one bone of contention between them: housework.
he’s lazy
she’s a nag
John would rather watch TV than help me or pick up the house. Sure, he mows the lawn, but the flowers don’t get watered or the weeds pulled. I work full time and feel I should not John would rather have to do all the housework. He gets his night out with watch TV than his buddies and I spend the help me or pick time doing laundry. How fair up the house. is that? I am not the maid around here! My mother waited on my dad hand and foot. I refuse to fall into that trap. When we first got married, John loved to be with me and would gladly help out. Now he seems not to want to be bothered.
Sarah loves to over-dramatize the situation. She feels the house is in such bad shape. I don’t agree. We don’t have to have the nicest house on the block. How long can laundry take? I work full time and regular overtime. I deserve to be able to relax in the evening. I only go out with the guys once a month. Sure I love her, but do I have to spend every minute with her? She is just too demanding and I am tired of hearing it.
FAITH Magazine
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March 2006
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Building Bridges, a remarriage retreat is offered March 4-5 at Maryville Center in Holly. Cost is $160 Call 517.342.2471 to obtain registration information.
3 ways to build a parenting consensus when you disagree p a r e n t i n g
j o u r n e y
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Look your spouse in the eyes. Hold both of his hands and lovingly say, “I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health.” Seal the promise with a tender kiss and a one-minute full-body hug.
I think we can all relate to John and Sarah. Our parents don’t warn us about how much work a marriage can take. Society just lets us go into this long-term commitment without really understanding what we are in for. The best part of a marriage is the knowledge that you are truly cared for and loved by another individual. Trust and commitment lay the foundation for us to weather the storms of a relationship. John and Sarah need to start there. First, John and Sarah need to really talk about what is bothering them at a time when they are not frustrated and angry. Direct conversation is always helpful. Letting one person speak and really listening takes patience and thinking time. Sarah and John should give each other that time. One speaks and one listens. Then the other person has his or her chance. This gives each partner time to understand the other’s thoughts and feelings. Once they understand each other’s point of view, they can work out a compromise – understanding that John may have to help out a little more and Sarah may need to relax her standards a little bit. – Deborah McCormack is the director of Catholic Charities for Genesee/ Shiawassee Counties.
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he happiness of the two couples in the pew ahead of us was contagious. The men sat like two bookends, each supporting his beloved. The younger woman rested her left hand so that the other woman could see the engagement ring. The men made eye contact with each other, smiled and tightened their arms around their partners. The women exchanged glances and grinned. It was clear that no matter who the “in-law” was, all four belonged to each other. Through a decision of their adult child, the parents had reached an important milestone on the parenting journey. But what about all the decisions that had to be made earlier in their child’s life? It’s easy when a course of action seems like the best idea to both parents. But how do parents build a consensus when they disagree? Write down your long-term goals. When it comes to the most important aspects of raising your children, it is likely that you agree. What are your deepest desires for your children when they become adults? To follow God’s will and strive “to love one another even as I have loved you?” (John 13:34) To find fulfillment in the professions they choose? To make use of their gifts and talents? Autonomy? Independence? Share your lists with each other and remember that you are on the same team, working toward the same goals. Remember parenting is a journey with many possible paths. Disagreements may occur because both of you have a different path in mind to reach the same goal. If we think of parenting like a trip from the East Coast to the West Coast, just imagine all the possible routes you could take in 18 years! It is natural to think that one’s own choice is best when the road offers options, but remember that your spouse may have plotted a different course. Pray together to be open to creative solutions – God might surprise you! Try a short-term decision. Pick one specific issue that concerns you, such as the children’s responsibility for chores. Listen to each other’s opinion and try to find a compromise. If you can’t, choose one parent’s decision and see how it works for two weeks. Plan to come back and make modifications. During Lent we focus on repentance and look at our lives from different perspectives, becoming “clay in the Potter’s hands.” Through reconciliation and genuine communication with those closest to us, we draw closer to Christ as we approach the joy and mystery of Easter. – Dr. Cathleen McGreal
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Remarriage Resources: Eileen Jaramillo, JCL, from the Tribunal, will conduct an annulment session, March 22, St. John Parish, Davison, 7-8:30 p.m. An annulment workshop will be held Sat., March 25, 8:30 a.m.-noon. Call Elaine at 810.658.4776, ext. 272 or e-mail meolet2002@yahoo.com.
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top10 what in the world? the top-10 Catholic News events this month t o p
West Virginia mourns loss of miners; bishop asks for prayers. Bishop Michael J. Bransfield of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston requested prayers for the families of the 11 miners who died in January’s tragic mining accident and for the recovery of the twelfth, Randal McCloy.
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Court rejects federal effort to prohibit physicianassisted suicide. In a 6-3 ruling,
the Supreme Court Jan. 17 upheld Oregon’s physician-assisted suicide law.
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Pope’s first encyclical released. Pope Benedict XVI’s
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California bishop criticizes execution of 76-year-old inmate. The execution of Clarence Ray Allen in California Jan.
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Bishop meets with parishioners whose priest was accused of murder. At a Jan. 15 meeting with Hudson, Wis.
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New Jersey passes death penalty moratorium measure. Archbishop John J. Myers of Newark praised the
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Black Catholic pro-life apostolate announces ‘Rosary Across America’. The New York-based National Black
encyclical on love, charity and Christianity is titled Deus Caritas Est, “God Is Love.”
17 “undermines society’s commitment to respect the God-given dignity of every human person,” said Auxiliary Bishop John C. Wester of San Francisco.
parishioners, Bishop Raphael M. Fliss of Superior acknowledged failures in dealing with a former associate pastor who apparently molested minors, killed two men when confronted about his actions and committed suicide when police questioned him.
New Jersey Legislature for passing a death penalty moratorium bill, calling it “a giant step” toward finding another way to punish criminals and protect its citizens.
Catholic Apostolate for Life held its second annual “Black Catholic Rosary Across America for Life” Jan. 23 to mark the 33rd year since the Supreme Court legalized abortion.
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Pope ad-libs to engage crowds. As he develops his own style of communicating, Pope Benedict XVI has been engaging crowds and unsettling his aides by tossing his prepared text in favor of extemporaneous remarks.
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Religious groups force GE disclosure of money spent to avoid cleanup. After a decade of pressure from
faith-based Catholic investment coalitions, the General Electric Co. disclosed to the Securities and Exchange Commission that it spent nearly $800 million to delay the cleanup of toxic PCB.
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Guadalupe basilica raises $3 million annually, says rector. The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in
Mexico City raises up to $3 million per year, said the rector of the basilica, Msgr. Diego Monroy Ponce. Most of the revenue comes from donations and selling souvenirs. FAITH Magazine
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federal judge rules in Portland case
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federal judge ruled Dec. 30 that the Catholic Archdiocese of Portland, not its individual parishes, owns all parish properties. In a statement released by spokesman Bud Bunce, the archdiocese expressed disappointment.
Archishop John G. Vlazny of Portland, Ore.
“We feel strongly that this an equitable global settlement of decision is not supported by all the sex abuse claims rather the facts or the law and believe than let the first ones to reach it infringes on the archdiocese’s trial exhaust its resources, leaving right and the parishioners’ rights nothing for later claims. to freely exercise their religion,” U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Elizabeth the statement said. Perris made her decision in two At stake in the decision is the separate opinions issued simulproperty of 124 parishes, includtaneously Dec. 30 on competing ing 40 parish elementary schools motions by the archdiocese and a and three archdiocesan committee representing high schools, whose “We feel strongly those with sex abuse combined worth up that this decision claims against the archmay be as much as diocese. is not supported half a billion dollars. Hers was the second by the facts or the About 130 claimbankruptcy court law and believe ants seeking damruling that a Cathoit infringes on the ages for alleged sexual archdiocese’s right lic diocese, in the abuse by priests in the and the parishperson of its bishop as Portland Archdiocese ioners’ rights to corporation sole, has have asked to have complete ownership freely exercise the parish and school their religion.” of parish properties properties included and does not simply among archdiocesan assets availhold them in trust for the benefit able for settling their claims. The of the parishes. archdiocese has argued that unIn a similar case in the neighder church law each parish owns boring state of Washington, U.S. its own property and the archdio- Bankruptcy Judge Patricia Wilcese only holds those properties liams ruled that under civil laws in trust for the parishes. and past precedent the Spokane The archdiocese entered Diocese holds parish properties bankruptcy proceedings in July for its own benefit, not in trust 2004, saying it wanted to reach for the benefit of the parishes.
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worldwork world w work how do I do the right thing and still earn a profit? establishing a purpose for your work w o r k
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Bishop Sample ordained in Marquette; at 45 he is youngest U.S. bishop Bishop Alexander K. Sample became the 12th bishop of the Diocese of Marquette Jan. 25. At age 45, he is the youngest Catholic bishop in the United States. Addressing the people for the first time as their bishop, Bishop Sample recalled wearing a cassock as he prepared for his first Mass as associate pastor at the cathedral. “At the end of Mass, one of the ladies of the parish came up to me and said, ‘So you’re our new associate. I saw you before Mass and I thought you were one of the altar boys.’” On a more serious note, Bishop Sample said, “I hope to be truly a shepherd to minister in the person and in the image of Christ the Good Shepherd, who came not to be served but to serve and to give his life. I give to you that pledge today to do that to the best of my ability.” – CNS
Intelligent design is not science and should not be taught as a scientific theory in schools alongside Darwinian evolution, an article in the Vatican newspaper said. The article said that in pushing intelligent design some groups were improperly seeking miraculous explanations in a way that creates confusion between religious and scientific fields. At the same time, scientists should recognize that evolutionary theory does not exclude an overall purpose in creation – a “superior design” that may be realized through secondary causes like natural selection, it said. The article, published in the Jan. 17 edition of L’Osservatore Romano, was written by Fiorenzo Facchini, a professor of evolutionary biology at the University of Bologna in Italy. – John Thavis/CNS
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T. Gennara
Intelligent design not science, says Vatican newspaper article
l i f e
Tom owns a small manufacturing company with 45 employees and has some tough choices to make.
om says: I worked for a large company as a production supervisor and then plant manager for more than 12 years. I worked a lot of hours and felt unfulfilled. I wanted more for my family and thought I could contribute more to the community. I started this company 10 years ago and it hasn’t always been easy. But my wife knows my dream and has trusted me. My family has sacrificed a lot in order to keep this company going. So have my employees – they have numerous times sacrificed pay increases and put in unpaid overtime. Finally I landed that big contract that may push us over the top. Maybe now I can make it up to my family. In order to make enough profit, however, I need to keep costs down by not buying new equipment, giving small pay increases, and doing the additional work with just a few more workers. When I presented this plan to my current employees, they were not happy. They asked how we’re going to produce quality products without adequate resources. And they’d been expecting a reward when we got that big contract – a payoff for their sacrifices. What am I going to do? If I give my employees all they demand, I won’t be able to provide anything extra for my family. Everyone has waited a long time for an opportunity like this.
The expert says: In the midst of all the financial concerns, Tom is losing sight of one of the primary reasons he started his own company – he wanted to do things right! This is what initially attracted his employees. According to some experts, the best way to achieve corporate success and employee loyalty is to establish a purpose that is shared by the company and its employees. One way to accomplish this is to become a “learning organization.” According to Peter Senge, in The Fifth Discipline Fieldbook, a learning organization thrives. Some attributes of a learning organization
are remarkably similar to the wisdom found in Paul’s letters. People feel they’re doing something that matters, a sense of purpose. “The Spirit’s presence is sown in some way in each person for the good of all.” (1 Cor 12:7) Everyone is stretching, growing or enhancing his/ her capacity to create. “Set your hearts, then, on the more important gifts.” (1 Cor 12:31)
In order to achieve true success, Tom may need to remind himself, his family and his employees of the company’s original purpose. As long as everyone concentrates first on fulfilling a mission and purpose that serves the needs of others, they can trust God to take care of the rest. – Tim Ryan
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theolog g
the introductory rites
a 9-part exploration of the church’s public prayer t h e o l o g y
1 0 1
t h e o l o g y
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The Sign of the Cross: The sign of Christ’s cross is commonly traced from forehead to breast, from left shoulder to right in the Western church. In Eastern rites, the right shoulder is usually touched first. The symbolism is obvious, and the gesture originated with a small signing of the forehead, much as we do prior to the reading of the Gospel today, along with a signing of the lips and breast. This “little cross” is also made on the book of the Gospels, the heads of those being baptized, and on the senses of those receiving the sacrament of the sick. The larger cross, with which we are most familiar, appears to have developed as people began using two and then three fingers, in order to symbolize the natures of Jesus and the Trinity. FAITH Magazine
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who ’s in the s anctuary?
Priest: The priest, or presbyteros, is the person ordained to teach the faith, to preside over liturgy, to administer the sacraments. A priest may be attached to a specific area such as a diocese, or to a religious order. Diocesan priests submit to the authority of their bishop; religious priests to the head of their order. However, when working in a diocese, a religious priest is also subject to the local bishop.
Renewal of baptismal promises: As we enter, one of the first things we do is renew our first experience in the community of believers – we dip our hand into the baptismal font or a small container at the door that contains holy water – and we sign ourselves with the cross, speaking the very words spoken at our baptisms: “In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” Gathering song: When Mass is beginning, we sing a gathering song. Music is an important part of our celebration and we are encouraged to participate joyfully. We begin our prayer with a greeting and response between the presider and the assembly. The prayer that ends the opening rites is called
T. Gennara
w h y d o w e d o t h a t ?
ass is the principal time the community gathers together. We join with our brothers and sisters to offer prayer, to encounter the Lord, to be in communion. This sense of community begins at the door of the church, or even on the steps outside. We greet each other, we extend hospitality to the stranger in our midst who is also one of us. This is a time for fellowship and welcoming.
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gy y 101
w h a t ’ s
h e
w e a r i n g ?
bible quiz
letters of new testament b i b l e
q u i z
1) 1 Thessalonians 2) Philemon 3) pastoral letters 4) catholic letters a) Probably the first letter written b) 1 and 2 Timothy; Titus c) The shortest of Paul’s letters d) James, 1 and 2; Peter, 1, 2 and 3; John; and Jude answers: 1-c , 2-a, 3-b, 4-d
alb: w h a t ’ s t h e s e a s o n ?
The Body of Christ gathered.
the Collect – we collect together to praise the Lord. Body of church gathered: Our call as we gather is to be the church – the people of God visibly witnessing to his presence among us. Jesus told us that where two or three (or 200 or 300) are gathered in his name, he would be there in our midst. This is what we live out when we come together at Mass – we make the body of Christ real and present Penitential rite: One One of the impor- of the important things we are tant things we are called to do as we assemble as a called to do as community is to be reconciled we assemble as with each other. This is why a a community is to penitential rite occurs early in be reconciled with the Mass. We say the words of each other. This is the ancient Greek prayer, “Kyrie, why a penitential eleison. Lord, have mercy.” And rite occurs early in often, we ask for our brothers the Mass. and sisters to pray for us as we say, “I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have sinned through my own fault.” After we have gathered, asked forgiveness, praised God in the singing of the Gloria, we are ready to listen to the Word of God in the Scripture readings, which we’ll be discussing in the next issue.
Lent Lent is the penitential season leading up to Easter. During Lent, we fast, pray and give alms. It arises from the 40-day baptismal retreat experienced by catechumens in the early church. We, too, prepare to renew our baptismal promises at the Easter Vigil Mass. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends just before the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday. The liturgical color for Lent is purple.
The alb is the first vestment the priest dons when getting ready for Mass. It is an ankle-length white garment with long sleeves. The name originates from the word alba, meaning white. The alb is a symbol of our baptism and is not reserved for priests – it may be worn by anyone who is engaging in a liturgical role. w h a t ’ s
i n
t h e
c h u r c h ?
Cross/Crucifix:
A
t every Mass, there is a cross on or near the altar, clearly visible to the congregation. This cross must have the figure of the crucified Christ on it – in other words, it must be a crucifix. The purpose of the crucifix is to remind us of the paschal mystery – the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
By Elizabeth Solsburg | Illustrations by Bob Patten
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what I learned from my uncle who fought in World War II – for the Germans f r o m
t h e
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All of us can relate stories about crosses that have been borne by ourselves and those we know. Some are truly stirring. I have been particularly affected by the crosses and hardships borne by war veterans.
A
ll of us know people who bear trials and wrongs of all kinds. We also know those who gladly accompany and serve loved ones and others, often for a lifetime. Their love, patience and courage draw our respect and admiration. They have what Bishop Sheen called “peace of soul.” FAITH Magazine
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In the presence of these people, we are amazed, sometimes uneasy and possibly even ashamed. We ask ourselves, “How do they do it?” These heroic people inspire us, and they can teach us. Christians call their trials crosses because Jesus, the new Adam, embraced the trials of our humanity and bore his cross into the glory of the resurrection. In each generation, there are count-
less heroic witnesses of the power of the cross in human lives. My peers and I grew up in the ’30s and ’40s with lots of heroes and heroines. They were found in fairy tales, comic books and movies. In church and school, they were found in the reality of Jesus and the saints. Even as children, we understood that facing trials bravely was heroic. I remember Prince Valiant, Robin Hood, Joan of Arc and the Flying Tigers. Not to mention our troops at Bataan, Wake Island, Normandy and more. Father Hildebrandt and the Franciscan sisters spoke to us children often about the saints. With the eyes of memory, I can still see Father Hildebrandt at Mass in his red vestments telling the story of St. Cecilia. The stories about her and other martyrs have been with me ever since. Of course, we never met any of these people. Some of them lived only in stories and legends; some had died before our time. But their lives inspired us to understand the heroes we would later know. All of us can relate stories about crosses that have been borne by ourselves and those we know. Some are truly stirring. I have been particularly affected by the crosses and hardships borne by war veterans. My first encounter with hospitalized veterans was as a new priest in 1957. A parishioner asked me to visit her husband, a World War II vet, who was at Hines Hospital in Chicago. I had no inkling of what I was in for. It was a tough reality check and a real moment of grace! When I entered a spacious parlor and saw so many vets, I
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bishop
J. Luning
was stunned and overcome by the extent of their injuries and disfigurements. As I got acquainted with the man I’d come to see and some of his fellow patients, shock gave way to admiration. During my 40 years of ministry in parishes near Chicago, visits to Hines were always a grace for me. The story about one soldier really hit home. This soldier was like countless others in any army, and he suffered a trauma that radically altered his life. He was a relative whom I first met in 1991, nearly 50 years after his ordeal began in 1942. Like most soldiers, he had been drafted into the army in his late teens – the German army. The fall of the Berlin Wall brought the freedom to visit countries that had been locked behind the Iron Curtain. In 1991, my sister and I went to visit relatives in the former German Democratic Republic, now part of Germany. Three of Mom’s sisters, their families and other relatives had lived under Soviet control behind the Iron Curtain for almost half a century. With some cousins, we visited relatives and family places. Then we visited the last relative from Mom’s generation, Uncle Joseph. He lived with his niece and her family in a nearby village. Martha, a cousin, led us to a large shed where Joseph was working. The doors were open on that warm day and, at first, we saw nothing but lots of woven baskets. Then we saw Uncle Joseph, an elderly man, sitting on the floor, weaving. When I said the usual “Gruss Gott,” and bent down to shake his hands,
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With deep emotions evident, he told how this group journeyed more than 1,000 miles home, mostly on foot: “Most of us had war wounds and were weak after the Soviet camp ordeal, yet we started with great hope.”
he looked up with a smile. Suddenly, I saw that he had no legs. He was sitting on a wood platform with wheels. Barely keeping my emotional reaction under control, I chatted with him about relatives in Germany and many in America. Somewhat nervously, I asked him to tell me his story. Like so many soldiers everywhere, his life was disrupted when he was drafted at age 18. He was in the Ninth Army on the Russian front – the group that eventually fought the brutal and decisive battle for Stalingrad. Adolf Hitler ordered the army to die rather than surrender. With supply lines cut and a massive slaughter on both sides imminent, German General Friedrich Paulus surrendered on Jan. 31, 1942. Later, in an EastWest prisoner exchange, Joseph was among 9,000 survivors released to go home. With deep emotions evident, he told how this group journeyed more than 1,000 miles home, mostly on foot: “Most of us had war wounds and were weak after the Soviet camp ordeal, yet we started with great hope. It was hardship and suffering in adverse conditions and places, especially since it was winter. It was a never-ending struggle to keep going. “As we neared Germany, frostbite attacked my legs and feet and I began to despair; but with the border near, I kept going. Over the border, I went the rest of the way by transport. “The happiness of home quickly changed to anger and bitterness when my legs were amputated. I real-
ized I would be alive but never walk. I was a young man with no future and was a burden to others. “As I looked to my life, my world turned bleak and useless. I was devastated, helpless and confused. Anger and bitterness devoured me, and I never smiled. “My faith was weak, but the faith of others was my strength. Our priest and my family and friends kindled my tiny spark of faith. These people who loved me would not let me quit. In my long trauma and agony, they brought loving support and comfort. “In time, by God’s grace, my determination made me hopeful and able to endure my tragedy with dignity and goodness. It was never easy and often was a struggle between hope and despair. “My life has been long and worthwhile because I have changed over the years. I am more empathetic and compassionate. My suffering paled next to others for whom I shed tears. By God’s grace, my faith and courage help others. I thank Our Lord and his friends for my change in attitude. “My tragedy taught me that true happiness comes from within.” As I was leaving, his goodbye to me was, “I thank God for a second chance. Now, everyone and every day are special.” That was the last time I saw him, but his life was an inspiration to others – who treasure his memory as well as his beautiful hand-woven baskets. – Most Rev. Carl F. Mengeling is the fourth bishop of Lansing.
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hough he was just a young child in the late 1940s, Oliver vividly remembers when Father John McShane, SSJ came to town. Passing through Oliver’s small, southern Louisiana town on his way to his new assignment, Father McShane spent the night in the local rectory. As a courtesy for his lodging, he offered to say six o’clock Mass the next morning. Yet upon entering the church, Father McShane’s eyes fell immediately upon the Colored Only signs perched at the entrance to the last rows of pews. Angry, he turned to a parishioner and asked, “What is this?” The man didn’t understand his question. “What is this?” the priest demanded as he tore one sign from its perch.
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By Nancy Schertzing | Photography by Jim Luning “Why that isn’t anything,
replied. “This sign has to come
Father,” came the confused reply.
down. It is desecrating the house
“That’s always there.”
of God.”
Still holding the sign, Father
“That’s just the way we do
McShane left the church and
things around here, John,” the
walked across the lawn to the
monsignor replied calmly.
rectory. Interrupting his host’s
“Then you’d better get over to
morning routine, Father Mc-
the church,” Father Mc Shane re-
Shane demanded, “Monsignor, I
plied. “Because it’s full of people.
have studied theology for years,
And you don’t have a priest to
and I don’t recall any reference to
say Mass.”
God’s color. Maybe you can tell me. What color is God?” “I don’t know,” said the monsi-
Oliver smiles at the memory. “Understand, this was before six o’clock Mass, and by 9 a.m. almost
gnor, continuing to read the news-
everybody in our community
paper and sip coffee, “and I’m not
knew what had happened. The do-
going to get into that now.”
mestics who worked in the rectory
“Monsignor,” Father McShane
told their families and friends.
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“F
ather McShane did go back into the church that morning. He asked if anyone had a home he could say Mass in, and one of the black families obliged. After he had said Mass, he used their telephone to call his superior. ‘Superior General,’ Father McShane said, ‘I have found a flock in need of a shepherd. May I have your permission to stay here?’ “It was grace,” Oliver says simply. “This gift that came into our midst accompanied us for many years. He built a church, an elementary and high school. Before then, we did not have a high school for blacks. The grade schools that did exist for us were substandard and overcrowded, with multiple levels in one classroom. The books handed down to us were torn – destroyed by former owners before they came to us. “Even though we were Baptist, r e s o u r c e
workshops available from the Office of Black Catholic Ministry • African American Christology • Athletics and the Gospel Mission • Cultural Mythology • Culture, Race & Real Estate-The Real Difference! • Diversity Training-“Culture and Me and You and Us” • The History of Black Catholics • Interracial Dating • Ministry, Media & Marketing in the New Millennium • Pluricultural /Multicultural Ministry • Recovery from Everyday Racisms© • Race & Culture: A Business Primer • Race and Religion: Practicing our Preaching • Sports and Spirituality • Strings Theory of Relational Ministry (S.T.O.R.M.) For more information, contact: Ronald Landfair, M.P.S. Dept. of Catholic Charities 517. 342.2496 rlandfair@dioceseoflansing.org FAITH Magazine
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March 2006
my mother sent me to Father McShane’s school, and I was educated there. When I graduated, I took the Army entrance exam and scored high enough to get into their special training school for electronics. “Growing up, I had a great-aunt who used to tell me, ‘Oliver, you will make a great pastor some day.’ She made a point of telling me this every time we got together, and it made me pretty nervous. I loved my aunt, but I knew I did not want to be a pastor. In fact, I was thinking that maybe I did not want to be Baptist. “I saw the changes that occurred within the community because of Father McShane. So I talked to my mother about becoming Catholic. ‘Mama,’ I told her, ‘this priest is living a life touching people as people. Not knowing what color God is. I want to be part of that.’ My mother told me she would honor my decision, but I would have to get my uncle’s and my aunt’s blessings first. “My uncle was blind, but he could see right into my heart. He asked me, ‘Oliver, if you want to be Catholic, are you going to become Catholic, or be a Catholic in name only?’ ‘Become Catholic,’ I told him. He must have known I was speaking the truth, because he gave me his blessing. “I had only to get my aunt’s blessing now. When she met me at her door that day, she offered me some of her sweet-potato pie and ice-cold milk. She asked me to sit down next to her like she always did. ‘Tell me, Sweetie,’ she said, ‘if you become Catholic, are you going to become Catholic or will you be
m i n i s t r y
Are you called to minister to troubled youth? Your presence could stop a young offender from turning into a lifelong criminal. Mentors for juvenile offenders have been proven to reverse the pattern of incarceration for troubled youth. The Diocese of Lansing is seeking volunteers to become part of an initiative working with offenders who are under age 18. Volunteers will work at detention facilities in their local counties. Training, formation, information and direction will be provided by the diocese. For more information, contact Rory Hoipkemier at 517.342.2469 or rhoipkemier@ dioceseoflansing. org.
a Catholic in name only?’ I told her the same thing I had told my uncle. “Then she told me something I’ll never forget. ‘Then, Oliver, I give you my permission on one condition. Be Catholic. Don’t be a pew warmer.’ And every time I went home after that day, she would ask me what I was doing to live my faith.” Oliver smiles. “I couldn’t be a pew warmer if I had to answer to my aunt!” Throughout his career in the U.S. Army and state government, Oliver Washington encountered many opportunities to live his faith and had many stories to tell his aunt. With his wife Charlan’s blessing, Oliver even embraced a portion of his aunt’s wishes and became a deacon in his adopted faith. Whether as chief warrant officer Your DSA dollars support
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or the Rev. Mr. Washington, Oliver has encountered the face of God in countless ways over the years. Serving in the Clinton County jail ministry program for approximately 10 years, he has seen God in the countless faces of those he serves. “We are all embossed with the image and likeness of God,” Oliver states simply. “When I sit across from you, I see you. But I also see our God. The Bible says, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart, and love your neighbor as yourself.’ If you say you love and you truly love, you share it equally with all people. “You take that love with you into the prison system, and you don’t see the men and women there as prisoners; you see other children of God. “In my role as deacon, I coordinate and conduct services for prisoners in the Clinton County Jail. Every Wednesday evening, a Communion service or Mass is held in that facility for the prisoners,” Oliver explains. “My service is truly catholic, because I stress the participatory nature of the service. Volunteers read the Scripture and choose the hymns to be sung. A priest or I read the Gospel and give the homily. Residents of all faiths
are welcomed, but we ask that only Catholics come for Communion. Non-Catholics may come forward for a blessing. “I also mentor, model and coach residents along their journey. One night when I arrived for services, I buzzed in to announce myself and heard locks immediately clicking open along the corridor. The guard said, ‘We need you, if you don’t mind, on a suicide watch. Would you talk to him?’ I replied, ‘I will talk to him only if he will receive me.’ “Well, he did talk to me, and I learned he was hurting because his loved ones were being taken from him. I told him, ‘You’re only here for 12 months. Do these things and I promise I will help you.’ He petitioned the judge and earned parole. Since he was released indigent, my wife and I bought him a round-trip ticket home on the condition that he check in with local law enforcement and a local
6 rules of engagement: There is a need to engage each other in open, honest discussions about race/culture. To do so, follow these tips:
1 2
church when got to his hometown. He went back and was able to stop attempts at having his parental rights terminated. When he returned to Michigan, he got a job as a chef and is now living a productive life that includes his children.” In his younger years, Oliver once met a tow truck driver who pulled his truck from the mud of a rural Missouri highway. The man was beginning his morning routine when he got the call to rescue the stranded motorist, but he came without delay. After Oliver’s truck was cleaned, gassed and ready to go, he insisted on paying the man for the tow. The driver looked directly at Oliver, paused and replied, “What you have received freely, pass on to someone else on your journey.” Many years and miles later, Oliver thinks back on his advice and smiles – grateful for another gift of grace from a God whose color we do not know.
Self-initiative: There is a need to overcome personal fears and individual prejudice(s) to begin a discussion/dialogue.
No presumptions: You must have an open mind and be willing to learn – about others and particularly yourself. Don’t presume you know everything about the other person/people, based on your specific experience of one or even a group of people from an ethnic group or culture not your own.
3
Have a willingness to hear others: Don’t rely on “objective sources” (e.g. nightly news or newspapers) for information; talk with people of various ethnic and geographic backgrounds (blacks, Hispanics, whites, Latinos, Africans, Colombians, Irish, Germans, etc.).
4
Acknowledge the individual and his/her identity: Don’t see the other person as the spokesperson for his ethnic race or cultural group; don’t pretend to be “color-blind” either. Don’t reduce the other person to her race. Ethnic makeup, like gender, is part of one’s historical experience of “being” in the world. Be yourself, and recognize the valid authenticity of the other person.
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Truly listen: Don’t just wait for or expect confirmation of your fears/anxieties or what you think you already know. Don’t blow off the other person’s concerns. Respond honestly: Say what you really think, believe or feel, and recognize that each individual’s context of understanding is specifically his or her own, including yours. – Ron Landfair, director of the Office of Black Catholic and Multicultural Ministry for the Diocese of Lansing
pport ministries like these. Thank you!
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profile e
“it’s the disease, not the person” the challenges and joys of taking care of Grandma p r o f i l e
“A
nyone who goes into this field has a person who inspired them,” gerontologist Pam Bolam explains. “For me it was my grandma. Grandma was very active in my life, growing up. I went between her house and my own all the time.” “Grandma was my good friend. Sometimes, when we were together, I used to watch people try to take advantage of her. They would claim they had given her the correct change when they had not, or talk around her in conversations when she was standing right there. I could feel a whole dynamic of disrespect for the elderly. Partly because of what I saw very young, I decided to advocate for older adults. “Besides that, I know how many older adults feel. When I was 19, I developed an illness that made
walking or doing simple tasks torture. For about a year, all of my body’s energy went into fighting the illness and the pain. I remember going to a doctor’s appointment and breaking down in tears when I had to walk from one end of the office to the next. I constantly longed for sleep! “God gave me those experiences so I could have a deeper respect for those I was planning to serve.” Now a healthy 42-yearold, Pam advocates for
“We call our participants guests, never patients or clients,” Pam explains. “Here we practice a culture of respect.”
Pam advocates for older adults as supervisor of Be Our Guest Adult Day Service. FAITH Magazine
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older adults as supervisor of Be Our Guest Adult Day Service. A program of Livingston County Catholic Social Services, Be Our Guest operates as a day club for adults suffering from various types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s, Lewy bodies and mini-strokes. “We call our participants guests, never patients or clients,” Pam explains. “Here we practice a culture of respect.” Each weekday, up to 17 guests gather at a lovely apartment in Brighton’s Village of Woodland senior living complex. They enjoy nutritious meals and snacks and therapeutic activities designed to keep them moving and engaged. A visiting nurse regularly monitors guests’ physical health. Pam and her staff look after their emotional well-being, flexibly adapting activities to guests’ needs. “They’re in there,” she insists. “So often people with dementia lose their identity, they lose the things that used to make them special. We try to connect our guests with their identity and long-time skills within an atmosphere of respect and independence.
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“One of our guests is a former surgeon who retired 15 years ago. Since then, everyone has called him by his first name. Here, we address him as ‘Doctor.’ Another guest coached high-school football for years, so ‘Coach’ leads us in our sports – from balloon volleyball to horseshoes. I got my sewing machine and some fabric squares out for a guest who was once a master tailor, and he made a beautiful lap quilt!” Pam smiles. “They are definitely in there. We stay flexible to find ways to connect with and honor that person regardless of current abilities.” Flexibility and respect are hallmarks of the Be Our Guest philosophy. Every day, Pam and her staff engage their guests from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., through socialization, reminiscing and exercise. Staff members read the newspaper aloud; take guests on walks; engage them in art projects; help them bake or garden or enjoy music therapy. Each activity and effort goes toward the goal of giving every guest a good day. Sometimes guests are agitated, so Pam stays flexible and tries to key in on them. “One day we served lunch and a woman started screaming, ‘I’m not eating lunch! I didn’t order this!’ She was upsetting our other guests, so I took her into another room. She was still angry, pacing all
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If you are caring for a loved one who is suffering from Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, and need respite care, call your local Catholic Charities agency. They can help you or direct you to someone who can: Catholic Charities of Lenawee 517.263.2191 Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County 734.971.9781 Catholic Charities of Shiawasee and Genesee Counties 810.232.9950 Catholic Social Services of Livingston County 517.545.5944 Catholic Charities of Jackson 517.782.2551 St. Vincent Catholic Charities, Lansing 517.323.4734
over. Because she has a tendency to fall, I asked her to sit down. ‘No!’ she yelled, ‘I’m not sitting down!’ I asked her again to please sit down and told her I was afraid for her safety. Again she refused and continued pacing. “Finally I looked at her and said, ‘Please walk around the room as much as you want. I do not want you to sit down here in this chair.’ She immediately said, ‘I don’t want to walk!’ and plopped into the chair!” Pam laughs. “If we took every insult or outburst seriously, we’d be in the wrong business. “Sometimes dementia can cause people to lash out – kicking or spitting, for example – though they would never have done that while healthy. I try to tell families to remember this is part of the disease process. You cannot take it personally when your loved one no longer recognizes or relates to you the way he or she always did. Especially in the final stages, you have to understand it’s the disease, not the person.” “Most of our guests live at home with caregivers – usually their child or spouse. My heart goes out to those amazing people. It can be so hard trying to juggle time and responsibilities; many have a job or young children. They’re the sandwich generation, stuck between the younger and older generations and
holding them both together. We offer caregivers respite, strengthening them to go on caring for loved ones when they return home. “Sometimes it can feel overwhelming for the caregiver and the family. One Christmas, we brought Grandma from the nursing home to stay with us. The first night, she fell out of the bed she shared with my 6-year-old daughter, Amanda. My husband and I lifted her back into bed and tucked her and Amanda in. The next morning we discovered Amanda had lain half-awake the rest of the night, holding onto Grandma’s collar so she wouldn’t fall again.” The memory brings tears to Pam’s eyes. “Everyone is affected. “I believe families should talk about their experiences. I encourage families to reach out to the support services available, such as Catholic Social Services, their area Agency on Aging, the Alzheimer’s Association and support groups. “Seeing your loved one change with dementia is terrible. It’s OK to need help. “Most of my families notice a change in their loved one within a few days of joining Be Our Guest, and caregivers are relieved to have some help.” Pam is happy that, through Be Our Guest, she can provide an atmosphere that honors the memory of her dear friend and grandma.
By Nancy Schertzing | Photography by Tom Gennara
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white martyrdom how we can ‘lay down our lives for our friends’ every day s p i r i t u a l
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ent gives us an opportunity to renew the spirit of martyrdom. We often think of martyrs as giving the ultimate sacrifice. And so they do – “No greater love is there than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13) While we may never be asked to undergo torture and death for the sake of our Christian faith, we can still be martyrs. When the early church persecutions waned in the fourth century, some Christians began to find other ways to live out the spirit of martyrdom. They called it “white martyrdom” – in contrast to bloody martyrdom – and they embraced the ascetical practices of fasting, praying and almsgiving, as well as more rigorous and unusual forms of penance. Some lived on pillars and stayed until their deaths. Their austerity was in contrast to the decadence of the culture surrounding them. Most of us have a hard time imagining or even understanding this kind of practice. St Teresa of Avila dreamed of being a martyr for Jesus. At age 7, she left home with her brother Rodrigo with the intention of going to Moorish territory to be beheaded for Christ. Her uncle stopped her before she made it too far. Instead, she cared for her 10 brothers and sisters. Then she joined a religious order and took care of her religious sisters. She was a martyr for Jesus each day as she sacrificed out of her love for God and those she served. I have seen countless martyrs today who love in similar ways: single parents who work hard to support their children and pour out their love for them, while patiently suffering from the loneliness such a life can have; caregivers who pour themselves out daily. This too is white martyrdom. I even heard of a woman who took a janitorial job and gave all the money to her church to support their outreach to the poor. Awesome! The martyr gives witness to God’s love. This Lent, we turn to our Lord Jesus, who is the source of all true martyrdom. We ask him to help us grow sacrificial love for others so we too can be martyrs. FAITH Magazine
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Spiritual Exercise: meditation on the last seven words of Jesus
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ne kind of white martyrdom is to forgive those who have hurt us, like Jesus did on the cross. Martyrdom is a witness to Jesus’ love – a love that forgives all things and endures all things. To begin the exercise, find a quiet place and put yourself before Christ crucified. It is a hard place to be, but imagine yourself there with Mary beside you and listen to Jesus’ last words to us. First Word: “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)
Jesus, innocent Lamb of
God; you would have every reason to be outraged. The religious leaders who were supposed to uphold justice accused and condemned you. Those you came to save did not try to save you. Those you loved rejected you. The crowd shouted, “Crucify him, crucify him.” How many times have I shouted the same thing when I was quick to anger, or wrong in my own judgment of others? Jesus, the very first words from your lips on the cross were those of forgiveness. We all have put you on the cross. I am truly sorry for hurting you in my brothers and sisters. Help me to forgive those who have hurt me in any way, whether they meant to or not. May I pray with you, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”
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ual fitness e ess Mary; you said you would not leave us orphans. You sent us the Holy Spirit. You also gave us Mary, your own mother. She is now our mother and cares for each of us as she cared for you. I pray I may receive her into my heart and love her as you did. Fourth Word: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34) Jesus, bearer of the world’s suffering and sorrow; many would think you despaired when they heard these words come from your lips. Yet you were praying Psalm 22, and teaching us, even in your dying moments. “All who see me scoff at me. They wag their heads and mock, ‘He relied on the Lord, let the Lord deliver him, let him rescue him if he loves him.’”
Third Word: “Woman, behold your son – behold, your mother.” (John 19:26-27) Jesus, beloved son of
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Fifth Word: “I thirst.” (John 19:28) Jesus, eternal fountain of goodness; your love for souls knew no limit. There was nothing you would not sacrifice to save us. Your thirst was for each of us. Help me, Lord, to recognize that the emptiness inside me is my thirst for you. Make me thirsty for every word from your lips, and for every drop of your goodness. Sixth Word: “It is finished.” (John 19:30)
Jesus, you began your passion at the Last Supper, but finished it on the cross. You drank and shared with us all the third cup of the Passover, the cup of blessing. It is the blood of the new covenant, shed for the forgiveness of our sins. We drink the cup of blessing, and pro-
T. Gennara
Second Word: “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43) Jesus, my true and only king; even in your darkest hour you were burning with the brightest hope for us. How can I not trust you? My sin weighs on me. Death is certain. If I got what I deserved, it would certainly never be heaven. Jesus, my entrance into heaven depends on your grace. Renew my trust. Renew my faith. Help me to accept the salvation and forgiveness you offer me from the cross.
Help me, Lord, to recognize that the emptiness inside me is my thirst for you. Make me thirsty for every word from your lips, and for every drop of your goodness.
claim your death that saves us. Its power helps us die to sin and rise with you. You are the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. You offered yourself as the perfect sacrifice. In you, our Passover from death to life is fulfilled. The new covenant is established. The Passover is finished. Help me, Lord, to enter more deeply into your dying, so that I may rise with you. 7th Word: “Father, into your hands I commend my Spirit.” (Luke 23:46)
Jesus, we have such a difficult time trusting you. What are we afraid of? Even from our birth, our parents held us in their loving hands. We have put ourselves in the hands of many others throughout our lives: parents, relatives, brothers and sisters, spouses, neighbors, teachers, doctors, lawyers, police, government leaders, banks, businesses, clerics, counselors and many others. Perhaps we find it hard because we have experienced betrayal and broken trust. Heal us, Jesus. Help us to have the trust you had in the Father. May we pray as you prayed in your dying moments: “In you O Lord, I take refuge, let me never be put to shame ... you heard the sound of my pleading when I cried out to you. Love the Lord, all you his faithful ones! Take courage and be stouthearted, all you who hope in the Lord.” (cf Ps 31) – Fr. Bill Ashbaugh
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Nine lay ecclesial ministers commissioned
Beth Montgomery reports from Calcutta
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s we reported in our last issue, Beth Montgomery of St. Thomas Parish in Ann Arbor is spending a year working with Mother Teresa’s order in India. She is sending us periodic updates. “I spend a lot of time thinking about poverty and suffereing. At times, life here is so overwhelming, it seems that the small basic things I am doing to help are completely pointless. Still – Mother Teresa said we are not called to be successful, only faithful. And when many people are faithful, real change begins.”
Nine lay ecclesial ministers were commissioned by Bishop Mengeling on Nov. 5, 2005. These men and women have completed years of study and formation, have received master’s degrees and are committed to serve through their ministry in the church. The nine are listed here, along with their ministry sites and the institution where they received pastoral formation: • Loretta Budzyn, St. Joseph Parish, Adrian. Loyola University, New Orleans (LIMEX) • Michael Geary, St. Patrick Parish, Ann Arbor. Loyola University, New Orleans (LIMEX) • Samuel Lalomia, Jr., St. Mary Star of the Sea, Jackson, Loyola University, New Orleans (LIMEX) • Diane Lapham, St. Mary Magdalen, Brighton. Siena Heights University, Adrian • Connie McClanahan, Ph.D., St. Matthew, Flint. St. Mary Seminary, University of Baltimore • Mark Smith, Queen of the Miraculous Medal, Jackson. Loyola University, New Orleans (LIMEX) • Patrick Rinker, Diocese of Lansing. Regis University, Denver. • Carol Waner, Sts. Charles and Helena, Clio. Loyola University, New Orleans (LIMEX) • Sharon Wimple, Adrian Dominican Sisters’ Dominican Life Center, Loyola University, New Orleans (LIMEX)
St. Vincent Catholic Charities recognizes foster grandparents
Here is a typical day for me: • 6 a.m. – Mass at the Motherhouse • 7 a.m. – Breakfast in the orphanage • 8-11:30 a.m. – Volunteer with kids at orphanage • 12-3 p.m. – Free time • 3-5:30 p.m. – File articles on Mother Teresa • After 6 p.m. – Free time
St. Vincent Catholic Charities recognized 131 foster grandparent volunteers at a dinner at the MSU University Club in November. Foster grandparents volunteered more than 63,000 hours in community and school programs in Ingham, Eaton and Livingston counties.
Bishop visits Washtenaw County jail
St. Louis Center dinner a huge success
On Dec. 20, Bishop Mengeling celebrated Mass with prisoners at the Washtenaw Co. jail. Prison visits have been an important part of the bishop’s ministry, and many of the inmates said they were very moved by his presence among them.
A sold-out crowd of 155 enjoyed the 18th annual St. Louis Dinner at Chelsea Hospital. The $44,000 raised by this event helps support the 65 developmentally disabled children who live at St. Louis Center.
San Juan Diego Activity Center blessed
Stephen Pohl leaves for missionary trip in Venezuela
On Dec. 12, Bishop Mengeling blessed the new San Juan Diego Activity Center at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Flint. More than 300 people attended. The $1.9 million project began more than five years ago. – Jan Rynearson FAITH Magazine
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Stephen Pohl, St. Joseph Parish, St. Johns, completed a fourmonth orientation with Maryknoll Lay Missioners and will work among the poor of Venezuela for the next three-and-a-half years.
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things to do Our First Vocation is to Love, a Diocese of Lansing conference for young adults ages 18-35, will be held Sat., April 1 from 11:15 a.m. to 10 p.m. at St. Thomas Parish, Ann Arbor. Contact 517.342.2484 for more information. Middle School Youth Rally is Sat., March 11 at Lumen Christi High School, Jackson. Anyone in grades 6-8 is eligible to participate but must be registered through a parish or school group. Contact your parish’s coordinator of youth ministry for more information, or call 517.342.2484. There is still much work to be done for the victims of the earthquake in Pakistan. To make a donation, contact Catholic Relief Services, at www.crs.org. Spud Night Potato Bar, a fundraiser for the St. Mary Magdalen Youth Group, will be held March 4 at 5:30 p.m. in the social hall. Proceeds fund Hurricane Katrina relief for summer 2006. Contact Margaret Callaghan at 810.229.8624 for more information. Heart of Worship Youth Rally at St. Joseph Parish, Howell, Sat., March 18 from 6:45-9 p.m. Musical Adoration followed by light refreshments. High school youth and young adults are invited. Contact 517.546.0090, ext. 110. Join Fathers Larry Delaney and Charles Irvin on a pilgrimage to Ireland, May 3-13. Cost is $3079 per person, double occupancy. Contact Tammy@drolett-travel.com or Fr. Delaney at 517.669.8321 for more information. The next REFRESH weekend for adults ages 21-35 will be held in Howell, March 24-26. Contact refreshteam@yahoo.com or call 248.408.1378. The fourth annual Catholic Conference for Men is scheduled for Sat., March 25, at Calihan Hall, University of Detroit Mercy. For more information, visit www. mensfellowship.com. The theme
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march readings
of the conference is “What legacy will I leave?” St. Mary Magdalen Parish in Brighton, together with St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, will host Taizé during Lent. Starting Fri., March 10 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s in Brighton. For more information, contact Diane at St. Mary Magdalen, 810.229.8624.
Wednesday, March 1 Ash Wednesday Joel 2:12-18 Ps 51:3-6a,12-14,17 2 Cor 5:20-6:2 Matt 6:1-6,16-18 Sunday, March 5 First Sunday in Lent Gen 9:8-15 Ps 25:4-9 1 Pet 3:18-22 Mark 1:12-15 Sunday, March 12 Second Sunday in Lent Gen 22:1-2,9a,10-13,15-18 Ps 116:10,15-19 Rom 8:31b-34 Mark 9:2-10
march café events
Sunday, March 19 Third Sunday in Lent Exod 20:1-17 or 20:1-3,7-
Graduate program in pastoral studies or religious education will begin during spring 2006. A four-year program through the Loyola University Ministry Extension Program leads to a master’s degree. Contact Nancy Joseph at njoseph@dioceseoflansing. org or 517.342.2512.
burg at 517.482.4749 or KGreenburg@sbcglobal.net.
Adult education lecture series on Scripture at St. Joseph Parish, Jackson. Tuesday evenings at 7 p.m. from March 7 through April 4. Call 517.784.0343 for more details.
St. Catherine Laboure Parish, Concord. Book discussion group meets the fourth Monday of each month at 7 p.m. Call 517.524.6278 to register or inquire.
Adult and teen Bible studies will be held at Resurrection Parish, beginning March 5. For more information, contact Kimberly Greenburg at 517.482.4749 or KGreenburg@sbcglobal.net.
The book club at St. John Parish, Fenton will be reading A Good Man is Hard to Find, the acclaimed short story by Catholic writer Flannery O’Connor. For information, including meeting place and time, contact 810.629.2251.
A course in church history begins March 30 at Resurrection Parish, Lansing. Classes are at 7 p.m. For more information, contact Kimberly Green-
Foundations of Faith, offered at Resurrection Parish, Lansing, starting April 25. For more information, contact Kimberly Greenburg at 517.482.4749 or KGreenburg@sbcglobal.net.
Learn more about the sacraments of initiation at St. Anthony Church, Hillsdale during Lent. Classes are at 7
8,12-17 Ps 19:8-11 1 Cor 1:22-25 John 2:13-25 Or for the Scrutinies: Exod 17:3-7 Ps 95:1-2,6-9 Rom 5:1-2m,5-8 John 4:5-42 or 4: 5-15,19b26,39a,40-42 Sunday, March 26 Fourth Sunday in Lent 2 Chr 36:14-16,19-23 Ps 137:1-6 Eph 2:4-10 John 3:14-21 Or for the Scrutinies: 1 Sam 16:1b,6-7,10-13a Ps 23:1-6 Eph 5:8-14 John 9:1-41 or 9:1,6-9,1317,34-38
p.m. each Thursday. For more information or to register, call 517.437.3305. Introductory seminar on Christian meditation, St. Mary Church, Chelsea, March 18. $25 includes books and lunch. Call Cathy at 734.475.8164. What’s happening at St. Francis Retreat Center? For information on any of the following, call 517.669.8321 or visit www.stfrancis.ws • Knitting/Crocheting into the Mystery, March 11, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. $30, including lunch. • An Evening of Celtic Spirituality, March 15, 5:30-9 p.m. $25, including Irish supper. • Take Up Your Cross and Follow Me, March 16, 9 a.m.3 p.m. $35, including lunch. • No Teacher Left Behind, March 17, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., $25, including lunch. • God in the Garden, March 25, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., $50, including lunch.
Regrets: • Sharon Wimple, coordinating commission member, was incorrectly listed as a member of St. Elizabeth Parish. She is the director of pastoral care for the Dominican Life Center for the Adrian Dominican Sisters. • The cover story in our Jan/Feb issue was written by Bob Horning and photographed by Jim Luning.
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Math is in the air Accelerated Math, a program at St. Mary School, Pinckney, has students more excited about math than in trading Pokemon cards. Fifth- through eighth-graders participate in the voluntary program and are excited about their improvement.
‘Twas the night, Jackson Lumen Christi’s annual auction
Catholic Schools Week: Jan. 28 to Feb. 4 At the end of January, Catholic schools celebrated Catholic Schools Week, drawing attention to the superb educational programs, excellent faith formation and high teacher caliber offered in Diocese of Lansing parish schools. Events included: • A family dance at Resurrection School, Lansing. • Collecting socks and donations for Haven House at St. Martha School, Okemos. • Sock hop at St. Mary School, Williamston. • Valentines to vets at St. Thomas Aquinas School, East Lansing.
Donor plaza built at Lansing Catholic Central High School Donors to LCC’s Heritage Campaign who gave $1,000, $2,500 or $5,000 will be formally recognized on a glass wall marking the entrance to the chapel. The wall will be completed after the chapel is renovated. All donors are honored on the Donor Recognition wall near the auditorium.
Siena Heights University names new director of communications Doug Goodnough, a graduate of Hillsdale College and Toledo Catholic Central High School, has been named as the director of communications, publications and marketing for Siena Heights University. Siena Heights is run by the Adrian Dominican Sisters and offers a ministry formation program in conjunction with the Diocese of Lansing. FAITH Magazine
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The annual auction to benefit Jackson Lumen Christi high school was held in November 2005, as it has been since 1974. A silent auction, dinner and live auction were held, rounded out by musical entertainment. Each homeroom at the school donated items for themed gift baskets that were raffled off in the Nose-to-Toes raffle. The highlight of this year’s auction was a Mercedes Benz automobile. Students volunteered as servers, dish washers, slip runners and hosts. – Kathryn Dodge, Jackson Lumen Christi student
New logo and cougar for Lansing Catholic Central To accompany the recent renovations and improvements at Lansing Catholic Central High School, a new cross logo was designed by teacher Steve Pohl. The cross will appear on the building, letterhead and other publications. Bob Patten, an LCC graduate and professional illustrator whose work often appears in FAITH Magazine, designed a new cougar mascot for the school.
St. Mary School, Pinckney, raises money for Katrina relief Students from first grade to eighth grade raised $1,125 to help rebuild St. Dominic School in Metairie, La. after Hurricane Katrina devastated the area and damaged the school. St. Dominic is expected to re-open in September.
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ters My dear brothers and sis g, of the Diocese of Lansin
for our diocesan pasThe coordinating commission reviewing parishes and toral plan is now focusing on these fine people as they for pray the use of clergy. Please shes and our diocese. consider what is best for our pari iew our parish rev also l The commission wil by our Cathoacademic education provided and n atio form faith and happy schools. The ful cess suc a for in preparing students students lic schools are most effective ool sch the Kingdom of God. Catholic s. Our test way of life in this world and d dize dar stan on their counterparts ive trat inis generally perform better than adm of doing more with less. The ool sch schools offer a classic example lic pub to ed par ic schools is less com overhead for diocesan Cathol . size ilar sim as a ministry, districts of teachers serve our students Additionally, Catholic school ry day. eve ts gifts they are to our studen ugh their tho and I commend them for the n eve on, cati edu class formation and They offer our students firstlic school counterparts. salaries are less than their pub ment of parools thrive due to the commit sch ic Our diocesan Cathol treasure can our erous gifts of time, talent and ents. Only through their gen schools continue. realities that chalever, there are some painful Despite the good news, how onal choices cati edu ive rnat , rising costs and alte lenge us. Shifting populations to close. As this d slate are ols scho no e, tim At this present continuing challenges. e of our schools, tees will review the overall stat report details, separate commit t. Those committees cien effi e mor ome bec rate and especially how they can collabo me. to and rdinating Commission will report to the Diocesan Coo making deciand I are deeply dedicated to s ber mem sion mis The com ilies and the fam ir the ts, holic school studen sions that will best serve Cat we engage in this as yers pra r you for ask I . sing mission of the Diocese of Lan sacred mission. Yours in Jesus Our Lord, + Most Rev. Carl F. Mengeling Bishop of Lansing
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n our last issue, we reported how the clergy shortage and shifting populations will impact the parishes of our diocese. In this issue, our focus is on our diocesan and parish schools. What is the state of our Catholic schools? What are their successes and challenges? How will the current parish restructuring process affect our Catholic schools? Decreasing enrollment, escalating tuition costs, declining urban populations, increased technology costs, aging infrastructures in some schools and a weak Michigan economy impel us to review Catholic school structure in parts of the diocese. The bishop is ultimately responsible for Catholic schools in the diocese and will seek recommendations from: 1 Diocesan commission: The coordinating commission, which is examining parish structures for the diocese, will also look at schools. A subcommittee of that commission is studying schools’ accessibility, affordability and availability. They will incorporate the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Committee. 2 Diocesan Blue Ribbon Committee: This committee was established by Bishop Mengeling in 2004 to address Catholic education issues identified by the Parish Assessment Tool. This committee’s goal is to ensure that Catholic education in the diocese is accessible, affordable and available. 3 Regional commissions: For several years, commissions in the Lansing, Genesee/Owosso
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and Jackson regions have been studying their school structures and viability. The Lansing and Jackson commissions have made recommendations to the bishop. Genesee/Owosso pastors and principals continue to discuss regional cooperation for their schools. At this time, are any schools slated to close? No. Some schools are at capacity and are financially healthy. However, other schools need to increase enrollment and explore alternate funding to stay financially viable. There will also be changes in how some schools operate. Regional collaboration, such as consolidating purchasing, marketing and resources, is likely to increase. How are schools financed? Overall, schools are financed by tuition, parish subsidies and trust funds/endowments. Many people think tuition covers all costs for Catholic schools, but that is not the case. All parish schools require financial support from the parish. Some parishes only cover the expenses of the school facility, which is also used for parish functions. Other parishes cover operational expenses to keep the schools going. Since each school is individually operated by a parish, tuition rates and teacher salaries vary. Each school is on its own for purchasing, marketing and administration. What is the status of Catholic schools in the Lansing region? The five elementary schools within the city limits of Lansing lost 32% of their student population since 1995. The 10 schools in the surrounding area fared better. Their student population increased by 7.3% over the past 10 years. (This includes St. Peter School in Eaton Rapids, which opened in 2003-2004.) Lansing’s regional school commission made recommendations to area pastors and the bishop. The bishop has approved a restructuring of operations in order to keep the five schools in the city of Lansing open and viable. The commission will continue to work toward organizing the remaining regional schools into a regional system.
Nationally, per-pupil costs at the average Catholic high school have increased
over the past five years. The average per-pupil annual cost for Catholic highschool students is $5,870. The average starting salary for a high-school teacher in a Catholic school is $26,146.
Catholic elementary schools in the United States closed last year. – The CARA Report, Fall 2005
spec 1 Standardize tuition. 2 Standardize teacher salaries. 3 Create uniform business and accounting practices. 4 Develop common marketing. 5 Facilitate common purchasing. An executive director will be hired to facilitate these goals in the Lansing Area Catholic Educational System (LACES). He or she will work in cooperation with the superintendent of Catholic schools for the diocese, Lansing Catholic Central High School and parish school leadership to streamline school operations in order to lower costs – making each school more accessible, available and affordable. The Greater Lansing Education Foundation will continue to provide financial support to the area schools through the Pope John Paul II Society. Will there be a middle school for the Lansing region? Although there is no current plan to build a regional middle school, LACES will study the feasibility of either building or converting an existing building into a middle school. The sixth- to eighth-grade student population of the region’s 14 elementary schools is 678. Total K-8 student population is 2,791. A middle school with up-to-date technology and science labs to draw new students is what some envision. However, others say a new middle school would cost at least $15-20 million, which doesn’t make sense with a decreasing student population. What is the status of the Catholic schools in the Jackson region? Enrollment has dropped in every school in the Jackson region, both in the city and the outlying areas. In Jackson’s seven elementary/middle schools, the student population has declined by 30.4%
What will change in how Lansing area schools are operated? The schools will still be operated by parishes. However, a regional K-12 system for Lansing will be created to do the following: FAITH Magazine
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ecial c report p who runs the schools?
Most Catholic schools are parish schools. Currently, in a parish school, the principal and the school advisory committee advise the pastor, who, under church law, answers to the bishop. The Diocese of Lansing also operates the four Catholic high schools in the diocese, as well as Fr. Dukette Catholic School in Flint. The Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Lansing oversees all schools on behalf of the bishop. Exceptions are independent Catholic schools such as Spiritus Sanctus, Huron Valley Academy and Agnus Dei.
over the past 10 years. A study was conducted by the Diocese of Lansing Office of Pastoral Planning to examine the school structure in the Jackson region. A separate regional school committee reviewed this study, and is making recommendations to Bishop Mengeling. If approved, the recommendations include the collaboration of Jackson Catholic Schools to promote unity and support among area schools and regional parishes by developing principles of operation. A regional coordinator would implement the following school study recommendations: 1 Standardize tuition. 2 Standardize teacher salaries. 3 Create strategic plans for development and marketing. 4 Create uniform business and accounting practices. 5 Facilitate common purchasing. 6 Analyze and develop programs for special needs, gifted and advanced students. 7 Enhance technology and enrichment curricula. 8 Conduct a feasibility study to see if sixth grade should be pulled into the regional middle school. 9 Determine how facility upgrades for Jackson Catholic Middle School can be implemented. 10 Create a common policy of financial support from all parishes, whether or not they have a school. What is the status of schools in the Genesee/ Owosso region? Like the cities of Lansing and Jackson, the Genesee/Owosso region has experienced a decrease in enrollment over the past 10 years. In the four schools inside the city of Flint, the student population decreased by 40.3% since 1995. In the surrounding areas, the enrollment in the eight Catholic schools has risen by 9.3% during the same period. Pastors are meeting to study the schools in the Genesee/Owosso region and decide whether to follow the Lansing or Jackson model, or develop their own.
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of Catholic highschool graduates attend postsecondary institutions.
of Catholic highschool graduates attend fouryear colleges. Minority student enrollment in United States Catholic schools is about 27% of the total enrollment. NonCatholic enrollment in Catholic schools is approximately 13% of the total enrollment nationwide. – The CARA Report, Fall 2005
Will Powers High School move? Powers Catholic High School in Flint has a committee that is considering the feasibility of moving the school. Powers is located in the northern end of Genesee County, far from most of the student population. Some believe that moving the school is essential to ensure its continued success. Others believe the estimated $20-30 million price tag on such a move is prohibitive, and the declining county population does not support the investment at this time. What is the status of schools in the Washtenaw region? Enrollment in the two parish schools has decreased by 17.5% over the past 10 years. Currently, both schools are addressing this issue and there are no plans for regional restructuring.
Many of our diocesan Catholic schools are thriving and have waiting lists. Others are responding to the changing times and will continue to succeed with the vital support of parents and parish communities.
What is the status of schools in the Livingston region? Enrollment in Livingston County schools has increased by 122% since 1995 (including Holy Spirit, which began in the 2002-2003 school year). St. Mary Parish in Pinckney recently built a new school. St. Patrick School in Brighton has outgrown its current space and is expanding into an existing commercial building the parish has purchased. Parishioners are raising funds to finance the move. Currently, no regional studies are being done and no other parish has permission to build a school. There are no plans for a Livingston County regional high school at this time.
What is the status of schools in the Lenawee/ Hillsdale region? Sacred Heart in Hudson is the only parish school in the Lenawee/Hillsdale region. Its enrollment has grown by 56% over the past 10 years. The student population at St. Joseph Academy in Adrian, operated by the Adrian Dominican Sisters, has declined 26% over the same 10 years. There are no current plans to open any new schools in the Lenawee/Hillsdale region. What does it take to open a new regional Catholic high school? It requires articulated support from area pastors, a viable financial plan, a substantial and growing student population base, and the willingness of enough parents to support Catholic education
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n u m b e r s
Since Catholic education is a mission of the church, we must find ways to keep Catholic education affordable, accessable and available
at this level. Fr. Gabriel Richard High School in Ann Arbor is the newest high-school building in the diocese and it cost upward of $20 million.
Will the diocese need to build new K-8 schools? New K-8 schools must meet the same criteria as high schools. New schools may be built in areas of population growth that also have strong parent and parish support. What is the state of Catholic education in the United States and how does our diocese compare to national trends? Nationally, enrollment is decreasing in K-12 Catholic schools. The decline in Diocese of Lansing parish school enrollment is similar to the rest of the country. The culture is changing and formal Catholic education is only one alternative for parents. Schools of choice and charter schools are options that did not exist 20 years ago. Still, many of our diocesan Catholic schools are thriving and have waiting lists. Others are responding to the changing times and will continue to succeed with the vital support of parents and parishes. Are Catholic schools becoming something only for the elite? Tuition does not cover all the costs of a Catholic school education. Parishes subsidize the education of every student. Even with these subsidies, elementary tuition has grown to an average of $2,000 to $3,500 per year. For diocesan high schools, tuition can top $5,000 per year. This is of great concern not only
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A national survey of Catholic parishioners found that, of 34 descriptors of a vital parish, Catholic school access was ranked
For parishes with a school, the importance of a Catholic elementary school was ranked sixth in importance out of 34 categories. The greatest support for Catholic elementary schools comes from people age 66 and older, but only in parishes where there is a school already. – The CARA Report, Winter 2005
spec e to parents but to diocesan officials, who want to ensure that a Catholic education remains affordable for the average family. Some argue that tuition is moving out of the affordability range for the average family, let alone the poor. Since Catholic education is a mission of the church, we must find ways to keep Catholic education affordable, accessible and available. Solutions include endowing our Catholic schools and asking each parish to financially support schools, whether they have a school or not. Does the Diocese of Lansing have any plans to create an endowment or initiate a capital campaign to fund our Catholic schools? The Diocesan Blue Ribbon Committee, responding to Goal 3 of the pastoral plan, is presenting a proposal for a major capital campaign. If the campaign is approved and is successful, it could provide funding to update aging buildings and enable our Catholic schools to compete. What is the overall state of Catholic education in the diocese? Even with some declining enrollment, our Catholic schools maintain high standards of excellence and continue to exercise the church’s mission of educating our children to be the Catholic leaders of tomorrow. Education as a whole in our diocese is premiere and has been nationally recognized. In addition to our parish schools, the diocese also offers many opportunities for young and old to learn. Programs include parish religious education for children and youth, young adult ministry, adult faith formation, lay ministry formation and college level education. The catechetical formation program is renowned and is dedicated to the formation and education of the entire individual.
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ecial c report p 1994- 2004% +/1995 2005
School
1994- 2004% +/1995 2005
School
Lansing Region
Jackson Region
Holy Cross, Lansing
222
77
-65%
Jackson Catholic Middle, Jackson
345
278
-19%
IHM/St. Casimir, Lansing
373
254
-32%
Queen-Miraculous Medal, Jackson
455
399
-12%
Resurrection, Lansing
215
152
-29%
St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Jackson
262
189
-23%
St. Gerard, Lansing
556
518
-6%
Our Lady of Fatima, Mich. Center
156
101
-35%
St. Therese, Lansing
203
198
-2%
St. Thomas Aquinas, E. Lansing
476
392
-17%
St. Mary, Charlotte
107
115
+8%
St. Francis, Ann Arbor
547
459
-16%
2003-04
66
58
-12%
St. Thomas, Ann Arbor
296
239
-19%
Most Holy Trinity, Fowler
102
86
-15%
St. Michael, Grand Ledge
156
139
-10%
St. Joseph, St. Johns
326
307
-5%
253
479
+90%
St. Mary, Westphalia
237
265
+12%
Holy Spirit, Brighton (Hamburg)
2002-03
15
62
+314%
St. Mary, Williamston
115
90
-21%
St. Patrick, Brighton
251
278
+11%
St. Martha, Okemos
100
198
+98%
St. Mary, Pinckney
187
263
+48%
St. Peter, Eaton Rapids
Genesee/Owosso Region
Washtenaw Region
Livingston Region St. Joseph, Howell
Lenawee/Hillsdale Region
St. John Vianney, Flint
388
293
-24%
St. Joseph Academy, Adrian (Not a parish school, run by the Adrian Dominican Sisters)
343
251
-26%
DuKette, Flint
247
98
-60%
Sacred Heart, Hudson
76
118
+56%
Holy Redeemer, Burton
246
124
-49%
St. John the Evangelist, Fenton
243
468
+93%
Holy Rosary, Flint
240
132
-45%
St. Pius X, Flint
272
185
-32%
St. Robert Bellarmine, Flushing
444
316
-28%
Holy Family, Grand Blanc
634
660
+5%
St. Mary, Mt. Morris
176
163
-7%
St. Paul, Owosso
192
181
-5%
St. Mary, Swartz Creek
136
64
-53%
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Schools that have opened in the last 10 years St. Peter, Eaton Rapids 2003 | Holy Spirit, Brighton (Hamburg) 2002
Schools that have closed in the last 10 years St. Joseph, Jackson 2005 | St. Joseph, Owosso 2003 | St. Stanislaus Kostka, Jackson 1999 | Transfiguration, Ypsilanti 1995
2/1/06 2:07:46 PM
209 Seymour Ave. Lansing, MI 48933 Online:
www.DioceseofLansing.org www.FAITHmag.com
The Outreach Mass: Sundays On TV:
Flint: Lansing:
FOX 66 10 a.m. WHTV, UPN 18 10 a.m. WLAJ, ABC 53 at 6 a.m.
On Radio: Mass, 11 a.m. on WJIM 1240 AM
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2/7/06 1:46:29 PM