July/August 2002

fron1 the editor

•

e use the word "heart" in so many different ways in our daily speech. If we are being sincere in speaking to someone, we say. "I'm speaking from my heart." We can be deeply devoted to a cause with all our heart. We say that people can be warm-hearted or open·hearted. They can also be cold-hearted or have hardened hearts. I fear that many of us have broken hearts in the midst of the crisis in which the Church currently finds itself. Because of the abusive actions of a very small number of priests and because of the inaction of a few, the scandal of sexual abuse of children by priests has broken the hearts of many people. As a people of faith, we are shaken, saddened, angered and ashamed. Yet as a people of faith, we can also take heart that God, even now, is somehow at work in the midst of our suffering, guiding the Church toward healing and reconciliation. We can also take heart that the Church has not abandoned its mission during a difficult time. Even though I, too, have been As a people offaitla, we can take saddened by recent events, I am also encouraged by the willingness of so many who lteart tltat God, even now, is remain committed to the Church's many minsomehow at work in dte midst of istries and apostolates that bring the healing love of Christ to the world. our suffering, guiding the Church In a time when the priesthood finds itself under intense scrutiny I think it is vitally toward healing and reconciliation. important that we remember that the vast majority of priests are deeply devoted to their ministry and labor tirelessly on behalf of so many. In this issue of FAITH, we offer profiles of and unique insights into the lives of two seasoned pastors and Bishop Mengeling. Fr. Bernie Reilly, the late Fr. Ray Rademacher, and Bishop Mengeling each share with us their perspectives on priesthood and what keeps them going in good times and bad. They offer a heartfelt look at the challenges and blessings of priestly life and ministry. On june 8, our diocese celebrated the priestly ordinations of Fr. james Conlon and Fr. Peter Clark. As Bishop Povish shares, both men represent a growing trend in priestly vocations - those who enter seminary after successful professional careers. Take the time to get • to know our two newest priests who begin their ministry ~ --r~: during a very challenging time in the Churchs life. In a time of difficulty and confusion, the Psalms are often a welcome refuge. One of my favorites has been I~ Psalm 27, in which we sing, "I believe I shall see the goodness of the lord in the land of the living; hope in God, and take heart. Hope in the lord!" Inspired and encouraged by God's continued presence and action among us, our journey in FAITH continues.

... \f . ''

- Fr. Dwight Ezop Is Editor in Chid or FAITH Magazine and pastor or the Catholic Community or St. jude, DeWitt

llturv col Cillcnd.H B l co~ cd Jun >~<· ro Scrr.1. !'"col July 1

St Thom ~o Ap ostle July 3

St E I>ZJhcth of Portuuol. fl <· ' ·~l '"''" July 4 I ~. ! AntllCI\y r.t ay Z.1rco"J. Pt~ co t July 5 I ~,:

conte11ts The Church in Crisis Bishop Mengeling 4 answers questions Reader Opinions 6 What has the Church done for victims? 6 Evenings of Prayer 28 Bishops' Meeting 30

Columns In the Know with Fr. Joe

Is celibacy the problem? Fr. Joseph Krupp

The Journey

ncouraging all vocations r. C.thleen McGreal

Spiritual Fitness Discerning Gods will Fr. Bill Ashbaugh

Last Word

Encouraging Vocations Bishop Kenneth Povlsh 31

Cover What is life like as a priest? What do these men think and feel about their lives? FAITH talked to two long~time pastors and Bishop Mengeling about being priests their biggest joys, sorrows, favorite moments and even _meals.

A Day in the Life of a Pastor What is it like to be the pastor of the diocese's largest parish? Well, FAITH's Kathy Funk went on assignment - tagging along with Fr. Dan McKean of St. Patrick Parish in Brighton. What a busy guyl

Parenting Priests Ordination 2002 Many parents encourage their Why would a doctor and a sons to pursue vocations other lawyer give up their professions than priesthood these days. to become priests? In the midst Not the MacDonalds. They of one of the largest scandals to have two priest sons. What did face the priesthood, James they do or not do to encourage Conlon and Peter Clark did just and support their sons? that. Meet our two new priests.

Bishop Mengeling Answers Our Questions

Below are excerpts from a variety of Bishop Mengeling~ public statements in response to the clergy sexual abuse scandal.

Addressing the Hurt Caused: With profound sorrow, I say to the victims and their families: I am sorry this has happened to you. It should never have happened, and I apologize. I seek your forgiveness for the betrayal, the loss and suffering you endure. The people in the Diocese of Lansing are hurting, and they need help, just like everyone else. They're disappointed. Some of them are confused or even traumatized. For this reason, I've encouraged our priests to talk about this every chance they get. This has made a tremendous difference because it has released people so they can talk about it. When members of a family are silent, it doesn't solve anything. The Church is a big family, and when parts of our family are in trouble, the whole family suffers for it. Yet, with the devastation and pain, comes purification. I've always said, ~The infection has to come out before you can get cured." And that'S a painful business.

Taking Responsibility: I feel a sense of loss in the context of the people who are hurt in all of this. I sense a great disap-

pointment in myself and others that this did not come to our attention from within. Rather, in many ways, we were forced from the outside to pay attention to the problem. The Lord works this way. Sometimes, we get in a rut. We get complacent. St Basil, who lived in the fourth century said. wTo be humble, you need humiliators." We've been humbled, and that's a good thing. The Holy Father says this is a purification. And we all need that, on a regular basis, so we don't get complacent and take things for granted. On the Cunent Crisis: The Church has been facing difficult situations for 2,000 years. This is one of the toughest times, but

in the history of the Church, this is where Catholics have the most resilience and strongest faith . The only way the Church continues. despite failures from within and attacks from without, is by keeping our eyes ftxed on Christ. Without that, we're going nowhere. The number one question asked during ordination is, "Will you love the lord jesus and His people, the Church, and will you serve God!i people with all your heartr Every one of our priests answered "Yesb to this question with great enthusiasm, and we need to say "Yes~ today more than ever before. They say that the best defense is a good offense. That's our offense. In this time of challenge, we will stand strong and firm, and believe in the Lord jesus with our eyes are ftxed on Him. We will be strong in faith and have confidence in Him who says, "I will be with you always [and you'd better stick with me or you're done.t This is as true for the sacrament of matrimony as it is for the ordained priesthood. The Holy Father reminds us, wwe shall not be saved by a formula but by a Person, and the assurance which he gives us; 1 am with you!"

On the Press: On April24, I welcomed the local newspapers and television stations to a press conference, not as adversaries or enemies, but as allies. It's not easy being under the microscope, but that's where the Church is, and a lot of good is going to come out of it. The press has sharpened the awareness of the Church - and hopefully all of society - about the extreme gravity of child abuse. Their emphasis on the tremendous pain, loss and confusion of the victims and their famihes is especially important. Pope john Paul II said in his talk to the cardinals, "The abuse which has caused this crisis is by every standard wrong and rightly considered a crime by society. It is also an appalling sin in the eyes of God."

from the bishop Zero Tolerance: ln my leucr to the Catholics of the Diocese of Lansing March 15, 1 said. ''No one who has had a substantiated claim of abuse of a minor brought against him or her is actively workmg in the Diocese of lansing.~ We have a zero tolerance policy regarding the sexual abuse of minors. 1 stress the words of the Holy Father: "People need to know that there is no place in the priesthood, or the religious life, for those who would harm the young: That is our number one concern - our young people. We're concerned about the whole reality of sexual abuse of minors, which is rampant in our society. The problem in the Church is just the tip of the iceberg. The police, educators, lawyers, psychiatrists and counselors all know what a massive problem this is. On Civil Laws: Locally, I am delighted about a new bill being introduced to the state legislature in Michigan which would require that members of the clergy report suspicions and allegations of sexual abuse of minors. This has already been included in the policy of the Diocese of Lansing, adopted two years ago during jubilee 2000. Anyone working for the D10cese of Lansing is required to report abuse to civil authorities. Reporting Abuse to AuthoriUes: Every August, new employees in the diocese are gathered together and the Diocesan Sexual Misconduct policy is explained to them very carefully, and they are made aware of their responsibilities to report sexual abuse, and to be alert of these possibilities. Prior to their being hired, there is also a screening process. We get many false allegations, and we have to deal with them all. Our collaboration with civil authorities and prosecutors is invaluable in helping to determine if a claim is legitimate. A substantiated claim could involve a crimmal conviction on one hand. When there is no crime involved, there is a canonical process, in which an accused priest has the right to get an advocate, to be defended, and to prove his innocence. On Homosexuality: We must keep in mind that there are many people with a same sex attraction who are living chaste by Gods grace. Chastity is part of the Churchs teaching, and it makes sense. There are homosexuals In the priesthood \JJho are great priests, who are devoted to their people and who live the ideals of the priesthood. On the other hand, there are others who don't. Its not a black and white issue. We need lO look at this with patience, and never forget that the main thing is the protection of children. ~ves

On Celibacy: There arc people who think that celibacy is the problem. Its not. Only about two percent of the priests have been involved in sexual misconduct. If celibacy has to be done away with and is impossible because of that, then I would propose that because of adultery, we have to do away with marriage. We know that adultery is prevalent but does that mean marriage is impossible? No. The issue is not celibacy. I can tell you very frankly that the vast majority of our priests arc faithful to the promise they made. On the Future of the Priesthood: A change is happening within the Church which can only be attributed to the working of the Holy Spirit. For about the last 10 years, the screening process for admitting men into the seminary has been very complex and detailed. In that time, there has also been a real spiritual awakening, which we can especially sec in our young people. Our parishes, our people, and the communities that we live in have a spirit thats resilient. We're not people who run away and throw in the towel when it gets rough. 1 see it in lansing, in Flint, in jackson, in Ann Arbor. Its all over the place. Theres an atmosphere thats very positive, which 1 can't take credit for. I've only been here seven years, and I can make comparisons. If you've lived here all your life, maybe you can take it for granted. We have a great group of priests in the Diocese of Lansing, and people have confidence in them. There is solidarity and a good rapport among them and they pursue the ideals of the priesthood. Although no ones perfect, they believe, they're committed, and they're doing the best they can. On Good Coming from Evil: Personally, I have a deeper, sharper sense than ever before in the last four months of this horrendous reality of child abuse. Imagine if the whole United States became intensely aware of this massive problem throughout our society. If this entire crisis with these priests and the Church can mobilize the entire country into an intense campaign for - Most Rev. Carl F. Mengeling is the fourth bishop of lansing. the protection of our children, its worth it. r,

View all of Bishop Mengeling's press conferences and other Web video only on FAJTHmag.com Click FAITHmedla

faHh Most Reverend Carl F. Mengeling

letters

PUBUSKER

Rev. Charles Irvin fOUNDING EDITOR

Volume 3 : IPua 8 Juiv/Autlusl2002

Rev. Dwi~ht Ezop EDITOR lA CHIEf

Patrick M. O'Brien

Send your letters to: Editor, FAITH Magazine 300 W. Ottawa Lansing, Ml 48933

Opinions on the Sex Abuse Scandal What do you think? E·mall at leHers@falthmag.com

MANAGING EDITOR/CREATIVE DIRECTOR

lUthy Funk ASSISTANT EDITOR

Alton Pelowski

CREATIVE 4 EDITORIAL ASSISTANT WEB MASTER

jtllanejob SUIISCRIPTIONSISECRETARY

Evelyn Weitzel SUBSCRIPTIONS

Rev. Wtlliam Ashbaugh Elizabeth johnson Christina Kirsh Rev. joseph Krupp Patricia Majher Dr. Cathleen McGreal Erin Oakley Most Rev. Kenneth J. Povish Dunne Rnmsey Den. Bill Sirl Rita Thiron CONTRIBUTING WRinRS

Margaret Perrone PROOFREADING

Christine jones james Luning (cover) CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Wayne Case David Fenech Rev. Matthew Fedewa Patricia Garcia Diane Nowak Margaret Perrone james Rhndiga.n Ricardo Rodriguez David Rosenberg Rev. james Swiat Peter Wagner Sharon Wimple &DvtSORY BOARD

Rev. Cecilia Reyna WEI MINISTRY

Rogers Printing PRltmNG

Thanks to Bishop Mengelingfor the statement (FAITH Magazine, April2002). I myself want to give my full support to our diocese and all the wonder~ ful priests I've had the opportunity to worship with. 1know what has been done is awful; however, that does not for one moment reflect on the priesthood in general. ... As for me and my house, we are praying for you. Peace in Christ, Laurie Cooper

or lack thereof by the churrh administration. They continue to minimize, enable and blame this problem on others. There appears to be little compassion for the victims.... In the short article regarding William Donohue (FAITH Magazine, World News, May/june 2002), he gives "lips" on how to defend the faith. This is not my faith. This is a group of administrators who have betrayed us all. ... The onry Christian response is to fully and completely admit their guilt and take the punishment deserved. lAstly, given the mag~ nitude of this crisis, how can your magazine proceed business as usual and not dedicate more of the issue to working on the necessary dialogue and healing which must take place?

I am beyond horrified at the church leaders response to the sex abuse scandal. As a psychologist, I cannot believe the lack of knowledge regardtng the dynam· ics of pedophiles - this dynamic does not change because the offender is a priest. What is even Elizabeth Sayraf more horrifying is the response

... We are all called to be more tolerant to pray for our enemies, to love boldly, toforgive. Yes, it is hard but consider the altema· tive. Have we all become too used to hating? To get past all the deep wounds and mistrust it will be this generation that will have the hardest time in bringing peace and restoring each per· sons dignity. In tl1e end when our souls stand naked, will we recognize our enemy from our friend? And will we even be able to welcome who we see when our true self stands before us? How do you think God or Allah or Yahweh or whoever will judge us?1pray that we may not end up, for all eternity, toofar south _ of heaven for by then it will be too late to recognize the Truth. Tom Demshuk WJatn

what has the Church done to_help_victims o£abus.e?

ishop Mengeling announced a zero tolerance policy in order to protect children from future sexual abuse by clergy. But, what about the victims' spiritual and psychological recovery? ''The spiritual and psycho· logical care of a victim of abuse is the first and primary concern of the diocese," according to Michael Diebold, director of communications for the Diocese of lansing. "The dto· c.ese will fully cooperate with any investigation undenaken by law enforcement. "Additionally. any person who reports an allegation of

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sexual abuse against any cleric, Mengeling called for staff member or volunteer of Regional Programs of the Diocese of Lansing will be Prayer and Dialogue which offered spiritual and psycholog- were held throughout the dto· leal counseling. cese during the The c.ounseling The spiritual and months of May will be patd for psychological care of a and june. by the diocese. victim of abuse is the first Spiritual, legal A vicum may and primary concern of and phycologt· choose his or her the diocese cal experts were own counselor. on hand for the or a referral will be made to services. The bishop chose an one of the Catholic Social appropriate verse from the Old Service agencies in the dtocese. Testament to serve as the theme ·The people of the Church of the regional programs: 'Speak arc also victims in these situathe truth to one another.' tions. They feel anger, sadness, tZu:h:uuh s 16}" For more shame and a sense of betrayal. information, call Michael To address this, Bishop Carl Diebold at (517) 342~2474.

saint of the n1onth

aithmag.com. Some of What's Online

Junipero Serra

Look for this and more only on FAITHmeg.com

A true hero of the Old West

Web Exclusive: How Has the Priesthood Changed? Priests Then and Now by Fr. Cftarfes Irvin

efore the 1960s, life was different for priests. A

priest was like a doctor, one we could go to when we were in any kind or trouble, be it financial, spiritual, legal or or any nature whatsoever. Father had all or the answers; Father knew best. Clericalism might be described as that status in which the priest lived within the mysterious confines or "the rectory. He was invariably clothed in a black suit and wore a Roman collar. He used Laun to communicate with his superiors and with God. The aura or the supernatural surrounded him - he could do no wrong and make no mistakes. The pastor ran the pansh without any committees, councils, or other bodies or lay folk who had a meaningrul voice in decisions to be made. He was accountable only to his bishop. And then came the 1960s, a decade during which the Cathohc Church and Western Civilization were interactively re-ronned. The priesthood hasn't been the same since and that is the way God wants it. Read the rest of the story and more only on FAITH .com Also Online: Fr. Charlie Irvin has had a major impact on the lives or nearly 20 young men constdering the priesthood. With 35 years or pastoral expenence, Fr. Charlie may be one or the dioceses most successrul 'recruiters' to his vocation. "Hes always been available to anyone who crossed his threshold," says Fr. Dennis Glasgow, SJ , an early 'recruit.' Read the rest of the story and more only on FAITHmag.com n

Book of the Month From Scandal to Hope

By Fr. Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R. Fr. Groeschel examines the roots or the current crisis and issues an eloquent appeal ror refonn and renewal in this new book. It was written pri· marily for Cathohcs reeling confused, overwhelmed or angry in recent months. Fr. Groeschel brings decades or experience as a retreat master, psychologist and a founding member or the Franciscan Friars or the Renewal. (lui'): 2002. Our Sunday VISitor. WWI\!OS~cont)

e didn't wear a Stetson hat, carry a sixshooter, or ride a black stallion. But Blessed junipero Serra was a true hero of the old West. This Franciscan monk, whose feast day is july 1, was responsible for the spread of Christianity throughout California back when the West Coast was still mission territory. Miguel jose Serra was born on the tsland of Majorca in 1713, and took the namejumpero when he entered the Franciscan order m 1730. After his ordination in 1737, he taught theolo· gy and philosophy at the University of Padua unti\1749 , when he traveled to Mexico City to teach in a mission:try college there. Once in Mexico, he :tSked to be :tSsigned to the missions, where he worked among the natives, learning the language of the Pame Indians and translating the catechism into their language. In 1769, at the age of 56, Serra was appointed superior of a band of 15 Francisc:tns assigned to the Indian missions of lower California. He began traveling northw:trd, establishing missions and converting the Once in Mexico, ftc aslled to be natives as he went. In all, he founded or helped establish 21 assigned to the missions, wftere missions, including San Diego, San Carlos, San Luis Obispo, Sanjuan fte worhed among tltc natives, Capistrano, and San Francisco. Throughout his travels, Serra chose learning the language of tfte to walk from mission to mission, Pame Indians and translating the even though his leg was crippled and he suffered from asthma. When, in 1778, he w:tS given the catecltism into dteir language. authority to administer the sacrament of confirmation, he once again visited the missions from San Diego to San Francisco, a distance of 600 miles, to confirm everyone he had baptized- more than 5,300 people. By the time his lifes work was finished, he had traveled approximately 5,500 miles on foot. junipero Serra died Aug. 28, 1784, and was buried at the mission of San Carlos Borromeo. One hundred years later the legislature of California passed a resolution making Aug. 29, the centennial of Fr. Serras burial, a legal holiday. Even non-Catholics admired the work performed by Serra, which included introducing :tgriculture and irrigation systems, urging passage of a system of laws to protect California\; Indians from the abuses of Spanish soldiers, and creating a network of roads. Serra Club In 1935, :1 group of Catholic lay people in Seattle chose Fr. junipero Serra as their patron and the names:tke of the group they founded to support and encourage Catholic religious vocallons. They admired Serras perseverance and hts total faithfulness to doing the work God had chosen for htm Today, there are more than 23,000 Serra Club members in 36 countnes, quietly supporting seminanans and encouraging men and women to consider the (·all to vowed religious life Pope john Paulll beatified Fr. junipero Serra Sept. 25, 1988. - Eli4aiH:1h)ohnson

in the know with Fr. Joe and to 'the affairs of the Lord,' they give themselves entirely to God and to men .... accepted with a joyous heart celibacy radiantly proclaims the reign of God. (Cf. ro 16)~ That is some good stuff! Lets take it apart. First of all, a different question then askcelibacy is a sign and a ing him why the Church means for priests to serve the requires it for priests See Lord with ~undivtded where his answer takes you. heans.n This is not meant as Hopefully, faithful priests an auack on marriage at all, proclaim a message with their but a statement about the celibacy. they witness powery I ran to the doctor's office (Editor's Note: Insert your FOCUS of the priest. A marfully without opening their In quHe a panle- each day I groan here - ) ried person, by virtue of the mouths. I hope that my c:hec:ked, l was getting shortÂˇ Well, things In the catholic sacrament, is called to focus celibacy shouts out that jes er. "Doctor! I think I am Church are hard these days, primarily on his family: is worth a radical commitshrinking! Do something to that's for sure. Patience and ment to feed and clothe In the words of Tony working helpmef' ChrisUan charity are virtues to be with them; taking time Campolo: "After what jesus The doctor paused, looked we all have to practice. We his spouse and children in did for me, there isn't anyat me and said, "Well, Father, received a lot of tough, but love, honorand thing I wouldn't do for Him!" order to really good questions. Here's you are just going to have to educate them; and all other Does celibacy do more be a IIWe patient." one that many asked: sorts of duties. harm than good? Taking the The priest is bound by entirety of the priesthood and not the few the media Dear Fr. Joe: Why does the would take too long. Instead, none of these things and able, therefore, to freely serve are so often writing about, I Church require priests to I am going to base my God and His people. Priestly would say the answer is no be celibate? Are there answers off the Catechism celibacy is a for two reaspiritual advantages for and my own experience. So great sign. And sons. First of cetlbac:y that the rest of us ... here we go! Aiestly celibacy is totally you goua all, your priest don't understand or does lets stan with our its a is able to be admit, It do more hann than Catechisms. Section 1579 unrelated to the issue of GREAT sign. lt there for you. good? Doesn't the Church states: "All the ordained minpedophUia Most priesls gets peoples realize that we would Granted, there isters of the Latin Church, can teft you that we hear are always have more priests If with the exception of perma- attention, doesn't it? celibacy wasn't required? nent deacons, are normally about sexual abuse from human and Ask a priest temporal limiThese are very important chosen from among men of many sources in you know and tations, but, for and deep questions with faith who live a celibate life many contexts. he will most the most part, many layers and I will and who intend to remain likely tell you a priest is able answer them a bit at a time. celibate 'for the sake of the he is quesNow, to be clear, I am not and willing to kingdom of heaven.' tioned about celibacy more (Matthew 19:12) Called to able to cover all the reasons be there for his people 24 than any other topic. Ask him hours a day, six days a week consecrate themselves with why the Church asks her why he chose celibacy. This is (day off!). priests to be celtbate - that undivided heart to the Lord (I Conmhbns 7 32)

what oo you ap •

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We know that the va~t maJonty of pncsts are fmthful to thctr call to love and serve God and Hts Church We are grateful for the spectal ways they help us to live M a life of fatth . hope and chanty, a ltfc accordmg to the Spirit" (CCC 1'i7-t l. That's why we asked young adults from the Diocese of Lansing, ''What do you appreciate most about priests?"

"They have given up so many things the world value5 to faithfully and self· lessly serve God and the Church ~ catherine Aikin Sr.

Peter,

Eaton Rapids

Secondly, priestly celibacy is totally unrelated to the issue of pedophilia. Most priests can tell you that we hear about sexual abuse from many sources in many contexts. And priests are no more prone to pedophilia than any other profession. In terms of recruiting more priests, let's take a look at that issue. The latest statistics say that there are 63 million Catholics in the United States and about 38,000 active priests. That is wugh to be sure and I know that at the end of most days, all I can do is fall in bed and pray that tomorrow will be slower! Is celibacy the reason that fewer and fewer young men arc ing into the priesthood? Perhaps, but that does not mean the Church needs to

~. Pnc~ t

Aug 19

'They shepherd God's children by carrymg on the sacramental tradi· lion established by Jesus Christ." Rick Thelen Most Holy Trinity,

Fowler

change. 1 believe with all my radical commitment; total abandonment; and, complete heart that it means the surrender. I was thinking that American culture needs to change. Have you noticed how jesus is worth it and His bride, the Church is worth it, too! I often we get angry at the Church for not being like us? was thinking that serving God's We assume that disagreement people all day everyday is what with the culture and ideology I wanted lO do (with occasional of the people of breaks for eating the U.S. is reason and sleeping, of I know most people course). I was alone to change a 2 ,000-year-old speak of celibacy as thinking about institution! strictly being about sex love and sacrifice and commitToo often the American culture when ~ isn't It is about mcnl. I was treats celibacy as proclaiming a message thinking about good priests I if it is just about of total imitation of sex and sexual have known Jesus. activity. It is more through my than that. I whole life. I was remember clearly thinking about the moment I made my prom- some of the holy men and women throughout our 2,000 ise of celibacy, and I will tell you what was in my heart year history who have done

"I appreciate the guidance I've received from priests, both in reconciliation and in teaching~ Lindsay Weaver

St. Mary, Williamston

exactly what I was doing. You see what! mean? Celibacy involves sexuality, but it's not limited to it. It seems that for Americans, this is a hard concepl. I know most people speak of celibacy as strictly being about sex when it isn'l. It is about proclaiming a message of total imitation of jesus. It is about showing a culture of throw-away relationships that commitment is everything. It is about dedicating our lives to the service of people. lt is all about jesus. Enjoy another day in God's presence! D Send your question to: "In the Know with Fr. Joe" FAITH Magazine 300 W. Otta-, Lansing, Ml 48933

Or: JoelnBiack@prlest.com

St Rcrn~rd. Abbot ~t:d Doctor uf U1c Ch,;rdl Aug 20 , St P.uo X, Pope Aug 21 , Ouccn~h·p of the Bic~scd VH\)'n t.1or; Aug 22

S: fl o~c of L11no V~rc; n Aug 23

Read parts HS on FAITHmag.com

theology 101

Rita Tltiron, associate dirccror of tlte Office of Worship continues witlt Part

6: Holy Orders

y baptism. all the faithful are called to share in the threefold mission of Christ as priest, prophet, and servant of the kingdom. But while we all have a share in this mission, some are called to the sacrament of Holy Orders. "This sacrament configures the recipient to Christ by a special grace of the Holy Spirit, so that he may serve as Christ's instrument for His Church" (CCC 1581). The ministerial priesthood is at the service of the common priesthood of believers (CCC 1547). It is a means by which Christ unceasingly builds up and leads his Church. What does 'Order' mean?

Mclcltizedell (left) was an Olcl Testament p•icst

In ancient Rome, the word order designated an established ctvil or governing body. Ordinatio meant incorporation into an ordo. In the Church, there are still established bodies or ordines (plural)- bishops, priests, deacons, religious, catechumens, widows. etc. Today, the word ordination is reserved for the

f j

tilneline: history of the sacnunen1 Old Tcsl<~mcnt

• Old Covenant priests had duties within the community pertaining to cult and culture. Of note are Melchizedek, ("priest of God most High") king of Salem who brought out bread and wine for Abram (Genesis 14); the priesthood of Aaron and the Levites (Leviticus 8, 21), and the institution of the 70 elders (Numbers 11).

<\ of the Holy Spirit • He calls disciples to \,. (Act$ 13). follow Him including Eilr1y Church Peter, the "rock" on whom He would ' 96 Clement of Rome build His Church. ~ writes of succession of ministers from the • After Christ'S death, there is collective apostles; two-tier leadership and no institutional orders of presbyter-bishop and deacon. priesthood. • Seven Hellenist leaders 100 Ignatius of Antioch were chosen by people to promotes a three-fold ministry of overseer (bishop), presbyter do charitable work (diahonia); Apostles MJ=fr:\1~ (priest), and deacon. pray and lay hands • Bishop is chief . ~-I teacher of his church; on them (ActS 6). • ;·r~i~ r~ I no baptism or • james and elders . iJ . Eucharist celebrated (presbyteroi) preach tn ~. '. e ' without reference to jerusalem. bishop (a •monar• Timothy and Titus establish local leaders, chial episcopate"). presbyters, and overseers 215 Apostolic Tradition (episkopoi). Notes the role of the commu• Major decisions are made by nity in selecting leaders and a Council under the influence contains an ordination rite

. . ~

New Tcsl<~mcnl

•jesus establishes the Church and remains its great High Priest (Letter to Hebrews)

l ;

with the laying on of hands and prayers for gifts of the Spirit Some of these prayers are still used. 250 Didascalia Apostolorum recorded that woman deacons (ministrae) were necessary when a woman was to be baptized (#17}. 325 Council of Nicea declared women are not to be counted among the clergy 404 Pope Innocent I said priests and deacons should be celibate.

• Increased importance of presbyters - less advisory to bishop, assume role of priest as of sacrifice and prayer, assume liturgical duties of the bishop in the local community.

Baptism Part 1

BapUsm Part 2

ReconcUiatlon

Eucharist

Holy Orders

ConfinnaUon

J;;iYI

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son of Christ) and ~in nomine ecclesia" (in the name of the Church). The latter does not mean that he is a mere delegate of the community. The prayer and offering of the Church are inseparable from the prayer and offering of Chnst - we offer our prayers "through him, with him, in him." The Rite of Ordination

sacramental act which incorporates a man into Holy Orders. In the person of Christ and In the name of the Church

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A priest or bishop serves "in persona Chnsti" (in the per-

The rites vary slightly, but the essential "matter and form" for each is the same • the laying on of hands and the prayer of consecration. Like Baptism and Confirmation, the sacrament of Holy Orders confers an indelible spiritual character it cannot be repeated nor be conferred temporarily. Remembering that we all share in the priesthood of Christ, pray daily for our ordained ministers. For through them and the sacraments they confer, God continues to save His people. )

holy orders and priesdy celibacy • Role of deacons was reduced. Order seen as transition to priesthood. • Bishops become more involved with administrative and judicial responsibilities.

mally developed \vith the Gregorian Sacramentary. • Some clergy held other jobs; education of clergy improves.

one of the seven sacraments. 3 Required celibacy. 4 Confined bishops to their own territories. 5 Mandated that priests be educat8·151h centuries ed in seminaries. c • Emphasis on power of priest 6 Defended to consecrate Body and Blood hierarchical orders; of Christ and administer other bishops are supenor to priests. sacraments. • Holy Orders recognized as 7 Upheld the disone of seven sacraments. tinction between • Seven orders develop: porter, • Lateran Council II (1139) ordained and other baptized. declares holy orders is an exorcist, lector, acolyte, sub8 Gave directives on preachimpediment to marriage deacon, deacon, priest. ing and pastoral care. 1 6 ·2 01h ccntunes 1947 Pius XII declares Klay• Understanding of clerical hierarchy (bishop, priest, dea- Council of Trent (1548-1563) ing on of hands" to be definicon) and lay hierarchy (reli· 1 Defended the existence of tive element in ordination. Jl gious, lay, catechumens) priesthood with the power to Vatican II (1961-1965) vhich reflects divinely-ordered consecrate the Body and The Dogmatic Constitution Blood of Christ and forgive structure of universe (hieraron the Church (1964), the chy from hleros =priest). sins in Christs name. Decree on the Ministry and • Ordination rites more for2 Confirmed Holy Orders as Life of Priests (1965), and

the Decree on the Pastoral Office of Bishops in the Church (1965) relate ordained ministry to Christ and to the priesthood of all the faithful. They define more clearly the role of bishop, priest, and deacon 1967 Sacram Diaconatus Ordinem established canonical norms for the permanent diaconate 1968 Revised Rites of Ordination established. 1111'

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1972 Paul VI writes an Apostolic Letter laying down norms about deacons. Allows lay people to be readers and acolytes - distributors of holy Communion at Mass.

Interviews by Duane Ramsey

Portraits by james Luning

Looking back on my life, God has blessed me wherever I have been. I didn't realize when I was younger that God loves me more than myself. Having grown up on a farm I had three options in life: become a farmer and raise a family, become a teacher or a priest. I didn't want to be a farmer, 1 wanted to become a priest or teach. I was fortunate to do both in one calling. Being a priest is Gods calling for me and I'm happy to fulfill that calling. I have experienced Gods graces and am very satisfied in what I've done in life. The best thing my parents did was to give me the freedom to live my own life and didn't tell me how to live it. I am happiest when I'm saying Mass. Celebrating the sacraments is what I like most about being a priest. I love baptisms, weddings and celebrating the liturgy of Mass. The traditions of the Church are the best part of being Catholic Sometimes the law comes before the people, just like in civil affairs. Thats the frustrating part of being Catholic. I felt the closest to God when I was in a coma. It was a very peaceful state for me. I have felt the presence of God least in the state of sin. There arc good choices and evil choices. God has given those choices to everybody. The choice you make is the key. The chance to stand and say 'I love God' is beuer than all the evil choices one could make. I have been angry about evil things people do, but I don't think I've ever been angry with God. Knowing that Gods calling never quits is what gives me hope. God loves me so much that He calls me every day. Am I doing Gods will for the Church and not for me? I ask myself that question every day. The most interesting thing about people is that nobody:S alike because God created them all differently. You can't put people in categories or classify them. Touching peoples lives by helping them has been my biggest joy as a priest. I hope that people would thank God for meeting me. The failure to reach some people and not being able to help them is the biggest disappointment. The greatest adversity I've had to deal with is living wah diabetes for 33 years. Now, I have a rare blood disease and been given only one to three years to live but I've always had a spiritual direction since my ordination. After losing someone important, I wish I could have helped him more. I lost a good friend and classmate who retired, bought a condo in Florida and soon committed suicide. I knew he had a problem but didn't know how serious it was. When I was a chaplain at a hospital many years ago, I met a couple, who had been married for 54 years. They were in the hospital together ncar the end of their lives but the way they looked at each other was the finest love I've ever seen. I have seen more (true) justice in people coming back to the Church when they are sick or dymg. I've always tried to help people but! don't know all the answers. I've always believed the other person is very important. If somebody mistreats you, I feel sorry for that person. When it comes to imitating Jesus, I would like to have His ability to deal with people wherever they're at. I also admire children's abtlity to have complete trust in other people. St. Francis of Assisi has been my model or saint that inspires me most. I think he was a person who could walk anywhere and feel at home with animals or people of all kinds. I have seen true wisdom in other clergyman. I've worked with many priests in many parishes and gamed wisdom watching how God's grace works through them. My favorite meal is pasta. I love to cook but can't chew or swallow so I don't get to enjoy food any more. Pleasure used to be playing tennis, but right now, just visiting people. One question I would like God to answer is, 'How could !love people more?' I hope that I would be called 'a good friend of God' when I reach heaven.

Fr. Ray Rademacher of Holy 1Hnity Parish In Fowler (1935Âˇ2002) Ordamed in 1962 before the Second Vatican Council, Fr. Rademacher served as a parish pncst and pastor for 40 years. He served as pastor of St. Casimir Parish m l...ansmg and St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Ann Arbor. He was an associate at the parishes of St. joseph m Owosso, St. Thomas Aquinas in East Lansmg, St. Augustine in Kalamazoo, and others. During the last six years of his life, he served as pastor at Holy Trinity Parish in Fowler Even during the last painful months of his life, Fr. Ray continued to serve his people - like agreeing to do this article and visiting the sick even when his health was sometimes worse than those he was VISiting.

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The call of God was the first thing to come to mind looking back on my life. So many people arc Gods mouthpieces through the Church. A lot of priests and lay people helped to foster the vocation in me to become a priest. After considering different professions that involved helping people, such as social worker and teacher, I realized I could do all those things by serving God and people as a priest. It was never something that was expected in the family but they encouraged and supported my decision. The best thing my parents did was that they loved each other and us, gave us all we needed but not all we wanted. Serving good people who arc interested in living the faith has kept me doing what I do as a priest. The best part of being Catholic and a priest (I can't separate the two) is celebrating the sacraments with people at key moments in thetr lives. There are some I have baptized, given first confession and holy Communion, married them and given them last rites. Pleasure is leading other people to Christ. The negative part of being Catholic is a misunderstanding many people have about the Church. Some people are told what we believe as Catholics by others who are not even connected with the Church. There are many social injustices within the Church. It has made strides towards true justice with some of the bigger issues, such as gaining more equality for African-Americans and migrant workers. I felt the presence of God most one Sunday morning celebrating Mass at St. Casimir in Lansing. In the middle of the homily, I felt a special awareness and attentiveness. The whole liturgy seemed to have an extraordinary reverence on everyone$ part. That moment had to be acknowledged because l realized that we had prayed together as one prayer when God visited that house. When I haven't felt His presence, I have wondered, 'Where are you God?' I simply looked around and found the answer. I may have been angry with God once. It was a toss up between being angry with the bishop or God. A question I ask myself every day is 'Whose will is going to win out today, Lord? I know it should be Yours but ... ' Sometimes when you Jose something or someone important to you, you aren't able to deal with it at that time. My father died when 1 was 11, but I didn't have a sense of it until an uncle, who was a mentor to me, died when I was 21. Only then was I able to gneve my fathers death. When dealing with adversity, you can be surprised by things when you need to move quickly in a mental framework before you act. An issue may be the adversary. I always ask: How will God best be served? If someone mistreats me, I may momentarily and internally blow up, but I try to say, 'Why waste good energy on it?' My biggest joy as a priest was having the unexpected privilege to be part of a parish building a new church at St. Jude in DeWin. It was also a disappointment not to share more time in the new facility but I was blessed to have a complete cycle of the liturgical seasons there. The most interesting thing about people ts that even though we're all individuals, people are alike in many ways. I've always believed in the goodness of people. I've never thought much about what people might say after meeting me. I hope it would be that I could make a difference in their lives. I have received true love from so many of the friendships I've shared with pnests and parishioners. I've kept in contact with many of them despite the separation. When it comes to seeing true wisdom, some of the priest mentors, especially pastors in my parish assignments, each have shown human insight into different things. What I would most want to imitate about Jesus is His compassion and understanding of people. About imitating children, I would want to have their openness and eagerness to learn new things. The one thing I want people to know about Jesus is the gift of His life He offered for us as forgiveness of our sins. St. Joseph is my favorite saint. He worked quietly providing for Jesus and Mary yet never sought the spotlight. I've often said, 'there's a question I'd like to ask God' but 1 can't thmk of any now. On the presumption that I get to heaven, I hope God would say 'welcome home.' I am happiest when 1 hear the l'irst reconctliation of adults becoming Catholic. My favorite meal is prime rib, twice-baked potatoes, peas with pearl onions, Greek salad with feta cheese, roll and butter, and some sinful dessert.

Fr. Bernie Reilly of St. Mary Star of the Sea Parish In Jackson Fr. Reilly was ordained April 28, 1973, at St.Mary Cathedral. He has been involved with the Emmaus support group for priests ror about 20 years. Fr. Reilly served as an associate at three parishes including St. Luke in Fhnt, St. Casimir in Lansing, and St. John the Evangelist in Fenton. He has served as pastor of St. Leo the Great and St. Luke in Flint, St. jude in DeWitt and, currently, St. Mary Star of the Sea.

juf>h\ugust 2001

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Pastor of the largest parish in the diocese - Fr. Dan McKean of Brighton's St. Patrick No one told FAITH's Kathy Funk she needed track shoes to keep up with Fr. Dan

Fr. Dan has called St. Pallick Panslt home for the maj01ity of Ius pastoral career. He scnÂˇed as assislant at the parisltfollowing his 01dina1ion in 1987, a position he held until 1992 He was tlten appointed pastor of St. Mmy Catltohc Church in Williamston. But, in 1999. he once again returned to the Bnghton parislt, this time as pastor

There is little doubt priests lead very busy lives. First, there are pastoral duties counseling parishioners; celebrating Masses, weddings, baptisms, first Communions and funerals; and visiting the sick are just a few of the required duties

fa priest. Second, there are administrative duties that come with the day-to-day operation of a pansh and, in some cases, a school. Fr. Dan is no exception as you will see from one of his busy days:

Morning 6 a.m. Alann goes off. Does the day begin? Sort of. The next half hour is spent listening to the news on the radio. 6:30 Time for prayer and reflection on the day's Scripture. 7:00 (or so) Arrives at the parish ready to face the day whatever it may hold. 8:00 Prays rosary with parishioners in the church.

horizon, Fr. Dan's Italian family would secure their dog in a safe spot and then they would pray the rosary together.

9:17 Waiting at Fr. Dan's office door is his faithful companion, Shadow. She greets her master with a wagging tail. Fr. Dan considers Shadow to be his "canary in the mines," so to speak. If he feels she's not getting enough attention, that's when he realizes his life is getting out of control. 9:18 Meets with a parishioner who has been asked to be a confinnation spon· , sor. A snafu exists, however. The sponsor hasn't been confinned. Fr. Dan discusses the matter with the parishioner and it is decided 8:30 a.m. Celebrates that he, too, will be conMass In the chapel with finned along with the girl he a standing room only has been asked to sponsor. gathering of parishioners. 9:30 Checks voice mail and e-mail. Just one mesThe Gauntlet Begins sage and it concerns a 9·9:1 5 a.m. The "gauntlet" memorial Mass. begins - Fr. Dan makes his 9:31 Makes a quick call to way from the chapel to his St. Patrick Elementary office. Birthday wishes are School principal, Judy bestowed on a parishioner. McCusker, for an update on Questions about the rosary a nasty flu bug that is are answered. Interestingly sweeping through the stuenough, Fr. Dan shares the dent population. fact that the rosary wasn't 9:35 It's off to the school to part of his own family's trareview a letter. ~"'€'\ition while he was growing 9:41 Back to the office (no '-1.:dp - except when a stonn one told me I needed track was brewing. That's right shoes to keep up with Fr. when a stonn was on the Dan) and back on the phone.

9:45 It's off to the parish attorney's office to sign papers. 9:48 Back to the parish. 9:52·1 0:03 More phone calls. Starts a letter to the bishop concerning a planned visit to the school in November, 2002. (Fr. Dan does his own typing It takes more time, he says, to

10:54 Checks e-mail and voice mail again. The highly organized Fr. Dan keeps a hand-written Jog of all telephone calls he receives. Makes a call regarding a fund-raising dinner for Pregnancy Help Une. He's been asked to give the opening prayer. Lunch

dictate a letter for his secre· tary to type. Instead, he relies on typing skills he acquired in high school and chums out his own materi· al.) Another call to the school. And then his cell phone rings causing him to juggle two phones at one time. 1 0:03 Meets with family for funeral planning for an usher who had served the parish for more than 30 years.

1 0:53 Funeral planning complete. Now it's time for a meeting with Mary Ann Helie, director of adult fonnation for the parish, about an engaged couple who will be meeting with Fr. Dan this afternoon.

11 :OS lunch time - but not before one more phone call keeps him from walking out the door. Then it's off for a quick lunch at a local restaurant. Today's fare- a sausage and cheese omelet Fr. Dan likes to take an early lunch (usually just a can of chicken in the office) so that he can get work done during the noon hour while the office is quiet. Back at It 11 :54 Back to the parish after dropping off Shadow at the rectory. Her day is done; her master is still going strong. Fr. Dan starts revising a letter. 11 :58 A stack of bills is left for Fr. Dan's approval and signature while he was at lunch. 12:01·12:26 p.m. Taking a break from the stack of bills, Fr. Dan checks his email. Principal Judy McCusker now pays Fr. Dan a visit. He picks up a stack of mail from his box. Another phone call - funer· al service plans. Next, Fr. Dan goes through his mail. Hmmm ... here's something of interest in Catholic Trends. Twenty·nine percent of priests in his age group - 36 to 45 - say they have too much work.

Ju/y/Augusr 2002

F.UTH M ~g:ulne

Fewer priests serving more Catholics In U.S.

More parishes are without resident priests

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Total priests 58,132

Total Catholics 46.6 m

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1985

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1985 1,051

19,244 parishes

1998

47,582

61.6m

priest

1998 2,460

19,628 priest: 8 out of 95

12:52 More phone calls. 1 :00 Reconciliation meet· ing. (I take this opportunity to pore through Fr. Dan's stack of newly-acquired reading material - The

Fr. Dan also receives a nice note from former parishioners in Williamston along with pictures of their new baby. The baby's name? Daniel. 12:29 Goes over his credit card bill. 12:31 Writes a note to a brother priest whose father has died. 12:35 Another incoming phone call - sorry, wrong number. 12:36·12:43 A quick spin through the parish offices dropping off pertinent paperwork to staff members. Fr. Dan and the parish's music minister, Dr. Robert Wolf, discuss an upcoming funeral service. 12:44·12:47 Checks email again. Checks news sites on the Web, starting with local coverage. Then it's time for a quick game of solitaire. 12:47·12:51 Puts together a funeral booklet for Friday's service. Fr. Dan goes through a large binder of all the readings he's ever used at funeral services. The binder is used by families in planning out services. Fr. Dan averages at least one funeral per week. This particular week - one funeral on Friday, two scheduled for Saturday.

Complete Idiot's Guide to Undet·standing Catlwlicism, Tlte Complete Idiot's Guide to the Bible, The Complete Idiot's Guide to }ewisl1 History and Culture, The ComiJicte Idiot's Guide to Understanding]udaism ... Actually, these are great reference booksl) 1 :39 More phone calls and then it's off for an afternoon jog (now I'm glad I don't have my running shoes with mel). First, a quick drive-by inspection of the new rectory currently under construction.

Staying fit 2:00 Fr. Dan htts the treadmill for exercise something he tries to do at least three times a week while catching up the latest news (he has a TV in front of the treadmill). By his side is Shadow who is happy for a little quality time with her owner. 2:36 The treadmill stops.

Read Fr. Dan's weekly articles on FAITHmag.com

w/4

Back at It, Again

2:38 The rectory doorbell rings - a parishioner with a question. "No sanctuary," Fr. Dan says. 3:01•3:26 Back to the parish office. No voice mail "Praise Godl" Alas, his cell phone rings. Quick meeting with a parishioner who has stopped by. Another letter to type (remember, he does his own typing!). Faxes letter. "One letter begets another letter. I am so glad I know how to use a computer.' 3:31 Makes call to a local pastor regarding an upcoming meeting of the Brighton Ministerial Association. 3:33 Another call comes in - a member of the finance council is not able to attend this evening's meeting. 3:45·3:47 The new copying machine gets a work· out More Faxing.

3:50·4:15 Tour of the new rectory with staff members and Fr. J. Munley.

4:21 Fr. Dan's 4:30 appointment has arrived an engaged couple plan· ning their future nuptials. 4:21 Another call regarding Friday's memorial service. 4:3o-5:00 Meets with the engaged couple. Dinner

5-6:00 Well, it's been a while since breakfasVIunch so dinner is in order. 6:00 A phone call is received that a dying man i(\ in need of anointing. Fr. V Dan drives to the man's home and celebrates the sacrament of the sick. 7:00 Attends a memorial service at a local motorcycle club for a member who has died. While there, Fr. performs a "Blessing of the for the 200

club members present along with their Harfeys. Evening 8:00 Retums to the office to check phone messages and to return phone calls. 9:00 Evening prayer, a crossword puzzle and final{) ... sleep for Fr. Dan. Z:zz:z:z:z. ... It's been a long dayl

JOUrney

ways to encourage family and friends to seek God's will

everal years ago my daughter begged to watch a videotape over and over. II wasn't a cartoon that had her mesmerizedit was a youth rally tape! A stage was suddenly illuminated and there they stood - five men in black. The music began, "Here come the men in ln a loving family, children black" and five priests began a chore~ graphed dance routine! After several are influenced by their vlewings, Shannon raced to her bed· room. When she emerged, she was parents' values and dreams wearing a black turtleneck with a white piece of paper scotch·taped onto the collar. "I'm going to be a priest when I grow up." How do we encourage loved ones to seek God's will? • The lnvHatlon. Voco, from which the word vocation is derived, means call or invitation. The invitation doesn't come from the world, alt~ough the Spirit may use the hands and voices of others. The call echoes through the heart during conversations with God. It may seem difficult to accept in today's world of "show me the evidence," But the Psalms remind us, "If today you hear God's voice. harden not your hearts~ Voco also means a summons. The emblem of St. Dominic shows a hound canying a torch in its mouth, and informally some call his order "Domini Canes" - meaning hounds of the Lord in Latin. Through words, rather than force, Dominicans summon us to listen to God. • Match gifts to demands of the work. For several decades, J. L Holland has been studying vocational choices. Individuals with certain personality characteristics tend to be attracted to particular lines of work. Those in ministry lend to have social personality types, with verbal and interpersooa.l skills and the desire to interact with people. The diocesan priesthood offers these individuals an effective context for the use of their talents. An investigative person, on the other hand, prefera solitary time pursuing a particular task. A religious order, whose charism matches this talent, may nurture the gifts of a theologian or Church historian.

3 ways ~ encourage others to follow God's will: In a loving family, children are influenced by their parents' values and dreams. We can encourage a child's vocation by: 1 Providing opportunities to pursue talents throughout childhood and adolescence 2 Encouraging exploration of different paths without trying to bring premature closure to their decisions 3 Bringing personal concerns to God: "U he chooses this, I'll never be a grandparent."

On Aug. 1, we commemorate the patron saint of vocations, Saint Alphonsus Uguori. He left his career as a prominent lawyer when God invited him into the priesthood. St. Dominic (whose feast is eel· ebrated Aug. 8) spent e quiet decade as the canon of a cathedral before he was called by God to preach. Throughout life's journey, our God of surprises guides our steps. - Dr. Ca1hleen McGreal is a professor of Psychology nl M.S.U. and a certified spirilual dircclor. july/,\ugusr 2002

FAITU Mngazinc

Larry and Rose Ann MacDonald have 2 Priest Sons - What did they do or not do? "We simply encouraged our children to keep God in their hearts and follow their dreams."

When parents love and nurture their children and one of them becomes a priest, it's cause for celebration. When a second child chooses that path, it begs the question: what are these people doing right? Larry and Rose Ann MacDonald of Flint answer that question with a strong but simple declaration: "The Church has always been the center of our life."

Larry and Rose Ann are the proud parents of six children, two of whom are ordained priests. Their son Tim is a diocesan priest, while Adam took up the missionary life. Both young men credit their parents with providing the foundation they needed to support their commitment to God. "I saw in my parents the true meaning of an active faith," says Adam. ~They lived their vocation as parents well and, by their example, prepared us to be 'spiritual parents' to our parishioners," affirmed Tim. Fittingly. Larry and Rose Ann were drawn to each other as teens by a special event benefitting seminarians. At the time, Rose Ann taught catechism at a mission school in her home diocese of Columbus, Ohio, and had founded an organization to support young men studying for the priesthood in India. A friend brought Larry to one of the groups fund-raisers, where Rose Ann caught his eye. When he asked her to dance, she replied with a smile, "You don't know what you're getting yourself into!" Attraction grew into love, and love resulted in marriage. In 1964, their first child, Eban, arrived, followed a year later by Kathryn. During the early 1960s, Larry earned a bachelors and a masters degree in music at Ohio State University. Upon graduation, he was offered a job teaching at Mott Community College in Flint and moved the growing MacDonald clan there.

Top reasons parents don't encourage vocations: 1 Don't want to Interfere 2 Don't want to be blamed If It doesn't

Besides God's role in calling men to priesthood, today's

Top reasons to encourage vocations: 1 Rewarding life

work out 3 Fear lhat priestly life Is In turmoil 4 Personal

Top 4 ingredients for a vocation

based 4 Caring profession

problems with Church 5 Feel priesthood Is a fuUie lifestyle

2 Find life meaningful 3 Faith

haven't changed since the While Larry pursued his academic career at Mott, Rose Ann had her hands full at home. Scan arrived in 1967, Colin in 1969, Adam in 1971, and Tim three years after that. Still, both parents found time to be active in their parish of St. Michael Catholic Church, participating in its music ministry and teaching religious education classes. As each child grew older, he or she was expected to volunteer at the parish, too. "Both Adam and Tim were altar boys and worked in the parish otT1ce, where Fr. Matthew Fedewa took them under his wing," notes Rose Ann. Rose Ann - who once attended a convent - also set a wonderful example with an active prayer life that included recitation of the Divine Off1ce. "She still prays more than I do," Tim says with a chuckle. The first MacDonald child to express ~n Interest in the priesthood was their Widest, Eban, who entered a seminary in the 1980s. Though the experience was brief (just a year elapsed before he left to pursue an artistic career), it still had a profound etTect on younger brother Adam. "The opportunities I had to visit him," Adam explained, "inspired me to think about the priesthood as my own vocational choice." When the time came for Adam to take the SATs in high school, he checked a box on the registration form indicating an interest in missionary work. "Adam was such a quiet child, we didn't even know he was considering this," Larry explains. "A short time later, a recruiter for the Society of the Divine Word came to our door, and Adam seemed set on exploring this option." True to his word, Adam enrolled at the societys college in Epworth, Iowa, in the fall of 1988. He then followed his bachelors degree \vith a year of foration at his orders provincial headuaners and four years at Chicagos Catholic Theological Union (CTU). It was CTU that first sent him to the

Philippines, where he first studies looked at vows, they discovered factors back in the 1930s that the ceremonies mastered the local ianwere scheduled just a guage and helped serve 1 Clear signs of support the people of a remote week apart- Adams in lllinois and Tims in island parish. 2 Strong Catholic Identity A year before Adam 3 Personal encouragement Michigan. After consulting with his brother, graduated from college, his 4 Personal witness on Adam asked his order if brother Tim entered the University of St. Thomas!St. the part of priests the two could be John Vianney Seminary in ordained together on the Minnesota. Tim admits he was swayed in same day in the same city. His superiors his decision to prepare for the priesthood agreed, and the brothers were accepted by Adams experience. "I used to go with into the priesthood at Lansings St. Mary my parents to drop him off and pick him Cathedral June 10, 2000. up (from Iowa) each year, and I could see After the ceremony, Adam requested how the experience was transforming that he be assigned again to his beloved him. l soon realized I wanted that, too: Philippines; he now serves as associate After graduation in 1996, Tim comin- pastor at a parish outside Manila. T1m ued his formation with stayed closer to home, four years of theological in Lansing, where he study at the Pontifical balances his work as Gregonan University in parochial vicar at St. Rome. Classes there were Gerard Parish with valtaught in llalian, which unteer commitments to Tim easily picked up, the diocese. (Some and he loved being just readers may know him five minutes from St. as the host of the local Peters. "I had the oppor- ..1 saw In my parents tlte true 'Theology on Tap' program or as the emcee at tunity to pray with the Holy Father on several mcanhtg of active faitlt" ... various diocesan occasions." Tim also took events.) "TI1cy lived tltcir vocation as Larry and Rose Ann advantage of his time overseas to travel to MacDonald are rightfulCalcutta for a summer to parents well and, by their exam- ly proud of Adam and Tim, and will gladly work in Mother Teresas show you a scrapbook mission. While the brothers they've put together to Jmrcllls' to our lJarisllioners" were engaged in their showcase their sons' formation as priests. studies out of the country, their home parish of St. But when asked to reflect on their role in Michael was busy affirmAdam and Tims choice ing their vocation. "The parishioners regularly sent of vocation, they predictably demur. "We them letters and cards," says Larry, "and took up a simply encouraged our Fr. Tint children to keep God in special collection that was split between the two their hearts and follow boys. Some even traveled to Rome to see their dreams," notes Rose Ann, "and all six have become productive members Tim become a deacon." When the time came for the of society." MacDonald brothers to take their final - Patricia Majhcr I Photos by C. Jones

Why encourage someone lo become â&#x20AC;˘ prtest given the current cllmete? Dlacu11 online FAITHmag.com

july/Augusl 2002

FAITH M~g~:lnâ&#x20AC;˘

Ordination 2002 - Fr. James Conlon and Fr. Peter Clark pose with Bishop Mengeling The Diocese of Lansing's newest priests bring a lot of real life experiences with them

Why? Why would a successful doctor and lawyer give up lucrative careerscareers that are in many ways the most prestigious and sought after - to become parish priests? Why would they do it given the current scandals in the Church? Meet the diocese's two newest priests and find out how they came to see life differently Fr. James Conlon (the lawyer) When it was all said and done, what Fr. james, 37, looked forÂˇ ward to the most about becoming a priest was being able to preside over the Eucharist. That and hearing confessions "since I've been such a great recipient of (that sacrament)!" he says laughing. But he recognizes the importance of the clergy to know God. 'The primary agent is the Holy Spirit," he acknowledges.

"The Spirit is within you, but you have to cooperate with the Spirit. And not just in formation ." Fresh out of seminary and as a new priest at St. Francis of Assisi in Ann Arbor, Fr. james, a native of Ireland (a trait which shows through his quick wit and laughter), has a unique perspective on the sexual abuse cases by priests around the country during the past year. "In the past I think a lot of guys didn't follow the Spirit," he says. "They finished discernment when they entered seminary." Discernment and growing in one's faith, however, is a lifelong process, even for a priest. During his childhood, Fr. had thoughts of the priesthoodhe was an altar server, there were always lots of priests around and one of his uncles was a priest serving in Australia. His uncle always had a big inOuence on him, he recalls. In fact, the chalice he used at his first Mass as a priest was his uncles. After high school Fr. james attended National University of Ireland, Galway, to study history and law. Fr. james' older brother, a lawyer and partner in a Dublin law firm, encouraged him to enter law and work as a solicitor in his firm. From there Fr. james worked in london and Sydney as well as in Dublin. ~ But thoughts of priesthood were always in the back of his ~ mind. In the summer of 1994, a friend invited him to visit America - more specifically, Michigan - where he fell in love with St. john the Evangelist Parish in Fenton. He admired the

s tiritua fitness astor, Fr. David Harvey, and remembers the friendliness of (he people he met. "It left an indelible mark on me," Fr. James says. Even today, he says he can go back to St. John on holidays and breaks and it feels like his second home. A lawyer friend in Dublin invited him to join a musical society, and there he met another lawyer who was also a priest. He realized he shared many of the same thoughts and experiences as this lawyer-priest, which encouraged him to consider more seriously the vocation. At age 29, Fr. James decided to enter the seminary for his home diocese in Ireland. "It was a nightmare," he says. Fr. James was one of the oldest men there - most were in high school - and he "felt like a fish out of water." He knew he wasn't going to last. After two years, he left. "It was the best thing 1 ever did," he says now. He went back to practicing law. But he still had a hunger to learn more theology. He entered Dublins Milltown Institute of Theology and Philosophy where he could begin the degrees necessary to enter the priesthood. The Jesuits, who taught at the institute, wanted him to join their order. But if he were to become a priest, he wanted to work in a parish. After finishmg his master of divinity and pontifical degrees, he decided to become a priest. , His options were to enter either the Diocese of lansing or ,.te diocese where his uncle served in Australia. Although his uncle died in 1985, he had visited there many times since and was welcomed by the priests his uncle knew. However, "1 didn't want to be someone:S nephew," he said. "1 wanted to be my own person." He contacted Fr. ]. Munley who was, at the time, director of fonnation for the Diocese of Lansing. Since James had his degrees, all he needed to do was go through vocation fonnation for the Lansing Diocese. He went up to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., for one year to complete the clinical pastoral ministry course. While at the Mayo Clinic he also completed the screening and application process to become a priest in the Diocese of lansing. "I'm not sure the apostles would get through it," he says of the thorough process. "You get to know yourself really well." As a priest, one really does see the best and worst of humanity, he adds. To finish his process of fonnation, Fr. James entered Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein, Ill., in September 2000. While there, he got a job at the Archdiocese of Chicagos tribunal office, allowing him to use his skills as a lawyer to help young men and women seeking annulments. Fr. James was impressed by Mundelein Seminary because, unlike the seminary he attended in Ireland, it "put our experiences to work. Here they are respectful of our backgrounds," he says. "My first seminary wanted me to forget I was a lawyer." As for whether he will be able to put his legal background â&#x20AC;˘ ~ use in the Diocese of Lansing, ''I'll put that at the feet of the diocese," says Fr. James. "If they can use me, that:S great." At St. Francis of Assisi in Ann Arbor, Fr. James hopes to enrich the faith formation program that is already in place there.

steps to find out where God Is

leading you In life

few months ago, 1 got lost while wandering in the woods. 1 was with my family, and had gone off from the pack to explore some old abandoned oil wells in the Pennsylvania hills. The forest was still, and the thought came to me; "just listen!" When 1 did, 1 heard the voices of my nephews in the distance having a good time. 1 knew which way to go. Our lives can be like that. We can feel lost in the forest of life. God knows this, and time and time again, gtves us the direction we need. "just listen." For most matters of direction, all we need is to let our hearts and minds be mformed by Gods Word. In order to do what is right, we have to know what is right (cf Mioh 6.8). That means we have to understand the teachings of our Lord jesus that are expressed and aniculated in His Body the Church. Once we understand the teachings, we will act accordingly with the grace of God 1 thought God might be calling me to the priesthood early on in my life. I dismissed such a thought as I got older, but it did not go away. 1 was headed in a completely different direction. Was I to tum around and stan over? I had a hard time believing that to be true. But I began to pray. Where Is God leading you In life? 1 Prayer is the first and most important step in listening to God. We

have to set aside time where we allow ourselves to be still. It takes practice. jesus was often found in prayer before making big decis1ons m his life (See Mark 1 35-38, Luke 6 12-16) That IS what needs to happen with us, so we can learn to hear Gods votce Suppose you hear something in prayer How do you know It is from God and not just your own self speaking' If it is something that calls you to greater love, service, obedience and repentance, most hkely it is from God There are many priests, religtous. and lay people who are tramed m spiritual direction Seeking them out for spuitual direction can help you funher discern the call of God 2 Pray for a desin: to do God's will. In my case of discerning God's call to the priesthood, I had to set aside my own negative feebngs about the matter. St. Ignatius of Loyola would call this cultivating a sense of indifference - not indifference m the sense of ul don't care" but a sense that 1am willing to do whatever God calls me to, and I am indifferent to what it might be The Important thmg IS doing what God calls me to. Pride can get in the way Those strong feelings cloud the real call from God 3 listen to what God is saying through His Body the Church. During the time in my life when 1was praying each day for gu1dance and help in knowmg my vocation and direction in hfc, God sent me much help through people Famtly members encouraged me toward the priesthood, and friends continued to say, "You ought to think of priesthood " Once, a priest approached me out of the blue in a church parking lot and abruptly bluned out, "Have you ever thought about being a priest' Come and see me about it Âˇ God IS not silent, although I think sometimes we can be a bit deaf. Prayer and a listening bean can open our spiritual ears so we can hear the voice of God within, and in HIS Church, and find our way through the forest to the place where God wants us to be to best serve His people 4 Make a decision in faith. Choose the hght rather than running from ones own fears Sometimes dectsions are avoided because of our own feehngs of fear. "Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!; says the Lord God confirms the good decisions we make with inner consolations of peace and JOY They are signs of the Holy Spirits presence within us 5 Once we have made a decision, we must listen again. Our JOUrney is not over. jesus goes before us on our road out of the forest into the promise land. - Fr. Bill Ashbaugh is pastor of St. jostph Parish, Howell

1 Multiple screening Interviews 2 2()opage application

Ml!l!uj,j.jfW Diocese of Lansing 2002 Total Seminarians 19

Is it easier or harder to get into seminary?

3 Criminal, physical and psychological background checks

The process has never been

4 Admissions boards made up of lay and ordained 5 Application New priests

more rigorous. Hera are

to seminary and seminary review boards 6 After admittance,

Priest retirees, deaths

some highlights:

there Is a battery of ongoing evaluations until ordination

Total active priests

134

Fr. Peter Clark (the doctor) When asked if he was excited , about becoming a priest, Fr. Peter Clark answered, "'Sobering' is probably a better word." He really did not have much power over the deciston, he explains. "I don't get a sense that I chose, but rather that I was chosen." Before his ordination, Fr. Clark, 54. was a medical doctor, specializing in geriatrics and internal medicine. He saw many sobering situations -similar to the job of a priest. He has seen the best and worst of humanity - which led him to ponder how he could become more involved in the Church. As a physician, he could describe a patients illness, discuss treatment options, inform them how their ailment would progress - he could give all the "technical" medical terms- but then his patient would look him in the eye and ask, "Why me?" Answers to those questions, Fr. Clark knew, were spiritual. Fr. Clark, a native of Rochester, N.Y., grew up Catholic as the youngest of five children, who always had good exampies of a downÂˇto-earth faith from thetr parents. Even though he regularly attended Mass during his high school years, he wasn't very involved in Church activities. His freshman year at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, he realized he had been "coasting" in his faith his whole life. It was the 1960s and a lot was going on in the world - the sexual revolution, the civil rights movement, the Vietnam War. "ll was imponant to have opinions about everything," Fr. Clark recalls. He began to realize that Christianity was all-encompassing and involved one's entire life. He asked himself, "Who am I? Who do I need to be?" At first he found support to his answers to those questions from Protestant evangelicals and Anabaptists on campus. Eventually he was led to re-start the Catholic Newman Club. A visiting priest once asked him about entering the seminary, but the thought never stuck. As with all his major life decisions, Fr. Clark fasted and prayed about his decision to become a doctor. He then chose to further his education at the University of Rochester and went to medical school in Belgium. It was while he lived in Brussels, Belgium, that Fr. Clark came across a small Catholic charismatic prayer group. "As a result of that, I was reintegrated into the Catholic Church," he says. "I was going to Mass again and involved in the sacraments." A particular stream of the charismatic renewal, the Word of God community, (which described itself as "a charismatic ecumenical covenant community devoted to the renewal of the Christian churches in the power of the Holy Spirit") intercsted him, so when he finished medical school he applied to

hospitals for his residency in cities where there were charismatic covenant communities. He was accepted at St. joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor. He became pan of the Word of God community there in 1980. He chose to remain in the area and opened a practice in Milan, south of Ann Arbor. Throughout the 1980s, his prac. tice nourished, and he enjoyed the time he could spend with patients and the followÂˇup he could do with them in the hospitals. "Its very satisfying to see patients do well,'" he said. It was around that time Fr. Clark became involved in the pro-life movement. He joined Operation Rescue and panictpated in "rescues" from los Angeles to Washington, D.C.. and New York, risking arrests at abortion clinics in the effort to allow women time to reconsider their choice to abort their child. Participants had to agree to be non-violent and keep his or her mouth shut no matter what As a result of his experience, he arranged to have a friend take over his practice for 10 weeks in 1991 so he could decide whether to be involved in the pro-life movement full time. Again, he fasted and prayed. "In the end, I had a clear notion God was telling me theres more basic things that need to ha~ pen (with me) internally." So he went back to htS practice an'""') decided to leave the Word of God community. This decision led him to go back to what had become his home parish, St. Francis of Assisi in Ann Arbor. There, he "got a re-appreciation of grace through the sacraments of the Church." Fr. Charlie Irvin was pastor there and through his example, Fr. Clark was able to see God working in the routine life of the parish. "1 had experienced so much Jove from the Church, I wanted to love back," he said. From 1993 to 1994 Fr. Peter put his practice in order and quietly sold it in the spring of 1994. At that time, "priesthood was not on the agenda." For three years Fr. Clark met with Fr. Charlie. Still wondcring how he could best give back to the Church, Fr. Charlie challenged him in his faith. He also urged him to talk to the Diocese of lansings director of formation, Fr. j. Munley. One time, Fr. Munley started asking him a lot of questions about priesthood. "l was surprised at my answers," Fr. Clark said. "l ended up defending the vocation!" Fr. Clark had never married - he had been close, but never tied the knot - so he decided to visit a seminary. In fall1997, he entered Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein, 111., to become a priest for the Diocese of Lansing. Some of the best examples of vocations came from his married friends, he said. He would sec wives lay down their lives in service to their children or husbands sacrifice time to be supportive of their wives and kids. "It (priesthood) is a spousal relationship," he said. "As a priest l will be laying down my life for my parish." - Christina Kirsh I Photos by Christine Jones

If you or someone you know Is Interested In the priesthood, call Fr. Karl Pung, Seminarian Offke, Diocese of Lansing (517) 342Âˇ2507 Or www.2beaPriest hrist.org

Ministry Focus Priesthoo

FAITH Is available on audiotape by request. Call {517) 342Â·2500.

www.FAITHmag.com

Jwly/Awgwl 2002

FAITH Magazine

Addressing Abuse and Reaching out to Victims

cttiLD pf101EcTIOK

v.w

Our Diocese Holds

""so...aeb Cbiii'Q

the extensive problem of child sexual abuse, he assured those present that the Church leadership is aware of the gravity of the situation and working diligently to prevent future abuse. Bishop Mengeling also had a message of hope, saying that while problems in any family can be "extremely painful," the family of the Church will be stronger through addressing this tragedy. Msgr. Murphy outlined the sexual misconduct policy for the diocese, after which Dr. Richard Strife spoke aboUL the psychological effects of child abuse on the victim, the

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Church and society. Then, judge Marvin Robertson, Chief judge of Probate of Clinton County, explained the new Child Protection U!w of Michigan. Following a break, audience members were invited to share their comments and questions with the panel. While prohibited from talking about specific cases or criticizing individuals, people shared a variety of comments and concerns. Questions raised issues such as the rights of priests who have been convicted of sexual abuse, and why, in many cases, it has taken much media attention

Fr. Jay Kersten Prepares for career as U.S. Navy Chaplain

hurchgoers at Ann Arbors St. Francis of Assisi Parish began to notice changes in their parochial vicar last fall. In April, the reason for his dramatic weight loss and sleek new haircut was revealed: Fr. jay Kersten had joined the Navy. Fr. jay had been at St. Francis for four years, and was expected to move on to a pastorship of his own. The tragedies of Sept. 11 then unfolded and the desire to serve his country welled up inside him. He then spoke to Bishop Carl Mengeling, emboldened to ask for permission to leave the diocese and offer his services as a military chaplain. The timing of the request couldn't

have been better. The bishop had just met the week before with Edwin O'Brien, archbishop for the military services, and they discussed the criti· cal shortage of priests serving our soldiers, sailors, and airmen worldwide. Within three days, Fr. jay had enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He was commissioned a lieutenant at a May 19 Mass at St. Francis Parish, and is spending his summer engaged in intensive language training in French and Spanish. In September, he'll enter a 12week course introducing him to the special challenges of being a chaplain. "On a cani· er that holds 5,400 sailors, there might be just two chap-

distributed these materials which an: available from the

Office of Communications (517) 342-2474

..._.._,_

of Prayer and Dialogue n preparation for the Bishops' mid-june meeting in Dallas, a program of prayer and dialogue was held in each of the six major regions of the diocese. All were invited to listen to speakers. ask questions, and join in a prayer service on designated evenings from Friday, May 17 to Monday,june 3. Each evening session began with opening prayer and welcome by Msgr. Michael Murphy, Moderator orthe Curia of the Diocese of U!nsing. Bishop Carl F. Mengeling then gave an overview of what he called "a great tragedy that has hurt all of us deeply." ReOecting on

The Diocese of Lansing

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Regional Programs

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to address sexual abuse by certain priests. At the end of each evening, Bishop Mengeling led everyone present in a prayer service for healing, including a hymn, Scripture reading, prayers of the faithful, and a concluding blessing. In addition, the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of jesus Friday, june 7 was designated a Day of Prayer and Penance for the Church of U!nsing. Catholics of the diocese were encouraged to join together in prayer, with Mass, exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, and a closing service at each parish.

Fr. Swiat Appointed New K. of C. ChiiPiain

lains," he explained. "I have to be prepared to minister to men and women of all faiths without compromising my devotion to Christ." While at sea, Fr. jay will focus on his primary task of ministering to the sailors in his care. "From what I understand, most are in their early 20s. That'S a wonderful age to work with; they're old enough to ask good questions and be prepared for adult answers. I'm looking forward to helping them grow in their faith." - Parrlda Majl1cr

Fr. james Swiat, pastor of Holy Family Parish, Grand Blanc, was recently appointed the new state chaplain of the Michigan Knights of Columbus. Flint resident George A. Dann was elected state deputy and will serve for two years. Also elected were Thomas M. Wegener of U!nsing as treasurer, and john R. Moody of DeWitt as state advocate. Michigan'S state council includes 69,000 of the more than 1.6 million members of Knights of Columbus nationally. Since being founded in 1882, it has become the largest lay organization in the Catholic Church.

steps in dedicating a church Flint Celebrates the Long-Awaited Dedication Mass at Christ the King Parish n April 7, Bishop Carl F. Mengeling officially dedicated the new church for Christ the King Parish, Flint. "This permanent church home is a wonderful state~ ment for not just the faithful Christ the King community but for the entire city of Flint,~ said Sr. joanne Fedewa, SLW, who began as pastoral coordinator in january 1989. "1 am so excited for the parish. We have been talking about the church for so long, l have had to pinch myself lO remind myself that this isn't :-~dream. lt is real. The lord has made this day possible and we should all rejoice.~ The former church will be utilized for educational purposes as well as a museum to honor Christ the King founder, Fr. Norman DuKeue. The current rectory will become a permanent home to the parishs food bank, which Sr. joanne hopes to open to the neighborhood. The new building, complete with a stoic green-roof selected by Bishop Mengeling,

includes a parish hall, new reconciliation rooms, a Blessed Sacrament Chapel, new bride room, cry room, kitchen, grand entrance and much needed storage space. "(Christ the King) began as a tiny little flock and at the center of it was Fr. Norman DuKette," said Bishop Mengeling to the faithful gathered for the dedication. "You stuck together. That's why you're here today. Today you rejoice!" At the end of the celebration, parishioners surprised Sr. Fedewa when she was presented with a portrait of herself that will be hung in a place of honor in the new church - next to a portrait of Fr. Norman DuKette. •t love everything about this church," said Sr. joanne. "Parishioners here just don't come to church and go home. Christ the King is a community. l am very proud but l just keep thanking God. We are very blessed." Editor~ Note· Kathy Funh of FAITH Magazme contributed to this story.

- .Erin Oahley, The CtJrhoUc Times

Rev. julius Hengcsbach

Passed Into Eternal Life

1129/16-5/22/02 Ordained in 1953 Senior Priest Status following service to the Dioceses of lansing and Kalamazoo Rev. joftn Built

Rev. William). Kocnigslmccht

"'4112-4/28/02 ~rdained in 1940 Senior Priest Status in 1982

Rev. Raymond Rademacher 9/9/35-5/ 1B/02 Ordained in 1962 Pastor, Most Holy Tnnity, Fowler

1219/13-5/24/02 Ordained in 1939 Senior Priest Status in 1983

Rev. Patriclt Cwik 8127/48-5/30/02 Ordained in 1974 Chaplain, St. joseph Home for Children

The decfJCation ceremony of a chun:h and altar is one of the most ancient liturgies of the Roman Catholic Church. FAITH Magazine offers an explanation of haN a building becomes a House of God using Christ the King Parish as an example.

1 The people are gathered Into the old church. The bishop greets the faithful and then all process to the new church . 2 At the entrance of the new church, documents and keys are handed over to the bishop. The door of the new church is unlocked. 3 The new building is ready for its Kbaptism, w so to speak. Using holy water, the bishop sprinkles the people, the walls and the altar. This is a sign of repentance and a reminder of baptism, as well as a symbol of the cleansing of the walls and altar. The building is now sacred. 4 The Word of God Is proclaimed in the church for the first time. The bishop holds the Lectionary aloft and says: •May the word of God always be heard in this place as it unfolds the mystery of Christ before you and achieves your sal· vation within the Church.• 5 Following the readings and the homily, the bishop extends his hands and prays the great Prayer of Dedication. 6 The bishop anoints the altar with chrism. He pours the chrism in the center of the altar and then on each comer. Ministers then anoint the north, south, east and west walls of the church. Crosses permanently mark the location of the anointings. 7 A brazier - a container for lighted coals is placed on the altar. The bishop places incense in the brazier and incenses the altar. Then the bishop himself is incensed. Other ministers walk through the church, incensing the people and the walls. 8 The altar is covered with fresh linens. Aowers and candles are now brought for· ward. The bishop gives the deacon a lighted candle who then goes to the altar and lights the candles for the celebration of the Eucharist. All the lights are now lit as a sign of rejoicing. 9 Inauguration of the Blessed Sacrament Chapel After the distribution of Communion, the hosts are returned to the altar and placed in a ciborium. The bishop genuflects and incenses the Blessed Sacrament and a humeral veil is brought to him. Taking the ciborium from the altar, the bishop processes to the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. The ciborium is placed in the tabernacle and the bishop kneels and incenses the Blessed Sacrament again. The deacon closes the tabernacle door and a minister lights the sanctuary lamp. 1 0 The bishop returns to the sanctuary for the Final Blessing and Dismissal.

the_world_ Tears roll down as David Qohessy describes the pain victims of cler;gy sexual abuse suffer. The executive director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests was one offour victims who addressed the U.S. bishops in open session at their spring meeting in Dallas june 13.

Vidims Give Personal Account of Cergy Abuse to Bishops

ictims of sexual abuse by priests bared their souls before a hushed room of U.S. bishops in Dallas june 13, laying out their painful stories of molestation and decades of struggles with depression and other aftereffects. In a later interview, one of the victims said - although nothing can make up for being abused - the experience of speaking to the bishops was difficult but benellcial for the emotional trauma he still experiences and for how his revelations were handied by church authorities. "Nothing can make it up to me," said Michael Bland, 41, who himself once was a priest of the same religious order as his abuser. Bland told the bishops of being molested as a teenager and of later leaving the order in frustration with the differem treatment he and his abuser received from the Church. Bland now is a psychologist for the Office or Assistance Ministry for the Chicago Archdiocese. Both Bland and another

speaker on the opening morning of the bishops' meeting, Paula Gonzales Rohrbacher, told reponers they saw several bishops in the audience wiping tears from their eyes as they listened to them and to Craig Manin of St. Cloud, Minn .â&#x20AC;˘ and David Clohessy, president of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, known as SNAP. Rohrbacher, of juneau, Alaska, said she was invited to speak to the btshops just a few days earlier, after she sent Bishop Wilton D. Gregory of Belleville, Ill .. president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, an e-mail thanking him for scheduling time for the bishops to hear from victims at the meeting. Her own experience with Church authorities when she reponed being molested as a teen by a seminarian in Oregon was more positive than those of the other speakers. The Archdiocese of Penland and Mount Angel Abbey and Seminary listened and believed her. she said.

~I am even more fonunate in having been treated so far with concern, compassion and understanding by church leaders," she said. Despite that, Rohrbacher said she has been in counseling on and off for 18 years to deal with the effects of being molested by a semiÂˇ narian who spent vacations with her family. "Although in recent years

the therapy and medication helped to make my situation more bearable, the recent revelations from Boston and elsewhere have reopened wounds that I had hoped were in the process of healing," she said. "This crime has left deep scars on my SOUl." - P1J1rlcla Zapor (CNS)

For more on this story and for dally Catholic news log on to FAITHmag.com

Bishops Invite C&thollcs to join them In fasting, penance anCI prayer Aug. 1 ~15 The U.S. Catholic bishops decided june 14 in Dallas to fastand.do penance Aug. 14 and pray Aug. 15 in repentance for t1ieir failures to prevent priests from sexually abusing mmors. They invited Catholic priests and lay people across the country to join them. lihe bishops also made clear that they do not regard their. mid-August commit-

ment as a one-time thing or as an adequate response by itself for the pain inflicted on victims by molesting priests or for the loss of trust that has been caused when a number of bishops treated sexually abusive priests too gently, allowing them to return to ministeria positions that were exploited to abuse more minors. -Jerry flllen (CNS)

lastword

Families and Vocations

Bishops' president calls actions in Dallas a foundation for change he unprecedented policies approved by the U.S. bishops june 14 to deal with sexual abuse of minors by priests is ~a solid foundation to build upon," said Bishop Wilton D. Gregory of Belleville, 111., president of the bishops' conference, at a press con· ference after the measures were approved. wour actions today are not a panacea," he said. wThe charter is not perfect." But it sets out the values, the culture and a mechanism to d "the scourge of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church in America," Bishop Gregory said. Bishop Gregory said the sum total of actions taken by the bishops in Dallas means that the bishops "will not tolerate even one act of sexual abuse of a minor. There will be severe consequences for any act of sexual abuse. No free pass. No second chances. No free strike." "For those who think or say that this is not zero tolerance, then they have not read it carefully," Bishop Gregory said. Ve have voted to .akc every step possi· ble, as bishops, with· in our canon laws and our powers, to

eliminate any loophole that an abuser could try to use." Tile dwrter for the Protection of dtildren and Young People, approved 239 to 13, calls for priests who arc found to have sexually abused even one minor to be removed from ministry per· manently. Whether such priests would be forced from the priesthood would be detennined individually. - P.urlcl<1 Z<~por (CNSJ

he times and circumstances have changed since I first considy ered priesthood as a vocation when I was in the fourth grade. My family had a lot to do wilh it, especially my two grandmothers. First they urged me to volunteer to be an altar boy. Gmndma Povish had seven grandsons; six of us became altar boys, three of us went to the seminary, and two of us are ordained. The Dominican Sisters who taught me worked on me too, and our pastor had a monthly boys' conference in which he discussed vocations regularly. Nowadays, families are smaller, so sons and gmndsons are fewer. Grandparents often don't live in the same town or even in the same state, so they don't have the lnOuence our grandparents had. There aren't many teaching sisters any more, and Catholic school enrollmenl5 are down. Even so, occasionally in a parish or at the mall or in the supermarket I will meet parents who recognize me and introduce me to a young son with a remark like, "jimmy thinks he would like to be a priest. • Arter the picture taking, at the coffee-and-fruit-drink reception for those whom I had confirmed, parents would sometimes make a similar remark about their son; I never failed to give my address to the confirmand and ask him to write to me about it. This year two teenagers attending Bethany House weekends in DeWitt where I Jive confided to me that they are thinking about priesthood. I hope their parents, grandparents, and godparents will encoumge all boys and youths like the above and pmy for their guidance. Another change in recent times is that more and more vocations to the priesthood seem to be coming, not in the fourth gmde, nor with Confirmation, nor in high schooL A lot of recruiting is going on at the college level at student parishes, and even after college or university. Second-career priests are common these days. You may have noticed in recent pictures of ordination classes that some of the new priests are older, with less hair or more gray. What you may not realize is that some of them are converts to Catholictsm and some are widowers with children and grandchildren. The resumes in their personnel files include previous careers such as craftsmen and lawyers, accountants and businessmen, schoolteachers and lab technicians, and medical doctors. The one thing they all had in common was a desire to do something more and something different from what they were doing. They served God and the public as laymen, but somehow that just didn't seem to be enough. Some say that a desire from boyhood resurfaced when their first career got frustrating, or that a priest or relative or friend kept saying, "You know, you really ought to be a priest." These second-career priests bring new skills into their ministry and soon enough match those of their first-career colleagues. So if there is a man who is single in your family or parish who you think has the gifts and qualities to be a priest, put a bug in his ear about it. It doesn't matter if hes 25 or 35 or 45. Pray for him Encoumge him. Maybe thats all he needs And if you happen to be a man yourself, wondering if you could be a priest, look into it without any more delay. Write to me c/o FAITH Magazine - Most Reverend Kenneth Povlsh was the third bishop o£ LAnsing and Is now retired.

A Message from Your Parish:

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www.Diocese.tL.enalng.org www.FAITHmiiSJ.cam lhe Outreach Mea1, Sunct.y, 10 a.m. Flint - FOX 86 Lensing - FOX 47

On Redia: Mtlal, 11 a.m. on WJIM 1240 AM

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