September 2002

When a door closes, God opens a window

from the editor

thought I had the perfect career all picked out. I figured that if I became a medical doctor that 1 could have a reasonably comfortable life, be able to help people in a significant way, and feel as though I was contributing to making the world a little bit better At least that was my dream. As I dove mto my studies in college, though, I soon began to discover that my path might lead in an entirely different direction. 1had to make a decision about which path I would follow into the future, and it wasn't an easy decision to make. It was during that time that a friend told me, "When someone closes a door, somewhere God opens a wmdow." That phrase consoled me and enabled me to get through a difficult time. 1had to let go of a dream because, at least at the time, 1t didn't seem as though circumstances would permit me to attain it. One path dosed whtle another was waiting to be • •••• ••••• •••••••• • discovered. It took time and attentiveness on my part This issue of FAITH is filled to discern that path, but eventually the sayings truth with stories of young people was borne out Some years later (more years than 1 who, with God's help, are care to count), I can look back and see that God has working hard to bring good opened lots of windows for me when doors have gotw out of difficult situations. ten shut. Its pretty amazing how, with Gods help, the Their lives are living proof support of faith, and the guidance of family and that God is busily opening friends, what once seemed like a negattve sltuanon windows of opportunity for could, in time, become a po~itive situation. the growth of the Kingdom. The truth is that God is ready and willing to help us • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • find a way out of situations that drag us down, drain the hfe from us, change our optunism to pessimism and make us lose hope that things can ever be better. Holly Loughrys young life attests to the reality and wonder of Gods power to help us change the negative into the positive Faced with the loss of both her parents at a very young age, Holly could have become a very bitter person. Yet, wnh the love and support of her grandmother and her aunt, along with the steady presence of God in her life, Holly has taken an altogether different and amazing path. Nicole Knecht has followed a path that has led her from Flushing to the slums of Natrobi, Kenya, in East Afnca. Dunng one summer spent there at St Marys Mission Hospital, Nicole has seen and experienced much more than many her age. In the midst of mtense poverty Nicole met Christ in the people to whom she ministered. Bolstered by her experience, there is no doubt in my mind that Ntcole wtll one day soon make a significant impact on the world as she works for justice. This issue of FAITH is filled with stories of young people who, with Gods help, are working hard to bring good out of difficult situations. Their lives are living proof that God is busily opening wtndows of opportunity for the growth of the Kingdom Young people have much to share with us and their optimism about the future is a wondrous antidote to the nay-saying that can sometimes weigh us down. They remind us that with Gods help, the negative can be turned mto a positive. They trust, as do we all, that our God always wishes to bring life out of death. And so our journey in FAITH continues. -Fr. Dwight E:zop Is Editor in Chief of FAITH Magazine and pastor of the Catholic Community of St. j ude, DeWitt

t.:uru:< ;>I C;>lcnt~.lr

'il Gr<'•JOt> lht· lirt'.ll Jlopt• end Dot lor"' lht• Chu" h Sept 3

~,L

Pcl<·r C: "er f'nt•cl Sept 9

I Sl John Cluyou;lorn, lkhllp ;md D01 !or of the LIHHth Sept 13 I Ex.:ll '!""' '

contents

From the Bishop

Making a Difference in Africa

Tune In to God

World Youth Day

Nobody likes a bully. Patterns of violence that go unchecked lead to tragedies like Columbine. Teens captured by the love of Jesus can over come violence and change the world.

Two stories about Aint area teens who worked to increase the quality of heahh care in Africa Nicole helped out in a Nairobi Hospital 16 Alex used a creative idea to raise money for an ambulance 18

Is there anything spiritual about Britney Spears? Not on the surface. But you'll see how to tum your favorite music into songs of prayer. Spiritual Fitness 23 Culture 24

Aint's ABC 12 Bill Harris and his daughter, Nicole, went to World Youth Day. Rnd out what this father/daughter team got out of the pope's visit to Toronto. Plus, Fr. Joe turns the tables and becomes the interviewer. 29

Bishop cart Mengellng

When teens and parents disagree about friends

In the Know with Fr. Joe Fr. Joseph Krupp

Guess What These Stars

~ave in Common?

~ Daly, Mel Gibson, Tara Reid, Jim Caviezel and more ... Kathy Funk

An Open Letter to Teens Bishop Kennath Povlsh 31

Cove Holly lost both of her parents when she was young which could have set her on a troubled path. Find out how she conquered the odds and turned bad luck into a happy life.

Most Reverend Carl F Mengeling PUB USHER

Rev. Charles Irvin POUNDING EDilOA

tell us what you

letters to the editor

think

Volume 3 : luue 7

Rev. Dwi!Zht Ezop EDITOR Ill CHill' Patric:k M. O'Brien MANAGING IDnORICRUTIVE DfAIC'IOR

Kathy Funk MSISI'AHT EDilOA

Alton Pelowski

CAIA1M! a EOtTORW. AUISTAHT

WIIIMMTEA

jillanejob SUIISCAfPnONIIHCHTAAY

Evelyn Weitzel SUdCAIPnOHS

Glenn Lott GNplllc ............

Rev William Ashbaugh

Eileen Gianiodis Bill Harris Nicole Harris Robert Homing

Elizabeth johnson Rev joseph Krupp Ronald Landfair Patric:ia Majher jennifer Niester Most Rev Kenneth]. Povish Patrick Rinker Carolyn Smith Sarah Whitaker

E·mall us at lellers@falthmag.com Or, send your letters to: Editor, FAITH Magazine 300 W. Ottawa, Lansing, Ml48933

just wanted to let you lmow that each month FAITH Magazine gets better. I real(y appredated reading about Bishop Mengeling and tl1e priests that were interviewed in our diocese (FAITH Magazine,]u(y/August 2002). It is lteamvam1ing to read of their dedication and holiness. Such a case is Fr. Dan who is now locat· ed in Brighton. 1have a total(y different impression after reading about him than 1did before. 1 hope you will continue to interview different ones of them for each issue. Sometimes we feel that they all! so aloof and we never get to real(y know them. Also would lihe to see more features on the history of the different parishes. I always look for· wanl to Fr. joe and Fr. Bill Ashbaugh scolumn. I11ey are two

wonderful ho(y priests whom 1 hnow personally and who write very interesting, faith-filled, infonnative articles. Keep up the good worh! God bless! Jean Hearer

Thanh you so much for the interesting article about Fr. Ray Rademacher (FAITH Magazine, ]u(y!August 2002) wlw passed away in May, 2002. III:member his kindness so much when he was pastor ofSt. Francis of Assisi parish in Ann Arbor, Mich., in the 80s. He was an outstanding pastor and went out of his way to real(y userve his people." 1am very saddened by his death, but realize how much he sufferedfor years with his diabetes, and realize that d1is latest health problem must have been very difficult for him

He had a great attitude, and real(y served his people by the hindness of his heart, not by "letter of the law." He even mentioned that in his article. 1wish that more cle'XY could be lihe Fr. Ray Again, thanh you so much for the fine article, and may Fr. Ray continue to be a real '1ightn to all of us, especially by his hindness and love of others. VIII McMurtrie

I would lihe to thanh you for running my announcement in tl1e FAITH Magazine (March 2002). Thanks to all ofyour readers who generous()' responded. We will be able to improve the librarys collection of books thanks to people lihe you. Thanh you again for your generous help and lime. Fr. ZeiiJko Rakosec, SJ from the JesuR Ubrary In Zagreb, CraeU.

cotmiiiiUTING WArnERS

See more on page 29

Margaret Perrone PAOOI'Rt!!AOING

Doug Funk Christine Jones james Luning (cover) CONTRIBUTING PHO'IOQAAPHERS

Wayne Case David Fenech Rev. Matthew Fedewa Patricia Garcia Diane Nowak Margaret Perrone james Rhad1gan Ricardo Rodriguez David Rosenberg Rev. James Swiat Peter Wagner Sharon W1mple ADVISORY 8oUD

Rev. Cecili~l:f{11.1 WE8MIN Rogers Printing PRINnNG

a_...,..,.-.

.....,... --u.so.-. . .--.-. ---·-.... .. ,......_.. I'AITH {USPS D1HN) II ...... ~-- ~~ ~:IDDW.-.

~··4-:13. -....WW

- - . - . . . . -. . .1 ! p o r - - -

'--~ - ~; 1!17)342·25H;Iai!1TJ342·2S3T•..-

~·

~··-----~ _ . . _ lo: f\VTII, :IDCIW. ' - - ~·· _ .._.....,1517J3021111I'AITHio-

........................................... IIVTI\,._... ..... ., . . - . , . ~...-. CCalllolo: -

(11'1') 143-2511.

revious to World Youth Day, 1 heard that I would have a life changing experience while there. A few days beforehand, I really felt temptation from Satan and I knew he was trying to unprepare me for whatever was to lie ahead. Upon arriving in Toronto, 1 was greeted by thousands of Cathohc teens from across the world who were here to

and joming together in the sacraments. We often said we were on a Jesus High'. Besides the fun, I was able to experience Adoration, Recone1hation, Mass each day, and Stations of the Cross, Throughout the week, I received a new appreciation for each. Finally, I was inspired by the Pope, whom I was only five feet away from as he rode by Because of World Youth Day, 1 am now a lot closer to God and have been working hard to become the salt and light of the world! KeHy Diefenbach, 18

SL Andrew Parish, Saline

Youth from our diocese and around til world joined the pope for WYD 2002

From FAITH Magazine:

patton saint FAJTH teen

t's fun, free and faith-filled. Each issue is packed with features, questions and answers, teen 2 teen discussion forums, • news and info on youth ministry • and, of course, something from t; 1~ Fr. joe. So, all you teens our there, log on to • FAITHteen.com and sign up today. • Starting in October, your inbox will be filled with faith: FAITHteen!

,;.tit I

Remember

Sept.ll An ecumenical prayer service will be held at St. Mary Cathedral, Lansing on Wednesday, Sept. 11, at 1 p.m. to remember the one-year anniversary of our nation's tragedy. All are welcome. _ook for Web ·deo excerpts after the service on FAITHmag.com.

ofgirl ~wer:

joanol·Arc

of the month

ong before Buffy slew a vampire or Xena batded bad guys, a teenager showed the world that girls can do anything- with God~ help. Her story has been told hundreds of times in books, plays, and movies, and she conlinues to be a popular heroine nearly 600 years after her death. joan of An: was bomjan. 6, 1412, the youngest of five children in a French peasant family. She lived in the village of Domremy, near the province of Lorraine. When she was 13,Joan began hearing voices which told her they were. messengers from God. At Leelee Sobieski played the first, the messages were simple: be lead role in the 1999 TV good, go to Church often, and God would help her. But when joan was 17, Miniseries Joan of Arc. It had the voices - which now identified a $20 million budget and was themselves as St Catherine, St. Margaret and St. Michael the An:hangel nominated for 13 Emmys. - told joan to go to the king ofFram:e and help him regain his throne. Now. the French political scene during the 15th century was pretty complicated. The situation joan was being asked to fuc involved helping the Dauphin, Charles, take back his kingdom from the English king who was taking over French territory with the help of the Duke of Burgundy, a French noble who was a rival of the Dauphin. joan didn't understand why she, a peasant girl with no knowledge of military tactics, should be the one to help the king, but she was obedient to her voices_She traveled to the Dauphin's coun and proclaimed to him. "1 am called :Joan the Maid.' Give me soldiers and I will raise the siege of Orleans.,. After she was examined by a Church council who decided that]oan really was sent by God, Charles had armor made for her and gave her 3,000 soldiers. With guidance from her voices. joan led the batde that raised the siege of Orleans in May 1429. From there, joan and her army fought and won several more batdes against the English and the Burgundians, enabling Charles to enter the cathedral in the city of Reims and be anointed Charles VII. King of France, in july 1429 joan continued to stay with the king and offer him counsel based on her voices. Charles didn't listen to her, though. She left the court and led one last battle against the Burgundians at Compeigne, and was captured May 23, 1430. The Burgundians turned her over to the English. Charles VII did nothing to try and save her. Mter a year in prison,joan was found guilty of heresy and witchcraft and sentenced to die Until the end, she continued to state that God's saints had commanded her to do everything she had done. On May 30, 1431, she was burned alive at the stake, gazing at a cruciftx held before her eyes. She was only 19 years old. The results of her trial were over~ turned several years later. but joan of An: was not named a saint until 1920. She is the patron of soldiers and of France. Her feast day is May 30. - Eliubethjobnson

When teens disagree

in the know with Fr. Joe

witli parents

about friends Dear Fr. Joe: My parents are trying to stop me from hanging out with some friends from school. I think they are judging them without getting to know them. What do you think?

................ .

like this question and I'm glad you asked. The first thing we have to look at is the issue of obedience. Obedience is not a word that is used often in our day and age, but it is an important one. As young people living at home, it is important to learn the value of obedience. Obedience is an acceptance on our part that there are people out there who know more than us. It is nothing less than our call as Christians. As an adult who is a priest, I work hard at obedience. It is a skill that we all need to succeed in life and grow in love of jesus and His Bride, the Church. Remember, it is jesus' obedience that saved us. So, why would your parents ask you to be obedient on this matter? Probably because your mother and/or father are judging. And that is not a bad thing. For example, I love

Is anyone else confused by the new, trendy signs used in nate men's and women's bathrooms? Recently, at a local establishment, I wandered off in search of the men's room and found myself looking at two doors: one marked "The Dunes" and the other "The Oasis." I grabbed an employee who was walking by and told him I needed to use the bathroom. Pointing at the doors, I asked, "Which one should I usc?" " Actually, we would prefer you to go there," the employee said, pointing to a door down the hall marked "MEN." "The Dunes and Oasis are private dining rooms." Oops. ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Little Debbie® Snack Cakes. I death? No, 1am making a mean, I REALLY love Little judgment- a judgment based Debbie¢' Snack Cakes. If there on doctors' wisdom and other was a relig1on based around peoples life experiences. Little Debbie® Snack Cakes, You see where 1 am going? then I would .. . well, you get Your parents have a significant the point. Now, if I were to eat amount of life experience. them as often as 1wanted, the They have seen things. They results would eventually be know what to look for. disastrous. 1 would probably Another example: Do you end up the size of a small have younger brothers and/or Eastern European country sisters? Think of what you right before 1 died of a massive know that they don't. hean attack. Remember how they used to How do 1know this? Have 1 want to touch the cool-lookever gone through a period in ing, glowing red thing in the my life where 1 ate nothing kitchen? You saw a cool-lookbut Little Debbie® Snack ing, glowing red thing there, Cakes, resulting in significant too, but you knew that touchweight gain and eventual ing it would result in a burnt

Fr joseph Krupp leaches al Lansing Calholic Ccnlral and is lhc sacramcnlal minislcr of 51. Francis Xavier, Olisville

hand. So, you kept your little brother or sister from it - even if it made them angry. In the same way, your par· ents are trying to protect you and they are willing to risk losing your affection to save you from unnecessary pain. This is what heroes do and this is what makes parents so wonderful Now, you might be saying, 'jesus sa1d never to judge. No, jesus said not to judge or' we risk beingjudged. But being judged is not a bad thing if we live our lives in accordance with God's commands. Also, jesus gave commands to His followers to do things that were very judgmental. He told His disciples to leave towns that reject the message and "shake the dust off their sandals as a testament against them." There arc Scripture passages where jesus called people a "brood of vipers" and "white-washed coffins; pristine and white on the outside and filled with death and decay within." How does that jibe with '1udge not, lest you be judgedr Jesus was talking about motivation. We cannot judge other peoples motives. These people you want to hang out with may have great motivation, but live ~1\ out in a way that is destructive .. , Check this last point out. ItS a little tough, but 1 think it is vatuM

how can teens be the li_g_ht of theworlu? Pope john Paul II chose the theme for World Youth Day 2002 to be "Salt and Light,'' for Chnst calls us to be the "salt of the earth" and "hght of the world" td Matthew 5 13- 14\ In june, the Diocese of Lansmg held a meeung for hundred5 of youth and young adult pilgrims preparing to attend World Youth Day m Toronto, Omario. There, we asked the question, "How can youth be the light of the world?"

"By being good witnesses of their faith and sharing the love of Jesus with others~ Calherlne Kanllz, 17

Immaculate Conception, Milan

able, too. When I W3S in Israel, I heard an incredible comment on Christian an. You know the picture where jesus is a shepherd and He is carrying a small lamb on His shoulders? 1used to look at that picture and think it W3S sweet. Then I found out the truth. If you ever see a shepherd carrying a small lamb like that (and to be honest, odds are you won't unless you go to MSU). its because the lambs leg is broken. Sounds reasonable, nght? Well, here is the thing - the lambs leg is broken because the shepherd broke it. 1 found out that if a shepherd has a sheep that will not stay with the group and tends to wander around, he'll break its leg and carry it ~round until the leg heals. This for two reasons. First because "a sheep that wanders is a sheep that is dead." Sheep are so help-

"As the future of the world, it wiU be up to us to change the world and set a higher standard for the next generation." Brien Sly, 17 Holy Rosary, Flint

"We can bring others together by showing that young people can help one another." S.l"'lh Smith, 18

St. joseph 5/uine, Brooldyn

less they won'tlast a day away story from my own experience. I ment as a human than their own from the protection of the shep· am blessed with two really great comfon. This is a strength to herd or the safety of the group. friends. These two guys are the me, and l rely on them heavily. Second, once that lamb's leg best friends I've got - they bring But this is what friends do. heals, it \viii not leave the shep- out the best in me and I try to They don't just hang out with herds side - ever. bring out the best in them. They us and suppon everything we It's a wugh story, gruesome understand my schedule; they do. They question us when we even, but an important point. walk with me when things are need it and challenge us to do Hanging out with the wrong tough; and, let me walk with and be better. people \vill hurt us and bring us them when they need it. That's The ultimate challenge? Real pain. IL might be great at first, good stuff, but so is this- they friends risk losing our friendship but it will ultimately destroy us give me the business when I in order to save our souls or and hun people need that as well . help us to improve as human • • • • •• •• •• •• • • • •• around us. Like "Howsyour beings. THAT is the good stuff. Real friends risk losing the shepherd, our That is what a friend does. prayer life, joe?" parents may have our friendship in order ':Joe, you really just like Jesus did. to make some shouldn't have Enjoy another day in Gods to save our souls or tough choices, done that." "You presence! ~ help us to improve as even forbiddmg need to slow human beings. down.~ us to hang out Send your Questions to: with cenain peo- ••••••••••••••••• Comments like pie, but they are doing this to this are uncomfonable for them "In the Know with Fr. Joe" save us - to keep us from pain to say and hard for me to FAITH Magazine 300 W. Ottawa, Lanalng, Ml 48933 that is not necessary. receive, but they care more I want to wrap this up with a about my salvation and betterOr: JoelnBiack@priesLcom

~--s-~_"_u_p_~_,_~_~ _._~ _·_'_N_e_•_~_'_u_n_m_~_~_•_v_~_~_"_h _m_~_~_~_a_"_~_~ _'_"_"_=_m____w_w_w_~_~_~_m_q_=_m_ ,~~~~7M~~~

How does you- fallh II .m malnstraam sodaty? That5 what FAITH bad students from our Catholic high schools tackle in the 6rst annual Fr. Charles Irvin Writing Scholarship

"Why don't you come to the party this weekend?" "Wouldn't you rather sleep in on Sunday mornings?" "Wanna smoke some pot?" Any of this sound familiar? It should. To quote my mother, "Welcome to the real world." This is mainstream society. These are the pressures and challenges we face every single day. No one is immune. Even the most sheltered among us is eventually exposed to the outside world. And for me, there's only one way to summarize how my faith fits into all of this: It doesn't. And it shouldn't. Most of mainstream soctety contradicts what 1 believe. The world tells me to do what feels good, but my faith says to do what God thinks is good. The world tells me to focus solely on myself, but jesus tells me to "love thy neighbor as thyself." (Luke 10:27) Society consistently

s~rnh Whh~kcr

berates me for refusing to fall prey to the temptation to allow myself to be ruled by pleasure and immorality The media glorifies everything that I detest. 1 refuse to conform my beliefs to the whims of this world. Chrisuans are to be in the world, but not of it. I look around me and every·

where I tum, l see death. l see pain, hatred, and sin in every comer, and 1 am grateful that I don't belong to this world any longer. When jesus prayed for His disciples, He told His Father, "l have given them Your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world." Oohn 17:14) jesus also tells us, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation." (Mark 16: 15) Those two lines are the basis for how I feel about my faith. I am not called to submerge myself in a river of all that is fleetingly popular; I am called to swim against the current, challenging the world to look deeper at what it believes. Lumen Christi is more than just the name of my high school. Its my lifes work. My mission is dear. l am intended to shine the light of Christ into a lost and floundering world. My generation, my friends, are hurting. They are dyin~ inside, and 1 know the only One who • can save them. How could 1 not share Him with them? My goal is for others to look at me and say, "Wow. She really knows the truth. 1 want what she has." Through my example, I try to show others the peace and joy that they can cxpc· rience in jesus Christ. He has changed my life and now I want to change the world, one small step at a time. Does this mean that I reject every pan of mainstream culture? Of course not. The very concept is ridiculous. You are looking at a girl who adores shopping, Coca-Cola•, and Harry Potter. But none of these things rule my life. Beyond that, I loathe the drugs, the disrespect, and the outspoken immorality that pervades so much of American culture. And I refuse to accept it. I can enjoy those things that do not offend my faith, and I can work to change those that do. I will not sit quietly and allow Amencan culture to further disintegrate. l can be loving and tolerant of someoni'lt& \vithout agreeing with their actions. I V can't force my beliefs on others, but 1 can offer them the opportunity to dis·

Photogrnphy by Christine Jones

'~--~-----~

cuss our differences. Maybe I'm young and idealistic. Maybe I don't have any idea what I'm talking about, and next year when 1 go to college 1 will experience a very rude awakening. It's entirely possible. By no means am 1 perfect. I can hear my dad laughing at the very suggestion of such an idea. Perhaps I'm crazy. But maybe, just maybe, I'm not. And maybe, through my efforts, through the little I can do during my time here on earth, 1 can make a difference. And its that one little maybe that keeps me going. As Emily Dickinson once wrote, "If I can stop one heart from breaking, 1 shall not have lived in vain." The only person 1 know of who will never break a heart is jesus Christ, and I will share Him with the entire world. Through His message of hope, I will overcome evil with love. That is how my faith fits nto mainstream society.

•••••••••••••••• The Fr. Charles Irvin Writing Scholarship FAITH Magazine sponsored a scholarship to honor and thank our founding editor; Fr. Charles Irvin, who is now happily retired in Ann Arbor. FAITH wanted the scholarship to promote our Catholic high schools, foster writing about faith and encourage young people to consider a career in Catholic journalism. The essay topic was: How does your faith fit Into rnalnsb'eam sodely? All four Catholic high schools submitted excellent essays. Besides being published in FAITH, the winner received a $500 scholarship. The top essays were: Scholarship Winner, Sarah Whitaker, Lumen Christi I Powers lst Place, Alan Kierczynski I Lansing Catholic Central 1st Place, Anthony Strouse I Fr. Gabriel Richard 1st Place, Heather Steffy. All four essays are on FAITHmag.com. If you are interested in supporting A he Fr. Charles Irvin Scholarship, \.il;:end your gift to FAITH Magazine/ Fr. Charles Irvin Scholarship, 300 W. Ottawa, Lansing, Ml48933

You're standing In the hall at school with your friends and you overhear them make nega· tfve commentS about someone new who walks by. You: A Don't say anything hoping the comments don't continue. 8 Walk over to

the person and introduce yourself. C Agree with the comments but don't add to them D Tell your friends to stop putting down others

A It's good that you didn't add to the gossip but your silence could be misunderstood as agreement. B You have guts. The best way to dismiss false reputations is to get to ltnow the person. C To agree with something 10 avoid conflict is a sign of insecurity and can often backfire on you later. D Courage is awesome but your first choice serves as the • example wtthout bossing others.

I suspect that some of you have already become numb to catchy pluases such as "a culture of violence" that are worn out and stale through overuse. I also suspect that your awareness of violence is easily limited to the much publicized horrendous and deadly acts of terror and violence which have resulted in great ()

losses of life: Sept. 11, 2001; Oklahoma City; and, Columbine. Yet, this subject of violence is so important, especially for you - our future. Thats because patterns of violence can take root in us when we're young.

"It Is up 10)'1111 wwild a sodcty

"'''=all~"""'"" can find

lhtir proper plnct, IVIItl'l' dignity andfl'l'tdom Is m:ognl:r.lltlld l'l'sptCit<L fadl "')'IIU Is rtsponslblt for lht clllllccs )'011 make.. - """"John l':lulll

)v\{ to teens from the bishop

~ school Its also true that as grade and high school students you frequently experience violence and some of you may even act violently. Our great spiritual guides urge us to resist the beginnings of evil. Violence is evil. These beginnings of violence must be corrected - or else. There is a word for the person who acts violently toward others, and oneself, leading to a pattern of everincreasing violence. It's the bully who becomes violent through humiliation, torment and pain of others. When I grew up in the 930s and 40s, there was one ing everyone agreed on: No one liked a bully. A bully was a ruffian- a roughneckwho picked on kids who were smaller and defenseless and those who were different or deemed "unacceptable." A bully was, and still is, the same as a coward with a phony toughness, a "knowit-all" who embarrasses, teases, frightens and often brutalizes others. It's a sad truth that some of your peers can act violently to others in the most callous and cruel of ways. Groups or individuals treat their victims with indifference, contempt and ridicule. They humiliate, tease and mistreat them. They "bad mouth" their victims and hurl abuse. With a sense of superiority, they exclude whomever they are rgeting from everything. This kind of violence often has long-term tragic effects

on the psyche of the victims. Their self-esteem is diminished and their sense of selfworth and self-confidence is destroyed. When you constantly experience contempt, rejection and the "cold shoulder" from your peers, you experience a sense of failure and pain that you are not accepted and treated, instead, as a reject. Feeling almost

tions and attitudes of superiority, indifference and contempt for others are the roots of violence. Instead of being spineless bullies, most of you are loving and kind. You radiate to your peers warm-heartedness, compassion and sensitivity. Like everything in life, each person must make a choice! For several reasons, you

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Young Catholics just like yourself, captured by the love of jesus, can overcome the temptation for

......... ' ............................... violence and set a new course for our world.

paralyzed to do anything and the dread fear of being hurt more, you withdraw into your own private world. Sadly, young people can be despicable, contemptible and cruel tormenters of other young people. The violent do not love. The violent give nobody a break. The violent help no one. These disposi-

and your peers have the best opportunity to resist and reject the culture of violence that is at work amongst you, especially in junior and senior high school. You can be ready to break the vast cycle of violence when you become adults. You arc not set in your ways- you are free and open to make choices. The great

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• What will your 81 °/o say a society generation bring that is less likely to discriminate against to the future? women

teenpoll

.....................

79°/o say a society that is less likely to discriminate against people on the basis of race •••••••••••••••••• of teens say a more peaceful world with less anned conflicts

73°/o say a new hope and sense of purpose for our world

Dominican scholar and saint, Thomas Aquinas, wrote: "Youth are filled with hope for two reasons. First, they have little past to look back on. Second, they have plenty of future to look forward to. Youth are ardent and enthusiastic and ready for any challenge, however arduous. Youth want the fullness of truth as they search for the meaning of life and the way to live, as they seek love." During his recent visit to Bulgaria, Pope John Paul II said to the youth there: "It is up to you to build a society where all people can find their proper place, where dignity and freedom is recognized and respected. Each of you is responsible for the choices you make." What an awful violence it is to deprive others of love; to convey that they are not loveable and their lives are unimportant and useless that they don't count. Everyone needs the affirmation of love to be able to live. What a painful violence to say "no" to others, rather than "yes." At the heart of our Catholic faith is Jesus who is nothing but "yes" to us. Jesus who gives us a break and opens the doors to fullness of life and happiness. Young Catholics just like yourself, captured by the love of jesus, can overcome the temptation for violence and set a new course for our world. '!} - Most Rev. Cnrl F. Mengeling is the fourth bishop of lansing. - - - - - - -

~Roi.~IS.:IO:n

---M-a-td_o_~_u_t_h_~_k_?_L_~_oo_~_~_~_~ __m_a_a_~ _m_c_~_k_D_~ __m_~_o_"_~ --~ ---~-~ -~-A_~ _m_a_g_~_m_I~~~M~ 11M~~~~

third grade. She attended school at St. Mary from the third • through the eighth grade. "My class was like one big family," Holly says. "We hung out together all the time. I don't know how I would have made it without prayer and other people. •: There was always somebody there." The second key decision for Holly is that she has understood her mothers situation and reconciled within herself •• that "she isn't exactly the best mother in the world. She made her decision and I can't change that. She still avoids me." In fact, the first time her mother contacted Holly in 12 • • years was in January of this year. But Holly has forgiven her • (almost 100 percent, she says), and prays for her well-being, knowing that something must happen with her mother • before their relationship can be made right. •• According to Holly, the hardest thing over the years was •• not the two individual incidents of losing her parents, but dealing with the compounded ramifications of it. Which is where the third good decision , one that evolved with time, allowed her life to take the course it has. •• "I knew that I had to keep moving on. What happened will always be there, but 1 had to give it to God and let Him ' heal it. I had to get over myself. Everyone has their thing, ~) their cross, not just me. God knows how much we can take. Whatever doesn't kill you, makes you stronger." Sometimes, of course, she can feel down, like when she • was filing for financial aid to Eastern Michigan University ••• where she will major in Spanish and Communication. "Filling out those papers reminded me that I am an orphan. Her extended family on her fathers side, especially 1 was depressed for a few days until 1 regained perspective . Grandma Loughry and Aunt Jean, took her in and raised her. Orphan is what I am, not who 1 am. I wouldn't be the same • Looking back on that time of her life, Holly says that because person if everything hadn't happened. I like myself the way •• • she was so young, she didn't feel a lot of I am now, and maybe I wouldn't like pain. "I just kind of adjusted to it." myself so well if I hadn't gone through As she grew older and realized what what I did ." •• had happened to her, Hollys life could There are plenty of others who like her, too. When people are asked what •, easily have spiraled endlessly downwards, but a few key decisions kept that they think of Holly, unrestrained praise ' from happening. and admiration come gushing out. Her The first was made by her grandmothSpanish teacher at Pinckney High er and aunt. They began attending School, Erica Martin-Carney, says that it , churches in the area. But Grandma is going to feel weird at school without •• •• Loughry. who was raised Catholic, realHolly "Her presence was angelic. Her • ized she was uncomfortable anywhere going will leave a big hole. She has • besides the Catholic Church. As a result, shared her story openly with class: they all ended up at St. Mary Parish in mates, not as a means of gaining sym- •• Her extended family on her pathy, but to let them know that any: Pinckney, about two blocks from where father's side, especially Grandma thing can be overcome. She has turned~" they lived. Loughry and Auntjcan, took Holly was baptized at age 7 , and her tragedy into a gift. She has served '.I., Holly in and raised her. received her first Communion in the the other students in class as a teachers

The good times Holly had with her dad ended • abruptly. He was • heading home drunk from a bar one night, and • while driving onto : a bridge, he overcorrected and • crashed into an •• • ! oncoming car and was killed. • Her mother, who was separated at the ! time from Donald, won custody of Holly. : They lived together in Ypsilanti for a year •• : and a half before HollY:s mother decided, : : with the encouragement of Grandma : Loughry, to leave Holly under her grand: mother's care. So, within two years, Holly •• • ' had lost both parents. • • : : : , : : :

, : : , • , : : : • ,

.••• • • • •• •

• • • • • •

•• •• ••• •

Where is the coolest youth group harigoui?

•

FAITH Magazine received the most letters on one place hands down: the Ark. It is where you'll find teens in Westaphatia playing pool or cards, eating ice cream or just chatting. The Ark is owned and operated by St. Mary Parish to provide a fun and faith-filled place for teens to be. To find out more, call St. Mary Parish at (989) 587-4201.

aide, and the way she helps them has been inspiring to me.~ long-time friend jennifer Sanch says that Holly's friendliness toward everyone at school was amazing. "Its exciting to see how she blossomed since her freshman year when she • was quiet and reserved. At the lunchroom table, for example, • people were always around her, wanting to be with her and asking for help and advice. I remember one friend who had big problems, who I considered a lost cause. But Holly stuck with her, always prayed for her, and asked others to pray." Another friend, Ali Nicholas, says, wHolly influenced the • •• whole school, including me. She is a confidence booster for me. I am more of a shy person, but she cheers me on. On one hand, she is the life of the pany, but at the same time she is always there if you need to talk to her." Her friends mention that her life is not so much about • •• doing great things, but treating people in a great way; not about extraordinary accomplishments, but an extraordinary attitude that brings the healing she has received to others. Which is not to say that she isn't involved. In school, she participated in golf, soccer, volleyball, basketball, and the for•• eign language club. At Church she leads the praise band, lays guitar at Mass once a month, is a member of the youth group core team, and was the only girl on the nag tackle football team. last summer she played her guitar at Mass every Sunday : for migrant workers, then would stay afterwards at the farm, speaking Spanish to get to know the people and make them feel welcome. She also was pan of a mission trip to the inner city of Milwaukee last year with a dozen of the youth from Church. : There she helped paint, pick up garbage, put in silt fences, what would you do if ... and whatever else was needed . • According to linda Tedrick, •• director of the youth group at St. You're away for the • Mary, "it changed her, brought her weekend With friends • • who deckle they're closer to Christ. She came back •• gol~ to skip Mass and since has been telling the • even though rides • younger kids how it is to serve." • are offered. You: •• Tedrick considers Holly one of A Hang out with your friends . her most responsible and •• After all, you're still resting on • dependable youth. ~ Plus she is •• \ the Sabbath• outstanding as far as evangelizB Go off on your own to read ing. She invites people to hear her play guitar at Mass, or your Bible. After all, God ia mvites them to Church just so that they can feel the presence everywhere. of Christ. Then she prays for them at every single activity. In C Say "Catch you latert• to your friends and hop in the , the past three years, she has gone from wanting to have fun car to go to ChurCh. or herself to making sure that everyone else is having a good D Say to your friends that · ime. She is a remarkable young person. She has conquered you're going to Church and the odds against her." .u you'd low it if they came with you . •

•

Share your story on FAITHmag.com Click Dlscusston Forums

witw.FAITHrMg.CDm

Personality

Quiz

Lera break It down: A Resting 011 the Sabbath iSll't aU

God asks of us. Sums lilte the cowardly way out B ~ading your Bwlc rs awesome but you can do that every night It's not everyday that we're called to the Word with others and.to receive Christ In the Eu' harf5t. C It tahr.s guts to stand up for whatl nght when others don'c. Good job maybe someone will join you. D Even bttur. You did the right thing and you invited others. By your example, others might respond to your inVitation.

~ 2002

JY.Itlt Magazine

"It's a busUing place with a lot of people walking around; there are a lot of deaths at night!' Flushings Nicole Knecht is a Powers High grad who traveled to Africa

Last summer, a young woman from Flushing left the United States for a journey most of us can only imagine. Within the East African savannah, in the slums of Nairobi, Nicole Knecht volunteered at St. Mary's Mission Hospital. There she assisted in medical procedures, such as delivering a baby, and worked in the pharmacy She also got a glimpse into the Kenyan life, expression and faith. "1was just in awe of East Africa as a whole," Nicole says. She volunteered in Nairobi and took a study abroad class through Colorado College. The class, entitled ~consetvation and Culture of East Africa; allowed Nicole to travel throughout Kenya and Tanzania. Within the untamed country and expo· sure into another culture, Nicole experi· enced a heightened sense of spirituality.

By J<!nnlf•r Nltst<!r

"During my African experience," she relates, "I felt very connected to God." After her class finished, Nicole separat• ed from her classmates and went into the slums of Nairobi to volunteer at the hospital. She describes the slums as a densely populated area where people live in tin shacks with only enough room to sleep inside. Due to space constrictions, they are forced to cook their meals outside.

'Its a pretty dangerous place,~ she says. "Its a bustling place with a lot of people walking around; there are a lot of deaths at night." St. Marys Mission Hospital is a place not known to many college students. Nicole found out about the hospital through her grandparents, Elio and Tina ~) D'Appolonia. For more than 50 years, they have been supponing the Maryknoll

Nicole was able to help with a delivery. She says, "It was really amazing seeing a baby being ti!II!!!!!~-BI!!!!!!!!--1!!!!!!!1 born."

sickness there that is so preventable. Its just so sad." As a volunteer at the hospital, Nicole witnessed first-hand the appreciation of Fathers and Brothers Society, an organiza- the people and the quality of health care provided. "The people were great, so tion that co-funded St. Marys Mission Hospital along with the Assumption appreciative to have me there. I was help- In the meantime, the Powers Catholic High School grad has just finished her Sisters of Nairobi. ing out but I felt they were giving me so sophomore year at Colorado College. The D'Appolonias, as members of the much more." Next, she will be studying abroad at the The maternity ward was Nicoles Maryknoll Society, knew the right people london School of Economics. Through to help Nicole plan her trip. "My grandfavorite place to visit during her stay. "I her studies in international relations, she parents have enriched my life in so many was really lucky and was allowed to help hopes one day to return to Africa and be ways,~ Nicole says. "They are my role on a delivery," she says. "It was really able to make an impact on foreign aid models for the importance of family, amazing seeing a baby being born." and family planning. Nicole was also allowed to watch in Christian morals and values." And missionary life in a foreign land is surgery. She was amazed at the skill of the St. Marys is run by Fr. Dr. Bill Fryda. something she hopes others will take a doctors and cleanliness the hospital was Fr. Bill is a Maryknoll priest who envichance on and experience. "You don't sioned and planned the building of the able to provide with so little money. "At have to be scared, there!; always nice peoSt. Marys one can clearly see how indihospital. It not only serves as a medical ple in the world," she says. "I hope that viduals make a significant difference." ministry in a country whose government others who are interested and willing to operated hospitals are too expensive for At the hospital, Nicole witnessed both donate their time have the opportunity to the 2 million Kenyans living in the slums, the medical and ministry parts of the misembark on a similar journey. Ea t is also a place of employment. "There sion. Every day there was a morning service in both English e lines of people just trying to get labor for a day." Nicole says. "Fr. Bill took a and Swahili. "It neighborhood and transformed it.~ was a beautiful service, full of life," Nicole learned that construction of St. Marys began September 1999 by Kenyan she says. The Mass workers. They chiseled rough stones into included African dancYou're asked to stand up at Let's break It do¥11n: ing, drums and songs building blocks as they chanted Swahili Chun:h end share an IncrediA When we can't be honest sung in Swahili. "It was songs - happy because they knew they ble experience you had at because we 're afraid of what our camp and encourage teens friends think, we're not btin&/air had steady work and paychecks. "You see the best Mass I have ever of your parish to come to to our fnends. Vk"rould Vsclli~ been to. Thats the most people lay bricks and shoveling din," them short. your next meeting someNicole says. "They do everything by connected I ever felt at thing your friends don, B Still not honest If they're true hand. People there just love to work." Mass with the children friends then you can be straight want to do. You: The permanent hospital staff is primari- and the music." with them. Saying you had to do it A Make up a reason why you The people at the misly Kenyan and the mission built homes can't do it You loved camp but may cause them not to get sion made a special elfon for the doctors and nurses in the suryou don't want to speak in front involved and missrounding neighborhood. Drilled water to teach Swahili to Nicole. of your friends who don't think ing the great expewells provide them with much needed She was amazed at the hosrience you have Ctturdl is all thal had. B Say yes but you give your clean water. "For some, the \vater at the pitality of the locals and friends the imprusion this isn't c Its OK w n-coghospital is the only clean water they'll their attitude. "I didn\ meet something you want to do, but mze whatyourg~Jts drink that day," Nicole relates. "Its so forunhappy people, but they an-. You're helping have to. etgn for us not to have dean water. They lived in poverty. C Say no but offer to help to build youth mm· just treasure it. "I see God in the people. I istry in other way~ Still show others build youth ministry in any The scarcity of water is only one of feel closest to my faith when what camp meant to you and give other Wfi!J· You're just not I'm in situations like this." many problems in the city. Because of a comfortable tal<ing in front of them reason to chcch out your . ck of immunization programs, illnesses Nicole is already planning others. parish youth ministry. ch as malaria run rampant. The cost of her return to Africa. "It was D Say yes, and though 0 11tat tal1cs &'Uts In my expcn· nervous, give a great talk on encc the nervous telling of a posia malaria vaccination is about $5 in really hard to leave. There was you- camp experience and tive experience often has more a lot I \vanted to accomplish.~ American currency. "There is so much invite the youth of the parish impaa than that of a polished to your next gathering. speahtr. Way to go! n

Personality

Quiz

- =:::::::::=====- ===-

- -

To Africa and back: Alex Hill used a full size cut-out of an Ugandan priest to raise money for an ambulance and medical supplies for a remote African parish.

Alex, a sophomore at Flint Powers Catholic High School, first met Fr. Joseph Burundi two years ago, when the pncst spent the summer as a guest of Holy Family Parish. ''He offered to teach African drum les sons; Alex remembers, "and l decided I wamed to learn. ~ The lessons formed the basis of a budding friendship between Fr. joseph and Alex and, later, the emire Hill famtly. Âˇ we invited him to our cottage on Lake Fenton; said Alex. ~That was the first time he'd ever gone swimming or been on a boat." After Fr. Joseph returned home to Africa, the fnendshtp continued. ~Father would call me from time to ttme for medical advice ,~ said Alexs mom, Liz Hill, a licensed practical nurse. Concerned that she provide the best answers possible, Liz decided to travel to Uganda to check out/(\. the health care situation for herself. "1!,1 The trip, conducted in February 2001, was an eye-opener; ~while I was there, an elderly nun suffered a stroke. The only way to transport her to the hospital six hours away was in the open bed of Fr. joseph's truck, over bumpy dirt roads: They made the tnp in two stages, so as not to tax the patient, and she survived to tell the talc. But the inciÂˇ dent made quite an impression on Liz. ~when l got home, I told Alex the thing they needed most was an ambulance: Timing couldn't have been better. Alex was fishing around for a service project idea to cam his Eagle Scout rank. Why not do something to help out his friend and exercise his faith at the same time? During the next month, Alex developed a project proposal that included not only an ambulance, but the collection of medical supplies which would help equip a small health cenQ ter Fr. joseph was building. To accomphsh these enormous 9

Book drives. Trail improvements. Tutoring programs. These are typical service projects that help elevate a Boy Scout to Eagle Scout status. Alex Hill of Grand Blanc took a different tack. After befriending a visiting priest from Uganda and hearing about the medical hardships his parishioners faced, Alex decided his project would be to buy the African parish an ambulance. The price tag for the vehicle? Fifty thousand dollars.

ll_

Uy l'~lricia M~Jher

In mid-June or this year, Alex and his mom went to Uganda and presented Fr. Joseph with a check for more than $64,000

tasks, Alex needed a hook lance I have helped to get, along something that would open with the health center, will help so peoples eyes and their much. Fr. joseph is doing a won~~~-1111111111J!!!!!!!I!!!IIII!I-~~ hearts. Alex read about derful job and I am so glad that I some other Boy Scouts who'd could help him in his work." raised money by 'planting' All that is left now of Alexs ambitious little damage along the way. "One little plastic namingoes all over a lawn, then service project is to prepare a report for asking the homeowner ir they would pay girl hugged a cutout so hard it broke in his scouting superiors detailing his activitwo,Mnoted Alex. The mock Fr. joseph a removal fee. "I figured if people would ties and results. That should prove to be was easily repaired \vith tape. pay ror that, maybe they would make a easy, because he kept a record of everyWhile Fr. joseph look-a-likes were donation to have Fr. joseph come to their thing he did and every person or group making the rounds in Genesee County, house," he explains. who helped him along the way. Alex was busy with another project: When asked what he thought he Of course, Fr. joseph couldn't leave his participating in the "Start Something" parishioners to do the work directly. So gained most from the project, Alex program sponsored by Target and the Alex came up with the idea or using answered without hesitation: "I'm a lot Tiger Woods Foundation. ~start cutouts instead. One of Alex's uncles more organized now.· He also feels he's Somethint helps young people identify helped him create rour life-sized, become more confident and selfand achieve their dreams and goals, photographic assured; all that standing up in front of • • • • • • • • • • • •• •• •• building qualities cutouts of Fr. joseph, strangers and talking about Fr. joseph like initiative, leadand a lumberyard didn't hun. "I had to give a presentation "We were connected ership, and commu- on the sacraments in class the other donated roam board nity stewardship by our faith even though to make the look-aday," Alex noted, "and I didn't even along the way. Upon think twice about it." t!Wkes stand up. Then, we were so far away." completion of the 'VJAlex developed a But the thing he treasured most was suitcase of materials ••••••••••••••••• program, panicithe opportunity to help his parish and to accompany the cutouts, including a pants are encouraged to apply for a community do something good for those video message from Fr. joseph (reproduced scholarship that will move them in the less fortunate: "We were connected by by another of Alex's uncles), a report ill usdirection of their dreams. Alex earned our faith, even though we were so trating the need for the ambulance and such a scholarship, which he used to faraway." e supplies, a camera for recording each finance a trip to visit Fr. group that hosted a cutout, and a journal Joseph and present in which people could write a message of him with the rJ encouragement to the priest and his parish. result of his Alex's fellow scouts helped him collate fund-raising the materials and prepare yard signs to efforts in person. Let's break It dow : A friend is being give out as a thank you to those who In mid-june of this pushed around. You: A Aggressive~~~~!!! chose to serve as hosts. year, Alex and his to further conflict, not To promote his fund-raising plan, Alex mom left for Uganda A Get in the bully's face and resolution. Even if you win, took advantage of the opportunity to with a check for more tell him to back off. arrn 't you nmv the buUy? speak before Mass at Holy Family and to than $66,000 in hand. B Say to your friend, "Come B Sometimes the best school groups; at his own high school, the To Alex, the visit on, let's get going" and get out answer is to walh away. of the situation. JUnior class was convinced to adopt the made all the time and Tile issue may still need C Invite the bully to step ambulance project as its Lenten activity. effort he'd put into the fO be addressed. aside and ask him if there's C A passive intervention Alex approached community groups, project worthwhile: "My something bothering him and and friendly invitation could catch too, like the Rotarians, and the Optimists' trip to Africa was a wonoffer to listen if he needs the bully off guard. It ma) not Club. But it was individuals who seemed derful experience. I saw someone to talk to. worlz but at least you've offered tl1e how we take so much for to have the most fun with the hosting D Help your friend away bully a sign offricndsh ip. granted and that the arties. "One time, a cutout went to a from the situation and D Better then the second response. African people are happy oker party," Alex says, "and, on Fr. approach a school You're out of the immediate conflict with the little they have. counselor for assistance. Josephs birthday, another group baked and seclzing help from someone Also, I know the ambu'him' a cake." Predictably, there was a with the training and background

Personalitp Quiz ..

to help will1 a difficult situation. Remember, you belong to something - your loal parteh

www.FAITHmag.com

Scpwnb<r 2002

F1\ITH Maga:inc

Lansing Calhallc Central's KAIROS l"8tr..t changed

SUzame's lie: Each leaderS talk brought me closer to God.

"A well-known tradition of KAIROS is polar bearing. So on that last day of the retreat, holding Emily:S hand with a death grip, I ran down that dock and jumped in. When my body hit that freezing cold water, it jumped awake. Similar to how polar bearing woke up my body, KAIROS woke up my faith. "

'I I

Thats how Suzanne Poprawa describes what happened to her during a four-day retreat called KAIROS. Suzanne was confinned and made her first Communion during Uinsing Catholic Central High Schools Senior Appreciation Mass in May. Seniors at Uinsing Catholic are given the option to attend the retreat, and, at first, Suzanne wasn't going to go. ·1 had other commitments and really didn't see a clear reason to go," she explains. But something changed. One of her theology teachers approached Suzanne and asked her to auend the retreat. "Suzanne had been a student of mine,~ explains Paul Dull, Uinsing Catholic Central High Schools retreat director and theology teacher. "1 found her very thoughtful. She wasn't afraid to ask the hard questions and was open to hearing things that challenged her." The retreat is student-led and based on theology that is sacramental, and incamational, which helps students make real and substantial connections with their faith and the Church, Dull says. Suzanne decided to go on the retreat. Throughout by Eil~en Glaniodis

I Photography by Christine jones

the retreat, Suzanne heard Gods call. "Each leaders talk brought me closer and closer. It was amazing that they were always able to tum to God during times of trouble," she says. ~After l heard Fr. joes talk, l said thats it. I'm Catholic. These are the people that 1 want to share my faith with." Suzanne!; conversion was well thought out. "One of the cool things about Suzanne is that she doesn't do anything without really thinking about it," says Fr. Joe Krupp, chaplain at U.nsing Catholic Central High School. "She did not let the fact that she wasn't Catholic influence her decision. lt would be easy for her- in a Catholic school - to say 'Okay, I'll do it,' but she didn't." Suzanne played a half dozen sports and earned As and Bs throughout her academic career, but she knew there was more. "1 realized that I wanted to be able to celebrate my love for God with other people who share the same beliefs. 1 found that I was terribly jealous of those who could panicipate in the Eucharist. I wanted the challenge of taking jesus in and doing his will. I wanted the strength and everything that comes with it. l wanted to be Catholic," she told her fellow students. Suzanne knew her decision was monumental in her life, what she didn't expect was for it to be so instrumental in other students' lives. "They tell me that I've strengthened their faith," Suzanne said. "A lot of us who go to Catholic Central have been raised in a Catholic family; she (Suzanne) hasn't," said Sarah Balasia, a senior from Lansing. "Seeing Suzanne decide ten become Catholic made it more important that I commit to my V faith - something I've always taken for granted.~ Suzannes sponsor, Kelly Hackney, said Suzannes decision has given her a greater appreciation of her faith and · refreshed my prayer life.· Dull said students and parents alike often comment that KAIROS was the most significant event in their lives. •Jts like a reality check," he says. "They are challenged to consider the quality of their relationship with God, the Church, their family and friends." Father Joe agreed, ~As Catholics, we are guilty of sometimes taking the Eucharist for granted - Suzanne showed all of us that we, like her, should long for the Eucharist. We're talking about one of the greatest events we will ever encounter." If shes learned one thing from her commitment to becoming Catholic, it is this, she said: "Any decision you make can effect more people than you will ever know. I've had people come up to me and say that they are so inspired by my decis10n - I don't really even know these people: And her next step? Suzanne will attend the University of Michigan to major in engineering. Meanwhile, shes looking for a parish to join - a decision she is approaching with care and concern. "I have a basic understanding of the Catholic faith, but I really have a lot to learn,'" Suzanne said. '" In a lot of ways 1 still feel like I'm on the dock with Emily, ready to jump off.D ,JJ Ministry Focus • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Help Lansing Catholic Central continue a tradition of excel- . .... lence and support the Heritage Campaign (517) 267-2114.

Rekeat lnronnation ••••••••••••

•••••••••••••

Bethany House: here youth meet Christ. For more information on retreats; www.bethanyhouserc.org or call (51 7) 668-3747.

Youth Ministry Profile: After losing his father, Pat Rinker turned anger at God into a lifetime pursuit of serving Him by serving teens

when everything changed for me. I had a very deep encounter with Christ and I stood and committed my lire to Him. As we prayed, a wonderful feeling came over me and for the first time in years 1 had tears. Not a big deal to many but for me it was a sign of inner healing. I came home from camp and got more involved in my church. By spring of the following year, I was leading a Bible study group after school. "All things Everything was different- including what was work together most imponant to me. I stilled liked sports, dancfor the good for ing and girls, but 1 wanted to be the best Christian thos~ tlult love I could be. I decided I wanted to become a religion teacher at Catholic Central in Grand Rapids. the Lord," When 1 went to Aquinas College, I had to make according to many adjustmentS along the way. Because I wanted Patrick RfnJrer, to teach high school religion, I needed a double the new Diocese major and minor, along with my secondary educaof Lansing tion requirements. Long story shon - 1 did it in Director of four years and started teaching even before 1 graduated due to a teacher leaving mid-year. My dream Youth Ministry came true and all was well until .. . After a couple years of teaching there were cutbacks due to enrollment and 1 ended up working in a factory. Not a bad job, but not what I wanted. Faith is tlae realization of wlaat is laoped for Again, I had to learn to trust. One door closed and and evidence of tliings not seen. (Hebrews 11:1) it would be a while before another opened. For two years God taught me a lot about trusting Him and serving Him right where I was. I started four small Have you ever had the challenge of being prayer groups and I met with one person who wanted to positive in the most difficult situations? pray with me each day. I can't tell you how many times I've been When 1 left the factory, it was for my first youth ministry position. It was amazing. I spent the next nine years at St. there! So, I'll try and focus on just a few as I introduce myself to you as your new dioce- Roben Church in Ada. 1 have found over the years when one thing doesn't goes as 1 had hoped, God always teaches me san director of youth ministry. something and opens a new door if he wantS me to move. So, l m Pat Rinker, one of four children of Lowell and Anne after 25 years of full-time youth ministry, my wife, Karen, and Rinker, born in Grand Rapids, Mich. Without question the I, along with our daughter, Theresa, and granddaughter, Amira, most challenging time in my childhood was the death of my have moved to the Diocese of Lansing. We still have one son, father when I was l2 years old. He had a stroke that forced Matthew, in college in Iowa where I spent eight years as the early retirement a few years before he died. Our whole family diocesan director of youth ministry and our oldest daughter, was very close and he was a wonderful man. He was the Alisha, works in Sioux City and is pursuing a second degree. There's so much more to share but there will be plenty of authority figure in our home so when he died it was hard for all of us - especially my mother. time as we get to know each other. At the time, I froze emotionally and couldn't cry- not l'll close with another favorite verse, "All things work even at his funeral. At night, I would express anger at God. together for the good for those that love the Lord. "<Rom 8 .28) After a while, though. that changed. l would go to bed and 1 have trusted in that many times. 1 hope that as you trust ask God if l could talk to my dad. I would wait as if He actu- God, you will find this to be true as your life unfolds. a) ally said 'yes.' Then I would share my day with my dad. I Ministry Foals • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • would say good night and thank God for letting me talk to For more information on Youth Ministry contact Patrick my dad. Rinker at (517) 342-2485; Or contact your parish for The next five years were difficult without a father. We went youth group information; Or look on the back of this magato church but that was about it. During my junior year in zine for information on Youth Ministry from your parish. If high school I started going to something called Young Ufe. It your parish does not have a youth group and you are interwas pretty cool. That summer I went to camp and thats ested in one, contact your parish priest or Pat Rinker. by Pau~k JUnker

I Photography by Christine jonc.s

www.FAITHmag.c:om

Scprcml"r 2002

FAITH Mag;tzine

Jackson's l.umen Clwisti High School has a new WOik of art: It took joey 60 hours to paint a replica of Michelangelo'S Pieta on the wall of the schools entty.

tones for his painting - blues, greys, and purples - but the effect was intentional. ~1 tried to give it the look of the original marble," he explains. Though the painting certainly mirrors Michelangelos work, it also has a spark that is all joeys own. For example, when you get up close to it, you'll find dashes of red accentuating the reality of Christ's wounds. And the upper comers of the painting arc subtly defined by a nora! pallem. As joey explains, "1 did that to symbolize Christs resurrection and new life." Perhaps the most stunning (\ feature of the mural, though, 'V. is Christ:S face. · I was so worned about gelling it right," joey says, "that I put off painting it until last." The effect was well worth Dreaming of a trip to Italy to see fine works of art? If your parents the wait. The soft edges and say Italy is out of the question, there is an alternative. just drive to slightly warmer tones of the jackson's Lumen Christi High School. That's where teen artist Joey face combine to create an effect that is almost indescribMacklin has reproduced one of the masterworks of the Italian able: both life-like and deathRenaissance: the Pieta. But instead of sculpting it as Michelangelo like at the same time. ~Different people definitely did, he painted it - in a life-sized mural for others to see and react to it in different ways," Joey observes. appreciate for years to come. His classmates were in total joey was a senior at Lumen Christl when he got the idea agreement on one thing. though: how proud they were of for this ambitious project. ''I'd seen other murals at schools what he had achieved. (While this interview was being conaround town and just thought we should have one here." ducted, several stopped to pat him on the back and say Fr. Paul Grehl, OSFS, the schools chaplain, suggested the •Good job, man: "All I can say is that God was with me while 1 worked," joey replies.) subject - the Blessed Mother- and introduced joey to images of a grieving Mary holding the body of her crucified This month, Joey is taking his God-given talent to Ohio, Son. And art teacher Ed Nowak offered his support by where he is enrolled as a freshman at the Columbus College releasing joey from his classes to work on the piece which of Art and Design. But he doesn't think h1s fascination with took 60 hours to complete. "He set a precedent for my other rehgious subjects is going to end any time soon. · Right now, [\ students," notes Nowak, "shO\ving them they can accomplish I'm working on a painting that rcnects my personal interpre- V tation of Christ,ft he says. Maybe one day we will see this anything with hard work and dedication. Working in acrylics and oils, joey chose mostly somber piece pubhdy exhibited, too, as a joey Macklin original. EB D

lly Patricia Majher

Photography by Christine jones

Ways for .

spiritual

your music to tune you into Goo

Tune In Idea #2

Are

spiritual

The second exercise with

teens

healthier?

our praise and worship

teenpoll

of God. Jesus and Music: Music was

•••••••• ••• ••••••

t®t teens have good health habits. Of those, 66°/o say they are spiritual or religious. •••••••••••••••••••

uslc has always been a part of

a part of the life of Jesus. The Psalms were sung by cantors in the temple. Our Lord Jesus would have heard and probably learned these songs and hymns as He grew up in the company of Mary and Joseph. Scripture records that on the night Jesus entered His passion, He aang a hymn with His apostles before going to the Mount of Olives (see Mark 14:26). Jesus used song to express His love and thanks to God the Father. In the book of Revelation, there are many visions of angela and saints singing loudly to God. Song was and continues to be an important way of expressing our love for God. It can help us in other ways as well.

musk Is mora meditative: 1 Pick a song that tDuchea ywr heart in some WfiJ· M¥e ~ makes you sad, or happy, or energelic. It does not have., have words ... in fact, wordleas songs are baUer for this eecise. 2 Identify the feeling you have when you are listening to the song. 3 Then, think about the life of Jesus, and try and find a Scripture passage that would match the emotion you might be feeling. 4 After you have identified the emotion and the Scripture verse that matches it, read the passage quietly to yourself. See if you can put youraelf in the place of the one feeling the amotion in Scripture. 5 Play the song while you do this to help you.

Tune In Idea #1 ............... Take a song that you know and give it new words th at direct it back to God:

of teens have poor health habits. or those, only 39°/o say they are spiritual or religious. •••••••••••••••••

80°/o of healthy teens connect their spiritual life with their state of ealth. Only 23% of unhealthy teens make the link. cw..u. 2!. 2002

For example. there was a hit song by The Romantlc:s (a group popular in the 80s) called \\ 'l!cll I Lib· ,\lwut )(oiL The song had a great beat and the words were catchy enough that everyone could memorize them. The bent of the music helps us do th isl So. I made up new words to the song and turned it into jnll\ Rmlh Len!'.\ Y11 11 ! Here is a part of the song: ./1'.111\ Jtllll\ l111n .\1111.

I II' le 11 n ••Ill' II .I 011 I" m · ... Iii d1r 11111111111,~. e>r tile' n t'llill~. or jii\C WI.\ rime of rl1r dar ...

Remember, you belong to someone - Jetul Chlt1t

1n1h ... lie

11-lli\/ll'l \ i11.1 IIIII' Ill' <II I.

11111l:i11~ '>1111' rl1111 11111e111el

Iff

ilfllneTIII' IIJIIII C. lln <lll'>e' ir\ CJ 1u" lie >nil/\' lm n \1111 1

You can do this for almost any popular song: Somet1mes you can change just a few words, and yo u can almost hear God singing the song to you, or yo u singing the song to God . It's a great exercise that's loads of fun, and at the same time will become a prayer for you. You may even experience the joy and love of the Holy Spirit guiding you us you do it

www.FAJTHmeg.com

What I have found happen Is that God gives me new Insights and sensitivity to the thought and feelings of those in the Scripture. They were real people with real feelings like you and me. Our Lord

had emotions, too. He was fully

God and fully man I Being God did not take away His ability to feel. We know Jesus wept; we know He rejoiced; we know He feh great sorrow and distress; and, we know He feh great joy.

When you become aware that our Lord had feelings, or those in Scripture felt a certain way, they will become more real for you. The exercise will also help you think about the times when you felt those emotions. That ia always a good time to pray about various situations in your life. You will be able to pray with your heart. This exercise wUI also help you be more sensitive to the feelings of those around you. It may help you under-

stand people more, and love them more. So, my brothers and sisters, may God bless you in this exercise! Tune into W·OR·O - Our Lord Jesus Christl (Tum to John 1:1 if you didn't get this I) - Fr. Bill Ashbaugh Is pastor of St. joseph Parish. Howell

For More: Tune In to God St pumbtr 2001

FAITH Mag:u:lnc

books

Mysteries," Eich explains. He has a unique, conversational style, asking the reader many questions and discussing possible trials in his or her life. If one cannot relate, this may become distracting at times, but whatever difficulties a young person is experiencing,

eDeslderata A Teenagers journey to God Author: David Paul Eich

•••••••••••••• aking us on a journey that reflects the fifteen mysteries of the rosary, the author shares a collection of stories about both the Churchs greatest saints and modem-day models of holiness. The word desiderata is the plural of desideratum, a Latin word meaning ~some thing desired as essential." In a world that too often rejects the supernatural and sacred, the stories and accompanying reflections help to lift young peoples eyes from the temporal to the eternal. Rather than simply sharing a collection of impersonal facts about the Catholic hurch, Desiderata brings our aith to life through inspiring true stories about many young saints like Bernadette and Kateri Teknkwitha. There

are also more recent anecdotes of faith and conversion, including one about our very own Fr. joe Krupp. The author, David Paul Eich, is an East Lansing resident and St. Thomas Aquinas parishioner. At the beginning of the book, he expresses his "appreciation to the contemporary heroes who took the time to open their souls to me as I searched for real stories of real people. Their desiderata is what this book is all about.~ "Patterned after the rosary, the reader is invited to 'live' each decade or the Joyful, Sorrowful, and Glorious

Remember, you belong to someone - Je1ua Chrl1l

he is sure to find consolation if he reads on. Essentially, Desiderata is about the pursuit of God and of holiness, and inspired by many who have made the journey before us, knowing that we too are called tO be saints. -Alton Pdowsld (Ignatius f'r:,]unt 2001. 15BN 089870B58JI

Personalifu Quiz "'J/ You have a very dose friend who gets funny looks because of tell(ng comy jokes. You:

0 0 0

A Buy her/him a new joke book hoping that the material will improve. B Join others in putting down his/her sense of humor. C Chuckle when the next joke comes along knowing this is part of who he/aha is. D Tell him/her not to worry because you just met the new diocesan director of youth ministry, Pat Rinker, and next to his jokes, his/hera are truly funny.

-.FAITHfMtl.com

c===========~~====~~~-

Let's break Hdown: A Be careful! rhe.Jgh~gfll be worse in the ~ B Putting down ot.htrs is never the right answer, especially i}. we wish to be a true friend. C Thats cool. You've communicated real warmth in a relations/up between good friends. D I'm glad l could be used Ia help foster another persons sense of well-being. All 5 Personality Quizzes were by Pat Rinker

Xp!tmbcr 2002

FAITH MAg:ulne

community

®)

Thipgs to do

., &-•

,~ I

A retreat for Catholic students new to Michigan State University will take place at St. John Student Parish Friday, Sept. 6, from 5-11 p.m. Please call the parish office at (517) 337-9778 to register. St. Mary Catholic Church, Morrice, will host the annual Fall Festival Saturday, Sept. 7, and Sunday, Sept. 8. The grounds will open at 9 a.m. each day. Festivities include hourly raffles, arts and crafts, a farmer's market, children's games, bingo Saturday night and Sunday afternoon, concessions, music and a chicken dinner on Sunday. For information, contact the parish at (51 7) 625-4260.

St. Joseph Catholic Church, Ypsilanti, will host the 33rd Annual Harvest Festival and Chicken Barbecue Sunday, Sept. 8, from noon6 p.m. The festival will feature carnival games and prizes, Inflate-a-Bounce, a raffle and silent auction, bingo, pony rides, a vegetable wagon, and a chicken dinner. Raffle prizes include $5,000, a Rorida Disney vacation, a weekend getaway and $200. Call (734) 4616555 for raffle ticket purchase information. St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, Flushing, will host the 4th Annual Parish Picnic Sunday, Sept. 8, from 2-5 p.m. in the activity center.

Fellowship, food and fun are guaranteed I For information, call the parish at (81 0) 659-2501. All are welcome to join in at St. John Student Parish, East Lansing, for monthly Talze Prayer from 6-7 p.m. and Labyrinth Prayer, 7-9 p.m., which resumes Monday, Sept. 9. Howell's St. Joseph Fall Fun Days are set to take place Friday, Sept. 13, and Saturday, Sept. 14. For information, call the parish at (51 7) 546-0090. The Greater Lansing Catholic Education Foundation's Catholic Education Appeal is slated for the weekend of Sept. 21-22. The appeal will be held in parishes throughout the greater Lansing area. For information, call (51 7) 485-8333. The annual Curslllo Harvest Celebration will be held Sunday, Oct. 6, at St. John the Evangelist, Jackson. Mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m., followed by a potluck meal. For information on the event or the Cursillo movement, contact Maria Jaimez at (800) 666-8852 or www.lansingcursillo.org

Catechetical Saturday 2002- Living for tlae Lord will be held Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Lansing Center. More than 800 parish and school catechists, directors of religious education, coordinators of youth ministry, principals, RCIA directors, parish adult education lead-

ers and interested parishioners will be in attendance. Doors open at 7:45 a.m., with an opening prayer service at 8:45a.m. Following will be a keynote presentstion by Kate Ristow, a national religious education consultant and presenter. The event will also feature more than 50 workshops dealing with faith formation for adults, teens and children. Participants will have an opportunity to visit exhibits of the latest catechetical program materials, print resources, audiovisuals and computer software. A registration fee of $49 includes a continental breakfast and lunch. A 10 percent discount will be offered for 10 or more registrants from the same parish if received by Oct. 3. Registrations after the Oct. 3 deadline will be $54. Contact your parish director of religious education, coordinator of youth ministry, school principal, or parish adult education leader for a registration brochure, or call Kimmel Burden at (517) 342-2484. The Lansing Guild of the Catholic Medical Association (CMA) has created an online Catholic Health Care Provider Directory for Michigan. The directory, accessible at www.cmalansing.org, provides a major service to the Church. "The directory will enable patients to find Catholic physicians and other Catholic health care providers in their area as well as help Catholic health care providers make appropriate referrals to spe-

Support FAITH Magazine In the American Evangelization Appeal • Sept. 29

Sunday Readings September 1 Twenty•Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Jeremiah 20 ~ 7-9 Psalm 63 ~2 ·6, 8 ·9 Romans 12: 1-2 Matthew 16 ~ 21·27 September& Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Ezekiel 33:7·9 Psalm 95; 1-2, 6 ·9 Romans 13 :8·1 0 Matthew 18; 15·20 September 15 Twcnly·Faurlh Sunday in Ordinary Time Sirach 27:30-28:9 Psalm 103:1·4, 9 · 12 Romans 14:7·9 Matthew 18:21-35 September 22 Twcnly·Fifll• Sunday in Ordinary Time Isaiah 55:6 ·9 Psalm 145:2-3, 8 ·9, 17· 18 Philippians 1 :20c-24, 27a Matthew 20:1· 16a

September 29 Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Ezekiel 18:25· 28 Psalm 125:4 -9 Philippians 2:1-11 or 2: 1· 5 Matthew 21 :28·32

cialists who respect the moral teachings of the Catholic Church," says Dr. Catherine Dowling, president of the Lansing Guild of the CMA. There is no charge for the online service. In order to be included in the directory, Catholic health care providers, especially physi cians and mental health professionals, are encouraged to complete a directory form which can be downloaded from www.cmalansing.org, o® by contacting the guild at (734) 930-7480 or via e-mail: cmalansing@rc.net

help spread the faith

~atholic deaf

teens learn more about faith at camp

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• r. Michael Depcik, OSFS, led Deaf Catholic Week july 7-12 at the De Sales Center of Holley Family Village, Brooklyn, to help deaf teens (ages 13-16) better understand their faith. Born into an all-deaf family that included parents and four siblings, Fr. Depcik easily related to the participants' needs. Fr. Depcik, 32, is president of the board of directors of the National Catholic Office for the Deaf and chaplain for the deaf of the Lansing diocese. As a missionary for the olnternational Catholic Deaf '\Ssociation, he travels all over the country to give retreats for deaf Catholics.

In an e-mail interview with FAITH, Fr. Depcik went to the core of the problem for deaf teens: "Many of them (90 percent) are born to hearing parents who mostly do not communicate fluently in American Sign Language (ASL)." He added that hearing priests and pastoral work~ ers are inclined to sign in English grammar rather than ASL grammar, which is completely diiTerent in structure. Deaf Catholic children often grow up with a weak understanding of their faith, and some even join other religions with more eiTective ministries for deaf people. UMost programs for deaf teens do not provide sign-

Locks of Love s~someof

you may lind this

hard to believe: I hBYe a r...aly hard lime ..-ng my 10ft no.

Maybe the fact that hes only 7 and hasn't started asking to stay out late or borrow the car is pan of the reason! My inability to say no is how I got myself into a 15-month "project" that culminated in me losing 12 inches of my hair! It all began one day when Adam met me at the door while he was still in kinderganen. "Mommy, Mommy, will you let your hair grow ~ mg?n Well, I was starting to ~w it out a bit but l didn't know what he had in mind like maybe he wanted me to

as-seenon-TV hair twister thing so he could "twist" my hair up in knots His Intentions were more noble, I found out. ~Two girls at school cut their hair for Locks of Love. Oh, Mommy, you have pretty hair. Why don't you give your hair to Locks of Love?n Now, I couldn't tell a 5~ year-old that Mommy was too vain to cut her hair once it grew out to the required length. After visiting wwwlocksojlove.org, I found out that it takes 10 to 12 ponytails to

FAITH Is available on audiotape by request. Cell (517) 342·2500.

language interpreters. If they do, many deaf teens still feel left out; says Fr. Depdk. He makes this analogy; "A native Chinese speaker who (can) speak English fairly well would feel left out of a large group of English-speaking people, even if a translator is there. This is the same with deaf persons. We consider ourselves as a bilinguaVcultural minority, and we are drawn to a deaf group that shares the same language and cultural background.·· Fr. Depcik emphasized the need for parents to become very involved in their deaf childrens lives by learning ASL fluently This, he stressed, helps develop good family

dynamics and eventually gives deaf children a better understanding of their Catholic faith. likening the study of ASL to that of a foreign language, Fr. Depcik said it takes six months to enjoy basic conversation and three to six years to become fluent in ASL. Many new programs for the deaf will be alTered at the De Sales Center, including retreats for deaf adults, priests, couples, and families, as well as workshops for religious interpreters. Parents, priests, and others working with deaf people can get funher information by contacting the Holley Ear Institute at (517) 592-8218. -Carolyn Smllh

• •• •• • •• ••

Ordination ofFr. Rose ••••••••••••••••

make one wig. The wigs then go to children and adults who have lost their hair due to medical procedures or disease. This past june I had 12 inches lopped ofT my flowing tresses which I then placed in a plastic bag and shtpped ofT to Locks of Love. Do I miss my ·hair? A bit but I would miss it even more if I lost it because of illness Would I recommend this to others? You betcha. If you think it looks really good on you, just imagine how good your hair would make someone look who, unfortunately, doesn't have any. - Kilrlty Funlr

r. GeoiT Rose, OSFS answered Gods call and was ordained to the priesthood Saturday, july 13. Fr. GeoiT was ordained to the order of Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, and will serve the Diocese of Lansing as chaplain of Lumen Christi High School, jackson. He will also continue his teaching duties at the school within the religious education program. Fr. GeoiTs home parish is St. Mary of Good Counsel, Adrian.

Sq>ttmbcr 2002

'Z1

FAint Magmnc

Retreat info:

Adrian Youth Minister perfonns on national television

hilili schools House:

his September, jon Schoonmaker will appear on Backstage, an Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) program that features and promotes Catholic recording artists. jon is the youth minister at St. joseph Church, Adrian. Bachstage is a relatively new series on EWTN, and has been very well-received by the viewers. The format or the program allows artists to present a "backstage concert" and to share the stories that inspired their music. During his performance on Backstage, jon will introduce one or his latest compositions, Here I Am as well as perform selections from his album, lt~ A

lansing

Matter of Faith. jon'S music is characterized by upbeat, strong melodies and honest lyrics that reveal the mounr taintops and valleys of his faith journey. ~I believe that the journey or faith is one that cannot be traveled in solitude. There is so much that we can learn from one another as God interacts in unique ways in each of our lives. Sharing my relationship to Christ through music is a way that I journey with othr ers in faith." Editor~ Note: Visit www.heartbeatrecords.com to pun:hase one ofjon~ albums, or contact him at St. joseph dnrrclt for more information

on concerts and other programs at (517) 265-3279.

New staff at Catholic

high schools • Tom Furnas has taken over the helm at Powers Catholic in Flint following the retirement ofjoseph Forlenza. Furnas has served the school as assistant principal. • Joseph Malerly will be overseeing Fr. Gabriel Richard High School of Ann Arbor He might be a familiar face to many students as he was formerly the assistant princtpal of St. Francis of Assisi Middle School. • Jenny McCallister has been named athletic director at lansing Catholic Central High School. She began her post july 1. replacing Phil Marazita who retired from Catholic Central after l3 years of service.

Catholic

Bethany

cerebrate 100years

here youth

••••••••••••••••••••

ansing Catholic Central High School - along with its predecessors, St. Mary Cathedral, Resurrection, Msgr. Gabriels and Msgr. O'Rafferty high schools - is planning to commemorate 100 years of Catholic high schools in Lansing. Since St. Mary Cathedral opened its doors in 1902 - our Catholic high schools have enjoyed a rich heritage. The celebration will kick off with a Mass at St. Mary Cathedral at 10 a.m.• Sunday. Sept. 8 followed by a coffee and pastry reception. Guests to the reception will see several historical display boards commemorating the live schools. Throughout the 2002-03 academic year, we will commemorate the traditions of St. Mary Cathedral, Resurrection, O'Rafferty and Gabriels High Schools that continue to be carried out today by Lansing Cathollc Central High School. The Centennial Celebration is chaired by Sister Patricia Newhouse, S.C. Other memr bers of the committee include the following: Bonnie Armbrustmacher, Helen Chynoweth, Kathleen Ellls, Patty Farhat, jim Kasprzak, Michael Murray and Christine Pearson.

For more information about the Centennial Celebration for the Catholic high schools of wnsing, contact Eileen Gianiodis at wnsing Catholic Central (517) 267-2127.

meet Christ Bethany House is

a retreat center for youth on the grounds of St. Francis Retreat Center in DeWitt. For weekend or day retreats contact Fr. jerry Vmckeat (517) 668-3747 or log on to

II ~

WMV.bethanyhouserc.org • •••••••••••••••••••

Se_pt 11 relief efforts raised over $220,000

ehavealottobe • proud of in the Diocese of Lansing! Thanks to the generosity or donors throughout the 10-counties of the diocese, more than $221,741 has been given to Catholic Charities USA Disaster Relief for the victims and families of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The first collection fol ' }) lowing the tragedies netted more than $139,796. An additional $81,945 has since been donated to the efforts.

World Youth Day Scrapbook

At World Youth Day. Fr. joe Krupp turned the tables becomIng the Interviewer o£ ABC12's Bill Harris and his daudttcr Nikki. Find out what tlicy got out o£ being together in Toronto.

The tables got turned on a local celebrity, namely Bill Harris -anchor of ABC12 News in Flint- and his daughter Nikki.

Youth to Youth, pictured with C:udlnal McCaiTick, have a commitment to know and love jesus. They shared that with the world at WYD 2002. For more ln£o on retreats, call (810) 639·7175

l had spent some time with this family in the past and was blown away by the almost palpable nature of their love for each other. 1 was so touched by meeting thts lovely family that I asked FAITH Magazine if I could interview them for World Youth Day. The editor was asleep when I asked, and 1 took his silence for consent and what follows is the result of the interview. just so you know, they were a captive audience. They were secured in the back of my car on the way home from Toronto, running on caffeine, adrenaline and not a small dose of the Holy Spirit. Enjoy!- Fr. joe ......

Wlaat was it like having both of you tlaere, Nicole as a pilgrim and Bill as a journalist? Nicole: 1 really enjoyed having my father there. After going to Rome, 1wanted someone from my family to go and experience what 1have been talking about firsthand. Bill: Well, I certainly didn't have the parental control that I'd have as if she were home! Seriously, I knew that Nikki was in safe hands with her parish group and, better yet, we each were fonunate to have been able to see each other in Toronto almost at a moments notice. Ironically, Nikki and I returned home to Michigan together on Sunday with Fr. joe and Fr. Geoff (Rose) .... someday Nikki and I will write an anicle about THAT experience!!!

Was there anydting daat surprised you about WYD 20027 Nicole: Nope! Bill: Yes. The intensity of the kids! Nikki told me what it was like in Rome, but it wasn't until Toronto that 1 actually realized these hundreds of thousands of Catholic youth were there because of their obvious love of Pope John Paul II and a genuine belief in their faith. This was not, from what I could see, simply an excuse to get away from mom and dad. OK, that may have been one of the benefits of the trip but there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that these young men and women were there for one primary reason - to demonstrate, practice, and share their faith with the one group of people they can relate to the most: kids their age.

Bill Harris nnd his daughter Nloole pose In rront or the giant altar area. ~ I think It brought Nikki and me even closer togeth路 er as rather/daughter, tr that's possible. The WYD experience has also given me great hope and Inspiration about the :z:eal and determination or our Catholic youth," says Bill Bill and Nicole are parishioners at Holy Family

An aging pope holds the chalice before thousands of Catholic youth The crowd at Toronto's World youth day as seen rrom behind the altar area

Parish, Grand Bhtnc.

Wltat was your 'defining' WYD memory? Nicole: Of course, all the WYD events were ultra路 definmg moments for me. However, when 1 went to see 'Youth to Youth' Catholic Evangelization, something caught my full attention, and I could not keep my eyes and ears away from them. Knowing that they were from Montrose, near my hometown, made it even more appealing to me. 1 don't know of any youth who sacrifice as much as they do, to go out and share their faith and their experiences with God. Bill: Uh, not an easy question. Secmg Nikki and the rest of the group Saturday afternoon at Downsview Lands was awesome. My photographer and I were in a sea of pilgrims, desperately searching for any of the hundreds of kids from the Lansing and Saginaw Dioceses, when suddenly, I was able to find Nikki at what I eventually referred to as ' Hotel Holy Family.' Within sight of the papal stage, seeing Nikki, her fel-

determination of our Catholic youth who are the Church leaders of tomorrow. low pilgrims and Fr. Roy (Horning), it was definitely a defining moment for me.

Wlaat was your LEAST favorite WYD experience tltis year? Nicole: The walk to Downsview, but I obviously hved through it alright! Bill: Recalling Nikkis experience in Rome when she collapsed from the heat, I guess my least favorite experience in Toronto was the weather. Most of the time it was too hot and too humid. And Sunday morning it was like a monsoon. As members of tlte Roman CatiJOJiC COIIIIIUIIIity, did WYD 2002 change you in any way?

feel so much closer to God. Bill: Truly, I thmk it brought Nikki and me even closer together as father/daughter, if thats possible. The WYD experience has also given me great hope and inspiration about the zeal and

Nicole: I

By Bill Harris, Nicole Harris and Fr joe Krupp I Photos cour1esy or Blll Harris, Ahon Pclowskl and CNS

You botlt went to Toronto witla a group. How did tlte rest of your group react to WYD2002? Nicole: I think the same way we did. Bill: It was interesting to watch the other two mem路 hers of the ABC12 group. While neither are Roman Catholic, they seemed to enjoy the experience and may have actually learned more about the Catholic faith . Covering the pilgrims and catechetical sessions, lis路 tening to what the pope and the kids had to say, actually experiencing such events as the Way of the Cross, and having close contact with Fr. joe and Fr. Geoff, I'm guessing the WYD experience had a very positive influence on them both.

What are your impressions and/or feelings about Pope )olm Paul II? Nicole: He ts a youth in that body of his. Bill: Easy! Seeing him in St.

louis in 1999, it was obvious to me he drew immense strength in the presence of the kids. Nikki saw that in 2000. And we saw it again in Toronto. Pope john Paul simply loves being with the young. As he said in Toronto: h1s body may be old, but hes still young in spirit.

How dose did you actually get to seeing Pope john Paul? Nicole: A couple of hundred yards this year. In Rome, though, I was about 8 feet from him. Bill: What a great question! omrary to popular belief, as journalists we are generally kept farther away from the pope/president/sports legend/rock star, than the general public. In fact, it was by accident that I actually came within 20 feet of Pope john Paul in St. louis. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time on the motorcade route. My journalistic dream has always been to someday actually have an audience with the pope. Hey, I can dream, can't I? In Toronto, though, my papal contact was via satellite TV downlink in the ABC12 Skylink truck and the jumbo screens scattered about the many WYD venues. Now dtat you're both bach

ynm Toronto, if yolt each had he opportunity to tallr to another parent about WYD, wl1at would you tell then1?

last word

A lillie rain didn't dampen the spirits of these Diocese of Lansing young adults who were among the tens of thousands of youth who st:tycd overnight before the closing Mass of World Youth Day

An open letter to teenagers

listen to what your child has to say about his/her pilgrimage, because it was probably one of the best experiences he/she ever went through. Bill: As a father, I would gladly share, Nikkis before, during and after Rome 2000 experience and then, of course, the experience we shared in Toronto. If you happen to know of someone who attended any WYD event, talk to them. I think you'll be surprised at their response, just as 1 was the first time I discussed WYD with Nikki.

ear confirmed young people, the hope of the future: You have heard for almost a year now, since the suicide bombings last September 11, that overnight our world has changed and we are in a war that is going to be long and costly, with the enemy calling the shots and time not on our side. At hrst thought it seemed as though America should have the upper hand We are the wealthiest nation on earth and the most powerful one militarily Our enemies come from backward countries, rich with oil, the wealth from which does not filter down to the common people. The result 1s that abroad there is a great hatred for America. It arises in part from jealousy over our power and status and in part from what they perceive as Amencan arrogance We have the reputation overseas of "ugly Americans." American businessmen, politicians and tourists may not intend to convey superior attltudes to Middle Easterners and the Third World in general, but the fact is that we do. S.o we live in the terrible uncertainty of when, where and how they will strike next This war is not like the full-time grind that occupied our country m Vietnam, Korea and World War II before you were born. The lulls and gaps in the fight leave us and our leaders anxious and uncertain. The terrorists hate us, are so desperate that they will commit suicide to hun us, and we know they possess chemical and biological weapons to use aga1nst us This is not, then, a favorable time for young people hke yourselves growing mto full adulthood You will not be having the freedom of movement and action previous young generations had. What counsel can I give you, what encouragement can I offer, in the situation in which we all find ourselves? Our Holy Father, Pope john Paul, for almost a quarter of a century has repeatedly urged the Gospel admonition upon us. "Do not be afraid!" lth.tt 14 .27 Mark 6:50.John 6·20). jesus Christ is Lord, and we belong to him. Cling to him and he will see us through our eanhly difficulties. President john F l<ennedy inspired a whole Cold War generation with these words "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country" You are American citizens, soon to be Amencan voters Decide now to be active citizens, informed on the issues and voting accordingly Remember that the U S.A. gives a smaller proportion of ils wealth to the poor nations than any other major world power. Vote to change this. Maybe you can help to dispel the "ugly Amencan" impression foreigners have of us If your future bnngs you into contact with foreign nations, be a "goodwlll ambassador • Learn a lmle bit of their languages, show an interest m their cultures. make no odious comparisons with ours You already have an "m" with people your own age, even in the countries where the terrorists originate because of television and American moVIes, teens almost everywhere admire and imitate your casual clothing and your musk. I have no 1dea how you might exploit this for world peace, but maybe you can thmk of some way Remember, finally, that Catholic Relief Services gets high praise abroad for the speedy help sent from America in food, clothmg and medicine in times of need and regardless of race, color or religion. Thanks for reading this, and the Lord be wnh you all!

Nicole:

Given the dtance, would

either - or botl1 - of you go to WYD 2005 in Gennany? Wlty? Nicole: Oh, of course! Why not? Bill: For sure! I would love to again be a journalist covering WYD, especially in a foreign country. Better yet, I'd be thrilled to be able to have a reunion, like other WYD 'graduates,' especially with Nikki. Anytlting you want to say to tlte youtlt who did not come to WYD 2002? Nicole: You missed out!!!! Come to Germany in 2005! Bill: I think it's the obvious. You missed a wonderful experience. If you ever get the chance to auend a WYD in the future, seriously consider it! And don't forget your raincoat!

........................................ . D

Your aging friend, Bishop Kenneth Povlsh Most Rev. Kenneth Povish was the third bishop o£ Lansing and Is now retired.

Fun 1Nith

Faith

Who Kne

Parish

Youth

Group.

A Message

from Your Parish:

Your support of the American Evangelization Appeal helps FAITH Magazine continue.

............ ...........

•••••••••••• ett1tt•••••• , t t ..... '

••••••

• ~--·300W Oltawa U!nsmg, Ml 48933

Online: On TV:

www.Dioceeaoflanslng.org www.fAITHmeg.cam lhe Oulrellc:h Mesa, Sundey, 10 a.m. Flint - FOX 66 Lllnelng - FOX 47

On Radio: M11a,11 Lm. on WJIM 1240 AM

Please use the envelope inside to

help spread the faith