froiU the editor •If'his is my favorite time of year. The days are cooler; the air is crisp lJ as I make my way to church for morning Mass. The world is alive with- beautiful colors as the leaves change in anticipation of their annual departure. Wrth its colorful look, bright days, the mix of sun and rain, autumn reminds me that the world God has given us is beautiful indeed. The dive111e beauty that we see during the fall is a good reminder of the colorful beauty of family and friends that God places in our lives. The months ahead will provide us with special opportunities to help us treasure the family we have and the friends with whom we surround ourselves. Of all the influences that mold and shape us through the years, our family and friends play a key role. Ahhough it may at times be hard to discern, they too, like the rest of our world, are God's gift to us. Our family has such a foundational influence on us as we make our journey from newborn to adulthood. Hopefully they are there to coax us toward and celebrate with us the many milestones of our lives. It is within our family that many of us are first loved and learn to share that love in return. In the quiet peace of childhood bedtime Of all dte influences tltat prayers shared with Mom or Dad, we begin to build our relationship with God. The household mold and sltatJe us tltrouglt chores we have as children teach us to become responsible adults. In the joys and sorrows that tlte years, our family and are part of each family's life, we learn to be steadfast companions and feel the grace of God friends play a llCy role. sustaining us through so much. Our friends are a bit different While we are Altltouglt it may at times be born with our families, we are given the ability (and responsibility) to choose our friends. Earty ltarcl to cliscent, dtey too, in life we learn that there are the right and wrong sort of friends. In time, we come to see that lilte tlte rest of our worlcl, friendship is yet another way that God enriches us and calls us to continue growing. Our friends are Gods gift to us. provide us with healthy and necessary challenge - being eyes and ears to see and hear things from an entirely different perspective. They can also be God's voice speaking to us a word that comforts or challenges. "The apple never falls far from the tree,• and "You can tell a lot about a person by the company they keep," are two sayings whose truth seems clearer to me with each passing day. Our family and friends are God's gift to us - they make our lives more colorful and they reflect to us the beauty, love and wonder of our God. In this issue of FAITH, we explore the gift of family and friends. The lives of Celia Guerra's 14 children are a wonderful reflection of the faith and love shared by Celia and her late husband, Ralph. Bishop Mengeling and Bishop Povish reflect on their treasured family members and friends. Sometimes what began as friendship can have an unanticipated outcome, as is true for Jerry and Alice Fust and Brian and Penny Vriebel. And, in Culture, we offer ideas for beginning and maintaining a family tree. All this and more awaits you on another journey in FAITH.
Cover
Celia's story of being d
mother of 14 kids Ministry Focus: Hispanic Calhol\cs Nancy Schertzlng
The Journey Dr. Cathleen McGreal16
Work Life Michael Sullivan
Fr. Bill Ashbaugh
12
Last Word Bishop Povish
The G"urc un A·1cls O::t :;>
19
Spiritual Fitness
- Fr. Dwight E:op is Editor in Chid or FAITH Magazine and Pastor or the Catholic Community or St. jude, DeWitt.
LiturgiCill Cnlcndar Sl Therese of t~c Ch1ld Jesus, Virg'n und Docto• of the Cr"·ch Od'
10
Sl Frunc:s of Ass s1 RciiCJ'o"s Ckt ol
SL Bruno Pncsl On 5
~1
!': '•'•'" ' \
From the Bishop
Features
My Friendships BIShop Mengeling talks about the meamng of one of his friendships and the 1mporumce of friendship based on faith.
Single No More Family Tree Tips CatholiCpanshes are great Are you single and want to meet places to look for family tree new people? Let God bring you together. Meet two couples who finds. Find out why parishes keep records and how they may met through faith. be of help. Ministry Focus: Just for Singles
Bishop Clift f. MengeUng
Sanh Chlldreu
Culture
Patrfdll MaJher
World Religious leaders Respond to the Attack on America Religious leaders from the pope to our own Bishop Mengeling respond to the terrorist attack on America - calling for prayer and giving blood.
"
faith
Mmt Reverend Carl F Mengcling
letters
PUBUSHER
Rev Charles Irvin FOUNDING EDflOR
Oclober 2001
Send your leHers to: Editor, FAITH Magazlnt 300 W. Ottawa Lansing, Ml48933 or via e•mall ltlt&raC fallhlllliiJ.com
Rev DwJght Ezop EDITOR IN CHIEF
Patrick M. O'Brien MANAGING EDITOR/CREATIVE DIRECTOR
I l1avc only n:ad d1e past two issues of FAITH Magazine and I LOVE IT! Tile format is grrat; the photograpl1y, writing am/layout superb. lnthejuly/Au!,'US! 2001 issue, I was pleased to sec the articles about tl1e diverse ministries. So many cli.ffen:nt people with so many cliffcrcnt needs. I had no idea tlwtthe diocese pmvidcd this much assistance. I have met Dr: RJchwrl Stlifc and Sr: Marlene Taylor; AD, of the Ministry with Persons with Disabilities. They arc amazing people anc/1 hal'e seen what marvelous worlltllry do for those they serve.
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TiwnllS for the ... issue of FAITH. Fantastic worlt! Be assured of my prayers for you and your ministry. God bless you I Joe Cocuc:clk
What Do You Mean:Priests Don't Marry Couples? --
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goal. Second, according to Richard McCloy, Bethany House campaign chaim1an, "Bethany House is t/1e MOST SIGNIFI~ CANT UNDERTAKING BY A SINGLE DIOCESE IN KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS HISTORY." ... And that's something we Knigl1ts of the La115ing Diocese arc so proud to crow about."
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Congratulalions and many tlwnllS to F1; Vinche for his wonderful article on Betlwny House in the teen issue of FAITH! Bethany House. mdeed, pmmises to meet tl1e desperate need for a "spiritual yout/1 center for the L£111sing Diocese.'' ... At their annual convention on Machinac Island in May, I999, all the members of the Knights of Columbus of the Laming Diocese (currently I1,314 strong) promISed Bishop Mcngcling that they would raise $3 million !award the building of Bethany House. To date, the Kmgltts have raised a substantial sum toward their
Ill.
"Oh, I'm so glad you were represcmmivc and wimcss there to marry us!" That, or on behalf of the Church something similar, is what a and state. deacon or priest often hears Most people arc surprised from the newly-married cou- when they discove r this. ple shortly after the concluMarriage is the one sacrasion of a wedding liturgy. ment in which those other than an ordained minister While compliments arc always appreciated, it's important to remember that the bride and groom are the true ministers of the sacrament ingncss on the of matrimony. The bride and groom part of the couare the real ministers ple to live a life The priest or deacon is there of the sacrament of of mutual selfmabimomr as an official giving and fideli-
St M;ug~r"t Mary AIJcoquc. V.rg1n Oct 16
St lgn~t·us of Ar.Uoch B<shop and M~otyr Oct 17
ty. Wife and husband arc gift to one another and their vows signify the beginning of their self-gift. As ministers of the sacrament, bride and groom become husband and wife and proclaim to one anOlher, to God, and to gathered Church, family and friends, the beginning of a lifetime of living out the sacrament of marriage. - Fr. Dwighl Ezop
StlL<c Ev~ngchst Oct 1 B
Stls~~c
Jogucs a"d CompJn>ons P·.cs
saint of the month
faithillag. -:om Meet New People or Find Family Time Ideas
Cowboys and Indians Weren't the Only casualties of the American Frontier
Wilh These Unks on FAITHmag.com
The Story of SL Isaac Jogues, One of the First Martyrs of America
h may seem odd to think of martyrs in North America. We usually think of martyrs as Christian missionaries who are kiled while bringing the faith to unbelievers in faraway lands. Wei, in the 1600s, North America was a faraway land, and the Native Americans were unber~&Vers to wflom French missionaries brought the WOfd of God. Isaac Jogues was one of those missionaries. He was born in 1607 in Orleans, France, already famed for its martyred daughter, Joan of Arc, the "Maid of Orleans~ After his Ofdination to the priesthood in 163 6, Isaac Jogues went to Oooboc, Canada, as a missionary to the
Whats a good movie to rem with your children? Where can you find ftiends who share the same interests and beliefs? Does your martiage need a boost? The answers to these questions arc closer than you think - in fact, they're just a mouse click away. www.cathollcmom.com It's tough juggling work, kids, marriage, and Catholicism. That's where CatholicMom.com comes in to help. Think of it as a cyber support group designed especially for Catholic mothers. It's self-described as a "place to focus on deepening our spiritual lives, a place to share our stories and learn from one another."
Huron Indians, who called them "Biackrobes~
Iroquois Catlwlics and
first liip- Lost His Thumb While the Hurons were welcoming to the missionaries commemorate Jesuits, who in time slowly made converts to ;r: . .r l Christianity among the tribe, the Blacl<robes thc beau.~rcatron o1 saac faced constant danger from the Iroquois, the
friendshlp.crossdally.com More t~n 40,000 Christian visitors to this site have discovered friends from around the world. Both single and married people can sign up for chat rooms or join interest groups. You can find and e~il Christians from different backgrounds and countries. And it's free! While you are at the site, be sure to play "Who Wants to be a Saintly Millionaire,• a spoof of the popular TV show.
]ogucs in New Yorll, 1925 long111anding enemies of the Hurons. In 1642, Isaac Jogues and some felow missionaries were captured by the Iroquois as they traveled to get medicine and supplies for their village. They were imprisoned and tortured and taken to the Iroquois village in what is now Auriesville, N.Y., not far from Albany. Rene Goupil, a layman who worked with the Jesuits, was tomahawked by the Iroquois for tracing Chrisllanfamlllesonllne.com the Sign of the Cross on the foreheads of some children. He was the first Whether you're in need of a marriage booster or a movie review, North American martyr. this is the place for you. This award-winning Web site emphasizes Isaac Jogues was beaten and had his thumb cut off before being rescued by that "family is the heart of the world~ With this belief in mind, the some Dutch settlers. These Dutch Protestants put him on a ship and returned site was designed to strengthen family relations and offer support to him to France. He was greeted as a hero by the French people, who had folthose having troubles. - Jcnnircr Nics1cr lowed the tales of his "adventures" among the Native Americans through reports sent back by French and Dutch traders. But he could not stay in France. God Book of the Month was caling him to return to the Hurons, so he came back in 1644. More Than Meets the Eye, Finding God In the Creases Second liip - Not So Lucky and Folds of Family Life After two more years working among the Indians, Isaac Jogues and his lay by Mary )o Pedersen, Thomas Grciscn, and Ronald Wasilwws/11 companion, Jean de Lalande, went on a peace mission to the Iroquois. They This book will awaken a family's awareness of God in all kinds were captured by a war party of Mohawks (members of the Iroquois nation), of places and in common family experiences, such as birthday tortured, and beheaded. The date of their martyrdom was Oct. 19, 1646. parties, the laundry room, a grave site, More ITliWtyrOoms fobwd. Fr. Anthony Daniel, Fr. Chartes Gamier, and Fr. Saturday nights with grandma and grandpa, Noel Chabanel were all murdered in separate incidents. Fr. Jean de Brebeuf, and many more. The real-life stories that are who had been in Canada the longest, teaching the Huron language to the other presented, along with the helpful reflections missionaries, writing catechisms, and baptizing lllOI'e than 7,000 Hurons, was torand meaningful rituals, evoke the feelings, tured and killed by the Iroquois in 1649, along with Fr. Gabriel L..allemant thoughts, Together, these men are caled the North American martyrs, and memories, their feast day is celebrated Oct 19. and associaA connection to Blessed Katert Tekakwltha? Well, the first Native tions that American headed for sainthood was born 10 years after St. Isaac prime the Jogues' death in the very village where he had been martyred. Her epth perception needed for seefather was a Mohawk warrior - one of those who tortured and killed from the St. fnlnds Retreat "more than meets the eye• in the missionaries. And her mother was an Algonquin, a member of a Center Book Store, log on to recognition of God in family life.
www.FAITHmag.com tyrs Oct 19
S: Jo"r. de Brct>cuf n"d Compn". O"S Pr.cst nr.d Martyrs Oct 19
Sl Pau of
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Huron tribe, who had converted to Christianity because of the witness of the Blacl<robes. - EIW!bclh Johnson
Cross Pr1cst Oct 20
Sl Jchn of Cnp:straro. Pr·cst Oct 23
Sl A.~:hony Mary Claret. B s~op Oct 24
in the know
withFLjoe
I was at a social event and I met a really nice cou· pie. We were chatting away, getting to know each other and everything was going well when one of them asked me, "Hey, what do you think of clown min· lstry?" It has always been a habit of mine to show restraint and forethought whenever I speak (Dad, Mom, quit laughing!), so I launched Into a speech sayIng how much I couldn't stand clown ministry, clowns scared me ever since I was a kid, blah, blah, blah. I went on and on speak·
ing about my dislike for clowns for a good five min· utes when I noticed them looking at me strangely. After a good two minute pause, the husband looked at me and said, 'We were just asking because we have a clown ministry." Someday, somehow, I will learn to shut my mouth ...
Numbers 88%
be"eve that they will find a sour mate aome day
62% 8l1fJ ~·s OK for a eingle woman to have a child on her own
be~eve it is important to find a spouse of the same religious beliefa
4 2%
Percent of singles that say
It Is more difficult to have a good marriage today than In their parents' generation
~o question whether marriage ia a good way of life ewo.> Pill Juno 27. :ZOOI
S()>A, of single women feel a husband who can communicate about his deepest feelings is more desirable than one who makes a good living or is of the same religious beliefs
respond by saying 'yes' to j esus everyday and seeking to love God and His people every chance we get. If that is true in your life, let him know! Tell him, "Yes, I love jesus, and I share it in word and deed!" If it is not true, then work on it. Get lO Dear Fr. Joe: One of my know Jesus through some quiet time and reading of the brothers says he Is no Scriptures. Go to Mass and longer Catholic. He and his receive the Eucharist. let wHe seem to spend a great Jesus be your savior. deal of time crltlcizJng my OK, so we've covered that. family and the Catholic It also may be that your Church. He says we aran't brother needs someone to going to heaven. It's really listen to him. It does seem in hard at family gatherings because he Is always trying our culture that it is OK to talk to anybody about anyto convert people. What thing - as long as it isn't should I do? about Jesus. Maybe your Wow! Questions like this brother is expressing an arc tough. Obviously, your appropriate desire but in an brother has had a powerful inappropriate way - he religious experience and wants to talk about faith! wants to share it. That's a Share with him and let htm good thing. The bad thing is share with you! that he is not Do ¥0U have 8 Now, all of accepting your personal relationship this is assuming religious ~h J ? It' OK that you~ brothexperience. w esus 5 er and hiS to sav "YES" II So, here is '~" ~ spouse will what we do. accept your faith m Jesus through the Catholic Church First of all, he is probably asking you if you have a per- as authentic. This is a big sana\ relationship with jesus assumption and, to be henChrist. That is something est, about 90 percent of the you need to be able to time, they won't treat your answer. The sacraments offer beliefs with any respect at all. us the chance to have this So, what then? Has it occurred to you that relationship, but we have to
-a g<Jrd Friend?While you can learn something about a person by looking at their book collection, looking at who they choose as friends speaks volumes. Our friendships are central to who we are. "Iron sharpens uun; so one man sharpens another " <Provnbs 27 17) We asked members of the Young Adult Group at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, East lansing: What makes a good friend?
you have nothing to apologize for in being Catholic? 1 am always amazed at the low opinion other Christian churches have of us and how ohcn that opinion is born of ignorance. Get to know this faith you love so much and you will be able to share your Catholicism as well. Besides FAITH Magazine, I would recommend Envoy (my second favorite) and TillS Rocl1 (third favorite). These arc just a couple of outstanding resources to help you know and ddend your Catholic faith. All arc on the Internet, so check them out. - Or it could be that your ·other and his wife don't want to share - they only
Someone who will love you when you're at your best, your worst, and in between. Angela Grzemkowskl 27
Someone who can prayerfully share in your 8lrugglee and accomplishmenla fen and pleasurae.
Psychology Major
Elementary Ed/ English Major
want to yell at you. H this Is your prayers and the acceptthe case, be as patient as you ancc you offer them is all can (there arc worse things - they need to "love God withhe could be H A¥! You have out ~mbarselling maga. . rassmg jesus" zinc subscripnothing to apologeze as Tony tions during for being Catholic. Campolo says. dinner) and pray for them. A couple Prayer is a powerful tool. of last It may be that
Remember, you belong to something - your loc:.l partsb
Someone who will lead me closer to ctvist. Ariel Ponce 25
Medical Student
Amanda
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Mourey22
, ONLINE eoLL
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tactical points for discussing your fmth m a hostile environment include your Catechism which is an outstanding resource. Be sure and look up the different LOpics you arc challenged on. If a Scripture is quoted to you, ask for chapter and verse so you can look it up yourself. Finally, remember the words of St. Augustine: "In essential things, unity. In the unessemials, libcny. In all things, love." Enjoy another day in Gods presence! J Send your Questions to: "In the Know with Fr. Joe" FAITH Magazine 300 W. Ottawa, L11nslng, Ml 48933
Or: JoelnBiack@prtest.c:om
www.FAJTHm•g.c:om
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Ocl<>bcr 2001
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on a
Ten y Clarll ancllmet
in September of 1948, on our second cle1y in the scminmy. We remainecl close f riends until Iris untimely
death from a l~ea rt attaclt in 1991 .
friendship that lasts ._.,..._. for a lifetime is an extraordinary gift and blessing. Faith makes the love of friends even more awesome. Friends eventually realize - often later in life that faith has made their friendship a wondrous blend of the divine and human, for time and etemtty. The Lord has blessed me with such a friend . Before 1 write about thts friend, these words of the Old Testament writer Sirach capture my sen¡ timcnts: ~A faithful friend ts a sturdy shelter; who finds one, finds a treasure. A faithful friend is beyond pnce, no sum can balance his wonh. faithful friend is a lifesaving remedy, such as one who fears God finds.n (Sirach 6:14-15) Terry and 1are from the extreme nonhem comer of Indtana, along Lake Michigan next to Chicago. called the "Calumet Region." We had just graduated from high school and decided to go to the seminary- seminaries were full then. So we "last minute" applicants ended up around 300 miles south at St. Mcinard Seminary ncar the Ohio River. Neither of us had been there before and we knew no one. Thomas Terrence Clark and 1 met in September of 1948, on our second day in the seminary We remained dose friends until his untimely death from a hean attack in 1991. We were among 22 new men
from the bishop public high school grads and WWII vets who were in their 20s. The seminary invented the "special year" for us to get connected and learn some religion, along with four years of latin, all in one year. Terry and I had a lot in common - especially a love for the Church, the liturgy and the priesthood. That kept us good friends for more than 40 years. He was an accomplished pianist, organist and all-around musician. Terry left the seminary after five years because of health reasons. That didn't stop him from devoting his life to Church music and serving as head of usic depanments at several arge high schools. After my ordination, our friendship and our faith continued to grow. As priest and musician, we collaborated in five parishes where I was an associate and pastor. In all of them, Terry created choirs, orchestras and music programs of the highest caliber that served every segment of the liturgical year. His devotion was so solid and his work so professional that all these choirs continued after he left the parishes. Though Terry has moved on from this life, the memory of his friendship remains a blessed pan of mine. It never dawned on me as a youth that friendship rooted and sustained in faith would help me understand and appreciate friendship. n Aristotle was the "star" of
about their friendship." our college studies. We were introduced to his 10 volumes My experience of friendship of Etltics- including one and the ideas of Aristotle and devoted exclusively to friend- others led to a higher plateau ship. Aristotle says that the in theology. Kudos to my love of friends begins with the "lmro to Theology" prof who discovery that the "other" sees harped on "Grace builds on things as you see them. nature." This was, and still is, Aristotle adds that the love of an eye-opener for me. I realfriends centers on what is of ized that my experience of common interest. friendship and the ideas of few years into my priestAristotle and others were this A hood I got hooked on the 'nature' on which grace writings of C.S. Lewis who builds. They would be the was best known for the The players and sets for the great Chronicles of Narnia and I11e drama of the divine and Screwtape Letrers. Lewis also human. The natural and the wrote a little work entitled human would be transformed
friends, since I have made known to you all that I heard from my Father." Friends have in common with jesus all that He has received from His Father. They have a common vision and quest. They are kindred spirits who care about the same truth, stand together in mutual knowledge and love. jesus' call to friendship goes much funher. He calls "friends" those who identify with His love: "There is no greater love than this: to lay down ones life for ones
Friends eventually realize- often later in life- that faith has made their friendship a wondrous blend of the divine and human, for time and eternity. The Four Loves which contains a chapter on friendship which echoes Aristotle: "To find a friend, you flrst have to be interested in something. The very condition of being friends is to want something else besides friends. That'S why people who 'want a friend' can never make any. No friendship can arise if there is nothing for the friendship to be about; and it must be about something, even just an enthusiasm about dominoes or white mice." Lewis says of lovers and friends: "lovers are face to face, absorbed in each other. Friends are side by side absorbed in a common inter· est. lovers are always talking to one another about their love. Friends hardly ever talk
Remember, you belong to something - your local ~fish
by the divine and become the stuff of eternity. This really came alive in Scriptural studies. My own friendships and learned insights opened the door to the mystery of divine grace in the friendship jesus speaks of with his apostles during the last Supper. In jesus' teaching, "having common interests" is the basis for an intimate sharing in the life, journey, destiny and glory of jesus. Aristotle'S ideas are also present. Remember - "love of friends enters on what is of common interest." The common interest of jesus and friends is clear in His words: "I no longer speak of you as slaves, for a slave does not know what this master is about. Instead, I call you
www.fAJTHngg.com
friends." "You are my friends if you do what I command you." "This is my commandment: love one another as I have loved you." Aristotle'S "I'm glad that you exist" panakes of the divine in the love of friends in jesus. For believers, it becomes: ''I'm glad that you exist now and forever." jesus' friends are companions in faith in the hope of eternal beatitude. We see each friend as one destined to be a companion in eternity. Thus, the ordinary of nature is transformed into the extraordinary of grace. Faith enables us to see the extraordinariness of everyone. P.S. Aristotle notes: "Friendship takes time." + Bishop cart F. Mengellng
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Being the mother of a big Catholic family is no easy job. It certainly wasn't for Celia Guerra. Yet, joy filled her heart and out spilled music. That and a strong Catholic faith was handed down to her 14 children, many of whom are active in music and ministry today. So, if it wasn't for Celia, there would be a lot less music in the world. By Nancy Schertzing Photography by James Luning
-~.........._So many memories
over the span of her 7 2 years! Threaded through nearly every precious memory â&#x20AC;˘
there is music. "You can't keep it in," she often says about the gift of music. "God gave it to you!"
J
twas a crisp, clear day in 1974. Celia stood in her backthe night, he made it to a French hospital where doctors . yard hanging laundry on the clothesline as she had thou- sewed his flesh together and put him in a full body cast. He sands of times before. Singing softly, her mind wandered stayed there three months before returntng home. from one thought to the next. Suddenly, she stopped. Though his wounds healed, his injuries had been so She dropped the sheet she was holding and ran into the severe he was considered almost fully disabled by the govhouse. With each step she felt a growing ernment. Ralph earned a Purple Heart and remorse over the baby she had forgotten When Celia met her future received monthly disability checks. When to feed. He must be so hungry by now! he and Celia married in 1949, however, he She reached the back door, stepped into husband, Ralph, he was soon needed additional income to support the kitchen and heard the babble of her already a veteran of World his new family. toddlers playing in the living room. War II. Ralph had survived the In 1950 their first child, Lydia, was born Oddly, no babys cry greeted her. blast of a German M-80 that and Ralph went from factory to factory tryâ&#x20AC;˘ exploded over his foxhole. ing to find work, but no one would take a Only then did she realize that she no chance on a veteran who was 80 percent longer had a baby waiting to nurse. After 22 years of bearing and nursing 14 chi!disabled. Finally, a manager at the dren, Celia Guerra was no longer the Chevrolet plant hired him. Ralph worked hard. staying at his job through extraordimother of babies. She shook her head, smiling at her fornary pain. Less than three months later, a getfulness, and headed back out to the gout attack struck and he couldn't move laundry. Still smirking a bit, memories from bed for days. He lost his job. Remaining positive, Ralph kept busy washed over her from the years gone so quickly past. during his unemployment with music - a When Celia met her future husband, pastime that would have a profound effect Ralph, he was already a veteran of World on their family in years to come. He never War II. Ralph had survived the blast of a could sit still, so he decided to teach himGerman M-80 that exploded over his foxself to play guitar until he could find work ~ole and immediatehly kihlled th rehe odf his agaifn. h f .~ \ tOUr companions. T e s rapne 1 a A ter three mont s o unemp 1oyment, 'J ripped through his head, back and legs causing severe inter- Ralph went to work at the Buick plant. Though still considnal injuries. Though Ralph wasn't expected to live through ered 80 percent disabled , Ralph worked full time without
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fail, and he stayed with Buick the rest of their daughter Ramona sing. In all her is career. The income and General years of school, Celia had sung in Motors benefits made life easier and choral groups, yet only one time did someone from her family attend her gave the Guerra family the means to buy their first home in 1954. Ralph was concert. She still remembered the always grateful for this second chance, adventure of taking her grandmayet he and Celia recognized that if he her abuela - on the bus to Flint hadn't lost his job at Chevrolet, he Central High School, and the thrill of would never have had time to learn to looking out at Abuela's smiling face in the audience. She and Ralph were play the guitar. Celia with her 14 children. Celia smiles ruefully, remembering how slowdetennined the whole family would attend "Ralph would be so proud of every child's musical perfonnance. So tonight, ly he progressed at first. What patience it took them all," says Celia. for him to teach himself! What patience it took their faces would smile back as Mona looked for her to listen to his practicing all the time! out from the stage. Six years into their marriage he finally played a song well Celia smiled as she entered the back door. The kitchen had enough that she started singing along one day. He stopped and two high chairs along with 10 straight-backed chairs around the table. How those kids could eat! Every morning they just swallooked up from his guitar in surprise. "I didn't know you could sing," he said. "You've just never been good enough for me to lowed two loaves of bread between toast for breakfast and sand¡ sing with until now," she replied with a wink. wiches for lunch. Her family went through six dozen eggs and In fact, Celia had sung in choirs and musicals throughout her eight gallons of milk in a week, as well as 25 pounds of flour junior high and high school years. Later, her parish priest would used mostly to make fresh tortillas. Dinner conversation could describe her as having "a voice like an angel." She shared her range over every topic, but usually came back to school, Church singing ability and her love of music with their children and music. from infancy Music was the common interest they all shared. Ralph had passed his passion for music on to the children, and he expected Ralph continued his progress on the guitar, and he and the family led the singing every Sunday at their church, Our Lady of the same perfection from them he demanded of himself: Celia's lff\Guadalupe in Flint. Ralph loved liturgical music so much he Jove of music and beautiful singing voice were reflected in the wonderful music the children made. ~earned an entire Mariachi Mass. One of his proudest moments was when he led their whole family in perfonning it for the dedIn the last few years, Lionel and Cecelia had earned scholar¡ ication of the new church building of Our Lady of Guadalupe ships to the prestigious Interlochen Fine Arts Camp, singing Parish. Even Lydias new husband, Charlie, participated by opera. Every one of her older kids perfonned in choral groups, directing the music. This was no small feat because Ralph school musicals and some played in the marching band and expected his pcrfonnance and everyone elses to be nothing Jess orchestra. One day she was surprised to hear someone playing the living room piano, though none of her children had ever than perfect. taken lessons. The child at the piano explained he had heard a But singing at Our Lady of Guadalupe was a labor of love for the Guerras. When the bishop announced in 1957 that the dioschoolmate playing the song and wanted to come home and cese would fonn a Spanish language parish, Celia and Ralph play it. He did - perfectly Celia knew that the real source of her familys music came were delighted. Both children of Mexican parents, she and her husband loved the music and religious traditions their parents from neither Ralph nor her. "Music is your gift from God," she often told her kids. "Thats why you can't keep it in. God gave it passed on to them. Now Celia and Ralph would be able to pass to you." She believed her children would make beautiful music them on too. They threw themselves into developing their their entire lives. new church. Leaving the kitchen, Celia stepped over the toys in the living Also around this time, Celia had attended a Cursillo- a Spanish womens retreat- through Church. Like many young room. She stopped to check on her babies, 3-year-old john and 2-year-old Reuben, sleeping in their playpen cribs. Then she people, she had been wondering what direction her life should follow. As she prayed and thought about her experiences so far, headed upstairs to the bedrooms. A quick review showed alllO Celia realized that she was called to bring children into the bunk beds made neatly and both bedrooms clean. Now that Benita and Victoria were in school, she found herself world and to raise them well. From that time on, Celia combined her lifes mission with her gift of music- perfectly meldwith more lime during the day than she could remember in the ing the two in her work at Our Lady of Guadalupe. She, Ralph last 20 years. In fact, since Lydia started school in 1955, each and their children led the singing at Mass every Sunday, regardtime Celia had sent one child to kindergarten she still had four at home. When Benita entered kindergarten last year, she broke less of illness or fatigue. Celia even sang during Masses at Our dy of Guadalupe three different times when she was in labor! that trend by leaving just three siblings behind. Now john and Reuben were the only ones left at home. Celia put the last clothespin on the line and headed toward the house. Tonight they would go to the choral concert to hear She went back to the dining room and sat down at her sewing
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machine. She had always made her children's clothes - including Lydia's wedding and bridesmaids' dresses two years ago. Now in addition to making her own chi!~ dren's clothes, she was sewing for others to earn a little money. From pajamas to wedding dresses, Celia had made them all beautifully. It was a good thing she had additional time during the day so she could get more sewing done! Celia's mind moved from memories and turned to the sewing project at hand.
and his wife attend. Cecelia sings wtth the Canterbury Choral Society in Oklahoma City, and her husband Charlie is b and director for a suburban school there. Marcy is the choral director at Powers Catholic High School in Flint. Her husband, Matt, is orchestra director at Flushing High School and serves as music director at Our Lady of Guadalupe. Christopher sings opera in Chicago. Bibiana performs with a local theater troupe in Muskogee, Okla. Eduardo is the music, religious education and youth ministry director at St. Mary Parish in Mt. Morris. He has joined with john and Reuben to form a rock band called FLY. Those chtldren not in music are using their other talents and gifts to make their communities a better place. Lydia, a member of the building committee for Our Lady of
At Bishop Mengeling's Ordination, in 1996, Celia's daughter, Marcie, was the cantor and son, Eduardo, played the guitar.
Twenty seven years later, Celia Guerra sits at her dining room table where her sewing machine once sat. Abuela now to 33 grandchildren, Celia still has many little people in her life. She proudly shows off their pictures and photos of her children - all adults now and living on their own. She once believed her children would make music throughout their lives, and she was right. Lionel followed his father into the KnightS of Columbus , singing with Ralph in the K of C choir and even singing with the Flint Institute of Music choir for a few years. Phillip, who also sang with Ralph in the K of C Choir, is now a soloist at the church he
Hispanic Catholics SpanlstHpeaklnglmmlgrants and their descendants are making their mark on the Catholic ChW'Ch In the United States - literally changing the face of American Catholicism:
Hispanic/Migrant Ministry
.)-. 8Yo ofU.S. Catholics will be Hispanic by the year 2050
80°o
Growth In the U.S. Catholic Church due to the Hispanic populaUon since 1960
30 to 40'o
of U.S. Catholics are currently Hispanic
S(}o of U.S. Catholics wiU be Hispanic by the year 2020
of Hispanic immigrants, hailing m Mexico and other cot Central and South AJ Catholic. Many shan:
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. G· - , ,/f!t~t
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extraordinary bond \'1 Church, which they I their children and gn
41 o of Americant gration should be decreasea. Another 42% say it should be kept at present levels.
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"It's tough to separate the Catholic faith from Hispanic culture and language,• explains Serapio Hernandez, Director of Hispanic and Migrant Ministries for the Diocese of Lansing. "For Hispanics, the Catholic faith is very much a part of their lives whether they understand it or nol " From venerating Our Lady of Guadalupe to praying and singing in Spanish, many Hispanic Catholics grow up sharing rituals and practices as part of daily life. These rituals and sacred traditions also help bond family members over extended generations - which often encompass hundreds of people. While families with 14 children like the Guerras are no longer common, Hispanics tend to have a higher birthrate than other ethnic groups in the ~ \ .J U.S. According to the Statistical Handbook on the
Masses In Spanish are celebrated m the D1ocese of Lansmg
every Sunday at the followmg parishe~
Guadalupe, is he lping approve the design for the third new :~Jihurch since Celia and Ralph helped establish the parish so long ago. Veronica is a surgery technician at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oklahoma City. Ramona works in administration at Hurley Hospital in Flint. Benita stays at home caring for her two small children, and Victoria works with children at a local daycare. Ralph would be so proud of them all! He died m 1979 during an extended visit to his hometown in Texas. Though his sudden illness came as a great surprise, Celia and the youngest children were at his side when he died in their small apartment. The family returned home to bury their patriarch in Flint. Celia and the children paid tribute to him by performing his beloved Mariachi Mass for his funeral at Our Lady of Guadalupe. Though she no longer coordinates music for Our Lady of Guadalu pe, Celia leads the singing at the Spanish Language Mass Sunday mornings at 9 a.m. She then stays at church to attend 11:30 a.m . Mass with family or friends. Now, surrounded by nearly 50 pictures of her children and grandchildren, Celia has no doubt she answered Gods call correctly so many years ago. With motherhood her life:S mis~ sian and music her gift, Celia Guerra has spent her life fulfilling her call and sharing her gifts with her family, her parish and her world. Clearly she has used her gifts to do the work God intended. Content, she begins to sing softly to herself.
e
American Family, Second Edition, 10 . 7 percent of Hispanic American women between the ages of 15 and 44 bore four or more children as of 1995- the latest year of available data. By comparison, 9.2 percent of AfricanAmerican women in the same age group bore four or more children and 4. 1 percent of Anglo-American (white) women of the same ages bore four or more children. As of 1996 in the U.S., 18 percent of Hispanic families had three or more children at home under the age of t 8, while 14 percent of African-American families, and just 9 percent of Anglo-American families had three or more children at home under the age of 18. Whether from sharing a ..r:fouse with multiple siblings, or u-om incorporating sacred practices into everyday life, Our lady of:_GuadaJup_: Cristo Rey ----~-
Hispanic Catholics value their faith for another reason as well: It respects the individual, and celebrates each person's sacredness in God's eyes. "Just the fact that I am Catholic makes me part of something greater," says Hernandez. That powerful message courses through Hispanic families around dining room tables and across generations. Imbued with this conviction and the support of strong families, Hispanic Catholics are celebrating God's love in parishes throughout the United States. Their participation is, quite literally, changing the face of the American Catholic Church. - Nancy Schcrt:z:ins For more infonnauon about Hispanic Ministry/Mtgmm Ministry within the Diocese of lansing, call Scrapio Hernandez at (517) 342-2498 or e-mail. shcrna@dioccsconansing.org
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9 a.m. 9 a.m., NoOri{Bi-Lingual)
3 Questions Asked About FAITH Magazine hy am I getting FAITH Magazine? Some of you may receive FAm-t Magazine as a gift. Others of you may have paid for a subscription. (Thank you for your support.) However, moat of you are receiving this magazine each month because you belong to a parish in the Diocese of Lansing. FAITH is a membership publication. Bishop Mengeling and your parish are committed to reaching out to every Catholic home with FAITH Magazine because they want to remind you that you belong to something â&#x20AC;˘ your local parish; and you belong to someone - Jesus Christ.
Why did Bishop Mengellng create FAITH Magazine? Many Catholics attend Mass weekly and are active participants in the life of the Church. However, a growing number of busy families and individuals find themselves participating less and less. Still othens may have had a negative experience, become luke-warm or fallen away altogether. FAITH Magazine was created to reach out to all Catholics with things most everyone has in common like a desire to know Jesus better, share faith stories, get questions answered, be informed on Catholic events, news and teaching. It is something Church leaders call "internal or ongoing evangelization~ It is part of our local answer to Pope John Paulll's call for a "new evangelization~ Bishop Mengeling created FAITH to evangelize not just people outside of the faith but people within it - you and me. Over time, FAITH hopes to become mora of an external evangelization tool reaching out to those that don't know Jesus. How Is FAITH paid for? The Diocese of lansing and yoAS parish spl~ the coet of sending FAITH out each month. Your support of the American Evangelization Appeal is crucial for your parish and the Diocese of Lansing to continue to send FAITH to you and every Catholic home 80,000 total. We hope you enjoy it. Please consider showing your support for this effort by using the envelope in the center of the magame. Your parish wil directly benefit by your gift. - Thank you, the Editors
We are all called to evangelize. 3 ways to help: 1. Pray. Every Christian is called to evangelize. This is done by word
and deed. The most effective evangelization is the daily living of our lives. Otl1ers see your example as a testimony to your faith . Prayer nourishes our ability and desire to evangelize by Irving our lives. 2. Become a Volunteer. Your pansh's evangelization efforts need volunteers. If your parish does l!ave an organized effort, ash your pastor what you can do to help There is a great need for volunteers in this ministry. 3. Support the American Evangelization Appeal. Most of us are busy and can't give our time. However, your support of this appeal helps your parish evangelize with FAITH Magazine, FAITHmag.com, the Television Outreach Mass and the U.S. Bishops' evangelization efforts. other ways to Spread the FAITH: You can help us by passing FAITH along to friends and family. Or; you can purchase grft subscriptions for area doctor's office lobbies, libraries, s~hools and businesses. Call ]illane job at (5 I 7) 342-2595 or log onto FAITHmag.com or e-mail your request to subscriplions@faithmag.com www.FAITHmeg.com
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JOUrney There Are Friends And Then There Are Soul Friends esus poured love into our hearts when He said, "I call you friends, • inviting us into an intimate relationship. He sent the 7 2 disciples out in pairs so that each had a companion. Christ gives us companions as well. The importance of a compassionate and loyal friend is emphasized by St. Bridget, who wrote, "Go off and don't eat until you get a soul friend, because anyone without a soul friend is like a body without a head~ Let your acquaintances be many, but one In a thousand your confldanL (S.rach 6 :6) The word "friend" rolls easily off our tongues! When we say, "I'd like you to meet my friend ... ,• the listener knows little about the relationship. It could be a person with whom we work, or someone who shares the depths of our hearts. Acquaintances tend to come and go throughout life, serving short·term roles: a partner for tennis, a fellow movie aficionado or a dining companion. When couples marry, friendship patterns change and acquaintances often fall away as time is devoted to family. Relationships are enhanced when couples discuss how to distribute their time between family and others. A faithful friend Is beyond price, no sum can balance the friend's worth. (Snd! s 15) The 1 2th century Cistercian monk, Aelred of Rievaulx, described spiritual friendship as. " ... what happiness, what 88C\Jrity, what joy to have someone to whom you dare to speak on terms of equality as to another self; one to whom you need have no fear to confess your failings; one to whom you can unblush· What happiness, ingly make known what progress you what security, what have made in the spiritual life; one to joy to have some- whom you can entrust all the secrets of your heart and before whom you can one to whom you place all your plans~ Soul friends are dare to speak on gifts from God, helping us bum with terms of equality devotion to the Lord. Aelred wrote, "a as to another self man, though he be absent in body, is yet present in spirit" When life's commitments, such as marriage or geographical distance, reduce the time shared between soul friends, the bond remains as each holds the other in prayer. Bonds of love require patience and commltmanL We choose friends and spouses, but we may be bewildered by the temperaments of parents, children, and in·laws. I've wondered what was going through LiMian Carter's mind when her son, Jimmy, became a presidential candidate. She said: "Sometimas when I look at all my children, I say to myself, 'Lillian, you should have stayed a virgin:· Our loved ones exasperate us and try our patience, but also encourage us when we are disheartened. By inviting the Risen Christ into the joys and sorrows of our relationships, we will walk the path of life. - Dr. C:uhlccn McGrc:al is a Professor of Psychology at Hope College and a ccnificd spiritual director.
She was loollingfor volun· teers wlao were younger and triecl to rccnrit him. It worhecl. He called her bacll
and so from d1e beginning, spirituality l'layed a serious
By Sarah Childress Photography by Christine Jones
role in tl1e relationsl1ip of jeny a nd Alice fust
erry and Alice sit beside each other at the table. their two children, Elizabeth, 8, and Charles, 5, drawing quietly with colored pencils at d1e far end. The couple has been married 10 y~ars, but they act like newlyweds, smiling and blushing. Occasionally, Alice touches jerry's hand, and their eyes meet. This isn't one of those stuckin-a-rut marriages. But it might never have happened. jerry and Alice came together from different towns, occupations, and disparate ages. From a distance, the only thmg they had in common was their faith. Without the Holy Spirit, neither believes they even would have met. Alice was 33, and seriously involved in young adult min· stry in lansing, which included singles and married people in their 20s and 30s. It was her primary group of friends,
Remember, you belong to something - your local palish
her faith group wllh whom she spent most of her time. · A lot of it was learning how to be the best Catholic I could be at that pomt, just what was God calling me to do, be 1t single or married. It was less social and more, 'what am l supposed to be domg today?'" she says. Alice was inte rested in personality tests and atte nded a workshop on ennegrams - an ancient Christian personality indicator - through the ministry. jerry. 24, was just out of college. He was tired of the partying scene that most people his age still enjoyed and had trouble meeting someone with similar interests. There was no young adult ministry in his parish, but he remained active in the Church . A friend asked him to attend the ennegram workshop and j erry and Alice connected right away. At first, Alice says she was only looking to recruit young people to volunteer for the American Cancer Society, where Actually, that was the pickup line," she says. she worked. W
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"He kids me, because ... I was looking for volunteers who were younger, and I tried to recruit him." "And I called her back and asked her out," he adds. "Well, that worked," she says, laughing. So from the beginning, spirituality played a serious role in the Fusts' relationship. "When we first met, I was fasting every Friday - me and a couple of friends -she didn't think that was weird: jerry says with a laugh. They met on March 2 and dated through Lent, their meet· ings centered on singles activities. They were engaged by Aprilll- Easter time- and married Oct. 12, 1991. "So our first impressions were pretty good. It was a quick engagement. 'Yeah, hes the one,"' she says, laughing. "And then the kids came and things changed.'" But dteir faitlt ltas done nothing if not dee11en through their marriage. Both ltavc expancled spiritually -as individuals and a couple- ancl arc at level at wlticlt they now sltarc with their dtildren. "We have the gift of having (our faith) be something tmportant to us, so we don't have to struggle," Alice says. "Its very much a pan of who we are."
If you're looking for love -
Ministry Focus: Single people may feel ignored at a parish. But
there are programs for singles now
from God, friends or maybe even that special someone you might not have to look very far. ¥This ministry is aimed at singles to help them experi· ence the Christian community, • says Gary Ashby, Director of Singles Ministry for the Diocese of Lansing. "It pro· vldes affirmation for their sin· gle role in life, support for forming healthy relationships and support for being serious about their faith." Single people often feel ignored by the Church because so few programs are offered, Ashby adds. "Go to
Brian and Penny Vriebel
"It's one long word- 'BrianandPenny,"'say jerry and Alice, who have known the Vriebels since they were involved in singles ministry. And for the Vriebels, it's been this way for just as long. Unlike the Fusts, Brian and Penny knew each other for several years before they began dating, and still act much like two best friends - sitting at a small picnic table outside of Bri::m:S office sharing sandwiches. potato chips and warm, gentle smtles. Five years ago, when they first met, Brian had just fin· ished college. He had attended an adult retreat and was •kind of getting into more of adult maturity: • He became involved in single ministry through the diocese and his parish young adult group. "That seemed to fill some of my spiritual needs there and make some connections in the adult world ,'' he explains. Penny had been working for two or three years in the Owosso area as a spectal education preschool teacher when she realized it was time for something else in her life. · 1 had no family or friends in the area other than who I met through school, and I just
your parish. Do you see anything for singles at your parish?" The diocese hosts several events to foster social interac· tion, such as a New Year's Eve dance, luncheon with the bishop and a picnic, but also offers "days of recollection" mini-retreats - to develop spirituality. Together, the events help keep the ministry's mis· sion - to assist people in deal· ing with issues of single life. Many participating singles have developed a greater network of friends who share a common faith background and deep· ened their faith in the Church.
Involvement in the singles ministry has other perks as well. Although Ashby says the ministry isn't a dating service, he admits there have been a •steady stream of marriages" since the program's founding. So far, only a few parishes - including St. Patrick in Brighton and St. Francis of Assisi in Ann Arbor - have active programs, but Ashby hopes many more will get involved. To p:trucipate m single mimstry events or to get help stanmg a program at }OUr A\ parish, call Gary Ashb}' at "<)., t 517) 342-2495 or e-mail: ga~hby@dio~ e~eoOanst ng. org
life put a lot of time in work and 1 just fell ... there was more to life than work. n She was attracted to the young adult program at St. Paul Parish in Owosso, where she could study the Bible and learn more about her faith with a group of people her own age. Then, one day, she attended a meeting for a young adult conference - one with which Brian was involved. "It wasn't love at first sight or anything like that," she says. "I think we both were just looking for friendship and not nee~ essarily with us, just different friends." Brian and Penny became more involved in the diocesanwide ministry, but not as a couple. They did attend activities together, filling countless nights with pizza, ice cream, study~ ing and long talks. Penny was 31, and ready for marriage- or so site d10ugltt. "I just lzept praying, 'Lord, I'm ready, I'm ready,"' site says. "And one day, it was just Jilzc- ltcs dterc, ftc~ ligftt tltere." Tltat fall, she reali~ed tltat Blian, just Iter "good friend," was tl1e one she wanted to spend Iter life witlt. Btian smiles. "I was kind of dtinking tltc same thing," ftc says. Penny waited for a diamond ring for two-and~a-half years before Brian gave her one as a Christmas present. Now, she says she's glad they waited to get engaged. "Since we've golten married, we've been very busy, and we don't have ume together for just the two of us," she says. The Vriebels started a family fairly quickly - Sarah, 4, and Patrick, 2, which they credit to God. They arc also expecting twins in january. 路It can be overwhelming at times, but we're really excited about everything, and we're happy," Penny says. They are still involved in the Church, but now in more family~onented activities, and are teaching their children to develop the strength of faith they cultivated. "Sharing in our faith beforehand helped us build a really strong foundation so we could just jump into all this stuff after we got married,a Brian says with a laugh. "We're just very comfortable with one another." YPeople still talk about our wedding.~ Penny says. ''They say your wedding day is your most beautiful .. . I'm an OK person, I'm happy with myself, but on my wedding day I was glowing, you could j ust tell. ~ "I truly feel that God brought us together. I thank Him every Vight, and when I think of it during the day," she says as she takes Brians hand. They smile at each other, radiant. 3
Remember, you belong to something - your local parish
Wlio Are You Working So Hard For? ave you seen the bumper sticker that reads Want Peace? Work for Justice!? I can't help but think how much better our workplaces would be if we all took that simple message to heart. We would first need to agree on the meaning of justice. Unfortunately, some see it as justification for demanding personal entitlements. Others see it 88 a rationale for retaliatory violence. We might consider a definition of justice that is more helpful in living our Christian faith in the practical, everyday world. Justice happens when people and things do what God intended and created them to do. In this sense, the purpose of all creation including our families, schools, churches, businesses and governments - is to reflect that goodness that God created. Justice exists when all aspects of our daily work life can be said to reflect the goodness and love of God, and we work for justice when we freely participate with God in letting that reflection become visible. In his recent book, Work for Every One: Francis of Assisi and the Ethic of Service, Fr. David Flood, OFM, describes work 88 a tool of social transfonnation, which is intended to make people "subject to each other~ We all engage in work as a coiTVTion task in order to promote the development and dignity of our neighbor. Fr. Aood points out how this is in stark contrast to our more prevalent societal pressures that work should primarily be a vehicle for individual accumulation of possessions, power and status over others. The purpose of a human being is to be fully human. Christ showed us that to be fully human and to truly love ourselves, we must give up attachment to our own desires and serve others first. All that we have in this life is a gift from God to be shared for the benefit of other& and helps us follow more closely in the footprints of Christ. We are especially called to serve the poor and marginal in our society. The first place each of us can look each day to work for jus路 lice is to look at those in our world who do not have a voice in their own work. These are the marginal and the poor of our workplace. In my consulting firm, our first step is always to identify and acknowledge those in their workplace who have no voice in deci路 sions that affect them. Our efforts are then directed toward increas路 ing their level of participation and involvement in their daily work. Who are the powerless, voiceless poor in your workplace who need you to work for justice on their behalf? What are you called to do in your daily life to bring about greater justice for others? Jesus said the poor would always be with us and then He sent us to love and serve them and to bring the Good News to other&. What part of your daily life needs to hear that Good News today? And, more importantly, are you wiHing to speak it? - Michael W. Sullivan,SFO, is founder of Corpor.ue Steward which provides formation and development for business owners and organizational leaders. He can be reached at Corpor.ueSteward@laol.com or (73-J)769-8000.
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Steve ancl Maureen Hannon ancl Tom ami
Betty Gautllicr: Two couples. Two maniages. Two hapl'Y families.
Two programs tlwt can l1cll' cout'lcs be "goofy ami crazy in love" with each other -
ami with Gocl.
When you stop and think about it, couples put a lot of time and energy {not to mention expense) into the engagement process. First, it's the ring, followed by the all-important ''yes:' After that it's a whirlwind of plans, caterers, cakes, flowers, dresses, tuxes ... everything for the perfect day. Well, what about the marriage itself? Long after the flowers have dried and the photos of the beaming bride and groom start to collect a little dust, what then?
By Janet Cassidy Photography by Christine Jones
â&#x20AC;˘
teve and Maureen Hannon and Tom and Betty Gauthier know how to make a marriage begin on the Tl~ht track and continue that way. No, its not a secret love potion. Its simply putting faith in God and in each other. qc>th couples have strengthened their spiritual relationships as well as marital bonds through Engaged Encounter and Worldwide Marriage Encounter, two programs at work in the Diocese of Lansing. Steve and Maureen Hannon talk about the impact Engaged Encounter can have for a couple ready to marry
"Time away from all of the stress and pressure of daily life and planning a wedding. and the focus on us as a couple - a Jfiil~w family beginning- was attractive," says Steve and Maureen \V'fannon of Holt, about their Engaged Encounter weekend in
Remember, you belong to something - your local parish
October, 1982. "We really did not know what to expect We loved having all of the time together to talk and the peaceful surroundings. We prayed more as a couple that weekend. We enjoyed it so much that we wanted to become a team couple right away, but were unable to do so because of events unforeseen in our lives." Married in 1983 at the Church of the Resurrection in Lansing, the Hannons were eventually able to expand their role in Engaged Encounter, and for the past eight years have served as presenters. "The weekend gives us the opponunity to reflect on our marriage and talk about situations facing us. ll allows time with God and time to reflect on all of the wonderful things we have been given, especially our two children, Andrew, 13 and Nicholas. 6.
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about the importance of Worldwide "Watching (engaged) couples grow deeper in their commitment £O one another Marriage Encounter, an organization they have been involved with for more than makes our relationship grow also. When seven years. Together, they share their we give presentations, we tend to relive some of the events. In doing so, we realize thoughts on how Marriage Encounter has strengthened not only their marriage just how far our faith and love have been but also their relationship with God. tested, how important it is to work through each situation with God. "Life in our world today can sometimes "We can also feel the success of Engaged be described like hitting the ground at 250 mph- painful, scary and often times Encounter when we witness a couple who uncertain. God does not intend for us to has been struggling with their relationship just open up with each other. We have also go through life without His guidance or support. He wants us to grow deeper in witnessed a few couples who have decided love with our spouse and with Him. that they arc not ready to fulfill this commitment of marriage and have been strong Before our weekend, we were not aware Watching couples grow of what God was asking of us as a sacraenough to share this with each other. It deeper in their commitment ment or what that meant to our lives. takes a lot of courage to say to each other to one another makes our that 'we need to rethink this,' or 'we need "Worldwide Marriage Encounter has relationship grow also. more time to get to know each other better.' brought us to a unity with each other and God. When we think about the 'us of then' and the 'us The ministry of marriage preparation is very important to of now,' an immense conversion of our hearts and souls us. Marriage is a lifelong commitment and faith in God is a would best describe the change in us. very integral part of the total relationship. "We had an opportunity to share our weekend experience "In 1993, a couple very dear to our family went on their Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend. After coming with some friends and felt so good about it that we wanted home, they were remarkably different. We found it amazing to get involved. We went to a meeting, asked how to sign up, and here we are!" how their love had deepened over a short weekend away ~)' They became ·goofy and crazy in love!' We did not know Like Marriage Encounter, Engaged Encounter sets up a what took their love to an even higher level, but whatever prayer couple for each couple attending the weekend. The they recetved, we knew we wanted it toor prayer couple is aware of the weekend schedule and knows which talks arc more difficult. They usually say extra prayers Tom and Betty married in 1986 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Lansing, and made their first encounter during during certain periods. A lot of times, they will weekend in 1994. send a note to their engaged couple. "Would .you wanlto sky dive "A wonderful realization came for us: Sometimes, we will have parents request to without a parachute?" That's the love and joy we share because of our be a prayer couple for their children attendwhat Tom and Betty Gauthier weekend is apparent in our marriage and ing a weekend. say about the importance of people want the same for their relation"My favorite pan of the weekend is the Worldwide Marriage Encounter ship as welL Our children (Elizabeth, 14, prayer service on Saturday evening," Patrick 9) have especially beneftted from Maureen says. "It concludes with a very the tools and support we have, and con~ touching blessing where we ask God to be a pan of their new lives together. We ask tinue to receive, from Worldwide God to strengthen their love, to guide Marriage Encounter." them and keep them safe. We ask God to Currently the Gauthters serve as a community team after being a presenting answer their heartfelt prayers, watch over team for 6 years. Now they ~help sup· them and grant them peace, patience and wisdom." , port the weekend by sharing the news and values of what Marriage Encounter Tom and Betty Gauthier talk about how offers as a committee member for World Marriage Day in the Diocese of Lansing. Marriage Encounter can make marriages stronger. It really does happen. Two couples. Two mamages. Two "Would you want to sky dive without a happy families. Two programs that can help couples be ~goofy and crazy in love(\ parachute?" That's the response Tom and with each other - and with God.El) ~ Betty Gauthier of Lansing gave when asked M
fastfacts
fitness Remedies
for UnheaHhy • For c_ouples preparing for marriage in the Cathohc Church, the lansing Diocese requires engaged couples to attend several diff~rent marriage preparation programs over a mne month period as part of its guidelines for marriage in the Church. Engaged Encounter is one of the highly recommended programs but is not required under the guidelines. There is a non-refundable $75 deposit and registration fees vary slightly. • The pre-marriage inventory FOCCUS (Facilitating Open Couple Communication Understanding and Study) is required of ali engaged couples. Each couple is assigned a mentor, ~ married (FOCCUS) couple, who meets wath them to discuss the inventory results and open communication skills. • According to Sandra Millar, Director of Family Ministr~ for the Diocese of Lansing, couples marrymg for the second time are require~ to participate in Building Bridges, a Remamage Program. For information, Millar can be contacted at (517) 342-2471 or
Friendships just received a letter from a priest friend. Our friendship has been a great gift to me for it has drawn me closer to Christ. I cannot, however, say that about all the friendships in my life. Some of my past friendships were based on utility. For example, in my teen years, I noticed how certU. friends would hang aroiMld me when a car was available. When my car was tied up or WlBvailable, I didn't see them too much. This kind of friendship - based on utility - is li'IStable. "Wealth adds many friends, but the friend of the poor man deserts him" !""'-be 1114). Some friendships are based on mutual likes. People get together because they ~ke to play or watch sporting events. Their mutual interest draws them together, and can even
\!l'-.or infor:nation on Engaged Encounter, contacf]mt and Betlt Pltilo at (517) 531 -5120 or jbplliloi@prodigy.ttet
• WWM E weekends are presented by a priest and three Catholic couples. WWME supports the sacrament of marriage and remains the same throughout the world. • There is a small, non-refundable registration fee and anonymous donations are accepted at the end of the weekend. • The Diocese of lansing is served by two WWME areas: Lansingljacllson by Dennis and julie Stralde at (517) 626-2303 or e-mail: ~traltle@ia4u.net and Flint/Ann Arbor by ~an and Mary Sterling at (810) 695-1169 or e-mail: dmsterling@net;::cro.nct
Sometimes friendships can grow unhealthy. Here are some signs to look far: 1 Exclusiveness: there is a resentment of the intrusion of others. 2 Jealousy: since d energy is focused on the one person, others are seen as threats. 3 Absorption of mind: the friends think of each other continuany. 4 Tendency to manifest more affection than appropriate: can lead to a breaking of good boundaries and unchaste behavior. Remedies: 1 Awareness that one's friendship Is not healthy. 2 Confidence that emotional dependency can be overcome. 3 Physical separation.
4 Restoration of other relations such as hwnlly, and other friendships that have been lost or weakened by the unhealthy
~milla@dioceseoflansing.org
• The mission of Worldwide Marriage Encounter CWWME) is for the renewal in the Church and change in the world, to assist couples and priests to live fully intimate and ~ponsible relationships by providing them w1th a C~tholic "experience" and ongoing commumty support for such a lifestyle.
Tal<e a few moments to read and reflect on Sirach 6 :14-17.
friendship. 5 The cultivation of other Interests.
Many saints have reflected on the gift of ~dship. Friendships were a part of Jesus' life. Martha, Mary, and Lazarus were His friends 1 n. Jesus even referred to His maintain their contact through life. These kinds own apostles as friends, "I have called you of friendships are more stable than the first, friends because I have told you everything 1 but they may not have much depth or strength. have heard from my Father," {John 1!1·1!1). Friends reveal their hearts to each other. The friendships that are the most lastIng end rewarding are also rare. These ~ere is. in~imacy, trust, and love. Ultimately, fri~ship IS rooted in the mystery of the fri~ndships are based on mutual respect, admi· rat1on, and love. Friends are friends not Tnrnty. God, the Holy Spirit, reveals the perfect friendship between God, the Father, and God, because of what they can gain from the other, but because of the good they see in each othe~ the Son. These friends seek the best for one another . We are united to God in a filial relation at ~nd strive to help each other lead virtuous, holy ba_ptis':" that hopefully moves to a deep friendlives. They may have many things in common, ship wrth God. And as our friendship with God grows, we have a greater and greater aware· and would find their friendship useful and helpness of being a son or daughter of God. ful, but these friends do not use each other. So, as we maintain and deepen our friendTheir relationship has heahhy boundaries. Wh~e there is warmth and affection. the virtue ships, it is most important for good spiritual fitn~ to maintai? and deepen our friendship of chastity is respected and protected. There is effort in cultivating these kinds of friendships wath God, who 1s the source of all friendship "The lord used to speak to Moses face to . that eventually contains the joy and lightness of love. The effort is no longer effort, just as our face ... (and God said to Moses), 'You have Lord ~id, "My yoke is easy, my burden is ~ght~ f~und !~vor with me and you are my intimate friend, (Eacdus 33.1 1, 1?). - Fr. Bill Ashb:augh is . Sp11t~al fitness calls us to cultivate good Pastor St. joseph Parish. Howell friendships. They are true gifts from God.
<-John
www.fAITHIMg.com
I
Oao~r 2001
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FAITH
M~g~zinc
OCTOBER EVENTS Masses for lhe deaf cammu· nlty will be celebrated by Fr. Michael Oepcik, OSFS, at St. John the Evangelist Parish, Fenton, on the following Sundays: Oct. 14, 21, and 28. The Masses are held at 10 a.m. Fr. Depcik, who is the sixth deaf man to be ordained to the priest· hood in the United States, serves as chaplain for the Diocese of lansing's deaf community. The Catholic Lawyers Guild of the Diocese of Lansing will celebrate the annual Red Mass Thursday, Oct. 4, at St. Mary Cathedral, Lansing, at 6 p.m. SUNDAY READINGS October?
Twenty-Seventh Sunday In Ordinary Time: Habakkuk 1:2·3; 2:2·4
Psalm 95:1-2, 6·9 2 Timothy 1:6·8, 13·14 Luke 17:5· 10 October 14 Twenty-Eighth Sunday In Ordinary Time 2 Kings 5:14·17 Psalm 98:1-4 2 Timothy 2:8·13 Luke 17:11-19 October21 Twenty-Ninth Sunday In Ordinary Time Exodus 17 :8·1 3 Psalm 121 :1-8 2 Timothy 3:14·4:2 Luke 18:1·8 October28 Thlttfcdt Sun®y In
Ordinary Time Sirach 35:12-14, 16·18 Psalm 34:2-3, 17·19, 23 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16·18 Luke 18:9·14
Bishop Carl Mengeling will preside at the Mass which has been a custom of the bench and bar since the Middle Ages. Following the Catholic lawyers Guild's Red Mass, the SL Thomas More Award dinner will be held. For information concerning the dinner, contact Sr. Joan at (51 7) 484·5331 . A Marriage Encounter Weekend will be held Oct. 5·7 at the Maryville Center of Holly. The weekend program offers couples the technique of loving communication and provides an opportunity to look deeply into their relationship with each other and with God. It is a proven rewarding experience for any married couples - regardless of age, race, religion, education or financial status. For information, contact larry and Shelley Isaacson at (81 0) 230.9216 or (81 0) 695· 2983, or e-mail: larryshelley@juno.com A singles and young adult con· ference, Growing In Relationships, will be held Sunday, Oct. 14, at First Presbyterian Church, Aint, from 3·7 p.m. Co-sponsored by the Single and Young Adult Ministry of the Diocese of Lansing and First Presbyterian Church, the conference includes sessions that will focus on discerning problem relationships and the danger of sexualized relation· ships. The keynote speaker for the conference will be Dr. Gregory Jantz, Ph.D. For more information, call (81 0) 234· 8673 or (517) 342·2494. The Catholic Community of St. Jude, DeWitt, will host Parish Mission 2001 : Joyful Reflections of Faith, Hope and Love Oct. 14-1 7. Retired Bishop Kenneth J. Povish will
serve as mission preacher. Activities for the entire family have been scheduled for the event. For information, contact the parish at (517) 669-8335. Thirty-six churches in the Diocese of lansing have agreed to offer a Mass for the deceased for their parishes buried in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, lansing, or New Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Aint, on Sunday, Oct. 14. Since the eartiest days, the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suf· frage for them (Catechism No. 1032). For further information, contact the Office of Cemeteries for the Diocese of lansing at (517) 342·2508. The Jackson District Council of the St. Vincent de Paul Society will host a dinner honoring all Vincentians and their families Monday, Oct. 15, beginning at 6 p.m. The many works of charity undertaken by local Vincenlians within the Jackson community will be celebrated during the event. For more information, contact the St. Vincent de Paul conference president at your parish. St. John Student Parish, East lansing, will host All Tllings Brigltt and Beautiful sing-along Fall Music Concert featuring more than 60 active music ministers Thursday, Oct. 18, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Jail and prison ministers as well as volunteers with the prison pen pal ministry are invited to refresh their spirits at a retreat Saturday, Oct. 20, from l 0 a.m.-6 p.m. at the Nazareth Center, Nazareth. Michael Fonseca, a deacon, public speaker and author of Living in God's Embrace, will
lead the retreat. Lunch will be provided. To register, call (517) 342·2494. World Mission Sunday will be celebrated Oct. 21. "This year is the 75th anniversary of World Mission Sunday ... a special occasion to remind the whole people of God of the permanent validity of the missionary man· date, since 'mission is a ma"er for all Christians, dioceses and parishes,'" says Pope John Paul II in his message for World Mission Sunday 2001 . Sponsored by the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, World Mission Sunday provides an opportunity to remember the missions by: (J) Being Cluist's witness to all
jJCoples. ~ (2) Praying fo r tltc Clmn:lt's ~!) worldwide ndssiomuy worlt. (3) Offering gencnms jirtancial ltclp. For more information, contact the Office of Missions for the Diocese of Lansing at (517) 342·2541 . An evening presentation focus· ing on annulments will be held Tuesday, Oct. 23, at St. Thomas the AposUe Parish, Ann Arbor. Eileen Jaramillo, J.C.L , a tribu· nat judge for the Diocese of lansing, will be the speaker. For information, contact Virginia Mikola at (734) 994-9194. St. Thomas Aquinas, East lansing, will host God, Sex, and lhe Meaning of Ufe: W!tat Hollywood Doesn't Want
You to Know and Your Parents Never Told You, featuring intema· tionally known speaker Christopher West, Friday, Oct. 26, 7·9:30 p.m. For more information, call ( (517) 341 -5460. ~
FAITH is available on audiotape by request. Call (517) 342·2500.
Nov. 15·17, Lansing Center
The Mission: Remembering Jesus' call to the baptized to continue His mis· sion, Bishop Carl F. Mengeling ,6 ites all Catholics to partici· ~te in a Common Conference that will: • Enrich and celebrate faith • Impart vision and skills for ministry • Inspire and motivate.
Who will benefit by attending the Common Conference? Pastors and Pastoral Coordinators, together with Parish Staff Members, Lay Ecclesial Ministers, Teachers, Volunteers
Keynote Speahers: Rev. Msgr. Philip Mumlon, Founding Director of the National Pastoral Life Center Thursday, Nov. 15, at 11 a.m. Dr. Carole Elpers, D.Min Nov. 16, at 9:30 a.m.
~\riday,
~ost Rev. James A. Murray Bishop of the Diocese of Kalamazoo Saturday, Nov. 17, at 9:15 a.m.
A small sampling of Common Conference ojje1ings: A variety of workshops will be held, Including: • Tl1e Gospel is Our Story • The Obligations and Rights
of the Faitliful • Great Catholic Parenting 101 • Spirituality in the Worl1place • Gospel Peace-Mailing Every T1i be, Language, People and Nation: • lnculturation Parts I and II • Tlvo Millennia in llvo Hours: Part l, Pentecost to the Great Schism; Part ll, The Middle Ages to Our Age • Building Bridges: Celebrating tl1e Multicultural Hispanic Presence in the Cl1urch In addition to the many workshops, more than 100 publisher resou~es and exhibits will be featured during the three-day conference. Deadline for Registration:
Wednesday, Oct. 3 1
For registration Information:
Contact Virginia Guamaccia, Office of Pastoral Planning, at (517) 342-2501, or e-mail: gguarnac@diocesCtljJansing.org
Eucharistic Liturgy: Saturday, Nov. 17, at 4. 5
Everyone Welcome Bishop Carl Mengellng, Celebrant
Sr. Gabrielle Merle Oestreich beg~~n her mla· alon11ry career In 1994 after retiring from the U.S. Air Force. She Joined the Mlsslon11ry Benediction Sisters and professed her ~I monastic vows on Feb. 1 0, 2001 In Norfolk, Neb. Sr. Gabrielle Marie hu worked In the Philippines since August, 2000. Bom and raised In Lansing, Sr. Gabrielle Marie attended St. Therese Parish and gradual· eel from Resurrection High School In 1983.
Tan Maaaea will be offered in the mission community of Sr. Gabrielle Marie Oestreich for thoee persons who were buried
in our diocesan cemeteries during August,
2001. If you would like to have memorial Maaaea offered by missionaries for your deceased loved ones, send stipends to: Diocese of lansing, 300 West Ottawa Straet, lansing, Ml 48933. Please make the
check payable to "Miaaionary of the Month." If you know a son or daughter of the lansing Diocese currently eet'Ving in a misaion, please forward their names to the Missionary of the Month Program, 300 West ottawa Street, Lansing, Ml 48933.
Lo_cal Reactio to an American Tragedy ~gramage_to_-
,.
The pilgrimage held much promise. Classic Washington summer days filled the Diocese of Lansings labor Day weekend Woman of Hope - Immaculate Shrine Pilgrimage Ill. Everyone on the pilgrimage was looking forward to a schedule filled with visits to the Smithsonian museums, the Uncoln and FDR Memorials, the Washington Monument, the Vietnam and Korean War Memorials and, of course, the White House. This pilgrimage has become a popular way of experiencing the spiritual, cultural and historical aspects of Washington D.C. a city that l had called home for a period of time in 1975. We spent an evening during the pilgrimage visiting
the newly built john Paulll Cultural Center as well as the Pentagon Mall, a sprawling shopping complex located directly across the street from the Pentagon itself. As our bus approached the mall, a jet airliner cruised in low over the bridge we were crossing for its final approach to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airpon. I pointed out for the pilgrims to look out their \vindow on the tight side and said, "Its really kind of scary watching these planes come in. They fly so low and whether you arc on the ground or 10 the plane itself, you always think you arc
going to htt something or crash." I then pointed out to people the Pentagon itself and noted, ''Its kind of weird with all these airplanes flying around because the airspace over the Pentagon and the White House arc restricted airspace." l quickly added, ~This place (the Pentagon) is like a small city unto itself," as we took the exit marked Pentagon Mall for our shopping excursion. These thoughts nashed through my mind on Sept. 11 as l, along wnh millions of others, watched an incomprehensible auack on America. A mere 10 days before. my fellow pilgrims and l had walked the halls of the White
House and the area ncar th Pentagon that became targe of hatred by terrorists. It never once occurred to me that we, like such physical monuments and national places of interest, were the objects of such hate that our deaths and destruction might be cheered in locations thousands of miles away. lt is the realization that such hatred cares nothing about the racial, regional, cultural and ethnic divisions that we - as Americans - have focused so much wasted time on. Terrorists hate me and you because we are, regardless of our skin color, AMERICANS. Such a thought is at once both humbling and frightening, but reminds me that the tenets of both my faith and my country arc so brilliantly captured in the s.implc crcd~ of ~Onc nation, under God
justice. He is wholly justice. He is holy and all-powerful in His justice. What I need to do is to quell the emotions of rage, retribution and desire for revengeful killing that wells up within me. As Americans we are a people of laws, of justice and of fairness. Scaucred, irrational and misdtrectcd energies in us born of terror, fear and rage are exactly what
terrorists want. They want to see us "fall apan" rn helplessness. We must not allow ourselves to be victimized and held hostage to their cowardly mtimtdation. Our response, I believe, should be to care for the countless thousands who arc suffering and who need tender, loving care. Our caring ought to be spiritual through prayer, the giving of our very blood. and the phystcal and emotional care we can give more dtrectly where possible. Then, l believe, we should discipline ourselves to a
calm and resolute marshalling of our resources not only to recover from these blows but also to focus our energies on effective, purposeful and detcrrmncd ways to identify and punish the forces of evtl who have done this heinous act that will live in eternity. Experts have been futilely telling us that we are in a new form of warfare, one without front lines, \vithout · rules of engagement.~ without combat troops. We are in a form of warfare that is directed against large blocs of civtlian populations involving methods of mass destruction. To our horrific • loss, we have not listened to
• Dearest Friends. The hand of malevolent evil has come down upon us as a nation of people in an event that eclipses the auack on Pearl Harbor, which occurred 60 years ago. How should we respond? I think we should respond now as we did then. The first and most essential thing. it seems to me. is to place ourselves under the protective and loving power of OUR Father. Suddenly the word ''Our· takes on imperative meaning. Truly this horror is something that affects
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- By IUOMW wndfair, Dltrcl!lr •if Blach
C..llwlfil: Mrnistry, Dl<~csc •if w nsing
pray From Our
Respnnse
Readers By Jo Hrynlawtecld
Bishop Mengellng held a press conference In the hours following the terrorist attack on the United States, SepL 11. Here Is his statement to the local press:
With all Americans, we are filled with revulsion at the horror and violence or this vicious attack of our nation. We grieve for the many victims of this act or terrorism. We invite our Catholic people and others to join with us in prayer for those who have died, for the injured and ror their grieving families. We pray for President George Bush and the leadership of the United States. We pray ror an end to 6l\olence as a means of solv. g problems, ror peace among all peoples, ror an
these experts, those who have really studied the new delivery systems of death and destruction. Perhaps now we will listen. Is this the "end or the world?" No. But it should be an end to our rorrner ways of living. Our lives will be changed rar into our future. We will no longer be able to live superficial lives devoted to pursuing our pelly pleasures. We must live lives now directed by our Father in heaven, rededicating ourselves to revealing His kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven. This wlll demand or a renewed pursuit or jus~e. or truth, or wisdom, of fortitude, courage and rever-
m
end to acts of terrorism that destroy human life, and ror a new day when people will rind ways or peace and not the bombs of destruction. Our love ror our country, our inner strength in past times or crisis and our trust in God will sustain us now, strengthen our resolve and build greater conridcncc in our ruture. If you are interested in helping the victims of this tragedy, Catholic Charities is still in need of help. Call (800) 919-9338
ence ror what is good and decent instead or what is base, vulgar and violent. Perhaps the warped and twisted souls or these terrorists believe that the diety is pleased with thetr auack. If so then they arc the spawn or the Father or Lies, our Ancient Enemy who knows that Americans arc, deep down, people or raith who place their trust in God. It is ror us to demonstrate to the world that it is indeed true that "'In God We Trust." - By Fo. Cl1mks Jo~¡iu. Fmmcling Edilm; FMTH M~b~inc
am a member of two parishes. The first, SL Mary of Durand, is my home parish. This is where 1 attend Mass each Sunday and where my children were baptized. I feel very comfortable at St. Mary Parish. SL Francis Prayer Center of Flint IS my other "parish.n just as 1 once discovered there is more to the world beyond my own front door, l also discovered there is more to God's world. St Francis Prayer Center has become my bridge into God's vast world. 1 am part of the joy of this world, the prayers of the hea~t , the commitment to others. 1 can feel the spirit of commumty as we celebrate the diversity of us who call the prayer center "ours." I am also part of the pam of this world, part of the poverty and the prejudice. 1 can feel its dfects through those who live it, those who also call the prayer center theirs. ll is here that 1 can reach out and become more, to be accepted and challenged to reach beyond the backyard of my own "home" to see and be part of the more of God's world - the others He wants me to know, the other parts of Him. l share in thts and my soul reaches deeper than ever before through this sharing. His world encompasses so much It is only a beginning. My Journey continues ... l need both of these places and l am grateful to be a member of both.
What makes your parish special? Send your response of 250 to 300 words to: PLACES TO PRAY, FAITH Mage12ine, 300 W Ottawa, Lansing, Ml 48933, or e-mail: hfunh@dioceseojlansing.org. If your response is chosen for future publication, you will receive a one-year FAITH g1ft subsc1iption for the recipient ofyour choice.
lheworld
Pope Jolm PauLII's_Response to the Horrific Terrorist Attack Smolte from the wrcchagc of the World 1i¡acle Center sJuuucls tl1e New Yorlt shy/inc Sept. 12, the clay after two planes crashed into the towers, lcacling to their collapse. CCNS pl101o from Reuters)
on the l]nited States TI1c Onm:h of the Nativity in
Leawood, Kan., sits under a halo created by the contrail of an airplane callccl bach to Kansas City International Airpor1 following hijaclzings of four U.S. aircraft Sept. 11. (CNS photo hy l<olthi Rohr, The Lc;:r.'Cft)
VATICAN CITY (CNS)-
john Paul 11 described Sept 11 as: A dark day in the history of humanity, a terrible affront to human dignity After receiving the news, l followed with intense concern the developing situation, with heartfelt prayers to the Lord. How is it possible to commit acts of such savage M
cruelty? The human heart h depths from which schemes of unheard-of ferocity sometimes emerge, capable of destroying in a moment the normal daily life of a people. "But faith comes to our aid at these times when words seem to faiL Christs word is the only one that can give a response to the questions
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WASHINGTON 0 C. (CNS) -
Washington Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick donated blood at the Washington Hospital Center in response to a call from emergency services agencies in the wake of Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the Pentagon and the World Trade Center in New York Cardinal McCamck of Washington blessed the congregation at the Basilica of the
National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in {\' Washington at the end of a ~ Mass for the victims of terrorist auacks on New York and Washington.
word What My Sisters Mean toMe
which trouble our spiriL Even if the forces of dark~ ness appear to prevail, those who believe in God know that evil and death do not have the fmal say. Christian hope is based on this truth; at this time our prayerful trust draws strength from iL "With deeply felt sympathy I address myself to the beloved people of the United States in this moment of distress and consternation, when the courage of so many men and women of ~ood will is being sorely test~ .d. In a special way I reach out to the fam1Jies of the dead and the injured and assure them of my spiritual closeness. May God give courage to the survivors: may he sustain the rescue workers and the many volunteers who are presently making an enormous effort
_...,.,,..,nCatholic University of Amelica students pray dwing a Mass at the Basilica of the National Sluine of the
to cope with such an immense emergency. ~I ask you, dear brothers and sisters, to Join me in prayer for them. Let us beg the Lord that the spiral of hatred and violence will not prevail. May the Blessed Virgin, mother of mercy, fill the hearts of all with wise thoughts and peaceful intentions. "I invite you all to join me in commending the victims of this shocking tragedy to almighty Gods eternal love. Let us 1mplore his comfort upon the injured, the families involved, all who arc doing their utmost to rescue survivors and help those affected. "I ask God to grant the American people the strength and courage they need at this time of sorrow and trial."
Immaculate Conception cclcbratecl a few l10urs after terrorist attacits on 1he Worlcl Trade Center in New Yorll and the Pentagon outside Washington. Meghan Hines, 19, a sopllOmorc fmm Ramsey, NJ., ancl ururrn Zal10ne, 19, afrrshman fmm Raleigh, N.C., attenclccl the Mass after classes at the university wert: suspended for the clay.
s the eldest of the four children of Joseph and Elizabeth Povish (may they rest in the peace of the Lord), and as thetr only son , my three sisters mean two things to me, the first being the grateful memoncs of years long past. It must have been difficult for them to tolerate me at umes, because as the eldest I got privileges first and seemed to hold on to them the longest. My father, particularl y, was more strict wah hts daughters than he was with his son. Yet janet, lone and Barbara supported me m all my endeavors, both before and dunng my nine years away at seminaries. All the things you may have heard about "kmg seminarian¡ m a Cathohc famtly 60 years ago were true with the J3ovishes. Everything }'lelded to my needs, my schedule, even my preferences. Its part of the family lore that for three years everything went on hold when my box of laundry arrived by mail from Grand Rapids on Tuesday afternoons at 2 p.m., because the seminary there had no laundry service. My mother washed, ironed, and packed in some goodies in ume to beat the post offtce closmg at 5 o'clock To accomplish this the girls all had extra chores and After ordination, I witnessed dinner was late every Tuesday the girls' marriages, baptized What a nuisance that must have been. their children and visited their After ordination, I witnessed homes regularly. the girls' mamages, baptized thetr chtldren and visited their homes regularly. They followed their husbands to where their work took them, to Iowa, to Indiana, and to Florida. I lived m Michigan and Mmnesota, so the visits were not all that frequent; but when they happened they were joyous gathenngs. The second thing about my sisters that is most meaningful to me IS that they made me an uncle twelve times. When a priest takes the Chun.h for his bride and has no natural children of h1s own, hts nieces and nephews fill a significant void in his life. My sisters gave me etght nieces and four nephews. These in turn have, so far, begotten twelve grand-nephews and grand-nieces. One of the Iauer made me a great-great-uncle two years ago with the binh of a daughter in Kokomo. When charming Kaylie gets a little older, her great-great-uncle will be able to start spoiling her with trips to 7 Eleven and with gifts of cash, just as he did with her young mother and grandmother before her. The day-long celebration of my 75th binhday, organized by my ststers in April of 1999, illustrates the joyful rclationshtps I have with this family of mine. They took over the facilities of the Bnarwood Club in south Sarasota to accommodate the 49 people in auendance, counting boy friends, girl friends, and in-laws. More a family reunion than a birthday, it was a noisy, happy-go-lucky gathenng of four generations. All four nephews were there; and my rapport with them was evident when, with formality and with smiles on their faces, they presented me with their joint gift. It was a coffee mug that sports thts inscription: ''First I was a Good Boy. Then I became a Nice Kid After that I was a Great Guy. Later I grew to be a Fine Man. Now I'm JUSt an Old Fan."- Most Reverend Kenneth Povish was the Diocese of Lansing's third bishop and Is now retired.
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