November 2002

difficult times

from

can open us up tobeautiful moments

editor

s a priest, I am invited to take part in people's lives in some very special ways.

Many of them are very happy occasions: a childs baptism; the experience of reconciliation with God and others, the day when a couple proclaims and begins to live their maniage covenant; the first reception of Eucharist; any one of the many steps that lead to a persons unity of fatth with the Catholic Church; and many more to be sure. Yet, some of the most powerful moments in my priestly ministry have come when ministering to the sick and dying.

In times of sickness and uncertainty there can be a deep openness to God's power in our lives. I have witnessed tt ttme and agam when offering pastoral care to those who are sick at home, hospitalized or terminally til What a privilege it is to share in the sacrament of the anointing of the sick. What used to be known as "extreme unction" or the "last Rites: and usually reserved until a shon ttme before death, has been transformed into a beautiful sacrament that permits family and friends to gather with a sick or dying loved one in order to share in the power of prayer and Gods healing Slpirit. Time and again I have witnessed The anointing of the sick this sacraments ability to bring peace, healing and recteaches us that times or oncihation to individuals and families who have been illness, sadness and death struggling on fronts domestic, physical and spiritual. can also be beautiful The anointing of the sick offers comfon and reas- moments that open our surance to the one who is ill, who may be anticipat- hearts and minds to God's loving and healing presIng surgery, or who may have grown weak under the burden of advancing years. At the same ttme, in ence among us. the gathered presence of family and friends, the domestic Church is a visible reminder that although illness may present a barrier, it does not truly separate us from Gods love for us, nor should illness separate us from the knowledge that whtle one may be physically apan from the Church, the Church can and must be present for those who are sick or dymg.

When Bishop Kenneth Povish retired nearly seven years ago, it was with the knowledge that he was a cancer survivor. He also knew there was a possibility that hts cancer could return. Indeed it has Yet with Gods grace through the anomting of the sick and supponed by the power of the prayers of so many, Bishop Povt~h conttnues what may be his most important ministry- the witness he offers through a life lived more closely m union with Christs own suffering. lllness has changed his life and transformed his person.

Harkening back to his days in seminary almost 50 years ago, Bishop Carl Mengeling shares with us the beautiful story of his Uncle Bob. In the summer of 1953, his Uncle Bob died of lung cancer, surrounded by the gathered Church - his wife and family, a young parish pnest, and an even younger seminarian who would later be a future pnest and bishop. Brought together by the last Rites- reconciliation, the anointtng of the sick, and viaticum (the last reception of Eucharist) - a young Carl Mengehng witnessed an important lesson about Gods mercy that he has never forgotten.

This month we focus on the beautiful but often-misunderstood sacrament or the anointing of the sick. It is often easy to see God present in the joyful times of our lives.

The anointing of the sick teaches us that times of illness, sadness and death can also be beautiful moments that open our hearts and minds to Gods loving and healing presence among us. And so our journey in FAITH continues. - Fr. Dwight E;:op 15 Editor In Chief of FAITH 11\aga:lnc and p:IS!or of 1hc Catholic co..munhy of S1. Jude, DeWin

''t

qc

'

\.''

j

l

.'\I ',.,,:1.... N:;,• 1

The

Commcrro ¡ J~tcn 0~

All the

Fnr ~hft ,l

Dcp.l,.tcd (All Sou's} N•:h' :l

S t Charles Borromca, 8JShOt-J

,\ C''

4

The DcdiC<Jtton or tl"'.c Lil!C ..iln Bas

:ICO 1'1

Rcr

contents

From the Bishop 'The sacrament of anointing of the sick came to life for me when my uncle became ill. It was no longer strange and unreal. I saw how it tied in with the other sacraments as part of our encounter with the divine: 10

In the know with Fr. Joe Why is the Church so opposed to euthanasia? Is it wrong to alleviate suffering?

Fr. Joe Krupp 6 TheJoumey Being around a person who is ill even dying can be difficult e may not know how to act or understand our feelings.

Dr. Cathleen McGreal

19

Work Ufe New columnist Tim Ryan looks into workplace issues. This month: dealing with a co-worker's illness. What would you do?

11m Ryan 21

Spiritual Fitness What good is there in suffering?

Why does a loving God allow it?

Fr. Bill talks about what he learned about suffering from his grandmother.

Fr. Bill Ashbaugh 22

Cover

Bishop Povish's fight with cancer - find out how the words he spoke to others onsole him now that his cancer has returned.

Karen might be homebound but her ministry reaches far and wide. If you want anything,

just ask Karen to pray.

18

Culture Fall is the time for family and friends. \IVhat brings back those memories more than

favorite recipes? FAm-t features just that sort of comfort food this has helped the sight-impaired month - plus a reminder that in countries like Haiti, Nicaragua reviving those old recipes makes and Honduras to see.

20 new memories.

24

Dr. Doyle's focus on the poor

World FAITH asked a moral theologian to look at war with Iraq. Is a first stnl<e against this long-time foe justified? Plus, a view from the Vatican on the conflid and the U.S. Bishops' message to President Bush on

securing peace.

30

faifh

tell us what you

Most Reverend Carl F Mengeling PUBUSHI!R

Rev. Charles Irvin fOUNDING IEDfTOR

letters to

think

Volume 3 : laaue 8 ...___ 2002

editor

E•mall us at lettera@falthmag.com

Rev Dwight Ezop

Or, send your letters lo:

EDITOR IR CHIEF

Editor, FAITH Magazine 300 W. Ottawa, Lansing, Ml48933

Patrick M. O'Brien

•

MANAGING I!.DITOR/CREATIV£ DIRECTOR

otlrer NFP providers so tlwt shr is exporting tJ1e only type of birth regulation morally sanctioned by the Church. Motlrer Teresa taught this method to the poorest of poor in India and lrad a .001 birth rate. In fact, tl1e Catlwlics who used this method were exempteel from mandat01y sterilization laws because of Roaem1ry Gunaett Motlrer Teresa. It woulcl be so wonderful if Nicole could b1ing this God-given method to those I loved the adventuresome and in poverty. Tite method builds up inspiring story about Nicole Knecht in Nairobi (FAITH the digmty of women while building rocl1-solid maniages. I Magazine, September, 2002). l Fr. Ceclllo Reyru~ was especially interested in the also strongly encourage it for all Paator, St. Mary Pariah, Westphall1 fact that she plans to "return to Catholics in America. We may not be materially impoverished, Africa and be able to make an Thanks a million for your recent impact on foreign aid and family but sometimes our spirituality magazine which was devoted to planmng. ~ Tirat is very needs aid. Natural Family admirable, and I'd like to Planning to the rescue! Tiwnl: teens (September, 2002). I am tlrrilled that you are beginnrng a encourage Nicole to take natural you, FAITH Magazine,for passWeb site for teens in October. family planning classesfrom the ing this on to Nicole!

Celeale Milne (FA1THteen.com) I have a niece Couple to Couple League or

Thanl: you for including the Ark in the September issue of FAITH. One observation: Kids, in junior high, high school and in college, will be found there "playing pool, eating ice cream, or just chatting," but also more importantly: praising the Lord in song, praying the rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet, learning and teaching others about jesus Christ and His Churd1, and bringing non-Catholics into the Church. Titis part, being its hear1 and ultimate purpose, was unfortunately left out. Peace,

Kathy Funk ASSISTANT EDITOR

Alton Pelowski CREATIV£ lo EDITORIAL ASSISTANT WEB MASTER

jillane Job SUBSCRIPTIONS/SECRE1"ART

Evelyn Weitzel SUBSCRIPTIONS

Tara Shively GRAPHIC DUIGN llfn:RN

Rev William Ashbaugh Douglas Culp Elizabeth johnson Rev joseph Krupp Kathleen Lavey Ronald Landrair Patncra Majher Most Rev Kenneth J Povish Trm Ryan CONTitlllvnNG WRnERS

Margaret Perrone PROOfREADING

Christ me Jones james Luning {cover) Philip Shippert CONTRIIIvnNG PHOTOGRAPHERS

Wayne Case David Fenech Rev Matthew Fedewa Pauicia Garcia Diane Nowak Margaret Perrone james Rhadigan Ricardo Rodriguez David Rosenberg Rev. james Swiat Peter Wagner Sharon Wimple

why do we Plt!Y for the sicK.? does it do any good?

ADVISORY BoARD

Rev Ceciho Reyna WEB MINisnn'

Also from FAITH Magazine:

Brandon jubar f.untl-.-..

FAITHhelps: a monthly, free online learning companion to Rogers Pnming FAITH Magazine. Download PRIH11HG past issues and sign up on fAITH CUSPS OIH83) II • - . N p . . . - - , altllo~-all..otwlne.300W.­ FAITHmag.com I..otwlne.1114a8:13.---.....,C-_, ___ $1511._11_....,_ ..........

-.....-.. s•s..,.,_.

FAITHteen: a free and fun ::;'.;'t~)-42~~~~~~~~ monthly e-mail magazine just ~~... -=-~~;:: ---. for teens. Check out the _.._to:,&ml, :IOOW.-~111 \,cpa -~ • . up on qeurNTH~o- .. --~--.

J newest ISSUe and s1gn ==:~-::-~::,. ~ FAITHteen.com ~(,17):H2·~~' Pauleue Burgess r'AITM.....

'"".......

S' M.Jrq.J•p! o' St:otl.l' d

·~o .. ,

b

St

G('tt~udp t·oe Gre.~' v.rqln

"'Jc. 16

and a nephew tlrat live in California, and are away from the G1urch, so I mailed them the information for this Web site. 1 also sent my niece your magazine after 1was finished with it so tltat sl1e could get spiritually fed. Keep up the excellent work of proclaiming the faith tl1rouglt your magazine.

t goes wHhout saying that being sick Is no fun. When we don't feel well, even the simplest of daily tasks can seem monumental.

That includes our prayer. Times of iUness or convalescence often motivate within us the desire to pray, but the energy, the concentration, and the focus sometimes just aren't possible when we're hurting.

In times of illness, it's good to know that our parish community can lift us up in

prayer to the Lord. When we're sick, there is great comfort in knowing that while we may not be able to pray, there are others who are willing to assist us with the gift of their prayers. When we pray for the sick in the prayers of the faithful at Mass or when we remember them in our private prayer, we're engagi in the corporal and spiritus works of mercy. A simple call to the parish office is all it takes. - rr. Owlghl E:op

7ht· [ko .llton o' •hp H.L IIIC;IS o' fi 1 C Apostles p~~l' r illld P.Jul H1 Ho•nc ~Jo •• 8

St Rose Ph 111PP•nc Dud'lCsne VI

I

how many times eyouseen etcheo: ' ' was here?

faithmag.com

ow many times have you seen some variation of this phrase - where someone leaves their name carved into a desk, written in a bathroom stall, or spray painted on the side of a building? What compels human beings, across all age groups and levels of education, to make this claim in places where it will most likely be seen by another?

The movie, The Shawshank Redemption, provides a window Into the reason for this kind of behavior In one of Its more powerful scenes. For those who are not familiar wilh 1his movie, it is set in a prison and it so happened that one of the convicts was approved for release. He was provided a job in a supermarket as a bagger and a room in a halfway house that served as his home. After several weeks in this new orne, he put on his best set of clothes and readied himself for journey. After multiple decades in prison, he had been released as an old man into a world that no longer had any mean· ing nor made any sense to him. Uprooted, he lost the network of relationships and support that he had buill during nearly a lifetime in prison.

He stood on a chair and dug the fol· lowing Into a wooden rafter: "Brooks was here!' The noose then went around his neck and the chair was knocked on its side. Soon after, he breathed his last. This character died alone, a stranger to the world with no one to share his story.

Yet, he still needed to share it, and this need found expression in a last impulse to leave a mark indicating that he had indeed been alive.

Read the rest of Doug Culp's story only on FAJTHmag.com Answer this month's quiz only on FAITHteen.com: VVhen we feel rejection or lack of sense of purpose, "VVhy am I here?", we er. So what do you do when you feel like you have no friends?:

· Act the way they ad so I blend ln.

B They reject me so I'll have nothing to do with them.

C Be myself and not worry about what they think.

D Be myself but listen and get to know them and their needs.

18

I

The PrcscntJt:o" of t"c B!<•ssed Vorg1n ~IJ•y Nov 21

s: C<•c

.1

lfrs- J •d l.' a1yr Nov 22

St. Margaret broucllt ScotTand to a new level cotland In the 11th century was a wild and untamed country. Scottish lords fought each other and the Engrtsh for control of the government Even the Church, far from Roman control, developed ita own - aometimea unorthodox - way of doing things. It would take a pen10n strong in the ways of secular leadership and rali· gious faith to bring the country to a new level. In Sl Margaret, Scotland found both.

SL Margaret was not Scottish, but Saxon. Her father, Edward Alheling, had been heir to the tlvone of England. but a Danish invasion sent

him fleeing to Hungary, which was known for taking in royal exiles. Thera,

schools and churches, established abbeys, and cared for the poor. She even helped to establish

Edward met and married Agatha, 8 the Scottish parliament.

German princess. Their daughter, Margaral. was born in Hungary in 1045, and was raised to be both a good prinGeee and a devru Christian.

Edward and his family returned to England so that Edward could become heir to his uncle, King (and Saint) Edward the Confessor. But he died before ever meeting his uncle. The Norman Conquest of England by Wiliam the Conqueror in 1oee meant that the Saxons no longer ruled England, and Edward's widow and chil· dren had to seek refuge once again. They ended up in Scotland where King Malcolm took them in and began courting young Margaret Even though aha had intended to become a nun, she realized that she could do a lot of good as Queen of Scotland, and finely agreed to marry the king.

As queen. Marpret buiH schools and churches, established abbeys. cared for the poor, and Invited the Benedictine monks to set up monasteries In ScoUand. She encouraged Scottish clergy to bring the practices of the Scottish Church into line with Rome, restoring the rules for Lenten fasting and Easter Communion, ensuring that the Mass followed the proper rituals, and abolishing liturgical abua· ea. Margaret visited the sick, built hostels for the poor, and held feasts at the castle for commoners. Statues of St. Margaret often show her with coins in her outstretched hand, ready to give to the poor.

Margaret was also busy working her Influence on the Scottish royal court. She introduced continental fashions, mannera, and ceremony. She also introduced foreign merchants to Scotland, and increased economic ties and trade between Scotland and the rest of Europa. She and other English exiles offered advice to King Malcolm and helped to introduce English-style feudalism and parliament to Scotland.

Margaret died Nov. 18, 1093, tow days after laming of the deaths of her husband, King Malcolm, end their oldest son, Edward, In battle. She was canonized a S81nl In 1250 and was named patroness of Scotland In 1873. - Elizabeth johnson

why is the Church

in the know with Fr. Joe

against euthanasia?

I heard a great story about a photographer who was assigned to take pictures of a waterfall. He was advised that a small plane would be waiting to fly him over the site.

The photographer anivcd to ftnd a small Cessna airplane was waiting. He jumped in with his equipment and shouted, "let's go!" The tense man sitting in the pilot's seat swung the plane into the wind and soon they were in the air, though Oying erratically.

"Fly over the waterfall and make several lowlevel passes," the passenger said "Why?" asked the nervous pilot.

"Because I'm going to take pictures!" yelled the •h:~~ ~~~r photographer. question. I know this The pilot looked is a hard issue to look at and sometimes it may not seem to tenifted while askmake sense. I hope this coling, "You mean umn helps. What I intend to you're not my do is take a look at the topic instructor?" of euthanasia and give some of That joke may have caused some the reasons why the Church suffering in your life. It's fitting does not support this idea. because suffering is what we're talking about today.

Intellectually, we have to Suffering can mean anything from listening to country look at the context of music to losing a job or a loved one. So, what do we do? euthanasia. Too often, we make an assumption that This issue's question will hopefully help us understand there are no medical alternathe Catholic view of suffering. tives to allow us to "die with ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• dignity." Now, I do not have "assist a person in death" who an entire class of people the the time or expertise here to power of life and death over us. expressed a desire to die, but cover all of the alternatives. then we could move to "assistPhilosophically, euthanasia So, I encourage all of you ing" those who have expressed presents a problem morally reading this article to research from the standpoint of what is no desire, but who we thinh those medical options includ- called the Kslippery slope." would want to. The next step ing pain management and The slippery slope argument Is. obviously and tragically, Hospice. ending the life of those we feel points to the tendency of As a side note here, 1 also power to corrupt. Once you should want to die. have to say that in a day and When we look at the many give people (and not God) age when we lack faith in peoand varied abuses that occur power over life and death, it ple, it amazes me that we in the health system now, can tends to corrupt the individwould be so comfortable giving ual. It seems OK for us to we honestly say we trust them

Dear Fr. joe: Why is the Church so opposed to euthanasia? Why is it wrong to alleviate suffering? It seems to me we demand more compassion for a suffering dog than a person.

T

St C'emc:•t I Pope J"d

with the power to say who lives and who dies? This is NOT a rip on doctors, nurses and other people who help us stay healthy and alive. This is a tragic statement of reality about the current health care system when evaluated in light of trends we have seen throughout history.

;;; ;o; •••

~/.rt,r

Nu• 2J

St Co ~:-1::>on. Abbot No• 2:1 ' Blessed

~~·gueiii<J-St.-·

Pro P"es: and

~~ar:yr

tlo."' ::>.1

Spiritually, we have a whole other set of problems when looking at euthanasia. We make, as far as I can see, two assumptions in supporting euthanaSia that do not line up with our Catholic tradition and faith. First, we assume that suffering is always bad.

Secondly, we assu me that we have the ultimate power to run our lives.

Is suffering always bad?

Starting with the premise that we were saved by Jesus' suffering and death, I believe that we can state the answer to that question with an emphatic "no.~ I remember giving a presentation at a church where I was approached afterward by a man who indicated it was

Ch,st the KtnU

·, ~,

2•t

St A··tJrew Apostie No•, 30

what makes you feel better when you're sick?

When a person feels ill, a doctor, parent or friend may help to alleviate h1s or her suffering with medicine, food or love.

The Catechism notes that Chnst"s ~preferential love for the s1ck has not ceased through the centuries to draw the very special attention of Christians toward all those who suffer in body and soul."(ccc 1503) just as there are many things that can cause an illness, there are different ways a person can expenence healing. For th1s reason, we asked students at St. Francis of Asslsl School, Ann Arbor, '" What makes you feel better when you're sick?"

"My family writes me cards and draws me pictures~ Nilti, 7

easy for me to be happy and have faith in God because I hadn't suffered. I asked him if he considered the possibility that I was happy and had faith because of intense suffering. He didn't see it.

What a shame that we cannot see that there is a value to suffering that encompasses the whole person. We learn much about ourselves and the world around us in our pain; we also learn what joy is, don't we? How would we know the goodness of happy moments if we didn't have pain? I know from experience that people assume if ou are happy in life, you · ave never suffered. What a tragedy. Again, lacking the space to explore this issue in depth, I ask you to consider

what I am stating. this concept of ')oining our Secondly, we assume that sufferings to jesus." we have the power of life and I want to close with a death over ourselves. Good reflection on the phrase ~dying with dignity." l vaguenews, folks, we do not. God created us to • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ly remember The value of suffering the first time love and serve Him in freeencompasses the jack Kevorkian took someones dom. By freewhole person. life. I can recall dom, I do not mean doing We learn much about all the news whatever we ourselves and the world coverage and wam to do. how he left the around us in our pain. dead person in That leads to • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • a van outside slavery to our desires. The only place we the county morgue. I also will find freedom is in our remember, as the number of surrender to living the way we his victims climbed, his casuwere created to live- as Gods al attitude about the whole own children. A part of that thing. Finally, I remember the involves surrendering to God 60 Minutes episode where he and even joining Him who euthanized someone for a telsuffered so greatly for us. I evision audience. I did not have written in the past about watch the show (and have

"When I get books to read from my mom and stuff to do~ Kevin, 7

"Just taking a nap~ Saralt, 7

boycoued 60 Minutes since then), but in the news the next day, the comments were that Kevorkian asked the "patient" if he was ready, then said "Okeydokey" and poisoned the man. I don't see any dignity there.

I know this is a difficult topic, and I assure you I have had to deal with it in my own life with loved ones. I have found great strength and hope in the teachings of the Catholic Church and pray that you will experience this as well.

Enjoy another day in Gods presence!

•••••••••••••••••••• Send your Questions to: "In the Know with Fr. Joe" FAITH Magazine 300 W. OU.w•, unsln;. Ml 48933 Or: JoelnBiack@prlest.com

r-~-'F_A_ITH_t"" __ ••_•_"" __ •n_d_fu _n_m _o_n_lh-ly_.. _m_•_ll_m_•_u_n~ ut • -tro_m_FA_ITH __ 'o-rl_"_"_s._ S _Ig_n_u_p_o_n_FA _ ITH _ I_ee_n._c_ om _ _ _ _ _ I~ N-ov-cr-nbt_r_2_00_2_7_~F'""A-IT,_.H._,il>,l~~ ._~xi-a(~-'="=-----.

BapUsm Part 1

Baptism Part 2

j.UIU~I')

I

Reconciliation

Eucharist

Confirmation

Holy Orders

\1arth

\p111

~~.~~,

)Ill)

<1>1'1 llf

Anointing

Marriage

Read the whole sen;

1 November 1

li •. I'

'

Anointing of the Sick: no longer ~t a sacrnment for the dying

H

uman sickness has always been among the greatest problems that trouble the human spirit.

Sickness dimmishes our capacity to function normally. it affects our relationships, and it isolates us from the community, It can give us a glimpse of our own mortality Sometimes, In a state of despair, a persons faith can be tested; at other times, illness can be a way to conversion, causing the sick person to evaluate what is essential in life and to tum to God for forgiveness and healing.

jesus understood this. In his earthly life, jesus always had compassion for those who were sick or suffering.

He cured their mfirmities as well as their troubled souls.

By his own passion and death, jesus gave new meaning to suffering - a sacrificial, redemptive act. Our 11lness, then, is not punishment for sm. but a panicipation in the suffering of Christ.

Christ commissioned His apostles to heal in His name (Mk 16.17-IB). james offers us evidence that a practice of anointing and healing existed in the early Church OJmcs 5 H ·

15). This compassionate care continues in the Churchs sacrament of the anointing of the sick. In the place of isolation, we offer the communitys suppon; in the midst of fear and sorrow for sins, we offer Gods mercy and forgiveness; and in the face of human infirmity, we offer anointing for physical and spiritual healing.

For both the sick person and the family, this sacrament can sanctify illness. lt is appropriate that the name of the sacrament was restored after Vatican II. It is no longer called •extreme unction .~ since it Is no longer

reserved for "last rites" and deathbed scenarios. It is not a sacrament only for the dying, but a sacrament to suppon the living in their most dtfficult moments. The sacrament may be given multiple limes to those who are seriously ill due to 11lness or advanced age.

The "matter" of the sacrament is oil - olive oil blessed by the bishop at the Chrism Mass or any plant oil blessed by the pnest within the rite itself. The celebration of the sacrament consists especially in the laying on of hands, the offering of the prayer of faith , and the anointing.

fJl

tiinelit1c: the hisWry ot heating lllst....m

Healing Is a major theine: • Cure of the paralytic Mt 9:l-8 • Man born blind )oba-9 1-39 • Ten lepers Lit 17·11-19 • Centurions servant Mt a:S.n • Peter's mother-in-law Mt B 1.4-5· Mk 1:29-31

Old'Wament

There is eVidence of the use of oils and Hlms for healing from early civilizations.

Medicines were used, but it was God who healed. Pain, sickness, and death are not envisioned as part of Gods original plan. Genesis 1. 2.

I

• Jesus, a living sacrament of Gods compassion and Gods power over Sickness and death, healed by word and touch; healing presence brought IIIWMI renewal anCI outWard cure.

Pre-Nicene

for the ~ of the oH for

• rile of ardlllug mentioned in early Church Orders • Lay faithful led rituals of spiritual and physical beatings with olive oil blessed by the bishop. Usually not a priestly duty.

• Also used oil for catechumens' exorcism, post-baptismal anolntlngs, and rec:oncllatlon

a sick person cc -+lOl

5th-12th centuries • Innocent I provides a prayer

Zaccheus - U!ke 19 1-10

• The Apostles "expelled many demons, anointed the sick with oil, and worked many cures ~ Mark 6~ 13 • sick brought to the presbyters of the church for anointing James 5 14-1.5

_

••

1

,

. ..,

• The sacrament of anointing is joined to reconciliation and viaticum (nonnative sacraments for the dying).

Becomes the sacrament of the dying- ..extreme undlon:' Priest becomes primary anointer since it was associated Wlth penance.

• Venerable Bede wrote commentary on the rite in England noting its similarity to the French rite. (7th c.l • Since public penance was typically made only once, one waited for their deathbed.

Rites take on a more penItential dwKter; bur still ' accompanied by prayers for , 1 physical recovery as well as forgiveness of sins Cllth e.> • prayers for recovery dropped

n FAITHmag.com

h'

II t1 r

l\ t'

p r a _v

1

~

1~

h c1 1 w c b c I i c ' c

theology 101

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

Rita Thiron, associate director of the Office of Worship wraps up her sacrament series with Part 8: anointing of the sick

As the priest says the first part or the rormula, he anoints the sick persons rorehead. As he recites the second pan, he anoints the sick persons hands.

Depending on exceptional circumstances (such as a burn victim) he may also anoint any suitable body pan instead or or in addition to the head and hands.

The revised rite provides a variety of prayers for various ages, conditions, and circumstances. The Pastoral Can: of l11c Sicll (1972,1983) contains the rites to be used ror he anointing or a sick person;

it assumes regular, pastoral visits by the priest and the parish staff are already taking place, including Communion ca11s. It is fitting to celebrate this sacrament within a Eucharistic liturgy and to offer sacramental penance bdorc Mass.

Viaticum ("provisions ror the journey") is the name we give to the final reception or the Eucharist by a dying person. It is the most appropriate last sacrament. The Pastoral Can: of the Sich pror vides such rites ror the dying, including a continuous rite or penance, anointing, and

from the rite; einphasls an

dangerously ill priest is prqper minister • anointing only when death • 1614 Ritual - eliminates and pastoml care of the sick was imminent abuses and gives elaborate rit- • provided rites for various • Great debate about uals; person must have ages, coiiil~ and attained the age of reason to drcumsteneas difference of tliis sacrament from Penance receive it. Ritual remains • adoed Scripture, song, responses, ritual • Tliomas Aquinas taught unchanged for centuries.

• Pertlc:lpeUonolthe that the ~crament removed • 174 7 - Benedict XIV remnants of sin; physi- ,___..,..........,.---, gives plenary community stressed, cal healing if Sin was lnilulgence to including family, result of sinful habit. anyone who healthcare workers, and the pansh community.

O»undl of Florence receives the (1438-1445) aefines sacrament.

Allows for regular essential elements.

V.tlcM II communal celebrations • Coundl of hnt • Uturgical and with bishop's (U548-l 563) ~a saorament biblical scholarship enlightpermission instituted·by Christ our ens theology and history of • •~lntlng of,heed enit Lord~ grace of the sacrasacrament and restores hands rather then HMH ment removes sin ~raises name to reflect this ~ ~ llddltlonel rtte for emerup and strengthens soul or ~anomting of the sick " gencies (imminent d eath); stak person,~ occasionally • 1972 - ·new rft,Jt approved continuous lite or penance, anointing, (confinnation) even bodily health to the (revised again in 1983) and viaticum. siok only given to tho~ • assumes previous 'Ylsits

~ofUis anCihope lbr salvation. t12th c)

• Roman Pontificalanointing of the senses,

no longer just the body part which needed healing.

• Anointing becomes more dominant as last, dea!flbed rttUeiL

• Piler·Loliibaril

• only one ·priest, ritual

simplified 0 3r'h c.)

viaticum ir the condition or the person permits.

As a community, we should regularly pray ror the sick, especially in the General Intercessions at Mass.

Eucharistic ministers should bring Communion to those who arc absent rrom our assemblies due to illness.

Family members and health· care workers offer physical comron and healing. Many parishes have regular commur nal celebrations or the anointing or the sick - a wonderrul opportunity ror all or us to support those who share in the suffering or Christ. 3)

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

It's a ramiliar and comrorting scene: a priest approaching the bedside or a sick or dying person. The importance or the icted as in this scene rrom a movie. But, is it understood? sacrament or the sick is orten

l

0

During my years of catechism, one of the seven sacraments went over my head and stayed in left field for a long time. It was the sacrament of extreme unction. It wasn't just the exotic name! It was strange and unreal because I had no experience or sense of serious illness or death.

There were no elderly among my family. We never knew all our grandparents and their generation because they remained in Europe.

While I was a teenager. all he suffering and dying of ur troops serving in the war was too far removed - I was unable to grasp the horror and immensity of it. Thus, grave illness and death were in the future.

The first time tragedy touched me was when one of the boys next door- part of our neighborhood gangwas stricken with polio and placed in an iron lung. He recovered with minimal Impairment, but all of us were effected by his illness.

By God's grace, I've come a long way since then. The sacrament of anointing of the sick and 1 have come a full 360-degree circle.

Before I highlight the divine and human face of this powerful sacrament, I must share with you the story of a raced event that changed e. It was a deeply personal encounter that opened my

from the bishop mind and heart to the full meaning of this sacrament.

It was the summer of 1953.

I was 22 and a seminarian.

First Theology was over and ordination to the priesthood was three years ahead. One of my moms brothers, Uncle Bob, was diagnosed with lung cancer. He was dying at the age of 53. Uncle Bob, Aunt Vera and their five children lived in East Chicago. His final weeks and days of dying were spent at home with his family. After I came home in june, Aunt Mary said that Uncle Bob was dying and we should be with him. She was moms and Uncle Bobs elder sister and son of a 'matriarch'

Uncle Bob died surrounded by his family, the Church.

For a young seminarian three years from ordination, this was a powerful preparation for the priesthood. The coming classes about this sacrament and the pastoral care of the sick and dying were truly real for me and alive with Divine Mercy.

Yes, my eyes were now open and the sacrament of anointing of the sick was no longer strange and unreal. I saw how it tied in with the other six as the human encounters the divine on our faith journey. Now I understood the great need the sick and dying have for the lord and

••••••••••••••••••••• • ••••••••••••••••••• From youthful innocence to the death of an uncle to priestly ministry- Bishop Mengeling shares his personal experience and perspective on how he carne to understand the great need for the Sacrament of the Sick

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• in America. I knew Uncle Bobs young priest, Fr. Charles Doyle, from our seminary. He had just been ordained a month before in May and was the new associate at St. Mary.

We arranged a day and time to be with Uncle Bob. The presence of our lord filled Uncle Bobs room and us. Time was of no consequence. Aunt Vera had her arm around Uncle Bobs neck.

Aunt Mary and I held his hands. The children were by the bed and in the hallway.

Fr. Doyle celebrated all the Churchs rites for the dying with devotion and great sen· sitivity. Within a half hour,

His family, the Church, and the mutual gift given and received by all.

As a parish priest, the pastoral care of the sick and dying has been one of my greatest joys.

Sometimes it was just me representing Christ and the Church with just one sick and dying member.

Sometimes they are abandoned alone - forgotten by their own, but not by Christ and His Church! Most of the time the priest is not alone but accompanied by many who minister to the sick and dying. Oftentimes , the final months and weeks and the

Find Web video ••cerpts of Bishop Mengellng•s homilies end press conferences only on FAITHmeg.com

day of death are spent with family and friends.

The urgency of this sacrament and the Churchs care of the sick and dying hits us in the words of this sad oldie: "I ain't got nobody and nobody cares for me." Those are bitter words of a person who is sad and lonely.

All of us have experiences that are overwhelming, confusing, painful and challenging. Most of us know failure, loss and grief, as well as spiritual, emotional, mental and physical illness and pain.

During these traumas, it is lethal to feel like "I ain't got nobody" and to say "nobody cares for me." To be isolated and friendless leads to hopelessness and loneliness.

We need never be alone!

Uncle Bob was not alone.

Christ and His Church was there with him and for him.

In my 45 years as a pnest, I and so many with me experienced this blessed encounter between the divine and human through this sacrament countless times. Of course, the presence of the Risen Christ in His members - the Church - with the sick and dying is only one vital dimension of this universally nch sacrament.

I strongly urge you to read the section on anointing of the sick m the Catechism of the Catholic Church as spiritual reading. Try it - you will be surprised and love what you read. - Most Rev. Carl F. Mengdlng Is the fourth bishop of l:utsing.

Most Rev. Kenneth Ravish served ¡from 197.5 to 199.5 as the third bisho He .i s piotuted liere in his li>eWitt home, a condominium community for retired priests near S" Dmnds¡ Retreat Center. Behind him are pbotos that_.E.aint a . icture of a life of service to the Churoh .... from seminai:y photos to five audiences with the last three poJ!es.

I

His biography reads like the stats of an AII·Star

- some categories far too numerous to count. There are however, some categories which have been newly added, ones that you would rather skip!

• 1.5 million miles driven as a bishop.

• 3,000 weekly columns written.

• 26 years as bishop of Crookston, Minn., and Lansing.

• 44 men ordained as priests while bishop.

• Unknown the number of retreats given.

By the sacred anointing of the siclz and the prayer of the priests the whole Church commends those who arc ill to the suffering antl glorified Lord, that He may raise them up and sa\'e them. And indeed she exhorts them to contribute to the good of the people of God by freely uniting themselves to the passion and death of Christ.

• Unknown the number of homilies written.

Catedllsm of Ute Catholic Olurch (CCO No. 1499

• Unknown number of Masses celebrated.

"This all started in the summer of 1994, and I've never asked the question, 'Why me'' Because if !think of all the people who died of cancer - my father, my maternal grandmother, others in the family, all the cancer victims 1 buried as a pastor - 1 could just as logically say, 'Why not me?' 1 just said, 'Lord , help me put up with this. I'll fight it as long as 1 can because I'm enjoying life.'

• Unknown the number of persons he has inspired.

• Twice told that he has cancer by his physicians.

• Once, cancerous growths found to be in remission.

I

To most he is "Bishop Povish" or "Bishop Kenneth." A rare few simply use his initials: "KjP." The reason for our ..__ _, meeting was to talk about the sacrament of the sick - more specifically about the cancer that he was diagnosed with in 1994 and which has now returned. "People are expecting us to be fairly pithy and insightful," I told him.

"Instead of Tuesdays with Monie, I think they expect thi® to be Mondays with Kenneth or something." He smiled at me with his wide trademark grin.

It's the sort of grin that lets you know he understands - that he sees the humor, irony and insight of something all at once. The thought seems to register with him, his smirk turning into a fullfledged smile. "Well," he replied, "let's do our best then."

• Once, cancerous growths returned anew ..

l-

"(\cry month I

\\Till

ror CYI

SC.lll ...

((~" :\rc you alraid nf deal h ?" " No. I

)

I

~lolhn ol (;od,

Jllil)'

and it (treatment) didn't destroy thrm- the

lllllllli S

grew." I ;t<.,knl.

gm·..,.., I don., k.tr il ,.. he rep lied. " I low long han· I pt aycd : ' llnl~ \ Llr~ .

for U<., sinner..,

110\\

and al the hour ol" our dcalh'? J'tn gning to han·

"I had a colonoscopy in April, followed by 30 radiation treatments and five chemotherapy treatments. They declared remission that same year in August of 1994."

Laughingly, Bishop Povish says, "Gosh, after retirement I made more money than I ever made on the job! I was invit~ ed to do all these missions, all these retreats, all these preaching assignments, in five different states. My income taxes zoomed up for that period- not a care in the world. ~I figured if I was going to live longer, I might as well take care of my eyes so I had cataract surgery. I was getting hard of hearing, so I went to Michigan State University's Audiology Clinic and got some hearing aids. And then in January of 2000, I got the bad news.

"I was going periodically for X-rays and blood testS to sec if everything was stable. Then, in January of 2000, they told me, 'There arc spots on your liver.' Since then it's been downhill and I haven't been able to do very much of anythmg.''

At a subsequent appointment with his physician, Bishop Povish was given three options. "He said, 'We can keep you comfortable. We can go after this thing with chemotherapy and radiation like we did before. Or the third option was that we could attack this thing aggressively with these new things that they have hkc Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA) which means going in there wtth a needle and burning the tumor out."'

Over the course of the next year, he had four RFA treatments.

Initially, tt appeared as if the treatments were going to be successful. ~ But, every month I went for CAT scans and it (RFA) didn't destroy them - the tumors grew."

<l

lot of <.,Uppnrt! "

This year, instead of the RFA treatments, there was a switch to chemo-embolization treatments - a deliberately placed embolism (or obstruction to an anery)- to keep poisonous cells out of the liver. "But they're not working, so my physician began a new regimen of very strong chemotherapy treatments. l have it two weeks on, with one week of rest.

Then, two more weeks on, with another week of rest.~ J/lncss and sulfeling have always been among the gravest problems confronted in human life. In illnc.~s. man experiences his powerlessness, It is limitations, and It is finitude. Every illness can maize us ghmpsc death. ccc Na. 1soo I asked Bishop Povish pomtedly: "Are you afraid of death?"

"No, I guess I don't fear it," he rephed. "How long have I prayed: 'Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death'? I'm going to have a lot of suppon!

"I'll say this: I'm not anxious to die, but I'm not afraid to die either. If it turns out that this stuff isn't going to work, well, I will face it."

He then laughs and observes, "Really, though, on the days l feel good, I'm enjoying retirement. And there were those several years I was on a roll!"

Bishop Povish did admit to a dislike in life. "I don't like snakes," he pointed out. "I don't like fish, •

mately achieve their dream -only to then face the greatest trial one can imagine: the preservation of the Union itselW

Illness can lead to anguish, self-absorption, sometimes even despair and revolt against God. It can also malle a person more mature, helping ltim discern in his life wlwt is not essential so that lte can turn toward tltat wllich is. Very often tllness provokes a search for God and a return to Him. ccc No. 1501

green beans or mushrooms either! I've never been afraid of walking the streets of big cities. I don't remember ever really being afraid. I've been behind the Iron Curtain and wasn't afraid there."

And there is one regret - that he has not written a book.

"The book was going to be about Lake Huron," the bishop says. "I've got this book outlined on an audio tape . ... I just don't have the energy or the ambition to sit down and write it," Bishop Povish says. Even though his book is on hold, the bishop continues to write a weekly column for The Catholic Times and The Catholic Weekly, as well as a monthly column for FAITH Magazine. "1 enjoy writing. I get a kick out of seeing the dam paper come and there the thing is. 1even enjoy getting the mail. And if you tum this thing off (the tape recorder), I'll go see if 1 have any letters from my reading constituency."

His down-to-earth style of writing and no nonsense approach to life has inspired countless people throughout his "second" career as a journalist. For a man who has inspired so many, 1 asked: "Who inspires you?" "1 taught American history for six years," he said. "Its always been a hobby for me as !liked history in high school. I've always admired Abraham Lincoln since childhood. Few men have faced failure as many times in their lives as he did to ulti-

Even facing cancer, Bishop Povish admits, is just one more thing " ... in a pretty interesting life .... I see things now 1 never saw before. For instance, in the Liturgy prayers that the priest says silently to himself- I've said for over 50 years - and finally, when 1 got sick, it dawned on me what 1was saying. (There are) two (prayers) before Communion and one afterward. People ~ never hear them because they arc never said~.) out loud .... They're very simple prayers but, wow! One of the prayers we say before holy Communion is, 'lord, jesus Christ, with faith in your love and mercy, I eat your Body and drink your Blood. let it not bring me condemnation but health in mind and body.' Boy, I say that one with fervor!

"Then while you're cleaning the cups, the priest recites, 'Lord, may 1 receive these gifts with purity of heart. May they bring me healing and strength now and forever.' 1 used to say that- even in Latin for many years- and never paid that much attention to it. 'May they bring me healing and strength ... ' 1 didn't feel! needed it - 1 felt strong- it was just words then, you know? Now, they are more than just mere words."

"The same thing is true with the Psalms. I read them for about 45 minutes a day, and they have really come to life because they were written for every kind of human situation, and they sure have a wealth of meaning now."

The man of the Old Testament lives his .sidmess in the presence of God. 11 is before God that he laments his illness, and it is of God, master of life and death, that he implores healing. Illness becomes a way to conversion; Gods forgiveness initiates rite ltcaling. ... ccc No. 1502

C

Bishop Povish talks in indirect ways about time and about the inevitability of the twilight of his life. "1 figured that 1 ought to practice what I preached," he says. "People would have some tough breaks and I used to tell them things like this: Every day

If you would like to write to Blahop Povlah, here Is the â&#x20AC;˘ddress: 401¡A Medl110n St., DeWitt, Ml 48820

you say, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is heaven" and it's easy to say when things arc going good. But when things get rough, you gotta say it, and you gotta mean it: "Thy will be done!"' I don't know how many people I told that to, so I figured that l gotta do the same thing. Therefore, when they told me in 1994 that ... 'you had a cancer in the colon and we removed it,' I thought, 'Well golly. I goua practice what I preach.'

"Sickness has helped my prayer life enormously. I am also much more tolerant of elderly people and sickly people. I used to get so in a hurry, when old people would have lO walk upstairs with a cane and you're behind them ... or you're in a line and you're behind them in the grocery store and they're looking around for change, and they can't remember things and so on ... well, now that I'm getting like that myself, instead or cussing under my breath, I'm saying a prayer for those people. My outlook has changed so much. I can't help but think of how lucky I am. My dad lasted three years with cancer. My grandmother was quite a gal - a real heroine- and she never complained until she was practically cad. I don't know how long she suffered. She died back in he '40s when they didn't have all this stuff to fight cancer with. I just consider myself lucky in so many ways.

"I have been very fortunate and very blessed. When all is said and done, and I look forward since 1994, I've been lucky. And if you want to put it all on the supernatural level , I've clearly been blessed."

Amused by the reflection, he chuckles, "Of course, if you say that to some people, they think you are a phony." 0

Q \:!!

Bishop Povish on the best decision he ever made

I

t was becoming a priest.

I wavered at one point.

It kept coming back to me.

I wanted to be a priest when I was a little kid. I remember praying my last prayer at night, 'May God bless me, and make me a priest: I was under the influence of two very pious grandmotheru. They both urged me to tell the nuns I wanted to be an altar boy. So I did, and they were very proud and very pleased.

Once I got to be an altar boy, my mothers mother said to me, 'Wouldn't you like to do what Father does?' And I said, 'Yes, llhink I would: So the nuns fotm out about it, and they pressed me pretty hard. I quit Catholic school at the end d the sixth grade and went, instead, to public school where they wouldn't bug me so much. I went to Postscript: When I first arrived at the retired priests' condominipublic high school where I dated lhree ums on the grounds of St. Francis Retreat Center in DeWitt, I or four cfrfferent girts. llhink that both realized that I wasn't quite sure which one was KJP's. There were of my grandmolhem kind of gave up at no names on the mailboxes to designate them, and I didn't want to that point, but they kept praying. keep him waiting. I asked the Holy Spirit to help me find him, and At any rate, when I was in lhe laughed inwardly at the thought of such a silly request. I parked 11111 grade I went to the high school my car, got out and just stood still for a moment taking in my surroundings. I realized at once which unit KJP was in and walked counselor and he was pestering me and said, 'Young man, what are you up and rang the doorbell. That familiar smiling face appeared at going to do with your life? You the now opened door. I said to him, "I really - -â&#x20AC;˘ get ~a - you shouldn't be takdidn't know which one you were inl" ing lhese shop courses. You "How did you find me then?" he asked. ought to be taking all college "Well to be honest, I asked the Spirit for prep subjects. You ought to help, and He guided me here because when I know right now what colege ooked at the cars in the carports, I noticed you want to go tol' In those at one car had more rust on the license plate days, people from all the than any of the othersl" KJP laughed, invited me in and said, "You local state coleges and universities would come know, Ron, the Spirit never retires~ For more on 'he SIICI'IImenl of the Sick log on to FAITHmag.com

www.FAITHmeg.com

to Alpena because we were the largest high school in northern Michigan. They were trying to get me to go to one school or another, and kept asking, 'What do you want to do with your life?' They gave me these tests and drew a chart 'You should either be a teacher or a lawyer.

During Lent of my junior year, they were still pressing me about it So I went to see my pastor and I showed him this graph that showed my strong points and me becoming either a lawyer or a teacher. He picked it up and threw it in his wastebaaketl He looked at me and said, 'I have been waiting for you to come back here and talk to me about this! You ought to be in a seminary and you know ill' This was the same priest I used to sarve for as an altar boyl He told me to go home and talk to my parents. He gave me a copy of a seminary catalog and said, 'Tell your parents you're going to go to seminary in the fall and let me know what they think: When I got home, my parents were sitting and listening to the radio. I said, 'I went to see Fr. Bouchard tonight We had a long talk and I decided that I'm going to seminary in the fale My father looked at me and said only one word, 'Youmâ&#x20AC;˘ I used to stay out late at night and he knew I was seeing these different girts. I was kind of wild. That was all he had to say.

1..November 2002 17

FAITH Mag;tzine

Karen, a parishioner at SL Plus Churdl, Flint: "I don't look at the things I can't do. I just do the best I can ~th~od's

help." According to her friend, Jean Haines: "If you want anything, ask Karen to pray for it."

f»)}

Paavola and Haines belong to the Victorious Missionaries, a spiritual group that was founded on the premise that the best people to minister to people with disabilities arc other people with disabilities.

The VMs, as they call themselves, provide spiritual support for all people with disabili~ ties or who are chronically ill. The group includes the elderly, the homebound, the mentally retarded, and the physically disabled. Those who can get out and about serve in their parishes as readers and Eucharistic mmisters. or visit nursing homes and put on retreats for people with retardation. Those who are homebound minister by praying for others, sending birthday cards to people in nursing homes and group residences, or by stuffmg envelopes for the orga~ nization's mailings. usome people don't think the handicapped have anything to offer. I think they're wrong," notes Karen, who became disabled 30 years ago as the result of complications from surgery. ''God put everyone here for a reason, and that reason is to help other people. VMs are needed people - we're needed by the handtcapped and the able-bodied." '<.;J 1 jean, who has multiple sclerosis, says that Paavola's positive attitude is a ministry unto itself. "Its impossible to feel sorry for yourself when you talk to Karen," she explains. ~she helps you to see that God has a purpose for your life and you should be thankful to Him for all the gifts Hes given you. She helps people to sec what's truly important in life."

Karen says that because she doesn't act like a "poor me" person, other people don't look at her that way. either. "I thank God for my life," she says. "I never wonder why He let this happen to me. God gives you what you can handle.

I don't think anybody else in my family could do this, but then, I couldn't do what they do, either. ~

fl1l'\

Karen Paavola ministers quietly from her Flint home. You might not think Karen could do much in the way of ministry.

After all, the 51-year-old woman is unable to use her hands or legs and she is legally blind. But those limitations don't keep her from praying for others every day, or from cheering others up with her positive attitude toward life.

•..•..•...................................

"I don't look at the things I can't do. I just do the best I can with Gods help," says Karen, a parishioner at St. Pius Church, Flint. "I don't really think about praying. I just do it all the time." According to her friend, jean Haines, ~If you want anything, ask Karen to pray for it."

By Elizabeth]ohnson I Photography by Christine jones

N

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

oting that many people feel uncomfortable interacting with the homebound and people with disabilities, Karen offered a bit of advice that has helped her as she ministers to others. ''I'm legally blind, so l can't see a person. I don't know what anybody looks like, so I can accept them for who they are on the inside." she says. aYou have to remember that God loves everybody, and God made everybody, regardless of what they look like. If you can gel beyond being afraid of appearances, it's easy to love them the way God wants us to.~ Karen and her mother. Martha, both serve on the board of

0

"Some people don't think the handicapped have anything to offer. I think they're wrong," notes Karen. the Flint chapter of the Victorious Missionaries, which has about 150 members in the Flint area. Those members who are able to get out meet on the third Sunday of the month at St. Pius. The chapter is part of a larger international organization founded 39 years ago by Fr. j ohn Maronic, an Oblate of Mary Immaculate. The group is headquartered at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, 111.

"We are disciples of Christ,- says Jean, coordinator of the Flint chapter. ~our goals are empathy, education, encouragement, and empowerment. We try to help people cope and show them that there is hope, even if you are handicapped or ill. We stress the power of prayer, because everyone can pray."

For more lnfonnaUon on the VIctorious Missionaries,

call Jean Haines In Flint at (810) 732·1068, or vlsH the VM Web sHe at www.vmusa.org Diocese of Lansing Aging Ministry:

let these elders pray for you hroughout the diocese, Catholic seniors from every parish pray for Intentions that are collected year-round by the diocesan ministry to the aging. According to 81en ~cKay, who coordinates the aging ministry, at least 5,000 prayer 1nten· lion cards were distributed to seniors during the diocese's Senior Parishioners Appreciation Week held in October.

"We've been distributing prayer intentions since 1983," McKay explains. wThe intentions come from anyone in the diocese who has something for which they want an elder to pray. ·- Our sen· iors say they keep the intention cards from year to year. They don't want to stop praying for someone's intentions just because they get a new card~ Are the efforts of the senior prayer warriors effective?

While many of the people praying may never know the results of their ministry, McKay notes that her office does hear back occasionally about the power of prayer. "We've had several people write an intention of thanksgiving that their request from the previous year had been granted," she says. "It's nice to hear about answered prayers."

H you would like to have a homebound senior pray for your lntenUon, contact the aging ministry office at (517) 342·2487.

Bringing the Mass to the Homebound Throughout the diocese, Catholics reach out to the homebound and those in nursing homes by bringing them Communion, vis· iting them, and sending cards and letters to cheer their days ..

But no single ministry reaches more people on a weekly bas1s fA~han the diocesan TV Outreach Mass: \9Televlsed Outreach Mass: Sundays at 1 0 a.m.

Fox Channel 47 (Lansing) and Fox Channel 66 (flint)

do you avoid sick or dying people thejoumey because of how you feel?

L

~:,;~·~·~~~·;;_·;:~~~~~~·

whitecaps of the Pacific. A small town neetlea between rough aJm!nls and steep clilfs, isolated from the rest of lfle island of Moloka'i. The idylrlc scene, ha.Yever, hides a history of suffering. Nineleenth-centut Iepera were exiled there; the quarantine was lifted in 1969. Today, 35 incfMduals remain in the former lepers' colony. Their legacy includes the devastaling physical and apritual effects of iHness. But they also share a legacy of Christ's love, as shcwm through the tenderness of a young priest, Damian De Veustar. " _ My sin Is always before me - " (Psalm 51) Fr. Damien witnessed the guilt of the healthy: "Wny her instead of me?" It is a natural response, but the question has no answer. Prolonged guilt puts a wedge between loved ones, just at the time when they need each other most. The Book of Job emphasizes that suffering is not God's angry reaction to sin, and that no one "deserves" an illness.

• •••••••••••••••••••• "Friends and companions shun We sometimes wonder how to my pain - " (Psalm 38:12) One behave around a person who way to deal with guilt is to pull back, is dying. Pray for guidance and courage to live fully, while either physically or emotionally.

Physical changes that accompany preparing to say goodbye. · are hard to bear. AaFr. • •••••••••••••••••••• dymg Damian celebrated Mass, the smell of decaying flesh penneated the church. At times he went to the window for relief, but with strength from God he was able to face his flock once again. Companions to the dying need their own moments of renewal in order to offer support. " _ In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world." Oohn 16:33) Aa Pope John XXIII prepared for the "last rites,. those surrounding him began to cry. The pope nit the

bedpost announcing, "Come now! Courage! Couragellt'a not yet the Requiem I" Uke John XXIII's friends, we sometimes wonder how to behave around a per110n who is dying.

Pray for guidance and courage to live fully, while preparing to say goodbye. Is there a favorite movie from the past to slip into the VCR? Would the fragrance of a particular flower be soolhing on a bedside table? The loving touches of back rubs or hand massages can be soothing. Surprises remain fun, tool The gift of luxuriously soft sheets or a nightgown in the pen100'a favorite color can lighten lfle spirit white providing physical comfort. Be attentive to the energy level and mood of your loved one, allowing time for reminiscing or sharing concerns. Even Mother Teresa needed support when ministering to the dying. She chose Fr. Damien as a guide and was instrumental in his beatification. Aa we walk aide-by-side with death, perhaps Molher Teresa and Blessed Damien can serve as examples when we offer Christ's tender embrace to the dying. - Dr. Cathleen McGreal is a professor o£ Psychology at Michigan State University and a certified spiritual director.

----------

After Dr. Doyle fiHed a Nicaraguan woman with glasses: "Twenty minutes later I saw her standing in

------

-

-

Tom Doyle can't forget the elderly woman he met in Nicaragua in 1996. The midMichigan optometrist was halfway through a seven-day trip to provide eye examinations in the Central American country when the woman arrived. She had undergone cataract surgery a few years before, but had no lens implant to help her focus her eyes. She could see colors and shapes, but not her grandchildren$ faces. Doyle ran her through a series of tests and wrote a prescription for glasses. Other volunteers searched the database of donated glasses and came up with a pair for her. ..

'"~''''""" J nvev

I Photography by Clrristine)oncs

- - - - - -----

"Twenty minutes later l saw her standing in the doorway," Doyle said. "She got down on her knees in front of me and thanked God that I came. She asked if our group could stay longer to take care of more people."

Doyle is a member of the Michigan chapter of Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity, or VOSH, as well as the DeWitt Breakfast chapter of lions Clubs International. Both groups collect eyeglasses and send professionals abroad to provide vision care.

The World Health Organization established a 20-year vision care initiative in 2000 with a goal of eliminating preventable blindness by that time. It docs not estimate the number of people affected by ncar- or far-sightedness, but predicts that the worldwide need for vision care will continue to increase.

On trips to Haiti, Nicaragua, Honduras and a recently-completed journey to Latvia, Doyle has seen how dire the need can be.

"Really. no matter how bad we think we have it here, when you sec these places, you see how, good we have it," he said. In Honduras, for \ example, the average income IS about $850 a year, wtth rural families often earning $30 a month or less. Paying for an eye exam is out of the question On a typtcal trip, two to four doctors travel with a dozen or more other volunteers. They'll send ahead or carry along 4,000 to 8 ,000 pairs of eyeglasses and vision testing cqutpment while local lions clubs and churches spread the word that they're coming.

Doctors write the prescriptions, then volunteers fmd the two pairs of glasses in stock that arc the closest to iL The patient receives the pair that works best for him or her.

Volunteers refer patients with cataracts or other medical needs to local opthalmologists. On one trip, Doyle and his colleagues discovered that a simple magnifying glass could help a young man with retinitis pigmemosa to read.

Sometimes - as was the case with a man whose eyes had been burned by actd from an exploding battery - there is little they can do. ~Almost anywhere we would go, people would line up," Doyle said. "You start at 7:30 in the morning and go on until you can't sec because it's dark." Doyle becam1 interested in optometry at an early age. An athletic boy willpoor eyes1ght, he often broke his glasses or knocked them out of alignment. He'd report to the office of Dr. Harold to have them fo.:cd . ''I was visiting his office once or twtcc a week; Doyle

Honduras: the average income is $850 - -In----- --

a year - rural families $30 a month or less.

laughed. ''I'd watch him and sec what he was doing."

Doyle attended St. joseph Church with his parents, Rita and Gaylord, and three younger sisters. The children also anended St. joseph School.

"They scrimped and saved to pay tuition and did whatever was necessary," Doyle said of his parents. Rita, a registered nurse, also did volunteer time providing religious education for children with Down's Syndrome.

"It really set an example," Doyle said . He was an altar server and worked as a custodian at St. joseph School to cam money during high school and college. He attended lansing Community College, Central Michigan University and graduated from the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago.

Doyle made his first trip, to Haiti, in 1979. Corrupt dictator Baby Doc Duvalier was still in power then, and the military was ever-present. Even today, Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. The visit was an eye-opener for Doyle.

"I was a poor student in my last year of school , but I was thankful for everything that I had ," he said. He knew even then that he'd someday make additional trips. After graduation, Doyle worked in lansing for several years, then decided to establis h a practice in DeWitt. He married his wife, julie, 16 years ago. {i\\They have two daughters, Kelly, 13, and Abbey, 10. They attend \'!l'}St. Jude Pans h. where Doyle was named Usher of the Year in 2001. He recently finished a yearlong stint as lions Clubs' district governor, overseeing 47 Michigan chapters.

By 1996, Doyle fell he was in a position to help again, and made the Nicaragua trip He went to Honduras in 1999 and completed the latvia trip in September. Doyle often tries to provide more than simple eye care on his trips, carrying rosaries and Spanish Bibles to Central America. "Its my opportunity to try to help people," he said. He hopes to arrive soon at a point where he can make a trip every year. ~There are other optometrists in Michigan who have gone on 20 of these tnps, so I feel like a novice,Mhe said. He knows the trips will be important for years to come. "We could spend a year in one of these countries and never fill the need," he said .

"It's a drop in the bucket."

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

How Can You Help?

Want to help a group that provides vision care to the needy in other nations? The simplest way is to donate eyeglasses or cash. Volunteers also are needed for overseas trips.

Dr. Doyle challenges churches in the Lansing diocese to partner with local Uons clubs to collect eyeglasses.

Call the local chapter of Uons Club International to learn more about organizing a drive. ~ donate cash, send checks payable to VOSH/Intemational to: ~narles

H. Covington Sr., Secretary/1raasurer VOSH 102 Oakvlew Circle, Lake Mary, FL 32746-4201 To learn more about VOSH 01' Lions Clubs' programs, clu:clz the Web

at www.vosh.o1;g or ww1v.lionsclubs m;g

what do you do when a co-worker is sick or has a crisis?

~ ., . i, -'

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

few years ago our workplace was jolted when a long time co-worker infonned us that he had cancer. Dick had been with the company for many years and he was like a family member to us all. During his illness everyone was affected because it was so unnatural to watch this upbeat man have to endure such an ordeal. I would sometimes wonder about the purpose of my job when I would put it in the perspective of what Dick was going through. As his condition deteriorated, it was necessary for a number of people to pick up some of his tasks; but they did it happily because they were doing it for him.

Evidence of our love for this man was apparent through our support and during visits with him at home before he died. The church was filled with co-workers at his funeral.

Ask yourself these 4 questions the next time a co-worker Is sick or has a crisis:

•••• •••• ••••• •••• • • ••

1 Am I gladly relieving my In the clutter of our work life C(WIOrker of some of his or her we can lose sight of our call to service as Catholics. We must job responsibilities so he or she may feel more at ease? serve the needs of those we 2 Is there anything I can do for my come in contact with everyday. co-worker outside of the workplace? • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 3 Are we distributing the additional work equally so that no one has undue pressure placed upon him or her?

4 'vVhat is the purpose of my work? Am I serving the needs of my co-workers fMry day? Or do I use rrrJ co-workers as simply a means to get what I want?

In the dutter of our work life we can lose sight of our call to 8efVice as Catholics. According to The Church In the Modem Wortd (a key document of Second Vatican Councal) and CathofJC social teaching, there is a fundamental dignity to our work - it is our means of roueating the worid with God. The purpose of the companies we work for, and therefore our jobs, is not primarily for the increase of product or profit. Rather, the compatrf exists to serve the needs of humanity as a whole, and individually we must serve the needs of those with whom we come in contact everyday.

Additionally, in describing the sacrament of the anointing of the sick, the Catechism of the Catholic Church reflects Christ's invitation for us to share in His ministry of compassion and healing. Our actions in support of our coworkers in times of illness can help relieve suffering by minimizing their worries about their livelihood. Furthennore, as they experience God's loving grace through us, we ultimately conbibute to their healing process. If we are willing to joyfully pick up this cross, this attitude of service wm create an enduring spirit of peace throughout the workplace. - Ttm Ryan is an information technology prnfes5IO!I:II in Fowlcnrtllc and has earned a master's degree in Poastornl Studies (rom Loyola University New Orleans. He is a member of St. Joseph Parish, Gaines

FAITHhelps I~ a fnte online Ieeming companion to FAITH. Sign up only on FAITHmeg.com

amazing things that she said had to do with the suffering of Jesus.

She knew she was on the cross with Him. She was accepting her suffering because she knew it was going to help someone else. She told me not to worry, that she was not suffering for me. It was her way of comfort· ing a young man who had not seen anyone suffer and die before. My grandmother even died like our lord did. She lost her breath because her poor lungs fiHed with fluid.

My gi'Mdmother knew about a great mystery which

many people never come to know - that Is - suffering can be redemptive.

Suffering is a part of an our lives and it was a part of our

~ tau~t

me about

suffering Is

Sufferfng a pai1 of our lives. I had a grandmother who said she was never sick a day in her life and never experienced a

headache. She told me her secret was to eat a lot of JeU·Ot. The same grandmother had to cope with the emotional pain caused by the death of her mom and dad at an early age, the separation that ensued from her brothers and sisters, and the grief from the death of her first husband while their first child was still in her womb. Later in life, Grandma also suffered a stroke, lost her eyesight and

hearing, and her ability to move her right side. She was bedrid· den for many years, but never complained. Even though she could barely swaHow, she always wanted to receive Jesus in the Eucharist. And she did - aU the way to her death that occurred on her birthday.

G111ndma was one of lhe most peaceful and joyful persons I have known to the very end. VVhen I would go and see her, I felt so much love. In her suffering, she was united to Jesus Christ. Even though she could not talk wen, she still communicated God's love through her peace and attempts to offer love to those who came to visit her. VVhen I would see her there on her bed completely helpless and unable to do an the things she had done in her life for olhem - and her acceptance of it all - I saw Jesus. One of the most

infirmity •.. Yet it was our infirmi. ties that He bore, our sufferings that He endured ... But He was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins, upon Him was the chastisement that makes us whole, by His stripes we are healed~ {Isaiah 53:3-5)

Our lad saw His own suffer. ing and death as central to His mission. • ... unless a grain of wheat faHs to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit ... I am troubled now.

Yet what should I say? 'Father, save me from this houri" But it was for this pllflJOSE! that I came to this hour.' (John I2 24, 27)

lord's life. Suffering can bring people closer to God and one another, but it also can have the opposite effect. Sometimes people lose faith.

how could God be Iovin if He::lfows

sufferin2?

People tend to~ of suffering as a bad experi-

ence. It Is not good In Hself, but our Lord, by embradng the suffering In His life, has made suffering redampUve.

Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would come and be God's suffering servant. "He was spumed and avoided by men, a man of suffering, accustomed to

-•

·-

how does

Jesus'

Suffering

impact me today?

Jesus saved us not by His great awesome mira· des when He had all the crowds behind Him, but at His weakest momenL He saved us when He suffered and died on the cross.

Our suffering, then, can be

holy and good because it will helf us be ~e Jesus if we accept it.

Does that mean we should not

•••

book reviews

I •

pray for our own healing, or the healing of othenl? No! Jesus healed many, and His healing power continues to be exen::ised in the Church through the sacra· ment of the sick and through gifts of healing that people have or pray for on behalf of others. I have been very blessed in my life to witness people being healed through

the power of prayer. Such healing has brought many people to a deeper faith and trust in God. The bottom fine of it all is that God is sovereign. We pray for healing, but we also pray like Jesus did in the ganten of Gethsemani: " ... stiH, not my wiK but yours be done~

spiritual •

spiritual •

First, get In touch wHh a time In your life when you encountered suffering.

prey for healing. You can pray

exerose

~·

Maybe it was some suffer~ ing you went through per-sonally, or a suffering you witnessed. Ask jesus to be with you as you think about this time or suffering. jesus is always with us during those times. Before you conclude your meditation and thought, tum your attention to jesus on the cross, or another pan of His life when He suffered.

• Maybe the suffering you are going through is more emotional Think of jesus' suffenng m the garden where H1s sweat became hke drops of blood • Maybe your suffering is one of rejection. Think of jesus bemg reJected by His own townsfolk at Nazareth when they even tned to kill H1m, or by the ch1ef priests and scnbes who above all fiil; hould have accepted Him ~because or their knowledge of Scripture

(Wu! 22:42) -

Fr. Bill Ashbaugh \s pastor of St. joseph Parish, Howell

exerose

The second exercise Is to

for your own healing if you are the one who is suffering, or pray for someone else. Pray this prayer for them: Dear jesus, you healed so many people who were affiicted and suffering. My lord, 1 come to you like Jairus who pleaded for the life of his little girl, or the woman who believed she would be healed if she could touch just the tassel of your garment. I come to you in faith and believe firmly that you can heal (name the person or yourself here). 1 pray lord that they (I) may receive whatever grace is needed in their lives to draw closer to you. Help us, lord, to accept the grace of healing in whatever form it takes.

Help us to believe firmly and to trust that you are here to help and save us. look with mercy on those who arc suf~ fering lord, and bring them your help. Amen.

Amazing Grace forlhose Who Suffer 10 Life Changing

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

J

Stories of Hope and Healing Edited by Jeff Cavins & Matthew Pmto

oan Ulicny was very successful according to ... h•-· -~· ... the world -that is, until a nearly fatal ~~ · '~ head-on collision with an 18-wheel truck. Left · blind and physically disabled by the accident, FOR THOSE wuo uFHR she came to discover the true meaning of life.

Mike and Kathie Clarey suffered the unimaginable when their 11 ~year-old daughter was brutally murdered on her paper route. They found that through Gods amazing grace, good can come from evil.

These and eight more true stories of people who have endured great adversity are contained in the new and much anticipated book, Amazing Grace for Those Who Suffer. Compiled and edited by Jeff Cavins and Matthew Pinto, the 315-page book, which includes 40 pages of photos, is filled with compelling accounts of Catholics who have found hope and healing in the midst or suffering.

Through these inspiring stories of faith, you will find consola~ tion and a greater understanding of the mystery of the cross. For more information about this and upcoming books in the Amazing Grace series, log on to www.amazinggraceonline.nel.

(Ascension Press.; ISBN: 0965922847; Oct 2002)

No Cross, No Qvwn Black Nuns in Nineteentlt-Century

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

New Orleans

T

By Sr. Mary Bernard Deggs

his book is a rare thing - a history written by a 19th-century African~American nun. No Cross, No Crown: Black Nuns in Nineteenth-Century New Orleans is the story of the 1842 founding of the Sisters of the Holy Family in New Orleans, written by one of their own, Sr. Mary Bernard Deggs.

Sr. Mary Bernard had been one of the young children the original foundresses educated and so had absorbed the stories or the orders beginnings.

Her history leaves no unpleasantry out, for these she considered the sources of grace ("no cross, no crown"). She wrote in English, but she was dyslexic and French was her primary language. This editions editors, Virginia Meacham Gould, a New Orlea~based historian, and Charles E Nolan, the archdiocesan archivist, took Sr. Mary Bernards journal and transformed its unusual English prose into this more accessible account. - Reviewed by Patrich). Hayes (CNS) (Indiana University Press; ISBN: 0253215439; Sepl 2002)

November 2002

23

FAITH Mag:~xtn~

Comforting Quotes: Wrrj not ccusica these quotations from St. Paul as you er1oy ycu comb1 foods?

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord jesus Chnst, the Father of merctes and the God of all comfon, who comforts us in all our affitctions, that we also may be able to comfon those who are m any distress by the comfon with whtch we ourselves are comfoned

by God 2 ~"' 1:3-4 For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor pnnctpalttles, nor thmgs present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor hetght. nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ jesus our Lord. .._.. uwe For you were once darkness, but now you are light m the Lord Walk. then, as children of light (For the fruit of the light is m all goodness and JUstice and truth). EpheWM I:IHJ

things to do

Masses for the deaf community will be celebrated by Fr. Mike Depcik, OSFS, at the following parishes during November: • St. John the Evangelist, Fenton, at 9:30a.m.

Sunday, Nov. 10, 17 and 24. Masses will be celebrated in the Chapel.

• St Francis of Assisi, Ann Arbor, at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16 and 30. Masses will be celebrated in the Day Chapel on the lower level.

• St. Mary Cathedral, Lansing, at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10.

All are welcome to attend. Fr. Depcik is chaplain for the Catholic Deaf Community of the Diocese of Lansing.

Well-known throughout the Genesee County area for their fish fries, the Knights of Columbus of Holy Redeemer Parish will host dine-In or take-out fish dinners Friday, Nov. 1, from 4-7 p.m. in the school cafeteria St. John Student Parish, East Lansing, will host its annual Dinner-Dance Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Lansing Center. The event offers an opportunity for former and current parishioners and friends to gather for an entertaining evening that includes a silent auction and music by the Choir Boyz. For informstion, call (517) 337-9778.

The Old Sl Pabick's Council of Catholic Women will spon· sor the 18th Holiday Craft Show Saturday, Nov. 2, from 9 am.-4 p.m. The event will be held in the activity center of Old St Pabick Church, Ann Arbor. More than 30

vendors will showcase various craft items. A continuous raffle will be held every 30 minutes. A cafe will offer a light breakfast and a luncheon buffet Shoppers can also indulge in homemade goodies such as pies and pastries.

And a welcoming smile is promised for each guest! For information, contact Arlene Klecker at (734) 663-9272.

Being Catholic, a Monday evening speaker series, will be held at St Gerard Parish, lansing. The emphasis of the series is on Catholic spirituality and prayer. Participants will explore issues relating to traditional and contemporary spiritualities, methods of prayer and people of prayer.

Speakers and topics for the month of November include: • Nov. 4: Sharan Egan on

"Feminine Spirituality."

• Nov. 11 : Fr. Matt Fedewa on "Holy Longing: Insights

on the Essentials for an Authentic Spirituality."

• Nov. 18: Carolyn Hudson on "Praying Our Goodbyes:

For People who Experience dte Large and Small Losses in Life."

• Nov. 25: Michael Uberato on "Livingjusdy, Wallting Humbly witlt Our God: Tlte

Spirituality ofjustice." aasses will be held in Sl Gerard's school center from 6:45-8 p.m. All are welcome to attend. For information, call Jan Haselschwerdt at (517) 323·2379.

1\rm to the Bible Study Hour will be held on Mondays throughout the year at Holy Spirit Parish, Hamburg. The instructor for

the series is Bob Christian.

Participants are asked to bring a Bible, notepad and

Tl1e Cateclaism of the Catholic Churclt. The teachings will be held from 78:30 p.m. in the parish's Annex 4. For information, call Holy Spirit Parish at (810) 231-9199.

Looking for an introduction to Catholic theology? Holy Spirit Parish, Hamburg, is hosting Theology for Beginners. Utilizing a book aptly titled Tlaeology for Beginners by Frank Sheed, topics during the month of November include:

• "Tite Creation and the Nature of Man" presented by Fr. Bill Thomas on Thursday, Nov. 7 and 14; and,

• "Tire Supentatural Life and Original Sin" presented by Jon Sussman on Thursday, Nov. 21 and Dec. 5.

The series continues through March. Participants are invit· ed to all the sessions or to topics of their interest. The teachings will be held from 7-8 p.m. in the parish's Annex 3. For information, contact the Holy Spirit Parish at (810) 231-9199.

The Diocese of Lansing's Catholic Campaign for Human Development's Celebration of Justice din· ner will be held Thursday, Nov. 7, beginning at 6 p.m. in the diocesan center's Madonna Hall. The keynote speaker is Fr. Robert Vrtillo.

Recipients of the annual Seeker of Justice Award are Vem Johnson and Dr. Joan Jackson Johnson. The coupte are longtime volunteers

at Advent House Ministries in Lansing. The evening will also include CCHO poster contest awards and CCHD funding grant recipients.

The PTO of St. Mary School, Williamston, will host the third annual Take a Seat Auction Friday, Nov. 8, at the parish activity center beginning at 7 p.m. The theme of Take a Seat revolves around chairs decorated by local artists, as well as many other gifts and services donated by businesses. The public is invited to attend. The event includes a silent auction, an hors d'oeuvres buffet, cash bar, and musical entertainment For reservation infotmation, contact the school office at ......,.

(517) 655-4038.

A two-day retrea~ entitled Building Bridges, will be held Nov. 9-1 0 for couples preparing for marriage where one or both prospective spouses have been previoustj manied. The retreat will be held at Sl Joseph Retreat Center, Jackson. The weekend wift be facilitated by a team of remarried couples, from a variety of backgrounds, specially trained in the ministry.

Topics will include: Christian marriage; communication; family of origin; resolving past relationships; stepfamirtes; intimacy and sexuality; cohabita~on; and legal concems and financial planning. The retreat will begin at 8:30am. on Saturday, Nov. 9, and will conelude at 1 p.m. on Sunday~ Nov. 10. For infonnation, the Family Ministry Office of the Diocese of Lansing at (517) 342-2471 .

community

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Ypsilanti, will be the s~e of fun for the entire fam~y during the Fall Fun Fest Saturday, Nov. 9, from 9 am.-3:30 p.m. The event will feature a silent auction, craft bazaar, marketplace, antique appraisals, Kids' Kamival, local artisans, demonstrations, and an exhibit of children's art. For information, call the parish at (734) 483-3360.

St. Martha School, Okemos, will host a Celestial Auction Saturday, Nov. 9, at Michigan State's University Club. Proceeds from the auction help to cover necessary school equipment, classes and supplies. The event ~ get underway at 6 p.m. ~With a silent auction. A live auction will follow at 9 p.m.

1icl<ets are available by calling St Martha School at (517) 349-3322.

St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, East Lansing, will host What if We Really Love Each Other? on Sunday, Nov. 10.

All teens, young adults, and parents are invited. Pizza will be served in the school gym at 12:15. Jason Evert and Crystalina Padilla will speak from 1-2 p.m. in the church, followed by 0 & A and Mass.

Cost is $7 per person, including food, the talk and the book "Pure Love~ For more information, or to RSVP group size, call Nicole at (51 7) 351-5460.

St. Robert Bellarmine, ushing will host a talk by Jason Evert and Crystallna Padilla, Thursday, Nov. 14, at 7 p.m.

in the school gym. Cost will be $3 per person or $5 per family. Those registering to attend by Nov. 1 will receive a free book, "Pure Love."

Light refreshments will follow the session. To pre-register please contact our parish office at (81 0) 659-2501 .

The Diocese of Lansing's Youth Jamboree 2002 will be held Saturday, Nov. 16, from g am.-1 0 p.m. at the Lansing Center. General session speakers slated for the event are Steve Angrisano and Jessica Alles-Smilh.

Workshops include "It's Cool to be Catholic," "We are the Body of Christ," ~Come Follow Me," "Using Christian Values to Make Good Sexual Choices," "Native American Spirituality," "Telling It Like It is," and, "How to Raise Your Parents~ The band providing music for the day, as well as the evening dance, will be Ay. For information on attending the jamboree, contact your parish's youth minister.

Commissioning of Eccleslal Lay Ministers will be held Saturday, Nov. 16, at St. Mary Cathedral, Lansing.

The service will begin at 10 am. For information, contact Mary Tardif, director of Ecclesial lay Ministry for the Diocese of Lansing, at (51 7) 342-251 2.

St. Agnes Parish, Aint, will host a Christmas Fair Sunday, Nov. 17, from 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. A chicken dinner will be featured from noon2 :30 p.m. For more information, contact the parish at (81 0) 785-3483.

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

The Diocesan Tribunal and the Office of Family Ministry are sponsoring an annul· ment workshop Saturday, Nov. 23, from 8:30 a.m.· 1:45 p.m. at the Diocesan Center, lansing. The work· shop is intended for anyone who is thinking about submitting a case to the Tribunal. Eileen Jaramillo, JCL, a tribunal judge, will speak on marriage as a covenant, invalid marriages, and misinformation about annulments. A second pres· entation will discuss the specifics of presenting a case. Group discussion, question and answer ses· sions, lunch, and a prayer service will round out the day. For more information, call Linda Kolanowski at (517) 342·2465, or Barb White at (517) 589·8487.

A Health Fair will be held at St. Thomas Parish, Ann Arbor, Sunday, Nov. 24 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The event will include flu vacci· nations, heart attack risk analyses, blood pressure screenings, hearing and glaucoma screenings, heal· ing touch practitioners, pos· ture evaluations, and much more. For information, con· tact Jo Wright at (734) 761·8606, extension 208.

National phone number for Mass schedules won't be toiHree KEY LARGO, Aa. (CNS) -

So far in 2002, usage of (800) MASS TIMES is up by 108 percent compared to 2001 . The Mass limes Trust, which works in partnership with the U.S.C.C.B. www.FAITHmag.com

5

November1 The Solannfly of All Saints Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14 Psalm 24: 1-4ab, 5·6 1 John 3:1-3 Mallhew5:1· 12a

~

-·

T/drty-Firsr Sund#y In Ordinary Time:

~·

Malachi 1:14b-2:b, 8-1o PaaJm 131 :1·3 1 Theualoniana 2:7b-9, 13 Mallhew 23:1-12

0...

~

§en

November 10 ~ Thirty·Stcond Sund#y in ~ Ordbwry Time: ~ Wl8dom6:12·16 t\) PaaJm 63:2-8 ~ 1 Thessalonians 4 :13·18 or 4:13-14 • Matthew 25:1-13

$-

November17 Thirty-Third Sunday In Ordinary Time: Proverbs 31 ; 1o-13, 19·20, 30.31 Paalm 128: 1·5 1 Theaaaloniana 5;1-6 Matthew 25:14·30 or 25:14-15, 19·21

~

November24 Tht Solannfly of Chris! tht King Ezslcial34: 1H 2, 15· 17

Paalm 23: 1-3, 5·6 1 Corinflians 15:20.26, 28 Mallhew 25:31-46

Catholic Communication Campaign, said, ~The resulting increases in telephone costs, and the effects of the stock market on the endowment that funds Mass 1imes, have combined to cause the end of the tollfree telephone option."

Travelers still will be able to get times and loca· tiona of Masses throughout the United States by visiting the Web site at: www.masstimes.org, or calling a new number: (41 0) 676-6000.

November 2002

27

FAITH Mag;t1 ln~

9~estions to askyout5clf

before you vote

M

•

• •

•

• •

• • • • •••

ichigan citi; ens cept of fami- increase gaps between rich will have the ly- the and poor, or build new ecoopportunity Nov. 5 to needs and nomic bridges between the shape the future of concerns of peoples of the world. Because families must of our nation's economic Michigan government and the federal government for power, Catholics in the U.S. be a central years to come. Voter-enacted have a particular responsibility priority. tenn limilS require that 27 Wages to reflect and act on matters Senate members and 23 must be ade- relating to globalization.

Life and Dignity of quate for workers to proHouse members will be new 5 Does the candidate supthe Human Person: faces. Additionally, Michigan vide for themselves and port a governmental role Abortion and the citizens will elect a new govtheir families in dignity. AJso, In global relief services?

Death Penalty ernor, attorney general and wages must provide a rea6 Does the candidate We believe that every secretary of state. On the fedsonable standard of living. address Issues of global· erallevel, one U.S. Senate scat person is precious, that J1CO- Work environments must be lzation and solidarity with will be decided along with 15 ple arc more important safe and free from discrimi- those who are left behind? sealS in the U.S. House of than things, and tltat the nation or harassment.

7 Where does the candl· measure of every institution 3 Where does the candl· date stand on protection Representatives. Scores of is whether it threatens or local government positions date stand on the mini· of human rights across cnltaltces the life and digni- mum wage law? Living will also be decided. the world?

Our faith infonns us that ty of dte l111man person. wage?

••••••••••••••••••••• Human life is a gift from 4 Where does the candl· Care of God's Creation it is important for every God, one that we are caUed We are called to l'rotcct date stand on the level citizen to bring together the guidance of the Gospel to protect, nurture and susof unemployment com· cltildrcn and the planet, livtain. The right to life, the most pensatlon? and the opportunities for ing our faith in relationsllitJ • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • wid1 all of Gods creation. basic of all human rights, democracy to help shape a must be protected by law. society more respectful of Solidarity This environmental cllal1 Where does the candl· human life and dignity, and We arc our brotlters' and lenge l1as fundamental moral date stand on abortion? more committed to justice sisters' lteepcrs, wherever and etlllcal dimensions that 2 Where does the candl· tltey live. Learning to prac· and peace. Catholic social cannot be ignored. date stand on the death teaching is a central and tice tl1e virtues of solidarity Stewardship requires a essenual clement of the faith . penalty? means leaming tl•at "loving careful protection of the environment and calls us to If each duzen is to assume ••••••••••••••••••••• our neighbor" has global Call to Family, his or her civtc and moral dimensions in an interdeuse our intelligence to disresponsibility, it is important Community and cover the earth's productive pendent world.

Participation to mvestigate the positions potential. We have an obliThe concerns for wori<ers We believe people have a of candidates for public extend beyond the borders of gation to protect and nurright and a duty to particioffice and then vote for the the U.S. Increasingly, we live ture the environment for candidate of choice. To assist pate in society, seelzing future generations. and act in a global markettogether the common good Catholic voters, the place. We are members of 8 Where does the candl· and well-being of all, espeMichigan Cathohc one human family, not simply date stand on energy Conference provtdes the cially tlte poor and tl1e rivals in a global economy. policy and Its effects on vulnerable. necessary framework for The question is whether glob- the poor?

As God established the important moral questions alization will lift people up or 9 How does the candldat family as the basic cell of and matters of justtce using push them down; whether it address proper steward· human society, public polithe clements of Catholic will drive people apart or bring ship of God's creation? cies must support the consocial teaching. them together; whether it will C2002 Michigan Catholic Conference

40isalu~

"~ne

pastor, one school

I

. ....... ...

t began as a simple enough idea - be a role modeVmentor for young people. For Pastor Viol Tricc of Lansings Word Church, it has became an ecumenical mission.

As founder and creator of One Pastor-One School, Trice frames the concept by noting, "Essentially what One Pastor-One School does is to provide a cadre of weekly volunteers to the Lansing School District ... who volunteer their time as a lunchtime cafeteria and playground presence for students."

Pastors and priests in the lansing area sign a commitment letter to have themselves or a designated per"on from their parish or . burch present for one hour per week as a volunteer throughout the school year.

"Why can't people of faith be role models for our students in public school?" asks the organizations treasurer, Pastor Alben Kelley. "Our goal is not to convert, proselytize, or preach to anyone during the time we are in the schools, but to be who we arc -community people who want to help our schools and students succeed. That we happen to be people of faith More on •'.

1•

•

number for Flint parish and pastor

is not a bad thing. Where docs it say th&ll a Christian can't be a role model?

"We arc promoting voluntarism for our church leaders."

Trice notes, uwe work in conjunction with the Capitol Area Youth Alliance (CAYA), the Lansing School District, and Lansing Mayor David Hollister's office. They have been tremendous supporters of this effon.~ Lansing Diocesan Chancellor Msgr. Robert Lunsford says that support of this program makes obvious sense. "Many people forget that most of our Catholic students do in fact attend public schools. Public schools are our partners in the mission of educating young people, not our enemies. We have a vestcd interest in their success."

Trices vision as well as that of the organization's board of directors is to make the projcct a state and n;llional elTon. On TV: One Pastor-One School airs a weekly hourlong program on public access cable television In the Lansing area. The Diocese of Lansing hosts the show on the last Monday of each month. The program airs at 1:30 p.m. on cable.- Ron Landfair

ith fond memories of the past and an eye on the future, St. Pius X School celebrated its 40th anniversary Sept. 4 - the actual date the school opened in 1962.

Bishop Carf Mengeling was on hand not only to celebrate the milestone but also to bleas a newly buitt childcare center. "(The childcare center) is the sign that 40 years is not the end," said Bishop Mengeling during his homily. "You are looking toward the future~ The childcare center at Sl Pius X School houses the prekindergarten, young fives and day care/latchkey programs. It was made possible through the estate of Howard and Mary Montague, long-time St. Pius parishioners.

A Mass, reception and open house for the school's anniversary wiR also be held Saturday, Nov. 30, beginning at 4:30 p m.

Forty isn't just a milestone for the school, however. Msgr.

Richard Groshek, pastor of St. Pius X Parish, marked his 40th anniversary to the priesthood in June. More than 200 friends and parishioners gathered together for a special Mass and

espect Ufe Sunday was celebrated Oct. 6, marking the 30th anmversary of the United States Bishops' Respect Life program. The programs goal is to promote a greater understanding of and respect for the value and digmty of human life.

Events celebrated Respect Life Month throughout the

Diocese of Lansing, mcluding a pro-life rally held at Michigan State University Saturday, Oct. 5. Groups such as Medical Students for Life and Project Rachel were reprcsemed at the rally, which included bands and speakers.

"The purpose of the rally was to show the community that young people care and we are

party. "Msgr. Groshek has been a faithful part of this diocese for 40 years," remarked Bishop Mengeling. "During that time, he has served as a parish priest, director of Catholic Social Services, and vicar general.

"His life has been character· ized by dedicated pastoral service to God and his people in the Church. We are grateful for this service, share in his joy on this occasion, and wish him many more fruitful yeara~ - Kallry Funlr

Fr. Timothy MacDonald To: Pastor. Most Holy Trinity Parish, Fowler From· Parochial Vicar, St. Gerard Parish, Lansing Chinnal'patt Kulattdai To: Pamchial Vicar; 51.

Gerard Pa rish, Lansing Fmm: Pamchial Vicar.

Most Holy Trinity Paris/1, Fowler Fr.

milg.com

october events celebrate

~dproclaim ~the

•

Gospel of life

Star current wllh dallv catholic news and features - Make FAITHmag.com vour homepage

l

proud to be pro-life," said rally coordinator and MSU freshman Katie Wilcox. ~Also, it is important for women to \mow that there are options other than abortion." - Alton PdoiVs.ld Ntl\·cmiltr 200l

29

FAITH Maga:lnc

the world

FAITH Magazine asked moral theologian Fr. Patrick Boyle, S.j ., a faculty member at Mundelein Seminary about the trouble with Iraq and whether a first strike policy is morally justified

A

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

s I renect on todays situation with Saddam Hussein and a preemptive strike on Iraq, I am not totally convinced that principles of a just war are applicable. The present teaching of the Church, based on the principles of just war, is that such military action is only justified ÂŤdefensively." One cannot use the principles to justify starting a war. First of all, Hussein has not openly threatened force against our country. And secondly, even if he had, the threat is not imminent. In other words,

Hussein has not mobilized his forces for war. On the other hand, that does not mean a preemptive strike against his regime is out of the question. In my opinion, a preemptive strike is justified by any government on the grounds that it has an obligation in justice to protect its citizens from all predators who have the intent of harming its citizenry. Protection is one of the reasons why human beings form civil communities and pay taxes.

7 conditions for amoral war in Iraq

I

.. .. ... ..

f Saddam Hussein qualifies as a predator on our citizenry, l think that certain conditions have to be in place before launching a preemptive attack on Iraq:

Military action is only justified "delensively. '' One cannot use the p~¡inc.iples to. JUStlfy starting a war.

1 Military intelligence and other intelligence agencies of our government and other nations must have certain proof that Hussein is in some way a contributor to worldwide terrorism and that he has every intent to wreak havoc on our citizenry or on other nations, once he has the necessary means of destruction (e.g. nuclear weaponry).

2 If, indeed, such evidence is forthcoming, then all avenues to dissuade him from terrorism and from implementing his evil intent against our citizenry must be exhausted and military force is the only remaining option to protect our citizenry from his evil intent.

3 A plan of attack against his regime must be carefully thought out with only as

much military force as necessary to achieve the mission.

4 All our military efforts must be directed at toppling his regime with minimal amount of damage and loss of life on both sides.

5 Every effort must be made to protect innocent Iraqis from harm.

6 Once his regime has been toppled, we support the Iraqi people in forming a government of their choice and help that government provide for the needs of its people.

7 Congress and the American people must give their support to such a military undertaking.

U.S. Bishops urge Bush to pursue options in Iraq

T

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

he head of the U.S. bishops' conference wrote to U.S. President George W Bush urging that alternatives be found to a 'reemptive military attack 'b Iraq.

In his letter, Bishop Wilton Gregory. president of the episcopal conference, said a preventative attack would not be in keeping with the required moral exigencies.

The letter, dated Sept 13, was written at the request of the bishops' Administrative

Pop~_ urges

taCkling root

causes of terrorism

and world problems ••••••••••••••• ope John Paulll addressed a wide range of justice and peace issues in early September, urging the international com-

Committee, which meta week earlier.

In his letter, Bishop Gregory analyzes, in the light of moral principles, the possibility of a U.S. military operation to oust Saddam Hussein. The analysis is based on criteria in No. 2309 of the Catechism of the Catholic G1urc/t.

According to these principles, the "just war," or rather the right of legitimate defense, requires that there be a ujust cause, right authorIty, probability of success, proportionality, and noncombatant immunity."

In speaking of the "just cause," Bishop Gregory asks: "Is there clear and adequate evidence of a direct connection between Iraq and the attacks of September 11th or clear and adequate evidence of an imminent attack of a grave nature?"

"Should not a distinction be made between efforts to

change unacceptable behavior of a government and efforts to end that governments existence?" the bishop asks.

In regard to the "right authority." he believes that an operation of these characteristics could only be undertaken if it has "congressional and United Nations approval."

"With the Holy See, we would be deeply skeptical about unilateral uses of military force, panicularly given the troubling precedents involved," Bishop Gregory explains.

Quoting the Catechism, the bishops stress that the use of force must have "serious prospects of success" and "must not produce evils and disorders graver than the evil to be eliminated."

"War against Iraq could have unpredictable consequences not only for Iraq but for peace and stability elsewhere in the Middle East," Bishop Gregory emphasizes.

"Would preventive or preemptive force succeed in thwaning serious threats or, instead, provoke the very kind of attacks that it is intended to prevent?"

"How would another war

munity to tackle the global imbalances that aggravate terrorism, political conflict and environmental degradation.

The pope focused on the root causes of terrorism saying that after Sept 11 the wortd recognized the urgent need to combat "weelfinanced and highly organized international terrorism," which is built on contempt for human life.

But he said an essential part of the fight against t~ ism is easing the "scandalous

situations of gross injustice, oppression and marginalization" which oppress millions of people and stimulate the recruitment of terrorists.

He said such inequalities never excuse acts of terrorism, but the international community cannot overlook the "underlying causes that lead young people especially to despair of humanity, of life itself, and of the future, and to fall prey to temptations of violence, hatred and a desire for revenge at arYf cost."

-John Thavls (CNS)

in Iraq impact on the civilian population, in the shon- and long-term? How many more innocent people would suffer and die, or be left without homes, without basic necessities, \vithout work?" he adds.

"Would war against Iraq detract from our responsibility to help build a just and stable order in Afghanistan and undermine the broader coalition against terrorism?" the prelate continues.

After acknowledging that armed conflicts continue to be a serious danger today for civilian populations, the bishop encourages President Bush to continue in his efforts to build broad international suppon for a new, more constructive and effective approach to press the Iraqi government to live up to its international obligations.

"We respectfully urge you to step back from dte brink of war and help lead the world to act together to fashion an effective global response to Iraq!; threats that confonns widt traditional moral limits on the usc of military force," Bishop Gregory concludes. -Zmll

last word Bishop Kenneth Povish's monthly column will return next month in the December issue of FAITH.

Catholic cemeteries are where lives are commemorated,

deaths recorded, families reunited, memories made tangible and

love expressed. Catholic cemeteries 118 a

history of people, a perpetual

record of yeatarday and a sanctuary of peace and quiet today. metene~

Contact: (517)

342~2534

A Message from Your Parish:

. faith

Th< ~bp:!n< o/ 111< C.. hoi~ " " " - ul UIUin&

300 W. Ottawa Lansing, Ml 48933 www.DloceseofLanslng.org

Online:

www.FAnH m~t.com

On TV:

Tbe Outreedl Mesa, Sunday, tO a.m.

Flint - FOX 88 Lanllng - fOX 47

On Radio: Me11, 11

a.m. on WJIM 1240 AM

Thank you for donating to the DSA and the American Evangelization Appeal â&#x20AC;˘ November Is Black Catholic History Month